Greene County, Missouri - Biographical sketches, 1915 (part 5 of 29)

Mr. Drury was born September 17, 1878, at Chicago Junction, Ohio. He is a son of M. J. and Mary (Cook) Drury, the former a native of England and the latter of Wesl Virginia. M. J. Drury was born in May, 1849. He spent his earlier years in his native land and received a good common school education, but was young when he came to the United State-. He has spent his life in railroad service. He served his apprenticeship at Parkersburg, West Virginia, in the shops of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company. Later he went to Kansas and was general foreman at Parsons in the shops of the Missouri. Kansas & Texas Railroad Company, from 1880 until 1886, after which he was gang foreman until 1892 for the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad Company, was general foreman for this road at La Junta, < Colorado, until 1895. From that year until 1902 he was general foreman at Arkansas City, Kansas, for the same road, and from 1902 to 1906 he was master mechanic for the same road at Winslow, Arizona. He then was master mechanic for about a year at Raton, New Mexico, for the same road, and from 1907 to 1912 he was mechanical superintendent at La Junta, Colorado, and since then has been at his present location, Topeka, Kansas, as superintendent of shop. The mother of the subject of this sketch died in January, 1907.

Charles J. Drury, who was the only child of M. J. Drury and wife, received his education in the schools of Kansas City, Missouri ; Topeka, Kansas, and La Junta, Colorado, attending the high school in the last named place, lie entered railway service July I, 1895, from which time until July 1, 1909, he was machinist apprentice for the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe railroad, at Atchison, Kansas. After serving his four years there he was, until July 1, 1900, machinist for the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe railroad, Southern Pacific Company, Kansas City Southern railway, El Paso & Southwestern railroad, Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific railroad and other roads. From July 1, 1906, to July 1, 1908, he was roundhouse foreman of the Santa Fe at La Junta. Colorado. From November, 1908, to September, 1910, he was general foreman of the same road at Albuquerque, New Mexico. From September 1, 1910, to April 1, 191 1, he was master mechanic on the Oklahoma division of the same road at Arkansas City, Kansas. From April 1, 191 1, until January. 1913, he was master mechanic of the Plains division of that road at Amarillo, Texas. From January, 1913, until July of the same year he was general foreman for the St. Louis & San Francisco railroad at Fort Smith, Arkansas, and from that date until July, i<;i4^ he was general foreman in the Springfield shops of this company, and at his death was master mechanic of the machine shops at Sapulpa, of the < >klahoma division. He was a master of his special line of work and made a fine record in the responsible position which he held as he did in all previous positions. His death occurred October 19, 1914, as a result of typhoid fever.

Air. Drury was married, in February, 1903. in San Francisco, California, to Julia McKenry, who was born in Wisconsin, in August, 1880. She is a daughter of William and Mary McKenry, who reside in Wisconsin.

Five children, four of whom are still living, have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Drury, namely: Mary, born December 25, 1904, died in January, 1908; Florence, born March 11, 1907; Jack, born \ugust 17, 1909; Charles, born March 13, 1910; Frances, born January 12, 1913.

Io96 Greene County, Missouri Arthur Lafayette Whitlock

This is the age of the expert. In every walk of life there is an insistent demand for the man who has made a particular study of one thing, whether it be in science, medicine, architecture, agriculture, horticulture, or, in fact, any other field of human endeavor. In the few short years, however, that the soil expert has been a recognized factor in the success of American agriculture, he has demonstrated beyond dispute that he is. of all the experts, the most valuable, for, upon him. as upon no one else, depends the success or failure of America's most important citizen, the farmer. There are some who cling to their old-fashioned methods and ideas and refuse to heed the advice of the expert, all to their own detriment. But such progressive farmers as Arthur Lafayette Whitlock, of Franklin township, Greene county, avail themselves of the advice of the expert and, in fact, utilize all practical information regarding their vocations and are therefore making a success as general farmers.

Air. Whitlock was bom .March 27. 1870, in the above named township and county, lie is a son of Lambert L. and Mary J. ( Harkness) Whitlock. The father was born in Tennessee, April 23, [832. He was a son of Thomas J and Elizabeth Ann (Montgomery) Whitlock. Thomas J. Whitlock was a native of North Carolina, from which state he emigrated to Tennessee, and finally came on to Greene county. Missouri, in [832, when Lambert L. was six months old. Thomas J. located on a farm here among the early pioneers and became an influential citizen. He devoted his entire life to general farming and stock raising and. being a man of rare judgment and industry, accumulated much wealth, was one of the largest land owners in this county. lie was the possessor of a number of fine farms at the time of his death. He was associated with C. P.. Holland in the horse and mule business in Springfield for some time, and before the Civil war it was his custom to buy up large herds of live stock and drive them to the South where be disposed of them at a good profit. During the gold rush to the California Eldorado, Thomas J. Whitlock joined the throng that crossed the great plains of the west in [849 and remained on the Pacific coast two years. Upon returning home he sent his sons, Lambert L. and Samuel T. to California with a drove of cattle and they drove them across the plains succi fully. At one time. Thomas J. Whitlock owned sixteen slaves, for whom he refused an offer of sixteen thousand dollars. Pie was a man of charitable. hospitable and liberal impulses, and was a power for good in his community. Everybody admired him and respected him. His advice was Frequently sought on various questions. IPs death occurred in Greene county at the advanced age of eighty-four Avars. His wife, who was also a native of Tennessee, died in this county at a ripe old age. During the war of the

Thomas .T. Whitxock

Rebellion, Thomas J. Whitlock owned and operated a grist mill at Marshfield, Webster county, also owned and operated a grist mill and a saw-mill in Greene county. He was identified with nearly evcr_\' enterprise that bad for its object the upbuilding and advancement of the county in any way. He was widely known, a good mixer, made and retained friends easily and was loyal in Ids friendships. He bad no superiors and few equals among tbe pioneers as a business man and public-spirited citizen.

Lambert L. Whitlock grew to manbood on his father"s farm, in tbe development of which be bad a band, making himself useful during the crop seasons, and during the winter attending tbe township schools; he was a lifelong farmer and stock man. inheriting many of tbe sterling characteristics of his fatber. He became owner of one hundred and sixty acres of excellent land and was one of the best general farmers in his township, and with the exception of two years spent in California, be lived his entire life within three miles of the homestead where the family located when be was a child. Politically, he was a Democrat. He belonged to the Cumberland Presbyterian church, in which he was a deacon for many years. His death occurred on the home farm January 4, 1906, at the age of seventy- four years, after a successful and honorable life. During tbe Civil war he served in the militia. His wife, Mary J. Harkness, born December 23. 1832, in Tennessee, came to Greene county, when twelve years old, where she grew to womanhood and was educated, and here her death occurred August 30, iS'ijn. She too. was a devout member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church at Mt. Comfort.

To Lambert I.. Whitlock and wife nine children were born, five of whom died in infancy. Those living are, Anna, who has remained on the home farm; Arthur L. of this review: Finis E. is deceased: Mrs. Ollie Freeman lives in Robberson township, this count}-.

Arthur I.. Whitlock spent his boyhood on the homestead and there assisted with the general work. He obtained his education in the rural schools of his community, and here he has continued' to reside, following general farming. In December. 1898, he married. Lula Wharton, a daughter of J. William and Louise (Beckner) Wharton, the former a native of Greene county and the latter of Laclede county, Missouri. Mrs. Whitlock was born. August 7. 1866, and was reared and educated in Greene county. To our subject and wife one child has been born, William Arthur Whitlock, born October 7. 1903.

A year after his marriage, Mr. Whitlock purchased the farm on which he now resides, and. during Iris residence of over fifteen years on this excellent farm, he has brought it up to a high state of cultivation and improvement, until today, it ranks with the best in Franklin township. It consists of two hundred and ninety acres of rich land. He harvests a large acreage of grain annually and raises large numbers of Shorthorn cattle. Jerseys and

Politically, he is a Democrat and while he is interested in local as well as national public affairs, like his honored father before him, he takes no active part and has never held office. Fraternally, he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, No. 4975, of Springfield, and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Fair Grove. He and his wife are members of the Methodist church at Oakland, east of Springfield.

John B. Harrison

Scattered here and there among Greene county's population of over seventy thousand people are men and women who claim, with a degree oi pride as well they may, the state of Kentucky as the place of their nativity. There is a certain distinction in being a native of the line old Blue ( hass state, which has furnished many great men to our national life and has for a century been a potent factor in the affairs of the Union. One of those who hail from within her borders is John B. Harrison, foreman for over a quarter of a century of the great Meyer mills of Springfield.

Mr. Harrison was born at Bowling Green, Kentucky, August 2. [862. He is a son of William H. and Lucinda (Poor) Harrison, the father a native of Virginia and the mother a native of [reland, she having emigrated from that country when young and met and married the elder Harrison in the East. The father of our subject died when his sun, John I'... was about twelve years of age, and the latter was small when his mother passed away

Benjamin Harrison, who was one of the early pioneers of southeastern Missouri. There our subject received a common school education and worked on the farm when a boy, until he was about sixteen years of age. then went away with Sells Bros, circus, with which he traveled for two years, during which he gained much valuable knowledge of the world first handed. He then secured employment driving a street car in St. Louis. In 1SN1 he came to Springfield and here drove one of the first "mule ears" ,,f the local street railway, continuing in this work for about four ami one-half years, then began working in the grain milling business for Fox & Rienman at the old Gulf .Mill, which stood at the corner of Jefferson and Mill streets. He remained there two yeai . duri hich he mastered the various ins and outs of the milling business, then went to work for Clark & Russell, with which company he remained until the panic during President Clevelan .administration, at which time the mill was -old t . . the Meyer Milling Com- pany and Mr. Harrison has been with this concern ever since, his long service indicating that he has been most faithful and capable in this line of work. For a period of twenty-six years he has been foreman and grain buyer of this well-known mill, and is one of the most widely known men in his line in the Southwest.

Air. Harrison was married nil October 4, 1884, in Springfield, to May Edmondson. who was born in this city, August 7, 1864. She is a daughter of R. II. and .Martha A. (Mathews) Edmondson, an old family of Springfield, both parents of our subject'-- wife having long been deceased. Mr. Edmondson was in the employ of the Frisco railroad for nearly forty years here. Mrs. Harrison grew to womanhood in this city and was educated in the local schools.

Five children have been born to our subject and wife, all living, namely: Eugene <'.. born November 5, 1885, is connected with Fred Harvey at this place; Beatrice, born on March 8, 1888, married F. J. Green, who is employed here by the Frisco; Nellie Shaw, born on February 14, 1801. married 11. K. Tegarden, a farmer living northwest of the city; John 11, Jr., born on November 6, 1894, married Jessie Hartley and he also works for Fred Harvey in this city; Ralph Ashley, born on September 14, 1897, 's attending high school at this writing.

Mr. Harrison owns a good home at 071 Robberson avenue. Politically, he is a- Republican. He is a member of the Woodmen of the World, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

In going through a large establishment like the new Frisco shops in Springfield one is impressed at the sight of such a large number of beardless youths, and this is true all over the country, whether one visits machine shops, factories, foundries mi- whatever kind of industrial establishment, being constantly reminded that this is, according to the oft quoted phrase, "the age of voting men." It is not the mission of the biographer to here expatiate on reasons or causes or explanations why this has come about, but the fact remains nevertheless that elderly men are much in the minority in such places. Andrew B. Kerr, while yet young in years, is discharging the duties of an important and responsible position, that of instructor of apprentices of the Frisco shops.

Mr. Kerr was born February 27, 1885. in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania. He is a son of William J. and Margaret (McCracken) Kerr. They were both born in Pennsylvania, the father in 1861 and the mother in 1863, and there they grew to maturity, were educated and married and are still living in Allegheny county, that, state, near Pittsburg. After attending a college, which is now the University of Pittsburg, William J. Kerr took up the study of law, but has never followed that profession, devoting his life to railroading. He was a call boy for the Pennsylvania railroad and has since held various positions with this company in the transportation department, and at this writing holds the responsible post as general yardmaster for that road in Pittsburg. His family consists of ten children, namely : Andrew B., of this sketch, is the eldest; John, Katharine, Herman, Margaret, William, Isabel, Herbert, Merideth and Norman. They are all living at this writing. Politically, the father is a Republican, and. fraternally, is a member of the Knights of Malta.

Andrew B. Kerr grew to manhood in his native state and there attended the public schools, but quit school when fourteen years of age and began work carrying mail in his locality. He later learned telegraphy in the railroad office there, and served his time in the Pennsylvania shops at Verona, as machinist, remaining there from May 21. 1901, to January 8, 1906. Not being satisfied with the education he had obtained, he quit the shop in the last mentioned year and entered Purdue University, at Lafayette, Indiana, made a good record and was graduated from that institution June 28, 19 10, with the degree of bachelor of science; also received a degree from the mechanical engineering department. After leaving the university he began w< irking as assistant engineer at the car barns of the Pittsburg Street Railway Company at Homewood, Pennsylvania. Later he went to work for the American Steel and Wire Company, in Pennsylvania, as machinist. From there he went to Yoakum, Texas, as a machinist on the San Antonio & Aransas Pass Railroad, in 191 1, being with this company but a short time when he took up a position as instructor and representative of The International Correspondence Schools, of Scranton, Pennsylvania, in Yoakum, and in the spring of 19 1-' went to Omaha, Nebraska, as instructor and text book writer of the educational bureau of the Harriman lines, and in the spring of 1913 came to Missouri. He came to Springfield, Missouri, July 12, 1913, and secured employment as machinist in the Frisco shops. His ability was soon recognized and he was made instructor of apprentices of the shops of this company in Springfield, which position he is holding to the satisfaction of all concerned, being a young man of advanced ideas, capable, energetic and trustworthy. He has charge of all the apprentices, having under his care one hundred and twentj boys at the present time. He makes use of two class rooms, one at the old plant and another at the new plant. Each boy is required to attend his respective class two hours each week. They are given sufficient instruction to enable them to gain a general idea of all shop

Mr. Kerr was married July 3, 191 1, in Lafayette, Indiana, to Grace Ullman, who is a native of Tippecanoe county, Indiana, and a daughter of Emanuel and Caroline Ullman; the father is deceased, but the mother survives and still makes her home in Tippecanoe county, where Mrs. Kerr grew to womanhood and received good educational advantages.

Politically, Mr. Kerr is a Republican and a member of the Presbyterian He is a young man of fine mind and progressive ideas, and the future evidently lias much of promise for him in his special sphere of endeavor.

Alonzo W. Emery

Among the large numbers of conductors of the Frisco system, none is performing his duties more faithfully or satisfactorily than Alonzo W. Emery, who has devoted the principal part of his active career to railroad service, for which he early in life manifested a decided liking, and every one knows that we must like our work if we succeed in it to any appreciable degree.

Mr. Emery was born in Brooklyn, New York, November 6, 1864. He is a son of George D. and Maria Thresa (Van Arsdel) Emery. The father was born in New Hampshire and the mother was a native of Summerville, New Jersey, the date of the former's birth being December 4, 183 1, while the latter was born in October, 1840. She received a good education. The latter part of her life was spent in Springfield, Missouri, where her death occurred March 21, 1888. George D. Emery's educational advantages were limited, lie devoted the principal part of his business career to the furniture business, and for years maintained a store on the South Side, Springfield, to which city he removed with his family in 1870. and on September 7. 1914, died at his residence, having reached the advanced age of nearly eighty-three years. His family consisted of only two children, namely: Alonzo W., of this sketch, and Frank E.

Alonzo \Y. Emery was six years of age when, in 1870, he removed with his parents front Brooklyn, New York, to Springfield, Missouri, and here he grew to manhood and received his education in the ward and high schools. When a boy he clerked in various stores, and in 1885 went to Colorado and followed ranching two or three years, returning to Springfield in 1888, and began braking on a freight train for the Kansas City, Ft. Scott & Memphis Railroad Company, commonly known as the "Gulf road." which was sold to the Frisco system in 1900. After working for that company a year, he returned to the West and worked on the Oregon Short Line until 1892, when he came back to Springfield, and went to braking again, which he followed until 1895, when he was promoted to conductor of a freight train. After live years of this work he was promoted, in 1900, to passenger conductor, his run being between Springfield and Memphis, and he still continues on his regular run on this division.

Mr. Emery has been twice married, first, on June 15. 1890, to Marion Cummins, in Huntington, Oregon. She was born in Wisconsin, and her death occurred in Springfield, Missouri, in 1906. To this first union two children were born, namely: Clifford, burn December 16. 1897, and Albert, burn April 2j, 1899. Mr. Emery's second marriage was consummated on .March 4, 191 1, his choice of a companion being Wanda Lasley, a widow, who was born in Logan county, Ohio, November 6, 1880, and is a daughter of James L. and Maria (Franks) McKinnon, both natives of Ohio, and the parents of each came from New York state. Mr. McKinnon was born in 1846 ami his death occurred in Urbana, Ohio, in 1884. Mrs. McKinnon was born in 1850 and she is still living, making her home in Webster county Missouri. Mr. McKinnon was an architect and builder of superior skill, and won a wide reputation in his line of endeavor in the state of Ohio. His family consisted of three children, namely: Mrs. Nettie M. Littleton, who resides in Springfield, Missouri; Alva, who makes his home in Kansas, and Wanda, who married Air. Emery of this sketch.

Politically, .Mr. Emery is a Democrat. He belongs to Division 321, Order of Railway Conductors, and is a member of the Masonic order, including the Knights Templar degree and the Ancient Arabic < >rder of Nobles, of the Mystic Shrine. Religiously, he belongs to the Presbyterian church. Mr>. Emery is a member of the Christian church.

James E. Dulin

It requires men of grit, courage, coolness and decision to make a successful locomotive engineer. It takes nerve on many occasions to meet the unexpected which the engine driver often encounters - wrecks, washouts, train robbers and various situations where one must think rapidly and do the right thing at the right time. One of these men is James E. Dulin, well known in railroad circles of this locality, one of the oldest engineers on the Frisco running out id' Springfield.

.Mr. Dulin was born October 26, 1856, at Aledo, Illinois. He is a son of Edwin R. and Sarah I Artz) Dulin. The father was born April 28. 1825, iii Columbus, Franklin county, Ohio, and the mother was born in Woodstock. Shenandoah county, Virginia, March 13. [828, and she moved with her parents from the Old Dominion to Delaware county, Ohio, in September, 1 S34, when six years of age, and there she grew to womanhood and married Mr. Dulin. They both received good educations for those times, Airs. Dulin becoming a tine scholar. From Ohio the parents of our subject moved to Illinois, where they lived on a farm. Leaving that state, they settled in Missouri and continued farming for a while, then moved to Kansas City, where Mr. Dulin followed the trade of cooper and carpenter, and there the death of the mother occurred March 22, 1897; the father died September 19. igoo. They were the parents of nine children, six of whom are still living, namely: Ernestine; Josephine is deceased; Elwy died February 7, 1015; James, of this sketch; Archie died in infancy; May, Ettie. Lester and Jesse.

When James 1-".. Dulin was ten years of age the family located in Missouri, locating in Johnson count)-, where he grew to manhood and received his education in the common schools. Fie was of a mechanical turn of mind, and his first work was in a woolen mill, where he spent one summer. He began his railroad career in Urbana, Illinois, in 1S73. in the shops there, later began as fireman on the Indianapolis, Bloomington & Western railroad; he then went to Kansas City, Missouri, and went to work for the Missouri River, Ft. Scott & Gulf railroad, in March, 1S74, as fireman, running between Kansas City and Ft. Scott, Kansas, and while on this run was promoted to engineer on March 8, 1880, and transferred to Springfield, Missouri, on November 7, 1883, to remain here only thirty days, helping out on the new lire; hut he remained, and has been running on the Ozark division, between Springfield and Thayer, and is the oldest engineer in point of service on this division. This road was purchased by the Frisco System in 1900. Thirty-one years is an exceptionally long time for a railroader to work for a company on the same division, and Mr. Dulin's long retention on this line would indicate that he is efficient, trustworthy and faithful. In all, Mr. Dulin has been with the same company for forty-one years.

Mr. Dulin was married June 16, 1881, in Kansas City, to Lillah H. Hagerty, who was horn in Princeton. Illinois. December 25, i860. She is a daughter of Rev. T. II. Hagerty. of St. Louis, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church. He has answered the roll call sixty-two consecutive times in St. Louis ("(inference and is ex-chaplain-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic. At present he is chaplain of the Ransom Post Grand Army of the Republic, of St. Louis. Missouri. His wife, who was a Hull before her marriage and a daughter of Rev. H. Hull, a Presbyterian minister, has been deceased several years, her death occurring July 15. 1872. After her mother's death she was reared in the family of J. Radle. Esquire, of Meade- ville, Pennsylvania, and there received her education. Mrs. Dulin received a good education, being a graduate of Lewis College, Glasgow, Missouri.

Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Dulin, namely: Elsie, born June 7, 1882, died April 29, 1884; Jamie H., born October 24, 1883, was educated in the Springfield schools, graduating from Drury Academy. He now lives in Chicago and is a designing artist, maintaining a studio of his own there, where he turns out some very fine work in his line. He married Dorothy Sessna; Everett, born January 23, 1899, is a junior at this writing in the Springfield high school.

Politically, Mr. Dulin is a Republican of the Progressive wing. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church and is a member of Division 378 Brotherhood of Engineers. Fraternally, he is a Mason, and for the past twenty-four years has been a member of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine.

As a rule when we observe men changing from one line of work to another it indicates that he has not made a very marked success of his former calling, if indeed he has not failed outright. However, this is not always the case, as may lie observed in the career of Azzo B. Grier, who has succeeded as farmer, educator and merchant, at present engaged in the drug and grocery business in Strafford. Greene county, where he is widely and favorably known and is regarded as a useful and public-spirited citizen.

Air. Grier was born near the town in which he now resides, just across the line in Webster county, on May 1 1. [870. He is a son <>f Samuel R. and Elizabeth (Morton) Crier, the father horn in North Carolina on November 23, [834, and the mother was born in Greene county, Missouri, on May 29, [849. The former came to Missouri when a small boy and was reared on a farm in Webster county and there received a limited education. Fifty years ago he purchased the farm when' he still lives, his farm now containing two hundred and fifty-four and one-half aero. He is one of the successful and progressive men of his locality. During the ('ivil War he served sevent) days in the state militia. His wife was reared on a farm in this county and attended the common schools'. Site is still very active for one of her age. Only two children were horn to this couple. \//o 1',,. of this sketch, and Lorenzo, who lives in Tulsa, < >klahoma.

Mr. Grier, of this review, grew up on the home farm, lie received a good common school education, lie worked on the farm until he began teaching in [888, ami he taught eight terms during a period of ten vcars with gratifying success. He ha- a record of teaching fortv-nine months without losing a day on account of sickness. He came to Strafford in 1898 and engaged in the drug and grocery business with Dr. I. H. Mason, later selling out and teaching another term of school, then came back to Strafford and bought back his old mercantile business from his former partner, Dr. vdason, and he is still engaged in the drug and grocery business, enjoying a large trade with the surrounding country. He has been continuously engaged in business in Strafford longer than any other man.

Mr. Grier was married in December, 1898, to Hettie Langston, a native of Greene county, where she was reared and educated. She was a daughter of Jackson P. C. and Phronie (Comstock) Langston, a sketch of whom appears on another page of this volume. Mrs. Grier's death occurred on November 2, 1909, and our subject was subsequently married to Mary Lu Mullinax, who was born and reared on a farm near Strafford. She is a daughter of Martin and Mariah (West) Mullinax. She received a good education in the local schools and taught school six terms with much success. Two children were born to Mr. Grier and his first wife, Roberta, born on December 16, 1899, and Orville, born on November 26, 1902, both of whom live at home. One child was born of the second union, Mildred, born on June 17, 191 1, who is at home.

George W. Moore

To successfully discharge the duties of general car foreman for the great Frisco shops of Springfield, as George W. Moore is doing, indicates that such a man has improved well his every opportunity in his chosen vocation, and also that he is reliable and energetic. It is a position that not everyone, although skilled in this line of work, could successfully fill, for it requires something more than technical knowledge to superintend a large shop and handle a number of employees so as to get the best results promptly and at the same time retain the good will of all connected with the establishment, but our subject has done this for some time.

Mr. Moore was born in St. Joseph, Missouri, January 1, 1874. He is a son of Charles and Josie (Newman) Moore. The father was born in Indiana in 1841, and he died in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1893. The mother was born in St. Joseph, Missouri, in 1853, and her death occurred in Decemher, 1910. Charles Moore left the Hoosier state when young and came to St. Joseph, Missouri, where he and Josie Newman were married. He was a -cooper by trade. When our subject was- two years old he removed with his (70) family to Kansas City, Missouri, where he continued his trade, and for some time was assistant foreman of the cooper shop for the Armour Packing Company. His family consisted of eight children, namely: Frank is the eldest; George W., of this review; Aland is living; Claud is living; Charles, deceased ; Hettie, deceased ; Jesse and Josie are the two youngest.

George W. Moore grew to manhood in Kansas City and there received his education in the public schools, which has been supplemented in later life by self-culture. He was only seventeen years of age when he went to work for the old Kansas City, Wyandotte & Northwestern Railroad Company (now a part of the Missouri Pacific), in the shops, serving his time as an apprentice there, then went to the Armour Car Lines Company in the same capacity, remaining with the latter firm until October 3, 1897, tnen went to work for the Frisco System as car repairer and car inspector, and as checker of piece work. Leaving Kansas City, he went on the road as traveling car inspector, July 30, 1909, and remained in this work until May 10, 1912, when he was transferred to Memphis, Tennessee, as general car foreman. October 9 of that year he was sent to Kansas City in the same capacity, remaining there until May 22, 1914, when he was transferred to Springfield, where he is now engaged in the same work in the North Side shops. He has given eminent satisfaction in all the above named positions,, being a skilled workman, faithful and industrious. He is regarded here as one of the most efficient general car foremen the Frisco has ever had.

Mr. Moore was married .May 30, 1895, m Kansas City, Missouri, to May E. Stewart, who was born in Boonville, Missouri, December 2j, 1873. She is a daughter of William H. and Maggie F. 1 Brown) Stewart, natives of Wisconsin and Boonville, Missouri, respectively. Mr. Stewart is a pattern maker by trade and is a noted inventor, his best known invention being the "Monarch scales." lie also invented many other tilings of use to humanity, lie lives in Kansas City.

To Mr. and Mrs. Moore one child has been born. Ward C. Moore, who.se birth occurred April _m . [896. He is at this writing an apprentice to the machinist's trade in the Kansas City shops of the Frisco company.

Fraternally. Mr. Moore is prominent in the Masonic order, having attained the thirty-second degree in the same. lie belongs to the blue lodge, Xo. 522, at Kansas City; the Scottish Rite, No. 21, of Memphis. Tennessee; the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Kansas City. He also belongs to the Knights of Pythias, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Royal League and the Iowa State Travelers' Association. Politically, he is a Democrat.

Although Mr. Moore has not long been a resident of Springfield, he is winning friends rapidly by his pleasing manners and general attitude of brotherly kindness.

Eugene Joseph Rhodes

There could be no more comprehensive history written of a community or even of a state and its people than that which deals with the life work of those who, by their own endeavor and indomitable energy, have placed themselves where they well deserve the title of progressive, and in this sketch will be found the record of one who has outstripped the less active plodders on the highway of life, one who lias not been subdued by the many obstacles and failures that come to every one. but who lias made them stepping stones to higher things and at the same time that Mr. Rhodes has been winning his way to the front in business affairs he has gained a reputation for uprightness and honor.

Eugene Joseph Rhodes, a well known citizen of Springfield, formerly of northern Arkansas, was born in Jefferson county, Iowa, March 17, 1845. He is a son of Ira G. and Ann Emelia ( Botts) Rhodes. Ira G. Rhodes was born in the state of New York, on August 29, 1X14, but when a child he was brought to Trumbull county, Ohio, where he grew to manhood and received his education. His father was of German ancestry, his mother English, though the former was born in Massachusetts and the latter in Connecticut. The family record shows that John Rhodes, grandfather of Ira (]., was born .May 2, 1779, and died June 24, 1819. His wife, Hannah Graves, was born June 17, 1783, and died September 10, 1835. Their son, Joseph, father of Ira G., was married to Polly Waters, February 15, 1801. The parents of Polly Waters were named Guerdon and Eliza, the former dying December 25, 1813. and the latter dying January 24, 1819. Joseph and Polly Rhodes were the parents id' eight children, live girls and three boys, Ira G. being the sixth child. The exact place of his birth is not known. In 1814 his parents left Connecticut to go to Ohio, and while en route this son was born. It seems that the trip from the old Nutmeg state to the Buckeye state required quite a long time, and when the family reached Ohio their infant son was one year old. Thus it was in 1815 that the Rhodeses took up their residence in what was then the western frontier or wilderness, still the domain of the red men, and there endured the usual hardships and privations of early pioneers. There Ira G. Rhodes' parents spent the rest of their lives and there their children grew to maturity and then left the old home to become themselves pioneers in the still farther West. Ira G. remained with his parents until twenty-one years old, working on the farm in summer and attending district school in winter. Although he had no other schooling than was afforded by the common schools of Ohio, yet he prepared himself for a successful teacher and taught several terms of school before he became of age. His first school was a winter term of three months, at eleven dollars per month, and "board around," which necessitated going to the poorest cabins, sleeping with dirty children, with scant covering, and in huts where through the cracks between the logs the snow sifted in winter and the stars were visible through the roof, and the usual fare nothing but "hog and hominy." Though his early life was that of the farm boy, he eventually had good training, his parents being people of sturdy character and strong minds. In his early life Ira G. Rhodes was a Whig and first cast his vote for Gen. William Henry Harrison; following his father, however, he later joined the Free Soilers and became a Republican on the organization of that party. He was all his life a stanch advocate of temperance. His father died at the old farm in Trumbull county, Ohio, December 30, 1853, and his mother died there on November 1, 1848.

Soon after reaching the age of twenty-one, Ira G. Rhodes, with only a capital of one hundred dollars, started West to seek his fortune, traveling horseback through the states of Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, locating in Hancock county in the last named state, where he engaged in teaching school for seven years. Here he met and married Ann Emelia Botts. She was born in Kentucky, May 14. 1820. Her ancestors were originally from England. Her father, Joseph Botts, was the ninth child of John and Lucy (Gaines) Botts, and was born in Virginia. He married Sabra Wilkes, of Boone county, Kentucky, and they became the parents of twelve children, of whom Ann Emelia was the fourth. She lived with her parents on the farm in the old Blue Grass state until she was sixteen years of age, when they emigrated to Hancock county, Illinois, the journey requiring four weeks, Ann Emelia riding the entire distance on horseback. Illinois was then principally a wild, unbroken prairie, with a settlement here and there. Mr. Botts was a slave owner in Kentucky, but finally freed his slaves and sought a country where slave holding was nut the custom. He was a minister in the Baptist church for over a half century and a great preacher among the pioneers.

It was on January 15, 1843, tnat ^ra Abodes and wife were married, and in April of that year they went to Iowa to make their future home, settling in the timbered lands bordering the Skunk river in the northeast corner of Jefferson county. Here, six years before Iowa became a state, on the outskirts of civilization, where the tracks of the Indians were still fresh in the soil, far away from relations and friends, with only a few scattered neighbors, they began housekeeping and homebuilding. On that farm in the woods, carved out of Nature's raw material by their own hands, they lived for nearly fifty years, rearing their family of eight children, their way being hard and toilsome, but it was always cheerful and hopeful. By persistent, well directed labor and judicious economy, they won prosperity and secured a competence, so they were enabled to spend their old age in quiet and comfort. Mr. Rhodes was always active in school matters, and for many years after he gave up teaching he was a school director. He was a good de- bater and took an active part in all literary and debating societies of the neighborhood. Before and during the Civil war he took great interest in politics and was active in his locality. In 1874 he allied himself with the Grangers and was elected by that party county treasurer, holding the office two years in an able manner, this being the only public office he ever held, and this he did not seek. However, he was often urged to become a candidate for the legislature, but always refused. Upon his election to the office of county treasurer he abandoned his farm and moved to Fairfield, the county-seat. At the close of his official career he purchased a home in Brighton, four miles from the old home, and there they continued to reside, spending a portion of each year visiting their children in Missouri, Arkansas and other places. Mr. Rhodes was a robust man physically, was never known to be sick. He never used tobacco and liquor or indulged in profane language. He was a kind husband, father and neighbor and beloved by all who knew him, as was also his good wife. He was a man of liberal religious views and never belonged to any church, although his daily life was that of an honest, upright man and his character was always exemplary. He was a thinking man and all his life he was true to himself and the world. Mrs. Rhodes also shared her husband's views on religion, and they believed in right for right's sake, opposing the dogmas and creeds of orthodox churches. They both closed their days in Jefferson county, Iowa, his death occurring in March, 1898, and she followed him to the grave on November 9, 1912.

To Ira G. Rhodes and wife nine children were born, all of whom grew to manhood and womanhood but the fifth, Helen Louise, who died in infancy. Lucilia Jane Rhodes, the oldest child, was born October 22, 1843, taught school three years prior to her marriage, which occurred October 23, 1863, to R. H. L. Barricklow, a farmer of her own neighborhood, and to this union six children were born, Grace, Irvin Ernest, James Luther, Dell Eugene, Ira G., and Lulu Lillian; the Barricklow family removed from Iowa to Arkansas in 1887 and settled at Stuttgart. Eugene J. Rhodes, the immediate subject of this sketch, was the second child in order of feirth. The next in order was Luther Graves Rhodes, whose birth occurred February 24, 1847, was educated for a teacher, which profession he followed nearly twenty years in Iowa, Illinois and California; February 28, 1877, he married Sadie Irvin, and to them three sons were born, Claudie Irvin, Glenn Vernon and Lester Ray; after giving up teaching, Mr. Rhodes located in Yolo county, California, and engaged in horticultural pursuits and official work. Mary Sophronia Rhodes, the fourth child, was born February 8, 1849, and engaged in teaching for a short time before her marriage, which occurred on November 11, 1868, to John W. Townsley; to this union one child was born, Xettie ; her second husband was A. S. Bailey, whom she married December 28, 1879. and to this union three children were born,

Homer Garfield. Ralph Emerson and Faith. Mr. Bailey is now engaged in newspaper work in Iowa at Shenandoah, where he is active at the age of eighty years. William E. Rhodes was born May 31, 1853. and was also educated for a teacher, which profession he followed many years in Iowa, Kansas and Alabama, in which state he established his permanent residence, where he finally engaged in the jewelry business and merchandising, also was farmer, justice of the peace, postmaster, surveyor and now a banker at Linden, Alabama; he married Sarah Emma Miller, and to them four children were born, Ray Gustavius, Charles Eugene. Ira George and Carrie Alvaretta. Myrtle Ann Rhodes was born January 5, 1856, taught school a while before her marriage, on December 24, 1873, to Gideon G. Sampson, a native of England, who followed teaching for twenty years, finally removing from Iowa to Boone count}-, Arkansas, in 1890, and to this couple four children were born, Ernest Eugene, Fred Vernon, Grace Helen and Myrtle Agnes. Florence Alvaretta Rhodes was Born September 2, 1858. the youngest daughter; she married, May 14, 1887, Nathan A. Heacock, for many years engaged in the United States postal railway service, and to the union of this couple one daughter was born, Florence Natalie. Homer Ellsworth Rhodes, youngest of the nine children, was born November 18, 1861, married Ida Barricklow, on September 27, 1882, and to this union the following children wire born: .Mabel Irene. Farl Edwin. Margaret Ann (deceased), Hazel Adline, Victor William 1 deceased 1, Arthur. Marie, Gladys, Garland, Mildred and Lucile. After their marriage this couple lived on a farm in Iowa until 1889, when the) emigrated to Arkansas, establishing their future home at Stuttgart, where Mr. Rhodes engaged in the hardware business, and is n< i\\ living retired.

Eugene J. Rhodes, of this review, grew to manhood on the old homestead in Jefferson county, Iowa, where he assisted with the general work during the summer months and during the winter he attended the district schools, remaining at borne until be was twenty-one years of age; then he entered Eastman's National Business College, at Poughkeepsie, New York, where he made an excellent record and from which institution he was graduated in the spring of [867. He then attended the State University of Iowa at Iowa City, graduating from the normal department of the same in June. 1869. In July of that year he left his native state and located in Johnson county, Arkansas, where he engaged in teaching school for a short period ; locating in Fayetteville, two years later, he was appointed register of the United States land office at Harrison, removing the office from Clarksville, and he began upon his duties in 1S71. After filling this office very acceptably for a period of three years, during which his ability and faithfulness, courtesy ami high integrity commended him to all concerned, he went to California, in May. 1873, where he engaged in teaching for four year- and also in book- keeping for some time. In 1878 he returned to Arkansas and located in Boone county, and on November 14, 1878, was married there to Mattie Keener, who was born in Pennsylvania, September 30, 1859. She is a daughter of Judge William Keener, w ho removed with his family from the old Keystone state to Missouri when she was a child, and here and in Arkansas she grew to womanhood and received a common school education; in 1872 the Keener family removed to Arkansas.

After his marriage Mr. Rhodes resided some time in Harrison and later moved to the pinery, where he resided a number of years, enjoying the comforts of a home in the pine-clad, picturesque hills, and engaged successfully in the manufacture of lumber and in commercial orcharding. Here he owned a tract of land comprising three thousand one hundred acres and man)' acres of mining land, and was also engaged in farming, stock raising and operating his mines, besides discharging the duties of United States mineral surveyor for a period of ten years for the state of Arkansas. In his locality he held the office of justice of the peace and also that of notary public. He was always a stanch Republican and was influential in public affairs in Boone count v. having been for some time an active member of the county central committee. While there he was a director of the Boone County Bank. His principal business for a number of years there was the manufacture and sale of pine and oak lumber, and he was president of the Arkansas Zinc and Lead Company, which was incorporated in 1890 to operate in the mining regions of Arkansas, and which had control of twelve hundred acres of rich mining land in Marion county. He was half owner of the well-known Diamond Cave in Newton county, Arkansas, and it can of truth be said of him that he has done as much as any man in Arkansas to push forward the zinc and lead industry. He was regarded as one of the most substantial and foremost citizens of Boone county, and owned one of the finest homes and one of the largest orchards in that county.

Mr. Rhodes left Arkansas in 1895 ancl located in Springfield, Missouri, where he has since resided, and has been engaged extensively in the lumber business here, both retail and wholesale, his business extending over a vast territory of the Southwest. He has also engaged in the coal and wood business on a large scale, and has done considerable engineering work for various railroads, also surveying, having served as deputy surveyor under Surveyor Phillips and also Alassey, and ten years ago he was elected county surveyor of Greene county, serving one term with ability and general satisfaction. At this writing he is extensively engaged in the ornamental and concrete business, and he was the first person to introduce the manufacture of artificial marble, a splendid imitation of marble. He is regarded as one of the leading men of affairs of this localitv and is a man who has always

Seven children, five sons and two daughters, have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Eugene J. Rhodes, named as follows: Homer, born September 23, 1879, died September 6, 1880; Florence Ethel, born February 3, 1881, teaching in Harrison, Arkansas; Eugene Joseph. Jr., born March 26, 1883, is engaged in business in Springfield; William Ira, born January 12, 1885, is engaged in the feed and fuel business in Springfield; Clarence Julius, born February 1, 1887, lives in Springfield and is engaged in business here; Carrie Lena, born March 17, 1889, married Trevor Sanks, and lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Arthur Clyde, born September 18. 1891, is in the motorcycle business in Springfield.

Madison Campbell Vinton

Although the business of farming requires, in its operations, constant industry and the exercise of thought and study in its every detail, in order to make it successful, yet it affords greater opportunities for the best and right living and the achievement of happiness than any other business. Realizing this fact. Madison Campbell Vinton, one of the leading agriculturists and stuck raisers of Jackson township, < ireene county, left the city of Springfield, where he had become a successful merchant, and turned his attention to farming many years ago. In the country he has found not only a large- degree of material success, but health and contentment. He has no desire to return to the commercial world and the city.

Air. Vinton was born three miles smith of Springfield on the Campbell street road on September [8, 1855. He is a son of Samuel S. and Margaret Eugenia (Campbell) Vinton, one of the well-known and highly esteemed old families of this locality. The father was born in Baltimore. Maryland, nil January 28, [828, and the mother was born in Tennessee. Samuel S. Vinton came west with .Major Barry when fourteen years of age. and he finally became owner of a fine farm of three hundred and twenty acres south of Springfield, when' he engaged in general farming and stock raising and trading on an extensive scale. He was a very successful man of affairs. For some time he followed merchandising in Springfield, where his death occurred, January 16, 1890. His wife died when the subject of this sketch was four years old. To these parents three children were born, namely: Mrs. Juliet R. Williams lives in Springfield; Madison C. of this sketch: and Samuel S., Jr., of Springfield.

Madison C. Vinton was taken to St. Louis by his father when he was six vears old. where he lived until he was fourteen years "Id. when he returned td his native county. He received a good education. He began his business career by clerking in a store in Springfield, going to Marshfield, Webster county, about a year later, and worked in a store for seven years, later went into the grain business for himself. He subsequently returned to Springfield, where be engaged in merchandising in 1880. Selling out he started a shoe store and for a number of years enjoyed a good business on the south side of the public square, under the firm name of Vinton-Baxter Shoe Company, "The Jumbo Shoe Store." Selling out in [887, he bought the farm in Jackson township where he now lives, which contains two hundred and eighty acres.

Vinton 1'I.Ace

which he has brought up to a high state of improvement and cultivation and which ranks among the best farms of Greene county. He has a beautiful In une and large and convenient barns and other buildings, and he carries on general farming and stock raising on an extensive scale, paying particular attention to the raising of a good grade of live stock, handling a large number of mules annually. For some time he operated a dairy on his place.

Mr. Vinton was married, first, in 1878, to Elizabeth McGinty, by whom four children were born, namely: Harry C, who lives in Texas, working for the National Lumber Company ; James K. lives in Denver, Colorado, and works for the Colorado Southern Railroad Company; Walter B. lives in

Greene county; William A. is at home. The mother of these children died December 8, 1893, in Springfield, Missouri, and Mr. Vinton married Bessie Dabbs by whom one child has been born, Juliet Lee Vinton, whose birth occurred July 24, 1904. His first wife was a daughter of A. C. McGinty and wife, and the present Mrs. Vinton is a daughter of William P. Dabbs and wife. Politically, Mr. Vinton is a Democrat. Fraternally, he is a member of the Royal Arcanum lodge. He is a self-made man, well informed and a pleasant gentleman to meet.

J. B. Ruffin

Among the large percentage of Southern people in Greene county is J. B. Puffin, and, like most of them, is the possessor of the personal characteristics of those bred in fair Dixie land, which makes him a desirable citizen, one who wins and retains friends easily. From his early youth he has been a lover of horses and has become an expert judge of them and also an expert in their successful handling, and he is at this writing the owner of a number of good ones which he keeps in his modernly appointed livery stable in Springfield. «.

Mr. Puffin was born in Panola county, Mississippi, September 2, 1866. He is a son of James and Mary (Brahan) Ruffin. The father was born in Hardman county, Tennessee in 1838, and the mother was born in Mississippi in 1848. They each represent old families of the South and grew to maturity in their respective communities, received good educational advantages, were married and have always lived in the South, still living at Sardis, Mississippi, where they are widely and well known. James Ruffin attended medical college when a young man and received his degree of Doctor of Medicine and became a successful practitioner, engaging in the practice in Tennessee and Mississippi for many years. Having accumulated a comfortable competency he is now living retired. Having been long a prominent and influential Democrat in his locality he was in 1906 elected deputy sheriff nf his county, and was also elected a representative to the state legislature in Mississippi, serving one term of two years in a highly creditable and satisfactorj manner. During the war between the states he enlisted in the Confederate army and was promoted from time- to time for his gallantry and merit until he became captain of his company and served all through the war. taking part in many important engagements. Fraternally he is a member of the Masonic order, lie is a fine type of the Southern gentleman nf the old school, and his descendants may well lie proud of his record as a soldier, physician, public servant and citizen. His family consisted of nine children, all still living but one. namely: I. P>. of this sketch; Maggie I'.ellc,

J. B. Ruffin grew to manhood in the Smith and he received his early education in the common schools in Mississippi, also attended high school. He began his active life by selling goods, later going into the live stock business, paying particular attention to race horses, and he has owned a large number of fine ones, with excellent records. He engaged in farming and stock raising in Tipton county, Tennessee, for some time and his operations met with gratifying results. He remained there until 1006 when he came to Missouri and located in Aurora where he engaged in the livery business on a large scale, which he followed until 19 12 when he came to Springfield and continued the same line of business, his present location being at 310 Boonville street, where he has a large and modernly equipped barn, keeping some of the finest horses and buggies in the city, and maintains a boarding stable in connection, everything being first-class, and promptness and uniform courtesy are watchwords with him. He is enjoying a large and rapidly growing patronage.

Mr. Ruftin was married in February, [892, in Tipton county, Tennessee, to Mamie J. Culbreath, who was born in that county and state on October 28, 1873, and she was reared and educated there. She is a daughter of J. Llark and Sallie (Cockrell) Culbreath, natives of western Tennessee, where they grew up, were educated and married. Her father served all through the Civil war in the Confederate army.

Four children have been born to our subject and wife, namely: James is now a student in Drury College; J. B., Jr., is attending the Springfield high school; Josephine and Clark are both in the ward schools.

Politically, Mr. Ruffin is a Democrat. He is a member of the Woodmen of the World and the Loyal Order of Moose. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. South. He and his wife have made many friends since locating in Springfield.

John R. Ferguson

John R. Ferguson, who is a scion of a sterling old Southern family, was born near Louisiana, Pike county, Missouri, on February 10, 1842. He is a son of John S. and Elizabeth (Allison) Ferguson, the father born in Virginia and the mother in Franklin county, Kentucky. John S. Ferguson was a soldier in the war of 1812, and he came to Missouri before or about the time this state was admitted into the Union, and was therefore one of the pioneers of the state, locating in Pike county upon land bought of the government, which land he converted into an improved farm and there resided until his death about 1852. On this old homestead the subject of this sketch was born and spent his early boyhood. His parents died when he was less than twelve years of age, and the farm was then rented out by the administrator of the estate, who also was guardian of our subject. He worked on farms of the neighborhood, and attended short terms of school during the winter months until he was about eighteen years of age, when, with the consent of his guardian, he contracted, in the fall of i860, with a St. Louis medicine manufacturing concern to travel and "peddle" their goods, which he did for one year. At the termination of his contract he returned to his native county and enlisted in the Fifth Missouri Militia, in Col. T. J. C. Fagg's regiment for six months, and at the expiration of this service he enlisted for three years or during the war in Company E. Tenth (later the Third) Missouri Cavalry, State Militia, in April, 1862, at Louisiana, Missouri. For meritorious conduct Mr. Ferguson was promoted first to corporal, in 1863, and in 1864 to sergeant. He proved to be a faithful and courageous soldier in defense of his state. He was mustered out of the service at Macon City, Missouri, on April 14, 1865, at the expiration of his term of service. In May, 1865, he was appointed clerk in the paymaster general's office at Jefferson City, which position he held until his resignation 111 the spring of 18(17, allt' soon engaged in the drug business at Ironton, thi> state, and in [869 removed to Springfield and followed the same business for ten years. After twelve years of diversion in farming and politics, he returned to the drug business in 1891, becoming a member of the Hall- Ferguson Drug Company, wholesale, of Springfield, now the Hall Drug ( ompany, and he took the road as a traveling salesman for the firm, later Mild hi> stock in this company, and accepted a position as traveling salesman for a wholesale drug company in St. Louis, which position he held for over twelve years. He gave this (inn eminent satisfaction in every respect and was one of their most faithful and trusted employees. He is now living practically retire':, keeping a set of mercantile books and doing the chores abi lit his pleasant home on East Elm street.

Mr. Ferguson was married on .May (X, 1867, to Virginia Anna Smith, a daughter of Jared F. ami Roberta I Mack) Smith, of Springfield, Missouri, ami to this union the following children have been born: Dora Roberta, died in infamy; Ernest X.. Mrs. Florence Morris, deceased; Jared E., deceased; Mrs. ( )iiv Elizabeth Tucker. John R., T. Franklin, Mrs. Virginia C. Andres, Charles A. and Mrs. Mary X. Hilt.

Mr. Ferguson is a Republican and has long been active in the affairs of his party. He has been a member of the city council, was treasurer of Springfield, was clerk of the circuit court for eight years, and was recorder of deeds of Greene county four years. At this writing he is secretary of the board of managers of the State Federal Soldiers' Home of Missouri, on which board he is serving his third term as a member. As a public servant his record is without blemish. He is a member of Capt. John Matthews Post, No. 69, Grand Army of the Republic. Fraternally he belongs to Solomon Lodge, No. 271, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. He is a member of the South Street Christian church and is an elder in the same, and has long been active in the work of the church. His wife is also a devout member of this congregation.

Thomas L. Hasler

The fair Oriole state, while not so rich or vast in area as some of her sisterhood in the Union, is one of the best beloved. "Maryland, My Maryland," has long been a favorite song, formerly more so than now, however; but all of us, from whatever section of America we may hail, admire the state that has produced so many splendid citizens. From the early Colonial days down to the present she has given to the nation leading men and women in all walks of life. Among the citizens of Greene county, Missouri, who originally came from within her borders, is Thomas L. Hasler, one of the well known locomotive engineers of the Frisco System, with which road he has been connected for a period of forty years, and it goes without saying that he has been capable and trustworthy, for that is a very long time to remain with one company.

Air. Hasler was born in Baltimore, Maryland, July 14, 1852. He is a son of Eli and Maria (Divine) Hasler, the father, of Pennsylvania Dutch stock, having been born in the Keystone state in 1825, and his death occurred October 12, 1903. The mother of our subject was born in Ireland in 1820, immigrated to the United States when young in years, and her death occurred March 21, 1909. These parents received limited educations in the common schools and they were married in Pennsylvania. Eli Hasler was a cabinet maker by trade, which he followed in a number of the large cities of the East, finally locating in St. Louis, where he lived a while, and in i860 moved to Phelps county, Missouri, where he purchased a farm and there spent the rest of his life, but his widow spent her last years with her son, our subject, in Springfield. During the Civil war Eli Hasler was a member of the Home Guards at St. James, this state. His family consisted of eight children, namely: William lives in St. James, Missouri; Thomas L., of this review; Marira, George, Agnes, John and Frank are all living; Edward is deceased.

souri and he grew to manhood in this state and received his education in the schools of St. James. He worked on the home farm until 1873, then began his railroad career on the Atlantic & Pacific railroad, which subsequently became known as the Frisco. He began as fireman and worked his way up to engineer on a passenger train, in which capacity he is still employed, his run being between Springfield and Fort Smith, Arkansas. He has long been regarded by the company as one of the safest and most capable of its engineers, sober, reliable and careful.

Mr. Hasler was married on September 3, 1879, in Springfield, to Lucy E. McCleane, a native of Illinois, and a daughter of Archie and Lucy E. (Bird) McCleane. The father's death occurred in Jefferson county, Missouri, and the mother of Mrs. Hasler died in England. Mrs. Hasler received a good common school education.

To our subject and wife seven children have been born, namely: Allen is employed in the Frisco shops here; Mamie; Archie is employed in the Frisco shops; George is also a machinist in the local railroad shops; Agnes, Delia and Eli, the latter working in the Frisco shops.

Politically, Mr. Hasler is a Democrat. He belongs to Division 83, United Brotherhood of Engineers. He is a member of the Knights of * 0 lumbus, and he and his family are Catholics.

Works of biography and history, for the most part, record the lives of only those who have attained military, political, literary or professional distinction, with now and then a captain of industry, or those who in any other career have passed through extraordinary vicissitudes of fortune. But the names of men who have distinguished themselves in their day and generation, in the ordinary walks of life, for the possession of those qualities of character which mainly contribute to the success of private life and to the public stability - of men who. without special talents or genius, have been exemplary in all their personal and social relations, and at the same time enjoyed the confidence and esteem, the respect and good will of those with whom they associate or come in contact - ought not to be permitted to perish; for all are, or should be, much benefited by the delineation of those traits of character which find scope and exercise in the common walks of life. Among the individuals of this class of a past generation in Greene county was the late Brandt McQuistpn, for a long lapse of years one of the best known locomotive engineers on the Frisco system. Those who knew him well say that his life history was marked by the most substantial qualities of character and exhibited a long and somewhat strenuous career, and his memory will continue to be cherished by his many friends fur many years to come.

.Mr. McOuiston was born on October 22, 1859, in Indiana where he grew to manhood and received a common school education. He came to Springfield. Missouri, when a young man and went to work as fireman for the Kansas City, Ft. Scott & Memphis Railroad Company, which was leased by the Frisco system in 1900, later he went with the Frisco as passenger engineer, his run being between Springfield and Thayer. He was then passenger engineer for the former road, commonly known as the "Gulf" from [886 until this road was absorbed by the Frisco and he continued in his regular run after that for the latter road until his tragic death on October 1, 1903. He met death in a head-end collision between extra freight train No. 251, going east on the Southern division, and passenger train No. 202, bound from Memphis to Kansas City, at half-past five o'clock in the morning of the above mentioned date, at Horsesln le Curve, five miles north of Thayer, Missouri. It is the supposition that the freight had mistaken its order and was running on the passenger's time. A sort of mist or fog prevailed at the time, which added to the darkness of night and prevented the crews from seeing very far ahead of their trains, which were running at full rate of speed. The two trains were almost totally wrecked and a section of the track about the length of four cars was torn up. Mr. McOuiston, engineer of the passenger train and his fireman. Ernest White, were instantly killed, while John Finch, engineer of the freight, and John Tune, the fireman, both died soon thereafter. Some of the other members of the train crews and passengers were badly hurt. Our subject was spoken of at the time by the press as one of the oldest and best engineers running out of Springfield. One of the sad features of his death was the fact that he was soon to retire from the road, having purchased a good farm in Greene county and was preparing to remove thereto and spend his old days quietly. He had made his home on the South Side until the consolidation of the freight business on the North Side. He was buried with Masonic honors.

Mr. McQuiston was married on October 16, 1882, to Agnes L. Wright, a daughter of Charles James and Wells (Lee) Wright, who were born in England, from which country they emigrated to the United States in early life; the father became a successful physician and also a minister in the Episcopal church. Mrs. McOuiston is still residing at the old home placeon College street.

To our subject and wife three children were born, namely: Kenneth, born on July 10, 1884. married Jessie Petty, and he is a machinist in thenew shops of the Frisco in Springfield; Arthur C, born on March 31, 1889, has marked natural talent as an artist, and he is living in San Francisco, Cali- fornia, where he is a paint salesman; Janet W., born on August 12, 1891, was graduated from the local high school, later attended Drury College and the University of Missouri at Columbia, specializing in languages, paying particular attention to German; she is one of the successful teachers in Gallatin, Missouri, schools, being exceptionally well qualified for her chosen work.

Politically, Mr. McOuiston was a Republican. He belonged to the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. Fraternally, he held membership with the Royal Arch Masons and the Knights of Pythias.

Since [ames A. Berry, well-known farmer and stock breeder of Franklin township, Greene county, located in this vicinity over sixty years ago he has noted many changes - among others, a change 01 climatic conditions - the seasons are not so dependable now as formerly, consequently, the farmer has had to change his methods. One of the most serious conditions now to be met with is a drought at some period during each growing season. But he, with others, have learned that when crops are grown in rotation and proper tillage methods are followed, they will suffer les-~ from dry weather than when thev are grown continually; that crop rotation is usually of more importance than the method of tillage used in this respect, although both are important.

Mr. Berry was born, January [, 1842, in South Carolina. He is a son of William I'.. and Martha 1 Latham) Kerry. The father of our subject was a native of Alabama and was a son of Robert Berry, who located in South Carolina when a young man, where he married, after which he moved to Tennessee, remaining in that state until 1852, when he emigrated to Greene county, Missouri. The subject '>t' this sketch was two years old when he left his native state with his parents, and his early boyhood was s]>ent in Tennessee. William B. Berry was a life-long farmer, and owned a good farm in Greene county, and here his death occurred on the homestead September 21, iS<)_>. Politically, he was a Republican, but was never active in public affairs. The mother of our subject was also a native of South Carolina, and her death occurred on the home farm in Greene county in 1891. She was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church at Mt. Comfort, and she and her husband were both buried in the cemetery near that church. They were the parents of eight children, named as follows: James A., of this sketch; Mrs. Calverna Win Runnells, deceased; Mrs. Emily Runnells, deceased: Mrs. Mary lane McCurdy; Mrs. Dora Lay lives in Center

James A. Berry was eleven years of age when he accompanied the rest of the family to Greene county, Missouri, and he worked on the home farm in Franklin township, and was educated in the township schools. He remained on the home farm until his marriage, then moved to his present farm of one hundred and twenty acres. He also owns forty acres west of his home farm, which lies near the old home place. He has been very successful as a general farmer and live stock raiser, making a specialty of grain and trading in horses and mules, and formerly he raised large numbers of hogs annually, but of late years has not made such an extensive effort along this line. He has an excellent group of buildings. In the fall of 1912 he built a breeding barn, thirty-six by forty-eight feet, with box stalls - modern and complete. He is one of the best-known horse breeders in this part of the county and owns some fine stock, including a beautiful black Percheron stallion, "Charley," which is a splendid saddle horse, registered. He also owns "Roscoe," six years old, fifteen hands high; weight, fourteen hundred pounds. He also owns two fine jacks; one, "Black John,'" is a coal black, seven years old, and fourteen and one-half hands high.

Mr. Berry was married on December 18. 1800, to Elizabeth Katherine McCurdy, a (laughter of Thomas and Nancy .M. (Appleby) McCurdy. Air. McCurdy was born in Tennessee, December 5, 1820, and removed from that state to Arkansas when he was eleven years of age. Remaining in that slate until he was twenty years old, lie came to Greene county, Missouri, married the following year and located on a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, of well-improved land in Franklin township, and here his death occurred August 28, 1904, at the advanced age of eighty-seven vears. Ili> wife was born in Tennessee, July ij, 1821, and died on the home farm in Greene county, Missouri, July 3, 1901. Thomas McCurdy was a soldier in the Civil war, having enlisted in Company K, Seventy-second Missouri Volunteer Infantry, in 1861. He did guard duty mostly, and was kept with the garrison in Springfield most of the time. He had several very narrowescapes from serious wounds and at one time holes were shot through his hat and cape, and at another time a grape-shot narrowly missed his foot, but he went through the conflict unscathed, and was honorablv discharged in 1865.

linburg is a member of the real estate firm known as the Ozark Land Company, Springfield; Mrs. Fidelia Cornell lives in Springfield; James Blaine lives in Springfield and is a member of the firm of the Ozark Land Company, being in the real estate business with his brother; John Logan lives in Springfield; the other six children died in infancy.

During the Civil War Mr. Berry enlisted for service in the Federal army in 1861, in Company K, Seventy-second Missouri Volunteer Infantry. He drove a team most of the time, however he took part in the battle of Springfield when Marmaduke and Shelby attacked the town, on January 8, 1863, and he was also in several skirmishes. He did guard duty for some time about the commissary. He was mustered out and honorably discharged, August 20, 1865. He remained in Springfield during his entire service. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He has always been a Republican but now votes independently in local affairs. His wife is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church at Alt. ( lomfort. When a young man, just before the breaking out of the Civil war. Mr. Berry hauled lumber for the old court-house, also hauled sand from the James river for the same, driving six yoke of oxen. He recalls many interesting reminiscences of the early days, and it is a pleasure to visit his home.

John Henry Lehr

John Henry Lehr, now living in honorable retirement in his comfortable home on East Elm street, Springfield, is worthy of mention in the pages of a volume of the province of the one in hand for various reasons, not the least of which is the fact that he is one of the loyal sons of the North who offered his services and his life, if need be, to perpetuate the Union, during its greatest crisis, a half century ago. He has spent his active life principally as a carpenter, builder and agriculturist, and, being a persistent worker and doing his work thoroughly and well, he accumulated a competency for his declining years and is now spending his days quietly.

Mr. Lehr, as the name indicates, is of German descent, and of an Ohio family, his birth having occurred near Tuscarawas, in the count}' of that name, in the state of Ohio, December 9, 1845. ^e *s a son °f Michael and Catherine (Gnagie) Lehr. Michael Lehr was born in Oldenbach, Germany, in June, 1809, and there he grew to manhood and received his education. When twenty years of age he immigrated to the United States and located in Tuscarawas county. Ohio, where he worked at his trade of cabinet maker which he had learned in the old country. He was an expert workman and was always busy. Catherine Gnagie was also born in Oldenbach, Germany, and there grew up and was educated, and there she and Mr. Lehr were married in 1828, and for a wedding trip they came to America. These parents have long been deceased.

John Henry Lehr grew to manhood in his native county in the Buckeye state and there he assisted his father with the general work on the farm. He received his education in the common schools of his day, and when the Civil war came on he enlisted for service with the National troops, although he was but sixteen years of age, but, according to his comrades he proved to be as good and faithful a soldier as his older companions in his regiment. It was on August 6, 1862, that he enlisted in Company G, Ninety- Eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He saw much hard service ami participated in numerous important engagements, including the battles of Perryville, Kentucky, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Resaca, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, and from that city marched with Sherman to the sea at Savannah, thence up through the Carolinas, and fought at the battle of Bentonville. He was never sick, captured or wounded, and was with his regiment every day, and never shirked his duty no matter how dangerous or arduous. He was commissioned corporal for his faithful service, and was so mustered out in June, 1865, after he had marched in the grand review in Washington City. He was honorably discharged and returned to his home in Ohio where he continued farming until 1869 when he came to Livingston county, Missouri, where he worked at the carpenter's trade, and in 1870 purchased land there and resumed farming which he carried on with his usual success until 1906 when, on account of failing health, he sold his farm and went to Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he remained three months, then came to Springfield, Missouri, retired from active life and has since made his home here.

Mr. Lehr was married in December, 1870, to Mary Umphrey, a native of Illinois. Her death occurred in 1901. To this union five children were born, namely: Oscar V. lives in Chillicothe, Missouri; Clay E. is deceased; Margaret E. is the wife of A. D. Miller, of Gault, Missouri; Esther D. is the wife of Dr. L. Hopper, of Ft. Scott, Kansas; Grace E. is the wife of H. L. Atherton, of Oklahoma City.

Mr. Lehr was again married in December, 1906, to Ellen Affolter, of Tuscarawas, Ohio, where her birth occurred on August 26, 1876. She is a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Affolter. The father was a soldier in the Fifty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry during the Civil war, also served in a battery. Mrs. Lehr grew to womanhood and was educated in her native vicinity.

James Bissett

The pioneer railroader, for many years master mechanic in the Springfield shops, the gentleman whose life history is herewith outlined, was a man who lived to good purpose and achieved a large degree of success, solely by his individual efforts. By a straightforward and commendable course Mr. Bissett climbed to a responsible position in his calling, winning the hearty admiration of his fellow workmen and earning a reputation as an enterprising, reliable, trustworthy and efficient man of affairs which a number of the leading railroad officials of the country were not slow to recognize and appreciate, and those who knew him best will readily acquiesce in the statement that he was eminently deserving of the good things which fate brought him during his life.

James Bissett was born in Scotland, May 15, 1840, and had many of the characteristic traits of the noble race of Scots. His birth occurred within two blocks of the house in which Andrew Carnegie first saw the light of day. but his family brought him to America when he was a child and he was reared in Madison. Indiana, receiving his education in that town and in Indianapolis. However, his schooling was limited, and his knowledge, which was considerable and general, was acquired chiefly by experience in the practical affairs of life. He was a son of Thomas and Mary ( Walker) Bissett, both natives of Scotland, where they grew up and were married. The father died in Madison. Indiana. He was a machinist by trade. His family consisted ot" seven children, five of whom are still living, namely: Thomas is deceased; Elizabeth; William; Robert; David; Ellen, and James of this sketch, who was the second in order of birth and who died on November 11, 1914.

James Uissett returned to Madison, Indiana, after he left school in Indianapolis, and went to work in the railroad shops of North Madison, remaining there as an apprentice about four years, or until 1858, then went to Nashville. Tennessee, and from there to Huntsville, Alabama, where he was fixing when the war between the states began. He returned to Nashville ami went to work in the Memphis & Nashville machine shops there, later ran a locomotive between Huntsville, Alabama, and Brownsville, Mississippi, and while thus engaged was captured at Hunts\ ille by the Federals, the Fourth Ohio Cavalry, under Col. < >. M. Mitchell. The invaders were later driven out ot that city, and our subject went to Chattanooga, Tennessee, arriving there while General Bragg was crossing the river with his army, just prior to the battle of Chickamauga. He went on to Atlanta, being with Bragg's army most of the time. All the while he had been running an engine for the Confederates, and he look his engine from Atlanta to Macon, Georgia, later, where, the fire box giving out, he left it, and from there went to Selma, that state, and worked on the Blue Mountain route. From there he went to Birmingham, Alabama. He was captured at Selma by "Billy" Wilson.

After the war Mr. Bissett came to Nashville and went to work on the Nashville & Chattanooga railroad as engineer, but in 1865 he returned to his old home in Madison, Indiana, then went to work for the Louisville & Nashville Railroad Company. Later he was in the employ of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company, with headquarters at Galesburg, Illinois, and from there he went to Omaha, Nebraska, for the Union Pacific, which company sent him to Wyoming, in [868, that country then being a territory. He ran an engine for some time and later was foreman of the company's shops at Laramie, remaining there three years, then came to Moberlv. Missouri, and took charge of the old North Missouri shops, remaining there some time, then went with the Santa Fe road, ami was the first master mechanic on that road west of Topeka, Kansas, his headquarters being at Dodge City, where he remained two years, after which he went to Los Angeles. California, in 1876, from which city he ran an engine to and from Wilmington. Later he went to Colton, at the edge of the desert, which was at the end of the road, which was only <>ne hundred miles long. It was a private road at that time, but is now a part of the Southern Pacific. Subsequently Mr. Bissett ran a locomotive for the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad Company between 1 'arsons, Kansas, and Hannibal, Missouri. Leaving this company, he ran an engine out of Marshall, Texas, for the Texas Pacific road, and later was given an engine on the International Great Northern. He came to Kansas City in 1883 and was made foreman of the Missouri River, Ft. Scott & Gulf shops, remaining in charge of the same until October, 1890, when he came to Springfield, Missouri, as master mechanic for the Kansas City, Ft. Scott & Memphis road, remaining with the same until 1901, when this road was purchased by the Frisco System. He remained in the same capacity with the latter road, discharging his duties with his usual fidelity and success and to the eminent satisfaction of all concerned. When the old Gulf shops on the South Side wTere closed, he was retired with a pension, having reached the age limit.

Mr. Bissett was married on December 25, i86n, in Madison, Indiana, to Levena Aigner, who was born in Jefferson county, Indiana. November 13, 1844. She is a daughter of M. C. Aigner and wife, her mother dying in the year 1865. She grew up in her native city and had the advantages of an excellent education.

Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Bissett, two of whom are living, namely: James, born in Galesburg, Illinois, is deceased; Harry, born in Laramie, Wyoming, February 13, 1871, was graduated from the high school in Kansas City, after which he came to Springfield and went to work for the Frisco, beginning at the bottom, and is now foreman of the South Side shops. He married, on June 27, 1900, Emma Weaver, daughter of Major Weaver and wife, and they have one child, Marion, born September 7, 1903; Clyde, youngest child of our subject, was born March 19, 1876, and is living in Kansas City.

Politically, Mr. Bissett was a Democrat. He was an interesting talker on early railroading in this country, and his vast experience in so many places, made his reminiscences entertaining and instructive. His death was a great loss to the community and he will long be remembered as one of Springfield's best citizens.

James A. Woodson

Some families seem to be born mechanics, just the same as men are born with a bent toward any other vocation, and the children of such are as a rule very precocious in the lines which they are destined to follow, their inclination being shown in their toys and in their play often when they can scarcely talk or walk. This bent should be carefully encouraged by the parent, whose child may become in due course of time a man of rare talent, if not an inventor of useful devices, at least a man of great service in some way or another, capable of doing exceptionally good work in some useful line and therefore be a blessing in a general way to the human race. James A. Woodson, general foreman of the South Side Frisco shops, Springfield, came from such a family and was such a child. He has followed up his natural liking for mechanical work with the result that he is one of the ablest mechanics on the great system for which he works.

.Mr. Woodson was born at Roanoke, Howard county, Missouri, May 10. 1859. He is a son of William B. Woodson, who was born in the state of Virginia where he grew up, attended school and learned the carpent< 1 - trade when a boy, later, in 1842, removing to Missouri and establishing his future home. He was of Scotch-Irish descent, and he became a wellknown and successful contractor and builder in Howard and Randolph counties, this state, maintaining his office at Roanoke, under the 'firm name of Woodson & Phelps. II is death incurred in 1893 at the age of seventyfour years. Politically, he was originally a Whig, later a Democrat. He was a member of the Baptist church. He married Martha C. Lockridge, who lived near Roanoke. She was a daughter of William Y. Lockridge, who was one of the first tanners in .Missouri, who later became a manufacturer of shoes and handled leather ami leather ^««K, being well known in Howard county. Archer W. Woodson, our subject's paternal grandfather, was a farmer near

Gordingville, Roanoke county. Virginia. Nine children were born to William B. Woodson and wife, namely: Willie married P. A. Frederick, a broker and real estate man of Kansas City; Emmett L., who died in 1909, was a traveling salesman for Swift & Company; James A., of this sketch; Lutie is 'the wife of a Mr. Mowinkle, traveling auditor for Swift & Company out of Chicago; Ruth, Charles and Harry are all deceased; Bessie is the wife of C. A. Carrier, who is engaged in the manufacturing business in Kansas City; Maud, who has remained single, is with the secretary of the Relief Board of Kansas City.

James A. Woodson grew up in Howard county and there received a common school education, and when but a boy he began work as a machinist at Moberly, Missouri, where he served his apprenticeship in the St. Louis, Kansas City & Northern Railroad shops, beginning there on March 8, 1874, and remained with that company until 1880, then went to Mt. Vernon, Illinois where he worked a year as machinist for the Louisville & Nashville Railroad. He then worked at Tracy, Tennessee, as machinist for the Tennessee Coal & Iron Company, was division foreman there for three years. He then went to Chattanooga, Tennessee, where he worked as machinist for the Southern railroad for a short time, after which he came back to Moberly, Missouri, where he worked in the Wabash railroad shops for awhile at his trade, then went to Kansas City and found employment with the Kansas City, Ft. Scott & Memphis Railroad Company, beginning as machinist there on October 1, 1884, and remained there until October 1, 1890, then came to Springfield for this company, working in their shops here until October 1, 1891, when he was appointed machine shop foreman. In March, 1907, he was promoted to general foreman of the South Side shops which position he has occupied to the present time, and was placed in charge of the round house here on August 11, 191 1. He has under his direction on an average of one hundred men. Everything is under a splendid system of modern management and he is a man of such fine executive ability that he gets the best results possible from his men and at the same time wins and retains their good will and friendship.

Mr. Woodson was married in 1889 to Julia D. Wray, a daughter of Joseph A. and Christiana ( Rea) Wray, who were born near Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. To this union two children have been born, namely: Dorothv L. is a student of piano under Miss Afwood, of Springfield, and she has decided musical talent; Gladys is a student in Drury College.

Politically, Mr. Woodson is a Democrat. Fraternally, he belongs to the Masonic order. Solomon Lodge; also the Royal Arcanum, and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is a member of Calvary Presbyterian church, in which he was a deacon for some time. He has long been active in church -work.