Greene County, Missouri - Biographical sketches, 1915 (part 19 of 29)

Alfred H. Van Bibber has devoted his attention to general farming, for the most part, and is now owner of a good farm on sixty-six acres, a part of the homestead, which consisted of one hundred and forty acres. The land is all tillable and has been kept well cultivated and the improvements are fairly good in every respect, the father of our subject making most of the improvements now seen on the place. In connection with general farming Mr. Van Bibber makes a specialty of raising Jersey cows and Chester White hogs.

Politically, he is a Democrat, but he has never been as active in public affairs as his worthy father before him, and has never cared for office.

John W. Hoover

Many young men nowadays make a mistake by looking for positions that do not require much physical exertion, seemingly forgetting that there is much work to be done in the world which requires brawn as well as brain. Hard work has never hurt very many people. It is wrong living anil wrong thinking that play the mischief, but some labor under the old illusion that the}- can't "stand" certain kinds of work. John W. Hoover, now living in honorable retirement in Springfield after a busv life, is not of that type.

He preferred to earn his living by the "sweat of his brow," which Holy Writ indicates is the most commendable way to earn it. and having been a man of good habits, he has lived already past the Psalmist's three score and ten.

Mr. Hoover was burn on July 4, 1843, at Reading,, Pennsylvania. He is a son of David and Lydia (Trump) Hoover, both natives of Pennsylvania, where they grew to maturity, received a limited education and were married and spent their lives, both dying in that state, both dying mamyears ago. The father was a stone contractor by profession and put in locks in canals, which were numerous in his day. His family consisted of four children, namely: Caroline, Laura and Henry, all deceased; John \\\, of this sketch.

John W. Hoover grew to manhood in the old Keystone state, and he received a limited education in the schools of Reading, Pennsylvania. After leaving school he learned the boilermaker's trade, beginning as an apprentice in Philadelphia, in 1861, and served four years. Leaving the City of Brotherly Luxe on October 15, 1866, he started west, and stopped at Indianapolis, Indiana, and worked at the Eagle Machine works there, as boilermaker, and later for the Big Four railroad in their shops there, the road then being known as the Bellefontaine railroad. After working there three wars he went to Peru, Indiana, where he secured a better position with the Chicago, Indianapolis & Peru railroad, and worked there in their shops twelve wars. He was then offered a still better position at Moberly, Missouri, to take charge of the boiler shops there of the Wabash railroad, and he spent ten years there, then came to Springfield, Missouri, where he had charge of the south side shops, the old Gulf shops, later owned by the Frisco, from [890 until 101 1. then was transferred to Memphis, Tennessee, to the Frisco's shops there, of which he remained in charge until July. 1913, when he reached the age limit of employees of this system, and was given a pension, and. although yet able to work, did not seek further employment, returning to Springfield and retiring, and is living quietly at his home at 1004 West Walnut street.

Mr. Hoover was married in Reading, Pennsylvania, September 22. [862, to Nancy Mast, who was born near that city on February _'_'. 1844. She is a daughter of George and Mary (Smith) Mast. Mr. Mast was a native of Germany, from which country he came to the United States when ten years of age. The mother of our subject was born in Pennsylvania, 1 if Quaker parents.

Seven children haw been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hoover, named as follows: Henry J., born on May 2, [864, died in [866; J. VV., born on August 3, t866, received Ins education in Indiana and Columbia Universities, and is now making his home in Fort Worth. Texas: David, born on March

16, 1869, died when three months old; Caroline, born on July n, 1872, was educated in Indiana and in Moberly, Missouri, married Victor Winnburg, who is division foreman of the Missouri Pacific shops in Sedalia, and they are the parents of one child, a daughter, Selma, born on June 18, 1899; Nellie, born on August 4, 1877. died on May 25, 1891 ; Harry, born on August 26, 1882, married Martha Bohana, who is with the Griffen H. Deeves Lumber Company, Railway Exchange, Chicago; Walter, horn on May 5. 1891, married Opal Smith, of Kansas City; they live in Chicago; he is a traveling salesman.

Politically, Mr. Hoover is a Republican. He cast his second vote for Abraham Lincoln for his second term as president. Religiously, he belongs to the Presbyterian church. Fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic Order, including the Blue Lodge, the Royal Arch Masons, the Commandery and the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine.

Robert B. Kite

It is a well-authenticated fact that success comes as a result of legitimate and well-applied energy, unflagging determination and perseverance in a course of action when once decided upon. She is never known to bestow her largesses upon the indolent and ambitionless, and only those who seek her untiringly are recipients o! her blessings. In tracing the history of Robert B. Kite, now living in retirement in Springfield after a longcareer as a railroader and in more recent years a farmer, it is plainly seen that the prosperity which he enjoys has been won by commendable qualities, and it is also his personal worth that has gained for him the high esteem of those who know him.

Mr. Kite was born in Cleveland, Ohio, May 8, 1857. He is a son of Hiram ami Rosanna (Warren) Kite, the father a native of Pennsylvania and of Quaker stock, while the mother was a native of England, from which country she emigrated to America in girlhood and located in Pennsylvania, where the parents of our subject were married, but not long thereafter removed to Ohio, and there they lived until 1850, when they removed to Marshtield, Webster county, Missouri, and Hiram Kite built one of the first houses in that town. Pie was a leather worker by trade and was in business there when the Civil war broke out and joined the Home Guards, hut did not become a soldier in the regular Union army. He finally removed to a farm near Strafford. Missouri, where he spent the rest of his life, but his wife died in Springfield. They were the parents of eight children, five of whom are still living, namely: Madora E., Mary, Lottie, Nettie; Frances

Robert B. Kite received a limited education in the public school at Marshfield, but he is principally a self-educated man. He began his railroad career in 1873 as brakeman on the old Atlantic & Pacific railroad, now the Frisco system, and he remained a brakeman until 1S80, when he was promoted to freight conductor, in which capacity he worked until he was promoted to passenger conductor, and ran as such for a period of fifteen years, or until iyoi, living at Monett, Missouri, during that period. He was regarded as one of the most capable and most trusted conductors on the Frisco, and his continuous service of twenty-eight years would indicate he was a first-class railroader. Finally, tiring of the exacting work as conductor, he moved to his farm in 1901, just south of Springfield. His fine place there consisted of one hundred acres of the old Crenshaw homestead. This he brought up to a high state of improvement and a high state of cultivation, all but about ten acres. He made it a model farm in evenrespect. He installed the first water system in that part of the county, running hot and cold water to both his house and barn. He carried on general farming until 1907, when he sold out and moved to the corner of South and Madison streets, Springfield, where he owns two sets of four-apartment flats and two fine residence properties, all modern and desirable in evenway, and he now spends his time looking after his personal property here.

Mr. Kite was married on September 17, 1883, in Rogers. Arkansas, to Vitae A. Powers, who was born in Newton county. Missouri, May 21, 1867. She is a daughter of Kli and Angeline (Wormington) Powers. The father was a native of North < arolina and the mother of Tennessee. They came from the South to Newton county, Missouri, in pioneer days, and there Mr. Powers engaged in farming and the milling business. His death occurred in 1N75. his widow surviving thirty-five years, dying in 1910. They were the parents of five children, namely: Andrew B., deceased; Mrs. Belle Carnes died in 1907; Mrs. Addie Tudor died in [880; Douglass lives in Carbonado, Washington; and Mrs. Yitae Kite, wife of our subject. She grew to womanhood in Newton county and received her education in the commi >n schools.

I our children have been bom to Mr. and Mrs. Kite, named as follow: Olive, horn on October 2, 1884, was educated in .Monett. married Andrew Edmondson, and they lice in Fort Smith, Arkansas; Rolland, horn on September 10. 1NN0. was educated in the Springfield high school and later attended Drury College, married May King, and they are living in Hollister, this state: Jessie May, horn on August 11. isss. was graduated from the Normal school in Springfield, then attended Columbia University. New Noils City, and is now a successful teacher in Stephens College, Columbia, Missouri; Warren P., horn on February it. [896, was graduated from the high school in Springfield with the class of 1914. He is a natural mechanic, is a skilled taxidermist, and he has a splendid collection of Indian relics. He has mounted a valuable collection of birds. He has built various kinds ol boats, canoes, power boats, etc., which have been regarded by those who have seen them as equal to any on the market. The future evidently holds much of promise for this fine young lad, as indeed it must for all Mr. Kite's children, who are all intellectual and highly cultured, and well liked by their associates everywhere.

Politically, Mr. Kite is a Republican, and he at one time was candidate for sheriff of Greene county, but failed to get the nomination. He was a charter member of North Side Division No. 30, Order of Railway Conductors. Fraternally, he belongs to the Masonic Order, in which he is active and prominent, being a past eminent commander; he is a Knight Templar, and a member of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, lie also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Religiously, he is a member of the Presbyterian church, and is a liberal supporter of the same. Mrs. Kite is a member of the Order of Eastern Star and the Rebekahs. The family stands high in all circles in which it moves.

Charles W. Rule

A man of naturally sound judgment and shrewd perception, characteristics of the Teutonic race, of which Charles W. Rule, of Springfield, is a descendant, are dominating factors in his career, and he has so ordered his course in the world's affairs as to be eligible to representation in a work of this kind. 11a has risen through close attention to business and his desire to deal promptly and courteously with his fellow men. and his name stands high in all business circles with which he has come into relationship. His domestic and social connections have ever been of a pleasant character, and the fact that his surroundings are such as to make life enjoyable is due solely to his individual merits.

Mr. Rule was born in Springfield, Missouri. May --. 1871, He is a son of John Christopher Rule, who was born in Baltimore, Maryland, April id. 1844, and he was a son of Mundus Rule, who was a native of German}-, from which country he emigrated to America and located in Maryland, and engaged extensively in railroad contracting and building in and around the city of Baltimore, and there his death occurred in 1891 at the advanced age of eighty-seven years. The father of the subject of this sketch grew to manhood in the Monument city and was educated there, and he spent his early life as a sailor. During the Civil war he entered the- service of the Confederacy, most of the time of his enlistment being spent in the navy service. He was captured by the Federal navy and spent nine months in the old Washington prison, then exchanged and released. After the close of the war, about the latter part of 1866, he came to Springfield, Missouri, where he spent the rest of his life, first engaging in business on South street, later on Commercial street, and during this period of nearly a half century he was one of the best known business men of the city. He lived to see and take part in the substantial and steady growth of the city from a mere village to the metropolis of southern Missouri, and always had its interests at heart. He married Celeste Heffernan, a native of Wabasha, Minnesota, a daughter of Steven and Margaret (O'Day) Heffernan, both natives of Ireland, from which country they emigrated to Minnesota in an early day. The mother died when comparative!)- a young woman. Mrs. Celeste Rule was a well-educated woman, and of an excellent family, but was unable to definitely trace her ancestry in the Emerald Isle. Her death occurred in Springfield on October 16, 1909. The father of our subject survived until 191 1.

Charles W. Rule grew to manhood in Springfield and was educated in the public schools here, and when but a boy commenced his business life as a grocery merchant on Commercial street, in which business he met with encouraging success and remained four years, then took a position with the Frisco railroad with the superintendent of motive power, the duties of which responsible place he discharged for a period of nine years in a manner that was entirely satisfactory to the company, then went on the road for the Springfield Brewing Company, doing much to increase the prestige of the same until it closed down in 1906, when Mr. Rule became manager of the Springfield depot of the William J. Lemp Brewing Company of St. Louis, in which position he is still employed and is handling the same in his usual acceptable manner. He has been very successful as a man of affairs and is a stockholder in the Citizens Rank- of Springfield.

Politically, Mr. Rule is a Democrat. lie was reared in the Roman Catholic faith and has proved faithful to his allegiance to the mother church. Fraternally, he belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Flks. and is president of the local aerie of Eagles. Me is also a member of the United ( "ommercial Tra\ elers.

Mr. Rule was married in [89] to Lula M. Teague, a daughter of Flihu and Sarah 1 Brock) Teague. Mr. Teague lived in western Colorado, where he was interested in mining. His wife died main years ago, and bis death occurred in [911. The family formerly lived in Springfield, where Mrs. Rule was educated in the high school from which she was graduated

Five sons have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Rule, namely: Francis G., born November _>_>. 1N03. was educated in the Springfield high school, and is now employed with the Lee steamboat line as electrician; Raymond T., horn on April 22, 1896, is attending St. Mary's school; Carl W., born on January 13, 1903, is in school; John Christopher, born on October 16, 1905; Richard L., born on May 2, 1909

Mason Claude Washburn

Although Springfield is a city of considerable size, where the inhabitants are engaged in a great variety of pursuits, yet a large number of her citizens are engaged in railroading or dependent upon the railroads, one way and another, for their livelihood; and where there are so many actively engaged in as hazardous a calling as railroading there necessarily occur many fatal accidents. One of the most regrettable was the loss of Mason Claude Washburn, a Frisco employee, who met his untimely death while a member of a train crew over thirteen years ago. He was a young man of much promise, only a quarter of a century having passed over his head, and he was summoned before his Judge in the Great Beyond when it seemed that he was most needed here. He was both a railroader and a minister of the gospel, and no doubt would have eventually become a leading preacher in the Christian church in southern Missouri had he been spared.

Mr. Washburn, who was familiarly known as "Claude" Washburn, was born on Jul) [9, [875, in the state of Illinois. He was a son of Henry Harrison Washburn and Molly E. (Wilson) Washburn. The father was born on September 25, 1841). and the mother's birth occurred June 14th of the same year, both being natives of Kentucky, where they grew to maturity, were educated in the common schools and were married, and from that state they immigrated to Illinois, where they resided until about 1886, in which year they came to Springfield, Missouri, and established the future home of the family. A few years ago the parents of the subject of this memoir removed to Cape Girardeau, this state. Henry H. Washburn has followed railroading ever since he was a boy, has been in the employ of several roads, and has been with the Frisco system about thirty-five years, all told. He is now a passenger conductor; in fact, has been for many years. His family consisted of four children, namely: Lutie lives in St. Louis; Mason C, subject of this sketch; Pearl lives in Cape Girardeau, Missouri; and Harry H. lives in Chaffee, Missouri. The father of these children is a prominent Mason, having attained the thirtv-second degree in this order.

to Springfield, Missouri, and here he grew to manhood and received a good education, including the public and high schools, a business college and the old Normal school. He prepared himself for the ministry in the Christian church, in which he was engaged for five or six years, during which time he had a church on the north side and supplied a number of pulpits in his denomination. He was a successful minister, well versed in the Bible, and was an earnest, forceful and convincing speaker and a man whose influence in all the relations of life made for better living.

Mr. Washburn secured a position as brakeman on the Frisco railroad in November, 1896, and was assigned to a freight crew to run between Monett, Missouri, and Fort Smith. Arkansas.

Mr. Washburn was married on June 28, 1898, to Lydia M. Wilkerson, who was born on April 16, 1875, in Polk county. .Missouri. She is a daughter of Dr. J. M. and Mary (Ayers) Wilkerson. Doctor Wilkerson was born in Tennessee on November 2, 1844, and his wife was born in Missouri on September 8, 1849. He received his medical education in the St. Louis Medical College and practiced for many years in Humansville, Polk county, this state, finally removing to Springfield, where he and his wife still reside. A complete sketch of them appears on another page of this work. Mrs. Washburn grew to womanhood in the town of Humansville, and she received a good education in the public schools.

To Air. ami Mr-. Washburn one child was born, James Harrison Washburn, whose birth occurred on June 22. 1890; he is being educated in the Springfield schools. Mrs. Washburn and sou live on North Jefferson street.

Tin- tragic death of Mr. Washburn occurred on November 13. 1900. We quote the following account of the accident from the Springfield Leader of that date:

"Claude Washburn, one of tin- ni<>st popular trainmen in Springfield, met a horrible death at Aurora this morning. IK- lefl Springfield this morning as a brakeman on an extra run out in charge of Conductor Garvin. \t Aurora the train was heading in and while taking the side track Claude Washburn was riding the pilot of the engine. By a sudden jerk of the locomotive tlie unfortunate man was thrown from the pilot directly in front "t the track and then the engine wheels crushed hi- life out. He was dragged a shorl distance, there- being scarcely mom for a body to pass beneath the pilot, but the wheels of the engine passed over both legs and he was horribly mangled. The engine was stopped as quickly as possible, kui the brakeman lived but a few minutes after being taken from beneath tlie engine. The remains were brought to this city on a passenger train.

of age and leaves a wife and one child. He was an extra conductor and had been running trains a great deal this fall. He would soon have had a regular run as a conductor if he had lived, as he was considered a nx>st efficient man. His father, H. H. Washburn, an old Frisco conductor, resigned his position yesterday and left last night for Little Rock, Arkansas. His mother and aged grandfather are now at the home on Benton avenue and are heartbroken, as Claude was the pride of the family. Out on Summit avenue and Pacific street there is also his heartbroken widow, almost prostrated by the untimely death of her husband. She is the daughter of Dr. J. M. Wilkerson.

"( lawk- Washburn was a religious man and a member of the Christian church on Washington avenue. Before he began to work on the railroad he had a strong liking for the ministry, and had in fact been a local preacher. He was a member of the Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor, and attended the national convention in Boston as a delegate in 1895. He was a member of the Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen. He is spoken of in the highest terms by all who know him, and there is probably not a railroad man of Springfield whose death would cause more general sorrow."

James Caleb Squibb

Thus wrote Rudyard Kipling of a man who pronounced success in life by his own efforts, advancing himself from an humble environment, refusing to permit discouraging circumstances to down him, until he won the goal sought. The great poet might just as well have had in mind James Caleb Squibb, for many years a successful druggist of Springfield. He came up from the soil, won a large measure of success unaided and also made a good citizen.

Mr. Squibb was born in Greene county, Missouri, July -9, 1861. He is a son of Caleb and Elizabeth ( Wallace) Squibb, both natives of Tennessee, where they grew to maturity, received such educational advantages as the old-time schools offered, and were married in their native state, and from there emigrated to Missouri, locating in Greene county, where they spent the rest of their lives in farming. They came here in the days before the great Civil war and experienced the stirring times here during the struggle. They worked hard and had a good farm and comfortable home and were well and favorably known. The death of Mr. Squibb occurred in August, 1861 ; his widow is still living in this county, having thus sur- vived her husband fifty-four years, and has reached an advanced age. They were the parents of two children - James Caleb, of this review ; and Prior Lee, who is living on a farm in Greene county.

The subject of this sketch spent his boyhood days on the farm with his parents, where he worked hard and remained until he was nineteen years of age, when he came to Springfield and attended the common schools, later entered the Marionville Collegiate Institute, at Marionville, Missouri, where he took a general course. Leaving college at the age of twenty-two years, he went to St. Louis and took a course in a business college and afterwards studied pharmacy and went into the drug business in Springfield, and continued the same, owning his own store until 1913. when be sold out and has since been living practically retired, merely looking after his private property. He made a pronounced success as a druggist and always enjoyed a good trade and carried a large stock of drugs and drug sundries. and dealt fairly and courteously with bis many regular customers and transients alike. He has a fine home on North Jefferson street.

Mr. Squibb was married on November 19, 1883, to Nora Massey, who was born, reared and educated in Greene county. She is a daughter of Nathaniel J. and Mary Catherine ( Bass) Massey. both natives of Missouri, who located in Greene county in an early day and established the permanent home of the family. Mr. Massey was a successful farmer and stock trader and a public-spirited, self-made man. During the Civil war he was a government contractor, furnishing stock and general supplies to the army. In politics be was a Democrat and a Union man. His father, James Massey, was probably born in the green isle of Erin, but crossed the Atlantic when young ami settled in Tennessee. Later be moved to Greene count}'. Missouri, and located a few miles east of Springfield, where he became the owner of a good farm. There bis death occurred during the Civil war. He was twice married and was the father of twenty-two children. His last wife, who died on February 15, [894, married Allen Gentry, of Stone county. Theophalus Ikiss, Mrs. Squibb's grandfather, was the first representative to the Legislature from Taney county, and died during his incumbency and was buried in refferson ('it v. Nathaniel J. Bass was born in Tennessee, about 1815, and died in [868. Mis second wife, mother of Mrs. Squibb, was born in Taney county, Missouri, and died about forty years ago in Springfield. She was born during the later forties, was reared and educated in Boone county. Missouri, having attended Howard Female College. Our subject's wife was one of two children, she being the eldest: her sister, Lfiie. was born in February, [868, married Oscar Headley, and they live in Los Angeles, California. Mrs. Squibb's great-grandfather, John D. Shannon, came from Tennessee and settled in Greene count}'. Missouri, in the forties. He was the first representative from Greene county to the Legislature, and he was the first sheriff that ever held office in southwestern Missouri. Airs. Squibb, when young, went to live with an aunt in Truy, Doniphan county, Kansas, and there she received her education, in part, finishing in the Marionville Collegiate Institute. She taught school in Stone county for a while before her marriage.

Politically, Mr. Squibb is a Democrat. He is a member of the Travelers' Protective Association of America, and of the Independent Order of Odd Eellows. He and his family belong to St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal church. South.

Oscar Franklin Farmer

Although Oscar Franklin Farmer has long been sleeping the "sleep that knows no waking," like the great huntsman and Scottish chieftain, of whom we read in Walter Scott's "Lady of the Lake," he is still remembered by many of the older residents of the northern part of Greene county as an excellent business man and helpful citizen - one of the sturdy pioneers who did much for the early development of his locality, and his name is therefore entitled to special mention in the present volume.

Mr. Farmer was born on August 15, 1835, in Tennessee, but was a mere child when he emigrated with his parents, Moses Farmer and wife, to Missouri, the family locating in Cass county on a farm, where Oscar F. grew to manhood and received a common school education, and he was married near Pleasant Hill, Missouri, to Jane Wann, to which union two children were born, namely : Mrs. Elizabeth Ross, who lives in Washington state, and Charles O., deceased.

Oscar F. Farmer remained in Cass county until 1865 when he removed with his family to Greene county and located in Cass township, purchasing the old Evans grist-mill which he operated for four years, supplying the early settlers with the material of which they made their bread, many of his customers coming from very remote distances, for grist-mills were few in those days. In connection with his mill he also operated a farm successfully. Later he traded his mill to Samuel Appleby for a farm of one hundred and twenty acres where his widow now resides. In the early develop- merit of Willard, Mr. Farmer was active, establishing a general store when he first came here, and operated the same until his death, which occurred on October 8, 1887, at the age of fifty-two years. His widow subsequently sold the store to David Appleby. Mr. Farmer's second wife was Anna Appleby, whom he married in 1870. She is a daughter of William and Emily (Hurt) Appleby, both natives of Tennessee. To the last marriage of Oscar F. Farmer was born five children, namely: Fred, who lives in Springfield; Samuel, a farmer of this township; Claude, who lives in Willard; Carl, whose death occurred in 1913; and John, who is living in Willard.

John and Claude Farmer now operate a general store in Willard, under the firm name of Farmer Brothers, and are doing a large and thriving business, both being active and energetic and good respectable citizens who have the confidence of their many customers.

Mrs. Anna (Appleby) Farmer was born on August 6, 1848, in Cass township, Greene count}', and here she grew to womanhood and was educated in the early-day schools. She is making her home with her son, John Farmer. She is a quiet home woman of noble character. Her father, William Appleby, was born in 1806, and his death occurred in Greene count)' in 1879, at the age of seventy-three years. His wife, Emily Hurt, was born in 1808, and died in 1861 at the age of fifty-three years. To these parents eight children were born, namely : Mrs. Eveline Williams is deceased; Samuel, deceased; Elizabeth, deceased; Mrs. Cassander Looney lives in Boone township, Greene county; Anna, widow of the subject of this sketch; John lives in Cass township, this county; two children died in infancy.

The Farmers have been one of the best known and most influential families of Willard and Murray township from the pioneer days to the present and have all borne good reputations.

The permanent prosperity of a nation must rest upon its agriculture. Where agriculture has been decadent, nations have declined. The history of the past decade proves that the agriculture of the United States, if not actually on the decline has not made the strides forward that it should have. and the result of this affects the producer and consumer alike in one respect - a rapid increase in the cost of living. This is a fact recognized by farseeing men to such an extent that at the present time we find some of the Strongest minds of the country grappling with the problem of putting our agriculture on a permanent and sound basis. This has become a near national issue.

J. J. Gray And Family Residence Of J. J. Gray

An enterprising farmer of Brookline township, Greene county, is Josiah Jefferson Gray, who was born in the vicinity where he now lives on January iO, 185 1. He is a son of George Washington and Sarah Jane (Edgar J Gray. Samuel Gray, our subject's grandfather, was a native of Ireland, from which country he immigrated with his father to xVmerica shortly after the close of the Revolutionary war. The father of our subject was born in Tennessee, from which state he emigrated to Greene county, Missouri, in 1833, and settled in Brookline township among the first of the pioneers, and here he cleared and developed a good farm and spent the rest of his life, dying about 1906. The mother of our subject was born near .Mammoth Cave in Green count), Kentucky. Her death occurred on the homestead here in 1901. They were the parents of four children, two sons and two daughters, namely: Josiah J. of this sketch; Andrew Jackson, born in 1854, died in 1865; Elizabeth A., born in 1848, married Jefferson Moneyham, of Chariton county, Missouri, and they have five children; Sarah Jane married William Robertson, who is deceased, and she is living in Oklahoma and has five children.

Josiah J. Gray was reared on the home farm where he worked when a boy and in the winter attended the district schools. He has followed farming all his life, having remained at work on the home place until 1869, when he started out in life for himself. In 1882 he purchased the place where he now resides, and since then has acquired eighty acres more, nowowning a good farm of one hundred and twenty acres known as "The Oak Hill Stock Farm," on which he carries on general farming and stock raising. His farm is a part of the Wilson Creek battleground. Mr. Gray was but ten years of age when that great struggle took place, however he has a very vivid recollection of what transpired that memorable day.

Mr. Gray was married. August 22, 1878, to Arena Jane Russell, a daughter of J. N. and Nancy Elizabeth (Grimmer) Russell, both of whom came to Greene county from Tennessee in the early forties, and in this county Mrs. Gray grew to womanhood and attended the public schools.

To Mr. ami Mrs. Gray the following children have been born: Johnnie T., born in 1880. was educated in the district schools, and he worked on the home farm until his marriage in 1901 to Margaret L. McNabb, daughter of J. P. and Sarah McNabb, of Republic, after which he moved to Stone county, Missouri, where he is now operating a farm which he owns; he has three children, Earl V. who is ten years old, Archie, aged seven, and Theodore. Joe Emmett, second son of our subject, was born June 15, 1887. was educated in the district schools, and remained on the home farm until his marriage. November 24. 1913. to Hollie Davis, daughter of Barney and Harriett (O'Dell) Davis, of Christian county, Missouri; he then took up (iool farming for himself on a farm adjoining that owned by our subject. Willie J., third son of our subject, born June 12, 1893, was educated in the district schools, and is assisting his father operate the home farm; Ada, born August 18, 1883, was educated in the neighborhood schools, is single and lives at home; Emma E., born June 21, 1885, was educated in the home school, is unmarried and living at home; Hubert C, born July 12, 1889, died in infancy; a daughter, Ida Maudie, died in 1882; one daughter born in 1879, unnamed.

Politically, Mr. Gray is a Democrat. He belongs to Xo. 471 Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. Gray raises hogs and cattle of standard grade in large numbers.

It is claimed by some authors that a man's life, or words of disparagement or praise of it, should not be written until after his death. Perhaps not until he has been dead some years. For, though, in one sense, none can know a man so well as he knows himself, and of the exterior knowledge gained concerning him, the simplest facts are liable to continual misrepresentation, still a certain amount of distance is essential to the breadth, comprehension and truthfulness of the view - especially of that tuneful harp, that mysterious picture, a human existence. When an individual has attained the eminence in a community thai Dr. Enoch Knabb has. it is fitting that a suitable biography be prepared of him for reference by his friends, hence the following tribute.

Doctor Knabb, for many years one of the well-known general physicians of Springfield, Missouri, was horn in Wright county, this state. .March 1, 1867. He is a son of Henry M. Knabb, who was born near Indianapolis, Indiana, August 4, 1836, and there he -pent his earlier years, finally immigrating in an early da\ to Missouri and establishing the family home in Wright county, where he devoted his life to general fanning and sleek raising. During the ('nil war he was a member of the Eighth Missouri Volunteer Cavalry. While in the service he contracted rheumatism and was confined in the government hospital for some time. He saw considerable hard service and was in a number of engagements. I lis death occurred in Missouri at the home place in i St > 1 . The doctor's mother was born in [830 and died in [905 at the advanced age of seventy-five years. These parents were both members of the Christian church. The mother was known in her maidenhood as Minerva Cass. Dr. Knabb has a sister, Mrs. Mary A. 1'riester. who resides mar Lorey, Wright county. Missouri. Her husband is engaged in lutying and shipping live stock there. Jacob Knabb, our sub- ject's paternal grandfather, was a German-American, born in Pennsylvania, and his death occurred at the age of seventy-five years. His wife was a native of the United States.

Doctor Knabb is an excellent example of a self-made man, having worked hard in his youth to obtain money to defray his expenses in school, but such ambition and determination as he displayed could not fail of definite results. He grew to manhood in Wright count}- and received his early education in the rural schools of his native community, later attended the high school at Hartville, and, having decided upon a career as physician, he entered the Keokuk .Medical College, at Keokuk, Iowa, in the autumn of [892, from which he was graduated with the class of 1895. Soon thereafter he commenced the practice of his profession at Stoutland, Missouri, near Lebanon, remaining there six years, during which he had a good country practice. Seeking a larger field for the exercise of his talents, he removed to Springfield in 1901, where he has been engaged in a large and satisfactory practice ever since, which is constantly growing. He now conlines his practice mostly to within the city limits. He took a post-graduate course in the Chicago Polyclinic in 1900 and 1905, and also took a postgraduate course in Kansas City in 1912.

Doctor Knabb is a member of the Greene Count}' Medical Society, the Southwest Missouri Medical Society, the Missouri State Medical Association and the American Medical Association. Fraternally, he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, the Woodmen of the World, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and many other lodges. Religiously, he is a member of the Central Christian church, and politically is a Republican.

Dr. Knabb was married on October it, 1885, to Matilda F. Davis, a daughter of James and Mary C. ( Foster) Davis. Mrs. Knabb is a native of Wright county, Missouri, and she received her education in the rural schools there.

Three children have been born to Doctor Knabb and wife, named as follow: Henry F., born in Wright count}-, Missouri, May 5, 1887, was educated in the Springfield public schools, graduating from the high school here, and in 1907 he entered the medical department of the St. Louis University, and was graduated with the class of [91 1. and is successfully engaged in the practice of his profession at Foyill, Oklahoma; he married Ora K. Harris, in September, 1910. who is a graduate of the Springfield high school, also attended the State Normal here at different times, and she taught school four years; she is a daughter of Doctor and Dolly Harris. Arthur D. Knabb, second of our subject's children, was born in Wright count}-, this state. January 28, 1889, was graduated from the Springfield high school in 1909, and the same year entered the medical department of the St. Louis University, from which he was graduated with the class of

1913; he served one year as interne at Lexin Brothers Hospital, St. Louis, and was elected professor of bacteriology and pathology; and later he resigned and took up the practice of his profession with his father in Springfield, Missouri, and is making a pronounced success in his profession. He was married on June 26, 1914, to Beulah Harlow, a resident of Springfield. She is the daughter of Rev. W. E. Harlow, of 1359 Washington avenue, and a woman of education and refinement. She was graduated from Springfield high school in 1909. She was one of five children, four of whom are still living at home, the oldest having died about eleven years ago. Vernie E. Knabb was born in Wright county, Missouri, October 19. 1891 ; was graduated from the Springfield high school, later took a course in the Springfield Business College, from which she graduated in 1904. She is single and lives with her parents. These children have all received every advantage in the way of preparation for serious life work, and they all give promise of exceptional success in their chosen spheres of endeavor.

Frank E. Brown

Successful farming calls for the best of judgment It means good crops, good live stock well fed and handled, and a thoroughly balanced business in every way. No business needs better management all around than fanning. So many chances for failure are present that it is the exceptional farm that is strong in every particular. Most farms succeed in spite of certain weaknesses. Some of these weaknesses can be corrected ; others are due to conditions that cannot be improved, such as naturally poor soil, short growing seasons, steep hills and various things. No better example of a good general farmer, stock man and horticulturist than Frank E. Brown, of Campbell township, near the Springfield city limits, could be found in Greene county. He has applied business principles to his farming and has used his mind as well as his brawn. He hails from the far-away rugged state of Maine, but before casting his lot with the people of the Ozarks, engaged in mercantile pursuits in Minnesota a number of years.

Mr. Brown was born August 6, i860, at Sangerville, Maine. He is a son of Francis and Tamar (Brown) Brown, and a grandson of Oliver Brown, who was a native of Maine his parents being among the pioneers of that state, lie grew up and married in his native locality and later removed to Sangerville. having been among the first settlers at that place, and there he spent the rest of his life engaged in farming and died there, and there occurred the birth of his son Francis Brown, our subject's father. The latter grew up on the homestead on which he worked when a boy and in spare times learned the carpenter's trade. After the Civil war he removed to Minnesota, and engaged in contracting at Minneapolis, later moving to the southern part of that state and farmed a few years in the vicinity of Leroy. His death occurred in Minneapolis in August, 1896. at the age of seventythree years. His family consisted of eleven children, four of whom are living at this writing, namely : Anna, who lives in Everett, Washington, is the wife of Clinton Stephans, a relative of the noted civil engineer, Frank Stephans; Mrs. Ada Jones, whose husband is deceased, lives in Minneapolis; Mrs. Fannie Hartley lives in Minneapolis ; Minnie Stephens lives at Red Wing, Minnesota, and Frank E. of this sketch.

The subject of this review was educated in the common schools of Minnesota, where he removed with his parents when a child; however, he left school when thirteen years of age and began learning the carpenter's trade, later managed his father's farm, and during his father's last illness he was appointed by the governor of the Gopher state as a delegate to the Farmers' Congress which met in St. Paul. He continued general farming there, also maintained a store for some time.

.Mr. Brown was married at Leroy, Minnesota, March 7, 1888, to Anna Palmer, a daughter of Cady and Sarah (Palmer) Palmer. Her father was a farmer and one of the first settlers in the vicinity of the town of Leroy. There Mrs. Brown grew to womanhood and attended the public schools. The union of our subject and wife resulted in the birth of four children, named as follows: Mrs. Grace May Holder is the wife of a civil engineer, and she lives with her father; Charlie L., a graduate of the Agricultural department of the University of Missouri at Columbia, also lives at home; Ida and Ruth are both at home and are students in the Springfield high school. The eldest daughter of our subject is a talented musician; she has the distinction of being the first and only pupil to graduate in all branches also in vocal music at Drury College. Mrs. Brown died in the fall of 1914.

Mr. Brown remained in Minnesota until in the spring of 1903, when he removed to Greene county, Missouri, arriving here on March 5th. He bad purchased four hundred acres in Campbell township the year previous. He began improving this valuable tract and soon had it under modern improvements and also built an attractive two-story eleven-roomed bouse with all modern conveniences, finished in original genuine black cherry, seventeen hundred feet of which fine lumber he cut from his own land, doing the work himself, as he is a skilled carpenter and experienced builder. He has carried on general farming and stock raising on an extensive scale, making a specialty of a good grade of cattle, among his herd being a splendid Holstein bull for which he paid four hundred dollars when a calf. Mr. Brown leased his farm some time ago and merely oversees it in a general way, having retired from active farming, a lease of ten vears being made to his son and

Mr. Holder, his son-in-law, who has given up his work as civil engineer, in which he is quite accomplished, in order to devote his entire attention to the farm. An indication that this is not only a rich farm but is well operated is seen from the fact that a field of one hundred acres of wheat in 1914, averaged over nineteen bushels per acre.

Politically, Mr. Brown is a Democrat, but while a careful voter and loyal to his party he has never sought political leadership, although he has held numerous minor offices, such as road commissioner and was a member of the school board in Minnesota for a period of twenty-five years during which he did much for the general improvement of the schools in his district. Fraternally, he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and was a past grand knight in Minnesota. He is a man whom it is a pleasure to meet, being well informed, hospitable and companionable.

George Leeper

The honored subject of this sketch is a representative of one of the pioneer families of Greene county and is personally identified with the industrial interests of this section of the state where he has spent his life, being the owner of a fine farming property in Walnut Grove township. Mr. Leeper believes in adopting new and modern methods of agriculture in so far as they are applicable to local conditions and because of his progressiveness, industry and close application he is regarded as one of the substantial farmers and stock men in this locality, the interests of which he has ever had at heart and where he has been contented to spend his life.

George Leeper was born on January 6, 1866, in Walnut Grove township, Greene county, and he is a son of Francis and Elmina (Burney) Leeper. The father was born in Hawkins county, Tennessee, March 20, 1820, and there he spent his boyhood days, being fourteen years of age when, in 1834, he removed with his father, Hugh Leeper (also a native of east Tennessee) to Greene county, Missouri. They made the long overland journey direct to Walnut Grove township, and settled about two miles south of our subject's present farm, and were thus among the early pioneers here. They cleared and developed a farm from the wilderness and became well established and well known. The parents of our subject were married here in 1S43 and soon thereafter moved to Dade county where they lived on a farm until [847, in which year they returned to Green county and purchased a farm of two hundred and eighty-five acres, near which our subject's farm is now located, and here Francis Leeper engaged in general farming in a most highly satisfactory manner until his death, which occurred on Decern- ber 28, 1909, when nearly ninety years of age. Politically, he was a Democrat, and religiously was a member of the Christian church at Walnut Grove. He was a man of fine character, neighborly, hospitable, public-spirited and was highl) esteemed by all with whom he came in contact. His wife, Elmina Burney, was a native of North Carolina, where her birth occurred on December 21, 1824, and she spent her early girlhood in her native state, removing with her parents to Greene county, Missouri, in the spring of 1835, the family locating on a farm near Ash Grove and her father was one of the prominent pioneers of this locality. She is still living, being now nearly ninety years of age, and makes her home with her son, the subject of this sketch. She is a grand old lady of the true Southern type - gentle, kind and of fine Christian character. She is afflicted with blindness in her old age, but bears her lot patiently. She is a daughter of Joshua and Jane (Stafford) Burney. She often recalls that long, rough journey overland from the old Tar state mure than three-quarters of a century ago.

To Francis Leeper and wife seven children were born, three of whom died in infancy, those who grew up being Mrs. Elizabeth Gilliland, who died in November, 1909; Hugh, who is a resident of the town of Mary, North Dakota; Mrs. Ebanida Martin, who lives in Walnut Grove; and George, of this sketch.

George Leeper spent his boyhood days on the home farm, in fact, has remained on the same nearly all his life, and has always followed general farming and raising live stock. He received his education in the district schools of his township. He now owns one hundred and twenty-nine acres which he farms efficiently, and on which is to be seen an excellent group of buildings.

Mr. Leeper was married on September 10, 1891, to Flora Edmonson, who was born near Walnut Grove, Greene county, where she was reared to womanhood and was educated. She is a daughter of Fide and Martha (1 'otter) Edmonson. The father was born in this vicinity also, in 1840. He is a son of Allen and Polly Edmonson, who were very early settlers of Walnut Grove township, clearing and developing a farm here when the country was sparsely settled, and here Fide Edmonson grew to manhoood and early in life began farming which has been his life work. He continued to reside in his native locality until several years ago when he removed to Polk county in different parts of which he has lived, being now practicallv retired owing to his advanced age and is residing near Red Top, Missouri. His wife was born and reared in Kentucky. They became the parents of the following children: Flora, Alonzo, Walton E. (deceased) ; Dudley, Edward, Dollie, Bettie and Rufus.

Masonic Order at Walnut Grove, the old Sullivan Lodge No. 7. He and his wife are members of the Baptist church at Walnut Grove, in which she takes an active part, especially in Sunday school work.

Joseph Lewis Owen

Scientific methods of farming disseminated through the medium of the agricultural schools throughout the country have come as a great blessing to those pursuing agricultural callings. Vet the farmers in the early days of this country had no such advantages. They Had to depend upon their own judgment, their own foresight, their own intuition, as it were, to overcome man}- a perplexing problem in farming. And yet their success was more often than not almost phenomenal ; and we can pardon the veteran tillers of the soil who yet remain among us if they look askance upon our newer methods. Joseph Lewis Owen, a creditable representative of the wellknown old Owen family of Greene county, who owns a fine modern farm of large acreage in V* ilson township, is making a pronounced success as a general farmer, employing such of the progressive methods as are consistent with this locality and climate, and his well-cultivated land and comfortable home would indicate to the observer that his efforts have been well rewarded.

.Mr. Owen was born near what is now Battlefield, in the above named township and county. May 7, 1880. He is a son of Capt. C. Baker Owen and Nancy Caroline (McCroskey) Owen. Captain Owen was a native of Tennessee, born in .Marshall county, February 28, 1827. He was a son of Solomon H. Owen, a native of eastern Tennessee, and of Welsh descent. Baker Owen was nine years old when he was brought by his parents to Greene county. .Missouri, in 1836, his father entering four hundred acres of land from the government, four miles northwest of Springfield. He continued entering land until he owned about two thousand acres. He owned large numbers of slaves. He became one of the most extensive farmers and stock men in this section of the state, and remained on his farm until 1N74. when he was seventy-seven years of age, when he removed to Springfield. His family consisted of six children, named as follows: Susanna A.. George II.. Pleasanl I'... Charles Baker, Jesse W., and William S.

Captain Owens, father of our subject, L;rew to manhood in Greene county and here devoted his life to farming and stock raising on a large scale. On September r8, [856, he married Sarah E. Yarbrough, and two children were born to this union. John S.. and Stephen A. D. After his marriage Captain Owen settled on a farm on the James river, however, he had previously spent a number of years engaged in buying and selling livestock, and, like his father before him, he became one of the most progressive agriculturists in Greene county, owning a vast estate on either side of the James river, aggregating over nineteen hundred acres. He cleared and improved about one-half of the entire tract, leaving a large portion of his land in timber and he kept large herds of various kinds of livestock on his large pastures. The first wife of Captain Owen died in the spring of 1862, and on January 31, 1865, he married Nancy Caroline McCroskey, to which union eight children were born, named as follows: Charles J., Rachael M., Margaret S. E., Alwilda M. J., George I).. Francis \Y., W. E., and Joseph L. (subject of this sketch).

Captain Owen was a Democrat and was influential in local public affairs. lie was elected sheriff of Greene county in iSjo. and was reelected in 1N74, serving two terms of two years each. He took a conspicuous part in the local military affairs during the Civil war. In May, 1861, he organized a militia company of Home Guards in Wilson township and was elected captain, but when his company was consolidated with another, he being the junior of the two captains, resigned and became a first lieutenant. When General Lyon's arm}- marched out from Springfield on the night of August 9, 1861, to attack General Price and McCulloch on Wilson's creek, Captain Owen was appointed one of the guides; and he led the division under Col. Franz Sigel to the Confederate camp, he took part in the battle on the following day. The Union forces having retreated to Rolla, Phelps county. Captain Owen and his company were enrolled in United States service there, and was commissioned by the governor of Missouri as first lieutenant in the regular army. He saw considerable active service, was in a number of skirmishes in the southern part of the state and later fought against General Marmaduke in that part of the state and was also in minor engagements in Tennessee and different parts of his own state. At Columbus, Kentucky, his company did guard duty on the ordnance boat "General Grant." and later was with General Sherman on his march through Mississippi; was with General Banks on the Red river expedition, also at the occupation of the city of Alexandria, and the battle of Pleasant Hill, Louisiana, where his regiment lost all of its officers except the major, one captain and one lieutenant, in killed and wounded. and lost one-third of the men. His own company lost one-half of its number in killed and wounded. This company was in severe skirmishes, fighting from April 9th to May 16th, when the battle of Yellow Brow was fought. Later Captain Owen was in battle near Mineral Point, Missouri. He was sick in the Federal Hospital at Memphis, Tennessee, nine weeks. He was mustered out of the service in St. Louis, October 14, 1864. Soon thereafter he returned home and engaged in farming until his death.

Joseph L. Owen grew to manhood on the home farm and there he worked during the summer months and attended the district schools in the winter time. He has always lived on the old homestead, he having taken the old home place proper in the settlement of his father's estate, and he is owner of one of the choice farms of this part of Greene county, consisting of three hundred and twenty acres, two hundred acres of which is under cultivation and he is carrying on general farming and stock raising in a highly successful manner. He has carefully rotated his crops and otherwise skilfully managed the old farm so that it has not only retained its original fertility but the strength of soil has been increased.

Air. Owen was married November 10, 1901, to Kate McConnell, a daughter of John and Nannie ( Aven ) McConnell, both born, reared and educated in Christian county, Missouri, and in that county Mrs. Owen was born January 25, 1883, and there grew to womanhood and received a common school education. Her father's death occurred June 3, 1909, but her mother is still living in Christian county. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. McConnell, namely : Lindsay is the eldest ; Mrs. Maggie Avery, wife of Ed Avery, of Christian county; Lucy is the wife of James Stewart, of Greene county; Gracey is the wife of Herbert Avar) and they live in Christian county; Ross also lives in that county; Bertha, wife of Will Gooch, resides in the same count}-; Kate, wife of Mr. Owen, of this sketch; the other three children died in infancy.

To Mr. and Mrs. Owen three children have been born, namely: Rosco died in infancy; Clarence, born Februarv 7, 1903, and Homer, born October 12, 1909 ,are at home.

Politically, Mr. Owen has voted the Democratic ticket since attaining his majority. Mrs. Owen is a member of the Christian church. They are among the popular young people of this part of the county.

Samuel A. Farmer

Reform movements travel slowly. The wearing-out process of the virgin fields of the United States has extended over a long period of years of agitation on the part of experiment stations, county experts and farm weeklies, but each year the farmers of the Middle West are showing improvement in their method of handling the soil. Judicious crop rotation, in which one of the legumes is often included, is having much to do in bringing about an increased yield per acre. There has not been, and will not be, a spontaneous movement to restore the soil's fertility. Farmers are no exception to the average of mankind. Some will take the initiative, others will doubt, still others will learn by example, and yet another class will wait until forced by a depleted soil and a decreased yield to take up the great work of rebuilding the soil. One of the farmers of Murray township, Greene county who has been a careful student of modern farming conditions and has kept his farm in a high productive state through judicious and timely management is Samuel A. Farmer, one of the most progressive farmers and one of the most widely known stockmen in the northern part of the county.

Mr. Farmer was born in the above named township and county on May 5, 1875. He is a son of Oscar and Anna (Appleby) Farmer, both prominent old families of this locality. The father was born in eastern Tennessee in 1835, and his death occurred in 1887.

Samuel A . Farmer was reared on the home farm near Willard which village was built near his father's farm of one hundred and twenty acres of excellent level land. He received his education in the local public schools. On October 7, 1897, he married Stella Alsup, a native of Greene county where she grew to womanhood and was educated. She is the only daughter of Andrew Jackson Alsup and Pernecia (East) Alsup. The father was born on February 15, 1852, in Greene county, Missouri, and was a son of James and Mary (Slaughter) Alsup. James Alsup was a native of Tennessee from which state he came to Greene county, Missouri, with his parents when a young man and settled in Franklin township, having made the long overland trip in wagons. Later the father took up a claim from the government, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres or more, and this he cleared and improved and lived here until his death.

After his marriage, Mr. Farmer left the home farm and rented what was known as the Polly Watson farm for one year, then moved to his present farm of one hundred and seventy acres where he has been actively engaged in general farming and raising cattle and hogs. His place is called "Farmer's Stock Farm" and is an ideal location and a most excellent place for the breeding and raising of live stock. He has raised and shipped from year to year cattle and hogs, and is now making a specialty of breeding Hereford cattle. During the past few years he has been quite an extensive shipper of cattle and hogs, but recently he has been disposing of his stock in his own community. He has a well-improved farm in every respect, a good home and up-to-date barn, large silo and is a man of decided advanced ideas both as to fanning methods and implements and success has been the result of his industry and good judgment.

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Farmer has resulted in the birth of one child, Clifford Farmer, born on December 21, 1898, who is at home with his parents.

in local elections. Fraternally he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America at Cave Spring, this county. And he is a member of the Presbyterian church at that place, and he has been superintendent of the Sunday school there for the past ten years, and has helped build up a large and interesting Sunday school. His wife has been a teacher of a class in the Sunday school there for the past ten years, and both are active in the general work of the church, giving liberally of their time and means to the support of the church.

Stephen A. D. Owen

Xo industry is so vital to the well-being of the nation as agriculture and nothing is so vital to agriculture as the soil. Prom its treasury it has been estimated that we draw annually about eight billion and three hundred million dollars, and its possibilities are as yet only partially realized There are still in this country millions of acres which have never felt the plow, while those which are now under cultivation can, by the application of sc.ent.hc principles, be made to produce many times the present value of their products. How to use and not abuse this great resource is the most important problem which faces the farmer of today - one worthy of the best efforts of our profound and learned scientists; for upon its solution depends the tuture prosperity of the nation. One of the alert and wideawake agriculturists of Greene county of a past generation was the late .Stephen A. 1). Owen, of Wilson township, a scion of the prominent old * >wen family of this locality.

Mr. Owen was born in Greene county. Missouri, [anuarv 6 1861 He is a son of C. B. and Ellen (Yarbrough) Owen, the former a native of rennessee and the latter of Christian county, Missouri, the parents of the mother of our subject having emigrated from middle Tennes.ee to Missouri m an early day. < . B. ( >wen was also one of the early settlers in the southern part of Greene county, becoming an extensive land owner along the James river and one of the most Substantial and influential citizens here He was twice married, and had two children by his first union namely J. Solomon, and Stephen A. I). During the Civil war C. B Owen was a I niomst, and became captain of the Twenty-fourth Missouri Infamrv servmg three years with distinction and credit. At the battle of Wilson's creek he acted as guide to Col. Franz Sigel's column winch marched from Sprmgfield .0 the camp of the Confederates the night preceding the battle. Mr. Owen took part m numerous engagements, including the battles of Pleasant Hill and Ft. Derussy and several of minor importance He was never wounded but was once struck with a spent ball. A history of Captain Owen will be found on other pages of this work.

Stephen A. I). Owen grew to manhood on the- home farm, where he assisted with the general work and in the winter months he attended the old subscription schools, obtaining a meager education, which has since been properly supplemented by wide miscellaneous reading. When he was forty-six years of age his father died and our subject became possessed of a finely improved and valuable farm of two hundred acres from the old homestead, a part of which lies across the line in Christian county. Here he carried on general farming and stock raising in a manner that indicated he was fully abreast of the times of modern husbandry.

Air. Owen was twice married, first, on April 28, [883, to Lula L. White, a daughter of Hardy and Tampey White, formerly of the state of Tennessee, from which they emigrated to Greene county, Missouri, in an early day. She was one of three children, being the youngest, and her death occurred March 18, 1888, leaving three children, namely: Alfred Wilson, Charles Baker, and Horace Preston, all living in Greene county. Our subject was married on February 17, [894, his last wife being Rachael Ann Payne, horn April 6, 1858. a daughter of Lewis and Margaret Payne, natives of Tennessee and Virginia, respectively. The father came to Greene county, Missouri, when live years of age. His father was the second white man to settle in Greene county. He found only Indians and a few Spaniards in these parts. Our subject's second marriage was without issue.

Politically. Mr. Owen adhered to the principles of the Democratic party since reaching maturity, but never sought public office, being content to devote his attention exclusively to his pleasant home and his extensive farming operations. However he served as constable four years. His death occurred at his home. January 28, 191 5-

The gentleman whose name heads this paragraph is widely known as line of the enterprising men of affairs of Greene county whose methods are those of the progressive twentieth century business man, who, despite obstacles and opposition, is forging to the front along conservative and legitimate lines. He is sole proprietor of the large supply company of Springfield which bears his name, and he has long been prominently identified with the commercial interests of the capital city of the Ozarks. His well-directed efforts in the practical affairs of life, his capable management of his business interests and his sound judgment have brought him large financial rewards for the labor he has expended, and his life forcefully demonstrates what may be accomplished in this free land of ours by the gentleman of foreign

Mr. Cooper was born near Leicester, England, September 12 1861 He is a son ot Henry Cooper, who was born in England, where he grew to manhood, received his education and married, and from that country he emigrated to the United States with his family in 1872. landing in New York City, but came direct to the state of Missouri, secured a good farm in W ilson township, Greene county, and there became a successful farmer and stock raiser tor many years and the latter part of his life was spent in retirement on his small farm of forty-five acres. He was seventy-seven years of age when his death occurred. Politically, he was a Democrat and served his township as a member of the school board. He belonged to the Episcopal church and led a quiet, honorable and industrious life .Mr Cooper was twice married, his first wife, mother of our subject whose maiden name was Mary Richardson, died in 1874, leaving two sons Harry ot this sketch, and George, who was associated in business with his 'brother in Sprmgheld, trom 18S8 to 1908; he was for many years one of the wellknown citxzens of tins city and while he and our subject were on a visit to England m [910, he was stricken with illness and died in that country Henry Cooper's second marriage was to Elizabeth Jackson, and to this union one son was born. Frederick Cooper, who is now engaged in the plumbing business on College street, Springfield.

William Cooper, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was born and reared m England and resided there all his life. He was a successful business man and became one of the wealthiest citizens of the city of Leicester, lie retained the coat-of-arms of his ancestors, the Coopers being a prominent old English family, and he was verj active in church work and wa> a heavy contributor, building a handsome church unaided for his denomination near Leicester.

Harry Cooper, our subject, spent his bovhood in England where he feiTd Sch0°] and was eleven years of age when, in 1872, his parents brought lnm to America, lie continued bis education in the public schools of Springfield, attending aboul .me year w-hen he went to Wilson township to Ins lathers tarn, and then- assisted with the general work during the rUn;mcr However- his educational advantages were limited and he left school when thirteen years of age. He remained under Ins paternal roof-tree untal be was twenty-two years of age, then came to Springfield '""I went to work for the Springfield Gas Company, under | S Ambrose and began learning the plumbing trade, \fu,- remaining with tins concern '' y?ar: he wmt to Ft Smith, Arkansas, where he worked a, the plumbing trade in ,88., and t884. He worked as journeyman plumber ,,,,,,1 ,8,xthen opened a plumbing business of his own at 412 South street Springfield' and later moved his shop to the southeast corner of South and Walnut streets. He was successful from the start and his business grew to large proportions with advancing years. For twenty years his brother, George Cooper, was in partnership with him, the business being conducted under the firm name of Cooper Brothers. In 1908 Mr. Cooper purchased his brother's interest, since which time he has been sole proprietor of his establishment, which is now known as the Marry Cooper Supply Company. On June 1, 1908, he moved to 30 East Water street, where he rented a onestory brick building, twenty by one hundred and forty-five feet, and opened a strictly wholesale supply house. The following year he was obliged to seek larger quarters and he rented the adjoining property, doubling his space on the ground floor and adding another story also of equal capacity, and here he remained until again forced to seek more commodious quarters, when he purchased a lot, sixty by one hundred and thirty-five feet, at 22y22"j hast Water street, earl)' in 1914, and here he constructed a substantial modern three-story and basement reinforced concrete brick front building, purchasing his own cement, iron and all supplies and had the building erected according to his own ideas and plans made by George F. Reed, architect, it is one of the models of its kind in the Southwest. The building contains thirty thousand feet of floor space, and he has one of the best display rooms in the state, which room with his office occupies the entire front of the building. He does a large wholesale business over a vast territory contiguous to Springfield, handling plumbing, heating and engine supplies, well casings, pumps and wind mills. Everything in these lines may be found at his large plant and it requires fifteen experienced assistants to help manage the daily volume of business which is constantly and rapidly growing. The business was incorporated under the laws of Missouri early in 1915. While doing plumbing work. Mr. Cooper was employed in several adjoining states as well as throughout Missouri and he is widely known to the plumbing trade of the Southwest. He did the plumbing work in the Missouri building at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis, in [903. lie gives his business his personal attention and promptness and honesty are his watchwords.

Mr. Cooper was married in [890 to Catherine Elizabeth Coombs. - a daughter of David Coombs, who was a native of New Jersey. Both the parents of Mrs. Cooper died when she was quite young and she made her home with her uncle, ohn Coombs, a native of New jersey. He came to Springfield when Mrs. Cooper was but twelve years of age and it was here that she received her education in the public schools.

To our subject and wife two children have been born, namely: Catherine R., who ^as graduated from the Springfield high school and later from W heaton College in Massachusetts. She was married on February 3, 1 9 1 5 , to Allen F. Mack, of this city, who is in the dry goods business. John Henry George Cooper, second child of Mr. and Mrs. Cooper, is attending local high school.

James Quinx

Farmers as a class are intelligent, industrious and economical, and many of them are men of good business judgment. Further, those who have made a thorough study of the business side of farming know that it is not an easy matter to make money on the farm. Only the most practical and experienced farmers are making any considerable profit out of their business. Most of the money that has been made on the farm in recent years has been made, not by farming, but by the rise of prices on farm lands. In the nature of things this rise can not continue indefinitely, and some one will own this land when the price becomes practically stationary or perhaps starts to decline. Those who purchased their farms years ago should consider themselves fortunate; that is, if they like farming and are doing well, but the outlook is none too encouraging for the man who is looking for a good farm at a price which he can afford in pay and carry on general farming successfully, especially if that man has but little or no experience in country life. James Ouinn, of Campbell township, is one of Greene county's prosperous and contented farmers. He came here from a foreign strand and got good land when the price was low, and, using sound judgment, has made a success.

Mr. Ouinn was born in County Down, Ireland, June 5. [848. He is a son lit" John and Susanna (McClune) Quinn, and a grandson of John and Charlotte 1 Hill) Ouinn, all natives of Ireland and representatives of the farming class. John Quinn, Jr., died at the age of ninety-eight years, and his wife almost reached the century mark. Their son. John Quinn, father of our subject, was born in County Down in [806, and, like his father before him. devoted his life to fanning in the north of Ireland, dying there in 1892 at the age oi eighty-six years, his wife having preceded him to the grave in nXSa. They were the parents of eight children, all boys but one. namely: William has remained in Ireland and is a hammersman l>v trade: fohn is a brick mason and lives in Ireland: James of this -ketch; Samuel is deceased; Hugh, who is now employed at Wolf's shipyards in Ireland, was formerly a school teacher; Robert is a bridge builder in Ireland; David is fanning in Ireland; Susanna is deceased. A daughter of Hugh Quinn won first pre-

James Quinn

James Quinn grew to manhood in his native land, and there received his education. When a young man he learned the blacksmith's trade, at which he became quite proficient. When twenty-one years of age, in 1869, he crossed the Atlantic to our shores, first locating in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, later coming on west to Chicago, thence to Burlington, Iowa; from there to Cedar Rapids, that state; next to St. Joseph, Missouri. In the fall of 1873 he came to Springheld and worked at his trade for thirteen and one-half years for the St. Louis & San Francisco Railroad Company. He Had been following his trade ever since coming to America. About 1880 he purchased his present farm of one hundred and twenty acres, and several years later moved onto the same, and here he has since resided and has engaged successfully in general farming and stock raising. He has an excellent set of buildings on his place, including a tine two-story dwelling and large outbuildings.

Mr. Quinn was married on June 25, 1874, in Springfield, to Adelia McGaughey, a daughter of James W. and Isabell (Cinnamond) McGaughey, both natives of Kentucky, from which state they removed to this county in an early day. Mr. McGaughey was a farmer during his active life, and he served in the Mexican war. His death occurred at Sprague, Missouri, about 1895, and he was buried near that place. His family consisted of five children, namely: Angeline is deceased; Keelan is deceased; Rufus lives in Nevada; Adelia, wife of our subject; and Marcus, deceased. James \V. McGaughey was a Democrat, a member of the Masonic Blue Lodge, and the Baptist church.

Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Quinn, named as follows : John, who was graduated from the Springfield high school and the old Normal here, is a locomotive engineer on the Frisco, and lives at Oklahoma City; Mrs. Susanna Rountree, whose husband is engaged in farming in this county, was also graduated from the local high school ; William James died when six months old; Mrs. Alma Waunette Gott is the wife of a Greene county farmer; Hugh is deceased: Herschel, a high school graduate, lives at home; George is a student in the State Normal school here.

Mr. Quinn made a visit to his old home in Ireland in 1900, and. after his American training, claims that he saw more things of interest during his short trip there than he saw during the twenty-one years that he lived there in his childhood and young manhood. Politically, he is a Democrat. He belongs to the Masonic Blue Lodge, and holds membership with the Congregational church. He has been a keen observer, is well read, and, jolly by nature, is a good talker and a pleasant man to meet. (101)

William J. Jones

We have stronger evidence with each succeeding day that the bitterness and animosity resulting from the great Civil war and preceding influences is passing away and that the solidarity of the nation is becoming more and more a fact. To this many things have contributed, among which may be mentioned the natural kindly spirit of the South, which has invited the people of the crowded North to share its vast unoccupied land spaces and invest in its promising possibilities, while enjoying its delightful climate. And in the long lapse of half a century the war trenches have been filled, the temporary forts demolished, and the plow passes peacefully over their ruins. Many of the actors in the bloody drama are dead and their graves with those of their comrades who fell in battle are green and fragrant with grass and flowers, while the wounds, physical and moral, of the survivors have long since healed and only scars remain.

One of the Confederate veterans of Greene county is William J. Jones, better known as "Hickory" Jones, a merchant of Walnut Grove, formerly engaged in general farming near that place. He is one of the soldiers of the sixties who is willing to "forget." Mr. Jones was born in this county on May 22, 1840, and is therefore one of the oldest native suns of this communitv, having passed his sixty-ninth birthday, and during that long period of residence here he has noted and taken part in many great changes, seeing the country develop in a general way. He is a son of Richard M. and Mary Ann ( Hartin 1 Jones, the father a native of Virgina, and the mother was a native of Tennessee. The father died in this county in 1898. The mother died here in 1896. Our subject's father was a cabinet maker by trade. He was in the land office here for eight years in the fifties. In his latter life he did some farming but lived retired until his death. Our subject was one of eleven children, only two living at this writing: Mrs Mary J. McDowell, who lives in Springfield, and our subject.

William J. Jones grew to manhood in his native county and he received a good education in the common schools, attending school eight years in Springfield. His early life was spent on the farm. He was quite young when the Civil war began and did not enlist until in the tall of 1863, when he entered the Confederate service from Arkansas, in Company F, Third Missouri Cavalry, under I ol. < oltori Green, who was subsequently promoted to brigadier general, being succeeded in his former command by Col. Lenten Campbell, who was promoted to that rank. Our subject saw considerable hard service and participated in a number oi important engagements, proving a very courageous soldier despite bis youth. He was paroled at Little Rock in the spring of [865 at the close of the war. After coming home from the army he resumed farming, which he followed for four years, then located in Springfield, where he worked in a hardware store for D. J. B. Skinner and \Y. H. Mansfield for some time, then returned to the farm for several years. In 1882 he moved to Walnut Grove and farmed in this township with his usual success until 1896, when he went into the grocery business in Walnut Grove, which he continued for seven years, then sold out and lived retired for two years, then went into the furniture business in 1907 here and is still thus engaged. He keeps a good stock of general furniture and has a very satisfactory business.

Air. Jones was married in 1872, to Josie B. Carter, of Greene county. She is a daughter of Tillman Carter and wife, who were well-known early settlers here. He was in the tobacco business for several years.

Four children have been born to our subject and wife, namely: George E., deceased; William H., Richard T. and Hattie B.. all live in Walnut Grove. Here they grew to maturity and received good educational advantages.

Politically, Mr. Jones votes independently. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and his wife belongs to the Methodist church. The Jones family is well known and held in highest regard in Walnut Grove rmd vicinity.

Marion D. Wright

The record of the successful self-made man is always interesting and instructive. It encourages those who have been held back by an unfavorable early environment. There are a great many people abroad in the land who would make a great deal more of their opportunities and make themselves useful citizens if they had the proper encouragement at the right time. The life record of Marion D. Wright is one that should be read with interest and profit by many who have become discouraged on life's rugged highway, for we find that Mr. Wright has forged his way to the front in th<t face of adversity and with no outside assistance. He was for some time one of the successful merchants of Walnut Grove and is now classed among the most progressive general farmers and stock men of the northwestern part of Greene county.

Mr. Wright was born in Polk county, Missouri. November 28, 1861. He is a son of John and Mary ( Wood ) Wright, both natives of that county also, the father's birth occurring in 1835, and the mother's in 1842. They grew to maturity in their native community, were educated in the old-time subscription schools and were married there and established their home on a farm. John Wright spent must of his life in Polk county, but lived in the West several vears. He owned a good-sized farm in Polk county where he carried on general farming until the breaking out of the Civil war when he enlisted in the Union army and died while in the sendee, at Arlington Hospital, Pilot Knob, Missouri, in October. 1862. Politically, he was a strong Republican and pronounced in his views on public affairs. He was a member of the Turkey Creek Baptist church, and was a highly respected citizen and well known among the early settlers. He had but the one child, Marion D. Wright, of this sketch. The mother of our subject was a daughter of Isaac and Susanna 1 Vaughn) Wood, both natives of east Tennessee, from which country they emigrated to Polk county, Missouri, in an early day and established the family home on a farm. Mrs. Mary Wright remarried and is now living in Walnut Grove.

Marion D. Wright spent his boyhood days on the home farm in Polk county, and he worked hard when growing to manhood during crop seasons, attending the district schools during the winter months. When eighteen years of age he entered the Southwest Baptist College at Bolivar, Missouri, and took a four-years' course, making an excellent record. After leaving college he returned home and resumed work on the farm, but soon thereafter he went to Walnut Grove and began in the general merchandise business and flour milling, which lines of endeavor he conducted with everincreasing success and satisfaction until 1902, in which year he sold out and bought the farm of one hundred and eighty-three acres where he now resides. He has mack- many improvements, such as erecting a silo and outbuildings, fences, etc., until he now has one of the valuable, productive and desirable farms of the county, which is well located near the thriving town of Walnut Grove. In connection with general farming he raises a good grade of live stock of which he is an excellent judge, and he is regarded as one of the most progressive general farmers in this section of Greene county as well as one of the most substantial and successful citizens, a man who has done much for the general good of the community.

Mr. Wright was married on December 23, 1886, to Maggie McLemore, a daughter of Andrew Jackson McLemore, and Dialtha (Alexander) McLemore, long one of the prominent families of this section of the Ozarks. Mrs. Wright was born in Christian county, Missouri, and she received her education in the common schools.

Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wright, namely: Dean lives in Walnut Grove ; Reu, Thomas. Dialtha, Marian and Laura Mae, all at home with their parents, but the eldest.

office holder he has been influential in public affairs of his locality, and his support may always be depended upon in furthering any movements in the community calculated to be of general good, in material, civic or moral matters. Fraternally he belongs to the Masonic order at Walnut Grove. He and his wife are members of the Baptist church at Walnut Grove, he having been clerk of the local congregation since its organization in 1903, and is a pillar in his church. He is a broad-minded, well-informed gentleman of positive ideas and correct principles and is highly esteemed by all who know him.

Charles J. Owen

It does not necessarily require a farm expert to look over some of the older farms of the locality of which this history treats and see that the soil has become thin very largely from the fact that proper attention has not been paid to rotation of crops. The land has been "grained" too much, the same fields sometimes for years having been successively sown to wheat or planted to corn, with never a seed of grass or other good "cover crops." Hie same methods were followed in a number of older states of the Easl with the results that one now finds thousands of abandoned farms there, the owners being compelled to remove to the newer agricultural sections of the West where the soil has not been ruined by improper tillage. But man)- of our farmers are awakening to the true situation, some of them after it is practically too late. It used to be the desire of most farmers to own large tracts of land. Their chief desire seemed to be to buy "the land adjoining." This many of them have done and spent the rest of their lives trying to keep the interest paid on borrowed capital and a little paid on the principal. The same men are now understanding how they can live easier and happier on fewer acres and by more intensive farming methods.

One of the successful farmers and stockmen of Wilson township. Greene county, is Charles J. Owen, who is a student of all that pertains to his vocation and is thus avoiding some of the mistakes that others are making in handling their farms. He is a member of one of the well-known old families of Greene county, and his birth occurred here on April 15, [866. lie is a son of Charles B. and Nancy C. (McCroskey) Owen.

Capt. Charles B. Owen, who was for many years one of the most extensive farmers of Greene county, was born in Marshall county, Tennessee, February 28, 1827. He was a son of Solomon H. Owen, who was born in eastern Tennessee, December 12, 1707. in Sullivan county, near the \ irginia line. He was a son of Joseph Owen, who was reared in Penh- sylvama, was of Welsh stock, and married a Pennsylvania Dutch woman, and moved to Sullivan county. Tennessee, in an early day. He was a farmer and died when only thirty-five years of age, and was the father of Charles Jesse, Solomon H.. Hannah. Alary and Elizabeth. Solomon grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was married in Sullivan county, Tennessee, to Mary E. Bushong, of Pennsylvania and German stock." After their marriage they moved to the middle part of Tennessee and Mr. Owen purchased a farm of one hundred and seventy acres in Marshall county. In 1836 he moved with his wife and five children to Greene county, Missouri, and settled on four hundred acres which he entered four miles northwest oi Springfield. He entered in all about two thousand acres in southwest Missouri. He gave all his children land. Like most of the early settlers from Tennessee, he was the owner of slaves. During the Civil war much of his personal property was destroyed. He removed to Springfield in 1874 at seventy-seven years of age. His family consisted of six children namely: Susanna A., George H, who died at the age of twenty-one years' Pleasant B.. Charles B.. father of our subject; Tesse \y., and William S Solomon H. Owen was a Democrat but was a Union sympathizer; he and his wife were members of the Presbyterian church.

Captain Charles V, Owen was nine years old when he accompanied his parents from Tennessee to Greene county and here he grew to manhood and received a common school education. On September 18. 1856, he married Sarah E. Yarbrough, and to them were born two children John S and Stephen A. Douglas Owen. After his marriage, Mr. Owen settled on a farm on the James river, after having spent several years engaged in buying and selling live stock. He became one of the most prosperous and best-known general farmers and stockmen in Greene county. He finally became owner of thirteen hundred and ten acre, in one body and three hundred and ninety-five acres besides, two hundred acres of which were entered from the government by Ins lather. The land lav on either side of the James river, was well watered not only by the river but by six springs on various parts of the place. He cleared and improved about half of the entire tract, using much of it for pasturage, and a large portion of the place was kept in timber. His place was always stocked with large numbers of horses, mules, cattle, hogs and sheep.

The first wife of Captain Owen died March .8. [862 and on |muary 31. t865, he married Nancy C. McCroskey, and .0 tins union eight children were born, namely: Charles subject of this sketch; Mary Elizabeth is deceased; Mrs. Margaret S. Martin; Mrs, Alwilda Madora lane Carton; George D.. Francis W., Wm. and Joseph L. are all living in \\ ilson township.