Greene County, Missouri - Biographical sketches, 1915 (part 6 of 29)

Benjamin Franklin Fielder

That period of the nineteenth century embracing the decades between 1830 and the breaking out of the Civil war was characterized by the immigration of the pioneer element which made the great state of Missouri what it is today. The immigrants were sturdy, heroic, sincere and, in the main, upright people, such as constitute the strength of the commonwealth. It is scarcely probable that in the future of the world another such period can occur, or, indeed, any period when such a solid phalanx of strong-minded men and noble, self-sacrificing women will take possession of a new country. The period to which reference is made, therefore, cannot be too much or too well written up. and the only way to do justice to such a subject is torecord the lives of those who led the van of civilization and founded the institutions which today are the pride and boast of a great state and a strong and virile people. Among those who came to (ireene counts- when it was still largely in its primitive wildness was the late Benjamin Franklin Fielder, who was not only a leading actor in the great drama which witnessed the passing of the old and the introduction of the new conditions in this locality. but who enjoyed an excellent reputation that penetrated to adjoining counties during his career here of over sixtv vears. He devoted his life, which embraced the unusual span of ninety years, to agricultural pursuits, and by close application he established those habits of industry and frugality which insured his success in later years. With the able assistance of his estimable life companion he forged ahead, extended the acres of cultivable land and in due time found himself Upon the high road to prosperity with a good farm in his possession and all the comforts and conveniences of hie surrounding him. He was regarded as an enterprising and typical fanner of the progressive type. His thorough system of tillage, the good order of his fences, the wellcared-for condition of his fields, the commodious and comfortable buildings. all demonstrated his successful management and substantial thrift, and his long residence in the vicinity of Springfield won for him a very high place in the confidence and esteem of his neighbors and friends.

Mr. Fielder was born in Maury county, Tennessee, on February 7. 1X24. He was a son of John and Mar) ( Denton) Fielder, one of the old families in that section of the South, and there they spent their lives, dying in Maury county. The father of our subject was a successful farmer and was influential in public affairs. He was at one time sheriff of Maury county. His family consisted of eight children, all now deceased, namely: Mrs. Martha Speer. Thompson Benjamin F., Mrs. Mary Wilkes, Samuel I'.. Ellen, Louisa and the youngest died in infancy unnamed.

Benjamin F. Fielder

schools of his neighborhood, and remained at home until he was about thirty years of age, when he came overland to Greene county. Missouri, in the year 1853, and settled on a farm about three miles southeast of the business center of Springfield, which was then a mere village, but which has now spread almost to the Fielder homestead. However, he had learned the carpenter's trade in bis native state and followed this for some time after coming to Greene county in connection with farming, in fact, be liked to use tools so well that he worked at his trade ai times during all his active life. Being industrious and managing well, he prospered and became owner of a number of good farms in this count}', all of which he placed under high-grade improvement and an excellent state of cultivation. His widow still owns the old home place, lying just east of the National cemetery, and which fine farm contains one hundred and live acres. Old age finally rendering him unlit for the strenuous work of the farm, he removed to a comfortable dwelling on East State street, Springfield, which he purchased, and here he resided from [913 until his death, which occurred on December 4, 1914. lie was twice married, first in Tennessee to Mary Fstes, about 1X51. Four children were born to this union. Alary A. Brown, living near Ozark. .Missouri: Roxie, deceased; William Thomas is living in this count}-, and Andrew J. is living in Lindsay. California.

Mr. Fielder was married on February 0, 1S77. on his farm in this count}', to Mary S. Barnes. She was born in Greene county, .Missouri, on September 28, [846. She is a daughter of Matthew ('. and Luceta A. ( Townsend) Barnes. Her father was born in Indiana on January 18. 1X23. Ikspent his earlv life in that state, eventually removing to Greene county, Missouri, where he spent the rest of his life on a farm, dying here on December 7, 1908. He was thirteen years old, when he came here, Springfield at that time being a small trading center on the wild prairies. Mr. Barnes became a minister in the Methodist Episcopal church and was prominent in that denomination in the earl}' days in this locality when most preachers were also farmers. I le i-- remembered as a man of fine characteristics, beloved by all who knew him. and he did much for the moral and general uplift of the county. His wife was born in Logan count}'. Kentucky, on August 20, 1X27, and her death occurred about twenty-seven years ago near Monett, in Barrv county. Missouri, when she was in the prime of life. To Mr. and Mrs. Bani'es eleven children were born, nine daughters and two sons; five of them are still living, namely: Mrs. Alary S. Fielder, widow of our subject; Mrs. Virginia Thomas, Mrs. Ellen Decker, Mrs. Lula Williams and Mrs. Geneva Tharp.

.The union of Benjamin F. Fielder and wife resulted in the birth of four children, named as follows: Mrs. R. L. Matthews lives in Springfield, Cordelia lives at home, Benjamin F., Jr.. resides in Springfield, Mrs. G. W.

I I3O Greene County, Missouri

Chapman lives at Hunter, Missouri. These children all grew up on the homestead southeast of the city and all were given good educational advantages.

Benjamin F. Fielder was a member of St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal church, South. In earlier life he was a Democrat, but in later years voted for prohibition. He was lung an active member of the Masonic Order, having in earl}- life united with Polk lodge at Columbia. Tennessee. He led a quiet home life, never taking an active part in politics and was never a candidate for office.

"Away back in '^3 a prairie schooner pulled by a span of horses rattled and creaked its way across the country from Maury count}-. Tennessee. A jolly party was in the schooner. lien F. Fielder and his brother. T. F. Fielder, with their wives and babies, were searching for a new home. Both had been married less than two years. It was autumn and the whole world looked brigbt.

"For days the part}' looked over the Missouri country - and drove on. Arriving in the Ozarks, the Fielders drove more slowly, having been enamored with the beauty and prospects of the hillsides. Arriving in a little village of log cabins on November 17. 1853, they made their camp. That was the town of Springfield.

"Yesterday morning one of the pioneers of Greene count} p.i-M-d away. It was "Uncle lien" Fielder, the lasl "i" the four grown-ups who traveled across the country in the schooner to Springfield, lie died at the family home on Easl State street. For the last month "Uncle Ben," as he was known to hundreds of people in the count}', had been failing in health. He grew weaker, but firmly believed to the last that he would recover and again go about among his friends. Prior to the beginning of the month of illness "Uncle lien" was hale and heart} and walked about town unassisted. He was known here as the oldest Mason in Missouri.

"Soon after the close of the Civil war Mr. Fielder joined the South Side Mount Pisgah church and for years was the superintendent of the Sunday school. Years ago the pupils of the class he taught presented a beautiful Bible to him. which was at his side on his death lied."

"Benjamin F. Fielder, whose funeral will be held this afternoon at the family home, was a member of the famous Seventy-sixth Regiment. Missouri Militia, which successfully frustrated the attack on Springfield on January 8, 18*13. attempted under order of General Marmaduke. The engagement at

" 'I first met Mr. Fielder in the town of Columbia, Tennessee, in the vear 1852,' said Mr. Hubble. 'I was clerking in a country store there at the time and Mr. Fielder purchased a razor from me. From that time until the death of Mr. Fielder we were firm friends and he was often a guest at my home after his removal to Missouri. He was in possession of the razor at the time of his death.

" 'My friend came to Springfield in the early fifties. He was induced to come to Greene count) by the obvious opportunities for a farmer here. Land was much higher priced in Tennessee than it was in this state. Mr. Fielder was never active in politics, as he was of a retiring disposition. Recognition should be given his moral characteristics. His word was as good as his bond, and he was a devoted prohibitionist ; in fact, he was one of the noblest men with whom I have ever been associated.' "

Mr. Fielder, despite the fact that he was nearly ninety years of age at the time of his death, was unusually well preserved, lie was able to read without glasses, and until a short time before he died he made daily walks about the city.

James J. Gideon

The name of Judge James J. Gideon has been a prominent and honored one in Greene county for many decades and he is still in the front rank- of the local bar. His force and effectiveness are strongly emphasized in his arguments to the jury, as he seems not so much to look at them, as to look through them, less for the purpose of seeing how they felt, than to rivet their attention, and, as it were, to grasp their attention by the compass of his own. The calm and masterly manner in which he disposes of the preliminary considerations is the reminder of the experienced general, quietly arranging his forces and preparing to press down with overwhelming force upon a single point. His manner becomes aroused; his action animated. It is first the expression of extensive views and the enunciation of general principles applicable to the case; then the application of those to particular facts, examining the testimony of each witness, showing its weakness, the suspicions attaching to it and its inconsistency either with itself or with the other parts of the evidence. As a judge he was an active, hard worker. Always careful, painstaking and prompt, he was a valuable member of the court - always sustained himself well on the bench. The decisions made bv him were alwavs short, clear and to the point, disposing of cases rapidly and satisfactorily. Possessed and imbued as he is to a large degree with the elementary principles of the law, he was able in his written opinions to make them models of perspicuity and force and plain to the comprehension of all. But while he has distinguished himself as a lawyer and jurist, he has a far greater claim to the respect of the people of Springfield and vicinity in his sturdy integrity of character and his life-long course as a friend of justice.

Judge Gideon was born on Ozark Mountain soil, was reared in the latter part of the pioneer period and he springs from a sterling Irish-Scotch ancestry of Colonial American stock. His birth occurred in Taney count}", in a section that is now a part of Christian county, Missouri, on December 11. 1846. He is a son of William C. and Malinda (Byrd) Gideon. James Gideon, the great-grandfather of our subject, was the founder of the branch of the family in America. He came from Dublin. Ireland, with his brothers. Reuben and Edward, and bringing his wife. Nancy. His sons were Edward. William, [sham, James and John. They all settled on land in southwestern Xew York. Edward, brother of James, was killed in battle during the Revolutionary war. All of the family moved to North Carolina about 1781 and settled on the Yadkin river. James Gideon moved to what is now Hawkins count}-. Tennessee, in 1821, where be settled on wild land and there established the family home, cleared and developed a farm. He took with him the apple trees with which to plant his orchard. Several members of the Gideon family went with him besides his own immediate family. He was a substantial farmer and lived to be an aged man. pa-sing the remainder of his days in Tennessee. William Gideon, bis son and the grandfather of our subject, was born in the -tate of Xew York in ijNij, and went with the rest of the family to North Carolina, and there he married .Matilda Wood, and to them these children

Green I'... John A.. .Minerva and Elizabeth. Mr. Gitleon moved to Tennessee in iNji and engaged in fanning, although lie was a batter by trade. He was a member of the Baptist church and was an elder in the church for forty years. However; in his old age he became a Universalist. In the spring of [836 be came to Missouri and settled on land north of ( 'zark, entering two hundred acres of wild land two miles from that town and here began life in true pioneer fashion. He became a successful farmer here and a well-known and highly respected citizen. His death occurred in [868 at the age of seventy-nine years. Hi-- -on. William ( '. Gideon, our subject's father, was born in Hawkins county. Tennessee, on February 15. (824, and received a limited education in the schools of his day, and was but twelve years old when he came with bis father to Missouri, and was reared among the frontiersmen of this state in a rugged and primitive environment. When twenty- one vears old he married Malinda Byrd, a daughter of James Byrd and wife, and to this union eight children were born, namely: Thomas J.. James J., Francis M.. William \Y.. John M., Martin \\, George B. and Matilda.

William C. Gideon settled on a farm in what was then Taney county, now Christian county. Missouri, and during his life lived on a number of different farms in this locality. He was a hard worker and managed well. and even prior to the breaking out of the war between the states he owned four hundred and eighty acres of land in Christian county. He cleared up several farms. During the war he was obliged to remove his residence to Greene county, settling four miles south of Springfield on account of the depredations of guerrillas. His sympathies were with the Union, and during the war he served in the Home Guards, three months under Capt. Jesse Galloway, and on March 5. 1862, he enlisted in Company F, Missouri State Militia, and was mustered into L'nited States service. He was promoted to sergeant and detailed as recruiting officer at Springfield, Missouri, for Rabbs' Battery, having been transferred to the Eighth Missouri State Militia. While in this service, he was killed by a hand of guerrillas, in Christian county, at the home of his father on December id, [863, at the early age of thirty-nine years. He had participated in the battle of ( )zark and the battle of Springfield when Marmaduke and Shelby made their raid and attempted to capture the town on January 8. 1863. He was also in other engagements and proved to he a brave and gallant soldier. In religion he was a Methodist. lie was a man whose judgment was respected by the people and he was influential in his community. He served as justice of the peace four years. In politics he was a Douglas or war Democrat, hut after the war began became a Republican. He was a man of quiet and peaceful disposition, was honorable in character, and had the confidence of the community in which he lived.

Judge James J. Gideon grew to manhood on his father's farm in Christian county and there worked hard when a boy. He received his earlv education in the common schools, and when a boy. being fired with the patriotism of the youth of this country during the Civil war. he ran away from school at the age of sixteen years, and on June 20. 1003, enlisted at Springfield in Battery A. First Arkansas Light Artillery. After serving a short time in this batten- he re-enlisted in Company H. Sixteenth L'nited States Cavalry, in which he served twenty months. While in this regiment he was in the tight at Boonville against General Price, at the battle near Jefferson City, at Big Blue, where General Marmaduke was captured. Independence and in the Newtonia fight and many skirmishes, in all of which he deported himself as creditably as did any of the veterans of his regiment. He was promoted to corporal and was honorably discharged on July 1. 1865. During his service he was neither wounded nor imprisoned. At the close of the war he was elected captain of Company E, Ninety-ninth Regiment, Missouri Militia, but saw no active service as such. After his military career he returned home, attended school and fanned. On December 29, 1868', he married Mary S. Ball, a daughter of Captain Jackson and Elizabeth (Keltruer) Ball. To Judge and Mrs. Gideon the following children were born: Percy P., Frederick E., Nora (died when thirteen years old). Kate M.. who died on November 20, 1900, and Mary, born on January 1, 1894, died on March 10. 1907.

After his marriage Judge Gideon settled on a farm near Ozark, but agricultural pursuits were not exactly to the tastes of a man of his active mind and laudable ambitions, and he began the study of law during his spare moments, and, making rapid progress, he was admitted to the bar in January, 1872, and immediately began the practice of his profession at Ozark, where he soon had a good practice and where he continued until 1886. During this time he won the confidence of the people of his county and filled the office of public administrator and prosecuting attorney for eight years. He also represented his county in the state Legislature one term and was elected to the state Senate from the Nineteenth Senatorial District in 1884 and served one term, giving his constituents entire satisfaction in both offices. On July 26, 1886, he removed to Springfield, where he still resides and where he was successful in the practice of his profession from the start and his ability recognized, in 1888, by his election as prosecuting attorney for one term and in the year 1902 by his election as judge of the criminal court. In November, 1900, he was again elected judge of the criminal court for one term, which important office he filled to the satisfaction of the people. It is said that under his administration the business of the criminal court was dispatched expeditiously, as indicated in the beginning of this article, and that wisdom accompanied his judgments, which were tempered with mercy. Judge Gideon is -widely known throughout southwestern Missouri as a stanch leader in the Republican party and a successful politician. He has never been defeated before a convention or at the polls for any office for which he has seen fit to run except in the free silver craze of 1896. He is still active in the practice of hi-- profession. Fraternally he belongs to Solomon Lodge of Masons at Springfield and at Ozark held all the offices of Friend Lodge, Xo. 3^2. He also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is an active member of Capt. John Matthews Post, Grand Army of the Republic, Springfield, of which he has been commander, and he was at onetime assistant inspector general of the Grand Army of the Republic.

ludge Gideon's life record might well be emulated by the ambitious youth whose fortunes are yet in the making, for our subject is an example of the self-made man who came up from the soil and has battled his way to the front unaided and along honorable lines.

George Wesley Niederhuth

The evolutions in the industrial world and the improved modes of manufacturing things have been marvelous in the past half century, and scarcely an industry exists that has been left untouched by the spirit of reform. The demand of the age is for labor-saving devices, improved appliances, machinery, and short cuts generally to desired ends. George Wesley Niederhuth, chief engineer at Drury College and agent for a number of standard makes of motorcycles, is one of Springfield's young men who is giving much thought to these things and has a comprehensive understanding of modern mechanical industries in general.

Air. Niederhuth was born on August 2, 1889, at Eldora, Iowa. He is a son of Rev. Otto Niederhuth, who was born in Hanover, Germany, on February 12, 1862, where he spent his boyhood and attended school, emigrating to America when eighteen years of age, and he became a minister in the Methodist Episcopal church, having studied theology at Wesleyan Academy at Wilbraham, Massachusetts, in 1884; also studied at the German college and the Iowa Wesleyan University at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa; then, being well equipped for his serious life work, he went to Bismark, North Dakota, having charge of the Grand Forks Mission, extending sixty miles north and south and one hundred and fifty miles east and west. He drove over this large field with horse and buggy and during winter often with thermometer registering thirty degrees below. Later he filled appointments at Crookston, Minnesota, Eldora, Iowa, also Olderbolt, Colesburg. Burt and Burlington, of that state; Brighton, Illinois; Hermann, Mt. Vernon and Truxton, Missouri, being still the pastor of the German Methodist church at the last named place. He has done an excellent work in all these charges and is a learned and eloquent expounder of Holy Writ. Politically, he is a Republican, and fraternally a member of the Modern Woodmen. His wife was known in her maidenhood as Louisa Launroth, a native of Burlington, Iowa. To them nine children were born, and were named as follows : Lulu is the wife of Rev. Herman Langer, a Missouri Methodist minister; George W., of this sketch; Esther is the wife of Louis Schultz, a farmer of Madison, Nebraska; Oscar, deceased; Otto, deceased; Irwin, deceased; Raymond, Earl and Alberta are all three at home with their parents.

George W. Niederhuth received his education in the common schools, then studied two years at Central Wesleyan College at Warrenton, Missouri, and after that took the International Correspondence School course in electrical and mechanical engineering. His first employment was at Nokomis, Illinois, as assistant night engineer at the electric power plant there, later being promoted to engineer and then to the position of chief engineer,.

I I36 Greene County, Missouri

remaining there three years. He then came to Hermann, Missouri, as assistant engineer at the Starr Roller Mills, where he remained nearly a year, then went to Warrenton, Missouri, and entered college, working his way through, and also worked at spare times at the city electric plant there. He then came to Springfield, and secured a position as engineer at the Woodruff building in January, 1911, filling this position until December nth following, then accepted his present position, that of chief engineer at Drury College. He has given entire satisfaction in all these places, being faithful, trustworthy and having an excellent working knowledge of both electrical and mechanical engineering. He has for some time also been agent for the best makes of motorcycles and does high-class motorcycle repairing at his home at 1090 East Harrison street. He handles motorcycle accessories, such as lamps, tires, horns, etc., and he has built up a good business in this line. He has furnished motorcycles to the special police of this city for some time.

Mr. Xiederhuth was married on September 14, 191 1. to Ella Boehm, a daughter of John Boehm, a veteran of the Union army, formerly of Hermann, Missouri, now of Springfield.

Politically, Mr. Xiederhuth is a Republican. Fraternally, he formerly belonged to the Modern Woodmen of America. He is a member of the National Association of Stationary Engineers, lie holds membership with the Cumberland Presbyterian church.

It is not strange that the little republic of Switzerland should lose many of u- enterprising citizens who come to the United States and establish their homes, for our institutions are similar to their own and they do not have such a hard time adjusting themselves here as do the emigrants from other countries of Europe, horn and reared under conditions which are just aboul the antithesis of our own. The port-- of entry of America have ever beer freely Opened to the Swiss, and having thus extended to them a hearty hand (if welcome, they have been coming to our shores for two centuries or more, and their substantial home- now adorn the towns, hills and plains in ever) state in the Union. They have been loyal to our institutions and have proven !<- lie splendid citizens in every respect. Thus they have aided us in pushing forward the civilization of the western hemisphere and we have helped them in main ways, giving them every opportunity, which they have not been slow to grasp, being people of thrift, tact and energy.

Mrs. Hknky L'Kokeiu'I

Proserpi, who is engaged in cement contracting in Springfield, his birth Inning occurred in Switzerland on October 25, 1855. He is a son of Balydsour and Christina (White) Proserpi, both these parents being born in Canton Fazeno, Switzerland, and there they grew to maturity, were educated in the common schools and were married and they spent their lives in their native country, the death of the father occurring in 1873, and the mother passed away in 1871. They were the parents of ten children, of whom Henry, of this sketch, was the youngest. Six of these children still survive.

Henry Proserpi grew to manhood in Switzerland and there received a public school education, which was somewhat limited, and he may be classed with our self-made men. He emigrated from his native land when he was twenty-rive years of age, in r88l, coming to the United States and penetrating the interior to Springfield, Missouri, arriving here with but seven dollars and fifty cents as his sole capital, and unable to speak a word of English. But he had a trade and plenty of grit and determination, so it was not long until he was on his feet. I le began working at the cement and stone business when fourteen years of age. and he has followed the same ever since, mastering the various ins and outs of the same when but a boy. He started on his own account here in [884 and has become widely known in Greene county in his special line of endeavor. He has done numerous big jobs for the Frisco railroad, and among the notable larger jobs which he has had was the Landers Theater, on which he did all the cement work, and the auditorium at Drury College, lie is known to be a man of advanced ideas and does his work promptly, neatly and honestly. He has been very successful in a financial way.

Air. Proserpi was married on December 20, 1884, to Belle Hopkins, a daughter of James Hopkins, a farmer of Phelps county, Missouri, and she is one of a family of twelve children, six sons and six daughters. Mrs. Proserpi's father was from Tennessee. He died in Phelps county, and the mother was Fanny Morrow and was born in Indiana. She is still living in Phelps county. Missouri.

Seven children, two sons and five daughters, have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Proserpi, namely: Rosa Gertrude, born on November 2, 1885, married -Clyde Sperry, a real estate and insurance man of Springfield, and they have one child. Harold Eugene Sperry; Daisy Christina, born on Xovember 8, 1887, is at home; Joseph Franklin, born on November 6, 1889, died in infancy: Jessie May, bom on November 6, 1890, died in infancy; Charles Ernest, born on January 27, 1894: Georgia F., born on November 28, 1897, and Mamie A., born on February 21, 1900.

Politically Mr. Proserpi is a Democrat. Fraternallv he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and. the Woodmen of the World. He and his family attend the Baptist church. Their home is at 2133 Benton avenue. <7-7)

Francis A. Gallagher

The career of Francis A. Gallagher, superintendent of the Springfield Traction Company, has been a varied one, with success in every line to which he has turned his attention, for at the outset he realized that to achieve anything worth while in this world one must not only have big ideas of a practical and sane nature, but there must also be courage, sound judgment, persistency and close adherence to high ideals. He has never waited for some one else to do his planning or to execute his plans, but has been self-reliant and resourceful, and so it is not surprising that he is now filling a very responsible position while yet a young man.

Mr. Gallagher was born February 17, 1875, in Bradford county, Pennsylvania. He is a son of Francis A. and Winifred ( Collom ) Gallagher. The father was born at Painesville, Ohio, in 1850, and the mother's birth occurred in Bradford county, Pennsylvania, February 22, 1851. These parents grew up in their respective communities and received common school educations, and when young in years the father went to Titusville, Pennsylvania, where he established his home, and there he engaged in the oil business. He became a prominent man in politics. He was a member of the Catholic church. His death occurred at Titusville, November 17. 1874, when a young man. His widow still survives, and makes her home in Bradford, Pennsylvania.

Francis A. Gallagher, only child of his parents, grew to manhood in his native state and there received a common school and college education. When but a boy he began his railroad career by taking a position with the Erie Railroad Company, working at different office positions. He then went to the Standard Oil Company, working at different places in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky. In 1896 he went into construction work for the Pierce Construction Company, building street railways, etc. This firm was located at Bradford, Pennsylvania. Later our subject went to Michigan in the same business for the Marquette Railway Company, remaining there until 1907 when he came to Springfield, Missouri, and took a position as superintendent of the Springfield Traction Company, which he has rilled to the present time with his usual eminent satisfaction that has marked all his work in the past. Since coming here he has rebuilt the system, relaying even- foot of track, constructing new barns, etc.. and has given the people of Springfield a modern and satisfactory street railway, lie maintains his offices at 1405 Boonville street. He has always been a close observer and a deep student of his line of work and has therefore kept well abreast of the times in his special field.

vania, to Edna Holmes, a native of that place, where she was reared and educated, including both the public schools and a college course of several years. She is a daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Venetti) Holmes, both natives of Pennsylvania, where they grew up, were educated and married and established the family home at Bradford where they are well known and influential. Mr. Holmes was engaged in the oil business for many years there.

To Mr. and Mrs. Gallagher three children have been born, namely: Francis A.. Jr., born on May 17, 1902, in Bradford, Pennsylvania; John H., born on June 10, 191 1, and Mary Elizabeth, born on June 28, 1913.

Air. Gallagher and family are members of the Catholic church. Fraternally, he belongs to the Knights of Columbus and to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; at the present time he is state trustee of the latter order, and is one of the active and prominent Elks of Missouri. He and his wife have made many friends since locating in Springfield.

Whenever an attempt is made to write the history of a successful enterprise or the worthy career of any man, it has been found that ability, backed by energy and push, has been the basis of it all, and this fact can not fail to impress itself upon the writer of history proper, or that branch of history which consists of the biographies of those who have achieved sufficient distinction to make the record of their lives of interest to the public. Guy H. McGuire, a well-known North Side groceryman, is one of Springfield's business men who owes his success in life to his own fighting qualities - the fighting ability that overcomes obstacles.

Mr. McGuire was born at Brighton, Polk county, Missouri, October 9, 1878. He is a son of Henry and Margaret (Cunningham) McGuire, both natives of Tennessee, the birth of the father occurring on January 1, 1849, and the mother's birth occurred on August 22, 1857. They grew to maturity on the farms of their parents in their native state and in Polk county, this state. They attended the old-fashioned schools, and were children when their parents brought them to Missouri, each locating in Polk county. The father devoted his active life to general farming near the village of Brighton, but he and his wife are now living in Springfield. They have always been known as plain, honest, church-going people, highly respected by all who know them. They are the parents of five children, named as follows : Mrs. Nora Page lives in Springfield ; Guy H. of this sketch ; Mrs. Grace Randalls is also a resident of this city; Jessie is the wife of R. W. Coleman and lives in Springfield; Esther married \Y. T. Font and lives in this city. These children all received common school educations and they are all well situated in life.

Guy H. McGuire spent his early childhood on the farm in Polk county, and when nine years of age removed with his parents to Springfield, the family locating on Commercial street, and here he received his education in the public schools. He began his career in the grocery business when but a boy, first driving a wagon ; he then engaged in farming a few years in both Polk and Greene county, as well as other sections of the Southwest. He went into the grocery business for himself in 1906 on Commercial street, this city, later moving to his present location, 318 West Commercial street, where he has built up a large business and maintains one of the most modernly appointed and attractive grocery stores of its size in Springfield. He carries a complete line of staple and fancy groceries at all seasons, and he always aims at honesty and promptness in dealing with his many customers.

Mr. McGuire was married on February 17. 1004, in Springfield, to Margaret Wells, a native of Webster county. .Missouri, and a daughter of P. P. and Alary (Humphrey) Wells, the father a native of North Carolina and the mother was born near Lead Hill, Arkansas, and her death occurred in Springfield on February 8, 1913. Mr. Wells is fixing retired in this city. In his earlier life he dealt extensively in the cattle business, later was a merchant.

Edward Wayne Wooldridge

Practical industry, wisely and vigorously applied, never fails of success. It carries a man onward and upward, brings out his individual character and acts as a powerful stimulus to the efforts of others. The greatest results in life are often attained by simple means and the exercise of the ordinary qualities of common sense and perseverance. This fact having been recognized early in life by Edward Wayne Wooldridge, for many years one of the well-known members of the Frisco office force in Springfield, he seized the small opportunities that he encountered on the rugged hill that leads to life's lofty summit where lies the ultimate goal of success, never attained by the weak, ambitionless and inactive.

(Morgan) Woolridge, the father a native of Christian county. Kentucky, where his birth occurred on December 22, 1832; and the later was born in eastern Tennessee, October 27, 1847. His great-grandfather was Edward Wooldridge, born on April 30, 1789, and his maternal great-great-grandfather was Thomas Brasher. Each side of the house may be traced back to sterling old Southern ancestry. The parents of our subject grew to maturity in Dixie land, received such educational advantages as the times afforded, and in pioneer days joined the numerous train of emigrants to southwest Missouri, locating in Cedar county, where they became well and favorably known for their industry, old-fashioned hospitality and general spirit of altruism. The father, who was born and reared a Southerner, was at heart a stanch Unionist, and, like man)" another during the polemic civil drama of the early sixties, had conflicting opinions as to his duties, lie first served six months in the Confederate cause, then enlisted in Company A, Fifteenth Missouri Volunteer Infantry. He always said the hardest battle in which he ever took part was the "parting of the ways," when having to decide between love for the South and its traditions and institutions and his conscience. A physician by profession, he served at the front as surgeon, was in man}- of the great battles of the war ami was several times wounded. He once performed the operation of trephining on a wounded comrade, with only an ax for an anvil, a pair of old scissors and an old-time half-dollar which he shaped to nearly lit the broken skull; a shell from the enemy's ranks had just destroyed what crude surgical instruments he then possessed. But the patient recovered and is at this writing living at the advanced age of eighty-nine years, Strong and health}-. The wound was washed in dirty water through which a cannon had but recently been drawn, but the same kind of water often made a very fine cup of coffee, an experience which thousands of soldiers on both sides had. After the close of the war Doctor Wooldridge returned to Stockton and resumed the practice of his profession and for many years his name was a household word in Cedar count}-, throughout which he enjoyed a good practice. His death occurred in 1899, ami his wife passed away in 1892. They were the parents of the following children: Edward Wayne Wooldridge, Clara May Davis. ( arrie Lee Harris, Lula Margaret Wooldridge, John Franklin Wooldridge and Madison Bruce Wooldridge.

Edward W. Wooldridge grew to manhood at Stockton and received his earl_\- education in the public schools there and the Stockton Academy, later attending the Southwestern Telegraph Institute, in Sedalia, Missouri, the Southwestern Business College in Springfield, Missouri, the Berlitz School of Languages in St. Louis. Missouri, the Strasburg Conservatory of Music, Washington University of St. Louis, and the Cincinnati Phonographic Institute. He thus obtained a high education, making an excellent record in each of these institutions, in fact, he has remained a student all his life and is familiar with the world's best literature, the sciences, the arts and the current topics of the age.

The major portion of Air. Wooldridge's life has been spent in railroad service; however, when a young man he was a banker, a mine owner and a teacher. He is now interested in the Joplin lead and "Jack" (zinc) fields. He always taught young men who could not afford the expense of special training. His specialty was rapid mathematical calculations, in which he is commonly spoken of as one of the highest proficiency. He entered the employ of the Frisco System in 1891, filling various positions in the general offices at Springfield and St. Louis until promoted to his present position, chief clerk of the car service department. Owing to his fidelity, accuracy and trustworthiness he has always been regarded by the head officials of the road as one of their most efficient and worthy employees.

Mr. W'ooldridge was married on December iS. 1909. to Beatrice Van Derford, a lady of many estimable characteristics. She is a daughter of Monroe and Belinda ( Britton) Van Derford, a prominent family of Neosho, Missouri. To this union one child has been born, namely: Wayne W'ooldridge.

Politically, Mr. Wooldridge is a Democrat, but always votes independently in local elections. He never aspired to any political office, not even having been judge or clerk at elections. Religiously, he is a member of the Christian church, or Disciples of Christ. Fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic order, both branches of the York and Scottish Rites, a past potentate of Abou Ben Adhem Temple of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, a past master and past high priest in the Masonic Blue Lodge and Chapter. He holds beautiful jewels presented by each of these bodies in honor of long years of devoted service to the cause and in recognition of his having been presiding officer of the several bodies. He is one of the best known and most influential Masons in southern Missouri, and one would judge from his daily life that he endeavors to live up to the high precepts of this time-honored order. He is also a member of the Woodmen of the World and a vice-president of the Frisco Railroad Club of Springfield. He was offered a Carnegie hero medal, for what his modesty calls "alleged" heroism in rescuing a boy and an old man from drowning in icy waters at St. Louis in the year 1898, when he plunged into the stream and after two trips brought them safely to shore; however, the experience was a dear one as be was not only badly cut and mangled by the heavy pieces of floating ire, but be suffered a long time from the exposure. Personally, he is a plain, unassuming gentleman of genial and courteous address, makes and retains friends readily, being esteemed for his true worth by all with whom he Ci unes in contact.

Thomas Schofield

Among the sturdy characters which the British Isles has sent to the new Republic of the West is Thomas Schofield, a retired railroad man of Springfield, who has inherited many of the line qualities of the Anglo-Saxons and has therefore succeeded in his active life work and at the same time been a good citizen. The United States always welcomes such men to her shores and offers them opportunities very often greater than they enjoyed in their native land.

Air. Schofield was born May 15, 1841, in the town of Failsworth, near Manchester, England. He is a son of James and Amelia (Johnson) Scho- -fielcl and a grandson of Joseph Schofield. They were all horn, reared, educated and married in their native land. The grandfather devoted his life to general farming, and the father, who emigrated to America with his family about a half century ago, was a stone mason by trade; also followed farming in Illinois for some time. He established the family home at the town of Bellville that state. He was killed by a locomotive on the Bellville & St. Louis Railroad when sixty-seven years of age. His family consisted of eight children, only two of whom grew to maturity, Thomas, of this sketch; and Betsy, who married Joseph Tungue. who lives in England.

Thomas Schofield grew to manhood in his native land and there received a common school education at Failsworth, leaving school when thirteen years of age. After working on the farm with his father, he began his career as railroader with the Lancanshire & Yorkshire railroad, spending a year in the goods department, then emigrated to the United States, arriving here February 22, 1864, during the Civil war period, landing in New York City, where, however, he did not long remain, coming direct to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he went to work for the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad Company, in the freight department, repairing and building freight cars. This road later became the Baltimore & Ohio by which name it is now known. Mr. Schofield remained with the road for a period of twenty-five years, during which he was connected with a number of different departments, being foreman and in charge of the caboose gang, later in the coach department for four or five years, then was passenger carpenter in the shops of that road, ranking among the most skilful in the coach department. In September, 1888, he was employed by the Frisco Railroad in the coach department as carpenter. He also remained with this road for a period of twenty-five years, when in June, 1913, he was retired on a pension. He worked both in the old north side shops and the new shops. He has evidently been not only a very highly skilled workman but also trustworthy and conscientious else he could not have spent a half century in one line of work, during which period he was

Our subject was married. June 18, 1867, to Jane Schofield, a daughter of James and Mar)- ( Swift) Schofield. She was born in England only a fourth of a mile from the birthplace of our subject and there she grew to womanhood and was educated. .To. Mr. and Mrs. Schofield four children have been born, namely: Lillie A. married Harry Fenton, a cabinet maker in the new shops of the Frisco and they live in Springfield; Emma J. is the wife of Clarence Warner, a fireman on the Frisco ami they live in Springfield; Albert L.. a sketch of whom appears on another page of this work, is also a Frisco employee of this city; Farl B. married Carrie Thompson and lie is employed in the local Frisco offices.

Politically, Thomas Schofield is a Republican. Fraternally, he belongs to the Knights of Pythias, which he joined on May 26, 1879, thirty-six years ago, being a member of Oriental Lodge No. 86. Subject and wife are members of the Second Presbvterian church.

The life of a man like Rev. Fayette Hurd C worthy of emulation by the youth of the land whose destinies are yet to be determined, for it has been led along high planes of endeavor, inculcating right thinking and therefore right living, fur the world is rapidly coming to understand the Biblical phrase, " V a man thinketh so is he." Rev. Hurd is a scion of a sterling old family of Michigan, but the latter part of bis long and useful life lias been spent in tin- Southwest, in leaching and in the ministry of the gospel, and while he is now living retired from active work, making his home in Springfield, he still "goes about doing goi "i."

Reverend Hurd was born at Burlington, Michigan, August i_>, 1835. lie is a -on of Homer C. and Sarah Jane 1 McGee) Hurd. The father was bom in 1 onnecticut, August 23, t8o8, and his death occurred at Burlington, Michigan, February 12. 1873. The mother of our subject was born in Warren county, New York, ( »ctober 24, 181 1. and her death occurred on September 17. [888. These parents grew up in their respective states and received common school educations, as good as could be procured in those early days The) were married in Spring Arbor. Michigan, I leceml er J. [833, and. locating on a farm in the township of Burlington, devoted their active lives to leral farming. Politically, Homer C. Hurd was a Republican, and was twice a member of the lower house of the Michigan Legislature, besides serving several years as supervisor of Burlington township, lie led a quiet, honest home life. His family consisted of five children, two of whom are still living, namely: Rev. Fayette llunl, of this review ; Mary Elizabeth is deceased, as is Sarah Janette; Edward 11. is living in Union City, Michigan; ( Jeorge l\, deceased.

Rev. Fayette Hurd grew to manhood on the home farm in Michigan, where he worked when a boy, and in the winter time he attended the public schools of Union City, Michigan, alter which he entered the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor from which institution he was graduated in 1859. From this institution, after a course of special graduate studio, he secured, in 1891, the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. He then studied theology at Andover Seminary in Massachusetts, in preparation for the ministry of the Congregational church, and he was graduated there in 1863, having made an excellent record in both the above named schools. Returning to Michigan he was pastor of a number of churches of his denomination, then went to Iowa and filled the pulpits of .Montour and Cherokee, in that state, subsequently returning to his native state, continuing the work of the ministry there until [891, when he went to Vinita, Oklahoma, where he taught three years in an academy, and in [894 came to Springfield, Missouri, where he has since lived practically retired from active work, although continuing a prominent worker in church affairs. In all his charges he built up the church and strengthened the congregation and was popular wherever his work took him. for he was regarded from the first as an earnest, conscientious worker for the genera] good of the church, and as a scholarly, logical, forceful and eloquent pulpit orator.

Reverend Hurd was married on June 19, 1886, to Julia T. Robinson, at Ascutneyville, Vermont. She was born in New Hampshire, and is a daughter of Williams D. and Mary 7.. ( Clement ) Robinson, a highly esteemed family who spent their lives in Xew Hampshire, where she grew to womanhood and received a good education, completing her schooling at Mary Sharp's College in Tennessee.

To our subject and wife one child was born, a son, Carlos F. Hurd, a distinguished journalist, whose birth occurred in Iowa, September 22, 1876. After passing through the public schools he entered Drury College at Springfield, Missouri, from which institution he was graduated in 1807. and soon thereafter began his career as a newspaper man, and most of his work has been in St. Louis. He has for some time been a member of the editorial staff of the Post Dispatch. He was abroad with his wife in the spring of 1912 and he was the only newspaper man on board the Carpathia, which re- cued part of the passengers of the ill-fated Titanic, and had the distinction of being the first to report to the world that great disaster, perhaps the greatest news from the newspaper man's standpoint of modern times. He was married on November 29, 1906, to Catherine Stewart Cordell, a native of Missouri, and the daughter of John H. Cordell, of Marshall, Missouri, where she was educated. To Carlos F. Hurd two children have been born, namely : Clement R., and Emily V. Hurd. This family has for some time resided in St. Louis, while the immediate subject of this sketch has a home on Summit avenue, Springfield, though planning on early removal to St. Louis.

Reverend Hurd is a Republican politically. He holds membership with the First Congregational church of this city and has been for some years and till quite recently, clerk of the same, and active in the general work of the church. He is one of the charter members of the Springfield chapter of the Sons of the Revolution and has been for some years an active and enthusiastic member of the Trinity Tyrants, a local literary and social club of men and women which is organized and conducted on somewhat original lir.es. When in the university he was a member of the Zeta Psi fraternity.

Theodore Ott was born on November u. 1845, near Cologne, in the Rhine country, Germany. He is a son of Adam and Mary Ott, natives of Germany, where they grew up and were married, and made their home until 1857 when the family emigrated to America, locating in Calumet county, Wisconsin, where the elder Ott became owner of a large farm, farming having been his business in the old country. He continued this line of endeavor until 1805 when he removed to Chicago and lived with his son, Theodore, of this sketch, until his death at the age of seventy-three years and he was buried in Chicago. His family consisted of nine children, namely: Gertrude married John Smith, a fanner of Calumet county, Wisconsin; Helena married William French, of Green Bay, Wisconsin, he being now deceased; Henry is engaged in fanning in Calumet county, Wisconsin; Theodore of this sketch. The other five children are deceased.

Theodore < Ht was twelve years old when his parents brought him to the United States, lie assisted his father on the farm in Wisconsin until 1863. He received a common school education. When eighteen years of age he went to Chicago and worked in a furniture factory as wood shaper and sawyer, for the Thayer & Tobey Furniture Company, with which firm he remained until 1873 when he began working for the McClusky & Craig Company, also furniture manufacturers, remaining with this concern a year and a half, as shaper and sawyer, and while there lost a finger in a saw. He then went to Nashville, Tennessee, in 1871 and worked for the \. 11. Field & Nashville Furniture Company as win id moulder and sawyer, in fact, did all kinds of wood work for one year, then went to Humboldt, Tennessee, where he worked in the factory of the Humboldt Furniture Company for nine months, when the plant was destroyed by lire. This firm also operated a plant there in which were manufactured wagons, buggies and fruit box materials and our subject worked in this three years, after which he went to Kansas City, Missouri, and worked six months in the planing mill of Richardson & Heinz. He came to Springfield in 1887 and began working for the Kansas City, Ft. Scott & Memphis Railroad Company in their shops which are now controlled by the Frisco lines. The year he came he purchased a lot at the corner of Brower and Grant streets and built a comfortable home. He has been running a wood working machine for twenty-seven years and has long been regarded an expert in this line of work. He was journeyman for a number of years, and when the Frisco took over these shops he was promoted to foreman of the mill room which responsible position he still holds, having an average of ten men under his direction.

Mr. Ott was married in November, 1865, to Elizabeth Bower, a daughter of Joseph Bower, a farmer in Wisconsin at that time. Mrs. Ott was born in Canada.

Besides owning a good home on Brower street our subject owns a valuable farm adjoining Hazelwood cemetery. His family consisted of the following children, namely: Mary, Annie, Adam, Frank, Josephine are all deceased; Abbie married George Creiger, an Iowa farmer; Anton is a wood worker in a box factory in Los Angeles, California; Allois, a barber by trade, lives at Ozark, Missouri, where he also conducts a moving picture show; he is married and has three children, Louis, Allois and Elizabeth.

Politically, Theodore Ott is a Democrat. He belongs to the Catholic church, the Catholic Knights and was formerly a member of the Knights of Pythias.

George W. Condon

The fair Sunflower state just to the west of us is a land of great opportunity and a pleasant place in which to live, therefore not a very large percentage of her native sons leave her prairies for other climes; however, some find it to their advantage to do so, and this is well for the communities in which the}' locate, for the native Kansasan is almost without exception a man of energy, tenacity of purpose, ingenuous and withal a good citizen. We have been fortunate in securing a number of them in Greene county, among whom must consistently appear the name of George W. Condon, foreman of the Oxweld plant of the reclamation department of the Frisco's South Side shops, Springfield.

Air. Condon was born at Osage City, Kansas, Feruary 4, 1880. He is a son of Charles and Catherine (Hett) Condon; the mother is a native of England, and is now fifty-eight years of age. The father is sixty years old and lives at Hanna, Illinois. He is a native of the state of Xew York from which state he moved to Pennsylvania where he grew to manhood, and was for some time employed as telegraph operator with the Western Union Telegraph Company, at Williamsburg, Pennsylvania, later worked in the same portion at Osage, Kansas, lor a year, then went into the coal business for himself at the last named city, operating a soft coal mine for about five years, then worked for three years as a coal miner, after which he went to Hanna, Illinois, and was a manager in the coal mining fields there for five years, then he engaged in the insurance business t<>r a period of ten years, representing the Home Insurance Company of Xew York, and was also in the real estate business. He is at this writing assistant state mine inspector for the state of Illinois, which position he has held some time. He has made his home at the town of Hanna for the past ten years. He was justice of the peace there for some time, and was also elected police justice which position he now holds. Politically, he is a Democrat. He is a thirty-second degree Mason and a member of the Shrine and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Hi- family consists of eleven children, namely: Charles died when seven years of age; William died when nineteen years old; the next three children died in infancy: Thomas is a lawyer in San Francisco; George W. of this sketch: Robert is engaged in coal mining in North Dakota; Mary is the wile of Charles Wise, a carpenter and contractor at Anna, Kansas; Margaret married Ear] Welling, who is engaged in the hotel business at West Carlisle, Ohio; and Joseph who is engaged in the plumbing business in Des Moines. Iowa.

George W. Condon was educated in the common schools, leaving school when fifteen years of age and worked as clerk in a grain and feed -tore at Osage City. Kansas, for three years, and then engaged in coal mining there for six years, then operated a coal mine there two years, after which he engaged in the laundry business there for four years. After this he began railroading, working for the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe railroad in its hops at Topeka. in ioi<>. as machinist helper for about six months, then he was promoted to acetylene welder which position he held until [913. In June of that year he went with the < >xweld Acetylene Company of Chicai as demonstrator, and remained in that position until October 1. 1913, then came to Springfield, Missouri, and in-tailed this system for the Chicago company in the Frisco shops and now he is foreman of that department, and has ten men under his direction. The plant is under the general direction of the reclamation department of the South Side shops.

ter of Louis and Anna Clerico, of Osage City, Kansas, where she grew to womanhood and was educated. To this union one child, Marguerite Condon, has been born.

Politically, Mr. Condon is a Democrat. He belongs to the Catholic church, and fraternally is a member of the Loyal Order of Moose and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

C. M. George

There is such a fascination in railroad work that those who once enter it seldom abandon it for some other vocation, and it is not by any means an uncommon thing to find that men are still working at this line of endeavor who have perhaps been offered better positions in other lines. Many will remain active in the work until old age compels them to retire or the company voluntarily retires them on a pension. The}' evidently do not remain in the work because it is easier than anything else or because the element of danger is lacking, but the fascination is there, nevertheless, and, too, the remuneration is good and certain, better, perhaps, than in most lines.

One of the most capable and well known engineers on the Frisco, running out of Springfield is C. M. George, who has been in the train service here for a period of twenty-five \cars, although he is scarcely a middle-aged man. He was born in Montgomery, Illinois, March 20, 1870, and is a son of I. E. and Mary (Tevbaugh) George. The father was born in Henry county, Indiana, in the year 1837, and the mother was born in Illinois in 1S48. Her death occurred in Springfield, Missouri, December 31, 191 1. I. E. George began railroading early in life and for a period of thirty years was an engineer. He came to Springfield in 1888 and began working for the Kansas City, Ft. Scott & Memphis road, and later worked in the company's shops here, and subsequently was employed in the Frisco shops on the North Side. His family consisted of five children, namely: C. M., of this sketch; E. E. is deceased; John W. is deceased; Delia is deceased, and Bessie, who is deceased.

C. M. George spent his boyhood in Illinois and there received his education in the public schools, remaining in his native state until the fall of 1888, when he came to Springfield, Missouri, where he has made his home ever since. In March, 1889, he began firing on a freight for the Kansas City, Ft. Scott & Memphis road, with which he remained as fireman until 1897, when he was promoted to engineer, and has worked in this capacity ever since, being in the employ of the Frisco for many years, this road having purchased the old "Gulf road" in 1900. Mr. George is regarded as one of the ablest and most trustworthy engineers on the system and he has long had a regular freight run from Springfield to Thayer on the Ozark division.

Mr. George was married on December 22, 1898, at West Plains, Missouri, to Mamie Buchanan, a native of Texas, who came to Missouri with her parents when she was a child. She received a high school education. She is a daughter of W. A. and Belle Buchanan.

Three children have been born to our subject and wife, namely : Albert V., born in August, 1901 ; Mary Margaret, born January 5, 1905 ; and Rosebelle, born in 1908. They are all attending school.

Politically, Mr. George is a Democrat. Fraternally, he belongs to the .Masonic order, and he is a member of Division No. 378, Brotherhood of Engineers. He resides in a neat cottage on North Grant street.

John H. Hasten

Everyone, in addition to his ordinary workaday life, whether it be professional, political, commercial, or one of manual labor, by which he earns his dailv bread, needs to have something aside from his material existence to which he can turn for relaxation. If he is to escape the limitations of a humdrum, commonplace, provincial, and narrow existence, he must build for himself a home in the realm of the ideal. Thus he will be able to escape when he wishes from the ordinary environment of business or professional life and become a citizen of the world, living in a sense a life as wide as that of humanity. John H. Hasten, president of the Springfield Bakery Company and for many years a well known business man of this city, is one who knows the value of good ideals - an intellectual abode, and thus he is not only a successful man of affairs but is a citizen who is highly appreciated by those who know him.

.Mr. Hasten is a worthy representative of one of the sterling pioneer families of Greene county, and his birth occurred in Cass township, in the northern part of this county, on August 27, 1869. He is a son of Isaac N. Hasten, also a native of that vicinity, where he grew to manhood, attended the district schools and engaged successfully in farming many years, later in life locating in the village of Cave Spring, not far from the Hasten homestead and there he engaged in general mercantile pursuits for a period of twelve or fifteen years, enjoying a large trade with the surrounding locality, dealing honestly and courteous with his many customers and carrying a large and well selected general stock of g Is at all seasons. Finally he removed to Springfield and engaged in the retail grocery business on West Commercial street with his usual success until his death about five years later, in July, 1897, at the age of fifty-seven years. He was not only a capable business man but an influential citizen and active in public affairs. For a period of nearly twenty years he served Cass township as justice of the peace in a manner that reflected much credit upon his ability and to the eminent satisfaction of the people, his decisions being characterized by a uniform fairness and sound principles of jurisprudence. He was also a member of the school board in his district and was a great advocate of good education, doing much to encourage better schools in his part of the county. Politically, he was a Republican. During the Civil war he enlisted in this county in the Forty-sixth Missouri Cavalry and saw three and one-half years of faithful and commendable service for the Union, proving a gallant and intelligent soldier.

The mother of the subject of this sketch was known in her maidenhood as Mary Jennings, who was born on August 22, 1850, in Neosho, Missouri.

Mrs. Mary Hasten, our subject's mother, is still living, now at an advanced age, and makes her home with her son, John H, of this sketch, who is the youngest of her three children, her daughter being Docia, who married Joseph B. Wilson, a farmer and stock raiser of Cass township; the eldest child, William, died in infancy.

John H. Hasten grew to manhood on the home farm in Cass township and there he worked when a boy. He received his education in the district schools of his community and in Morrisville College in Polk county, later attending Drury College, Springfield, and finally took a business course in this city. When nineteen years of age he went into business with his father and helped manage the grocery store on Commercial street which was a success from the start. He was in partnership with his father and upon the latter's death he bought out the heirs and continued to conduct the store until 1901 when he sold out to South Brothers, and engaged in the grocery and seed business on East Commercial street, in partnership with R. A. Fisher under the firm name of Hasten & Fisher. They continued successfully until 1007 when our subject sold out, having other business interests which took the major portion of his time. In 1905, with others, he organized the Springfield Bakery Company, of which he has since been president and he has been the principal spirit in building up one of the largest, best equipped and popular bakeries in the Southwest. Further mention of this industry is made on another page.

Mr. Hasten was married on August 28, 1891, to Josie N. Lee, a daughter of Robert and Ruth (Watson) Lee. Mr. Lee was a successful farmer of Cass township, Greene county, where Airs. Hasten was born, grew to

J I 5- Greene County, Missouri

Fraternally. Mr. Hasten is a member of the Masonic order, including all branches, such as the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine and the Order of Eastern Star; he also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen and the Court of Honor. He was a member of the school board of Cass township for two wars. Religiously he belongs to the Baptist church, to which bis wife also belongs, and in which he was formerly trustee and is now deacon. He is active in church work

Among the substantial farmers living in Brookline township is H. M. Moomaw, a man who has an interesting life record. He originally came from the Old Dominion, his people on both sides of the house having been among the residents of that grand old state in the early (laws, but little of our subject's life has been spent there, he having been lured across the continent when a boy to the far West, where he sought that elusive yellow metal - gold - that has both made and ruined its thousands, and the last forty-live years of his life have been devoted to general agricultural pursuits in Greene county, Missouri, where he started in a modest way and eventually has become one of the leading farmers of this locality.

Mr. Moomaw was born in Virginia, December 13. 1841. He is a son in Christian and Frances (Noffsinger) Moomaw, both natives of Virginia but of German descent. They grew t" maturity in their native state and were married there, and established their home on a farm and lived there until their son. II. M., was six years of age. when they removed t<> northern Indiana, where the family resided aboul seventeen years on a farm, and there our subject grew t" manhood and received his education in the public schools of his district. In 1864 our subject left his parental home in the Hoosier state and made the long, hazardous overland journey across the plains to Virginia City, Montana, where he remained six months, then went mi t<> Portland, < Iregon, remaining there about seven months, and then went to Idaho, where he spent about four years, during which time he did i"iisiderable prospecting fur gold, then went back to Portland. Oregon, and from there to San Francisco. After remaining in California awhile he took a ship on the Pacific ocean for the Isthmus of Panama. After crossing the isthmus he took ship for New York City, and from there went to South Bend, Indiana. Remaining at home about six months, he came, in 1869, to

Mrs. H. M. Mooai.Sw

Greene county, Missouri, and located permanently, after his extensive wanderings, during which he gained a vast knowledge of the world, lie located on a farm about seven miles northwest of Springfield, purchasing one hundred and twenty acres of railroad land on which he lived about four years, then sold out and moved to Brookline, this county, and in [88l bought a fine farm of two hundred and twenty acres, all tillable but a few acres, which embrace a small oak grow. Ik- made many important improvements here with advancing year-, and carried on general farming and stock raising on an extensive scale, rotating his crops scientifically and becoming known as

Air. Moomaw was married in November, 1872, to Mary Dale, in Greene county, Missouri. She was born in Pennsylvania, June 4. 1846, and was a daughter of Solomon and Catherine (Zink) Dale, both natives of Pennsylvania, where they grew up and were married, but when Mrs. Moomaw was a young girl the family moved to Greene county, Missouri, and here the parents spent the rest of their lives on a farm, dying several years ago, and here their daughter, Mary, grew to womanhood and attended the public schools. Mrs. Moomaw died on April 28, 1914.

I J 54 Greene County, Missouri

Politically, Mr. Moomaw is a Democrat, but he has never been active in the affairs of his party, devoting his attention to his farm and his home.

John H. Jones

We are glad to note in this series of biographical articles that so many of the progressive citizens of Greene county have been born and reared here, for this is an indication of at least two things - that they are men of keen discernment, being- able to see and appreciate present conditions as they are, and that the county is indeed one of the favored sections of the great commonwealth of Missouri, else these people would have sought opportunities elsewhere. As it is they did not need to heed the call of the wanderlust that is heard at some stage or other in the lives of all young men. One of this number who has been contented to spend his life in his native locality is John H. Jones, the energetic druggist at Fair Grove, Jackson township.

Mr. Jones was born in this county on November 4, 1877. He i- a -on of James T. and Rachael A. 1 Norton) Jones. The father was born in Dallas county, Missouri, November 14, 184(1. and there he grew to manhood on a fa mi and attended the rural schools. Remaining in that county until 1870, he removed to Greene county and entered government land which he improved into a good farm and on which he establishd a comfortable home and here our subject was horn. The place first consisted of eighty acres. As the elder Jones prospered through good management, he added to his original holdings until he now ha- a Farm of two hundred and fifty-five acres, which is well improved and productive, lie has. however, retired from active life and keeps his land rented, and is residing in Fair Grove, where he moved ten years ago, buying a good home there. He devoted all his active life to general farming and raising live stock and has been very successful in his life work. IF- was married in [868 to Rachel A. Norton, who was horn in Tennessee, .May [4, 1840. and when young in years her parents brought her to Missouri, the family locating in Webster count) and there she grew to womanhood on a farm and she attended the country schools. She is a member of the Baptist church. To these parents four children have been born, namely: William < ',. lives in Greene county; Messer F. is deceased; John II. of this -ketch; and Mrs. Vada Bass, of this county.

munity and there he assisted with the general work during the summer months, and attended the district schools in the winter. Be continued to work on the farm until the fall of 1901. The following year lie entered the- St. Louis College of Pharmacy, where he made a good record and from which he was graduated with the class of 1906. Soon thereafter he went into the drug business at Fair drove, which he has continued with everincreasing success to the present time, having built up an extensive trade, lie has a neat store which is stocked with a full line of drugs and drug sundries. He has been very successful in a business way and owns several lots and buildings in Greene county and a forty-acre farm in Dallas county, also a town lot in Oklahoma.

Mr. Jones has remained unmarried. Politically, he is a Democrat. Fraternally, he belongs to the Independent Order of ( )i\d Fellows and the Woodmen of the World.

Widely known in Greene and Dallas counties, Irvin W. Wingo, of near Fair Grove, is a man deserving of a conspicuous position for his biography in a work of the province of the one in hand, for his career has been fraught with a large measure of success both as an educator and agriculturist. Over three decades of his career were devoted to school work with most commendable results, and for many years as county superintendent of schools in the latter county he did much to raise the standard of work in this held and place the county high in the list of those of southwestern Missouri doing good educational work. Although a school man in the broadest and best sense of the term and as such, making every other consideration secondary to his professional and official duties he never became narrow or pedantic as have so many whose lives have been spent in intimate association with the immature minds within the four walls of the school room, lie remained a well rounded, symmetrically developed man. fully alive to the demands of the times, thoroughly informed on the leading questions before the public and has ever taken broad views of men and things, and is therefore a useful and influential citizen in his locality.

Mr. Wingo was born in Dallas count}-, Missouri, July X, [861. He is a son of Jasper and Nan (Johns) Wingo, both natives of Tennessee, the father born in the middle section of the state, October 24. [838, and the mother's birth occurred in Weakly county, February 24, 1842. They came to Missouri when young in years, with their parents, and here grew to maturity on farms and were educated in the early-day common schools and were married in Dallas county, in 1859. During the war between the states Joseph Wingo joined the Union army under Captain Kershner, in Company A, Eighth Missouri Calvary, and he saw considerable service, taking part in the battles of I'rairie Grove and Brownsville and a number of minor engagements. At the close of the war he was honorably discharged at St. Louis, after which he returned to Dallas county and resumed farming. He owned one hundred and sixty acres. He is now living in Fair Grove, Gr.eene county, in retirement, being advanced in years. His wife also survives. They are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church and are highly respected by a wide circle of friends. Two children, were born to them, Irvin \\\, of this review ; and William W. of Springfield, who is employed by the Frisco Lines.

Irvin \Y. Wingo was reared on the homestead in Dallas county and there worked hard when a boy during the crop seasons, and in the winter time he attended the common schools, receiving thereby and through his individual efforts at home a good education. He began teaching school when only sixteen years of age, teaching twelve years in rural schools, then entered the Missouri State Normal at Warrensburg, taking a full course in teachers' work, graduating in 1889. lie was then fully equipped for his chosen profession. Returning to his native county he was elected principal 1 if the schools at Buffalo, county-seat of Dallas county, remaining in that position five years. He then taught one year in the old Springfield Normal, then taught three years at Cassville, Missouri, after which he came to Fair Grove and taught until 1911, thus, out of a period of thirty-four years, lie engaged in teaching thirty-two years, during which his services were in large demand and he gave eminent satisfaction wherever he was employed, being progressive in his ideas and building up the work in general. He was elected school commissioner of Dallas county for two terms, without opposition, and was offered a third term hut declined. This js sufficient criterion thai his official duties were ably and satisfactorily performed.

Finally tiring of the school room, Mr. Wingo moved to his fine farm of four hundred and twenty acres which he had purchased while teaching and has since devoted his time and attention to general agricultural pursuits with gratifying results, now specializing in the dairy business for which he is well equipped in every respect ami he finds a very ready market for his products. Everything is kept in an up-to-date ami sanitary condition. His place is well improved along all lines and he has a commodious home in the midst of attractive surroundings. He is one of the progressive and substantial men of his community and one of the most influential, ami vet is a man of entirely unassuming manners.

Mr. Wingo has been twur married, first, on < >ctober 10. [881, to Ollie J. Wills, by whom three children were born, namely: ['"red. who is em- ployed in Springfield; Elbert lives in Springfield; and Mrs. Gertrude Jones, also of that city. The wife and mother was called to her eternal rest on September 15, 1886. She was a daughter of Jack and Mollie (Goss) Wills, -On December 26, 1889, Mr. Wingo married Julia McKee, a daughter of Melvin and Phoebe Ann (Grimes) McKee, both now deceased. To this second union eleven children have been born, named as follows: Glenn is living at home; Carl W., -Mrs. Bessie Albright, Russell is teaching school, Ruth is attending high school at Fair Grove, Ralph, Charles is deceased, Jewett, Jasper, Phoebe Ann, and an infant son,- deceased.

Politically, Mr. Wingo is a Republican. Fraternally he belongs to the Masonic Order, the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mrs. Wingo is a member of the Christian chinch.

John M. Lane

Successful farming calls for the best of judgment. It means good crops, good live stock well fed and handled, and a thoroughly balanced business in every way. John M. Lane, a farmer of Jackson township, Greene county, seems to know what constitutes success in agriculture and is therefore making a good living on the place where he has been privileged to spend his entire life. That he knows what to do and when to do it is evidenced from the fact that this farm is today as productive as it was when it first came into possession of the Lane family over a half century ago.

Mr. Lane was born on the home place in the township and county above mentioned, September 8, i860. He is a son of William and Sarah (Rudde) Lane. The father was born in Tennessee on a farm and there he was reared and was educated in the rural schools in his native community. He came to Missouri when a young man, and located in Greene county at an early day. When the war between the North and South began he cast his lot with the Union army, as first lieutenant in Company E, Seventy-second Missouri Volunteer Infantry, and he proved to be a brave and efficient soldier. He fought in the battle of Springfield, January 8, 1863, U1 which he was gallantly engaged in defending the city from Marmaduke's raiders when he was severely wounded from the effects of which he died eleven days later. During the gold fever days of the early fifties he had made two trips across the great western plains to California, driving a herd of cattle to the West. He secured a farm of two hundred and sixtyfive acres in Greene county and was a man of much industry. His wife was born in Caswell county, North Carolina, and her parents brought her from that state to Greene county, Missouri, when she was a young girl and here she grew up on a farm and received her education in the common schools. After the death of her husband she managed the home farm until her marriage to John McCabe. Her death occurred in 1889 on the homestead. She gave thirty acres for the town site of Stafford. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Her father, Joseph Rudde. was a large slave owner in the early days and he settled the place where our subject now lives.

John M. Lane was reared on the home farm and attended the neighborhood schools. He has never left the homestead and owns one hundred and fifty-five acres of the same, which he has kept well cultivated and well improved, and although the land has been in the Lane family for seventyfive years it has been so carefully tilled and handled that it is still pro- 'ductive and more valuable than ever before. General farm products and live stock are raised.

.Mr Lane was married in 1888 to Tobiatha Winn, which union resulted in the birth of three children, namely: Sadie R.. William and Mrs. Jane Hessie. The wife and mother passed away in 1898. She was a daughter of Richard M. and Martha Winn. Our subject subsequently married Mrs. Allie (Fitch) Lane, widow of his deceased brother. By this second union one child has been burn, Joe. By her first marriage the second Mrs. Lane became the mother of five children, namely : James, Richard, Blue is teaching school in Strafford; Thomas, and John.

The student interested in the history of the northwestern part of Greene county does not have 1" carry his investigations far into the annals of Walnut Grove township before learning that William A. McMehen has long been an active and leading representative of its tine agricultural interests and that his labels have proven a potent force in making this a rich farming region. Through several decades he has carried <m diversified farming and stock raising, gradually improving his extensive farm, and while he has prospered in this he has also found ample opportunity to assist in the material development of his locality, and his co-operation has been of value to the general good.

all of his follow countrymen, is energetic and resourceful. His birth occurred in the province of Ontario, Canada, April 30, 1864. He is a son of James and Hannah ( McConnell ) McMehen. The father was born in same locality as was our subject, April 26, 1826, and the mother was also born in Canada. There these parents grew to maturity, each received fairly good educations in the schools there and were married in that country. Removing from Ontario in 1865 they first located near Champaign, Illinois, where they spent live years on a farm, then came on to Greene county, Missouri, and here James McMehen became owner of a good farm of two hundred and forty acres, to which he later added sixty acres, and was a successful general farmer, and here his death occurred in February, 1908. The mother of our subject is still living, now advanced in years, and makes her home in the town of Walnut Grove, on part of the old homestead. She is a member of the Methodist church, of which Mr. McMehen was also a member. They were the parents of eight children, one of whom is deceased, and named as follows: .Mrs. Barbara Rice, Andrew M., Charles A., William A., Mrs. .Minnie E. Keger, John A., and James. The other child died in early life.

William A. McMehen was six years old when his parents removed with him from Canada to Illinois and there he spent his early boyhood, being six years old when the family established their future home at Walnut Grove, Missouri, and here he grew to manhood on the farm where he now lives, and attended the public schools. He worked for his father until he was twenty-one years old, then bought a part of the homestead, to which he has added until he now owns one of the finest and best improved farms of Walnut Grove township, comprising three hundred thirty-two and onehalf acres, where he has been very successful as a general farmer and stock raiser, making a specialty of shorthorn cattle and he also deals extensively in live stock especially mules and cattle, being, like his brothers, an excellent judge of both.

Mr. McMehen was married in 1892 to Nattie Waltz, who was born in Polk county, this state, and reared there on a farm. She received a good education and in her girlhood taught school very successfully for some time. She is a daughter of Elias and Helen (Britton) Waltz, the father now decased but the mother is still living.

Politically, Mr. McMehen is a strong Democrat, loyal to the party in "both victory and defeat. Fraternally he is a member of the Masonic order, including the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is a member of the Methodist church. He is one of the influential men of this section of the county.

Mansel Putman

The social, business and political history of this section is filled with the deeds and doings of self-made men, and no man in the pioneer period of Greene county was more deserving of the appellation than was Mansel Putman, who has long been sleeping the sleep that knows no waking, like the Scottish hero of "The Lady of the Lake," for Mr. Putman marked out his own career in his youth and steadily followed it to the final ending of his mortal career, his success having been attributed to his earnest and persistent endeavor, and to the fact that he consistently tried to follow the teachings of the "Golden Rule."

Mr. Putman was born on January 12, 1S22, in Marshall county, Tennessee, and there he grew to manhood and resided until 1842 when he immigrated to Greene count}', Missouri, at the age of twenty years, with his parents, John and Polly (Garrett) Putman. The family located seven miles north of Springfield, where John Putman bought a claim on which he farmed until his death, September 27, 1867, at the advanced age of eighty-four years. The land was mostly in the rough, but he was a hard-working man and cleared most of it. Politically he was a Benton Democrat, and religiously he was a member of the Primitive Baptist church, being a member of the Zion congregation.

Minerva James, wife of Mansel Putman, was born on August 8, 1820, in Madison county, Tennessee, and she and Mr. Putman were married February 15, 1849. She came to Greene count}-. Missouri, with her parents, Thomas and Nancy ( ( lately ) James, and her death occurred on the homestead farm in this county, November 2j. 1905. Mary Jane Putman was their only child. She is the wife of Amnion Knighten, a sketch of whom appears on another page of this work.

The death of Man-el Putman occurred on November 9, 1895, on a farm in Franklin township, where Mrs. Knighten \va> born and reared and has lived all her life, having .succeeded to the ownership of the homestead upon the death of her mother in 1905. She was educated in the rural schools.

Politically, Mr. Putman was a Republican, and he was in sympathy with the Union during the Civil war. He was a member of the Home Guards, and while the war was in progress he was taken from his home and shot by a band of General Price's soldiers, but he finally recovered from his wounds.

He belonged to the LTnion League and the Grange. He was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church at Alt. Comfort. His wife also held membership there, and the}- were both active in the affairs of the church, liberal in their support of the same.

Mr. Putnian was a very successful farmer and a highly respected citizen. He was one of a family of fourteen children, all now deceased but John G. and Josepji Edward Putman. The former is engaged in fanning in Franklin township; he was born in Marshall county, Tennessee, and came with his parents to Missouri in 1842. After devoting his active life to general farming he is now living in retirement, and has reached the advanced age of eighty-six years. -His son. Seth Jerome Putman, operates the home farm. John G. Putman has seven children, namely: Mrs. Alary C. Porter lives on a farm in Greene county; one son died in infancy; Man' S., who was the wife of William Clark, died in 1913: -Mrs. Xellie Saltsgaver, Seth Jerome, Norma Alice and Nancy Ellen.

William J. Crawford

William J. Crawford was born on June 18, 1862, at Coshocton, Coshocton county, Ohio. He is a son of Robert Crawford, who was born in Steubenville, Ohio, and he grew to manhood and attended school in his native state. When a young man he engaged in the cooperage business at Coshocton, making barrels in large numbers, later he was in the real estate business there, owning considerable land, and was a successful business man. He engaged in farming on an extensive scale, not only operating his own vast acreage but rented some land and worked it on the shares. At times he employed over one hundred hands. He was a prominent and influential man in his community. Politically, he was a stanch Democrat of the Jackson type and took much interest in politics, holding numerous offices, such as that of overseer of roads, township treasurer, a member of the school board in his district, of which he was president for a period of twelve years, during which he did much for the educational uplift of the township. He was at one time urged to become candidate to the state legislature but declined. He was a man of fine personal character. His word was as good as his bond and he enjoyed the confidence and respect of all who knew him. He loved his home and was best contented when by his own fireside and was never known to neglect his family in any way, which was a mutually helpful and happy one. He was a well-read man and a good debater, and was in deportment epiiet and unassuming. He reached an advanced age and was active up to the last, dying in 1903 when past his eighty-first birthday. He married Evelyn Daugherty, a daughter of George Daugherty, of Belmont, Ohio. Her death occurred in 1904 at the age of seventy-seven years. She was a woman of fine Christian sentiment, helpful and neighborly. To these parents five children were born, namely: George died in infancy; John M., who was in the employ of the Frisco system, died in 1912; Lenore, who taught school for some time, died in Ohio; William J. of this sketch; and Harriet E., who is the wife of J. N. Edwards, a traveling salesman of Springfield.

James Crawford, paternal grandfather of the subject of this review, engaged in the cooperage business at Steubenville, Ohio, for many years, making iron-bound barrels which he shipped to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and he was very successful as a business man. He lived at Steubenville until his death.