Greene County, Missouri - Biographical sketches, 1915 (part 12 of 29)

Mr. Berry was married, March 10, 1904, to Marry B. Tedrick, who was born February 25, 1884, in Springfield, Missouri, where she grew to womanhood 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 the Illinois Men's Commercial Association.

Harry I'. Brown

We are so accustomed to think of man as a material composition complete 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 fumishments necessarv for its equipment, health and inspiration, lives on a level not much above that of the animal. Harry F. Brown, who has charge of 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 provide 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 Farlingdean on July 24, 1876. He is a son of Walter E. Brown, also a native of England, in which 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, landing 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 railroad, in the North Side shops, where he became foreman of a labor gang. He is now employed in the Florence Bottling Works 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, giving 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 citv 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 attended 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 formerlv 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.

Harrv F. Brown was five years old when his parents brought him from England to America, and he grew to manhood in Springfield, and here attended 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 Springfield 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 Citv Southern railroad, with which he remained six months, then worked six months with the New Phoenix Foundry and Machinery Company, 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 storeroom there for a vear. after which he was transferred to the reclamation

Air. 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.

Fames H. Gray

Since this is the "electric age," at least no other term seems more appropriate, and the period in which we are now living is universally referred to in 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 electricitv 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 II. Gray, foreman of electricians of the Frisco System, headquarters at Springfield, was wise in chousing Ins life work and he has met with gratifying success while yet a young man.

Mr. Gray was born February i_\ 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 lite engaged in the brokerage business, being successful in both. I laving accumulated a competency, he retired from active life ten v cars 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 "t seventy years. During the Civil war he served with credit as a soldier in the Union army. Politically, he is a Republican, and he was formerly a member oi 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 II. Gray received In- education in the schools of Carthage. Nevada, and Springfield, having removed to the latter city when young with his parents, and here he began life for himself as clerk in a grocery store, later worked fur his father in the commission business, later taking a position with the Springfield Traction and Lighting Company as general electrician, most of his work being on motors. He began studying to be an electrical worker. Leaving this company, he worked for some time as electrician at the old Baldwin theater, having charge of the switchboard on the working knowledge of the science. In igoi he was employed by the Frisco, working with its electrical equipment on cars, etc. When the road's electric department was created in 1904 he was placed in charge of the same as foreman, 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 working 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 department in the new shops for some time. He has served under the four chiefs in this department, named as follows: I'. M. Pierce, \Y. C. Coover, Rober E. Massey and L. C. Hensel.

-Mr. Gray has remained unmarried. Politically, he is a Republican. He belongs to the International lirotherhood of Electrical Workers, the Knights of Pythias, the W linen of the World and the Christian church.

John Lowell

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 nearlv a century ago, "The humblest may gather the fruits of the soil, and a man is a man if he 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 gentlefolk, 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-todate manner. He has handled many big jobs in this city and vicinity. Having accumulated a competency sufficient for his old age, he abandoned active work a few years ago.

Mr. Cowell was married in 1872 to Sarah Daniels, a native of Springfield, 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 married H. W. Thompson, and they are living in Detroit, Michigan, and have one son, eight years old; John \\\, 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 engaged in the tailoring and clothes pressing business in Springfield, is married 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 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 satisfaction 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 accpiiesce 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 western portion of the county, his life and achievements earning for him a conspicuous 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 185 1. 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 subject 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 denomination 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- 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 accompanied 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 1 >ver to purchasers. This place lies some fi >ur 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 count}-, 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. W. II. Wilson, now residing in Oklahoma: Mrs. Minerva Dillard lives nine miles ea^t of Springfield; Mrs. Lucy Hutchinson, Mrs. Jennie Stephens and 1 )aniel are all three deceased.

Judge Perkins was reared on the old homestead, where he did his full share of the work when growing b - 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 ami continuously up to a few years ago. I [e paid especial attention to the live >tock 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. He still owns a part of the old home place, but now lives in Springfield, where he removed in [909.

A stanch Democrat. Judge Perkins always took an abiding interest in political affairs, and in the fall of [910 lie 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 liis constituents. Religiously, he is a member of the Presbyterian church.

Judge Perkins was married in Greene county, in the year 1873, to Martha T- Ellison, a daughter of John Ellison, an early settler in this countv, 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 he an excellent helpmate, sympathetic, kind and industrious. Her death occurred in February, 1909 at the age of fifty-six years. Her only brother also <lied 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 began they rapidly multiplied, and all who knew 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 (ireene County Court, are not surprised that he has won success at his chosen vocation, that of tilling the soil, fur 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 he improved upon. He has kept the old home place in Cass township in tine condition, so that it has retained its old-time richness of soil and the same abundant crops are annually 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 countv in proper shape for successful agricultural purposes, but once in condition, there is no better.

Mr. Gorsuch was born in the above named township and count}', on the farm where he still resides. November 3, [871. He is a son of Reece and Eliza Jane (Brower) Gorsuch. The father was born in middle Tennessee, June jq. 1829, and when a small hoy he and his father made the long journey 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.

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 persistencv 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 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 X. 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 Christian 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: Clarence C, a harness maker of Lamar, Missouri, recently married a Miss Mc- Linn, daughter of A. S. McLinn, of Greene count)": Joseph K.. 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 lie is now filling. In n)i.| he was re-elected to the n\\\cc 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 he a man of progressive ideas and well informed. Fraternally, he belongs to the Masonic Order and tin- Improved Order of Odd Fellows at Willard, and the Modern Woodmen of America at Cave Spring, while his wife holds membership with the Royal Neighbors. They are both members 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 qualities he would not today be holdng the responsible position of engineer of the crane and magnet reclamation department of the Frisco's South Side shops in Springfield.

Mr. Robinson was born in W'aynesville, 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, where 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. Her death occurred in 1897, in Pulaski county, Missouri, and she was buried at W'aynesville. Nine children were born to these parents, namely : Mrs. Mollie Trower lives at Crocker, Missouri; William is engaged in farming near Waynesville ; Mrs. Alice Gilliat was next in order; Mrs. Cora Walker lives in St. Louis; Henry D., of this review: Mrs. Xira 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 engineer of the traveling steam crane in the construction department, making trips all over the various divisions of this road. In September, 191 3, 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 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 daughter 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 Fellows 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 renowned Blue Grass state. This latter fact may not have much significance to some who peruse this biography, but 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 liven reared in that splendid environment 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 he something after all in the place where we happen to be horn, as the humorist Hill Nye maintained long ago.

Mr. Butts was born in Simpson county, Kentucky, on December 28, 1S42. He is a son of II. ( i. and Mary (Barker) Butts. The father was horn in Rockingham county. North Carolina, in [815, anil was reared in Kentucky, to which state he went when a small boy. lie had no chance to obtain an education, lie made a trip to Texas, hut returned to Kentucky in 1850, and in 1856 moved to Missouri, locating in Dallas county, where he spent the rest of his life, dying on March 6, [897. 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, Her death occurred on the Butts farm in Dallas county in [891. She was a member of the Christian church. T11 these parents six children were born, namely: Reuben, deceased; John. deceased; James M., of this sketch: Richard, deceased: Nancy, deceased; the youngest died in infancy, unnamed. So our subject is the sole survivor of his family.

tunitv. 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 is well kept.

Mr. Butts was married in 1861 to Mary F. McGlotblin, who was born in Barry county, Missouri, on August 26, 1846. She is a daughter of Alexander 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, 183 1. They came to Missouri in 1833 and located in Barry count}-, 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 represented the county in the state legislature. His death occurred in that county in [857, 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, burn on July 14, 1864; Mrs. Lula Bryan, born on December <>, [867; Mrs. Mcie Cowden, born on March 6, 1870; Mrs. Sipie Burford, born on October 26, 1872, is deceased; Mrs. Florence Leslie, born on April 24, 1875; the voungest child, James H., died at the age of thirteen years.

Elmer E. E. Mcjimsey is the editor and owner of The Springfield ( Missouri) 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 Missouri journalist, politician and orator become interwoven.

Mr. Mcjimsey is not a native of the Ozark country, nor even of Missouri. 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)

Joseph Mcjimsey, a native of Wheeling, West Virginia, was a merchant of Pleasant Hill before an<l during the Civil war and for some years afterward. In 1875, however, the family came to Missouri, locating at Maryville, Nodaway county, where Joseph Mcjimsey engaged in the livery business, conducting this establishment for years. Joseph Mcjimsey died at the age of eightytwo 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 Lung 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 yea-s 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 yi iung 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 newspaper - attracted wide attention.

Mr. Mcjimsey was deeply interested in politics and scarcely did his success as a journalist become assured when he also began to win fame on the public platform. An enthusiastic believer in and supporter of the principles 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. Mejimsey's fame as speaker reached the national Republican headquarters in Washington and he was called upon to visit the Easl and participate in the great battles being waged there for the predominance of Republican principles. One of his memorable oratorical efforts was when, the daj 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 [903 he disposed of his holdings in the Maryville Tribune to his business associate, Curtis Wray. and associated himself 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 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 Republican Company, as well as a stockholder in the St. Joseph Gazette Company.

The Republican has wielded, from the moment Mr. Mcjimsey took up the direction of its policies, a potent influence in the development of Springheld 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 wonderful 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 service which have come to Editor Mcjimsey have been offers of posts of honor and of opportunity for yet additional 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 Missouri 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 191 1 to 1913, Mr. Mcjimsey was compelled to resign because of other growing duties. He was appointed by President Taft as postmaster of Springfield, April 11, iqio. and also as custodian of the Federal building of that city, resigning both positions in January. 1914. He was named to the Springfield library board by Mayor Ernst in 19 10, resigning in 1913, in which rear 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.

Mr. Mcjimsey was a member of the Republican state committee of Missouri 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 Association 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 Methodist 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 Republican 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 Creene 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 manager of schools has he made his presence felt, but as a citizen in the daily walks of life, his influence lias 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 occupies a conspicuous place in the profession which he adorns and his career, presenting a series of successes such as few attain, lias gained for him much more than a local reputation as a successful organizer and manager of educational 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 lie early displayed the powers of mind and desire for study which subsequentl) won for him honorable distinction as a scholar ami success as a teacher. Ten years ago he accepted the superintendency 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 result- of his professional experience with marked effect, and it was not long until the schools under his super- vision advanced to the high standing of efficiency for which they arc 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 count)*, 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 incalculable amount of good 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. The}- 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, fiye of whom survive at this writing, namely: Prof. John R., of this sketch; 1'. \Y., 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 X. .V Inman. a farmer of Christian count)-, bore him eight children and is now deceased; Wealthy is the wife of H. C. Collins, a stock flealer 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 X. T. 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 continued his profession here, teaching most acceptably in both the Normal and high schools until 1905, when he was elected county superintendent of public 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. Air. Dean was a merchant during his active life, and his death occurred in 1910. His widow is now living 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. Mobberly. 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. Mobberly reside in Springfield and have one child, Alice Dean Mobberly, 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, lie belongs to the Christian church. A gentleman without pretense, broad-minded, of pleasing personality, lie is honored bv all with whom lie conies in contact.

Judge Alfred Page

One of the prominent lawyers of Greene count) is Judge Alfred Page; whose career at the local bar. comparatively brief, has been most commendable. 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 -on 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 11,04. when about seventyfive years oi age. The father removed to Missouri many years ago. locating in Webster county and came on to Greene county in 1007. Judge Page 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.

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 foil,, wed 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 admitted to the bar, and at once began practice in Springfield. Taking an interest in public affairs from the first lie 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 vear the criminal court was merged with division No. 2 of the Circuit Court, and Air. Page was appointed by Governor Herbert Hadley the first judge of the new division. After his term of office expired. January t, 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.

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 ancestrv 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 agricultural 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 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 Irwin, 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 graduation, 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. He practiced alone from [881 to [887 and was forging constantly to the front ranks. He then formed a partnership with Col. C. W. Thrasher and I. 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. During 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 tunes, being ever a close student, not only of the statutes but of current events of importance. He was one of the original incorporators of tin- Missouri Fidelity & 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 [014. when it was merged with the Southern Surety Cornpan}- of St. Louis, and the offices moved from Springfield to the Mound City, but Mr. McCammon became vice-president and attorney for the newr concern, and is doing much to make it a great success as he did the former concern.

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 influential 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., burn in April, 1893, is 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 member of the board of regents, State Normal at Springfield, Missouri, his term expiring in January, 1915.

In placing the name of James G. McMurtry, president of Drurv College, in the front rank of educators who have at one time or another honored 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, lie 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, coupled 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.

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 western Indiana in pioneer days, and there became well established through their industry. The McMurtrys have ever stood for right living and good citizenship, 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 district schools, later taking a course in Wabash College, from which institution he was graduated in 1893. with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. In 1805 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 himself proficient in Latin also, and he taught these languages in the Collegiate 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. lie then went to Parsons College, Fairfield, 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, lie made this department so popular that when he left one out of every two students was studying this dead language, a remarkably 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, Egypl and Palestine. He bad not been in Europe long until he became a member of the American School of Archaeology at Alliens. Greece, lie lias 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 Philological Association. He is a man of highly developed perceptive faculties, and thus being a keen observer, be was greatly benefited by his studies in foreign lands, and since his return to the United States lie has given many interesting and instructive lectures, especially on Jerusalem, also many other places of importance, having been frequently requested to do so. His descriptions 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 successful 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, 191 1, 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 became 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 Creek in Drury College, at a salary of less than onehalf 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, 19 13, he was appointed acting president of the college for one year. However, before the close of the year, he was elected president, which responsil !e and exacting position he has since filled in a manner that has reflected 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 professions. He mixes freely with his students, encourages and assists them in any way possible, unlike the heads of some of our great institutions of learning 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 many of his profession he has never become narrow or pedantic, but bis views on national and other questions are broad and progressive. He has marked ability as a public speaker.

Doctor McMurtry's domestic life began on July 25, 1894, in Crawfordsville, 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 excellent education, and is a lady of culture and refinement.

Politically, Doctor McMurtry is an independent voter. Socially he belongs 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 li ng 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 discouraging, but he in <\uc course of time rose to a position in the body politic which commanded respect by his fellow-citizens. All the mure credit is due him for his own brave efforts, and his example may well be imitated by those whose youthful environments are nol of an encouraging nature, nut that he has been a great success financially, but what is better, that he has made a good and useful citizen.

Mr. Bair was burn at ("anal Dover, Tuscarawas county, Ohio, on December 18. [845. lie is a SDn of Jesse and Elizabeth 1 Bonfield) Bair. Jesse Bair was born near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, aboui 1817, was reared on a farm and learned the millwright's trade when a buy. also worked at the carpenter's trade. From his native state he went to Canton, < >hio, 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

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 by 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 ( len. 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 corncommissioned first lieutenant, but never mustered as such.

After his career in the army Mr. Bair returned t<> 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 seventeen vears, 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 countv offices. He was deputv recorder of deeds for two 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 satisfactory to all concerned, being not only well performed, but promptly and courteously.

Politically Mr. Hair is a Republican. He is a member of the local posl of the Grand Army of the Republic, and religiously he is a member of the Christian church.

Mr. Bair was married on August 11. 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 helpmeet 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 o. 1005: William M.. born on May 4, 1873, died in March. 1875: Victoria, born on September X. 1875. died on February 28. 1894; Charles A., born on May 2. [878, is a conductor on the Frisco Railroad and lives in Springfield.

A young man who lias 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 hestowed 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 content 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<' 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 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.

lames 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 November, 1914, and is now beginning on his second term. He is faithful, painstaking and accurate in his official work. Being a man of uniform courtesy and fair dealing, and being straightforward, candid and sincere, lie 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 count}-, was prominent among the pioneers and was sheriff of the county in the earl}- 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 Presbvterian church.

J360 Greene County, Missouri 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 objectionable 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, 18(14. 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. He owned valuable 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 follows: Richard. James. John. Hiram, Jr., are all deceased: George lives at Beaver Dam. Kentucky; Andrew Jackson and Silas are both deceased: Edward I". 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 Mel Vary, 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 lie 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 1 Latham) Berry. She was born in Franklin township, this county. William Hern' was born in Tennessee, from which state he came to Greene county. Missouri, when young, making the tedious oxerlaud journey with an o\ V in his v a! eh Id : Fects. lie 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 nowowned by our subject. Mr. Berry purchased one hundred and sixty acres

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 by bis first wife, namely: Roy. born September 20, 1886, married Mazie Murray and lives in Springfield; Ethel, born March 28, 1889, married John Tacoby, lives in Springfield and they have one child, Kenneth ; Theodore, born August 5. iX')2, married Bertha Goetz and they live in Franklin township; Ralph, born November 4, 1894; Maver, born August 13. 1897; Harold, horn July 13, iqoo; and Thelma, born October 24, 1003. Their mother died February 6. 1903.

Air. Newton moved to his present farm in 1N85, 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 productive land, all under cultivation, but ten acres in timber. He built his present substantial residence, also outbuildings, in 1904. In 191 2 he built a modern breeding barn, thirty-two by forty feet, with box stalls and other 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 tine black jack with mealy points, fourteen and one-half hands high, heavy bodied, high beaded, large flat heavy honed. 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 hundred pounds. His sire is Kiosk, Xo. 21359, Vol- I2> 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:o7;l, 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) three-fourths Percheron, has fine style and action, is an extra well made horse with large heavy hone. He is an entirely hlack 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. Xewton 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 sociable, 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 die late Henrv Eaton, for many years one of the prominent business men of Springfield, and. having inherited many of the commendable traits of his rugged ancestors, he won not only material since--, but also a creditable position as a citizen, lie was a man of industry, prompt in the discharge of his every-day duties, and he gradually overcame tin- obstacles in his pathway and became one nf the substantial men of his city, and in- standing here as a thoroughgoing, honorable man of affairs was such a- affords tin- keenest satisfaction to his family and friends, and no doubt was gratifying to hint-elf. and in the true sense in which the term is used his life was a signal success

Air. Eaton was horn on October to, 1840, in Stonington, formerly known a- Greene's Landing, a small island off the coast of Maine, lie was a son of Charles ami Rebeci I (Doane) Eaton. The father was horn in Stonington, Maine, also, and the mother was a native of Newberg, that state, the birth of Charles Eaton occurring in 1N10. and Rebecca Doane first saw the light of day in t8l8. These parent- grew to maturity in their native state, received meager educations and were married there. They each represented old families of \\w England. Nathan Eaton, the paternal grandfather, established the family home in Maine when that state was sparsely settled. Charles Eaton -pent 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. lit- family consisted of eisrht children, five of whom are -till living.

Henry Eaton grew to manhood in Maine and assisted his father when a boy and lie 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 Ml. Pleasant, Iowa, then came to Springfield and went into the transfer lmsiness, becoming a memher 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 lmsiness in this line of endeavor, and continued 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 interested in mining and other lines of business.

Mr. Eaton was married on June 30, [863, to Tryphosa B. Raynes, who was horn at Sunset, on the same island in Maine on which Mr. Eaton was born, her birth occurring 011 November 2j, 1845. She is a daughter of Abial and Susan (Lufkin) Raynes, both parents being native- 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, William Raynes, was horn in 1778, and lived to the advanced age of ninety-one wars; his wife, Ruth Sylvester, was born in 1789 and died in 1852. John Raynes. father of William Raynes, was horn in 1753 an^ died in 1837; his wife, Deborah Cuchman Sylvester, died in 1837 also. Capt. Edmond Sylvester, the maternal great-grandfather of Mrs. Henry Eaton, was horn on Tune 17, 1 762, and he served a short time in the Revolutionary war, and thereby Mrs. Eaton is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Her grandfather and grandmother Sylvester were married at Marshfield, Massachusetts, on December 23, 178-). Airs. Eaton was the only child of her parents, and she was hut 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 horn, three of whom are deceased ; they were named as follows : Ann is the, eldest, Charles is deceased, Daisv 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.

Politicallv, Henrv 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.

I364 Greene County, Missouri Col. Homer F. Fellows

No man stood higher in the affairs of the city of Springfield in the early period of her development than the late Col. Homer F. Fellows, a pioneer 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 system, 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 Luzerne 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. I lis family consisted of six children: Horace, Ashel, Erastus, Merritt, Eliza and Ilulda. His son, Erastus. father of our subject, was also a native of Canaan, Connecticut, and was ,1 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 Pennsylvania and married Mrs. Elizabeth 1 Cole I Johnson, a widow, and a daughter of Royal Cole, a native of the state of Xcw York, but of English extraction. 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 181 2. 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 ami farming, being proprietor of Fellows' Temperance House there from iNj; until 1865, his inn being well known to the traveling public of that period.

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 Presidency 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 18 13 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 w,i\ 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 seventeen 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 remained 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 employers, 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 Piatt Purchase in southwest Missouri, also engaged in the abstract business here.

Mr. Fellows was a strong Republican from the first, and, possessing exceptional qualifications, he was appointed registrar of lands for the disstrict 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 general store. The St. Louis & San Francisco railroad was at that time being built from St. Louis to Springfield, and when business over the same commenced 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 hopelessly involved the stockholders surrendered their stock and a new company was organized as the Springfield Wagon Company. The principal stockholders were Colonel Fellows, hi- brother, Morris W.. and Capt. Boyden. New capital being invested the company began the manufacture of farm destroyed by lire, 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-live 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 commanded the highest price in southern Missouri, Arkansas, Texas and all over the great Southwest. It- equal is not manufactured by any firm in America, and it come- in competition with all other wagons manufactured in this country and rank- a- the best. The greal success of the enterprise was due for the most part to Col. Fellows. The plant of the company i- a 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 Springfield 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 stockholders 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 factory 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, be bad 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.