Greene County, Missouri - Biographical sketches, 1915 (part 24 of 29)

With his young wife, and his brother, John L. Holland, he reached Springfield, and at once, with his brother as a partner, opened a tailor shop. It is interesting to look hack for a moment to the little frontier town to which the young man had come, and in the future of which he was to have so important a part. It was then but little over ten years since the Indians had been sent out of the region, and it was less than three years since the town had been incorporated. The record says that when thus made into an incorporation Springfield had "About two hundred and fifty people." The place was then, as it has always been, the commercial center of a vast region, but in 1841 that region was but thinly populated, and it is probable that the entire trade of the little town did not exceed fifty thousand dollars per annum. In the census of 1840 Greene county is credited with a population of five thousand three hundred and seventy-two, and this small number, it must be remembered, was scattered over an area out of which more than a score of counties were afterward carved.

There is little to tell of Mr. Holland's life for the next few years. Certain it is that he was busy and successful, for the records in the office of the recorder of deeds for Greene county, show that from time to time he was putting his earnings into Springfield realty, a habit which was laying strong, wide and deep the foundations of the success the future was to bring him. General Holland was indeed gifted with that faculty, possessed by few men, and not to be acquired, but is born in its possessor, of knowing at a glance the right piece of real estate in which to invest. , It would be wholly safe to wager that Colley I!. Holland never bought a piece of realty on which he lost money.

With all his other interests we find that he found time for doing his part in public matters. In 1845 the Springfield branch of the Missouri State Bank was established, and Mr. Holland was one of the directors. Here he soon showed those qualifications of business integrity and sagacity that were to lead him in later years, to such a high place in the banking business. In 1852 he was appointed postmaster at Springfield, but resigned at the end of a year. Having felt the deprivation of a school training himself, he was always glad to lend a hand to the promotion of educational advantages for others. Thus we find that he was one of the incorporators, in 1859, of the Springfield Male Academy, and was a liberal contributor toward its establishment, and a member of the building committee. This (no) school at once took a front rank in the Southwest, but was destined to but a short life, for it died never to be resurrected, when the Civil war broke out. In the spring of 1861 the storm of war between the states struck the land, and Springfield, holding a position that was strategic in war as it was in commerce, became at once a center of strife. During the four bloody years that were to follow Colley B. Holland was to show a new and surprising side of his strong character. Looking over his previous life one would hardly consider it as the training school for a soldier. Those who had known the man all his life would hardly have selected him as the successful leader in desperate battle ; but this man proved himself both.

Quiet, unobstrusive, attending strictly to his own affairs, there was nevertheless a strain of iron in his blood; a stalwart determination to stand for those things which he believed to be right, a calm personal courage that never failed him, even when men were falling on every side, and when the battle seemed lost to all but himself. He had as a young man, served as a non-commissioned officer in the Seminole war in the swamps of Florida, in 1836-7, and the experience then gained proved invaluable to him in the great conflict now pending. From the first whisper of secession Air. Holland had openly declared himself an uncompromising Union man; and when Sumter was fired upon, and Lincoln issued his call for seventy-five thousand men, he was one of the first to volunteer.

In gathering data for this sketch the writer naturally turned to a former history of Greene county published in 1883, and which contains much valuable information compiled from count}- and other records. To his surprise he found that the name of Colley IS. Holland is not to be found in the book! Such an omission can only have been intentional on the part of those responsible for the publication, and tends to lessen the confidence of future writers, in the correctness of the whole work.

In this connection it is recalled that the late Dr. E. T. Robberson, himself a residenl of Springfield before, during, and after the war, once said to me: "General Holland has never received half the credit due him for his war record. Especially for the part he played in the defense of Springfield at the time of the Marmaduke raid." Doctor Robberson was the very soul of probity and honor and such words from him carry weight with all who knew him in life.

In this short sketch the only desire of the writer 1- to "Give honor to whom honor is due." and that the story of the part General Holland acted in those stormy years may receive truthful and permanent record. In that sterling and authoritative work. "The Encyclopedia of .Missouri History." printed in [901, is an outline sketch of General Holland's life, and from it and local sources have been drawn the statements herein made, of his part in the < 'ivil war.

The work above named states that Air. Holland was made captain of Company D, in the famous Phelps Regiment, organized in the summer of 1861. Whether General Holland took part in the battle of Wilson's Creek or not, we are unable to state, but he was in the great engagement at Pea Ridge, Arkansas, the heaviest battle west of the Mississippi during the entire war.

General Holland was promoted to the position of lieutenant colonel of the reorganized Phelps Regiment, and in the fall of 1862 he aided in recruiting the Seventy-second Regiment, of Missouri State Militia, and was commissioned colonel of that organization, his commission bearing date of September 9, [862. In about six weeks from that date he received a commission from Governor Gamble, as brigadier general of Missouri Militia, bearing date of October 29, 1862.

After this he made his headquarters at Springfield, and held the responsible office until the end of the war. His district included all of southwest Missouri, and all the militia in that region were under his command.

It was while acting in this capacity that General Holland was called upon to take part in the defense of Springfield against the attack of a Confederate force under Gen. John S. Marmaduke, on the- 8th day of January, [863. The forces defending the town were officially stated to number one thousand five hundred and sixty-six men, while the Confederates were said to number "about two thousand."

It is not the province of this sketch to describe the battle of Springfield, except so far as to give the part taken by General Holland in that fight. In the Missouri history mentioned above, we are told: "lie acquitted himself as a true soldier, and at critical times restored confidence when the fight was well nigh hopeless." Surely no higher tribute need be asked than those wrords. The same authority continues: "Particularly was this the case when about three o'clock in the afternoon Gen. E. B. Brown (ranking officer, and in chief command) was wounded, and he (Holland) became the commander."

So the battle was fought and won, and Springfield with its vast stores for the Federal army was saved to the Union. And to no one man was the result more attributable than to Colley B. Holland. He was never the man to sound his own praises, and he had no publicity bureau, then or since, to publish abroad his fame, thus it is only simple fairness that at this late day. more than half a century after the event justice be done the quiet, efficient man who commanded the Missouri Militia on that fateful day.

At last the war was ended, and to General Holland it ended at once and forever. He was not the man to exult over a defeated and despairing foe. Rather was it now bis part to help in building up the waste places, to bind up the wounds left by the conflict, and to give his potent aid to

He entered actively into the financial and manufacturing interests of this place. He was one of the men who organized the Springfield Cotton Mills, and he served as president of that enterprise for several years. In 1875 ne' with his two sons, T. B. and W. C. Holland, established the Holland Banking Company, an institution which was to prove the greatest of all his successful ventures. In the panic of 1893 s'x out OI f'le ten banks of Springfield failed, and meanwhile the deposits of the Holland Banking Company more than doubled. Comment is needless.

And so, known and honored of all men, Colley B. Holland drew near the end of his long and useful life. He had helped to organize the First 'Cumberland Presbyterian church of Springfield, and had served as its stated -clerk for nearly forty years ; he had reached a helping hand to struggling institutions; he had served his country at the risk of his own life upon the battlefield. He had "acted well his part,*' and on the fifth day of May. 1 90 1, when nearly eighty-five years of age, "an old man and full of years," he closed his eyes upon earthly scenes, to open them upon a fairer world.

James C. Deeds

If there is any man who needs to be neat in his work it is the dairy farmer. Remember that the dairyman is producing human food every day and it should be produced under the best of conditions if he is going to make a first-class product. Interest in dairying is greater than it has ever been before and it will continue to grow as long as the present prices for dairv products continue. The chances are that there will be no reduction in these for years to come. A successful dairyman and general farmer of Greene county is James C. Deeds, whose well-kept place is to be found in Franklin township,

Mr. Deeds was lorn on July _'_'. [862, in the above named township and county. He is a son of James M. and Drusella M. 1 Davis) Deeds. The father was horn in Tennessee in 1829, and he was but a child when his parents brought him to Greene county. Missouri, in early pioneer days, and here he grew to manhood on the home farm which was located near where our subject now resides, ami was educated in the local district school-,. He devoted his life to general farming, and died in [862 at the early age of thirty-three years. lie was ;i member of the Baptist church at Liberty. Ilis wife was born in Tennessee, in [834, and died in February, 1906, at the age of seventy-two years. To these parents five children were horn, one of whom died in infancy: Mrs. Alice J. Gaston is deceased; Joseph R. lives in Oklahoma; Airs. Mary A. Jones is deceased; James C. of this sketch.

James C. Deeds grew to manhood on the home farm and was educated in the common schools. On January 28, 1886, he married Martha A. Latta, a daughter of John and Emeline ( Ross ) Latta. The father was born in Tennessee and his death occurred in 1866. Leaving his native state when young he located in Illinois where he farmed the rest of his life. His wife was born in Tennessee and she is now living in Springfield, Missouri. The wife of the subject of this sketch was born in Illinois on December 13, 1865. She received a common school education.

To Mr. and Mrs. Deeds seven children have been born, one of whom died in infancy; the others are Mrs. Grace Ward, who lives in Springfield; Elzie, Lizzie, Ora, Fleta and Marks, all live at home.

James C. Deeds still lives on the farm on which he was reared, owning sixty-five acres of the homestead, twenty acres adjoining, and forty acres north of where he lives. It is nearly all under cultivation and is well improved and has been well cultivated so that it has retained its original fertility. In connection with general farming he is now engaged in the dairy business, owning a large number of excellent cows. He keeps his dairy barn in a thorough sanitary condition and is making a success.

Politically, he is a Republican ; however, is an advocate of Roosevelt's policies. He and his wife are members of the Methodist church at Pleasant Valley.

James B. Brazill

One of the best known citizens of the southern part of Greene county is James Buchanan Brazill, a general farmer and fine stock grower living near Galloway Station, southeast of Springfield.

Mr. Brazill is a native of Sharon, Pennsylvania, having been born there, December 14, 1850. His father, H. L. Brazill, was a farmer and small store keeper in Sharon and Meadville for a number of years. He was a stanch Democrat and great admirer of President Buchanan and for that reason named the subject of our sketch after the man who had just been elected President.

Young Brazill was given a good education in the local schools and graduated from what was then known as the Harrisburg Academy in June, 1875. For three vears he worked in his father's store and then, having married Lorrie Steele, he moved to the Western Reserve in Ohio, where his wife's father was farming and remained there until October, 1884. when he

Mr. and Mrs. Brazill have three daughters, Hester, Lorrie and Martha', all married except Martha. The Brazill farm is known throughout the county for its high state of cultivation and for the fine cattle and hogs raised there, it being the motto of the owner, "If it is worth doing, it is worth doing right." Mr. Brazill and all his family are members of the Baptist church of which communion he is a deacon. He has served nine years as school trustee and was some twenty years ago justice of the peace for one term. He takes great interest in Democratic politics and is a great admirer of Champ Clark, speaker of the House of Representatives. Mr. Brazill was elected several times to state Democratic conventions as a delegate.

Although, doubtless, most people would like to remain on the old homestead where they "played away the happy hours of innocent childhood," but few are permitted to do so, from one cause or another; but there is always a sentiment about the hearthstone where the family gathered when we were children that cannot be replaced. So one who, like Martin Van Buren Wolf, one of the venerable farmers of Washington township, Greene county, and one of the oldest native-born citizens of this localitv, is fortunate enough to spend his life at his birthplace, is to be envied, and. no doubt, being a fair-minded man, he fully appreciates the privilege. He has labored hard to keep the old farm well tilled and improved, so that it has retained rather than lost its original strength of soil, and the dwelling has been carefully looked after and guarded.

Mr. Wolf was born in the above-named township and county, on the spot where he now lives. December 21, 1840. nearly seventy- four years ago. He is a son of David and Nancy (McCoj 1 Wolf. The father was a native of Hawkins county, Tennessee, and was reared on a farm in that state, and there received a common school education and married there, and in an early day he made the overland journey in a wagon to Greene county, Missouri, ex|>eriencing a number of hardships en route. Here he entered forty acres from the government, which he cleared and farmed, and, prospering with the years, he added to his original holdings until he owned a fine farm of two hundred and forty acres, having cleared most of his land and improved it himself. Here he became an influential citizen. For some time he served the people of his community as justice of the peace. Early in the war between the states he joined Company E. Third

Missouri Cavalry, under Captain Thorson and Colonel Green, and served gallantly as a soldier in the Confederate army, but unfortunately took sick about the close of the war, and died in Arkansas, after having seen considerable hard service, including a number of engagements and a few of the important battles. Politically, he was a strong Democrat, and religiously he belonged to the Baptist church. The mother of the subject of this sketch was born, reared and educated in eastern Tennessee. She was a member of the Baptist church. Her death occurred at the home of our subject some thirty years ago.

To David Wolf and wife seven children were born, named as follows: Marv M., who is living in Webster county, Missouri; Martin V., of this sketch ; fames Huston, who was a soldier in the Civil war, was taken prisoner and killed: Mrs. Louisa Jane Goskill is deceased; Robert Marion, who was a soldier in the Civil war, was captured and killed; Mrs. Margaret E. Bateman lives in Webster county, this state; Lafayette Jefferson is making his home in Christian county, Missouri.

Martin V. Wolf grew to manhood on the farm and he received his education in the district schools. He joined the Confederate army in the fall of 1861, in the same regiment and company as his father - Company E, Third Missouri Cavalry, in which he served most faithfully and efficiently until the close of the war, taking part in a number of important campaigns and battles, including that of Jenkin's Ferry, and the battle of Independence, Missouri, in which he was wounded. He was with the troops that surrendered at Jackson Fort, Arkansas, where he was discharged, and about a year later he returned to the old home place, and he and his brothers ran the same for their mother until her death. Our subject then bought the farm, which consisted of one hundred and sixty acres, but later sold eighty acres. He has made a success as a general farmer and stock raiser.

Mr. Wolf was married on September 8, 1867, in Arkansas to Lydia E. Suttle. She was born in Virginia on October 20, 1845, a daughter of Edward J. and Minty ( Whitsel ) Suttle, both of whom were born in Virginia and died in Arkansas. The father was a farmer. He served a few months in the Civil war but died of measles while in the service.

To Mr. and Mrs. Wolf six children have been born, namely : Nancy M. is deceased; Mrs. Alice Jane Johnson lives in California; Mrs. Mary Susan Hooper is living in Montana: Minty M. is deceased; David E. is deceased ; William Martin is living in Greene count}'.

Politically, Mr. Wolf is a Democrat, and he is a member of the Baptist church. He has lived to see his community develop from the wilds to a fine farming section, and he is one of the most widely known men in the township.

Harry D. Durst

It is not an easy task to adequately describe the character of a man who has led an eminently active and busy life in connection with the great legal profession and who has stamped his individuality on the plane of definite accomplishment in one of the most exacting fields of human endeavor. Vet there is always full measure of satisfaction in adverting, even in a casual way, to the career of an able and conscientious worker in any line of human endeavor. Among the truly self-made and representative men of Greene county, none ranks higher than Harry D. Durst, who stands in the front rank of the bar in Springfield, and he has become a conspicuous figure in the civic life of this locality. A man of tireless energy and indomitable courage, he has won and held the unqualified esteem of his fellowcitizens. With the law as his profession from young manhood, he has won a brilliant reputation and the future gives promise of still much greater things for him.

Mr. Durst was born in Springfield, Missouri, August 2~j, 1869. He is the only child of David H. and Annie E. (Julian) Durst. He grew to manhood in his native city and received his education in the local schools, which, however, has been greatly supplemented in later years by wide reading, home study and contact with the world, until he is today an exceptionally well informed man on current affairs, as well as all phases of jurisprudence and the world's best literature. In his youth he took an apprenticeship as an iron moulder and mastered that trade before reaching his majorit}'. He was too ambitious to accomplish something worth while in the world to be contented to spend his life in the routine work of a foundry, and began studying law while working at his trade and. making rapid progress, was admitted to the bar on January 10. [892. He has since that time practiced this profession successfully, and is one of the best known lawyers in southwest Missouri. For years bis name lias been prominently connected with the important cases in all the Springfield courts, and in cases in other parts of the Ozark country. He has kept well abreast of the timein all that pertains t<> hi- profession, is not only a thorough and indefatigable student of the law. but a strong, vigorous, logical and effective advocate, earnest and eager, combining in a singular manner general equanimity and a certain nervous energy, lie always carefully studies his cases, and is therefore well prepared to try them when be enters court. He is a forceful debater, clear in his logic, convincing in his argument, courteous to bis associates and opponents, and always dignified in his deportment to the court as will as witnesses, avoiding, ris far as possible, wounding the feelings "I" anyone. He is regarded as able, reliable, honest and safe. In earlier years. Mr. Durst went to the Indian Territory when immigration was seeth-

In 1898, when the Spanish-American war broke out, Mr. Durst answered the first call for volunteers by President McKinlcy, and served as a lieutenant in Company K, Second Missouri Infantry, United States Volunteers. He is a very active member of the Spanish War Veterans, and has been twice elected judge advocate of the department of Missouri in that organization and is at present the state commander of that organization. Mr. Durst was married on January 10, 1900, to Eva Dickerson, only daughter of Jerome and Susan (Geary) Dickerson, a prominent family of Springfield, formerly of Grand Rapids, Michigan, where Mrs. Durst was born, reared and given the advantages of an excellent education. She is a lady of culture and genial address. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Durst has been blessed by the birth of three children, namely: Robert D. was graduated from the ward schools with the class of 1914; Dorothy D. and Harry Jr.

Politically, Mr. Durst is an uncompromising Democrat and has long been a worker in the interest of the party, one of the leaders of the same in southwest Missouri. He was for many years a member of the city council of Springfield, during which time he did much for the general good of the municipality. He was a candidate for Democratic nomination for G ingress in 11)14. He made a splendid campaign, but was defeated. He is a man of steadfast purpose, studious habits, gentlemanly manners and an orator of no mean ability. He has contributed of his time and means to help the cause of Democracy, and is a tireless worker for clean government, advocating honesty in politics as well as wholesome living in social and private life. He has filled numerous positions of trust with marked fidelity and with credit to his party. His broad experience, obliging disposition, his ready wit, keen intellectual discernment and unassuming personality pre-eminently qualify him for high office. His unfailing good judgment, correct sense of fairness and courage in his stand for the right in all relations of life has been proven. His frankness, his tenacity in clinging to high ideals and his indomitable fighting qualities have won the confidence and respect of a host of stanch friends who will continue to stand by him regardless of party alignment.

He is now in the prime of life, with a will and constitution that enable him to make possible his strongest professional achievements. He is possessed of the warmest sympathies and charities, is held in the highest esteem by members of the bar throughout southern Missouri, and by friends and neighbors, who entertain the profoundest regard for his character and virtues. Mr. Durst and his family are members of the St. Paul Methodist Episcopal church. South.

Robert H. Walker

A worthy example of the progressive twentieth century business man is Robert H. Walker, president of the Globe Clothing Company of Springfield, Missouri. He is one of the potent factors in the upbuilding of the greater Queen of the Ozarks. which has been forging ahead at such noticeable strides during the past decade. As in the performance of his industrial duties, he leaves the impression of his individuality on his work, in like manner and degree he impresses his associates. He delights in good companionship, and his greetings are uniform and friendly. In his ordinary relations and contacts with his fellow men he is quiet and modest ; with his intimate friends he is frank, genial and confiding. Mr. Walker's character is strong, deliberate, candid, truthful and he is punctilious in his adherence to obligations. He is a kind and generous hearted man, an inheritance his sterling father, who never turns the unhearing ear to those who should be heard, whose acts of benevolence are not performed in an ostentatious manner, but with quiet and kindness, following the Divine injunction not to let the left band know what the right hand doeth. Of Celtic blood, he has inherited many of the winning traits of that noble people.

Mr. Walker was born in Liverpool, England, December 18, 1864. He is a son of Ralph and Fanny J. (Wilson) Walker, the father born in the northern part of Ireland and the mother in the Isle of Man. It was in the historic Cloncanon House. November 2/. 1831, that the late Judge Ralph Walker first saw the light of day. lie was a member of one of the oldest families of that section of the Emerald Isle. There he grew to manhood and received excellent educational advantages, attending the preparatory schools, later Ranella College and afterwards studied in the city of Londonderry, lie immigrated to the United States in [859, locating in Philadelphia, but subsequently came on west to St. Louis to join his brother, and in the latter city he accepted a position in the office of the Adams Express Company. In 1854 he became clerk on a river steamer which plied between St. Louis and St. Paul, Minnesota, later he served in similar capacity on a steamer which plied between Louisville, Kentucky, and New Orleans, Louisiana. From [852 to [862 he was general freight and passenger agent of the Wabash Railroad Company in St. Louis. In 1862 he took over the first cargo of petroleum that was ever sent across the Atlantic ocean, returning to St. Louis in 1865 about the close of the Civil war. He came to Greene county soon thereafter, and in 1866 laid out the town of Ash Grove. lie was elected count}' judge in 1 S70. In the early seventies he performed one of his greatest services to the locality in assisting in the reorganization of the Kansas City, Fort Scott & .Memphis railroad, thus securing a new railroad for Springfield. He became one of the leaders of the count)- in public affairs, and one of the most influential and popular men of this section of the Ozark region. He served as mayor of Springfield three different times, and gave the city splendid administrations, doing much for the general welfare of the same and winning the hearty commendation of all parties. He was a leader in a number of important enterprises here for years, and his memory will long be revered by a very wide circle of friends and acquaintances. In 1859 he was married in Dublin, Ireland, to Fanny J. Wilson, a daughter of Major Henry Wilson. She is a lady of culture and strong mentality, and is now making her home in New York City. To these parents eight children were born, seven sons and one daughter, four of whom are deceased ; those living are Harry Wilson, who is a prominent newspaper man and author of New York City; Rev. Ralph J., Albert E., and Robert H., of this sketch. The death of Judge Ralph Walker occurred at Paris Springs, Lawrence county, Missouri, in July, 1907, at the age of seventy-six years, thus closing a long, useful and successful life.

Robert H. Walker was brought to America by his parents when but a child. He received a good education in the common schools and Drurv College. He began his business career by starting in the clothing business in 1880 with Jake Rothschilds, where the Holland Bank now stands, corner St. Louis street and the Public Square. Later he was in the same business with Jake Marx, then was associated with the Nathan Clothing Company on the north side of the Public Square for a period of twenty years. Three years ago he began business for himself and at the present time is president of the Clobe Clothing Company, one of the largest clothing stores in the Southwest, occupying a large and conveniently located building at the corner of South street and the Public Square, and he is enjoying a rapidlv growing business, carrying a complete and carefully selected stock of goods, standard brands of manufacture and is up to date at all seasons. He employs a large number of assistants, and courteous, prompt and honest treatment is his aim.

Mr. Walker was married in March. 1891, in Springfield, to Lottie A. Levitt, a native of Iowa, a daughter of the late Col. C. F. Levitt, for many years one of the best known and most influential Masons in the state of Missouri. Mrs. Walker was educated in the Springfield schools, having removed to this city with her parents when a child.

To Mr. and Mrs. Walker one child was born, Helen Marie Walker, whose birth occurred on December 20, 1891. She received an excellent education in the schools of Springfield and Belmont College. Nashville, Tennessee.

father and is a stanch Democrat, although he has never been active in political affairs. Fraternally, he belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Royal Arcanum lodge. Pie holds membership in the Episcopal church.

Gustavus F. Berry

Gustavus F. Berry is the president of the Berry Land and Investment Gompany at Springfield, in which connection he has a wide acquaintance throughout the Southwest. Greene county, Missouri, numbers him among her native sons, his birth having occurred on July 23, 1876, upon the farm of his father, James A. Berry, who is a native of North Carolina, born in 1843. The latter was, however, but nine years of age when, in 1852, he was brought to Greene county, Missouri, where he has since made his home, and where he has been identified with agricultural pursuits throughout the period of his manhood. On the 18th of December, 1861, he married Miss Elizabeth E. McCurdy and they became the parents of nine sons and five daughters, of whom five sons and two daughters are still living, while the parents also survive and are well known and highly respected residents of their locality.

In the country schools Gustavus F. Berry began his education, which he continued in the Southwest Baptist College at Bolivar, Missouri. He started out in the business world as a salesman for the Champion Harvester Company and subsequently represented the International Harvester Company, being thus employed for four years. He then turned his attention to the real estate business and for two years he was in the employ of the Ozark Land Company before he purchased the Berry Land and Investment Company. He now stands at the head of that concern, and as such is thoroughly informed in regard to realty values and the market conditions of real estate. What he undertakes he accomplishes, for bis energy is unfaltering and his persistency oi purpose has enabled him to overcome many difficulties and obstacles in his path. As he advances step by step there opens before him broader opportunities, and bis ready recognition of possibilities points "tit tn him the ways of success.

On the 22d of April. [902, in Springfield, Mr. Berry was united in marriage to Miss Clara Lloyd, and unto them lias been born a daughter, Hazel T. The family attends the Presbyterian church and in social circles they are well known, the hospitality of many of the best homes of the city being freely accorded them. Mr. Berry belongs to several fraternal organizations and clubs, holding membership with the Masons and Elks, with the

Springfield Club, the Country Club, anil the Young Men's Business Club. He has had military experience and training through three years' service as a member of Company K, Second Regiment of the Missouri State Guard. His political indorsement is given to the Democratic party, but, while he votes for its men and measures at the polls, he does not seek office. His primary interest is in his business, with the opportunity it gives him of providing well for his family and doing his part in the world's work.

It is a pleasure to write the biography of a man of unusual personal merit - the possessor of a combination of gifts so comprehensive that happiness and success in any enterprise is bound to follow the application of his qualities to the solution of almost any reasonable problem in life. The career of S. R. Stafford, veteran of the Civil war, a pioneer and for a long period a farmer, stock man, miller and merchant of this section of the Ozarks, would indicate that he is the possessor of those characteristics that make for success in almost any walk of life, and it also shows that he has not used these traits entirely for self aggrandizement, but that he has been a public-spirited and helpful citizen, doing what he could all along the line to promote the general welfare of the various communities in which he has resided.

Air. Stafford was born in Dallas county, Missouri, November 6, 1843, the son of a pioneer family. He grew to manhood in Dallas county, and when a boy assisted his father with the general work about the farm and blacksmith shop, attending the rural schools in the winter time. When a young man he began life for himself by trading and handling cattle and other live stock. He made several trips to California and back in the early days, taking cattle to the Western markets. When the Civil war came on he enlisted in the Federal army, serving very creditably for three years as a member of the Twenty-fourth Volunteer Infantry. He participated in numerous battles and skirmishes, including Wilson's Creek. Pea Ridge, Lone Jack and Springfield, He was honorably discharged, and soon thereafter began farming in Webster county, later working in a flouring mill, finally becoming owner of a good mill there; later he engaged in general merchandising at Hurley, Stone count)-, Missouri. Having accumulated a competency for his old age he retired from active life some time ago and is now making his home at Eureka Springs, .Arkansas.

and wife the following children were born, namely: John C. is engaged in farming near Green Forest, Arkansas; William D., deceased; Viola is the wife of L. A. Logan and they live in Hurley, Missouri ; Bertha is teaching in the Pickwick school in Springfield; Adella is the wife of R. W. Swart and they live at Crane, Missouri ; Bessie is the wife of E. M. Fite and they reside at Marionville, this state; Arch lives at Hurley, Missouri.

Bertha Stafford, mentioned above, and to whom we are indebted for this biographical data, was given good educational advantages, which she made the most of, being ambitious to do something worth while in the world. After completing the work in the common schools at Marionville, Lawrence county, she specialized in kindergarten work, after which she taught in the Marionville schools for a period of twelve years, then engaged in general merchandising for one year, but finding teaching more to her liking she came to Springfield and began teaching in the primary department of the McDaniel school, later being transferred to the Pickwick school as principal of the primary department, where she has since remained ; she is giving eminent satisfaction. As a teacher she has kept well abreast of the times in her line and is alert, painstaking, energetic and sets a commendable example before her pupils. She is an active member of the First Baptist church of Springfield and is superintendent of the junior department in the Sunday school. She is a lady of pleasing personality and has made many friends since coming to Springfield.

George W. Ferguson

The art of photography has shown wonderful development during the past decade or two, more perhaps than during all previous times since it first became known as an art. It would seem that it has attained the zenith of perfection and that the "last word'* has been said regarding photography, tint the future is not within the horoscope of mortals, and who knows hut that the coming years will reveal still greater wonders in this branch of science, (inly a cursor) glance at the modern and tastily kept studios of George W. Ferguson on South street, Springfield, Missouri, is required to show that he has kept fully abreast of the times in his vocation and that he deserves to rank in the forefront of his profession.

.Mr. Ferguson was born in Indianapolis, Indiana. April 4, 1856, lie is a sop, of Uaac and Alary E. (Harrison) Ferguson, natives of Kentucky and Indiana, respectively. After spending several years in Indianapolis the) removed to Louisville, Kentucky, and finally, in [882, the) came to Greene county, Missouri, located on a farm three miles east of Springfield, and there became well established through their industry. The mother is still living and making her home with subject. The father died about twelve years ago. They were popular with their neighbors as a result of their honesty and hospitality. They were the parents of the following children: Subject being the eldest: Sarah, who married Charles E. Lodge, of Greene county, both now deceased; Jennie, who married David Repass of Denver, Colorado; James H., deceased; John, of Fayette, Missouri, who is in the photography business; Charles, deceased; Ella (Mrs. Ross Askins), in Springfield; Dora, now Mrs. Louis Funk, of Grand Junction, Colorado.

George W. Ferguson was a small boy when he removed with bis parents from Indianapolis to Louisville, and he received his education in the schools of the latter city, including a course in the Spencerian Business College, from which he was graduated in 1876. After leaving school he engaged in the grocery business for three years, and although be was making a success as a merchant, this field seemed somewhat prosaic to one of his imagination and esthetic tastes, and he abandoned it and took up the study of photography in one of the best known photograph galleries of Louisville, where he made rapid progress and soon gave evidence of becoming exceptionally skilled in the work. Leaving the Blue Grass state in 1882, he came to Springfield and opened a gallery here. For many years his studio was on Boonville street, but later he moved in the arcade southeast of the Public Square, and finally to his present location on South street. He has thus been in the business in Springfield over thirty years, his success growing with advancing years until be has long since become known over the Ozark region, his splendid work being pronounced by those well capable to judge the same to lie inferior to none in the country, and many of his customers come from remote cities for sittings, for he has become celebrated throughout southwest Missouri for securing to sitters before the camera a natural, life-like and graceful pose, and the master hand ami thoroughly expert artist is readily seen in all his work.

Mr. Ferguson was married in [884 at Rising Sun, Indiana, to Mary Bedgood. Her death occurred in 1885 in Springfield, Missouri, leaving one son, Clarence, who is now in St. Louis, with the Frisco railroad, in the engineering department. Mr. Ferguson's second marriage was celebrated in 1888 to Louise Leetsch, of Helena, Arkansas, and to this union a son was born, Gussie, who is now at home in Springfield.

Politically, Mr. Ferguson is a Democrat and has been more or less active in party affairs. Soon after coming to Springfield he became a member of the city fire department, and his work was so well done that he was elected to every position in the company. In 1892 he was elected chief of department No. 1, and held the same for some time, taking an abiding interest in the affairs of the department and not infrequently manifesting unusual courage and presence of mind in emergencies. He was recognized as an expert fireman and had complete control of his men, whom he kept well trained ; in fact, he did as much as any one ever did to give Springfield an up-to-date and efficient fire department.

Fraternally, Mr. Ferguson is a member of Royal Arcanum Lodge No. 418, the Knights of Pythias Lodge No. 213, and the Uniform Rank No. 21, and Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He and his family are members of the Christian church.

Benjamin Franklin Dennis

The office of biography is not to give voice to a man's modest estimate of himself and his accomplishments, but rather to leave upon the record the verdict establishing his character by the consensus of opinion on the part of his neighbors and fellow citizens. The life of Benjamin Franklin Dennis, president of the Bank of Rogers ville, for many years a leading agriculturist and business man of the eastern part of Greene county, has been such as to elicit just praise from those who know him best, owing to the- fact that he has always been loyal to the trusts reposed in him and has been upright in his dealings with his fellow men, at the same time lending his support to the advancement of any cause looking to the welfare of the community at large. No man has been better known or more influential in this section of the county during the past quarter of a century or more, and yet he is a plain, easily approached and unassuming gentleman, contented to lead a quiet life and be regarded only as a good citizen.

Mr. Dennis was born near Gainesboro, Jackson count)-, Tennessee, on July 22, [839, and is therefore nearly seventy-six years of age, but is still hale and hearty and as capable a business man as ever in his career. This is all due very largely to the fact, no doubt, that he has led a well-regulated life, free from bad habits and worry. Me is a son of William R. and Sarah (Chafrm) Dennis. The father was born in North Carolina in 1813, but removed to Tennessee at an early age. where he grew to manhood and received a limited education in the pioneer schools. He was reared on a farm, but when young learned the shoemaker's and carpenter's trades, at both of which he was quite skilled, lie remained in Tennessee until 1850, when he removed with his family to Greene county. Missouri, making a tedious trip by boat and wagon and encountered considerable hardships and exciting experiences on the way. Upon reaching his destination. William R. Dennis rented a farm for three years. He did not live long to enjoy the new country, dying in January, 1853. He was twice married, his first wife dying in Tennessee. In that state he married the mother of our subject, who was born in that state in 1818, near the town of Gainesboro, Jackson county, and there she grew to womanhood and attended the old-time subscription schools, taught near her father's farm. Her death occurred in Texas in 1876.

William R. Dennis' family consisted of six children, namely : Nancy, deceased; Benjamin F., of this review; James William, deceased; Martha Jane, deceased; Narvell A., deceased; Mrs. Elizabeth Brickey lives in Newton county, Missouri.

Benjamin F. Dennis spent his early boyhood in Tennessee, being eleven years old when he removed with his family to Greene county, Missouri, and here he grew to manhood and has continued to reside for a period of nearly sixty-five years, during which he has been not only a most interested spectator to the wonderful development that has taken place here, but has played well his part in the same. He received a limited education in the early-day schools of Tennessee and Missouri, but he had by nature an inquiring and plastic mind, and eventually became a well-informed man by wide miscellaneous reading and contact with the business world, and today no one is better informed on current events in this community as well as questions of business and civic affairs. He is a fine type of the successful self-made man. He worked on the farm as a hired hand until he was eighteen years of age. In 1856 he made the long and hazardous trip across the great western plains to California and engaged in farming near Sacramento for awhile, then returned home, but went back to California a little later. However, he did not remain long, returning to Missouri in 1864, twenty-nine days of the trip being made by stage. He had numerous unusual experiences in the West and talks most interestingly of them. Mr. Dennis was successful as a man of business from the first, and he was only a young man when he purchased a farm, of two hundred acres in the eastern part of Greene county. This he managed judiciously and added to his possessions until he owned eight hundred acres of valuable, productive and desirable land. Being a man of progressive ideas. he has always kept his land well improved and under a high state of cultivation, and farmed on a general plan and raised large herds of all kinds of live stock, making a specialty of handling mules, and no small portion of his income for years was derived from this source. He has long been regarded as one of the best judges of mules, if not all kinds of live stock, in the county. On his farm is to be seen a commodious residence in the midst of attractive surroundings, and numerous substantial outbuildings - everything about the place denoting good management, thrift and prosperity, (in)

Mr. Dennis continued agricultural pursuits until three years ago, when he retired from his farm, renting his lands since then, and making his home in Rogersville, Webster county, where he has a modernly appointed and pleasant residence. He has also built several new buildings in Rogersville, and has done much toward the general material and civic improvement of the town. He has for some time been the principal factor in the Bank of Rogersville, of which he is president, and its pronounced success has been due in no small measure to his efforts. It is one of the safe and popular banks of southern Missouri. A general banking business is carried on. It is well equipped with a modern safe and other necessary furnishings, and is managed under a conservative and sound policy. It was organized in 1892, and its capital stock is $10,000.00 and $10,000.00 surplus. The other officers of the hank besides Mr. Dennis are George M. McHafne, vice-president; L. H. McHafne, cashier, and H. E. Dennis, assistant cashier. It is the second oldest bank in Webster count).

Mr. Dennis has been twice married, first, in April, 18O4, to Margaret Anne Smith, who was born in Greene county, Missouri, in 1843. and here grew tn womanhood and was educated. Her death occurred in 1876, leaving four children, all of whom survive at this writing, namely; John E.. a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work; Clara B., William A., and George F. Mr. Dennis was married a second time, in 1877, to Martha G. Ferrell, who was horn in Tennessee in 1861 and there spent her early girlhood, removing with her parents when thirteen years of age to Greene county, Missouri, and here she received a common school education and lived on the home farm until her marriage, which occurred when she was seventeen years of age. She has proven to he a faithful helpmate, is industrious, kind-hearted ami genial and. like her husband, has a host of warm friends throughout this locality.

Mr.. Dennis is the father of five children by his second wife, named as follow-,: Henry E. is assistanl cashier in the Bank of Rogersville ; Cora A. is deceased; Grover C. is engaged in the hardware business in Rogersville; Shirley V. died at the age of eighteen years; lien Elmer is at present a soldier in the regular United States army, and is stationed in California.

Mr. Dennis has traveled extensively and. being a keen observer, has profited much by what he has seen. In 1808 he was a member of the adventurous and hardy hand of prospectors that invaded the Alaska gold fields and experienced the usual hardships and privations of such an expedition, and from a financial standpoint the venture was not successful. He was absent in the rugged and picturesque Northland made famous by London, Beach. Curwood and other noted authors, about a year, returning to his farm in Greene county. But. unlike many who returned from that precarious country of the mighty Yukon, having lost their all in practically a game of chance, Mr. Dennis had plenty to return to, and despite the fact that he brought back no sacks of gold dust, is rated among the well-to-do men of Greene county, and, having honestly earned every dollar in his possession through his individual efforts, he is eminently entitled to his fortune and also to the high esteem in which he is universally held.

Politically, Mr. Dennis is an ardent Democrat and has long been influential in party affairs, although not seeking to become a political leader himself, preferring to devote his attention exclusively to his extensive business affairs and his home. Religiously he is a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and fraternally is a member of the Masonic Order, including the Knights Templars and the Ancient Orabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He stands high in all circles in which he moves, being an honest, obliging, courteous and hospitable gentleman at all times.

Ransom S. Lafollette

Some farmers seem to forget that a worn soil is a hungry soil whose breathing is difficult because its organic matter is exhausted, and whose natural mineral elements of plant food have been depleted by constant cropping - a soil that does not furnish a suitable home for the manufacturing bacteria - a soil that constantly pleads through its stunted, scrawny, half-nourished plant growth, for material with which to satisfy its hunger, and from which its bacteria may manufacture food for the support of its vegetation. One hundred bushels per acre crops are never grown on such soil, and a resort to stimulants in the form of so-called "complete fertilizers" only hastens land ruin. These things are well understood by Ranson S. LaFollette, a farmer of Pond (.'reek township, Greene county, and he has been careful to prevent his soil from becoming thin by proper rotation and fertilization and therefore his productive and well-kept place yields abundant harvest annually.

Mr. LaFollette was born on June 28. 1861, in Christian county, Missouri. He is a son of Amos M. Lafollette, who was born on March 22, 1833, in Tennessee, from which state he emigrated with his parents to Greene county, Missouri, in an early day. He grew up on the farm and received a limited education in the rural schools. After spending his boyhood days on his father's farm he began life for himself by entering forty acres of land from the government in Christian county, which he cleared and improved in a general way. When the Civil war came on he cast his lot with the Federal army, soon after the outbreak of hostilities, being a private in the Eighth Missouri Cavalry. He proved to be a gallant soldier and was promoted to the rank of corporal. He was attacked by the measles and a fever from which he had not fully recovered when he joined his regiment in a march in Arkansas, during which he took cold which resulted in his death at Devall Bluff, that state, September 1, 1863. On September 9, i860, he had married Nancy E. Blades, a daughter of R. D. Blades, Sr. She was born on August 2, 1843, in Greene county, Missouri, and her death occurred on February 25, 1863. Thus these parents died in early life within a few months of each other, thereby leaving two small children orphans, namely : Ransom S., of this sketch; and Samuel M., who lives in Greene county on a farm. The father was a Republican, and belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church.

When eighteen months old Ransom S. LaFollette was taken into the home of his Grandfather Blades where he grew to manhood and remained until reaching his majority. He received his education in the common schools of Greene county. He began life for himself by renting one of his grandfather's farms, which he operated two years, then rented another place for a year. His grandfather gave him and his brother fifty-five acres, which they operated in partnership until our subject bought the interest of his brother, and he lived on this place for seventeen years, when he sold out and moved to his present farm of one hundred and twenty acres, which he has placed under excellent improvements and he has a good home. He carries on general farming and stock raising.

Mr. Lafollette was married on October 1, 1882, to Sophronia Fountain, who was born in 1858 at Granby, Xewton county. Missouri. She grew up on a farm and received a common school education. When a young man Mr. Fountain learned the blacksmith's trade which he followed a number of years, but devoted his later life to farming. Politically, he was a Republican, and he belonged to the Missionary Baptist church. His death occurred on March 1. 1883. His wife, who was Sarah Crickrrmr before her marriage, died on July 1, 1902, having survived him nearly twenty years.

Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. LaFollette, namely: One died in infancy: Ella married C. T. Dean and they live on a farm in northwestern Kansas: Mattie is the wife of R. R. Brown and they live on a farm in Greene county; Florence is the wife of Joe Bell, a farmer of northwestern Kansas; Marion H. is at home; Pearl is teaching school in Pond Creek township, this county: Grace is attending high school in Billings. - Politically, Mr. LaFollette is a Republican and has long been more or less active in the work of the party in his community. For a period of six years he tilled very ably and successfully the office of justice of the peace in Pond Creek township. Fraternally, he is a member of the Woodmen lodge at Billings. He belongs to the Methodist Protestant church, in which he has been a director at different times.

The desire to be remembered is inherent in the human race, hence the necessity for biographical and memorial works of the nature of the one in hand. Dr. James Edwin Dewey, who is a distant relative of Admiral George Dewey, one of America's greatest naval heroes, is a descendant of a long line of French ancestry, many of his progenitors having been men of prominence. History shows that the ancient Deweys were compelled to flee from France, owing principally to ecclesiastical and political reasons. The}- accordingly established homes in England, and subsequently one of the number, William Dewey, immigrated to America, landing at Dorchester. Massachusetts, in the year 1650. He was one of the older members of the English colony of that name, and from him descended the numerous families of Deweys in the United States at present. He had five sons, who dispersed to various localities, establishing homes. From one of them our subject is descended. They remained in the Atlantic states for some three centuries, finally penetrating to the Middle West and the plains beyond the Father of Waters, our subject's immediate family locating in the state of Kansas.

Dr. James E. Dewey was born near Stockton, Kansas, November 1, 1879. He is a son of Charles Holt Dewey and Mary E. (Lyon) Dewey. The latter was a native of western New York. The father was one of the early pioneers of Stockton, Kansas, and there has become well to do through farming and other business operations, and is a well known and influential man in that locality, and although he is now sixty years of age is still an active man of affairs. The mother is also still living. Dr. Samuel C. Dewey, our subject's paternal grandfather, spent his life in the practice of medicine in Iowa and Wisconsin, principally in the town of Fairbanks, Iowa.

To Charles H. Dewey and wife a son and two daughters were born, namely: Dr. James Edwin, of this sketch; Marion, who is single and is still with her parents at Stockton, Kansas; and Mrs. Gertrude Welch, who resides at Coffeyville, that state.

Dr. James E. Dewey grew to manhood on the home farm in the Sunflower state and there he assisted his father with the general work when he became of proper age, and in the winter time he attended the public schools in his vicinity, later took the course of study at the Stockton Academy, after which he entered the Rush Medical College in Chicago in 1899, and was graduated from that institution with the class of 1903. Soon thereafter he came to Springfield, Missouri, where he began the practice of his profession and has remained to the present time with ever-increasing success. He was house surgeon at the Frisco Hospital here for a period of three years, filling this responsible position in a manner that reflected much credit upon his ability as a surgeon and to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. He is now making a specialty of genito-urinary diseases. He has spent considerable time in post-graduate work in Chicago and Philadelphia, and is now well prepared for his special line of practice.

Doctor Dewey is a member of the Greene County Medical Society, the Missouri State Medical Association, the American Medical Association, is an honorary member of the Lawrence-Stone Medical Society, and the Southwest Missouri Medical Society. Fraternally he belongs to the Modern Woodmen and the Knights of Columbus. Politically he is a Democrat, and in religious matters a Roman Catholic.

Doctor Dewey was married to Estella Whaley, of a well family of Springfield where she was long popular with the best social circles. She was a native of Mt. Vernon, Missouri. She was summoned to an untimely grave on November 17, 191J. The union of Doctor Dewey and wife was without issue.

Our subject is a young man of genial address and is well liked by all who know him, having made a host of friends since coming to the Queen City of the Ozarks.

Samuel L. Eslinger

It is in such countries as the United States that full swing can be given t<> the energies of the individual. A man may choose any business or profession lie desires, and be is limited only by competition. lie must meet the skill of others and give as good service as they or he will not get the positions, will not attain a place in the front ranks of the men of affairs. Such adaptation to any work or business is will shown in the career of Samuel L. Eslinger. vice-president of the Springfield Bakery Company. He has turned his hand to various tilings and proved that there were more than one occupation which he could make successful.

Mr. Eslinger was born on June 18, [866, al Sullivan, Sullivan county, Indiana. He is a son of James E. Eslinger, who was born in Tennessee, from which state he removed to Indiana when a young man, learned the carpenter's trade and he ha-- devoted his active life to carpentering, contracting and building houses, bridges, etc. lie is now living in retirement in Sullivan county, Indiana, having attained the advanced age of eightythree years. Politically he is a Republican. He is a member of the Christian church, lie has always been a <|uiet, unassuming home man, one who attends strictly to his own affairs. lie married Elizabeth Allen, who was born and reared in Kentucky. Her death occurred thirty-nine years ago, in 1876 when she was a comparatively young woman. To these parents three children were born, namely : Gus and Thomas are farming in Sullivan county, Indiana; and Samuel L. of this sketch.

William Eslinger, paternal grandfather of our subject, was a resident of Tennessee in the early days of that state, finally removed to Sullivan county, Indiana, where he spent the rest of his life, reaching the unusual age of ninety-eight years. For main- years he was a large planter in Tennessee and owned many slaves. He was also interested in river commerce.

Samuel L. Eslinger grew to manhood in his native county and there he received a common school education, also attended school in Shelby county, Indiana. He was ten years old at the death of his mother, and soon thereafter he went to live with his uncle, Capt. T. M. Allen, with whom he remained until he was thirteen years old. He then came to Springfield, Missouri, with his uncle, and here, in 1885 he entered the retail grocery business for himself in the five hundred block on Boonville street, renting a room there the second day he was in Springfield. Although he started out on a very small scale, he managed well and soon had an increasing trade and finally his quarters were outgrown and he moved a block farther north on the same street in more commodious quarters, occupying a store fifty by one hundred feet, and here he remained for some twenty years, enjoying a large and lucrative business, ranking among the leading grocers of the city. Some idea of the gain in his sales may be had when we learn that his first day's sales in the grocery business in Springfield amounted to only two dollars, and when he sold out in 1907 his last day's sales totalled nearly two hundred dollars. He first entered the bakery business in 1905, in the Springfield Bakery Company, of which lie is now vice-president and with which he has been connected for ten years during which period he has been the principal motive force and has assisted in making it one of the largest and most successsful enterprises of its kind in the state. He has been a large stockholder in the same all the while. An article regarding this concern will be found on another page of this work. Our subject is actively engaged at the company's large plant, taking care of the shipping end of the business. He has been very successful in a business way and owns considerable property, including a valuable residence on North Jefferson street.

Politically, Mr. Eslinger is a Republican, and has been active in party affairs for some time. For two years he was a member of the city council. Fraternally he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is a member of the Springfield Club, and belongs to Grace Methodist Episcopal church.

Mr. Eslinger was married first to Belle Lippman, a daughter of Jacob Lippman. This union was without issue. He subsequently married Clara Dan forth, a daughter of Joseph Danforth, of Greene county, Missouri.

Leonard D. Eslinger is now twelve years of age. Our subject's present wife was known in her maidenhood as Lula Knotts, daughter of Col. Robert Knotts. This union has been without issue.

Dudley Cass

Cass was formerly spelled Casse. It is said to have been derived from the name of a Celtic tribe or class located in what is now central France, bordered by ancient Germany and ancient Britain. These people lived in the latter country at the time of the invasion of Julius Caesar, when he led his Roman legions to the far north. The tribe located on the banks of the Thames river, and fruitlessly resisted the Roman invaders. The tribe continued to reside in England for centuries until some of those bearing the name immigrated to America in the early Colonial period and from them the present numerous family of Cass in the United States descended. We first have definite record of John Cass, who was an English Puritan by birth, born at St. Alban, England, date not known, but he emigrated from that country to America in 1640, locating at Hampton, Xew Hampshire. The lineage of the subject of this sketch may be traced directly to him, back nearly four centuries. Records show that he married Martha Philbrick in July, 1647, that he died April 7. 1675, al11' tllat his family consisted of the following children: Joseph, born in 1656; Samuel, horn in 1659; Mary, born about [66] : Jonathan, born in 1663, and who died in 1745. was the next in line of our subject's progenitors; Elizabeth, horn in 1666; Marcy, born in 1668; Martha, born in 1669; Abigail, horn in 1674; and Ebenezer, born in 1676. The great-grandfather of our subject was Mason Cass, and the grandfather was ('apt. Mason (ass, Jr., who was born at Spring, New Hampshire, May 24, 1751. and died at Alexandria, Xew Hampshire. October 15, 1777.

Mas,, n (ass. father of our subject, was born at Alexandria, Grafton county. Xew Hampshire, in 1 788, but he moved to Xew York state when young, located near Syracuse where he spent the rest of his life. He was a carpenter by trade, also engaged in farming, and for some time was a manufacturer of coffins. At the time of the breaking out of the war of i8;2 he lived in Canada and, being an American, was forced to leave that country. In 1810 he married Mary Merrell, who was born in Kndfield, Vermont, in 1793. She was ,,f Scotch-Irish descent. Her death occurred at Sheboygan, Wisconsin, in [884, at an advanced age, and there she was buried. I lis death occurred at Chenango, Xew York, in 1837, forty-seven

Dudley Cass was born on March 21, 1811, in Xew Hampshire. He grew to manhood in the East and received a common school education. He worked with his father until the hitter's death, and thus learned to be both a carpenter and farmer. He then moved to the state of Wisconsin, making the long journey, through wilderness a large part of the way, on horseback, in 1840, when Wisconsin was still in the wilds and little improved. He located at what is now the town of Salem, where he purchased a farm which he conducted until 1873, successfully engaged in general farming and stock raising. He was one of the early pioneers of the state, and was a man of much courage and force of character, a man whom hardship could not conquer. He cleared and developed his land by hard and persistent work, in due time establishing a comfortable home. He was a stanch Democrat, and, taking a leading part in political affairs, was for some time a member of the general assembly of Wisconsin. He was for four years president of the fair association in his county. He held many county offices in Wisconsin, in fact, was active in public affairs all his mature life, was known throughout the Badger state, and did much for its early development. He remained in that state until 1873 when he removed to Springfield, Missouri, and here engaged in the grocery business with his son, Lewis Cass. They started in with a capital of only live hundred dollars, locating their store on Campbell and College streets. They managed well, dealt honestly and courteously with their customers and, increasing their stock from time to time as they prospered, became one of the largest grocery merchants in this city, and at the time of his death our subject was considered one of the wealthy men of Springfield. A part of his competency was gained through judicious and extensive speculation in real estate.

Dudley Cass was married in 1835 to Martha L. Robbins, who was born on March 4, 1816, at Deerfield. Massachusetts. She was reared in the East and received her education in the common schools. She came of a sterling old Xew England family, and she was a woman of many praiseworthy attributes, and she proved to he a most suitable helpmeet for her husband, her sympathy and counsel contributing much to his success in life. Her death occurred on October 13. 1894. The death of Dudley Cass occurred ten years previously, on October 28, 1884.

Politically Dudley Cass was an ardent Democrat all his life. Fraternally he belonged to the Masonic order. He was a member of the Baptist church and a large contributor to its support. While living in Wisconsin he and three other men alone supported the church of this denomination in his community.

born on November 3, 1837. in the state of New York, died June 12, 1906; in early life he was a school teacher, later engaged in the grocery business in Springfield, as noted above, with his father; he married Charlotte Collier, who was burn in the state of New York, June 14, 1839, and died in March, 1897; sne was a daughter of John and Ann Collier, natives of Buckingham, England. To Louis S. Cass and wife, who were married on September 17, 1862, seven children were born. Thressa A., second child of Dudley Cass and wife, was born on September zj, 1844, at Syracuse, New York, and she was nine months old when her parents took her to Sheboygan, Wisconsin ; there she grew to womanhood and received her education in the common and high schools, later took a course in the Seminary at Evanston, Illinois. She is a well-educated, cultured and affable lady, who preferred to remain unmarried in order that she might devote her active life to the care of her parents in their declining years. She is a devout member of the Baptist church, in which she was a Sunday school teacher for many years. She resides in Springfield in a comfortable and neatly kept home, and it is to her that we are indebted for the data in this sketch of this interesting family. Kimball K., the youngest of the three children born to Dudley Cass and wife, first saw the light of day on April 20. 1846, in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, where he grew up, and he has devoted his life to agricultural pursuits, living now in retirement at Bristol, Wisconsin.

Robert A. Kirkpatrick

It is an unwritten law that the secret of success in life in all individual cases is the common property or heritage of all unfortunates of the human race. It is therefore eminently proper for the historian or delineator of characer to review the lives of those individuals who have not only been successful in the various enterprises in which they have engaged, but as citizens and neighbors have won the lasting regard oi all. Robert A. ECirkpatrick, an expert machinist, who is now timekeeper at the north side Frisco slij >ps, Springfield, is deserving of the admiration ol his friends in view oi the fact that he has made a success in life through his individual efforts and despite obstacles, having come to our shore- from a foreign strand without influential friends or capital, ami began his career in a land where everything was quite different to what he had been used to in bis earlier years.

a school under the auspices of the Presbyterian church. When twenty years of age he set sail for America, landing in due time in New York City. Penetrating into the interior, he located at Columbus, Ohio, where he worked at the machinist's trade for rive years, then went to Keokuk, Iowa, where he followed his trade two years. From there he went to Mount Vernon, Illinois, where he worked as machinist six or seven years, then came to Springfield, Missouri, and secured employment at once in the Frisco's north side shops, where he has remained to the present time. He had a natural taste and talent for his trade, and has given eminent satisfaction to the various companies for which he has worked. After following his trade a number of years here he was promoted to the position of timekeeper, which he still holds. He is regarded as one of the trustworthy and faithful employees of this plant.

Mr. Kirkpatrick was united in marriage in Keokuk, Iowa, with Julia E. Mills, who was a native of Southampton, England, from which country she immigrated to the United States with her parents when five or six years old, and here she grew to womanhood and received her education. The Mills family lived for a number of years in Keokuk.

To Mr. and Mrs. Kirkpatrick seven children were born, three of whom died in infancy; those who grew to maturity are: Harry, who resides at Thayer, Missouri ; Nellie, to whom we are indebted for the data for this biography, is one of Springfield's popular teachers; she grew to maturity in this city and received an excellent education in the ward and high schools, graduating from the latter with the class of 1897. and in 1910 she was graduated from the local State Normal. She began teaching two years after graduating from high school, and tor a period of nine years taught in the Waddill school, doing extension and summer work at the normal school during vacations. After teaching in the second, fifth and sixth grades she was made principal of the Bowerman school in 1908, which responsible position she still holds. She has always been a close student and has kept fully abreast of the times in all that pertains to her work; that she has given the highest satisfaction is indicated by the fact that she has been retained so long in Waddill and Bowerman schools. She is a lady of pleasing personality and is popular with her pupils. Dimple Kirkpatrick, sixth of our subject's children, was the wife of James Sawyer, and her death occurred in [Qio; Virginia, youngest of the children, is the wife of W. S. Nelson, and they reside at Cleburne. Texas.

Politically, Mr. Kirkpatrick is a Republican, and fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, having passed the chairs in the local lodge of the same, and he is also a member of the Masonic order. He and his wife are active members of the First Congregational church, in which he has been trustee and in which she is deaconness. They have both long been influential in the affairs of this church and are highly regarded by all who know them.

John Rosback

John Rosback, veteran harness maker, and for thirty years a resident of Springfield, was born on January 15, 1844, in the River Rhine country, Germany. He was a son of Peter and Magdalene Rosback, both natives of Germany, where they grew to maturity, attended school and were married. They continued to reside in their native land until 1S52, when they immigrated to the United States, and for many years lived at Springfield, Illinois, where the mother of our subject died, after which the father remarried and in January, 1879, came to Springfield, Missouri, where he spent the rest of his life, dying some thirty-four years ago. While living in Springfield, Illinois, he was employed by the Wabash Railroad Company. His family consisted of three children, namely: Margaret, who died in Memphis, Tennessee; John, of this sketch; and Fred, who makes his home in Benton Harbor, Michigan.

John Rosback was eight years old when his parents brought him to America. He grew to manhood in Springfield, Illinois, and there received a common school education, and when a boy learned the saddle maker's trade, which he made his life work and in which he became an exceptionally skilled workman. He worked at this trade fifty-six years. When he first came to Springfield, Missouri, he worked as foreman at the old Moore Saddlery concern, then worked for the Steineger Saddlery Company as foreman for fifteen years. He was next employed by the Herman Sanford Saddlery Company, continuing as foreman for this firm until his death. He gave eminent satisfaction in the three linns mentioned above and did much toward making each successful. He was not only thoroughly familiar with every phase of the business, but was a man of good executive ability. sound judgment and foresight, and knew how to handle hi- men so as to get the best results possible and at the same time retain their good will and friendship. He was an artist at stamping leather and made many beautiful designs in leather work.

Mr. Rosback was married on October 9, [865, in Springfield, tllinois, to Louise Pletz, who was born near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, February 3, 1S44. She is a daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Witce) Pletz, both natives of Pennsylvania, where they grew up. attended school and were married. Later in life they removed to Springfield, Illinois, where they spent the rest of their lives and died there. Mr. Pletz was a shoemaker by trade and an accomplished workman. Mrs. Rosback was a small child when her parents removed with her from Pennsylvania to Springfield, Illinois, and there she grew to womanhood and received her education.

Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Rosback, namely: Ira, born on August 23, 1866, is a candy maker and lives in Chicago; Oscar, born on August 12, 1870, is engaged in the harness business on West Walnut street, Springfield, Missouri, and resides on South Market street ; he married Flora McClure, a representative of an old family of Greene county. Frank E., born on November 9, 1875, lives in this city and is engaged in the clothing business; John, born on April 2, 1879, died when a small boy.

Politically, Mr. Rosback was a Republican. He belonged to the Masonic order and the Order of the Eastern Star. In his earlier life he took an active interest in Masonry and always tried to live by its high and noble precepts, which constituted his daily religion, and for this reason he was known as a man of exemplary character.

The death of Mr. Rosback occurred after a brief illness on November 6, 1914, at the cozy family residence on South Jefferson street, where he had resided sixteen years. He was seventy-one years of age. Mrs. Rosback is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and is known as a neighborly, kind and hospitable woman who has a very wide circle of friends.

William Riley Self

Among the professional and public men of Springfield and Greene county the name of William Riley Self occupies a conspicuous position. In his earlier years he was a successful banker, later popular politician and servant of the people, and for many years he has ranked among the leading lawyers of this section of the state. When in court he is prepared; if he fails and must go higher, or if he wins and is forced up, he leaves no weak or broken links in the chain that begins where he starts and ends where he must go. As an advocate he may not have the fascinations and gifts that "universities can bestow," or the poet's blooming fancy, or the "fine phrensy" of passionate declamation. We know that the dangerous brilliancy of genius may attract, and the melody of eloquent words may charm for the moment, but the voice of reason, the sturdy legal sense, the plain language, the stern, unerring logic of the law, which are a strong part in the contentious force of Mr. Self, are powerful weapons in the hands skilled in the use of them.

was born in Dallas county on January 26, 1839. His father, one of the first settlers of that county, emigrated from Tennessee in pioneer days; in fact, was among the very first settlers. The mother of our subject was born in Georgia in 1844. her parents having been natives of that state. She was young in years when she came to Dallas count}-, Missouri, and there she married William J. Self, and died on the home farm near Buffalo, in July, [863, and there the father of our subject is still living. He has devoted his life to general farming and stock raising, is one of the well known and esteemed citizens of that county. During the Civil war he enlisted in 1S61, in the Fifteenth Missouri Cavalry, and served three years in the Union army in a gallant and faithful manner, being honorably discharged during the latter part of the war. His family by his second marriage consists of three children, namely: James H.. who is engaged in the hardware business at Crowell, Texas; Francis M. is a banker at Buffalo, Missouri; and William K.. of this sketch.

Mr. Self, of this review, grew to manhood on the home farm in his native county and there he worked hard when a bow and received a common school education in the district schools, later attended the Buffalo high school, then took a scientific course at the Valparaiso University at Valparaiso, Indiana, from which institution he was graduated in 1887, having made an exceptionally good record and was president of his class. Returning to Buffalo. Missouri, he began reading law in the office of Thomas .M. Brown, with whom he remained until he was admitted to the bar in 1X88, but be did not begin the practice of bis profession at once, entering the banking business in Buffalo instead, becoming cashier of the Dallas County Hank, holding that position from 1890 until 1897 to tin- satisfaction of the stockholders and patrons of the bank. Taking an active interest in politics, be was elected on the Republican ticket to the lower house of the Legislature from Dallas county in iNo_>, serving one term. On June 30, 1X07. he located in Springfield, where he lias since made his home, practicing law without a partner all the while. He was elected city attorney in April, 1902, and served in this office until April, 1904, then was elected representative from Greene county to the Legislature, serving one term of two years. He was elected prosecuting attorney of Greene count}- in [906 and served one term of two years. As a public servant he gave in all these offices the highest grade of service, his ability, fidelity and honesty and unquestioned public spirit, winning not only the hearty commendation of his constituents, but of all concerned. He is now engaged in the active practice of the law. maintaining an office at 304^ College street. He is vice-president of the Bank of Greene County, located in Springfield.

to Frances E. Bost, who was born in central Illinois, November 17, 1862. She received a common school education, later attended high school and the University of Valparaiso. The union of our subject and wife has been without issue.

Air. Self has been loyal to the Republican party since attaining his majority, lie is a member of the South Street Christian church, of which he is an elder, and is also Sunday school superintendent, and takes an abiding interest in church and Sunday school work. His record from boyhood up has been that of a scrupulously honest, conservative and safe man in business, professional and public affairs and he has ever enjoved the implicit confidence and the good will of all with whom he has come in contact.

Robert Minto

One of the best-known railroad men of Springfield during the past generation was the late Robert Minto, who maintained his residence in Greene county for a period of nearly three decades, during which time he formed a very wide acquaintance and was rated among our best citizens, and his unfortunate death occasioned wide-spread regret. Like all men of positive character and independence of mind, he was outspoken in what he considered right, and his convictions were such that his neighbors and fellow citiztn> knew well his position on all questions of a political, social or religious nature. His private life was exemplary and his amiable disposition and many virtues made him widely popular.

Air. Minto hailed from England and he was the possessor of the many admirable traits of the great Anglo-Saxon people. His birth occurred in Durham, England, June 22, 1853, but he spent practically all of his life in America, having been but six months old when he was brought to the United States by his parents, Thomas and Sarah Minto, both of whom were born, reared, educated and married in Durham, England, the birth of the father having occurred in 1830 and the mother was born in 1831. Thomas Minto was educated for a bookkeeper in which he became quite expert. After immigrating to America the latter part of the year 1853 he became a mine owner in Illinois, but while he remained in his native land he followed mercantile pursuits. He is now living in retirement on a fine farm near Shelbyville, Illinois, having accumulated a comfortable competency through his good management. He has reached his eighty-fifth year. His wife also attained a ripe old age, and was called to her eternal rest at the homestead at Shelbyville in 191 3. Politically he is a Republican, and belongs to the Masonic order. He is a grand old man and is highly respected in his community.

Twelve children were born to Thomas and Sarah Minto, but only two survive at this writing, namely: Elizabeth, Thomas, Robert (subject); Clement, are all deceased ; Henry lives in Cleveland, Ohio, and Mrs. Bertha Cook still makes her home in Shelbyville, Illinois; the other six children died in infancy or early life.

Robert Minto spent his earl}- childhood in Alton, Illinois, where his parents resided until he was about ten years old. He received his education in the schools of Shelbvville, that state, and by wide home reading in later life. He was married in Shelbvville on December 24, 1874, to Annie Lane, who was born in Ohio. February 27, 1857. She is a daughter of Marcus D. and Colista (Benadum) Lane, both natives of Baltimore, Ohio, the birth of the father having occurred in 1833, and that of the mother in 1834. There thev grew to maturity and received good educations. Mr. Lane followed teaching and became a well-known educator in Shelbyville, Illinois, and there his death occurred in 1880, and there his widow, now advanced in years, is still living, having survived him thirty-four years. To Mr. and Mrs. Lane thirteen children were born, nine of whom are still living. Mrs. Minto grew to womanhood in Shelbyville, Illinois, and there received a good education.

To Mr. and Mrs. Minto one child was born, Robert Minto, Jr., whose birth occurred in Shelbyville. Illinois, October 11, 1880. There he spent his early childhood, being six years of age when he removed with his parents to Springfield, Missouri, where he grew up and was educated. He married Belle Keet in Springfield. They now reside in Kansas City, Missouri, and to their union two children have been born, namely: Virginia Lane, and Robert Keet.

Robert Minto, of this memoir, first began his railroad career in Beardstown, Illinois, soon after his marriage, as brakeman on the Baltimore & Ohio, later was promoted to freight conductor on this road. He removed with his family t< > Springfield. Missouri, in 1886, and went to work as freight conductor on the Kansas City, Fort Scott & Memphis Railroad, which is now operated under lease by the Frisco System. His run was from Springfield to Thayer and that continued to be his run until his death. He could have become passenger conductor but preferred to remain on a freight train. He performed his duties most faithfully and stood high in the estimation of the company and his fellow employees.

'fhe death of Mr. Minto at St. Joseph's Hospital, Springfield, on June 13, 1914, was the result of an unfortunate accident at Cabool, Missouri, while un his regular run. He was injured while assisting in unloading freight, receiving a severe blow on the head: however, he lingered for seven weeks before death came to his relief. He was sixty-one years of age, and had been a resident of Springfield twenty-eight years, during which time he had been a freight conductor on the Ozark division continuously.

Politically, Air. Minto was a Republican. He belonged to the Masonic order and to the Order of Railway Conductors. Religiously he held membership with the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he was an active worker, and was a trustee of one of the local churches for a period of twenty years, and was one of the most active and influential members of the congregation that built the Daly Methodist church in this city. When such men are removed from any community their loss can not but be keenly felt for a longf time to come.

Isaac Newton Smith

In many respects the career of the late Isaac Newton Smith, for a period of thirty years one of the progressive business men of Springfield, is peculiarly instructive in that it shows what a well defined purpose, supplemented by correct principles and high ideals, can accomplish when rightly and intelligently applied, even in the face of obstacles. A native of the Hoosier state, he spent the major portion of his life in Missouri, where he devoted over thirty years to the insurance business and became one of the most efficient and widely known insurance men in the southern part of the state. The last days of his busy career were devoted, in a large measure, to the promoting of the electric railway between Springfield and Toplin and he was president of this company. But he was a man who was not only noted for his large success in material affairs, having found time to take an active interest in church work and was one of the most potent members of the Presbyterian denomination in this section of the state. In short, he was a successful, useful and honorable man and his record might be studied with profit l>v many.

Mr. Smith was born, February 27, 1847, in Miami count}', Indiana. He was a son of George and Rosa (Dilsaver) Smith, the father a native of Virginia and the mother was born in Ohio, and there she grew to womanhood. George Smith was brought to Ohio by his parents when he was a child and grew up in that state and he and his wife were educated in the rural subscription schools and were married and established their home, but later removed to Miami county, Indiana, on a farm and devoted their lives to agricultural pursuits. Their family consisted of twelve children, three of whom are still living.

Isaac N. Smith grew up on the farm and he had little chance to obtain an education, but improved such as he had and in later life became a well informed man through contact with the world and much home reading; in fact, he was a fine sample of the self-made man for which America is noted. He left home when about seventeen years old. being compelled to make his own way. He was ambitious to go through school and obtain a high education, but the opportunity never presented itself. At the age of nineteen he came to St. Louis where he worked at different employments in order to get a start, later became a bridge builder. Then he came to Webster county, this state, purchasing a farm near Marshfield, and while operating this he studied architecture and made some advancement, drawing plans for buildings and in the general preliminary work of an architect. About thirtytwo years ago he went into the insurance business and this proved to be his chief life work. He started at Marshfield and remained there until 1S84, when he removed to Springfield, continuing the same business. He was with the Mutual Life all the while, and he was district manager of this company the rest of his life. He was very successful from the first and the company regarded him as one of their most faithful, industrious and trustworthy employees. About twenty years ago he received a handsome cup, given by the company, for writing the must insurance in a given period. This was won over hundreds of competitors and it allows his ability in this field of endeavor. At the time of his death he was president of the new traction line between Springfield and Joplin and was doing much to make the project a success; in fact, his close application in this enterprise hastened the closing of his earthly career.