Greene County, Missouri - Biographical sketches, 1915 (part 23 of 29)

Walter B. Young

The farmer who succeeds must plan his planting well ahead. He must sub-divide his crop area into sections of a size to suit his requirements, and in such manner as to keep his ground fully occupied by a continued succession of crops, throughout the growing season, and thus obtain the maximum of produce from his soil with no loss of fertility and with the minimum risk of loss from insect attacks, drought, flood or from disease. One of the successful young farmers of Wilson township, Greene county, who seems to have a comprehensive grasp of the above phases of agriculture and a myriad of others of importance, is Walter B. Young.

Mr. Young was born near Greenville, in eastern Tennessee, December 8, 1882. He is a son of J. H. and Mary J. (Walker) Young, both natives of Tennessee also, where they grew to maturity and were married. The father was a shoemaker in his earlier life, but later devoted his attention to fanning, purchasing a farm in Greene county, Tennessee, when our subject was about six years old. and lived on the place three years, when he sold out and removed to Greene county, Missouri, settling on the Walter Bray farm near Bois D'Arc, where he resided six years, then purchased twenty acres near that town. He is now making his home in Bois D'Arc. His wife died in [909. They wen.- the parents of six children, namely:

John lives on a farm in A lurry township; Mrs. Mollie Bean, Mrs. Lee Lockwood, Charles is deceased, Walter B. of this sketch, and Mrs. Bertha Peck lives near Kansas City, Missouri.

Walter B. Young grew to manhood on the farm and assisted his father with the general farm work. He received his education in the district schools of Tennessee and at Bois D'Arc, Missouri. He remained with his parents until he was eighteen years of age. He began farming for himself when but a boy and has continued in this vocation with gratifying success. He has for the past five years been operating two hundred acres in Wilson township and has been well repaid for his labor and careful attention to it.

Mr. Young married on March 17, 1901, Eva Robinson, a daughter of Marion and Cornelia (Carter) Robinson, both natives of Greene county, this state, where our subject's wife grew to womanhood and was educated in the common schools. She is the oldest of six children, the others being named as follows: the second child died in infancy; William and Walter, twins; Mrs. Bertha Arbuckle, who was next in order, and Gertie, who is at home with her parents, who live on a farm near Elwood, this county.

Thomas T. Crenshaw

Success is only achieved by the exercise of certain distinguishing qualities and it can not be retained without effort. Those by whom great epoch changes have been made in the political and industrial world began early in life to prepare themselves for their peculiar duties and responsibilities, and it was only by the most persevering and continuous endeavor that they succeeded in rising superior to the obstacles in their way and reaching the goal of their ambition. Judging from the record Thomas T. Crenshaw, president of the Greene County Lumber Company, is making, while still a young man, he has carefully laid the foundation for large future success, some of which he has already achieved.

Mr. Crenshaw was born in Springfield, Missouri, February 15, 1881. He is a son of L. A. D. and Fannie (Smith) Crenshaw. The father was born in Tennessee, from which state he came to Missouri in 1845 an(l located on a farm four miles south of Springfield, where he carried on general farming and stock raising successfully, making a specialty of raising mules and horses, being thus engaged until his death in 1884, comparatively early in life. His widow has survived him thirty years and is now living on Market street, Springfield, being advanced in age. To these parents seven children were born, named as follows: Sue E. is the wife of Dr. Joseph Love; Anne W. is the wife of C. C. Sheppard; D. \V. lives on a farm; Smith S. was next in order; Aileen S. is the wife of J. H. Hoffman; Thomas T., of this review; Clara C. is the wife of Allen Earley.

Thomas T. Crenshaw spent his childhood on the farm, and he received a good education in the common schools which he attended until 1895, tnen went to Culver, Indiana, and entered the Culver .Military Academy, where he remained three years. When the war with Spain broke out he enlisted in Company K, Second Missouri Infantry, and was sent with other troops to the large military camps at Chickamauga Park and Albany, both in Georgia, and Lexington, Kentucky. He remained in the service one year, and was mustered out at Albany, Georgia. He then returned to Springfield, where he remained a year, then went to the Pacific coast, where he began his career as a lumberman and there gained his first knowledge of the business. After remaining in the far West three years he went to Columbus, Ohio, and became sales manager in an eastern territory for a large lumber concern, the Missouri Lumber and Land Exchange Company, of Kansas City, and remained in the East about nine years, doing much to increase the prestige of his firm in that territory, and was regarded as one of the firm's most capable and trustworthy employees. In the meantime he had mastered the various phases of the lumber business, and in 1912. returned to Springfield, Missouri, and helped organize the Greene County Lumber Company, being incorporated under the state laws of Missouri. Mr. Crenshaw is president and general manager and bis close application, able management and wise foresight has made this one of the must successful firms of its kind in Greene county, its business and prestige rapidly increasing with the years. All grades nf lumber are handled, all kinds of building materials - everything tn be found in an up-to-date twentieth century lumber establishment. Their extensive yards are located at 447 South Campbell street.

Mr. Crenshaw was married. May 12, [906, to Mabel C. Xoggle, a daughter of Ira and Allie E. (Erickson) NToggle, both natives of Qnionville, Missouri. The father died about twenty-five years ago, but the mother survives. .Mrs. Crenshaw has a brother, John 1\. Noggle, who makes his home in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Crenshaw received a good education. She is a member of various clubs, in all of which she is popular. She is also a member of the Presbyterian church.

Politically, our subject is a Democrat, lie belongs to the Christian church. lie belongs to the Springfield Club, the Country (lull and the Young Men's Rusine.ss Club.

The life of Milton C. McConnell, for many years a prominent farmer and grain dealer in Campbell township, Greene county, who is now a deputy sheriff of this county and living in Springfield, has been such as to bear aloft the high standard which has been maintained by his father, who was one of the early residents of this section of the Ozarks, and whose life was signally noble and upright, one over which falls no shadow of wrong in word, thought or deed. Such was the type of men who laid the foundation and aided in the development of this locality, and to their memories will ever be paid a tribute of reverence and gratitude by those who have profited by their well-directed endeavors and appreciated the lesson of their lives.

Mr. McConnell was horn in (iiles county, Tennessee, November 24, 1856. He is a son of James A. and Nancy C. (Knox) McConnell, both natives of Tennessee, the date of the father's birth being October 10, 1825. These parents grew to maturity in their native state and were married there and spent their earlier years. The mother of our subject died when he was quite young and he has little recollection of her. James A. McConnell received a good education of his day and he devoted his life to teaching and farming. He came to Greene county, Missouri, with his family in 1857 and located in the western part of the county on a farm and there spent the rest of his life, dying in 1899. His family consisted of seven children, all sons, namely: John K. lives in Greene county; George H. makes his home in Prairie county, Arkansas: James C. of Springfield; Milton C, of this sketch; Henry D., of St. Louis; Albert A. lives in Oklahoma, and Josephus is a resident of Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Milton C. McConnell grew up on the farm and he received a common school education, which was limited for lack of opportunities, as the war between the states was in progress during his boyhood days. He remained with his father until he was about twenty- four years of age and then went to farming for himself. In 1880 he purchased one hundred and forty-five acres in Brookline township, which he improved until it ranked with the best farms of the township, and here he carried on a general farming business successfully, and also did a large and lucrative grain business for years, maintaining an elevator at Brookline. He also devoted considerable attention to handling live stock. He removed to Springfield a few years ago and now lives in a good home on West Walnut street. In January, 1913, he was appointed deputy sheriff of Greene county and is discharging the duties of that office at this writing. Politically, he is a Democrat, and has long been more or less active in the ranks of his party. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church. (108)'

Mr. McConnell was married in 1884 to Mattie E. Firestone, a daughter of James H. and Mary J. Firestone, natives of Tennessee, where they grew up and from which state they came to Greene county, Missouri, in an early day. They were the parents of twelve children, Mrs. McConnell being next to the oldest.

To Mr. and Mrs. McConnell five children have been born, named as follows: Mrs. Gertrude Crowe lives in Lebanon, this state; Thomas T. is a graduate of Purdue University, Lafayette, Indiana, and is now director of athletics and teaches agriculture in the University of Arkansas, at Fayetteville; Milton Lee lives in San Francisco, California; Lucile died in infancy, and Ethel, who is at home. Mrs. Mary J. Firestone is still living and is making her home with our subject and wife. Mr. Firestone has been deceased a number of years.

David Michael Diffexderffer

The man who gains success in this age of materialism is he who can see and utilize the opportunities that come in his path - seize them at the right time and use them properly. To do so requires innate tact, keen discrimination and sound judgment; but after all the basic conditions of human life are ever the same, the surroundings of individuals differing but slightly, and whether we achieve positions of wealth and influence or whether we are underlings throughout our earthly span of years depend, according to Shakespeare, "Not in our stars but in ourselves." Realizing this at the outset of his career, David Michael Diffenderffer, one of Springfield's successful business men, has sought to advance himself along legitimate lines by hard work and persistent effort.

Mr. Diffenderffer was born, August 30, 1870, in Ft. Bliss, Texas. He is a scion of a Pennsylvania family of German ancestry, and is a son of David R. and Margaret ( Dunham ) Diffenderffer. The father was born in New Holland, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and there grew to manhood and was educated in Franklin-Marshall College in the city of Lancaster. Shortly after his graduation he went to Mexico and was appointed United States consul to that country by President James Buchanan. After serving his term in this responsible office in a manner that reflected credit upon himself and to the satisfaction of the government, he returned to Lancaster. Pennsylvania, and there engaged in the banking business with gratifying success until 1874, when he came to Lebanon, Missouri, and there continued in the banking business until his death, which occurred in the Spring of 1000. lie enjoyed the good will and esteem of all with whom he was associated. Margaret Dunham, also a representative of an old family of the Keystone state, was reared and educated in Lancaster and there they were married. She is still living- in Lebanon, this state. To these parents seven children were born, namely: William, who lives in Lebanon; Mary has remained at the old home in Lebanon; Harry W. is associated in the carriage and implement business with our subject in Springfield; Jennie is the wife of Carl Morris, and they live in Springfield; John is cashier of the bank in Lebanon; Grace is the wife of William Owen and they live in Lebanon; David M., of this sketch.

Harry W. Diffenderffer was but two years old when his parents established the family home in Lebanon, Missouri, and there he grew to manhood and attended the public schools, later was a student in the University of Missouri. Leaving school in 1891 he went to St. Louis and engaged with the Kansas & Texas Coal Company as assistant superintendent, remaining in the employ of this firm three years, then went to Galveston, Texas, and took a position as a reporter on the News, later went to Phoenix, Arizona, and after working there two years went to Alaska in newspaper work and a general prospecting expedition. He spent five years in that country, one year of which was spent in carrying the United States mail from Dawson to Circle City, over the ice, down the Yukon river, a distance of three hundred miles. He walked this six hundred miles each month, driving six dogs to a sled. He was also a member of the famous mounted Canadian police force, and assisted in running down many criminals, including a gang that had murdered three prospectors. He captured one, who was subsequently hanged.

Returning to the United States in 1902, Mr. Diffenderffer located at Caddo, Oklahoma, where he engaged in mercantile pursuits. He also entered politics there and in 1908 he was assistant secretary at the national Democratic convention in St. Louis, when William J. Bryan was nominated for a third time for President. Mr. Diffenderffer was subsequently national committeeman of the Independent political part of Oklahoma. In 1910 he went to New York City and was employed by William R. Hurst on the New York American and the Xew York Journal, handling principally political assignments, being sent all over the United States. He was regarded as one of the ablest and most versatile writers on the Hurst papers and most conversant with the political situation of the country. Finally tiring of newspaper work and and desiring to re-enter business, he came to Springfield, Missouri, in the fall of 1911 and engaged in the buggy and implement business with his brother, Dave Diffenderffer. under the firm name of D. M. Diffenderffer, the name being later changed to the Diffenderffer Buggy & Implement Company. On April 24, 1902, he married Edith Kirk, and their union has been without issue.

David M. Diffenderffer was about four years old when his parents removed with him to Pennsylvania, and in 1876 the family came to Missouri. He received his early education in the public schools of Laclede county, this state, finishing his education at Drury College, Springfield. He was with W. H. Owens Mercantile establishment in Lebanon while receiving his early schooling. After leaving Drury College he went to Portland, Oregon, where he was employed by a produce concern one year, after which he returned to Greene county and went to work for the McGregor- Noe Hardware Company in Springfield, and after working about a year for this firm he took a position as traveling salesman for a hardware firm in Chicago and remained with it one year, then, in 1897, he began in the implement business in Springfield, under the firm name of D. M. Diffenderffer, located at the corner of Walnut and Campbell streets, where he remained about three years, during which he got well established, then removed to the corner of Pearl and Walnut streets on what is known as the Stewart and Cowan building, which was erected especially for Mr. Diffenderffer. After remaining here about six years it became necessary to seek larger quarters, and our subject purchased property at the corner of Walnut and Market streets, where he erected a two-story, modern and convenient brick building, with twenty-one thousand feet of floor space, where the business has since been located.

This is the oldest implement company in this section of the state. A large and well-selected stock of buggies, carriages and implements is carried at all times. The business has been established over eighteen years and is one of the most widely and favorably known of its kind in southwestern Missouri. The volume of business has constantly increased with advancing years until it has assummed vast proportions, an extensive jobbing business being carried on over the Southwest, including a large portion of this state, eastern Oklahoma, and northern Arkansas.

David M. Diffenderffer was married, June 14. 1000. to Mabel Dunning, who is a daughter of A. ( '. and Laura (Crothers) Dunning, the mother being a daughter of Colonel Crothers, formerly of Indiana. Both the colonel and bis wife arc deceased. They were the parents of two children, Mrs. Mabel Diffenderffer being the oldest; the other. Mrs. Edith Sheppard, is also living in Springfield. Four children have been horn to our subject and wife, namely: Mar-ant Jane, horn July 17. kioj : [Catherine Louise, born February 21, [904; Mabel, horn February 1. 1906, and David kittenhouse, horn May 24, 1909.

Politically, Mr. Diffenderffer is a Republican. Both he and his wife are members of Calvar) Presbyterian church, lie is a member of the Masonic ( >rder and the Royal Arcanum lodge; he belongs to Solomon lodge,

Mr. Diffenderffer has recently organized the Overland Motor Car Company, of Joplin, Missouri, which has been incorporated by D. M. and J. L. Diffenderffer. The object of the firm is to distribute the Overland automobile in a territory of about fifty counties tributary to the city of Joplin. Harry W. Diffenderffer will be in charge of this new enterprise, with headquarters in Joplin.

James H. Mason

One of the old and honored families of Greene count)' is the Masons, and no history of this locality would be complete without mention of the same, one of the best known members of the present generation being James II. Mason, who, in the practice of law, in Springfield, has attained to a laudable position in his profession, while yet a young man; and his reputation for integrity, stability of character, and fidelity to his clients, and trusts committed to him, whether professional or otherwise, is firmly established. His pathways are along the moral levels of the world, and he preserves the symmetry of a true moral life by emphasizing his attachment to it; by defending the truth, the right, and by right acting and living, and especially, by aiming to preserve the perfect proportions of truth.

Mr. Mason was born, February 19, T874, near Ash Grove, Greene county, Missouri, on a farm. He is a son of Robert T. and Lavina (Thomas) Mason. The father was a native of Loudon county, Tennessee, and was a son of Daniel Mason, a native of Massachusetts, who emigrated to Loudon county, Tennessee, in 1800, and there established his home on a farm, and he enlisted in a Tennessee regiment during the War of 1812 and saw considerable service. His family consisted of nine children. His death occurred in Loudon county in the thirties, and in 1841, when Robert T. Mason was ten years old. the widow of Daniel Mason removed with her family to Greene county, Missouri, and took up a farm from the government, and this they improved and established their home on it, Robert T. Mason continuing to work the home place until he was twenty-two years of age, when he came to Springfield and began learning the saddlery business, which he continued until the breaking out of the Civil war, when he and three of his brothers enlisted in the Union army. The father of our subject was a private in the Eighth Missouri Volunteer Infantry, one of the most efficient, bravest and most feared of the regiments from this state, and he served four years in a faithful and gallant manner, seeing much hard service and taking part in many engagements, being mustered out a lieuten- ant. He was in the battles of Pea Ridge and all the important ones of the West. He was honorably discharged, and after returning home he taught school in Greene county and in Arkansas for a number of years, and was a successful teacher for those days. He had received his education in the district schools and by home study. The latter part of his life was devoted ' to general farming near Ash Grove, where he was esteemed as a good citizen in every respect, and there his death occurred, August 4, 1893. Lavina Thomas, mother of our subject, was born in Roane county, Tennessee. She is the oldest daughter of George and Sarah Thomas, who emigrated from Tennessee to Greene county in 1854 and located on a large farm near Cave Spring. George Thomas and two of his sons, James and Caswell, were soldiers in the Union army during the Civil w-ar. Caswell was wounded and died during the service. The mother of our subject is still living at the age of seventy-three years, and she is beloved by her friends for her kindness and Christian sentiment. Of her brothers and sisters, of whom there were ten. all still survive, except two, Caswell, mentioned above, and a sister, who died in 1913.

Six children, three sons and three daughters, wrere born to Robert T. Mason and wife, namely: George, a farmer of near Claremore, Oklahoma, married .Margaret Christian, and they have nine children; Daniel C. died in 1905; James H., of this review; Lillie married Thomas Toombs, a farmer and stock dealer of Dallas county, Missouri, and her death occurred in 1897, leaving two children; Martha, wife of John Christian, a farmer of Dallas county, has eight children; Mary, who married Lon YVheelis, who is in the employ of the United States Express Company, of St. Louis, has three daughters.

lames II. Mason grew to manhood on the home farm there and did his full share of the work when a boy. He received his early education in the public schools of Greene and Dallas counties and at the Marionville Collegiate Institute, then took the course in the law department of the University of Missouri at Columbia, where he made a splendid record. Soon thereafter he came to Springfield and opened an office for the practice of his profession and has been very successful, having built up a large and constantly growing clinetage and is regarded as one of the most promising of our younger members of the Greene county liar.

Mr. Mason was married. August 31. [899, to Susie O. Alexander, a daughter of Dr. William O. and Mary E. Crumlev ) Alexander, of Pulaski, county, Missouri, a highly respected family there. She received a good education in the common schools. She has four brothers and two sisters.

To Mr. and Mrs. Mason three sons have been born, named as follows: Robert Oliver, born August 29, 1900; James Floyd, born January 7, 1903, ami William Chauncey, born March 26, 1905.

Politically, Mr. Mason is a Republican. Fraternally, he is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Religiously, he is a member of the Christian church. He has been active in public affairs for a number of years. He was postmaster at Phillipsburg, Missouri, from 1898 to 1903. In 1908 he was elected city attorney of Springfield, and in 1910 he was elected prosecuting attorney of Greene county. As a public servant he has ever discharged his duties in an able, conscientious and commendable manner, and to the satisfaction of all concerned. It can not be denied that his abilities are equal to the attainment of still greater ends than he has accomplished. Such talents as he has shown lie upon the borders of many provinces of thought, but in the exclusive province of the law, there would be no border-land, but an entire realm, without limit to the ecstacies and activities of the intellect.

George N. Haun

There are man}- things which the modern husbandman is learning that his ancestors also, mayhap, tillers of the soil, did not know, or think they needed to know. We of today, in order to get the greatest results from our labor, must know, among other things, what kind of soil we are working, must know the difference between soil-forming material and soil-forming agencies. The importance of distinguishing between these two groups of factors is apparent to the close observer. The tendency in the past has been to attach great importance to the former to the neglect of the latter, and this has resulted in classifying together soils of very dissimilar character, simply because they were derived from the same rocks or from rocks which have been formed in the same manner. One of the younger farmers of Greene county who is making an effort to properly understand advanced problems of agriculture in all its phases is George N. Haun, of Wilson township, and as a result lie is making a pronounced success as a general farmer.

Mr. Haun was born at Willard, Murray township, Greene county, Missouri, November 2, 1881. He is a son of Newton W. and Nellie (Beal) Haun. The father of our subject was a native of Tennessee from which state he emigrated to Missouri in an early day and began farming in Lawrence county, but remained there only a short time, when he sold out and purchased a farm in Greene county, near Willard. The mother of our subject was born, reared and educated near Springfield, and the parents of our subject were married in Greene county. To this union nine children were born, namely: Andrew, deceased; Daniel lives in Willard; Mattie is deceased; William lives near Willard; May is the wife of H. F. Emerson; Walter lives at Willard; Ella is the wife of William Tatum; George N., of this review; Laura is deceased. Newton W. Haun, father of the above named children, grew to manhood in Tennessee, where he attended school and where he engaged in mercantile pursuits for a while and there he was first married, but his wife survived only a short time, and it was not long thereafter until he came to Missouri.

George X. Haun grew to manhood on the home farm and received his early education in the schools of Murray township, and when nineteen years of age he entered the State Normal school, taking a two years' course in the common branches, after which he went to Kansas and spent a summer on a farm, returning to his home at Willard the following year and began his career as farmer in Murray township on the estate left by his father who died in 1890. This place consisted of one hundred and sixteen acres, being a part of the old homestead. He got a good start here and in February, 1910, sold out and purchased one hundred acres in Wilson township, where he now resides and is making a success as a general farmer and stock raiser, having a productive and well-kept farm and a good set of buildings.

Mr. Maun was married, December 22, 1907, to Juanita Stalev, a daughter of Weldon E. and Angie (Evans) Staley. Her father was a son of Alfred and Lucinda 1 Brower) Staley, and was born in Randolph county, North Carolina, July 9. 1840. His father represented his county in tne Legislature of North Carolina, and was a very prominent member of that body. In 1N47 his parents moved westward, making the long overland journey to Clinton county, Missouri, and in 1849 settled in Greene county, this stati\ where Weldon E. grew to manhood and has since resided. His father died in [852. Weldon E. Staley spent his boyhood days on the farm and he began life fur himself as a merchant at Cave Spring, which business he followed successfully there until [878, ami since that time has devoted himself exclusively to farming and stuck raising, starting in Cass township with nne hundred and ninety acres, and. prospering by good management and close application, he has added t.> his holdings until he now owns about three hundred acres of valuable land, constituting one of the most desirable farms in the northern part of Greene county, where he is regarded as a substantial and worthy citizen and is a man of influence for the general good of his community. He and Angie C. Evans were married. January 21, [861. She is a daughter of Joseph and Klizabcth F.vans, a honored old family of Greene county. Her parents were also natives of North Carolina, and were among the early immigrants to Greene county. To Weldon E. Staley and wife ten children have been born, named as follows: William

\\\. commonly known as ".Major;" Mollie, Dollie. Fannie, J. Horace, Joseph A., Katherine, Bunch E., Effie, and Jannita, the latter the youngest and the wife of the subject of this sketch.

John A. Steinert

A farmer when he has raised his crop has performed only half his duty; the other half is selling, which determines his profit for the year's work. It is just as important for the agricultural producer to know what the markets are as it is for the lumberman, the coal and ore producers, or the manufacturer to know what his goods are worth in the market ami what competition he must meet in his selling. In some places it has been found possible to organize farming territories into zones of distribution and to control the output in such a way as to prevent congestion and wasteful prices by overcrowding the markets and in other ways. It stands to reason that such associations have unlimited power compared to the individual. One of the farmers of Wilson township, Greene county, who is not only a man who knows how to make his land produce well, but how to find ready markets for his varied products, is John A. Steinert.

Air. Steinert was horn in Stone county. Missouri, January 28, 1876. He is a son of Charles A. and Mattie ( CantrelD Steinert, the father a native of Germany and the mother was born in Dade county, Missouri. Charles A. Steinert spent his boyhood in his native land, immigrating to America when sixteen years of age. After spending a short time in New York he came on to Dade county, Missouri, where he was married and later located in Stone county, where he engaged in general farming, owning one hundred and sixty acres. His family consisted of four children, namely: Thomas lives in Greene county: Tinie is the wife of Silas Price and they live in Stone county; William L. lives in Greene county, and John A., of this sketch. The parents of these children are both deceased.

John A. Steinert grew to manhood on the home farm in Stone county, and received a limited education in the district schools. When fifteen years of age he went to work for Lewis Hendrix, a farmer, with whom he remained four years, then hired to a Mr. Cox for a year, then worked for John Inman on his farm for a period of twelve years. He saved his money and finally purchased the old Yarbrough farm in Wilson township. It con- sists of one hundred and twenty acres, and he has placed it under excellent improvements and a fine state of cultivation. On it may be seen a good home and numerous outbuildings. The place is free from all indebtedness. The prosperity that has attended Mr. Steinert's efforts has been well deserved. He is a hard worker and takes a delight in general farming and stock raising.

On March 24, 1897, Mr. Steinert was married to Rosie Yarbrough, a native of Greene county, where she grew to womanhood and was educated. She is a daughter of Jerome B. Yarbrough, who was a well-known citizen of this county. He was a veteran of the Civil war. He served four years as a member of Company B, Twenty-fourth Missouri Volunteer Infantry, was a brave and faithful soldier and rose to the rank of first lieutenant. He served two terms as deputy sheriff of Greene county. Mr. Yarbrough has been deceased for several years.

To Mr. and Mrs. Steinert four children were born, named as follows : Mamie is attending the State Normal school at Springfield ; Edreal, Sylvia .and Paul are all at home and are studying agriculture.

Politically, Mr. Steinert is a Democrat in national affairs, but often votes independently in local elections. His wife is a member of the Christian church.

Franklin T. T.Ishop

There are few more inspiring aphorisms in our tongue than Emerson's famous "Hitch your wagon to a star." Posterity is indebted to the Sage of Concord for the crisp and noble counsel so universally needed. The privilege belongs to us ail of gearing our lives up to lofty motives, of glorifying our commonplace and prosaic days with ideal sentiments and aspirations. There is happy suggestion likewise in reversing the good advice, to sense its truth from a slightly different angle. It is just as good philosophy, and in many ways even more helpful, to read the words "Hitch your stars to your wagon." In other terms let the infinite forces help you, join with you in tugging your particular load up the hill, harness the mightiest power in the world to your human necessities. The life of Franklin T. Bishop, proprietor of beautiful "< lover Dale barm" in Wilson township, Greene county, would indicate that he has ever striven to live up to high ideals and direct his efforts along well regulated lines, and therefore material success has attended his efforts and at the same time he has established a reputation for right thinking and wholesome living, and what necessarily follows - good -citizenship.

1862. He is a son of Horace and Phoebe (Housted) Bishop. The father was for many years engaged extensively in oyster raising on the Atlantic coast, and owned an interest in a large oyster vessel, with a crew of six men. He also owned a farm in that state.

Mr. Bishop, of this sketch, grew to manhood in his native state and received his education in Cedarville, New Jersey, attending school during the winter months and during the crop season worked on the home farm until he was eighteen years of age, when he left home to seek his fortune in the great West. He selected the state of Nebraska, where he took up a claim of three hundred and twenty acres, which he homesteaded and on which he spent twenty-three years, developing it into a fine farm and there he prospered with advancing years, and added to his original holdings until he owned one thousand acres. He traded the entire amount for an excellent farm of four hundred and eighty acres in Kansas, and removed to the Sunflower state, continuing general farming with his former success for two years, then traded his farm there for Missouri land, in Mercer county, which he subsequently sold, and moved to Greene county, this state, where he now resides, and is now owner of a finely improved and productive farm of two hundred acres in Wilson township, on which he has an attractive residence and numerous substantial, convenient and modernly appointed outbuildings. He raises a diversity of crops common lo this latitude, but in connection with general farming he specializes in dairying, in poultry raising and handling blooded horses, and in one of the best-known and most successful stockmen in the western part of the county. His place is known as "Clover Dale Farm." He has a large herd of cows of an excellent quality, and he keeps his barn in a sanitary condition, and looks to the well-being and comfort of his stock at all seasons. His dairy products are all taken by a Springfield concern. Mr. Bishop also specializes in poultry raising, and does an extensive business in this line, keeping a large number of best breed of chickens, in the proper care of which he is well versed and is properly equipped for this work, and he also finds a very ready market for all his products in this department in Springfield. He is an admirer of good live stock of all kinds, especially horses, and he keeps a very fine herd of registered Percherons, including at this writing a stallion and four mares. His fine stock is greatly admired by all who sees it.

Mr. Bishop has been twice married, first, in Mediapolis, Iowa, to Man- Bridges, and to this union eight children were born, seven of whom are living in Greene county, Missouri. The wife and mother passed away on May 7, 1910, and October n, 191 1, he married Etta Huffman, a daughter of Frank and Mary Huffman, formerly of Kentucky.

I 7-4 Greene County, Missouri Marvin H. Southworth

Industry, uprightness and intelligence are characteristics which will advance the interests of any man, and will tend to the prosperity to which all aspire. Such are some of the traits of Marvin H. Southworth, for forty years a well known contractor of Springfield and one of the most successful in southwest Missouri in his vocation. He has lived to see and take part in the latter day development of the Queen City in which he has ever manifested a just pride, and although he is now past his allotted three score and ten he is still active and in full possession of his faculties, as everyone should be in old age, if they have been fortunate enough to escape the untoward accidents which fate sometimes sends. He hails from the old Fmpire state and has evidently inherited many of the sterling characteristics of his Yankee ancestors.

Mr. Southworth was born. May 10. 184J. in Gowanda. Cattaraugus county. Xew York. He is a son of Aaron and Deborah ( Barnes) Southworth. The father was a native of Steuben county, Xew York, where he grew to manhood, was educated in the public schools and there began life as a farmer which vocation he followed through life. Leaving New York state he came west in 1848 and located in Springfield, Missouri, and here continued farming with his usual success until his death in 1850. The mother of our subject was born in the state of Vermont, from which state she removed with her parents when a child to Gowanda, Xew York, where she and Aaron Southworth were married. Her death occurred in 185 1. To these parents the following children were born: Mary Louisa, widow of Isaac Davis, she died in Springfield, Vpril 16, 1912; Helen, who married Byron Van Vleit of western Xew York, died in rS&J, leaving one chiid, Roy; Finette, who lives in Silver Creek, Xew York, married, first Edwin Brooks, li\ whom she had one child. Burk. and later married Byron Van \ leit, who bail firs! married her sister. Helen, and two children were born to her second marriage, Lovie and Bessie; Marion H., id' this review.

Mr. Southworth, of this sketch, grew to manhood on the home farm in the old Empire state and there assisted with the general work in the summer, and during the winter months he attended the common schools of his vicinity, lie was first married in 1863 to Maria Welch, of western Xew7

York, and one of his school mates; her death occurred in 1909. To this union one child was born, Nellie, whose death occurred on August 1, 1895, at the age of eighteen years. On March 29, 191 1, our subject married Mrs. Carrie L. Hevern, of Plymouth, Indiana, widow of Charles Hevern. She is a daughter of William R. Haskett, a farmer of that community, but he and his wife are both deceased; their family consisted of ten children.

Mr. Southworth was twenty-five years of age when lie came to Springfield, Missouri, about the close of the Civil war, and this has been his home ever since, consequently he has seen and taken part in the development of the city from a small town to the capital of the Ozarks. He here took up the trade of stone mason, and has been a city contractor for a period of forty years, being associated in this business with John Cowell, a wellknown citizen here for twenty years. He is one of the most widely known contractors in southwest Missouri and he has laid the foundations of most of the important buildings in Springfield. Besides the court house there was but one brick building in the city when he came here. After the building season was over and during his first winter in Springfield, he sawed wood for Prof. J. Fairbanks, the supervising editor of this history. He was for a time engaged in the dry goods business in later years, a member of the firm of Hirsch, Southworth & Mack. He has been very successful as a business man and now in his old age he finds himself in possession of a comfortable competency and also enjoying the esteem of all who know him as a result of his industrious, public-spirited and honorable life.

Politically, Mr. Southworth is a Republican. He is a charter member of the local lodge of Knights of Pythias. He has been a member of Grace Methodist Episcopal church for a period of fort}- years, and has been active in its affairs. He was for some time chairman of its building committee, and has been honored with most all the offices of this church.

Ernst Kemmling

Greene countv has furnished comfortable homes for main- of the enterprising citizens hailing from the great German empire, who have been settling within her borders since early pioneer days when the land was still the home of various tribes of Indians, the Osages. Delawares and Kickapoos. and also the haunts of many specie of wild denizens of the farstretching forests. We have always welcomed the Germans or any of the people from her provinces, and this has been as it should be, for they have been courageous and not afraid of hard work and have been of untold assistance to us in clearing the fertile soil of its heavy timber of oak, hickory, walnut, ash and other hardwoods ; and they, too, have helped build our substantial dwellings, convenient business blocks and imposing public buildings. One of this sturdy class is Ernst Kemmling, who has resided on the outskirts of Springfield for a period of thirty-seven years, where he started in a modest way and in due course of time became owner of a vast tract of valuable land.

.Mr. Kemmling was born in Germany, November 6, 1846. He is a son of Henry and Caroline (Hinkle) Kemmling, both natives of Germany also. where they grew up, were married and established their home, and there the father engaged in sheep raising for wool, principally.

To Air. and Mrs. Henry Kemmling seven children were born, namely : Henry and Augusta are both deceased; Carroll lives in Germany; Minnie is deceased ; Ernest, subject of this sketch ; Lena lives in Germain- ; and the youngest died in infancy.

Our subject remained with his father until he was twenty-one years of age, at which time he was drafted into the Prussian army, and he served three years in the regular army, and was a soldier for a year in the great Franco-Prussian war, seeing a great deal of hard service, including the sanguinary battle of Cravalett, which lasted two days in the middle of a hot August, and in which engagement the Prussians lost thirty thousand men and the French thirty-two thousand men. Our subject was also before .Metz for six weeks, where the French surrendered to the Prussians. The war was concluded July 4. 1N71 ; .Mr. Kemmling was honorably discharged from the service. He remained in his native land until December 27, 1871, when he sailed from the Fatherland for the Xew World, coming straight to Steubenville, Ohio, where he remained five years, during which he was employed by the Jefferson Iron Company. Leaving there he came to Springfield, Missouri, in March. 1877. a,1(J bought eighty acres of railroad land on which he settled and went to work. By close application, economy and good management he prospered with advancing years and added to his original purchase from time to time until he became owner of five hundred acres of good land, and ranked among the u\<^i enterprising and successful agriculturists of Greene county, lie has been living on his present place many years, near the north end of Campbell street, but of late years he has not been so active as formerly, merely overseeing his estate and engaging in trucking and gardening on a small scale and is now practically retired. He has accumulated considerable other property which he looks after, including a splendid home. He is certainly deserving of a great deal of credit tor what be has accomplished since coming here, alone and unaided and with but little capital with which to start.

1867, to Minnie Meke, a native of Germany and a daughter of Louis and Charlotte (Henze) Meke, both natives of Germany, where they grew up, married and settled, and to them seven children were born, all of whom are now deceased except the wife of our subject.

To Mr. and Mrs. Ernst Kemmling four sons were born, named as follows : Ernest L., Henry and August, all prosperous farmers of Greene county; and John, who lives in Oregon on a farm, where he is doing well also.

Mr. Kemmling was for many years a member of the German Veterans. He has been a Democrat for the past thirty-seven years, and he and his wife belong to the German Evangelical church. They are well liked in their neighborhood, being hospitable, neighborly and honest in all their intercouse with the world.

Hendry Baxter

Diversified farming in its truest sense calls for a methodical practice of a thorough rotation of crops, and three main points are to be kept in mind. First, the raising of paying crops; that is, crops that will of themselves return good revenues to the farmer. Secondly, good crops must be raised with which to feed the live stock of whatever nature it may be. Thirdly, it is necessary to keep up a rotation of crops to meet these needs during the whole war, and consideration must be given also in this rotation to the improvement and maintenance of the fertility of the soil of the farm. All this is clearly understood and successfully carried out by Hendry Baxter, of Wilson township, Greene county, who. with thrift and foresight characteristic of the Scotch wherever they cast their lot, has by his own efforts become one of our best tillers of the soil and leading dairymen.

Mr. Baxter was born in Glasgow, Scotland, December 1'/, 1867. He is a son of David and Love ( Cuthbertson ) Baxter, both also natives of that city and country, where they grew .to maturity, were educated, married and established their home. To them eleven children were horn, six sons and five daughters.

Hendry Baxter was reared in his native city and there received fairly good educational training. He first came to America and a year later the entire family finally set sail for our shores, when our subject was nineteen years of age. The parents came to Greene county. Missouri, and settled on the farm of J. Peachers, which place consisted of eighty acres and here became well established through their industry and economy. Our subject first went to Eureka Springs, Arkansas, where he spent a year, then joined the rest of the family in Greene county, where he worked at farming, and when twenty-six years old he made the long trip back to Scotland for the sweetheart of his boyhood and in the city of Edinburg was married to Ellen Russell Gibson, a daughter of James and Elizabeth Gibson, both natives of Scotland, and there Airs. Baxter grew to womanhood and received her education. Our subject stayed seven and one-half years in the United States before going back to Scotland. After his return from Scotland, he rented for nine years and then purchased the place where he now resides. He has worked hard, managed well and has made a good living and brought his farm up to a fine state of productivity and has a comfortable home. He is making a specialty of dairy farming and is now milking twenty-eight cows of a good grade of Jerseys. All his products are of a high quality and are sold direct to one concern in Springfield. He understands thoroughly the various phases of dairying and keeps his cows healthy and well cared for, everything about his place is sanitary and he believes in a "place for everything and everything in its place." He has made all his own improvements. To Mr. Baxter and wife five children have been born, .namely : Elizabeth, David, James, William, all living at home; and one who died in infancy. Our subject's father and mother are both deceased ; the mother of his wife is living, but the father died when our subject's wife was quite young. Our subject and family are members of the United Presbyterian church, and they stand high in the community throughout which they are well known.

In presenting the biographical memoir of this well-remembered gentleman, whose life was that of a high-grade man, of noble ideals and laudable ambitions, it is believed that the youthful reader, whose destinies are yet matters for future years to determine, will be much benefited and encouraged, for his was a life that made fur success because of the honorable principles he employed in dealing with his fellow men and because of the many admirable qualities he possessed which made his dailv walk one worthy to be emulated. It is no easy matter to achieve a high degree of success in any calling in this age of strenuous endeavor and sharp competition, and when an individual succeeds in several vocations, as did the late C. E. Trevitt, for many years one of the leading citizens of \sh Grove, Greene count)', he wins the admiration of all.

Mr. Trevitt was born in Greene county. Tennessee, November 3, 1857, and was a son of James F. and Locaddie t Ripley | Trevitt. The father was a man of influence in public affairs. He spent his earlier life in Tennessee,

Claudius E. Trevitt grew to manhood in the South and received a very good education in the public schools and Tecumseh College in Tennessee. He went to Georgia when about sixteen years of age, and remained in that state three years. In 1878 he came to Greene county, Missouri, locating on a farm just east of Ash Grove and worked on various farms for about three years, then engaged in the furniture business in Ash Grove for about ten years, after which he devoted his attention to the grocery and hardware business, also dealt in real estate. He was very successful in all these lines endeavor and built up a large business in each, having the confidence of the community by reason of his honest and straightforward dealings. He continued a very busy man until 19 12 when he was compelled to retire from active life on account of failing health, and he continued to decline until he was summoned to close his eyes on earthly scenes on April 21, 1914.

Mr. Trevitt was married on January 25. 1880, to Nora McCrory, who was born in Louisiana, July 12, 1861, a daughter of James and Mary E. (Moss) McCrory. The father of Mrs. Trevitt was bom in Wilkinson Mississippi, in 1829, and was a son of William and Mary (Hubbard) McCrory. His father was born in Ireland, December 2^, 1792, and from that country emigrated to America in an early day, finally establishing his home in Wilkinson county, Mississippi, where his death occurred in 1843. His mother was a native of Tennessee and died in 1829 when he was an infant. James McCrory grew to manhood in his native state and was educated in the common schools there, and was engaged in farming until he removed to Louisiana. He remained there until 1867, most of the time farming in Catahoula parish. He then came to Illinois but soon thereafter came on to Missouri and stayed a year in Saline county, and then removed to Greene and located on a farm where he spent the balance of his life, three miles east of Ash Grove. His fine farm consisted one hundred and seventy acres. He was one of the successful general farmers and stock raisers of this section of the county. He was one of the first in his section of the county to help organize a grange in 1874. Mr. McCrory was married in 1855 to Mary E. Moss, daughter of George Moss, Esq., of Wilkinson county. Mississippi. Mrs. McCrory died February 14, 1868. They reared a family of three children all of whom grew to maturity, married and located in Greene county. Mr. McCrory's death occurred in 1902. Mrs. Trevitt grew to womanhood on the home farm in Greene county and received her education in the public schools.

To Mr. and Mrs. Trevitt nine children were born, seven of whom are living, namely: Ada, deceased; Claude McCrory is an assayer for a gold ( 109) mining company in the state of Washington; Cle F. died when six years of age; Fannie L. is the wife of L. L. Dyer, of Springfield; Carl L. is farming in Alberta, Canada; Clyde V. lives in Washington; James F., Helen and Roger P. are all at home.

Politically, Mr. Trevitt was a Republican, and was a worker for the general improvement of his community in which he was influential and held in the highest esteem.

John F. Underhill

The subject of this sketch belongs to that class of men who win in life's battles by sheer force of personality and determination, and in whatever he has undertaken he has shown himself to be a man of ability and honor. Mr. Underhill hails from "ye merrie isle of old England," and has the commendable characteristics of the people of that great kingdom, and since coming in our midst in Greene county fifteen years ago he has won a host of friends as a result of his even tenored life, and he ranks among the enterprising husbandmen of Wilson township.

John F. Underhill was born in the southern part of England, February 27, 1864. He is a son of John and Susan Underhill, both born and reared in England, where they married and established their home and always resided. The death of the mother occurred on January 31, 1901, but the father survives at the advanced age of seventy-eight years. I lis active life was spent as a carpenter, and he was a wry highly skilled and honest workman. His family consists of eight children, all surviving and all residing in England except the subject of this review. They were named. John F., our subject; Henry. James. Mary, Willie. Richard, Sarah, and Thersa.

John F. Underhill spent his boyhood in England and there received a common school education. He lived mi a farm where fine blooded live stock was raised, and. having a natural bent toward this industry, learned a great deal about it. When seventeen years of age he immigrated to America, making a trip through Canada and the great Northwest, and finally settled in Chicago, where he worked at laboring for six months, but not taking very kindly to this kind of work, lie longed for rural scenes instead and accordingly went to Butler county, towa, and took a position with K. S. Green on his large stock farm and remained there about eighteen year-, this being the kind of work in which he delighted. He saved his earnings and on Febrnarv 21. 1899, came t< > Greene county, Missouri, and purchased a farm in Wils -bin. consisting of one hundred and twenty acres, on which carried on stock raising in a successful manner, and has dealt extensively in horses and mules, his registered Percheron horses being admired by all who have seen them, and are among the best in this section of the state. He has prospered by his judicious methods of farming and handling live stock and is deserving of a great deal of credit for his large material success in view of the fact that he began life single handed and alone and has never had assistance from any source. He has never married and in connection with carrying on the work of his farm, he attends to his own household duties .

Politically, Mr. Underhill is a Republican in national affairs, but he votes independently in local elections, preferring to cast his ballot for the candidates win mi he deems best suited for the offices sought. He takes an interest in all movements having for their object the general improvement of his vicinity, such as good roads, etc., and is regarded as a good neighbor and good citizen in every respect.

Joseph A. M. Tillman

During the sixty-four years of his residence in Greene county, Joseph A. M. Tillman, a retired farmer of Clay township, has noted many important changes in this locality in which he is well and favorably known and in which nearly all his life has been spent, and here he has made a success as a general agriculturist because he has been both industrious and a close observer. He is a descendant o fa prominent old Southern family, and is a second cousin of Benjamin Tillman, the noted United States senator from South Carolina. Many of the commendable qualities of his ancestors are noticeable in our subject.

Mr. Tillman was born in McNeary county, Tennessee, July 7, 1848. He is a son of Samuel Taylor Tillman and Mary (Perry) Tillman. The father was born in Chatham county, North Carolina, in November, 1800, and the mother was born in the same county, in May, 1810, and there they grew to maturity. The father moved to Tennessee when a young man, locating in Bedford county, where he married and bought a farm, also owned a mill on Duck river. After living in Bedford county for some time he located in McNeary county, and remained there until 1850, when he brought his family to Greene county, Missouri, purchasing a farm a mile east of where his son. our subject, now resides, the place having contained one hundred and forty-six acres. Later the elder Tillman entered forty acres from the government here, and had a good farm. He cleared most of his land and kept it in good condition. He was an extensive stock raiser and trader and was a very successful general farmer. He took much interest in public affairs and before leaving Tennessee was justice of the peace for a period of fourteen years and also served in this capacity after coming to Greene county for a period of sixteen years. After buying a place in Greene county he went back to Tennessee where he remained fifteen years before returning to Greene county, .Missouri. He died on his farm here in 1864. His wife was reared in North Carolina on a farm and moved with her parents to Tennessee. She was a member of the Christian church. The father of our subject was twice married, his second wife being a sister of his first wife, and to his first union five children were born, namely: Louisa, I.idia. Calvin, Wesley, Newton, all deceased, the two latter having been killed while soldiers during the Civil war. The mother of these children was Clara Perry. His children by his second wife, Mary Perry, were ten in number and were named as follows: Margaret, Oram, both deceased: Newton was killed while serving in the Civil war; Stanley, Martha W., Caroline and Pearlee, all deceased; Joseph A. M. of this sketch, is the only survivor of the fourteen children; Lucy, deceased; Samuel, deceased.

The immediate subject of this sketch was two years old when his parents brought him over the rough roads from Tennessee to Missouri. He was reared on the farm and received a common school education in the schools of Greene county. He remained on the homestead until his father's death, and he then operated the farm for his mother until he was married, on March _>_>, 1868, to Rebecca J. (Cunningham). He remained on the home farm about seven years, then rented land for five years, which he cultivated, and in March, 1881, bought one hundred acres, later adding twenty acres. He cleared and improved must of his land and built a cozy home on it and here be has since resided and has been successful as a general farmer, although he has been taking life easy for some four years, renting his land and merely overseeing it in a general way.

Mr. Tillman was born in Obion count}'. Tennessee. September [2, 1N50. She is a daughter of Charles M. and .Mary P. (Hubbard) Cunningham. The father was a native of middle Tennessee, where he was reared on a farm and received a common school education, and he became owner of a two hundred acre farm in bis native state. He removed to Fulton count)-, Kentucky, in [859, where he remained about two years, then went to Carroll county, Arkansas. When the Civil war broke out he came to Missouri and joined the Federal army in 1S61, but died of measles soon after his career as a soldier began.

Eleven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Tillman, namely: John W. lives in Greene county and during the campaign of 1914 was a candidate from two districts for associate judge; Samuel is deceased; Mrs. Mary J. Climer lives at Mentor, this count}'; Joseph's home is in Spring- field; Fred is engaged in the mercantile business at Rogersville ; Bertha is deceased; Airs. Viola Wills lives in Springfield; Airs. Minnie Hunt was a teacher in the Greene county schools for six years; Airs. Pearl Chaffin lives in Ozark, Missouri; Mattie is deceased; Ross E. lives in Springfield. The wife of our subject was thirteen years old when she came to Greene count}-. She received a common school education. She often recalls the trip from Tennessee, which the family made in an ox wagon. She is a member of the Christian church.

Politically, Air. Tillman is a Democrat and has long been an active worker in the party. He has served as justice of the peace for four terms, also as notary public four terms, discharging his duties in an eminently satisf actor)- manner. He was appointed by the governor. While incumbent of the first office he married forty-eight couples. Fraternally, he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He has been a consistent member of the Christian church since he was eighteen years of age. He is one of the leading citizens in Clay township.

Richard H. Benson

It is not the weaklings that accomplish worthy ends in the face of opposition but those with nerve and initiative whose motto is, "He never fads who never gives up." and with this terse aphorism ever in view, emblazoned on the pillar of clouds, as it were, before them, they forge ahead until the sunny summits of life are reached" and they can breathe a breath of the purer air that inspires the souls of men with respite. Such has been the history of Richard H. Benson, of Springfield, whose career has been a varied one, and the earlier part of which was as a deep sea sailor, but the latter years of his life has been more prosaic.

Mr. Benson was born in 1 telle Haven, Accomac county, Virginia, July iJ. 1850. He is a son of James S. and Catherine (Mears) Benson, both natives of Virginia, where they grew up, were married and established their home. The father was one of four children. John S., Edward, lame- S., and Keeley, all now deceased. The mother of our subject was one of five children, Margaret, Richard, Thomas, Sally, and Catherine. Richard Alears was a sea captain and in his service rescued many crews, among them was a Canadian crew, for which act he was rewarded by the Canadian government, Secretary of State Everetts presenting him with a fine watch, set with diamonds. James S. Benson and wife spent the latter years of their lives in North Hampton, Virginia, where the father's death occurred December 8, 1876.

Richard H. Benson spent his boyhood days in Belle Haven, Virginia, where he received a public school education. When but a lad his inclination was to the sea, and, leaving home when about seventeen years of age, he made a sea voyage on the ship Edwin Rowe to the west coast of Africa, under Captain Miller, of Portland, Maine, and was gone seven months, during which he visited Siereleone, in the western part of the Dark Continent, and passed in sight of Monrovia, stopped at Bassa, Grand Bassa, Cape Palmas, Dixcove, the River Gaboon, then returned to America, the voyage to New York requiring fifty-one days, and he was required to lay aboard the vessel in Brooklyn two months. On February 26, 1868, he landed in Lacon, Marshall county, Illinois, stopping with his uncle, John Benson, who owned a farm there, and in the fall of 1869 the uncle came to Springfield, Missouri, and our subject joined him here in the summer of 1872; leaving here the last of September of that year, Mr. Benson went to Chicago and remained there until Christmas, then went back to Belle Haven, Virginia, and remained with his father until in June, 1873, when he went to Baltimore, Maryland and shipped as a seaman in the government survey, remaining in the service until the spring of 1875, when he came to St. Louis, Missouri, and took a position as solicitor for the printing house of John McKitrick & Company, but after a short time he went to Chicagu and entered the hotel business, which he followed until he came to Springfield to make his permanent home in 1886, and thus he has been a resident of this city twenty-eight years, during which time he has been engaged in the sewing machine business as an agent for the Singer Manufacturing Company, remaining in their service for about eighteen years, and then took up life insurance business, staying in this line for one year, then took up the sewing machine business again.

.Mr. Benson was married. July 3, 1888, to Ella V. Berry, a daughter of P. Jesse and Eliza (Cowling) Berry. The father was a minister in the Christian church, and had charge of churches in different states, and was an able and popular preacher. His family consisted of four children, namely: Ella \\. wife of Mr. Benson; Maggie, who married W. J. Hills; Gertrude, who married Dr. M. Xev Smith ; the youngest child, died in infancy.

Mrs. Ella V. Benson was bum in Pennsylvania, from which state she later moved to New York state, then to Maryland, Iowa, Ohio, Missouri, and Illinois, and she received part of her education in the college at Eureka, the latter state. She came with her parents to Springfield. Missouri, first in [879, and the second time they came to this state was in 1881.

When Greene county was covered with primeval forests and tall prairie grass and when wild animals of many species roamed the then little developed lands, over which wound Indian trails, the McCraw family came here and began carving a home from the far-stretching woods, and assisted in building schools and churches and assisting in the general introduction of the customs of civilization in the wilderness, giving vent to that mysterious quality in the blood of primitive people to push on to the edge of things. They were genuine pioneers, willing to take the hardships that they might acquire the soil and the home that was sure to rise. Gabriel McCraw, well known citizen of Taylor township, who has lived beyond the allotted barrier of three score and ten years, all of which have been spent in this locality, can relate many interesting things that have transpired here since the country was first settled. He has witnessed with his own eyes the many changes that have taken place and in which he has taken no inconspicuous part himself.

Mr. McCraw was born on the farm which he now occupies, April 3, 1843. He is a son of John L. and Elizabeth (Kenner) McCraw. The father was born in Hawkins county, Tennessee, December 8. 1808, and there he grew up on a farm. The mother was also born in that county and state, in 1806 and was reared on a farm. They both attended the district schools, and were married there in 1835. They immigrated to Greene county, Missouri, in 1836. Here John L. McCraw prospered and became owner of a fine farm of three hundred and thirty acres, and here he and his wife spent the rest of their lives, his death occurred April 2, [882. She preceded him to the grave many years, dying in 1854. Politically, he was a Republican, and for a number of years he was county surveyor. He was well known and was influential in public affairs. His wife was a member of the Methodist church. They were the parents of eight children, namely: Susan is deceased, Josephine, Elizabeth is deceased, John L., Gabriel William, deceased; Joseph P., deceased; and James E.

Gabriel McCraw was reared on the homestead here, where he worked when he became of proper age, and in the winter time he attended the district schools. In 1862, when only eighteen years of age, he enlisted in Company L., Eighth Missouri Cavalry, under Captain Keller, and served faithfully for the Union until the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged at Little Rock, Arkansas,. He saw considerable hard service, and participated in the battle of Prairie Grove, where he was taken prisoner and held for three weeks, when he was exchanged, in April, 1863, rejoining his regiment at Rolla, Missouri. He participated in the battle and capture of Little Rock in that year. He was in a number of skirmishes. After his discharge he returned home and has since been actively engaged in general farming and stock raising on the home place, which consists of four hundred and ten acres, in which his brother, James E., has one-half interest. They have kept the" place well tilled and well improved and the buildings in good repair.

Mr. McCraw was married on April 2j, 1877. to Columbia E. Watterson, who was born in Tennessee, near the town of Rogersville, but her parents brought her to Greene county, Missouri, when she was a child and here she was reared and educated in the common schools. They were married in this county. She was a daughter of Francis E. and Martha ( Gabraith ) Watterson, both long since deceased. Mrs. Mc< raw's death occurred in California, August 26. 1882.

With the higher prices for land and increase 111 labor cost we must produce more per acre and get a larger proportion of the cost to the consumer. The young men who an- using scientific methods today will hasten the solution of many agricultural problems and it will pay those interested to keep up with the methods of the young men. One of the successful tanners of Jackson township, Greene county who is an advocate of modern methods of farming is William II. A. McGinty.

Mr. McGinty was born at Marshfield, Webster county, Missouri, December [2, 1856. Ik- is a Min of \bner < '. and Mary S. (Haden) McGinty. The father was born in Tennessee, June 28, [833. lie came to Greene county. .Missouri, when a small boy, and began his career working in the general store of John Debruin on the west side of the Public Square in Springfield, later entering the mercantile field for himself, and finally went to West Plains, lb. well county, this state, where he was in business for a while. During the war he had a general merchandise store in Rolla, Missouri, and was postmaster there for a short time. The last twenty years of his life was devoted to the ministry of the Methodist church, in which he ranked high and did a great deal of good. He became owner of a valuable farm in Greene county and was a very successful and influential man, highly esteemed by all who knew him. Politically, he was a Republican. His death occurred in Springfield, June 26, 1893. The mother of the subject of this sketch was reared in Greene county, where her birth occurred May 10, 1837, and here she received a common school education. She was a member of the Christian church. Her death occurred in Springfield, February 16, 1882. To these parents eleven children were born, namely: Mary V., born August 14, 1854, married John B. Foster, of Marshfield, Missouri; William H. A., of this review; Elizabeth, burn January 10. 1859, married M. G. Vinton, of Strafford, Missouri; Sarah G., born September 13, 1861, married George E. Dillard, of Springfield; Abner J., born .March 7, [864; Freddie, born November 14, 1866; Clara, burn November 7, 1868. married L)r. W. L. Smith, of Springfield, Missouri, he is deceased; Abner C, Jr., a merchant of Neosho, Missouri, burn February 17. 1872; James, a merchant in Neosho, Missouri, burn March 13, 1874; Ralph, born November 2T,, 1876, a farmer of Neosho, Missouri; and Susan, burn February 12. i!S82. died in childhood.

The subject of this sketch grew to manhood in Webster county, receiving his education in the schools of Marshfield. He was in the merchandise business in Marshfield with bis father for four years. When about thirty-five years of age he inherited the homestead consisting of eightv acres, and he soon took up general agricultural pursuits, which be has since followed with success. He now owns a well-kept farm of eighty acres in Jackson township.

Mr. McGinty was married on April 28, 1S79. to Catherine Pritchard, who was born in Stone county. Missouri, March 28, i860. She is a daughter <>f John and Mary 1 Sallee ) Pritchard. The father was a soldier in the Union army and died in Arkansas while in the service. The mother died in Greene county on May 14, i<;o6. Mrs. McGinty was reared in this county and educated in the public schools. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. McGinty, named as follows: Mrs. Myrtle May Gillespie, born January 4, 1880, lives in this county; Mrs. Catherine F. Galloway, born July 22, 1882, lives in Springfield; Charles W., born February 16. 1884. lives in this count)-; Susan E., born March 2T,, 1888, died December 23, 1891 ; Abner P.. born January 2j. [892, lives at home.

I738 Greene County, Missouri William P. Camp

The subject of this sketch is one of the Greene county inhabitants who has had the good judgment to remain in his native locality and devote his energies to the things with which he is the must familiar, hence he has had a better chance of ultimately attaining the ever-sought-for guerdon - success, in the quest for which a very large percentage of men leave their native localities and go out into strange countries among people of different habits and costumes, consequently many of them fail who would have succeeded if they had remained at home.

Mr. Camp, who owns and operates a good farm in Taylor township, near the village of Strafford, was born in this county, January 17, 1857. He is a son of John H. and Susan H. (Anderson) Camp. The father was born near Petersburg, Virginia, which place was destined to become world-famous for the memorable siege there during the Civil war. The date of his birth was December 25, 1826. He grew up on farms in his native state and in Tennessee, and received a common school education. He immigrated to Greene county, Missouri, in 1851, entering a farm from the government which he unproved and on which he prospered, and later became owner of a valuable farm of two hundred and twenty acres and was one of the successful general farmers of this county a generation ago. During the Civil war he joined the Home Guards, under Captain Coleman, but was in the service only a short time. Before leaving Tennessee, he was married in Rogersville. that state in 1850, to Susan H. Anderson, who was born near that town, reared and educated there. These parents died on the home farm in Greene county, the father in the year 1898, and the mother a few years prior to that time. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and she belonged to the Cumberland Presbyterian church. To John H. Camp and wife ten children were born, namely: Mrs. Martha Vaughn, Charles A. is deceased; William 1'., of this sketch; Mrs. Mary Danforth is deceased; Mrs. Lucy Cunningham, Mrs. Francis Barnett, Mrs. Laura Barnett, Eliza Saddler. Mrs. Lennie Cunningham and one who died in infancy, unnamed.

William I'. Camp \\a> reared on the home farm near where he now resides and there he assisted with the work in the summer months and in the winter time attended the district schools. He remained at home until he was twenty-one years ,,f age, then began life tor himself by hiring out on different farms for several years, lie saved his earnings until he was able to purchase the place where he now lives, in 1894. He has a productive and well-kept farm of eighty-five acres and is making a good living and laying by something each year for the proverbial "rainy day" which is sup-

Mr. Camp was married in 1880 to Martha Bristow, who was born in Greene county, December 21, 1863, and was reared on a farm here and attended the rural schools. She is a daughter of William H. and Lavina D. Bristow. The mother died some tige ago, but the father is living in Greene county and is still active.

Twelve children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Camp, namely : Mrs. Columbus Dykes, Mrs. Maggie Potter, John H., Mrs. Bessie Mann is deceased ; Mary, Cora is teaching school ; Mattie, Ruth, Mark, Edith, Ruby is deceased, and Lois, who is also deceased.

Politically, Mr. Camp is a Republican. He belongs to the Masonic Order and to the Anti-Horse Thief Association. He is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church.

John Kinser

One of Clay township's enterprising farmers is John Kinser. He has made a success in his calling very largely because he has been willing to give up many of the old and antiquated ideas of farming and adopted such new ones as were practicable here. He is one of those farmers who never loses sight of the fact that the soil must be well supplied with organic matter; that humus is absolutely necessary to the soil to make plant food available; that if one practices crop rotation, one must not fail to include one or more of the legumes. These and many other similar ideas of successful farming have long been known to him and it is a pleasure to look over his well tilled place.

Mr. Kinser was born in Greene county, Missouri, about two miles from his present residence, October 11, 1852, and here he has been content to spend his life. He is a son of Jefferson and Sarah (Lee) Kinser. The father was born in Virginia and grew to manhood and received his education in that state, being a young man when he immigrated overland to Missouri with his parents, making the trip in wagons drawn by oxen. The family settled in Greene county, the father entering a large amount of land from the government which he cleared and improved, and carried on general farming and stock raising successfully here in the pioneer days. During the Civil war he joined the Federal army, under Col. John S. Phelps, and most of his service was confined to Greene county. He was a participant in the battle of Springfield, when General Brown's forces were attacked by General Marmaduke, January 8, 1863. He was honorably dis- charged at Rolla, Missouri, at the close of the war. After the war he returned home and resumed farming, which he followed until his death, which occurred at the age of seventy-seven years. Politically, he was a Republican. He belonged to the Christian church. He was a well known and influential man in his locality, and had a great many friends wherever he was. known. The mother of the subject of this sketch was born in Virginia, and she received a common school education. She was young in years when she came to Missouri with her parents, the family locating on a farm in Greene count)-. She was a great help to her husband on the farm, was industrious, spun and wove most of her cloth in the early days, and raised cotton for this purpose. She was a member of the Christian church. Her death occurred prior to that of her husband.

To Jefferson Kinser and wife eight children were born, namely: Joseph, deceased; Ephraim lives in Greene county on an adjoining farm to our subject; John, of this review; Mrs. Sarah Davis, deceased; Mrs. Mary Fulton, deceased; Mrs. Anna Dykes lives in Webster county; Nancy, deceased; William is engaged in the livery business in Oklahoma.

John Kinser was reared to manhood on the home farm where he received his education in the district schools of his community. He worked for Ins father at home until he was twenty-five years of age, when he was married to Sarah Cloud and began farming for himself. His father gave him a good farm of one hundred and twenty acres, to which our subject has added eighty acres. He chared part of his land, making many improvements of a substantial and permanent nature, built a comfortable home, several convenient barns and his excellent place of two hundred acres is entitled to rank among the best in this part of the county in every respect. \bout thirty acres is in timber. He carries on general farming and stock raising, lie has lately moved to Menter, where he now resides, going to and from his farm as necessity requires.

received her education in the common schools. She proved to be a most faithful helpmeet and was a woman who was a favorite with her many friends, and her untimely death at the early age of thirty-eighl wears was deeply deplored. She was a daughter of Calvin and Elizabeth Cloud. Her father was one of the earliest settlers in Greene county and he owned an excellent farm here and spent the rest of his life on the home place, and there his wife died also.

Io Air. and Mrs. Kinser four children were born, namely: .Mrs. Laura Estes lues in Greene county; Mrs. Lula Patterson is living at home with her father; Mrs. Lennie White lives in Greene county; James E. is living on the home farm.

John C. Chaffin

Conditions are so widely varied in the vast area in the Middle West that is devoted to agricultural pursuits on a more or less extensive scale; the results desirable by both individuals and communities are so widely divergent, and the fact that most profitable results to one would mean positive loss to another, make any general rules, laid down to cover the entire country, unsuited to many farmers; so, it is necessary for each to use his brains as well as his brawn and decide for himself the problems that are most vital to .him personally. Such methods have been adhered to by John C. Chaffin, a farmer of Washington township, Greene county, and he has, therefore, been successful in his chosen vocation.

Mr. Chaffin was born in this county on September 2j, 1859, and he has been contented to spend his life in his native community. He is a son of Joseph and Eliza (Day) Chaffin. The father was born in Hawkins county, Tennessee, September 21, 1824, was a boy when he was brought to Missouri by his parents, was reared on a farm and educated in the earlyday schools of Greene county, where the family settled upon arriving here, after a journey of hardships in wagons from the state of Tennessee. Joseph Chaffin worked for his father on the home farm until he was twenty-one years of age, then entered one hundred and twenty acres of land from the government, to which he later added two hundred acres, cleared most of his land and developed a good farm, which he kept in first-class condition in every way. He was a very industrious man and made a great success as a general farmer and stock raiser. In 1869 he went to Montana for his health and remained there four months, and died at Corvallis, that state, January 27, 1870. He was a man noted for his liberality and kind deeds, helping the poor and needy whenever occasion demanded, and he was ininfluential and highly esteemed in his community. He was a member of the Christian church, and, politically, was a Republican. In the early days he hauled goods from Rolla to Springfield with an ox team. He worked for Governor Phelps for some time as overseer on the governor's farm. His wife, Eliza Day, was born in Greene county, Missouri, May 4, 1837, was reared on a farm and educated in the earlv-dav schools. She was a fine type of the industrious, self-sacrificing women of her day (different from the majority of women of this generation). She was willing to assist her husband get a start in life, raised cotton, from which she spun and wove cloth for her family and did much hard work that the average woman today would not do. But there were few in her day who did not do the same things. She was a worthy member of the Christian church and set a good example among her neighbors and acquaintances. Her death oc-

To Joseph Chaffin and wife six children were born, namely: James E., who lives in Greene county; Mrs. Nancy S. Samuels lives in Greene county; John C., of this review; Mrs. Emma J. Everly lives in Montana; Mrs. Mary Frances Summers lives in Montana; Mrs. Orlena A. Stow lives in Christian county.

John C. Chaffin grew to manhood on the farm where he is now living. He received a common school education in this vicinity. He was eleven years old when his father died, and our subject and his elder brothers operated the farm after that until the mother married again. When twenty-three years old our subject bought forty acres of the homestead, to which he later added one hundred and forty acres. He went in debt for the place, but paid for it in due time by hard work, good management and economy, often depriving himself of many things in order to do so. He sold eighty acres of his land some time ago, and now operates one hundred acres. He cleared about thirty-five acres of his land. He has a well-improved and productive farm and has made a success as a general farmer and stock raiser. Twelve acres of his land is timbered. This farm was known to the old settlers at the "Bill Jessup" farm.

Mr. Chaffin was married, August 13, 1879, to Winnie Stephens, who was born in Wright county, Missouri, February 19, 1861. She is a daughter of John G. and Cynthia ( Beattie) Stephens. The father was born in middle Tennessee, and there grew up on a farm and received a meager education in the early-day schools. He immigrated to Missouri prior to the breaking out of the Civil war, and settled in Wright county on a rented farm. During the war he was a member of the Sixth Missouri Cavalry and saw service in the Union army, was honorably discharged at the close of the war, but came home sick, and died a few days later. He was a member of the same company in which "Uncle Jeff Watts." of Rogersville, served. His wife, Cynthia Beattie, was born in middle Tennessee, July 4, 1837. was reared on a farm and received limited educational advantages in her native community. When young she came to Missouri with her father, the trip being made in ox wagons. She was a member of the Methodist church. Her death occurred on December 8, 1906.

Mrs. Chaffin was reared on a farm in Greene county and was educated in the common schools, walking three miles to attend school in an old log house. Site is a member of the Methodist church.

Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Chaffin, namely: Armanda D., born September 1. 1880, died October 9th of the same year; John II.. born July it, 1889, died on March 5, 1890; Eunice J., born on

Politically. Mr. Chaffin is a Republican, and while he has never sought political honors, is always ready to do his part in furthering any good movement for the general welfare of the community in which he lives and in which he is well and favorably known.

Lee Casper Kennedy

This is often called the age of young men, and it is no doubt true that more men of tender years are filling responsible positions than ever in the history of the world. One has only to look about a little in any commercial center to find that this is true. In these rushing, "iron clanging days" young and vigorous blood is required, although, of course, were it not for the sagacious counsel of the gray-haired element in the business arena, there would be many more financial catastrophes than there are, great though the number already is, owing to a degree of feverish recklessness that has crept into the twentieth century way of doing things.

Among the young men of Springfield who hold positions of trust is Lee Casper Kennedy, a descendant of an Irish ancestry. He was born in Stockbridge, Michigan, February 11, 1885, and is a son of William S. and Elizabeth (Doyle) Kennedy. The father was born at St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada, in 1858, of Irish extraction, and there he grew7 to manhood and was educated, and in his earlier years he followed lumbering and race horse raising, being successful in both lines, and at present he is making his home in Detroit, Michigan, where he is engaged in the real estate business. Politically he is a Democrat, and in religion a Catholic. He and Elizabeth Doyle were married in Dexter, Michigan, in 1878. She was born in Pinckney, that state, about 1861 and there reared and educated. The Doyle family were also originally of Ireland.

Lee C. Kenned)r spent his boyhood days at Stockbridge, Michigan, and there received a good education in the common and high schools, being graduated from the latter in 1903. He began life for himself as a teacher which he followed two years in Ingham county, Michigan, and although he gave promise of becoming a highly successful educator, he did not see an encouraging future to this line of endeavor and so turned his attention to the world of industry. After working a year as foreman of a basket factory, he accepted a position as bookkeeper and cashier of a poultry house where he worked one year, then, in 190S, came to Springfield, Missouri, and clerked in the Frisco offices for three vears, after which he became book- keeper and cashier with the Ouinn-Barry Tea & Coffee Company, where he remained two and one-half years. In all these positions he gave eminent satisfaction, being faithful, alert and painstaking in all his work and at the same time he was broadening his general knowledge of business forms and customs, and in the year 1912 he went with the Tegarden Packing Company, now known as the Welsh Packing Company, as treasurer, which responsible post he still occupies in his usual able manner.

Politically, -Mr. Kennedy votes independently, however he supports the Democratic ticket in national elections. He was reared in the faith of the Catholic church and from this he has not departed. Fraternally, he belongs to the Knights of Columbus, and to the Loyal Order of Moose.

General Colley B. Holland

Xo name in the annals of Springfield and of Greene county, occupies a more enviable position than that of Colley B. Holland; and no history of either city or county would be complete without a sketch of his life and work.

Mr. Holland, like a large majority of the pioneers of this region, was a native of Tennessee, being born in Robertson county in that state on the 24th of August. [816. While yet a mere lad he was left fatherless, and, boy as he was. being the eldest of four children, found himself with the responsibility of the support of his widowed mother, and the younger children. Evidently the industry and business acumen that were to prove his strong characteristics all through life, were even at that early age strongly developed, lor we find that not only was the family kept in comfort, but that before he left home to seek his own fortune, he had bought for his mother a home for her old age. and when he started in life for himself she was left well provided for.

'I he educational advantages in Tennessee in those early times were of the scantiest, and the young man owed hut little to their aid. However, he was gifted with an active and retentive mind, and few indeed of those who have had a regular collegiate training could compete in their store of practical information with this self-taught, and self-made man.

Early in life he had determined to learn some good trade, and having chosen that of tailoring he applied himself to it with earnestness until he had mastered it in all its details. With his occupation as his only capital, he felt himself justified in establishing a home for himself, and he was married to his boyhood's sweetheart. .Miss Emeline II. Bigbee, daughter of a neighbor in his Tennessee home, and with whom he had been acquainted from their mutual childhood. At the age of twenty-live, in the year 1841, with his mother provided for, and seeking a wider field for his own efforts, Mr. Holland emigrated from Tennessee to southwest Missouri.