Greene County, Missouri - Biographical sketches, 1915 (part 16 of 29)

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 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 better 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 Lave Spring, Cass township, 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 exhausted 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 results he has obtained have been plainly visible. He is one of our progressive citizens who believe in scientific, intense farming, who is setting a splendid 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 ami is widely known, lie is active in the practice, fanning being only a hobby or avocation.

Doctor Frame was horn in (/enter township, near Bois D'Arc, Greene county. Missouri, June 26, [877. He is a son of J. William ami 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 he repeated here.

where he worked hard, ami he received his education in the district schools ot 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 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 University, where he made an excellent record and from which institution he was graduated with the class of 1902, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. 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, Missouri, 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, especially in the culture of alfalfa, as before stated, and be 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 movement 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 Hois D'Arc, Greene county, where she ^rew 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.

Politically, Doctor Frame is a Republican. He is a member of the Greene Count}- Medical Society ami the Southwest Missouri Medical Society. Fraternally, he is a member of Masonic Lodge No. 624 at Willard, 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 community.

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, hut to aid, Air. Brown made the practice of his life, and many of his friends and acquaintances are hetter and happier for his having lived, for though the voice is stilled in death, the spirit of his work remains as the deep undercurrent of a mighty stream, noiseless hut irresistihle. 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. [856, in Newton county, Missouri. He was a son of Smith \Y. and Mary (Goodman) Brown. The mother had been previously married to a Mr. Brock. The father came from Tennessee to Missouri in [856, and the mother of our subject also came from that slate. Smith \Y. 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 Company 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 [C/IO, hut spent many years on the farm, and he was active in the affairs of the Masonic ( )rder. 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. I lis 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 I'.rown 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 rears then went to live with his grandfather, with whom he remained until he was about seven years of age, when Smith W. I'.rown married a third time, moved to Greene count}- 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, September 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 And)- Chaisteen, of Greene county, is deceased; Andrew J. lives in Oklahoma; 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, 19 14.

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; Alary 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 grandchild, 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 went 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, (93) 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, farsighted and was a good mixer, and, dealing honestly with the business world, always had the confidence of those with whom he came in contact.

Fraternally he was a member of the Modern Woodmen. Politically he was not a part}- 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.

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 Potter, a popular and efficient young physician of Ebenezer. Robberson township. Greene county, is one of those who take a delight in bringing succor tn suffering humanity - who delights in giving mure in this world of - uirs than he receives. Such a man is always admired in whatever community he may cast his lot, and his record is must commendable and should be emulated by others.

Doctor Potter was born in Christian county, Missouri, February 11, t886. He is a son of Christopher Columbus and Mary Elizabeth (Fondren) I 'utter. The father was born in ( Ireene county, near Strafford, on November -'7, 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 In night one hundred and forty-four acres of land. Prospering by hard work and good management he added to this until he is now owner of a fine farm of two hundred and sixt) acres, where he carries on general farming and stock raising and is une nf 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, fie 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-

Doctor Potter grew to manhood on the home farm in Christian county and there worked in the summer months, attending the public schools during 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 September, 1007, and from which he was graduated with the class of May, igi i, with an excellent record.

After leaving college Doctor Potter returned to Christian county, and successfully passed the state board examination in June, 191 1, 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 (Fieldei | 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 Robberson 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 thev reside ; who are so honest that it is no trouble for their neighbors to know it ; who attend to their own business and are too busy to attend to that of others; who work on steadily from day to day, taking 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 community 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 \Y. 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 fur 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 count}-, 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. Here his death occurred 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.

Springfield; one died in infancy; and Mar)' Eliza, who also died young. By her union with Sidney East our subject's mother had three children, namely: Alvin Monroe is deceased; l Inward Bentley, president of the Bank of Willard, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work; and Tabitha Clementine, who died in infancy.

William \\ . 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 district, which has later been supplemented by wide home reading and by contact with the world.

Mr. Grant was married February -'4, 1884, to Dora E. Wadlow, who was born in Greene county, February 20, 1867, and here she grew to womanhood 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 McLjnn, to which the reader is respectfully directed.

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, wellcultivated 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 children. 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 consideration.

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 occupations 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 countv. She and her daughter, Lillian Elizabeth Doling, are both members of the

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 count)', this state; James is deceased ; Robert Bruce is living on the old home place near Springfield, which he operates; Russell Vinton is deceased.

Nicholas Potter

Everybody in L'rookline 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 Xew 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 10th of that year, after which he was honorably discharged, but he 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 railroad 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 necessary for him to give up active life. He is now eighty years old, but is comparatively hale and hearty. His 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, i860, to Louisa Philips, a daughter of William Philips, a prosperous fanner 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 the}- have three children, two sons anil a daughter. A daughter was also born to Xicholas Potter and wife, .Mary Ellen, whose death occurred at the age of nineteen years.

William C. Murphy

There was a valuable acquisition to the Greene county bar when William 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 i-> a laudable one and he has fought hi ^ way upward from an earl}- environment that was none too auspicious.

Mr. Murphy was born at Lestus. Jefferson count}'. Missouri. July 11. 1879. He is the son of John J. and Delia Iola (Bradfield) Murphy. The father was born in Xew Albany, Indiana, of Irish parents. He grew to manhood at Xew Albany and there received his education in the public schools and learned the glass workers' trade. In 187(1. 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

|. Murphy and wife ten children were born, namely: William C, of this sketch, and John Patrick, twins; Elizabeth married Albert Welch, a merchant, tanner 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 homestead in Jefferson county; Dennis, born on February ->_>, 1899, nves 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. Me subsequently entered the law department of Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, also took other studies, such as political economy, and was graduated from that institution in 1907 with the degree of Doctor of Laws. Returning home he took the state bar examination in 1907, which he successfully passed. But instead of beginning at once the practice of his profession he taught school two years with success. In 1909 he went to Malvern, 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 partnership 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, [908, to Elizabeth lleddell, 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. [913, was named after the governor of Missouri and the President of the Lmited 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 191 4, 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.

I482 Greexe County, Missouri

Air. Murphy and his twin brother have been very closely associated with 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. While he carried on a special line of work in such a manner as to gain a handsome competence for himself, ranking for decades among the most extensive and progressive 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 I 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 181 2. and was at the battle of Horseshoe, 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, lie had obtained a practical education in the German language, 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 held and saw the battle, about which she frequently related stirring incidents to her children in after years. She was a Quaker, while Air. 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 i8_>y. 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 principal teachers in the Sunday school, although she held membership in the Presbyterian church in Lawrence county. During the Civil war Mr. Yeak- 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 history 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 environment, and was naturally intelligent and investigating and he not only prospered 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 (Leeper) 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 count}' land.

Thomas Yeakley devoted his life to agricultural pursuits and was unusually successful, having been a man of great industry, sound judgment and wise foresight. In [854 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 comity 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. He carried on general farmingand 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.

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, married 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, and in 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 subsequently became the w:ife of \Y. E. Drum, for many years a successful merchant 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 several 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 subsequent 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 daw

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 Yeakley Chapel, and he had the following to say concerning Mr. Yeakley's religious life and church relations, in part: 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 enterprises 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 the}- 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 effi >rt, 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, Xovember 22, 1866. He is a representative 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 he 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.

after which he started a shoe shop of his own. The future of such a business 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 without 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 his 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. lie 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 assistants 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 quarter of a century, and he is owner of a good Greene county farm and a fine home which he built in 1909.

Air. 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 101'), and Dorothy, who is attending ward school.

I4S8 Greene County, Missouri

Politically Mr. Sjoberg is a Republican. Fraternally he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd bellows, 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 business and his personal habits have ever been above criticism.

We are told that civilization follows the Hag. 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 lirst 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 forerunner. Its ring through the forest is the trumpet call, directing the onward march of the army of progress. The Hying chips mark the fotosteps of those who right 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 fur present-day progress ami prosperity is John T. McNabb, a farmer and respected citizen of Republic township, Greene county, who came to the I fzark region when it was still mostly undeveloped, so he did his full share nf the work of clearing the wild land and bringing it up t<> its present state of cultivation.

Mr. McNabb was born in Polk county, Tennessee, September 23, 1859. lie is a »iii of Taylor and Margaret 1). ( W'lialey ) McNabb. Grandfather McNabb was 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 1). Whaley wa-. 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, lie became the father of ;i large family. Five of Ins children were born to his lirst union, namely: Lucretia, deceased; Vovaline, deceased; \nn is the wife of Sam Eiocksett and lues in Oklahoma; the fourth child is deceased; Virgil lives in Georgia. The following children were by Taylor McNabb and his second 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.

Jives 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 wite, 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 following 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 aggregate of three hundred acres on which he carries on general fanning and stock raising on an extensive scale. Mis 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, [879, 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. Airs. McNabb was born in 1X04 and was one of nine children, namely: Mrs. Ann Couch lues 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 county ; 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 Roval Neighbors, and thev both hold membership in the Baptist church. (94)

Personally Mr. McNabb has inherited many of the winning characteristics of his sterling Scotch ancestors, such as determination, courage, industry, fortitude and unswerving honesty, and these together with other equally admirable traits have combined to make him a successful man and a good citizen.

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 Springfield, 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 perception have entered very largely into his makeup and have been contributing elments to the professional success which has come to him.

Doctor Lowe was born in Berwick. New ton county, Missouri. September 21, 1884. He is a son of F. M. ami Flora (Roberts) I. owe. The father was horn in Tennessee and when a child his parents removed with him from that state to Newton count}-. .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 Roberts, 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 Butterrield, Missouri; Charles, deceased; Vida Belle married a Mr. Fennel and they live near Butterrield. 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.

Or. li. A. Lowe grew to manhood on tiie farm in Newton county and mere maae himself generally useiui when oi proper age, ana in the winter months lie attended the public schools oi his community, later spent two years in the fierce City .baptist College, then studied three years at Drury College, Springfield. In due course of lime he entered the medical department of the bt. Louis University, where he made a splendid record, and irom which institution he was graduated with the class of 1909, after four years' study. He also had a year's hospital training at Alexian Brothers' Hospital 111 St. Louis. He came to Springfield in 19 10 and began the practice of his profession, and for two years was associated with the late Doctor Tern-, one of the leading surgeons of Greene county of a past generation. The association continued until the death of Doctor Terry, in 191 J.

Doctor Lowe is president of a board of directors, composed of live 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, vicepresident; Dr. 1). U. Sherman, secretary and treasurer; Dr. M. C. Stone and Dr. E. F. James.

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 Mystic 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 lie 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 endowment 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 farms'-

T492 Greene County, Missouri

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 daughters, all now deceased except the subject of this sketch and a sister, Mrs. Margaret Drum, widow of \Y. 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 o unity, settling in what was then known as ('enter 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 bis life, adding to bis 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 agriculturists in the western part of the county, and was a progressive and publicspirited 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 foui children, lie came ti > Missouri in pioneer days and located in Lafayette county. Tbe mother of our subject is living at an advanced age.

George Yeakley grew to manhood on tbe home farm in Republic township and there assisted with tbe general work when a boy. He re 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 bis father's thrift and foresight. He owns a well-improved and productive farm of eight hundred and -ixtv-five acres in Republic township, which is adorned with a pleasant hom< numerous substantial outbuildings. One may see about the place at all seasons large numbers of sleek, well-bred live stock which form no -mall portion of his annual income.

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. Mansfield, a railroad man, and they have one child, Robert Y. ; Bessie is the wife of Jake 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 Methodist 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 Americanborn 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 population. By comparison with their "old country" surroundings these people have readily recognized the fact that in the United States are to be found the greatest opportunities for the man of ambition and energy. And because 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.

Mr. Raum was born on August 9, 184c). in Leutzen, 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 vears.

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 satisfactory 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-vear 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 furnished home and substantial outbuildings, everything about his place indicating that a master hand is at the helm.

Just before he quit bis 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 carpenter 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. 189 1. also a farmer, and Emelie D.. born on September [8, [882, 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 fur 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 independence. 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 181 1, where he spent his boyhood, removing from there to Pemiscott county, this ^tate. 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 physician of the old school. In 183 1 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. Sterling 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 community. On December 1 1. [88o, he left home and came to Seymour, Webster 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 vears 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 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 Tennessee and North Carolina, respectively. Mr. Cunningham has devoted his active life to farming, having removed from his native state to Pemiscott countv, Missouri, about the year 1803, 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 twentythree years of age; he was next to the youngest in order of birth.

Politically Mr. Cole is a Democrat. He belongs to the First Congregational church. Springfield. Fraternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, with which be united twenty-nine vears ago, having joined at Seymour, Missouri, Lodge No. 363, and be has never transferred bis membership. He has been given a twenty-five-year badge by ibis order, lie w one of the best known grocerymen in Springfield and enjoys ;i wide friendship among his erstwhile patrons and bis present customers as a result of bis excellent personal characteristics.

Andrew Jackson Bodfxhamfr

The faculty witb 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 mustered out of the armies, the question was solved by the ex-soldiers themselves, 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- ans is Andrew Jackson Bodenhamer, a venerable farmer of Campbell township, 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 man)' vast changes in that time. He has lived on the same farm over half a century.

Air. Bodenhamer was born in Greene county, Missouri, September 13, 1839. He is a son of Jacob and Nettie vGoss) 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 implements of those frontier days. He received a limited education in the oldtime 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 18G3. He has paid a great deal of attention to the raising of live stock in connection with general farming.

On July 29, [862, 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, February 8, 1899. They were both buried at Danforth cemetery. The}- 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 in 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 15, 1855, ruefl when nineteen years of age; Mary Lncinda, born on January 12, 1858, lives in Rogersville, Missouri; Mandy Tissie, born on February 6, 1861, lives in California. The father of these children devoted his life to general farmins. Politically he was a Democrat, and he belonged to the Methodist

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; Emslev 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 winch he has been an active worker for manv years.

Much worthy effort is expended in producing good crops, but oftentimes a gain in the best of crops is lost by feeding to inefficient live stock. There is no surer way of losing money than by feeding crops to animals, the products i>r gain from which do 1 t >t 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-. Mure 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 ,,|" Greene county who. judging from his success, understands the proper handling of his grains and live stock si, as to get tin- best results is Louis F. Bodenhamer of Campbell township, wIki lives mi the old homestead just east of the outskirts of Springfield.

Mr. Bodenhamer was born on the place where lie now lives. June [6, 1878. He is a son .if Joseph J. and Laura (Farris) Bodenhamer, and a grandson of Jacob and Nettie (Goss) Bodenhamer. The father .if Nettie diss 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 [842, settling in what is now a part of Webster county. He was a prosperous farmer and at one time owned seven hundred acres of land. After spending eight years on the first place he settled here, he removed to the place now occupied hy 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 prominent 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 armv. 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 count)-, 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 nj. 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 wellread 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 on 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 daughter of Fred J. and Mattie (Holder) Gerhardt. She was born in Camden 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 successfully engaged in general farming and stock raising. He is a Democrat, and fraternally he belongs to Mum ford lodge Xo. 738, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he is past grand knight. He 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 calling 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; lint few do this, as the records show. That Thomas Fogarty, organizer and proprietor of the Sanitary Plumbing and Heating Companv, of Springfield, is especially fitted for the calling that now occupies his attention can not be doubted, for he has built up a large and rapidly growing 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 [847. They were Catholics. To them seven children were born, four sons and tliree 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. James, 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- field, Missouri, when nineteen years of age, about 1878, and was yardmaster 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; Airs. L. G. Schab lives in Quincy, Illinois; Katie is teaching school in Ireland; Thomas, of this sketch; Mrs. James Bayner lives at Castle Bar, Ireland; 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 [891, he emigrated to America and came direct to Springfield, Missouri, where he has resided ever since, having 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 smith 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 Heating company, the present place of business of which is on East Commercial street. Under his able management this concern has grown to large proportions and is doing an ever-growing and lucrative business in general plumbing and heating. The firm is well equipped 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, [902, 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 Springfield 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: Airs. P. J. Turley lives in Springfield; Laura, wife of the subject of this sketch; Mrs. J. J. Lawler lives in Springfield; Mrs. Mamie O'Hara 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.

Six children have been born to Mr. and Airs. Fogarty, namely: Harry is deceased; Francis Thomas, Clarence J., John A., Isabell and Margaret.

Politically Air. Fogarty is a Democrat. He is a member of the Catholic church. He 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, Alassachusetts. 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, Modern Woodmen of America, the Improved Order of Red Alen 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.

Xelsox 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 somewhat 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 fertility of one or mere 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 _'4, [857. He is a son of Benjamin and Emily (Morland) Butler, both nf 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 Union army, and was in a number of battles, serving several years, during which lie 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 al>o died. They were the parents of eight children, namely: Frank is living but his whereabouts are unknown; Will is engaged in farming in Ore- gon; Norman lives in Oklahoma; Fernando is deceased; Benjamin lives in Republic township; Nelson G., subject of this sketch; Airs. Alary Myers lives in Oklahoma; the youngest child died in infancy. lhe 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. [hitler rented Mr. O'Neal's farm and operated it for five years, and while there purchased eighty acres of land in section 13, Republic township, built a comfortable home thereon and moved into it. He has managed his all airs 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. 1 hitler was married on September 12, [886, 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 tc 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; Harrv and Laura, twins, the former lives in Pond Creek township, this county, and the latter is deceased. Airs. Butler received her education in the common schools of Pond Creek township, where she grew to womanhood. Our subject 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.

I5O4 Greene County, Missouri John Parker Trogdon

Farming has been considered a game of chance too long and the uncertainties of the elements have been overcome to such an extent by intelligent study and use of fertilizers, irrigation and drainage, and intensive cultivation 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 Tennessee.