DUKE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY i \ ■ Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015 https://archive.org/details/pastpresentofgre21fair PAST AND PRESENT u OF GREENE COUNTY MISSOURI Early and Recent History and Genealogical Records of Many of the Representative Citizens BY JONATHAN FAIRBANKS AND CLYDE EDWIN TUCK VOLUME II ILLUSTRATED 1915 A. W. BOWEN & COMPANY INDIANAPOLIS DEDICATION. This work is respectfully dedicated to THE PIONEERS, long departed. May the memory of those who laid down their burdens by the wayside ever be fragrant as the breath of summer flowers, for their toils and sacrifices have made Greene county a garden of sunshine and delights. FOREWORD All life and achievement is evolution; the wisdom of today comes from past experience, and present commercial prosperity is the result of former exertion and sacrifice. The deeds and motives of the men that have gone before have been instrumental in shaping the destinies of later communities and states. The development of a new country was at once a task and a privilege. It required great courage, privation and suffering. Compare the present conditions of the people of Greene county, Missouri, with what they were three-quarters of a century ago. From a trackless wilderness and a virgin prairie, less than a century ago, it has been transformed into a center of prosperity and advanced civilization, with millions of wealth, modern railroad facilities, great educational institutions, splendid industries, and immense agricultural productions. Can any thinking person be insensible to the fascination of the study which discloses the incentives, hopes, aspirations and efforts of the early pioneers who laid so firm a foundation upon which has been reared the magnificent prosperity of later days? To perpetuate the story of these people and to trace and record the social, political, and industrial progress of the community from its first inception to the present time has been the function of our historians. A sincere purpose to preserve facts and personal memoirs that are deserving of perpetuation, and which unite the present with the past, is the motive for this publication. While the actual writing of most of the work was done by Clyde Edwin Tuck, the data was gathered by many trained assistants and the finished product ap- proved by competent local authorities, to prevent possible errors, Jonathan Fairbanks being the principal editorial advisor, while special chapters were written by Edward M. Shepard and others well equipped to prepare such articles. A specially valuable department has been devoted to the sketches of representative citizens of this county whose records deserve perservation because of their worth and accomplishments. The publishers desire to ex- tend their thanks to all who have aided in any way in making this under- taking a success, and to express their gratitude for the uniform kindness with which the citizens of Greene county have regarded their efforts and for the many services rendered in obtaining necessary information. In placing “Past and Present of Greene County, Missouri,” before the citizens, the publishers can conscientiously claim that they have carried out the plan as outlined in the prospectus. Every biographical sketch in the work was submitted to the party interested, for correction, and therefore any error of fact, if there be any, is solely due to the person for whom the sketch was prepared. Confident that our efforts to please will fully meet the approbation of the public, we are, Respectfully, THE PUBLISHERS. CONTENTS CHAPTER I— PREHISTORIC RACES IN GREENE COUNTY 25 Evidence of Cave Dwellers and Mound Builders — Indian Implements — - Characteristics of the Osages, Delawares and Kickapoos — Indian Trails — Early Explorers — First Settlers — Under Flags of Spain and France — The Old Louisiana Territory. CHAPTER II— GEOLOGY, LOCATION AND TOPOGRAPHY 59 Altitudes — The Ozarks — Various Rivers and Streams — Caves — The Differ- ent Formations — The Geological Ages — An Interesting Region for the Stu- dent of Geology and Archaeolgy. CHAPTER III— ECONOMIC GEOLOGY 85 Water — Springfield Water Supply — Mineral Waters — Building Stones — Sandstones— Limestone — Ornamental Stones — Lime — -Soil — Road Material — Coal — Iron — Lead — Zinc — Copper — Silver — Gold — Petroleum — Local Mines. CHAPTER IV— ORGANIZATION OF COUNTY 120 Official Acts Connected with Its Formation — Beginning of the Various Townships — Giving Greene County a Legal Existence — Unique Court Docu- ments. CHAPTER V— EARLY SETTLEMENT : 129 Where the Pioneer Settlers Emigrated From — Where They First Effected Their Settlment — The Early-day Mills — Early Roads — Pioneer Schools — Churches — Customs and Manners — Going to Market — Mail Facilities. CHAPTER VI— COUNTY GOVERNMENT 156 First Set of Officers — -Pioneer and Later Court Houses — Jails and Care for the Unfortunate Poor — Bond Issues — Roads and Bridges — Finances at Dif- ferent Periods — A Glimpse of Early Court Proceedings. CHAPTER VII— TRANSPORTATION 185 Railroad Building and Freighting — How Early Merchants Obtained Their Goods — First Train Into Springfield — Old Gulf Railroad- — The Bolivar Branch — Springfield Traction Company — Stage Coaches. CHAPTER VIII— FARMING AND STOCK RAISING 196 Pioneer Methods of Farming — Old Time Implements — Smaller Farms Now — Greater Diversity of Crops — Improved Methods — Stock Raising — Products Shipped Out of the County. CONTENTS. CHAPTER IX— VARIOUS DIVISIONS OF GREENE COUNTY 204 History of Each Township — The Original Townships — Changes in the Civil Subdivisions — Population at Various Periods — Early Settlement of Each Township — History of Towns and Villages — Special History and Events. CHAPTER X— COUNTY GROWTH AND PROGRESS 211 Miscellaneous Events of Interest — Population by Decades — Population by Last Federal Census by Townships and Precincts — First Events in the County — Market Quotations at Different Periods — The “Rough Side of Life.” CHAPTER XI— MILITARY HISTORY 229 Revolutionary Soldiers — Indian Troubles — Soldiers — The Mexican War — Beginning of the Civil War — Coming of General Lyon — Battle of Wilson’s Creek in Detail — -Springfield Under Federals and Confederates — Zagonyi’s Charge — The Battle of Springfield — Trials and Troubles of the People Dur- ing the Long Struggle — Conditions Immediately After the War— Greene County’s Part — The Spanish-American War. CHAPTER XII— HISTORY OF PUBLIC EDUCATION IN SPRINGFIELD — 409 First Public Schools — High School and Various Ward Schools — Number of Pupils — Drury College — State Normal School — Old Normal School — Carne- gie Public Library — Other Schools of the county. CHAPTER XIII— BENCH AND BAR 443 Prominent Early Lawyers and Jurists — Characteristics of the Members of the Greene County Bar in Pioneer Days and the Present — Names and Records of Attorneys and Judges During the Entire History of the Local Bar. CHAPTER XIV— THE PRACTICE OF MEDICINE IN GREENE COUNTY- 485 Growth of the Science — Names and Characteristics of the Pioneer Doctors — Later General Practitioners, Surgeons and Specialists — Dentists — Veter- inarians — Osteopaths — Chiropractors — Hospitals. CHAPTER XV— BANKS AND BANKING 509 Amount of Deposits — Annual Clearing House Figures — First Bank — First National Banks — Names of Leading Bankers of the Early Days — History of Various Banks of the Past and Present. CHAPTER XVI— THE NEWSPAPERS OF THE COUNTY 519 The First Published in What Was Originally Greene County — Names of Early and Later Publications — A Brief History of Each — Names of the Publishers. CHAPTER XVII— SECRET SOCIETIES 524 History of Masonry and Its Co-ordinate Branches in Greene County — Var- ious Lodges — Sons of the Revolution — Grand Army Organizations — National Cemetery — Confederate Organization — Confederate Cemetery — First Decora- tion— Y. M. C. A.— Y. W. C. A. CHAPTER XVIII— WOMEN’S CLUBS 560 Interest Manifested in Intellectual Development After the Civil War — Names of Charter and Present Members of the Various Organizations — The Growth of the Club Movement — Some of the Things Accomplished. CONTENTS. CHAPTER XIX— CHURCH DENOMINATIONAL HISTORY 579 The Methodist, Baptist, Christian, Presbyterian, Congregational, Evangeli- cal, Lutheran and Other Churches — Colored Churches — Catholic Church History. CHAPTER XX— MANUFACTURING 663 Its Beginning, Growth and Present Condition — Early Plants and Shops — Modern Mills, Foundries and Other Centers of Activity — A Comparison Be- tween Pioneer and Modern Methods. CHAPTER XXI— CITY OF SPRINGFIELD 682 Its Founders — Incorporation — Early-day Business Interests — Growth — Re- cent Years — City Governments— List of Mayors — Street Making — Fire De- partment-Water Works — Electric Light and Power Plants — Other Items of Interest. HISTORICAL INDEX Agriculture 196 Altitude of Springfield 59 Ash Grove 208 Banks and Banking 508 Growth of Banks in Springfield — 508 First Banks 510 National Banks 512 North Side Banks 515 Trust Companies 516 Banks of the Smaller Towns 516 Baptist Young Men’s Organization- 652 Baptist Young People’s Union 617 Bench and Bar 443 Early Lawyers 443 Early Judges 443 Brief Mention of Former and Present Practicing Lawyers 471 Criminal Court 451 Congressmen 464 Lawyers in Springfield Before the War 457 List of Present Active Practition- ers 483 Oldest Member of the Bar 469 Bois D’Arc 210 Boone, Nathan 140 Brotherhoods 617 Campbell Camp 552 Carnegie Public Library 428 Cave Spring 208 Chiropractors 499 Christian Endeavor 616 Churches, Catholic 618 Immaculate Conception 619 Sacred Heart Parish 622 St. Agnes 635 St. Joseph’s 638 Churches, Protestant 579 Christian 585 Baptist 595-650 German, and others 608 Methodist Episcopal 579-600-639-644 Methodist Protestant 584 Congregational 603 Protestant Episcopal 607 Presbyterian 588-646 Colored, Baptist 611 Other Denominations 660 Country Churches 639 Civil War 239 Before the War Began 239 News of Ft. Sumter 242 Federal Troops 245 General Lyon 249 Expedition to Forsyth 252 Engagement at Dug Springs 253 Confederate Troops 256 Federal Account of Battle of Wil- son’s Creek 257 Battle in Detail 266 Death and Burial of Gen. Lyon 270 Col. Sigel 274 Confederate Account of Battle 281 McCulloch’s Fight with Sigel 288 Losses 290 Care of Wounded and Burial of Dead 292 Greene County Men in Battle 293 Federals Evacuate Springfield 295 Confederate Troops Enter Spring- field 297 Influence of Battle 300 Col. T. T. Taylor 309 Gen. John C. Fremont 311 Major Zagonyi 312 General Hunter 324 Gen. Sterling Price 307 State Militia 336 Greene County Men at Pea Ridge_ 337 Military Hospital 341 Fortifications 342 Battle of Springfield 344 Col. Sheppard’s Account 360 Losses 362 Provisional Regiment . . 368 Gen. J. B. Sanborn 378 HISTORICAL INDEX. After the War 382 Farewell to the Military 387 Clans, Gathering of 244 Confederate Cemetery : 554 Confederate Monument 555 County Government 156 Permanent County-seat 158 First Court House Burned 161 Historic Court House Torn Down 164 County Court 167 Plans and Construction of Present Court House 169 Daughters of the American Revolu- tion 577 Delaware Indians, The 38 Dentists 496 De Soto 48 Divisions of Greene County, The Various 204 Drake Constitution, The 385 Drury College 417 Organization 417 Location 419 Scholarships 422 Presidents 424 Early Explorations 44 Early Hunters and Pioneers 52 Early Settlement 129 Pioneer Settlers 129 Settlements 131 Delawares 131 Frontier Life 143 Early Roads 145 First Churches ‘ 147 Log Cabin Schools 149 Early Travelers, Record of 46 Ebenezer 207 Education 409 First School Building in Spring- field 409 First Public School 410 Movement to Establish a System of Public Education 410 Present School Buildings 414 Enrollment in Schools 415 Teachers 416 Members of Board of Education 416 Epworth League 617 Fair Grove 208 Farming : 196 Pioneer Methods 196 Smaller Farms 199 Improved Methods 200 Products Shipped Out 202 Crop Failures 221 High Prices 221 Federation of Churches 614 “Firsts” in Greene County 216 General Election in Autumn of 1864 380 Geology 66 Stratigraphy 66 Cambro-Ordovician Age 66 Stones 67 Devonian Age 69 Carboniferous 70 Tertiary Age 77 Pleistocene 77 Geology, Economic 85 Springs 85 Springfield City Water Supply — 89 Mineral Waters ! 90 Stones 90 Soils 94 Coal 101 Road Material 100 Clays 101 Moulding Sand 104 Iron 104 Lead and Zinc 106 Mines Worked Long Ago 107 Deposit of Ore 110 Local Mines 113 Copper, Gold and Silver 118 Petroleum 119 Grand Army of the Republic 546 Greene County Sunday School As- sociation 661 Growth and Progress of County — 211 Statistics 211 Guerrilla Raiders, The 375 Headlee Murder, The 226 Hospitals 500 Springfield 501 Burge Deaconess — 503 Southwest 505 St. John’s 506 Frisco Employee’s 507 Indian Implements 29 Indian Trails 41 Ingram’s Mill 138 Journal, A Pioneer’s — 135 HISTORICAL INDEX. Kickapoo Indians, The 39 Kickapoo Settlement 40 Levy-Wolf Dry Goods Company — 1685 Manufacturing 663 Early Growth 664 Primitive Industries 666 Metropolitan Improvements 672 Public Service Corporations 675 Medical Profession 485 Pioneer Physicians 486 Present Active Physicians 488 Mexican War 235 Survivor, The Only 237 Military History 229 Mob Violence 222 National Cemetery 548 First Decoration 550 Newspapers 519 Nichols 210 Organization of County 120 Boundaries of First Townships 125 Formations of New Townships 205 Osage Indians, The 30 Dress 31 Characteristics 32 Lodges 36 Favorite Haunts 36 Treaties 37 Osage War 230 Osteopaths 498 Pawnee Indians, The 41 Percy Cave 946 Piankashaw Indians, The 41 Poorhouse, The 177 Prehistoric Races in Greene County 25 Cave Dwellers 25 Mound Builders 26 Regulators, The 224 Republic Township 702 Republic 209-703 Public School 704 Flour Mills 705 Banks 705 Custom Mill 706 Revolutionary Soldiers 229 Rough Side of Life, The 222 Salvation Army, The 618 Sampson Bass’ Mill 151 Sanitarium, Johnson 1622 Sarcoxie War 233 Schools of Greene County and Out- side of Springfield 430 First School 432 Schools of the Different Town- ships 434 Sequiota Cave 955 Societies, Secret 524 Fremasonry 524 Odd Fellows 531 Woodmen 533 Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks 536 Improved Order of Red Men 537 Knights of Columbus 539 American Yeomen 540 Court of Honor 541 Loyal Order of Moose 542 Eagles 542 Knights of Pythias 543 Sons of the Revolution 544 Spanish-American War 388 Maine Disaster 390 Roosevelt’s Rough Riders 391 National Guard Requirements 393 Farewell Reception 394 Off for Chickamauga 396 Epidemic of Typhoid 398 Officers of Company K 404 Officers of Company M 406 Springfield 682 First Settlers 682 Incorporation 690 Traveling Facilities 692 After the War 695 Municipal Bonds 697 Wholesale Center 701 Springfield Baking Company, The 680 Springfield Jobbers’ and Manufac- turers’ Assn. 673 Springfield Normal School, The 428 Springfield Wagon Works 676 St. Agnes School 637 Stage Coaches 692 State Normal School 426 Enrollment 426 Graduates 426 St. De Chantal Academy 1907 Strafford 209 Topography 59 Watercourses 60 HISTORICAL INDEX. Hydrography 63 Caves, Sinks and Natural Bridges 64 Transportation 184 Steamboats 184 First Railroad 180 Stages 187 First Train 188 Old Gulf Railroad 190 Bolivar Branch 193 Missouri Pacific Railroad 193 Springfield Traction Company 195 Townships, Original Boundaries of_ 125 Tucker-Ferguson Warehouse and Transfer Co. 1926 Under Three Flags 57 Union League, The 377 Veterinarians 497 Walnut Grove 209 Water Power 144 Welsh Packing Company 678 Willard 210 Woman’s Missionary Union 615 Women’s Clubs 560 Young Women’s Christian Associa- tion 558 Young Men’s Christian Association. 557 BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX Abbott, Alfred S 1273 Albert, Jake 1896 Albright, M. D., Wm. E 1871 Alden, John 850 Allebach, Newton V 1291 Allen, Charles H 443 Allen, John D 1071 Anderson, Henry S 1699 Anderson, Joseph G 1911 Andrew, Paul E 1533 Anthony, George W 711 Anthony, James 854 Armstrong, Frederick W 1882 Armstrong, Tom W : 1255 Arnett, R. L 1290 Atherton, M. D., J. LeRoy 1550 Atherton, M. D., Mary Jean 1556 Atteberry, James O 1789 Atwood, George Albert 936 Atwood, George Hammond 936 Aumoth, Joseph G. 822 Ausherman, Martin 8i76 Bacon, Rev. John T 1522 Bair, James 1356 Baker, J. 454 Baker, S. A 1664 Banfield, Lewis F. 920 Banister, Theodore 988 Barnes, M. D., George W 1436 Barrett, John 1840 Barrett, Robert Franklin 1252 Barron, Willard M 1704 Barton, James H 776 Barton, William H 778 Bass, Sampson 1008 Bassett, Louis N 1092 Bassett, Samuel H 1093 Bates, Percy J 1305 Baxter, Hendry 1727 Baxter, Kirk 989 Beal, Daniel N 772 Beal, M. D., Edward L 764 Beal, George T 764 Beal, Capt. George T 771 Beatie, Maj. John W. F 1676 Beckerleg, John 1799 Bennett, PI. S 867 Benson, Richard H 1733 Berry, James A 1120 Berry. James Blaine 1333 Berry, Gustavus F 1756 Beyer, Frank A 1050 Billasch, William C 1195 Bishop, Franklin T 1722 Bissett, James 1124 Blanchard, Green I 1846 Bodenhamer, Andrew J 1496 Bodenhamer, Emsley L 1091 Bodenhamer, Joseph J 1499 Bodenhamer, Louis F 1498 Bomgardner, D. V. S., George I 1399 Bon, Ira Carl 1310 Booth, Waldo Cornwell 1669 Bowland, Robert A 1187 Bowman, Benjamin 1570 Boyd, M. D., John R 970 Boyd, S. H 447 Boyer, Ray C 1841 Bradley, Thomas H 1047 Brazill, James B 1749 Briggs, Cecil Alvin 1504 Bright, John C 1823 Brower, Madison A 1845 Brown, Addison 1875 Brown, Frank E 1588 Brown, Plarry F 1334 Brown, James M 1317 Brown, John D 1044 Brown, Joseph Addison 1043 Brown, Thomas T. 1472 Brown, M. D., William McF 1040 Bryant, Arthur W 1221 Burge, Mrs. Ellen A 708 Burge, George W 707 Burge, James T 709 Busch, Charles R 1314 Butler, Nelson Garrett 1502 BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX. Butler, Stephen E 1303 Butts, James M 1344 Camp, Warren N 1811 Camp, William P 1738 Campbell, Irvin PI 1194 Campbell, John Polk 1478 Cantrell, James T 1374 Carroll, Frank P 1299 Carter, Charles W 1613 Carter, M. D„ William C 1697 Cass, Dudley 1768 Cass, Mason 1768 Chaffin, John C 1741 Chalfant, Ephraim 893 Chappell, Lewis E 1660 Clark, M. D., James W 1818 Clark, Clarence M 906 Chavose, Charles C 1901 Claypool, Luther M 1888 Chrisman, John Maloney 1632 Christman, Matthias 1294 Childress, James G 1806 Clements, M. D., Christopher C 1428 Clements, Oscar S 845 Cloud, Daniel E. 1539 Cloud, William B 1643 Coffelt, M. D., Theodore A 1245 Cole, Stephen Plenry 1495 Collier, P. V 1163 Colvin, Hugh P 1804 Condon, George W 1147 Constance, Walter 1323 Coon, Walter A 781 Cooper, George 1307 Cooper, Harry 1597 Cornell, William C 1214 Counts, Benjamin B 1834 Cowan, John 993 Cowan, John Maxwell 992 Cowden, James S 1798 Cowden, M. D., William PI 1409 Cowell, John 1337 Crane, M. D„ Thos. V. B 1873 Crawford, A. B : 918 Crawford, William J., 1161 Crenshaw, Louis A. D., 1406 Crenshaw, Thomas T 1711 Crow, J. W 945 Crowdus, Charles 1645 Culler, George W j 942 Curran, Rev. Father Francis 623 Curry, Rev. Father George 628 DeBoard, Elisha 1856 DeGroff, Moses R 840 DeLange, William 1886 DeWitt, Edward J 1843 Dabbs, Thomas E. 1675 Dade, Davney C 870 Daggett, William A 1226 Daigler, George 759 Dale, Harris K 1858 Dando, Charles E 1283 Daniel, William R 980 Danzero, Domino 1219 Darby, Ezra Faucett 1170 Darby, D. D. S., Robert Ezra 1168 Dark, Melville E 1552 Davis, Emil O 1812 Deaton, John P 856 Deaton, John W 856 Deeds, James C 1748 Delaney, T. J 460 Delzell, M. D., William A 1554 Demuth, Capt. Albert 808 Dennis, Benjamin F 1760 Dennis, John E 1672 Dennis, William A 833 Devereaux, James 864 Devereaux, Mrs. Mary 865 Dewey, M. D., James E 1765 Diffenderffer, David M 1714 Diffenderffer, David R , 1714 Diffenderffer, Harry W 1715 Diggins, Hiram W 1642 Dillard, George E 1779 Dingeldein, Edward P 1509 Dingeldein, Sebastian 1216 Donnell, Francis M 1894 Donovan, William F 1394 Doran, Thomas H 1682 Douglass, Gaylard 1877 Dozier, Duerrett W 848 Dozier, John 848 Draper, Charles 825 Draper, John 824 Draper, Joseph N 824 Dritt, John R 1302 Drury, Charles J 1094 Dulin, James E 1102 Duncan, Andrew B . 1826 Durst, Harry D 1752 Eagleburger, Joseph S 1625 Earnest, C. W 1535 Earnest, James Howard 1460 BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX. East, Howard B 787 East, Sidney 788 Eaton, Henry 1362 Edmonson, Walton E 1529 Eisenmayer, Andrew J 1380 Elson, Edwin Wiggins 1006 Elson, William Penn 1064 Emerson, Walter P 982 Emery, Alonzo W - — 1101 Emery, Edgar T. 1628 Ennis, Edgar E 1619 Ernst, Louis P _ 1531 Esling'er, Jas. E __ 1766 Eslingery Samuel L 1766 Evans, M. D., E. L 1074 Evans, Owen M 1188 Everett, Richard E 1610 Fairbanks, Jonathan — : __ 961 Fallin, Walter Augustus 1011 Fallin, Wilbur M 1010 Farmer, Edward 1318 Farmer, Oscar F. — 1583 Farmer, Samuel A 1594 Farmer, William C._ 1640 Farrington, J'. S._ — . 456 Fawcett, Leonard 1431 Fay, Edwin L. 1 : 1788 Fellows, " Erast u- ______ 737 Fellows, Col. Homer F 1364 Fellows, Norris W._ 736 Fenton, Jeremialt : 1917 Ferguson, Ernest N._ 1890 Ferguson, George W 1758 Ferguson, John R 1115 Fielder, Benjamin F 1128 Finch, Edward Swayzee 997 Finch, Harry H 1430 Fine, Alphonsus F._ 1055 Fink, Charles H 752 Fink, Richard M 752 Finley, Elder Newton 882 Finney, Frank L 1621 Fitch, James W 1571 Fogarty, Thomas 1500 Fortune, Rev. Father T. J 626 Foster, Jr., Jesse J 1455 Fowler, J. W 1627 Frame, M. D., Homer G 1470 Freeman, John Guy 1651 Freeman, Rederick F 1648-49 Freeman, William 1648 Freeman, William B 1648 French, John 1331 Frey, Frank A 1184 Fricke, George W 842 Fry, William A 1512 Fulbright, Charles R 757 Fulbright, John L 741 Fulbright, John Y 758 Fulbright, William 741 Fulbright, Wiliam H 740 Furrow, Calvin 1005 Gallagher, Francis A 1138 Galloway, Jesse E 1696 Gann, J. W 1288 Gardner, James Coleman 1037 Garton, Jacob W 1708 Garton, John H 1536 George, C. M 1149 Gideon, James J 1131 Gideon, Thomas J 722 Gideon, William C. 722 Gifford, M. D., Anson H 1537 Glass, Albert M 1820 Glass, John Baker 896 Glassmoyer, Howard S._ .1850 Goode, R. L 455 Goodwin, Oliver Smith 880 Gorman, Daniel C , 790 Gorsuch, William R 1341 Gosney, Napoleon 1206 Granade, John A 912 Grant, William W 1475 Gray, James H 1336 Gray, Josiah J : 1584 Green, George 1293 Greenwade, John T 1384 Greenwade, Weldon 1386 Grier, Azzo B 1104 Grier, Samuel S 1328 Griffin, John P 1688 Groblebe, Charles I. 1067 Grubel, Frank 1254 Gustin, Walter P 1899 Hall, John M.__ — ; 1376 Hall, William Alexander 1417 Halstead, Capt. John_ 1925 Hammond, Clyde L 1898 Hankins, William T._ 1296 Hannah, Ezra F 844 Plansell, Jefferson E 1. 1166 Hansell, William M 1783 Hanson, Albert N 1076 BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX. Hanson, M. D., Richard H 984 Harman, M. D., William Roby 904 Harrison, John B 1098 Hart, Andrew Thomas 1510 Hart, Roswell K 1630 Hartt, John W 1209 Hasler, Thomas L 1117 Hasten, John H 1150 Haswell, Alanson M 720 Haswell, James M 720 Maun, George ft 1719 Haun, Walter 1463 Hawkins, Kirk 929 Hayden, John C 850 Hayden, Joseph H 853 Haynes, Ernest D 1389 Hayward, Hubert H 1923 Headlee, Blondville D 1034 Headlee, Claude Leslie 1033 Headlee, Judge Elisha 1411 Headlee, James Ward 1034 Headlee, Samuel W 1032 Headley, Frank E 933 Healy, Rev. Father D. L 632 Heckart, Henry M 1197 Heckenlively, James L 1837 Fledges, James FI 716 Hegarty, John 872 Henderson, Walter FI 1782 Hendricks, Littleberry 445 Flendrickson, George W 1229 Henshaw, John E 1566 Flerman, Daniel H 1027 Herrick, Samuel 1848 Fliatt, Reuben J 1803 Flibler, Elihu 1227 Hickman, Isaac M , 909 Hilderbrand, James N 782 Hinerman, J. H 1618 Hobbs, John J 1424 Hogeboom, M. D„ R. W 495 Holden, Harry Clyde 991 Holland, Charles 1827 Holland, Gen. Colley B 1744 Holland. T. Blondville 976 Flood, James D 1520 Hooper, Samuel A 1932 Hoover, John W 1573 House, Merton C 1842 Houston, Jerome A 1324 Howard, Harvey W 1448 Howell, William 1403 Flubbell, Lucius W 1377 Hubbard, W. D 449 Hudnall, John R 828 Hudnall, M. D., M. L 828 Flummel, Lynn 897 Hurd, Rev. Fayette 1144 Ingler, Hugh B. 1702 Jackson, George W 1691 Jackson, John S. C 1700 James, David 1088 James, Jason R 1089 James, Nancy 1090 James, Thomas 1089 James, William C 900 James, Winfrey 1090 Jaquith, Jesse D. 1297 Jared, Flemin T 1516 Jenkins, Robert 1222 Jennings, William T 799 Jewell, Harry Sanford 1371 Johnson, John H 1 836 Johnson, M. D., Samuel A 1622 Johnson, Silas M 1791 Johnson, U. G 479 Johnston, A. J 1808 Johnston, James B 1634 Jones, Capt. George M 792 Jones, Henry B 1889 Jones, Henry T 794 Jones, James 792 Jones, John 1807 Jones, John II 1154 Jones, Joshua L 1703 Jones, William J 1602 Kanning, Charles F 1258 Kauffman, Stanley K 1900 Keller, W. Robert 1785 Kelley, Prof. Edwin H 1562 Kelley, Jesse Marion 1559 Kelly, John 1276 Kemmling, Ernst 1725 Kennedy, Henry F 863 Kennedy, Lee C 1743 Kerr, Andrew B. 1099 Kerr, Charles W 1449 Kerr, M. D., Ulysses F 1922 Kershner, Capt. Wm. H 797 Kilkenny, Rev. Father Peter 627 King, Charles L 1208 King, M. D., Thomas M 1526 Ivinser, Jefferson 1739 BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX. Kinser, John 1739 Kirby, Guy D 975 Kirkey, William' L 1332 Kirkpatrick, Robt. A 1770 Kissick, Robert F _ 1029 Kite, Robert B 1575 Klingensmith, Peter 1862 Klingner, John W 1408 Klingner, M. D., Thomas O 1238 Knabb, M. D., Enoch 1586 Knelle, George 885 Knighten, Ammon 1824 Knowles, M. D., John T 739 Knox, Alexander 1024 Kohler. Edward F 1557 Kucker, L. S 1038 LaBounty, Charles F 1918 LaFollette, Ransom S , 1763 Lane, John M 1157 Langsford, John 1565 Langston, Jackson P. C 1218 Lee, Bert S. 1666 Leedy, Joseph W. 766 McCutcheon, L. C 847 McCutcheon, O. J 847 McDonald, Alexander 873 McElhany, George LaFayette 1440 McGinty, William H 1736 McGuire, Guy H 1139 McHaffie, M. D., Charles H 735 Mcllvin, James S 1018 Mclntire, Cyrus B 830 Mcjimsey, Elmer E. E 1345 McKay, Elmer A 1926 McKee, Roy 1379 McKerall, William 1000 McLinn, Albert S 1452 McMaster, Cyrus J 1426 McMaster, Walter Weir 1396 McMehen, John A 1165 McMehen, William A 1158 McMillan, Otho D 958 McMurtry, James Gilmer 1353 McNabb, John T 1488 McNeill, E. B 1289 McQuiston, Brandt 1118 Leeper, George 1590 Lehr, John Henry 1122 Levy, M. 1685 Lilly, Rev. Father John J 621 Lincoln, Azariah W 1230 Linney, William Burts 1387 Lloyd, Charles Lee __1929 Lloyd, Samuel Mack 1422 Love, Robert 1048 Love, D. V. S.,_ Robert B 1051 Love, Thomas B. 784 Love, Col. Thomas C 784 Lowe, M. D., H. A 1490 Luper, James E 1810 MacElveny, Andrew W 1647 McAfee, Judge Charles 922 McCammon, John P 1351 McCarty, Luther Q 1056 McClernon, Hugh 1515 McCluer, James H 755 McCluer, John 756 McCollum, George A 826 McConnell, John Aaron 1568 McConnell, Milton C 1713 McCraw, Gabriel 1735 McCrory, James 1729 McCroskey, Charles W 1904 McCurdy, Thomas 1121 Mack, Clarence S 1087 Mack, Clyde B 1260 Mack, J. W. D. L. F 458 Mack, Rowan E. M 996 Maddox, Elisha B 1780 Magill, James G 1860 Major, .Will J 1014 Malley, John P.__ 1 1301 Martin, Harry E 1205 Mason, James H.: 1717 Mason, John F 1831 Mason, Robert T 1717 Massey,. Frank R 1914 Massey, Richard 1927 Maxwell, William M 1624 Mellon, Henry G 919 Mercer, Carver O 1541 Meyer, B. E 1372 Meyer, John F 1816 Miller, William S 1797 Mills, Andrew D 1287 Ming, Emmett M 1068 Minto, Robert 1775 Mitchell, Harry H 901 Mitchell, Obadiah C 1192 Moornaw, H. M 1152 Moon, James A 1518 Moore, Anderson T 1916 Moore, George W.-- 1105 BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX. Moore, Robert A 986 Morckel, Charles W 1921 Morgan, Harry C 1066 Morice, Leon 1635 Morton, William M 1549 Moser, John A 1329 Murry, Harvey 1223 Murray, Thomas 1404 Murphy, William C 1480 Murray, William Penn 1080 Murphy, Lawrence J 744 Murphy, Michael J 1285 Nee, Daniel Martin 1241 Nelson, Marion A 1183 Newbill, John Glenn 1433 Newton, Edward F 1360 Newton, Job 1786 Nichols, A. D 763 Nichols, Capt. Danton H 760 Nichols, George W 883 Nichols, Matthias H 760 Niederhuth, George W 1135 Noland, George L 1450 O’Bryant, George W 1456 O’Bryant, James H 973 O’Byrne, James 1178 Olendorf, George F 1270 O’Neal, Andrew J 1694 O’Neal, George W 1686 O’Neill, Rev. Father Francis 622 O’Reilly, Rev. Father J. J 629 Ormsbee, M. D., James L 725 Orr, W. J 480 Orr, William J 866 Ott, Theodore 1146 Owen, Charles J 1605 Owen, John S 1878 Owen, Joseph L 1592 Owen, Stephen A. D 1596 Owens, Jerry W 1919 Page, Judge Alfred 1350 Patterson, M. D., Wm. P 746 Paxson, Ely 1016 Peak, M. D., Oscar L 1062 Pepperdine, George 467 Perkins, Leonard B 858 Perkins, Judge Wm. H 1339 Peterson, Harvey E 953 Phelps, Hon. John S 1175 Phillips, Lorenzo 1039 Pickering, Charles B : 1893 Pickering, Clayton R 1801 Pierce, M. D., Charles E 1693 Pigg, Herbert W 1653 Pike, M. D., Columbus J 1212 Pipkin, Lewis F 1853 Pollack, Calvin 1545 Porter, Henry Webb 1654 Potter, M. D., Ambrose- 1474 Potter, James Elmer : : i 1358 Potter, Nicholas : : — 1476 Potter, W. C -1368 Potter, W. H. F ' 878 Powell, William P 1311 Preston, L. W — — _1659 Price, Isaac : — _1321 Price, Thomas W 1867 Price, W. C 444 Proserpi, Henry i 1136 Prugger, August F J. — 1507 Pursselley, M. D., Walter L._ 1524 Putman, Mansel : 1160 Quinn, John 1600 Quinn, James 1600 Race, Edward F 1865 Ragsdale, Howard 1012 Ramsey, James A : 1608 Ramsey, Robert L 979 Rathbone, B. F 1163 Rathbone, William H 1468 Rathbun, Col. George S 889 Rauch, Fred William 1022 Raum, Egmont 1493 Raymond, George E 1880 Redfearn, Jesse O 1851 Rebori, Louis L 1680 Reed, Samuel A 1398 Reilly, James W 1211 Renshaw, Moses M 1553 Rhodes, Clarence J 1275 Rhodes, C. L 1256 Rhodes, Eugene J 1107 Rhodes, Jr., Eugene J 1263 Rhodes, Ira G 1107 Ricketts, Lemuel C 1002 Risser, Omer E 1190 Ritter, Aaron M 1864 Ritter, David M 1832 Robberson. M. D., Edwin T 718 Robberson, Walter B 713 Roberts, John 1046 BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX. Roberts, Prof. John R 1348 Robertson, Charles L 1232 Robinson, David H 832 Robinson, Henry D 1343 Roper, William Fry _ 1 5 1 3 Rosbaek, John 1772 Rose, John W. 1277 Rose, Reuben R. 1684 Ross, Bennette J 804 Ross, David Edward 1443 Ross, J. B. ’ 926 Ross, LaFayette A. 1248 Ross, M. D., Leonidas C 1242. Roudebush, Marshall 959 Ruffin, J. B 1114 Rule, Charles W 1577 Rullkoetter, William 1638 Rupprecht, George C 1086 Russell, Columbus B 1678 Ryan, Rev. Father James 625 Salts, Robert A 1823 Sanders, Emiel 1434 Sanford, William B 800 Sanford, Wyatt 801 Sartain, James S 983 Scharff, Max 1180 Schofield, Albert L 1320 Schofield, Thomas 1143 Schreiber, William H 1910 Scott, Andrew J. 868 Self, William R 1773 Shackelford, John H 1236 Sheedy, Mike 1269 Shelton, W. B 916 Shepard, Edward M 728 Shepard, Harriett E 732 Sherman, M. D., David LT 1662 Sheridan, Rev. Father J. M 636 Shumaker, George M 754 Sidman, Wesley C 1225 Sidman, Rev. Wm. D 1202 Sisk, John M 1616 Sjoberg, John 1486 Skelley, William W 1312 Small, George W 1217 Smith, David 1282 Smith, Harrison Milton 1416 Smith, Isaac N 1777 Smith, James E 1084 Smith, James M 810 Smith, M. D., John R 1280 Smith, Mitchell C 1383 Smith, M. D., Onas 1390 Smith, Russell G 1391 Smith, William F 1306 Smith, M. D„ William M 1234 Smith, William Y 1673 Snider, Otis Everett 1438 Southworth, Marvin H 1724 Spandri, John 1072 Spencer, Edward A 875 Spencer, George W 940 Spencer, James D 888 Squibb, Elmer D 1829 Squibb, James Caleb 1581 Stafford, Bertha 1758 Stafford, S. R ^ 1757 Stahl, Charles H 1252 Stahl, William F I 1251 Staley, Weldon E. 1543 Stancill, Godfrey C 1266 Starks, Charles L 708 Steinert, John A 1721 Stemmons, F. B 1173 Stephens, John G 1742 Stephens, William M ; 1906 Steury, Rudolph 1615 Stewart, William R 1446 Stone, M. D., Murray C 727 Stoughton, James A 886 Studley, Joseph 1903 Stutzman, Frank P 1272 Tatlow, W. D — 472 Tefft, M. D„ J. £ 487 Tegarden, Benjamin F : 1883 Terry, M. D., Norman F 714 Thompson, Abner D 1458 Thompson, William E 1547 Thurman, George W 1689 Tillman, Joseph A. M 1731 Tillman, Samuel T 1731 Tracy, Isaac T 1869 Trenary, Alvin B 1279 Trevitt, Claudius E 1728 Triece, George 1035 Trogdon, John Parker 1504 Trogdon, William C 1528 Tucker, Edward G 1822 Turk, Joseph Henry 1030 Turner, Granville W 1078 Turner, M. D., William L 1657 Underhill, John F 1730 Underwood, Flavius . J 1082 Underwood, John J 1814 BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX. Van Bibber, Alfred H 1572 Van Bibber, James D 1563 Vaughan, Judge James R 449-1413 Vestal, Charles W 837 Vinton, Madison C 1112 Vogel, Rev. Father William 628 Waddell, James S 1637 Waddill, John S 446 Wadlow, Charles E 1466 Wadlow, Elijah G 775 Wadlow, Elmer G 774 Wadlow, John W 1454 Walker, James T 1392 Walker, Leonard 1400 Walker, Robt. H 1754 Wallis, John A 1870 Walsh, James T 1421 Washburn, Mason C 1579 Watson, Gilbert R 779 Watson, James 928 Watson, M. D., Lorenzo 813 Watson, William R 1792 Watts, Henry T 1181 Watts, James 812 Watts, James W 820 Wear, A. H 462 Wear, Sam M 1930 Weaver, Samuel 768 Weaver, Maj. Wm. M 768 Westmoreland, H. H 1264 Whalen, Jr„ Richard F 1326 Whaley, William W 1261 White, J. A a. 972 Whitlock, Arthur L 1096 Whitlock, Lambert L 1097 Whitlock, Thomas J 1096 Whitlock, Williamson P 861 Wilder, Frederick C 1025 Wiley, George P 807 Wilhoit, Sidney Edwin 1268 Wilkerson, M. D., James M 1462 Williams, Elwood A. 1019 Williams, Frank B. : 1200 Williams, John W 750 Williams, M. D., N. C ^ 1243 Williamson, John P 1855 Willier, Thomas E 1913 Wingo, Irvin W. 1155 Winters, George F 1198 Wilson, Alfred H 914 Wolf, David 1750 Wolf, Martin V 1750 Wood, Albert 1204 Wood, James G 816 Wood, John 816 Woodson, James A 1126 Woodward, Jacob 1836 Woodward, Ransom B 1835 Woodruff, John T 473 Wooldridge, Edward W 1140 Wright, Foster P 444 Wright, Marion D 1603 Wrightsman, Timothy J 1003 Wygal, Frank 1201 Yancy, Charles S 444 Yeakley, George 1491 Yeakley, John 1483 Yeakley, Thomas 1482 Young, Henry C .-1794 Young, Walter B 1710 Youngblood, James P 747 Youngblood, Theodric B 748 r BIOGRAPHICAL— Continued JONATHAN FAIRBANKS. The name of Jonathan Fairbanks recalls the history of the public school system with which he has been identified for forty years and the successful development of which is due largely to his untiring efforts and capable ad- ministration as superintendent. A man of enlightened views, he has been eminently practical while liberal in his consideration of the various proposi- tions which enter into the scheme of modern education. His pupils and those who have been under his general care as head of the schools are filling places of honor and trust in all the walks of life in this community and else- where. Some who have been prepared in these schools for prosecution of their studies in higher institutions of learning in a manner which has re- flected credit upon all concerned while the great majority whose period of tutelage ended with the completion of courses in the common schools have found themselves well equipped on entering the University of Life to con- tinue their progress in a maner which has given an insight into its lessons enabling them to reach attainments in which they are not far behind the graduates of many colleges. Early in his career, “Professor” Fairbanks, as the head of the schools was called in the old days, made his mark as a disciplinarian. And, yet, he was gentle while firm. He insisted on strict observance of the rules and regulations prescribed for the students but he was so human in his treatment of dereliction that he won the good will as well as the esteem of all. No stickler for the text, he was insistent on a knowledge of the principles of the subject with the result that the pupils of the schools became imbued with the love of knowledge for its own sake rather than with the desire for credits, diplomas and degrees, the value of which is problematical. This disposition has been made manifest also to those who have come in contact with him in his capacity of county superintendent and the various associations of school teachers. Always a student, he will be found today reading scientific works embracing the latest discoveries of the world’s specialists on all that relate to the problem of life in its various aspects. This is the habit of a (61) 962 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. life-time and he has always given freely of what he has received from what- ever source. In fact, he has regarded himself more as an instrument for the transmission of knowledge than as the possessor of it. He has been a fellow student with his pupils and teachers, rather than a preceptor, just as in his discipline he appealed to the self-esteem and ambition of all to keep them from delinquency and attain high standards of deportment. He is public spirited to a degree and has forgotten more about politics than has ever been learned by some who have attained leadership in differ- ent parties. He is progressive in his views on this subject, but as on all others, he has never permitted himself to become dogmatic in his expressions thereon. He is a modest, kindly man whose open friendship for all he meets has won him favor on every hand. He is a humanitarian, a student, a teacher, all that is implied in the fullest significance of these words. The boys and girls of other days in Springfield have in the course of their lives and in the pursuit of knowledge met various teachers, professors and eminent specialists but the quiet unpretentious man who directed them early in the paths of learning holds a place in their memory and claims an influence on their careers, greater perhaps than that of any other with whom they have come in contact. The people at large, in view of the visible re- sults, are prone to believe that Jonathan Fairbanks is entitled to a niche in the local hall of fame which shall bear testimony for many years to his efficiency, general worthiness and the great popular esteem in which he is held by all classes of people in the city of Springfield, in Greene county, and wherever he has been known. The man who has thus endeared himself to the people here, comes of one of the oldest New England families whose members have displayed singular talents and virtues wherever their lots have been cast in the great country to which they have assisted in bringing the blessings of civilization during a period of three hundred years. Hardy pioneers, they have been noted for patriotism, public spirit, devotion to the ideals of the republic and persistent application to tasks through which they sought the attainment of the higher ends of life. A well kept book of their genealogy brings the record of their lives in orderly precision and ample detail down to the present time showing that they have been prominent in each succeeding generation of people who in the proper conduct of business and the manifestation of care for the general welfare have led in the upbuilding of communities and the development of the country in various ways, A majority of them have followed the pursuits of agriculture returning thereto often after adventures in business which have not proven profitable, sustaining reverses with equa- nimity, and bravely beginning the reconstruction of their fortunes after the failures which so often come in the magical changes of American life for GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 963 which none are so well prepared as those who are imbued with the spirit of the patriot pioneers which has been the making of the Great Republic. Their work in this country was begun by an immigrant family the head of which is known in their genealogy as Jonathan Fairebank (Fairbank, Fairbanks), of Dedham, Massachusetts, a town which he helped to establish after coming to Boston from England in 1633. He came from Sowerby in the West Riding of Yorkshire. He was born prior to 1600. The family had an interesting history in the old country, mementoes of which are found among the heirlooms of the old Fairbanks home at Dedham, built in 1(136, and now preserved as a memorial after having been continuously occupied by the builder and his lineal descendants longer than any other homestead in New England. The first Jonathan Fairbanks passed from the scene of pioneer activities to another life at Dedham in 166S. In the fifth generation another Jonathan Fairbanks was born at Holliston, Massachusetts, March 29, 1 755 - He was a soldier of the Revolution and died after a long and useful life at Sudbury, Massachusetts, February 28, 1840. One of his sons was Joseph Bradley Varnuni Fairbanks, father of our Jonathan, who engaged in wool manufacturing at Andover, Massachusetts, and Fort Edwards, New York. With the assistance of two brothers, he built up an extensive busi- ness but when they were stocked up with a surplus they were bankrupted by a change in the tariff in 1833. Joseph Bradley Varnum Fairbanks mar- ried Miss Margaret Hadden in 1827. She was born in Scotland, February 25, 1803. They had three children, Jonathan, born in Andover, Massa- chusetts, January 7, 1828; James Dexter, born in Monroe. New York, August 19, 1830; Joseph Bradley Varnum, Jr., born in Sudbury, Massachusetts, August 29, 1833. The head of the family never recovered from the shock of his disastrous failure in business. He died at Monroe, New York, shortly afterward, May 20, 1833. The youngest child followed soon after- ward, October 31, 1833. The mother had taken him to Boston, where she had gone to live, the two elder boys being placed in charge of relatives. The family had thus been reduced from affluence to poverty and broken up in a very short time. The widow made her home in Boston for a number of years and afterward moved to Worcester, Massachusetts, where she died October 19, 1865. Jonathan Fairbanks was just five years old when with his younger brother, James Dexter, he went to live with James Quinn and his wife, an aunt of the boys. Beginning to learn the hardships of country life at this tender age, he mastered all the details of the work so thoroughly that his relatives parted with him reluctantly when the time came for him to leave the farm at the age of nineteen. He had up to that time received no com- pensation for his labor except his board and clothes and the privileges of the district school, taking advantage of the meager advantages thus afforded for 964 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. obtaining an education with such earnestness that there was little left for him to learn there. Realizing the necessity of seeking a betterment of his condition he struck out for himself with resolution. In starting away he passed through a field in which James Reilly, a nephew of his wife’s husband was working. “Where be y’ going ‘Jonton,’ ’’ said the Irish lad. “To look for a job.” “But y’ have no moneys, here’s a ‘sovron’ for you.’ ” The gift was accepted in proper spirit, for the boys were somewhat of comrades. It was the first money Jonathan Fairbanks had ever received and he took it with the intention of returning it, although he had spent all the years of his young life in labor on the farm which Reilly was to inherit. Jonathan went to Boston, where he called on his mother and remained five days, after which he returned to the neighborhood in which he had been raised and went to work on the farm of another relative, Nelson Fairbanks, who paid him wages at the rate of ten dollars per month. In the meantime James Dexter had left the Quinn farm after remaining there a short time and gone to Concord where he grew up, learning the painter’s trade in shops where he was under the tutelage of skilled work- men and became an expert, afterward making his mark in the business. Fie was wounded while serving a second term as a veteran volunteer in the Civil war and died October 19, 1864. Ide had married Olive Green, Novem- ber 2, 1855. They had five children. The widow moved to Worcester, Massachusetts, where she died June 11, 1886. Jonathan remained with his cousin, Nelson Fairbanks, a year, working eight months of the time and attending school four months. He had an excellent tutor here, who in addition to assisting Jonathan to rapid advance- ment, induced him to prepare for entrance to the academy at New Ipswich, an institution famous as a training school for teachers and preparing students for college. Blither the two journeyed together the next year, master and pupil, to complete their education in the same excellent school. Jonathan took with him fifty dollars, the savings from his first year of work as a wage earner. He had received eighty dollars for eight months’ work and had spenty thirty dollars for clothing, books and other necessities. He was now twenty years of age. He remained at New Ipswich two years, working his way, and at the completion of his course there started out as a teacher. He was successful in his first application for a position. He spared no pains when he entered upon his work at Ashby. He taught night school four nights in the week for the benefit of ambitious students, specializing in arith- metic, penmanship and rhetoricals and preparation for a great exhibition at the end of the year. The people said that they had never had such a school and that the young tutor would never teach such another. They took it for granted that he was working for a reputation, when as a matter of fact his GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 9 6 5 single purpose had been to do all he could for his pupils. But that first year’s work opened the way to great opportunities. The president of the school board at Wilmington, Delaware, had written to his father-in-law at Ashby to send him the name of some young man whom he could recommend, .some up-to-date teacher who could come down to \\ ilmington and “wake ’em up.” Jonathan Fairbanks was mentioned in complimentary terms and correspondence led to his employment at Wilmington. He says, speaking of his experience at that place : “I spent four years at Wilmington. It was like a heaven on earth. I was told that if I would get married and settle ■do wm in Wilmington the people would build me a house. I formed lifetime friendships there and have corresponded with one of my pupils of those days for sixty years." But he was persuaded to go west with his old teacher, George G. Parker, and so they went together to Ohio, as they had gone to attend the academy at New Ipswich. Air. Parker stopped at Dayton but there was no school for his friend to be found at that place. Never dismayed Jonathan Fairbanks continued his quest and began seeking a country school. Finally, after meeting Mr. Parker again at Piqua, he was informed of an opening at St. Mary’s and started over in company with Ardivan Rogers. Passing through the Ohio woods, a land of leaf and moonshine, he seemed to come under a mystical influence in which he received an impression of something unusual about to happen. He was in no desperate straits but repeated fail- ures to find employment at this time had been discouraging. He arrived in a canal town, St. Mary’s, at 3 :oo A. M. There he was informed that they wanted an assistant teacher. Without waiting to sleep after his long ride he called on the members of the board as soon as they were awake, with the result that he was engaged. Rogers was employed as principal and instituted an unusual division of the pupils. The boys of the school who worked on the canal part of the time had the name of being a hard lot The people said they knew when school was let out, because they could hear for a distance of two miles the noise made by the boys as they came down stairs. One teacher after another had failed to restrain the disorder and it was said that nobody could discipline that school. Now the principal turned over the boys whom he could not handle, the larger ones in a body to his assistant, himself taking charge of the older girls while the smaller boys and girls were left in charge of lady teachers. The first thing Mr. Fair- banks did was to get well acquainted with his boys and explain to them the advantages of having order in the school, showing how it would promote their advancement and the interests of all concerned. The boys fell in with his ideas and he soon had them coming in and going out in orderly fashion with their arms crossed behind them. This kept their hands from meddling with those in front of them. After a couple of days there entered school a 966 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. taciturn stubborn boy and there were knowing smiles when the teacher began to question Luther Bradley, who it was soon learned had been the leader in mischief in the school. Luther was cross-eyed and the teacher could not tell where he was looking, at him or the grinning boys. To the questions, have you studied this and have you studied that he answered a reticent “yes, sir” or “no, sir" without any particular respect in voice or manner. Lie was told to take his place and after a little was dismissed for recess with the rest of the boys. When they came back all entered in order with their arms crossed behind them, all except Luther, who despite instructions, came swinging his arms. The new teacher stepped up to him quickly. The boy was stocky and almost as large as the teacher, but the wiry little man grabbed the delinquent by the coat collar, gave him a jiu jitsu twist and the lad’s feet flew out from under him. He went up in the air and bumped his head hard on the floor as he came down. It was a hard jolt but he was not hurt badly, but all the rebellion had been knocked out of him. The punishment was more severe than the teacher had intended. He merely meant to give the boy a good shaking but lost his hold on the coat collar with the result described. After helping Luther to his feet the teacher restored order and everything moved smoothly during the rest of the day. 1 hat evening some one on the street who had heard of the occurrence,, asked one of the reputed tough boys how they were getting along with the new teacher. “I dunno, he don’t punish, he kills ’em.’’ Mr. Fairbanks never had to “shake” another boy in that school. But the irrepressible Luther Bradley came in for it just one more time. Passing along in front of the class looking out of the corner of his eye, the teacher saw Luther drop a paper wad into his pocket. Quick as a flash he turned and grabbed Luther and shook him till his teeth chattered and the bones in his body seemed to be unjointed. Never again did Luther trouble the teacher, but on the contrary they became fast friends. At the end of the year, Mr. Fairbanks was offered fifty dollars a month to teach the school in the summer time but he had made an engagement to teach at the Piqua high school, an exclusive private institution. There he had for pupils fifty-seven fine boys and it was a pleasant and profitable year for all concerned. Then he returned to St. Mary’s as principal of the schools. He remained there seven years, leaving behind him an enviable reputation when he resigned for the purpose of engaging in another business. Fie had acquired an interest in a new patent steam engine and was to put it on the market. The time was not propitious however. The Civil war had upset business throughout the country. Mr. Fairbanks then accepted an invitation to return to Piqua, where he remained teaching during the next five years. At the end of that time he received all kinds of offers to continue teaching. Almost any position in the public schools of Ohio was open to him. But he had other ideas. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 967 The best that was offered to the school teacher in those clays in the way of remuneration was but meager compensation compared to the rewards of .ability and energy in business. Mr. Fairbanks had received a flattering offer from the West, a place called Springfield, in the heart of the Ozark region and the principal city of southwest Missouri, from J. C. Wilber, who was ■close to Col. John M. Richardson, then prominent in the affairs of the city. The school teacher, who was bent on changing his vocation, arrived in Springfield, November 10, 1866. He found a prosperous town of two thou- sand in the midst of a region of such great resources that he was satisfied there would be extraordinary development. There was so much building in progress that there was an unprecedented demand for lumber and when Fair- banks and Wilber opened up in the sawmill and planing business they had all the orders they could attend to. They increased their facilities and their business expanded rapidly. Mr. Fairbanks worked early and late. Some weeks he would leave home Monday morning and eat, sleep and work at the mill until Saturday night. He and his partner prospered for nine years, w r hile his family grew up around him, he built a comfortable home and the prospects of life were fair from every point of view. Then came the hard times following the panic of 1873, in which men possessed of property amply sufficient to secure all their obligations under ordinary circumstances were made bankrupt before they knew it. Mr. Wilber had borrowed fifteen hun- dred dollars and Mr. Fairbanks had signed a note for the amount and in the general crash of credits he was called upon to meet the obligation for its payment. Friends tried in vain to help him. The holder of the note, per- haps himself pressed by creditors, was inexorable and the money had to be forthcoming. The real estate owned by Mr. Fairbanks embraced one hundred and ten acres located in what is now a populous part of the city between Washington avenue and the National boulevard. Different tracts and numerous town lots estimated at the time to be worth eight thousand dollars were sold to satisfy the note for fifteen hundred. John M. Richardson pur- chased much of the land, which was resold at great advances. Mr. Fair- banks, acting as agent for Colonel Richardson, afterward sold forty thousand dollars worth of property. He bought back his old homestead from the Richardson heirs and still lives there. Following the climax of his mis- fortunes which came in 1874, Mr. Fairbanks made preparations to leave Springfield. He was on the point of returning to Ohio, when Hon. John McGregor, president of the Springfield school board, following a suggestion made by FTon. L. IT Murray, came to him with a proposition to take charge of the schools of this city. Mr. Fairbanks accepted, assuming the duties of .superintendent the next year. From that time down to the present, forty years, his work in connection with the schools of this city is well known. 968 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. However, it may not be amiss to recall some of the incidents connected with this part of his extraordinary career. There had been half a dozen superintendents of education during the years immediately preceding the beginning of the forty years administration of Jonathan Fairbanks. The chairman of the school board complained that the board had been called together nearly every week for a while to consider cases which should have been disposed of by the superintendent. On com- ing into office one of the first things which Superintendent Fairbanks noticed was the absurdity of some of the rules which had caused trouble. The pupils were forbidden by one of these from entering the school building after a certain number of minutes during the noon hour when a number of them who lived at a distance had no other place to eat their lunches. This rule was quickly abrogated, the children being left free to enter the building at the noon hour and special provision was made for their comfort in other ways. The students of the high school were put on their honor, the pupils of the lower grades were treated with consideration, the schools were in a manner reorganized on a basis of reciprocal justice and kindness. Changes were made in the course of study by which the interests of practical education were conserved with continuous progress in liberal- izing and otherwise improving it. Various other changes were made to meet the demands of the times and the efficiency and popularity of the schools continued to increase from year to year. The teachers of the Spring- field schools welcomed the change to an enlightened administration at the beginning of Superintendent Fairbank’s first term and became loyal sup- porters. He was re-elected without opposition for another term, and again and again until his re-election at the end of each consecutive year became a mere matter of formality. In politics, Mr. Fairbanks has been a Republican all his life, though liberal-minded, progressive and independent in his views. In view of this fact, the Greenbackers having made great progress in this section in 1878, and wishing to put out a strong county ticket, sent a com- mittee to Mr. Fairbanks soliciting him to allow them to use his name as their candidate for county school commissioner. As a concession to the spirit of reform represented by their movements, he gave his consent with the result that he was elected by a majority of four hundred. Results similar to those which had followed his assumption of the duties of city superin- tendent followed throughout the county. The teachers of the country schools, as those of the city, had soon felt the inspiration of Jonathan Fair- banks' presence and helpfulness in all their works. So he was re-elected county commissioner at the end of the term. Fie was re-elected continuously during a period of twenty years until the office was merged in that of county superintendent. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 969 In the last election he received one thousand seven hundred majority over three other candidates for county commissioner. In the administration of that office he did much toward the complete systematization of the county schools. Among other things, he kept a complete record of the proceedings of the boards and everything done in connection with the county during the twenty years of his incumbency. The record was unfortunately lost in a fire in Superintendent Bradley’s office in recent years. Superintendent Fairbanks never made a practice of punishing boys for fighting. His plan for dissipating this kind of trouble was to call them up and make them explain their differences and come to some kind of an under- standing. Some interesting stories are told in this connection. Other problems which have vexed less capable minds were disposed of in a similarly happy manner. Summarizing his observations on the subject of discipline Superintend- ent Fairbanks said in a recent conversation: “Teachers should assume as far as possible that there are no bad pupils. Boys and girls will do the best they know how. The thing to do is to make clear to them the reasons for the requirements made of them. They often do wrong when they think they are doing right. Reason and consideration will go farther in securing compliance with the wishes of the teacher than anything else. There is not nearly leniency enough in the world.” The Jonathan Fairbanks of today is as busy as though he had but begun his life’s work at the end of the three-score years and ten allotted to man. He is still a student teacher and reader, though no longer under necessity of hearing sixteen recitations a day, the first one at 7 A. M. and often continuing his tasks by lamplight and then getting up at 2 A. M. to go over the lessons in advance of his classes in preparation for the work of the fol- lowing day as he used to do at the beginning of his career as superintendent of the Springfield schools. Much of the success and happiness of this venerable man’s life is at- tributed to the helpfulness of the excellent woman who became his wife in youth and journeyed with him far toward the final rewards. Jonathan Fair- banks and Miss Angie Bowker were married September 3, 1856, in Sudbury, Massachusetts. She was born there June 13, 1832. She was a daughter of the Puritans, her parents, Samuel N. and Mary Earl Bowker. being descended from early settlers of New England, of Scotch- Welsh extraction. Children of Jonathan Fairbanks and Angie (Bowker) Fairbanks: Grace Ida, born in St. Mary’s, Ohio, June 4, 1857, died October 1, 1858'. Joseph Maybin, born in St. Mary’s, Ohio, March 12, 1859, died May 19, 1865. Mary Caroline, born*in St. Mary’s, Ohio, April 7, i860, died February 5, 1862. Alban Bradley, born in St. Mary’s, Ohio, June 22,- 1862, died in 1911. Annie, born in Piqua, Ohio, March 20, 1866, died June 21, 1809. > 97 © GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. George Bowker, born in Springfield, Missouri, April 16, 1868. John Wilber, born in Springfield, Missouri, November 13, 1870. James Otis, born in Springfield, Missouri, October 30, 1873. George Bowker Fairbanks is en- gaged in the general merchandise business at Foose, Dallas county, Missouri. He married Sarah Davis, July 31, 1910. Two children have been born to them, Perrv George Fairbanks, September 23, 1911, who died March 11, 1913; and an infant daughter, Harriet. John Wilber Fairbanks married Annie Jugram, June 5, 1902. They have one child, John Howard Fairbanks, born March 10, 1904. James Otis Fairbanks married Miss Golden Sands, January 13, 1913. Mrs. Fairbanks died December 29, 1912. She was a consistent mem- ber of the Baptist church. JOHN R. BOYD, M. D. It is not always easy to discover and define the hidden forces that move a life of ceaseless activity and a large professional success; little more can be done than to note their manifestation in the career of the individual under consideration. In view of this fact, the life of the physician and public- spirited man of affairs whose name appears above affords a striking example of well defined purpose with the ability to make that purpose subserve not only his own ends but the good of his fellow men as well. Doctor Boyd has long held distinctive prestige in a calling which requires for its basis sound mentality and intellectual discipline of a high order. In his chosen field of endeavor Doctor Boyd has achieved success and his present eminent standing among the leading medical men of southwest Missouri is duly recognized and appreciated, not only in Springfield and Greene county, where he has been engaged in the practice for the past score of years, but also throughout this section of the state. Dr. John R. Boyd was born in Logan county, Kentucky, December 16, 1854. He is the son of R. G. H. and Isabella (Herndon) Boyd, both natives of Kentucky. 'The father was a land owner and ranked among the leading citizens of his community. His wife’s people, the Herndons, were also extensive land owners in the Blue Grass state. The death of Mrs. Boyd occurred when her son, John R., was only six weeks old. She was a devout member of the Baptist church. To R. G. H. Boyd and wife four sons and four daughters were born. Three sons and one daughter survive. The living daughter makes her home in Lawton, Oklahoma. Our subject’s surviving brothers are engaged in farming in Kentucky and Oklahoma. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 971 Doctor Boyd grew up on the farm and received his early education in the common schools and in Auburn Academy. He remained in Kentucky until 1879, when he came to Jackson county, Missouri, where he taught school and began reading medicine, hie spent one year in the Bellevue Medical Hos- pital College of New York City and completed his medical education in the University of Louisville, Kentucky, from which institution he graduated with the class of 1886, later taking a post-graduate course from the Post Graduate School in Chicago, also a post-graduate course from the Polyclinic Institute of Chicago. He began the practice of his profession at Butler, Bates county, Missouri, in 1886, where he remained until 1895, when, seeking a larger field for the exercise of his talents, he removed to Springfield and has since been successfully engaged in the general practice of medicine, being success- ful from the first, and during this period of nearly twenty years has occupied an envied position among his professional brethren. In 1901 Doctor Boyd was elected state medical director of the Modern Woodmen of America, which important office he still holds with much credit to himself and satisfaction to all concerned. He was one of the promoters of the Missouri Fidelity and Casualty Company, at the organization of which he was elected a director, also medical director, and in 1912 was elected presi- dent of the company. He is now a director of the Southern Surety Company of St. Louis, Missouri. Several years ago he was president of the Greene County Medical Society for one term. He still holds membership in the Greene County Medical Society, the Southwest Missouri Medical Society, and the Missouri State Medical Association. Doctor Boyd was one of the founders of the Springfield Hospital, and has been aidirector in the same from the first, and for the first few years was treasurer and is now secretary of the same. He maintains a modern suite of rooms in the Holland building, Spring- field. He has been very successful in a financial way and has been interested in numerous business enterprises and has been influential in the latter-day upbuilding of the Queen City. Politically, he has always been a stanch Demo- crat, and, fraternally, he belongs to the Masonic order, including the Council and the Royal Arch degrees. He also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America, and has always been actively interested in lodge affairs. Doctor Boyd was married in 1883 to Nannie M. Montgomery, of Leba- non, Kentucky, in which state she grew to womanhood and received her edu- cation. She is a daughter of a farmer and stockman and an excellent old family. She has been prominent in the best social circles since coming to Springfield, and is an active member of several clubs. The union of Doctor Boyd and wife has been blessed by the birth of one daughter, Lillian Boyd. She is a young lady of exceptional talent and refine- ment. She was graduated from the Academy of Drury College and after- ward received the degree of A. B. Cum Lauda from that college. 972 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. Miss Boyd spent a year at the College of Hawaii, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii, where she specialized in science, taking the degree of B. S. She was an enthusiastic member of the college fraternities, Mu Beta and Pi Bi Phi. The Doctor is a gentleman whom it is a pleasure to meet, at once im- pressing you with his polished Southern manners, his directness, frankness and learning, also his unpretentious simplicity. J. A. WHITE. The automobile business is a comparatively new line of human endeavor. It has not been so very many years ago since the first automobile made its appearance in Springfield. The business has grown with perhaps greater strides than any other line in the twentieth century. These autos are not only to be found in the larger cities, but in almost every city and town in the Union, and even on the wide plains of the West and in mountainous dis- tricts. One finds them in many of the rough, poor sections of the Ozarks. People not only enjoy riding in them, but they realize that they are time savers and thus in many instances money makers. Those engaged in this line of business, whether in manufacture, selling or repairing, are making a success. One of this number is J. A. White, manager of the Western Motor Car Company of Springfield. Mr. White was born in Springfield, Missouri, August 21, 1879. He is a son of J. A. and Lou (Proctor) White. The father was a native of Tennessee and the mother was born in Louisville, Kentucky. They left their native states when young and came to Springfield, Missouri, where they were married, and here J. A. White, Sr., engaged successfully in the con- tracting and building business. During the Civil war he enlisted at Leaven- worth, Kansas, in the Twelfth Kansas Cavalry, and made a gallant soldier for the Union, being promoted for meritorious conduct to second lieutenant. He went out the first year of the war and remained in the service over three years, taking part in many engagements and campaigns. Politically, he was a Democrat and was active in party affairs. He was at one time a member of the city council of Springfield. His death occurred here in 1884. His widow is still living in this city. Three children were born to these parents, namely: J. A., Jr., of this sketch; Mrs. May Costella, and George P. The subject of this sketch grew to manhood in his native city, and here he attended school, receiving, however, only a meager education. He first engaged in the bicycle business in Portland, Oregon, being naturally of a mechanical turn of mind, and believing that the Par West held greater op- GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 973 portunities than his own country. He was, however, later convinced that this was not the fact, and after spending four years there, during which he got a start in life, he returned to Springfield on October 8, 1900, and here he continued the bicycle business until 1905 with much success, and in that year he turned his attention to the automobile business, and during the ten years that he has been engaged in this line he has met with ever-growing and excellent success. He was first connected with Holland Keet. He is now manager of the Western Motor Car Company, and is agent for the Chalmers machine. His place of business is located at 411-13-15 South Jefferson street, where he has one of the largest and most complete and modernly equipped repair shops in the Southwest. He is prepared to do promptly and well all kinds of repairing and has in his employ a number of practical and highly skilled mechanics. He also maintains here a charging station for elec- trics. He is doing a large and lucrative business, and he enjoys the good will and confidence of his hundreds of patrons, who know him for a prompt, hon- est and obliging man of affairs. Mr. White was married on June 28, 1904, to Alzora Sedgwick, a native of Kansas and a daughter of A. C. and Anna (Palmour) Sedgwick. To this union one child has been born, Charles S. White, whose birth occurred August 17, 1910. Politically, Mr. White is a Republican. Fraternally, he belongs to the Masonic order, including the Knights Templar and the Ancient Arabic Or- der of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is prominent in local club life, be- ing a member of the Springfield Club, the Young Men’s Business Club, the Country Club and the Springfield Gun Club. JAMES H. O’BRYANT. There is an habitual tendency in human nature to live in and for that which is perishing, hence the necessity for something that shall remind us of what is abiding, something that shall enable us to realize our larger duties and higher destiny. 1 he life of the masses of the people tends to become commonplace, and the only way to give color and zest and interest and beauty to the things around us is to be able to view them from the inside of a rich, splendidly furnished intellectual home. This is possible no matter in what line of work we are engaged. James H. O’Bryant is one of the citizens of Springfield who realized these facts long ago, and he has thus sought to develop his mind along general lines while engaged in his routine of daily tasks. Mr. O’Bryant was born in Greene county, Missouri, August 20, 1866. 974 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. He is a son of George W. and Mary C. (Howard) O'Bryant, natives of Tennessee and North Carolina, respectively, the father’s birth occurring in 1823, and the mother’s in 1830. They received limited educations in the old-time subscription schools, and when young they accompanied their par- ents from their respective communities in the South on the long overland journey to Greene county, Missouri, both the O’Bryants and Howards being- pioneer settlers here, and here the parents of our subject were married. Georp-e W. O’Bryant was a successful farmer and stock raiser and became owner of three hundred and sixty acres of good land near Republic, and there his death occurred in 1866. His widow survived about thirty-seven years, dying in July, 1903, at the old homestead in Brookline township at an advanced age. Mr. O’ Bryant was a member of the State Militia during the Civil Avar and was an active Union man, but served only in one important engagement — the battle of Springfield, fought on January 8, 1863. His fam- ily consisted of ten children, namely: Sarah Jane is deceased; Mary Frances lives in Polk county; John C. is deceased; Martha A., deceased, was the wife of Judge Phillips, of this county; William and Delila, twins, both live in Re- public; Alice A. is deceased; Nancy C. lives in California; George W. lives near Republic, and James H., of this sketch, who is the youngest of the family. James PI. O’Bryant grew to manhood on the home farm in Brookline township and he received his education in the common schools. He remained on the home farm, of which he owned one hundred and forty acres, until 1899, when, after a successful career as general farmer, he sold out, and in that year was appointed superintendent of the Greene County Farm, serv- ing four years in a manner that reflected much credit upon himself and to the satisfaction of all concerned, doing much the meanwhile to improve the general condition of the farm and inaugurating an excellent system of man- agement. In February, 1903, he began working as salesman for the J. T. Carter Vehicle Company. Since then, or for nearly eight years, he has been engaged in the mail messenger service in Springfield. Mr. O’Bryant was married May 24, 1891, in Republic, to Maggie L. E. Hood, who was born in Greene county, Missouri, July 31, 1873. She is a daughter of James D. and Mary E. (Clack) Hood. Her father was born in this county on December 31, 1848, and here he attended school, married and has spent his life. He is still living on a farm northwest of Republic. His wife was born in Tennessee, in 1856. These parents have always lived on the farm. To Mr. and Mrs. O’Brvant eight children have been born, namely: Nellie A., born March 21, 1892, is teaching school in the state of Washington; Earle J., born December 30, 1893, lives in Oregon; Leta F., born December 25, 1895, is married and lives in Kansas City; Elias B., born November 9, 1897, died August 15, 1900; Mary T., born February 15, 1902, GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 975 is attending school; John R., born August 15, 1005, died May 3, 1910; Helen L., born September 19, 1907; Hazel C, born September 30, 1911. Politically, Mr. O’Bryant is a Republican. Fraternally, he belongs to the Masonic order, including the Chapter and the Order of Eastern Star,, while Mrs. O’Bryant is a White Shriner and was treasurer, also worthy matron in the Order of Eastern Star, and is very active in lodge work. Our subject and wife belong to the Grace Methodist Episcopal church. GUY D. KIRBY. As a lawyer Guy D. Kirby, now judge of the Circuit Court of Greene county, for many years stood at the front of his profession at the Springfield bar, his career being noted for strength, fidelity and honor in his character. The relations between him and his clients are ever I03M and genuine. He is ever steadfast, sure and true. Among his professional brethren he is noted for his thorough knowledge of the law, not only of its great underlying prin- ciples, but also for its niceties and its exacting details, and for his faculty of clearly presenting to court and jury the law and facts of the case. On the bench his painstaking, laborious review and study of each case, and his accu- rate recollection of precedents alwa) r s keep him in thorough preparation, and his profound legal erudition and sound judgment prevent him from resting on any hazardous or uncertain ground. In every sphere he demonstrates the individual unit and creation of himself. Rectitude, moral force, integrity, innate love of justice, exalted sense of honor, and unflinching advocacy of that which is right, are well defined elements of his personal character. Add to these industry and mental equipment, and we have the key to his success as a lawyer and as a judge. Judge Kirby was born in Springfield, Missouri, March 3, 1873. He is a son of William M. and Virginia (Parrish) Kirby, the father being born in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1846, and the mother’s birth occurred in Springfield, Missouri, in 1847. William M. Kirby spent his earlier years in the Monu- ment City and received a good practical education, and when a young man came to Springfield, Missouri, and ran a drygoods store here for several years, then held various positions under county officers for a number of years, and, in 1881, began his long career as traveling salesman, which he has continued to the present time, being one of the most widely known com- mercial salesmen in the Southwest. On December 22, 1870, he and Vir- ginia Parrish were married here. She grew to womanhood and was edu- cated in her native county, receiving an excellent education. To the parents of our subject four children were born, namely: William C. is deceased; Guy 976 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. D., of this sketch; Anne L. and Lellah V. These children were all given excellent educational advantages in the Springfield schools. Judge Kirby grew to manhood in his native city and here attended the ward and high schools, later was a student in Drury College. Leaving- school in 1895, he began the study of law with the late John O’Day as pre- ceptor, and, having made rapid progress, was admitted to the bar in Decem- ber, 1896. After that he continued studying law, but did not begin the practice of his profession until 1900. He continued active practice in the local courts for ten years with much success, or until he was elected judge of the circuit court in 1910, since which time he has discharged the duties of this important position in a manner that has reflected much credit upon himself and to the satisfaction of his constituents and all concerned, being generally regarded as one of the best men ever on this bench. fudge Kirby has remained unmarried. Politically he is a stanch Demo- crat and active in local political affairs. He belongs to the Baptist church. T. BLONDVILLE HOLLAND. True biography has a more noble purpose than mere fulsome eulogy. The historic spirit, faithful to the record; the discerning judgment, unmoved by prejudice and uncolored by enthusiasm, are as essential in giving the life of the individual as in writing the history of a people. Indeed, the ingenuous- ness of the former picture is even more vital, because the individual is the national unit, and if the unit be justly estimated the complex organism will become correspondingly intelligible. The world today is what the lead- ing men of the past generation have made it, and this rule must ever hold good. From the past comes the legacy of the present. Art, science, states- manship and government are accumulations. They constitute an inheritance upon which the present generation have entered, and the advantages se- cured from so vast a bequeathment depend entirely upon the fidelity with which is conducted the study of the lives of the principal actors who have transmitted the legacy. This is especially true of those whose influence has passed beyond the confines of locality and permeated the larger life of the state. To such a careful study are the life, character and service of the late T. Blondville Holland pre-eminently entitled, not only on the part of the student of biography, but also of every citizen who, guided by example, would in the present build wisely for the future. In studying a clean- cut, sane, distinct character like that of the subject, interpretation follows fact in a straight line of derivation. There is small use for indirection or puzzling. His character is the positive expression of a strong nature. As GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 977 has been said of him, “he was distinctively one of the notable man of his day and generation, and as such is entitled to a conspicuous place in the annals of his city, county and state." Mr. Holland was a member of one of the oldest, best-known and most influential families of Greene county, Missouri, and in his lifetime had engaged widely in various business pur- suits, and as head of the great banking company which has long borne his name, he wielded a potent influence in financial circles of the Southwest. Despite the fact that his father was a wealthy man, he began early to make his own way. He traveled by horse long distance in his youth in live stock deals and by exceptional ability in his efforts became wealthy in his own right. His name had become a household synonym of conservativeness, as trustworthy as a gold bond. Mr. Holland was a son of Gen. C. B. and Emiline H. (Bigbee) Hol- land, the latter a daughter of Capt. John S. Bigbee. T. Blondville Holland was born in Robertson county, Tennessee, January i, 1836. He immigrated to Springfield, Missouri, with his parents in the spring of 1841, and here spent the rest of his life. The family made the tedious journey from across the Tennessee plains and the rugged range of the Ozark mountains. At that time Springfield had only a few small log huts, one of which the father of our subject rented. As no furniture could be bought, the elder Holland made his own furniture put of walnut rails from a fence nearby which he purchased from John P. Campbell, who donated the original townsite where Springfield now stands. With General Holland and family also came John L. Holland, his brother, who still lives in Springfield at the advanced age of ninety-five years. He and the General were among the first merchants in this city. The two brothers married sisters. Lee Holland, a son of J. L. Holland, was a double cousin to T. B. Holland. In the beginning of the Civil war our subject enlisted in the Union Army under his father, Gen. C. B. Holland, and served with distinction throughout the war. He was at one time offered and refused an officer’s commission. He took much pride in the military history of his ancestors and was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution. His father being a self-made man, he believed in boys assuming responsibilities in early life, and at the age of eighteen years. T. B. Holland started in a small mercantile business for himself at a point which at that time was in Taney county, now near the town of Rome, Douglas county, Missouri. Although the business proved successful, after two years he disposed of same and re- turned to Springfield, where he later entered into a partnership business with his father under the firm name of C. B. Holland & Son, which proved suc- ■cessful. Both dealt in live stock also, and later added the banking business. (62) 9/8 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. The partnership was continued until the death of the father in 1901. During the early partnership before the war our subject several times drove horses and mules overland clear through from Springfield to New Orleans. After the war a general mercantile business was conducted in Springfield by C. B. Holland & Son which was continued until 1870. In the year 1875 the hanking business was established as a private bank, which was likewise conducted under the firm name of C. B. Holland & Son and continued until 1896, when it was incorporated as the Holland Banking Company and has been conducted under that name ever since. Our subject was associated with the bank until his death and was president of the same the latter years of his life. Mr. Holland was a strong character of sterling worth whose integrity and honor was his religion, and it was largely these characteristics injected into the business that won the Holland Banking Com- pany the high standing in the community which it enjoys today. Mr. Hol- land was the first president of the Springfield Clearing House Associa- tion. The domestic life of T. B. Holland began in i860 when he was united in marriage with Matilda Dade, a young lady of St. Louis and a sister to the late Dabney C. Dade, of Springfield, and a daughter of Judge John Dade. She died in 1875. This union resulted in the birth of five children, two of whom died in infancy, and two sons, T. D. and W. C., died after reaching manhood. The eldest daughter, Cora B., died in 1901. She was the wife of William B. Sanford, now president of the Holland Banking Company. To Mr. and Mrs.. Sanford one child was born, Grady H. San- ford. T. B. Holland was remarried in 1877 to Miss B. A. Hamilton, who- survives him, with four children, all living and married : they are : Charles, proprietor of the Holland Stock and Dairy Farm near Springfield; Mrs. Will Darby, who resides with her mother in Springfield ; Mrs. Manney Simmons, and Mrs. Clifford Jarrett. In 1911 Mr. Holland sold a controlling interest of stock of the Holland Banking Company to William B. Sanford. Mr. Holland was prominently identified with the making of Springfield, doing, as much as any other man for the material upbuilding of the city in which he always had implicit faith and took so great a delight. He was a large contributor to all public enterprises and charities but avoided publicity therewith. He was a member of the first board of trustees of Drury College and remained a close friend of this institution throughout his life, especially through its early struggles until it was well on the road to success. In the big fire that visited the heart of the business district of Springfield in the spring of 1913, Mr. Holland was the heaviest property loser, be- having accumulated considerable property in this section of the city. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 979 After a period of ill health T. Blondville Holland was summoned to close his earthly career at the Holland home on St. Louis street, Springfield, on July 30, 1913, in his seventy-eighth year, after a long, useful, successful and honorable life, fraught with much good to his county, city, himself, family and the world, and the young man of today might well emulate his example, not only in a business way but in all walks of life, for his career presents to the contemplative mind many lessons of value. ROBERT L. RAMSEY. In his efforts he, who essays biographical or memorial history, finds much of profit and much of alluring fascination when he would follow out, in even a cursory way, the teachings of an active, rightly lived life, seeking to find the keynote of each respective personality. These efforts and their resulting transmission cannot fail of value in an objective way, for in each case may the lesson of life be conned, line upon line, precept upon precept. The late Robert L. Ramsey was a man who lived to good purpose and while laboring for his own good and that of his immediate family, helped others on the road that leads to the mystic goal ahead. Mr. Ramsey was born in Lewis county, Missouri, in 1836. He was a son of Silas and Elizabeth (Brown) Ramsey, natives of Kentucky, where they grew up and were married and from there removed to Missouri, being among the early settlers of Lewis county, where the family has been well and favorably known to the present time. Seven children were born to them, all now deceased but one. namely: John: Martha is the only survivor; Thomas: Sarah: Lucy; Robert L., of this sketch, and Samuel, the youngest. Silas Ramsey, the father, was twice married, our subject having been by his first union. He became one of the leading farmers of Lewis county, and owned three sections of fine land there. Robert L. Ramsey grew to manhood in his native county and assisted his father with the work on the farm, and he received a fairly good educa- tion in the common schools. He was by nature an excellent mathematician. He began life for himself as a farmer, but believing that the business world held greater inducement for him he went to Canton, county-seat of Lewis county, when a young man, about 1869, and there began his mercantile career, which he continued with ever-increasing success for over twenty years, enjoying an extensive trade with the town and surrounding country. He always carried a good stock of merchandise and dealt fairly and cour- teously with his customers, and thereby retained their confidence and good will. His health failing, he retired from active life three or four years GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 980 prior to his death, being at that time one of the oldest and best known mer- chants in Canton. Mr. Ramsey was married in his native county, February 3, 1859, to Sarah E. Ray, who was born in Lewis county, Missouri, March 22, 1839. She is a daughter of Judge M. and Sarah ( Brown) Ray, the former a native of Tennessee and the mother of Kentucky. To Mr. and Mrs. Ramsey six children were born, two of whom are living, namely: M. Beatrice; Mattie L. ; Lula E. ; Roberta; Sarah and Eliza- beth, twins, are the only survivors ; Sarah married Walter W. Baxter, who is mentioned in the sketch of Kirk Baxter on another page of this volume ; Elizabeth married George H. Baxter, who is living a retired life in Spring- field. The death of Robert L. Ramsey occurred in Canton, Missouri, Sep- tember 19, 1900, at the age of sixty-four years. ITis widow subsequently removed to Springfield, this state, to live with her two daughters. She purchased a home on South Fremont street, and there spent the rest of her days, being called to join her husband in the Silent Land on April 13, 1914. The daughters now occupy the cozy home she left. Mr. Ramsey was a Democrat, and religiously he was a member of the Baptist church. Fraternally he belonged to the Masonic Order, and his father-in-law was the first Mason in Lewis county. Mr. and Mrs. Ramsey were excellent people, religious, neighborly and charitable and were beloved by all who knew them. WILLIAM R. DANIEL. No matter what line of work one is engaged in he should strive to become an expert in it, which will not only result in better remuneration, but a greater degree of satisfaction and pleasure all around. If one goes at his work in a half-hearted, slip-shod manner very little good will be accom- plished and little satisfaction gotten out of it. In fact, it is not too much to say that poor work should never be done, for it is very often worse than nothing — detrimental. William R. Daniel, the skilled coach carpenter in the Frisco’s new shops at Springfield, realized these facts when he made up his mind when a young man to become a carpenter. He knew the world was full of wood workers in various lines and that to achieve anything really worth while he would have to become a superior workman. Years of patient and careful work have made him one. Mr. Daniel was born on October 5, 1857, in Savannah, Tennessee. He is a son of Calloway and Caroline (Hutton) Daniel, natives of Tennessee and Alabama, respectively. They grew up in the South, attended school GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 981 and were married in Tennessee, from which state in 1861 they removed to Illinois, where they lived during the Civil war, and, in 1865, came to New Madrid county, Missouri, where they spent the rest of their lives on a farm, dying near the town of New Madrid, the father in 1883, and the mother in 1893. Politically, Calloway Daniel was a Democrat, and he belonged to the Granger order. His family consisted of ten children, namely : Emily and Elsie are living; Thomas is deceased; James is living; Patrick is deceased; William R. of this sketch; Jane, Alice, Benjamin and George are all de- ceased. William R. Daniel was four years old when he left his native state of Illinois and was about nine years old when his parents brought him to New Madrid county, Missouri, where he grew to manhood on a farm and there worked during the summer months, attending the district schools in the winter. He followed farming in that county until 1884, when, on August 1 2th of that year, he came to Springfield, this state, and engaged in car- penter work for a few years. On November 23, 1890, he went to work for the Frisco System at the old North Side shops, in the coach department as a carpenter, where he remained until 1909, when the new shops were opened, at which time he was transferred to the latter and promoted to coach carpenter, which position he still holds, giving eminent satisfaction, for he is not only exceptionally skillful, but is a fast and painstaking work- man, always conscientious in his work. Mr. Daniel was married on December 22, 1880, in New Madrid, Mis- souri, to Fanny V. Edmondson, who was born there June 26, 1864, and was reared and educated at that place. She is a daughter of John and Lavina S. (Freeman) Edmondson. Her father' was born in Louisville, Kentucky, November 10, 1820, and her mother was born in North Carolina, December 1, 1834. They grew up in the South, were educated and married there, finally removing to Springfield, Missouri, where the death of Mr. Edmond- son occurred on February 3, 1901 ; his wife died in Kansas City, May 8, 1904; they are buried in Springfield. Mr. Edmondson, who devoted his life principally to agricultural pursuits, was a well-read man. Politically he was a Democrat. His family consisted of four children, namely : Mrs. Elizabeth J. Warrington lives in Kansas City, Missouri; Laura is deceased: Fanny V., wife of Mr. Daniel of this sketch, and William, who is the youngest. To our subject and wife two children have been born, namely: Laura Lavina, was born in 1882, and died when a year old; the second child died in infancy, unnamed. Mrs. Daniel is a well educated and accomplished woman, who is prom- inent in local club life. She is an active and influential member of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union. She also belongs to the Progressive 9§2 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. Workers’ Club. She was first vice-president of the Children’s Home when it was first organized in Springfield. She is a member of the Pickwick Sew- ing Club, and is a member of the Young Men’s Christian Association Auxiliary, and belongs to the Second Presbyterian church, of which Mr. Daniel is also a member and an elder. Fraternally he is a member of the Masonic Order, the Improved Order of Red Men and the Maccabees. Polit- ically he is a Democrat. Mr. Daniel owns a cozy home on Weller street, Springfield. WALTER P. EMERSON. One of the enterprising and deserving young men of Fair Grove, Greene county, is Walter P. Emerson, who is filling very acceptably the position of postmaster and is also conducting a store there. He was formerly a resi- dent of Springfield and has spent most of his life in this county. Mr. Emerson was born in Jasper county, Missouri, November 14, 1880. He is a son of James Daniel and Sarah Ann Frances (AVheeler) Emerson. The father was born in 1852, in Greene county, this state, spending his first years in Franklin township, in fact, with the exception of one year spent in Jasper county, he spent his entire life in his native county, and made general farming his vocation, owning a good farm of one hundred and twenty acres, all under improvement, in Jackson township, and there his death occurred in May, 1904. Politically he was a Democrat, and while active in the affairs of his party was never an office holder. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, at Fair Grove, in which he took much interest, and in which he was a deacon for years. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Fair Grove. His wife was a native of Tennessee, and when young in years she came to Greene county, Missouri, with her parents, James T. and Nancy A. (Andrews! Wheeler. This was during the period of the Civil war. The family located at Hickory Barrens, and secured one hundred and forty acres of good land in that vicinity, where Mr. Wheeler carried on general farming. During the war he was a private in a Missouri regiment in the Union army, later being promoted to corporal and was honorably discharged and mustered out as such. He saw considerable service and had a horse shot from under him in an engagement. He was in St. Louis at the close of the war. He en- listed on the road from Tennessee to Missouri and his wife continued on to Greene county, where he joined her after the war and resided the rest of his life. Three children were born to James D. Emerson and wife, namely: GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 983 Walter P., of this sketch; Mrs. Mary Alexander Yancy, and John Reed, who is one of the country school teachers of this county. Walter P. Emerson grew up on the home farm and assisted with the general work there. He was one year old when his parents brought him from Jasper county to Franklin township. He was educated in the district schools here, later taking a course in the Springfield Business College, from which he was graduated in 1902. He lived in Springfield six years, work- ing as a street car conductor for four years, and as a teamster for two years. He moved to Fair Grove in March, 1908, where he has since resided. He has for some time been conducting a small general store, and in the spring of 1914 took the civil service examination and was appointed post- master at Fair Grove the following July. He is discharging the duties of the office in a highly acceptable manner to the department and the people. His store is next door to the office. He is an honest, obliging and courteous young man, and his appointment to this office was highly pleasing to the citizens of Fair Grove and vicinity. Mr. Emerson was married October 9, 1901, to Pearlie Blair, a daugh- ter of Thomas A. and Malinda (Sharp) Blair. To this union five children have been born, namely: Audra Preston, James Thomas, Zelma Hazel, Elma Dazel and Claude Elwyn. Politically, Mr. Emerson is a Democrat. He is a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and the Woodmen of the World, both at Fair Grove, and his wife is a member of the Baptist church. JAMES S. S ART AIN. From the great Prairie state, where lived such renowned men as states- men, warriors, men of business and authors, comes James S. Sartain, en- gineer of the Fruit Dispatch Company, of Springfield. He has not tried to emulate in his life work the eminent men of his native state only in that he has tried to do something well, not desiring the plaudits of the world in a public way, and so he has done his allotted work on earth just the same as if his name was inscribed high on the honor roll of the nation, for all good work by mankind is viewed as a part of the plan of creation, and we are taught that “each thing and person in their place is best.’’ Mr. Sartain was born October 18, 1868, in Pike county, Illinois, He is a son of Charles and Matilda (Ham) Sartain. The father was born in North Carolina, in 1845, an( l the mother was born in Pike county, Illinois, in 1854. These parents received common school educations and were mar- ried in Pike county, Illinois, whither the father removed from the South 9 S 4 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. when young. He devoted his active life to general farming and stock rais- ing. He remained in Illinois until 1880, when he removed to Bates county,. Missouri. During the Civil war he served a full term of enlistment, par- ticipating in a number of battles, and was captured at Arkansas Post. His- death occurred in Bates county, this state, in 1909. His family consisted of nine children', seven of whom are still living. James S. Sartain grew to manhood on the home farm and received his education in the public schools of Bates county and the high school at Adrian, that county. He lived on the home farm until he was eighteen years old, then engaged in the threshing business for several years. He also became a stationary engineer. In 1908 he moved to Springfield from Butler, Bates county, and here he has since been running an engine, at the present time being engineer at the plant of the Fruit Dispatch Company. He is regarded as an expert in his line and likes the work ; moreover, he has proven to be a thoroughly trustworthy employee. Mr. Sartain was married on November 18, 1889, in Adrian, Missouri, to Eulalia McCraw, who was born, reared and educated there, the date of her birth being February 27, 1874. She is a daughter of James and Margaret (Calland) McCraw, who were natives of Pennsylvania, but who came West in early life. The father is still living, but the mother is deceased. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Sartain, namely: Grace, born February 3, 1892, and Fred, born May 2, 1894. Politically, Mr. Sartain is a Democrat, and fraternally he belongs to the Knights of Pythias. RICHARD HENRY FI ANSON, M. D. It was the great Thoreau who said that men would be better if they had sufficient vision to look below the surface of things. This vision is not vouchsafed to many, but one of the favored in this respect is Dr. Richard Henry Hanson, a well known homeopathic physician of Springfield, whose long and useful career has been an interesting and varied one and of much good to humanity. We find that he was a gallant soldier in the defense of the Union, a worthy minister in the Methodist church for many years, an effective worker for the cause of temperance, a potent influence in the state legislature where he served two terms, and enterprising merchant and for more than three decades a successful man of medicine, both a pharmacist and physician, and withal a true gentleman who deserves the high respect in which he is universallly held. Doctor Hanson was born in Peru, Clinton county, New York, June 1, GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 985 1842. He is a son of Cyrus and Lucinda (Hill) Hanson, natives of New England, the father born near Dover, New Hampshire, and when a boy he ran away from home and went to V ermont and later removed to near Peru, New York, where he followed farming the rest of his life. The mother of our subject was reared in Vermont and her death occurred in Minnesota. Dr. Richard PI. ITanson grew to manhood on the home farm in New York state and there he received a common school education, later attending Malone Academy, at Malone, N. Y. He remained on the farm until he was twenty years of age, then studied chemistry and photography, the daguerreo- type method. When the Civil war came on he enlisted in Company L, Sixth New York Heavy Artillery, and saw considerable hard service. He was among the troops which was detailed to guard the wagon trains of the Federal army during the battle of Cedar Creek, but the company he was a member of was annihilated. However, he effected his escape, was taken sick and spent the latter part of the war in a hospital in Philadelphia. After he was honorably discharged from the army he returned to his home in New York state and soon thereafter bought a country store, which he conducted a few years, then came to Springfield, Missouri, in the early seventies. Later taking up the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal church, he joined the St. Louis conference and spent thirteen years in the ministry, during which time he was regarded as one of the most earnest, faithful and able members of the conference and a leader in this denomination in southern Missouri. He was for a time connected with the school of this denomination at Marionville, and among his charges were Ash Grove, Marshfield, Windsor, Sedalia, Bloomfield, Iberia, Dixon and Hartville. In all these places he did a most commendable work and greatly strengthened the church in each. During the latter part of his ministry he studied medicine and finally abandoned the pulpit, much to the regret of those who had occasion to know of his splendid work in the gospel, and took up the practice of homeopathy, which he has continued with pronounced success for the past thirty years, and is one of the best-known men in this branch of medical science in the Southwest. He was duly licensed as a homeopath and was also given a pharmacy license, having made himself familiar with that profession also. While living in Wright county he served as coroner for a period of eight years in an emi- nently successful manner. He led the campaign for local option in Wright county, which won by a majority vote of over twelve hundred, the credit for this victory being due very largely to him. On the strength of his labors in this line he was elected representative from Wright county to the state legislature on the Republican ticket, and his record there was so highly sat- isfactory and commendable that he was elected for a second term by a much larger majority than previously. Lie was an ardent supporter in locating the State Normal School at Springfield, also was chairman of the emigration 986 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. committee, which appropriated $10,000 toward bringing emigration to Mis- souri. In fact, for many years Dr. Hanson has been a power in the Repub- lican party in southern Missouri. Dr. Hanson located in Springfield in November, 1912. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, of which he is past chaplain. Dr. Hanson owns and runs a sanitarium on North Main street, which is a spacious, fine building, with a fine, well-kept yard and grove. Dr. Han- son also has a fine 500-acre farm in Wright county, Missouri, which is also very valuable mineral land. Dr. Hanson was a teaher in Aurora, Missouri, and taught on ground that has since proven to be rich mineral land. The doctor was married in Bolivar, Polk county, Missouri, in 1878, to Zillah F. Holt, a daughter of John L. and Joanna Holt. Her father was a spy for the Union army during the Civil war. He devoted his life to cabinet making, and was surveyor of Lawrence county for a number of years. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hanson, Viola, widow of Edward McNealy; Perry L. lives at Hartville, Missouri; Golden lives at home, now Mrs. William Curry; Galen lives in Springfield and Daisy lives at home. ROBERT A. MOORE. Eminent business talent is composed of a combination of high mental and moral attributes. It is not simply energy and industry ; there must be sound judgment, breadth of capacity, rapidity of thought, justice and firm- ness, the foresight to perceive the drifting tides of business and the will and ability to control them, and, withal, a collection of minor but important cjuali- ties to regulate the details of the pursuits which engage attention. Robert A. Moore, superintendent and manager of the Moore Manufacturing Com- pany, of Springfield, affords an exemplification of this talent, if not in its highest development, yet an extraordinary character, and notwithstanding the somewhat limited theater of his operations he has achieved a reputation which places him in the front rank of Greene county’s progressive successful men of affairs. Mr. Moore was born in Wayne county, New York, May 11, 1846. He is a son of Robert N. and Sarah ( Pollok) Moore. The father was born in Duchess county, New York, in 1818, received a good education in his native state and there married and engaged in farming, later becoming a capitalist and was a promoter in agricultural lines in the South until the war. His death occurred at Burlington, Iowa, in 1876. His wife was a native of Wayne county, New York, and the date of her birth was 1823. She grew GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 987 to womanhood in her native locality and received an excellent education, in- cluding a course in the Elmira Seminary, from which institution she was graduated. She was a woman of culture and many praiseworthy attributes. Her death occurred in Richmond, Virginia, in 1858, when still a young woman. To Robert N. Moore and wife four children were born, namely: James Z., Robert A., Frank P. and Mary. Robert A. Moore received a limited education in the public schools of his native state, but this early deficiency has more than been made up by wide home reading and contact with the world in later years. He found it necessarv to leave school when he was sixteen years old, and, taking Horace Greeley’s advice, went West to seek his fortune. He located in Burlington, Iowa, in 1863, and there began railroading with the bridge and civil engineer- ing department of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company, with which department he remained for five or six years, then took up contracting, which he followed until the death of his father in 1876. He remained in Burlington working as a millwright and superintendent until 1886, when he came to Springfield, Missouri, where he continued to work as millwright. In 1892 he opened a manufacturing business at 600 East Phelps avenue, be- ginning the manufacture of school and church furniture. The business was a success from the first and it was incorporated in 1893. He has continued in this line of endeavor to the present time with ever increasing success, and the Moore Manufacturing Company is now widely known throughout the Southwest and has a capital stock of twenty-five thousand dollars. Its prod- ucts find a very ready market owing to their high-grade workmanship, finish and quality, seating, fine cabinet work and machinery being specialties ; also school and church furniture, office fittings, tables, desks, law cases, opera chairs, assembly chairs, hall seatings, railroad seatings, lawn seatings, etc. In connection with the wood work the company handles machinery for vari- ous kinds of wood work manufacturing and a large trade is also enjoyed in this department. The plant is a large, well equipped and substantial one, modern in its various appointments, and a large number of skilled mechanics and artisans are constantly employed. Only the best grade of material is used and only the highest grade of workmanship is permitted to go out of the factory. The officers of the company are: Flora E. Moore (wife of our subject), president; Robert A. Moore, superintendent and manager; H. A. Hutchins, secretary; Charles I. Moore and Frank P. Moore, directors. Robert A. Moore was married twice, first in 1871, to Christiana Morgan, whose death occurred in 1879. To this union three children were born, name- ly: Charles I., born in 1872, lives on a farm in Eaclede county, Missouri; Frank P., born in 1877, is in business with his father; Julia F., born in 1879, died in May, 1900. In October, 1888, Mr. Moore was united in marriage to Flora F. Hutchins, in Springfield, Missouri. She was born in Greene county, 988 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. this state, March 5, 1868, and was reared and educated here. She is a daugh- ter of Thomas A. and Eliza A. (Bowker) Hutchins, both natives of Massa- chusetts, the father born in June, 1824, and died in Arizona in February, 1893; the death of the mother occurred in Springfield, Missouri, July 11, 1901. Eight children were born to Thomas A. Hutchins and wife, namely: Howard B. is deceased ; Mary E., Edward W., Angeline, Harriet, Flora L., Clara E. and Francis S. Four children were born to Mr. Moore’s second marriage, namely: Fred N., born in 1889, lives in Oklahoma and is in the employ of the Frisco Fines; Ester I., born in 1892, is principal of the high school at Miller, Missouri; Ruth W., born in 1895, is attending Drury College, and Katherine S., born in 1901, is also attending school. Politically, Mr. Moore is a Democrat, and he and his family are mem- bers of Calvary Presbyterian church. THEODORE BANISTER. From the “banks of the Wabash far away” hails Theodore Banister, and no doubt, in the language of Paul Dresser’s famous song, “oft his mind reverts to the happy scenes of childhood” in that fair country where “ 'round his Indina homestead wave the cornfields” with “scent of new-mown hay” and sycamore bottoms and all that ; for it is indeed a desirable country, and,,, of course, seems better to those whose youth was spent there. It is not only a picturesque country, but it has produced some of our best American citizens,’ men of industry, courage and honesty, so that they have been wel- comed into whatever communities they have cast their lots. Not many of them have settled in Greene county, but Mr. Banister has found it to his advantage to do so. Our subject was born in Wabash county, Indiana, February 28, 1846. He is a son of Nathaniel and Emiline (Dale) Banister. The father was born December 13, 1818, in Nicholas county, Kentucky, in which state he spent his earlier years, finally emigrating to Indiana in an early day and locating in Wabash county. They were married in Fayette county, Indiana, February 9, 1841, and there began life in typical pioneer fashion, he enter- ing eighty acres of land from the government, which he cleared and de- veloped into a farm, making general fanning his life work. He lived on one farm for a period of forty-six years, and was a well-known man in his locality. His farm in Wabash county consisted of one hundred and sixty acres of excellent land. There his death occurred many years ago, but his widow survives, having attained at this writing the unusual age of ninety- GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 989 four years, still making her home in the Hoosier state. Politically, Nathaniel Banister was a Democrat, and he was at one time trustee of his township. His family consisted of ten children, seven of whom are still living, namely: Merritt, who has remained in Wabash county, Indiana; Theodore, of this sketch; Louis, Alfred, Horace, Sanford and Alice, all live in Indiana; the other three children died in early life. Mr. Banister, of this review, grew up on the home farm, where he worked when a boy, and he received his education in the public schools of his vicinity, the first school he attended being in a log cabin. He followed farming until he was twenty-one years old, then began learning the car- penter’s trade, for which he had unusual natural talent. He remained in his native state until in 1880, when he came to Springfield, Missouri. Pie has continued in carpenter work all the while and is a fast and high-grade workman, and his services are in good demand at the highest wages. Mr. Banister was married on November 7, [884, in Springfield, to Laura Loveless, who was born in the central part of Ohio, May 1, 1863, and there she grew to womanhood and was educated near Bellefontaine, removing to Springfield, this state, when young, and finishing her educa- tion here. Her parents, George and Sarah (Outland) Loveless, spent most of their lives on the farm. The father was born September 7, 1823, and died here July 16, 1892. The mother was born June 30, 1823, and died in Springfield July 18, 1886. To Mr. and Mrs. Banister three children have been born, namely: George E., born July 3, 1886, is a traveling salesman and resides in Spring- field; Ralph,' bom December 16, 1888, who is employed in Snyder's cloth- ing store in this city; Theodore, Jr., born October 21. 1896, works in Holland’s Bank, this city. Politically, Mr. Banister is a Democrat. He is a member of the South Street Christian church, in which he is a deacon, and he has long been active in church work. He has a cozy home on East Elm street. KIRK BAXTER. The late Kirk Baxter will long be remembered by the people of Spring- field as a minister in the Christian church, and as a teacher, a man who was imbued with the deepest and most helpful altruistic spirit, and he gave his best years to the furthering of the movements calculated to uplift and make the world better. Pure, constant and noble was the spiritual flame that burned in and illumined the mortal tenement of the subject of this memoir, and to the superficial observer can come but small appreciation of his in- 99 © GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. trinsic spirituality, his faith having been fortified by the deepest study, and the Christian verities were with him the matters of most concern among the changes and chances of this mortal life. No man with his intellectual vigor and the love of truth which marked him could live long without inevitably being brought to investigate the great moral laws governing life, in fact, he was a strong man in every respect and was successful in all he under- took. Mr. Baxter was horn in New York City, in the year 1836. His parents were natives of England, where they grew up and were married, finally emigrating to America, and both died in New York City, when their son, Kirk, who was the youngest of three children, was small, his two brothers being William and George Baxter. They are all now deceased. Kirk Baxter received his education in his native city, through the assist- ance of his oldest brother, William Baxter, but while still a boy, the three brothers went to the Southland, locating - in Louisiana, where our subject continued his education in a college, and there entered the ministry of the Gospel, and for many years preached at various places in the South. He went to Mississippi after leaving Louisiana, and later located in Arkansas, where he remained a short time, and, in 1868, moved with his family to Springfield, Missouri, and became minister of the local Christian church, holding this charge for many years, during which he was one of the most popular ministers in this city. He also taught school, private classes, here for some time, and as both preacher and educator his work was high-grade. He was a man of learning, of advanced ideas, was well versed in the Bible and was a forceful and entertaining speaker. Mr. Baxter was married in Louisiana to Emma F. Jackson, a native of that state, and a daughter of Jarrett E. Jackson and wife, and she grew to womanhood and was educated in her native locality, and she proved to be an excellent helpmate to her gifted husband. They became the parents of eight children, namely: Charles W., who died January 30, 1914: Mary lives in the state of Washington; Lena lives in Oklahoma; William H. died in 1879; Rosa lives in the state of Washington; George Id., born February 5, 1867, received his education in the Springfield schools and the old Ash Grove College, and on December 27, 1898, he married Elizabeth Ramsey; he lives in Springfield, travels for a large St. Louis shoe house, and fra- ternally he belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Royal Arcanum. Curt, the seventh child in order of birth, is living in Mon- tana ; Walter W., the youngest of the family, was born February 3, 1872, in Springfield, and here grew to manhood and was educated ; on December 28, 1899, he married Sarah Ramsey, which union was without issue; he was for some time general manager of the Springfield office of R. G. Dunn & Co. ; his death occurred in January, 1901. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 991 Politically Kirk Baxter was a Democrat. For a period of twenty-five years he was prominent in the upbuilding of Springfield, especially along civic and moral lines, and during that period few men did more for the edu- cational development of Greene county. Fie started the first Girls’ Sem- inary in Springfield, and was the founder of the Ash Grove College. Fie was a man of whom it may be said, “truly his works do follow him.” Fie was summoned to his eternal rest in 1895. HARRY CLYDE HOLDEN. One of the young men of Springfield who has found it to his advantage to remain in his native city rather than seek opportunities in other places is Harry Clyde Holden, foreman of the mill shop at the new Frisco shops in this city, where, by persistency and prompt and faithful service, he has climbed up from the bottom round of the ladder. Mr. Holden was born in Springfield, Missouri, March 23, 1871. He is a son of George and Elizabeth (O’Bannon) Holden. His mother was born in Charlestown, West Virginia, in 1841, and her death occurred in Springfield, Missouri, in 1893. George Holden, the father, was born in England, near London, the world’s greatest city, in 1839, and his death occurred in Spring- field, Missouri. April 12, 1908. He spent his early life in his native land and there received his education, emigrating to the United States when a young man and locating in Charlestown, West Virginia, where he was married. He remained in the East until the close of the Civil war, when, in the year 1865, he moved to this city, after spending some time in Union City, Missouri. He participated in this 'war by serving in the Union army, taking part in many important battles, proving to be an excellent soldier in every respect. He learned the carpenter’s trade when a young man, and this he followed the rest of his active life, being a very skilled workman. Politically, he was a Repub- lican. His family consisted of six children, all of whom are still living, name- ly : Florence, Emily, George, Hannah, Harry C. and Dwight. Harry C. Holden grew to manhood in his native city and received his education in the local public schools. When a boy he went to work in the box car department of the Frisco shops, being onlv sixteen years of age at that time. After working in that department for some time he went to the pattern shops in the old North Side shops of this road, where he remained until 1892, when he went to St. Louis, where he secured employment in the St. Louis Car and Wheel Company’s works, in the pattern department. Re- turning to Springfield in 1893, he resumed work in the pattern department at the old shops, where he remained about a year, then went to Cincinnati, Ohio. 992 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. remaining in that city until 1909, when he returned to Springfield, at the opening of the new Frisco shops, where he has since been employed as mill and cabinet foreman, the duties of which important position he is discharg- ing in an eminently satisfactory manner, having a large number of men un- der him, whom he directs in such a manner as to get the best possible results and at the same time retain their good will. He understands most thorough- ly every phase of the work in his department. Mr. Holden was married July 2, 1901, to Anna Moeller, in Dayton, Ohio. She was born in Cincinnati, that state, and is a daughter of August and Louisa (Bradermyer) Moeller. To our subject and wife one child has been born, Harry William Hol- den, whose birth occurred March 19, 1905. Politically^, Mr. Holden is a Republican. Fraternally, he belongs to the . Masonic blue lodge and the Junior Order of American Mechanics. He is a member of the Baptist church. JOHN MAXWELL COWAN. There is nothing in the world more beautiful than the spectacle of a life that has reached its late autumn with a harvest of good and useful deeds. It is like the forest in October days when the leaves have borrowed the richest colors of the light and glow in the mellowed sheen of the Indian summer, reflecting in their closing days all the radiance of their earthly existence. The man who has lived a clean, useful and self-denying life and has brought into potential exercise the best energies of his mind that he might make the world brighter and better for his being a part of it, while laboring for his individual advancement, cannot fail to enjoy a serenity of soul that reveals itself in his manner and conversation. When such a life is preserved in its strength and integrity so that even in age its influence continues unabated, it challenges the added admiration of those whose good fortune it is to be brought in contact with it. Such a life has been that of John Maxwell Cowan, who has played no inconspicuous part in the affairs of Springfield and Greene county since he cast his lot in our midst over a quarter of a cen- tury ago, and now in the ninety-third year of a life that has been noted for its sterling honesty, industry and devotion to family, church and his country, he can look backward with no compunction of conscience for misdeeds and forward to the mystic Beyond with no fear. Such a life merits a record of its deeds, that the debt due it may be acknowledged and that it may serve as a stimulus to others to endeavor to emulate it. But his record is too familiar to the people of the locality of which this history treats to require MRS. JOHN M. COWAN. JUDGE JOHN M. COWAN. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 993 .any fulsome encomium here, his life-work speaking for itself in stronger terms than the biographer could employ in polished periods. There is no doubt but that his long life has been due to his conservative habits, whole- some living and pure thinking. He is hospitable and charitable, his many acts of kindness springing from his altruistic nature rather than from a desire to win the praise of his fellow men. Mr. Cowan springs from a sterling old family on both sides of the house, which may be traced back to the old Colonial days in American his- tory. He was born December 6, 1821. He enjoys two distinctions worthy ■of note, one is that he was the first white child born at Indianapolis, Indiana, and he is the oldest living graduate of Wabash College, one of the oldest and most important schools of the Hoosier state. He is the only child of John and Anna (Maxwell) Cowan, and he is of pure Scotch ancestry and inherits the sturdy qualities of his forefathers who were all frontiersmen of Vir- ginia, in Colonial and Revolutionary times, who helped blaze the trails into Kentucky and Tennessee. John Cowan was born in Rockbridge county, Virginia, in 1768, and at an early age went to Tennessee, locating at Knox- vdlle, where many of his family still live. From there he went to Charles- town, Indiana, and joined the army under Gen. William Henry Harrison, remaining in the service during the entire campaign against the Indians in t8ii, taking part in the famous battle of Tippecanoe, November 9, 1811. He was a mounted ranger during the war of 1812. He was a son of Samuel and Ann ( Walker ) Cowan, both natives of Virginia. Samuel Cowan was killed by the Indians while working in the harvest field, and his wife was taken prisoner the same day and held a captive many years, was finally ran- somed and returned to her home in Virginia. John Cowan married first, Margaret Weir, in Virginia, 1769, and his second wife was Anna Maxwell, who was born in Albemarle county, Virginia, in 1781. They were married in Jefferson county, Indiana, December 30, 1819, and she died in Indiana, in 1854, and he died in 1832 in Indiana. Anna Maxwell was a daughter of Bezaleel and Margaret (Anderson) Maxwell, the former born in Albemarle county, Virginia, in 1751, the latter born in Virginia in 1755; they were married in 1775 ; his death occurred in 1824, and she died in 1834. Bezaleel Maxwell was a son of John and Fannie ( Garner) Maxwell, and Margaret Anderson was a daughter of John and Ann (Irwin) Anderson, the former born in Virginia in 1723 and died in Kentucky in 1796. Ann Irwin was a daughter of Mathew and Elizabeth Irwin; the father died in Augusta county, Virginia, in 1762. John Maxwell, who was a son of Bezaleel and Rebecca (Boyd) Maxwell, became a captain in the Revolutionary war, and both he and his son fought at the great Indian battle of Point Pleasant. John Ander- son, mentioned above, was also a soldier in the war for independence and (63) 994 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. these three men all fought in the battle of King’s Mountain and other en- gagements. John M. Cowan, of this sketch, grew to manhood in Montgomery county,. Indiana, where his parents removed soon after his birth, locating near Craw- fordsville, where he received his early education in the common schools, later attending Wabash College there, from which institution he was gradu- ated with the class of 1842 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, the degree of Master of Arts being conferred on him later by that college. As before stated he has been the oldest living graduate from that school for many years, it having been seventy-two years, more than the Psalmist’s allotted life for a man, since our subject received his degree there. Deciding upon a legal career he then entered the law department of the University of Indiana, from which he was also graduated in 1845. Immediately thereafter he began practicing law at Frankfort, Clinton county, Indiana, and became one of the leading lawyers in western Indiana, enjoying an extensive and lucrative practice. He was judge of the eighth judicial circuit in Indiana for a period of twelve years, the duties of which responsible position he discharged in a manner that reflected much credit upon himself and to the eminent satis- faction of all concerned, his long retention being sufficient criterion of his- efficiency and popularity. His decisions were noted for their profound knowledge of the basic principles of jurisprudence and for an unbiased fair- ness to all parties concerned, and they seldom met reversal at the hands of higher tribunals. Fie held this office from 1858 until 1870. Retiring from the bench he resumed the practice of law, entering into partnership with Thomas M. Patterson, who eventually became a United States senator from the state of Colorado. Subsequently our subject formed a partnership with Hon. M. D. White and his second son, James P. E. Cowan. He carried on his practice with greater success and popularity than ever until 1881, when he retired from the profession owing very largely to his wife’s failing health, and he and his wife removed to Springfield, Missouri, in search of a better climate. Col. W. D. Crothers, an old-time friend, having settled in the Ozarks, which country he pronounced decidedly healthful, was instru- mental in bringing the Judge here. Soon thereafter, our subject purchased the old Murray farm, two miles south of Springfield, one of the finest and most desirable farms in Greene county, and he became one of our largest agriculturists and stock men. In 1889, Judge Cowan built an attractive city home on South Jefferson street, and he purchased The Springfield Repub- lican, which his two sons. James and William, edited and managed suc- cessfully for some time. The Judge was a pioneer in the development of Walnut street as a business center, which has rapidly gained on the other business centers during the past few years until it bids fair to soon surpass all competitors. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 995 Judge Cowan was married at Stockwell, Indiana, November 13, 1845, to Harriet Doubleday Janney, who was born July 29, 1826, and was a daughter of Abel and Margaret (Porter) Janney. She was a descendant of a Quaker family of that name in Virginia, and her maternal ancestors were from the Porter family of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania and the Judahs of Switzer- land. Mrs. Cowan was a woman of strong intellect and many estimable characteristics. She was called to her eternal rest, June 28, 1905. To Judge Cowan and wife the following children were born: Edward Howard Cowan, born December 21, 1846, was graduated from Wabash College, Crawfordsville, Indiana, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, later received the degree of Doctor of Medicine from Miami Medical College; he married, November 13, 1877, Lucy L. Avars; they live at Crawfordsville, where he is a successful physician, and they have had two children, John Avars Cowan, born August 11, 1880, died September 27, 1891; Elizabeth L. Cowan, born June 21, 1884, is a teacher of domestic science in the high school at Crawfordsville, Indiana. James Porter Ellis Cowan, second son of the Judge, was born October 29, 1848; he received the degrees of Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts from Wabash College (was the first grandchild of that institution) ; he is a special pension examiner in Washington, D. C. He married, first, Louana Burnett, January 30. 1873, an d to this union was born Harriet Janney Cowan, November 12, 1873. She married Lewis T. Gilliland. November 13, 1900; they live in Portland, Oregon, and have one child, Maxwell Porter Gilliland, born August 15, 1901. James P. E. Cowan’s second marriage was on December 31, 1883, to Lalula R. Bennett, and to this union three children were born, Janet L. Cowan, born July 7, 1885; Mary Bennett Cowan, born July 20, 1888; Anna J. Cowan, born August 18, 1891 : they all three live at Marietta, Ohio. Laura Anna Cowan, third child of Judge Cowan and wife, was born March 14, 1851, was educated at Glen- dale Female College in Ohio, lives in Springfield, Missouri, is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and Daughters of the War of 1812: she married on February 16, 1876, Allen Trimble Blaine, who was born November 13, 1846, and died April 26, 1880. He was a soldier in the Seventy-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, later veteranized and was a member of the Twenty-second Indiana Volunteer Infantry; to Mr. and Mrs. Blaine was born Mary Maxwell Blaine, October 3. 1877; s ^ ie was graduated from Drury College with the degree of Bachelor of Science in 1898, and Master of Arts from the University of Pennsylvania in 1900. She lives in New York City; was married February 14, 1906, to Rudyard S. Uzzell, who is an A. B. and a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity from the University of Denver; to Mr. and Mrs. Rudyard Uzzell two children have been born, William Cowan LYzell. born January 14, 1910; and Rud- yard S. L T zzell, Jr., born June 26, 1912. John William Cowan, the youngest GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 996 child of the Judge and wife, was horn October 6, 1853, is unmarried and lives in Springfield, Missouri. Judge Cowan was formerly a strong Whig and later just as strong a Republican. He has been a life-long Presbyterian. He is a member of the Society of Colonial Wars, and is a member of the Sons of the American Revolution. Although past his four score years he is hale and hearty and as active as many men at fifty. He is a grand character and is beloved by all who know him. ROWAN E. M. MACK. Another of the successful business men of Springfield who is a native of Greene county, where he has been content to spend his life, is Rowan E. M. Mack, well known groceryman. Much of his active life has been spent in agricultural pursuits, alternated with the grocery business, and in each he has made a pronounced success, owing to his willingness to closely apply him- self to his affairs, lead an honest life and depend upon himself rather than waiting for others to assist him or for fate, to provide for him. Mr. Mack was born in this county, May 11, 1865. He is a son of Wil- liam L. and Armenta (Dew) Mack. The father was born in Tennessee in 1832, and the mother’s birth occurred in that state in 1836. They were brought to Greene county, Missouri, by their parents in the early forties and here they grew up, attended school and were married. William L. Mack was by nature a fine penman and was a well read man for his day and gen- eration and was influential in his community. His earlier life was devoted to farming and stock raising, but he quit the farm upon being appointed dep- uty sheriff under Jack Potter, and removed his family to Springfield. Later he served as deputy under Probate Judge W. A. Lincoln for a period of eight years. He gave entire satisfaction in both these positions. He was always a strong Republican in his political affiliations. His family consisted of six children, four of whom are living at this writing, namely: Maude E. is de- ceased; Iona is deceased; Rowan E. M., of this sketch; Caddy S., Edward W. and Lilly. Rowan E. M. Mack is an excellent example of a self-made man. He re- ceived only about six months' schooling, but he has made up for this lack of early training by wide home study, and is now a well informed man. He as- sisted his father with the general work on the farm when he was a boy, be- ing eighteen years old when he removed to Springfield. Here he worked in various stores, in each of which he sought to learn something of what was going on about him, so when he was only twenty years of age he was en- abled to launch out in the grocery business for himself, in a location at the GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 997 corner of South and Walnut streets. However, after five years in this line he decided to return to farming, and for five years tilled the soil near this city, then came back to Springfield and engaged in the grocery business five } r ears, after which he engaged in farming again for four years. On Febru- ary 28, 1904, he opened a grocery store at his present location, corner of High and Grant streets, and the fact that he has remained here ten years in- dicates that he has been successful and has enjoyed a good trade all the while. He has a well arranged and neat store and carries a large stock of staple and fancy groceries, also a large line of feed. Mr. Mack was married on July 24, 1890, in Springfield, to Norma E. Dutton, a daughter of H. J. and Louise (Brinsdon) Dutton. She was born in Cedar county, Missouri, June 22, 1871. Her father was one of the early- day merchants in Springfield. Seven children, all living, have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Alack, name- ly: Lester H., born June 29, 1891, married on February 28, 1914, to Leone A. Parnitter; Lundy A., born December 9, 1892: Harvey R., born Septem- ber 31, 1895: Carl R., born June 30, 1898; Edith I., born September 20, 1901 ; Elva M., born February 1, 1904, and Ernest T., born November 4, 1906. Mr. Mack owns his store building and also a comfortable and substan- tial home nearby. He also owns three farms, two of which are located in Polk county, the other in Greene. Flis farms in Polk county consist of three hundred and twenty acres, which he is maintaining as stock farms. Politically, he is a Republican. Fraternally, he belongs to the Modern Woodmen, the Modern Brotherhood and the Knights and Ladies of Security. He and his wife are members of Woodland Heights Presbyterian church. EDWARD SWAYZEE FINCH. One of Greene county’s well known and successful business men is Ed- ward Swayzee Finch, manager of the Metropolitan Hotel, Springfield, for a decade in its early history, later operator of a large farm and now conduct- ing a big store in Ash Grove. His earlier history in the wild West reads like an adventure story and as a soldier in the war between the states he proved himself a man of courage, but like thousands of his comrades he has laid aside all animosity. For in the fulness of time there has been blotted from the bosoms of men all sentiment toward men of another sec- tion. No longer do we measure prejudice by the metes and bounds of a river of imaginary lines. Those who fought and won. and those who fought 998 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. and lost have mutual admiration for the courage and patriotism of the other. The very issues of the contest have almost passed from memory. Today one can r\ot tell whether the boy who wears the uniform of a united country came from a sire who wore the blue or the gray. In these uncertain days, when there are rumors of war. there is no question as to who will do his. duty when the clouds have lowered and the reign of death begins. There is no suspicion in the minds of men that any one section of our land will sulk, but from every point of the compass will come the men of stout hearts and ringing patriotism to redeem from insult the common banner of a common people. Mr. Finch was born in Columbus, Ohio, February 2, 1849. He is a son of Wallace M. and Martha (Comstock) Finch. Wallace M. Finch was born in Maryland in 1820, and was a son of Mathew Finch and wife. Mathew Finch was also a native of Maryland but removed from there to New York where he followed contracting until his death. He was a captain during the war of 1812, and his father was a captain in the Revolutionary war. When a young man Wallace M. Finch went to Chillicothe, Ohio, and began in the mercantile business in a small way, later establishing himself in Columbus, where he became a very successful wholesale merchant. He re- tired from business on account of ill health in 1857 and until his death spent his winters in the South and summers in the North. His death occurred in 1863. Politically he was a Whig and during the last few years of his life a Republican. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows and the Episcopal church. He and Martha Comstock were married about 1845. She was born in 1826 in Columbus, Ohio, and died in 1903. Edward S. Finch left Columbus, Ohio, when seven years of age. He received common school education and later was a student at Racine Col- lege, Racine, Wisconsin. In December, 1863, he enlisted in Company I, Second Wisconsin Cavalry, and saw considerable hard service in the South, proving to be a courageous and gallant soldier. He was wounded in the battle of Black River in the right arm, and later was again wounded in the same place while on patrol duty. He was honorably discharged in August, 1865. After the war he attended a commercial school for some time, then went to Richmond, Indiana, where he worked in the office of a wholesale grocery company as shipping clerk, also salesman. He then went to Mexico, Missouri, where he engaged in the grocery business in 1872-3, then came to Springfield, this state, where he worked as clerk in the Metropolitan Hotel for six months, then spent live years on the western frontier as a miner, prospector, stage-driver and he was the first sheriff of Ouray county, Colorado, when it required a man of nerve, tact and courage to fill such an office. He had many thrilling and interesting experiences during his career GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 999 in the West. He came back to Springfield in the spring of 1879, his mother having purchased a two-thirds interest in the Metropolitan Hotel, our sub- ject later purchasing the remaining third. The hotel building he operated successfully for a period of ten years, during which it was one of the most popular and best appointed hostelries in southwest Missouri. In 1889 he left the hotel and engaged in the real estate business, and to him and others is due the credit of opening the Pickwick addition and securing the Elm street car line and also the Old Normal School. And for many years he was identified with every movement for the upbuilding of Springfield and a large contributor to the same. In 1896 he traded his interests in Spring- field for the old Gates farm, Greene county, and engaged in general agri- cultural pursuits on a large scale until 1914 when he purchased the Smith Brothers’ store in Ash Grove which he is now conducting and is enjoying a large trade. He carries a complete line of merchandise, everything found in an up-to-date store of this kind. By his fair dealings and courtesy he has not only retained the customers which the store formerly had but is securing new ones constantly. He employs a number of capable assistants, and his store would be a credit to cities much larger than Ash Grove He was one of the ten men who signed the guaranty that brought the “Gulf shops” to Springfield. Mr. Finch was married on October 26, 1889, to Brella Sherwood, who was born in Springfield, Missouri. She received a good education. She is a daughter of Judge T. A. and Mary E. (Young) Sherwood, one of the prominent old families of Greene county. To Mr. and Mrs. Finch six children have been born, namely: Mary, wife of W. A. Hennington, lives in Springfield; Martha, who is a stenographer and student in the State Normal school at Springfield; Florence is at home; Constance is also a student in the State Normal; Elenore and Adele are both at home. Politically, Mr. Finch is a Democrat. He belongs to Capt. John Mat- thews post, Grand Army of the Republic at Springfield. Religiously, he is an Episcopalian. He is one of the active and prominent Masons in this part of the state. He was made a Master Mason in 1881 in Solomon Lodge, and has now demited to the Ash Grove Lodge. He is a member of the Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, and St. John’s Commandery No. 20, Knights Templar, •of which he was captain general for ten years, then was eminent commander for some time and again became captain general. He also belongs to Abou Ben Adhern Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and at this writing is captain of patrol and has been for ten years. By his daily life he seems to strive, in an unobtrusive manner, to inculcate the •sublime principles of Masonry, and his example as a man and citizen might well be emulated by the youth whose characters are yet in the making. I coo GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. WILLIAM McKERALL. The annals of Greene county do not present to the historian a name more worthy of laudation than that of the late William McKerall, a line type of the old-time chivalrous Southern gentleman, one of the largest land owners of this county for many years and in his earlier career a lawyer of distinction and a soldier of talent, having been a West Point product and an officer in the Mexican war. Plis life was one of hard study and un- selfish industry, whose laborious professional duties in the various relations in which he was placed, led to a high position in the esteem of the public, which gave evidence that the qualities which he possessed afforded the means of distinction under a system of government in which places of honor and usefulness are open to all who may be found worthy of them. Lie passed over the troubled sea of life like a galleon through the phosphorescent Spanish Main, leaving in its wake a pathway of illuminating radiance. Mr. McKerall was horn in Orange county, North Carolina, June 17, 1824. He was a son of John Wilson McKerall and Lorena McKerall, a. prominent old family of the Carolinas. The father of our subject was born at Norfolk, Virginia, in 1771. His father was a Scotch sailor and was lost at sea. During John McKerall’s early life, his folks moved to North Caro- lina and his mother was married to a man by the name of Childs. While- Mr. McKerall was in Tennessee attending to business, the children of his mother's second marriage, influenced his creditors to push their claims, which they did, and John McKerall lost his entire estate. He was a lawyer but gave up his practice late in life and was recorder in Orange county. North Carolina. He was commander of a company in the War of 1812. His sister was the wife of one of the governors of North Carolina. John McKerall died of apoplexy in 1834 on the way from his home to his office in Hillsboro. Our subject grew to manhood and attended school in Orange county, North Carolina. When sixteen years of age he entered West Point Mili- tary Academy and was in the same class with Winfield S. Hancock, who became a famous general and was called the “hero of Gettysburg.” Owing to failing health, our subject was compelled to leave West Point before he finished the course. He returned to his home in North Carolina and later entered Caldwell Institute. When the Mexican war began, he en- listed as a volunteer and was elected first lieutenant of Company E, in a North Carolina regiment. Later he was promoted to captain. On one occasion he commanded a detachment on escort and conducted a supply train one hundred and eighty miles without loss or mishap. Lie was a most capable and faithful officer, trusted and admired alike by his men and. WILLIAM McKKRALL Deceased. MARY A. McKERALL. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. I cor superior officers. He was honorably discharged at Old Point Comfort, Virginia. He then took up the study of law and settled in Louisiana, and practiced his profession in Texas for some time, moving to Waco in 1854. After a successful career at the bar, he engaged in merchandising and raising- cattle on a large scale. The same year he was appointed to fill an unexpired term as chief justice of McLennan county, Texas. He discharged his judicial duties in a manner that reflected much credit upon himself and to the eminent satisfaction of all concerned. Our subject was married twice, his first wife being a Miss Sedbury and to their union two children were born, Nannie and William. In the summer of 1868 he came to Greene county, Missouri, and married Mrs. Mary Roan (Danforth) Campbell, widow of Capt. John M. Campbell. She was born February 22, 1838, and was reared and educated in Greene county. She was the daughter of J. F. and Latitia Danforth. Her first husband, Capt. John M. Campbell, was born in Springfield, November 17, 1832. When fifteen years old, he joined the United States army when the Mexican war began and served in that conflict with credit, taking part in a number of engagements. His father was also a soldier in that war, at the close of which, the latter was made bearer of dispatches to Washington City. The Campbells were honorably discharged at the close of the war. Five children were born to Mrs. William McKerall by her marriage with Captain Camp- bell, namely: Louisa, Argyle and John, all deceased; Finley lives in Cali- fornia; and Mrs. Mary Schaffer lives in New Mexico. To the union of our subject and wife, four children were born, Josiah Danforth is living in Greene county; Fannie Elizabeth, widow of Thos. Jackson Bennett, who died November 8, 1913. He -was a native of Dallas county and was a farmer and capitalist. Mrs. Bennett is living on the homestead with her mother. Daisy is the wife of Jei O'Kino, to whom she was married December 19, 1913. He is a graduate of the Imperial University of Tokio and is a gentleman of rare ability. Mrs. O'Kino is also making her home with her mother; and John Wilson, who is the youngest of the family. After the marriage of our subject and wife, they settled on land inherited by Mrs. McKerall, northeast of Springfield. Mr. McKerall prospered as a general farmer and stockman and at one time owned seven hundred acres of valuable land in this county and for years ranked among our most progressive men of affairs and influential and honored citizens. The house in which the widow and her two daughters reside was built in 1849 and is of the Colonial type. Politically, William McKerall was a Democrat. He was a member of the Masonic Order and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Fie be- longed to the Methodist Episcopal church. Personally, he was a scholarly,, broad-minded, gentleman of never-failing courtesy. 1002 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. LEMUEL C. RICKETTS. In pioneer days when farming implements and machinery were of the crudest kind, requiring a goodly supply of both muscle and grit to use them to advantage, brawn, more than brains, was needed in the business of farming, in order to rescue the fertile soils from the wilderness of forest and prairie growth. In these modern days of worn and worn-out soils and the abandoned farm, with the most improved labor-saving farm machinery, the business of farming needs brains more than brawn, that our soils may be rescued from the wilderness and desert or wasted fertility that has stifled and depleted them. One of the farmers of Jackson township, Greene county, who is evidently intelligently applying himself to his vocation, is Lemuel C. Ricketts, who not only uses his brains, but is a hard worker with his hands, and therefore has succeeded. Mr. Ricketts was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, November 3, 1873. He is a son of Jesse M. B. and Othelia (Chaney) Ricketts, both natives of that county and state also, each born near the town of Carroll, the father’s birth having occurred in 1819. There they spent their earlier years and attended the common schools. Jesse M. B. Ricketts also went to school in Columbus, Ohio, studied law, and later practiced his profession at Finley and Lan- caster, that state, with success. He retired from his professional life at the age of sixty-five years, and moved to a farm in Greene county, Missouri, his place here consisting of eighty acres. His death occurred in Colorado at the advanced age of eighty years. His family consisted of three children, namely: Mary Ella, deceased; Lemuel C, of this sketch; Mrs. Viola M. Russell lives in Billings, Montana. Lemuel C. Ricketts was reared in Ohio. He was thirteen years of age when he removed with the family to Greene county, Missouri. He received a good education. He hired out most of the time until he was twenty-one years old. In 1897 he went to the West, where he worked for some time as a contractor, returning to Greene county in 1907. Soon thereafter he purchased the farm of two hundred and twenty acres where he now lives. He has a well-improved and productive place, which gives every indication of good management. He has been very successful in a business way and is one of the substantial and influential citizens of this section of the county. He is president of the Bank of Stafford, which he helped to organize and which, under his able and judicious management, has become one of the popular and sound banking institutions of this part of the state. He has been president since its organization. It has had a constant and satisfactory growth and a general banking business is carried on. He has built an attrac- tive home on his farm. This place was settled in 1845 by Erskin Danforth. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. IOO3 Mr. Ricketts was married, January 6, 1899, to Estella Palmer, who was born in Wisconsin, August 19, 1876. She is a daughter of Randolph and Marira ( Dearth) Palmer. She spent her early life in Iowa, Kansas, Ar- kansas, Oklahoma and Missouri. She received a common school educa- tion. The father of Mrs. Ricketts was a soldier in the Civil war, having enlisted in Company D, Sixty-third Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and he served in the Georgia campaign under General Sherman, with whom he marched to the sea. He is now living in Joplin, Missouri. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Ricketts, namely: Hugh, born October 25, 1899, lives at home: Lemuel E., born October 29, 1901, died October 20, 1908; Jesse Paul, born January 17, 1905, is at home; Arthur L., born July 6, 1907, is at home; Helen May, born August 7, 1910, is at home; Ralph Randolph, born July 4. 1912, died March 3, 1915. Politically, Mr. Ricketts is a Republican. Fraternally, he is a thirty- second degree Mason, and is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. TIMOTHY J. WRIGHTSMAN. “Through struggle to triumph" seems to be the maxim which holds sway with the majority of people, that is, those who attain to a successful goal at all, must find it after arduous effort. And, though it is undoubtedly true that many fall exhausted in the conflict, a few, by their inherent force of character and strong mentality, rise above their environment, and all which seems to hinder them, until they reach the plane of affluence toward which their face was set through the long years of struggle that must necessarily precede any accomplishment of great magnitude. Such has been the history, briefly stated, of Timothy J. Wrightsman, one of Greene county’s pioneer business men and Civil war veterans, who, after a long, busy and useful life, is living in honorable retirement in his attractive home in Springfield, spending the De- cember of his years in quiet, as he is now in his seventy-seventh year. Mr. Wrightsman is the scion of an old Southern family and hails from the Old Dominion, “the mother of Presidents,’' his birth having occurred in Roanoke, Virginia, November 13, 1838. He is a son of Joseph and Ivesia (Beckner) Wrightsman, both natives of Virginia, also, the father’s birth hav- ing occurred in 1808, and the mother was born there in 1818. They grew to maturity in their native state, attended the early-day schools and were mar- ried there, and devoted their lives to agricultural pursuits, and the father was also a cabinet maker by trade, and made a great deal of fine furniture in his early life, thereby getting his start in the business world. He remained in 1004 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. Virginia until about 1849, when he removed his family to Illinois, remaining in that state until the year 1857, when he brought his family overland to Greene county, Missouri, locating a few miles south of Springfield, where he spent the rest of his life in farming and was drowned in a small creek in that vicinity in January, 1883. His wife had preceded him to the grave twenty years, having died in 1863, in Illinois. To these parents ten children were horn, six of whom are still living, namely : Sarah and Julia are both de- ceased ; Timothy J., of this sketch; Ann lives in Ozark, Missouri; Lear is de- ceased; George lives in Florida; Abbie lives in Webb City, Missouri; Susan lives in Kansas; Rebecca lives in Rich Hill, Missouri, and Edward is deceased. The Wrightsman family is of German descent, the paternal grandfather of our subject, Alexander Wrightsman, being born in Germany, from which country he emigrated to the United States in Colonial days and located in Virginia, where he became well established through his industry. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, taking part in a number of the principal engagements. Timothy J. Wrightsman was nine years old when his parents removed from Virginia to Illinois, and there he grew to manhood, living there for a period of eight years, when he removed with his father and the rest of the children to Greene county, Missouri, in 1857, since which time he has been a resident of this locality, and during that period of nearly sixty years he has seen great changes “come over the face of the land,” the forests changed into productive farms, the wild prairies reclaimed on which peaceful herds now graze, and small villages grow into cities of wealth and renown. In his boy- hood days he worked hard on the farm, and attended the rural schools, receiv- ing a limited education. In 1875 he began operating a flouring mill at Wal- nut Grove, Greene county, which he continued for four years, then ran a grocery store at Shell City, Missouri, for four years, then, in the fall of 1883, he came to Springfield and engaged in the grocery business on East Commercial street, continuing this line there for a period of twenty-six years,, during which time he enjoyed a large and lucrative trade, ranking among the best known and most popular grocers on the north side. He always carried a large and well selected stock of fancy and staple groceries and dealt honestly and courteously with his hundreds of customers, retaining their confidence and good will to the last. He accumulated a comfortable competency through his judicious business management and retired from active life in 1903, since which time he has been living a quiet life, merely looking after his various real estate holdings. He has a fine residence on North Campbell street. Mr. Wrightsman served three years during the Civil war in Company E, Third Missouri Cavalry, Confederate army, under Captain Thompson. He first served under old “Dick” Campbell, having enlisted in the fall of 1861. He saw considerable hard service, including the battle of Pea Ridge, GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1005 his first real engagement. He did not participate in the battle of Wilson’s Creek, being held a prisoner in Springfield by the Federals at that time. Mr. Wrightsman was married on January 1 1 , 1870, in Christian county, Missouri, to Mildred Chestnut, a daughter of Judge Chestnut, one of the first judges of that county. He and his wife were natives of Ohio, from which thev removed to Taney county, this state, in 1833, and were therefore early pioneers of the Ozark region. James Chestnut, brother of Mrs. Wrightsman, was the first man killed in Christian county, on account of the Civil war, he having been murdered by bushwhackers, while serving as deputy sheriff. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wrightsman, namely: Fred, born in 1871, is a freight conductor on the Frisco, and lives in Spring- field; Walter, born in 1873, lives in Texas and is employed by the Dean Drug Company; Frank, born in 1876, lives in Oklahoma; Herbert, born in 1878, lives in Monett, Missouri; Cora E., born in 1880, is the wife of S. O. Duemler, and they reside in Springfield. Politically, Mr. Wrightsman is a Republican, but he has never been active in public affairs, preferring to leave the troubles of public office to others, merely striving to do his duty as a fair-minded citizen. CALVIN FURROW. The varied, interesting and often exciting experiences of Calvin Fur- row, would make a fair-sized volume should they be told in detail by some of our writers of Western adventure stories. Out of all these experiences he received much good, such as an accurate knowledge of the world, courage to fight life’s battles, and coolness as well as decision, which a man had to possess in order to survive if he lived in the wild West forty or fifty years ago; but unfortunately space forbids us giving more than a brief resume of his unusual life record within the pages of the present volume. Mr. Furrow was born in Polk county, Iowa, August 15, 1848. He is a son of John and Lydia (Johnson) Furrow. In those pioneer days in Iowa educational advantages were limited and young Furrow was not permitted, under the circumstances to obtain the text-book learning that he otherwise would have been glad to have embraced. He grew to manhood on the farm and spent his early youth engaged in farming and handling live stock, later taking up farming in Kansas; but not long thereafter went on to Fort Sill, Indian Territory (as the eastern part of Oklahoma was then known), and from there went on to New Mexico, finally located in Ft. Worth, Texas, in which vicinity he worked as a cowboy until 1871, then returned to Iowa ioo6 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. and for ten years was in the employ of the Wabash railroad. We next find him in the Black Hills of South Dakota, where he engaged in mining for awhile, but his principal work there was as a cowboy. He remained in that picturesque country for a period of over twenty-five years. Leaving the Black Hills country in 1906 he came to Greene county, Missouri, and has since been successfully engaged in farming, making his home in Boone town- ship. He owns eighty acres in Greene county and one hundred and twenty acres in Wright county, all well improved and valuable land, and he is re- garded as one of the best farmers in this section of the county and is well fixed in the way of worldly goods. Mr. Furrow was married in December, 1868, to Martha E. Kensler, a native of Fulton county, Indiana, and a daughter of John and Louisa Kens- ler. She was born on June 22, 1851. She was a member of the Christian church at Ash Grove. Mrs. Furrow died September 20, 1914. To Mr. and Mrs. Furrow one child was born, Louisa Furrow, who was born in the central part of Iowa on March 24, 1879. She received a good education, and in the year 1901 was married to Marion Arment, and they now reside in Sand Hills, Nebraska. Politically, Mr. Furrow is a Democrat, but he has never sought politi- cal honors, although not lacking in proper patriotism. Fraternally, he be- longs to the Masonic Order, including the Blue Lodge, and the Ash Grove Lodge No 124, Royal Arch Masons, and is active in this order. EDWIN WIGGINS ELSON. In the person of Edwin Wiggins Elson, Greene county has a farmer and stockman of ideas of such a progressive nature that his methods might well be studied by the younger generation of agriculturists, for his fine farm in Boone township has few equals as to improvement and high state of culti- vation. He has been a resident of this locality for more than thirty-five years, during which time he has advanced by his own labors and sagacious plans from a comparatively modest beginning to a position in the front rank of agriculturists in the Ozark region, and in matters pertaining to the wel- fare of his township, county and state, he is deeply interested, and his efforts in behalf of the general progress have been far-reaching and bene- ficial. Mr. Elson was born in Stark county, Ohio, April 8, 1850. He is a. son of John H. and Osee (Wilson) Elson. The father was born in Brooke county. West Virginia, October 14, 1806, and was a son of Capt. John R. and Margaret (Wiggins) Elson. Captain Elson was also born in what GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1007 is now Brooke county, West Virginia, but which at that time was a part of Virginia proper — 1769. He was a son of Richard Elson, who was born in Scotland, from which country he emigrated to Virginia in Colonial times, and there entered four hundred acres of government land, taking up a “tomahawk claim,” which he cleared and placed under cultivation and on which he spent the rest of his life, and there reared his family of four sons and three daughters. Capt. John R. Elson served in the W r ar of 1812, also in the Indian wars with a most creditable record. His death occurred in 1820 in Starke county, Ohio, where the family removed a few years before his death. His widow survived until 1847. John H. Elson, father of the subject of this review, when twelve years of age, moved to Starke county, Ohio, where he engaged in farming the rest of his life, dying in 1898. He and the mother of our subject were married in 1833. She was born May 15, 1815, and received a good education, being a wide reader, and her death occurred in 1894. They were people of intelligence, industry, hospitality and popular among their neighbors. Edwin W. Elson was reared on the home farm, where he worked when a boy. He received a good education in the public schools and Mt. Union College at Alliance, Ohio, after which he turned his attention to general farming in Ohio, where he remained until 1878, getting a good start in the meanwhile, and in that year came to Greene county, Missouri, where his brother, William P. Elson, (a sketch of whom appears on another page of this work) had preceded him shortly after the close of the Civil war. Upon reaching his new locality our subject bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Boone township' and was soon actively engaged in general farming and stock raising, and, prospering with advancing years by his close application and good management, he has added to his original holdings until he now owns six hundred and forty acres of productive and highly improved land, all under cultivation, constituting one of the most valuable and desirable farms in this section of the state. He has an attractive and commodious home in the midst of pleasing surroundings, and nearby may also be seen a group of convenient outbuildings. He is an excellent judge of all kinds of live stock, and is one of the best known stockmen in the western part of the county. He makes a specialty of jacks and Percheron horses, and- at present owns seven jacks and one Percheron registered. His annual sales will average twenty mules, and he has now sixty mules on hand and ten brood mares. He also feeds large numbers of hogs for the market, and each year sows a vast acreage of wheat. Mr. Elson was married January 29, 1880, to Mary Belle Jones, who was. born in Greene county, Missouri, August 31, i860, and here she grew to womanhood and received her education. She was a daughter of Benjamin G. W. and Kittura (Cossey) Jones. The father was born in Tennessee, ioo8 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. February 26, 1822, and died in this county July 27, 1898. Mrs. Elson’s mother was born in Indiana, and also died in this county. The father was a farmer all his life. This union was blessed with thirteen children, six of whom are still living. To Mr. and Mrs. Elson nine children have been born, named as fol- lows: Benjamin F., born February 20, 1881, is farming in Walnut. Grove township, this county; Edna Myrtle, born February 28, 1883, died when three months old; Thomas E., born June 8, 1884; Nora, born June 12, 1886, is the wife of William Marsh, and they live in Fair Play, Missouri ; Sher- man, born April 5, 1888, is farming in this township; Joshua C., born August 7, 1890; Mae, born December 2, 1893; Ruth, born August 24, 1897; and Elelen, born December 2, 1900. The younger children are at home. Politically, Mr. Elson is a Republican and has been more or less active in local political affairs. He has been school director in his district for about thirty years. Religiously, the family attend the Methodist church. Among those in whose midst he has so long resided he is held in the highest esteem by reason of his public-spirit, his upright life and his obliging and neighborly disposition. SAMPSON BASS. One of the oldest pioneers of Greene county is Sampson Bass, one of the best-known citizens and substantial farmers of Jackson township, who has spent nearly all of his long life of eighty-seven years in this county, which he has seen come up to its present position from the wilderness where roamed the red man and wild beast and where very few white people were to be found. To all this change he has been an interested and by no means a passive spectator, having sought to do his full share in the work of progress in the locality where he has been contented to abide through many decades. Fie talks most interestingly of the early clays when customs and manners were different, men and women were different — everything, in fact, unlike what our civilization is today. Fie and other early settlers are of the opinion that those were better, at least happier, times than now, and this is, in the main, true. Fie might well be compared with the character represented by the American poet. Oliver Wendell Flolmes, in his beautiful lines, “The Last Leaf,’’ for Mr. Bass has lived to see his early acquaintances and friends perform Hieir allotted acts in the local drama of civilization and then pass on to rest, coming down to us from a former generation. Mr. Bass was born in Marion county, Tennessee, on December 8, 1827. He is a son of Andrew and Ellen (Smith) Bass. The father was a native SAMPSON BASS. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1009 -of Georgia, from where he removed to North Carolina, thence to Tennessee when a small boy, and he grew to manhood in the last named state on a farm, and there received a limited education. He emigrated with his family to Missouri in 1830 and, by mistake, settled on land belonging to the Indians, who subsequently drove him off and he settled in Greene county in the fall -of 1830, securing eighty acres at first. He started with practically nothing in this state, but being a man of exceptional ability, he became wealthy for those times and owned fourteen hundred and forty acres of land at the time of his death, having acquired his property by hard work and good manage- ment, and he died in 1867 on the place where our subject now lives. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. His wife was a native of Marion county, Tennessee, and there grew up on a farm, received a limited schooling and there she married Mr. Bass. She was a pioneer woman in every respect, working hard assisting her husband to get a start in the wilder- ness, spinning and weaving, molding candles, making soap and the thousand and one things about the house, of which the modern woman knows nothing except by tradition. She was also a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Her death occurred on the homestead here in 1862. To these parents fourteen children were born, namely: Sampson, our subject, is the oldest; John, Henderson, Jackson and James are all deceased, Martin V. lives in Greene county, Newton, McCord and Leonard H. are deceased, Lila lives in Polk county, Missouri; Leda, deceased; Narcissus, deceased; Mar- garet is living in Greene county; Ellen also lives in this county. Mr. Bass, of this sketch, was three years old when his parents brought him to Missouri and he was reared in Greene county and here received such limited educational advantages as those early times afforded. He worked hard assisting his father clear and develop the home farm, remaining under the parental roof tree until he was twenty-one years old, when, in 1849, h e married Ann Rogers, who was born in Tennessee on October 11, 1830, from which state her parents brought her to Greene county, Missouri, when she was a child, and here she grew to womanhood. Her death occurred in 1866. Mr. Bass married a second time, in 1888, to Eliza Lowder, who was born in Greene county, Missouri, October 8', 1850, a daughter of George H. and Juda (McCall) Lowder. She is a member of the Baptist church, as was also Mr. Bass’ first wife. To the first union nine children were born, namely: Elizabeth, deceased; Jane, Polly, Riley, Sampson H., Tr., deceased; Dave J., deceased ; the three youngest children died in infancy. To Mr. Bass’ second union two children were born, Roy and Wright. After his first marriage Mr. Bass went to work as a wagon maker, later bought forty acres. His father then gave him eighty acres', and later he (64)^ 10IO GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. entered forty acres. He worked hard and managed well and therefore pros- pered with advancing years. He continued to buy land until he accumulated seven hundred acres, constituting one of the finest farms in the county, which land he placed under an excellent state of improvement and cultivation and established a commodious home. In i860 there was no mill in this part of the county and one was badly needed, so Mr. Bass invited his neighbors to his home on Christmas day of that year for the purpose of talking over a proposition to establish a mill in the neighborhood. It finally devolved upon Mr. Bass to build a mill in section 15, Jackson township, and for years he carried on a large and successful business with his combined flour and sawmill, sawing lumber for residents in adjoining counties, as well as for those who lived in Greene. This was in i860 and was the first steam mill to be operated in Greene county. During the Civil war he ground flour for the armies in this part of the state. He sold his mill in 1866 and resumed farming. The town of Bassville in this township was named for our subject. Politically Mr. Bass is an uncompromising Democrat. He is a member of the Masonic Order, and religiously belongs to the Baptist church. WILBUR M. F ALLIN. The Missouri mule has a reputation throughout the world. That repu- tation in some sections is not the kind that would be pleasing to him if he but knew, for there are times when he is unruly, stubborn and inclined to show his displeasure by means of his heels. But nevertheless, when it comes to quality and fine points in his anatomy he is not excelled on the globe and he has done much to advertise the “Show Me” state abroad. There are few foreign armies where he is not found, and nearly every war of importance increases his demand. However, by nature he is not a war- rior and no doubt prefers the peaceful plantations and the lazy negro drivers of the cotton and cane districts of the South, where, for three- quarters of a century these animals have been sold in ever increasing num- bers. Throughout this state men may be found who devote their exclusive attention to dealing in mules, finding it a desirable and profitable business. Among these the firm of Fallin Brothers of Springfield, composed of Wilbur M. and Walter A. Fallin, is the best known in southwestern Mis- souri, and is one of the oldest and most successful. Wilbur M. Fallin was born March 31, 1872, in Greene county, Missouri. He is a son of Joseph S. and Polina (Reed) Fallin. The father was born in middle Tennessee in 1841, and there grew to manhood and attended school, emigrating to Greene county, Missouri, in the early sixties, where he GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. IOI I established the future home of the family, and here his death occurred on March 26, 1909- He was a stone mason by trade, but devoted most of his life to general farming and stock raising. He left his farm in 1884 and moved to Springfield. His wife was born in 1843, an d she died in 1877. They were married in Arkansas. To this union five children were born, namely: Anna died about 1889; Minnie lives in Springfield, Missouri;. Wilbur M., of this sketch; Emma Belle lives in Springfield; Walter A.,, who is a member of the firm of Fallin Brothers. Wilbur M. Fallin received his education in the ward and high schools of Springfield. He had 4n inclination toward the livestock business when very young and began his career by buying and selling hogs and calves. He also learned the trade of stone mason under his father, but did not follow this long until lie returned to the livestock business and also engaged in farming a few years. In the year 1900 he formed a partnership with his brother, Walter A. Fallin, who gave up his position as machinist in the Frisco shops, and they engaged in the horse and mule business, under the name of Fallin Brothers, buyers and sellers, and were successful from the first. They have continued in this line of endeavor ever since and have built up an extensive and lucrative business. They were first located on the south side of the city lot, remaining there until 1914, when they bought and built three commodious and substantial barns, including the erection of a modern two-story brick building, one hundred and twenty by one hundred feet, on Market street and Mule alley, where they are. at present located, owning two hundred feet on Market street and one hundred and seventy- five on Mule alley. They keep a large number of high-grade mules on hand at all seasons, buying and shipping to various markets continuously. Wilbur M. Fallin was married on December 10, 1902, to Mary Eliza- beth Roper, who was born in Polk county, Missouri, June 12, 1884. She is a daughter of J. W. Roper and wife, who live on a farm in Polk county. Mr. Roper’s wife was known in her maidenhood as Vine Davis. Mr. Roper moved from his farm to Springfield and engaged in mercantile pursuits for some time, and he is still living in this city. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur Fallin, namely: Wesley Edwin, born September 7, 1904; Alfred M., born August 18, 1906, died December 10, 1909; and Orin, born August 29, 1909. Politically, Mr. Fallin is a Republican, and he and his family belong to the Christian church. Walter Augustus Fallin, of the firm of Fallin Brothers, was born October 2 3 > t 877’ the Fallin homestead near Springfield, and here he grew to manhood and attended the ward and high schools. Pie learned the ma- chinist’s trade when a boy and for some time worked at the same local Frisco shops, where he remained until 1900, when he formed a partner- 1012 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. ship with his brother and began dealing in horses and mules, as related in a preceding paragraph. He was married on April 7, 1901, to Hattie G. Price, who was born in Greene county, August 29, 1882, and was here reared and educated. She is a daughter of William K. and Ellen (Gregory) Price, the father a native of Ohio, and the mother was born in Greene county, Missouri. Mr. Price came to Springfield when a young man and has long- been employed in the local Frisco shops, where he has charge of a depart- ment. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Walter A. Fallin, named as follows: Lawrence A., born September 25, 1903; Walter Plarold, born June 12, 1908; Joseph Price, born March 31, 1912; Earle Augusta, born August 9, 1914. Politically, Mr. Fallin is a Republican. Fraternally, he belongs to the Court of Plonor, the Maccabees, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the United Workmen, also the Travelers’ Protective Association. Pie is a member of Central Christian church. The Fallin boys are excellent judges of mules and horses, and have ;gained and retained a reputation for prompt and fair dealings, consequently have always enjoyed the good will and confidence of their score of regular customers and patrons. Both Wilbur and Walter Augustus served ten months in the Spanish- American war, enlisting for service, and on May 3, 1898, were called out. Their company went first to Jefferson Barracks, then to Chickamauga, Ten- nessee, and from there to Lexington, Kentucky, then to Albany, Georgia, where they were mustered out, March 3, 1899. HOWARD RAGSDALE. In the list of present day lawyers of Greene county, the name of How- ard Ragsdale, of Ash Grove, must not be overlooked. He has passed the half-way house along the thoroughfare of the human years, and has rapidly risen to an influential and prominent place in his profession in both Greene and Dade counties. He is a well read lawyer, a ready debater, an industri- ous, indomitable worker, and a skilful tactician. The mighty Julius plead- ing at the bar was greater than when thundering in the war. He conquered nations with his invincible legions: “ ’Tis of more renown to save a client than to save a town.” Mr. Ragsdale’s arguments to the courts embody no surplusage, but are direct, terse and incisive; to the jury they are plain,;, logical, matter of fact, compactly presented. Lie cares more for a rod of .truth than for a mile of rhetoric, more for a principle than for a thrilling GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. IOI3 climax, more for a fact than an acre of verbal felicities and gems. He has a clientage in the courts that older practitioners would be pleased to com- mand. He is a man of firm and decided convictions, whether in law, poli- tics, or in any department of thought or action employing his time and at- tention. Mr. Ragsdale was born in Dade county, Missouri, August 16, 1869. He is a son of Benjamin F. and Nancy E. (Buckner) Ragsdale. The father was born in Greenfield, Missouri, in October, 1843, and was a son of Joshua and Sarah Ragsdale. Joshua Ragsdale emigrated from the Carolinas in a very early day, the early thirties, and located in Dade county, where he en- tered twelve hundred acres of land from the government and here he fol- lowed general farming the rest of his life, and became a prosperous and in- fluential citizen. He had married before leaving his native country, a woman who also first saw the light of day under Dixie skies. Benjamin F. Rags- dale grew up on his father’s broad acres, which he assisted in getting ready for cultivation and he helped with the general work of the farm when a boy. He was given the usual educational advantages of the times. During the war of the states he enlisted in a Dade county company in the Union army and was captured by the Confederates but subsequently paroled. He spent his life in Dade county, successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits and was widely known there. His death occurred on November 25, 1899. Politi- cally he was a Republican. He and Nancy E. Buckner were married in 1867. She was born in Lawrence county, Missouri, in 1852 and her death occurred in July, 1910. Howard Ragsdale grew to manhood in his native county and received a good common school education ; later was a pupil at Ozark College, Green- field, Missouri. He began life for himself by teaching school a few terms with satisfaction, then began studying law with E. P. Mann, of Greenfield, with whom he remained two years, and in 1897 was admitted to the bar of Missouri, and soon thereafter he began the practice of his profession at Everton, Dade county, where he remained thirteen years, enjoying a large patronage and ranking among the leading attorneys of that county. He served a term as prosecuting attorney of Dade county in a manner that re- flected credit upon himself and to the satisfaction of all concerned. In 1909 he located in Ash Grove and has remained here to the present time and has from the first enjoyed a satisfactory and growing practice throughout this locality. Mr. Ragsdale was married in September. 1899, to Ellen Finley, who was born in Greenfield, Missouri. February 1, 1879, and there grew to womanhood and received a good education. She represents one of the old prominent families of that town, and is a daughter of Milton Finley and wife. Politically, Air. Ragsdale is a Republican. Fraternally, he belongs to ioi4 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. the Masonic Order, the Blue Lodge at Everton, and the Royal Arch Chapter at Ash Grove. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias. He is a man of excellent mental endowments and commanding personality, a man who has ever stood well in this locality. WILL J. MAJOR. '‘The gay will laugh when thou art gone, The solemn brood of care plod on, And each one, as before, will chase His favorite phantom ; yet these shall all Leave their mirth and their employment, And shall come and make their bed with thee.” The above lines, penned by America’s great poet of Nature, in his in- comparable “Thanatopsis,” strikingly sets forth in a few phrases a picture of death. Since the beginning of the world death has been looked upon as “the king of terrors.” Why this should be so, since it is as common as birth or any other natural occurrence, the biographer leaves to more philosophic minds. The manner of laying the dead away has been given much thought by the various peoples of the earth, and many and diverse methods have been promulgated ; in fact, all times, and places and customs are noted by the historian, from the methods of certain savage tribes, who suspend their dead in tall trees to the present rapidly-growing method of cremation, when all that is earthly of a mortal quickly disappears in a wave of white heat. It has always seemed to be the prevailing desire of most nations to preserve the bodies of the dead as long as possible, and, this being so, thinking men began devising means whereby this could best be accomplished, and thus resulted the art of embalming, ages ago, and although the methods have un- dergone changes from time to time, it is doubtful if the twentieth century undertaker can do his work any more effectively than did the Egyptian em- balmer in the days of Pharaoh. The most advanced and satisfactory meth- ods of embalming are employed by Will J. Major, well known undertaker of East Commercial street, Springfield. Mr. Major was born in Iroquois county, Illinois, December 19, 1861. He is a son of Robert D. and Ellen (Hitchcock) Major. The father was born in Tippecanoe county, Indiana, about 1839, and was a son of James Major and wife. James Major was born in Indiana back in the days of the first settlers and there he grew up, but finally located in Illinois where his death occurred in 1877, after an active life as a farmer. His wife, who GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. IOI5 was a native of Pennsylvania, preceded him to the grave by several years. Robert D. Major learned the carpenter’s trade in early life and followed this in connection with farming for a livelihood. He remained in Illinois until 1883 when he went to Montana and followed his trade, remaining there until 1885, when he came to Springfield, Missouri, where he continued car- pentering practically until his death in 1896. Politically, he was a Repub- lican, was a member of the Baptist church, and belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he passed all the chairs in the local lodge. Ellen Hitchcock, mother of our subject, was born near Niagara Falls, New York, March 30, 1832, a daughter of John and Eliza Hitchcock. She died in St. Louis, Missouri, September 4, 1914, at the age of eighty-two years and six months. Will J. Major received a common school education, spending two years in the high school at Aurora, Illinois. He remained on the home farm until he was eighteen years of age, then began learning carpentering and cabinet making, at which he worked until 1898, having attained a high degree of skill in each. He then spent four years as assistant custodian in the Spring- field postoffice. Then went to work for J. M. White, a pioneer undertaker of this city, and, making a careful study of the business, he passed the state board examination in 1909, and was duly qualified to enter the profession, and has since been in business for himself at 230 East Commercial street, and is now one of the busiest and most popular undertakers in Springfield, maintaining large, modernly equipped and well furnished parlors and his treatment of his patrons is always courteous and honorable. Mr. Major was married April 15, 1886, to Anna B. Reynolds, who was born in Nebraska, October 1, 1869. She was a daughter of a highly re- spected family, and she received a good education, and proved to be an ex- cellent helpmeet. This union has been blessed with three children, namely : Mabel, born July 4, 1890, is the wife of John Hulse, of Springfield; E'llene, born in September, 1892, is the wife of Lee Donald, of Kansas City; Helen, born July 25, 1897, is at home. Mr. Major is prominent in fraternal circles, belonging to Springfield Lodge No. 218, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is past grand, has been district deputy grand master for three years, and has been secretary of the same for the past eighteen years; he is a member of the Empire Encampment, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is past chief patriarch; also Springfield Canton No. 23, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a member of Julia Lodge No. 72, Daughters of Re- bekah. He also belongs to the Loyal Order of Moose, Bears, Fraternal Order of Eagles, Knights and Ladies of Security, Modern Woodmen of America, Woodmen of the World, Modern Brotherhood, Knights and La- dies of Honor, and the Court of Honor. ioi6 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. ELY PAX SON. From the days of the Egyptian mummies, when the old Pharaohs were elaborately embalmed, to the present time this science — embalming — has. gone through various stages of development, but it is doubtful if it is any better today than when the body of the great Rameses was prepared for the tomb, for the student of history finds that the ancients knew many things which we do not know, the “lost arts” being a theme which has engaged much thought by moderns. In various museums, notably the British, mum- mies are to be seen which have withstood the ravages of many thousands of years. The manner of laying away the ^ dead has differed widely in different ages and with different nations. The ancients preferred sepulchers hewn from solid rock, some were buried in upright positions, some with their heads to the east, others to the west. We read of the Hindus casting their dead into the Ganges river, of bodies being deposited in trees by the Indians of North America and the natives of Africa. It was once the desire to so prepare the body that it would retain its material form forever ; now many desire that this house of clay shall be dissolved as quickly as possible after it has been cast aside by the inscrutable something we call spirit or soul, hence cremation is now a well-established business. The universal civilized manner of burial demands skill of a high nature, and so in every city and town in Christendom we find undertakers and embalmers. One of the mo$t adroit, learned and successful, as well as best known and popular, of those who are engaged in this line of endeavor in Springfield is Ely Paxson, whose experience of half a century entitles him to a position in the front rank of undertakers in Missouri. Mr. Paxson was born near Findlay, Ohio, January 17, 1847. He is a son of Morris and Mariah (Shipman) Paxson, and a descendant of an old English family of Colonial stock. Ely Paxson, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was a native of Pennsylvania and received his Christian name from the old Ely family. He grew to manhood in the old Keystone state and there became a successful farmer and useful citizen, remaining there until 1833, when he removed with his family to near Findlay, Ohio, where he continued farming until his death, which occurred about 1876. His son, Morris Paxson. father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Burks county, Pennsylvania, September 26, ^825, and he was eight years of age when the family removed to Ohio. He grew to manhood in Hancock county and assisted his father with the work on the farm, and he received his education in the pioneer schools there. When a boy he learned the black- smith’s trade, at which he became quite expert. He remained in the Buck- eye state until 1867, when he came to Missouri, arriving in Springfield in GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. IOI7 May of that year, and here he spent- the rest of his iife, becoming well known to the business world here in that early period of the city's development. His death occurred January 17, 1893, in his sixty-eighth year. He was an honest, hard working man whom everybody respected. He was a mem- ber of the Knights of Pythias, and religiously he belonged to the Methodist church. He and Mariah Shipman were married at Findlay, Ohio, where she had spent her girlhood and was educated. To this union seven children were born. Ely Paxson, the immediate subject of this sketch, spent his boyhood at Findlay, Ohio, and there received his education in the common schools, and later learned the cabinetmaker’s trade, also the undertaking business, for which he seemed to possess from the outset decided natural ability, such as industry, tact, steady nerves, kindness, promptness and integrity, and these qualities with others have resulted in great success in later years. In 1868 he came to Springfield, Missouri, and for two years worked as a journey- man cabinetmaker in the establishment of Julius Ivassler on College street, then entered into partnership with his employer, and in March, 1880, bought him out, and has continued in the undertaking business ever since alone, his business growing with advancing years until it has long since reached very extensive proportions and Mr. Paxson’s name is known over all southwestern Missouri, and in his dealings with the people here for a period of over forty- five years he has maintained a reputation for honesty, courtesy and good citizenship, enjoying all the while the good will and esteem of his fellow men. Flis establishment was destroyed by fire in 1875 and again in 1885. In 1888 he erected the substantial two-story brick structure which he still occupies, and which is modernly equipped in every respect for the successful and prompt carrying on of his business, and here he employs assistants of the highest skill. Mr. Paxson was married on March 20, 1873, to Anna Belle Keet, daughter of James Keet, a prominent business man of southern Missouri, the Keets having been among the leading families of Springfield for many years, and here Mrs. Paxson grew to womanhood and received an excellent education. She is a lady of culture and is prominent socially. Politically, Mr. Paxson is a Republican and has been more or less active in public affairs. He was coroner of Greene county for two terms, the duties of which office he discharged with ability and satisfaction. Frater- nally, he is a well-known Mason, having attained the thirty-second degree in that order. For a number of years he was recorder of St. John’s Com- mandery No. 20, Knights Templars, of which he is past eminent commander. Fie is treasurer of the latter body and Solomon Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, and treasurer of Springfield Chapter, Royal Arch Masons. He is ioi8 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. also past master of the Blue Lodge. He and his wife are members of Grace Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is treasurer. Mr. Paxson has always had the welfare of Springfield at heart, and his aid in furthering the best interests of the same has never been withheld in all laudable movements, and he is not only one of the best known men in this city and county, but is one of the most highly respected for his industry, public spirit and exemplary record as a man and citizen. JAMES S. McILVIN. The great Empire state (which seems to have been given a most ap- propriate sobricjuet) has sent large numbers of her enterprising citizens into the great West, where they have made commendable records in every walk of life, being' people who believe not only in doing things but in doing them well ; they seem to be, almost without exception, men and women who combine the proper elements of character and innate equalities to make good and useful citizens. James S. Mcllvin, a locomotive engineer of the Frisco Lines, living at Springfield, is one of this number. Mr. Mcllvin was born at Rochester, New York, May 16, 1856. He is a son of Robert and Rosine E. (Richards) Mcllvin, both parents natives of New Hampshire, each representing an old New England family. They grew to maturity in their native state, attended the common schools there and were married in New Hampshire, but removed from that state to the state of New York about the middle of the nineteenth century. The father of our subject was a carpenter by trade and he followed carpentering and building during the latter part of his life, but his earlier years were devoted to farming. Elis death occurred at Westfield, New York, about ten years ago. He removed his family to Kansas when that state was being settled by Eastern people and there the mother of our subject died, in the town of Lacygne, in 1872. To these parents two children were born, namely : Herbert, a conductor on the Southern Pacific railroad, lives in Dallas, Texas; and James S., of this sketch. James S. Mcllvin was taken to the state of Kansas by his parents when he was a small boy and there he grew to manhood and received his education in the common schools. Lie began his railroad career in 1877, in Pennsylvania, on the Bessemer railroad, which at that time was known as the old Alleghany road. He began as fireman and remained with this road about five years, then came to Kansas and worked out of Dodge City a short time as fireman on the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe road. Lie removed to Kansas City, Missouri, in 1881, and began firing on the Kansas GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. IOI9 City, Ft. Scott & Memphis railroad. He was sent to Springfield by this road in 1882 and worked on the Ozark division. He assisted in track laying from Cedar Gap to Mammoth Spring. In 1883 he was given a regu- lar run as engineer on this division. He remained with the old “Memphis Route” until it was leased to the Frisco Lines in 1900. when he went with the latter road, with which he has remained to the present time. He is now engineer on a freight train, between Springfield and Thayer. He has given excellent satisfaction in the various positions he has held with different railroads, being capable, alert, conscientious and trustworthy. Mr. Mcllvin was married in Mercer, Pennsylvania, October 23, 1883, to Ida A. McGinnis, who was born in Venango county, Pennsylvania. She is a daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Tolly) McGinnis. The father is deceased, but the mother is living at the advanced age of eighty-five. Mr. McGinnis devoted his life to farming. Mrs. Mcllvin’s maternal grand- father, Capt. Thomas Jolly, was a soldier in the War of 1812, in which he made an excellent record. He lived to the unusual age of ninety-three years. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Mcllvin, namely: Gert- rude is the eldest; Annetta is teaching in the public schools of Springfield; Mary, Hazel, Edith K., and June are all at home. Our subject owns an attractive and well furnished home at 1820 Dem- ming Place, Springfield. Politically, Mr. Mcllvin is a Republican. He belongs to the Masonic order and the Order of Eastern Star, he and his wife being charter mem- bers of Crescent Chapter, No. 21. The family belongs to the Cumberland Presbyterian church. ELWOOD ALAMANDO WILLIAMS. It was Charles Kingsley, the noted English author, who said that every morning we should remember to be thankful that we have something to do during the coming day, whether we like it or not. Being forced to work, and forced to do our best, will breed in you temperance and self-control, diligence and strength of will, cheerfulness and content, and a hundred virtues the idle will never know. Elwoocl Alamando Williams, a farmer near Ash Grove, is one of the citizens of Greene county who takes delight in his work and is therefore happy and prospering. Mr. Williams was born on a farm in Carroll county, Missouri, Sep- tember 23, i860. He is a son of Mortimer FI. and Jennie S. (Gale) Will- iams. The father was born in Monroe county, Ohio, June- 20, 1837, and was a son of William and Martha (Hurd) Williams. William Williams 1020 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. was born near Wheeling, West Virginia, in 1809, and followed farming until 1848, when he began running a boat down the Ohio river to the Mississippi, then up that stream and up the Missouri river to Boonville and later to Carroll county, Missouri, carrying freight and passengers, each trip re- quiring- several weeks. He was a cooper and cabinet maker by trade and was also a physician of the old school. After locating in Missouri he made a professional trip to Ohio. He was a learned man and remained a close student all his life, one of his favorite studies being astronomy and he became an amateur astronomer of no mean ability. He entered eighty acres of land in Carroll county, this state on which he spent the rest of his life, dying there in 1887. Politically, he was first a Whig, later a Republican. He was an ardent worker in the cause of education and helped in the .matter of establishing schools. Fraternally, he was a member of the Masonic order, and he was a free thinker and broad-minded man. His wife was also born near Wheeling, West Virginia, the year of her birth being 1812, and her death occurred in 1859. Mortimer H. Williams had only such educational advantages as the frontier schools could furnish in his day, but his father taught him much and furnished him many books, so he became a well-informed man, and he taught school in Carroll county, this state, for a number of years, and, learning the blacksmith’s trade, followed that for some time. In 1873 he moved to Chillicothe, Missouri, where he followed his trade for about ten years, then went to South Dakota, continuing blacksmithing there about six years, then engaged in mining in the Black Hills a few years, after which he made three trips to Alaska, finally locating in Rapid City, South Dakota, where his death occurred in 1909. Politically, he was a Republican;, religiously, a Universalist, and fraternally a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His wife, Jennie S. Gale, whom he married in 1859, was born in Chautauqua county, New York, on farm where the first Chau- tauqua in the United States was held. Mrs. Jennie Williams was born Janu- ary 13, 1840, and her death occurred in 1883. To these parents five children were born. Elwood A. Williams received a fairly good education up to the tenth grade in the Chillicothe schools. When seventeen years old he went to> Deadwood, South Dakota, where he worked as a freight driver, having charge of a nine-yoke team hitched to three wagons, and this work he con- tinued about a year, then went to a lumber camp for a year, then was superintendent and bookkeeper for a lumber camp for several years, after which he came to Rapid City, South Dakota, and was head of the lumber yards there for three years. During this time he filed on one hundred and sixty acres and proved up on the same, sold out and filed on a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres, and proved up on it, and lived on the same GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1021 for seven years or until 1900, when he sold out and came to Greene county, Missouri, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres in Boone township, and has since resided here. He owned over one thousand acres of land in Dakota, which he finally sold. He is making a specialty of live stock, raising a fine grade of mules, horses, sheep, cattle and hogs for the market, and no small portion of his annual income is derived from this source. He is one of the substantial men of Boone township, and has made what he has solely b} r his own efforts. Mr. Williams was married on November 29, 1888, to Maggie M. Trim- mer, who was born in South Dakota, October 1, 1872. She was born near Chamberlain, that state, and there reared to womanhood and was educated. She is a daughter of George M. and Mary (Boyua) Trimmer. Mr. Trimmer was born near Cheona, Illinois, November 8, 1844, and was a son of Nicholas and Mary Trimmer, who lived and died on a farm in Illinois. George M. Trimmer received a common school eduction, working on the home farm during the summer months, and when a young man he went to the eastern part of South Dakota and began wood contracting for steamboats on the Missouri river. In 1876 he went to the Black Hills, and there engaged in mining and farming. He was a sterling pioneer, and helped establish trails, towns, did freighting and was incidentally a renowned hunter. He was a stanch friend of the Sioux Indians, who liked him. He was the first settler in Hot Springs, South Dakota, and he did much toward making it one of the best towns in that state, and at this writing he owns a fine orchard of one hundred and sixty acres near there, which was the first orchard set out in that region. He is one of the prominent and influential men of eastern South Dakota and has been offered many political posi- tions of importance in the state, but has refused them all. Politically, he is a Democrat, and fraternally he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is an enthusiastic worker in the same. On November 8, 1871, he married Mary Boyua, who was born March 4, 1847. Grandfather Boyua was an early French trader on the Missouri river. Mrs. Trimmer was the real discoverer of the springs in what is now known as Hot Springs, and cut the first bathing “tub” out of a rock. When a child she was present at the New Ulm massacre in Minnesota, and was taken prisoner by the Sioux Indians and carried to the head of the Missouri river. To Mr. and Mrs. Elwood A. Williams three children have been born, namely: Blanche G., born December 20, 1889, was given good educational advantages; Barney B., born April 20, 1892, was also well educated in the schools of Ash Grove, Missouri; M. Cleopatra, born September 26, 1897, graduated from the Ash Grove high school with the class of 1915. These ■children are all at home with their parents. 1022 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. Politically, Mr. Williams is a Progressive, and is liberal in his public views. Fraternally, he is one of the leading Masons of this locality, being a member of Ash Grove Lodge No. ioo, Ancient Free and Accepted Ma- sons; Ash Grove Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; and Zabud Council No. 125, Royal and Select Masters; he also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He has for some time been a member of the local school board, and religiously he holds membership in the Presbyterian church. He has had a vast experience in the world’s affairs and talks most entertainingly of his life in the picturesque pioneer days of the North, and it is a pleasure to visit him in his neat, hospitable home. FRED WILLIAM RAUCH. Spake full well in language quaint and olden, One who dwelleth by the castled Rhine, When he called the flowers so blue and golden Stars that in earth’s firmament do shine; Stars they are in which we read our history As did astrologers and seers of eld, Yet not wrapt about with such awful mystery As were the burning stars which they beheld. Thus wrote the poet Longfellow in his fine poem on the flowers, which have been a favorite theme of poets since the days of Homer, and it has ever been the opinion of the thinkers of the world that he who does not love and admire these “stars of earth” has little good in him. No vocation could be more conducive to pure and high thinking, and consequently right and wholesome living, as a natural sequence of such thoughts, as floriculture. Most of the flower gardens and green-houses in this country are conducted by Germans. We offer no theory as to why this is so. Suffice it to add that we are greatly indebted to our brothers of Teutonic blood in many respects, and especially because they keep us supplied with their beautiful and neces- sary “hot-house” products during the “winters of our discontent.” Fred William Rauch, a young German- American, is one of the success- ful florists of Springfield. He was born on July 7, 1881, in Springfield, Ohio, and is a son of Peter and Caroline (Winter) Rauch. The father was born in Hessedarmstadt, Germany, April 26, 1854, and there he grew to manhood and received a common school education. He remained in the Fatherland until 1873 when he emigrated to America with a brother, and settled in Urbana, Ohio. He learned the blacksmith’s trade when a young man, also was a tool dresser and he followed his trades in a machine shop in Urbana a short time, then removed to Springfield, Ohio, where he con- GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. IO23. tinued working at his trade until 1884, in which year he came to Billings, Missouri, located on a farm near there, which he operated four years. He then returned to Urbana, Ohio, and followed the cigar manufacturing busi- ness for eleven years, then came back to Billings, this state, and for the past fifteen years has engaged in farming there. He has been very successful in a business way and owns a good farm and is highly respected by all who know him. Politically, he is a Democrat. He has been school director at Billings for a number of years, having received every vote in that place ex- cept his own in the elections for director. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a member of the German Evangelical church. He and Caroline Winters were married in 1877. She was born in Baltimore, Maryland, December 31, 1859, and she received a good common school education. She is a daughter of William Winters and wife. Mr. Winters is a baker by trade and is still living, making his home with Mrs. Rauch at Billings. His wife died about fifteen years ago. Eight children were born to Peter Rauch and wife, namely: George is a florist at Monett, Missouri; Fred W., of this sketch; Lulu is the wife of Frank Dean, of Billings; Charles is a florist in Monett; Katie lives in Mo- nett; Anna and Philip are at home with their parents; William died when six years old. Fred W. Rauch received a good education in the common schools, and when a boy learned broom making and worked at the same about four years, after which he worked on a farm near Billings, Missouri, for four years, then came to Springfield and worked for a florist about two and one- half years, meanwhile learning the ins and outs of the business, then was employed at the Chalfant conservatories a year, then, with two brothers built green-houses and laid out gardens at Monett where they are still in business, his two brothers remaining there and operating the business, while our subject stays in Springfield, where he returned in 1911 and began operating the Chalfant conservatory and later established offices in the Co- lonial Hotel under the firm name of Rauch Brothers, and he has built up a large and constantly growing business. Mr. Rauch was married March 10, 1907. to Bertha Kemm, a native of Springfield, born April 10, 1886, in Wisconsin. She received a good edu- cation in the public schools. She was a child when her parents, Karl and Mary (Schmith) Kemm, brought her to Springfield. Her father’s active life has been devoted to the ministry. To Mr. and Mrs. Rauch one child has been born, Frances Rauch, whose birth occurred on April 21, 1908. Politically, Mr. Rauch is a Democrat, and religiously he is a member of the Presbyterian church. He is a prominent Mason, being a member of Gate of the Temple Lodge No. 422, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; 1024 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. Vincent Council, Royal and Select Masters; St. John’s Commandery No. 20, Knights Templar; Abort Ben Adhem Temple and Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. One would judge from Mr. Rauch’s daily in- tercourse with his fellow men that he is endeavoring to live up to the sublime precepts of Masonry. ALEXANDER KNOX. Born on the far-away heaths of bonnie Scotland, that picturesque coun- try, famed in song and story, familiar to us principally through the versatile descriptions of such immortals as Scott, Burns, Stevenson and Miller, but spending the major part of his life in America, the late Alexander Knox, a descendant of the famous British statesman, John Knox, is deserving of mentions in these pages. Elis long life of usefulness and commendable acts winning for Jiim the sincere regard of all those with whom he came in con- tact, it is meet that his life record should be preserved in proper form. He possessed many of the traits of character of his sterling Scotch ancestors. Mr. Knox was born in Scotland, January 26, 1848. He was a son of George Knox and wife, who were natives of Scotland, where they grew up .and were married and spent their lives. Alexander Knox grew to manhood in his native land and there received a good education, taking a high literary course in one of the best schools of the country. When twenty-one years of age, in 1869, he immigrated to the United States alone, and first settled in the South, but after a short time .he came to Missouri. He began life for himself as a general farmer, which line of endeavor he followed until about 1875, then entered the employ of the St. Louis and San Francisco Railroad Company, first as fireman and later he became an engineer, and finally was engineer on a passenger train, which position he held for many years, or until his health failed. He was regarded as one of the most faithful and competent of the company’s employees, and was popular with officials and his fellow employees. Mr. Knox was married on January 11, 1873, to Maria E. Ball, who was born near London, England, April 11, 1856. She is a daughter of Frederick and Margaret (Price) Ball, both natives of England, where they grew up, were married and established their home, and where they resided until 1870, when they immigrated to America, first locating in Illinois, later moving to Missouri, and here Mr. Ball began working for the St. Louis and San Francisco Railroad Company in their shops at Springfield. He was a skilled blacksmith, having as high as four and six helpers under him all the time, and was looked upon by his officials as one of their most valu- able men. lie did a great deal in his department to make it up to date, and 9 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1025 he was given credit for many things of importance. He was a man who was held in high regard by all who knew him. He remained in the local shops until his death in the year 1882. His family consisted of six chil- dren, three of whom are still living, namely: Frederick, Mrs. Agnes Havens, and Mrs. Maria E. Knox, widow of our subject. Mrs. Knox spent her girlhood in England and was educated in the common schools there and in the schools of St. Louis, Missouri. She was fourteen years of age when the family moved to America. Two children were born to Alexander Knox and wife: Alice M., born on September 29, 1879, married first to Charles Schneider, who died about fourteen years ago; later she married T. P. Nichols, and they live in St. Louis. They have two children, Josephine and Charles A. George F. born on July 8, 1882, married Courtney Gustin, who is engaged in the shoe busi- ness in Springfield. Our subject and wife also raised James D. Knox, from the time he was five years old, and shortly after our subject’s death Mrs. Knox adopted the child, who was born on November 18, 1880; he married Maude Walker; he is connected with the Frisco shops and lives in Spring- field. They have three children, Charles Yere. Maxine and Margaret. Alexander Knox was a Republican. He belonged to the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, and was secretary of the local order for a period of fifteen years, performing the duties of the office most faithfully. He was a member of the Masonic Order, the Blue Lodge, Gate of the Temple (Masonic) and the Ancient Order of United Workmen, being a charter mem- ber of the same. He was a member of the Royal Arcanum Lodge, and belonged to the First Congregational church. The death of Mr. Knox occurred on August 14, 1899, when scarcely past the half-century mark. Mrs. Knox has a cosy home on Washington avenue, Springfield. FREDERICK CHARLES WILDER. One of the public-spirited citizens of Ash Grove who withholds his cooperation from no movement which is intended to promote public improvement in that city and vicinity is Frederick Charles Wilder, who for the past fourteen years has been engaged successfully in the livery busi- ness there and is one of the best known men in this line of endeavor in Greene county, and what he has accomplished illustrates his steadfastness of purpose. In his earlier years he was a farmer and also worked as iron molder. Mr. Wilder was born near Carpentersville, Illinois, August 9, 1865 (65) 1026 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. He is a son of Thomas and Catherine (Tubbs) Wilder. The father was. born in the state of New York, in October, 1828, was there reared to- manhood and educated in the district schools and he devoted his active life to farming. He joined the tide of “forty-niners” for the gold fields of California and remained in that state a few years, finally returning to Illi- nois, his trips across the great trackless plains being without particular incident. He resumed farming and remained in the Sucker state until in 1869, when he removed with his family to Lawrence county, Missouri, where he bought one hundred acres which he farmed until 1881, when he went to Barry county, Missouri, and homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres, which he cleared, improved and farmed until his death, which oc- curred in 1902. Politically, he was a Republican, and religiously a Metho- dist. Catherine Tubbs, mother of the subject of this sketch, was born in 1837. It is not certain whether in Illinois or Wisconsin, and her death occurred in 1875. Frederick C. Wilder grew to manhood on the home farm, where he worked when a boy, and he received his education in the district schools. He spent four years in Dundee, Illinois, working for the Illinois Iron Bolt Company, learning the molder’s trade, from 1894 to 1898, after which he returned to the home farm in Lawrence county, Missouri, not caring to continue the molder’s trade as a livelihood. He engaged in general farming until fourteen years ago, when he came to Ash Grove and started in the livery business, which he has continued here and in Mt. Vernon, Lawrence county, to the present time, and his is now the only livery business, in Ash Grove. Lie has a well-equipped barn, including such vehicles as his needs require and a large number of good horses. His barn is popular with the traveling public, prompt and honest service is his aim. Mr. Wilder was married March 17, 18S7, to Emma Bowman, who was born in Christian county, Missouri, August 4, 1869, and was reared on the farm and educated in the public schools. She is a daughter of Will- iam P. and Sarah Bowman. The father was a pioneer of Christian county and the mother was born there. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wilder, namelv : Oma, born January 1, 1888, is cashier at Bourguenot’s confectionery in Spring- field; Dade, born May 20, 1889, ’ s employed by the Aurora Milling Company at Aurora, Missouri ; Nellie, born February 5, 1892 ; she married Richard M. Ryan and they live in Hot Springs, Arkansas; Luna, born March 19, 1894; and Clyde, bom May 17, 1897. Politically, Mr. Wilder is a Republican. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Woodmen of the World. Religiously, the family attends the Presbyte- rian church. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1027 DANIEL H. HERMAN. For a period of thirty-five years the name of Daniel H. Herman has stood for the highest grade of tailoring known in southwest Missouri, and his business advancing with the years has long- since assumed very large proportions, and, owing to the excellent quality and style of the work from his establishment, his prestige is such that many of his customers come from nearby towns, and the fact that many of them have remained with him fur a quarter of a century or more is a criterion of not only good service but courteous and honest treatment. Mr. Herman has devoted practically his life to this line of business and no one is more thoroughly conversant with the various phases of the same than he. As a man of affairs and a citi- zen he has been one of the influential men of Springfield for many years. Mr. Herman was born Tune 2, 1857, in Syracuse, New York. He is a son of Henry and Hannah (Stern) Herman. The father, a native of Bavaria, Germany, emigrated to the United States about 1832 and settled in Syra- cuse, New York, where he was an extensive live stock dealer until 1868, when he went to Chicago, where he continued the same business. In 1871 he went to Rochester, New York, and followed the same vocation, subse- quently moving to Elmira, that state, where his death occurred in 1904, at the home of his daughter, and he is buried in the lot adjoining that containing the grave of Mark Twain. His wife, Hannah Stern, was also born in the province of Bavaria, Germany. She came to America when young and mar- ried Mr. Herman in Syracuse, New York. Her death occurred in 1894 in Rochester, that state, but she was buried in Chicago. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Herman were the parents of five children, namely: Hannah is the wife of Albert Samuel, of Elmira, New York; Fanny is the widow of Henry Ivlopfer, the great Chicago packer; Benjamin lives in Rahway, New Jersey; Daniel H., of this review; and Charles, who lives in New York City. Politi- cally, the father of these children was a Democrat. He belonged to the Masonic order, and he was a member of the Hebrew Reformed church. Daniel H. Herman spent his boyhood in Rochester, New York, and there received a good common school education. When sixteen years old he went to Elmira, that state, and began learning the tailoring trade and clothing business in which he seemed to have a decided natural bent and consequently made rapid progress. He remained there until he was twenty-two years old, 1879, in which year he came to Springfield, Missouri, and opened a tailoring and clothing establishment on Boonville street and has continued in this line to the present time. Successful from the first, he managed his affairs with honesty and good judgment until in due course of time he became one of the substantial business men of the city, and now his establishment would be a 1028 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. credit to cities many times the size of Springfield. He had the distinction of setting up and running the first full page advertisement in a newspaper in this section of the country, for which he paid ten dollars per month. On his opening day here he hired a brass band to play in front of his estab- lishment and an orchestra on the inside. Later he opened branches in the same line at Lamar, Joplin, St. Louis, Ft. Smith, Arkansas; and Dallas, Texas, all of which were successful under his able management, and pro- gressive methods. In a few years he opened up where the Globe Clothing Company is now located on South street and the public square. In 1885 he sold out on the public square and devoted his business on Boonville street to tailoring exclusively, then moved where the Union National Bank now stands. Selling his lease there he moved on South street, where he remained four years, and in 1912 moved to his present location on St. Louis street, where he has a modernly appointed, neat, inviting and convenient estab- lishment and carries an extensive and carefully selected stock of goods and employs several skilled tailors, including two expert cutters and about forty other employees. Prompt and high-grade service is his aim as it has ever been. In 1889 the company was incorporated as the Llerman Tailoring Company. Mr. Herman and family are sole owners. They handle all the best domestic and imported cloths, which are made up for an exclusive clientele from southwest Missouri, southeastern Kansas and northwestern Arkansas. The firm has patrons even from New York City, Boston, St. Louis, Kansas City, the far West and Mexico. They have also unquestionably the highest class of haberdashery in this part of the United States. They are ex- clusive agents for Crofut & Knapp, Knapp felt and the Dobbs hats, Keyser cravats, Mark-Cross gloves, Vassar underwear, Manhattan shirts, S. Stein & Company, importers of woolens, Burberry’s of London, England; Water- house & Resher Company, of New York City. Mr. Herman was married, June 16, 1885, to Nellie Langsdorf, of St. Louis. She was born, December 7, 1864, and is a daughter of Morris and Hannah (Rosenstine) Langsdorf, an old and prominent family of the Mound City, where Mrs. Herman grew to womanhood and was educated. She is a lady of culture and has long been a favorite in the best social circles of St. Louis and Springfield. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Herman has been graced by the birth of four children, namely: Hortense, wife of Nathan S. Rose, of St. Paul, Minnesota; Edgar S., who is in business with his father, was born in Spring- field, Missouri, November 25, 1888, was graduated from the common schools, after which she spent a year in high school and a year in Drury College ; from a mere child he has shown an aptness and interest in cutting, fitting and designing clothes and now has full charge of that department of the Herman Tailoring Company; at the age of twenty-one years he took his GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1029 first honors at the National Clothiers’ Association in New York City. He has refused flattering- offers from large tailoring concerns in Chicago and New York to act as their designer at a large salary. His ideas are always in advance of others and he is indeed a genius in his line. The third child of our subject and wife is Blanche D., who is attending Soldon high school in St. Louis; Ruth, the youngest of the children, is at home and attending Springfield high school. Mr. Herman has always been a supporter of laudable movements for the general improvement of Springfield, whose interests he has had at heart from the beginning of his residence here, and he has ever enjoyed the good will and confidence of his fellow citizens as a result of his industry, public spirit and manly principles. ROBERT FRANK IvISSICK. Upon the shoulders of a train dispatcher rests grave responsibilities. A little mistake on his part may, and often does, result in most revolting dis- asters, so that it behooves one thus employed to keep a clear head and a steady nerve, be wide-awake when he is on duty and also a conscientious worker. Such a man is Robert Frank Kissick, train dispatcher for the Frisco Lines at the Springfield North Side shops. He is a man in whom the head officials repose the utmost confidence in every respect. Mr. Kissick was born in Holt county, Missouri, in January, 1873. He is a son of William and Jane (McKane) Kissick, both natives of the Isle of Man, a British possession. The father was born in 1827, and the mother first saw the light of day in 1839. They grew up in their native country and there attended school, emigrating to the United States when young and they were married in Illinois, where they resided on a farm until 1871, when they removed to Holt county, Missouri, remaining there on a farm until 1886, when they moved to Kansas, in which state the father spent his last days in general farming and died there in 1892 ; the mother is now making her home in Hutchinson, Kansas. To these parents eight children were born, namely: Mary Jane lives in Wisconsin, Ida C., William E., Walter S., deceased : Lottie E., Robert F., Fannie F. and Daisy P. Robert F. Kissick grew up on the home farm in Holt county, this state, where he worked when a boy and there he attended the common schools. In 1890 he entered railroad service for the Atchison. Topeka & Santa Fe at Nickerson, Kansas, as call boy, remaining with that road in various capacities until 1900. He remained in Nickerson until August, 1892, after which he was telegraph operator at Sterling, that state, working in this capacity there, at Great Bend and Dodge City, Kansas, for a period of I0 3° GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. ten years. After this he worked for the Rock Island railroad in Kansas and 1 exas when that company was building its line to California. He was in the building department and remained with that road until August, 1901, when he came to Springfield, Missouri, and began working for the Frisco as telegraph operator. Thus employed for three years he was promoted to extra train dispatcher and then promoted to regular train dispatcher at the North Side shops, which position he holds at this time. He has given emi- nent satisfaction with each of these three roads in every position he has filled. Mr. Ivissick was married in June, 1905, in Springfield to Eva Skates, who was born in Union county, Missouri. She is a daughter of Robert and Mary Skates. Her father is a carpenter and contractor by trade, and has done a great deal of this kind of work for railroads. He now lives in Kansas City, Missouri. To our subject and wife one child, Roberta Jane, has been born, the date of her birth being October 22, 1913. Politically, Mr. Ivissick is a Republican. Fraternally, he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and the Masonic order, in which he has taken all the degrees except that of the Scottish Rite. He is well known in Masonic circles. JOSEPH HENRY TURK. It is oftentimes considered by those in the habit of superficial thinking that the history of so-called great men only is worthy of preservation and that little merit exists among the masses to call forth the praises of the his- torian or the cheers and appreciation of mankind. A greater mistake was never made. No man is great in all things and very few are great, even es- pecially competent, in many things. Some by a lucky stroke achieve lasting fame, who before that had no reputation beyond the limits of their neigh- borhoods. It is not a history of the lucky stroke that benefits humanity most, but the long study and effort which made the lucky stroke possible. It is the preliminary work, the method, that serves as a guide for the success of others. Among those enterprising men of Greene county who have forged ahead along well-established lines, gradually mounting to the lad- der’s summit by earnest, honest endeavor is Joseph Henry Turk, the present efficient and popular postmaster of Ash Grove and for many years a well- known hardware dealer of that city. Mr. Turk was born in Lawrence county, Missouri, October 18, 1871. He is a son of Thomas B. and Sarah Jane (Stotts) Turk. The father was born in Cumberland county, Kentucky, in 1834, and there grew to man- GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. IO3I hood, received his education and resided until about 1865 when he emi- grated to Missouri and located in Lawrence county, where he engaged in general fanning until about eighteen years ago when he returned to Ken- tucky, and engaged in the real estate and insurance business in Bowling Green, that state, until his death on August 14, 1914. Politically, he was a Democrat. Lie belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and was a member of the Presbyterian church. He and Sarah Jane Stotts were married in 1865. She was born in Cumberland county, Kentucky, about 1840, and there she was reared and educated and they were married in their native locality. Thomas B. Turk and wife were the parents of five boys and one girl, namely: James; Joseph H. ; Lee; Luther; Loren and Hiram. Joseph H. Turk, of this sketch, grew up on the home farm where he worked when a boy, and he received his education in the common schools. Having a natural inclination to machinery he secured a position in an im- plement house, and later was a traveling salesman for a champion implement firm for three years, giving it entire satisfaction and doing much to increase its prestige in the territory to which he was assigned. In 1892 he launched out in the hardware business in Ash Grove where he has remained ever since and has' built up a large and growing trade which extends all over this section of the country. He has always carried a large and well-selected stock of general hardware and farming implements. Mr. Turk has manifested an interest in public affairs for some time, and on July 13, 1913, he was appointed postmaster at Ash Grove, and is dis- charging the duties of the same in a manner that reflects much credit upon himself and to the satisfaction of the people and the department. Politi- cally, he is a Democrat, and he has been a committeeman for eight years and is active and influential in the affairs of his party. Fraternally he is a member of the Masonic order, and is now worshipful master of the local Blue Lodge; he is also a member of the Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, Zahud Council, Royal and Select Masters, and the Order of the Eastern Star. He is one of the active and prominent Masons in this part of the state. Re- ligiously he belongs to the Presbyterian church. Mr. Turk was married on April 22, 1896, to Laura Barham, who was born in Ash Grove, in September, 1873, and here grew to womanhood and was educated. She is a daughter of Mr. W. F. and Mrs. T. E. Barham, natives of Missouri. Mr. Barham devoted his active life to farming. His family consists of six children. To Mr. and Mrs. Turk the following children have been born: Seth, who is attending the Springfield high school ; Harold is attending the high •school in Ash Grove; Richard is in the public school; Geraldine is also a public school pupih; and Helen, who is the youngest. I0 3 2 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. SAMUEL W. HEADLEE. As one reviews the history of Greene county and looks into the past to see what people were prominent in its early development, he will find that for more than three-quarters of a century, the period covering its first settlement to the present time, the Tennesseeans have been closely connected with the progress and advancement of this section of the state. Wild was the region into which they came. Its forests stood in their primeval strength, the prairie land was still unbroken, and the Indians still roamed through the woodlands and over the plains, seeking the deer and lesser game which could be found in abundance. The Headlee family, while not so early as some, yet figured in the early-day development of this locality. The late Samuel W. Headlee was of this number, and for a long lapse of years he was one of the most prominent men of the county, playing well his part in the local drama of civilization, not only clearing and developing the land, but aiding in the establishment of 'schools and churches, and was a public servant of unquestioned ability and integrity; in fact, the various members of this sterling old family have ever manifested the characteristic thrift of the emi- grants from the old state of “Hickory” Jackson, and justly entitled to rep- resentation in this work. Samuel W. Headlee was born in Maury county, Tennessee, March 6, 1823. He was a son of Caleb and Mary (Steele) Headlee. His parents were from North Carolina, but emigrated to Tenneesee in a very early day, where they lived until 1836, when they emigrated overland to Missouri and settled in Greene county, began life in true pioneer fashion, and here Caleb Headlee spent the rest of his life engaged in farming, dying in 1847. Samuel W. Headlee was thirteen years old when he accompanied his parents to Greene county. He grew to manhood on the farm and received such educa- tional advantages as the schools of those early days afforded, and for some time taught school in this county. In 1850, having caught the “gold fever,” he crossed the great western plains to California, where he spent four years, engaging successfully in mining. Upon his return here he purchased the old homestead upon which he spent the rest of his life, and was regarded as one of the county’s leading farmers of that period. He was elected to the lower house of the state Legislature by the Benton Democracy, re-elected in 1862 and in 1864. In 1866 he was elected by the Republicans to the state Senate, and in 1872, he, to heal the breaches in his party, became a candidate for the lower house, and was elected by a handsome majority. He was again elected to the Legislature in 1876. In all that period of six- teen years he voted as his conscience and judgment dictated, and won for himself the applause and approval of all good men, doing much for the- aaiavoin 'ay mmukys shiv •mm'kivmii ay 'imukvs GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. io 33 general good of his county and looking carefully after the interest of his constituents. He was a faithful and conscientious servant of the people, and his long retention in important official positions would indicate that the people here reposed implicit confidence in his ability and honesty. During the Civil war he took an active part in the service of the Union and in 1862, to that end, was commissioned captain of a militia company. From 1863 to the close of the war, he was captain in the Sixteenth Missouri Cavalry of the Federal army. In 1874 he was complimented by a nomination by the peo- ple’s committee as their candidate for lieutenant-governor upon the ticket headed by Major Gentry. After retiring from public life he devoted his attention to general farming on a large scale, and in the decline of a long, useful and honorable life enjoyed the satisfaction of peace with himself and the full confidence of those who knew him best. His death occurred on February 6, 1900. Samuel W. Headlee was married May 2, 1855, to Emily L. Armor, a daughter of Washington and Nancy S. (Kerr) Armor, natives of Georgia and North Carolina, respectively. They immigrated to Missouri in 1846 and settled in Polk county. After remaining their until about 1848, the Armor family removed to Greene county and here the parents spent the rest of their lives, being long since deceased. To Samuel W. Headlee and wife nine children were born, namely: Warren E., born on July 27, 1857; Arthur B., born on April 12, 1858, died in infancy; Margaret E., born on July 4, 1859; Blondville D.. born on Sep- tember 4, 1861 ; Samuel M., born on February 5, 1865, died on August 14, 1887; James W., born on July 28, 1867 ; Claude L., born on November 20, 1871; Cora M., born on June 16, 1873, died on November 20, 1903; she was the wife of Avery Robards, and to their union one child was born, Jessie Margaret, whose birth occurred September 30, 1903; she was taken by her grandmother when six weeks old and is still living in her home. Jessie E. Headlee, youngest of our subject’s children, was born on Septem- ber 13, 1875, and died on August 26, 1899. Claude Leslie Headlee was born on November 20, 1871, on the home farm in Franklin township, Greene county, and here he grew to manhood and received his education in the district schools. He has been a life-long farmer ; however, he learned the carpenter’s trade when a young man and has since followed it to some extent. He is the owner of one hundred and thirty acres of good land, eighty-five acres of which is under cultivation. He- lives but a short distance from the old residence where he was born. He married, on January 24, 1879, Lona M. Ivnighten, a daughter of Ammon and Mary E. (Dotson) Knighten. Mr. Ivnighten is one of Franklin town- ship’s leading farmers and stockmen, and formerly was engaged in black- 1034 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. . smithing and mercantile pursuits at Hickory Barrens, this county. A com- plete sketch of himself and family appears on another page of this volume. 10 Claude L. Iieadlee and wife three children have been born, namely: Arthur Harry, Samuel Leslie and William B. Politically, Mr. Headlee is a Republican. His wife belongs to the Baptist church at Pleasant Hope, Polk county. Blondville D. Headlee, son of the immediate subject of this sketch, was born on September 4, 1861, on the homestead in Franklin township, this county, and here he spent his boyhood and was educated in the common schools, remaining on his father’s farm until he was thirty years of age. On February 3, 1892, he married Nanny Norman, who was born near Brookline, Greene county. She is a daughter of William and Mary (Gib- son) Norman. To this union two children have been born, Frank and Grace, both at home. Mr. Headlee has devoted his life to general farming, making a specialty of grain and live stock. Fie owns a well-improved place of one hundred and ten acres. Politically, he is a Republican. His wife is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church at Mt. Comfort. Her father, William Norman, was born on August 4, 1823, in Maury county, Tennessee, and in an early day he came with his family from his native state to Missouri and settled in Greene county, developing a farm in Brook- line township, where he owned a large tract of land and was a successful farmer. Here he spent the rest of his life, his death occurring October 24, 1895, three miles from Nichols Junction, in the western part of the county. Politically, he was a Democrat, and was a member of the Brookline Congre- gational church. His wife was born in Tennessee and died in this county in 1S70. She was a faithful member of the Presbyterian church, and was buried in the cemetery at Brookline. To Mr. and Mrs. Norman eight chil- dren were born, three of whom are now living — Frank N., who makes his home in Oklahoma City; Marshall is a resident of Shawnee, Oklahoma; and Nanny, wife of Blondville D. Headlee. James Ward Headlee was born on the old homestead here, and here he grew to manhood and was educated in the public schools at Hickory Barrens. He, too, has devoted his life to general farming, and is now owner of a very productive place of eighty-three acres, which lies close to the old home- stead. He learned the blacksmith’s trade when he was a boy and this he has followed to some extent ever since, following the same fourteen years m connection with farming, maintaining his shop at his home place. He is a natural mechanic, and is regarded as a very highly skilled blacksmith. On December 2, I-894, he married Dora Kesterson, a native of Greene county, and a daughter of David C. and Minerva (Ivetcherside) Kesterson, natives •of Ohio and Georgia, respectively. They came first to Arkansas, and from GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1035 there to Missouri, locating on a farm in Franklin township, Greene county, where Mr. Kesterson spent the remainder of his days engaged in general farming. During the Civil war he enlisted in Company K, Second Arkansas Cavalry, was appointed second corporal of his regiment on April 28, 1864, and was mustered out of the service and honorably discharged at the close of the war at Memphis, Tennessee. He was in the command of Col. John E. Phelps, of Springfield, Missouri. Mr. Kesterson was born on March 18, 1837, and died on November 8, 1911. He was a tanner by trade, which he followed in Arkansas and also for a time after coming to Greene county, but after his marriage devoted his attention to farming. He came to this county immediately after the close of the war, in 1865. His wife was born on September 14, 1841. She was a daughter of James and Genette (Scab- berry) Ivetcherside. Her death occurred in November, 1903. He died at the Soldiers’ Home at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, while her death occurred on the farm in Franklin township. James and G enette ( Scabberry) Ketcher- side were both natives of Tennessee, but from that state they moved to Georgia, where they spent the remaining years of their lives. David C. Ivesterson’s family consisted of seven children, of whom Mrs. Dora Headlee was the fourth in order of birth. She has three brothers living at this writ- ing — John E., of Kansas City; Arthur U., who is farming near Hickory Barrens, this county ; and Arvel D., of Los Angeles, California. Politically, Mr. Headlee is a Republican, and he belongs to the Cumberland Presbyterian church at Mt. Comfort, to which Mrs. Headlee also belongs. The Headlees have always enjoyed excellent reputations, being neigh- borly and honorable in all the relations of life. GEORGE TRIECE. It was nearly thirty- five years ago that George Triece came to Ash Grove, and he has ever since been a resident of Greene county, and has been an interesting spectator to the general development of this vicinity. A Hoosier by birth, his earlier life was spent in that state, and most of his active life has been devoted to general farming, but the latter part has been spent as a hotel keeper. He is one of the honored veterans of the great war between the states, having proved his patriotism to his country by fighting in defense of the Stars and Stripes on many a sanguinary field, and he was one of the sufferers at Andersonville prison. Mr. Triece was born in Vermilion county, Indiana, March 26, 1841. He is a son of Samuel and Sarah (Missemor) Triece. The father was born in 1801, in Pennsylvania, and he was a son of Henry Triece, a native of 1036 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. Pennsylvania and of German descent. The latter came from his native state to Vermilion county, Indiana, in 1832, and entered three hundred and twenty acres of land which he farmed until his death in 1850. His son, Samuel Triece, came to Indiana at the same time, and spent the rest of his life farming in Vermilion county, dying there in i860. The mother of the subject of this sketch died in 1872 at the age of sixty-nine years. Politi- cally, the father of our subject was a Democrat, and in religious matters he was a Methodist. George Triece grew to manhood on the old homestead in Indiana and there worked hard when a boy, and he received his education in the com- mon schools. When the Civil war broke out he enlisted in August, 1861, in Company K, Seventy-first Indiana Volunteer Infantry, in which he served one year and was transferred to Company K, Sixth Indiana Cavalry. In fact the former regiment was merely changed into the latter. As infantry the regiment fought at Richmond and Muldo Hill, Kentucky, and as cavalry at Knoxville, under General Burnsides; Kenesaw Mountain, Resaca, Buz- zard’s Roost, and was with General Stoneman on July 20, 1864, on his raid to Macon, Georgia, where our subject was captured and sent to Anderson- ville for three months, then to Florence, South Carolina, for two months, from which prison he was paroled and sent to Savannah, thence to Mary- land, and on home, and was mustered out and honorably discharged June 27, 1865. After the war Mr. Triece returned to Vermilion county, Indiana, and resumed farming which he carried on along general lines until 1880 when he came to Ash Grove, Missouri. He was deputy postmaster here for three years, then operated the Grove House twelve years and the Commercial House nine years, then conducted a grocery store and restaurant two years. He also spent two years in Springfield, and during the past two years has been running a boarding and rooming house in Ash Grove. He has become one of the most widely known men in his vocation in this part of the country, and the traveling public have always found him a genial, obliging and hon- est host. Politically, Mr. Triece is a Republican. He belongs to the John Mat- thews Post, Grand Army of the Republic at Springfield. Mr. Triece was married May 22, 1866, to Lydia McBuey, who was born May 16, 1851, in Fountain county, Indiana. She is a daughter of Daniel and Mary (McKewn) McBuey; they came from Ireland. Mrs. Triece received a limited education. To Mr. and Mrs. Triece four children were born, three of whom are deceased, namely: Charlie L., Millard; the third died in infancy, and Man- dricl M. Triece, the surviving child, is living in Long Beach, California. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1037 JAMES COLEMAN GARDNER. Among those whose military records as valiant soldiers of the great war between the states reflect lasting honor upon them and their descendants is James Coleman Gardner, who has had a varied career and has long been engaged as trustee and receiver in bankruptcy at Springfield, where he has won an honored name by virtue of his consistency to truth, honesty and right living. It was fifty-eight years ago that he first came to the present capital of the Ozark region, then a mere village on the frontier, and he has been identified with the growth of the place ever since, taking a delight in its progress. Mr. Gardner was born near Santa Fe, Murray county, Tennessee, on November 17, 1832. He is a son of Britton D. and Jeanette (Oakley) Gardner. The father was born, September 1, 1808, and was a son of Na- than and Nancy Gardner. Nathan Gardner was of German descent, and in an early day he went west to make his fortune. Britton D. Gardner grew to manhood in Murray county, Tennessee, and there devoted himself to general farming. When the Civil war came on he enlisted in the First Regi- ment, Tennessee Cavalry, Confederate army, and fought gallantly for the cause until killed while fighting in General Forest's brigade at Thomp- son's Station, Tennessee, March 23, 1863. Politically, he was a Democrat, and religiously belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church, South. His wife was born in Murray county, Tennessee, August 22, 1814. She did not long survive after the death of her husband. Their home, which was in the heart of the country overrun by the opposing armies, was destroyed by fire; she was ill at the time, and died from the effects of the exposure, October 17, 1863. Both subjects’ great-grandfathers were soldiers in the Revolutionary war. James C. Gardner grew up on the farm and received a limited edu- cation, attending the district schools about fifteen months, but later in life he educated himself by general home reading. He worked on the farm until 1854, when he went into the dry goods business in Santa Fe, Ten- nessee, for a year. On May 23, 1856, he arrived in Springfield, Missouri, and clerked for some time in a dry goods store. In September, 1862, he enlisted in Company H, Sixty-first Regiment, Tennessee Volunteers, Con- federate army, and proved to be a brave soldier, taking- part in numerous engagements, including Chickasaw Bayou, where he was under fire eight days and nights continuously, and also during the siege of Vicksburg he was under fire at one time continuously for forty-seven days and nights. He had the distinction of firing the first gun in the battle of Black River. He surrendered with the balance of General Pemberton’s army of thirty thousand men at Vicksburg, July 4, 1863. He had been promoted to first GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. IO38 lieutenant for meritorious conduct. He returned to Springfield in 1866 and clerked in a store until 1872, when he went into business for himself, where the Aladdin Theatre is now located. Later taking a farm in Greene county, he moved thereto and continued general farming until 1881, when he moved back to Springfield and resumed clerking. During the past twenty-two years he has been working in the bankruptcy business, as trustee and re- ceiver, and is regarded as an expert in this line and his services have been in great demand. Politically, Mr. Gardner is a Democrat. He is a member of Campbell Camp, No. 488, United Confederate Veterans, which camp was organized by himself and Dan Campbell, and he has been active in its work ever since. Mr. Gardner was married, January 31, 1866, to Mrs. Mary (Evans) Shackleford. She was born in Tennessee, January 31, 1833, and died August 18, 1898. She was a woman of fine Christian sentiment. To Mr. Gardner and wife three children were born, namely: Minnie is at home; Henry E. has also remained a member of the family circle; and Lillian is the wife of J. W. Quade. L. S. KUCKER. A man of unquestioned artistic temperament is L. S. Kucker, who, although practically a new-comer in Springfield, is one of our best known and most highly accomplished photographers, and a man who has made many friends since casting his lot with the people of Greene county. Mr. Kucker, of this review, has made the photograph business a life study and therefore has kept well abreast of the times in all phases of the work as new discoveries and advancements have been made, and he is there- fore one of the most up-to-date photographers in the Southwest. He first began the business in Alta, Iowa, when about twenty years old. He was successful from the start, and, seeking a broader field for the exercise of his talents he removed later to St. Louis, Missouri, and accepted a position as special demonstrator for the Eastman Kodak Company, and he made St. Louis his headquarters until he came to Springfield on December 1, 1909, where he has since remained, and has built up a large and lucrative busi- ness here. He has been in the same location ever since coming here — 314 Boonville street, buying an old studio there. While this place was fairly well suited to his needs, he moved into one of the most attractive and con- venient studios in the state in May, 1915, in the Fraternity building on St. Louis street, a handsome new structure, where he will have modernly ap- pointed, conveniently located and attractive quarters with new and attractive GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. IO39 equipment. He will spare neither pains nor expense in his new studio and will doubtless rank with the best in the Middle West in every respect. Aside from his regular portrait work, Mr. Kucker does a great deal of commercial photography, which has a certain distinctness about it not com- monly found and he is very successful in both lines and is always a vein- busy man, yet never slights any part of his work, planning to do his best always, but promptness and courtesy as well as honesty are his watchwords. He does every kind of work which one can have done at any first-class, up-to-date studio. He is a firm believer in advertising and does a great deal of it, always judiciously. He is a member of the advertising trio watch, “300 Green,” “Walkover,” and “Take ’em all.” He is a member of the Spring- field Club, the Young Men’s Business Club, and the Retailers’ Association. LORENZO PHILLIPS. Among the high-grade and straightforward business men of a past generation who helped to make Springfield the substantial commercial city which we of the present generation take such delight in, was the late Lo- renzo Phillips, who for many years was one of the city’s best known gro- cerymen. He was a man who bore a reputation for wholesome living in all walks of life and was therefore deserving of the material success he achieved and also the social prestige which was unquestionably his. Mr. Phillips was born in Greene county, Missouri, September 23, 1866. He is a son of Thomas and Elizabeth Phillips, who were natives of the state of Tennessee where they grew up, were educated and married. Thomas Phillips became a prosperous farmer and extensive mule dealer in his na- tive state, from which, however, he finally removed to Greene county, Mis- souri, where his death occurred a number of years ago. Llis family con- sisted of eleven children, seven of whom are still living, namely : Marion, Monroe, Jesse, Thomas, Warrie, Vida and Lorenzo. Lorenzo Phillips grew to manhood in Greene county and received his education in the common schools and here he engaged in farming until his marriage, after which he went into the grocery business in which he con- tinued with ever-increasing success up to within two years of his death. The L. Phillips Grocery, located on South street, Springfield, of which he was proprietor, was well patronized by the best people of the city, for there they always found a large and well-selected stock of staple and fancy groceries and were dealt with in a courteous and honest manner. The last two years- of our subject’s life were devoted to the bakery business, with equal success. Mr. Phillips was married on November 21, 1886, to Laura Hardesty,. 1040 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. who was born in Audrain county, Missouri, December 18, i860. She is a daughter of Felix and Catherine (Gurton) Hardesty, the former a native of Missouri and the latter of Kentucky. They have both been deceased for some time. Mrs. Phillips received good educational advantages and she taught school several terms. Her father devoted his active life to mercantile pursuits. He located in Springfield when Mrs. Phillips was sixteen years of age and her education was obtained here. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Phillips, namely: Curt, born on August 14, 1887, married Bessie Codel and they live in Springfield; Al- bert, born on July 19, 1889; Marie, born on August 28, 1891, died Septem- ber 23, 1895; Pearl, born on September 25, 1893, is at home; Georgia, born on December 4, 1895, is at home. These children received good educations in the Springfield schools. Politically, Mr. Phillips was a Republican. He remained active in business affairs up to his death which occurred on December 24, 1898. He left his family well provided for, including a pleasant home on South Main street. dr. william McFarland brown. The strength of a man is in a way measured by the amount of perse- cution he can stand, his weakness is never thus tested. Dr. Wm. McF. Brown is a broad-minded symmetrically developed man, whose interest in the public welfare is potent and salutary. He has so thoroughly demonstrated the sincerity of his attitude as a physician and citizen that he now stands secure in the confidence and esteem of a very wide circle of friends and patrons. An insight into the true character of Dr. Brown, may be obtained by noting his application of the following words. The importance of human relation can be no more admirably exempli- fied than in the instance wherein one man can be of just benefit to another man. A good character is the greatest worldly asset of mankind and that whoever seeks to destroy it is worse than he who would steal away your property in the darkness of night. Man’s morality is evidenced by a reason- able degree of self-sacrifice and unassuming display of sympathy and charity commensurate with his ability to act. His bravery by his straightforward way of doing things subservient to a will that meets a moral obligation and a true measure of his success by what he has accomplished. In contradistinction to the old adage that a prophet is not without honor save in his own country, particular interest is attached to the career of Dr. Wm. McFarland Brown, he having been born, reared and has lived his entire life within the confines of the county of which this historical com- GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1041 pendium treats and that he has so directed his ability and effort as to have gained recognition as one of our respresentative citizens and worthy scion of two of our sterling pioneer families. Dr. Brown has not only kept in close touch with the trend of current medical thought and research, but is an appreciative student of all social public and scientific subjects being thus one of the leading physicians in a locality noted for its medical talent. He is a plain unassuming gentleman who has a greater desire to be use- ful than to gain the admiring plaudits of his fellow men. He so much enjoys the discovery of good in other people that he has become a close observer of human character and disposition and depends much more upon what he observes that what he hears, especially self praise or soliloquy, the former being considered by him as inexcusably foolish and funny as the latter except, perhaps, on occasion when the soliloquist wants to hear a smart fellow talk awhile. He was born in Greene county on what is known now as the Duff farm, about ten miles southeast of Springfield, on the 24th day of August, 1861. From childhood he was remarkably vivacious and active, taking a great amount of physical culture which, together with his active farm work during early manhood resulted in the upbuilding of a vigorous constitution which has doubtless served him well during his strenuous professional life, and which in part solves the mystery of his wonderful endurance. He is regular in everything except eating and sleeping, yet he eats and sleeps to live and not to be considered otherwise in a single instance. He is ever content to depend upon his natural reactionary powers for relief from those tired feelings to the exclusion of all other agents. He obtained his literary education in the schools here and vicinity and at Morrisville College, after which, upon urgent request by Dr. Robberson, Dr. Tefft, Dr. Rose and his father, he early decided to follow in the foot- steps of his father in a professional way and having had a decided natural predilection in this worthy field of endeavor, he studied medicine under his father until 1882, when he entered the Missouri Medical College at St. Louis, where he made an excellent record and from which institution he graduated with honor in the class of 1885. Immediately after graduation he located in Springfield, this county, where he practiced for about a year then moved a short distance east among the people who had known him from childhood. Here he met with great encouragement and gained universal confidence which still endures. In the year 1890 he moved on a few miles east to the town of Strafford, this coun- ty, where by meritorious professional work and conduct he built up a very ( 66 ) 1042 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. extensive practice and where he remained until the year 1909, when seek- ing a broader field for the exercise of his talents he located in Springfield, where he has since resided, at once taking his place in the front ranks of the leading practitioners ; he has thus stood secure in the confidence and esteem of the people of this city and community, both as to his professional ability and his personal worth, and is deserving in every way of the large success he has achieved. He has remained a diligent student of all that pertains to his profession and has kept fully abreast of the times in every phase of the same. He has acquired a large amount of real estate, including several farms, a commodious residence on Benton avenue, Springfield, and other city property. The domestic life of Dr. Brown began on December 18, 1890, when he was united in marriage with Alta Catherine Love, the daughter of Robert and Margaret (Piper) Love, a prominent family of Strafford. The father was born in Pike county, Missouri, and the mother was a native of Greene coun- ty, Missouri; they became the parents of ten children. (See sketch and por- trait on another page of this work.) Mrs. Brown was born in 1866, at Strafford, where she grew to woman- hood and received her education. She is a lady of many praiseworthy attri- butes of head and heart. The union of Dr. Brown and wife has been blessed with four children, namely: Mary, who was educated in the public school of Strafford, and at Drury College, married on November 16, 1912. to Junius W. Houston, son of Edward and Florence (Wilson) Houston, a well-known family of Springfield. Mr. Houston is a talented electrician and a promising young business man, having charge of the electrical supplies of the Frisco railroad at the present time. He resides in Springfield and has one child, a daughter, Meredith Brown Houston, who was born on January 6, 1914. The other children of Doctor and Mrs. Brown are Robert Addison Brown, who was educated in the public school at Strafford and Drury Col- lege, and is now living at home; Hermosa Rose Brown, who is in Ward- Belmont College, Nashville, Tenn., and Maxie Eleanor, who is at home. Politically, Mr. Brown is a Democrat, but is duly considerate and appre- ciative of friendship, efficiency and Irue manhood wherever found. He is a church member, member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Eagles, Court of Honor, Woodmen of the World, Woodmen Circle. Rebekahs, Modern Woodmen of America, Royal Neighbors, Knights and Ladies of Security, Ben-Hur and Society of Colonial Wars. Lie is a man of warm sympathetic impulses, obliging, companionable, and uniformly courteous, with high conceptions of good citizenship and right living. When young in years the father of our subject came with his parents on the long and wearisome overland journey from his native state to Greene GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1043 county, Missouri, when the locality was but little developed and settlers were very few. He first attended school at Green Mountain, North Carolina, and later at Ebenezer Academy, this county, after which he taught school for a few years, then studied law for two years ; then took up the study of medicine under Dr. G. P. Shackelford and completed his medical educa- tion at the McDowell Medical College of St. Louis, Missouri, tie entered upon the practice of his profession near and at Springfield, Missouri, before the Civil war, where he continued during and for some time after hostilities had ceased, thereafter maintaining his home on a fine farm near the Na- tional Cemetery, where he continued practicing until near the end of the century. He was one of the oldest and best and most widely known physi- cians in this county, and a man whom to know was to respect and honor, not only for his ability as a physician, but for his unswerving integrity. Although of southern birth and breeding, he remained neutral during the war between the states, prescribing and caring alike for Federals and Con- federates, which attitude resulted in making him many enemies who did all in their power to annoy him and obstruct his freedom and progress, even their persecutions continuing for years after the war had ended. And these enemies had to cope with the insurmountable effort, and influ- ence of his many true friends, exemplified in one instance when John Pickle, a Union man, yet his friend and brother Mason, walked in a roundabout way five miles barefooted in the dead hours of night to his home, to apprise him of the plot of a gang of bushwhackers and their appointed hour to take his life, thus enabling him to escape unharmed. And in another when Dr. E. T. Robberson, who was the physician in charge of the Federal hospital, which occupied the old building which still stands at the George M. Jones place between Sherman street and Springfield avenue, extended to him a hand in friendship and professional fellowship, thus lending him material aid in his efforts to obtain a living, and at whose hands the climax of assist- ance came when he sent Doctor Brown, accompanied by wife and a guard, to treat Col. John A. Lee, who Was sick at Galena, Missouri, with pneumonia, where he remained at the bedside of the colonel until convalescent, leaving his two children, Alice and William McFarland, at home in the care of Will- iam Porter's family, whereupon Col. John A. Lee enjoyed the discovery of the sterling qualities and medical ability of Doctor Brown, and in prompt accord therewith sent orders to headquarters at Springfield to immediately and continuously remove all obstacles to his necessities, liberties and pleas- ures to the peril of all violators. But he was of an amiable and peaceful disposition, which doubtless prevented him from receiving harsher treatment at the hands of his ene- mies. He was a member of the Masonic order and occupied a high position in 1044 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. all circles in which he moved. He lived to reach an advanced age, death result- ing from pneumonia at his home on the 17th day of February, 1894, after a useful and commendable life, and his name will be perpetuated in local history as being one of Greene county’s ablest and most popular pioneer physicians. He was of English descent by both parents, having descended through his mother from Rev. Stephen Batcheler, of England, an Oxford graduate who founded the city of Hampton, New Hampshire, and who was presented to the living of Wherwell County Haunts by Sir Thomas West, the second Baronet De LaWare, father of Lord Delaware, who gave his name to the Delaware river, for sixteen years he was vicar of Wherwell. Dr. Joseph Addison Brown, the father of our subject, was a blood relative to John G. Whittier, the poet; Daniel Webster, the statesman; Hon. Justin S. Morrill, United States senator from Vermont; Hon. M. B. Allison, United States senator from Iowa; Gov. Benjamin F. Butler, of Massachu- setts; John Bachelder, the inventor of indispensable parts of the sewing machine, and many other noted people. John D. Brown, LL. D., the paternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was a native of Randolph county, North Carolina, and a son of Henry Brown, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary army, as shown by Colonial Records of North Carolina, Vol. XVI, page 1022. From the old Tar state he removed to Arkansas in a very early day, and soon there- after came on to Greene county, Missouri, locating on a large tract of wild prairie land a few miles southwest of the hamlet of Henderson, which land he converted into an excellent farm by persistent and careful management, and there spent the remainder of his life, dying of smallpox in the year 1863. He was a dignified and courageous gentleman, possessed of a great amount of natural intelligence and tact and, by profession, a lawyer. Politically, he was a Democrat and a local leader in his party, but was a man who always considered the public good first. He took an active interest in public life both in North Carolina and Missouri. While in North Carolina he filled the following offices and positions, namely: Justice of the peace, being appointed by the governor of the state; probate judge of Randolph county; president of Springfield Female College, and later judge of the court of chancery until he left the state. While in Greene county, Missouri, he was justice of the peace, county school commissioner for several years, and twice his party’s candidate for representative. He was very successful in a business way, and at the breaking out of the war of the rebellion was one of 1 the wealthy men of the county, but he, like nearly all of those who lived in this locality during those troublous days, lost heavily. His widow, whose maiden name was Jean Bray, survived him three decades, being well past her ninetieth birthday when she was summoned to the Silent Land as a result of pneumonia. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1045 To John D. and Jean (Bray) Brown, the following children were born: Emeline married William Jessup, who established their home at Jamestown, Arkansas; Lydia, w'ho has long been deceased, was the wife of Anderson Pendleton, of Christian county, Missouri, and at her death left one child; Jane married Eli Jessup, also of Christian county; John D., Jr., who located at Lead Hill, Arkansas, served through the Civil war in the Confederate army under Gen. Sterling Price, and was once wounded; Dr. Eli B., who became a physician at Billings, Missouri, also served in the Confederate army and was shot through the shoulder in one of the numerous engagements in which he participated; William T. was a soldier in the Union army about a year, and was honorably discharged on account of having suffered a sun- stroke, which thus disabled him from further service; Dr. G. P. S., who was graduated from the St. Louis College of Physicians and Surgeons, estab- lished himself in the practice of his profession at Nixa, Christian county, and Dr. Joseph A., father of the immediate subject of this sketch. The wife of John D. Brown is credited with the honor of naming Christian county. John D. Brown, together with Gov. John S. Phelps, was sent at one time as special delegate to interview President Jackson in the interest of this part of the country, being accompanied by his son, the father of our subject. To Dr. Joseph A. and Martha A. (McFarland) Brown, parents of our subject, the following children were born: Alice, who married Joseph Dan- forth, of Greene county, and who died April 2, 1914, of tetanus, the germ having been received into a small finger wound while preparing garden ; Dr. William McFarland, who is next to the eldest; Henry and James both dying in infancy, James having died at the age of one year as a result of swallowing glass; Jamie married C. J. Edmondson, of Greene county; Joseph Edwin, who resides in Springfield ; Martha, who is deceased ; and Daniel Keating, who is in California. Hon. William McFarland, the maternal grandfather of the subject of this review, removed from Cooper county,- Missouri, in a very early day, settling at the big Jones spring, where he built and operated one of the first grist mills in this country and where the old mill race foundation still stands, as a landmark of his ingenuity and industry. Here he received and gratified patrons from the country far and near. He was successful in this business. Later he became an extensive farmer and stockman and became quite wealthy, owning about a thousand acres of fertile land, a great many slaves, and an abundance of other personal property. His home was situated four miles southeast of Springfield, being the same as was later owned and occupied by Dr. Joseph Addison Brown, the father of our subject. A part of his land joined up with that of Gov. John S. Phelps, just outside of the city 1046 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. limits. He was a line example of self-made man, a natural born leader, who was possessed of rare ability and general information, and was an eloquent and forceful public speaker, whose personality, knowledge and evident inter- est in the public welfare placed him in demand on many occasions, especially during political campaigns. Politically, he was originally a Whig, but became a Republican at the birth of that party, which held him in abiding faith the remainder of his life, death resulting from poisoned water, which set cooling out on a shelf, thus rendered, it was believed, by the fiendish impulse of an intractable slave whom he had sold on account of gross disobedience. Although a slave owner, he was merely such by custom and apparent neces- sity and not by principle, for he was a man imbued with the spirit of sym- pathy and humanity, never having struck a slave but one time in his life, and that was Stephen, the neighborhood fiddler, upon the violation of his orders by proceeding to play for a dance at a house of questionable repute. This occasion brought tears to the old master's eyes while pleading with Stephen to be honorable and thus avoid the obligation of treating a man as some men treat an animal. He took an active part in the political affairs of this county, being twice elected to the state Legislature, defeating the paternal grandfather of our subject in both campaigns. He was also at one time sheriff of this county. Llis wife was Patsy Roberts, one of the two children of John and Rebecca (Langley) Roberts, who removed from Kentucky to Greene county, Mis- souri. about the year 1830. John Roberts was a typical pioneer, very strong, and a man whose courage was never doubted. Lie delighted in the crucial tests of physical manhood, and gloried in his ability to surmount the obstacles allotted to his pathway. He was a great hunter, in the pursuit of which he felt no terror at the sight of a redskin crouched behind a rock or the vicious inhabitants of the woods nearby, having at one time near a sink hole in the east field of what is now known as the Joe McCraw farm down by old Mt. Pisgah church, attacked and killed a large bear with no other weapon than his dirk knife. He lived and conducted a mill and distillery at the big Jones spring, where he prospered for a number of years, and later was coroner of Greene county. He was shot and killed by an enemy on the public square of Spring- field whom he had previously frightened by a fun-making snap of his spec- tacle case. His enemy had threatened him, which only served to stimulate his mischievous attitude and he was unarmed when the fatal moment came. His bodily remains still rest on the hilltop by that noted spring marked by a tomb hewn from the native rock by the hands of a fellow pioneer. The wife of John Roberts was a good, industrious woman, bearing, it is said, a strong resemblance to Gen. Winfield Scott, and who lived to the GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1047 advanced age of about ninety years, and died suddenly while sitting in a chair. She left a great many nice things of her own handiwork, which are still in existence, scattered among her posterity, and the occasional display of which serves to remind us of her great worth and importance in a genera- tion long gone by. Patsy McFarland evidently inherited her father's nerve, as shown on an occasion of her return from the Holland bank to her home late one evening, when she was attacked by a highway robber, whom she beat into a state of insensibility with her walking cane, when old and very decrepit. The children of Hon. William and Patsy (Roberts) McFarland were: Rebecca, the wife of John Pursley, who is deceased; Harriet Green- lee, who was honored with the title of “Mother of Springfield" before her death; George, who is still living in Greene county; John T. ; William; Nancy, wife of Abner Galbraith; Lucinda, wife of Robert A. Mack; all being deceased, and James, a prosperous resident of Tulare, California. Dr. William McFarland Brown is a direct descendant of Christopher Hussey, who married a daughter of Stephen Bachiler, who would only give his consent to the marriage on condition that they would sail with him for America. This agreement was complied with and, about 1631, they embarked for America. About the year 1639, Christopher Hussey was appointed a justice of the peace in Newbury, Massachusetts, a position of dignity and importance in early days. He was also one of the purchasers of Nantucket, Massachusetts, but did not remove there. He and his father- in-law were proprietors of Hampton, New Hampshire, where they finally settled, and from 1658 to 1672 was deputy or representative to the general court, having been elected to this position. THOMAS H. BRADLEY. One of the chief concerns of every man in the productive period of his life is to accumulate sufficient means to enable him to properly care for him- self and family in old age. Many men start out with the best of intentions, but err in business judgment and find themselves penniless in old age. Others seem to be followed by unfortunate circumstances classified under the gen- eral heading of “hard luck.” Thomas FI. Bradley has exercised such sound judgment and persistency in his active career that he has been able to earn a good livelihood and rear his family in comfort and respectability, notwith- standing the usual adversities that occasionally beset the pathways of everv mortal. Mr. Bradley was born in Sumner county, Tennessee, September 17, 1844. He is a son of Isaac F. and Sarah (Mabery) Bradley, an excellent 1048 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. old Tennessee couple who devoted many years to successful farming in Sum- ner county. The father received excellent educational advantages and was a good scholar. He was born in 1820 and died March 8, 1879. Mrs. Brad- ley was born in 1820 and died March 9, 1906. Thomas H. Bradley grew up on the home farm. As a lad he was not very strong and his education was limited. He left his native state early in 1855, and arrived in Greene county, Missouri, on April 5th of that year, locating on a farm near Springfield, when the place was a small village. He continued to follow farming here until 1879, when he established a livery business in Springfield, which he conducted until 1886, when he sold out and went back to farming, which he carried on with his usual success until 1894, when he moved back to Springfield and did a general live stock and trading business until in October, 1913, when he bought a livery, feed and sale stable at 1220 North Campbell street, which he conducted until recently. Mr. Bradley enlisted during the early part of the Civil war in Greene county, in the Seventy-second Regiment, State Militia, in which he served for some time, later enlisting in Company E, Sixteenth Missouri Cavalry, under Captain Headley, serving ten months, but was not in any engagements. During the latter part of the war he married and hired a substitute to fill out his military service. Mr. Bradley married in Greene county, in September 16, 1863, Mary Louisa Akin, who was a daughter of Lafayette and Patsey (Stricklin) Akin, who were both born in Tennessee, east of the Cumberland mountains. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Bradley, named as follows: Thomas Franklin is the eldest: John Harvey is deceased; Mrs. Lola May Smith, William W., Samuel L., Robert Lee lives in Kansas City; Mrs. Evella Stocker lives in Kansas City ; Luella is deceased ; Elsie is also deceased. Our subject owns several valuable pieces of city property here. Mrs. Bradley is a member of the Baptist church. Politically, our sub- ject is a Republican. ROBERT LOVE. The history of Greene county reveals the handiwork of many a noble soul who wrought heroically and unselfishly. Her smiling fields and splen- did homes, her high-grade institutions, her happy, prospering people speak volumes of some one’s steadfastness of purpose, of some one’s strength of arm, courage of heart, activity of brain — of some one’s sacrifice. But time, that ruthless obliterator, before whose destroying fingers even the stubborn granite must, in the end succumb, is ever at his work of disintegration. Be- neath his blighting touch even memory fails, and too often a life of splendid MR. AND MRS. ROBERT LOVE. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1049' achievement is forgotten in a day. Lest we forget, then, as Kipling ad- monishes us in his superb “Recessional," regarding a number of important things that should not be forgotten, this tribute to the memory of the late Robert Love is penned. Pioneer merchant, successful agriculturist, a public- spirited, brave, kindly, generous man, it is the desire of the biographer, as it must be of all who knew him, that his deeds and his character be recorded for the benefit of those who follow after. Mr. Love was born in Pike county, Missouri, which picturesque locality has been made famous by the late Secretary of State, John Hay, in his “Ballads from Pike," the date of the former’s birth having been March 26, 1839. He was a son of Andrew and Mary Ann (Muir) Love, both long deceased. Our subject was one of four children, namely: Harrison, de- ceased ; Mrs. Margaret Dunn, deceased ; Mrs. Sarah- J. McCullister, de- ceased ; Robert of this memoir. Robert Love was reared in his native county and there received a com- mon school education. At the breaking out of the War of the Rebellion, he joined the Union army and was such a brave and efficient fighter for the cause that he was promoted to lieutenant. He took part in many engage- ments, including the battles of Pea Ridge and Springfield, and was honorably discharged at the close of the war. Before the war he had removed with his stepfather to Greene county on a farm. He sold this place not long after the war and began the mercantile business, selling dry goods at Strafford, being the first store-keeper in that place. He built up a good trade with the surrounding country, his many customers remaining his friends owing to the honest and courteous treatment he accorded them. He was the first man to buy a lot in Strafford. After remaining in business there about a year he resumed farming, but eventually returned to Strafford where he spent the last days of his life and died there on October 29, 1905. Mr. Love was married November 26, 1864, to Margaret C. Piper, who was born near Strafford, April 28, 1842, and there grew to womanhood on a farm. She received a good education in the local schools. Since the death of her husband she has shown rare business tact in managing success- fully her various affairs. She has lived in Strafford twenty-nine years. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. She is a daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Smith) Piper, both now deceased. Mr. Piper was a successful farmer and stock raiser, well and favorably known in this locality. He and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. They emigrated here from Virginia in 1839 and were among the early settlers in Greene county, where Mr. Piper entered land from the government and developed a large and productive farm. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Love, namely : Mrs. Alta C_ 1050 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. Brown lives in Springfield; Mrs. Sarah N. Dishman lives in Jackson town- ship; Florence H. lives at home; Mrs. Mary E. West lives at Nogo, Mis- souri; Mrs. Margaret K. Kepley lives in Taylor township; Maude May died February 4, 1896. Politically, Mr. Love was a Democrat. Fie was a member of the .Masonic fraternity, and belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church. Fie was a man of fine personal character. FRANK A. BEYER. When we are told that such and such a man is a general foreman of no matter what, we know at once that he is a man who possesses native talent and that he has not attained his position at a single bound, but that he has spent years in close application and careful preparation; that he has been faithful to every trust reposed in him and that he is a man of self-reliance and forti- tude. Without any attempt to unduly praise Frank A. Beyer, general foreman of the locomotive department of the new Frisco shops at Springfield, we can truthfully say that he is such a man as we have here indicated. Mr. Beyer, who has spent his active life in railroad service, is a man of Teutonic origin, his birth having occurred in Germany, August 5, 1877. He is a son of Joseph and Margaret (Fleysch) Beyer, both natives of Germany, the father's birth having occurred on November 22, 1861, and the mother was born in 1865. There they grew to maturity, attended school and were married and spent their earlier years, emigrating to America more than three decades ago. The mother died in Topeka, Kansas, in 1904, and in that city still resides the father. He is a machinist by trade. It was in the early eighties that he came to that city from his native country and there he has since resided. He soon found employment in the shops of the Santa Fe railroad in Topeka and he has since worked there in this capacity. His family consists of five children, namely: Frank A. of this review, he being the only one born in the old country; Rosa, Tressey, Anna and Emma. Frank A. Beyer was a small boy when he came to the United States, and he grew to manhood in Topeka, Kansas, and there attended the common schools, the high school and a business college, and was thus well equipped when he began life for himself. When a boy he began his career as rail- roader, serving his apprenticeship in the Santa Fe shops at Topeka, and later worked at many different places on that system, during a period ofl eight years. In 1904 he came to Springfield and began working as ma- chinist in the North Side shops. When the new shops were opened he was promoted to the position of erecting foreman and in 1910 was promoted to GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. I05 1 general foreman of the locomotive department which responsible position he still holds, having a large number of skilled mechanics under his direction. Mr. Beyer was married on August 17, 1899, in Topeka, Kansas, to Carrie Mohmeyer, who was born in Louisville, Kentucky, September 7. 1882. She is a daughter of Henry ancl Anna (Sutter) Mohmeyer. Her father is a trunk maker by trade. Two children have been born to our subject and wife, namely: Frank, born August 24, 1900, is attending Springfield high school ; and Mary Etta, born October 1, 1906. Politically, Mr. Beyer is a Democrat, and fraternally he belongs to the Woodmen of the World, the Eagles and the Germania Hall Society. He is also a member of the Masonic lodge, including the Shriners. ROBERT B. LOVE. D. V. S. Greene county has never had a more efficient, progressive and popular veterinary physician and surgeon than Dr. Robert B. Love, a man of state- wide reputation, who seemed to have a natural aptitude and liking for this calling when a mere boy, and from that time to the present he has left no stone unturned whereby he could advance himself in the same, remaining a close student of everything pertaining to this science, observing, investi- gating and experimenting. His counsel has been frequently sought by his professional brethren and invariably followed with gratifying results, his ad- vice in any phase of the profession being accepted as unqualified authority. His modernly equipped hospital in Springfield is known to all horsemen in southwest Missouri and he has built up an extensive and lucrative patronage during his long years of residence here. An admirer and expert judge of horses of superior breed he always keeps a number of animals, owning three stallions at this writing which have few peers in the country. Dr. Love was born in Webster county, Missouri, February 5, 1873. He is a scion of a sterling' ancestry, some of the Loves having been distinguished military men in the early wars of the nation and influential citizens of Virginia and Tennessee. He is a son of Thomas C. and Sallie Jane (Rodgers) Love. The father is a retired resident of Springfield, having been a suc- cessful farmer in Webster county during the active years of his life, and in that county his birth occurred in 1844, soon after his parents. Thomas B. and Elizabeth (Barnard) Love settled there, having emigrated from Ten- nessee. Thomas B. Love was born in North Carolina and was a son of Gen. Thomas Love, who was a native of Ireland, from which country he emigrated to the United States in old Colonial days and he became a sol- I0 5 2 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. dier in the Revolutionary war, finally become coloner of a North Carolina regiment. Later he moved into Tennessee and became a general of militia and a great man there, serving thirty years consecutively in the state legis- lature. His oldest son, Robert, was a colonel in the War of 1812 and fought under Jackson at New Orleans. The family has always been lovers of liberty and have unhesitatingly taken an active part in the wars in which this country has been involved at various times. Thomas B. Love, grand- father of the subject of this sketch, entered six hundred acres of land upon his arrival in Webster county, and this he cleared and developed and thereon established the permanent home of the family. His son, Thomas C. Love,, father of our subject, became owner of the homestead, which he retained up> to a few years ago, when he sold it, retiring from active life as a farmer and moving to Springfield, as before indicated. Thomas B. Love owned about two dozen slaves at the time of his death, which occurred in 1852,. after a residence of only a decade in the Ozarks. He was a man of humani- tarian impulses and was also very considerate in his treatment of his slaves. Llis family consisted of nine children. The oldest son joined a company for the Mexican war, became a first lieutenant, but died on the march to Mexico. The widow of Thomas B. Love died in 1869. Thomas C. Love, mentioned above, grew to manhood on the home farm in Webster county, and when the Civil war came on he enlisted in the Confederate army, a Missouri cavalry regiment, under General Marmaduke and proved to be a gallant soldier. He still carries a pistol ball received in a battle in Arkansas. He was also in prison on two different occasions for some time. When his brigade was defeated in battle at Mines Creek, Kansas, where General Mar- maduke and Cabell and a large number of the men were captured, he made a sensational escape by swimming a dangerous stream, and later joined a reorganized body of the same troops in Texas and served until the close of the war, surrendering at Shreveport, Louisiana, in June, 1865. After the war he devoted three years to the management of a plantation in Texas, raising cotton, then returned to Webster county, Missouri, and carried on general farming and live stock raising until 1892, when he turned his farm into an apple orchard. He first moved to Springfield in 1883 to educate his children, moving back to the farm in 1899, and in 1911 again took up his residence in the Queen City. He was formerly active in the Democratic party and served one term in the state legislature in 1882. In 1893 he was appointed postmaster at Springfield, which office he held four years. The mother of Dr. Robert B. Love was a daughter of R. W. Rodgers and wife, of Texas county, Missouri. This family is of Scotch-Irish de- scent and became known in the New World at an early day. The grand- father of Mrs. Love took up his residence in Texas county long before the GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1053 opening of the Civil war and became an extensive lumberman and well known to the early pioneers of that section. Mrs. Love grew to womanhood in her native locality and received her education in the early schools there. Her death occurred May 20, 1912. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas C. Love, namely : Dr. Joseph W., of Springfield; Dr. Robert B., of this sketch; Thomas B., an attorney, of Dallas, Texas; Ralph M., a banker, of Mt. Pleasant, Texas; Edgar P., a manufacturer, of Dallas, Texas; two sons died in early life. Dr. Robert B. Love grew to manhood on the homestead in Webster ■county and there did his share of the general work when he was a boy. He received his early education in the district schools. He came to Spring- field in 1881 and served as money-order clerk at the postoffice for three and a half years. Prior to that time he spent a term in Drury College, after which he entered the Western Veterinary College at Kansas City, where he made rapid progress and from which institution he was graduated in 1898-99. He was valedictorian of his class. Returning to Springfield he opened an office and has been engaged in the practice of his profession here ever since, each year showing a further advancement than the preceding. He has maintained the same office all the while, his hospital on Convention Hall avenue is equipped with all up-to-date appliances and apparatus to in- sure prompt and high-grade service. He has kept fully abreast of the times in his chosen line of endeavor and has long ranked among the leading veterinary physicians and surgeons of the state, and for many years has held the office of deputy state veterinarian of Missouri, having served in this capacity under the past five governors of the state. His long reten- tion is evidence of his ability and satisfaction. In 1899 he took a post-gradu- ate course in the Western Veterinary College. He has had a large practice here from the first, and is often called to various parts of the state on consultation. He was placed in charge of all the territory south of the Frisco lines on the tick-eradication work several years ago. During the Boer war. Doctor Love was hired by the British govern- ment as chief veterinarian in charge of steamship Kclvingrove, which carried a load of mules from New Orleans to Cape Town, South Africa, for the army. He did his work so thoroughly and ably -that the English officials complimented him highly, reporting that he had made the best record in transporting animals from New Orleans to South Africa ever made for the British government up to that date. He lost but two mules out of nine hundred and ninety-nine on the entire voyag'e. While in South Africa Doctor Love was offered a position as chief of veterinary hospital and outfitting army station at Queenstown. After traveling over the southern portion of the Dark Continent he visited the important cities of England, visiting Paris during the World’s Fair in 1900. 1054 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. Doctor Love was married, July n, 1894, to Mable M. Williams, who was born in Springfield, December 19, 1873. She is a daughter of John and Julia (Vinton) Williams, a prominent family of this city, the father having- been a leading hardware merchant here for many years, but is now living- in retirement. A complete sketch of this family appears on another page of this volume to which the reader is respectful referred. Mrs. Love grew to womanhood in this city and received a good education in the local schools. The union of the Doctor and wife has resulted in the birth of three children, namely: Robert W., born July 2, 1896, is attending- high school; George McDaniel, born October 18, 1901, is in school; and John Thomas, born March 17, 1905, is also a student. Politically, Doctor Love is a Democrat, but professional duties have prevented him from taking a very active part in political affairs. Fra- ternally, he belongs to the Loyal Order of Moose, having passed all the chairs in the local lodge up to dictator. He was brought up in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, the family attending the Christ Episcopal church. For recreation the Doctor formerly devoted considerable time to rod and gun, and is an expert shot, but of late years he has had little time to devote to sportsmanship owing to his extensive practice. Our subject is an ardent lover of good horses and is an enthusiastic breeder of thoroughbred and saddle horses, and has sold more of them than, perhaps, any other breeder in Missouri. He has often acted as judge at various county fairs within a radius of two hundred miles of Spring-field. He is at this writing owner of three of the finest and most valuable stallions in the state, namely: “P. J." 0167, is one of the fastest and best breeding- combination stallions, and one that has sired more high-class, level-headed family horses than any other horse in this section, a horse that has shown two-minute speed and possesses unquestionable disposition for which his gets are also noted. The year book shows that “P. J.” was one of the gamest and most successful race horses in his day. He has been shown in almost all the street fairs and show rings in the vicinity of Spring-field and has never met defeat. His last appearance was at the Springfield show, October 9, 1909, for combination stallion with five of his gets, competition advertised open to the world. “Peacock Chief’ 1585, is the durable saddle stallion that has been advertised without successful contradiction, to show more gaits both under the saddle and in his gets than all the rest of the saddle stallions in Greene county combined. Chief has sired more high- priced saddle colts than any other saddle stallion ever having made a season in Greene county, many of his colts having sold from one thousand to eighteen hundred dollars. “Hot” 70649 (79746) Percheron stallion, was im- ported from France for the Charles Holland stock farm, and purchased by GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1055 Doctor Love in January, 1914, whose pedigree shows him to be one of the richest bred Percheron stallions in the United States, and unquestionably the best stallion for this section ever imported by the Holland stock farm, one of the most noted farms of its kind in the state. ALPHONSUS F. FINE. One of the best known retail grocerymen in Springfield is Alphonsus F. Fine, who has been engaged in this line of endeavor on the South Side for a period of twenty-five years, during which time his prestige as a straightforward and conscientious business man and substantial citizen has constantly increased. He did not begin his career with the get-rich-quick idea, but sought to advance himself along steady and legitimate .lines, so shaping his course that each succeeding year has found him further ad- vanced and with a wider circle of friends. Mr. Fine was born in Greene county, Missouri, January 30, 1871. He is a son of Felix F. and Martha (Gesford) Fine. The father was born in St. Louis county, Missouri, in 1833, and he is now making his home with our subject in Springfield, having attained the advanced age of four score years. His wife was born in St. Francis county, this state, in 1840, and her death occurred in Springfield in 1886, when forty-six years of age. These parents received limited education in the early-day schools and were married in St. Louis county in 1858. They removed to Greene county in 1867 and here Felix F. Fine went into the nursery business, the Fine Nurseries being located three miles west of Springfield, and he made a success of this business, enjoying a large patronage, sending his trees all over this portion of the state. He studied the business thoroughly and understood every phase of it, and took great pleasure in the work. Mr. Fine formerly took considerable interest in political matters, and was elected judge of the county court in 1882 and re-elected in 1884, on the Democratic ticket and he filled the office most acceptably and satisfactorily. He is a member of the Catholic church. He is well known throughout the county and highly respected. He and his wife had but the one child, our subject. Alphonsus F. Fine grew to manhood in Greene county and assisted his father with the nursery business when he was a boy. He obtained his edu- cation in the district schools for the most part, and in 1890 engaged in the grocery business with his father, who was connected with W. F. Durbin under the firm nanie of Fine & Durbin. In 1897 ' ie engaged in this business, for himself at the corner of College and Market streets, where he remained twelve years, and five years ago moved to his present location at 329-331 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. IO56 East Walnut street, where he has a modernly appointed, well-stocked and at- tractive store, carrying a complete line of staple and fancy groceries and employs a number of assistants. He enjoys a very large trade, including many of the leading families of the city. Mr. Fine was married, October 20, 1897, in Springfield, to Margaret Coughlin, who was born in Paola, Kansas, August 10, 1875. She received a good common school education. After the death of her father she re- moved with her mother to Springfield. To Mr. and Mrs. Fine five children have been born, namely: Gesford F., born March 9, 1899; Margaret, born December 25, 1901; Eululie, born June 10, 1903; Marion, born July 14, 1906; and Martha, born July 1, 1912. Politically, Mr. Fine is a Democrat. Fraternally, he belongs to the Knights of Columbus, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Royal Arcanum and the Modern Woodmen. Religiously, he is a member of the St. Agnes Catholic church. LUTHER QUINTER McCARTY. The name of the late Luther Quinter McCarty needs no introduction to the readers of this volume, if indeed, it needs any formal presentation to readers anywhere, for that name has been printed repeatedly throughout the world, and it has attracted much attention and aroused both admiration and regret — admiration owing to his physical prowess, and regret that his brilliant career as one of the greatest athletes of modern times should have terminated so soon and so tragically. But we are reminded of the saying of the ancient Greeks, the wisest people the earth has ever pro- duced, that “whom the gods love die early.’’ Those same Greeks, also the Romans, were great admirers of athletes, and the latter nation •especially boasted of its fine specimens of manhood. The Olympic games held in those remote days were national affairs and attended by emperors, senators, famous generals and men of letters, and the victors at these great fetes— the winning athletes — were lionized by the fashionable and cultured, and myrtle wreaths were placed upon their brows as symbols of victory, these wreaths being coveted almost as much as crowns of royalty. And from that epoch down to the present, the world has never ceased to admire and applaud the man who is capable of showing superior physical ability just as much as he who achieves fame in the realm of intellect. Many thinking people of today are saying that we, as a nation, neglect the phy- sical development of the youth of the land and place too much emphasis upon business qualifications, and are advocating that more encouragement GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1057 be given to a stronger, purer physical manhood. Surely no one could object seriously to clean athletic sports, and the man who excels, as did Mr. McCarty, is entitled to the plaudits of his fellowmen. Physically he was an Apollo, and personally a prince of good fellows; no kinder heart or broader .sympathy could have been found among the young men in this country. His career was short, but it was brilliant, like the meteor that flames along the horizon for a moment, then disappears in darkness. Luther Q. McCarty, for some time white heavyweight champion pugi- list of the world, was born on a ranch near Omaha, Nebraska. March 17, 1892. He was a son of Aaron and Margaret McCarty. The mother died when our subject was an infant, and the future champion lived in various homes when a boy, but later the father remarried and the boy was partly reared by his stepmother. The father, Dr. Aaron McCarty, known as “White Eagle, the Indian doctor,” spent his earlier life in Nebraska, but for a number of years he has made his home in Ohio and he and his second wife are residents of the city of Picjua, that state. Dr. McCarty is a giant in size, measuring six feet and eight inches and weighing three hundred and fifteen pounds. Luther 0 . McCarty received a meager education in the public schools of Nebraska, and later in life became a well-informed man by wide travel and contact with the world. He was endowed with good common sense and learned quickly. He was the right kind of man to make a good pugilist. He never had the bad habits that wreck so many of the young men of the world. There was no taint of easy living to be worked out of his system. He was a working man from the start. He was brought up on the farm, where he lived in the open air all the time, riding horses, herding cattle, working hard, and it was this free life on a western ranch that aroused in him a love for horses which characterized his subsequent career, and, useless to add, that he was an expert rider and horseman. Nothing delighted him more than to “break” an unruly broncho. When a pood lad, he admired the great saddles of the cowboys, and it was his ambi- tion to own one when he grew up. This desire was gratified beyond his youthful dreams, for during the last year of his life he had made to order a very fine saddle, beautifully studded with silver and various trappings that would have been the envy of any Indian chieftain in the country, paying the sum of seven hundred dollars for the saddle and a special trunk in which to keep it. When he left the ranch, Mr. McCarty went to sea, where he lived the hard life of a common sailor for two or three years. After that he became an iron worker, a bridge builder. This kind of work required nerve, strength and courage and it made McCarty’s sinews like the iron he (67) GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. IO58 handled. When he left that trade, having had his leg broken in an accident,, he went back to the West again and took up the old cowboy life. There he accidentally had occasion to take on a glove fight and discovered that he was fitted for the profession that brings in the money faster than any other open to a man without a college training. He not only had the physical strength and agility, but he had also one of the most important qualities which a boxer can have — intelligence. When in the ring he needed no coaching or advice from his seconds, he used his own brains. Entering the ring when about eighteen years old, his first fight was at Swift Current, for which he received only fifteen dollars. His rise was perhaps the most rapid of any prize ring star in the history of pugilism, and his last battle, about eighteen months after his first, brought him many thousands of dollars, and during that brief period he earned about one hundred thousand dollars. In all he engaged in twenty-three battles and won sixteen of them with knockouts. Four of the other seven were ten- round, no-decision bouts, two were six-round, no-decision bouts, and one, the last, was to have been a ten-round fight. He won over such widely known pugilists as Carl Morris, A 1 Kaufman, Jim Flynn and A 1 Palzen Upon the defeat of the last named at Los Angeles, California, January 1, 1913, he was given a diamond-studded belt, valued at five thousand dollars, and was the recognized white heavyweight champion of the world, which honors he retained five months, or until his untimely death. Mr. McCarty was married at Sidney, Ohio, May 28, 1907, to Rhoda Wright, who was born November 9, 1888, in Sidney, Ohio, and there grew to womanhood and was educated in the common schools. She is a daugh- ter of Theodore and Amanda ( Stumpff ) Wright, both natives of that place, also where they grew up, were educated, married and established their home. The father was born January 23, 1855, and his death occurred at Sidney, February 26, 1914. The mother was born March 23, 1852, and she still lives in Sidney. Mr. Wright devoted his active life to general farming, also operated a threshing machine. Politically he was a Democrat, and fraternally a member of the Masonic Order. His family consisted of six children. To Luther 0 . McCarty and wife one child was born, a daughter, Cor- nelia Alberta McCarty, the date of whose birth was February 14, 1911. Mrs. McCarty and daughter make their home in Springfield. The deceased champion was very fond of his little daughter, and intended retiring from the ring on her account after he had amassed a sufficient fortune to live comfortably the rest of his life and provide for her in every way, especially giving her an excellent education. He left a large bank account and valuable property at Venice, California, and elsewhere. The death of Luther 0 . McCarty occurred at Calgary, Province of GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1059 Alberta. Canada, May 24, 1913. The exact cause has never been fully determined. He was engaged in a bout with Arthur Pelkey, and in less than three minutes after the opening of the engagement McCarty fell to the mat and expired almost immediately. It seems certain that he was not killed by a blow from his antagonist. However, such a blow probably had its effects in causing the champion's tragic end. It was at first believed that heart failure was the cause, but this was later doubted by physicians, who found that a dislocation of a vertebra in his neck had taken place, and it was the accepted theory by most that this injury had been caused a few days previous when the champion was riding a bucking mustang and that Pelkey’s blow- caused a further dislocation, resulting in death. The remains of the great athlete were sent to Piqua, Ohio, for burial. The body was viewed by thousands as it lay in state. Beautiful floral tributes were sent by admirers from all over the country. Interment was made in the family lot in Forest Hill Cemetery. The city of Piqua never saw so large a crowd at a funeral. Newspaper representatives from big dailies throughout the country were there covering the funeral, as well as magazine writers of national reputation. The following obituary, written by Billy McCarney, manager of the subject of this memoir, during his successful ring career, appeared in The Ozark Magazine in its issue of June, 1913: “ ‘Luther McCarty, Springfield, Missouri,’ were the last words ever written by the lamented heavyweight champion who went to his death in an orthodox ring engagement with Arthur Pelkey, at Calgary, Alberta, Canada, May 24th. The night preceding the bout, McCarty remained in the city of Calgary instead of returning to his training camp. Where he elected to stay was the best hotel the city of Calgary affords, the Royal King George, and it was on the register of the hotel he inscribed his name and home town. Luther McCarty was essentially a product of the Queen City of the Ozarks. He was heard continually referring to Springfield as the grandest place in the world and no matter when his trips across the country were being routed, he always tried to have it so arranged that he could go through the city he loved. When we were leaving the East to make the trip through Calgary, Luther asked me to try and arrange it so that we could go by way of St. Louis and Springfield, but it was so much out of the way and meant such a sacrifice of time that I declined changing the ticket routing and we made the run by the shortest route, via Chicago. I am sorry that I refused his request. ‘Hhe sudden and unlooked for death of McCarty jarred the whole world, but nowhere did it hit with such teriffic heart aches as it did in Springfield. They loved the big good-natured boy in the city he loved to call home. They had seen him in his budding days, saw him blossom the io6o GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. night he tumbled Carl Morris to the mat and later when he returned from his triumphal, sensational, astounding tour of the West, with the champion- ship of the world in his keeping, it was the people of Springfield who gave him his greatest reception. McCarty returned in full bloom to greet his friends of the early struggling days. Despite the fact that he had won the greatest honor a man of his chosen profession could acquire, he returned to Springfield as just the same plain Luther McCarty they had known here in the days of privation. He did not run to grasp the hands of the big men of the city. It was not his way. With the reception over he jumped on the same horse he had ridden in the early days and rode from place to place meeting the friends he called friends when he was just one of the common herd. His success never turned his head and he never forgot anyone who befriended him in the early days. The religious element did not take kindly to the reception planned for the return of the lad who went forth from Springfield to conquer and, incidentally, placed Springfield on the map, and headed by one individual they made the home-coming of the champion some- what different from what it was planned, but McCarty never once referred to it as an unpleasant memory. His idea of life was that we all travel in our own grooves and it hurt him to know that he had been spoken of so illy by the man who fought the giving of a reception for him. It was not the individual ; it was not a combination of forces working against him ; it was not the stout-hearted friends who battled to have him received properly, that stood out in his mind. It was simply that he loved Spring- field. Despite the harsh things said of him by the man who opposed his being received properly, I am glad to say Springfield loved Luther McCarty. Not Springfield alone, but the world loved the big boy. The world admires a winner, but some are better liked than others, and Luther McCarty was loved to the fullest. I do not recall him ever speaking mean of anyone. He lived a temperate life, was free from profane language, loved his fellow- man and was ready at all times to benefit one in need. The Golden Rule was his motto and he never was so well pleased as when, in his days of prosperity, he was able to help one of those in need. His charity was not of the noisy kind. He was unostentatious in the performance of good deeds and his enjoyment was in knowing he had done something for some- one, that he at some time in his early life would have appreciated having done for him. “In the death of Luther McCarty the world lost a noble character. His loyalty to a friend was unbounded. Appreciation of good done for him was paramount and the one way to awaken him to a point of showing his temper was to have anyone speak disparagingly of his friends. As a companion he was truly lovable. Of a sunny disposition, he loved the good things of life and wanted those nearest to him to share his every pleasure. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1061 His treatment of myself was so perfect and our days of close association so crowded with sweet memories that he will live in my mind for all time. I loved him as a son and he respected me as an obedient son would a father. In our eighteen months of dailv association we never had a cross o ^ word. I did at times chide him for some of his recklessness, but he never answered me back. He knew I had his interest at heart. By his death I lost the dearest pal man ever had, one who knew no wrong. His equal in manly principles will never again grace the profession he adopted. May the dust rest lightly over him.” It would require volumes to hold all that was published about him. The Springfield Daily Leader, in its issue of June 8, 1913, contained an article under the caption of “McCarty and Ketchel,” which we deem worthy of reproduction here: “With the sad taking off of Luther McCarty, the name of his home town, Springfield, Missouri, became temporarily the most talked of place in America. Twice before the Queen City was the central focus point of the Union. The night Carl Morris went down to defeat from the powerful right of Luther McCarty and the day Stanley Ketchel was done to death were the two occasions when, everywhere over the country, this city was foremost in the topics being discussed. Speaking of Ketchel and McCarty, two of the most senational men who ever gained distinction in the sport world, it is strange that this city should have to do with the end of one and the rise of the other. They were two grand characters standing out in bold relief from all others of their profession. Each bore a name, one Stanley, the other Luther, new to fistiana. They both rose meteorically, astonished the world by the character of their ring work, champions of the never-to-be-forgotten kind, and after brief careers each went to a sensa- tional death. From the beginning of their lives to their untimely end these two men, lovable socially and dreaded when in the roped enclosure, traveled in almost parallel lines. Disciples of Nomad by choice, stout-hearted to the point of recklessness, with the love for adventure uppermost in their hearts, it was but natural when they took to boxing that their very temperaments would carry them to the front ranks of their new profession. Both men sprang into prominence from the unknown class over night. It was Joe Thomas, then welter-weight champion of the world, who was the stepping- stone for Ketchel, while Carl Morris answered the same purposes for McCarty. From the first time they attracted attention, McCarty and Ketchel were lionized by the public. Their care-free ways won people to them. The newspapers* of New York attacked both men, but was the result of work on the part of their managers demanding what they figured the right price for services of the men wanted by the New York clubs. The unjustness 1062 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. of their attack on McCarty was so palpable that many other papers took sides with the big boy, and the unwarranted abuse of the New York sport writers cut deep into McCarty’s sensitive brain, but he never once com- plained. Both McCarty and Ketchel survived the attacks and when away from New York were idolized. They both thrived on the adulations they received, loved to be in the limelight and the very air they breathed, they exhaled with a sensational flavor. Dying sensationally as they did, they lived their parts right to the very last earthly move. Even in death, the eyes of the world were focused on them. The train bearing McCarty’s remains was met all along the line by throngs of people who stood about, sad-eyed, talking of the good traits of the boy they all loved. Just so with Ketchel. When the former, on his tour, visited Grand Rapids, Michigan, he made the trip to the Polish cemetery and paid his respects to the grave of Ketchel — the man whom he had always looked upon as his hero. May the memory of both be kept green forever.” OSCAR L. PEAK, M. D. The name of Dr. Oscar L. Peak, of Springfield, will be held in lasting- honor as one of the able physicians who has given loyal service in behalf of suffering humanity in Greene county. Those who know him best are unre- strained in their praise of his genial disposition and his ability as a physician. The large success which has crowned his life work, coupled with his ripe ex- perience and kind heart, lias enabled him to bring comfort, hope and confi- dence to the sick room and he has brought sunshine into many a home. Doctor Peak was born in Buffalo, Dallas county, Missouri, November 20, 1849. He is a son of Reuben T. and Juliet F. (Johnson) Peak. The father was born in McMinn county, Tennessee, in 1824, and his death oc- curred in St. Joseph, Missouri, June 11, 1907. The mother was born in Steubenville, Ohio, July 16, 1828, and her death occurred August 2, 1852, in Buffalo, Missouri. The Doctor’s father received a good college education in Illinois, and after coming to Missouri in pioneer times he taught school in Buffalo. He was also a minister in the Baptist church in later life. A part of his earlier life was devoted to merchandising. His family consisted of six children, namely: Dr. Oscar L., of this sketch; Loren J., deceased; Mary A. lives in St. Joseph, Missouri; William C. lives in Aline, Oklahoma; Edward C. lives in Modena, Utah, and Dr. Frank is a practicing physician in Pratt, Kansas. Dr. Oscar L. Peak received a good common school education, later at- tending Shurtleff College in Illinois, after which he took a course in a medi- GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. IO63 cal college in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he was graduated with the class of 1878, and in 1886 he took a post-graduate course in St. Louis, Missouri. He began the practice of his profession in Pratt county, Kansas, in 1878, and remained there until 1893. He took an interest in public affairs there and was county superintendent of public instruction of Pratt county, Kansas, in the eighties. He was United States pension surgeon in Pratt county for over ten years. He enjoyed a good practice in that field, but in 1893 he left it and took up his residence in Springfield, Missouri, where he has since re- mained. He first established his office on the south side of the public square, later moving to the north side of the city, with an office at 410^2 East Com- mercial street, where he is still located. He has built up a large practice and is one of the best known general practitioners in the county. Doctor Peak was married, April 13, 1880, in Pratt, Kansas, to Eliza- beth Viola Moore, who was born in Van Buren county, Iowa, June 6, 1862. She is a daughter of Thaddeus S. and Samantha A. (Richey) Moore. The latter was a daughter of James E. and Elizabeth (Parker) Richey. Mr. Moore was a cabinet maker by trade. He was born in 1834 and is now liv- ing in California. He is a first cousin of Thomas Moore, the famous Irish poet. The mother of Mrs. Peak was born in 1837 and died September 8, 1885. Mrs. Peak is a graduate of the Woman’s Medical College of St. Louis. This college suspended operations several years ago. Five children have been born to Doctor Peak and wife, namely: Burt, born February 22, 1881, in Pratt. Kansas, died February 28, 1882; Bird C., born May 20, 1882, married William A. Minor, superintendent of Lieut W. Weiler’s force pump factory at Rochester, New York, and they are the par- ents of one child, Oscar E. Minor; Bessie O., born September 12, 1883, mar- ried, June 1, 1912, Rev. Paul B. Waterhouse, of Pasadena, Cal., a graduate of Princeton, and they are now living in Hachiman, Japan, where they are engaged in missionary work in Omi Mission. A son was born to them in Tokyo, Japan, February 19, 1915. He was christened Gordon Merrill. Mrs. Waterhouse is a graduate of Drury College, where she was an honor student. She is also a graduate of Hartford (Connecticut) Theological Seminary; Reuben T., born April 30, 1891, lives in Springfield. He attended Drury College, after having graduated in the Springfield high school, later being graduated from the Western Dental College in 1914. He was married in October, 1914, to Miss Helen V. Trenary, of this city. He has an office with his father and is making a good start in his profession; Oscar L., Jr., born May 23, 1893, died June 13, 1893. Doctor Peak is a Republican, of the progressive wing of the party. Fraternally, he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Mod- ern Woodmen of America, the Knights and Ladies of Security, in which he has been financier for a period of ten years. He is also a national trustee 1064 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. of this order. He and his family are members of the First Congregational church. Mrs. Peak is president of the Greene county district of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union. They are both very active workers in the temperance cause. WILLIAM PENN ELSON. It was nearly a half century ago that William Penn Elson came to Boone township, Greene county, Missouri, from the old Buckeye state and here he has resided ever since, doing his part in the general change that has come ‘over the face of the land,” and his labors have benefited alike the com- munity about Ash Grove and himself, for he had little of this world’s goods when he took up his residence on a small farm here just after the close of the war between the states, but by close application and honest dealings he has become one of the substantial agriculturists of the township and owns a large and well stocked farm. Mr. Elson was born in Stark county, Ohio, September 9, 1837, and is therefore now getting well along in years — seventy-seven in number — but is still comparatively hale and hearty, having led a careful life. He is a son of John Harris and Osee (Wilson) Elson. The father was born in Brooks county, West Virginia, October 14, 1806, and was a son of Capt. John Harris and Margaret (Wiggins) Elson. Captain Elson was also born in the last named county and state, the year of his birth being 1769. He was a son of Richard Elson. The latter was a native of Scotland and emigrated to America in old colonial days, and took up a “tomahawk claim” of four hundred acres from the government, in the Old Dominion, now a part of the state of West Virginia, and there he spent the rest of his life engaged in farming, clearing his land and rearing his family of four sons and three daughters. Captain John Harris Elson was an officer in the war of 1812 and also served in the early Indian wars with distinction. His death occurred in 1820. The subject of this sketch is now in possession of his poll-book and many of his papers. His widow survived until 1847. When twelve years of age John Harris Elson, father of our subject, moved to- Stark county, Ohio, and there he engaged in farming the rest of his life, dying in 1898. Politically he was first a Whig and later a Republican. He and Osee Wilson were married in 1833. She was born May 15, 1815. She was a woman of rare intellectual attainments for those days and was a great reader. Her death occurred in 1891. The parents of the subject of this sketch were excellent types of the sturdy citizens of Ohio during the century that is past. WILLIAM P. ELSON. GREENE COUNTY., MISSOURI. 1065 William P. Elson grew to manhood on the home farm where he worked when a boy and he received good educational advantages, having attended the common schools and later Mt. Union College at Alliance, Ohio, after which he engaged successfully in teaching for a number of years in Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. Later he worked at the insurance business in Illinois, and in the town of Fidelity, that state, he clerked and acted as postmaster for three years, then returned to Ohio, where he remained until 1866 when he came to Greene county, Missouri, and purchased eighty acres in Boone township, and here he has since been engaged in general farming and stock raising, and, having prospered with advancing years, is now owner of a tine farm containing two hundred and forty acres under cultivation and forty acres in timber, constituting one of the choicest farms in this part of the county. It is productive, well improved and has on it a large, well-furnished residence and numerous substantial barns and other buildings. Mr. Elson was married, November 2, 1875, to Elizabeth C. Frame, who was born in Montgomery county, Indiana, February 13, i860, and came to Greene county with her father and mother, Samuel Park and Elizabeth E. (Harshburger ) Frame when she was nine years of age. They settled in Center township and were substantial citizens of the early days. Mrs. Elson received her education in Greene county. She has proved to be an excellent helpmeet in every respect. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Elson, namely: Vinnie Ream, born December 23, 1776, is the wife of F. J. Hawkins, a farmer of Boone township: they have three children, Elson C., Carrol and Paul. John Harris, born March 18, 1879, who is in the commissary department of the United States army, is at present stationed at Vera Cruz, Mexico. He is married and has one child, Vinnie. Charles H., born July 1, 1881, is assist- ing with the work on the home farm ; married Laona Wheelock and they have three children, John Harris, Martha E., and Robert B. William Robert, born December 9, 1893, lives on a farm in Boone township; married Frances Hawkins, and they have had two children, Louise and one deceased. Richard P., born November 13, 1887, lives in Fayetteville, Missouri: mar- ried Jessie White and they have two children. Vera and William Penn. Archie died at the age of nineteen in the West. Politically, Mr. Elson is a Republican and religiously a Presbyterian. Fraternally he belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Masonic order. He has been more or less active in public affairs and has had charge of the Boone Township Republican Committee, and he once made the race for presiding judge of the county court. He is a man of influen.ee in- his community and no one is better or more favorably known in the western part of this county. io66 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. HARRY CARRIGAN MORGAN. In few branches of art or science have such developments or perfected improvements been made as in photography and few establishments in Greene county and this section of Missouri show more conclusive proof of this assertion than that of Harry Carrigan Morgan, whose studios are located on West Commercial street, Springfield. He has long been a close student of art, and his splendid work is pronounced by those best capable of judging, to be fully equal to that of his co-workers in this field of endeavor in this locality. He has won a growing reputation over this country for securing for those who sit before his camera, a natural pose and pleasing expression and in all his work is shown the skilled hand of the adroit artist. No one is more qualified to execute work in this direction than Mr. Morgan and no one has the happy faculty of meeting the requirements of all more than he. Mr. Morgan was born near Logansport, Indiana, February 29, 1872. He is son of Rees and Alice (Carrigan) Morgan. The Morgan family is of Welch descent and the first emigrant took up his residence in America several generations ago. Rees Morgan was born in the same locality in the Hoosier state as was our subject, the former’s father having been a pioneer citizen of Cass county and there he developed the home farm on which the father of our subject was born in 1847 and on which he was reared to manhood. He received his education in the common schools of his community, and when a young' man learned the carpenter’s trade and followed this and contracting for a livelihood. He remained in Indiana until 1883, when lie removed to Rolla, Missouri, where he carried on his line of business with success for a period of seventeen years, meanwhile engaging in farming also. In 1900 he came to Springfield, where he lived until 1908, working as a builder, then he and his wife located in California, where they now make their home. Politically he is a Republican, and religiously is a member of the Christian church. Harry C. Morgan was eleven years old when his parents moved from his native state to Missouri, and grew to manhood on the home farm near Rolla, Missouri, where he worked when a boy, and received his education in the district schools there, and also studied photography, having manifested a decided natural talent in this direction when but a child. He remained with his parents on the farm until he was twenty-one years of ag'e. He worked in the city of Rolla a year, then came to Springfield and formed a partnership with S. H. Wickizer, and they conducted a studio for two years, but since that time Mr. Morgan has been in business alone, and is now lo- cated on West Commercial street, where he lias a neat and modern equipped studio and is doing a good business, many of his customers coming from neighboring towns and adjoining counties. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1067 Politically, Mr. Morgan is a Republican, and religiously he holds mem- bership in the Christian church. Mr. Morgan was married, August 12, 1897, to Minnie E. Pierce, of Shelbyville, Illinois. She was born in 1878. She received a good public school education. To the union of our subject and wife two children have been born, namely: Harold, born March 28, 1899; and Edgar, born Jan- uary 2, 1905; they are both attending school. CHARLES I. GROBLEBE. Springfield has long been noted for a lumber center, and ever since the days of the Civil war large yards have been located here, and this line has been one of the leading assets of the city, which is a distributing point for the vast Ozark lumber region, and although much of both the pine and hardwood forests have been denuded of their best trees, in southern Mis- souri, the lumber business here has not abated, but the supply of lumber is obtained in more remote sections of the country, for the most part. One of the most successful of the younger lumbermen here is Charles I. Grob- lebe, whose place of business is located on South Campbell street. Mr. Groblebe was born October 2, 1879, in Carroll county, Arkansas. He is a son of Charles and Mary (Mitchell) Groblebe. The father was born in March, 1844, in Germany, from which country he emigrated to the United States in his youth and settled in St. Louis. He served in a Mis- souri regiment in the Confederate army during the Civil war. After the war he went to Arkansas and engaged in the lumber business at Eureka Springs, and became a well known lumberman throughout northwestern Arkansas. He is now 71 years of age and is still active. His wife, Mary Mitchell, was born August 24, 1850, and reared in Arkansas, and her death occurred September 12, 1883 when our subject was four years of age. He has three brothers, namely: George was born April 4, 1870, lives in Arkan- sas; Earl was born July 7, 1879, and lives in Elgin, Washington; Edward, born August 6, 1881, is employed on the Missouri & Northern railroad. Charles I. Groblebe grew to manhood in Arkansas and when a boy he worked with his father in the sawmill or on a farm, and he received his early education in the public schools of his native state. He was a poor boy and fought his way up from the bottom, and he is deserving of a great deal of credit for what he has accomplished in the face of obstacles that would have discouraged many. He had to work hard when a boy, often in severe winter weather, when scantily clad, and he attended school only three months of the year. He came to Springfield, Missouri, in 1902, io6S GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. and in order to better equip himself for the battle of life, took a course in the Queen City Business College, remaining there a year, after which he worked two years in the local lumber yards, the meanwhile mastering the various phases of the lumber business, and in 1905 he went into the busi- ness for himself, and prospered from the first, his success growing with advancing years until today he is one of the widely known lumbermen of southwest Missouri. He is one of the few in this line who own their own property where their yards and buildings are located, and is the only dealer in Greene county owning an auto truck for the delivery of lumber. He carries a thirty thousand-dollar stock, which is extensive and complete, and he aims at prompt and honest service whoever he deals with. Mr. Groblebe was married in 1906 to Ivate Brown, who was born, reared and educated in Springfield. She is a daughter of Thomas Brown and Mahalia (Stutzman) Brown. She is one of three children, the other two being Alberta and Frank. Two children have been born to our subject and wife, namely: Kath- erine, born May 5, 1907; and Annabell, born August 2, 1913. Politically Mr. Goblebe is a Democrat. He is a member of the Spring- field Club, and is a member of the hoard of directors of the Young Men's Christian Association and Young Men’s Business Club. Fraternally he belongs to the Free and Accepted Masons, and is’ a Knight Templar. He is an active member of the South Street Christian church, and has been a member of the official board of the same since 1907. He teaches the largest adult woman’s Sunday school class in Springfield. He is a man of genial personality and is popular in the circles in which he moves. EMMETT McDONATD MING. How shall we recall the fond memories that cluster about our beloved dead? How shall we portray the nobleness of his character, the purity of his life, the gentleness of his disposition? How shall we describe his affection as father, his tenderness as son ancl brother, his devotion as hus- band, his sincerity as friend? How shall we impart the patience of his suffering, the unfailing fidelity of his trust in the great Healer of all our infirmities, the sorrow and desolation that, at his death, fell like a dark pall upon the hearts of the loved ones left behind? We know that all that is must share his destiny; that the brief term of mortal existence is but a pass- ing dream — a story that is briefly told — and man’s spirit drifts away on the bosom of that tranquil river that winds with noiseless murmurs through the gloom shaded shadows of the Valley of Death. To eulogize the deeds and GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1069 preserve the memory of our dead from oblivion is at once our privilege and our sacred duty. Since the dawn of civilization men have made expression at the death of their fellows, whether such dead were citizen, statesman or soldier. Realizing that “all flesh shall perish together, and men shall turn again unto dust,” we are naturally inspired with the desire that we may be remembered after death; that after our earthly remains shall have been laid away to sleep throughout the silent centuries yet to come, awaiting the final day, we are fed by the hope that some human heart that yet beats may cherish a memory of us, may yearn for one touch of “a vanished hand and the sound of a voice that is still.” Prompted by such feelings we come to chronicle the lamented death, “in that he died so young,” of Emmett Mc- Donald Ming. Mr. Ming was born at Gray’s Summit, Franklin county, Missouri, De- cember 3, i860. He was a son of Judge James Morris and Jemima (Os- borne) Ming, the father a native of Virginia and the mother of Missouri. Judge Ming was a descendant of that chivalrous race of men who peopled the Old Dominion, but in an early day he emigrated to Franklin county, Missouri, and there became one of the leading and influential citizens of that section of the state, and he at one time represented that county in the state legislature and later was elected judge, serving as such for a number of years. His wife belonged to that class of noble Christian women and true type of womanhood found in the South in the happy days before the Civil war. Both the judge and his wife reached ripe old ages and spent their declining years serenely in their cozy home at the cjuiet town of Wash- ington, Franklin county, where they were ever known as good neighbors, hospitable and helpful. They reared a large family of sons and daughters, Emmett M. of this review having been the youngest. The subject of this memoir grew to manhood at the town of Washing- ton, and spent his boyhood days upon the farm, close to nature. As a young man he was industrious, honest and everybody liked him, for even at that tender age he had a kind word for everybody, a helping hand for those in need, and a word of cheer for the disconsolate. He had the advantage of an excellent education, having passed through the common schools in Franklin county, and later took a regular course in Central College, Fayette, Missouri. Mr. Ming began life for himself on a cattle ranch in Arizona, which he owned, but after his marriage he engaged in the lumber business, and later in the hardware and furniture business at Vinita, Oklahoma (then In- dian Territory), having selected Vinita as his future home. He built up a large and lucrative trade with the people of that town and locality and was doing much for the material welfare of the same, and at the time of his ■death his furniture establishment there would have been a credit to any IO/O GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. city. He was a stockholder and promoter of the first artesian well at Vinita r and was regarded by all who knew him as a business man of rare foresight and acumen. Mr. Ming was married November 1 8, 1891, to Emma Wallis, a daugh- ter of Christopher and Elizabeth (Hoover) Wallis, a well-known family of Marshfield, Missouri, where Mrs. Ming grew to womanhood and was edu- cated. After their marriage they established their home at Vinita, in the Cherokee nation. Their union was blessed by the birth of two children, namely: Christopher, who was born at Vinita, October 20, 1892, and who- is now a prominent young business man of Springfield, Missouri ; and Mar- tha Lelia, whose birth occurred at Vinita, July 18, 1896. In 1899 Mr. Ming built a comfortable home for his family in Vinita,. surrounding them with all the comforts of life and preparing a place for them and for himself in his old age. No man was ever more happily mar- ried and his affection for his wife and children was tender and strong. He was never happier than when at home with his family. His devotion to his father and mother was genuine as well as was his love for his brothers and sisters, and he was never known to falter in his loyalty to a friend. He was an active member of the Knights of Pythias, and belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church, South, at Vinita. His life was ever an open book, and no one ever heard him say anything derogatory regarding his fellow man. Mr. Ming was called to his eternal rest in St. Anthony’s hospital, St. Louis, Missouri, August 2, 1900, when lacking a few months of his fortieth birthday. He had been in failing health for some time. He was buried at his old home near Washington, Franklin county, on the old Ming home- stead, on a beautiful bluff overlooking the Missouri river. Something of the high standing of Mr. Ming in the community hon- ored by his citizenship, may be gained from the following resolutions, passed by the Knights of Pythias at Vinita, Oklahoma, shortly after his death: Whereas, God in His infinite wisdom has deemed it best to remove from the scenes of his earthly home our beloved friend and co-worker, Brother E. M. Ming, be it Resolved, That while we bow in humble submission to His supreme will, yet we mourn the death of our fellow-worker, fully realizing our lodge has lost a faithful member, the community a true patriotic citizen and his family a good husband and father. His many sterling cjualities of head and heart, the blameless character, and pure name won the love and admira- tion of all who knew him. Resolved, That we extend to the sorrowing family our heartfelt sym- pathy in their bereavement, praying the all-wise Father to lighten the deep GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. IO71 sorrow that has fallen upon them, by shedding into their hearts and lives- that blessed peace and comfort which man can not give. Resolved, further, That a copy of these resolutions be spread upon the minutes of the lodge, that a copy of the same be sent to the local newspaper and also a copy to his bereaved family. JOHN D. ALLEN. The wanderlust, like a siren, calls to every youth to forsake his an- cestral hills and halls and go out in quest of a better country. Many have heeded the summons to their advantage, but perhaps more have answered to their doom. In such a county as Greene that young man is fortunate who has the sagacity to remain at home. The call very frequently leads men to forsake the “land of milk and honey” and go in search of a never-to-be- attained oasis of a mirage, ultimately finding instead the barren, sand-swept waste of a Sahara; often, too, after it is too late to return and establish themselves in their own native locality in a proper manner, John D. Allen, foreman of the tin department at the new Frisco shops, Springfield, is one of our native born sons who has been prudent in remaining in his native county. Mr. Allen was born at Cave Spring, Cass township, Greene county, March 18, 1870. He is a son of Stephen G. and C. N. (Penley) Allen. The father was born in Georgia, April 15, 1845, and is still living at Cave Spring, whither he removed from Dixieland in the year 1868. He has a good small farm here and has followed agricultural pursuits for some time but being a carpenter by trade his earlier life was devoted to work in this line. He served in the Confederate army in the Civil war, enlisting before he was eighteen years old. He was wounded in the battle at Atlanta, Georgia, August 11, 1864. After the war, he located in Marion county, Tennessee, where he was married, August 10, 1867, to C. N. Penley, a native of Ten- nessee. In 1868, Mr. Allen came to Greene county, locating at Cave Spring, where he has since resided and here has reared his family of seven children, namely: J. Charles, John D., Laura, Louis M., Stephen G., Mary A. and Katy J. The latter died at the age of four years. Mr. Allen, at the age of seventy years, is a hale, hearty man and enjoys caring for his little farm. Politically, he is a Democrat and belongs to the Universalist church. John D. Allen grew to manhood on the home farm in Cass township where he worked when a boy and he received his education in the district schools at Cave Spring. He remained on the farm until he was nineteen years of age, then came to Springfield and went to work in the office of the- 1 072 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. Springfield Republican, later he worked at the barber’s trade for a short time. In 1890 he began work in the North Side Frisco shops where he learned the tinner’s trade, remaining there three and one-half years, then spent over six years in the South Side shops at his trade, after which he re- turned to the shops on the North Side and has remained in the tin depart- ment here, being now foreman in the new shops, which responsible position be has held since the opening of the new shops. He has a large number of men under his direction, and he is not only a most capable and highly skilled workman but is a man of considerable executive ability. Mr. Allen was married on December 5, 1892, in Springfield, to Della Gee, who was born in Indiana, April 12, 1871. She is a daughter of Amos and Nancy Jane Gee. The father was a native of Indiana and was born in 1845 and the mother was born in 1850. They are still living and reside on a good farm near Alva, Oklahoma. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Allen, namely: Wade, born on March 11, 1895; Gladys, born on July 15, 1899; an< i Louise, born on August 9, 1909. Politically, Mr. Allen is a Democrat and fraternally he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. lie and wife belong to the Knights and Ladies of Security. JOHN SPANDRI. In the following sketch is strikingly illustrated the force of well-directed energy, steadfast purpose and never-ceasing effort for the accomplishment of noble ends, and the successful overthrow of those obstacles which beset the progress of every young man who, unaided and alone, starts out to combat life's stern realities and hew his own way to distinction and fortune. It is the story of a successful life, and from the study of such a record the dis- couraged youth may gain lessons of ultimate value, lessons that are calcu- lated to inspire new zeal in his faltering heart and new courage in his darkened spirit. It shows that it takes grit, perseverance and honesty to win in life's battle rather than the help of wealth or influential relatives or friends. In other words, it is better to rely on ourselves and map out our own paths than to rely upon others and follow a career dictated by others. Mr. Spandri hails from the wonderful little republic of Switzerland, a country from which many of the so-called great nations of the earth might take valuable lessons. His birth occurred in the southern part of that country on December 1, i860. He is a son of Peter and Mary (Vanini) Spandri, .both natives of Switzerland, where they were reared, educated, married and established their future home. The paternal grandfather of our subject GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1073 was a native of Italy. Peter Spandri was a collier by trade, his work being chopping timber, which he burned by a process to make charcoal. His death occurred in his native land before our subject left there and the mother survived until about seven years ago, having reached an advanced age. To these parents four children were born, namely: Juditta is living in Italy, Frank is deceased, John, of this sketch, and Giacomo lives in Europe. John Spandri spent his boyhood in Switzerland and he received a limited education at home, which has been greatly supplemented in later life by contact with the world and by wide miscellaneous home reading until today he is a well informed man and an excellent conversationalist. When a boy he worked with his father in the woods, but when only fifteen years of age he left home and began working for wages. Believing that America held greater opportunities for the poor boy with pluck, he bade a final adieu to "his native hills in the autumn of 1882, crossed the great Atlantic, landing in New York in the month of November. He did not tarry in the great city, hut came on West to Rolla, Phelps county, Missouri, reaching the goal of his long journey with only ten dollars and twenty-five cents in his pocket. He soon found employment and went to work with a will. Six months later found him a contractor, in business for himself. In May, 1883, he came to Springfield and began contracting to build foundations for houses and build- ings in general. He prospered at this and continued in this line until a few years ago. Among the foundations he laid for well-known buildings were those of the South Street Christian church, Meyer’s Model Mills, the round house at the North Side shops, St. John's church and many others. Some years ago he turned his attention to other lines of contracting, such as railroad construction work and sewer building. His first work in the former line was in 1901, when he turned out jobs for both the St. Louis & San Francisco and the Missouri Pacific railroads. It was in 1909 that he began sewer work, and during that year put in about three miles of sewer in Springfield, then took a large contract for the Frisco in Texas in building arch culverts. At this writing he is confining his attention to sewer construction. He has been a careful student of modern ways of contract work along his lines and his work is always highly satisfactory, being well done in every respect. He is well equipped in the matter of modern machinery and tools and employs a large number of skilled hands. He gives personal attention to every detail of his business, which is under a superb system. He has been very r successful in a business way and is one of the substantial men of affairs of the Oueen City of the Ozarks. He deserves a great deal of credit for what he has accomplished, which has been done in the face of obstacles. He owns an Imposing home and office at S 2 ° Z A East Commercial street. Mr. Spandri was married on January 15, 1885, in Springfield, to Eliza ' ( 68 ) 1074 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. Carmack. She was born in Phelps county, Missouri, on July io, 1861, and is a daughter of William Carmack, a native of Indiana, where he grew up and married, removing with his family to Phelps county, this state, in an earl}' day, and there he became a well-to-do farmer. Mrs. Spandri spent her girlhood in Phelps county, and she was given the advantages of a good education. Two children have been born to our subject and wife, both deceased; they were named, John, whose birth occurred on December 28, 1886, re- ceived a good education in the Springfield ward and high school and Drury College; he met an untimely death in a railroad accident on May 15, 1910; he had married Blanche Morrison, by whom one child was born, Walter J., whose birth occurred on September 8, 1:909. William, our subject’s second son, was born on November 22, 1888', received a good education in the Spring- field schools and died on August 19, 1901. They were both very promising young men and their early deaths were much lamented by their family and friends. Politically Mr. Spandri is a Democrat and he has long taken an active interest in public affairs. However, has never been an office-seeker. Fra- ternally he belongs to the Masonic Order, including the Knights Templars and the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. Mr. Spandri won the Springfield Republican trophy cup in the first annual Ozark motor tour of three hundred miles on June 27th to 29th, inclu- sive, T910, using his favorite car — E. M. F., a make of the Studebaker Com- pany. He gets a great deal of pleasure and diversion out of motoring. He is a gentleman of sociable inclinations, obliging, public-spirited and com- panionable, which traits, added to his unassuming manner and high sense of honor, make him popular among a wide acquaintance. E. L. EVANS, M. D. The medical profession of Greene county has no abler exponent than Dr. E. L. Evans, universally liked by all with whom he comes in contact. His friends feel deservedly proud of his success in his profession, for he has studied hard, worked diligently and been self-sacrificing when there was need. He possesses excellent judgment of men and things, well balanced by knowledge and experience. He is a gentleman of good personal appear- ance and courteous address, and is certainly entitled to mention with the representative citizens of Springfield and Greene county. Doctor Evans was born in Boone county, Indiana, January 2, 1867. He is a son of John and Sarah Jane (Clark) Evans. The father was a contrac- GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1075 tor and died here on December 17, 1913; the mother is living on St. Louis street, Springfield, Missouri. Grandfather Samuel Evans was a farmer and one of the early settlers of Boone county, Indiana. His death occurred at the age of eighty- four years. His wife was a Miss Wilson. The maternal grandfather, Ezra Clark, married Harriet Hancock. They were both na- tives of Ohio in which their parents were early settlers, and there Ezra Clark and wife grew up and were married, and soon thereafter moved to Boone county, Indiana, where they established the family home on a farm, and were among the first settlers. Dr. Evans of this review has two brothers and one sister living, namely : Dr. Emery Evans, is a practicing physician in St. Louis; Dr. Harry T. Evans is engaged in the practice of his profession in Springfield, and Mrs. Ella Speer, also lives in Springfield. Dr. E. L. Evans is one of those self-educated, successful, self-made men, commonly met in America. When a boy he earned his own way, working at various things to earn an honest dollar to assist in defraying the expenses of an education, and when he had gone far enough in the public schools of his native county to enable him to teach he took up that line of endeavor and taught several terms most satisfactorily, working meanwhile, during the summer months, on the farm or at other things until he suc- ceeded in obtaining his professional education. He received his primary education in the schools of Harrison, Arkansas, where he removed from Indiana when a boy, and later he attended the Rally Hill Academy, and in 1892 he entered the Marion Simms Medical College in St. Louis, from which he was graduated with the class of 1895. Soon thereafter he re- turned to Harrison, Arkansas, where he began the practice of his profession, in partnership with Dr. Kirby, and remained there eleven years, during which he enjoyed a large and constantly growing practice, and was one of the leading general physicians of Boone county throughout which his name was a household word. Seeking a larger field for the exercise of his talents he came to Springfield, Missouri, in April, 1906, and has been engaged successfully in the general practice from that time to the present, each suc- ceeding year finding him further advanced and more popular than the preceding. Doctor Evans is a member of the Greene County Medical Society, the Southwest Missouri Medical Society, the Missouri State Medical As- sociation and the American Medical Association. He was for some time president of the Boone County Medical Society when he lived in Arkansas, and was also secretary of the same for many years, resigning the office upon his removal to Springfield. Fraternally he is a member of the Masonic order, including the Chapter, Commandery and the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He also belongs to the Knights of Pythias GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. IO76 and other lodges. Politically, he is a Democrat, and is a member of the South Street Christian church. Doctor Evans was married March 19, 1897, to Nora Kirby, who was born in Harrison, Arkansas, in September, 1876, and there grew to woman- hood and received her high school education in Harrison, Arkansas, and graduated from Christian College at Columbia, Missouri. She is the scion of a prominent family of that place, and is a daughter of Dr. L. and Vir- ginia (Crump) Kirby. To. Doctor Evans and wife the following children have been born: Virginia, born January 11, 1898; Harry C., born March 17, 1899; Frances Irene born June 17, 1900; Dorothy Lee, born July 11, 1902; Lenore, born July 26, 1903; Kirby, born June 23, 1909, and Ezra Levi, born January 29, 1 9 r i . ALBERT N. HANSON. All credit is due a man who wins success in his chosen fields of en- deavor in spite of obstacles, who, by persistency and energy gains a compe- tence and a position of honor as a man and citizen. The record of the late Albert N. Hanson, for many years a well-known contractor of Springfield, is that of such a man, for he came to this city in the days of her rapid growth and here worked his way up from the bottom to definite success and inde- pendence. He quickly adapted himself to the conditions which he found here and labored so consecutively and managed so judiciously that he finally became the manager of a thriving business, which he ever conducted along honorable lines and all the while was establishing a reputation among his acquaintances and friends for sound judgment, honest dealings and good citizenship. His tragic death was a matter of sincere regret to all who knew him. Mr. Hanson was born on October 17, 1848, in Hancock county, Illi- nois. He is a son of Nichols and Adalize (Hubbard) Hanson. The father was born in the state of New York and the mother was a native of the province of Nova Scotia, Canada, from which she came to the state of New York when young where she met and married the elder Hanson. He was a blacksmith by trade in his early life, but later turned his attention to gen- eral farming. He and his wife removed from New York to Michigan, later to Illinois where they remained until within a few years of their deaths, having removed to Nebraska, where the death of Nichols Hanson occurred in 1900 at an advanced age, and his wife passed away soon after. During the Civil war he was quartermaster of the Twenty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry under Gen. John C. Fremont, having enlisted in 1862. Seven GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. I0 77 children were born to Nichols Hanson and wife, namely: Ellen, Charles, Louis are all deceased; Albert N., subject of this memoir; Mary E. Lewis lives in Springfield, Illinois ; William is deceased ; Florence, the youngest, lives in Turon, Kansas. Albert N. Hanson received a common school education, and later at- tended a business college in Michigan about six months. He was all his life a wide reader of good literature and in this way and by coming in con- tact with the business world he became a well-informed man. In his early career he followed farming for the most part until he came to Springfield, Missouri. He had engaged in railroading also for a time during his younger days, and was in the mercantile business awhile. After living in Kansas several years he moved to Shannon county, Missouri, where he spent a few years, locating in Springfield in 1888. Here he engaged in contracting, general building and railroad construction work. When the Missouri Pa- cific built its branch from Crane, Missouri, to this city he secured the con- tract for the excavation between Main and Campbell streets in Springfield, also built the Washington avenue subway at the intersection of that thor- oughfare and Commercial street. During a period of twenty years he kept in his employ a crew of from ten to fifteen men, working at various places all the time. Having through his able management and close application ac- cumulated a competency for his declining years he partially retired from active life a few years before his death and lived quietly in his beautiful home on Guy street, Springfield. Mr. Hanson was twice married, first, on December 30, 1867, in Han- cock county, Illinois, to Aarie Mintle, who was born in Ohio, from which state she moved to Illinois when a child. She was born on April 19, 1846, and was a daughter of Aaron P. and Mary Ann (Ward) Mintle. To our sub- ject and his first wife the following children were born, namely: Jessie, born on March 30, 1870, died on December 22, 1874; Frank and Fred, twins, born on December 8, 1872, both live in Springfield; Flora, born on October 15, 1876, lives in Springfield; Effie, born on April 14, 1879, lives in Spring- field; Mrs. Pearl Rueter, born on June 29, 1882, lives in Springfield; Harry E. and Harvey E., twins, born on December 20, 1884, the former lives in Springfield and the latter died in infancy; Mrs. Stella Reynolds, born on June 20, 1887, lives in Springfield. The mother of the above named children was called to her rest on March 24, 1910. On September 25, 1910, Mr. Hanson married Mrs. Etta B. Merchant, who was born in Ohio, October 25, 1862. She grew to wom- anhood in her native state and received a common school education. She first married W. W. Merchant on March 25, 1883, in Ohio. He died on March 12, 1910. Two children were born to this union, Maurice E., born on October 26, 1885. He married Odilia Branch on September 18, 1910. 1078 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. They live in Kansas City, Missouri. They have one child, Donald J., born on September 24, 1911, and died on May 24, 1914. The second child is Leister H., born on August 16, 1890. Mrs. Hanson is the daughter of Erastus Lockwood and Emily R. Bax- ley. They were both born in Ohio, the father on September 12, 1833. He died on February 7, 1891, in Ohio. The mother was born on August 19, 1840, and is still living in Raymond, Ohio, at the old home. Politically, Mr. Hanson was a Republican, and he was always loyal in his support of the party. He served as street commissioner of the city of Springfield under Mayor Bartlett, also Mayor Malotte. He discharged the duties of this important position in a manner that reflected much credit upon himself and to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. Fraternally, he was a member of the Knights of Pythias. Mr. Hanson enlisted in Com- pany A, Sixty-fifth Illinois Regiment Volunteer Infantry, in the ninety-day service. However, he served till the close of the war and was discharged at Jonesboro, North Carolina. The death of Mr. Hanson occurred on April 16, 1915, as the result of an accident. He was driving across the street in his automobile when a street car crashed into his machine, hurling him from his seat a distance of some twenty feet, his head striking the curbing. Burning oil from the gasoline tank of the automobile was scattered over him and the oil took fire, igniting his clothing. Help reached him immediately, but he remained un- conscious to the end which came a few hours later, as a result of injuries to the head. Personally Mr. Hanson was an admirable character, kind-hearted, com- panionable, charitable and always a high-minded gentleman. He was be- loved by the hundreds of men who had been in his employ during his long business career. His work was always honestly done and all who knew him esteemed him highly as a result of his many commendable characteristics. GRANVILLE W. TURNER. To be employed nearly a half century by one firm, continuously, is a record of which few citizens of Springfield and Greene county can boast, but Granville W. Turner has been connected with the bridge building depart- ment of the St. Louis & San Francisco Railroad Company since 1866, and for forty years has been in charge of that department. He would not only have had to proved himself to be an expert in his line, but also a man of courage, fidelity, integrity and industry to have been retained during so long a period. He is one of the most widely known Frisco employees. He is a man GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. IO79 who has always valued his good name and today takes pleasure in feeling that he has won the respect of his fellow workers and acquaintances by his course in life. Mr. Turner was born in Knox county, Missouri, January 3, 1843. He is a son of Granville D. and Maria (Taylor) Turner. The father was born in the mountains of Kentucky and the mother was a native of Ohio, but she came to Harrison county, Kentucky, when young. These parents were mar- ried in Quincy, Illinois. Our subject’s father and the first governor of Illi- nois came to Quincy together. Mr. Turner became a large land owner. He was a cabinet maker by trade. Leaving the Prairie state in an early day, he located in Knox county, Missouri and he and his wife died in this state. He was a minister in the Christian church, an old-time circuit rider, and preached among the pioneers. Politically, he was a Democrat. His family consisted of nine children, named as follows : The eldest child died in in- fancy; William is deceased; Mary; Emma; Granville W., of this sketch; James, deceased; Reuben, deceased; George and May E. Mr. Turner of this review received a limited education in the common schools, and he grew up on the farm in Knox county, where he worked when a boy. Pie has worked hard and is a self-made man in the best sense of the term. In his youth he learned the carpenter’s trade. In September, 1861, he enlisted for service in the Civil war, at Rolla, Missouri, under Captain Rich and Colonel Phelps, and although his term of enlistment was but for six months, he served nine months. He saw considerable service during that brief period, including a number of skirmishes and the battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas. He was honorably discharged in April, 1862, then went to work for the government, building pontoon bridges, corrals, barracks, coffins, etc. He continued in this work until the close of the war, gaining valuable ex- perience which stood him well in hand in his subsequent career. He began work for the Frisco at Rolla in 1866, in the bridge building department, with which he has been connected ever since, being head of the department for the system for some four decades. In 1913 he was retired by the company on a pension. However, he is still doing special work in his department, re- porting direct to the general manager. He long ago mastered every phase of the art of bridge building and has kept well abreast of the times in this line of endeavor. Mr. Turner was first married in June, 1879, to Malissa Trower, in St. Louis, her native city. She was a daughter of Samuel Trower, a farmer and stock raiser, a pioneer of the Mound City, where, for a number of years, he was justice of the peace, also holding other minor offices. Mr. Turner’s first wife died October 10, 1889, leaving five children, namely: Walter G. married Gertrude Singleton in St. Louis and he is a civil engineer by pro- fession; Mary Agnes married Mr. Greenridge and they live in Douglas, io8o GREENE COUNTY,, MISSOURI. Arizona; George R. married Goldie Holder and they live in Walnut Grove,. Missouri; Nellie E. married Thomas Wommock, an employee of the Frisco, and they live in Springfield; Lillian F. married G. Marks, who is also con- nected with the Frisco and lives in Springfield. Mr. Turner's second mar- riage was consummated in February, 1893, in Carthage, Missouri, when he was united in marriage to Mrs. Agnes L. Brown, a daughter of John and Eliza Deyell, of St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada. To this second union two- children have been born, namely, William E. and James D. Politically, Mr. Turner is a Democrat. Fraternally, he belongs to the Masonic order, Gate of the Temple blue lodge and St. John’s Commandery. Mr. Turner made his headquarters in Springfield in 1873 and moved here to make his home in 1879. In 1872 he was made assistant superintend- ent of the bridge and building department of the old Atlantic & Pacific rail- road, later known as the Frisco. In 1875 he was made general superintend- ent of this department. He has had something to do with the building of nearly every bridge on the entire Frisco system. WILLIAM PENN MURRAY. The deft shuttle which weaves the web of human life and human destiny, constantly and ceaselessly flies backward and forward, and into the vast and checkered fabric is woven the individuality, the efforts, ambitions and achieve- ments of each man — of all men. Within this web may be defined the lines of personality, be they those that lend the beautiful crystal sheen of honest merit and worthy effort, or dark, curving and deflecting ones, which penetrate warp and woof, and mar and efface the composite beauty of their darkened threads. The life record of the late William Penn Murray, for many years one of the most progressive agriculturists and stock men of Franklin township, Greene county, indicates that the fabric of which his individuality was woven was of the best and purest, and consequently he left behind him “that which is rather to be chosen than much riches — a good name.” Mr. Murray was born in Wyandotte county, Ohio, June 4, 1867. Lie was a son of David C. and Llulda (Dow) Murray. David Murray, who was also a native of the locality in which our subject was born, grew to manhood, was educated and married there, and in 1869 he removed from the old Buck- eye state to Greene county, Missouri, with his family, locating in Robberson township, on a farm of three hundred and twenty acres which he purchased and on which he followed general farming and handling live stock in a suc- cessful manner. He became well known here and was considered a man who- GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. io8r was uniformly fair in all his dealings with his fellow men, and here his death occurred in 1873, when our subject was six years old. His wife, who was also a native of Wyandotte county, Ohio, also died on the home farm in Greene county, being summoned to her rest in 1879. William Penn Murray was two years old when his parents brought him to Greene county and here he grew to manhood on the homestead where he worked when a boy, and he received his early education 111 the common schools. February 18, 1891, he married Jennie Stiver, who was born January 5, 1870, a daughter of Isaac and Susannah (Horner) Stiver. Isaac Stiver was born March 16, 1826, in Pennsylvania. After his marriage he moved to Elkhart county, Indiana, and was living there when Mrs. Jennie Murray was born, and there he engaged in farming for twenty-two years, then sold out and removed with his family to Greene county, Missouri, locating seven miles northeast of Springfield, buying one hundred and twenty acres of good land, and here followed general farming until his death, July 24, 1897. He was a Republican and a Lutheran. His wife was born December 30, 1835, near Dayton, Ohio, and her death occurred on the home farm in Greene county, June 20, 1908. To Isaac Stiver and wife twelve children were born, namely: Daniel J. lives in Newcastle, Indiana; Jacob M. is deceased; Louis J. is prac- ticing dentistry in Ft. Wayne, Indiana; Mrs. Mary L. Risk, of Amsterdam, New York; Isaac N. is deceased; Wesley M. lives in Campbell township, Greene county; William PI. lives in Indianapolis; Jennie, widow of the subject of this memorial review; Harrison G. lives in Springfield, Missouri; James is living but his address is not known at this writing; Edward and Calvin J. are both residing in Springfield. William P. Murray devoted his active life to general farming and handling live stock. He owned a valuable and well kept place of one hun- dred and twenty acres in Franklin township; however, his principal business was raising, buying and trading in livestock, especially cattle, and in this he was very successful, being an exceptionally good judge of all kinds of stock and dealing honestly with his fellow men so that he retained their confidence and good will. Fie owned over one hundred head of good cattle at the time of his death, March 9, 1911. Mr. Murray’s family consisted of three children, namely : Mrs. Mazie Newton, born November 20, 1891, wife of R. PI. Newton, first lieutenant of' No. 2, Springfield fire department, of Springfield; Ralph, born January 15, 1893, died October 16, 1893; and Norman B., born September 23, 1895, who is living with his mother on the home farm which he operates. Politically, Mr. Murray was a Democrat and served for some time on- school board. While he was not a member of any church he was religious at heart and a good honest man in every respect, a kind husband and an indulgent 1082 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. father and a man whom his neighbors admired and respected. He was super- intendent of Sunday school at Pleasant Valley for several years and a man who delighted in extending a helping hand to those in need, and he will long be greatly missed from his neighborhood. FLAVIUS JOSEPHUS UNDERWOOD. The world owes much to the plain, plodding worker who, uncomplain- ingly, does his whole duty as he sees it; but beyond his labors there is a sphere of activity wherein the workers are few and the products produced more rare — that of genius. Through the medium of this subtle, sublime, elusive thing, possessed of certain favored ones, all the great treasures of art, music, invention, literature and science have been given to the world. Those who know him best do not hesitate to pronounce Flavius Josephus Underwood, a venerable inventor and business man of Springfield, as a genius of high order, although it is doubtful if many who know him appre- ciate this fact to the fullest extent. His fertile brain has given humanity many helpful things, which will continue for all time to be a blessing to the race. For considerably more than a quarter of a century he has been one of onr leading men of affairs, for many years a wagon manufacturer and later a contractor, but now in view of his advanced age, he having passed his eighty- fourth mile-post, he is living in retirement at his cozy home on North Grant street, although he is hale and hearty and in possession of his faculties, his lusty old age being due no doubt to the fact that he has led a busy, temperate and wholesome life. Mr. Underwood is a scion of one of the oldest American families, who lived in New England for many generations, where the first of the family landed from the Old World nearly four centuries ago, and from that remote period to the present time the various members of his descendants have played well their parts in pushing forward the wheels of the car of civiliza- tion in the western hemisphere. Flavius J. Underwood was born in Hardwick, Caledonia county, Ver- mont, March 9, 1830. He was a son of Silas and Lucy Warner (Leslie) Underwood, the latter a granddaughter of Robert Leslie, an Irish peer, who immigrated to America in the early period of the country’s history and located in New Hampshire. Silas Underwood was born at Westford, Massachusetts, December 7, 1783; he devoted his life to agricultural pur- suits, and his death occurred in March, 1869. He was a son of John Under- wood, of Bradford, Vermont, who was born October 28, 1755, and was a son of Joseph Underwood, born on September 15, 1727, at Westford, GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. ! o 83 Massachusetts; the latter was a son of Joseph Underwood, born on May 28, 1681, at Watertown, Massachusetts; he was a son of Joseph Underwood, who was born in 1650 at Watertown, Massachusetts, and was a son of Jo- seph Underwood, the emigrant, who crossed the Atlantic from England, his native country, and took up his residence at Hingham, Massachusetts, in 1637, later removing to Watertown. He was the founder of the Under- woods in America, now quite numerous, having dispersed to all states of the Union. Flavius J. Underwood of this review, was the youngest of ten chil- dren; he grew to manhood in Vermont, assisting his father with the general work about the farm, and during the winter months he attended the district schools and an academy, and he began life for himself by teaching school in his native locality. Remaining in Vermont until he was twenty-two years of age he, following the advice of Horace Greeley, editor of the New York Tribune, came west, locating at Milton, Pike county, Illinois, and operated a farm in that vicinity several years.' In i860 he went to Rock Island, that state, where he resided until 1871, having turned his attention to the manu- facturing business, and became superintendent of Buford’s Plow Works. Forty-three years ago he left Rock Island and came to Springfield, Missouri, where he has since resided, and where, with James M. Wilhoit, he started a wagon manufacturing plant, and made a success of this venture, operating the plant for many years with much success, there having been a great de- mand for their products owing to the high-grade workmanship and superior quality of their wagons. Our subject finally gave up the manufacturing business and turned his attention to contracting, which he followed with satisfactory results up to his retirement from active life a few years ago. But it has been as an inventor that Mr. Underwood has figured most con- spicuously and for which he is deserving of the most credit. He has se- cured about twenty patents. While at Rock Island he built the first suc- cessful two-horse cultivator, which has revolutionized agricultural work, es- pecially in the corn producing states. Pie enjoys the distinction of being the first person to advocate and demonstrate the circulation of steam for the purpose of heating buildings, which method is now so universally employed. Among his many inventions is a coal chute which he patented in 1904 and which is widely used. Pie believes his best invention is a machine for boring out hubs in which to insert boxes. His name is deserving of a high place among the successful inventors of his day and generation. Mr. Underwood was married at Hardwick, Vermont, July 8, 1851, to Daphna Josephine Hortense Bridgman, who was born in that town and there grew to womanhood and was educated. She, too, is a representative of an excellent old family of New England. Our subject and wife have traversed the life-path which leads through sun and shadow, for nearly 1084 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. sixtyffhree years. Theirs have been an ideal domestic life, mutually help- ful and pleasant, and now, in the December of their years they can look backward with no compunction for wasted hours or misdeeds and forward with the hope of the just. Their union was blessed by the birth of four children, but only one survives, Mrs. Ida M. Jenkins, who lives at Nobo, Greene county, Missouri; she has three children. Our subject and wife have seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. The following- children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Underwood : Genevieve Leslie, born on November 19, 1853, died November 9, 1854; Ida May, born in April, 1856, married Grovner A. Shinn, September 19, 1873, and three children were born to them, John B., Grover L., and Nellie U. ; Inez Belle, born on October 18, i860, married George B. Garlick, and to them two children were born, Harold U., and Ruth; Nellie Maud, born, January 6, 1864, mar- ried William Sheffield, and to them two children were born, ITortense and Cornelia. Politically, Mr. Underwood has always been a loyal Democrat. He has served as a member of the city council. He was at one time candidate for the state legislature, and for many years he has taken an active part in political affairs. During campaigns he has frequently taken the stump in Greene and adjoining counties and won a reputation as a forceful speaker. Fraternally he belongs to the Masonic order, and is active as a member of St. John’s commanderv, and served as eminent commander several years ago. Mrs. Lhiderwood is a member of the Order of Eastern Star of which she was formerly worthy matron when it was first organized. This grand old couple are well known and highly esteemed by a very wide circle of friends in Springfield. (Mr. Underwood’s death occurred on May 4, 1914, after the above sketch was written.) JAMES E. SMITH. It is a good sign when a county like Greene can boast of so many of her enterprising business men and farmers who are native sons, for it indicates that there are to be found all the opportunities necessary to insure success in the material affairs of life and that her native sons, unlike so many from various sections, have found it to their advantage to remain at home. They have been wise in doing this for nature has offered the husbandman unusual advantages here and has seldom failed to reward the earnest worker with gratifying results, and when the tillers of the soil are prosperous all lines of business flourish, consequently not only the farmers have succeeded in this locality but also the merchants, millers, lumbermen, stock dealers, and many GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. IO85 others, and the county ranks well with the most thriving sections of this or any other state. One of the native-born business men of Springfield is James E. Smith, whose birth occurred in this city, July 28, 1868. He is a son of David and Mary (Fulton) Smith. The father was born in Glasgow, Scotland, as was also the mother, and there they grew to maturity, were educated and mar- ried, and when young immigrated to America and located in Greene county, Missouri. The elder Smith was a well driller and he operated the first well drill in the vicinity of Springfield. It was in 1858 that they located here and they spent the rest of their lives in Springfield, the father’s death occur- ring here in 1870. To them thirteen children were born; the following' are still living, namely : Maggie lives in Pennsylvania ; David, a machinist, in the employ of the Frisco, lives in Springfield; Joseph lives in Kansas City; James E., of this sketch, and Jennie E. (twins), the latter also lives in Springfield; Robert makes his home in this city. James E. Smith grew to manhood in his native city and here received a common and high school education, and when young served his apprentice- ship as machinist and followed this trade at the old foundry at Mill and Boonville streets, where he learned the trade. After remaining there about three years he secured a position in the Springfield Wagon Works, in the paint department, later drove a grocery wagon for ten or twelve years. In 1-890 he went into the grocery business for himself on Boonville street, also cigars and confectionery, remaining in that stand until 1894. However, prior to that year he was for some time in the employ of the Frisco, working as brakeman between Springfield and Memphis. In 1897 he went to work in the city fire department, where he remained until 1909, then opened his present grocery store at 831 North Campbell street and has built up a large and constantly-growing business, carrying at all seasons a large and well- selected stock of fancy and staple groceries. Mrs. Smith was married, August 13, 1890, to Anna Miles, who was born in Hannibal, Missouri, September 17, 1870. She is a daughter of William A. and Malinda (Snyder) Miles, both natives of Pennsylvania, being early settlers in Missouri, locating on a farm. Mr. Miles served five years in the Civil war, participating in many hard-fought battles. Mrs. Smith grew to womanhood in her native city and received a good common school educa- tion in Hannibal. To Mr. and Mrs. Smith three children have been born, namely: James E., Jr., born May 16, 1891, lives at home; Jennette, born March 19, 1896, died the same year; Genevieve, born November 10, 1898. Mr. Smith is prominent in fraternal affairs, being a member of the Ma- sonic Order, Knights of Pythias, the Improved Order of Red Men, the Royal Arcanum, Highlanders, also the Woodmen of the World and the Mod- io86 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. ern Woodmen of America. He has been clerk of the Woodmen of the World for the past eighteen years and is active in Woodmen circles. Politically, he is a Democrat, and for the past three years has been councilman from the Sixth ward and has done much for the general good of the city. He was formerly secretary of the Retail Merchants’ Association. His wife is a member of the Woodmen Circle and the Pythian Circle. Mr. and Mrs. Smith belong to the Catholic church. GEORGE C. RUPPRECHT. It is not enough to be all right in this world, but it is necessary that we look all right as well, because two-thirds of success is making people think we are what we profess to be and can be depended upon. Success in life also depends a great deal in selecting the line of work for which we are best fitted by nature. How many third-class ministers, lawyers, physicians there are who might have made remarkable success as agricul- turists or merchants, or as inventors, railroad men or mechanics. George C. Rupprecht, foreman at the Steineger Saddlery Company, Springfield, studied himself and found out what he was capable of doing and what he was un- fitted for, so he wisely selected a practical calling and has made a comfortable living all the while. Mr. Rupprecht was born October 4, 1865, at Wurzburg, Bavaria, a province of the German Empire. He is a son of John and Barbara (Seu- bert). Rupprecht, both natives of the same locality where they grew up, were educated, married and established their permanent home. There the death of the mother occurred in 1871 at the early age of thirty-three years. The father became somewhat prominent in public affairs and was a city official and held other public offices. He was also a commissioned officer in the regular army there for a period of sixteen years. His death occurred in his native land in 1882. Her father, Michael Seubert, was also a Ba- varian and spent his life in the Fatherland. He was a bleacher and master of bleachers, also a riverman for years. To John and Barbara Rupprecht four chidlren were born, namely: Carl, Anna, Barbara and George C. Mr. Rupprecht, of this sketch, spent his boyhood in his native land and attended school until he was thirteen years of age, then went to work learning the saddlery trade in the city of Wurzburg. After serving his ap- prenticeship he entered the Seventy-sixth Infantry of the German army, at Hamburg, and served two years. Then he followed his trade in differ- ent towns of the Empire until 1892, when he came to America, landing at Baltimore, Maryland, and from there made the long journey to central GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. IO87 Texas, where he followed his trade until 1899, when he came to Spring- field, Missouri, where he has since resided, and for over fifteen years he has been in the employ of the Steineger Saddlery Company, working for a year as saddle maker, then was promoted to foreman in 1900, which re- sponsible position he has continued to hold to the present time, giving- eminent satisfaction to his employers. He is an expert in his line and is reliable and trustworthy. At present he has twenty-four hands under his direction. He has saved his earnings and owns a good home on Cherry street. Mr. Rupprecht was married in Springfield in 1900, to Cecelia Guettin- ger, who was born in Zurich, Switzerland, from which country she emi- grated to America when young. This union has resulted in the birth of four children, namely: Carl is deceased; George is now twelve years of age; Walter is eight, and Cecil is three. Politically, Mr. Rupprecht is an independent voter. He formerly be- longed to the Catholic church. He is a member of the German- American Alliance, being now president of the local order of the same ; he is also secretary of the German-American Beneficial Society of Pittsburg, Penn- sylvania. He is also prominent in the Masonic order, being a member of Solomon Lodge No. 271, in which he has held all offices. He is also a member of Springfield Chapter No. 15 and has also held all offices, being' at this writing high priest. CLARENCE S. MACK. By a life of persistent and well applied industry, led along the most honorable lines, Clarence S. Mack has justly earned the right to be repre- sented in a work of the character of the one in hand, along with other pro- gressive men of affairs of Greene county who have made and are making their influence felt in their respective communities. He is widely known as a wholesale dealer in tobacco and other lines, and is a creditable repre- sentative of two of the old families of this locality. Mr. Mack was born in Springfield, Missouri, April 7, 1876. He is a son of James B. and Elizabeth (Shackelford) Mack, both natives of Spring- field also, the father born in April, 1854, and the mother born in May, 1855, and here they grew to maturity, attended the local schools and have always resided. James B. Mack started in the drug business when only thirteen years of age, for the Hall Drug Company, and he continued successfully in this line for many years. About thirty' years ago he began traveling on the road for the Myers Drug Company, of St. Louis, and is still thus engaged. io88 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI being one of the best known commercial travelers in this portion of the Mid- dle West. His family consists of but two children, Clarence S., of this sketch, and Georgia. Clarence S. Mack grew to manhood in his native city and here received a high school education. When eighteen years of age he went into the retail cigar business on his own account, and this he continued with gratifying re- sults until 1910, when he entered the wholesale cigar, tobacco, candy and chewing gum business, also soda fountain supplies. His present place of business is 309 McDaniel avenue, where he has a neat, modernly appointed and attractive store and is carrying on a large and lucrative business which extends over a large portion of the Ozark region. Mr. Mack was married on April 7, 1906, in Springfield, to Cyrena Jones, who was born in Platt City, Missouri. She is a daughter of George T. Jones and wife. She received a common school education. To Mr. and Mrs. Mack two children have been born: Margaret, whose birth occurred May 14, 1907, and Nancy Elizabeth, born August 17, 1914. Politically, Mr. Mack is a Republican. He belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and is a member of the Christian church. He is a sociable and genial gentleman who is well liked about town. THE JAMES FAMILY. This is one of the earliest pioneer families in Greene county, where, for a period of three-quarters of a century its members have been active in various circles, doing their full parts in the upbuilding of the locality and leading public-spirited and exemplary lives, so that they have ever borne the best of reputations and have in every way deserved the material success they have been blessed with, as well as the high esteem in which they are universally held. We first hear of David James, a native of Wales, who, when a child, crossed the Atlantic ocean to the New World in an old-time sailing vessel, the trip requiring many weeks. He located in Virginia, from which state he moved to South Carolina, thence to North Carolina, from there to Tennessee, later to Kentucky, then to western Tennessee, where his death occurred. It is believed he was married in South Carolina to Nancy Atchison. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, was wounded in battle and he carried the bullet in his arm the rest of his life. He was a blacksmith by trade. One of his near relatives settled in Ohio, and he also had a brother, Enoch, and it is believed that the Mr. James of President Garfield’s cabinet was one of the Ohio branch of the family. It was in Henry county, Tennessee, that David JASON R. JAMES, THE JAMES HOMESTEAD. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1089 James spent his last days and died in 1842. His wife, Nancy Atchison, was born in Ireland, but when an infant, was brought to South Carolina and there grew up and married. Her brothers were Sirgenner, John, Robert and Wil- liam Atchison. In later years most of the Atchison family moved to Arkansas, some going on to Texas. Mrs. Nancy (Atchison) James died on the old homestead in western Tennessee, about 1840. To David and Nancy James these children were born, Thomas ; Polly, who married a second cousin by the name of James, from the Ohio branch of the family; Mrs. Parmelia Wadkins of Kentucky; Mrs. Malinda Hall of Kentucky; Mrs. Aurelia Good, Joseph, John and Robert, all of Tennessee; David was killed when a boy, in Ken- tucky, by lightning, which struck a tree under which he took refuge during a storm which came up while he was out hunting. Thomas James was born in South Carolina, December 21, 1792, but he grew up and was educated near the Kentucky and Tennessee line. He served as justice of the peace in Madison county, Tennessee, before removing to Missouri. He was a life long farmer, clearing and developing a good farm from the wilderness. It was in 1835 that he removed with his family to Greene county, Missouri, and his death occurred in Missouri while returning from his old home in Tennessee, on November 9, 1837, when a comparatively young man. He married Nancy Gately and their family consisted of nine children, all of whom are now deceased, namely : Mrs. Parmelia Wallace died in Greene county: Irwin David died when young in Tennessee; Levi also died in early life in Tennessee; Mrs. Minerva Putman died in Greene county; Win- frey died in Oregon after the family moved to Greene county ; Aurelia died in this county, November 6, 1844; Jason Robert, born February 25, 1827, in Madison county, Tennessee. Jason R.. seventh child in order of birth, was about eight years old when he removed with the family in December, 1835, to Franklin township, Greene county, Missouri, and here he grew to manhood and was educated and when only ten years of age assumed charge of and farmed the homestead after the death of his father. His mother also died on the homestead here, April 11, 1863, aged about seventy. During the Civil war, Jason R. was a soldier in the Union army under Captain Jenkins, in the Missouri State Militia, and took part in the battle of Springfield, January 8, 1863. After the war he continued farming here until his death at an advanced age, March 21, 1908. The eighth child in order of birth of Thomas and Nancy (Gately) James was Susan Jane, whose death occurred in Greene county, February 1, 1845; Thomas, the youngest child, died April 14. 1858'; he was a minister in the Methodist Episcopal church. South. He married Elizabeth Patterson, by whom one child was born, Nancy Arbelia, who now lives on the old James homestead in Franklin township, this county, operating the entire James estate of two hundred acres, and she has one hundred and (69) 1090 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. two acres of her own which she farms with the assistance of her cousih, Robert James, the son of John and Martha (Futrell) James. Nancy James, was educated in the township schools and has lived on the home place most of her life. Winfrey James, mentioned above, was a Methodist minister, having preached all over Greene county, where he was widely known in pioneer days, but later moved to the state of Oregon, where he continued preaching and where his death occurred September 17, 1897. He became a presiding elder of a conference of his denomination in that state. He mar- ried Sarah Jenkins, first, and later married Jane Williams, after the death of his first wife. The first union w r as without issue, but four children born of the second marriage, namely: Charles W r esley, who lives in Oregon; John Fletcher lives in that state : Sarah Jane, who married Thomas Bailey, is de- ceased; for his third wife he married Malinda Baisley and by this union had two children, both living in or near the state of Oregon. Thomas died in early life. Parmelia James, mentioned above, married John Wallace, by whom one child was born, Plenry James Wallace, who married Tina Plarkness, of Franklin township, Greene county, and three children were born to this, union, namely: Blondville, Mrs. Flora Vaughn is deceased: Mrs. Lellian Bryan. Blondville Wallace married Pearl Logan and they have two chil- dren, Chesney and Flora Lee. Lellian Wallace married Bert Bryan and they have one child, Helen. Minerva James, mentioned above, married Mansel Putman, a farmer, late of Franklin township, and to this union one child was born, Mary Jane Putman, who married Ammon Knighten, a sketch of whom appears on another page of this volume. Both Mr. and Mrs. Mansel Putman are deceased. Little is known regarding the Gately ancestry. The great-great-grand- father Mercer seems to have been stolen when a child from life home, possibly in the British Isles, and reared by seafaring men, taught when a child to assist on a sailing ship, especially in tying knots in the rigging. When he was supposed to be about twenty-one years of age he was given his freedom and a fine cup (silver, lined with gold) was presented him, and he took his own name. It is believed that he eventually located in the state of Tennessee. His daughter, Jemima, married John Gately, an Italian. In North Carolina, the great-great-grandfather Mercer was living with great-grandfather Gately sometime after the year 1793. The former hid a considerable sum of money and could not remember where he put it, and thinking his son-in-law, John Gatelv had stolen it, finally killed him, but afterward found the money where he (Mercer) had hidden it. Mercer had a son who was at one time a Con- gressman. The son helped his father out of his trouble without punishment. Great-grandmother Gately later moved to Kentucky, where she settled. Her children were John, James, Polly, Susan, Nancy, Crecy, Jemima and Phoeba. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. IO9I John married Rebecca Watt and one of his sons was named John Gately also. Polly married William Atchison, a brother of great-grandmother James. Susie married William Jenkins. Nancy married Thomas James. Crecy married William Tedford. Jemima married Sam Bradshaw. Phoeba mar- ried Jesse Grace. EM S LEY L. BODEXHAMER. By a life consistent in motive and action and because of his many com- mendable personal qualities, Emsley L. Bodenhamer, for many years a suc- cessful farmer and stock raiser in Greene county, who is now connected with one of the leading implement houses of Springfield, has earned the sincere regard of all who know him. He came from an ancestry that distinguished itself in pioneer times, having had in them that unrest of the old world races that drives humanity ever westward on its great adventure, globe- girdlers and zone-conquerors. His progenitors were courageous, large-mus- cled, a stolid sort of people, in whom acute imagination was coupled with immense initiative, and who possessed, withal, loyalty and affection as sturdy as their own strength. He has inherited many of their commendable at- tributes. Mr. Bodenhamer was born on December 27, 1872, five miles east of Springfield, on the old homestead. He is a son of Andrew J. and Charlotte Elizabeth (Wharton) Bodenhamer, the former a native of Greene county and the latter of South Carolina, from which state she came to Missouri overland in an early day with her parents. The parents of Andrew J. Bo- denhamer were among the pioneer settlers of Greene county, locating on a farm which they developed by hard work, enduring the usual hardships of life on the frontier. On the farm our subject’s father grew up and worked when a boy, and he attended the early-day schools in his vicinity. He has devoted his life successfully to general farming, in which he is still engaged. He and his wife are both now advanced in years. His farm formerly con- sisted of one hundred and sixty acres, but is now only one hundred acres, he having disposed of the balance, not caring to be burdened with so much land in his old age. During the Civil war he enlisted, in 1861, in the Eighth Missouri Volunteer Infantry, in Springfield, and he served three years in a faithful and gallant manner. Six children, all living, have been born to Andrew J. Bodenhamer and wife, namely: Alice, William, Tenny, Josephine, Emsley L. and Ira G. The subject of this sketch grew up on the home farm and there he as- sisted his father with the general work when a boy, and in the winter months he attended the common schools in Sevmour and his native vicinitv. He 1092 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. made his start in life on the farm. When twenty years of age he went to Tulare, California, where he spent three years, then returned to Greene coun- ty and resumed farming on a place containing two hundred and ten acres, near the old homestead. He continued general farming and stock raising on a large scale for eight or nine years, then sold out and moved to Spring- field, in 1906, bought city property and went to work for the Diffenderffer Implement Company, at Market and Walnut streets, and has been employed by this firm continuously to the present time. He has proven to be a most energetic, capable and trustworthy employee and has drawn a great deal of trade for the firm. Mr. Bodenhamer was married on December 18, 1895, t0 Mattie L. Quisenberry, who was born in Greene county, Missouri, June 10, 1878, and here she grew to womanhood and was educated. She is a daughter of El- cano and Ellen (Vandergrift) Quisenberry. One child has been born to our subject and wife, Minnie Iv. Boden- hamer, whose birth occurred on June 28, 1897. She is attending the State Normal School here and is taking a course in music, having decided natural ability in this line. Politically, Mr. Bodenhamer is a Democrat, and, fraternally, he be- longs to the Modern Woodmen of America. LOUIS N. BASSETT. Every human being either submits to the controlling influence of others or wields an influence which touches, controls, guides or misdirects others. If he be honest and successful in his chosen field of endeavor, investigation will brighten his fame and point the way along which others may follow with like success. Consequently a critical study of the life, record of the gentle- man whose name forms the caption of this paragraph may be beneficial to the reader, for it has been one of usefulness and honor and indicates how one may rise to positions of responsibility in the industrial world while yet young in years if he directs his energies along proper paths and is controlled by proper ideals. Louis N. Bassett, superintendent of terminals of the Frisco Lines at Springfield, is a worthy representative of a distinguished family. He was born August 20, 1874, in Allen county, Ohio, and is a son of Samuel H. and Mary (Whipp) Bassett. The father of our subject was born in Ohio, in October, 1848, and there grew to manhood and received a limited education, and there he married and spent his earlier years. His wife was also born and reared in the state of Ohio and was educated there, the date of her birth GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1093 - being iii September, 1850. To these parents eight children were born, name- ly: Ollis Q., Mrs. Rosie Buchanan, Sarah (deceased), Louis N. (subject), Clara, Samuel, Jr., DeWitt and Glen. Samuel H. Bassett is a fine example of a successful self-made Ameri- can. He made up for his early lack of education of a higher order by wide home study and by contact with the world until he became an exceptionally well informed man, and, choosing a military career, has attained a promi- nent place in the United States navy, having been connected with the navy department since 1896, and is now occupying the responsible position of au- ditor of the navy, with offices in Washington, D. C., and is discharging his duties in a manner that reflects much credit upon himself and to the satis- faction of his superiors in that department. During the Civil war he joined the Federal army in the fall of 1863 and served very gallantly as a private in the Twenty-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company I. He saw a great deal of active service in the far South, and was with General Sherman in his campaign about Atlanta and was on the memorable march to the sea. At the close of the war he was mustered out and honorably discharged. Many years ago he worked in the internal revenue department in northwestern Ohio and from that went into the navy, in which his rise has been rapid. He has shown much natural ability, and this, combined with keen observing powers- and the fact that he has been a diligent student of everything that pertained to his work, has made him very efficient as well as popular in this branch of the government service, and he is popular and well liked in government cir- cles in Washington. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and belongs to the Knights of Pythias. Louis N. Bassett grew to manhood in Allen county, Ohio, and there- received a good common school education, later studying at the Ohio State- Normal, at Ada, that state. He began his railroad career in 1896 in Kansas City, Missouri, as messenger boy for the Frisco in the terminal department there, and he has remained with this road to the present time. Being dili- gent, quick to learn, faithful and reliable in all his work, he has been pro- moted until he now holds a very responsible position. He became chief clerk in that department, which position he occupied until in 1908, when he was appointed superintendent of terminals at Springfield, and has since held this post in a manner that has proven him to be entirely capable and worthy of the high degree of trust and esteem in which he is held by the company. He looks after the operation of trains, both passenger and freight, also the yards, tracks and station. He is regarded as one of the best men, in this particular field, the Frisco has ever had, and he is frequently complimented by his su- periors for his efficient and prompt work. Mr. Bassett was married April 3, 1895, in Ohio, to Genevieve Murray, who was born in Allen county, that state, where she was reared and well edu- 1094 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. cated. She is a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Depler) Murray. Mr. Murray was one of the oldest residents of Allen county and was twice mar- ried and reared a large family. To his second wife eight children were horn, three of whom were triplets. Dr. Robert D. 'Murray,, the brother of our subject's wife, was, at one time, government physician, specializing in yel- low fever, and was United States surgeon for many years and was located at Ship Island, Mississippi, for a time, and then went to Macon, Georgia, and was instrumental in wiping out the yellow fever epidemic at New Bruns- wick, Georgia, and in 1903 died in Key West, Florida. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bassett, namely: Clif- ford, born September 19, 1904, and Howard, born August 29, 1906. Politically, Mr. Bassett is a Republican. Fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic order, including the blue lodge and other degrees of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and including the latter. He is active in the affairs of the order, in which he stands high. Religiously, he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Personally, he is a man of fine character, is a good mixer, and has made a host of friends since lo- cating in Springfield. CHARLES J. DRURY. There is a great deal in being born under a good eye, one that watches and guards off the error and folly that overtake so many young men. The parents that are able to infuse into their children the spirit of the Spartans —the spirit that can meet any fate and make the most of the world — will see their children grow to years of maturity with excellent habits and splen- did principles, and see them become exemplary citizens. Charles J. Drury, former superintendent of the North Side machine shops for the Frisco, and a man who had an envied record in his special line of endeavor, although a young man, was fortunate in having broad-minded, honest and painstaking parents, so that he looked out upon the world from a sane, intelligent and comprehensive viewpoint. Mr. Drury was born September 17, 1878, at Chicago Junction, Ohio. He is a son of M. J. and Mary (Cook) Drury, the former a native of England and the latter of West Virginia. M. J. Drury was born in May, 1849. He spent his earlier years in his native land and received a good common school education, but was young when he came to the United States. He has spent his life in railroad service. He served his apprenticeship at Parkersburg, West Virginia, in the shops of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company. Later he went to Kansas and was general foreman at Parsons in the shops of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad Company, from 1880 until 1886, GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1095 after which he was gang foreman until 1892 for the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad Company, was general foreman for this road at La Junta, Colorado, until 1895. From that year until 1902 he was general foreman at Arkansas City, Kansas, for the same road, and from 1902 to 1906 he was master mechanic for the same road at Winslow, Arizona. He then was master mechanic for about a year at Raton, New Mexico, for the same road, -and from 1907 to 1912 he was mechanical superintendent at La Junta, Colo- rado, and since then has been at his present location, Topeka, Kansas, as su- perintendent of shop. The mother of the subject of this sketch died in Jan- uary, 1907. Charles J. Drury, who was the only child of M. J. Drury and wife, re- ceived his education in the schools of Kansas City, Missouri; Topeka, Kan- sas, and La Junta, Colorado, attending the high school in the last named place. He entered railway service July 1, 1895, from which time until July 1, 1909, he was machinist apprentice for the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe railroad, at Atchison, Kansas. After serving his four years there he was, until July 1, 1906, machinist for the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe railroad, Southern Pacific Company, Kansas City Southern railway, El Paso & South- western railroad, Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific railroad and other roads. From July 1, 1906, to July 1, 1908, he was roundhouse foreman of the Santa Fe at La Junta, Colorado. From November, 1908, to September, 1910, he was general foreman of the same road at Albuquerque, New Mexico. From September 1, 1910, to April 1, 1911, he was master mechanic on the Oklahoma division of the same road at Arkansas City, Kansas. From April 1, 1 9 1 1 , until January, 1913, he was master mechanic of the Plains division of that road at Amarillo, Texas. From January, 1913, until July of the same year he was general foreman for the St. Louis & San Francisco rail- road at Fort Smith, Arkansas, and from that date until July, 1914, he was general foreman in the Springfield shops of this company, and at his death was master mechanic of the machine shops at Sapulpa, of the Oklahoma di- vision. He was a master of his special line of work and made a fine record in the responsible position which he held as he did in all previous positions. His death occurred October 19, 1914, as a result of typhoid fever. Mr. Drury was married, in February, 1903, in San Francisco, Califor- nia, to Julia McKenry, who was born in Wisconsin, in August, 1880. She is a daughter of William and Mary McKenry, who reside in Wisconsin. Five children, four of whom are still living, have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Drury, namely: Mary, born December 25, 1904, died in January, 1908; Florence, born March 11, 1907; Jack, born August 17, 1909; Charles, born March 13, 1910; Frances, born January 12, 1913. Politically, Mr. Drury was a Republican. He was a member of the Catholic church, and, fraternally, he belonged to the Knights of Columbus. 1096 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. ARTHUR LAFAYETTE WHITLOCK. This is the age of the expert. In every walk of life there is an insistent demand for the man who has made a particular study of one thing, whether it be in science, medicine, architecture, agriculture, horticulture, or, in fact, any other field of human endeavor. In the few short years, however, that the soil expert has been a recognized factor in the success of American agri- culture, he has demonstrated beyond dispute that he is, of all the experts, the most valuable, for, upon him, as upon no one else, depends the success or failure of America’s most important citizen, the farmer. There are some who cling to their old-fashioned methods and ideas and refuse to heed the advice of the expert, all to their own detriment. But such progressive farm- ers as Arthur Lafayette Whitlock, of Franklin township, Greene county, avail themselves of the advice of the expert and, in fact, utilize all practical in- formation regarding their vocations and are therefore making a success as. general farmers. Mr. Whitlock was born March 27, 1870, in the above named township and county. He is a son of Lambert L. and Mary J. (Llarkness) Wbitlock. The father was born in Tennessee, April 23, 1832. Lie was a son of Thomas J. and Elizabeth Ann (Montgomery) Whitlock. Thomas J. Whitlock was a native of North Carolina, from which state he emigrated to Tennessee,, and finally came on to Greene county, Missouri, in 1832, when Lambert L. was six months old. Thomas J. located on a farm here among the early pioneers and became an influential citizen. He devoted his entire life to general farming and stock raising and, being a man of rare judgment and industry, accumulated much wealth, was one of the largest land owners in this county. He was the possessor of a number of fine farms at the time of his death. He was associated with C. B. Holland in the horse and mule business in Springfield for some time, and before the Civil war it was his custom to buy up large herds of live stock and drive them to the South where he disposed of them at a good profit. During the gold rush to the California Eldorado, Thomas J. Whitlock joined the throng that crossed the great plains of the west in 1849 and remained on the Pacific coast two years. Upon returning home he sent his sons, Lambert L. and Samuel T. to Cali- fornia with a drove of cattle and they drove them across the plains success- fully. At one time, Thomas J. Whitlock owned sixteen slaves, for whom he refused an offer of sixteen thousand dollars. He was a man of charitable, hospitable and liberal impulses, and was a power for good in his community. Evervbody admired him and respected him. His advice was frequently sought on various questions. His death occurred in Greene county at the advanced age of eighty-four years. His wife, who was also a native of Tennessee, died in this county at a ripe old age. During the war of the THOMAS .7. WHITLOCK. L. L. WHITLOCK MARY .T. WHITLOCK. Slf WHITLOCK AND FAMILY. \ GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. IO97 Rebellion, Thomas J. Whitlock owned and operated a grist mill at Marsh- held, Webster county, also owned and operated a grist mill and a saw-mill in Greene county. He was identified with nearly every enterprise that had for its object the upbuilding and advancement of the county in any way. He was widely known, a good mixer, made and retained friends easily and was loyal in his friendships. He had no superiors and few equals among the pioneers as a business man and public-spirited citizen. Lambert L. Whitlock grew to manhood on his father's farm, in the development of which he had a hand, making himself useful during the crop seasons, and during the winter attending the township schools ; he was a life- long farmer and stock man, inheriting many of the sterling characteristics of his father. He became owner of one hundred and sixty acres of excellent land and was one of the best general farmers in his township, and with the exception of two years spent in California, he lived his entire life within three miles of the homestead where the family located when he was a child. Politically, he was a Democrat. He belonged to the Cumberland Presby- terian church, in which he was a deacon for many years. His death occurred on the home farm January 4, 1906, at the age of seventy-four years, after a successful and honorable life. During the Civil war he served in the militia. His wife, Mary J. Harkness, born December 23, 1832, in Tennessee, came to Greene county, when twelve years old, where she grew to womanhood and was educated, and here her death occurred August 30, i 8’90. She too, was a devout member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church at Mt. Comfort. To Lambert L. Whitlock and wife nine children were born, five of whom died in infancy. Those living are, Anna, who has remained on the home farm; Arthur L. of this review; Finis E. is deceased; Mrs. Ollie Freeman lives in Robberson township, this county. Arthur L. Whitlock spent his boyhood on the homestead and there assisted with the general work. He obtained his education in the rural schools of his community, and here he has continued to reside, following general farming. In December. 1898, he married Lula Wharton, a daugh- ter of J. William and Louise (Beckner) Whartoji, the former a native of Greene county and the latter of Laclede county, Missouri. Mrs. Whitlock was born, August 7. 1866, and was reared and educated in Greene county. To our subject and wife one child has been born, William Arthur Whitlock, born October 7, 1903. A year after his marriage, Mr. Whitlock purchased the farm on which he now resides, and. during his residence of over fifteen years on this ex- cellent farm, he has brought it up to a high state of cultivation and improve- ment, until today, it ranks with the best in Franklin township. It consists of two hundred and ninety acres of rich land. He harvests a large acreage of grain annually and raises large numbers of Shorthorn cattle, Jerseys and GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. IO98 other live stock, of which he is a good judge. He has a pleasant home and numerous convenient outbuildings. Politically, he is a Democrat and while he is interested in local as well as national public affairs, like his honored father before him, he takes no active part and has never held office. Fraternally, he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, Xo. 4975. of Springfield, and of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows of Fair Grove. He and his wife are mem- bers of the Methodist church at Oakland, east of Springfield. JOHN B. HARRISON. Scattered here and there among Greene county's population of over seventy thousand people are men and women who claim, with a degree of pride as well they may, the state of Kentucky as the place of their nativity. There is a certain distinction in being a native of the fine old Blue Grass state, which has furnished many great men to our national life and has for a century been a potent factor in the affairs of the Union. One of those who hail from within her borders is John B. Harrison, foreman for over a quarter of a century of the great Meyer mills of Springfield. Mr. Harrison was born at Bowling Green, Kentucky, August 2, 1862. He is a son of William FI. and Lucinda (Poor) Harrison, the father a native of Virginia and the mother a native of Ireland, she having emigrated from that country when young and met and married the elder Harrison in the East. The father of our subject died when his son, John B., was about twelve years of age, and the latter was small when his mother passed away in Missouri, so he was reared to manhood in the home of his grandfather, Benjamin Harrison, who was one of the early pioneers of southeastern Missouri. There our subject received a common school education and worked on the farm when a boy, until he was about sixteen years of age, then went -away with Sells Bros, circus, with which he traveled for two years, during which he gained much valuable knowledge of the world first handed. He then secured employment driving a street car in St. Louis. In 1881 he came to Springfield and here drove one of the first ‘‘mule cars” of the local street railway, continuing in this work for about four and one-half years, then began working in the grain milling business for Fox & Rienman at the old Gulf Mill, which stood at the corner of Jefferson and Mill streets. He remained there two years, during which he mastered the various ins and outs of the milling business, then went to work for Clark & Russell, with which company he remained until the panic during President Cleveland's ■administration, at which time the mill was sold to the Meyer Milling Com- GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. IO99 party and Mr. Harrison lias been with this concern ever since, his long ser- vice indicating that he has been most faithful and capable in this line of work. For a period of twenty-six years he has been foreman and grain buyer of this well-known mill, and is one of the most widely known men in his line in the Southwest. Mr. Harrison was married on October 4, 1884, ' n Springfield, to May Edmondson, who was born in this city, August 7, 1864. She is a daughter of R. FI. and Martha A. (Mathews) Edmondson, an old family of Spring- field, both parents of our subject’s wife having long been deceased. Mr. Edmondson was in the employ of the Frisco railroad for nearly forty years here. Mrs. Harrison grew to womanhood in this city and was educated in the local schools. Five children have been born to our subject and wife, all living, namely: Eugene C., born November 5, 1885, is connected with Fred Harvey at this place; Beatrice, born on March 8, 1888, married F. J. Green, who is em- ployed here by the Frisco-; Nellie Shaw, born on February 14, 1891, mar- ried H. E. Tegarden, a farmer living northwest of the city; John B., Jr., born on November 6, 1894, married Jessie Hartley and he also works for Fred Harvey in this city; Ralph Ashley, born on September 14, 1897, is attending high school at this writing. Mr. Harrison owns a good home at 971 Robberson avenue. Politi- cally, he is a Republican. He is a member of the Woodmen of the World, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. ANDREW B. KERR. In going through a large establishment like the new Frisco shops in Springfield one is impressed at the sight of such a large number of beardless youths, and this is true all over the country, whether one visits machine shops, factories, foundries or whatever kind of industrial establishment, be- ing constantly reminded that this is, according to the oft quoted phrase, “the age of young men.” It is not the mission of the biographer to here expatiate on reasons or causes or explanations why this has come about, but the fact remains nevertheless that elderly men are much in the minority in such places. Andrew B. Kerr, while yet young in years, is discharging the duties of an important and responsible position, that of instructor of apprentices of the Frisco shops. Mr. Kerr was born February 27, 1885, in Allegheny county, Pennsyl- vania. He is a son of William J. and Margaret (McCracken) Kerr. They were both born in Pennsylvania, the father in 1861 and the mother in 1863, J 100 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. and there they grew to maturity, were educated and married and are still living in Allegheny county, that state, near Pittsburg. After attending a college, which is now the University of Pittsburg, William J. Kerr took up the study of law, but has never followed that profession, devoting his life to railroading. He was a call boy for the Pennsylvania railroad and has since held various positions with this company in the transportation depart- ment, and at this writing holds the responsible post as general yardmaster for that road in Pittsburg. His family consists of ten children, namely: Andrew B., of this sketch, is the eldest; John, Katharine, Herman, Margaret, William, Isabel, Herbert, Merideth and Norman. They are all living at this writing. Politically, the father is a Republican, and, fraternally, is a mem- ber of the Knights of Malta. Andrew B. Kerr grew to manhood in his native state and there attended the public schools, but quit school when fourteen years of age and began work carrying mail in his locality. He later learned telegraphy in the rail- road office there, and served his time in the Pennsylvania shops at Verona, as machinist, remaining there from May 21, 1901, to January 8, 1906. Not being satisfied with the education he had obtained, he quit the shop in the last mentioned year and entered Purdue University, at Uafayette, Indiana, made a good record and was graduated from that institution June 28, 1910, with the degree of bachelor of science; also received a degree from the me- chanical engineering department. After leaving the university he began working as assistant engineer at the car barns of the Pittsburg Street Rail- way Company at Homewood, Pennsylvania. Rater he went to work for the American Steel and Wire Company, in Pennsylvania, as machinist. From there he went to Yoakum, Texas, as a machinist on the San Antonio & Aran- sas Pass Railroad, in 1911, being with this company but a short time when he took up a position as instructor and representative of The International Correspondence Schools, of Scranton, Pennsylvania, in Yoakum, and in the spring of 1912 went to Omaha, Nebraska, as instructor and text book writer of the educational bureau of the Harriman lines, and in the spring of 1913 came to Missouri. He came to Springfield, Missouri, July 12, 1913, and secured employment as machinist in the Frisco shops. His ability was soon recognized and he was made instructor of apprentices of the shops of this company in Springfield, which position he is holding to the satisfaction of all concerned, being a young man of advanced ideas, capable, energetic and trustworthy. He has charge of all the apprentices, having under his care one hundred and twenty boys at the present time. Fie makes use of two class rooms, one at the old plant and another at the new plant. Each boy is required to attend his respective class two hours each week. They are given sufficient instruction to enable them to gain a general idea of all shop GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. I IOI work. Mr. Kerr is making a great success in this undertaking and has aroused much enthusiasm in the work in his classes. Mr. Kerr was married July 3, 1911, in Lafayette, Indiana, to Grace Ullman, who is a native of Tippecanoe county, Indiana, and a daughter of Emanuel and Caroline Ullman ; the father is deceased, but the mother sur- vives and still makes her home in Tippecanoe county, where Mrs. Kerr grew to womanhood and received good educational advantages. The union of our subject and wife has been without issue. Politically, Mr. Kerr is a Republican and a member of the Presbyterian church. He is a young man of fine mind and progressive ideas, and the fu- ture evidently has much of promise for him in his special sphere of endeavor. ALONZO W. EMERY. Among the large numbers of conductors of the Frisco system, none is performing his duties more faithfully or satisfactorily than Alonzo W. Emery, who has devoted the principal part of his active career to railroad service, for which he early in life manifested a decided liking, and every one knows that we must like our work if we succeed in it to any appreciable de- gree. Mr. Emery was born in Brooklyn, New York, November 6, 1864. He is a son of George D. and Maria Thresa (Van Arsdel) Emery. The father was born in New Hampshire and the mother was a native of Summerville, New Jersey, the date of the former’s birth being December 4, 1831, while the latter was born in October, 1840. She received a good education. The latter part of her life was spent in Springfield, Missouri, where her death occurred March 21, 1888. George D. Emery’s educational advantages were limited. He devoted the principal part of his business career to the furni- ture business, and for years maintained a store on the South Side, Spring- field, to which city he removed with his family in 1870, and on September 7, 1914, died at his residence, having reached the advanced age of nearly eighty-three years. His family consisted of only two children, namely: Alonzo W., of this sketch, and Frank E. Alonzo W. Emery was six years of age when, in 1870, he removed with his parents from Brooklyn, New York, to Springfield, Missouri, and here he grew to manhood and received his education in the ward and high schools. When a boy he clerked in various stores, and in 1885 went to Colorado and followed ranching two or three years, returning to Springfield in 1888, and began braking on a freight train for the Kansas City, Ft. Scott .& Memphis Railroad Company, commonly known as the “Gulf road,” which was sold to I 102 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. the Frisco system in 1900. After working for that company a year, he re- turned to the West and worked on the Oregon Short Line until 1892, when he came back to Springfield, and went to braking again, which he followed until 1895, when he was promoted to conductor of a freight train. After five years of this work he was promoted, in 1900, to passenger conductor, his run being between Springfield and Memphis, and he still continues on his regular run on this division. Mr. Emery has been twice married, first, on June 15, 1890, to Marion Cummins, in Huntington, Oregon. She was born in Wisconsin, and her death occurred in Springfield, Missouri, in 1906. To this first union two children were born, namely: Clifford, born December 16, 1897, and Albert, born April 27, 1899. Mr. Emery’s second marriage was consummated on March 4, 1911, his choice of a companion being Wanda Lasley, a widow, who was born in Logan county, Ohio, November 6, 1880, and is a daughter of James L. and Maria (Franks) McKinnon, both natives of Ohio, and the parents of each came from New York state. Mr. McKinnon was born in 1846 and his death occurred in Urhana, Ohio, in 1884. Mrs. McKinnon was- born in 1850 and she is still living, making her home in Webster county Mis- souri. Mr. McKinnon was an architect and builder of superior skill, and won a wide reputation in his line of endeavor in the state of Ohio. Flis fam- ily consisted of three children, namely: Mrs. Nettie M. Littleton, who re- sides in Springfield, Missouri ; Alva, who makes his home in Kansas, and Wanda, who married Mr. Emery of this sketch. Politically, Mr. Emery is a Democrat. He belongs to Division 321, Order of Railway Conductors, and is a member of the Masonic order, in- cluding the Knights Templar degree and the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles, of the Mystic Shrine. Religiously, he belongs to the Presbyterian church. Mrs. Emery is a member of the Christian church. JAMES E. DULIN. It requires men of grit, courage, coolness and decision to make a suc- cessful locomotive engineer. It takes nerve on many occasions to meet the unexpected which the engine driver often encounters — wrecks, washouts, train robbers and various situations where one must think rapidly and do the right thing at the right time. One of these men is James E. Dulin, well known in railroad circles of this locality, one of the oldest engineers on the Frisco running out of Springfield. Mr. Dulin was born October 26, 1856, at Aledo, Illinois. He is a son of Edwin R. and Sarah (Artz) Dulin. The father was born April 28, 1825, GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. IIOJ; in Columbus, Franklin county, Ohio, and the mother was born in Wood- stock, Shenandoah county, Virginia, March 13, 1828, and she moved with her parents from the Old Dominion to Delaware county, Ohio, in Septem- ber, 1834, when six years of age, and there she grew to womanhood and married Mr. Dulin. They both received good educations for those times, Mrs. Dulin becoming a fine scholar. From Ohio the parents of our subject moved to Illinois, where they lived on a farm. Leaving that state, they set- tled in Missouri and continued farming for a while, then moved to Kansas City, where Mr. Dulin followed the trade of cooper and carpenter, and there the death of the mother occurred March 22, 1897; the father died Septem- ber 19, 1900. They were the parents of nine children, six of whom are still living, namely: Ernestine; Josephine is deceased; Elwy died February 7, 1915; James, of this sketch; Archie died in infancy; May, Ettie, Lester and Jesse. When James E. Dulin was ten years of age the family located in Mis- souri, locating in Johnson county, where he grew to manhood and received his education in the common schools. He was of a mechanical turn of mind, and his first work was in a woolen mill, where he spent one summer. He be- gan his railroad career in Urbana, Illinois, in 1873, in the shops there, later began as fireman on the Indianapolis, Bloomington & Western railroad; he then went to Kansas City, Missouri, and went to work for the Missouri River, Ft. Scott & Gulf railroad, in March, 1874, as fireman, running be- tween Kansas City and Ft. Scott, Kansas, and while on this run was pro- moted to engineer on March 8, 1880, and transferred to Springfield, Mis- souri, on November 7, 1883, to remain here only thirty days, helping out on the new line; but he remained, and has been running on the Ozark division, between Springfield and Thayer, and is the oldest engineer in point of serv- ice on this division. This road was purchased by the Frisco System in 1900. Thirty-one years is an exceptionally long time for a railroader to work for a company on the same division, and Mr. Dulin’s long retention on this line would indicate that he is efficient, trustworthy and faithful. In all, Mr. Dulin has been with the same company for forty-one years. Mr, Dulin was married June 16, 1881, in Kansas City, to Lillah H. Hagerty, who was born in Princeton, Illinois, December 25, i860. She is a daughter of Rev. T. IT. Hagerty, of St. Louis, a minister of the Meth- odist Episcopal church. He has answered the roll call sixty-two consecutive times in St. Louis Conference and is ex-chaplain-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic. At present he is chaplain of the Ransom Post Grand Army of the Republic, of St. Louis, Missouri. His wife, who was a Hull before her marriage and a daughter, of Rev. H. Hull, a Presbyterian minister, has been deceased several years, her death occurring July 15, 1872. After her mother's death she was reared in the family of J. Radle, Esquire, of Meade- 1 104 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. ville, Pennsylvania, and there received her education. Mrs. Dulin received a good education, being a graduate of Lewis College, Glasgow, Missouri. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Dulin, namely : Elsie, born June 7, 1882, died April 29, 1884; Jamie H., born October 24, 1883, was educated in the Springfield schools, graduating from Drury Academy. He now lives in Chicago and is a designing artist, maintaining a studio of his own there, where he turns out some very fine work in his line. He mar- ried Dorothy Sessna; Everett, born January 23, 1899, is a junior at this writing in the Springfield high school. Politically, Mr. Dulin is a Republican of the Progressive wing. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church and is a member of Division 378 Brotherhood of Engineers. Fraternally, he is a Mason, and for the past twenty-four years has been a member of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. AZZO B. GRIER. As a rule when we observe men changing from one line of work to another it indicates that he has not made a very marked success of his former calling, if indeed he has not failed outright. However, this is not always the case, as may be observed in the career of Azzo B. Grier, who has suc- ceeded as farmer, educator and merchant, at present engaged in the drug and grocery business in Strafford, Greene county, where he is widely and favorably known and is regarded as a useful and public-spirited citizen. Mr. Grier was born near the town in which he now resides, just across the line in Webster county, on May 11, 1870. Pie is a son of Samuel R. and Elizabeth (Morton) Grier, the father born in North Carolina on November 23, 1834, and the mother was born in Greene county, Missouri, on May 29, 1849. The former came to Missouri when a small boy and was reared on a farm in Webster county and there received a limited education. Fifty years ago he purchased the farm where he still lives, his farm now containing two hundred and fifty-four and one-half acres. He is one of the successful and progressive men of his locality. During the Civil War he served seventy days in the state militia. His wife was reared on a farm in this county and attended the common schools. She is still very active for one of her age. Only two children were born to this couple, Azzo B., of this sketch, and Lorenzo, who lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Mr. Grier, of this review, grew up on the home farm. He received a good common school education. He worked on the farm until he began teaching in 1888, and he taught eight terms during a period of ten years with gratifying success. He has a record of teaching forty-nine months -i"" ' A. B. GRIER. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1105 without losing a day on account of sickness. He came to Strafford in 1898 and engaged in the drug and grocery business with Dr. I. H. Mason, later selling out and teaching another term of school, then came back to Strafford and bought back his old mercantile business from his former partner, Dr. Mason, and he is still engaged in the drug and grocery business, enjoying a large trade with the surrounding country. He has been continuously engaged in business in Strafford longer than any other man. Mr. Grier was married in December, 1898, to Hettie Langston, a native of Greene county, where she was reared and educated. She was a daughter of Jackson P. C. and Phronie (Comstock) Langston, a sketch of whom appears on another page of this volume. Mrs. Grier’s death occurred on "November 2, 1909, and our subject was subsequently married to Mary Lu Mullinax, who was born and reared on a farm near Strafford. She is a daughter of Martin and Mariah (West) Mullinax. She received a good education in the local schools and taught school six terms with much success. Two children were born to Mr. Grier and his first wife, Roberta, born on December 16, 1899, and Orville, born on November 26, 1902. both of whom live at home. One child was born of the second union, Mildred, born on Tune 17, 1911, who is at home. Politically Mr. Grier is a Democrat, and fraternally he is a member of the Modern Woodmen. GEORGE W. MOORE. To successfully discharge the duties of general car foreman for the great Frisco shops of Springfield, as George W. Moore is doing, indicates that such a man has improved well his every opportunity in his chosen voca- tion, and also that he is reliable and energetic. It is a position that not every- one. although skilled in this line of work, could successfully fill, for it re- quires something more than technical knowledge to superintend a large shop and handle a number of employees so as to get the best results promptly and at the same time retain the good will of all connected with the establishment, but our subject has done this for some time. Mr. Moore was born in St. Joseph, Missouri, January 1, 1874. He Is a son of Charles and Josie (Newman) Moore. The father was born in Indiana in 1841, and he died in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1893. The mother was born in St. Joseph, Missouri, in 1853. and her death occurred in Decem- ber, 1910. Charles Moore left the Hoosier state when young and came to St. Joseph, Missouri, where he and Josie Newman were married. He was a ■cooper by trade. When our subject was two years old he removed with his ( 70 ) 1 106 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. family to Kansas City, Missouri, where he continued his trade, and for some time was assistant foreman of the cooper shop for the Armour Packing Com- pany. His family consisted of eight children, namely: Frank is the eldest; George W., of this review; Maud is living; Claud is living; Charles, de- ceased; Hettie, deceased; Jesse and Josie are the two youngest. George W. Moore grew to manhood in Kansas City and there received his education in the public schools, which has been supplemented in later life by self-culture. He was only seventeen years of age when he went to- work for the old Kansas City, Wyandotte & Northwestern Railroad Com- pany (now a part of the Missouri Pacific), in the shops, serving his time as. an apprentice there, then went to the Armour Car Lines Company in the same capacity, remaining with the latter firm until October 3, 1897, then went to work for the Frisco System as car repairer and car inspector, and as checker of piece work. Leaving Kansas City, he went on the road as traveling car inspector, July 30, 1909, and remained in this work until May 10, 1912, when he was transferred to Memphis, Tennessee, as general car foreman. October 9 of that year he was sent to Kansas City in the same capacity, remaining there until May 22, 1914, when he was transferred to Springfield, where he is now engaged in the same work in the North Side shops. He has given eminent satisfaction in all the above named positions,, being a skilled workman, faithful and industrious. He is regarded here as one of the most efficient general car foremen the Frisco has ever had. Mr. Moore was married May 30, 1895, ,n Kansas City, Missouri, to- May E. Stewart, who was born in Boonville, Missouri, December 27, 1873. She is a daughter of William H. and Maggie E. (Brown) Stewart, natives of Wisconsin and Boonville, Missouri, respectively. Mr. Stewart is a pat- tern maker by trade and is a noted inventor, his best known invention being the “Monarch scales. - ’ He also invented many other things of use to hu- manity. He lives in Kansas City. To Mr. and Mrs. Moore one child has been born. Ward C. Moore, whose birth occurred April 21, 1896. He is at this writing an apprentice to the machinist’s trade in the Kansas City shops of the Frisco- company. Fraternally, Mr. Moore is prominent in the Masonic order, having at- tained the thirty-second degree in the same. He belongs to the blue lodge, No. 522, at Kansas City; the Scottish Rite, No. 21, of Memphis, Tennessee; the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Kansas City. He also belongs to the Knights of Pythias, the Ancient Order of Lhiited Workmen, the Royal League and the Iowa State Travelers’ Association. Politically, he is a Democrat. Although Air. Moore has not long been a resident of Springfield, he is. winning friends rapidly by his pleasing manners and general attitude of brotherly kindness. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1107 EUGENE JOSEPH RHODES. There could be no more comprehensive history written of a community or even of a state and its people than that which deals with the life work of those who, by their own endeavor and indomitable energy, have placed them- selves where they well deserve the title of progressive, and in this sketch will be found the record of one who has outstripped the less active plodders on the highway of life, one who has not been subdued by the many obstacles and failures that come to every one, but who has made them stepping stones to higher things and at the same time that Mr. Rhodes has been winning his way to the front in business affairs he has gained a reputation for upright- ness and honor. Eugene Joseph Rhodes, a well known citizen of Springfield, formerly of northern Arkansas, was born in Jefferson county, Iowa, March 17, 1845. He is a son of Ira G. and Ann Emelia (Botts) Rhodes. Ira G. Rhodes was born in the state of New York, on August 29, 1814, but when a child he was brought to Trumbull county, Ohio, where he grew to manhood and re- ceived his education. His father was of German ancestry, his mother Eng- lish, though the former was born in Massachusetts and the latter in Con- necticut. The family record shows that John Rhodes, grandfather of Ira G., was born May 2, 1779, and died June 24, 1819. His wife, Hannah Graves, was born June 17, 1783, and died September 10, 1835. Their son, Joseph, father of Ira G., was married to Polly Waters, February 15, 1801. The parents of Polly Waters were named Guerdon and Eliza, the former dying December 25, 1813, and the latter dying January 24, 1819. Joseph and Polly Rhodes were the parents of eight children, five girls and three boys, Ira G. being the sixth child. The exact place of his birth is not known. In 1814 his parents left Connecticut to go to Ohio, and while en route this son was born. It seems that the trip from the old Nutmeg state to the Buck- eye state recjuired cpiite a long time, and when the family reached Ohio their infant son was one year old. Thus it was in 1815 that the Rhodeses took up their residence in what was then the western frontier or wilderness, still the domain of the red men, and there endured the usual hardships and privations of early pioneers. There Ira G. Rhodes' parents spent the rest of their lives and there their children grew to maturity and then left the old home to be- come themselves pioneers in the still farther West. Ira G. remained with his parents until twenty-one years old, working on the farm in summer and attending district school in winter. Although he had no other schooling than was afforded by the common schools of Ohio, yet he prepared himself for a successful teacher and taught several terms of school before he became of age. His first school was a winter term of three months, at eleven dollars per month, and “board around,” which necessitated going to the poorest 1 108 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. cabins, sleeping with dirty children, with scant covering, and in huts where through the cracks between tbe logs the snow sifted in winter and the stars were visible through the roof, and the usual fare nothing but “hog and hom- iny.” Though his early life was that of the farm boy, he eventually had good training, his parents being people of sturdy character and strong minds. In his early life Ira G. Rhodes was a Whig and first cast his vote for Gen. William Henry Harrison; following his father, however, he later joined the Free Soilers and became a Republican on the organization of that party. He was all his life a stanch advocate of temperance. His father died at the old farm in Trumbull county, Ohio, December 30, 1853, and his mother died there on November 1, 1848. Soon after reaching the age of twenty-one, Ira G. Rhodes, with only a capital of one hundred dollars, started West to seek his fortune, traveling horseback through the states of Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, locating in Han- cock county in the last named state, where he engaged in teaching school for seven years. Here he met and married Ann Emelia Botts. She was born in Kentucky, May 14, 1820. Her ancestors were originally from England. Her father, Joseph Botts, was the ninth child of John and Lucy (Gaines) Botts, and was born in Virginia. He married Sabra Wilkes, of Boone coun- ty, Kentucky, and they became the parents of twelve children, of whom Ann Emelia was the fourth. She lived with her parents on the farm in the old Blue Grass state until she was sixteen years of age, when they emigrated to Flancock county, Illinois, the journey requiring four weeks, Ann Emelia riding the entire distance on horseback. Illinois was then principally a wild, unbroken prairie, with a settlement here and there. Mr. Botts was a slave owner in Kentucky, but finally freed his slaves and sought a country where slave holding was not the custom. He was a minister in the Baptist church for over a half century and a great preacher among the pioneers. It was on January 15, 1843, that Ira G. Rhodes and wife were married, and in April of that year they went to Iowa to make their future home, set- tling in the timbered lands bordering the Skunk river in the northeast cor- ner of Jefferson county. Here, six years before Iowa became a state, on the outskirts of civilization, where the tracks of the Indians were still fresh in the soil, far away from relations and friends, with only a few scattered neighbors, they began housekeeping and homebuilding. On that farm in the woods, carved out of Nature’s raw material by their own hands, they lived for nearly fifty years, rearing their family of eight children, their way being hard and toilsome, but it was always cheerful and hopeful. By per- sistent, well directed labor and judicious economy, they won prosperity and secured a competence, so they were enabled to spend their old age in quiet and comfort. Mr. Rhodes was always active in school matters, and for many years after he gave up teaching he was a school director. He was a good de- GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. I 109 bater and took an active part in all literary and debating societies of the neighborhood. Before and during the Civil war he took great interest in politics and was active in his locality. In 1874 he allied himself with the Grangers and was elected by that party county treasurer, holding the office two years in an able manner, this being the only public office he ever held, and this he did not seek. However, he was often urged to become a candi- date for the legislature, but always refused. Upon his election to the office of county treasurer he abandoned his farm and moved to Fairfield, the coun- ty-seat. At the close of his official career he purchased a home in Brighton, four miles from the old home, and there they continued to reside, spending a portion of each year visiting their children in Missouri, Arkansas and other places. Mr. Rhodes was a robust man physically, was never known to be sick. He never used tobacco and liquor or indulged in profane language. He was a kind husband, father and neighbor and beloved by all who knew him, as was also his good wife. Fie was a man of liberal religious views and never belonged to any church, although his daily life was that of an honest, upright man and his character was always exemplary. He was a thinking man and all his life he was true to himself and the world. Mrs. Rhodes also shared her husband’s views on religion, and they believed in right for right’s sake, opposing the dogmas and creeds of orthodox churches. They both closed their days in Jefferson county, Iowa, his death occurring in March, 1898, and she followed him to the grave on November 9, 1912. To Ira G. Rhodes and wife nine children were born, all of whom grew to manhood and womanhood but the fifth, Helen Louise, who died in in- fancy. Lucilia Jane Rhodes, the oldest child, was born October 22, 1843, taught school three years prior to her marriage, which occurred October 23, 1863, to R. H. L. Barricklow, a farmer of her own neighborhood, and to this union six children were born, Grace, Irvin Ernest, James Luther, Dell Eugene, Ira G., and Lulu Lillian; the Barricklow family removed from Iowa to Arkansas in 1887 and settled at Stuttgart. Eugene J. Rhodes, the imme- diate subject of this sketch, was the second child in order of iSirth. The next in order was Luther Graves Rhodes, whose birth occurred February 24, 1847, was educated for a teacher, which profession he followed nearly twenty years in Iowa, Illinois and California; February 28, 1877, he mar- ried Sadie Irvin, and to them three sons were born, Claudie Irvin, Glenn Vernon and Lester Ray; after giving up teaching, Mr. Rhodes located in Yolo county, California, and engaged in horticultural pursuits and official work. Mary Sophronia Rhodes, the fourth child, was born February 8, 1849, an d engaged in teaching for a short time before her marriage, which oc- curred on November 11, 1868, to John W. Townsley; to this union one child was born, Nettie; her second husband was A. S. Bailey, whom she married December 28, 1879, and to this union three children were born, iiio GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. Homer Garfield. Ralph Emerson and Faith. Mr. Bailey is now engaged in newspaper work in Iowa at Shenandoah, where he is active at the age of eighty years. William E. Rhodes was born May 31, 1853, and was also educated for a teacher, which profession he followed many years in Iowa, Kansas and Alabama, in which state he established his permanent residence, where he finally engaged in the jewelry business and merchandising, also was farmer, justice of the peace, postmaster, surveyor and now a banker at Lin- den, Alabama ; he married Sarah Emma Miller, and to them four children were born, Ray Gustavius, Charles Eugene, Ira George and Carrie Alvaretta. Myrtle Ann Rhodes was born January 5, 1856, taught school a while before her marriage, on December 24, 1873, to Gideon G. Sampson, a native of England, who followed teaching for twenty years, finally removing from Iowa to Boone county, Arkansas, in 1890, and to this couple four children were born, Ernest Eugene, Fred Vernon, Grace Helen and Myrtle Agnes. Florence Alvaretta Rhodes was born September 2, 1858, the youngest daughter; she married, May 14, 1887, Nathan A. Heacock, for many years engaged in the United States postal railway service, and to the union of this couple one daughter was born, Florence Natalie. Homer Ellsworth Rhodes, youngest of the nine children, was born November 18, 1861, married Ida Barricklow, .on September 27, 1882, and to this union the following children were born: Mabel Irene, Earl Edwin, Margaret Ann (deceased), Hazel Adline, Victor William (deceased), Arthur, Marie, Gladys, Garland, Mil- dred and Lucile. After their marriage this couple lived on a farm in Iowa until 1889, when they emigrated to Arkansas, establishing their future home at Stuttgart, where Mr. Rhodes engaged in the hardware business, and is now living retired. Eugene J. Rhodes, of this review, grew to manhood on the old home- stead in Jefferson county, Iowa, where he assisted with the general work during the summer months and during the winter he attended the district schools, remaining at home until he was twenty-one years of age; then he entered Eastman's National Business College, at Poughkeepsie, New York, where he made an excellent record and from which institution he was grad- uated in the spring of 1867. He then attended the State University of Iowa at Iowa City, graduating from the normal department of the same in June, 1869. In July of that year he left his native state and located in John- son county, Arkansas, where he engaged in teaching school for a short period; locating in Fayetteville, two years later, he was appointed register of the United States land office at Harrison, removing the office from Clarksville, and he began upon his duties in 1871. After filling this office very acceptably for a period of three years, during which his ability and faithfulness, courtesy and high integrity commended him to all concerned, he went to California, in May, 1873, where he engaged in teaching for four years and also in book- GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. IIII keeping for some time. In 1878 he returned to Arkansas and located in Boone county, and on November 14, 1878, was married there to Mattie Keener, who was born in Pennsylvania, September 30, 1859. She is a daughter of Judge William Keener, who removed with his family from the old Keystone state to Missouri when she was a child, and here and in Arkansas she grew to womanhood and received a common school educa- tion; in 1872 the Keener family removed to Arkansas. After his marriage Mr. Rhodes resided some time in Harrison and later moved to the pinery, where he resided a number of years, enjoying the comforts of a home in the pine-clad, picturesque hills, and engaged suc- cessfully in the manufacture of lumber and in commercial orcharding. Here he owned a tract of land comprising three thousand one hundred acres and many acres of mining land, and was also engaged in farming, stock raising and operating his mines, besides discharging the duties of United States mineral surveyor for a period of ten years for the state of Arkansas. In his locality he held the office of justice of the peace and also that of notary public. He was always a stanch Republican and was influential in public affairs in Boone county, having been for some time an active member of the county central committee. While there he was a director of the Boone County Bank. His principal business for a number of years there was the manufacture and sale of pine and oak lumber, and he was president of the Arkansas Zinc and Lead Company, which was incorporated in 1890 to op- erate in the mining regions of Arkansas, and which had control of twelve hundred acres of rich mining land in Marion county. He was half owner of the well-known Diamond Cave in Newton county, Arkansas, and it can of truth be said of him that he has done as much as any man in Arkansas to push forward the zinc and lead industry. He was regarded as one of the most substantial and foremost citizens of Boone county, and owned one of the finest homes and one of the largest orchards in that county. Mr. Rhodes left Arkansas in 1895 and located in Springfield, Missouri, where he has since resided, and has been engaged extensively in the lumber business here, both retail and wholesale, his business extending over a vast territory of the Southwest. He has also engaged in the coal and wood busi- ness on a large scale, and has done considerable engineering work for vari- ous railroads, also surveying, having served as deputy surveyor under Sur- veyor Phillips and also Massey, and ten years ago he was elected county surveyor of Greene county, serving one term with ability and general satis- faction. At this writing he is extensively engaged in the ornamental and concrete business, and he was the first person to introduce the manufacture of artificial marble, a splendid imitation of marble. He is regarded as one of the leading men of affairs of this locality and is a man who has always 1 1 12 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. enjoyed the good will and confidence of those with whom he has come in contact. He owns much valuable property here. Seven children, five sons and two daughters, have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Eugene J. Rhodes, named as follows : Homer, born September 23, 1879, died September 6, 1880; Florence Ethel, born February 3, 1881, teach- ing in Harrison, Arkansas; Eugene Joseph. Jr., born March 26, 1883, is en- gaged in business in Springfield;' William Ira, born January 12, 1885, is engaged in the feed and fuel business in Springfield; Clarence Julius, born February 1, 1887, lives in Springfield and is engaged in business here; Carrie Lena, born March 17, 1889, married Trevor Sanks, and lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Arthur Clyde, born September 18, 1891, is in the motorcycle business in Springfield. MADISON CAMPBELL VINTON. Although the business of farming requires, in its operations, constant industry and the exercise of thought and study in its every detail, in order to make it successful, yet it affords greater opportunities for the best and right living and the achievement of happiness than any other business. Realizing this fact, Madison Campbell Vinton, one of the leading agricul- turists and stock raisers of Jackson township, Greene county, left the city of Springfield, where he had become a successful merchant, and turned his attention to farming many years ago. In the country he has found not only a large degree of material success, but health and contentment. He has no desire to return to the commercial world and the city. Mr. Vinton was born three miles south of Springfield on the Campbell street road on September 18, 1855. He is a son of Samuel S. and Margaret Eugenia (Campbell) Vinton, one of the well-known and highly esteemed old families of this locality. The father was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on January 28, 1828, and the mother was born in Tennessee. Samuel S. Vinton came west with Major Barry when fourteen years of age, and he finally became owner of a fine farm of three hundred and twenty acres south of Springfield, where he engaged in general farming and stock raising and trading on an extensive scale. He was a very successful man of affairs. For some time he followed merchandising in Springfield, where his death occurred, January 16, 1890. His wife died when the subject of this sketch was four years old. To these parents three children were born, namely: Mrs. Juliet R. Williams lives in Springfield; Madison C., of this sketch; and Samuel S., Jr., of Springfield. Madison C. Vinton was taken to St. Louis by his father when he was six years old, where he lived until he was fourteen years old, when he returned M. C. VINTON. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. III3 to his native county. He received a good education. He began his business career by clerking in a store in Springfield, going to Marshfield, Webster county, about a year later, and worked in a store for seven years, later went into the grain business for himself. He subsequently returned to Springfield, where he engaged in merchandising in 1880. Selling out he started a shoe store and for a number of years enjoyed a good business on the south side of the public square, under the firm name of Vinton-Baxter Shoe Company, “The jumbo Shoe Store." Selling out in 1887, he bought the farm in Jackson township where he now lives, which contains two hundred and eighty acres, VINTON PLACE. which he has brought up to a high state of improvement and cultivation and which ranks among the best farms of Greene county. He has a beautiful home and large and convenient barns and other buildings, and he carries on general farming and stock raising on an extensive scale, paying particular attention to the raising of a good grade of live stock, handling a large number of mules annually. For some time he operated a dairy on his place. Mr. Vinton was married, first, in 1878, to Elizabeth McGinty, by whom four children were born, namely: Harry C., who lives in Texas, working for the National Lumber Company ; Tames Iv. lives in Denver, Colorado, and works for the Colorado Southern Railroad Company; Walter B. lives in 1H4 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. Greene county; William A. is at home. The mother of these children died December 8, 1893, in Springfield, Missouri, and Mr. Vinton married Bessie Dabbs by whom one child has been born, Juliet Lee Vinton, whose birth occurred July 24, 1904. His first wife was a daughter of A. C. McGinty and wife, and the present Mrs. Vinton is a daughter of William P. Dabbs and wife. Politically, Mr. Vinton is a Democrat. Fraternally, he is a member of the Royal Arcanum lodge. He is a self-made man, well informed and a pleasant gentleman to meet. J. B. RUFFIN. Among the large percentage of Southern people in Greene county is ]. B. Ruffin, and, like most of them, is the possessor of the personal charac- teristics of those bred in fair Dixie land, which makes him a desirable citi- zen, one who wins and retains friends easily. From his early youth he has been a lover of horses and has become an expert judge of them and also an expert in their successful handling, and he is at this writing the owner of a number of good ones which he keeps in his modernly appointed livery stable in Springfield. Mr. Ruffin was born in Panola county, Mississippi, September 2, 1866. He is a son of James and Mary (Brahan) Ruffin. The father was born in Hardman county, Tennessee in 1838, and the mother was born in Missis- sippi in 1848. They each represent old families of the South and grew to maturity in their respective communities, received good educational advan- tages, were married and have always lived in the South, still living at Sar- dis, Mississippi, where they are widely and well known. James Ruffin at- tended medical college when a young man and received his degree of Doctor of Medicine and became a successful practitioner, engaging in the practice in Tennessee and Mississippi for many years. Having accumulated a com- fortable competency he is now living retired. Having been long a prominent and influential Democrat in bis locality he was in 1906 elected deputy sheriff of his county, and was also elected a representative to the state legislature in Mississippi, serving one term of two years in a highly creditable and satisfactory manner. During the war between the states he enlisted in the Confederate army and was promoted from time to time for his gallantry and merit until he became captain of his company and served all through the war, taking part in many important engagements. Fraternally he is a member of the Masonic order. He is a fine type of the Southern gentleman of the old school, and his descendants may well be proud of his record as a soldier, physician, public servant and citizen. His family consisted of nine children, all still living but one, namely: J. B. of this sketch; Maggie Belle, GREENE COUNTY^ MISSOURI. I I 15 Rosa, Mary, Willie, Sallie, Haywood, Mrs. Catherine Lee, and one who died in infancy. J. B. Ruffin grew to manhood in the South and he received his early education in the common schools in Mississippi, also attended high school. He began his active life by selling goods, later going into the live stock business, paying particular attention to race horses, and he has owned a large number of fine ones, with excellent records. He engaged in farming and stock raising in Tipton county, Tennessee, for some time and his operations met with gratifying results. He remained there until 1906 when he came to Missouri and located in Aurora where he engaged in the livery business on a large scale, which he followed until 1912 when he came to Springfield and continued the same line of business, his present location being at 310 Boonville street, where he has a large and modernly equipped barn, keeping some of the finest horses and buggies in the city, and maintains a boarding stable in connection, everything being first-class, and promptness and uni- form courtesy are watchwords with him. He is enjoying a large and rap- idly growing patronage. Mr. Ruffin was married in February, 1892, in Tipton county, Tennessee, to Mamie J. Culbreath, who was born in that county and state on October 28, 1873, and she was reared and educated there. She is a daughter of J. Clark and Sallie (Cockrell) Culbreath, natives of western Tennessee, where they grew up, were educated and married. Her father served all through the Civil war in the Confederate army. Four children have been born to our subject and wife, namely: James is now a student in Drury College; J. B., Jr., is attending the Springfield high school; Josephine and Clark are both in the ward schools. Politically, Mr. Ruffin is a Democrat. He is a member of the Wood- men of the World and the Loyal Order of Moose. He belongs to the Meth- odist Episcopal church, South. He and his wife have made many friends since locating in Springfield. JOHN R. FERGUSON. John R. Ferguson, who is a scion of a sterling old Southern family, was born near Louisiana, Pike county, Missouri, on February 10, 1842. He is a son of John S. and Elizabeth (Allison) Ferguson, the father born in Virginia and the mother in Franklin county, Kentucky. John S. Ferguson was a soldier in the war of 1812, and he came to Missouri, before or about the time this state was admitted into the Union, and was therefore one of the pioneers of the state, locating in Pike county upon land bought of the 1 1 1 6 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. government, which land he converted into an improved farm and there resided until his death about 1852. On this old homestead the subject of this sketch was born and spent his early boyhood. His parents died when he was less than twelve years of age, and the farm was then rented out by the administrator of the estate, who also was guardian of our subject. He worked on farms of the neighborhood, and attended short terms of school during the winter months until he was about eighteen years of age, when, with the consent of his guardian, he contracted, in the fall of i860, with a St. Louis medicine manufacturing concern to travel and “peddle" their goods, which he did for one year. At the termination of his contract he returned to his native county and enlisted in the Fifth Missouri Militia, in Col. T. J. C. Fagg’s regiment for six months, and at the expiration of this service he enlisted for three years or during the war in Company E. Tenth (later the Third) Missouri Cavalry, State Militia, in April, 1862, at Louisiana, Mis- souri. For meritorious conduct Mr. Ferguson was promoted first to cor- poral, in 1863, and in 1864 to sergeant. Fie proved to be a faithful and courageous soldier in defense of his state. He was mustered out of the service at Macon City, Missouri, on April 14, 1865, at the expiration of his term of service. In May, 1865, he was appointed clerk in the paymaster general’s office at Jefferson City, which position he held until his resignation in the spring of 1867, and soon engaged in the drug business at Ironton, this state, and in 1869 removed to Springfield and followed the same business for ten years. After twelve years of diversion in farming and politics, he returned to the drug business in 1891, becoming a member of the Hall- Ferguson Drug Company, wholesale, of Springfield, now the Hall Drug Company, and he took the road as a traveling salesman for the firm, later sold his stock in this company, and accepted a position as traveling salesman for a wholesale drug company in St. Louis, which position he held for over twelve years. He gave this firm eminent satisfaction in every respect and was one of their most faithful and trusted employees. He is now living practically retired, keeping a set of mercantile books and doing the chores about his pleasant home on East Elm street. Mr. Ferguson was married on May 8, 1867, to Virginia Anna Smith, a daughter of Jared E. and Roberta (Mack) Smith, of Springfield, Missouri,, and to this union the following children have been horn : Dora Roberta, died in infancy; Ernest N., Mrs. Florence Morris, deceased; Jared E., deceased; Mrs. Onv Elizabeth Tucker, John R., T. Franklin, Mrs. Virginia C. Andres, Charles A. and Mrs. Mary N. Hilt. Mr. Ferguson is a Republican and has long been active in the affairs of his party. He has been a member of the city council, was treasurer of Springfield, was clerk of the circuit court for eight years, and was recorder of deeds of Greene county four years. At this writing he is secretary of the GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1117 board of managers of the State Federal Soldiers’ Home of Missouri, on which board he is serving his third term as a member. As a public servant his record is without blemish. He is a member of Capt. John Matthews Post, No. 69, Grand Army of the Republic. Fraternally he belongs to Solomon Lodge, No. 271, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. He is a member of the South Street Christian church and is an elder in the same, and has long- been active in the work of the church. His wife is also a devout member of this congregation. THOMAS L. HASLER. The fair Oriole state, while not so rich or vast in area as some of her .sisterhood in the Union, is one of the best beloved. “Maryland, My Mary- land,” has long been a favorite song, formerly more so than now, however; but all of us, from whatever section of America we may hail, admire the state that has produced so many splendid citizens. From the early Colonial days down to the present she has given to the nation leading men and women in all walks of life. Among the citizens of Greene county, Missouri, who originally came from within her borders, is Thomas L. Hasler, one of the well known locomotive engineers of the Frisco System, with which road he has been connected for a period of forty years, and it goes without saying that he has been capable and trustworthy, for that is a very long time to re- main with one company. Mr. Hasler was born in Baltimore, Maryland, July 14, 1852. He is a son of Eli and Maria ( Divine) Hasler, the father, of Pennsylvania Dutch stock, having been born in the Keystone state in 1825, and his death oc- curred October 12, 1903. The mother of our subject was born in Ireland in 1826, immigrated to the United States when young in years, and her death occurred March 21, 1909. These parents received limited educations in the common schools and they were married in Pennsylvania. Eli Hasler was a cabinet maker by trade, which he followed in a number of the large cities of the East, finally locating in St. Louis, where he lived a while, and in i860 moved to Phelps county, Missouri, where he purchased a farm and there spent the rest of his life, but his widow spent her last years with her son, our subject, in Springfield. During the Civil war Eli Hasler was a member of the Home Guards at St. James, this state. His family consisted of eight children, namely: William lives in St. James, Missouri; Thomas L., of this review; Marira, George, Agnes, John and Frank are all living; Edward is deceased. Thomas L, Hasler was but a boy when his parents brought him to Mis- 1 1 1 8 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. souri and he grew to manhood in this state and received his education in the schools of St. James. He worked on the home farm until 1873, then began his railroad career on the Atlantic & Pacific railroad, which subsequently be- came known as the Frisco. He began as fireman and worked his way up to engineer on a passenger train, in which capacity he is still employed, his run being between Springfield and Fort Smith, Arkansas. He has long been re- garded by the company as one of the safest and most capable of its engineers, sober, reliable and careful. Mr. Hasler was married on September 3, 1879, in Springfield, to Lucy E. McCleane, a native of Illinois, ancf a daughter of Archie and Lucy E. (Bird) McCleane. The father’s death occurred in Jefferson county, Mis- souri, and the mother of Mrs. Hasler died in England. Mrs. Hasler received a good common school education. To our subject and wife seven children have been born, namely: Allen is employed in the Frisco shops here; Mamie; Archie is employed in the Frisco shops; George is also a machinist in the local railroad shops; Agnes, Della and Eli, the latter working in the Frisco shops. Politically, Mr. Hasler is a Democrat. He belongs to Division 83, United Brotherhood of Engineers. He is a member of the Knights of Co- lumbus, and he and his family are Catholics. BRANDT McOUISTON. Works of biography and history, for the most part, record the lives of only those who have attained military, political, literary or professional distinction, with now and then a captain of industry, or those who in any other career have passed through extraordinary vicissitudes of fortune. But the names of men who have distinguished themselves in their day and gen- eration, in the ordinary walks of life, for the possession of those qualities of character which mainly contribute to the success of private life and to the public stability — of men who, without special talents or genius, have been exemplary in all their personal and social relations, and at the same time enjoyed the confidence and esteem, the respect and good will of those with whom they associate or come in contact — ought not to be permitted to per- ish ; for all are, or should be, much benefited by the delineation of those traits of character which find scope and exercise in the common walks of life. Among the individuals of this class of a past generation in Greene county was the late Brandt McOniston, for a long lapse of years one of the best known locomotive engineers on the Frisco system. Those who knew him well say that his life history was marked by the most substantial qualities of GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. I I 19 character ancl exhibited a long and somewhat strenuous career, and his mem- ory will continue to be cherished by his many friends for many years to come. Mr. McQuiston was born on October 22, 1859, in Indiana where he grew to manhood and received a common school education. He came to Springfield, Missouri, when a young man and went to work as fireman for the Kansas City, Ft. Scott & Memphis Railroad Company, which was leased by the Frisco system in 1900, later he went with the Frisco as passenger engineer, his run being between Springfield and Thayer. He was then pas- senger engineer for the former road, commonly known as the “Gulf” from 1886 until this road was absorbed by the Frisco and he continued in his regular run after that for the latter road until his tragic death on October 1, 1903. He met death in a head-end collision between extra freight train No. 251, going east on the Southern division, and passenger train No. 202, bound from Memphis to Kansas City, at half-past live o’clock in the morn- ing of the above mentioned date, at Horseshoe Curve, five miles north of Thayer, Missouri. It is the supposition that the freight had mistaken its order and was running on the passenger's time. A sort of mist or fog pre- vailed at the time, which added to the darkness of night and prevented the crews from seeing very far ahead of their trains, which were running at full rate of speed. The two trains were almost totally wrecked and a section of the track about the length of four cars was torn up. Mr. McQuiston, engineer of the passenger train and his fireman, Ernest White, were instantly killed, while John Finch, engineer of the freight, and John Tune, the fire- man, both died soon thereafter. Some of the other members of the train crews and passengers were badly hurt. Our subject was spoken of at the time by the press as one of the oldest and best engineers running out of Springfield. One of the sad features of his death was the fact that he was soon to retire from the road, having purchased a good farm in Greene county and was preparing to remove thereto and spend his old days quietly. He had made his home on the South Side until the consolidation of the freight business on the North Side. He was buried with Masonic honors. Mr. McQuiston was married on October 16, 1882, to Agnes L. Wright, a daughter of Charles James and Wells (Lee) Wright, who were born in England, from which country they emigrated to the Lhiited States in early life; the father became a successful physician and also a minister in the Episcopal church. Mrs. McQuiston is still residing at the old home place on College street. To our subject and wife three children were born, namely: Kenneth, born on July to, 1884, married Jessie Petty, and he is a machinist in the new shops of the Frisco in Springfield; Arthur C., born on March 31, 1889, has marked natural talent as an artist, and he is living in San Francisco, Cali- I 120 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. fornia, where he is a paint salesman; Janet W., born on August 12, 1891, was graduated from the local high school, later attended Drury College and the University of Missouri at Columbia, specializing in languages, paying particular attention to German ; she is one of the successful teachers in Gal- latin, Missouri, schools, being exceptionally well qualified for her chosen work. Politically, Mr. McQuiston was a Republican. He belonged to the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. Fraternally, he held membership with the Royal Arch Masons and the Knights of Pythias. JAMES A. BERRY. Since James A. Berry, well-known farmer and stock breeder of Frank- lin township, Greene county, located in this vicinity over sixty years ago he has noted many changes — among others, a change of climatic conditions — the seasons are not so dependable now as formerly, consequently, the farmer has had to change his methods. One of the most serious conditions now to be met with is a drought at some period during each growing season. But he, with others, have learned that when crops are grown in rotation and proper tillage methods are followed, they will suffer less from dry weather than when they are grown continually; that crop rotation is usually of more importance than the method of tillage used in this respect, although both are important. Mr. Berry was born, January 1, 1842, in South Carolina. He is a son of William B. and Martha (Latham) Berry. The father of our subject was a native of Alabama and was a son of Robert Berry, who located in South Carolina when a young man, where he married, after which he moved to Tennessee, remaining in that state until 1852, when he emigrated to Greene county, Missouri. The subject of this sketch was two years old when he left his native state with his parents, and his early boyhood was spent in Tennessee. William B. Berry was a life-long farmer, and owned a good farm in Greene county, and here his death occurred on the home- stead September 21, 1892. Politically, he was a Republican, but was never active in public affairs. The mother of our subject was also a native of South Carolina, and her death occurred on the home farm in Greene county in 1891. She was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church at Mt. Comfort, and she and her husband were both buried in the cemetery near that church. They were the parents of eight children, named as follows: James A., of this sketch: Mrs. Calverna Ann Runnells, deceased; Mrs. Emily Run- nells, deceased; Mrs. Mary Jane. McCurdy; Mrs. Dora Lay lives in Center JAMES A. BERRY AND FAMILY. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1 121 township, this county; Mrs. Etta Newton, deceased; the two youngest chil- dren died in infancy. James A. Berry was eleven years of age when he accompanied the rest of the family to Greene county, Missouri, and he worked on the home farm in Franklin township, and was educated in the township schools. He re- mained on the home farm until his marriage, then moved to his present farm of one hundred and twenty acres. He also owns forty acres west of his home farm, which lies near the old home place. He has been very success- ful as a general farmer and live stock raiser, making a specialty of grain and trading in horses and mules, and formerly he raised large numbers of hogs annually, but of late years has not made such an extensive effort along this line. He has an excellent group of buildings. In the fall of 1912 he built a breeding barn, thirty-six by forty-eight feet, with box stalls — modern and complete. He is one of the best-known horse breeders in this part of the county and owns some fine stock, including a beautiful black Percheron stallion, “Charley,” which is a splendid saddle horse, registered. He also owns “Roscoe,” six years old, fifteen hands high ; weight, fourteen hundred pounds. He also owns two fine jacks; one, ‘‘Black John," is a coal black, seven years old, and fourteen and one-half hands high. Mr. Berry was married on December 18, i860, to Elizabeth Katherine McCurdy, a daughter of Thomas and Nancy M. (Appleby) McCurdy. Mr. McCurdy w*as born in Tennessee, December 5, 1820, and removed from that state to Arkansas when he was eleven years of age. Remaining in that state until he was twenty years old, he came to Greene county, Missouri, married the following year and located on a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, of well-improved land in Franklin township, and here his death oc- curred August 28, 1904, at the advanced age of eighty-seven years. His wife was born in Tennessee, July 27, 1821. and died on the home farm in Greene county, Missouri, July 3, 1901. Thomas McCurdy was a soldier in the Civil war, having enlisted in Company K, Seventy-second Missouri Volunteer Infantry, in 1861. He did guard duty mostly, and was kept with the garrison in Springfield most of the time. He had several very narrow escapes from serious wounds and at one time holes were shot through his hat and cape, and at another time a grape-shot narrowly missed his foot, but he went through the conflict unscathed, and was honorably discharged in 1865. Fourteen children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Berry, namely: Leroy McClelland was killed by a falling log at the age of seventeen; Oliver DeWitt lives in Franklin township: Rolland Pate lives in Pittsburg, Kansas; Mrs. Calverna Ann Patterson lives in Springfield: Gustavus Antioch Fink- ( 7 1) I 122 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. linburg is a member of the real estate firm known as the Ozark Land Com- pany, Springfield; Mrs. Fidelia Cornell lives in Springfield; James Blaine lives in Springfield and is a member of the firm of the Ozark Land Com- pany, being in the real estate business with his brother; John Logan lives in Springfield; the other six children died in infancy. During the Civil War Mr. Berry enlisted for service in the Federal army in 1861, in Company Iv, Seventy-second Missouri Volunteer Infantry. He drove a team most of the time, however he took part in the battle of Springfield when Marmaduke and Shelby attacked the town, on January 8, 1863, and he was also in several skirmishes. He did guard duty for some time about the commissary. He was mustered out and honorably discharged, August 20, 1865. He remained in Springfield during his entire service. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He has always been a Re- publican but now votes independently in local affairs. His wife is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church at Mt. Comfort. When a young man, just before the breaking out of the Civil war, Mr. Berry hauled lumber for the old court-house, also hauled sand from the James river for the same, driv- ing six yoke of oxen. He recalls many interesting reminiscences of the early days, and it is a pleasure to visit his home. JOHN HENRY LEHR. John Henry Lehr, now living in honorable retirement in his comfort- able home on East Elm street, Springfield, is worthy of mention in the pages of a volume of the province of the one in hand for various reasons, not the least of which is the fact that he is one of the loyal sons of the North who offered his services and his life, if need be, to perpetuate the Union, during its greatest crisis, a half century ago. He has spent his active life princi- pally as a carpenter, builder and agriculturist, and, being a persistent worker and doing his work thoroughly and well, he accumulated a competency for his declining years and is now spending his days quietly. Mr. Lehr, as the name indicates, is of German descent, and of an Ohio family, his birth having occurred near Tuscarawas, in the county of that name, in the state of Ohio, December 9, 1845. He is a son of Michael and Catherine (Gnagie) Lehr. Michael Lehr was born in Oldenbach, Germany, in June, 1809, and there he grew to manhood and received his education. When twenty years of age he immigrated to the United States and located in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, where he worked at his trade of cabinet maker which he had learned in the old country. He was an expert workman and GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1123 was always busy. Catherine Gnagie was also born in Oldenbach, Germany, and there grew up and was educated, and there she and Mr. Lehr were mar- ried in 1828, and for a wedding trip they came to America. These parents have long been deceased. John Henry Lehr grew to manhood in his native county in the Buckeye state and there he assisted his father with the general work on the farm. He received his education in the common schools of his day, and when the Civil war came on he enlisted for service with the National troops, al- though he was but sixteen years of age, but, according to his comrades he proved to be as good and faithful a soldier as his older companions in his regiment. It was on August 6, 1862, that he enlisted in Company G, Ninety- Eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He saw much hard service and partici- pated in numerous important engagements, including the battles of Perry- ville, Kentucky, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Resaca, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, and from that city marched with Sherman to the sea at Savannah, thence up through the Carolinas, and fought at the battle of Bentonville. He was never sick, captured or wounded, and was with his regiment every day, and never shirked his duty no matter how dangerous or arduous. He was commissioned corporal for his faithful service, and was so mustered out in June, 1865, after he had marched in the grand review in Washington City. He was honorably discharged and returned to his home in Ohio where he continued farming until 1869 when he came to Livingston county, Missouri, where he worked at the carpenter’s trade, and in 1870 purchased land there and resumed farming which he carried on with his usual success until 1906 when, on account of failing health, he sold his farm and went to Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he remained three months, then came to Spring- field, Missouri, retired from active life and has since made his home here. Mr. Lehr was married in December, 1870, to Mary Umphrey, a native of Illinois. Her death occurred in 1901. To this union five children were born, namely: Oscar V. lives in Chillicothe, Missouri; Clay E. is deceased; Margaret E. is the wife of A. D. Miller, of Gault, Missouri; Esther D. is the wife of Dr. L. Hopper, of Ft. Scott, Kansas; Grace E. is the wife of H. L. Atherton, of Oklahoma City. Mr. Lehr was again married in December, 1906. to Ellen Affolter, of Tuscarawas, Ohio, where her birth occurred on August 26, 1876. She is a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Affolter. The father was a soldier in the Fifty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry during the Civil war, also served in a battery. Mrs. Lehr grew to womanhood and was educated in her native vicinity. Politically, Mr. Lehr is a Republican. He belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic, and the Grace Methodist Episcopal church. 1 124 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. JAMES BISSETT. The pioneer railroader, for many years master mechanic in the Spring- field shops, the gentleman whose life history is herewith outlined, was a man who lived to good purpose and achieved a large degree of success, solely by his individual efforts. By a straightforward and commendable course Mr. Bissett climbed to a responsible position in his calling, winning the hearty admiration of his fellow workmen and earning a reputation as an enterprising, reliable, trustworthy and efficient man of affairs which a num- ber of the leading railroad officials of the country were not slow to recog- nize and appreciate, and those who knew him best will readily acquiesce in the statement that he was eminently deserving of the good things which fate brought him during his life. James Bissett was born in Scotland, May 15, 1840, and had many of the characteristic traits of the noble race of Scots. His birth occurred within two blocks of the house in which Andrew Carnegie first saw the light of day, but his family brought him to America when he was a child and he was reared in Madison, Indiana, receiving his education in that town and in In- dianapolis. However, his schooling was limited, and his knowledge, which was considerable and general, was acquired chiefly by experience in the prac- tical affairs of life. He was a son of Thomas and Mary (Walker) Bissett, both natives of Scotland, where they grew up and were married. The father died in Madison, Indiana. He was a machinist by trade. His family con- sisted of seven children, five of whom are still living, namely: Thomas is deceased: Elizabeth; William; Robert; David; Ellen, and James of this sketch, who was the second in order of birth and who died on November 11, 1914. James Bissett returned to Madison, Indiana, after he left school in In- dianapolis, and went to work in the railroad shops of North Madison, re- maining there as an apprentice about four years, or until 1858, then went to Nashville, Tennessee, and from there to Huntsville, Alabama, where he was living when the war between the states began. He returned to Nashville and went to work in the Memphis & Nashville machine shops there, later ran a locomotive between Huntsville, Alabama, and Brownsville, Mississippi, and while thus engaged was captured at Huntsville by the Federals, the Fourth Ohio Cavalry, under Col. O. M. Mitchell. The invaders were later driven out of that city, and our subject went to Chattanooga, Tennessee, arriving there while General Bragg was crossing the river with his army, just prior to the battle of Chickamauga. He went on to Atlanta, being with Bragg’s army most of the time. All the while he had been running an engine for the Confederates, and he took his engine from Atlanta to Macon, Georgia, GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1125 later, where, the hre box giving out, he left it, and from there went to Selma, that state, and worked on the Blue Mountain route. From there he went to Birmingham, Alabama. He was captured at Selma by “Billy” Wilson. After the war Mr. Bissett came to Nashville and went to work on the Nashville & Chattanooga railroad as engineer, but in 1865 he returned to his old home in Madison, Indiana, then went to work for the Louisville & Nash- ville Railroad Company. Later he was in the employ of the Chicago, Bur- lington & Quincy Railroad Company, with headquarters at Galesburg, Illi- nois, and from there he went to Omaha, Nebraska, for the Union Pacific, which company sent him to Wyoming, in 1868, that country then being a territory. He ran an engine for some time and later was foreman of the company’s shops at Laramie, remaining there three years, then came to Moberly, Missouri, and took charge of the old North Missouri shops, re- maining there some time, then went with the Santa Fe road, and was the first master mechanic on that road west of Topeka, Kansas, his headquarters being at Dodge City, where he remained two years, after which he went to Los Angeles. California, in 1876, from which city he ran an engine to and from Wilmington. Later he went to Colton, at the edge of the desert, which was at the end of the road, which was only one hundred miles long. It was a private road at that time, but is now a part of the Southern Pacific. Sub- sequentlv Mr. Bissett ran a locomotive for the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad Company between Parsons, Kansas, and Hannibal, Missouri. Leav- ing this company, he ran an engine out of Marshall, Texas, for the Texas Pacific road, and later was given an engine on the International Great North- ern. He came to Kansas City in 1883 and was made foreman of the Mis- souri River, Ft. Scott & Gulf shops, remaining in charge of the same until October, 1890, when he came to Springfield, Missouri, as master me- chanic for the Kansas City, Ft. Scott & Memphis road, remaining with the same until 1901, when this road was purchased by the Frisco System. He remained in the same capacity with the latter road, discharging his duties with his usual fidelity and success and to the eminent satisfaction of all con- cerned. When the old Gulf shops on the South Side were closed, he was re- tired with a pension, having reached the age limit. Mr. Bissett was married on December 25, 1866, in Madison, Indiana, to Levena Aigner, who was born in Jefferson county, Indiana, November 13, 1844. She is a daughter of M. C. Aigner and wife, her mother dying in the year 1865. She grew up in her native city and had the advantages of an ex- cellent education. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Bissett, two of whom are living, namely: James, born in Galesburg, Illinois, is deceased; Harry, born in Laramie, Wyoming, February 13, 1871, was graduated from the high school in Kansas City, after which he came to Springfield and went to work 1126 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. for the Frisco, beginning at the bottom, and is now foreman of the South Side shops. He married, on June 27, 1900, Emma Weaver, daughter of Major Weaver and wife, and they have one child, Marion, born September 7, 1903; Clyde, youngest child of our subject, was born March 19, 1876, and is living in Kansas' City. Politically, Mr. Bissett was a Democrat. He was an interesting talker on early railroading in this country, and his vast experience in so many places, made his reminiscences entertaining and instructive. His death was a great loss to the community and he will long be remembered as one of Springfield’s best citizens. JAMES A. WOODSON. Some families seem to be born mechanics, just the same as men are born with a bent toward any other vocation, and the children of such are as a rule very precocious in the lines which they are destined to follow, their inclination being shown in their toys and in their play often when they can scarcely talk or walk. This bent should be carefully encouraged by the parent, whose child may become in due course of time a man of rare talent, if not an inventor of useful devices, at least a man of great service in some way or another, capable of doing exceptionally good work in some useful line and therefore be a blessing in a general way to the human race. James A. Woodson, general foreman of the South Side Frisco shops, Springfield, came from such a family and was such a child. He has followed up his natural liking for mechanical work with the result that he is one of the ablest mechanics on the great system for which he works. Mr. Woodson was born at Roanoke, Howard county, Missouri, May 10, 1859. He is a son of William B. Woodson, who was born in the state of Virginia where he grew up, attended school and learned the carpenter’s trade when a boy, later, in 1842, removing to Missouri and establishing his future home. He was of Scotch-Irish descent, and he became a well- known and successful contractor and builder in Howard and Randolph counties, this state, maintaining his office at Roanoke, under the firm name of Woodson & Phelps. His death occurred in 1893 at the age of seventy- four years. Politically, he was originally a Whig, later a Democrat. He was a member of the Baptist church. Fie married Martha C. Lockridge, who lived near Roanoke. She was a daughter of William Y. Lockridge, who was one of the first tanners in Missouri, who later became a manufacturer of shoes and handled leather and leather goods, being well known in Howard county. Archer W. Woodson, our subject’s paternal grandfather, was a farmer near GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1 127 -Gordingville, Roanoke county, Virginia. Nine children were born to Will- iam B. Woodson and wife, namely: Willie married P. A. Frederick, a broker and real estate man of Kansas City; Emmett L., who died in 1909, was a traveling salesman for Swift & Company; James A., of this sketch; Lutie is the wife of a Mr. Mowinkle, traveling auditor for Swift & Com- pany out of Chicago; Ruth, Charles and Harry are all deceased; Bessie is the wife of C. A. Carrier, who is engaged in the manufacturing business in Kansas City; Maud, who has remained single, is with the secretary of the Relief Board of Kansas City. James A. Woodson grew up in Howard county and there received a common school education, and when but a boy he began work as a machin- ist at Moberly, Missouri, where he served his apprenticeship in the St. Louis, Kansas City & Northern Railroad shops, beginning there on March 8, 1874, and remained with that company until 1880, then went to Mt. Vernon, Illi- nois where he worked a year as machinist for the Louisville & Nashville Railroad. He then worked at Tracy, Tennessee, as machinist for the Ten- nessee Coal & Iron Company, was division foreman there for three years. He then went to Chattanooga, Tennessee, where he worked as machinist for the Southern railroad for a short time, after which he came back to Mo- berly, Missouri, where he worked in the Wabash railroad shops for awhile at his trade, then went to Kansas City and found employment with the Kansas City, Ft. Scott & Memphis Railroad Company, beginning as ma- chinist there on October 1, 1884, and remained there until October 1, 1890, then came to Springfield for this company, working in their shops here until October 1, 1891, when he was appointed machine shop foreman. In March, 1907, he was promoted to general foreman of the South Side shops which position he has occupied to the present time, and was placed in charge of the round house here on August 11, 1911. He has under his direction on an average of one hundred men. Everything is under a splendid system of modern management and he is a man of such fine executive ability that he gets the best results possible from his men and at the same time wins and retains their good will and friendship. Mr. Woodson was married in 1889 to Julia D. Wray, a daughter of Joseph A. and Christiana (Rea) Wray, who were born near Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. To this union two children have been born, namely : Doro- thy L. is a student of piano under Miss Atwood, of Springfield, and she has decided musical talent ; Gladys is a student in Drury College. Politically, Mr. Woodson is a Democrat. Fraternally, he belongs to the Masonic order, Solomon Lodge; also the Royal Arcanum, and the Mod- ern Woodmen of America. He is a member of Calvary Presbyterian church, in which he was a deacon for some time. He has long been active in church -work. 1128 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN FIELDER. That period of the nineteenth century embracing the decades between 1830 and the breaking out of the Civil war was characterized by the immi- gration of the pioneer element which made the great state of Missouri what it is today. The immigrant's, were sturdy, heroic, sincere and, in the main, upright people, such as constitute the strength of the commons ealth. It is. scarcely probable that in the future of the world another such period can occur, or, indeed, any period when such a solid phalanx of strong-minded men and noble, self-sacrificing women will take possession of a new country. The period to which reference is made, therefore, cannot be too much or too well written up, and the only way to do justice to such a subject is to record the lives of those who led the van of civilization and founded the institutions which today are the pride and boast of a great state and a strong and virile people. Among those who came to Greene county when it was still largely in its primitive wildness was the late Benjamin Franklin Fielder, who was not only a leading actor in the great drama which witnessed the passing of the old and the introduction of the new conditions in this locality, but who enjoyed an excellent reputation that penetrated to adjoining counties during his career here of over sixty years. Lie devoted his life, which em- braced the unusual span of ninety vears, to agricultural pursuits, and by close application he established those habits of industry and frugality which insured his success in later years. With the able assistance of bis estimable life com- panion he forged ahead, extended the acres of cultivable land and in due time found himself upon the high road to prosperity with a good farm in his possession and all the comforts and conveniences of life surrounding him. He was regarded as an enterprising and typical farmer of the progressive type. His thorough system of tillage, the good order of his fences, the well- cared-for condition of his fields, the commodious and comfortable buildings, all demonstrated his successful management and substantial thrift, and his long residence in the vicinity of Springfield won for him a very high place in the confidence and esteem of his neighbors and friends. Mr. Fielder was born in Maury county, Tennessee, on February 7, 1824. He was a son of John and Mary (Denton) Fielder, one of the old families in that section of the South, and there they spent their lives, dying in Maury county. The father of our subject was a successful farmer and was influential in public affairs. He was at one time sheriff of Maury county. His family consisted of eight children, all now deceased, namely: Mrs. Martha Speer, Thompson, Benjamin F., Mrs. Mary Wilkes, Samuel P., Ellen, Louisa and the youngest died in infancy unnamed. Benjamin F. Fielder grew to manhood on the home farm in Tennessee and there worked when a boy. He received a limited education in the rural BENJAMIN F. FIELDER. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI I I 29- Schools of his neighborhood, and remained at home until he was about thirty years of age. when he came overland to Greene county. Missouri, in the year 1853, and settled on a farm about three miles southeast of the business center of Springfield, which was then a mere village, but which has now spread almost to the Fielder homestead. However, he had learned the carpenter’s trade in his native state and followed this for some time after coming to Greene county in connection with farming, in fact, he liked to use tools so well that he worked at his trade at times during all his active life. Being industrious and managing well, he prospered and became owner of a number of good farms in this county, all of which he placed under high-grade im- provement and an excellent state of cultivation. His widow still owns the old home place, lying just east of the National cemetery, and which fine farm contains one hundred and five acres. Old age finally rendering him unfit for the strenuous work of the farm, he removed to a comfortable dwelling on East State street, Springfield, which he purchased, and here he resided from 1913 until his death, which occurred on December 4, 1914. He was twice married, first in Tennessee to Mary Estes, about 1851. Four children were born to this union, Mary A. Brown, living near Ozark, Missouri ; Roxie, deceased; William Thomas is living in this county, and Andrew J. is living in Lindsay, California. Mr. Fielder was married on February 6, 1877, on his farm in this county, to Mary S. Barnes. She was born in Greene county, Missouri, on September 28, 1846. She is a daughter of Matthew C. and Luceta A. (Town- send) Barnes. Her father was born in Indiana on January 18, 1823. He spent his early life in that state, eventually removing to Greene county, Mis- souri, where he spent the rest of his life on a farm, dying here on December 7, 1908. He was thirteen years old, when he came here, Springfield at that time being a small trading center on the wild prairies. Mr. Barnes became a minister in the Methodist Episcopal church and was prominent in that de- nomination in the early days in this locality when most preachers were also farmers. He is remembered as a man of fine characteristics, beloved by all who knew him, and he did much for the moral and general uplift of the county. His wife was born in Logan county, Kentucky, on August 20, 1827, and her death occurred about twenty-seven years ago near Monett, in Barry county, Missouri, when she was in the prime of life. To Mr. and Mrs. Barnes eleven children were born, nine daughters and two sons; five of them are still living, namely: Mrs. Mary S. Fielder, widow of our subject; Mrs. Virginia Thomas, Mrs. Ellen Decker, Mrs. Lula Williams and Mrs. Geneva Tharp. The union. of Benjamin F. Fielder and wife resulted in the birth. of four children, named as follows: Mrs. R. L. Matthews lives in Springfield, Cor- delia lives at home, Benjamin F., Jr., resides in Springfield, Mrs. G. W. 1130 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. Chapman lives at Hunter, Missouri. These children all grew up on the home- stead southeast of the city and all were given good educational advantages. Thompson Fielder, a brother of our subject, was also an early settler in this county and he was a soldier in the Mexican war. Benjamin F. Fielder was a member of St. Paul’s Methodist Episcopal church, South. In earlier life he was a Democrat, but in later years voted for prohibition. He was long an active member of the Masonic Order, having in early life united with Polk lodge at Columbia, Tennessee. He led a quiet home life, never taking an active part in politics and was never a candidate for office. The following article on Mr. Fielder’s death occurred in the Springfield Republican in its issue of December 6, 1914: “Away back in ’53 a prairie schooner pulled by a span of horses rattled and creaked its* way across the country from Maury county, Tennessee. A jolly party was in the schooner. Ben F. Fielder and his brother, T. F. Fielder, with their wives and babies, were searching for a new home. Both had been married less than two years. It was autumn and the whole world looked bright. “For days the party looked over the Missouri country — and drove on. Arriving in the Ozarks, the F ielders drove more slowly, having been enamored with the beauty and prospects of the hillsides. Arriving in a little village of log cabins on November 17, 1853, they made their camp. That was the town of Springfield. “Yesterday morning one of the pioneers of Greene county passed away. It was “Uncle Ben” Fielder, the last of the four grown-ups who traveled across the country in the schooner to Springfield. He died at the family home on East State street. For the last month “Uncle Ben,” as he was known to hundreds of people in the county, had been failing in health. He grew weaker, but firmly believed to the last that he would recover and again go about among his friends. Prior to the beginning of the month of illness “Uncle Ben” was hale and hearty and walked about town unassisted. He was known here as the oldest Mason in Missouri. “Soon after the close of the Civil war Mr. Fielder joined the South Side Mount Pisgah church and for years was the superintendent of the Sunday school. Years ago the pupils of the class he taught presented a beautiful' Bible to him, which was at his side on his death bed.” We also quote the following article from the Springfield Daily Leader, under date of December 6, 1914: “Benjamin F. Fielder, whose funeral will be held this afternoon at the family home, was a member of the famous Seventy-sixth Regiment, Missouri Militia, which successfully frustrated the attack on Springfield on January 8, 1863, attempted under order of General Marmaduke. The engagement at GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1 I 3 I the southern and western outskirts of the city was the only active service ■experienced during the Civii war by Mr. Fielder. “The decedent’s activity in the memorable battle was given last evening by Martin J. Hubble, a Greene county pioneer. “ ‘I first met Mr. Fielder in the town of Columbia, Tennessee, in the year 1852,’ said Mr. Hubble. ‘I was clerking in a country store there at the time and Mr. Fielder purchased a razor from me. From that time until the death of Mr. Fielder we were firm friends and he was often a guest at my home after his removal to Missouri. He was in possession of the razor at the time of his death. “ ‘My friend came to Springfield in the early fifties. He was induced to •come to Greene county by the obvious opportunities for a farmer here. Land was much higher priced in Tennessee than it was in this state. Mr. Fielder was never active in politics, as he was of a retiring disposition. Recognition should be given his moral characteristics. His word was as good as his bond, and he was a devoted prohibitionist; in fact, he was one of the noblest men with whom I have ever been associated.’ ” Mr. Fielder, despite the fact that he was nearly ninety years of age at the time of his death, was unusually well preserved. He was able to read without glasses, and until a short time before he died he made daily walks about the city. JAMES J. GIDEON. The name of Judge James J. Gideon has been a prominent and honored one in Greene county for many decades and he is still in the front ranks of the local bar. His force and effectiveness are strongly emphasized in his argu- ments to the jury, as; he seems not so much to look at them, as to look through them, less for the purpose of seeing how they felt, than to rivet their attention, and, as it were, to grasp their attention by the compass of his own. The calm and masterly manner in which he disposes of the preliminary considerations is the reminder of the experienced general, quietly arranging his forces and preparing to press down with overwhelming force upon a single point. His manner becomes aroused; his action animated. It is first the expression of extensive views and the enunciation of general principles applicable to the case; then the application of those to particular facts, examining the testimony of each witness, showing its weakness, the suspicions attaching to it and its inconsistency either with itself or with the other parts of the evidence. As a judge he was an active, hard worker. Always careful, painstaking and prompt, he was a valuable member of the court — always sustained himself -well on the bench. The decisions made bv him were always short, clear and 1 : 3 2 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. to the point, disposing of cases rapidly and satisfactorily. Possessed and imbued as he is to a large degree with the elementary principles of the law, he was able in his written opinions to make them models of perspicuity and force and plain to the comprehension of all. But while he has distinguished himself as a lawyer and jurist, lye has a far greater claim to the respect of the people of Springfield and vicinity in his sturdy integrity of character and his life-long course as a friend of justice. Judge Gideon was born on Ozark Mountain soil, was reared in the latter part of the pioneer period and he springs from a sterling Irish-Scotch ancestry of Colonial American stock. His birth occurred in Taney county, in a section that is now a part of Christian county, Missouri, on December n, 1846. He is a son of William C. and Malinda (Byrd) Gideon. James Gideon, the great-grandfather of our subject, was the founder of the branch of the family in America. He came from Dublin, Ireland, with his brothers, Reuben and Edward, anti bringing bis wife, Nancy. His sons were Edward, William, Isham, James and John. They all settled on land in southwestern New York. Edward, brother of James, was killed in battle during the Revolutionary war. All of the family moved to North Carolina about 1781 and settled on the Yadkin river, fames Gideon moved to what is now Hawkins county, Ten- nessee, in 1821, where he settled on wild land and there established the family home, cleared and developed a farm. He took with him the apple trees with which to plant his orchard. Several members of the Gideon family went with him besides his own immediate family. He was a substantial farmer and lived to be an aged man, passing the remainder of his days in Tennessee. William Gideon, his son and the grandfather of our subject, was born in the state of New York in 1789, and went with the rest of the family to North Carolina, and there he married Matilda Wood, and to them these children were born: James H., Burton A., William C., Francis M., Woodson T., Green B., John A,, Minerva and Elizabeth. Mr. Gideon moved to Tennessee in 1821 and engaged in farming, although he was a hatter by trade. He was a member of the Baptist church and was an elder in the church for forty years. However, in his old age he became a Universalist. In the spring of 1836 he came to Missouri and settled on land north of Ozark, entering two hundred acres of wild land two miles from that town and here began life in true pioneer fashion. He became a successful farmer here and a well-known and highly respected citizen. His death occurred in 1868 at the age of seventy-nine years. His son, William C. Gideon, our subject’s father, was born in Hawkins county, Tennessee, on February 15, 1824, and received a limited education in the schools of his day, and was but twelve years old when he , came with his '.father to Missouri, and was reared among the fron- tiersmen of this state in a rugged and primitive environment. When twenty- GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1133 one years old he married Malinda Byrd, a daughter of James Byrd and wife, and to this union eight children were born, namely: Thomas J., James J., Francis M., William W., John M., Martin V., George B. and Matilda. William C. Gideon settled on a farm in what was then Taney county, now Christian county, Missouri, and during his life lived on a number of different farms in this locality. Fie was a hard worker and managed well, and even prior to the breaking out of the war between the states he owned four hundred and eighty acres of land in Christian county. He cleared up several farms. During the war he was obliged to remove his residence to Greene county, settling four miles south of Springfield on account of the depredations of guerrillas. His sympathies were with the Union, and during the war he served in the Home Guards, three months under Capt. Jesse Gal- loway, and on March 5, 1862, he enlisted in Company F, Missouri State Militia, and was mustered into United States service. He was promoted to sergeant and detailed as recruiting officer at Springfield, Missouri, for Rabbs’ Batterv, having been transferred to the Eighth Missouri State Militia. While in this service, he was killed by a band of guerrillas, in Christian county, at the home of his father on December 16, 1863, at the early age of thirty-nine years. He had participated in the battle of Ozark and the battle of Springfield when Marmaduke and Shelby made their raid and attempted to capture the town on January 8, 1863. He was also in other engagements and proved to be a brave and gallant soldier. In religion he was a Methodist. He was a man whose judgment was respected by the people and he was influential in his community. He served as justice of the peace four years. In politics he was a Douglas or war Democrat, but after the war began became a Repub- lican. He was a man of quiet and peaceful disposition, was honorable in character, and had the confidence of the community in which he lived. Judge James J. Gideon grew to manhood on his father's farm in Christian county and there worked hard when a boy. He received his earlv education in the common schools, and when a boy, being fired with the patriotism of the youth of this country during the Civil war, he ran away from school at the age of sixteen years, and on June 20, 1863, enlisted at Springfield in Battery A, First Arkansas Light Artillery. After serving a short time in this battery he re-enlisted in Company H, Sixteenth United States Cavalry, in which he served twenty months. While in this regiment he was in the fight at Boonville against General Price, at the battle near Jefferson City, at Big Blue, where General Marmaduke was captured, Independence and in the Newtonia fight and many skirmishes, in all of which he deported himself as creditably as did any of the veterans of his regiment. He was promoted to corporal and was honorably discharged on July 1, 1865. During his service he was neither wounded nor imprisoned. At the close of the war he was H34 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. elected captain of Company E, Ninety-ninth Regiment, Missouri Militia, but saw no active service as such. After his military career he returned home, attended school and farmed. On December 29, 1868, he married Mary S. Ball, a daughter of Captain Jackson and Elizabeth (Keltruer) Ball. To Judge and Mrs. Gideon the following children were born : Percy P., Frederick E., Nora (died when thirteen years old), Kate M., who died on November 20, 1900, and Mary, born on January 1, 1894, died on March 10, 1907. After his marriage Judge Gideon settled on a farm near Ozark, but agricultural pursuits were not exactly to the tastes of a man of his active- mind and laudable ambitions, and he began the study of law during his spare moments, and. making rapid progress, he was admitted to the bar in January, 1872, and immediately began the practice of his profession at Ozark, where he soon had a good practice and where he continued until 1886. During this time he won the confidence of the people of his county and filled the office of public administrator and prosecuting attorney for eight years. He also rep- resented his county in the state Legislature one term and was elected to the state Senate from the Nineteenth Senatorial District in 1884 and served one term, giving his constituents entire satisfaction in both offices. On July 26, 1886, he removed to Springfield, where he still resides and where he was- successful in the practice of his profession from the start and his ability recognized, in 1888, by his election as prosecuting attorney for one term and in the year 1902 by his election as judge of the criminal court. In November, 1900, he was again elected judge of the criminal court for one term, which important office he filled to the satisfaction of the people. It is said that under his administration the business of the criminal court was dispatched expeditiously, as indicated in the beginning of this article, and that wisdom accompanied his judgments, which were tempered with mercy. Judge Gideon is widely known throughout southwestern Missouri as a stanch leader in the Republican party and a successful politician. He has never been defeated before a convention or at the polls for any office for which he has seen fit to run except in the free silver craze of 1896. He is still active in the practice of his profession. Fraternallv he belongs to Solomon Lodge of Masons at Springfield and at Ozark held all the offices of Friend Lodge, No. 352. He also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is an active member of Capt. John Matthews Post, Grand Army of the Republic,. Springfield, of which he has been commander, and he was at onetime assistant inspector general of the Grand Army of the Republic. Judge Gideon’s life record might well be emulated by the ambitious youth whose fortunes are yet in the making, for our subject is an example of the self-made man who came up from the soil and has battled his way to the front unaided and along honorable lines. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1135 GEORGE WESLEY NIEDERHUTH. The evolutions in the industrial world and the improved modes of manu- facturing things have been marvelous in the past half century, and scarcely an industry exists that has been left untouched by the spirit of reform. The demand of the age is for labor-saving devices, improved appliances, machin- ery, and short cuts generally to desired ends. George Wesley Niederhuth, chief engineer at Drury College and agent for a number of standard makes of motorcycles, is one of Springfield’s young men who is giving much thought to these things and has a comprehensive understanding of modern mechanical industries in general. Mr. Niederhuth was born on August 2, 1889, at Eldora, Iowa. He is a son of Rev. Otto Niederhuth, who was born in Hanover, Germany, on February 12, 1862, where he spent his boyhood and attended school, emi- grating to America when eighteen years of age, and he became a minister in the Methodist Episcopal church, having studied theology at Wesleyan Academy at Wilbraham, Massachusetts, in 1884; also studied at the Ger- man college and the Iowa Wesleyan University at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa; then, being well equipped for his serious life work, he went to Bismark, North Dakota, having charge of the Grand Forks Mission, extending sixty miles north and south and one hundred and fifty miles east and west. He drove over this large field with horse and buggy and during winter often with thermometer registering thirty degrees below. Later he filled appointments at Crookston, Minnesota, Eldora, Iowa, also Olderbolt, Colesburg, Burt and Burlington, of that state; Brighton, Illinois; Hermann, Mt. Vernon and Trux- ton, Missouri, being still the pastor of the German Methodist church at the last named place. He has done an excellent work in all these charges and is a learned and eloquent expounder of Holy Writ. Politically, he is - a Republican, and fraternally a member of the Modern Woodmen. His wife was known in her maidenhood as Louisa Launroth, a native of Burlington, Iowa. To them nine children were born, and were named as follows: Lulu is the wife of Rev. Herman Langer, a Missouri Methodist minister; George W., of this sketch; Esther is the wife of Louis Schultz, a farmer of Madi- son, Nebraska; Oscar, deceased; Otto, deceased; Irwin, deceased; Raymond, Earl and Alberta are all three at home with their parents. George W. Niederhuth received his education in the common schools, then studied two years at Central Wesleyan College at Warrenton, Mis- souri, and after that took the International Correspondence School course- in electrical and mechanical engineering. His first employment was at No- komis, Illinois, as assistant night engineer at the electric power plant there, later being promoted to engineer and then to the position of chief engineer, GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. I 1 36 remaining there three years. He then came to Hermann, Missouri, as assist- ant engineer at the Starr Roller Mills, where he remained nearly a year, then went to Warrenton, Missouri, and entered college, working his way through, and also worked at spare times at the city electric plant there. He then came to Springfield, and secured a position as engineer at the Woodruff building in January, 1911, filling this position until December nth follow- ing, then accepted his present position, that of chief engineer at Drury Col- lege. He has given entire satisfaction in all these places, being faithful, trustworthy and having an excellent working knowledge of both electrical and mechanical engineering. He has for some time also been agent for the best makes of motorcycles and does high-class motorcycle repairing at his home at 1090 East Harrison street. He handles motorcycle accessories, such as lamps, tires, horns, etc., and he has built up a good business in this line. He has furnished motorcycles to the special police of this city for some time. Mr. Niederhuth was married on September 14, 1911, to Ella Boehm, a daughter of John Boehm, a veteran of the Union army, formerly of Her- mann, Missouri, now of Springfield. To our subject and wife two children have been born, namely: John Wesley and Allyn Edison. Politically, Mr. Niederhuth is a Republican. Fraternally, he formerly belonged to the Modern Woodmen of America. He is a member of the National Association of Stationary Engineers. He holds membership with the Cumberland Presbyterian church. HENRY PROSERPI. It is not strange that the little republic of Switzerland should lose many of its enterprising citizens who come to the United States and establish their homes, for our institutions are similar to their own and they do not have such a hard time adjusting themselves here as do the emigrants from other countries of Europe, born and reared under conditions which are just about the antithesis of our own. The ports of entry of America have ever been freely opened to the Swiss, and having thus extended to them a hearty hand of welcome, they have been coming to our shores for two centuries or more, and their substantial homes now adorn the towns, hills and plains in every state in the Union. They have been loyal to our institutions and have proven to be splendid citizens in every respect. Thus they have aided us in pushing forward the civilization of the western hemisphere and we have helped them in many ways, giving them every opportunity, which they have not been slow to grasp, being people of thrift, tact and energy. One of the worthy class mentioned in the preceding paragraph is Henry W! m HENRY PROSERPI. MRS. HENRY PROSEREI. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1137 .Proserpi, who is engaged in cement contracting in Springfield, his birth Paving occurred in Switzerland on October 25, 1855. He is a son of Balyds- our and Christina (White) Proserpi, both these parents being born in Canton Fazeno, Switzerland, and there they grew to maturity, were educated in the common schools and were married and they spent their lives in their native country, the death of the father occurring in 1873, and the mother passed away in 1871. They were the parents of ten children, of whom Henry, of this sketch, was the youngest. Six of these children still survive. Henry Proserpi grew to manhood in Switzerland and there received a public school education, which was somewhat limited, and he may be classed with our self-made men. He emigrated from his native land when he was twenty-five years of age, in 1881, coming to the United States and pene- trating the interior to Springfield, Missouri, arriving here with but seven dollars and fifty cents as his sole capital, and unable to speak a word of English. But he had a trade and plenty of grit and determination, so it was not long until he was on his feet. He began working at the cement and stone business when fourteen years of age, and he has followed the same ever since, mastering the various ins and outs of the same when but a boy. He -started on his own account here in 1884 and has become widely known in Greene county in his special line of endeavor. He has done numerous big jobs for the Frisco railroad, and, among the notable larger jobs which he has had was the Landers Theater, on which he did all the cement work, and the auditorium at Drury College. He is known to be a man of advanced ideas and does his work promptly, neatly and honestly. He has been very suc- cessful in a financial way. Mr. Proserpi was married on December 20, 1884, to Belle Hopkins, a daughter of James Hopkins, a farmer of Phelps county, Missouri, and she is -one of a family of twelve children, six sons and six daughters. Mrs. Pro- serpi’s father was from Tennessee. He died in Phelps county, and the mother was Fanny Morrow and was born in Indiana. She is still living in Phelps county, Missouri. Seven children, two sons and five daughters, have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Proserpi, namely : Rosa Gertrude, born on November 2, 1885, married Clyde Sperry, a real estate and insurance man of Springfield, and they have •one child, Harold Eugene Sperry; Daisy Christina, born on November 8, 1887, is at home; Joseph Franklin, born on November 6, 1889, died in in- fancy; Tessie May, born on November 6, 1890, died in infancy; Charles Ernest, born on January 27, 1894; Georgia F., born on November 28, 1897, and Mamie A., born on February 21, 1900. Politicallv Mr. Proserpi is a Democrat. Fraternally he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and the Woodmen of the AVorld. He and his family attend the Baptist church. Their home is at 2133 Benton avenue. ( 72 ) 1138 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. FRANCIS A. GALLAGHER. The career of Francis A. Gallagher, superintendent of the Springfield Traction Company, has been a varied one, with success in every line to which he has turned his attention, for at the outset he realized that to achieve anything worth while in this world one must not only have big ideas of a practical and sane nature, but there must also be courage, sound judg- ment, persistency and close adherence to high ideals. He has never waited for some one else to do his planning or to execute his plans, but has been self-reliant and resourceful, and so it is not surprising that he is now filling a very responsible position while yet a young man. Mr. Gallagher was born February 17, 1875, in Bradford county, Penn- sylvania. He is a son of Francis A. and Winifred (Collom) Gallagher. The father was born at Painesville, Ohio, in 1850, and the mother’s birth occurred in Bradford county, Pennsylvania, February 22, 1851. These par- ents grew up in their respective communities and received common school educations, and when young in years the father went to Titusville, Penn- sylvania, where he established his home, and there he engaged in the oil business. He became a prominent man in politics. He was a member of the Catholic church. His death occurred at Titusville, November 17, 1874, when a young man. His widow still survives, and makes her home in Brad- ford, Pennsylvania. Francis A. Gallagher, only child of his parents, grew to manhood in his native state and there received a common school and college education. When but a boy he began his railroad career by taking a position with the Erie Railroad Company, working at different office positions. He then went to the Standard Oil Company, working at different places in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky. In 1896 he went into construction work for the Pierce Construction Company, building street railways, etc. This firm was located at Bradford, Pennsylvania. Later our subject went to Michigan in the same business for the Marquette Railway Company, re- maining there until 1907 when he came to Springfield, Missouri, and took a position as superintendent of the Springfield Traction Company, which he has filled to the present time with his usual eminent satisfaction that has marked all his work in the past. Since coming here he has rebuilt the sys- tem, relaying every foot of track, constructing new barns, etc., and has given the people of Springfield a modern and satisfactory street railway. He maintains his offices at 1405 Boonville street. He has always been a close observer and a deep student of his line of work and has therefore kept well abreast of the times in his special field. Mr. Gallagher was married on June 26, 1901, in Bradford, Pennsyl- GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1139 vania, to Edna Holmes, a native of that place, where she was reared and educated, including both the public schools and a college course of several years. She is a daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Venetti) Holmes, both natives of Pennsylvania, where they grew up, were educated and married and established the family home at Bradford where they are well known and influential. Mr. Holmes was engaged in the oil business for many years there. To Mr. and Mrs. Gallagher three children have been born, namely: Francis A., Jr., born on May 17, 1902, in Bradford, Pennsylvania; John H., born on June 10, 1911, and Mary Elizabeth, born on June 28, 1913. Mr. Gallagher and family are members of the Catholic church. Frater- nally, he belongs to the Knights of Columbus and to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; at the present time he is state trustee of the latter order, and is one of the active and prominent Elks of Missouri. He and his wife have made many friends since locating in Springfield. GUY H. McGUIRE. Whenever an attempt is made to write the history of a successful en- terprise or the worthy career of any man, it has been found that ability, backed by energy and push, has been the basis of it all, and this fact can not fail to impress itself upon the writer of history proper, or that branch of history which consists of the biographies of those who have achieved suffi- cient distinction to make the record of their lives of interest to the public. Guy H. McGuire, a well-known North Side groceryman, is one of Spring- field’s business men who owes his success in life to his own fighting qualities — the fighting ability that overcomes obstacles. Mr. McGuire was born at Brighton, Polk county, Missouri, October 9, 1878. He is a son of Henry and Margaret (Cunningham) McGuire, both natives of Tennessee, the birth of the father occurring on January 1, 1849, and the mother's birth occurred on August 22, 1857. They grew to ma- turity on the farms of their parents in their native state and in Polk county, this state. They attended the old-fashioned schools, and were children when their parents brought them to Missouri, each locating in Polk county. The father devoted his active life to general farming near the village of Brighton, but he and his wife are now living in Springfield. They have always been known as plain, honest, church-going people, highly respected by all who know them. They are the parents of five children, named as follows : Mrs. Nora Page lives in Springfield; Guy H. of this sketch; Mrs. Grace Randalls is also a resident of this city; Jessie is the wife of R. W. Coleman and lives 1140 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. in Springfield ; Esther married W. T. Font and lives in this city. These children all received common school educations and they are all well situ- ated in life. Guy H. McGuire spent his early childhood on the farm in Polk county, and when nine years of age removed with his parents to Springfield, the family locating on Commercial street, and here he received his education in the public schools. He began his career in the grocery business when but a boy, first driving a wagon; he then engaged in farming a few years in both Polk and Greene county, as well as other sections of the Southwest. He went into the grocery business for himself in 1906 on Commercial street, this city, later moving to his present location, 318 West Commercial street, where he has built up a large business and maintains one of the most mooyden Williams, whose name for years has figured prominently m important cases m local courts.. i\±r. Williams was born at .Golden Uity, Barton county, Missouri, November 23, 1609. Fie is a son of Frank and Maria B. ( Morgan ) Will- iams, natives of Memphis, Tennessee, and Burksville, Kentucky, respec- tively. I hey grew to maturity in the South and were educated and married there, and made their home in Kentucky until soon after the close of the Civil war, when they removed from the Blue Grass state to Cedar county, Missouri. The father of our subject devoted his life to farming and stock raising. He removed from Cedar to Barton county and owned a good farm near Golden City. Luring the war between the states he was a lieu- tenant in Company F, Second Mississippi Cavalry, Confederate Army, under Gen. Nathan B. Forrest, one of the greatest military geniuses the war produced 011 either side, and Mr. Williams proved to be a faithful and gallant officer under this great chieftain until he was mustered out December 2, 1862. Frank B. Williams received his education at Sparta, Wisconsin, and Watertown, South Dakota, attending the common schools there, later was a student at Yankton College, Yankton, South Dakota, then entered the law department of Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, where he made a good record and from which institution he was graduated, June .20, 1895. He was admitted to the bar at Searcy, Arkansas, soon after his graduation, and in 1896 he located for the practice of his profession at Springfield, Missouri, enrolling as an attorney-at-law, Greene county bar, March 9th of that year, and here he has remained to the present time, en- joying a good practice. He was elected a member of the Springfield city council in April, 1898, and was re-elected in 1900. and during that period he looked well to the interests of the city in every way. He was elected probate judge of Greene county, in November, 1902, and served one term of four years, after which he re-entered practice of the law, January 1, 1907, and in December, 1912, he formed a partnership for the practice of his profession with Matthew H. Galt, under the firm name of Williams & Galt, which still continues, with offices in the Woodruff building. On June 27, 1905, he united in marriage with Harriett E. Kellond, daughter of William A. and Fanny J. Kellond, a highly respected family of Springfield, and to this union three children have been born, namely : Frances Kellond Williams, Harriett Morgan Williams, and Katherine Sel- fridge Williams. JUDGE FRANK R WILLIAMS. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1201 Politically, Judge Williams is a Democrat and is active in the affairs of the party. Fraternally, he belongs to the united lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Woodmen of the World, also belongs to the University Club, the Springfield Club, and the Country Club. FRANK WYGAL. In most cases when a young man or a young woman starts out in life, they are at a loss to know what to undertake, and the consideration of what they are best intended for by nature is the last thing which they consider. They are apt to be guided by circumstances, choosing the undertaking or enterprise that offers itself most conveniently, or are governed by considera- tions of gentility, selecting something that is genteel, or so considered, or taking up enterprises or professions that seem to offer the greatest reward for the least effort, or that give the most promise of social position. Frank Wygal, foreman blacksmith at the Springfield Wagon Works, selected a trade for which he was well qualified by nature, one that he liked, and, not being afraid of hard work, he has made a success at it. Mr. Wygal was born on March 17, 1854, at Newcastle, Pennsylvania. Fie is a son of Daniel Wygal, who was born in western Pennsylvania, where he grew up, attended school, and learned the wagonmaker’s trade, and finally went into business for himself at Newcastle, then came west, and continued his business in Eldora, Iowa, later moved to Cass, Missouri, then to Paola, Kansas, being in business for himself all the while, and under the firm name of Wygal & Sons he operated a large concern at Paola, his sons, Frank and Sylvester, being associated with him. His death occurred in Kansas at the age of seventy-six years, having remained active in business to the end. He was active in Republican politics, and he was a member of the Presbyterian church. His wife, who was known in her maidenhood as Mary Cubberson, died at the age of seventy-four years. To these parents ten children were born. Frank Wygal received a common school education. He spent his early boyhood in Pennsylvania, being eleven years of age, when, in 1865, about the close of the Civil war, his parents took him to Iowa. He went to work when eighteen years of age with B. Miller, manufacturer of wagons and buggies, with whom he remained three years, learning the trade, at which he became an expert in due time. He was then for a period of eight years associated with his brother and J. W. Miller in the same line of endeavor. He came to Springfield in 1884 and on August 1st of that year began working ( 76 ) 1202 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. for the Spring-field Wagon Works, as foreman of the blacksmith department, which position he has held continuously to the present time, a period of over thirty years, which fact is certainly a criterion of his fidelity, ability and good habits. He mastered all phases of the work in his department before coming" here, and he has been quick to adopt new methods from time to time, thus keeping fully up-to-date, and he has done much to establish the sound repu- tation of this firm over the southwest. At present he has thirty hands under his direction. He resides in his own cozy home on Poplar street, which was built according to his own plans. Mr. Wygal was married in 1882 to Katie A Bigelow, a daughter of Seth G. Bigelow and wife, and to this union two children have been born — Win nifred C., who is secretary of the Young Women’s Christian Association at Reno, Nevada. She has been highly educated, having attended the Spring- field high school, Drury College and the Normal, also the University of Nevada and took a post-graduate course at Columbia University, in New York. Olive, the youngest daughter, who was educated in the common and high schools of Springfield, is the wife of R. M. Humble, a farmer of Stone county, Missouri. REV. WILLIAM D. SIDMAN. Any 'conflict waged on our planet between good and evil belongs to the basic work of divine mind before it belongs to us. The “power not ourselves that makes for righteousness," is more interested in the success, of the good cause than we can be. The constitution of this moral universe is against evil and oppression and injustice. The stars in their courses eter- nally fight against Sisera. The thought should gird one with strength for mortal endeavor. He who strikes with a hammer finds all the force of gravitation adding force to his blow. And he who combats any of the gigantic evils under the sun has the support of infinite and invincible al- lies. Let the fact nerve the arm and cheer the spirit of each halting re- former to the end of time. May it encourage us all to believe with Tenny- son in that “one far-off divine event to which the whole creation moves.” Believing in the above theory, Rev. William D. Sidman, superintendent of the Springfield district of the St. Louis Conference of the Methodist Episcopal church, left a lucrative practice as a physician to take up the work of the ministry of the gospel in order that he might accomplish more good “between these walls of time,” to which Longfellow referred in his poem, “The Builders.” Rev. Sidman was born in Vinton county, Ohio, June 9, j 860. He is a son of Wesley C. and Rebecca (Rose) Sidman. The father was born near Syracuse, New York, September 11, 1834. When a small GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. !20 3 boy he came to Ohio, where he grew to manhood and received a common school education. He was a carpenter and cabinet maker by trade and be- came a very skilled workman. When the Civil war broke out he joined the Union army, in which he served four years, after which he returned to Ohio, but later removed to Illinois, where he continued to work at his trade, then went back to Ohio, and after spending a few years there came to Springfield, Missouri, and worked at his trade for some time. He retired from active life six years ago. His wife, Rebecca Rose, was born near Logan, Hocking county, Ohio, where she grew to womanhood and received a common school education. Her death occurred September 27, 1909. To these parents seven children were born, namely: William D., of this sketch; John W. lives in St. Louis; Mrs. Elizabeth Hamilton lives in Carterville, Missouri; Mrs. Delia Jones lives in Springfield; Robert R. is deceased; Mrs. Captolia Irving resides in St. Louis, and Bessie M. is teaching in Spring- field. William D. Sidman grew to manhood in Ohio, and there he received a good education, was graduated from the Nelsonville high school, later studied medicine and was graduated from the medical department of the University of Cincinnati in 1884. He began the practice of his profession soon thereafter at Rushville, Ohio, and he came to Springfield, Missouri, in 1887. He engaged successfully in the practice of his profession for a period of six years, building up a large practice as a general physician, but, believ- ing that the ministry was his true calling, he abandoned the practice of med- icine and joined the conference of the Methodist Episcopal church in 1895, and has remained in the same to the present time, having had charge of churches of this denomination at the following places : Stockton, Republic, Greenfield, Osceola, Poplar Bluff and Marionville, Missouri. He is at present superintendent of the Springfield district of the St. Louis conference, to which responsible post he was assigned on March 18, 1913. He is widely known throughout the conference as an able and earn- est church worker and a learned theologian and forceful and accomplished pulpit orator. Rev. Mr. Sidman was married February 23, 1882, to Ina M. Carnes, who was born in Nelsonville, Ohio, and there grew to womanhood and received a high school education. She is a daughter of Alfred H. and Emily (Bridges) Carnes. Mrs. Sidman is a lady of admirable Christian character and is an active member of the various societies of the Methodist Episcopal church, and she has made a host of warm personal friends since coming to Springfield, as has also her husband. Their union has been blessed by the birth of one child, Emma, who was born February 5, 1885, who has remained single and is living at home. Fraternally, our subject is a member of the Masonic order. 1204 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. ALBERT WOOD. From the farms of Greene county the city of Springfield has drawn its best citizenship during the past half century. The farmer boy, tiring of what he considers drudgery, is often glad of an opportunity to leave the plow and take a position in the city, no matter if the work is really harder than his former work. Often he is wise in making- the change; again, it is questiona- ble if he betters his condition. The railroad shops here have absorbed the larger number of these young men from the rural districts. Employing such large numbers of men and paying good wages, the prospective employee has usually found a place waiting for him in some one of the many departments of the Frisco’s local plants, and if he has been energetic, wide-awake and trustworthy, he has found his services appreciated and has been advanced accordingly. Albert Wood is one of the boys who left the farm and went to work in the shops, and, while yet a young man, he has risen to the position of foreman of the steel car repairing department in the North Side Frisco shops. Mr. Wood was born in Franklin township, Greene county, on February 22, 1886. He is a son of Alec J. and Sarah (Johnson) Wood, the mother, a daughter of Zadock Wood, is now fifty-two years old. The father was born and reared in this county, four miles from his present farm in Frank- lin township, where he owns fifty acres, and has always engaged in general farming. Ide is fifty-four years old. Politically, he is a Republican, and for ten vears was road overseer in his community, and has done more for the good roads movement there than any other one man. He is a member of the New Salem church. To Alec J. Wood and wife four children have been born, namely: Roxie is the wife of Julius Webber, a farmer of Franklin township; Albert, of this sketch; Clarence is employed in the North Side Frisco shops; Madge lives at home. fames Wood, paternal grandfather of our subject, was a native of England, having been born in the world’s greatest city — London. He emi- grated to America when a young man, locating first in New Orleans, Lou- isiana. where he lived for some time, finally coming to Missouri in an early day. He entered a homestead in Franklin township, Greene county, and here established the future home of the family, and developed a farm from the wilds. He served in the Federal army during the Civil war in the Home Guards. Albert Wood grew to manhood on the homestead and there worked when he was a boy. He received his education in the district schools, and remained with his parents until 1907, when he came to Spring-field and secured GREENE COUNTY^ MISSOURI. 1205 employment in the freight yards of the North Side Frisco shops as laborer. Three months later he went to work at steel car repairing, and remained at this until 1912, when he was appointed foreman of the steel car repairing department there, and has held this responsible position ever since, giving splendid satisfaction. He has forty-two hands under his direction. Mr. Wood was married in December, 1910, to Effie Bleckledge, a daugh- ter of Frank Bleckledge and wife. To this union two children have been born, namely : Thelma and Alice. Politically Mr. Wood is a Republican. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and to the Methodist Episcopal church. HARRY E. MARTIN. In all ages of the world industry, perseverance and energy, where intel- ligently applied, have achieved results which could only have been gained by having one end in view, and by improving every opportunity of ultimately attaining that object. Harry E. Martin, chief engineer of the Springfield Furniture Company, is an example of what can be accomplished when the spirit of determination is exercised in connection with the every-day affairs of life. Mr. Martin was born on March 17, 1879, at Richland, Missouri. He is a son of John H. and Mary (Young) Martin, the latter a daughter of Pres- ton Young, and she is now about fifty-four years of age, the former being a year older, and they now make their home near Richland, Pulaski county, this state, where Mr. Martin is a machinist by trade. Fie formerly lived in Springfield, where he was chief engineer and master mechanic for the Davis planing mill for a period of twenty-five years, and for ten years he worked as a machinist at the Springfield Wagon Works. He is at this writ- ing building a corn-mill at Brumley, Miller county. He owns and operates a large farm in Pulaski county. His family consists of three children, namely: Harry E., of this sketch; Icy is the wife of Arthur Bryant, a farmer of near Richland, Missouri ; William lives in St. Louis, where he is working as electrician for the street railway company. The paternal grandfather of our subject was Charles Martin: he was a wagon manufacturer by trade, an early settler of Miller county, this state, and died there many years ago. Harry E. Martin received his education in the public schools of Rich- land and Springfield. Fie worked for some time in the Davis planing mill, where he finally became fireman, but his principal work there was as an ap- prentice machinist under his father. Later he worked on a farm which his 1206 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. father owned. When only eighteen years old he was filling the position of engineer for the Culver Lumber Manufacturing Company at Kansas City. In 1903 he returned to Springfield and became engineer for the Springfield Furniture Company, and in a short time was promoted to chief engineer, which position he still holds, discharging his duties with his usual fidelity and ability. He is also master mechanic at this plant, and has many hands under his direction. He is an expert machinist and does all the machine work for this large factory. He has kept well up-to-date both as a machinist and engineer, and has no superiors in either line in Greene county. He has also found time to make himself an expert electrician, and was instrumental in obtaining the new electric plant for the concern with which he is now con- nected. He is a self-made man, and learned to be an electrician through ex- tensive home study, taking the course of the American Correspondence School. Mr. Martin was married in December, 1906, to Lillian Bergstresser, a daughter of Charles and Ellen (East) Bergstresser, of Harlan, Iowa. This union has been without issue. Mr. and Mrs. Martin own a pleasant home on the National Boulevard, where they operate a chicken hatchery, composed of thirty-eight incubators. Politically, Mr. Martin is a Democrat. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias, Woodmen of the World, and to the National Association of Sta- tionarv Engineers. He is now serving his second term as treasurer of the local order of the latter. Religiously, he is a member of the First Christian church. NAPOLEON GOSNEY. It is the dreams ahead that keep hope in us all. To some it is dreams of financial success, to others political power; still others, perhaps, it is dreams of health, pleasure, fame or the chance to be of service to mankind. To those who, in early life, fate has not been overly kind, it has been the dreams of the possible opportunities held by the mystical future that has given them hope to continue the battle, often against seemingly overwhelm- ing odds. Napoleon Gosney, for many years one of the leading contractors of Springfield, who for some time has been living retired, had dreams when he was a boy, and these led him to a useful .and succesful life in a material way, as well as caused him to so shape his ends as to become a helpful citizen. Mr. Gosney was born at Ottawa, Canada, May 24, 1852. He is a son of Andrew and Delphine Gosney. The father was born near Montreal, Canada, and the mother was born at Ottawa. They grew in their native GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 120/ localities and received common school educations, and were married in Ot- tawa. Andrew Gosney was a contractor in stone and lime, and was also a stone cutter. He died at the age of forty-five years, when our subject was a small boy. His wife survived to the advanced age of ninety years, and her parents lived to be over one hundred years of age. To Andrew Gosney and wife eleven children were born, named as follows: Delphine, deceased; Severe died in 1910; Henry, Emma and Leon, all deceased; Napoleon, of this review; Emily, deceased; Lenore lives in Minnesota; Mrs. Eugenia Dugan is living near Cleveland, Ohio ; Exzelda lives in Ottawa, Canada, and one died in infancy. Napoleon Gosney grew to manhood in Canada and received a common school education. He followed in the footsteps of his father in a business way and learned to be a stone cutter and mason. When seventeen years of age he left Canada and moved to Akron, Ohio, where he lived about four years, then traveled over the East and South working at his trade. He came to Missouri in 1877, locating in Springfield later, and here engaged in •construction work, organizing at different times several construction com- panies and became one of the best known men in this line of endeavor in this section of the state. He has done an immense amount of construction work for the Frisco. Operating for many years on an extensive scale, giv- ing his close attention to his affairs and exercising good judgment and fore- sight, he accumulated a comfortable competence. He retired from active life about eight years ago on account of failing health. Mr. Gosney was married at Carthage, Missouri, September 10, 1878, to Josephine A. Smith, who was born in Winchester, Indiana, August 16, 1858, and she spent her girlhood days in the Hoosier state and was edu- cated there. She removed with her parents in 1872 to Jasper county, Mis- souri, where the family home was established. She is a daughter of George A. Smith and Nancy Ann Paxton, who were born in Pennsylvania. Mr. Smith was a millwright by trade. He bought a large farm in Jasper coun- ty, Missouri, and was a successful farmer, and there his death occurred about 1884. His wife was a native of Pennsylvania, and she was reared and married in Cleveland, Ohio. She died in 1892 at the family home near Carthage. Five children have been born to Napoleon Gosney and wife, namely: Eugenia May, wife of William Henrv McCowan, was born March 5, 1879, and is at present living in Springfield. She has six children: Josephine Anna, born September 5, 1904: William Henry McGowan, Jr., born March 6, 1907; Frances Eugenia, born March 15, 1910; Richard Gosney, born July 16, 1911; Mary Eileen, born April 19, 1913, and Nell Genevieve, born June .25, 1914. Vera Pearl, wife of O. B. McGlothlan, was born October 19, 1881, and is living on a farm in Webster county, Missouri. She has I2o8 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. three children: Loriene Josephine, born May 14, 1904; Lucile Donella,. born December 30, 1905, and Vera Cordus, born December 24, 1907. Les- ter S., born August 5, 1883, is working in Kansas City at this writing. Josephine and Reynold are both deceased. Politically, Mr. Gosney is a Republican and has been loyal to the party through both victory and defeat. During his residence in Springfield of twenty-two years he has become well known and has always been regarded as a good and honorable citizen in every respect. The family belong to the Christian church, to which Mr. Gosney gives liberal support. CHARLES LOUIS KING. For many years Charles Louis King has occupied a prominent place in the business circles of Walnut Grove and few men are better known in Greene, Polk and Dade counties. As merchant, stock man and banker, each role having been successfully followed by him, his career has been charac- terized by industry and sound judgment, and fair dealing is his watchword in all his transactions. He has for a decade been president of the Citizen’s Bank at Walnut Grove. He is optimistic, looking on the bright side of life and never complains at the rough places in the road, knowing that life is a battle in which no victories are won by the slothful, but that the prize is to the vigilant. and the strong of heart. Mr. King was born at Walnut Grove, Missouri, February 7, 1868. He is a son of John M. and Nancy E. (Carlock) King, the father born at Walnut Grove on November 12, 1839, and the mother was born at Dadeville, this state, on October 5, 1845, each representatives of pioneer families in this section of the Ozarks. They grew to maturity amid frontier scenes, were educated in the early-day subscription schools, and upon reaching maturity married and established their home at Walnut Grove, where Mr. King spent his life, engaged in various pursuits, such as farming and operating a hotel, and was always well and favorably known throughout this locality. During the Civil war John M. King enlisted in Company K, Sixth Missouri Infantry, Federal army, and served faithfully as a private for two years, when he was discharged on account of disability. Charles L. King grew to manhood in his native community and received’, his education in the Walnut Grove schools, and here he has spent the major portion of his life. When twenty years of age he went to California and herded cattle on one of the large ranches of that state for a period of five years, during which time he became an excellent judge of cattle, and, upon returning to Walnut Grove, bought and shipped live stock for a period of six CHARLES L. KING. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1209 years with much success, then operated a drug store here for three years, enjoying a good trade. He then went to Oklahoma, where he engaged in the hardware business for a year, then returned to Walnut Grove and organ- ized the Citizen's Bank, and from that time to the present he has been presi- dent, a period of ten years, during which his able management and conservative policy have resulted in the building up of one of the sound and safe banking institutions in this part of the state and a large business is carried on with the country, a general banking business being done along the most approved and modern methods of banking. Mr. King also finds time to deal extensively in the mule business. On December 31, 1912, Mr. King was united in marriage to Audrey B. Morgan, of Humansville, Missouri, a daughter of Daniel W. and Eliza A. Morgan, a highly respected and well-known family of that place. Politically Mr. King is a Democrat and has been more or less active in local party affairs, although not as a candidate for public honors. In 1907 he united with the Presbyterian church at Walnut Grove, of which he has since been a consistent member. Fraternally he belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks at Springfield and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Walnut Grove. He is a good mixer, friendly, obliging and has no trouble in retaining the many friendships which he forms everywhere he goes. JOHN W. HARTT. In these days of large commercial transactions, when credits cut a large factor in the daily round of business, the province of the banker is very wide and very important. The excellence of the banks of the pres- ent compared with those of the past gives to all classes of business men first-class security for their deposits, assistance when they are in need of ready money to move their business, and a means of exchanging credits that could be accomplished in no other way. In a large measure the suc- cess of the present time in all branches of business is largely the result of the present banking methods. One of the flourishing and substantial banks of Greene county is the Bank of Strafford, of which John W. Hartt is the present able and popular cashier. Mr. Hartt was born in Hardeman county, Tennessee, February 19, 1869. He is a son of John S. and Eliza A. (Johnson) Hartt. The father was born in Missouri. August 10, 1839, and was reared on a farm in this state. He received a limited education in the public schools. When a young- man he learned the shoemaker's trade, which he followed in later life. He also devoted considerable time to the butchering business, maintaining the 1210 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. same in several different parts of his native state, his last location being hair Grove, Greene county, where his death occurred in the year 1889. He was a member of the Baptist church. His wife was born in Hardeman county, Tennessee, January 13, 1841, and there she grew to womanhood and was educated, coming to Missouri in 1876. She survived her husband two years, dying in Fair Grove. She, too, was a member of the Baptist church. To these parents seven children were born, namely: Joseph, de- ceased; Amanda, deceased; John W., of this sketch; James, deceased; Frank, deceased; Margaret; Mrs. Mae Putman lives in Springfield. The first seven years of our subject's life were spent in Tennessee. He lived with his parents in different parts of Missouri until he was six- teen years old, when he came with the family to Fair Grove. He received a common school education and when a young man worked on the farm and also learned the carpenter’s trade, which he followed for some time. Fie worked for some time in different stores, including the Long Brothers’ general merchandise store at Fair Grove. He then carried the mail for eighteen months; then went into the drug business for himself; later be- came assistant cashier of the Bank of Fair Grove, in which he remained two years, and then went to Strafford and assisted in organizing the Bank of Strafford, of which he is the present cashier. Fie has done much toward building up a popular and sound banking institution which would be a credit to any community. It has a capital stock of ten thousand dollars, is ex- cellently housed and modernly equipped and managed under safe and con- servative methods, and has a large list of depositors. A general banking- business is carried on. The directors of the bank are L. C. Ricketts, Theo. Thorson, A. B. Grier, C. A. Womack, J. J. Foster, Jr., W. P. Camp, J. W. Hartt. The officers are: L. C. Ricketts, president; Theo. Thorson, vice- president; J. W. Hartt, cashier, and T. F. Womack, bookkeeper. Mr. Hartt came to Strafford in February, 1911, and on the 14th of that month the bank began business, which has increased gradually in vol- ume ever since. Our subject was married September 15, 1896, to Sarah I. Minor, who was born in Kansas in 1877. She is a daughter of William and Amanda Minor. They spent their lives on a farm and are now deceased. Mrs. Hartt grew to womanhood on the home farm and received a good education. One child has been born to our subject and wife, Pauline Iiartt, whose birth occurred October 24, 1907. Politically, Mr. Hartt is a Democrat. Fraternally, he belongs to the Masonic order, and in religious matters he is a member of the Baptist church. He is a man who has relied very largely upon his own resources and has succeeded in life despite obstacles that would probably have thwart- ed the purpose of a man of less ambition and determination. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1 2 1 I JAMES W. REILLY. The name Reilly has long been a familiar one among railroad men of Springfield, for both onr subject and his father before him were long on the Frisco payrolls in this city, having come here from the great Crescent City of the far South shortly after the close of the war between the states. The one is now living in retirement and the other has passed on to his eternal rest. James W. Reilly was born on January 25, 1856, at New Orleans, Lou- isiana. He is a son of John and Bridget (Fitzpatrick) Reilly, and, as the names would indicate, his Irish blood comes from both sides of the house. The father of our subject was born in County Cavan, Ireland, where he spent his boyhood days, emigrating to New York City when a young man, and from there went south to New Orleans, working some time as a laborer and gang foreman. Coming to Missouri in the sixties he assisted in building the St. Louis & San Francisco railroad line from St. Louis to Springfield, work- ing from Rolla to Neosho. Later he became gang foreman in the North Side shops, Springfield, having long been connected with the blacksmith depart- ment, and was numbered among the Frisco employees for a period of twenty years. His death occurred in 1897 at the age of sixty-seven years, and he was buried in St. Mary’s cemetery. He and his wife were both members of the Catholic church. The mother of our subject died in 1886 at the age of fifty-five years. The following children were born to John Reilly and wife, namely: James W., of this sketch; Charles, who was a car repairer in the Frisco shops at Springfield, died when forty-nine years of age; Mary is the widow of Warren Reed, deceased, and lives with her children in St. Louis; Eugene died in infancy; John is a car repairer in the Frisco’s North Side shops, Springfield ; Ellen married John Powell, a traveling engineer for the Chicago & Eastern Illinois railroad and lives at Danville, Illinois. James W. Reilly was twelve years of age when he came to St. Louis. Two years later he was employed as water-boy, when the road was being- built into Springfield, having thus begun his railroad career at a tender age, after a brief schooling. However, it was not long until his father removed with him to a farm, where they remained some time, then young Reilly re- turned to the city and went to work in the North Side railroad shops, learning the trade of car repairer. He worked as foreman for sixteen years in the North Side shops, also as journeyman for some time. At intervals he had en- gaged in farming- for short periods. In September, 1911, he left the road permanently and has since lived in retirement. He owns several valuable prop- erties in Springfield, which he keeps rented. He now lives on the site where his father built the first house for the family upon coming here, it being one 1212 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. of three homes in the section of the city now known as “the North Side.” Our subject erected his present splendid residence in 1911. Mr. Reilly was married in 1879 to Mary E. Hooper, a daughter of Spencer and Harriet F. (Kane) Hooper. Her father was a native of North Carolina, from which state he came to Missouri in 1845, located in Greene county, and the Hooper family lived on a farm on the Cherry street road, near Springfield. Mrs. Reilly grew to womanhood in this locality and was educated in the common schools of Greene county. To our subject and wife six children have been born, namely: Paul married Hattie Dodson and is employed as switchman in St. Louis for the Iron Mountain railroad; Kate married T. E. McKenna, a Springfield switch- man, and they have four children, Francis, Thomas, Elenore and Paul; James L. is a switchman for the Cotton Belt at Jonesboro, Kansas. He married Maud Gaffker and they have two children, Clifford and Louise; Charles died in infancy; Ralph is engaged in the grocery business on Jefferson street, this city ; he married Annie Connelly and they have two children, Connelly and Clarence; Clarence died on May 26, 1914. Politically, Mr. Reilly is a Democrat. Fraternally, he belongs to the Catholic Knights and the Modern Woodmen of America. COLUMBUS JEFFERSON PIKE, M. D. Proper intellectual discipline, thorough professional knowledge and the possession and utilization of the qualities and attributes essential to success has made Dr. Columbus Jefferson Pike, of Willard, Greene county, eminent in his chosen calling, and he has by his own efforts risen to a place in the front rank of the enterprising general practitioners in a county long distin- guished for the high order of its medical talent. Doctor Pike was born at Brighton, Polk county, Missouri, March 12, 1861. He is a son of James M. and Polly (DeRossett) Pike. The father was born in 1808 in Montgomery county, Tennessee, and in that state he spent his boyhood days and received his education in the town of Clarksville, remaining in his native state until 1835, when he emigrated to Missouri and settled on a farm in Polk county. He had married in Tennessee and three of his children were born there before he removed with his family to Mis- souri. Upon coming to this state he first settled on one hundred and sixty acres near Morrisville, where he lived for seven years, then sold out and bought about three hundred acres near Brighton, and he operated this excel- lent farm until 1854, when he entered the mercantile business at Brighton, which he continued until 1863, when his store was burned, and he returned GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 12 1 3 J .to his farm, where he resided until his death in 1878. He was a prominent man in that community. He was a Democrat and a Southern sympathizer during the war between the states, and religiously he belonged to the Bap- tist church. James M. Pike was twice married, first to Miss Mallard, by which union twelve children were born, namely: William, born in 1830, died in 1904; Sarah lives in Slagle; James M., Jr., died in 1912; Mrs. Mary Jane Slagle died in 1862; the fifth and sixth children, twins, died in infancy; Mrs. Lucy Bryant is deceased ; Mrs. Rebecca Slagle lives at Brighton, Missouri ; Polly Ann is deceased; George W. lives in Texas; Carney and Joseph J. both reside at Slagle, Polk county. Polly DeRossett was the second wife of James M. Pike, and to this union ten children were born, namely : Mrs. Lora Lick- lider lives at Slagle, Polk county ; Richard lives at Cliquot, Missouri ; Emily died May 25, 1914; Thomas Leander lives at Pleasant Hope, Polk county; Ransom is a merchant at March, this state ; Sebain is a Baptist preacher and lives at Bolivar, Polk county; Dr. Columbus J., of this sketch; the eighth and ninth children, twins, died in infancy; Robert L., the youngest of the twenty- two children, is engaged in farming at Rocky Ford, Colorado. The mother of these children, Polly DeRossett, was born in Tennessee in 1825, and her death occurred in 1905. Dr. Columbus J. Pike, of this sketch, spent his boyhood days on his father’s farm, and he was seventeen years old when the death of his father occurred. He received his early education in the public schools at Slagle, Polk county. He began life for himself by entering the drug business at Brighton, which he continued four years, reading medicine the meantime, and finally entered the Kansas City Medical College, from which he was grad- uated in 1890, having made an excellent record there. Pie began at once the practice of his profession at Pleasant Hope, his native county, where he got a good start, but remained only eighteen months, when he located at North- view, Webster county, Missouri, and practiced there for a period of eight years in a most satisfactory manner, then came to Willard, Greene county. Desiring to further add to his medical knowledge, he took a post-graduate course in the New York Post-Graduate College, from which he was grad- uated in 1904, after which he returned to Willard, and has since been con- tinuously engaged in the general practice of medicine, enjoying all the while a lucrative practice, and uniform success has attended his work in his voca- tion. He stands high with the people and his professional brethren in this section of the state, as may be surmised from the fact that he was president of the Southwestern Missouri Medical Society for the year 1913, his office expiring in April, 1914. In this responsible position he discharged his duties in a manner that reflected credit upon himself and to the satisfaction of all concerned. He is also a member of the Missouri State Medical Association, the Greene County Medical Society and the American Medical Association. 1214 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. Politically, he is a Democrat, fraternally a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Court of Honor, both at Willard; and in religious matters he belongs to the Baptist church at Willard, of which his wife is also a member, and in which she takes an active part. Dr. Pike was married, August 15, 1880, to Mollie Ryan, who was born, reared and educated in Polk county. She is a daughter of William Ryan, an early settler and prominent in Polk county. Three children have been born to Dr. Pike and wife, namely : Ethel, who married Horace Dameron, a farmer of Rogersville, Missouri, has one child, Lucile; Charles R., who married Gettie Frazier, a native of Greene county, is engaged in the drug business at Willard, and they have two chil- dren, Lillian Belle and Robert Ray; Arbaleta is at home with her parents. WILLIAM C. CORNELL. It is- not everyone that can make a success of the real estate business. Some men fail at it no matter how long and hard they may try. Those who enter this line of endeavor should study themselves carefully, weigh their good and bad qualities accurately and be influenced rather by sound reason than by impulse. If he has a mind capable of grasping situations quickly and accu- rately, if the arithmetic is the easiest to him of all text-books, if he likes the work better than anything else, and, finally, if he is willing to be uniformly courteous, pleasant and honest, then he may open an office and announce the fact that he has entered the real estate field as his serious occupation. We do not know whether William C. Cornell did all this or not, but as manager of the National Land and Investment Company, of Springfield, he has shown himself to be a capable real estate man in every respect, well suited by nature for the work which he has chosen. Mr. Cornell was born in Greene county, Missouri, January 3, 1874, and he comes of one of our honored old families, being a son of Leonard W. and Elizabeth (Witherspoon) Cornell, the latter still living at the age of sixty- seven years, the father having died in 1914 at the age of seventy-two years. He was a son of Charles Cornell, a native of the state of Michigan, who died there at an advanced age. Leonard W. Cornell was a soldier in the Union army, having enlisted in 1861, soon after the outbreak of the Civil war, in a Michigan cavalry regiment, but owing to sickness overtaking him he did not get to the front and was - discharged for disability, but upon his recovery he re-enlisted in a different company and regiment and served until the close of the war with an excellent record. He is remembered as a quiet, home loving man and GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1215 a good neighbor. Our subject’s maternal grandparents were William and Mary Witherspoon, who were well known Greene county farming people,, the former having died in 1882, but the latter is still living, having attained the unusual age of ninety-four years, and she is in possession of all her faculties and enjoying good health. To Leonard W. Cornell and wife seven children were born, four sons and three daughters, namely : Arthur, John, Hiram, William C., Mrs. E. O. Rogers, Mrs. Nettie Jones and Mettie Cornell. William C. Cornell spent his early life on the farm, removing with the rest of the family from Greene county to Kansas when he was young, and in that state he attended the public schools and later was a student at Union College, Lincoln, Nebraska. His father was engaged in the wholesale hay and grain business, and our subject assisted him in this work until he was twenty-three years of age, anti then began life for himself by engaging in the livery business in Springfield, Missouri, for two years, after which he was associated with the Deering Harvester Company until this concern con- solidated with the International Harvester Company, and he continued with the last named firm until 1909, giving eminent satisfaction to both. In that year he began his career as a real estate dealer in Springfield and has con- tinued in this line to the present time with ever increasing success, and is at this writing manager of the National Land and Investment Company, which is doing an extensive business under his able guidance. Mr. Cornell was married on October 21, 1897, to Della Berry, a daugh- ter of James and Elizabeth (McCurdy) Berry, both still living in Greene county, at the home where the subject of this sketch was born. They were among the early pioneers of this county. Mr. Berry was born in North Carolina, January 1, 1841, and he made the long overland journey from that state to Greene county, Missouri, with his parents when he was eight years of age, and he has since resided in this county. The original farm, which the grandfather entered from the government, is still in possession of the family. Elizabeth McCurdy was a daughter of Thomas McCurdy, and she was born in this county, February 3, 1842, and here she grew up and married Mr. Berry in i860, shortly before the breaking out of the Civil war, in which he served as a member of the Home Guards of Spring- field. Elis father, William Berry, was a native of North Carolina, where he spent his earlier years and married. He spent his latter years in Greene county, dying here at the age of seventy-four years. To James and Eliza- beth Berry the following children were born: O. D., R. P., G. F., J. B., Mrs. L. F. Patterson, and Della, wife of our subject. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Cornell has been without issue. Politically, Mr. Cornell is a Democrat. He belongs to the United Commercial Travelers, and is a member of the Presbyterian church. I2l6 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. SEBASTIAN DINGELDEIN. The late Sebastian Dingeldein, for many years a well known business man of Springfield, afforded in his life and its success and other evidence that industry, economy and straightforward dealings constitute the keynote to honorable competency. Pre-eminence is a goal that most men strive to attain. No matter what field, whether it be literature, art, science or com- merce, the ambition of the true man will push him to such endeavor that his success shall stand out with glaring distinctness and his position shall be above all others. Mr. Dingeldein, as the name implies, was of Teutonic blood, his birth having occurred in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, October 15, 1842, and was one of a large family, seven daughters and six sons, and there he grew to manhood and received his education. Tie learned the trade of brewer and traveled around for some seven years. Emigrating to America, he landed at New York City, October 6, 1867, and went from there to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and in October, 1868, he went to St. Louis, Missouri. He worked in the largest breweries and malt houses in that city for over eight years, and then came to Springfield, this state. Here he engaged in the brewery business the rest of his active life, the brewery in question having been built in 1872 by Buehner & Finkenauer. Mr. Dingeldein leased this property in October, 1876, for ten years, and in June, 1882, bought it before the lease expired, and for a period of fourteen years he was owner of the Southwest brewery, located on College street. It is a substantial plant with walls of the best rock and laid in cement, the cellar having a capacity of twelve hundred barrels. When first started the brewery turned out eight hundred barrels per day, but Mr. Dingeldein increased its capacity until, in 1882, it made twenty-one hundred barrels per day. He thoroughly under- stood every phase of the business and built up a large and lucrative trade, shipping his products all over the country. He retired from active life a tew vears prior to his death, which occurred on March 24, 1904. His father died in Germany in 1859 and his mother died in 1862. Mr. Dingeldein was married in St. Louis to Dora Stuedt, who was born in Keppeln, Prussia, April 5, 1844. She is a daughter of Peter and Annie ( Greisher) Stuedt, whose family consisted of eight children, four of whom are still living — Mrs. Dingeldein, of Springfield ; two daughters in Illinois, and one in Prussia. Mrs. Dingeldein grew to womanhood in Ger- many and received her education in the common schools there ; however, her textbook training was very limited. Her teacher was a man who had taught in the schools for over fifty years, teaching all grades, and it was compulsory for children to attend school two years to the local minister for MR. AND MRS. SEBASTIAN DINGELDEIN. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1217 Bible education, Bible history, etc. Mrs. Dingeldein is known to her many friends as a woman of kindness, charity and hospitality, and her beautiful home on College street is often visited by her many friends. Religiously, she is a Protestant and belongs to the German Evangelical church. To Mr. and Mrs. Dingeldein four children were born, namely: Julius W., born in St. Louis on January 24, 1870: Peter Edward, born in St. Louis on December 25, 1873; Amelia Margareta, born in 1882 in Spring- field, and William Sebastian, born in Springfield, August 18, 1885, the last named being deceased. GEORGE W. SMALL. Americans are often spoken of as a restless race, and this is unques- tionably true. Thousands of trains are constantly speeding from one place to another, carrying families to new localities — everybody hunting a bet- ter place to live. Most of them would be better off to remain in their old communities. So when we find a man like George W. Small, of Jackson township, Greene county, who has spent his entire life of sixty-eight years on the same farm, we are ready to extend our congratulations, for such a man is worthy of admiration. It shows that he has had stability and a wise foresight. Mr. Small was born on the farm where he now resides, October 16, 1846. He is a son of Robert B. and Martha R. ( Donnall) Small, natives of Rockingham county, North Carolina, but when small children they moved with their parents from that state to Tennessee, where they were reared on farms and received common school educations, and they were married in that state and remained there until the year 1833, when they emigrated to Greene county, Missouri, being among the first settlers, and here our sub- ject’s father entered land from the government and owned seven hundred acres at the time of his death. He was a very successful farmer and was one of the substantial men of his locality and influential in county affairs. His death occurred August 7, 1861. His widow survived many years, dy- ing July 17, 1897, on the home place. These parents were members of the Presbyterian church. Ten children were born to them, namely: Mrs. Sarah Ross, deceased; Mrs. Mary J. Barnes : James B. is deceased: Mrs. Cordelia Duke is deceased; Columbus lives in Greene county; George W., of this sketch: Airs. Christina Cavin, deceased; Julia is living with the sub- ject of this sketch; Willie and Robert, deceased. George W. Small grew to manhood on the home farm and was edu- cated in the district schools. When twenty-one years of age he bought the ( 77 ) J2l8 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. homestead, which he has kept well improved and well tilled. He has one of the choice farms of the township, consisting of five hundred and forty- six acres. He carries on general farming on an extensive scale and has prospered by his able management. He keeps an excellent grade of live- stock of all kinds and is a believer in progress in all lines. Mr. Small was married in 1876 to Harriett A. Pipkin, who was born, reared and educated in Greene county. She was the daughter of Louis and Frankie (Roberts) Pipkin, highly respected farming people of this county, the Pipkin family having long been a well established one here. The death of Mrs. Small occurred January 7, 1878. The union of our subject and wife was without issue. Mr. Small has never remarried. Politically, Mr. Small is a Democrat. Pie belongs to the Masonic order, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He has never been especially active in public affairs, but has always been influential for good in his community. JACKSON P. C. LANGSTON. A man like Jackson P. C. Langston, farmer of Jackson township, Greene county, is deserving of a great deal of credit, who, thrown upon his own resources at a tender age, and in a number of ways handicapped for the battle of life, has, nevertheless, forged ahead and kept the even tenor of his way until he is not only regarded as a successful farmer but as a good citizen in every respect. Mr. Langston was born in Christian county, Missouri, October 11, 1856, near the town of Linden. He is a son of George W. and Elizabeth (Hayden) Langston, the father born near Nashville, Tennessee, in 1836, and the mother was born near Bowling Green, Kentucky. George W. Lang- ston was brought by his parents to Greene county, Missouri, when a small child and here he grew to manhood on a farm and received a common school education. Plis wife was but a child when she accompanied her parents from the Blue Grass state to this county, and here she grew up on a farm and was educated in the district schools, and here they were mar- ried in 1855. Mr. Langston worked on the farm when young and later handled a great deal of live stock and was a good business man. While driving cattle to St. Louis at the age of twenty-three years he was seized with an illness and returned home and died on April 12, 1858. Llis widow later married John P. Simpson, but she, too, was fated to fill an early grave. She left two children, Jackson P. C., of this sketch, and a daughter by her last marriage, Mrs. Sarah Comstock. The subject of this sketch was but a child when he lost his parents, and GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1219 he was reared by his grandparents, having been six years old when taken into their home. He grew up on the farm, learned to work there, and was given the advantages of a fairly good education. He remained with his grandparents until a young man, then began life for himself by renting different farms and thereby got a start. In 1879 he bought a farm near Strafford, Greene county, which he later sold and bought another farm west of that town. Selling it, he purchased the place where he now re- sides, owning eighty acres of productive land, which he keeps well tilled and well improved and on which is to be found a cozy cottage and conven- ient outhouses; in fact, he built his own modern home and made practi- cally all the improvements now seen on the place. He has lived in Jackson township forty-five years. He handles a great deal of live stock from year to year. Mr. Langston was married in 1877 to Sophronia Comstock, who was born in Tennessee, in March, 1858. She was brought to Greene county, Missouri, when small and was reared here on a farm, that of her parents, and attended the rural schools. She is a daughter of Luther B. and Nancy (Ferguson) Comstock, both now deceased. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Langston, namely: Hettie, who was the wife of A. B. Grier, now deceased; Arby J. lives in Springfield ; Mrs. Mazie Sweetin lives in Cuba, Missouri ; Inez is single and at home with her parents. Politically, Mr. Langston is active in Republican affairs. He served very acceptably as deputy sheriff of Greene county for two years, was also constable at Stafford for a period of six years, and he was a committeeman from Jackson township for twelve years. In all three capacities he proved faithful, alert and energetic and was highly praised by his fellow partisans. DOMINO DANZERO. From the far-away land of purple peaks and turquois skies, the genial clime of sunny Italy, the favored haunt of authors and painters, hails Dom- ino Danzero, who is proprietor of a popular bakery in Springfield. Inherit- ing many of the commendable traits of head and heart of the respectable middle classes of the realm of the once mighty Caesars, he has proven to be a good citizen of Greene county, a man of industry, good habits and proper decorum, and while he at times longs for the subtle beauties of his pic- turesque home land, as is quite natural and right, he nevertheless appre- ciates the opportunities in this our land of the free and is content to re- main in the broad republic of the west. 1220 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. Mr. Danzero was born near Turin, Italy, January 13, 1871. He is a son of Jack and Angelina Danzero, both natives of the same vicinity in which our subject was born, and there they grew to maturity, received com- mon school educations and there married and established their home, and the father is still living in his native land and is still active, being a painter and decorator by trade and is a highly skilled workman. The mother died when our subject was five years of age. To these parents two children were born, Domino, of this sketch, and John, who died when eleven years of age. Domino Danzero grew to manhood in Italy, and there he received a good common school education, attending high school two years. When nineteen years of age he emigrated to America and settled in Chicago, Illi- nois, where he worked in a bakery for four years, during which time he mastered the various phases of this business. From there he came to St. Louis and traveled for a bakery there for a period of seven years, giving his employers entire satisfaction, being energetic and courteous to the trade. He then came to Springfield, Missouri, where he has since made his home. At first he managed a restaurant of his own, then opened a bakery on Jer- ferson street, and about two years ago built his own bakery at Elm and Pearl streets, which he has since operated with ever increasing success and has built up an extensive trade owing to the superior quality of his products which find a very ready market. His plant is sanitary in every respect and is modernly equipped and only skilled employees are to be found here. Prompt and honest service is his aim and he has therefore won the good will of the people. Mr. Danzero was married in St. Louis, August 18, 1902, to Bridget Roetto, who was born near Monett, Missouri, February 19, 1883, and there grew to womanhood and received a good education. She is a daughter of Charles and Katherine Roetto, both natives of Italy (born in 1852 and 1857, respectively), where they spent their earlier years, but emigrated to the United States in an early day and settled in Missouri. Mr. Roetto has engaged in agricultural pursuits in this state for a period of forty-two years, has become wealthy through his good management and wise foresight, and is the owner of several finely improved and valuable farms near Monett, where he and his wife are still living and are well and favorably known in that locality. Mr. and Mrs. Roetto are the parents of nine children. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Danzero, namely: An- gelina, born September 26, 1903, and Leola, born June 14, 1907. Politically, Mr. Danzero is a Republican. Religiously, he is a member of the Catholic church, and, fraternally, he holds 'membership in the Knights of Columbus and Modern Woodmen. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1221 ARTHUR W. BRYANT. In reading over the record of the lives of many of the leading citizens one becomes impressed with the fact that certain families show at the outset a strong inclination toward books and learning generally, or in at least keeping up with the times on current topics, especially dealing with national affairs. The Bryant family, which has long been well established in Greene county, is one of this type, and we find that Arthur W. Bryant, at present a progressive merchant of Strafford, was formerly a successful educator and is a well informed man on current topics. Mr. Bryant was born near Fair Grove, Missouri, August io, 1870. He is a son of Junius A. and Sarah J. (Harkness) Bryant. The father was born in North Carolina, June 9, 1834, and when a child his parents re- moved to Maury county, Tennessee, where he grew to manhood and at- tended school, receiving an excellent education for those times. He spent his early life on the home farm. When twenty-two years of age he emi- grated to Missouri and located in Greene county, near Fair Grove, where he purchased a farm and engaged successfully in general farming and stock raising. He taught school a number of years with much success. Being successful, the last few years of his life were spent in retirement from ac- tive work. His death occurred January 6, 1910. During the Civil war he was a soldier in the Eighth Missouri Cavalry, Union army, serving two years in Company C, proving to be a gallant soldier in every respect. He was honorably discharged in St. Louis on account of disability. He took part in a number of minor engagements. He was a member of the Baptist church. The mother of our subject was born in Tennessee, February 13, 1841, and when an infant her parents brought her to Missouri, where she grew to womanhood on the home farm near Fair Grove and was educated. She and Mr. Bryant were married April 6, 1858. She was a member of the Baptist church. Her death occurred December 10, 1911. Seven children were born to Junius A. Bryant and wife, namely: Columbus N. ; Mrs. Nannie Dyer, deceased : John F. ; Walter W. ; Arthur W., of this sketch; William S. ; Viola, deceased. Arthur W. Bryant grew to manhood on the home farm and worked there during his boyhood, receiving a good common school education. He began life for himself by teaching school four years, after which he began his career as merchant in Strafford in 1896, and has continued in the same line with ever increasing success to the present time, enjoying a large and lucrative business with the town and surrounding country, and always car- rying a well selected stock of general merchandise at all seasons. His aim is to deal courteously and fairly with all. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI, 1 222 Mr. Bryant was married March 22, 1897, to Lola M. Bass, who was born near Bassville, Greene county, December 22, 1877, and there she was reared on a farm. She is a daughter of Martin V. and Edith (Allen) Bass, who are living still on the old home place and are well known in this part of the county. Mrs. Bryant received a good education and in her girlhood taught school several years. She is a member of the Baptist church. Five children have been born to our subject and wife, namely: Junius S., born January 27, 1898; the second child died in infancy; Nola M., born April 6, 1905; the fourth child died in infancy; Marion W., born April 1, 1911. Politically, Mr. Bryant is a Republican. Fraternally, he belongs to the Modern Woodmen and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is also a member of the Baptist church, and has always borne an excellent reputation as a man and citizen. ROBERT JENKINS. Not many Canadians are found within the borders of Greene county, which is a fact to be deplored, for we who are conversant with these ster- ling people know that no better citizens are to be found than they, and that community is indeed fortunate who can boast of a colony of them, for they are, without exception, thrifty, persevering, painstaking, and, as a rule, law abiding and honorable in all walks of life. One such is Robert Jenkins, a successful farmer of Jackson township. Mr. Jenkins was born in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada, January 6, 1849. He is a son of William and Sarah (Gordon) Jenkins. The father was born in Paisley, Scotland, and was reared in that country and received a good education. When a young man he learned the iron molder's trade, which he followed during his active life. He was a member of the Pres- bvterian church. His wife was also a native of Scotland, where she was reared, and there they were married and from that country emigrated to Canada about a year before the birth of our subject, and the family moved to Michigan in 1850, and there the death of the father occurred in 1854. The mother, who was a native of the city of Glasgow, died in Sarnia, On- tario, in 1858, to which place she returned after the death of her husband. To these parents four children were born, namely : Robert, of this sketch ; Mrs. Mary Gray, James and William. The last named is deceased. Robert Jenkins was reared in Canada and Michigan until he was four- teen years old, at which age he joined the United States army, in the fall GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1223 never fail to find her a genial, entertaining and charming host. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Murray was blessed by the birth of one child, Marjorie Murray, whose birth occurred on December 25, 1899. She is attending high school at this writing, and is a young lady of much promise. Politically, Mr. Murray was a Republican, and influential in local party- affairs. Fraternally, he belonged to the Masonic order. The lamentable and untimely death of Flarvey Murray occurred on September 5, 1899, by accident, resulting from a fall from a stairway in the business section of Ash Grove. His death was a shock to the people of this community where he was regarded as a leading citizen and an able and suc- cessful attorney, a man who was universally liked and respected. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1 22 v WESLEY C. SIDMAN. Worry conies from failure to think properly, so we are commanded to consider, be still and know, and to remember that we live and move and have our being in the same universal spirit which has expressed itself in all the wonders of the material universe. Even a flower is the unfolding of a vast divine plan. We are, therefore, not to worry about our life, but to take up our duties from day to day, as we know and understand the right and — wait. The long and honorable life of Wesley C. Sidman, now living in re- tirement in Springfield, in the fulness of his four score years has lived along such a plan, for he knew from the start that the best he could do was to work industriously, live nobly, and, therefore, worry has had little place in his nature. Mr. Sidman was born near Syracuse, New York, September n, 1834. He is a son of John B. and Mary (Quick) Sidman, both natives of the state of New York, where they were reared and received limited educations, and there they were married. They were living in Ohio at the time of the father’s death, and the mother died in Jasper county, Missouri, a few years after moving there from the East. They were the parents of seven children. Wesley C. Sidman grew to manhood in Athens county, Ohio, and there received a common school education. In his youth he learned the carpen- ter’s and cabinetmaker’s trade, at which he became quite expert, and followed the same throughout his active career. He remained in Ohio until 1888, when he came to Springfield. Missouri, and here he worked for the St. Louis N San Francisco Railroad Company for a period of six years, in the coach de- partment of the North Side shops, giving satisfaction in every respect. He then continued his trade, working for public schools until he retired from active life some six years ago. Mr. Sidman was married, September 9, 1858, to Mary R. Rose, who was born near Zanesville, Perry county, Ohio, where she grew to woman- hood and received her education in the public schools. She proved to be a most faithful helpmate and was a kind and generous-hearted woman, who left behind a host of good friends when she passed to her eternal rest in Sep- tember, 1908. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Sidman. namely: William D., a Methodist minister, living in Springfield, is represented in a separate sketch in this volume; John W. lives in St. Louis; Robert R. died on No- vember 20, 1903; Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Hamilton lives in Carterville, Mis- souri; Mrs. Delia Jones resides in Springfield : Mrs. Captolia Irving lives in St. Louis ; Bessie M. has remained at home with her father. Politically, Mr. Sidman is a Republican. He is a member of the Grand 1226 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. Arni)' of the Republic by virtue of the fact that he served four years in the Federal army, having enlisted in 1861 in Athens county, Ohio, in Company H, Eighteenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and he saw much hard service with the army in the South, taking part in numerous engagements and fighting gallantly for his country. He was honorably discharged in Vin- ton county, Ohio, on September 24, 1865. Religiously, he is a member of the Renton Avenue Methodist Episcopal church. WILLIAM A. DAGGETT. Believing with Longfellow that “within ourselves is triumph or de- feat," William A. Daggett, the present librarian at the Springfield State Nor- mal school, determined at the outset of his career to so shape his course that when life's goal was reached he could look backward along the labyrinthin highway without compunction or regret, and so far he has left no stone un- turned whereby he might honorably advance himself. Mr. Daggett was born on March 14, 1876, at Waldoboro, Lincoln county, Maine. He is a son of Athern E. and Helen M. (Parsons) Dag- gett, both natives of Maine, each representatives of old families there. These parents grew up and were educated in the early-day schools of that state and were married there in 1875 and have since resided near their early day home. To this union, one son, William A., was born. The mother was a daughter of William and Margaret (Fitzgerald) Parsons, descendants of English emigrants who established the future home of the family among the early settlers of Maine. The father of our subject was reared on the farm of his parents and he devoted the major portion of his active life to agricultural pursuits ; however, he engaged in other lines of endeavor, in- cluding the confectionery business, for a period of twenty years. Politically, he is a Republican and he belongs to the Congregational church. William A. Daggett attended the public schools in his native state and when fourteen years of age left there and spent two years in Tabor Acad- emy at Marion, Massachusetts, then came to Springfield, Missouri, in 1893 and studied two years in Drury Academy and four years in Drury College, from which institution he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1899. Soon thereafter he accepted a position as assistant princi- pal at Rogers Academy, Rogers, Arkansas. He taught mathematics and science there for two years. Flis advancement as an educator was rapid and it was not long until his services were in demand in other and larger fields than the one at Rogers where he won such a creditable record during his two years at that place as an instructor. Learning of his success the board GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1227 of the Springfield high school tendered him the position of instructor in history, which position he accepted, and in which he accomplished a work of far-reaching importance, such as had probably never before been attempted here and more signally successful than his former efforts as teacher. After spending six years in this school in the department of history, he was se- lected librarian at the Springfield State Normal, the duties of which position he has since discharged in an able and highly satisfactory manner, and at the same time has taught some in the history department ; however, he has had no classes for two years, his increasing work as librarian claiming all his time and attention, including his committee work in the school and the library instruction course by him. He has also held positions as an instruc- tor in athletics and physical culture, in which lines he has pronounced natu- ral ability of a high order. Mr. Daggett was married on June 12, 1900, to Evelina Park, youngest daughter of Dr. William H. Park, a pioneer doctor of Greene county, Mis- souri, also a prominent business man of Springfield. Mr. and Mrs. Daggett are the parents of two children, Athern, born on January 10, 1904, and Algoa, born on April 11, 1906, and died January, 1914. Politically, Professor Daggett is a Republican, and a member of the First Congregational church, in the work of which he has been active and influential for a number of years, having been identified with the various branches of the church of this denomination in Springfield. Personally he is an unassuming, accommodating and likable gentleman. ELIHU HIBLER. Referring to agriculture, one of the earliest bards of the English- speaking race wrote the following : “In ancient times the sacred plow was emploved by the kings and fathers of mankind ; and some, with whom compared your insect tribes are but the beings of a summer's day. Have held the scale of empire, ruled the storm of mighty war with unwearied hand, disdaining little delicacies, seized the plow and greatly independent lived.” He might also have added that agriculture has been from the days of Cain, the greatest of all the arts of man. for it is the first in supplying his necessities. As an agricultural region, Missouri has no superiors. No state has a more natural svstem of natural drainage, or a more abundant supply of pure, limpid water than this state. Both man and beast may slake their thirst from a thousand perennial fountains that form our “blue, rejoic- ing streams that catch the azure of the skies.” And here Nature has also generously bestowed her attractions of climate, soil and scenery to please 1228 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. and gratify man while earning his bread by the sweat of his brow. Being thus munificently endowed, Missouri offers superior inducements to the farmer, and bids him reap varied harvests from her broad domain and avail himself of her varied resources. One of the men of a past generation who wisely decided to devote his career to tilling the soil in this, his native state, was the late Elihu Hibler, and he was not only amply repaid for his toil, but found comfort in his close communing with Nature, and this in turn made him a peaceable and k’ind-hearted citizen who always had the good will and respect of his neighbors and acquaintances. Mr. Hibler was born in St. Louis county, Missouri, July 26, 1846. He was a son of Alton and Mary A. (Baxter) Hibler and was one of a family of six children, an equal number of sons and daughters, namely: Leora, Isadore and William are both deceased; Elihu, subject of this memoir; Pamella is the wife of J. W. Hoggs, of Springfield, and George, who lives in Kansas City, d he father of the above named children devoted his active life to general farming in St. Louis county, this state, and there his death occurred many years ago. Elihu Hibler grew to manhood in his native community and assisted his father with the work on the farm and there laid the foundation for his future success as a husbandman. He received his earlv education in the common schools of his district, and he remained in St. Louis county until the death of his father, when he removed to Bates county, Missouri, and in the year iS’84 he purchased a farm there, which he operated successfully many years, finally moving to Liberal, Barton county, this state, where he purchased a farm, on which he spent the rest of his life, and was known as one of the leading general farmers and stock raisers of that locality. Mr. Hibler was married on July 25, 1889, i n Bates county, to Prances |. Maxwell, a daughter of Edley C. and Rebecca J. (Park) Maxwell. The father was a native of Virginia, where he spent his early life, finally remov- ing to Bates county, Missouri, where he purchased a farm, and there he and his wife still reside, highly respected citizens. Their family consisted of seven children, five daughters and two sons, namely: John Beauregard lives in Lt. Scott, Kansas; William P. died in infancy; Trances J., widow of Mr. Hibler. subject of this memoir; Mrs. Lucy Coon, of Pt. Scott. Kan- sas, is the mother of seven sons and one daughter ; Betty lived with her parents on the farm; and Della May, who died when twenty-seven vears of age. Three children were born to Elihu Hibler and wife, namely: Edith Pamella, born October 29. 1890, was graduated from the State Normal; she is married and has one son, William Elihu, named after his grandfather, our subject, he being the tenth William in the family line of descent, and his birth occurred June 14, 1913; she has made herself proficient in music. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1229 especially in voice culture, and she has for some time been a successful instructor in music. Jessie Gladys, second child of our subject and wife, was born October 15, 1894, was graduated from the State Normal at Spring- field, specializing in domestic science and music. Mary Rebecca, the youngest child, was born July 25, 1897, is now a student in the Springfield schools and expects to take the course in the State Normal. These daughters have all been given excellent educational advantages, which they have duly appre- ciated and properly improved. Their father, our subject, was a great advocate of education, and himself a great reader and student all his life. Religiously, Mr. Hibler belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church. He was summoned to his eternal rest on January 11, 1906. GEORGE W. HENDRICKSON. Faithfulness to duty, persistence in the pursuit of a worthy object and a desire to be of service to those about him while laboring for his own ad- vancement have been some of the principles which have been dominating factors in the career of George W. Hendrickson, the present able assistant postmaster at Springfield, in which city he has made his home for a period of twenty-five years, and where he was formerly engaged in mercantile pur- suits. Like many of our best citizens he hails from the fine old Blue Grass state and possesses many of the winning traits of his progenitors, who were Southerners. Mr. Hendrickson was born in Lewis county, Kentucky, January 6, i860. He is a son of John T. and Jemima (Myers) Hendrickson, and was one of ten children, an equal number of sons and daughters, all now deceased but four sons. John T. Hendrickson, the father, was a native of Kentucky, where he grew up, was educated in the early-day schools, married and spent his life as a general merchant and died there in 1896. Jemima Myers, mother of our subject, was of Pennsylvania German stock. She met and married John T. Hendrickson in Lewis county, Kentucky, and spent the rest of her life there, dying in 1866. George W. Hendrickson grew to manhood on the home farm in Lewis county, Kentucky, where he worked when a boy and there he received his education in the common schools during the winter months, remaining on the farm until he was eighteen years of age, when he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he secured employment with a paint company, with which he remained for a short time, then secured a position as clerk for the Cincin- nati & Memphis Packet Company, which he retained for ten years, then, in 1889, he came to Springfield, Missouri, and he and his brother engaged I -3° GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. in the grocery business for four years, after which he sold out to his brother —John F. Hendrickson, and entered the political arena. He was first em- ployed in the sheriff’s office, where he spent two years. Then served as deputy circuit clerk for three years, after which he accepted a position, in 1898, as assistant postmaster, which he has retained to the present time, his long retention being sufficient evidence of his satisfactory service, hav- ing discharged the duties of this responsible position for a period of eighteen years in a manner that reflected much credit upon himself and to the satis- faction of all concerned, being accurate, alert, painstaking and a man whose- integrity has never been questioned. In 1887, two years before Mr. Hendrickson left his position with the Cincinnati Packet Company in Ohio, he married Mary Rittenhouse, of Evansville, Indiana, a daughter of Thomas H. Rittenhouse, whose family consisted of three children. To Mr. and Mrs. Hendrickson four children have been born, namely : Alberta, born on November 4, 1888, is librarian at the Springfield high school; Willa died in infancy; Georgia, born on June 10, 1896, was educated in the Springfield public and high schools, later attending Drury College;: John F., born on July 11, 1900. Politically, Mr. Hendrickson is a Republican, and has been loyal in his support of the party. He served for three years as a member of the local board of education with Prof. J. Fairbanks. Fraternally, he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. He and his family attend the Presby- terian church. AZARIAH WILLIAM LINCOLN. One of the best known members of the Greene county bar is Azariah William Lincoln, who has been practicing law in Springfield for thirty years,, during which time he has met with continued success and has kept well abreast of the times in his profession. Concerning the sincerity of purpose, the unquestioned probity and uprightness of conduct and character, the- ability and honesty of Mr. Lincoln, it may be said, they are as well known and recognized as his name. It occurs occasionally that a peculiar accent accompanies the declaration, when it is said of anyone, that he is honest, as if to impart a whisper of suggestion that the quality is rare or exotic. In its application to men in responsible public position it is not true; the reverse of it is. In its application to lawyers, as a body, which is not infre- quently done, it is false; the reverse of it is true. Both Mr. Lincoln and his son, Harold T. Lincoln, a rising young lawyer, are known to be advo- GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. I23I cates of strict honesty in all relations of life, and this has been one of the main secrets of their success. Azariah W. Lincoln was born in Iowa county, Wisconsin, September 25, 1851. He is a son of Thomas Lincoln, a native of Pennsylvania, who went to Wisconsin with his parents when a child, and after his maturity he removed to Ohio in 1862, and engaged in farming. Plis death occurred in May, 1890. Lie was a son of Azariah Lincoln, who died in Ohio in the early sixties. Mr. Lincoln, of this review, received his education in the common schools of Ohio and the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio, from which institution he was graduated. He began studying law' with James E. Wright, of Columbus, Ohio, and was admitted to the bar in 1881, before the supreme court of that state, but instead of devoting his attention to practice he engaged in educational work, was elected county superintendent of schools, which responsible position he held for three years with satis- faction to all concerned. He then came to Springfield, Missouri, in 1884, and began the practice of law, which he has continued to the present time, and has been very successful all along the line and ranked among the leaders of the bar here from the first. He w'as judge of the probate court from 1887 to 1895, and was judge of the criminal court for two years. As a jurist he more than met the expectations of his friends and discharged his duties in a manner that reflected much credit upon his ability and fidelity, his decisions being noted for their fairness and profound insight into the basic principles of jurisprudence, as well as his familiarity with the statutes. He is senior member of the firm of Lincoln & Lincoln, and with his son enjoys a large practice. In April, 1885, the marriage of Judge Lincoln occurred to Jennie M. Adams, a native of Mt. Gilead, Ohio, a daughter of Henry H. Adams, a merchant, who at present resides with his daughter, Mrs. Lincoln, in Spring- field, Missouri. His wife was know in her maidenhood as Isabel U. Swaner. To the union of our subject and wife three sons were born — William Lincoln, born in Springfield, in January, 1887, was graduated from the local high school, later attending Drury College several terms; he married Pauline Burns in 1908; she is a daughter of F. M Burns, and to this union one child has been born, William Burns Lincoln, whose birth occurred in January, 1910. Harold Thomas Lincoln, second son of Judge Lincoln and wife, was born in Springfield November 11. 1888. He was graduated from the Springfield high school and from the Columbia Law School in Ohio, and commenced the practice of his profession with his father in 1909, and he is regarded as one of the leaders of the younger generation of the Greene county bar. In December, 1911, he married Maggie Sims, and to this union one daughter has been born, Margaret Lincoln. Harold T. 12^2 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. Lincoln is a Republican. He was appointed city tax attorney, which position he held two years, and was assistant prosecuting attorney of Greene county under James H. Mason. Urged by his friends, he was a candidate for city attorney in 1914, and his election was regarded from the first as most probable, since he is popular with all classes, and his record as a public servant in his former capacities was most commendable in every respect. Elwvn Russell Lincoln, youngest son of the Judge and wife, was born in Springfield, October 26, 1896, and died October 27, 1913. Mr. Lincoln is a Republican. He is a member of the Masonic order .and the Improved Order of Red Men. Religiously he belongs to the Meth- odist Episcopal church. CHARLES L. ROBERTSON. Year has been added to year and decade to decade until seventy-seven years have been numbered with the past since Charles I., Robertson, a ven- erable and highly honored farmer of Murray township, came to Greene county, this long span of years embracing nearly the whole of his life, which has been spent in this locality. Upon the arrival of the Robertson family this section of the state was largely an undeveloped region, awaiting the awakening touch of the sturdy pioneers to transform its wild lands into rich farms and beautiful and comfortable homes, to establish churches and schools, and in many other ways reclaim the country for the use of man. •Our subject has played well his part as a citizen of enterprise and public spirit, has lived to see and take part in the transformation of the county, whose interests he has ever had at heart, and, having been a close observer all the while, he is an interesting talker on what the vicissitudes of time has wrought here. Mr. Robertson was born in Hamilton county, eastern Tennessee, April 5, 1837. He is a son of Jefferson and Mary Ann (Lodspeach) Robertson, representatives of very old Southern families. Jefferson Robertson was Torn in Roane county, Tennessee, in 1806, and there he grew up and mar- ried and made his home until 1837 when he came to Greene county, Mis- souri, with his family, Springfield then being known to many of the settlers as “Stump Town.” In 1839 h e purchased two hundred acres of land where •our subject now lives, the latter owning forty acres off this tract. The father devoted his life to general farming, and here he resided until his death in 1877, was known to his neighbors as an honest, hospitable and hard working man. He was a Democrat, and belonged to the Methodist Epis- copal church. South, first, when the services of this denomination were held in Murray school house; later, when a church house had been built at Willard, he attended there. His wife was born in Greene county, Tennessee, and ME. AND MRS. CHARLES ROBERTSON. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1233 when nine years old she left there with her parents and the family located at Sweetwater, Tennessee, where she grew to womanhood and married. She was born in 1817 and died May 9, 1908, at the unusual age of ninety-one years, having outlived her husband thirty-one years, he having died in the prime of life. She was a grand old lady, beloved by all who knew her. To Jefferson Robertson and wife eleven children were born, namely: Charles L. of this review; Mrs. Elizabeth Ann Young of Willard, Greene county; Mrs. Nancy Caroline Grant of Polk county, Missouri; Mrs. Armeldia Potter of Oklahoma; John Lindsay of Oklahoma; Mrs. Josephine Gilmore, of Cave Spring, Cass township, Greene county; Mrs. Eliza Jane Snider, who lives on the old homestead in Murray township; Mrs. Sally Murray, of Murray township; Mrs. Martha Frances Philips, of Panhandle, Texas; the two youngest children died in infancy unnamed. Charles L. Robertson was about two years old when his parents brought him from the mountains of Eastern Tennessee to the vicinity where he now resides and here he grew to manhood on his father’s farm and there worked hard when a boy in assisting to clear and develop the place, and during the winter he attended the brief sessions of the old-time subscription schools in his locality. He remained on the homestead until he was twenty-one years of age then began farming for himself, settling on a part of what he now owns and has lived here continuously to the present time, successfully] engaged in general farming and stock raising. Pie owns one hundred and twenty-acres, one hundred acres of which is under cultivation. He has been a hard working man all his life and has a well improved and well kept place and a good group of outbuildings. He always keeps an excellent grade of various kinds of live stock and is one of the best known men ip the township, respected by all his acquaintances. Mr. Robertson was married May 10, 1857, to Eliza Ann Wittenburg, a native of Greene county, Missouri, and a daughter of Phelix and Nancy (Robberson) Wittenburg, both natives of Eastern Tennessee, the father born August 17. 1810, and the mother August 15, 1820. The latter was eleven years old when her parents brought her to Missouri and she died here October 5, 1844. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Robertson, all dying in early childhood but two, who are still living. Mrs. Mary Caroline Olinger, of Murray township, this county; and William J., who lives in Walnut Grove, Missouri. Politically Mr. Robertson is a Democrat, but has never aspired to office, preferring a quiet home life. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church South, at Pearl, Cass township, where his wife and daughter also hold membership. During the Civil war he served three months in the 'Confederate army in a very creditable manner. ( 7 §) 1234 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. WILLIAM M. SMITH, M. D. One of the best-known physicians of the city of Springfield, an hon- ored veteran of the Civil war, and for a quarter of a century one of the respected citizens of Greene county, is Dr. William M. Smith. He chose medicine as his life profession and life purpose and pursuit. The environ- ment of his earlier years, its discipline, his college course and drill, the culture that comes from hooks and study and travel, the success with which he has met as a physician, and the standard in his profession to which he has risen — all testify to the wisdom of his choice. Dr. Smith was born in Barnesville, Ohio, June 7, 1842. He is a son of John C. and Hannah (Thompson) Smith. The father was born in 1817, was reared a Quaker, and was a carpenter and contractor during his active life. Toward the early part of the Civil war, although then advanced in years, he enlisted for service in the Union army in August, 1862, in the One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, under Col. John LI. Howe, and he served in the battles around Vicksburg, Mississippi, but the hardships of army life proved too much for him and he died before his term of enlistment had expired and was buried in the National cemetery at Mound City, Illinois. The mother of our subject was born January 18, 1818, in Huntington county, Pennsylvania, and was a daughter of Amos Thompson, a farmer. She came with her family to Ohio when she was a child, and her parents both died in that state. She spent the latter part of her life at the home of our subject in Springfield, Missouri, where her death occurred in 1889, and was buried in Hazelwood cemetery here. Some of the maternal great-great-uncles of our subject were soldiers in the Revo- lutionary war. The family is of German-English, Scotch and Irish ancestry. Dr. Smith was reared in Ohio and there he received his early education in the common schools, later graduating from the Kewanee Academy, at Kewanee, Illinois, and was preparing for college at the time of his enlist- ment in the Federal army, in September, 1861, in Company A, Forty-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, under Col. Stewart, later serving under Col. Northrop. He saw considerable hard service and proved to be a gallant defender of the flag, participating in the battles of Farmington. Stone River, and the great battle of Chickamauga, in which he was wounded and taken prisoner, but was later paroled and sent to General Hospital in St. Louis. He was honorably discharged at St. Louis at the expiration of term of enlistment and later re-enlisted, February 7, 1865, in the Ninth Illinois Cavalry, serving until October, 1865, an d was discharged at Selma, Alabama. After bis career in the army Dr. Smith returned home and taught school for several terms, devoting his spare time to the study of medicine, and in GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1235 1868 he entered the Keokuk Medical College, at Keokuk, Iowa, later entering Rush Medical College, Chicago, from which he was graduated in 1870. He first began the practice of his profession at Atkinson, Illinois, remaining there nine years, and had a good practice ; he then went to Sterling, Illinois, and practiced three years, after which he moved to Beadle county, South Dakota, where he practiced six years, and in 1888 came to Springfield, Missouri, where he has remained to the present time, enjoying an excellent practice all the while and ranking among the leading general practitioners in the county. Dr. Smith is a member of the Greene County Medical Society, the Southwest Missouri Medical Society, the Missouri State Medical Asso- ciation and the American Medical Association. He was president of the first named society for one term. He belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic. He has been secretary of the local board of pension examiners for the past sixteen years. Politically he is a Republican and religiously is a member of the Congregational church. Dr. Smith married Viola M. Ferrin, December 15, 1870. She is a daughter of Isaac and Maria (Bailey) Ferrin, both natives of New England. Mrs. Smith’s father died when she was an infant. The mother spent her last years with our subject and died at his home in Springfield in 1890. Four children have been born to Dr. Smith and wife, namely: Wells Ferrin, born in Atkinson, Illinois, in 1871, was educated in the Springfield high school and Drury College, later was graduated from Beaumont Medical College, in 1898, and he began his practice in Springfield, securing a position in the Frisco Hospital, where he remained two years, then removed to Arkansas, and is now division surgeon for the Iron Mountain Railroad, with headquarters at Little Rock. He married Robbie Blythe, of Clarks- ville, Arkansas, in 1905, and they have four children, Helen, lohn, Elsie and Elizabeth. He is a thirty-second degree Mason, and is a fine surgeon. Charles Wilbur Smith, second son of our subject, was born in Atkinson, Illinois, in 1873, was educated in the Springfield high school and Drury College, also studied at the Beaumont Medical College, graduating with the class of 1901, later, in 1902, taking a post-graduate course in the St. Louis Hospital. He began the practice of his profession at Iveota, Missouri, in 1902, and remained there six years, then came to Spring-field and has been engaged in practice here ever since, and is one of the most successful of our younger surgeons and general practitioners, doing a great deal of surgery. He is a member of the Greene County Medical Society, the Missouri State Medical Association, the Southwest Missouri Medical Society and the American Medical Association. He was at one time health commissioner of the city of Springfield. He is a thirty-second degree Mason, and also belongs to the Knights of Pythias and B. P. O. E. He married Mary Helen 1236 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. Vail in 1902. She is a daughter of Edward Vail, superintendent of a local coal company. One child has been born to Dr. Charles W. Smith and wife, a daughter, Vail Smith, whose birth occurred in 1903. Amy Jessie Smith, daughter of the subject of this sketch, was born in Atkinson, Illinois, was educated in the Springfield high school and graduated from Drury College. She married Alfred H. Mansfield, an attorney, now chief claim agent of the Missouri Pacific Railroad; they reside in St. Louis. To this union one child has been born, Elizabeth, born on August 8, 1914. Winifred Elizabeth Smith, youngest of our subject’s children, was born in South Dakota, was educated in the Springfield high school and Drury College, and she married O. J. McCutcheon, president of the McCutcheon Bros. Vehicle & Harness Company, of Springfield; to them one child, Elizabeth, was born in 1910 in this city. The above named children were given every advantage as to education and general preparation for life, and they are all popular wherever they are known, and are well situated in life. JOHN H. SHACKELFORD. The Shackelford family has been known in Greene and Webster coun- ties during the past three-quarters of a century, the father of the subject of this review having established the future home of the family here in the year 1840 when Springfield consisted of a few log huts, lately the site of the Kickapoo Indian village; when the county was sparsely settled and very little development had been done, the virgin soil being covered with im- mense woods or rank wild grass, the haunts of many kindreds of the wild. So the elder Shackelford was an important factor in the early civilization of the county, for he was a builder by profession and was a man who never quailed at hardships and loved to see reclaimed this region of promise. From that early day to this the name of the family here has been one against which no aspersions could be cast, and has always stood for good citizenship. One of the best known of the present generation is John H. Shackel- ford, widely known contractor of North Campbell street, Springfield, who was born on October 7, 1855, in Greene county, Missouri, and who has spent his life here and in the adjoining county of Webster. He is a son of Garland and Mary E. (Forren) Shackelford, and is a scion of old Vir- ginia people on his father’s side. Garland Shackelford was born in Vir- ginia, January 16, 1816, and there he grew to manhood and spent his life until 1840 when he emigrated overland to Missouri, reaching the present site of Springfield on June 17th of that year. He had learned the carpen- ter’s trade when a young man in his native state and he at once began GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1237 working at the same in his new community, and had the distinction of build- ing the first frame house in Greene county, which was erected for Major Powell, father-in-law of Martin J. Hubble. Pie did a great deal of carpenter work and contracting and built many of the best houses in this locality in the pioneer days. In 1850 he joined the gold seekers across the great western plains, making the perilous journey to California, with Rip Weaver and Joe Farris. He returned to Springfield in 1851, on account of sickness, making the return trip by way of the Isthmus of Panama. Upon his arrival here he purchased a farm two miles from town, and continued building and farming for six years, and in 1857 removed to Marshfield, Webster county, this state, where there was a better field for his contracting and building business. There he also bought a fanning and carding mill. He became one of the leading men of that county, and there he spent the rest of his life, reaching the advanced age of ninety-two years, his death occurring on July 9, 1908. He was twice married, Mary E. F'orren being his first wife, and to this union thirteen children were born, six sons and seven daughters, six of whom, two sons and four daughters survive, namely: Garland C., of Springfield; Mrs. Mattie Robertson, of Marshfield; Mrs. Loma Darby, of Center Point, Texas; Mrs. Amelia McKnight, of Nevada, Missouri; Mrs. Josephine E. Lyon, of Marshfield, Oregon, and John H., of this review. The mother of these children was born in Tennessee where she spent her girlhood, coming to Springfield when twelve years of age, her mother hav- ing died some time previously. She came to this locality with her father who was a farmer, and here he died during one of the scourges of cholera which swept the country at intervals in those early times. The death of Mrs. Shackelford occurred on January 14, 1892, and the father of our subject subseciuentlv married Miss Elian Whiticar. His last union was without issue. John H. Shackelford was two years old when his parents removed with him from Greene to Webster county in 1857, and he grew to manhood at Marshfield where he received his education in the common schools. He assisted his father with his general work as a carpenter, contractor and mill man while growing up, and upon reaching maturity engaged in business for himself first as a farmer and later, March 16, 1883, he came to Springfield and here he has resided ever since, engaging in business, for the most part as a contractor for gravel and composition roofing. His present establish- ment is located at 968 North Campbell street, where lie is well equipped for the prompt and successful carrying on of his line of endeavor, and he has built up an extensive and constantly growing business and employs a large number of skilled workmen. He has a reputation for honest, high- grade and quick work and is one of the popular contractors of Springfield. He always handles the best of materials and his prices are reasonable. 1238 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. Mr. Shackelford was married on July 4, 1886, to Emma Donald, a daughter of William Donald, of Saline county, Missouri. His family con- sisted of five children, namely: Mrs. Julia Shelby, of Springfield, was twice married, first to ex-senator S. R. Bridges; she has three children; Mrs. Ella Louder is deceased; Emma, who is the wife of Mr. Shackelford of this sketch; Leancler McCord Donnell, of Springfield, married Rosie Roberts, and they have four children; Royal, who is engaged in farming in Saline county, this state, married Mattie Crowder, and they have two children. To John H. Shackelford and wife two children have been born, namely: Bessie E. Tolia Shackelford married Lake H. Gibson, of Springfield; he is city salesman for the G. D. Milligan Grocery Company, and Louis C. Shackelford, who was born on May 24, 1892, was educated in the Spring- field schools and Christian Brothers College, St. Louis; he is engaged in the same line of business as his father — gravel and composition roofing, and is a promising young business man. Politically, Mr. Shackelford is a Democrat. Fraternally, he is a mem- ber of the Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Royal Arcanum and the Modern Woodmen of America. He and his family are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. THOMAS OTIS KLINGNER, M. D. Whether in the substance of our human nature or the spiritualities of an expectant future being, mankind is inclined to cling, with fierce tenacity, to not only the hope that the ego may not disappear, but that the tangible, if dissolving personally, may be fittingly remembered. To rescue, preserve and perpetuate was the mission of the ancient Chronicles, and this is the province of history ; and equally so, of biographic narrative. “Man’s so- ciality of nature,” says Carlyle, “evinces itself, in spite of all that can be said, with abundant evidence by this one fact, were there no other; the unspeakable delight he takes in biography.” So when a man like Dr. Thomas Otis Klingner, one of the best-known specialists of his class in Greene countv, has reached the honored position in the vicinity which he has attained, it is meet that something of his individuality be set forth. Dr. Klingner was born near Fair Grove, Greene county, Missouri, March 3, 1874. He is a son of John and Mollie (Shade) Klingner. The father was born at North Vernon, Indiana, in 1844, and there he spent his earlier years working on the farm and attending the district schools during the winter months, and later he began teaching in the rural schools, which vocation, in connection with farming part of the year, he continued for GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. I239 some time. He eventually emigrated to Missouri and located in Greene county, where he purchased a farm near the village of Fair Grove and there he still resides, having developed a good farm and reared his children in comfort, giving them proper educational advantages. For many years he has served his community as a local preacher in the Methodist church, in which he is an earnest and influential worker, and is called on by all denomi- nations to conduct funerals and marriages. He is widely known in his end of the county and everybody is his friend. His good wife, who has proven to be a most worthy helpmeet, was born in 1845. This family is of German descent, as the name would indicate, the paternal grandfather, August Klingner, having been a native of Bingen, Germany, from which country he emigrated to America in an early day, with his wife, and settled at North Vernon, Indiana, where he engaged in farming, and there he and his wife spent the rest of their lives. The maternal grand- father, Henry Shade, who was of Scotch descent, was a machinist by trade, and he resided at many different places, but spent the latter part of his life on a farm near Fair Grove, Missouri. Seven children were born to John Klingner and wife, named as follows: Dr. Thomas Otis, of this sketch ; Henry Augustus resides at Wray, Colorado, where he is engaged in the mercantile business; John W. lives in Spring- field, Missouri, and is engaged in the undertaking business ; Charles E. is a farmer and has remained on the homestead with his parents; George Mack, of Roswell, New Mexico, is professor of English in the high school there; Mamie Louise, who has taught school for about twenty years, has remained single and lives at home ; Florence Elizabeth, also unmarried, lives with her parents on the farm. Dr. Thomas O. Klingner was reared on the home farm and there did his full share of the work during the crop seasons, and during the winter he attended the district schools, later entered Morrisville College, at Morris- ville, Polk county, Missouri, where he completed the course leading to the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy, however, was not graduated. AYhen about eighteen years of age he commenced life for himself by earning his own living and obtaining money by teaching with which to educate himself, also followed other pursuits, and in 1895 he entered the Missouri Medical Col- lege at St. Louis, where he made a good record and from which he was graduated with the class of 1898 with the highest honors in that class. Returning to Greene county, he began the practice of his profession at AVillard, where he remained three years as a general practitioner, then spent two years at Walnut Grove, this county, enjoying a good practice at both places. In 1903 he took the civil service examination and went to AALish- ihgton, D. C., where he was given employment in the medical department 1240 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. of the Pension Bureau, remaining there three years to the eminent satis- faction of the department. The last two years there he had the management of the eye and ear department. Pie came to Springfield, Missouri, in 1906, established an office on Commercial street, which he has maintained for the past nine years, building up a large and lucrative practice, which is rapidly growing, and he is now located at 318 Landers building. He has taken his. place in the front rank of his professional brethren who confine themselves, to the treatment of the eye, ear, nose and throat. He has met with great success in this field. His experience in Washington City was invaluable to him, but in order to further equip himself for his chosen work he took a post-graduate course, in 1906, in the Chicago Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat College; also in 1912 took a post-graduate course in the Chicago Polyclinic. Dr. Klingner is a member of the Greene County Medical Society, the Southwest Missouri Medical Society, the Missouri State Medical Asso- ciation, and the American Medical Association, being a Fellow of the last named. He has been secretary of the Greene County Medical Society for the past five years, also has been president of the State Association of Medical Secretaries and counsellor for the Twenty-eighth District. He is oculist and aurist for the Burge-Deaconess Hospital, the Southwest Missouri Hospital, the Children’s Home and the hospital for the St. Louis & San Francisco Railroad Company. He is also vice-president of the Southwest Missouri Hospital, and is secretary of the J. W. Klingner undertaking establishment. In all of the above positions of trust and responsibility he has discharged his duties .in a manner that has reflected much credit upon himself and to the satisfaction of all concerned. Dr. Klingner was married in 1900 to Effie May Kernaghan, who was born in Greene county, Missouri, November 27, 1874. She is a daughter of Jesse and Elizabeth Kernaghan, for many years residents of this county, who later made their home in Joplin, Missouri. Mr. Kernaghan, who en- gaged in contracting for many years, is now practically retired from active life. His wife died in Joplin in 1904 and was buried there. Mrs. Klingner was reared in Greene county and educated in the public schools here. To our subject and wife two children have been born, namely: Keat- ing Kenneth, born in Washington, D. C., in 1904, died in 1908, and Mary Elizabeth, born in Springfield, Missouri, January 10, 1913. Fraternally Dr. Klingner is a member of the Masonic Order and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Politically he is a Democrat, and in religious matters is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, South. Personally the Doctor is a gentleman of the highest integrity and socia- bility and the high position he has gained in the medical profession and the countv is in every way deserved. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1 2 4 I DANIEL MARTIN NEE. One of the most promising of the younger members of the Greene county bar is Daniel Martin Nee, a member of the firm of De Vorss & Nee. He seems to be the possessor of the necessary qualification for a success in the legal field and has most carefully prepared himself for his chosen calling, taking a great deal more pains in this respect than many of the older lawyers. By wise and judicious legislation, a barrier has been interposed against an easy and miscellaneous invasion of the legal profession, and those who propose to enter it must submit to the rigid requirements of the laws of the present time. The prescribed course of study must be observed, the ordeal of examination must be borne, and fixed grades and standards must be touched before the applicant can cross the statutory line that separates him from the bar. The result is, the profession draws its nutriment from a better, cleaner, stronger and more intellectual class — men fitted for the profession and who will sustain its high character. Our subject is of this class. Mr. Nee was born at Thayer, Oregon county, Missouri, April 1, 1888, but most of his life has been spent in Springfield, Greene county, whither the famity removed when he was a child. He is a son of Coleman C. and Mary (Foley) Nee, both natives of Ireland, and from his progenitors our subject seems to have inherited many characteristics of the Celtic race which will be of inestimable benefit to him as a lawyer. These parents spent their earlier years in the Emerald Isle, from which they emigrated to the United States when young. The Foley ancestry were mostly tillers of the soil. Coleman C. Nee received his education in the common schools of his native locality and when eighteen years of age emigrated to our shores. Finally penetrating into the Middle West, he took up his residence at Thayer, Missouri, where he engaged in business. Seeking a larger field for his operations, he removed to Springfield twenty years ago and has been a successful business man here ever since, well known about town and highly respected. Patrick Nee, the paternal grandfather, was born in Ireland, lived and died there, following the sea for a livelihood ; in fact, most of the Nee progenitors were sailors by profession, and noted for their ability and bravery in this line. Daniel M. Nee grew to manhood in Springfield and here he received his education, first attending the parochial schools, later was graduated from the public schools and high school and attended Drury College for a time. In 1906 he entered the law department of the University of Missouri, where he made a splendid record and from which he was graduated with the class of 1912. In July of that year he commenced practicing in Spring- 1242 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. field in partnership with J. T. De Vorss, and notwithstanding the fact that the firm is a new one, they are doing a very satisfactory volume of business, with very bright prospects, their auspicious start auguring well for the future. Mr. Nee has for some time been well known locally as an athlete and has devoted considerable attention to athletics, of which he has been a suc- cessful teacher, and has coached many baseball and football teams with gratifying results, and at this writing he is in charge of the athletic teams at Drury College. He was a professional baseball player, and by his excel- lent work during vacation periods as a member of some good team he earned money to defray his expenses in college, thus being enabled to obtain his professional education. Mr. Nee is unmarried. He is a Democrat politically, and in religious matters is a Catholic. He is a member of the University Club and the ■Sigma Chi. He was popular among the students while in school in Spring- field and at the University. LEONIDAS CLARK ROSS, M. D. It is no invasion of the province of propriety to narrate or chronicle the exploits, achievements, character or the lesser or larger deeds of a man who is yet a living personality. The truest biographic insight of an indi- vidual will come to him who knows him best, has most closely studied him in his particular spheres of thought and action, and who has the advantage of aids of the subject of his narrative, as the living, suggesting source and inspiration of it. The artist’s picture of the vanished original will not be an accurate photograph of it. It was a maxim of the Egoists, who were uncertain of everything, only a few things, that “each one submit to a record of himself, for his self’s sake, but especially for his friends.” Thus it affords the biographer pleasure to set forth appropriately, but succinctly, and, we hope, accurately, the life record of Dr. Leonidas Clark Ross, who, owing to the enviable position he has gained in the medical circles of Greene county, is entitled to specific mention within these pages. Dr. Ross was born in Greene county, Missouri, January I, i860, and is a scion of one of the oldest and most prominent families of the county. He is a son of Rev. David and Eliza (Robberson) Ross, the father a promi- nent minister in the Methodist Episcopal church. South, for many years in the pioneer days. His death occurred on January 6, 1869. The mother was a sister of the late Dr. E. T. Robberson, of Springfield, Missouri, and also a representative of an old and well-known family. William Ross, our GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1243 subject’s paternal grandfather, died in Morgan county, and was buried at Versailles, this state. William Robberson, the maternal grandfather, spent his life in Tennessee, died and was buried at Farmington, that state. Dr. Ross’ brother, Dr. F. E, Ross, was for over a half century one of the best known physicians of Greene county, having practiced medicine in Springfield from 1865 until his death in 1910. Elis widow still lives in this city. Dr. L. C. Ross grew to manhood in his native community and received his early education in the schools of Springfield. Finally deciding upon a career as a physician, he entered the Missouri Medical College at St. Louis, where he made a good record and from which institution he graduated with the class of 1891. In April of that year he began the practice of his profession in Springfield, and from that time to the present his patients have continued to increase in numbers until he is now a very busy man and ranks with the most successful general practitioners of the county. Dr. Ross is a post graduate of the New York Polyclinic, attending in the year 1895. He is a member of the Greene County Medical Society, the Missouri State Medical Association, the Southwest Missouri Medical Society and the American Medical Association. Fraternally he belongs to the Masonic Order. Politically he is a Democrat, and in religious matters belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church, South. Dr. Ross has remained unmarried. He is well liked by a wide acquain- tance, being a man of pleasing address and good habits. NANDY C. WILLIAMS, M. D, To have the human name preserved has ever been, not only the desire, but one of the illustions of the race and will doubtless always be. Mauso- leums are built and the tablets hewn — “A graven stone to plead for tears with alien eyes,” for the purpose of binding in memory the fact of a life. In the very earliest of the Hindoo mythology the milk of the sea was mys- tically churned to make the amrita which gave immortality; and, all litera- ture since bears trace of similar fancies. This desire to be remembered, that our dust shall retain the tender regard of those whom we leave behind; that the spot where it shall lie will be remembered with a kind and soothing reverence; that our children will visit it in the midst of their sorrows; and our kindred in after times will feel that a local inspiration hovers round it, has been one of the most potent forces in the history of man. Hence the value and importance of biography and a volume of the nature of the one 1244 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. in hand, embracing as it does the leading characters in the drama of civili- zation as staged in Greene county, one of the well known and deserving actors in it of the present generation being the successful physician of Spring- held, whose name forms the caption of this article. Dr. Nandy C. Williams was born in Warren county, Iowa, February 25, i860. He is a son of Uriah F. and Jane (Graham) Williams. The father was born near Indianapolis, Indiana, and there spent his earlier years, finally emigrating to Warren county, Iowa, where he established the family home. He devoted his life to general farming, and his death occurred in 1878. His wife preceded him to the grave in 1871. William Williams, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was a soldier in the Mexican war and was killed in battle. Doctor Williams grew up on the home farm and much hard work fell to his lot when he was a boy ; however, he was ambitious and forged ahead despite obstacles. Fie received his early education in the public schools of his native community and also spent three years in the Simpson Seminary College at Indianola, Iowa, and in 1884 he entered the Iowa State Univer- sity at Iowa City, where he remained two years. In order to defray the expenses of a college course, having to depend entirely upon his own re- sources, he engaged in any kind of honorable work he could get to do dur- ing vacations, and taught school seven years. His undaunted determina- tion brought success. Making up his mind to enter the medical profession at an early age he began the study of medicine while still in school and began practicing under a preceptor in 1888, and in 1894 received his degree from Barnes Medical College, St. Louis, Missouri. In 1895 he came to Spring- field, Missouri, and began the practice of his profession, which he has con- tinued to the present time with much success, and has long since ranked with the best and most popular general practitioners in Greene county. On June 17, 1885, Doctor Williams was married to Etta A. Lyman, who was born near Bloomington, Wisconsin, March 9, 1862. She is of Welsh ancestry. To the doctor and wife one son was born, Leslie E., born at Clifton Hill, Randolph county, Missouri, December 9, 1891 ; he was edu- cated in public and high schools at Springfield, this state, later spending three years in the Fine Arts Academy at Chicago; he taught one year in the Art Institute of Chicago, in 1913, and is now engaged in commercial art work; he lives in New York City, and is unmarried; he was evidently born with the artistic temperament, which has been well developed and he gives promise of a brilliant career in his chosen field of endeavor. The parents of our subject’s wife are both deceased, George Lyman, the father, who devoted his life successfully to farming, died in 1898, but was living retired at the time of his death. His wife had preceded him to the grave in 1890. -GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1245 Doctor Williams is a member of the Greene County Medical Society, the Southwest Missouri Medical Society, the Missouri State Medical Association and the American Medical Association. Fraternally, he belongs to the Masonic order, including the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine and the Order of Eastern Star; he also belongs to the Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks. Politically he is a Democrat, and in religious matters belongs to the Presbyterian church which he faithfully supports. THEODORE A. COFFELT, M. D. A name that is deserving of a high position in the list of physicians in Greene county is that of Dr. Theodore A. Coffelt, formerly a Methodist minister. He is appreciated and respected in every relation of life — profes- sional, social and religious — a learned doctor, a sincere and reliable citizen, and in the better and higher conception of him, an honest man. The unos- tentatious candor and openness of his character were never warped by selfish instincts, or obscured by professional ardor. As a friend and neighbor he is known as a genial, generous, kind-hearted man, free from circuity and deceit, gentle in disposition, modest, judicious, placid, reasonable and just; who holds his own and his friend’s honor above all the blandishments of passion and the seductions of ambition and wealth; and who aims to come, as nearly as human nature can come, to loving his neighbor as himself. Doctor Coffelt was born in McDonald county, Missouri, April io, 1855. He is a son of Rev. Wyatt and Jane (Sligar) Coffelt, the father a native of Kentucky, and who devoted his active life principally to the min- istry and was one of the prominent pioneer preachers of his day. He spent the last years of his life on a farm. His death occurred in Springfield, Missouri, October 17, 1901, and he was buried in the Coffelt cemetery near Mason Valley, Benton county, Arkansas. The mother of our subject was a daughter of Adam Sligar, a German; she was born on June 18, 1816, in McMinn county, Tennessee. Her death occurred on January 20, 1886. She and her husband are buried in the same cemetery. They became parents of a large family, twelve children, an equal number of sons and daughters. Philip Coffelt, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was born in Greenbriar county, Virginia, now a part of West Virginia. He was a son of Henry Coffelt, a native of Germany, from which country he emigrated to America in the old Colonial days. He was a member in George Wash- ington’s company at the time of Braddock’s defeat, during the French and Indian war. Henry Coffelt married Ellen Ryan, who was born in Ireland, from which country she emigrated to America when five years of age. She 1246 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. and her older brother were captured by the Indians when she was seventeen years old, but effected their escape after eight weeks of captivity. Their freedom was gained by the wit, perseverance and ingenuity of the girl. Her brother was lame, suffering with what was then known as white swelling of the hip. When the Indians were within one day's journey of their set- tlement they compelled this girl and her lame brother to carry wood from the nearby forest into camp. The girl suspected that this meant that they were to be burned at the stake while the red men engaged in their accus- tomed revels on such occasions. So she instructed her brother how to leave the encampment, where to go and await her coming. He got away late in the afternoon and when night came on she made a break for liberty herself. Finding her brother at the appointed rendezvous, they concealed themselves under a fallen tree in a dense thicket and remained there for three days, never daring to move. At one time the Indians in their search for the runaways climbed upon the very tree under which the children were lying. All the sister and brother had to eat during that trying period was the dried tongue of a horse which Ellen had stolen from her captors shortly before she escaped. Finally deciding that it was safe for them to leave their hiding-place they traveled by night, secreting themselves during the day, and eventually came to the Ohio river, which was at that season low, and, finding a shallow place the girl carried her brother on her back across the river, which she waded. The hardships proved too much for the cripple and when sixty miles from home he died. Ellen having no way of digging a grave, placed the body in the crotch of a fallen tree, and with much hard work piled limbs of trees, rocks and leaves over the body, and that was his only grave. She made her way back home which she reached after much privation and suffering from hunger and exposure. After Ellen Ryan’s marriage to Flenry Coffelt they settled in Greenbriar county, Virginia, and to them ten children were born. One of their sons, Philip, was the grand- father of Dr. Coffelt of this sketch. He married a Miss Wyatt, of English ancestry, who was a cousin of Sir Francis Wyatt, first governor of Virginia under old Colonial conditions. Doctor Coffelt received his education in the common schools and the high school at Pea Ridge, Arkansas, after which he entered the medical de- partment of Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, in 1883, where he remained one term, and in 1885 entered the Missouri Medical College from which he was graduated in 1886. He has been a practicing physician and surgeon since 1884. His earlier years were spent in Arkansas. Leav- ing that state in 1891 he entered the post-graduate department of the Mis- souri Medical College, where he remained until 1893, then removed to Car- thage, Missouri, and began practicing as a specialist on the eye, ear, nose and throat. Remaining there two years, he then entered the ministry of the GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1247 Methodist Episcopal church. South, and was thus engaged from 1895 to 1901, having joined the Southwest Missouri Conference. During that pe- riod of six years he served the congregations of that denomination two years at Pineville, in his native county; two years at Willard, Greene county; and two years at Marshfield, Webster county. He did an excellent work in building up the churches at these places and was regarded as an earnest, faithful and capable pastor in every sense of the word. But on account of failing health he gave up the ministry and resumed the practice of medi- cine, opening an office in Springfield where he has since remained, confin- ing himself to the eye, ear, nose and throat, in which field he has few equals and no superiors in southwest Missouri and has enjoyed a constantly grow- ing business all the while. He maintains an up-to-date suite of rooms in the Woodruff building. In order to further equip himself for this special line of work, the doctor took the course in the New York Post-Graduate School of Medicine, from which he was graduated, and he also has a certifi- cate of graduation from Washington University, 1888. Doctor Coffelt is a member of the Greene County Medical Society, the Southwest Missouri Medical Society, the Missouri State Medical Asso- ciation, the Western Academy of Ophthalmology and Oto-Laryngology and the American Medical Association. Fraternally, he is a member of the Ma- sonic Order, including the Royal Arch and the Council degrees. Politically, he is a Democrat, and he belongs to the St. Paul Methodist Episcopal church, South. He has always been an ardent worker in the lines of his profession. He has been president of the Greene County Medical Society, also president of the Southwest Missouri Medical Society, vice-president of the Mis- souri State Medical Association, and in 1908 was appointed a delegate to the international tuberculosis congress which convened in Washington, D. C. He is now president of the board of directors of the Springfield Hospital. Doctor Coffelt was married on October 1, 1885, to Mary M. Clayton, a native of Arkansas, where she grew to womanhood and was educated. She is a daughter of Rev. John M. and Cynthia (Dameron) Clayton. The father’s death occurred in 1902 and the mother passed away September, 1914, in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Five children have been born to Doctor Coffelt and wife, named as follows: Everett C., born at Pea Ridge, Arkansas, July 14, 1886, was edu- cated in the high school in Springfield and Drury College; he married Vita Hampton, and they have two children, Kenneth, born in 1912, in Kansas City, and Kathryn Ruth, born on March 1, 1915. Thejr reside on a farm in Webster county, Missouri. Anna Maud, second child of Doctor Coffelt, was born in Pea Ridge, Arkansas, September 5, 1889, was educated in the Springfield high school and Drury College, also attended the State Normal here, and is at this writing a student in the Ward-Belmont School at GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1248 Nashville, Tennessee. Oscar T., the second son, was born in Pea Ridge, Arkansas, December 18, 1890, was graduated from the Springfield high school and is now a student of Drury College, where he will graduate with the class of 1915; Mabel Ruth, born in Willard, Missouri, September 19, 1898, is attending high school in Springfield; Glenn Palmore, born in Marsh- field, this state, July 11, 1900, is in his last year in ward school. Doctor Coffelt is, practically speaking, a self-made and self-educated man, and is a credit to himself, his family and the public; he is a master of his specific profession, and justly merits the large practice which he has gained through skilful work, honest dealings and courteous manners. LAFAYETTE A. ROSS. One of the venerable and most widely known citizens of the northern part of Greene county is Lafayette A. Ross, who has spent practically the entirety of his nearly four score years in this locality, which he has seen grow from a wild and sparsely settled prairie, dotted with log cabins, when land could be secured for one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre to its present thriving state when some of the best acres are worth one hundred and seventy-five dollars each and modernly appointed homes are numerous. And in this great transformation he has played well his part in every respect. His long- life of usefulness, industry and charitable acts has won for him the sincere affection of almost every man, woman and child in Murray town- .ship, and of many of those living in townships adjacent. His early industry has resulted in his possession of a neat competence, and while he still enjoys the glow of the golden rays of the sun of life that must eventually set behind the horizon of the inevitable, he shares that enjoyment with no stint in the companionship of the members of his family and his wide circle of friends, won through his residence here of more than three-quarters of a century. Mr. Ross was born in Robberson township, Greene county, Missouri, February 21, 1835. He is a son of David and Louisa (Robinson) Ross. David Ross, who was one of the' noted pioneer preachers of southwestern Missouri, and one of the most extensive agriculturists and stock men of 'Greene county, was born in Kentucky, March 12, 1812, and he was six years of age when his parents, William and Elizabeth Ross, removed with their family to Boonville, Cooper county, Missouri. William Ross was a man of ability and an expert surveyor. While living in Cooper county he laid off the town of Boonville, and about that time was employed by the government of Mexico to assist in surveying the greater portion of what is now the state of Texas. After returning from the Southwest to Cooper GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1249 county he brought his family to Greene county, having maintained his home in the former county six years. He took up a claim in Robberson town- ship, before this locality had been surveyed, and on this he erected a log cabin, made such other improvements as were necessary in placing raw prairie land under cultivation, but he subsequently moved to Bolivar, Polk county, and engaged in mercantile pursuits for seven years, then located at Versailles, Morgan county, this state, where he spent the rest of his life, dying when past eighty years of age. Plis widow died at the home of their son, David Ross, when past eighty-two years of age. They were a sterling old pioneer couple and did much for the advancement of early civilizing influences in this section of the state. David Ross was twelve years of age when he accompanied his parents to Robberson township Greene county, from Boonville. Here he engaged in farming, erecting a log cabin and starting in true primitive fashion, and, being a hard worker, a man of rare foresight and good judgment he prospered with advancing years and became owner of over five hundred acres of fine farming land here, which he brought up to a high state of cultivation and improvement and carried on general farming and stock raising on an extensive scale, raising large num- bers of horses, mules, cattle, hogs and sheep annually, and was a most ex- cellent judge of live stock. He was one of the best known and most influen- tial of the early settlers in this locality. For a period of over thirty-five years he was a minister in the Methodist Episcopal church, South, and preached in Springfield for many years and all over this country. He was profoundly versed in the Bible, was an earnest, forceful and eloquent preacher of the old school. His wife, Louisa Robinson, was born in Ten- nessee about 1815, and her death occurred on the home place in Greene county at an advanced age. He died in 1869 at ^ ie a §' e °f fifty-six years, when in the zenith of his powers. To David Ross and wife twelve children were born, namely: Lafayette A., subject of this sketch, is the eldest; William Monroe; Dr. Francis Emery, now deceased, was for over a quarter of a century one of the lead- ing physicians of Springfield; Mrs. Elizabeth Jane Whitlock lives in Spring- field; Mrs. Mary L. Skeen lives in Ash Grove, this county; David W. lives at Willard; Mrs. Sarah Melissa Watson lives at Morrisville, Polk county; Mrs. Henrietta Josephine Robinson lives in Texas: Mrs. Cordelia Robinson lives in Oklahoma ; Bennett J. is farming in Murray township ; Mrs. Laura Emma Appleby lives in Topeka, Kansas: Dr. Leonadus Clark is practicing medicine in Springfield. Lafayette A. Ross grew to manhood on the home farm and worked hard when a boy, and received such educational advantages as the early schools afforded. He remained on the farm until he was nineteen years of (79) 1250 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. age, when, on April io, 1853, he started overland across the great western plains to the gold fields of California where he remained three years, return- ing home on July 7, 1856. His experiences on his long journey to and from the Pacific coast and while in the West forms a most important and interesting chapter in his life record. With the exception of this brief period he has always lived in the locality of his birth, and has resided in his present home since in April, 1868, or over forty-six years. Pie owns a finely improved and well-kept farm of one hundred and twenty acres, which was a raw, unpromising looking tract when he purchased it, but by hard work and close application he has made a fine farm of it and has a commo- dious residence and substantial group of outbuildings, his place being now well worth one hundred and seventy-five dollars per acre. He has always followed general fanning and stock raising, and he is still active, although the frosts of old age are upon him, but he has had an exceptionally robust constitution and has lived a careful life. Pie is a man of fine business judg- ment and broad-minded in practical affairs. Mr. Ross was married on September 21, 1856, to Malinda Evans, a. daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Leathers) Evans, all three natives of North Carolina. Joseph Evans was bom in 1804, and was fourth in a fam- ily of seven children. He grew up in his native state and when a young man learned the millwright’s trade which he followed in connection with farming, plying his trade during the winter months. He removed with his. family to Greene county, Missouri, in 1840, locating in Robberson town- ship, at the edge of what has long been known as Robberson Prairie. Pie built the first frame house in Greene county, and also had the distinction of building here the first saw mill and grist mill. He sawed logs for his home out of black walnut trees that would now be worth a small fortune. Pie became a prosperous farmer and influential citizen among the early day residents. His death occurred in September, 1888, at the advanced age of eighty-five years. Ten children were born to Joseph Evans and wife, four of whom are living at this writing, namely : Alexander makes his home in Springfield; Malinda, wife of the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Emma McDaniel, who resides in Springfield; Daniel McCord lives in Willard, this county. The paternal grandparents of these children were Daniel Evans and wife, who, with their son, John, emigrated from England to the United' States in an early day and settled in North Carolina. Eight children have been born to Lafayette A. Ross and wife, namely: George Emery lives in Texas; William J. makes his home at Morrisville, Polk county; Mrs. Emma Ault lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma; Mrs. Lula R. Appleby is living on the home place with her parents ; David Edward lives in Willard; Walter Evans makes his home in Oklahoma. Two died in infancy. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1251 Mr. Ross is a Democrat but he has never held public office or desired to be other than' a quiet, honorable and unobtrusive citizen. He is a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, at Willard, has been secretary and trustee of the church at different times. His wife is also a member of the same church, and both are much interested in general church affairs. STAHL BROTHERS. The firm of Stahl Brothers, horse-shoers and general blacksmiths at 218-220-222 West Pacific street, Springfield, is one of the most widely known and popular of its kind in Greene county and special mention of the success of these young men in this, one of the oldest and at the same time one of the most important and indispensable of the trades, should be noted in a work of the nature of the one in hand. They believe in employing pro- gressive methods in their work and maintain a modernly equipped shop, where high-grade work is promptly done, and their customers come from over a wide territory adjacent to Springfield. William F. Stahl, senior member of the firm, was born on September 26, 1878, in Sullivan, Franklin county, Missouri. He is a son of Julius and Louise (Rauch) Stahl, both natives of the state of New York and of Ger- man descent, but they were reared in St. Louis, and they are now living in Springfield. The father is a contractor in concrete work and is one of the well-known men in his line in this locality, having lived here twenty-six years, removing at that time from Lebanon, Laclede county, Missouri. To Julius Stahl and wife five children were born, all still living, namely: Will- iam F., Ernest A., Charles H., Julius A., and Paul W. William F. Stahl received a common school education and when he began life for himself it was in the brick business, later was with his father in the concrete business, finally learning the blacksmith’s trade, having com- menced working at the age of eighteen for a blacksmith on Commercial street, Springfield. He then went to Watrous, New Mexico, and went into business as a blacksmith for himself, and later established a shop at Canyon City, Colorado, where he remained until 1906, when he returned to Spring- field and continued his business in partnership with L. L. Calk at the corner of Campbell and Pacific streets, later purchased one-half interest in the firm of Stryker & Morgan, buying out Mr. Morgan. Then our subject’s brother, Charles H. Stahl, bought a one-third interest in the business, the firm name changing to Stryker & Stahl Bros. The latter purchased Mr. Stryker’s in- terest in 1908 and have since conducted the business under the firm name of Stahl Bros., at the present location, and have built up a large and constantly 1252 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. increasing business and enjoy a reputation for honest and excellent work as horse shoers and general blacksmiths. They began in a modest way, start- ing with a small shop, but in 1912 it was necessary for them to add two new buildings, and they are now occupying a large, well-arranged and substantial two-story brick structure and are the leading blacksmiths on the north side of the city and equal to any in Greene and adjoining counties. Beside them- selves they require seven skilled assistants. William F. Stahl was married on August 7, 1908, to Bessie Sanders, who was born in Mountain Grove, Missouri, and is a daughter of William Sanders and wife. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Stahl has been without issue. Politically, he is a Democrat. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen and the Eagles, having been treasurer of the latter lodge for the past six years, is also treasurer of the Fraternal Aid, of which he has been a member for a number of years. He is a member of the Germania Club and the German Brotherhood. Charles H. Stahl, junior member of the firm, was born on October 11, 1883, in Lebanon, Missouri, and received his education in the common schools in Springfield and when a boy began learning the blacksmith’s trade and has since followed this vocation in Springfield. In his earlier career he worked for some time in the shop of L. L. Calk. He has remained unmar- ried. Politically, he is a Democrat. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen and the Eagles, the Germania Club and the German Brotherhood. Both these young men stand well in the circles and clubs in which they move. ROBERT FRANKLIN BARRETT. After a successful railroad career of nearly thirty years, Robert Frank- lin Barrett decided upon a less strenuous and quieter vocation and turned his attention to the theater business with the result that he is earning a very satisfactory livelihood as proprietor of the “Happy Hour” moving picture theater in Springfield, and while there are times, as might naturally be ex- pected, when he longs again for the old life of the train man, yet this mood does not last long, as. a rule, and he is well pleased with his new vocation. Mr. Barrett was born in Salem, Missouri, November 13, 1855. Lie is a son of William and Margaret (McDole) Barrett, both natives of Ireland, from which country they emigrated to the United States when young in years and here spent the rest of their lives. They established their home in Virginia, where they spent many years and from there removed to Mis- souri, locating at Salem over sixty years ago when that part of the state was GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1253 sparsely settled. They had been educated in the common schools of Vir- ginia and married in that state. There the father of our subject learned the business of iron ore worker which he followed principally the rest of his life, dying near Salem, Missouri, when his son, Robert F., was a boy. His widow survived many years, dying at Bloomington, Illinois, in October, 1904. After the death of his father the subject of this sketch was compelled to get out and hustle for himself, but he was by nature courageous, having inherited many of the indomitable traits of his Irish ancestors, and he not only made his own way when a boy but also managed to obtain a fair edu- cation. He came to Springfield when a young man and here began his rail- road career in 1879 as brakeman on the Frisco, running principally on the western division, and he also worked as flag man on a passenger train for some time. He proved to be a very faithful employee wherever he was placed and he was promoted to freight conductor in 1885. Twelve years of his railroad career was spent with the Chicago & Alton Railroad Company, a part of which time he was passenger conductor. Reaving this road in 1898 he returned to the Frisco system, and was given a position as freight con- ductor on the central division. He continued with the Frisco until 1907 when he quit the road and engaged in the moving picture business in which he has been very successful and which he has continued for seven years. The first three years were spent at Hugo, Oklahoma, after which he came to Springfield and opened the “Happy Hour” Theater at 502 East Commer- cial street, which has been very popular and which continues to be one of the best patronized in the city, for Mr. Barrett knows what a good show is and tries to give his patrons the best and at the same time make them as com- fortable as possible no matter what the season or the weather is. He has a neat, clean and sanitary place and a full modern equipment, including an up-to-date electric piano. He shows the “Universal” program. He shows four reels daily. Mr. Barrett was married on December 7, 1898, in Ft. Smith, Arkansas, to Josephine Crow. She was born in Iowa, January 4, 1864, and she is a daughter of Jonathan and Helen (Dooley) Crow, both parents natives of Cork, Ireland, from which country they emigrated to America when young and here established their home, spending the rest of their lives in the New World. They have been deceased for some time, the father having died in Iowa and the mother in Arkansas. They gave their daughter, Josephine, good educational advantages. To Mr. and Mrs. Barrett one child has been born, Irene J., whose birth occurred on December 10, 1899, and who is now attending school. Politically, Mr. Barrett is a Democrat and has been active in the af- fairs of this party for many years. He was elected city marshal of Spring- field in 1886, serving one term in a manner that was highly pleasing to his 1254 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. constituents and with credit to himself. Fraternally, he belongs to the Ma- sonic Order, having attained the thirty-second degree in the same, is a Knight I emplar and a Scottish Rite, in fact has taken everything in this time-hon- ored order but the thirty-third degree, the highest in the order. Fie has long been prominent in Masonry in the Southwest. . FRANK GRUBEL. There was a time when a large per cent of the cigars consumed in the United States were imported, but of recent years this is not true to such a great extent, partly because American growers have improved in the stock of tobacco produced until some grades equal any in the world and partly because our manufacturers have learned more about turning out high-grade products. One of the best known and most successful cigar manufacturers in this part of the country is Frank Grubel, of Springfield, who, as his name indicates, is of German descent, but he has resided under the stars and stripes many years. Mr. Grubel was born on December 12, 1853, M Grafenhaynchen, Ger- many. Fie is a son of Edward and Christina (Muadrick) Grubel; both na- tives of the above named place also, where they grew up and were educated. The father was a woodturner by trade. lie and his wife spent their lives in their native community and died there. Their family consisted of twelve children, eight of whom are living, namely: Edward, Frank, Ernst, Minnie, Emma, Paul, Carl and Flerman. Frank Grubel lived in his native land until fourteen years of age and there received his education. Fie emigrated to the United States in 1868, locating in St. Louis, where he learned the cigar manufacturing business, at which he seemed to have a natural aptitude and became quite proficient, and he has continued the same to the present time with ever-increasing success. He came to Springfield, March 7, 1873, remaining a short time, then moved away, but ten years later, June 27, 1883, returned and has been in business here continuously ever since, in the cigar manufacturing business alone since 1897. that year he formed a partnership with August Engelking, under the firm name of Engelking & Grubel, which partnership continues. They manufacture a fine grade of five and ten cent cigars, a few of their leading and well-known brands being “Frank’s Club House,” “Sticker,” “Little Puritan,” “Frank’s Financere, Hand Made,” and “Promoter.” They carry •on both a retail and wholesale business, and employ six cigar makers and two stemmers. Only the best material is used and most modern methods employed, all cigars being hand-made. The tobacco, which enters the fac- GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. I2 55 tory in a raw state, is purchased of the most scientific growers of the South, and it leaves the factory in the form of a fine grade of cigars, boxed, sealed, ready for market which is found very readily and over a vast territory. The factory is located at 1 6 1 1 Boonville street. Mr. Grubel was married on October 15, 1879, in East St. Louis, to Elizabeth Goetz, who was born in Louisville, Kentucky, August 27, 1859. She received a common school education. To our subject and wife two daughters have been born, namely: Ida B., born on March 6, 1881, is teaching in a local school; Clara, born on August 10, 1882, married William Ipson, a local contractor. Politically, Mr. Grubel is a Democrat, and fraternally he belongs to the Woodmen, Eagles and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, also the German Brotherhood. TOM W. ARMSTRONG. The methods used now by modern plumbers are in many respects vastly different from those in general use when Tom W. Armstrong began this vocation over thirty-five years ago. During that period he has followed the calling continuously and has kept well abreast of the times in the same and today is one of the most efficient as well as one of the best known plumbers in Springfield, where he has spent a quarter of a century. Mr. Armstrong was born in Hillsboro, Illinois, February 11, 1863. He is a son of William F. and Minerva P. (Simmons) Armstrong, the fa- ther born in Ireland, April 11, 1830, where he spent his boyhood and from which country he emigrated to the United States when a young man. He located in Hillsboro, Illinois where he spent the rest of his life and died on April 18, 1867. He was a soldier in the Union army during the Civil war, serving in Company E, Ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, enlisting in the spring of 1861 at Lincoln’s first call for volunteers. He proved to be a gal- lant and efficient soldier and was promoted to the rank of major. He served four years and nine months. He was severely wounded at the battle of Shiloh. Remaining in the army some time after the close of the war he had occasion to take part in some of the Indian wars of the West. He was in many engagements and important campaigns and the fact that he went to the grave carrying five bullets in his body indicates that he was not afraid to mix in the fiercest of the fighting. He was a carpenter and con- tractor by trade, which he followed until his death. lie was a strong Re- publican, and fraternally belonged to the Masonic order and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His wife was born in 1835, in Iiillsboro, Illinois, GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1256 and they were married in Hillsboro, Illinois. Her death occurred in De- cember, 1900. Four children were born to these parents, namely: Samuel lives in Hillsboro, Illinois; Tom W. of this sketch; Elizabeth is deceased, and Frederick W., who lives in Springfield, Missouri, is at this writing plumbing inspector of the city. Tom W. Armstrong grew to manhood in his native city and he received a common school education there. On September 6, 1913, he married Met- tie E. Bowers, who was born in Chicago. When fifteen years old Mr. Arm- strong began learning the plumber’s trade in his native city and served as an apprentice two years, then in 1881 went to Abilene, Kansas, where he worked at his trade nine years, moving from there to Springfield, Missouri, March 31, 1890. He went in partnership with a Mr. Shearer on North Boonville street, which partnership continued for ten years. Since that time he has been engaged in business for himself, his present shop and office be- ing located at 206 East Olive street where he has a well equipped shop and display rooms, carrying a large stock of modern fixtures and a general plumbing outfit. He has been very successful in his line and has built up a large business throughout the city. He handles some large contracts and is always busy, keeping a number of skilled assistants. Politically, Mr. Armstrong is a Republican. He has been a member of the Knights of Pythias since the day he was twenty-one years old. He also belongs to the Improved Order of Red Men, the Woodmen and Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks. C. L. RHODES. Life is pleasant to live when we know how to make the most of it. Some people start on their careers as if they had weights on their souls, or were afraid to make the necessary effort to live up to a high standard. Others, by not making a proper study of the conditions of existence, or by not having the best of trainers — good parents — are side-tracked at the out- set and never seem thereafter to be able to get back again on the main track. C. L. Rhodes, well-known produce man of Springfield, seems to have been fortunate in being reared under the superb influences of a good old South- ern home and, having gotten a proper start on the highway of life, has succeeded admirably. Mr. Rhodes was born in the northern part of Georgia, April 19, 1853. He is a son of Wesley and Nancy (Stewart) Rhodes, both natives of North Carolina, in which state they grew to maturity, received limited educations and were married, removing in an early day across South Carolina into- GREENE COUNTY,, MISSOURI. 1257 northern Georgia where they established the future home of the family on a farm which they purchased, and there they spent the rest of their lives, the mother dying in 1881 and the father in 1891. During the war between the states Wesley Rhodes enlisted in the Confederate army under Captain Stew- art, in Tennessee, but served only six months. His family consisted of seven children, namely: C. L. of this sketch is the eldest; John is engaged in farming in Georgia; Mrs. Sarah Freeman and husband live on a farm in Lawrence county, Missouri; Nancy has remained single and lives in Ala- bama; William N. lives in Billings, Christian county, Missouri; James and Emanuel are both deceased. C. L. Rhodes grew to manhood on the home farm in Georgia and he received his early education in the public schools of his home district. He spent his early life in general farming and also operated a country store for awhile or until he removed to Christian county, Missouri, in 1886. There he engaged in farming four years, then moved to the town of Billings where he engaged in the produce and mercantile business, general trading, etc. Continuing there two years he returned to the farm for awhile, and in 1891 moved to Springfield and at once opened up a produce business which he has conducted with every growing success to the present time, or for a period of twenty-three years, during which he has become one of the most widely known dealers in produce in southwestern Missouri. However, he has had other business interests the meantime. His place of business has remained in the same block on South Campbell street ever since coming to this city and he is widely known to the rural visitors from Christian, Taney and other counties who come to Springfield to trade. He buys and ships all kinds of produce in carload lots, doing mostly a jobbing business, handling chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, eggs, furs, hides, roots, etc. Mr. Rhodes was married in August, 1874, at Blairsville, Georgia, to Sarah Bishop, who was born in Georgia in 1858, and there she grew to womanhood and was educated in the common schools. She was a daugh- ter of Alfred and Mary (England) Bishop an old Georgian family, Mr. Bishop having been a successful planter in that state many years. Mr. Rhodes’ first wife died on August 2, 1911. To this first union twelve chil- dren were born, namely : Mary is deceased ; Bettie is deceased ; William S. lives in Springfield, and is engaged in business with his father ; Mrs. Ida Bowman lives in this city; Tames and John, twins, both live in Springfield; Lou and Gertrude, twins, are both deceased; Hershel and Ernest, twins, the former deceased, the latter living in this city; Minnie died in early life; Jessie also died when young. On September 12, 1912, C. L. Rhodes married Frances Little, in Au- rora, Missouri ; she was born in the same vicinity in northern Georgia of which our subject was a native, but was brought to Christian county, Mis- 1258 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. souri, when young by her parents and there grew to womanhood and at- tended school. She is a daughter of William and Louise Jane (Cobb) Little. Her mother was born in North Carolina, February 14, 1837, and her death occurred in Billings, Missouri, in 1908. The father of Mrs. Rhodes was born December 31, 1836, in North Carolina and his death occurred at Bill- ings, Missouri, June 26, 1892. Mr. Rhodes has been very successful in a business way and owns con- siderable valuable property in Springfield, including a substantial modern residence on Phillips street. Politically, he is a Republican. Fraternally, he belongs to the Woodmen of the World and the Modern Woodmen of America. He and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, in which he is a trustee and a liberal supporter. CHARLES F. KANNING. When we learn that a man has engaged in one line of business for over a quarter of a century at the same location, as has Charles F. Ivanning, well-known business man of Springfield, we know that he is the possessor of a rare combination of personal qualities which never fail to make for success wherever they are found. It indicates that he is a man of keen discernment, sound judgment, conservative and persevering as well as honest and honorable in all the relations of life. Mr. Kanning, the well-known meat market man of Boonville street, was born March 19, 1863, in Kentucky. He is of German descent and is a son of Henry and Mary (Ivimmell) Kanning, both natives of Germany, from which country they emigrated to the United States when young, and were married in New York City, where they lived for awhile, then came West, finally establishing their home in Kansas. The father of our subject was well educated and was a merchant tailor by trade. The last fifteen years of his life was spent in St. Louis, where he followed his trade. During the Civil war he served in the Union army. Politically he was a Democrat, His death occurred in St. Louis in January, 1909. His widow died on November 27, 1914, at her home in Pittsburg, Kansas. To these parents twelve children were born, namely: Agnes is deceased; Alexander; Fisco is deceased; Henry; Charles F., of this sketch; Mary; William; Clara; Tilly; Otto; Emma, and Bertha. Charles F. Kanning received a common school education in Kansas. When he reached his majority he came to Springfield and went into the butcher business, starting with practically nothing, but by wise economy and good management he forged ahead and for many years has enjoyed a grow- GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1259 mg and lucrative trade. He has been in his present location, 527 Boonville street, for a period of twenty-seven years under the firm name of Kanning’s Meat Market, which is one of the best known in the city. He carries a large line of everything commonly found in the best meat markets anywhere, and his place is neat and attractive. Promptness and honesty have been his watchwords. He is still active. He has a fine home on Poplar street. Mr. Kanning was married in St. Louis on December 20, 1887, to Nannie B. Dunbar, who was horn in Port Gibson, Mississippi, April 5, 1864. She is a daughter of Robert G. and Mary Iv. (Sevier) Dunbar, both natives of Louisiana, where they grew up, were educated and married. They each rep- resented excellent old Southern families. The father of Mrs. Kanning died at Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana, in 1866. His wife was born on June 5, 1844, and her death occurred on July 17, 1887, in Nashville, Ten- nessee. She received a good education and was talented in music and was a cultured, refined lady in every respect. Her father, George W. Sevier, was born near the city of Nashville, and he died at Port Gibson, Mississippi, about thirty-five years ago. He was a grandson of Governor Sevier of Tennessee. His wife, Sarah Knox, was a first cousin of James K. Polk, President of the United States, also a niece of Mrs. Andrew Jackson and she was reared by President Andrew Jackson and went with him to New Orleans on his first trip down the Mississippi river. John Sevier, great- grandfather of Mrs. Kanning, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, participating in thirty-seven battles of that conflict. By reason of his service in our War of Independence, Mrs. Kanning is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Her paternal grandfather, Robert Dunbar, spent his life in the South and died in Louisiana. Her father, Robert G. Dunbar, was an extensive Southern planter, owning a large plantation. He was an Episcopalian. His family consisted of three children, namely: Nannie B., wife of our subject: Isaac, now deceased, was the eldest of the children; and Robert, who lives in St. Louis, is the youngest. Mrs. Kanning grew to womanhood in the South, and the careful train- ing and wholesome home influences of her girlhood are still manifest in her general address, for she is a woman of culture, social inclinations and affa- bility, and enjoys the friendship of all who know her. She had the ad- vantages of a good education. When she was a child the family left the South, locating in Mexico, Missouri, but lived there only about two years. To Mr. and Mrs. Kanning one child has been born, Margaret Norvell Kanning, whose birth occurred on June 25, 1893; s ^ e was given excellent educational advantages, attending the Springfield high school and Drury College; she is now. a successful teacher in the public schools, and is a young lady of much promise. 1260 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. Politically Mr. Kanning is a Democrat. Fraternally he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America ; also the Improved Order of Red Men. His wife belongs to the Women’s Christian Temperance Union, the Maccabees and the Presbyterian church. CLYDE B. MACK. A representative of an excellent old Greene county family and a suc- cessful young merchant of Springfield is Clyde B. Mack. He is a man who would win his way in any locality in which fate might place him, for he has sound judgment, coupled with great energy and business tact, together with upright principles, all of which make for success wherever and whenever they are rightly and persistently applied. He possesses many of the sturdy traits of his father who was long a prominent and highly esteemed citizen here. Mr. Mack was born on December 27, 1872, in Greene county, Mis- souri. He is a son of Marshall H. and Lucy (Herndon) Mack. The father was born in Maury county, Tennessee, May 4, 1831, and the mother was born in Virginia, April 18, 1837. They were brought by their parents from their respective localities in the South to Greene county, Missouri, in pio- neer days and here they grew to maturity, were educated and married. John A. Mack, the paternal grandfather, was born in Maury county, Tennessee, and there grew up and married a native of that locality. It was in 1853 that they removed with their family to Greene county, Missouri, and here he be- came a prominent man, was influential in public affairs and at one time was elected probate judge. He was a great student of law. Here he and his wife spent the rest of their lives. Their son, Marshall H. Mack, father of our subject, was twenty-two years of age when he came to this county. He had grown to manhood in his native state and there attended the common schools. He studied medicine and became a successful general practitioner after the Civil war. During that conflict he served as a member of the Home Guards. Politically, he was a Republican. At one time he was road commissioner in this county. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. After a successful career as physician his death occurred in Springfield, March 17, 1888. His widow survived many years, dying here on June 10, 1911, at an advanced age. Her father, William Herndon, was a native of Virginia, where he grew up, was educated and married. He removed to Kentucky when the mother of our subject was fourteen years old, and after remaining there a short time came on to Greene county, Mis- souri in 1853 an d established the future home of the family. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. I 26 l Eleven children were born to Dr. Marshall H. Mack and wife, namely : Lina L. is deceased; Ali O. is living; Harriett and Z. I. are deceased; the next child died in infancy unnamed; Ausman is deceased; Louella and Min- nie are living; Clyde B. of this sketch; Claude - E. is living, and Clinton A. is the youngest. Clyde B. Mack grew to manhood in Springfield and here he received his education in the public schools. He first went into the grocery business as a clerk, later worked for the Wells-Fargo Express Company in Spring- field for a period of eleven years, giving a high degree of satisfaction. In December, 1908, he went into business for himself at 1223 Boonville street, his place being known as the “Cash Grocery,'' and he was successful from the first. His present location is 1150 Boonville street, where he has a large and attractive store and carries at all seasons an extensive stock of fancy and staple groceries, and, having always dealt courteously and honestly with his many customers has enjoyed all the while a constantly growing trade. Mr. Mack was married in Springfield on July 25, 1892, to Flora Port- ser, a daughter of L. F. and Jennie (Guthrie) Portser, both natives of Penn- sylvania, from which state they finally came to Springfield, Missouri, and established their future home. The father is now deceased, but the mother is still living here. One son has been born to our subject and wife, Clyde Ivan Mack, whose birth occurred July 8, 1893; he is attending school. Politically, Mr. Mack is a Republican. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and is a member of Cumberland Presbyterian church. WILLIAM W. WHALEY. Upon the role of representative citizens of Springfield of a past gen- eration and prominent and highly esteemed men of affairs of Greene county for over a quarter of a century consistently appears the name of the late William W. Whaley, merchant, banker, insurance and general man of affairs, and prior to his coming here a prominent citizen of Mt. Vernon, this state, to which locality the Whaley family moved from the South when the Ozark countrv was little developed and here the subject of this memoir and his worthy father did much toward the general development of the country in a material, civic and moral way, and gradually won their way into the affec- tions of the people through their genial, obliging and helpful natures, as well as their unswerving honesty, in short, they both possessed those sterling qualities of character which command themselves to persons of intelligence and the highest morality. Such a familv as this is deserving of conspicuous 1262 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. mention in any history purporting to set forth the record of the lives of the- most enterprising and public-spirited citizens of the locality under con- sideration. William W. Whaley was born in Dekalb county, Tennessee, not far ■from the city of Nashville, October 31, 1837, and was a son of Seth and Elizabeth (Bowen) Whaley, the father a native of Tennessee and the mother of Maryland, each scions of splendid old Southern families, long noted for their culture and enterprise. The parents of our subject received such educational advantages as the early days in the South afforded and there they were married on November 3, 1825, and this union was blessed by the birth of eight children, all now deceased, namely: Mary, Nancy, Thomas, Robert, Margaret, Elijah, William W. (our subject), and Henry. Seth Whaley, father of the above named children was twice married, and' to his second marriage three children were born. Seth Whaley devoted his earlier years to teaching school, later learned the trade of harness-maker, which he followed some time, and later engaged in farming. His death occurred in Lawrence county, Missouri, in the late seventies. William W. Whaley received a good education in the public schools of Mt. Vernon, this state, where his parents located when he was about eight vears of age. He remained on the farm until 1851, when he entered a general store in Mt. Vernon as a clerk, and, having keen perceptive fac- ulties, he soon mastered the ins and outs of merchandising. About this time he studied at the college at Fayetteville, Arkansas. In 1858 Mr. Whaley began working for his wife's father, Benjamin Stone, and after the death of the latter he continued to operate the store with the assistance of Mrs. Stone, and kept the trade up to its former high standard. Later Mr. Whaley engaged extensively in the banking business in Alt. Vernon, and was for years regarded as one of the most enterprising and substantial citizens of that city. Seeking a larger field for the exercise of his business talents, he removed to Springfield in 1883 and became president of the Commercial Bank, which he made most successful by his able and conservative manage- ment. Subsequently he became a general business man, finally devoting much attention to the insurance business, and toward the latter part of his. life Whaley & Company became one of the most important insurance com- panies in Southwest Missouri and did a very large business. Mr. Whaley was married on October 3, 1867, to Alary L. Stone, a lady of many commendable characteristics, who proved to be a most faithful helpmeet in every respect. She was born near Sedalia, Missouri, on June 3, 1850, and she is a daughter of Benjamin and Nancy (Owsley) Stone, both these parents being natives of Tennessee, the birth of Mr. Stone having occurred in 1818, and he died on April 3, 1863, in the prime of life. The mother of Airs. Whaley was born on August 20, 1829, and her death occur- GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1263' red in 1898, having outlived her husband thirty-six years. Mr. Stone was a successful merchant. His family consisted of six children. To Mr. and Mrs. Whaley ‘two children were born, namely: Estella, who became the wife of Dr. J. E. Dewey, of Springfield, is deceased; and Lena Stone Whaley, who has remained single, lives with her mother in the commodious family home on North Jefferson street. Politically, Mr. Whaley was a Democrat, and, while he took much, interest in public affairs, was never an aspirant for political honors. Fra- ternally he was a member of the Masonic Order, attaining the thirty-second degree, was a Knight Templar and a member of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He was a member of the Baptist church, and was known to all as a splendid Christian gentleman. EUGENE J. RHODES, JR. For most of us life has the elements of abundant cheeriness in it. It represents more of encouragement than discouragement, more of satisfac- tion than disappointment, more of joy than sorrow, more of comfort than, pain. Souls that are depressed and downcast are quite likely to be weighted down by borrowed trouble. A successful business man must be of the former type. Understanding this, Eugene J. Rhodes, Jr., who is engaged in the motorcycle business in Springfield, never permits the little things of daily life that “wear and fret the soul'' manifest themselves in his countenance or disposition, and his agreeable manner is a good asset in his business. Mr. Rhodes was born in Arkansas on March 26, 1883. He is a son of Eugene J. Rhodes, Sr., a prominent business man and citizen, formerly of northern Arkansas, now living in Springfield, a complete sketch of whom is to be found on another, page of this volume, hence will not be reproduced here. Our subject moved with his parents from Arkansas when young to- Springfield and here he received his education in the high school and the State Normal. For three years he worked as deputy under his father, when the latter was surveyor, after which he engaged in the lumber business in Arkansas, also engaged in this business in Springfield with his father for some time, then for a year or more he engaged in the grocery business in this city, and in 1911, with his brother, Clyde A. Rhodes, he began in the motorcycle business, under the name of Rhodes Brothers, at 319 South Jef- ferson street, where they have remained to the present time, and have enjoyed a large and growing business all the while. They handle all kinds of motor- cycle supplies and auto accessories, maintaining a well-equipped garage and 1264 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. repair shop, doing all kinds of auto and motorcycle repairing promptly and of the highest grade of workmanship. They are also agents for several standard grades of motorcycles, including the Indian, Flying Merkel and Thor, and have built up a large trade in these. Our subject has made this line of business his special study for a number of years and has kept well up-to-date on the same. Eugene J. Rhodes, Jr., was married on July 14, 1901, to Murel Hart, a native of Iowa and a daughter of W. H. and Dora Hart. Mrs. Rhodes came with her parents to Springfield when young and she received a good edu- cation. To our subject and wife five children have been born, namely: Boyd, born on February 15, 1903; Vivian, born on September 22, 1906; Hugh, born on February 14, 1909; Maxine, born on April 7, 1912; and Mildred M., born on January 21, 1915. Politically Mr. Rhodes is a Republican, and Mrs. Rhodes is a member of the Christian church. HIRAM H. WESTMORELAND. The lamented subject of this sketch, now sleeping the sleep of the just in God’s quiet acre, as the old Saxons referred to their burying-grounds, was in life one of the best known agriculturists in North Campbell town- ship, Greene county, he having been one of that worthy class of men who have fought their way to success through unfavorable environment; and a study of Mr. Westmoreland’s life record reveals the intrinsic worth of a character which not only can bravely endure so rough a test, but gain new strength through the discipline. He was not favored by inherited wealth or the assistance of influential friends, but in spite of this, by perseverance, industry and wise economy, he attained a comfortable position in life and left behind him what should be and is prized by his descendants' — a good name. Hiram H. Westmoreland was born on July 16, 1848, in Tennessee. He was a son of Henry Westmoreland and wife, who were born, reared and educated in the South and there resided until they removed with their two children from Tennessee to Greene county, Missouri, when the subject of this sketch was seven years of age. The father devoted his life to general farming and buying and handling live stock. He lived in Oklahoma for twenty years. His death occurred in 1909. Hiram H. Westmoreland grew to manhood on his father's farm, where he assisted with the general work when a boy and he received his education in the common schools and in Boonville College ; however, his higher edu- cation was interrupted by illness which compelled him to return home. MRS. HIRAM H. WESTMORELAND. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1265 After his recovery he resumed work on the homestead and for some time engaged in buying and selling cattle. He was still a young man when he took rank among the well-known stockmen of his community, and prior to the breaking out of the Civil war he frequently drove mules overland to Illinois and sold them. Finally he purchased a farm of his own in Campbell township, Greene county, on which he raised much stock, including blooded horses. About thirty years ago, Hiram Id. Westmoreland, with several other Springfield men, went to Kentucky and purchased a thoroughbred horse known as General Duke. This horse proved a wonderful sire and from him sprang some of the best horse stock known in this part of the state. While there he also purchased Denmark King. This horse was a grand breeder and noted show horse. Most of our readers residing here remember a coal black saddle stallion, greatly admired by every one. He also purchased on the same trip a highly bred trotting stallion (Star Wilkes). That was the sire of some of the best road horses ever raised in Greene county, Missouri. Another stallion brought to this county by the subject was Diamond Denmark, who was high bred and had many admirers among our stockmen. These are names of but a few of noted horses Mr. Westmoreland owned and at that time his reputation as a breeder of line horses was well established over all this part of the state. In later life he removed to Mountain Home, Arkansas, where he operated a stage line between that town and West Plains, Missouri, maintaining a station at Bakersfield where his drivers met and teams were changed. The stage line covered a little over fifty miles. Our subject also owned and operated a two hundred acre farm in Arkansas. Mrs. W estmoreland owns a fine farm, which now comprises three hundred and eighteen acres of productive and well improved land, the place being known as the “Model Dairy Farm,” an extensive dairy business being carried on, for which the place is well equipped and adapted. This department is kept very sanitary and a high grade of cows are kept. A very ready market is found for the products in Springfield. A general farming business is carried on bv our subject's widow, who is a woman of rare business ability. The old residence here was burned in September, 1896, but was immediately rebuilt, and a fine, modernly appointed and attractive home is now to be seen on the old site, about four miles northeast of Springfield. The dwelling is surrounded by a spacious and well shaded lawn and a generally attractive environment. Mr. Westmoreland was married on November 13, 1873, to Susie E. Morton. She was born in Greene county, August 8, 1851, and is a daugh- ter of the late Hon. John and Margaret (Logan) Morton, a well known and highly respected old family of this locality, Mr. Morton being now deceased, but his widow resides at the home of PI. B. McDaniel in Springfield. (80) 1266 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Westmoreland, named as fol- lows : Joseph H., born November i, 1876, resides on a part of the old home place in Campbell township, engaged in general farming, raising and feeding live stock ; he married Eva Litton and they have four children, Austin, Belle, Pauline and Robert: Lucinda W., born February 21, 1879, married Lee Flopper, a farmer in Campbell township, and they have five children, Fay, Donnie, Rolland, Louise and Ralph; Susie, born November 14, 1884, mar- ried Edward Baker, deceased, formerly of Mountain Home, Arkansas, and she makes her home with her mother; Ida, born November 24, 1889, mar- ried Blond Gurley, a well known dairyman of Campbell township; Hiram H., born September 19, 1894, is single and is living at home, assisting his mother operate the farm. Mrs. Westmoreland is a woman of hospitality, kind and neighborly, well read and she is an active worker in the Methodist Episcopal church, South, of which her late husband was also a member, in fact, the entire family are loyal in their support of this church. Fraternally, our subject was a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, also the Knights Templar. Politically, he was a Democrat and active in public affairs. He was a school director for some time, both in Arkansas and Greene county. He was a man of fine character and was honored by all who knew him. He was called to his eternal rest on March 1, 1903, his loss being deeply deplored by the entire community in which he was so well and favorably known. GODFREY C. STANCILL. It matters little what vocation a man may select as his life occupation as long as it is an honorable one. If he is an honest, upright man, courteous in his intercourse with his fellow-men, and possessed of the average amount of energy and business sagacity, he is bound to make his business a financial success. The late Godfrey C. Stancill possessed all the above mentioned requirements, and was for many years a prosperous merchant of Spring- field. In his earlier career he operated a plantation in the South with equal success. He was one of the gallant veterans of the Confederacy, and was always loyal to his native Dixie land. Mr. Stancill was born in North Carolina, one of the strongest of the Confederate states, having first opened his eyes on the light of day on April 27, 1837. He was a son of Caswell and Rebecca A. (Anderson) Stancill, both parents also natives of North Carolina, the mother having been a daughter of Col. Rule Anderson of that state, and there these parents grew to maturity and married and established their home, but in 1839, when the GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1267 subject of this memoir was two years old, they removed from the old Tar state to Mississippi, locating on a plantation where the parents spent the re- mainder of their lives. Caswell Stancill entered land from the government there, and developed it, finally owning a valuable plantation of several thou- sand acres, and was a prominent citizen in his community. His family con- sisted of five children, three of whom survive at this writing. Godfrey C. Stancill grew to manhood on his father’s plantation and he assisted with the general work on the same when a boy. He was given ex- cellent educational advantages for that time and Avas a well informed man, naturally keen intellectually and of sound judgment. He was still in school when the Avar between the states began and he unhesitatingly enlisted in 1861 in Company I, Mississippi Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Hum- phries, and this regiment was finally a part of General Longstreet’s division, Confederate army and sarv much hard service, participating in many im- portant engagements. Mr. Stancill Avas seriously wounded in the great bat- tle of the Wilderness, and Avas not in the service after that. He returned to the home plantation after the close of the war and carried on general farming, which he enjoyed, for a number of years, or until he removed to Springfield, Missouri. Here he went into the grocery business on B0011- ville street, later on Cherry street, and enjoyed a good business, always carrying a well selected stock of staple and fancy groceries and dealing honestly and courteously Avith his many customers. He spent the latter part of his life in retirement, having given up the store about nine years before his death. Mr. Stancill Avas married twice, first, to Mrs. Amanda Cox, Avho died Avithout issue. On September 26, 1899, he married, in Springfield, Ellen V. Potterfield, Avho Avas born in St. Louis county, Missouri, December 13, 1839. She greAv to Avomanhood in her nati\ r e community and received a good edu- cation in the city schools of St. Louis, and she folloAA^ed teaching in that city for a period of fifteen years. She is a daughter of Daniel and Eliza (Garrett) Potterfield, both natives of Virginia in Avhich state they spent their earlier years, finally removing to St. Louis county, Missouri, Avhere they spent their last years, Mr. Potterfield engaging in mercantile pursuits during his active life. Politically, Mr. Stancill Avas a Democrat, but Avas neA-er a public man, giving his time exclusively to his business and to his home. He Avas a worthy member of the Christian church. He always took a great deal of interest in the affairs of the United Confederate Veterans. The death of Mr. Stancill occurred at the family home on Cherry street, Springfield, Avhere his Avidow still resides, January 6, 1912, when past sev- enty-five years of age. He Avas a man of polished Southern manners, neighborly, kind-hearted — in every Avay a true gentleman. 1268 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. SIDNEY EDWIN WILHOIT. None of the one hundred and fourteen counties that are embraced by the boundary lines of the state of Missouri can boast of a more heroic band of pioneers than Greene county. In their intelligence, capacity for civiliza- tion and loyalty to the right they have no superiors. In their daring and courageous enterprise they have been equal to the California argonauts, a vast number of whom were Missouri pioneers, not a few from Greene county. Their privations, hardships and earnest labors have resulted in establishing one of the foremost counties in this or any other state, and one which still has a great possibility before it. The Wilhoits and Rountrees were members of this worthy class of our earliest settlers. They have been among our thriftiest agriculturists and worthiest citizens. A well-known member of the present generation of one of these old families is Sidney Edwin Wilhoit, manager of the Jefferson Theater of Springfield. Mr. Wilhoit was born in Greene county, Missouri, March 3, 1869. Iffe is a son of James M. and Nancy (Rountree) Wilhoit. The father was born in Clay county, Missouri, in 1833, and the mother was born in Greene county, this state, in 1848. The father of our subject grew to manhood in his native county on the farm and he received exceptionally good educa- tional advantages for those early times, having graduated from William Jewell College at Liberty, Missouri. He was a school teacher by profession and was prominent in educational work in Clay and Greene counties for some time, however, his later life was devoted to farming for the most part. He was also one of the founders of the Springfield Wagon Works. He was a leader in public affairs here, and was at one time city marshal of Springfield, and was for two years superintendent of the county farm. He was widely known and highly respected by all classes. He was a man of ability, industry and public spirit, as well as known for his integrity and hospitality. He was active in Masonic affairs, having been a member of that order for many years. The mother of our subject grew to womanhood in this county and was educated in the local schools. Her death occurred in 1906, while the father of our subject reached an advanced age, passing his four-score years and more, dying in October, 1914. To these parents seven children were born, all still living, namely: Sidney E., of this sketch; Guy, Andrew, Ralph R., Ray, Bessie, and Roy. The immediate subject of this sketch grew to manhood in his native county and he received his education in the public schools. When young in years he began his career as machinist in the Frisco shops in Springfield, the South Side plant, known as the old Gulf shops. Here he remained two years, when he gave up this line of work, which was not congenial to his GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1269 tastes, and went to Memphis, Tennessee, where he engaged in contracting. Later returning to Springfield, he bought the old Hargrove Bottling Works. Subsequently he returned to Memphis and worked in the Frisco shops, where he became general foreman, in which responsible position he gave eminent satisfaction. Finally he began dealing in apples, and was very successful as a horticulturist. In 1905 he went into the theater business in Memphis and has been very successful in this field of endeavor ever since. Since then he has owned and operated thirteen shows. In September, 1913, he opened the Springfield Hippodrome, in which he owned a half interest, and on January 25, 1914, he took full charge of the Jefferson Theater at 216 South Jefferson street, an up-to-date and popular vaudeville house, with two changes per week. In connection with a bill of several good acts of vaudeville he features at each performance a pleasing moving picture. He has been very successful with both the Jefferson and the Hippodrome. Our subject was married on Ma) r 1, 1908, in Pine Bluff. Arkansas, to Priscilla (Cagle), of Pine Bluff. They have one child, Thelma Vermel, who is five years old. Politically, Mr. Wilhoit is a Democrat. He belongs to the Springfield Club, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Improved Order of Red Men. MIKE SHEEDY. No people that go to make up our cosmopolitan civilization have better habits of life than those who have come from “Erin's green isle." These people, as well as their descendants, are distinguished for their thrift and honesty, and these two qualities in the inhabitants of any country will in the end alone make that country great. When with these two qualities is cou- pled the other quality of sound sense, which all the Celtic race possesses, there are afforded such qualities as will enrich any land and place it at the top of the countries of the world in the scale of elevated humanity. One of this number is Mike Sheedy, of Campbell township, Greene county. Mr. Sheedy was born in Ireland, in August. 1885. He is a son of Matt and Ivaty (Sexton) Sheedy, both natives of Ireland also, where they grew up, were educated and married and there they spent their lives on a farm. They were members of the Catholic church. They were the parents of three children, namely: Mike, of this sketch; Katie, who lives in Ohio; and Mrs. Mary Lathem who makes her home in Ireland. Mike Sheedy grew to manhood on the home farm in his native land where he was taught to work diligently and intelligently. What education he has received has been through his own efforts. When he was fifteen 1270 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. years of age he emigrated to America with his sister Katie and settled in Cleveland, Ohio, later went to New Orleans, thence to St. Louis in 1868, and has lived in Missouri ever since. For some time he was in the service of the St. Louis & San Francisco Railroad Company. In 1873 he purchased the farm of eighty acres where he now lives in North Campbell township, Greene county. Fie has prospered through close application, good judgment and honest dealings and he is now owner of nearly eight hundred acres in Greene county, comprising one of the most valuable and desirable farms of the county, and he carries on general farming and stock raising on an ex- tensive scale. He raises blooded short-horn cattle, keeping about one hun- dred head the year round, and feeds some two to three car-loads of hogs yearly — also is an extensive wheat grower. In 1914 he had two hundred acres in wheat and raised five thousand bushels — an average of twenty-five bushels per acre. He has a substantial home and large outbuildings and is re- garded as one of the successful self-made men of the county. Mr. Sheedy was married on July 5, 1873, to Mary Gorman, a native of Iowa, but she was reared in Missouri. She is a daughter of Simon and Mary (Russell) Gorman, both her parents being now deceased. She is a member of the Catholic church. To Mr. and Mrs. Sheedy nine children have been born, namely: John lives in Kansas City, where he is state grain inspector; Simon, Mike, James, Emmett, Mrs. Katie Gorman lives in this county and has five children as follows: Kate, Allen, Hal, Agnes and Margarite; Agnes, Maggie and Nel- lie. All these children but the one married daughter live at home. Mr. Sheedy was on the school board for twenty years and was road commissioner for some twenty years. Politically, he is a Democrat, and he and his family are members of the Catholic church. GEORGE F. OLENDORF. The theater has long been recognized as one of the world’s indispensable institutions, and the management of theaters, if done judiciously, is a re- munerative and pleasant one. Humanity needs amusement amid its exacting and trying daily occupations, truly “the show’s the thing,” as one of the wisest of men remarked. The human mind must relax, must find relief at times, “must lose itself in other men's minds,” as the great essayist, Lamb, wrote. This can be done in no better way than in spending an hour or so at a good play-house. The theater has been popular with the masses — men and women of all creeds and convictions, of all parties and denominations from remote ancient history to the present time, from the days of Grecian GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1271 one-act, outdoor tragedies to the latest twentieth century complex grand opera, and it will ever be so. George F. Olendorf, of Springfield, has long given his attention to the theater business, and is widely known throughout southwestern Missouri in this particular field. He has met with gratifying success because he has been industrious, has had the tact of knowing what the people want and because he has always been desirous of giving his thousands of patrons adequate returns for their money and time. He has made it a study and has therefore kept well abreast of the times in this line of endeavor. Mr. Olendorf was born in Middleport, New York, July 20, 1875. He is a son of George H. and Caroline (Forrest) Olendorf, both parents also natives of the state of New York, where they grew to maturity, attended school and were married. George H. Olendorf devoted his earlier life to the drug business in his native locality in central New York. Back in the seventies he removed with his family to St. Joseph, Missouri, where he engaged in the furniture business fifteen or twenty years and where he resided until twelve years ago, when he moved to Springfield, in which city he and his wife still reside, living in retirement. The father has been a successful business man and laid by a competency for his old age. George F. Olendorf, the only child of his parents, was a small child when the family moved from the state of New York to St. Joseph, Missouri, and there he grew to manhood and received a common school education. In September, 1893, he began his career in the theater business, which he has continued to the present time with ever-increasing success. He began in St. Joseph, and was also cashier of the large Tootle estate and had charge of the Tootle Theater, the leading playhouse there, remaining with this estate for about eight years, giving eminent satisfaction in every respect. Then he and three other men leased a circuit of thirty-two theaters in the state of Missouri, which proved to be a paying venture. Mr. Olendorf came to Springfield in 1903 and leased the old Baldwin Theater on St. Louis street, one of the finest theaters south of the Missouri river in this state, with the exception of St. Louis, for many years, if not the finest. He managed this with his usual success until it was destroyed by fire in 1909. Afterward he was instrumental in promoting the new Landers Theater on Walnut street, which he leased and managed until 1912, when he re-leased it and promoted the Bell-Olendorf-Ballard Amusement Company, of which he is president and which operates sixteen summer theaters, including the Skydome in Springfield. He is also manager of the Springfield Poster Advertising Com- pany, and maintains offices in the Landers Theater building. Each of these new ventures has proven successful and he is kept busy in their management. Mr. Olendorf was married on November 17, 1902, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Matilda Meyer, who was born in St. Joseph, this state. She is 1272 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. a daughter of J. B. and Marie Meyer, both natives of Germany, from which country they came to the United States when young. To our subject and wife three children have been born, namely: Marie Caroline, born on May 3, 1905: George Meyer, born on November 17, 1910, died August 3, 1911 ; and Forrest George, born on October 7, 1912. Mr. Olendorf is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Springfield Club; also is a thirty-second degree Mason, belong- ing to the Knights Templars. He is active in Masonic affairs, and his daily life is led along the lines laid down by this time-honored order. FRANK P. STUTZMAN. “The Song of the Forge” has ever been pleasant to the ears of Frank P. Stutzman, one of the most skilful and popular blacksmiths of Greene county, whose well-equipped shop in the city of Springfield draws patrons from remote parts of this locality, for here they know that they will receive prompt and careful attention. A criterion of his high-grade work is shown from the fact that many of his customers have patronized him for a score of years, refusing to have any other do their blacksmithing. It is as much an art to shoe a horse properly as it is to do anything else in a mechanical way, and our subject has become quite proficient in this art, being excelled, in fact, by none of his contemporaries. He has lived in Springfield nearly a half century. Mr. Stutzman was born in Goshen, Elkhart county, Indiana, April 25, 1856. He is a son of John M. and Catherine (Baughman) Stutzman, both natives of Ohio, where they grew up, received such educational advantages as the early-day schools afforded and there were married and established their home. In his earlier years John M. Stutzman w r as a carpenter,' con- tractor and builder and in later life a farmer. He is living in Springfield, Missouri, at this writing. He has been twice married, first to Catherine Baughman, by which union eight children were born, six of whom are still living, namely: Elizabeth, Frank P., Mahalia, Emma, Adeline is deceased; Mary, Jerome; the youngest child died in infancy, unnamed. The father's second marriage was to Mrs. Shaw. Frank P. Stutzman spent his boyhood in northern Indiana. He had little opportunity to attend school, and most of his education has been ob- tained by studying at home of evenings after the day’s work. When eleven years of age, in 1867, he accompanied his parents to Springfield, Missouri, where the family established their permanent home, on a farm, just south of the city, and there they resided about five years, then our subject went to GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. I273 Illinois where he remained two years, after which he returned to Spring- held and took up blacksmithing, first working with Sam Begle, and when only nineteen years of age Mr. Stutzman went into the business for him- self, having learned rapidly and shown much natural ability in this direction. He started up in the alley in the rear of the Metropolitan Hotel, on a small scale, and since then he has carried on general blacksmithing and horse- shoeing, his business increasing constantly with advancing years until he soon found it necessary to secure larger quarters and employ assistance. He has built up a large and lucrative business, and is now located in a modern and commodious shop on Convention avenue. He has an excellent location, and while he is specializing in high-grade horseshoeing, he is doing a great deal of general blacksmithing. Prompt and honest work has ever been his motto. Mr. Stutzman was married on May 5, 1878, in Springfield, to Louise Crostwait, who was born in Canada in 1859, and she removed from her native land to Missouri with her parents when she was a child, and here grew to womanhood and received a common school education, and here Mr. and Mrs. Crostwait spent the rest of their lives, both having been de- ceased a number of years. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Stutzman, namely: Alta, born in 1881, was reared and educated in Springfield, and she is liv- ing at home; Virginia, born in 1883, was also reared and educated in Spring- field, and is still with her parents. Politically, Mr. Stutzman is a Democrat. Fraternally, he belongs to the Knights of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen, and the Royal Arcanum. He is a member of the Christian chnrch. ALFRED S. ABBOTT. The eminent position attained by Alfred S. Abbott, master mechanic at the Springfield Frisco shops, has been the result of long years of patient, painstaking, honest and conscientious effort, and he is therefore deserving of his success. His record might well be studied with profit by the young men who are striving for recognition in the mechanical world, for it indi- cates, among other things, how merit wins, despite obstacles, and that suc- cess is dependent on ability and integrity more than anything else. But Mr. Abbott had good parents who taught him from the start the duties of life — not ordinary instructions, but the higher duties which all owe to- each other and to society. The result has been to give broad ideas of life and its responsibilities and to fit him for honorable citizenship. 1274 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. Mr. Abbott was born, May 23, 1868, in Pentwater, Michigan. He is a son of Jacob B. and Elizabeth E. (Snowden) Abbott. The father was born in Hamburg, New York, in 1842, and his death occurred in Joplin, Mis- souri, in 1886. The mother was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, in 1844, and she died in Joplin, Missouri, in 1901. These parents grew to maturity in the East and were given the advantage of a public school education. Jacob B. Abbott studied medicine when a boy and became a successful physician and surgeon, which profession he followed the remainder of his active life. In 1873 he removed with his family from Pentwater, Michigan, to Kansas. In 1875 he located in Joplin, this state, but the rest of the family did not locate in that city until 1877. Doctor Abbott was enjoying an ex- cellent practice in the mining town at the time of his death. Politically, he was a Republican. During the Civil war he served in the Union army, having enlisted in Company I, Forty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in 1861, at Oregon, Illinois, and he saw considerable hard service in the South and took part in many of the great battles of the war, Wilson’s Creek, Missouri, being among them. He was honorably discharged in 1865. His family con- sisted of three children, two of whom are still living, namely: Alfred S., of this review; Fred J., deceased; and Harry C, who lives in Birmingham, Alabama. Alfred S. Abbott was nine years old when he came to Joplin, this state and there he attended the common schools. In February, 1888 he began his railroad career by going to work in the round-house of the Frisco railroad at Joplin, and there and in Springfield he served his apprentice- ship of four years. In 1898 he was made division foreman at Sapulpa, Oklahoma, where he remained until 1902, in September of which year he came to Springfield as machinist in the North Side shops, and worked as such until in December, 1902, then was made division foreman at Newburg, Missouri, which position he held from December 13th, of that year until March 1, 1907, when he was sent to Birmingham, Alabama, as general foreman, where he remained until July 1, 1909, when he was appointed master of mechanics at Ft. Smith, Arkansas, which position he held until March 1, 1911, when he was transferred to Sapulpa, Oklahoma, with the same duties, which he discharged until August 15, 1911, when he was made mechanical superintendent at Springfield, remaining in that position until September 1, 1913, since which time he has been master mechanic for the Eastern division of the Frisco, and is at this writing discharging the duties of this responsible and important post in' a manner that reflects great credit upon his ability, fidelity and integrity and to the eminent satisfaction of the company, which has ever reposed in him the utmost confidence and has regarded him as one of its most efficient, trustworthy and reliable em- ployees. He is not only a close observer but is a diligent student of all GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1275 that pertains to his lines of work and has kept well abreast of the times in the same. Mr. Abbott was married, June 26, 1894, in Joplin, Missouri, to Kate Seanor, who was born in Iowa, January 1, 1871. She is a daughter of John and Clara B. (Wilder) Seanor, the father a native of England and the mother of Sandy Creek, New York. Mrs. Abbott received a good education, including a college course at Boulder, Colorado. To Mr. and Mrs. Abbott, three children have been born, namely: Katie P., born July 17, 1895; John Seanor, born January 31, 1899; and Alfred S. Jr., born February 1, 1907. Mr. Abbott is a Republican. He is a member of the Episcopal church, and fraternally belongs to the Masonic order, including the Knights Templars and the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He also belong'S to the Modern Woodmen. CLARENCE J. RHODES. The life of the average man of affairs today is spent amidst so much bustle and hurry and worry that he often imagines he can find but little time to devote to books, recreation, retrospection ; and there are many who hardly ever open a book, seldom spend a day in the woods communing with nature, who content themselves with the dull routine of the daily drudge, and who never lose themselves in prose or poetry or fiction, in science, art or history. Perhaps one of the most busy men who lived in the past century was William E. Gladstone yet he was one of the best informed and most deeply read men in Europe. The same may be said in America of Theodore Roosevelt. Such men do their work better because they come to it with minds refreshed and strengthened, and the}’ move under the heavy load of the world’s affairs with ease and grace and dignity because they hear things that other ears are deaf to and see upon all things a light to which un- taught eyes are blind. Clarence J. Rhodes, of Springfield, is one of our citizens who takes a delight in keeping up with current events and investi- gating the various realms of learning, having never permitted himself to become wholly absorbed with his daily tasks, therefore he is not only hap- pier but does his work better than if he ignored his tastes for culture. Mr. Rhodes was born at Zinc, Arkansas, February 1, 1887. He is a son of Eugene J. Rhodes, Sr., a well-known man of affairs, formerly of northern Arkansas, now of Springfield, a complete sketch of whom will be found on other pages of this work. The subject of this sketch received a practical education in the high GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1276 school and Springfield Normal, having come to this city with his parents when he was a child. After leaving school he went to St. Louis with a bonding company, where he remained until in February, 1907, when he returned to Springfield and went to work for the Kansas City, Clinton & Springfield Railroad Company as assistant ticket accountant or statistician, then became revising clerk, joint freight accountant and voucher clerk, and at present he is bookkeeper, with offices in the Woodruff building. He has given eminent satisfaction in all the above named positions, being alert, pains- taking, energetic and trustworthy. Mr. Rhodes was married on July 30, 1908, in Springfield, to Stella I. Sanders, who was born in Billings, Missouri. She is a daughter of J. W. and Elizabeth T. (Tipper) Sanders, both natives of England, from which country they came to the United States in early life. The father is now deceased, hut the mother is making her home in Springfield. Mrs. Rhodes was given good educational advantages. To 1 our subject and wife two children have been born, namely: Warrena L., born July 14, 1909; and Richard J., born November 20, 1911. Politically, Mr. Rhodes is a Republican, and fraternally he belongs to the Knights of Pythias. JOHN KELLY. The vast majority of men are not their own employers. They are working for some one else and must continue to do so. The tendency of modern business is toward more economical production and this means larger establishments and fewer employers. Out of the ranks will come some captains of industry who will have large business enterprises of their own ; but their number will be insignificant compared with the army of toil- ers who work for some one else. There are few men who are not compelled to sell their services in their youth in order to get a start in life, but lucky is he who does not remain a hired man too long, thereby losing confidence in himself and incapacitating himself in a way to be able to go it alone. One of the business men of Springfield who had the tact to quit hiring out and start in business for himself when the proper time came is John Kelly, who first came to Springfield forty-four years ago, and for nearly four decades has been identified with the business of the city, thus literally growing up with the town. Mr. Kelly was born in Ireland, June 13, 1849. He is a son of Patrick and Mary (Heckey) Kelly , both natives of Ireland, where they grew up, were educated in the common schools, and there were married and devoted GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. >-77 their lives to general farming. The mother was a daughter of a physician. John Kelly spent his early boyhood in the Emerald Isle, and there re- ceived a limited education by attending night school. He was sixteen years of age when he emigrated to America. He penetrated to the interior, first locating at Fulton City, Illinois, where he remained about a year, then went to Montana, Utah and Colorado, remaining some time in the West, then came to Springfield, Missouri, in 1870, arriving here in February, but soon there- after he went to Neosho and started in the liquor business for E. F. Kinney. After remaining there a year he came back to Springfield where he remained until 1876, when he went to Fort Worth, Texas, and spent two years there, then lived at Parlor Point, Texas, two years. From there he went to Colo- rado, where he remained six months, then returned to Springfield in the fall of 1880 and continued working at his profession until 1883, when he started in business for himself in partnership with E. F. Kinney, in the liquor busi- ness, on Commercial street, but two years later the partnership was dis- solved and he struck out for himself near the corner of Boonville and Com- mercial streets, where he conducted his business for fifteen years, then moved to Mill street where he has remained to the present time. He has prospered in a financial way, and has always been regarded as a law-abiding citizen. Mr. Kelly has remained unmarried. He has been a Democrat ever since he was old enough to vote, but has never aspired to office. He was confirmed in the Catholic church in infancy, and has always adhered to the same. JOHN W. ROSE. Among the enterprising, progressive and widely known merchants of Springfield is John W. Rose, one of Greene county’s worthy native sons, and a worthy scion of an old and honored family of this locality, a man who is deserving of a great deal of credit for what he has accomplished, which has been in the face of obstacles that would have crushed men of less grit and ambition, for his early environment was decidedly unpromising, but, the modern Don Quixot that he was, he did not sit by idly pining for something to turn up, but went forth to conquer, and, by persevering, succeeded. His life, though comparatively uneventful, has not been unfruitful of good results and kind deeds in behalf of his fellow-men. He thoroughly understands the business to which so many years have been devoted, and the confidence and respect of the hundreds of customers who pass in and out of his doors continuously are his in a satisfactory degree. Mr. Rose was born in Greene county, Missouri, on November 6, 1862. He is a son of John W. and Elizabeth (Laney) Rose, both natives of this 1278 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. state. I he father was a soldier in the Confederate army and was killed in a skirmish with Union troops in 1864. The death of the mother occurred in 1906. The paternal grandfather, W. R. Rose, was a native of Ten- nessee, and from that state he came to Greene county, Missouri, in early pioneer times, locating on a farm here in 1834. The maternal grandfather, j. H. Laney, was also a native of Tennessee, from which state he emigrated to Lawrence county, Missouri, in 1835, and was one of the earliest settlers of that county. Both the Rose and Laney families were represented in the Revolutionary war. The Laneys are of French and English ancestry. Grandfather Laney and wife are buried in Garroutte cemetery, and Grand- father Rose and wife are buried in Prospect cemetery. John VV. Rose was left fatherless when two years of age, and he has always depended upon himself, which fact has doubtless been largely respon- sible for his success in life. When thirteen years of age he hired out as a farm hand at ten dollars a month, and continued farming until he was eighteen years of age. Meanwhile he had little chance to obtain an educa- tion, but this lack has later been made up by wide home reading and study and by contact with the world until today he is regarded as one of the best informed men on general topics in Springfield. When a boy he learned telegraphy, and at the age of nineteen was in the employ of the Frisco rail- road and in charge of a station. Fie continued in that capacity for a period of six years, giving the company excellent service and was commended for his accuracy and fidelity. Not seeing much future to such employment and believing he had qualifications for the mercantile world, he left the road’s employ and entered the mercantile business, and has since been engaged in the same in Springfield, with the exception of fifteen years spent as a traveling salesman, during which he gave excellent satisfaction to the firms employing him, and became widely known to the trade over a vast territory. Fie has operated a general book store on East Commercial street since 1906 and has enjoyed a large and ever-growing trade, and he carries at all seasons an extensive and up-to-date stock of everything found in a modern book store, and his obliging and courteous nature has won and retained a host of friends among his patrons. Mr. Rose was married in 1883 to Mattie Wade, a native of Greene county, where she grew to womanhood and was educated. She is a daughter of T. W. and Ellen (Skelton) Wade. Mr. Wade has devoted his active life to farming, and he is a resident of Springfield. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Rose, namely: Ethel, married R. R. Matthews, a mechanic, and they reside in Dallas, Texas; Leon M., died on July 4, 1912; Jerry FI. is associated with his father in business; Ina D. is at home. Ethel and Jerry H. are both graduates of the Springfield high school. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. I279 Politically Mr. Rose is a Democrat. Religiously he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church, and fraternally is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is deeply interested in the general welfare of his city and county in every way. ALVIN B. TRENARY. Although Springfield is a noted railroad town, thousands of trainmen and shopmen making their home here, it is impossible for each to know the other, but in some instances, like that of Alvin B. Trenary, an individual becomes well known in his own circle. This is partly because our subject has been a resident of this city for a period of thirty years, during which he has followed railroading, and partly because he is a good mixer, a jovial, companionable gentleman and is therefore popular among his fellow workers, and is a widely known passenger engineer. Mr. Trenary was born in Franklin, Indiana, February 20, 1862. He is a son of Thomas L. and Mary A. (Stairs) Trenary, the father a native of Indiana and the mother was born in Ohio. They grew to maturity in their respective localities and received good educations for that period, the father becoming a successful teacher, which he followed for some time. He was also a carpenter by trade. During the Civil war he enlisted from Johnson county, Indiana, in 1862, and met death in the service of his country, being wounded in battle, and died from the effects of the same in a St. Louis hospital. His widow survived to old age, and died in Greene county, Mis- souri. Our subject’s paternal grandfather and mother had the distinction of being the first couple to be married in Tippecanoe county, Indiana. To Thomas L. Trenary four children were born. Alvin B. Trenary was a small child when he lost his father and he was thrown upon his own resources early in life, consequently his education was limited, but he has made up for this lack in later life by general reading and contact with the world. What schooling he obtained was in Urbana, Illinois, and when but a boy he began working in a grocery store in that town, and when eighteen or twenty years of age he went to Indianapolis, Indiana, and began his railroad career by firing extra on the Big Four road, and there he remained until in the autumn of 1884, when he came to Springfield, Missouri, where he has since resided. He went to work here for the old Kansas City, Ft. Scott & Memphis Railroad as fireman of a freight train on the Ozark division, and eighteen months later as fireman on a passenger train and about the same run. Later he ran a switch engine about three . years, then was promoted to a regular freight engineer, and ran in this capacity on i -?8o GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. the Ozark division about six years, then was promoted to passenger engineer on this division, and at this writing still has the same run. This road has been a part of the Frisco System since 1900. Our subject is regarded as one of the safest and most efficient engineers out of Springfield, always sober, cool, alert and careful. Mr. Trenary was married in Springfield on November 14, 1889, to Lutie Seaman, a native of Iowa, who was a small child when her parents brought her to Springfield, and here she grew to womanhood and was edu- cated. She is a daughter of Levi and Mary (Fisher) Seaman. Mr. Seaman is a carpenter by trade. To our subject and wife two children have been born, namely: Helen V., born on August 13, 1890, received her education in the local high school and normal, and is living at home; Elsie Louise, born on April 12, 1896, is a junior in the Springfield high school at this writing. Mr. Trenary has a splendid and well furnished home on West Walnut street. Politically he is a Democrat. He belongs to No. 378, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. Fraternally he belongs to the Masonic Order, in which he has attained the master’s degree. He and his family are all mem- bers of St. Paul’s Methodist Episcopal church, South. JOHN RANDOLPH SMITH, M. D. That life is the most useful and desirable that results in the greatest good to the greatest number and, though all do not reach the heights to which they aspire, yet in some measure each can win success and make life a bless- ing to his fellowmen ; and it is not necessary for one to occupy eminent public positions to do so, for in the humbler walks of life there remains much good to be accomplished and many opportunities for one to exercise one’s talents and influence which in some way will touch the lives of those with whom we come in contact, making them better and brighter. In the list of Greene county’s honored citizens is Dr. John Randolph Smith, now living in honorable retirement after a long, useful and eminently successful career as a physician, having for many years ranked among the leading professional men of southwestern Missouri. In his career there is much that is commendable and his life forcibly illustrates what one can accomplish even in the face of obstacles, if one’s plans are wisely laid and his actions governed by right principles, noble aims and high ideals. Doctor Smith was born on January 27, 1836, at Monticello, Kentucky, a scion of an excellent old southern family. He is a son of David and Charlotte (Havens) Smith, born in 1777 and 1800 respectively, who re- GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. I 28 l moved to Newton county, Missouri, in 1836, and were thus pioneer settlers in this state. David Smith died January 24, 1845, when Doctor Smith was nine years of age, and his wife died in May, 1884. Our subject was an infant in arms at that time and he grew to manhood in Newton county, received a limited education in the old-time subscription schools and worked on a farm during his boyhood. But he was an ambitious youth and studied hard at home, taking an interest in medicine when only sixteen years of age, and about that time began studying medicine under Dr. J. W. Walker in Jasper county, Missouri. He made rapid progress and was equipped for his chosen career at an early age, being a fine example of a self-made man. He first began practice at Diamond Grove, this state. Seeing the need of a college training he went to Cincinnati. Ohio, and took the course in the medical college there. He owes much of his success in life to his mother who was a well educated woman and taught him much at home. In his youth he taught school for a time in Newton county, Missouri. Finally turning his attention to the newspaper field he started, owned and operated the Weekly Record at Stella. Missouri, which he retained until in February, 1914, when he retired from active life. From 1871 to 1873, inclusive, he owned and operated a wholesale and retail drug store in Springfield, under the firm name of W. G. Porter & Company, at the southwest corner of the public square. Upon the death of Mr. Porter, Doctor Smith continued the drug business at 223 South street, under the firm name of J. R. Smith & Company. He enjoyed a large trade, maintained one of the leading drug- stores of Springfield and was very successful as a business man. In con- nection with his business interests he followed his profession and had an extensive practice. Being of a literary turn of mind he has written and published a number of books on varied themes, principally of a religious tone. His writings show a depth of thought, broad culture, a splendid general knowledge and a fine literary finish. Doctor Smith was never named by his parents, being known only by a “nickname” until he was eight years of age when he selected his own name. He comes from an excellent old American family. Robert Smith, his grand- father, was born in England, and he served in the Revolutionary war, be- coming captain of a company in the Fourth North Carolina regiment. He was a gallant officer and took part in many engagements, including the battle of King's Mountain. After the war he was a merchant and ship builder of note, owning several vessels which operated between North Carolina ports and the West Indies. Nathaniel Geist, the doctor’s great-grandfather, first married Mary Howard, of Baltimore, Maryland, and later Dinah Volkeer, of Holland. His daughter, Mary Geist, by his first wife, married Robert Smith, our subject’s grandfather. Nathaniel Geist served with George (Si) 1282 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. Washington in the war with England against France, and he was captured in 1773 at Braddock’s famous defeat by the Cherokee Indians, who held him four years. During his captivity he married an Indian maiden and they reared a family. One of their sons, George Geist, was a man of exceptional prowess and ability and the Indians called him Chief Sequoyah, and he was for some time chief of the Cherokee tribe. He has been held in great rever- ence by the succeeding generation of Cherokees in view of the fact that he originated the Cherokee alphabet. David Smith, father of our subject, was born in North Carolina. He lived in Tennessee, Alabama and Kentucky before coming to Missouri in 1836. He was a great cattleman, raising large numbers in the above men- tioned states, and in the early days before there were any railroads in the South, he practiced driving immense herds of cattle to Baltimore, Maryland, where he marketed them. Many claim that he originated the familiar term “cowboy.” He was left an orphan in infancy, his father and mother both dying at that period of his life. All his life he was a dealer in live stock and was one of the most widely known cattle and horse dealers in his day and generation in the localities where he resided. He was one of the first to import blooded horses, and he raised thoroughbreds for a number of years. He lived to a ripe old age, spending his last years on his large stock farm in Newton county, this state. His family consisted of the following chil- dren: Benjamin F. died in infancy; Sarah A. married Thomas Walker; Mary J., who is now eighty-two years of age and has never married, is living at the old homestead, “Kent Park,” Newton county, Missouri; Dr. John R., of this sketch; Charlotte E. married James W. Roseberrv, now deceased; their son Chahner H. Roseberrv, owns and conducts a large deer farm at “Kent Park,” Newton county, and is a member of the Society for the Preservation of Wild Animals of the United States Government. Thomas H. Benton Smith died in 1863 while in the service of the Confederacy, hav- ing been with General Rains’ brigade at Ft. Smith, Arkansas, at the time of his death. Dr. John R. Smith owns a gun which was made to order for his father in 1829, by John Bull, a gunsmith of Warrior Mountain, Alabama. It is a fine specimen of guncraft of those days, is mounted with silver and has a gold powder-pan and bushings. The stock is of curly maple and the barrel of a very soft iron. It is a remarkably accurate shooting piece and it was designed as a “target” gun for the pioneers. The mounting has several in- scriptions on the silver plating. The doctor values this heirloom very highly. Doctor Smith was married October 3, 1861, to Frances Ruth Iveet, a daughter of Josiah T. and Elizabeth Proctor (West) Keet. To Doctor Smith and wife the following children were born : Kenvon Ida died in infancy; Ernest V. is a lieutenant-colonel in the regular army of GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1283 the United States, now stationed at Honolulu, Sandwich Islands ; he is a graduate of West Point Military Academy, which he entered when seventeen years old; he married Cora Young, of Troy, New York. Grace K. Smith became the wife of the late George Cooper, a sketch of whom will be found in another part of this work ; Charlotte married Willard P. Paddock, who was for many years a professor in the Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, New York; he is now a well known artist, and has made a fine bronze statue of Noah Webster, that was unveiled in September, 1914, in Massachusetts. Mr. and Mrs. Paddock reside in New York City. Clara, youngest of the doctor’s children, married Edward Steichen, a w r ell known artist of New York City, where they reside. The mother of these children, to whom the}' owe so much for their general culture and success in life, is now seventy-one years of age. Doctor Smith has been living retired for some time, making his home with his daughter, Mrs. Grace Cooper, at her beautiful home on Cherry street, Springfield. He is now in his seventy-ninth year, but is still comparatively hale and hearty and possesses all his faculties and has a fine memory. For a number of years he was medical examiner of the pension bureau of the United States government. Politically, he is a Democrat. He is a mem- ber of the Sons of the American Revolution and Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; and belongs to the Christian church. He and his good wife are indeed a grand old couple, greatly beloved by a very wide circle of close friends. They have led useful and helpful lives, being hospitable and chari- table by nature, but never from a desire for display — rather from an innate love for suffering humanity and to meekly follow in the footsteps of the lowly Nazarene. CHARLES E. DANDO. History is made rapidly in these latter days, representing ceaseless toil and endeavor, the proudest achievements and the most potent progress in all lines, and thus it is gratifying to mark the records of those whose influence has impressed itself along the various channels through which the swelling tide of accomplishment makes its way. If the present volumes are to contain the names of the men who have “done things” in Springfield and Greene county, the name of Charles E. Dando will necessarily have to be included within their pages. For many years he was a widely known railroad man, an engineer and passenger conductor, after the usual pre- liminary positions, and was also a skilled machinist and worked in many different railroad shops. Later we find him owner and manager of a number of noted horses, then he was in the moving picture business, and now is 1284 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. living in retirement. He enjoys the distinction of having driven the engine that pulled the first passenger train from Kansas City to Springfield, which was over the old “Gulf road.” Mr. Dando was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on September 8, 1850. He is a son of Joseph M. and Mary (Ball) Dando, both long' since deceased; and he is the youngest of four children, two of whom are deceased; Mrs. Harriet Prichard, the eldest, and Joseph and William were the brothers. Charles E. Dando received a limited education, but in later life became a well informed man by contact with the world and wide reading. When only fourteen years of age he began his railroad career, securing employ- ment with the old Atlantic & Great Western railroad, now owned by the Erie railroad. He started in the shops at Meadville, Pennsylvania, where he remained two years, and from there went to Gabon, Ohio, where he began firing a switch engine in the yards ; six months later he entered the railroad shops of the Atlantic & Great Western, learning the machinist’s trade, which he worked at for three and one-half years, then left Gabon and went to New Orleans, Louisiana, where he went to work in the Shakespeare & Gettys foundry, remaining there about a year, then went to Litchfield, Illinois, and worked for the Illinois & St. Louis Railroad Company as a machinist in their shops there, remaining a year and a half. He then went to Kansas City, in the spring of 1872, and worked in the machine shops of the Missouri River, Ft. Scott & Gulf railroad for about four months, when he began firing, which he continued about a year when he was promoted to engineer and assigned to a locomotive which ran as both freight and passenger. When the Kansas City, Ft. Scott & Memphis road was built between Kansas City and Springfield, Mr. Dando ran the engine that pulled the first passenger train from Kansas City to Springfield. Judge John G. Newbill rode in the cab with him from Ft. Scott to Springfield. Mr. Dando was later made a conductor and worked in this capacity a few years, then went back to run- ning a locomotive. He finally retired from railroading and purchased some fine race horses, including the famous “Black Dick.” He took his horses all over the Eastern states, engaging in a large number of races, and was very successful. Of late years he has been engaged in the moving picture business in Springfield, but has lived in retirement during the past four years, owning a good home on South Main street. Mr. Dando was married, March 23, 1884, to Lizzell Davis, of Fort Scott. Kansas, a daughter of Dr. and Sarah F. (Hulse) Davis, whose family consisted of four children, namely: James, Faustien, Lizzell, and Josephine; the last named is deceased. Doctor Davis was born in France. Mrs. Dando grew to womanhood in Ft. Scott and received her education there, making excellent grades in all branches. Our subject and wife had two children, GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1285 one living: James Edward was born April 19, 1886, and died October 24, 1904; Charles Joseph was born February 19, 1896, and is in a military school at Ashville, North Carolina. Politically, Mr. Dando is a Democrat. He is a member of the Eastern Division of the Order of Railway Conductors, No. 321, and the Brother- hood of Locomotive Engineers. Fraternally, he belongs to the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He was also made an honorary member of the Grand International Division of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, No. 378. MICHAEL J. MURPHY. It is indeed hard to find among our cosmopolitan civilization, people of better habits of life, taking it all in all, than those who originally came from the fair Emerald Isle or their immediate descendants. They are distin- guished for their thrift, wit, consecutive industry, patriotism and loyalty, and these qualities in the inhabitants of any country will in the end alone make that country great. One of the well-known engineers of the Frisco is Michael J. Murphy, who has long resided in Springfield, a man of Celtic blood and of the second generation of Irish in America. He hails originally from the Crescent City of the far South. Mr. Murphy was born on January 1, 1861, in New Orleans, Louisiana. He is a son of Michael D. and Dorothy Ann (O’Dwyre) Murphy, both born, reared and married in Ireland and there resided until 1854, when they emigrated to the United States, first locating in New York state, then, in 1859, went to New Orleans, and in 1861, when the Civil war began, they came north to Rolla, Missouri, when our subject was an infant. In 1847 Michael D. Murphy took part in the Smith-O’Brien rebellion. He escaped and went to Australia, and after a separation of seven years rejoined his wife, and they came to America. He was a railroad levee contractor. His death occurred in September, 1872, at Rolla, this state. His widow subse- quently removed to Springfield, where her death occurred in 1892. To these parents four children were born, namely : Jeremiah, Charles E., Mary, are all deceased, and Michael J., of this sketch. Mr. Murphy, our subject, had little chance to receive an extensive edu- cation. However, he is a self-made man. On April 1, 1879, he went to work for the St. Louis & San Francisco Railroad Company in a stone quarrv at Rolla, later coming with an extra gang to Springfield and helped put in the foundation for a turntable and roundhouse at the North Side shops. In 1880 he was given a position as fireman out of Springfield and was promoted 1286 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. to freight engineer in 1889, and to regular passenger engineer in 1901, and has retained this responsible position ever since, being regarded by the com- pany as one of its most efficient and trustworthy engineers. His present run is between Springfield and Newburg. For three years he traveled as special representative of the Frisco in fourteen different states, and did his work most acceptably. Since August 15, 1914, Mr. Murphy has been devoting his time on the “Safety First” movement in accident prevention for the conservation of human life and limb of the employees and patrons of the Frisco system, and because of the increased cost of materials used and consumed by the railroads and the increased cost in taxes, interest and wages and the decrease of 33 1-3 per cent, in passenger revenue and decrease of 21 per cent, in freight revenue, due to the two-cent passenger fare and the maximum freight rate in Missouri, resulting in placing the Frisco and other Missouri railroads in a position where their earnings are not sufficient to meet cost of operation and main- tenance, interest and taxes, the roads are forced to retrench and cut down expenses. This could only be done by the laying off of men in shops, in the office and in the bridge and building departments and the purchase of less material, such as ties, ballast, steel rails, bridges, and building materials. This retrenchment on the part of the railroads placed over forty thousand wage-earners, skilled and unskilled, idle, leaving them unable to purchase the necessaries of life, which in turn affected the retail and wholesale mer- chants and producing classes of the state. To overcome those conditions and to start the wheels of progress moving, to find employment for the idle men, Mr. Murphy on February 3, 1915, organized the Railway Employees’ Protective Association, and by and through this organization in the state of Missouri secured the signatures of bankers, farmers, merchants, manu- facturers, and members of organized labor to petitions aggregating in the whole the signatures of over 750,000 of the above citizens of Missouri and mailed those petitions and signatures to the members of the Forty-eighth General Assembly of Missouri asking for a repeal of the maximum 2-cent passenger fare, restoration of the 3-cent passenger rate, and that the public service commission of Missouri to adjust and grant a fair equitable equali- zation of rates in Missouri, and for the future Mr. Murphy will be engaged making this movement nation-wide in its scope, so that capital will be en- courage to invest in railroad securities, so that the credit of the railroads will be restored, so that capital and labor will be in a position under wise and just laws, state and national, to furnish the transportation facilities so essential to the future development of the internal resources of Missouri and of the nation as a whole. Mr. Murphy was married on September 27, 1887, in Rolla, Missouri, to Mary A. Powers, a native of that city. She is a daughter of James and GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1287 Winifred C. (Condron) Powers, both natives of Ireland. They spent their early days in their native land and finally emigrated to the United States. Mr. Powers was in the employ of the Frisco Railroad for a number of years. His death occurred on July 10, 1878, in Rolla. Mrs. Murphy’s mother died in Springfield on May 19, 1900. The wife of our subject was reared and educated in Rolla, attending the public and Catholic schools. To Mr. and Mrs. Murphy two children have been born, namely: Charles Edward, born on August 20, 1888, in Springfield, was educated in the public and high schools here ; he is a machinist by trade and is living at home. Blanche May, born on January 11, 1890, in Springfield, attended the local public and high schools and later business college; she married C. N. King, who is with the International Harvester Company, and lives in Little Rock, Arkansas. Mr. and Mrs. King were married on May 10, 1910, and one child has been born to them, Jack Weldon, whose birth occurred on January 19, 1911. Politically Mr. Murphy is a Democrat. He is a member of Ozark Division, No. 83, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. The Murphy family are members of the Roman Catholic church. They own a fine and neatly furnished home on North Main street, Springfield. ANDREW DURYEA MILLS. Andrew Duryea Mills, chief clerk to J. R. Dritt, freight agent of the Frisco System at Springfield, was born in Brooklyn Borough, New York City, March 7, 1881. He is a son of Simeon Drake Mills, who was for many years engaged in business for himself in Brooklyn as a manufacturer of jewelry. In 1883 he removed with his family to Kansas City, Missouri, soon thereafter opening the S. D. Mills Jewelry Company’s place of busi- ness, which he conducted until his death in 1890 at the age of thirty-two years. Politically, he was a Republican. He belonged to the Knights of Pythias, and was a member of the Baptist church. He was twice married, first, to Ella B. Duryea, a daughter of Andrew Duryea, who was a mer- chant in Brooklyn, New York. Her death occurred in 1883, leaving two children, namely : Ralph, who is agent for the Union Pacific railroad at Tonganoxie, Kansas, and Andrew D., of this sketch. His second marriage was with Alice Dewey, a daughter of Dr. John Dewey, of Kansas City, Missouri. This union was without issue. Andrew D. Mills was a small child when his parents brought him to Kansas City, and there he grew to manhood and received his education, in- cluding the public schools and a business college. He began his railroad 1288 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. career when nineteen years of age, and has worked for the following roads:: Kansas City, Ft. Scott & Memphis, now operated by the Frisco; the Mis- souri, Kansas & Texas; Kansas City Southern; Missouri Pacific & Iron Mountain; the Kansas City, Clinton & Springfield; the Texas & Pacific;, Union Pacific; Denver & Rio Grande; Missouri Pacific; Chicago, Burling- ton & Quincy; later to the Missouri Pacific, then the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe, after which he went with the St. Louis & San Francisco road, with which he has since been connected. He was telegraph operator and station agent for the above named roads. In January, 1913, he was pro- moted to the position of chief clerk to the Frisco’s freight agent at Spring- field, which position he still holds. Mr. Mills was married in 1902 to Nellie Wilson, a daughter of Joel Y. and Josephine (George) Wilson, of Osceola, Missouri. Mr. Wilson has for many years been a druggist at that point. There Mrs. Mills grew to womanhood and was educated in the common schools. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Mills, namely: Wilson, Charles, Alice M. and Josephine G. Politically, Mr. Mills is a Republican in principle, but votes independ- ently, more for the man than for the party, as many other sensible people are doing today. Fraternally, he belongs to the Masons, the Royal Ar- canum, Royal Neighbors and the Modern Woodmen of America. J. W- GANN. From an excellent old Kentucky family comes J. W. Gann, the oblig- ing and popular city passenger and ticket agent for the Frisco Lines at Springfield, and he seems to have inherited many of the commendable traits- of his worthy progenitors. He has devoted the major portion of his ac- tive career to railroad service and has given eminent satisfaction in every position he has held in this field of endeavor. Mr. Gann was born in Wayne county, Kentucky, December 11, 1871. He is a son of William K. and Mary (Daugherty) Gann. The father was born in Kentucky in 1838, and there the birth of the mother occurred in 1848, each scions of old Southern families. They grew to maturity in the Blue Grass state and were educated there, the father receiving an excep- tionally good education for that period. After passing through the com- mon schools he attended the Louisville Medical College, where he made a fine record and from which institution he was graduated with the degree of doctor of medicine, also completing a course in pharmacy. He engaged successfully in the practice of his profession until his death in 1885. His- GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1289 wife preceded him to the grave in 1883. They were the parents of five children, four of whom are still living, namely: Charles M. is deceased; J. W. of this sketch; Hattie, Mattie and Edward Everett. J. W. Gann was reared at the parental homestead in Wayne county, Kentucky, and there he received a practical common school education, but he started out in life when young, being but seventeen years of age when he began his career as railroader, in which he has been engaged ever since. He began as telegraph operator for the Queen & Crescent railroad in Tate- ville, Kentucky. He was sent to various places to work by this road, with which he remained until 1900, then went to work for the Frisco Lines as ticket seller in the office at Birmingham, Alabama. In 1905 he was made city passenger agent in that city. Remaining there until in March, 1907, he was transferred to Springfield, Missouri, as chief ticket clerk, and in De- cember, 1910, he was promoted to city passenger and ticket agent, which position he still holds. Mr. Gann was married on November 7, 1906, in Birmingham, Ala- bama, to Mrs. Sarah Elizabeth Prewitt. She was born near Springville, Alabama, February 5, 1874, and there grew to womanhood and received her education. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Gann has been without issue. Politically, our subject is a Democrat. He is prominent in Masonic circles, having attained the thirty-second degree. Religiously, he is a mem- ber of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. E. B. McNEILL. Like many another boy reared on the farm, E. B. McNeill, agent of the Missouri Pacific railroad at Springfield, turned his attention to railroad- ing and has continued to the present time, showing a peculiar adaptability for the same, so that he has won and retained the confidence of his employ- ers, for he is not only capable of quickly grasping the various details of his work, but is faithful and energetic in the performance of the same. Mr. McNeill was born in White county, Arkansas, May 16, 1881. He is a son of John T. and Amanda ( Lessenbury) McNeill. The father was born in Tennessee, from which state he came to Arkansas in an early day, where he established the family home on the farm where he still lives in White county. The mother of our subject was also born in Tennessee. Her death, occurred in White county, Arkansas, July 10, 1914. These .parents were young when they left their native state and they were married in Arkansas. John T. McNeill served as a Confederate soldier during the i 290 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. last two years of the Civil war, was under Gen. Sterling Price and was in the famous raid of that great leader into Missouri. John T. McNeill has been a successful farmer and stock raiser. His family consisted of eleven children, six of whom are still living, namely: Florence married C. M. Welbon, and they live in Colorado; E. B. of this -sketch; William E. lives in Kensett, Arkansas; Elmer is engaged in rail- road service in Arkansas; Mrs. Anna Davidson lives in Kensett, Arkansas; Mrs. Grace Taylor lives in White county, Arkansas. E. B. McNeill grew up on his father's farm in his native county and there assisted with the general work when a boy, and in the winter months he attended the common and high schools in Arkansas. He left the farm when nineteen years of age and began his career as railroader for the Iron Mountain as clerk and later as telegraph operator in his native state, work- ing at many points on the system. He came to Springfield in June, 1912, since which time he has been filling his present position, most of his work being on the White river division. Mr. McNeill was married on June 12, 1907, at Calico Rock, Arkansas, to Allie M. Crews, who was born at Walker, Missouri. She is a daughter of Cassie Crews and wife. She received a good common school education. One child has been born to our subject and wife, Dorothy May McNeill, whose birth occurred May 12, 1911. Politically, Mr. McNeill is a Democrat. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, is associate member of the Springfield Club, and his wife be- longs to the Methodist Episcopal church. Our subject has never affiliated himself with any religious body. R. L. ARNETT. R. L. Arnett was born in Fredericktown, in southeastern Missouri, on February 2, 1881. He is a son of R. C. and Fanny (Layman) Arnett. The father was also born at Fredericktown, February 5, 1849, his parents hav- ing been pioneer settlers there. The mother of our subject was born in Pi qua, Ohio, December 21, 1853. She came to Fredericktown, Missouri, when young and there met and married the elder Arnett, who devoted his life to general farming, although he never lived on a farm. Politically, R. C. Arnett was a Democrat and was an influential man in public affairs in his native locality, having represented his county several times in the state legislature. His family consisted of five children, all sons, ajid all still living, namely: Smith D. lives in Pine Bluff, Arkansas; Sam R. lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota; R. L. of this sketch; Eugene F. is in the train GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. I29I service and is located at Pine Bluff, Arkansas; Alexander W. is attending Columbia University at this writing. R. L. Arnett grew up at Fredericktown, where he obtained a good common and high school education. When only thirteen years of age he was enabled to begin the career he had long aspired to, that of railroading, and he has kept it up to the present time, his rise being gradual, and he evidently has greater things to vet accomplish in this field of endeavor. He began work for the Missouri Pacific before leaving school and continued at intervals with this road until he finished school, then went in the office as clerk in his native town. With the exception of a few months spent in the employ of other lines, he has remained continuously with the Missouri Pacific, having in the meanwhile been nearly all over the system, in various departments of this road. In September, 1908, he was promoted to com- mercial freight agent, in Ft. Scott, Kansas, and in November. 1909, he was sent to Springfield, where he is now occupying the same position. He is a young man of energy, tact, versatility and honesty of purpose and his su- periors place great confidence in his ability and integrity. Mr. Arnett was married, April 23, 1903, in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, to Anna Lee Green, a native of that city, where she was reared and educated, later attending Ouachita College at Arkadelphia, Arkansas. She is a daugh- ter of Thomas and Disda Green. To Air. and Mrs. Arnett one child has been born, Roeanna, whose birth occurred July 11, 1905. Politically, Air. Arnett is a Democrat. He is a member of the Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks, also the Hoo Hoo or Black Cat frater- nity. He is a member of the Springfield Club and the Country Club. NEWTON V. ALLEBACH. The beginning of the career of Newton V. Allebach was characterized by hard work and conscientious endeavor, and he owes his rise to no train of fortunate incidents or fortuitous circumstances. His rise has not been of the meteoric type, but has been steady and slow. The major portion of his life has been devoted to railroad service, having been on the Frisco system for a number of years, and he is the present popular general chairman of the Order of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, in which he has long been active and influential. Air. Allebach was born in Clarion county, Pennsylvania, August 6, i860. He is a son of Abraham H. and Catherine (Kramer) Allebach. The father was born in Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, September 27, 1810, I2Q2 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. and the mother was also born in the old Keystone state in the year 1833. There they grew to maturity, received limited educations in the early-day schools and they were married in Clarion county and established the family home there, Mr. Allebach engaging in the mercantile business. He was twice married, our subject being a child by his second wife, and is one of six sons, four of whom are still living, namely: Ansen M. lives in New Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; Rufus D. is deceased; Newton V., subject of this sketch; Arlington IT. is deceased; Melvin C. lives in New Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and Victor L. lives in East Brady. The death of Abraham H. Allebach occurred June 14, 1881, his wife, mother of our subject, surviving until in January, 1912, both dying in Pennsylvania, where they spent their lives. Politically he was a Lincoln Republican, and fraternally was a member of the Masonic Order, while his wife belonged to the Eastern Star. Newton V. Allebach grew to manhood in his native community in Clarion county and he received a common school education. When he was seventeen years of age he went to Minnesota and worked in various parts of that state. For some time, he engaged in lumbering at the head of Lake Superior. In 1881 he went to North Dakota, and in 1884 he began his career as railroader at Fargo, that state, on the Northern Pacific as fireman, and was later promoted to engineer on switch engines and freight trains. Pie remained in the North until 1889, when he had a run into Montana and Wyoming, then was in the employ of the Southern Pacific until in Sep- tember, 1895, when he came to Monett, Missouri, and went to work for the Frisco system as freight engineer, his run being from that city to Ft. Smith, Arkansas, and in 1906 he was given a passenger train and was in that service about seven years. His career in the train service on all the above named roads has been eminently commendable and satisfactory, and is a record of duty ably and faithfully performed. Mr. Allebach has been actively engaged in the work of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers since 1895. He moved to Springfield in 1910, where he has since resided. Since his election to general chairman in above order he has devoted his time exclusively to the interests of the order. His position is one of importance and considerable rsponsibility, and he is kept very busy looking after adjustments and the many things constantly coming up to be attended to, which requires a man of tact, diplomacy and forceful personality, as well as energy and fidelity. The splendid record Mr. Allebach has made in this important office with which he has been honored would in- dicate the wisdom of his selection and his services are entirely satisfactory to all concerned. He is one of the best known and most universally liked rail- road men in the Southwest, being a good mixer, friendly, genial, honest and conscientious. Mr. Allebach was married in Monett, Missouri, December 25, 1897, to GREENE COUNTY^ MISSOURI. 1293 Nora Blakeslee, who was born in northern Pennsylvania in 1870. where she spent her early girlhood, being eight years old when her parents, Lafayette and Delia (Cook) Blakeslee removed with her to Barry county, Missouri. These parents were natives of Pennsylvania, where they grew to maturity- received limited educations in the common schools and were married. Tire death of the father occurred in Barry county, Missouri, where Mrs. iVllebach was reared to womanhood and educated in the common schools. The mother is still living. Mr. Blakeslee devoted his active life to farming and contracting. His family consisted of eight children. To Mr. and Mrs. Allebach four children have been born, namely: Franz, born October 3, 1898: Vernon V., born September 13, 1901: Karl A., born November 3, 1904; Catherine, born May 22, 1907, died December 4, 1908. Politically Mr. Allebach is a Democrat. Fraternally he is a member of the Masonic Order, is a Knights Templar, and a member of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. Religiously the family belongs to the Presbyterian church. GEORGE GREEN. Americans have always had great admiration for Englishmen, not- withstanding that these nations have twice been at war. Each has enjoyed a century of peace and good feeling toward the other, and we have ever welcomed the British to our newer land of opportunity. Greene county has not been fortunate enough to secure many of her immigrants, but what few we have we are glad to note are good citizens in every respect. One of these is George Green, blacksmith foreman in the shops of the Frisco sys- tem at Springfield. Mr. Green was born in Kent Waldwick, England, September 15, 1863. He is a son of Robert and Susanna Green, both born in England, where they grew up and received fairly good educations and spent the earlier years of their lives, eventually emigrating to the United States, where they both died, the father in South Dakota and the mother in Kansas. Robert Green was a carpenter by trade, which he followed for a livelihood most of his life. In his earlier life he was in the British army as a wheelwright and was in the memorable East India mutiny. After coming to America he followed railroading for a while and later was a ranchman in Texas for about four years. His family consisted of four children, namely: Robert is a locomotive engineer on the Frisco, running out of Kansas City, where he lives; George of this sketch: Mrs. Clara Bowen lives in Kansas City, Missouri, and Mrs. George Wallace, also of Kansas City. George Green was young when his parents brought him to /\merica, 1294 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. and here he received his education. He attended school in different places, including a year in Dallas, Texas, and some time in Rochester, New York. In 1880 he drove overland from Texas to Springfield, Missouri, and began work for the Frisco System in the North Side roundhouse. After remain- ing there about three years he went to Kansas City and went to work for the Kansas City, Ft. Scott & Memphis Railroad Company, which was leased by the Frisco System in 1900, and when the shops of the former road were opened in Springfield, now known as the South Side Frisco shops, Mr. Green was sent here as blacksmith helper. He continued at his trade until in 1896, when he was elected constable of Campbell township, in which of- fice he served two years with satisfaction to all concerned and credit to himself. In 1901 he was appointed foreman of the blacksmith shop and is still one of the foremen in this shop. He is quite expert in his line and handles men well. Mr. Green was married in 1882, to Sarah E. Twigger, who was born in Connecticut, in December, 1862. She is a daughter of George and Ann Twigger. She was educated in the common schools. She came west when young in years, with her parents, locating in North Springfield, Missouri, and here grew to womanhood, receiving her education in the public schools of Springfield. She was one of eleven children, ten still living. To Mr. and Mrs. Green seven children have been born, namely: Frank, born December 25, 1883; Maude, born in 1885, married George Brougher; Ruby, born in 1887; Mrs. Georgia Woodfill, born in 1899; William J., born in 1897; Charles, born in 1900, and Clara, born in 1902. Politically, Mr. Green is a Democrat. Fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic bine lodge, the Modern Woodmen and the Loyal Order of Moose. The family are members of the Episcopal church. MATTHIAS CHRISTMAN. It is not the kind of work, but the kind of spirit with which it is done that dignifies and exalts human service. This is a thought that should put heart into every worker, put glow and cheer into his service and fill him with a large degree of satisfaction in doing the work that nature seems to have, in a way, appointed for him. Matthias Christman, general machine foreman in the North Side Frisco shops, Springfield, is a man who gets satisfaction out of his daily tasks and therefore his work is not only well done, but life is worth living to him. Mr. Christman was born in Springfield, Illinois, January 29, 1863. He GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1295 is a son of Michael and Caroline (Duffner) Christman, both natives of Ger- many, in which country they spent their childhood years, and from there immigrated to America when young, both locating in Springfield, Illinois, where they were married, and there established their permanent home, the father of our subject, who is now eighty-four years old, and who has de- voted his active life to the machinist trade, is still a resident of that city,, but the mother passed away on May 17, 1914, at the age of seventy-five years. To them seven children were born, three of whom are living at this writing, namely: X. B. is engaged in the hardware business in Springfield, Illinois; Matthias, of this sketch ; John D., who was a machinist by trade, is de : ceased; Mary is the wife of Joseph Phillipp, who is engaged in the furniture and dry goods business in Springfield, Illinois. The other children died in early life. Matthias Christman spent his boyhood days in his native city and there he went to school until he was fourteen years old, when he left his text- books and went to work as an apprentice in the Wabash railroad shops in that town, remaining there from August, 1877, until 1882, completing his trade as machinist, then went as journeyman to the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe shops at Raton, New Mexico, working there from September, 1882, until April, 1883, in April of which year he went to Decatur, Illinois and worked at his trade in the shops of the Wabash Railroad. From April, 1883, until July, 1883, he worked for the Wabash & Decatur Railroad, and in August he worked as machinist in Kansas City for the Kansas City, Ft. Scott & Memphis Railroad Company, which transferred him in 1890 to its shops in Springfield, Missouri, as erecting foreman, which position he held there until August, 1 9 1 t , having continued in the employ of the Frisco System, which leased the former road in 1900. In August, 1911, he was transferred to the North Side shops as assistant general machine shop foreman, and in 1912 was promoted to general machine shop foreman, which position he now holds, there being about one hundred and fifty men under his direction. He is giving his usual general satisfactory service, being a man highly skilled in lus trade and possessing marked executive ability. He has an interest in the Christman Adjustable Hub Plate Company, being a director and stockholder in the same. He has been the dominating factor in the success of this concern, indicating that lie is a man of fine business acumen. He is also of an inventive turn of mind, and has invented piston valves and bushing for air pumps and holds patents on each. These devices have been highly praised by manufacturers. Mr. Christman was married in 1884 to Elizabeth Hurley, of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, and to this union two children have been born, namely : John M., who was educated in the ward and high schools of Springfield, 1296 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. is now a machinist in the North Side Frisco shops; Carrie, who was also well educated in the Springfield schools, lives at home with her parents. Politically Mr. Christman is a Democrat. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen of American, and to the Catholic church. WILLIAM TAYLOR HANKINS. Great changes “have come over the face of the land” since William Taylor Hankins first saw the light of day nearly sixty-seven years ago, and, having spent these long years in the same locality, he has been a most inter- ested and by no means a passive spectator to the transformations of the eastern part of Greene county, having sought to do his full share in the work of progress here. For many years he was postmaster at Strafford, but is now living quietly on his farm. No one is better or more favorably known in this community, for his life has been an exemplary and inoffensive one. Mr. Hankins was born on a farm near Strafford, Missouri, on April 2, 1848. Fie is a son of Abraham and Sarah R. (Miller) Hankins. The father was born in Tennessee on March 23, 1808, and was reared there on a farm and attended the common schools. In youth he learned the tanner’s trade. Remaining in his native state until 1835, he then emigrated to Greene county, Missouri, making the trip by wagon, drawn by an ox and a horse. He farmed and followed his trade here, and he owned many slaves and was a successful farmer. His death occurred in November, 1861. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and was a prominent man in his community. The mother of our subject was born near Winchester, Ken- tucky, on June 3, 1809, was reared on a farm there and attended the public schools. She came to Greene countv, Missouri with her parents about the year 1835, and here met and married Mr. Hankins. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Her death occurred on Tune 30, 1878, on the home farm. To these parents five children were born, namely : Andrew Jackson, deceased; Benton T., deceased; William T., of this sketch; Letitia, deceased, and Mrs. Susan Potter, of Strafford, who is the youngest. William T. Hankins grew to manhood on the old homestead near Strafford and he received his education in the district schools. He worked on the home farm until after his father’s death, and his principal life work has been general farming. In 1896 he was appointed postmaster at Strafford, the duties of which office he continued to discharge acceptably and satisfac- torily for a period of seventeen years, resigning in 1913. He moved to his farm of one hundred and twenty acres, which joined Strafford, where he has a cozy home and is now living practically retired. HANKINS. MRS. W. T. HANKINS. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. I297 Mr. Hankins was married on March 7, 1871, to Mary Jane Comstock, uvho was born on November 4, 1852, while her parents were emigrating from Tennessee to Greene county, Missouri. She is a daughter of L. B. and Nancy Comstock. She grew up on a farm in this state and attended the common schools, removing with her parents to Greene county during the Civil war. She was a member of the Baptist church. Her death occurred on April 5, 1889. To our subject and wife three children were born, namely: Nathaniel Brown lives in Greene county ; he married Sarah McCabe Fitch and they have two children, Hershel and Zenobia ; Mrs. Florence Foster lives in Strafford and has two children, Joe and Helen, and Mrs. Manta Delzell, who married George G. Delzell. They have two children, Gregory and Sarah Marie. She makes her home with her father. Politically Mr. Hankins is a Republican, and fraternally he is a member -of the Masonic Order. JESSE D. JAQUITH. The respect which should always be accorded the brave sons of the North who left their homes and the peaceful pursuits of civil life to give their services, and their lives if need be, to preserve the integrity of the American Union is due Jesse D. Jaquith. He proved his love and loyalty to the govern- ment on the long and tiresome marches in all kinds of situations, exposed to summer's withering heat and winter’s freezing cold, on the lonely picket line a target for the unseen foe, on the tented field and amid the flame and smoke of battle, where the rattle of the musketry mingled with the terrible concussion of bursting shells and the diapason of the cannons' roar made up the sublime but awful chorus of death. Mr. Jaquith was born January 8, 1845, near Paris, Edgar county, Illinois. He is a son of Jesse W. Jaquith. a native of New Hampshire, where he spent his earlier years. He studied pharmacy, and, having cast his lot with the people of the Middle West, became owner and operator of a drug store at Urbana, Illinois, and he was the first postmaster of that town. Active and influential in public affairs, he was elected a judge of the county court of Champaign county, Illinois. He received a good education in his native state, there learned the shoemaker’s trade, which he followed for a number of years, also engaged in farming in New Hampshire. It was in 1839 that he removed to Edgar county, Illinois, among the early pioneers, -and there he continued his trade for some time before locating in Champaign county and turning his attention to the drug business. Finallv leaving (82) iagS GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. Urbana he came to Holden, Missouri, where he engaged in the shoe business. There he spent the rest of his life, dying in 1881 at the age of seventy years, and was buried at Holden. Politically he was a Democrat. He be- longed to the Masonic Order and to the Methodist Episcopal church. His wife, Catherine A. Wilson, was a native of Kentucky and a daughter of John and Maggie (Buckner) Wilson. To this union the following children were born: Lottie, now deceased, was the wife of John Allen, a farmer; Jesse D., of this sketch; John located in San Francisco and engaged in the machine business ; Richard, now deceased, was a shoemaker by trade ; Mate (Matilda) married John Cass, a commercial traveler, and they live at Holden, Missouri. Willard Jaquith, grandfather of these children, was born in New Hampshire, from which state he emigrated to Detroit, Michigan, in an early day. He was a farmer in his earlier life. Jesse D. Jaquith grew to manhood in Illinois and received his education in the public schools of Urbana, leaving his text-books at the age of seventeen to enlist in the Federal army, in 1862, in Company G, Seventy-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, at Kankakee. He saw much hard service and took part in numerous battles and skirmishes, including the great siege of Vicksburg and the many engagements incident thereto, also the battles of Jackson and Mobile, and although he was in many close places he was never wounded, neither had he occasion to answer to sick call. For meritorious conduct he was pro- moted from time to time until he became quartermaster sergeant, and was mustered out as such in July, 1865, at Chicago. He was in the armies of Grant and Sherman. After the war he returned to Urbana, Illinois, and learned the trade of tinsmith, first working for J. M. Davies. Later he came to Warrensburg, Missouri, and worked with J. L. Bettis, finishing his ap- prenticeship there, then he worked as journeyman tinsmith at Warrensburg until 1870, in which year he returned to Urbana and continued at his trade until 1877, then went to Kansas City and secured employment with the Union Pacific Railroad, working in the company’s shops at Armstrong, Kansas, just across the river from Kansas City, Missouri. He was a journeyman tinsmith. He resided at Wyandotte, Kansas, and remained with that road three years. When the towns of Kansas City, Kansas, Wyandotte and Armourdale were consolidated into Kansas City, Kansas, he was the first clerk of the board of education. Mr. Jaquith came to Springfield on February 18, 1887, and took a position with the Kansas City, Ft. Scott & Memphis railroad as tinsmith foreman in their local shops, which are now known as the South Side Frisco shops, having come under the control of the Frisco System in 1900, and this position our subject held till 1915, his long retention in the same being evidence of his faithfulness and skill and his ability to handle men so as to obtain the best results. However, he was foreman tinsmith at the new GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. I299 shops on the North Side for three years. He has been with these roads con- tinuously for a period of twenty-eight years. Mr. Jaquith was a member of the city council of Springfield for four years. Before leaving Urbana, Illinois, he was a member of the board of education for two years and was also city clerk there for two years. As a public servant his record has been a most satisfactory and commendable one. Politically he has always been a stanch Democrat. He is a member of the Baptist church. Back in the seventies he was a member of the Knights of Pythias. Mr. Jaquith was married in 1865, at Warrensburg, Missouri, to Rilla E. Dulin, who was born, reared and educated in Illinois. To this union two children have been born, namely: Ira, who is a machinist by trade and employed at the new shops in Springfield, married Carrie Burton, and they have two sons and two daughters ; Charles was for some time a soldier in the Seventeenth United States Infantry, regular army, saw service in the Philippines, where he was mustered out. FRANK P. CARROLL. If there is one thing which distinguishes the American tradesman or business man from those of any other country it is the faculty with which any and all occupations are readily taken up by him and made successful. In the older countries it was customary for the son to follow the father’s pursuit. “Follow your father, my son, and do as your father has done,” was a maxim which most of sons were expected to adopt. In this country we find few men of the present generation engaged in the same pursuits as were their fathers, except among the farming element. Frank P. Carroll, chief engineer in the Frisco’s North Side shops, Springfield, has turned his hands to various things and proved that farming was not the only occupation which he could make successful. Mr. Carroll was born May 2, 1863, near Frankfort, Clinton county, In- diana. He is a son of Moses Carroll, who was born at Troy, New York. He grew up in his native state, attended school and learned the carpenter’s trade there, later removing to Clinton county, Indiana, where he established his home. He is now deceased. He married Hannah Clark, a daughter of A. B. Clark, of Clinton county, Indiana, and a native of Kentucky, from which state the family removed to Indiana in 1840. Ten children were born to Moses Carroll and wife, four of. whom died in infancy; the others were named as follows : Louisa J. is a widow and resides at Zion City, Illinois ; Wilson B., who was a carpenter and engineer, is deceased; Mattie, also a I 3°° GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. widow, is engaged in dressmaking at Phillipsburg, Montana; Relda is the wife of Ellis Kiser, a draftsman by trade, and they reside in Springfield, Mis- souri ; Mary, commonly known as Mollie, is the wife of Gus YVidmeyer, a farmer of Greene county, this state, and Frank P. of this sketch. The subject of this review spent his boyhood in Clinton county, Indiana, and received his education in the common schools. When seventeen years of age he went to work as a farm hand, later worked as fireman in a flouring mill in Boone county, Indiana, for two years, then came to Springfield, Mis- souri, in 1884, and went into the dairy business with his brother-in-law, J. N. Kern, remaining in this line of endeavor two years. The next two years we find him employed at an electric light plant and in various other posi- tions. Pie also worked at the old Coon Tobacco Works, under George PL McCann, who was president of the concern. Our subject worked here as engineer from 1888 to 1900, in which year he was made chief engineer, and continued in this capacity with the plant until it was absorbed by the Amer- ican Tobacco Company, whereupon he went to the South Side or old Gulf shops, and was assistant engineer here for two years. Pie then went to Cali- fornia, where he remained a year as chief engineer for the Italian-Swiss Wine Company at Kingsburg, that state. Returning to Springfield, Missouri, he took a position as gas and steam fitter with the Springfield Gas Company and worked at this two years, then farmed a year, having previously pur- chased a farm near the Valley Water Mill. He then came back to Spring- field and worked as chief engineer at the Frisco Hospital for two months, then was chief engineer at the Metropolitan Hotel for some time, after which he worked as night engineer in the North Side Frisco shops, remaining there from September, 1905, to May 12, 1910, when he was promoted to chief engineer there, which position he still holds. He has thirty hands under his direction and as in all his former positions is giving entire satisfaction. Mr. Carroll was married in 1890 to Dora Gardner, who was born on the old Phelps farm in Greene county, Missouri. She is a daughter of Allen A. Gardner, of Springfield. She grew up in this county and was edu- cated in the common schools. To our subject and wife four children have been born, namely: Mvrtle is single and lives at home ; Leonard married Mattie Leamon, and he is em- ployed as typewriter repairer at the Gardner Office Supply Company in Springfield; Frank is employed as typewriter repairman at the office of the Underwood Typewriter Company in Springfield ; Paul is attending school. Our subject and wife celebrated their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary on November 5, 1914. They reside on Clay street. Politically Mr. Carroll is a Republican. He belongs to the Christian church. He is a member of the National Order of Stationary Engineers No. 9, the Springfield division. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. I 3 01 JOHN P. MALLEY. The general foreman of the Frisco System boiler shops, John P. Malley, is evidently as well qualified for his position as anyone whom the company could have selected, for his record shows that he has been constantly employed about boiler shops for a period of nearly thirty-five years, or ever since he was a boy, and during- this time he has had vast experience in many different places. He has been a close observer and has learned many new things about his chosen calling in each shop he has been employed, in fact, has left no stone unturned whereby he might improve himself. Mr. Malley is of Irish parentage and has inherited many of the praise- worthy traits of that industrious people. He was born in Laporte, Indiana, September 25, 1862. He is a son of John and Mary (Consendine) Malley, both born in Ireland, where they grew to maturity, received good educations in the common schools, but were married in Indiana. They were yet young when the immigrated to the United States. They established the family home in Laporte, Indiana, where they spent the rest of their lives, both dying there, our subject being a small boy when his father died. The father fol- lowed railroading and for years was roadmaster for the Lake Shore rail- road, also the Michigan Southern railroad, being employed in that capacity by the latter road at the time of his death. To John and Mary Malley three children were born, all living at this writing, namely: John P. of this sketch; William is a tinner by trade and lives in Chicago ; Charles is an engineer and also lives in Chicago. John P. Malley had little opportunity to receive an education, however, he attended the common schools in Indiana, but he is for the most part' self- taught. He was married May 24, 1900, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Mary Glennon, a native of Independence, this state, and a daughter of Patrick Glennon and wife, both natives of Ireland, from which country they immi- grated to America when young. Mr. Glennon was a stone mason by trade. His death occurred in Kansas City, as did also that of his wife. Mrs. Malley grew to womanhood in Jackson county and was educated in the common schools. To our subject and wife one child has been born, Glennon Malley, whose birth occurred May 24, 1904. In 1870 John P. Malley left Laporte, Indiana,, and worked as check clerk in the mammoth mercantile establishment of Marshall Field’s, but not desiring to continue this line of endeavor, he began his apprenticeship to the boiler maker’s trade about a year later, when seventeen years of age, in the plant of McFarland & Company, of Chicago. He remained in the employ of that company for about eight years, during which time he thoroughly r 3°2 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. mastered his trade, then went to Dubuque, Iowa, and worked about a year, then went to St. Paul, Minnesota, where he worked for the Great Northern Railroad in their shops there about two years, then returned to Iowa, and worked in Dubuque for the Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad Company, then went to firing on a locomotive and continued in this work a year and a half, after which he went to Texas, and was foreman at Galveston in the boiler shops of the Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe Railroad from 1891 until 1900, in which year he came to Springfield, Missouri, as general foreman of the boiler shops of the St. Louis & San Francisco Railroad Company, and has since been connected with this shop, having been general foreman of the same since 1910, and is still incumbent of that position, in which he is giving eminent satisfaction in every respect. Politically, Mr. Malley is a Republican, and he belongs to the Catholic church. JOHN R. DRITT. The responsible position which John R. Dritt, freight agent of the Frisco Lines at Springfield, fills while yet a young man, would indicate that places of merit and responsibility are open to those who are capable of filling them no matter what their age or early environment may be. However, our subject had careful preparation, taking sure but definite steps in his chosen field of endeavor from the time he was a boy, having all the while been honest both with himself and his employers. This is, no doubt, the secret of his success. Mr. Dritt was born in Pierce City, Missouri, November 13, 1880. He is a son of A. M. and Nancy Jane (Roark) Dritt. The father was born at Tipton, Missouri. He was engaged in the harness and saddlery business at Pierce City, where his death occurred in 1892, at the early age of thirty- four years. Politically he was a Republican, and religiously he belonged to the Baptist church. The mother of our subject is a daughter of W. B. Roark and wife. The father is engaged in the mercantile business at Aurora, Mis- souri, and in that city Mrs. Dritt is making her home. Three children were born to the parents of our subject, namely: John R., of this sketch; Russie, who married E. W. Cave lives in Chicago, where Mr. Cave is engaged in the automobile business. Wiley M., the third child, who was engaged in mercantile pursuits at Aurora, this state, died at the age of twenty-six years. Joseph Dritt, paternal grandfather of these children, was a prominent citizen of Tipton, Missouri, and was mayor of that town for a number of years. John R. Dritt spent most of his early years at Aurora, where the GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1303 family located when he was young, and there he attended the common and high schools. When sixteen years of age he went to work in that town for the Frisco System. He was messenger boy and did station work. Later he came to Springfield and engaged in the hotel business, clerking for some time in the Central hotel, then went back to Aurora and continued station work for the Frisco, remaining there until 1904, at which time he went to Monroe, Louisiana, and worked for the National Packing Company, re- maining there until in December, 1905, as cashier and auditor. He then came to Springfield as cashier for the Frisco in its freight department. In May, 1907, he was promoted to assistant general agent of the general freight department, and in December, 1911, he was appointed agent of the freight department, which position he now holds, and the duties of which he is dis- charging with his usual fidelity and general satisfaction, and with much credit to himself. He has under his direction seventy-five clerks. Mr. Dritt was married on December 15, 1912, to Edith Smith, a daugh- ter of Earl N. and Lola (Doss) Smith, a well known family of Ash Grove, this county, where Mrs. Dritt grew to womanhood and was educated. To our subject and wife one child has been born, Nancy Jane Dritt, who was born April 27, 1914. Politically Mr. Dritt is a Democrat. He belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and religiously he attends the Baptist church. STEPHEN E. BUTLER. It is no reflection when we say a man is a Hoosier ; on the contrary it is a compliment, if the word is properly understood. All natives of the great state of Indiana are known as Hoosiers, and everyone knows that some of the greatest men of the nation have been born and reared on her soil, in- cluding presidents, vice-presidents, great statesmen, renowned army and navy officers and famous literary men and women. Stephen E. Butler, foreman of the tin shop of the reclamation plant in the South Side Frisco shops, Spring- field, is a Hoosier, although not yet belonging in the class of the mighty just enumerated, however, being yet a young man and possessing those traits that win success, one must necessarily predict for him a future of use- fulness and more than average success. Mr. Butler was born April 23. 1882, in Stark county, Indiana. He is a son of Austin D. Butler, a native of Ohio, and a carpenter by trade. He left his native state when a young man and located in Stark county, Indiana, where he remained until 1888, when he went to Helena, Montana, whither he removed his family the following year, and there his death occurred in 1304 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1897 at the early age of forty-six years. He was a soldier in the Spanish- American war; however, contracting malaria typhoid in the Philippines not long after his enlistment, he was sent back home, having spent about a year in service. He was a member of Company L, First Montana Volunteer Infantry. Upon his recovery from the malaria typhoid he resumed his trade of journeyman carpenter, in which he was exceptionally skilled. As a soldier his comrades say he was brave, faithful and intelligent. His untimely death was by accident, having been drowned in the Missouri river near Stubbs Ferry, where he was working on a dredge. Politically he was a Democrat He belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church. PI is widow, who was known in her maidenhood as Alice Miller, is now the wife of A. J. Lemkie, and they reside in Helena, Montana. Three children were born to her union with Mr. Butler, namely : Stephen E. of this sketch; Ethel married Earl B. Richardson, who is engaged in the retail drug business at Helena; Hazel married Charles H. Coar, super- intendent of the telephone company at Minot, North Dakota. Stephen E. Butler was seven years of age when his parents removed to Helena, Montana, and there he grew to early manhood and received a common school education; however, he left school when only fourteen years of age and began learning the trade of sheet metal worker there, serving a four years’ apprenticeship. He worked with Jacob Rummell about six. years in that city, then went to the Pacific coast and the Northwest, where he spent a year working as a tinsmith, after which he came to Kansas City, Missouri, and worked six months, then returned West and worked in Helena and Virginia City three and one-half years, one year of which time he was in business for himself as tinsmith. In March, 1910, he came to Springfield, Missouri, and worked a year for the Anslinger Sheet Metal Works, then took a position in the North Side Frisco shops in March, 1911, as journey- man tinsmith. On November 1, 1913, he was promoted to foreman tinsmith of the reclamation plant at the South Side shops, which position he still holds, and in this, as in all previous positions he is giving entire satisfaction, for he is not only an exceptionally highly skilled man in his line, but is energetic and understands handling those under him to good advantage. Mr. Butler was married in July, 1907, to Dora Etta Burrell, a daughter of Charles and Mary (Codrey) Burrell, who reside on a farm near Conway, Missouri ; Mrs. Butler grew to womanhood in Lane, Kansas, and received a common school education there and in California, where the family moved after leaving Kansas. To our subject and wife one child has been born, Austin Elmer Butler, born July 18, 1911. Politically Mr. Butler is a Democrat. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church, South. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. I3°5 PERCY J. BATES. Ruskin says that we are always given strength enough and sense enough for what nature intended us to do, and that, whatever we are doing, we cannot be properly fulfilling our earthy mission if we are not happy ourselves. A part of our service to the world is unquestionably cheerfulness, and unless we are happy in our work and in the life we lead among men we are withholding something' that is essential to true serviceableness. Percy J. Bates, rip track foreman at the North Side Frisco shops, Springfield, is a young man who is cheerful in his daily tasks, thus making them much lighter to perform. Mr. Bates was born September 28, 1886, at Essex Junction, Chittenden county, Vermont. He is a son of Job Bates, who was born in Westford, Vermont. He grew up in his native state and attended school there and in his younger days followed farming, later owned and operated a general store at Essex Junction. He was very successful as a business man and became owner of three or four fine farms, which he kept well stocked and highly improved, but keeping them rented, merely looking after them in a general way. He owned a large town house in Essex Junction, where he spent about twenty- five years of his life. He was very fond of good horses and made a specialty of raising them, always owning some fine ones. Politically he was a Republican, and was a road master and selectman, influential and prominent, in his town and county. He was a member of the Congregational church. His death occurred on May 12, 1904, at the age of seventy-five years. His widow, who was known in her maidenhood as Mary Ella Brackett, a daughter of Hiram Brackett, of Amboy, Illinois, is living at Burlington, Vermont; she was born in 1851. Eleven children were born to Job Bates and wife, named as follows: Kizzie married Allen Martin, an attorney of Essex Junction, Vermont ; Julia I. has remained single and lives at home: Charles M. is manager of a hotel at Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania; Marion E.. single, is teaching school in Los Angeles, California; Willis S. is physical director at Southwestern College, Winfield, Kansas; James S. lives at Amarillo, Texas; Jessie E., sin- gle, is teaching in Burlington, Vermont; Percy J., of this sketch; Mary E. is the wife of Dr. John Hunter, of the University of Vermont; Alice B. is a missionary in Labrador, teaching in the Dr. Grenville Mission there; Dorothy S. is single and lives at home. Percy J. Bates grew to manhood in Vermont and there received his education in the common schools, two years in high school, then studied at Kimball L T nion Academy at Meriden, New Hampshire, from which he was graduated in 1904, then in 1905 he came West and entered Fairmount College- 1306 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. at Wichita, Kansas, from which institution he was graduated in 1909. Tak- ing an interest in athletics he played professional base ball in 1909 and 1910 for the Wichita Western League, being right fielder for that team, then played center field for the Arkansas City (Kansas) State League. He en- tered railroad service at Arkansas City with the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Road, in the transportation department, and later worked in the mechan- ical department until May 5, 1912, when he went to Amarillo, Texas, where he worked as time keeper and in the car department of the same road. On January 26, 1914, he entered the service of the Frisco System at Chaffee as piece work checker. On June 1, 1914, he was transferred to Springfield, Missouri, as rip track foreman in the North Side shops, which position he is holding at this writing. He has thirty hands under his direction and is giving his usual satisfaction. Mr. Bates has remained unmarried. Politically he is a Republican, and he belongs to the Congregational church. He is a member of the Masonic Order. WILLIAM F. SMITH. A native of Missouri, but with the blue blood of Kentuckians in his veins, William F. Smith, chief engineer of the Springfield Gas & Power Com- pany, is a young man who has attained a very creditable standing in life as a result of his straightforward and conscientious course. Mr. Smith was born in St. Joseph, Missouri, November 8, 1882. He is a son of Frank and Bernedina (Vanclerstay) Smith. The father was a native of Kentucky, where he spent his earlier years, and from there emi- grated to Missouri. He devoted his active life to the plasterer’s trade, and died in 1892, when only about thirty-six years of age. His wife was a daughter of Frank Vanderstay, a western Missouri citizen. Mrs. Smith is now making her home in Springfield, living with her son, our subject. To Frank Smith and wife five children were born, namely: William F. of this sketch; Walter is deceased; Benjamin is engaged in the grocery business in Kansas City; Joseph is attending school in Pennsylvania; Vincent is an electrical operator in the employ of the Springfield Gas & Electiic Company. Levi Smith, the paternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was a bricklayer by trade. He spent his life in Kentucky and western Missouri, having married in the former state. In later life he removed to Kansas, where he continued to follow his trade. William F. Smith was educated in the common schools of St. Joseph, Missouri, and Atchison, Kansas. When sixteen years of age he went to GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1307 work for a grocery store, delivering goods and clerking, then worked in the power house at Leavenworth as fireman helper, was also oiler in the en- gine room, then became night engineer in the Leavenworth Light, Heat & Power Company, remaining in the employ of the traction company there for eight years. He then worked a few months for the St. Joseph Light, Heat & Power plant at repair work, then went back to Leavenworth and worked in the machine shops, later becoming day chief engineer for the traction com- pany of that city. In September, 1908, he came to Springfield, Missouri, and took a position with the Springfield Gas & Electric Company, working as night engineer from 1908 to 1912, when he was transferred to day engineer, and on August 12th of that year, he was placed in charge of the company’s power house, located at Main street and Phelps avenue, and has since been chief engineer of the power house, and is discharging his duties with his usual success and satisfaction. He has had as many as twenty-five men under his direction since taking this important position, and at present he is assisted by ten men. He is an expert in his line and is well read on every detail. Mr. Smith was married in November, 1913, to Florence Pile, a daugh- ter of Jonah Pile and wife, of Springfield. The untimely death of Mrs. Smith occurred on December 23, 1914, leaving one child, Arthur Smith, who was born on November 9, 1914. Politically Mr. Smith is a Republican. He is a member of the Catholic church, and he belongs to the Improved Order of Red Men and the National Association of Steam Engineers. GEORGE COOPER. Memoirs dealing with enterprising men, especially good men, are very often of inestimable benefit to others, having a tendency to point the way to the goal of worthy things. The examples they furnish of steadfast endeavor and patient integrity forcibly illustrate what is in the power of each individual to accomplish when they have courage and right principles to control their course of action. Some men belong to no exclusive class in life; apparently Insurmountable obstacles have in many instances awakened their dormant faculties and served as a stimulus to carry them to ultimate renown. The instances in the face of adverse fate would seem almost to justify the con- clusion that self-reliance, with a half chance, can accomplish any reasonable object. The late George Cooper, a well-known business man and enterprising citizen of Springfield during the past generation, was a man who lived to good purpose and achieved greater success than that which falls to the lot of the average individual. By a straightforward and commendable course, GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. I3°8 he made his way from a none too favorable early environment to a respect- able position in the industrial world, winning the hearty admiration of the people of his adopted city and earning a reputation as an enterprising, pro- gressive man of affairs and a broad-minded, upright citizen which the public was not slow to recognize and appreciate, and there is much in his life record which could be studied with profit by the young man starting out into what we are prone to allude to as the battle of life. Mr. Cooper was a representative of a sterling old English family, whose genealogy traced back to ancient days; he first saw the light of day under England's skies on December 5, 1863, at Leicester. Ele was a son of Henry and Mary (Richardson) Cooper, both natives of England also, where they grew to maturity, were educated, married and established their home, resid- ing there until in 1872, when they immigrated with their children to the United States, landing in New York City. From there they came direct to Missouri and established the future home of the family in Wilson township, Greene county, where the father secured a farm and became one of the enterprising general agriculturists of his locality, and is now living in retirement on a small farm in that township, where he bears an excellent reputation. Upon taking up his residence in the Republic of the West he made a careful study of the political situation in this country, and cast his lot with the Democrats, He has served as a member of the school board in his district. He is a mem- ber of the Episcopal church. His father, William Cooper, was born and reared in England, and there spent his life. He was a man of rare business ability and was for many years regarded as one of the foremost and wealthiest citizens of the city of Leicester, in the upbuilding of which he cook much interest ; one of his principal benefactions was the building of a handsome Episcopal church there, he being the principal contributor, and he was long an active member of that denomination. He retained the coat-of- arms of his ancestors, the older Coopers having been a prominent family in that part of England. Henry Cooper was twice married, his first wife, mother of the sub- ject of this biographical memoir, passing away in 1874, leaving two sons, namely : Harry, a well-known business man of Springfield, a complete sketch of whom will be found on another page of this work, and George of this review. Elizabeth Jackson became Henry Cooper’s second wife, and to this last union one son was born, Frederick Cooper, who is now engaged in the plumbing business in Springfield. George Cooper spent his early boyhood in England, being nine years of age when his parents sailed with him to America in 1872. He grew to man- hood on his father’s farm in this county and assisted with the general work during the crop seasons, attending the public schools during the winter, continuing to farm on the homestead until he was about twenty years of age. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1309 •then decided on a business career and went to Springfield, where he was employed as clerk in Sutter & Bryan’s grocery store for a short time, then began learning the plumber’s trade, in which he became an expert, and fol- lowed this until 1887, when he formed a partnership with his brother, Harry Cooper, establishing' a plumbing business of their own at 412 South street, later moved to 414 that street, then to 402 the same street, the last location being now the site of the Bank of Commerce. They were successful from the start and their gradually increasing business compelled them to seek larger quarters from time to time. They did not only have an excellent practical knowledge of the plumbing business, but they each proved to be men of exceptional executive ability. They continued in this line of endeavor with ever-increasing success until 1908. During that period of twenty-one years the Coopers became widely known throughout the Southwest in their line of endeavor, and turned out some of the finest work and some of the largest contracts in the state of Missouri, including the plumbing for the Missouri state building at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in 1903, at St. Louis. They maintained a large, up-to-date and well equipped establishment and kept a large number of skilled artisans constantly employed. Having accumulated a comfortable competency, George Cooper lived a retired life from 1908 until his death. He had long desired to visit his native land, particularly his boyhood home at Leicester, so he and his brother Harry sailed for England, February 9, 1910. After spending some time at the old home they made extensive tours about the British Isles and were preparing for their return trip to America when our subject was suddenly stricken with illness and a few days later was summoned to his eternal rest, on April 9, 1910. His body was brought back to Springfield for burial. Mr. Cooper was married in 1891 to Grace Iveet Smith, who was born in Keetsville, Barry county, Missouri, November 3, 1866. and she received a. good education in the high schools of Springfield. She is a daughter of Dr. John R. and Frances R. (Keet) Smith, a prominent family of Springfield, a complete sketch of whom will be found on another page of this volume. Mrs. Cooper has long been a favorite with a wide circle of friends, and she and her children belong to the Episcopal church. Mrs. Cooper is living quietly in her beautiful home on Cherrv street, with her two winsome daughters, Mary Ruth, born October 30, 1892, and Elizabeth Fearn, born May 31, 1894, who are receiving excellent educational advantages. Politically Mr. Cooper was a Democrat, but being a quiet, unassuming business and home man, he never sought public office. Fraternallv he be- longed to the Royal Arcanum lodge, and was an active member of the Episcopal church, in which he was a vestn man for twenty-six years. He was held in the hig'hest esteem by all who knew him. I 3 I ° GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. IRA CARL BON. It has been by close application and persistent, honest work that Ira Carl Bon, general foreman of the reclamation department of the South Side Frisco shops, has risen from a machinist’s apprentice to his present responsi- ble position, and not by the influence of friends or the inscrutable working of fate. He is a man of personal worth and popularity and enjoys the con- fidence of all with whom he comes in contact. He is enterprising and pro- gressive by both word and example and seeks to infuse that spirit into those with whom he is associated. Mr. Bon was born May 3, 1876, at Centerville, Iowa. He is a son of George Bon, who was a native of New York, from which state he came to the Middle West when a young man and entered railroad service, and is at this writing coach inspector at Centerville, Iowa, for the Chicago, Bur- lington & Quincy Railroad Company, having been employed by this road for a period of thirty-three years. He helped build the shops of this com- pany at Centerville and has remained there ever since. He is sixty-seven years old. He has charge of the superintendent’s office and the depot. He is a member of the Christian church and is a thirty-second degree Mason, and belongs to the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; also belongs to the Woodmen of America and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. His wife was known in her maidenhood as Eva Swearengin; she is fifty-five years old. Their only child is the subject of this sketch. I. Carl Bon’s grandfather was Henry Bon, a native of Germany, from which country he immigrated to America when a young man. He was a cigarmaker by trade, and later in life became a railroad contractor, and was for years a builder and contractor in the state of New York and in Iowa, maintaining his home for some time at Centerville. The subject of this sketch grew to manhood at Centerville, Iowa, and there attended the common schools until he was sixteen years old, when he began serving his apprenticeship as machinist in the shops of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad at that place, remaining there from 1898 to 1905, then worked for the Wheeling & Lake Erie railroad at Canton, Ohio, as storekeeper in the supply department, from 1906 to 1910. In 1910 he went in business for himself, as agent for several standard makes of au- tomobiles. He continued in this field with success until 1914, in March of which year he secured employment with the Frisco Lines at Springfield as general foreman in the reclamation department, and he is discharging the duties of this responsible position in a manner that reflects much credit upon himself and to the eminent satisfaction of all concerned. He has under his direction three hundred and fifty men. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. I 3 1 1 Politically, Mr. Bon is an independent voter. Fraternally, he belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Ancient Free and Ac- cepted Masons, and is a member of the Christian church. He was married in 1908 to Alice Harvey, a daughter of William E. and Mary M. (Streepy) Harvey, of Centerville, Iowa, in which city she grew to womanhood and was educated. She is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, her grandfather having been a soldier in that war. To our subject and wife one child, Maxine Bon, has been born, whose birth occurred June 20, 1910. WILLIAM P. POWELL. A gentleman of warm, sympathetic impulses, liberal and generous, Will- iam P. Powell, assistant foreman of the reclamation department of the South Side Frisco shops, Springfield, is a young man' whom everyone, who has ever known him personally, likes and speaks well of. His manners are easy in social intercourse, with high conceptions of morality and honest, fraternal living. All these commendable traits, together with the fact that he has achieved such notable success in his field of endeavor at such an early age would augur for him a bright future in railroad service. Mr. Powell was born at Saint Mary’s, Sainte Genevieve county, Missouri, October 10, 1884. He is a son of Elisha T. Powell and a grandson of Will- iam Powell, a large tobacco grower of Kentucky in the early days. The father of our subject was born at Henderson, Kentucky, where he grew up, attended school and spent his life, engaged in raising tobacco of a high grade and on an extensive scale. Later in life he removed to Sainte Genevieve county, Missouri, and established the family home. For some time he op- erated a cooperage business at Jackson, this state. The latter years of his life were spent in retirement at De Soto, this state, where he died at the age of fifty-seven years, and was buried there. Politically, he was a Democrat and he belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church. The mother of the sub- ject of this sketch was known in her maidenhood as Della Van Winkle, and she was born at Jefferson City, Missouri, where she grew up and was edu- cated, and she is now making her home in Springfield and is fifty years old. To these parents only two children were born, a daughter dying in infancy, and William P., of this sketch. Our subject received his education in the common and high schools at De Soto, Missouri. After leaving school he went to Texas and became a clerk in the postoffice at the town of Brownwood, having taken the civil l 3 12 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. service examination for the same. Later he was for one year in the United States mail service in that state. He then came to Springfield, Missouri, in 1902, and took a position as helper in the blacksmith shops of the Frisco railroad, in the North Side shops, under John French, who was foreman there for eighteen months. Our subject then went with the United Iron Works in this city as blacksmith helper, where he remained nine months, then took a position in the Schmook Machine Foundry Company here as blacksmith, later taking a position in the South Side Frisco shops as blacksmith helper, but returned to the Schmook foundry as blacksmith, then came to the South Side Frisco shops as blacksmith, in 1913, and for some time he has been assistant foreman of the blacksmith shop in the reclamation department of these shops, and has given his usual high-grade service and satisfaction. Mr. Powell has remained single. Politically, he is a Democrat. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, the Knights of Pythias and the International Brotherhood of Blacksmith Helpers. Religiously, he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. WILLIAM WESLEY SKELLEY. The time has arrived when intensive and diversified farming is neces- sary tor conditions have changed since the former generation. We must now look more to soil fertility, grow better and more livestock, each farmer must do more work himself and hire less. The farmers and editors and statesmen who at one time insisted that American intelligence, Yankee thrift and ingenuitv needed no protection have come to discover something differ- ent. In the language of the late Grover Cleveland, “It is a condition which confronts us — not a theory." One of the intelligent young farmers of Franklin township, Greene county, who realizes that he must employ differ- ent methods in his vocation to those employed a quarter or a half century ago is William Wesley Skelley, and he is therefore making a success in his chosen work. Mr. Skelley was horn September 17, 1876, in Cumberland county, Penn- sylvania. He is a son of Theodore A. and Mary Elizabeth (Smith) Skelley. The father was born in the same county and state as our subject, April 30, 1840, and there also occurred the birth of the mother of our subject. They grew to maturity in their native locality, were educated in the schools of the earlv days and married there and established the family home. Theo- dore A. Skelley devoted his active life to farming and was also a wagon maker by trade which he followed in his native state, working for some time in the railroad shops at Altoona, Pennsylvania, in fact, followed his trade for SCENES ON THE FARM OF WILLIAM W. SIvELLEY. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. I 3 I 3 .a period of eighteen years. He was highly skilled and always found ready employment. He removed with his family to Greene county, Missouri, in 1884, when our subject was eight years old, and here he purchased a farm of •one hundred and seventy acres in Franklin township, known as the “Cedar Bluff Farm." It was weil improved and had a good group of buildings on it. Here he carried on general farming successfully, being a hard worker and a good manager, and was highly respected by his neighbors, being a good man in every sense of the word. He was a member of the Methodist church at New Salem in which he was steward for several years. During the Civil war he enlisted in Company G, Two Hundred and Second Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, at Harrisburg, that state, August 20, 1864, and served in .a faithful manner until the close of the war, being mustered out as corporal, August 3, 1865, at Harrisburg, and was honorably discharged. He was in the army of the Potomac, but did mostly guard duty and was not in any of the great battles, but was in several skirmishes, his principal work was in guarding railroads in Virginia. Previous to his enlistment he had been in the employ of the government as mechanic, teamster, etc. The death of Theodore A. Skelley occurred on his farm in Greene county, October 3, 1912, at the age of seventy years. His widow survives and remains on the homestead. To these parents five children were born, named as follows : Edward lives in Atchison, Kansas; Etta is deceased; Mrs. Ada Stokes, wife of George J. Stokes, lives at Ebenezer, Greene county ; William W. of this review; Mrs. Mollie Hall, wife of Jesse R. Hall, lives near Gladville, Greene county. The early boyhood of William W. Skelley was spent in Pennsylvania, but he grew to manhood on the home farm in Greene county where he worked during the summer months and in the winter time attended the common schools. He has remained on the home farm, which he is still operating in a highly successful manner, raising much grain and large numbers of live- stock annually. Mr. Skelley was married December 24, 1902, to Lenora Stokes, who was born December 27, 1882, a daughter of Thomas Layson Stokes and Martha Ann (Vaughn) Stokes, the former a native of Greene county and the latter of Tennessee. He was born February 2, 1836, and died in 1898, .and she was born March 22, 1838, and died March 1, 1889. Mrs. Stokes came to Greene county when a child with her parents and here she spent the rest of her life. Mr. Stokes spent his life engaged in blacksmithing and general farming on the homestead in Franklin township, just west of the Skelley farm; however, .he removed to Willard ten years prior to his death, where he maintained a blacksmith shop, having learned the trade when young. He also followed his trade in connection with farming in Franklin township. He was regarded as one of the best blacksmiths in the countv (83) 1 3H GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. and many of his customers came from long: distances. Fraternally, he be- longed to the Masonic order at Ebenezer. Politically, he was a Republican. To Thomas Stokes and wife thirteen children were born, namely: Mary is deceased; Mrs. Sarah Frances Roan; Gatley is deceased; Cordelia is de- ceased; Jasen H. is deceased; John R. lives at Pearl, Greene county; George lives at Ebenezer; Mrs. Dona Dysert lives at Hickory Barrens, this county;: Charles lives in California; Mrs. Lotty Skelley lives in Atchison, Kansas; Lucy is deceased ; Mrs. Lorettie Chisler is deceased ; Otter son is deceased, and Lenora, wife of our subject, who was six years old when her mother died. Mrs. Skelley grew to womanhood in Greene county and was educated in the public schools. She has borne her husband four children, Lee, born November I, 1903; Helen, born May 24, 1905; Loyd, born November 20, 1909, and Anna, born April 11, 1908, died August 6, 1909. Politically, Mr. Skelley is a Democrat, and he and his wife are members of the Methodist church at New Salem, and they are both well liked through- out the community. CHARLES R. BUSCH. From the life record of Charles R. Busch many useful lessons may be gleaned by the youth starting out on the road to success in railroad service, for he has been a man who believed in the wise saying of an old philosopher, “Lose no time in getting off the wrong road as soon as you discover that you are traveling it.” Fie has been an advocate of progress in all phases of life, progress at any sacrifice, and, this being a fact, he has achieved a some- what unusual degree of success for so young a man, but he began early to advance himself in his chosen arena of endeavor and has left no stone un- turned whereby he might do so, and the future for him is redolent with promise. Mr. Busch, who is chief clerk of the reclamation plant of the South Side Frisco shops, Springfield, was born in this city January 29, 1892. He is a son of Charles J. Busch, who was born near the River Rhine, in Ger- many, and who was brought to America by his parents when he was four years of age, and was educated at Litchfield, Illinois, in both German and English, receiving a fine education, although he left school when seventeen years of age. He soon became foreman for his father in the Litchfield Car and Foundry Company, holding this position for four years, when he went to Quincy, Illinois, as machinist for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad and worked there a year. He located in Springfield in 1877 and began working as machinist in the Frisco North Side shops, being pro- moted to machinist foreman there in 1889, which position he filled until GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 13 1 5 1899, and in that year was promoted to general foreman, which position he held until his death, on February 7, 1913, at the age of fifty-five years. Politically, he was a Democrat and was prominent in the affairs of his party. He was county committeeman of Greene county for a period of twenty years and was a member of the city council. He did much for the general welfare of Springfield and was one of the city’s most valuable and influential citizens for some two decades. Fraternally, he was a member of the Knights and Ladies of Security, the Modem Woodmen of America, a charter member of the Improved Order of Red Men, and also belonged to the Knights of Columbus. Fie was a member of the Catholic church. He belonged to the Germania Hall German Society, and was one of the most influential Teutons of Springfield. I11 1876 Charles j. Busch married Cath- erine Holland, a daughter of Charles M. and Annie M. Holland. She was reared and educated in Cincinnati, Ohio. Her father was at one time a to- bacco planter and lived at Cincinnati many years. She was educated in a convent. She is now living with her son, our subject, and is now fifty-one years of age. Five children were born to Charles J. Busch and wife, namely: Lena died in infancy; Edna married J. J. O'Dowd, chief clerk to the president of the Southern Pacific railroad, and he lives at Tucson, Arizona; Charles R. of this review; Julions is deceased; and Leo, who is attending school at this writing. The paternal grandfather of our subject was also named Charles J. Busch, and he was a native of Germany, and a coffin maker by trade. He grew up in the Fatherland and there received his education and learned his trade, remaining there until he was about twenty-three years of age when he immigrated to America and located in Buffalo, New York, where he re- mained two years working as a cabinet maker, then went to Litchfield, Illi- nois, where he opened up the Litchfield Car and Foundry Company, which concern made all the equipment for all railroads west of Chicago for some time. Fie remained thus successfully engaged until 1895, at which time the foundry was sold to the American Car and Foundry Company, when he re- signed and retired from active life. He was general manager of the con- cern which he founded, and through his exceptional business acumen and industry it grew to very large proportions and made him wealthy. He was the largest stockholder in the company. He is still living, being eighty-five years of age, and makes his home in Litchfield, Illinois. He started in busi- ness in this country on a small scale, manufacturing wheelbarrows and other small conveyances, and gradually, but surely, he became one of the leading and well known manufacturers of the Middle West, and solely by his own efforts forged ahead from an humble beginning to a man of wealth and in- fluence in the manufacturing world. He is a Scottish Rite Mason. i3 l6 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. Charles R. Busch was educated in the public and high schools and St. Joseph’s Catholic school. Thus well equipped for his life work, he began his railroad career in 1909 as stock clerk in the stock room of the Frisco’s North Side shops, Springfield, where he remained until October 13, 1910, when he took a trip to Tucson, Arizona, with his brother-in-law, J. J. O'Dowd, the latter having lost his health and believing that the climate of the Southwest would benefit him. Our subject accepted a position with the general manager of the Mountain States Telegraph Company as private secretary, but three months later the company sold out to the Bell Tele- phone Company. He then entered the service of the Arizona & Eastern railroad and the Southern Pacific Railroad of Mexico as accountant, with offices at Tucson. He remained there until January, 1912, when he was promoted to the position of traveling accountant, covering all the western lines of these companies. While at Tucson he studied at the University of Arizona, taking up law and economics, studying at night. On September 1, 1913, he came to Springfield, Missouri, on account of the illness of his father, and here secured a position as foreman at the North Side Frisco shops in the general store department ; then was promoted to accountant at the general stores; then became assistant chief clerk to A. H. Young, Sep- tember 24, 1913 resigning and accepting a position as foreman of the reclamation plant, and on October 24, 1913, was promoted to chief clerk of this department in the South Side shops, under R. F. Whalen, which po- sition he is holding at this writing, the duties of which he is discharging in his usual high grade and faithful manner. In 1912 Mr. Busch was detailed by certain American interests to col- lect various data and information concerning varied enterprises in the states of Sonora, Cinaloa and the territory of Tepic, Mexico, he made a trip in a motor car over a vast part of the southern republic, and, being a man of keen observation and quick perceptive faculties, secured the information de- sired in a short time, and while there saw something of the great revolu- tion, and upon his return to Arizona wrote a graphic, interesting and val- uable article on his trip, telling of his varied experiences, the manners and customs of the natives, the resources of the countries he visited, and touched upon such other points in a manner that would have been a credit to a trained and experienced man of letters. Mr. Busch has remained unmarried. Politically, he is a Democrat. He is a member of the Delta Omikron Omikron. Fraternally, he belongs to the Knights and Ladies of Security and the Loyal Order of Moose. He is a member of the Catholic church. Personally, he is popular rvith all who know him owing to his genial and obliging manners and genuine worth which the stranger at once perceives upon meeting him. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. I 3 I 7 JAMES M. BROWN. The name James M. Brown does not sound very Irish-like, neither does the bearer of this plain old cognomen possess many of the outward characteristics of the Celtic people, but it is evident that he has inherited many of the praiseworthy traits of his ancestors, which have resulted in his success in his chosen field of endeavor and in his popularity among his associates. For we all know that there is no better blood in this country than Irish blood. Our subject is filling the responsible position of master mechanic at the Springfield Gas and Power Company. Such positions are not attained without careful preparation. Mr. Brown was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, May 28, 1864. He is a son of John and Mary (Perry) Brown, the latter dying in 1910 at the age of seventy years. The father was born in County Cork, Ireland, where he spent his boyhood, immigrating to the United States when he was about nineteen years of age, and located in Tennessee, where he became a railroad contractor, making his home at Greenville, Greene county, that state, where his death occurred at the early age of forty-eight years, in 1894, and he was buried at Quaker Knob, Greene county. As a contractor he built rail- roads in eastern Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia. His family consisted of six children, namely : William M. is an engineer for a railroad company, operating coal mines in North Carolina; Thomas, formerly a stationary en- gineer, lives at Little Rock, Arkansas ; Daniel is engaged in farming in Texas; James M., subject of this sketch; Mary, a trained nurse, resides at Morristown, Tennessee; Sallie is married and also resides at Morristown, Tennessee. James M. Brown received his education in the public schools, but left his text-books when only twelve years of age to go to work in a saw mill at Bull’s Gap, Tennessee, where his duties were to keep the sawdust thrown back out of the way and to pull the whistle three times a day, considering the latter privilege an honor. He was later fireman at the mill, receiving a dollar and fifty cents per day, after he had been working only six months at the plant. He held this position for two years, and, being a close ob- server and a willing worker, became a full-fledged engineer before he was he worked on a farm two years ; then worked in a water mill on Clear fifteen years of age. He then went to McDonald county, Missouri, where creek, hauling flour from the mill for one year; then came to Ash Grove, Greene county, about 1880, securing a position with the Likins Milling Company, and helped erect a plant there, of which, when it was finished, he was engaged as engineer, which position he filled until 1895, then came to Springfield and was employed by the Springfield Electric Light Company, later the Springfield Traction Company, as engineer, and three months later 1318 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. was appointed chief engineer, continuing in this position until 1913. The work became too heavy and he then took a position as repair man, and is now master mechanic at the Springfield Gas and Power Company, in whose service he has been employed for a period of twenty years. He has given ■eminent satisfaction in every respect, being not only an expert engineer and mechanic, but is faithful, reliable and trustworthy. Mr. Brown was married on October 28, 1890, to Annie E. Sanford, of Walnut Grove, Missouri. She is a daughter of Robert C. and Mary (Holder) Sanford, do this union two children have been born, namely: Millard F., who was educated in the Springfield ward and high schools, is single, and he has been employed in the main office of the Frisco railroad for five years; Sanford, who was educated in the high school, Drury Col- lege and a local business college, is connected with the Heer Dry Goods Company, of Springfield. Mr. Brown owns a pleasant home on North Main street. Politically, he is a Republican, and, religiously, a Presbyterian. He is a member of the National Association of Steam Engineers, of which he was formerly secretary. Fraternally, he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America .and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. EDWARD FARMER. To the person who closely applies himself to any occupation which he has chosen as his calling in life, there can only come one result, that of suc- cess and a high place in the esteem of those among whom his lot has been cast. Edward Farmer, chief engineer of the state Pythian home at Spring- field, is no exception to this rule, and he has also during his residence here of nearly forty years manifested much interest in the city and county where he located his permanent home, taking a just pride in their general devel- opment. Mr. Farmer was born at Belsfield, Prince Georges county, Maryland, January 26, 1861. He is a son of Alfred and Susanna (Dugan) Farmer, the mother a native of the same county and state as our subject, where she grew to womanhood, attended school and was married. She lived in a number of states until she removed with her family to Springfield, Missouri, where she spent the rest of her life, dying here in 1898, at the age of sev- enty-two years, and was buried in Maple Park cemetery. The father of our subject was born in England, where he spent his earlier years and at- tended school, immigrating to the United States in 1840, landing in New York City. He had learned the bricklayer’s trade in the old country, which GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1319 Jie followed as his chief life work. However, he was a deep sea sailor for ten years. After leaving the seafaring life he located in Maryland, where he married, after which he resumed his trade of bricklayer, which he con- tinued to follow the rest of his life, eventually developing into a contractor and builder, his work taking him practically all over the state of Maryland, and he became well known and successful in his vocation. Upon the break- ing out of the Civil war he went to the state of New York, locating in Onondaga county, continuing his occupation until he joined a large colony -of New Yorkers in 1871 and went to the state of Kansas, where he re- mained three years. They were on their way to Florida when his death •occurred in Carrollton, Arkansas, in 1875, at the age of forty-six years. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows before the Civil war, and he belonged to the Methodist church. To Alfred Farmer and wife six children were born, namely: Albert met an accidental death in Oklahoma a number of years ago; Edward of this sketch ; George, who was engaged in business in Kansas City, is de- ceased; Frank is a landscape gardener and lives in California; Ellen, who lives in Baltimore, Maryland, is the wife of Frank Chappell, a railroad man; John died in infancy. Edward Farmer received a limited education in the common schools, and when only twelve years of age he went to work helping his father as mortar mixer, which he continued two years. In 1876 he removed with his mother and the rest of the family to Springfield, Missouri, and went to work running a picking machine in a cotton mill, in which he remained three years, where he was also employed as fireman and engineer. Then he went to the Queen City mills as engineer in 1882, and later became chief en- gineer of the Meyer Milling Company, with which he remained over thirty- two years, having charge of both Model and Queen City flouring mills. He became an expert in his line and was a very faithful and trustworthy -engineer, as may be surmised from his long employment here. He had four men under his direction most of the time, and during his long service there he saw many changes made in employees and also in the methods of operating the mills, many of these changes having been made at his sug- gestion. He left this concern in September, 1914, the work having become too heavy for his advanced years, and accepted the position he now holds, that of chief engineer at the Pythian Home, where he is residing, although ■owning two good residences in Springfield. Mr. Farmer was married in 1887 to Pauline Dyer, a member of an ■old Springfield family and a sister of Fillman Dyer, a retired veteran of the Civil war. Here Mrs. Farmer grew to womanhood and spent her life, •dying in October, 1907, and is buried in Maple Park cemetery. To our subject and wife two children were born, namely: Eva has remained sin- I 3 2 ° GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. gle and is keeping house for her father; Nicholas is a Frisco clerk in the general offices at St. Louis. Mr. Farmer is an independent voter. He belonged to the National As- sociation of Stationary Engineers, and for seventeen years he has been a member of the Knights of Pythias. ALBERT L. SCHOEIELD. The Hoosier state has produced a very large percentage of the nation’s, capable men. many of whom have distinguished themselves as statesmen, generals, authors and scientists. This state has furnished to the West and Middle West a myriad horde of capable men who have been of material assistance in furthering our civilization. They have established schools, churches and various kinds of industries and have proven to be valuable citizens wherever they have dispersed. Albert L. Schofield, foreman of the coach department in the South Side Frisco shops, Springfield, is one of this number, and he seems to have many of the commendable characteristics of the native Hoosier. Mr. Schofield was born at Cochran, Dearborn county, Indiana, May 22 , 1 8 72. He is a son of Thomas Schofield, who was born in England, in which country he grew to manhood and received his education. When twenty-one years of age he immigrated to the United States, where he has since made his home, settling in Cochran, Indiana, where he began work- ing for the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad Company, in 1863. He came to Springfield, Missouri, in 1889, and secured employment with the St. Louis & San Francisco Railroad Company, remaining in the coach department as carpenter from that time until in 1912, when he was retired on a pension by the company. He was a skilled mechanic and one of the most faithful employees of the local shops. He is living at 1065 Commercial street, being now in his seventy-second year. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, . and belongs to the Second Presbyterian church. He was the father of three- daughters and two sons, namely : Lillie married Harry Fenton, a cabinet maker in the new Frisco shops, Springfield; Emma married Clarence War- ner, a fireman on the “high line” division of the Frisco, between Spring- field and Kansas City; Albert L., of this sketch; Agnes is deceased; Earl is a clerk in the Frisco offices, Springfield, in the master car builder’s de- partment. Albert L. Schofield attended the common schools in his native town: until he was fifteen years old, when he gave up educational pursuits to be- gin his career as railroader, for which he had a natural bent. He began GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1321 working in the coach department of the Ohio & Mississippi railroad, where- he remained a year, then came to Springfield, Missouri, and continued his apprenticeship in the coach department of the Frisco shops, also learned body work, beginning his apprenticeship in 1889, remaining in the North Side shops until 1909, a period of twenty years, then was sent to the new shops here, where he worked as journeyman until 1912, being -appointed foreman in November of that year. He remained there until July 10, 1914, when he went on the road as traveling passenger car inspector. On October 1, 1914, he was placed in the South Side shops as foreman of the coach department, which position he now holds, having charge of about sixty men on an average. In all the various positions he has been placed he has never been found wanting, always capable and trustworthy, he has given entire satisfaction. Mr. Schofield was married June 26, 1895, in Springfield, to Emma R. Rathbone, a daughter of Barney and Rush (Woods) Rathbone, an old Springfield family, where Mrs. Schofield grew to womanhood and received her education. The union of our subject and wife has been without issue. Politically, Mr. Schofield is an independent voter. Fraternally, he be- longs to the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America. Mrs. Schofield is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. ISAAC PRICE. One of the oldest employees of the St. Louis & San Francisco Railroad Company is Isaac Price, foreman of the paint department in the South Side shops, Springfield. It is a significant fact that he has been continuously on the payroll of this company for a period of forty-five years. That would indicate that he is a man of unusual skill, industry and faithfulness. Al- though but a small boy during the great war between the states, he desired to do what he could for his country, and, not hardy enough to carry a heavy musket and other accoutrements of a regular field soldier, he served as bugler for the artillery. Mr. Price was born at Pelham, Grundy county, Tennessee, September 17, 1846. He is a son of William and Matilda (Meeks) Price, both na- tives of Tennessee, where they grew to maturity, attended the old-time schools and were married, establishing their home at Pelham. The father was a blacksmith by trade. Taking a part in public affairs, he was elected sheriff of Grundy county, his native state, and served in that office for many' years. Later he removed to Rockport, Arkansas, where he followed blacksmithing for a short time, and there his death occurred in 1861, when I 3-2 G KEENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. •only thirty years of age. and he was buried at that place. His widow sub- sequently came to Missouri, and died at Pacific in July, 1914, at the ad- vanced age of eighty-seven years, having survived her husband over a half century. To William Price and wife six children were born, three sons and three daughters, namely : George, now deceased, was a locomotive engineer on the Frisco; William, who resides in Springfield, is a Frisco en- gineer; Mary married Charles Hacker, deceased, who was a car repairer in St. Louis; Bettie, deceased, was the wife of John McGoan, also deceased; Isaac of this sketch, and one who died in infancy. John Price, paternal grandfather of these children, was a millwright by trade and lived at Pel- ham, Tennessee. Isaac Price spent his boyhood in his native community and there re- ceived a limited education in the common schools, also attended school at Rockport, Arkansas, for a while, but left school at a tender age, went to St. Louis and enlisted in the Federal service, in 1863, as bugler, in Com- pany M, Second Missouri Light Artillery, with which he remained until the close of the war in 1865, seeing considerable active service, and after the war he also served in the army of the West against the hostile Indians. He was honorably discharged and mustered out in St. Louis, December 29, 1865. After his career in the army he followed the carpenter’s trade about a year, then, in 1867, began learning the painter’s trade in the Mis- souri Pacific railroad shops at St. Louis, under a Mr. Langley. Remaining with that road until 1870 he began work at Pacific, Missouri, for the Frisco road, as car painter. Remaining there until this road opened shops in Springfield, now known as the North Side shops, he was sent here and worked as a painter foreman until July, 1909, in which year he was trans- ferred to the new shops as foreman painter. He worked there until April 15, 1914, when he was sent to the South Side shops as painter foreman, which position he occupies at this writing. Mr. Price owns a small farm of thirty-five acres in Greene county and a good residence on the National Boulevard, Springfield. He was married in 1872 to Margaret Maugan, a daughter of Thomas and Mary Maugan, and to their union the following children were born, namely : Thomas, a sign painter in Springfield, is in business for himself ; William is chief of the Springfield fire department; Annie married Connie Jones, who has long been in the employ of the Springfield Traction Company; Laura is single and lives at home; Nellie married William Burks, a conductor on the New Orleans, Texas & Mexico railroad, and they live in Kingsville, Texas. John died in infancy. Politically, Mr. Price is a Democrat. He belongs to the North Side post of the Grand Army of the Republic. He holds membership in the Im- proved Order of Red Men, and his family belongs to the Catholic church. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. I3 2 3 WALTER CONSTANCE. Railroad service in some form has^a fascination for a very large num- ber of men, and when they once enter it, whether it be on the road or in the shops, they seldom give it up unless compelled by various circumstances to do so. It is well that this is so, for when we come to think of it a vast ..army is needed to keep necessary transportation lines of the world in suc- cessful operation, and it has been said that one of the chief differences be- tween civilization and barbarism is in modes of transportation. To the con- templative mind this statement is not so far fetched as it might at first ap- pear. Walter Constance, foreman of the blacksmith department of the reclamation plant in the South Side Frisco shops, is one who, although well qualified by both nature and education to follow other lines of human en- deavor, selected railroad service. Mr. Constance was born on December 7, 1877, at High Hill, Mont- gomery county, Missouri. He is a son of William and Josephine (Flor- ence) Constance, the father a native of England and the mother of High- land county, Ohio. William Constance grew to manhood in his native land and there received his education, immigrating to the United States when twenty-two years of age, finally located his permanent home on a farm in Montgomery county, Missouri, where he is still living and is actively en- gaged in his vocation, although sixty-seven years old. He served his county four years as county assessor. He is a Republican in politics. His wife grew up in Ohio and received a common school education, and she came West when young. She is now seventy-seven years of age. To these par- ents five children have been born, namely : Edward, who is a civil engineer, now in the employ of the United States government, lives in St. Louis; Walter, subject of this sketch; the next two children died in infancy un- named; Florence married Owen Palmer, a farmer at High Hill, Missouri. Walter Constance grew up in his native county on the home farm, where he assisted with the general work during crop seasons, and during the winter he attended the local schools there. First deciding to enter the educa- tional arena as teacher, he entered the state normal school at Kirksville. Upon leaving that institution, he taught two years in AYarren county and one year in Montgomery county, this state, with success, but, not liking the work as he had anticipated, he went to Topeka, Kansas in 1898, and entered upon his railroad career, securing employment with the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe railroad. He worked there three years as helper and blacksmith, then came to Springfield, Missouri, and continued his trade in the North Side Frisco shops for a period of eight years, then was transferred to the same department in the new shops when they were opened in 1909, remaining in 1324 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. the blacksmith department at his old trade until 1913. when he was changed to the reclamation department of the South Side shops, October 20, 1913, as foreman of the blacksmith department, which responsible position he still holds, having a number of men under his direction. He has long been re- garded as an expert in his line and has been in the service of the Frisco for fourteen years. Mr. Constance was married in 1897 1 ° Viola McClure, a daughter of John and Sarah (Gosney) McClure, of Clark county, Missouri; to this union four children were born, namely : Grace, a junior, and Rae, a freshman, in the Springfield high school at this writing; Mary is deceased, and Margaret is attending ward school. Politically, Mr. Constance votes independently. The family attends the Congregational church. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica, and for a period of eleven years was a member of the Blacksmiths' Union. JEROME A. HOUSTON. It was fifty years ago that Jerome A. Houston, foreman of the air department at the reclamation plant of the Frisco’s South Side shops, in Springfield, began his career as machinist, and he has been active in rail- road service ever since, having held many positions of responsibility with a number of different companies. His long and close devotion to one line of endeavor has made him an expert to be envied by the young machinist ap- prentice, but his advice to all such would doubtless be that there is no royal road to the goal of those with ambitions to become an expert in his line. It can only be won by earnest, hard, conscientious and long continued work. Mr. Houston was born in Loudonville, Ashland county, Ohio, January 20, 1845. He is a son of James E. and Ann (Prutzman) Houston, the lat- ter having died in 1865 at the age of forty-eight years. The father was horn near Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and there grew' to manhood and at- tended school. When a young man he started out as a cabinet maker in Lancaster, later took up the railroad business at Lancaster, Ohio, with the Cincinnati, Wellington &■ Zanesville railroad as foreman of the paint shop, which position he held ten or twelve years, then went to Logan, Ohio, and formed a stock company known as the Logan Cabinet Manufacturing Com- panv, for the manufacture of cabinets, and his death occurred in that city at the age of sixty-six years. As a Republican, he took a lively interest in political affairs and vcas elected mayor of Lancaster, Ohio, two terms. He belonged to the Masonic order, including the Royal Arch and all chapters. He was a member of the Lutheran church. His family consisted of the fol- GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1325 lowing named children: Jerome A., of this sketch, is the eldest; Sarah is deceased; Margaret, widow of Alonzo Belt, deceased, now lives at Winni- peg, Canada; George, deceased, was a locomotive engineer on the Frisco Lines, and met an accidental death; Ellen, who is married and lives at Galesburg, Illinois; Lelia married Homer Wright, who is an ex-judge and is now representative from Logan county in the Ohio legislature ; Mrs. Mary Johnson lives in Danville, Illinois, where her husband is engaged in the coal business; Hattie, who has remained unmarried, lives at Columbus, Ohio; Ida and Frank are both deceased. Jerome A. Houston attended the public schools in his native state until he was fifteen years of age, when he left school and began learning the ma- chinist’s trade in the shops of the Cincinnati, Wilmington & Zanesville rail- road at Lancaster, Ohio, and there completed his apprenticeship. From there he went to Vincennes, Indiana, as machinist for the old Ohio & Mis- sissippi railroad (now the Baltimore & Ohio). Remaining there eighteen months, he went to Lancaster, Ohio, and worked six months for his former employers at his trade, then went to Columbus, Ohio, with the Piqua rail- road, known as the Columbus, Cleveland & Indiana Central railroad, and worked there as machinist for three years; then came to St. Charles, Mis- souri, as machinist for the North Missouri railroad, with which he remained for eighteen months ; then returned to Columbus and continued his trade with his former employers there, but in time returned to Missouri and worked at the town of Pacific for the South Pacific Railroad Company from 1869 until 1871, in which year he came to Springfield as machinist for the old Atlantic-Pacific railroad, now the Frisco, and after working at his usual trade for six months, he was transferred to St. James, Missouri, as round- house foreman, which position he held two years; then worked at Dixon, this state, as roundhouse foreman; then held the same position at Newburg two years, after which he came back to Springfield and began working as machinist in the North Side shops. A few months later he was promoted to erecting foreman in this department, which position he held twelve or fifteen years, then was transferred to Sapulpa, Indian Territory, as master mechanic on the Frisco’s Red River & Western division, and w r as there four or five years, when he was sent to Hugo, Oklahoma, as general foreman, then was ordered back to Springfield as foreman of the air department of the reclama- tion plant, South Side shops, which position he has held since 1912. He has twenty-two men under his direction. He has given honest and high grade service in all the above named positions and has been regarded very highly by all the roads for which he has worked, both as to his skill as a machinist and a man of executive ability and as a trustworthy gentleman. Mr. Houston was married in 1872 to Julia Hufschmidt, a native of Pacific, Missouri, and a daughter of Frederick and Julia Hufschmidt, of 1 3“6 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. Pacific, Missouri, and to this union one child was born, Archie. Mrs. Pious- ton died in 1876, and our subject later married Martha Harris, a native of Dixon, Missouri, and a daughter of William Harris and wife. To this union six children were born, named as following: Mary married George Bailey, superintendent of the Western division of the Frisco; George is with the Long Belt Lumber Company at Cleveland, Ohio; Frank died when twenty years of age; Earl is with the Long Belt Lumber Company in Louis- iana; Homer lives in St. Louis; Helen also lives in that city; the last two- children are twins. Mr. Houston resides on Washington avenue, Springfield, but his fam- ily is making their home at Newburg, Missouri. Politically, he is a Re- publican. He is a member of the Lutheran church. Fraternally, he be- longs to the Masonic Order, the Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Woodmen of the World, and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. RICHARD F. WHALEN, JR. An undeceiving, earnest man, self-assertive and self-controlling, is Richard F. Whalen, Jr., superintendent of the reclamation department of the South Side Frisco shops, Springfield. He has, owing to his Celtic blood, a number of the characteristics of his people, and thus he has “cer- tain things to say" when occasion demands, which is no fault. Good nature beams through his features; a kind heart sits at the windows of his imag- ination, and his soul is pervaded with sympathy and good will. He is ap- preciative and sensitive to the opinions of others, though strong to himself in the trial hour. Mr. Whalen was born March 21, 1875, at Hannibal, Marion county, Missouri. Pie is a son of Richard E. and Johanna (Cronican) Whalen, and a grandson of John Whalen, the latter born in Ireland, where he spent the first half of his life, finally immigrating to America, and spent the rest of his days on a farm near Quincy, Illinois. The father of our subject was also born in Ireland, in County Waterford, and he was brought to America by his parents when six years of age. He grew to manhood at Quincy, Illi- nois, and was educated there, and in that city he served his apprenticeship as machinist in the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad shops, then worked there as a journeyman for many years. He later removed to Han- nibal, Missouri, where he worked as machinist and later as gang foreman for the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad Company for many years. For some time he held the position of master mechanic. He was subsequently GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. T 3 2 7 employed by the St. Louis & Hannibal Railroad Company, and then the Texas Railroad Company. At this writing he is gang foreman at Hannibal for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy road, although he is in his seventy- third year. He has been very faithful in each of the positions with the sev-- eral roads for which he has worked and is a highly skilled machinist. He is a Democrat and is a member of the Catholic church. His wife is now seventy years of age. To them nine children have been born, five of whom are deceased ; those living are : Mary, who has remained single and lives with her parents; John is traveling out of St. Louis for the fuel depart- ment of the Frisco railroad; Richard F. of this sketch; Michael, of St. Louis, is manager of the Payton Lumber Company. Richard F. Whalen, Jr., attended the common schools until he was sixteen years of age, when he began learning the machinist's trade with the St. Louis & Hannibal Railroad Company in their shops at Hannibal, Mis- souri. Later he went to the shops of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad as journeyman machinist, then became gang foreman and finally general foreman of the machine shop of this road at Hannibal, remaining there until 1905, when he became general foreman for the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company at the locomotive shops at Sayre, Pennsylvania. Re- maining there until 1907, he went to Topeka, Kansas, for the Atchison, To- •peka & Santa Fe Railroad Company, as assistant superintendent of the road’s shops there. He then took a position with the Frisco system at Springfield as superintendent of the reclamation department in the South Side shops, which position he still fills, having two hundred men under his direction, whom he handles in such a tactful and diplomatic manner as to get the best results possible and at the same time retain their friendship and good will. During his career of twenty-four years in railroad service he has filled his many positions with the several roads mentioned above in a man- ner that has reflected much credit upon himself and to the satisfaction of his employers. Politically, our subject is a Democrat, and, fraternally, he belongs to the Knights of Columbus. Mr. Whalen was married in September, 1897, to Margaret Burke, who was born in Schomokin, Pennsylvania, December 23, 1874, and was a daughter cf John and Ellen (Whalen) Burke, of Hannibal, Missouri, in which city she grew to womanhood and was educated. Airs. Whalen died at her residence in Springfield December 23, 1914. To our subject and wife eight children were born, namely: Anna and Francis are both attending the Springfield high school; Mary, Richard, Monica and Regina are all attending the ward schools; Ellen and Mar- garet died in infancy. Mr. Whalen and family are members of the St. Agnes Catholic church. 1328 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. SAMUEL S. GRIER. in farming communities it is the rule and not the exception to find ordi- nary educations, but occasionally you meet a family who takes more interest in the development of the mind, not necessarily attending school longer or going away to college, but who lose no opportunity to keep up with advancing civilization, who remain home students and close observers, and as a result they in time rise above some of their countrymen in the scale of mentality and the capacity to grasp the larger questions of mental improvement. Such families are numerous in Greene county, and it is a sign that this locality is equal to any in the state in point of citizenship. One of these is the Grier family, of which Samuel S. Grier, a well-known business man of Strafford is a creditable representative. Mr. Grier was born just across the line in Webster county, Missouri, on December 16, 1870. He is a son of N. F. and Sarah (Smith) Grier. The father was born in North Carolina in 1845, an( l l le was brought to Missouri by his parents when a small boy, and was reared on a farm. He received a limited education in the common schools, and when eighteen years old he joined the Union army, in 1861, and fought in one of the Greene county volunteer regiments at Wilson’s Creek on August 10th of that year, and was wounded in that sanguinary engagement, which wound disabled him to such an extent that he was later discharged from the service. Returning home, he followed farming for some time. Prospering, he became owner of a two hundred and four-acre farm. He is now making his home in Spring- field. He is a member of the Baptist church. His wife was born in Ten- nessee, and when a young girl she was brought to Greene county, this state, by her parents and here grew up on a farm and attended school. Her death occurred in Webster county on the old Grier homestead. She was a member of the Baptist church. Four children were born to N. F. Grier and wife, namely: Tasso L., Samuel S., of this sketch: Dorsie and Mrs. Ollie Wammack. Samuel S. Grier was reared on the home farm, where he worked when a boy and he received his education in the local schools. He remained on the farm until he was seventeen years of age, then carried the mail for three years, after which he went to work as clerk in Strafford in the store of Hanson & Thorson. Later he began in the livery business, and built the first liverv barn in Strafford, remaining in the business for five years, then engaged in the milling business, and was president and secretary of the local mill for two years, after which he launched out in the real estate business, in which he has since been engaged and in which he has built up a large and satisfactory business. He is one of the best informed men on the values of MR. AND MRS. S. S. GRIER. i GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. I329 real estate in the eastern part of the county, and he has the confidence of those with whom he has had dealings. In 1912 his total business amounted to a profit of nearly two thousand dollars. Mr. Grier was married on October n, 1897, to Louie Jane Bryant, who was born in Kansas on August 26, 1881, but she was an infant when her parents brought her to Greene county, where she was reared on a farm and was educated. She is a daughter of J. C. and Sarah (Urby) Bryant; the former is engaged in the grocery business in Strafford, but the mother is deceased. Mrs. Grier is a member of the Baptist church. Three children have been born to our subject and wife, namely: Harry U., born on August 30, 1897; Hazel W., born on July 26, 1899, and Arnold S., horn on March 30, 1904. Politically, Mr. Grier is a Democrat. He is now justice of the peace at Strafford, being elected in November, 1914. He is a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and he belongs to the Baptist church. JOHN A. MOSER. The Swiss have ever been known as a liberty-loving and independent people. x\s a rule the peoples of the world in mountainous countries are. This little republic has furnished an admirable example to manv of the larger nations of the earth and her government and institutions might he emulated with profit by the kingdoms and monarchies whose subjects do not seem to be as fortunate as the Swiss. A large number of them have immigrated to Amer- ica, where they have broader opportunities, and they have been welcomed everywhere for reasons too obvious to detail here. Greene countv, Missouri, has not been so fortunate as some localities in securing these aliens, for not a large number have cast their lots with us : but among those who have is John A. Moser, foreman of the frog department of the reclamation plant of the South Side Frisco shops, Springfield. Mr. Moser was born in Canton Bern, Switzerland, May 5, 1875. He is a son of August and Lizette (Lowrie) Moser, both natives of Switzerland, also, where they grew to maturity, attended school and were married. They remained in their native land uuntil 1880, when they immigrated to the United States, landing in New York City. From there they came direct to Spring- field, Ohio. In Switzerland. August Moser learned the miller's trade, which he followed until he left there. Upon locating in Springfield, Ohio, he se- cured a position as grinder for the Ohio Knife and Bar Works, and remained there six or seven years, then moved to Arkansas, and, six months later, came (84) I 33° GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. to Springfield, Missouri. He located on a farm three miles from here and carried on farming, gardening and trucking until his death, in November, 1900, at the age of fifty-five years. His widow survives, is now sixty-five years of age and makes her home in Springfield. He was a Democrat, and belonged to St. John’s Lutheran church. His family consisted of nine chil- dren, named as follows: John A., of this sketch, is the eldest; Minnie mar- ried a Mr. Whittaker, who conducts a restaurant at the new Frisco shops, Springfield; Rosa is the wife of John Fridley, a farmer at Symerton, Illinois; Ada married Rudolph Messerli, who is employed in the coach department at the new Frisco shops here, and with this daughter the mother makes her home; Mrs. Lucy Knowles is the wife of the master mechanic of the American Creosoting Company; Charles is a machinist in the new, Frisco shops; Fred is farming near Symerton, Illinois; Ernest is a clerk in the bridge and building department of the North Side Frisco shops; Lillian is deceased. John A. Moser was five years of age when his parents brought him to America, and he grew to manhood in Ohio and Missouri and received a com- mon school education, but his schooling was limited, for when only eleven years of age he began working in the knife and bar shops at Springfield, Ohio, as a rivet hand. He remained there until 1890, when he came to Spring- field, Missouri, and here worked in a cooper shop for a short time, then learned the trade of stonemason, and worked here as a journeyman stone- mason until April, 1896. He worked in Chicago for some time, where he was fire inspector for Marshall Field & Company, and had charge of the fire apparatus there a little over a year. In 1900 he went to work for the Frisco Lines in Springfield, in the car repairing department in the old North Side shops, later worked in the coach department in the South Side shops. Later he was sent out on the road as frog and switch repairer as foreman on all the lines of the Frisco system. This position he held until November 15, 1913, when he began work in the reclamation department of the South Side shops, as foreman of the frog department, and this position he still holds. He has shown himself to be capable and trustworthy in all positions which have been assigned to him. He also owns and looks after a grocery store at Park and Atlantic streets, Springfield, and has built up a good trade here. He owns five houses and lots in this city and owns considerable lands, and is a speculator of ability. He has been successful above the average in a busi- ness way. Mr. Moser was married, in 1909, to Katherine Rees, of McAlester, Okla- homa. This union has been without issue. Politically, Mr. Moser is a Republican. He belongs to the Lutheran church, and is a member of the Masonic order and was formerly a member of the Eagles. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1331 JOHN FRENCH. Among the comparatively small element of foreign-born citizens who have cast their lot with the people of Greene county and have won success through their industry and close application is John French, blacksmith fore- man in the Frisco shops. He comes of a sturdy family, one that has always been strong for right living and industrious habits, for education and morality, and for all that which contributes to the betterment of the communities in which they have resided. Many years ago, in fact, nearly a half century ago, our subject, unaccompanied, although scarcely more than a boy, crossed the great Atlantic, having bid a permanent farewell to his native isle, and cast his lot among the Americans who have treated him so kindly and well that he has been pleased to remain with us. Mr. French was born in Durham county, England, April 16, 1846. He is a son of John and Elizabeth (Robertson) French, both natives of England, also, where they grew up, were educated and married and spent their lives. The father learned the blacksmith’s trade when young, in which he became very skillful and at which he spent his life. The grandfather of our subject was also a blacksmith by trade. The parents of our subject have both been dead many years, the mother dying in 1888. To them ten children were born, namely: Allen: Elizabeth is deceased; Annie is deceased; Polly; James is deceased; John, of this sketch; William is deceased; Robert; and the two youngest died in infancy. John French spent his boyhood in England, and there received a com- mon school education, and when a boy learned the blacksmith's trade under his father, who owned his own shop. Our subject worked in different parts of England at his trade, and in a few years became an expert in his line. He immigrated to America in the spring of 1865, reaching our shores about the unsettled time that marked the closing of our momentous conflict, he being at that time nineteen years of age. The great armies of citizen soldiery had not had time to return to the pursuits of peace and he found it hard to get a start, and for a time worked as a laborer in Cincinnati, Ohio, later worked at his trade there. He came to Greene countv, Missouri, in 1900, having previously worked at his trade for different railroads, and since coming here he has been employed by the Frisco, and has been promoted for his skill and faithfulness to the position of foreman of the blacksmith shop, the duties of which responsible place he is worthily discharging, having a large force of men under his direction. Mr. French was married, in November, 1868, to Mrs. Jane Wright, who was born in the state of New York, June 18, 1840, and there she grew to womanhood and was educated. To our subject and wife five children have J 33 2 GRF.ENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. been born, namely: Alice is deceased; Mrs. Susan Tingell, Mrs. Martha Player, Mrs. Jessie Weaver, John C. is a soldier in the United States army, being with the troops in Vera Cruz, Mexico in 1914. Politically, Mr. French is a Republican. Fraternally, he belongs to the Knights of Pythias. WILLIAM L. KIR KEY. It is not a very frequent occurrence that in a historical work of this kind the biographer finds a man who was born in the fair Sunflower state living east of that state; they either prefer to remain within the limits of their own boundary or go farther west, but in the person of William L. Kirkey, foreman of the mechanical department of the reclamation plant of the Frisco’s South Side shops, Springfield, we have an exception, and, if all na- tives of Kansas are as capable in their vocations and as good citizens in gen- eral as he, we would welcome many more to Greene county Mr. Kirkey was born, August 24, 1872, in Highland Station, Doniphan county, Kansas. He is a son of Louis and Nana (Jones) Kirkey. The father was born in America of French parents, and the mother was a native of Nevada, Missouri. His death occurred in 1874 and he was buried in Kan- sas. Her death occurred in 1886 at the age of forty-eight years. To the union of these parents only one child, William L., of this review, was born. After the death of her first husband the mother remarried, N. N. Fields being her last husband. To them three children were born, namely: Nathan was a carpenter in Springfield, Missouri ; Charles is deceased, and Burton E. is the youngest. William L. Kirkey worked some on a farm when a boy and he received a limited education in the public schools. He hired out at farm work when only thirteen years of age, later learned the marble-cutter’s trade, having had natural ability as a sculptor. He served his apprenticeship at Rich Hill, Mis- souri, for P. Id. Scott, and continued in this work for twelve or fourteen years, then turned his attention to machinery and learned the machinist’s trade at St. Louis, meanwhile studying at home all books available pertain- ing to his trade, and in due course of time he became an expert, working for the Parker-Russell Mining and Manufacturing Company as a full-fledged machinist, at their St. Louis plant for six or eight years, the last four or five years of that period as foreman. He then secured employment with the Imisco Railroad Company at Springfield in the North Side shops as carpenter in the coach department, in 1907. then was inspector until in No- vember, 1913, when he was transferred to the reclamation plant of the com- pany in the South Side shops as foreman of the mechanical department, which GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. K333 position he still holds to the satisfaction of his employers. Here repairing of all descriptions is done, as well as new work turned out. He has a large number of men under his direction, about forty on an average. He still devotes some time to sculpture, maintaining a shop at home, this being his hobby, and he has achieved quite a reputation as a sculptor, turning out some beautiful work from time to time. He owns a pleasant home on Vernon avenue. Mr. Ivirkey was married, in October, 1892, to Clara F. Phillips. She is a daughter of George and Mary Phillips, of Springfield, where she grew up and was educated. To our subject and wife two children were born, namely: Mabel, who married Frank Thomas, a farmer at Cabool, Missouri; and Clarence, a carpenter in the South Side Frisco shops. Politically, Mr. Kirkey. is an independent voter. Fraternally, he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica and the Free and Accepted Masons. He is a member of the Christian church. JAMES BLAINE BERRY. Of the younger business men of Springfield, few seem to have better prospects of large success in future years than James Blaine Berry, who has a diversity of natural gifts, and, although it is a far cry from an iron moulder to the music business, he did both with gratifying results, and was for many years a well known traveling man over the Southwest, and now we find him a member of the Ozark Land Company, which his enterprise and keen discrimi- nation is making one of the most successful and important real estate firms in southern Missouri. Air. Berry was born on a farm in Franklin township, Greene county, Missouri, April 30, 1882. He is a son of James A. and Elizabeth ( McCurdy) Berry, a highly esteemed old family of this county, and as the reader will find a complete sketch of these parents on another page of this colume, the record of their lives will not be repeated here. James B. Berry grew to manhood on the home farm, and there assisted with the genera! work during the summer months when he became of proper age, and during the winter attended the district schools ; also took an academic course in the State Normal School at Warrensburg, Missouri, after which he came to Springfield and learned the iron-moulder's trade. Although he be- came a good moulder, he did not altogether fancy the work, and abandoned the same, and in 1903 went on the road as a salesman for the A. Beste Music Company, of Pittsburg, Kansas, and was assigned to southwestern Missouri and eastern Kansas, in which territory he did much, during his two years of 1334 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. service with this company, to increase the prestige of the same. He then re- turned to Springfield and took a position as city salesman for the Martin Music Company, which position he held for a year, then went on the road as advertising and demonstrating representative for the Baldwin Piano Com- pany, of Cincinnati, Ohio, covering Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, a part of Arkansas and Illinois, with headquarters at St. Louis. In all these responsi- ble positions he gave his employers eminent satisfaction in every respect and was regarded as one of their most faithful, efficient and trustworthy em- ployees. In 1909 he resigned his position with the Baldwin people and re- turned to Springfield, Missouri, purchasing an interest in the Ozark Land Company here, and has since been connected with the same and has been a potent factor in making it a large and successful business. Mr. Berry was married, March 10, 1904, to Marry B. Tedrick, who was born February 25, 1884, in Springfield, Missouri, where she grew to wom- anhood and received an excellent education. She is a daughter of George and Emma Tedrick, a highly esteemed family here. To Mr. and Mrs. Berry one child has been born, Doris Dolores Berry, whose birth occurred February 3, 1905. She is attending school and is now in the fifth grade. Mr. Berry is a Republican in his political affiliation. Religiously, he is a Presbyterian. He is a member of tbe Illinois Men’s Commercial Asso- ciation. HARRY F. BROWN. We are so accustomed to think of man as a material composition com- plete in the food that matches his hunger, in the water that slakes his thirst, in the air that trades with his lungs, in the raiment and roof that protects him from the cold, in the money that relates him to the world’s commerce, that we fail to recognize that the person who has no mental abode in which to shelter his higher self, and the moral, spiritual and intellectual furnishments necessary for its equipment, health and inspiration, lives on a level not much above that of the animal. Harry F. Brown, who has charge of the store-room of the reclamation department in the South Side Frisco shops, Springfield, is not of the class referred to, but while laboring for the material comforts of life, as if natural and right, he has not neglected to pro- vide what might be called an intellectual abode, being a thinking man of good ideals and practices. Mr. Brown was born in that great country which all Americans admire — England, he having first seen the light of day at Earlingdean on July 24, 1876. He is a son of Walter E. Brown, also a native of England, in which GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1 33 5 country he grew up, attended school and was married, residing there until the year 1881, when he immigrated with his family to the United States, land- ing in New York. Coming on west he selected Springfield, Missouri, as the best place in which to locate, and although he had followed gardening in his home country, he here sought and found employment with the Frisco rail- road, in the North Side shops, where he became foreman of a labor gang. He is now employed in the Florence Bottling W orks in this city, being owner of same. He remained with the Frisco ten years, from 1882 to 1892, then spent ten years in the grocery business, in which he was very successful, giv- ing that line of endeavor up in 1902 to engage in the bottling business at the corner of Lyon and Division streets, where he has a modernly equipped and excellent plant, employing a number of hands and from which he sends out large consignments of his products all over this section of the state. He has been very successful as a business man, being now a man of considerable means, although he landed in this city with very little capital. Politically, he is a Republican. He was a member of the city council for eighteen months. Fraternally, he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Masonic lodge. The mother of our subject was known in her maidenhood as Fannie Madden, who was born in England, where she grew to womanhood and at- tended school. She became the mother of five children, namely : William, who lives at Lebanon, Missouri, is a machinist and electrician, and has charge of the city's lighting plant there; Harry F., of this sketch; Bert is engaged in the bottling business with his father; Florence marred Thomas Hixon, who was formerly engaged in the meat business in Springfield ; Fannie married John W. Crow, who lives at Strafford, this county, and is in the employ of the Frisco. Harry F. Brown was five years old when his parents brought him from England to America, and he grew to manhood in Springfield, and here at- tended the public schools and a business college. When twenty years of age he went to work, in 1896, for the Frisco system as baggage-man at the Spring- field station, working there three years, then, in 1899, was transferred to the store department at the North Side shops. In 1902 he went to work for the Kansas City Southern railroad, with which he remained six months, then worked six months with the New Phoenix Foundry and Machinery Com- pany, after which he engaged in the grocery business for himself until 1906, then went to work again for the Frisco in the store department at the North Side shops, and was assistant there until 1909, in which year he was sent to the new shops as foreman of the store department, which position he held a year, then was sent back to the old North Side shops as general stock clerk, remaining there a year, then was shipping and receiving foreman in the store- room there for a year, after which he was transferred to the reclamation GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. U3 6 plant in the South Side shops, November i, 1914, and is now foreman of the store-room, and is giving his usual high-grade service. Mr. Brown was married, in 1898, to Ollie Oliver, a daughter of Benton Oliver, of Springfield, a well-known dry goods merchant here, on Commercial street. Mrs. Brown was reared and educated in this city. The union of our subject and wife has been without issue. Politically, Mr. Brown is a Republican. Fraternally, he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is a member of the' Methodist Episcopal church. South. JAMES FI. GRAY. Since this is the “electric age," at least no other term seems more ap- propriate, and the period in which we are now living is universally referred to m this phrase, it would be a good thing if more young men would turn their attention to some form of this work, learn some line in which elec- tricity can be applied to the world’s industries, rather than taking up many of the older vocations of men, such as the law, ministry, medicine, etc. Of course the world needs good men in all these lines as much, if not more than ever before, but if a boy has any natural bent whatever along mechanical lines, he doubtless will develop into a better earning capacity by studying electricity than if he entered any of the old-line professions or trades, and, all in all, he will accomplish just as much for the general welfare of the human race. James H. Gray, foreman of electricians of the Frisco System, headquarters at Springfield, was wise in choosing his life work and he has met with gratifying success while yet a young man. Mr. Gray was born February 12, 1881, at Carthage, Missouri. He is a son of Theodore F. Gray, a native of western Ohio. He grew up in the East and attended school there. In his earlier years he was a traveling salesman and in later life engaged in the brokerage business, being success- ful in both. Having accumulated a competency, he retired from active life ten vears ago, after engaging in the brokerage and commission business in Springfield for many years and he is now living quietly in his pleasant home on East Elm street, at the age of seventy years. During the Civil war he served with credit as a soldier in the Union army. Politically, he is a Re- publican, and he was formerly a member of the Knights of Pythias. His wife, who was Mary E. Grissom before her marriage, is still living. To these parents five children were born. James H. Gray received his education in the schools of Carthage, Ne- vada, and Springfield, having removed to the latter city when young with GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1337 his parents, and here he began life for himself as clerk in a grocery store, later worked for his father in the commission business, later taking a po- sition with the Springfield Traction and Lighting Company as general elec- trician, most of his work being on motors. He began studying to be an electrical worker. Leaving this company, he worked for some time as elec- trician at the old Baldwin theater, having charge of the switchboard on the stage. All the while he studied electricity by night and soon had a good working knowledge of the science. In 1901 he was employed by the Frisco, working with its electrical equipment on cars, etc. AVhen the road's electric department was created in 1904 he was placed in charge of the same as fore- man, having proven that he was well qualified for this responsible position, and from that time to the present, a period of over ten years, he has been foreman of this department, his long retention indicating that his work has not only been high class, but that he is reliable and trustworthy. He has continued a deep student of all that pertains to his line of work and has kept well abreast of the times. He has had from seven to nine men work- ing under his direction in this department all the while in the shop, and also several men working on the outside. He had charge of the electric depart- ment in the new shops for some time. He has served under the four chiefs in this department, named as follows: P. M. Pierce, W. C. Coover, Rober E. Massey and L. C. Hensel. Mr. Gray has remained unmarried. Politically, he is a Republican. He belongs to the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the Knights of Pythias, the Woodmen of the World and the Christian church. JOHN COWELL. The name of John Cowell is well known to the people of Springfield, whither he came forty-five years ago, during which period he has been an interested and most active spectator to the city's development along general lines, always having the interests of the Queen City at heart and abiding faith in her future. Through close attention to business and unswerving- industry, he has met with a larger degree of material success than falls to the lot of some of our foreign-born citizens. He comes of a sturdy English ancestry, his family on both sides going far back into the; annals of that “merrie isle." So he has in him many of the elements that always win in the battle of life, no matter where fought out, and while Air. Cowell was fortunate in coming to a country of unlimited opportunities, where the soil is new and competition not so fierce, and where, as the poet Mackay, his noted countryman, wrote nearly a century ago. “The humblest may gather GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1338 the fruits of the soil, and a man is a man if lie is willing to toil.” Yet Mr. Cowell, no doubt, would have succeeded in establishing a good home in any country where he might have settled. John Cowell, who is at this writing, one of the three judges of the Greene county court, was born in Peel, England, June 23, 1844. He is a son of John and Isabelle (Skinner) Cowell, natives of that locality, where they spent their lives engaged in farming, being honest, hard-working gentle- folk, highly respected by their neighbors. Their family consisted of six children, of whom John of this review was second in order of birth; one child is deceased ; two sons and one daughter reside in England, and two of the sons make their home in America. John Cowell was reared on the home farm in his native land and there he assisted with the general work and received his education in the home schools. He immigrated to the United States shortly after the close of the Civil war, and came on west to Springfield, Missouri, where he located his permanent home in 1869. Here he followed the business of stone contractor for more than forty years, and was eminently successful in this line, being known as a man who did his work thoroughly, promptly and in an up-to- date manner. He has handled many big jobs in this city and vicinity. Hav- ing accumulated a competency sufficient for his old age, he abandoned ac- tive work a few years ago. Mr. Cowell was married in 1872 to Sarah Daniels, a native of Spring- field, Missouri, where she grew to womanhood and was educated. She was a representative of an old family here. Her death occurred in 1898 at the age of fifty-one years. She was known to her friends as a woman of many fine personal characteristics. Six children, five sons and one daughter, were born to Mr. and Mrs. Cowell, named as follows : Edwin, a graduate of the local high school, is a bookkeeper by profession, is married and has two children; Minnie mar- ried H. W. Thompson, and they are living in Detroit, Michigan, and have one son, eight years old; John W., who is in the tailoring and notion goods business in Joplin, Missouri, is married; Harry B. is a traveling salesman, lives in Springfield and is married; Frank, who is clerking in a clothing store in Oklahoma, is married and has one child; Charles L., who is en- gaged in the tailoring and clothes pressing business in Springfield, is mar- ried and has one child. Politically, Mr. Cowell has always been a stanch Democrat and active in local political affairs. He has long been a member of the city council from the Sixth ward and has made his influence felt not only for the good of that section of the city but for the general community, and his work as a public-spirited citizen has been greatly appreciated by all classes. In the fall of 1912 he was elected judge of the Greene county court, and is now GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1339 incumbent of that office, the duties of which he is discharging in a manner that reflects much credit upon his ability and integrity, and to the satisfac- tion of his constituents. He, at the present time, is serving his second term. Fraternally, he belongs to the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is a member of the Christian church. He has always enjoyed the utmost confidence of his fellow men owing to his straightforward and honorable course. JUDGE WILLIAM H. PERKINS. Examples that impress force of character on all who study them are worthy of record in the annals of history wherever they are found. By a few general observations the biographer hopes to convey in the following paragraphs, succinctly and yet without fulsome encomium, some idea of the high standing of William H. Perkins, ex-judge of the Greene county court, as a leading agriculturist and stockman, one of the representative citizens of the county and a public benefactor. Those who know him best will readily acquiesce in the statement that many elements of a solid and practical nature are united in his composition and which, during a series of years, have brought him into prominent notice at least throughout the west- ern portion of the county, his life and achievements earning for him a con- spicuous place among his compeers. Judge Perkins was born on a farm in Brookline township, Greene county, Missouri, February 18, 1850, and is a scion of one of our pioneer families, being a son of William G. and Martha A. (Beal) Perkins. The father was a native of Logan county, Kentucky, where he was reared. When a young- man he came to Greene county, Missouri, and entered two tracts of land from the government, the first in 1848 and the last in 1851. These he developed by hard work and became a successful farmer and business man. Both these tracts of land, now very valuable and comprising as fine farming land as the vicinity affords, have remained in the family, being now owned by the sub- ject of this sketch. The father was known as “Grief” Perkins, his middle name being used instead of his first name. He was an influential man in his community, especially in the affairs of the Presbyterian church, in which he was an elder for many years, being the founder of the church of this de- nomination in this community. He had two brothers and two sisters, all now deceased but Mrs. Hayden, who lives in Texas. The death of William G. Perkins occurred in 1908 at the advanced age of eighty-seven years. He was known to all as a man of fine personal character, a “gentleman of the old school” who never was known to neglect his duties as a neighbor or citi- 1340 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. zen. His faithful life companion, a woman of beautiful old-time Christian faith, survived him only six weeks, passing away at the age of eighty-one years. She was a native of Tennessee, and when young in years accom- panied a party of emigrants from that state to the Ozark mountain country. They reached a certain stream, since known as “Turnback” creek, from the fact that here this party of homeseekers turned back on their route. They finally located on Wilson’s creek, which stream was destined to become famous in history. Here Mrs. Perkins’s father, Daniel Beal, entered land from the government, which he developed into a good farm, which remained in possession of the family until recently, when our subject turned the patents over to purchasers. This place lies some four miles west of Springfield. There Mr. Beal spent the rest of his life. He was an energetic man, and was active as a member of the Baptist church. Judge Perkins is the second of nine children, all born in Greene county, where the parents were married ; they were named as follows : Mrs. Mary O. Norman, a widow, is living eight miles southwest of Springfield; William H., of this review; Mrs. Nannie Crenshaw, a widow, lives nine miles south of Springfield; John T. is farming in Oklahoma; Laura is the wife of Rev. \V. H. Wilson, now residing in Oklahoma; Mrs. Minerva Dillard lives nine miles east of Springfield; Mrs. Lucy Hutchinson, Mrs. Jennie Stephens and Daniel are all three deceased. Judge Perkins was reared on the old homestead, where he did his full share of the work when growing to manhood, and in that neighborhood he received a common school education, which has been greatly supplemented in after years by contact with the world and wide home reading. Early in life he turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits which he followed successfully and continuously up to a few years ago. He paid especial at- tention to the live stock business, and no small portion of his comfortable competency was derived from this source. Growing up among stock and having a liking for them he became an exceptionally good judge of all kinds. Lie still owns a part of the old home place, but now lives in Spring- field, where he removed in 1909. A stanch Democrat, Judge Perkins always took an abiding interest in political affairs, and in the fall of 1910 he was elected county judge and presided at the sessions of the Greene county court in a manner that stamped him as a man of ability, far-seeing, impartial and having the best interests of the county at heart, unbiased in his efforts to benefit the general public, and his course has been entirely satisfactory to his constituents. Religiously, he is a member of the Presbyterian church. Judge Perkins was married in Greene county, in the year 1873, to Martha J. Ellison, a daughter of John Ellison, an early settler in this county, GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. I 34 I and here he became a successful farmer. Mrs. Perkins was horn here in 1853 and reared and educated in her native community. She proved to be an excellent helpmate, sympathetic, kind and industrious. Her death oc- curred in February, 1909 at the age of fifty-six years. Her only brother also died a few years ago. Three children were born to our subject and wife, named as follows: Clarence, now forty years old, is farming in the state of Louisiana : Bessie is the wife of George Langston, at present postmaster at Texhoma, in western Oklahoma, where he has a ranch, and they have one son, Maurice, now six years old; Eunice, youngest of the trio, is living with her father in Springfield. The Judge was always a man who made friends easily, and after his career on the bench beg'an they rapidly multiplied, and all who know him will agree that he is deserving of the respect in which he is so widely held. WILLIAM R. GORSUCH. Those who know William R. Gorsuch, who at this writing is one of the three judges of the Greene County Court, are not surprised that he has won success at his chosen vocation, that of tilling* the soil, for he is a man who has been a close student of all that pertains to his chosen life work, believing that even the best methods can often be improved upon. He has kept the old home place in Cass township in fine condition, so that it has retained its old-time richness of soil and the same abundant crops are an- nually gathered from its fields. He has considered himself fortunate, and indeed he might well do so, that he has been permitted to spend his life on the homestead, for, in the first place, as a talented writer said long ago. "There is no place like home,” and also because his home happened to be in a community greatly favored by nature. It is true that it took a great deal of hard work to get Greene county in proper shape for successful agri- cultural purposes, but once in condition, there is no better. Mr. Gorsuch was horn in the above named township and county, on the farm where he still resides, November 3, 1871. He is a son of Reece and Eliza Jane (Brower) Gorsuch. The father was born in middle Tennessee, June 29, 1829, and when a small boy he and his father made the long jour- ney in a wagon from that state to Greene county, Missouri, his father having previously died in Tennessee. When a young man Reece Gorsuch worked out for twenty-five cents per day to help support the family, he being the eldest son. During the gold fever days he made the hazardous overland journey across the western plains to California, accompanied by a brother, 1342 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. the trip requiring six months. He remained on the Pacific coast some six years, then returned to this county and bought the farm where our subject now lives and here he spent the rest of his life as a successful farmer, and died in 1906 at the age of seventy-seven years. He was a man of invincible courage and persistency and was well thought of by his neighbors. He was a member of the state militia in his earlier life. The mother of the subject of this sketch was born in North Carolina about 1839, and when a child she immigrated with her parents to Greene county, locating east of Bois D'Arc. where her father developed a farm, and there she grew to womanhood. Several of her brothers were in the Confederate army during the Civil war. Her death occurred about 1903. Five children were born to Reece Gorsuch and wife, named as follows: The eldest died in infancy, unnamed; George W. died at the age of twenty-two 1 years; Jeanette died in 1871 when about five years old; William R., of this review; John H. lives in California. William R. Gorsuch was reared in his native township and there he received a good practical education in the public schools. He began working on the home farm as soon as he was old enough and he has followed general farming and stock raising here ever since with pronounced success all along the line, and he now owns the homestead, which he has kept well tilled and well improved and the buildings in good repair. Mr. Gorsuch was married to Margaret N. Smith, October 2, 1890. She was born, reared and educated in Walnut Grove township, this county, and is a daughter of Joseph W. Smith, a well-known minister in the Chris- tian church, who preached in Springfield about two years, and at various other places in Missouri, Oklahoma and Kansas, and was regarded as a prominent minister in that denomination. His death occurred about 1909. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Gorsuch. namely : Clar- ence C., a harness maker of Lamar, Missouri, recently married a Miss Mc- Linn, daughter of A. S. McLinn, of Greene county; Joseph R., Nettie G., and Maud L. are all at home. Politically, Mr. Gorsuch is a Republican and has long been more or less active in the political affairs of his township, and has served in various local offices, school and township. He has been township committeeman since he was twenty-one years of age, was also deputy assessor several times, and in the fall of 1912 was elected county judge, which office he is now filling. In 1914 he was re-elected to the office of county judge. As a public servant he has ever given the utmost satisfaction to all concerned, being faithful in the discharge of his every duty, obliging and prompt and proving himself to be a man of progressive ideas and well informed. Fraternally, he belongs to the Masonic Order and the Improved Order of Odd Fellows at Willard, and the Modern Woodmen of America at Cave Spring, while GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1343 his wife holds membership with the Royal Neighbors. They are both mem- bers of the Christian church at Cave Spring, in which the judge is an elder and active worker. He is one of the leading men of Cass township in every respect and is highly respected by all who know him. HENRY D. ROBINSON. In working for others it has always been the aim of Henry D. Robinson to do his full duty, and do well and honestly the tasks assigned him, and this conscientiousness and fidelity have resulted in success and a good conscience. If it had not been for these equalities he would not today be holdng the re- sponsible position of engineer of the crane and magnet reclamation depart- ment of the Frisco’s South Side shops in Springfield. Mr. Robinson was born in Waynesville, Pulaski county, Missouri, on December 9, 1875. His father, John Robinson, was born in Tennessee, where he grew up, attended school, married and engaged in farming, and from that state removed to Pulaski county, Missouri, prior to 1875, wh ere he owned and conducted a farm for a number of years, finally removing to Springfield, where he engaged in the livery business under his own name for five years, then spent the rest of his life in retirement, dying in November, 1913, at the age of seventy -five years. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He married Sarah McMillan, also a native of Tennessee, where she grew to womanhood and attended school. Pier death occurred in 1897, in Pulaski county, Missouri, and she was buried at Waynesville. Nine children were born to these parents, namely: Mrs. Mollie Trower lives at Crocker, Missouri; William is engaged in farming near Waynesville; Mrs. Alice Gil- liat was next in order; Mrs. Cora Walker lives in St. Louis; Henry D., of this review; Mrs. Nira Wryrick is deceased; Edward lives in Springfield and is a brakeman on the Frisco Lines; Lilburn is engaged in the manufacture of stoves in St. Louis ; Charles lives in Springfield. Henry D. Robinson grew to manhood on the home farm in Pulaski county, where he worked when a boy, and he received his education in the public schools of that vicinity. He remained with his parents until he came to Springfield, in 1900. In February, 1901, he began working here for the Frisco, in the old North Side shops, a hostler, continuing at this for four years, then was fireman for a short time, after which he was appointed en- gineer of the traveling steam crane in the construction department, making trips all over the various divisions of this road. In September, 1913, he was transferred to the reclamation department as engineer of the yard crane and magnet, which position he holds at this writing in a manner that reflects 1344 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. credit upon himself and to the satisfaction of the company. His duties are manifold, including the overseeing of the shipment of a certain amount of junk from the yards, etc. Mr. Robinson was married on June 4, 1897, to Augusta King, a daugh- ter of Martin King and wife, of Bellefonte, Pulaski county, where she was reared and educated. To this union four children have been born, namely: Ray, John, Estelle and Mabel. Politically, Mr. Robinson is a Democrat. Fraternally, he belongs to the Knights and Ladies of Security, the Independent Order of Odd Fellow's and the Loyal Order of Moose. JAMES M. BUTTS. Among the self-made men of Greene county who deserve their present comfortable situation in life is James M. Butts, who hails from the renowmed Blue Grass state. This latter fact may not have much significance to some who peruse this biography, hut maybe if he had not been fortunate enough to have had in his veins the blood of the sterling people who lived in that state in its early history and had not been reared in that splendid environ- ment he would not have succeeded in overcoming the obstacles that have beset his pathway. True it is that the Kentuckians who have located in Greene county have all been courageous, energetic and in every way good citizens, so there must be something after all in the place wdiere we happen to be born, as the humorist Bill Nye maintained long ago. Mr. Butts was born in Simpson county, Kentucky, on December 28, 1842. He is a son of H. G. and Mary (Barker) Butts. The father was born in Rockingham county, North Carolina, in 1815, and was reared in Kentucky, to which state he went when a small boy. Lie had no chance to obtain an education. He made a trip to Texas, but returned to Kentucky in 1850, and in 1856 moved to Missouri, locating in Dallas county, wdiere he spent the rest of his life, dying on March 6, 1897. The mother of our subject was born in Simpson county, Kentucky, in 1813, and was reared on the home farm near the city of Franklin. Pier death occurred on the Butts farm in Dallas county in 1891. She w r as a member of the Christian church. To these parents six children w r ere born, namely: Reuben, deceased; John, deceased; James M., of this sketch; Richard, deceased; Nancy, deceased; the voungest died in infancy, unnamed. So our subject is the sole survivor of his family. James M. Butts was reared on the farm in Kentucky, w'here he worked hard when a boy. His education v r as neglected for lack of time and oppor- MR. AND MRS. JAMES M. BUTTS. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1345 tunity. He came with the family to Missouri in 1856, and located in Greene county in 1885. Here he went to work in a mercantile establishment, later worked in a mill, then secured employment in a drug store. He became owner ■of a farm of one hundred and twenty-four acres in Dallas county. His present neat little farm of fifty-eight acres in Jackson township, Greene county, is well kept. Mr. Butts was married in 1861 to Mary F. McGlothlin, who was born in Barrv county, Missouri, on August 26, 1846. She is a daughter of Alex- ander and Mary (Durham) McGlothlin, both natives of Tennessee, the father born on October 15, 1808, and the mother born on February 2, 1809. They were married on February 22, 1831. They came to Missouri in 1833 and located in Barry county, making the trip over the rough intervening mountainous country in wagons. Their farm in Barry county consisted of three hundred acres. They were among the early settlers in that county. Mr. McGlothlin was influential in public affairs there and at one time repre- sented the county in the state legislature. His death occurred in that county in 1857, in which year also occurred the death of his wife. Mrs. Butts was reared on the home farm in Barry county and received her education in the public schools there. She was ten years old when her parents died, but she continued to reside in her native county until her marriage. She is one of ten children, eight of whom are deceased. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Butts, namely : Columbia, born on July 14, 1864; Mrs. Lula Bryan, born on December 6, 1867; Mrs. Mcie Cowden, born on March 6, 1870; Mrs. Sipie Burford, born on October 126, 1872, is deceased; Mrs. Florence Leslie, born on April 24, 1875; the youngest child, James H., died at the age of thirteen years. Mr. Butts is a member of the Masonic Order, and he belongs to the •Christian church. ELMER E. E. McJIMSEY. Elmer E. E. Mcjimsey is the editor and owner of The Springfield (Mis- souri) Republican. His brother editors declare that to think of the city of Springfield or of the beautiful Ozark country is to think in the same moment of Editor Mcjimsey, so closely has the fame of the region and of the Mis- souri journalist, politician and orator become interwoven. Mr. Mcjimsey is not a native of the Ozark country, nor even of Mis- •souri. This information frequently surprises his most intimate friends. He was born in the little Indiana town once known as Pleasant Hill, but now called Wingate, in Montgomery county, February 23, 1862. His father, (85) GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1346 Joseph Mcjimsey, a native of Wheeling, West Virginia, was a merchant of Pleasant Hill before and during the Civil war and for some years afterward. In 1875, however, the family came to Missouri, locating at Maryville, Noda- way county, where Joseph Mcjimsey engaged in the livery business, conduct- ing this establishment for years. Joseph Mcjimsey died at the age of eighty- two years in Chillicothe, Missouri, March 9, 1906. His wife, nee Isabel Bales, was born in Xenia, Ohio, in 1837, and is now a resident of Long Beach, California. Elmer E. E. Mcjimsey was educated in the public schools of his native town in Indiana and those of Maryville. He was from his earliest boyhood a lover of horses, and at fourteen years of age rode as a jockey with such success that he continued in this calling for two years. At the age of sixteen he was made a full partner with his father in the Maryville livery business,, the first name becoming Mcjimsey & Son. It was while pushing the interests of this business that the young man, always a lover of books, began to show a fondness for writing and later for public speaking. Mr. Mcjimsey purchased in 1895 a half interest in the Maryville Tribune and became at once its editor. Almost as soon as he had fully entered upon his new duties he realized that he had found his life work, and during the succeeding eight years the vigor of his writings — making possible in a short time the issuance of The Tribune as a daily instead of a weekly news- paper — attracted wide attention. Mr. Mcjimsey was deeply interested in politics and scarcely did his suc- cess as a journalist become assured when he also began to win fame on the public platform. An enthusiastic believer in and supporter of the princi- ples of the Republican party, he defended that faith in state campaigns and became one of a company of earnest young men who took for their slogan, “Win Missouri for Republicanism.” But he was not permitted to confine his campign efforts to his own state. Mr. Mcjimsey’s fame as speaker reached the national Republican headquarters in Washington and he was called upon to visit the East and participate in the great battles being waged there for the predominance of Republican principles. One of his memorable oratorical efforts was when, the day of the death of President McKinley, he spoke in a pouring rain to a great concourse of people on the public square of his home town, Maryville, the address being such a tribute to the martyred executive as stirred his hearers profoundly. Calls to more extensive fields came constantly to the Maryville editor as his reputation grew, and in 1903 he disposed of his holdings in the Mary- ville Tribune to his business associate, Curtis Wray, and associated him- self with Charles D. Morris in the purchase of the St. Joseph (Missouri) Gazette. Mr. Mcjimsey became at once editor-in-chief of this paper and soon GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1347 the journal took front rank with the best daily papers of the country. In 1906 Mr. Mcjimsey severed his connection with the Gazette in order to enter a yet more promising- field. With John E. Swanger he bought The Springfield Missouri Republican on March 1st of that year, and at once Mr. Mcjimsey assumed editorial and managerial control. He has seen this paper grow to one of the influential and valuable properties in the Middle West, and is not only its editor now, but also principal owner and president of The Re- publican Company, as well as a stockholder in the St. Joseph Gazette Com- pany. The Republican has wielded, from the moment Mr. Mcjimsey took up the direction of its policies, a potent influence in the development of Spring- field and southwestern Missouri. The Republican has stood firmly for public improvement in city and country. The paper originated the good roads movement in southern Missouri, and by persistent and wise effort built up an enthusiasm for highway improvement which has resulted in that section equalling other portions of the state in the extent and permanency, of its road building. The Republican set about making known to the world the richness of the natural resources of the Ozarks, the salubrity of the climate of that region, the beauty of the scenery and the charm of year-around life there. More than to any other factor, it is admitted far and wide, the ensuing won- derful growth and development of this section of country is due partly to The Republican’ s work of loyalty and love toward this end. Among the recognitions of his sendee which have come to Editor Mc- jimsey have been offers of posts of honor and of opportunity for yet addi- tional achievements for the public weal. Owing to the extent of his own business affairs, not all of these responsibilities could be undertaken by Mr. Mcjimsey. He accepted the supervisorship of the census in the fourth Mis- souri district under President McKinley. He declined the appointment to the consul-generalship of Peru, South America, offered him by President Roosevelt. Mr. Mcjimsey was named by Governor Folk as a member of the Missouri commission to the Portland Fair in 1905, and by Governor Hadley as a member of the board of regents of the Springfield State Normal for six years, beginning with 1909. After serving as president of the board from 1911 to 1913, Mr. Mcjimsey was compelled to resign because of other grow- ing duties. He was appointed by President Taft as postmaster of Spring- field, April 11, 1910. and also as custodian of the Federal building of that city, resigning both positions in January, 1914. He was named to the Spring- field library board by Mayor Ernst in 1910, resigning in 1913, in which year he was appointed by Mayor Culler as a member of the Springfield public park board and was made the first president of that board, which was created by vote of the people largely as the result of the tireless work of The Republican to inaugurate a park and boulevard system in Springfield. 1348 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. Mr. Mcjimsey was a member of the Republican state committee of Mis- souri for two terms, beginning with 1898, was chosen as both temporary and permanent chairman of the Republican state convention held at Jefferson City in 1902 and was president of the Young Men’s Republican Associa- tion of Missouri, 1911-12. He is a member of the Masonic, Knights of Pythias, Modern Woodmen and Elks fraternal orders. He is a member of the Springfield Club and served as its president from 1909 to 1910, and belongs to the Country Club and the Springfield Club. His family is Metho- dist in religious affiliations. Mr. Mcjimsey was married at Maryville, August 24, 1901, to Caroline M. Webb, daughter of H. N. Webb, at the time of his death editor of the Unionville (Missouri) Republican, and at one time secretary of the Re- publican state committee. PROF. JOHN R. ROBERTS. Of high professional and academic attainments and ranking among the foremost educators of southern Missouri, Prof. John R. Roberts, the efficient and popular superintendent of the Greene county public schools has achieved marked distinction in the noble work to which his talents and energies have so long been devoted, and judging by the past it is safe to predict for him a future of still greater usefulness and honor. Not only as a teacher and man- ager of schools has he made his presence felt, but as a citizen in the daily walks of life, his influence has tended to the advancement of the community and the welfare of his fellow men, while the responsible public positions to which he has been called from time to time bear testimony to his ability to fill worthily high and important trusts. His name with eminent fitness oc- cupies a conspicuous place in the profession which he adorns and his career, presenting a series of successes such as few attain, has gained for him much more than a local reputation as a successful organizer and manager of edu- cational interests. The major portion of his life has been spent in this, his native state, and at the proper age he entered the school room, where he early displayed the powers of mind and desire for study which subsequently won for him honorable distinction as a scholar and success as a teacher. Ten years ago he accepted the superintenclency of the Greene county public schools, and in this perhaps the greatest of his labors as an educator and manager have been thus far accomplished. His great force of character and ripe scholarship, together with his ability as an organizer enabled him to bring to his work in this county the results of his professional experience with marked effect, and it was not long until the schools under his super- •T. R. ROBERTS. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1349 vision advanced to the high standing of efficiency for which they are now noted. The teaching- force during his incumbency has been increased and the enrollment of pupils is vastly greater than a decade ago, while many things tending to lesson the teachers’ labors and at the same time make them more effective have been introduced ; the course of study throughout has been modified and improved, the latest and most approved appliances purchased and everything in keeping with modern educational progress, tested and where practical retained. Prof. Roberts was born in Macon county, Missouri, January 8, 1849. He is a son of Joseph P. and Celia (Rippetoe) Roberts, natives of Jackson county, Tennessee. They were married in Tennessee, from which state they emigrated to Missouri in 1844 and located in Macon county, where they made their home until 1856, when they removed to Greene county. Joseph P. Roberts was a pioneer minister in the Christian church and he did an incal- culable amount of g'ood among the early settlers in this state. Upon coming to this county he located on the James river. Our subject was then about seven years of age. They lived in what is now a part of Christian county, which was formed from Greene county in 1858. The father died in 1888, and the death of the mother occurred in 1898. Their family consisted of six children, two sons and four daughters, five of whom survive at this writing, namely: Prof. John R., of this sketch; P. W., a farmer and minister of the gospel, a veteran of the Civil war, and ex-judge of the county court of Christian county, is still living there; Mary A., married N. A. Inman, a farmer of Christian county, bore him eight children and is now deceased; Wealthy is the wife of H. C. Collins, a stock dealer of Christian county, and they have six children ; Nannie has been a teacher for forty years at Pea Ridge, Arkansas, where she is still employed ; Martha, who married N. J. Robbins, a fanner and fruit grower of Bentonville. Arkansas, has eight children. Prof. John R. Roberts received his early education in the public schools of Ozark, this state, then entered Abington College, Knox county, Illinois, from which institution he was graduated in the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1873, and later that college conferred on him the degree of Master of Arts. After leaving school he went to Arkansas and established a college at Pea Ridge, of which he was president for a period of twenty years and which grew to be an institution of great importance to that country under his able management, and it has sent thousands of useful young men and women from its halls to benefit northwestern Arkansas especially, and this school will ever be a monument to our subject of which his descendants may well be proud. Coming to Springfield, Missouri, in 1896, Prof. Roberts con- tinued his profession here, teaching most acceptably in both the Normal and high schools until 1905, when he was elected county superintendent of public I 35° GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. schools and has discharged the duties of this important trust for a period of ten years in a manner that has reflected much credit upon himself and to the eminent satisfaction of all concerned. Prof. Roberts was married in 1876, in Arkansas, to Alice Dean, of Benton county, that state, where she grew to womanhood and was educated. She is a daughter of W. B. and Laura Dean. Mr. Dean was a merchant during his active life, and his death occurred in 1910. His widow is now liv- ing in Dallas, Texas. Their family consisted of seven children, namely : A. J., Alice, John L., William A., Henning A., Marguerite and Nannie. To Professor Roberts and wife one child was born, Josephine, who was given excellent educational advantages, and she is the wife of H. P. Mot- herly, a well known civil engineer, who has been employed in the engineering department of the Texas Pacific railroad for a period of twenty years. Mr. and Mrs. Motherly reside in Springfield and have one child, Alice Dean Mot- herly, born in 1906, and is now a student in a local grade school. Politically. Professor Roberts is a Republican, but has never cared for political preferment. Religiously, he belongs to the Christian church. A gentleman without pretense, broad-minded, of pleasing personality, he is honored by all with whom he comes in contact. JUDGE ALFRED PAGE. One of the prominent lawyers of Greene county is Judge Alfred Page, whose career at the local bar, comparatively brief, has been most commend- able. As judge of the Circuit Court for a period of four years, he proved himself to be worthy of the people’s trust in high positions. Coming up from the soil, battling his way alone and unaided up the ladder of professional success, he is entitled to the respect and admiration that all should accord the successful self-made man. Judge Page was born near Covington, Tipton county, Tennessee. He is a son of L. and Artemissa ( Montgomery) Page, early settlers in western Tennessee and there the father engaged in farming, being now eighty-three years of age. The death of the mother occurred in 1904, when about seventy- five years of age. The father removed to Missouri many years ago, lo- cating in Webster county and came on to Greene county in 1907. Judge Pag - e has a brother in California and one in Missouri, who are engaged in teaching; four of his brothers are deceased; two sisters are living, one in Joplin, this state, and the other is keeping house for her father in Greene county, Missouri. Alfred Page grew to manhood on the farm and assisted with the gen- GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1351 eral work about the place when he became of proper age. He was sixteen years old when he came to Missouri in 1885, and located in Greene county in 1891, where he has since maintained his home. He received a common school education, and later studied at Drury College, Springfield, from which institution he was graduated with the class of 1897. He began his career by teaching which he followed five years, four of which were spent as principal of the high school at Ash Grove and one as principal of the high school at Aurora. Not finding this field of endeavor entirely to his liking he began the study of law while still teaching and in 1901 was ad- mitted to the bar, and at once began practice in Springfield. Taking an interest in public affairs from the first he was assistant prosecuting attorney of Greene county from 1903 to 1906, inclusive. He was elected judge of the Criminal Court in 1908, the duties of which office he assumed January 1, 1909. In April of that year the criminal court was merged with division No. 2 of the Circuit Court, and Mr. Page was appointed by Governor Herbert Hadley the first judge of the new division. After his term of office ex- pired, January 1, 1913. he formed a partnership with Col. G. A. Watson, under the firm name of Watson & Page, with offices in the Baker block on the public square, Springfield, and he has since been a member of this firm. Politically, he is a Republican. Judge Page was married in 1900 to Ada Trevitt, of Ash Grove, a lady of many commendable attributes of head and heart, and she was summoned to an untimely grave in 1903, leaving a daughter. Lenora Artemissa Page. Personally the Judge is a gentleman of exemplary character, a good mixer and a pleasant man to meet. JOHN P. McCAMMON. John P. McCammon was born in Henry county, Iowa, May 25, 1853, and is a son of Samuel and Mary E. (Brown) McCammon. He is of Scotch- Irish ancestry on the paternal side. His father was born in Pennsylvania where he grew to manhood, received such educational advantages as the old-time schools afforded, and he devoted his active life to general agricul- tural pursuits, remaining in his native state until 1852 when he removed to the state of Iowa, and in Henry county, but subsequently removed to Davis county, that state, where his death occurred in 1864. He was a man of courage and possessed the typical pioneer industry that resulted in success, and he stood high in the estimation of his neighbors, was a loyal Republican and did what he could toward the general advancement of the communities in which he lived, and held a number of minor political offices, the duties J 35 2 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. of which he always discharged with fidelity and credit, and at all times- proved his worth as a citizen. His wife, Mary E. Brown, was born in Washington county, Indiana, near the town of Salem, and was the daughter of a pioneer family of that state. After the death of her husband she came to Missouri and made her home in Ash Grove, Greene county, subsequently going to Perry, Iowa, where she lived until her death at an advanced age. To Samuel McCammon and wife five children were born, named in order of birth as follows: John P., of this review; William H., who established himself in the mercantile business at Perry, Iowa; Jessie married John Ir- win, and they located in Belvidere, Nebraska; Augusta became the wife of I. Woodridge, of Stockton, Cedar county, Missouri; Samuel A. established his home in Perry, Iowa. John P. McCammon grew to manhood on the home farm in Iowa and worked hard when a boy, assisting his father develop a farm in the new country. He attended the district schools in his community until he was about fifteen years of age, then entered the Iowa Wesleyan University at Mount Pleasant, Iowa, made a good record and was graduated from that institution with the class of 1877. That his scholarship was profound and he had won the highest estimation of his teachers is indicated by the fact that he began teaching in that university the following fall after his gradua- tion, and he followed teaching with much success until 1879, becoming one of the leading educators of that section of the state. In that year he came to Springfield, Missouri, where he continued his profession, but he had been studying law for some time before leaving his native state and he continued the study of this profession after coming to the Ozarks and was admitted to the bar in 1881. Pie practiced alone from 1881 to 1887 and was forging constantly to the front ranks. He then formed a partnership with Col. C. W. Thrasher and J. T. White, the same continuing until 1890, when Mr. Thrasher retired, and our subject and Mr. White continued in partnership until 1903 and the firm became one of the best-known in Springfield. Dur- ing the years he has been engaged in the practice of law he has shown a superior ability all along the line, has kept well abreast of the times, being ever a close student, not only of the statutes but of current events of im- portance. He was one of the original incorporators of the Missouri Fidel-’ ity & Casualty Company, in 1909, and was president of the same for the first six months, and got it well established and it grew rapidly into a large and important concern. He was then vice-president and general counsel for the same until 1914, when it was merged with the Southern Surety Com- pany of St. Louis, and the offices moved from Springfield to the Mound City, but Mr. McCammon became vice-president and attorney for the new concern, and is doing much to make it a great success as he did the for- mer concern. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1353 Mr. McCammon was married in 1859 to Lucy Owen, who was born in, Springfield, Missouri, where she grew to womanhood and received a good education. She is a daughter of Jabez Owen and wife, an old and influ- ential family of Greene county. Five children have blessed the union of our subject and wife, named as follows: Elizabeth Rush, born in September, 1890, is taking domestic science and physical training at the University of Missouri, Columbia; John Purdue, Jr., born in April, 1893, * s studying law in the University of Kansas at Lawrence; Owen, born in December, 1896, is attending the Porter Military Academy at Charleston, South Carolina; Lucy, born in August, 1900, is a student in the State Normal School at Springfield; and William Samuel, born in June, 1903, is a student in the local grade schools. Mr. McCammon has made the practice of law his foremost concern but has also found time to take an interest in manufacturing and real estate and has been very successful in a business way, accumulating a comfortable competence through his good management and wise foresight. He has been counsel for a number of corporations. Politically he is a Republican and while interested in party affairs has never sought office. Fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic order. He is a Beta Theta Pi. He was a mem- ber of the board of regents, State Normal at Springfield, Missouri, his term expiring in January, 1915. JAMES GILMER McMURTRY. In placing the name of James G. McMurtry, president of Drury Col- lege, in the front rank of educators who have at one time or another hon- ored Springfield with their residence, simple justice is done a biographical fact, recognized by all who are familiar with his history. A man of high intellectual attainments, wise discretion and rare executive ability, he has managed with tactful success the great institution of which the citizens of Greene county are justly proud. He has been very largely the architect of his own fortunes, has been true and loyal in all the relations of life and stands as a type of that sterling manhood which ever commands respect. He is a man who would, no doubt, have won a conspicuous position in whatever environment fate might have placed him, for he has sound judgment, cou- pled with great energy and keen discernment, all of which make for success wherever they are rightly applied and a laudable ambition is persistently followed. Withal, he is an unassuming and cultured gentleman, popular in all circles in which he moves. President McMurtry was born on a farm in Parke county, Indiana,. 1354 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. April 2, 1870. He is a scion of a sterling old family of the Hoosier state, being a son of David W. and Martha E. (Cooper) McMurtry. The father, also a native of Parke county, was born in 1837 and died in 1910, at the age of seventy-three years, after a long and successful career as a general farmer and stock raiser. He was a son of John S. and Margaret (McKee) McMurtry, both natives of Kentucky, from which 'state they came to west- ern Indiana in pioneer days, and there became well established through their industry. The McMurtrys have ever stood for right living and good citi- zenship, and it has been a pleasure to our subject to keep untarnished the bright escutcheon of the family name. James G. McMurtry grew to manhood on his father’s farm on which he laid the foundation for a robust manhood by performing his full share of the work during crop seasons. In the winter time he attended the dis- trict schools, later taking a course in Wabash College, from which institu- tion he was graduated in 1893, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. In 1895 this institution conferred upon him the degree of Master of Arts, and Doctor of Philosophy in 1898. After leaving college he began his career as educator, in which his rise was rapid, each succeeding year finding him further advanced, until today he is universally recognized as one of the foremost educators of the Middle West. He has specialized in Greek, and is regarded as an authority on that old classic language. He has made him- self proficient in Latin also, and he taught these languages in the Collegi- ate Institute at Carthage, Missouri, in 1893-94. From 1895 to 1897 he was vice-president of Washington College in Tennessee, and was professor of Greek and philosophy in that institution, then taught the same branches in Henry Kendall College until 1902. He then went to Parsons College, Fair- field, Iowa, where he remained seven years as professor of Greek. When he first entered upon his duties there one pupil out of every twenty-three was studying Greek. He made this department so popular that when he left one out of every two students was studying this dead language, a re- markably notable increase which perhaps has not been equalled in any other school. His insatiable thirst for higher learning led Professor McMurtry, after five years’ work in Parsons College, to an extended sojourn abroad in travel and study in Scotland, France, Germany, Italy, Greece, Egypt and Palestine. He had not been in Europe long until he became a member of the American School of Archaeology at Athens, Greece. He has also been a member of the Classical Association of the Middle West and South since 1905, and since 1907 his name has been on the membership roll of the American Philo- logical Association. He is a man of highly developed perceptive faculties, and thus being a keen observer, he was greatly benefited by his studies in foreign lands, and since his return to the United States he has given many GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1355 interesting and instructive lectures, especially on Jerusalem, also many other places of importance, having been frequently requested to do so. His de- scriptions of the scenes and places through which he passed are graphic and are of greater value to the auditor than the average lecture by travelers. He produced a masterly sermon or prose poem on the twenty-third psalm several years ago, and, while not a theologian, his interpretation of this beautiful portion of the Scriptures, is superior to any yet known, according to those who have had the good fortune of hearing his address. He has been frequently importuned to have it published, but, never having put a single line of it to paper, he has so far refused to give it to the printer. Upon his return from Europe he went back to Fairfield, Iowa, and continued his connection with Parsons College until 1909, when, much to the regret of the curators and all concerned, he resigned in order to give his attention to personal business interests at El Campo, Texas, and although he had never given much time or attention to business affairs, he was so suc- cessful that while there he was offered the position of cashier in the First National Bank, which he accepted, acting in that capacity from January 1, 1911, until the following September. Such was his administration of the bank’s affairs that he received numerous flattering offers of positions in Eastern banks. However, he had never been imbued with an ambition to become a captain of industry, and he preferred to return to educational work, and he gave up his high-salaried position with the El Campo bank to accept the chair of Greek in Drury College, at a salary of less than one- half of the amount he was receiving as cashier. Thus he has been connected with Drury College since the fall of 1911. He proved to be such a valuable addition to the faculty that his salary was raised a number of times and in August, 1913. he was appointed acting president of the college for one year. However, before the close of the year, he was elected president, which re- sponsible and exacting position he has since filled in a manner that has re- flected much credit upon himself and to the satisfaction of all concerned. He has done much to strengthen the work in all departments and increase the prestige of the school. His exceptional business acumen has been of great service in placing Drury on a sounder financial basis. He is greatly enamored of his work, believing that teaching is the greatest of all profes- sions. He mixes freely with his students, encourages and assists them in any way possible, unlike the heads of some of our great institutions of learn- ing who hold themselves aloof from their students. He is easy of approach, obliging and of unquestioned altruistic impulses, and is therefore popular with all with whom he comes in contact. His superior scholarship, sound erudition and rare ability as an educator being unquestioned by those who know of his commendable work. Unlike man}' of his profession he has 1356 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. never become narrow or pedantic, but his views on national and other ques- tions are broad and progressive. He has marked ability as a public speaker. Doctor McMurtry’s domestic life began on July 25, 1894, in Craw- fordsville, Indiana, when he was united in marriage with Mary Anice Bray, a daughter of Ira M. and Emma Bray, a prominent and highly esteemed family of that city. Mrs. McMurtry received the advantages of an excel- lent education, and is a lady of culture and refinement. The union of our subject and wife has been blessed by the birth of two children, namely: Mildred Oenone and James G., Jr. Politically, Doctor McMurtry is an independent voter. Socially he be- longs to the University Club of Springfield, the Young Men's Business Club and the Springfield Club. JAMES BAIR. The army record alone of James Bair, deputy county clerk of Greene county, entitles him to the respect of all good citizens who remember the troublous times of the great war between the states. True Americans can never forget the heroes of the sixties, nor should they ever fail to do them honor. Mr. Bair has spent forty-five years in our midst and each succeeding year has found him with more friends than the preceding, which would indicate that he has been an honorable and valuable citizen. Indeed his long record as educator and public servant in this county is worthy of praise. He is an example of what honest effort, combined with perseverance and right thinking, will produce. His beginning was somewhat humble and dis- couraging, but he in due course of time rose to a position in the body politic which commanded respect by his fellow-citizens. All the more credit is due him for his own brave efforts, and his example may well be imitated by those whose youthful environments are not of an encouraging nature, not that he has been a great success financially, but what is better, that he has made a good and useful citizen. Mr. Bair was born at Canal Dover, Tuscarawas county, Ohio, on De- cember 18. 1845. He is a son of Jesse and Elizabeth (Bonfield) Bair. Jesse Bair was born near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, about 1817, was reared on a farm and learned the millwright’s trade when a boy, also worked at the carpenter’s trade. From his native state he went to Canton, Ohio, and about 1842 moved to Canal Dover, that state, where he worked at his trades, erecting a number of substantial mills and other buildings over that country; the old Blake mills are still standing near that city as a monument to his skill as a builder. Politically he was a Democrat, and fraternally a Mason. His GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1357 death occurred in 1890 at the home of our subject. Elizabeth Bonfield, mentioned above, was born at Canton, Ohio, and was a daughter of Dr. Bonfield, of that city. Her death occurred in New Philadelphia, that state, in 1853. Four children were born to Jesse Bair and wife, James, of this sketch, being the only survivor at this writing. His eldest brother, Martin V. B., was a soldier in the One Hundred and Fifteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry during the Civil war, and was one of the large number of soldiers who met death by drowning bv the sinking of the steamer Sultana in the Mississippi river in 1865. Upon the death of his mother in 1853 James Bair went to live with relatives near Waynesburg, Ohio. He received his education in the public schools there, and on December 22, 1861, enlisted in Company F, Eightieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and proved to be a gallant soldier for the Union, serving in a number of important engagements, such as Farmington, Iuka, Corinth, Raymond, Jackson and the siege of Vicksburg, all in Mississippi, later in the battle of Missionary Ridge, Tennessee, and Resaca, Georgia, then joined Sherman during the Atlanta campaign and marched with his army to the sea. He had previously re-enlisted in the same company and regiment, which entitled him to rank with the veterans. After reaching the coast at Savannah he accompanied the army northward through the Carolinas to Raleigh and was present when Gen. Joseph E. Johnston surrendered to Sherman, then marched overland to Washington, D. C., camped at Arlington Heights, Virginia, and later participated in the grand review at the capitol. After that he was sent with some troops to Louisville, Kentucky, and thence to Little Rock, Arkansas, and was honorably discharged and mustered out on August 13, 1865, as sergeant-major of his regiment, of which he had been adjutant clerk from August, 1863, until May, 1865, when he was appointed sergeant-major. Appreciating his ability as a soldier, he was corn- commissioned first lieutenant, but never mustered as such. After his career in the army Mr. Bair returned to Waynesburg, Ohio, and attended school for some time, then spent two terms at Mt. Vernon College at Alliance, Ohio. After finishing school he clerked in a store at Malvern, Ohio, for eight months, then began his career as teacher, for which he seemed well qualified by both nature and training. His first work as an educator was at Mapleton, Ohio, where he remained until 1869, when he came to Springfield, Missouri, and soon thereafter began teaching in the rural schools of Greene county, which he continued for a period of seven- teen years, teaching nine terms in one district. He was regarded as a progressive, thorough and painstaking instructor and his services were in great demand. He was one of the best-known teachers in the county of that period. Since abandoning the school room he has served in various capacities in business and county offices. He was deputy recorder of deeds for two GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. years, was deputy county clerk for one term, then bookkeeper for five years for a wholesale company in Springfield, then traveled for a firm for eighteen months in several states. We next find him as deputy county collector for two years, then as deputy county assessor for four years, and in 1903 he was appointed deputy county clerk, in which capacity he has since served, being still in this office. His long career in the county offices has made him one of the best-known men in the county, and his work has been most satis- factory to all concerned, being not only well performed, but promptly and courteously. Politically Mr. Bair is a Republican. He is a member of the local post of the Grand Army of the Republic, and religiously he is a member of the Christian church. Mr. Bair was married on August n, 1870, to Virginia J. Jeffries, who was born in Greene county. Missouri, in March, 1851, and her death occurred on November 12, 1912. She proved to be a faithful and sympathetic help- meet and was a good woman in every respect. To Mr. and Mrs. Bair four children were born, namely: Anna L., born on April 20, 1871, died on August 9, 1905; William M., born on May 4, 1873, died in March, 1875; Victoria, born on September 8, 1875, died on February 28, 1894; Charles A., born on May 2, 1878, is a conductor on the Frisco Railroad and lives in Springfield. JAMES ELMER POTTER. A young man who has stamped the impress of his strong personality upon the minds of the people of Greene county in a manner as to render him one of the conspicuous characters of the locality is James Elmer Potter, who is now serving his second term as county collector. Few men of his age are better known throughout the county, few occupy a more conspicuous place in public affairs, and it is a compliment worthily bestowed to class him with the representative men of this locality where the Potters have been influential since the first settlement of the county and where he has been con- tent to spend his life as teacher, agriculturist and public servant — always having the best interests of the county at heart. Mr. Potter was born on February 2, 1875, near Strafford in the eastern part of Greene county, Missouri, and he is a son of Louis Cass Potter and Susan M. (Hankins) Potter. The father was born in the same locality as was our subject, the date of his birth being 1845, an d there also, about three miles south of Taylor township line, the mother was born. These parents grew up in this locality and received their education in the common school GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1359 and were married there, established their home on the farm and spent their lives engaged successfully in general farming and stock raising, and there the death of Louis C. Potter occurred in 1893. He was a man of industry and public-spirit and made a success in his vocation, leaving behind him at death an honored name. His family consisted of three children, namely : Susie, James E. and Ethel. James E. Potter grew to manhood on the home farm near Strafford and there he worked when a youth, and when of proper age he attended the schools of his community and later the Springfield Normal, after which he taught school for a short time, but was compelled to give up that line of endeavor owing to failing health. He has made general farming and stock raising his main occupation. Politically, Mr. Potter has always been a stanch Republican. He was first elected to the office of county collector in 1910, and, having served his term of four years in a manner that was highly satisfactory to all concerned and with much credit to himself he was again elected to this office in No- vember, 1914, and is now beginning on his second term. He is faithful, painstaking and accurate in his official work. Being a man of uniform cour- tesy and fair dealing, and being straightforward, candid and sincere, he at once enlists the good will of everyone. Mr. Potter was married on August 10, 1904, near Strafford, to Susan E. McCraw, who was a native of California, from which state she was brought to Greene county, Missouri, when young by her parents and here grew up on a farm and received a common school education. She is the daughter of Gabriel and Elizabeth C. ( Waterson) McCraw. These parents were early settlers here, locating on a farm. They went to California, where the mother died. The father later returned to Greene county, Missouri, where he still lives on the old homestead on the James river. Our subject’s wife is the oldest of two children, the youngest being- James G. McCraw, living with his father on the farm. John L. McCraw, paternal grandfather of our subject’s wife, was one of the pioneer settlers of Greene county, and was a surveyor by profession. He surveyed a great deal of land in this locality. Thomas Potter, paternal grandfather of our subject, was among the first settlers in Greene county, was prominent among' the pioneers and was sheriff of the county in the early fifties. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. James E. Potter, namely: Eldred McCraw Potter, born May 16, 1905, died in infancy; and Howard Cass Potter, born July 5, 1910. Fraternally, Mr. Potter is a member of the Independent Order- of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is a Republican. The family are members of the Presbyterian church. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1360 EDWARD F. NEWTON. Why is it that railway magnates, presidents of banks and heads of great enterprises who must perforce do business in cities, almost all try to have homes on farms in the country, where they develop soils, plant crops and breed animals? It is because there is wearisome monotony in piled up brick and stone. There is confusion in crowded streets and clanging trolley cars and hot smoky railways. These things man has made, and they are needful, but they are not life, much as the farm boy may imagine them to be. It is the dream of millions of country bred boys to get established in some city, but after they have tried urban life a few years and see the many ob- jectionable phases of it, they begin to have other dreams — of returning to the farm, where there is more freedom, better health and greater happiness. Edward F. Newton, well known farmer and breeder of live stock of Franklin township, Greene county, has been wise enough to establish himself in the ■ country. Mr. Newton was born in Bowling Green, Kentucky, March 2, 1864. He is a son of Hiram and Caroline (Kite) Newton. The father was born in Massachusetts, from which state he came with his parents to Bowling Green, Kentucky, when young and there spent the rest of his life, engaged principally at the carpenter's trade, his death occurring in 1865, when about fifty-two years of age. Politically, he was a Democrat. Ele owned valu- able property in Bowling Green. His wife was born in Warren county, Kentucky, and her death occurred also in the year 1865, when forty-four years of age. To these parents fourteen children were born, named as fol- lows : Richard, James, John, Hiram, Jr., are all deceased; George lives at Beaver Dam, Kentucky; Andrew Jackson and Silas are both deceased; Ed- ward F. of this sketch; Mary, Fanny, and Eliza are deceased; the next child died in infancy; the two youngest, twins, also died in infancy. Edward F. Newton was reared by his sister, Mrs. Elizabeth McCrary, with whom he came to Greene county, Missouri, when a child, the family locating near Ebenezer, and bought a farm of one hundred and twenty acres on which our subject remained until he was twenty-two years of age. He received a common school education. Mr. Newton has been twice married, first, to Nettie Berry, a daughter of William and Martha (Latham) Berry. She was born in Franklin town- ship, this county. William Berry was born in Tennessee, from which state he came to Greene county, Missouri, when young, making the tedious over- land journey with an ox team, bringing his wife and household effects. He settled on rough land, which he cleared and developed by hard work, and here he and his wife spent the rest of their lives, dying on the farm now ■ owned by our subject. Mr. Berry purchased one hundred and sixty acres EDWARD F. NEWTON. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1361 of railroad land, later took up other railroad land. He devoted his active life to general farming. Mr. Newton was married again in 1909 to Mrs. Elva (White) Massey, which union has been without issue, but he is the father of seven children bv his first wife, namely: Roy, born September 20, 1886, married Mazie Murray and lives in Springfield; Ethel, born March 28, 1889, niarried John Tacoby, lives in Springfield and they have one child, Kenneth ; Theodore, born August 5, 1892, married Bertha Goetz and they live in Franklin town- ship; Ralph, born November 4, 1894; Maver, born August 13, 1897: Harold, born July 13, 1900; and Thelma, born October 24, 1903. Their mother died February 6. 1903. Mr. Newton moved to his present farm in 1885, after his first marriage. He has prospered through his close application, sound judgment and honest dealings, and he is now owner of one of the choice farms of the township, consisting of two hundred and fifty-three acres, of well improved and pro- ductive land, all under cultivation, but ten acres in timber. He built his present substantial residence, also outbuildings, in 1904. In 1912 he built a modern breeding barn, thirty-two by forty feet, with box stalls and other conveniences found only on up-to-date farms. In connection with general farming he makes a specialty of breeding live stock and owns some fine animals which are greatly admired by all. At present he has three jacks and two stallions — Black Eagle, Blue John and Silver Song, Skelix and Young Roman. Black Eagle is a fine black jack with mealy points, four- teen and one-half hands high, heavy bodied, high headed, large flat heavy boned. He was sired by old Ratter, a large breeder, well known in the southern part of Polk county. Black Eagle’s dam was a mammoth jennett, stood fifteen hands high. Eagle's sire and dam were both high bred animals, making Black Eagle a well-bred jack. Blue John is a blue jack, fifteen hands high, jack measure, and is well known throughout Greene county to all breeders. His colts are heavy-boned, with good heads, and always make big fine mules that never fail to top the market. Silver Song is a fine black jack, weighing about one thousand pounds, and is fourteen and three-quarters hands high; he is sired, by Big Eagle, dam, Lady M. Skelix is a dark bay stallion, fifteen and one-half hands high, black points, weighing eleven hun- dred pounds. His sire is Kiosk, No. 21359, Vol. 12, page 88. Trotting record, 2:31, sire of five trotters in the list; chestnut, star, one white hind foot; sixteen hands high; weight over twelve hundred pounds; sire. Kremlin, 2 :o 7-;T, trotting; champion of the world in 1892. Dam, Elista, 2:20; dam of Elison, 2:17, trotting; second dam Green Mountain Maid; dam of nine 2:30 trotters. Young Roman is a draft stallion, eight years old in 1915, sixteen and one-half hands high, weight seventeen hundred pounds. He is (86) 1362 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. three-fourths Percheron, has fine style and action, is an extra well made horse with large heavy bone. He is an entirely black stallion. Young Roman was sired by Roman Prince, an imported and thoroughbred Percheron. He weighed two thousand pounds and was as fine a breeder as the southwest has ever afforded. His dam is a large black mare, one-half Percheron, and weighs fifteen hundred pounds. Politically, Mr. Newton is a Republican, but he has never been active in public affairs or held office. He is a member of the Anti-Horse Thief Association. Fraternally, he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, at Springfield, also the Royal Neighbors. He and his wife are members of the Methodist church at Pleasant Valley. He is a great lover of good horses and mules and is a good judge of them. He is a home man, is soci- able, is well acquainted over the county and has hosts of friends everywhere. HENRY EATON. From a sterling family of the old Pine Tree state came the late Henry Eaton, for many years one of the prominent business men of Springfield, and, having inherited many of the commendable traits of his rugged ances- tors, he won not only material success, but also a creditable position as a citizen. He was a man of industry, prompt in the discharge of his every-day duties, and he gradually overcame the obstacles in his pathway and became one of the substantial men of his city, and his standing here as a thorough- going, honorable man of affairs was such as affords the keenest satisfaction to his family and friends, and no doubt was gratifying to himself, and in the true sense in which the term is used his life was a signal success. Mr. Eaton was born on October 10, 1840, in Stonington, formerly known as Greene’s Landing, a small island off the coast of Maine. Fie was a son of Charles and Rebecca (Doane) Eaton. The father was born in Stonington, Maine, also, and the mother was a native of N ewberg, that state, the birth of Charles Eaton occurring in 1810, and Rebecca Doane first saw the light of day in 1818. These parents grew to maturity in their native state, received meager educations and were married there. They each represented old families of New England. Nathan Eaton, the paternal grandfather, established the family home in Maine when that state was sparsely settled. Charles Eaton spent his life in Maine, where he engaged extensively in the mercantile business, dry goods and groceries, also owned several fishing vessels, and carried on fishing on a large commercial scale. His family consisted of eight children, five of whom are still living. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 13 6 3 Henry Eaton grew to manhood in Maine and assisted his father when a boy and he received his education in the public schools, also attended a seminary. After leaving school he went to sea for awhile, and was also associated with his father for some time in merchandising, remaining there until 1870, when he came to Missouri and located in Clinton, Henry county, where he remained two years, and traveled for Cole Brothers, of Mt. Pleas- ant, Iowa, then came to Springfield and went into the transfer business, becoming a member of the firm of Bryan & Eaton, and later conducted the business alone. It grew to large proportions, and his vans and teams were to be seen all over the city daily. Later he added coal and ice to his transfer business and also did a large business in this line of endeavor, and con- tinued both with increasing success until his death. Honesty and promptness were his aims, and he had the good will and confidence of the people. He was also intere’sted in mining and other lines of business. Mr. Eaton was married on June 30, 1863, to Tryphosa B. Raynes, who was born at Sunset, on the same island in Maine on which Mr. Eaton was born, her birth occurring on November 27, 1845. She is a daughter of Abial and Susan (Lufkin) Raynes, both parents being natives of that vicinity also, and there they grew up and were married, and Mr. Raynes became a sailor, was shipwrecked on Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, and although he lived to reach shore, died of cold and exposure later. Mrs. Eaton’s family were all seafaring people. Mrs. Eaton’s grandfather, Wil- liam Raynes, was born in 1778, and lived to the advanced age of ninety-one years; his wife, Ruth Sylvester, was born in 1789 and died in 1852. John Raynes, father of William Raynes, was born in 1753 and died in 1837; his wife, Deborah Cuchman Sylvester, died in 1837 also. Capt. Edmond Syl- vester, the maternal great-grandfather of Mrs. Henry Eaton, was born on June 17, 1762, and he served a short time in the Revolutionary war, and thereby Mrs. Eaton is a member of the Daughters of the American Revo- lution. Her grandfather and grandmother Sylvester were married at Marsh- field, Massachusetts, on December 23, 17S4. Airs. Eaton was the only child of her parents, and she was but a year old when her father lost his life at sea. She grew to womanhood in her native community and received a common school education. To Henry Eaton and wife six children were born, three of whom are deceased ; they were named as follows : Ann is the eldest, Charles is deceased, Daisy is living, Henry, Jr., is deceased, as is also Kate; Karl, the youngest, lives in Springfield and is well known among the younger business men here. Politically, Henry Eaton was a Republican, and fraternally he belonged to the Masonic Order. He was called to his eternal rest on March 23, 1913, at the age of seventy-two and a half years. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI 1364 COL. HOMER F. FELLOWS. No man stood higher in the affairs of the city of Spring-field in the early period of her development than the late Col. Homer F. Fellows, a pio- neer who came here nearly sixty years ago, in ante-bellum days and by his industry became one of the leading business men of Springfield, founded a great wagon maufacturing concern, helped organize the street railway sys- tem, was twice chief executive of the city and prominent in public affairs, and during the war between the states became an officer of high rank. His record shows that he did as much as any other man ever did toward the general growth of the city for a period of half a century, and he merits extended notice in a work of this nature. Col. Fellows was born in Willsborough, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, July 28, 1831. He was a son of Erastus and Elizabeth Fellows. He sprang from old Colonial stock, and was of English-Puritan extraction, two brothers, John and Drane Fellows, having emigrated from England among the earlv colonists. John Fellows, the colonel’s grandfather, was born in Canaan, Connecticut, where his ancestors had settled, and served in the Revolutionary war. He married Edna Deibold, also born in the town of Canaan, and of French descent. After their marriage they removed to Lu- zerne county, Pennsylvania, locating on a farm, which they developed by hard work from the wilderness, which was filled with Indians and wild beasts. Remaining there until about 1820 John Fellows moved with his family to Tioga county, Pennsylvania, and there passed the remainder of his life, dying at the age of eighty-three years. His family consisted of six children: Horace, Ashel, Erastus, Merritt, Eliza and Hulda. His son, Erastus, father of our subject, was also a native of Canaan, Connecticut, and was a small boy when the family moved from there to Pennsylvania. He received a fairly good education for those early times, and when a young man he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he spent one year, then returned to Penn- sylvania and married Mrs. Elizabeth (Cole) Johnson, a widow, and a daugh- ter of Royal Cole, a native of the state of New York, but of English ex- traction. Mr. Cole was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, participating in a number of important engagements, including the battle of Trenton, and was present at the surrender of Burgoyne. He also served in the War of 1812. He was a well-informed man on general subjects, and was a Universalist in his religious belief. He reared a large family. The latter part of his life was spent at Wellsborough. In that town also Erastus Fellows and his wife located, and there he engaged in hotel keeping and farming, being proprietor of Fellows’ Temperance House there from 1825 until 1865, his inn being well known to the traveling public of that period. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1365 He was one of the early advocates of temperance, accomplished much good by his determined stand, and was known as a man of high moral character in every respect. He was also a strong Abolitionist, and his house was the refuge for slaves escaping to Canada about the Civil war period. He was fearless and outspoken in his views when once convinced that he was right. The famous James G. Burney, at one time candidate for the Presi- dency on the Abolitionist ticket, came to Wellsborough, but owing to the opposition, could find no place in which to make a speech, and Mr. Fellows gave him the use of his dining-room and there his lecture was delivered. Politically, Mr. Fellows was at one time a Whig, but later an Abolitionist, and finally a Republican. During the latter part of his life he became a man of wealth, and his death occurred in 1884 at the age of eighty-four years. His wife received an excellent education for her day, and her descendants are in possession of a certificate issued to her in 1813 by the directors of the district of Coeymans, Albany county, New York, attesting her ability to teach school. Through her life she took an interest in literary matters, was a great reader, and wrote verse of much merit, some of which found its way into print. She was a member of the Methodist church and was strong in her moral convictions. By her first husband she became the mother of two children, Newton and Almira Johnson, and her union with Mr. Fellows resulted in the birth of four children: Rachael A., Homer F., of this sketch; Norris W. and Mary E. The parents of these children lived their entire married life at Wellsborough, Pennsylvania, and there their son, Homer F. Fellows, grew to manhood, working on his father’s farm in the summer time and attending the common schools in the winter. At the age of seven- teen he began clerking in a dry goods store in his native town, in which position he remained about a year and a half. He then taught a district school, and later entered the Wesleyan University at Lima, New York, where he remained a year. By the time he had reached his twenty-first year he had acquired a good education for those days; and with the intention of going to Texas he came west, but illness overtook him at Rock Island, Illinois, interfering with his plans. He went on to Muscatine, Iowa, where he re- mained some time, then went to Burlington, that state, and was salesman for a mercantile firm, and later worked as collector there for one of his em- ployers, then managed a store for him at Chariton, Iowa, for a year and a half. Following this he managed a general store for two other employers, one of whom sent him East to purchase the stock. In 1856 he went to [Plattsburg, Missouri, where he engaged in the real estate business, which business he purchased of his employers a year later, and established offices at Warsaw and Springfield, this state, under the firm name of Fellows, Todd & Robinson, in 1857, and the firm located many land warrants in the Platt Purchase in southwest Missouri, also engaged in the abstract business here. 1366 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. Mr. Fellows was a strong Republican from the first, and, possessing exceptional qualifications, he was appointed registrar of lands for the dis- strict of Springfield by President Lincoln, in May, 1861, and continued in this office until the battle of Wilson’s Creek. In 1861 he visited Washington, D. C., on military business in the interest of General Sigel, and made the personal acquaintance of President Lincoln, whom he had voted for the previous year. Springfield then being occupied by the Confederates, Union men avoided the city, and Mr. Fellows engaged in merchandising at Rolla, Missouri. In 1863 he was appointed lieutenant-colonel of the Forty-sixth Missouri Militia, which regiment was called out under General McNeil, mustered into the service of the United States, and was on guard duty during the last invasion of Missouri by the Confederates under Gen. Sterling Price. In the winter of 1864 Mr. Fellows sold out his interests in Rolla and engaged in the wholesale grocery business in St. Louis, under the firm name of McElhaney & Fellows. Continuing in this business until 1867, he then sold out and went to Arlington, where he established a gen- eral store. The St. Louis & San Francisco railroad was at that time being- built from St. Louis to Springfield, and when business over the same com- menced Mr. Fellows established stores at convenient points along the road, one at Lebanon and another at what was then known as North Springfield. This business was largely wholesale. In 1871 he erected the first grain elevator in Springfield and the following year was induced to take charge of the Springfield Manufacturing Company, which had just been organized and which was in a bad condition financially. Finding the concern hope- lessly involved the stockholders surrendered their stock and a new com- pany was organized as the Spring-field Wagon Company. The principal stockholders were Colonel Fellows, his brother, Morris W., and Capt. Boy- den. New capital being invested the company began the manufacture of farm wagons and did a good business from the start. In 1883 the plant was destroyed by fire, but was rebuilt a year later and the capital stock increased from twenty-five thousand to fifty thousand dollars. A year later it was increased to seventy-five thousand dollars. The plant was greatly enlarged and the business increased, and from that time to the present the demand has been equal to the capacity of the works, and several thousand wagons have been annually manufactured here, and they find a very ready market over a vast territory. The reputation of the Springfield wagon for utility and service has steadily gained from the first, so that it has long since com- manded the highest price in southern Missouri, Arkansas, Texas and all over the great Southwest. Its equal is not manufactured by any firm in America, and it comes in competition with all other wagons manufactured in this country and ranks as the best. The great success of the enterprise was due for the most part to Col. Fellows. The plant of the company is a GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. I367 large and modern one and gives employment to scores of men, and as an industrial enterprise has been one of the most important in the city for thirty years. In 1881 Col. Fellows was the chief promoter of the Spring- field street railway system, and was president of the company for three years and made it a successful venture. In 1859 he was one of the stock- liolders of the first telegraph line through Springfield. This line followed the overland stage road. Col. Fellows built the first telephone line that came into Springfield, in the latter part of the seventies, which connected his office and residence. He was a liberal contributor to the Kansas City, Ft. Scott & Memphis railroad, which was made a part of the Frisco System in 1900. He was one of the organizers of the Springfield Water Works, and president of the company for three years. For a number of years after the close of the war he also engaged in shipping and a transfer business between Rolla and Springfield. He remained manager of the wagon fac- tory the rest of his life. In i860 Col. Fellows was the only man in Springfield but one who openly voted the Republican ticket. Like his father, he had the courage of his convictions upon all occasions. He was elected mayor of this city in 1876, later serving a second term, and for many years he was a member of the city council and the local school board. He ever extended a helping hand to the cause of education, and did much to establish good schools here. Liberal in his views and progressive in his ideas, he always assisted with his means, time and influence the churches of the city without regard to denomination; in fact, one of our most public-spirited citizens, he did much to further the general interests of the city. Fraternally, he was a member of the Masonic Order, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in his earlier years, and towards the latter part of his life belonged to the Knights of Honor and the Woodmen of the World. He was at one time nominated for lieutenant governor of Missouri, but was defeated. Col. Fellows was three times married, first, on November 15, 1859, to Martha Alvira McElhaney, of Springfield, and to this union three children were born, namely : Emma, who married Charles T. Keet ; Clara, who mar- ried F. J. Curran ; and Adah, who married George Rathbun, all establishing homes in Springfield, but the eldest and youngest daughters were left widows early in life. The mother of these three daughters died October 5, 1869. Col. Fellows was married a second time on August 15, 1872, to Minnie L. Royden, of Neosho, Missouri, and to this union one son was born, Homer Frank Fellows, who was in the employ of the Frisco railroad for some time, in the offices of the company at St. Louis, but he is now president of the Springfield Wagon Works and makes his home in Springfield. A sketch of him will be found on another page of this work. The death of the Colonel’s second wife occurred September 24, 1881. On March 24, 1884, GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1368 our subject married Mrs. Matilda (Dickard) Jackson, widow of J. C. Jack- son. She was born, May 29, 1847, m Kentucky, and is a daughter of Josiah R. and Mary E. (Hart) Dickard, the father a native of Virginia and the mother of Kentucky, and they were married in Hardin county, Kentucky, later removing to Illinois when Mrs. Fellows was a child and there she grew to womanhood and received her education, and from that state she came to Springfield, Missouri, in 1870. She first married John C. Jackson, in December, 1864, in Illinois. He was a native of North Carolina and was a merchant by occupation. His death occurred February 22, 1883. To this first union two daughters were born to Mrs. Fellows, namely, Mary M. Jackson, born March 16, 1873, married James H. Jordon, and they live in Oklahoma ; and Jennie Mabel Jackson, born April 29, 1876, married Richard M. Holbrook, and they live in Clarksville, Arkansas. Mrs. Fellows owns a picturesque, old-fashioned home on North Main street, Springfield. She is a member of Calvary Presbyterian church, and is a woman of many praiseworthy attributes. The death of Col. Homer F. Fellows occurred November 10, 1894, at the age of sixty-three years, after a successful, useful and honorable life. W. C. POTTER. In a brief sketch of any living citizen it is difficult to do him exact and impartial justice, not so much, however, for lack of space or words to set forth the familiar and passing events of his personal history, as for want of the perfect and rounded conception of his whole life, which grows, de- velops and ripens, like fruit, to disclose its true and best flavor only when it is mellowed by time. Daily contact with the man so familiarizes us with his many virtues that we ordinarily overlook them and commonly underestimate their possessor. Nevertheless, while the man passes away, his deeds of vir- tue live on, and will in due time bear fruit and do him the justice which our pen fails to record. There are, however, a number of elements in the life record of W. C. Potter, president of the Bank of Fair Grove and one of the most progressive agriculturists and representative citizens of Greene county, that even now serve as examples well worthy of emulation, and his scores of friends and acquaintances are not unappreciative of these. He is one of the leading native citizens of this section of the state, and here he has been con- tent to spend his life, which has already reached the Psalmist’s specified out- post of three score and ten, and during that long period he has done much toward the general development of the country, which he has seen reclaimed from the wilderness and transformed into a splendid agricultural section. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1369 For he is a scion of one of the earliest pioneers of southwestern Missouri, his parents having located here, “far from the maddening crowd’s ignoble strife,” like the “rude forefathers” in Gray's Elegy, over three-quarters of a century ago. Mr. Potter was born September 18, 1844, in Dallas county, Missouri. He is a son of Benjamin T. and Sarah (Adams) Potter. The father was born in Tennessee, June 15, 1815, and died in Texas, December 16, 1891 ; the mother was born in Virginia, in May, 1820, and died August 4, 1874, in Greene county, Missouri. These parents spent their childhood in the East and received limited educations in the old-time schools. When a mere boy B. T. Potter and his elder brother, Col. Tom Potter, emigrated to Missouri, in 1828, and were the first settlers in Dallas county (then Crawford county), locating there about the time the Fulbrights emigrated to Greene county. B. T. Potter spent his early life in Dallas county, clearing and improving a farm. He and Sarah Adams were married in Greene county in 1838. In i860 he was one of two men in the township where he was living to vote for Abraham Lincoln. However, in later life he was a Democrat. He reared his family on his farm in Dallas county, there being twelve in number, name- ly: Elizabeth Jane is living; Louise Ann and John W. are deceased; W. C., of this sketch; Lewis and Clark twins, are deceased; Martha is the wife of A. J. Hankin ; Josephine is deceased; Benjamin F., Napoleon D., D. L. and C. L. are all living. W. C. Potter, of this review, grew to manhood on the old homestead in Dallas county, where he worked hard when a boy. He had little opportun- ity of obtaining an education, partly because of lack of schools and partly because of the interruption by the Civil war. However, he has made up for this deficiency in later years by contact with the world and by wide miscellaneous home reading, and is a fine type of the successful self-made man. He remained in Dallas county until 1881, having devoted his atten- tion to trading in live stock, cattle and mules especially. In that year he pur- chased the fine farm where he now resides, the place then consisting of three hundred and twenty acres, known as the old Adams farm. During his resi- dence here of thirty-three years he has made many important improvements, and, having prospered, is now owner of over six hundred acres of valuable and productive land in this vicinity, all well fenced and properly improved, and he has long carried on general farming and stock raising on an extensive scale. His farm ranks with the best in the county in every respect. He has an attractive, substantial two-story stone residence, modern in its appoint- ments and elegantly furnished, a place where he can spend the “twilight of his years” in comfort and happiness. He has a large number of convenient and well arranged outbuildings, in fact, everything about his place denotes thrift and prosperity. He built his handsome residence in 1888 of stone 1370 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. quarried from his own lands. This home is known to the many friends of the family as a place of old-fashioned hospitality and good cheer. He has continued to handle annually large numbers of live stock of various grades, and there is no better judge of live stock in the county than Mr. Potter. Mr. Potter has been president of the Bank of Fair Grove, near which village his farm lies, since its organization in 1905, and its pronounced suc- cess has been due for the most part to his conservative, honest and able man- agement. It is regarded as one of the sound and safe banking institutions of southwestern Missouri, and a general banking business is carried on. Its capital stock is ten thousand dollars. J. W. B. Appleby is cashier and IT. E. Gault is assistant cashier. All three of these gentlemen are well known about Fair Grove and they have the confidence of the patrons of the bank to the fullest extent. Mr. Potter was married December 30, 1886. in Greene county, to Emma Anthis, who was born in Madison county, Illinois, January 28, 1856. She is a daughter of George and Maria (Ellis) Anthis, the father born in In- diana in 1828, and died in Alton, Illinois, December 25, 1898; the mother was born in Delaware in 1830, and died in Springfield, Missouri, October 26, 1 9 1 1 . These parents were married January 30, 1851, in Madison coun- ty, Illinois, where Mr. Anthis devoted his active life to farming until 1876, when he removed to Greene county, Missouri. His family consisted of eight children, namely: Frances E., deceased; Wesley, deceased; Emma, wife of our subject; Hiram, deceased; Stephen; Morton; Anna, wife of J. Fergu- son, and Ida, widow of J. S. Reed. Mrs. Potter grew to womanhood in Illinois, where she received a good education, and she taught school a year in that state, and after coming with her parents to Greene county, Missouri, taught six years in the schools here, Prof. J. Fairbanks being superintendent of schools at that time. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Potter has been without issue. Politically, Mr. Potter is a Democrat, and although he has always been deeply interested in the public affairs of his township and county, as well as state and national, he has never held public office, being essentially a home and business man. Fraternally, he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, a charter member of Lodge No. 387, at Fair Grove, in which he has passed all the chairs. His wife is a charter member of the Rebekahs at Fair Grove, and they both belong to the Baptist church at that place and are liberal supporters of the same. Mr. Potter is a splendid example of the virile, broad-minded man of af- fairs, who has always believed in doing well whatever is worth doing at all, a man of keen discernment and sound judgment, and at the same time a fol- lower of the principles embodied in the Golden Rule in all his relations with his fellow men, and therefore he enjoys their confidence and good will. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. I3/I HARRY SANFORD JEWELL. The name of Harry Sanford Jewell is well known in newspaperdom in Missouri for he has long been the motive force behind the Springfield Daily Leader, one of the leading Democratic newspapers of the state and one of the best known papers of the Southwest — an organ that has done much for the upbuilding of the Queen City and the entire Ozark region. Mr. Jewell was born in Wyandotte, Kansas, August 11, 1867. He is a son of the late J. B. Jewell, a well-remembered publisher, who was engaged in the newspaper business in Missouri for a period of forty years. He was also a minister in the Methodist Episcopal church, having been ordained in 1869, an d engaged in regular work as pastor of various churches from that year until 1880, in which year he retired from the ministry and resumed his newspaper career, purchasing The Democrat at Carrollton, Missouri, of which he was owner and editor from that year until 1893. Removing from Carroll- ton to Springfield in 1895, he became editor of the Springfield Leader-Demo- crat, the latter part of the name being later dropped. He was connected with the Leader for many years, also had other interests in this city. His death occurred March 23, 1907. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and held the highest honor, grand master of Missouri, during the year 1892, also served as grand patriarch of the Encampment branch. He established the Triple Link, the official paper of the order, in 1875 and was editor and publisher until his death. He also represented the order at various meetings of the sovereign grand lodge of America. His widow still lives at the old homestead here. Harry S. Jewell was nine years old when the family located at Carrollton, Missouri. There he received a public school education, and learned the news- paper business under his father, associating with him in business in the publica- tion of The Democrat of that city in 1888. He removed to Springfield in 1893 and became business manager of the old Springfield Democrat, a morn- ing daily paper, which was purchased by The Leader in May, 1895, and he has ever since been connected with the paper of which he is now owner and publisher. He is also owner and publisher of The Ozark Countryman, a monthly farm journal. He is president of the Springfield Paper Supply Company. He built and still owns the Jefferson Theatre in Springfield, a popular vaudeville house. The Leader occupies its own substantial two-story brick building, which is equipped with modern presses, type-setting machines, etc., being one of the best plants of its size in the Southwest, and a large force is employed here. Mr. Jewell was married in 1889, in Carrollton, to Abba T. Kelly, a daughter of the late William H. Kelly, of Carrollton, Missouri. She was 1372 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. born at Strathroy, Canada, and moved with her parents to Carrollton, this state, in 1870, and was there educated in the public schools and in a convent of Independence, Missouri. Two children have been bom to Mr. and Mrs. Jewell — John, now twenty- three years of age, was educated in the local schools and at this writing is attending the school of journalism at the State University at Columbia, Mis- souri ; Marguerite, now sixteen years of age, is a student in Drury College. Politically, Mr. Jewell is a Democrat and while he has never sought political leadership has been a loyal defender of the party’s principles through his newspaper. Fraternallly, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Royal Ar- canum and the Travelers’ Protective Association. He also 'belongs to the Springfield Club, the James River Club and the Country Club. B. E. MEYER. For many years B. E. Meyer has been one of Springfield’s most progres- sive men of affairs and most influential in public life. Strong mental endow- ment, coupled with an honesty of purpose that hesitates at no opposition, have so entered into his composition as to render him a dominant factor in the business world and a leader of men in important enterprises. He is essentially a man of affairs, sound of judgment and far-seeing in what he undertakes; and every enterprise to which he has addressed himself has resulted in gratifying financial returns, while at the same time he has won and retained the good will and confidence of all classes. Mr. Meyer was born in Columbus, Ohio, on December 27, 1863. He is a son of B. E. and Mary L. (Fisher) Meyer. The mother was born in Reading, Pennsylvania, and the father was born in Baden, Germany. They emigrated to America in 1849. The father's birth occurred in 1834 and the mother’s ten years later, in 1844. These parents grew to maturity in their native locality, received good educations and were married in Allen- town, Pennsylvania, and there established their home, Mr. Meyer engaging in the brewery business in Allentown for a number of years, later removing to Columbus, Ohio, and from there to Urbana, that state, continuing in the same line of business. Selling out in the last named city in 1866, he came to St. Louis and was connected with the Phoenix Brewery for some time. During the Civil war he served several months in the Union army, being sent home from the front on account of sickness. Politically he was a Republican in his earlier life, but later was a Democrat. He belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and to the Knights of Honor. He GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1373 was a good business man and always provided well for his family, which consisted of seven children, all of whom are still living but one, namely: B. E., Jr., of this sketch; Nellie, Charles D.. A. E., Mary, Jane and Louis, the last named being deceased. The parents of the above named children finally located in DeSoto, Missouri, where the death of the father occurred in 1894, and there also the mother passed away in 1896. B. E. Meyer, of this sketch, received a practical education in the public schools, and when a boy went to work for the Anheuser-Busch Brewing Association, with which he has remained continuously to the present time, this being his thirty rseventh year with this concern. His long retention would indicate that he has been faithful in the discharge of his duties and has been reliable and industrious, looking well to the company's interests in every respect. He came to Springfield in 1895 and took charge of the Springfield Ice & Refrigerator Company, with which he is still connected as manager and secretary, and he is also manager and secretary-treasurer of the Ozark Ice & Storage Company, and is general manager at Springfield for the Anheuser-Busch Brewery Association. Thus it will be seen that he has a vast amount of business to claim his attention, but, being a man of rare business acumen and industry, he manages his affairs in a successful manner without friction and worry and whatever he turns his attention to brings gratifying results. The plants with which he is connected are well equipped in every respect, employing a large number of men and doing a mammoth annual business which extends over a vast terrritory. Mr. Meyer was married on June 5, 1889, in St. Louis, to Louise A. Meyer (no relation), who was born in Berne, Switzerland; she is a daughter of Gustav and Anna Meyer. Her father, who was a tailor by trade, is now deceased. He and his wife grew up in their native land, were educated and married there, and when our subject’s wife was a child immigrated to America and located in St. Louis, where Mrs. B. E. Meyer received her education. Her mother is living at St. James, Missouri. The union of our subject and wife has resulted in the birth of five children, namely: Charles A., born on June 8, 1890, died in 1902: Lydia M., born on Lebruary 19, 1892, died in 1892; Lelia, born on July 16, 1893, died in 1894; Bert E., born on October 14, 1895, grew up in Springfield and was educated in the local schools and is now foreman of the storage house with which his father is connected; Irena A., born on November 24, 1897, was educated in the Springfield schools and is at home with her parents. Politically Mr. Mever is a Democrat and has long been active in party affairs, in fact, a leader. He was a member of the city council in 1902-3, and was elected mayor of Springfield in 1904, and, having made an excellent record during his first term, was re-elected in 1906, his administrations 1374 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. being marked by a comprehensive idea of what the city needed for its general development, and all parties regarded him as one of the best chief executives the city has ever had, his being a straightforward, conservative and yet most effective administration. He is a member of the Springfield Club and the Country Club, and is prominent in fraternal circles, being a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights and Ladies of Security, Royal Arcanum, the Improved Order of Red Men, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, having been exalted ruler three consecutive times of Florence Lodge, No. 409. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias. JAMES THOMPSON CANTRELL. As an agricultural region of which Greene county, Missouri, forms a part is not surpassed by any state in the Union. It is indeed the farmer’s kingdom, where he always reaps an abundant harvest of one kind or an- other. The soil, in most portions of Greene and adjoining counties, has an open, flexible structure, quickly absorbs the excessive rains, and retains mois- ture with great tenacity. This being the case it is not so easily affected by drouth. The prairies are covered by esculent, luxurious grass, equally good for grazing and hay ; grass not surpassed by the famous Kentucky blue grass, the best of clover and timothy in raising live stock. This grass is now as full of life-giving nutriment as it was when cropped by the buffalo, the elk, antelope, and the deer. One of the enterprising men of Greene county who took advantage of the naturally favorable conditions for agri- cultural purposes in this locality and was adequately repaid for his pains is James Thompson Cantrell, now living in the town of Walnut Grove, Greene county, after a long, active and successful career as general farmer and stock raiser. He has also a good record as a public servant, having filled a number of county offices in an adjoining county, and he is also a veteran of the Civil war, and a citizen who has ever enjoyed the respect and confidence of his fellow men. Mr. Cantrell was born in DeKalb county, Tennessee, on a farm, Oc- tober 29, 1842. He is a son of Peter and Elizabeth (Cantrell) Cantrell. Peter Cantrell was a native of Tennessee also, where his parents located in an early day, having removed from South Carolina. After spending his earlier years in his native state, Peter Cantrell came to Dade county, Mis- souri, arriving there November 3, 1848, and entered two hundred and forty acres of land from the government, one hundred and twenty acres of which GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1375 his son, James E., of this sketch now owns. Here he worked hard de- veloping his raw land into a good farm, the work of clearing and improving being an arduous task, but he was not a man lacking grit and courage, and here he farmed successfully until his death on June 24, 1874. Politically, he was a Republican and was quite active in political affairs, was always ready to defend his position on any public question. Religiously he was a Baptist, and active in the work of the church. He married his cousin, Eliza- beth Cantrell, in Tennessee, where she was born and reared. Her death occurred in 1862. To them a large family, fifteen children, were born, two of whom died in infancy. Seven of the sons were all soldiers in the Union army during the Civil war, and all survived the conflict except one who was killed by a guerrilla near Dadeville, Missouri. James T. Cantrell grew to manhood on the home farm, being six years old when his parents brought him to Dade county, this state. He assisted his father clear and develop the homestead, and he received what education he could in a few books at home by the old fire-place, school advantages of those days being very limited in his locality. On August 8, 1862, when but eighteen years of age, he enlisted in the Missouri State Militia in which he served a year, then enlisted in the Fifteenth Missouri Cavalry, and was con- tinuously fighting guerrillas while in this regiment. While in the service he contracted rheumatism from which he has never recovered. He was hon- orably discharged on June 30, 1865, in Springfield, after which he returned home and resumed work on the farm, and continued farming in Dade county, which joins Greene county on the west, until 1890 when he was elected re- corder of Dade county, which office he held four years, then returned to farming, which he continued with his usual gratifying results until 1911 when he retired from active life and located in Walnut Grove, Greene county. He always kept his farm in Dade county under a high state of cultivation and improvement and was regarded as one of the leading farm- ers of his community. He served as clerk of his township for some time, and was also assessor of his township for two years. Politically, Mr. Cantrell is a Republican and has been more or less active in the affairs of his party for many years. He attends the Baptist church, and he belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic. James T. Cantrell was married on December 8, 1867, to Mary E. York, who was born in Kentucky, April 15, 1852, a daughter of Greenberry and Elizabeth ( Plarclcastle) York, and when young in years she came to Dade county, Missouri. Ten children have been born to our subject and wife, three of whom are now deceased, namely : Alva B. is the wife of William Carlock and they live in Dade county; Louis E. is practicing dentistry at Everton, Dade county; Nora E. is the wife of T. J. Drisdel, and they make GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. I376 their home in Dadeville, Missouri ; Benjamin F. is practicing dentistry in Walnut Grove; Homer A. lives on the home farm; Henry C. lives in San Pedro, California, and Kate B. is the wife of F. A. Wheeler, of Walnut Grove. JOHN M. FI ALL. The record of John M. Hall is that of one of the leading twentieth cen- tury agriculturists and stock men of Franklin township, Greene county, where lie owns and operates a valuable farm, specializing in dairying. His char- acteristics observed in demonstration are those of the matter of fact business man, reliable and responsible, careful of his antagonisms and loyal in his friendships. He is economic in the use of time, knowing that the “mill will never grind with the water that is passed," so he tries to make the best use possible of the present ; for time moves as steadily as the clock ticks in its measurement, but the manifestation of things resulting during its movement is dependent upon the impetus or push applied in correlation. Knowing how and doing promptly dissolves the mysticism which wonderment attaches. Mr. Hall believes with the eulogies of Bret Harte, that “The charitable few are chiefly they Whom fortune places in the middle way ; Just rich enough, with economic care, To save a pittance, and a pittance spare.” Mr. Hall was born October 5, 1869, in the above named township and county. He is a son of Isaac M. and Martha (King) Hall, a well known old family of this locality, full mention of whom is made in a separate sketch in this volume, hence their life records will not be reproduced here. John M. Hall spent his boyhood days on his father’s farm in Franklin township, and he received his education in the common schools of his native county, and with the exception of six months spent in Colorado, he has always lived in Franklin township. In the spring of 1907 he bought ninety- four acres, known as the McMurray farm, and his father gave him sixty acres, thus making him a farm of one hundred and fifty-four acres, which is known as the “Grove View Stock Farm,” and which he has placed under a high state of improvement and cultivation, and here he is making a pro- nounced success as general farmer and stock raiser. Formerly he handled large numbers of mules annually, but has now turned his attention to dairy- ing, operating a modern and sanitary dairy for several years, keeping an excellent grade of cows and he also raises large numbers of hogs, specializing in spotted Poland-China breeds, and is having great success with them. At ESIDENGE OF J. M. HALL. 3R0VE VIEW STOCK FARM— J. M. HALL. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1377 this writing he owns two choice specimens of Poland-China hogs, one ten months old and weighing four hundred and fifty pounds. He takes great pride in his stock and the upkeep of his fine farm, believing in advanced methods whenever practicable, and everything about his place indicates thrift and good management. He has a pleasant home and large outbuildings. He has such modern farming machinery and implements as his needs require. In 1912 he built an imposing barn, sixty by seventy feet, with a capacity of one hundred tons of loose hay. It is equipped with box stalls and is well protected by lightning rods. Mr. Hall is one of eight children, namely: Mrs. Sadie Appleby lives near Strafford, Missouri; Mary has remained on the home farm; John M., ■of this review ; Mrs. Lillian Appleby lives in Kansas City ; William liv es near Gladville, this county, on the Bolivar road ; Avery lives in Franklin town- ship; Frank makes his home in Franklin township; Charles died in infancy. Mr. Hall was married in October, 1891, to Emma Thomas, a native of Greene county, Missouri, where she grew to womanhood and received her ■education. She is a daughter of Jackson and Cellia (Foren) Thomas. To Mr. and Mrs. Hall six children have been born, namely : Coral ; Madison, born April 5, 1892, who married Emma Kemling, have one child, Edward Kemling Hall, born April 4, 1915, is a native of Greene county and lives with the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Mabel Fitch, born November 17, 1893, is living at home; Hazel, born January 7, 1896, died December 26, 1901; Loal Luanna, born January 2, 1898; Dorotha C. A., born February 3, 1907, and Martha Hermosa born August 30, 1910, all at home. Politically, Mr. Hall is a stanch Republican, but has never aspired to public office. However, he takes a delight in assisting in any local movement, political or otherwise, which he thinks will be for the general good of his ■community. LUCIUS W. HUBBELL. When a man can command his own self-respect he will have no cause to worry about what the world thinks of him. Lucius W. Hubbell, well- known real estate and insurance dealer of Springfield has always looked well to his self-respect and thus the world has respected and trusted him and since coming to Greene county, some forty years ago, he has built up a reputation that is inviolable, having the good will of all with whom he has come in contact. Like many of the best citizens of the Ozark rep'ion - o lie hails from the old Buckeye state, a commonwealth that has produced more presidents, great generals and famous statesmen than any other except (87) 13/8 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. Virginia, and the natives of that state are always welcomed into the newer sections of the Union, for they have proven themselves to be people who do things and can be relied upon in all emergencies. Mr. Hubbell was born in Ashtabula county, Ohio, May 16, 1841. He is a son of William S. and Eliza (Case) Hubbell, both natives of Connec- ticut, the father’s birth having occurred in the town of Birmingham in 1812, and his death occurred in 1899. The mother was born in 1809 at Canton, and her death occurred in 1877. These parents grew up in the old Nutmeg state, and there attended the common schools, and they both emigrated to Ohio when young where they were married. William S. Hubbell was a woolen manufacturer, having served his apprenticeship in Orange, Connec- ticut, going from there direct to Ohio, and was married about 1835. He built the first woolen mill in that part of the United States. In later life he and his wife removed to Benzonia, Michigan, where they both died. Politically, Mr. Hubbell was a Republican in his later life. He belonged to the Congregational church. His family consisted of seven children, only two of whom are living at this writing. They were named as follows : Har- riett, deceased; Helen, deceased; Lucius, of this sketch; John, deceased; Buel ; Nelson, deceased; Lizzie, deceased. Lucius W. Hubbell grew to manhood in his native state and was edu- cated at the town of Kingsville, and graduated from the old Spencer commer- cial school at Oberlin, Ohio, having taken a commercial course. Later he taught penmanship in the Kingsville Academy. He was teaching there when the Civil war broke out, and he enlisted for service in the Union army when Lincoln issued his first call for seventy-five thousand volunteers, but was rejected as physically unfit for service. He then went to northern Michi- gan and took up land in 1862, and after remaining there about a year he started a school at Traverse City, Michigan, teaching penmanship. He was in the employ of Hannah Lay & Company, of Traverse City, Michigan, in 1863, continuing for five years in this large mercantile and lumber firm, then was in active business for himself for many years in Traverse City. In 1874 Mr. Hubbell came to Springfield, Missouri, where he has since made his home. He first engaged in the drug business, under the firm name of L. W. Hubbell & Company, continuing about ten years, later took up real estate and insurance which he still carries on successfully, having built up a large business through his industry and fair dealings. He maintains an office in the Holland Building. For a period of ten years he was interested in mining at Aurora, Missouri, and in Colorado. He has been very success- ful in a business way. He has a pleasant home on East Walnut street. Mr. Hubbell has been twice married, first, in Kingsville, Ohio, on July 4, 1862, to Jennie Peck, whose death occurred on April 27, 1872. To this union four children were born, namely : May, who married William L. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1379 Case; Nellie, who married Walter N. Case; Agnes has remained single, and Bernice, deceased. On April 8, 1873, Mr. Hubbell was married in Traverse City, Michigan, to Mina Leach, a daughter of Dewitt C. and Abigail (Com- fort) Leach. To this second union were also born four children, namely: Lucius .C., who married Clara Gage; Hattie H. is the wife of David H. Frazer; Ruth S. is unmarried, and Alfred W. is also single. The sons of our subject are all members of the Sons of the American Revolution, and Mr. Hubbell’s daughters belong to the Daughters of the American Revolution. Politically, Mr. Hubbell is a Republican, and has been more or less active in party affairs. He served for some time as a member of the city council. Fraternally, he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. ROY McKEE. By a life of persistent and well-applied energy, led along the most ap- proved lines Roy McKee has won the right to a position in this history along with other good citizens of Greene county, of which he is a native and in which he has spent his life. He is one of the best-known and most promising young men, who has been willing to work hard for his advance- ment. He came up from the soil, improved every opportunity as best he could and the fact that he has recently been elected for a second time to the responsible position of city collector of Springfield indicates that he is not only a man of ability and tact, but also of scrupulous honesty and integrity. Mr. McKee was born in the northern part of Greene county, Missouri, on a farm, June 15, 1888. He is a son of William D. and Fanny (Alex- ander) McKee. The father was born in Bedford county, Tennessee, March 5, 1852, and there he grew to manhood and received his education in public schools. Remaining in his native state until 1882, or until he was thirty years of age, he came to Greene county, Missouri, where he has since re- sided. His earlier life was devoted to general farming, but during the past twelve years he has been employed in the upholstery department of the Frisco shops in Springfield, and is a proficient workman in his line. His wife was born in the year 1856, in Greene county, and to them the follow- ing children were born : Leila, Roy, Auddroth and Ralph. Roy McKee was reared on the farm in his native community and there he worked when growing up. When a boy he attended the rural schools in his district. Like many boys from the farms in the territory adjacent to the Queen City he came here seeking employment, and became a conductor on the Springfield Traction Company’s lines, which position he held a number of years, giving the company most satisfactory service in every respect. In 1912 he made t 38 o GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. the race for city collector of Springfield and was duly elected, and he re- signed his position with the traction company to assume his official duties. The fact that he was re-elected to this office in the spring of 1914 is suffi- cient evidence of his popularity as a public servant and the faithful, con- scientious and honest discharge of his duties. Mr. McKee was married February 18, 1908, to May Foster, of Spring- field, a daughter of John and Malinda Foster. She was born in Springfield in 1889 and was reared and educated here. Two children have been born to our subject and wife, namely: Ber- nice, born on September 11, 1909, and Leroy, born May 14, 1911. Politically, Mr. McKee is a Democrat and is a worker in the ranks of his party. Fie is popular in fraternal circles, belonging to the Free and Accepted Masons, Gate of the Temple Lodge No. 422; Vincil Chapter No. no, Royal Arch Masons; St. John’s Commandery, Knight Templars; Abou Ben Adhem Temple of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; also belongs to the Knights of Pythias, Woodmen of the World, Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. ANDREW JACKSON EISENMAYER. One of Springfield’s representative citizens is Andrew Jackson Eisen- mayer, whose life has been spent in activities that seem to exercise to the full his somewhat varied and unusual abilities; a life that carries with it the lesson that one whose capacity, while not of the very greatest, may yet do great work by close devotion to the task in hand. Lie is a busy man, an industrious man. For the past thirty years he has been successfully en- gaged in building up one of the important industries of Greene county, one of the largest of its kind in southwestern Missouri — having been manager during that protracted period of the Eisenmayer Milling Company. He has attained a place in the commercial world of high degree and compelling importance in this locality, in which he is a constant quantity — one of the kind that makes up the front rank, the kind that can be relied on, a good work- man in the world’s affairs, a splendid specimen of the many that do the real, hard work of the world in places of passing importance, and do it well. His is a kind of life that does not attract attention for its unusual brilliancy or any picturesque or erratic qualities, but the kind out of which the warp and woof of the substance that goes to make up the continuous achievement of humanity is made. Mr. Eisenmayer, as his name would indicate, is of German blood, but he is an American by birth, having first opened his eyes on the fight of day GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1381 in Mascoutah, Saint Clair county, Illinois, January 27, 1862. He is a son of Andrew and Christian (Sauter) Eisenmayer, both natives of Bavaria, Germany, the father’s birth having occurred February 22, 1824, and there they grew to maturity and received their educations. The paternal grand- parents of our subject were Christopher and Margaret (Sies) Eisenmayer, both natives of Bavaria, also, his birth occurring in 1784, and she was born about 1788, and there they grew up and were married in 1807. He became a large land owner, devoting his active life to farming. During the Neapoli- tan wars he served in the Home Guards. He was a Protestant. His death occurred in 1870, and his wife died in 1872. They were the parents of eight children, six sons and two daughters. Five of the sons and one daughter came to America and established their homes. Andrew Eisenmayer, father of our subject, was seventeen years old when he immigrated to the United States in 1841. He worked for two years at the carpenter’s trade in Saint Clair county, Illinois, and in 1843 started a sawmill and a flouring mill in Mascoutah, Illinois, and operated the latter until 1886, and was known as one of the successful mill men of Saint Clair county. In 1884 he came to Springfield, Missouri, and purchased the present mill of the Eisenmayer Milling Company on West Commercial street, and, having accumulated an abundance of this world's goods, he re- tired from active life in 1886. Upon purchasing the local mill he placed his son, Andrew J., of this review, in charge. Politically, he was first a Whig, later a Republican, and Avas very active in political affairs, but Avould never accept public office, although many were proffered. He was a director of the German Methodist College at Warrenton, Missouri, and contributed large sums to its support. He erected a well-equipped gymnasium which bears his name, for that institution. Religiously, he was a . Methodist, as was his wife and they were both very active in church work. They grew up in the same locality in the Fatherland, and after he had gotten a start in the Xerv World he returned to his native land for her, and they Avere married in 1847. She Avas a daughter of John Sauter, a farmer, who Avas also a mem- ber of the Home Guards during the Avars Avith Napoleon. The death of Andrew Eisenmayer occurred in 1900, his Avidow surviving until 1904. They Avere a fine old couple, beloved by all Avho knew them for their true German hospitality and kindness. They Avere charitably inclined, and helped in all good causes, but never gave for the sake of display. Eight children Avere born to them, three sons and five daughters, namely: Elizabeth is the Avife of Dr. A. E. Wehrman, of Indianapolis, Indiana: Louisa is the Avife of Wil- liam Bromeleich, a banker of LaAvrenee, Kansas; John C. is engaged in the banking business in Trenton, Illinois; Kate is the wife of Z. T. Remick, an attorney in Trenton, Illinois; AndreAv Jackson, of this reA r iew ; Julius W. is A'ice-president of the milling firm in Avhich our subject is interested; Anna 1382 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. E. is the wife of Dr. L. C. Toney, of Los Angeles, California; Amelia lives in Los Angeles, also. Andrew J. Eisenmayer grew to manhood in Saint Clair county, Illi- nois, and he received a good education in the common schools of Mascoutah, later studying at the University of Illinois, at Champaign, and was graduated from the mechanical engineering department in 1882. After leaving school he spent a year in his father’s mill in Trenton, Illinois, and spent the fol- lowing year traveling, and as already intimated he came to Springfield, Mis- souri, in 1884 and took charge of the Eisenmayer Milling Company’s plant, and has since been president of the same. Under his able and judicious management, the business increased with advancing years until it assumed extensive proportions, its products being sent to very ready markets all over the country, and it is one of the best known flouring mills in the Southwest, and is one of the largest mills in this section of the state, occupying four hundred and sixty feet on Commercial street and one hundred feet on Broad street, covering forty-six thousand square feet of ground. One elevator of concrete, of six tanks, has a capacity of one hundred and forty thousand bushels of wheat, and another elevator has a capacity of one hundred and eighty thousand bushels. This mammoth plant has a daily capacity of one thousand barrels of flour, the leading brands being the “Spotless” and the “Royalty.” The plant is modernly equipped in every respect as to machinery and conveniences, a general milling business is carried on and a large force of skilled assistants are employed, everything is managed under a superb sys- tem. Thousands of carloads of flour are sent annually from the railroad spur which has been built alongside the mill. Mr. Eisenmayer was married October 1, 1890, to Celia A. Heer, a daugh- ter of Charles H. Heer. She is a representative of one of the most promi- nent Springfield families and is a leader in the best social circles. She was born in Waterloo, Illinois, in December, 1867. She was given excellent edu- cational advantages. The union of our subject and wife has resulted in the birth of five children, namely: Walter C., born June 3, 1891, is assisting his father in the mill; Christine, born February 5, 1893, is the wife of Victor Simon, who is connected with the Farmers & Merchants Bank of Springfield; Louise, born on March 25, 1897, is attending school; Marie, born February 5, 1900, is also a student in the local schools; and Andrew J., Jr., born July 12, 1911. Politically, Mr. Eisenmayer is a Republican, and he has always been more or less active in public affairs and has done much for the general welfare of Springfield. He was one of the first councilmen when the city was con- solidated, spending four years in the council, and he was a member of the local school board for six years. He received a captain’s commission in the military department of the University of Illinois, was president of the GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1383 junior class, also president of the literary society, and was elected presi- dent of college government, and other offices of trust and honor were ten- dered him, but business affairs prevented him from accepting them. Those he has held, whether at the University or in Springfield, have received his close attention and been well and commendably filled. Fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic order, Gate of Temple Lodge No. 422, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Vincil Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; St. John’s Com- mandery No. 20, Knights Templar; Abou Ben Adhem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. Fie is also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. MITCHELL C. SMITH. As a leading citizen of Springfield, in its professional life, lending eminent strength to her bar, Mitchell C. Smith commands attention from the biographer who would wish to do Greene county justice. He is one of our ablest of attorneys, and has few peers in his comprehensive knowledge of state and international law, and has conducted annually for many years a large number of cases to successful issue. He is thoroughly the thinker and legal philosopher, inclined to be mild and gentle, but capable of attain- ing a glowing passion of eloquence, stirring and exciting in its appeals to the emotions and the intellect. He possesses the elements of determination, courage and nerve, and his mental organism is broad, solid, and disciplined to the last degree by thought and study; he is singularly free from any narrowness of professional bandinage, and the prejudices and partialities of the mere attorney. He seldom indulges in anecdote or humor, but this may not be equally true in matters of retort and repartee. It is not of fre- quent occurrence that a lawyer can be found who has so sharp and clear a mind for details and historic particulars, accompanied by such depth and strength of thought, and sustained and invigorated by so healthful a moral nature. Mr. Smith was born in Hinds county, Mississippi, in 1849. He is the scion of an old Southern family. His father, Dr. N. J. Smith, was a native of Norfolk county, Virginia, and his nrother, Sarah J. Smith, was a native of Currituck county, North Carolina. The progenitors of our subject were patriotic and several of them served in the various wars of the country, in- cluding the Revolutionary war, War of 1812, and the Civil war. In the latter they were true to their own Dixie and fought on the side of the Con- federacy. Several of his ancestors were prominent in public life, were mem- 1384 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. bers of the convention in North Carolina on the adoption of the constitution of the United States, and also the ordinance of secession of 1861. Dr. N. J. Smith was born in 1809.' He was graduated from Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, in 1840, and practiced his profession in Nor- folk county, Virginia, and Hinds county, Mississippi. He died in Kansas in 1884. His mother's maiden name was Bell, who was a descendant of the Ferebee family, among the earliest settlers of eastern North Carolina. She died in Kansas in 1912, at the age of eighty-seven years. Mitchell C. Smith grew to manhood in eastern Kansas. He received his early education in the common schools, and later attended the State Nor- mal at Emporia, Kansas. He began studying law when a young man and was admitted to the bar in 1882, at Yates Center, Kansas. He first began practice at this place, and in 1893 located in Springfield, Missouri, where he has remained to the present time, and has built up a large and lucrative clientele, ranking among the leading attorneys of the Greene county bar. Mr. Smith was married in November, 1882, to Elenor M. Bixler, a daughter of Israel Bixler and wife of Sumner county, Kansas. Mrs. Smith was born in 1861, and she received a good common school education in Kansas, graduating from the State Normal at Emporia, Kansas. To our subject and wife three children have been born, namely: Otto- M., Allie D., and Eclwill B. These children are now all mature and have been carefully educated. Politically, Mr. Smith is a Democrat. He is a member of the Spring- field Bar Association, and fraternally is prominent in Masonic circles. JOHN T. GREENWADE. The social, political and business history of this section is filled with the deeds and the doings of self-made men, and no man in Greene county, Missouri, was more deserving the appellation than the late John T. Green- wade, for he marked out his own career at an early day and steadily followed it up to the end of his career, his prosperity being attributable to his earnest and persistent endeavor as well as to the fact that lie always consistently tried to do as he would be done by. He was born in Hampshire county, Virginia, October 14, 1839, and was a son of Moses T. and Mary Ann (Long) Greenwade, natives of Allegany county, Maryland, and there they were reared, educated and married, residing for a few years thereafter in Virginia, where Mr. Greenwade owned some land. They later returned to Maryland and there the mother died when John T. was about fourteen years of age, after which his father was married to GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1385 Rhoda Allen, who survived him. Moses T. Greenwade was a very successful farmer and stock raiser, was industrious and enterprising and was a public- spirited man and an active politician but by no means an office seeker. He. was independent in bis religious views, but the soul of honesty and morality. His death occurred in 1858. The paternal grandfather of John T. Greenwade emigrated to America from England with his parents when he was about six years of age, the. family settling in Maryland, about ten miles east of old Fort Cumberland. It is supposed that he spent his life in that state, where his death occurred in 1852. His wife, Rachel, was of Pennsylvania Dutch stock. Their chil- dren were, John, who died in Maryland about 1890, leaving a family well provided for; Mrs. Nancy Cheney, who resided in Scotland county, Mis- souri, for over a half century; Mrs. Mary Parker, who died in 1893, in Hampshire county, Maryland; Mrs. Sallie Miller, who died while visiting in Indiana in 1883; Mrs. Rebecca Welch, who died in Maryland, in 1892; Daniel has long' been deceased; and Moses T., father of the subject of this sketch. Mary Ann Long, the mother of our subject, was a daughter of Adam Long, who was a German by descent, but was probably born in Allegany county, Maryland, and died in Harrison county, West Virginia, to which place he removed about the middle of the last century. He was a farmer and left a fair property to be divided among his sons and daughters, who were named as follows: George, who died in Harrison county, West Vir- ginia, in 1891, was a farmer; Jacob, who also died there; John, who died in the same county, in 1892 ; William was a soldier in the Civil war, and he died in the above named county also ; Jesse died there in 1892; Mary Ann,, who became the wife of Moses T. Greenwade; Mrs. Sallie McCray, who died before the Civil war and soon after her marriage. To Moses T. Greenwade and wife five children were born, namely: John T., of this review; Sarah C. married A. P. Race and they settled in Greene county, Missouri; Mary Ellen married John F. Dayton, and they established their home in Mineral county, West Virginia; William became a fanner in Allegany county, Maryland: and Nancy, who was a twin to William, died young. John T. Greenwade spent his youthful days on a farm, received a com- mon school education, and after the death of his father he began life for himself, and when only nineteen years of age rented a piece of land and began farming. In January, i860, he was married to Ruhamah, daughter of Nimrod and Elizabeth Pugh, natives of Virginia, where they spent all their lives, Mrs. Pugh surviving her husband many years. She was of Irish, and Mr. Pugh was of Welsh descent, and they reared a large family. Mrs. 1386 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. Greenwade was bora in Hampshire county, Virginia, and died, after becoming the mother of seven children, namely: Edward Everett; Josephine, who married John Brady; Jennie, who married Dewitt Murray; Sallie, who mar- ried Dr. J. I. Grieves; Robert, Claude and Porter. I11 1879, Mr. Greenwade was married to his second wife, Maggie Johnson, a native Kentuckian and a daughter of Samuel and Lucy Johnson, who came from the Blue Grass state to Greene county, Missouri, about 1870, and located their future home on a farm near Spring-field. This wife died after having borne her husband three children: Mollie, Weldon and Ralph. On June 26, 1892, Mr. Greenwade’s third marriage was consummated, Nellie, daughter of Robert and Lizzie Shepherd, becoming his wife. Her parents came from England about twenty- five years ago and began farming in Greene county. John T. Greenwade lived in Maryland during the Civil war and was not subject to military duty, owing to ill health. He was in sympathy with the South, but all the rest of his people were stanch Unionists. I11 the fall of 1886 he came to Greene county, Missouri, and in 1867 located on a farm of one hundred and sixty-two acres, one mile east of Willard, where he con- tinued to labor during his active life, all the improvements of the place being made by himself, and he was known as one of the leading farmers of that part of the county for many decades. Politically, Mr. Greenwade was a Democrat until 1867, when he joined the Greenback party, and back in the seventies became a Populist. He was frequently on the Populist ticket for office, and in 1878 came near being elected treasurer of the county. He has been a justice of the peace, was a candidate for county judge and also for representative. Pie was a prominent Alliance man, having held nearly all the offices in that order. He was of a decidedly public spirit, and being a successful organizer was an active worker for public good in every way. Mr. Greenwade’s death occurred in February, 1914. Weldon Greenwade, son of our subject, was born September 22, 1882, in Willard, Greene county. He received his education in this county. He remained on the farm until he was twenty-two years old and then moved to Spring-field and went to work as conductor for the Spring-field Traction Company, which position he held until 1914. He was then appointed deputy city collector, which position he still holds. Weldon Greenwade was married in Springfield, February 4, 1906, to Olive Carr, a daughter of Plenry and Cynthia H. (Stubblefield) Carr. They were from Crawford county, Missouri. Mr. Carr has been a farmer in this county since the Civil war. Weldon Greenwade and wife have one child, Hazel, who was born April 13, 1909. Mr. Greenwade has always been a Democrat. He made the race in 1914 for county collector, but was de- feated. Pie is a member of the Masonic Blue Lodge, and the Knights of Pythias, in which he has been keeper of records and seal for a number of GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1387 years. He is also a member of the Uniform Rank of Knights of Pythias, the Woodmen of the World, the Anti-Horse Thief Association, and the Ozark Game and Fish Protective Association. His family are members of the Christian church. WILLIAM BURTS LINNEY. Those who are observing know that it is not a very rare thing in this favored land of ours for a man to achieve his ambition in the face of ob- stacles, accepting assistance from no one, or at least not depending upon others to bring them to the goal sought. William Burts Linney, a well- known and successful Springfield attorney is an example of one who has met and overcome in an admirable manner the obstacles that have threat- ened to thwart him in his laudable quest for the coveted heights of profes- sional success. In early life he was apprised of the fact that the pathways of mortal men are beset with many things calculated to impede them in their race for material crowns; but he was also taught that the prize is always won by the deserving, persevering and patient. Mr. Linney was born on August 28, 1867, in Fort Worth, Texas. He is a son of William Carlyle Linney and Mary Ann (Kelso) Linney. The father was a soldier in the Confederate army under Gen. Sterling Price, and fought at the battles of Wilson’s Creek, Pea Ridge, Lexington, Cabin Creek and others. At Cabin Creek his regiment captured, by the assistance of other troops, a Federal wagon train, taking valuable supplies. William Linney’s brother had enlisted in the Union army about the same time of his enlistment in the Southern ranks. After the train was captured the bag- gage, clothing, provisions, etc., were divided among General Price’s troops, and William Linney’s allotted portion contained a suit-case in which he found a new pair of boots and a good suit of clothes. In the pocket of the coat several letters were found, addressed to John Linney, and thus he knew that he had come into possession of his brother’s clothes. After the war was over the Linney brothers got together and verified this fact. William C. Linney was a native of Kentucky, but his wife was born in Missouri, to which state he removed with his parents when about two years old, the family locating in Grundy county in 1843, where they lived until 1861, when he moved to Ft. Worth, Texas, living there until 1867, when he, his wife and son returned to Grundy county, Missouri, living there until 1869. when he located at Clinton, Henry county, but not long there- after removed to Joplin, this state, thence, in 1878, to Grundy county, Mis- souri, where their permanent home was established. William B. Linney received his primary education in the public schools 1 3 88 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI of Joplin and the district schools of Grundy county. He assisted his father with the work on the farm in Grundy county, where the family led the plain life of a plain American people, the life which, in its apparently monotonous smoothness makes possible the development of good citizenship. During the winter months he attended the district schools in the vicinity of the home farm, until 1883, when he obtained a teacher’s certificate. But he did not begin teaching then, securing a position as clerk in a general merchandise store at Grant City. He adopted a very simple rule at that time which has stood him in good stead in those greater undertakings later in life. That rule was to do every day’s work thoroughly. Thus it was that his employer soon came to learn that the young man in his employ was to be trusted tO' do whatever was assigned him, with accuracy and complete fidelity to their interests. The goal of Mr. Linney’s ambition was finally reached and he entered the law department of the University of Missouri, at Columbia, from which institution he was graduated on March 25, 1886. His ambition to be a lawyer did not spur him ahead so rapidly that he neglected or only half learned the preliminary details of the profession. He took care to study his forms, the verbiage and the principles of its constructions so that he might be able to apply the knowledge to future original work. The future seemed very bright to his imagination, and he had already begun to look back with pride at the progress he had made since the days of the Grant City store. Especially encouraging was the consciousness that every day he was acquir- ing in fuller measure the powers by which he had cleared a way for himself thus far, and that, set in the right channels from the beginning those powers must ultimately bring success. On August 23, 1886, Mr. Linney was admitted to the bar of Grundy county by Hon. Gavon D. Burgess, at that time judge of the Grundy Cir- cuit Court. He continued in the practice of his profession at Trenton, Missouri, until 1908, except the year 1894, when he was located at Joplin, in partnership with former Attorney-General Edward C. Crow, when he moved to Pryor, Oklahoma, where he was elected and served as cashier of the First National Bank of that place. It was said of him, “He filled faith- fully and with conceded ability the position which industry and honorable ambition secured for him.” In January, 1914, he located in Springfield, Missouri, where he has since been engaged in the practice of the law with very gratifying results. Mr. Linney was married on June 5, 1895, to Elenora Van Horn, a daughter of Robert F. and Margaret A. (Messerly) Van Horn, a well-known family of Webb City, Missouri. Mrs. Linney had the advantage of a good education. One child has been born to our subject and wife — Mary Marga- ret Linney, whose birth occurred on May 24, 1898. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 138 9 Politically, Mr. Linney is a Democrat. He is a thirty-second degree Mason, belonging to Indian Consistory at McAlester, Oklahoma ; he is also a member of Bedouin Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of N'obles of the Mys- tic Shrine, at Muskogee, Oklahoma. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Woodmen of the World. He is a member of the Spring- field Club and the Country Club. He and Mrs. Linney have made many friends since locating in this city and gained a high standing in the circles in which they move. ERNEST D. HAYNES. It is not too much to say that it is possible for every able-bodied young man to prepare against those periods of misfortune and ill luck which await all mankind somewhere down the path of life, but some, instead of doing so, trust to luck, which is an elusive and capricious thing, and so, believing in the optimism of the future, they spend all on the present. The late Ernest D. Haynes, of Springfield, it seems, was wiser and his prudence urged him to pursue a different course, which, all contemplative minds will agree, is the wiser, and therefore his example is to be commended to the younger generation of readers of this work whose destinies are yet matters for fu- ture years to determine and who are hesitating at the parting of the ways, apparently unable to determine which course to pursue. Mr. Haynes was born in Putnam county, Missouri, May 21, 1867. He was a son of Simon and Mary Belle (Smith) Haynes, the father a native of Missouri and the mother of Kentucky. He is now living in Arkansas, the mother of our subject being deceased. Siom Haynes has been a real estate dealer and promoter, and very active in politics, and has held several county offices on the Democratic ticket. His family consisted of four children, namely: Mattie M., deceased; Cora is living; Myrtle is living; and Ernest D., of this sketch. Our subject grew to manhood in Putnam county and received a good common school education. He was engaged in mining for several years during his younger days, in Utah, interested in gold and silver mines. Re- turning East he began railroading in Ft. Scott, Kansas, becoming an engi- neer on the Kansas City, Ft. Scott & Memphis road, which is now under lease by the Frisco system, and he continued to work as such until 1901, when he went into the coal and fuel business in Ft. Scott, under the firm name of E. D. Haynes Coal Company, remaining there, enjoying a large business, until 1909, when he went to West Plains, Missouri, and purchased the ice plant there. Selling out later he bought a hack and buggy line in Ft. Scott, but subsequently returned to West Plains, where he remained two 1390 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. years, and in 1910 located in Springfield as manager of the Consumers Ice Company, and later bought the Clinton Ice & Fuel Company which he operated with his usual success until his death, having changed the firm- name to the Haynes Ice & Fuel Company. Mr. Haynes was married on December 16, 1S91, in Park City, Utah, to Margaret Nolan, who was a native of New Jersey, and a daughter of Philip and Mary (Lyons) Nolan, both natives of New Jersey. Mr. Nolan was for a number of years engaged in the woolen mill business, and he and his wife spent their lives in their native state and died there. Their family consisted of ten children, six of whom are still living. To Mr. and Mrs. Haynes only one child was born, Myrtle Haynes, whose birth occurred on October 24, 1892. She was given good educa- tional advantages. She married William M. Plamilton, who is in partner- ship with Mrs. Margaret Playnes in the fuel business at 331 North Campbell street, Springfield, under the firm name of the Hamilton Ice and Fuel Com- pany, with yards at Campbell and Water streets. They have built up a large and growing business and are making a pronounced success. Promptness and honesty of service is their motto. Politically, Ernest D. Haynes was a Democrat. Fraternally, he was a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Pythias and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. The death of Mr. Haynes occurred on October 31, 1912. He was known as a man of industry, making a success of whatever he turned his attention to, and he numbered his friends by the scores wherever he was known. ONAS SMITH, M. D. Success in the medical profession comes as a result of merit and painstaking effort. In the industrial world one may by the proverbial “lucky stroke” win great results or may come into possession of a lucrative business through inheritance, but professional advancement, especially as a physician, is to be depended on solely by critical study and consecutive research long continued. Fie must not only be a man willing to work hard and honestly, but must have courage, fortitude, sympathy, a kind and genial nature and lead a wholesome life, so that he will inspire the confidence and trust of his patients. The medical profession is a very old and honored one. All tribes and peoples of all the ages have had their so-called “doctors” or medicine men, and as a rule these were regarded as being especially gifted of the gods, but in this rushing age, with the mad desire to obtain wealth speedily, many young men are dishonoring the physician’s calling by practicing quackery GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1391 and every unfair means, their motto being : “Get the money, get it quick and in as large amounts as possible.’’ This class, however, is confined principally to the great cities, for such a course could not well be long pursued in rural districts for obvious reasons. So when a young man of ability and honest principles like Dr. Onas Smith, of Ash Grove, Greene county, takes up this calling he should receive special notice. Dr. Smith was born at Halltown, Missouri, February 22, 1883. He is a son of Russell G. and Melvina (Oldham) Smith. Russell G. Smith was born in Mt. Vernon, Missouri, February 22, 1857, and is a son of James and Mary Ann (Clayton) Smith. James Smith was born in Kentucky about 1821, and was a son of Spencer and Sally Smith. Spencer Smith was a native of Kentucky, where he spent his life, meeting death suddenly, being killed by a horse. James Smith spent his earlier years in Kentucky, and removed to Lawrence county, Missouri, in 1857, and engaged successfully in general farming there for about thirty years. His death occurred in 1891. He was a Democrat, and while very active in public affairs, never held office. He was also active as a member of the Christian church. He was a member of the Masonic Order — the Blue Lodge. Mary Ann Clayton, wife of James Smith, whom he married about 1840, was born in Kentucky in 1820, and her death occurred in 1906. Russell G. Smith, father of our subject, grew up on the farm and received the usual educational training of that period in Lawrence county, Missouri. There he began farming when a young man and continued until 1910, when he removed to Ash Grove and in 1912 he purchased a third interest in the drug store of the firm name of Smith, Mason & Smith, a large and popular store here, which is doing an extensive business and is well stocked with drugs and drug sundries. Politically he is a Democrat and is very active in party affairs ; is a member of the Christian church and is active in that. Fraternally he is a Mason, belonging to Ash Grove Lodge, No. 100, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. Lie and Melvina Oldham were married on September 10, 1877. She was born in Kentucky, on January 6, 1856. She was a daughter of Daniel and Mahaley (Sims) Oldham, who were early settlers of Lawrence county, Missouri. Mrs. Smith was a woman of fine Christian sentiment, and she was called to her eternal rest on July 4, 1904. To these parents two children were born, namely: Daisy, wife of John F. Mason, a sketch of whom appears on another page of this volume, and Dr. Onas Smith, of this review. Dr. Smith grew to manhood on the home farm in Lawrence county and he received his early education in the public schools. He began studying medicine with Dr. C. A. Wilkerson, of Halltown, and in 1899 entered the St. Louis College of Physicians and Surgeons, where he made a good record I 39 2 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. and from which institution he was graduated on April 13, 1904, and just •one month later he opened an office for the practice of his profession at Plano, Missouri, but remained there only six weeks, then came to Ash Grove, where he has been engaged in general practice to the present time and has met with encouraging success from the first. He is surgeon for the St. Louis & San Francisco Railroad at Ash Grove. He has a one-third interest in the Smith, Mason & Smith Drug Company here. In 1912 he took a post-graduate course in the Polyclinic Hospital in Chicago. Dr. Smith was married on July 20, 1904, to Allie B. Sater, who was Lorn in Kansas on May 18, 1886. She had the advantages of a good edu- cation. To the Doctor and wife one child has been born, Orland, whose birth occurred on February 15, 1906. Politically, Dr. Smith is a Progressive. Religiously, he is a member of the Christian church. Fraternally he belongs to the Masonic Order, includ- ing Ash Grove Lodge, No. 100, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Ash Grove Chapter, No-. 124, Royal Arch Masons; Zahud Council, Royal and Select Masters, and St. John's Commandery, No. 20, Knights Templars. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias, of which he is past chancellor, and he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The doctor and bis wife have made many friends since locating in Ash Grove. JAMES THOMPSON WALKER. Nearly sixty years has passed into the irrevocable past since James Thompson Walker, deputy collector at Springfield, came to Greene county. Thus he has lived to see and take part in the great transformation of the country from practically a wilderness to one of the leading agricultural and commercial centers of the state of Missouri, and he talks most interestingly of the early days here, since which time everything has so changed a-s to make it seem that he is living in an entirely different country. He has not only lived to see the forests replaced by fine fields of grain, log cabins by- large farm houses but an insignificant handful of buildings grow into the great city of which everyone of this section of the state is justly proud. Mr. Walker has served his country well, both as a soldier and as a public servant and citizen and now in his eightieth year, he is still active and efficient as a result of a carefully lived life, and he enjoys the good will and •esteem of all classes, all well knowing that his long life has been one of use- fulness. Mr. Walker was born in Bedford county, Tennessee, September 23, 1834. He is a son of Isaac W. and Violet Matilda (Reed) Walker. Isaac JAMES T. WALKER. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1393 Walker was born in Mecklenburg county, North Carolina, November 12, 1800. Isaac Walker was a man of much industry and devoted his life to farming in connection with carpentering and stone mason work. He and his mother removed to Tennessee in 1806, locating in Bedford county, the township in which they settled being now a part of Marshall county. There he grew to manhood and spent the rest of his life, and became a prominent citizen there, served as county commissioner for a number of years. His death occurred in July, 1888. Politically, he was first a Whig and later in life a Democrat. His wife Violet Matilda Reed, was born in Logan county, Kentucky, July 1, 1802, and died in July, 1865. James T. Walker grew up on the farm where he worked hard when a boy. He had practically no chance to obtain an education, learning what he could in Sunday school, but later in life he became a well read man, and is well informed on general topics. He remained in Tennessee until he reached his majority and in 1855 came overland to Greene county, Missouri, reaching here November 12th. He found employment as clerk in a small store in the village of Springfield. Later he farmed in Robberson town- ship, Greene county, until the commencement of the Civil war, when he en- listed in Company A. Twenty-fourth Missouri Volunteer Infantry, August 5, 1861. He was in a number of engagements, including Pea Ridge, Arkansas, and Tupalo, Mississippi. His fidelity and ability were soon noted by his officers and he was made first sergeant, then duty sergeant and afterwards orderly sergeant, and served with his regiment in all the campaigns until mustered out October 14, 1864 at St. Louis. He was sick for two months at Helena, Arkansas, but was never wounded or a prisoner. After the war he returned to Springfield, and engaged in farming near here until 1885, with the exception of six years, when he served as assessor of Greene county, having been elected in 1867, and he made such a satis- factory and commendable record that he was twice re-elected. He estab- lished his permanent home in Springfield in 1883. In 1898 he was appointed deputy revenue collector, which position he has held to the present time, a period of over fifteen years, his long retention being evidently a criterion of his faithful and satisfactory service. Mr. Walker was married December 23, 1856, to Margaret H. Mullings, who was born in Bedford county, Tennessee, April 8, 1833. She was a daughter of Hosea and Margaret (Reed) Mullings, who came to Greene county, Missouri, in 1833. She has proven to be a faithful life companion. Mr. Mullings was in the war of 1812. Mrs. Walker is one of only a few of the real daughters of the war of 1812, there being only three living in Spring- field. To the union of our subject and wife, eight children have been born, two of whom died in infancy: Etta is at home; John Clav is fanning in Greene ( 8 - 8 ) 1394 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. county; Hosea E. is a physician in New York; Violet is the wife of H. S- Warner, of Denver, Colorado ; Maude is the wife of G. G. Beckley, who is employed by the Frisco railroad; and Isaac G. is a member of Fire Depart- ment No. i, Springfield. Politically, Mr. Walker is a Republican. Religiously, he is a member of the Presbyterian church. He belongs to the local post of the Grand Army of the Republic, of which he has been post commander. He was a member of the Masonic Order, but is now demited. DR. WILLIAM F. DONOVAN. Ability, when backed by enterprising measures and progressive ideas,, will accomplish more than any other professional requirement, an illustration of which may be seen in the career of Dr. William F. Donovan, one of the most widely known opticians in the Southwest. He ranks among the lead- ers in the professional circles of Springfield, and is in every way deserving of the large success that he has attained in life, for he has by his own efforts- risen from an environment none too auspicious to a conspicuous position in the professional world. But this is not to be wondered at when we learn that there runs in his veins blood of an excellent old Celtic family, and he has doubtless inherited from his sterling ancestors the characteristics that win in the battle of life. Dr. Donovan was born in the city of Cork, Ireland, July 16, 1868. He is a son of John and Mary (McCarthy) Donovan. The father’s death oc- curred in Hull, England, in 1892. He was surveyor of the board of trade of the British government for a period of more than thirty years. He was also an officer in the Royal navy for a period of more than twenty years, having been a lieutenant. Our subject's mother died when he was an infant and he has little knowledge of her family. Doctor Donovan attended the common schools and later was gradu- ated from Christian Brothers College in 1883. When a boy he immigrated to America without the consent of his father. He went direct to St. Paul, Minnesota, and there began working for an oculist, remaining in his em- ploy for six months, and then entered the University of Minnesota, near the city of St. Paul, remaining a student there two years. He received funds from his father to defray his expenses while in school there. He then went back to work for his former employer, the “Pioneer” oculist, remaining with him one year, then took a position in the technical department of the Spencer Optical Company, of New York City, remaining there about five years. Desiring to further his optical education, he spent one year in the Phila- GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1395 delphia College of Optics, and then went to Chicago and took charge of the Julius King Optical Company of the Chicago branch, this firm having other branches in Philadelphia, Cleveland and Chicago, the company’s headquarters being in New York. After remaining three years with this company in Chicago and becoming exceptionally well equipped for his life work, he opened offices for himself on State street in Chicago, where he built up a lucrative and satisfactory business, remaining there until the opening of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis, in 1904, when he came to St. Louis to accept a flattering offer by the A. S. Aloe Optical Company of that city, who had obtained exclusive optical concession at the World’s Fair. Doctor Donovan accepted the offer and became general superintendent and head consultant in difficult cases, fie remained with this widely-known firm until the close of the fair, giving his usual satisfaction and high-grade service. On February 6, 1905, Doctor Donovan came to Springfield, Missouri, and opened an office at 303 South street, taking the entire floor, and imme- diately built upon one of the largest businesses of its kind in the Southwest. After a stay of six months it became apparent, because of the crude and unsatisfactory work received in ordering his lenses ground in St. Louis and Kansas City and the necessity of returning them frequently for correction, it was absolutely necessary, if he was to turn out the high-class work, which had already won him an enviable reputation in Chicago and elsewhere, he must instal a grinding plant of his own. In September, 1905, an order for the same was placed with the Bausch & Lamb Company of Rochester, New York, and on November 1, 1905, was ground the first lens in southwestern Missouri, and his is still the only institution equipped for lense grinding in southern Missouri; in fact, there are only four other lens grinding concerns in the state. The extent to which Doctor Donovan’s private practice has grown is illustrated by the fact that he has on file seventy-five thousand pre- scriptions for lenses, fitted and ground under his supervision, in addition to this, many lenses for other opticians in this section of the state. An aver- age day’s grinding amouts to fifty pairs of lenses. Eight expert lense grinders and one frame maker are employed. Sixteen people are employed by Doc- tor Donovan to assist him in ministering to the needs of the eyes of the people of the Ozarks. In 1913 he removed from his first location to 306 South street, taking the entire ground floor, his increased business making this move necessary. I11 May, 1914, he began the erection of the attractive and substantial Donovan building at 420 South Jefferson street, and it was completed the following October. It occupies an excellent site just across the street from the Y. M. C. A. building. It was built at a cost of forty thousand dollars, and its erection would indicate the faith of Dr. Donovan in the future of Springfield. Dr. Donovan was married on Thanksgiving Day, 1909, to Mary B. 1396 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. Durbin, a daughter of William F. and Matilda (Manning) Durbin, natives of Kentucky, from which state they came to Greene county, Missouri, in 1879, Mr. Durbin engaging in the grocery business on the public square, later removing to a location on South Campbell street. He is now conducting a large grocery store and meat market on College street. Mrs. Donovan was born in Springfield, on September 20, 1885, and here she grew to woman- hood and received a liberal education in the Loretto Academy, making a good record, and graduating from that institution in 1900. She was talented by nature as a musician and she devoted special attention to the study of this art, with the result that she is a highly accomplished musician, both vocal and instrumental. Until her marriage she was a leader in the choir of the Church of the Immaculate Conception. She is a lady of culture and has long been a favorite with a wide circle of friends. The union of our subject and wife has been without issue. Dr. Donovan is a member of the Missouri State Optical Association, of which he is president, the duties of which important office he is discharg- ing in a very creditable and satisfactory manner. Politically he is a Demo- crat. He belongs to the Springfield Club, the Retail Merchants’ Association, the Young Men’s Business Club, the Associated Retailers, and he and his wife are members of St. Agnes Catholic church. Personally Dr. Donovan is a genteel gentleman and he stands high in the circles in which he moves. WALTER WEIR McMASTER. Walter Weir McMaster belongs to the class of citizens whose lives do not show any meteoric effects, but who by their support of the moral, political and social status for the general good, promote the real welfare of their respective communities, and are therefore deserving of honorable mention on the pages of history. He takes an abiding interest in the progress and improvement of schools, good roads, in fact, in all matters pertaining to the upbuilding of his city and county. Mr. McMaster was born in Springfield, Missouri, on March 22, 1874. He is a son of Cyrus J. and Belle (Weir) McMaster. The father of our subject was a son of Dr. Edwin K. and Eliza J. (Bull) McMaster, and was born in Dade county, Missouri, May, 1847. His parents were natives of North Carolina, and were among the pioneer settlers of Dade county. In 1851 his parents moved to Greene county, where Cyrus J. grew to manhood and was educated. In 1864 he enlisted in the Fourteenth Missouri Cavalry, and served until the war closed. During 1869-70 he carried on the saddle GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1397 and harness business at Walnut Grove, this county. In 1871 he came to what was then called North Springfield and engaged in the produce and commission business. In 1880 he entered into partnership with George O. Vick and they carried on a thriving business in produce and grain shipments, handling about a quarter of a million dollars’ worth of grain in 1882. We next find him engaged in the buggy and wagon business, which he conducted alone and on an extensive scale for a period of thirty-four years and Avas one of the best known dealers in this line in southwestern Missouri. Besides, ■ he was local agent for a number of the standard makes of wagons and buggies. About 1904 he went on the road as traveling salesman for the Joel Turney Brothers Wagon Company, of Illinois. He remained active in busi- ness affairs until his death, which occurred on December 30, 1912. In Wal- nut Grove, on December 16, 1869, he had married Belle Weir, who was born in Springfield, Illinois, on April 23, 1852; she was a daughter of James D. and Fidelia (Meacheld) Weir, natives of Kentucky and Illinois, respectively. They spent their active lives on a farm in Illinois, and to them nine children were born, only three of whom now survive, namely : Andrew, Mrs. Agnes Dagan and Marion. To Mr. and Mrs. McMaster two children were born, namely: Vernie, born on April 6, 1871, married John French, and they reside in St. James, Missouri, and Walter W., subject of this sketch. The death of Mrs. Belle McMaster occurred on September 14, 1914. Walter W. McMaster was educated in the Springfield schools, and when seventeen years of age he went into his father’s store as clerk, remaining there several years, then took a position in the coach department of the Frisco shops, in the repair department, in which he remained three years, then started in the implement business with his father on Commercial street and remained in this two years, then, in 1902, he was appointed deputy recorder of deeds and served eight years as such in a most faithful manner. In 1910 he Avas elected recorder of deeds on the Republican ticket, serving one term, dis- charging the duties of the same in a manner that Avas highly satisfactory to all concerned. He is now engaged in the implement and real estate business. Mr. McMaster Avas married on July 10, 1893, to Nettie Smith, Avho Avas born in Springfield, Missouri, on August 28, 1875, and here grew to woman- hood and received her education. The union of our subject and wife has resulted in the birth of five children, named as follows : Raymond, born in 1894; Irma, born in 1899: Verna, born in 1901 ; Marjorie, born in 1903, and Louise, born in 1910. Politically Mr. McMaster is a Republican, and has been faithful in his adherence to the party in both victory and defeat. Fraternally he is a mem- ber of the Modern Woodmen of America, the Yeomen and the Court of Honor, and religiously he belongs to the Presbyterian church, in which he is a trustee and is active in the affairs of the congregation. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1398 SAMUEL A. REED. The people of Greene county have been fortunate in securing such men as Samuel A. Reed as their public servants and it would be difficult to re- place the present county officials, clerks of the various courts and those in general who are serving the people here in an official capacity with better men, at least this is in the main true. It seems that they have been chosen for these responsible positions more for their ability and honesty than for political reasons. One of these is Samuel A. Reed, present incumbent of the office of clerk of the circuit court. Mr. Reed is a scion of a worthy old family of the far Southland and he was born in the fair state of Mississippi while the family was en route to the North, on September 8, 1859. Lie is a son of Robert S. and Sarah .(Goode) Reed, and is one of a family of twelve children, eight sons and four daughters, of which number only four sons now survive. Robert S. Reed, the father, was a native of Tennessee, where he grew to manhood, was educated and married and there he spent his earlier years engaged in farming. His wife was also a native of that state where she grew up and was educated. The paternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch was of English descent, and he was born in Virginia, from which state he re- moved to Mississippi in a very early day. The Reed family was desirous of getting out of the South on account of the turmoil there during the Civil war period. The long journey over rough roads to Christian county, Missouri, required over six weeks. It was on this trip that our subject was born. The family located on a farm and made their permanent home in this locality, unlike most of the Southern families who left on account of the war, after which they returned to their old homes. Robert S. Reed continued farming up to old age and he is now living in Springfield at the advanced age of eighty-four years. He is well known in the sections of Christian and Greene counties in which he has lived and his record is of the best. His wife passed away a quarter of a century ago, dying in 1889. Samuel A. Reed grew to manhood on the farm and assisted his father with the general work of the same when a boy. He received his education in the common schools of his locality. On November 3, 1881, he was married to Susie W. Turner, a daugh- ter of John and Edith Turner, an old family of Greene county, who spent their active lives on a farm, and here Mrs. Reed was reared to womanhood and was educated in the common schools. She is one of a family of thir- teen children. Five children have been born to our subject and wife, namely: Lulu GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1399 Maud married R. N. Farren, an electric engineer; they live in Wright •county, Missouri, and have three children: Sarah E. married Fred W. Hoover, who is engaged in the lumber business in Tacoma, Washington, where they reside; Elizabeth, born in 1888, is at home; Benton, born in 1892 is a natural artist and at this writing is attending the Chicago Art School, expecting to be a member of the graduating class of that institution in 1915; Nellie, born in 1894, is at home. Politically Mr. Reed is a Republican and has been more or less active in political affairs. In 1910 he was chosen clerk of the circuit court here, the ■duties of which he has discharged in an eminently satisfactory manner, being accurate, prompt and courteous. He was re-elected in 1914. Mr. Reed and family are members of the Grace Methodist Episcopal ■church on South street. GEORGE IRVIN BOMGARDNER, D. V. S. Foresight is one of the greatest assets of the individual. We all know what we should have done yesterday. The real trouble is to know what to ■do today. There are opportunities in southern Missouri and northern Arkan- sas for the young and middle-aged men who are not afraid to work and wait for time to bring them recompense for their years of toil. In the Ozarks, in the country and in the town there are innumerable opportunities awaiting men with foresight, but the majority of these opportunities will not be seen by the present generation until they are brought within the range of vision of their retrospection. Among the exceptions is Dr. George Irvin Bomgard- ner, a promising young veterinarian of Ash Grove, Greene county, who had the foresight to first get ready to do something that needed doing well and then locate in a country that abounds in opportunities and has a great future. Dr. Bomgardner was born at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on July 28, 1882. He is a son of John and Adeline E. (Hawkins) Bomgardner. The father was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, about 1848, and when quite young he went to Iowa among the pioneer settlers, and was living there when the war between the states began, and although he was quite young, he enlisted in the one hundred day service in an Iowa volunteer regiment and served faithfully until his term expired and he was honorably discharged. When a young man he learned the painter’s trade and followed that for some time, later engaged in the coal and livery business. In 1875 he began farming, which he followed with success until 1895, in Iowa, when he moved to Greene -county, Missouri, and bought a farm in Center township, adjoining the town of Bois D'Arc, and here he spent the rest of his life, dying on June 4, 1898. 1400 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. His widow survived until November 26, 1913. Politically he was a Demo- crat, and he belonged to the Grand Army of the Republic. Dr. Bomgardner grew to manhood on his father's farm in Missouri and assisted with the general work there. After his father's death he and his younger brother took charge of the farm. Pie had the advantages of a good common school education, and later he entered the Western Veterinary Col- lege, where he spent one year, then was a student for three years at the Kansas City Veterinary College, making an excellent record there, and was graduated in 1911. The first Missouri Kansas City Veterinary College Club was organized that year and our subject was elected vice-president and the following year he was elected president. Soon after graduating he began the practice of his profession at Ash Grove, where he has since remained and has built up a large, satisfactory and rapidly growing practice, and has had uniform success. He is very studious and keeps fully abreast of the times in all that pertains to his profession. Dr. Bomgardner was married on July 6, 1904, to Mary M. Hudgings, who was born in Boone township, this county, on September 6, 1881, and here she grew to womanhood and received a good public school education. She is a daughter of F. M. and Dorthula (Gilmore) Hudgings. To -our subject and wife two children have been born, namely: Dorothy A., who is attending school, and Gertrude A. Politically the doctor is a Progressive, and religiously he belongs to the Baptist church. In March, 1913, he organized the Baptist Young Men’s Organization, the only organization of its kind. Dr. Bomgardner is a teacher and active worker in the Sabbath school. He is Scout Master of the Boy Scouts of America at Ash Grove, and is also a Free and Accepted Mason in the Blue Lodge. LEONARD WALKER. Pdie name of Leonard Walker is entitled to a high position in the list of Springfield’s successful attorneys-at-law, as those conversant with his record will readily attest, for he possesses the personal characteristics that should always enter the make-up of the man who essays a legal career. In addressing the jury or the court he is interesting, forcible and decisively natural — natural in his native conceptions of the law — forcible in his scru- tinizing of it, direct, lucid and concentrative in his presentations, employing and using in a remarkable measure the language of the law, if not by actual quotation, in a vocabulary of his own, highly comparative with its best stand- ards of legal and literarv expression. He easily obtains the understanding of the court, and uniformly places himself in such relations to it that he will GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1401 not be misunderstood. His powers with a jury is well known. His argu- ments come from the sources upon which decisions are based, radiate the light of his judgment and investigation, and his words are but the echo of the law with which courts are disposed to co-ordinate themselves. Mr. Walker was born near Ozark, Christian county, Missouri, on March 1, 1866. He is a son of Leonard and Nancy M. (Adamson) Walker. The father was born in Wilson county, Tennessee, on July 12, 1812, and was a son of William J. and Polly (Adams) Walker. William J. Walker was born near Dublin, Ireland, and he emigrated to America when a boy, just after the close of the Revolutionary war. He first located in North Carolina, later lived in Virginia and Tennessee, and was a resident of the latter state during the war of 1812 and joined Gen. Andrew Jackson’s force and fought with the famous Tennessee Riflemen at the memorable battle of New Orleans. After the war he returned to Tennessee and accumulated a handsome for- tune, owning six hundred and forty acres of rich bottom land, also a large whisky distillery. He owned many slaves, but sold them after the death of his wife, and began trading in live stock, buying up large herds and driving them to the far South and selling them, and while on one of these trips he contracted a fever in northern Alabama and died there about 1827. Polit- ically he was a Whig, and was a great personal friend of both Henry Clay and Andrew Jackson. Religiously he was a Baptist. Leonard Walker, Sr., was reared on the home plantation in Tennessee, and received a limited edu- cation in the schools of his native locality. His mother died when he was ten years of age and he was reared by an old negro mammy, who did not accord him very tender treatment. He was fifteen years of age when his father died. The estate was all squandered and he was left practically penny- less. When young in years he began his career as a general farmer, also engaged in the tinware business, remaining in Tennessee until 1842, when he made the tedious overland journey to Missouri, stopping first near Bolivar, Polk county, and farmed there for three years, then moved to the Finley Creek bottoms near Ozark, Christian county, where he purchased a farm of two hundred and five acres, which he developed and operated in a fairly successful manner until his death, which occurred on January 18, 1896. He was regarded as one of the substantial, useful and worthy citizens of that county and was more or less influential in public matters. Politically he was first a Whig, later a Republican and was a stanch Union man during the Civil war period. He belonged to the Baptist church. He and Nancy M. Adamson were married in September, 1842. She was born in DeKalb county, Tennessee, on July 24, 1826, and was a daughter of Wells Adamson and wife, pioneers of that state and there Mrs. Walker grew to womanhood and was educated in the old-time log cabin schools. Her death occurred on October 15, 1901. Twelve children were born to the parents of the subject 1402 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. of this sketch, ten of whom are still living at this writing. One son, W. J. Walker, was a soldier in the Civil war. Leonard Walker, of this review, grew to manhood on his father’s farm .and assisted with the general work during the crop seasons, and he had the advantages of a good education, attending the district schools in his home community, and later was a student in Drury College, Springfield, but was compelled to leave his studies on account of failing health. When only sixteen years of age he was deputy assessor of Christian county. He has remained a close student and has become a well educated man, not only keep- ing fully abreast of the times in his chosen profession, but is familiar with •the world’s best literature and well informed on current topics. He began studying law when quite young and made rapid progress in the same. How- ever, ill health interrupted his studies and he underwent an operation in a hospital in St. Louis in 1890. He studied in the law offices of Harrington & Pepperdine, a well-known firm in Springfield, in 1891, and was admitted to the bar in February, 1892, and ever since he has been successfully engaged in the practice of his profession in Springfield, enjoying a constantly growing and satisfactory business and ranking among the leading lawyers of Greene county. ]Vlr. Walker was married in August, 1892, to Lucy Jania Robertson, of Ozark, Missouri, where her birth occurred on December 25, 1866, and there she grew to womanhood and was educated. She is a daughter of J. W. and Martha Robertson, a well-known and highly respected family of Christian county. To Mr. and Mrs. Walker two children have been born, namely: Harold M., born on November 2, 1895, is at this writing a junior in Drury College; Helen A., born on October 26, 1896, is now a sophomore in Drury ^College ; they are both making excellent records in scholarship. Fraternally Mr. Walker is a member of the Masonic Order and the Knights of Pythias, being past chancellor of the latter lodge in Springfield and a member of the Grand Lodge of Missouri. He is a member of the Con- gregational church. Flis Americanism and Republicanism, neither give nor take quarter from any faction, junta or party. Practically self-educated, self-qualified for the exercise of his civic duties, fortified in his political views by the confirming theories and opinions of the most brilliant and powerful leaders of the Re- publican party, Mr. Walker stands nobly erect in the ranks of the gigantic national political organization to which he belongs. The principles that gave birth to it, that vitalized it in infancy, nurtured its growing years, and in its maturity impart to it, its dominant and beneficent character, are those that he advocated in the days of Grant, Garfield and Blaine, for even when a boy he had pronounced views on national questions, and he has ever been in straight and uniform alignment with the Republican party and its policies, GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1403 and he has been one of the local leaders in the same for many years. He was elected city attorney of Springfield in 1896 and renominated in 1898, but went down in defeat with the entire ticket in Greene county. Again in 1912 he was elected city attorney and served two years. He has also served one year as tax attorney. As a public servant his record was eminently satisfactory to his constituents and all concerned, being marked with fidelity to duty, honesty and ability of a high order. WILLIAM HOWELL. The late William Howell was one of the sterling pioneer characters of Greene county, there remaining today but very few of his type. He came here when the country was comparatively little developed. He was also an adventurer of the great plains of the Southwest in the days of the hostile red man. He also served his country as a soldier. All this indicates that he was a man of courage, hardihood and strong characteristics. It is the names of such as he that the biographer likes to write of in a volume of the nature of the one in hand. Mr. Howell was born at Scranton, Pennsylvania, in 1838. His father died when our subject was about three months old and at the age of about one year his mother also died, he was then taken by his uncle, James Free- man, to raise, who was a resident of Ray county, Missouri. Mr. Howell lived here, receiving his early education in the district school and doing what work fell to him on the farm. When the war of the rebellion broke out our subject enlisted in Company C, Sixth Missouri Cavalry, serving his full term. He took part in many important engagements, including the battle of Pea Ridge, also the battle of Springfield, January 8, 1863. He remained in this city during the spring of that year, and while here met and married Lettie J. Gardner, who was born in 1840, in Tennessee, and was a daughter of Tames D. and Matilda Gardner, both Tennessee people. During his life he made two trips overland to New Mexico, which were hazardous in vari- ous ways and in later life he told many interesting incidents of the same. Mrs. Llowell is still living. She remained in Springfield during the time our subject was with his troops in the field during the Civil war, and at the close of the war he' was honorably discharged as first lieutenant and located in this city where he spent the rest of his life, dying on August 30, 1901. His family consisted of three children, namely: John C., deceased; Charles A., who lives on South Florence street; and Janies Edward, living on Monroe street, this city. Charles A. Howell was born on November 1, 1866, in Ray county, Mis- 1404 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. souri. He received a high school education in Springfield, in the early period of Professor Fairbank’s superintendency. He has lived in the vicin- ity of Springfield since 1873, followed farming for awhile, and kept books for seven years. On June 10, 1896, he went into the feed business for him- self in the old “elevator corner” at St. Louis and Jefferson streets which soon afterwards was. destroyed by fire. He remained in this business, also carrying a line of wood and coal until January 1, 1909, since which time he has retained the last two lines, discarding the feed business, at the corner of Lena and Hayden streets, having been in business alone, and he has en- joyed a good trade which is all the while increasing. He was married on January 22, 1891, in Springfield, to Katherine C. Blackman, who was born on the old Blackman homestead a few miles south of Springfield and here she grew to womanhood and was educated. She is a daughter of J. M. and Fanny C. (Deupree) Blackman. Mr. Blackman was born in this city, March 4, 1840, and here his death occurred on November 22, 1904. He spent his life as a farmer. His family settled in Greene county in pioneer days. He became an influential citizen. Lie was a nephew of the well- known John P. (Jack) Campbell, who founded the city, donating ground for the public square and other important places in the heart of the city. To Charles A. Howell and wife three children have been born, namely: Junius B., born August 22, 1893, is single and is employed in the McDaniel National Bank of Springfield; Mary E., born on September 25, 1895, is at home; Katherine F., born on November 8, 1900, is also with her parents. Politically, Mr. Howell is a Republican. He belongs to the Royal Arcanum lodge, and is a member of the Christian church in which he is a deacon and active in the affairs of the same. THOMAS MURRAY. Recurrence to the past, with reflections and associations which make it appear in life-like review before our mental vision, will continue as “long as the heart has sorrows, as long as life has woes” to be a source of satis- faction; and especially when our personality and former friends, happily in- terwoven in some pleasant incident, will the picture thus reflected be more pleasing. These reminders, however, often vanish and pass away with the life of the participants when no landmarks remain to serve as a background for the picture engraved on the tablets of memory, the impressions of which are but remodelings of others. To preserve these from oblivion before they have lost their distinguishing originality is the work devolved upon the writer of local history and biography. These both fail in their mission when GREENE COUNTY^ MISSOURI,. 1405 they fail to preserve the life features connected with their trust. Biography, more than anything else, commands the most interested attention for the reason that it is a record of those who, in times gone by, traveled the thorny pathway of life as companions, acquaintances, friends or relatives. To pre- serve from forgetfulness the simple story of their experiences and record their acts, however uneventful, is a task attended with much pleasure and fraught with great good to humanity. Especially is this the case when the subject, like that of the well remembered pioneer engineer whose name forms the caption of this article, has led a useful and honorable life. Thomas Murray was born in Ireland in 1842. He was a son of Thomas Murray, a native of the Emerald Isle, where he grew up, attended school and was married, and from there immigrated to America when com- paratively young and located in Clyde, Wayne county, New York, and when about forty years of age he was killed on the Erie Canal in New York. His family consisted of six children, all of whom are now deceased. Thomas Murray, of this sketch, was a child when his parents brought him to the United States from Ireland, and he grew to manhood in the state of New York, receiving a limited education in the common schools of Wayne county, that state. When a boy he worked awhile on the Erie Canal, later began working for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company as fireman out of Meadville, Pennsylvania, which position he held two years, then came West and located at Pacific, Missouri, when the St. Louis &. San Francisco Railroad Company was being built in that part of the state, and there he began firing for this company. This was about the time this road was being built into Springfield. Later he was promoted to engineer, and he removed from Pacific to Springfield. He remained a locomotive engi- neer the rest of his life and was in the service of the Frisco system for a period of forty-six years, during which he was regarded as a capable and trustworthy engine driver. He found but a straggling village when he first came to Springfield, and he saw the place grow into the important city it is today. He was married in St. Louis in 1872, to Julia Hailey, who was born in 1849. Her death occurred in 1895. She had received a common school education and she was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic church. To Thomas Murray and wife four children were born, namely: El- len is deceased: J. D., our subscriber, is mentioned at the close of this sketch; Julia is deceased: Thomas i§ also deceased. Politically, Thomas Murray, the immediate subject of this sketch, was a Democrat. He belonged to the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, having been a charter member of the Springfield branch of the order. He Avas a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic church. His death occurred at the family residence in Springfield on September 12, 1908, at the age of sixty- six years. 1406 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. J. D. Murray, son of our subject, was born in Pacific, Missouri, No- vember 19, 1876, and he was an infant when his parents brought him to Springfield, in which city he grew to manhood and was educated in the ward and high schools. After leaving school he worked eighteen months as machinist apprentice in the north side Frisco shops, later was sent out on the road as brakeman for the Frisco out of this city, and was in the serv- ice nine years as freight brakeman. In 1907 he met with misfortune, losing a limb which incapacitated him for further road service. J. D. Murray has remained unmarried. Politically, he is a Democrat. Fie belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is also a member of the Brotherhood of Trainmen. LOUIS ALLEN DICKEN CRENSHAW. Few men of a past generation in Greene county were held in higher esteem than the late Louis Allen Dicken Crenshaw, who, now that life’s fit- ful fever is over, is sleeping serenely in the “windowless palaces of rest.” Although more than a quarter of a century has elapsed since he was an actor in the local arena of material affairs, his memory is still revered by a vast circle of friends who knew him well and admired him, for he was a man in whom all took delight, owing to his sterling honesty, his indomitable indus- try, his charitable nature and his readiness to help in the furtherance of any movement looking to the general upbuilding of the community. He was one of our sterling pioneer citizens to whom we owe so much, for he came here when little improvement had been made, and, working long and hard, re- deemed, with others, the fertile fields and the fine farms which we of today enjoy and which are now so valuable. We can never say too much regarding these splendid, brave and courageous pioneers who literally took their own lives in their hands, and, not counting the cost, cast their lot in a new coun- try, away from the pleasant hearthstones of' their ancestors and the advan- tages of more advanced civilization. Mr. Crenshaw by his own efforts rose to be one of the most substantial men in the community, was one of the county’s most extensive land owners and largest farmers and stock men, and influential in public affairs. Mr. Crenshaw was born in 1821 in Nashville, Tennessee, and was a son of William and Susanna (Ward) Crenshaw. The father was a native of Virginia, a representative of a prominent family, members of which built the capitol building in Richmond, and the Crenshaws owned the mansion which was used by the Confederate president in Richmond. The mother of the subject of this memoir was born in North Carolina; her father emi- GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1407 grated from that state to Nashville, Tennessee, when it was a little more than a fort. To William and Susanna Crenshaw four sons and one daughter were born. Louis A. D. Crenshaw spent his early life in Tennessee. When a boy he assisted his father, who was a wholesale grocery merchant in Nashville. In 1839, when just entering young manhood, our subject removed with his father to Greene county, Missouri, and located on a farm. Later the father purchased another farm, on which he spent the rest of his life. In 1849 Mr. Crenshaw went to California, crossing the plains at the head of a large train of wagons drawn by oxen and loaded with provisions and merchandise of all kinds. He took with him twenty-seven men, who gave their services for their expenses on the trip. One of this number was later well known as Governor McClurg, of Missouri, being honored with the highest office in the gift of the people of this state. While in California, Lewis A. D. Crenshaw fitted up a store with the merchandise which he had taken to the coast, and then sold his stock and all his wagons at a big price. This business sagacity was characteristic of him. He seemed always to recognize the full value of an opportunity and by the wise use thereof he gained success. In all of his dealings he was thoroughly reliable and his efforts upon the Pacific coast gave him a good start. After about a year he returned by way of the Panama route and New York to Missouri. Again settling in Springfield, he engaged in dealing in mules and likewise became interested in a wholesale hardware business and other undertakings. He also made extensive investments in land and resided upon a large ranch of about three thousand acres four miles south of Springfield, which, since his death, has been divided into several farms. He planted fortv acres in black walnuts, which made a magnificent grove. On this place he built a com- modious. substantial, and, at that time, elegant home, in the old Colonial style of architecture, and near by stands a large, expensive barn. Here his widow, who owns the place, still spends the summer months, but lives in Springfield with her daughter in the winter time. Mr. Crenshaw was one of the prin- cipal contractors and builders of the Kansas City, Ft. Scott & Memphis rail- road, commonly known as the “Gulf" line, which is now a part of the Frisco system, his operations being between Springfield and Ash Grove, this county, and he owned considerable stock in that road. Mr. Crenshaw was twice married, first, in 1851, to Louise Crenshaw, whose death occurred in September, 1865, having borne her husband six chil- dren. On June 20, 1867, Mr. Crenshaw married Fanny Smith, who was- born in Nashville. Tennessee, May 28, 1841. She is a daughter of John T. and Elizabeth (Shockwell) Smith, the father and the mother natives of Georgia. To John T. Smith and wife six children were born, onlv one of whom, Mrs. Fanny Crenshaw, is still living. She grew to womanhood in 1408 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. Nashville, and there received her education, being graduated from a semi- _ nary there in 1857. Eight children were born to our subject's second marriage, seven of whom are still living, namely: Susanah, born May 10, 1869, married Dr. J. W. Love ; they live with her mother and they have two children, Louis C. and Bettie Love; Anna W., Mrs. Shepard; Edith is deceased; Dicken W. ; Smith S. ; Aileen Sandridge ; Thomas, and Clara C., who is the wife of Allen Earley. Politically, Louis A. D. Crenshaw was a Whig, later a Greenbacker, and finally a Democrat. Ele was a strong supporter of the Union during the Civil war times. When he was but a boy he was a deputy constable. His death occurred on his fine farm near Springfield on December 23, 1884. JOHN WESLEY KLINGNER. The record of John Wesley Klingner is one that is deserving of our admiration for it shows the possibilities here in free America of a young man of ambition, fortitude, grit and perseverance, although springing from a humble environment. It proves that blood counts in this country but in a different way in which the “blood'' of the European nations count, for here we count as worthiest, the good, sterling blood of our honest, hard-work- ing ancestors, while across the ocean it is merely a difference of aristocracy so-called and peasantry, the latter counting, in many instances, for more than the former, in the true scale of being. Our subject was fortunate in having behind him progenitors of the right sort, what we in this country would call the best blood of Germans and Anglo-Saxons, and so it is not surprising that he has made a success in life despite obstacles. Mr. Klingner was born September 28, 1877, at Fair Grove, Greene county, Missouri. He is a son of John and Mollie (Shade) Klingner, a well known and highly respected family of that locality, where the father has long been engaged in general agricultural pursuits and where he is also doing a splendid work as a local minister in the Methodist church. In view of the fact that a full record of this family appears on another page of this volume, it will not be repeated here. John W. Klingner, who is one of the progressive and efficient under- takers of this section of Missouri, grew to manhood on the home farm near Fair Grove and there did his share of the work during the crop season, when he became of proper age, and he received his early education in the public schools of his native vicinity, and when young learned the blacksmith's trade at which he worked for a period of ten years, becoming quite proficient in the JOHN W. KLINGNEE. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1409 •same and had a good business, but turning his attention to another field of •endeavor he entered the Williams Institute of Embalming at Kansas City, where he made rapid progress and from which institution he was graduated with the class of 1908. Soon thereafter he went to Rogers, Arkansas, where he engaged in his profession a year and got a good start, but seeking a larger field for the exercise of his talents he came to Springfield, Missouri and on November 1, 1909, organized the J. W. Ivlingner & Company, with a capital stock of seven thousand dollars, and incorporated the same. They com- menced business at 432 East Commercial street and here they have remained and have built up a large and constantly growing business, of which our .subject is manager. They are properly equipped, everything modern, and prompt and honest service is the aim of the company at all times. Mr. Kling- ner is an expert in embalming and is a close student in all that pertains to this art, and he is popular as a funeral director. Mr. Ivlingner was married December 24, 1899, to Lulu Putman, of Fair Grove, Missouri, where she was born September 17, 1880, and there was reared to womanhood and educated. She is a daughter of E. B. and Meranda Putman. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Ivlingner, namely: Velda, born August 2, 1901, died October 4, 1913; Mona, born February 14, 1906; John B., born July 13, 1909; Malcolm, born June 12, 1911. Politically, Mr. Ivlingner is a Democrat. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. South, and fraternally, is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the Masonic order, being pastmaster of Gate of Temple Lodge, No. 422, ii\ the work of which he has been very active ; he also belongs to Oueen City Chapter, Order of East- ern Star, No, 226. WILLIAM H. COWDEN, M. D. Amidst the splendors of twentieth century achievements and the nu- merous factors that go to. make up the component parts of our boasted advanced civilization one factor looms among the most conspicuous — the art •of healing. This fact may not be readily accepted by the rank and file of the peoples of the world, who no doubt believe the palm should be given to mechanical science, because the conspicuous progress in this field is more a part of our every-day life and is therefore kept more constantly before us and is more quickly observed and appreciated. The student of the early history ■of the human race finds that ignorance and superstition surrounded the •anatomy of the human organism, which resulted in the belief that disease (89) 1410 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. was of supernatural and mysterious origin. For ages it was believed that the sick and afflicted were possessed of devils and weird chants, incantations and so-called religious rites were common resorted to rather than the appli- cation of. drugs or other means of modern healing. In fact, it was not until the thinking Greeks proved that the medical cure was the practical way of overcoming the multiform ills of the flesh which were not due to the presence of evil spirits or to the anger of the gods, and thus was placed upon a scien- tific basis the study of the human organism with its various ailments. There is generally a wide diversity of opinion among the people outside the medical profession in their estimate of the skill and ability of a particular physician. A family is likely to pin its faith to one practitioner and distrust all the rest. If there is a member of the profession in Greene county who has successfully fought down this prejudice, and now stands secure in the confidence of the general public, that man is Dr. William Id. Cowden, of Springfield, a man whose research in the fields of science has produced such pronounced results as to leave no question of his knowledge of his profession. Dr. Cowden was born in Polk county, Missouri, on February 9, 1850. Fie is a son of Robert Blackburn Cowden and Martha J. (Headlee) Cowden, who were born in Maury county, Tennessee, the father in 1825 and the mother in 1831. There they spent their early childhood, but were young when they accompanied their parents to this section of the Ozarks, the Cowden family emigrating to Polk county in about 1839, and the Headlee family coming to Greene county in 1836. The parents of our subject received such educational advantages as the early day schools afforded, and here they were married, and immediately thereafter settled on a farm in Polk county, where they became successful in general agricultural pursuits, and there the death of the father occurred in July, 1892, and the death of the mother oc- curred on October 10, 1899. Robert B. Cowden was a stanch Democrat and was active in party affairs, however, during the Civil war he was in sym- pathy with the Union, but took no part in the war. After the close of the war he was registering officer for a number of years. He was one of the successful and influential men of his locality and of unquestioned integrity. He was a member of the Masonic Order, Ozark Lodge, No. 297, at Fair Grove, and was prominent in the affairs of this order. He and his wife were Presbyterians in their religious affiliations. They were the parents of the following children: Dr. William H., of this sketch: Christopher C., who remained on the old home farm in Polk county, becoming a successful general farmer and stock raiser, and previous to his death moved to Colorado, near Lamar, his death occurring on June 29, 1913: Mary Caroline, who died un- married, and Albert S., who studied law and became one of the leaders of the Springfield bar. Robert Cowden, paternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. I4IT born in Alabama about the year 1793, where his father, also Robert Cowden, who was a captain in the American army during the Revolutionary war, had settled after the close of the war for independence. He removed to Tennessee with his father, where he soon after married and began farming. About the year 1838 or soon thereafter he emigrated by wagon to Polk county, Missouri, located on the Upshaw Prairie, where he developed a good farm and established a comfortable home, and there spent the remainder of his days, dying about 1863. He was of Irish descent. Politically he was a Democrat, and was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. His family consisted of the following children : James, who was a farmer in Greene county, died prior to the Civil war; John A. engaged in farming and mercantile pursuits at Pleasant Hope, Polk county; William was a farmer and died at Pleasant Hope, leaving a family ; Robert Blackburn, father of the immediate subject of this sketch; Newton, who remained on the old homestead near Pleasant Hope; Marshall became a farmer and miller at Pleasant Hope; Samuel, who was a soldier in the Confederate army, operated a part of the old home farm; Hannah, long since deceased, was the wife of Newton Fawcett; Elizabeth married Lundy Crocker, who died in early life; Jane became the wife of J. P. Fullerton and they established their home in Polk county, and Melissa married Rev. J. B. Landreth, a Polk county min- ister of the Methodist Episcopal church, South; he died a few years ago at Morrisville, Polk county, and his widow is still living there. Judge Elisha Headlee, the maternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was one of the pioneer settlers of Greene county, where he was well known among the early residents, was prominent in public affairs and was a successful general farmer. His death occurred on his farm here about 1876. His grandfather, John Headlee, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and his father, E. Headlee, was born in the state of New Jersey in May, 1760,, and was married there to Mary Fairchild, and soon thereafter, in 1790, removed to North Carolina. Judge Elisha Headlee was the seventh of eleven children, and was born in Burke county, North Carolina, in October, 1802, where he received a limited education. He removed to Maury county, Tennessee, with his parents in 1823, and there, in 1825, he married Rachael Steele, who was also a native of North Carolina, born in 1803, and removed from the old Tar state to Tennessee with her parents in 1810. Mr. Headlee farmed in Tennessee after his marriage until 1836, then migrated overland with his family to Greene county, being thus among the pioneer settlers here, and eventually one of its most prominent and useful citizens. He was a justice of the peace for several years, and in 1846 was elected a member of the County Court for four years, after which he receive^ appointment from the governor of the state and served two terms ' credit to himself and to the satisfaction of all concerned. T 1412 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. appointed public administrator and served in that capacity until 1872. He was a stanch Democrat all his life, and voted for Gen. Andrew Jackson in 1824, and for every Democratic President until his death. However, during the Civil war he was in sympathy with the Union. In 1813 he became a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and after the war followed the Southern branch of that denomination. He and his wife enjoyed a happy wedded life of over half a century and became the parents of the following children: Dr. Samuel PI., who established himself as a physician at St. James, Missouri, once represented Phelps county in the state Legislature ; Mary Caroline, who died in childhood; Caleb C., who died in Louisiana in 1891 after a life devoted to farming; Martha J., mother of the subject of this sketch ; Hannah A. married J. D. W. Kerr, who died many years ago ; David A. died shortly after the Civil war; he was a soldier in the Federal army; Emma A., who became the wife of Robert Armor; Margaret M., who was a twin of Evaline (deceased) ; Rachael E. and Harriet I. all remained un- married and still live at the old homestead in this county. Dr. William H. Cowden grew to manhood on the home farm where he worked when a boy, and he received his early education in the public schools at Ebeneezer and at McGhee College in Macon county, Missouri. During this period he spent a portion of his time in teaching. He finished his literary education in Drury College, Springfield, and in 1876 began the study of medicine with his uncle, Dr. Samuel H. Headlee, of St. James, Missouri, and in 1878 entered the Missouri Medical College at St. Louis, from which institution he was graduated in 1880. He returned to his home in Polk county and, staying but a short time, when he went to Fair Grove, and there he practiced his profession until 1882, when he went back to Polk county, staying until 1887, then returned to Fair Grove and remained until 1911, when, seeking a larger field for the exercise of his talents, he located on the public square, Springfield, where he maintained his office until the disastrous fire of the spring of 1914, when he located at 200 East Commercial street, where he has remained. He had built up quite an extensive practice in the northern part of this county and in the southeastern part of Polk county, his name being a household word in that locality for years, and upon locating in Springfield he found that his reputation had preceded him, and he has enjoyed a good practice since coming to this city. He has been very suc- cessful as a general practitioner and has kept well abreast of the times in all that pertains to his profession. Soon after locating in Fair Grove he pur- chased a drug store, with which he was connected until he removed to Spring- field. He owns a comfortable home at 1376 North Jefferson street. Dr. Cowden was married in 1890 to Mcie Butts, a daughter of J. M. and Fannie (McLaughlin) Butts, natives of Kentucky and Barry county, Missouri, respectively, and are now residents of Fair Grove, where Mr. Butts GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1413 has long been engaged in the drug business. Mrs. Cowden was born in Barry county, this state, but ever since early childhood has been a resident of Fair Grove until removing to Springfield four years ago, and was reared and educated in the former place. To our subject and wife one child has been born, William B. Cowden, whose birth occurred on June 5, 1894, in Fair Grove, Missouri. There he grew to manhood and received his education in the public schools and in Drury College. He was making a splendid record for scholarship when he was compelled to give up his studies on account of trouble with his eyes. He is living at home. Politically Dr. Cowden is a Democrat. He is prominent in Masonic circles, being a member of Ozark Lodge, No. 297, at Fair Grove; also of Vincil Chapter, No. no, and St. John's Commandery, No. 20, both of Spring- held. He is a member of the Greene County Medical Society and the South- west Missouri Medical Society. Dr. Cowden’s generous treatment of his patients has won for him not the respect alone, but the earnest regard of the large clientele which he has gathered around him, and, like many other family physicians, he has become in many cases the family adviser in matters of business and affairs other than of a professional nature. JUDGE JAMES R. VAUGHAN. The life and record of the late Judge James R. Vaughan, for many years a prominent attorney and business man of Springfield, are typical of that class of men who in the earlier history of this country helped to lay the foundations of its present greatness, the same being true of his honored father and grandfather before him. He was austere in his relations with his fellow-men, puritanical in his ideas of right and wrong and zealous to live up to them. While on the bench he had a proper sense of dignity and research which was due to his court, and was not slow to insist on them. Nevertheless he took a lively interest in the careers of young men starting their work at the bar, and many of them have reasons to remember the kindly aid and suggestions from him which saved them from the pitfalls and traps of the law into which, in their ignorance, they might otherwise have fallen. In his public career as well as in his private life no word of suspicion was ever breathed against him. His actions were the result of careful "and conscientious thought; and when once convinced that he was right,, no sug- gestion of policy or personal profit could swerve him from the course he had decided upon. His career was complete and rounded in its beautiful sim- 1414 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. plicity ; he did his full duty as a pubic officer and as a private citizen; and he died, in the fullness of years, beloved of those near to him, and respected and esteemed by his fellow citizens. Judge Vaughan was born in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, January 6, 1845. He was the eldest son of Thomas and Susan B. Vaughan, and he was four years old, when, in 1849, b’ s parents moved to Christian county, Missouri, locating on a farm, and there the elder Vaughan became a prominent citi- zen; he took much interest in public affairs, and was one of the political lead- ers of that county. He was a Whig until that party was succeeded by the Re- publican party in the fifties, and he was a stanch Union man during the Civil war, and after the war he was a Democrat. His death occurred on August 18, 1880, his widow surviving several years. She was a native of Tennessee, and was a daughter of Robert Rawing, who was an early settler of that state. James Vaughan, Sr., paternal grandfather of our subject, was a native of Virginia. Thomas H. Vaughan, father of our subject, was a soldier in the Seminole Indian war in Florida. He and his wife were members of the Presbyterian church, but late in life she joined the Methodist Episcopal church. To these parents seven children were horn, only three of whom grew to ma- turity, namely: Samuel R. died in 1889 at the age of twenty-two years; a daughter who became the wife of James R. Bell; and James R., of this memoir. Judge Vaughan grew to manhood on the home farm near Ozark, Mis- souri, and attended the district schools near his home, and the schools in Ozark, and in i860 entered the University of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, where he remained until the commencement of the Civil war, when the in- stitution was closed. Young Vaughan then returned to Missouri with an uncle, Dr. David A. Vaughan, and remained with his parents until March 19, 1862, when he took “French leave'’ of his home and joined the Sixth Missouri Volunteer Calvary under Gen. Samuel R. Curtis, enlisting at Cass- ville, this state. Although but a boy of tender years, he proved to be a faithful and courageous soldier and participated in a number of engagements in western Missouri, such as Sarcoxie and other places, later going south, and was with the army that invested the renowned Confederate stronghold at Vicksburg, later went up the Arkansas river to Arkansas Post, after which he was assigned to different transports on the Mississippi river. Besides the siege of Vicksburg lie was in the engagements at Jackson and a number of cavalry raids in eastern Louisiana; was in the Red river expedition led by General Banks, and fought at Sabine Cross Roads and Pleasant Hill, and was again in an expedition to southeastern Mississippi, along Mississippi sound. Although in many campaigns and engagements he was never wound- ed. For meritorious conduct he rose to the rank of sergeant-major, and as GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1415 such was honorably discharged after the battle of Baton Rouge, March 22, 1865, and returned to his Missouri home. After teaching school a short time he entered Illinois College, at Jacksonville, Illinois, where he spent one term, and in 1866 entered the law department of the University of Michi- gan at Ann Arbor, from which he was graduated in March, 1868. Soon thereafter he began practicing his profession at Ozark, Missouri, and built up a good clientage, ranking among the leaders of the Christian county bar, and became a public school commissioner. Remaining at Ozark until 1877, he came to Springfield, where he spent the rest of his life, and was one of the ablest and most successful lawyers in Greene county, and enjoyed a large business. He was possessed of a logical and analytical mind, was resourceful, tactful and tenacious, and as a pleader at the bar he had few equals. In 1886, upon the death of Judge W. F. Geiger, Governor Marmaduke appointed Mr. Vaughan to the position of circuit judge, to fill out the unexpired term of several months, and he discharged the duties of this responsible position in an able and most satisfactory manner. Although a very busy man profession- ally he found time to look after extensive business interests, which accumulated with advancing years under his able management and keen foresight. Dur- ing several years he was vice-president of the First National Bank, of Springfield, and he did much to further the prestige and success of the same by his able counsel and management. Aside from that he owned considerable valuable real estate, and was attorney for several corporations, and was widely known as one of the most successful corporation lawyers in the state. Politically, he was a Democrat and was one of the local party leaders, how- ever was not a seeker afer political preferment, preferring to devote his at- tention exclusively to his extensive professional and business interests. Judge Vaughan was married, May 10, 1871, to Barbara A. Weaver, a daughter of John R. Weaver, a native of Tennessee, from which state he emigrated to Christian county, Missouri, in an early day, and there became a prominent citizen, and he served that county twice in the office of county treasurer. Mrs. Vaughan was born on December 17, 1852, and was one of seven children. To Judge Vaughan and wife eight children were born, six of whom are still living, namely: Lena V., who married John A. Taylor, president of the Springfield Business College and a prominent business man of this city; thev have three children and live in a cozy home at 800 South National boulevard; the other children are Anne C., Charles and James; Susie died when fourteen years of age, and Mary died at the age of two and one-half years; Eleanor and Robert H. Mrs. Vaughan lives iii a beautiful home on East Walnut street, and she has a host of warm friends. Judge James R. Vaughan was summoned to his eternal rest on February 1416 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 4, 1904. Of him the Greene county bar will ever cherish his many virtues in fondest memory, and his many friends will lay up in their hearts in high- est esteem the pure worth of him whose exemplary life and character were manifest in all his professional, judicial and business relations. HARRISON MILTON SMITH. Harrison Milton Smith, cashier of the Farmers and Merchants Bank,, of Springfield, is a native of the Buckeye state, having been born on June 28, 1857, in Licking county, Ohio. His parents were Harrison and Margaret (Brown) Smith, who were natives of Culpeper county, Virginia. His. grandfather, Philip Smith, was a native of Warren county, Pennsylvania, and came from that sturdy German stock. His grandfather on his mother’s side, Peter Brown, was of English descent. He was a minute man of the War of 1812, and lived to the ripe old age of ninety-one years. When, H. M. was a small boy his parents emigrated from Ohio to Lagrange county, Indiana, where he lived until he grew to manhood. He received his early education in the district schools, and at the age of nineteen years he com- menced teaching. Pie taught four terms and in the spring of 1880 he en- tered the State Normal at Terre Haute and graduated with honors in June, 1883, receiving a state teacher's license for life in the state of Indiana. After graduating he became general agent for the Union Publishing Company of Chicago, in which position he served for eighteen months. In March, 1885, lie entered the employ of the Goodspeed Publishing Company and for five years he was their biographical writer for state works. He traveled in ten different states and was considered as one of the company’s most efficient and competent men. On Mav 9, 1889, he married Sarah Catharine Foltz, who is a native of Indianapolis, Indiana. By this union three children were born; Imo Ann, died on October 31, 1895; Orpha Foltz and Wilma Bernice are at home with their parents. On June 3, 1889, Mr. Smith located at Richland, Missouri, where he organized the Pulaski County Bank, it being the first bank in Pulaski county, hence he is known as the pioneer banker of said county. He was elected its cashier, which position he held for fourteen years. In June, 1903, he sold out and moved his family to Springfield, Missouri, and at once organized the Farmers and Merchants Bank, and it opened for business on September 21, 1913. Here again he was elected as cashier of said banking institution, which position he has since held. As a banker he has been a success. His principal has always been “safety first’’ to his depositors and the banking GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1417 institution of which he has been cashier, carrying at ail times a surplus equal to the capital stock. He has always been a very busy man, looking carefully after every detail of the work at hand and in doing this he has been able to accumulate good property. Mr. Smith has always taken an active part in public affairs and in the welfare of the city in which he has lived. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, being a member of United Lodge, No. 5, Gate of Temple Chapter, No. 15, St. John’s Commandery, Abou Ben Adhem Temple, Shrine. He is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and Woodmen of the World. He has been a member of the Methodist church for many years, and is one of the trustees of Grace Methodist Epis- copal church and one of its active members. Mr. Smith is a self-made man in the true sense of the word. He was reared on the farm, working for twenty-five cents a day when a boy ; worked two years in a brick yard at a dollar a day and boarded himself. He is one of the substantial business men of Springfield and one of the leading bankers of southwestern Missouri. Lie was elected secretary of Group No. 7 at its last meeting in the fall of 1914. WILLIAM ALEXANDER HALL. Human life is like the waves of the sea; they flash a few brief moments in the sunlight, marvels of power and beauty, and then are dashed upon the remorseless shores of death and disappear forever. As the mighty deep has rolled for ages past and chanted its sublime requiem, and will continue to roll during the coming ages, until time shall be no more, so will the waves of human life follow each other in countless succession until they mingle at last with the billows of eternity’s boundless sea. The passing of an}' human life, however humble and unknown, is sure to give rise to a pang of anguish to some heart, but when the “fell destroyer" knocks at the door of the useful, and removes from earthly scenes the man of influence and the benefactor of his kind, it not only means bereavement to kindred and friends, but a public calamity as well. In the largest and best sense of the term, the late William Alexander Hall was distinctively one of the noted men of his day and genera- tion in Greene county,' Missouri, and as such his life record is entitled to a conspicuous life in the annals of Springfield and vicinity. As a citizen he was public-spirited and enterprising to an unwonted degree ; as a friend and neigh- bor, he combined the qualities of head and heart that won confidence and commanded respect ; as a man of affairs, who had a comprehensive grasp upon the philosophy of business, he ranked for years among our most progres- sive commercial exponents. He was one of the prominent Masons of the 1418 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. state, and he brought honor and dignity to the public positions he filled with such distinguished success. Mr. Hall was born in Nashville, Tennessee, November 27, 1834. He was a son of John and Elizabeth Hall, both natives of Scotland, from which country they emigrated to America when young and located in Pennsylvania, and were married in the city of Philadelphia. They removed to Tennessee in the year 1828, where they lived ten years, thence moved to Missouri in 1838, settling in St. Louis, where the father established the first water-works of that city, and where his death occurred in 1862. In 1848 the mother of our subject, together with her youngest child, perished in a steamboat dis- aster on the Alabama river. William A. Hall was about fifteen years old at the time of his mother’s death, and he then went to live with his sister, Mrs. Emily Jane Oliver, wife of Judge Mordecai Oliver, of Richmond, Mis- souri. While living in Richmond he supplemented the public school educa- tion acquired in St. Louis with an academic training under the tutelage of Prof. A Coke Redman, completing the course of study. Mr. Hall began his business career by opening a drug store in Richmond, Ray county, removing to Liberty, Clay county, this state, in 1856, where he continued in the same line of business for fourteen years. He then accepted the position of cashier in the Commercial Bank, of Liberty, but owing to failing health he was compelled to resign. In 1872 he went to Mexico, Mis- souri, and engaged in the drug business, and a year later left Audrain county for Springfield, where he and John R. Ferguson opened a drug store, which, under his management, assumed so large a volume he was induced to discon- tinue the retail and devote his energies to building up an exclusive wholesale business. The business of this widely known house flourished and expanded and an extensive trade was carried on all over the Southwest. It was for some time known as the Hall-Pipkin Drug Company, later as the Hall Drug- Company, our subject having acquired the interests of his partner, John D. Pipkin, and at the time of his death was president and general manager. Mr. Hall was married in Liberty, Missouri, in 1855, to Florence Ringo, Rev. Moses E. Lord, a noted divine of the Christian church, performing the ceremony. Mrs. Hall was a daughter of Samuel Ringo, a pioneer merchant of Liberty. To this union six sons and two daughters were born, five of whom are still living, namely: J. William, Samuel A., Mrs. J. D. Pipkin, Richard Lee and Mrs. Florence McLaughlin. The mother of these children passed away on May 10, 1901. Both parents were active members of the Christian church during the major portion of their lives. Florence Hall mar- ried Charles McLaughlin, a native of Portland, Maine, where he was reared and partly educated, subsequently attending a military school, and he engaged in newspaper work for some time in his native city, then removed to Springfield, Missouri, where he became secretary of the water company. His GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1419 death occurred a number of years ago. To Charles and Florence (Hall) McLaughlin one child was born, Florence, who is now a student in Drury College. Mr. McLaughlin's father, Charles McLaughlin, Sr., was a promi- nent citizen of Portland, Maine, where he was a successful business man, helped improve the city, and was elected representative to the Legislature of Maine in 1878, and in 1884 was elected to the State Senate. At the time of his death, many years ago, he was first vice-president of the Board of Trade of his city, a director in a bank and president of the Society for the Preven- tion of Cruelty to Animals. Politically, Mr. Hall was a Democrat, having cast his first vote in the interests of that party, to which he adhered the rest of his life. Throughout his career, despite the distractions of business, he took an active interest in civic affairs. He was twice elected mayor of Springfield, his first term of office beginning in 1875. He again was mayor in 1897. He gave the city his best service and his administrations were eminently satisfactory to all concerned. He did much toward the general upbuilding and welfare of the city, whose interests he ever had very much at heart. From the date of his association with Masonry, Mr. Hall was intensely interested in the benevolent motives of the order and took great pride in the honors conferred upon him. His Masonic career commenced in Liberty Lodge No. 31, where he was made a Master Mason in 1857. He served as master of the same in the years 1868 and 1869. He was exalted to the Royal Arch degree on May 10, i860, and in Liberty chapter No. 3 he served as high priest in 1869, and again in 1871. He received the degree of Cryptic Masonry in Zabud Council No. 25 at Springfield in 1904. He was created a Knight Templar in Liberty Commandery No. 6, Knights Templars, November 17, 1865. On his removal to Mexico he affiliated with Hebron lodge, of that place, and assisted in forming Crusade Commandery No. 23. In 1873, after his removal to Springfield, he affiliated with United Lodge No. 5, Spring- field Chapter No. 15, and St. John’s Commandery No. 20, Knights Templars. He served United lodge as master in 1875, 1S78, 1883 and 1884. Fie served Springfield chapter as high priest in 1876. and again in 1890. He received the order of high priesthood in 1900. He served St. John’s commandery as commander in 1877. 1878. 1879, 1880, 1881. 1883, 1884. 1886. 18S7 and 1888. In 1896 he was appointed grand warder of the Grand Commandery, Knights Templars, of Missouri, and successively filled the several stations, being elected grand commander in 1904. In this latter eminent position the order credits him with having shown good judgment, zeal and activity, round- ing out an administration that will go into history as beneficial to the order he loved. Personally, Mr. Hall was a gentleman of commanding presence, and his 1420 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. genial, social qualities and strict business rectitude rendered him popular as. a man and citizen. The death of Mr. Hall, at the advanced age of seventy-five years, was. sudden and unexpected, occurring at the commodious Hall residence on North Alain street, on Friday morning, September 25, 1909. The impressive funeral services were in charge of St. John's commandery, Knights Templars, and were held in St. Paul’s Methodist Episcopal church, South. The eulogy was delivered by Rev. F. L. Moffett, pastor of the South Street Christian church, of which Mr. Hall was a member. The remains were escorted to the church and to the Maple Park cemetery by the Hobart Military band and by St. John’s commandery, Knights Templars, and the united lodges. John Nixon, of St. Louis, eminent grand generalissimo; William H. Glancey, of St. Louis, eminent grand standard bearer; John Gilles, past grand commander, of St. Louis; W. Y. Beam, grand instructor, St. Louis; A. N. Martin, grand war- der, Lebanon; John Wingsweimer, Will Diffenderffer, Senator J. W. Farris,, past commanders, and John Diffenderffer, all of Lebanon, and other high Masonic officials, attended the services. The pallbearers were Jobe Newton, Col. H. W. Diggins, Dr. D. B. Farnsworth, Paul O’Day, M. V. Ausherman, George Arnold, J. M. Heckenlively and W. T. Bigbee, all past commanders, of St. John’s commandery, Knights Templars. Among the many complimentary and eulogistic newspaper articles that appeared in the press from time to time in regard to Mr. Hall, the biographer will here reproduce but one, which he deems sufficient to show the high stand- ing of our subject as a man of affairs and citizen, the article having appeared editorially in the Springfield Leader, under the caption of “Springfield’s Pop- ular Mayor.’’ It follows: “In this day and time when money is regarded as the summium bonnm, that municipality whose affairs are looked after by clean, honest, conscien- tious men is, indeed, fortunate. Of course, all men have weaknesses and shortcomings, and your correspondent is not prepared to say that he has found a man or body of men who are by any means faultless, but when we state that the city of Springfield has one of the best mayors she ever had, and that her governmental affairs are being conducted in an honorable and straight- forward manner, we expect to be taken with all seriousness. “The Hon. William A. Hall is certainly the right man in the right place, for none to whom we have spoken, and we have conversed with many on the subject, have had anything to say in regard to him and his methods except words of praise and commendation and approval. “Mr. Hall is a representative man of affairs, having been identified with the business interests of this section for a number of years. He is interested in the drug business, of which business he is a master, and has done his share GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1421 in building up the city and making it one of the most substantial towns in this section of the country. “In view of these facts his nomination for mayor by the Democrats and his election by the people were certainly manifestations of good judg- ment. Since his inauguration there has not been a mistake made in conduct- ing the affairs of the city; no, not even, as far as we can learn, an indiscre- tion. The city has been well kept, lives and property have been adequately protected, and prosperity has come — let it be hoped, to stay. “We congratulate the people of Springfield upon their good judgment in selecting such a mayor, and at Mr. Hall's request will say that he is not a candidate for re-election, which is certainly a matter for regret." JAMES T. WALSH. When a man is called “foreman” it means more than the casual ob- server might at first suppose, for it indicates that he has labored persistently and conscientiously else he would not be in charge of the men in his de- partment. It does not matter what he is foreman of, whether a machine shop, factory, a crew of farm hands or on public works. The same con- clusions may be drawn no matter what kind of a firm he represents, or whether it is one of world-wide reputation or only of local importance. So when we speak of James T. Walsh as foreman of the boiler shops in the new shops of the Frisco railroad at Springfield, we confer upon him a well deserved title of honor. Mr. Walsh was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on August 21, i860. He is a son of James and Celia (Collins) Walsh, both natives of Ireland, where they grew to maturity, attended school and were married. Upon emigrating to America they located in the state of Ohio. After living for some time in the city of Cincinnati they removed to St. Louis, Missouri, where they spent the rest of their lives, both dying there. Mr. Walsh worked at various occu- pations after coming to the LTiited States. For years he worked as river- man on the Ohio. His family consisted of four children, the subject of this sketch being the only survivor. James T. Walsh was an .infant when his parents removed with him to St. Louis and there he grew to manhood and attended school, his education being limited to the eighth grade. When a young man he began learning the boilermaker's trade in the shops of Rohan Brothers, St. Louis, with whom he remained for several years. He came to Springfield in 1881 and went to work at his trade in the old north side Frisco shops, where he remained until he was transferred to Memphis, Tennessee, in December, 1906, as foreman 1422 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. of the boiler shops for the Frisco there. He was retained by the company in that city until in December, 1909, when he was made foreman in the boiler shops at the new shops on the north side, where he has since remained, giving- eminent satisfaction in every respect and being regarded as one of the best men in his line on the entire system, not only understanding every phase of his department, but he is also a man of considerable executive ability and handles his force of men in an able manner. Mr. Walsh was married on April 18, 1883, in St. Louis, to Nora Shea, who was born in Ireland, and is a daughter of Dan and Nora (Lyons) Shea. These parents lived and died in Ireland, spending their lives on a farm, where Mrs. Walsh grew to womanhood and there she attended the common schools. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Walsh, namely: James, born on February 26, 1884; Mary, born on March 24, 1885, lives at home; Francis J., born on November 18, 1886; Daniel, born on Tuly 6, 1888; Robert, born on August 29, 1890, and Thomas, born on November 29, 1892. Politically Mr. Walsh is a Democrat. Fraternally he belongs to the Royal Arcanum and the Knights of Columbus. He is a member of Sacred Heart Catholic church. SAMUEL MACK LLOYD. One of the representative business men of Greene county of a past gen- eration was the late Samuel Mack Lloyd, who devoted his earlier life to gen- eral live stock pursuits, but for over a decade he was in the tin and stove business in Springfield. Lie was essentially a man of affairs, sound of judg- ment and far-seeing in what he undertook, and with scarcely an exception every enterprise to which he addressed himself resulted in gratifying financial returns. He began life poor in this world's goods, but rich in what is of far more value than material wealth — a sound mind and a sound body. He pos- sessed concentration of purpose and energy that laughed at restraint; keen foresight and the rare executive ability that made everything undertaken accomplish the purpose for which intended. To these qualities were added scrupulous integrity in all dealings with his fellow men and an honor in keep- ing with the ethics of business life, while behind all and controlling all were the great principles embodied in the Golden Rule, without which no man, however great his wealth, and however distinguished his name, can be truly successful. Mr. Lloyd was born in the state of Delaware, in the year 1833. When he was a small child his parents moved to Canton, Lewis county j Missouri, and established their home on a farm, the father devoting his active life to agricultural pursuits, and there he and his wife died when our subject was GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1423 but a boy. Their family consisted of four children, all now deceased, namely : Jeremiah was the father of James T. Lloyd, who became a noted politician and a congressman; John, Samuel Mack and Henry. Samuel M. Lloyd grew to manhood on the farm where he worked hard when a boy, and he received his education in the public schools of Canton, Missouri, and when but a boy he manifested decided natural talent as a judge of live stock, and, consequently, turned his attention to dealing in live stock, which he followed principally up to 1883, in later years under the firm name of S. M. Lloyd & Company, and he was very successful all along the line in this field of endeavor. In the fall of 1883, Mr. Lloyd located in Springfield, and continued to make his home here the rest of his life. He conducted a tin and stove estab- lishment on Boonville street, his shop being one of the largest and best known of its kind in southwest Missouri, and he did a large and successful business, under the firm name of S. M. Lloyd, Tin and Stoves. He conducted this business ten years, or until 1893. His health had begun to fail and he gave up the business that kept him so closely confined, and, in order to have some- thing to do, accepted the position of relief officer of Springfield, being ap- pointed by Jerry Fenton, at that time mayor, and he continued to discharge the duties of this office until his death. Mr. Lloyd was married, October 10, 1882, in Canton, Missouri, to Eva Bartlett, who was born on September 12, 1859, in LaGrange, Missouri. She is a daughter of Henry S. and Mary (Barker) Bartlett. The father was born in New Hampshire, April 26, 1832, and his death occurred in Spring- field, Missouri, in 1906. The mother of Mrs. Lloyd was born in Kentucky on November 13, 1846, and is still living, making her home with her daughter, Mrs. Lloyd, in a handsome residence on East Elm street, Springfield. Mr. Barker devoted his active life to mercantile pursuits, and was a man of busi- ness ability and exemplary character. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd, namely: Nelle, born on January 5, 1884. married T. J. Means, who is in the railroad service; May Elizabeth, born on November 17, 1885, is the wife of Holland Keet, a well known young business man of Springfield. Politically, Mr. Lloyd was a Prohibitionist. Fraternally, he belonged to the Masonic order and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, South. He was sum- moned to his eternal rest on January 17, 1896. Interment was made in Ma- ple Park cemetery. At a meeting of the Springfield Board of Charities the following resolution was passed on Mr. Lloyd’s death : “Whereas, In the mysterious providence of God, S. M. Lloyd, relief officer of the Board of Charities of Springfield, Missouri, has been removed by the hand of death, 1424 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. “Resolved by the Board of Charities assembled in special session, first: i hat, while bowing submissively to the will of God, we express our earnest regret at this seemingly untimely death and our appreciation of his efficient conscientious discharge of the arduous duties of his trying office during his brief administration, we could sincerely say to him, ‘Well done, thou good and faithful servant.’ “Resolved, second: That we tender his bereaved family our sincere sympathies in the loss of a true husband and devoted father, and commend them to the care of Him who is pledged to be the husband of the widow and father of the fatherless. “Resolved, third : That a copy of these resolutions be furnished to the family, the daily papers, and that they be spread upon the minutes of the proceedings of the board.” JOHN J. HOBBS. Illustrative of the evidence that the bitterness and malevolence resulting from the war between the states is rapidly passing away, are the frequent reunions between the veterans of the North and the South, when they clasp hands across what was once a “bloodv chasm," but is now filled and flower grown ; and the frequent return of battle flags, torn from dying hands on the fields of conflict are a further evidence of a finer feeling and a more sin- cere regard each for the other. The children of the blue and the gray have intermarried and their sires sit together amid the falling shadows of life’s evening, respecting each other yet the more because they have tried and learned to honor the dauntless spirit, each of the other, on the field of deadly strife. One of the Civil war veterans of Greene county is John J. Hobbs, who, after a successful career as general farmer, is living retired at Walnut Grove, being now past his three-score and ten. He has spent his long life in this section of the Ozarks, which he has seen grow from a country of wild-woods to a thriving farming community. He was born in Dade county, Missouri, which adjoins this county, on March n, 1843. He is a son of Silas and Polly Ann (Fanning) Hobbs, each representing two of the early families of Greene county. His parents were both natives of Tennessee, from which state they came to this county about 1837 and settled on Grand Prairie, north of Springfield, both having made the journey with their parents. The paternal grandfather settled in Dade county, while the maternal grandfather located in Greene county. After their marriage the parents of our subject engaged in farming in Dade county. The father died in 1887, and the mother's death MR. AND MRS. JOHN J. HOBBS. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1425 occurred in 1874. They were the parents of the following children: James W., John J., of this sketch ; Elizabeth. Jane, William, Louisa, Rebecca, Vinson G., Oliver P., Mary Ann and Silas A. John J. Hobbs was reared on the farm in Dade county and there attended the common schools, and remained with his parents until July, 1861, when he enlisted in Company D, Sixth Missouri Cavalry Volunteers, sometimes called the Dade County Home Guards. It was not long until he had a chance to ascertain what war really meant, for on the 10th of August of that year he fought at Wilson’s Creek, not very far from his home, but which proved to be one of the two greatest and most important battles of the first year of the war. Here he conducted himself like a veteran, despite his youth and lack of military experience. He retreated with the Federal forces from that field to Springfield and on to Rolla, Phelps county, and his next engagement was at Wet Glaize, near Lebanon, Missouri. From there he was with the troops that went to Linn Creek, Camden county, where they captured Capt. Bill Roberts and his company. He was later in the battle at Prairie Grove, also Newtonia, then went to southeastern Missouri and fought an engage- ment with Gen. John S. Marmaduke’s forces, driving them from the state. He and a comrade. E. Woodrow, were sent with a dispatch from Bloomfield to General Davidson’s headquarters at Witsburg, Arkansas. While on the way they were captured by the enemy and held as prisoners at Little Rock for over two weeks, when they were exchanged, and soon thereafter rejoined their own company. Mr. Hobbs was on guard duty ar the bridge of the Iron Mountain railroad for awhile. Lie took part in numerous other engagements, and was mustered out of the service on July 16, 1864, and honorably dis- charged, having been in the army three years. After returning home, where he remained several months, he re-enlisted on March 15, 1865, in the Four- teenth Missouri Cavalry, in which he served eight months, and was mustered out by general orders from the war department. After the war Mr. Hobbs turned his attention to general farming in Dade and Polk counties and this continued to claim his attention up to a few years ago, when he retired from active life. He became owner of a good farm and devoted much attention to stock raising. He located in Greene county in 1912, and he is now living at Walnut Grove, where he has a pleasant home. Mr. Hobbs was married on February 15, 1866, to Martha E. Messick, a daughter of Elihu and Sarah ( J effnics ) Messick, each of whom came with their families to Greene county in the early days and located near Springfield when that place was a small frontier village. Nine children have been born to our subject and wife, namely: Sarah L. is the wife of J. C. Routh, who lives in Montrose, Colorado; Benjamin L. 1426 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. lives in Hiattville, Kansas; John F. is farming in Polk county, Missouri; Thomas W. lives in Pompey Pillar, Montana; Mary M. became the wife of O. E. Hargrave, who died in 1901, leaving three children; four of our sub- ject’s children died in infancy. Politically Mr. Hobbs is an Independent Republican. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He belongs to the Free Will Baptist church, and his wife is a member of the Methodist church. CYRUS J. McMASTER. There are always valuable lessons to be gained in perusing the life his- tories of such men as the late Cyrus J. McMaster, one of Greene county’s, most progressive citizens of a past generation, whose life forcibly illustrated what energy, integrity and fixed purpose can accomplish when animated by noble aims and correct ideals. During the years of his residence in the county he held the unequivocal esteem of those with whom he came in con- tact, for he was a man whom to know was to trust and admire, owing to his many commendable attributes of head and heart, and when the “reaper whose name is death" gathered him in his sheaves he was greatly missed by a wide acquaintance. For many years he was one of the leading business men on the north side of Springfield, and was widely known as a hardware and implement dealer over this section of the Ozarks. Mr. McMaster was born in Dade county, Missouri, on May 18, 1847. He was a son of Edward H. and Eliza J. (Bull) McMaster, both natives of North Carolina, where they grew to maturity, were educated exceptionally well for their day and generation. The father studied medicine and received his degree, after taking the prescribed course in a medical college, and he became a successful general practitioner, most of his active life being devoted to this vocation. The parents of our subject were married in their native state, but while yet young removed to Missouri in an early day, located in Dade county, where they became prominent among the pioneer settlers, and they spent the rest of their lives in this state. Their family consisted of nine children, four of whom are still living, named as follows: Rufus W., Mrs. Carrie Patterson, Mrs. Ester Denby and Mrs. Madge Denby. Cyrus J. McMaster received his early education in the public schools of Dade county, but he was for the most part a self-made man, having had little assistance in any way, working persistently and earnestly to advance himself. He came to Walnut Grove, Greene county, when young, and there remained until he was about twenty-six years of age, when he came to Spring- field. He had for some time been engaged in the harness and saddlery busi- GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. I427 ness, which he continued after coming to this city for three or four years, then went into the buggy and wagon business, which he conducted alone and on an extensive scale for a period of thirty-four years, during which he car- ried on a successful trade over a wide territory and was one of the best known men in this line of business in southwestern Missouri, a large part of his trade extending into adjoining counties. He was the county agent of a num- ber of the best makes of wagons and buggies and had full charge of the busi- ness of these firms in this section of the state. Eight years before his death he went on the road as traveling salesman for the Joel Turney Brothers Wagon Company, of Illinois, and gave this firm eminent satisfaction in every respect, doing much to extend the prestige of the same in the territory as- signed him. He remained active in his chosen line of work until his death. He was one of the best informed men in the implement trade in the state, and his judgment and veracity could always be relied upon, so that his thousands of customers reposed implicit confidence in his integrity at all times during his career. His large vehicle house on Commercial street was kept fully stocked with various kinds of standard wagons, buggies, carriages and other similar things used by farmers and in fact, all classes of citizens who bought and used vehicles of any kind. Mr. McMaster was married, December 16, 1869, at Walnut Grove, to Belle Weir, who was born in Springfield, Illinois, April 23, 1852. She was a daughter of James D. and Fidelia (Meachel) Weir. They were natives of Kentucky and Illinois, respectively. They grew up in their localities and were educated in the common schools, and when a young man Mr. Weir left the Blue Grass state and located in Illinois, where he married. They estab- lished their home on a farm, devoting their lives to agricultural pursuits. Their family consisted of nine children, three of whom are living at this writing, namely : Andrew, Mrs. Agnes Dagan and Marion. Airs. Belle McMaster grew to womanhood in Illinois and received a good education in the schools there. She proved to be a most faithful helpmeet and was a woman of many commendable characteristics. Her death occurred on Sep- tember 14, 1914. To Mr. and Mrs. McMaster two children were born, namely: Vernie, born April 16, 1871, married John French, and they live in St. James, Mis- souri; Walter W., born March 22, 1874, married Nettie Smith. He was in the recorder’s office of Greene ‘county for a period of twelve years, eight years as deputy, and four years as recorder. His long retention in this office, one of the most important in the county, would indicate that the people im- posed implicit confidence in his ability and integrity. He is now engaged in business on the north side. Cyrus J. McMaster was a veteran of the Civil war, having been but a mere boy when he enlisted in 1861 in a regiment of Missouri volunteers, hav- GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1:428 ing enlisted from Walnut Grove. He was in the army four years, seeing quite a good deal of active service, and serving in a most creditable manner for one of his tender years. Politically, he was always a Republican, and, re- ligiously, he belonged to the Presbyterian church, while his family affiliates with the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. McMaster was called to his eternal rest on December 30, 1912, at the age of sixty-five years, after a successful and honorable life. CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS CLEMENTS, M. D. The man who devotes his talents and energies to the noble work of con- scientiously administering to the ills and alleviating the sufferings of hu- manity pursues a calling which, in dignity, importance and beneficial results, is second to no other. If true to his profession and earnest in his efforts to enlarge his sphere of usefulness, he is indeed a benefactor of his kind, for to him more than any other man are entrusted the safety, the comfort and in many instances the lives of those who place themselves under his care and profit by his services. Of this class of professional men was the late Dr. Christopher Columbus Clements, who stood for many years with few peers among the general practitioners of Springfield. He realized that to attain determinate success in the medical profession there must be not only given technical ability, but also a broad human sympathy which must pass from mere sentiment To be an actuating motive for helpfulness. So he dig- nified and honored the profession by his able and self-abnegating services. Plis long and useful life as one of the world’s workers was one of devotion, almost consecration, to his calling. Doctor Clements was born at Clementsville, Jackson county, Tennessee, April 8, 1838. Lie descended from an old Colonial American family. He was a son of Christopher Columbus Clements, who was born in Virginia in 1791, and whose family immigrated to the Old Dominion from England prior to the Revolutionary war, in which conflict they participated. Our subject’s father spent his early life in Virginia, from which state he removed to Tennessee in the early settlement of that state and devoted his life to general farming. He was active in politics and held various elective offices. He was a colonel of militia and served in the Seminole Indian War in Flor- ida. The town of Clementsville, Tennessee, was named after him, and there his death occurred, August 11, 1858, at the age of sixty-four years, his wife having died on the home farm there on September 11, 1849. Lie was a mem- ber of the Christian church, while she held membership in the Cumberland Presbyterian church. Mrs. Clements was known in her maidenhood as GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. I429 Mary Frame, a native of Tennessee, and of Scotch-Irish descent. To these parents eight children were born, six sons and two daughters, namely : Leroy S., Henderson M., Dr. Christopher C., William M., Andrew J., George W., Tabitha and Sallie. Dr. C. C. Clements grew to manhood on his father's farm near Clements- ville, Tennessee, and there he received his early education in the public schools and when a young man began the study of medicine under the preceptorship of his brother, Dr. William M. Clements, with whom he pursued his medi- cal studies for several years, then attended the medical department of the University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, completing his education at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from which noted in- stitution he was graduated with the degree of doctor of medicine. Thus well ecpiipped for his chosen profession, he returned to Tennessee and began practice in Macon county, where he was building up a good business during the earlier years of the Civil war, and he was appointed assistant surgeon of the Second Tennessee Mounted Infantry. Later he was major and sur- geon of the Fourth Tennessee Mounted Infantry, serving in such capacity until the close of the struggle. His record in the Union army is a most com- mendable one. His military service was mostly in the states of Tennessee, Kentucky and Mississippi. He participated in many important battles and skirmishes and was one of the surgeons who cared for the wounded at the battle of Nashville. Following the close of the war between the states he went to Texas, spending a year in Sherman and Paris; leaving northern Texas in the spring of 1867, he located in Springfield, Missouri, where he resided and practiced his profession continuously and with pronounced success until shortly before his death, which occurred on December 20, 1905, or during a period of thirty- eight years. Doctor Clements was married in Springfield, in 1870, to Albina Carson Parrish, a daughter of Dr. Horatio M. and Sarah J. Parrish, both natives of Warren county, Kentucky, from which state they came to Springfield, Mis- souri, in 1848, and here spent the rest of their lives, Doctor Parrish having been a well known pioneer physician. Two children were born to Doctor and Mrs. Clements, namely: Charles Edward, who died in infancy, and Frank Parrish Clements, who was born in Springfield and educated in this city and Chicago, and was engaged in the banking and manufacturing busi- ness in Springfield until 1903, since which time he has been engaged in busi- ness in the Southwest, although he has retained his legal residence in Spring- field. Mrs. Dr. Clements resides at the commodious family residence on East Walnut street, Springfield. Doctor Clements was a Republican in politics. He belonged to Solomon 1,430 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Springfield. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He was a member of and one of the organizers of the Springfield Medical Society, of which he was for many years president. He was president of the Board of Health at various times, and was president of the Springfield Board of Pension Examiners. He was interested in various public enterprises. He was a patron of the leading medical periodicals of his day, and kept well abreast of the times in his profession, and he stood high not only as a physician of rare skill, but as a man of high integrity in the city of his adoption, where he passed so many years of successful practice. HARRY H. FINCH. If industry, hard work and ceaseless activity, united with a strong and determined perseverance can accomplish anything in this world, then Harry H. Finch, engineer at the Springfield Gas & Power Company, is bound to succeed, for in him are to lie found all the characteristics mentioned,, and indeed he is deserving of more than ordinary credit for his career thus far in life, having yet scarcely begun his serious life work. Mr. Finch was born in Springfield, Missouri, March 8, 1894. Fie is a son of John S. and Lillie (Robinson) Finch, the latter residing at her own home on West Poplar street, this city. The father was born at Straf- ford, Greene county, Missouri, and grew to manhood in this county and attended school here. Securing a position on the St. Louis & San Francisco road here when a young man, he worked his way up to a locomotive engi- neer, in which capacity he was long connected with this road and which he was holding at the time of his death, on October 2, 1903, when about forty-six years old. His death was by accident in a head-on collision at Thayer, this state. He was reared on a farm, and when he first came to Springfield he worked in the south side shops, then went on the road as fireman, and was in due course of time promoted to engineer. He was a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, also belonged to the First Baptist church. His family consisted of three children, namely: Nellie is the wife of Charles Gardner, lives with her mother, and has one child, Juinita; Harry H., of this sketch; and Jesse, who is an apprentice plumber. The Finches were early settlers in Greene county, the grandfather hav- ing located there in pioneer times, became a successful farmer, and served in the Civil war. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. I 43 I Harry H. Finch received his education in the ward schools of his native city, but left school when fourteen years of age and went to work in the plant of the Steineger & Rountree Harness Company, as an apprentice harness maker, but he found the work not altogether to his liking, having had a natural bent toward machinery, so he gave up the idea of becoming a harness maker and he secured a position as apprentice in the Frisco shops, later, when the shops closed down temporarily, he accepted a position with the Springfield Gas & Electric Company as an oiler, on October 25, 1907. He held this position for two years, then began work as an engi- neer, having successfully passed the required examination on October 15, 1911, and received his license, having enjoyed the honor of being the youngest licensed engineer in Springfield. But he had thoroughly prepared himself, having not only been a close observer while acting as oiler, but also mastered the prescribed course of the • American Correspondence School in steam engineering. He is still a student of everything that pertains to his calling and is unquestionably one of the most up-to-date steam engi- neers in Springfield. Mr. Finch was married on August 7. 1913, to Pearl Stine, a daughter of Cassius H. Stine. She received a common school education. This union has been without issue. Mr. Finch is a member of the National Association of Stationary Engineers. He is a member of the Baptist church on Grant street, and. politically, he votes the Democratic ticket. LEONARD FAWCETT. We may not always realize it, but quite often little things rob a farmer of the joy of farming and living in the free open country. It may be a broken-down gate, a half -destroyed string of fence, a leaky roof or a dozen other similar things that ought never to be found on a farm. These seemingly trivial things are responsible not only for keeping the owner in a bad temper but also positively occasion loss in many ways. The wise hus- bandman, during his spare moments from his crops and in the long winter months looks after these defects one by one until everything is efficient and in ship-shape, for he deems it a shame to let such little things rob him of the pleasure of farm life. Leonard Fawcett, of Jackson township, Greene county, is this kind of farmer. The stranger finds everything in good re- pair and in its place when visiting his farm. Such a man sets a good ex- ample for his neighbors. 14 3 2 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. Mr. Fawcett was born in Keokuk county, Iowa, September 8, 1868. He is a son of Melville and Susan Jane (Shipman) Fawcett. The father was born in Ohio, November 9, 1838, but when a small boy his parents re- moved to West Virginia and there he grew to manhood and attended school. When nineteen years of age he came to Iowa, where he married and began life for himself on a farm, became owner of eighty acres and remained in that state twenty years, removing from there to Missouri in 1877, settling- south of Springfield in Greene county, where he purchased a farm of two hundred acres. lie was very successful as a general farmer and there he spent the rest of his life, dying in 1909. During the Civil War he served in the Union army, having been drafted into the service in 1863. xTfter serving a year he was discharged at Mobile, Alabama. He belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church. The mother of the subject of this sketch was. born in Canada, July 28, 1836, and there she was reared on a farm and educated. Remaining in her native country until twenty years of age she then moved to Michigan, later went to Iowa, where she met and married Mr. Fawcett. She is now advanced in years and is living on the farm adjoining that of her son, our subject, making her home with her daughter. To. Melville D. Fawcett and wife ten children were born, namely: Herbert, deceased; Warren, Robert, Ira is deceased; Lucy, Leonard of this sketch; Jesse H., Mrs. Lottie Rogers, Rolland, and William. Leonard Fawcett lived in Iowa until he was nine years of age, when he removed with the family to Greene county, Missouri, and here he lias, since resided. He received a common school education. He remained at home working for his father until he was twenty-six 'years of age, in 1894, then married Rosa Putnam, soon after which he began life for himself as a farmer. He and his wife moved to their present farm nine years ago. This place consists of one hundred and two acres, which is well located, well improved and is kept well stocked. Our subject carries on general farming and stock raising and he has for many years dealt extensively in live stock, being one of the best known stockmen in this country. He has a good home and substantial outbuildings. Mrs. Fawcett was born in this county, August 20, 1876, on a farm, where she grew to womanhood, and she was educated in the rural schools. She is a daughter of Elijah and Maranda (Wood) Putman. Her mother is deceased, but her father is living in Fair Grove, Greene county. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Fawcett, namely: Flarry, born August 1, 1895; and Johnie, born April 22, 1901. Mr. Fawcett is a Democrat in his political relations; fraternally he is a member of the Masonic order, and religiously, he and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal church. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1435 JOHN GLENN NEWBILL. Judge John G. NewbilL the present judge of the police court of Spring- field, is serving his second term in that now important office. When re- elected in April, 1914, he was the only candidate on the Democratic ticket who carried every ward in the city. He was appointed by President Cleve- land to the position of register of the United States land office at Spring- field in 1894, and discharged the duties of that office during a term of four years, more than a year of which time was under the administration of President McKinley. Judge Newbill is also editor of The Express, an earn- JOHX G. NEWBILL. est and strictly reliable Democratic weekly newspaper that he established on April 1, 1881. For a period of fourteen years he was the efficient secretary of the Democratic central committee of Greene county, and during all his journalistic career he has been a well known correspondent of different met- ropolitan daily newspapers, as \yell as agent of the Associated Press when William Henry Smith was its able manager. John Glenn Newbill is a native of southwest Missouri, his first recol- lection beginning on his father’s fine farm two and one-half miles west of Springfield on the Mt. Vernon road. His father, Tyree Glenn Newbill, was a native of Franklin county, Virginia, in which all his ancestors located when they came to America during the days of the colonies, prior to the Revolution, in which a number of them took an active part as soldiers in the 1434 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. army of General Washington. Judge Newbill’s parents came to Greene county in the early fifties, and his father was one of the most enterprising- farmers and stock raisers in this section. He was the president of the local fair association the two years preceding the War of the Rebellion, and, like his son, was an earnest and devoted Free Mason, the names of both as mem- bers being in the archives of United Lodge No. 5 and Springfield Chapter No. 15, Royal Arch Masons. Judge Newbill is also a thirty-second degree Mason of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, his membership being in Joplin Consistory No. 3, at Joplin, Missouri. EMIEL SANDERS. America has always held the gates of her entry ports ajar to- the sons of Sweden, ancl, having thus extended them a hearty hand of welcome and given them every opportunity to advance themselves after they got within our borders, they have come in large numbers, from year to year, and their substantial homes now dot the hills and plains of nearly every agricultural community of the Union, and there is hardly a city of any importance in which we do not find their homes and places of business. Thus they have aided us in developing this vast and comparatively new western hemisphere and we have in turn improved their condition. They were reared in a land where Mother Nature is somewhat unkind, where the winters are long and the country rugged and none too fertile and where business and professional opportunities are not so extensive as in our own country, so that they have, as a rule, had to battle hard for the right to live, had to exert every energy for the food and clothing necessary to keep aglow the little flame of life. But this all has helped them to win success in America, where there are un- limited opportunities, for they have inherited from their forebears those sterling qualities of energy, persistence, fortitude and tact, and they do not halt at any obstacle or permit any adversity to swerve them from their course. One of this number was the late Emiel Sanders, as was also his father-in- law, Peter Swanson, men who came to this country of ours with little to start on, but forged to the front and became possessors of a competency and comfortable homes in due course of time. Mr. Sanders, who was for many years a well known furniture dealer in Springfield, was born in Stockholm, Sweden, May 7, 1845. I n an early day he came to the United States, first locating in New York, and there he was first married to a lady of English birth. They were the parents of three children, two of whom died in infancy and John, who survived, is now in Ponka City, Oklahoma. Subject’s first wife died in 1876, and subject again GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1435 .married, this time Marie Swanson, a daughter of Peter and Gustava (Law- son) Swanson, both of Sweden. Mrs. Sanders was one of six children, three boys and three girls, the youngest born in America and the rest in Sweden. This last marriage occurred May io, 1880. Emiel Sanders grew to manhood in his native land and there received his education and learned the cabinet maker’s trade, and when a young man went to Germany and spent three years, then emigrated to the United States, .first locating in New York, as before stated. He came on to Springfield, .Missouri in an early day and here remained the rest of his life. He had continued working at his trade, at which he was quite skilful, and after he had become well established in Springfield he started a furniture factory, which he operated a short time, then owned and conducted a large furniture store at 309 Boonville street, where he built up a large and satisfactory busi- ness, carried an extensive and up-to-date stock of everything commonly found in the best furniture stores of the large cities, and this line of business he ■continued until his death, at which time he was one of the oldest furniture dealers in the city. He dealt in an honest and courteous manner and his hundreds of patrons remained his friends. Mr. Sanders was married May 10, 1881, at Marshfield, Missouri, to Marie Swanson, who was born in the central part of Sweden, April 21, 1857. She is a daughter of Peter and Gustava (Lawson) Swanson, both natives of Sweden also, and there they grew to maturity, received common school educations and were married. Mr. Swanson was a farmer by occu- pation, which he followed in his native land until 1869, when he emigrated to the United States and located at Salem, Missouri, and after he got a good foothold in the new country he sent for his wife and daughter, Marie, who made the long trip from their native land to this state in 1872. The family moved from Salem to Mountain Grove, Missouri, but the death of Mr. Swan- son occurred at Salem. His family consisted of five children, all living at this writing. Mrs. Sanders grew to womanhood in Sweden and received a limited education in the common schools, but she has educated herself and is a well informed and intelligent lady, with affable manners. She is a mem- ber of the Congregational church, and has a pleasant home on East Grand avenue. Four children were born to Emiel Sanders and wife, one of whom is deceased, namely: Emma C., born February 16, 1882, was educated in the schools of Springfield, married Gorden Coil, and they live on a farm near Fair Grove, Greene county; Mary Hattie, born June 25, 1884, died in February, 1886; Nellie A., born June 29, 1886, was graduated from the Springfield high school and the state normal here, and she is a successful teacher; Ada G., born July 29, 1888, was also graduated from the local high GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1436 school and the state normal here and taught in Wyoming one year, where she made a good record. Emiel Sanders was called to his rest on July 8, 1892, at the age of forty- seven years, when in the prime of life. GEORGE W. BARNES, M. D. It is a pleasure to the biographer to revert to the life of an individual who surmounted the discouraging obstacles of an early environment that was none too auspicious, and while achieving a large measure of individual suc- cess has found time to be a good citizen in a general way, making his locality better by his residence therein. Such a man is Dr. George W. Barnes, for over a quarter of a century a leading physician of the north side in Spring-field. Frank, courageous, honest, aggressive, he, nor his position as a citizen can not well be misunderstood. In professional, civic and social relations he thinks and acts along well-regulated lines, and does not evade, does not dodge an is- sue. He has energy, intellect, and will; has self-purpose, resolution and de- termination, throwing his entire force of body and mind direct upon his work. His self-reliance has not been wholly acquired — it was born in him. He be- lieved at the start that if there were better days, and “good times coming” that we are justified in hoping for, we must be capable of making them for ourselves. The fable of the “Labors of Hercules” is indeed the type of human doing and success. Doctor Barnes was born in Greene county, Missouri, April 7, 1855. He is a son of Elisha Iv. and Mary J. (Small) Barnes. The father was born in 1830 in North Carolina, from which state he emigrated to Missouri in early life, locating in Greene county, where he engaged in farming. When the Civil war came on he enlisted in the Confederate army during the early part of the conflict and fought gallantly until taken prisoner. He was sent to the Federal prison at Indianapolis, Indiana, where he died. He was of English ancestry. His father, Nineveh Barnes, was a native of North Caro- lina. He married Phoebe Headlee. They spent their earlier years in North Carolina, from which state they removed to Greene county, Missouri, in pio- neer days, located on a farm, and there spent the rest of their days, each reaching advanced ages. The mother of Doctor Barnes was born on August 4, 1833, in Greene county, Missouri, where her people, the Smalls, were first settlers, and the old homestead has remained in possession of the family to the present time. The Small family is of Scotch ancestry. Elisha K. Barnes and wife were married on March 25, 1851, and they reared a family of four children, three sons and a daughter, namely : Dr. GREENE COUNTY^ MISSOURI. T 437 George W., of this review; Elisha E., born March 24, 1864, is married and lives in Oklahoma City ; Mrs. Mattie Dennis, who resides in Hutchinson, Kansas, where Mr. Dennis is engaged in the real estate business, and Rob- ert N., who died in Wichita, Kansas. The mother of these children is still living, having attained her eighty-first year. Doctor Barnes is an excellent type of the successful self-made man. His parents were poor and his father died when the future physician was but a boy, so he was early thrown on his own resources, and, therefore, practically his whole life has been one of self-support. He grew up on the farm and worked hard as a tiller of the soil during the summer months and in the win- ter time attended the district schools. Later he taught country schools in the winter months and farmed summers, and laid by funds to complete his educa- tion. He finished his literary studies at Morrisville College, in Polk county, this state, and, in 1882, he entered the Missouri Medical College in St. Louis, from which he was graduated with the class of 1884, and in that year he commenced the practice of his profession at Brighton, Polk county, where he remained in a good country practice until 1888', when he removed to Spring- field, opening an office at Boonville and Commercial streets, which office he has since occupied, and his success as a general practitioner has steadily grown all the while, and it is worthy of note that after a continuous practice here of twenty-five years the past year was the best of all, which fact should be a sufficient recommendation, not only of his ability^, but of the confidence reposed in him by the people of this locality. He now confines himself as much to city practice as possible. He is often called in consultation on serious cases with other leading physicians of the city and county. Pie does a great deal of hospital work, and he has lectured at Burge Deaconess Hospital, Springfield, since its organization. He is a member of the board that lectures the nurses in training at this hospital, and also at the Springfield Hospital. His principal subject is nervous diseases. Doctor Barnes is a member of the Greene County Medical Society, of which he was president in 1906, and vice-president in 1905, and is at this writing a member of the board of censors of this society. He also belongs to the Southwest Missouri Medical Society, the Missouri State Medical Asso- ciation and the American Medical Association. He is a member of the Commercial Club. Fraternally, he belongs to the Masonic Order, Tribe of Ben Hur, Improved Order of Red Men, the Woodmen and the Court of Honor. Politically, he is a Democrat, and, religiously, belongs to the Meth- odist Episcopal church. Doctor Barnes was married, May 26, 1886, to Annie I.. Fender, who was born in 1864 in Greene county, where she was reared and educated in the public schools. She is a daughter of Wilson and Louisa (Wallace) Fen- der, she being the only child. Her father was a farmer, and when the Civil 1438 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. war came on he enlisted in the Union army and saw much hard service,, and as a result of the exposure, contracted pneumonia while in the service, was sent home, and died soon afterwards. Mrs. Barnes was but a child at that time and too young to remember him. A few years later Mrs. Louisa Fender married again, her last husband being Capt. J. W. Peltz, an officer in the Union army. Two children were born to the second marriage, namely : Joseph E. Peltz, a member of the shoe firm of Peltz & Cogiey, who conduct one of the most extensive shoe businesses on Commercial street, Springfield ; and Mrs. Alice Meador, also of Springfield, and the wife of a passenger con- ductor on the Frisco railroad. To Doctor Barnes and wife one child has been born, Geneva Aline Barnes, whose birth occurred in Springfield on December 13, 1896. She was educated in the ward schools and is now in her fourth year in the high school. She is a cultured and talented young lady, takes a fond interest in elocution, has decided musical ability and tastes, and at present is taking voice culture under Rev. Mrs. McClanahan, of this city. In his private and social relations Doctor Barnes is enjoyable, animated, jovial, and entertaining. There is no pretense or display about him, is kind and generous-hearted, and with friends is firm and true. OTIS EVERETT SNIDER. Never before has there been so much interest taken in the best methods; of farming and in the conditions of rural homes. The struggle to bring rural life from the present to ideal conditions is not an easy one, nor will it be speedily accomplished. Yet there are now farms and country homes in every county which might be taken as models worth imitating. Among those in Greene county which come pretty near the high-water mark of an ideal twentieth-century farm is that owned and operated by Otis Everett Snider and known as “Brookdale Farm.” Such places are a credit to* any community, and they inspire others to put forth a like effort, as well as pub- lishing to the outside world the fact that here is a community of citizens of thrift and good taste. Mr. Snider was born in the above-named township and county on February 23, 1874. He is a son of David and Eliza Jane (Robertson) Snider. David Snider was born on February 19, 1844, in Monroe county, eastern Tennessee, and was a son of John and Nellie (McKee) Snider. John Snider was a native of Tennessee, where he spent his life, dying there when his son, David, was seven years old, after devoting his life to farm- ing. His wife, Nellie McKee, was a native of Pennsylvania. David Snider GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. r 439' grew to manhood in Tennessee and received such educational advantages- as the old-time subscription schools afforded, and there he continued to reside until he was twenty-seven years of age, when he removed to Gentry county, Missouri, but remained only three months, coming on then to Greene county, arriving here on December 24, 1872. After renting a farm for some time, he bought forty acres, and, prospering through close applica- tion and good management, he added to his original purchase, until he owned three hundred and thirty acres of valuable and productive land in sections 21 and 28, Murray township, and there he still resides, engaged successfully and extensively in general farming and stock raising, and ranks among the leading agriculturists of the county, throughout which he is widely known and highly esteemed as a man and citizen. He and Eliza Jane Robertson were married on February 3, 1873. She was born in Greene county, where she grew to womanhood and was educated. She is a daugh- ter of Jefferson and Mary Ann (Ludspeech) Robertson, one of the pioneer families of the northern part of Greene county. A history of this well- known family appears in the sketch of Charles L. Robertson on another page of this work. To David Snider and wife five children were born, namely: Otis E., of this sketch; Mrs. Josie Lee Green, of Murray township; Mrs. Mary Jus- tice, who lives near Ash Grove, this county; Mrs. Virgie Thomas, who lives in Murray township; and Virgil, who died in infancy. Politically, David Snider is a Democrat, but has never cared for pub- lic office. Fraternally, he belongs to the Masonic order at Bois D’Arc, Greene county. He was reared in the faith of the Methodist church, and his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, at Willard. Otis E. Snider spent his boyhood days on his father's farm and re- ceived his education in the local public schools. Lie remained on the home place assisting with the general work there until his marriage, at the age of twenty-four years, after which he began farming for himself in Mur- ray township, and was successful from the first. He accumulated two hun- dred acres of good land, which he sold in 1913, and removed to Nebraska; but ranching in that state did not appeal to him in every respect, and, after making a crop there he returned to his native township and located on his present place, “Brook dale Farm,” which consists of two hundred acres, and is one of the desirable and well-improved farms of the township, on which stands a good residence and substantial and convenient outbuild- ings. Pie carries on general farming, and makes a specialty of raising hogs, and has traded in them on a large scale until very recently, when he turned his attention more to general crops. His place is well drained, well fenced and well watered, there being an excellent running spring on his land, be- sides good wells. 1440 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. Mr. Snider was married, February 2, 1897, to Birdie Gilmore, a native of this part of Greene county, where she was reared and educated. She is a daughter of George and Miley (Phillips) Gilmore, a well known and highly respected family of near Willard, this township. To our subject and wife four children have been born, namely: Ralph, George, Ellis, and the youngest died in infancy, unnamed. Politically, Mr. Snider is a Democrat, but has never been active in party affairs. He was reared in a Methodist family, and his wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church at Willard. He is a quiet, hard-working farmer of good habits and pleasing disposition. GEORGE LAFAYETTE McELHANY. Few residents of the western part of Greene county are so well and favorably known as George Lafayette McElhany, the enterprising farmer and representative citizen whose life history is briefly told in the following lines, and none stand higher than he in the esteem and confidence of the community in which he has spent his entire life and for the material, civic and moral advancement of which he has devoted both time and influence. During his residence here of over three score years he has noted wonderful changes and talks interestingly of them. Pie is of Scotch-Irish descent, and the family of which he is an honorable representative has been known in America for many generations, especially has the name been a familiar one in various portions of the state of Tennessee, but wherever they have dis- persed the McElhanys have been known as enterprising and public-spirited citizens. Mr. McElhany was born in Brookline township, Greene county, Mis- souri, March 13, 1852. Pie is a son of Warry and Jane (Robertson) McElhany, both natives of Tennessee, the father born in Granger county, August 3, 1820, and the mother’s birth occurred in Rome county, February 24, 1826. Our subject’s great grandfather was a Scotchman, and his wife was a native of Ireland. The father died when Warry McElhany was three years old and the latter spent his boyhood in Tennessee, being seven- teen years of age when he made the overland journey to Missouri with his mother and stepfather, the family stopping a mile and a half southwest of Springfield, and cultivated the old Eperson farm, in October, 1837, where they remained a year, then moved on the north side of the James river in Wilson township on the old Edwards farm, where they remained a year, then moved to Brookline township and entered one hundred and sixty acres McELIIAXY AND SON'S. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1441 from the government, near where the town of Brookline is now located. Warry McElhany assisted his stepfather, Joel Phillips, clear and develop the land into a good farm. In 1839 and 1840 he carried the mail between Springfield and Neosho. In the fall of 1845 he went to Texas, where he remained a few months, later returning to the home farm in Greene county. Warry McElhany married, December 23, 1847, Jane Robertson, a daughter of Linsey and Delilah Robertson, and to this union the following children were born : Mary, who married Reuben Rose, is deceased, but he is living in Brookline township; Delilah first married W. T. Adams, now deceased, and later she married Charles Lloyd; George L., of this review;; the next child died in infancy. ' The father of the above named children settled on the farm now owned by George L. McElhany, in Section 15, in 1850, and here the subject of this sketch was born and spent his life, working on the place during the summer months when a boy and attending the neighboring schools in the winter time, mostly subscription schools. He was nine years of age when the battle of Wilson’s Creek was fought, of which he has a very vivid recollection and tells many interesting things, also tells of the days when the Indians still occupied this part of the Ozarks, when his father was hired by the govern- ment to assist in removing the red men from the vicinity of Springfield to below Cassville. The death of Warry McElhany occurred July 20, 1889, and his wife preceded him to the grave, December 8, 1885. George L. McElhany was married twice, first to Alice Garton, August 9, 1874. She was a daughter of J. W. and Elizabeth (Rainey) Garton, and to this union eleven children were born, namely : Henry H. lives in Brookline township; Myrtle is the wife of P. F. Shelton of Republic town- ship; Jane is the wife of G. T. Norman of Brookline township; Lucy is the wife of W. A. Wiley, of Kansas City; Maggie is the wife of G. W. Ward and they live in Christian county; Charles and Warry both live in Brookline township; Robert makes his home in California; Bessie and William Bryan both live at home ; Alice died in infancy. The mother of the above named children passed away January 6, 1901. and Mr. McElhany was again mar- ried July 1, 1907; his last wife, Mrs. Emma Manley, widow of C. B. Manley, deceased, a native of Greene county, is a daughter of Ben and Barbara (Fleming) McCormick, who were residents of Illinois, and in that state Mrs. McElhany was born. She was one of ten children, all now deceased but two — Mrs. McElhany and the oldest child, Mrs. Mary Ramsey, who is now seventy-four years of age, and is living in Woodbine, Iowa. Politically Mr. McElhany is a Democrat. He has served as school director of his district for a period of twenty-five years. Fraternally he ( 91 ) RESIDENCE OF G. L, McELHANY. SI'RTXG DA EE FAR?, I. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1443 belongs to the Masonic order and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church at Brookline. Mr. McElhany is one of the best farmers of Brookline township. His well-tilled and well-kept place contains two hundred and eighty acres, all under cultivation but about sixty acres. His holdings were formerly much greater but he has given his children forty acres each as a start in life. His place is known as “Springdale Farm," and is one of the most desirable in the community. It is a rich red loam soil with a red clay sub-soil a foot or more under the surface. Fie has made a pronounced success as a general farmer and stock raiser, especially in hogs and mules. DAVID EDWARD ROSS. Many people are of the opinion that the word farming means the same the world over, and so it does in a sense, but yet, like many another word in our complicated language, it has what one might call an elastic meaning. At least the methods of farming vary radically in different countries. So the word means one thing to the tiller of the soil in the Ozark region and quite another to the husbandman in Mexico, Brazil, India or Ceylon. Such de- cidedly different methods have to be employed in coaxing from Mother Earth the grains, fruit and vegetables by which we live that the expert farmer of one country would be a decided failure in another. And many years are required to become properly acquainted with the methods of successful agri- culture in any land and clime. This being the case the world over, that man is wise who remains in his own country if he intends to devote his attention to this vocation all his life. David Edward Ross, a successful general farmer and stockman of Murray township, Greene county, has been content to spend his life in his native community, and, being a man of industry, sound judgment and a close observer he has forged ahead until he now ranks among the leading men of his calling in this locality. Mr. Ross was born near Willard. Greene county, Missouri, July 11. 1869. He is a son of Lafayette A. and Malinda (Evans) Ross. The father of our subject was born in Robberson township, this county, February 21, 1835, the son of David and Louisa (Robinson) Ross. David Ross, who was born in Kentucky in 1812, was one of the prominent pioneer preachers of the Methodist church in southwestern Mis- souri and one of the leading farmers of Greene county of that period, having- come here when he was twelve years of age from Cooper county. Missouri with his parents, William and Elizabeth Ross. William Ross was a sur- veyor and he laid out the town of Boonville, this state, and was also employed 1444 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. by the government of Mexico to help survey what is new the state of Texas. He left Greene county and engaged in merchandising in bolivar, Polk county, for a number of years, later moving to Versailles, Morgan county, where his death occurred at an advanced age, he and his wife both passing their four-score mile-post. David Ross engaged in farming in the northern por- tion of Greene county, erecting a log cabin on wild land, and, working hard and managing well, finally had a line farm of about five hundred acres and a large comfortable home took the place of his little primitive dwelling. He handles large numbers of live stock of various kinds and is a good judge of stock. For a period of over thirty-five years he preached the gospel all over this country and was a powerful preacher of his type. His wife, Louisa Robinson, was born in Tennessee about 1815 and her death occurred on the homestead here, and he died on January 6, 1869, at the age of fifty-six years, after a successful and useful career, although comparatively brief. To these parents twelve children were born, namely: Lafayette A., father of the immediate subject of this sketch; William, Dr. Francis E., Mrs. Elizabeth J. Whitlock; Mrs. Mary L. Skeen, David W., Mrs. Sarah M. Watson, Mrs. Henrietta J. Robinson, Mrs. Cordelia Robinson, Bennett J., Mrs. Laura M. Appleby, and Dr. Leonidas C. Lafayette A. Ross has spent his entire life in the vicinity of his birth with the exception of three years in California during the early fifties, the gold-fever days, having been but nineteen years of age when he made the hazardous trip across the plains. Returning home in 1856, he took up farm- ing and stock raising here, which has since claimed his attention, and he is owner of an excellent farm in Murray township of one hundred and twenty acres, having lived on the same farm for a period of forty-six years. He and Malinda A. Evans were married September 21, 1856. She is a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Leathers) Evans, all three of whom were born in North Carolina. Joseph Evans was a millwright by trade, which he followed during the winter months and farmed in the summer time. He moved his family to Greene county, Missouri, in 1840, locating on a farm at the edge of Robberson Prairie. He built the first frame house, also the first saw mill and grist-mill in this county, and became a prosperous and influen- tial citizen here. His death occurred in 1888, when eighty-five years of age. His family consisted of ten children, all now deceased but four, namely: Alexander, of Springfield; Daniel M., of Willard; Malinda A., who is the mother of our subject; and Mrs. Emma McDaniel, of Springfield. To La- fayette A. Ross and wife six children were born, named as follows: George Emery lives in Texas; William J. is a resident of Morrisville, Polk county; Mrs. Emma Ault lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma; Mrs. Lula R. Appleby lives GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. M45 with her parents; David Edward, of this sketch; and Walter Evans, who lives in Oklahoma. David Edward Ross, always called “Ed Ross,’’ grew to manhood on his father’s farm and there he worked when a boy, and he received his education in the public schools of his community and at Morrisville College in Polk county. He remained on the home farm until his marriage at the age of twenty-four years, after which he rented a farm just north of his present place which he operated one year, and in 1894 moved to Willard and en- gaged in mercantile pursuits, which he continued until in February, 1901, enjoying a good business and an extensive trade with the town and com- munity as a result of his straightforward and courteous dealings with his customers and the fact that he always carried a well-selected stock of general merchandise. He moved back to his father's farm in 1900, where he now resides and has been very successful as a general farmer and stockman, dealing extensively in buying and selling mules during the winter months. He raises large numbers of mules for the market, also horses, and it is safe to say that there is no better judge of both mules and horses than he, and no small portion of his comfortable competence has been secured through the judicious handling of these animals. In 1911 he moved to Springfield, where he was in the horse and mule business and engaged in trading until 1913, when he returned to the farm and is now active in general agricul- tural pursuits. His counsel is often sought by his neighbors and friends in regard to the horse and mule market and as to the value of certain animals and his advice is usually followed with gratifying results. His farm is well kept, well improved and indicates that a gentleman of thrift and good taste has its management in hand. Mr. Ross was married September 28, 1893, 1 ° Ida M. Watson, who was born, reared and educated in the vicinity of Willard. She is a daughter of John P. and Nancy (Bryant) Watson. Mr. Watson was born in Tennes- see, October 22, 1840, where he spent his early boyhood, making the tedious overland journey from his native state to Greene county, Missouri, when he was ten years of age, with his parents, Barney and Jane Watson, who settled on a farm in Murray township, and here John P. grew to manhood and received his education in the early schools of this vicinity. His father took up a claim in this township, which he developed into a good farm and here devoted his remaining years to general farming and died here. John P. Watson has devoted his active life to general agricultural pursuits, becoming owner of a good farm in this locality but for several years has been living retired, having bought a home at Morrisville. Polk county, about 1904. where he still lives. He has been twice married. He is the father of four children by his marriage to Nancy Bryant, who was born in 1839, being a native of GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1446 Missouri, and her death occurred when her daughter, Ida M., was six years of age. These children were named: Mollie, who is the wife of William J. Ross, a merchant of Morrisville, Missouri; David is deceased; Mrs. Lula Appleby lives near Willard, this county ; and Ida M., wife of the subject of this sketch. The second wife of John P. Watson was Sarah Ross, and to this union one child was born, Ross Watson, who is engaged in busi- ness at Willard. Two children have been horn to Mr. and Mrs. Ed. Ross, of this sketch, namely: Charles Id., who is working in the oil fields of Oklahoma with his uncle, Walter Ross; and John A., who is at home with his parents. Mr. Ross is a Democrat hut has never been an aspirant for political honors, although he is active in all movements looking to the general progress of his township and county. Fraternally, he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and of the Masonic Blue Lodge. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, at Willard and are active in the affairs of the same. Mrs. Ross is third vice-president of the Foreign Missionary Society of the same. WILLIAM ROY STEWART. Greene county has been especially fortunate in the character of her pio- neers, who, save in rare instances, possessed the pluck, fortitude and sound judgment of the true Anglo Saxon — that race which appears to delight in difficulties, because thereby an opportunity is afforded to conquer them. The founders of this country were brave, strong-armed, far-seeing, law-abiding citizens, patriotic and true to their native land, and conscientious in the dis- charge of their every duty toward their fellow men. Such was the Stewart family, who emigrated from the old Blue Grass state to Greene county, Mis- souri, fifty-four years ago, and have proven to be among our substantial citi- zens from that remote day, over a half century ago, to the present time. One of the best known of the present generation is William Roy Stewart, who, although a young man, holds the responsible position of yard-master at Springfield for the Frisco railroad. Mr. Stewart was born in this city on January 31, 1883. He is a son of John W. Stewart, who was born in Kentucky, near the old city of Lexington, and from there he came to Greene county, Missouri, in 1861, and has since resided here, living now on College street. After attending the common schools he began his railroad career, in 1880, as brakeman for the Frisco, becoming conductor in 1881, and he continued in this capacity until 1908, or a period of twenty-seven years, during which time he was one of the best GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1447 known conductors on the system, and that his work was highly satisfactory in every respect is indicated by his long service, in 1908 he quit the road and entered the yard service of the Frisco as switchman in Spnngneld, which position he has held ever since. Politically, he is a Republican. He belongs to the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine and the Knights Templars; also- the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Order of Railway Conductors, and to the Methodist Episcopal church. John W. Stewart married Emma Kite, whose death occurred in Decem- ber, 1905, at the age of forty-three years, and she was buried m Maple Park cemetery. Ihree children were born to these parents, namely: W. Roy, of this sketch ; Walter, who was in the employ of the road, and was killed in [913 by a locomotive ; Guy D. died in infancy. A. Dudley Stewart, paternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch, spent his earlier days in Kentucky, removing with his family to Springfield, Missouri, about the commencement of the Civil war. He has devoted his active life to railroad service, and for many years worked as carpenter and car repairer in the North Side Frisco shops. He is still living at the advanced age of eighty years, making his home on North Jefferson street, this city. William Roy Stewart moved with his parents from Springfield to Deni- son, Texas, when a child and there spent his boyhood and received his education in the public schools, but left the school room when only fourteen years of- age to begin his railroad career, his first work being that of night baggage agent at Joplin, Missouri, in 1899, f° r the Frisco. In 1900 lie began braking cut of Monett and in 1902 was promoted to conductor, his run being between Sapulpa, Oklahoma, and Sherman, Texas, also ran out of Monett, Missouri, as conductor. He resigned this position in the spring of 1905 and in the fall of that year went to work as switchman in the Springfield yards, and in the same year was promoted to the position of yardmaster, which position he has held to the present time, having twenty-five hands under his direction. In all capacities in which he has worked for the Frisco he has given eminent satisfaction. Pie has charge of the work in the yards at the passenger station. Mr. Stewart was married in 1904 to Kate Crow, a daughter of James P. Crow, a native of Louisiana. To this union one child has been born, Belva Stewart, now ten years bid and attending school. Politically, Mr. Stewart is a Republican. He belongs to the Order of Railway Conductors, holding the office of assistant chief conductor in the local lodge. He is president of the local Switchmen's Union. He be- longs to Solomon Lodge No. 271, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. He is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1448 HARVEY W. HOWARD. Although Americans do not take nearly so much interest in their family trees as do the Europeans or better classes of Orientals, yet it should be a matter of pride with us, who like the subject of this sketch, is able to refer to a long line of honorable progenitors — men and women who have left be- hind them records of which their descendants may not be ashamed but proud. Records of this fine old family may be traced back to William the Conqueror of England, to the year 1066, and their record in America goes back to our first settlers, when the original of this name landed either in Rhode Island or Massachusetts, it is believed in the year 1628, not so very long after the memorable arrival of the Mayflower. Harvey W. Howard, pit foreman in the new shops of the Frisco at Springfield, a direct descendant of this old family, was born in Peabody, Kansas, September 27, 1877. Pie is a son of Albert S. and Charlotte E. (Trimble) Howard, the mother now a resident of the state of Idaho, being at this writing seventy-six years of age. The father was born in Wisconsin, from which state he came to Kansas in an early day. In his earlier life he followed the trade of millwright, later devoting his attention to carpen- tering and contracting, and although he is now seventy-seven years of age he is still active. He makes his home at Boise, Idaho. Politically, he is a Republican, and he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. His family consisted of four children, namely : Clinton, who was killed some years ago in a railroad accident ; Samuel, who is a brass-maker, lives in Denver, Colorado; Hattie married Rev. P. B. Ivnepp, minister of the Metho- dist Episcopal church, now stationed at Axtell, Kansas ; and Harvey W. of this sketch. Mr. Howard of this review received his education in the common schools at Council Grove, Kansas, but left school when sixteen years of age, and began learning the machinist’s trade in that town, working under his father in a contract shop; after serving his apprenticeship he worked for ten years at his trade in Osawatomie, Kansas, then worked there in the Missouri Pacific shops at his trade. For two years he worked in Colorado City as machinist for the Plassell Iron Company. His next position was with the Colorado Midland railroad, continuing his trade, part of the time in Colorado City, then went to La Junta, Colorado, for the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe railroad, working in their shops there until in 1903, when he came to Springfield, Missouri, and took a position in the south side Frisco shops, working as machinist a year, then went to Leadville, Colorado, and was division foreman for the Colorado Midland a year, after which he went back to the Hassell Iron Works at Colorado City for five months, then GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1449 came back to the south side shops in Springfield, and after working here as machinist for three months he was promoted to the position of erecting foreman, which he held over three years, then went to the new shops in 1911, working as machinist for six months, then was promoted to the po- sition which he now holds, that of pit foreman in the erecting department. He has about twenty hands under his direction and is giving eminent satis- faction in this important position. He is regarded as one of the most expert machinists the Frisco has ever employed from a Western road. Mr. Howard was married on March 15, 1899, to Hattie Stickney, a daughter of John and Jane (Helm) Stickney, of Springfield, and to this union one child has been born, Helen Charlotte Howard, born January 15, 1905. John Stickney, father of Mrs. Howard, served in the Union Army. The maternal grandparents of our subject’s wife were born in Germany. Politically, Mr. Howard is a Republican. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. He holds membership in Orient Lodge No. 86, Knights of Pythias, of which he was elected chancellor commander for the year 1915, and is also a member of the Machinist’s Union No. 363. CHARLES WALTER KERR. In years gone by farmers were looked upon as a class of people who were not educated, who could do nothing but farm. Now times have changed - — one can not make a pronounced success as a farmer unless one is educated, not necessarily in the classics, it is true, but educated in the things that he has to employ in his vocation — the care and management of his place. A farmer, to be a successful farmer, must carefully manage his farm and know what he is gaining or losing, and on what branch there is no profit, just the same as the business man of the city manages his business, in a way, he should be a good bookkeeper. Among the tillers of the soil in Brookline township, Greene county, who not only knows how to plow and hoe, but also how to properly manage the business end of his farm, is Charles Walter Kerr. Mr. Kerr was born in Vermilion county, Illinois, August 9, 1874. He is a son of James A. and Sarah (Irvin) Kerr. The father was a native of In- diana, in which state he grew to manhood, and was educated in the common schools, and he remained in his native state until about 1869, when he re- moved to Illinois, and from that state he brought his family to Greene county, Missouri, when the subject of this sketch was six years old, the family lo- cating in Brookline township, in 1880, and here our subject has since resided. To James A. Kerr and wife seven children were born, three sons and four 145 ° GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. daughters, namely: J. Owen, born in 1870, lives in Republic; Elmer E., born in 1866, died in 1894; Mary E., born in 1868, married D. F. Leabo, and they live in Carthage, Missouri; Emma V., born in 1872, married R. A. Rowland, and they reside in Springfield; Charles W., of this sketch; Olive M., born in iS'76, married H. H. McElhaney, and they live in Brookline township; Edna May, born in 1880, is unmarried and resides with her mother on the home place in this township. The father died, October 23, 1903. Charles W. Kerr grew to manhood on the home farm and assisted with the work during the crop seasons, attending the public schools in the winter time in his district. He has always followed farming, on the home place, managing the same for his father until the latter’s death in 1903, since which time he has operated the place on his own account. He has kept it under an excellent state of improvement and cultivation. He recently completed an attractive residence, on the bungalow order, near the old home. It is on the main highway between Springfield and Republic, and is surrounded by a beautiful oak grove, and is appropriately named “The Oaks.” Mr. Kerr was married in 1911 to Frances Short, a daughter of Frank and Nancy Short, who live in Christian county, Missouri, where Mrs. Kerr was born, reared and educated, the date of her birth being 1878. Politically, Mr. Kerr is a Republican, but while he supports every move- ment calculated to he of general public interest, he has never been a candi- date for public office. He belongs to the Baptist church at Republic. DR. GEORGE L. NOLAND. Osteopathy has an able exponent in Springfield and Greene county in the person of Dr. George L. Noland, a man who has studied hard and left no stone unturned whereby he might get to the top of his profession. Thorough- ness, promptness and honesty have been watchwords with him and he is in every way deserving of the large success and the popularity which he has at- tained, for he began at the bottom of the ladder and has mounted its rungs unaided. He seems to have inherited many of the traits that win in life from his sterling ancestors of the old Buckeye state. Doctor Noland was born at Big Plain, near Columbus, Ohio, in 1868. He is a son of Beckworth and Martha (Biggert) Noland, a highly respected family of that place, the elder Noland spending his life on a farm and was one of the enterprising citizens of his community. George L. Noland was reared in his native vicinity and when of proper age he assisted his father with the work on the farm during the crop season, and during the winter attended the public schools, later entered the State Normal School at Dan- GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. I45 1 ville, Indiana, completing the prescribed course there, after which he re- turned to Ohio, and was married to Lou Tway, of London, that state, on November 2, 1891, and then he engaged in farming for three years on the old home place. He removed from the scenes of his childhood to Alt. Ayr, Iowa, where he engaged successfully in the live stock business until the fall of 1899, when lie sold out and moved to Ivirksville, Missouri, and there he and his wife entered the American School of Osteopathy, where they both made splendid records, and were graduated in due course of time. Imme- diately thereafter they came to Springfield, Missouri, and began the practice of osteopathy here in July, 1901, and they have continued the same to the present time with ever-increasing success, and are among the most skillful and best known osteopathic physicians in southern Missouri, and each of the thirteen years they have been here has found them further advanced and with more patients and with more friends than the preceding. Mrs. Lou Tway Noland was born on July 16, 1870, in Fayette count}'. Ohio, and there spent her early girlhood. When twelve years of age she went to London, where she resided until 1895. She was graduated from the high school there in 1888, and, subsequently, took a post-graduate teacher's course in the State Normal at Ada, Ohio, after which she spent several years teach- ing school in Madison county, that state, and was regarded as one of the leading public school instructors of that county, and it was in London that she and Mr. Noland were married. She spent six months studying in Europe, in 1908, and took a course of lectures in osteopathy in University of Vienna, Austria. She is profoundly versed in this science, has met with pronounced success during her professional career and has been of great assistance to her husband. She is a daughter of Perry and Clara (Cartlich) Tway, the mother a daughter of Abraham and Lucinda (Will) Cartlich. Lucinda Will was a daughter of George Will, who was born on May 3, 1749, and he died on October 13, 1828. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. serving as first lieutenant and adjutant of the Sixth Pennsylvania Regiment. He was commissioned first lieutenant on February 5, 1877, ail d his name is the last one on a list of officers, dated August 27. 1778. This regiment was in the disaster at Fort Wellington on March 16, 1776. Mrs. Noland has served three years as treasurer of the Missouri Os- teopathic Association, which position she still holds. She is also secretary of the Ozark Osteopathic Association, and has discharged her duties in these capacities in a faithful and commendable manner. She is one of the most widely known Osteopaths in the state and is popular in the various associa- tions. Religiously, she belongs to the Grace Methodist Episcopal cnurcfi. She is an active member of the American Osteopathic Association, belongs to the Royal Neighbors of America, the Sorosia Society, and the Daughters of the American Revolution. 1 45 — GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. To Do'ctor Noland and wife one child was born, Percy Ray Noland, vvnose birth occurred in February, 1895, at Mt. Ayr, Iowa, and died on Feb- ruary 27, 1906, in Springfield, Missouri. Doctor and Mrs. Noland have an up-to-date suite of offices in the Landers building, and they are pleasant people to meet, intelligent, experienced, and courteous to all. ALBERT SIDNEY McLINN. Diversified farming is essential to profitable production and main- tenance of soil fertility, but it is necessary to specialize on something to secure a superior standard of excellence. A well-diversified farm will have the customary crops that are grown in the locality, together with the usual farm animals, and some one crop or some one kind of animals should be singled out as a specialty, or the farmer should give his close attention to some phase of endeavor more than others. Albert Sidney McLinn, one of the most progressive general farmers of Murray township, Greene county, has succeeded in a general way, but has made a specialty of dealing in live stock, for some time feeding, buying and shipping, and is one of the best known stock men in the northern part of the county. Mr. McLinn was born in Washington county, Tennessee, March 31, 1862. He is a son of Robert Alexander McLinn and Margaret Caroline (Seehorn) McLinn, and a grandson of .William Richard McLinn, who was a native of Tennessee, and whose father was a native of Ireland, from which country he immigrated to the LTnited States in old Colonial days, and from him descended the present numerous McLinn family. Robert A. McLinn, father of our subject, was born in Washington county, Tennes- see, in 1827, and he spent his life within one-fourth of a mile of the old homestead there. Fie was a farmer and stock trader, bought and shipped mules, cattle and hogs. He was a man of prominence in his community and was a leader in Democratic politics. He served one term as judge of the county court. He was a member of the Presbyterian church, in which he was an elder for a number of years, and he took a very active part in church work. His wife was also a native of Washington county, Tennessee, was a member of the same church and was active in church and Sunday school work. Idis death occurred on October 18, 1895, she having preceded him to the grave on August 16, 1880. They were the parents of nine children, namely: William Richard, deceased; Mrs. Mary Ida Sellers lives on the old homestead in Tennessee; Mrs. Anna Cordelia Robinson lives in Lock- ney, Texas; Albert S., of this review; Luella McLinn died in Ft. Worth, Texas; James Alexander also lives in Ft. Worth, Texas; Charles Seehorn GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1453 lives in Galveston, Texas, and was in the great flood there in September, 1901; Mrs. Ada Jane Moore lives in Telford, Tennessee; and Benjamin Franklin is deceased. It is worthy of note that Washington College, in Washington county, Tennessee, was founded by James McLinn and was long supported and managed by the McLinns, who were near relatives of our subject's father. Albert S. McLinn grew to manhood on the home farm in Tennessee, and there assisted with the work when a boy, and received a good educa- tion in the home schools. He remained in his native county until May 10, 1881, when he left his native state and crossed the Cumberland moun- tains alone, carrying his clothes in a pillow-case. He was employed by a man named Day at Jackson, Breathitt county, Kentucky, and helped sur- vey a railroad in the Cumberland mountains under Captain Kelton, who surveyed and built the Frisco railroad through Willard, Greene county, the road being known as the Bolivar branch, terminating at the county- seat of Polk county, until it was built on north many years later to con- nect the Blair line at Osceola. He also attended school at Hazelgreen, that state, for three years, the town being at that time about one hundred miles from a railroad. Coming to Missouri, in 1884, he worked under Captain Kelton at St. Louis. Mr. McLinn located in the vicinity of Cave Spring, Greene county, on rented land, bought a team and began general farming, and has lived in this locality ever since. In 1896 he purchased eighty acres in Murray township, on which he resided until 1900, then sold out and rented the Spencer Watson farm of forty acres and the Wes- ley Wadlow farm of one hundred and fifty-three acres together and lived there until 1903, when he moved to the old homestead residence of Wesley Wadlow, whose widow still lived on the place, and after her death Mr. McLinn purchased the interests of the other heirs, in 1909, and here he still resides, now owning one hundred and ninety-seven acres of good land, on which he has made many important improvements, and carries on gen- eral farming and stock raising, handling large numbers of mules, cattle and hogs annually. During the winter months he buys, trades and ships live stock, and usually feeds a large herd of cattle and hogs. He has erected on his place a modern barn and silo and other substantial buildings, and his place, which is known as the “Side View Farm,’’ is one of the best appearing and valuable in the township. Twenty-five acres of his land has been set to apples, principally the Ben Davis variety, and he devotes considerable attention to the same, and in favorable years this nets him a neat income. The farm is well located; public roads run past three sides of his farm and one passes through the place. Mr. McLinn was married, first, on October 21, 1886, to Rachel Wilson, a native of Greene county, who died in 1900, leaving three children, namely: 1454 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. John Herman, who married Barbara Lee Kime, of Willard, lives on a farm in Murray township; Jessie Leona, who married Clarence Gorsuch, lives in Lamar, Missouri; Gladys Lucile lives at home. On May 2, 1903, our subject married Lillie D. Wadlow, and two chil- dren have been born to this union, namely: Robert Wesley and Mary Margaret. Mrs. McLinn was born and reared near Willard, this county, and was educated in the local schools. She is a daughter of John Wesley Wadlow, who was born in Washington county, Virginia, now a part of West Virginia, December 17, 1797, and there he spent his early boyhood, immigrating from Tennessee to Greene county, Missouri, about 1S35, and settling twelve miles northwest of Springfield. On July 24, 1837, he married Mary Hastings, and to them seven children were born, namely : Alzirah Jane, deceased; Mary Louisa, living; Sarah Ann, Margaret Elizabeth, Martha Agnes, Matilda Caroline and John W. are ail deceased. Mary Hastings was born on January 27, 1820, and her death occurred on December 12, 1854. On November 29, 1858, John W. Wadlow married Mary Ann Lethco, a native of Greene county, and seven children were also born to this union, namely: Joanna, Susan Arbell, Charles F., George W. and Dora Emma were twins; Laura May is deceased: and Lillie Daisy, wife of our subject, is the young- est of the family. The death of the mother of these children occurred on March 13, 1909. Cyrus Cunningham, grandfather of the wife of our subject, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. John W. Wadlow was a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, and he gave a tract of land on which was built the Wesley chapel, of this township, and he also donated ground for a cemetery, and in this he was finally laid to rest at the advanced age of ninety-two years, after a long, useful and honest life, replete with kindness, good deeds and blessings to others. In his early days he taught school, and was justice of the peace in Greene county for many years. He was a typical pioneer. He entered land from the government in Virginia, and from that state moved to Tennessee with his parents, John Wesley Wadlow and Mary (Kenolcl) Wadlow, and received his education. He was a Democrat, was a well read and influential man and was a hard-working, successful farmer, and by his thrift and good management accumulated a comfortable com- petence. He remained vigorous in his old age and was able to do a great deal of work up to the last. His wife, Mary Ann Lethco, was born on March 28, 1829, in Richland county, North Carolina, and when twelve years of age she made the long overland journey from that remote section of Dixie land to Greene county, Missouri, the family locating near Ebenezer, in Robberson township. Her death occurred at the age of seventy-nine years. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, at GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1455 Wesley chapel and Willard, holding membership in this denomination over sixty years. Mr. McLinn, our subject, made a trip to Tennessee with his family in 1905 and attended a reunion of the McLinns, a large number of whom still reside in Washington county. He has many valuable heirlooms, such as old gold and silver pocket-pieces, bed-spreads, table-cloths of fine linen, and many other things, all of which he highly prizes. Politically, Mr. McLinn is a Democrat, but has never cared for an active public life. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, at Willard, to which his wife also belongs, and they both take an active interest in church and Sunday school work, the missionary society and- the young people's meetings. They are advocates of all good things for their community, and the general welfare of the township and county, being broad-minded, well-read and neighborly; JESSE J. FOSTER, JR. A strict adherence to a fixed purpose and faithfulness to duty, backed by correct individual habits of life, have been dominating factors in the career of Jesse J. Foster, Jr., for a number of years one of the successful educators of the locality of Strafford, where he later worked in the United States mail service and where he is now postmaster. Mr. Foster was born on a farm in Webster county, . Missouri, August 26, 1875. He is a son of Jesse J. and Elizabeth (Turner) Foster. The father was born in Webster county also, near the town of Seymour, in 1846, and was reared in Marshfield, county-seat of that county, and there he received his education. He began life for himself by teaching, which he continued three years. When eighteen years old he enlisted for service in the Union army under Colonel McMahan, in 1863, and served creditably for two years, being honorably discharged at the close of the war at Spring- field, Missouri, after which he returned to Marshfield, then located on the James river in Greene county, where he engaged in farming. He later moved to the village of Henderson, where he operated a store, then moved to another farm in Greene county, where he continued to reside until three years ago, when he moved to Colorado, in which state he now resides. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. His wife was born in Missouri in 1848, was reared on a farm and educated in the district schools. She taught school three years before her marriage. Two of her brothers were soldiers in the Confederate army and were wounded. She is a member of the Missionary Baptist church. Eight children have been born to these GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1456 parents, namely: John D. is the oldest; William F. was well educated and taught school a number of years before his death; Joseph F. was next in order of birth; Jesse J., jr., of this sketch; Mrs. Mary A. McKerali; Mrs. Bessie Killian ; Grace is teaching music in Colorado ; Sarah is teaching school in Colorado. The subject of this sketch was reared on the home farm and he was given the advantages of a good education. He began teaching school when young, which he followed with marked success for eight years, after which he began carrying the mail, remaining in this work for a period of nine years, giving entire satisfaction to the people and the department at Wash- ington. In February, 1914, he was appointed postmaster at Strafford, having passed a successful civil service examination for the same, and he is proving to be an alert, capable and popular postmaster. Mr. Foster was married to Florence Hankins, who was born in Greene county in 1875, and she grew to womanhood in Strafford, and received a common school education here. She is a daughter of William T. and Mary (Comstock) Hankins. The latter is deceased, but the father is still a resi- dent of Strafford. Mrs. Foster is a member of the Baptist church. Two children have been born to our subject and wife, namely: Joseph W., born May 1, 1904; and Flelen, born August 30, 1906. Politically, Mr. Foster is a Democrat. Fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic order and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He belongs to the Baptist church. He is active and influential in the affairs of his locality, is a director in the Bank of Strafford and a member of the local school board. GEORGE W. O’BRYANT. Although George W. O’Bryant, of Brookline township, Greene county, does not farm on so large a scale as some of his neighbors, yet he does well whatever he attempts and is making a good living. The time has arrived when farms the size of his will be more numerous than those that are larger, for it has been found that the methods of farming must change as climate and general conditions change, and in order to carry on intensive farming one does not need a vast acreage. Our subject has spent his life in this locality which he has seen develop from primitive conditions to its present high state of prosperity. Mr. O’Bryant was born in the above named township and county, Octo- ber 7, 1864. He is a son of George W. and Mary Caroline (Howard) O’Bryant, natives of Tenneessee and North Carolina, respectively. The father came to Missouri with his parents when he was quite young, the GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. *457 family locating in Cedar county, near Cane Hill, on a farm, and there G. W. O'Bryant was reared to manhood and received a meager education in the early-day schools. When older he located in Greene county. His wife, Mary Caroline Howard, emigrated from the far Southland with her parents to Missouri in 1839, the family locating near what is now Battle- field, on the James river, in Greene county, and there our subject’s mother was reared on a farm and received such educational advantages as the early- day schools afforded, and she and Mr. O'Bryant were married in 1851. To their union nine children were born, namely: Armitta died in infancy; Mary Frances is the wife of Levi Taylor, of Polk county, Missouri ; Martha Ann married J. T. Phillips, both now deceased, who was at one time judge of RESIDENCE OF G. W. O'BRYANT. the county court of Greene county; William T. and Delilah E. are twins; the former lives on a farm in Brookline township, and the latter is the wife of Winfield Lawson, of Republic; Alice A., deceased, was the wife of a Dr. Camp, of Springfield; Nancy C. is the wife of J. T. Crouch and lives in Arizona; George W. of this sketch; Jas. Henry is in the United States mail service in Springfield. During the Civil war George W. O'Bryant, Sr., was a member of the Home Guards, seeing considerable service in this locality. He was one of the guides of Gen. Lyon’s army from Springfield to the Confederate camps on Wilson’s creek the night preceding the great battle there, August 10. 1861, and he was at Springfield during the various engagements that were later fought there. His death occurred on his farm in Brookline township in 1-866, his widow surviving until 1903, outliving him thirty-seven years, and reaching the age of seventy-three. ( 9 2 ) 1458 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. George W. O’Bryant of this sketch grew to manhood on the home- stead and here he still resides, in fact, has spent his life here. He received his education in the district schools of his native township, the first school he attended having been taught in an old log house, equipped with an open fireplace and hewn slabs for seats with no backs. He was about twenty years old before he went to school and eight years later he attended one term in Republic, walking almost daily to the school house which was three and one-half miles distant. He has spent his life engaged in general farm- ing and owns sixty acres, a part of the original home place, and he has kept the land well tilled and it is very productive, and he has a comfortable home. Mr. O’Bryant was married, November 7, 1904, to Maude Kirby, a daughter of James H .and Mary (Woods) Kirby, who are residents of Mt. Vernon, Lawrence county, this state. Mrs. O’Bryant was born in 1873 in the village of Chesapeake, that county, and in that vicinity she grew to womanhood and received a common school education. To Mr. and Mrs. Kirby the following children were born: Mattie is the wife of George Hill- house, of Verona, Missouri; M. Filmore lives in California; Sallie is the wife of William Howard, of Lawrence county; Dora is the wife of J. N. McCacken, of Springfield; Ella is the wife of G. W. Moore and they live in New Mexico; Isora, deceased, was the wife of Henderson Maberry, deceased; Ollie lives in Chicago; Maude, who was the first wife of the subject of this sketch, died in 1900; Myrtle, youngest of the Kirby children, is now the wife of our subject, they having married in 1911 ; one died at age of eighteen years. To Mr. O’Bryant’s first marriage three children were born, all of whom died in infancy. His second marriage has been without issue. Politically Mr. O’Bryant is a Democrat. Fraternally he is a member of the Court of Honor. Lie was formerly a member of the Presbyterian church but now belongs to the Methodist church at Republic, as does his wife. ABNER D. THOMPSON. One of the most enterprising farmers of Clay township, Greene county, is Abner D. Thompson, who has considered himself fortunate, and indeed he might well do so, that he has been permitted to spend his life on the homestead, for, in the first place, as one of our great writers said long ago, “There is no place like home',” and also because his home happened to be in a country greatly favored by nature. It is true that it took a great deal of hard work to get Greene county in proper shape for agricultural purposes, but once in condition there is no better. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1459 Mr. Thompson was born in Greene county, Missouri, July 28, 1855. He is a son of James and Elizabeth (Dabbs) Thompson. The father was born in Henry county, Tennessee, December 13, 1822, and in 1829, when seven years old, he came to Missouri with his parents, the family having made the trip in wagons, experiencing a number of hardships en route. They settled in Greene county among the earliest pioneers, when this lo- cality was indeed a wilderness, the vast forests having as yet heard the ring of the axe but little and the wide rolling prairies were still unscarred by the plowshare. It was amid such environment that the father of the subject of this sketch grew to manhood. He found plenty of hard work to do in assisting to develop a farm, and he received a meager education in the old-time subscription schools. He remained under his parental roof- tree until he was twenty years of age, then began life on the farm for himself, entering land from the government and purchasing other tracts until he became owner of valuable holdings aggregating eight hundred acres. He had some of the finest farms in the county. He kept his land in good shape and was a prosperous farmer and extensive raiser of live stock and also a large dealer in stock, was very successful as a trader. He was one of the prominent men of the county in the early days. In the fall of 1864, during the Civil war days, he drove a large herd of cattle to the northern part of the state, where he sold them and upon his homeward trip was waylaid and killed, October 5, 1864, about a mile from his home. It was supposed that he had a large sum of money on his person at the time, and bushwhackers murdered him ; however, the nyystery has never been cleared up. Politically, he was a Democrat. On May 21, 1854, he married Elizabeth Dabbs, who was born in North Carolina, March 27, 1831, who came at an early age to Missouri with her parents, the family locating in Greene county. After her husband’s death she reared her four children. She, too, met a tragic end, having been killed by a cyclone April 18, 1880. In all, five children were born to James Thompson and wife, namely: Abner D., of this sketch being the eldest; William Edward, born February 3, 1858, died August 13, 1861 ; James P., born May 16, i860, is living in California; Mrs. Mary L. Fulbright, born May 15, 1863; Mrs. Elizabeth C. McCracken, born January 25, 1865, is living in California. Abner D. Thompson was born and reared where he is now living, and was educated in the district schools. Being the oldest child he took the lead in making a livelihood for the family after his father’s death, being onlv nine )^ears old at that time. He finally became owner of the homestead, and at this time has one of the best farms in the township, consisting of three hundred and ten acres. He has kept the place well improved and has a good home. The land is all in cultivation with the exception of about thirty-five acres which is in timber. He has been very successful as a general 1460 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. farmer. Mr. Thompson deals extensively in live stock, shipping on an aver- age of twenty cars of hogs and cattle each year. Mr. Thompson was married, December 4, 1879, to Janie S. Galloway, who was born in Barry county, Missouri, and is a daughter of Major Charles and Susan (Carney) Galloway. She came to Greene county when a young girl and was reared on a farm. She received a common school education. She had a narrow escape from death in the cyclone of April 18, 1880, in which her mother was killed. Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Thompson, namely: Mrs. Jessie Anderson lives in California; Susie E., born November 15, 1883, lives at home; Charles E., born March 15, 1885, is farming in Greene county; Catherine Rena, born February 14, 1887, is working in Springfield at the McDaniel National Bank; Mrs. Janie Dee Gibson, born June 1, 1889, lives in Greene county; Mrs. Ruth Gibson, born June 18, 1893. Janie and Ruth married brothers. Bettie, born July 20, 1895, lives at home; Anna Lee, born July 27, 1897, lives at home; Mary Eunice, born February 8, 1903, is at home. Politically, Mr. Thompson is a Democrat. Fraternally, he belongs to the Modern Woodmen. JAMES HOWARD EARNEST. This is an age of specialization. Nearly everybody has a hobby and is doing or trying to do some one thing well — better than all the rest of the things that he is engaged in. It is found among the farmers of Greene county that many of them are specializing in corn. Some farm animal, as a particular breed of cows, will make as good a specialty as corn. It does not make much difference what it is so it is the one kind of stock in which the owner has the greatest interest. The more one gives his attention to his specialty the more it will take possession of him and while he gets a great deal of pleasure and makes a financial success of his chosen line the danger is that he will neglect his other stock or crops in his desire to excel in his specialty. James Howard Earnest, well-known farmer of Murray township, is one of the citizens of Greene county who is making a specialty of fine full- blooded Jersey cattle and at the same time is successful as a general farmer, being careful to not neglect any department of his well-regulated farm. Mr. Earnest was born in the above named township and county, Sep- tember 2, 1850, and is a representative of an old and influential family of this locality. He is a son of John Ramsey Earnest and Sarah H. (McClure) Earnest. The father was born in eastern Tennessee in 1822, and was a son GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. I461 of Wesley and Elizabeth (Blackburn-Ramsey) Earnest, both natives of Tennessee, in which state they grew up, were married and made their home there until 1851, when they immigrated to Greene county, Missouri, and lived the rest of their lives on a farm, his death occurrring in i860 and his wife died in Cave Spring. John R. Earnest, father of our subject, grew to manhood in Tennessee and received his education there in the early-day subscription schools, fie had passed his twenty-first birthday when he came to Greene county, Missouri, and he worked a year on the old Appleby farm in the northern part of the county, and here he married and settled on forty acres south of Willard. He sold out later and bought another farm in the neighborhood consisting of one hundred and sixty acres. Selling this he bought the old Willey farm of about two hundred and forty acres and operated it until 1866, when he sold out to Henry Willey and moved to the John Murray farm, buying out the Murray heirs, and farmed there for about ten years, then sold out and went to one of the western states and took up a claim, and was killed by a falling tree in 1879. He was a very successful farmer and was a man of influence in Murray township. He was justice of the peace for some time and was administrator in many estates, in which capacity he discharged his duties in a manner satisfactory to all concerned. He was elected county judge and filled this position one term with honor and credit to himself and to the township and county. Fra- ternally, he was an enthusiastic Mason, belonging to the lodge at Ebenezer, Missouri. He was an active Democrat and a local leader in the party. He was a worthy member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, in which he was an elder for years. He was highly esteemed by all who knew him. His wife, Sarah H. McClure, was born in Tennessee about 1832 and her death occurred in Greene county, Missouri, in 1864. He married his second wife in 1865, Bonde A run, a native of Tennessee, who died in Texas in 1904. John R. Earnest was the father of seven children by his first marriage, and three by his second; those by his first wife were named as follows: James H., of this sketch: the second died in infancy: Marv Virginia, Eliza- beth and Nathan are all three deceased; John Charles lives in California; Mrs. Sarah H. Halloway lives in Jefferson Citv, Missouri. The following children were by his last wife; Mrs. Anna Love Saddler lives in Texas; Luther and AValter, both make, their homes in the Lone Star state also. James H. Earnest spent his bovhood days on the farm in Murrav town- ship and assisted his father with the general work during the crop seasons. He received his education in the district schools at Cave Spring and in the old Murray school. Early in life he began farming for himself and operated land in different parts of Murray township, moving to his present farm in 1884. He had eighty acres at first, but prospering through close applica- tion and good management he added to his holdings and now has a finely 1462 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. improved and productive farm of one hundred acres, on which he carries on general farming and stock raising, making a specialty of full-blooded Jersey cattle, which are greatly admired by all who see them, who know how to appreciate live stock of a superior grade. In connection with his general farming he operates a dairy under modern and sanitary methods, and finds a very ready market for his products. He has a pleasant home and a number of convenient, substantial outbuildings, and everything about his place denotes good management and industry. Mr. Earnest has been twice married, first, in 1872, to Mary Ann Par- rish, a native of Greene county, Missouri. She died in 1875 without issue. In 1877 Mr. Earnest married Sarah Frances Staklev, a native of Lawrence county, Missouri, and to this union three children have been born, namely: Ethel, who married William H. Grafton, of Willard, has five children, Joseph, Newman, Homer, Rolla and Kermit; Orville, second child of our subject, married Bessie Lee; they live in Sarcoxie, Missouri, and have one child, Ellen; Bertha, third child of our subject, lives in Powersite, Missouri. Politically, Mr. Earnest is an independent voter, and is a man who takes a deep interest in the general welfare of his township and county. JAMES M. W 1 LKERSON, M. D. Greene county owes a great debt of gratitude to the state of Ten- nessee for the large number of sterling citizens which have located here from that state, perhaps more than from any two other states. They have proven themselves to be people of industry, honesty and public spirit, true types of empire builders. Among this number is Dr. James M. Wilkerson, who has lived in Springfield twenty-six years. Formerly he was a suc- cessful general physician, but later turned his attention to the real estate business in which he has reaped a satisfactory reward. Doctor Wilkerson was born in Bedford county, Tennessee, November 2, 1844. Lie is a son of James and Lydia (Messick) Wilkerson, a fine old Southern family. The father was born in Ireland on a farm in County Tyrone, in the year 1808, and he immigrated to the United States when a young man and established his home on a farm in Bedford county, Tennessee. During the Civil war he removed his family to Arkansas, later to Kansas, where they remained a short time, then came to Lawrence county, Missouri, where the death of James Wilkerson occurred at the age of seventy-three years. He had devoted his life to general farming and stock raising. His wife was a native of Tennessee. Her death occurred in the year 1892. To these parents twelve children were born, ten sons and two daughters. Four of the sons are now deceased. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1463 Dr. James M. Wilkerson grew to manhood on the farm and he received his early education in the common schools. He studied medicine under his brother, W, C. Wilkerson, and Doctor Gray, of Lawrenceburg, Mis- souri, the town at that time containing only a country store. Later he took the regular course in the American Medical School in St. Louis, receiving his diploma in 1878. Locating at Humansville, Polk county, in 1871, where he was married, and soon thereafter he began the practice of his profession which he continued there for a period of eighteen years with a large degree of success, during which period he was regarded as one of the leading physi- cians of the western part of Polk county. He removed to Springfield, in 1888, where he continued the practice of medicine for three years with his usual success, but desiring to take up a business career, he abandoned his profession and took up the real estate business, which he has continued to the present time with ever-increasing success and is rated among the lead- ing dealers in this part of the country and a judge of property values, both city and rural. Doctor Wilkerson was married, July 1, 1874, to Mary A. Ayers, a daughter of Alven Ayers, a native of Virginia, where he spent his earlier life, finally removing to Missouri. He devoted his active life to farming and stock raising. He and his wife are both deceased. They were the parents of five children. Six children have been born to Doctor Wilkerson and wife, namely: Lydia, married Claude Washburn, who was killed in a railroad accident, leaving one son, James, born, January 22, 1899; Mary H., married A. C. Hayward, an attorney, of Springfield, and they have one child, Edgar; two sons and one daughter of our subject died in infancy; Edgar, the youngest child, died when five years of age. Politically Doctor Wilkerson is a Democrat, fraternally a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and he and his wife belong to the Christian church. WALTER HAUN. In different localities the spirit of better things manifests itself in differ- ent ways. Sometimes it takes the form of increasing the fertility of the soil ; at other places there is a demand for good roads ; it is shown in the desire to keep better live stock, to have more attractive farm-yard surroundings or to grow larger crops. It is shown in rural improvement clubs, in home economic organizations, in the consolidation of rural schools, in labor-saving appliances in the home in making the home attractive, and in a general belief that farmers are entitled to as pleasant surroundings as anyone else, and 1464 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. that a richer, fuller life may be better developed in the country than in any other place in the world. In Murray township, Greene county, one sees evidences of progressiveness on every hand, well-kept farms, modernly ap- pointed homes and prosperous contented people. One of these careful farm- ers who owns a valuable place and a comfortable home is Walter Haun, a representative of an old and well-known family in this locality. Mr. Haun was born in the above named township and county, Novem- ber 24, 1875. He is a son of Newton Wright and Nellie (Beal) Haun. Newton W. Haun was born in Monroe county, eastern Tennessee, September 8, 1822. He is a son of Abraham and Jane (Wright) Haun. Newton W. Haun was twice married, first, in eastern Tennessee, May 2, 1854, to Martha I. Heiskell, a native of Tennessee, who died April 21, 1861. He was engaged in the general merchandise business at Sweetwater, Tennessee, for a number of years, finally selling out and removing to Lawrence county, Missouri, where he engaged in general farming until 1867, when he sold out and came to Murray township, Greene county, where he purchased two hundred and thirty-six acres of good land, which he farmed success- fully until his death, December 13, 1887. He was a man of great industry and sound judgment and was rated among the most progressive farmers of the county. He was a good citizen in every respect and was well liked. Politically, he was a Democrat and was active in party affairs, and before leaving Monroe county, Tennessee, he held the office of surveyor one term, but would never accept office in Missouri, preferring to give his sole atten- tion to his large farming and stock-raising industries. He was a faithful member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, was a charter member of the church of this denomination at Walnut Spring and a ruling elder in the same from its organization until his death. His family consisted of nine children by his second marriage, namely: Daniel F., Mrs. Martha R. Blan- kenship, who lives in this township, just east of Willard; William E. lives in Cass township, Greene county; Mrs. May Emmerson, of Springfield; Walter, of this review; Mrs. Ella Tatum, of Center township; George lives in Wilson township; and two who died in infancy. Newton Haun married Nellie Beal in Greene county, Missouri, for his second wife. She was a daughter of Daniel and Nancy (Gibson) Beal. Daniel Beal was born in North Carolina, May 19, 1799. He spent his boy- hood in his native state and learned the cabinet maker's trade. When a young man he went to Giles county, Tennessee, where he and Nancy Gibson were married. She was a daughter of George Gibson. Mr. Beal remained in Giles county, Tennessee, until three of his children were born, and, in 1831, he moved to Crawford county, Missouri, and settled near where Verona now stands. Judge fames White came the same time, and there Mr. Beal GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1465 made a clearing and began his home, he and Judge White being in partner- ship in the land, and, deciding that the tract of land was not large enough for both of them to operate he sold out to the judge and removed to Greene county, and in the latter part of 1833 Mr. Beal settled in Campbell town- ship, on Wilson creek, four miles west of Springfield. He owned two hundred and eighty-eight acres which he cleared up and improved and on which he spent the remainder of his days. When he first came to Missouri the southwestern part of the state was still the home of different tribes of Indians, among whom he did considerable trading, and, finding him honest and kind-hearted, they were very friendly with him. In politics, he was a Democrat and both he and his wife were members of the Baptist church. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Beal, all now deceased but one, Allen Beal, who lives in Texas. The death of Daniel Beal oc- curred in the prime of life. December 7, 1847. Nancy Gibson, his wife, was a native of Tennessee, born near Madisonville, and she died in Greene county, Missouri, on the home farm in the western part of the county. The mother of the subject of this sketch, who died, January, 1915, was born, April 7, 1839, near Springfield and here she grew to womanhood and was educated in the old-time subscription schools. Although she at- tained her seventy-fifth year she was active and had a good memory up until the time of her death. She was well known to the older citizens and led a life fraught with good deeds. Abraham and Jane (Wright) Haun, grandparents of our subject, were natives of Tennessee, the former born in 1790 and he died in 1848. He had devoted his life to general farming in Tennessee, where he and his wife both lived and died. Walter Haun was reared on the home farm in Murray township, and he received his education in the public schools. On October 20, 1904, he married Clara Middlemas, a native of New Zealand. She is the daughter of Thomas J. and Elizabeth (Dickey) Middlemas. The father is deceased, but the mother is still living. To Mr. and Mrs. Haun one child has been born, Doris Virginia Haun. After his marriage, Mr. Haun moved to his present farm of eighty acres, which is one of the finest farms of its size in Murray township, is productive and well-improved, and he built a modern home in 1904, also an up-to-date barn and a large cement silo, all his buildings commanding an ideal view from the roadside and for some distance around, and his is one of the most desirable places in the township. He also owns seven acres of timbered land. He carries on general farming and stock raising, keeping a good grade of various kinds of livestock. He is one of the hustling young farmers of Greene county and is rapidly coming to the 1466 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. front. He takes a just pride in his farm and set of buildings. Politically, he is a Democrat, but no public man, and he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church at Willard, and are faithful in their attendance and support of the same. They are popular with the best circles of this part of the country, well liked by all who know them. CHARLES E. WADLOW. Human life is made up of two elements, power and form, and the pro- portion must be invariably kept if we would have it sweet and sound. Each of these elements in excess makes a mischief as hurtful as would be its deficiency. Everything turns to excess; every good quality is noxious if unmixed, and to carry the danger to the edge of ruin nature causes each man's peculiarity to superabound. One speaking from the standpoint of a farmer would adduce the learned professions as an example of this treach- ery. The farmer has a much better chance to observe and enjoy art as it is found in nature, and, therefore, ought to be a man of the highest ideals and cleanest characteristics. One of the well-known citizens of the north- ern part of Greene county who has been contented with life in the rural districts and has been a close observer of the uplifting things about him is Charles E. Wadlow, who is not only an excellent agriculturist, but a good citizen in the fullest sense of the term. Mr. Wadlow was born on the old home farm in Murray township, Greene county, March 3, 1864. He is a son of John Wesley and Mary Ann (Lethco) Wadlow. The father of our subject was born on Decem- ber 17, 1797, in Washington county, Virginia, now a part of West Vir- ginia, and there he spent his earlier years, removing first to Tennessee, where he remained until about 1835, when he made the rough overland journey to Greene county, Missouri, and settled about twelve miles north- west of Springfield. On July 24, 1837, he married Mary Hastings, and to them seven children were born, namely: Alzirah Jane, deceased; Mary Louisa is living; Sarah Ann, Margaret Elizabeth, Martha Agnes, Matilda Caroline and John W. are all deceased. Mary Hastings was born on Jan- uary 27, 1820, and her death occurred on December 12, 1854. John W. Wadlow married, on November 29, 1858, Mary Ann Lethco. To this sec- ond union were also born seven children, namely: Joanna, Susan Arbell, Charles E., George W. and Dora Emma were twins; Laura May is deceased; and Lillie D. The death of the mother of these children occurred on March 13, 1909. Cyrus Cunningham, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. John Wesley Wadlow was one of GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1467 the early-day leaders in the Southern Methodist church in Greene county. He gave a tract of land on which was built the Wesley chapel, of Murray township, and close by he donated ground for a cemetery, in which he him- self was finally laid to rest, when he had finished his useful, industrious and honorable life at the ripe old age of ninety-two years. In his early days he taught school, and was a justice of the peace in Greene county for many years. He was a successful farmer and accumulated a comfortable fortune by his thrift and honest dealings. He was a well-informed man, was a loyal Democrat and an influential citizen. His wife, Mary Ann Lethco, was born on March 28, 1829, in Richland county, North Carolina, and when twelve years of age she emigrated from that state to Illinois, later to Greene county, Missouri, the family locating near Ebenezer, in Robber- son township. Her death occurred at the age of seventy-nine years; she had been a member of the Southern Methodist church for over sixty years. Charles E. Wadlow spent his boyhood days on the old homestead, where he assisted with the general work, remaining there until he was twenty-seven years of age. He received his education in the public schools, mostly at the Waterloo school-house, later was a student in the preparatory branches of Morrisville College, in Polk county. Later he attended a busi- ness college in Springfield. After his marriage he located near where his present farm is located. He has spent all his life in Murray township, his native county. He has been very successful as a general farmer and stock- raiser and is owner of a finely improved and productive farm of three hun- dred and fifty acres, all in Murray township. They have a pleasant home in the midst of attractive surroundings. Mr. Wadlow formerly handled large numbers of cattle and hogs, and at present he feeds a great many mules from year to year. He built his present commodious residence in 1898, but for seven years previous he had lived in a small house on his farm. Mr. Wadlow was married, November 26, 1890, to Jerena Boston, a daughter of Thomas Y. and Nannie (Killingsworth) Boston. Mrs. Wad- low was born in Greene county, here grew to womanhood and was edu- cated. Her family is well known in the northern part of this county, where they have long been well established on farms. To Mr. and Mrs. Wadlow five children have been born, namely: Ma- bel L., Thomas Wesley, Jerena, Mary Charlotte and Josephine. They are all at home. Politically, Mr. Wadlow is a Democrat, and while he has never been an office-holder, he has been more or less active in party affairs. Frater- nally, he belongs to the Royal Arch Masons, at Springfield, and the Blue Lodge at Willard, being chaplain of the latter. He is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America at Willard. Religiously, he belongs to the Southern Methodist church at Willard and is on the official 'board of the GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1468 same. His wife also holds membership with this congregation and they are both active in church and Sunday school work. As a representative of one of the leading families of Greene county Mr. Wadlow is widely and favorably known, having the reputation of being a good neighbor, and helpful, public-spirited citizen, always ready to assist in any laudable move- ment having for its aim the betterment of his community in any way. WILLIAM H. RATHBONE. If the husbandman is fortunate enough to have the true vision of farming, and starts out to make it a reality, he will certainly find the busi- ness of farming a most profitable one. He will urge the backward acres of his farm into activity that will make them produce an hundred-fold. The highest grades of live stock will be found about his barns. He will ac- quire labor-saving and pleasure-giving machinery and equipment of va- rious kinds. Lie will make his surroundings attractive and he will ex- perience the full joy of living. William H. Rathbone is one of Greene county’s farmers who seems to have the right idea about agricultural matters, and although he does not farm on so large a scale as some, he does it rightly and makes a comfortable living. Mr. Rathbone was born, June 5, 1857, in Rochester, New York. He is a son of Thomas Henry and Sarah Ann (Warr) Rathbone. The father of our subject was born in Warwickshire, England, July 19, 1827, a son of John and Sarah (Taylor) Rathbone, both natives of England, and who have been long deceased. Thomas Henry Rathbone grew to manhood in his native land and married there, finally emigrating, with his wife and two children, to New York, where he spent seven years. Leaving that state, he came to Greene county, Missouri. He was a tinner by trade, which he had learned in England, was quite expert, and he continued to follow his trade in the United States, working at it for some time in Springfield, Missouri, or from the year 1858 to i860, then bought a farm in North Campbell township, consisting of eighty acres, mostly undeveloped, but by dint of hard toil he made a good farm here and remained on the place five years, then took up the tinning business again, leaving the farm in the hands of his sons. Five years later he sold his farm and entered the hard- ware business in what was then known as North Springfield, maintaining the business for a number of years, then sold out and retired from active life. He built a comfortable home on North Jefferson street where he now resides, having reached the advanced age of eighty-eight years. He is a find old gentleman, greatlv beloved by his many friends, for he has lived GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1469 an honorable life and his business career was fraught with much good to those with whom he came in contact. He always tried to follow the Golden Rule explicitly. He is a great lover of flowers and enjoys the sim- ple life. He has been twice married. His second wife was a Mrs. Wright, a widow, and a native of England. To this union five children were born, all of whom died in infancy. By his first wife, Sarah Ann Warr, four children were born, namely: John, deceased; Bernard F. is engaged in the hardware business in Springfield, on the north side; Mrs. Teresa Mas- sev lives in Springfield ; and William Henry, who also makes his home in this city. Mr. Rathbone often recalls the trying voyage to America, spending- three months on the ocean, the captain of the vessel being drunk most of the time and incapable of handling his ship. Drinking water gave out and the passengers were almost starved and famished when they reached New York. During the Civil war Mr. Rathbone was a member of the Home Guards of Greene county and fought at the battle of Springfield, January 8, 1863, when General Marmaduke made his raid on the place. He was in the thickest of the fight and men were killed on each side of him. He had narrow escapes from death. His first wife was a native of the same locality in England where he was born and there she grew to womanhood. She has been deceased many years. Politically, Mr. Rathbone is a Republican. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and belongs to the Second Presbyterian church in Springfield. He is a man of strict Christian character and has always taken much interest in church affairs. William H. Rathbone spent his boyhood days in Greene county, whither he was brought by his parents when only a year old. He grew to manhood on his father’s farm in North Campbell township, and when nineteen years of age started out in life for himself. He received a com- mon-school education. He has been living on his present farm of eighty- three acres for a period of fifteen years, during which he has made many improvements, and lie is very successful as a general farmer and truck raiser. However, after spending seven years on this place, he went to Springfield, where he became foreman of the casting department of the Crescent Iron Works for awhile, but preferring the country, moved back to his farm. Mr. Rathbone was married twice, first to Margaret Potter, a daugh- ter of Henry Potter, a native of Kentucky, who came to Greene county, Missouri, where he located and where Mrs. Rathbone was born and reared. She has been deceased for some time. To this union one child was born, Mrs. Lou Lamson, who lives near Strafford, Greene county. Mr. Rath- bone's second wife was Emma Fielder, a daughter of Thomas Fielder, and 14/0 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. to this union one child also was born, Mrs. Rosa Potter, who lives at Ebe- nezer, Greene county. Politically, Mr. Rathbone is a Republican. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias, and his wife is a member of the Methodist church in Springfield. HOMER GLENN FRAME, M. D. A farmer may take good care of all his crops and animals and conduct his business at a profit, but he will find an added enjoyment and an increased profit by giving especial attention to some one crop 1 or animal. Suppose a farmer’s specialty is corn. If he does his duty by his pet crop he will raise some of the best, if not the best, corn in the neighborhood. He will not only have greater profits in the ordinary use of the crop, but the demand for his seed-corn will enable him to dispose of a large amount of it at bet- ter than the average price of seed-corn. The necessity of using only the best seed is yearly becoming more appreciated, and the man who has the reputation of growing the best corn is the one that seed buyers will seek. The reputation is the reward for building up a specialty. It is well known that the specialty of Dr. Homer Glenn Frame, of Cave Spring, Cass town- ship, Greene county, is alfalfa. Many of the farmers of this locality have doubted the practicability of attempting to grow alfalfa, but he is proving that our land will produce good crops of it, and showing wherein it would be to an advantage of many of his fellow tillers of the soil to let up awhile on planting their land to corn, wheat and other grains until the soil is ex- hausted and build it up with alfalfa, which is not only an excellent soil restorer but is a very profitable crop from a financial standpoint. The re- sults he has obtained have been plainly visible. He is one of our progres- sive citizens who believe in scientific, intense farming, who is setting a splen- did example, for his methods are advanced and in time will have to be adopted by most husbandmen of this section of the state. Doctor Frame is also one of the leading physicians of the county and is widely known. He is active in the practice, farming being only a hobby or avocation. Doctor Frame was born in Center township, near Bois D’Arc, Greene county, Missouri, June 26, 1877. He is a son of J. William and Delilah Edna (Jones) Frame, a highly respected family of this county, mention of whom is made in a separate sketch in this volume, hence their life records will not be repeated here. Dr. Homer G. Frame spent his boyhood days on his father’s farm, where he worked hard, and he received his education in the district schools of his township, also attended high school at Marionville, Lawrence county. His father also owned a store in Bois D’Arc, in which our subject clerked GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1471 for some time. Deciding to enter the medical profession, he went to St. Louis, when twenty years of age, and took the course at Washington Uni- versity, where he made an excellent record and from which institution he was graduated with the class of 1902, with the degree of Doctor of Medi- cine. He further prepared himself for the successful practice of his chosen calling by spending one year as interne in the City Hospital, of St. Louis, and was also house surgeon for six months in the Missouri Pacific Railroad Hospital, in St. Louis, and he was also connected with the Frisco system for a year as surgeon in the company’s hospital at Cape Girardeau, Mis- souri, after which he came to Bois D’Arc, his boyhood home, where he practiced successfully for three years, and on August 10, 1909, located at Cave Spring, where he has remained to the present time, and has built up a lucrative practice, which extends over a wide locality, and has been very successful as a general practitioner. He also holds a pharmaceutical degree, issued by Missouri state commissioners. He has remained a close student of all that pertains to his profession, and has, therefore, kept fully abreast of the times, and he ranks in the fore-front of medical men in a county long noted for the high order of its medical talent. Although very busy with his professional duties, he is deeply interested in farming, es- pecially in the culture of alfalfa, as before stated, and he is experimenting with twenty acres of alfalfa on his neat and tastily-kept little farm at Cave Spring, where he has a comfortable home and attractive surroundings. Doctor Frame is a public-spirited man, being an advocate of good roads and general public improvements, and stands ready to aid any move- ment having as its object the betterment of his community and county in any way. Doctor Frame was married, December 30, 1903, to Olive Baker, a native of Bois D'Arc, Greene county, where she grew to womanhood and was educated. She is a daughter of Thomas J. and Susan J. (Johnson) Baker, the father a native of Tennessee and the mother was born in Greene county, Missouri. The Bakers are well known and highly respected in Center township, this county, and vicinity. Four children have been born to Doctor Frame and wife, namely: Mary, the youngest child, died in infancy; Evelyn, Edna and Dorothy. Politically, Doctor Frame is a Republican. He is a member of the Greene County Medical Society and the Southwest Missouri Medical Society. Fraternally, he is a member of Masonic Lodge No. 624 at Wil- lard, Missouri, and he and his wife are members of the Christian church at Cave Spring, the doctor being a deacon in the same. Personally he is a genial, kind, neighborly gentleman, who bears an excellent reputation for integrity, honesty and kindness, and is very popular throughout his com- munity. H7 2 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. THOMAS TOLIVER BROWN. When Thomas T. Brown, one of Greene county's honored citizens of a past generation, passed away, there was added to the list of lamented dead whose earthly records closed like the “good and faithful servant” spoken of in Holy Writ, and as long as memory remains to those who knew him the influence of his noble life will remain as a source of encouragement and inspiration. “Our echoes roll from soul to soul and grow forever and forever,” according to the poet Tennyson, and the good we do lives after us through all the ages, handed down from generation to generation. Who, then, can measure the results of a life work? Not to condemn, but to aid, Mr. Brown made the practice of his life, and many of his friends and acquaintances are better and happier for his having lived, for though the voice is stilled in death, the spirit of his work remains as the deep under- current of a mighty stream, noiseless but irresistible. His influence was as the delicate fragrance of a flower to those who had the pleasure of his friendship. His sympathies were broad and ennobling, and his life was beautiful in its purity and virtues. Mr. Brown was born May 20, 1856, in Newton county, Missouri. He was a son of Smith W. and Mary (Goodman) Brown. The mother had been previously married to a Mr. Brock. The father came from Tennessee to Missouri in 1856, and the mother of our subject also came from that state. Smith W. Brown was a man of fairly good education. He studied law in his youth, was admitted to the bar, and practiced his profession in Greene county for several years. During the Civil war he enlisted in Com- pany F, Eighth Missouri Volunteer Infantry and served three years in the Union army, taking part in several battles and a number of skirmishes. He was also recruiting officer for a time. After the war he returned to Greene county and took up masonry, also continued practicing law. He drew a pension from the government in later years, having been wounded in one of the battles of the war. He continued the practice of his profession until his death in 1 910, but spent many years on the farm, and he was active in the affairs of the Masonic Order. Thomas T. Brown was one of two children by his father's first marriage, he having been the eldest. The other child, a girl, died in infancy, the mother dying about the same time. His father married a second time but did not live long with this wife, separating when the subject of this sketch was two and one-half years of age. The elder Brown hired a family named Bailies in Bois D’Arc, this county, to take care of Thomas T., and the latter remained in that home three years then went to live with his grandfather, with whom he remained until he was about seven years of age, when Smith W. Brown married a third time, MR. AND MRS. THOMAS T. BROWN. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1473 moved to Greene county after the war and here spent the rest of his life. Upon his last marriage he took our subject into his home and there he remained until he was fourteen years of age when he left home. In the meantime he had been attending school and obtained a meager education. When he was nineteen years of age he was married to Nancy Owens, Sep- tember 16, 1875. She is a daughter of Richard and Nancy (Garoutte) Owens, natives of Tennessee and Indiana, respectively. To Mr. and Mrs. Owens eleven children were born, namely: James was a soldier in the Civil war and was killed in the battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas ; Isabelle married Andy Chaisteen, of Greene county, is deceased; Andrew J. lives in Okla- homa; Charlotte married Martin Marias and is now deceased; Richard W., deceased; Bernice is the wife of William Brakebill and they live in Greene county, Missouri ; Mary married George Likens and they live in Greene county; Napoleon B. lives in Douglas county, Missouri; Nancy Elizabeth is the widow of the subject of this sketch; Sampson B., and Jeremiah both live in Lawrence county, this state. All the above named children lived to be grown, and the youngest one living was fifty years old in April, 1914. To the union of Thomas T. Brown and wife the following children were born: Effie is the wife of Robert Nelson and they live in Barry •county, Missouri, and have ten children; May, deceased, was the wife of Ferd Jackson, and left five children; Dollie F. is deceased; Lulu, deceased; Sam R. lives in Pond Creek township, this county, and has four children ; Katherine is the wife of Roy Browning and they live in Greene county and have five children ; Richard, and Smith, both live in this county also ; Martha W. is the wife of Chris Bielier and they live in Greene county, and have one child; Mary V. is the wife of Dal Davis of this county and have one child ; the two youngest children were twins and died in infancy. Mrs. Nancy E. Brown has twenty-nine living grandchildren and one great grand- child, all of this generation, and all but one live in Greene county. Mrs. Brown owns an eighty-acre farm of rich bottom land, one of the desirable small farms of this part of the county. It is operated by her youngest son who has remained at home. He is married and has one child. Thomas T. Brown devoted his active life principally to agricultural pursuits; however, he was for many years engaged in other occupations. Soon after his marriage he wept into the drug business which he followed about two years, then sold out and started a nursery business on his farm, which he managed in connection with farming for six years. Later he took stock in the corporation known as Owen & Cahill, which manufactured fence building machines, and was connected with this concern for four vears, then secured employment with the L. E. Lines music house of Springfield, r 93) 1474 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. with which he remained for a period of seven years, or until his health failed, causing him to give up active business and retiring to his farm in Ponk Creek township, where he remained until his death about six years later, on September 4, 1909. He was very successful as a business man and gave entire satisfaction to his employers. He was broad-minded, far- sighted and was a good mixer, and, dealing honestly with the business world, always bad the confidence of those with whom he came in contact. Fraternally he was a member of the Modern Woodmen. Politically he was not a party man, voting for the man rather than the party. He was a man of upright character and loyal in his friendships, and his death was a loss to the community. AMBROSE POTTER, M. D. If we would stop trying to get the money that the other fellow earned, without giving something in exchange, the biggest problem of life would be solved. We quite often want more than our share. Dr. Ambrose Pot- ter, a popular and efficient young physician of Ebenezer, Robberson town- ship, Greene county, is one of those who take a delight in bringing succor to suffering humanity — who delights in giving more in this world of ours than he receives. Such a man is always admired in whatever community he may cast his lot, and his record is most commendable and should be emu- lated by others. Doctor Potter was born in Christian county, Missouri, February 11, 1886. He is a son of Christopher Columbus and Mary Elizabeth (Fon- dren) Potter. The father was born in Greene county, near Strafford, on November 27, 1858, and there he grew to manhood, received a common school education, and remained on his father’s farm until his marriage, in 1878, later removing to Christian county, where he bought one hundred and forty-four acres of land. Prospering by hard work and good manage- ment he added to this until he is now owner of a fine farm of two hundred and sixty acres, where he carries on general farming and stock raising and is one of the leading farmers of that county. Politically, he is a Democrat, but has never sought political leadership. Fraternally, he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America at Ozark; the Court of Honor at Kenton, Missouri ; and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Ozark. He is a member of the Christian church at Sparta. His family consists of five children, namely: Laura, deceased; Ambrose, of this sketch; Mrs. Alta Lawson ; Agnes and Angie, twins. The mother of these children was born in Greene county and here grew to womanhood and received a common- GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1475 school education. She is a daughter of Ambrose and Nancy (Yeary) Fondren. Doctor Potter grew to manhood on the home farm in Christian county and there worked in the summer months, attending the public schools dur- ing the winter, later the high school at Ozark. He taught one term of school in Christian county. Later he took the prescribed course in the St. Louis College of Physicians and Surgeons, which he entered in Septem- ber, 1907, and from which he was graduated with the class of May, 1911, with an excellent record. After leaving college Doctor Potter returned to Christian county, and successfully passed the state board examination in June, 1911, at Santa Fe, New Mexico, and he practiced his profession at Las Vegas, that state, one year, and although he was building up a good patronage, he preferred his own state, and, returning to Missouri, took the state board examination in St. Louis in June, 1912. Soon thereafter he located at Ebenezer, Greene county, where he has since resided, enjoying a successful and growing practice, and, judging from his past record, the future must find him one of the leading general practitioners in a community long noted for the high order of its medical talent. Doctor Potter was married, October 5, 1912, to Rosa Rathbone, a daughter of William Henry and Emma (Fielder) Rathbone, a sketch of whom appears on another page of this volume. Mrs. Potter received good educational advantages and is a young lady of commendable domestic and social qualities. The union of our subject and wife has been without issue. Doctor Potter is the official registrar of births and deaths of Robber- son township. He and his wife are genial and neighborly and have made many friends since locating at Ebenezer. WILLIAM W. GRANT. The people who constitute the bone and sinew of this country are not those who are unstable and unsettled; who are always moving from one locality to another ; who fly , from this occupation to that ; who do not know how to exercise the proper duties of citizenship, and who take no active and intelligent interest in affairs affecting schools, churches and public institutions. The backbone of this country is made up of the families that have made their homes ; who are alive to the best interests of the community in which they reside ; who are so honest that it is no trouble for their neigh- bors to know it ; who attend to their own business and are too busy to at- tend to that of others; who work on steadily from day to day, taking 1476 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. the sunshine with the storm and who rear a fine family to a comfortable home and an honest life. Such people are always esteemed in any com- munity and any country. They are wealth producers, and Greene county is blessed with many of them, among which is the Grant family, of Murray township. William W. Grant, one of the agriculturists and influential citizens of Murray township, Greene county, was born in the vicinity where he now lives February 12, 1863, and here he has been content to spend his life, all his active years being spent in one vocation. He is a son of Henry and Eliza (Williams-East) Grant. Henry Grant was born November 8, 1825, in Tennessee, and was a son of John and Catherine Grant, both natives of Tennessee, where they grew up, married and spent their lives, never leaving the state. Henry Grant grew to manhood in Tennessee, received such educational advantages as the early-day subscription schools afforded and there he was married in 1848, and subsequently removed with his family to Greene county, Missouri, settling in Murray township. Early in life he learned the blacksmith’s trade and followed this in connection with farming here the rest of his days, being known as a very skilled mechanic and his shop drew customers from all over this part of the county. Here his first wife died in 1859 and he married, in i860, Mrs. Eliza East, a daughter of Abner and Mary (Folden) Williams, and the widow of Sidney East, who had died previously. Mention of her parents is made in the sketch of Howard B. East on another page of this work. Henry Grant was a successful farmer and at one time owned over eleven hundred acres of good land. He is deserving of a great deal of credit for what he accomplished, having begun life here on a small capital, renting land at first, in Cass township, then bought a farm which he later sold, and in 1870 bought two hundred acres in Murray township. He carried on general farming and stock raising on an extensive scale and ranked among the leading farmers of the county, was an exceptionally good judge of live stock. In the fall of 1871 he went south with twenty head of mules, which he sold to Southern planters. He was a man of influence and did much for the permanent good of his locality, throughout which he was highly respected. Flere his death oc- curred on February 12, 1882. His widow has survived him thirty-two years, being now eighty-three years of age, and is still hale and hearty and capable of doing a good day’s work. Her mind is keen and she is in possession of all her faculties, and she talks most interestingly of pioneer days in Greene county. She is greatly beloved by all who know her, and is a woman of fine Christian sentiment. To Henry Grant and wife five children were born, namely: John Abner, of Murray township; William W., of this sketch; Henry Folden, of GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1477 Springfield;- one died in infancy; and Mary Eliza, who also died young. By her union with Sidney East our subject's mother had three children, namely: Alvin Monroe is deceased; Howard Bentley, president of the Bank of Willard, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work; and Tabitha Clementine, who died in infancy. William W. Grant spent his boyhood days on his father's farm in Murray township, where he gained a thorough knowledge of the various phases of husbandry. He was nineteen years of age when his father died. He received a good practical education in the common schools of his dis- trict, which has later been supplemented by wide home reading and by contact with the world. Mr. Grant was married February 24, 1S84, to Dora E. Wadlow, who was born in Greene county, February 20, 1867, and here she grew to woman- hood and was educated. She represents a prominent old family here, and is a daughter of John Wesley Wadlow and Mary Ann (Lethco) Wadlow, an extended mention of whom is made on another page of this volume in the sketch of Albert Sidney McLinn, to which the reader is respectfully di- rected. After his marriage Mr. Grant rented a farm near his mother's home and there got a good start. He moved to his present farm in the fall of 1890, where he owns one hundred and sixty acres of finely improved, well- cultivated and productive land on which he has made a pronounced success as a general farmer and stock raiser. He has a commodious home in the midst of attractive surroundings and large and substantial outbuildings. Everything about the place denotes thrift, prosperity and good management. An excellent grade of well-kept live stock is always to be found at his place. To Mr. and Mrs. Grant eight children have been born, namely: George Herman, who died in 1899 at the age of fourteen years; William Errick married Edna Jones, a native of Greene county, and they have three chil- dren. Manota, Irene and Lonzo ; Clara married Ike Jennings, of Cave Spring and they have one child, Dora Margaret; Ralph, Emma Jane, Floyd died in 1912 at the age of eight years; the seventh child, a twin of Floyd, died in infancy, unnamed; and Arthur, who is the youngest. Politically, Mr. Grant is a Republican and while he has taken an abiding interest in local public affairs, has never cared for public office, preferring to devote his attention to his farm and home. He is a member of the Masonic Order at Willard, also the Eastern Star and the Court of Honor of that town. He was reared in the faith of the Baptist church. Mrs. Grant belongs to the Methodist church. They are popular in Murray township and are regarded as good neighbors and worthy of every con- sideration. 1478 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. JOHN POLK CAMPBELL. Agriculture is the greatest among all the arts of man, as it is the first in supplying his necessities. It favors and strengthens population; it creates and maintains manufactures; gives employment to navigation and transportation, furnishing materials for commerce. It animates every species of industry, and opens to nations the safest channels of wealth. It is the strongest bond of well-regulated society, the surest basis of internal peace, and the natural associate of correct morals. Among all the occu- pations and professions of life, there is none more honorable, none more independent, and none more conducive to health and happiness. One of the successful farmers of the pioneer period of Greene county, Missouri, was John P. Campbell, a native of this locality, having been among the early white children born here, and, here, amid the wilderness scenes of the early times, he spent his life, dying many years ago when still a young man. Mr. Campbell was born in Springfield, Missouri, January 2, 1835. He was a son of Junius T. and Mary (Blackwell) Campbell, who came to Greene county, this state, from Tennessee in the earliest frontier days and located their permanent home on a farm, and here our subject grew to manhood, and assisted his father clear and develop the place. He received his education in the early schools of Springfield ; later attended school in Fayetteville, Missouri, for some time. Then young Campbell, after leaving his paternal roof-tree, began farming for himself, and became owner of a good farm five miles from Springfield, where he engaged successfully in general farming and stock raising until his death, which occurred on October 18, 1878. Mr. Campbell was married on January 20, 1857, to Sue E. Gray, a daughter of Elijah and Anna (Brooks) Gray. These parents were natives of Virginia, where they grew to maturity, were educated in the early schools, and there were married and began housekeeping, later removing to the state of Tennessee, where they remained some time, then came to Springfield, Missouri, when their daughter, Sue, was but two years of age and' here she grew to womanhood and attended the common schools. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. John P. Campbell, three of whom are living at this writing, namely: Mary Frances, who married Charles W. Doling, formerly a merchant of Springfield and a well-known citizen here, now deceased, his death having occurred on May 27, 1892, leaving four children, James Francis, Rafe Campbell, Charles Lee and Lillian Elizabeth. Mrs. Doling is at this writing principal of Berry ward school in Springfield and is one of the popular educators of the county. She and her daughter, Lillian Elizabeth Doling, are both members of the GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. H79 Daughters of the American Revolution. The other children of J. P. Campbell and wife were James Madison and Richard Huntly, both deceased; John Polk is farming in Greene county, this state; James is deceased; Robert Bruce is living on the old home place near Springfield, which he operates; Russell Vinton is deceased. Politically Mr. Campbell was a Democrat, and he was a member of the Christian church. Mrs. Campbell, now advanced in years, is living on South Jefferson street, Springfield. NICHOLAS POTTER. Everybody in Brookline township, Greene county, knows Nicholas Potter, now living in retirement, after a long career at the forge, during which there was no more highly skilled blacksmith in the county. He is a pioneer here, for it was fifty-four years ago that he first cast his lot with us, at the time the ominous clouds of rebellion were gathering, and, although born under an alien flag many thousand miles away from here, he enlisted his services in behalf of his adopted country during that great struggle. He has seen the locality develop from a comparatively wild state to one of the foremost farming communities in the state, and he has always taken just pride in the same. Mr. Potter was born in Uerceg, Prussia, September 29, 1834. He is a son of Nicholas and Katerine Potter, both natives of that country also, where they grew up and were married, established their home and spent their lives. Both the father and grandfather of our subject were blacksmiths by trade. Neither of them ever came to America. Nicholas Potter, of this sketch, who was one of seven sons, spent his boyhood in his native land and there received his education in the common schools. In 1853, when nineteen years of age, he emigrated to the United States, as did so many of his countrymen at that period. His first four years in the New World were spent in New York and New Jersey. In 1857 he came on to the interior, locating at Jefferson City, Missouri, where he finished learning the blacksmith's trade, a rudimentary knowledge of which he had gained under his father in the old country. After remaining there some time he went to Glasgow, this state, for about a year and a half, and in i860 came to Little York, near Springfield, Greene county, and began working at his trade. When the war broke out he enlisted in the Home Guards, June 11, 1861, and fought in the great battle of Wilson’s Creek, August ioth of that year, after which he was honorably discharged, but he 1480 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. continued with the Union army, following his trade of farrier, until July 1, 1865. After the war he returned to Greene county and worked at his trade in Springfield a few years, locating in Little York in 1867, and in 1873 located in Brookline Station, upon the completion of the Frisco rail- road to that point, and here he has since resided, maintaining a blacksmith shop up to a few years ago, when the infirmities of old age made it neces- sary for him to give up active life. He is now eighty years old, but is comparatively hale and hearty. Flis shop was always a popular one, and. his patrons came from all over this section of the country. Mr. Potter also owns eighty acres of good land in Brookline township. Mr. Potter was married, March 26, 1866, to Louisa Philips, a daughter of William Philips, a prosperous farmer near Brookline, Greene county,, where she grew to womanhood and received a common school education.. She is one of eleven children. A son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Potter, John, whose birth occurred in 1867. He is now in the employ of the Frisco railroad, with which he has been connected since 1891 ; he married Jane Stuldley, of Brookline, and they have three children, two sons and a daughter'. A daughter was. also born to Nicholas Potter and wife, Mary Ellen, whose death occurred at the age of nineteen years. Politically Mr. Potter is a Republican, and religiously he and his wife belong to the Baptist church. WILLIAM C. MURPHY. There was a valuable acquisition to the Greene county bar when Will- iam C. Murphy began the practice of his profession in Springfield. Although young in years, he has had the proper preliminary training for a lawyer and also possesses the required natural characteristics. He is deserving of the highest degree of success in his chosen vocation, for his. ambition is a laudable one and he has fought his way upward from an early environment that was none too auspicious. Mr. Murphy was born at Festus, Jefferson county, Missouri, July 11, 1879. Hu is the son of John J. and Delia Iola (Bradfield) Murphy. The father was born in New Albany, Indiana, of Irish parents. Fie grew to manhood at New Albany and there received his education in the public schools and learned the glass workers’ trade. In 1876, when twenty-one years of age, he went to Crystal City, Missouri, where he met and married the mother of the subject of this sketch. She is a daughter of Charles R. Bradfield and wife, whose family consisted of five children. To John GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 148] j. Murphy and wife ten children were born, namely: William C, of this, sketch, and John Patrick, twins; Elizabeth married Albert Welch, a mer- chant, farmer and stockman of De Soto, Missouri, and they have one child, Lynn; James C., who lives in Festus, this state, married a woman from Tennessee and they have three children; Daniel L. is a stenographer and lives at Festus; Nellie died in infancy; Thomas Lee was accidentally killed at the age of seventeen; Francis H. is farming on the old home- stead m Jefferson county; Dennis, born on February 22, 1899, lives at Festus and is by nature an artist of ability; Edgar W. was born in 1905. William C. Murphy was reared on the home farm and there did his share of the work when of proper age, and in the winter he attended the public schools at Festus, Missouri, and was graduated from the high school there, also was graduated from the high school at Crystal City, this state, after which he entered the State Normal at Kirksville, borrowing money in order to do so, and graduated from that institution in 1905. He sub- sequently entered the law department of Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, also took other studies, such as political economy, and was grad- uated from that institution in 1907 with the degree of Doctor of Laws. Returning home he took the state bar examination in 1907, which he suc- cessfully passed. But instead of beginning at once the practice of his pro- fession he taught school two years with success. In 1909 he went to Mal- vern, Arkansas, where he became superintendent of city schools, after which he went to Stuttgart, that state, and taught a year. In 1910 he came to Springfield, Missouri, opened an office in the Woodruff building in part- nership with his twin brother, J. Patrick Murphy, and here they have been engaged in the practice of their profession with ever-increasing success, and are regarded as among our most promising young lawyers. William C. Murphy was married on May 23, 1908, to Elizabeth Hed- dell, a native of Festus, Missouri, where her family has long been well known and highly respected, and there she grew to womanhood and received a good education. To this union three children have been born, namely: Ruth Elizabeth, born on March 1, 1909: Esther Heddell, born on December 9, 1910, and Major Wilson, born on November 4, 1913, was named after .the governor of Missouri and the President of the United States. Politically Mr. Murphy is an ardent Democrat and is active in political affairs. He was appointed city tax attorney of Springfield in 1912 and he made such a commendable record that he was re-appointed to the same office in 1914, and is now serving his second term in a manner that reflects much credit upon himself and to the satisfaction of all concerned. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. Religiously he is a member of the Presbyterian church. 1482 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. Mr. Murphy and his twin brother have been very closely associated vvith each other all their lives, and doubtless the friendly rivalry that has always existed between them has been in no small manner instrumental in their success. They are deserving of a great deal of credit for what they have made of themselves, possessing the characteristic thrift, wit, keen discernment, broad-mindedness and high sense of honor of the Celtic race, from which they descended. THOMAS YEAKLEY. This biographical memoir has to do with a character of unusual force and eminence, for the late Thomas Yeakley, whose life chapter has been closed by the fate that awaits us all, was for a long lapse of years one of the prominent citizens of Greene county, having come to this section in pioneer times, and he assisted in every way possible in bringing about the transformation of the country from the wild condition found by the first settlers to its latter-day progress and improvement. Whiie he carried on a special line of work in such a manner as to gain a handsome compe- tence for himself, ranking for decades among the most extensive and pro- gressive agriculturists and stock men of this section of the state, he also belonged to that class of representative citizens who promote the public welfare while advancing individual success. There were in him sterling traits which commanded uniform confidence and regard, and his memory is today honored by all who knew him and is enshrined in the hearts of his many friends. Mr. Yeakley was born in Greene county, Tennessee, November 25, 1829. He was a son of John and Matilda (Grills) Yeakley. John- Yeakley was also a native of Greene county, Tennessee, his birth occurring- there on November 15, 1809. He was a son of Henry Yeakley, of Pennsylvania Dutch stock. The latter married Susanna McNeece, who was a daughter of Isaac McNeece, a native of Scotland, and a weaver by trade. As early as 1804 the Yeakley family located in Greene county, Tennessee, and there to Henry Yeakley and wife the following children were born: Samuel, who was a soldier in the War of 1812, and was at the battle of Horse- shoe, fought by Gen. Andrew Jackson; Mary, Henry, Isaiah, Elizabeth, Lydia, Ann, George, John, Joseph, Malachi, Jacob and Betsey, all of whom lived to reach manhood and womanhood. Henry Yeakley, father of the above named children, owned and operated a farm, but he was by trade a gunsmith. ETe had obtained a practical education in the German language, GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1483 but also spoke intelligent English and was a well-informed man in every respect. He died at an advanced age and was buried in the old Quaker church cemetery in Greene county, Tennessee. His wife was a little girl when the battle of Brandywine was fought, in Revolutionary times, was near the field and saw the battle, about which she frequently related stirring- incidents to her children in after years. She was a Quaker, while Mr. Yeakley was a Lutheran, and both were deeply religious. John Yeakley, father of the subject of this memoir, was reared on the old homestead in Tennessee and when a young man, learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed as his main vocation throughout the subsequent years of his active life. He retained until his death an old anvil which his father took with him from Pennsylvania to Tennessee, now one hundred and ten years ago. John Yeakley was well acquainted with Azariah Doty, who lived to be over one hundred and four years old and who was one of General Marion’s men during the war for independence. When twenty years of age Mr. Yeakley married Matilda Grills, in 1829. She, too, was a resident of Greene county, Tennessee. To this union six children were born, namely: Thomas, Henry, Rhoda, Betsey A., Jane and Benjamin, who died when a child. In the fall of 1839 he removed with his family to Missouri and after passing the winter in Polk county, came to Greene county in the spring and settled on eighty acres on which he spent the rest of his life, in west Center township. The journey from Tennessee was made in a small two-horse wagon. The Ozark region was at that time a wild and sparsely settled country, a great portion of which was covered with great forests in which there was an abundance of wild game. Henry Yeakley’s farm lay along Big Sac river. This he cleared and improved into a valuable farm, through much industry, and prospered with advancing years, becoming an extensive land owner, and he gave each of his sons a good start in life. His first wife died and he subsequently married Eliza Allen, who also died, and he took for his third wife Margaret L. Cochran, to whom he was married on November 4, 1880. For many years Mr. Yeakley voted the Whig ticket, having cast his first vote for Andrew Jackson and his last on that ticket for Peter Cooper. In later life he was a Republican. In his religious views he was always a Methodist, and assisted to build the first Methodist church in west Center township, called Yeakley Chapel, and when it burned he gave the land for a new church which he assisted to build and which also took the name of Yeakley Chapel, and he served as steward in this church for a number of years. His last wife also attended this church and was one of the prin- cipal teachers in the Sunday school, although she held membership in the Presbyterian church in Lawrence county. During the Civil war Mr. Yeak- i4§4 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. ley remained neutral, and, contrary to the usual custom, was left unmolested,, having only two stands of bees stolen, one by the Federal and one by the Confederate soldiers. But both armies took heavy toll from his neighbors. Thomas Yeakley, the immediate subject of this sketch, was ten years of age when he accompanied the family from Tennessee to Missouri, and he grew to manhood in Greene county and here spent the rest of his life. A complete biographical sketch of this unusual man’s life would be a his- tory of the development and growth of the county. He often recalled the incidents of the journey across the rough country from his native county to this, the trip requiring several weeks. In the wagon were his father, mother, and brothers, Henry and Benjamin, and sister, Rhoda, besides himself. In the party were Henry, Nathan, Ann and Bettie Paulsell, also Daniel Delaney and family, Jonathan Pickering and family. School opportunities in Greene county three-quarters of a century ago were meager and not much in the way of “book learning” could be had, but while young Yeakley did not learn much from text-books he learned how to work in a pioneer environ- ment, and was naturally intelligent and investigating and he not only pros- pered with advancing years, but became a well-informed man on current topics. On July 17, 1851, he married Elizabeth M. Young, a daughter of George B. and Margaret (Deeper) Young. She was born on August 17, 1834, in Lafayette county, Missouri, and was brought to Greene county when one year old, the family locating in Republic township, where her father entered land from the government and he and his wife died here. He was a prosperous farmer and when he died owned several hundred acres, of Greene county land. Thomas Yeakley devoted his life to agricultural pursuits and was unusu- ally successful, having been a man of great industry, sound judgment and wise foresight. In 1854 he settled on the land where his widow now resides. The place then consisted of but forty acres on the edge of Grand Prairie, and by industry and thrift he added to it until he became owner of about twelve hundred acres of as fine land as the county affords. Through it runs Pond creek and Big Sac river. It is very productive and has been brought up to a high state of cultivation in improvement, all of which improvements our subject himself made and planned, and which do much credit to his intelligence and progressiveness. Pie carried on general farm- ing and stock raising on an extensive scale and was a leader in his line of endeavor. Politically, Mr. Yeakley was a Democrat, but never sought to become a public man. He was always interested in the cause of education and assisted to build up fully one-half of the first school houses in his district, in fact, no man ever did more for the locality in which our subject spent the major portion of his long, useful and honored life. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1485 To Thomas Yeakley and wife six children were born, namely: John, who died in early life; James also died young; George, who is a successful and widely known farmer and stock man of the vicinity of Republic, mar- ried Celestia J. Redfern, and a full sketch of them is to be found on another page of this work; Henry is deceased; Margaret M. (known to her friends as Maggie), was married on March 22, 1887, to Dr. Edwin B. Robinson, of Bois D'Arc, this county, who died several months after their marriage ; he was a graduate of the Missouri Medical College of St. Louis, of the class of 1879, an d i n 1882 was graduated from Bellevue Hospital, New York City, after which he practiced in that institution for three months and then at Bois D'Arc, where he built up a good practice; Mrs. Robinson subse- quently became the wife of W. E. Drum, for many years a successful mer- chant of Bois D'Arc, where he died several years ago and his widow is a resident of Springfield. Rebecca, youngest child of our subject, is deceased. The mother of these children is a devout member of the Methodist church and is a broad-minded, neighborly and charitably inclined lady who numbers her friends only by the limits of her acquaintance. During the Civil war Thomas Yeakley had several narrow escapes from death. He did not take active part in the strife, remaining at home as a secret service agent in the employ of the government. He was on sev- eral occasions attacked at night and in one encounter was slightly wounded •by a bullet which passed through the house in which he was living. Upon being called to the door one night and commanded to light a match, Mr. Yeakley responded by firing at his unwelcome visitors. They retreated, bearing away a badly wounded companion, their trail being marked with blood. That he had frustrated an attempt at murder was shown in sub- sequent developments. On the day of the battle of Wilson’s Creek, August 10, 1861, he visited the battlefield with some of his neighbors, mixed with the soldiers and saw the dead and wounded the next day. Mr. Yeakley, who was reputed to be one of southwest Missouri's wealthiest and most influential men and who had lived on the same farm for the unusual period of sixty years, was summoned to his eternal rest on May 11, 1914, at the advanced age of eighty-four years. Rev. J. B. Ellis, formerly president of Morrisville College, now living retired at his home in the suburbs of Springfield and for many years a presiding elder in the Methodist Episcopal church. South, in this state, conducted the funeral at \ eakley Chapel, and he had the following to say concerning Mr. Yeakley's religious life and church relations, in part: “Thomas Yeakley united with the Methodist Episcopal church. South, :some years after the Civil War, at a small church a few miles northwest i486 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. of Republic. About 1875 he set about a parcel of ground four miles south of Bois D’Arc for church and cemetery purposes. A substantial building was erected and he became a charter member of this class. He was a liberal supporter of his own church, and likewise of other churches, having- assisted in the erection of many churches in Greene and other counties. He was interested in the general welfare and contributed to various enter- prises and benevolences.” JOHN SJOBERG. Wherever one is located or whatever his circumstances may be, there is almost always some way out of difficulties, some way to rise above untoward circumstances and environment if sufficient thought is given. Many people complain that they cannot find a position suitable for their qualifications; it is a good rule to do what you find at hand to do and do it well; by and by something better is very likely to present itself ; do this also well, and eventually still better things will be offered until one’s ambition is better satisfied. John Sjoberg, proprietor of the Central Shoe & Leather Company, of Springfield, is one of our best examples of a successful self-made man, who, by honest, earnest effort, has advanced from a modest beginning through his individual efforts to a position of importance and influence in the industrial circles of Greene county. He believed from the start that the goal of his aims would be reached in due course of time if he made the most of his immediate opportunities and planned wisely for the future. His example might well be emulated by other young foreign-born citizens who come to this country and to whom the outlook at the start is discouraging. Mr. Sjoberg was born in Sweden, November 22, 1866. He is a rep- resentative of an industrious old Swedish family, his father having devoted his active life to farming. He is one of a family of five children, two of whom are now deceased. Mr. Sjoberg was left an orphan in early life, his father dying when lie was nine years old and his mother passed away when he was twelve years of age. His early education, obtained in the common schools of his native land, was limited, but this lack has been made up in later life by contact with the world and by persistent home reading along general lines, until he is today a well-informed man and an intelligent conversationalist. He remained with his family while learning the trade of shoemaker, for which instruction he paid fifty crowns a year for two years. He applied himself diligently and became an expert. He worked as a journeyman until he was twenty years of age, then served his required time in the Swedish army, GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. I487 after which he started a shoe shop of his own. The future of such a busi- ness at that time and in that place did not present a very rosy aspect to him, so, obtaining permission from the government to leave his native land, he set sail for the United States, and located in Springfield, Missouri, in 1888, where he has since resided. He not only had to start life here with- out capital, but was in debt for about half of his fare from the old country. But nothing daunted, he set to work with energy and ambition, soon adjusted himself to new conditions, manners and language and for a year and a half worked for wages in a local shop at his trade, then bought a small shop of Ins own, having the meanwhile saved his earnings and also paid his living expenses and his debts. He did general repairing for four years in his own shop, then began to branch out into a larger business by carrying in stock a few half-soles and other minor materials in his line, increasing the same as his meager capital permitted. His little shop was only nine by fifteen feet. After five years his business had increased to such an extent that he was obliged to seek larger quarters, in which he spent five years also; this was on Boonville street, near the Central hotel, and while there he added a considerable stock of leather goods and shoes, his business rapidly increasing and he employed a number of assistants. In 1910 he moved into the retail district and has since occupied commodious quarters at 325-327 East Walnut street, where he maintains an attractive, well-arranged, convenient and well-stocked store and manufacturing plant known as the Central Shoe and Leather Company. He does an extensive wholesale leather and shoe findings business’, keeping a capable salesman on the road continuously. Aside from his wholesale department he operates a large retail shoe store and shoe shop, employing a number of experienced assist- ants and he does a large business in all departments. Four men are kept at work in his shop in which modern machinery of all kinds has been installed, and high-grade work is promptly done. He is at this writing making plans to increase his wholesale department, the business of which already extends over a wide territory in the Southwest. He has been very successful in a business way during his career in Springfield of over a quar- ter of a century, and he is owner of a good Greene county farm and a fine home which he built in 1909. Mr. Sjoberg was married in 1892 to Hulda Ohrn, a native of Sweden, in which country their romance began when young, and after prosperity attended his efforts in the new world he induced her to come here and they were joined for life’s serious journey. Their union has been blessed by the birth of three children, namely: Florence is a graduate of the Springfield high school ; Arthur will graduate from high school with the class of 19 1 L and Dorothy, who is attending ward school. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1488 Politically Mr. Sjoberg is a Republican. Fraternally he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is past grand; he also holds membership in the Modern Woodmen of America. Personally he is a sociable, companionable and obliging gentleman, whose word is regarded as good as the bond of most men by those with whom he transacts busi- ness and his personal habits have ever been above criticism. JOHN T. McNABB. We are told that civilization follows the flag. Would it not be more appropriate to say that it follows the ax? Civilization never found its headquarters in the woods. The mighty ax must first clear the land and hew out the logs for the pioneer's cabin. Without it our ancestors could not have subdued the wilderness and made smooth the way for American civilization. Therefore the little insignificant ax is civilization's fore- runner. Its ring through the forest is the trumpet call, directing the onward march of the army of progress. The flying chips mark the fotosteps of those who fight in the army’s van. Let us then not forget to render due homage to the ax. Among those who blazed the way with this instrument for present-day progress and prosperity is John T. McNabb, a farmer and respected citizen of Republic township, Greene county, who came to the Ozark region when it was still mostly undeveloped, so he did his full share of the work of clearing the wild land and bringing it up to its present state of cultivation. Mr. McNabb was born in Polk county, Tennessee, September 23, 1859. He is a son of Taylor and Margaret D. (Whaley) McNabb. Grandfather McNabb w r as a native of Scotland, from which country he emigrated to -America before the Revolutionary war and he was a soldier in that war. Taylor McNabb was a native of South Carolina and Margaret D. Whaley was born in Georgia. They spent their early lives in Georgia and Tennessee, received such meager educational advantages as the schools of those early times afforded and were married in Dixie land. Taylor McNabb was twice married, the mother of our subject having been his second wife. Fie became the father of a large family. Five of his children were born to his first union, -namely: Lucretia, deceased; Vovaline, deceased; Ann is the wife of Sam Hocksett and lives in Oklahoma; the fourth child is deceased: Virgil lives in Georgia, The following children were by Taylor McNabb and his sec- •ond wife: Mrs. Louisa Nicholson, a widow, lives in Georgia; L. T., deceased; -Mary, wife of Lon Bates, lives in Tennessee; Bettie, wife of Frank Jack, GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. I489 lives in Tennessee; William T. and a twin brother are both deceased; Rachael, deceased; Victoria, deceased; Clementine, deceased; John T. of this sketch is the youngest. John T. McNabb received his education in the common schools. He was fifteen years old when his father died. He remained on the home farm in Tennessee until he was twenty-one years of age, then emigrated to Greene county, Missouri in December, 1881, landing here with but a wife, a horse and eighteen dollars in money. He located in Republic township. He is deserving of a great deal of credit for what he has accomplished. Although starting out in life with nothing he has worked hard and managed well, and today is owner of one of the choice farms of his township. He first rented land here and raised a crop in partnership with Hugh Boyd, then moved on a farm on the James river, near Nelson's mill, but the fol- lowing fall moved across the line into Christian county, remaining there twenty-three years. Having prospered, he purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, and twelve years ago he returned to Republic township, buying one hundred and twenty acres more, place now known as the Oak Grove Stock Farm. All of his land is under cultivation but fourteen acres. He also owns sixty acres in Section 29, Republic township, having an aggre- gate of three hundred acres on which he carries on general farming and stock raising on an extensive scale. His land is well improved and he has an attractive home and large, convenient outbuildings, and an excellent grade of live stock is always to be seen about his place. Mr. McNabb was married on October 19, 1879, to Sarah Adaline Land, a daughter of Hester and Lucindy (Baker) Land, natives of Tennessee, where they spent their earlier years, finally emigrating to Greene county, Missouri. Mrs. McNabb was born in 1864 and was one of nine children, namely: Mrs. Ann Couch lives in Republic township; Jane, Maggie, William, Thomas are all deceased; John lives in Ash Grove; Ellen, deceased; Yankey is deceased; and Sarah A., wife of our subject, is the youngest. She grew to womanhood on the home farm and received a common school education. To Mr. and Mrs. McNabb eleven children were born, eight of whom are still living, namely: Margaret is the wife of John Gray, of Stone coun- ty; Taylor lives in Republic engaged in automobile business; Walter, deceased; Mrs. Delilah Richardson lives in Republic township; Benjamin lives in Christian county; Dave lives in Oklahoma; Earthy, wife of E. Clark, lives in Greene county; Bertha, wife of E. M. Mullikin, lives in Springfield; Virgil lives at home; the two youngest children died in infancy, unnamed. Politically Mr. McNabb is a Progressive. Fraternally he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mrs. McNabb is a member of the Royal Neighbors, and they both hold membership in the Baptist church. ( 94 ) 1490 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. Personally Mr. McNabb has inherited many of the winning character- istics of his sterling Scotch ancestors, such as determination, courage, indus- try, fortitude and unswerving honesty, and these together with other equally admirable traits have combined to make him a successful man and a good citizen. H. A. LOWE, M. D. There is no positive rule for achieving success, and yet in the life of the successful man there are always lessons which might well be followed. The man who gains prosperity in any vocation is he who can see and utilize the opportunity that comes in his path. The essential conditions of human life are ever the same, the surroundings of individuals differ but slightly, and when one man passes another on the highway of life to reach the goal of prosperity before others who perhaps started out in life before him, it is because he has the power to use advantages which probably encompass, the whole human race. Although yet young in years, Dr. H. A. Lowe, president of the board of directors of the Southwest hospital, of Spring- field, stands among the progressive, prominent and successful physicians and surgeons in a locality long noted for the high order of its medical talent. The qualities of keen discernment, sound judgment and quick per- ception have entered very largely into his makeup and have been contrib- uting elments to the professional success which has come to him. Doctor Lowe was born in Berwick. Newton county, Missouri, Sep- tember 21, 1884. He is a son of F. M. and Flora (Roberts) Lowe. The father was born in Tennessee and when a child his parents removed with him from that state to Newton county, Missouri, where the grandfather of our subject established the future home of the family on a farm and there spent the rest of his life, dying prior to the breaking out of the Civil war ; and there the father, F. M. Lowe, grew to manhood, received such education as the old-time schools afforded and there married Flora Rob- erts, a native of Newton county, Missouri, and whose parents were natives of Tennessee. To F. M. Lowe and wife eight children were born, four sons and four daughters, namely: H. A. Lowe, our subject; Kirk C., who lives in Butterfield, Missouri ; Charles, deceased ; Vida Belle married a Mr. Pennel and they live near Butterfield, Missouri ; Bessie, Bruce, Blanche and Britt are all living at home. When a young man, the doctor’s father began life as a general farmer and stock raiser which he continues to follow with gratifying results. Both parents are still living near Butterfield, Missouri. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. I 49 I Dr. H. A. Lowe grew to manhood on the farm in Newton county and mere made himself generally useful when ot proper age, and m the winter months he attended the puonc schools ot his community, later spent two years in the rierce City baptist College, then studied three years at Drury College, Springheid. in due course of time he entered the medical depart- ment of the St. Louis University, where he made a splendid record, and from which institution he was graduated with the class of 1909, alter four years’ study. He also had a year's hospital training at Alexian Brothers’ Hospital m St. .Louis. He came to Springfield in 1910 and began the prac- tice of his profession, and for two years was associated with the late Doc- tor Terry, one of the leading surgeons of Greene county of a past genera- tion. The association continued until the death of Doctor Terry, 111 1912. Doctor Lowe is president of a board of directors, composed of five leading Springfield physicians, that built the Southwest Hospital here, which was designed for the general public and is open to the patients of all reputable physicians. It has been a pronounced success from the first, is modernly equipped in every respect and pleasantly and conveniently located, and an efficient corps of trained nurses are constantly in attendance. It is managed under a superb system and is rapidly growing in public favor. The other members of the board of directors are Dr. T. O. Klingner, vice- president; Dr. D. U. Sherman, secretary and treasurer; Dr. AI. C. Stone and Dr. E. F. James. Doctor Lowe confines his practice strictly to surgical work and has become one of the leading men of his profession. Politically Doctor Lowe is a Democrat, and fraternally he belongs to the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, the Scottish Rite Masons, and has attained the thirty-second degree and Alystic Shrine. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias. GEORGE YEAKLEY. Crop management is a scheme, not a lot of practices. An important part of it is the rotating or alternating of crops on given areas. In other words, pre-arranged, permanent plans must be carried out in order to obtain the best possible results. The properly managed farm not only becomes an annual income producer, but leads on to what is tantamount of an endow- ment policy or an annuity during the declining years of the farmer, and, finally, resolves itself into a provision for the family of those the farmer leaves behind at the close of life. One of the most successful general farm- 1492 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. ers of Republic township is George Yeakley, a representative of one of the old and prominent families of the western part of Greene county. Mr. Yeakley was born on the old homestead in Republic township, this county, March 31, 1856. He is a son of Thomas and Elizabeth M. (Young) Yeakley, whose family consisted of six children, four sons and two daugh- ters, all now deceased except the subject of this sketch and a sister, Mrs. Margaret Drum, widow of W. E. Drum. Those deceased are John, James, Henry and Rebecca. The Yeakley family emigrated from Tennessee to Missouri in 1840. The father of our subject was ten years old when he removed from has native locality, Greene county, Tennessee, to Polk county, this state. After living there about a year the family moved to Greene county, settling in what was then known as Center township, and not long thereafter the father, Thomas Yeakley, entered and purchased from the government a large tract of land. This he improved and carried on general farming and stock raising here the rest of his life, adding to his holdings from time to time until he finally owned fourteen hundred acres of valuable land and was regarded as one of the most extensive and successful general agricul- turists in the western part of the county, and was a progressive and public- spirited citizen, a man of fine character, and he did much for the general improvement of his neighborhood-. His death occurred on May 11, 1914, at the advanced age of eighty-four years, leaving behind him a host of warm friends and a record of a well-spent and honorable life. The mother of our subject was born in Lafayette county, Missouri, in the year 1834. She was the daughter of George Young and wife. Mr. Young was a native of Hawkins county, Tennessee, whose family consisted of four children. He came to Missouri in pioneer days and located in Lafayette county. The mother of our subject is living at an advanced age. George Yeakley grew to manhood on the home farm in Republic township and there assisted with the general work when a boy. He received his education in the local schools and when young in years took up farming and stock raising for his life work and this has engaged his close attention to the present time, and he has met with very gratifying results all along the line, having inherited much of his father’s thrift and foresight. He owns a well-improved and productive farm of eight hundred and sixty-five acres in Republic township, which is adorned with a pleasant home and numerous substantial outbuildings. One may see about the place at all seasons large numbers of sleek, well-bred live stock which form no small portion of his annual income. Mr. Yeakley was married on December 27, 1877, to Celestia J. Red- fern. She is the daughter of Joseph Redfern, a native of Tennessee, from GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1493 which state the family came to Greene county, Missouri, in an early day and established their future home. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Redfern, an equal number of sons and daughters; three sons and three daughters survive. Six children have been born to George Yeakley and wife, namely: Minnie, who married Ed. Shook, now engaged in the implement business in Springfield, has one child, Edwin; Lucile is the wife of Robert E. Mans- field, a railroad man, and they have one child, Robert Y. ; Bessie is the wife of Take Frame, a farmer; Hattie is at home with her parents; Thomas Pauline is the youngest; the second oldest of the children died in infancy. Politically Mr. Yeakley is a Democrat, but has never cared for public office, preferring to devote his attention to his large farming and live stock interests and to his home. He and his family are members of the Metho- dist Episcopal church, and the family stands high in the community. EGMONT RAUM. To a great extent the prosperity of the argicultural sections of our country is due to the honest industry, the sturdy perseverance and the wise economy which so prominently characterizes the foreign element, both those who have come direct from European nations and their American- born children. All will agree, after so much as a mere cursory glance over our forty-eight states, that they have entered very largely into our popu- lation. By comparison with their “old country" surroundings these people have readily recognized the fact that in the E T nited States are to be found the greatest opportunities for the man of ambition and energy. And be- cause of this many have broken the ties of home and native land and have entered earnestly upon the task of gaining in the new world a home and a competence. Egmont. Raum, one of Greene county's hard-working farmers, is one of this class. Air. Raum was born on August 9, 1849, i n Eeutzen, Province of Saxony, now a part of the German Empire. He is a son of John William and Emelie (Grosse) Raum, the father having been born in Altenhof near Dueben-on-the-Mulde. He grew up and was educated in his native locality and became a minister in the Lutheran church. He was the father of two sons, Egmont, our subject, being the eldest, and Fred, who is living in Florida. The father served his required time in the German army when a young man. His death occurred in 1890 at the age of seventy years, his wife having died in 1880 at the age of fifty-three years. 1494 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. Egmont Raum grew to manhood in Erfurt, in the Province of Saxony, and there received his education and remained until 1865, when sixteen years of age', when he left the Fatherland and set sail for America, and after a tedious voyage of sixteen months, in which time he rounded Cape Horn, landed on our shores on Christmas day, 1866, at New York City. He soon became a sailor and followed the sea until 1875. His work was satisfac- tory and he was gradually promoted and was first mate for years, when he was given a master's certificate, but never served. In 1875 he came to Greene county, Missouri, and purchased forty acres of land from the Atlantic & Pacific Railroad Company, now the Frisco. On this small tract he went to work earnestly and, managing well, prospered. From time to time he added to his original purchase until he became one of our large land owners and prosperous farmers, his place now containing two hundred and eighteen acres of valuable and well-improved land, well located in Campbell township on the Mt. Vernon street road, near Springfield. He carried on general farming and stock raising on an extensive scale and also maintained a dairy. Formerly he made a specialty of raising mules, but is now practically retired, engaged principally in raising various grains, following a five-year system of crop rotation, and therefore he not only reaps abundant harvests, but keeps his land in first-class fertility. He has a large and neatly fur- nished home and substantial outbuildings, everything about his place indi- cating that a master hand is at the helm. Just before he quit his seafaring life Mr. Raum made a visit to his boyhood home in Erfurt, in the Province of Saxony, and married there Eleonore Berndt, a native of Erfurt, and a daughter of Henry Berndt and wife of that place, and there she grew to womanhood and was educated. Her father was a wholesale and retail leather merchant. His wife was known in her maidenhood as Mary Otto, and she was a daughter of a car- penter and contractor. Mrs. Raum has one sister, Anna, who lives in Europe and is the wife of a minister. To Mr. and Mrs. Raum three children* have been born, who survive at this writing, namely: Egmont, Jr., born on July 6, 1888, who is engaged in farming; William, born on July 20, 1891, also a farmer, and Emelie D., born on September 18, 1882, who is at home with her parents. The sons were given sixty-five acres each of good land by their father, and they live on places adjoining that of our subject and are each good farmers. One daughter, Anna, died at the age of five years. Politically Mr. Raum is a Democrat, and he belongs to the Lutheran church. He has long been prominent in the affairs of the Masonic order. He is one of the directors of the Masonic building in Springfield. He is past master of the Blue Royal Arch lodge, and was excellent high priest GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1495 for two years of Springfield Royal Arch chapter, No. 15, and worthy patron of the Order of Eastern Star for four years, Crescent chapter, No. 20. He is well known and has made a host of warm friends during his residence here of forty years. He is held in high esteem as a result of his upright character and many good personal qualities. STEPHEN HENRY COLE. A well-known and successful north side groceryman is Stephen Henry Cole, who belongs to that class of American citizens who are enterprising, thorough-going and industrious, and who rise in a few years by their own -efforts from a condition of dependence to one of stability and independ- ence. In fact, he is a self-made man in all which that much-abused term implies, and the property he has accumulated is the result of his own honest industry. Mr. Cole was born in Pemiscott county, Missouri, July 29, 1856. He is a son of Mexico Cole, who was born in Tennessee in 1811, where he spent his boyhood, removing from there to Pemiscott county, this state, in 1832, among the early settlers, and bought a farm at Cottonwood Point, which he developed and on which he established his future home. This land is still in the possession of the Coles. Although much of his attention was given to his farm, he practiced medicine a great deal, having been a physi- cian of the old school. In 1831 he married Julia Chilcutt, in Henry county, Tennessee, and to this union sixteen children were born, and in addition they reared two orphan boys. Of this large family only two are living at this writing, Stephen Henry, of this sketch, and Mrs. Nancy Patrick. Several of the sons served in the Confederate army, one under Gen. Sterl- ing Price. The death of Dr. Mexico Cole was a tragic one, he having been killed in a cyclone in 1869, a tree having fallen on him while riding through the woods on horseback. Stephen H. Cole grew to manhood on the home farm where he worked when a boy and in the winter he attended the rural schools in his com- munity. On December 11, 1880, he left home and came to Seymour, Web- ster county, and there ran a transfer line for a period of eight years, then began his career as groceryman in that town, where he remained seven years and enjoyed a good business with the town and community, then removed to Springfield, where he followed the grocery business at various stands for a period of seventeen years, with the exception of eight months spent in Oklahoma in a grocery store. He now operates a modern and neatly GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1496 kept grocery at 1000 East Commercial street, where he carries a large stock of staple and fancy groceries and, dealing courteously and honestly with his scores of customers, has built up an extensive trade. Mr. Cole was married, August 6, 1876, to Nancy L. Cunningham, a daughter of Green and Nancy (Martin) Cunningham, natives of Ten- nessee and North Carolina, respectively. Mr. Cunningham has devoted his active life to farming, having removed from his native state to Pemiscott county, Missouri, about the year 1863, in the winter. His family consisted of nine children, only two living at this writing, our subject's wife and Belle Randolph, who lives in Senatobia, Mississippi. To Mr. and Mrs. Cole six children have been born, namely: Mrs. Etta Gentry is the wife of a merchant at Canyon City, Colorado; Frank is engaged in the. transfer business at Shawnee, Oklahoma; Mrs. Carrie Moore is the wife of a-coach builder and thev live in Springfield; Mrs. Iva Carter is the wife of Harry A. Carter, the storekeeper at Villa Grove, Illinois, for the Chicago & Eastern Illinois railway; Earl is engaged in the transfer business with his brother at Shawnee, Oklahoma; Charlie died when twenty- three years of age; he was next to the youngest in order of birth. Politically Mr. Cole is a Democrat. He belongs to the First Con- gregational church, Springfield. Fraternally he is a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, with which he united twenty-nine years ago, having joined at Seymour, Missouri, Lodge No. 363, and he has never transferred his membership. He has been given a twenty-five-year badge by this order. Fie is one of the best known grocerymen in Spring- field and enjoys a wide friendship among his erstwhile patrons and his pres- ent customers as a result of his excellent personal characteristics. ANDREW JACKSON BODENHAMER. The faculty with which the American soldier laid down the implements of war, at the close of the great conflict between the Northern and Southern states, and adapted himself to the pursuits of civil life, has been the wonder of all nations, and scarcely less surprising than gratifying to the American people themselves. While not a few very profound citizens of the Republic were speculating as to what was to become of the thousands of men mus- tered out of the armies, the question was solved by the ex-soldiers them- selves, who quietly stepped into the ordinary walks of life, bent the force of circumstances to their will, and became the chief promoters of a national progress which is without parallel in history. One of these honored veter- GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1497 ans is Andrew Jackson Bodenhamer, a venerable farmer of Campbell town- ship, and one of the oldest native-born citizens of Greene county. He has spent his life, which embraces three-quarters of a century, in this locality and has seen many vast changes in that time. He has lived on the same farm over half a century. Mr. Bodenhamer was born in Greene county, Missouri, September 13, 1839. He is a son of Jacob and Nettie (Goss) Bodenhamer, one of the pioneer families of this county. The reader will find adequate mention of them in the sketch of Louis F. Bodenhamer on another page of this volume. Andrew J. Bodenhamer grew to manhood on his father's farm, wnere he worked hard on the raw land and with the primitive agricultural imple- ments of those frontier days. He received a limited education in the old- time rural schools and when a young man took up farming for himself, which he has made his life work, now owning a good farm of one hundred acres in Campbell township, where he has resided since the war, his wife having purchased the place in 1863. He has paid a great deal of atten- tion to the raising of live stock in connection with general farming. On July 29, 1862, Mr. Bodenhamer enlisted for service in the Federal army, in Company A, Eighth Missouri Cavalry, and saw much hard service, taking part in many battles and skirmishes, serving until the close of the conflict under General Herron and General Davidson. Much of his time as a soldier was spent in Arkansas and he fought at Fort Smith, Van Buren, Little Rock and Prairie Grove, and was taken prisoner during the last named engagement. At the close of the war he was honorably discharged and returned home, resuming farming in Greene county. On September 6, i860, Mr. Bodenhamer was united in marriage with Elizabeth Charlotte Wharton, a daughter of Emsley and Sarah (Crow) Wharton, who were among the old families of this locality. Mr. Wharton served in the Civil war in the same company and regiment in which our subject served, but it became necessary to discharge him before the close of the war owing to disability, sickness having overtaken him while at the front. He was born in North Carolina, September 22, 1821, and his death occurred on September 28, 1898, in this county. His wife was born in Tennessee, February 2, 1825, and her death occurred in this county, Feb- ruary 8, 1899. They were both buried at Danforth cemetery. Thev were the parents of eight children, namely: Elizabeth C., wife of our subject, was born February 1, 1843; John William, born on October 20, 1844, lives on a farm in Greene county; Martha J., born on January 6, 1849. lives O Tulare. California; Mrs. Eliza Green, born on December 11. 1850. also makes her home in Tulare, California; Sarah C., born on December 22, 1852, lives in Portland, Oregon; Emsley Lee, born on January 13, 1833, died GRF.ENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1498 when nineteen years of age; Mary Lucinda, born on January 12, 1858, lives in Rogersville, Missouri; Mandy Tissie, born on February 6, 1861, lives m California. The father of these children devoted his life to general farm- ing. Politically he was a Democrat, and he belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church, South. To Mr. and Mrs. Bodenhamer the following children were born, namely: Sarah Alice, born in 1861, is a graduate of the high school at Henderson, Missouri, she married j. A. M. Lanier, and they live on a farm in Greene county; Martha T., married J. E. Dennis, and they live near Rogersville, this state; Nettie J., who was educated at Mountain Home, Arkansas, is the wife of G. F. Dennis, and they live on a farm near the home of our subject; Emsley Lee, who is employed as salesman for the Diffenderffer Implement company, of Springfield, has an individual sketch of himself and family on another page of this work; Ira G. is engaged in farming in California. Politically Mr. Bodenhamer is a Democrat, but he has never been active in political affairs. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he has been an active worker for many years. LOUIS F. BODENHAMER. Much worthy effort is expended in producing good crops, but often- times a gain in the best of crops is lost by feeding to inefficient live stock, d here is no surer way of losing money than by feeding crops to animals, the products or gain from which do not pay the cost of feeding. Some men attribute their success to the particular kind of crops they grow or the particular way of feeding live stock. More likely their success is due to a good-sized farm business, good or average crops and a superior quality of live stock. One of the young farmers of Greene county who, judging from his success, understands the proper handling of his grains and live stock so as to get the best results is Louis F. Bodenhamer of Campbell town- ship, who lives on the old homestead just east of the outskirts of Springfield. Mr. Bodenhamer was born on the place where he now lives, June 16, 1878. He is a son of Joseph J. and Laura (Farris) Bodenhamer, and a grandson of Jacob and Nettie (Goss) Bodenhamer. The father of Nettie Goss was a major in the Revolutionary war. Jacob Bodenhamer was born in North Carolina, where he spent his boyhood, and in a very early day immigrated to Greene county, Missouri, in 1842, settling in what is now a part of Webster county. He was a prosperous farmer and at one time owned GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. r 499 seven hundred acres of land. After spending eight years on the first place he settled here, he removed to the place now occupied by our subject, which he improved and on which he spent the rest of his life. He erected the first frame house ever seen in this part of Greene county. He became promi- nent in public affairs, and was for some time presiding judge of the county court, serving for one dollar per day, riding daily from his home to the court house when there was business to transact. He was- a Thomas H. Benton Democrat. His death occurred in i860 and he was buried in the family cemetery near his home. His wife was a native of North Carolina and they were married there. To them eighteen children were born, only five of whom are living at this writing, namely: Joseph J. and Jacob E., twins, the latter living in California; Martin Van Buren lives at Mountain Home, Arkansas ; Andrew Jackson lives in Greene county, and Thomas H. Benton lives at Rogersville, Missouri. Joseph J. Bodenhamer was born on November 20, 1834, in North Carolina and there he spent his early childhood, being eight years of age when his parents brought him to Missouri and here he grew up on the farm, working hard in helping clear and improve the wild land and he received a meager education in the early-day schools. He has devoted his life to general farming and is still active, living on the homestead east of Springfield. He has managed well and has made a success. During the Civil war he enlisted in the state militia, and served in the Federal ranks under General Holland, being in the same regiment with his twin brother, but the rest of his living brothers were in the regular Union army. After the war he returned to his farm and has since lived a quiet uneventful life. On January 6, 1859, he married Elizabeth W. Steele, of this county, and to them three children were born, namely, John A., James E., of Eldorado, Oklahoma, and Elizabeth E. The wife and mother died on December 10, 1870, and on November 13, 1871, he chose for his second wife Laura Farris. This union resulted in the birth of only one child, Louis F., subject of this sketch. The death of Mrs. Laura Bodenhamer occurred on January 19, 1898. Joseph J. Bodenhamer was in his earlier life a Democrat, but is now a Socialist. He is a member of the Christian church. He is a well- read man and an intelligent conversationalist. He is widely known and has friends all over the county, having lived here over three-score and ten years, and during this long period saw many important changes in the county and city. Louis F. Bodenhamer was reared 011 the home farm and he received his education in the country schools, later taking a two-year academy course. On October 3, 1909, he was united in marriage with Iva Gerhardt, a daugh- ter of Fred J. and Mattie (Molderj Gerhardt. She was born in Camden i5°° GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. county, Missouri, and was educated in the common schools. Her father is a prominent man in that county and holds the position of judge of the first district there. His wife is a native of Tennessee. Louis F. Bodenhamer has remained on the home farm and is success- fully engaged in general farming and stock raising. He is a Democrat, and fraternally he belongs to Mum ford lodge No. 738, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he is past grand knight. Fie also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. THOMAS FOGARTY. Special adaptability to any particular calling in life is the one necessary adjunct to permanent success. No matter what be the amount of vim and determination which characterizes a man’s start in business, unless he is to the manor born he will ultimately find to his sorrow that his line has been falsely cast, and the quicker he draws aside and takes up another call- ing the better it will be for him, and perhaps for others as well. That young man is indeed fortunate who knows what he is fitted for by nature and starts out in his career along the line which he can successfully follow to the end; but few do this, as the records show. That Thomas Fogarty, organizer and proprietor of the Sanitary Plumbing and Pleating Company, of Springfield, is especially fitted for the calling that now occupies his at- tention can not be doubted, for he has built up a large and rapidly grow- ing business, and his scores of patrons are always well satisfied with his work. Mr. Fogarty was born in County Clare, Ireland, January 20, 1872. He is a son of Michael and Bridget (Keating) Fogarty, and a grandson of James and Mary (Linnane) Fogarty. James Fogarty was a native of the Emerald Isle, and there he devoted his life to farming and died in his native land at the age of eighty-four years. His wife died suddenly of cholera during the epidemic of 1847. They were Catholics. To them seven chil- dren were born, four sons and three daughters ; three of the former and one of the latter came to America. Michael Fogarty was reared in Ireland, where he was married, and spent his life as a farmer, dying there at the age of sixty-two years. His widow is still living in Ireland, being now seventy-two years of age. fames, one of their sons, emigrated to the United States a few years prior to the breaking out of the Civil war, and during the latter part of that conflict he was drafted into the Union army and served a short time. To Michael Fogarty and wife eleven children were born, four sons and seven daughters, namely: Patrick came to Spring- GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. I SOI field, Missouri, when nineteen years of age, about 1878, and was yardmas- ter here for the Frisco Railroad for a period of twenty-five years, being finally killed by accident while on duty; John S. has remained in Ireland; Mrs. L. G. Schab lives in Quincy, Illinois; Katie is teaching school in Ire- land; Thomas, of this sketch; Mrs. James Bayner lives at Castle Bar, Ire- land; Michael died when twenty-one years of age; Mrs. John Waters is teaching school in Ireland; Mrs. Thomas Fogarty, who married a man of her own name, but no relation, lives in Ireland; Nora is single and lives in Springfield, Missouri; Nellie S. is teaching school in Ireland. Thomas Fogarty, of this review, grew to manhood in Erin's Green Isle and there he received a good education, attending college until he was nineteen years of age, when, in the year 1891, he emigrated to America and came direct to Springfield, Missouri, where he has resided ever since, hav- ing liked the town and country from the first. Soon after his arrival here he secured a position as fireman with the Frisco and continued to work in this capacity for, a period of six years, then was promoted to engineer and worked as such for two years. Finally tiring of the road, he turned his attention to the plumbing business, associating himself with the Standard Plumbing company here, which maintained offices on the south side. He seemed to have natural ability in this line of endeavor and soon mastered its various details. In 1908 he organized the Sanitary Plumbing and Heat- ing company, the present place of business of which is on East Commercial street. Under his able management this concern has grown to large pro- portions and is doing an ever-growing and lucrative business in general plumbing and heating. The firm is well ecpiipped in every respect for prompt and high-grade service, keeping all modern apparatus and equipment and a full stock of well-selected material of all kinds, and a number of skilled artisans are constantly employed. Mr. Fogarty was married on April 30, 1902, in Springfield to Laura O'Hara, a daughter of Jerome and Isabell (Mudd) O’Hara, a well-known family here, Mr. O'Hara being president of the Citizens Bank of Spring- field for years, but is now retired. He was a native of Illinois. His family consists of seven children, namely: Frank J. is a traveling salesman and lives in San Antonio, Texas; L. J. is in partnership with our subject in the plumbing business; John is deceased; Mrs. P. J. Turley lives in Spring- field; Laura, wife of the subject of this sketch: Mrs. J. J. Lawler lives in Springfield; Airs. Mamie O'PIara lives in this city. Jerome O'Hara, mentioned above, came to Springfield in 1895 and for many years was proprietor of the firm of O'Hara & Son, who were engaged in the dry goods business on East Commercial street, but later he went into the banking business. He has been highly successful as a business man and is a highly respected citizen. 1502 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Fogarty, namely: Harry is deceased; Francis Thomas, Clarence J., John A., Isabell and Margaret. Politically Mr. Fogarty is a Democrat. He is a member of the Catholic church. Fie is a prominent member of the Knights of Columbus, having been financial secretary of the local lodge for a period of eight years. In 1913, at the state convention of this order which was held at Joplin, he was elected supreme delegate to the convention at Boston, Massachusetts. He went from there back to Ireland to visit his mother, brother and sisters. He is also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Mod- ern Woodmen of America, the Improved Order of Red Men and the Eagles. He is a jovial, obliging and open-hearted gentleman whom it is a pleasure to meet, and he has a host of friends in Springfield and over this part of the state. NELSON GARRETT BUTLER. The farmers of this generation are learning that with the change of climate and general conditions in the Ozark region they must employ some- what different methods in tilling the soil, learning, among other things, that continued cropping exposes the -land to various weaknesses of the particular crop that is grown, and as no two crops extract the same proportion of plant food, the continually grown crop is bound to lessen the available fer- tility of one or more of the principal soil constituents. Rotation has the effect of making available all of the plant food element, and as the average soil is generally well supplied with fertile material, depletion will come that much sooner unless proper steps are taken to maintain the principal soil ingredients. These and many other problems of modern farming are well understood by Nelson Garrett Butler, a farmer of Republic township, Greene county. Mr. Butler was born near Ozark, Christian county, on a farm, October 24, 1857. He is a son of Benjamin and Emily (Morland) Butler, both of whom came from Michigan to Christian county, Missouri, in an early day or during the Civil war period, and shortly after locating here Mr. Butler joined the Lhiion army, and was in a number of battles, serving sev- eral years, during which he contracted a disease which disabled him, resulting in his discharge from the service. He returned home, but soon contracted smallpox, which caused his death in March, 1862, and about a month later his widow also died. They were the parents of eight children, namely: Frank is living but his whereabouts are unknown; Will is engaged in farming in Ore- GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1503 gon; Norman lives in Oklahoma; Fernando is deceased; Benjamin lives in .Republic, township ; Nelson G., subject of this sketch; Mrs. Mary Myers lives in Oklahoma; the youngest child died in infancy.. The parents of the above named children were living on our subject's grandfather's farm at the time of their deaths, and Nelson G. Butler continued to live with his grandfather for some time, then went to make his home with an uncle when about seven years of age, with whom he remained until he was ten years of age, when he went to live with an older brother, remaining with him about a year, after which he went to live at the home of Matt Martin and there he remained about six years, then came to Greene county and hired out to James Decker, but after a short time hired to Thomas Rose, for whom he worked two years, also worked for G. W. O'Neal two years, then went to California and lived in that state four years, working on a farm. Returning to Missouri he located in Cedar county, and a year later came back to Greene county and once more took up his abode at the O’Neal home. Mr. O'Neal moved to Republic to look after his lumber yard there, and left our subject in charge of his farm. Later Mr. Butler rented Mr. O'Neal’s farm and operated it for five years, and while there purchased eighty acres of land in section 13, Republic town- ship, built a comfortable home thereon and moved into it. He has managed his affairs in a successful manner and is now owner of a productive farm of one hundred and seventy-six acres, on which he carries on general farming and stock raising. Mr. Butler was married on September 12, 1886, to Martha Britain, a daughter of James and Eliza (Wade) Britain. The father was born in this county, but the mother's birth occurred in the state of Georgia, and from there she came to Greene county, Missouri, when she was a child. She is one of nine children, named as follows: George, deceased; Nancy, deceased; Thomas, deceased; James lives in Republic; Martha, wife of our subject; Eliza is the wife of Albert White, of Republic; Harvey is deceased; Harry and Laura, twins, the former lives in Pond Creek township, this county, and the latter is deceased. Mrs. Butler received her education in the common schools of Pond Creek township, where she grew to womanhood. Our sub- ject received his education in Christian and Webster counties. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Butler, namely: Elsie is the wife of Sam Brown, of Pond Creek township; Nadie is the wife of George O'Neal, of Republic; Maude is the wife of Ed. Mooneyham, of Pond Creek township; Frank lives with his parents and helps work the home farm. Politically Mr. Butler is a Republican, and has always voted this ticket in national affairs since reaching manhood. He and his wife and daughters are members of the Missionary Baptist church at Hopewell. I 5°4 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. JOHN PARKER TROGDON. Farming has been considered a game of chance too long and the uncer- tainties of the elements have been overcome to such an extent by intelligent study and use of fertilizers, irrigation and drainage, and intensive cultiva- tion that day by day agriculture is becoming more and more an exact science and the best-and brightest minds of the country have not thought it beneath their dignity or effort to give it the best of their genius. John Parker Trogdon, of Brookline township, Greene county, is a type of our better class of farmers, a man who uses more brain than brawn in operating his place. He has been successful both as farmer and merchant and also as a dealer in live stock. The reason that he has been able to succeed in whatever he has turned his attention to is because he plans well, is energetic in their execution, “preparedness” being his motto, in other words, he first decides that he is right, then goes ahead. Mr. Trogdon was born near Ash Grove, Missouri, March 26, 1872. He is a son of Reuben and Phoebe (McDorman) Trogdon, the father of English descent, a native of North Carolina, the mother a native of Tenn- essee. Seven children were born to Reuben Trogdon and wife, four sons and three daughters, namely: W. Clinton, Henry F., Loran E., all three live near Ash Grove, this county; John P., of this sketch; Lottie married F. H. Moo- maw, of Brookline township, Greene county; Effie married D. G. Hendrix, also of Brookline township; Laura married Jay Mason, of near Bois D’Arc, Missouri. John P. Trogdon grew to manhood on the home farm where he worked during the summer months, and in the winter attended the district schools, remaining on the farm with his father until he was twenty-one years of age, or until his marriage, then started farming for himself, renting a farm near Ash Grove, where he remained nine years, then moved to that city and engaged in general merchandising turn years, after which he bought his present farm of one hundred and thirty acres near Brookline. His place is well improved in every respect and he keeps it under a high state of culti- vation. In connection with general farming he devotes considerable time to the breeding of Jersey cattle, and he is very successful with his fine stock, He has a modernly appointed, nine-room residence of the bungalow type, only a fourth of a mile from Brookline on the main highway between that place and the village of Battlefield. His spacious yard is sown with Ken- tucky blue grass, which has given the place the appropriate name of “Green Lawn,” by which it is known throughout the neighborhood. Mr. Trogdon has numerous substantial outbuildings, including two large barns, one of TROGDON AND FAMILY. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1505 which is especially equipped for the care of his milk cows and is kept sani- tary in all seasons. He has a concrete silo with a capacity of one hundred and fifty tons, a wagon and buggy-shed, a water-tank with a capacity of three hundred and fifty barrels, also a garage large enough for two cars. Mr. Trogdon was married on March 6, 1894, to Dilla A. Johnson, a daughter of George A. and Jane Johnson, of near Halltown, and a native of Greene county, Missouri, where the family settled in the early thirties, having emigrated from Tennessee. Mrs. Trogdon grew to womanhood and was educated in her native community. The union of our subject and wife has resulted in the birth of two children, namely: Alta, born July 2, 1895, lives at home; Mabel, born December 24, 1901, is also with her parents. Politically Mr. Trogdon is a Republican and is influential in the affairs of his party. He has served several years as township committeeman and has done much toward the success of the party in the county in years past. Fraternally he belongs to Brookline Lodge, No. 328, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; also the Modern Woodmen of America, of Springfield, and the Anti Horse Thief Association, of Nichols. Mr. Trogdon is one of the progressive and useful citizens of his town- ship and is ever ready to lend his support and encourage any movement having for its object the general good. CECIL ALVIN BRIGGS. By his close observance of fundamental rules of business, based upon honesty, rectitude and fidelity to trusts and confidences reposed in him, Cecil Alvin Briggs, secretary and general manager of the George-Briggs Lumber Company, of Springfield, has achieved success while yet young- in years, won the public esteem and fixed his star in the ascendant. In all relations of life he is courteous and cordial in his friendships, cautious, temperate, ambitious, zealous, consistent, moral and circumspect in his daily existence, and punctuality is one of his maxims. Mr. Briggs was born July 19, 1887, at Verona, Lawrence county, Mis- souri. He is a son of Sylvester A. Briggs, who was born September 26, 1847, in Fountain county, Indiana, and was of French-English descent. He grew to manhood in Illinois and received his education in the common schools near the city of Danville. He began life for himself as a school teacher and followed this profession for a period of upwards of fifteen years, in Douglas county, Illinois, where his services were in large demand and he became known as one of the leading educators of the county. Leav- ( 95 ) GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1505 ing the Prairie State in 1885, he located at Verona, Missouri, where he engaged in the iumuer business until 1910, also maintained his home for a time during that period at Siloam Springs, Benton county, Arkansas, where he has retail lumber interests. About live years ago he retired from active life, having accumulated a competency for his old age, and is now living quietly with his son, our subject, in the Briggs residence on West Commercial street, Springfield. The firm of Briggs & Wilks, with which he was connected in southern Missouri so long, became well known. Pie is now in his seventy-seventh year. Politically he is a Republican, aiways took an active interest in public affairs, was justice of the peace for a period of eight years, and was also secretary of the school board at Verona for a period of eleven years, filling these offices in a manner that reflected credit upon himself and to the satisfaction of the public. He is a devout member of the Christian church and for many years was an elder in the same at Veiona. The mother of the subject of this sketch was known in her maidenhood as P'rances Cannon, a daughter of G. N. and Elizabeth Can- non. She was a woman of many praiseworthy characteristics. Her death occurred October 2, 1909, at Siloam Springs, Arkansas. To these parents seven children were born, only two of whom are living at this writing, namely: Cecil A., of this sketch; and Floyd E., who lives at Pittsburg, Kan- sas, is a brakeman on the Kansas City Southern Railroad, and is unmarried. Our subject's paternal grandparents were Augustus and Ruth (West) Briggs, natives of New York and Kentucky, respectively. Cecil A. Briggs was educated in the common schools, graduated from the Verona high school, took a course in a St. Louis business college, and he began his business career in 1907, in the lumber firm of his father at Verona, where he remained until 1910, as office manager for the firm of Briggs & Wilks. He then came to Springfield as bookkeeper for the D. J. Landis Lumber Company, with which he remained until 1912, then went to Lamar, Oklahoma, as assistant cashier of the Bank of Lamar, remaining there until March 4, 1914, when he returned to Springfield and assumed his present connection with the George-Briggs Lumber Company, his pre- vious experience having made him familiar with every phase of the lumber business and rendering him entirely capable of assuming the responsible position he now occupies. The George-Briggs Lumber Company is located at 425 West Com- mercial street. It was incorporated under the laws of Missouri, February 4, 1914, with a capital stock of fifteen thousand dollars, and the business was started on that date, with J. H. George, president; B. H. George, treasurer ; and Cecil A. Briggs, manager and secretary. Their yard is three hundred by one hundred and seventy-five feet and they have a neat office. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. I 5°7 rV iuil stock ol weli-selectecl lumDer of all kinds, such as is to be found m any up-to-date lumDer yard in this part ot the country, is carried, and the business lias uecn n success trom the start. 1 heir Dusiness is conhned inostiy to Urreenc county, hour assistants are required in the yards, lie- sides lumber they handle sashes, doors, cement, plaster, sand, brick, etc. ronticahy ivir. rsriggs is a tvepuohcan. hie is a member of the Chris- tian churcn, and was iormeriy a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. Briggs was married, first, in 1909, to Elsie Browning, a daugh- ter of George VV, and Jane Browning. Her death occurred August 28, 1913, leaving two children, Genevieve and jane. Our subject was married again in 1914 to Flossie May Warden, a daughter of James L. and Dora (.blackmail.) Warden. AUGUST F. PRUGGER. it was the great philosopher Bacon who admonished us thus : “Read not to contradict and confute, nor to believe and take for granted, nor to find talk and discourse, but to weigh and consider.’’ Whether August F. Nrugger, foreman of the motor car room in the North Side Frisco shops, Springfield, was made acquainted with the above advice when a boy or not, he has always followed the proper course in his wide miscellaneous reading, believing with our own Benjamin Franklin that "reading makes a wise man," although our subject does not claim to be such. However, those who know him well have observed that he is well informed and is a close observer of everything that is going on about him. His honored father before him was such a man and evidently transmitted to his son many of his com- mendable characteristics. Mr. Prugger was born August 18, 1863, at Whitewater, Wisconsin. He is a son of Joseph Prugger. who was born in Bavaria, Germany, where he grew to manhood, received a good education and there learned the trade of cabinet maker under his father, becoming an expert in the same. He remained in the Fatherland until he was twenty-nine years of age, then, about 1859, came to America in an old-fashioned sailing vessel, which required many weeks to make the long voyage. He landed in New York, and from there made a tour of the Southern states, finally locating in Wal- worth county, Wisconsin, where he continued his trade of cabinet maker, also worked at the Esterlv Reaper Works, and later removed to Indian- apolis, Indiana, where he worked at cabinet making for sixteen years. He then went to Illinois and worked at his trade in Mattoon and Marshall. We GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1508 next find him in West Superior, Wisconsin, where he lived retired, later removing to Milwaukee and made his home with one of his sons, dying there in 1910, at the age of eighty-six years, and was buried in that city. The mother of our subject was known in her maidenhood as Mary Anna Ostermeyer. She was born in Bavaria, Germany, where she spent her girlhood and attended school, emigrating to America with her parents when fifteen years of age. The family located first in Milwaukee, later removing to Jefferson, Wisconsin, and there she resided until her marriage, at the age of eighteen. She is now living -with her daughter, Theresa Prugger, and is now about seventy-six years of age. Four children were born to Joseph Prugger and wife, three sons and one daughter, namely: Albert G. is employed by the Pawling & Harnish- feger Electric Crane Works at Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Frank, a contractor and builder of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was for some time vice-president of the Milwaukee Construction Company; August F., of this sketch; and Theresa, who has remained single and lives in Milwaukee, was connected with the knitting industries of Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota, and was long head forelady and very expert in her line ; she is now connected with a large wholesale fur house. The paternal grandfather of our subject was a well-to-do factory owner in Bavaria, Germany, making cabinets, furniture, etc; He spent his life in his native land. August F. Prugger grew to manhood in Wisconsin and received a common school education, leaving school when sixteen years of age and began working at the Esterly Coffin Works, but not taking to this line of business he turned his attention to the manufacture of furniture and then to machine work for the Esterly Harvester Works as machinist apprentice, at Whitewater, Wisconsin. After serving his apprenticeship he worked as journeyman for six years, then went to Beloit, Wisconsin, with the Williams Engine Works, building stationary engines. He worked in the Berlin Machine Works at Beloit, assembling sand paper machinery. On January 28. 1891, he went to work for the St. Louis & Frisco Railroad Company at Springfield. Missouri, and has been in constant service with this com- pany ever since. He first worked as machinist, keeping machinery in repair, also worked in the pump department in the north side shops. He had become familiar with millwright work while at Whitewater, Wisconsin. At Beloit he helped install the machinery and worked there as millwright, and he has been working at this line for the Frisco here many years. He has installed machinery in many places over the Frisco System, such as Ft. Scott, Memphis, Birmingham and other points. He was appointed foreman of the north side shops about 1904, under Michael Carney, and he is now GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1509 foreman of the motor car shops there, having about fourteen hands under his direction. Nearly all of the millwright work over the entire system is under his direction. He is an expert in his line and faithful in the discharge of his every duty. Mr. Prugger was married in 1896 to Eva Sprohs, a daughter of John Sprohs, a native of Germany, but now living in Springfield. To our subject and wife four children have been born, namely: John Joseph is a student in Conception College at Conception, Missouri ; Clara, Theresa, and Henry are all at home, the Prugger residence being on Sum- mit avenue. Mr. Prugger is independent in his political views. He is a member of the Catholic church, and fraternally belongs to the Knights and Ladies of Security and the Improved Order of Red Men. EDWARD P. DINGELDEIN. The German element in Springfield is not as large as in many American cities of this size, but those who have cast their lot here have proved to be industrious and loyal citizens, become property owners and have not hesi- tated to support such measures as have made for the general growth of the city. Of this class is Edward P. Dingeldein, one of our enterprising young Germans of the second generation in this country, but who seems to have the characteristic thrift of the true Teutons. Mr. Dingeldein was born in St. Louis, Missouri, December 25, 1873. He is a son of Sebastian and Dorothea (Studt) Dingeldein, both parents natives of Germany, where they grew to maturity, received their educa- tions, which were limited, and there made their home until the year 1867, when they left the Fatherland and emigrated to the Lhiited States, each locating in St. Louis, Missouri, where they were married in 1869 and there established the family home. There the father engaged in the malt busi- ness for five years. The mother was one of eleven children, six sons and five daughters, four of whom are living at this writing, one remaining in Germany. To Sebastian Dingeldein and wife four children have been born, namely: Julius W., who is associated in business with our subject in Springfield: Edward P., of this review; Emelie M. is single and is living in Springfield; William S. is deceased. From St. Louis the Dingeldein family moved to Springfield in 1876, when our subject was two years of age, and here the father established him- ! I s JO GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. self in business and became comfortably situated. Politically he was a Democrat. His death occurred on March 2 4, 1894. His widow is still living, making her home in Springfield. Edward P. Dingeldein grew to manhood in Springfield and here received his education, attending the common school up to 1889, then took a business course in the Southwestern Business College, including bookkeeping and business forms, and was graduated from that institution in 1891. He began his career as a railroader, working for some time with the old Kansas City, Fort Scott & Memphis Railroad Company, and later was in the employ of the St. Louis & San Francisco Railroad Company, and in December, 1897, he started in the retail liquor business with his brother, Julius W., which they have conducted to the present time. Mr. Dingeldein was married in 1894 to Ida Stone, a daughter of C. M. and Elizabeth Stone, she being one of four children. Her mother and father are still living in Springfield. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Dingeldein, namely: Edna L., William J. and Edward S. The two oldest are attending school. Politically our subject is a Democrat and has remained with the party in both victory and defeat, as did his father before him. Religiously he is a member of St. John’s German Evangelical church, having been confirmed at the age of fifteen years. He attended the church primary school of this denomination in 1889. He has always sought the companionship of per- sons older than himself, and has tried to profit by their examples. Frater- nally he is a member of the Eagles, the Improved Order of Red Men and the German Brotherhood. He has always been a law-abiding citizen, and has kept within the bounds of good citizenship. . ANDREW THOMAS HART. The attitude of the general public toward the farmer of today is some- what different to that during the century preceding the present. All now realize the fact that with the advanced methods of scientific farming it requires more brains than brawn to make a success as an argiculturist and stock man. The tiller of the soil can no longer follow the methods employed by his grandfather when he worked the virgin soil, when the climate was different, the land different, in fact, most everything different. One must not only “be up and doing, and learn to labor and to wait,” as the poet, Long- fellow, admonished, but one must be a close student of literature bearing on agricultural and horticultural and live stock subjects, but also a keen GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. * 5 ^ observer and a logical thinker. Nature has given most men sufficient natural ability to succeed in farming, but so many are indifferent, apathetic and unwilling to put forth the proper amount of physical and mental exertion to reap large rewards in this greatest of all callings. Andrew Thomas Hart, of Wilson township, Greene county, is a good example of the thoughtful, energetic and successful twentieth century farmer. He was born in this vicinity on April 4, 1867. He is a son of Maj. R. K. and Mary Jane (Beal) Hart. The father was born in North Carolina and when nineteen years old emigrated to Christian county, Missouri, set- tling on a farm near the town of Clever, with his parents, with whom he remained until he was about twenty-eight years of age, and assisted with the general work on the farm. After his marriage he bought a farm near the present village of Battlefield and there devoted himself to general farm- ing. During the Civil war he enlisted in the Union army and proved to be such a gallant and efficient soldier that he was promoted to the rank of major, and was honorably discharged at the close of his term of enlist- ment. He devoted his active life to general farming and is now living in retirement on South Market street, Springfield, Missouri. His family consisted of seven children, namely: Alvoree, Samuel K., Mrs. Nannie C. Hendrix, Mrs. Hollie A. Alexander, Andrew Thomas, of this review ; Will- iam H., and the youngest child died in infancy. Andrew T. Hart grew to manhood on the home farm and he received a somewhat limited education in the district schools, later taking a course in a business college, also attended the old Ash Grove College, and finally secured a very good text-book training. He has devoted his life principally to general farming, but during the year 1913 and 1914 he was for some time engaged in the real estate business with J. E. Walton on South street. Springfield. However, farming appealed to him most and he returned to rural life. He is owner of one hundred and sixty acres of well-kept and well-tilled land in Wilson township, and in connection with general farm- ing he carries on stock raising and buying and shipping live stock on a large scale, and is one of the successful and well-known stockmen of the western part of the county. He has made all the present improvements on his place. He has a good home and good buildings in general. Mr. Hart was married on October 31, 1888, to Nannie C. Putman, a daughter of Joseph E. and Mary Jane (Moore) Putman, both natives of Greene county, this state, and here Mrs. Hart was also born, grew to womanhood and was educated in the public schools. She had no brothers or sisters. To. Mr. and Mrs. Hart two children have been born, Herman E., and Roy P. The latter is a civil engineer. He was graduated from the Colum- 1512 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. bia University, and is at present employed in the engineering department of the Missouri Pacific Railroad, with headquarters at St. Louis. Herman E., who received a good high school education, is a traveling salesman for the McDaniel Milling Company, his territory being in Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas. Politically Mr. Hart is a Democrat. He is a member of the Masonic Order and the Knights of Pythias, and religiously he belongs to the Bap- tist church. WILLIAM A. FRY. To hear the average city man unburden himself, often in none too graceful language, about high prices and the cost of living, one would imagine that he alone is affected and that the farmer is rolling in the fat of the land. As a matter of fact, the farmer is feeling the high cost of living the same as everyone else. He is paying more for his labor (when he can get it at all); more for his land; more for his implements, and more for everything that enters, into his daily life, while the prices he receives for his products have not given him a fair return for his time and his labor. But notwithstanding these facts, many of the farmers of Greene county have accumulated competencies and are making a comfort- able living, among whom may be mentioned William A. Fry, owner of “Shady Oak Farm,” in Wilson township. Mr. Fry was born in the above named township and county, August 5, 1870. He is a son of Marion S. and Sarah Jane (Payne) Fry. The father removed from Kentucky in an earl}'- day to northern Missouri. The mother was born and reared in Greene county, this state, and here received a common school education. Marion S. Fry was a boy when he came to Missouri, and here he grew to manhood and attended the public schools, after which he devoted his attention to general farming. He came to Greene county when about twenty-four years of age, settling on a farm of two hundred acres, and a year later he and Sarah Jane Payne were mar- ried, and to this union four children were born, namely: William A., of this review; Oscar E. lives in Oregon; Walter F. resides in Wilson town- ship, this county; and the youngest child died in infancy, unnamed. The parents of these children spent the rest of their lives on the farm here, the father dying October 3, 1898, and the death of the mother occurred in September, 1903. William A. Fry grew to manhood on the home farm and there assisted with the general work when a boy. He received his early education in the GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1513 district schools of Wilson township; he remained under his parental roof- tree until he was twenty-five years of age, when he married and established a home of his own, the date of his wedding being July 28, 1895, an< i * ie selected for his life companion Pearl Ward, a daughter of Arch W. and Allie (Edwards) Ward, who were residents of Greene county for many years, and the mother still resides on the old homestead in Wilson town- ship, the death of Arch W. Ward having occurred in September, 1912. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Fry, namely: Clorline is the eldest; the second child died in infancy unnamed; and Marie, who is the youngest. Mr. Fry has devoted his active life to general farming and stock rais- ing. He is at present operating one hundred and seventy-five acres, which is a part of the old homestead, and which he has named very appropriately “Shady Oak Farm." He recently built an attractive new home, surrounded by a fine grove of oaks in a splendid location. The place is productive and well kept in every respect. Until recently Mr. Fry dealt quite extensively in live stock, raising, buying and selling, but in later years he has devoted his attention to general farming. Politically Mr. Fry has always been a Democrat. In September, 1901, he was called upon to mourn the loss of his faithful helpmeet, and he has never remarried. WILLIAM FRY ROPER. One expression of the discontent of the people of the twentieth cen- tury is the back-to-the-farm movement. While the wages of workmen have increased and the hours of labor have decreased, the desire for the better things of life and the luxuries have grown proportionately. That which satisfied the laboring man of forty years ago would be regarded with disdain by the workers of today. The increased cost of living in the city undoubtedly has much to do with the discontent of the people, and the imperfect marketing system which raises the cost to the consumer and mini- mizes the profits of the producer, is another fertile source of discontent. Whether conditions will adjust themselves under the present economic ar- rangement and our imperfect system of distribution is a question. It will require more than an ordinary prophet to rise in his place and foretell what the answer will be to the rising tide of discontent of the people of the cities. Having spent his life close to Nature, engaged in peaceful agricultural pur- suits and dealing honestly with his fellow men, thereby keeping his con- science clear, William Fry Roper, a well-known citizen of Republic town- ship, Greene county, has never been seized with the spirit of discontent that I 5 I 4 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. is so apparent over the land ; in other words, he has had the tact to live his life along well-regulated and proper channels. Mr. Roper was born in Greene county, Missouri, February 17, 1853. He is a son of Wylie B. and Minerva (Fry) Roper. The father of our subject emigrated from middle Tennessee to Greene county, this state, in 1851, and rented land nine miles northeast of Springfield, but in a short time settled north of Nichols, on a tract of about two hundred acres. He was a native of Tennessee, as was also his wife, and there they grew to maturity and received limited educations and were married. Our subject was then about one year old, and it was on this place that he spent his boyhood, and attended subscription school at old Antioch. His parents rented their farm and moved to Springfield, where Wylie Roper was selling- goods when the Civil war began. Later the elder Roper moved with his family to Texas and bought a large farm, of which he placed two hundred acres under cultivation. To Wylie Roper and wife ten children were born, namely: DeWitt C. is the eldest; Maggie L. is the wife of Frank White and they live near Nichols, in Greene county; Russell, deceased; John W. lives in California; William F., subject of this sketch; George lives in Lawrence county, Missouri; Wylie B. likes in Oregon; Mrs. Lulu Martin lives in Springfield ; Mary and Myrtie, the two youngest, both died in infancy. William F. Roper was married August 2, 1877, to Minerva Sparkman, a daughter of W. D. and Jane (Rainey) Sparkman, both natives of Ten- nessee, where they grew up, were educated and married, and from that state immigrated to Greene county, Missouri, in 1854. Their family con- sisted of eight children, named as follows: Dr. Allen G. ; Orren lives near Bois D’Arc, Greene county; Jefferson lives in California; Lizzie is deceased; Minerva, who married Mr. Roper of this sketch; James lives in Seattle. Washington; John lives in Republic township, this county; Alice, who mar- ried J. M. Short, is deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Roper nine children have been born, namely : Ada is the wife of Edward Roop, of Independence, Missouri; James lives in Seattle, Washington; Ollie is engaged in the furniture and carpet business in Republic, and, being an ardent lover of horses, owns and trades in them; Alice is the wife of Oscar Roop, of Republic; Janie is the wife of George Burris, of Seattle, Washington: Charlie lives in Republic; Bruce lives in St. Louis ; Leon lives in Republic ; Thomas also resides in Republic. Mr. Roper owns fifty-nine acres of valuable land on the outskirts of the city of Republic, which land he keeps rented, and he lives quietly in his attractive home here, having been retired from the active duties of life during the past two years. Politically he is a Democrat. He is a member of the Christian church, to which his wife and children also belong. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. I SI 5 HUGH McCLERNON. The career of Hugh McClernon, a retired farmer of Springfield, is a splendid example of what many of the thrifty sons of Erin’s Green Isle have accomplished in this great western republic, after landing within our borders with little capital and being compelled to start out in a strange en- vironment without sympathetic and helpful friends. There have been many such during the past century or more, and we have always welcomed them, knowing that most of them would turn out to be good citizens and be bene- ficial to us in a general way. Mr. McClernon was born in County Dary, Ireland, March 12, 1850. He is a son of Hugh and Margaret (McElwee) McClernon, both natives of Ireland, where they grew up, received meager educations and were married and established their home. The father was a stone mason by trade, also engaged in farming. His family consisted of nine children, two of whom are still living, Hugh, of this sketch, and a sister who has remained in Ire- land. A brother of our subject came to America in an early day, but the rest of the family remained in the old country. Hugh McClernon grew to manhood in his native land, and, when a boy, assisted his father with his work. He received a common school edu- cation, and there, when about twenty years of age, he was united in mar- riage with Margaret McElhone, a daughter of James and Sarah (McKen- na) McElhone. Soon thereafter he brought his bride to the United States, about 1870. They landed in New York, lint came on west to St. Louis, where they lived three years, where our subject worked as a stone mason, which trade he had learned under his father when a boy. He then came to Springfield and purchased a farm in Campbell township, then about two miles northeast of Springfield, but now only about one mile northeast of here. He went to work with a will, and from a small beginning forged to the front as a general farmer, later being able to add to his original pur- chase. It was his custom to buy land, improve it, and when the price raised on land in his community, sell out at a profit. In this way he became a man of comfortable financial circumstances. After living here several years he engaged in the dairy business, selling his products in Springfield, and became known as one of the successful dairymen of Greene county. Linder his able training his sons all took up this line of business and have done well with it. He also became a successful dealer in live stock, trading ex- tensively in horses and mules. He still owns his productive, well improved and most desirable farm, but in the autumn of 1914 he retired from active life, having accumulated a handsome competency through his good manage- ment and close application to details, and purchased a fine residence on GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1516 Cherry street, Springfield, where he now resides, surrounded by all the com- forts of life. He also owns considerable other real estate in this city. To Mr. McClernon and wife nine children have been born, namely: Hugh, Jr., the eldest, is deceased; Henry is a retired stockman; Mrs. Mag- gie Boll is the wife of a brick manufacturer; Patrick J. is engaged in the dairy business; Sarah married Con Shay, who died in 1913, she lives with her father and has one child, Nora Marie, five years of age; Jane and Mary are living at home; John is engaged in the dairy business, living on his father's farm; Annie is at home. These children were given excellent edu- cational advantages; the girls have all been trained in music. Politically, Mr. McClernon is a Democrat. He was a member of the county school board for a period of nine years; he was road overseer for four years in his district, and also served four years as road commissioner. He proved to be a most faithful, able and conscientious public servant, al- ways looking closely to the interests of his locality and county. He is a member of the Catholic church and is a charter member of the local lodge of the Knights of Columbus. FLEMIN T. JARED. Success is only achieved by the exercise of certain distinguishing quali- ties and it cannot be retained without effort. Those by whom great epoch changes have been made in the political and industrial world began early in life to prepare themselves for their peculiar duties and responsibilities, and it was only by the most persevering and continuous endeavor that they suc- ceeded in rising superior to the obstacles in their way and reaching the goal of their ambition. The life of any successful man, whether he be prominent in the world’s affairs or not is an inspiration to others who are less courageous and more prone to give up the fight before their ideal is reached or definite success in any chosen field has been attained. Flemin T. Jared, of the firm of Jared Brothers, well-known merchants of West Commercial street, Spring- field, is a man whose example has made for the good of his associates and acquaintances, for his career has been an industrious and useful one. Mr. Jared was born in Buffalo Valley, Tennessee, March 17, 1877. He is a son of Moses A. Jared, also born in that vicinity, where he was reared, attended school and engaged in farming until in 1896, when he removed to Missouri, locating in Howell county, where he continued farming until his death, in September, 1903, at the age of seventy-six years. In his younger days he taught school for some time in his native state, and during the Civil GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1517 war he taught school in Ripley county, Missouri, from i860 to 1864, then went to Illinois and taught school in the southern part of that state for a year. He was prominent in the affairs of his locality in Tennessee and held a num- ber of offices, including that of judge of the County Court, and he was a justice of the peace for a period of twenty-seven years. He was a Demo- crat, belonged to the Grange and the Wheelers ; also belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church, South. His father, Alexander Jared, was one of the early pioneers in Buffalo Valley, Tennessee, where he engaged in farming, and was also a carpenter by trade. Moses A. Jared was twice married, first to Amanda Price, who died many years ago. His second marriage was to Sarah A. Thompson, who died May 1, 1906, at the age of sixty-seven years, and was buried at Pottersville, Howell county, Missouri. To the first marriage thirteen children were born, and seven children were horn to the second union, the subject of this sketch being the eldest of the children by the last marriage. This large family of twenty children were named in order of birth as follows : Yateman died when fifteen years of age; Wade W., horn July 1, 1849, was a minister in the Methodist Episcopal church. South, and one time was pastor of a church in Springfield, and was pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church at Malta Bend, Missouri, up to the time of his death, December 10, 1891 ; Brice, who was engaged in the hotel business at Nashville, Tennessee, died in 1912, at the age of sixty-one years; John W. died in early life; Mary F. also died when young; Martha J., deceased, was the wife of W. A. Holliday, a farmer of Gentry, Putnam county, Tennesse; Samuel is connected with the Dixie College in Putnam county, Tennessee; Tennie, deceased, was the wife of E. Holliday, a minister in the Methodist Episcopal church, South, of Put- nam county, Tennessee; James A. is pastor of a Southern Methodist church at Warrensburg, Missouri; Peter is circuit clerk of the court in Cookville, Tennessee; Simon, deceased, was a school teacher and farmer of Putnam county, Tennessee; Augusta is farming in Grayson county, Texas; Robert died when fifteen years of age; Flemin T. of this review; Mary is the wife of H. L. Taylor, of Thayer, Missouri; Alice is the wife of J. W. Cox, of the firm of Cox Brothers, of Commercial street, Springfield, Missouri ; Anthony, born December 12, 1881, who is a member of the firm of Jared Brothers, merchants of Springfield, married Elizabeth Heindrich, which union has been blessed with one child; Bettie, familiarly known as Betsey, is the wife of C. A. Cox, who is engaged in the furniture business with his brother in Spring- field ; Newton, horn May 8, 1887, has remained single and is a member of the firm of Jared Brothers of Springfield; Taylor died when fifteen years of age. Flemin T. Jared received his early education in the common schools, then attended the Normal school at Gainesville, Ozark county, Missouri, after which he taught for five years very successfully in the rural schools of Ozark, Howell and Saline counties, Missouri. After his marriage, June 1, 1902, he GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1518 began farming, which he followed one year in Howell county on rented land, then taught another term of school in that county, after which he moved to Springfield, November 17, 1903, and bought out C. W. Smith, who was engaged in the second-hand furniture business at 212 West Commercial street, where our subject has remained to the present time, and today he does a good business and carries a large stock of furniture, carpets, stoves, bicycles, rugs, linoleum, matting, portieres, lace curtains, granite ware, pic- tures, lamps, watches, clocks, jewelry, bicycle repairs, etc. He first started in business under the firm name of Sumner & Jared, then for one year the name of the firm was Jared & Endecott. It was Jared Brothers from 1905 to 1906. During the latter year he bought out his brothers’ interest, since which time he has been sole proprietor, but has retained the firm name, but two of his brothers work in the store with him. Mir. Jared married on June 1, 1902, R. Isabell Endecott, a daughter of Gabriel C. and Lucinda (Grissom) Endecott, and to this union four children have been born, namely: Froebel T. died at the age of four years; Emerson S., Mabel V. and Brice Ernest. Politically Mr. Jared is a Democrat, and fraternally he belongs to the Gate of the Temple Lodge, Masonic Order; Springfield Lodge No. 218, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Lodge No. 768, Modern Brotherhood; also the Modern Woodmen of America and Royal Neighbors. He is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, Campbell Street church, of which he has been a member of the board of stewards for the past eight years and he is assistant Sunday school superintendent, in fact, is one of the pillars of this well-known church. JAMES A. MOON. It has been said that it is difficult for lawyers to be men of wholesome character in view of the fact that they have to deal so much with criminals, see so much of crimes and immoralities of every grade, have their atten- tion called to fraud and rascality in every form, perpetrated by all classes of society, and which familiarity is said to in a measure induce vice and crime, yet observation by a fair-minded person invariably leads to the conclusion that lawyers stand, as a class of men, as high for right living, honesty and fair dealing, as any other engaged in active business life. This is no doubt, in some measure accounted for by their general intelligence, for ignorance is said to be, and is, the mother of vice. James A. Moon and his son, Fred A. Moon, who are engaged together in the practice of law in Spring- GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1519 field, Greene county, are two attorneys whose lives have been above idle cavil and who lend dignity to their profession. James A. Moon was born in Iowa City, Iowa, December 22, 1859. He is a son of William E. and Sarah (McCollister ) Moon, the father a native of the state of New York, but when a young man he removed to Iowa, where he established the permanent home of the family and became a suc- cessful farmer and stock raiser and an influential man in his community, and there his death occurred August 23, 1909, at the advanced age of eighty- three years. These parents were married in 1854. The mother, a woman of old-time Christian attributes and hospitality, is living with her son, the subject of this sketch. This family is of Scotch-English ancestry. James A. Moon grew to manhood on the home farm in Iowa, and there assisted his father with the general work during the crop seasons and in the winter time attended the neighboring public schools, later entered the University of Iowa, and was graduated from the literary and law depart- ments. He commenced his professional practice at Miller, South Dakota, in 1882, and remained there enjoying a good practice until 1888, when he came to Springfield, Missouri, where he has been constantly engaged in the practice to the present time, and during his residence here of a quarter of a century his reputation as an able, conscientious and successful lawyer has gradually increased. He formed a partnership about six years ago with his son, Fred A. Moon, under the firm name of James A. Moon & Son, and they are doing a good business. James A. Moon was married March 2, 1886, to Sarah E. Adderly, a daughter of William Adderly, a well-known dealer in general merchandise at Mt. Morris, Michigan, who died many years ago. Mrs. Moon's mother was Mary Hughes, whose father, Christopher Hughes, was one of the early pioneers of Michigan. He lived to the unusual age of ninety-three years. He came to this country from Ireland when a boy, located on a farm and spent the rest of his life on the same place, dying there. His early life record goes back to the Indian times, when his only neighbors were the red men and wild beasts. Mrs. Sarah E. Moon’s great-great-grandfather was Lord Mayor 0+ London, England. Her mother died in 1911, leaving two daughters, Mrs. Moon and Mary Adderly, who lives in Miller, South Dakota. Politically James A. Moon is a Democrat and has always been loyal in the support of the party. He belongs to the Episcopal church, and fraternally he is a member of the Modern Woodmen and the Eagles. Two children, a son and a daughter, have been born to our subject and wife, namely: Edith, who is the younger of the two, was born April 7, 1889, was educated in the Springfield ward and high schools, being graduated 1 5 20 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. from the latter; she lives at home and is a stenographer in her father’s law office. The son, Fred A. Moon, was born in South Dakota, January 4, 1887, and was about a year old when his parents removed to Springfield, where he grew to manhood and received his early education in the ward and high schools, being graduated from the latter, after which he entered the Missouri State University at Columbia, where he took both the literary and law courses, making a good record there. After his graduation he returned nome and began the practice of his profession at the age of twenty-one, in partnership with his father, and he has made a splendid record for one his age at the local bar, ranking among the most promising of the younger generation of lawyers in Greene county. He has held the office of assistant city attorney since 1912, the duties of which he has discharged in an able and satisfactory manner, and in 1914 he was a popular candidate for the office of city attorney. He married Clara Parker, November 19, 1908, and to this union four sons have been born, namely : Charles Arnold, born Feb- ruary 4, 1910; Robert James, born February 14, 1911; William Adderly, born April 8, 1912: and Parker Fred, born November 12, 1913. JAMES D. HOOD. Although many believe to the contrary, luck plays a very unimportant part in the average man’s career. We generally like to excuse our own shortcomings and account for the success of other men on the grounds of luck. A fertilized soil, rotation of crops, well fenced land, intelligently tilled fields, well kept machinery, painted houses and convenient outbuildings and blooded live stock are not the result of luck, unless hard work persist- ently and intelligently directed can be characterized as luck. One of the farmers of western Greene county who evidently put greater stress on indus- try and vigilance than on the vicissitudes of luck is James D. Hood, who has been content to spend his life in his native locality which he has helped to develop into what it is to today — a prosperous and desirable farming country. Mr. Hood was born in Greene county, Missouri, December 31, 1848. He is a son of Duncan and Nancy (Blades) Hood. The father was a native of Germany, where he spent his boyhood, finally emigrating to the United States, and after spending some time in the state of Tennessee came on to Missouri and located on a farm in Greene county, where he spent the rest of his life, dying when a young man, at the age of twenty-eight years, in 1849, when our subject was an infant. James D. Hood grew to manhood on the farm in his native community and he worked hard when a boy helping support the family. His education . HOOD AND FAMILY. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1521 was limited to the rural schools, which he attended a few months each winter for a few years. He had always followed general farming and stock raising- pursuits and he has met with very gratifying results all along the line. He was twenty-nine years of age when he purchased his first farm in Pond Creek township. He has bought, occupied and sold a number of farms since, and is now the owner of a valuable and well improved place consisting of three hundred and fifty-nine acres, known as “The Sunrise Stock Farm,” on which he carries on general farming and stock raising on a large scale, and is deserving of ranking with our best farmers in every respect. He keeps an excellent grade of live stock, has a pleasant home and numerous RESIDENCE OF J. D. HOOD. outbuildings for the proper housing of his stock, grains, grasses and machinery. Mr. Hood was married, October 24, 1872, to Mary E. Clack. She received a common school education. She is a daughter of Robert Clack, a carpenter and builder, who, when the war between the states began, enlisted in the Confederate army and fought in the great battle of Wilson’s Creek. He was a native of Tennessee and married Racheal Bonham, who was born in Blount county, East Tennesssee, September 10, 1835. She grew up and was married in her native state, and when twenty-one years of age, in 1857, came to Missouri to make her future home. To Mr. and Mrs. Clack two daughters were born, namely: Marv E.. wife of our subject; and Tennessee, now deceased. ( 96 ) I 5 22 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hood, named as follows: Maggie, born July 31, 1873, married Henry O’Bryant, who is in postoffice service, and they haxe six children; Edward, born May 29, 1876, died in February, 1878; Eva, died in infancy; Clyde, born March 16, 1883, is farm- ing near the home place, married May Hughes and they have two children; Nora, born September 25, 1885, died in infancy; Knox, born September 15, 1888, travels for the International Harvester Company. Mr. and Mrs. Hood also reared Mary Elizabeth Hicklin, who is living with them now. She was born in Lawrence county, May 7, 1882. Politically, Mr. Hood is a Republican. Fraternally he is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and he attends the Methodist Episcopal church. REV. JOHN T. BACON. Examples that impress force of character on all who study them are worthy of record, and the mission of a great soul in this world is one that is calculated to inspire a multitude of others to better and grander things; so its subsequent influence cannot be measured in metes and bounds, for it affects the lives of those with whom it comes in contact, broadening and enriching them for all time to come. By a few general observations may be conveyed some idea of 'the useful, unselfish and unpretentious career of Rev. John T. Bacon, for the past sixteen years pastor of the First Cum- berland Presbyterian church of Springfield, united in whose composition are so many elements of a solid, practical and altruistic nature as to bring him into prominent notice, who, not content to hide his talents amid life’s sequestered ways, by the force of will and a laudable ambition forged to the front, rising by his individual efforts, from an early environment none too auspicious, and is therefore one of Greene county’s best examples of a successful self-made man. Reverend Bacon was born in Crawford county, Missouri, June 2, 1868. He is a scion of a sterling old Southern family of the Blue Grass state, and is a son of Thomas J. and Mary Ellen (Chapman) Bacon. The father was born near Louisville, Kentucky, April 10, 1832, and when nine years of age moved with the family to St. Louis, Missouri, where he spent his early youth. He was compelled to work hard when a boy and his education was limited to thirty-two days in a common school. When twenty-five years of age he moved to Crawford county, this state, where he spent the rest of his life engaged in general farming, in which he was fairly suc- cessful. At the age of twenty-nine years he married and soon thereafter r.REENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. moved on a farm adjoining that of his father, who had also located in that county. His death occurred in 1888. He was an honest, hard-working and well-liked man, who was influential in the general welfare of his com- munity. The mother of our subject, a woman of strong Christian char- acter, was born April 20, 1839, in Crawford county, Missouri, and there grew to womanhood and received a common schood education. Her death o occurred April 17, 1885. Five children were born to Thomas J. Bacon and wife, namely: Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Caldwell, who died December 5, 1895 ; Emma died when five years of age; John T., of this review; Charles Benjamin, a resident of Marshall, Missouri, is at this writing postmaster at that place ; and Reuben M., who lives in San Antonio, Texas. John T. Bacon grew to manhood on the home farm in his native county and there he worked hard when he became of proper age during the crop seasons, and in the winter time he attended the rural schools of his home district ; later was a student in the Salem Academy, Salem, Missouri, for one term. When twenty-one years old he entered Missouri Valley Col- lege, Marshall, this state, from which institution he was graduated with the class of 1896. His alma mater honored him with the degree of Doctor of Divinity. In the autumn of 1896, having fostered for some time the laud- able ambition to become a minister of the gospel, he entered Cumberland University, Lebanon, Tennesee, where he made an excellent record and was graduated with the class of 1899. He came direct from there to Spring- field, Missouri, accepting a call as pastor of the First Cumberland Presby- terian church, which is located at Jefferson and Olive streets, and here he has remained to the present time, his long retention in this important church being sufficient criterion of his popularity with the congregation and of his ability, fidelity to duty and growth in power. Fie has remained a close student all the while and has developed with his church. During his pastorate here the membership has increased several hundred, until it is today one of the largest, most earnest and wealthiest congregations in Springfield. Mr. Bacon is a forceful, logical, learned and not infrecpiently and eloquent pulpit orator, instructing and entertaining his audience at the same time, and he is also a man of no mean business ability, and has looked well to the material affairs of the 'church, as well as to its spiritual welfare. Although a man of plain address, avoiding the lime-light of publicity, he is nevertheless one of the most widely known and popular ministers Spring- field has ever had, and he has been active for years in movements having for their aim the general moral upbuilding of the city. Mr. Bacon was married October 6, 1898, to Mary E. Dysart, who was born near Fayette, Howard county, Missouri, October 3, 1874. There she 1524 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. grew to womanhood and received a common school education, later was a student in Howard Payne College at Fayette, from which she graduated in 1894. She has proven to be a most faithful helpmeet and the success of Our subject as a minister has been due in no small measure to her sympathy, encouragement and counsel. She is a very active church worker and a leader in the societies of the church of which Mr. Bacon is pastor. She is a daughter of William P. and Dora A. (Brown) Dysart, a highly esteemed and well-known family of Howard county. Mr. Dysart was born in Ran- dolph county, Missouri, received a good education, graduating from old McGee College in the fifties, and later in his early life taught school for awhile, later took up farming, which he followed successfully until his retirement from active life several years ago. He is now making his home with the subject of this sketch. Mrs. Dysart was born in Howard county, there grew to womanhood and received a common school education. She, too, is still living, completing the happy circle of Mr. Bacon’s household. One child has blessed the union of our subject and wife, William Dysart Bacon, whose birth occurred June 20, 1902 ; he is at present a student of the State Normal here and is making a fine record for scholarship. Politically, Reverend Bacon is a Democrat. Personally, he is a man of fine physique with a striking resemblance to William J. Bryan, of whom he is a great admirer. Fraternally he belongs to the Masonic Order and the Knights of Pythias. He is a broad-minded, genial, obliging gentleman of genteel and courteous address and the number of his friends is limited to his acquaintance. WALTER L. PURSSELLEY, M. D. It is a pleasure to write the biography of a man who has forced his way from the common ranks up the ladder of professional success, having overcome obstacles that would have downed, and does down, myriads of men of less sterling fiber. But this is just the thing that Dr. Walter L. Purssellev, physician and surgeon of Springfield, has done, and he is there- fore entitled to his success and to the respect that is accorded him by a wide acquaintance in Greene county. He infuses his personality, courage and conscience into his work, is active at his books during every spare moment, is determined and has the strength of will for achievement. Habits of systematized thought, study and reflection have invigorated his mind, and he has clear discernments of his profession, comprehensive of its principles, and, to points obscure to many of his professional brethren, the genius of their application. He is a good doctor, a safe and competent adviser in GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. T 5 2 5 consultation and with a constantly growing practice, to which he applies himself with faithful and conscientious zeal, no oracle, such as the ancient Greeks applied to when in doubt of the future, is required to forecast his professional success in years to come. Doctor Pursselley was born in Greene county, Missouri, August 30, 1866. He is a son of William and Sarah (Beasley) Pursselley. The father devoted his life to general farming, retiring from active work a few years prior to his death which occurred at the age of seventy-three years. During the Civil war he was a soldier in the Union Army, having enlisted in the Eighth Missouri Volunteer Infantry, under Colonel Lisenby, and was in active service three and one-half years, serving his country faithfully. Among the many engagements in which he participated was the battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas. The mother of our subject died at the age of sixty- three years. The paternal grandfather, John Addison Pursselley, belonged to the band of brave, sterling frontiersmen who pushed the borders of civili- zation westward. He emigrated from Tennessee to Missouri in a very early day, transporting his family and household effects by wagon over rough roads and unbridged streams. Inheriting the same elements of the pioneer adventurer, his son. William Pursselley, father of the Doctor, joined the famous band of “forty-niners” and crossed the great western plains to the gold fields of California. He had many thrilling escapes from the hostile Indians of the West while en route, and he assisted in recovering a herd of cattle which the red men had stolen from white emigrants. The Pursselleys are of Scotch-Irish and German- American ancestry. Dr. Pursselley grew to manhood on the home farm and he received his early education in the district schools and the Henderson Academy, at Hen- derson, Missouri, lacking two months of graduating when he quit to take up teaching. Ambitious to enter the medical profession when a young man, he taught school six years in order to obtain funds to defray the expense of a medical course. He entered the Missouri Medical College at St. Louis in 1894, and was graduated from that institution in 1897. Soon thereafter he came to Springfield and began the practice of his profession, remaining here ever since, and enjoying a constantly growing practice as a general practi- tioner, however, he has of late years devoted special attention to surgery in which he seems to be especially gifted. He is generally known to his friends as “the busy doctor," which may be interpreted to mean that he does a large business. Doctor Pursselley is one of seven children, five boys and two girls, both girls being deceased, and subject being the eldest of family; William T. W., John W., Clay W. and James W., all living in Polk county, farming, except one, John W., who is in the milling business at Brighton, Missouri. Doctor Pursselley is a member of the Greene County Medical Society, 1526 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. the Southwest Missouri Medical Society, the Missouri State Medical Asso- ciation and the American Medical Association. Fraternally he belongs to the Masonic Order, the Woodmen, Order of the Maccabees, Royal Neigh- bors and many others. Politically, he is a Republican, and religiously, is a member of Grace Methodist Episcopal church. Doctor Pursselley was married, December 26, 1898, to Nora M. Potter, of Palmetto, Greene county, Missouri. She was born there in November, 1876, was educated in the public schools and the Pfenderson Academy. She is a daughter of Judge W. H. F. and Amanda (Pickle) Potter. The father is a prominent citizen of Greene county, where he has long been active and influential in political affairs, and is an earnest worker in the Masonic Order, of which he is now chancellor. He held one term as county judge of Greene county. He has devoted his life successfully to general farming, but is now living in retirement. Mrs. Pursselley has the following brothers and sisters: Mrs. Monnie Burris, of Bolivar, Polk county, Missouri; Jefferson Potter, of Pleasant Hope, Polk county; George Potter, who lives seven miles east of Springfield; Ople Potter, unmarried, of Palmetto, Missouri, and Willie Dennis Potter, also living at Palmetto. To Doctor Pursselley and wife one child has been born, Mary Pursselley, whose birth occurred in Springfield, April 6, 1900. She is making an ex- cellent record in school, being in the eighth grade, and has nearly finished the third grade in music in which she has decided talent. DR. THOMAS MONTGOMERY KING. The science of osteopathy is now well established throughout the civilized world, and it has had a rapid growth during the past decade. Its merits were recognized from the first by many people, who had become skeptical in the use of drugs, but, like all sciences, whether good or bad. it had to be thoroughly demonstrated in all communities and prove the test of time. This it seems to have done, for we find today advocates of osteopathy everywhere, who claim beneficial results from it, and considering the short time it has been known, comparatively short at least to that of medical science, it has gained a wonderful foothold, one that is now assured and that no doubt will never be eradicated no matter how much opposition is met with. Any new science, creed, doctrine or philosophy meets with various kinds of antagonism, and it is only the worthy that survive. One of the leading, capable and best known exponents of osteopathy in Springfield and Greene county is Dr. Thomas Montgomery King, who was born at College Springs, Iowa. He is a son of George Adam King, GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. I5 2 7 a native of Pennsylvania, in which state the latter grew to manhood and received his education. He devoted his active life to general farming and stock raising, and finally removed to College Springs, Iowa, where he spent the rest of his life, dying there on July 24, 1887, having dropped dead while at work in his fields. He married Caroline Simpson, a daughter of James McBride Simpson, a native of Pennsylvania. Her death occurred in 1897. The paternal grandfather, Solomon King, was a native of Pennsylvania, and devoted his life to farming. His wife was Esther Schotz prior to her marriage. Dr. King grew to manhood on the home farm in Iowa and there worked when a boy. He received his early education in the public schools and at Amity College, College Springs, Iowa. He subsequently entered the American School of Osteopathy at Kirksville, Missouri, where he made an ^excellent record and from which he graduated in 1899. He also took a post-graduate course in the Los Angeles College of Osteopathy, which he completed in 1910. He located in Springfield, Missouri, in February, 1899, opened an office for the practice of his profession and has been here to the present time, his practice during the sixteen years having steadily grown until it has now reached very large proportions and he is kept very busy. He was one of the first osteopaths to establish himself in the practice of this profession in Springfield. He is one of the best known osteopaths in southern Missouri. He is a member of the Ozark Osteopathic Association, of which he was the first president, and is very active in the work of the same. He is also a member of the Missouri State Osteopathic Associa- tion, and was president of the same for one year. He is also a member of the American Osteopathic Association, of which he was assistant secretary for two years. He has filled these responsible positions in a most faithful, able and highly acceptable manner. Politically he votes independently, and religiously he is a member of the Presbyterian church. His offices are in the Landers building. Dr. King married Fannie B. Clark, November 21, 1900. She is a daughter of Robert A. Clark, formerly a prominent business man of Springfield, who died many years ago. His widow, who was Julia A. Withrow prior to her marriage, was born in Virginia, and is making her home with Dr. and Mrs. King in Springfield. Two children have been born to Dr. King and wife, namely: Julia Mar- garet King, born January 17, 1902, is now attending high school; and Robert Montgomery King, born April 4, 1905, is in the fifth grade in the ward schools. Personally Dr. King is a pleasant, well-informed and courteous gen- tleman, who has made a host of friends since coming to Springfield. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1528 WILLIAM C. TROGDON. When the farmer matures his plans and operates his farm on the basis of a real purpose for the future, just as the business man, the railroad, or the corporation, then will he have the ability to get the long-time mortgage loans at the lower rates and with the many privileges that business organiza- tions now enjoy. Lie must figure out a certain definite annual expense on the basis of a certain gross income which must be sufficiently in excess of the expense to provide funds for proper maintenance of the farm and its equip- ment and its soil fertility, as well as an ample sum to take care of the an- nual payments on principle; he must provide for the usual accidents and failures and then an additional net sum or dividend of profit, at a proper rate, based on the market and increasing value of the farm which he is operating. In short, the successful farmer of this day and age must look well to the financial side of his business. William C. Trogdon, of Boone township, is one of our Greene county farmers who does this and conse- quently he is living very comfortably and setting a good example before his neighbors. Mr. Trogdon was born in Lawrence county, Missouri, July 15, 1875. He is a son of Reuben F. Trogdon, who was born in North Carolina, from which state he removed to Indiana in an early day, settling near Moores- ville, subsequently removing to Missouri, prior to the breaking out of the Civil war. He settled at the head of Clear creek, Greene county, where he resided ten years, then moved to Lawrence county. He finally returned to Greene county and bought a farm of two hundred and six acres in Boone township, which he has brought up to a good state of cultivation and gen- eral development and on which he is still residing. As he prospered he later added one hundred and thirty-five acres to his holdings, the latter excellent tract lying at Brookline. He is one of the best known citizens of this part of the county, and has an attractive home. He married Phoebe Ann Mc- Dorman, daughter of William McDorman, a farmer, who spent many years on a farm in Greene county, Missouri, where lie became well established. William C. Trogdon grew to manhood on the home farm where he assisted with the general work when a boy, and he acquired his early educa- tion in the common schools of Greene county. At the age of twenty-one years he began farming for himself, which he continued with gratifying results until 1904, when he engaged in merchandising at the village of Miller, Lawrence county, until 1910, having enjoyed a satisfactory trade with the people of that locality. Deciding to return to farming, he pur- chased one hundred and twenty acres in 1911, two and one-half miles south- east of Ash Grove, where he still resides, engaged in general farming and GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1 5 2 9 stock raising, experimenting with alfalfa. He is a man who gives his affairs the closest attention, using his brain as well as his brawn. His land is well tilled. Mr. Trogdon was married in 1896 to Ollie Burney, a daughter of James Burney, a fanner and miller of Greene county. He originally came from Tennessee. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Trogdon, namely: R. Lail, born December 14, 1899, and Velta, born December 1, 1901, both at- tending public school in their neighborhood. Politically, our subject is a Republican. Fraternally, he belongs to the Masonic Order, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Woodmen of the World. Mrs. Trogdon is a member of the Rebekahs, Royal Neigh- bors and the Order of Eastern Star. WALTON EUGENE EDMONSON. One of the best remembered and most highly respected citizens of Walnut Grove and vicinity in a past generation was the late Walton Eugene Edmonson, who, after a successful and honorable career as farmer, educator and merchant, took his journey to that mystic clime, Shakespeare’s “undis- covered bourne from whence no traveler e'er returns.’’ when in the prime of life and usefulness; but he left behind him a heritage of which his descen- dants may well be proud — an untarnished name. He was the creditable de- scendant of one of the earliest pioneer families of this section of Greene county, the Edmonsons having assisted in redeeming the rich soil from the primor- dial state, and here played well their roles in the drama of civilization and no family has been better known here for several generations. Mr. Edmonson was born on a farm near Walnut Grove, August 12, 1866. He was a son of Fide and Martha (Potter) Edmonson. The father was born in this vicinity also, in November, 1840, and is therefore approach- ing his seventy-fifth birthday. He is a son of Allen and Polly (Julian) Edmonson, who were very early settlers in Walnut Grove township, clearing and developing a farm here when the country was sparsely settled, and here Fide Edmonson grew to manhood, on the homestead and early in life began farming for himself in this locality where he continued to reside until a few years ago when he removed with his family to Polk county, and has continued agricultural pursuits ; however, is now practically retired. His wife was also born and reared in Greene county. To them the following children have been born : Alonzo, who was formerly in the banking business in Walnut Grove; Walton E., subject of this memoir; Dudley, who lives in 153 ° GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. Colorado; Edward, who is farming in Polk county; Dollie and Bettie, who are at home with their parents, and Rufus, also at home. Walton E. Edmonson, commonly known as “Walter,” grew to man- hood on the farm and assisted his father with the general work when he became of proper age. Being of a studious disposition he obtained a good education in the local schools and by constant home study. For many years he taught school in Walnut Grove township and did much to improve the school system, raising the local schools from common to graded schools, and in many ways advanced the cause of education in this locality, and he was regarded as one of the most efficient teachers in the county, and was popular with both pupils and patrons. In 1891 he gave up educational work and turned his attention to merchandising in Aldrich, Polk county, and remained there two years, then came to Walnut Grove and continued general merchan- dising. He built up a good trade by his honest and courteous dealings with his many customers and he continued in this line of endeavor the rest of his life. Mr. Edmonson was married on December 31, 1890, to Flora V. Tar- rant, who was born in Dade county, Missouri, June 17, 1870, and there grew to womanhood and received a good education in the public schools. She is a daughter of William M. and Josie (King) Tarrant. Mr. Tarrant was born in Bowling Green, Kentucky, August 20, 1843, an d he was brought to Dade county, Missouri, when a small boy by his parents, and there grew to manhood, and when the Civil war began be enlisted in the Sixth Regi- ment, Missouri Volunteer Cavalry, Union army, and he served gallantly and faithfully until the close of the struggle, at the termination of which he re- ceived an honorable discharge. He returned to Dade county, where he fol- lowed general agricultural pursuits with success until his death, which oc- curred in April, 1904. His widow died July 21, 1914, being well advanced in years. They were the parents of the following children : Flora V., who married Mr. Edmonson of this review; Albert B., Fannie and Eva. To Mr. and Mrs. Edmonson the following children were born : Mamie E., born in October, 1891, is the wife of J. A. Poindexter, a farmer of Dade county; Lucy E., born in November, 1893, is the wife of Chester A. Holder, a farmer in Walnut Grove township; Cliff E., born December 12, 1895, the wife of R. B. McDonald, of Walnut Grove, and Travis E., born October 24, 1896, lives in Walnut Grove. The death of Mr. Edmonson occurred on December 8, 1896, when only a few months past his thirtieth birthday, his untimely death being lamented by his wide circle of friends and acquaintances. Politically, he was a Demo- crat. He was a worthy member of the Presbyterian church, and fraternally, was a member of the Masonic Order and was very active in the work of the same. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1531 After the death of our subject, Mrs. Edmonson opened a millinery store in Walnut Grove, which she conducted with much success, enjoying a large patronage and soon won a reputation for a skilled and tasty trimmer. On May 12, 1913, she was appointed postmistress at Walnut Grove and is now incumbent of the same. She has discharged her duties in this connec- tion in a faithful and highly acceptable manner to both the department and the people. LOUIS P. ERNST. In treating of men and characters, the biographer contemplates them as he finds them, and not according to conceptions of his own. He is not supposed to entertain any favoritism, to have any likes or dislikes, or caprices of any kind to gratify, or to not have any special standards of ex- cellence, “according to an exact scale” of Gunteror Aristotle, or fall out with the life of a great subject, because “not one of the angles of the four corners was a right one.” He will not attempt to prove himself always in the right. Where a long contact with the personage exists, the labor of arrangement, synopsis and production becomes more simple, and this is quite equally true as applied to those who have been performers, whether in front of the curtain or otherwise, through the shorter or longer years. And, yet, in the business, financial and professional avenues, we discover “age lagging superfluously on the state,” side by side with the thrifty fruitage of actors in their spring, or zenith-time of endeavor. While Louis P. Ernst, well-known ex-mayor of the city of Springfield, has passed the nadir of hi$ professional life, yet has many years of profitable activity before him. He is a man of thought and study and finds essential nutriment in feasting at the boards of the legal masters of the past. Having depended a great deal upon these authorities he has ever kept well prepared for his daily tasks. Under the teachings of an intelligent mother he early acquired those habits of industry and self-reliance, which, linked with upright principles, have uni- formly characterized his manhood-life. He commands the unqualified con- fidence of the people of Greene county, and deserves it. Since locating in our midst less than a decade ago he has shown himself to be an earnest man, and in that sense applies himself, to business, an honest man in dealings with his clients and all others, a simple man in his tastes — simplicity emphasizing every phase of his life. Mr. Ernst was born, July 9, 1853, in Lorain county, Ohio. He is a son of George Ernst, who was born in the year 1801, in Hanover, Germany, where he. grew to manhood, received an excellent education and spent his earlier years. Learning the tailor’s trade when young he spent seven years U3 2 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. as military tailor in the German army, making officers’ uniforms. He emi- grated to American in 1831, locating in Lorain county, Ohio, when that sec- tion was a part of what was still known as the Western Reserve, and there he spent the rest of his life, dying in 1856. He married Elizabeth E. Ernst, (no relation), in 1821. She was born in Hesse, Germany, in 1803. Her father, Conrad Ernst, emigrated to the United States in an early day and settled near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Philip, Casper and Jacob Ernst, brothers of his father, are all now deceased. Louis P. Ernst is a fine example of a self-educated and self-made man. He spent his boyhood in Lorain county, Ohio, and there attended the com- mon schools and worked hard on the farm during the summer months, later taking a classic course in Oberlin College in that state, then entered the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, where he took part of the law course. When twenty-three years of age he began teaching school, also practicing law in Ottawa county, Michigan, where he resided for a period of twenty- five years, during which he became well known as an attorney and educator, being superintendent of county schools for several years. In fact, his first life work was teaching, having begun that work in Illinois prior to entering Oberlin College, and although young in years, he won quite a reputation for correct pronunciation of English words, and he was always selected to lead the spelling bees for miles around. He has always been known as hav- ing an exceptional memory for remembering names and faces, never for- getting people he has met, no matter how long ago. Mr. Ernst came to Springfield, Missouri, January 8, 1906, and at once began the practice of law. It was not long until he took his place among the leaders of the Greene county bar and was a familiar figure in the local courts. He took an interest in public affairs and in 1908 was elected mayor of Springfield, performing the duties of this important office for two years in a manner that reflected much credit upon himself and to the entire satis- faction of his constituents and all concerned, doing much during that period for the general upbuilding of the city. After his term of office had expired, having become tired of official and professional life, Mr. Ernst purchased a half section of good land two miles north of the village of Ebenezer, in Robberson township, this county and engaged extensively in stock rasing, although still making Springfield his home. Mr. Ernst married on August 20, 1881, Minnie E. Treloar, who was given a good education in the schools of Ottawa county, Michigan, where she taught successfully several years prior to her marriage, and later con- tinued to teach private classes for some time. She is the daughter of Samuel J. and Martha J. (Kearney) Treloar. The father was born in Plymouth, England, in 1839, and died in Springfield, March 22, 1910. The mother was born in New Brunswick, Ottawa, Canada, May 12, 1842, and is making GREENE COUNTY^ MISSOURI. 1533 her home with subject and wife. No children have been born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Ernst. Mr. Ernst became alderman in Springfield one year after coming here. Before his term as alderman had expired he was elected mayor, although he had lived but a short time in our midst. He did much to encourage public improvements while in office and looked well to the city’s finances, using his influence to secure very low contracts for work for the city. He also created a widespread sentiment toward general public improvement. Mr. Ernst was formerly a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Politically, he is a stanch Republican and has long been active in the affairs of his party. He and his wife are affiliated with the Second Presbyterian chu’rch of Springfield. PAUL E. ANDREW. The life of the professional man seldom exhibits any of those striking in- cidents that seize upon public feeling and attract attention to himself. His character is generally made up of the aggregate qualities and qualifications he may possess, as these may be elicited by the exercise of the duties of his vocation or the particular profession to which he belongs. But when such a man has so impressed his individuality upon his fellow men as to gain their confidence and through that confidence rises to important public trust he at once becomes a conspicuous figure in the body politic of the community. Paul E. Andrew, superintendent of the schools of Walnut Grove, is one of the deserving young men of Greene county, who, not content to hide his talents in life’s sequestered ways, has by the force of will and a laudable ambition forged to the front in a responsible and exacting calling and earned an honorable reputation in one of the most important branches of public service. His life has been one of hard study and research, and the position to which he has attained while so young a man is evidence that the qualities he possesses afford the means of distinction under a system of government in which places of usefulness and honor are open to all who may be found worthy of them. Mr. Andrew was born, September 28, 1887, seven miles southwest of Springfield, Missouri. He is a son of O. L. and Laura (Shinpaugh) x\n- drew, the latter a daughter of H. H. and Maggie Shinpaugh, her people removing from Tennessee to this section of Missouri in an early day. O. L. Andrew was born in Macoupin county, Illinois, and there he grew to man- hood and received a common school education, including a business course GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. *534 at Carlinville, that state. He came to Missouri when a young man and be- gan his career as farmer seven miles southwest of Springfield, where he con- tinued to reside engaged in general farming until 1913, when he removed to Exeter, California, where he now resides. He owns forty acres there, four acres of which include peaches and apricots, the rest of the farm being in alfalfa, six and eight crops being harvested each year. Politically, he is a Republican. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America there. He is a member of the Presbyterian church. Paul E. Andrew ,only child of his parents, grew to manhood on the home farm in Greene county and assisted his father with the general farm duties when he became of proper age. He received his early education in the rural schools, then came to Springfield and entered the high school, from which he was graduated with the class of 1907, then entered Drury College, and received the degree of Bachelor of Science from that institution in 1911. He attended three summer sessions at the Springfield State Normal, from which lie received the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy in 1914. He made a splendid record for scholarship in all three of these institutions and thus became well equipped for his chosen life work — that of educator. He was principal of the high school at Miller for two years, then was chosen superin- tendent of the Walnut Grove schools, the important duties of which position he has discharged during the past two years in a manner that has reflected much credit upon himself and to the eminent satisfaction of the board and patrons and he has been popular with his pupils. He has done much to give Walnut Grove a better, stronger and more modern school system, being a man of progressive methods and advanced ideas, quick to adopt the new when he deems it best, but using due discretion in laying aside the old. On December 27, 1909, Mr. Andrew was united in marriage with Edna Suavely, a young lady of education and refinement, and a daughter of J. Edward and Ida Suavely, a well-known family of Springfield. After gradu- ating from the Aurora high school, Mrs. Andrew attended Drury College, later the Normal in Springfield, from which she was graduated in 1910, after which she taught one year in the Marshfield high school, at Marshfield, Webster county. She is now teaching English and Latin in the Walnut Grove high school, and is regarded as an efficient and successful instructor. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew has resulted in the birth of one child. Jewel Cyrene, born March 24, 1912. Politically, Mr. Andrew is a Republican. Fraternally, he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Miller, also to Lodge No. 569, Masonic Order, at that town. Fie is a member of the First Presbyterian church at Springfield. He and Mrs. Andrew have made a host of friends since coming to Walnut Grove. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1 535 C. W. EARNEST. Nature’s remedies and methods for curing the ills of man, beast or soil are always the best and most economical. So we must learn the simple lesson that wherever the necessary mineral elements of plant food are de- ficient, whether it is because they never were deposited in sufficient quantity by nature or whether they have been exhausted by erosion or repeated crop- ping, we must not only return them in their natural form, but we must make them available for plant food by supplying organic matter in abundance. No considerable increased crop yields will be realized until these facts are thoroughly understood and methods involving their application adopted. C. W. Earnest, a farmer of Cass township, Greene county, has long been aware of these facts and has governed his methods of agriculture accordingly, and that is the reason that he has prospered. Mr. Earnest was born, December 3, 1839, in Blount county, eastern Tennessee. He is a son of Wesley Earnest, who was born in Greene county, Tennessee, September 10, 1796. His parents located in that state among the early settlers and there he grew to manhood, attended the early-day schools, taught in log cabins, later studying at a college for awhile. His active life was devoted to general farming. He remained in his native state until 1851, when he removed to Missouri. He married, in his native state, Nancy Ramsey, a daughter of John Ramsey. She was born in Tennessee, August 20, 1800. To their union nine children were born, two of whom died when young, namely: John R., deceased, came to Greene county, Mis- souri, where he became one of the judges of the County Court; William was drowned when a boy; James C., born May 11, 1828, died in 1905; Malinda died a few years ago; Susan died when young; Polly Ann died in girlhood; Nancy Ann died many years ago; C. W. of this sketch; Elizabeth is the widow of George Biggs, he being deceased. A half sister to these children was Eliza Blackburn, who married Charles Plughes. C. W. Earnest grew to manhood on his father's farm where he worked when a boy. He was twelve years of age when he removed with his family to Greene county, Missouri. He received his education in the common schools. After spending nineteen years on his father’s farm in this county, he removed in 1871 to the farm which he now owns, thus he has lived on one place forty-four years, during which he has developed one of the best farms in Lass township, bringing it up to a high state of improvement and fertility. His farm consists of two hundred and five acres. He carries on general farming and stock raising, having formerly devoted much of his attention to raising mules. During the Civil War he served two years in the militia, on the Federal side, however, he did not have occasion to do any active fighting. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. I53 6 Mr. Earnest was married in 1891, to Elizabeth Murray, to which union three children were born, two of whom died in infancy; Jessie is living at home. The death of the wife and mother occurred June 28, 1903. On November 18, 1906, our subject married Tennie Sneed. 1 his union has been without issue. Politically, Mr. Earnest is a Democrat, and while he is in no sense a politician, he has always been loyal in his support of all movements looking to the betterment of his township and county in any way. He is a member of the Presbyterian church at Cave Spring. Having lived so long in the northern part of Greene county he is one of the best known men in this locality, and his reputation for right living is all that could be desired. JOHN H. GARTON. It is a pleasure to any one, whether farmer or not, to look over a well improved and finely kept landed estate like that of John H. Garton, of Brookline township, who has lived on the same place for a period of over a half century. He is a man who believes in keeping abreast of the times, in adopting, so far as practicable, the most approved twentieth-century methods in general farming and stock raising. As a result of his long- years of husbandry he has about solved the cpiestion of scientific farming as the people of this section of the Ozark country know and understand it today. He has always stood for progress, not only in material things but in political, educational and moral matters, an advocate of right living and honesty among public officials, and while laboring for his own welfare he has never been neglectful of the good of his neighbors and the general public. Mr. Garton was born in Maury county, Tennessee, February 8, 1854. He is a son of Philip and Christiana (Hoffman) Garton, who spent their early lives in Tennessee, where the father was born and where his father settled in a very early day, coming to that state from the Carolinas. The Garton family is of Scotch descent. Philip Garton grew up on a farm and he began life for himself as a general farmer in Tennessee, where he resided until 1861, when he emigrated with his family to Greene county, Missouri, and located on a large tract of land in Brookline township, which place is now occupied by his son, our subject. Here the father developed a valuable farm through his industry and good management, and became a good citizen. He was one of a family of ten boys, three of whom were triplets. Seven of the ten served during the war between the states in ’the Confederacy. The other three, including Philip, went into the Northland, but on account of physical disabilities none of them served in the army. The mother of the PHILIP GARTOX. HOME OF •T. H. GARTOX. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1 537 subject of this sketch was born in the Province of Saxony, Germany, and when a young girl she was brought to the United States by her parents, the family locating in Tennessee, and there she grew to womanhood and mar- ried Mr. Garton, and to them three children were born, a son and two daugh- ters, namely : John^T, of this review; Alice, who married G. Lemp, of St. Louis, and they have three children; Florence married Joseph Adams, a farmer of Brookline township, and they have four children, all daughters. The death of Philip Garton occurred in the spring of 1895, and his wife preceded him to the grave in 1894. John H. Garton grew 7 to manhood on the home farm, he having been seven years of age when he removed here with his parents from Tennessee. Pie assisted his father in the general w r ork of the place and here he has lived -continuously and now owns the farm which consists of three hundred acres of well improved and highly cultivated land, one of the choicest farms, in fact, in the township. He carries on general farming and stock raising on an extensive scale, handling an excellent grade of live stock. He has a good home and good outbuildings and up-to-date farming implements, the Garton Place Stock Farm being equal to any in the community. Mr. Garton was married April 4, 1900, to Nora Rose, of Greene county, where she grew to womanhood and was educated in the common schools, as was Mr. Garton. She is a daughter of Reuben Rose, a successful farmer •of the western part of the county. To Mr. Rose and wife eleven children w^ere born. To Mr. and Mrs. Garton three children were born, one of whom died in infancy; Francis Marion, born in June, 1903; and Christiana, born in August, 1906. Politically Mr. Garton is a Democrat, and religiously he belongs to the Presbyterian church. He has never been ambitious to be an office holder, but he is deeply interested in public matters. DR. ANSON HARVEY GIFFORD. The homeopathic -science of the treatment of multiform ills of the flesh Las an able representative in Greene county in the person of Dr. Anson Harvey Gifford, of Springfield, formerly an instructor of music in Drury College, a man with talents sufficient to become well known in more than -one avenue of endeavor, in this respect being unlike most men, for few there be who are able to rise above the mediocre even in one line of effort. Those who know Doctor Gifford well say that he has been the architect of his owm ( 97 ) 1538 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. character, is a distinct personality; a man of independent mind and thought, diffident, but self-reliant, reserved but self-assertive, self-disciplined and highly intellectual. He has ever been a student, reader and thinker, and for his opportunities, a scholarly, effective professional man. None is more faithful than he in the performance of his every-day duties. Method, sys- tem, order — -“Heaven’s first law” — are rigidly observed by him. Doctor Gifford was born at Owego, New York, May i'i, 1854. He is a son of Harvey B. and Marietta (Corbin) Gifford. The father was born at Owego, New York, and the mother at Salem, Massachusetts. The paternal grandfather was one of the pioneer settlers of New York state, where he devoted his life to farming. The maternal great-grandfather, Mr. Corbin, was born in England, from which country he emigrated to America in colonial times, and became an American officer in the Revolutionary war in which he fought gallantly until taken prisoner. He was returned to England by the British and kept in irons for some time, the chains on his ankles wear- ing the flesh to the bone. He was finally exchanged, but on his way back to America he died as a result of the exposure and inhuman treatment to which his captors had compelled him to submit so long. The father of Doctor Gifford spent his early life as a farmer in his native state, later re- moving to Chicago, Illinois, where he engaged in the music business, and had a well-patronized store which was wiped out in the great conflagration which destroyed that city in the autumn of 1871, Mr. Gifford being a heavy loser. He then removed with his family to Sedalia, Missouri, and resumed farming in that vicinity where he spent the rest of his life, dying in 1888. The mother of Doctor Gifford was born, February 22, 1824, and her death occurred in 1911 at an advanced age, being ninety years old. She was buried at Bois D’Arc, Missouri. Dr. Anson H. Gifford was educated in the public schools, later attended Wheaton College in Illinois, also took a course at Drury College, Springfield, Missouri. Aside from a small start in life he has been self-supporting since he was about eighteen years of age, and worked his way through college, doing whatever he could get to do to make an honest dollar, but followed teaching for the most part. In 1875-76 he taught music in Drury College. He has a pronounced natural talent as a musician and has made himself proficient in the same. In 1885 he entered the Homeopathic Medical College in Chicago, in which he made an excellent record and from which institution he was graduated in the spring of 1889. Soon thereafter he came to Spring- field, Missouri, where he began the practice of his profession and has re- mained here to the present time, all the while enjoying a large and growing business and ranking among the leading men of his science in the southern part of the state. Doctor Gifford is a member of the Missouri Institute of Homeopathy, GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1539 and the American Institute of Homeopathy. He is a member of the Wood- men lodge, in politics he votes independently, and in religious matters he is a member of the Presbyterian church. Doctor Gifford was married in 1883 to Alice PI. Tucker, of Sedalia, Missouri. She was born in Lebanon, Kentucky, in 1862, and is a daughter of C. H. Rosanna (Riffe) Tucker. The father, who was a liveryman in Sedalia, died in 1903, and the mother is living in Boston, Massachusetts. Mr. Tucker was left an orphan when he was quite young and was compelled to carve out his own fortune unaided, but by his sturdy manhood, persever- ance and indomitable courage became a man of importance and prominence. Mrs. Gifford’s maternal grandfather was Peter B. Riffe, who was a colonel in the Confederate army during the Civil war. He lived to an advanced age, dying about 1893. His father was a general in the Indian wars in the early history of the state of Kentucky, where he commanded state troops, and he was well acquainted with Daniel Boone, the renowned hunter, pioneer and trapper. To Doctor Gifford and wife one child has been born, Riffe Tucker Gifford, whose birth occurred in Sedalia, Missouri, January 31, 1885; he was educated in the schools of Springfield, and is unmarried. He is a young man of much promise. DANIEL E. CLOUD. Much depends on the kind of start one gets in this world, just as it does in a race. The horse that gets the best start, all other things being equal, will almost invariably win the race. So in the race of life; if you are properly started, with suitable grooming, such as good educational and home training, you will lead in the race in after years and enjoy your exist- ence, at the same time accomplish something worth while and be of service to your associates. Such home influences were thrown around Daniel E. Cloud, one of the best known citizens in the northern part of Greene county. Both father and mother were people of sound principles and exemplary habits and at their deaths, many years ago, there was no word of reproach spoken by any one, and they left a name revered by their many friends. Mr. Cloud was born on December 8, 1857, in Pike county, Arkansas. He is a son of John B. and Amanda (Kelley) Cloud, the latter having been a daughter of Elijah and Elizabeth Kelley. Mr. Kelley was for many years a prominent citizen of Arkansas in the days of the early settlers. He was a minister in the Christian church, and had the distinction of being a mem- ber of the first Legislature of Arkansas. John B. Cloud was born in Logan 1540 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. county, Kentucky, in November, 1836. There he grew to manhood, was educated in the common schools and there resided until 1854, when he re- moved to Clark county, Arkansas. He became owner of a good farm of one hundred and sixty acres which he operated and he also dealt extensively in live stock. During the Civil war he served four years as a member of Com- pany H, Sixth Arkansas Volunteer Infantry, of the Confederate army. He enlisted early in the conflict, proved to be a gallant and efficient soldier, and for meritorious conduct was promoted to captain of his company in April, 1862, and continued as such until the close of the war. He saw much hard service and participated in many battles and skirmishes, including Pea Ridge, Corinth, Farmington, Iuka and Port Hudson. He was captured during the last named engagement and was held prisoner nine months at Johnson Island, Ohio, being exchanged in March, 1864. Soon thereafter he returned home and joined the army of the Trans-Mississippi, his operations being confined to Arkansas during the rest of the war. After the close of hostili- ties he went to Okolona, Clark county, Arkansas, where he engaged in rais- ing blooded stock. He and Amanda Kelley were married in 1856, in Ar- kansas, and to them seven children were born, named as follows: Daniel E., of this sketch; Elizabeth, of Chickasha, Oklahoma, is the widow of Adolphus Cothan. he being deceased; John S. died when fourteen years of age; Hettie, of El Centro, California, is the widow of Charles Kemp, he being deceased; Nannie died in 1895; William T., who is treasurer and col- lector of Washita county, Oklahoma, lives at the town of Chickasha; Beulah is the wife of Thomas Hayes and they reside in Arkansas. Politically, J. B. Cloud was a Democrat. He was a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, also belonged to the Christian church, in which he was an elder for many years. His death occurred in 1894, his wife having preceded him to the grave on May 10, 1885. Daniel E. Cloud grew to manhood in Arkansas and there attended the common schools, and after working in a store for two years he came to Mis- souri and attended Morrisville College in Polk county for two years, then returned to Arkansas and engaged in the live stock business for two years. Returning to Missouri he located in Greene county, where he has since re- sided, engaged in general farming and stock raising, also merchandising. He operated his farm in Cass township until 1898, and still owns two hun- dred and twenty-five acres there. In the last mentioned year he engaged in the general merchandise business at Cave Spring, continuing for five years, then came to Willard and continued in the same line of endeavor until 1914 when he traded his stock of goods for a farm in Murray township, which he is now superintending, keeping his Cass township farm rented. He owns in all four hundred acres of valuable, well-improved and productive land and is successfully carrying on general farming and stock raising on a large GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1541 scale. While a merchant he enjoyed a large patronage, both at Cave Spring and Willard, always carrying a large and well-selected stock of general merchandise and dealing courteously and honestly with his many customers. Mr. Cloud was married on July 11, 1882, to Ida B. Appleby, a daughter of Samuel G. and Martha Appleby, one of the oldest and best-known fam- ilies of northern Greene county. Mrs. Cloud grew to womanhood on the farm here and was educated in the public schools and finished her schooling in Morrisville, Missouri. Five children have been born to our subject and wife, namely: Gertrude is the wife of A. F. Logan, a traveling salesman for the firm of Keet & Rountree, of Springfield; Horace E. died February 22, 1904; Beulah is the wife of Guy Murray, a farmer of Greene county.; John S. lives at home and is engaged in the general mercantile business at Willard; William Clay is attending school, he completed the eighth grade this term, while only twelve years of age. Politically, Mr. Cloud is a Democrat. He belongs to the Masonic Order, Blue Lodge, Royal Arch and Council; also the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen and the Court of Honor, all of Wiliam. Mrs. Cloud is also a member of the last named order. They belong to the Christian church at Cave Spring, in which Mr. Cloud was an elder during the period of his residence at that place. CARVER O. MERCER. To ambitious, struggling youths, with only the broad, perhaps cheerless highway of the future before them, this narrative of a self-made man — a successful life — presents an example worthy of consideration and earnest emulation, and might even fill a faltering heart with strong zeal, or a youth- ful mind with greater determination and a fuller recognition of those at- tributes which constitute true manhood — nature's patent of nobility — indus- try, integrity, temperance and right living along all lines Carver O. Mercei, who has been an enterprising resident of Springfield for over thirty years, is a well-known contractor and has long been identified with the affairs of the city, consequently is well known here and over Greene county. Mr. Mercer was born in Poughkeepsie, Dutchess county, New York, November 22, 1852. He is a son of Thomas C. Mercer, a successful pioneer physician, who was born in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1817. He was the son of a brick manufacturer who furnished the brick for many of the first houses built of this material in Louisville. There Doctor Mercer grew to manhood and, after receiving a common school education, entered the Louisville Medical College from which he was graduated, and soon thereafter began 1542 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. the practice of his profession in that city. He seemed to specialize in surg- ery for which he had much native ability. He served nine years in the United States army, part of the time as regular physician and part of the time as contract surgeon. After leaving the service' of the government he located in Utica, Indiana, where he engaged in the practice of his profession for some time, later removing to Jeffersonville, that state, where he con- tinued practice with his usual large success until his death in 1884. His wife, who was Katherine Orvis before her marriage, was a native of the state of New York. To Dr. Mercer's father and mother five sons and two daughters were born, named as follows : Thomas C., father of the subject of this sketch; Henry, who was a printer in Louisville, Kentucky, is de- ceased; James met death in a hotel in Texas when it was destroyed by fire; Pope met death by being accidentally shot; Levi, deceased, was among the early settlers near St. Louis, Missouri; Julia, deceased, was the wife of Claudius Devaull, a carpet merchant of Louisville, Kentucky; the name of the youngest daughter could not be learned by the writer. To Dr. Thomas C. Mercer and wife two sons and two daughters were born, namely: Carver O., of this sketch; Elizabeth married Louis Girdler, superintendent of the Fall City Cement Company, and they have four sons and two daughters; Henrietta is the wife of Philip Arnold, who is engaged in educational work in Joplin. Missouri, and to them three sons, one of whom is deceased, and two daughters, have been born; Neville, who became a deputy clerk to the probate judge of Jasper county, Missouri, and was well known in public affairs in his vicinity, is deceased, having died in Greene county. Carver O. Mercer spent his earlier years in his native city and in Utica, Indiana, being educated in the common school in the latter place. At an early age he began life for himself by launching out in the teaming and transfer business. He remained in Indiana until 1873, when he came to Missouri and located in the city of Joplin, in which he spent ten years, then, in 1883, came to Springfield. He has continued the business in which he was first engaged since leaving Indiana, his business gradually increasing until it reached large proportions many years ago, although it had a modest beginning. He has long been one of the best known transfer men in Spring- field and is quite well equipped in every respect for this line of work, always keeping good teams, wagons and general equipment, and keeps a number of trustworthy hands employed all the while. He has had the contract for sprinkling the streets of Springfield since 1904, and has also' had the con- tract for hauling coal for the pumping station of this city since 1906. That he has retained these contracts so long would indicate that he has given the best of service and highest satisfaction to all concerned. He has been very successful in a financial way and owns considerable property here, including GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1543 a commodious residence. His office and barns are located at Chase and Camp streets. Mr. Mercer was married on February 29, 1880, in Newton county, Missouri, to Amanda J. Wolf. She is a daughter of George Wolf, a farmer of Fremont county, Iowa, who is now deceased. In that county the birth of Mrs. Mercer occurred, March 19, 1854, and there she grew to woman- hood and received her education in the common schools. She proved to be a faithful and sympathetic helpmeet. She was called to her eternal rest on December 16, 1913. Our subject and wife had no children of their own, but they adopted a son, Leo Mercer, who was born March 4, 1888. He was given a common school education' in Greene county, and in early life he enlisted in the United States army in which he served seven years, during two of which he was stationed at Alcatraz Island, near San Francisco, California, and later spent several years in the Philippine Islands. His record as a soldier was an honorable and excellent one. He worked a year for the New York Con- tinental Jewell Filteration Company, his work being in Springfield. After this he secured employment with the Jarrett & Richardson Construction Com- pany of Springfield and is still connected with this firm, which, for two years has been engaged on a large viaduct in St. Louis. In 19 1 1 Leo Mercer and Mary Owen were carried in Greene county. She is a daughter of Bill Owen, a farmer living near Springfield. She was educated in the schools of this city. To Leo Mercer and wife, two children have been born, a son and a daughter, namely : Orvis Leo and Mary. Politically, Carver O. Mercer is a Democrat, but he has never been an office seeker. WELDON E. STALEY. The country has many advantages over the city. Likewise, it has its disadvantages, and one of the greatest of its disadvantages is the lack of opportunity to gain a competence within a reasonable period of time. Many farmers have grown rich through increased valuation of their land; others have become well-to-do through carefully husbanding their resources, rigid and economical living and good business ability, ofttimes combined with favorable seasons for their principal product. It seems something of a pity that the farmer is not responsible for considerable of the increase in the high cost of living. He should be getting more of the high prices which the city people are paying for their produce than he is, because he is justly en- titled to it. It costs too much for the farmer to market his stuff. Transpor- tation charges are too high. The middleman’s profits are excessive and 1544 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. there is not sufficient security for the farmer to insure him a just and honest return from all commission dealers. Nevertheless to the honest, pushing,, hard-working and enterprising farmer is due the prosperity, wealth and ad- vancement of any community, and to their zeal, energy and integrity will its. future prosperity be indebted, as it has been in the past. Among the names, that have long been prominent in agricultural circles in the northern part of Greene county is that of Weldon E. Staley, of Cass township. Mr. Staley hails from below the Mason and Dixon line, being a repre- sentative of a sterling old Southern family, and his birth occurred near Raleigh, North Carolina, July 9, 1840. He is therefore nearly to the mile- post marking three-quarters of a century. He is a son of Alfred Staley,, who was born in North Carolina, June 2, 1811, in which state he grew to manhood and received a good education for those early days. He devoted his active life to general farming in which he met with more than ordinary success. In an early day he removed with his family to Clinton county, Mis- souri, making the long, tedious overland journey in wagons, in typical pioneer fashion. After spending two years in that county he came to Cave Spring, Greene county, this state and established the future home of the family, and there also established a general merchandise store. He built up a large trade among the early settlers, notwithstanding the fact that the country round about was sparsely settled, but many of his customers came long distances from settlements in the northern part of this and the southern, part of Polk county. He remained a merchant there until his death, which occurred on December 16, 1853. His wife, Lucina Brower, was born in North Carolina, in which state she was reared, educated in the subscription schools, and there they were married on February 12, 1835. To their union nine children were born, three of whom died in infancy, the others being named as follows: Caroline married James Van Bibber, of Greene county, Missouri; William B. is a retired farmer, living in Texas; Weldon E. of this sketch; John C. died at Cave Spring many years ago; Sanders, who was at one time a judge of the Greene County Court, lives in Springfield; Lula, who married Doctor Coltrane, is living in Springfield. Weldon E. Staley was young in years when his parents brought him from North Carolina to Missouri. He received a common school education- in Greene county, and assisted his father in the store at Cave Spring until he was about twenty-one years of age. He and his brother operated the store for many years after which he removed to the farm, although he had been very successful in the merchandise business. In i860 he purchased his present fine farm in Cass township, and in 1861 removed to it, thus he has been a resident on one farm for the unusual period of fifty-four years. Doubtless very few farmers of this county have lived on their farms during a period of such a length of time. His place consists of two hundred and GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1545 sixty acres, which he has developed very largely from a wild state, bringing it up to a high standard of improvement and cultivation through close ap- plication and good management. He has carried on general farming and stock raising on an extensive scale and has a good home in the midst of pleasant surroundings. During the Civil war he was a member of a militia regiment, but did not see much active service. Mr. Staley married Angeline Evans, January 23, 1861. She is a daughter of Joseph Evans, one of the old settlers in this pari of Greene county, the Evanses having been among the best known and most highly respected families of this locality for several generations. Here Mrs. Staley spent her girlhood and attended school. Mrs. Staley died, December 20, 1903 - Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Staley, one of whom died in infancy; the others were named as follows: William Walter, Molly is the wife of Tom Watkins, and they reside in Springfield; Mrs. Dolly Roberts lives in Greene county; Fannie is the wife of W. E. Thompson and they live in Cass township: Horace lives in Carthage, Missouri; Joe lives on the farm with his father; Kate is living at home; Bunch is engaged in farming a short distance west of the homestead; Juanita is the wife of George Haun, and they live on a farm south of Springfield. Politically, Mr. Staley is a Democrat, and while he has ever been loyal in his support of the party and a public-spirited man, he has never sought public office or political leadership, being content to devote his attention ex- clusively to his home and his farm. Like the rest of the Staleys, his reputa- tion in all the relations of life has been that of a plain, honest and helpful citizen, deserving of the high esteem in which he is held by wide acquaintance. CALVIN POLLACK. Of the second generation of those of foreign blood in Greene county,, the name of Calvin Pollack, a merchant of Cave Spring, Cass township, should receive special setting in a biographical work of the nature of the one in hand, for in him are outcroppings of many of the characteristic traits that have made the French people successful and leading citizens wherever they have dispersed. He has tried to keep before him the aphorism, expounded by one of the greatest writers of the present age, “That the wise make of their failures a ladder, the foolish a grave,” and he has refused to recall the doings of the past except their lessons, which he has used as guides for present-day actions, refusing to permit obstacles to thwart him in his race tor a given goal. In thus advocating sound and wholesome principles of GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 154 ^ life for himself, he has inadvertently had a palliative influence on the lives of those with whom he has come in contact, the people of this locality know- ing him as an honest, earnest, energetic and public-spirited citizen, worthy of their confidence and respect. Mr. Pollack was born in Cass township, Greene county, Missouri, September 6, 1874. He is a son of Joseph Pollack, who was born in 1842 111 Alsace-Lorraine, which was a part of France up to 1871, but since the Franco-Prussian War it has been a province of Germany. Reidseltz is the name of the village 111 which he first saw the light of day and where he spent his boyhood and attended school. Leaving there at the age of seventeen years he immigrated to America, landing in New York City. He came on west to Day ton, Ohio, where an elder brother had previously located. From there he went to St. Louis, where he attended a commercial college. After remaining there two years he came to Springfield, and engaged in the mer- cantile business, working for the firm of Frieberg & Ivlotz, which established a branch store at Walnut Grove, this county, of which Mr. Pollack was placed 111 charge. On March 1, 1866, he married Martha Elizabeth Skeen, a daughter of Hope Skeen. She was born on October 11, 1845, at Fair Grove, this county, and removed to Cass township when eight years old and grew to womanhood and received her education. She is a member of one of the prominent old families of this locality, and she has spent her life in Greene county, living now at Cave Spring. After his marriage Joseph Pollack purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Cass township and here spent the rest of his life as a general farmer. He developed his place from the wilderness, establishing a good home by hard work and perseverance, and he became a useful citizen here and was highly respected by all who knew him. His death occurred December 13, 1905. Twelve children were born to Joseph Pollack and wife, four of whom died when young, namely: Guy died at the age of twenty years; Delinda is the wife of George Rock and they make their home in Colorado; Calvin, of this sketch ; Adele is the wife of C. Denby, and they reside at Pearl, this county; Marvin is living on the old home farm in Cass township; Harry is married and is clerking in the store of his brother, our subject; Mrs. Katie Short lives in Tennessee where her husband is engaged in the real estate business; Helen is at home with her mother. Calvin Pollack grew to manhood on the homestead and assisted with the general work about the farm when a boy. He received his education in the common schools here and he began life for himself as a farmer, continu- ing in this line of endeavor successfully for a period of twenty-five years. Leaving the farm he began clerking in the general merchandise store of D. E. Cloud at Cave Spring, remaining in his employ four years, during which time he learned the ins and outs of this line of business, but continued to GREENE COUNTY^ MISSOURI. 1547 work four years more in the same store for W. S. Click, who purchased, the store from Mr. Cloud. After spending eight years as clerk and be- coming well acquainted with the business and the people of this locality, he bought out his employer and has since managed the store on his own accord, enjoying a large and constantly growing business, and keeping at all seasons an extensive and well-selected stock of general merchandise. Having always dealt courteously and honestly with the scores of regular patrons of the store, he has enjoyed the confidence and good will of the people of this community. Mr.. Pollack married Nellie Darraugh, March 18, 1900. She is a daughter of Whitfield Darraugh, and was reared and educated in Greene county. Two children have been born to our subject and wife, namely: Florence, now ten years old, is attending school at Cave Spring; and Jose- phine, seven years old, is also in school. Politically, Mr. Pollock is a Democrat, and is a supporter of every measure, which makes for the general upbuilding of his community. Fraternally he is a member of the Modern Woodmen lodge at Cave Spring. He is an active member of the Christian church of his home community, being a deacon in the same. WILLIAM E. THOMPSON. It used to be if there was a bright boy in the farmer's family he must needs forsake the farm to become a lawyer, or a doctor, or some sort of a professional man, but those whose wits were seen to be dull, would do very well on the farm. On the surface it would seem that the farms lost and the professions gained. But it was not always so and more often the farmer lad who chose to remain on the farm outstripped his apparently brighter brother. Yet because he dealt with things earthly his occupation and he himself, likewise, were very frequently “looked down upon." As years went by, however, it became more and more apparent that to succeed in crop producing required knowledge no less exacting in its requirements and covering a vastly wider range of subjects than the knowledge which brought success in other walks of life. For many, many years, however, it was true that our practice as applied to crop raising far outran our knowledge of the principles involved. While it is true that the cultivation of the soil and the handling of crops will never become an exact science, yet the knowledge which we now apply to the work in which we are interested and which any tiller of the soil must have at his command, has increased manifold within very recent years. And it is because of this gain in knowledge, both theore- GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1 548 tical and practical, that the attitude of every one toward the farmer and his occupation has changed. Today farming in its several more or less spec- ialized branches of vegetable growing, fruit growing, berry raising, poultry raising, and held crop production is regarded as a worthy calling for the brightest and best minds in the land. One of the most progressive general agriculturists of the northern part of Greene county is William E. lhomp- son, of Cass township, who owns a large acreage of valuable land and who applies twentieth century methods to his business. Mr. Thompson was born in the above named township and county on January 14, 1867. He is a son of William E. Thompson, who was born on April 28, 1827, in Tennessee, and there he grew to manhood on his father’s farm and received a common school education. Remaining in his native state until 1851, he emigrated to Greene county, Missouri, and established the future home of the family in Cass township. During the Civil war he served in the Federal army, in a home militia regiment, and was stationed in Springfield during the latter part of the conflict, however, he saw little actual fighting. After being discharged from the service he located on a farm of his own in Cass township and developed a good place through his good management and hard work. He married Malinda Earnest, May 23, 1850. She was born, June 11, 1830, and was a daughter of Wesley Earnest, one of the early settlers in the vicinity of Cave Spring, this county. To their marriage ten children were born, six of whom died when young; those who survived were named as follows : Sarah married Doctor Delzell, of Rogersville, Webster county, Missouri, where they still reside; Alice is the wife of W. S. Julian and they make their home near Gravel Springs, Okla- homa; William E., of this sketch; Ethel is the wife of W. E. Haun, and they live on a farm in Cass township. The father of the above children was a Democrat. He was an active member of the Presbyterian church, and gave liberally of his time and means in building the church of this denomination at Cave Spring, which struc- ture has been used as a high school for a number of years. He was a mem- ber of the Masonic Order and was active in the work of the same in this county. The death of Mr. Thompson occurred on February 3, 1908, his wife having preceded him to the grave on June 14, 1906. They were held in high esteem by their neighbors and friends, being noted for their honesty, charity and hospitality. William E. Thompson, of this sketch, grew to manhood on the home- stead farm in Cass township and there worked hard when a boy during the crop season. During the winter he attended the common schools and the high school at Cave Spring, later spending one term in Morrisville College and one term in Drury College, after which he worked with his father on the home farm for two years, then purchased a farm of his own. Ten years GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. x 549 after leaving school he purchased his present excellent home farm of two hundred and forty acres. He has managed well and applied himself closely to his work as general farmer and stock raiser and, prospering with advanc- ing years, has added to his original purchase other tracts until today he owns in all four hundred and five acres of valuable and well-improved land. He makes a specialty of raising large numbers of mules for the market. He is an excellent judge of live stock, especially of mules. He has a commodious home and substantial and convenient outbuildings where his stock, which he tries to keep up to a good grade, is properly cared for at all seasons. Every- thing about his place denotes thrift and that a man of modern ideas is at the helm. Mr. Thompson was married on February 12, 1890, to Fanny Staley, who was born in Cass township, Greene county, and there reared and edu- cated. She is a daughter of Weldon E. and Angeline* (Evans) Staley, a complete sketch of whom will be found on another page of this volume. To our subject and wife one child was born, which died in infancy. Politically, Mr. Thompson is a Democrat, and he has been more or less active and influential in local party affairs for some time, having been township committeeman for twelve years. WILLIAM M. MORTON. One of the famous lines of “The Old Homestead," a popular play a generation ago, was “Young blood tells." This expression applies not alone to a man's social advancement, but in business life particularly, where the old men are dropping out and the younger generation stepping into their shoes. In Springfield it would seem that the young men are in the lead in almost ever}' calling or vocation, especially in the trades. In looking- over the list of engineers at the various industrial plants of the city one finds many of them mere youths, in which list occurs the name of William M. Morton, engineer at the Marblehead Lime Works. But although young according to the calendar, they have studied and wrought faithfully to become proficient in their line and are doing their work satisfactorily. Mr. Morton was born August 20, 1880, in Knoxville, Tennesee. He is a son of Frank and Tenie (Shield) Morton, natives of Tennesee. The father received a common school education and when a young man learned the blacksmith’s trade, which he made his chief life work, and was regarded as an expert. He and his wife grew up in their native state and were mar- ried there, and established their home in that country. After following his trade there many years Frank Morton removed with his family to Wright 155 ° GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. county, Missouri, where he continued his trade. His family consists of five children, names as follows : Minnie married G. H. Morton and they live in Aurora, Missouri; William M. of this sketch; Fred lives in Springfield; W alter has remained in W right county, this state ; Charles is deceased. William M. Morton assisted his father with his work when a boy, and during the winter months he attended the common schools in Wright county, and when he began life for himself it was as a farmer, which he followed with success for eight or ten years. However, he was more or less a rover in his youth and did not stay in one place long at a time, but this traveling around was beneficial to him in an educational way, for he learned by coming in actual contact with the world, having been by nature a close observer. He always had a liking for stationary engineer- ing, and, upon coming to Springfield a number of years ago he secured em- ployment as engineer at the Marblehead Lime Works, which position he has filled ever since. This would indicate that he is not only a capable man in his line of endeavor but that he is entirely trustworthy and reliable. Mr. Morton was married in Springfield December 24, 1910, to Mary Cheatham, who was born in the year 1892, in Greene county, Missouri, and she received a common school education. She is a daughter of James and Maggie (Reynolds) Cheatham, of Springfield. The father is dead and the mother is still living here. To Mr. and Mrs. Morton one child has been born, Harvey Morton, whose birth occurred September 19, 1911. Politically our subject is a Republican. DR. J. LEROY ATHERTON. As we stand amidst the wonders of modern achievements and take a cursory glance over the factors that make up the sum total of the highest civilization the world has known since the age of Pericles, one factor looms forth conspicuously — the art of healing. Some even in their enthusiasm claim that it is above all the rest. This may not seem plausible to many in view of the fact that such great progress has been made in the mechanical sciences, which is more closely allied with our every-day life and is there- fore more generally understood and appreciated. , Whereas the study of the ills of the flesh is restricted to a proportionately small number of students. However, the progress in the art of healing has been somewhat remarkable during the past half century. One of the younger generation of physicians of Greene county is Dr. J. LeRoy Atherton, who has been unusually success- GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. I 55 I ful in the practice of his profession, and that he deserves the good fortune that has attended his efforts is indisputable. Doctor Atherton was born in Illinois, February 13, 1879. He is a son of Aaron S. Atherton, a native of Ohio, a minister in the Methodist Episco- pal church, who followed his profession until his health began to fail in 1883 when he located on a farm in Vernon county, Missouri, later removing to Nevada, this state, where he resumed preaching and continued at this work for about five years, practically doing charity work, filling various pulpits without recompense. His death occurred in the city of Nevada about 1902 after a long and useful life. He was highly esteemed by all who knew him for his many fine characteristics and he ranked high as a preacher. His wife, mother of our subject, was known in her maidenhood as Mary Sanders, and she traces her ancestry back to Holland. She is still living in Nevada. Milton Atherton, paternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born in Ohio. In his later life he removed with his family to Vernon county, Missouri, where his death occurred when about seventy- eight years of age. His progenitors were very early settlers in New Eng- land from which country they came to Ohio in pioneer days. From Ohio the family removed to Illinois when that state was still a wild unimproved prairie. The older members of this sterling old family were typical pioneers and liked the wild frontier life best of all. To Rev. Aaron S. Atherton and wife the following children were born: S. M. Atherton, Waldron Arkansas; Mary E. Atherton, deceased; Ruth E. Pheils, Nevada, Missouri; Aaron E. Atherton, Dover, Oklahoma; Joseph R. Atherton, Nevada, Missouri; Gilbert FI. Atherton, Girard, Kansas; J. LeRoy Atherton, Springfield, and Agnes S. Johnson, Nevada, Missouri. Dr. J. LeRoy Atherton received his early education in the public schools and later studied at Baker University in Kansas, after which he began the study of medicine at the Bennett Medical College, Chicago, Illinois, where he made a good record, and was graduated with the class of 1912. Soon thereafter he began the practice of his profession in Chicago where he got a good start and remained in that city until January 1, 1915, when he came to Springfield, Missouri, opening an office with a view of remaining here permanently. He has started out well in his new location, his patients gradually increasing all the while. He is a member of the Greene County Medical Society, the Missouri State Medical Association and the American Medical Association. Fraternally he belongs to the Masonic order, includ- ing the Chapter, Royal Arch Masons and Council. On December 18, 1909, he was united in marriage with Dr. Mary Jean McLaggan, who was born in Chesley, Ontario, Canada. She grew to wom- anhood in her native province and received her early education at Toronto, later taking the course at the Bennett Medical College in Chicago, from !552 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. which she was graduated with the class of 1912, and a few months later began practicing in that city with her husband, and since coming to Spring- held she has continued the practice of her profession with gratifying results. A separate and complete sketch will be found of her on another page of this volume. The union of our subject and wife has been without issue. Doctor Atherton is deserving of a great deal of credit for what he has accomplished in the face of obstacles. He is a self-educated and self-made man. He has earned his own living since he was seventeen years of age. He worked hard during vacations to get money to defray the expenses of a higher education. Learning something of civil engineering he followed that for the most part between terms of school, but was not above doing any kind of work to earn an honest dollar. MELVILLE E. DARK. One of the enterprising young business men of Springfield is Melville E. Dark. What he has achieved in life proves the force of his character and illustrates its steadfastness of purpose, and his advancement to a posi- tion of credit and honor in the business circles of Greene county is the direct •outcome of his own persistent and worthy labors, and he is a congenial and popular gentleman with bright prospects for the future. Mr. Dark, who is district manager of the Illinois Life Insurance Com- pany, with offices in the Holland building, was born at Lewisburg, Marshall county, Tennessee, September ^9, 1879. He is a son of Harris E. and Martha E. (Dyer) Dark, the father born in Lewisburg, Tennessee, Febru- ary 5, 1844, and the mother was born in Franklin, that state, November 5, 1853. They grew to maturity in Tennessee, received their educations in the public schools, and were married there and established their home at Lewisburg, where the father engaged in farming. Melville E. Dark spent his boyhood days in his native locality and there he received a practical education. He came to Springfield, Missouri, in the year 1901 and has since made this his home, finally becoming district manager for the Illinois Life Insurance Company, the duties of which re- sponsible position he is discharging in a manner that reflects much credit upon himself and to the entire satisfaction of the company, and is rapidly extending the interests of the same in this territory where he has built up a large business. He understands every phase of the life insurance field and keeps well abreast of the times in the same. Mr. Dark was married on November 14, 1911, to Katherine O'Dowd, M. E. DARK, GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1 553 a daughter of Mike and Amelia (Engleman) O'Dowd, a highly respected family of Springfield, Missouri. Mrs. Dark was born at Richmond, Missouri, October 5, 1887. She moved with her parents from Kansas City, Missouri, to Springfield in 1906, at which time her father accepted a position as chief tie and timber inspector for the Frisco railroad. To Mr. and Mrs. Dark one child has been born, Winifred Dark, whose birth occurred on September 15, 1912. MOSES M. RENSHAW. A man who has spent his life as a farmer can not move into town and make himself indispensable in an art studio, nor can the artist, the machinist, the dry goods clerk, those from the professional offices, become prosperous in any early time as hewers of wood and drawers of water, tillers of the soil, or salesmen of its products. No greater disaster could come to the masses in cities than to thrust them unprepared into the strange situations they would encounter in attempted farm life. Their story would be one of tragedy. There are a great many people in the cities now-a-days who desire to heed the “back-to-the-land” slogan, who have very little conception of what is to be done to success after they are located on a farm. All such should have some capital to start with and go slow until they can learn what they should know of the thousand and one things regarding life as an agri- culturist. On the other hand, those who have spent their lives as farmers should stay away from town unless they have laid by enough money to live comfortably without an income. Moses M. Renshaw, a farmer of Cass township, near Cave Spring, Greene county, has lived on a farm many years, and being contented and successful, has no desire for city life. Mr. Renshaw has spent practically all of his life of three score and ten years in the vicinity where he now resides, having been born there December 15, 1844. He is a son of Joseph A. and Sarah (Griffis) Renshaw, a pioneer family of the northern part of this county. The father was born in Ten- nessee, in 1813, and the mother was also a native of that state. There they hoth spent their childhood years, received limited educations in the old-time subscription schools, and when young, removed with their parents to Greene county, Missouri, the mother coming here in 1842. Here the parents of our subject spent the rest of their lives, the father dying in the year 1863 and the mother died May 9, 1914. They were the parents of eight children, namely: Robert, who is making his home on the farm with our subject; " ( 98 ) 1554 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. Moses M. of this review; the next child died in infancy; Sarah J. married Gilbert Hughes and they live in Murray township, Greene county; Howard A. died in 1900; William C. lives on a farm near the home of the subject of this sketch; Mary is the wife of J. B. Easly, who is engaged in the real estate business in Springfield; Francis A. is living with our subject. Moses M. Renshaw grew to manhood on the farm in his native locality, and he received his education in the common schools of Greene county, and here he began life for himself as a farmer. In 1877 he removed to Ar- kansas, where he engaged in the livery business in Pine Bluff, Jefferson county, remaining there until 1900, enjoying a large and successful business all the while, and became well known throughout the county. Pie then went to Wyoming, where he remained only a short time, after which he returned to his native vicinity in Cass township, Greene county, locating on his present farm of two hundred acres of well-improved and productive land, his well-kept place bearing the name of “Locust Lawn Farm.” He carries on general farming, keeping tenants on his place to assist him. He is also owner of valuable land on the prairie south of his home district, his holdings in all amounting to nearly six hundred acres. He farms on an extensive scale, is careful of details, always exercising proper system and adopting advanced methods. He handles large numbers of live stock from year to year. Politically, Mr. Renshaw is a Republican, but he has never been espe- cially active in public affairs. He is a member of the Presbyterian church,, in which he has been a director. Our subject has remained unmarried. WILLIAM A. DELZELL, M. D. In a comprehensive work of this kind, dealing with industrial pursuits,, sciences, arts and professions, it is only fit and right that that profession on which, in some period or other in our lives (the medical profession) we are all more or less dependent, should be noticed. It is the prerogative of the physician to relieve or alleviate the ailments to which suffering humanity is heir, and as such he deserves the most grateful consideration of all. One of the most promising of the younger physicians and surgeons of Greene county, who, by his own ability, has attained a good foothold in his profes- sion, is Dr. William A. Delzell, of Springfield. Dr. Delzell was born at Henderson, Missouri, June 4, 1885. He is a son of Dr. William David Delzell, who was born near Rogersville, this state, July 4, 1844, his parents having located there in pioneer days. There he GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1 5 5 5 grew to maturity, assisted with the general work on the farm and received his education in the public schools of Webster and Greene counties. After finishing his primary education he entered the St. Louis Medical College from which institution he was graduated with the class of 1876. Soon thereafter he returned to his native vicinity where he engaged successfully in the practice of his profession until about 1896, when he retired from prac- tice and removed to his large stock farm near Rogersville, Missouri, and engaged in general farming and stock raising on an extensive scale. He has long been a prominent man in that locality in public affairs, and in 1899 h e was elected representative to the state Legislature, serving his constituents in such an able and satisfactory manner that he was elected for a second term in 1901 and again distinguished himself as a member of the lower house. He was given by nature many strong attributes, and he became a splendid example of a successful and influential self-made man, having forged his way to the front up from the station of a poor farmer boy. His habits were above all idle cavil and he has always been highly esteemed by all who know him. On January 27, 1875, he was united in marriage with Sarah E. Thompson, a daughter of William E. Thompson, a native of Greene county, Missouri, and one of the early settlers here. His death occurred some twelve years ago. A. D. Delzell, the paternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was a minister in the Presbyterian church, hav- ing commenced preaching when eighteen years of age and followed the same the rest of his life. His death occurred at the age of seventy-five years. Dr. William A. Delzell grew up in his native locality and he received his early education in the public schools and Morrisville College, in Polk county. Desiring to follow in the footsteps of his father in a professional way he entered the university of St. Louis, where he completed his literary course, then was a student in the medical department of that institution, making an excellent record and was graduated therefrom in 1912, taking the full four years’ course. He then served a year as interne in the St. Francis Hospital in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and thereby gained much valuable experience, especially in surgery. He then came to Springfield and opened an office and he has succeeded in establishing an excellent general practice and does a great deal of surgical work, in which he is specializing and for which he seems to be well fitted by both nature and training. Doctor Delzell was married, January 27, 1914, to Myrtle Bearden, a daughter of R. R. Bearden and wife, of Springfield, where she was reared and educated. Doctor Delzell is a member of the Greene County Medical Society, the Southwest Missouri Medical Society and the Missouri State Meidcal Association. Fraternally, he belongs to Lodge No. 5, Free and Accepted Masons. He is a Democrat and a member of the Methodist church. He is GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1556 a man of industry, worked hard for his professional education and is still working hard in order to further equip himself for life's duties. His per- sonal habits are above criticism. His offices are on the sixth floor of the Landers building. DR. MARY JEAN McLAGGAN ATHERTON. If one cares to take the time to examine works on the early races of mankind he will be surprised to learn how profound^ ignorant those early peoples were regarding the anatomy of the human organism and how very little they knew of the art of healing, in fact, they believed that the sick were possessed of evil spirits and that they could not be dispersed by any means except incantations. Many centuries elapsed before the thinking Greeks established something of a science in the treatment of diseases and began studying plants, advocating the theory that certain ones possessed medicinal properties. This placed the study of the human organism upon a scientific basis, and since that remote age many theories have been advanced, little actual progress being made, however, up to a century or two ago. The last two decades have witnessed remarkable strides and new discoveries are daily being made. It seems that there remains yet a very great deal to be discovered if humanity is to cease suffering by reason of the “ills to which flesh is heir." Many women have of late years been studying and practicing medicine in its various branches, with success equal to the men. One of these is Mrs. Mary Jean McLaggan Atherton, of Springfield, whose record is that of a skilled, sympathetic practitioner, cheerful in the sick room, and possessing the happy faculty of winning the confidence of her patients, which has much to do with their restoration to health. She was born on May 28, 1882, in the Province of Ontario, Canada. She is a daughter of John and Catherine (Munn) McLaggan, both natives of Scotland, from which country they came to Ontario when young and were married there and established their home on a farm near the town of Peterborough. It was in 1852 that he left his native land and settled in Canada. When old age came on he retired from active work on his farm. He had accumulated a comfortable competency by his industry, and he and his wife are living at this writing in Chesley, Ontario. To these parents the following children were born: Florence Able, Chicago; Isabel Ashelford, Toronto, Ontario; Alexander McLaggan, Saskatchewan, Canada; Catherine Broughton, Toronto, Ontario; Peter McLaggan, Vancouver, British Colum- bia; John McLaggan, Metiskow, Alberta; Mary Jean Atherton, Springfield, Mo. ; Elizabeth McLaggan, Chesley, Ontario, and Martha McIntyre, Chicago. Peter McLaggan, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was born in GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1 557 Scotland where he grew up and married Isabella Fisher, also a native o f that country, and there they resided until 1852 when they emigrated to Can- ada and established their home at Peterborough, Ontario, where they both died a year later of Asiatic cholera. Mrs. Dr. Atherton grew to womanhood in her native locality and received her early education in the common schools and at Harbord Collegi- ate Institute, at Toronto, Canada, from which she was graduated with the class of 1899; she attended the Toronto Normal College for Teachers in [900, and was a teacher in the Chicago Public School until 1908. In 1908 she entered the Bennett Medical College, at Chicago, Illinois, making an excellent record and graduating therefrom in the spring of 1912. On December 18, 1909, our subject was united in marriage with Dr. J. Leroy Atherton, who was a native of Illinois who attended the above men- tioned medical college at the time our subject was a student there and they were graduates of the same class. They both began practicing in Chicago, she in the fall of 1913 and there continued with success until their removal to Springfield, Missouri, January 1, 1915, where she has continued the prac- tice of her profession, building up a large practice which is rapidly growing. A complete sketch of her husband will be found in another part of this volume. Mrs. Dr. Atherton is a member of the Chicago Medical Society and is a member of the Calvary Presbyterian church of Springfield. EDWARD F. KOHLER. To the man in the habit of superficial thinking it would seem that the place of one’s birth could not matter very much; that it could have no special bearing in shaping his earthly career, but proof to the contrary is over- whelming. The principal reason for the difference in degree of industry, intelligence and standards of civilization in the various nations of the world is due very largely to latitude and topography. For an example it is not hard to “figure out" why the people of Belgium are progressive, energetic, courageous and in the main, intelligent, and why the inhabitants of the islands of the South Seas are languid, lazy, ignorant and primitive in their modes of living. The former have to hustle for a livelihood on account of a somewhat resisting nature, while those of the latter live off of nature’s bounty without exerting themselves winter or summer. People, like the Swiss, who live in a temperate, mountainous, inland country are hardy, independent, liberty loving and seekers after knowledge, consequently they make good citizens and are welcomed in all countries to which they may GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1558 immigrate. Among those who have cast their lot with the residents of Greene county is Edward F. Kohler, a merchant of Springfield. Mr. Kohler was born in Switzerland, January 16, 1866. He is a son of Edward and Margaret (Funk) Kohler, both natives of Switzerland, the father born in 1835 and the mother in 1836. There they grew to maturity, were educated, married and spent their lives, the father dying in 1882 and the mother passing away in 1886. The elder Kohler was a banker, in busi- ness in the city of Nidaw and was a successful and prominent man there during the latter years of his life. His family consisted of eight children, five of whom are living, namely: Arthur lives in Springfield, Missouri; Carl lives in Argentine Republic, South America, where he is engaged in contracting; Edward F. of this sketch; Marie lives in Arbon, Switzerland; Rosa also lives there. Edward F. Kohler grew to manhood in Switzerland and after passing through the public schools spent three years in college. After serving an apprenticeship in the mercantile business he immigrated to the United States in 1884, locating first in Monticello, Iowa, and worked on a farm near that town, until he could master the English language, which he studied during spare time. Later he secured employment in a store where he remained until 1891, during which time he not only became proficient in our language but learned our methods of commercial life. He then came to Springfield, Missouri, and secured a position as mechanic in the north side Frisco shops. His natural ability in this direction and his faithfulness and energy won him promotion and he became foreman, being in charge of a department in these shops for several years, giving eminent satisfaction. In 1904 he began the mercantile business for himself on a small scale, renting a little frame building at 1954 Springfield avenue, and there he carried a line of general merchandise, later purchasing a fifty-foot front frame building. His busi- ness steadily increased and in time he was able to erect a handsome two- story brick building on his fifty-foot lot. In 1914 he built to his store another brick building with a fifty-foot front, making now a substantial block with a one hundred foot frontage, in which he maintains a modern, well-stocked and neat department store, of four departments — groceries, hardware, shoes and clothing and has a large force of clerks and assistants. He has built up a large and lucrative business by his energy, honesty and courteous dealings. He may well be referred to as one of the leading busi- ness men of the north side. He has done much for this section of the city, and was instrumental in securing the first paved streets in his locality as well as electric lights and gas, and he is now advocating the necessity of a better sewage system here. He is a man of excellent judgment and fore- sight, has his store under a superb system and is by nature the possessor of rare executive ability. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1 559 Mr. Kohler was married in 1887 in Monticello, Iowa, to Rosa Mes- -serli, who was born in Switzerland. She is a daughter of Joseph and Mar- garet (Glauser) Messerli. When a child her parents brought her to the United States and located in Iowa where the father died some time ago .and where the mother still resides. Mrs. Kohler grew to womanhood in that state and was educated in the common schools. To our subject and wife one child has been born, Freda Kohler, whose birth occurred on September 1, 1888. She received a good high school edu- cation in Springfield, and married Clem P. Horat, an enterprising young man who is engaged in business with Mr. Kohler. Politically, Mr. Kohler is an independent voter. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen and the Improved Order of Red Men, and religiously he is a member of the German Congregational church. He is a pleasant .man to meet, impressing the stranger at once with his sincerity and genu- ine worth. JESSE MARION KELLEY. In nearly every community have lived individuals who, by innate ability and sheer force of character, have risen above the masses and won for themselves conspicuous places in public esteem. Such a man was the late Jesse Marion Kelley, a pioneer of Greene county and who was intimately identified .with the civic and industrial history of the city of Springfield for a long lapse of years, his career as a progressive man of affairs having been synonymous with all that was upright and honorable in citizenship. He contributed freely of his time and means to the maintenance of the early- >day schools of this locality and other institutions which he deemed would make for the general good, using his influence in every way possible to advance the general welfare of those with whom he associated in the various walks of life. Mr. Kelley was not only a public-spirited citizen, but a whole- souled gentleman, whom to know was to admire and respect, and he not ■only delighted in public improvements in a material way, but liked to see also the promotion of such interests as were conducive to the comfort and happiness of his friends and fellow citizens. There was probably none of his contemporaries in this locality who was held in higher esteem by the population, during which might be termed the formative period of the county, regardless of all sects, political or professional creeds. His life most happily illustrated what one may accomplish by faithful and persistent effort in carrying out noble purposes, even in the face of discouraging cir- cumstances. It is the story of a life that has made the world better for his GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1560 having lived, for his actions sprung from a heart filled with love and altru- ism for humanity, and was a blessing to all who were within range of his influence. Personally, Mr. Kelley was a high-minded, right-thinking man, according to those who knew him well, his private character having always been unassailable. Plis life may be safely imitated by the young, and the great amount of good which he did, while laboring for his own advance- ment and that of his family, will never be fully known until the last great day when the book of life shall be opened on high and every man receive due credit for his works, Ins actions and his influence. Mr. Kelley was born in Greene county, Tennessee, in 1830, and he was seven years of age when he settled near Walnut Grove, Greene county, Missouri, with his parents, George and Sally (Bouldon) Kelley. The family made the overland trip from Tennessee by wagon, arriving in time to erect the log house that was to be their home, before the rigors of winter set in. It was merely a temporary shelter, and often during the terrible winter that followed they awoke in the morning to find that their beds were covered with snow which had sifted in through the cracks in the walls. But despite the hardships and privations incident to the lot of early settlers, the wife found time to give some instruction to her children. To the little son, Jesse, fell the task of keeping the smaller children employed, and to him many of the younger as well as the older ones owed their knowledge of reading, spelling and the rudiments of arithmetic. Grammar was not taught until a later date, but as the mother and father were excellent gram- marians the children used good language from hearing it constantly in their home. When the youngest of the children was quite small the father, after a lingering illness, was summoned from earthly scenes, leaving the highly educated and’ strong-minded mother to provide for the large family. She took up her task with rare courage and fortitude, and succeeded admi- rably although surrounded by a most discouraging environment. Jesse had been engaged to teach the country school in that vicinity one season, and although his pupils advanced as never before, the community felt that because he had not turned the class back to the word “baker” (which was a sort of land-mark in the old spelling-books) he was doing them an injus- tice, having taught them to read and write instead. Plowever, before the end of the following summer the patrons of the school came to the boy (he was still very young) and importuned him to accept the school for another season, “because it was so nice to listen to their children read after their day's work was done.” George Kelley, the father, had served very creditably as a member of the state Legislature, also as sheriff of Springfield before his untimely death, Jesse being his deputy. In Springfield, then, seemed to exist the opportunity for the son to further his fortunes, so he decided to locate here, and for GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1561 many years was employed as a dry goods clerk. Here he met and married Sarah (Taylor) Worley, a daughter of Hiram and Sarah Worley, a relative of the Taylors of Tennessee and a direct descendant of the Monroes and Henrys of Virginia, of whom the great orator, Patrick Henry, was one. To the union of Jesse M. Kelley and wife three sons and one daughter were born; Charles, the eldest, died during the Civil war; Richard, a promising young railroad man, died as a result of exposure while attending to his regular duties for his company at Grand River, Indian Territory; Mary Lizzie, who lived to the age of nineteen years, graduated from the Ward Seminary of Nashville, Tennessee, being a brilliant musician and one of a strong, peaceful mind; after graduating she returned to her home and lived for a short time to enjoy the benefit of her education; Edwin H. Kelley, who is later mentioned in this sketch, is the other son. Shortly after their marriage the wife prevailed upon her husband to purchase a small house and lot near the corner of Walnut and South streets. They pooled their ready money and contracted to pay the balance in monthly payments. Long before the expiration of the stipulated time they were given in which to make the final payment settlement was made in full, and they improved the place by adding several rooms and in making other important changes. Before and during the first years of the war between the states a great many strangers passed through this section of the state, many of them finding- true hospitality and pleasant surroundings at the Kelley home. From this modest beginning sprang the name and fame of their hotel. About 1879 Jesse M. Kelley’s name began to be mentioned with favor as a worthy public official, and he became a candidate for recorder of deeds on the Republican ticket, and he was duly elected, serving the county well, inaugurating many improvements. At the close of his term of office he began work on one of the first sets of abstracting books in this county, and he remained identi- fied with this business in Springfield until his death, which occurred in Jan- uary, 1914, at the advanced age of eighty- four years. Mr. Kelley was one of the founders of the present splendid public school system of Greene count}'-. He posted the announcements, calling the citizens in mass meeting, which resulted in much heated discussion, because some believed that the colored population would be sent to the same schools established for the whites..- One fanatic even threatened the life of our subject, and rode many miles to shoot him, “for callin’ his children no better’ll niggers.” At the opening of the Civil war Mr. Kelley joined the Home Guards and helped build the forts and rifle pits south and west of the city. During these distressing times, coal was hauled from Greenfield, each wagon train having hairbreadth escapes from the enemy. Then came news of large 1562 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. armies marching on Springfield, and the citizens expected severe bombard- ments. uater the town was attacked and while shells were falling around their home the Kelleys took what they could of their household effects, jour- neying by stage to Kolia, Khelps county, which was at that time the western terminal of the railroad. T here they took the train to St. Louis and on into Illinois. Upon returning, after quiet had been restored in the Ozark region, our subject and his wife found nothing but their house remaining, nnd they again opened a small hotel, which up to the year 1881 was the favorite stopping place for many of Springfield’s most influential citizens. The hotel will be remembered by many as the Kelley House. The domestic life of Mr. and Mrs. Kelley was ideal, and Mrs. Kelley’s death occurred only a few hours after that of her husband, in January, 1914. Their son, Prof. Edwin H. Kelley, has long been one of Springfield’s best known musicians. He was born in this city on October 16, 1865, and here he grew to manhood and received his education in the local ward and high schools. By nature he is both a musician and an artist, and during his school days here he became well known for his fine drawings. In 1891 he went to Leipsic, Germany, and studied music under Hans Sitt, a famous instructor of the Royal Conservatory of Music of that city, remaining there several years, making an excellent record. While abroad, Prof. Kelley .studied art during the summer months in the studio of Martin Laemuel, a distinguished artist of Germany, who has since remained a very warm friend of Prof. Kelley. The latter made many paintings in water color while a student in Germany. They were all from life, and each one of them has a history in themselves. They show unmistakable talent, and have been admired by all who have had the privilege of seeing them. Returning to America in 1895, was appointed musical director at the old Normal school in Springfield, which position he held two years. Since then he has been one of the instructors in music at Drury College at two different peri- ods. He now devotes his attention exclusively to his studio in the Masonic Temple building in this city and has a large number of pupils constantly, lie teaches the violin, on which instrument he is exceptionally proficient. Prof. Kelley was married in Leipsic, Germany, February 14, 1895, shortly before his return to the United States, to Marguerite Kneip, a mem- ber of a prominent old family of Leipsic, where she was reared and edu- cated. This union has been blessed by the birth of two children, namely: Elizabeth, born on December 13, 1895, received a common school education in the local ward and high schools, and is a member of Christ Episcopal church, in which she was baptized when a child; Alice was born on Febru- ary 5, 1902, and is now in the eighth grade in the public schools and has made excellent records in all her work. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. i5 6 3 Prof. Kelley and wife are members of Christ Episcopal church, and he belongs to the Springfield Musicians’ Union, also the Springfield Musical ■Club. JAMES D. VAN BIBBER. The late James D. Van Bibber, was a well-known man throughout Greene county during a past generation, having been clerk of the county court for a period of twelve years, and long a successful merchant and agri- •culturist in the northern end of the county. He will long be remembered in this locality as a man of public-spirit, comprehensive ideas and as a man of honest impulses and genial and sociable personality. Mr. Van Bibber was born on May 3, 1828, at Liberty, Clay county, Missouri. He sprang from old Colonial stock of Holland Dutch ancestry — three brothers, sea captains — coming to America from Holland in the early part of the seventeenth century, and located in New York and Virginia, and were among the early founders of the country. Joseph Van Bibber, grand- father of our subject, was born in Virginia from which state he moved to Missouri in 1800 with his family and settled in Callaway county, in the wilderness. He married a Miss Irwin, of Irish stock. He owned a large tract of land and passed the remainder of his days in Callaway county. He was the father of seven children, namely : Lucinda, Minerva, Melissa, Joseph, Irwin, Frank and Daniel. Joseph Van Bibber, son of above and father of our subject, was born in Greenbriar county, Virginia, in 1797 and was but three years old when brought by his parents to Callaway county, Missouri, and was, therefore, reared in this state, received a common edu- cation and was a gunsmith by trade and employed by the United States government at Liberty, Missouri, when there was an Indian agency at that point. He married in St. Charles county, Missouri, Susan Boone, a daugh- ter of Nathan and Olive (Van Bibber) Boone. Nathan Boone was the son of the most famous of all pioneers — Daniel Boone, of Kentucky. It will be remembered that this noted hunter and Indian fighter moved to Missouri about 1795 and settled in St. Charles county, having been preceded by his son, Daniel. Morgan Boone came a few years previously. Nathan, who came in 1800, was born in Kentucky in 1781 and married there before he was twenty-one years of age, and he and his wife became the parents of thirteen children, twelve of whom lived to be married men and women, namely: James, Jeremiah, Delinda, Susan, Olive, Nancy, Benjamin H., John C., Levica, Melcena, Mary, Sarah and Mahala. Mr. Boone resided on his farm in St. Charles county until 1834. He was a captain in the Dragoon sendee of the United States army and stationed at Fort Leaven- GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1564 worth many years. He was engaged in the early Indian troubles, and resigned when he became an aged man, being lieutenant-colonel at the time. In 1834 he moved to Greene county and settled on land near Ash Grove which he purchased from the government, several hundred acres, and here he passed the remainder of his days, an honored citizen, and reached the age of seventy-five years. After his marriage Joseph Van Bibber lived at Liberty until 1832, when he went to Arkansas and settled in Randolph county, in the wilderness, and was one of the first settlers in that county, and was one of the surveyors who laid out the town of Pocahontas, the . county-seat of that county, and there he died at the age of forty-two years, and his wife died a few years previously. They were the parents of four children who lived to grow up, namely : Letitia, James D., Sarah and Emulus C. James D. Van Bibber, subject of this memoir, was left an orphan when he was thirteen years of age, after which he lived with his grandfather, Col. Nathan Boone, at Ash Grove, until between fifteen and sixteen years of age, when he began to work out for himself. He worked and paid his tuition at a subscription school, and attended school at Springfield two terms and thus gained a common education and began life in an industrial way as a clerk at Cave Spring, Greene county, later engaging in the mercantile business there for himself in which he built up a good trade and continued in this line of endeavor until the breaking out of the Civil war. He then exchanged his stock of goods for land near Cave Spring, and continued purchasing until he owned about seven hundred acres, and lived on this land until 1862 when he came to Springfield and engaged in the mercantile business until the close of the war. In 1874 he was elected clerk of the county court, and held this office' twelve years, being elected three times. He discharged the duties of the same in a manner that reflected much credit upon himself and tp the satisfaction of all concerned. He owned a good farm just north of the city limits of Springfield which he sold in 1887 and bought two hundred and forty-three acres upon which he built a large residence. He spent the rest of his life engaged successfully in general agricultural pursuits. Mr. Van Bibber was married in 1854 at the age of twenty-six years, to Caroline Staley, daughter of Alfred and Lucinda (Brower) Staley. Alfred Staley was born in North Carolina where he spent his earlier years and from that state he emigrated to Missouri in 1846 and settled in Greene county. In 1848 he went into the mercantile business at Cave Spring, where he was a prominent merchant until his death in 1853. To Mr. and Mrs. Van Bibber two children were born, namely: Alfred H., a sketch of whom appears on another page of this volume; and Laura GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1 565 Belle, who has remained unmarried and is living on the old homestead with her mother, the latter being now advanced in years. Politically, Mr. Van Bibber was a Democrat, and fraternally he belonged to the Masonic Order, being a member of O'Sullivan Lodge No. 7. of Walnut Grove, and held the office of secretary for three years. He was a man of high Christian character and when his death occurred in 1909, sincere regret was expressed in the community in which he lived. JOHN LANGSFORD. Perhaps two-thirds of the citizens of Springfield and Greene county are of English descent, but the percentage born in the British Isles is com- paratively small. There is no marked difference — a slight peculiarity in accent and speech, maybe, is about all, and some words mean to an English- man something a little different to what they may convey to the American, but they are not very many; and thus being so closely related in so many respects, so nearly resembling each other from a physical standpoint and our aims being about the same, it is well that the peoples of these, the two greatest nations on the face of the globe, should be friends and mix freely. John Langsford, city sewer inspector of Springfield, is one of the Britons who has cast his lot with the people of Greene county. Pie was born in the western part of England, June 24, 1862. He is a son of William and Mary Ann (Oliver) Langsford, both natives of England, the father’s birth occurring in 1825. They both grew to maturity and received good educations in their native land, were married there and there spent their lives. The mother died when our subject was a small boy, about fifty years ago, after which the father married again, and he and his last wife have both been deceased some time. William Langsford was for many years con- nected with a great mining company for which he had charge of sinking shafts in northern England. His family consisted of three children, namely: Jane Ann, deceased: Charles, deceased; and John, of this review. John Langsford was but a boy when he immigrated to the United States, and he received a meager schooling in the common schools of both countries, but educated himself ,for the most part. He located in Calumet, Houghton county, Michigan, where he worked for a copper mining com- pany for a period of eighteen years, having had charge of the sinking of shafts, in fact, he continued to reside in Calumet for a period of about thirty years during which he was always engaged in the mining business, the various phases of which he knew thoroughly and was enabled thereby to make a good livelihood. In 1902 he left the Wolverine state and came to GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. T566 Joplin, Missouri, in the lead and zinc mining district, and for some time- had charge of two mines there, however, the following year he came to Springfield and took charge of the zinc mines near this city, remaining in this line of work until three years ago. In 1912 he was appointed sewer inspector of Springfield, which position he still holds, the duties of which he has discharged in a manner highly creditable to himself and to the satis- faction of all concerned. Mr. Langsford was married on May 29, 1884, in Michigan, to Edith Harry, a native of England, from which country she emigrated with her parents to America when eight years of age. She is a daughter of Robert and Margaret (Trewella) Harry. The father was a mine operator. His death occurred some years ago, but Mrs. Harry is living in Calumet, Michi- gan. The wife of our subject grew to womanhood in Michigan and there received a common school education. Five children, all living at this writing, have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Langsford, named as follows: Joshua, born October 19, 1886, lives in Iowa City, Kansas, where he is superintendent of the United Iron Works, is mar- ried to Nina Potter and they have one child, Robert; Clara, born on April 17, 1888, lives at home; Margaret, born on May 27, 1891, is teaching school and lives at home; Lester R., born on June 2, 1895, is a clerk in the Frisco offices in Springfield, and lives at home; John M., born on December 22, 1910. Politically, Mr. Langsford votes independently. Fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic Order, Knights Templars, and the Ancient Arabic Order of Nollies of the Mystic Shrine. He and his family are members of the Grace Methodist Episcopal church on South street. JOHN E. HENSHAW. The success that has been attained by John E. Henshaw, general super- intendent of the new Frisco shops in Springfield, in the mechanical world has been well deserved and his example is worthy of emulation by the ambitious youth who would rise to the top of that vocation, for it indicates that merit alone, after all, wins the prizes in this uncertain human existence, especially is this true in our great republic of the West, where positions of responsi- bility and adequate financial reward are open to all who are worthy to- fill them, regardless of birth, rank, station or caste. Mr. Henshaw is of English descent and has inherited many of the ster- ling traits of that noble race. He was born in Port Huron, Michigan, Janu- ary 27, 1867. He is a son of John and Ann (Hilton) Henshaw, both natives of Manchester, England, the birth of the father having occurred in 1837, GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. I567- and the mother was born in 1839. There they grew to maturity, were edu- cated in the common schools and were married in i860. When only a little over nine years of age the father of our subject began working in the mines in his native land, helped to shoe horses, and finally became an expert black- smith which trade he followed until he left England for America in 1861. He and his wife located first in New York, and he secured employment in the Brooklyn navy yard, and worked on the old Alabama, which warship was brought there for repairs during the Civil war. In 1866 he left New York for Michigan, and went to work in a marine shop, but later worked for George F. Pullman in the first Pullman car shops built in that state. In 1870 he secured employment with the Chicago & Grand Trunk Railway in Port Huron, that state, as hammer man and blacksmith. In 1881 he removed with his family to Detroit where he again secured employment with the Pullman company, with which he remained there for about ten years, then worked for the Detroit, Grand Haven & Milwaukee Railroad in its shops at Detroit until 1891. In 1897 he moved to Topeka, Kansas, where he went to work for the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad Company as black- smith. In December, 1900, he came to Springfield and worked as spring maker in the Frisco shops, and remained in charge of that department in the north side shops until he retired from active life July 1, 1904, and is now living in cjuiet in his cozy home in this city. He gave eminent satisfaction in all the positions he held, for he was regarded by his employers as an expert in his trade and a man that could always be relied upon implicitly, who was faithful and conscientious in all his work. He became a well-read man and still keeps well up with the times on current topics. He is one of the oldest members of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in Missouri, if not in the United States,' having joined that order when twenty years old, in 1857, in Manchester, England, the lodge being known as the Manchester Unity. Politically he is a Democrat, and has long been active in political matters. His wife was called to her eternal rest on August 3, 1902. To- these parents three children were born, namely: Jane is deceased; Tilly is also deceased, and John E. of this review. John E. Henshaw received a common school education in Port Huron and Detroit. Michigan, also attended a business school in Detroit, known as the Goldsmith, Bryant & Stratton University, later attended a school for drawing in that city. Following in the footsteps of his father he became a. machinist by trade, and has worked in many different shops, and, being a keen observer, has gained many new ideas in each place he has worked until today he is one of the most highly skilled men in his line in the country and is a man of progressive and advanced ideas. Pie has worked his way up from the bottom rung of the ladder until today he stands at the top. Pie came to Springfield, Missouri, in 1900 as pit foreman in the north side 1568 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. Frisco shops, later was gang foreman, also erecting foreman, and on June 25, 1909, was made general foreman of the Springfield shops. On October 7, 1910, he became superintendent of the new shops which position he still holds, and is discharging his duties in a manner that is reflecting much credit upon himself and to the eminent satisfaction of all concerned. Our subject studied music a number of years and is a talented musician. Mr. Henshaw was married on January 11, 1894, in Detroit, Michigan, to Florence Breitemeyer, who was born in that city in June, 1877, and there reared and educated. She is a daughter of Charles and Mary (Aames) Breitemeyer. Fler grandfather was the oldest German florist in Detroit at that time. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Henshaw, namely: Etta L., born on July 1, 1905; and John H., born on January 3, 1909. Politically, he is a Democrat, and fraternally belongs to the Masonic Order, including the Chapter. JOHN AARON McCONNELL. Many elements contribute to the development of a country, but no one thing plays so large a part as sterling worth and character. It is to the rugged, steadfast men and women who come into its domain that any coun- try must look for its progress, and it is most often the plain, blunt men of business and every-day affairs who most affect a country’s history. One of the most extensive farmers in the southwestern part of Greene county is John Aaron McConnell, who ; grew up just after the Civil war. Through the years that have pasesd since then, his life has been a busy and fruitful one, and he has played an important part in the affairs of the community during the most important period of its development. He is one of our best examples of a successful self-made man. Mr. McConnell was born on South street, Springfield, Missouri, April 17, 1865. lie is a son of Thomas C. and Hannah B. (Bledsoe) McConnell, who emigrated to Springfield from Tennessee during the Civil war, and in this city the father maintained a grocery store until 1868, when he removed to Granby, Missouri, where, shortly afterward he was accidentally killed. Our subject was at that time less than two years old, and his mother removed with him to Christian county to make their future home, with Mrs. McCon- nell's parents, who resided on a farm in that county, and there our subject spent his early boyhood. When eight years of age his mother married again, her last husband being James Holderby, a Baptist minister at Wilson Creek, where our subject lived until he was fifteen years old, leaving home at that john a. McConnell. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1 5^ > 9 time to work out as a farm hand. He had little opportunity to obtain an education, but this lack in his early life has been subsequently made up for by wide home reading until he has become a well informed man on current topics and important movements in the world's affairs. Saving his money when a lad he was enabled to purchase his first land, forty acres, in Brook- line township, Greene county, when twenty-four years of age. He was not only a hard worker, but a good manager as well, and, prospering with advance- ing years, he added to his original purchase until he owned a fraction less than nine hundred acres of valuable land. He has given each of his three children forty acres, and the use of eighty each out of his ranch, the rest he keeps well improved and well cultivated and engages in general farming and stock raising on a large scale, being regarded by his neighbors as one of the progressive agriculturists of the county. He has a large and well fur- nished home and numerous good barns and outbuildings in general, and an excellent grade of live stock of all kinds may be seen on his place. All this is the result of close application and honest dealings with his fellow men as well as the exercise of sound judgment. About three hundred acres of his land embraces the Wilson Creek battlefield, a part of historic “Bloody Ridge" where the greatest slaughter took place being on his land, and the home that he occupies at the present time is the one where the body of G en. Nathaniel Lyon, commander-in-chief of the Union army, was laid out soon after he was killed about noon on the day of the battle. Mr. McCon- nell has a number of relics picked up on the battlefield which he takes a pride in exhibiting. Mr. McConnell handles a number of car loads each season of cattle, hogs and grain. He raised two hundred and fifty acres of wheat in 1914 that averaged over twenty-three bushels to the acre. In 1915 he had about the same acre- age, with about sixty acres of corn. His farm is second to none in the county. Mr. McConnell was married in December, 1885, to Mollie Keltner, a daughter of George and Martha Keltner, of Republic, this county. She was born in Greene county and here grew to womanhood and was edu- cated in the common schools. She proved to be an excellent helpmeet and when her death occurred in 1902 she was greatly missed by her neighbors who knew her for a woman of the finest character and noble impulses. To our subject and wife the following children were born: Josephus married Minnie Hagwood. lives in Brookline township and they have three children, Earl, Virgil and Elsie ; Bessie married William McElhanv, of Brookline township, and they have two children, Gladys and Glen ; Myrtle married Robert McClure, of Republic township, and they have one child, Eva; a son died in infancy, unnamed. Mr. McConnell is a stanch Democrat. ( 99 ) 157 ° GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. BENJAMIN BOWMAN. It requires men of peculiar temperament to be successful railroad con- ductors. There are many who have spent several decades, perhaps, in rail- road service who are still utterly unfit to take charge of a passenger train, although they may be quite capable in some other specific line of railroading. Among other attributes essential to a successful conductor are fortitude, patience, quickness of perception and coolness of temper, also a steady nerve; for one is often called upon without an instant’s warning to meet trying and exacting situations. One of the trusted and popular conductors on the Frisco lines is Benjamin Bowman, who has been with this company for over fifteen years and in the railroad service for a period of thirty-three years; having had varied experience in different parts of the country. Mr. Bowman was born on February 27, 1865, in Shelby county, Illi- nois. He is a son of Harrison and Sarah (Yarbrough) Bowman, the father born in the old Keystone state of Pennsylvania Dutch stock, and the mother was a native of Kentucky. The former, whose birth occurred in 1839, is still living in Shelby county, Illinois. He was a successful farmer during his active life, but is now living in retirement in the town of Cowden. The mother of our subject died when he was about six years of age. To these parents five children were born, namely: Mary, John W., Benjamin, Joe is deceased; and James. Benjamin Bowman grew to manhood on the home farm in Illinois where he worked hard when a bov, and there he received a limited education in the public schools. In 1881 he began his career as a railroader in the Burlington shops at Beardstown, Illinois, but a little later he began as brakeman for the same road and continued in this capacity until 1885, when he was promoted to freight conductor. In 1887 he went to Temple, Texas, and went to work as freight conductor for the Santa Fe road, about two years later he was promoted to passenger conductor, his run being from Temple to Galveston. Leaving the Santa Fe road in 1895 he went to work for the Missouri, Kansas & Texas out of Houston, Texas. About ten months later he went to Mexico, and ran a train for the Mexican Central railroad out of San Luis Potosi. Later he went to Vera Cruz, where he remained nine or ten months, in charge of a mixed train on the Inter Oceanic Railroad, then went to Salatio, Mexico, and worked on the Mexi- can National railroad, having a mixed run. After remaining in the land of the ancient Montezumas until 1898 he gave up his position there and came to Springfield, Missouri and secured employment with the Frisco as freight conductor in which capacity he worked a few years then was given a passenger run between Springfield and St. Louis which he has retained for the past eleven years. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. I57 1 Mr. Bowman was married on January 30, 1889, in Sealy, Texas, to Lillie Harvey, who was born on a plantation in the Lone Star state, and there she was reared and educated. Her death occurred on December 27, 1909. To Mr. and Mrs. Bowman four children were born, namely: Bennie, the eldest daughter, was born on May 3, 1894; Gordon, born on September 13, 1895; Chester, born September 1, 1904; Virginia, born on October 30, 1908. In May, 1911, Mr. Bowman was married a second time, his last wife being known in her girlhood as Sarah Willia. She was born in Mobile, Alabama, February 27, 1882, and is the daughter of a physician. She grew up under the environments of a Southern home and she had excellent edu- cational advantages. To this union of our subject and wife one child has been born, Lois, whose birth occurred on January 3, 1912. Politically, Mr. Bowman is a Democrat. He is an Episcopalian in his religious affiliations, and fraternally is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and also holds membership in Division No. 321 brotherhood of Railway Conductors. He lives in Denning Place, on the north side of the city. JAMES W. FITCH. James W. Fitch was born on the 22c! of March, 1865, in St. Clair county, Illinois. His father was John L. Fitch and his mother Mary J. (Owen) Fitch. Mr. Fitch, Sr., was born in Wyoming county, New York in 1831. He was a graduate of Rochester College of Rochester, New York, and began his life as a school teacher, following that profession for about five years. Later he became a farmer, locating in Wisconsin for some years. Afterward he moved to Illinois, where he met and married his wife. Here he was a flour miller for some time, and then returned to his native state of New York in 1870. The family afterward immigrated to Christian county, Missouri, and so settled near Billings. To this pair were born five children: James W., Clarence E., who lives in Chicago; Henry L., of Joplin, Missouri; Jennie (Davis); and Etta M. (Norman). John L. Fitch, the father, died at Eureka Springs, Arkansas, in 1882. His wife died in Billings in 1909. James W. Fitch got his schooling in Wyoming county, New York, and there learned and followed the trade of a plasterer for a time. But in 1887 he found employment with the Frisco as a fireman, and began the life that he has followed ever since. His first run was on a freight train between Springfield and Pierce City. That year he moved to Springfield, and has 1572 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. resided here ever since. His present residence being at 508 Nichols street. In 1892 he became a freight engineer, running from Springfield to New- burg. He stuck to his business and in 1906 was promoted to a regular passenger run, between Springfield and Fort Smith, Arkansas. On this responsible run he is one of the best known and most trusted engineers. Mr. Fitch married on October 18, 1888, Margaret A. Popp, who was born in Bavaria, Germany, November 9, 1868. She immigrated with her parents to Monee, Will county, Illinois, and afterward came to Billings, C hristian county, Missouri. Here Mr. Popp spent the remainder of his life on a farm where his wife still survives him. Mrs. Fitch passed away on April 19, 1912, leaving one daughter, Edna M., born on August 25, 1891, and who is her father's housekeeper. The mother was a member of the Episcopal church and an active church worker. Politically, Mr. Fitch is a Republican and fraternally, he belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is also a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. ALFRED H. VAN BIBBER. Even though every other condition may be exactly right, even to the weather, farmers are beginning to learn that the success of any crop, what- ever the kind, depends upon the seed. An increasing proportion of farmers do not think of planting their corn without first testing the seed thoroughly; but how about the clover, the garden seeds, and so on through the list? The tiller of the soil is learning that he can not afford to run the risk of poor seed with them any more than with the corn. It is not hard nor does it take much time to sprout one hundred or less seeds of most kinds. Then you know instead of guessing. This and many other phases of advanced agri- culture has been learned by Alfred FI. Van Bibber, a farmer of Campbell township, Greene county. Mr. Van Bibber was born on May 17, 1858, at Cave Spring, in the northern part of Greene county, Missouri, and when a small boy moved to Springfield and a few years later moved to the old home place where he now lives. He received a practical education in the district schools, start- ing farming when twenty-one years old. He is a son of James D. and Caro- line (Staley) Van Bibber. The father was born in Clay county, Missouri, in 1828, and the mother was born in North Carolina, in 1837. She immi- grated with her parents to Greene county, Missouri, in an early day and here she has since made her home, and is still living on the homestead, now advanced in years. James D. Van Bibber grew up on the farm and received GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1 573 a limited education in the old subscription schools in which his wife was also educated. His father, Joseph Van Bibber, was one of the earliest settlers of Clay county, Missouri, he and his wife having removed there from Vir- ginia. James D. Van Bibber received sufficient education to enable him to teach school for some time when a young man. He moved from Clay county to Arkansas and later to Greene county, being about sixteen years old when coming here, and for some time engaged in mercantile pursuits in Springfield. In 1874 he was elected to the office of county clerk of Greene county, and the fact that he was re-elected several times, serving in all twelve years, would indicate that he was a man of ability and dis- charged his duties faithfully and satisfactorily. He was a merchant for several years, and later purchased a farm near Cave Spring, Iowa, in 1887, established the family home of two hundred and forty acres in North Camp- bell township. His death occurred in 1909. Politically, he was a Democrat and was influential in the affairs of his party. Fraternally, he was a member of the Masonic Order. He was a man well informed on current topics and led a useful and upright life, leaving behind him a host of friends. Only two children were born to James D. Van Bibber and wife, namely: Alfred H., of this sketch; and Laura Belle, who has remained single and is living at home with her mother. Alfred H. Van Bibber has devoted his attention to general farming, for the most part, and is now owner of a good farm on sixty-six acres, a part of the homestead, which consisted of one hundred and forty acres. The land is all tillable and has been kept well cultivated and the improve- ments are fairly good in every respect, the father of our subject making most of the improvements now seen on the place. In connection with gen- eral farming Mr. Van Bibber makes a specialty of raising Jersey cows and Chester White hogs. Politically, he is a Democrat, but he has never been as active in public affairs as his worthy father before him, and has never cared for office. JOHN W. HOOVER. Many young men nowadays make a mistake by looking for positions that do not require much physical exertion, seemingly forgetting that there is much work to be done in the world which requires brawn as well as brain. Hard work has never hurt very many people. It is wrong living and wrong thinking that play the mischief, but some labor under the old illusion that they can't “stand" certain kinds of work. John W. Hoover, now living in honorable retirement in Springfield after a busy life, is not of that type. 1574 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. He preferred to earn his living by the “sweat of his brow,” which Holy Writ indicates is the most commendable way to earn it, and having been a man of good habits, he has lived already past the Psalmist's three score and ten. Mr. Hoover was born on July 4, 1843, M Reading, Pennsylvania. He is a son of David and Lydia (Trump) Hoover, both natives of Pennsyl- vania, where they grew to maturity, received a limited education and were married and spent their lives, both dying in that state, both dying many years ago. The father was a stone contractor by profession and put in locks in canals, which were numerous in his day. His family consisted of four children, namely; Caroline, Laura and Henry, all deceased; John W., of this sketch. John W. Hoover grew to manhood in the old Keystone state, and he received a limited education in the schools of Reading, Pennsylvania. After leaving school he learned the boilermaker's trade, beginning as an apprentice in Philadelphia, in 1861, and served four years. Leaving the City of Brotherly Love on October 15, 1866, he started west, and stopped at Indian- apolis, Indiana, and worked at the Eagle Machine works there, as boiler- maker, and later for the Big Four railroad in their shops there, the road then being known as the Bellefontaine railroad. After working there three years he went to Peru, Indiana, where he secured a better position with the Chicago, Indianapolis & Peru railroad, and worked there in their shops twelve years. He was then offered a still better position at Moberly, Mis- souri, to take charge of the boiler shops there of the Wabash railroad, and he spent ten years there, then came to Springfield, Missouri, where he had charge of the south side shops, the old Gulf shops, later owned by the Frisco, from 1890 until 1911, then was transferred to Memphis, Tennessee, to the Frisco’s shops there, of which he remained in charge until July, 1913, when he reached the age limit of employees of this system, and was given a pension, and, although yet able to work, did not seek further employ- ment, returning to Springfield and retiring, and is living quietly at his home at 1004 West Walnut street. Mr. Hoover was married in Reading, Pennsylvania, September 22, 1862, to Nancy Mast, who was born near that city on February 22, 1844. She is a daughter of George and Mary ( Smith) Mast. Mr. Mast was a native of Germany, from which country he came to the Lhiited States when ten years of age. The mother of our subject was born in Pennsylvania, of Quaker parents. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hoover, named as follows: Henry J., born on May 2, 1864. died in 1866; J. W., born on Au- gust 3, i8'66, received his education in Indiana and Columbia Universities, and is now making his home in Fort Worth, Texas; David, born on March GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1 575 16, 1869, died when three months old; Caroline, born on July 11, 1872, was educated in Indiana and in Moberly, Missouri, married Victor Winnburg, who is division foreman of the Missouri Pacific shops in Sedalia, and they are the parents of one child, a daughter, Selma, born on June 18, 1899 ; Nellie, born on August 4, 1877, died on May 25, 1891 ; Harry, born on August 26, 1882, married Martha Bohana, who is with the Griffen H. Deeves Lumber Company, Railway Exchange, Chicago; Walter, born on May 5, 1891, married Opal Smith, of Kansas City; they live in Chicago; he is a traveling salesman. Politically, Mr. Hoover is a Republican. He cast his second vote for Abraham Lincoln for his second term as president. Religiously, he belongs to the Presbyterian church. Fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic Order, including the Blue Lodge, the Royal Arch Masons, the Commandery and the Ancient xWabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. ROBERT B. KITE. It is a well-authenticated fact that success comes as a result of legiti- mate and well-applied energy, unflagging determination and perseverance in a course of action when once decided upon. She is never known to bestow her largesses upon the indolent and ambitionless, and only those who seek her untiringly are recipients of her blessings. In tracing the history of Robert B. Kite, now living in retirement in Springfield after a long- career as a railroader and in more recent years a farmer, it is plainly seen that the prosperity which he enjoys has been won by commendable quali- ties, and it is also his personal worth that has gained for him the high esteem of those who know him. Mr. Kite was born in Cleveland, Ohio, May 8, 1857. He is a son of Hiram and Rosanna (Warren) Kite, the father a native of Pennsylvania and of Quaker stock, while the mother was a native of England, from which country she emigrated to America in girlhood and located in Pennsyl- vania, where the parents of our subject were married, but not long there- after removed to Ohio, and there they lived until 1S59, when they removed to Marshfield, Webster county, ' Missouri, and Hiram Kite built one of the first houses in that town. Pie was a leather worker by trade and was in business there when the Civil war broke out and joined the Home Guards, but did not become a soldier in the regular Union army. He finally removed to a farm near Strafford, Missouri, where he spent the rest of his life, but his wife died in Springfield. They were the parents of eight children, five of whom are still living-, namelv : Madora E., Mary, Lottie, Nettie; Frances 1576 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. is deceased; Robert B., of this review; Emma and Ida are both deceased. Robert B. Kite received a limited education in the public school at Marshfield, but he is principally a self-educated man. He began his rail- road career in 1873 as brakeman on the old Atlantic & Pacific railroad, now the Frisco system, and he remained a brakeman until 1880, when he was promoted to freight conductor, in which capacity he worked until he was promoted to passenger conductor, and ran as such for a period of fifteen years, or until 1901, living at Monett, Missouri, during that period. He was regarded as one of the most capable and most trusted conductors on the Frisco, and his continuous service 'of twenty-eight years would indicate he was a' first-class railroader. Finally, tiring of the exacting work as con- ductor. he moved to his farm in 1901, just south of Springfield. His fine place there consisted of one hundred acres of the old Crenshaw homestead. This lie brought up to a high state of improvement and a high state of cultivation, all but about ten acres. He made it a model farm in every respect. He installed the first water system in that part of the county, running hot and cold water to both his house and barn. He carried on gen- eral farming until 1907, when he sold out and moved to the corner of South and Madison streets, Springfield, where he owns two sets of four-apartment flats and two fine residence properties, all modern and desirable in every way, and he now spends his time looking after his personal property here. Mr. Kite was married on September 17, 1883, in Rogers, Arkansas, to Vitae A. Powers, who was born in Newton county, Missouri, May 21, 1867. She is a daughter of Eli and Angeline (Wormington) Powers. The father was a native of North Carolina and the mother of Tennessee. They came from the South to Newton county, Missouri, in pioneer days, and there Mr. Powers engaged in farming and the milling business. His death occurred in 1875, his widow surviving thirty-five years, dying in 1910. They were the parents of five children, namely: Andrew B., deceased; Mrs. Belle Carnes died in 1907; Mrs. Addie Tudor died in 1880; Douglass lives in Carbonado, Washington; and Mrs. Vitae Kite, wife of our subject. She grew to womanhood in Newton county and received her education in the common schools. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Kite, named as follow : Olive, born on October 2, 1884, was educated in Monett, married Andrew Edmondson, and they live in Fort Smith, Arkansas; Rolland, born on Sep- tember 10, 1886, was educated in the Springfield high school and later attended Drury College, married May King, and they are living in Hollis- ter, this state; Jessie May, born on August 11, 1888. was graduated from the Normal school in Springfield, then attended Columbia University, New York City, and is now a successful teacher in Stephens College, Columbia, Missouri; Warren P., born on February 11, 1896, was graduated from the GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1 577 high school in Springfield with the class of 1914. He is a natural mechanic, is a skilled taxidermist, and he has a splendid collection of Indian relics. He has mounted a valuable collection of birds. He has built various kinds of boats, canoes, power boats, etc., which have been regarded by those who have seen them as equal to any on the market. The future evidently holds much of promise for this fine young lad, as indeed it must for all Mr. Kite’s children, who are all intellectual and highly cultured, and well liked by their associates everywhere. Politically, Mr. Kite is a Republican, and he at one time was candidate for sheriff of Greene county, but failed to get the nomination. He was a charter member of North Side Division No. 30, Order of Railway Con- ductors. Fraternally, he belongs to the Masonic Order, in which he is active and prominent, being a past eminent commander ; he is a Knight Templar, and a member of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Religiously, he is a member of the Presbyterian church, and is a liberal supporter of the same. Mrs. Kite is a member of the Order of Eastern Star and the Rebekahs. The family stands high in all circles in which it moves. CFIARLES W. RULE. A man of naturally sound judgment and shrewd perception, character- istics of the Teutonic race, of which Charles W. Rule, of Springfield, is a descendant, are dominating factors in his career, and he has so ordered his course in the world’s affairs as to be eligible to representation in a work of this kind. He has risen through close attention to business and his desire to deal promptly and courteously with his fellow men. and his name stands high in all business circles with which he has come into relationship. His domestic and social connections have ever been of a pleasant character, and the fact that his surroundings are such as to make life enjoyable is due solely to his individual merits. Mr. Rule was born in Springfield, Missouri, May 22, 1871. He is a son of John Christopher Rule, who was born in Baltimore, Maryland, April 16, 1844, and he was a s'on of Mundus Rule, who was a native of Germany, from which country he emigrated to America and located in Maryland, and engaged extensively in railroad contracting and building in and around the city of Baltimore, and there his death occurred in 1891 at the advanced age of eighty-seven years. The father of the subject of this sketch grew to manhood in the Monument city and was educated there, and he spent his early life as a sailor. During the Civil war he entered 1578 ' GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. the service of the Confederacy, most of the time of his enlistment being- spent in the navy service. He was captured by the Federal navy and spent nine months in the old Washington prison, then exchanged and released. After the close of the war, about the latter part of 1866, he came to Spring- held, Missouri, where he spent the rest of his life, first engaging in business on South street, later on Commercial street, and during this period of nearly a half century he was one of the best known business men of the city. He lived to see and take part in the substantial and steady growth of the city from a mere village to the metropolis of southern Missouri, and always had its interests at heart. He married Celeste Heffernan, a native of Wabasha, Minnesota, a daughter of Steven and Margaret (O’Day) Heffernan, both natives of Ireland, from which country they emigrated to Minnesota in an early day. The mother died when comparatively a young woman. Mrs. Celeste Rule was a well-educated woman, and of an excellent family, but was unable to definitely trace her ancestry in the Emerald Isle. Her death occurred in Springfield on October 16, 1909. The father of our subject survived until 1911. Charles W. Rule grew to manhood in Springfield and was educated in the public schools here, and when but a boy commenced his business life as a grocery merchant on Commercial street, in which business he met with encouraging success and remained four years, then took a position with the Frisco railroad with the superintendent of motive power, the duties of which responsible place he discharged for a period of nine years in a man- ner that was entirely satisfactory to the company, then went on the road for the Springfield Brewing Company, doing much to increase the prestige of the same until it closed down in 1906, when Mr. Rule became manager of the Springfield depot of the William J. Lemp Brewing Company of St. Louis, in which position he is still employed and is handling the same in his usual acceptable manner. He has been very successful as a man of affairs and is a stockholder in the Citizens Bank of Springfield. Politically, Mr. Rule is a Democrat. He was reared in the Roman Catholic faith and has proved faithful to his allegiance to the mother church. Fraternally, he belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and is president of the local aerie of Eagles. He is also a member of the United Commercial Travelers. Mr. Rule was married in 1891 to Lula M. Teague, a daughter of Elihu and Sarah (Brock) Teague. Mr. Teague lived in western Colorado, where he was interested in mining. His wife died many years ago, and his death occurred in 1911. The family formerly lived in Springfield, where Mrs. Rule was educated in the high school from which she was graduated. Five sons have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Rule, namely: Francis G., born November 22, 1893, was educated in the Springfield high school, and GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1579 is now employed with the Lee steamboat line as electrician; Raymond T., horn on April 22, 1896, is attending St. Mary’s school; Carl W., born on January 13, 1903, is in school; John Christopher, born on October 16, 1905; Richard L., born on May 2, 1909 MASON CLAUDE WASHBURN. Although Springfield is a city of considerable size, where the inhabit- ants are engaged in a great variety of pursuits, yet a large number of her citizens are engaged in railroading or dependent upon the railroads, one way and another, for their livelihood ; and where there are so many actively engaged in as hazardous a calling as railroading there necessarily occur many fatal accidents. One of the most regrettable was the loss of Mason Claude Washburn, a Frisco employee, who met his untimely death while a member of a train crew over thirteen years ago. He was a young man of much promise, only a quarter of a century having passed over his head, and he was summoned before his Judge in the Great Beyond when it seemed that he was most needed here. He was both a railroader and a minister of the gospel, and no doubt would have eventually become a lead- ing preacher in the Christian church in southern Missouri had he been spared. Mr. Washburn, who was familiarly known as “Claude" Washburn, was born on July 19, 1875, in the state of Illinois. He was a son of Henry Harrison Washburn and Molly E. (Wilson) Washburn. The father was born on September 25, 1849, an d the mother's birth occurred June 14th of the same year, both being natives of Kentucky, where they grew to maturity, were educated in the common schools and were married, and from that state they immigrated to Illinois, where they resided until about 1886, in which year they came to Springfield, Missouri, and established the future home of the family. A few years ago the parents of the subject of this memoir removed to Cape Girardeau, this state. Henry H. Washburn has followed railroading ever since he was a boy, has been in the employ of several roads, and has been with the Frisco system about thirty-five years, all told. He is now a passenger conductor; in fact, has been for many years. His family consisted of four children, namely : Lutie lives in St. Louis; Mason C., subject of this sketch; Pearl lives in Cape Girardeau, Missouri; and Harry H. lives in Chaffee, Missouri. The father of these children is a prominent Mason, having attained the thirty-second degree in this order. Mason C. Washburn was young in years when his parents brought him GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1580 to Springfield, Missouri, and here he grew to manhood and received a good education, including the public and high schools, a business college and the old Normal school. He prepared himself for the ministry in the Christian church, in which he was engaged for five or six years, during which time he had a church on the north side and supplied a number of pulpits in his denomination. He was a successful minister, well versed in the Bible, and was an earnest, forceful and convincing speaker and a man whose influence in all the relations of life made for better living. Mr. Washburn secured a position as brakeman on the Frisco railroad in November, 1896, and was assigned to a freight crew to run between Monett, Missouri, and Fort Smith, Arkansas. Mr. Washburn was married on June 28, 1898, to Lydia M. Wilkerson, who was born on April 16, 1875, in Polk county, Missouri. She is a daugh- ter of Dr. J. M. and Mary (Ayers) Wilkerson. Doctor Wilkerson was born in Tennessee on November 2, 1844, and his wife was born in Mis- souri on September 8, 1849. He received his medical education in the St. Louis Medical College and practiced for many years in Humansville, Polk county, this state, finally removing to Springfield, where he and his wife still reside. A complete sketch of them appears on another page of this work. Mrs. Washburn grew to womanhood in the town of Humansville, and she received a good education in the public schools. To Mr. and Mrs. Washburn one child was born, Tames Harrison Wash- burn, whose birth occurred on June 22, 1899; he is being educated in the Springfield schools. Mrs. Washburn and son live on North Jefferson street. Politically, Mr. Washburn was a Republican. The tragic death of Mr. W ashburn occurred on November 13, 1900. We quote the following account of the accident from the Springfield Leader of that date : “Claude Washburn, one of the most popular trainmen in Springfield, met a horrible death at Aurora this morning. He left Springfield this morning as a brakeman on an extra run out in charge of Conductor Garvin. At Aurora the train was heading in and while taking the side track Claude Washburn was riding the pilot of the engine. By a sudden jerk of the loco- motive the unfortunate man was thrown from the pilot directly in front of the track and then the engine wheels crushed his life out. He was dragged a short distance, there being scarcely room for a body to pass beneath the pilot, but the wheels of the engine passed over both legs and he was horribly mangled. The engine was stopped as quickly as possible, but the brakeman lived but a few minutes after being taken from beneath the engine. The remains were brought to this city on a passenger train. “Claude Washburn grew to manhood in Springfield. He came here when only a small boy with his parents. He was about twenty-five years GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1581 of age and leaves a wife and one child. He was an extra conductor and had been running trains a great deal this fall. He would soon have had a regular run as a conductor if he had lived, as he was considered a most efficient man. His father, H. H. Washburn, an old Frisco conductor, resigned his position yesterday and left last night for Little Rock, Arkan- sas. Liis mother and aged grandfather are now at the home on Benton ave- nue and are heartbroken, as Claude was the pride of the family. Out on Summit avenue and Pacific street there is also his heartbroken widow, almost prostrated by the untimely death of her husband. She is the daugh- ter of Dr. J. M. Wilkerson. “Claude Washburn was a religious man and a member of the Christian church on Washington avenue. Before he began to work on the railroad he had a strong liking for the ministry, and had in fact been a local preacher. He was a member of the Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor, and attended the national convention in Boston as a delegate in 1895. He was a member of the Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen. He is spoken of in the highest terms by all who know him, and there is probably not a railroad man of Springfield whose death would cause more general sorrow.” JAMES CALEB SQUIBB. “I didn’t begin with asking, I took the job and stuck; And I took the chance they wouldn’t and now they’re calling it luck.” Thus wrote Rudyard Kipling of a man who pronounced success in life by his own efforts, advancing himself from an humble environment, refusing to permit discouraging circumstances to down him, until he won the goal sought. The great poet might just as well have had in mind James Caleb Squibb, for many years a successful druggist of Springfield. He came up from the soil, won a large measure of success unaided and also made a good citizen. Mr. Squibb was born in Greene county, Missouri, July 29, 1861. He is a son of Caleb and Elizabeth (Wallace) Squibb, both natives of Ten- nessee, where they grew to maturity, received such educational advantages as the old-time schools offered, and were married in their native state, and from there emigrated to Missouri, locating in Greene county, where they spent the rest of their lives in farming. They came here in the days before the great Civil war and experienced the stirring times here during the struggle. They worked hard and had a good farm and comfortable home and were well and favorably known. The death of Mr. Squibb occurred in August, 1861 ; his widow is still living in this county, having thus sur- 1582 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. vived her husband fifty-four years, and has reached an advanced age. They were the parents of two children — James Caleb, of this review; and Prior Lee, who is living on a farm in Greene county. The subject of this sketch spent his boyhood days on the farm with his parents, where he worked hard and remained until he was nineteen years of age, when he came to Springfield and attended the common schools, later entered the Marionville Collegiate Institute, at Marionville, Missouri, where he took a general course. Leaving college at the age of twenty-two years, he went to St. Louis and took a course in a business college and afterwards studied pharmacy and went into the drug business in Springfield, and continued the same, owning his own store until 1913, when he sold out and has since been living practically retired, merely looking after his private property. He made a pronounced success as a druggist and always enjoyed a good trade and carried a large stock of drugs and drug sundries, and dealt fairly and courteously with his many regular customers and tran- sients alike. He has a fine home on North Jefferson street. Mr. Squibb was married on November 19, 1883, to Nora Massey, who was born, reared and educated in Greene county. She is a daughter of Nathaniel J. and Mary Catherine (Bass) Massey, both natives of Missouri, who located in Greene county in an early day and established the permanent home of the family. Mr. Massey was a successful farmer and stock trader and a public-spirited, self-made man. During the Civil war he was a gov- ernment contractor, furnishing stock and general supplies to the army. In politics he was a Democrat and a Union man. His father, James Massey, was probably born in the green isle of Erin, but crossed the Atlantic when young and settled in Tennessee. Later he moved to Greene county, Mis- souri, and located a few miles east of Springfield, where he became the owner of a good farm. There his death occurred during the Civil war. He was twice married and was the father of twenty-two children. His last wife, who died on February 15, 1894, married Allen Gentry, of Stone county. Theophalus Bass, Mrs. Squibb’s grandfather, was the first repre- sentative to the Legislature from Taney county, and died during his incum- bency and was buried in Jefferson City. Nathaniel j. Bass was born in Tennessee, about 1815, and died in 1868. His second wife, mother of Mrs. Squibb, was born in Taney county, Missouri, and died about forty years ago in Springfield. She was born during the later forties, was reared and educated in Boone county, Missouri, having attended Howard Female Col- lege. Our subject’s wife was one of two children, she being the eldest; her sister, Effie, was born in February, 1868, married Oscar Headley, and they live in Los Angeles, California. Mrs. Squibb’s great-grandfather, John D. Shannon, came from Tennessee and settled in Greene county, Mis- souri, in the forties. He was the first representative from Greene county to GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1583 the Legislature, and he was the first sheriff that ever held office in south- western Missouri. Mrs. Squibb, when young, went to live with an aunt in Troy, Doniphan county, Kansas, and there she received her education, in part, finishing in the Marionville Collegiate Institute. She taught school in Stone county for a while before her marriage. To Mr. and Mrs. Squibb ten children were born, named as follows: Lillard, born on December i, 1885, died on January 16, 1889; Harry W., born on January 10, 1887; James Lee, born on July 28, 1889; Mildred E., born on August 27, 1892; Effie LI., born on January 22, 1895; Ernest R., born on March 18, 1897; John W., born on March 4, 1900; Lenora Glenn, born on June 3, 1903: Sylvia L., born on October 25, 1905: Sanford S., born on June 22, 1908. Politically, Mr. Squibb is a Democrat. He is a member of the Trav- elers' Protective Association of America, and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He and his family belong to St. Paul’s Methodist Episcopal church, South. OSCAR FRANKLIN FARMER. Although Oscar Franklin Farmer has long been sleeping the “sleep that knows no waking,” like the great huntsman and Scottish chieftain, of whom we read in Walter Scott’s “Lady of the Lake,” he is still remembered by many of the older residents of the northern part of Greene county as an excellent business man and helpful citizen — one of the sturdy pioneers who did much for the early development of his locality, and his name is therefore entitled to special mention in the present volume. Mr. Farmer was born on August 15, 1835, in Tennessee, but was a mere child when he emigrated with his parents, Moses Farmer and wife, to Missouri, the family locating in Cass county on a farm, where Oscar F. grew to manhood and received a common school education, and he was married near Pleasant Hill, Missouri, to Jane Wann, to which union two children were born, namely: Mrs. Elizabeth Ross, who lives in Washing- ton state, and Charles O., deceased. Oscar F. Farmer remained in Cass county until 1865 when he removed with his family to Greene county and located in Cass township, purchasing the old Evans grist-mill which he operated for four years, supplying the early settlers with the material of which they made their bread, many of his customers coming from very remote distances, for grist-mills were few in those days. In connection with his mill he also operated a farm success- fully. Later he traded his mill to Samuel Appleby for a farm of one hun- dred and twenty acres where his widow now resides. In the early develop- 1584 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. ment of Willard, Mr. Farmer was active, establishing a general store when he first came here, and operated the same until his death, which occurred on October 8, 1887, at the age of fifty-two years. His widow subsequently sold the store to David Appleby. Mr. Farmer’s second wife was Anna Appleby, whom he married in 1870. She is a daughter of William and Emily (Flurt) Appleby, both natives of Tennessee. To the last marriage of Oscar F. Farmer was born five children, namely: Fred, who lives in Springfield; Samuel, a farmer of this township; Claude, who lives in Wil- lard; Carl, whose death occurred in 1913; and John, who is living in Willard. John and Claude Farmer now operate a general store in Willard, under the firm name of Farmer Brothers, and are doing a large and thriving busi- ness, both being active and energetic and good respectable citizens who have the confidence of their many customers. Mrs. Anna (Appleby) Farmer was born on August 6, 1848, in Cass township, Greene county, and here she grew to womanhood and was edu- cated in the early-day schools. She is making her home with her son, John Farmer. She is a quiet home woman of noble character. Her father, William Appleby, was born in 1806, and his death occurred in Greene county in 1879, at the age of seventy-three years. His wife, Emily Hurt, was born in 1808, and died in 1861 at the age of fifty-three years. To these parents eight children were born, namely : Mrs. Eveline Williams is deceased; Samuel, deceased; Elizabeth, deceased; Mrs. Cassander Looney lives in Boone township, Greene county; Anna, widow of the subject of this sketch; John lives in Cass township, this county; two children died in infancy. The Farmers have been one of the best known and most influential families of Willard and Murray township from the pioneer days to the pres- ent and have all borne good reputations. JO SI AH JEFFERSON GRAY. The permanent prosperity of a nation must rest upon its agriculture. Where agriculture has been decadent, nations have declined. The history of the past decade proves that the agriculture of the Lhiited States, if not actually on the decline has not made the strides forward that it should have, and the result of this affects the producer and consumer alike in one respect — a rapid increase in the cost of living. This is a fact recognized by far- seeing men to such an extent that at the present time we find some of the strongest minds of the country grappling with the problem of putting our agriculture on a permanent and sound basis. This has become a near national issue. ■T. J. GRAY AND FAMILY. RESIDENCE OF .T. J. GRAY GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1585 An enterprising farmer of Brookline township, Greene county, is Josiah Jefferson Gray, who was born in the vicinity where he now lives on January 16, 1851. He is a son of George Washington and Sarah Jane (Edgar) Gray. Samuel Gray, our subject's grandfather, was a native of Ireland, from which country he immigrated with his father to America shortly after the close of the Revolutionary war. The father of our sub- ject was born in Tennessee, from which state he emigrated to Greene county, Missouri, in 1833, and settled in Brookline township among the first of the pioneers, and here he cleared and developed a good farm and spent the rest of his life, dying about 1906. The mother of our subject was born near Mammoth Cave in Green county, Kentucky. Her death occurred on the homestead here in 1901. They were the parents of four children, two sons and two daughters, namely: Josiah J. of this sketch; Andrew Jackson, born in 1854, died in 1865; Elizabeth A., born in 1848, married Jefferson Monev- ham, of Chariton county, Missouri, and they have five children; Sarah Jane married William Robertson, who is deceased, and she is living in Oklahoma and has five children. Josiah J. Gray was reared on the home farm where he worked when a boy and in the winter attended the district schools. He has followed farm- ing all his life, having remained at work on the home place until 1869, when he started out in life for himself. In 1882 he purchased the place where he now resides, and since then has acquired eighty acres more, now owning a good farm of one hundred and twenty acres known as “The Oak Hill Stock Farm,” on which he carries on general farming and stock raising. His farm is a part of the Wilson Creek battleground. Mr. Gray was but ten years of age when that great struggle took place, however he has a very vivid recollection of what transpired that memorable day. Mr. Gray was married, August 22, 1878, to Arena Jane Russell, a daughter of J. N. and Nancy Elizabeth (Grimmer) Russell, both of whom came to Greene county from Tennessee in the early forties, and in this county Mrs. Gray grew to womanhood and attended the public schools. To Mr. and Mrs. Gray the following children have been born: Johnnie T., born in » 1880. was educated in the district schools, and he worked on the home farm until his marriage in 1901 to Margaret L. McNabb, daughter of J. P. and Sarah McNabb, of Republic, after which he moved to Stone county, Missouri, where he is now operating a farm which he owns; he has three children, Earl V. who is ten years old, Archie, aged seven, and Theo- dore. Joe Emmett, second son of our subject, was born June 15, 1887. was educated in the district schools, and remained on the home farm until his marriage, November 24, 1913, to Hollie Davis, daughter of Barney and Harriett (O’Dell) Davis, of Christian county, Missouri; he then took up (100) GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1586 farming for himself on a farm adjoining that owned by our subject. Willie J., third son of our subject, born June 12, 1893, was educated in the district schools, and is assisting his father operate the home farm ; Ada, born August 18, 1883, was educated in the neighborhood schools, is single and lives at home; Emma E., born June 21, 1885, was educated in the home school, is unmarried and living at home; Hubert C., born July 12, 1889, died in infancy; a daughter, Ida Maudie, died in 1882; one daughter born in 1879, unnamed. Politically, Mr. Gray is a Democrat. He belongs to No. 471 Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. Gray raises hogs and cattle of standard grade in large numbers. ENOCH KNABB, M. D. It is claimed by some authors that a man’s life, or words of disparage- ment or praise of it, should not be written until after his death. Perhaps not until he has been dead some years. For, though, in one sense, none can know a man so well as he knows himself, and of the exterior knowledge gained concerning him, the simplest facts are liable to continual misrepre- sentation, still a certain amount of distance is essential to the breadth, com- prehension and truthfulness of the view — especially of that tuneful harp, that mysterious picture, a human existence. When an individual has attained the eminence in a community that Dr. Enoch Knabb has, it is fitting that a suitable biography be prepared of him for reference by his friends, hence the following tribute. Doctor Knabb, for many years one of the well-known general physi- cians of Springfield, Missouri, was born in Wright county, this state, March 1, 1867. He is a son of Henry M. Knabb, who was born near Indianapolis, Indiana, August 4, 1836, and there he spent his earlier years, finally immi- grating in an early day to Missouri and establishing the family home in Wright county, where he devoted his life to general farming and stock rais- ing. During the Civil war he was a member of the Eighth Missouri Volun- teer Cavalry. While in the service he contracted rheumatism and was con- fined in the government hospital for some time. He saw considerable hard service and was in a number of engagements. His death occurred in Mis- souri at the home place in 1891. The doctor’s mother was born in 1830 and died in 1905 at the advanced age of seventy-five years. These parents were both members of the Christian church. The mother was known in her maidenhood as Minerva Gass. Dr. Knabb has a sister, Mrs. Mary A. Priester, who resides near Lorey, Wright county, Missouri. Her husband is engaged in buying and shipping live stock there. Jacob Knabb, our sub- GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1587 ject’s paternal grandfather, was a German- American, born in Pennsylvania, and his death occurred at the age of seventy-five years. His wife was a native of the United States. Doctor Knabb is an excellent example of a self-made man, having worked hard in his youth to obtain money to defray his expenses in school, but such ambition and determination as he displayed could not fail of defi- nite results. He grew to .manhood in Wright count}' and received his early education in the rural schools of his native community, later attended the high school at Hartville, and, having decided upon a career as physician, he entered the Keokuk Medical College, at Keokuk, Iowa, in the autumn of 1892, from which he was graduated with the class of 1895. Soon there- after he commenced the practice of his profession at Stoutland, Missouri, near Lebanon, remaining there six years, during which he had a good coun- try practice. Seeking a larger field for the exercise of his talents, he removed to Springfield in 1901, where he has been engaged in a large and satisfactory practice ever since, which is constantly growing. He now con- fines his practice mostly to within the city limits. He took a post-graduate course in the Chicago Polyclinic in 1900 and 1905, and also took a post- graduate course in Kansas City in 1912. Doctor Knabb is a member of the Greene County Medical Society, the Southwest Missouri Medical Society, the Missouri State Medical Association and the American Medical Association. Fraternally, he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, the Woodmen of the World, the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and many other lodges. Religiously, he is a member of the Central Christian church, and politically is a Republican. Dr. Knabb was married on October 11, 1885, to Matilda F. Davis, a daughter of James and Mary C. (Foster) Davis. Mrs. Knabb is a native of Wright county, Missouri, and she received her education in the rural schools there. s Three children have been born to Doctor Knabb and wife, named as follow: Henry F., born in Wright county, Missouri, May 5, 1887, was educated in the Springfield public schools, graduating from the high school here, and in 1907 he entered the medical department of the St. Louis Uni- versity, and was graduated with the class of 1911, and is successfully engaged in the practice of his profession at Foyill, Oklahoma ; he married Ora K. Harris, in September, 1910, who is a graduate of the Springfield high school, also attended the State Normal here at different times, and she taught school four years ; she is a daughter of Doctor and Dolly Harris. Arthur D. Knabb, second of our subject’s children, was born in Wright county, this state, January 28, 1889, was graduated from the Springfield high school in 1909, and the same year entered the medical department of the St. Louis University, from which he was graduated with the class of 1588 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1913; he served one year as interne at Lexin Brothers Hospital, St. Louis, and was elected professor of bacteriology and pathology; and later he resigned and took up the practice of his profession with his father in Spring- held, Missouri, and is making a pronounced success in his profession. He was married on June 26, 1914, to Beulah Harlow, a resident of Springfield. She is the daughter of Rev. W. E. Harlow, of 1359 Washington avenue, and a woman of education and refinement. She was graduated from Springfield high school in 1909. She was one of five children, four of whom are still living at home, the oldest having died about eleven years ago. Yernie E. Knabb was born in Wright county, Missouri, October 19, 1891 ; was graduated from the Springfield high school, later took a course in the Springfield Business College, from which she graduated in 1904. She is single and lives with her parents. These children have all received every advantage in the way of preparation for serious life work, and they all give promise of exceptional success in their chosen spheres of endeavor. FRANK E. BROWN. Successful farming calls for the best of judgment. It means good crops, good live stock well fed and handled, and a thoroughly balanced busi- ness in every way. No business needs better management all around than farming. So many chances for failure are present that it is the exceptional farm that is strong in every particular. Most farms succeed in spite of certain weaknesses. Some of these weaknesses can be corrected; others are due to conditions that cannot be improved, such as naturally poor soil, short growing seasons, steep hills and various things.. No better example of a good general farmer, stock man and horticulturist than Frank E. Brown, of Campbell township, near the Springfield city limits, could be found in Greene county. He has applied business principles to his farming and has used his mind as well as his brawn. He hails from the far-away rugged state of Maine, but before casting his lot with the people of the Ozarks, engaged in mercantile pursuits in Minnesota a number of years. Mr. Brown was born August 6, i860, at Sangerville, Maine. He is a son of Francis and Tamar (Brown) Brown, and a grandson of Oliver Brown, who was a native of Maine his parents being among the pioneers of that state. He grew up and married in his native locality and later removed to Sangerville, having been among the first settlers at that place, and there he spent the rest of his life engaged in farming and died there, and there occurred the birth of his son Francis Brown, our subject’s father. The latter grew up on the homestead on which he worked when a boy and in spare GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1589 times learned the carpenter's trade. After the Civil war he removed to Minnesota, and engaged in contracting at Minneapolis, later moving to the southern part o”f that state and farmed a few years in the vicinity of Leroy. His death occurred in Minneapolis in August, 1896, at the age of seventy- three years. His family consisted of eleven children, four of whom are liv- ing at this writing, namely : Anna, who lives in Everett, Washington, is the wife of Clinton Stephans, a relative of the noted civil engineer, Frank Ste- phans; Mrs. Ada Jones, whose husband is deceased, lives in Minneapolis; Mrs. Fannie Hartley lives in Minneapolis; Minnie Stephens lives at Red Wing, Minnesota, and Frank E. of this sketch. The subject of this review was educated in the common schools of Minnesota, where he removed with his parents when a child; however, he left school when thirteen years of age and began learning the carpenter's trade, later managed his father's farm, and during his father's last illness he was appointed by the governor of the Gopher state as a delegate to the Farmers’ Congress which met in St. Paul. He continued general farming there, also maintained a store for some time. Mr. Brown was married at Leroy, Minnesota, March 7, 1888, to Anna Palmer, a daughter of Cady and Sarah (Palmer) Palmer. Her father was a farmer and one of the first settlers in the vicinity of the town of Leroy. There Mrs. Brown grew to womanhood and attended the public schools. The union of our subject and wife resulted in the birth of four children, named as follows : Mrs. Grace May Holder is the wife of a civil engineer, and she lives with her father; Charlie L., a graduate of the Agricultural department of the University of Missouri at Columbia, also lives at home; Ida and Ruth are both at home and are students in the Springfield high school. The eldest daughter of our subject is a talented musician; she has the distinction of being the first and only pupil to graduate in all branches also in vocal music at Drury College. Mrs. Brown died in the fall of 1914. Mr. Brown remained in Minnesota until in the spring of 1903, when he removed to Greene county, Missouri, arriving here on March 5th. He had purchased four hundred acres in Campbell township the year previous. He began improving this valuable tract and soon had it under modern im- provements and also built an attractive two-storv eleven-roomed house with all modern conveniences, finished in original genuine black cherry, seven- teen hundred feet of which fine lumber he cut from his own land, doing the work himself, as he is a skilled carpenter and experienced builder. He has carried on general farming and stock raising on an extensive scale, making a specialty of a good grade of cattle, among his herd being a splendid Holstein bull for which he paid four hundred dollars when a calf. Mr. Brown leased his farm some time ago and merely oversees it in a general way, having retired from active farming, a lease of ten years being made to his son and 159 ° GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. Mr. Holder, his son-in-law, who has given up his work as civil engineer, in which he is quite accomplished, in order to devote his entire attention to the farm. An indication that this is not only a rich farm but is well oper- ated is seen from the fact that a field of one hundred acres of wheat in 1914, averaged over nineteen bushels per acre. Politically, Mr. Brown is a Democrat, but while a careful voter and loyal to his party he has never sought political leadership, although he has held numerous minor offices, such as road commissioner and was a member of the school board in Minnesota for a period of twenty-five years during which he did much for the general improvement of the schools in his dis- trict. Fraternally, he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and was a past grand knight in Minnesota. He is a mat} whom it is a pleas- ure to meet, being well informed, hospitable and companionable. GEORGE DEEPER. The honored subject of this sketch is a representative of one of the pio- neer families of Greene county and is personally identified with the indus- trial interests of this section of the state where he has spent his life, being the owner of a fine farming property in Walnut Grove township. Mr. Leeper believes in adopting new and modern methods of agriculture in so far as they are applicable to local conditions and because of his progressive- ness, industry and close application he is regarded as one of the substantial farmers and stock men in this locality, the interests of which he has ever had at heart and where he has been contented to spend his life. George Leeper was born on January 6, 1866, in Walnut Grove town- ship, Greene county, and he is a son of Francis and Elmina (Burney) Leeper. The father was born in Hawkins county, Tennessee, March 20, 1820, and there he spent his boyhood days, being fourteen years of age when, in 1834, he removed with his father, Hugh Leeper (also a native of east Tennessee) to Greene county, Missouri. They made the long overland journey direct to Walnut Grove township, and settled about two miles south of our subject’s present farm, and were thus among the early pioneers here. They cleared and developed a farm from the wilderness and became well established and well known. The parents of our subject were married here in 1843 an d soon thereafter moved to Dade county where they lived on a farm until 1847, ’ n which yean they returned to Green county and purchased a farm of two hundred and eighty-five acres, near which our subject’s farm is now located, and here Francis Leeper engaged in general farming in a most highly satisfactory manner until his death, which occurred on Decern- GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1591 ber 28, 1909, when nearly ninety years of age. Politically, he was a Demo- crat, and religiously was a member of the Christian church at Walnut Grove. He was a man of fine character, neighborly, hospitable, public-spirited and was highly esteemed by all with whom he came in contact. His wife, Elmina Burney, was a native of North Carolina, where her birth occurred on December 21, 1824, and she spent her early girlhood in her native state, removing with her parents to Greene county, Missouri, in the spring of 1835, the family locating on a farm near Ash Grove and her father was one of the prominent pioneers of this locality. She is still living, being now nearly ninety years of age, and makes her home with her son, the subject of this sketch. She is a grand old lady of the true Southern type — gentle, kind and of fine Christian character. She is afflicted with blindness in her old age, but bears her lot patiently. She is a daughter of Joshua and Jane (Stafford) Burney. She often recalls that long, rough journey overland from the old Tar state more than three-quarters of a century ago. To Francis Leeper and wife seven children were born, three of whom died in infancy, those who grew up being Mrs. Elizabeth Gilliland, who died in November, 1909; Hugh, who is a resident of the town of Mary, North Dakota; Mrs. Ebanida Martin, who lives in Walnut Grove; and George, of this sketch. George Leeper spent his boyhood days on the home farm, in fact, has remained on the same nearly all his life, and has always followed general farming and raising live stock. He received his education in the district schools of his township. He now owns one hundred and twenty-nine acres which he farms efficiently, and on which is to be seen an excellent group of buildings. Mr. Leeper was married on September 10, 1891, to Flora Edmonson, who was born near Walnut Grove, Greene county, where she was reared to womanhood and was educated. She is a daughter of Fide and Martha (Potter) Edmonson. The father was born in this vicinity also, in 1840. He is a son of Allen and Polly Edmonson, who were very early settlers of Walnut Grove township, clearing and developing a farm here when the country was sparsely settled, and here Fide Edmonson grew' to manhoood and early in life began farming which has been his life work. He continued to reside in his native locality until several years ago when he removed to Polk county in different parts of which he has lived, being now practi- cally retired owing to his advanced age and is residing near Red Top, Mis- souri. His wife was born and reared in Kentucky. They became the par- ents of the following children: Flora, Alonzo, Walton E. (deceased) ; Dud- ley, Edward, Dollie, Bettie and Rufus. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Leeper has been without issue. Politically, Mr. Leeper is a Democrat. Fraternally, he belongs to the i59 2 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. Masonic Order at Walnut Grove, the old Sullivan Lodge No. 7. He and his wife are members of the Baptist church at Walnut Grove, in which she takes an active part, especially in Sunday school work. Mr. Leeper is a home man, a hard worker and a good citizen. JOSEPH LEWIS OWEN. Scientific methods of farming disseminated through the medium of the agricultural schools throughout the country have come as a great blessing to those pursuing agricultural callings. Yet the farmers in the early days of this country had no such advantages. They had to depend upon their own judgment, their own foresight, their own intuition, as it were, to over- come many a perplexing problem in farming. And yet their success was more often than not almost phenomenal ; and we can pardon the veteran tillers of the soil who yet remain among us if they look askance upon our newer methods. Joseph Lewis Owen, a creditable representative of the well- known old Owen family of Greene county, who owns a fine modern farm of large acreage in Wilson township, is making a pronounced success as a general farmer, employing such of the progressive methods as are consistent with this locality and climate, and his well-cultivated land and comfortable home would indicate to the observer that his efforts have been well rewarded. Mr. Owen was born near what is now Battlefield, in the above named township and county, May 7, 1880. He is a son of Capt. C. Baker Owen and Nancy Caroline (McCroskey) Owen. Captain Owen was a native of Tennessee, born in Marshall county, February 28, 1827. He was a son of Solomon IT. Owen, a native of eastern Tennessee, and of Welsh descent. Baker Owen was nine years old when he was brought by his parents to Greene county, Missouri, in 1836, his father entering four hundred acres of land from the government, four miles northwest of Springfield. He continued entering land until he owned about two thousand acres. He owned large numbers of slaves. He became one of the most extensive farm- ers and stock men in this section of the state, and remained on his farm until 1874, when he was seventy-seven years of age, when he removed to Springfield. His family consisted of six children, named as follows : Sus- anna A., George IT., Pleasant B., Charles Baker, Jesse W., and William S. Captain Owens, father of our subject, grew to manhood in Greene county and here devoted his life to farming and stock raising on a large scale. On September 18, 1856, he married Sarah E. Yarbrough, and two children were born to this union, John S., and Stephen A. D. After his marriage Captain Owen settled on a farm on the James river, however, he GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1 593 had previously spent a number of years engaged in buying and selling live- stock, and, like his father before him, he became one of the most progressive agriculturists in Greene county, owning a vast estate on either side of the James river, aggregating over nineteen hundred acres. He cleared and im- proved about one-half of the entire tract, leaving a large portion of his land in timber and he kept large herds of various kinds of livestock on his large pastures. The first wife of Captain Owen died in the spring of 1862, and on January 31, 1865, he married Nancy Caroline McCroskey, to which union eight children were born, named as follows: Charles J., Rachael M., Margaret S. E., Alwilda M. J., George D., Francis W., W. E., and Joseph L. (subject of this sketch). Captain Owen was a Democrat and was influential in local public affairs. He was elected sheriff of Greene county in 1S70, and was re- elected in 1874, serving two terms of two years each. He took a con- spicuous part in the local military affairs during the Civil war. In May, 1861, he organized a militia company of Home Guards in Wilson town- ship and was elected captain, but when his company was consolidated with another, he being the junior of the two captains, resigned and became a first lieutenant. When General Lyon’s army marched out from Springfield on the night of August 9, 1861, to attack General Price and McCulloch on Wilson’s creek. Captain Owen was appointed one of the guides; and he led the division under Col. Franz Sigel to the Confederate camp, he took part in the battle on the following day. The Union forces having retreated to Rolla, Phelps county. Captain Owen and his company were enrolled in United States service there, and was commissioned by the governor of Mis- souri as first lieutenant in the regular army. He saw considerable active service, was in a number of skirmishes in the southern part of the state and later fought against General Marmaduke in that part of the state and was also in minor engagements in Tennessee and different parts of his own state. At Columbus, Kentucky, his company did guard duty on the ordnance boat “General Grant,” and later was with General Sherman on his march through Mississippi ; was with General Banks on the Red river expedition, also at the occupation of the city of Alexandria, and the battle of Pleasant Hill, Louisiana, where his regiment lost all of its offi- cers except the major, one captain and one lieutenant, in killed and wounded, and lost one-third of the men. His own company lost one-half of its num- ber in killed and wounded. This company was in severe skirmishes, fighting from April 9th to May 16th, when the battle of Yellow Brow was fought. Later Captain Owen was in battle near Mineral Point, Missouri. He was sick in the Federal Hospital at Memphis, Tennessee, nine weeks. He was mustered out of the service in St. Louis, October 14, 1864. Soon thereafter he returned home and engaged in farming until his death. 1594 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. Joseph L. Owen grew to manhood on the home farm and there he worked during the summer months and attended the district schools in the winter time. He has always lived on the old homestead, he having- taken the old home place proper in the settlement of his father’s estate, and he is owner of one of the choice farms of this part of Greene county, con- sisting of three hundred and twenty acres, two hundred acres of which is under cultivation and he is carrying on general farming and stock raising in a highly successful manner. He has carefully rotated his crops and otherwise skilfully managed the old farm so that it has not only retained its original fertility but the strength of soil has been increased. Mr. Owen was married November io, 1901, to Kate McConnell, a daughter of John and Nannie (Aven) McConnell, both born, reared and educated in Christian county, Missouri, and in that county Mrs. Owen was born January 25, 1883, and there grew to womanhood and received a com- mon school education. Her father’s death occurred June 3, 1909, but her mother is still living in Christian county. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. McConnell, namely : Lindsay is the eldest ; Mrs. Maggie Avery, wife of Ed Avery, of Christian county; Lucy is the wife of James Stewart, of Greene county; Gracey is the wife of Herbert Avan and they live in Christian county; Ross also lives in that county; Bertha, wife of Will Gooch, resides in the same county; Kate, wife of Mr. Owen, of this sketch; the other three children died in infancy. To Mr. and Mrs. Owen three children have been born, namely: Rosco died in infancy; Clarence, born February 7, 1903, and Homer, born Oc- tober 12, 1909 .are at home. Politically, Mr. Owen has voted the Democratic ticket since attaining his majority. Mrs. Owen is a member of the Christian church. They are among the popular young people of this part of the county. SAMUEL A. FARMER. Reform movements travel slowly. The wearing-out process of the vir- gin fields of the United States has extended over a long period of years of agitation on the part of experiment stations, county experts and farm week- lies, but each year the farmers of the Middle West are showing improve- ment in their method of handling the soil. Judicious crop rotation, in which one of the legumes is often included, is having much to do in bringing about an increased yield per acre. There has not been, and will not be, a spon- taneous movement to restore the soil’s fertility. Farmers are no exception to the average of mankind. Some will take the initiative, others will doubt, GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1 595 still others will learn by example, and yet another class will wait until forced by a depleted soil and a decreased yield to take up the great work of rebuild- ing the soil. One of the farmers of Murray township, Greene county who has been a careful student of modern farming conditions and has kept his farm in a high productive state through judicious and timely management is Samuel A. Farmer, one of the most progressive farmers and one of the most widely known stockmen in the northern part of the county. Mr. Farmer was born in the above named township and county on May 5, 1875. He is a son of Oscar and Anna (Appleby) Farmer, both promi- nent old families of this locality. The father was born in eastern Tennessee in 1835, and his death occurred in 1887. A sketch of the father will be found on another page of this volume. Samuel A . Farmer was reared on the home farm near Willard which village was built near his father’s farm of one hundred and twenty acres of excellent level land. He received his education in the local public schools. On October 7, 1897, he married Stella Alsup, a native of Greene county where she grew to womanhood and was educated. She is the only daughter of Andrew Jackson Alsup and Pernecia (East) Alsup. The father was born on February 15, 1852, in Greene county, Missouri, and was a son of James and Mary (Slaughter) Alsup. James Alsup was a native of Ten- nessee from which state he came to Greene county, Missouri, with his par- ents when a young man and settled in Franklin township, having made the long overland trip in wagons. Later the father took up a claim from the government, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres or more, and this he cleared and improved and lived here until his death. After his marriage, Mr. Farmer left the home farm and rented what was known as the Polly Watson farm for one year, then moved to his present farm of one hundred and seventy acres where he has been actively engaged in general farming and raising cattle and hogs. His place is called “Farmer’s Stock Farm” and is an ideal location and a most excellent place for the breeding and raising of live stock. He has raised and shipped from year to year cattle and hogs, and is now making a specialty of breeding Hereford cattle. During the past few years he has been quite an extensive shipper of cattle and hogs, but recently he has been disposing of his stock in his own community. He has a well-improved farm in every respect, a good home and up-to-date barn, large silo and is a man of decided advanced ideas both as to farming methods and implements and success has been the result of his industry and good judgment. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Farmer has resulted in the birth of one child, Clifford Farmer, born on December 21, 1898, who is at home with his parents. Politically, Mr. Farmer is a Democrat, but often votes independently 1596 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. in local elections. Fraternally he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America at Cave Spring, this comity. And he is a member of the Presby- terian church at that place, and he has been superintendent of the Sunday school there for the past ten years, and has helped build up a large and inter- esting Sunday school. Iiis wife has been a teacher of a class in the Sunday school there for the past ten years, and both are active in the general work of the church, giving liberally of their time and means to the support of the church. STEPHEN A. D. OWEN. No industry is so vital to the well-being of the nation as agriculture, and nothing is so vital to agriculture as the soil. From its treasury it has been estimated that we draw annually about eight billion and three hundred million dollars, and its possibilities are as yet only partially realized. There are still in this country millions of acres which have never felt the plow, while those which are now under cultivation can, by the application of scientific principles, be made to produce many times the present value of their products. How to use and not abuse this great resource is the most important problem which faces the farmer of today — one worthy of the best efforts of our profound and learned scientists; for upon its solution depends the future prosperity of the nation. One of the alert and wide- awake agriculturists of Greene county of a past generation was the late Stephen A. D. Owen, of Wilson township, a scion of the prominent old Owen family of this locality. Mr. Owen was born in Greene county, Missouri, January 6, 1861. He is a son of C. B. and Ellen (Yarbrough) Owen, the former a native of Tennessee and the latter of Christian county, Missouri, the parents of the mother of our subject having emigrated from middle Tennessee to Mis- souri in an early day. C. B. Owen was also one of the early settlers in the southern part of Greene county, becoming an extensive land owner along the James river and one of the most substantial and influential citizens here. He was twice married, and had two children by his first union, namely: J. Solomon, and Stephen A. D. During the Civil war C. B. Owen was a Unionist, and became captain of the Twenty-fourth Missouri Injantry, serving three years with distinction and credit. At the battle of Wilson's creek he acted as guide to Col. Franz Sigel’s column which marched from Springfield to the camp of the Confederates the night preceding the bat- tle. Mr. Owen took part in numerous engagements, including the battles of Pleasant Hill and Ft. Derussy and several of minor importance. He was never wounded but was once struck with a spent ball. A fuller history of Captain Owen will be found on other pages of this work. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1 597 Stephen A. D. Owen grew to manhood on the home farm, where he assisted with the general work and in the winter months he attended the old subscription schools, obtaining a meager education, which has since been properly supplemented by wide miscellaneous reading. When he was forty-six years of age his father died and our subject became possessed of a finely improved and valuable farm of two hundred acres from the old homestead, a part of which lies across the line in Christian county. Here he carried on general farming and stock raising in a manner that indicated he was fully abreast of the times of modern husbandry. Mr. Owen was twice married, first, on April 28, 1883, to Lula L. White, a daughter of Hardy and Tampey White, formerly of the state of Tennessee, from which they emigrated to Greene county, Missouri, in an early day- She was one of three children, being the youngest, and her death occurred March 18, 1888, leaving three children, namely: Alfred Wilson, Charles Baker, and Horace Preston, all living in Greene county. Our subject was married on February 17, 1894, his last wife being Rachael Ann Payne, born April 6, 1858, a daughter of Lewis and Margaret Payne, natives of Tennessee and Virginia, respectively. The father came to Greene county, Missouri, when five years of age. His father was the second white man to settle in Greene county. He found only Indians and a few Spaniards in these parts. Our subject’s second marriage was without issue. Politically, Mr. Owen adhered to the principles of the Democratic partv since reaching maturity, but never sought public office, being content to devote his attention exclusively to his pleasant home and his extensive farming operations. However he served as constable four years. His death occurred at his home, January 28, 1915. HARRY COOPER. The gentleman whose name heads this paragraph is widely known as one of the enterprising men of affairs of Greene county whose methods are those of the progressive twentieth century business man, who, despite ob- stacles and opposition, is forging to the front along conservative and legiti- mate lines. He is sole proprietor of the large supply company of Spring- field which bears his name, and he has long been prominently identified with the commercial interests of the capital city of the Ozarks. His well-directed efforts in the practical affairs of life, his capable management of his business interests and his sound judgment have brought him large financial rewards for the labor he has expended, and his life forcefully demonstrates what may be accomplished in this free land of ours by the gentleman of foreign GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1598 birth who comes here with a willingness to work honestly and persistently in any legitimate line of established endeavor. Mr. Cooper was born near Leicester, England, September 12, 1861. He is a son of Henry Cooper, who was born in England, where he grew to manhood, received his education and married, and from that country he emigrated to the United States with his family in 1872, landing in New York City, but came direct to the state of Missouri, secured a good farm in Wilson township, Greene county, and there became a successful farmer and stock raiser for many years and the latter part of his life was spent in retirement on his small farm of forty-five acres. He was seventy-seven years of age when his death occurred. Politically, he was a Democrat and served his township as a member of the school board. He belonged to the Episcopal church and led a quiet, honorable and industrious life. Mr. Cooper was twice married, his first wife, mother of our subject, whose maiden name was Mary Richardson, died in 1874, leaving two sons, Harry of this sketch, and George, who was associated in business with his brother in Springfield, from 1888 to 1908; he was for many years one of the well- known citizens of this city and while he and our subject were on a visit to England in 1910, he was stricken with illness and died in that country. Henry Cooper’s second marriage was to Elizabeth Jackson, and to this union one son was born, Frederick Cooper, who is now engaged in the plumbing business on College street, Springfield. William Cooper, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was born and reared in England and resided there all his life. He was a successful business man and became one of the wealthiest citizens of the city of Leicester. He retained the coat-of-arms of his ancestors, the Coopers being a prominent old English family, and he was very active in church work and was a heavy contributor, building a handsome church unaided for his denomination near Leicester. Harry Cooper, our subject, spent his boyhood in England, where he attended school and was eleven years of age when, in 1872, his parents brought him to America. He continued his education in the public schools of Springfield, attending about one year when he went to AVilson township to his father’s farm and there assisted with the general work during the summer months. However, his educational advantages were limited and he left school when thirteen years of age. He remained under his paternal roof-tree until he was twenty-two years of age, then came to Springfield and went to work for the Springfield Gas Company, under J. S. Ambrose, and began learning the plumbing trade. After remaining with this concern a year, he went to Ft. Smith, Arkansas, where he worked at the plumbing trade in 1883 an d 1884. He worked as journeyman plumber until 1887, then opened a plumbing business of his own at 412 South street, Springfield, GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1599 and later moved his shop to the southeast corner of South and Walnut streets. He was successful from the start and his business grew to large proportions with advancing years. For twenty years his brother, George Cooper, was in partnership with him, the business being conducted under the firm name of Cooper Brothers. In 1908 Mr. Cooper purchased his brother's interest, since which time he has been sole proprietor of his estab- lishment, which is now known as the Harr}'- Cooper Supply Company. On June 1, 1908, he moved to 30 East Water street, where he rented a one- story brick building, twenty by one hundred and forty-five feet, and opened a strictly wholesale supply house. The following year he was obliged to seek larger quarters and he rented the adjoining property, doubling his space on the ground floor and adding another story also of equal capacity, and here he remained until again forced to seek more commodious quarters, when he purchased a lot, sixty by one hundred and thirty-five feet, at 223-227 East Water street, early in 1914, and here he constructed a substantial mod- ern three-story and basement reinforced concrete brick front building, pur- chasing his own cement, iron and all supplies and had the building erected according to his own ideas and plans made by George F. Reed, architect. It is one of the models of its kind in the Southwest. The building con- tains thirty thousand feet of floor space, and he has one of the best display rooms in the state, which room with his office occupies the entire front of the building. He does a large wholesale business over a vast territory con- tiguous to Springfield, handling plumbing, heating and engine supplies, well casings, pumps and wind mills. Everything in these lines may be found at his large plant and it requires fifteen experienced assistants to help manage the daily volume of business which is constantly and rapidly growing. The business was incorporated under the laws of Missouri early in 1915. While doing plumbing work, Mr. Cooper was employed in several adjoining states as well as throughout Missouri and he is widely known to the plumbing trade of the Southwest. He did the plumbing work in the Missouri building at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis, in 1903. He gives his business his personal attention and promptness and honesty are his watch- words. Mr. Cooper was married in 1890 to Catherine Elizabeth Coombs, a daughter of David Coombs, who w r as a native of New Jersey. Both the parents of Mrs. Cooper died when she was quite young and she made her home with her uncle, ohn Coombs, a native of New Jersey. He came to Springfield when Mrs. Cooper was but twelve years of age and it was here that she received her education in the public schools. To our subject and wife two children have been born, namely: Catherine R., who was graduated from the Springfield high school and later from Wheaton College in Massachusetts. She was married on February 3. 1915, :6oo GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. to Allen F. Mack, of this city, who is in the dry goods business. John Henry George Cooper, second child of Mr. and Mrs. Cooper, is attending local high school. Politically, Mr. Cooper is a Democrat and fraternally is a thirty-second degree Mason. JAMES QUINN. Farmers as a class are intelligent, industrious and economical, and many of them are men of good business judgment. Further, those who have made a thorough study of the business side of farming know that it is not an easy matter to make money on the farm. Only the most practical and experienced farmers are making any considerable profit out of their business. Most of the money that has been made on the farm in recent years has been made, not by farming, but by the rise of prices on farm lands. In the nature of things this rise can not continue indefinitely, and - some one will own this land when the price becomes practically stationary or perhaps starts to decline. Those who purchased their farms years ago should con- sider themselves fortunate; that is, if they like farming and are doing well, but the outlook is none too encouraging for the man who is looking for a good farm at a price which he can afford to pay and carry on general farm- ing successfully, especially if that man has but little or no experience in country life. James Quinn, of Campbell township, is one of Greene county’s prosperous and contented farmers. He came here from a foreign strand and got good land when the price was low, and, using sound judgment, has made a success. Mr. Quinn was born in County Down, Ireland, June 5, 1848. He is a son of John and Susanna ( McClune) Quinn, and a grandson of John and Charlotte (Hill) Quinn, all natives of Ireland and representatives of the farming class. John Quinn, Jr., died at the age of ninety-eight years, and his wife almost reached the century mark. Their son, John Quinn, father of our subject, was born in County Down in 1806, and, like his father before him, devoted his life to farming in the north of Ireland, dying there in 1892 at the age of eighty-six years, his wife having preceded him to the grave in 1884. They were the parents of eight children, all boys but one, namely: William has remained in Ireland and is a hammersman by trade; John is a brick mason and lives in Ireland; James of this sketch; Samuel is deceased; Hugh, who is now employed at Wolf's shipyards in Ireland, was formerly a school teacher ; Robert is a bridge builder in Ireland ; David is farming in Ireland; Susanna is deceased. A daughter of Hugh Quinn won first pre- JAMES QUINN. GREENE COUNTY,, MISSOURI. 1601 mium, a gold medal, for penmanship, in a contest about 1880, embracing the United Kingdom. James Quinn grew to manhood in his native land, and there received his education. When a young man he learned the blacksmith's trade, at which he became quite proficient. When twenty-one years of age, in 1869, he crossed the Atlantic to our shores, first locating in Luzerne county, Penn- sylvania, later coming on west to Chicago, thence to Burlington, Iowa; from there to Cedar Rapids, that state; next to St. Joseph, Missouri. In the fall of 1873 he came to Springfield and worked at his trade for thirteen and one-half years for the St. Louis & San Francisco Railroad Company. He Had been following his trade ever since coming to America. About 1880 he purchased his present farm of one hundred and twenty acres, and several years later moved onto the same, and here he has since resided and has engaged successfully in general farming and stock raising. He has an excel- lent set of buildings on his place, including a fine two-story dwelling and large outbuildings. Mr. Quinn was married on June 25, 1874, in Springfield, to Adelia McGaughey, a daughter of James W. and Isabell (Cinnamond) McGaughey, both natives of Kentucky, from which state they removed to this county in an early day. Mr. McGaughey was a farmer during his active life, and he served in the Mexican war. His death occurred at Sprague, Missouri, about 1895, and he was buried near that place. His family consisted of five chil- dren, namely: Angeline is deceased: Keelan is deceased; Rufus lives in Nevada; Adelia, wife of our subject; and Marcus, deceased. James W. McGaughey was a Democrat, a member of the Masonic Blue Lodge, and the Baptist church. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Quinn, named as fol- lows : John, who was graduated from the Springfield high school and the old Normal here, is a locomotive engineer on the Frisco, and lives at Okla- homa City ; Mrs. Susanna Rountree, whose husband is engaged in farming in this county, was also graduated from the local high school ; William James died when six months old; Mrs. Alma Waunette Gott is the wife of a Greene county farmer ; Hugh is deceased ; Herschel, a high school grad- • * uate, lives at home; George is a student in the State Normal school here. Mr. Quinn made a visit to his old home in Ireland in 1900, and, after his American training, claims that he saw more things of interest during his short trip there than he saw during the twenty-one )^ears that he lived there in his childhood and young manhood. Politically, he is a Democrat. He belongs to the Masonic Blue Lodge, and holds membership with the Congregational church. He has been a keen observer, is well read, and, jolly by nature, is a good talker and a pleasant man to meet. (101) 1602 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. WILLIAM J. JONES. We have stronger evidence with each succeeding day that the bitter- ness and animosity resulting from the great Civil war and preceding influ- ences' is passing away and that the solidarity of the nation is becoming more and more a fact. To this many things have contributed, among which may be mentioned the natural kindly spirit of the South, which has invited the people of the crowded North to share its vast unoccupied land spaces and invest in its promising possibilities, while enjoying its delightful climate. And in the long lapse of half a century the war trenches have been filled, the temporary forts demolished, and the plow passes peacefully over their ruins. Many of the actors in the bloody drama are dead and their, graves with those of their comrades who fell in battle are green and fragrant with grass and flowers, while the wounds, physical and moral, of the survivors have long since healed and only scars remain. One of the Confederate veterans of Greene county is William J. Jones, better known as “Hickory” Jones, a merchant of Walnut Grove, formerly engaged in general fanning near that .place. He is one of the soldiers of the sixties who is willing to “forget.” Mr. Jones was born in this county on May 22, 1846, and is therefore one of the oldest native sons of this com- munity, having passed his sixty-ninth birthday, and during that long period of residence here he has noted and taken part in many great changes, seeing the country develop in a general way. He is a son of Richard M. and Mary Ann (Hartin) Jones, the father a native of Virgina, and the mother was a native of Tennessee. The father died in this county in 1898. The mother died here in 1896. Our subject’s father was a cabinet maker by trade. He was in the land office here for eight years in the fifties. In his latter life he did some farming but lived retired until his death. Our subject was one of eleven children, only two living at this writing : Mrs. Mary J. McDowell, who lives in Springfield, and our subject. William J. Jones grew to manhood in his native county and he received a good education in the common schools, attending school eight years in Springfield. His early life was spent on the farm. He was quite young when the Civil war began and did not enlist until in the fall of 1863, when he entered the Confederate service from Arkansas, in Company F, Third Missouri Cavalry, under Col. Colton Green, who was subsequently promoted to brigadier general, being succeeded in his former command by Col. Lenten Campbell, who was promoted to that rank. Our subject saw considerable hard service and participated in a number of important engagements, prov- ing a very courageous soldier despite his youth. He was paroled at Little Rock in the spring of 1865 at the close of the war. After coming home GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1603 from the army he resumed farming, which he followed for four years, then located in Springfield, where he worked in a hardware store for D. J. B. Skinner and W. H. Mansfield for some time, then returned to the farm for several years. In 1882 he moved to Walnut Grove and farmed in this town- ship with his usual success until 1896, when he went into the grocery busi- ness in Walnut Grove, which he continued for seven years, then sold out and lived retired for two years, then went into the furniture business in 1907 here and is still thus engaged. He keeps a good stock of general furniture and has a very satisfactory business. Mr. Jones was married in 1872, to Josie B. Carter, of Greene county. She is a daughter of Tillman Carter and wife, who were well-known early settlers here. He was in the tobacco business for several years. Four children have been born to our subject and wife, namely: George E., deceased; William H., Richard T. and Hattie B., all live in Walnut Grove. Here they grew to maturity and received good educational advan- tages. Politically, Mr. Jones votes independently. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and his wife belongs to the Methodist church. The Jones family is well known and held in highest regard in Walnut Grove and vicinity. MARION D. WRIGHT. The record of the successful self-made man is always interesting and instructive. It encourages those who have been held back by an unfavorable early environment. There are a great many people abroad in the land who would make a great deal more of their opportunities and make themselves useful citizens if they had the proper encouragement at the right time. The life record of Marion D. Wright is one that should be read with interest and profit by many who have become discouraged on life’s rugged highway, for we find that Mr. Wright has forged his way to the front in the face of adversity and with no outside assistance. He was for some time one of the successful merchants of Walnut Grove and is now classed among the most progressive general farmers and stock men of the northwestern part of Greene county. Mr. Wright was born in Polk county, Missouri, November 28, 1861. He is a son of John and Mary (Wood) Wright, both natives of that county also, the father’s birth occurring in 1835, and the mother's in 1842. They grew to maturity in their native community, were educated in the old-time subscription schools and were married there and established their home on GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1604 a farm. John Wright spent most of his life in Polk county, but lived in the West several years. He owned a good-sized farm in Polk county where he carried on general farming until the breaking out of the Civil war when he enlisted in the Union army and died while in the service, at Arlington Hospital, Pilot Knob, Missouri, in October, 1862. Politically, he was a strong Republican and pronounced in his views on public affairs. He was a member of the Turkey Creek Baptist church, and was a highly respected citizen and well known among the early settlers. He had but the one child, Marion D. Wright, of this sketch. The mother of our subject was a daugh- ter of Isaac and Susanna (Vaughn) Wood, both natives of east Tennessee, from which country they emigrated to Polk county, Missouri, in an early day and established the family home on a farm. Mrs. Mary Wright re- married and is now living in Walnut Grove. John Wright enlisted in Company L, Sixth Missouri Volunteer Infan- try, for three years, but died from exposure soon afterwards. Marion D. Wright spent his boyhood days on the home farm in Polk county, and he worked hard when growing to manhood during crop seasons, attending the district schools during the winter months. When eighteen years of age he entered the Southwest Baptist College at Bolivar, Missouri, and took a four-years’ course, making an excellent record. After leaving college he returned home and resumed work on the farm, but soon there- after he went to Walnut Grove and began in the general merchandise busi- ness and flour milling, which lines of endeavor he conducted with ever- increasing success and satisfaction until 1902, in which year he sold out and bought the farm of one hundred and eighty-three acres where he now resides. He has made many improvements, such as erecting a silo and out- buildings, fences, etc., until he now has one of the valuable, productive and desirable farms of the county, which is well located near the thriving town of Walnut Grove. In connection with general farming he raises a good grade of live stock of which he is an excellent judge, and he is regarded as one of the most progressive general farmers in this section of Greene county as well as one of the most substantial and successful citizens, a man who has done much for the general good of the community. Mr. Wright was married on December 23, 1886, to Maggie McLemore, a daughter of Andrew Jackson McLemore, and Dialtha (Alexander) McLe- more, long one of the prominent families of this section of the Ozarks. Airs. Wright was born in Christian county, Missouri, and she received her education in the common schools. Six children have been born to Mr. and Airs. Wright, namely: Dean lives in Walnut Grove ; Reu, Thomas, Dialtha, Alarian and Laura Mae, all at home with their parents, but the eldest. Politically, Air. Wright is a Republican, and while he has never been an GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1605 office holder he has been influential in public affairs of his locality, and his support may always be depended upon in furthering any movements in the community calculated to be of general good, in material, civic or moral mat- ters. Fraternally he belongs to the Masonic order at Walnut Grove. He and his wife are members of the Baptist church at Walnut Grove, he having been clerk of the local congregation since its organization in 1903, and is a pillar in his church. He is a broad-minded, well-informed gentleman of positive ideas and correct principles and is highly esteemed by all who know him. CHARLES J. OWEN. It does not necessarily require a farm expert to look over some of the older farms of the locality of which this history treats and see that the soil has become thin very largely from the fact that proper attention has not been paid to rotation of crops. The land has been “grained" too much, the same fields sometimes for years having been successively sown to wheat or planted to corn, with never a seed of grass or other good “cover crops.” The same methods were followed in a number of older states of the East with the results that one now finds thousands of abandoned farms there, the owners being compelled to remove to the newer agricultural sections of the West where the soil has not been ruined by improper tillage. But many of our farmers are awakening to the true situation, some of them after it is practically too late. It used to be the desire of most farmers to own large tracts of land. Their chief desire seemed to be to buy “the land adjoin- ing." This many of them have done and spent the rest of their lives trying to keep the interest paid on borrowed capital and a little paid on the principal. The same men are now understanding how they can live easier and happier on fewer acres and by more intensive farming methods. One of the successful farmers and stockmen of Wilson township, Greene county, is Charles J. Owen, who is a student of all that pertains to his vocation and is thus avoiding some of the mistakes that others are making in handling their farms. He is a member of one of the well-known old families of Greene county, and his birth occurred here on April 15, 1866. He is a son of Charles' B. and Nancy C. (McCroskey) Owen. Capt. Charles B. Owen, who was for many years one of the most extensive farmers of Greene county, was born in Marshall county, Ten- nessee, February 28, 1827. He was a son of Solomon H. Owen, who was born in eastern Tennessee, December 12, 1797, in Sullivan county, near the Virginia line. He was a son of Joseph Owen, who was reared in Penn- i6o6 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. sylvania, was of Welsh stock, and married a Pennsylvania Dutch woman, and moved to Sullivan county, Tennessee, in an early day. He was a farmer and died when only thirty-five years of age, and was the father of Charles, Jesse, Solomon H., Hannah, Mary and Elizabeth. Solomon H., grand- father of the subject of this sketch, was married in Sullivan county, Ten- nessee, to Mary E. Bushong, of Pennsylvania and German stock. After their marriage they moved to the middle part of Tennessee and Mr. Owen purchased a farm of one hundred and seventy acres in Marshall county. In 1836 he moved with his wife and five children to Greene county, Missouri, and settled on four hundred acres which he entered four miles northwest of Springfield. He entered in all about two thousand acres in southwest Missouri. He gave all his children land. Like most of the early settlers from Tennessee, he was the owner of slaves. During the Civil war much of his personal property was destroyed. He removed to Springfield in 1874 at seventy-seven years of age. His family consisted of six children, namely: Susanna A., George H., who died at the age of twenty-one years; Pleasant B., Charles B., father of our subject; Jesse W., and William S. Solomon H. Owen was a Democrat but was a Union sympathizer; he and his wife were members of the Presbyterian church. Captain Charles B. Owen was nine years old when he accompanied his parents from Tennessee to Greene county and here he grew to manhood and received a common school education. On September 18, 1856, he mar- ried Sarah E. Yarbrough, and to them were born two children, John S. and Stephen A. Douglas Owen. After his marriage, Mr. Owen settled on a farm on the James river, after having spent several years engaged in buying and selling live stock. He became one of the most prosperous and best-known general farmers and stockmen in Greene county. He finally became owner of thirteen hundred and ten acres, in one body, and three hundred and ninety-five acres besides, two hundred acres of which were entered from the government by his father. The land lay on either side of the James river, was well watered not only by the river but by six springs on various parts of the place. He cleared and improved about half of the entire tract, using much of it for pasturage, and a large portion of the place was kept in timber. Plis place was always stocked with large numbers of horses, mules, cattle, hogs and sheep. The first wife of Captain Owen died March 18, 1862, and on Jan- uary 31, 1865, he married Nancy C. McCroskey, and to this union eight children were born, namely: Charles J., subject of this sketch; Mary Eliza- beth is deceased ; Mrs. Margaret S. Martin ; Mrs. Alwilda Madora Jane Garton ; George D., Francis W.. Wm. E., and Joseph L. are all living in Wilson township. Politically, Captain Owen was a Democrat and was active and influen- GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1607 tial in the affairs of his county. He was elected sheriff in 1870 and served two years, and was re-elected in 1874, serving two years more. He was one of the most efficient sheriffs Greene county ever had. In those days, during the reconstruction period after the Civil war, it took a man of cour- age and stability to fill that office. In May, 1861, he organized a militia company of Home Guards in his township and was elected captain, and then he consolidated his company with another, and being younger than the other captain, accepted the position of first lieutenant. When the Union troops occupied Springfield, General Lyon appointed him as guide to the troops under Col. Franz Sigel, and he led the army at night, August 9, 1861, to the Confederate camp on Wilson’s creek, where the great battle was fought the following day, and he took part in that engagement. The Union troops having retreated to Rolla, Lieutenant Owen was enrolled at that place with his company in the United States service and was com- missioned by the governor of Missouri as first lieutenant in the United States army. He was mustered into the service at Benton Barracks. He was in a series of skirmishes with the bushwhackers in southeastern Mis- souri and was afterward in service against Marmaduke in that part of the state, and in skirmishes in different parts of Missouri and western Ten- nessee. At Columbus, Kentucky, his company did guard duty on the ord- nance boat General Grant, and later was on the march with General Sherman through Mississippi ; was with Banks on the ill-fated Red river expedition, and at the occupation of Alexandria, also at the battle of Pleasant Hill, Louisiana, where his regiment lost all of its officers except the major, cap- tain and one lieutenant, in killed and wounded, and lost one-third of the men. His own company lost one-half of its number in killed and wounded, and was then in severe skirmish fighting from April 9th to May 16th, where the battle of Yellow Brow was fought. Later he was in a battle near Mineral Point. Missouri. He was sick in a hospital in Memphis nine weeks, and was mustered out and honorably discharged in St. Louis, October 14, 1864, and returned home and took up farming again, which he continued until his death, March 15, 1907. Plis wife, mother of our subject, died on September 22, 1887. Charles J. Owen, of this sketch, grew to manhood on the home farm and there he assisted with the general work when a boy. He received his education in the local schools in Wilson township. He remained on the farm with his father until he was thirty-five years old, then, having prev- iously purchased one hundred acres in this township, he removed thereto and has since resided here, engaged in general farming and stock raising. He also owns one hundred acres south of his original farm which he rents out. He pays considerable attention to raising a good grade of live stock, does an extensive horse and mule business, and maintains a popular breeding i6oS GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. barn. He has three jacks — one a fine jack named Chief Benton, register number 3522, 14J4 hands; weight, nine hundred and fifty pounds; large- boned and one of the best in Greene county. One extra large and fine jack named “Bill Wilson, " No. 20415; black, 15^2 hands; extra large; weight, one thousand pounds; a fine animal. Also Mr. Owen has one young jack named “Woodrow Wilson,” which has great promise. Besides the above, Mr. Owen keeps two stallions, Percheron and one saddle horse. Mr. Owen's breeding barns are in the front rank in the entire county. He was married, August 18, 1889, to Margaret C. Payne, a daughter of Lewis and Margaret Payne, of Greene county. The death of Mrs. Owen occurred January 16, 1904, and on April 29th of the same year he married Annie Beierle, a native of Newton county. The second union has been without issue, but the following children were born to Mr. Owen by his first wife: Roy Edward, born May 29, 1890, is deceased; Lewis Baker, born November 6, 1891, is assisting his father on the home farm, married Ester Campbell, a native of Greene county, have one child, Ralph Eugene, born September 26, 1914; Grace, born March 31, 1893, died in infancy; Earl Stephen, born December 1, 1896, deceased; and Bennie Sterling, born May 16, 1898, are all three deceased; and Charles Arthur, born February 14, 1903, who is living at home. Politically, Mr. Owen is a Democrat, and he is a member of the Anti- Horse Thief Association. He is regarded as a man of good judgment, especially in reference to live stock, and is a good citizen in every respect. JAMES A. RAMSEY. The constant stream of humanity: — capable boys and girls from the country— that has flowed toward the cities of the world, especially during the past few decades, has made a new economical problem in our civiliza- tion. The truth is, if the children of farmers are given the right sort of education at home they will not desert us and go to the city. They will stay on the farm if they are so instructed as to feel that on the farm they may find just as much pleasure in life and be just as successful. In an Iowa county the rural pupils were examined as to what they wanted to do with their lives. Most of the boys and almost ali the girls answered that they meant to leave the farm when they grew up. Two years afterward the boys and girls in the same neighborhood were asked the same question. Most of them answered that they meant to stay on the farm. The change had been brought about because the teachers had been given more practical work to do in the schools. They had been giving the teaching a farm slant. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOETRI. 1609 They had been working in the schools on farm matters, and the girls had been studying domestic science, and the}' had forgotten about leaving the farm. They had been doing pleasant, interesting, practical work, and they were happy. They had come to see that there is just as fascinating work, just as intellectual work, just as big work in the country as any of them could expect to get in the - city — in fact, much higher work than most of them could expect. James A. Ramsey, a successful and contented farmer of Clay town- ship, Greene county, has been wise enough to remain in the country. He was born on March 23, 1866, near Effingham, Illinois. He is a son of Robert and Mary Anna (Jewlus) Ramsey. The father was born in Illi- nois in 1838 and was reared on a farm in that state, receiving his education in the common schools. About a year atfer the Civil war broke out he enlisted for service in the Union army, in a cavalry regiment, and was sent into Tennessee, where he took part in the battle of Lookout Mountain, and was in a number of other engagements. He was honorably discharged at the close of the war and returned to Illinois. He came to Greene county in 1869, where he has since lived on a farm, but retired from active life five years ago. He is a member of the Baptist church. The mother of the subject of this sketch was born in Virginia and her early life was spent in that state, Indiana and Illinois, and she was married in the last named state. She is a member of the Baptist church. She received a common school education. To Robert Ramsey and wife eight children were born, namely: William F., John (deceased); James A. (subject); Mrs. Jennie Barnes, Albert, Frank (deceased) ; Mrs. Belle Yess, Mrs. Mollie McCurty (deceased). James A. Ramsey came to Missouri with his parents when two years old and grew up on a farm in Greene county, and here he received a com- mon school education. He worked on the home farm until he was twenty- two years of age, then rented a farm, later buying the place where he now resides, which consists of one hundred and twenty-nine acres, and on which is four good springs. It is well improved and one of the desirable farms of the township. Mr. Ramsey was married in 1887 to Martha Trentham, to which union two children were born, Lee F., and Charle. Mr. Ramsey married for a second wife Sallie Latham, who was born in Greene county, November 2, 1888. She is a daughter of James and Mary Jane (Cox) Latham. The father was born in Tennessee, September 24, 1S53, and is now living on a farm near Strafford, this county, having emigrated from his native state to Mis- souri in an early day. His wife, who was a native of Greene county, died some time ago. Mrs. Ramsey was reared on the home farm here and was educated in the district schools. To our subject's. second union five children i6io GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. have been born, all living at home, namely: Mamie, October 16, 1904; Ivy, July 25, 1906; Ina, May 30, 1908; Ethel, December 11, 1910; and Ona, born May 26, 1913. Politically, Mr. Ramsey is a Republican, and fraternally he is a mem- ber of the Modern Woodmen. RICHARD EDWARD EVERETT. Statistics show that most of our men of business were born on the farm, and data also shows that comparatively few of those now engaged in industrial pursuits, the trades or professions are following the lines of endeavor in which their fathers before them engaged, and we also find that very few men continue in the vocation in which they first started. It is not best for the young man to continue at anything for which he is not properly equipped by nature. If a boy feels dissatisfied with farm life, continually thirsting for something different, it is well to allow him to follow his natural tendencies. We are not all adapted by nature for one line of work, which is a wise provision, otherwise farming would be more largely overdone than at present. Some of us were intended for lawyers, others for physicians, ministers, mechanics, tradesmen, inventors. It has always been found to be folly to try to make something out of a man whose natural bent lay in another direction. This is the cause of so many failures in the various walks of life. One is indeed fortunate if he determines when a boy at the outset of his career just what work he can do best in this tread-mill world of ours. It seems that Richard Edward Everett, president of the Springfield Planing Mill & Lumber Company, has been well forti- fied by nature for his life work and has therefore succeeded. Mr. Everett was born November 20, 1856, in Darien, Fairfield county, Connecticut. He is a son of William Everett, who devoted his active life to railroad work, having for years been engaged in construction work for the New York & New Haven Railroad Company. He was an expert com- plicated-track builder. He lived in and around New York City, Brooklyn and Long Island. He was a native of Ireland, where he spent his boy- hood, and from there immigrated to America when eighteen years of age. He worked as teamster on the great Jacob Bell estate, which furnished Fulton Market, New York City, with most of its produce in those early days before railroads. Later he moved to Darien, Connecticut, and took up railroad construction work which he followed the rest of his life, having been with that road more than forty-seven consecutive years, his death occurring in Connecticut in January, 1893. He was a member of the Catho- lic church and a stanch member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. He GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1 6 r i married Hanora de Guidra, native ox Ireland, of French descent. She lived to the advanced age of eighty-nine years, dying at Darien, Connecticut in 1908. To these parents the following children were born: William H., de- ceased, patented the first electric block system ever used in a railroad; John B., Thomas YV., Richard E., Katherine E., Mary A., and James H. Everett. Richard E. Everett grew to boyhood in Connecticut, and received his education in the schools of Darien. He entered business life for himself in 1881. He immigrated to Missouri in 1877 an d f' or one y ear thereafter was a builder at Ash Grove, Greene county, erecting the high school building at that place, and a number of the most important business houses. For three years thereafter he was pattern maker for the Springfield Foundry & Machine Company, at the end of which time he embarked in his present business and has since been a builder of prominence. Some of the first structures of prominence in Springfield he erected were the “Gulf shops," public school buildings, the Board of Trade Building, the electric power house, the water works and many of the best residences of the city. He had served a thorough apprenticeship at his trade in Ins youth before he left the East, then for one year was in the United States navy, having been joiner on the ship Colorado. The business of the Springfield Planing Mill & Lumber Company, which has for many years been regarded as one of the largest of its kind in this section of the Middle West as well as one of the most widely known, was first established in 1868, Mr. Everett being the successor to the Chicago Lumber Company. The business is conducted on quite an extensive scale, and the buildings and yards covers about a half a block, the main building being a substantial two-story brick. It is well equipped With modern machinery and a large number of skilled mechanics and helpers are constantly employed. The business has gradually increased with ad- vancing years, for the rapid growth of Springfield and nearby cities and towns of the Southwest has called for exceptional activity on the part of the lumber and mill work and bank and store fixtures, and Mr. Everett has responded nobly to the demands made upon him since locating here, his company having all the while been one of the most prominent in its line of work and as its machinery has been kept up to the high standard of the costliest type, the mill has been found equal to the demands made upon it. From this mill has come a very large part of the material which has entered into the construction of the leading private residences and prominent and extensive business blocks which have been erected during the past three de- cades or more in the Queen City of the Ozarks, as well as other towns in this section of the state. From this plant also has come most of the hardwood fittings for the Springfield banks, stores and other well-known buildings. Mr. Everett besides building the old Gulf south side shops at l6l2 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. Springfield, furnished the material and did all the building for the Kansas City, Ft. Scott & Memphis Railroad Company, from Memphis, Tennessee, to Birmingham, Alabama, from Amory to Aberdeen, Mississippi, and from Ensly to Coal Camp, Alabama, and from Willow Springs to Grandon, on the Current River Branch, and from Ash Grove to Clinton, high line. In rotation he furnished the work for the Anheuser-Busch people, building the ice and refrigerating plant, cold storage building; Crighton’s Provision Company ; the building occupied by Armour & Company ; John F. Meyers Milling Company's model mill; St. John's Hospital; St. Paul’s Methodist Episcopal church ; Classical Hall for Drury College ; and others. For the last six or eight years, the company has turned its attention more to mill-work and fixtures, having installed in this city some of the most complete outfits, such as those in the Dalrymple Drug Store, the Model and Rep’s Dry Goods stores, Browne Bros. Book Store, Queen City Bank, the mill work for the new Landers building, the mahogany fixtures for the Mezzanine and second floors of the new ITeer building, the fixtures for Fred Harvey in the new Union Station in Kansas City, and various other Fred Harvey restaurants. In his yards Mr. Everett keeps a full line of lumber of all kinds, and his extensive modernly equipped mill is prepared to furnish anything usually manufactured in a planing mill, prompt and high-grade work being his aim at all times. The plant was originally established by Knott & See, which firm later sold out to S. W. McLaughlin, who sold it to the Chicago Lumber Company. Mr. Everett has been connected with the concern since 1881, and has been sole proprietor since 1892. it has been incorporated under the laws of Missouri with a capital stock of eighty thousand dollars. The present officers are : Richard E. Everett, president ; Karl W. Everett, vice-president and general manager; W. W. Johnson, acting secre- tary; I. N. Johnson, treasurer. At this writing thirty-eight mechanics are employed. The yards extend from Phelps avenue to the tracks of the old Gulf railroad, thus giving the company excellent shipping facilities. Mr. Everett was married in Springfield, in 1882, to Lizzie M. Titus, a daughter of Joseph Titus and wife, an old family of this city. Here sne grew to womanhood and received a good education in the Springfield schools, having been one of the youngest pupils that was ever graduated from the high school. Politically, Mr. Everett is a Democrat and he has long been influential in political and public affairs here. Beginning with 1879 he has been connected with the city fire depart- ment, twenty-one consecutive years. Ide served in the capacity of chief for twelve years and during that time the department was greatly improved GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1613 under his able supervision, it finally ranking third in perfection in Missouri. For thirteen years he was a member of the city council from the Third ward, serving under Mayor Ralph Walker and others. At one time he was city marshal, and years ago he made the race for mayor but was defeated for the nomination. He has done much for the general upbuilding of Spring- field. Fie is a member of the Catholic church, and fraternally belongs to Springfield Council No. 698, Knights of Columbus. Ozark Council No. 418, Royal Arcanum, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. That Mr. Everett is a progressive and energetic business man is seen from the large measure of success which he has achieved in his special line of endeavor, having started in a modest way. His reputation in all walks of life has been unassailable and he is widely and favorably known through- out the Ozark region. CHARLES W. CARTER. In examining the life records of self-made men, it will invariably be found that indefatigable industry has constituted the basis of their success. True, there are other elements which enter in and conserve the advancement of personal interests, — such as perseverance, discrimination and mastering of expedients; but the foundation of all achievement is earnest, persistent labor. It seems that Charles W. Carter realized this fact when but a boy and it has had much to do in shaping his substantial career, for he learned to rely upon himself, observe closely those things which could be of service to him and therefore he has advanced from an humble environment by his own efforts to the responsible position of foreman of the paint department of the new Frisco shops at Springfield. Mr. Carter was born in Laclede county, near Lebanon, Missouri, Janu- ary 21, 1874. He is a son of Berry Frank Carter, who was born near Knoxville, Tennessee, July 9, 1842. He was eleven years old when he moved with the family to Greene county, Missouri, locating on a farm near Springfield, where he grew up, attended school and lived many years, then moved to Laclede county, this state, and spent the last years of his life in retirement. He devoted his life to farming. He died at the age of sixty- nine years. During the Civil war he served in the Federal army. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and he belonged to the Presby- terian church. He enlisted in Company A, Twenty-fourth Missouri Volun- teer Infantry, early in the war and served three years, seeing considerable hard service and participating in a number of engagements. He was wounded once while in camp. He married Mary F. Headlee, a native of this county, and a daughter of James and Mary A. (Dysart) Fleadlee. Her GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1614 death occurred on February 11, 1914, at the age of seventy-five years, her birth having occurred October 27, 1838. She and her husband are both buried in Maple Park cemetery, Springfield. These parents were married, August 29, 1865, and to them the following children were born: Eliza has remained single and is living in Springfield; Emery Frank is employed in the store room of the Frisco shops, Springfield; Cora is unmarried; Edward is deceased; Charles W. of this sketch; William EL is an engineer on the Frisco, running out of Springfield. “Jack” Carter, grandfather of our subject, was a native of Tennessee, from which state he removed to Greene county, Missouri, in pioneer days, locating on a farm near Fair Grove, in Jackson township, and died here. Charles W. Carter grew to manhood on the home farm and was edu- cated in the common and high schools of Greene county, where he was brought by his parents when young in years. He left school when sixteen years of age and began working on a farm. When a young man he served an apprenticeship as house carpenter. He began work for the Frisco rail- road, April 6, 1893, as laborer, later serving an apprenticeship as painter in the locomotive and coach department. He soon became proficient and was sent out on the road as sign and depot painter, and was thus employed for a period of seventeen months during which time he was sent all over the sys- tem, after which returning to the old North Side shop where he remained till July 8, 1909, when he was placed in the new Frisco shops at Springfield, being promoted to foreman locomotive painter, which position he held until April 16, 1914, when he was appointed coach painter foreman at the new shops in connection with his duties as foreman of the locomotive paint shops, and he still holds this position, having about one hundred men on an average, under his direction. He is not only an expert in his line, but being a man of more than ordinary executive ability, knows how to handle his men so as to get the best results and at the same time retain their good will and friendship. Mr. Carter was married, January 23, 1895, to Ida Wright, of Fayette- ville, Washington county, Arkansas. She is a daughter of William T. and Mary E. (Burrow) Wright. The father was born September 2, 1844, in Illinois, his death occurred in Greene county, Missouri, September 28, 1908. Mrs. Wright was born January 17, 1848, her death occurred June 22, 1888. She was born in Washington county, Arkansas, near Fayetteville. Mr. Wright devoted his life to farming. His family consisted of ten children. To Mr. and Mrs. Carter three children have been bron, namely: Herschel, born May 25, 1896, a sheet metal apprentice at the new shops, Springfield; Pearl, born January 3, 1901, died when two years of age; Edgar, born December 24, 1902, is attending school. Politically, Mr. Carter is a Republican. His family belongs to the GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1615 Presbyterian church. Fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic Order, including the Blue Lodge, the Chapter and the Council, Temple and Shrine; also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows No. 218, the Wood- men of the World, the Improved Order of Red Men and the Eagles. RUDOLPH STEURY. It does not take one of a contemplative turn of mind long to determine why those who come from the fine little Republic of Switzerland and settle on American soil always prosper. It is due to many causes, but largely to the fact that they have inherited qualities of grit, determination, industry and economy and partly because they have been reared under laws similar to our own. Thus we find them to be, almost without exception, excellent and law-abiding citizens, loyal to our flag and institutions, and home build- ers and willing to help better the general public conditions of their locality. One such is Rudolph Steury, a farmer of Wilson township, Greene county. Mr. Steury was born in Switzerland, November 23, 1851. He is a son of Peter and Barbara Steury, also natives of that country, where they grew to maturity, were educated in the common schools, married and settled on a farm near Interlacken, and there they continued husbandry until 1872, when the family immigrated to the United States. To these parents seven children were born, all surviving but one and living in the United States, namely: Peter resides at Ozark, Christian county, Missouri; John lives in Greene county; Barbara is deceased; Rudolph, of this sketch; Mrs. Mag- gie Koenig lives in Nebraska; Mrs, Elizabeth Decker, of Springfield; Mrs. Anna Knelle is a resident of Kansas City. These children grew up on the farm and received common school advantages. Rudolph Steury spent his boyhood days on the farm in Switzerland, where it was necessary for him to work hard most of the year, assisting in supporting the family. During the winter months he attended the com- mon schools of his community and got a limited education. Alien seven- teen years of age he went to the French locality in his native land, known as Canton Wadt, and remained there until he was about twenty years of age, then returned home, but in. March, 1871, went to Thun, Switzerland, where he worked until the summer of 1872, when he accompanied the rest of the family to America. They came straight to Greene county, Missouri, and settled on a farm, which is now occupied by our subject. Here the father purchased eighty acres of which he made a good farm and lived comfortably until his death, which occurred in 1904. The mother pre- ceded him to the grave in 1900. Our subject had purchased land adjoining i6i6 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. the home place prior to the death of the father, and after that occurred he took over the homestead. He has kept the place well improved and well cultivated, the residence and other buildings properly remodeled and he has a valuable and desirable farm, carrying on general farming and stock raising. Mr. Steury was married March 12, 1878, to Emma Fassnacht, a daugh- ter of Conrad and Christina (Haas) Fassnacht, both now deceased. She was born in Michigan, in the year i860, and spent the early part of her girlhood in that state. She received her education in the public schools here, having been about eight years old when her parents brought her to Greene county, Missouri, the family locating on a farm, on which the parents spent the rest of their lives. Three children were born to them, namely; Edward, who lives in Campbell township, this county; Emma, wife of our subject; and John, who is a resident of Campbell township. Eight children have been born to our subject and wife, named as follows: Will R., John E., Anna L. is deceased; Mrs. Emma McComis, Minnie M. is at home, Frank is at home, Christina is deceased, and Edward is with his parents. Mr. Steury is a member of the Lutheran Protestant church, and his wife is a Catholic. JOHN M. SISK. The soil is the limiting factor in crop production. Persistent and thor- ough cultivation depletes the soil more and more in proportion to the size of the crop removed. Feeding some plant food back into it is necessary to sustain next year’s production. The best cultivation is advisable for each year's immediate return. A farmer might as well expect to continually check against his account at the bank and expect to always have a balance there, as to continually crop his land without returning airy plant food to the soil and expect to have continually fertile fields. One of the progressive farmers of Greene county who well understands this fact and is making a success as a general farmer because of well-applied principles is John M. Sisk, of Boone township. Mr. Sisk was born in Arkansas, October 19, 1856. He is a son of Abner Sisk, who was born in Alabama, in 1829. He devoted his life to farming. During the Civil war he served three years in the Union army. After the close of hostilities he removed to Greene county, Missouri, locating eight miles north of Springfield, where he raised one crop, then moved to within a mile and a half of Ash Grove. He spent the remainder of his life GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1617 on various farms in Boone township, dying in 1909. He married Eliza- beth Sparks, a daughter of Solomon Sparks, a native of eastern Tennessee, from which country he removed to Arkansas in an early day. John M. Sisk grew to manhood on his father's farm, where he worked hard when a boy, and he received a common school education in the schools of Greene county, having been young when his parents removed with him from Arkansas to this locality. At the age of twenty years he began farm- ing for himself, later engaging in the grocery and bakery business in Ash Grove. Selling out, he then engaged in the livery and transfer business there; then, after a few years, he sold the latter business and operated a dry goods store. About this period he erected three substantial brick store buildings in Ash Grove. He was successful in whatever he turned his atten- tion to, and became one of the leading business men of that city. He pur- chased eighty acres at one time, and later one hundred and thirty-seven acres south of Ash Grove. In October, 1896, he traded two of the brick buildings in on three hundred and twenty-eight acres, about two miles west of that city. He is still living on this excellent, well-kept and highly improved farm, one of the best in this part of the county. He is engaged in general farming 011 an extensive scale : also handles large numbers of live stock from year to year. He is making a specialty of an excellent grade of cattle and also of Ohio Improved Chester hogs. He has a valuable peach orchard of forty acres, also a few acres of pears. He markets his products principally at Fort Scott, Kansas. He has an attractive home in the midst of beautiful surroundings, and there are to be seen on his farm many substantial and convenient outbuildings. Everything denotes thrift and that a man of energy, intelligence and good taste is at the helm. Mr. Sisk was married on October 12, 188' 1 , to Amanda H. Likins, a daughter of Charles H. Likins, who located in southwestern Missouri before the Civil war. During the Civil war he served in the Union army in the three-year service. To Mr. and Mrs. Sisk five children have been born, three sons and two daughters, namely: One child died in infancy; Charles, now sixteen years of age; John, who is thirteen years old; Pauline, who has passed her elev- enth birthday; and Wayne, who is seven years old. Mr. Sisk is giving his children every advantage. In order to give them the advantages of good schools he lives in Ash Grove during the winter months, removing back to the farm for the crop season. Politically, he is a Republican, and while he has always been active and influential in the affairs of his city and county, he has never been a seeker after the emoluments of office. Fraternally, he belongs to the Inde- ( 102) i6i8 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. pendent Order of Odd Fellows and Modern Woodmen. He is a man who has always enjoyed a good reputation, like his honored father before him, and he is an agreeable man to meet, either in his own pleasant home or in public. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. J. H. HINERMAN. The success which J. H. Hinerman, well known contractor of Spring- field, has achieved in a varied career, has been well deserved. Faithfulness, to duty and a strict adherence to a fixed purpose, which always do more to advance a man's interests than wealth or advantageous circumstances, have been dominating factors in his life, which has been replete with honor and success worthily attained, and he has become an important factor in the business world of his adopted city and stands in the foremost rank of those in his vocation in this section of the state. Mr. Hinerman was born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, July 27, 1869. He is a son of Lindsey and Elizabeth (Sloniker) Hinerman, both natives, of Pennsylvania, the father born in 1822 and the mother in 1825. They grew to maturity in the old Keystone state and there attended the schools of the early days, receiving limited educations. There they established their home and were well known in their vicinity. The father and mother are still living at the advanced age of ninety-three and ninety years, respectively. Lindsey Hinerman devoted his active life to general farming pursuits. Flis family consisted of eight children, all still living but one, namely: M. S., Martha, David, Mary, Sarah, Emma is deceased, J. H., of this sketch, and Elsworth. J. H. Hinerman grew to manhood in his native state and there attended the public schools, later took a business course in Delaware, Ohio. He be- gan his career by engaging in the furniture and undertaking business in Cameron, West Virginia, and in 1891 he came to Springfield, Missouri, and went to work in the construction department of the Iron Mountain railroad, remaining in this service twelve years, during which he not only gave the road eminent satisfaction in every respect, but also mastered the various phases of this line of endeavor. Upon severing his connection with the road he went into the general contracting business for himself in Springfield, and has continued the same to the present time, having been successful from the start. He does general contracting and construction work promptly and in an honest and modern manner that never fails to give general satisfaction. He had the contract for erecting the Southwest Hospital in this city and has built many beautiful residences and substantial buildings of various GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1619 kinds, all of which will long remain a credit to him, — monuments to his skill as a builder. Of recent years he has made a specialty of good residences and modern bungalows, and at this writing he is completing a handsome and modernly appointed home for himself on Pickwick Place, which would be known to the building trades as a “Swiss shelay” type of architecture. Mr. Hinerman was married on April 6, 1889, in Bigtree, Pennsylvania, to Cassie L. Howard, who was born in Virginia. She is a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth ( Darr) Howard, natives of Virginia, where they grew up, were educated and married and established the permanent home of the family, but eventually removed to Pennsylvania, locating at Bigtree. During the Civil war Mr. Howard served in the Union army in an Ohio regiment, a full term of enlistment, and participated in many engagements of importance. He was mustered out of service in 1864. His death oc- curred in Springfield in 1908, having reached the advanced age of eighty- four years. Mrs. Hinerman was born in Cameron, West Virginia, on October 8, 1873, an d grew to womanhood at Cameron and was educated in the public schools there and was married. The union of our subject and wife has been without issue. Politically, Mr. Hinerman is a Republican. Fraternally, he is a mem- ber o-f the Masonic Order, the Knights of Pythias, and the Improved Order of Red Men. He belongs to the Springfield Club and to the South Street Christian church. He is also a member of the Young Men’s Christian Association. EDGAR E. ENNIS. The splendid success which comes to Edgar E. Ennis, president of the Ennis-Culler Lumber Company, of Springfield, is directly traceable to the salient points in his character, for he started in life practically at the bottom of the industrial ladder which he has mounted with little aid from any source, although meeting with the usual obstacles that confront most men of affairs who have ambition. With a mind capable of planning he combines a will strong enough to execute his well-formulated purposes, and his great energy, sound judgment, keen . discrimination and perseverance have re- suited in the accumulation of a handsome property. Mr. Ennis was born in Georgetown, Delaware, August 21, 1873. He is a son of Aaron B. M. and Maggie A. (Jefferson) Ennis. They grew to maturity in Delaware, received good common school educations, the father also attending college, and were married there, and established their home in Georgetown, where Aaron B. M. Ennis engaged in the mercantile business 1 620 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. about ten years. Believing that the Western frontier held better advantages for him, he removed his family in 1878 to Nebraska and settled ten miles from Columbus, on a farm, where he remained about five years, and in the fall of 1883 came to Springfield, Missouri, and here established the family home, and here he engaged in the grocery business for a number of years and enjoyed an extensive trade. About six years ago he went to Sheridan, Wyoming, and has since been engaged in the live stock business and ranch- ing near there. He has been a successful man of affairs in whatever he has undertaken, being a man of energy, good judgment and honest impulses. They are the parents of three children, namely : Argus B., who lives at Sheridan, Wyoming; Royal W. is a resident of Hillsboro, Illinois; and Edgar E., of this review. The death of the mother of the above named children occurred in 1894. Edgar E. Ennis was ten years old when he came with his parents to Springfield and here he entered the ward schools, later attending high school and received a good practical education, although he had to quit school on account of trouble with his eyes. After school days he started in as most boys of his class to earn his own way in the world. TTis father had pur- chased a grocery store on Commercial street, and he clerked in the same for about two years, then took a position as city salesman for the Gulf Roller Mills, continuing in this line for about a year, then took a position with the Bunker Bros., lumber dealers, and here gained his first knowledge of the lumber business. He liked it and studied every phase of it, mastering the various ins and outs of the business until, feeling capable of managing a yard of his own, he engaged in this line of endeavor for himself, starting, in July, 1913, the Ennis-Culler Lumber Company at 504 College street, Springfield, and this he is still conducting, being president and manager of the firm and by his industry, foresight, prompt and honest dealings has built up a large and growing business. The firm is incorporated under the laws of the state of Missouri. A large, complete and well-selected stock of various grades of lumber is carried at all times, and the slogan of the firm is . “Everything to build your home.” Mr. Ennis was married on June 11, 1896, to Laura R. Culler, a daugh- ter of John W. and Anna M. (Clatfeler) Culler. The father’s death oc- curred in Springfield in 1904, but the mother is still living in this city. The Cullers have long been a well-known family here. Mrs. Ennis re- ceived a good education in the local schools. Our subject and wife have three children, all at home, namely : Florence Lorene, Ellen Lucile, and Anna Rebecca. Politically, Mr. Ennis is a Republican. However, he votes indepen- dently in local elections, casting his ballot for the men whom he deems best suited for the offices sought. Fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1621 order. Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Modern Woodmen of America, also the Travelers Protective Association, United Commercial Travelers, and the Iowa State Traveling Men's Association. He and his wife are members of Grace Methodist Episcopal church. She is a member of the Sorosis Club, of which she has been president two years. This is one of the leading social clubs of Springfield. She has made a most popular and efficient president. She is a lady of culture and affable personality, and she and Mr. Ennis stand well in the circle in which thev move. FRANK L. FINNEY. The dignity of labor is a theme much discussed. In the old world it has always meant a different thing to the construction put upon the phrase in America, for in lands where caste prevails between classes, the aristocracy is inclined to look down on the laboring classes, but of this, happily, we know practically nothing in the Lhiited States, in fact, here if one does not labor or at least is employed at something one is not likely to be as highly regarded by one’s associates as if he were energetic and not afraid of honest work. Frank L. Finney, now deceased, was a believer in the dignity of labor and he was possessed with much energy and industry and succeeded in earning an honest and comfortable living and winning and retaining the respect and admiration of those with whom he was associated. Mr. Finney was born, November 22, 1851, in Fairfield, Iowa. He was a son of Samuel G. and Eunice (Neil) Finney, one of the early families of Jefferson county, Iowa, noted for their industry and qualities as good neighbors. Their family consisted of ten children, seven sons and three daughters, namely: Lewis H. is deceased; Albert lives in Nevada; George S. lives in Maryville, Missouri; Frank L., subject of this memoir; Edwin lives in Seattle, Washington; Mrs. Annie C. Denny lives in Lincoln, Ne- braska; Mrs. Emma L. LaFollette resides in Seattle; Samuel is deceased; Mrs. Ella S. Webb lives in Colorado, and Earnest P. lives in Oklahoma City. Samuel G. Finney, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and there grew to manhood and received a good edu- cation. He studied law, was admitted to the bar and was very successful in the practice of his profession. He took an active part in public matters, became influential in politics and was for some time a member of the Legis- lature, while living in Maryland. Finally abandoning the practice of law he engaged in merchandising with success and later in life turned his attenttion to general farming. He removed from Maryland to Jefferson county, Iowa, in the early history of the latter country and located at the town of Fairfield, 1 622 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. where he became well established and well known. His wife, Eunice Neil, was born in Maine, and was of Scotch-Irish descent. Frank L. Finney grew to manhood at Fairfield, Iowa, assisting his father about the homestead when a boy, and he received his education in the public schools there. When a young man he went west and followed mining in different states for a number of years with satisfactory results. He located in Springfield, Missouri, in 1905, and here lived in retirement the rest of his life. He had spent thirteen years engaged in farming and .stock raising in Iowa very successfully. Mr. Finney was married on August 4, 1885, to Mary Graham, who was born in Maryville, Missouri, and is a daughter of Arch D. and Sarah (Wise- man) Graham. Mr. Graham was a native of Kentucky and his wife a native of West Virginia; after their marriage they lived in Ohio for a short time, then came to Missouri, where Mrs. Finney died July 3, 1914, at the age of forty-seven. Mrs. Finney received a good common school education, and lived on South Jefferson street, Springfield, where she had a comfortable borne. She bore her husband eight children, seven of whom survive, namely : Dora, Lola, Marjorie, Harold Neil, Samuel Graham, Fern, Winifred, and Earnest Dean is deceased. These children have been given good educational ad- vantages in Iowa and in Springfield, Missouri. Politically, Frank L. Finney was a Democrat, but was never an aspir- ant for political honors. The death of Mr. Finney occurred at his late home in Springfield on June 9, 1906, when fifty-five years of age. JOHNSON SANITARIUM. Dr. Samuel A. Johnson, who is superintendent of the Johnson Sanitar- ium (for the treatment of mental and nervous diseases), was born Septem- ber 15, 1863, in Daviess county, Kentucky. Fie is a son of John Hunt Johnson, deceased, and Anna M. (Singleton) Johnson. The father was born in Daviess county, Kentucky, July 1, 1824, and the doctor’s mother was born in Hardinsburg, that state, June 5, 1832, and is still living, being now eighty-three years of age; she makes her home in Springfield. In 1872 John H. Johnson moved to Louisville in order to give his children better educational advantages, remaining in that city eight years. During this period he engaged in the tobacco business. He removed with his family to Missouri in 1878, locating on a farm near Lebanon, Laclede county, where he engaged in general farming and stock raising until 1894 when he retired GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1 623 from active life and located in Springfield where he spent the rest of his days. Dr. Samuel A. Johnson received his education in the schools of his native state, later studied medicine in the Kentucky Medical College at Louisville, Kentucky, from which institution he was graduated. Not long thereafter he came to Springfield, Missouri, where he engaged in the gen- eral practice of medicine for a period of six years, then was employed in the state hospital for the insane at Nevada, Missouri, where he remained six y^ears. He came to Springfield in 1911, and founded the Johnson Sani- tarium for the treatment of mental and nervous diseases, this being the pioneer institution of its kind in this part of the state. It has been success- ful. from the first, largely because of the co-operation of the physicians of the southern part of the state, and most gratifying results have been ob- tained ; the prestige of the institution is enhanced by courteous treatment to .all and satisfied patients. The institution is pleasantly and conveniently located at 807 Jefferson street. It is modernly appointed and completely ■equipped in every respect for the work which Dr. Johnson has outlined to do here, and its future is assured. The institution conducts a training school for nurses where earnest de- voted girls are in attendance and constantly study to promote the welfare and comfort of patients. Dr. Johnson was married to Isadore W. Allen, of Harrisonville, Mis- souri, October 8, 1901. She is a daughter of James T. and Isadore (Young) Allen. She was one of two children and was born in Woodford county, Kentucky. Her paternal grandfather, Capt. James Trimble, served in the Revolutionary war, as captain of a company of riflemen under General Lewis. He remained in the service of his country all through the struggle for independence. Lie was born in Augusta county, Virginia, in 1756. Previously he had served at the memorable battle of Point Pleasant during the Colonial war. He married Jane Allen about 1780. She was born, March 15, 1855, in Augusta county, Virginia. Her father, Hugh Allen, was killed at the battle of Point Pleasant. After the close of the Revolu- tionary war. Captain Trimble and wife moved to Woodford county, Ken- tucky, and were prominent in the early history of that state. Airs. Johnson’s great-grandfather Trimble was opposed to* slavery and he made application in the courts at Lexington, Kentucky, to manumit them. His request was refused several times, but was finally granted through the efforts of Henry Clay, then a young lawyer from Virginia. Mr. Trimble’s sons became dis- tinguished men. Three of them held commissions in the war of 1812. Allen Trimble, one of the sons, became governor of Ohio; William Trimble was a colonel in the regular army and was also a United States senator, his death occurring while a member of the senate. James M. Trimble was a promi- 1624 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. nent preacher. Dr. Cary Trimble was a member of Congress. James Trimble died in Kentucky in 1804. Mrs. Johnson's maternal great-grand- father, Capt. John Peck, was on Governor Hancock’s staff at the time he was chairman of the committee that signed the Declaration of Independence. Hancock, it will be remembered, was one of the early governors of Massa- chusetts. James T. Allen, father of our subject’s wife, was a widely known stock dealer of Kentucky. He is at this writing making his home at Har- risonville, Missouri. His wife died in Woodford county, Kentucky, many years ago. Politically, Dr. Johnson is a Democrat, and he and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal church, South. WILLIAM M. MAXWELL. In writing a work of the nature of the one in hand, the biographer is surprised at the preponderance of Greene county citizens who were born in Tennessee or are sons of Tennessee parents. This locality has been lucky in securing such a good class of citizens, and it is safe to say that it would not now be nearly so prosperous had not these courageous, industrious and law-abiding people cast their lots here. William M. Maxwell is among the number. Llis earlier years were spent in agricultural pursuits, later he en- gaged in the grocery business in Springfield in various places for a period of many years, and he is now serving as justice of the peace. Mr. Maxwell was born in Warren county, Tennessee, October 12, 1867. He is a son of Rufus and Jane (Vickers) Maxwell. The father was born in Jackson county, Alabama, and there he was reared to manhood, and was educated in the early day schools there ; he was married in Scottsboro, that state, and he spent his life engaged in general farming and stock raising in his native state and in Tennessee, dying at Valley Head, Alabama, in 1911. Politically, he was a Democrat. The mother of our subject attended the common schools and she is still living in Warren county, Tennessee, being now advanced in years. William M. Maxwell, who, was the only child of his parents, grew to manhood on the homestead in Warren county, Tennessee, where he assisted his father with the general farm work when he became of proper age, and there he received a limited education in the public schools. Lie began life as a farmer, which he continued successfully until 1898, when he left his native state and came to Springfield, Missouri. He first engaged in the grocery business, in which he was uniformly successful, and operated a store at several different places, in later years his location being on West Commer- GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1625 cial street. Four years ago he moved his business to the corner of Broad and Chase streets. He always carried a full line of staple and fancy groc- eries and, dealing honestly and courteously with his many customers, re- tained their good will, and he continued in this business until in February, 1914, when he was appointed justice of the peace by the county court for North Campbell township, and he has since been faithfully discharging the duties of the same in a manner that reflects much credit upon himself and to the satisfaction of all concerned. He has a very suitable office at 212^2 East Commercial street. His decisions are marked by firmness and ability as to law and justice. He owns a good home on West Chase street. Mr. Maxwell was married on December 28, 1897, in Lafayette, Georgia, to Bessie Derbery, who was born at Coal City, Georgia, and was a daughter of John and Martha Derbery, natives of that locality in Georgia, also where they were all reared, educated in the common schools and were married. The death of Mrs. Maxwell occurred on August 1, 1907. She was a woman of many of the winning characteristics of the Southern lady and was a favorite with her many friends. To Mr. and Mrs. Maxwell one child was born, William Rufus, whose birth occurred in Springfield, Missouri, October 28, 1898. He is now at- tending high school. Politically, Mr. Maxwell is a Democrat and loyal in his affiliations to the party. Fraternally, he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, the Knights of Maccabees and the Modern Woodmen. Religiously, he is a member of the Central Christian church. JOSEPH S. EAGLEBURGER. It is no very rare thing for a poor boy in our country to become a prosperous man and occupy a commanding position in the business world, but many who have fought their way from poverty to wealth, from ob- scurity to prominence, retain some marks and scars of the conflict. They are apt to be narrow and grasping, even if not sordid and unscrupulous. Joseph S. Eagleburger, who for many years was one of the enterprising farmers of Greene county but now engaged in the grocery business in Springfield, although he did not come up from the ranks of the poverty stricken and has not reached the affluence of the rich, yet he has worked his way from a modest beginning to a comfortable station in the world of affairs, being an instance of a man who has achieved success without paying the price at which it is so often bought. Flis success has not removed him further from his fellow men, but has brought him into nearer and more 1626 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. intimate relations with them, and although he has led a busy life, he has yet found time to devote to those interests which develop the intellectual and moral nature of man, living not to himself alone, but laboring, when necessary, to aid his fellow men. Mr. Eagleburger was horn March 1, 1853, ’ n Noble county, Indiana. He is a son of John and Frances (Spencer) Eagleburger. The father was a native of Switzerland and the mother was born in Connecticut. The former grew to manhood in his native land and there attended school and learned the trade of shoemaker, which he followed until he emigrated to the United States, after which he followed general farming. He was mar- ried in Ohio. He finally removed about 1856 with his family to Story county, Iowa, where his death occurred about 1888. His widow survived some two years, dying in Greene county, Missouri, in 1890. They were the parents of the following children: William, and Samuel are deceased; James lives in Story county, Iowa; Margaret lives in Story county, Iowa; Isaac lives in Greene county. Missouri ; Lucy lives in Moniteau county, Mis- souri ; Joseph S., of this sketch; Susan lives in Washington; John is deceased. Joseph S. Eagleburger received a common school education in Iowa, and he grew to manhood on the farm, and began life for himself as a farmer, which he followed with success up to six years ago. He remained in Iowa until the fall of 1873, then moved to northwestern Kansas and took up government land which he operated about twelve years, then moved back to Iowa, and in 1885 came to Greene county, Missouri, locating ten miles north of Springfield, buying fifty acres. As he prospered with advancing years he added to this until he became owner of two hundred and forty acres, all in Franklin township. He carried on general farming and stock raising there until 1908, when he sold out and moved to Springfield and on [uly 20th of that year began in the grocery business at his present location, 2304 Springfield avenue, where he owns a substantial brick block and is conducting a thriving business under the firm name of Eagleburger & Son, carrying a large stock of staple and fancy groceries, feed and flour. Mr. Eagleburger was married June 3, 1882. in Kansas, to Mary Noel, who was born in Lee county, Illinois, April 23, 1859. She is a daughter of Mathias and Anna (Fredericks ) Noel, who were natives of Prussia, emi- grating to this country in their early years and locating in Lee county, Illinois, where they established the family home. Mrs. Eagleburger, wife of the subject of this sketch, was one of sixteen children, thirteen of whom still live in various sections of the United States. Mrs. Eagleburger moved to Kansas shortly before her marriage. Her parents died in Illinois. She received a good education. Ten children have been born to our subject and wife, seven of whom GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1 62 7 are still living, namely: Barbara, John (deceased), Frank, Charles, George, Ella, Maud, Bert, Lillian (deceased), and Blanche. Politically, Mr. Eagleburger is a Democrat. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, including the Encampment. He be- longs to the Baptist church, in which he is a deacon and is active. J. W. FOWLER. It seems there is no start in life which so well prepares a man for his future career, no matter what he may choose to follow as the boyhood years spent on the farm; this is not strange to the contemplative mind, for, in the first place, the boy reared next to nature, to the fresh soil, surrounded by the clear air and amidst the growing, blooming vegetation will be stronger physically and mentally than his city-bred brother, and will agree that health is the first prerequisite in the chase for success in this world ; many a man has been handicapped, submerged and defeated because of lack of it. J. W. Fowler, chief stationary engineer of the south side Frisco shops, Springfield, was fortunate enough to be born and reared on a farm, and thus has a hertiage of physical strength which has stood him well in hand. Mr. Fowler was born on the farm of his parents near Tipton, Missouri, November 24, 1864. He is a son of G. W. and Parmelia (Hodges) Fowler. The father was born in Pennsylvania, in 1842, and is still living on his farm near Tipton, Missouri, having engaged in farming all his life. He came from the Keystone state to Missouri more than half a century ago and has lived here ever since. During the Civil war he enlisted at Tipton and made a splendid record as a soldier. G. W. Fowler was a young man when he came to this state and he married near there, his wife having been born on a farm there in 1847. Fourteen children were born to this union, nine of whom are still living, namely: J. W., of this sketch; Mrs. Nancy Sehklin, wife of a merchant; Mrs. Sarah D. Mock, wife of a farmer; William M. is a blacksmith; Edwin is a boilermaker; Mrs. Dosia Williams married a farmer; Mrs. Edna Hat- field ; Mrs. Millie B. Moon married a farmer ; Llarrison is engaged in farm- ing; the others are deceased. J. W. Fowler grew up on the home farm and spent his earlier years engaged in tilling the soil. He received a common school education. He came to Springfield in 1889 and has since made his home in this city. He began working for the Eversol & Son Milling Company as stationary engi- neer. He liked the work, studied it and became an expert in his line. After a few years he went to work for the Frisco Lines in their south side shops t 628 GREENE COUNTY^ MISSOURI. as extra stationary engineer, where he became chief engineer and he still holds this position. His long service with the Frisco would indicate that he has given entire satisfaction and that he is a capable and trustworthy employee. He has not had a shutdown in more than twenty-four years, during working hours, or since he has been with the Frisco. Mr. Fowler was married twice, first, to Augusta Breckinridge, at Tipton, Missouri. She was born November 25, 1864, at Galloway, Mis- souri. Her death occurred February 9, 1901. To this union four children were born, namely: Jra, born September 23, 1887, married Kate Campbell, he is a boilermaker and lives in Springfield; Roy, born February 15, 1890, married Grace Edwards, and he is employed as blacksmith in the south side Frisco shops; Earl, born April 3, 1898, lives at home; Clara A., born May 31, 1901, is at home. On November 10, 1914, Mr. Fowler married the second time in St. Louis, Priscilla Givan, a widow of Wm. Givan. She was born January 17, 1866. She is a daughter of Albert and Nancy (Butterball) Daugherty. Mrs. Fowler was born in Pennsylvania and she received a common school education. She came to Missouri when young. The second union of our subject and wife has been without issue. Politically, Mr. Fowler is a Republican. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen. He is a member of the First Baptist church. EDGAR T. EMERY. A large percent, of the men in railroad service have come from the farms. There has ever been a certain fascination in this life for the farmer boy and while yet scarcely old enough to hold steadily the plow handles they began dreaming and planning of a career “on the road." This class is peculiarly fitted for railroad work, which requires men of strong physique, steady nerve and grit. One of this number is Edgar T. Emery, of Spring- field, a Frisco engineer, who has had a successful career from the start as railroader. Mr. Emery was born on a farm in Clark county, Iowa, Octo- ber 31, 1855. Fie is a son of James H. and Sarah Elizabeth (Dufur) Emery. The father was born in Ohio, October 27, 1830, and his death occurred in Whitewater, Wisconsin, May 7, 1904. The mother of our subject was born in Washington county, Ohio, May 4, 1834, and although past her eightieth birthday, is hale and hearty and makes her home with the subject of this sketch. These parents grew to maturity in their native state and there received limited educations, and were married in Henry county, Illinois. From there they removed to Iowa in pioneer times, making the overland journey with an ox team, entering land from the government GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1629 in Clark county, where they established the family home by hard work and perseverance. James H. Emery was a carpenter by trade, which he followed in his earlier years, but later devoted his attention to farming and stock raising. He moved back to Illinois when our subject was a small child but did not remain there long, and in 1887 the family moved to Whitewater, Wisconsin, where the elder Emery followed contracting and building and where his death occurred. Politically, he was a Republican, and fraternally was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His family consisted of three children, namely: Edgar T., of this sketch: Eva L., born October 1, 1858, married a Mr. Storm and they make their home in California; William, born March 28, 1863, died April 1, 1866. Edgar T. Emery grew to manhood on the farm in Iowa and there at- tended the common schools. After leaving school he began working for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company, April 15, 1874, at Creston, Iowa, as an oil boy,” his duties being to look after the “oil house.” On September 1, 1875 he was put to firing a switch engine, on which he worked for six months, then worked as fireman from Creston to Ottumwa. He continued in the employ of that road as fireman until October 17, 1880, when he was promoted to locomotive engineer on the same run which he retained until the big strike on that road, February 27, 1888, In June, 1889, he came to Kansas City, Missouri, and secured a position on the old Kansas City, Ft. Scott & Memphis road, as engineer, out of that city on the Ozark division. On June 15, 1893, he was injured in a wreck, breaking a leg, which necessitated his giving up the road for some time. Later he took a position running a stationary engine in the Springfield south side shops, which posi- tion he has continued to hold since May, 1894, giving his usual satisfactory service. Mr. Emery was married May 4, 1880, in Creston, Iowa, to Ada Alice Reynolds, who was born in Macon county, West Virginia, March 29, 1862, where she grew to womanhood and attended school. She is a daughter of Edward and Laura (Turner) Reynolds, the father dying when Mrs. Reynolds was quite small and when she was eleven years old her mother died. They both were natives of West Virginia. Mr. Reynolds served four years in the Confederate army, having enlisted at Mason Citv, West Vir- ginia, at about the beginning of the war. Three children have been •born to Mr. and Mrs. Emery, namely : Ray W., born July 2, 1881, is a jeweler by trade and lives in Texas; the other two children died in infancy unnamed. Mr. Emery belongs to the Masonic Order, including the Chapter and Commandery. He is a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engi- neers. He also belongs to the Modern Woodmen and the Knights of Pythias, is a member of the Grand Lodge of the state of Missouri. Po- 1630 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. litically, lie is a Republican. His wife is a member of No. 1, White Shrine,, and the Eastern Star. Mr. Emery has a good home on Broad street, Springfield. He often recalls the fact that he fired engine No. 308, with Engineer John Francis, in 1879, that pulled the train on which rode General Grant when he made his trip around the world. ROSWELL K. HART. To the pioneer more than to any other is civilization indebted for the brightest jewel in its diadem, for it was he that blazed the trail and acted as van-guard for the mighty army of progress that within the last cen- tury has conquered Greene county’s wilderness and wild prairies and trans- formed this section of the Ozark region into one of the fairest and most enlightened of the commonwealth of Missouri’s domains. One of this number is Roswell K. Hart, a veteran of the Civil war, who is one of the earliest settlers of Wilson township, this county, and who, after a successful life as farmer and stock man is living in retirement in Springfield. Mr. Hart was born June 7, 1829, in North Carolina, and when four years old emigrated with his parents to Bedford county, Tennessee, and there grew to manhood and was educated. He is a son of Henry and Barbara (Lambeth) Hart, natives of North Carolina. The father of our subject was a soldier in the war of 1812. He moved from Tennessee to Greene county, Missouri, with his family, where his death occurred, De- cember 21, 1855, and there his wife died about 1877. They had spent their lives on a farm. Mr. Hart was a soldier of courage and ability, and he not only served five years in our second war with Great Britain, but also served two years in Indian wars prior to that period. His family consisted of eight children, only two of whom are living, Mrs. Sally Davis, and Roswell Iv., of this sketch. Our subject received but a limited education, however he has become a well-informed man through wide reading. He was twenty-three years old when he made the overland trip in wagons with his parents to Greene county, Missouri, from Tennessee, experiencing numerous hardships ! en route, and here he has resided ever since, the family having reached here on December 2, 1852, sixty-two years ago. His active life has been spent in farming and dealing in live stock. However, he dealt somewhat in the teaming business, hauling, prior to the Civil war, selling fruit, flour, gro- ceries and trading with the Indians. At the outbreak of the Civil war he en- listed in Springfield, in the Home Guards, and in August, 1862, he en- / GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 163T listed in Company B, Seventy-second Missouri State Militia, Federal army, and at one time he was in charge of a company of men, ranking as major, and covered the retreat of the Union army from Springfield to Rolla. He made an excellent record as a soldier, was respected as an officer by his. men and superiors, all acknowledging his courage and ability, and he was discharged at the close of the war as a lieutenant-colonel. Returning home, he resumed farming and stock raising in Wilson township, which he helped put on the map. Selling his farm, he retired from active life about twenty years ago and moved to Springfield, where he has since resided, now living in his pleasant home on South Market street. He also owns other prop- erties here which he rents. Mr. Hart was married February 2, 1859, in Springfield to Alary J. Beal, who was born near Wilson’s creek, this county. She was a daughter of Daniel and Nancy Beal. She was reared in this county, and educated in the common schools here. Daniel Beal was born in North Carolina, May 19, 1799. He was a cabinet maker by trade and when a young man went to Giles county, Tennessee, where he married Nancy Gibson, a daugh- ter of George Gibson and wife, and they were the parents of seven children, namely: George T., Allen H., James N., Martha A., Damaris, Mary J. and Penelope. Mr. Beal remained in Giles county, Tennessee until three of his children were born, and in 1831 moved to Lawrence county, Missouri, and settled near where Verona now stands. Judge James White came the same time, and here Air. Beal made a clearing and began his home. He was in company with Judge White in the ownership of land and as they thought the tract of land not large enough for both, Air. Beal sold out and came to what is now known as Greene county, the latter part of 1833 and settled, on Wilson's creek, in Campbell township, four miles west of Springfield. Tiers he cleared up a farm and passed the remainder of his days, owning two hundred and eighty-eight acres. In politics, he was a Democrat, and both he and his wife were members of the Baptist church. Air. Beal lived to the age of about forty-seven years and died, December 7, 1847. He was one of the old pioneers of southwest Missouri and highly respected by the older settlers, by whom he was well known as a man of integrity and char- acter and honest worth. Seven children were born to Col. Roswell Iv. Hart and wife, namely: Nancy A., who married Louis Hendricks, of Christian county, Alissouri ; Mrs. Halley A. Alexander lives in Brownwood, Texas; the third child died in infancy, unnamed; Alveria, of Springfield; Samuel K., of Houston, Texas; Andy T., of Greene county; and William PI., who is a resident of Austin, Texas. The death of Airs. Alary J. Hart occurred February 26, 1914, at the age of sixty-five years. 1632 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. Politically, Colonel Hart is a Democrat. He is a member of the Chris- tian church, as was his wife. He belongs to the John Matthews Post, Grand Army of the Republic, at Springfield JOHN MALONEY CHRISMAN. Greene county and other parts of southwestern Missouri are greatly --indebted to the grand old state, “the Mother of Presidents,” for the Old Dominion has sent to us a large number of her enterprising and high-minded citizens who have done much toward a general upbuilding of this locality. They have, almost without exception, proven to be most desirable and valuable citizens, being ever willing to assist in the material, moral and civic upbuilding of the localities in which they have settled, and they have brought to us not only a commendable industrial and public spirit but a re- finement of manners which has made for the good of this mountain coun- try, originally somewhat uncouth and rough. One of these citizens from beyond the Blue Ridge mountains who is deserving of special notice in these paragraphs was the late John Maloney Chrisman. Mr. John Maloney Chrisman was born in Lee county, Virginia, Octo- ber 23, 1841. He was a son of Gabriel S. and Margaret (Maloney) Chris- man. Gabriel S. Chrisman was bora November 14, 1814, in the same county and state, and was a son of Isaac and Sarah (Yeary) Chrisman. Isaac Chrisman was also a native of Lee county, Virginia, as was his father, Ga- briel Chrisman. Gabriel Chrisman in the early forties removed to Jackson county, Missouri, where he farmed until the early fifties, when he moved to Andrew county, Missouri, where he spent the remainder of his life. Isaac Chrisman devoted his life to farming and preaching, being an old school Baptist preacher. He moved to Greene county, Missouri, in the spring of 1851. He purchased a farm near Ozark, Christian county, this state, in 1852, and moved his family thereto. He entered eighty acres of land which belongs to the estate of the subject of this sketch. The elder Chrisman farmed this land until his death in 1873. Gabriel Chrisman, his son, then purchased the farm which he farmed for some time, finally selling it to his son, John M. Crisman, of this sketch. Gabriel S. Chrisman’s death occurred in 1901. Margaret Maloney, mother of John M. Chrisman, was born in Addington county, Virginia, in 1810, and was a daughter of John Maloney. She and Gabriel S. Chrisman grew to maturity in their native locality and were married there in 1833. Pier death occurred in 1890, on the old homestead in Christian county, Missouri. John M. Chrisman grew to manhood on the farm, where he worked JOHN M. CHRISMAN. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1633 during the summer months, and in the winter time he attended the district schools. On March 28, 1862, he enlisted in the Missouri State Militia, Company B, Fourteenth Regiment, which was afterwards mounted and known as the Fourth Cavalry, Mr. Chrisman being transferred to Company M of the same. He saw some exciting service, mostly in fighting guerillas. He was in Springfield as a member of the Home Guards in August, 1861, when the battle of Wilson's Creek was fought; he was at Jefferson City in the fight against Gen. Sterling Price’s army in 1864, and on October 9th of that year he was wounded in the left shoulder and side at the battle of California, this state. He was later brought back to Jefferson City and from there fought bushwhackers. ,He caught the smallpox in Sedalia, because of which he lost his eyesight in January, 1865, in Jefferson City. He was mustered out of service March 28, 1865, as first sargeant of his company and honorably discharged. After the war he returned to the farm and, in 1869, went to St. Louis, where he spent two years in an institution for the blind learning the trade of a broom maker. He resumed general farming, broom making and stock raising, which he carried on successfully until 1881, when he moved to the city of Springfield, where he lived a retired life. His family now own a finely improved and valuable farm of three hundred and twenty acres in Christian county, also several pieces of valuable city property. Mr. Chrisman was married May 1, 1881, to Mary Day, who was born in Walworth county, Wisconsin, February 20, 1845. She is a daughter of Isham and Emily (Bigelow) Day, a highly respected family of that county, where she grew to womanhood and was educated. Her father was born in Tennesee in 1810, and died April 7, 1862, in Christian county, Missouri, being killed by guerrillas. The mother was born in Nova Scotia, April 27. 1810, and she died about fifteen years ago. Mrs. John M. Chrisman’s father was a farmer and preacher of the Christian church. To Mr. and Mrs. Chrisman three children were born, one dying in infancy: Oscar D.. born on July 1, 1884, lives in Springfield; he married Katherine E. Ramsey on June 1, 1911; she is a daughter of J. W. Ramsey. Oscar D. Chrisman was appointed assistant city engineer about three years ago. Pearl L., bom on May 2, 1887, died on March 22, 1911. Politically Mr. Chrisman was a Republican. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and religiously was a member of the Christian church. He led a quiet, honorable life and had a host of friends wherever he was known. The death of John M. Chrisman occurred August 24, 1914 in his seventy-third year, f 103) 1634 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. JAMES B. JOHNSTON. One of the well-known citizens of the north side in Springfield is lames B. Johnston, the popular justice of the peace, who has been a citizen of Greene county for nearly thirty years. Over three decades of his life has been devoted to railroading on various roads and in various capacities, and for some time with the Frisco system, his last position being passenger conductor. He is a veteran of the Union army, having fought gallantly for his adopted country during its greatest crisis, although he was born under another flag. Since casting his lot among us he has been regarded as a good citizen in every respect. Mr. Johnston was born in Toronto, Canada, September 4, 1841. He is a son of Benjamin and Ann (Davison) Johnston. The father was born in the same city and province, March 14, 1809, and the mother was born in Nova Scotia, May 30, 1813. They grew to maturity in their fiative Domin- ion and were educated in the common schools and married there, establishing their home in Toronto, where they lived until 1846, when they removed to Carroll county, Illinois, making the overland journey by team, after cross- ing the lake, and located on the wild prairie, where the father of our sub- ject secured land, which he developed into a good farm, and there spent the rest of his life engaged in general farming. He learned to be a mechanic when young and worked at his trade for a number of years. His death occurred at Sterling, Illinois, February 3, 1873, and there the death of his wife occurred in July, 1890, having survived him seventeen years. They were the parents of nine children, three of whom are still living; they are, James B., of this review; Mary E., and Eugenia. James B. Johnston was five years of age when his parents removed with him from his native province to Carroll county, Illinois, and there he grew to manhood on his father’s farm, which he helped develop, and he received his education in the district schools in that neighborhood, later attending the Rock River Seminary in Ogle county, that state, and he was still a stu- dent in that institution when the Civil war broke out, and on November 5, 1861, he enlisted from Carroll county, in Company B, Seventh Illinois Cav- alry, under Col. William Pitt Kellogg. Henry C. Forbes was the captain and Gen. Benjamin Grierson and he did a great deal of scouting and raiding, including the well known Grierson raid. He was discharged at Nashville, Tennessee, December 17, 1864, receiving an honorable discharge. He re- turned home at once, and later entered a commercial college in Chicago, where he spent one summer and remained in that city during the summer of 1865, and in September went home, remaining on the farm, and in February of 1867 went to Omaha, Nebraska, where he took a position as brakeman GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1635 with the Union Pacific railroad, at which he worked until 1868, when he quit and went to Iowa, where he engaged in business for himself until 1874, when he took up railroading again and worked as brakeman, freight and passenger conductor on several different roads, and in 1886 he came to Springfield, Missouri, and went to work on the Ozark division of the old Kansas City, Ft. Scott & Memphis road, later worked for the Frisco. He continued railroading until the fall of 1898, when he was elected justice of the peace, and he has been re-elected three times, and is now serving his fourth term. His office is located at 212^2 East Commercial street, Spring- field. That he has given the utmost satisfaction as a public servant is evi- dent from the fact that he has been retained so long in office. His decisions have ever been noted for a clear conception of the law and for their uniform fairness to all parties concerned, and they have seldom met with reversal at the hands of higher tribunals. Mr. Johnston was married twice, first on October 15, 1868, at Boone, Iowa, to Amelia L. Mastin, a native of Illinois, and to this union four chil- dren were born, all surviving at this writing, namely: Benjamin R., John D., Ida M. and Verde D. On January 15, 1889, our subject married Re- becca McRae, which union has been without issue. Politically, Mr. Johnston is a Republican. He is a member of the McCroskey Post No. 210, Grand Army of the Republic, the Order of Rail- way Conductors and the Knights of Pythias. LEON MORICE. The close friendship which has existed between the United States and France since the infancy of the former has been mutually helpful and pleas- ant to both nations and it has been especially fortunate for America, the younger nation having received many valuable lessons in statesmanship, art, science and other things from the older republic across the sea. And these two peoples, though speaking a different language and having, in a large measure, different aims in life, have ever harmonized and fraternized. It has been principally our idle rich and our students who have taken up their abodes in France, but all classes have come to our country from there, and here the peasant, tradesman, in fact, most everyone of the middle, working classes have found good homes and remunerative businesses, by the thou- sands, in our different states. We have welcomed them, not alone on ac- count of the friendship existing between our governments, but because her people are invariably industrious, courteous, agreeable to associate with, and, for the most part, honorable and trustworthy. One of the vast army of 1636 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. emigrants from that sunny clime to this country was the late Leon Morice, who, for a period of twenty-nine years was a well known business man in Springfield and a good and useful citizen who deserved the high respect which was accorded him by all. Mr. Morice was born in France, April 16, 1845. His parents were na- tives of that country where they spent their lives, and there our subject grew to manhood and received his education, and when a young man learned the lithographer’s trade, also worked for some time as bookkeeper. When eighteen years of age he emigrated to the United States, first locating in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and from there came to St. Louis, where he engaged in his trade of lithographer, at which he was exceptionally skilled, conse- quently found ready employment wherever he desired to work. Remaining in St. Louis until in May, 1876, he came to Springfield and here established his permanent home. He engaged in the candy manufacturing business with his wife’s brother, E. J. Bourquenot. They were successful from the first, their trade increasing with advancing years, and they became the best known and most extensive candy manufacturers in the city and continued in this business until the death of our subject. Everyone knows their neat, inviting and pleasant store on South street, and it is still maintained by Edmond L., son of our subject, who has added a bakery and does a large retail business. Leon Morice was married while living in St. Louis, January 6, 1876, to Aurelia Bourquenot, who was born in Richmond, Virginia, January 1, 1851, and is a daughter of Xavier and Anna (Weinman) Bourquenot, both natives of France, the father born on June 17, 1815, died on September 13, 1885; the mother was born on February 28, 1819, and died in 1908. These par- ents grew up in their native land, were educated and married there, and emigrated to the United States in 1850, landing in New York City on Sep- tember 13th of that year, but they went direct to Richmond, Virginia, where they established their home. The father of Mrs. Morice was a machinist by trade, was highly skilled, and he was also a locomotive engineer. His family consisted of four children, three of whom are living at this writing, namely: Eugene, Melanie, Aurelia, who became the wife of Mr. Morice of this memoir, and Victoria, who is deceased. Mrs. Morice received a good common school education, spending her girlhood in Richmond and St. Louis. She lives in her pleasant cottage on Dollison street, Springfield. To Mr. and Mrs. Morice four children were born, all of whom survive, namely: Edmond L., born on January 21, 1879, married on January 8, 1902, Ann J. O’Byrne, a daughter of James and Margaret (Llayse) O’Byrne, and he is managing the candy store formerly owned by his father, which place he now owns and is running same successfully and up to his former high standard of excellence; he has two daughters, Josephine, born on November 1, 1908, and Margaret Aurelia, born on July 19, 1908; Eugenia, GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1637 born April 4, 1881, married H. T. Ford, and they live in Springfield; Leonie, born on October 8, 1884, is single and living at home; Adele, born on December 4, 1886, married William O'Byrne, and they also live in this city. Politically, Mr. Morice was a Democrat. He and his family were reared in the Catholic faith and have ever been faithful to the same. The death of Leon Morice occurred on July 11, 1905, when nearly sixty years of age. JAMES S. WADDELL. The fair Sunflower state has developed into one of the greatest in the sisterhood of forty-eight commonwealths in our beloved Union, and she has produced men and women of a rare strength of mind and chraracter, who have taken their places in the nation along with the best. Pier native chil- dren find so fine opportunities within her own border that they seldom leave, especially to come east, and so there are few Kansasans to be found in Greene county, Missouri. James S. Waddell, a contractor of Spring- field, is one of these. Mr. Waddell was born in Saline county, Kansas, September 28, 1873. He is a son of James and Elcena (Selmon) Waddell. The father was born in Des Moines county, Iowa, in 1813, the mother was born near Quincy, Illinois, in 1836. She was a second cousin of Abraham Lincoln. These parents grew up in their respective communities, received limited educa- tions and when young each removed to the state of Kansas, in pioneer days, and there met and married. James Waddell was a merchant in his earlier days, but the latter part of his life was devoted to agricultural pursuits. He maintained the first store that was ever established in what is now the thriving city of Salma, Kansas. His death occurred at Lawrence, that state, in the year 1880. His widow survived thirty years, dying July 6, 1910, near Nashville, Missouri. The only child born to these parents was the subject of this sketch. James S. Waddell grew to manhood in Kansas and received a some- what limited education in the schools of Ft. Scott, that state. Fie followed farming and mining until he came to Springfield, Missouri in 1900, when he went to work in the repair department of the north side Frisco shops, remaining with this company about five years. Upon leaving the shops in 1905 he began cement contracting, building curbs, sidewalks, etc., which business he has since conducted alone and in an eminently satisfactory and successful manner, enjoying a wide patronage, and promptness and honesty have been his watchwords. Mr. Waddell was married February 23, 1897, in Taney county, Mis- GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1638 souri, to Grace Wicks, who was born in Kansas, May 29, 1879. She is a daughter of John K. and Maggie (Waterbury) Wicks, both natives of the state of New York, where they were reared, attended school and were married and where they spent their earlier lives, finally moving west and establishing their home in Taney county, Missouri. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Waddell, namely : Elsie, born November 22, 1897; Stella, born April 9, 1901; John, born April 8, 1904; Frank, born October 12, 1911. Politically, Mr. Waddell is an independent voter, preferring to cast his ballot for the men whom he deems the most capable and honorable for public positions, rather than for any special party, and is a member of the American Brotherhood of Cement Workers No. 181. WILLIAM RULLKOETTER. On June 26, 1864, William Rullkoetter was born in Oberbauerschaft, Westfalen, Germany. Before the boynvas five years of age the mother had died and because the father had been drafted and served through two cam- paigns, the Austrian and Franco-German war, he grew up in the home of his mother’s people. From six to fourteen he attended the village school and stood for three years at the head of the school. Because of this record, he was urged to complete his education at the expense of the community. Preferring to depend on his two strong arms, this offer was refused and plans were made to enter the army as a volunteer and there to continue his education. However, in 1881, the immigration fever impelled him to come to America, “the land of promise,” instead of joining the army. After working in Ohio and Nebraska for five years, at from twelve to eighteen dollars per month and saving nine hundred dollars, he decided to enter the Academy of Hastings College, Nebraska. Of this he says: “Since I had not been inside of a school house for eight years and never inside of an English school, it was a struggle in the dark, but gradually there came intermittent rays of light and finally daybreak.” Of the class of forty who entered the Academy with him, he alone entered the college and in the junior college year took the prize for English. Entering the University of Chicago in the fall of 1892, he was graduated with the first class in 1893. Having received a fellowship in history for two consecutive years, he did post-graduate work until the fall of 1896, when he was called to the chair of history in Drury College, which position he has held continuously until the failure of his health in 1912. By work during the summer quarters, Mr. Rullkoetter received the GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1639 reward of his ambition, the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, in 1899, and in the next year his thesis on “The Position of Woman Among the Early Germans” was published and has become an authoritative work on this in- teresting phase of German history. The influence of Doctor Rullkoetter as a teacher is best told in the words of a former pupil, when he said, “Doctor Rullkoetter, or Doctor Billy, as he is affectionately called, in a remarkable way took hold upon those whom he instructed, and influenced their lives mightily. His great motives were contagious and his fine philosophy of life became the dominant note in the lives of his students.” A prominent business man said a short time ago, “I had the good fortune to have some great teachers in college and univer- sity, but somehow, what Doctor Billy said stays with me. He gave me a method of thinking. Pie enabled me to see myself in vital and significant relationships which, while they seem to remove the emphasis from the indi- vidual, they nevertheless, by the very fact of socializing him, make him vastly more important. I find myself thinking his thoughts and gauging my theories and my conduct by his philosophy.” While at the University of Chicago, Doctor Rullkoetter was an earnest student and an ardent admirer of the great historian, Von Holst. Follow- ing his own inclinations and under this inspiration, his mind naturally turned to the great social, political and moral problems of the day the light which an exhaustive knowledge of history and economics throws upon them. In his capacity as one of the leaders of thought in municipal affairs, he was persistent and unyielding in his opposition to petty politics and corporate greed. Quoting again from the writing of Mr. S. J. Vaughn : “Many years ago,” I heard him say repeatedly, ‘The next quarter of a century must face and solve the problem of industrialism. The forces of education and society must take cognizance of the conditions, problems and hideous wrongs which the growth of monopolized industry has forced upon the helpless and depen- dent. It will probably be settled by those forces bringing about an orderly, readjusting evolution; if not in this manner, then by a blood-letting revolution.’ ” Continuing, Mr. Vaughn states, “Doctor Rullkoetter was the first man I ever heard use the term ‘social consciousness.’ His was the first influence on me personally, looking toward education for efficiency, freedom and hap- piness of those who must toil with their hands. His words rang in our ears, ‘It must come, and it is the business of the men and women of the next quarter of a century to bring it about.’ In the light of what has taken place along these lines in recent years, these words seem almost prophetic. In the matter of social consciousness, he has lived and still lives far in advance of his day.” 1640 GREENE COUNTY^ MISSOURI. His literary work has been continued in an outline of history, especially a medieval and in an interpretation of some of the German masterpieces. Commenting on these interpretations, one of his former colleagues on the Drury faculty writes: “I shall be most happy to tell others of these fresh and keen sighted ‘interpretations.’ I want all my friends to know Doctor Rullkoetter and in this way they may.” A prominent alumnae says: “Doctor Rullkoetter’s own honesty and breadth of view and bravery have enabled him to give a rarely sympathetic interpretation of Faust. The gen- eral favorite of the three interpretations, however, has been the ‘New Inter- pretation of Wilhelm Tell.’ All of us feel very strongly the originality and truth of such an interpretation.” Any sketch of the life of Professor Rullkoetter would be incomplete without mention of his ten years of service in the summer school, both at Drury and for five years at the Normal. That the memory and influence of his chapel talks during the three years he was director of the Drury Sum- mer School still linger in the minds and hearts of the teachers of the Southwest. Schiller asserts : “ A good man thinks of himself only at last.” Doc- tor Rullkoetter thought of his home, his children, his students and if he thought of himself at all, it was only at last. WILLIAM CLINTON FARMER. One of the successful business men of Springfield, who has mounted the industrial ladder unaided is William Clinton Farmer, organizer and manager of the Electric Bottling Company. He has been a close observer of modern methods and is a student at all times of life as we of the twenti- eth century live it, and is therefore a broad-minded man of affairs, who is no doubt destined to still greater accomplishments in the future. Mr. Farmer was born in Milford, Illinois, January 11, 1866. He is a son of William Wallace Farmer and Melissa (Willis) Farmer. The father was born on a farm near Attica, Indiana, in 1843, an d was a son pioneer parents of that place, and there he grew to manhood and worked on the home farm, and received a country school education. Leaving the home- stead when he became of age he went to Milford, Illinois, where he engaged in the grocery business, married and remained there until 1879 when he removed with his family to Emporia, Kansas, and engaged in the live stock business, handling imported horses, for the most part, the first ever sold in Lyon county. He remained there until 1886 when he located in Osceola, St. Clair county, Missouri, where he engaged in the livery and transfer busi- GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1 64 1' ness until his death in November, 1908. Politically he was a Democrat, and fraternally was a Mason. Melissa Willis, mother of our subject, was a native of Ohio, married Air. Farmer in 1865, and her death occurred in 1909. William C. Farmer received a good education in the schools of Mil- ford, Illinois, and Emporia, Kansas. He studied pharmacy and went in the drug business in Collins, St. Clair county, Missouri, in 1887, continu- ing the same successfully for a period of twelve years, then went to Osceola as agent for the Pabst Brewing Company, of Milwaukee, where he remained until 1905 when he came to Springfield as distributor for that company, continuing with the same until 1907, giving the firm eminent satisfaction in every respect, Desiring to go into business for himself he organized the Electric Bottling Company in 1907, which has proven to be one of the leading concerns of its kind in southern Missouri, and he is now owner and manager of the same. It is located at 545 West Phelps avenue, but was first started at the same number on South Campbell street. It was success- ful from the first, under Mr. Farmer’s able management and has rapidly grown in volume and importance with increasing years until its products are now finding a ready market over a wide territory, and are regarded as of a superior quality. A variety of popular carbonated beverages is manufac- tured here. About four hundred cases a week were manufactured at first, but this output has increased to three thousand bottles daily, the present output. The plant was retained at its first location for four years, then moved to its present convenient location, a substantial one-story brick building with nine thousand feet of floor space, with a capacity of two car loads per day. The plant is equipped with every modern device for the rapid manufacture of high-grade stuff, and fifteen competent assistants are constantly employed. A sterilizing and washing machine has just been installed at a cost of over six thousand dollars. Everything about the place is kept in ship shape, is thoroughly sanitary and managed under a superb system. The principal products of this well-known plant are coco-cola, Farmer's root beer, ginger ale and sodas of such flavors as orange, lemon, cherry, cream, grape, strawberry, lemon and lemon sour. A specialty is made of Polar distilled water, one hundred per cent pure, having a capacity on this product of seven hundred gallons daily, and a very large sale is made from this department alone. Pabst “Blue Ribbon” beer is also handled. Mr. Farmer was married in July, 1888, to Myrtle Pritchard, of Wau- bleau, Missouri. She was born in 1868, and she received her education at the Christian College of that place. She is a daughter of J. E. and Eliza- beth (Orr) Pritchard. Her father devoted his active life as millwright. To Mr. and Mrs. Farmer four children have been born, namely: Wal- lace E., born on April 23, 1889, is assisting his father in the bottling works; William C., Jr., born in 1891, is engaged in business with his father; Pau- 1642 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. line (Mrs. Hykraft, Jr., of Nevada, Missouri) was born in 1893; an d Vesta, born in 1895. Politically, Mr. Farmer is a Democrat. Fraternally, he belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and the Loyal Order of Moose. HIRAM W. DIGGINS. Hiram W. Dig-gins was a resident of Springfield for nearly thirty-five years and one of the best known railroad men in the West. He was born at La Porte, Indiana, April 30, 1837, a son of Nelson and Katie M. Dig- gins. His father’s people were from the state of New York and his mother’s people from the state of Pennsylvania. When he was two years old his people moved to a farm near Woodstock, Illinois, and Mr. Diggins grew to manhood in that section and was educated in the public schools of Wood- stock, Illinois. He first began clerking in a general merchandise store, but in 1857 commenced railroad work as freight brakeman on the Chicago & Northwestern railroad. He was promoted successively to freight conductor and passenger conductor and in 1867 he quit railroading and for one year was joint proprietor of the Beaumont hotel at Green Bay, Wisconsin. In 1869 he disposed of his hotel interest in Green Bay and came to Kansas City and was made a freight conductor on the Missouri River, Fort Scott & Gulf Railroad (later, Kansas City, Fort Scott & Memphis railroad and now a part of the Frisco system). In 1871 he went to Ottawa, Kansas, as trainmaster of the Leavenworth, Lawrence & Galveston railroad (now Southern Kansas branch of the Santa Fe). In the latter part of 1873 accompanied Octave Chanute to the Erie system and was made superin- tendent of second track work. He returned to Kansas City in the latter part of 1874 and shortly afterward took charge of construction train on Kansas-Midland railroad, building from Topeka to Kansas City. After completion of this system it was absorbed by the Santa Fe and Mr. Dig- gins was a passenger conductor on Santa Fe system from Kansas City west for a number of years. In 1879 he came to Springfield as superin- tendent of the Springfield & Western Missouri railroad, a short line which had just been purchased by the Kansas City, Fort Scott & Gulf. Mr. Dig- gins was the superintendent in charge of construction of the Kansas City, Fort Scott & Gulf railroad and Kansas City, Springfield & Memphis rail- road, joint systems in their extensions toward Kansas City and toward Memphis and he remained with the Kansas City, Ft. Scott and Memphis railroad as superintendent at Springfield from 1879 until 1895, GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1643 which time he retired from railroading and engaged in the fire insurance business with his son, A. B. Diggins. Mr. Diggins was married on November 12, 1861, to Emily Keeler, who was born in Salisburg, Vermont, July 28, 1836, a daughter of Leavens C. and Emily Norton Keeler. Mrs. Diggins' girlhood days were spent in Ver- mont, but she had reached young womanhood when her parents moved to Palatine, Illinois. Two children were born to Hiram W. and Emily K. Diggins, namely, Charles K., September 30, 1862, who died in March, 1865, and Archibald B., born on November 19, 1865. Archibald B. married Delle Bosworth, of Brunswick, Missouri, in 1886. Two children were born to this union, namely, Doris D. and Emily D. Hiram W. Diggins was a loyal Mason, a Knight Templar, being a Past Eminent Commander, and was a loyal member of the Mystic Shrine. Although a life-long Democrat, he was liberal in politics and was a man loved and respected by all who knew him and a man who never spoke ill of any one, and was stanch and loyal to his friends. The death of Hiram W. Diggins occurred on December 10, 1910. WILLIAM B. CLOUD. It was Oliver Wendell Llolmes who said that the human race is divided into two classes — those that go ahead and do something and those who sit and inquire, “Why wasn’t it done the other way.” A review of the history of the Cloud family of Greene county shows clearly that they have ever been of the former class, and therefore have not only attained a large measure of material success, but have contributed in no uncertain degree to the general development of the community which has been honored by their residence for three-quarters of a century. AVhen they cast their lot in Clay township they found a wild, sparsely settled community, and they endured the usual privations of pioneers, but being possessed of those quali- ties which turn adversity into success, they bore with brave hearts the vicissi- tudes of the early days and in due course of time became well established and at the same time did much toward the progress of that section of the county, which owes much to them. A creditable representative of this old family is William B. Cloud, who for the past eight years has filled the responsible position of clerk of the Greene County Court, being still incum- bent of the office. Up to that time he had devoted himself to general agri- cultural pursuits with ever increasing success, ranking among the best farm- ers of his native vicinity. 1^44 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. Mr. Cloud was born in section 25, Clay township, this county, October 10, 1862. He is a son of Calvin 1V1. and Elizabeth (Kirshner) Cloud. The father was a native of Granger county, Tennessee, and the mother was born m Hawkins county, that state. There they spent their childhood, were educated in the old-time subscription schools, and were married in Greene county, Missouri. Leaving their native state in 1838, they traversed the rough roads westward to Greene county, Missouri, and located in Clay township, entered land from the government, which they improved through close application and hard toil, and here spent the rest of their lives, the death of the father occurring in 1887 at the age of sixty-live years, the mother surviving until January 10, 1895, attaining about the same age as did her husband. Calvin M. Cloud was a prominent man in his township. For many years he served the people as justice of the peace, and was also clerk of the school district for some time. Politically he was a Republican. His father also entered a farm from the government in Clay township, but joined the great caravan of gold seekers across the great plains of the West to California in 1849, an< ^ there he spent the rest of his life. Our subject’s maternal grandparents also immigrated to Greene county in the early period of her history, locating in the east part of Campbell township, on the James river and Pierson creek, and there spent the rest of their lives. Calvin M. Cloud and wife were the parents of ten children, seven of whom are still living, namely: Mrs. L. F. Wills of Norwich, Kansas; John James died at Winfield, Kansas, in November, 1913; Mrs. Mary E. Wills, of Milton, Kansas; Mrs. Martha M. Gault is deceased; Mrs. Lucy A. Wrightsman, of Springfield, Missouri ; Thomas H. lives in Winfield, Kan- sas; Mrs. Sarah R. Kinser is deceased; William B., subject of this sketch; Mrs. Harriet E. Chapman, of Ozark, Missouri ; Edward C. lives near Grand- held, Oklahoma. William B. Cloud grew to manhood on the home farm and he received his education in the rural schools of Clay township, and later took a busi- ness course. He remained on the home farm, of which he owns eighty acres, which he has kept well improved and under a high state of cultiva- tion, and the buildings well repaired. He remained on the farm until he was elected clerk of the county court eight years ago, taking office on January 1, 1907. He now resides in Springfield. He has filled the office of clerk in an able and satisfactory manner, being painstaking, obliging and courteous to the public, and is popular with all who have occasion to visit the office or having dealings with the court. Mr. Cloud married, in 1886, Mary V. Patterson, who was born, reared and educated in Clay township, Greene county. She is a daughter of Will- iam Patterson, a well-known contractor and farmer who came here from Tennessee and established the family home in Clay township many years GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1645 ago. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Cloud, namely: James R., now deputy clerk under his father, married Mida Ewing, of Ozark, Missouri, and they have two children, Velma Gene and Bernice Burton; Roxie Inez, the second child of our subject, is also one of his deputies in the county clerk’s office. She married Harry T. Brundidge, Jr., of Kansas City, where he was a prominent newspaper reporter. Politically, Mr. Cloud is a Republican. He is prominent in fraternal circles, holding membership with the Knights and Ladies of Honor, Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, Modern Woodmen of America, Improved Order of Red Men, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Loyal Order of Moose. He attends the Methodist church, but Mrs. Cloud affili- ates with the Baptists. CHARLES CROWDUS. That the dairy cow can be the means through which agriculture can be put on a permanent and profitable basis is clearly shown by the history of Denmark. Forty years ago that country was on the verge of bankruptcy. The land had been run down through years of continuous grain farming. The people were poor and dissatisfied and were leaving the country for America as fast as they could get the money for their passage. A few of the far-sighted men of the country saw a possible solution of their national problem in the dairy cow. Dairying was introduced into Denmark, and now the little nation once poverty-stricken is pointed out as an example of what can be done when the proper system of farming is followed. The country is prosperous. The production of the soil has been increased to more than double what it was forty years ago. People no longer have a desire to leave, and, as a whole, they are considered among the best edu- cated and intelligent of the world. The country exports annually over seven million dollars’ worth of dairy products, to say nothing of the enormous amount consumed within its borders, and all from an area much less than one-fourth of Missouri. No country in the world is better adapted for dairying than the Ozark region, and yet it is surprising how few have become aware of this fact. Flere is a fine rolling country, a good black limestone soil, an abundance of pure spring water, a long growing season and the center of an unlimited market. Among the Greene county men who have had the sagacity to see this opportunity and take advantage of the same is Charles Crowdus, proprietor of the Crowdus Sanitary Dairy and Poultry Ranch in Campbell township, in the outskirts of Springfield, in which city he has long been well known, having for years been connected with the Heer Dry Goods store prior to taking up his present line of endeavor. 1646 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. Mr. Crowdus was born at Weatherford, Texas, April 5, 1878. He is a son of William B. and Mary (Heer) Crowdus, the latter a daughter of C. H. Heer, of Illinois. He was a native of Hanover, Germany. William B. Crowdus was born in Kentucky, from which state he came to Spring- field, Missouri, when a young man, and for a number of years engaged in the grocery business on the public square and South street. This was in 1873, forty-two years ago. In 1877 he went to Weatherford, Texas, and there his death occurred in 1879, when his son, Charles Crowdus was only a year old; his only other child, a daughter, died in infancy unnamed. Will- iam B. was a brother of J. C., J. B. and R. L. Crowdus of the Crowdus Hide & Wool Company, a widely known concern, engaging in business at Fort Worth, Texas, Oklahoma City, and St. Louis. - Charles Crowdus was brought back to Springfield by his mother soon after his father’s death, and here he grew to manhood and was educated in the parish schools, later attending Christian Brothers College at St. Joseph, and Jesuits College at St. Mary's, Kansas, also studied at Notre Dame University, South Bend, Indiana. Applying himself assiduously he took advantage of this excellent opportunity for education and became well equipped for life’s serious duties. After leaving school he was with the Heer Dry Goods store in Springfield for a period of about ten years, where he did much to make the business a success during that period. Finally tiring of the exactions of this line of endeavor he moved just south of the city limits and turned his attention to dairying and poultry raising and has made a pronounced success in both. He runs a retail route and has built up a good business in this city, finding ready sales for all his products. He is well equipped in every respect for the dairy business, having a modernly appointed dairy barn, convenient, up-to-date and sanitary in every respect, and he keeps a superior grade of cows. He makes a specialty of raising White Wyandotte poultry and has built up a good demand for his fowls and eggs. He keeps well posted on all phases of the dairy and poultry business and gives his close attention to each line. He has a cosy home on South Jefferson street. Mr. Crowdus was married on October 2, 1909, to Mary Ethelyn Taw- ing, a daughter of R. J. Lawing and wife, an influential family of Ozark, Christian county, this state. Mr. Lawing is a farmer in that vicinity and was for a number of years postmaster at Ozark. His wife was known in her maidenhood as Mary Clark, and to their marriage eight children were born, all of whom survive at this writing. Mrs. Crowdus grew to woman- hood in the vicinity of Ozark and received a good education in the local schools. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1647 To Mr. and Mrs. Crowdus two children have been born, namely: William Robert, born on June 10, 1912, and John Paul, born on June 1, 1914. Politically, our subject is a Democrat, and he is a member of St. Agnes Catholic church of Springfield. ANDREW W. MacELVENY. Inheriting many of the commendable attributes of his sterling Scotch ancestors, Andrew W. MacElveny has forged to the front in the railroad service by his individual efforts, alone and unaided, while yet a young man. He has had a vast experience in remote sections of the United States, where he has preferred to reside, although born and reared under the British flag, beyond our northern border in the land of the “mother of snows.” We have always welcomed such men as he, no matter from what clime they may hail, for he combines the essential elements that make a good citizen. Mr. MacElveny, who at present is chief clerk in the general manager’s office of the Frisco lines in Springfield, was born May 5, 1882, at Fred- ericton, New Brunswick, Canada. Pie is a son of Robert MacElveny, who was born in Scotland, from which country he immigrated to America with his parents when a young man, the family locating in the Province of New Brunswick. Early in life he began railroading, eventually becoming master mechanic for the Inter-Colonial Railway Companjr in New Brunswick, remaining there until in the eighties, when he removed with his family to Winnipeg, Province of Manitoba, where he established his permanent home and where he still resides. Andrew W. MacElveny attended St. John’s College, after passinig through the common schools and graduating from high school. Later he went to St. Paul, Minnesota, as office boy in the general offices of the North- ern Pacific Railroad Company, where he remained several years, having' been first promoted to clerk, then stenographer. The company transferred him to Tacoma, Washington, where he spent a year and a half, then returned to St. Paul for the same road and worked in the engineer's office. From there he went to Galveston, Texas, and worked for the Topeka, Atchison & Santa Fe Railroad, under E. D. Levy, who was chief clerk there for a period of four years. He became chief clerk under Mr. Levy, represent- ing him in Texas, and was for a time traveling agent. He was station agent for the Santa Fe at Rogers, Texas, for a while. He was traveling- agent for the Frisco lines for six months, and he came to Springfield in 1908 as stenographer for Mr. Levy, and later he was promoted to chief clerk of several different departments in the Frisco offices. In 1911 our GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. [648 subject was promoted to assistant superintendent of freight loss and dam- age claims; in March, 1914, he was appointed chief clerk for Mr. Levy, who is general manager of the Frisco lines, and this position he still holds. Mr. MacElveny was married on December 28, 1908, to Lillian Wilcox, of Temple, Texas, a daughter of Capt. George E. and Annie Wilcox. This union has resulted in the birth of two children, namely: Walter E. and Kath- eryn Elizabeth. Politically, Mr. MacElveny is a Democrat. Fraternally, he belongs to the Masonic Order, including St. Vincent Chapter and Solomon Lodge. THE FREEMAN FAMILY. One of the oldest, best known and honored families of Greene county is the Freemans, the first member of which, a Revolutionary soldier, braved the wilds of this locality nearly a century ago and from that day to the present time his descendants have played well their parts in the local drama of civilization and the family history is well worth perpetuation on the pages • of a volume of the nature of the one in hand. This family has not only been noted for their unflagging industry and success in material things, but also good citizens, always ready to support such measures as had for their •object the general good of the community and county, and too, they have looked well to their personal reputations. One of the best known members of this family of the present genera- tion is Rederick Flavius Freeman, who was born in Greene county, Mis- souri, October 3, 1852. He is a son of William B. and Eliza E. (Snow) Freeman. The former was born in North Carolina, August 7, 1825. He came to Missouri in early life and spent the rest of his days in Greene •county, engaged in farming and stock raising. He was married on August 11, 1851. Fie was engaged in buying cattle for the government during the Civil war, at the time of his death, September 11, 1862. His wife w r as born ■on April 13, 1834; she survived him nearly forty-seven years, dying on March 17, 1909. To William B. Freeman and wife the following' children were born: Rederick F., mentioned in the preceding paragraph, being the eldest; Sam- uel S., born on August 16, 1854; Mrs. Mollie L. Edmondson, born on Decem- ber 4, 1856; Gabriel B., born on September 23, 1858; William W., born on November 6, 1861, died July 3, 1899; Ona A., born on May 9, 1859, died on July 6, i860. The father of William B. Freeman was John Freeman, who was a son •of Will iam Freeman. The latter was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, FREEMAN AND FAMILY. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1649 having enlisted as a private in 1776, from North Carolina, under Capt. Andrew Oliver and Colonel Hogan. After his first term of enlistment of three months had expired he re-enlisted on July 20, 1878, for nine months, as a private under Captain Childs and Colonel Hart in the Tenth North Carolina Regiment. In 1781 he enlisted a third time, for three months, as a private under Captain Taylor and Colonel Eaton. He saw considerable hard service and fought gallantly for his country in such engagements as Guilford and Camden. At the time of his enlistment he resided in Bertie county, North Carolina. He applied for a pension on July 23, 1832, and his claim was allowed. At that time he lived in Burke county, North Caro- lina. His birth occurred in the former county, October 26, 1759. He spent the major portion of his life in the old Tar state, engaged in farming, but in his old age he sought a newer country and made the long overland journey with his family to Greene county, Missouri, where he spent the rest of his days, dying here on January 27, 1838, at the age of seventy-nine years. He was buried in the National Cemetery at Springfield and the gov- ernment placed an appropriate monument at his grave where lies the only Revolutionary soldier in that cemetery. William Freeman, mentioned above, married Mary Bryan in 1786. She was a daughter of Robert Bryan. Her death occurred on November 5, 1845. The record shows that their children were, in 1850, Rederick, fifty- six years old; Larry was fifty-two years old; Lemuel H. was forty-nine years old; Elizabeth and James, twins, were forty-seven years old, the former being the wife of Israel Smith. Returning to the career of Rederick Flavius Freeman: He grew to manhood o*n the home farm and assisted with the general work there when a boy. His educational advantages were somewhat limited. His business experience in life has been his best teacher, and has given him a broad com- prehension of men and things and self-reliance. He is a well-read man, posted on current matters, and he has succeeded in his life work. He is a general farmer and an extensive buyer and shipper of live stock. He has always lived in Greene county and has kept actively engaged at his chosen vocations. He is a stanch Democrat of the old school ; he thoroughly believes in the principles of his party, is an ardent worker for the cause of Democracy, but has had no time for political favors himself, yet he is always on deck at the needed time to assist his friends and his party. Rederick Flavius Freeman was married on January 20, 1876, to Mar- tha Ann Cooper. Mrs. Freeman was born on May 9, 1856, in Greene county, Missouri. She is a daughter of George W. and Zerelda E. (Goodin) Cooper, the father born on February 20, 1814, and died on November 12, 1881 ; the mother was born on December 29, 1820, and died on December (104) GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1650 29, 1884. These parents were among the early settlers of Greene county. To them the following children were born: Joseph G., born on October 15, 1839, died on October 14, 1864; Mrs. M. Jane Hardy, born on June 12, 1841; John D., born on January 3, 1843; Mrs. Nancy E. Howard, born on April 24, 1845; Mrs. Margaret E. Moore, born on March 2, 1848; A. D., born on March 10, 1850, died April 20th of that year; Robert M. E., born on May 21, 1851, died in 1905; A. A. W., born on January 26, 1854, is deceased; Martha Ann, wife of Rederick F. Freeman, and Z. A. C. New- bill, born on January 21, 1S61. Rederick Flavius Freeman and wife are members of the Presbyterian church. To Rederick Flavius Freeman and wife the following children have been born: Walter Edmond, born on April 12, 1877, was educated in the common schools of Greene county, and at an early age commenced working in the machine shops of the St. Louis & San Francisco Railroad Company at Springheld, and continued there for hve years, then engaged in the gen- eral merchandise business in Springheld, which he successfully conducted for nine years. In 1908 he was elected sheriff of Greene county with the largest majority any Democrat ever received for that office. Lie overcame a Republican majority of eight hundred and had eleven hundred and ninety- nine majority to his credit, which is sufficient evidence of his high standing in the county as a man and citizen; his term of office expired on December 31, 1912, having enjoyed the distinction of being the youngest sheriff the county ever had, and he was also the first to hold a four-years’ term, and was the last to serve while the county offices remained in the old court house, was also the first sheriff after the new court house was occupied. He was a member of the city council during the years 1905-06. He has been a prom- inent member of the Democratic County Committee for several years, and he held the office of state committeeman in 1910 and 1911. He was presi- dent during the existence of the Drovers Bank of Springfield, which went out of business in the fall of 1913. He was a director of the Peoples Bank from its organization until 1912, assisted in its organization and was one of its stockholders. At this writing he is extensively engaged .in the real estate business, handling his own property principally. He is an active Democrat, belongs to the Baptist church, and fraternally is a member of the Masonic order, the Modern Woodmen, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and also belongs to the Sons of the American Revolution. He married Lucy Gertrude Noblitt, November 22, 1899. She is a daughter of William Allen Noblitt, who was a mechanic in the Frisco shops, and his death occurred on March 23, 1888. Mr. Noblitt was a veteran of the Civil war, having enlisted for service in the Union army at Springfield in 1863, and left for the front in February, 1864, as a member of Battery I, Second Light Artillery, under Stephen H. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1 65 I Julian, and he saw considerable service, including the great battle of Nash- ville, Tennessee, December 15 and 16, 1864. He was honorably discharged and mustered out at the close of the war, after which he returned to Greene county and resided here until his death. His health was so seriously impaired while in the army that he never recovered and he died while still a young man. His wife was Nancy Tennessee Gooch, a native of the state of Tennessee from which state she came to Missouri when a child and is still living at the age of sixty-five years. She is of English and Scotch extraction. Her daughter, Mrs. Walter Edmond Freeman is a graduate of the Springfield high school. She and her husband have one child, Mildred Lucille Freeman, born on February 18, 1905, who is now attending school, assisted three of her cousins in unveiling the monument erected by the gov- ernment in the National Cemetery at Springfield over the grave of her ances- tor, William Freeman, who was a veteran of the American Revolution. There was a large gathering and appropriate speeches were made during the ceremony of the unveiling. Mrs. Walter E. Freeman has one sister, Mrs. Josie Chapman, who resides in Springfield; also one brother, Ernest Allen Noblitt, also of Springfield. John Guy Freeman, second son of Rederick Flavius Freeman and wife, was born on November 17, 1879. He now resides about ten miles north of Springfield, where he owns a large farm and is extensively engaged in raising live stock. Politically, he is a Democrat. He was married to Mar- garet Shelledy r , May 3, 1901. She is a daughter of Leander Nelson Shell- edy, who was born on April 27, 1840, in Edgar county, Illinois, but left there at an early" age for Kansas, where he was living at the outbreak of the Civil war and there he enlisted in the Union army on July 21, 1862, and participated in numerous important engagements, remaining in the service until the close of the war, having been mustered out on July 17, 1865. Not long thereafter he came to Greene county, Missouri, where he lived until his death, April 7, 1906. He married Mrs. Sarah A. Pitt, November 5, 1877. Her maiden name was Calkin. Mrs. Margaret Freeman’s father was previously married, by which one son was born, Allen A. Shelledy, who saw service as a private during the entire Spanish- American war, being mustered out on August 16, 1899. tie then went to the Philippine Islands where he has continued to reside and has been successful in his work there. The mother of Mrs. Margaret Freeman had four children by her first mar- riage, namely: Marvin A. Pitt, who lives north of Springfield, Missouri; Sidney Pitt, who is now living in Roswell, New Mexico; Mrs. Elizabeth Freeman lives in Kansas; and Mrs. Nellie Givins lives in Oklahoma. Mrs. Margaret Freeman has the following brothers and sisters: James E. Shell- edy is living in Dalhart, Texas; Charles C. lives in Greene county, Missouri; Mrs. Charles M. Trankham lives in Greene county, Missouri; Henry A. 1652 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. Shelledy is at this writing a student in the University of Missouri at Colum- bia ; Mrs. Ruth McCroskey lives in Greene county, this state. John Guy Freeman and wife have one child, Hal, born on August 23, 1907 ; Charles Emmett, horn on May 10, 1881, married Gertrude Johnston, April 12, 1903, and they have one child, Edna May, born on May 23, 1906; Harry Frank, born on June 26, 1882, married Ruby Stovall, September 25, 1904, and to them two children have been born, Grace Marie, whose birth occurred on September 23, 1905; and Harry Bryan, whose birth occurred on October 15, 1909; Harry Frank Freeman has resided in Springfield for several years and been a member of the police department and is now deputy sheriff of Greene county. Dr. Samuel Flavius, fifth' child of Reclerick F. Freeman and wife, was born in the old Freeman neighborhood, near Heady, September 27, 1884, was educated in the common schools of his district, later spending one year in Morrisville College, in Polk county, also spent one term at the Missouri State Normal and four years in the American Medical College at St. Louis, from which he was graduated in 1909. Fie took a post-graduate course at St. Louis University in 1912. His special work has been diseases of children in which he has met with great success. He commenced practicing his profession in Elwood, Greene county, remain- ing there three years, then moved to Springfield in 1912 where he is now located and is building up a satisfactory business as a general practitioner and a specialist on the diseases of children. He is a member of the South- west Missouri, State and National Eclectic Medical Societies. Fie has held the office of county physician for Greene county since 1909, which he still retains, the duties of which he is discharging in a highly acceptable man- ner. Fraternally, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, the Royal Neighbors and the Mystic Workers, American Yeomen, and Knights of Pythias. Politically, he is a Democrat, and religiously a mem- ber of of the Baptist church, of which he is a deacon. Doctor Freeman mar- ried Liela Jessie Bennett, November 25, 1909; she is a daughter of William P. and Alice (Mooney) Bennett, a well-known and substantial family who live on a farm near Elwood where Mrs. Freeman was reared and educated in the public schools, later attending Morrisville College. She has the fol- lowing brothers and sisters : Dr. Floyd W. Bennett, a practicing physician of St. Louis, Missouri; Gert M. Bennett lives in Denver, Colorado; John F. Bennett, who lives at Englewood, Colorado, is a deputy sheriff of Arapahoe county; Gola May Bennett is the wife of William Jones, of Elwood, this county, also Herschel David at home. Doctor Freeman and wife have one child, Flavius Bennett Freeman, who was born at Elwood on May 30, 1911. The three younger children of Rederick F. Freeman and wife were named as follows: Della Maud, born on February 28, 1886, married Harvey Tiller, April 29, 1906, and they have two children, Dwight Freeman, born GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1653 in July, 1907; and Helen Blanche, born in January, 1911; Harley Gabriel, born on November 23, 1889, married Madge Gately on October 10, 1909, and they have one child, Frances Muriel, born on October 5, 1 9 1 1 ; George Porter, eighth and youngest of the children, was born on February 22, 1892, married Stella Keech, April 20, 1912, and they have one child, Jessie Wanetta, born on February 19, 1914. Thus from the foregoing paragraphs it will be seen that the various members of the Freeman family are well situated in life, are good citizens and deserving of the high respect in which they are held. HERBERT W. PIGG. A man’s life work is the measure of his success, and he is truly the most successful man who, turning his powers into the channel of an honor- able purpose, accomplishes the object of his endeavor. In the study of every man’s life we find some main-spring of action, something that he lives for, and in Plerbert W. Pigg, of Springfield, it seems to have been an ambi- tion to make the best use of his native and acquired powers and develop in himself a true manhood. For many years he was engaged in railroad service holding responsible office positions with the great Frisco system, but at this writing he is incumbent of the office of deputy internal revenue col- lector in which he is making a commendable record. Mr. Pigg was born on December 11, 1872, in Madison county, Ken- tucky, being the scion of a sterling old Southern family, the son of Louis P. and Susie (Ballard)' Pigg, both natives of Kentucky. Louis P. Pigg moved from the Blue Grass state to Clay county, Missouri, when our sub- ject was three years old and later located in Kansas City where he became a successful business man, engaging in the wholesale and retail grocery business in Kansas City for a number of years, building up a large trade and accumulating a competency. He retired from active life a few years ago. He is now about seventy-eight years of age and his wife is about seventy-six years old. During the Civil war he cast his lot with the South- ern Confederacy, serving three years in a gallant manner, taking part in many of the important engagements and campaigns in the South. Six children were born to Louis P. Pigg and wife, named as follows: Nora is deceased; Herbert W. of this sketch; Minnie lives in Kansas City; B. J. is deceased; Odie W. lives in Kansas City; and D. George who lives in Kansas City. Herbert W. Pigg attended the ward and high schools of Kansas City, later spent two terms at Center College, Danville, Kentucky and also took GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1654 a commercial course in Kansas City at Spaulding’s Business College. After his graduation from the business college, he accepted a position with the Kansas City, Ft. Scott & Memphis Railroad Company in Kansas City, continuing in the work there, being promoted from time to time, until Octo- ber 1, 1901, when he came to Springfield, Missouri, after the consolidation of the above named road with the St. Louis & San Francisco Railroad Company. He had been in office work for the former road all the while and upon coming here he became assistant chief clerk in the mechanical department, which lie held until he resigned to take his present position, having been appointed deputy internal revenue collector, April 1, 1915. He is discharging the duties of this important position of trust in a manner that reflects much credit upon himself and to the entire satisfaction of the -department. While in the employ of the Kansas City, Ft. Scott & Mem- phis Railroad Company in Kansas City, Mr. Pigg studied medicine under Dr. Charles F. Wainwright, dean of University Medical College, Kansas City; our subject never completed his course in medicine due to the fact that Doctor Wainwright left Kansas City, going to New York where he later died. Mr. Pigg was married on May 22, 1895, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Hazel L. Lesueur. Politically he is a Democrat, and has long been active and influential in the affairs of his party. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and he affiliates with the Christian church. Personally he is a well informed, broad-minded, companionable and genteel gentleman in every respect, and he and his talented wife are in every way deserving of the high esteem in which they are universally held. Mr. Pigg’s death occurred very suddenly on June 22, 1915, due to an attack of heart trouble. HENRY WEBB PORTER. The final causes which shape the fortunes of individual men and the destinies of states are often the same. They are usually remote and obscure; their influence wholly unexpected until declared by results. When they inspire men to the exercise of courage, self-denial, enterprise, industry and call into play the higher moral elements; lead men to risk all upon convic- tion, faith — such causes lead to the planting of great states, great nations, great peoples. That country is the greatest which produces the greatest and most manly men, and the intrinsic safety depends not so much upon methods and measures as upon that true manhood from whose deep sources all that is precious and permanent in life must at last proceed. Such a result may not be consciously contemplated by the individuals instrumental GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1655 in the production of a country; pursuing each his personal good by exalted means, they work out this as a logical result; they have wrought on the lines of the greatest good. When the life of one such individual ends, we look back over the pathway he had trod and note its usefulness, its points worthy of emulation and perpetuation. What the late Henry Webb Porter, successful attorney-at-law and self-made man of Springfield, did for his fellowmen and the communities honored by his citizenship, in general might, in a manner, be told in words, but its far-reaching influences cannot be measured. He was in touch with the people, and from a sincere and deep- felt interest in their welfare labored for all that would prove of public benefit until the busy and useful life was ended. Mr. Porter was born in Shelbyville, Tennessee, November 27, 1S35. He was a son of William and Judith (Reeves) Porter, the father a native of New Jersey and the mother a native of Tennessee. They grew up in their respective localities and received limited educations in the schools of the early days. William Porter came to Tennessee when young in years and there married, and he devoted his active life to agricultural pursuits, at one time operating an extensive tobacco plantation. He removed with his family from Tennessee to Greene county, Missouri, in 1855, and bought a farm north of Springfield, securing same from the government, and this land he developed by hard work and lived on the place until 1864, then moved on a farm in Arkansas, where he spent the rest of his life. He became a prosperous farmer and influential man in his community. His death occurred on December 16, 1878. His family consisted of eleven sons, ten of whom grew to manhood, but only two of them are living at this writing; they were named as follows: Granville and Benjamin, twins, are deceased; Peter, deceased; Abner is living; William, deceased; Robert, deceased; Jesse is living; Henry W., our subject, and John, deceased, were twins; Felix, deceased; the youngest child died in infancy. Henry W. Porter grew to manhood in Tennessee and he received a limited education in the public schools there and in Greene county, Missouri, having been twenty years of age when he removed here with the rest of the family. He spent his boyhood on his father’s farm and assisted with the general work on the same. He studied at home, became a well-read man and, studying law, was admitted to the bar and practiced many years with much success. He was well versed in all phases of the law, and was a forceful and earnest pleader at the bar. He also took a great interest in political affairs, and was active and influential in the Democratic party. He held a number of public offices, always with credit to himself and satis- faction to all concerned. He was an able and strong worker for the cause of temperance. Mr. Porter removed with the family to Arkansas in 1864 and resided GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. i6 5 6 in that state until 1902, when he returned to Greene county, and lived in Springfield about four years, being then retired. His death occurred in Arkansas on March 5, 1914. Mr. Porter was married in Greene county on March 17, 1865, to Matilda J. Bedell, who was born at Ebenezer, in the northeastern part of Greene county, February 2, 1837, and she grew to womanhood on the old Bedell farm near that village and received her education in the public schools there. This old homestead was entered from the government in 1830 by Mrs. Porter's mother, and the farm has never gone to owners out- side the Bedell family. The Bedells are among the pioneer and well-known families of Greene county. Mrs. Porter is a daughter of David H. and Marina (Wallace) Bedell, both being born in North Carolina, where they grew up, attended the old-time schools and were married. They made the long overland journey from that state to Greene county, Missouri, in early pioneer days, and here endured the hardships and privations incident to all frontier people of those times. By hard work and close application, good management and economy, they became well established in due course of time, and spent the rest of their lives on their farm here, his death occur- ring shortly before the breaking out of the Civil war, and she died during the war. They were noted for their honesty and hospitality, and were well known to the pioneers here. The family of Henry W. Porter consisted of twelve children, five of whom are living at this writing, namely: Mahlon, Judith, Edward, John, are all deceased; Melissa lives at Springfield; Charles lives in Arkansas ; Mira and Mary, twins, are deceased ; Laura, deceased ; Walter lives in Arkansas; Sadie lives in Virginia ; Fannie lives in Little Rock, Arkansas. Mrs. Melissa Hulett, fifth child of our subject, was born on October 10, 1870, in Eveningshade, Arkansas, and there she grew to womanhood and received her education in the public and high schools. On December 27, 1893, she was married in Arkansas to Ezra Hulett. Soon thereafter they removed to Boonville, Missouri, where they continued to reside until 1902, when they located in Springfield, where they have since resided. Mr. Hulett was a cabinetmaker by trade, a highly skilled workman, and later he became a successful contractor. He was born on May 1, 1866, in Roche- port, Atchison county, Missouri. He was a son of Andrew and Anne (Clark) Hulett. Mr. Clark, father of Anne Clark, was a pioneer of Boon- ville, this state. The death of Ezra Hulett occurred on October 31, 1913. His family consisted of four children, namely: Lucile, born on October 24, 1894, is single and lives at home; Matilda, born on November 26, 1895, died January 18, 1898; Blanche, born on January 1, 1898; Mary, born on November 6, 1902. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1 &57 Politically, Mr. Hulett was a Democrat. Fraternally, he belonged to the Modern Woodmen of America. Mrs. Hulett and daughters are members of St. Paul’s Methodist Epis- copal church, South, and she belongs to the auxiliary of the Young Wom- en’s Christian Association. She is active in church work and has a wide circle of friends. She owns a beautiful home on South Campbell street. WILLIAM LAFAYETTE TURNER, M. D. Belonging to Greene county’s enterprising class of professional men, Dr. William Lafayette Turner, of Galloway, Clay township, is deserving of specific mention in these pages. To the active practice of medicine he has given, not only the gravity of his thought and the truest exercise of his abilities, but the strength of his personality and the momentum of his char- acter. He is a physician of discriminating mind, keen and acute in reason- ing, a patient and persistent investigator, sinking his inquiring lead down to the bottom of principles, and thereby, , being enabled to better and more fully understand the case or cases to be treated, and consequently he meets with a high degree of success. Doctor Turner was born near Marshfield, Webster county, Missouri, July 17, 1871. He is a son of Robert N. and Sarah F. (Cox) Turner. The father was born in Webster county, this state, in 1843, was reared on the farm and received a meager education in the early-day schools. He worked for his father on the homestead until he was married, then began working at the carpenter’s trade, at which he became quite expert and which he has made his principal life work. Has also done considerable contract- ing. Naturally talented as a musician he made himself proficient in that art and for some time taught music during the winter months when there was no carpenter work. About 1899 he moved to Texas where he remained some three years, then went to Ft. Smith, Arkansas, and established his home, and in that city his death occurred on March 12, 1914. Politically, he was a Democrat, and he belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church, South. His wife was also a native of Webster county, Missouri, where she grew to womanhood and \kas educated, her birth having occurred in February, 1841. She is still living in Springfield. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal, church. South. To these parents ten children were born, namely: Doctor William L., of this sketch; Mrs. Hepsabeth Straughan, Robert J., John B., who lives in Ft. Smith, is the inventor of the automatic street car switch which is in use all over the country; Lucy, Jessie P., Mrs. Nellie Guthrie, Della, Oma and Lee. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 3658 Doctor Turner grew to manhood on the home farm in Webster county and there he assisted with the general work during the summer months. He received his education in the public schools of his native county, later attended high school at Marshfield, and when nineteen years of age he began life for himself as a teacher. He kept up home study and in 1895 was enabled to enter the Springfield Normal where he spent a year, then studied two years at Drury College, after which he resumed teaching, which vocation he fol- lowed for some time in Greene and Webster counties. He gave a high degree of success as an educator and his services were in large demand, but believing that his true bent lie in another direction, he abandoned the school room in 1901 and began the study of medicine, entering Barnes Medical Col- lege, St. Louis, he remained in that institution until his graduation in 1906, making an excellent record. Returning to Marshfield he remained there a short time, then located for the practice of his profession at Galloway, Greene county, where he has since remained, and has built up a large and growing practice and is regarded among the leading general practitioners in this section of the country. He owns a pleasant home on the Springfield and Ozark road. Doctor Turner was married 'on July 18, 1901, to Joel P. Haden, who was born in Greene county, Missouri, April 22, 1883. She is a daughter of Joel H. and Nancy A. (Beshears) Haden. The father was born in this county, December 4, 1847, and here grew up on a farm and received a common school education. During the Civil war he served in the Home Guards, seeing considerable service in his native county. After the war he returned to the farm, and has followed general agricultural pursuits, being now owner of a valuable and well-improved farm of three hundred acres. He has long made a specialty of raising fine live stock, and is an excellent business man, well known and influential in his vicinity. Politi- cally he is a Democrat. His wife was born in this county, December 2, 1858, and here she grew to womanhood and was educated in the public schools. Mrs. Turner was reared on the home farm and was g'iven good educa- tional advantages. To Doctor Turner and wife six children have been born namely: Edith, deceased; Retha, deceased; Joel, Fred, Mary and Pinkney are all at home. Politically, Doctor Turner is a Democrat. He is a member of the Greene County Medical Society, and the Missouri State Medical Association. Religiously, he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church, South. He is a man of exemplary habits and is popular with all classes. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. !659 L. W. PRESTON. L. W. Preston was born in Boyle county, Kentucky, July 13, i860. 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 Inde- pendent 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 rub- ber 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 establish- ments of its character in the city of Springfield is the L. W. Preston Car- riage Company. L. W. Preston is the proprietor and manager of this con- cern, 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 i66o GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. prepared to do all kinds of carriage repairing. He has four departments, the woodshop and the smithing departments being located on the ground lfoor, the painting and trimming departments on the second door 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. i 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 daugh- ter of and Sarah A. (Orcutt) Follett. The mother was twice married. Airs. Preston was brought to Springfield, Missouri, when young, and here she received her education in the high school. Her step- father died soon after the family located in Springfield. The union of our subject and wife has been without issue. The pleas- ant Preston residence is on Cherry street. Politically, Mr. Preston is a Democrat. Fraternally, he belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. LEWIS E. CHAPPELL. The influence of a good dairy in any locality can hardly be measured in money value. A good example of how the dairy will pulverize the farm mortgages and establish bank accounts may be seen in the transformations which have taken place in some of the localities of the Ozarks during the past few years. The value of well-managed dairies has been manifest in the growth of bank accounts. The real value of dairying to the farmers in any community is not in the fact alone that the keeping of cows will increase the fertility of the soil and make the farm more productive, but the big thing is the fact that every time a farmer takes a can of milk to the market he has increased his credit with every man he has dealings with in the community. One of the leading dairymen of Greene county is Lewis E. Chappell, whose sanitary and modernly equipped dairy and well-kept farm is located just southeast of Springfield. Air. Chappell was born on March 7, 1854, in the state of New York. He is a son of S. E. and Cordelia M. (Baker) Chappell. The father died in 1902; the mother’s death occurred in i860. They were both natives of New York state, and there they grew up and were married. They received GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1661 good educations, the father being a graduate of Hamilton College in his native state, and the mother was a graduate of Bosser College in Pough- keepsie, that state. They spent their active lives in agricultural pursuits. When our subject was three years of age he removed with his parents to Cass county, Michigan, where they lived until our subject was twelve years of age, and where the death of his mother occurred, and while there the Civil war came on and the father enlisted, in 1861, in Edwmsburg, in a Michigan regiment, and he was made hospital steward, in which capacity he served for two years, then spent two years more as a regular soldier and saw considerable hard service. After being honorably discharged from the sendee he returned to Michigan, where he made his home most of the time during the rest of his life. Lewis E. Chappell spent his boyhood on the farm in Michigan and he received a common school education. In 1866 he went with an uncle to Henry county, Missouri, and settled on a farm, where our subject remained seven years, or until he was nineteen years old, when he went to Montana with Doctor Hayden, a government surveyor, and with him cov- ered a large portion of the upper Rocky Mountain country, remaining in the West eight } r ears, spending the latter part of the time in Mexico. Then returning to Henry county, Missouri, he remained there three years, carry- ing the .mail on a star route, during which time he traveled in every state in the Union. In 1895 he came to Greene county, rented a farm on which he soon had a good start, and in 1906 he bought eighty acres southeast of Springfield, about two miles from town, and this he has improved, erect- ing most of his buildings, wdiich are modern and substantial, conveniently arranged for a dairy, including a large milk house, silo, etc. He started out with six cows and on rented land, and by industry, good management and honest dealings with his customers, he has gradually built up one of the most extensive, up-to-date and most desirable dairies in the Southwest, and his products are finding a ready market at all seasons owing to their superior qual- ity. He milks his evening milk separately, puts the cream on ice, and it is taken out in the morning, and he puts it on the market without any “doctoring" — - selling four per cent, milk from Holstein, Durham and Jersey cows, all a good grade and kept in the best of health, his herd now consisting of forty cows. He uses a gasoline engine to run his separator, all his mixed grade being four per cent. He runs two wagons to the city to haul his milk to market. His dairy is under the name of L. E. Chappell & Sons. Mr. Chappell was married on March 1, 1882, to Nancy Jane Norris, who was born in Ohio, where her family had long resided. To our subject and wife six children have been born, namely: Blanche, born in 1879, married Doctor McCandless, of Kansas City; Ruth, born in 1892, married Henry LeCompte, and they live in Springfield; Fred, born in 1884, is assist- 1 662 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. ing his father in the dairy business; Nettie, born in 1891, married H. B. McCammon, and they live in Colorado; Charles J., born in 1893, is also with his father in the dairy business; Esther, born in 1896, married Lem Fisher, and they live in Springfield. Politically, Mr. Chappell is a Republican, and fraternally he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. DAVID ULYSSES SHERMAN, Mu D. Why any man is made, who knows? Why any life is, from snails to gods, who is to tell? Why you are what you are, why some men are what they are; the influences and causes which made them so, and how far the causes and influences were voluntary, or accidental — in short, whether we make our own destiny, or have it made for us — who shall solve the eternal riddle? These are things which none of us can fathom, but all of us can make the most of the little life which is ours, as has been the case with Dr. David Ulysses Sherman, one of the well-known physicians of Spring- field, and, by doing our best “between these walls of time,” as he is evi- dently striving to do, we may be a blessing to ourselves, our families and the human race. Doctor Sherman was born at Henderson, Webster county, Missouri, September 29, 1871. He is a son of Henry Sherman, born near Idlebury, Germany, March 10, 1836, and he spent his young manhood in his native land, where he was educated, and in 1854, with two brothers,' he immi- grated to the United States, also a sister accompanied him, and they settled in Butler county, Pennsylvania. Four years later Henry Sherman and his sister came to Missouri, locating on a farm near Henderson, Webster county. He had learned the blacksmith’s trade in Germany, at which he continued to work in connection with farming after taking up his residence in the new world. Pie proved his loyalty to his adopted country in 1861 by enlist- ing in the Union army, in which he served six months as a private, then was assigned to the government horseshoeing shops in Springfield, Missouri, these shops occupying the present site of the Colonial hotel. He was later transferred to the government shops in St. Louis, where he was retained until the close of the war. Ide was an expert in his trade and gave every satisfaction. After his discharge he returned to Webster county and built a shop on his farm, where he did the custom work for miles around, and succeeded in due course of time in hammering out on the anvil five hun- dred acres of choice farming land in that county. He was one of the best known blacksmiths in that part of the state, and many of his patrons came GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1663 from remote sections of the country. He married Rhoda N. Hardy in 1855. His death occurred in 1907. She was a native of Virginia, from which state she made the long overland journey, when a child, with her parents; the family made the trip in an old-fashioned wagon, drawn by an ox team. They settled at Henderson, Missouri. Mrs. Sherman's mother was of Irish ancestry, and both she and Mr. Hardy were members of the Presbyterian church, devout Christians, doing much church work, being always ready with their time and money to do anything to further the interest of the church, and they assisted in building many new churches; their home was always open to ministers and church workers. The death of the mother of Doctor Sherman occurred in 1904. Seven sons and one daughter were born to Henry Sherman and wife, namely: William E., who lives on a farm near Henderson, Missouri ; Henry O. lives on a farm near Fordland, this state; Charles C. is engaged in the hardware business in Fordland; James D. and Obit D. are both farmers near Fordland; Lucian L. makes his home at Elmonte, California, and is a bookkeeper by profes- sion; Dr. David U., of this sketch; and Mrs. Mattie Cobb, who lives at Boulder, Colorado. Doctor Sherman grew to manhood on the home farm in Webster county, where he worked hard when a boy during the summer months and in the winter time he attended the old district schools there, the old school house located on his father's farm, later entering the Henderson Academy, from which he was graduated in 1891. In September, 1895, he entered the Beaumont Hospital, at St. Louis, where he took the prescribed medical course, and was graduated with the class of 1897-98. Soon there- after he came to Greene county and began practicing his profession at Elwood, where he remained ten years, enjoying an excellent country prac- tice; in fact, it is safe to say that no country physician in this part of the state had a more extensive practice during that period than he. In order to further fit himself for his chosen vocation, he took the post-graduate work in the Chicago Post-Graduate Medical School in 1896. and at once removed to Springfield, where he has remained to the present time and has. built up a very satisfactory practice. Doctor Sherman is a member of the Greene Countv Medical Society, of which he is ex-president; also a member of the Southwest Missouri Med- ical Society, the Missouri State Medical Association and the American Medical Association. Fraternally, he belongs to the Royal Arch Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Royal Neighbors of America. Politically, he is a Republican, and religiously he belongs to the Methodist church. Doctor Sherman married Julia Belle Gault on September 12, 1895. She was born in September, 1870, six miles east of Springfield on the James 1 664 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. river, in Greene county, Missouri. She is a daughter of Walter B. Gault, of Irish ancestry, one of the early pioneers of Greene county, and he was one of the successful and well-known farmers of the eastern part of the county, and he did much to promote the general good of the county, having been ambitious to place it in the front rank of the counties of the state, which position it now occupies. During the Civil war Mr. Gault was a soldier in the Union army, and was commissioned lieutenant for meritorious service. Mrs. Sherman grew to womanhood in her native vicinity and received her education in the district schools and the Henderson Academy, at Hen- derson, Missouri, from which institution she was graduated, after which she began teaching, which she followed successfully for a period of nine years. On account of the death of her parents when she was young, she was left to depend upon her own resources, and she succeeded in becoming one of the most popular teachers in her section of the state. To Doctor Sherman and wife two children have been born, David Orlando Sherman, whose birth occurred at Elwood, Missouri, January 16, 1896; he is at this writing a student in the Springfield high school, where he is making an excellent record. S. A. BAKER. It will always be a mark of distinction to have served the Union during the great Civil war between the states. The old soldier will receive attention no matter where he goes if he will but make himself known. And when he passes away, as so many of them are now doing, friends will pay him a suitable eulogy for the sacrifices he made a half century ago on the san- guinary fields of battle in the Southland or in the no less dreaded prison, fever camp or hospital. And ever afterward his descendants will revere his memory and take pride in recounting his services for his country in its hour of peril. One of the eligible citizens for special mention in the present volume is S. A. Baker, formerly a successful bricklayer and plasterer, but now engaged in the grocery business in Springfield, partly because he is one of the old soldiers who went forth in that great crisis in the sixties to assist in saving the union of states, and partly because he has led an honorable life. He is a plain, unassuming gentleman who has sought to do his duty in all the relations of life as he has seen and understood the right. Mr. Baker was born in Washington county, Arkansas, June 10, 1844. He is a son of S. A. and Terice (Looper) Baker. The father was born ' ! S. A. BAKER. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1665 in Massachusetts, in 1806, and was reared on historic Bunker Hill, Boston. Mis death occurred in Springfield, Missouri, December 24, 1863. The mother was born in North Carolina, December 9, 1823, and her death -occurred on January 19, 1904. These parents received a limited education, came West when young and were married in Arkansas in 1843. S. A. Baker, grandfather of our subject, was born in Massachusetts, being of an •old family of New England. His father was also S. A. Baker, and he was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, which fact made our subject eligible for membership in the organization of Sons of the American Revolution. The father of our subject was a bricklayer by trade, also a plasterer. For some time he owned a farm in Arkansas, having been an early settler in Washington county. From there he removed with his family to Spring- field, Missouri, during war times, 1863, and his death occurred soon there- after. His son, our subject, had come here the year previous. He was the only child. The gentleman whose name introduces this sketch grew to manhood in Arkansas and there attended the common schools, receiving a fairly good education, for those times. He was compelled to leave school when the war broke out. In vacations he worked at surveying and in learning the brick- layer's and plasterer’s trades under his father. He came to Springfield and enlisted, on September 4, 1862, in the First Arkansas Cavalry, Company L, under Capt. John Bonine, and he saw considerable hard service. He was in the battle of Fayetteville, in April, 1863, and three other engagements, also the battle of Prairie Grove and numerous skirmishes, being in eight reg- ular engagements in all. He proved to be a faithful soldier and was hon- orably discharged in Fayetteville on August 23, 1865. Remaining in Ar- kansas until the following January, he came to Springfield and worked at the bricklayer’s trade, which he continued until nearly twelve years ago, having become quite proficient. He spent a number of years in the employ of the Ash Grove Lime Kiln works, building and repairing lime kilns. Owing to an accident which injured his eye, he was compelled to give up his trade, so he engaged in the grocery business at 635 West Chestnut street, and has remained in this stand since February 23, 1903. He has built up a very satisfactory trade, and carries an excel- lent line of staple and fancy groceries. He owns his place of business, as well as a fine brick home adjoining. Mr. Baker was married on February 26, 1900, in Greenfield, Missouri, to Mvrtle Henry. She is the daughter of David and Martha Jane (Morris) Henry. She was bom in Danville, Illinois, December 25. 1875. When she was a small child her parents moved with her to Kansas, where she received '( 105) 1 666 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. her education. They later moved to Greenfield, Missouri. Mrs. Baker is a member of the First Christian church here, and is also a member of the Ladies’ Circle. Politically, Mr. Baker is a Republican. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, also the Sons of the American Revolution as before indicated. He belongs to the First Christian church. BERT S. LEE. One of the most conspicuous figures in the commercial circles of Springfield and Greene county of the present generation is Bert S. Lee, a man actively identified with the business and industrial interests of this section of the Ozarks and for a number of years widely known as one of the leading members of the Masonic Order in Missouri. Equally noted as a citizen whose useful career has conferred credit upon the community and whose marked abilities and stirring qualities have won for him much more than local repute, he holds today distinctive precedence as one of the most progressive and successful men that ever inaugurated and carried to satis- factory termination large and important undertakings in this locality. Strong mental powers, invincible courage and a determined purpose that hesitate at no opposition have so entered into his composition as to render him a dominant factor in the business world and a leader of men in notable enterprises. Fie is essentially a man of affairs — sound of judgment and far-seeing in what he undertakes, and every enterprise to which he has addressed himself has resulted in a large measure of material success. Mr. Lee was born in Marshfield, Webster county, Missouri, October 30, 1871. Lie is a son of Joshua L. and Cynthia (Perry) Lee. Bert S. Lee removed to Springfield during his youthful period, and there attained man’s estate and made it his permanent residence. Educa- tional advantages were obtained in the public schools and Drury College in that city. Fie grew and expanded with the environment, becoming identi- fied strongly with the business, social and moral interests of the community to which he contributes energy, fellowship and exemplification of those influences which tend toward the elevation of erring humanity. Endowed with executive ability in managing business affairs, he was entrusted by the Hobart-Lee Tie Company with the handling of its finances in the posi- tion of secretary and treasurer, which position he has held continuously since its organization in 1891, having been one of the potent factors in building up this firm, which ranks with the leading firms of its kind in the Southwest, handling large quantities of railroad supplies, especially ties, GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1667 for the Frisco system. For several years he has been a director of the Springheld Grocery Company, one of the largest and best known wholesale grocery houses of southwest Missouri, and is now president of the corpo- ration and is managing its affairs in an able and eminently satisfactory man- ner. Interested with the Branson Town Company and the Arkansas Min- ing and Mercantile Company, he is the secretary and treasurer of each. Mr. Lee was married on December 27, 1893, to Mabelle Lingsweiler, a daughter of John G. and Emma R. (Ostrander) Lingsweiler, a prominent family of Lebanon, Missouri. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Lee has been graced by the birth of five children, named as follow: John Lawrence, Francis Theodore, Raymond Fitshugh, Mabelle Lucille and Richard Albert. They are receiving excellent educational advantages and are all youngsters of much promise. Politically, Mr. Lee is a Democrat and is loyal in the support and work of that party, and yet not with ambition to become a political leader. While not the sport of common parlance, he has sporting procilivities grow- ing out of his social nature, and holds membership in the James River Hunt- ing and Fishing Club, the Country Club, the Springfield Club, and the Young Men’s Business Club. He is president of the Springfield Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution. Identified with the Young Men’s Chris- tion Association of Springfield, he is one of the directors, president of the board and a trustee of the association. AVhen the energetic and enthusiastic members of the Masonic Fraternity of his city determined to provide a sub- stantial meeting place in and by the erection of a splendid temple building, he was designated on the first committee of arrangement and plans, and became one of the board of directors of the association and its treasurer. In religious matters he is equally active, being a member of St. Paul's Meth- odist Episcopal church, South ; he has for over fifteen years conducted its Sunday school as superintendent; he is one of the trustees of the church and chairman of the finance committee of the board of stewards. Before this municipality of affairs all had inception Mr. Lee became interested in Freemasonry and in Sparta Lodge No. 296, located at Sparta, in Christian county, on March 31, 1893, h e was ma de a Master Mason. Transferring membership to Gate of the Temple Lodge No. z[22 of Spring- field, he served as worshipful master in 1899, 1900 and 1907. Since 1901 he has been district lecturer of his Masonic district, and from 1904. presi- dent of the Masonic Board of Relief of Springfield. In Yincil Chapter No. no, Royal Arch Masons, on September 24, 1897, he was exalted to the Royal Arch degree, and served it as high priest in 1901 and 1908. O11 April 24, 1901, he was anointed, consecrated and set apart to the Holy Order of High Priesthood at the grand convention held in the city of St. Louis. He serves the Grand Chapter as chairman of important committees i668 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. and is the representative of Tennessee near the Grand Chapter of Missouri. At the resuscitation of Zabud Council No. 25 of the city of Springfield, he was one of the few who were ready to extend a helping hand, petitioned for its instruction, and on May 17, 1904, received the degrees of Royal and Select Master. Devoting himself to its interests, he was elected thrice illus- trious master in the years 1905, 1906 and 1907, and his fidelity, energy and enthusiasm contributed largely toward the enviable condition which Zabud has attained among the councils of the state. In April, 1905, he was appointed grand marshal, and was regularly advanced-, becoming grapd master in April, 1910. His record in that important position shows that he accomplished much for the propagation of the Cryptic system. At the tri- ennial assembly of the General Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of the United States of America, held in Indianapolis, Indiana, September 9, 1912, he was honored by his companions by being elected to the position of general grand steward of the United States. The Grand Jurisdiction of Rhode Island honored him with a com- mission as its representative near the Grand Council of Missouri. The orders of Christian Knighthood were conferred upon him on November 4, 1897, in St. John’s Commandery No. 20, Knights Templars, stationed at Springfield, and in 1902 he was elected its commander. In the Grand Com- mandery of Knights Templars of the State of Missouri, in April, 1904, he was appointed grand warder, subsequently elected by the suffrage of his fraters, he served in every station in the line except one and became grand commander in May, 1911, closing the year of service at Cape Girardeau, May 29, 1912. That it was strenuous the record shows, and if no other tablet ever appears distinctively many will be found reproduced by memory to consciousness for courteous treatment under his command. A commis- sion from Virginia authorizes him to respond for that Templar jurisdiction in the Grand Commandery of Missouri. In 1907, St. Andrew Conclave No. 11 of Joplin, created him a Knight of the Red Cross of Constantine and appendant orders. He attained the thirty-second degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite in 1906 by Joplin Consistory No. 3. He is a Noble of the Mystic Shrine, postulated in 1903 to Abou-Ben-Adhem Temple of Springfield. Thus is portrayed, in part at least, the accomplishment of a busy man. It was attained through the solving of an economic problem : The art by which human needs and comforts are applied. The systematic use of time, free to everybody, but frequently wasted by injudicious application and the further fact that the average possessor is not stimulated to an economy of time by necessity arising through desire to make it count in weight and power as it passes to the wheel. Prompt, reliable and responsible, he main- tains dignity, being genial, affable and courteous, none have difficulty in GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1669 approach; careful of his antagonisms, he preserves friendships. Of strong religious inclination, he has faith in things not perceived, and is affected morally somewhat after the philosophy of Kant, “Act so that the maxim of thy will can likewise be valid as a principle of universal legislation.” Mr. Lee is yet young, has barely passed the inception of usefulness to his fellows. His methods demonstrated contain the elements which point to a successful culmination of the divine purpose in the bestowal of life, and the future years will evidently find his advancement further in paths of honor and righteousness as well as usefulness. These and more are due his conscientious course and one is justified in employing the lines of Ten- nyson : “We will do him No customary honor; since the knight Came not to us, of us to claim the prize Ourselves will send it after.” WALDO CORNWELL BOOTH. It would be to most of us a source of genuine gratification to be able to trace our ancestry back through the centuries, and to know how they lived, what they looked like, what they followed for a livelihood, what they did in the world and what their ambitions were; but, unfortunately, here in America, few of us are able to do this; in fact, the majority of us know practi- cally nothing of our progenitors beyond our grandparents. The Booth family, formerly, spelled Bothe, Bouthe and Boothe, seems to have had a greater pride in their family tree and made a careful record of each generation, so that the history of the family is today accurately traceable back through some six centuries. AVe find that it is an ancient English family, and promi- nent and influential both in that country and in America, whither some of the family immigrated among the first in the earliest Colonial period, their descendants now numbering thousands and are to be found all over the Union. The family name first occurs in the county palatine of Lancaster, Eng- land, where a son of Adam de Boothe was living in 1275.. All the other families of this name in various parts of England and America are believed to be descended from this parent stock, through its younger branches. From his son AAhlliam the family comes down through Thomas, Robert and Sir Thomas, who was knighted during the reign of Edward III in the thir- teenth century; his son John lived during the reign of Richard II. We come on down to Sir Robert Booth, the first of the family to settle at Dun- 1670 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. ham Massey, in Cheshire, who died there in 1450. Several members of the family about this period became bishops and great lawyers and statesmen, and many of them married into families of the nobility, Sir George Booth, who died in 1483, marrying a relative of the King of Scotland. The Booths were also people of wealth, owning vast estates. We find that, coming on down the line, Sir George Bouthe was knighted by Oueen Eliza- beth during the latter part of the fifteenth century, and died in 1652. Sir George Bouthe, who died in 1684, was a member of parliament and com- mander-in-chief of the English army in Wales and western England, and was for eminent services created a baron by Charles IT, and from him descended a line of barons to Earl George H. Grey of Stamford, who was living in 1825. Richard Boothe of Stamford, ancestor of the name in Connecticut, and for whom the city of Stamford was named, was born in 1607, but it is not known from what part of England nor in what year he emigrated to America. He held various offices of trust in his new home, and seems to have been an influential man in Colonial affairs. His large landed prop- erty was divided among his children. During that early period of our his- tory we also know that Robert Boothe lived at Exeter, New Hampshire, in 1645, removing to Saco, where he died in 1672; and John Boothe, who lived at Scituate, Massachusetts, in 1656; Humphrey Boothe was a mer- chant at Charlestown, Massachusetts. Richard Boothe, mentioned above, married Elizabeth Hawley, and to them eight children were born, namely : Elizabeth, Anne, Ephraim, Ebenezer, John, Joseph, Bethiah and Johanna. From these children descended the numerous Booths of the present gen- eration throughout America. Waldo Cornwell Booth, subject of this memoir, was born in Ports- mouth, New Hampshire, May 21, 1836, and was a son of George and Abbv (Cornwell) Booth. Both his grandparents were soldiers in the Revolu- tionary war. George Booth was engaged in the foundry business in New Brittan, Connecticut, for a number of years, finally removing to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he lived with his son, our subject. Waldo C. Booth received an exceptionally good education for the period in which he lived. He grew to manhood in his native state, and remained in New England until 1853, when he came to Cincinnati with an uncle and there engaged in the hardware business, first securing employ- ment in a store and finalty working his way up until he became a member of the firm of R. W. Booth & Company, which for years was rated as the largest wholesale hardware company in that city, and there our subject became a prominent man in both business and social circles, and he made a great success as a merchant through his close application, honest dealings and the exercise of sound judgment. He came to Springfield, Missouri, in GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1671 1870, on account of failing health, which, being restored by the change, he again engaged in the hardware business, operating here one of the largest and best patronized stores of its kind in the city, and enjoying an excellent trade, and later he also engaged in the tobacco manufacturing business here, one of his most famous brands being “Old Coon,” well remembered by the older smokers of the country. Mr. Booth was married on September 6, 1865, to Martha Thomas, who was born in Buffalo, New York, December 11, 1839. She is a daugh- ter of Calvin F. S. and Eliza (Shields) Thomas, the former a native of New York City, where his birth occurred in 1808, the family later remov- ing to Norfolk, Virginia. After the death of his father he, with his mother and sister, went to Boston, where he established a printing office. Later he settled in Buffalo, New York, where he engaged for some time in the pub- lication of a newspaper and in the wholesale paper business, owning a large paper warehouse there. Meanwhile he had married and reared a family. After the death of his wife he gave up his business and made his home with his daughter, who had married Waldo C. Booth, our subject, in Cincinnati, the family coming to Springfield in 1869. Mr. Thomas did not engage in business here of any kind, his failing health compelling him to lead a quiet, retired life. The Springfield people who vet remember him recall him as a silent but cultured, kindly gentleman. He died in 1876 while in Buffalo, New York, where he had gone on a visit. Mr. Thomas knew America’s greatest author, Edgar Allen Poe, whom he befriended when he was engaged in the printing business in Boston, in 1827, Mr. Thomas then being about eighteen years old. He was a poor boy, and with the assistance of a widowed mother and what lie could earn by his printing business, was try- ing to get an education. In that year he met Poe, who w 7 as about the same age, and who was then in the United States army, where he was known as Edgar A. Perry. He prevailed on Thomas to publish a volume of his poems, and when the thin, forty-page volume was issued the title page was as follows: “Tamerlane and Other Poems. By a Bostonian. Boston: Calvin F. S. Thomas, Printer. 1827." It was of cheap paper, poorly exe- cuted mechanically, and rudely bound. It contained ten poems, some of them without any title. But four of them, “Tamerlane,” “The Lake,” “To -,” and “Visit of the Dead,” always appeared in later editions, and these four were subjected to so much revision that they bear but small resemblance to their original form. To Waldo C. Booth and wife four children were born, namely: Stanley C., who is head bookkeeper for the McGregor-Noe Hardware Company of Springfield, married Lydia Wood; Fred is deceased; Ralph W. is also deceased; George H., who is now connected with the Springfield Wagon Company, married Grace Hyner of St. Louis. 1672 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. Waldo C. Booth was a soldier in the Union army during the Civil war,, having enlisted at Cincinnati in 1861 in the Fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was soon commissioned first lieutenant, later became a captain. He was subsequently given command of a company in the One Hundred and Thirty-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He proved to be an efficient offi- cer, and took part in numerous important engagements. Politically, he was a Democrat. He was a member of the school board for a number of terms, and he was often solicited to make the race for mayor of Springfield, but always declined. Fraternally, he was a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and religiously he was a Unitarian. He belonged to the Shakespeare Club of Cincinnati. In his earlier life he was an enthusiastic sportsman. Personally he was admired by all who knew him for his integ- rity, business ability and exemplary character. JOHN E. DENNIS. The mind of the farmer must be as well balanced as the farm affairs. With a good mental grasp on the situation a farmer should be enabled to- get great enjoyment and must profit out of his specialties without inter- ferring with the known necessity for diversified farming. One of the farm- ers of Washington township, Greene county who understands this is John E. Dennis, and he is therefore making a success as a general farmer. Mr. Dennis was born in Greene county, Missouri, May 17, 1865. He is a son of Benjamin Franklin Dennis and Margaret (Smith) Dennis. The father was born in Jackson county, Tennessee, in 1830, and was eleven years old when he accompanied his parents, William R. and Sarah (Chaffin) Dennis, to Missouri, locating in Greene county. When a young man he made two overland trips to California, but finally took up his permanent abode on a farm of two hundred acres in this county, and in due course of time became one of our most progressive farmers and extensive landowners, and was a heavy dealer in live stock, especially mules. He continued active in his work until 1911, when he retired from active life and moved to a fine residence in Rogersville, Missouri, where he is now living. He is president of the Bank of Rogersville and is one of the prominent men of the eastern part of Greene county. Margaret A. Smith, whom he married in 1864, was his first wife, and by her four children were born, all of whom sur- vive, namely: John E., Clara B., William A., and George F. The mother of these children was horn in this county in 1843 an d her death occurred in 1876, after which Mr. Dennis married, in 1877, Martha G. Ferrell, who GREENE COUNTY^ MISSOURI. l673-' was born in Tennessee in 1861. To this second union five children were born, namely: Henry C, Cora A., Grover C., Shirley Y., and Ben Elmer. John E. Dennis grew to manhood on the home farm and there assisted with the general work, and he now owns and occupies one hundred and sixty acres of the place on which he was reared. He received his education in the public schools of his community, and he has always followed general farming and stock raising. His farm is well improved and is one of the- productive, well located farms of the county, and on it stands a good group of buildings. Mr. Dennis was married on December 23, 1886, to Martha T. Boden- hamer, who was born east of Springfield, May 3, 1867, and was reared there on a farm and educated in the district schools. She is a daughter of A. J. and Elizabeth (Whorten) Bodenhamer. Both these parents were born in Greene county, were reared, educated and married here and are still living on a farm in this county and are high respectable people. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Dennis, namely: Mrs. Volie Hedgepath, born on October 12, 1887; Benjamin A., born on March 15, 1889, and Charles Lee, born on July 23, 1893. Politically, Air. Dennis is a Democrat, and fraternally he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen, at Rog- ersville, Webster county. WILLIAM Y. SMITH. A great essayist once said that “when one has given the best that is in him to a work, he experiences a feeling of satisfaction." While this statement may seem rather broad, yet a greater truth than this was never spoken. Whether one is successful or not in what one undertakes, if he realizes that nothing on his part has been left undone he should have no regrets. This does not mean that the unsuccessful person feels just as elated over defeat as the successful over victory. When one does his best and is successful he has a double reason to be happy. To this class belongs Will- iam \ . Smith, who has had a varied career as farmer, implement dealer, traveling salesman and life insurance agent, and whose record shows that by his individual efforts persistently applied he has succeeded in lines that have claimed his attention. Air. Smith was born in Greene county, Afissouri, June 5, 1851. He is a son of William and Sarah (Julian) Smith, natives of Virginia and Tennessee, respectively. They grew to maturity in the East and were edu- cated there and married in Kentucky. The father was a physician by pro- 1 67 4 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. fession. He went to California in 1851, during the gold fever period, and his death occurred in Eugene, Oregon. His widow survived until 1875, dying in Greene county, Missouri. To these parents six children were born, three of whom are deceased, namely: Julian D., deceased; Robert O., deceased; Cyrenia lives in Paris, Texas; Saphronia lives in Fair Play, Mis- souri; Aglentine, deceased; and William Y., of this review. William Y. Smith had little opportunity to receive an education. He attended night school for a time, but later in life this early lack has been made up for by wide miscellaneous reading, and he is today a well-informed man on general topics. He was married near Willard, his native county, October 15, 1871, to Anna B. Campbell, who was born in Greene county, Missouri, in 1855, and here she grew to womanhood and received a com- mon school education. She is a daughter of Andrew and Louise (White) Campbell, natives of Tennessee and Kentucky, respectively, but were mar- ried in Greene county, Missouri, after they immigrated here among the early pioneers, locating on a farm. During the Civil war Mr. Campbell joined the Confederate army and died in the service. His widow survives and is living in Tennessee. Mrs. Smith is a granddaughter of George White, one of the pioneer preachers of Greene county, who located here in the year 1853 and was known as a circuit rider, preaching at Friendship Baptist church near Ebenezer, Ash Grove, Slagle Creek church and Cedar Bluff, holding services one Sunday each month in the churches in his reg- ular circuit. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Smith, five of whom are living at this writing, namely: Lydia Eugenia lives in Kansas; Fred, deceased ; Ethel is married and lives in Springfield, Missouri ; Mattie is also with her parents; Nellie lives in Joplin, Missouri; Walter died in infancy; Campbell lives in Springfield, and Lee is deceased. William Y. Smith is an example of a self-made man. His father died when he was a small boy, leaving our subject’s mother with a number of children to rear, which made it necessary for William Y. to face life alone and unaided; lint this he did courageously, and the hard knocks he received at that tender age proved valuable to his makeup. Lie engaged in general farming on the farm where he w T as reared, continuing in this vocation until he was twenty-five years of age, then moved to Springfield and engaged in the implement business, later went on the road for a harvester company, selling machines, remaining in that line of work a number of years, or until the various harvesting machine companies were consolidated into the trust, whereupon he turned his attention to the life insurance business. During the past five years he has been on the road as a commercial traveler, selling different lines, but principally lighting systems and silos. He is GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1675 one of the most successful and best known traveling men in this section of the country. He has a pleasant home on Monroe street, Springfield. Mr. Smith is a Democrat, and has long been more or less active in the affairs of his party. He is a member of the Anti-Horse Thief Association. THOMAS ELLIS DABBS. Thomas Ellis Dabbs was born in Champaign county, Ohio, August 8, 1878, and when three years of age he came to Greene county, Missouri, with his parents and here has since resided. His father, William P. Dabbs, was born in Virginia, May 28, 1829, and was the son of Abner and Mary Dabbs, who located in North Carolina in 1838, after spending their earlier years in the Old Dominion. In 1844 they left the old Tar state and made the long overland journey to Greene county, Missouri, where William P. Dabbs grew to manhood. On October 3, 1858, he married Hannah M. Johnston, a daughter of John B. Johnston, formerly a citizen of Spring- field. To this union ten children were born, six of whom are living at this writing, namely: Mary C., Hannah E., Clara L., Ellen V., Thomas E., and Robert Lee. The last named is a girl. William P. Dabbs was a Southern sympathizer during the war between the states, and in the fall of 1861 he enlisted in the State Guards, and in February, 1862, joined Capt. “Dick” Campbell’s company, and served in the regular Confederate army under Gen. Sterling Price. He took part in a number of engagements and was taken prisoner at the hotly contested battle of Champion’s Hill, Mississippi, May 17, 1863, an d was held at Camp Morton, Fort Donelson and Point Lookout until March, 1864, when he was released. He made his way to Clark county, Ohio, where he joined his fam- ily who had been ordered out of Greene county, Missouri, in the spring of 1864. He remained in Ohio until 1881 when he returned with his family to Greene county and bought a farm of one hundred and seventy-five acres. Thomas E. Dabbs grew to manhood on his father’s farm where he assisted with the general work. He received his education in the district schools and the old Springfield Normal, which he attended two years. On December 25, 1901, he married Eleanor Miller, a daughter of James Todd Miller and Christina (Stephenson) Miller. The father was born in Phila- delphia, Pennsylvania, and the mother in Henry county, Illinois. James Miller, grandfather of Mrs. Dabbs, was a native of Ireland, from which country he immigrated to the United States when a young man and settled in New York, later locating in Philadelphia. He was a weaver bv trade which he followed until about 1865 when he came to Bureau county, Illi- 1676 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. nois, where he purchased three hundred and sixty acres of land and there his death occurred seventeen years ago, at the age of seventy-seven years* and he was burid at Kewanee, Henry county, that state. His wife, Jane (Legette) Miller, was a granddaughter of Joseph Robert and Eleanor (Sloan) Legette, natives of Ireland, from which country they immigrated to the United States and died at Kewanee, Illinois, he at the age of ninety- two years, and she at the age of eighty-eight years. To James T. Miller and wife six children were born, namely: Elea- nor, wife of Mr. Dabbs of this sketch; Christina lives -at Meta, Missouri; Jean married Fred Krone and they live in St. Louis; James S. lives in LaCrosse, Wisconsin; Will T. lives in Lafayette, Indiana; Joe Marshall is at home. James T. Miller was but a child when his parents took him from Phila- delphia to Bureau county, Illinois, where he remained until 1899, when he came to Greene county, Missouri. He engaged in merchandising in Spring- held, where he remained until 1904, then went to Meta, Missouri, and retired. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Dabbs, namely: Will- iam James, born in 1903; Margarite Christina, born in 1907; Helen Miller, born in 1909; and Mary E., born in 1912. Mr. Dabbs has devoted his life to general agricultural pursuits. He owns a productive and well-tilled farm of eighty acres in Campbell town- ship, near Springfield, only a mile from the city limits. Here for four years he conducted a successful dairy, but has abandoned this part of his opera- tions. He has also devoted considerable attention to the live stock business. Politically, he is a Democrat. He is a member of the Anti-Horse Thief Association. He has served his community as road commissioner. Our subject’s wife is a member of the Calvary Presbyterian church, Springfield. MAJOR JOHN W. F. BEATIE. Effective management of one’s affairs has ceased to be a one-man game. A generation ago farmers and business men could and did carry on their enterprises quite independent of each other. If they could not make a satisfactory deal with one man, there was another at hand with which they could open negotiations. But there has been a gradual breaking down of independent individual action and a growing up of gigantic systems of com- bination. Small business establishments have been absorbed by the larger ones which have united their interests by working agreements. Farmers GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1677 now see the necessity of co-operation for cheaper production and less expen- sive marketing. One of the farmers of Washington township, Greene county, who is alive to new conditions is John W. F. Beatie, who was born near St. Louis, Missouri, April 9, 1837. He is a son of Robert and Mary Anne (Smith) Beatie. The father was born in Lincoln county, Tennessee, July 29, 1811, and was reared on a farm in that state, and when a young man he learned the blacksmith's trade. He remained in his native state until 1837 when he made the overland trip in a wagon to Missouri, Greene county being his destination, and our subject was born en route. The family settled about ten miles southeast of Springfield at a place now called Palmetto. Here the elder Beatie secured a tract of land which he cleared and worked in connec- tion with blacksmithing, keeping a shop on his farm, and was one of the best-known blacksmiths among the pioneer settlers in that part of the county. There he spent the rest of his life, dying on March 22, 1884. His wife was born in Lincoln county, Tennessee, and there grew up and received a limited education. She did not live long after coming to Missouri. To these parents ten children were born, namely: Martha Jane, deceased; Lucinda, deceased; John W. F., of this sketch; Sarah Elizabeth lives in Webster county, Mis- souri; David M. is living in Rogersville, Webster county; Airs. Frances Gault lives in Rogersville also; William R. makes his home at Rogersville; Anna Eliza, deceased; Lucretia G., deceased; the youngest child died in infancy. Major Beatie grew to manhood on the home farm where he worked when a boy, and in the winter time he attended the district schools of his community. He has lived in Missouri all his life, and being now past his seventy-seventh birthday he is one of the oldest citizens of this township, which he has seen develop from a wild state to a fine farming community, and he has taken an interested part in the many improvements. When the Civil war began he soon took a stand for the Union and at first joined the Home Guards under Captain Waterson. After the battle of Wilson's Creek he entered the United States sendee, serving six months in Company D, Phelp’s regiment, under Capt. J. W. Lisenby, then joined the Missouri State Militia, and later was a member of the Sixteenth Missouri Cavalry. He saw considerable sendee, but principally in his home district, and at the close of the war he was honorably discharged at Springfield. Major Beatie was married in 1872 to Matilda Pickel, who was born in Tennessee, and from that state she removed with her parents at a very early age to Greene county, Missouri, the family locating just across the road from the Beattie family and there she grew to womanhood and received her education in the district schools. She is a daughter of Jacob B. and Malicia 1678 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. (Holt) Pickel, who came to Greene county, Missouri, from Tennessee, and located on a farm in Washington township. To Mr. and Mrs. Beatie five children have been born, namely: Mrs. Mary Alice Davis lives in Greene county; Robert M. is at home; Mrs. Emma Holland lives in Greene county; Mrs. Jennie Isabel Webb lives in Greene county, and Mrs. Bessie F. Painter resides in Springfield. Major Beatie has always followed general farming, and soon after his marriage he moved to the farm where he is now residing, purchasing one hundred acres, to which he later added twenty-six and one-half acres, one hundred acres being under cultivation, the balance in timber. He has a good farm and a comfortable home and has made an easy living here. He has owned farms in different parts of the state. Politically, Mr. Beatie is a Republican, and while loyal to his party has never sought leadership or public office. COLUMBUS BERRY RUSSELL. When Columbus Berry Russell, one of the substantial farmers of Brook- line township, Greene county, lost an arm in his boyhood it was regarded as a calamity, but this very circumstance may have led to the arousing of dormant energies, courage, self-reliance, determination and ambition that could not he thwarted and thus the accomplishment of greater things in future years than otherwise would have been the case. Anyway he is cer- tainly deserving of a great deal of credit for forging ahead from discourag- ing and humble environment to the commendable position he has attained in his locality. Mr. Russell was born in Dade county, Missouri, December 20, 1852. He is a son of Jefferson N. and Elizabeth Russell, who came to Dade county from Virginia in the late forties. The paternal grandfather was a native of Germany. His wife was a native of Ireland. They immigrated to America early in the nineteenth century. Jefferson N. Russell owned a good farm in this county where he and his wife both died. They were the parents of the following children: Columbus B. of this sketch; Granson, of Hico, Hamilton county, Texas; B. V. lives in Buena Vista, Texas; Calvin lives in Plainview, Texas; Ann is the widow of J. D. Robinson and lives in Little Oak, California; Arrena Jane is the wife of J. J. Gray, a farmer of Brook- line township, this county; Sarah E. is the widow of J. Hale, of Kansas City. Columbus B. Russell was a boy when his parents brought him to Greene county and he was reared on a farm which formed a portion of the battle- field of Wilson’s Creek, and during this memorable engagement the Russell GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1679 home was converted into a hospital. Our subject has a vivid recollection of the battle and tells many interesting stories regarding it. Soon after the battle he passed over the field in search of some live stock that had been frightened away by the firing, and he saw many dead and wounded. Our subject’s father was a member of the Home Guards and at the time of the battle was at home; however, he was careful to conceal himself from the Confederates and he was not disturbed. But during the war he lost all of his live stock — several hundred head, including sixty brood mares, which practically ruined him financially. Columbus B. Russell received his education in the district schools. He has always followed farming. When fourteen years old he met with the accident that caused the loss of his right arm, by the accidental discharge of a gun, but nevertheless he began life for himself when fifteen years old by engaging in farming and has made his way unaided in the world ever since, and, managing Avell has been quite successful. He moved to his present location in Section 36, Brookline township, in 1874, where he bought a government claim of forty acres, since then acquiring eighty acres more, the entire one hundred and twenty costing an average of about nine dollars per acre. It is now well worth seventy-five dollars per acre, partly because of the general increase in land and partly because he has made many sub- stantial improvements and has his land under excellent cultivation. He also owns one hundred and sixty acres in Section 23, of this township. He oper- ates a part of his land, renting the balance. Mr. Russell was married in 1873 to Visa Jane Crow, a daughter of Bryant and Bindy Crow, whose home was on Wilson creek in Wilson town- ship. Here Mrs. Russell was born in 1853, grew to womanhood on the farm and was educated in the district schools. The following children were born to our subject and wife: Hubert, born in April, 1888, died when sixteen months old; Lula, born February 10, 1875, married John Baumbarger and lives in Oklahoma; Minnie A., born March 2, 1877, married John Ray, of Springfield; Alberta, born December 22, 1879, lives at home; Etta, born February 6, 1882, married William Robinson, of Greene county; Roy and Effie, twins, were born on February 11, 1885, the former is unmarried and lives at home, and the latter married James Robinson and they live in Barry county, Missouri; Homer V., born on March 13, 1889, died in June, 1910, in Oklahoma; Phelix J., born on May 2, 1892, is single and lives at home; Leona, born on August 21, 1896, is also at home. These children were edu- cated in the district schools. Mr. Russell is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. Politi- cally, he is a stanch Democrat but is not active in public affairs, but is an advocate of all measures looking to the general upbuilding of his community and county. T 680 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. LOUIS LAZZARO REBORI. It was Robert Louis Stevenson, the great Scottish author, who said that a man who follows his own virtuous heart will he always found in the end to have been fighting for the best ; that one thing leads naturally to another in an awakened mind, and that with an upward progress from effect to cause. The late Louis Lazzaro Rebori, for many years one of the best-known busi- ness men of Springfield, was a man who had evidently “an awakened mind,” -and whose career was marked by “an upward progress.” And since it is true that individual success is determined, in true measure, by what one has accomplished, his name is deserving of a high rank in the list of Greene county citizens of a past generation who rose, of their own efforts, from -an humble beginning to the top rungs of the ladder of material success. Mr. Rebori was born near Genoa, Italy, August 31, 1867, a scion of an excellent old Italian family. He was a son of Jiacomo and Catherine (Gan- dolfo) Rebori, both also natives of the same locality in which our subject was born. There they grew to maturity, attended school and were married. The death of the father occurred in 1889 at the age of fifty-three years, being .killed by falling from a cherry tree. The mother is still living in Italy, at the age of seventy-three years. The father was in the fruit business all his life and was highly successful. In the early eighties he immigrated to the Lbiited States with his parents when our subject was eleven years old, the family locating in Indianapolis, Indiana, where the father engaged in the wholesale and retail fruit business for about fifteen years. He prospered and, branching out, established a retail fruit business in Knoxville, Ten- nessee, for his sons, he laying there the foundation for a large fortune, and was a very rich man at the time oh his death. After retiring from active life he returned to Italy with his wife, and there they erected a beautiful home, along the American line of architecture, and there spent the rest of his life. Ide was not only a man of superior ability along business lines but was also of superior mental ability, and he was a scrupulously honest man, in fact, a devout Christian. His family consisted of three children, namely: Louis L., of this sketch; Andrew, who is engaged in the wholesale fruit business in Springfield; and Stella, who is living in Genoa, Italy. Louis L. Rebori received a limited education in the public schools of Indianapolis. However, he became a well-informed man, by coming in con- tact with the business world, by close observation and by wide miscellaneous reading. He was a fine example of a successful self-made man, and was certainly deserving of a great deal of credit for what be accomplished in a business way. He assisted his father in the fruit business until he was twenty-three years of age. He went back to Italy with his parents where he LOUIS L. REBORI. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1681 remained two years, but, tiring of life there, he desired to come back to America to make his fortune where he deemed business conditions better and existence pleasanter in our “land of the free.’’ After spending four years in the fruit business in Knoxville, Tennessee, he came to Springfield in the year 1895, at th e solicitation of his brother, who had previously located here, Andrew Rebori, being now president of the well-known Rebori Fruit Com- pany, which operates a large wholesale house between Mill street and Phelps avenue, near the Frisco depot. Andrew Rebori had opened a fruit store at South street and the public square, Louis L. Rebori entering the firm with a capital stock of less than six hundred dollars, provided by his father. Later he was in different locations, one stand being on Walnut street, another on St. Louis street, and still another on Commercial street, and other places. The loan was repaid within a year and after remaining in partnership with his brother nine years, he opened his first business on East Walnut street. The last stand he owned was on South Jefferson street, now the property of his widow. He was apparently a genius at selecting good business loca- tions, for he placed fruit stands at points where none had ever been estab- lished before, and usually selling them in a short time at material profits. A striking illustration of the success of this enterprising man of affairs is seen from the fact that he left an estate of over twenty-seven thousand dol- lars, amassed during twenty years of business in Springfield. During his two decades of business here on a small scale, he became one of the wealthi- est merchants of his kind that the city has ever known. A large portion of his earnings were invested in Italy, the remainder being invested in Springfield. Mr. Rebori was married on September 2, 1891, in New York City, to Laura Crover, who was born in Springfield, Ohio, September 16, 1876. She is a daughter of Andrew and Columbia (Mousante) Crover, both born near Genoa, Italy, where they spent their earlier years, emigrating to America from their native land, and establishing their home in Springfield, Ohio. The death of Mr. Crover occurred in New York City, May 1, 1903, where he had located a number of years previously. The mother of Mrs. Rebori is now making her home in Springfield, Missouri, being now sixty-three years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Crover were young when they came to America, and they were married in New York City, from which place they removed to Indianapolis, Indiana, and later to Springfield, Ohio, and finally moved back to New York City. Mr. Crover spent his life engaged successfully in the fruit business, being engaged for many years as a wholesale and retail merchant. His family consisted of four children, namely: Emma lives in Springfield; Laura, who became the wife of Mr. Rebori; Della lives in Springfield ; and Ralph, who is also a resident of this city. Mrs. Rebori (106) 1 682 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. had the advantage of an excellent education, and is a woman of fine business- tact and excellent personal characteristics. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Rebori resulted in the birth of one child, Ralph A. Rebori, whose birth occurred on April 2, 1899. He is receiving a good education, and he gives promise of a successful business career. Politically. Mr. Rebori was a Democrat, and while he was a strong man in his party, taking an abiding interest in public affairs, especially such as pertained to the general upbuilding and welfare of the city of Spring- field, he was never an office seeker. Pie was a member of St. Agnes Catho- lic church, and was noted for his fair dealings with his fellow men, his upright character and his kindness. He was held in high favor by all who knew him, both in the circles of his countrymen and Americans. He was a man who had a prodigious working capacity, his average working day being seventeen hours or more, the common comment of his customers being that “he was the last one to go home at night and the first one to be out in the morning.” He frequently returned to Italy for short periods, crossing the ocean twenty-three times, being accompanied on twelve of them by his wife and son. He was always ready to help in any good cause, always gave a helping hand to those in need who appealed to him, and he did many a kind and generous act that the public never knew about, for he never gave from an impulse to gain the praise of men, but from a sense of duty and brotherhood. The death of Louis L. Rebori occurred after a brief illness, on March 23, 1915, in his forty-eighth year, when just in the prime of life and useful- ness and when the future promised most to him. THOMAS H. DORAN. Wise farmers of Greene county are now planning their crops with safety first in mind. Dry years have impressed upon all of us the fact that the certain and regular production of feed, every year, must be the founda- tion of a safe system of farming. Very few are staking their all on one feed crop, and still fewer are placing their entire dependence on some “cash crop,” expecting to buy their feed. Thomas Id. Doran, of Clay township, is one of our farmers who plans well and can see ahead, one to whom the previous successive dry years have taught valuable lessons. He is a man who is ever on the alert to learn something more than what he was taught by the early-day farmers, whose methods were all right then, but since con- ditions have changed very materially, a new system of farming has had to be adopted. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1683 Mr. Doran was born in Greene county on March 9, 1871. He is a son of Alec. H. and Catherine (Grubaugh) Doran. The father was born in Tennessee, May 9, 1825, and was reared in that state, receiving the usual schooling of the times. When a young man he went to Illinois, but later moved to Greene county, Missouri, then located in Christian county. He sold patent medicine for awhile but farming was his main business. His death occurred in Greene county, April 14, 1898. His wife was born near Springfield, Illinois, in 1826, and was reared on a farm there. She was a member of the Methodist church. Her death occurred on the old home place in this county, November 24, 1889. To these parents nine children were born, namely: William is deceased; Jennie, Edward, James, Meaford, Sherman, Mrs. Emma Mutchler, Thomas H., of this sketch, and Mollie, deceased. Thomas H. Doran was reared on the farm in Greene county and he received a common school education. He lived on the farm which his father owned in Christian county. He has devoted his life to agricultural pursuits and has owned farms in different parts of Greene county. His present place consists of two hundred and sixty-six acres. He carries on general farming and stock raising, and deals in live stock on an extensive scale. He has a well-improved and productive place and a good home on the Rogersville and Galloway road. Mr. Doran was married in November, 1895, to Annie Stephens, who was born on June 22, 1866, and it is a singular coincidence that she first saw the light of day in the same house in which our subject was ushered into the world. She was reared on a farm in Greene county, and received a common school education. She is a daughter of John and Cynthia B. (Owen) Stephens, both natives of Tennessee. Her father spent his active life on a farm. He was a soldier in the Union army during the Civil war, under Captain Kirby and saw much hard service, remaining in the army until the close of the war. He came home from the front sick and did not recover, his death occurring on April 3, 1866. The mother of Mrs. Doran was born on July 4, 1837, and died on December 8, 1906. To these parents three children were born, namely: Mrs. Mary Smith, Mrs. Smathey Chaf- fin, and Anna, wife of Mr. Doran. The last named is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. To Mr. and Mrs. Doran two children have been born, namely: Ralph, born April 11, 1899, is living at home; Mabel L., born on November 26, 1907, is with her parents. Politically, Mr. Doran is a Republican, and fraternally, he belongs to the Modern Woodmen. 1684 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. REUBEN R. ROSE. Probably many of us never stopped to consider some of the factors which have contributed to the gradual depletion of our soil fertility. When we see a farmer hauling fifty bushels of corn to town, worth in an average year about twenty-five dollars, we hardly think of him as hauling away fifteen dollars’ worth of soil fertility with that corn. Yet if he brought back home in the form of commercial fertilizer the same amount of fer- tility he hauled off that is what it would cost. Likewise when fifty bushels of wheat is sold sixteen dollars’ worth of soil fertility goes with it. A ton of clover hay may bring seventeen dollars, but the seller is giving away eleven dollars’ worth of the soil fertility in the hay. One of the farmers of Brookline township, Greene county, who believes in putting something- back in the soil and endeavoring to maintain its richness while he is gather- ing life-sustaining harvests from it is Reuben R. Rose. Mr. Rose was born October 14, 1874, in Brookline township, near the village of Brookline. Ele is a son of Reuben R. and Lucy A. (McElhany) Rose. The paternal grandfather of our subject came from Tennessee to this locality in the pioneer days and established the permanent home of the family here. Ele and our subject's father devoted their lives to general farming and were well known in this part of the county. Our subject is one of a large family of children, namely: Sallie is the wife of Sol Owens and lives near Springfield; Jane is the wife of Amos Cooper and lives in Oklahoma; Kennard lives at Galloway, Missouri; John lives in Brookline township, Greene county; Reuben R., Jr., of this sketch; Martha is the wife of Charles Grothy and they live at Webb City, Missouri ; Lucy is the wife of Wilson White and they live near Springfield; Homer lives in Brook- line township ; Frank also lives in Brookline township ; two sons and one daughter are deceased. Mr. Rose of this review grew to manhood on the home farm and there he worked during the crop seasons, and in the winter time attended the district schools. He has always followed farming, starting out in life for himself when eighteen years of age. He purchased forty acres in Brookline township in 1906, and he now owns two hundred acres in section 36 and also two hundred acres in section 1. He resides on the former, in a com- modious residence, surrounded by substantial outbuildings and an excellent grade of live stock. His land is also productive and well-improved, and he manages it in a skillful and successful manner, being rated as one of the best general farmers in the township. He is a noted mule breeder, and has been very successful. He owns “Greased Lightning,” a very fine jack. Mr. Rose was married in 1896 to Opie McElhany, who did not live GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1685 long thereafter, and in 1900 our subject married Mamie VanWagon, a daughter of Fred VanWagon and wife of Brookline township, where she grew to womanhood and was educated. To this union four children have been born, namely: Philip, age thirteen; Glen R., age eleven; Elmer, age nine; and Effie Marie, age seven. Politically, Mr. Rose is a Democrat. He was elected school director in his district, and has been incumbent of this office six years, and is a strong advocate for good educational work. LEVY-WOLF DRY GOODS COMPANY. One of the best known progressive mercantile establishments in Spring- field is the Levy-Wolf Dry Goods Company, located in the southeast corner of the Public Square. This business was founded here by Mr. M. Levy twenty-seven years ago, under the firm name of the Model Dry Goods Company, and was oper- ated under that name until January, 1914, when the incorporation of the Levy-Wolf Dry Goods Company was effected, with increased capital stock, to take over the business, which had steadily grown during the many years of its existence to be one of the largest distributors of exclusive dry goods, millinery and women's ready-to-wear apparel in southwestern Missouri, and now has a force of sixty employees and counts among its patrons the best families of Springfield and surrounding counties. This store, which is still known as “The Model,” has made a specialty of goods of quality and has won for itself an enviable reputation for dependability of its merchandise and for fairness and integrity in its dealings. Mr. M. Levy before coming to Springfield was engaged in the mer- cantile business in Arrow Rock and Marshall in Saline county, this state, for twenty-one years, from 1866 to 1887, where he met with a very reason- able degree of success, and is further said to have had more personal friends than any man who had ever been engaged in business in that section, and even to this day none of the old-timers of Saline county visit Springfield without looking him up. Mr. Levy has always been identified with every enterprise for the advancement and good of Springfield, and has likewise taken an active inter- est in all charitable and philanthropic affairs. The Levy-Wolf Dry Goods Company is capitalized for fifty thousand dollars, fully paid up, and the destinies of the company are successfully directed by the following officers: M. Levy, president; Ignace Glaser, vice- president; Sol R. Wolf, secretary and manager, I. R. Levy, treasurer. i686 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. The building which for the past fourteen years has housed this pro- gressive firm was entirely remodeled a few years ago, into an attractive convenient and modernly appointed store, which with its late style recess show windows would be a credit to any city. The first floor is devoted to staple and fancy dry goods, notions and toilet requisites; the second floor is given over entirely to the women’s ready-to-wear department, and the third floor is very handsomely furnished for the departments of millinery and dressmaking. The latter department, being one of the principal fea- tures of the store, has a clientele while not large in numbers practically extends from Maine to California, and gives the store the distinction of almost a national reputation. It is such institutions that have contributed to the making of a greater Springfield. GEORGE W. O’NEAL. One of the men who has stamped his strong individuality upon the minds of the people of western Greene county in a manner as to render him one of the conspicuous characters of this locality is George W. O’Neal, who has had a somewhat varied career as a man of affairs, farmer, miller, banker and lumberman. Faithfulness to duty and a strict adherence to a fixed purpose, which always do more to advance a man’s interest than wealth or advantageous circumstances, have been dominating factors in his life, which has been replete with honor and success worthily attained. He is a scion of one of the sterling old families of the Ozark region, and many of the strong characteristics of his progenitors seem to have outcropped in him, and he has been most vigilant in keeping the record of the family untar- nished, for the O’Neals have always been noted for their sterling honesty, their rare industry and their readiness to assist in the general upbuilding of the communities in which they selected as their homes. Mr. O’Neal was born on April 8, 1841, in Carroll county, Arkansas. He is a son of Charles G. and Martha (Hillhouse) O’Neal, natives of Ten- nessee, where they spent their earlier years eventually moving to Carroll county, Arkansas, where they located on a farm and were well and favor- ably known. They were parents of thirteen children, twelve of whom lived to maturity and eight of whom survive at this writing. George W. O’Neal grew to manhood on the homestead in Arkansas and there he made himself useful when crop seasons came around, and in the winter tiriie he attended the district schools in his community, obtaining a practical education which later in life has been greatly supplemented by wide reading and contact with the world until today he is an exceptionally GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1687 well-informed man on current events. He remained on his father’s farm until he was twenty-one years of age, leaving home in 1862 to go to Spring- field, Missouri, where he enlisted in the First Arkansas Cavalry, and served three years and three months in the Federal army during the Civil war in a gallant manner, seeing considerable hard service in the Southwest, and was honorably discharged. About the time the war closed his father moved from Arkansas to what was known as the old Tom Dodd farm, three miles northwest of Republic, and here spent the rest of his life, and to this' place came our subject when he returned from the army and engaged in farming with success until 1885, when he bought out the lumber yards in Republic owned by W. W. Coover, Keys, King & Company. When the Bank of Republic w^as organized he took considerable stock in the company, and was for a time its president, finally resigning from this office after he had placed the bank on a safe and sound footing and made it a pronounced success. He also took a large block of stock in the Republic Canning Com- pany, which was organized in 1888 and when the other stockholders of that company became discouraged after a year’s run, Mr. O’Neal got four other men interested and managed the canning company himself, clearing ten thou- sand dollars the next four years and paying off the old indebtedness. When the R. C. Stone mill burned in 1894 it was Mr. O’Neal who took the contract to rebuild the mill, while the balance of the citizens of Republic only contrib- uted the necessary bonus to get the mill to remain. In this transaction he lost considerable money, but he considers himself fully repaid every time he looks at the big mill, knowing that it gives life and support to a town that otherwise would be dead. Mr. O’Neal has had other reverses, including the loss on the contractor’s bond of the new school building in Republic, but despite that fact he is a successful man and justly deserves the wealth he has attained. He has acquired a one-third interest in a flouring mill at Mt. Vernon, Lawrence county, in which mill his son is the prime factor. Our subject was for some time a stockholder, director and vice-president of the Monitor Printing plant in Republic, which publishes the Weekly Monitor, but has recently retired from this firm. He is a thorough business man, ready at all times to help in any cause that will benefit Republic and vicinity, and he has done as much as any other one man toward the material upbuilding of this town and toward the general welfare of the people in this section of Greene county. He has one, of the most extensive lumber businesses in the county, having recently rebuilt his sheds, making them ninety by one hun- 'dred and sixteen feet and all covered with felt roofing and iron. He is a progressive man of high ideas and has long enjoyed the good will and con- fidence of all who know him. Religiously he is a worthy member of the Christian church, and while he is deeply interested in public affairs, he has never sought office. 1 688 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. Mr. O’Neal married Ellen Wallace, who died after a married life of eighteen years, leaving six children, who still survive. Mr. O’Neal married again in 1892, Zetta Bingman, of Greene county, and a daughter of James and Elizabeth (Lamb) Bingman, whose family consisted of ten children. Personally, Mr. O’Neal is a genial, obliging and courteous gentleman whom it is a pleasure to meet. JOHN P. GRIFFIN. The business of farming comprises among many other points the con- sideration of what crops to grow, how to grow them to the best advantage, whether for sale or for use on the farm. It brings out more than anything else the business acumen of the farmer, and is more or less the very key- note to success or failure. A man may be the best of farmer so far as raising crops and harvesting them is concerned, but it would avail him nothing if he had no market for what he had raised, or, in other words, if he had raised the wrong crop. John P. Griffin is one of the farmers of Republic township, Greene county, who seems to be very successful in rais- ing the right crop, in the right manner, at the right time. Mr. Griffin was born on August 7, 1863, in Iowa. He is a son of John and Ann (Gilmore) Griffin, the former born in 1840, in Ireland, and the latter born in 1842, in New York. The father of our subject was brought to the United States by his parents when three years of age, the family locating in Illinois, where he grew to manhood and was educated and where he remained until his marriage when he removed to Iowa, but after spend- ing a few years there came to Greene county, Missouri, where he resided until his death, having lived on his farm from about 1870 until 1910. Thirteen children, seven sons and six daughters, have been born to John Griffin and wife, named as follows: John P. of this sketch; Joseph M., born in 1865, lives in Ashland, Oregon, married Mary Starr, of that state; James P., born in 1879, is single and lives in Baker, Oregon; Frank F., born in 1881, lives in Springfield, married Anna Norfleet, there in 1901, and they had four children — Paul, born in 1902; Elizabeth, born in 1904; and Mildred, born in 1911; one child died in infancy. Thomas T., who lives in Carterville, Missouri, married Mary Daniels of that place, and they have two children, Emmet and Audrey; Mark, born in 1877, is single, lives on the home place which he operates; M. E., born in 1880, is single and also works on the home farm; Mary A., born in Redwing, Minnesota in 1862, died in 1893; Sarah Katherine, a twin sister of John P., married J. W. Robinson, a brother of our subject’s wife, in 1891 ; they live in New Mexico GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1689 and have three children — Elizabeth, Paul and Barnard. Margaret Eliza- beth, born October 13, 1867, is single and lives on the homestead; Cora Alice, born on May 9, 1870, married C. C. Humphreys in 1891, and they have had four children — Erma, Maude, Mary, who died in 1905, and Cora Alice whose death occurred in 1898. Rose, born in 1874, died in 1896; Bertha Ellen, born in 1871, died in 1899. These children were given good common school educations. Joseph M. was of musical talent. Mary had a great local reputation as a nurse and her death was the result of service to others, she having contracted typhoid fever while nursing a neighbor af- flicted with that disease. The entire family has always borne excellent reputations and are well thought of throughout this part of the county or wherever they are known. John P. Griffin grew to manhood on the home farm and was a good student in the schools of his neighborhood. He has devoted his life to general agricultural pursuits and paid considerable attention to stock raising. His well cultivated and well improved farm in Republic township contains one hundred and twenty acres and he has a comfortable home. He was married in 1895 to Mary Robinson, who was born in 1863, in Greene county. She received a good education in the public schools. She is a daughter of Anthony and Hettie Robinson, of Republic township, Greene county. Two children have been born to our subject and wife — Leo, born on July 25, 1897; and Bertha Frances, born on June 22, 1899, died when seven years of age. Politically, Mr. Griffin is a Democrat. He is a member of the Catho- lic church. GEORGE W. THURMAN. In any rich and progressive agricultural country, like that contiguous to the town of Republic, Greene county, Missouri, the flour milling business is usually found to be one of the most important industries. Here a vast acreage is put to wheat annually and the total number of bushels produced after the results of the threshing season are known is enormous, so a great and modern mill in the center of this nature-favored locality has sprung up, known as the Republic Custom and Merchant Mill Company, of which George W. Thurman is manager. To conduct such a business successfully requires ability of a high order and characteristics that have been known to make for success whenever and to whatever they are properly and persis- tently applied. Mr. Thurman was born in this county, February 22, 1870, and is the son of Caleb and Mary S. (Jenkins) Thurman. The father was born in 1690 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. Sevier county, Tennessee, in 1834, where he spent his boyhood and during the Civil war he removed to Arkansas, and after the close of the conflict came to Greene county, Missouri, and soon thereafter purchased a farm and devoted the rest of his life to general farming and stock raising here, making grain raising a specialty. He was a man of rare business ability and industry, and although he came here with little of this, world’s goods, only fifty cents in money and a pair of mules, he worked hard, managed well and prospered with advancing years, became owner of one of the finest farms in the western part of the county, which contained three hundred acres, and at the time of his death was worth twenty-five thousand dollars. He was a well-known man and influential citizen. His first wife was also a native of Tennessee and there spent her girlhood and they were educated in the common schools of their native state and were married upon leaving there for Arkansas. She proved to be a faithful helpmeet and is still living on the home place near Republic, at the age of eighty years. The death of Mr. Thurman occurred in January, 1909, at the age of seventy- five years. To these parents ten children were born, seven sons and three daughters, six of whom survive, namely: William H., I. J., Samuel G., Robert E., and Martha C., twins; James G., our subject; John died in infancy; Cyphronia A., and Mary Jane. George W. Thurman was reared on the homestead in Greene county and there he did his full share of the work during crop seasons when he became of proper age, and he received a good practical education in the local schools. In August, 1898, he was married to Hattie A. Orr, a native of Greene county, where she was reared and educated. She is a daughter ■of Elias R. and Martha Jane (Norman) Orr. Mr. Orr was of German descent, and he came to Greene county, Missouri, early in the nineteenth century, from Ohio, and here became well established on a farm and spent the rest of his life, dying in Republic in October, 1907. His wife died in 1889. They were the parents of seven children, one son and six daugh- ters, namely: Mary Elizabeth, Gracy Alta, Libby Emma, Hettie A., wife ■of our subject; Lula Mehelia, Homer Noah, and Edith Audrv. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Thurman, named as follows: Gaynell H., born in October, 1899; Jewell Ivan, born March 7, 1891;; Noel, born March 7, 1903; Geneva died in infancy; Ruth, born in March, 1914. Mr. Thurman remained on the home farm until he was twenty-three years of age, then began working as a stationary engineer, which he fol- lowed for a number of years. In March, 1904, he and five others formed a stock company and built the Republic Custom and Merchant Mill and have operated the same ever since. During the ten years of its existence it has been a marked success and its volume of business has gradually GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1691 increased with the years. Mr. Thurman is active manager of the mill, and its pronounced success has been largely due to his able management. He is a close student of everything that pertains to the flour-milling business and has mastered every phase of the same, keeping fully abreast of the times in modern methods. This is one of the largest and best equipped mills in southwest Missouri. The building is a three-story substantial, well arranged and well located structure, and the equipment is up-to-date in every respect. In February, 1911, an electric light plant was added to the equipment. The capacity of the mill is fifty barrels per day of flour and same of cornmeal, and the products of the same find a very ready market over the Southwest, owing to their superior quality. The following are the principal brands of flour produced here: “White Lily," “Satis- faction,” and “Premium.” Politically, Mr. Thurman is a Republican and he has long been active and influential in local public affairs. He is now incumbent of the office of police judge of Republic and is discharging his duties in this connec- tion in a highly commendable manner. He has also served as alderman, and has done much for the material and moral upbuilding of Republic. Fraternally, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of America, and the Free and Accepted Masons. He and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. and Mrs. Thurman belong to the Knights and Ladies of Security, and the East- ern Star. GEORCxE W. JACKSON. Endowed with a liberal share of good common sense and possessing sound judgment, backed by a well-founded purpose to succeed, George W. Jackson, well-known farmer and amateur botanist of Republic township, Greene county, has labored with the object primarily in view of making a good home for himself and family and acquiring a competency for his declining years. This laudable desire has been realized, and he is in what we sometimes call “easy circumstances,” with a sufficient surplus for the proverbial “rainy day,” which sooner or later comes to every individual, and which, when not provided for, results in at least much inconvenience and unhappiness if not downright suffering. After farming successfully in this vicinity for over forty years he is now living in retirement, spending quietly the mellow Indian summer of his years, and, having an eye for the beautiful in nature, is happy with her wonders spread about him, which he seeks to interpret. Mr. Jackson was born near Knoxville, Tennessee, November 27, 1843. 1692 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. He is a son of John and Christiana (Chenabury) Jackson, both parents natives of Tennessee, where they grew to maturity, were educated in a lim- ited way in the old-time subscription schools and there were married. The father was of Scotch-Irish descent and the mother was of German descent. The paternal grandfather of our subject was a Virginian and he spent his early life in the Old Dominion, removing from there to Knox county, Ten- nessee, and establishing his future home on a farm. After their marriage the parents of our subject took up their residence on a farm in Knox county and resided there until 1870, when they removed to Greene county, Mis- souri, where three of their sons had preceded them, and here they spent the rest of their lives, the father dying in 1872 and the mother in 1879. Their family consisted of five children, four sons and one daughter, namely James is deceased; George W., of this sketch; John S. C, a sketch of whom will be found on another page of this volume; Edward L. and Mary Jane were twins. George W. Jackson grew to manhood on the farm and worked there during the crop seasons, and in the winter time attended the district schools. He remained in Tennessee until 1867, when he and two brothers came to Greene county, Missouri, and purchased railroad land, and here they have since resided and prospered by their industry. His brother, John S. C., has accumulated four hundred acres, and our subject’s finely improved and pro- ductive farm consists of one hundred and sixty acres, on which stands a good home in the midst of attractive surroundings, and he has numerous substantial outbuildings. Some time ago he retired from the active work of the farm and is now renting his farm, which is one of the best in Pond Creek township. Mr. Jackson was married on September 14, 1871, to Charlotta O’Neal, who was born in 1851 in Carroll county, Arkansas, and she received a common school education. She is a daughter of Charles and Martha (Hill- house) O’Neal, natives of Kentucky, where they grew up and were married and resided until 1850, when they came to Carroll county, Arkansas, living* there a while, then came to Greene county in about 1865. The O’Neals are a well-known family, and Mrs. Jackson is a sister of Judge A. J. O’Neal and George O’Neal. To Mr. and Mrs. O’Neal eleven children were born. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Jackson, namely: Mat- tie married Luther Wade, a farmer of Pond Creek township, this county, and they have three children; Jason G., also farming in Pond Creek town- ship, married Della Batson, and they have four children ; Minnie married Benjamin Squibb, a farmer of Pond Creek township, and they have four children; Nellie, who married Lawrence Coggins, died November 13, 1906, leaving one child, Gladys. Mr. Jackson has long made a study of botany and has spent much time GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1693 with plants of all kinds common to this locality, raising almost all the herbs and plants used in materia me die a, and has had a very satisfactory income from this source. He has won a wide reputation in this field of endeavor, and is regarded as an authority in this line. Politically he is a Republican, and religiously belongs to the Baptist church. He is a man of fine mind and exemplary character and is popular. CHARLES E. PIERCE, M. D. Among the best-known of the younger generation of professional men in the western part of Greene county is Dr. Charles E. Pierce, of Brookline Station. He has always been a close student and having availed himself of every opportunity to widen the area of his professional knowledge and make him efficient in the practice, it is not at all surprising that his advance- ment has been rapid and satisfactory and that he now holds such a high and honorable place among the general practitioners of medicine in a field long noted for the high order of its talent. Doctor Pierce was born at Lebanon, Missouri, May 23, 1875. He is a son of E. W. and Margery Ann (Webb) Pierce. The father was born near Terre Haute, Indiana. The paternal grandfather of our subject was a millwright by trade. He moved from Indiana with his family to Chris- tian county, Missouri, when his son, E. W. Tierce, was a boy and he taught the lad his trade, at which he became quite proficient. E. W. Pierce enlisted in the Sixth Missouri Cavalry at the outbreak of the Civil war, and served in the Union army until 1865. He saw much hard service and was twice wounded. After the war he returned home and resumed his trade of millwright, which he followed until his death in September, 1913, at the age of seventy-six years. He and his brother, Enos Pierce, built the first flour mill of any importance in the city of Springfield, and they were well known in their trade over several counties of southwest Missouri. The mother of the subject of this sketch was born, reared and educated at Fair Grove, Greene county. Her parents died before the war of the states began, when she was a child. She is making her home now in Ozark, Christian county, and is seventy-four years of age. To E. W. Pierce and wife four children were born, three sons and ■one daughter, namely : William, a traveling salesman, lives at Marionville, Missouri, is married and has two daughters; Dr. Charles E., of this sketch; Tela is the wife of L. B. Williams, a hardware merchant of Ozark; Frank rs in the wholesale drug business in Kansas City, Missouri. Doctor Pierce was a child when his parents removed from Laclede GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1694 county to Christian county, and he received his education in the public and high schools of Ozark, graduating from the same. He studied hard at home, and might be said to have been self-taught. He practiced at the Frisco Hospital in Springfield three years, and during two years of that time studied pharmacy. He began studying medicine when but a boy, and he took the prescribed course in the University of Louisville, Louisville, Ken- tucky, from which institution he was graduated with the class of 1911. Soon thereafter he began the practice of his profession at Ozark with Doctor Bruton, with whom he remained two years, during which he got a good start, then came to Brookline Station, Greene county, where he has since been engaged in the general practice and has enjoyed a large business all the while and has met with excellent success. Doctor Pierce was married on February 19, 1913, to Jennie Glenn, of Christian county, where she was born, reared and educated. ' She is a daughter of John Glenn, a prosperous farmer of that county and a well- known citizen. His family consists of eight children, one of whom, John Glenn, is at this writing treasurer of Christian county. Politically, Doctor Pierce is a Jefferson Democrat, believing in the old-time principles of the party. Fraternally, he is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons lodge at Forsyth, Taney county. He attends the Presbyterian church. He is a member of the Greene count)^ Medical So- ciety, the Missouri State Medical Association and the American Medical Association. ANDREW J. O’NEAL. One of Greene county’s most progressive farmers and stock raisers, is Andrew J. O’Neal, of the vicinity of Republic, where he has resided for over a half century, during which he has seen wonderful changes “come over the face of the land,” and in these changes from the old to the new order of things he has been by no means an idle spectator, being a public- spirited man and never withholding his aid from any worthy movement having for its object the general good of his township and county. He has ever had an honest determination of purpose and an obliging nature which impel him to assist others on the highway of life while making the path of prosperity for himself and family. Mr. O'Neal is a scion of one of the earliest settlers of Missouri, his grandfather invading the wilds of this domain of the red men one hundred and ten years ago, and from that remote day to the present, members of this family have been well known in southwestern Missouri and north- ern Arkansas. Mr. O’Neal, of this review, was born in Carroll county. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1695 Arkansas, February 18, 1848. He is a son of Charles and Martha (Hill- house) O’Neal. The father was born in Kentucky, and when seven years of age removed with his parents from that state to Missouri, but after a short residence here moved on to Arkansas and estabished their home.. The father of Charles O’Neal first came to Missouri in 1805, and later went to Kentucky. He was a soldier in the War of 1812. The subject of this sketch was fourteen years old when his parents left their old home in Carroll county, Arkansas, and moved to the western part of Greene county, Missouri, where they located, in 1862, during the Civil war period, and here Charles O’Neal, the father, owned and operated a good farm during the rest of his active life, dying here at the advanced age of ninety- four years, in the year 1904. He was a good man and good citizen, neigh- borly and hospitable, everybody knew him and respected him in this part of the county. His wife, who came from near Lebanon, Laclede county, Missouri, preceded him to the grave in 1897. Andrew J. O’Neal grew to manhood on the home farm and there as- sisted with the general work when he became of proper age and he received his education in the rural schools. When a young man he began farming for himself and this has always been his occupation. He prospered with advancing years through good management and is now owner of one of the choice farms of this county, consisting of two hundred and thirty acres, which he has brought up to a fine state of improvement and on which he carries on general farming and stock raising on an extensive scale. He has a pleasant home and large, convenient outbuildings, and a good grade of live stock is always to be seen about his place. His farm includes a. portion of the old homestead. Mr. O'Neal was married, January 16, 1868, to Nancy Jane Wallace, a daughter of Thomas J. Wallace, who was born in middle Tennessee, where he spent his earlier years, and from there immigrated in an early day to Greene county, Missouri, and here became a successful farmer and spent the rest of his life. His family consisted of eleven children, four sons and seven daughters. Andrew J. O’Neal is also one of a family of eleven children, four sons and seven daughters, four of the children being now deceased; some are living in Arkansas and some in Greene county. Four children have been born to our subject and wife, namely: Charles Thomas, born July 13, 1870, died at the age of sixteen years ; Wilson S., who is farming in Republic township, this county, married Ruby Franklin, and they have three children, two sons and one daughter ; Nora, who was the wife of Albert Franklin, died at the age of twenty-six years, leaving- two children, Albert Loyd and Lola Ruth; Nellie Alice married Ross Chris- well, and they have one child. Irmvn. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1696 Mr. O'Neal’s father and four uncles were soldiers in the Civil war. Politically, our subject is a stanch Republican. In 1898 he was elected judge of the Greene County Court and served in that office two years, discharging his every duty most faithfully and winning the hearty approval of his constituents. JESSE E. GALLOWAY. It is interesting to consider the pleasure and profit of farm life as com- pared with other vocations. We are told that business is nothing more than being industriously engaged in the affairs of some occupation from which we derive our support. Farming is the world’s biggest business. It furnishes the nations with food and is the basis of all prosperity and happi- ness, in a material sense, and therefore should receive our closest and most enthusiastic consideration, and be safeguarded by our best brains and legis- lation. One of the large agriculturists of Greene county is Jesse E. Gallo- way, of Clay township, who takes a delight in his vocation, and, being at the same time a keen observer and a hard worker, has succeeded. Mr. Galloway was born in Stone county, Missouri, March 9, 1854. He is a son of Charles and Susan (Carney) Galloway. The father was born near Knoxville, Tennessee, but he came to Missouri when a young man and settled in Stone county, and, prospering, became owner of five farms there, owning about five hundred acres at the time the Civil war began. He was an extensive dealer in live stock. He was a soldier in two wars, the Mexican and Civil, joining the Union army in 1861 ; he became first a captain, then a major, and served for some time as scout for General Lyon. He made a fine record as a soldier, saw much hard service and was honorably discharged at the close of the war. He returned to his farm, but his death occurred sev- eral years afterward in Springfield. He was a member of the Baptist church. His wife was also a native of Tennessee and was a small girl when her parents brought her to Missouri. She was killed in the tornado that destroyed the Galloway home on April 18, 1880. She was a member of the Baptist church. To these parents nine children were born, namely: Mrs. Catherine King, Thomas, Jesse (subject), Charles, Mrs. Susan Thompson, Nathaniel, Alec, Abner, and Andrew Jackson. Jesse E. Galloway was reared on the home farm, where he worked until he was twentv-three years of age. He had been educated in the meanwhile in the public schools. In starting out in life for himself he went to Kansas and purchased one hundred and sixty acres, remaining on it seven years, JESSE E. GALLOWAY AND FAMILY. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. ^97 when he sold out and came back to Greene county. He has been very suc- cessful as a general farmer and stock raiser, and is now owner of four hun- dred acres of well-improved and valuable land in Clay township, where he is carrying on general farming on an extensive scale. He deals heavily in live stock. Mr. Galloway was married in 1888 to Elizabeth Meese, by whom three children were born, Charles, Jesse and Richard. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Galloway married Lula Willoby, a native of this state. She ■was reared in Christian county and educated in the common schools. To this second union nine children have been born, namely : Mrs. Catherine Gibson lives in Colorado; Nathaniel. Finis, Ellis, Joe, Norma, Julia, Luella and Jake. They are all at home with their parents but the eldest daughter. Politically, Mr. Galloway is a Democrat, but preferring to devote his time to his home and his large farming and live stock interests, he has never been active in public affairs. WILLIAM C. CARTER, M. D. The medical profession in Greene county has two able and honorable ■exponents in the persons of Drs. William C. Carter and Oscar N. Carter, located at the town of Republic, and for many years their names have been household words in the western part of the county. Like many of -our best citizens, they are Southern gentlemen, hailing from the grand old .state bearing the proud sobriquet, ’'‘the mother of Presidents,” in which the Carter family has for a number of generations been influential, and we necessarily compliment the family when we say that the Carters have ever been regarded as true representatives of the Old Dominion, the cradle of the real and only commendable aristocracy of America. The two gentle- men of whom the biographer writes in these paragraphs are the possessors of many of the winning characteristics of the people of that commonwealth. Dr. William C. Carter was born in Amherst county, Virginia, Septem- ber 27, 1859. He is a son of Robert N. and Amanda M. (Turpin) Carter. The father was born in Rockbridge county, Virginia, and there he grew to manhood, received a common school education and devoted his life to general farming, the latter portion of it in Amherst county. His father before him also owned and operated a plantation in the former county. The Carters had a large grant of land in Colonial Virginia from Kino- Charles of England. Col. Robert Carter, who finally became governor •of that state, was among the first to form a colony in Virginia, where a (107) 1698 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. large number of this family located about that time, and now their numer- ous descendants are scattered all over the Union, but perhaps more are to be found in Virginia than anywhere. The father of the subject of this sketch and eleven uncles of the doctor were soldiers in the Confederate army, and four of them lost their lives in the service. Seven children, four sons and three daughters, live of whom survive, were born to Robert N. Carter and wife, namely: Molly B. married Joseph H. Smith, a railroad man of Roanoke, Virginia, and they have seven children ; George P. is farming near Staunton, Virginia, is married and has four children; Dr. Oscar N., mentioned later in this article; Emma is the wife of Thomas L. Worsham, a railroad man of Roanoke, Virginia; Dr. William C., of this review; two children are deceased. The parents of these children died a number of years ago. Dr. William C. Carter grew to manhood on the home farm in Am- herst county, Virginia, and he received his education in Hill Academy, Allwood, his native county, later attending medical college in Richmond, V irginia, also spent one term at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Baltimore, Maryland, and was graduated in 1888. Soon thereafter he began the practice of his profession at Burdett, West Virginia, where he remained eight years, then came to Lebanon, Missouri, where he practiced for six years, then located at Dixon, this state, and continued his profession there six years, after which he came to Republic, Greene county, and joined his brother, Dr. Oscar N. Carter, who had been practicing medicine here several years. He has been very successful as a general practitioner, and has en- joyed a good practice in the several fields that he has practiced in and now has a large business. Dr. William C. Carter was married on August 6, 1893, t° Annie Elizabeth Carpenter, of Putnam county, West Virginia. She is a daughter of John T. Carpenter and wife, and was one of ten children. She grew to womanhood in her native locality and received a common school edu- cation. To our subject and wife five children have been born, two of whom died in infancy. Those living are: William C., Jr., born May 20, 1903; Carl, born May 14, 1904; and Erma, born May 23, 1906. Politically, the doctor is a Democrat. He attends the Baptist church, and fraternally is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Order of Eastern Star, and the Woodmen of the World. * Dr. Oscar N. Carter was born, April 9, 1874, in Amherst county, Virginia, and reared on the home farm in that county. He was educated in Hill Academy, in the town of Allwood, his native county, later attending medical college in Richmond, and he was graduated from the University of the South at Sewanee, Tennessee, in the class of 1899. He took one GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1699 year of hospital training at Richmond, Virginia. He began the practice of his profession at Lebanon, Missouri, where he remained two years, then came to Greene county and located at Republic, in 1902, and here he has been engaged in the general practice to the present time, and has met with continued success, enjoying a rapidly growing patronage all the while. He and his brother practice together. Dr. Oscar N. Carter married Anna Hovey, a daughter of Judge Hovey, a prominent man, a successful lawyer and jurist. Mrs. Carter was edu- cated in the common schools. She has borne her husband four children, namely: Oscar. Mary E., Virginia and Helen. HENRY S. ANDERSON. The western part of Greene county can boast of few more progressive farmers and stock raisers than the well-known gentleman whose name furnishes the caption of this article. His progenitors were among the pio- neers who reclaimed the land in the vicinity of Elwood from the wild state, and Mr. Anderson has spent his life in this vicinity, and the last three decades on the fine farm he now occupies and owns, and while laboring for material success he has not neglected his duties as a public-spirited citizen, always being willing to aid in such movements as made for the betterment of his township and county, and it has been fortunate that such men as he have been contented to remain in their native locality instead of locating in other countries. Henry S. Anderson was born in Greene county, Missouri, November 7, 1856. He is a son of Peter L. and Sarah (Hazelton) Anderson, and he has a brother and sister living, namely: George W., of San Antonio, Texas, and Martha J. Short, of Greene county, Missouri. The father of our subject was three times married. He was a native of Tennessee, from which state he came to Missouri when young and located in Greene county, where he followed general farming. His death occurred in the year 1903. The mother of our subject was born in the state of New York, and she accompanied her family to southwest Missouri when young. Her death occurred in 1883. Henry S. Anderson grew to manhood on the home farm and worked hard when a boy and under his father gained a knowledge of agriculture that stood him well in hand in later life. He received his education m the rural schools of his district, and when a young man took up farming for himself. He was born and reared within a mile of the old homestead of his maternal grandfather, Mr. Hazelton having entered the place from 1 7oo' GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. the government and developed it. Our subject lias lived on his present farm twenty-nine years. It consists of one hundred and sixty acres of productive and valuable land, on which he has made such, improvements as were needed to make it the equal of any in the vicinity, and here he has made a success as a general farmer and has always kept a good grade of live stock. He has a good set of buildings and keeps everything in ship-shape about the place. Mr .Anderson has been twice married, first, to Jessie Wiley, by whom four children were born, namely: George E., who is farming in this county, married Elsie Henshaw, and they have one child, Mary ; Bertha married H. B. Morton, a merchant of Brookline, this county; Ardo D., who is engaged in farming in Greene county, married Leota Pickering; Maud married Frank Blanton, a farmer of Brookline township, and they have two children. The death of our subject's first wife occurred in 1890, and he subsequently married on October 28, 1894, Mary C. McCullough, of Christian county, Missouri, and a daughter of William F. McCullough, a farmer. To this second union three children have been born, namely: Earl R., born in 1895, lives at home; Lynn T., born in 1903, is also with his parents; Claude died in infancy. Politically, Mr. Anderson is a Republican. Fraternally, he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. JOHN S. C. JACKSON. Horticulture is one of the most profitable as well as pleasant vocations, and Greene county has won a high place among her one hundred and thir- teen sister counties as a favored section of Missouri for the successful carry- ing on of this calling. But it requires brains as well as industry to succeed as a horticulturist ; one must study, observe closely, experiment, investigate and know a little about many things; must exercise patience and caution; must know how to select the proper soil and right kind of nursery stock, when and how to fertilize, must watch for frosts, freezes, insect pests and diseases of plants, and know what they are when they appear and how to properly combat them. But the results are worth the cost in money and pains, and it is a healthful, independent and interesting business. One of the successful horticulturists of Greene county is John S. C. Jackson, of Republic township, a man who is well up in the various phases of his work. Mr. Jackson was born in Knox county, Tennessee, August 1, 1845. He is a son of John PI. and Christiana (Chanabary) Jackson, both natives of Tennessee, where they were reared and married. His father moved from Virginia to that state in a very early day. The mother’s parents were of GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1701 German and Irish descent. The parents of our subject devoted their active lives to farming in Tennessee and Greene county, Missouri, and died in the latter place. They were the parents of five children, four sons and one daughter, namely: James is deceased; George W., a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume; John S. C., of this sketch; Edward L. and Mary Jane, twins. John S. C. Jackson was reared on the farm and he received his educa- tion in the district schools. He left his native state in 1867, and he and two brothers came to Greene county, Missouri, locating in Republic township on a prairie farm, purchasing railroad land, where they still live, the place consisting of one hundred and sixty acres, which they have kept well tilled and well improved during their residence here of nearly a half century. But our subject has prospered and now owns four hundred acres. Their parents came to this place after the sons had settled it, taking up their resi- dence here in 1870, and here they spent the rest of their lives, the father dying in 1872 and the mother in 1879, and were buried here. Our subject makes- a specialty of horticulture, in which he is regarded as an authority. He is growing no less than nine varieties of blackberries, and is now mak- ing a feature of a berry new to Missouri — the “Himalaya,” also the “Star of the World." Mr. Jackson was married on March 5, 1871, to Nancy J. Idles, a native of Kentucky and a daughter of Green and Nancy (Collins) Liles, who spent their active lives engaged in farming. To Mr. and Mrs. Jackson nine children have been born, namely: Marshall, a farmer of Republic town- ship, married Ira Guiott and they have three children ; Glapha married Will- iam Robertson, a farmer in Republic township, has been twice married, first to May Brown, and after her death he married Gertie Finley, and he had five children by his first wife; Quinn Kelly, who is farming near Plano, Missouri, married Miss Claude Taylor, and they have one child; Alfred, who is engaged in merchandising at Plano, married Pearl Batson, and they have one child ; Molly, who received a business college education in Spring- field, is at home; William, who is farming in Republic township, married Kate Crum, and they have one child ; Carlos lives at home ; Hattie is also with her parents. Politically, Mr. Jackson is a Republican. He was school director of his district for a period of twelve years. Religiously, he is a member of the Christian church. He is well and favorably known throughout the western part of Greene county, where he is regarded as one of our most extensive, substantial and progressive farmers, stockmen and horticulturists. He has gained and retained the undivided respect of all who knew him. He is always to be found on the right side of all questions looking to the betterment of his community. 1702 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. HUGH B. INGLER. There is something admirable in the German character, something of wondrous gentleness and keen appreciation in the beauty which life holds, something line and high. In music the Germans have given the world a magic gamut of sound, from the soft lullaby of the young mother crooning to her pink-cheeked babe to the mighty thunders of dynamic masterpieces. In art, the German school is easily first, at least so considered by many of the world's competent critics, with the wonderful galaxy of painters and sculptors whose frame is as broad as the earth, while in science and in litera- ture, in poetry and in the sweet pastoral beauty of their folk lore the sons and daughters of the Fatherland stand almost without an equal. And what fathers and mothers they make ! What homes they build ! What garden- like farms they till! “This is a German settlement,’’ we say, and behold! on every hand are clean, fertile fields, neat hedge-rows, great barns bursting with plenty, grunting droves of fat swine, great herds of sleek cattle, and everywhere a scene of bounty and fruition, to say nothing of homes re- splendent with good will, good health and honest contentment. A large number of Germans live in Greene county, a number in the vicinity of Republic, and of this nationality the Ingler family is deserving of mention, one of the best-known members of which is Hugh B. Ingler, the present efficient postmaster at that place. He was born in Jo Daviess county, Illinois, July 7, 1870. He is a son of John and Lucinda (Saxon) Ingler. He has a sister, Addie, who married A. A. Pierce, a farmer of Christian county, Missouri, and they have one child, Leo. John Ingler, father of our subject, was born in Germany, and when five years of age he immigrated with his father’s family to the United States, the family locating in Baltimore, Maryland, where the grandfather of our subject followed his trade of tailor, however, he purchased a farm near that city, on which he located his family. John Ingler grew to man- hood there and received a common school education. When a young man he went to Carroll county, Illinois where he followed general farming for many years, then removed to Greene county, Missouri, purchasing a good farm near Republic, which he sold later and is now living retired from active work. He has a well-improved place and has made a success as an agriculturist. He was married in Carroll county, Illinois, and he and his wife are now advanced in years, but are comparatively hale and hearty. Hugh B. Ingler spent his boyhood days on the home farm in Illinois and there he remained with his parents until about eight years of age, when they moved to near Republic, and at the latter place he received his edu- cation in the public schools. He worked on the farm until he was twenty GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1703 years of age. Learning the trade of decorating and painting, he became quite expert and followed the same for a period of twenty years. He worked as an expert in a canning factory for a number of years, also worked in Louisiana for the Chicago Building and Manufacturing Company. Finally returning to Republic he served as deputy sheriff of Greene county for two years, 1911 and 1912. He was appointed postmaster at Republic May 6, 1913, and is still incumbent of this office, the duties of which he has discharged in a manner entirely satisfactory to the department and the people. Politically, Mr. Ingler is a Democrat. Fraternally, he belongs to the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, the Woodmen of the World, and Knights of the Maccabees, and he and his family are members of the Chris- tian church. Mr. Ingler was married in Lawrence county, Missouri, November 14, 1894, to Alice Ragsdale. She is a daughter of Branson Ragsdale, who died when she was four years of age. His family consisted of four chil- dren, two sons and two daughters. He devoted his active life to farming. Mrs. Ingler grew to womanhood in her native community and was edu- cated in the common schools. Nine children, six of whom are deceased, have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Ingler. Those living are named as follows : Charles W., born Sep- tember 14, 1896; Ayo Recktor, born October 4, 1903; Louese, born June 1, 1909. JOSHUA L. JONES. Farmers come nearer being their own business masters than any other class of workers. It takes considerable capital these days to go into farming properly, but a farmer nowadays does not need so much land as he has been taught to believe he should have. Where one hundred and sixty acres has been considered a necessity for a good farm, forty acres will soon he regarded as plenty; and for some kinds of crops ten acres is all a man can properly care for. Intensive cultivation with modern methods makes a successful farm out of few acres of land. Ownership and proper development of even a few acres will amply provide for the unproductive period in the lives of farmers. One of the capable farmers of Republic township, Greene county, is Joshua L. Jones, who was born in this township and county, on the old Jones homestead, March 23, 1872. He is a son of Isaac N. and Martna (McClure) Jones, both natives of Monroe county, Tennessee, where they spent their earlier years. Isaac N. Jones was twenty-three years of age 1/04 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. when he left his native state and immigrated to Greene county, Missouri. He received a fairly good education for a country boy in those days, and he taught school after coming to the Ozarks, continuing as a teacher until the commencement of the Civil war, during which period of strife between his fellow citizens, he acted as deputy sheriff under Elisha White. He was also county suveyor at one time. He devoted the latter part of his life to- general farming in Republic township, where his death occurred in 1883. His widow survived until 1902, outliving him nineteen years. They were the parents of ten children, an equal number of sons and daughters, four of whom are living at this writing, one son and five daughters being de- ceased. Joshua L. Jones grew to manhood on the home farm and there he worked hard when a boy. He received his education in the district schools- of his neighborhood, and he also studied at Marionville Collegiate Insti- tute, Marionville, Missouri. His brother, Ben G. W. Jones, who is in partnership with him farming, and who is three years younger, was edu- cated in the local public schools and later was graduated from the Marion- ville Collegiate Institute. Joshua L. Jones began life for himself as a farmer when a young man and this has continued to claim his constant attention. He and his brother, Ben G. W. Jones, own a good farm of forty acres in Republic township and here they are obtaining very gratifying results as general farmers and stock raisers, being very close students of modern methods of agriculture and not afraid to experiment and adopt advanced ideas in hus- bandry. Both he and his brother have remained unmarried. Politically our subject is a Democrat and active in local party affairs. WILLARD MAJOR BARRON. In placing the name of Willard Major Barron, of Republic, in the. front rank of Greene county’s business men, simple justice is done to a biographical fact, recognized throughout this section of the Ozark region by those at all familiar with his history, for he was the founder of the ex- tensive manufacturing industry which bears his name. A man of wise dis- cretion and business ability of a high order, he manages with tactful success an important enterprise and has so impressed his individuality upon the community as to gain recognition among its leading citizens and public- spirited men of affairs. What of the man and what of his work? This is the dual query which represents the interrogation at least nominally enter- tained whenever that discriminating factor, the public, would pronounce on the true worth of the individual. The career of Mr. Barron indicates GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1705 the clear-cut, sane and distinct character, and in reviewing the same from an unbiased and unprejudiced standpoint, interpretation follows fact in a straight line of derivation. In this publication it is consistent that such a review be entered, and that without the adulation of ornate praise. Mr. Barron was born in Northhampton county, Pennsylvania, March 24, 1854. He is a son of Samuel C. and Sallie (Major) Barron. Samuel C. Barron was reared in Pennsylvania and received a good practical educa- tion, partly in the schools of Easton, that state, and later in life started in the retail cigar business for himself, which he continued until his death, in 1906. Pie and his wife were both natives of Northampton county, Pennsylvania, and were reared and married there. The Major family were in the cooperage business in that locality and were well known and highly respected, as were also the Barrons. During the war between the states Samuel C. Barron served three years as a soldier in the Union army, as a member of a regiment from his native state. For some time after the close of the war he followed blacksmithing, but later took up the cigar business. Toward the latter part of his life his eyesight failed and he finally went blind. Willard M. Barron was the only child of his parents. He grew to manhood in Pennsylvania, remaining there until he was nineteen years of age, and there he was educated in the common schools. Leaving his native state he went to Michigan, locating twelve miles south of Kalamazoo, where he engaged in the grocery business for himself, later took in partners, the firm name becoming Barron, Frank Boner & Company, continuing for two years. During those early years in Michigan our subject learned the cooperage business, for which he seemed to have a natural bent. His grandfather had operated a cooper shop many years at Martin’s Creek, Pennsylvania, near the city of Easton, and there young Barron often visited and watched the workmen at their tasks, however he did not attempt the work himself at that time. He worked under John B. Major, an uncle, who was engaged in this line of endeavor in Michigan. Mr. Major is now deceased. He was foreman of the cooperage plant owned by Jacob Johnson, who had married the mother of our subject and was therefore at that time our subject’s step-father. When twenty-two years old Willard M. Barron went to Winona, Minnesota, where he worked at the cooper's trade three years, then returned to Michigan and worked two years for his step- father, then located in Schoolcraft, that state, and started a grocery store,, which he conducted two years, then sold out and came to Missouri, buying a farm in Jasper county, in 1880. In 1887 he came to Springfield and worked for the Springfield Lumber and Cooperage Company about six years, then went to Mammoth Spring, Arkansas, where he had charge of the- Mammoth Spring Roller Mills cooper shop, which position he held seven 1706 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. years, then went to Nashville, Tennessee, and took charge of the H. C. Mocker cooperage plant, which employed on an average of forty-five men. After spending two years there he returned to Springfield, Missouri, and took charge of the Wunderlich cooperage shop here, which he operated a year, which ended his work for other people. In all the above responsible positions he gave eminent satisfaction in every respect, being an exceptionally highly skilled workman, energetic, reliable and handled the men under him in a manner to get the best results possible and retain their good will at the same time. He continued learning the various ins and outs of the business until he felt eminently qualified to manage a plant of his own, and thus he went to Republic and began in the cooperage business for himself. He was successful from the first and his business grew by leaps and bounds under his able management and wise foresight until it has now reached enormous proportions and he has thriving factories in a num- ber of other cities besides his main plant at Republic. Upon establishing his plant in the last named place he contracted to make the barrels for the Becker, Langerberger Milling Company of Republic, which, however, was even at that time owned by the R. C. Stone Milling Company. He has three other plants, one at Joplin, one at Carthage, one at Aurora and, form- erly, he operated similar plants at Mt. Vernon and Marionville. His main plant and head office are at Republic, and the combined output of all his plants averages one hundred and fifty thousand barrels per year, all hand- made and of a superior quality and workmanship. The Barron Cooperage Company has a splendid financial rating and has from the first stood high in the industrial circles of the Southwest. Each factory is modern in every detail, equipped with up-to-date machinery and only the most highly skilled artisans are employed and the best material used. The various plants give employment to a large number of men. Mr. Barron was married, first, to Mary Tweedy, a daughter of Thomas and Sarah Tweedy. Mr. Tweedy was a native of Ireland from which country he emigrated to New York, where he married a native of that state. He was a tailor by trade. Mrs. Barron was born in Constantine, Michigan, and was one of five children. She died three years after her marriage, without issue. Mr. Barron was married on January 5, 1879, to Sarah Jane Baldy, who was a daughter of Paul R. and Jane (Finley) Baldy, natives of Pennsylvania and Michigan, respectively. They were the parents of two children — Frank Baldy, who lives in Flint, Michigan; and Sarah Jane, wife of Mr. Barron. The latter was quite small when her mother died, and when her father married again he took her into his new home, she having spent about four years after her mother’s death with an aunt in Pennsylvania. The mother of Mrs. Barron is living near Carthage, Jasper GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1/07 county, Missouri, where she owns about three-quarters section of very valuable land. Four children have been born to Mr. Barron and his last wife, named as follows: Sallie Annette is the wife of Edward Huckins and they live in Republic; Willard B. lives in Aurora, Missouri; Flora J. is the wife of J. C. McCleary, of Seattle, Washington; Lewis Whitfield lives in Joplin, Missouri. These children all received good educational advantages and are well situated in life. We quote the following paragraph from the leading newspaper of Aurora, this state, which article recently appeared, and we deem it in keeping with the rest of this chronicle : “There may be some persons in Aurora and this section of the state who do not know that Willard M. Barron has one of his largest cooperage plants in this city, but everyone who is in the market for these goods has long since learned that Aurora supports one of the largest plants of this kind in southwest Missouri. The branch of the W. M. Barron Cooperage Company, which is established in Aurora is under the personal direction of Willard B. Barron, who is a stockholder in the concern. He is the son of Willard M. Barron, who is known throughout this country as being the pioneer in cooperage works. The Barrons are a family of coopers. The father came to this country fourteen years ago and located in Springfield. After remaining there for one year he saw an opening at Republic and moved there. He has been established in that town for thirteen years, now. As he remained there he saw the development of the w r onderful orchards throughout Missouri. It was at this time that Aurora became the center of large orchards and, knowing that great opportunities awaited him, he established his plant here. Willard B. Barron, who has been in charge of the plant for a number of years, has long since demonstrated that he is one of the true, live ones of Aurora. He is for everything that will develop the city, and progress is the motto of the plant which he manages. With a number of young men of Mr. Barron’s type in this city, Aurora would soon forge to the front ranks of the cities of Missouri. “Lewis W. Barron, youngest son of Willard M. Barron, is soon to take charge of the cooperage plants in Joplin and Carthage. These plants were established in July, 1913. The Barrons have been spreading out until they are now the ‘barons’ of the cooperage business in southwest Missouri. From twelve to fifteen men are employed at the plant here whose salaries run from eighteen to thirty dollars a week. The coopers work mostly by piece. As in the other Barron cooperage plants, the workmen in this city are highly skilled and are ranked among the high-class laborers of the city. Despite the adverse conditions of last year, the plant here has 1708 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. done a very nice business the present season. Thirteen cars of material have been shipped into Aurora and fifteen cars of barrels and other prod- utcs of the cooperage plants have been shipped to points throughout the country. The products are not confined to this territory, but are sent to many of the neighboring states. Only recently a carload of the products was sent to Oswego, Kansas. Aurora is fortunate in having a large branch of such a concern. It means much to the city. Men are employed and money is brought here. It is such establishments as W. M. Barron Cooper- age Company that have put Aurora on the map as a commercial center.” Politically, Willard M. Barron is a Republican and is well-informed on current public matters. Fraternally, he belongs to the Masonic order, the Knights of Pythias, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Knights of the Maccabees, Woodmen of the World and Woodmen's Circle. Mrs. Barron is a member of the Ladies of Maccabees and the Woodmen’s Circle. Both belong to the Methodist Episcopal church, in which they are active workers, he being president of the board of stewards and is also a trustee of the church. He was formerly leader in the Sunday school. We close this article by quoting the last lines in an account of our subject and his large business interests, which appeared some time ago in a newspaper at Republic : “Mr. Barron is a fervent Christian, being a member of the Hood Methodist Episcopal church. Fie has been Sunday school superintendent for four years. He is a member of nearly all the lodges in Republic. No better neighbor or honest man lives today than Willard Barron, of the city of Republic.” JACOB WARREN CARTON. Among the things which the modern farmer has to become familiar with is the nature of the soil with which he is working, if he would reap the maximum results for his toil and pains. Since the soil varies so much in regard both to its organic and inorganic constituents, marked differences in character must necessarily result from the almost indefinite number of combinations which may be found. All these differences, however, may be traced to two sets of factors: First, the character of the rock or material from which the soil has been derived; and, second, the processes or agencies by means of which this material has been changed from mere rock or rock debris into a medium suitable for the growth of plants. The former has to do with soil-forming material, the latter with soil-forming agencies. To these two groups of factors are to be attributed the numerous varieties in soil conditions found over various parts of the earth. One of the farmers GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. I709 •of Greene county who makes a study of soils and advanced methods of agriculture is Jacob Warren Garton of Wilson township. Mr. Garton was born in Greene county, Missouri, February 18, 1862. He is a son of Jacob W. and Elizabeth (Rainey) Garton, both natives of middle Tennessee, where they grew up, received common school educations and were married. Shortly thereafter they immigrated to Greene county, Missouri, locating in Wilson township, on a farm now owned by R. Steury. They remained on this place three years, then the elder Garton homesteaded a place in this township, of one hundred and sixty acres, which he cleared, improved and farmed until his death, which occurred in 1902. His family, by our subject’s mother, consisted of five children, namely: Alice, who married George McElhany, is deceased; John is deceased; George lives in Springfield; J. Warren, of this review, and James, deceased. The mother of the above named children died in 1865, and in 1874 Jacob W. Garton married for his second wife Missouri A. Wallace, a daughter of Wash Wallace, who was one of the first settlers of Greene county, and to this second union seven children were born, four of whom are still living, and are named, xWtie, who is the wife of Alfred Carden; Cordy, Ruby is the wife of Lee Blanton, and Ella. J. Warren Garton, of this sketch, grew to manhood on the home farm and worked hard when a boy. During the winter months he attended the district schools of his township, first the old-fashioned subscription schools, then went as far as the eighth grade in the public schools, and when about seventeen years old entered high school in Springfield, which he attended a little over two ) r ears, then he took a course in the Marionville Collegiate Institute, which he attended a little over two years, and later took a business course in Springfield, embracing bookkeeping and business forms. Thus he received an exceptionally good general and practical education which well prepared him for life’s serious work. After leaving school he returned to the old homestead, where he remained until he was twenty-five years of r.ge, then launched out on his own account, buying ten acres of the old homestead, later purchasing twenty-six acres adjoining, and for many years lived in a small home he had built on his land, keeping bachelor apartments with his brother George. They worked their land during the crop seasons and there- by earned money with which to defray their expenses in school. Our sub- ject is now owner of an excellent farm of one hundred and eighty-five acres on which he carries on general farming and stock raising successfully, his place being known as “Rainbow Farm,” a name which his oldest daughter gave it. He handles a great deal of live stock and when he and his brother farmed together they bought and shipped stock quite extensively to the St. Louis and Kansas City markets. Mr. Garton built a new dwelling on his farm in 1914. It is modernlv appointed and appropriately furnished. It has 1710 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. as nearly up-to-date conveniences as can be installed in a house in the country. Mr. Garton was married, September 4, 1893, to Alwilda Medora Owen, a daughter of Charles B. and Nancy C. Owen, her father being a native of Tennessee, from which state he came to Greene county when a young man. He was a son of Solomon H. Owen, one of the first settlers of Greene county, and who became one of the most extensive land owners and prom- inent citizens here. A complete chronicle of this worthy old family will be found under the caption of Charles J. Owen, appearing on another page of this volume. Our subject’s wife was one of eight children, namely: Charles J., Bettie, deceased; George, Frank, Edward, Susie is the wife of Gary Martin, Alwilda, who married the subject of this sketch, and Joseph, who is the youngest. Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Garton, namely: Lee, Urith, Owen, Howard, Cleo, Rollie, Lester, Sterling and Thelma. They are all at home with their parents at this writing. Politically, Mr. Garton is a Democrat, and he and his wife are mem- bers of the Christian church. WALTER B. YOUNG. The farmer who succeeds must plan his planting well ahead. He must sub-divide his crop area into sections of a size to suit his requirements, and in such manner as to keep his ground fully occupied by a continued succes- sion of crops, throughout the growing season, and thus obtain the maximum of produce from his soil with no loss of fertility and with the minimum risk of loss from insect attacks, drought, flood or from disease. One of the successful young farmers of Wilson township, Greene county, who seems to have a comprehensive grasp of the above phases of agriculture and a myriad of others of importance, is Walter B. Young. Mr. Young was born near Greenville, in eastern Tennessee, Decem- ber 8, 1882. He is a son of J. H. and Mary J. (Walker) Young, both natives of Tennessee also, where they grew to maturity and were married. The father was a shoemaker in his earlier life, but later devoted his atten- tion to farming, purchasing a farm in Greene county, Tennessee, when our subject was about six years old, and lived on the place three years, when he sold out and removed to Greene county, Missouri, settling on the Walter Bray farm near Bois D’Arc, where he resided six years, then purchased twenty acres near that town. Lie is now making - his home in Bois D’Arc. His wife died in 1909. They were the parents of six children, namely: GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. I7II John lives on a farm in Murry township; Mrs. Mollie Bean, Mrs. Lee Lock- wood, Charles is deceased, Walter B. of this sketch, and Mrs. Bertha Peck lives near Kansas City, Missouri. Walter B. Young grew to manhood on the farm and assisted his father with the general farm work. He received his education in the dis- trict schools of Tennessee and at Bois D'Arc, Missouri. He remained with his parents until he was eighteen years of age. He began farming for him- self when but a boy and has continued in this vocation with gratifying success. He has for the past five years been operating two hundred acres in Wilson township and has been well repaid for his labor and careful atten- tion to it. Mr. Young married on March 17, 1901, Eva Robinson, a daughter of Marion and Cornelia (Carter) Robinson, both natives of Greene county, this state, where our subject’s wife grew to womanhood and was educated in the common schools. She is the oldest of six children, the others being named as follows: the second child died in infancy; William and Walter, twins; Mrs. Bertha Arbuckle, who was next in order, and Gertie, who is at home with her parents, who live on a farm near Elwood, this county. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Young, namely: Virgil Ray, Lorena Essie and Velma. Politically, Mr. Young is a Republican. Mrs. Young is a member of the Baptist church. THOMAS T. CRENSHAW. Success is only achieved by the exercise of certain distinguishing quali- ties and it can not be retained without effort. Those by whom great epoch changes have been made in the political and industrial world began early in life to prepare themselves for their peculiar duties and responsibilities, and it was only by the most persevering and continuous endeavor that they suc- ceeded in rising superior to the obstacles in their way and reaching the goal of their ambition. Judging from the record Thomas T. Crenshaw, president of the Greene County Lumber Company, is making, while still a young man, he has carefully laid the foundation for large future success, some of which he has already achieved. Mr. Crenshaw was born in Springfield, Missouri, February 15, 1881. He is a son of L. A. D. and Fannie (Smith) Crenshaw. The father was born in Tennessee, from which state he came to Missouri in 1845 an d lo- cated on a farm four miles south of Springfield, where he carried on general farming and stock raising successfully, making a specialty of raising mules and horses, being thus engaged until his death in 1884, comparatively early 1712 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. in life. His widow has survived him thirty years and is now living on Market street, Springfield, being advanced in age. To these parents seven children were born, named as follows: Sue E. is the wife of Dr. Joseph Love; Anne W. is the wife of C. C. Sheppard; D. W. lives on a farm; Smith S. was next in order; Aileen S. is the wife of J. H. Hoffman; Thomas T., of this review; Clara C. is the wife of Allen Earley. Thomas T. Crenshaw spent his childhood on the farm, and he received a good education in the common schools which he attended until 1895, then went to Culver, Indiana, and entered the Culver Military Academy, where he remained three years. When the war with Spain broke out he enlisted in Company Iv, Second Missouri Infantry, and was sent with other troops to the large military camps at Chickamauga Park and Albany, both in Georgia, and Lexington, Kentucky. He remained in the service one year, and was mustered out at Albany, Georgia. He then returned to Springfield, where he remained a year, then went to the Pacific coast, where he began his career as a lumberman and there gained his first knowledge of the business. After remaining in the far West three years he went to Columbus, Ohio, and became sales manager in an eastern territory for a large lumber concern, the Missouri Lumber and Land Exchange Company, of Kansas City, and remained in the East about nine years, doing much to increase the prestige of his firm in that territory, and was regarded as one of the firm’s most capable and trustworthy employees. In the meantime he had mastered the various phases of the lumber business, and in 1912, returned to Springfield, Missouri, and helped organize the Greene County Lumber Company, being- incorporated under the state laws of Missouri. Mr. Crenshaw is president and general manager and his close application, able management and wise foresight has made this one of the most successful firms of its kind in Greene county, its business and prestige rapidly increasing with the years. All grades of lumber are handled, all kinds of building materials — every- thing to be found in an up-to-date twentieth century lumber establishment. Their extensive yards are located at 447 South Campbell street. Mr. Crenshaw was married. May 12, 1906, to Mabel C. Noggle, a daughter of Ira and Allie E. (Erickson) Noggle, both natives of Union- ville, Missouri. The father died about twenty-five years ago, but the mother survives. Mrs. Crenshaw has a brother, John R. Noggle, who makes his home in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Crenshaw received a good edu- cation. She is a member of various clubs, in all of which she is popular. She is also a member of the Presbyterian church. To Mr. and Mrs. Crenshaw one child has been born, Thomas T., Jr., who is now five years of age. Politically, our subject is a Democrat. He belongs to the Christian church. He belongs to the Springfield Club, the Country Club and the Young Men’s Business Club. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1713 milton c. McConnell. The life of Milton C. McConnell, for many years a prominent farmer and grain dealer in Campbell township, Greene county, who is now a deputy sheriff of this county and living in Springfield, has been such as to bear aloft the high standard which has been maintained by his father, who was one of the early residents of this section of the Ozarks, and whose life was signally noble and upright, one over which falls no shadow of wrong in word, thought or deed. Such was the type of men who laid the foundation and aided in the development of this locality, and to their memories will ever be paid a tribute of reverence and gratitude by those who have profited by their well-directed endeavors and appreciated the lesson of their lives. Mr. McConnell was born in Giles county, Tennessee, November 24, 1856. He is a son of James A. and Nancy C. (Knox) McConnell, both natives of Tennessee, the date of the father’s birth being October 10, 1825. These parents grew to maturity in their native state and were married there and spent their earlier years. The mother of our subject died when he was quite young and he has little recollection of her. James A. McConnell re- ceived a good education of his day and he devoted his life to teaching and farming. He came to Greene county, Missouri, with his family in 1857 and located in the western part of the county on a farm and there spent the rest of his life, dying in 1899. His family consisted of seven children, all sons, namely: John K. lives in Greene county; George H. makes his home in Prairie county, Arkansas: James C. of Spring-field; Milton C., of this sketch; Henry D., of St. Louis; Albert A. lives in Oklahoma, and Josephus is a resident of Fayetteville, Arkansas. Milton C. McConnell grew up on the farm and he received a common school education, which was limited for lack of opportunities, as the war between the states was in progress during his boyhood days. He remained with his father until he was about twenty-four years of age and then went to farming for himself. In 1880 he purchased one hundred and forty-five acres in Brookline township, which he improved until it ranked with the best farms of the township, and here he carried on a general farming busi- ness successfully, and also did a large and lucrative grain business for years, maintaining an elevator at Brookline. He also devoted considerable atten- tion to handling live stock. He removed to Springfield a few years ago and now lives in a good home on West Walnut street. I11 January, 1913, he was appointed deputy sheriff of Greene county and is discharging the duties of that office at this writing. Politically, he is a Democrat, and has long been more or less active in the ranks of his party. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church. ( 108) 1714 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. Mr. McConnell was married in 1884 to Mattie E. Firestone, a daugh- ter of James H. and Mary J. Firestone, natives of Tennessee, where they grew up and from which state they came to Greene county, Missouri, in an early day. They were the parents of twelve children, Mrs. McConnell being next to the oldest. To Mr. and Mrs. McConnell five children have been born, named as follows : Mrs. Gertrude Crowe lives in Lebanon, this state ; Thomas T. is a graduate of Purdue University, Lafayette, Indiana, and is now director of athletics and teaches agriculture in the University of Arkansas, at Fay- etteville; Milton Lee lives in San Francisco, California; Lucile died in in- fancy, and Ethel, who is at home. Mrs. Mary J. Firestone is still living and is making her home with our subject and wife. Mr. Firestone has been deceased a number of years. DAVID MICHAEL DIFFENDERFFER. The man who gains success in this age of materialism is he who can see and utilize the opportunities that come in his path — seize them at the right time and use them properly. To do so requires innate tact, keen discrimination and sound judgment; but after all the basic conditions of human life are ever the same, the surroundings of individuals differing but slightly, and whether we achieve positions of wealth and influence or whether we are underlings throughout our earthly span of years depend, according to Shakespeare, “Not in our stars but in ourselves.” Realizing this at the outset of his career, David Michael Diffenderffer, one of Spring- field's successful business men, has sought to advance himself along legiti- mate lines by hard work and persistent effort. Mr. Diffenderffer was born, August 30, 1870, in Ft. Bliss, Texas. He is a scion of a Pennsylvania family of German ancestry, and is a son of David R. and Margaret (Dunham) Diffenderffer. The father was born in New Holland, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and there grew to man- hood and was educated in Franklin-Marshall College in the city of Lan- caster. Shortly after his graduation he went to Mexico and was appointed United States consul to that country by President James Buchanan. After serving his term in this responsible office in a manner that reflected credit upon himself and to the satisfaction of the government, he returned to Lan- caster, Pennsylvania, and there engaged in the banking business with grati- fying success until 1874, when he came to Lebanon, Missouri, and there continued in the banking business until his death, which occurred in the spring of 1900. He enjoyed the good will and esteem of all with whom he GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1715 was associated. Margaret Dunham, also a representative of an old family of the Keystone state, was reared and educated in Lancaster and there they were married. She is still living in Lebanon, this state. To these parents seven children were born, namely: William, who lives in Lebanon; Mary has remained at the old home in Lebanon; Harry W. is associated in the carriage and implement business with our subject in Springfield; Jennie is the wife of Carl Morris, and they live in Springfield; John is cashier of the bank in Lebanon; Grace is the wife of William Owen and they live in Lebanon; David M., of this sketch. Harry W. Diffenderffer was but two years old when his parents estab- lished the family home in Lebanon, Missouri, and there he grew to manhood and attended the public schools, later was a student in the University of Missouri. Leaving school in 1891 he went to St. Louis and engaged with the Kansas & Texas Coal Company as assistant superintendent, remaining in the employ of this firm three years, then went to Galveston, Texas, and took a position as a reporter on the News, later went to Phoenix, Arizona, and after working there two years went to Alaska in newspaper work and a general prospecting expedition. He spent five years in that country, one year of which was spent in carrying the United States mail from Dawson to Circle City, over the ice, down the Yukon river, a distance of three hun- dred miles. He walked this six hundred miles each month, driving: six does o > o to a sled. He was also a member of the famous mounted Canadian police force, and assisted in running down many criminals, including a gang that had murdered three prospectors. He captured one, who was subsequently hanged. Returning to the United States in 1902, Mr. Diffenderffer located at Caddo, Oklahoma, where he engaged in mercantile pursuits. He also en- tered politics there and in 1908 he was assistant secretary at the national Democratic convention in St. Louis, when William J. Bryan was nominated for a third time for President. Mr. Diffenderffer was subsequently national committeeman of the Independent political part of Oklahoma. In 1910 he went to New York City and was employed by William R. Hurst on the New York American and the New York Journal, handling principally poli- tical assignments, being sent all over the United States. He was regarded as one of the ablest and most versatile writers on the Hurst papers and most conversant with the political' situation of the country. Finally tiring of newspaper work and and desiring to re-enter business, he came to Spring- field, Missouri, in the fall of 1911 and engaged in the buggy and implement business with his brother, Dave Diffenderffer, under the firm name of D. M. Diffenderffer, the name being later changed to the Diffenderffer Buggy & Implement Company. On April 24, 1902, he married Edith Kirk, and their union has been without issue. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. I7l6 David M. Diffenderffer was about four years old when his parents removed with him to Pennsylvania, and in 1876 the family came to Mis- souri. Ide received his early education in the public schools of Laclede county, this state, finishing his education at Drury College, Springfield. He was with W. H. Owens Mercantile establishment in Lebanon while re- ceiving his early schooling. After leaving Drury College he went to Port- land, Oregon, where he was employed by a produce concern one year, after which he returned to Greene county and went to work for the McGregor- Noe Hardware Company in Springfield, and after working about a year for this firm he took a position as traveling salesman for a hardware firm in Chicago and remained with it one year, then, in 1897, he began in the implement business in Springfield, under the firm name of D. M. Diffen- derffer, located at the corner of Walnut and Campbell streets, where he remained about three years, during which he got well established, then re- moved to the corner of Pearl and Walnut streets on what is known as the Stewart and Cowan building, which was erected especially for Mr. Diffen- derffer. After remaining here about six years it became necessary to seek larger quarters, and our subject purchased property at the corner of Walnut and Market streets, where he erected a two-story, modern and convenient brick building, with twenty-one thousand feet of floor space, where the business has since been located. This is the oldest implement company in this section of the state. A large and well-selected stock of buggies, carriages and implements is car- ried at all times. The business has been established over eighteen years and is one of the most widely and favorably known of its kind in southwestern Missouri. The volume of business has constantly increased with advancing years until it has assummed vast proportions, an extensive jobbing business being carried on over the Southwest, including a large portion of this state, eastern Oklahoma, and northern Arkansas. David M. Diffenderffer was married, June 14, 1900, to Mabel Dunning, who is a daughter of A. C. and Laura (Crothers) Dunning, the mother being" a daug’hter of Colonel Crothers, formerly oi Indiana. Both the colonel and his Avife are deceased. They were the parents of two children, Mrs. Mabel Diffenderffer being the oldest ; the other, Mrs. Edith Sheppard, is also living in Springfield. Four children have been born to our subject and Avife, namely: Margaret Jane, born July 17, 1902; Katherine Louise, born February 21, 1904; Mabel, born February 1, 1906, and David Ritten- house, born May 24, 1909. Politically, Mr. Diffenderffer is a Republican. Both he and his wife are members of Calvary Presbyterian church. He is a member of the Masonic Order and the Royal Arcanum lodge ; he belongs to Solomon lodge, GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1717 Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. He is one of the charter members of the Springfield Club. Mr. Diffenderffer has recently organized the Overland Motor Car Com- pany, of Joplin, Missouri, which has been incorporated by D. M. and J. L. Diffenderffer. The object of the firm is to distribute the Overland auto- mobile in a territory of about fifty counties tributary to the city of Joplin. Harry W. Diffenderffer will be in charge of this new enterprise, with head- Cjuarters in Joplin. JAMES H. MASON. One of the old and honored families of Greene county is the Masons, and no history of this locality would be complete without mention of the same, one of the best known members of the present generation being James H. Mason, who, in the practice of law, in Springfield, has attained to a laudable position in his profession, while yet a young man; and his reputation for integrity, stability of character, and fidelity to his clients, and trusts committed to him, whether professional or otherwise, is firmly established. His pathways are along the moral levels of the world, and he preserves the symmetry of a true moral life by emphasizing his attachment to it ; by defending the truth, the right, and by right acting and living, and especially, by aiming to preserve the perfect proportions of truth. Mr. Mason was born, February 19, 1874, near Ash Grove, Greene county, Missouri, on a farm. He is a son of Robert T. and Lavina (Thomas) Mason. The father was a native of Loudon county, Tennessee, and was a son of Daniel Mason, a native of Massachusetts, who emigrated to Loudon county, Tennessee, in 1800, and there established his home on a farm, and he enlisted in a Tennessee regiment during the War of 1812 and saw considerable service. His family consisted of nine children. His death occurred in Loudon county in the thirties, and in 1841, when Robert T. Mason was ten years old, the widow of Daniel Mason removed with her family to Greene county, Missouri, and took up a farm from the govern- ment, and this they improved and established their home on it, Robert T. Mason continuing to work the home place until he was twenty-two years of age, when he came to Springfield and began learning the saddlery busi- ness, which he continued until the breaking out of the Civil war, when he and three of his brothers enlisted in the Union army. The father of our subject was a private in the Eighth Missouri Volunteer Infantry, one of the most efficient, bravest and most feared of the regiments from this state, and he served four years in a faithful and gallant manner, seeing much hard service and taking part in many engagements, being mustered out a lieuten- I I7l8 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. ant. He was in the battles of Pea Ridge and all the important ones of the West. He was honorably discharged, and after returning home he taught school in Greene county and in Arkansas for a number of years, and was a successful teacher for those days. He had received his education in the dis- trict schools and by home study. The latter part of his life was devoted to general farming near Ash Grove, where he was esteemed as a good citizen in every respect, and there his death occurred, August 4, 1893. Lavina Thomas, mother of our subject, was born in Roane county, Tennes- see. She is the oldest daughter of George and Sarah Thomas, who emi- grated from Tennessee to Greene county in 1854 and located on a large farm near Cave Spring. George Thomas and two of his sons, James and Caswell, were soldiers in the Union army during the Civil war. Caswell was wounded and died during the service. The mother of our subject is still living at the age of seventy-three years, and she is beloved by her friends for her kindness and Christian sentiment. Of her brothers and sisters, of whom there were ten, all still survive, except two, Caswell, men- tioned above, and a sister, who died in 1913. Six children, three sons and three daughters, were born to Robert T. Mason and wife, namely: George, a farmer of near Claremore, Oklahoma, married Margaret Christian, and they have nine children; Daniel C. died in 1905; James H., of this review; Lillie married Thomas Toombs, a farmer and stock dealer of Dallas county, Missouri, and her death occurred in 1897, leaving two children; Martha, wife of John Christian, a farmer of Dallas county, has eight children ; Mary, who married Lon Wheelis, who is in the employ of the United States Express Company, of St. Louis, has three daughters. James H. Mason grew to manhood on the home farm there and did his full share of the work when a boy. He received his early education in the public schools of Greene and Dallas counties and at the Marionville Colle- giate Institute, then took the course in the law department of the University of Missouri at Columbia, where he made a splendid record. Soon there- after he came to Springfield and opened an office for the practice of his profession and has been very successful, having built up a large and con- stantly growing clinetage and is regarded as one of the most promising of our younger members of the Greene county bar. Mr. Mason was married, August 31, 1899, to Susie O. Alexander, a daughter of Dr. William O. and Mary E. Crumley) Alexander, of Pulaski, county, Missouri, a highly respected family there. She received a good education in the common schools. She has four brothers and two sisters. To Mr. and Mrs. Mason three sons have been born, named as follows: Robert Oliver, born August 29, 1900; James Floyd, born January 7, 1903, and William Chauncey, born March 26, 1905. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1719 Politically, Mr. Mason is a Republican. Fraternally, he is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, and the Benevolent and Protective Order -of Elks. Religiously, he is a member of the Christian church. He has been active in public affairs for a number of years. He was postmaster at Phillipsburg, Missouri, from 1898 to 1903. In 1908 he was elected city attorney of Springfield, and in 1910 he was elected prosecuting attorney •of Greene county. As a public servant he has ever discharged his duties in an able, conscientious and commendable manner, and to the satisfaction •of all concerned. It can not be denied that his abilities are equal to the attainment of still greater ends than he has accomplished. Such talents as he has shown lie upon the borders of many provinces of thought, but in the •exclusive province of the law, there would be no border-land, but an entire realm, without limit to the ecstacies and activities of the intellect. GEORGE N. HAUN. There are many things which the modern husbandman is learning that his ancestors also, mayhap, tillers of the soil, did not know, or think they needed to know. We of today, in order to get the greatest results from our labor, must know, among other things, what kind of soil we are working, must know the difference between soil-forming material and soil-forming agencies. The importance of distinguishing between these two groups of factors is apparent to the close observer. The tendency in the past has heen to attach great importance to the former to the neglect of the latter, and this has resulted in classifying together soils of very dissimilar char- acter, simply because they were derived from the same rocks or from rocks which have been formed in the same manner. One of the younger farmers of Greene county who is making an effort to properly understand advanced problems of agriculture in all its phases is George N. Haun, of Wilson township, and as a result he is making a pronounced success as a general farmer. Mr. Haun was born at Willard, Murray township, Greene county, Missouri, November 2, 1881. .He is a son of Newton W. and Nellie (Beal) Haun. The father of our subject was a native of Tennessee from which state he emigrated to Missouri in an early day and began farming in Law- rence county, but remained there only a short time, when he sold out and purchased a farm in Greene county, near Willard The mother of our sub- ject was born, reared and educated near Springfield, and the parents of our subject were married in Greene county. To this union nine children were 1720 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. born, namely: Andrew, deceased; Daniel lives in Willard; Mattie is de- ceased; William lives near Willard; May is the wife of H. F. Emerson; Walter lives at Willard; Ella is the wife of William Tatum ; George N., of this review; Laura is deceased. Newton W. Haun, father of the above named children, grew to manhood in Tennessee, where he attended school and where he engaged in mercantile pursuits for a while and there he was first married, but his wife survived only a short time, and it was not long thereafter until he came to Missouri. George N. Haun grew to manhood on the home farm and received his early education in the schools of Murray township, and when nineteen years of age he entered the State Normal school, taking a two years’ course in the common branches, after which he went to Kansas and spent a sum- mer on a farm, returning to his home at Willard the following year and began his career as farmer in Murray township on the estate left by his father who died in 1890. This place consisted of one hundred and sixteen acres, being a part of the old homestead. He got a good start here and in February, 1910, sold out and purchased one hundred acres in Wilson town- ship, where he now resides and is making a success as a general farmer and stock raiser, having a productive and well-kept farm and a good set of buildings. Mr. Haun was married, December 22, 1907, to Juanita Staley, a daugh- ter of Weldon E. and Angie (Evans) Staley. Her father was a son of Alfred and Lucinda (Brower) Staley, and was born in Randolph county, North Carolina, July 9, 1840. Llis father represented his county in me Legislature of North Carolina, and was a very prominent member of that body. In 1847 his parents moved westward, making the long overland jour- ney to Clinton county, Missouri, and in 1849 settled in Greene county, this state, where Weldon E. grew to manhood and has since resided. His father died in 1852. Weldon E. Staley spent his boyhood days on the farm and he began life for himself as a merchant at Cave Spring, which business he followed successfully there until 1878, and since that time has devoted himself exclusively to farming and stock raising, starting in Cass township with one hundred and ninety acres, and, prospering by good management and close application, he has added to his holdings until he now owns about three hundred acres of valuable land, constituting one of the most desirable farms in the northern part of Greene county, where he is regarded as a substantial and worthy citizen and is a man of influence for the general good of his community. He and Angie C. Evans were married, January 21, 1861. She is a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Evans, a honored old family of Greene county. Her parents were also natives of North Carolina, and were among the early immigrants to Greene county. To Weldon E. Staley and wife ten children have been born, named as follows: William GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1721 W., commonly known as “Major;” Mollie, Dollie, Fannie, J. Horace, Joseph A., Katherine, Bunch E., Effie, and Jaunita, the latter the youngest and the wife of the subject of this sketch. To Mr. and Mrs. Haunt two children have been born, namely: Edward Staley, and George Robert. Politically, Mr. Haun is a Democrat, and he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church at Walnut Springs. JOHN A. STEINERT. A farmer when he has raised his crop has performed only half his duty; the other half is selling, which determines his profit for the year’s work. It is just as important for the agricultural producer to know what the markets are as it is for the lumberman, the coal and ore producers, or the manufacturer to know what his goods are worth in the market and what competition he must meet in his selling. In some places it has been found possible to organize farming territories into zones of distribution and to control the output in such a way as to prevent congestion and wasteful prices by overcrowding the markets and in other ways. It stands to reason that such associations have unlimited power compared to the individual. One of the farmers of Wilson township, Greene county, who is not only a man who knows how to make his land produce well, but how to find ready markets for his varied products, is John A. Steinert. Mr. Steinert was born in Stone county, Missouri, January 28, 1876. He is a son of Charles A. and Mattie (Cantrell) Steinert, the father a native of Germany and the mother was born in Dade county, Missouri. Charles A. Steinert spent his boyhood in his native land, immigrating to America when sixteen years of age. After spending a short time in New York he came on to Dade county, Missouri, where he was married and later located in Stone county, where he engaged in general farming, owning one hundred and sixty acres. His family consisted of four children, namely: Thomas lives in Greene county; Tinie is the wife of Silas Price and they live in Stone county; William L. lives in Greene county, and John A., of this sketch. The parents of these children are both deceased. John A. Steinert grew to manhood on the home farm in Stone county, and received a limited education in the district schools. When fifteen years of age he went to work for Lewis Hendrix, a farmer, with whom he re- mained four years, then hired to a Mr. Cox for a year, then worked for John Inman on his farm for a period of twelve years. He saved his money and finally purchased the old Yarbrough farm in Wilson township. It con- 1722 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. sists of one hundred and twenty acres, and he has placed it under excellent improvements and a fine state of cultivation. On it may be seen a good home and numerous outbuildings. The place is free from all indebtedness. The prosperity that has attended Mr. Steinert's efforts has been well de- served. He is a hard worker and takes a delight in general farming and stock raising. On March 24, 1897, Mr. Steinert was married to Rosie Yarbrough, a native of Greene county, where she grew to womanhood and was educated. She is a daughter of Jerome B. Yarbrough, who was a well-known citizen of this county. He was a veteran of the Civil war. He served four years as a member of Company B, Twenty-fourth Missouri Volunteer Infantry, was a brave and faithful soldier and rose to the rank of first lieutenant. He served two terms as deputy sheriff of Greene county. Mr. Yarbrough has been deceased for several years. To Mr. and Mrs. Steinert four children were born, named as follows: Mamie is attending the State Normal school at Springfield; Edreal, Sylvia and Paul are all at home and are studying agriculture. Politically, Mr. Steinert is a Democrat in national affairs, but often votes independently in local elections. His wife is a member of the Christ- ian church. FRANKLIN T. BISHOP. There are few more inspiring aphorisms in our tongue than Emerson’s famous “Hitch your wagon to a star." Posterity is indebted to the Sage of Concord for the crisp and noble counsel so universally needed. The privilege belongs to us all of gearing our lives up to lofty motives, of glorify- ing our commonplace and prosaic days with ideal sentiments and aspirations. There is happy suggestion likewise in reversing the good advice, to sense its truth from a slightly different angle. It is just as good philosophy, and in many ways even more helpful, to read the words “Hitch your stars to your wagon.” In other terms let the infinite forces help you. join with you in tugging your particular load up the hill, harness the mightiest power in the world to your human necessities. The life of Franklin T. Bishop, proprie- tor of beautiful “Clover Dale Farm” in Wilson township, Greene county, would indicate that he has ever striven to live up to high ideals and direct his efforts along well regulated lines, and therefore material success has at- tended his efforts and at the same time he has established a reputation for right thinking and wholesome living, and what necessarily follows — good ■•citizenship. Mr. Bishop was born in Cumberland county. New Jersey, March 7, GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. I723 1862. He is a son of Horace and Phoebe (Housted) Bishop. The father was for many years engaged extensively in oyster raising on the Atlantic coast, and owned an interest in a large oyster vessel, with a crew of six men. He also owned a farm in that state. Mr. Bishop, of this sketch, grew to manhood in his native state and received his education in Cedar ville, New Jersey, attending school during the winter months and during the crop season worked on the home farm until he was eighteen years of age, when he left home to seek his fortune in the great West. He selected the state of Nebraska, where he took up a claim of three hundred and twenty acres, which he homesteaded and on which he spent twenty-three years, developing it into a fine farm and there he prospered with advancing years, and added to his original holdings until he owned one thousand acres. He traded the entire amount for an excellent farm of four hundred and eighty acres in Kansas, and removed to the Sunflower state, continuing general farming with his former success for two years, then traded his farm there for Missouri land, in Mercer county, which he subsequently sold, and moved to Greene county, this state, where he now resides, and is now owner of a finely improved and produc- tive farm of two hundred acres in Wilson township, on which he has an attractive residence and numerous substantial, convenient and modernly appointed outbuildings. He raises a diversity of crops common to this latitude, but in connection with general farming he specializes in dairying, in poultry raising and handling blooded horses, and in one of the best-known and most successful stockmen in the western part of the county. His place is known as “Clover Dale Farm.” He has a large herd of cows of an ex- cellent quality, and he keeps his barn in a sanitary condition, and looks to the well-being and comfort of his stock at all seasons. His dairy products are all taken by a Springfield concern. Mr. Bishop also specializes in poul- try raising, and does an extensive business in this line, keeping a large number of best breed of chickens, in the proper care of which he is well versed and is properly equipped for this work, and he also finds a very ready market for all his products in this department in Springfield. He is an admirer of good live stock of all kinds, especially horses, and he keeps a very fine herd of registered Percherons, including at this writing a stallion and four mares. His fine stock is greatly admired by all who sees it. Mr. Bishop has been twice married, first, in Mediapolis, Iowa, to Mary Bridges, and to this union eight children were born, seven of whom are living in Greene county, Missouri. The wife and mother passed away on May 7, 1910, and October 11, 1911, he married Etta Huffman, a daughter of Frank and Mary Huffman, formerly of Kentucky. The following are our subject’s children, all by his first wife: Phoebe 1/24 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. A., Gladys M., Ora M., Floy, Frank T., Laura K., Chester and Casper (de- ceased). Politically, Mr. Bishop is a friend of prohibition, and religiously he and Mrs. Bishop are Christian Scientists. MARVIN H. SOUTH WORTH. Industry, uprightness and intelligence are characteristics which will advance the interests of any man, and will tend to the prosperity to which all aspire. Such are some of the traits of Marvin H. Southworth, for forty years a well known contractor of Springfield and one of the most successful in southwest Missouri in his vocation. He has lived to see and take part in the latter day development of the Queen City in which he has ever mani- fested a just pride, and although he is now past his allotted three score and ten he is still active and in full possession of his faculties, as everyone should be in old age, if they have been fortunate enough to escape the untoward accidents which fate sometimes sends. He hails from the old Empire state and has evidently inherited many of the sterling characteristics of his Yankee ancestors. Mr. Southworth was born, May io, 1842, in Gowanda, Cattaraugus county, New York. He is a son of Aaron and Deborah (Barnes) South- worth. The father was a native of Steuben county, New York, where he grew to manhood, was educated in the public schools and there began life as a farmer which vocation he followed through life. Leaving New York state he came west in 1848 and located in Springfield, Missouri, and here continued farming with his usual success until his death in 1850. The mother of our subject was born in the state of Vermont, from which state she removed with her parents when a child to Gowanda, New York, where she and Aaron Southworth were married. Her death occurred in 1851. To these parents the following children were born: Mary Louisa, widow of Isaac Davis, she died in Springfield, April 16, 1912; Helen, who married Byron Van Vleit of western New York, died in 1889, leaving one chiid, Roy; Finette, who lives in Silver Creek, New York, married, first Edwin Brooks, by whom she had one child, Burk, and later married Byron Van Vleit, who had first married her sister, Helen, and two children were born to her second marriage, Lovie and Bessie; Marion H., of this review. Mr. Southworth, of this sketch, grew to manhood on the home farm in the old Empire state and there assisted with the general work in the summer, and during the winter months he attended the common schools of his vicinity. He was first married in 1863 to Maria Welch, of western New GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. WAS York, and one of his school mates; her death occurred in 1909. To this union one child was born, Nellie, whose death occurred on August 1, 1895, at the age of eighteen years. On March 29, 1911, our subject married Mrs. Carrie L. Hevern, of Plymouth, Indiana, widow of Charles Hevern. She is a daughter of William R. Haskett, a farmer of that community, but he and his wife are both deceased; their family consisted of ten children. Mr. Southworth was twenty-five years of age when he came to Spring- field, Missouri, about the close of the Civil war, and this has been his home ever since, consequently he has seen and taken part in the development of the city from a small town to the capital of the Ozarks. He here took up the trade of stone mason, and has been a city contractor for a period of forty years, being associated in this business with John Cowell, a well- known citizen here for twenty years. He is one of the most widely known contractors in southwest Missouri and he has laid the foundations of most of the important buildings in Springfield. Besides the court house there was but one brick building in the city when he came here. After the building season was over and during his first winter in Springfield, he sawed wood for Prof. J. Fairbanks, the supervising editor of this history. He was for a time engaged in the dry goods business in later years, a member of the firm of Hirsch, Southworth & Mack. He has been very successful as a business man and now in his old age he finds himself in possession of a comfortable competency and also enjoying the esteem of all who know him as a result of his industrious, public-spirited and honorable life. Politically, Mr. Southworth is a Republican. He is a charter member of the local lodge of Knights of Pythias. He has been a member of Grace Methodist Episcopal church for a period of forty years, and has been active in its affairs. He was for some time chairman of its building committee, and has been honored with most all the offices of this church. ERNST KEMMLING. Greene county has furnished comfortable homes for many of the enterprising citizens hailing from the great German empire, who have been settling within her borders since early pioneer days when the land was still the home of various tribes of Indians, the Osages. Delawares and Ivicka- poos, and also the haunts of many specie of wild denizens of the far- stretching forests. We have always welcomed the Germans or any of the people from her provinces, and this has been as it should lie, for they have been courageous and not afraid of hard work and have been of untold assistance to us in clearing the fertile soil of its heavy timber of oak, hickory, 1726 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. walnut, ash and other hardwoods; and they, too, have helped build our substantial dwellings, convenient business blocks and imposing public build- ings. One of this sturdy class is Ernst Kemmling, who has resided on the outskirts of Springfield for a period of thirty-seven years, where he started in a modest way and in due course of time became owner of a vast tract of valuable land. Mr. Kemmling was born in Germany, November 6, 1846. He is a son of Henry and Caroline (Hinkle) Kemmling, both natives of Germany also, where they grew up, were married and established their home, and there the father engaged in sheep raising for wool, principally. To Mr. and Mrs. Henry Kemmling seven children were born, namely : Henry and Augusta are both deceased ; Carroll lives in Germany ; Minnie is deceased; Ernest, subject of this sketch; Lena lives in Germany; and the youngest died in infancy. Our subject remained with his father until he was twenty-one years, of age, at which time he was drafted into the Prussian army, and he served three years in the regular army, and was a soldier for a year in the great Franco-Prussian war, seeing a great deal of hard service, including the sanguinary battle of Cravalett, which lasted two days in the middle of a hot August, and in which engagement the Prussians lost thirty thousand men and the French thirty-two thousand men. Our subject was also before Metz for six weeks, where the French surrendered to the Prussians. The war was concluded July 4, 1871; Mr. Kemmling was honorably discharged from the service. He remained in his native land until December 27, 1871, when he sailed from the Fatherland for the New World, coming straight to Steubenville, Ohio, where he remained five years, during which he was. employed by the Jefferson Iron Company. Leaving there he came to Springfield, Missouri, in March, 1877, and bought eighty acres of railroad land on which he settled and went to work. By close application, economy and good management he prospered with advancing years and added to his. original purchase from time to time until he became owner of five hundred acres of good land, and ranked among the most enterprising and successful agriculturists of Greene county. He has been living on his present place many years, near the north end of Campbell street, but of late years he has not been so active as formerly, merely overseeing his estate and engaging in trucking and gardening on a small scale and is now practically retired. He has accumulated considerable other property which he looks after, in- cluding a splendid home. He is certainly deserving of a great deal of credit for what he has accomplished since coming here, alone and unaided and with but little capital with which to start. Mr. Kemmling was married in his native province on September 4, GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. I727 1867, to Minnie Meke, a native of Germany and a daughter of Louis and Charlotte (Henze) Meke, both natives of Germany, where they grew up, married and settled, and to them seven children were born, all of whom are now deceased except the wife of our subject. To Mr. and Mrs. Ernst Kemmling four sons were born, named as follows : Ernest L., Henry and August, all prosperous farmers of Greene county; and John, who lives in Oregon on a farm, where he is doing well also. Mr. Kemmling was for many years a member of the German Veterans. He has been a Democrat for the past thirty-seven years, and he and his wife belong to the German Evangelical church. They are well liked in their neighborhood, being hospitable, neighborly and honest in all their intercouse with the world. HENDRY BAXTER. Diversified farming in its truest sense calls for a methodical practice of a thorough rotation of crops, and three main points are to be kept in mind. First, the raising of paying crops; that is, crops that will of themselves return good revenues to the farmer. Secondly, good crops must be raised with which to feed the live stock of whatever nature it may be. Thirdly, it is necessary to keep up a rotation of crops to meet these needs during the whole year, and consideration must be given also in this rotation to the improve- ment and maintenance of the fertility of the soil of the farm. All this is. clearly understood and successfully carried out by Hendry Baxter, of Wilson township, Greene county, who, with thrift and foresight characteristic of the Scotch wherever they cast their lot, has by his own efforts become one of our best tillers of the soil and leading dairymen. Mr. Baxter was born in Glasgow, Scotland, December 16, 1867. He is a son of David and Love (Cuthbertson ) Baxter, both also natives of that city and country, where they grew to maturity, were educated, married and established their home. To them eleven children were born, six sons and five daughters. Hendry Baxter was reared in his native city and there received fairly good educational training. He first came to America and a year later the entire family finally set sail for our shores, when our subject was nineteen years of age. The parents came to Greene county, Missouri, and settled on the farm of J. Peachers, which place consisted of eighty acres and here became well established through their industry and economy. Our subject first went to Eureka Springs, Arkansas, where he spent a year, then joined the rest of the family in Greene county, where he worked at farming, and GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. when twenty-six years old he made the long trip back to Scotland for the sweetheart of his boyhood and in the city of Edinburg was married to Ellen Russell Gibson, a daughter of James and Elizabeth Gibson, both natives of Scotland, and there Mrs. Baxter grew to womanhood and received her edu- cation. Our subject stayed seven and one-half years in the United States before going back to Scotland. After his return from Scotland, he rented for nine years and then purchased the place where he now resides. He has worked hard, managed well and has made a good living and brought his farm up to a fine state of productivity and has a comfortable home. He is making a specialty of dairy farming and is now milking twenty-eight cows of a good grade of Jerseys. All his products are of a high quality and are sold direct to one concern in Springfield. He understands thoroughly the various phases of dairying and keeps his cows healthy and well cared for, everything about his place is sanitary and he believes in a “place for every- thing and everything in its place." He has made all his own improvements. To Mr. Baxter and wife five children have been born, namely: Eliza- beth, David, James, William, all living at home; and one who died in infancy. Our subject’s father and mother are both deceased; the mother of his wife is living, but the father died when our subject’s wife was quite young. Our subject and family are members of the United Presbyterian church, and they stand high in the community throughout which they are well known. CLAUDIUS ELSBERRY TREVITT. In presenting the biographical memoir of this well-remembered gentle- man, whose life was that of a high-grade man, of noble ideals and laudable ambitions, it is believed that the youthful reader, whose destinies are yet matters for future years to determine, will be much benefited and encour- aged, for his was a life that made for success because of the honorable principles he employed in dealing with his fellow men and because of the many admirable qualities he possessed which made his daily walk one worthy to be emulated. It is no easy matter to achieve a high degree of success in any calling in this age of strenuous endeavor and sharp competition, and when an individual succeeds in several vocations, as did the late C. E. Trevitt, for many years one of the leading citizens of Ash Grove, Greene county, he wins the admiration of all. Mr. Trevitt was born in Greene county, Tennessee, November 3, 1857, and was a son of James F. and Locaddie (Ripley) Trevitt. The father was a man of influence in public affairs. He spent his earlier life in Tennessee, CLAUDIUS E. TREVITT, Deceased. • . GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. I729 but removed to Georgia in the latter sixties and represented his county in the state Legislature. Claudius E. Trevitt grew to manhood in the South and received a very good education in the public schools and Tecumseh College in Tennessee. He went to Georgia when about sixteen years of age, and remained in that state three years. In 1878 he came to Greene county, Missouri, locating on a farm just east of Ash Grove and worked on various farms for about three years, then engaged in the furniture business in Ash Grove for about ten years, after which he devoted his attention to the grocery and hardware business, also dealt in real estate. He was very successful in all these lines of endeavor and built up a large business in each, having the confidence of the community by reason of his honest and straightforward dealings. He continued a very busy man until 1912 when he was compelled to retire from active life on account of failing health, and he continued to decline until he was summoned to close his eyes on earthly scenes on April 21, 1914. Mr. Trevitt was married on January 25, 1880, to Nora McCrory, who was born in Louisiana, July 12, 1861, a daughter of James and Mary E. (Moss) McCrory. The father of Mrs. Trevitt was born in Wilkinson •county, Mississippi, in 1829, and was a son of William and Mary (Hub- bard) McCrory. His father was born in Ireland, December 25, 1792, and from that country emigrated to America in an early day, finally establishing his home in Wilkinson county, Mississippi, where his death occurred in 1843. His mother was a native of Tennessee and died in 1829 w r hen he was an infant. James McCrory grew to manhood in his native •state and was educated in the common schools there, and was engaged in farming until he removed to Louisiana. He remained there until 1867, most of the time farming in Catahoula parish. He then came to Illinois but •soon thereafter came on to Missouri and stayed a year in Saline county, and then removed to Greene and located on a farm where he spent the balance of his life, three miles east of Ash Grove. His fine farm consisted «of one hundred and seventy acres. He was one of the successful general farmers and stock raisers of this section of the county. He was one of the first in his section of the county to help organize a grange in 1874. Mr. McCrory was married in 1855 to Mary E. Moss, daughter of George Moss, Escp, of Wilkinson county, Mississippi. Mrs. McCrory died February 14, 1868. They reared a family of three children all of whom grew to maturity, married and located in Greene county. Mr. McCrory’s death occurred in 1902. Mrs. Trevitt grew to womanhood on the home farm in Greene county and. received her education in the public schools. To Mr. and Mrs. Trevitt nine children were born, seven of whom are living, namely: Ada, deceased; Claude McCrory is an assayer for a gold (109) i/3° GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. mining company in the state of Washington; Cle F. died when six years of age; Fannie L. is the wife of L. L. Dyer, of Springfield; Carl L. is farming in Alberta, Canada; Clyde V. lives in Washington; James F., Helen and Roger P. are all at home. Politically, Mr. Trevitt was a Republican, and was a worker for the general improvement of his community in which he was influential and held in the highest esteem. JOHN F. UNDERHILL. The subject of this sketch belongs to that class of men who win in life’s battles by sheer force of personality and determination, and in what- ever he has undertaken he has shown himself to be a man of ability and honor. Mr. Underhill hails from “ye merrie isle of old England,” and has the commendable characteristics of the people of that great kingdom, and since coming in our midst in Greene county fifteen years ago he has won a host of friends as a result of his even tenored life, and he ranks among the enterprising husbandmen of Wilson township. John F. Underhill was born in the southern part of England, February 27, 1864. He is a son of John and Susan Underhill, both born and reared in England, where they married and established their home and always resided. The death of the mother occurred on January 31, 1901, but the father survives at the advanced age of seventy-eight years. His active life was spent as a carpenter, and he was a very highly skilled and honest work- man. His family consists of eight children, all surviving and all residing in England except the subject of this review. They were named, John F., our subject; Henry, James, Mary, Willie, Richard, Sarah, and Thersa. John F. Underhill spent his boyhood in England and there received a common school education. He lived on a farm where fine blooded live stock was raised, and, having a natural bent toward this industry, learned a great deal about it. When seventeen years of age he immigrated to America, making a trip through Canada and the great Northwest, and finally settled in Chicago, where he worked at laboring for six months, but not taking very kindly to this kind of work, he longed for rural scenes instead and accord- ingly went to Pmtler county, Iowa, and took a position with K. S. Green on his large stock farm and remained there about eighteen years, this being the kind of work in which he delighted. He saved his earnings and on February 21, 1899, came to Greene county, Missouri, and purchased a farm in Wilson township, consisting of one hundred and twenty acres, on which h * still resides, and which he has carefully tilled and kept well improved and now has a very attractive place. In connection with general farming he had GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1 73 * carried on stock raising in a successful manner, and has dealt extensively in horses and mules, his registered Percheron horses being admired by ail who have seen them, and are among the best in this section of the state. He has prospered by his judicious methods of farming and handling live stock and is deserving of a great deal of credit for his large material success in view of the fact that he began life single handed and alone and has never had assistance from any source. He has never married and in connection with carrying on the work of his farm, he attends to his own household duties . Politically, Mr. Underhill is a Republican in national affairs, but he votes independently in local elections, preferring to cast his ballot for the candidates whom he deems best suited for the offices sought. He takes an interest in all movements having for their object the general improvement of his vicinity, such as good roads, etc., and is regarded as a good neighbor and good citizen in every respect. JOSEPH A. M. TILLMAN. During the sixty-four years of his residence in Greene county, Joseph A. M. Tillman, a retired farmer of Clay township, has noted many im- portant changes in this locality in which he is well and favorably known and in which nearly all his life has been spent, and here he has made a suc- cess as a general agriculturist because he has been both industrious and a close observer. He is a descendant o fa prominent old Southern family, and is a second cousin of Benjamin Tillman, the noted United States senator from South Carolina. Many of the commendable qualities of his ancestors are noticeable in our subject. Mr. Tillman was born in McNeary county, Tennessee, July 7, 1848. He is a son of Samuel Taylor Tillman and Mary (Perry) Tillman. The father was born in Chatham county, North Carolina, in November, 1800, and the mother was born in the same county, in May, 1810, and there they grew to maturity. The father moved to Tennessee when a young man, locating in Bedford county, where he married and bought a farm, also owned a mill on Duck river. After living in Bedford county for some time he located in McNeary county, and remained there until 1850, when he brought his family to Greene county, Missouri, purchasing a farm a mile east of where his son, our subject, now resides, the place having contained one hundred and forty-six acres. Later the elder Tillman entered forty acres from the government here, and had a good farm. He cleared most of his land and kept it in good condition. He was an extensive stock raiser J 73 2 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. and trader and was a very successful general farmer. He took much inter- est in public affairs and before leaving Tennessee was justice of the peace for a period of fourteen years and also served in this capacity after coming to Greene county for a period of sixteen years. After buying a place in Greene county he went back to Tennessee where he remained fifteen years before returning to Greene county, Missouri. He died on his farm here in 1864. His wife was reared in North Carolina on a farm and moved with her parents to Tennessee. She was a member of the Christian church. The father of our subject was twice married, his second wife being a sister of his first wife, and to his first union five children were born, namely: Louisa, Lidia, Calvin, Wesley, Newton, all deceased, the two latter having been killed while soldiers during the Civil war. The mother of these children was Clara Perry. His children by his second wife, Mary Perry, were ten in number and were named as follows : Margaret, Oram, both deceased ; Newton was killed while serving in the Civil war; Stanley, Martha W., Caroline and Pearlee, all deceased: Joseph A. M. of this sketch, is the only survivor of the fourteen children ; Lucy, deceased ; Samuel, deceased. The immediate subject of this sketch was two years old when his par- ents brought him over the rough roads from Tennessee to Missouri. He was reared on the farm and received a common school education in the schools of Greene county. He remained on the homestead until his father’s death, and he then operated the farm for his mother until he was married, on March 22, 1868, to Rebecca J. (Cunningham). He remained on the home farm about seven years, then rented land for five years, which he cultivated, and in March, 1881, bought one hundred acres, later adding twenty acres. He cleared and improved most of his land and built a cozy home on it and here he has since resided and has been successful as a general farmer, although he has been taking life easy for some four years, renting his land and merely overseeing it in a general way. Mr. Tillman was born in Obion county, Tennessee, September 12, 1850. She is a daughter of Charles M. and Mary P. (Hubbard) Cunningham. The father was a native of middle Tennessee, where he was reared on a farm and received a common school education, and he became owner of a two hundred acre farm in his native state. He removed to Fulton county, Kentucky, in 1859, where he remained about two years, then went to Car- roll county, Arkansas. When the Civil war broke out he came to Missouri and joined the Federal army in 1861, but died of measles soon after his career as a soldier began. Eleven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Tillman, namely: John W. lives in Greene county and during the campaign of 1914 was a candidate from two districts for associate judge; Samuel is deceased; Mrs. Mary J. Climer lives at Mentor, this county; Joseph’s home is in Spring- GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1733 field; Fred is engaged in the mercantile business at Rogersville; Bertha is deceased; Mrs. Viola Wills lives in Springfield; Mrs. Minnie Hunt was a teacher in the Greene county schools for six years ; Mrs. Pearl Chaffin lives in Ozark, Missouri; Mattie is deceased; Ross E. lives in Springfield. The wife of our subject was thirteen years old when she came to Greene county. She received a common school education. She often recalls the trip from Tennessee, which the family made in an ox wagon. She is a member of the Christian church. Politically, Mr. Tillman is a Democrat and has long been an active worker in the party. He has served as justice of the peace for four terms, also as notary public four terms, discharging his duties in an eminently satisfactory manner. He was appointed by the governor. While incum- bent of the first office he married forty-eight couples. Fraternally, he be- longs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He has been a consistent member of the Christian church since he was eighteen years of age. He is one of the leading citizens in Clay township. RICHARD H. BENSON. It is not the weaklings that accomplish worthy ends in the face of oppo- sition but those with nerve and initiative whose motto is, “He never fails who never gives up,” and with this terse aphorism ever in view, emblazoned on the pillar of clouds, as it were, before them, they forge ahead until the sunny summits of life are reached and they can breathe a breath of the purer air that inspires the souls of men with respite. Such has been the history of Richard H. Benson, of Springfield, whose career has been a varied one, and the earlier part of which was as a deep sea sailor, but the latter years of his life has been more prosaic. Mr. Benson was born in Belle Haven, Accomac county, Virginia, July 12, 1850. He is a son of James S. and Catherine (Mears) Benson, both natives of Virginia, where they grew up, were married and established their home. The father was one of four children, John S., Edward, James S„, and Iveeley, all now deceased. The mother of our subject was one of five children, Margaret, Richard, Thomas, Sally, and Catherine. Richard Mears was a sea captain and in his service rescued many crews, anion? them - o was a Canadian crew, for which act he was rewarded by the Canadian whom honor is due,” and that the story of the part General Holland acted in those stormy years may receive truthful and permanent record. In that sterling and authoritative work, “The Encyclopedia of Missouri History,” printed in 1901, is an outline sketch of General Holland’s life, and from it and local sources have been drawn the statements herein made, of his part in the Civil war. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1747 The work above named states that Mr. Holland was made captain of Company D, in the famous Phelps Regiment, organized in the summer of 1861. Whether General Holland took part in the battle of Wilson’s Creek or not, we are unable to state, but he was in the great engagement at Pea Ridge, Arkansas, the heaviest battle west of the Mississippi during the entire war. General Holland was promoted to the position of lieutenant colonel of the reorganized Phelps Regiment, and in the fall of 1862 he aided in recruit- ing the Seventy-second Regiment, of Missouri State Militia, and was com- missioned colonel of that organization, his commission bearing date of September 9, 1862. In about six weeks from that date he received a com- mission from Governor Gamble, as brigadier general of Missouri Militia, bearing date of October 29, 1862. After this he made his headquarters at Springfield, and held the respon- sible office until the end of the war. His district included all of southwest Missouri, and all the militia in that region were under his command. It was while acting in this capacity that General Holland was called upon to take part in the defense of Springfield against the attack of a Con- federate force under Gen. John S. Marmaduke, on the 8th day of January, 1863. The forces defending the town were officially stated to number one thousand five hundred and sixty-six men, while the Confederates were said to number “about two thousand." It is not the province of this sketch to describe the battle of Springfield, except so far as to give the part taken by General Holland in that fight. In the Missouri history mentioned above, we are told : “He acquitted him- self as a true soldier, and at critical times restored confidence when the fight was well nigh hopeless.’’ Surely no higher tribute need be asked than those words. The same authority continues : “Particularly was this the case when about three o'clock in the afternoon Gen. E. B. Brown (ranking officer, and in chief command) was wounded, and he (Holland) became the commander.’’ So the battle was fought and won, and Springfield with its vast stores for the Federal army was saved to the Union. And to no one man was the result more attributable than to Colley B. Holland. He was never the man to sound his own praises, and he had no publicity bureau, then or since, to publish abroad his fame, thus it is only simple fairness that at this late clay, more than half a century after the event justice be done the quiet, effi- cient man who commanded the Missouri Militia on that fateful day. At last the war was ended, and to General Holland it ended at once and forever. He was not the man to exult over a defeated and despairing foe. Rather was it now his part to help in building up the waste places, to bind up the wounds left by the conflict, and to give his potent aid to GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1748 rehabilitate the little city that was his home, and which he had so well defended. He entered actively into the financial and manufacturing interests of this place. He was one of the men who organized the Springfield Cotton Mills, and he served as president of that enterprise for several years. In 1875 he, with his two sons, T. B. and W. C. Holland, established the Hol- land Banking Company, an institution which was to prove the greatest of all his successful ventures. In the panic of 1893 s ' x ou t °f tfi e ten banks of Springfield failed, and meanwhile the deposits of the Holland Banking Company more than doubled. Comment is needless. And so, known and honored of all men, Colley B. Holland drew near the end of his long and useful life. He had helped to organize the First Cumberland Presbyterian church of Springfield, and had served as its stated clerk for nearly forty years; he had reached a helping hand to struggling educational institutions; he had served his country at the risk of his own life upon the battlefield. He had “acted well his part," and on the fifth day of May, 1901, when nearly eighty-five years of age, “an old man and full of years,” he closed his eyes upon earthly scenes, to open them upon a fairer world. JAMES C. DEEDS. If there is any man who needs to be neat in his work it is the dairy farmer. Remember that the dairyman is producing human food every day and it should be produced under the best of conditions if he is going to make a first-class product. Interest in dairying is greater than it has ever been before and it will continue to grow as long as the present prices for dairy products continue. The chances are that there will be no reduc- tion in these for years to come. A successful dairyman and general farmer of Greene county is James C. Deeds, whose well-kept place is to be found in Franklin township. Mr. Deeds was born on July 22, 1862, in the above named township and county. He is a son of James M. and Drusella M. (Davis) Deeds. The father was born in Tennessee in 1829, and he was but a child when his parents brought him to Greene county, Missouri, in early pioneer days, and here he grew to manhood on the home farm which was located near where our subject now resides, and was educated in the local district schools. He devoted his life to general farming, and died in 1862 at the early age of thirty-three years. He was a member of the Baptist church at Liberty. His wife was born in Tennessee, in 1834, and died in February, 1906, at the age of seventy-two years. To these parents five children were born, one of GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1749 whom died in infancy: Mrs. Alice J. Gaston is deceased; Joseph R. lives in Oklahoma; Mrs. Mary A. Jones is deceased; James C. of this sketch. James C. Deeds grew to manhood on the home farm and was educated in the common schools. On January 28, 1886, he married Martha A. Latta, a daughter of John and Emeline (Ross) Latta. The father was born in Tennessee and his death occurred in 1866. Leaving his native state when young he located in Illinois where he farmed the rest of his life. His wife was born in Tennessee and she is now living in Springfield, Missouri. The wife of the subject of this sketch was born in Illinois on December 13, 1865. She received a common school education. To Air. and Mrs. Deeds seven children have been born, one of whom died in infancy; the others are Airs. Grace Ward, who lives in Springfield; Elzie, Lizzie, Ora, Fleta and Alarks, all live at home. James C. Deeds still lives on the farm on which he was reared, owning sixty-five acres of the homestead, twenty acres adjoining, and forty acres north of where he lives. It is nearly all under cultivation and is well improved and has been well cultivated so that it has retained its original fertility. In connection with general farming he is now engaged in the dairy business, owning a large number of excellent cows. He keeps his dairy barn in a thorough sanitary condition and is making a success. Politically, he is a Republican ; however, is an advocate of Roosevelt’s policies. He and his wife are members of the Alethodist church at Pleas- ant Valley. JAMES B. BRAZILL. One of the best known citizens of the southern part of Greene county is James Buchanan Brazill, a general farmer and fine stock grower living near Galloway Station, southeast of Springfield. Air. Brazill is a native of Sharon, Pennsylvania, having been born there, December 14, 1856. His father, H. L. Brazill, was a farmer and small store keeper in Sharon and Meadville for a number of years. He was a stanch Democrat and great admirer of President Buchanan and for that reason named the subject of our sketch after the man who had just been elected President. Young Brazill was given a good education in the local schools and graduated from what was then known as the Harrisburg Academy in June, 1875. For three years he worked in his father’s store and then, having married Lorrie Steele, he moved to the Western Reserve in Ohio, where his wife’s father was farming and remained there until October, 1884, when he 175 ° GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. moved to Greene county, Missouri. He at once went to farming and has succeeded to a remarkable degree. Mr. and Mrs. Brazil! have three daughters, Hester, Lorrie and Martha, all married except Martha. The Brazill farm is known throughout the county for its high state of cultivation and for the fine cattle and hogs raised there, it being the motto of the owner, “If it is worth doing, it is worth doing right.” Mr. Brazill and all his family are members of the Baptist church of which communion he is a deacon. He has served nine years as school trustee and was some twenty years ago justice of the peace for one term. He takes great interest in Democratic politics and is a great admirer of Champ Clark, speaker of the House of Representatives. Mr. Brazill was elected several times to state Democratic conventions as a delegate. MARTIN VAN BUREN WOLF. Although, doubtless, most people would like to remain on the old homestead where they “played away the happy hours of innocent child- hood,” but few are permitted to do so, from one cause or another; but there is always a sentiment about the hearthstone where the family gath- ered when we were children that cannot he replaced. So one who, like Martin Van Buren Wolf, one of the venerable farmers of Washington township, Greene county, and one of the oldest native-born citizens of this locality, is fortunate enough to spend his life at his birthplace, is to be envied, and, no doubt, being a fair-minded man, he fully appreciates the privilege. He has labored hard to keep the old farm well tilled and im- proved, so that it has retained rather than lost its original strength of soil, and the dwelling has been carefully looked after and guarded. Mr. Wolf was born in the above-named township and county, on the spot where he now lives, December 21, 1840, nearly seventy-four years ago. He is a son of David and Nancy (McCoy) Wolf. The father was a native of Hawkins county, Tennessee, and was reared on a farm in that state, and there received a common school education and married there, and in an early day he made the overland journey in a wagon to Greene county, Missouri, experiencing a number of hardships en route. Here he entered forty acres from the government, which he cleared and farmed, and, prospering with the years, he added to his original holdings until he owned a fine farm of two hundred and forty acres, having cleared most of his land and improved it himself. Here he became an influential citizen. For some time he served the people of his community as justice of the peace. Early in the war between the states he joined Company E, Third GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1751 Missouri Cavalry, under Captain Thorson and Colonel Green, and served gallantly as a soldier in the Confederate army, but unfortunately took sick about the close of the war, and- died in Arkansas, after having seen con- siderable hard service, including a number of engagements and a few of the important battles. Politically, he was a strong Democrat, and relig- iously he belonged to the Baptist church. The mother of the subject of this sketch was born, reared and educated in eastern Tennessee. She was a member of the Baptist church. Her death occurred at the home of our subject some thirty years ago. To David Wolf and wife seven children were born, named as follows: Mary M., who is living in Webster county, Missouri; Martin V., of this sketch; James Huston, who was a soldier in the Civil war, was taken pris- oner and killed: Mrs. Louisa Jane Goskill is deceased; Robert Marion, who was a soldier in the Civil war, was captured and killed; Mrs. Margaret E. Bateman lives in Webster county, this state; Lafayette Jefferson is mak- ing his home in Christian county, Missouri. Martin V. Wolf grew to manhood on the farm and he received his education in the district schools. He joined the Confederate army in the fall of 1861, in the same regiment and company as his father — Company E, Third Missouri Cavalry, in which he served most faithfully and effi- ciently until the close of the war, taking part in a number of important Campaigns and battles, including that of Jenkin’s Ferry, and the battle of Independence, Missouri, in which he was wounded. He was with the troops that surrendered at Jackson Fort, Arkansas, where he was dis- charged, and about a year later he returned to the old home place, and he and his brothers ran the same for their mother until her death. Our sub- ject then bought the farm, which consisted of one hundred and sixty acres, but later sold eighty acres. He has made a success as a general farmer and stock raiser. Mr. Wolf was married on September 8, 1867, in Arkansas to Lydia E. Suttle. She was born in Virginia on October 20, 1845, a daughter of Edward J. and Minty (Whitsel) Suttle, both of whom were born in Vir- ginia and died in Arkansas. The father was a farmer. He served a few months in the Civil war but died of measles while in the service. To Mr. and Mrs. Wolf six children have been born, namely: Nancy M. is deceased; Mrs. Alice' Jane Johnson lives in California; Mrs. Mary Susan Hooper is living in Montana ; Minty M. is deceased ; David E. is deceased; William Martin is living in Greene county. Politically, Mr. Wolf is a Democrat, and he is a member of the Baptist church. He has lived to see his community develop from the wilds to a fine farming section, and he is one of the most widely known men in the township. 1 75 2 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. HARRY U. DURST. It is not an easy task to adequately describe the character of a man who has led an eminently active and busy life in connection with the great legal profession and who has stamped his individuality on the plane of defi- nite accomplishment in one of the most exacting fields of human endeavor. Yet there is always full measure of satisfaction in adverting, even in a casual way, to the career of an able and conscientious worker in any line of human endeavor. Among the truly self-made and representative men of Greene county, none ranks higher than Harry D. Durst, who stands in the front rank of the bar in Springfield, and he has become a conspicuous figure in the civic life of this locality. A man of tireless energy and indom- itable courage, he has won and held the unqualified esteem of his fellow citizens. With the law as his profession from young manhood, he has won a brilliant reputation and the future gives promise of still much greater things for him. Mr. Durst was born in Springfield, Missouri, August 27, 1869. He is the only child of David H. and Annie E. (Julian) Durst. He grew to manhood in his native city and received his education in the local schools, which, however, has been greatly supplemented in later years by wide read- ing, home study and contact with the world, until he is today an exception- ally well informed man on current affairs, as well as all phases of jurispru- dence and the world’s best literature. In his youth he took an apprentice- ship as an iron moulder and mastered that trade before reaching his major- ity. He was too ambitious to accomplish something worth while in the world to be contented to spend his life in the routine work of a foundry, and began studying law while working at his trade and, making rapid prog- ress, was admitted to the bar on January 16, 1892. He has since that time practiced this profession successfully, and is one of the best known lawyers in southwest Missouri. For years his name has been prominently connected with the important cases in all the Springfield courts, and in cases in other parts of the Ozark country. He has kept well abreast of the times in all that pertains to his profession, is not only a thorough and indefatiga- ble student of the law, but a strong, vigorous, logical and effective advocate, earnest and eager, combining in a singular manner general equanimity and a certain nervous energy. He always carefully studies his cases, and is therefore well prepared to try them when he enters court. He is a force- ful debater, clear in his logic, convincing in his argument, courteous to his associates and opponents, and always dignified in his deportment to the court as well as witnesses, avoiding, as far as possible, wounding the feel- ings of anyone. He is regarded as able, reliable, honest and safe. In earlier years, Mr. Durst went to the Indian Territory when immigration was seeth- GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1753 ing in strongly to that portion of the Southwest, and was a resident there for three years. In 1898, when the Spanish- American war broke out, Mr. Durst answered the first call for volunteers by President McKinley, and served as a lieutenant in Company K, Second Missouri Infantry, United States Volunteers. He is a very active member of the Spanish War Veterans, and has been twice elected judge advocate of the department of Missouri in that organization and is at present the state commander of that organ- ization. Mr. Durst was married on January 10, 1900, to Eva Dickerson, only daughter of Jerome and Susan (Geary) Dickerson, a prominent family of Springfield, formerly of Grand Rapids, Michigan, where Mrs. Durst was born, reared and given the advantages of an excellent education. She is a lady of culture and genial address. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Durst has been blessed by the birth of three children, namely : Robert D. was graduated from the ward schools with the class of 1914; Dorothy D. and Harry D., Jr. Politically, Mr. Durst is an uncompromising Democrat and has long been a worker in the interest of the party, one of the leaders of the same in southwest Missouri. He was for many years a member of the city coun- cil of Springfield, during which time he did much for the general good of the municipality. He was a candidate for Democratic nomination for Con- gress in 1914. He made a splendid campaign, but was defeated. He is a man of steadfast purpose, studious habits, gentlemanly manners and an ora- tor of no mean ability. He has contributed of his time and means to help the cause of Democracy, and is a tireless worker for clean government, advocating honesty in politics as well as wholesome living in social and pri- vate life. He has filled numerous positions of trust with marked fidelity and with credit to his party. His broad experience, obliging disposition, his ready wit, keen intellectual discernment and unassuming personality pre-eminently qualify him for high office. His unfailing good judgment, correct sense of fairness and courage in his stand for the right in all relations of life has been proven. His frankness, his tenacity in dinging to high ideals and his indomitable fighting qualities have won the confidence and respect of a host of stanch friends who will continue to stand by him regardless of party alignment. He is now in the prime of life, with a will and constitution that enable him to make possible his strongest professional achievements. He is pos- sessed of the warmest sympathies and charities, is held in the highest esteem by members of the bar throughout southern Missouri, and by friends and neighbors, who entertain the profoundest regard for his character and vir- tues. Mr. Durst and his family are members of the St. Paul Methodist Episcopal church, South. a 754 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. ROBERT H. WALKER. A worthy example of the progressive twentieth century business man is Robert EL Walker, president of the Globe Clothing Company of Spring- field, Missouri. He is one of the potent factors in the upbuilding of the greater Queen of the Ozarks, which has been forging ahead at such notice- able strides during the past decade. As in the performance of his industrial duties, he leaves the impression of his individuality on his work, in like manner and degree he impresses his associates. He delights in good com- panionship, and his greetings are uniform and friendly. In his ordinary relations and contacts with his fellow men he is quiet and modest; with his intimate friends he is frank, genial and confiding. Mr. Walker’s char- acter is strong, deliberate, candid, truthful and he is punctilious in his adher- ence to obligations. He is a kind and generous hearted man, an inheritance -of his sterling father, who never turns the unhearing ear to those who should be heard, whose acts of benevolence are not performed in an ostentatious manner, but with quiet and kindness, following the Divine injunction not to let the left hand know what the right hand doeth. Of Celtic blood, he has inherited many of the winning traits of that noble people. Mr. Walker was born in Liverpool, England, December 1 8, 1864. He is a son of Ralph and Fanny J. ( Wilson ) Walker, the father born in the northern part of Ireland and the mother in the Isle of Man. It was in the historic Cloncanon House, November 27, 1831, that the late Judge Ralph Walker first saw the light of day. He was a member of one of the oldest families of that section of the Ifimerald Isle. There he grew to manhood and received excellent educational advantages, attending the preparatory schools, later Ranella College and afterwards studied in the city of London- derry. He immigrated to the United States in 1859, locating in Philadel- phia, but subsequently came on west to St. Louis to join his brother, and in the latter city he accepted a position in the office of the Adams Express Company. In 1854 he became clerk on a river steamer which plied between St. Louis and St. Paul, Minnesota, later he served in similar capacity on a steamer, which plied between Louisville, Kentucky, and New Orleans, Lou- isiana. From 1852 to 1862 he was general freight and passenger agent of the Wabash Railroad Company in St. Louis. In 1862 he took over the first cargo of petroleum that was ever sent across the Atlantic ocean, return- ing to St. Louis in 1865 about the close of the Civil war. He came to Greene county soon thereafter, and in 1866 laid out the town of Ash Grove. He was elected county judge in 1870. In the early seventies he performed one of his greatest services to the locality in assisting in the reorganization of the Kansas City, Fort Scott & Memphis railroad, thus securing a new GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1755 railroad for Springfield. Pie became one of the leaders of the county in public affairs, and one of the most influential and popular men of this sec- tion of the Ozark region. Pie served as mayor of Springfield three different times, and gave the city splendid administrations, doing much for the gen- eral welfare of the same and winning the hearty commendation of all parties. He was a leader in a number of important enterprises here for years, and his memory will long be revered by a very wide circle of friends and acquaintances. In 1859 he was married in Dublin, Ireland, to Fanny J. Wilson, a daughter of Major Plenry Wilson. She is a lady of culture and strong mentality, and is now making her home in New York City. To these parents eight children were born, seven sons and one daughter, four of whom are deceased; those living are Harry Wilson, who is a prominent newspaper man and author of New York City; Rev. Ralph J., Albert E., and Robert H., of this sketch. The death of Judge Ralph Walker occurred at Paris Springs, Lawrence county, Missouri, in July, 1907, at the age of seventy-six years, thus closing a long, useful and successful life. Robert H. Walker was brought to America by his parents when but a child. He received a good education in the common schools and Drury College. He began his business career by starting in the clothing business in 1880 with Jake Rothschilds, where the Holland Bank now stands, corner St. Louis street and the Public Square. Later he was in the same busi- ness with Jake Marx, then was associated with the Nathan Clothing Com- pany on the north side of the Public Square for a period of twenty years. Three years ago he began business for himself and at the present time is president of the Globe Clothing Company, one of the largest clothing stores in the Southwest, occupying a large and conveniently located building at the corner of South street and the Public Square, and he is enjoying a rapidly growing business, carrying a complete and carefully selected stock of goods, standard brands of manufacture and is up to date at all seasons. He employs a large number of assistants, and courteous, prompt and honest treatment is his aim. Mr. Walker was married in March, 1891, in Springfield, to Lottie A. Levitt, a native of Iowa, a daughter of the late Col. C. F. Levitt, for many years one of the best known and most influential Masons in the state of Missouri. Mrs. Walker was educated in the Springfield schools, having removed to this city with her' parents when a child. To Mr. and Mrs. Walker one child was born, Helen Marie Walker, whose birth occurred on December 20, 1891. She received an excellent edu- cation in the schools of Springfield and Belmont College, Nashville, Ten- nessee. Politically, Mr. Walker has followed in the footsteps of his honored GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. I75 6 father and is a stanch Democrat, although he has never been active in polit- ical affairs. Fraternally, he belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Royal Arcanum lodge. Ide holds membership in the Epis- copal church. GUSTAVUS F. BERRY. Gustavus F. Berry is the president of the Berry Land and Investment Company at Springfield, in which connection he has a wide acquaintance throughout the Southwest. Greene county, Missouri, numbers him among her native sons, his birth having occurred on July 23, 1876, upon the farm of his father, James A. Berry, who is a native of North Carolina, born in 1843. The latter was, however, but nine years of age when, in 1852, he was brought to Greene county, Missouri, where he has since made his home, and where he has been identified with agricultural pursuits throughout the period of his manhood. On the 18th of December, 1861, he married Miss Elizabeth E. McCurdy and they became the parents of nine sons and five daughters, of whom five sons and two daughters are still living, while the parents also survive and are well known and highly respected residents of their locality. In the country schools Gustavus F. Berry began his education, which he continued in the Southwest Baptist College at Bolivar, Missouri. He started out in the business world as a salesman for the Champion Harvester Company and subsequently represented the International Harvester Com- pany, being thus employed for four years. He then turned his attention to the real estate business and for two years he was in the employ of the Ozark Land Company before he purchased the Berry Land and Investment Company. He now stands at the head of that concern, and as such is thoroughly informed in regard to realty values and the market conditions of real estate. What he undertakes he accomplishes, for his energy is un- faltering and his persistency of purpose has enabled him to overcome many difficulties and obstacles in his path. As he advances step by step there opens before him broader opportunities, and his ready recognition of possi- bilities points out to him the ways of success. On the 22d of April, 1902, in Springfield, Mr. Berry was united in marriage to Miss Clara Lloyd, and unto them has been born a daughter. Hazel T. The family attends the Presbyterian church and in social circles they are well known, the hospitality of many of the best homes of the city being freely accorded them. Mr. Berry belongs to several fraternal organ- izations and clubs, holding membership with the Masons and Elks, with the GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1757 Springfield Club, the Country Club, and the Young Men’s Business Club. He has had military experience and training through three years' service as a member of Company Iv, Second Regiment of the Missouri State Guard. His political indorsement is given to the Democratic party, but, while he votes for its men and measures at the polls, he does not seek office. His primary interest is in his business, with the opportunity it gives him of providing well for his family and doing his part in the world's work. S. R. STAFFORD. It is a pleasure to write the biography of a man of unusual personal merit — the possessor of a combination of gifts so comprehensive that hap- piness and success in any enterprise is bound to follow the application of his qualities to the solution of almost any reasonable problem in life. The career of S. R. Stafford, veteran of the Civil war, a pioneer and for a long period a farmer, stock man, miller and merchant of this section of the Ozarks, would indicate that he is the possessor of those characteristics that make for success in almost any walk of life, and it also shows that he has not used these traits entirely for self aggrandizement, but that he has been a public-spirited and helpful citizen, doing what he could all along the line to promote the general welfare of the various communities in which he has resided. Mr. Stafford was born in Dallas county, Missouri, November 6, 1843, the son of a pioneer family. He grew to manhood in Dallas county, and when a boy assisted his father with the general work about the farm and blacksmith shop, attending the rural schools in the winter time. When a young man he began life for himself by trading and handling cattle and other live stock. He made several trips to California and back in the early days, taking cattle to the Western markets. When the Civil war came on he enlisted in the Federal army, serving very creditably for three years as a member of the Twenty-fourth Volunteer Infantry. He participated in numer- ous battles and skirmishes, including Wilson’s Creek, Pea Ridge, Lone Jack and Springfield. He was honorably discharged, and soon thereafter began farming in Webster county, later working in a flouring mill, finally becom- ing owner of a good mill there ; later he engaged in general merchandising at Hurley, Stone county, Missouri. Having accumulated a competency for his old age he retired from active life some time ago and is now making his home at Eureka Springs, Arkansas. On March 8, 1865, he was married in Webster county to Anna Eliza- beth Turner, the daughter of an old Webster county family. To our subject GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 175 s and wife the following children were born, namely: John C. is engaged in farming near Green Forest, Arkansas; William D., deceased; Viola is the wife of L. A. Logan and they live in Hurley, Missouri; Bertha is teaching in the Pickwick school in Springfield; Adella is the wife of R. W. Swart and they live at Crane, Missouri ; Bessie is the wife of E. M. Fite and they reside at Marionville, this state; Arch lives at Hurley, Missouri. Bertha Stafford, mentioned above, and to whom we are indebted for this biographical data, was given good educational advantages, which she made the most of, being ambitious to do something worth while in the world. After completing the work in the common schools at Marionville, Lawrence county, she specialized in kindergarten work, after which she taught in the Marionville schools for a period of twelve years, then engaged in general merchandising for one year, but finding teaching more to her liking she came to Springfield and began teaching in the primary department of the McDaniel school, later being transferred to the Pickwick school as principal of the primary department, where she has since remained; she is giving eminent satisfaction. As a teacher she has kept well abreast of the times in her line and is alert, painstaking, energetic and sets a commendable exam- ple before her pupils. She is an active member of the First Baptist church of Springfield and is superintendent of the junior department in the Sunday school. She is a lady of pleasing personality and has made many friends since coming to Springfield. GEORGE W. FERGUSON. The art of photography has shown wonderful development during the past decade or two, more perhaps than during all previous times since it first became known as an art. It would seem that it has attained the zenith of perfection and that the “last word" has been said regarding photography, but the future is not within the horoscope of mortals, and who knows but that the coming years will reveal still greater wonders in this branch of science. Only a cursory glance at the modern and tastily kept studios of George W. Ferguson on South street, Springfield, Missouri, is required to show that he has kept fully abreast of the times in his vocation and that he deserves to rank in the forefront of his profession. Mr. Ferguson was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, April 4, 1856. He is a son of Isaac and Mary E. (Harrison) Ferguson, natives of Kentucky and Indiana, respectively. After spending several years in Indianapolis the}- removed to Louisville, Kentucky, and finally, in 1882, they came to Greene county, Missouri, located on a farm three miles east of Springfield,. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. : 759 and there became well established through their industry. The mother is still living and making her home with subject. The father died about twelve years ago. They were popular with their neighbors as a result of their honesty and hospitality. They were the parents of the following children : Subject being the eldest ; Sarah, who married Charles E. Lodge, of Greene county, both now deceased; Jennie, who married David Repass of Den- ver, Colorado; James E., deceased; John, of Fayette, Missouri, who is in the photography business; Charles, deceased; Ella (Mrs. Ross Askins) , in Springfield; Dora, now Mrs. Louis Funk, of Grand Junction, Colorado. George W. Ferguson was a small boy when he removed with his par- ents from Indianapolis to Louisville, and he received his education in the schools of the latter city, including a course in the Spencerian Business College, from which he was graduated in 1876. After leaving school he engaged in the grocery business for three years, and although he was making a success as a merchant, this field seemed somewhat prosaic to one of his imagination and esthetic tastes, and he abandoned it and took up the study of photography in one of the best known photograph galleries of Louis- ville, where he made rapid progress and soon gave evidence of becoming exceptionally skilled in the work. Leaving the Blue Grass state in 1882, he came to Springfield and opened a gallery here. For many years his studio was on Boonville street, but later he moved in the arcade southeast of the Public Square, and finally to his present location on South street. He has thus been in the business in Springfield over thirty years, his success grow- ing with advancing years until he has long since become known over the Ozark region, his splendid work being pronounced by those well capable to judge the same to be inferior to none in the country, and many of his cus- tomers come from remote cities for sittings, for he has become celebrated throughout southwest Missouri for securing to sitters before the camera a natural, life-like and graceful pose, and the master hand and thoroughly expert artist is readily seen in all his work. Mr. Ferguson was married in 1884 at Rising Sun, Indiana, to Mary Bedgood. Her death occurred in 1885 in Springfield, Missouri, leaving one son, Clarence, who is now in St. Louis, with the Frisco railroad, in the engineering department. Mr. Ferguson's second marriage was celebrated in 1888 to Louise Leetsch, pf Helena, Arkansas, and to this union a son was born, Gussie, who is now at home in Springfield. Politically, Mr. Ferguson is a Democrat and has been more or less active in party affairs. Soon after coming to Springfield he became a mem- ber of the city fire department, and his work was so well done that he was elected to every position in the company. In 1892 he was elected chief of department No. 1, and held the same for some time, taking an abiding interest in the affairs of the department and not infrequently manifesting GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1760 unusual courage and presence of mind in emergencies. He was recognized as an expert fireman and had complete control of his men, whom he kept well trained ; in fact, he did as much as any one ever did to give Spring- field an up-to-date and efficient fire department. Fraternally, Mr. Ferguson is a member of Royal Arcanum Lodge No. 418, the Knights of Pythias Lodge No. 213, and the Uniform Rank No. 21, and Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Fie and his family are members of the Christian church. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN DENNIS. The office of biography is not to give voice to a man’s modest estimate of himself and his accomplishments, but rather to leave upon the record the verdict establishing his character by the consensus of opinion on the part of his neighbors and fellow citizens. The life of Benjamin Franklin Dennis, president of the Bank of Rogersville, for many years a leading agriculturist and business man of the eastern part of Greene county, has been such as to elicit just praise from those who know him best, owing to the fact that he has always been loyal to the trusts reposed in him and has been upright in his dealings with his fellow men, at the same time lending his support to the advancement of any cause looking to the welfare of the community at large. No man has been better known or more influential in this section of the county during the past quarter of a century or more, and yet he is a plain, easily approached and unassuming gentleman, contented to lead a quiet life and be regarded only as a good citizen. Mr. Dennis was born near Gainesboro, Jackson county, Tennessee, on July 22, 1839, and is therefore nearly seventy-six years of age, but is still hale and hearty and as capable a business man as ever in his career. This is all due very largely to the fact, no doubt, that he has led a well-regulated life, free from bad habits and worry. He is a son of William R. and Sarah (Chaffin) Dennis. The father was born in North Carolina in 1813, but removed to Tennessee at an early age, where he grew to manhood and received a limited education in the pioneer schools. He was reared on a farm, but when young learned the shoemaker’s and carpenter’s trades, at both of which he was quite skilled. He remained in Tennessee until 1850, when he removed with his family to Greene county, Missouri, making a tedious trip by boat and wagon and encountered considerable hardships and exciting experiences on the way. Upon reaching his destination, William R. Dennis rented a farm for three years. He did not live long to enjoy the MR. AND MRS. B. F. DENNIS. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1761 new country, dying in January, 1853. He was twice married, his first wife dying in Tennessee. In that state he married the mother of our subject, who was born in that state in 1818, near the town of Gainesboro, Jackson county, and there she grew to womanhood and attended the old-time subscription schools, taught near her father’s farm. Her death occurred in Texas in 1876. William R. Dennis’ family consisted of six children, namely: Nancy, deceased; Benjamin F., of this review; James William, deceased; Martha Jane, deceased; Narvell A., deceased; Mrs. Elizabeth Brickey lives in New- ton county, Missouri. Benjamin F. Dennis spent his early boyhood in Tennessee, being eleven years old when he removed with his family to Greene county, Missouri, and here he grew to manhood and has continued to reside for a period of nearly sixty-five years, during which he has been not only a most interested spec- tator to the wonderful development that has taken place here, but has played well his part in the same. He received a limited education in the early-day schools of Tennessee and Missouri, but he had by nature an inquiring and plastic mind, and eventually became a well-informed man by wide miscella- neous reading and contact with the business world, and today no one is better informed on current events in this community as well as questions of business and civic affairs. He is a fine type of the successful self-made man. He worked on the farm as a hired hand until he was eighteen years of age. In 1856 he made the long and hazardous trip across the great western plains to California and engaged in farming near Sacramento for awhile, then returned home, but went back to California a little later. However, he did not remain long, returning to Missouri in 1864, twenty-nine days of the trip being made by stage. He had numerous unusual experiences in the West and talks most interestingly of them. Mr. Dennis was successful as a man of business from the first, and he was only a young man when he purchased a farm of two hundred acres in the eastern part of Greene county. This he managed judi- ciously and added to his possessions until he owned eight hundred acres of valuable, productive and desirable land. Being a man of progressive ideas, he has always kept his land well improved and under a high state of culti- vation, and farmed on a general plan and raised large herds of all kinds of live stock, making a specialty of handling mules, and no small portion of his income for years was derived from this source. He has long been regarded as one of the best judges of mules, if not all kinds of live stock, m the county. On his farm is to be seen a commodious residence in the midst of attractive surroundings, and numerous substantial outbuildings — everything about the place denoting good management, thrift and prosperity. (m) GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. I /62 Air. Dennis continued agricultural pursuits until three years ago, when he retired from his farm, renting his lands since then, and making his home in Rogersville, Webster county, where he has a modernly appointed and pleasant residence. He has also built several new buildings in Rogersville, and has done much toward the general material and civic improvement of the town. He has for some time been the principal factor in the Bank of Rogersville, of which he is president, and its pronounced success has been due in no small measure to his efforts, it is one of the safe and popular banks of southern Missouri. A general banking business is carried on. It is well equipped with a modern safe and other necessary furnishings, and is managed under a conservative and sound policy. It was organized in 1892, and its capital stock is $10,000.00 and $10,000.00 surplus. The other officers of the bank besides Mr. Dennis are George M. McHaffie, vice-president; L. H. McHaffie, cashier, and H. E. Dennis, assistant cashier. It is the sec- ond oldest bank in Webster county. Mr. Dennis has been twice married, first, in April, 1864, to Margaret Anne Smith, who was born in Greene county, Missouri, in 1843, an d here grew to womanhood and was educated. Her death occurred in 1876, leav- ing four children, all of whom survive at this writing, namely; John E., a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work; Clara B., William A., and George F. Mr. Dennis was married a second time, in 1877, 1 ° Martha G. Ferrell, who was born in Tennessee in 1861 and there spent her early girlhood, removing with her parents when thirteen years of age to Greene county, Missouri, and here she received a common school education and lived on the home farm until her marriage, which occurred when she was seventeen years of age. She has proven to be a faithful helpmate, is indus- trious, kind-hearted and genial and, like her husband, has a host of warm friends throughout this locality. Mr. Dennis is the father of five children by his second wife, named as follows: Henry E. is assistant cashier in the Bank of Rogersville; Cora A. is deceased; Grover C. is engaged in the hardware business in Rogersville; Shirley V. died at the age of eighteen years; Ben Elmer is at present a sol- dier in the regular United States army, and is stationed in California. Mr. Dennis has traveled extensively and, being a keen observer, has profited much by what he has seen. In 1898 he was a member of the adven- turous and hardy band of prospectors that invaded the Alaska gold fields and experienced the usual hardships and privations of such an expedition, and from a financial standpoint the venture was not successful. He was absent in the rugged and picturesque Northland made famous by London, Beach, Curwood and other noted authors, about a year, returning to his farm in Greene county. But, unlike many who returned from that precari- ous country of the mighty Yukon, having lost their all in practically a game GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1763 of chance, Mr. Dennis had plenty to return to, and despite the fact that he brought back no sacks of gold dust, is rated among the well-to-do men of Greene county, and, having honestly earned every dollar in his possession through his individual efforts, he is eminently entitled to his fortune and also to the high esteem in which he is universally held. Politically, Mr. Dennis is an ardent Democrat and has long been influ- ential in party affairs, although not seeking to become a political leader him- self, preferring to devote his attention exclusively to his extensive business affairs and his home. Religiously he is a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and fraternally is a member of the Masonic Order, includ- ing the Knights Templars and the Ancient Orabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He stands high in all circles in which he moves, being an honest, obliging, courteous and hospitable gentleman at all times. RANSOM S. LAFOLLETTE. Some farmers seem to forget that a worn soil is a hungry soil whose breathing is difficult because its organic matter is exhausted, and whose nat- ural mineral elements of plant food have been depleted by constant cropping — a soil that does not furnish a suitable home for the manufacturing bac- teria — a soil that constantly pleads through its stunted, scrawny, half-nour- ished plant growth, for material with which to satisfy its hunger, and from which its bacteria may manufacture food for the support of its vegetation. One hundred bushels per acre crops are never grown on such soil, and a resort to stimulants in the form of so-called “complete fertilizers” only hastens land ruin. These things are well understood bv Ranson S. LaFol- lette, a farmer of Pond Creek township, Greene county, and he has been careful to prevent his soil from becoming thin by proper rotation and fertili- zation and therefore his productive and well-kept place yields abundant harvest annually. Mr. LaFollette was born on June 28, 1861, in Christian county, Mis- souri. He is a son of Amos M. Lafollette, who was born on March 22, 1833, in Tennessee, from which state he emigrated with his parents to Greene county, Missouri, in an early day. He grew up on the farm and received a limited education in the rural schools. After spending his boy- hood days on his father's farm he began life for himself by entering forty acres of land from the government in Christian county, which he cleared and improved in a general way. When the Civil war came on he cast his lot with the Federal army, soon after the outbreak of hostilities, being a private in the Eighth Missouri Cavalry. He proved to be a gallant soldier and was 1764 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. promoted to the rank of corporal. He was attacked by the measles and a fever from which he had not fully recovered when he joined his regiment in a march in Arkansas, during which he took cold which resulted in his death at Devall Bluff, that state, September 1, 1863. On September 9, i860, he had married Nancy E. Blades, a daughter of R. D. Blades, Sr. She was born on August 2, 1843, ’ n Greene county, Missouri, and her death occurred on February 25, 1863. Thus these parents died in early life within a few months of each other, thereby leaving two small children orphans, namely: Ransom S., of this sketch; and Samuel M., who lives in Greene county on a farm. The father was a Republican, and belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church. When eighteen months old Ransom S. LaFollette was taken into the home of his Grandfather Blades where he grew to manhood and remained until reaching his majority. He received his education in the common schools of Greene county. He began life for himself by renting one of his grandfather’s farms, which he operated two years, then rented another place for a year. His grandfather gave him and his brother fifty-five acres, which they operated in partnership until our subject bought the interest of his brother, and he lived on this place for seventeen years, when he sold out and moved to his present farm of one hundred and twenty acres, which he has placed under excellent improvements and he has a good home. He car- ries on general farming and stock raising. Mr. Lafollette was married on October 1, 1882, to Sophronia Foun- tain, who was born in 1858 at Granby, Newton county, Missouri. She grew up on a farm and received a common school education. When a young man Mr. Fountain learned the blacksmith's trade which he followed a number of years, but devoted his later life to farming. Politically, he was a Repub- lican, and he belonged to the Missionary Baptist church. His death occurred on March 1, 1883. His wife, who was Sarah Crickmur before her marriage, died on July 1, 1902, having survived him nearly twenty years. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. LaFollette, namely: One died in infancy; Ella married C. T. Dean and they live on a farm in northwestern Kansas; Mattie is the wife of R. R. Brown and they live on a farm in Greene county; Florence is the wife of Joe Bell, a farmer of northwestern Kansas; Marion H. is at home; Pearl is teaching school in Pond Creek township, this county; Grace is attending high school in Billings. Politically, Mr. LaFollette is a Republican and has long been more or less active in the work of the party in his community. For a period of six years he filled very ably and successfully the office of justice of the peace in Pond Creek township. Fraternally, he is a member of the Woodmen lodge at Billings. He belongs to the Methodist Protestant church, in which he has been a director at different times. v GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1765 JAMES EDWIN DEWEY, M. D. The desire to be remembered is inherent in the human race, hence the necessity for biographical and memorial works of the nature of the one in hand. Dr. James Edwin Dewey, who is a distant relative of Admiral George Dewey, one of America’s greatest naval heroes, is a descendant of a long line of French ancestry, many of his progenitors having been men of prominence. History shows that the ancient Deweys were compelled to flee from France, owing principally to ecclesiastical and political reasons. They accordingly established homes in England, and subsequently one of the number, William Dewey, immigrated to America, landing at Dorchester, Massachusetts, in the year 1650. ITe was one of the older members of the English colony of that name, and from him descended the numerous fami- lies of Deweys in the United States at present. He had five sons, who dis- persed to various localities, establishing homes. From one of them our subject is descended. They remained in the Atlantic states for some three centuries, finally penetrating to the Middle West and the plains beyond the Father of Waters, our subject’s immediate family locating in the state of Kansas. Dr. James E. Dewey was born near Stockton, Kansas, November 1, 1879. He is a son of Charles Holt Dewey and Mary E. (Lyon) Dewey. The latter was a native of western New York. The father was one of the early pioneers of Stockton, Kansas, and there has become well to do through farming and other business operations, and is a well known and influential man in that locality, and although he is now sixty years of age is still an active man of affairs. The mother is also still living. Dr. Samuel C. Dewey, our subject’s paternal grandfather, spent his life in the practice of medicine in Iowa and Wisconsin, principally in the town of Fairbanks, Iowa. To Charles IT. Dewey and wife a son and two daughters were born, namely: Dr. James Edwin, of this sketch; Marion, who is single and is still with her parents at Stockton, Kansas ; and Mrs. Gertrude Welch, who resides at Coffeyville, that state. Dr. James E. Dewey grew to manhood on the home farm in the Sun- flower state and there he assisted his father with the general work when he became of proper age, and in the winter time he attended the public schools in his vicinity, later took the course of study at the Stockton Academy, after which he entered the Rush Medical College in Chicago in 1899, and was gradu- ated from that institution with the class of 1903. Soon thereafter he came to Springfield, Missouri, where he began the practice of his profession and has remained to the present time with ever-increasing success. He was house surgeon at the Frisco Hospital here for a period of three years, filling 1766 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. this responsible position in a manner that reflected much credit upon his ability as a surgeon and to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. He is now making a specialty of genito-urinary diseases. He has spent consider- able time in post-graduate work in Chicago and Philadelphia, and is now well prepared for his special line of practice. Doctor Dewey is a member of the Greene County Medical Society, the Missouri State Medical Association, the American Medical Association, is an honorary member of tbe Lawrence-Stone Medical Society, and the South- west Missouri Medical Society. Fraternally he belongs to the Modern Woodmen and the Knights of Columbus. Politically he is a Democrat, and in religious matters a Roman Catholic. Doctor Dewey was married to Estella Whaley, of a well family of Springfield where she was long popular with the best social circles. She was a native of Mt. Vernon, Missouri. She was summoned to an untimely grave on November 17, 1912. The union of Doctor Dewey and wife was without issue. Our subject is a young man of genial address and is well liked by all who know him, having made a host of friends since coming to the Queen City of the Ozarks. SAMUEL L. ESLINGER. It is in such countries as the United States that full swing can be given to the energies of the individual. A man may choose any business or pro- fession he desires, and he is limited only by competition. He must meet the skill of others and give as good service as they or he will not get the positions, will not attain a place in the front ranks of the men of affairs. Such adaptation to any work or business is well shown in the career of Samuel L. Eslinger, vice-president of the Springfield Bakery Company. He has turned his hand to various things and proved that there were more than one occupation which he could make successful. Mr. Eslinger was born on June 18, 1866, at Sullivan, Sullivan county, Indiana. He is a son of James E. Eslinger, who was born in Tennessee, from which state he removed to Indiana when a young man, learned the carpenter's trade and he has devoted his active life to carpentering, con- tracting and building houses, bridges, etc. He is now living in retirement in Sullivan county, Indiana, having attained the advanced age of eighty- three years. Politically he is a Republican. He is a member of the Chris- tian church. He has always been a quiet, unassuming home man, one who attends strictly to his own affairs. He married Elizabeth Allen, who was born and reared in Kentucky. Her death occurred thirty-nine years ago, GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1767 in 1876 when she was a comparatively young woman. To these parents three children were born, namely : Gus and Thomas are farming in Sul- livan county, Indiana; and Samuel L. of this sketch. William Eslinger, paternal grandfather of our subject, was a resident of Tennessee in the early days of that state, finally removed to Sullivan county, Indiana, where he spent the rest of his life, reaching the unusual age of ninety-eight years. For many years he was a large planter in Ten- nessee and owned many slaves. He was also interested in river commerce. Samuel L. Esling'er grew to manhood in his native county and there he received a common school education, also attended school in Shelby county, Indiana. He was ten years old at the death of his mother, and soon there- after he went to live with his uncle, Capt. T. M. Allen, with whom he remained until he was thirteen years old. He then came to Springfield, Missouri, with his uncle, and here, in 1885 he entered the retail grocery business for himself in the five hundred block on Boonville street, renting a room there the second day he was in Springfield. Although he started out on a very small scale, he managed well and soon had an increasing trade and finally his quarters were outgrown and he moved a block farther north on the same street in more commodious quarters, occupying a store fifty by one hundred feet, and here he remained for some twenty years, enjoy- ing a large and lucrative business, ranking among the leading grocers of the city. Some idea of the gain in his sales may be had when we learn that his first day’s sales in the grocery business in Springfield amounted to only two dollars, and when he sold out in 1907 his last day's sales totalled nearly two hundred dollars. He first entered the bakery business in 1905, in the Springfield Bakery Company, of .which he is now vice-president and with which he has been connected for ten years during which period he has been the principal motive force and has assisted in making it one of the largest and most successsful enterprises of its kind in the state. He has been a large stockholder in the same all the while. An article regarding this con- cern will be found on another page of this work. Our subject is actively engaged at the company’s large plant, taking care of the shipping end of the business. He has been very successful in a business way and owns con- siderable property, including a valuable residence on North Jefferson street. Politically, Mr. Eslinger is a Republican, and has been active in party affairs for some time. For two years he was a member of the city council. Fraternally he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and the Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks. He is a member of the Springfield Club, and belongs to Grace Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Eslinger was married first to Belle Lippman, a daughter of Tacob Lippman. This union was without issue. He subsequently married Clara Danforth, a daughter of Joseph Danforth, of Greene county, Missouri. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1/68 Leonard D. Eslinger is now twelve years of age. Our subject’s present wife was known in her maidenhood as Lula Knotts, daughter of Col. Rob- ert Knotts. This union has been without issue. DUDLEY CASS. Cass was formerly spelled Casse. It is said to have been derived from the name of a Celtic tribe or class located in what is now central France, bordered by ancient Germany and ancient Britain. These people lived in the latter country at the time of the invasion of Julius Caesar, when he led his Roman legions to the far north. The tribe located on the banks of the Thames river, and fruitlessly resisted the Roman invaders. The tribe con- tinued to reside in England for centuries until some of those bearing the name immigrated to America in the early Colonial period and from them the present numerous family of Cass in the United States descended. We first have definite record of John Cass, who was an English Puritan by birth, born at St. Alban, England, date not known, but he emigrated from that country to America in 1640, locating at Hampton, New Hampshire. The lineage of the subject of this sketch may be traced directly to him, back nearly four centuries. Records show that he married Martha Philbrick in July, 1647, that ^ ie Ted April 7, 1675, and that his family consisted of the following children: Joseph, born in 1656; Samuel, born in 1659; Mary, born about 1661; Jonathan, born in 1663, an< d who died in 1745, was the next in line of our subject’s progenitors; Elizabeth, born in 1666; Marcy, born in 1668; Martha, born in 1669; Abigail, born in 1674; and Ebenezer, born in 1676. The great-grandfather of our subject was Mason Cass, and the grandfather was Capt. Mason Cass, Jr., who was born at Spring, New Hampshire, May 24, 1751, and died at Alexandria, New Hampshire, Octo- ber 15, 1777. Mason Cass, father of our subject, was born at Alexandria, Grafton county, New Hampshire, in 1788, but he moved to New York state when young, located near Syracuse where he spent the rest of his life. He was a carpenter by trade, also engaged in farming, and for some time was a manufacturer of coffins. At the time of the breaking out of the war of 1812 he lived in Canada and, being an American, was forced to leave that country. In 1810 he married Mary Merrell, who was born in Endfield, Vermont, in 1793. She was of Scotch-Irish descent. Her death occurred at Sheboygan. Wisconsin, in 1884, at an advanced age, and there she was buried. His death occurred at Chenango, New York, in 1837, forty-seven GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1769 years prior to the death of his wife, who was much younger than he. To these parents seven children were born. Dudley Cass was born on March 21, 1811, in New Hampshire. He grew to manhood in the East and received a common school education. He o worked with his father until the latter’s death, and thus learned to be both a carpenter and farmer. He then moved to the state of Wisconsin, making the long journey, through wilderness a large part of the way, on horseback, in 1840, when Wisconsin was still in the wilds and little improved. He located at what is now the town of Salem, where he purchased a farm which he conducted until 1873, successfully engaged in general farming and stock raising. He was one of the early pioneers of the state, and was a man of much courage and force of character, a man whom hardship could not con- quer. He cleared and developed his land by hard and persistent work, in due time establishing a comfortable home. He was a stanch Democrat, and, taking a leading part in political affairs, was for some time a member of the general assembly of Wisconsin. He was for four years president of the fair association in his county. He held many county offices in Wiscon- sin, in fact, was active in public affairs all his mature life, was known throughout the Badger state, and did much for its early development. He remained in that state until 1873 when he removed to Springfield, Missouri, and here engaged in the grocery business with his son, Lewis Cass. They started in with a capital of only five hundred dollars, locating their store on Campbell and College streets. They managed well, dealt honestly and cour- teously with their customers and, increasing their stock from time to time as they prospered, became one of the largest grocery merchants in this city, and at the time of his death our subject was considered one of the wealthy men of Springfield. A part of his competency was gained through judi- cious and extensive speculation in real estate. Dudley Cass was married in 1835 to Martha L. Robbins, who was born on March 4, 1816, at Deerfield, Massachusetts. She was reared in the East and received her education in the common schools. She came of a sterling old New England family, and she was a woman of many praiseworthy attributes, and she proved to be a most suitable helpmeet for her husband, her sympathy and counsel contributing much to his success in life. Her death occurred on October 13, 1894. The death of Dudley Cass occurred ten years previously, on October 28, 1884. Politically Dudley Cass was an ardent Democrat all his life. Frater- nally he belonged to the Masonic order. He was a member of the Baptist church and a large contributor to its support. While living in Wisconsin he and three other men alone supported the church of this denomination in his community. To Dudley Cass and wife the following children were born: Louis S., 1770 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. born on November 3, 1837, in the state of New York, died June 12, 1906; in early life he was a school teacher, later engaged in the grocery business in Springfield, as noted above, with his father; he married Charlotte Collier, who was born in the state of New York, June 14, 1839, and died in March, 1897; she was a daughter of John and Ann Collier, natives of Buckingham, England. To Louis S. Cass and wife, who were married on September 17, 1862, seven children were born. Thressa A., second child of Dudley Cass and wife, was born on September 27, 1844, at Syracuse, New York, and she was nine months old when her parents took her to Sheboygan, Wisconsin; there she grew to womanhood and received her education in the common and high schools, later took a course in the Seminary at Evanston, Illinois. She is a well-educated, cultured and affable lady, who' preferred to remain unmarried in order that she might devote her active life to the care of her parents in their declining years. She is a devout member of the Baptist church, in which she was a Sunday school teacher for many years. She resides in Springfield in a comfortable and neatly kept home, and it is to her that we are indebted for the data in this sketch of this interesting fam- ily. Kimball K., the youngest of the three children born to Dudley Cass and wife, first saw the light of day on April 20, 1846, in Sheboygan, Wis- consin, where he grew up, and he has devoted his life to agricultural pur- suits, living now in retirement at Bristol, Wisconsin. Members of the Cass family have been known as law-abiding, intelli- gent and good citizens wherever they have dispersed. ROBERT A. KIRKPATRICK. It is an unwritten law that the secret of success in life in all individual cases is the common property or heritage of all unfortunates of the human race. It is therefore eminently proper for the historian or delineator of characer to review the lives of those individuals who have not only been successful in the various enterprises in which they have engaged, but as citizens and neighbors have won the lasting regard ot all. Robert A. Kirk- patrick, an expert machinist, who is now timekeeper at the north side Frisco shops, Springfield, is deserving of the admiration of his friends in view of the fact that he has made a success in life through his individual efforts and despite obstacles, having come to our shores from a foreign strand with- out influential friends or capital, and began his career in a land where every- thing was quite different to what he had been used to in his earlier years. Mr. Kirkpatrick was born in Londonderry, Ireland, and grew to man- hood in his native land. He was given excellent educational advantages in GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1771 a school under the auspices of the Presbyterian church. When twenty years of age he set sail for America, landing in due time in New York City. Penetrating into the interior, he located at Columbus, Ohio, where he worked at the machinist's trade for five years, then went to Keokuk, Iowa, where he followed his trade two years. From there he went to Mount Vernon, Illinois, where he worked as machinist six or seven years, then came to Springfield, Missouri, and secured employment at once in the Frisco’s north side shops, where he has remained to the present time. He had a natural taste and talent for his trade, and has given eminent satisfac- tion to the various companies for which he has worked. After following his trade a number of years here he was promoted to the position of time- keeper, which he still holds. He is regarded as one of the trustworthy and faithful employees of this plant. Mr. Kirkpatrick was united in marriage in Keokuk, Iowa, with Julia E. Mills, who was a native of Southampton, England, from which country she immigrated to the Cmited States with her parents when five or six years old, and here she grew to womanhood and received her education. The Mills family lived for a number of years in Keokuk. To Mr. and Mrs. Kirkpatrick seven children were born, three of whom died in infancy; those who grew to maturity are: Harry, who resides at Thayer, Missouri; Nellie, to whom we are indebted for the data for this biography, is one of Springfield’s popular teachers; she grew to maturity in this city and received an excellent education in the ward and high schools, graduating from the latter with the class of 1897, and in 1910 she was graduated from the local State Normal. She began teaching two years after graduating from high school, and for a period of nine years taught in the Waddili school, doing extension and summer work at the normal school during vacations. After teaching in the second, fifth and sixth grades she was made principal of the Powerman school in 1908, which responsible posi- tion she still holds. She has always been a close student and has kept fully abreast of the times in all that pertains to her work ; that she has given the highest satisfaction is indicated by the fact that she has been retained so long in Waddili and Bowerman schools. She is a lady of pleasing per- sonality and is popular with her pupils. Dimple Kirkpatrick, sixth of our subject's children, was the wife of James Sawyer, and her death occurred in [910; Virginia, youngest of the children, is the wife of W. S. Nelson, and they reside at Cleburne, Texas. Politically, Mr. Kirkpatrick is a Republican, and fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, having passed the chairs in the local lodge of the same, and he is also a member of the Masonic order. He and his wife are active members of the First Congregational church, in which i 77“ GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. lie has been trustee and in which she is deaconness. They have both long- been influential in the affairs of this church and are highly regarded by all who know them. JOHN ROSBACK. John Rosback, veteran harness maker, and for thirty years a resident of Springfield, was born on January 15, 1844, in the River Rhine country, Germany. He was a son of Peter and Magdalene Rosback, both natives of Germany, where they grew to maturity, attended school and were mar- ried. They continued to reside in their native land until 1852, when they immigrated to the United States, and for many years lived at Springfield, Illinois, where the mother of our subject died, after which the father remar- ried and in January, 1879, came to Springfield, Missouri, where he spent the rest of his life, dying some thirty-four years ago. While living in Springfield, Illinois, he was employed by the Wabash Railroad Company. His family consisted of three children, namely: Margaret, who died in Memphis, Tennessee; John, of this sketch; and Fred, who makes his home in Benton Harbor, Michigan. John Rosback was eight years old when his parents brought him to America. He grew to manhood in Springfield, Illinois, and there received a common school education, and when a boy learned the saddle maker's trade, which he made his life work and in which he became an exceptionally skilled workman. He worked at this trade fifty-six years. When he first came to Springfield, Missouri, he worked as foreman at the old Moore Saddlery concern, then worked for the Steineger Saddlery Company as foreman for fifteen years. He was next employed by the Herman Sanford Saddlery Company, continuing as foreman for this firm until his death. He gave eminent satisfaction in the three firms mentioned above and did much toward making each successful. He was not only thoroughly familiar with every phase of the business, but was a man of good executive ability, sound judgment and foresight, and knew how to handle his men so as to get the best results possible and at the same time retain their good will and friendship. He was an artist at stamping leather and made many beautiful designs in leather work. Mr. Rosback was married on October 9, 1865, in Springfield, Illinois, to Louise Pletz, who was born near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, February 3, 1844. She is a daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Witce) Pletz, both natives of Pennsylvania, where they grew up, attended school and were married. Later in life they removed to Springfield, Illinois, where they spent the rest of their lives and died there. Mr. Pletz was a shoemaker GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1773 by trade and an accomplished workman. Mrs. Rosback was a small child when her parents removed with her from Pennsylvania to Springfield, Illi- nois, and there she grew to womanhood and received her education. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Rosback, namely: Ira, born on August 23, 1866, is a candy maker and lives in Chicago; Oscar, born on August 12, 1870, is engaged in the harness business on West Walnut street, Springfield, Missouri, and resides on South Market street; he mar- ried Flora McClure, a representative of an old family of Greene county. Frank E., born on November 9, 1875, lives in this city and is engaged in the clothing business; John, born on April 2, 1879, died when a small boy. Politically, Mr. Rosback was a Republican. * He belonged to the Masonic order and the Order of the Eastern Star. In his earlier life he took an active interest in Masonry and always tried to live by its high and noble precepts, which constituted his daily religion, and for this reason he was known as a man of exemplary character. The death of Mr. Rosback occurred after a brief illness on November 6, 1914, at the cozy family residence on South Jefferson street, where he had resided sixteen years. He was seventy-one years of age. Mrs. Ros- back is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and is known as a neighborly, kind and hospitable woman who has a very wide circle of friends. WILLIAM RILEY SELF. Among the professional and public men of Springfield and Greene county the name of William Riley Self occupies a conspicuous position. In his earlier years he was a successful banker, later popular politician and servant of the people, and for many years he has ranked among the leading lawyers of this section of the state. When in court he is prepared; if he fails and must go higher, or if he wins and is forced up, he leaves no weak or broken links in the chain that begins where he starts and ends where he must go. As an advocate he may not have the fascinations and gifts that “universities can bestow,” or the poet’s blooming fancy, or the “fine phrensy” of passionate declamation. We know that the dangerous bril- liancy of genius may attract, and the melody of eloquent words may charm for the moment, but the voice of reason, the sturdy legal sense, the plain language, the stern, unerring logic of the law, which are a strong part in the contentious force of Mr. Self, are powerful weapons in the hands skilled in the use of them. Mr. Self was born at Buffalo, Dallas county, Missouri, January 15, !863. He is a son of William J. and Cynthia (Cowden) Self. The father 1774 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI was born in Dallas county on January 26, 1839. His father, one of the first settlers of that county, emigrated from Tennessee in pioneer days; in fact, was among the very first settlers. The mother of our subject was born in Georgia in 1844, her parents having been natives of that state. She was young in years when she came to Dallas county, Missouri, and there she married William J. Self, and died on the home farm near Buffalo, in July, 1863, and there the father of our subject is still living. He has devoted his life to general farming and stock raising, is one of the well known and esteemed citizens of that county. During the Civil war he enlisted in 1861, in the Fifteenth Missouri Cavalry, and served three years in the Union army in a gallant and faithful manner, being honorably discharged during the latter part of the war. His family by his second marriage consists of three children, namely: James PI., who is engaged in the hardware busi- ness at Crowell, Texas; Francis M. is a banker at Buffalo, Missouri; and William R., of this sketch. Mr. Self, of this review, grew to manhood on the home farm in his native county and there he worked hard when a boy, and received a com- mon school education in the district schools, later attended the Buffalo high school, then took a scientific course at the Valparaiso University at Val- paraiso, Indiana, from which institution he was graduated in 1887, having made an exceptionally good record and was president of his class. Return- ing to Buffalo, Missouri, he began reading law in the office of Thomas M. Brown, with whom he remained until he was admitted to the bar in 1888, but he did not begin the practice of his profession at once, entering the banking business in Buffalo instead, becoming cashier of the Dallas County Bank, holding that position from 1890 until 1897 to the satisfaction of the stockholders and patrons of the bank. Taking an active interest in politics, he was elected on the Republican ticket to the lower house of the Legisla- ture from Dallas county in 1892, serving one term. On June 30, 1897, he located in Springfield, where he has since made his home, practicing law without a partner all the while. He was elected city attorney in April, 1902, and served in this office until April, 1904, then was elected representa- tive from Greene county to the Legislature, serving one term of two years. He was elected prosecuting attorney of Greene county in 1906 and served one term of two years. As a public servant he gave in all these offices the highest grade of service, his ability, fidelity and honesty and unquestioned public spirit, winning not only the hearty commendation of his constitu- ents, but of all concerned. He is now engaged in the active practice of the law, maintaining an office at 304 College street. He is vice-president of the Bank of Greene County, located in Springfield. Mr. Self was married on November 8, 1889, in Valparaiso, Indiana, GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1775 to Frances E. Bost, who was born in central Illinois, November 17, 1862. She received a common school education, later attended high school and the University of Valparaiso. The union of our subject and wife has been without issue. Mr. Self has been loyal to the Republican party since attaining his majority. He is a member of the South Street Christian church, of which he is an elder, and is also Sunday school superintendent, and takes an abid- ing interest in church and Sunday school work. His record from boyhood up has been that of a scrupulously honest, conservative and safe man in business, professional and public affairs and he has ever enjoyed the implicit confidence and the good will of all with whom he has come in contact. ROBERT MINTO. One of the best-known railroad men of Springfield during the past generation was the late Robert Minto, who maintained his residence in Greene county for a period of nearly three decades, during which time he formed a very wide acquaintance and was rated among our best citizens, and his unfortunate death occasioned wide-spread regret. Like all men of positive character and independence of mind, he was outspoken in what he considered right, and his convictions were such that his neighbors and fel- low citizens knew well his position on all questions of a political, social or religious nature. His private life was exemplary and his amiable disposi- tion and many virtues made him widely popular. Mr. Minto hailed from England and he was the possessor of the many admirable traits of the great Anglo-Saxon people. His birth occurred in Durham, England, June 22, 1853, but he spent practically all of his life in America, having been but six months old when he was brought to the United States by his parents, Thomas and Sarah Minto, both of whom were born, reared, educated and married in Durham, England, the birth of the father having occurred in 1830 and the mother was born in 1831. Thomas Minto was educated for a bookkeeper in which he became quite expert. After immigrating to America the latter part of the year 1853 became a mine owner in Illinois, but while he remained in his native land he followed mercantile pursuits. He is now living in retirement on a fine farm near Shelbyville, Illinois, having accumulated a comfortable compe- tency through his good management. He has reached his eighty-fifth year. His wife also attained a ripe old age, and was called to her eternal rest at the homestead at Shelbyville in 1913. Politically he is a Republican, and belongs to the Masonic order. He is a grand old man and is highly respected in his community. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1776 Twelve children were born to Thomas and Sarah Minto, but only two survive at this writing, namely: Elizabeth, Thomas, Robert (subject); Clement, are all deceased ; Henry lives in Cleveland, Ohio, and Mrs. Bertha Cook still makes her home in Shelbyville, Illinois ; the other six children died in infancy or early life. Robert Minto spent his early childhood in Alton, Illinois, where his parents resided until he was about ten years old. He received his edu- cation in the schools of Shelbyville, that state, and by wide home reading in later life. He was married in Shelbyville on December 24, 1874, to Annie Lane, who was born in Ohio, February 27, 1857. She is a daughter of Marcus D. and Colista (Benadum) Lane, both natives of Baltimore, Ohio, the birth of the father having occurred in 1833, an d that of the mother in 1834. There they grew to maturity and received good educations. Mr. Lane followed teaching and became a well-known educator in Shelbyville, Illinois, and there his death occurred in 1880, and there his widow, now advanced in years, is still living, having survived him thirty-four years. To Mr. and Mrs. Lane thirteen children were born, nine of whom are still living. Mrs. Minto grew to womanhood in Shelbyville, Illinois, and there received a good education. To Mr. and Mrs. Minto one child was born, Robert Minto, Jr., whose birth occurred in Shelbyville, Illinois, October 11, 1880. There he spent his early childhood, being six years of age when he removed with his parents to Springfield, Missouri, where he grew up and was educated. He married Belle Keet in Springfield. They now reside in Kansas City, Missouri, and to their union two children have been born, namely: Virginia Lane, and Robert Keet. Robert Minto, of this memoir, first began his railroad career in Beards- town, Illinois, soon after his marriage, as brakeman on the Baltimore & Ohio, later was promoted to freight conductor on this road. He removed with his family to Springfield, Missouri, in 1886, and went to work as freight conductor ' on the Kansas City, Fort Scott & Memphis Railroad, which is now operated under lease by the Frisco System. His run was from Springfield to Thayer and that continued to be his run until his death. He could have become passenger conductor but preferred to remain on a freight train. He performed his duties most faithfully and stood high in the esti- mation of the company and his fellow employees. The death of Mr. Minto at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Springfield, on June 13, 1914., was the result of an unfortunate accident at Cabool, Missouri, while on his regular run. He was injured while assisting in unloading freight, receiving a severe blow on the head; however, he lingered for seven weeks before death came to his relief. He was sixty-one years of age, and GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. I 777 had been a resident of Springfield twenty-eight years, during which time he had been a freight conductor on the Ozark division continuously. The pleasant Minto home, where Mrs. Minto still resides, is on Guy street, Springfield. Politically, Mr. Minto was a Republican. He belonged to the Masonic order and to the Order of Railway Conductors. Religiously he held mem- bership with the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he was an active worker, and was a trustee of one of the local churches for a period of twenty years, and was one of the most active and influential members of the congregation that built the Daly Methodist church in this city. When such men are removed from any community their loss can not but be keenly felt for a long time to come. ISAAC NEWTON SMITH. In many respects the career of the late Isaac Newton Smith, for a period of thirty years one of the progressive business men of Springfield, is peculiarly instructive in that it shows what a well defined purpose, sup- plemented by correct principles and high ideals, can accomplish when rightly and intelligently applied, even in the face of obstacles. A native of the Hoosier state, he spent the major portion of his life in Missouri, where he devoted over thirty years to the insurance business and became one of the most efficient and widely known insurance men in the southern part of the state. The last days of his busy career were devoted, in a large measure, to the promoting of the electric railway between Springfield and Joplin and he was president of this company. But he was a man who was not only noted for his large success in material affairs, having found time to take an active interest in church work and was one of the most potent members of the Presbyterian denomination in this section of the state. In short, he was a successful, useful and honorable man and his record might be studied with profit by many. Mr. Smith was born, February 27, 1847, ' n Miami county, Indiana. He was a son of George and Rosa (Dilsaver) Smith, the father a native of Virginia and the mother was born in Ohio, and there she grew to woman- hood. George Smith was brought to Ohio by his parents when he was a child and grew up in that state and he and his wife were educated in the rural subscription schools and were married and established their home, but later removed to Miami county, Indiana, on a farm and devoted their lives to agricultural pursuits. Their family consisted of twelve children, three of whom are still living. ( 1 12) GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1778 Isaac N. Smith grew up on the farm and he had little chance to obtain an education, but improved such as he had and in later life became a well informed man through contact with the world and much home reading; in fact, he was a fine sample of the self-made man for which America is noted. He left home when about seventeen years old, being compelled to make bis own way. He was ambitious to go through school and obtain a high education, but the opportunity never presented itself. At the age of nine- teen he came to St. Louis where he worked at different employments in order to get a start, later became a bridge builder. Then he came to Webster county, this state, purchasing a farm near Marshfield, and while operating this he studied architecture and made some advancement, drawing plans for buildings and in the general preliminary work of an architect. About thirty- two years ago he went into the insurance business and this proved to be his chief life work. He started at Marshfield and remained there until 1884, when he removed to Springfield, continuing the same business. He was with the Mutual Life all the while, and he was district manager of this company the rest of his life. He was very successful from the first and the com- pany regarded him as one of their most faithful, industrious and trust- worthy employees. About twenty years ago he received a handsome cup, given by the company, for writing the most insurance in a given period. This was won over hundreds of competitors and it shows his ability in this field of endeavor. At the time of his death he was president of the new traction line between Springfield and Joplin and was doing much to make the project a success; in fact, his close application in this enterprise hastened the closing of his earthly career. Mr. Smith was married, November 25, 1875, 1 ° Margaret E. Butcher, a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, her birth occurring February 9, 1852. She is a daughter of Stephen and Maria '(LeKeux) Butcher. The father was born in England, near London, in the year 1802, and there he grew to manhood and married Maria LeKeux in 1847, an d they subsec[uently immi- grated to America, locating in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His wife was also a native O'f England. Mr. Butcher received a good education in his native land, traveled extensively and followed the sea for six years. Mr. Butcher enlisted in the Civil war, in 1861, serving the full time enlisted in a Missouri calvary regiment. He was in several battles, including the battle of Wilson’s Creek, was a very faithful soldier and a strong Union man. His family consisted of five children, three of whom are still living, namely: Margaret E., who became the wife of Mr. Smith of this memoir; Mrs. Mary F. King, and Stephen H. Mrs. Smith grew to womanhood in Pittsburgh, where she was given excellent educational advantages, and she engaged in teaching for a while after leaving school. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Smith, named as follows : GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1779 Lucian L., who married Lallah Smith, is claim agent for the Frisco railroad ; Mable married Charles F. Bishop, and they live in Quincy, Illinois; Ada married John J. Tooker, and they live in Boonville, Missouri. Politically, Mr. Smith was a Republican and a great worker for his party. Fraternally he belonged to the Masonic Order. Ffe was one of the leading members of Calvary Presbyterian church for many years and was active in church work. He was chairman of its board of trustees and was most efficient in this capacity. He was a devoted Christian, with marked administrative ability and was enthusiastically devoted to the service of the church. The substantial Smith residence is on Benton avenue, and there the summons came for Mr. Smith to close his earthly account and take up his work on a higher plane of being, March 10, 1914. GEORGE E. DILLARD. One of the well-known railroad men of Springfield is George E. Dillard, assistant superintendent of locomotive performance for the Frisco lines. He is a scion of one of the old and respected families of Greene county, and for reasons which are too apparent to enumerate here should be given a place in this volume. Mr. Dillard was born in Taylor township, Greene county, Missouri, September 12, i860. He is a son of George A. and Eliza J. (Gibson) Dil- lard. The father was born in Tennessee, in 1827, and his death occurred on the old homestead in this county in 1903. The mother was born in Tennessee in 1835 and died on the home place here in 1911. They grew up on farms and received limited educational advantages. They came to Greene county, Missouri, when young and were married here, each emi- grating here with their parents about the year 1837. William Dillard, our subject’s paternal grandfather, was a native of North Carolina, where he was born on May 1, 1782, removing from that state to Tennessee, where he lived for some time before coming on to Greene county, Missouri, where he spent his last years, dying here on April 13, 1877. His wife was known in her maidenhood as Sarah Gregory. The maternal grandfather was John H. Gibson, who was a native of Tennessee. He died in this county in the early eighties. Flis wife was Isabelle Buchanan before her marriage. She was a native of Tennessee, and her death occurred in this county in 1863. George A. Dillard enlisted for service in the Civil war in the spring of 1861, becoming captain of Company E, Twenty-second Enrolled Missouri Militia, and his father was a member of the Home Guards. The former 1780 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. saw little service outside of Greene county, taking an active part in the defense of Springfield during General Marmaduke’s raid. He spent his life engaged in farming and stock raising. His family consisted of nine children, five of whom are still living, namely : William C., who lives in Springfield, is clerk in the office of the circuit court clerk's office; Mrs. Margaret Turner; Mrs. Isabelle Demar; James L. lives on the farm; and George E., of this sketch. Our subject grew to manhood on the home farm and he received his education in the district schools, remaining on the homestead until he was twenty-one years old, then came to Springfield and began working for McGregor-Noe Hardware Company as clerk for a short time, then began railroading, which he has continued ever since, first as fireman on the Frisco between Springfield and Dixon. He was firing a freight locomotive when the road extended no farther than Pacific, Missouri. Later he fired a pas- senger engine, and in 1886 was promoted to freight engineer. In 1910 he was promoted to the position of road foreman of equipment, and he is now assistant superintendent of locomotive performance for the Ozark division, from Springfield to Memphis, Tennessee. The fact that he has been with the same company so long and that his rise has been steady would indicate that he has given entire satisfaction and that he is capable and trustworthy as well as thoroughly understanding his work and diversified duties. Mr. Dillard was married on November 29, 1883, to Sarah G. McGinty, who was born in Howell county, Missouri, September 13, 1861. She is a daughter of A. C. and Susan (Hayden) McGinty. Politically, Mr. Dillard is a Republican. Fraternally, he belongs to the Masonic order, including the Blue Lodge, also the Royal Arcanum and Knights and Ladies of Security. He and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. ELISHA B. MADDOX. It is a noticeable thing, to people who have formed habits of compari- son, that the people of the various states are somewhat individualistic, each having peculiar traits of their own, and notwithstanding the fact that the same language is spoken in all our forty-eight states, each state has local- isms of its own. Thus it is easy to single out the true Kentuckian, princi- pally because of his gallantry and unfailing courtesy, his thoughtfulness of the welfare of his friends and those with whom he comes in contact. The late Elisha B. Maddox, for many years a faithful employee of the GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. I/Si Frisco system, was a typical son of the Blue Grass state, and he was a man of praiseworthy traits of character and he was always well liked by those who knew him. Mr. Maddox was born in Campbell county, Kentucky, May 16, 1803. He was a son of Charles and Barbara (Vaughn ) Maddox, both natives or Kentucky also, the father being born in 1833 and died there in 1891. The mother was born in 1840 and died in 1882 in that state. They had spent their lives there on a farm, and were the parents of the following named children: William, Elisha B. (our subject), Ida, Lucy, Hettie H. and Hubbard. Elisha B. Maddox grew to manhood on the farm in his native state, where he did his share of the general work when growing up, and he received his education in the rural schools of his community. He farmed in Campbell county, Kentucky, until he was about twenty-six years old, then went to Covington, that state, and began working on the Louisville & Nashville railroad, in the coach department of the company's shops, and there learned his trade — coach carpenter — at which he became quite expert. He remained there eleven years, and removed from Covington to Springfield, Missouri, in the fall of 1901 and at once secured employment in the coach department of the Frisco road, in the north side shops, where he worked until the new shops were opened, when he was transferred to them and worked there the rest of his life. Mr. Maddox was married on April 16, 1890, in Covington, Kentucky, to Jennie Culvertson, who was born in Kenton county, that state, April 16, 1863. She is a daughter of George A. and Melissa (Rusk) Culvertson, both natives of Kentucky, the father born in 1822, and the mother in 1820. They grew to maturity in Kentucky, attended the common schools and were married there. The father died in Ohio on August 8, 1894, after spending his active life in farming, and the death of the mother occurred in Cov- ington, Kentucky, in 1892. They spent most of their lives in their native state, but moved to Ohio eventually. They became the parents of twelve children, named as follows : Lafayette, Isabelle, Joanna and Thomas are all living; Jennie, widow of the subject of this sketch; Michael and Cath- erine are both living ; the other five are deceased. Mrs. Maddox grew to womanhood in Kentucky and received a common school education. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Maddox, namely : Stella, born on August 7, 1891, is a successful school teacher, and she lives with her mother in the Maddox home, just outside the limits of Springfield on the Fremont road; Byron, born on May 27, 1893, lives at home; and Joan, born on December 19, 1897, is with her mother also. These children have received good educations in the local schools. Politically, Mr. Maddox was a Democrat and was a member of the 1782 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. Robberson Avenue Baptist church, of which he was a deacon, and an active worker. His family are also members of this church. The tragic death of Mr. Maddox occurred on July 16, 1914, at the age of fifty-one years. He died at the Frisco hospital from injuries he received a few minutes after going to his work that morning, having been knocked from the top of a coach by a crane, falling twelve feet to the floor, which injured him internally, never having regained consciousness. He was warned by his fellow workers, but the din in the shops prevented him hear- ing the shouts of the onlookers. WALTER H. HENDERSON. Books keep us from yielding to the commonplace. They equip us not only for more serious tasks in the daily tread-mill of existence, but also for an appreciation of the things about us, nature in her varied forms, 'for hearing the music of the spheres and for seeing the beautiful in life. Every- one, from the poorest to the richest, may find in literature a rich and large life. Walter IT. Henderson, city treasurer of Springfield, is a man who regards his books as among his best friends and spends much of his spare time among them, therefore is a well rounded man mentally. Mr. Henderson was born on September 16, 1877, in Laclede county, Missouri. He is a son of C. C. and Mary A. (McFarland) Henderson, natives of Kentucky and Tennessee, respectively, but when young in years they removed with their parents to Missouri and were married in this state, after receiving limited educations in the common schools. C. C. Henderson has spent his active life in general farming pursuits, making a specialty of cattle raising, also owned a general merchandise store at Phillipsburg for several years. He and his wife are now living on a farm near that town and are well known throughout that locality. Politically, he is a Democrat, and has long been qctive in party affairs. Fraternally, he belongs to the Masonic Order. His family consisted of nine children, namely: Maude, the eldest, is deceased; Walter H., of this sketch; Ethel is married and living in Laclede county; Ona is married and lives in Laclede county; Glynn is living at home; Rosa is married and lives at Phillipsburg, Missouri; Freda lives at home ; Byrle is also a member of the family circle, and Mabel is with her parents. Walter H. Henderson spent his boyhood years in Laclede county and he received his education in the rural schools and the high school at Lebanon, this state. He worked in his father’s store at Phillipsburg for some time when a boy. In 1904 he came to Springfield and engaged in the grocery GREENE COUNTY., MISSOURI. 1783 business, but not long thereafter he went to work for Edward V. Williams in his clothing store on Commercial street, remaining with him until 1909, proving to be an excellent clerk, being alert, polite and trustworthy. Upon leaving the employ of Mr. Williams he was made manager of the Springfield Security Company, with which he remained until August 1, 1914, giving satisfaction to all concerned. He is at this writing vice-president of the Murry Farm Loan and Title Company. He is also filling the position of city treasurer of Springfield, to which he was elected in the spring of 1914 and is discharging his duties in a faithful and capable manner. Mr. Henderson was married on January 11, 1903, in Phillipsburg, Mis- souri, to Dora Barnes, who was born in Laclede county, this state, and reared and educated there. She is a daughter of Samuel C. Barnes, for years a well known resident of that county. Politically, Air. Henderson is a Democrat and is active in the party. Fraternally, he belongs to the Knights of Pythias, the Woodmen of the World and the Modern Woodmen of America. He belongs to the Young Men’s Business Club, and is a member of the Central Christian church. WILLIAM M. HANSELL. A history of the Hansell family shows that they are people who have ever been characterized by industry, thrift, foresight and honesty in deal- ing with their fellow-men, and when, with these qualities are coupled the attributes of sound sense, tact and fortitude, which people of their blood universally possess, there are afforded such qualities as will enrich any land and place it at the top of the countries of the world in the scale of elevated humanity. The career of William M. Hansell, who is now living practi- cally retired in his beautiful home in Springfield, is an interesting and varied one, the major portion of which has been devoted to railroad service. He has been a resident of Springfield for over a quarter of a century and is well known in railroad and business circles here. Mr. Hansell was born in Clinton county, Ohio, March 24, 1851. He is a son of Joseph A. and Hannah (Leeka) Hansell, the father having been the oldest child of Michael and Rachael (Adams) Hansell, and he was born in Clinton county, Ohio, also, and there occurred the birth of the mother of our subject. These parents grew to maturity, were educated in the common schools and were married there. The Hansell family originally lived in Virginia, from which state they removed to Ohio in a very early day. Joseph A. Hansell was a carpenter by trade and a very highly skilled workman. He moved from Ohio with his family in 1853 to Linn county, 1784 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. Iowa. His family consisted of four children, all still living, namely: Frank M. lives in Marion, Iowa; Mary E. lives in Marion, Iowa; William M. of this sketch; and J. E., whose sketch appears in another part of this work. The father of these children was born in 1823, and the mother was born in 1824; they spent the last years of their lives in Linn county, Iowa, where the father died in 1895 and the mother passed away in 1897. William M. Hansell received a common school education and when a boy he learned the printer’s trade in the office of the Marion Register, in Iowa, remaining there two or three years, then went back to Ohio, where his mother’s people lived and went to school for a year at Hillsboro, High- land county. Not caring to follow the printer’s trade he learned the sad- dlery trade, and was working in Chicago at the time of the great fire in the autumn of 1871. He then returned to Marion, Iowa, where his par- ents resided, and soon thereafter began his railroad career on the Burling- ton, Cedar Rapids & Northern road as brakeman, working there about a year, then went to Clinton, Iowa, and began work for the Chicago North- western railroad as brakeman, and eight months later was promoted to freight conductor and worked at the same with that road for a period of four years, then as passenger conductor for ten years. He then went to Chadron, Nebraska, and ran a passenger train from that city to Ft. Casper, Wyoming, this being a branch road of the Chicago Northwestern. Leaving the West in 1889 he came to Springfield, Missouri, and began working for the Kansas City, Ft. Scott & Memphis railroad as freight conductor. A year and a half later he quit railroading and since then has been engaged in the real estate business, handling principally his own property and has been very successful in a business way. He owns considerable valuable property here, including a handsome and modernly appointed residence on East Elm street, one of the most desirable homes in the city. Mr. Hansell was married in September, 1877, in Clinton, Iowa, to Emma Dickson, to which union two children were born, one of whom died in early life; Harry Howard, born, October 29, 1878, was graduated from the high school at Clinton, Iowa, and is now living in Chicago, where he is engaged in the drug business. The wife and mother passed to her rest in January, 1885. In 1888 Mr. Hansell married Lucy Torrence, at Chadron, Nebraska. She is a daughter of John and Sophia (Wilson) Tor- rence. To our subject and his second wife one child has been born, Charles C., whose birth occurred December 10, 1890. He received a good educa- tion in the Springfield schools, being a graduate of the high school, and is now living in Kansas City, where he is in the employ of the Swift Packing Company. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1785 Politically, Mr. Hansell is a Republican and has long been active and influential in political affairs. He is chairman of the state legislative com- mittee, and is chief of Division No. 321. Order of Railway Conductors. Fraternally, he belongs to the Masonic Order, being a Knight Templar. He is an Episcopalian in his church affiliations. He is broad-minded, and a gentleman of pleasing personality. W. ROBERT KELLER. The name of W. Robert Keller is a well-known and highly respected one in railroad circles in Springfield, he having been connected with the local lines for a quarter of a century, principally as conductor, having had a passenger run on the Ozark division of the Frisco since 1900. Early in life he manifested a natural inclination to this important field of human endeavor and, being alert, a keen observer and trustworthy, his rise was rapid and he is one of the most efficient conductors that has ever run out of the Queen City. Mr. Keller was born near Marshfield, Webster county, Missouri, De- cember 25, 1865. He is a son of Joseph and Martha (Burks) Keller, both natives of Tennessee, from which state they came to Webster county in an early day, locating on a farm and there the death of the father occurred in iq 1 3, when past seventy years of age, his birth having occurred in 1842. He was well known in WTbster county, was a successful farmer and a good citizen. The mother of our subject, who was also born in 1842, is still living on the old home place near Marshfield. Joseph Keller took a great deal of interest in the public affairs of his county and for a period of twenty years was a judge of the County Court, retaining the office until his health failed and compelled him to retire. During that period he did a great deal for the permanent good of his county, always alive to its best interests. He was a Republican in politics and a leader in his party in Webster county. During the Civil war he enlisted at the beginning of the struggle in the Home Guards and was stationed in Springfield with a regi- ment of over one thousand men during the time of the Wilson's Creek battle and was wounded at that time. His family consisted of six children, all still living, namely: James; W. Robert, of this sketch; John, Jennie, Sophia and Catherine. W. Robert Keller grew to manhood on the home farm in Webster county and there did his full share of the work when a boy. He received a common school education there and while yet a mere lad he began his railroad career. He came to Springfield in the fall of 1890 and secured GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1786 a position as brakeman on a freight train for the Kansas City, Ft. Scott & Memphis road, now a part of the Frisco System. His run was between Springfield and Thayer. He proved to be a hard and faithful worker and in 1893 was promoted to freight conductor, at which he worked until 1900, when he was promoted to passenger conductor and has remained thus en- gaged to the present time, his run being from Springfield to Memphis, Tennessee. Mr. Keller was married in Springfield, in October, 1890, to Millie Pipkin, a native of Greene county, where she was reared and educated. She is a daughter of James Pipkin, who was a soldier in the Civil war. Politically, Mr. Keller is a Republican. He is a member of Division No. 321, Order of Railway Conductors. He belongs to the Masonic order, including the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and religiously he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. JOB NEWTON. It is proper to judge of a man’s life by the estimatiton in which he is held by his fellow citizens. They see him at his work, in his family circle, in church, hear his views on public questions, observe the operations of his code of morals, witness how he conducts himself in all the relations of so- ciety and civilization and are therefore competent to judge of his merits and demerits. After a long course of years of daily observations, it would be out of the question for his neighbors not to know of his worth, for, as has been often said, “Actions speak louder than words.” In this connection it is not too much to say that Job Newton, well-known business man of Springfield, has ever stood high in the estimation of his acquaintances here, during his residence of forty-five years, for his conduct has been honorable in all the relations of life and his duty well performed whether in private or public life, and that he has ever been industrious, never waiting for some one else to perform his tasks. He is one of the surviving band of the famous “forty-niners” in Greene county, and his reminiscences of his various ex- periences in the pioneer days when he was a young man are indeed inter- esting. Mr. Newton was born five miles from Georgetown, Delaware, July 28, 1826. Fie is a son of and Mary Ann (Mariner) Newton, each parent of English descent. Mr. Newton’s father died when he was an in- fant, and he has no recollection of him. His mother brought him overland through a long stretch of wilderness from Delaware to St. Louis, Missouri, in the year 1838; her other two children were Ann and Benjamin. Soon GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1787 thereafter a brother of our subject’s mother came to St. Louis and removed her and her children to Wabash, Indiana, in 1839, and there she spent the rest of her life, dying in 1848. Job Newton grew to manhood in St. Louis, was educated there in the public schools and married there, remaining in that city until 1869, when he removed his family to Springfield, where he has since made his home. He first engaged in the woolen mill and fur business in St. Louis, but upon reaching Springfield he went into the dry goods business in which he re- mained about eight years, enjoying a good trade, then he started a produce business which gradually grew with advancing years until it reached exten- sive proportions and he is still thus engaged, with the exception of one year spent in Kansas City. He now handles not only produce but grain, hay and seed under the firm name of the Newton Grain Company, of which he is president, Dwight E. Newton being secretary and treasurer. They have a large substantial building and their operations extend over a vast territory. Although our subject is now advanced in years, being nearly eighty-nine years old, he is hale and hearty and is still actively engaged in business. Mr. Newton was married in the fall of 1856 to Minerva C. Ault, a native of Ohio, from which state she removed with her parents to Missouri when she was a child. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. New- ton, three of whom are still living, namely: Harry C. is the eldest; Joseph and Jefferson are both deceased; Emmitt and Dwight E. are the two young- est, the latter being associated with his father in business, and the former is manager of the Lander theater of this city. Mr. Newton is a member of the Masonic Order, Lmited Lodge No. 5, Royal Arch Chapter No. 15, is past commander of St. John's Commandery, No. 20, and is also a member of the Chapter, also the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and is past grand patron of the Eastern Star of Missouri; he has long been prominent in Masonic circles. Politic- ally, he is a Democrat and has been more or less active in public affairs, and has been a member of the city council twice, and in the earlier years of his residence here he was chairman of the Democratic committee. One of the most interesting chapters in Mr. Newton’s life is that relat- ing to his trip to the far West, when he crossed the plains with the gold- seekers in 1849, and had the distinction of taking the first goods into Salt Lake City, LItah, after the Mormons had settled there. He started on his long journey from St. Louis on March 17, of that year, and arrived in Cali- fornia the following October, going the Truckee route, and he built the second house in the city of Grass Valley, California. He returned to St. Louis in 1851 by the Nicaragua route, on a Vanderbilt vessel,, the first line run in opposition to the Pacific Mail route, Mr. Newton being one of the first passengers to come over this route. He crossed the Isthmus of Panama 1788 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. in 1855 en rente to San Francisco, California, and in the spring of 1856 he returned to St. Louis, coming back via the Nicaragua route. In the spring of 1868 he came to Springfield, having sold his business interests in St. Louis. He immediately took up activities in the dry goods business, and in the spring of 1869 he moved his family here, where they have since remained with the exception of one year, which was spent in Kansas City. In the spring of 1854 he again crossed the arid and wild lands of the western territories, freighting to Salt Lake City, having charge of about twenty-five wagons, and he took a large herd of cattle on into California. EDWIN L. FAY. Among the best known railroad men of Springfield is Edwin L. Fay, who has been railroading for nearly a half century, and for over forty years connected with the Frisco system, at one time being superintendent of a division, and for the past quarter of a century has been a passenger con- ductor. His long and honorable record is one of which he may be justly proud. He has been regarded all the while as one of the most trustworthy and able of the employees of the Frisco, and his services have shown him to be a man of ability, fidelity and sobriety, thus meriting the confidence reposed in him and the high esteem in which he is universally held among railroad men. Mr. Fay is a descendant of an old New England family, of which country he himself is a native, having been born in Orange county, Ver- mont, August 5, 1849. He is a son of Lorenzo D. and Levina (Chamber- lin) Fay. The father was born in the state of New York in 1809, and died in 1893 in Illinois; the mother was born in Vermont in 1822 and died in 1902. They both received good common school educations, and for a number of years the mother engaged in teaching. Lorenzo D. Fay was a mason, plasterer and building contractor and was very successful in his vocation. He was twice married, our subject being the eldest of four children by his second marriage. Edwin L. Fay spent his early boyhood in Vermont and received most of his education in the public schools there. When he was twelve years of age the family removed to the state of Iowa, where they lived three years, then located in Illinois, where they established their permanent home. Our subject began his railroad career in 1867, when he took a position with the Chicago Northwestern railroad as brakeman, between Chicago and Janesville, Wisconsin; continuing as brakeman until 1870, he went with the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad, his return being between Rock Island GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1789 and Bridgeport, Illinois. In March, 1871, he came to Springfield. Missouri, where he has since resided. He went to work soon thereafter as brakeman on the Frisco and four months later was given a train, and, showing that he was a man of ability in this line of endeavor, he was rapidly promoted and was made superintendent in 1889 of the eastern division, with head- quarters at Newburg, Missouri, this being one of the most important divi- sions on the system; although he was an efficient superintendent, he preferred active service on the road and was given a position as passenger conductor in 1890. A part of the time his run was between Springfield and St. Louis. During the past fourteen years he has been running between Monett, Mis- souri, and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He has been very fortunate in handling his trains and is one of the most reliable conductors on the system. Mr. Fay has a good home on Robberson avenue, Springfield, the pre- siding spirit of which is a lady of pleasant manners, known in her maiden- hood as Lydia E. Kern, whom he married in St. James, Missouri, August 27, 1873. She was born in Pennsylvania, and is a daughter of Joseph and Hannah Kern. When she was a young girl her parents removed with her from Pennsylvania to Missouri. To Mr. and Mrs. Fay two children have been born, namely: Grade E. and Ethelyn I. Politically, Mr. Fay is a Republican. He is a member of No. 415 Division, L T nited Railway Conductors. Fraternally, he is a prominent Mason, having attained the thirty-second degree in that order, and is a member of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He also belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. JAMES O. ATTEBERRY. Cultivation of the soil began with the desire on the part of the culti- vator to destroy weeds or plants not desired that were likely to crowd out and injure the ones in which he was interested. But we now know that the destruction of weeds is a matter of very secondary importance. We now cultivate to conserve moisture and to promote chemical and biological activity. Our viewpoint has changed greatly with increased knowledge, yet it is a fact that we do not do all we might in this direction. We do not stir the soil during rainless periods as frequently as we should, or we do not do it at the time we should and allow valuable moisture to escape. It must be borne in mind that it is often quite as important to do a thing at the right time as it is to do it at all. One of the successful farmers of Clay township, Greene county, is James O. Atteberry, who not only seems to 1790 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. know how to carry on the various departments of modern agriculture, but when to do a thing and when not to do it. Mr. Atteberry was born in Cassville, Barry county, Missouri, January 30, 1861. He is a son of John B. and Mary E. (Bills) Atteberry. The father was born in Tennessee, January 30, 1830, on the banks of the famous Cumberland river, and there he spent the first nine years of his life, then his parents brought him to Dallas county, Missouri, where he grew to man- hood on a farm and there received a common school education. He worked for his father until he was twenty-one years of age, then bought a farm of eighty acres. He learned the blacksmith’s trade, which he followed in connection with farming. Then went to Barry county, where he owned a blacksmith shop for some time. Later he went to Springfield where he followed his trade and at which he was engaged at the outbreak of the Civil war, when he enlisted in the Federal army and was kept busy as a black- smith for some time by his general and later drove a team for his regiment. After the close of the war he returned to Dallas county, where he lived until his son James O. was fourteen years old, then came back to Springfield and resumed blacksmithing, at which he was quite expert. About five years later he moved back to Dallas county and bought a farm of eighty acres, which he operated about seven years, then moved back to Springfield, where he has resided to the present time, and is still active. Politically, he is a Demo- crat. He is a member of the Christian church. He had natural talent as a musician and when a young man taught vocal music, conducting singing schools. His wife, Mary E. Bills, was born in Tennessee, October 8, 1836, and was reared in that state and in Missouri, having been seven years of age when her parents brought her to Dallas county, making the overland jour- ney in wagons, experiencing numerous hardships. The family located on a farm and there Mrs. Atteberry was reared. She has known what hard work meant, wove and spun in her earlier years and made clothes, the last suit she made having been for the sheriff of Greene county. She is a mem- ber of the Christian church and has long been a great church worker. To these parents thirteen children have been born, namely: Mrs. Eliza Jane Woodle is deceased; Mrs. Ruth Davidson lives in Springfield; James O. of this sketch, and George, who lives in Christian county, Missouri, are twins; Elsie is living in the West; Daniel lives in Springfield; Mrs. Francis Welch lives in Christian county; Mrs. Laura Fishel lives in Springfield; Mrs. Etta Lawing lives in St. Joseph, Missouri ; Mrs. Blanche Pritchard lives in Oklahoma City ; the three youngest children died in infancy. James O. Atteberry spent his early boyhood on the home farm in Dallas county, where he worked during the crop seasons and in the winter time attended the common schools. When fourteen years of age he hired out on farms in Greene county, working thus until he was twenty-two years of GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1791 age, when he married Mary E. McCorkle, and rented a farm for several years, then moved to Christian county, where he rented land for fourteen years, also bought a farm of one hundred and ten acres which joined the farm he rented. In connection with general farming he raised cattle and hogs in large numbers, also sheep. Finally selling out, he bought the farm where he is now living in Clay township, Greene county, which consists of one hundred and forty-five acres and is well improved and productive, one of the best in this part of the county. In connection with general farming he is successfully operating a dairy. Mr. Atteberrv’s wife was born in Greene county, October 8, 1859. When three years old her parents brought her to the place where she is now living. She received a good common school education, and when eighteen years old began teaching and taught two years in the rural schools. She is a daughter of Neely and Catherine (Rainey) McCorkle. She is a member of the Christian church. To Mr. and Mrs. Atteberry eight children have been born, namely: George A. is living in Greene county; Elmer is deceased; Neely J. lives in Springfield ; ; Mrs. Mary Snyder lives in Greene county ; Stanley lives at home; Lemuel lives in Greene county; Mrs. Birdie Jones lives at home with her parents; Nellie is married and lives in Clay township, Greene county, Missouri. Politically, Mr. Atteberry is a Republican. Fraternally, he belongs to the Woodmen of the World, the Modern Woodmen, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Maccabees. He belongs to the Christian church. SILAS M. JOHNSON. Silas M. Johnson was born in Tennessee, August 30, 1855. He is a son of John A. and Nancy (Ferguson) Johnson. The father was a son of Benjamin and Betsy Johnson, the former a native of Scotland, from which country he immigrated to North Carolina in an early day, and in that state his son John was born, and was four years of age when the family removed to Tennessee where he grew up and married. Nancy Ferguson was a native of Tennessee, in which state' she spent her early life. Benjamin Johnson spent the rest of his life in Tennessee, dying there after an active life on the farm. John A. Johnson spent his boyhood on the farm, and received his education in the common schools at Pulaski, Giles county, Tennessee, and began his career as a farmer in that vicinity. He married in Macon county, that state. During the Seminole Indian war in Florida he enlisted in a Tennessee regiment and served with credit. Politically, he was a Re- 1792 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. publican, and he belonged to the Christian church. His family consisted of twelve children, namely: Benjamin, deceased; William, who was a soldier in the Union army, was killed in battle; James was also a soldier in the Federal ranks during the Civil war ; Mrs. Clarissa E. Powell was next in order; Louis lives on the Carthage road in this county; Agnes is de- ceased; John is railroading in California; Neil owns and operates a ranch in Colorado; Mary makes her home with our subject; Silas M. of this re- view; Nannie is deceased; one child died in infancy. John A. Johnson, the father, left Tennessee in 1854 and lived in Texas a year ; then moved to Arkansas, where he lived until 1863, in which year he located in Greene county, Missouri, purchasing a farm of one hundred and sixty-eight acres, and on this spent the rest of his life. Silas M. Johnson grew to manhood on his father’s farm and he re- ceived his early education in the district schools, and he has devoted his life to general farming and stock raising. He owns sixty-six acres in Campbell township, where he has a substantial home, with many modern conveniences, large barns and well-kept surroundings. Mr. Johnson has remained unmarried. Politically, he is a Democrat. Pie belongs to the old brick Christian church in his vicinity. He is a mem- ber of the Anti-Horse Thief Associatiton. He leads a cjuiet life, and per- sonally, is a very accommodating gentleman and is therefore well liked by all who know him. WILLIAM R. WATSON. One of the most enterprising of Greene county agriculturists is William R. Watson, now living practically retired in Springfield. He believed from the outset of his career that the “wisdom of yesterday is sometimes the folly of today,’’ and that while the methods of our ancestors in tilling the soil were all right in their day, yet in the twentieth century we have been compelled to adopt new methods and farm along different lines, in view of the fact that conditions of climate, soil, grains, etc., have changed since the days of the pioneers. Mr. Watson has been a close observer of modern methods and is a student at all times of whatever pertains to his chosen life work and he has therefore met with encouraging success all along the line, and while comparatively young took his place among the leading farmers and stock raisers of a locality noted for its fine farms and adroit hus- bandmen. Mr. Watson was born in Robberson township, Greene county, Missouri, July 11, 1854. He is a son of Spencer and Margaret (Holloway) Wat- son, both natives of Tennessee. The mother was a daughter of Minter Hoi- \VM. R. WATSON. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1793 loway, an old settler in Tennessee. The parents of our subject grew to maturity in their native state and there received the usual limited educations in the country schools of those early days and they were married in their home locality, continuing to reside there until the spring of 1852, when they made the overland journey to Greene county, Missouri, arriving here on May 10th. They bought and entered land 111 Robberson township, which they developed into a good farm by hard persistent work and there they resided until December 5, 1866, when they removed to Cass township, this ■county, 'and there the death of the father occurred on June 20, 1887, being born on December 9, 1823. He was a Southern sympathizer during the war between the states but he was not in the service. Politically he was a Democrat, and he held membership in Wesley Chapel Methodist Episcopal ■church, South. William R. Watson, of this sketch, grew h> manhood on the home farm where he worked hard when a boy, and during the winter months he attended the district schools, entered Drury College in 1877 and in 1878 took up his studies at Morrisville College in Polk county. xATter leaving school he began his life work as a teacher and for ten consecutive years followed this profes- sion with much success in the schools of Greene county, then began his career as farmer on his own land in Cass township. Working hard, look- ing well to details and being on the alert for new and better methods of doing things he prospered with advancing years and he is now owner of a well- improved and productive farm of six hundred and ninety acres in Cass town- ship, on which is to be seen a large residence and a group of substantial outbuildings. Here he has long carried on general farming and stock rais- ing on an extensive scale, making a specialty of the mule business. He is at present making his home on Benton avenue, Springfield, owning a cozy residence there. He left the farm on August 26, 1911, his object being that his children might have better school facilities. Mr. Watson was married on October 12, 1884, to Laura Boston, a daughter of Thomas Y. Boston, an old settler of Cass township, and a pros- perous farmer and well-known citizen in the northern part of the county. Our subject began housekeeping on a sixty-two-acre farm near Harold, November 6, 1884. Our subject’s first wife died on March 3, 1889; she was the mother of two children, the second of whom died in infancy; it was named Olga; the other, Nannie, was born December 26, 1885, who married Ray Chumm, lives in Carthage. On September 25, 1890, Mr. Watson took for his second wife Clara Boston, a sister of his first wife. To this second union six children have been born, namely: Agatha, born on August 9, 1891, who lives at home, was graduated from Drury College in June, 1915, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts; Minnie, born on February 10, 1893. (113) 1794 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. Willie, born on December 16, 1895; Pauline, born October 7, 1897, and Florence, born on February 19, 1899, are all attending the Springfield high school; Plelen E., born on July 12, 1906, died when four years old. Politically, Mr. Watson is a Democrat but has never been especially active in public affairs. Fie is a Royal Arch Mason, a member of Ash Grove Chapter, Blue Lodge membership, O’Sullivan Lodge No. 7, Free and Ac- cepted Masons, at Walnut Grove; he also belongs to the Modern Woodmen lodge at Cave Spring. The family are members of the Methodist Episco- pal church, South, at Pearl, Cass township. Personally, he is a well-educated, well-read gentleman, with correct views in all the relations of life. Mr. Watson is especially proud of the time spent in the interest of the public schools of Greene county. He enjoys the distinction of being the oldest member, in point of service, of any school board in Greene county. Fie has always been a man to whom any deserving teacher could come for advice and sympathy, for, being an old teacher he has always known the needs and ambitions of those in this profession. As chairman of the school board he put his energy and zeal into the work and placed the Pearl dis- trict school at the head of the list of schools of Greene county, which posi- tion it held until he left the district and ceased giving his attention to the rural schools. Although Mr. Watson paid more taxes than any other citizen of his school district he always advocated and voted for the constitutional limit for school purposes. HENRY C. YOUNG. Henry C. Young, descended from a family of pioneers, was born near Louisville, Kentucky, in 1835, being brought to southwest Missouri as an infant in the early settlement of this country. His father, Gabriel Richard- son Young, born a generation before in the same place, inherited a change of name from his father whose family, in Wales, had borne the name of Yong. The emigrant ancestor, cherishing the memory of wrongs resulting from the iniquity of the entail system, sought forgetfulness in the border- land, taking part with the followers of Daniel Boone in the conquest of “The Dark and Bloody Ground,” since known as Kentucky. He married a Miss Stillwell. Their children went in different directions on leaving the Kentucky home. Gabriel Richardson Young, who had married Nancy Mc- Kenzie, of Charleston, South Carolina, followed the immigration of his kinsman, Alexander McKenzie, to this country. McKenzie sojourned two years on a place three and a half miles south of where the town of Spring- field was afterward laid out, being one of the first settlers in this vicinity. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1795 removing, when neighbors became numerous, to the Spring river country, west of the present site of Mount Vernon. Mrs. Nancy McKenzie-Young, who was the only daughter of her family, had ten brothers who came to southwest Missouri with the early settlers, all of them eventually moving on, with the continuous emigration of pioneers seeking larger freedom, to locations in Texas, where the MeKenzies are well known. Gabriel Rich- ardson Young was well along in years when he arrived in the Spring river country and began preparations for the establishment of his new home and he did not long survive the event, leaving his family to meet the difficulties which beset pioneers, in somewhat straitened circumstances. Henry C. was the oldest of three boys, his .brothers being J. Mansil Bonaparte and Rich- ardson. The sisters were, Gabrella, afterward Mrs. Bennett Wellman ; Amanda, Mrs. Stone-Hardin; and Mary Ellen, Mrs. T. A. Sherwood. Two other sisters, Sarah and Pauline, died in their youth. Henry worked and studied by turns, as a farmer boy, and this he continued by turns while en- gaged in different occupations in which he contributed to the support of the family. He was about half grown when Mr. Wellman, who had opened a store at Cape Fair, in Stone county, took the boy in as a clerk, which was his initiation in commercial pursuits, which he followed successfully while completing his education. He attended the Arkansas College at Fayetteville, making great prog- ress in a short time and altogether utilizing his advantages in a manner which qualified him for important undertakings and won him favor with Robert Graham, president of the institution, and other men of note whom he met at that time. His energy and perseverance in the face of difficulties attracted general attention and he was known throughout his life for the pertinacity with which he adhered to his purposes and carried out his work. While in St. Louis on his first trip to- the city he was introduced in the house of Hargadine & Company and was by them intrusted with some important col- lections. He attended to this business with such promptness and diligence that he became their permanent representative in this section. He married,- at Mount Vernon, in 1858, Isabella Robinson, daughter of William and Nancy (Kelsy) Robinson, related to the Robinson family of Troupe county, Georgia, and the Kelseys, of Napa, California. After living in Mount Vernon a short time the couple moved to St. Louis and made their home in Cote Brilli'ante, a suburb of that city. Four sons were born to them, namely: Charles Graham and Henry C. Jr., in Mount Vernon; Robert E. Lee and Gabriel Richardson, in Cote Brilliante. In the meantime, Henry C. Young read law, and, after being admitted to the bar, formed a partnership with T. A. Sherwood. Beginning practice at Mount Vernon, the firm of Sherwood & Young soon became widely known, afterward moving their office to Springfield. Mr. Young took a GREENE COUNTY; MISSOURI. 1796 prominent part in what has been called “The Missouri Movement,” one of the initial steps in the beginning of the reaction against the ascendancy of radicalism in the North which followed the close of the Civil war. B. Gratz Brown was elected governor, a new constitution was written for Mis- souri, the Democrats came into power in this state and soon afterward throughout the entire South. Judge Sherwood was elected as one of the justices of the Supreme Court. Mr. Young was named as one of the first board of railroad commissioners by Governor Charles H. Hardin, whose cause of reform he had championed early, but declined in favor of General Marmaduke, for whom he had solicited the position. President Peirce, of the Atlantic & Pacific railroad, then building into the Southwest under diffi- culties, had heard of the indefatigable Henry Young and he was employed at the munificent salary of three thousand dollars to do as much work as is now ordinarily allotted to several railroad attorneys. Among the conces- sions which he secured at that time was a grant of ten thousand acres for every mile of a branch line to be built from Red river through eastern Texas to Sabine Pass, a distance of four hundred miles, and another grant to a subsidiary company of the Atlantic & Pacific for a branch from Central Texas to Laredo on the Rio Grande. In the selection of these routes the building of important lines which have since materialized was anticipated, but the promoters of the pioneer projects were robbed of all benefits by the hard fate which precipitated the panic of Black Friday in 1873, just as their projects were getting under way, Mr. Young then being in New York on his way to London to negotiate the sale of the bonds. He was interested in a number of important enterprises in Springfield and the Southwest in those days. Later he formed a partnership with Col. C. W. Thrasher and the firm of Thrasher & Young held a leading place in the practice here for a number of years. Notable among the matters which they had in hand in the course of an extensive practice was the litigation in connection with the issuance of bonds in aid of the Hannibal & Saint Joe railroad in which they won for taxpayers contesting the legality of the bonds in a series of suits extending through about twenty years until a decision was finally rendered in a Federal court in favor of the bondholders as innocent purchasers. Mr. Young was a member of the Christian church and a Master Mason. He died at his home here in 1886. Among those who hold him in kindly remembrance is Professor Jonathan Fairbanks, who says: “Lie was a gen- tleman in every sense of that word, urbane and full of cheerfulness, courte- ous to everyone, dignified and well poised, big hearted and generous, even to his enemies, of whom he had but few. He was a man of large calibre, capable of grasping any situation, making the most of every opportunity. As his opponents learned to know him they became his friends. His person- GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1797 ality won the hearts of all. It was my pleasure to know him intimately. If I needed a friend in any matter I knew that I could find one in him. He was a man to be remembered for his rare qualities, one of those whose life is a blessing to any community. I loved him as a brother.” WILLIAM S. MILLER. One of the best methods to keep the soil from becoming depleted of its natural strength is by proper rotation of crops. Some of our farmers grow too much grain and not enough grass on their land, especially if it is old land. With a little study and experience it is always possible to determine exactly what particular crop should succeed another. This problem seems to be well understood by William S. Miller, who is engaged in general farming in the western part of Greene county. He has spent his life in this vicinity and has watched closely the best methods of farming. Mr. Miller was born in Pond Creek township, Greene county, Missouri, March 27, 1851. He is a son of James and Ellen (McDaniel) Miller, and is the youngest of two children; his sister, Sarah T. Miller, married Edward Potts, of Republic, and they have five children. James Miller, the father, was born in Tennessee where he spent his early life on a farm and was educated in the rural schools. He remained in his native state until the breaking out of the Civil war when he removed to Greene county, Missouri. He enlisted in the Confederate army and served faithfully. He engaged in farming here until his death, which occurred when our subject was a child, and the mother of our subject also died when he was young. So he was reared by his grandparents on the mother's side, William and Sarah Ann (Glades) McDaniel, who were also natives of Tennessee, from which state they came to Greene county, Missouri, in 1830, among the earliest set- tlers, and here spent the rest of their lives on a farm. Mr. Miller spent his boyhood on his grandfather’s farm and there worked hard during the crop season, and in the winter time he attended the district schools. When twenty years of age he left the home of his grand- parents and purchased eighty acres nearby and here he has since resided. He is making a specialty of raising shorthorn cattle and keeps a fine herd. Mr. Miller was married in April, 1880, to Nancy E. Jackson, a daugh- ter of William Jackson, a farmer and school teacher, who came from Georgia to Greene county, Missouri, in 1854, making the long overland journey with wagon and team, and began life here in typical pioneer fashion as did the parents of our subject, and his grandparents. Mr. Jackson’s death oc- 1798 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. curred a number of years ago, but Mrs. Jackson is still living at the ad- vanced age of seventy-eight years. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Miller: Ritta Ethel, born November 17, 1888, is at home; Bertha Alma, born September 8, 1891, is at home; Emmet Clarence, born on July 11, 1893, has a taste for mechanics; Alpha Ellen, born July 7, 1895, married William Carter, a farmer living in Center township, Greene county; Tressie Marie, born De- cember 1, 1898, died June 13, 1899; Ernest Lester, born October 29, 1901. Politically, Mr. Miller is a Republican, and he is liberal in his religious views, attending no particular church, being a friend of all denominations. JAMES S. COWDEN. James S. Cowden was born in Greene county, Missouri, September 11, 1851. He is a son of James A. and Margaret A. (Steele) Cowden, both natives of Tennessee, where they grew to maturity and were married and there made their home until 1842, when they emigrated to Greene county, Missouri, locating on a farm. Here the father found a country little de- veloped and he endured the hardships incident to life in a new country, but was a man of courage and a hard worker and in due course of time established a home for his family, but died in early life, in 1851, when his son, James S., was an infant. He also left two other small children, Mary married Robert Pace, a ranchman of Calexico, California, and they have two sons and two daughters; John F., who is connected with the Heer Dry Goods Company, of Springfield, Missouri, married Malissa J. Walsh and they have one child, Cora Lee. The mother of these children was a woman of rare fortitude and industry and she accepted the discouraging situation with good grace, after the death of her husband, and reared her children in comfort and respectability, giving them such educational advantages as those early days in the rural districts afforded, and kept them together. In 1861, she married again, her second husband being W. R. Patterson, and she lived to an advanced age, her death occurring in 1897, and her remains repose in the cemetery at Pleasant Hope, Polk county, this state. James S. Cowden grew to manhood on the old homestead, where he was born in a log cabin. Being ambitious to own the farm left by his father, he began buying out the other heirs when eighteen years of age, and he remained there, successfully operating the farm until in the early seventies. He continued farming in his native community until 1893, also ran a saw- mill for some time during this period and at the same time raised and handled live stock, buying and shipping to the markets. He made his home GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1799 in Springfield from 1890 until 1893, then purchased the Bennett Robinson farm, ten miles north of Springfield, to which he removed and on which he lived three years, then located in Morrisville, Polk county, for the purpose of educating his children in the college there. Several years later he pur- chased a large farm near Brookline, Greene county, and moved thereto, where he has since maintained his home, and he still owns three hundred and twenty acres of this place, which is one of the best improved and most pro- ductive farms in the township. In 1908 he purchased a residence in Spring- field, at the corner of Walnut and Main streets, which was subsequently destroyed by fire. A few years ago he purchased a tract of valuable land in Arizona, where he spends a part of his time, engaged in raising alfalfa and cattle. He has been a general farmer and stock man all his life, and is regarded as one of the best judges of live stock in the western part of Greene county, where the major portion of his life has been spent. He often feeds large herds of cattle for the market. He has also engaged to some extent in road contracting work, in fact, has built more good roads than any one man in this part of the county. Mr. Cowden was married in July, 1877, to Sarah E. Wallace, who is a daughter of Allen and Mira Wallace, an old and highly respected family of Greene county. Mrs. Cowden is one of seven children. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Cowden, named as follow: Christy is living in Phoenix, Arizona; Maude married William C. McClure, a farmer of Republic, this county, and they have three children, Dwight, Mary and Marjorie; Claude W., a ranchman and stock man of Arizona and is manager of the large Glendale Cattle Company; Efton Ray is associated with his brother in the cattle business in Arizona. The two sons and the eldest daughter are unmarried. Politically Mr. Cowden is a Democrat. He is an advocate of p'ood roads, and has given both time and money in this worthy cause in his vicinity. JOHN BECKERLEG. Enjoying the distinction of being the oldest engineer on the Frisco system, John Beckerleg is deserving of special mention in the present volume. Forty years is a long- time to work for one company, and in one line of work, but that is his record. It indicates many things to the contemplative mind, among them being the fact that he has been not only faithful but efficient, trustworthy and reliable, for a railroad company is not going to trust its costly rolling stock, to saying nothing of the lives of its patrons — the passengers — to men who are not true and tried. It also indicates stability. i8oo GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. Some men fly from one occupation to another, go from one place to another,, are never settled, never satisfied; they may be railroaders by profession, but if they stick to the work forty years they have perhaps worked for a score of roads. Mr. Beckerleg was born in the extreme southern part of the Dominion of Canada, just across the river from Detroit, Michigan, November n, 1852. He is a son of John and Margaret (Glendenning) Beckerleg, both natives of England, the father born April 1, 1825. He received a good education, learned the trade of stone cutter when young, and followed the same the rest of his life. When young he emigrated to Canada, where he established his future home. He was twice married, our subject being by his. second wife. Our subject’s father died on October 4, 1869, an d the mother’s death occurred in November, 1885, both dying in Canada. Our subject is. one of five children, three of whom are still living, namely: John, of this review; James lives in Paris, Texas; William and George are deceased;. Joseph lives in British Columbia. John Beckerleg grew to manhood in Canada, where he received his education, and there he resided until 1870, when he came to Pacific, Mis- souri, which was on the east end of the 'Frisco railroad, and there he went to work, on March 17th, of that year, in the machine shops, and later became a blacksmith, and before the end of that year he was given a run as fireman on the east end of the division, later he ran on the middle division, from Dixon to Springfield, then worked as extra out of Springfield and in various capacities, until 1875, when he had a regular run as engineer on a freight train. In 1880 he was promoted to extra passenger engineer, arid in 1882, was given a regular passenger run from Pierce City, Missouri, to Van Buren, Arkansas ; continuing as engineer of a passenger he was given a run in 1886 out of Ft. Smith, Arkansas, and for a number of years he has been running between that city and Springfield, and is still active and as good an engine driver as at any time in his career. As stated, he is the oldest engineer on the Frisco, in point of years of service, and is deserving of a great deal of credit for his faithful work. Mr. Beckerleg was married July 23, 1874, near Sullivan, Missouri, to Retta Waits, who was born in August, 1854, twelve miles from Rolla, this state. She is a daughter of John F. and Mary (Botoff) Waits, the father a native of Columbus, Ohio, and the mother was born in Pittsburgh, Penn- sylvania. Mr. Waits was an iron molder by trade. His death occurred in Springfield, Missouri, in March, 1888, and his wife preceded him to the grave in 1883. They had made their home in Springfield many years. They were both of German blood. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Beckerleg, namely : John GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. i8or Waits, born on September 8, 1875, in Franklin county, Missouri, received a common school education, and early in life gave evidences of a mechanical turn of mind. He began working in the round-house in Springfield, for the Frisco, and later was given a position as fireman, and has been in the road service ever since 1898; twelve years ago he was given charge of a switch engine and is still thus employed ; he married V edie May White, a native of Greene county, this state; they have no children; he is a member of the Brotherhood of Firemen No. 51. The second child of our subject was Charles Wesley, who was bora in 1877, and died when three months old. Walter Blanchard, the third child, was born April 20, 1886. He received a public school education, and he began railroading as a fireman before he was twenty-one years of age, and he is now an engineer. On November 2, 1908, he married Edna Morris, which union has been without issue. Politically, John Beckerleg is a Republican. He belongs to the Masonic Order, is a member of Division No. 83, Brotherhood of Engineers, and religiously he is an Episcopalian. CLAYTON R. PICKERING. That the career of such a man as the late Clayton R. Pickering, for many years a popular justice of the peace in Greene county, besides being treasured in the hearts of relatives and friends, should have its public record also, is peculiarly proper because a knowledge of men whose substantial reputation rests upon their attainments and character must exert a whole- some influence upon the rising generation. While transmitting to future generations the chronicle of such a life, it is with the hope of instilling into the minds of those who come after the important lesson that honor and station are sure rewards of individual exertion. Mr. Pickering was born near Greenville, Tennesee, May 27, 1841. He was a son of Samuel Pickering and wife, both natives of Tennesee, where they were reared and married. Our subject’s mother died when he was quite small and he was reared by his step-mother, who was Margaret John- son before her marriage. Samuel Pickering devoted his active life to farm- ing. A few years after the Civil war he removed with his family, including our subject, to Missouri, locating in Green county. He was the father of eight children, four by each of his wives, our subject being one of the first union, and was a first cousin of David Crockett, the famous scout and adventurer. Clayton R. Pickering grew to manhood in Tennesee and worked on the farm when a boy. He received a limited education in the common i802 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. schools there, and later in life became a well informed man by home study. He left school when the Civil war began and enlisted in the First Tennessee Cavalry, serving in the Union army under Gen. Sherman, and was in the Atlanta campaign and on the march to the sea, and was in many important engagements and saw considerable hard service during the three years of his enlistment. He narrowly escaped death many times, once in particular when his horse was shot from under him, wounding him by the fall. When a young man he learned the carpenter’s trade, which he followed after locating in Greene county, Missouri, and was regarded as an exceptionally skilled workman. He finally located in the town of Republic, this county, where he served as postmaster for some time, then was elected justice of the peace for two terms. In 1902 he located in Springfield, where he spent the last years of his life, and served as justice of the peace, in which capacity he proved to be an efficient, unbiased and popular public servant, his decisions always being fair to all parties and showing a sound knowledge of the basic principles of jurisprudence, and they seldom met with reversal at the hands of higher tribunals. Mr. Pickering was married July 3, 1902, in Springfield, to Mrs. Vassie (Douglass) Morris, who was born in Greene county, Missouri, on April 1, 1863, and here grew to womanhood and was educated in the common schools. She is a daughter of Rufus and Caroline (Bottom) Douglass, both natives of Tennessee, where they grew up and were married, and from there moved to Springfield, Missouri, in an early day and they spent the rest of their lives on a farm in Greene county. Mr. Douglass was also a trader in live stock, etc., and was a highly respected man. His political relations were with the Republican party. His family consisted of these children: Jonathan, Eliza- beth, Jane Vassie, our subject’s wife, and Amanda. Mr. Douglass came to Greene county, Missouri, on horseback in an early day, but died soon there- after. The death of Mrs. Pickering’s father occurred on December 31, 1891, and her mother died on August 13, 1902. Mrs. Pickering was first married to Elvis Morris, by whom she had one child. Opal Morris, who was born October 18, 1889, and she was reared in Springfield, where she received a good education. She is living with her mother in their home on West Mount Vernon street. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Pickering was without issue. Politically Mr. Pickering was a Republican, and religiously he belonged to the Congregational church. His death occurred on November 1, 1911, when past his three score and ten. Mrs. Pickering’s uncle, James Douglass, had a good many slaves before the Civil war, but finally freed them, however, but not until one of them murdered his wife. The guilty negro was hanged. This uncle raised an orphan child, Seley Johnson, who was well known here. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1803 REUBEN J. HIATT. While such men as the late Reuben J. Hiatt are not lauded in the public press as the leaders of world’s workers, yet they perform their roles in life’s drama quite as successfully and are just as necessary in the general scheme of things as their more famous compeers, for it was Longfellow who wrote that “each thing in its place is best,” and might as well have said that each person in his place is best, for mother Nature designed each of us for a specific niche in the world and it is our fault if we do not fill it properly and faithfully. Mr. Hiatt was a man of many strong natural characteristics and he tried to do his best in whatever capacity he was placed, and his life, which has been closed by the common fate awaiting all that is mortal, was a useful and successful one. Mr. Hiatt was born, March 27, i860, in Crab Orchard, Kentucky, where the Hiatts had long been well established. He was a son of Ormstrom and Elizabeth (Roberts) Hiatt, both natives of Kentucky also, where they grew to maturity, were educated in the old-time schools and were married and established their home. Ormstrom Hiatt has been engaged in active farming from his boyhood until the present time, and is still living near the town of Crab Orchard, Kentucky. His family consisted of twelve children, four of whom are still living. He is now advanced in years. Reuben J. Hiatt grew to manhood on the home farm in Lincoln county, Kentucky, near Crab Orchard, and there assisted his father with 'the general work during the summer months, when he became of proper age, and in the winter time he attended the district schools, receiving the usual educa- tion of farmer boys of that period. He remained in his native community engaged in farming and stock raising until he was about twenty-six years of age, then came to Missouri, first locating at Liberty, Clay county, where he remained until his removal to Springfield, this being his home until 1901, when he went to Dallas, Texas, where he spent five or six years, then re- turned to Springfield, where he spent the rest of his life. In his earlier career he was engaged in the sewing machine business, and was very successful in the same; later he traveled for a well-known piano house. He gave his employers eminent satisfaction in every respect and was regarded as one of their most faithful, efficient and trustworthy employees, and he remained a traveling salesman the rest of his life. He was widely known over the territory which he made and was popular with the trade, being a genial, obliging and friendly gentleman who made friends easily. Mr. Hiatt was married to Minnie Cravens, who was born in Daviess county, Missouri, October 6, 1857. She is a daughter of William and Re- iSc>4 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. becca (Bryan) Cravens. The father was born in 1835, died in 1883, and the mother was born in 1838 and died in 1888. These parents spent their active lives on a farm. They removed with their only child, Minnie Cravens, who became the wife of our subject, to Springfield, Missouri, about forty- six years ago, when the town was small. Here Mrs. Hiatt grew to woman- hood and received her education in the common schools. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hiatt, named as follows : Emma, born December 31, 1886, married Jerry Cravens, and they live in Chicago; Homer, born December 17, 1890; Thelma, born September 11, 1894, and Wilbur, born September 4, 1895; the last three children live with their mother at the family home on St. Louis street. Politically, Mr. Hiatt was a Democrat. He was a member of the Woodmen of the World and the Christian church. The death of Mr. Hiatt occurred in 1906, at the early age of forty-six years. HUGH P. COLVIN. • There was something essentially American in the life and character of the late Hugh P. Colvin. The United States has given rare opportunties from the first to men of courage, honesty of purpose, integrity and industry, to achieve success. The bulk of our public men and those who have legiti- mately achieved fortune, have been men of the above characteristics, and Mr. Colvin was essentially one of that stamp, although never a man of wealth or a holder of important public trusts, but his record shows that he was the possessor of the traits of character that men must have if they achieve much success in any field of human endeavor. He was a man of the people, and his success in life came as a result of his devotion to right and his tenacity to purpose. Mr. Colvin, who devoted his active life principally to railroading in one form or another, was born February 4, 1861, in Clinton county, New Jersey. He was a son of Bernard and Rose (Mulligan) Colvin, both parents natives of Ireland, from which country they came to America when children with their parents, each family settling in New Jersey in which state the parents of our subject were married. Bernard Colvin was a quarryman by trade, and while he was an authority on political questions he was not an office seeker. His family consisted of ten children, eight of whom are still living, namely: Mary, Elizabeth, John is deceased, Bernard, Hugh P. of this sketch; Alice, Mike, Catherine, James and Ella. Hugh P. Colvin grew to manhood in New Jersey and there received a GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1805 common school education. He remained there until he was about twenty- one years old, when he came to southeastern Missouri, and he and his brother went into the railroad construction work, and became successful contractors. They built part of the Cotton Belt railroad in Arkansas, also part of the Canadian Pacific railroad. Later the subject of this sketch became an employe of the former road and worked his way up to a responsible position in the same. In 1886 he began with the Memphis railroad, first as fireman, and five years later he went to West Memphis, Tennesee, where he handled the trains across the Mississippi river on transfer boats, was yard master and in charge of a switch engine. In the summer of 1890, he went on the road as engineer in the freight service, was twice in the same service, and while still in the service went to Thayer, Missouri, where he remained in the same line of work until 1893. In 1893 he moved with his family to Springfield, and continued railroading as engineer in the passenger service between Springfield and Thayer, pulling the “Memphis Flyer,” the Frisco fast train. In 1908 he was injured in a wreck, his fireman being killed at that time, and our subject was incapacitated for service for three months as a result of his injuries. He resumed his work as engineer which he followed until December 19, 1911, when he and his fireman were both instantly killed in a wreck two miles south of Mountain Grove, Missouri. He was well known to railroad men and was one of the Frisco’s most trusted and efficient engineers. Mr. Calvin was married, January 28, 1892, to Margaret Irby, who was born in Memphis, Tennessee, May 23, 1875, and there reared to womanhood and educated. She is a daughter of Charles and Drusilla (Grant) Irby, natives of Kentucky and Tennesee, respectively. Mr. Irby was born on October 15, 1845, and his death occurred on December 31, 1913; his wife was born on January 11, 1852, and she died in September, 1878. Mr. Irby was a railroad man and for many years was an engineer on the Memphis & Little Rock railroad, maintaining his home at Hopeville, Arkansas, and later he was master of mechanics for that road at Memphis, while the great bridge across the Mississippi river was being built. Politically he was a Democrat. He was twice married, and had two children by his first wife, Mrs. Marie Smith, and Mrs. Margaret Colvin, widow of our subject. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Colvin, all still living, namely : Harry, born on November t, 1892; Bonnie, born on August 6, 1894; Edith, born on August 15, 1896; Frank, born on September 13, 1902; Hugh, born on March 3, 1905; Margaret, born on March 2, 1907; John, born on August 28, 1910; and James, born on July 24, 1912. Politically Mr. Colvin was a Democrat. He was a member of the Brotherhood of Engineers. Fraternally he belonged to the Knights of i8o6 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. Columbus. He was a Catholic in religious matters. His widow has a pleas- ant home on College street. He was a man whom his officials could always rely upon and whom his acquaintances and friends all liked for his friendly manner and high character. JAMES GARFIELD CHILDRESS. It is a great privilege to be able to spend our lives on the old home place. “The roof that heard our earliest cry” has a charm and fascination for us which we cannot find elsewhere, and no matter where on earth our restless footsteps may wander we ever long to be back under the old roof- tree of our parents. However, this is by no means practicable to many people. For various reasons, often through necessity, we leave our child- hood home and seek our fortunes in other countries, and seldom revisit the hearth-stone around which we played as a child. James Garfield Childress has been favored by fate in this respect and has always lived on the home- stead in Wilson township, Greene county, with the exception of a short period spent in the city. Here Mr. Childress was born May i, 1880. He is a son of William and Ellen (Tensley) Childress, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Illinois. The father of our subject came to Greene county, Missouri, in 1863, and settled on two hundred acres in Wilson township, a part of which excellent farm our subject now owns, and the elder Childress continued to reside here until his death, which occurred in 1883, his widow surviving un- til 1912, outliving him twenty-nine years. To these parents twelve children were born, six of whom survive at this writing, namely: Mrs. Mary Jones, wife of John Jones, a farmer of this township, and who is represented in this work by a separate sketch; Will lived in Clever, Missouri, until his death, which occurred about one year ago by accident; Charles lives south of Marionville ; Dave lives in Clever, Missouri ; Mrs. Minnie Campbell lives in Springfield, Missouri; Mrs. Fannie Brayfield lives in Carthage, Missouri; and James G., of this sketch, who is the youngest of the family. James G. Childress was reared on the home farm and here he has always lived, with the exception of two years spent in Springfield. He received a limited education in the district schools of Wilson township. While his mother lived he was to be found at home, being very attentive to her every want, and since her death he has remained on the home farm, and is doing his own housework, since he has never entered the marriage state. He possesses seventy acres of the estate, and on this he carries on general farming, renting twenty acres from his sister, which he also operates and thus has a good acreage out each year in various crops. He has kept GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1807 the old farm well cultivated and well improved, so that its value has increased in every respect, rather than deteriorated as some negligent farmers allow their land to do. Mr. Childress has never affiliated himself with either church or fraternal organization, but in politics his views are pronounced, and he adheres to the Republican party in both victory and defeat, and he is desirous of seeing his locality improve in material and civic ways. JOHN JONES. As every one knows, methods of farming are changing and we are learning many things that the husbandmen of half century ago did not know or at least did not attach much importance to. Among other things the farmer of today has learned that the soil is a mixture of ground rock frag- ments and mineral mixed with more or less organic material. Some one has rightly said, “The soil is Nature’s dumping-ground.” All animal and plant refuse not burned or carried away by streams, eventually reaches the soil. Were it not for the fact that this vast amount of material is constantly decaying and becoming soluable we would eventually become polluted in Na- ture’s waste products. One of the farmers of Wilson township, Greene county, who has not been slow in adopting advanced methods of tilling the soil is John Jones, owner of “Shady Grove Farm.” Mr. Jones was born in Taney county, Missouri, September 4, 1847. He is a son of Jabis and Elizabeth Jones, natives of Missouri. The father owned eighty acres and rented the same amount of land in Greene county. He at one time lived near Lebanon, Laclede county. His death occurred when the subject of this sketch was seven years of age, and a year later the mother passed away. John Jones received a very limited education. After his father's death the mother sold the home farm, and after her death our subject lived with his uncle, James Cook, and later with an aunt. When eighteen years of age he was married to Mary Graham, a daughter of James Graham and wife, both of Christian county, this state, where they lived on a farm. After four years of married life, the wife of our subject died. To this union two children were born, one dying at the age of three years and the other in infancy. Three years after the death of his first wife, Mrs. Jones married again, choosing as a helpmate Mary Childress, a daughter of William and Ellen Childress, formerly of Illinois, from which state they came to Greene county, Missouri, after the Civil war and settled in Wilson township on one hundred and sixty acres. Mr. Childress was born in Kentucky. Our i8o8 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. subject’s second union has resulted in the birth of seven children, named as follows: Johnnie, Ira, Robert, Madeen, Bessie (deceased), Mrs. Myrtle Barber, and Vida, the last named being at home with her parents. Mr. Jones owns sixty acres of good land in Wilson township, which he operates together with twenty-two acres which he rents from his brother- in-law, Mr. Childress. He is making a comfortable living as a general farmer and stock raiser, and, considering his early environment and the fact that he grew up without the protection, advice and guidance of parents and has had to “hoe his own row” from the first, he is deserving of a great deal of credit for what he has acomplished. On his farm is one of the most splendid wells in the township, which is a favorite among his neighbors. In connection with raising general crops, Mr. Jones is doing a very good business raising horses and mules, also handles other live stock. Politically, he has voted the Democratic ticket since attaining his ma- jority. His jovial nature makes him many friends wherever he goes. A. J. JOHNSTON. A forward-looking, dynamic-energied citizen of Springfield, a man of vision and purpose, who has in many ways aided in Missouri’s betterment, is A. J. Johnston. Mr. Johnston was born in Washington county, this state, near Potosi, on June 14th, in the year 1869, of English and German parentage. His father was a minister of the Christian church, later joining the Baptist communion. While still a mere child he was brought to Houston, Texas county, and was reared on a farm near the county-seat. His equipment for the affairs of life in the way of an education came from the common schools and the training of a model Christian home. Reaching manhood’s estate, in 1890, he and Miss Verta Cross were married and for twenty-five years now have faced sunshine and storm together. Mrs. Johnston is the daugh- ter of T. A. Gross, of Marion, Ohio. The four children who have blessed this union are, Ray Augustus, Floyd Albert, Glen Paul and Beulah, but the little girl crossed over the river many years ago. Some six years ago, Mr. Johnston moved to Springfield and for the last five years has been in the real estate business. He has made a number -of deals and always has on his books a list of good properties. When he -came to Springfield he determined to give of his talent, time and money in aiding the upbuilding of Greene county and its capital, and has never failed to do his part. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1809 In his chosen business, Mr. Johnston has always stood high, for he is honest and careful in all his dealings. Recently he has leased a suite of rooms in the Landers building, which are perfectly adapted to the business, fitted up with every modern convenience. Mr. Johnston has been prominently identified with the development of southern Missouri, in which he has extensive interests. No one has given more time, thought and effort to bringing before the people of the United A. J. JOHNSON. States the great resources of the Ozark region and the opportunities which are presented here for men of moderate means to get a start and secure a competence in a few years. Prominent among the propositions which he has on hand at the present time is the disposition of the Springdale ranch, the only body of land of its kind remaining in this section. Eight thousand acres of virgin soil under- laid with mineral wealth and covered with a forest in which valuable timber abounds, here await development. The position of this great tract of land is in the midst of a portion of the country in which important projects are (II4) i8io GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. on hand and rapid progress is being made. Springdale ranch is inter- esting, not only in connection with prospective developments there, but in the fact that it is a great reservation in which the natural resources of the Ozark region are shown in a remarkable manner, exhibiting to the people of this day and generation a view of the land as it appeared to the pioneers who made their way into this country in the first quarter of the nineteenth century, a reminder of the vision which excited the enthusiasm of the French explorers of an earlier period, causing them to write charming descriptions of this portion of the domains of the king of France, then known as Louis- iana. Samples of ore taken from the Springdale ranch have been sent to a prominent assayer at Denver, Colorado, who reports a value of $78.90 of gold, silver, lead and zinc per ton. JAMES E. LUPER-. All who have studied the present-day problems of supply and demand, will agree that there is always a market for what the farmer raises, but that it is costing him too much to “get by the middle men” and get his products in the hands of the consumers. When this problem is satisfactorily solved such careful and industrious farmers as James E. Luper, of Wilson township, Greene county, will be more justly rewarded for their labors. Mr. Luper was born in Washington count}'', Arkansas, January 5, 1867. Lie is a son of John and Eliza (Ingram) Luper, both natives of Tennessee, born on farms and there spent their early lives, but removed to Arkansas when young and established their future home, and there the death of the father occurred in 1867, a few months before the subject of this sketch was born. The mother survived until in January, 1911, reaching an advanced age, having survived her husband about forty-seven years. To these parents six children were born, named as follow : Mrs. Amanda Luttrell, Mrs. Jane Maxie, Simion A., John A., William S., all live in Arkansas; and James E., of this sketch. James E. Luper grew to manhood on the farm in Washington county, Arkansas, and there he received his education in the rural schools. When eighteen years of age he left home and came to Greene county, Missouri, June 27, 1885, and went to work for Jonathan Moore, with whom he re- mained two years and four months. Lie saved his earnings and finally began farming for himself, which he has continued to the present time, and is now owner of eighty acres of good land in Wilson township on which he is making a comfortable living by general farming and stock raising. He has GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 181 1 worked hard for what he has and has led a quiet life, progressing slowly with advancing years. Mr. Luper was married on September 4, 1887, to Ella Moore, a daugh- ter of S. B. and Ann (Payne) Moore, who were old residents of Greene county, where they spent their active lives in farming, and they are now living retired in Springfield. The following children were born to them : Ella, wife of our subject; J. R., who lives in Greene county; Mrs. Ollie Burk- head, of Springfield; Anderson lives in Kansas; Flossie V., who lives in Springfield, is the widow of Dr. Knowles, deceased; Charles lives in Spring- field; Bessie has remained unmarried; Fred and Flarvey both live in Kansas City. Mrs. Luper grew to womanhood in Wilson township, this county, and received her education in the district schools, and, having spent her life in her native vicinity has many friends throughout same. Mr. and Mrs. Luper have but one child, Lulu May Luper, who is at home with her parents. Politically Mr. Luper is a Republican in national affairs, but often votes independently in local elections. Ffe and his wife are members of the Christian church. WARREN NELSON CAMP. Longfellow said, “The talent of success is nothing more than doing what you can do well and doing well whatever you do, without any thought of fame.” Illustrative of this sentiment has been the life of the late Warren Nelson Camp, one of the well-known railroaders of Springfield, of a past generation. Those familiar with his life work readily corroborate the state- ment that he did well whatever he turned his attention to and therefore suc- cess attended his efforts. Mr. Camp was born at Adrian, Michigan, August 5, 1843. He was a son of Robert Camp and wife, and grew to manhood and spent his early life near his native city, and there received a good practical education, however, his schooling was not as extensive as he desired, for his father was a farmer and on the homestead our subject found plenty of work to keep him busy most of the year when he was a boy. He began life for himself as a rail- roader in his native state, and he followed this line of endeavor the rest of his days, his promotion being rapid owing to his faithfulness to duty, his sober habits and intelligence. He engaged in the creamery business in Michi- gan for about seven years. After leaving his native state, he went to Ft. Wayne, Indiana, where he continued railroading for some time. On March 17, 1898, he came to Springfield, Missouri, and took a position with the Frisco System as conductor and continued in the service until his death. l8l2 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. which occurred here on May 6, 1901. He accumulated considerable property, which was left to his widow and children, Mrs. Camp being well provided for. Mr. Camp’s marriage was celebrated in Dertoit, Michigan, to Mrs. Marie O. Holmes, widow of John B. Holmes, a railroad man who was killed while on duty for the Michigan Central railway. By her marriage with Mr. Holmes three children were born to the widow of our subject, namely: Walter B., Charles R., and Howard D. Her union with our subject was without issue. Mr. Camp became the father of three children by his first marriage, namely: Maude, who is the wife of William Shotwell ; Major and Mamie, twins, both deceased. Mrs. Camp is one of four children, she being the oldest ; her three sisters are Mrs. Margaret Louise Carnley, Mrs. Josephine Odell is a widow, living- in Detroit; and Mrs. Sarah Lanniere lives in Ottawa, Canada. The parents of these children were George and Oberline (Paquette) DeGras, both natives of St. Johns, New Brunswick, and all their ancestors were of French origin. In his earlier career George De Gras was a deep-sea sailor, and later went into the ship-building business, and with his father he also engaged ex- tensively in fishing, which is a great industry, for some time before coming to this country. Mrs. Camp was twelve years of age when her father died. He was a “forty-niner,” making the long journey to California across the great plains. He never returned ; in fact, was never again heard from, and it is the supposition that he was murdered. Mrs. Camp received a good com- mon school education. She is a member of the Sorosis club. Mr. Camp joined the Presbyterian church early in life. He belonged to the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Masonic Order and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. EMIL O. DAVIS. Though no land is richer in opportunities or offers greater advantages to its citizens than America, success is not to be attained through desire alone, but must be persistently sought. In this country “labor is king,” and the man who resolutely sets to work to accomplish a given purpose is cer- tain of success if he has but the qualities of perseverance, untiring energy and practical common sense. Emil O. Davis, well known Frisco passenger con- ductor, of Springfield, through his diligence and perseverance has attained definite success in his calling and has won the respect of all who know him through his unfailing courtesy and trustworthiness. Mr. Davis was born at Springfield, Greene county, Missouri, February GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1813 i, 1870. He is a son of Robert Henry and Victoria (Caynor) Davis. The father was born in Nashville, Tennesee, and the mother is a native of Greene county, Missouri. Robert H. Davis left his native state and located in this county in an early day and here established his permanent home. He was a soldier in the Civil war, in Company H, Eighth Missouri Volunteer In- fantry, under Capt. “Bob” Mathias, serving over four years in a most faith- ful manner, taking part in several engagements, including the battle of Wil- son’s Creek. He was mustered out and honorably discharged at St. Louis. After the war he returned to Springfield and spent the rest of his life en- gaged as traveling salesman for many years for the J. Baum Shoe Company, of St. Louis. Emil O. Davis, only child of his parents, grew to manhood in his native community, and he received his education in the common schools of Spring- field. He spent his boyhood days at home, but in early life took up rail- roading for a career, which he has followed ever since. In his early boyhood, however, he was employed as a grocery clerk, and once when delivering goods a patrol wagon overtook him and two policemen climbed into his de- livery wagon and were rapidly driven by young Davis to a place where they desired to make an arrest, and in their haste most of the groceries were lost along the street. This resulted in his employer discharging him upon his return to the store. This seemingly insignificant incident resulted in chang- ing the lad's subsecjuent career, for soon thereafter he took up railroading. In 1885, he accepted a position with the Frisco as caller and later worked as switchman until 1899, when he began his road service as brakeman, con- tinuing thus for three years, then was promoted to freight conductor and,, in 1896, to passenger conductor. Leaving the road service he was appointed yard master of the terminal in 1900, which position he held until 1904, when he went back to a passenger run and has continued to the present time. Dur- ing his entire service with the Frisco, covering a period of nearly thirty years, he has never been discharged. He has done his work faithfully and conscientiously and is one of the company’s most trusted employees. Mr. Davis was married in this county, November 23, 1890, to Axie Burford, a daughter of Phillip L. and Martha (Nichols) Burford, both na- tives of Tennessee, where they spent their earlier years, but came to Missouri in pioneer days and settled in Webster county on a farm, and became prom- inent citizens in that section. In 1888 the family located in Springfield, and here made their permanent home, in which the parents spent the rest of their lives, the father dying in January, 1908, and the mother in March, 1904. They were the parents of twelve children, namely: William L., de- ceased; Jonathan D. ; Daniel; F. ; Ferdinand L., deceased; Albert N. ; Mrs. Elizabeth Callaway; Benjamin T. ; Morris B. ; Mrs. Lucy Pipkin; Phillip I. ; GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1814 Mrs. Mattie H. Edwards, deceased; and Axie, wife of our subject. Mrs. Davis had the advantage of an excellent education, in the public schools of Marshfield, Morrisville College and Drury College. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Davis, namely: Robert O. and Alma, twins; they have been given excellent educational advantages; the son is married, and the daughter is living at home. Mr. Davis is a member of the Order of Railway Conductors, Knights and Ladies of Security; his wife and children also belong to the latter order, and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, South. JOHN J. UNDERWOOD. Those who belong to the respectable middle classes of society, being early taught the necessity of relying upon their own exertions, will be more apt to acquire that information and those business habits which alone can fit them for the discharge of life’s duties, and indeed it has long been a noticeable fact that our great men in nearly all walks of life in America spring from this class. The subject of this sketch, whose life history we herewith delineate, is a worthy representative of this class, from which the true noblemen of the republic spring; but he has made no effort to be a leader of men, contented to lead an honest, industrious and conservative life, desiring no other title than that of a good citizen. John J. Underwood, president of the Springfield Stone & Fuel Com- pany, was born near Bolivar, Polk county, Missouri, August 25, 1872. He is a son of Abraham Alexander Underwood and Martha Ellen (Nenninger) Lhiderwood. The father was a native of Pennsylvania, and the mother of Ohio. They grew up, were educated and married in the East, and resided there until 1870, when they removed to Bolivar, Missouri. A. A. Under- wood was one of five children. When the Civil war came on he enlisted for service in the One Hundred and First Ohio Volunteer Infantry, from Bucy- rus county, Ohio, and saw considerable hard service, including the greatest battle of modern times, Gettysburg, and he was also in a number of other important engagements. After a gallant service of two and a half years he was mustered out and honorably discharged. He studied law, and after coming to Bolivar, built up one of the largest practices in southwest Mis- souri and was one of the leaders of the Democratic party in this section of the state and prominent in public affairs. He was a candidate for Congress in 1876. His family consisted of eight children, namely: Mrs. Jennie Far- rer, of Springfield; Gertrude died in infancy; Mrs. Mary West lives in Ok- GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. l8l 5 lahoma City; Sherwood is deceased; Alex is in South America; John J., ■of this review; Thomas lives in Springfield; and Charles, deceased. John J. Underwood was reared in his native community and received his education in the schools of Bolivar; his sisters were graduates of the South- west Baptist College there. Our subject attended school until he was eighteen years of age, then moved to a farm with his parents, near Bolivar, where he worked for a number of years, then went to Oklahoma City, and took up a claim near there, where he remained a year in the city and a year on the claim, then returned to the home farm and lived there until 1907, when he located in Springfield and started in the feed and fuel business on Com- mercial street, and a year later took up the commission business, and later helped organize the Merchants Baking Company, and operated one of the best bakeries, although not so extensive as some, in the state, and was Jiighly complimented by the state inspector, who stated that our subject's bakery was the cleanest and most sanitary on his record or that he had in- spected in his territory. Mr. Underwood made this venture a paying one .and operated the bakery until 1911, when he was one of the incorporators of the Springfield Stone & Fuel Company, which was capitalized at ten thousand dollars, and which has been a pronounced success under his able manage- ment, he being president and manager of the same, and he now owns all the stock of the company. The other two incorporators were M. H. South- worth and A. L. Farrer. Mr. Underwood carries on a general stone contracting business and also deals in cement, stone and fuel, but makes contracting his principal business and handles large jobs, and in recent years he has furnished the materials for a number of the most important new buildings in Springfield, such as the •addition to the government building. State Normal School building, all the material for the state home of the Knights of Pythias, such as sand and cement, and he did all the stone work on the State Normal School, also many other of the best modern buildings here. His work has been eminently satisfactory in every respect, and prompt and high-grade work is his aim, as well as scrupulous honesty. He understands thoroughly every phase of liis business, which is rapidly growing, and he is one of the best known con- tractors in his line in this section of the state. He also enjoys a large trade in fuel. Mr. Underwood was 'married September 9, 1895, to Carrie Farrer, a daughter of Bucher and Elizabeth (Rafferty) Farrer. Her father was a native of Iowa and her mother of Ohio. They located in Dallas county, Missouri, in an early day and lived there until the father’s death. His family consisted of three children, namely: A. L., Carrie, who married Mr. Under- wood : and Charles. Mrs. Underwood grew to womanhood in Dallas county and was educated in the common schools there. i8i6 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. Three children have been born to our subject and wife, namely: Edna, Earl and Mary. Politically Mr. Underwood is a Democrat. Ete is a member of the Christian church, and fraternally he belongs to the Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks, the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America. Elis wife belongs to the Mothers’ Club of the Boys’ School, and she is an active member of Campbell Street Methodist Episcopal church, South. THE JOHN F. MEYER & SONS MILLING COMPANY. This corporation, which conducts the largest flour milling business in Springfield, is composed of a father and his four sons. John F. Meyer, the father, and the founder of the business, began making flour in St. Louis in 1864, half a century ago, and continued in that line in that city steadily until 1894, a period of thirty years. In the last mentioned year Mr. Meyer took into partnership with him- self, his four sons, Ferdinand P., H. J., H. A., and Louis S. Meyer, and established the firm under the name of John F. Meyer & Sons. As soon as this partnership was formed the large three-story brick milling plant, known at the time as the “Queen City Mills,” and located on the northwest corner of Booneville street and Phelps avenue, Springfield, was purchased. This corner had been the site of a mill for many years prior to the date of the Meyer purchase. John Schmook, one of the most prominent builders of the early day Springfield during and immediately after the Civil war, had here for years a grist mill, and a planing mill adjoining. That was afterward succeeded by the Queen City Mills, the first of the large flouring plants of the city, and this was the building that in 1849 was purchased by the new milling partnership of John F. Meyer & Sons. They at once remodelled the whole interior of the building, refitted it with the latest and most effective machinery, and increased its capacity to seven hundred barrels of flour per day. A large elevator was also added at the east of the mill building, and smaller elevators were built at different points in the region, where the soft Missouri wheat for use in the mill was bought direct from the farmers who raised it. The business grew and prospered. Every sack of Meyer flour that went to a consumer was an advertisement more effective than columns in the papers. The best wheat obtainable, the best machinery with which to reduce it to flour, and the most skillful men in the trade to operate that machinery; these, and strict business management, and and fair treatment, built up, ex- tended, and established the business, and sent its products not only in all GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1817 directions into neighboring states, but in no small quantities entered the foreign market and established a demand for it beyond the sea. Meanwhile the partnership had been made into a corporation under the name which still exists of the John F. Meyer & Sons Milling Company. In 1901, after seven successful years at the original Springfield location, the demands of the trade justified large expansion, and a fine site was purchased at the corner of the National Boulevard and Pine street, in the manufactur- ing district in the eastern part of the city. Here a thoroughly modern mill was erected, furnished throughout with the latest machinery, and of a ca- pacity of eight hundred barrels per day of hard wheat flour and four hundred barrels of soft wheat flour. A fine elevator was also added to the equipment of the new mill, the combined capacity of the elevators at the two mills and country stations aggregating five hundred thousand bushels. The smaller elevators for purchasing wheat direct from the growers, are scattered through Greene, Dade, Lawrence and Barry counties. The business is stocked for one hundred thousand dollars capitaliza- tion, and has a surplus of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. The company has some sixty employees, and a weekly pay-roll of a thousand dollars. The two most popular brands of flour turned out by the concern, are the Albatross, “Best on earth” soft wheat flour, and the Meyer’s Model, “Always reliable,” hard wheat flour. The reputation established by these brands is such that the copyright of the names is no small asset in such a business. The general offices of the company are in suites 722, 723 and 724 Mer- chants-Laclede Building, St. Louis. The president, John F. Meyer, and the secretary, Ferdinand P. Meyer, have charge of the St. Louis office, while the vice-president, Herman J. Meyer, the treasurer, Henry A. Meyer, and the general manager, Louis S. Meyer, are residents of Springfield and attend to the manufacturing end of the business. In giving the story of such a successful business enterprise, it should not close without some slight sketch of the men behind the concern, who made the success possible, and we will close this story with a few words of personal history. John F. Meyer, the head of this company, was born in Westphalia, Germany, on the 16th day of July, 1830. He spent his boyhood upon his father’s large farm in Westphalia, and after the good old German fashion, he was given a thorough education. When a young man he learned the milling business, and followed it in Germany until he was thirty years of age. In i860 he joined that great company of his fellow countrymen, who saw a better outlook for themselves and their children in the great republic of the west than in their native land, and he emigrated to the United States. He located in St. Louis, Missouri. For four years he was in the grocery i8i8 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. business, but in 1864, he formed a partnership with J. F. Imbs, under the name of Imbs, Meyer & Company, and entered into the trade which he had learned in Germany, and which he was to follow for life. He married in St. Louis, in 1862, Miss Katherine Fechtel, who was also a native of Westphalia, Germany. The St. Louis milling business prospered, through the same means that have later made the Springfield concern one •of the institutions of the Southwest. As Mr. Meyer’s sons grew up they were most of them taught their father’s trade of milling, and thus when the proper time came, were prepared to assume the responsibilities of the new company in Springfield. For just half a century John F. Meyer has followed his chosen business of milling. No man is better posted in all the intricacies of the trade ; no man is better known as an expert on all questions con- nected with it, and at eighty-four years of age, he is still a clear headed, and most highly respected business man. Of the four sons who with the father form the company, it need only be said that their twenty years in Springfield have demonstrated their entire ability to meet any competition, and all the demands of trade. Steadily and without any parade or sounding of trumpets, the John F. Meyer & Sons Mill- ing Company has pursued the even tenor of its way. Starting with the highest ideals of furnishing as perfect a product as was humanly possible, they have held strictly to that plan, and the years have proved the correct- ness of the theory by crowning the work with the greatest success. JAMES WILLIAM CLARK. M. D. Concentration of purpose and persistently applied energy rarely fail •of success in the accomplishment of any task however great, and in tracing the career of Dr. James William Clark, a well known and successful physi- cian of Bois D'Arc, Greene county, it is plainly seen that these things have been among the main secrets of his rise to a position of prominence and respectability. Moreover, he possesses genuine love for his work and re- gards it as a privilege to carry comfort and aid to the sick and suffering. Dr. Clark is a scion of an old Southern family, and himself was born under Dixie's skies, having first seen the light of day at Bowling Green, Kentucky, March 15, 1874. He is a son of Joseph M. and Harriet H. (Shannon) Clark. The father was born, July 25,^ 1833, and died March 8, 1909. He was a son of Bowling McKagy Clark, who was born, December 8, 1777. The latter married on June 6, 1831, Jane Hagerman, who was born November 30, 1808, Joseph M. Clark grew to manhood in the old Blue Grass state and received a common school educatiton, and there he GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1819 followed general farming and stock raising until 1882, when he moved to near Halltown, Lawrence county, Missouri, where he purchased about four hundred acres of land, where he carried on general agricultural pursuits on an extensive scale until his death, making a specialty of handling live stock, and while living there he shipped on the market over five hundred head of cattle and over three thousand hogs. He and Harriet H. Shannon were married, December 4, 1862. She was bom, March 30, 1842, in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and is a daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (King) Shan- non. Samuel Shannon was born in Warren county, Kentucky, August 1, 1798, and was killed by falling off a horse in 1882. He followed farming in Warren county, Kentucky, all his active life. He and Elizabeth King were married, February 5, 1822. She was born in Warren county, Ken- tucky, May 21, 1803, and her death occurred in young womanhood, June 2, 1832. Politically, Joseph M. Clark, mentioned above, was a Democrat. Fraternally, he belonged to the Masonic Order, and he was an active worker in the Baptist church, was responsible for the Antioch church, and was a deacon in his congregation for a number of years. His wife, mother of our subject, is still living, making her home in Halltown, Missouri. Five children were born to Joseph M. Clark and wife, namely: Arthur V. is farming near Perry Springs, Missouri ; Miles J. is cashier of a bank at Halltown, Missouri; Readie J. is the wife of C. H. Johnson, and they live near Halltown; Dr. James W. of this review, and Dr. Samuel M., who is a practicing physician at Halltown. Dr. James W. Clark grew to manhood on his father’s farm. He was eight years old when the family left Kentucky and settled in Lawrence county, Missouri. He received his early education in the public schools, and he was graduated from the high school at Halltown in 1892. When but a boy he decided to enter the medical profession, and with this end in view he began reading medicine with Dr. C. A. Wilkerson as preceptor, and also read with Dr. R. W. Paris while at home and during vacations. In 1896 he entered the St. Louis College of Physicians and Surgeons, where he made an excellent record, and from which institution he was graduated with the class of 1899. Soon thereafter he established himself for the practice of his profession at Miller, Lawrence county, where he remained two years, then located in Ash Grove, Greene county, where he remained two years. After practicing in Springfield three and one-half years he came to Bois D'Arc, where he has since remained, and here he has built up a large and satisfactory practice and is one of the busiest of the younger general prac- titioners in the county. He has remained a close student of all that pertains to his science and has met with a high degree of success. Dr. Clark was married. May 17, 1899, to Pearl M. Misemer, of Perry Springs, Missouri. She was born, October 1, 1876, and was a daughter of 1 820 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. William and Mary E. (Berry) Mesimer, a highly respected family of that locality. Mrs. Clark was killed in Springfield, September 26, 1914, by a runaway team that ran into the automobile driven by our subject. Politically, Doctor Clark is a Democrat. He is a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal church, South, and fraternally, belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and the Modern Woodmen of America. He has made a host of friends since locating at Bois D’Arc and enjoys the confidence and good will of the people throughout this section of the county. ALBERT MARTIN GLASS. This gentleman is another of the old soldiers whom it is a delight to honor. They are getting fewer and fewer in number and their steps are not as quick and full of meaning as they were fifty years ago when they were fighting for the supremacy of the Union. But it thrills one to see them in their old uniforms, with their tattered flags flying and their forms bent as they hobble along on their canes at reunions, Memorial Day or the Fourth of July. And how interesting it is to listen to them recount the stirring scenes of that momentous period in our country’s history. Mr. Glass, who hails from the old Buckeye state, is now living in retirement on his fine farm near Bois D’Arc, Greene county, having in his early years accumulated a sufficient competence to insure the possession of all the com- forts of life in his old age. Albert Martin Glass was born near Mapleton, Stark county, Ohio, June 18, 1843. He is a son of John and Sarah (Baker) Glass. John Glass was born in Virginia, October 24, 1815, and was a son of William and Priscilla (Wiley) Glass, both Virginians. William Glass was bom, February 2, 1790, and immigrated to Stark county, Ohio, in a very early day and there followed farming, later removing to near White Pigeon, Michigan, where he continued farming until his death, at an advanced age. His wife also lived to a ripe age. John Glass spent his life on a farm in Stark county, Ohio, and died there, March 3, 1845. He and Sarah Baker were married on January 2, 1840. She was born in Stark county, Ohio, September 30, 1823, and her death occurred in February, 1901. The death of John Glass occurred March 3, 1845. Politically, he was a Whig, and he belonged to the Presbyterian church, as did his wife. To John Glass and wife the following children were born: Priscilla; Albert Martin, our subject, and John B., deceased, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1821 Albert M. Glass grew to manhood on the home farm in Stark county, Ohio, and he received the usual common school education of that period. On August 8, 1862, he enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Fifteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and spent several years in the service in the South. He was taken prisoner in February, 1864, by bushwhackers, near Murfrees- boro, Tennessee. The only great battle he was in was at Stone’s River, or Murfreesboro. Mr. Glass was mustered out and honorably discharged, July 6, 1865, at Cleveland, Ohio, thereafter returned to the farm in Stark county, Ohio, and continued general farming there until 1871, when he came to Greene county, Missouri, locating in Center township, purchasing land and he now owns two hundred acres of productive and well located land, which he has brought up to a high state of improvement and cultivation and which ranks among the best and most desirable farms of the county. He has a large pleasant home and a substantial group of convenient outbuild- ings. He still lives on his farm, but merely oversees it in a general way, having lived practically retired from active life during the past twenty years. Mr. Glass was married, December 13, 1870, to Susan Van Voorhis, who was born in Stark county, Ohio, on November 16, 1844, and there she grew to womanhood and received such educational advantages as those days afforded. Mrs. Glass was a daughter of Peter and Margaret (Sickman) Van Voorhis. The father was born in Duchess county, New York, Febru- ary 8, 1795, and the mother was born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, Feb ruary 19, 1805. There they were married, and were the parents of four- teen children, our subject’s wife being the eleventh in order of birth. Three children have been born to Albert M. Glass and wife, namely: James I., who is operating the home farm, was born September 6, 1871, and was married, January 28, 1897, to Olive Tressler, a native of Stark county, Ohio; they have one boy living, Henry E., born July 14, 1898; Dwight P., born April 22, 1901, died September 18, 1903. Earl C., second son of our subject, is practicing dentistry in Independence, Kansas; he married Edwena Chandler, a native of Illinois, on March 23, 1909; he graduated from the Western Dental College at Kansas City. Iva R., third child of our subject, was born December 20, 1878, and died February 11, 1914; she married Marvin J. Ross in November, 1903, and to their union two children were born, Florence and Edna. Politically, Mr. Glass is a Republican and has been school director for many years. He belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic, and he and his wife are members of the Christian church. During his residence here, of over forty years, he has been known as an excellent citizen in every re- spect. 1 822 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. EDWARD GARNER TUCKER. There is an inherent something in every successful man that singles him out and sets him apart. He has ideas of his own, and in those ideas he has faith that nothing can shake. He defies precedent, ignores rules and falters not to do what others have failed to do before him. Edward Garner Tucker, president of the Tucker-Ferguson Company, of Springfield, has proven that he is a man of individual ideas and the possessor of those qualities which make for success, such attributes as ginger, candor, honesty of purpose coupled with a naturally optimistic temperament, which has been stimulated by actual observation. Mr. Tucker is a scion of an old Southern family, and his birth occurred May 11, 1872, in Lebanon, Kentucky. He is a son of Creed H. and Row- anne (Riffe) Tucker. The father was born in Virginia, July 13, 1832, and when young in years moved to Kentucky with his parents, where he spent much of his life, successfully engaged in the hotel business until 1869, when, owing to failing health, he retired from active affairs. His death occurred in 1S97. Politically, he was a Democrat, and in religious matters a Baptist. He and Rowanne Riffe were married in Lebanon, Kentucky, about 1859. She was born in the Blue Grass state in 1842 and there grew to womanhood, and, like her husband, received her education in the old-time common schools. She is still living, although past her alloted three score and ten years. She makes her home among her children, of whom there are: Mrs. Verne Powell, Boston, Massachusetts; Mrs. Florence Tucker, Doling City; and Mrs. A. H. Gifford. Edward G. Tucker spent his boyhood in Kentucky and moved with his. parents to Sedalia, Missouri, when young. He received a common school education and attended high school at Sedalia, later studied at Garfield Uni- versity, Wichita, Kansas. After leaving school, he worked for the Adams Express Company in Springfield, Missouri, for a period of fourteen years, having come to this city in 1888. He gave the company eminent satisfac- tion in every respect and was regarded as one of their most faithful and efficient employes. He was alert, prompt, reliable and courteous. He went to Pittsburg, Kansas, in 1904, and engaged in coal mining for three years, and his ventures there as an operator were quite successful. In 1907 he re- turned to Springfield and engaged in the warehouse business, enjoying a good patronage for two years, and in 1909 he and C. A. Ferguson incor- porated the company of which he is now president and manager, and which, by his able management and close application, has grown to large propor- tions. They conduct one of the best known and most successful storage and transfer businesses in this part of the state. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1823 A detailed description of the Tucker-Ferguson Company will be found on another page of this volume, to which the reader is respectfully directed. Politically, Mr. Tucker is a Democrat; however, he votes independently in local matters. Religiously, he is a member of the Christian church. Mr. Tucker was married, August 15, 1897, to Elizabeth Ferguson, who was born, -October 5. 1876, in Springfield. She received a good educa- ttion, and is a daughter of John R., Sr., and Virginia Ferguson. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Tucker, namely: Edward G., Jr., born February 14, 1899, died when seventeen months old;. Florence R., born in 1902; Edna M., born in 1905; Anna E., born in 1907;. Alice B., born in 1911. The daughters are all in school. BRIGHT AND SALTS. Bright and Salts are today among the enterprising and well known business men of Bois D’Arc, where they are engaged in the livery business, their barn being one of the best patronized in the west part of Greene county. They have a modernly equipped barn, which they keep in as neat a manner as possible and their horses are always well groomed and give good service. Their vehicles are also well kept and the firm tries to give prompt and honest service at all times, consequently it is popular with the traveling public. John C. Bright was born in Benton county, Arkansas, February 10, 1881. He is a son of Alfred W. and Kate (Maberry) Bright, both long since deceased. John C. Bright grew to manhood in his native state and worked on a farm when a boy, and he received his education in the common schools.. He continued farming in Arkansas, Oklahoma and Missouri, until 1913, having removed to the last named state in 1905. He is at this writing suc- cessfully engaged in the livery business at Bois D’Arc with Robert A. Salts. Mr. Bright was married February 22, 1908, to Maucl Salts, who was born in Center township, Greene county, Missouri, in December, 1885, and here she grew to womanhood and received her education in die public schools. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bright, namely: Harley A., born June 19, 1909 ; James A., born July 28. 1912. Robert Allen Salts was born in Center township, Greene county, Mis- souri, February 19, 1893. He is a son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Walker) Salts, for years popular and well known farmers of Center township. Robert A. Salts grew to manhood on the home farm, where he worked when a boy, and he received his education in the district schools of his com- 1824 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. munity. He engaged in general farming until 1914, when he went in busi- ness with his brother-in-law, John C. Bright, at Bois D’Arc, a member of the livery firm of Bright & Salts. Mr. Salts married on January 13, 1912, Zula Shumate, who was born, September 3, 1895. Politically Mr. Salts is a Progressive, and religiously he is a Baptist. He is a young man of much energy and is straight-forward in his dealings with the public. AMMON KNIGHTEN. It is now becoming generally understood that the life of the man who lives closest to nature is the best life, and no class of men are in better position to receive the benefits which are thus to be derived than farmers. You study the merchant, the professional man, the artist, the preacher, statesmen and inventor to find their lives no more excellent than the lives of mechanics or farmers. While the farmer stands at the head of art as found in nature, the others get but glimpses of the delights of nature in its various elements and moods. Ammon Knighten, one of the most progres- sive general farmers and stockmen of Franklin township, Greene county, is one of our worthy citizens who has ever taken a delight in nature and exist- ence, because he has been in touch with the springs of life, having spent his years on the farm. Mr. Knighten was born on November 26, 1854, in Lawrence county, Arkansas. He is a son of William York Knighten and Sarah (Archey) Knighten, both natives of that state also, the father’s birth occurring in Lawrence county, December 28, 1826, and there he grew to manhood and married. He was a life-long farmer. He remained in his native state until 1873 when he came with his family to Dade county, Missouri, where he farmed a year, then moved to Webster county, and a year later took up his residence in Dallas county, where he bought a farm of eighty acres on which he spent the rest of his life, dying there at the advanced age of eighty-two years. He was a successful general farmer and handled a great deal of live stock. He owned nearly four hundred acres of good land in Arkansas. He was three times married, first to a Miss Phillips, and to this union one child was born, Mrs. Sarah Thorne. The second wife of William Y. Knighten was known in her maidenhood as Sarah Archer, and to them eight children were born, namely: John Amonet is a practicing physician of Springfield: Ammon, subject of this sketch; William Thomas lives in Dade county, Mis- souri; Alice is deceased; William York, Jr., died in Greene county in 1901; Laura died in infancy; Mrs. Radie West lives in Lebanon, Laclede county, GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1825 this state; Mrs. Effie Le Hew lives in Wisconsin. The mother of the above named children died on the home farm in Dallas comity, Missouri, in Feb- ruary, 1877. The third marriage of William Y. Ivnighten was to Sally Stever, a native of Webster county, Missouri, and to this union four children were born, namely; Bogie, deceased; Mrs. Minnie Williams lives in Dallas county, this state; Winfrey also lives in that county; and Bertram, who lived on the farm with the subject of this sketch, died in 1894. Politically, Will- iam Y. Knighten was a Democrat, and he belonged to the Christian church. Ammon Knighten grew to manhood on the home farm where he worked when a boy, and he received a common school education. He came to Greene county in January, 1891, locating at Hickory Barrens, Franklin township, ten miles northeast of Springfield. He learned the blacksmith’s trade at Marshfield, Webster county, and there he maintained a shop for some time, and also had a shop at Hickory Barrens, where he spent eight years. He was regarded at both places as an exceptionally highly skilled workman. Pie also operated a store at the latter place, which he finally traded for a farm, and has since followed farming. He located on his present fine farm (The Mansel Putman homestead) in 1900. It is- known as “The Prairie View Stock Farm.” In connection with general farming he raises live stock in large numbers, specializing in Aberdeen and Galloway cattle, mostly the latter breed. His registered pedigree bull “Laddie,” an Aberdeen, known as “Prairie View Laddie No. 4,” was bred by J. M. Jones, of Everton, Missouri. It is the sire of “Laddie Blanchard," and its register number is 1 77435. Mr. Knighten’s fine stock is greatly admired by all, being superior quality. His farm contains over four hundred acres of excellent land. It is nearly all under cultivation, a small portion being in timber. It is well improved in every way, and he has a substantial and convenient group of buildings. Everything about his place denotes thrift and good management. He also raises good horses, and the many cattle that he raises are sold to local buyers. He is one of the best judges of live stock in the county. He built his present handsome residence in 1906, and has made most of the other improvements on his farm. Mr. Knighten was twice married, first, to Mary E. Dotson, July 10, 1873. She was born in Polk county, Missouri, but was reared in Arkansas. Her death occurred in 1891. To this union five children were born, namely: Samuel Arthur, who lives in Franklin township, near Fair Grove; Ida died when six years of age; Lona, wife of Claude L. Headlee, lives in Franklin township (a sketch of Mr. Headlee and family appears on another page of this work) ; John Albert is deceased; Pearl is also deceased. On May 6, 1900, Mr. Knighten married for his second wife, Mary Jane Putman, a daughter of Mansel and Minerva ( James) Putman. This sec- (ii5) 1826 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. ond union has been without issue. A sketch of the Putman family will be found in another part of this volume. Politically, Air. Knighten is a Democrat, and fraternally he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Fair Grove. He was reared in the faith of the Missionary Baptist church. Fie is a congenial, quiet, plain gentleman and it is a pleasure to talk to him and visit his hospitable home. He is a man of strong intellectual endowment, and is deserving of much credit for his large success in life. ANDREW B. DUNCAN. It requires not only close application and studious habits to succeed in this day and age as a photographer, but also a natural esthetic taste. These characteristics are undoubtedly possessed by Andrew B. Duncan, one of the leading photographers of Springfield and southwestern Missouri, a man whose work has kept well abreast of the times and whose studio it is a pleasure to inspect by those who delight in and appreciate art of a high order. Air. Duncan was born, April 20, 1850, in Ontario, Canada. He is a son of Donald McDonald Duncan and Dorothy (Gennett) Duncan. The father was born near Grennock, Scotland, January 15, 1812, and the mother was a native of Ireland, born in 1815. They grew up in the British Isles and received limited educations, were married there and remained in that country until they emigrated to Canada, and there they kept an inn until the father's death in the year 1864. The mother died in Ottawa, Canada, in 1873. The maternal grandfather of our subject was captain of the Coast Guards in Cork, Ireland. His name was Andrew Bennett. Nine children were born to Donald M. Duncan and wife, only three of whom survive at this writing, namely: Isabelle, Andrew B., and Frederick T. Andrew B. Duncan grew to manhood in Canada and he received his education in the common and high schools of Ottawa. When a young man he took a position with the Singer Alanufacturing Company in Montreal, which he held for some time, and was in the sewing machine business for a period of twenty years, during which time he became thoroughly conversant with every phase of the business and made a success. He came to Kansas City, Missouri, in 1886, where he was connected with the White Sewing Machine Company for a period of five years. In 1891 he began his career as photographer for which he had not only a natural liking but a decided innate ability and consequently was successful from the start. For ten years he was official photographer for the Frisco railroad, using his own private GREENE COUNTY^ MISSOURI. 1827 car, which was a model in every respect of its kind. He traveled extensively and did high grade work for which he was commended by the officials of the road. He came to Springfield in 1903 and located at the old Sittler place on St. Louis street. He was burned out there and he then moved to his present location. Since coming to this city he has enjoyed a large and con- stantly-growing business and his neat and modernly appointed studio is visited by people from all over the Southwest. His work is high-grade in every respect. He is an expert at posing as well as in finishing and he is never behind in the changing styles in his art. Mr. Duncan was married on December 22, 1873, Arnprior, Canada, to Mary Lyon, a native of that place, where she was reared and educated. The union of our subject and wife has been without issue. Mr. Duncan is a member of the Masonic Order, including the Knights Templar and Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He holds membership in the Calvary Presbyterian church. HOLLAND DAIRY FARM. During the past few years it has been demonstrated beyond a question of a doubt that the best paying dairy is the one that is most sanitary and managed under scientific methods, although the expense of proper equip- ment and maintenance may be large, in the end the outlay is not regretted. Those who own dairies nowadays pay more attention to the comfort of their stock than in former years. Barns are kept clean and filled with light and air, are built with cement floors, windows for ventilation, much attention paid to an adequate supply of fresh water and high-grade food ; in fact, there has been as much progress made in dairying as in most other lines of in- dustry during the past decade. One of the most up-to-date, sanitary and successful dairies in Greene and surrounding counties is the Holland Dairy, owned and operated by Charles Holland, on his fine farm of four hundred and forty acres just west of Springfield, and the fame of this model dairy is far-reaching. It is often visited by people from other parts of Missouri and other states for the purpose of getting ideas for the establishment of dairies or improv- ing those already established. Here is to be seen a one-story concrete housing barn, thirty-six by one hundred and ten feet, complete with “Star” equipment; three silos with a capacity of five hundred tons. He keeps an average of fifty head of high- grade Holstein cows, the best that the market affords, and his herd is given the tuberculosis test twice a year. The cows are milked by Sharpies milkers. 1828 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. The milk is never exposed to the air, going direct from the machine to the cooler, where the temperature is reduced from one hundred and one degrees to forty-four degrees, and from there to the bottling machine. All this machinery is thoroughly cleaned by steam and hand. One hundred and fifty gallons of milk are produced daily in this dairy. The tubular coolers are made of one and one-half inch copper tubes, which are tinned on the inside as well as on the outside. The tubes are made of sufficient gauge to with- stand high pressure. Heavy tinned brass strips fill up the spaces between the tubes. The cooler represents a continuous surface on both sides, which facilitates the cleaning. Brass plugs are provided so as to be able to clean the inside of the tubes and free them from any sediment. All coolers are made with double waterway connections. They are figured on a basis of twenty square feet of cooling surface to each one thousand pounds of milk or cream cooled. A double end milk bottle filler is used, quarts at one end; pints, half pints or quarter pints at the other. It is installed in a regular bot- tling house, where four hundred and fifty bottles are prepared daily for the trade and sent to the Springfield market in attractive delivery wagons, especially designed for the purpose. The most approved stanchions are to be seen in the milking barn. The Holland Dairy has been frequently praised by leading dairymen of the country and much written of in dairy publications. Charles Holland, owner and manager of this dairy and surrounding farm, was born on November 9, 1879, in Springfield, Missouri. He is a son of T. B. and Bertonia (Hamilton) Holland, for a long lapse of years one of the prominent families of this locality, and of whom extended mention is made on other pages of this work. Charles Holland grew to manhood in his native city, and after attending the common schools, entered Drury College, where he spent three years, later was a student for four years in the Webb School at Bellbuclde, Ten- nesee, and was graduated from that institution in 1902. He then spent a year in Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennesee, after which he entered the employ of the Holland Banking Company in his native city, and con- tinued in the same until 1907, when he went into the live stock business, importing Coach and Percheron horses from France. He continued suc- cessfully in this business until January 1, 1914, when he sold out and has dis- continued this line of endeavor. In 1912, he began operating the Holland Dairy Farms, and this is now claiming his chief attention and it has been a most successful venture in every respect. Mr. Holland was married April 18, 1900, to Louise Massey, a daughter of Frank R. and Sallie (Jones) Massey, one of the best known and in- fluential families of Springfield, in which city Mrs. Holland was born on GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1829 April 25, 1879, and here she grew to womanhood and was educated. She has long been popular with the best clubs and social circles and is a lady of many pleasing attributes. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Holland has resulted in the birth of four children, named as follows: Colley B., born on July 7, 1901; Charles, Jr., born in March, 1903 ; R. Massey, born on May 7, 1905; Richard H., born on May 9, 1907. They are all attending school, and are lads of much promise. Politically, Mr. Holland is a Democrat. He is a member of the Spring- field Club, and fraternally belongs to the Masonic order, in which he has attained the thirty-second degree, and he also belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. ELMER D. SQUIBB. The people of Bois D’Arc and vicinity point to Elmer D. Squibb, well- known jeweler and optician, as one of their most valued citizens, admiring him for his high moral character; for his life among them since his birth, some four decades ago, may well be likened unto an open book. That they place implicit confidence in him is evidenced by the fact that he is re- garded as one of the leaders in public affairs and is now serving them as postmaster. The duties of the various positions of trust which he has been called upon to fill have been discharged with credit. Mr. Squibb was born in Bois D’Arc, Greene county, Missouri, May 11, 1875. He is a son of Joseph D. and Sarah (Leeper) Squibb. The name began from the Spanish Esquivel, and passed through France as Esquib, thence to Reading, Gerkshire, England, as Squibb, thence to Nova Scotia, and from there to Brooklyn, New York, where Dr. Edward R. Squibb established what is known today as the oldest chemical laboratory in the world. William P. Squibb and descendants are at Lawrenceburg, Indiana. John W. Squibb and descendants are known in Greene county, Tennessee, while James Squibb, the paternal grandfather of our subject, came and set- tled in Greene county, Missouri, in the early forties, where eight sons and one daughter, forty grandchildren and seventy great-grandchildren survived him in 1914. Joseph D. Squibb, father of our subject, is today living in Center township, carrying on general farming, operating about five hundred acres, practically all of which is under cultivation. He has reached the age of sixty-four years and is well preserved and can do as much work as ever. Mrs. Sarah Squibb, mother of our subject, died in November, 1877. She was a daughter of Andrew Leeper and wife,, who were natives of Greene GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 183O county, Tennessee, and came into Greene county, Missouri, in the early forties and were among the first settlers. 'Here they first established the Leeper home. They have long since passed over the River of Time. Elmer D. Squibb grew to manhood in Bois D’Arc and received his edu- cation m the public schools here, later attending for one year the Marion- ville Collegiate Institute at Marionville, Lawrence county, then studied in the Scarrett College at Neosho, Missouri, one year. From 1892 to 1899 he ran a drug store and studied pharmacy, passing the state board’s examina- tion in 1906. In 1899 he engaged in the grocery business. In 1900 he at- tended the Horological school at Omaha, Nebraska, from which he was duly graduated as a jeweler and optician, and in 1901 established his present store in Bois D’Arc, which he has since conducted with much success, enjoying a large business with the surrounding country. He carries a carefully selected line of jewelry, diamonds, watches, clocks, fobs, chains, bracelets, lockets, rings, charms, eye glasses, etc., and he has met with pronounced success as an optician. His repair work is regarded as high-grade. On December 26, 1902, Mr. Squibb was appointed postmaster at Bois D’Arc and has since served in this capacity in a manner highly accept- able to the people and the department. Politically, he is a Republican, and has been very active in political affairs for some time. He served one term as constable of his township and in 1912 made the race for treasurer, but went down in the general defeat of his party. He was township committee- man from 1902 to 1908. Fraternally, he belongs to Lodge No. 449, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and has been worshipful master for about eight years; he belongs to Ash Grove Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, and Zebud Council of Royal and Select Masters, of Springfield; he is also a member of Ash Grove Lodge No. 422, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Woodmen of the World, of which he has been secretary for four years, and is also a member of the Woodmen of the World Circle. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Squibb was married, May 11, 1898, 40 Maude M. Frame, who was born, April 18, 1879. She is a daughter of J. W. and Delilah (Jones) Frame. Her father was born September 28, 1855, and her mother was born, February 12, 1852; the latter’s death occurred March 1, 1883. Mrs. Squibb is a member of the Order of Eastern Star, Ash Grove Chapter, No. 109. She is deputy postmaster at Bois D’Arc. She is one of three children by her father's first marriage: Homer G., who is a practicing physician at Cave Spring; Mrs. Squibb was next in order of birth, and Rosalee, who mar- ried Walter E. Baker, a merchant of Bois D’Arc. Mrs. Squibb received her education in the public schools in Bois D’Arc and is a graduate of Omaha Optical Institute, Omaha, Nebraska. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 183I JOHN FRANKLIN MASON. While splendid success has come to John Franklin Mason, he has ever been actuated by the spirit of Lincoln in his sentiment: “There is some- thing better than making a living — making a life.” He was formerly one of the enterprising business men of Ash Grove, and is now the efficient recorder of Greene county and makes his home in Springfield. Beginning in a comparatively humble position in life he has made his way to a place of substance and honor entirely through his own efforts and yet he has not con- sidered his private interests only, but rather has given greater consideration to the public welfare, for which he has ever been ready to make sacrifices. Mr. Mason was born, November 26, 1868, on a farm near Halltown, Lawrence county, Missouri. He is a son of Reuben B. and Mary E. (Rich- ardson) Mason. The father was born in Lawrence county, this state, on January 13, 1843, and was a son of Abraham and Hulda (Bodenhamer) Mason. Abraham Mason was a native of North Carolina, where he spent his earlier years, and removed to Indiana in 1838. In 1841 he came West and settled in Lawrence county, Missouri, where he entered a large tract of land, which he cleared and on which he carried on general farming until his death, which occurred in 1861. He was one of the influential citizens in that county in pioneer times. Politically, he was a Whig. Flis wife, who was also a native of North Carolina, died on the home place in Lawrence county, July 25, 1880. Reuben M. Mason grew to manhood on the home farm and he received a common school education ; he followed farming all his life, with the exception of the time he spent in the Union army during the Civil war as a member of the Seventy-fourth Missouri Militia, and later as a member of Company A, Sixteenth Missouri Cavalry. He saw con- siderable active service and made a good record as a soldier, and was hon- orably. discharged and mustered out of the service, June 30, 1865. O11 January 18, 1866, he married Mary E. Richardson, who was born in Law- rence county, Missouri, October 26, 1846. She was a daughter of John W. and Maria L. (Ferris) Richardson. Politically, Reuben B. Mason was a Republican. Flis death occurred on March 27, 1902, but his widow is still living on the homestead near Halltown. John F. Mason grew to manhood on the home farm in Lawrence county where he worked when a boy, and he received his education in the common schools. He worked on the farm until 1898, when he went to Spencer, Missouri, where he spent four years in the mercantile business, and in 1902 moved to Halltown, engaging in the same line of endeavor, enjoying an excellent trade in both places. In 1907 he went to Ash Grove, where he conducted a drug store with success until he was elected to the office of 1832 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. county recorder, November 3, 1914. He carried his township by the largest number of votes that any candidate for county recorder ever received. He was elected by a majority of six hundred and ninety-three votes. He is filling the office in a highly creditable manner, being industrious, prompt and courteous in his dealings with the public. Mr. Mason studied pharmacy and passed the examination required by the state board of pharmacy, November 25, 1911. He had a neat and well stocked store and carried a full line of drugs and drug sundries and he built up a large trade. Mr. Mason was married, January 23, 1898, to Mina Nickel, a daughter of James A. and Jane (Breeden) Nickel, and to this union one child was born, James B. Mason, whose birth occurred on August 10, 1899. The death of the wife and mother occurred September 8, 1903. Mr. Mason was again married on April 10, 1906, to Daisy Smith, a daughter of Gaither and Melvina (Oldham) Smith. To this last union one child has been born, John M. Mason, whose birth occurred July 24, 1908. Politically, Mr. Mason is a Republican, and fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic Order, including the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, the Chapter and the Royal Arch Masons, all of Ash Grove; he also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Woodmen of the World. DAVID MILLER RITTER. We are always glad to talk to the aged veterans of America’s great Civil war, in which nearly five million men took part, but of this vast number only a comparatively few remain with us to tell the interesting story of the dread- ful hardships they endured in their winter camps, in the hospitals, the harass- ing marches, in the battles and skirmishes, or in the prison hells. But their time is short now, so all persons should join in honoring them for sacri- fices they made when they were young and full of the love of life, but which was offered free on the altar of their country. David Miller Ritter of Center township, Greene county, is one of this number. He has made his home in our midst nearly a half century during which he has progressed from a modest beginning as a farmer to one of the largest agriculturists in the township. Mr. Ritter was horn near South Bend, St. Joseph county, Indiana, February 10, 1842. He is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Miller) Ritter, 'fhe father was one of the pioneer settlers of that county, having moved there from Wayne county, Ohio. Our subject traces his ancestry back to the historical Boston “Tea Party,” when Aaron Miller, his maternal GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1833 great-grandfather, assisted in throwing the tea overboard. To Jacob Rit- ter and wife twelve children were born, seven of whom are living, namely: Aaron is a retired farmer of Greene county; William H. H. is a retired farmer of St. Joseph county, Indiana; Franklin is farming in the last- named county; Emeline is the wife of I. N. Miller, a retired farmer of New Carlisle, Indiana; Clarinda B. is the widow of John T. Buchtel, of South Bend, Indiana; Lorinda is the wife of Quinn Bulla, a fruit grower of Pomona, California, and David M. of this sketch. Our subject was reared in his native county and received a good edu- cation in the common schools and the Northern Indiana College at South Bend. In 1862 he enlisted in the Twenty-first Indiana Battery of Light Artillery and served gallantly in the Union army until the close of the war, reaching the rank of corporal. After he was honorably discharged he returned to Indiana, and after a term in college came to Springfield, Mis- souri, in the spring of 1866, accompanied by H. E. Hardman, a former army comrade. They came overland, driving a herd of one thousand sheep. They were three months on the road. They first settled on Leeper Prairie, Greene county, buying forty acres there, selling out two years later and moving near Springfield on the Campbell farm, where they broke seventy acres of prairie for June Campbell, using ox teams for this purpose, having traded their sheep for cattle. They remained with Mr. Campbell three years, then our subject and Mr. Hardman dissolved partnership and Mr. Ritter and his brother Aaron formed a partnership and bought forty acres in the eastern part of Center township, adjoining our subject's present farm. Mr. Ritter of this sketch then homesteaded eighty acres adjoining on the south where he now resides, later purchasing one hundred and sixty acres from the Frisco railroad in Campbell township, but adjoining his home place, the property lying on the eastern boundary of Center and western boundary of Campbell township. Later he purchased forty acres more, making a total of three hundred acres, one hundred and twenty acres of which has been set to an apple orchard, which is one of the largest producers in this section of the Ozarks. His land is all well improved and he has an attractive home and numerous outbuildings. He has been successful as a stock raiser also, giving preference to horses and mules. He is regarded as being exceptionally well informed in general farming subjects as well as horticulture and stock raising. Mr. Ritter was married on May 30, 1872, to Josephine Martin, a daughter of Joseph and Lucinda (Beets) Martin, who came from Anna, Union county, Illinois, to Greene county, Missouri, many years ago and here established their permanent home. Three children have been born to our subject and wife, namely: How- ard J., born on July 4, 1873, was educated in the Springfield high school GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1834 and Drury College, married, in 1907, Ollie Piper, a daughter of Wesley Piper, of Ash Grove, Missouri ; he is engaged in farming, his place lying beside that of his father, our subject; Clara L., born on January 31, 1876, was educated in the Springfield high school, married in September, 1895, Robert L. Toombs, a traveling salesman of Springfield, and they have two children, Robert, Jr., age eighteen; and Ethel May, age sixteen. Ethel E., our subject’s youngest child* was born on April 21, 1878, was educated in the Springfield high school, married, in 1900, Alfred O. Smith, a travel- ing salesman of Springfield, and they have three children, Alfred Ritter, who is now thirteen years old ; Richard Ritter, who is now ten years old ; and Helen Josephine, who is eight years old. Politically, Mr. Ritter is a Republican. BENJAMIN B. COUNTS. “Whatever is, is best” wrote the poet Longfellow. Evidently he did not believe in destiny or good fortune ; rather, any man who blames destiny should blame himself. Good fortune simply means good opportunities that come to every man if he has the sagacity to see and accept that which is offered. Providence rules, but not to the advantage of the lazy and inef- ficient. Every man must be the architect of his success. If he has the right mettle in him he cannot be kept down. If he is made of inferior material he cannot be kept up, though all the world try to elevate him. Benjamin B. Counts knew at the beginning of his career that if he succeeded he would have to be industrious, capable and conscientious, and so he has forged ahead because of these qualities. Mr. Counts was born on March 22, 1874, at Indianapolis, Mahaska county, Iowa. He is a son of James Alexander Counts, a native of West Virginia, where he spent his boyhood and attended school, coming West before the breaking out of the Civil War, but was in Ohio when Lincoln called for troops to suppress the Southern rebellion, so he at once cast his lot with the Union and enlisted in the Forty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which he served as a private for three years, taking part in many of the most important battles of the war. In early life he learned the blacksmith’s trade, at which he became an expert and owned and operated a large shop of his own until three years before his death, when he retired from active life. He died at Afton, Oklahoma, in 1910 at the age of sixty-nine years. Politically he was a Democrat. He belonged to the Masonic order and to the Baptist church. Pie married Margaret L. Houghton, who is living at the homestead in Afton, Oklahoma, being now sixty-seven years of age. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1835 To these parents five children were born, namely: John Vester, formerly a section foreman on the Santa Fe road, is now farming in Oklahoma; Benjamin B., of this sketch; Claudius is a printer by trade and lives at Alhambra, Colorado ; Erma is the wife of Oscar Byers and they live at Afton, Oklahoma; Joat is an electrician and lives at Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Benjamin B. Counts received his education in the public schools, leaving school when seventeen years of - age and went to work for his father at blacksmithing, remaining with him until he was twenty years of age, then married and began working for himself, following his trade, at Senecca, Missouri, where he ran a shop two years, then worked in the lead and zinc mines at Webb City for eight years. He came to 'Springfield on October 5, 1908, and began working in the Frisco’s south side shops as fireman, later being promoted to assistant engineer, which position he held until the spring of 1915, when he resigned and moved to his farm of forty acres near Republic. Mr. Counts was married on February 25, 1893, to Sarah S. Westfall, a daughter of William and Sarah F. (Linger) Westfall, of Afton, Okla- homa. The father was a native of West Virginia. To our subject and wife six children have been born, namely: Bertha is the wife of William F. Hartney, a machinist in the north side Frisco shops, Springfield; the sec- ond child died in infancy unnamed; Mildred lives in St. Louis; Ralph, Cecil and Harold are deceased. Politically Mr. Counts is a Democrat, fraternally he belongs to the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America; he is a mem- ber eh the National Order of Stationary Engineers and religiously he holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. RANSOM BENTON WOODWARD. Life primarily is designed for what joy one can get from it. Happi- ness is the thing we all crave, the thing that we all need, for it best builds character ; it comes from several causes, one a fine state of health. Happily the country affords the ideal place for bodily health and vigor. Happiness comes from the use of the body in vigorous and successful endeavor. Here is where life on the farm comes in strong; there is chance to develop the body perfectly in all manner of healthy work. And there is no need of overworking in the country. Happiness comes, too, from having an appre- ciative mind able to take in the beauty of the world and the delights of one's own environment. This application comes from training, largely. There are men who cannot see with any joy the most serene landscape and even GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1836 view with utter indifference the splendor of the autumn woods. Ransom Benton Woodward is a farmer who fully appreciates the advantages for happiness in a rural life and beauty of the outdoors. Mr. Woodward was born two miles north of Bois D'Arc, Greene county, Missouri, April 3, 1850. He is a son of Jacob and Susan Caroline (Robinson) Woodward. The father was born on September 13, 1819, in Calloway county, Kentucky, and was a son- of Edward Woodward, who was born in Virginia about 1795. The latter’s father immigrated to America from Scotland prior to the Revolutionary war, he and his four brothers working their way across the Atlantic on board an old-fashioned sailing vessel, the trip requiring several months, and they fought under Washing- ton in the Revolutionary war. The father of our subject came to Greene county, Missouri, in 1837 and bought a distillery three miles northeast of Ash Grove, which he operated until about 1850. The first farm on which he lived after locating in this county was rented from Governor Polk. Early in the fifties Jacob Woodward entered one hundred and sixty acres from the government on the Leeper Prairie, now known as the Thorn place, and he remained there until 1857. In 1859 he bought the farm now occu- pied by his son, Ransom B. of this sketch. It lies in section 2, and consists of one hundred and sixty acres. He erected the family home here, which was at that time the only dwelling for miles around. The building is still standing and is used by our subject for storage purposes. During the Civil war Jacob Woodward enlisted in the state militia shortly after hostilities began, under Capt. F. S. Jones, and he remained in the service until the close of the war, and, being an excellent soldier, rose to the rank of orderly sergeant under Gen. C. B. Holland, with whom he fought at the battle of Springfield, January 8, 1863, when General Marmaduke and General Shelby attacked the place. After the war he continued general farming and stock raising. He devoted especial attention to mule raising, up to the time of the war. Ransom B. Woodward was reared on the home farm and his schooling- was limited to about fifteen months in the Kelley school, the only graded school in Greene county at that time. It was under the management of Major E. P. Downing and Professor Crane. Our subject lived at home and assisted with the general work there until he was twenty-seven years old, at which time he married, on October 3, 1877, Margaret Elizabeth McOuigg, a daughter of John W. and Elizabeth Jane (Robberson) McOuigg. The former died on August 16, 1883, but the latter is still living, having survived her husband thirty years. She was born on August 28, 1835. She makes her home with our subject, keeping house for him, his wife having died on September 27, 1911. She was a woman of many praiseworthy charac- GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. i837 teristics and was greatly beloved by all who knew her. She was a good wife and helpmate, and no small part of our subject’s success was due to her counsel, encouragement and sympathy. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Woodward, namely: Freddy Elbert, born in 1881, died in infancy; Edwin Deams, born on October 1, 1882, was educated at Drury College, Springfield, and he returned to the farm in 1902; on September 16, 1904, he married Jessie C. Brower, a daughter of Jesse D. and Mary E. Brower of Center township, this county. He lives on a farm adjoining that of his father and follows general farming. Our subject has devoted a large portion of his time during the past thirty-five years to cattle and mule raising and has been very successful. He now owns two hundred acres in one farm in sections 2 and 3, East Center township, and eighty acres in section 1, this township. The former place is one of the best in the township, has good drainage into Clear creek and is well improved in every way. On it is to be found a substantial resi- dence and good outbuildings ; in fact, two comfortable residences, one of which is occupied by his son. In 1909 Mr. Woodward and wife made an extended trip through the West and Northwest, including visits at Denver, Salt Lake City, Portland, Seattle, Spokane and Billings. After Mrs. Woodward’s death our subject took another trip west as far as Los Angeles, where he spent two weeks, and then visited San Francisco, Oakland, Sacramento, on up the coast to Seattle and Vancouver, British Columbia, remaining six weeks in Seattle. Politically he is a Democrat, and his support has never been withheld from any movement having for its object the general public good. He is a member of the Anti-Horse Thief Association. JAMES L. HECKEN LIVELY. In reviewing the various professional interests of Greene county, the name of Janies L. Heckenlively cannot be ignored, for he has long been one of the most successful and best known architects in the Southwest. Although it is a known fact that, given the ordinary average education and good judgment, any man may niake a success in the avenues of trade, yet in what are known as the fine arts, of which architecture is one, he must be endowed with superior natural attributes and have gone through years of careful study and training to be able to cope with the brilliant minds which do honor to this vocation. Mr. Heckenlively was born on August 18, 1863, in Gentry county, Missouri. He is a son of Jacob and Martha J. (Shisler) Heckenlively. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1838 The father was born in Crawford county, Ohio, May 9, 1838, and the mother was born in Meigs county, Ohio, in April, 1842. They grew to maturity in their native state; they were educated in the early-day schools. The death of Mrs. Heckenlively occurred on March 28, 1914. Mr. Heck- enlively has devoted his active life to agricultural pursuits, and is now living in St. Joseph, Missouri. His father, John Heckenlively, was born in April, 1799, in Germany, where he grew up, was educated and he became a Luth- eran minister. He married Margaret Leffier, who was born in 1803 in Germany. They immigrated to America in an early day, located in Ohio, where they spent the rest of their lives, his death occurring on May 10, 1856. She died on March 24, 1852. Their children are all now deceased except Jacob, father of our subject, he being the youngest child. The family name was originally spelled in Germany as Heckenlaible. Jacob Hecken- lively remained in Ohio until about he was about twenty years of age, when he removed to Iowa, where he resided until he came to Gentry county, Missouri, where he was married, in 1862. Barnabas Shisler, our subject’s maternal grandfather, was born in Ohio. He was an early settler in Gentry county, Missouri. His wife, Susan Consolver, died near Warsaw, this state, as a result of a fall, when nearly one hundred years of age. Politically, Jacob Heckenlively is a Republican. During the Civil war he enlisted from Gentry county in an infantry regiment, and served in the Federal army six months. His family consisted of eight children, seven of whom are still living, namely: James L., of this sketch; John B., born on November 8, 1865, lives in St. Joseph, Missouri; Delila J., born on Feb- ruary 2, 1868, lives in Colorado; Susan E., born on January 4, 1870, lives in Colorado City, Colorado; Della C, born on March 4, 1872, died at Lakin, Kansas, September 28, 1911; Lafayette IL, born on October 11, 1874, lives in Columbus, Montana; Jefferson H., born on March 14, 1878, lives in Harrison county, Missouri; Orville, born on March 14, 1884, lives in El Paso, Texas. James L. Heckenlively received part of his education in Gentry county, Missouri, and there he taught school for some time, later attending the Normal College at Stanberry, this state. He had a decided natural bent toward architecture, which manifested itself when he was a small boy, and when he left school he began the study of this profession with diligence and devotion, making rapid progress, serving an apprenticeship in an architect's office. He also learned the practical end of the business in Stanberry. Later he went to St. Joseph, Missouri, where he continued draughting, studying and carpenter work as well. He got his training by persistent hard work, close application, observation and practical experience. He began life for himself in 1893 at St. Joseph and Stanberry, and in 1894 came to Springfield and he has remained here ever since, and during this GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1839 period of over twenty years his career has been marked by a steady growth, each year finding him further advanced than the preceding. He began on a small scale, but worked up to a large and lucrative business in a reasonably short time in general architecture, including not only all lines of the busi- ness, but also included civil engineering work. He has become widely known throughout this section of the state and his services have long been in good demand in other cities and towns besides Springfield. Among his more important jobs in Springfield may be mentioned the Carnegie Public Library, the high school, Masonic Temple, Grace Methodist Episcopal church, St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal church, South, St. John’s Hospital, nearly all the ward school buildings and many others ; also three buildings of the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, and Indian schools and dor- mitories at Wagoner, Oklahoma. He has attractive offices on the fifth floor of the Landers Building. Mr. Heckenlively was married on June 5, 1889, in Albany, Gentry county, Missouri, to Leanora E. Campbell, who was born in Kentucky. She is a daughter of John P. and Amanda L. (Pelley) Campbell. This was a prominent old Kentucky family, members of which were noted in various walks of life. They emigrated here from the Blue Grass state in an early day and became well established in Missouri by their thrift and industry. Mrs. Heckenlively’s father devoted his active life to general agricultural pursuits. She was given the advantages of an excellent education and is a lady of many admirable characteristics. Two children have been born to our subject and wife, namely: Mepha May died in infancy; Lura F., who is at home with her parents, was educated in the public schools, the high school and Drury College, ah of Springfield, and she made a fine record in all of them. Politically, Mr. Heckenlively is a Republican, but he has never been an office-seeker, although taking much interest in general public affairs, espe- cially as they affect the welfare of his county and state. His family attends the South Street Christian church. He has long been prominent in the Masonic order, his record in the same being as follows: He was made a Mason in Springfield in 1901. Since then he has been worshipful master of the lodge, high priest of the chapter for two terms, commander one term, thrice illustrious master two terms, grand master of the grand council. Royal and Select Masters, in 1914 and 1915; received the Shrine in Spring- field in 1903 and served in all the offices but potentate; was deputy inspector of the Grand Commandery of the Second District in 1909; received the honorary Red Cross of Constantine in Joplin in 1910; was consecrated and anointed into the Order of High Priesthood in Springfield in 1908; is grand representative of the Grand Council of Arkansas and the Grand Chap- ter of Arizona. 1840 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. JOHN BARRETT. There are farmers who might be known as one idea men, for they give too much attention to some particular phase of their work to the neglect of the general system required to make farming a success. Such men may have a bad influence. The man who has a reputation for big crops should study his farming to see if it will bear close critical inspection in its various details. John Barrett, one of the foremost farmers of East Center town- ship, Greene county, does this. He gives such attention as is necessary to produce large yields of all his crops and at the same time keeps his place attractive in every way, thus setting a good example. Mr. Barrett is a scion of one of the earliest pioneer families in this section of the state, and for a period of eighty-six years the Barretts have been well and favorably known in Greene county — good farmers and good citizens. Our subject was born in Center township, this county, December 22, 1873. He is a son of Thomas Lafayette Barrett and Margaret A. (Binns) Barrett, the mother a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Binns. The father of our subject was born on November 10, 1843, in this county, here grew to manhood, attended the early-day subscription schools, and spent his life engaged successfully in general farming and stock raising, and became one of the best known men in the county. His father came from Hawkins county, Tennessee, early in the nineteenth century, and located in Greene county when this country was wild and settlers were few, but he was a man of courage and soon had a home established and land under cultivation. The death of Thomas L. Barrett occurred in 1910, after a life of usefulness and honor. He was married on September 28, 1871, and reared a family of six sons and one daughter, namely : Eldorado married W. H. Yeakley, a farmer of Stockton, Missouri; Walter, who is farming in Center township, Greene county, married Bertha Redfearn of Center township; Arthur, who was graduated from the Missouri State LIniversity, who is farming in Center township, married Afattie Sparkman; Elbert Lee, who is also farming in Center township, married Minnie Sparkman, a sister of his brother’s wife; Thomas V. died on October 3, 1913, at the age of twenty-three years, after securing a good education in the Missouri State University; John, of this sketch; Weldon L., who is in the state university at this writing. Mr. Barrett, of this review, grew to manhood on the homestead, where he assisted with the work during crop seasons when growing to manhood and in the winter time he attended the local schools, obtaining a good educa- tion. He has always followed general farming and lives on the homestead with his mother, the place consisting of four hundred acres of valuable GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1841 and productive land, constituting one of the choice farms of this part of the county. It lies along the Carthage road, eight miles west of Springfield. Mr. Barrett was married on June 4, 1911, to Mary Harris, a daughter of William and Margaret Harris of Republic township, Greene county, where Mrs. Barrett was reared to womanhood and educated. To our sub- ject and wife one child has been born, Esther Margaret Barrett, whose birth occurred on October 1, 1912. Fraternally, Mr. Barrett is a member of Bois D’Arc Lodge No. 449, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, also the modern Woodmen of America and the Anti-Horse Thief Association. Politically he is a Democrat, and he and his family attend the Methodist church. Like his father and grand- father before him, he takes keen interest in all movements looking to the general improvement of his township and county. RAY C. BOYER. Ray C. Boyer was born at Meadville, Crawford county, Pennsylvania, October 27, 1880. He is a son of Lukes Boyer, who was born in Allentown, Lehigh county, Pennsylvania. He was a carpenter and contractor by trade, and spent many years of his life at the city of Meadville, where his death occurred in 1888, and he was buried at Sackerton, Pennsylvania. He was about fifty years of age. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and also belonged to the Lutheran church. His widow, who was known in her maidenhood as Nancy Beige, is now living in Spring- field and is the wife of August Drishaver, a carpenter and contractor. Our subject is the only child by her first marriage, and there are no children by her last marriage. Stephen Boyer, paternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, later moving to Crawford county, that state. He was a tanner by trade, but followed farming in his later life, owning a small farm. The Boyer family is of German extraction, and upon immigrating to America, settled first at Trenton, New Jersey, later locating in Pennsyl- vania. Bovertown, that state, was named after members of this old family, which has lived in the Lhiited States since before the Revolutionary war, in which conflict several of the Boyer men fought under George Washington. Ray C. Boyer spent his boyhood in Pennsylvania, and was educated in the Meadville public schools. Leaving school when seventeen years of age, he began learning the painter’s trade, which he followed three years. ( 1 16) 1842 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. In 1898 he came to Springfield, Missouri, with his mother and stepfather, and secured a position as hostler in the shops of the Kansas City, Ft. Scott & Memphis Railroad. On June 27, 1909, he was promoted by the Frisco, which company leased the former railroad in 1900, to engineer, after he had been working as fireman for some time, and he is at this writing night engineer in the south side shops. Mr. Boyer was married twice, first, in 1904 to Nellie Massey, a daugh- ter of Bud and Thressa (Rathbone) Massey. Her death occurred in Decem- ber, 1905. His second marriage was celebrated in 1908, when he married Eva Massey, a sister of his first wife. Both marriages were without issue. Mr. Boyer is a Democrat. He is a member of the National Associa- tion of Steam Engineers, the Modern Brotherhood of American Engineers and is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. He lives on Wassola street, where he built a cosy home a few years ago. MERTON CLEANTFIUS HOUSE. Although Merton Cleanthus House is a young man, at the age when most boys are just getting started in life, lie is holding a responsible posi- tion, that of foreman of the O. K. Weld plant in the north side Frisco shops, Springfield. This position was secured not through any streak of luck or by the aid of influential friends but through his own merit, . because he was prepared and had the right ideas of what an employe should do, namely: that he should strive to do high-grade, honest, conscientious work promptly. Such a course, where there is good judgment and average abil- ity to begin with, always leads to gratifying results. Mr. House hails from a section of the Union that has not sent many citizens to Greene county, having been born on a farm in Steele county, Minnesota, December 24, 1887. He is a son of Lorenzo Jackson House, a native of the state of New York where his earlier years were spent, finally removing to St. Paul, Minnesota, later to a farm near Meriden, that state. Finally selling his farm there he came to Conway, Missouri, where he con- tinued farming five years, then engaged in the butcher business for awhile. As a result of an accident while thus engaged which incapacitated him for further physical work, he removed to Spring'fielcl in 1901 and worked for the Van Noy News Company until 1911 in which year his health failed com- pletely and he was bedfast until his death in December, 1913, at the age of fifty-eight years. Politically he was a Republican. He belonged to the Woodmen of the World and the Methodist Episcopal church. The mother of our subject was known in her maidenhood as Lizzie GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1843 Ross. She is now sixty-four years of age, and is living with her daughter Sadie at Caney, Kansas. To Lorenzo J. House and wife four children were born, namely: Mer- ton C. of this sketch ; Sadie married S. A. Baclgley, a painter by trade, of Caney, Kansas; Annie B., married O. M. Martin, died in November, 1913; Raymond is a barber in Springfield. Merton C. House was reared on the farm where he worked when a boy, and he received his education in the public schools of Conway, Mis- souri, but left school when only fourteen years of age to begin life for him- self. He came to Springfield and went to work in the Eagle Pencil Factory, where he remained two years, then learned the tailor’s trade, working at the same with a number of Springfield tailors for a period of eight years, and became quite expert in this line, especially as presser and bushelman, but owing to failing health was finally compelled to give up the work. His next employment was in the tin department of the Frisco’s north side shops, under G. A. Holder; where he spent one year, then, on November 4, 1913, he was placed in charge of the O. K. Weld plant there, which position he has since held to the satisfaction of his employers, being regarded as one of the most efficient foremen this department has ever had. Mr. Plouse was married on Easter Sunday, 1911, to Mamie A. Molen, a daughter of John Molen, a farmer in Arkansas. Mrs. House grew up on the farm and received a common school education. The union of our sub- ject and wife has been without issue. Mr. House is a member of the Knights and Ladies of Security, and he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church, South. EDWARD J. DeWITT. It has not been so very long ago that a number of immigrants from our older Eastern states coming to Missouri could procure good new land and thereby get a start with small capital. Now the new lands of our country that can be profitably farmed are practically all occupied. The only course left for the American farmer to pursue is to adopt a system of farming that will not only build up and maintain, but will increase the production of the land. The dairy cow seems to be the means through which a part of our farmers are destined to do this. One of the citizens of Center town- ship, Greene county, who secured new land upon casting his lot with us is Edward J. DeWitt, and this he developed intelligently and now has a good farm and has been making a comfortable living all the while. Like many of our worthy population he hails from grand old Vir- GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1844 ginia, his birth having occurred in Bedford county, that state, January 17, 1840. lie is a son of Elisha D. and Susan (Coleman) DeWitt, both of whom were natives of Virginia, where they grew up, were educated and married and established their home. Their parents came from Scotland, so our subject is of Scotch descent from both sides of the house and he manifests many traits of that excellent race. These two families immi- grated to the United States prior to the war of 1812. Ten children were born to Elisha D. DeWitt and wife, five of whom are living, namely: Lafayette is a tobacco manufacturer of Lynchburg, Virginia; Marion is farming in Bedford county, Virginia; Mary is the wife of John Thomas- son, a sales agent for a carriage manufacturing concern of Lynchburg, Vir- ginia; Eliza is the wife of William Owens, a farmer of Bedford county, Virginia; and Edward J. of this sketch. /Ml three of these sons served through the Civil war in the same company. Edward J. DeWitt grew to manhood on the home farm in his native county in the Old Dominion and there he worked during vacations, attend- ing the common schools in the winter time. He remained at home until he was twenty-one years of age when he enlisted in the Tenth Virginia Artillery, Lee’s army, at the commencement of the Civil war and remained in the service until Lee’s surrender, April 16, 1865. He proved to be a faithful soldier and rose to the rank of sergeant. He took part in many of the important battles and campaigns of the war. After being mustered out he returned home where he remained until October 26, 1866, when he married Mollie Coleman, a daughter of William and Amelia (Wooley) Coleman of Bedford county, Virginia. Upon his marriage he moved to near Kiser, West Virginia, where he rented a farm and resided until 1873 in which year he came to Greene county, Missouri, locating in Campbell township where he lived four years, then bought his present farm of eighty acres in Section 12, Township 29, Range 23, Center township, the same having been formerly the property of the St. Louis & San Francisco Rail- road Company, and Mr. DeWitt was the first person to secure a deed to the property. He cleared it up and placed it under good improvements and cultivation. To Mr. and Mrs. DeWitt two children have been born, namely: Willit J., born on August 13, 1874, received a public school education and lived at home until his death. January 13, 1907; Monnie P., born on December 14, 1882, married on November 22, 1905, to Elmer Reynolds of Springfield, he being in the service of the Frisco lines at that place; they have three chil- dren, May who is eight years old, Clarence who is five years old, and Ernest who is one year old. Mrs. DeWitt’s family has a commendable war record. Two of her brothers were killed in battle during the Civil war, another was wounded, GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1 845 and one served out his enlistment without accident. They were all in the Southern army. Our subject and wife have been lifelong members of the Methodist Episcopal church, South. Politically he is a Democrat. MADISON ANDREW BROWER. The man who produces double the customary crop assumes a leadership that brings responsibilities. His farm is an object of interest. When his work becomes known and his methods discussed he is called a model farmer. Others want to see and learn, and then do likewise. One of the farmers of Center township, Greene county, who not only raises big crops, but who keeps his farm in an attractive condition, everything well cared for, thus presenting to the visitor a pleasing appearance, is Madison Andrew Brower. Mr. Brower was born in the above named township and county on December 2, 1869. He is a son of John Robinson Brower and Sarah Ann (Spoon) Brower. The father came from North Carolina before the Civil war and located in Center township, this county ; the mother also came here from North Carolina about the same time, and here they were married and spent the rest of their lives on a farm, the father dying in 1899 and the mother passing away in 1908. They were the parents of nine children, seven of whom are living at this writing, namely : Louise married Daniel Henley, a farmer of Oklahoma; James is farming in Center township. Greene county ; Calvin H. is teaching school in Center township ; Etta mar- ried L. G. Reynolds, who is employed by the International Harvester Com- pany and stationed at Springfield; Ella married John Cook, a farmer of Oklahoma; Lizzie married Edward Miner, a farmer of Center township; and Madison A., of this sketch. Mr. Brower of this review grew to manhood on the home farm, where he worked when a boy during vacations, and he received his education in the public schools of his community. He has always followed farming. He remained with his parents until he was married when twenty-six years old. He moved to his present excellent farm of one hundred and sixtv acres in section 13, East Center township, in 1904, which he purchased at that time. He also owns one hundred and sixty acres in section 23 of the same township. His farm is one of the best improved and best kept in the township and it lies on the Carthage road, five miles west of Springfield, occupying one of the highest points in this part of the Ozarks. It is well drained and very productive, having produced a number of record crops. In connection with general farming he pays considerable attention to hog 1846 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. raising, making a specialty of pure bred Poland-China hogs, and has been more than ordinarily successful in this line. His dwelling and other build- ings are substantial and neat in appearance, and everything denotes good management about his place. Mr. Brower was married on May 10, 1895, to Mrs. Mary Ann ( John- son) Wilson, widow of J. H. Wilson and a daughter of Ellis and Rachel Johnson, early settlers of West Center township, where she grew to woman- hood and received her education. Two children have been born to our subject and wife, namely: Lillian, born on July 13, 1897, and Claude, born on June 19, 1900. They are both at home with their parents. Fraternally, Mr. Brower is a member of Elwood Lodge No. 278, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, also the Elwood Lodge of Modern Woodmen of America. Politically he is a Democrat, and he has always manifested a good citizen's interest in local public affairs. He attends the Methodist Episcopal church, South. GREEN IRWIN BLANCHARD. There is a recess in every man’s brain that answers to the call of the wilderness, a heritage of pre-historic origin which will be with us always. If given the opportunity, it will respond at once to nature’s beauty and depth. What is more natural than man’s love for the conditions and envi- ronment that gave him food and shelter, enabling him to live during the dawn of his existence? Thus it is easy to understand why many of us prefer the country and life on the farm to that of the city. One such family is the Blanchards of whom Green Irwin Blanchard, of Center town- ship, Greene county, is a creditable representative. For generations they have tilled the soil, made a good living and been happy. The older members knew what it was to fight the wilderness in order to live, but this they did courageously and successfully, and never complained that their lot was hard. Mr. Blanchard was born on December 17, 1838, at Russelville, Logan county, Kentucky. He is a son of Henry Hudson Blanchard and Mary (Patton) Blanchard, both of whom were born, reared and educated in that county and state and there they were married and established their home. Their parents were from North Carolina, immigrating to the Blue Grass state in an early day. The family is of English origin but for the last four generations they have lived in the United States. When our subject was one year old he was brought by his parents in 1839 to Greene county, Mis- souri, the family locating in Center township on what is known as Leeper’s GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1847 Prairie and theirs was the first house built in that neighborhood, their near- est neighbor being over three miles away. When Henry H. Blanchard landed in the wilds of this locality his worldly possessions consisted of a broken down wagon, a team of ponies in the same condition and five dollars in money; but, being a man of enterprise, he forged ahead and at the time of his death in 1862 he had acquired over three hundred acres of good land, several hundred head of live stock and a competency, besides a comfortable home. This was considered quite an achievement for those days and proves the sterling mettle from which the Blanchards are made. His family con- sisted of but two sons. Green I. of this sketch and John A., who was born in 1836. The latter received his education in the district schools of Greene county and here worked on the home farm when a boy, and he devoted his active life to general farming. Pie took a deep interest in public affairs and in 1872 was elected recorder of deeds of Greene county, the duties of which office he ably discharged for four vears, then moved back to the farm, and later he served fourteen years as justice of the peace and was a member of the school board for several years, giving satisfaction as a public servant in every respect; in fact, he was a strong personality and influential in his locality. His death occurred in 1895. Green 1. Blanchard grew to manhood on the home farm in Center township where he worked when a boy and he received his education in the schools of his community, attending subscription schools until he was fifteen years old, after which the public schools being established he attended them until he was twenty-one years old. He was twelve years old when the family moved to within a mile of Elwood and there our subject lived until his marriage in i860 to Mary Eaton, who died in 1884. For his second wife he married Mrs. Mary E. Lawdermilk, nee Craven, a daughter of Thomas G. and Mary Craven, of Center township, in September, 1886. The first marriage resulted in the birth of seven children, six of whom are still living, namely : Dora A., born on September 26, 1865, married in 1883 A. A. Vaughan, a cabinet maker in the Frisco shops at Springfield, and they have one child, Earl, born on July 24, 1895; he was graduated from the Springfield public schools, and is now a teacher in a manual train- ing school there. Delia A., born April 2, 1867, married in 1884, B. E. Chastain, a contractor of Springfield; Henry W., born on December 23, 1868, is a conductor on the Rock Island railroad, lives in Kansas City, mar- ried Cora O’Neil in 1890 and they have one child, Irwin, who was born in 1911. Fannie, born on November 9, 1870, married on May 30, 1893, Mil- lard Brady, a railroad man of Parsons, Kansas ; they have one child, Grace, who is now eleven years old; Robert Lee, born on August 12, 1874, who is a conductor on the Missouri Pacific railroad ; he lives in Kansas City, and he married Bernice Gilty of that place. Virginia, born on September 3, i8 4 8 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1877, married F. E. Blockman, a farmer living near Elwood, Center town- ship, and they have two sons, Robert and June, fifteen and thirteen years old, respectively. John M., born on June 25, 1880, was a railroad man and died in Nevada, April 8, 1914; he married Della Kindrix, of Center town- ship, this county, who, with one child, Geraldine, eleven years old, sur- vives him. Our subject’s second wife was born on May 27, 1855, in Randolph county, North Carolina; she was first married to Dr. A. A. Lowdermilk, who died in 1884. She spent her girlhood in North Carolina and there she was educated. When nineteen years of age she removed with her par- ents to Greene county, Missouri, the family locating near Springfield where she lived until her marriage. Our subject has made a success as a general farmer. He moved to his present farm of fifty-five acres in Section 11, Center township, in 1892 and here he has a neat home. Mr. Blanchard was a soldier in the Civil war, having enlisted in May, 1863, in the Sixth Missouri Provisional Militia and served faithfully until August, 1864, with the rank of corporal. Fraternally, he is a member of United Lodge No. 5, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. He belongs to the Baptist church. Politically, he is a Democrat. SAMUEL HERRICK. Not too often can be cited to the discouraged young man starting out in life's serious battle, the lessons to be found in the records of such self- made men as Samuel Herrick, well known transfer and storage man of Springfield. For the life histories of such men are not only interesting but instructive, showing what may be done in this free land of ours despite unfavorable early environment if one has the courage, the will and the grit to do and dare. Mr. Herrick was born in Cole county, Missouri, June 10, 1862. He is a son of Ebenezer and Annie (Truble) Herrick. The father was a farmer, and his death occurred when our subject was twelve years of age. The death of the mother occurred in 1899. Samuel Herrick grew to manhood on the home farm in Cole county, where he worked hard when a boy and there he received his education in the public schools. Although but a boy when his father died, he found it necessary to shoulder heavy responsibilities,- and this early necessity for doing his own thinking and earning his way in the world, while hard at the time, has doubtless been responsible for his success in later life, such train- GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1849 ing- often being of more value to the youth than where they are protected in every respect and have some one to plan and work for them, taking all responsibility off their shoulders. He began supporting himself when six- teen years old and has “hoed his own row” ever since. He has adapted himself to every new condition that he has found necessary to meet and has made a success of his business career. Coming to Springfield when but a boy, Mr. Herrick here worked at a number of different things, including nearly two years in the employ of the G. D. Milligan wholesale grocery house, then worked for eighteen months with the Hadley Wholesale Grocery Company as order clerk, which was also his position with the former firm. He then went with the Keet-Roun- tree Dry Goods Company, where he worked as packing and shipping clerk for a period of eight and one-half years. He was an alert, capable, wide- awake and trustworthy employe, and gave all these firms eminent satisfac- tion. While working for the last named he purchased a span of three-year- old horses and gave a man half what the horses earned by hauling on the streets. He saved his earnings from both sources until 1904, when he began a transfer and storage business in a very small way. He managed his affairs judiciously and his business grew steadily until it has now reached very large proportions, and in addition he sells automobiles, being agent for the well-known Hudson, the Regal and Grant pleasure cars and in trucks he is agent for the General Motor Truck and Dart Trucks. In con- nection with being agent for above named cars he has a general repair shop and sells tires and sundries. He now owns an attractive and modernly appointed home, also three good storage buildings and other properties and is in independent circumstances. One of his rules is to pay cash for every- thing he buys and for all labor performed for him. Mr. Herrick was married on March 4, 1888, to Mary E. Philpott, a daughter of David A. Philpott, a resident of Servis Point, Webster county, Missouri. He is a veteran of the Civil war. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Herrick has resulted in the birth of the following children: Ira Manley, born in Webster county, April 26, 1889, was educated in the Springfield ward and high schools, also a business college here ; he married a Miss Wood. Maude, born in Springfield, March 11, 1891, died in 1899; Nona, born in Springfield, March, 4, 1895, was educated in the Springfield ward and high schools, and business college ; she is single and living at home. Samuel, Jr., born in Springfield, January 21, 1897, was educated in the ward, high schools, and the State Normal of this city. Neoma, born in Springfield, December 5, 1898, was educated in the ward schools and is now attending business college; Otto, born on August 15, 1900; Everett, born May 7, 1907. While Mr. Herrick realizes the fact that he has made splendid advance- 1850 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. ment in life's affairs, he does not take all the credit to himself, admitting that the counsel and sympathy of his good wife has been of great assist- ance to him, and his children have also aided him in many ways; in fact, here is a mutually helpful and happy family. He has built a nice home for his eldest son, costing three thousand five hundred dollars and gave it to him. He has never neglected to do all possible for the welfare of his children and he is a great lover of his home. Politically, Mr. Herrick is a Democrat. He belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Modern Woodmen, and religiously the family are members of the Baptist church. HOWARD STRUNK GLASSMOYER. There is something in the wilderness of nature that seems to appeal to one in a subconscious way, something in the forests, the streams and all the natural nakedness of the lakes, winding waters, trees and grasses that is irresistible. The solitude is attractive. We go to the forest to glory in the silence of its intricacies, yet we care not for silence and solitude, although it is pleasant all around us. We do not feel alone. There are living things here that speak through their very silence, a medium which makes us feel. There are families who are not satisfied away from nature, away from the farm and these not only enjoy existence but also make a comfortable living, being satisfied without the huge earnings that so many city dwellers crave. Such is the Glassmoyer family, who have from generation to generation been, for the most part, tillers of the soil. Howard Strunk Glassmoyer, a farmer of Center township', Greene county, was born near Reading, Pennsylvania, December 22, 1867. He is a son of Peter M. and Caroline (Strunk) Glassmoyer, both of whom were born and reared in the neighborhood of Reading, our subject being born in the same house in which his mother first saw the light of day. His grand- parents were also born in the neighborhood of Reading. The family, for generations, were “Pennsylvania Dutch" and were characterized with the usual thrift and steady habits of that type of our citizens. There the par- ents of our subject grew up, attended the district schools and were married and spent their active lives engaged in farming, the father dying in his native locality in 1887, but the mother, now advanced in years, is still living at Reading. They became the parents of four children, two sons and two daughters, a son and a daughter being now deceased, a daughter is living at Reading. Howard S. Glassmoyer grew to manhood in his native community in GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1851 the old Keystone state and there he worked on the farm and attended the common schools. He has followed farming ever since he was fourteen years of age. He came to Greene county, Missouri, in 1887, and went to work for his uncle, Samuel Strunk, now of Kansas City, Kansas, and his old farm is now owned by the subject of this sketch, he having purchased it in 1907. It consists of four forties and was at one time owned by the St. Louis & San Francisco Railroad Company, and it lies partly in Section 12 and partly in Section 13. He is carrying on general farming and stock raising and has a comfortable home. Our subject was married in 1892 to Anna Johnson, a daughter of Samuel C. and Lucy Johnson, and to this union six children have been born, namely: Margaret E., born in 1894 lives at home and is at this writing teaching in Center township; Earl, born on March 5, 1896, died on March 5, 1901, on his fifth birthday; Otto, born in November, 1897, lives at home and assists his father with the work on the place; Ira S., born in January, 1900; Oren, born in May, 1902; and John, born in April, 1904, are all three attending school. Politically, Mr. Glassmoyer is a Democrat, but has never been active in political affairs. JESSE O. REDFEARN. One farmer may develop particular skill in feeding cattle; another has great success in raising horses; another has a special knack for planning crops, still another farmer can make fruits and vegetables do exceptionally well. Such farmers are experts in these lines of work. They ought to be made the experts for the community so their skill can be brought on to all the farms in the locality. If this could be carried out the production of the farms in any section would be greatly increased. While Jesse O. Redfearn, of Center township, Greene county, does not seem to have specialized on any one phase of agriculture he has studied all carefully and has made a success as a general farmer. His neighbors might do well to observe his methods in many lines. Mr. Redfearn was born in Greene county, Missouri, April 10, 1856. He is a son of Josiah F. and Lucy K. (Bennett) Redfearn, the mother being a daughter of Perminter Bennett, of Tennessee. However, she was born in South Carolina. The father of our subject was born in Tennesese and was a son of Townlev Redfearn. The latter was a farmer and stock man and he migrated to Greene county, Missouri, in the early thirties among the first settlers, worked hard developing a farm from the wilderness and spent the rest of his life here as did his wife, both being buried in the Yeakley GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. I 85 2 cemetery. Their six children were named as follows: Josiah, Jesse, Henry, Louisa, Polly and Susan. They are all deceased. Josiah Redfearn grew up on the home farm, assisting his father clear up the land, and he received a meager education in the old-time subscription schools. His family consisted of five sons and four daughters, namely: Mrs. Harriet E. Hoyal lives at Bois D’Arc, this county; Mary is deceased; Sarah died in infancy; Leonidas died in infancy; Jesse O., of this sketch; George IT. is teaching school at Republic; William E. is engaged in mer- chandising at Bois D’Arc; John Perminter is deceased; Redella A. lives in Bois D’Arc. Politically Josiah Redfearn was a Democrat and during the Civil war he was a member of the State Militia. His death occurred on August 13, 1902, at an advanced age. His wife preceded him to the grave on July 17, 1896. They were buried in the Yeakley cemetery. Jesse O. Redfearn grew to manhood on the home farm where he assisted with the work when a boy and he received a limited education in the country schools. On December 21, 1876, he was united in marriage with Catherine IT. Johnson, a daughter of Richard and Cecilia (Morris) Johnson. The father was a farmer and a native of Greene county, Ten- nessee, from which state he came to this county in an early day and here our subject’s wife grew to womanhood and attended the public schools. Twelve children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, namely: Mary P., deceased; Barton F., deceased; James William, deceased; Mrs. Susan Jane Baker is the wife of a farmer in this county; Mrs. Martha C. Harrelson is also the wife of a Greene county farmer; George C. is deceased; Catherine H., wife of our subject; Benjamin B. lives on a farm in this county; Alexander S. lives in Greene county; Julia Ann is deceased; Joseph Ross lives on a farm in this county; Mrs. Emma D. Dyer lives in California. The following children have been born to Jesse O. Redfearn and wife: Mrs. Bertha C. Barrett is the wife of a Greene county farmer; Mrs. Carrie Jane Sweeney lives at Willard, this county; William Ross died when thirty- two years of age ; Melvin Floyd has remained unmarried and lives in Los Angeles, California; James IT. lives at home; John Carlos married Neva Mayes, November 25, 1914; she is a daughter of J. A. Mayes; J. Clives lives on a farm near the home place; Mrs. Lucy M. Elson is the wife of a Greene county farmer. Mr. Redfearn has devoted his life to general farming. He located on his present place in 1878, which at that time consisted of sixty-three acres, but he prospered with advancing years by hard work and good management and is now owner of a good farm of one hundred and sixty acres. This land was formerly owned by his father. Our subject has made practically all the present improvements on the place. In connection with general farm- GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1 853 ing he makes a specialty of raising blooded live stock, in which he is very successful. Mr. Redfearn is a Republican. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, South. In 1882 he joined Masonic Blue Lodge No. 449 at Bois D'Arc. He is active in church work, being at this writing a trustee in the church where he holds membership, and he has been superintendent of the Sunday school for a period of twenty years. He has also been clerk of the school board in his district for some time. He has assisted in fur- thering any movement calculated to be of general benefit to his community. LEWIS F. PIPKIN. The gentleman of whom the biographer now writes is known as one of the progressive men of affairs of the city of Springfield, having been actively identified with the industrial world in this locality for many years. Mr. Pipkin's well directed efforts in the practical affairs of life, his capable management of his own business interests and his sound judgment have brought to him prosperity, and his life demonstrates what may be accom- plished by the man of energy who is not afraid of work and has the ambi- tion to continue his labors, even in the face of seemingly discouraging circumstances. Our subject has been content to spend his active and useful life in his native county, and he is a product of one of our honored pioneer families, having been born here over a half century ago, he has lived through the wonderful changes that have taken place in this vicinity, his boyhood having been spent in an epoch when practically everything was different from what it is today — when Springfield was little more than a village. Lewis L. Pipkin, secretary and treasurer of the Springfield Grocer}' Company, was born at Fair Grove, Greene county, Missouri, September 14, 1861. He is a son of William H. and Christina (Hoover) Pipkin. The father was a native of Tennessee and the mother was born in North Caro- lina, the birth of the former occurring in the year 1833. These parents spent their earlier lives in the South, attended the early-day schools and migrated to Greene county, Missouri, in frontier days and spent the rest of their lives in this locality, Mr. Pipkin dying here in 1893. He became a successful and well-known business man and was postmaster of Springfield during President Cleveland’s administration, during his first term. At one time he was a candidate for county collector, and was defeated by only eight votes. His friends believed that he had been elected and endeavored to induce him to contest the election, but he refusd to do so. While he took much interest in public affairs he was not an office-seeking politician, how- GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1854 ever, was always willing to do his duty as a good citizen, having at heart the welfare of his city and county. He was known as a man of excellent business ability, broad-minded, well-informed, scrupulously honest and a true friend and genteel gentleman. He was an active church worker and was a delegate to the general conference of the Methodist Episcopal church. South, in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1890, also in 1892. He served for years as a member of the board of stewards of the local church of this denomina- tion and was very prominent in church affairs. The death of his wife occurred in the year 1899. They were the parents of one son and five daughters, all of whom survive at this writing, namely : Lewis F., of this sketch; Cyntha Jane, Margaret Alice, Rosina Ida, Carrie Bell and Mary Etta. Lewis F. Pipkin spent his boyhood at Fair Grove where he attended school until he was seventeen years of age, when he began working in his father's general store at that place. He had a natural bent for mercantile pursuits, and, having ambition to forge to the front in this line, he soon gave evidence of unusual ability. He remained in the store with his father, until the latter removed his family to Springfield in 1879, and here founded the firm of Doling & Pipkin, general merchants, which venture was successful from the first and grew to large proportions with advancing years. The firm retained the services of our subject until 1882, when he accepted a posi- tion in a book store in this city, which business be bought out in 1884, and continued to conduct it with very gratifying results for a period of nearly twenty years or until 1903, when he sold out. During the following year he was connected with the Springfield Traction Company, and in 1904 became associated with the Springfield Wholesale Grocery Company as book- keeper, and in 1909 was elected secretary and treasurer of the company, which responsible position he is still holding in a manner that reflects much credit upon his business ability and to the eminent satisfaction of all concerned. Mr. Pipkin is thoroughly informed upon all details in connection with the grocery business and is one of the prime factors in this great institu- tion, which does an enormous annual business, covering a vast territory in the Southwest. He has a capacity for detail and has introduced new systems which have greatly increased the volume of the business to a large degree. In all his transactions he has proven himself worthy of the trust reposed in him and is faithful to all obligations in every relation of life. Mr. Pipkin was married in Springfield, May 6, 1886, to Lillie Y. Mur- ray, a daughter of Lilburn H. and Asenath L. (Anderson) Murray, one of Springfield’s most prominent families, Mr. Murray having - been one of the leading business men here during a past generation. Here Mrs. Pipkin grew to womanhood and received an excellent education, and here she has long been a favorite with the circles in which she moves. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1855 The union of Mr. and Mrs. Pipkin has been blessed by the birth of the following children: Eula Lillian, Louise M., Marguerite, William H., and Lilburn Murray Pipkin. The family are members of St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal church. South, and are regular attendants. Politically Mr. Pipkin is a Democrat, and he has always taken an active interest in the welfare of his party, par- ticularly as regards its local affairs, and his influence has been most potent for the general good. For three terms he has served as city collector, dis- charging his duties faithfully and with circumspection. He is a member of the Springfield Club, the James River Club, and the Young Men’s Busi- ness Club, and is thoroughly in sympathy with the aims of the last named organization, collaborating with the members in order to increase the com- mercial importance of the Queen City of the Ozarks. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Royal Arcanum. Mr. Pipkin has risen to his present commanding position in the busi- ness world solely through his individual efforts, his industry, fidelity, hon- esty and because he has from the first been an adherent of correct principles and lofty ideals, and his career is most creditable in every respect. JOHN P. WILLIAMSON. It is a pleasure to see a farm like that of John P. Williamson, of Jack- son township, Greene county, in which vicinity he has lived for over sixty- one years and where he is well known. He has seen this community develop from its pioneer environment to its present thriving condition and he has taken a lively interest in this development. Mr. Williamson was born in Bedford county, Tennessee, April 14, 1848. He is a son of Robert H. and Sophia A. (Stevens) Williamson. The father was also born in Bedford county, Tennessee, in October, 1818, and there he was reared on a farm and attended the early-day subscription schools, and there he began life as a farmer, remaining in his native locality until in 1853 when he brought his family overland to Greene county, Mis- souri. He located on one hundred and twenty acres. He was a hard worker and good manager and he. later became owner of a valuable farm of two hundred and forty acres. During the Civil war he served in the Missouri State Militia and was in a number of engagements — skirmishes, but no real battles. He was married in his native state in 1847. He was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. His death occurred on his farm here in 1902, honored and respected by the entire community. His wife was a native of Bedford county, Tennessee, and there she was reared on a farm GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1856 and attended the local schools. Her death occurred on the farm here sev- eral years ago. She was a member of the Baptist church. John P. Williamson was live years old when, in 1853, he accompanied his parents from Tennessee to Greene county, Missouri, and here he grew to manhood on the old homestead where he worked when a boy, and he received his education in the district schools. He remained with his parents until he was twenty-one years of age, then started out in life for himself, buying forty acres on which he worked hard and got a good start. Being industrious and prospering he added to his original purchase until he became owner of an excellent place of one hundred and ninety-three acres — the farm he now occupies. He has a well-kept and neat appearing place, which produces well and on which he carries on general farming and stock raising. He has dealt extensively in live stock in the past and no small portion of his competence has been thus obtained. Mr. Williamson was married on November 27, 1874, to Malinda Davis, who was born in Dallas county, Missouri, April 15, 1853, and there she grew to womanhood on a farm and received her education in the rural schools. She is a daughter of Woodford 1 . and Netty (Highfield) Davis, both par- ents being now deceased. To our subject and wife five children have been born, namely: Robert I., Charles, Mrs. Flora Cole, Floy H., and John I. Politically, Mr. Williamson is a Republican. He belongs to the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and to the Center Christian church. ELISHA DeBOARD. The true western spirit of progress and enterprise is strikingly exem- plified in the lives of such men as Elisha DeBoard, one of Greene county’s most progressive citizens, whose energetic nature and laudable ambition have enabled him to conquer many adverse circumstances and advance stead- ily. He has met and overcome obstacles that would have discouraged many men of less determination and won for himself not only a comfortable com- petency, together with one of the very choice farms of this favored locality, but also a prominent place among the enterprising men of this section of our great commonwealth, and no man is worthier of conspicuous mention in a volume of the province of the one in hand. Mr. DeBoard, one of the leading citizens of Republic, and president of the State Bank of that city, is of Huguenot descent, his more immediate forebears being of the Blue Grass state. His birth occurred at Mt. Ver- non, Kentucky, January 5, i860. He is a son of Abner C. and Susan (Souel) HOME OF ELISHA DkBOARD. t GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1857 DeBoard, and is one of twelve children, five sons and seven daughters. The father was a native of Kentucky where he spent his life, he and his wife dying in that state a number of years ago. Elisha DeBoard grew to manhood in his native state and there received his education in the common schools, adding to this foundation in later years by contact with the business world and by wide home reading. Leav- ing Kentucky when twenty-one years of age he came to Greene county, Mis- souri, and took up farming for his life work. Saving his earnings he pur- chased a farm of his own when twenty-five years old, and by close appli- cation and good management prospered with advancing years. He pur- chased the fine farm on which he now lives near Republic in 1896, and this he has brought up to a high state of cultivation and improvement. It con- sists of three hundred and twenty acres, and on it stands a commodious home in the midst of pleasant surroundings and numerous substantial barns and other buildings. He has been a general farmer and has paid special attention to raising good grades of live stock and preparing them for the markets. In the year 1912 he became interested in the Republic State Bank and is a heavy stockholder in the same, and since 1912 has been president of this popular, sound and safe institution, one of the best banks in this section of the state and one of the most ably and conservatively managed. Its rapid growth and increased prestige of recent years has been due for the most part to the wise management and popularity of its president, who Las ever been a man in whom the people of this locality have reposed the utmost confidence. It was organized in 1912, with a capital stock of ten thousand dollars. A general banking business is carried on under the state laws of Missouri. The other officers of the bank, besides our subject are, Jim Decker, vice-president; Lon Edmondson, cashier; Ray Grove, assistant cashier ; directors, William Pierce, Ed Gammon, Jack Davis, William Beard. The bank has a modern equipment in every respect, safety vault and all conveniences and has a substantial building. Mr. DeBoard was married in July, 1884, to Mary Harlason, who was born, reared and educated in Greene county. She is a daughter of James Harlason and wife, and is one of five children, three sons and two daughters. Mr. Harlason was one of the earliest pioneers of Greene county, having come here in the year 1825 and developed a good farm and became well known. His death occurred' in 1901 at an advanced age. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. DeBoard, namely: Ralph is married and farming in Republic township, this county; Roxie married Milton Paulson, a farmer, and they have two children; Susie is still with her parents; Ruby married Lawrence Britton, a farmer, and they have one child, Don; Glynn is married, lives in Aurora, Missouri, where he (11 7 ) GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1858 worked for the Shendon-Robinson hardware firm; Lucy, William and Fay are all three at home. Politically, Mr. DeBoard is a Republican, but he has never sought to be a leader in public affairs. He and his family attend the Christian church. HARRIS K. DALE. The soil is a great conservator of health, not a menace; its life and death processes are among the most wonderful in nature. “Back to the soil” needs to be a health slogan as well as an economic one. But what kind of soil? The best answer is that of modern scientific farming, which conserves the soil as well as man. Science was long a very artificial thing; but it is now being naturalized, and the encouraging thing is that science pays in efficiency and dollars and cents. Scientific farming is not only the most profitable, but it is one of the greatest conservators of public health. Harris K. Dale is a scientific farmer of Center township, and by reason of his long career as tiller of the soil he has enjoyed the best of health. He has spent nearly a half century in Greene county, where he has worked his own way up from a modest beginning to a position of independence and comfort. He is of German and Welsh descent and up to some seventy-five years ago the name was spelled Dahle, it being simplified at that time to conform to the Anglo-Saxon way of spelling. Our subject was born in Clarion county, Pennsylvania, March 29, 1854. He is a son of Solomon and Kath- erine B. (Zink) Dale. The father was born in Westmoreland county, Penn- sylvania, in October, 1819. His mother was of Welsh descent and the fath- er’s parents were both natives of Germany, from which country they emi- grated to America in an early day and established their home in the old Keystone state. The mother of our subject was born in Clarion county, Pennsylvania, January 6, 1820. The Zink family was of Welsh extraction. These parents grew up in Pennsylvania and there attended the early-day schools and were married there. Solomon Dale, however, received more than the ordinary amount of education for his day, and he became a suc- cessful teacher. He was well informed on a great diversity of subjects and could speak seven different languages. Lie devoted many years to educa- tional work in his native state, but finally took up farming, which he fol- lowed during the latter part of his life. He removed with his family from Pennsylvania to Greene county, Missouri, in 1867, reaching here on Octo- ber 16. They lived a year on a farm a few miles west of the place now owned by the subject of this sketch in Center township. In 1868 Solomon GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1859 Dale bought the farm now owned by his son Harris K. from the Atlantic & Pacific Railroad Company (now the Frisco). It consisted of one hun- dred and sixty acres and now lies on the Carthage road just west of Spring- field. He improved the land by hard work and persistent application and here spent the rest of his life. When the above named railroad was built through Greene county he was employed by the company as interpreter, as many of the gangs of workmen could not speak English and they repre- sented many different nationalities. Politically he was first a Whig, and later a Republican after this party was launched back in the fifties. He took an active interest in public affairs and was influential in politics in his lo- cality. Before leaving Pennsylvania he served as tax collector and as school director, also filling the latter office after coming to Greene county. He was a member of the German Lutheran church in his native .state, but joined the Methodist Episcopal church when he came to this county. His death occurred on August 3, 1874. His widow survived him over thirty years, dying March 3, 1906, at the advanced age of eighty-six years. They were both buried in the Brookline cemetery. To Solomon Dale and wife ten children were born, named ane follows: Margaret E., Isaiah K., Mary M. and Sarah Ann are all deceased; Mrs. Edith Best lives in Kansas City, Kansas; Harris K., of this sketch; Mrs. Emma A. Parker lives in Springfield; Katie, Ceora and Walter Monroe are all three deceased. Harris K. Dale was thirteen years of age when he came with his par- ents to Greene county, Missouri, from Pennsylvania. He received his edu- cation in the public schools of his native state and this county. His brothers and sisters received good educations, mostly in Pennsylvania, and some of them made teachers and taught school in Greene county many years. Our subject worked on the farm when a boy and he has followed general farm- ing all his life, and for some time he has made a specialty of raising fruit and livestock. He began operating a threshing machine of his own in 1878, and followed this work continuously, with the exception of about two years, during the threshing season to the present time, and is one of the best known men in this line of endeavor in this part of the state. He has also operated a clover huller and corn shredder for some time. He holds the record for threshing the greatest number of bushels of wheat of any man in Greene county. He has worked hat'd, managed well, been economical and is now a man of easy circumstances financially, all due to his own efforts along hon- est lines. Mr. Dale was married in Greene county on October 17, 1877, to Sarah J. Robertson, a daughter of William R. and Mary (Saline) Robertson. She was born, reared and educated in this county, where her father was long i86o GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. widely known as a prosperous farmer and stock man, having handled for many years more Shorthorn cattle than any man in the county. The following- children have been born to William R. Robertson and wife: Isabell is the wife of E. R. Shipley, a Greene county farmer; Wil- liam Wesley married Rody World and he is engaged in the grocery busi- ness in Springfield; Sarah J., wife of our subject; Cordelia is the wife of F. G. Cowen, who is connected with a dry goods firm in Kansas City, Kan- sas; John Green is engaged in the grocery business in Springfield; James L. is a wholesale groceryman in Springfield; Florence married Charles Bax- ter, for many years a baker of Kansas City, Kansas, but is now deceased; Nanny died in infancy; Leonidas E. is engaged in business with his brother under the firm name of the Robinson Grocery Company, of Springfield. To Elarris K. Dale and wife one child has been born, Mawdy Irene Dale, who has received an excellent education in the Springfield high school and the old Normal in that city. Politically, Mr. Dale is a Republican and has always been a loyal sup- porter of his party. He has served his community as road commissioner and also as school director. Fraternally, he is a member of the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows, having joined the Elwood lodge eighteen years ago; he also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and to the Re- bekahs. He has done much to promote general public and material inter- ests and, like his father before him, his character has always been unassail- able. JAMES G. MAGILL. Some people seem to forget that a fertile soil is a living, breathing thing, well fed by nature or by the hand of man, with the natural mineral elements and the organic matter necessary for the use of the soil bacteria in the manufacture of plant food, and for a delightful environment in which they can live and work. James G. Magill, a farmer of Center town- ship, Greene county, has not overlooked this fact, and consequently he is making his farm produce good crops annually and is living comfortably as a result of his able management. Mr. Magill was born in Carroll county, Arkansas, March 31, 1853. He is a son of Hugh and Rebecca (Scott) Magill, and as the name would indicate, the family is of Irish descent. Hugh Magill was born in Greene county, Tennessee, where he spent his boyhood and attended school, re- moving to Arkansas when a young man, and lived in Carroll county a num- ber of years, and there he died. The family came to Greene county dur- ing the latter part of the Civil War. Hugh Magill served in a militia regi- GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1861 ment in the early part of the war, but was discharged on account of dis- ability, and died as a result of the sickness he contracted while in the serv- ice, his death occurring on White river in 1862, and he was buried there. His widow is still living, having thus survived him over a half century, be- ing now ninety-two years of age; she is one of the oldest citizens of Greene county, and makes her home with her son, our subject. Politically, Hugh Magill was a Republican and he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. His family consisted of seven children, namely: John, who was a member of Company I, First Missouri Volunteer Infantry, served three years in the Union army and died before the close of the war; Mrs. Ema- line Redfearn is deceased; Mrs. Rachel Wade lives in Christian county, her husband being now deceased; Frances died in early life; James G., subject of this sketch; Mrs. Nancy Carter lives on a farm in Greene county; Hes- ter is the wife of George West and they reside a mile west of the village of Plano, this county. John Scott, maternal grandfather of our subject, was born in Tennessee, where he spent his early life, and from there removed to Arkansas, thence to Missouri. He was living in Springfield at the time of the Civil war. He devoted his active life to general farming. He enlisted in the Pinion army and died while in the service. His family consisted of eight children, four of whom are still living, namely: Mrs. Rebecca Magill, mother of the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Susan Laslay lives in Christian county; Samuel is a carpenter and resides in Springfield; Mrs. Polly Moncly lives in Monett. James G. Magill grew to manhood on the home farm, where he worked hard when a boy, and he received his education in the public schools. He was married in Greene county, in January, 1882, to Sarah West, a daughter of Josiah J. West, a native of Tennessee. His wife was known in her maid- enhood as Angeline M. Mason. Mr. West devoted his life to farming. He emigrated to Missouri in the early forties, being among the first settlers in Greene county, and here he spent the rest of his life on a farm, his death occurring on March 18, 1905, at an advanced age. He was buried in the cemetery at Prospect church. He was a member of the Methodist Episco- pal church. His wife’s father, Josiah Mason, was born in Tennessee, where he resided until about 1837, when he immigrated to Greene county, Mis- souri, among the pioneers. He was a blacksmith by trade, also following farming. He spent the rest of his long life in this county, dying in 1900, and was buried in the Squibb cemetery. The following children were born to Josiah J. West and wife: Mrs. Ellen Mills is living five miles north of Republic, this county ; James lives at Milton, Oregon, where he holds the office of deputy sheriff; William is farming in Greene county; Sarah, wife of the subject of this sketch; Rosa- lia, who married a Mr. Hendrix, is now deceased; John is engaged in farm- 1 862 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. ing in Greene county ; Mrs. Lou Redfearn lives in Greene county ; three other children died in infancy. James G. Magill was twelve years of age when he removed with the rest of the family to Greene county. He has devoted his active life to farming. His father dying when he was young, he had to assume part of the responsibilities of supporting the family, and he knew what hard work meant from the time he was large enough to wield a hoe or axe or hold the plow handles. He located on his present farm in 1910, and has made many good improvements since buying it. He is carrying on general farming and stock raising successfully. He has charge of the Magil Central Tele- phone switchboard. He has no children. Politically, he is a Republican, and he is a member of the Baptist church. PETER KLINGENSMITH. A properly managed farmers’ organization can be used to secure the farmers the benefits that “big business” secures from doing things on a big scale. Many have the idea that nothing can be done in this line unless there is a powerful organization, but this is a mistake — the successful co- operative enterprises have come from small beginnings. One of the pro- gressive farmers of Center township, Greene county, who is always ready to adopt the advanced methods of farming, is Peter Klingensmith. He was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, February 15, 1844. He is a son of Gasper and Barbara (Bush) Klingensmith, and a grandson of Andrew and Susanna Klingensmith. Ancestors on both sides of the house originated in Bavaria, Germany. Andrew Klingensmith’s father emigrated from that country to America in an early day and here spent the rest of his life, dying in Pennsylvania on a farm. Several gen- erations of the family have been farmers. Andrew Klingensmith was a member of the old Lutheran church. His family consisted of eleven chil- dren, eight boys and three girls, all now deceased. Gaspar Klingensmith was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, December 24, 1820. He was a shoemaker by trade. Upon leaving Pennsylvania he located in Trum- bull county, Ohio, where he followed his trade for a short time. Leaving that locality in 1865, h e located in Daviess county, Indiana, where he en- gaged in farming, and there his death occurred November 5, 1885. His wife had preceded him to the grave January 19, 1865. Before moving to Ohio they were members of the old Lutheran church, but at that time they joined the United Brethren church. Politically, he was a Republican. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1863 Peter Bush, father of Mrs. Klingensmith, devoted his life to farming. Pie was twice married; twelve children were born by his first wife and four by his second marriage, hie was a Democrat and a member of the Lutheran church. Peter Klingensmith, our subject, was five years old when his parents removed with him to Ohio. There he grew up and attended the public schools, and when a young man learned the carpenter’s trade. From Ohio he moved to Daviess county, Indiana, and there, on June 17, 1868, he mar- ried Sarah Rodarmel, a daughter of Friend Rodarmel, a native of Indiana, and a son of Joseph Rodarmel, a native of Pennsylvania, but whose father was a native of Germany, from which country he emigrated to. the United States in an early day and settled in the old Keystone state. Friend Ro- darmel was the father of twelve children, four of whom died in infancy, three of them still living, namely: William lives in Knox county, Indiana, where he is engaged in farming; Sarah, wife of our subject, and Marcellus, a farmer of Knox county, Indiana. Politically, Friend Rodarmel was a Republican, and he was road commissioner for some time in his commun- ity. He belonged to the Cumberland Presbyterian church. Idis death oc- curred April 29, 1870. His wife survived him twenty-five years, dying De- cember 23, 1905, at an advanced age. Seven children have been born to our subject and wife, namely: Charles, a carpenter at Bristow, Oklahoma, is married and has seven children. He is a Modern Woodman. Gasper, the second son, who lives at Washington, Indiana, is a carpenter and contractor. He is noble grand of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and also belongs to the Improved Or- der of Red Men. He is married and has five children. Jesse is a carpenter by trade, lives in Greene county, and has a wife and five children. Mrs. Lucy Ginn is the wife of a Greene county farmer and they have three chil- dren. Anna Augusta died when three years of age. Edwin Ray is farming- in Greene county, is married and has two children. Amanda is the wife of Clarence Kindrick, of Elwood, this county, and they have one child. Peter Klingensmith left Indiana in 1888 and came to Cowley county, Kansas, where he resided until 1891, when he moved to Greene county, Mis- souri, locating on his present farm, buying fifty acres, which he has placed under excellent improvements and one on which he has made a comfortable living. He has done a great deal of the work in building and keeping re- paired the famous Carthage road. Politically, he is a Republican, religiously a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and fraternally a member of the Masonic blue lodge No. 449, of Bois D’Arc, but he first became a Mason in Indiana; he also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Elwood, to Encampment No. 1864 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 42 in Springfield, and to Lodge No. 512 Rebekahs, in which he has held several offices. His wife is a member of the Ladies’ Aid Society of the Cen- ter Grove Methodist church, there being thirty-two members in the society, and she is one of the most active. AARON M. RITTER. 'Few men live to the advanced age of Aaron M. Ritter, a venerable citizen of Campbell township, who has passed his eightieth birthday, with- out having changed his life work several times, but it seems that he has been wise in sticking to agricultural pursuits. For it takes a farmer to suc- ceed at farming, just as it takes a clerical man to make a success of office work, an engineer with a locomotive, an architect in architecture, or a mu- sician in music. That man is indeed fortunate who, when young and start- ing out in life, chooses his work wisely, selects the thing for which nature has best adapted him and in which he can make the greatest success in his immediate environment, for both innate ability and one’s surroundings must be taken into consideration. No matter how strong a natural bent one might have for agricultural pursuits, he could not display that faculty to advantage on the banks of the Red Sea. Our subject has made a success of his chosen life work because he was fitted for it and because he located in a country propitious for general farming. Lie has been a resident of Greene county forty-five years. Mr. Ritter was born May 25, 1834, in St. Joseph county, Indiana, near the city of South Bend. He is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Miller) Rit- ter, and a grandson of John and Mary (Gauver) Ritter. John Ritter was born in Ohio, but his father was a native of Germany, from which country he came to the United States when young, in the old Colonial period, and he was living in Massachusetts at the time of the famous Boston “tea party,” in which he participated. He lived to be eighty-seven years of age. John Ritter grew up in Ohio and married there, later establishing his home in Wayne county, subsequently removing to Portish Prairie, thence to Iowa, in which state he died. He was one of the pioneers in the last named state. He devoted his life to farming. His family consisted of ten children. Po- litically, he was a Whig, and religiously a Dunkard. His oldest son, Jacob Ritter, father of our subject, was probably born in Ohio. He went to Wayne county when a young man, being one of the first settlers in that part of the state of Indiana. He resided there about twenty years, or until his death. His wife, Elizabeth Miller, was a daughter of Daniel and Sarah (Hardman) Miller. Her father was a minister in the Dunkard church. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1865. To Jacob Ritter and wife twelve children were born, seven of whom are still living. Aaron M., of this sketch, was the fourth child in order of birth. The father was a Whig in politics in his earlier life, but finally became a Democrat. He was a member of the Universalist church. He belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He devoted his active life to farm- ing in St. Joseph county, Indiana, and for a number of years was justice of the peace there. Aaron M. Ritter grew to manhood on his father’s farm in Indiana, and there he worked when a boy. He received a district school education, also spent one term in Mercantile College, Cincinnati, Ohio. He has been mar- ried three times. First, in the spring of 1869, in Lawrence county, Mis- souri, he was united with Martha A. Johns, who died in early life. One child born to this union is also deceased. Our subject’s second marriage took place in 1872, to a Mrs. Isabelle Gray, nee Landreth, and to this union three children were born, all of whom are deceased, and the mother passed away in 1898. Mr. Ritter was subsequently married to Emma J. Perry- man, a daughter of John J. and Cassey (Griffen) Perryman. This last union resulted in the birth of two sons, Miller and Howard Ritter. Mr. Ritter came to Missouri in the sixties. He served a short time as a volunteer soldier in the West for the government in assisting to protect mining towns. In 1870 he located on a farm in Greene county, and has since resided here, engaged successfully in general farming and stock raising. He owns a productive and well improved farm of one hundred and sev- enty-six acres in Campbell township. Politically, he is a Socialist, is well read and a man of progressive ideas. Fraternally, he is a Master Mason. He has been regarded as one of the leading -citizens in his part of the county for nearly a half century. EDWARD FORREST RACE. Some farmers who have cropped their soils from year to year, taking everything off and returning nothing, when their crops fall off until there are no profits, sometimes conceive the idea that they can have their soils analyzed and have a fertilizer mixed for them that will furnish all the needed elements of plant food, so that by applying that fertilizer to their lands they should grow bumper crops. They are doomed to disappointment. The chemist can tell the amount of plant food in a sample of soil, but he cannot tell how much of it is in available form for plant food, and another sample a few yards away would in all probability show a very different amount of plant food. Knowing this, Edward Forrest Race, a successful 1 866 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. fanner of Campbell township, has always tried to keep his land up to the standard of fertility by employing the best modern methods, therefore ren- dering an analysis of his soil unnecessary. Mr. Race is a native of Greene county, Missouri, born on November 6, 1869. He is a son of Alfred P. and Sarah C. (Greenwade) Race, the latter a daughter of Moses Greenwade and wife, whose family consisted of ten children, six sons and four daughters. Alfred P. Race was born in Hamp- shire county, Virginia, and was of Scotch descent. He was probably the eldest in a family of ten children. He received his early education in the district schools and devoted his life to general farming. He was married in Maryland, in which state his wife, mother of our subject, was born and reared. To this union ten children were born, five of whom are deceased. Those living are: Mrs. Laura Moore, who resides at Willard, this county; Edward F., of this sketch; Sarah M. lives in Nebraska; William T. makes his home in Polk county, Missouri ; Albert lives in Kansas. Tbe parents of these children left Maryland not long after their marriage and located in Illinois, subsequently coming to Greene county, Missouri, purchasing a farm, which, however, they later sold and moved back to Illinois, and after a year’s residence returned to this county and bought back the farm near the village of Willard which they had previously owned, and here they con- tinued to reside, engaged successfully in general farming until Mr. Race’s death, in the fall of 1909, and there Mrs. Race still makes her home. Po- litically, Alfred P. Race was a Democrat, but was never active in public life. He stood high in his community and was well liked by all who knew him. Edward F. Race grew to manhood on his father’s farm, and he re- ceived his education in the district schools of Greene county. Pie has farmed all his life, and has been very successful in general agricultural pursuits and stock raising. He located on his present well improved farm of one hun- dred and forty-two acres in 1904. Plis residence and outbuildings are sub- stantial and convenient, and he has made the excellent improvements now to be seen on bis place. He takes much pride in his home and farm, and every- thing denotes close attention to details. Mr. Race was married on March 1, 1899, to Lular Gillespie, a daugh- ter of William S. and Martha M. (Horn) Gillespie, natives of North Caro- lina, in which state they grew to maturity, were educated and married, and soon after the latter event they moved to Tennessee, and from there to Mis- souri about thirty-five years ago, and bought a farm in Greene county, near the town of Strafford. After living there five years they moved to a good farm near Willard, where the family still resides. There are seven children of this family, named as follows : C. Plato, of Willard ; S. Ciscero, of Wil- lard ; O. Sular, the wife of D. C. Knox, of Willard; Lular C., wife of our subject; O. Dexter lives at Willard; Willie T., of Springfield; R. Eddie, of GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1867 Willard. William S. Gillespie, father of these children, served all through the Civil war in the Confederate army, taking part in many important en- gagements, including the battle of Richmond and those in the vicinity of that city. He was only sixteen years of age when he enlisted. To Edward E. Race and wife four children have been born, namely: Pearl Madalene is attending the Willard high school; Ester Naomi, Lloyd Franklin and Orville Edward. Politically, Mr. Race is a Democrat, but he has never been an aspirant for political office. He is a member of the Grand Prairie Presbyterian church at Willard and is an elder in the same and an active church worker. THOMAS W. PRICE. One would find it necessary to search long and far to find a farm kept m better condition or managed under more up-to-date methods than that of Thomas W. Price of Taylor township, Greene county — the place on which he has spent his life. He has not only worked hard and persistently in keeping everything in its proper place, but has been a student of local conditions and has read such literature as pertains to twentieth century methods of husbandry, so that he has been enabled to reap just reward for his pains and labors from year to year. Mr. Price was born here on July 14, 1871. He is a son of John H. and Mary (Calwell) Price. The father was born in Russell county, Vir- ginia, July 19, 1822, and was reared there on a farm and received a com- mon school education. The mother of our subject was born in Tazewell county, Virginia, December 17, 1830. She was brought to Missouri when a young girl by her parents, the family locating in Greene county, where she attended school, and here she married Mr. Price in 1868 Her death occurred on the home farm in Taylor township, July 13, 1899. John H. Price was fourteen years of age when, in 1836, he immigrated with his parents from the Old Dominion to Greene county, Missouri. His father entered a farm from the government which he developed. Here John H. Price worked amid pioneer environments, and in 1853, during the gold fever days, he and his brbther drove five hundred and twenty-five head of cattle overland to California, reaching their destination with four hundred and ninety head. A loss of only thirty-five head from this large herd over the wild plains of the vast west and during a trip of some six months was indeed a remarkable feat. He was successful in his venture to the far West, and returned home in due time and turned his attention to general farming. When the Civil war came on he joined the Home Guards in 1 868 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1861, and was made assistant inspector general of General McBride’s bri- gade of the Federal army, and in September, 1861, he was commissioned lieutenant-colonel for meritorious services. He had command of the post at Lebanon until October of that year. He was in command of the State Guards at Springfield when Gen. John C. Fremont marched his great army to that place, and it was against Colonel Price’s men that Major Zagonyi made his famous charge in October, 1861, just west of the city. Colonel Price was captured in Taney county and for a brief period was held a pris- oner at the government arsenal in St. Louis, finally being exchanged and rejoining the army under Gen. Sterling Price at Osceola, St. Clair county. He saw considerable hard service and was an efficient and brave officer. He fought at the battle of Pea Ridge and was captured again and sent to the Union prison at Alton, Illinois, where he was held for six months. In June, 1863, he rejoined the Confederate army and was made adjutant of Colonel Cornell’s Missouri regiment. In August, 1863, h e was appointed inspector general of Freeman’s brigade of Marmaduke’s division, which position he held with honor and success until the close of the war. Return- ing home after his brilliant military career he resumed farming and was owner of two hundred and fifteen acres, on which he carried on general farming and stock raising in an able manner. He was well known and influential in his locality, and was a man of fine personal character. His death occurred on April 7, 1889, in Henderson, Missouri. He had but two children, namely: Mrs. Lydia Foster, who lives in Springfield, and Thomas W., of this sketch. Thomas W. Price was reared on the home farm, where he worked hard when growing up, and he received his education in the common schools. He worked the farm for his father until the latter’s death. • He has remained on the home place, which consists of one hundred and thirty-eight acres at the present time, this being his part of the original. Fie has kept it well improved and carefully cultivated and the buildings in good repair. Mr. Price was married on October 15, 1902, to May Wells, who was born in Webster county, Missouri, December 4, 1880, and was reared on a farm there and received her education in the common schools. She is a daughter of John D. and Elizabeth (Compton) Wells, both of whom still live in Webster county and are actively engaged in farming. Four chil- dren have been born to our subject and wife, namely: Mary, John H., Marion and Mildred. Politically, Mr. Price is a Democrat. Lie has been justice of the peace in Taylor township for four years, giving eminent satisfaction. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1869 ISAAC T. TRACY. It is a pleasure to farm if one manages like Isaac T. Tracy, of Jackson township, Greene county. On his farm of large acreage it is doubtful if you could find anything materially out of its place. The owner has even been his own manager and carefully looks after details. Nothing is done in a haphazard manner, everything being carefully planned and methodically carried out. Mr. Tracy was born in Webster county, Missouri, April 15, 1858, and the fact that he has spent his life in this section of the Ozark Mountains indicates that he has been contented with local conditions. He is a son of Evans and Sarah (Kinselo) Tracy, the father born near Glasgow, Barren county, Kentucky, in 1814, was reared on a farm there and received the usual limited education in the subscription schools of those frontier days. He remained in the Blue Grass state until 1840 when he emigrated to Mis- souri and settled in Greene county in 1841, entered a farm from the gov- ernment, owning a good place of one hundred and twenty acres, which he cleared and developed. His wife was also born in Kentucky in 1817, and her death occurred on the homestead in Webster county, Missouri, Decem- ber 16, 1888. She was reared on a farm in her native vicinity and attended the early-day schools. These parents were married in their native state. The father died on his farm in Webster county, where he removed from Greene in an early day, the date of his death being May 17, 1891. To Evans Tracy and wife nine children were born, namely: Mrs. Nellie Hill is the eldest; Erasmus lives in Fair Grove, Greene county; Mrs. Mary Debbis, Mrs. Amanda Burgone; James is deceased; Mrs. Mealy Brit- ton, Mr-s. Sarah Wommack, Isaac T. of this sketch; Samantha is the youngest. Isaac T. Tracy grew to manhood on the farm in Webster county, where he did his full share of the work about the place when not in school. He attended the public schools of his home district, and assisted his father with the work on the place until he was twenty-one years of age, then started in life for himself, buying a farm of eighty acres in Webster county on which he got a good start. Finding this too small for the proper exer- cise of his talents as a husbandman, he sold it and purchased an excellent place in Jackson township', Greene county, consisting of two hundred and forty acres, which he still owns. He has made many substantial improve- ments with the advancing years until he now has one of the most up-to-date farms in this part of the county as well as one of the most productive, and he has been very successful as a general farmer and stock raiser. He has a commodious home and numerous substantial outbuildings. A good grade 1870 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. of live stock is always to be seen in his fields and about his barns and no small portion of his annual income has been derived from this source. His boys now operate the place for the most part, he merely planning and over- seeing the work. Mr. Tracy was married in 1888 to Lucretia Wommack, who was born in Greene county, October, 1861, and here she was reared on a farm and attended the rural schools in her neighborhood. Six children have been born to our subject and wife, namely: Mrs. Lodena Bass, Everett, Henry, Emmitt, Avery and Casper. Politically, Mr. Tracy is a Republican and while he has remained loyal to his party through both defeat and victory he has never sought to be a leader in public affairs. Fraternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen. Religiously, he is a member of the Baptist church. JOHN A. WALLIS. Although the twentieth century farmer is of necessity a very busy man he can nevertheless keep on equipping himself with such information as advancing times make necessary. John A. Wallis, a farmer of Jackson township, Greene county, is a man who has kept abreast of the times in a fairly commendable manner, being both a wide reader and a close observer and he is therefor succeeding. Mr. Wallis was born near Ebenezer, Greene county, Missouri, May 16, 1867. He is a son of Allen and Mary E. (Bedell) Wallis, both natives of North Carolina, the father born on October 1, 1823, and the mother on November 18, 1832. They were young in years when they emigrated with their parents to Greene county, Missouri, each family being early settlers here. These parents of our subject grew to maturity on farms in this locality and were educated in the district schools, which they attended a few months each winter for a few years, and here they were married on Janu- ary 21, 1849. Allen Wallis became a very successful farmer, owning a farm of four hundred acres. He lived in different parts of this county. Llis death occurred on December 23, 1898, and two years later, on June 10, 1900, his wife followed him to the grave. They were worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal church, were great charity workers and kind to their neighbors, especially in sickness, and were greatly beloved by all who knew them. They were the parents of seven children, namely: Mrs. Malissa J. Cowden, Mrs. Sara E. Cowden — these gentlemen being brothers; Luther E. is engaged in farming in this county; Mrs. Nettie Q. Brackett is GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1871 deceased; Charles L. is farming; John A. of this sketch; and Allen M., a farmer. John A. Wallis was reared on the home farm where he worked until his marriage, having meanwhile received a good common school education. On September 23, 1888, he married Ella Huff, who was born in Greene county, April 23, 1869, on the farm where she now lives, and here she was reared and she was educated in the public schools. She is a daughter of Charles W. and Missouri (Whitlock) Huff, both natives of Greene county, the father born on July 16, 1830 and the mother was born on June 21, 1834. Mr. Huff was one of the successful farmers of this county, owning seven hundred acres at the time of his death, June 15, 1886. His wife died on October 7, 1911. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and she belonged to the Presbyterian church. They were well known and highly respected. To these parents eight children were born, namely: Thomas A., Charles C., Mrs. Sarah E. Gridges, a widow; Samuel, de- ceased; Annie E., deceased; Mrs. Lulu N. Brown; Etta A., wife of our subject, and Marvin, deceased. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Wallis has been without issue. After his marriage Mr. Wallis bought a farm of one hundred and sixty-five acres. He at present lives on his father-in-law’s farm, owning two hundred and fifteen acres of the same, and in ail he owns three hundred and five acres. He is engaged in general farming and stock raising in a successful manner and keeps his land well cultivated and well improved and has a pleasant home. Politically, Mr. Wallis is a Democrat, and he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. WILLIAM ELIJAH ALBRIGHT, M. D. Dr. William E. Albright was born in Polk county, Missouri, May 20, 1865. He is a son of William Franklin Albright, who was born in Georgia in 1822. He spent his youth in his native state and there received his edu- cation, in part, but was still a lad when, in 1843, ^ ie removed to Missouri, in which state he spent the rest of his life, engaged in farming and in the min- istry of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and did an incalculable amount of good in the work of the same in various ways. He was of the hospitable, kind and courteous type of Southerner, and was greatly beloved by all who knew him. He did not live for self alone, but was constantly on the lookout for some way whereby he might benefit others. He married Millie Jane Fullerton, who was horn in Tennessee, from which state she came to Mis- 1872 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. souri in her girlhood; she, too, was a fine Christian character; she died at the age of sixty-two years, but the doctor's father, truly a “grand old man of Israel," was not summoned to his reward until he had reached the ripe old age of eighty-nine years. Of their children two sons and one daughter are living at this writing, namely: Dr. William E., of this sketch; Sterling Price (named after the great Confederate general) lives at Purdy, Missouri, where he owns and operates a drug store; Anna Elizabeth is the wife of William D. Laney, also engaged in the drug business, and lives at Thayer, this state. The maternal grandfather, James Fullerton, died many years ago in Polk county, Missouri, whither he had moved from Tennessee in an early day, and spent the rest of his life in farming. His wife, Anna Elizabeth, has also been deceased a number of years. One sister of the doctor’s mother survives, Mrs. Hannah Kerr, of Polk county, where her husband, James Kerr, a farmer, died more than thirty years ago. Doctor Albright grew to manhood on the home farm in Polk county and there found plenty of hard work to do when a boy. In the winter time he attended the public schools. He is a fine sample of the self-made man. After entering his teens he earned his own way by engaging in various kinds of business, principally farming, and he has seen life on its hardest side, but with indomitable energy and perseverance he has forged ahead and may be justly proud of the large success which has attended his efforts. After attending the public schools he entered the Pleasant Hope Academy, near his boyhood home, completed the course and was graduated. Then he entered the Kansas City Medical College in 1900, from which institution he was graduated with the class of 1904. Soon thereafter he began the practice of his profession at Carterville, Kansas, where he remained two years, then came to Springfield. He was successful from the first, and is now enjoying a large and constantly growing practice. Doctor Albright is a member of the Greene County Medical Society and the Woods County Medical Society (Oklahoma). Fraternally, he belongs to the Masonic order, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, also the Loyal Order of Moose. Politically he is a Democrat, and in relig- ious matters is a Methodist. Doctor Albright married Rosa Ellen Sullivant, a daughter of Jackson Sullivant, a native of Pleasant Hope, Missouri. He formerly engaged in farming in Polk county, but is now retired and makes his home with our subject and wife. His wife, who was Sarah Elizabeth Edmondson, died in 1903. Mrs. Albright is the only child and is very fond of her father, who is a fine old gentleman, highly respected by all who know him. One child has been born to Doctor and Mrs. Albright, Claud Welling- ton Albright, whose birth occurred in Polk county, this state, in March, GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1873 1891; he received his earlier education in the ward schools of Springfield, was later graduated from Drury Academy, and expects to complete the regular course in Drury College, then take up the study of medicine; he is making an excellent record as a student and is a lad of much promise. He is a natural musician, and is also educating himself on the violin as a side issue of his more serious life work. DR. THOMAS V. B. CRANE. It must be true that an honest, faithful, capable life, considered even in its temporal relations, is not lived in vain ; that its influence is not as transient and evanescent as mere physical vitality, but that the progress of mankind, in all that is virtuous and ennobling, is accelerated by it; that although the life of one man may be a small factor in the aggregate lives of the race, yet if well spent, its after influence is perceptible and continues to endure for the good of mankind. One such life in Greene county is that of Dr. Thomas Y. B. Crane, one of the best known general physicians of the city of Springfield, a man who has always guarded well his conduct in all the relations which he has sustained to the world, and while advancing his individual interests has not neglected his general duties as a neighbor and citizen, and “while living in a house by the side of the road, has been a friend to man.” Doctor Crane was born on June 1, 1869, in Phelps county, Missouri, in the midst of the beautiful verdure of the Gasconade river. He is a son of A. W. .and Roda A. (McDaniel) Crane. The former devoted his active life to farming and he died in July, 1914. The mother, who is now seventy- eight years old, is living with the subject of this sketch, he taking a delight in ministering to her every want in her declining years. Josiah Crane, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was born on the Hudson river in the state of New York, in the year 1800. During young manhood he moved to Pennsylvania, where he met and married Prudence Bates, and finally moved to Cannon county, Tennessee. To Josiah Crane and wife six sons and one daughter were born, Allison Woodville Crane, the youngest, being the father of the subject 01 this sketch. He was born in the year 1841. His family consisted of six children, named as follow: Mattie, deceased; Thomas V. B., our subject; George A. is a Presbyterian minister in Texas; Melissa is deceased; Mrs. Maggie E. Belcher is living in Florida; Henry D. lives in Little Rock, Arkansas. The Crane family is of Scotch-Irish ancestry. (118) GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1874 Soon after Doctor Crane’s birth his father moved with him to Salem, Dent county, Missouri, where he lived two years, the family then moving to Kentucky. In the fall of 1874 his father moved back to the old Josiah Crane home in Tennessee. Meeting with reverses, the most notable being the destruction of his home by fire in the winter of 1874-75, A. W. Crane moved with his family to Kentucky again, thence to Illinois, and in the fall of 1880, moved to near Mountain Home, Arkansas, where, although then eleven years of age, our subject entered school for the first time. The terms averaged from three weeks to three months that he spent in school each winter during the four years that he lived in Arkansas. In the fall of 1884 his father moved to Missouri, locating in Ripley county, where about three months of schooling out of each of the next two years were all he could embrace on account of assisting with the farm work. In the fall of 1886 his father moved to Bushton, Cole county, Illinois, where young Crane worked on the farm in summer and attended public school in winter during the succeeding five years. In June, 1891, our subject came back to Ripley county, Missouri, where he began teaching and farming. He took the literary course in Abbott College, at Maynard, Randolph county, Arkansas; then, in the year 1899, he entered the St. Louis College of Phy- sicians and Surgeons, where he spent two years, then transferred to Barnes’ Medical College, St. Louis, from which institution he was graduated with the class of 1903. Soon thereafter he began the practice of his profession in Washington, where he remained one year ; then came to Springfield, where he opened an office on July 19, 1904, and here he has remained to the present time, enjoying all the while a growing and satisfactory patron- age. He is deserving of a great deal of credit for what he has accomplished in view of the fact that he is purely a self-made man, having .educated himself. Doctor Crane was married on September 18, 1892, to Amanda A. Marlin, of Osceola, Mississippi county, Arkansas, where she was born on February 26, 1871. She is a daughter of David M. and Elmira (Casey) Marlin. Mr. Marlin, who devoted his life to farming, died in May, 1909, his wife having preceded him to the grave several decades, dying when Mrs. Crane was a small child. Three children have been born to Doctor Crane and wife, namely: Marvin Elsie, born in Ripley county, Missouri, in 1893, was educated in the public schools of that county and the ward schools of Springfield; she was graduated from the high school here, after which she spent two years in Drury College. Bryan D., the second child, was born on October 30, 1896, was graduated from the ward schools in Springfield, after which he spent two years in high school here, then entered Scarritt-Morrisville Col- GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1875 lege at Morrisville, Missouri, where he was making an excellent record when he met an untimely death. Adolphus H., the youngest child, was born in Ripley county, this state, October 24, 1898; he was graduated from the ward schools in Springfield and at this writing is in his third year in the local high school. It must not be forgotten that, although our subject was deprived of the privilege of attending the common schools in early life, his education was not neglected altogether, for both his father and mother, especially the latter, were painstaking in the tutoring of their children ; and many were the nights, although tired and weary from the cares and toils of the day, by the light of the tallow candle, grease lamp or pine knot fires, and other means for artificial light, the parents and the children might have been seen as tutors and pupils, searching for those things which go to build character and fit boys and girls for future usefulness. This is a tribute which will not be paid to the average father and mother of today. Doctor Crane is a stanch Democrat. He is a member of the Blue Lodge, Council and Chapter, of the Masonic Order; also the Modern Woodmen of America and the Royal Neighbors. He is also a member of the Greene County Medical Society, the State Medical Society, the Ameri- can Medical Association and the Southwest Medical Society. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, South. ADDISON BROWN. Addison Brown has achieved marked success as a lawyer while yet a young man, for the vocation he selected is one of the most exacting of all professions and, too, he has had to win his way in the face of opposition in various ways and in a community long noted for the high order of its legal talent. He throws his whole soul into his work. As a citizen, he stands for the highest ideals in all the relations of life. Mr. Brown was born on January 19, 1874, in Ozark, Christian county, Missouri. He is a son of E. B. and Sarah A. (Clapp) Brown; the father was born on December 5, 1845; the mother was born on July 15, 1856. These parents received good educations, and the father attended the Keokuk Medical College, at Keokuk, Iowa, from which institution he was grad- uated in April, 1872. He first began the practice of his profession in Ozark, Missouri, where he remained until 1889, when he removed to Billings, this state, and there he is still actively engaged in the practice of medicine, hav- ing built up a large patronage. Politically he is a Democrat. He belongs i8;6 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. to the Masonic order, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and other fraternal organizations. To E. B. Brown and wife nine children were born, all of whom are still living, named as follow: Mollie L., born on August 28, 1872, is single and she has been teaching in the public schools of Dallas, Texas, for the past seven years; Addison, of this sketch; Fred FI., born on November 16, 1876, is single, and he is engaged in the practice of medicine at Billings, Missouri; Ross B., born on June 20, 1879, married Elizabeth Berry, and they live in Branson, Missouri, where he is engaged in the real estate busi- ness; Frank IT., born on July 15, 1883, married Lucy Garroutte, and they are living in Billings, where he is engaged in the mercantile business ; Min- nie V., born in 1886, is single, and is teaching in the public schools of Dallas, Texas; Ned R., born on November 3, 1888, married in 1909; he is a traveling salesman and resides in Colorado Springs; Joseph D., born on January 11, 1893, is a pharmacist and lives in Billings, Missouri; Alta L., born on December 8, 1896, lives in Billings; she is a student in the State Normal school at Springfield, Missouri. John D. Brown, the paternal grandfather of our subject, married Jean Bray, and to them five sons and three daughters were born, all of the boys being made physicians. Joseph Addison Brown was the father of Dr. William McFarland Brown, a physician and surgeon of Springfield, Mis- souri, a complete sketch of whom appears on another page of this work, in which will be found a complete genealogy of the Brown family. Dr. G. P. S. Brown, of Nixa, Missouri, is also a physician; he is an uncle of the subject of this sketch. Addison Brown received a common school education, being graduated from the high school at Billings, Missouri, in 1893. He became a regis- tered pharmacist in Texas on July 15, 1893, and for a number of years engaged in the drug business in the city of Dallas with much success. Fie was manager of a number of drug stores there. Finally he decided to enter the legal profession and began studying law during spare moments. Pro- gressing rapidly, he entered the law department of Washington University, at St. Louis, Missouri, from which institution he was graduated on June 20, 1901, having made an excellent record. From 1901 to 1905 he was engaged as manager of drug stores in Dallas, Texas. On September 1, 1905, Mr. Brown located in Springfield for the prac- tice of his profession. Fie has been very successful from the first and his clientage has constantly increased since coming to this city. During the past seven years he has been attorney for a number of wholesale merchants here. He has long ranked among the leaders of the Greene county bar. Mr. Brown was married on December 22, 1910, to Lydian D. Berry, GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1877 of Nevada, Missouri. She is a daughter of J. H. Berry. She received a good education. Politically, Mr. Brown is a Democrat. He belongs to the Masonic order, the Young Men’s Business Club, and the Christian church. GAYLARD DOUGLASS. Among the enterprising business men of Springfield and Greene county of the present day is Gaylard Douglass, widely known dealer in farm loans, with offices in the Landers Building, suite No. 934-36, a man who has suc- ceeded in life partly because he has inherited commendable traits from his sterling Buckeye ancestors, and partly because he has dealt honorably with his fellow men, thereby winning and retaining their good will and confi- dence, and his reputation in the several localities where he has lived has ever been above idle cavil. Mr. Douglass was born near Ft. Wayne, Indiana, February 16, 1851. He is a son of Samuel and Diana (Edgington) Douglass, both natives of the state of Ohio, the father’s birth occurring near Mansfield. These par- ents grew up and were married in their native locality and established their home on a farm in Allen county, Indiana, where they were known as honest, industrious and neighborly people, and they spent their lives on a farm and both died there, the mother passing away when the subject of this sketch was but a child. They were the parents of twelve children, our sub- ject being the only survivor. Gaylard Douglass grew to manhood on the home farm and he did his full share of the work there when a boy. He received a limited education in the public schools, but this lack of learning has later been supplied by wide miscellaneous reading and by contact with the world, until he may well be called a successful self-made man. In 1876 he left his native state and came to Bates county, Missouri, where he spent ten years engaged in general farming and, working hard and managing well, he got a good start. He took much interest in live stock and handled a good grade. Although liking the farm and live stock business, he finally decided that the city held greater attractions and opportunities for him and removed to Clinton, Henry county, this state, where he engaged in the real estate business for some time, then went to California and remained in that state two years, after which he returned to Clinton, Missouri, and went into the loan busi- ness, and made his first loan at Schell City, Vernon county, this state. Pie was successful in this line of endeavor and, seeking a larger field for his operations, he came to Springfield in 1904, where he continued to the pres- i8;8 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. ent time, building up a large business in farm loans and real estate. He maintains an up-to-date office in the Landers Building, and is regarded as one of the best posted men in the value of Missouri farm property or in the city. He is assisted by his son, J. M. Douglass, and enjoys a constantly growing business. Mr. Douglass was married on December 21, 1872, to Catherine Lovinia Dolley, who was born and reared near Ft. Wayne, Indiana. She died in Red Bluff, California, February 12, 1898, leaving two sons, namely: James M., who married Nellie N. Danley, lives in Springfield; Clark, who married Mary Lee, of Mountain Grove, Missouri ; later they moved to Seymour, Webster county, where they now live. Mr. Douglass was married a second time to Alice Davis, a native of Missouri and a daughter of Wilbur Davis and wife. This second union has been without issue. Mr. Douglass has been very successful in a business way, and he has a beautiful home at 724 East Walnut street, Springfield. Politically, he is a Republican, and religiously he belongs to the Presbyterian church. JOHN S. OWEN. The name of the late John S. (Sol) Owen needs no introduction to the readers of this history, for he was widely known in Greene county for many years, being a worthy representative of one of our best pioneer families, and he was highly regarded by all who knew him. Mr. Owen was born September 22, 1857, near Wilson’s Creek, this county. He was a son of Capt. C. Baker and Ellen (Yarbrough) Owen. He was a grandson of Col. Sol Owen, who settled the old Owen farm in 1837, on which place our subject’s death occurred. The parents of our sub- ject were both born in Tennessee, from which state they came to Greene county, Missouri, in an early day, when they were children, the father being twelve years of age when he came here. Here he grew up and helped de- velop the farm. When the Civil war came on he enlisted in the Federal army and became captain of Company D, Twenty-fourth Missouri Volunteer Infantry, which he commanded in a praiseworthy manner for three years. Later he served four years as sheriff of Greene county. He was a farmer and stock raiser. He was a strong Democrat and a leader in his party. Captain Owen was twice married, first to Ellen Yarbrough, mother of our subject. The only other child by this union was Stephen A. Douglas Owen, who died in January, 1915, on his farm on the James river, this county. The mother of our subject died when he was a small boy. Later Captain Owen married Caroline McCroskey, an aunt of C. W. McCroskey, GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1879 the present superintendent of schools of Greene county. A sketch of Pro- fessor McCroskey appears in this volume. Eight children were born to Captain Owen and his second wife, all of whom are living but one. John S. Owen of this sketch grew up on the home farm and he was educated in the rural schools, however, educating himself for the most part, and was an excellent example of a self-made man. When twenty-four years of age he started in life for himself on a farm of one hundred acres, which was a part of the old Owen homestead. He prospered and at the time of his death owned two hundred eighty-seven and one-half acres, which val- uable place is now in possession of our subject’s widow and children. Mr. Owen carried on general farming in a very successful manner. He was never much of a trader, for being a great home man, did not like to be absent from his family. However, he handled many mules, of which he was an excellent judge. This farm is known as the “Old Judge ‘Sol’ Owen place.” Mr. Owen of this sketch married, on April 28, 1881, Sarah M. Rose. She was born in Greene county, Missouri, near the Wilson’s Creek battle- ground, on October 16, 1859. She is a daughter of Reuben O. and Lucy A. (McElhaney) Rose. Mr. Rose was born in Tennessee, from which state he came to Greene county, Missouri, devoted his active life to general farm- ing and died on his farm near Wilson’s creek in March, 1880. His wife was also born in Tennessee, and she is still living on the old homestead here, and, although now advanced in years, is well preserved — in fact, looks many years younger. She has always looked for the silver lining in life’s clouds and is the possessor of many admirable characteristics. Mr. Rose was owner of the old Rose flouring mill, well known in the former generation in this part of the country. To Reuben O. Rose and wife fourteen children were born, ten of whom are still living. Mrs. Owen received her education in the public schools of her community. Eleven children were born to our subject and wife, namely: Charles B. , born April 5, 1882, married Evelena Murray, a farmer and stock man of Polk county, Missouri; Jerome B., born November 22, 1883, married Olive Murray, and they live on a farm in Greene county; Abbie E., born April 13, 1885, died September 10, 1886; Rose PI., born December 3, 1886, married Charles Reichle, a machinist in the Frisco shops, and they live in Springfield; Joseph C., born March 1, 1889, married Amelia Helbig, and they reside on the home farm; Robert F., born October 1, 1890, died July 24, 1891; Wilda (Nora) A., born April 8, 1892, lives at home; Sarah E., born January 10, 1894, married Clarence Robertson, who is engaged in the banking business, and who resides at 468 South Grant street, Springfield ; Savanna F., born February 3, 1896, is living at home; John Sol, Jr., born i88o GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. August I, 1897, is living at home; Hollie M., born February 5, 1899, is liv- ing at home. Mr. Owen was a public-spirited man, always ready to give his support to any good movement in his community. Fie was a deputy sheriff of this county, serving under Sheriff John Day, serving the full two years very creditably. In 1896 he was elected sheriff of Greene county on the Demo- cratic ticket, and served two years in a very creditable manner. Like his father before him, he was loyal to the Democratic party. Fraternally, our subject was an active member of the Knights of Pythias and was buried by that order. Fie also belonged to the Modern Woodmen, the Woodmen of the World and the Royal Arcanum. Fie was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, South. Flis wife and children also belong to this church. The death of Mr. Owen of this review occurred October 24, 1899. GEORGE E. RAYMOND. Perhaps as much suffering has been caused in this world of ours from inadequate heating facilities as from any other cause. This was especially true in the earlier ages before mankind had evolved modern methods. Even what we now call old-fashioned fireplaces were not thought of until com- paratively recent epochs in history. For centuries they were very crude affairs; even the chimneys of the log cabins built by the first settlers of our country less than a century ago were made of poles and clay or mud, and later, when houses contained several rooms, all but one of them were without any method of heating, for but one fireplace, as a rule, was to be found in a home, some of the wealthier classes having two, perhaps. Then stoves became generally used, but many rooms were still left without heat, few caring to go to the expense and trouble of keeping the entire house properly warmed during the winter months. So mankind has undergone a great deal of physical discomfort and downright suffering, especially among the poor of nearly all countries for lack of heat in their dwelling places. But with modern methods, such as are installed by the Raymond Heating Company, of Springfield, people are now making themselves more comfortable dur- ing the cold months, entire buildings, no matter how large, being kept warm continuously from one central source, so that the rigors of the long north- ern winters are now without their terrors, even farmers throughout the country enjoying their furnace heat, which is distributed over their mod- ernly appointed houses in the form of hot air, steam or warm water. George E. Raymond, head of the above named company, has long been engaged in this line of endeavor and understands thoroughly every phase GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. of modern heating, and he is one of the well known and successful business men of Springfield, where he has resided nearly a half century. He was born in Pekin, New York, July 8, 1861, and is a son of Joseph P. and Elizabeth (Bromley) Raymond, both natives of New York state, the father born in 1820 and the mother in 1818. They grew to maturity in their na- tive state, received limited educations in the common schools and were mar- ried there. When a young man Joseph P. Raymond learned the shoemak- er’s trade, which he always followed for a livelihood. He removed from New York with his family to Springfield, Missouri, in the fall of 1868, and here spent the rest of his life, dying in 1887, and here his wife died in 1880. They were parents of five children, namely : Emmett B. lives in Los An- geles, California; Bedten S., deceased; Mary J., deceased; William B. lives in Springfield, Mo., and George E., subject of this sketch. Mr. Raymond of this review was seven years of age when he came with the family to Springfield, Missouri, and here he grew to manhood and was educated in the common schools. When a young man he went to Ohio and served an apprenticeship in a tinshop at Dayton, returning to Springfield a few years later, where he finished learning his trade, and here he worked at the same until 1887, when he went into business for himself on South street, establishing a heating and sheet metal works, continuing to the pres- ent time with ever increasing success until he enjoys a very extensive and lu- crative business as a result of his close application and good judgment and his fair dealings with the public. In 1900 his son, Clyde, formed a partner- ship with him and the firm name became the Raymond Heating Company, and their plant at 2 19-221 West Walnut street is one of the best of its kind in the Southwest, equipped with up-to-date appliances of all kinds, and skilled, work is promptly done, a specialty being made of warm air heating and ventilating and sheet metal work. Mr. Raymond was married July 12, 1881, in Springfield to Milicient Ewers, who was born in Knox county, Ohio, October 4, 1861. She is a daughter of Orrilla and William G. Ewers, both natives of Ohio, where they grew up. were married and educated and established their home. Thev are both now deceased. Mrs. Ravmond was nine vears old when, in 1870. her parents removed with her to Springfield, Missouri, and here she grew to womanhood and received a common school education. The Ewers home was established on the north side. To Mr. and Mrs. Raymond only one child was born, G. Clyde Raymond, whose birth occurred April 11, 1883, in this city, and here he grew up and was educated. He married Georgia Davis. He is in business with his father, as before stated, and is a young man of enterprise and ability. Politically, Mr. Raymond is a Democrat. Fraternally, he belongs to GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Pythias and the Royal Arch Masons. He is an associate member of the Springfield Club. He has always borne an excellent reputation in local business circles. FREDERICK W. ARMSTRONG. Mr. Armstrong was born in Hillsboro, Illinois, January 13, 1868. He is a son of William F. and Minerva P. (Simmons) Armstrong, the former born in Ireland, April 11, 1830, and the latter in Hillsboro, Illinois, January 7, 1837. In that state she grew to womanhood, was educated in the com- mon schools, and she and Mr. Armstrong were married in the town of Hillsboro. Her death occurred December 17, 1901. William F. Arm- strong spent his early years in his native land and there attended school, and when a young man he set sail across the broad Atlantic for American shores and located in Hillsboro, Illinois. He was a carpenter and con- tractor, which line of endeavor he followed during his active life, except when in military service. Upon the first call for troops by President Lin- coln to put down the Southern Confederacy in April, 1861, Mr. Armstrong enlisted in Company E, Ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and he proved to be such a brave and excellent soldier that he was promoted from private through the various subordinate ranks to that of major, and was a success- ful and dashing officer, taking part in many important campaigns, battles and skirmishes. He was many times wounded, receiving a severe wound at the battle of Shiloh, and he carried five bullets to the grave in his body. He served not only in the Civil war, but in some of the campaigns against the hostile Indians of the West, and was in the United States army in all nearly five years. After leaving the army he returned to Hillsboro, where his death occurred April 17, 1868. Politically, he was a strong Republican. He belonged to the Masonic Order and the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows. His family consisted of four children, namely: Tom W., a Spring- field plumber, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume; Eliza- beth is deceased; Samuel, the eldest, lives in Hillsboro, Illinois, and Fred- erick W., of this sketch. Mr. Armstrong of this sketch grew to manhood in Hillsboro, Illinois, and there he received his education in the common schools, working at odd times in a grocery store before leaving school, and when fourteen years old he began working at the carpenter’s trade, but after following it for one summer he turned his attention to the plumbing business, serving an ap- prenticeship and became an efficient workman in due course of time. He remained in his native town in this work until 1899, when he came to GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1883 Spring-field, Missouri, where he has since resided. He was in partnership with his brother, Tom W. Armstrong. He has done a great deal of work of this nature throughout the city, often turning out large contracts. He has kept well up in his line in every respect and employed capable assist- ants so that his jobs have always been satisfactory. He has been the of- ficial plumbing inspector of the city of Springfield during the past four years and discharged the duties of this important post in a manner highly satisfactory to all concerned. He retired from this office April 15, 1915, and at the present time is engaged in the grocery business for himself at the corner of National boulevard and Kearney street, where he is enjoying a good trade. Mr. Armstrong was married in Hillsboro, Illinois, December 29, 1895, to Minnie B. Follis, who was born in that city January 24, 1872. She is a daughter of Joseph and Rachael (Roach) Follis, the father a native of Ken- tucky and the mother of Illinois. Mrs. Armstrong is one of three children. Two children have been born to our subject and wife, namely: Tom, Jr., born October 18, 1897, and Minnie M., born May 5, 1906. Politically our subject is a Republican. lie is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Knights and Ladies of Security, the Woodmen, and the Tribe of Ben-Hur. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. BENJAMIN F. TEGARDEN. In studying the life record of Benjamin F. Tegarden it will be seen that he is the possessor of those attributes which never fail to win success if persistently and properly directed, as has evidently been done in his case, for he has accomplished definite results in many lines of human endeavor, including extensive mining operations, a large meat packing business and at present he ranks among the most progressive agriculturalists and stockmen of Greene county, being proprietor of beautiful “Clover Leaf Hereford Farm” in Murray township, where he is carrying on farming under the most approved and advanced twentieth century methods and is making a specialty of handling a high-grade of live stock. Mr. Tegarden was born December 15, 1857, in Orange county, Indiana. He is a son of Andrew and Sarah (Fisher) Tegarden. The father was born in Kentucky in 1802, where he spent his boyhood, and located in Indiana in 1818, when sixteen years of age, with his parents, Basil Te- garden and wife, and he spent the remainder of his life in Orange county, that state, on the farm where he first located. He made many visits to Mis- souri but never established his home in this state. He devoted his active 1884 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. life to general farming and made live stock raising a specialty. He pros- pered through his able management and judicious dealings with his fellow men, and became one of the leading farmers of Orange county, owning seven hundred and sixty acres of valuable land at the time of his death. He was well informed on general topics and an influential man in the affairs of his community. He was very successful in a business way and accumu- lated considerable wealth all through his individual efforts, for he started out in life without a dollar. His death occurred November 8, 1872, at the age of seventy years. He was known as a man of public-spirits, charitably inclined and a true friend to those worthy of his friendship, and he was widely known and highly esteemed for his many fine qualities. Andrew Tegarden was three times married, first to a Miss Lee, by which union four children were born, namely : William Henry, Abraham, John and Jane, all now deceased. His second wife, Mrs. Finley, bore him five chil- dren, namely: Joseph, Polly Ann, Sally, Amanda, all four deceased; and Preston, who lives in Fort Scott, Kansas. His third wife, Sarah Fisher, was born in Orange county, Indiana, in 1822, and her death occurred Jan- uary 16, 1877, at the age of fifty-five years. Ten children were born to this last union, named as follows: Benjamin F., of this sketch; David An- drew lives in Kansas; Winfield Scott lives in Arkansas; Elijah Elsworth lives in Kansas ; Ulysses Grant lives in Springfield, Missouri ; Robert Basil makes his home in Arkansas; Mrs. Cora Dell Carr, of Indiana, and John Reed, of California, were twins; Elmer J. is a resident of Louisiana; the youngest child died in infancy. Benjamin F. Tegarden spent his boyhood days on his father’s farm in Orange county, Indiana, and there he learned the various phases of agri- cultural pursuits which stood him so well in hand in later life, and he received his early education in the public schools of his native community, but left school at the age of thirteen years, when his father died, continuing to assist with the work on the home place until he was eighteen years of age, when he struck out in life for himself, and he is today a fine example oh a successful self-made man. He began his career by working in a brick yard, keeping his eyes open the meanwhile and learning thoroughly the brick making business, spending three years in the same yard. He also learned the carpenter’s trade, which he followed two years. For some time he devoted his attention to well drilling in western Kansas. He has traveled extensively, having been in twenty-seven states. Farming has formed no small portion of his life work. He is entitled to rank with the progressive, scientific, well-informed husbandmen who is doing much to place this coun- try on an equal basis with the best as an agricultural country. For ten years he engaged in the mining business at Joplin, Missouri, Arkansas, and what was then the Indian Territory. He also followed the show business GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 0 for three years and the meat packing business for eight years, in partner- ship with his brother, Ulysses Grant Tegarden, they having founded the Te- garden Packing Company of Springfield, Missouri, -which has long been a successful and well-known concern throughout this section of the country. Our subject is no longer connected with this splendid and well-equipped plant, but it is still operated by the Welsh Packing Company. Our subject also followed the meat packing business in Fort Scott, Kansas, for some time. He at present has interests in mines in California. It was in 1904 that he came to Springfield and he resided there until 1913, when he bought his present fine farm of three hundred and sixty acres in Murray township, which is one of the best and most desirable farms in Greene county, none be- ing more highly improved or more productive, however, it was badly “run down” when he took possession of it, but by hard work, the expenditure of ample funds and the application of modern ideas of farming he has trans- formed it into an estate of which he should be justly proud and which is one of the show places of the township. He has remodeled the barns and painted them an attractive red and made such other improvements as were necessary. He has a feed mill, and his residence is commodious and nicely furnished. The general surroundings are beautiful, and everything about the place indicates thrift, good management and excellent taste. In connection with general farming he is making a specialty of handling Percheron horses and Hereford cattle, being a breeder of the latter. At this writing he has seventy head of cattle and nine head of horses, and is also an extensive raiser of a good grade of hogs. He has worked hard to make his place a model farm in every respect and is realizing the ac- complishment of his ambition. Mr. Tegarden was married on December 18, 1890, to Margaret Craw- ford, who was born in Iowa, a daughter of Harvey and Mary (Riley) Crawford, both natives of Indiana and both now' deceased. They spent their early days in their native state, finally establishing their home in Iow r a, where they became comfortably located and w T ere well known and highly respected and there Mrs. Tegarden grew to womanhood and was educated. She has proved to be a fit helpmeet to her energetic husband in every way and no little amount of his success has been due to her encouragement and counsel. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Teagarden has been blessed by the birth of three children, namely: Hazel Dorothy, w r ho married George Bolds, who is now r connected with the Kansas City Star, and he is also a vaudeville sketch and song writer of some note and has placed tv r o benefit shows on in Kansas City which were a success; this marriage has been without issue. Harvey married Nellie Harrison, a native of Greene county; he lives with his father, whom he is assisting on the home farm; he and his ivife have 1 886 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. one child, Benjamin F., Jr., Bernice, the youngest of our subject’s children, is at home with her parents. Politically, Mr. Teagarden is a Progressive, is a man of liberal views on civic, religious and other questions, and while he takes much interest in public matters has never sought or held office and has no fraternal affilia- tions. He is essentially a business man and a home man, never better contented than when by his own cheerful fireside with his mutually happy family. Mrs. Tegarden is a member of the Methodist church. They are both known to their neighbors as hospitable, helpful and kindly disposed. WILLIAM DELANGE. Although William DeLange, now engaged in farming in Wilson town- ship, Greene county, has lived but thirty-two years, he has crowded into that brief span more than the average man experiences in the full Biblical allot- ment of three score and ten, and it would require a good-sized volume to set forth his life record in detail. Mr. DeLange was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, October 14, 1882. Lie is a son of Eugene and Rose DeLange. The father was a native of Germany, from which country he emigrated to America when young, but he had previously traveled all over Europe as valet to a wealthy Frenchman, with whom he also visited the Far East and the Mediterranean countries, and while in Russia had difficulty with a party of Nihilists, one of whom fired a shot that wounded Mr. DeLange, the bul- let entering his leg, and our subject is now the possessor of this leaden pel- let, which was successfully extracted from the wound. Upon reaching the New World the elder DeLange settled in Philadelphia, and was in the em- ploy of the immigration bureau in that city for the government for a num- ber of years. He was a highly educated man, was able to speak, read and write several languages, and could speak seven different tongues and read and write four of them, and at the time of his death in 1908 he was man- ager of the Continental Hotel in New York City. He was married after coming to Philadelphia, and to this union nine children were born, eight of whom survive at this writing, namely: Charles; Joseph; Mrs. Laura Freed- man, who lives in Pennsylvania ; Archibald is deceased ; Anthony, Theresa, William, Harry and John, who lives in New York City. William DeLange spent his early days in the City of Brotherly Love, up to his eighth year, and he attended the public schools there two years. When but a small boy he was left an orphan, and was taken care of by his maternal grandmother, who found a home for him in Kent county, Dela- GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1 887 ware, on a farm, where he remained until he was fifteen years of age, and while there he attended the district schools two months out of each year. At the age of fifteen he ran away, returning to Philadelphia, but remained there only a few months, then went to New York City and began working as a messenger boy and at other similar work, such as a boy his age could find in a great city, remaining there about two years. He then went to work on a truck farm at ten dollars per month and board and spent two years in this manner. Later he enlisted in the Eleventh United States Cavalry, in Troop M, for three years’ service, during which time his regiment sailed from New York for the Philippine Islands, by way of the Suez canal, and was on the water sixty-eight days, and the regiment, after its service in the antipodes had expired, returned to the United States by way of Nakisaki, Japan, and the Sandwich Islands, stopping at Hawaii, landing at San Fran- cisco after a long voyage across the Pacific Ocean. From the city by the Golden Gate the regiment was sent to Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, and after the expiration of his term of service in the army Mr. DeLange went to New York City, thus completing the circuit of the globe. In 1905 he came to St. Louis and took a business course in the Jones & Henderson Business College, completing the course as stenographer, and he worked at that vocation in various positions in St. Louis, Kansas City and Chicago. In June, 1910, he was appointed to a position in the civil service under the Isthmian Canal Commission, and was accordingly sent to the Panama canal, where he spent two and one-half years, resigning his position there in January, 1913, and returning to Missouri. Desiring to lead a quieter and simpler life, he purchased a farm in Wilson township, Greene county, ten miles southwest of Springfield, near the historic battlegrounds, and now owns the old Thomas Phillips homestead, located on the old “wire road,” and which place consists of fifty-nine acres, and here he is engaged in general farming and has a well located and productive place. Mr. DeLange was married January 20, 1913, to Bertha E. Moody, a daughter of Nathan E. and Martha Jane (Cooke) Moody, who formerly lived at Viroqua, Wisconsin, later coming to Missouri and locating at Jerico Springs, Cedar county, Mr. Moody coming to the Ozark Mountains for his health. He was a successful farmer in the North and accumulated consid- erable wealth. To Mr. and Mrs. Moddy were born four children, namely: Bertha E., wife of Mr. DeLange, of this sketch; Mrs. Jessie Whitsitt; Mrs. Helen Graff, and Mrs. Ethel McKenney. Politically, Mr. DeLange has leaned toward the Republican party in national affairs. His wife, who is an exceptionally well educated woman, is a member of the Methodist church. 1 888 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. LUTHER M. CLAYPOOL. The old-fashioned notion that hard work, patient industry and far- sightedness make for success in the various avenues of life, seems yet to hold good, although not perhaps so universally accepted in our day, the spread of pessimism engendered by many phases of our complex life being in a great measure responsible for some lack of faith in the old ideas. However, if we observe conditions closely we will find that the intelligent individual who leads a practical and industrious life, will reach a point of success commensurate with his efforts. The career of Luther M. Clay- pool, well known insurance man of Springfield, will afford us an instance of this, for he is an advocate of persistency, honesty and the adoption of new ideas and in having system in his work, and these elements have re- sulted in success. Mr. Claypool was born in Bell county, Texas, August 16, 1884. He is a son of C. W. and Sarah ( Hall) Claypool, both reared in Missouri, the former of Scotch-Irish and the latter of Irish extraction. C. W. Claypool grew up a farmer boy and was educated in the rural schools of his com- munity. His wife was born in Tennessee, from which state she came tb Missouri in her girlhood and received her education in the common schools. These parents were married in 1876 and two years later removed to Bell count)'', Texas, where Mr. Claypool engaged in farming. His family con- sisted of five children, namely: Nettie, Charles O., Luther M., Elza V., and Lonnie B. C. W. Claypool remained in the Lone Star state with his family until 1902, when he returned to Missouri, locating on a farm in Greene county, which has been his chief life work and which he has been successful in. He was justice of the peace for several years at Phoenix. During the past two years he has been engaged in the mercantile business there, handling boots and shoes, and has built up a good trade. He has been a loyal Republican since reaching his majority, and he and his wife have been members of the Baptist church for many years. Luther M. Claypool grew to manhood on the home farm. After at- tending the public schools he spent two years in Central Texas Institute, from which he was graduated in June, 1902, with honors, having made an excellent record for scholarship. He began life for himself as a farmer for one year, then followed stationary engineering for five years at Phoenix, Missouri, during which time he took a course in stationary engineering and steam fitting. He became an expert in this field of endeavor and followed it successfully until 1909, when he accepted a position in the Heer Department Store in GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1889 Springfield, remaining there until the fall of 1910, when he took up the insurance business which he has continued ever since with increasing suc- cess. In January, 1915, he accepted an agency for the Central Life In- surance Company, having agencies covering twenty counties. Eleven men are working under his direction. He is not only a good judge of men but is a splendid salesman and is one of the most successful insurance men in Springfield. Mr. Claypool was married March 7, 1909, to Maud V. Brady, a daughter of John and Maryland (Keer) Brady. The father was born in Ireland, from which country he immigrated to the United States in early life and for a number of years followed farming. The mother of Mrs. Claypool was born in Greene county, Missouri. Both these parents are of Scotch-Irish extraction. To Mr. and Mrs. Claypool one son has been born, Denziel Leon Clay- pool. Mr. Claypool is a Republican, and he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. They have made many warm friends since taking up their residence in Springfield. HENRY B. JONES. A gentleman who has been considered one of the best farmers and stock raisers in the vicinity of Elwood, Greene county, is Henn^ B. Jones, who, as a citizen is intelligent and enterprising, combining with himself those sterling qualities of manhood that make not only a useful member of society, but a leader in whatever he undertakes. He has been contented to spend his life in his native county, rightly concluding that for the tiller of the soil and the live stock grower no better place could be found. Mr. Jones was born in Greene county, Missouri, March 21, i860. Lie is a son of Isaac and Martha (McClure) Jones, both natives of Monroe county, Tennessee, where they spent their childhood and received a common school training, which, according to the times, was meager. Isaac Jones was twenty-three years old when he came to Greene county, Missouri, and by home study he had added to his education sufficiently to teach school, which he followed for some time in this county or until the commencement of the Civil war. The latter part of his life was devoted to general farming here. During the Civil war he was deputy sheriff under Elisha White. His death occurred in 1883. His widow survived nineteen years, dying in 1902. They were the parents of eight children, four sons and four daughters. (1 19) GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 189O named as follows: Sarah E., Jas. L., Henry B., the subject; Effie K.,- Alice, Dora, J. Lyman, and Geo. B. W. Henry B. Jones grew to manhood on the home place and there worked during the crop seasons when a boy, and attended the district schools during the winter. When a young man he began farming for himself, which he has continued to the present time, and is now owner of a well-improved and productive place of two hundred acres near Elwood. He has always been a very careful general farmer, rotating his crops at the right time, and he has made livestock raising and feeding a specialty, always keeping" good grades and sparing no pains in their care. He has a good set of buildings and modern farming implements. Mr. Jones was married on August 12, 1885, to Florence Pickering, a daughter of Samuel and Margaret (Gray) Pickering. She was born on her father's farm in Greene county, Tennessee, and here grew to woman- hood and received her education in the country schools. Mrs. Jones had two brothers, both deceased, namely: Charles B. and James B; also one sister, Mrs. Mary E. Graham. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Jones, namely: Fred, born July 17, 1886, owns a ranch in New Mexico and intends devoting his life to farming; Bert II horn November 18, 1888, owns a farm in Republic township, Greene county, where he carries on general farming; he married Ora E. Coggin, a native of this county, and they have one child, Ruth Mil- dred. Politically, Mr. Jones is a Republican, and he and his family attend the Methodist Episcopal church. ERNEST N. FERGUSON. Step by step along the path of orderly progression Ernest N. Ferguson proceeded until he reached a prominent position as a representative of the industrial interests of Springfield, becoming cashier of the Holland Banking Company and president of the State Savings Trust Company. The initial step toward these ends was made when he was but a boy when he began careful preparation for a business career, and he has left no stone unturned anywhere along the highway of life whereby he might legitimately advance himself. His influence has always been on the side of progress, improve- ment and advancement. He is a dependable man under any condition and in any emergency. His cpiietucle of deportment, his easy dignity, his frank- ness and cordiality of address, with the total absence of anything sinister or anything to conceal, foretoken a man who is ready to meet any obligation GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1891 of life with the confidence and courage that come of conscious personal abil- ity, right conception of things and an habitual regard for what is best in the exercise of human activities. Springfield is his native city, his birth having occurred June 23, 1870. His parents are John R. and Virginia C. (Smith) Ferguson. The former, a native of Missouri, was born in February, 1842, and soon after the Civil war settled in Springfield, where he still makes his home. He engaged in the drug business for a number of years, afterward filled the office of circuit clerk for eight years and was recorder of deeds for four years, during which period his son, Ernest, acted as his deputy. He made an excellent record in official circles, his course being characterized by the utmost fidelity to duty and capability in meeting the demands of the business connected with the office. For three years he served his country as a soldier in the Union army and has at all times been actuated by a public-spirited devotion to the general good. He enlisted at Louisiana, Pike county, Missouri, March 29, 1862, and was mustered into service as a private of Company E, Third Regiment of Cavalry, Missouri State Militia, for three years, on the 8th of April, 1862. The following year he was promoted to the rank of cor- poral and in 1864 became sergeant. He continued with his command until mustered out, April 14, 1865, at Macon City, Missouri, on the expiration of his term of enlistment. While the Third Regiment was not sent to the front, it did arduous and dangerous duty in Missouri and northern Arkansas. Mr. Ferguson was almost constantly in a saddle from the spring of 1862 until the winter of 1864-5, pursuing and fighting the bushwhackers, guer- rillas and outlaws who infested the territory in large numbers, especially in the central, southwestern and southeastern portion of this state, using every opportunity to ambush and bushwhack the Third Regiment, ignoring all rules of civilized warfare. In the summer and autumn of 1864 no prisoners were taken by either side. Mr. Ferguson participated in the en- gagements at Kirksville, Missouri, in August, 1862, and in the fight near Patterson, Missouri, in the spring of 1863. He was also in the severe en- gagement in September, 1864, at Goslings Lane, Boone county, Missouri, where he was in command of the advanced guard, which was formed of a detachment from his regiment for protecting a wagon train of army sup- plies. The attack was made on the wagon train and guard by the notorious guerrilla band of three hundred of the most desperate and cruel guerrillas, commanded by the equally desperate Bill Anderson, a noted guerrilla chief, who burned the wagon train and killed without mercy the teamsters and soldiers who were unable to escape. As Mr. Ferguson says, service at the front under the rules of civilized warfare was a much less dangerous and arduous service than that which he experienced. He has been equally true and loyal to his country, in times of peace and is regarded as one of the 1892 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. most public-spirited men of Greene county. His wife is a daughter of Captain Jared E. Smith, a native of Tennessee. In the public schools of Springfield Ernest N. Ferguson pursued his early education and afterward attended a business college there. On leaving school he entered the office of the circuit clerk and subsequenlty was in the recorder's office, being so employed for about five years. His identification with financial interests dates from the 19th of May, 1890, when he entered upon a position in the Springfield Savings Bank, becoming bookkeeper. There he remained until February, 1906, when he became secretary and treasurer of the Springfield Trust Company, with which he was thus asso- ciated for eighteen months. He next became vice-president of the National Exchange Bank and after ten months went to the State Savings Bank as cashier. Eventually he was elected its president and continued as such until September, 1913, when the bank was consolidated with the Holland Banking Company, of which Mr. Ferguson is now cashier. During his ad- ministration of the affairs of the State Savings Bank the deposits were in- creased from sixty thousand dollars to more than a million and a quarter and when, with his assistance, the consolidation with the Holland Banking Company took place, the new institution became the strongest in this part of the state. His long and varied experience in different clerical and offi- cial positions has given him intimate and comprehensive knowledge of the banking business in all of its phases and enables him to speak with authority upon many of the complex problems of banking. The spirit of enterprise actuates him in all that he undertakes and he has the ability to unify seem- ingly diverse elements and coordinate forces into a harmonious and re- sultant whole. One of the older bankers of Springfield, who years ago em- ployed Mr. Ferguson in a humble position said of him: “He always had the faculty of making and holding friends and still never allowed friendship to affect his judgment in business transactions. He is looked upon as one of the county’s leading men, but has not nearly reached his place he eventually will take in financial circles.” He is very forceful, displays keen sagacity and almost immediately makes up his mind when any proposition is brought before him. On the 24th of April, 1894, at Springfield, Mr. Ferguson was united in marriage to Miss Margaret B. Pinkerton, a daughter of Rev. J. P. Pink- erton, and their children are James P., Katherine, Ernest N. and Margaret B. Mr. Ferguson has been a member of Company F, Second Regiment, Missouri National Guard, with which he served for two years, holding the rank of second lieutenant. His political allegiance is given to the Republican party and he is identified with several fraternal and social organizations. He is a Royal Arch Mason, a Knight of Pythias, a Red Man, Royal Ar- canum and Modern Woodmen. He also belongs to the Benevolent and Pro- GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1893 tective Order of Elks, is identified with the Springfield Club, the Young Men’s Business Club, the Country Club and the James River Club — asso- ciations which indicate much of the nature of his interests and of his recrea- tion. In manner he is modest and unassuming, but he has friends among all classes of people. He is a member of the South Street Christian church and has been its treasurer since 1894. Through his energy and personal as- sistance the affairs of the church have been put on a sound financial basis and he deserves great credit for his efforts in that direction. He is also a trustee of Drury College and is the local treasurer of the Pythian Home. His activities outside of business are perhaps most pronounced in the church and in its teachings are found the motive springs of his life in all of his relations with his fellowmen. His ideals are high and he grasps eagerly every opportunity for raising himself to their level. CHARLES B. PICKERING. The late Charles B. Pickering was a worthy representative of that type of American character and of that progressive spirit which promotes pub- lic good in advancing individual prosperity and conserving popular inter- ests. Members of the Pickering family have long been identified with the affairs of Greene county. Mr. Pickering was born at Greeneville, Greene county, Tennessee, Sep- tember 28, 1854. He was a son of Samuel and Margaret (Gray) Pickering, the father born March 22, 1820, and the mother on June 9, 1819, both in Tennessee, and there they grew to maturity and were married, and they were young when they came to Greene county, Missouri, located on a farm and here spent the rest of their lives, the father dying in 1908 and the mother’s death occurred May 17, 1907. They were the parents of nine children. Charles B. Pickering grew to manhood on the home farm and he worked hard when a boy, and in the winter he received his education by at- tending the district schools. Early in life he began fanning for himself, which he continued along general lines the rest of his life and was one of the successful tillers of the soil in Republic township, owning over two hun- dred acres of well improved and productive land. He had a good home and numerous convenient buildings for his live stock, which he always managed to keep a good grade of and carefully prepare for the market. Mr. Pickering was married October 29, 1884, to Sarah M. Summer, a native of Greene county, Tennessee, born July 16, 1861, and she was a daughter of Joseph and Julia (Harris) Summer, both natives of Virginia, 1 894 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. in which state they spent their earlier years, finally removing to Missouri, and locating on a farm in Greene county. Mr. Summer was also a carpenter. To Mr. and Mrs. Pickering* two children were born, namely: Leota, now about twenty-four years of age, married Ardo D. Anderson, a farmer of this county, and Samuel Bruce, who is now about twenty-two years of age, lives on the home farm with his widowed mother and is successfully operating the place. Politically, Mr. Pickering was a Republican, and in his church affilia- tions was a Protestant Methodist, although he was raised a Quaker. Fra- ternally, he belonged to the Woodmen of the World. The death of Mr. Pickering occurred on October 22, 1908, at the age of fifty-four years. Pie was industrious, strictly honest and reliable and was highly respected by his neighbors and acquaintances. FRANCIS MARION DONNELL. Francis Marion Donnell, born in Polk county, just over the line of Greene, December 22, 1846, has lived the greater part of his life in south- west Missouri, and is one of the best known men in Greene county. His father, John M. Donnell, came to Missouri in 1832, stopping* first at a place near the old Plodge, later known as the Union grave yard, on the road be- tween Spring-field and Buffalo, two years later removing to Upshaw Prairie in Greene county. He was of Irish descent, his grandfather being an Irish emigrant named O’Donnell, who changed his name after coming to Tennes- see. His father, James M. Donnell, accompanied him to Missouri. He mar- ried, near Nashville, Tennessee, in 1811, Miss Jane McClain, who was of Scotch lineag-e. He was a fanner and stock raiser, dealing extensively in mules after he came to Missouri, making many drives through to' New Or- leans, which was customary in those days. He had eleven children by his first wife, the youngest of whom was Francis Marion. After her death he married Miss Jane Wills, one child being born to them. The children by the first marriage were: Sons, James M., G. W., William M., Robert, C. W., Francis Marion; daughters, Mary Ann, Margaret, Jane, Caroline and Sarah. He had one child by his second marriage, Winfield S. Don- nell. Most of their lives were spent in this county. C. W. Donnell is still living near Grand, Oklahoma. Sarah, who married James M. Armstrong, a farmer, is also living in Polk county. The father died in i860, at the ag*e of fifty-two years, Francis Marion grew up on the Donnell farm near Fair Grove, work- ing during the busy season and attending the district school in winter until GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1 895 he reached the age of sixteen, when he enlisted, in 1863, in Company E, Sixteenth Missouri Cavalry, under Capt. S. W. Headley and Lieut. A. J. Potter. He was in the battle of the Big Blue, in which the enemy were under command of General Marmaduke, and a number of minor engage- ments. After the war he returned to Greene county and fanned a number of years near Fair Grove and also in Saline and Taney counties, in this state, and in California. Returning to Springfield in 1880, he became a member of the police force under Marshal Nat Turner, and afterward a deputy under Sheriff Jack Potter. He then served as a policeman under Marshall Hollet Snow, after which he was elected constable of Campbell township in 1882. He was elected sheriff of Greene county in 1883, serv- ing two years, after which he spent six years more in farming, on a place two miles east of Springfield, after which he removed to the city and engaged in the livery business until he was again elected sheriff, to fill the unexpired term of Dan Stewart, who had died after serving a few months. Since then he has engaged by turns in different kinds of commercial business. He is now living comfortably at the corner of Main and Atlantic streets in this city in the elegantly finished mansion built by G. A. Ramsey, a number of years ago. The interior wood work is of walnut and poplar. There are four fine stone mantels, one of them being of marble inlaid with onyx. It is one of the most substantial frame structures in the city and may shelter generations of Donnells for many years to come. One of the tragedies of Greene county history occurred during Sheriff Donnell’s first term of office. This was the lynching of George Graham, for the alleged murder of his wife at the Molloy farm. Much time was spent in preliminary examinations and various motions until rumors of intended mob violence were heard. Sheriff Donnell kept close watch until, worn out with long vigils, he was surprised by vigilantes who gained admittance to the jail on the night of April 22, 1886, by telling an assistant that they had a prisoner to deliver to him, pretending to be a posse from some out-lying district. The man opened the door to find himself surrounded by the night riders, who shoved revolvers into his face and made him keep' silence while they crowded into the bedroom of the sheriff, who was sound asleep. When he arose half awake and started to dress there were weapons jabbing him from all sides and loud demands for the keys of the jail. These he had deposited in a drawer, the key of which he had managed to throw unobserved behind a log in the fireplace. But his wife had another bunch, which she was compelled to drop. They were picked up by a member of the mob, the drawer opened, the jail keys procured, and then the jail door was opened and the prisoner taken out while the sheriff and his assistant and everybody else in sight were guarded. Strangers were halted and made to hold up their hands as the wagon conveying the prisoner moved away from the jail GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1896 and out Boonville street to the place of execution in the northwest part of the city. Sheriff Donnell went out and cut the body down as soon as he got a chance. Mr. Donnell married Miss Mary Ann Hall at Fair Grove in 1865. They have four children, all born in Missouri : George Sylvester, near Fair Grove on December 10, 1866; Charles C., near Forsyth, June 6, 1869; Rose Isabel and James Milton, at Marshall, Saline county, the former, February 26, 1871, the latter February 5, 1873. Of these three there are two living, Rosa, now Mrs. De Camp, at Long Angeles, California; and James Milton, at Stockton, California. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Donnell married Miss Mattie J. Williams in Springfield, September 7, 1882. They have six children: Fran- cis M., Jr., born in Springfield, July 11, 1883; Cordy, in Springfield, Oc- tober 1, 1884; Carrie F, in Springfield, October 13, 1887; Lee A., in Spring- field, April 12, 1890; Roy E., in Springfield, August 2, 1892; Helen L., Springfield, August 30, 1899. Frank is a druggist in this city; Cordy is the wife of Lee F. Johnson, Carrie the wife of William Wallace, both of Springfield; Lee is in the water service of the Frisco; Roy is working for the Heer Dry Goods Company; Helen, the youngest, is living at home. Mr. Donnell is a member of the Woodland Heights Presbyterian church. He was chairman of the Democratic city and county committees twenty- five years, having always been a zealous worker in the interest of the party. His son, Frank, is chairman of the Democratic city committee. JAKE ALBERT. '1 he career of Jake Albert of Springfield has been a varied one, as will be seen by a perusal of the following paragraphs. But he has been a man who has made stepping-stones of his adversities, and has succeeded in his life work. He has for many years devoted a great deal of attention to fruit growing, and is one of the best informed men on horticultural subjects in Greene county. He is also engaged in the real estate business. Mr. Albert was born in St. Clair county, Illinois, October 16, 1863. He is a son of Jake and Maggie ( Coffenberger ) Albert, both natives of Ger- many, and there they spent their early childhood, emigrating to the United States about the same time, the father being about thirteen years of age when he accompanied his parents to our shores. He had received a com- mon school education in his native land. The family located in Illinois, coming direct to that state, and there Jake Albert, Sr., grew to manhood and married. Idis w r ife died when our subject was fourteen years old, in GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1897 Illinois, but the father of our subject survived many years and died in Springfield, Missouri. He was a farmer and gardener. His family con- sisted of eight children, namely: Maggie, deceased; Jake, of this review; Peter, deceased ; Daniel is living ; Henry, deceased ; Annie, deceased ; the next two died in infancy unnamed. Jake Albert, of this sketch, grew to manhood in Illinois and he received a common school education; however, may be classed with the self-educated men of our country, for he has been a great reader along varied lines. He followed farming until he was twenty-one years old, then went to Welling- ton, Kansas, and worked at the stone mason's trade. He came to Spring- field in 1887, and has made his home here ever since. From time to time he worked for the Frisco system for many years, also followed farming and fruit growing, the latter being his principal vocation, and he is still active in the same, in connection with which he deals in real estate. He had an addition of twelve acres in the edge of Springfield, and still owns a part of it. He built his own pleasant home on West Atlantic street three years ago, which is one of the most attractive and desirable in that part of the city. He has long been enthusiastic on the subject of fruit growing and is well informed on the various phases of the same. He has been a man of energy, never afraid of hard work, and, possessing sound judgment, has acquired a very comfortable competence. Mr. Albert was married in September, 1886, to Dolly R. Davis, who was born in Illinois in 1872, where she grew to womanhood and was edu- cated, and they were married in that state. She was a daughter of John and Emma (Kimmel) Davis, natives of Pennsylvania and Illinois, respec- tively. Mr. Davis has devoted his active life to farming, and he and his wife are still living, having for some time resided in Greene county. Mr. Albert was called upon to mourn the loss of his faithful life com- panion, who was summoned to her reward on August 2, 1900, at the farm of our subject, about two and one-half miles west of Springfield. She was a worthy member of the Christian church and was a fine type of the refined home-loving Christian woman. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Albert, named as follow : Otis, born on October 15, 1887, died October 15, 1905; Nettie, born in 1889, died in 1904; Emma, born in April, 1895, died in 1913; William, born on July 18, 1897, fives at home. Politically, Mr. Albert is a Democrat and has long been more or less active in public affairs. He was at one time road overseer and commis- sioner here, and was for three years a school director in his district. Fra- ternally he belongs to the Eagles, the Loyal Order of Moose, also the Ger- man Brotherhood, and religiously he is a member of the Christian church. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1898 CLYDE L. HAMMOND. It is a matter of doubt which is the greater heritage, a distinguished name or a goodly estate. Some persons would choose one and some the other, depending wholly on their feelings and judgment combined; but when the two are handed down to descendants together, the permanent standing of such descendants in the community will never be questioned, so far as the heritage is concerned. The average citizen of the United States can hand no greater heritage to his children than an unblemished reputation, as was done in the case of Clyde L. Hammond, manager and chief engi- neer of the Hammond Brothers Ice and Cold Storage Company of Spring- field. Mr. Hammond was born on June 14, 1888, at Parkerville, Morris county, Kansas. He is a son of Lycurgas L. Hammond, also a native of that place, the son of John Hammond, one of the early pioneers of the Sunflower state, whither he removed from Kentucky. There the father of our subject grew to manhood, received his education and spent his earlier years as a farmer, later engaging in the contracting business, and he did a great deal of contract work for the state at Harrington, also had the contract there for furnishing ice and fuel for the Rock Island Railroad Company. He is at present located in Kansas City, where he handles coal and ice and furnishes these materials to the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Company, also to the Rock Island and the Northwestern roads. For some time he was in partnership with his brother, John R. Hammond. His record is that of an honorable and successful business man. His wife, who was known in her maidenhood as Maggie Rider, died in 1884, and was buried at Parkerville, Kansas. To these parents two children were born, namely: Clyde L., of this sketch; and Helen, who is the wife of Dr. Glen Clark, of Kansas City. Clyde L. Hammond grew to manhood in Kansas and there he received a common school education, but left school when sixteen years of age, and began clerking in a grocery store, later learned the butcher business, which he followed three years. In his early life he also worked as a farm hand for some time, also ran on the road for his father between Colorado, Kan- sas City, Chicago and Milwaukee. He came to Springfield, Missouri, in 1908 and became superintendent of construction of buildings and installed ice machines, etc. He became something of a mechanic and took the elec- tric course of one of the Eastern correspondence schools and became well qualified for his present position. The plant of the Hammond Brothers was built in the spring of 1908, and is three hundred and fifty by one hundred feet. The property was leased from the Frisco. It is modern in GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1899 every detail and well equipped for prompt, high-grade and sanitary service. It has a capacity of seventy tons of ice daily and employs twelve hands. The Frisco and a number of small dealers are constantly supplied, the road icing its cars from this plant, not only passenger coaches but meat and vegetable cars are supplied, the road having tracks on each side of the plant. The Hammonds have their own electric plant, three ice machines, two trans- script machines, each machine having a capacity of one hundred and five tons. The plant is operated from April until November. L. L. Hammond is president and J. R. Hammond is treasurer. Mr. Hammond was married in 1910 to Hazel Phiffer, a daughter of Charles Phiffer, of Kankakee, Illinois. Politically, he is a Democrat. He belongs to the Eagles and is a mem- ber of the Catholic church. WALTER P. GUSTIN. To the average mortal success in material things in this world comes as a result of persistant striving and grim determination. Walter P. Gustin, general yard master for the Frisco at Springfield, has succeeded in his life work as a result of applying right principles. Mr. Gustin was born at Picjua, Ohio, October 31, 1871. He is a son of Joseph E. Gustin, who was born in Warren county, Ohio, and there he grew to manhood and attended the common schools. Early in life he took up the butcher business, which he continued to follow until his death, which occurred in 1911 at the age of seventy-eight years. He first engaged in business in Dayton, Ohio, finally coming to Springfield, Missouri, where he operated a large butcher shop on Main street for a number of years. Dur- ing the Civil war he enlisted in an Ohio infantry regiment and for gallantry was promoted to lieutenant. He saw much hard service and fought in a number of important engagements, including Bull Run. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His wife was known in her maidenhood as Harriet Holt, a daughter of Phillamon Holt, of Dayton, -Ohio. She makes her home on North Jefferson street, Springfield, being- now seventy-one years of age. Walter P. Gustin spent his early boyhood in Ohio, where he attended school, finishing his education in the public schools of Springfield. How- ever, he left school when sixteen years of age and went to work for his father in the butcher business. Returning to Ohio, he began working, in 1890, in the shops of the Little Miami Railroad Company, later did yard work at Dayton until 1892, then returned to Spring-field and went to work for the Kansas City, Ft. Scott and Memphis Railroad Company, in the yards, i goo GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. where he worked until 1894, then went back to Ohio, and entered the train service of the Pennsylvania and Columbus Railroad Company, as brakeman, later being promoted to conductor, which position he held until March, 1902, when he came to Springfield and took a position as foreman in the engine yards, then became night yard master and finally general yard master. He was train master of terminals at Newberg, Missouri, for eighteen months or until July 4, 1910, then was yard master at Monett, this state, until September, 1912, then came back to Springfield as general yard master of terminals, which position he now holds. He has under him seventy-five hands. He has given eminent satisfaction in all the various positions he has held since entering railroad service. Mr. Gustin was married in 1903 to Elsie Fisher, a daughter of David Fisher, of Xenia, Ohio. To this union four children have been born, namely: Charles, Francis, Walter P., Jr., and Rachael. Our subject owns his own home on North Jefferson street. Politically, Mr. Gustin is a Republican. He has been a member of the Order of Railway Conductors for the past fifteen years. He belongs to the Benton Avenue Methodist Episcopal church. STANLEY K. KAUFFMAN. One of the broad-minded farmers of Wilson township, Greene county, who is a believer in not only keeping his soil properly built up but also pre- venting it from becoming thin, and who pays close attention to what the agricultural experts say, is Stanley K. Kauffman, and he is therefore suc- ceeding admirably as a general farmer. Mr. Kauffman was born near Reading, Berks county, Pennsylvania, May 20, 1864. He is a son of William W. and Emma (Hahn) Kauffman, both natives of Pennsylvania, also, and there they grew to maturity, were educated in the old-time common schools, were married and established their home on a farm. To them six children were born, namely: Mrs. Martha Montfort lives in Texas; Stanley K., of this sketch; Mrs. Katherine Tharp lives in Greene county, Missouri ; Mrs. Caroline Payne lives in Springfield ; William H. and Grover C. both reside in Wilson township, this county. The parents of these children left their native state in 1872 and removed to Greene county, Missouri, and the first three months were spent in Spring- field, during which time the father looked over the country with a view of locating permanently in the Ozarks. He selected Taney county and there purchased two hundred and ten acres, to which he removed his family, and there conducted a farm along general lines and became a prominent citizen GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1901 in his community. He was elected justice of the peace, the duties of which office he discharged in an able and satisfactory manner for a period of ten years. Late in life he removed to Greene county, where he bought a farm and here he and his wife spent their last days, his death occurring April 3, 1902, having been preceded to the grave by his wife and mother of our sub- ject on June 7, 1901. Stanley K. Kauffman was seven years of age when he removed with his parents from his native state to Springfield. He grew to manhood on the home farm in Taney county, and there assisted his father with the gen- eral work, and he received his education in the schools of that vicinity, when the slab benches and other rustic furnishings were in vogue and school lasted only three months in midwinter. His teacher was Judge Thomas Compton, who is now living in Lawrence county. Early in life our subject turned his attention to general farming, and this has remained his vocation to the pres- ent day. He owns a well-kept and well cultivated farm in Wilson township, Greene county, where he carries on general farming and stock raising ac- cording to twentieth century methods. Mr. Kauffman was married, November 26, 1893, to Emma Moore, a daughter of Rev. W. B. and Drucilla (Payne) Moore, formerly of Arkan- sas. The father, who is a minister, is living in Republic, this county, where he is actively engaged in his calling. The death of the mother of Mrs. Kauffman occurred in 1911. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Kauffman, Howard K. and Herman L. Politically, our subject is a Republican, and religiously he and his wife are members of the Christian church. CHARLES C. CHAVOSE. It should be impressed upon the minds of youth that at an early age they should practice introspection and should seriously study the famous Delphic oracle, “Know thyself.” At an early age Charles C. Chavose, yard and lumber foreman at the Springfield Wagon Works, began to determine, if possible, what he was “cut out for," to use a common expression, and he thus became acquainted with his abilities and weaknesses and began to form his plans for the future accordingly, with the result that he has been successful in his chosen life work. Mr. Chavose was born on July 31, 1873, at Lexington, Kentucky. He is a son of John Franklin Chavose, whose birth occurred on a farm near Lexington, representing an old Southern family of that section of the Blue igo2 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. Grass state. There our subject’s father grew up on the homestead, at- tended the rural schools and later was a student in the schools of Lexing- ton, including a course in the law college there. He was accordingly ad- mitted to the bar and subsequently came to southeastern Missouri, and prac- ticed his profession at Caruthersville, Pemiscot county, ranking among the foremost members of the bar of that county for many years. He con- tinued the practice of his profession until his death at the early age of forty years, in 1882, and was buried at Memphis, Tennessee. During the Civil war he served as bugler and staff officer under Gen. John Morgan, serving throughout the conflict in the Southern army. He was taken prisoner and after being held for some time was sent to the Federal prison at Alton, Illi- nois, and there was exchanged, after which he returned home. Politically, he was a Democrat, and he was a member of the Masonic Order, also a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He married Mary R. Colley, a daughter of Charles and Annie (Allman) Colley, of Mecklenburg county, Virginia, the Allmans having been among the first families of the Old Dominion. Mrs. Chavose now resides with her son, our subject, and is seventy-two years of age. She is a type of the old-time Southern aristoc- racy, hospitable and with pleasing personal address. Five children were born to John F. Chavose and wife, namely: Annie is the wife of O. Peterson, a stockman, who is engaged in furnishing live stock to feed the smelter people at Omaha, Nebraska, where he makes his home; Charles C. of this sketch; Lillie is the wife of W. H. Day, who is connected with the Springfield Furniture Company; Louis E., who was a painter by trade, died in 1911 at the age of thirty-four years; Tex L. is foreman at the Moore Manufacturing Company’s plant in Springfield. Louis Edward Chavose, paternal grandfather of our subject, was born in France, from which country he was brought to America by his parents when about six years of age, the family locating in North Carolina. He grew up in the South and devoted his active life to farming. Charles C. Chavose was a child when his parents brought him to Caru- thersville, Missouri, where he grew to manhood and received his early edu- cation; however, he left school when thirteen years of age and went to work in a general mercantile establishment at Hartfield, this state, being employed as clerk for some time by Gorman-Mansfield & Company. Later he en- gaged in farming, also worked in the coal mines, then, in 1898, he came to Springfield and found employment in the Springfield Wagon Works as laborer in the lumber yard. His ability and faithfulness was at once noted by the management and he was rapidly promoted, going through all de- partments of both the yard and factory proper, and now holds the position of foreman and inspector of the lumber department, having twenty men under his direction. He has been continually in the employ of this plant for GREENE COUNTY^ MISSOURI. 1903 over sixteen years. He also owns and operates a roller skating rink on South street. He has remained unmarried, preferring to devote his atten- tion to the care of his mother during her old age, which, indeed, is a most commendable act. Politically, Mr. Chavose is a Democrat, and he is a member of the First Baptist church. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, in which he was for some time vice chancellor ; he is also a member of the Knights and Ladies of Honor, and the Woodmen Circle. Loyal Order of Moose and the Woodmen of the World. JOSEPH STL I) LEY. A few years ago it was predicted by a learned man who should have a good knowledge of conditions as they exist, that under the present system of farming' the time was not far distant when the wheat lands would become exhausted of their fertility and the population of the world would want for bread, and this through the thriftless farming of what was once the richest of soils. If everyone farmed with as much caution and pains as Joseph Studley, of Brookline township, Greene county, such conditions as referred to above would not exist; for Mr. Studley has tilled the same farm over three decades and it is just as productive today as it was the first crop he raised on it. Mr. Studley was born near Chard, England, December 22, 1836, and there he grew to manhood and attended school, and there, in 1859, he mar- ried Ann Vincent, whose father was a native of France. She was born in England, reared and educated there. She proved to be an excellent help- meet, and when she was called to her eternal rest on March 7, 1912, her loss was distinctly felt in her neighborhood, for she was a woman of lofty character, a sympathetic and helpful neighbor, always ready to wait on the sick and the suffering and to extend a helping hand to the needy. She was a devout Christian, and her piety is reflected in the lives of her children, of whom she was justly proud. Mr. Studley remained in his native land until 1870, when he emigrated with his family to the United States and located near Pittsburg, Pennsyl- vania. Before leaving the old country he had followed the trade of Hurdle maker, and after coming to the New World he engaged in the carpenter’s trade for a short time, then took up the occupation of mining, working in the anthracite mines around Pittsburgh and Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, con- tinuing in this work until about 1882, when, longing for the freedom of a western farmer, he moved to Greene county, Missouri and rented a farm 1904 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. the first year, then bought one hundred acres, lying a half mile south of the village of Brookline, in section 3, Brookline township, on which he has since resided and where he has made a comfortable living and has a cozy home. He is now seventy-eight years old but still looks after his farm in a general way. Mr. Studley is the father of eleven children; the following living: Lydia married H. B. McDonald, of Plainsville, Luzerne county, Pennsyl- vania; Elizabeth married Dan Jones and they live in Columbus, Kansas; Jane married John Potter, agent for the Frisco railroad at Brookline; Hester married John McCarty, of Junction City, Ohio; Thomas lives in Springfield; Leah married Jess Keller, of Dallas county, Missouri; Joseph lives in Brookline. He also has about twenty grandchildren and about ten great-grandchildren living. CHARLES W. McCROSKEY. “Earn thy reward ; the gods give naught to sloth,” said the old Greek sage, Epicharmus, and the truth of the admonition has been verified in human affairs in all the ages which have rolled their course since his day. Charles W. McCroskey, county superintendent of public schools of Greene county, and a scion of an old family of the Ozarks, has, by ceaseless toil and endeavor, attained a large degree of success, while yet young in years, in his chosen calling and has gained the confidence and respect of those who know him. Professor McCroskey is a native of Christian county, Missouri, where his birth occurred on the 12th day of July, 1878. He is a son of Matthew Duff McCroskey and Sarah E. Barnett McCroskey and is one of ten chil- dren, an equal number of sons and daughters, all still surviving but two. The father, M. D. McCroskey, was born, reared and has always lived on the old homestead in Christian county, Missouri, which the paternal grand- father of our subject entered from the government in 1846 and which he developed from the wilderness by hard work and persistent efforts, and there spent the rest of his life, through many trying scenes of the early days in that county. His death occurred in 1869. The farm consists of three hundred acres, and there the father of our subject is carrying on gen- eral farming and stock raising on an extensive scale, raising and shipping to the markets probably as much live stock as any other farmer of his county. He has long been known as one of the leading citizens of that county, where his influence has been exerted all his life for the general good. His wife came from Tennessee in her youth, her family locating C. W. McCROSKEY. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1905 in Christian county. She received a good education and taught school tor a while. She is not only a woman of strong mind but a devoted worker in the interest of her family. Professor McCroskev spent his childhood and youth on his father’s farm amid the stimulating influences of nature, which are conducive to a well-rounded physical development. Here he learned the habits of industry and matured plans for the future with the object in view of becoming some- thing more than a mere passive agent in the world which calls for men of strong will and well-defined purposes to direct and control its affairs. Pos- sessing a keen and naturally inquisitive mind and a jibing almost akin to passion for books and study, he made rapid progress in the country schools he first attended. His rural school work was supplemented with high school work at Ozark. Mr. McCroskey then decided to teach, so he entered the old Springfield Normal and finished the teachers' course there. Desiring further training he entered the Warrensburg State Normal for two years, at the close of which the Springfield State Normal was established, so he entered this, his home institution, and received the degree of Bachelor of Pedagogy in 1907. He then attended the Wisconsin University for a short time, and spent two summers in Chicago University, and one year in Drury College, Springfield, Missouri, where he received the degree of Bachelor of Arts in I9I3- During all these years he continued teaching at intervals. Professor McCroskey taught in a number of rural schools, and in 1907 became prin- cipal of the schools at Willard, Missouri, where he stayed only one year, being promoted to the head of the schools at Walnut Grove, Greene county. His work in these two towns caused the board at Republic, Missouri, to call him to head its schools, and he served as superintendent for four years, during which time he inaugurated a modern system of education, which was admirable and effective. From Republic he was called to the superin- tenclencv of the Ash Grove, Missouri, schools, where he labored with the same zeal and courage, boosting the schools to the front rank in this part of the country. At the close of his first year of work in Ash Grove, in 1915, he was elected to head the schools of Greene county as superintend- ent, in which position he is now serving. Professor McCroskey’s work as a student and as a teacher has largely been in Greene county, and here he is doing a work that will long be remembered and felt. Although a well- rounded man and scholar, history and science are his favorite lines. Professor McCroskey owns and operates a valuable, well-improved and productive farm, ten miles south of Springfield, paying particular attention to the raising of live stock and grain. He believes in scientific farming, as (120) 1906 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. was indicated most forcefully in 1912, when he took the first premium in the corn exhibit at Columbia, for southern Missouri. Politically, Professor McCroskey is a Democrat. Fraternally, he be- longs to the Modern Woodmen of America, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Masons. Religiously, he affiliates with the Methodist Epis- copal church. WILLIAM M. STEPHENS. Among the old and honored families of Springfield was the Stephenses, who cast their lot here nearly seventy years ago when this was a mere vil- lage on the frontier and the country round about practically a wilderness, only an improved place here and there, and from that remote day to the present, members of this family have played no inconspicuous role in the local drama of civilization, having led upright and helpful lives, assisting in the general development of the community in every way practicable. One of the best known of the family is William H. Stephens, who has been content to spend his life in his native locality, forty years of which have been spent in the piano business, during which time he has become widely known in his special vocation. Mr. Stephens was born in Springfield, Missouri, September 22, 1848. He is a son of John A. and Pamelia C. Stephens, and is one of a family of six children, four of whom survive at this writing. John A .Stephens was born in Ohio. He received a good education and was graduated from Princeton College in Kentucky. He removed to Springfield, Missouri, in 1845. He taught school for some time, was a civil engineer of ability, but he devoted most of his active life to mercantile pursuits, operating a drug store, hardware store and dry goods store. He was a good business man and had rare mental gifts ; was an honest and industrious man, and did much toward the early development of this city. During the Civil war he joined the home guards, and met death by accident, in 1862, being killed by his own men, who mistook him for one of the enemy. His wife was a native of Henderson, Kentucky, and they were married in that state. William M. Stephens, oldest of the children, was reared in his native city and educated here. During the Civil war he was in the employ of the government, then worked in the local postoffice four years, then worked in the office of the circuit clerk, then turned his attention to the piano busi- ness, which he has continued to the present time, a period of forty years, during which he sold pianos and employed a piano salesman for several years, and he has also been regarded as an expert piano tuner ; in fact, being musically inclined, mastered the various phases of this business in a few GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. I907 years, and has long been one of the best known piano men in southwest Missouri. Mr. Stephens was married on September 22, 1870, to Eva C. Sawyer, a daughter of Thomas L. Sawyer, a school teacher, whose family consisted of five children. To Mr. and Mrs. Stephens seven children have born, namely: George A. died at the age of thirty-eight years; Maud married Dr. A. P. Evans; they reside in Concord, New Hampshire, and have one child; William A. died at the age of twenty-eight years, leaving a widow; Margaret married H. A. Thompson, a merchant of Beatrice, Nebraska, and they have one daughter and one son; Laura is married and lives in Beatrice, Nebraska, and has one child ; two children died in infancy. Politically, Mr. Stephens is a Democrat, and, while never active in politics, has always been loyal in his support of the party. He attends the Christian Science church. ST. DE CHANTAL ACADEMY OF THE VISITATION. Greene county has long stood among the foremost of the one hundred and fourteen divisions of the Missouri commonwealth in point of education, her many and high-grade schools being known throughout the Middle West. Indeed, the city of Springfield has been frequently alluded to as the “Athens of the Ozarks" and the “Athens of the Southwest,” the latter term embrac- ing a vast section of the American Union. Of our praisworthy institutions of learning, that of St. de Chantal Academy, although among the newest of the county, occupies a prominent position in the list. There is no doubt but that the location of an institution of learning has a great influence in its success. The immediate environment has much to do with its prestige and general results. Young minds are plastic, and if students are placed in pleasant surroundings their progress will unques- tionably be more rapid, and they will take more interest in their work. It would be difficult to find an institution of learning throughout the nation more fortunately situated in respect to its topographical environment than that of St. de Chantal Aca'demy at “Elfindale,” which is beautifully situated on the highest plateau of the Ozark Mountains, and lies just outside of the city limits of Springfield. An inspiring panorama of hill, valley, forest and field may be had over a vast stretch of interesting country from these heights. Its pure air and clear spring- water supply, its unrivaled climate and beauty of scenery at all seasons, make it an ideal site for an educational home. The naturally magnificent grounds of one hundred acres, softened and beautified by the aid of man's art into blending land and waterscapes, 1908 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. give a refining harmonious environment and invite to outdoor exercise and nature study. Both the academy proper and chapel buildings are models of elegant modern architecture, substantial, imposing, serviceable, and in every way suitable for school purposes. The former is four stories in height, of fine gray Carthage stone, and the latter is three stories high and built of glazed brick, with numerous artistic windows. Near by is a spacious and well- kept greenhouse, where flowers and shrubs of many varieties are grown. The elegant manor-house abounds in spacious halls and cheerful rooms, all of which are furnished with the latest conveniences of light, heat and ventilation to insure health and comfort. “Elfindale” has been well named, for one does not need much poetic fancy, when wandering over its delightful grounds, with its arched stone gateway and its graceful and stately forest trees, to picture elfs of the in- fant world gamboling among these fairy-like bowers surrounding the little crystal lake a short distance from the academy, a bit of water which the Indians would doubtless have named “the smile of the Great Spirit’’ had they seen it, for it was their custom to give fitting names to Nature’s beauty spots. This lake, with its banks embowered with overhanging trees and vines of many varieties common to this latitude, with its little island, stone bridges, pavilion, boat-house and canoes, to say nothing of the gay water- lillies that rest on its bosom in summer, must be seen to be fully appreciated. The Order of Visitation was founded at Annecy, Haute-Savoie, by St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane Frances de Chantel, in 1610, and was in- troduced into this country in 1709, at Georgetown, District of Columbia. St. de Chantal Academy, opened in 1887 by the Sisters of the Visitation Order in one of the fine residence parts of St. Louis, was, in 1906, enabled, through the munificence of Mrs. Alice O'Day, to remove to “Elfindale,” Springfield, Missouri. The life and work at “Elfindale’ have for their single purpose the full and thorough training of its children for the mission that awaits them. To this end, the school seeks by a judicious combination of physical, mental and moral training, to develop harmoniously their entire nature, and by the refining influences of a happy Christian home to mould their character, in order thus to make them not only accomplished and edifying members of society, but also sensible and practical women. The government of the school assumes self-respect and self-restraint on the part of the pupils; consequently the discipline is mild though firm, and the pupils are expected to conform cheerfully to the established rules and regulations. The scholastic year is divided into two sessions, beginning respectively the second Monday of September and the first day of February, but pupils are received any time and charged from date of entrance. Dif- GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. I909 ference of religion is no obstacle to the reception of pupils, provided they conform to the discipline of the school, but they must come with proper references. The curriculum comprises primary, preparatory and academic depart- ments. An elective course of studies may be arranged for pupils whose health or time advises against the full curriculum. French, history, litera- ture, art and music are the branches ordinarily preferred. A post-graduate course enables the pupils to continue the study of philosophy, literature, his- tory and other branches. The school’s diploma and gold medal are awarded to the pupils who satisfactorily complete the full course. The school di- ploma is given to those who successfully complete an elective course. The school's certificate of honor will be given to those who successfully pursue the post-graduate course. In the preparatory department the pupils are thoroughly grounded in English, geography, grammar and the elements of English composition and other studies, preparatory to the academic course. In the academic course the languages, sciences, philosophies and ancient his- tories are taught, and running through each department Bible history and Christian doctrine. The school of music at Elfindale, while it enjoys the great advantage of being incorporated with an academy eminent for its instruction in all branches of a liberal education, offers at the same time a complete and inde- pendent course for those who wish to devote their time especially to music. Girls of tender years, with exceptional talent for music, will find at Elfin- dale the best conservatory methods, combined with careful guardianship and a regular English curriculum. Conducted by Sisters whose studies un- der the best professors have been supplemented by many years of experience, this school is prepared to carry its students through a graded course to thorough musicianship. The course of musical instruction embraces in ad- dition to the chief departments of voice and piano, classes in theory, harmony, history of music, chorus and sight singing, also ensemble playing. There are two departments — the academic course and the general music school. The latter is intended for those who, not having time or talent for the academic course, yet wish to add the accomplishment of music to their studies in the regular curriculum. A diploma and gold medal are awarded for the completion of the academic course for voice, piano or violin. The art course is founded upon the methods employed in the National Leagues. It comprises perspective, modeling, drawing and painting from casts and life and history of art. The studio is furnished with all the ap- pliances of modern art, and the pupils are regularly informed of the cur- rent events of the art world. Before leaving St. Louis, in June, 1906, the Alumnae Association was established. The first meeting was held on October 21, 1905, when the igio GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. graduates of eighteen years assembled at the academy and organized into an association, with Mrs. Alonzo C. Church, its first graduate, as presi- dent. The association was organized for the purpose of maintaining and of promoting the interests of their alma mater in every manner that may contribute to her prosperity and reputation as a leading institution of learn- ing. Besides Mrs. Church the other officers of the alumnae are vice-presi- dents, Mrs. J. F. McDermott and Mrs. H. F. Woods; recording secretary, Mrs. Gerald B. O'Reilly; treasurer, Mrs. J. Dillon. WILLIAM H. SCHREIBER. Each man who strives to fulfill his part in connection with human life and human activities is deserving of recognition, no matter what mav be the field of his endeavor, for it is interesting to note the varying con- ditions that have compassed those whose careers are brought to the atten- tion of the readers of history. William H. Schreiber, a well known civil engineer of Springfield, has had a career worthy of attention by the biographer. He was born on May 1 6, 1874, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and is a son of Rudolph and Augusta (Manegold) Schreiber, both natives of Germany, from which country they emigrated to America when young. The death of the father occurred in Denver, Colorado, about six years ago, and the mother is living in that city at this writing. These parents were married in Wisconsin, in which state they resided until 1905, when they removed to Denver. Rudolph Schreiber was in the wholesale wine and whiskey business during his active life. His family consisted of six children, two of whom are deceased. Those living are, Mrs. Charles J. Starke, of Denver, Colorado; William H., of this sketch; Rudolph. Jr., of Denver; and Mrs. Augusta Hartman, also of Denver. Politically, the father was a Democrat, and belonged to the Lutheran church. William H. Schreiber received his education partly in the schools of Milwaukee, attending Markham Academy there, later the School of Tech- nology in Massachusetts. In 1893 he was assistant superintendent of the Columbian Exposition in Chicago, under A. T. Atwood, with offices in the Manufacturers’ building. He went with the surveying crew of the North- ern Pacific Railroad through the West, then came to St. Louis, and there had charge of the Missouri Valley Trust Company’s maps and plats. Later he went with the Iron Mountain Railroad Company as assistant engineer for the elimination of grades, then was promoted to assistant chief engineer of the Little Rock & Northern Railroad Company, and during the con- struction of its White river line he was appointed chief topographer, and GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 191 I remained in this capacity until the work was completed. He came to Spring- field, Missouri, and was city engineer here under the administration of Mayor B. E. Meyer, and part of the administration of Mayor James Blaine. Since then he has been doing supervision work for the Anheuser- Busch Brewing Company at Springfield, Neosho and other cities, supervis- ing the construction of this firm’s reinforced concrete buildings. On Aprl 14, 1901, Mr. Schreiber was united in marriage with Miss Lee Sullenger at Taneyville, Missouri. She is a daughter of J. M. and Louise Sullenger. To our subject and wife the following children have been born: Augusta, Bernice, Delores and William, Jr. Mr. Schreiber is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. His family are members of the German Evangelical Lutheran church. JOSEPH G. ANDERSON. Death is always regarded by the masses as a visitor to our homes to be dreaded, but before whose merciless power we are helpless, and his crossing our thresholds seems doubly deplorable when he summons the young and promising from the family circle, as he did in the case of the late Joseph G. Anderson, a young business man of Springfield who was apparently starting on a successful and brilliant career. Mr. Anderson was born in Wichita, Kansas, on December 8, 1885. He was a son of William John and Rachel (Gilbert) Anderson. The father was born in New York and he came west to Kansas when a young man and learned the trade of designing and decorating, which he followed most of his life. He had been educated in the common schools of New York. His death occurred in November, 1906, in Springfield, Missouri, at the age of sixty-six years. The mother of our subject was a native of Kansas, and she is living in Springfield at this writing. Three children were born to these parents, namely: Joseph G., our subject; Christ, who lives in Springfield ; and Maude, who makes her home in St. Louis. Joseph G. Anderson came to Springfield with his parents at the age of eight years, and here he attended the ward and high schools, also the South- west Business College, taking advantage of his spare hours at night to ad- vance his business education. He worked a year for Otto Holmes, the decorator, and learned this trade in the meanwhile, and he devoted the rest of his life to decorating and sign painting, building up a lucrative and successful business. He first started a shop on Boonville street, paying only five dollars a month rent, but he gradually worked up a large business, handling most of the extensive sign work and bill-poster 1912 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. work, also pictorial sign work, under the firm name of the Anderson Sign Company, and was thus actively engaged at the time of his death, in 1914, at his home on North Campbell street. Politically, he was a Republican. He belonged to the Improved Order of Red Men and to the Master Paint- ers’ organization. Mr. Anderson was married, April 10, 1910, to Edna McCartney, a daughter of John William and Alice (Crail) McCartney. The father was horn on April 24, 1844, in Cumberland county, Illinois, from which state he came to Springfield, Missouri, in 1893, where he still resides. He is a son of John and Susanna (Powell) McCartney. John McCartney, Sr., was born and reared in Virginia, and he came to Ohio with his parents, Daniel and Polly Ann McCartney, at the age of twenty years, the family locating in Lawrenceville county. He operated a flatboat on the Ohio to New Or- Orleans and back. He moved to Illinois in 1836, where he followed farm- ing until his death. He entered one hundred and sixty acres at twelve and one-half cents per acre, and later added another one hundred and sixty acres of government land; for which he paid one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre. Later he bought forty acres from the Illinois Central Rail- road Company, for which he paid twelve dollars and fifty cents per acre, making him a total of three hundred and sixty acres. He carried on gen- eral farming in a successful manner until his death, August 5, 1888, at the advanced age of eighty-four years, on the farm which he cleared and de- veloped. He took an interest in public affairs and served his community as justice of the peace for many years. He was a stanch Democrat and was a member of the Missionary Baptist church. His family consisted of nine children, only three of whom are now living, namely: George and Nancy, both of Cumberland county, Illinois; and John W., who lives in Springfield, Missouri. The last named was educated in the common schools in Illinois, studied medicine and practiced his profession in Cumberland county, that state, also at Toledo and Newton, Illinois. He came to Spring- field, Missouri, in 1893, where, owing to failing health, he has lived prac- tically retired. He was mayor of Toledo, Illinois, for one term, and was chairman of the Democratic Central Committee of Cumberland county, that state, for four years, and was a member of the city council of Toledo for a period of fifteen years. Pie was a prominent man in public life there. He has belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows since 1873. He was manager of a sanitarium for two years in Springfield, Missouri. After discontinuing the practice of medicine he entered the secret service depart- ment of the government under E. G. Rathburn, chief of the service. He remained in this work seven years, resigning before coming to Missouri. He is a member of the Grant Street Baptist church. Mrs. Alice (Crail) McCartney was born in Shelby county, Indiana, is still living at the family GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1913 home on North Campbell street. She is an active member of the Baptist church. Ten children have been born to Mr. and Mrs John McCartney, three of whom died in infancy. The others are Frank, who lives in Kan- sas; Mrs. Mattie Dodds, of Springfield; Walter, of Springfield; Clarence, of Springfield; Mrs. Ethel Emmons lives in Arkansas; Edna, widow of Mr. Anderson, the immediate subject of this sketch; and Mrs. Pauline Lodge, of Springfield. Mrs. Anderson received a good common school education. She is a member of the Grant Street Baptist church. THOMAS E. WILLIER. One of the best known and most efficient railway builders of the West during the past generation was the late Thomas E. Wilder, a most success- ful man in his line, and a man whose career indicates how perseverance, self-reliance, tact, honesty and genuine worth will win in the battle of life. Mr. Willier was born on the 6th day of August, 1864, in Peoria, Illi- nois, and was the eldest of three sons of Joseph W. and Hanora Willier. His father was one of the pioneers of railway construction, and at an early age the son, too, took up the same business, and was identified with his father in the building of a number of roads in the eastern states. Mr. Willier came to Springfield in the year 1887 and was connected with many of the most important railroad projects in the West and Southwest from that time until his death. His labors also extended to Jamaica and Costa Rico and about twelve years before his death he completed several important contracts in that section of the country. The last im- portant work in which he was engaged was the building of the Iron Mountain railroad from Crane to Springfield, a part of which was through some of the most rugged sections of the Ozarks. For a number of years Mr. Willier was at the head of the Willier Construction Company, but dur- ing the last three years of his life he was not actively engaged in business. He was, however, preparing to again take an active part in railroad con- struction when he was suddenly summoned from the scene of his earthly labors. On September 9, 1902, Mr. Willier was married to Anna E. Arnold, daughter of George W. and Louisa (Buissart) Arnold. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Willier, namely: Catherine E.. Thomas E., Georee J. Margaret Louise and Robert A., all of whom, except the eldest, are living. Two brothers and three sisters also survive Mr. Willier — Joseph, Dr. A. F., Nellie, Mrs. Frank O'Hara and Sister Marie Theresa, of the Benedictine Convent. 1914 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. Mr. Willier’s death occurred on the 19th day of April, 1910, as the result of an operation for appendicitis, performed at the St. John’s Hos- pital in Springfield. Mr. Willier was widely known to the railroad world, and everyone familiar with his methods pronounced him a most efficient and progressive builder of transportation lines. He was a persistent student of all that pertained to his work, and was, consequently, a master in his line, and one whose services were in great demand. He left behind him the record of a life well spent in every particular, and will long be sadly missed from the circles in which he moved. FRANK R. MASSEY. The prosperity and substantial welfare of a town or community are in a large measure due to the enterprise and wise foresight of its business men. It is progressive, wide-awake men of affairs that make the real his- tory of a community, and their influence in shaping and directing its varied interests is difficult to estimate. Frank R. Massey, a representative of one of the most prominent families of southwestern Missouri during the past quarter of a century or more, and for a number of years one of Spring- field’s most progressive merchants and business men, who is now engaged in mining, is one of the enterprising gentlemen of the Queen City of the Ozarks. Mr. Massey was born in Jasper county, Missouri, April 12, 1850. Fie is a son of Benjamin F. and Mirah (Withers) Massey, the former being one of the sterling early pioneers of Missouri. He was born at Massey’s Cross Roads, Kent county, Maryland, near Chestertown, in 1811, and was a son of Benjamin Massey. He grew to manhood in his native state and received a common school education at Baltimore, where his boyhood days were spent. Having a desire to investigate the then little known country west of the Mississippi river, in 1831, when about twenty-one years of age, he made the prolix and somewhat hazardous overland journey from the Monument City to Mound City (St. Louis), and embarked in business, but subsequently went to Fayette, Howard county, Missouri, where he engaged in mercantile pursuits from 1837 to 1839, but in the last mentioned year he moved to what is now the city of Sarcoxie, Jasper county, this state, and there laid out the town, and continued to reside there until 1856, being the principal guardian of Sarcoxie’s interests during that period, and doing more than any other man for her general development. He engaged suc- cessfully in business there until he entered politics, being elected secretary of state in 1856, becoming one of the efficient and popular officers of the GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1915 state of Missouri in that troublous period. Prior to that time he had served his district as state senator. He was occupying the office of secretary of state when the Civil war broke out, when he went South with Governor Claiborne Jackson and the other officers of the state government, and served four years in a gallant and faithful manner in the Confederate army. After the war he returned to Missouri and published a newspaper, The Jeffer- sonian at Pierce City,- which became one of the most influential and widely known newspapers in southern Missouri. He was not only a good business man and made this a successful venture from a financial standpoint, but was a trenchant and versatile writer and most capable editor in every way. He continued in the newspaper business until his retirement from the active affairs of life, whereupon he came to Springfield to spend his last years with his son, Frank R., of this sketch, at whose home he passed from earthly scenes a few years later, in 1887, after a useful, industrious and honorable career. His name will go down in the history of the state as one of the most prominent, able and enterprising citizens of southwestern Missouri a half century ago. Benjamin F. Massey and Mirah Withers were married in Boonville, Cooper county, Missouri, in 1838. She was born in Fauquier county, Vir- ginia, in which state she grew to womanhood and was educated, and from that state emigrated with her parents to Missouri during the latter thirties, the family locating in Boonville. She was a woman of fine mind and charm- ing personality, a true type of that fine Southern womanhood of ante-bellum days. Her death occurred in 1864. Benjamin F. Massey and wife were the parents of ten children. Frank R. Massey is a fine type of the successful self-made American, and this title is the proudest that anyone can bear in our great Republic of the west. He never went to school a day in his life, but be- ing a man of natural strong endowments and ambitions he has become a well-informed man through actual contact with the world, and by wide home reading. When a child he went to Virginia, where he was reared to manhood, leaving there in 1866, he came back to Missouri and began his splendid business career as a merchant, in which line of en- deavor he was successful from the first. He organized what is now known as the Springfield Grocery Company, one of the most successful concerns of its kind in the great Southwest. It paid one hundred per cent, the first six years of its existence under the able management of Mr. Massey, who man- aged it for seven years, then he retired two years, and then organized the Massey-Herndon Shoe Company in Springfield, which partnership continued fairly successful for five years, when Mr. Massey purchased Mr. Herndon’s interests and merged the concern with the Keet-Rountree Shoe Company, of which large establishment our subject was general manager for five years. 1916 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. during which time the company did a very extensive wholesale business all over this section of the country; but on account of failing health Mr. Massey was forced to retire from the firm, and he later went into the mining busi- ness at Granby, Missouri, and is still actively engaged there, being general manager of extensive mining interests at that place, and, as usual, this venture has been a highly successful one from a business standpoint. Politically, Mr. Massey is a loyal Democrat and influential in the party. Fraternally he belongs to the Masonic Order. ANDERSON T. MOORE. One of Springfield's representative business men of a past generation was the late Anderson T. Moore, for many years a well known traveling- salesman, later a successful mercant on Commercial street. He was a busy and enterprising man, one of the kind that can be relied upon as a helpful citizen. His was a kind of life that does not attract especial attention for any picturesque quality or daring deeds, having been led along prosaic lines of useful endeavor, but was of the kind that goes to make up the continuous achievements of humanity, and his example was no doubt imitated by others, for many admire a life like his in preference to a quiet, unobtrusive, yet withal, useful and successful one, and when he passed away regret was freely expressed on every hand by the many who knew and admired him as a man of affairs, a neighbor and citizen. Mr. Moore was born in Waterloo, Monroe county, Illinois, June 5, 1857, where he was reared and received a good practical education in the public schools. He came to Springfield, Missouri, in the early eighties, and for twenty-eight years he was a commercial traveler, giving the firms which he represented every degree of satisfaction and becoming popular with the trade in his territory ; in fact, few traveling men were better known in southwestern Missouri, for nearly three decades is a long time for one to travel, and during such a long period one would necessarily meet a great number of people, and, being a good mixer and genial, our subject neces- sarily made many acquaintances and friends everywhere he went. He finally retired from the road, in 1911, and went into the dry goods business on Commercial street, Springfield, but shortly thereafter he was disabled and was not in his usual health for some three years. He understood thor- ougly every phase of his business and had he not been somewhat handi- capped by ill health would have made a great success as a dry goods mer- chant. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1917 Mr. Moore was married on October 8, 1894, to Aetna Risser, who was born in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, in 1875. She is a daughter of Daniel and Mar- tha Risser. The father was born in Germany, from which country he emi- grated to America when a child, with his parents, and the family settled in Ohio, but soon came on to Iowa, establishing their future home at Mt. Pleasant, where Mrs.. Moore grew to womanhood and received her educa- tion. She is the youngest of a family of eleven children. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Moore, named as follows: Martha, born on July 10, 1900: Helen E., born on August 25, 1907; and Thomas, born on February 12, 1911. They are all at home and attending school. Mr. Moore was a member of the First Baptist church of Springfield for many years. His widow belongs to the Episcopal church here. He was a member of the Travelers’ Protective Association and a director of the same for a number of years: Politically he was a Republican all his mature years. Mr. Moore was summoned to his eternal rest on December 22, 1913, at the age of fifty-six years, and after a protracted illness. JEREMIAH FENTON. Among the men of sterling attributes of character who have impressed their personality upon the community of their residence and have borne their full share in the upbuilding and development of the Queen City of the Ozarks during its recent period of phenomenal growth, mention must not be omitted of Jeremiah Fenton, prominent citizen of Springfield during the past cpiarter of a century, for he has exerted a strong influence for the good of the city, being a man of upright principles, industrious in business affairs and public matters, always desirous of seeing the advancement of the city and county along moral, civic and material lines. He is too well known to need extended notice here, his career as business man, postmaster, mayor and citizen being familiar to the readers of this work. And now as the twilight of his years gather about him he can look back over a life of hard toil, some parts somewhat thrilling, especially that relating to his splendid career in the Union army and his life in the wild Southwest; but this Irish lad had in him the qualities that make for success and when he began his career in the New World he was in a way, exceptionally well equipped,, and he has well deserved the success he has attained. 1918 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. CHARLES F. LaBOUNTY. Charles F. LaBounty, assistant machine foreman and assistant brass foreman in the north side shops, Springfield, was born on January 14, 1871, at Murphysboro, Jackson county, Illinois. He is a son of Alfred F. La- Bounty, a native of the city of Paris, France, from which place he was brought to Canada as a child, and he was reared to manhood at Rochester, New York. His parents died when he was a small boy, but he managed to secure a practical education and get a start in life, engaging in the dairy and cheese business in New York state, also engaged in mercantile pursuits, operating for a number of years a large store near Rochester. He subse- quently removed to Murphysboro, Illinois, where he continued in mercantile pursuits, then came to Willow Springs, Missouri, and engaged in the brick manufacturing business for himself until his death in 1893, at the age of sixty years. He was a successful business man, doing well in whatever line he engaged in. Politically, he was a Democrat. Fraternally, he be- longed to the Masonic Order, and he was a member of the Methodist Epis- copal church. The mother of the subject of this sketch was known in her maidenhood as Melissa Bower, a representative of an old Knickerbocker family of New York. She was a daughter of Harvey Bower. Her death occurred Novem- ber 3, 1914, at Los Angeles, California, at the age of seventy-three years. Three children were born to Alfred F. LaBounty and wife, namely: Cora married Henry Balfour, a lawyer of Jonesboro, Arkansas; Hattie, who took care of her mother in her declining years, married H. A. Ismond, formerly a locomotive engineer on the Mobile and Ohio railroad, but is now living in retirement in Los Angeles; and Charles F., of this sketch. The subject of this sketch received his education in the common schools, but left school when sixteen years old, and he began his railroad career when a small boy. He first went to work for the Missouri Pacific at St. Louis as machinist apprentice, and after serving out his time in this capacity he left that city as journeyman in 1890, and went to Pine Bluff, Arkansas, as machinist with the Cotton Belt road, remaining there nine or ten months, then returned to St. Louis and resumed his old position with the Missouri Pacific, later was promoted from machinist to foreman, which position he held two years. He has worked for the Missouri Pacific at various times for a period of fifteen or sixteen years. Some time he worked for the Pneumatic House Cleaning Company in St. Louis; this firm manufactured chairs, and Mr. LaBounty was the first man that ever assembled one of the firm’s famous chairs. In 1902 our subject went to El Paso, Texas, where he worked as machinist for the Southern Pacific Railroad Company for two GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1919 years. In October, 1904, he began working in the north side Frisco shops, Springfield, Missouri, as machinist, later being promoted to assistant ma- chinist foreman, which position he now holds, having fifteen men under his direction; he is also assistant foreman of the brass department in the same shops, and his two-fold duties keep him busy but, being a man of industry and good executive ability he discharges the duties devolved upon him in a manner that is highly pleasing to his employers. He is an expert in his line and has kept well up-to-date in the same. Mr. LaBounty was married in 1893 to Emma Grassman, a daughter of John and Elsie (Grundum) Grassman, of St. Louis. To this union one child has been born — Elise LaBounty, who was educated in the ward and high schools, and is now teaching in the Robberson school, Springfield; she is also musically inclined and is organist at St. John’s Episcopal church. Politically, Mr. LaBounty is a Republican. Fraternally, he belongs to the Order of Eagles, Knights and Ladies of Security, Loyal Order of Moose, and was formerly a member of the Knights of Pythias. He is a member of St. John’s Episcopal church, and sang in the choir there many years. He owns a comfortable home on Clay street. Mr. LaBounty has found time during his work-a-day life to develop a natural esthetic nature. He has become a well-informed man along general lines by wide home reading. He has always been a great lover of floricul- ture and has a practical knowledge of botany. He has a small hothouse on the rear of his lot at 1320 Clay street, thirty-two by twelve feet, and he devotes his spare time to the culture of flowers, now making a specialty of asters and dahlias. Courteous and genial, he is a pleasant gentleman to meet. JERRY W. OWENS. Although we are prone to rail at our environments and lack of early opportunities, blaming these for our failures along the road toward the “heights," yet the contemplative mind must conclude that life is, after all, about what we make it. When but a boy Jerry W. Owens, of Springfield, Missouri, general agent of' the Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company, of Philadelphia,, realized that man is master of his fate; that he is the captain of his own soul, and he set about in a laudable manner to shape his destiny on “these banks and shoals of time." Mr. Owens was born on September 6, 1875, 011 a farm eight miles northwest of Carthage, Missouri, in one of the best farming sections of Jasper county, and resided on this farm until he was twenty-one years of age. He is a son of David D. and Frances M. (Stout) Owens. The father 1920 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. was born in Wales, July 15, 1834, and moved to Newark, Licking county, Ohio, with his parents when a mere boy, and the mother's birth occurred near Newark, Licking; county, Ohio, September 9, 1842. Her death oc- curred at Santa Cruz, California, July 17, 1913, and in that city the father is still making his home. David D. Owens received a fairly good education in the rural schools. His wife was well educated and she spent her earlier years in educational work, teaching about twenty terms in Ohio and Illi- nois. Mr. Owens has devoted his active life to farming and stock raising, but is now living in retirement, but still owns his fine farm of two hundred acres in Jasper county, Missouri. During the Civil war he enlisted in an Ohio regiment and served in the Union army, participating in several en- gagements in Maryland and Virginia. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and politically he is a Republican. His family consists of four children, namely: Edwin J. lives in Canon City, Colorado, where he is engaged in the mercantile business; David A. lives in Santa Cruz, Cali- fornia, where he is engaged in the transfer and storage business; James B. also lives in Santa Cruz, being in partnership with his brother in business. Jerry W. Owens spent his boyhood on the farm in Jasper county and received his education in the common schools, later attending college in Carthage, then came to Springfield and took a course in the Springfield Business College. He began life for himself by doing clerical work for a number of different firms in Springfield. He subsequently became official court reporter for the Circuit Court and the Criminal Court, discharging the duties of this important trust for a period of eight years in a manner that was highly satisfactory to all concerned. He reported all civil cases in Division No. 2 and reported all criminal cases. While incumbent of this office he found time to engage to some extent in the insurance business, and about ten years ago he was made general agent for the Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company, of Philadelphia, his territory comprising about twenty- five counties in southwestern Missouri. He has offices at 826 Landers Building. He is one of the best known insurance men in this section of the state. Mr. Owens was married on March 10, 1909, in Springfield, to Minnie Clyde Umbarger, who was born in Saline county, Missouri, June 21, 1877. She is a daughter of Thomas A. and Mary Jane (Spates) Lhnbarger. The father was born on July 5, 1846, near Bloomington, Indiana, and died on October 8, 1910, his death being the result of an accident. The mother of Mrs. Owens was born on February 16, 1837, near Louisville, Kentucky, and her death occurred on March 5, 1903. To these parents six children were born, five of whom are still living, namely: William W. is engaged in farming near Marshall, Saline county, Missouri ; Walter A., who lives in Springfield, is a member of the firm of Boehn & Umbarger, fire insurance GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1921 agents; Dr. Thomas T. is practicing dentistry in Springfield; Maggie, who married William W. Naylor. He was killed in a train wreck near Lebanon, Missouri, September 15, 1914; Minnie C., who became the wife of Mr. Owens, of this sketch. She attended the country schools, and the Missouri Valley College at Marshall, Missouri. Two children have been born to Jerry W. Owens and wife, namely: Mary Frances, born January 10, 1911; David Allen, born January 1, 1913. Politically, Mr. Owens is a Republican and is active in party affairs. Fie is at this writing chairman of the county committee of his party and has done much for the success of the candidates of his party. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias and the Illinois Commercial Men’s Association, of Chicago. The family belongs to the Cumberland Presbyterian church. CHARLES WESLEY MORCKEL. We are told by the ancient philosophers that all in this world is in ordained form, some maintaining that in nature nothing develops with the help of man’s hands. The charm that is charm is that which has become an existing object by an unhampered, ungoverned process in a natural man- ner. While many who love to spend their lives close to the soil, with the sustaining touch of nature on every hand, may not understand her workings, but they feel a kinship nevertheless which renders the life of the outdoor person better in every way than that of his city brother. Some, of coutse, not feeling that sense of harmony, do not think so. The Morckel family, of whom Charles Wesley Morckel, a farmer of east Center township, Greene county, is a creditable representative, have preferred to spend their lives in agricultural pursuits, getting both pleasure and profit from the close contact with Mother Nature. Mr. Morckel was born March 11, 1869, in Cooper county, Missouri, near Boonville. He is a son of John Christian and Rosanna (Bandy) Mor- ckel. The father was born in Bavaria, Germany. The mother was of French parentage, but was born in Switzerland. These parents emigrated to the United States about 1834, before their marriage ; the father first located in Stark county, Ohio, and the mother in Columbiana county, that state, and they were married in the latter county about 1858, and some two years later they moved to Marshall county, Indiana, remaining there six years, then went to Illinois for two years, and from that state went to Cooper county, Missouri, locating on a farm near Boonville, where they made their home for a period of eighteen years. After spending a few years each in Vernon and Jasper counties, this state, they established their home in Greene (121) 1922 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. county on the farm where our subject now lives, in section 1 and 2, east Center township, in 1892, and here they spent the rest of their lives, the father dying on August 9, 1908, and the mother's death occurred on April 2, 1908. They were the parents of five children, four of whom are still living, namely: John Wesley is farming in New Mexico; William Edward is farming in Idaho; Mary Louise is the wife of Paton Gallagher and they live in Tipton, Missouri; and Charles W. of this sketch. The subject of this review was reared on the farm and worked thereon when he became of proper age, and he received a common school education in Cooper and Jasper counties. He remained on the farm with his parents until his marriage on December 25, 1895, to Belle Young, a daughter of Charley and Kittie Young, of Murray township, this county. After his mar- riage he bought eighty acres adjoining his father’s farm and lived on this place one and a half years, when, upon the death of his wife on July 23, 1899, he returned to the home of his parents and has since remained on the homestead. He again married in 1901, his last wife being Francisca Mel- kesswan. To the first union two children were born: Almeda, born on November 14, 1896; and Harry, born on May 7, 1899. In addition to carrying on general farming Mr. Morckel devotes con- siderable attention to raising and handling live stock, and no small portion of his success has been derived from this source. His farm is one of the best in the township. It consists of two hundred acres, all under a high state of cultivation and improvements, including good drainage into a spring branch. The bottom land is of a soil known as black loam, the higher portions, red limestone land. In addition to the homestead he owns thirty acres of timber, not far away. Politically he is a Republican, but is not a seeker after political honors, but is a booster for the general good of his community. ULYSSES F. KERR, M. D. Prominent among the successful medical men of Springfield and Greene county is Dr. Ulysses F. Kerr, formerly a well-known general practitioner of Christian county. During his fourteen years of practice, his punctuality in keeping appointments with his patients has been religiously adhered to, never having disappointed anyone except in cases of the most urgent neces- sity. Privately, as well as professionally, his life has been an exemplary one, and no proper help to worthy enterprises, public, charitable or other- wise, has he withheld, and he is honored and respected by all as a true type of the sympathetic, broad-minded Christian physician. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. I923 HUBERT H. HAYWARD. Many appellations have been applied to the present epoch or cycle of the world’s history, such as the electric or steam age, none of the terms, it seems being broad enough, but if we should christen it the age of invention, we would evidently not go far amiss, as any contemplative mind will readily agree. If we look at the far-reaching effects of the inventions of only a few such wizards as Edison, Tesla, Bell and Maxim, we would see the appropriateness of the last named phrase to this the greatest age since the dawn of the world’s history. But as in other walks of life, not all the inventions that have blessed the race have been made by men bearing names which have become household words the world over. Here and there, in every' civilized nation, may be found some one outside of “fame’s eternal camping ground” who has by his genius or talent or, perchance, by merely commonplace hard work produced some device that has lightened or facili- tated man’s work, and therefore added his little quota to the great aggregate force that is lifting from humanity’s shoulders “the burden of the world,” of which the poet, Markham, wrote in “The Man with the Hoe.” Belonging to this class of minor inventors who have accomplished definite results is Hubert H. Hayward, president of the Hayward Wrench Company, of Spring- field, and skilled machinist and talented inventor. Mr. Hayward was born on June 22, 1882, in Sac township, Dade county, Missouri. He is a son of Albert Clinton and Harriet A. (Rector) Hayward'. The father was born in Sac township, Dade county, on July 27, 1841, his parents being among the pioneer settlers there. The paternal grandfather was Edwin Clinton Hayward. He was born in New York and served as apprentice in the shipyard for several years ; also worked in the United States navy yard. He was born in 1811, and died at the age of seventy-eight years. Grandmother Hayward’s maiden name was Caroline Smith. She was born in Roane county, east Tennessee in 1824, and died at the age of sixty years. The maternal grandmother was Angeline Butler, who was born on May 14, 1829, in Anderson county, east Tennesee, and is still living, and enjoying good health for one of her age. Albert C. Hayward, father of our subject, grew to manhood in Dade county, and in early life. learned the carpenter’s trade, which he followed in his vicinity in connection with farming. He prospered with advancing years and became owner of a fine farm of about five hundred acres there. He has spent the major part of his life in his native county, where he now lives retired and is one of the most widely and favorably known men in that county. He was for three terms assessor of Dade county, which position he filled with credit and efficiency. He has always been a loyal .Republican, and is a stanch member of the Christian church at Bona, Mis- 1924 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. souri. His wife, Harriet A. Rector, was born on May 21, 1848, in eastern Tennessee, but when only six years of age she made the long overland journey in wagon from that country to Missouri, the family locating in Dade county. She was fairly well educated for that period and she taught school several years in Dade county before her marriage. She is a mem- ber of the Church of Christ at Bona, near which village the parents of our subject are spending their declining years in their pleasant home. To' them six children were born, namely: Mrs. Ina Perkins lives in Cedar county, Missouri; Albert C. is an attorney and lives in Springfield, Missouri; Ada is teaching school in Dade county; Hubert H., subject of this sketch; Henry is operating the old home farm; Homer lives in Springfield and is treasurer of the Hayward Wrench Company. Hubert H. Hayward spent his boyhood days in Dade county with his parents on the farm, and he received his education in the township schools- and the high school at Everton, Missouri. Having natural inclination to the machinist’s trade he learned the same in the school of practical experi- ence and hard knocks, and he followed his trade in Dade county and in Springfield for a number of years. He also learned the carpenter’s trade, at which he worked for some time in his native county and other places with the highest honors of his trade in Dade county. He moved to Springfield in 1914, where he has since resided. His practical knowledge of the ma- chinist’s trade enabled him, by careful and well laid plans and thoughtful diagrams to invent a new wrench on which he secured a United States patent on November 4, 1913, and for the manufacture of which he organized a $100,000 stock company, which has been incorporated as the Hayward Wrench Company, of which he is president, and his brother Homer, vice- president. They have offices at 505 Woodruff Building, Springfield, Mis- souri, and they are making the wrench in large numbers in Chicago, Illinois, and placing it on the market, which is finding a very ready sale, as its merits are made known over the United States and Canada. It is an auto- matic combination wrench of which the mechanism and advantages over all other wrenches speak for themselves, and is the only combination nut and pipe wrench made that is self-adjustable. It will fit any bolt, nut or pipe without having to be adjusted. It is invaluable as a ratchet wrench. It works on the same principle as rachet, and many places where there is little room to work it is indispensable. It will not crush pipe, but the tighter one pulls, the tighter the jaws clamp the nut or pipe with equal force on each side. It is also most desirable as a pipe wrench, being so constructed that it will not mash or crush the pipe, although holding it very tightly. Most pipe wrenches slip after hold breaks, but this wrench will not slip, for the tighter one pulls the better the wrench holds. The jaws come together with equal force and the teeth in each one go straight in when the operator GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1925 pulls on it, so that it is impossible for it to slip. It is a handy, automatic combination, all-purpose wrench for the machinist, engineer, plumber, chauf- feur and farmer. It is simple, handy and always ready. It is made of 80 to 90 carbon drop forged tool steel and constructed with links like the chain of a bicycle, and withal, is strong, durable and inexpensive, and is one of the most wonderful inventions of its kind in the history of the world. The construction and mechanism of its different parts are so perfectly arranged and fitted together that each function has part of the work to do. There is no mechanical science or mathematical rule discovered by which to figure out how to get the strength, length and size in the double-compound, balance leverage connection, in the different sized wrenches. Hubert H. Hayward was married on February 17, 1902, to Ora Frieze, daughter of Richard Denton Frieze and Emily (Perkins) Frieze, both na- tives of Dade county, Missouri, where they grew to maturity, were edu- cated, married and established their home, Mr. Frieze becoming a prominent farmer there, owning a fine farm of over two hundred acres, in fact he spent his life on the farm on which he was reared, dying in April, 1908. Politically he was a Democrat, and he belonged to the Church of Christ, to which his widow also belongs, she having remained on the home place. To these parents seven children were born, namely : Ora, wife of Mr. Hay- ward of this sketch; Claude lives in Dade county; Maude is the wife of Flavin Davis ; Macy L. is the wife of A. R. Lee, who lives in Dade county ; Jessie is the wife of C. E. Martin, who lives in Jasper county, Missouri; Ernest, who at this time is a young man of eighteen years of age, lives with his mother on the homestead in Dade county; Norma, wife of J. C. Tygart, lives in Dade county, Missouri. To Mr. and Mrs. Hayward eight children have been born, named as follow: La Vernice, Cleo, Theta, Clinton and Denton, twins; Wilbur, Ray- mond and Maude. Politically Mr. Hayward is a hard-working Republican. He belongs to Lodge No. 9160, Modern Woodmen of America, at Dadeville, Missouri. He and his wife are members of the Church of Christ at Bona, Dade county. CAPT. JOHN HALSTEAD. Everybody in the western part of Greene county knows Capt. John Halstead, real estate agent and general manager of the Brookline Inn and feed barn. He has long been a resident of this locality, whose interests he has had at heart and sought to promote, and as a booster for his town and township he has done as much as any other man and is deserving of the high esteem in which he is universally held. 1926 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. T UCKER-FER GUSON WAREHOUSE & TRANSFER COMPANY. One of the thriving business firms of Springfield which is worthy of specific mention in this volume is the Tucker-Ferguson Warehouse and Transfer Company. They maintain three large warehouses, located as fol- low: Office building, a one-story concrete building with 30,000 square feet of floor space, at 666 East Chestnut street; a three-story brick building, corner Summit and Chestnut streets. It is equipped with electric elevator, con- taining 400,000 square feet; a three-story brick building, corner Phelps avenue and Grant street, containing 300,000 square feet of floor space, with electric elevator. There is five hundred feet of private trackage, and there is also a large barn for live stock, accommodating twenty-five head of draft horses. The company operates three solid, enclosed, padded moving vans, and all household goods is guaranteed not to be soiled by bad weather, dust or scratched in transit. Three stake wagons are also kept for freight- ing and ordinary moving; also two curtain vans for household goods, other equipment, such as floats, trunk and delivery wagons and a special wagon for safes and heavy hauling. Eighteen experienced, skilled and reliable men and drivers are constantly employed, and prompt and first-class service is the aim of the firm at all times. Special carload consignments are given prompt attention, and they handle about four hundred carloads annually. Household goods are packed for shipment by experts. Their slogan, “The quality service merchants of Springfield.” The firm was incorporated in 1909, for twenty-thousand dollars, fully paid up. E. G. Tucker, a complete sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work, is president and manager, and E. A. McKay is secretary and treas- urer. Some estimate of the reliablity and efficient management of the firm may be obtained by the mention of the fact that one sugar company alone entrusts them with $500,000 of sugar for storage and distribution. Elmer Alexander McKay was born in Knox county, Missouri, July 25, 1881. He is a son of James G. and Clara J. (Bryson) McKay. The father was born in Lafayette county, Indiana, May 13, 1845, an d when fourteen years of age came with his parents to Knox county, Missouri, where he followed farming for nearly forty years, and at this writing he is presi- dent of the Home Bank in Knox, Missouri, and is one of the prominent citizens of Knox county. Politically he is a Republican. Pie belongs to the Presbyterian church and is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Clara J. Bryson, mother of E. A. McKay, was born in Knox county, this state, October 28, 1858, and there grew to womanhood, received her education, and, in fact, has lived there all her life. Elmer A. McKay was reared in his native community and obtained GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1927 a good education; he was graduated from the Knox high school in 1895, from the Kirksville State Normal in 1901, and from the University of Missouri at Columbia in 1906. After leaving the university he took a posi- tion in the Home Bank at Knox, where he remained until in June, 1911, when he came to Springfield and bought an interest in the Tucker-Fer- guson Company, of which he is secretary and treasurer, and the large suc- cess of the same has been due in no small measure to his industry and fore- sight. Mr. McKay was married on June 20, 1907, to Mary Asbury, who was born in Farmington, Missouri, February 12, 1883, and there grew to womanhod and received her education at Elmwood Seminary and Uni- versity of Missouri. Mrs. McKay is a member of the Saturday Club, the Daughters of the American Revolution, and state treasurer of the Missouri Parent-Teachers’ Association. To Mr. and Mrs. McKay one child has been born, James Asbury Mc- Kay, whose birth occurred September 14, 1912. Politically Mr. McKay is a Republican. He belongs to the Presby- terian church, and fraternally is well known in Masonic circles, being a member of Edina Lodge No. 219, Free and Accepted Masons, at Edina, Missouri; Edina Chapter No. 61, Royal Arch Masons, also at Edina; and Zabud Council, Royal and Select Masters. He is a member of the Young Men’s Business Club, and is secretary of the same. RICHARD MASSEY. The Massey family is one of those who cast their fortunes in the locality of which this history treats when it was little better than a wilder- ness, but being courageous and resourceful people, they forged to the front ranks and have been well and favorably known in Greene county since the pioneer epoch. One of the best known of the family is Richard Massey, a contractor of Springfield, who has spent his life of over fifty-seven years here and is therefore a connecting link between the first period of develop- ment of this vicinity and the present. Mr. Massey was born September 15, 1857, just east of Springfield, on the old homstead. He is a son of Capt. James and Martha (Anderson) Massey. The father was born in Ireland, where he spent his boyhood and attended school, and when eighteen years of age he ran away from home and sailed on the broad Atlantic toward the United States to seek his fortune. He first settled in Knox county, Tennessee, at the foot of the Cumberland Mountains, regarding whose picturesque inhabitants so much 1928 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. has been written, and in that locality he was married and made his home until the year 1832, when he made the tedious and somewhat hazardous overland trip to Greene county, Missouri, bringing his family in a primitive wagon, and thus the Masseys were among the earliest pioneers of this locality. He secured a tract of land just east of what is now the thriving city of Springfield, hut which was at that time an encampment of the Ivickapoo Indians. He set to work with a will, cleared, broke and fenced his land, erected a log cabin and by perseverance and hard work became very comfortably fixed in due course of time, and was a man of influence among the early frontiersmen, his neighbors being, however, very few and most of them some miles distant, until more Tennesseeans followed him, the Fulbrights, the Freemans and others. Although he devoted the major portion of his life to farming, he was a mechanic by trade and a skilled workman. He made the first separator, or “ground-hog” thresher, ever seen in this part of the country. During the War of 1812, he enlisted in defense of his adopted country, gladly fighting against the flag under which he was born, and for meritorious conduct on the field of battle he was promoted from a private to a captain, and served with distinction through- out the war. Politically he was first a Whig, then a Republican after that party was organized in the fifties. Flis death occurred on his farm here in 1863. Flis wife was a native of Tennessee, where she grew up and received a limited education. She lived to an advanced age, dying in Stone county, Missouri, in February, 1899. To these parents nine children were born, only four of whom are living at this writing : Robert, Richard of this sketch, Sally and Emma. Richard Massey grew to manhood on the old homestead, where he helped with the general work when a boy, and he received his education mostly by home study. When his father died he was a small boy, and as soon as he could, he was compelled to work and assist in supporting the family. He followed farming for some time, then took up carpenter work, then railroad grade contracting and at the present time he is engaged in general contracting. He has been very successful in his line and has handled some large jobs, among which was the Valley water falls, the Grant street subway, did the work for the filtering plant at the pump station for the Springfield water works, and he built the first piece of special road that was ever seen in Greene county. He has been very successful in a business way, and owns a commodious home on South Campbell street, surrounded by a lot containing five acres. Mr. Massey was married, first on April 14, 1874, in Stone county, Missouri, to Hannah Price, who was born in Henry county, Iowa. Her death occurred in Stone county. She was a daughter of Allen and Mary (Brown) Price, who were pioneer settlers in Henry county, Iowa. By this GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. I929 first union of our subject seven children were born, namely: Clara, Guy, James Allen, Robert E., Ernest, Laura and Sally. Mr. Massey was mar- ried a second time in Stone county, to Mary J. Price, a sister of his first wife, and to this union five children have been born, namey : Floyd Glenn, Zella, Percy, Carrol and Kenneth. Politically Mr. Massey is a Democrat. He belongs to the Knights and Ladies of Security, and is a charter member of the Supreme Court of Honor. The Massey family are members of the Christian church. CHARLES LEE LLOYD. One of Greene county’s farmers who evidently saw long ago that mind is superior to matter is Charles Lee Lloyd, of Brookline township, for he has made and is making a pronounced success as a general farmer, not only producing good general crops but specializing also in fruits and breeding and raising a superior grade of live stock. He was bom September 22, 1864, near Weston, Platte county, Missouri. He is a son of Manlius B. and Martha (Pence) Lloyd, who emigrated from near Georgetown, Scott county, Kentucky, about i860, to Platte county. The paternal grandfather, Littleton Lloyd, was born near Roanoke, Virginia, and his wife, Naomi Burton, was born in Virginia. Their parents were from Scotland, having emigrated to America shortly after the Revolutionary war. Our subject has two brothers living and two who died in infancy; four sisters are living and three died in infancy. The brothers are : Will- iam Ernest, a farmer of Brookline township, this county; Edgar B., a well known veterinary surgeon, lives at Brookline. The sisters are : Ollie, who married E. B. Boland and they live at Dallas, Texas; Fannie married F. M. Parson and they are now living in Brookline ; Zadie married W. H. Pen- nington, of Springfield; Alta is single and lives in Dallas, Texas; Minnie married A. M. Crabb, of Stone county, Missouri, and she died in 1888 ; Eddie married W. T. Parsons, of Paragould, Arkansas, and she died in 1898. Her son, Clifford, now sixteen years old, is making his home with the subject of this sketch. Charles L. Lloyd was reared on the home farm in Platte count)'', and there he received his education in the common schools. He has always fol- lowed farming and dealing in live stock, starting out on his own account before he became of age. His present farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Brookline township is situated on the main highway between Springfield and Republic on one of the highest points in this section of the Ozarks, from which a commanding panorama may be had of the surround- 1930 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. ing country for many miles, and the place is appropriately named “High- land Farm.” His residence is an attractive eight-room house, surrounded by a fine grove of walnuts and elms, and his convenient and substantial out- buildings include two large barns, machine shop, garage and a concrete chicken house. No better farm buildings are to be found in the county, and everything about the place is well kept. Mr. Lloyd has become interested in fruit culture, showing decided preference for cherries, and has over one hundred trees just coming into bearing. He is a well known Shorthorn cattle breeder and is also a breeder of a big type of Poland-China hogs, and is very successful with both, his fine stock being greatly admired by all in- terested in such, owing to their superior quality. He has frequently ex- hibited at various fairs, and has never failed to carry away the blue ribbons, although contending with the best exhibits the county affords. Mr. Lloyd was married in February, 1893, to Delilah McElhany, a daughter of Warham and Stella Jane (Robertson) McElhany. Fraternally, Mr. Lloyd is a member of Republic Lodge No. 570, An- cient Free and Accepted Masons, and Zabud Council, Royal Arch Chapter No. 25, of Springfield. He also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Brookline. Religiously, he is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. Politically, he is a stanch Democrat and is influential in the affairs of his party. He has been elected to serve in several township offices, including school director and road commissioner, holding the latter office at present. He has given satisfaction in all positions of trust. SAM M. WEAR. It is not so much the different things which men do as the way and spirit in which they do them, that makes the greatest difference between men. The man whose daily work is simple drudgery, is, in spirit, a serf. He regards himself as only a means to the end of accomplishing certain fixed tasks. It is the very bitterness of serf’s condition that he is a mere instru- ment, a tool, and that he cannot rise above that relation to his work. Hence, there can be for him but small delight in his employment. His labor can possess no dignity for him, because he possesses none in himself. Labor and service are invested with dignity only when the individuals who per- form them are brought into a true and responsible relation to them. It is the person who dignifies the work. If he exists, or supposes himself to exist, only for his drudging tasks, they share in his degradation. Only as the individual is lifted into something of the dignity of true, responsible, personal life, can his duties and work assume new and higher meanings. GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1931 -This is true just because it is not the simple performing of the duties which impart to them their meaning, but the purpose, spirit, and way of doing them. In the instance of this word-setting to Sam M. Wear, the present popular and able prosecuting attorney of Greene county, it may be recorded of him that during his career he has given dignity to his profession, the law, although he is a plain, unassuming gentleman, but he communicates dignity to every duty he performs. He infuses the new and higher mean- ings into all his work, and his purpose, spirit and way of doing it, is what addresses our attention. In his relations with his fellowmen there has ever beeen the evident purpose and spirit of an honest personality. This spirit and purpose are illustrated along his private path-ways as well as in his career at the bar, his uniform integrity and fairness impressing all with whom he has come in contact. Mr. Wear was born at Cassville, Barry county, Missouri, January 14, 1880. He is a son of A. H. and Ona (McConnell) Wear, both born, reared, educated and married in Missouri. For a number of years they made their home in Barry county, from which county they removed in 1886 to Greene county, locating in Springfield. The elder Wear was at that time appointed receiver of the United States land office here, filling this responsible position with credit and satisfaction to all concerned for a period of four years. He was a lawyer by profession, and practiced with success in Barry and Greene counties for many years. In 1894 he was elected prosecuting attorney of the latter county, the duties of which office he discharged faithfully and well until 1898. His death occurred in Novem- ber, 1910, at the age of fifty-six years, his wife having preceded him to the silent land in 1896. They were both members of the Cumberland Presby- terian church, and were highly respected by all who knew them, and polit- ically he was a Democrat and was long influential in local public affairs. To these parents one other child besides our subject was born, Madeline Wear, an accomplished young lady who makes her home in Springfield. Sam M. Wear was six years old when the family moved to Springfield, and here he grew to manhood and received his education, attending the public schools when he became of proper age until 1895, when he entered Drury Academy here, from which he was graduated in 1898, then entered Drury College proper, made a good record for scholarship and was graduated with the class of 1902. When a mere boy he determined to follow in the footsteps of his father in a professional way and began the study of law, which he continued at spare moments until completing his college course, whereupon he entered the Cumberland View Law School at Lebanon, Tennesee, from which he was graduated in 1904, and was at once admitted to the bar and began practice in Springfield with his father, with whom he remained for two years, then entered, as a partner, the well- 1932 GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. established firm of Farrington & Pepperdine, the firm then becoming Far- rington, Pepperdine & Wear, which continued thus successfully for two years, then Mr. Wear and Mr. Farrington formed a partnership, which continued until both were elected to office, our subject being elected prose- cuting attorney of Greene county in the fall of 1912, and he is filling the same in a manner that reflects much credit upon his ability, fidelity and courage and to the eminent satisfaction of all concerned, irrespective of party alignment. He is fearless and energetic in the performance of his duties and has proven himself to be thoroughly grounded not only in the basic principles of jurisprudence, but also with the statutes of Missouri. He always goes into court well prepared and he has great weight with juries and the bench by his earnestness, clarity of his statements of facts and interpretation of the law. In view of his eminent success at the bar so early in life, the future must needs be replete with greater honors and suc- cesses for him. Politically Mr. Wear is a Democrat and loyal in his support of the party. Fraternally he belongs to the Knights of Pythias, the Improved Order of Red Men and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Re- ligiously he is a member of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Wear married Susan McClellan, a lady of many commendable characteristics. She is a native of Claremore, Oklahoma, where she was reared to womanhood and educated and where her family has long been prominent. The union of our subject and wife has been blessed by the birth of two children. SAMUEL A. HOOPER. Nearly eighty-nine years have dissolved in the mists of the irrevocable past since Samuel A. Hooper, one of the oldest citizens in Greene county, a well-known and venerable farmer of Clay township, first saw the light of day. He has lived through one of the most remarkable, and in many respects the most wonderful, epochs in the world’s history. There will never be an- other like it, for it embraced the period when the strong-armed homeseekers from the Eastern states invaded the great West ( he being among the number) and redeemed it from the wilds, bringing it up through various stages to the present high state of civilization. It was nearly sixty-four years ago that our subject took up his abode in this locality, which he has helped de- velop and where he has seen wonderful changes take place, of which he talks interestingly, for the pioneer days were altogether different from those of the present; and, we agree with him, that they were in some respect bet- ter than these advanced times. It seems at least that people were then hap- GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 1933 pier; they neither wanted nor needed so much; they were more helpful, neighborly and less selfish. Mr. Hooper was born in Caswell county, North Carolina, February 28, 1826. He is a son of Samuel and Susan (Alford) Hooper. The father was born in Virginia in 1769, and was reared and educated about eight miles from the city of Richmond, and he spent most of his life in that locality. Finally he moved to North Carolina, where our subject was born, and from there to Tennessee, in 1833. After remaining in that state until 1851, he moved to Missouri, and settled in Greene county, where our subject rented a farm on which he and his father lived until the latter's death, in 1862. The mother of our subject was born in Caswell county, North Carolina, where she was reared and educated. She spent her declining years at the home of our subject, dying at the advanced age of eighty-eight. Samuel A. Hooper grew to manhood in Robertson county, Tennessee, and he received such educational advantages as those early times afforded. He made the overland trip from that state, with his parents, in 1851, in ox wagons, locating in Greene county, Missouri, on one hundred and twenty acres, most of which he cleared and put under culitvation, in Washington township, and there engaged successfully in general farming until fourteen years ago, when he sold out. For some time he has been living in Clay township in retirement. Mr. Hooper was married November 18, 1852, to Martha Jane Smith. She was born in Washington township, Greene county, Missouri, August 29, 1837, and was here reared on a farm and educated in the country schools She was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. Her death occurred in 1877. After this event our subject went to live with one of his children, and at this writing makes his home with one of his sons. Before coming to Missouri, he made a trip to Texas in 1847, returning to Tennesee the following year. Since coming to Greene county he has made a trip to California. He is one of five children, namely: Henry, who is far advanced in years, lives in Texas; Pleasant, Allen and Dabner are all deceased; Samuel A., our subject, is the youngest. Thirteen children were born to Mr. Hooper and wife, namely: William lives in Greene county ; Milton lives on a farm in Clay township, and our subject is living with him; Mrs. Mary Jane Kinser lives in this county; d homas makes his home in Springfield ; Mrs. Deniza McDaniel, Robert, John and David all live in Greene county; Donald is living with his father, our subject; Albert lives on the adjoining farm; Mrs. Margaret Ann Snyder lives in Kansas City; Abner Morris is deceased. Politically Mr. Hooper is a Republican, and has always been loyal in the support of the party. He is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church.