Macon County, Missouri - Biographical sketches, 1910 (part 3 of 20)

Mr. Beal's farm comprises 160 acres of land and is wisely and skillfully cultivated. It has been highly improved under his progressive management and he has supplied himself with the best modern implements for the most advanced and productive farming. The stock industry he'conduets on it is extensive and is also managed with prudenee, skill and good judgment, and both departments of his business are highly profitable because he makes them so. In polities he is independent, bestowing his suffrage on the candidates he deems best suited to the offices they seek and most likely to look after the best interests of. the people, and never accepting or desiring official station for himself, either by election or appointment. The schools, the churches, the social institutions and all the industries of the county enlist his cordial interest and have his active support, and in every other way he meets all the requirements of elevated and worthy citizenship. His course in life

Alfred Johnson Smith

The experience in life, which has been a large part of the preparation of Alfred Johnson Smith, of Lingo township, for the extensive farming and live-stock business he is so successfully conducting, was had in many parts of the country and under a great variety of cireumstances. He was born in the state of New Jersey in 1840, and in that state, also, his parents, David and Rosa (Miller) Smith, were born, reared, edueated and married. They were farmers and prosperous in their day, and they were faithful to the duties of parentage and citizenship, bringing up their large family of twelve children, with a view to making all its members useful and worthy factors in the social and general life of the country. Four of their offspring are now living: Alfred J., George, Caroline and Mary Ann. The mother died in 1856 and the father in 1872.

Their son, Alfred J., began his scholastie training in New Jersey and completed it in Illinois, moving to that state in 1857, when he was seventeen years old and soon after the death of his mother. He lived three years in Illinois, then, in 1860, went into the Rocky mountain region, where he remained until 1862. Leaving there he located in Illinois, remaining there until 1865. In that year he located in Missouri and became a Macon county farmer with his base of operations near New Cambria. He came to this eounty at a time of depression and diffieulty. "This portion of the state had suffered severely during the Civil war, and the predatory and relentless border warfare which preceded that momentous struggle, and in October, 1865, when Mr. Smith arrived here, all its industries were prostrate and the greater part of its people were seriously handicapped by the conditions that had been foreed upon it. Mr. Smith, however, like many others, saw beyond ihe passing moment. He realized that Missouri was a giant fallen in battle, seriously but not fatally wounded, and that the giant had scarcely risen, as yet, on his elbow. He noted that the giant's strength, although wasted, was not spent, but only temporarily depressed, and he determined to assist in raising him to his feet and restoring his full stature, believing that he had rich favors for the faithful who attended him and would be liberal in the bestowal of his bounty. His subsequent career in aid of the restoration of this mighty state and its further development and progress has fully justified his faith and shown the wisdom of his choice.

Mr. Smith has prospered on the soil of Missouri and grown to consequence and influence among the people of Macon county. He now owns 391 aeres of land, and, in addition to farming that, his chief oceupation is raising, buying and selling live-stock. He has has been very successful and is accounted one of the most progressive and capable farmers and stock men in this part of the country. He is, in addition, an exeellent citizen, with a warm and serviceable interest and aetivity in the promotion of the advancement of his township and eounty and seeuring the enduring welfare of their people. In political alliance he is a Republican, but he has never been an active or hidebound partisan. He looks always to the best interests of the region in which he lives, and, except a membership on the school board and serviee as its chairman for many years, he has never consented to fill a publie office of any kind. He was married in October, 1863, to Miss Eleeta Smith, a native of Ohio. They had three children, their daughters, Dora E., Edith and Anna. His wife died in 1881, but the daughters are all living. The father is one of the leading men in the county and richly deserves the high position in the publie estimation he occupies.

Thomas E. Jones

Although not a native of Missouri or of the United States, and not having passed all the years of his residence in this country in this state, Thomas E. Jones, of Russell township, near New Cambria, has lived in Macon county ever since he was twelve years old, a period of forty-five years. He is therefore, thoroughly acquainted with the people in this locality, familiar with their aspirations, methods and lines of activity, and imbued with their spirit. He might fairly be called almost a product of the county, so thoroughly is he in touch with all phases of its public and private life. And, at any rate, he is devoted to the best interests of the county and does everything in his power to promote and advance them.

Mr. Jones was born in Wales in 1853, and is a son of Robert R. and Hannah (Jones) Jones, also natives of Wales, where their forefathers lived from immemorial times. They brought their family to the United States in 1860 and passed one year in the state of Ohio and four in Illinois. In 1865 they moved to Missouri and located in Russell township, Macon county, where they reared their family and where the mother died after many years of faithful labor in the performance of every duty. The father is still living and has his home with his son, Thomas E. In the days of his activity he was a coal miner and a farmer and followed both pursuits at the same time. At the period of his location in Missouri the state was still suffering from the effects of our great Civil war and all her industries were prostrated and inert. Mr. Jones' progress was, therefore, slow and painful for a time. But his industry was great, his frugality kept his expenses within his earnings and success was not long in coming to erown his efforts with the prosperity they deserved. As the state revived the industries grew more active and the worthy men engaged in them began to have a better chance. About this time Mr. Jones was seriously injured in a mining accident by which one of his limbs was broken and he suffered other easualties. But as soon as he was able he returned to work, never thinking of giving up the struggle or doing less than he was able in his endeavor to advance his fortunes and make provision for his family. He and his wife were the parents of fourteen children. Of this large number only four are living, Thomas E., E. Van R., Anna and Mary H., all but one of whom are still residents of this state.

Thomas E. Jones obtained his education in the district schools of Illinois and Ohio. He turned his energies to farming as soon as he left school and has been actively engaged in this occupation ever since. He had taste and special capacity for the business and he has been very successful in conducting it. He now owns 440 acres of first-rate land, all of which is under cultivation and yielding abundantly, except what is reserved for grazing purposes for the extensive stock-raising industry he carries on in connection with his farming operations. His farm is well improved and fully supplied with all the appliances required for its full and vigorous cultivation, and is one of the valuable and attractive rural homes of the township in which it is located. It is a high tribute to its owner's skill and energy as an agrieulturist and marks him as one of the best and most progressive farmers in the township. His stock industry is also representative of the best intelligence and most productive energy in that line in the region and helps to swell the commercial importance of Macon county. In polities Mr. Jones is a Republican, but he is not an active partisan and has never held a political office except membership on the school board.

Among the enterprising, progressive and successful farmers and stockmen of Lingo township, in this county, Robert Powell holds a high rank, which he has attained by his sterling qualities of head and heart, his fine business capacity, his unconquerable energy and the skill with which he conducts all his operations. He is successful because he is enterprising and progressive, and the rank he holds as a farmer he duplicates as a eitizen, because he is as enterprising and progressive with referenee to the development and advancement of the township and county as he is in connection with his private affairs, and applies to their welfare the same spirit of inquiry and intelligence which governs him in everything else.

Mr. Powell was born in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, on July 7, 1863, and is a son of Robert and Laura (Griffith) Powell, who were born in North Wales and grew to maturity and were educated in that eountry. 'The father was a miner there and followed the same line of endeavor after his arrival in this country, working for about twenty years in the mines of Pennsylvania. He eame to the United States in 1842, and lived for the period named in the county in which his son, Robert, was born. There also he met and married his wife, who came to this country in 1850. The last few years of their residence in the East were passed in the state of New York. In 1868 they moved to Missouri and located at New Cambria, where they engaged in farming and raising live-stock. They had five children, all of whom are living: Samuel R., who lives in Montana; Humphrey, a resident of Macon | county, Missouri; Elizabeth, the wife of John Gunner, and Robert and G. M. The father was a Republican in polities and a progressive and broad-minded man with reference to publie affairs and the improvement and advancement of the county. The mother died in August, 1883, at the age of fifty-eight years, and the father in 1897 at the age of eighty-four.

. Robert Powell was five years old when his parents brought him with the rest of the family to Macon county. He grew to manhood on his father's farm and took his place and did his part in the work of eultivating and improving it as soon as he was able. He seeured his edueation at the distriet school in the neighborhood, and, as soon as he completed it, began farming on his own aeeount. He has followed this industry steadily ever since and carried on a flourishing business in raising live-stock in eonneetion with it. For a few years after he started his progress was slow and his profits were small. But he had. tenaeity of purpose and persisteney in effort, and he soon got a good start. After that his advance was more rapid, and it has continued with inereasing speed ever since. He now owns 200 acres of fine land and has his farm well improved with good buildings. It is also fully equipped with all the appliances necessary for its vigorous cultivation, and all that is not needed for grazing purposes is farmed with a skill and energy of management that brings good returns for the labor

In politics Mr. Powell is a pronounced Republican and always takes an aetive part in the campaigns of his party, working with zeal and good judgment and making his efforts tell greatly to its advantage. So foreible and serviceable is he as a party worker that the organization named him as its candidate for public administrator at an important time, but, although he made a good race, it was impossible for him to overcome the large majority in the county against his party. He has, however, served as a member of the school board for more than ten years and as road commissioner for three. In fraternal relations he is a Modern Woodman and in religious connection a member of the Congregational chureh.

Mr. Powell was married in December, 1891, to Miss Mary J. Roberts, a native of Macon county, Missouri, whose parents came to this country from Wales, where they were born and reared. Six children have been born of the union, Laura Mabel, Jennie E., Robert E., Clarence G., Leslie M., and Alene, all of whom are living at home. "The parents are well esteemed, wherever they are known, as good citizens and valuable assistants in all worthy undertakings for the good of the township and county, and the children are regarded as fine exemplars of the sterling qualities for which their parents are so well known and so highly respeeted. The family is one of the most popular in Liugo township, and the family home is one of the favorite resorts of its people and those of a large extent of the surrounding country.

Among the leading financial institutions of Macon county is that whose title initiates this article, and its opera s are fortified by ample capital and experienced and conservative executive management. The Citizens' Bank was organized in October, 1899, and was incorporated with a capital stock of $20,000. The original executive corps was as here designated: Paul J. Burton, president; Lon Hayner, and these officers also members of the directorate, which comprises, in addition, John W. Hollyman, David B. Moore and Andrew J. Glenn. Mr. Burton retained the presidency for a period of four years and was then succeeded by Judge Richard S. Matthews, who has since been the able and honored head of the institution. At the same time Robert W. Barrow was chosen vice-president, and Josephus L. Martin, assist. ant cashier. Mr. Hayner, of whom individual mention is made on other pages of this work, has retained the office of cashier from the time of the organization of the bank to the present. In 1904 the capital stock was increased to $40,000. The personnel of the present board of directors is as follows: Richard S. Matthews, Lon Hayner, Charles G. Buster, Ansel Milan and Robert W. Barrow.

The banking offices were first opened in the Doneghy building, where the business was conducted until February, 1909, when the bank was removed to its present commodious and eligible quarters, on the eorner of Vine & Rowlins streets, where the facilities are of the best and where a general banking business is conducted. In solidity, popularity and effectiveness of management the Citizens' Bank takes rank with the best in this section of the state.

Pursning the even tenor of his way as a prosperous and progressive farmer, pushing his own advancement to the limit of his opportunities and powers, and, at the same time, giving to the affairs of the township and county in which he lives all he ean of wise and serviceable impulse toward a higher development and state of improvement, D. D. Dowell, of Russell township, in this eounty, is meeting the requirements of his station and his daily duty in a manly, straightforward way, which is of decided advantage to him, finaneially and in popular esteeem, and is of great benefit to the region around him and the people who live in it. Í

Mr. Dowell is a native of Tennessee, where he was born in 1854, but he has been a resident of Macon county, Missouri, ever since he was two years old. His parents were Peter and Lucinda (Lovett) Dowell, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Tennessee. They | eame to Missouri in 1856, bringing their young children and all their worldly possessions with them, and erected a new rooftree in Macon eounty, near New Cambria, where they passed the remainder of their lives actively and successfully engaged in farming. The country was still somewhat wild and unsettled when they arrived, and they bore their part faithfully in helping to reduce it to cultivation and make it rich with the fruits of eivilized life. In addition to its semi-frontier eondition, this region was then in the throes of a border warfare condueted along lines of spoilation and guerrilla violence, the issue at stake being the sectional control of it and what are now the adjoining states. The hostility of the original inhabitants of the region, consisting of wild beasts and still more savage men, the uncertainties of an nnknown climate and inadequate protection from its extremes and sudden changes, and the predatory warfare carried on around the new- eomers by the forerunners of the great Civil war, rendered their efforts to bring their land to a high state of produetiveness and get ahead in the struggle for advancement very much less fruitful than they would otherwise have been and vastly increased the trials, hardships and diffieulties of their situation. But they were of determined spirit and never yielded to obstacles in their work. They kept on with persevering industry and rigid frugality, and in time they reaped a large reward for their persisteney and resolute endurance. The mother died in 1895 and the father on August 12, 1909. They were the parents of thirteen children, eight of whom are living: Franklin, William, George, D. D., Nancy, Richard, James and Scott. All are well-to-do eitizens of their respeetive communities and repeating in their day and generation the fidelity to duty their parents exhibited in theirs, and all are well esteemed.

D. D. Dowell obtained a limited edueation in the distriet schools, which he attended irregularly during the winter months of a few years. After he left school he continued to assist his parents on the home farm for a few years. He then started a farming enterprise of his own, and this he is still conducting, but on a much larger scale than when he began. His farm comprises 130 acres of good land and is well improved with comfortable buildings. It is supplied with all the appliances necessary for its progressive and vigorous cultivation, and all that is not required for pasturage for his live-stock is given up to a judicious rotation of crops and yields abundantly. The live-stock industry which he carries on in connection with his farming is extensive and profitable, and is managed with the same sedulous diligence and judicious care that he devotes to his farming operations, and, like them, it yields good returns for the labor and care devoted to it. Mr. Dowell also owns stock in a promising copper mine in Old Mexico, and has other possessions and interests of value. He has been ver cessful in all his ventures, and he has deserved his success. For he has condueted all his affairs with judgment and enterprise, and applied to them a considerable natural ability developed and trained by experience, ohservation and refleetion.

In polities Mr. Dowell is a Republican and active in the service of his party. He has served on the school board over five years, and in many other ways has shown his deep and helpful interest in the welfare of the locality in which he lives. On October 14, 1877, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary F. Modrel, a native of this eounty. Eight of the ten children born to them are living: Lily, Albert L., Arthur, Goldie, Myrtle, Blanche, Leona and Lenora. The family is a

Isaac Samuels

Among the progressive, enterprising and successful farmers and stockmen of Russell township, Macon county, Isaac Samuels occupies a high rank which he has won by his own manly course in pursuing with steady industry. close and careful attention to his business and continuous ability and skill in the management of it, the one occupation to which he has devoted his energies. He has also met all the requirement of high-minded and usefnl citizenship, and given a full share of his time and energy to furthering the interests of the community and promoting the welfare of its people by aiding in the accomplishment of every worthy undertaking in which those interests and that welfare have been involved.

Mr. Samuels is a native of Ohio, where he was born in 1862. He is a son of Samuel Samuels, a native of Wales, who came to this country when he was nineteen years old. They eame to Macon county and located in Russell township in 1865, and here they passed the remainder of their lives actively engaged in farming. The mother, whose maiden name was Jane Jones, was also a native of Wales and eame to Ohio with her parents when she was but thirteen years old. They were married in Ohio. She and her husband were the parents of eight children, but only three of them are now living: William, who resides in Columbus, Ohio; Mary, whose home is at Huntsville in this state, and. Isaac, the immediate subjeet of this brief review. The father died in 1874 and the mother in 1884.

Isaae Samuels grew to manhood in this county and secured his edueation in its publie schools. Soon after leaving school he entered upon his life work by becoming a farmer, a pursuit to which he has ever since faithfully adhered, and in which he has been very successful. In his work he has taken no chances and left nothing to fate. He has laboriously and faithfully done his part to seeure the best results, applying to his efforts all the information he could gather from reading, observation and refleetion, and this method has brought him great sueeess and established him among the best and most progressive farmers in the county. He began life with practically nothing but his ability and his own determined spirit, and he now owns 265 acres of good land, whieh is well improved with good buildings, and all that is not required for grazing purposes is under advanced cultivation and yielding exeellent returns for the labor and skill bestowed upon it. The farm is one of the attractive and valuable country homes in the township, all of which Mr. Samuels has made it by his assiduous and intelligent attention to its development and improvement.

In eonnection with his farming operations he also carries on an extensive and flourishing industry in raising and feeding stock for the markets. This industry he manages with the same care and intelligence that he devotes to his farming, and his output, beeause of the care bestowed upon it, stands high in the marts of trade, and his enterprise in this connection has been helpful in bringing Macon county into general notice throughout the country as a producer of superior breeds and grades of live-stock of all kinds. In this respect his activity has been very serviceable to the county and resulted in a vast inerease of its trade in the stock markets.

In polities Mr. Samuels is allied with the Republican party, and while he is loyal to his organization in national affairs, and always supports it actively, in local matters he looks first to the welfare of the community and casts his vote in aecordance with his views on that phase of the case. He has not, however, sought publie office of any kind, but for the general good he did eonsent to act as a member of the sehool board for a number of years, and in this position his services were highly appreciated.

In 1891 Mr. Samuels was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Thaxton, a native of Macon county. They have one child, their daughter, Beatrice. The parents are recognized as leading citizens and stand well in social circles. They also take an important part in stimulating and helping to higher development and larger usefulness all the moral and mental agencies at work in the community, feeling at all times an earnest interest in the welfare of the people in all the relations of life, and sparing no effort possible to them in aiding in providing for it. All who know them hold them in eordial esteem and by the whole eommunity they are regarded as most worthy, estimable and useful eitizens.

"Wales has given to the United States a large number of thrifty and productive citizens who are law-abiding, industrious and very helpful in the development of the country and building up its interests in every line of useful activity. Among those of them who live in Macon county none is entitled to a higher regard than Thomas O. Evans, one of the progressive and prosperous farmers and stockmen of Lingo

Mr. Evans was born in Wales in 1839 and obtained his education in the schools of that country. He was also married there in August, 1861, to Miss Maria Young, a native of the same countrys He is a son of William and Elizabeth Evans and one of the two survivors of their eleven children, he and his brother, Griffin, being all who are left of this large household. The parents were born and reared in Wales, and passed their lives there earnestly engaged in the hard work of making a living for their large family. They followed the pursuits of their forefathers for many generations, and at length were laid to rest, when their labors were ended, amid the scenes that were hallowed by their faithful and cheerful toil. The mother died in 1853, when her son, Thomas, was but fourteen years old, and the father in 1869. They never left their native land.

Thomas O. Evans brought his bride of a year to this country in 1862 and they found a new home in the Lehigh valley in Pennsylvania, where he worked in the extensive iron industries of that locality, remaining six years and laboring zealously and living frugally to get a start for a higher destiny in this land of abundant opportunity. In 1868 he moved his family to Missouri and took up his residence in Macon county. Here he turned his energies to the prevailing industry of the country and became a farmer and stock-raiser. He has adhered to these pursuits ever since and has made a very gratifying success of them. He now owns 500 acres of land which he has brought to rich produetiveness and improved with good buildings. He also earries on extensively in raising and feeding live-stock for the markets and has a high rank in the county as a successful and enterprising stock man. His eareer in this eounty furnishes a fine illustration of what industry and frugality ean accomplish in a contest with fortune when directed by ability. For all his progress has been the result of his own efforts and capacity, and it has been steady, increasing and accumulative. He is one of the substantial men of the township in which he lives, and is esteemed throughout the county as an excellent citizen. He has shown a deep and serviceable interest in the welfare of the region in which he lives and been sedulous in his activity in helping to promote the welfare of its people and augmenting its industrial and commercial greatness.

He and his wife have had nine children. Seven of them are living: Elizabeth, the wife of Lewis Jones; of Iowa; Thomas J., who lives in Montana; Mary A., who is living at home; Martha, the wife of Will- jam James, of Brookfield, Missouri, and Helen, William J. and David L. The father has never taken any great interest in partisan polities in this country and has never sought or desired a political office of any kind, local or general, appointive or elective. He has, however, performed with fidelity and conscientiousness the duties of citizenship and been a credit to the county and state of his residence. He and his wife are members of the Baptist ehurch and the other members of the family are also of the same faith. All are highly respected and deserve well the regard in which they are held.

Y Theodore Gary

In the career of Mr. Gary, whose name has been most prominently identified with the development of the telephone industry in Missouri and Kansas, is shown that definite ambition and persistence that are the mind's inspiration in the surmounting of obstacles - the vitalizing ideal that transforms imagination into deeds. He has made an admirable record of accomplishment as one of the veritable **eaptains of industry," and his fine administrative powers have been enlisted in the promotion of various enterprises of wide scope and importance. He has won success through his own efforts and stands today as one of the influential eitizens and leading business men of the eity of Macon, where he is held in unqualified popular eonfidenee and esteem.

Mr. Gary is a native of Wayne county, Ohio, where he was born on the 13th of May, 1854, being a son of George and Katherine (Pettit) Gary, both natives of France. The father was born in the provinee of Lorraine, now a part of the German empire, in September, 1822, and was a child at the time of his parents' immigration to America. The family settled in Ohio, in which state he was reared to manhood, and there he was identified with agricultural pursuits and also engaged in the house-moving business. There was solemnized his marriage to Katherine Pettit, in the year 1852, and they became the parents of ten children, of whom seven are living, the subject of this review being the eldest of the number; George E., a traveling salesman by vocation, is a resident of Macon; Mary is the wife of Theodore F. Kerr, a traveling salesman, and they reside in Kansas City, Missouri; Matilda is the wife of Obediah McCabe, who is identified with the street-railway service in Sedalia, this state; John F. is superintendent of construction of the Home Telephone Company, of Joplin, Missouri; Laura is the wife of Theodore Krug, who is engaged in the jewelry business at Wichita, Kansas; and Anna is the wife of John Taylor, cashier for the United States Express Company in Wichita.

The parents continued their residence in Ohio until 1867, when they removed to Missouri and loeated near Jefferson City, where the father engaged in farming and house-moving. Later he removed to the city of Sedalia, and in 1886 he took up his abode in Wichita, Kansas, in which city he and his second wife still maintain their home and where he is now living, virtually retired from active business. He has ever accorded a staunch allegiance to the Democratie party, but has never sought or held publie office. He holds membership in the Catholie church,

Theodore Gary attended the public schools in a somewhat irregular way during his boyhood and early youth, but his education, as a whole, has been mainly gained under the direction of that wisest of all head masters, experience. In fact, he himself has stated that he was educated in the "school of hard knocks," but, in view of what he has accomplished, none can doubt that this discipline was salutary, begetting resourcefulness, self-reliance and mastery of expedients. He assisted his father in the work of the home farm during his youth and also in the work of moving buildings, in which latter line of enterprise he engaged in an independent way when seventeen years of age. About one year later he purchased his father's house-moving business, and he thereafter continued operations in this line for four years. At the expiration of this time, when twenty-two years of age, he removed from Sedalia, Missouri, to Macon, where he engaged in the same kind of business and also became agent for the sale and installation of lightning rods. In view of his marked success in the field of applied eleetrieity it is interesting to note that his initial experience was in connection with the primitive metheds of securing protection from this great element of nature.

In 1885 Mr. Gary turned his attention to the real estate and insurance business, in Macon, and about the same time he effected the organization of the Macon Building & Loan Association, of which he continued secretary and treasurer for a period of seven years and of which he is still a large stockholder, as well as a director. This is one of the most successful organizations of its kind in the state and its operations have inured greatly to the progress and material upbuilding of the thriving little city of Macon. In 1890, while still actively identified with the general real estate business, Mr. Gary secured control of 11,000 acres of coal land, the principal owner of which was Thomas E. Wardell, and he handled the property with much discrimination and ability, finally selling the same to the Kansas & Texas Coal Company for a consideration of $400,000. His efforts in this important transaction brought him to the favorable attention of the Wabash Railroad Company, who made him a flattering offer to become manager of its auxiljary town site company, an overture which he accepted. In 1884 he temporarily removed to Ashley, Indiana, where he opened a private bank and where he continued to maintain his home until 1896, when he disposed of his banking and other interests in that section and returned to Macon, Missouri, where he resumed real estate operation upon an extensive scale, under the title of the Hudson-Gary Land Company. In 1888 he compiled and published a valuable work, entitled "Handbook of Macon County, Missouri," the same containing detailed information in regard to the county and its resources, and the publication was one of the first of the kind to be issued in this seetion, proving potent in directing attention to the attractions of Macon county and thereby furthering its progress and prosperity in a definite way. In 1899 Mr. Gary was the prime factor in the organization of the Macon Telephone Company, which purchased the somewhat crude and primitive local exchange that had been established by John Wills. The gross earnings of the company for the first year were about $2,800, and these figures are significant in comparison with the gross earnings for the year 1909, which are in excess of $15,000. This wonderful transformation in the scope and importance of the enterprise represents the tangible results of the fine administrative ability and welldirected initiative powers of Mr. Gary. Of this company, whose service is of the maximum modern type, Mr. Gary is president and manager, and operations are based on an investment of about $60,000. In 1902 he found it expedient to withdraw from the real estate business and devote his attention to the amplification of his operations in the field of telephone operation. In the year last mentioned he organized the Nevada Telephone Company, at Nevada, Missouri, which is capitalized for $25,000, and which owns a finely equipped plant. Of this company, also, he is president and manager. In the autumn of 1902 Mr. Gary also effected the organization of the Home Telephone Company of Joplin, Missouri, which was incorporated with a capital of $150,000 and whieh owns and operates one of the finest plants in the state. Its investment now represents fully $750,000, with the best of local and long-distance service, and its annual-business has reached the notable aggregate average of $150,000. Of this company Mr. Gary is president and manager.

In the year 1902 Mr. Gary also took the initiative in the matter of the proposition of the settlement of the Missouri & Mississippi bond issue. Mr. Edgar White has devoted a short chapter in the general history of the eounty to this subject, to which we would refer the reader for full information. He secured in Macon the appointment of an advisory committee, consisting of fifty of the representative business men, and on the 30th of December of that year the proposition was submitted to the voters to be decided by them at the rate of 18 cents on the dollar. The measure was defeated by a majority of 250 votes, and the result is that the matter is still in litigation.

In 1906 Mr. Gary organized the Topeka Telephone Company, of Topeka, Kansas, whieh has an investment of more than $800,000, being incorporated with a capital of $1,000,000, and having an average annual income of $160,000. Of this company he is president. In 1907, in association with others, he secured the plant and business of the St. Joseph Telephone Company, of St. Joseph, Missouri, which, in the following year, was reorganized under the title of the Home Telephone Company. A fine modern plant has been installed at an ontlay of more than $1,000,- 000, and Mr. Gary is president and manager of this corporation, besides which he is president of the Atchison Telephone Company, of Atchison, Kansas, and of the Theodore Gary Investment Company, of Macon, Missouri. It is uniformly conceded that no man has done more to further telephone development in the middle west than has Mr. Gary, and his efforts have been directed according to the highest business principles and with consummate prescience as to ultimate possibilities. Having thus attained marked precedence and success along legitimate lines of enterprise, he has so ordered his course at all times as to merit and retain the unqualified confidence and esteem of those with whom he has been associated and also of the general public. In 1907 he published an interesting brochure, entitled "Independent Telephony," the work offering an adequate description of the magnitude and stability of the independent telephone service as operated without alliance with the great telephone trusts. The little volume has done much to beget publie confidence and support in connection with the independent companies, not only those with which he is individually connected, but also those operating in other sections of the Union.

It is to be assumed that a man of so broad business capacity and so distinctive energy and enterprise could not be other than a loyal and progressive citizen, and Mr. Gary has ever given his aid and influence in support of all measures tending to conserve the general welfare, the while he has shown a deep interest in governmental affairs and practical political manoeuvers, though he has had no ambition for the honors or emoluments of publie office. His support was given to the Democratic party until 1896, when he repudiated the free silver heresy aud the attack on the United States Supreme Court of the party and, with the courage of his convictions, aligned himself as a supporter of the cause of the Republican party, to whieh he has since given his allegiance. He is identified with various representative eivie and fraternal organizations, was president of the International Telephone Association in 1907, and for the two previous years held the office of vice-president of this organization. Both he and his wife are communieants of the Protestant Episcopal church, being zealous and valued members of the parish of St. James church at Macon.

Mr. Gary has been twice married. In 1876 he was united to Miss Nannie Ogan, who was born and reared in the state of Missouri, and she died in 1881. One child by this union died in infan: In 1893 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Gary to Miss Helen Larrabee, daughter of Fairbanks Larrabee, of Macon, and she is prominent in connection with the leading social activities of her home eity. To this union two ehildren were born, Hunter L., who is assistant manager of the Macon Telephone Company and the Atchison Telephone Company, and Mary B., who is the wife of William H. Loomis, Jr., of St. Joseph, Missouri, where he is manager of the Gary Investment Company.

Rees J. Bevan

It is a well-established truth that countries which are liberal in the matter of naturalization are prosperous and progressive. It would be impossible to estimate the volume of the obligation which is due from the United States to their population of foreign birth or parentage. They have come to this eountry from every elime and brought with them the salient characteristies of the race to which they belong, and combining all in one mighty effort to develop, improve and enrich the eountry, have wrought out results which are the wonder and admiration of the world. All honor to the men and women of other countries who have left the lands of their nativity and become devoted citizens and active and potential faetors in building up this land of their adoption, even though it did offer them better and more promising opportunities than they could see at home. For, while it did this, it also laid upon many of them a heavy burden of privation and hardship as the price of its benefits, and required them to work for every advantage they enjoyed.

Among the number of this class who live in Macon county, Missouri, is Rees J. Bevan, one of the successful and progressive farmers and stock-raisers of Russell township, where he owns and operates the resources of 450 acres of good land and has all the comforts and appli- ances of a fine country home. Mr. Bevan was born in Wales in 1856, and is a son of Evan and Mary (Richards) Bevan, also natives of that country and descendants of families resident there for many generations. They brought their family to the United States in 1860 and located near St. Louis, in this state. Four years later they moved to New Cambria, Macon county, and here the father passed the remainder of his days, dying in 1900. He was engaged in mining the first few years after his arrival in Missouri, then turned his attention to farming and raising stock, which occupied him until his death. The mother is still living on the farm which their joint labors so highly improved, and which is hallowed by their devotion to the duties it laid upon them. They were the parents of six children, five of whom are living: Rees J., John, Harry, Joseph and James.

Rees J. Bevan was educated in the schools of Macon county, but his opportunities for scholastie training were necessarily limited. When he left school he became a miner, following the occupation of his ancestors in his native land for generations and that of his father in this country for a few years. He worked in the mines at Bevier, in this county, about five years, then became a farmer and devoted a considerable part of his energy to raising superior short horn cattle, of whieh he now has a fine herd. Through his enterprise in this respect he has contributed largely and materially in elevating the standard of livestoek in the eounty and helped to bring the region into general notice as a field yielding high class cattle for the markets throughout the country. He also raises other live-stock of superior strains, reserving a sufficient portion of his farm of 450 acres for grazing and range purposes, and giving all his stock his best and most intelligent attention, omitting no care or effort on his part to secure the best results and largest returns for his labor and supervision.

Mr. Bevan also takes an active interest and a leading part in all publie affairs and is a valuable and appreciated help in the promotion of all worthy enterprises for the benefit of the township and county. He is a Republiean in polities and always gives his party the best service of which he is capable, although he has no desire for official station.

Mr. Bevan was married in August, 1884, to Miss Mary Jane Parker, who was born and reared in Missouri, but who is a scion of old families long resident in England, whence her parents emigrated to the United States. Of the six children born of the union three are living: Elizabeth, the wife of Thomas Mendenhall, of New Cambria, and Evan and Bertha. In his eareer the father has shown a strong combination of the sturdy qualities of industry, thrift and endurance for which the Welsh people are noted, and the resourcefulness, daring and all-conquering enterprise characteristic of the people of the United States. In all his attributes and undertakings he is true to the genius of the Middle West in this country, and in his manhood and his citizenship is thoroughly representative of its best qualities. He and the members of his family are esteemed wherever they are known as worthy and estimable persons, correct in their own deportment and very useful to the county in what they do and what they stimulate others to do by their own activity and influential example.

This successful farmer, extensive stock-raiser and influential eitizen of Russell township, Macon county, is a native of Pennsylvania, where he was born in 1861. He is a son of John and Mary (Williams) Reese, who were born and reared in Wales and eame to the United States in 1854. They took up their residence in Pennsylvania, which offered opportunity for almost every form of industry known among men, and for a few years they dwelt in comfort and flourished there. But the voice of the great West had a potent influence with them and

- in due time they hearkened to its call and became volunteers in its great army of industrial conquest and progress, moving to this state and locating in Macon county. They chose New Cambria as their abiding place in this region, and there the father worked at his trade as a carpenter and afterward became a farmer. They were the parents of ten children, seven of whom are living: Joseph, Hannah, Mary, Jeannette, John, Thomas and Maggie. The father died in 1887 and the mother in 1897.

Their son, Thomas H., grew to maturity under the parental rooftree and assisted in the work on the farm as soon as he was able to do it, working diligently during the summer months and attending the publie sehool near his home in the winter during a few years. By this means he aequired a practieal knowledge of the business he was destined to follow through life, and, although his instruction in books was limited, it was helpful to him in acquainting him with the value of learning and showing him how to inerease his store of it. It also taught him self-knowledge and reliance on his own resources throughout the struggle for advancement among men, and thus gave him the means of making his own way in the world with steady progress and suecess, whatever the odds against him.

account and his progress in the enterprise, although slow and painful at first, has been steady, and after a few years became rapid and conspieuous. He now owns 240 acres of land, all of which he has under good cultivation except what is reserved for grazing purposes, for he earries on an extensive and profitable industry in raising stock for ihe markets in connection with his general farming operations, and gives to each branch of his business the careful and intelligent attention required for the best results, and is repaid for his outlay of time, energy and studious supervision by securing such results.

Mr. Reese has taken an earnest and helpful interest in the affairs of the community and given them a proper share of his energy and zeal in work for their right guidance and successful promotion to the highest good for the township and county. For more than ten years he has been a school direetor and for a number was distriet clerk for the board. In religious connection he belongs to the Baptist church and to the congregation of whieh he is a member he renders faithful and appreciated service. He was married in 1885 to Miss Catharine Jones, a native of Ohio. They have four children, Albert G., Ada J., Paul J. and John M..

The parents stand well in the community socially, the father is prominent as a farmer and stock-breeder, and has a high rank in these industries as one of the most enterprising and successful men engaged in them, and as a citizen he is influential and universally respected for the elevation of his character, his breadth of view and his publie spirit in all things involving the advancement and enduring welfare of the region in which he has his home, expends his energy and conducts his fruitful and productive operations.

Although born, reared and educated in England, and a resident of that great country until he reached the age of thirty-one years, Dr. Francis W. Drew, of Ethel, is as devoted now to the land of his adoption as he ever was to that of his nativity, notwithstanding he still reveres the latter and holds it in affectionate regard. He has been a physieian in aetive general praetiee in Macon county during all of the last twenty-two years, and by that long and intimate association with its people has become endeared to them and a prominent and influential factor in their political, social and professional life. His birth occurred in County Gloucester, England, in 1851. His father, James Edward Drew, was a London surgeon of eminence, and his mother, Anna Cox (Drew), was also a native of England. The ancestry of the doctor on both sides of the house resided in England from time immemorial. The mother died in 1888, having survived by eight years her husband, who died in 1880. "They were the parents of eight children, all of whom grew to maturity.

Dr. Francis W. Drew began the study of medicine in his native land after completing his scholastie education in some of its best schools. He eame to the United States in 1882, and leaving the blandishments and supposedly higher culture of the East to those who preferred it, journeyed at once into what is still called the Middle West, and took up again the study of his profession at Keokuk, Iowa, entering the Keokuk Medieal College and remaining among its students until he was graduated with the degree of M. D. in 1886. He began the practice of his profession in that city and remained there about one year. In 1888 he located at Ethel, being one of the first settlers of that now thriving and progressive town, as he has since been one of the prime factors in building it up and developing its industries, and its intellectual, moral and commercial life. His life has been a busy and fruitful one ever since his location in this region, as his practice has been large and active, and has resulted in a very considerable contribution to the comfort, prosperity and general welfare of the people. He is well informed in his profession and skilful in the applieation of his knowledge. He is, moreover, a gentleman of striet integrity and high character, and the people have found him worthy of their confidence and esteem and have freely bestowed their regard upon him. He is one of the leading physicians in the county and one of its most estimable and popular eitizens, being known and esteemed throughout its limits, and in all the relations of life proving himself entitled to the good opinion in whieh he is universally held.

The Doctor is a diligent student of the literature of his profession, striving by all means at his command to keep abreast of the latest thought and discovery in the science to which he ts devoted; and he also receives and contributes practical help in the progress of the science by. mingling freely with his professional brethren as an active member of the state and county medical associations, with which he has long been connected. He is medical examiner for the Equitable and New York Life Insurance companies, and in Fraternal life belongs to the Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. His political faith and services are given to the Democratic party and he is very active in working for its success in all its contests. His influence is considerable and his services to the party are highly appreciated by both its leaders and its rank and file.

Dr. Drew was first married to Miss Katie Allison, a daughter of Dr. Joseph Allison, of Barrow in Furness, England. They had four children, Josephine, Ernest, Blanche and Barrett E. The mother died in December, 1889, and in January, 1905, the doetor married a second wife, Mrs. Anna Cross, of St. Louis, Missouri. They have two children, whose names are Lorna Dorothy and Anita. Now in the very prime of life and full maturity of his powers, firmly established in the regard and good will of the people, with a high rank in his profession and a constantly inereasing practice, Dr. Drew is one of the most useful eitizens of Macon eounty. and as his health is good and his energy undiminished, it is to be expected that he has yet many years of usefulness before him and that his services to the people will still increase in extent and power. He has not sought political office of any kind, being devoted to his professional work, and finding in that enough to engage all his faculties and consume all his time, except what may be needed in helping to foster and develop the resources of the county and make them as effective and widespread for the good of the people as possible. But he performs all the duties of citizenship with zeal and intelligence, and exemplifies in his daily life, in publie and private relations, all the attributes of elevated and highly commendable manhood.

James R. Heaton

Orphaned by the death of his mother when he was eleven years old and by that of his father three years later, the latter being brutally assassinated in the midst of the sectional strife that darkened and saddened this unhappy land from 1861 to 1865, because of his political opinions and his fidelity in defending them in two of the historie wars in which this country has been engaged, James R. Heaton, of Ethel, in this county, was obliged at an early age to look out for himself and work for his own advancement among men. He is one of the prominent and progressive farmers and stockmen of White township, and during ihe last four years has been president of the Bank of Ethel. The success which has attended his efforts and the eonsequence he has reached are all the more gratifying because they are the results of his own eapaeity, industry, thrift and excellent management.

Mr. Heaton was born near Concord chureh in this county in 1850, but he is a scion of old Virginia families resident in the Old Dominion from Colonial times. His parents, James D. and Aleinda (Jackson) Heaton, were natives of that state, as were their forefathers for many generations. The father enlisted in the Mexican war at the age of eighteen years under General Sterling Price and served for the full term of his enlistment, winning renown for conspieuous gallantry. At the first call for volunteers to serve the South in the Civil war he again tcok the field under General Price, and in this sanguinary contest he also served the full term of his enlistment and made a record creditable alike to him and the eause he was defending. After his return to his former home and a peaceful residence there for about two years, he was taken out on the night of August 18, 1864, by the federal state militia, which was called the Home Guards, and made to pay the penalty with his life for what he believed in, being eruelly killed by men whose duty it was to protect peaceable citizens in the enjoyment of their rights. He and his wife were the parents of six children, four of whom are living, W. J., James R., S. C. and A. J.

James R. Heaton secured what education he could in the publie sehools, but his attendance was necessarily very limited and irregular. Yet he had a studious and observing mind, and made considerably more of even a little scholastie training than many a boy does of much. And since leaving school he has found experience always a thorough teacher, even though her lessons have been often difficult and her discipline has been nearly always severe. But he has profited by her instruction and is a man of considerable general information and a keen and accurate judge of human character, knowing men well and taking their measure correctly, with many times but limited acquaintance with them.

When his schooling in books was completed Mr. Heaton went vigorously to work at whatever he could find to do, following various oeeupations for a few years and giving elose and conscientious attention to whatever he undertook. In this way he laid the foundation of the general confidence and esteem in which he is held, and made every

"step of his progress a permanent advance. In 1871 he began farming on his own aecount and has been doing this with diligence and suceess ever sinee. He has 270 aeres of fine land which he has brought to a high state of produetiveness and improved with good buildings and equipped with every needed appliance for its full and skillful cultivation. He also conducts an extensive and flourishing enterprise in general stockraising, to which he gives special attention and the fruits of his best study, observation and reflection. He deserves the success he wins in everything he undertakes, because he puts all his resources in motion to secure it.

promotion of their business interests, their intelleetual forces, or their moralor socialagencies. Since 1906 he has been president of the Bank of Ethel and has given its affairs his close personal attention. As the direeting spirit of its poliey and its main impulse in activity he has to build up the business of the institution, inerease the number of its patrons and maintain its high rank in the financial world. In polities he is a true and loyal member of the Democratic party and at all times active in its service. The only political office he has ever held is that of town clerk, which he filled for a term of two years. He has always been averse to official station, preferring to serve the state and its people from the honorable post of private citizenship. His religious connection is with the Christian church. Of this organization he is an aetive and very useful member, giving his aid to all its worthy undertakings and helping to guide it by wise counsel to the highest and best development.

In 1871 Mr. Heaton was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Singleton, a native of this county. They have five children: Allie M., the widow of the late F. E. Van Fleet; W. J.; Mellie B., the wife of G. W. Burns, of South Dakota; and T. G. and Minos C. The parents are held in the highest esteem wherever they are known and they well deserve all the regard and good will the people bestow upon them.

Harry M. Rubey

Success is the prerogative of valiant souls, and it has been vouchsafed Mr. Rubey to attain through his own well-direeted endeavors a significant measure of suecess as a business man of fine initiative ability and sterling integrity. He is in the very prime of his life and his business experiences have been varied, but ever directed along lines making: for progress. He is a native son of Macon county and is now recognized as one of its leading business men and representative citizens - one to whom is accorded the most unequivocal confidence and esteem and one whose labors have not been self-centered, but have redounded to the general welfare of the community.- He maintains his home in the city of Macon, with whose banking interests he has been prominently identified, and here he is now the head of the Rubey-Brown Company, dealers in farm mortgages, bonds, investment securities, ete.

Harry M. Rubey was born in the eity of Macon, the thriving capital of Macon county, Missouri, on the 25th of July, 1865, and is a son of Webb M. and Jennie P. Rubey. The subject of this review gained his preliminary edueation in the excellent public schools of his native plaee, after which he was a student in St. James Military Academy, at Macon, Missouri, and in the Missouri State University, at Columbia, in which latter institution he continued his studies for a period of three years. After leaving the university Mr. Rubey assumed the position of colleetion elerk in the First National Bank of Macon, and after having been employed in this institution for two years he went to Devil's Lake, North Dakota, where he operated a farm for one year, at the expiration of which, in 1881, he returned to Macon and engaged in the clothing business, as a member of the firm of Dowling & Rubey. He disposed of his interest in this enterprise later and removed to Kansas City, Missouri, where he held the position of head bookkeeper for the Kansas City Car Wheel Company for one year. In 1888 Mr. Rubey returned to Macon and he then became associated with Thomas E. Wardell, Jr., in opening the first large coal mine south of the tracks of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad in the city of Bevier, Macon county. "The venture was one that at that time caused no little skeptieal eomment, but the result was the eventual development of the finest coal fields in this distriet. ]

In 1889 Mr. Rubey again entered the service of the First National Bank of Macon, of which he was made assistant cashier, an executive office of whieh he remained ineumbent until the 1st of January, 1894, when he resigned the position and effeeted the organization of the State Exchange Bank of Macon, whieh was ineorporated in March of that year, with a eapital of $25,000. He became cashier of the institution, in which he was the largest stockholder, and held this position until 1896, when the bank was consolidated with the Bank of Macon, under the title of the State Exchange Bank. He became cashier under the new regime and served in this office until January, 1907, when the institution was consolidated with the First National Bank, which then went into voluntary liquidation, upon the expiration of its charter. In the same year he organized the Rubey-Brown Company, for the handling of real estate mortgages, bonds, securities, etc., and he has since been president of this company, which now controls a large and substantial business and which is one of the leading concerns of the kind in this seetion of the state. Mr. Rubey is also treasurer of the International Life Insurance Company, of St. Louis, which is incorporated with a eapital of $1,000,000. He has proved an aggressive business man and able exeeutive, showing much facility in the handling of affairs of broad scope and importance, so that his personal reputation tends to conserve the success of every enterprise with which he identifies himself. As a

In polities Mr. Rubey is a recognized leader of the Democratic forees in his native state, and he has rendered effective service in manoeuvering the normal politieal agencies in various campaigns. He is at the present time (1909) chairman of the Democratic state central committee, and previously was for many years ehairman of the central committee of his party in Macon county. In 1905-6 he ably represented his native county in the state legislature, and was an active and efficient worker both on the floor of the house and in the committee room. He was assigned to membership on a number of important committees and was the author of what is known as the negotiable instrument law, which he introduced and ably ehampioned and which was duly enaeted. It is worthy of note that this law has since been adopted by nearly all other states in the Union. While serving in the legislature Mr. Rubey was also president of the Missouri Bankers' Association. In 1904 he was eleeted mayor of Macon, securing a most gratifying majority at the polls, though the city is normally Republiean by a considerable majority. He held this office two years and gave a most progressive and businesslike administration of the municipal government.

Mr. Hubey is a man of genial personality, free from ostentation and placing true estimates on men and affairs, so that his popularity. has a legitimate basis. He is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity, including the Ancient Arabie Order of the Nobles of the Mystie Shrine, and also with the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America. He holds membership in the Macon Commereial Club and is president of the Missouri State Automobile Association. He and his wife are communicants of the Protestant Episcopal church, being members of the parish of St. James ehurch, in Macon.

On the 27th of December, 1888, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Rubey to Miss Elizabeth A. Wardell, daughter of Thomas Wardell, who was one of the honored and influential citizens of Macon.

Eminently suecessful in his own business and aetive and serviceable in promoting every undertaking involving the welfare of the township and county of his home, Riehard Edward Owen, one of the prosperous and progressive farmers and stock-raisers of Walnut township, in this county, is justly regarded as a highly useful and representative citizen.

He is not a native of this state, or even of this country, although he has been living in Missouri and Macon county ever since he was two years old. He was born in Wales on February 8, 1866, and is a son of John and Grace (Jones) Owen, also natives of Wales and descendants of families living in that land of hardy and resourceful people from time immemorial.

The father was a cabinet-maker and wrought at his trade in his native land a number of years. In 1868 he brought his family to the United States and was led by a friendly dispensation of Fortune to Macon county, Missouri, where he located and had every prospect of prospering well during the rest of his days. But it was deereed that he should not enjoy life long in his new home. Before the end of the year in which he located in it he died, passing away in 1868. His widow is still living and has her home in Glaston. "They had five children, but their son, Richard E., is the only one of them now living.

Richard E. Owen was reared in Macon county and secured his education in its publie schools. Orphaned by the death of his father while he was himself still an infant, and with his mother a stranger in a land far distant from the home of her ancestors and all her early friends, his boyhood and youth were full of care and privation. His mother gave him exeellent supervision and provided for his wants as well as she could, accepting her hard and lonely destiny with a heroie spirit and doing all she could to meet its every requirement. Still, every step of her son's advance was the result of effort and struggle on his part, and what he is and has now he has produced himself by his own eapacity and indefatigable industry. He is a self-made man in the best sense of the phrase and is a credit to the inherent ability and force of character by means of which he has won his success and attained his prominence and influence among the people.

After leaving school Mr. Owen worked at various occupations for awhile, doing whatever he could get to do and doing all so well that he soon established himself in the confidence and regard of the people as a reliable and competent man at whatever he turned his hand to. But he at all times felt a longing to be a farmer and raise live-stock for the markets, and in the course of a few years he made his way to the accomplishment of his desires in this respect. He now owns a fine farm of 160 acres, all of which is under cultivation except what is reserved for grazing purposes, and has the place well improved with comfortable and commodious buildings and all the appliances of a first-rate country home. His stock industry is extensive and a source of pride and great attention to him. He gives every step of the work connected with it his personal oversight and applies to its management all the information he ean gather from reading, observation and reflection. The result is that he has a high reputation for the quality of his output and it ranks far up in the market.

His connection with the publie affairs of the township and county is close and servieeable. He takes an active interest and a leading part in al| projeets of worth for the development and improvement of the region, and is always to be found at the front in furthering their advancement and successful accomplishment. In political allegiance he is allied with the Democratic party, and is one of its faithful and efficient workers in all campaigns. He has been a member of the school hoard for a number of years and a justice of the peace for three. He also served one term as road overseer. In all these positions he has given the people evcellent and appreciated service, having an eye single to their welfare and the public good, In fraternal life he is a member of the Woodmen of the World and in religious connection belongs to the Presbyterian church. In 1894 he was married to Miss Irene Hazen, a native of Oregon and a lineal descendant of General Hazen, who was a distinguished soldier in the Civil war and for a long time at the head of the United States weather bureau. They have three children, their sons, Richard, Jr., Philip and Daniel, all of whom are still members of the family cirele and attending school.

Richard E. Owen met Miss Hazen while he was working on the Northern Pacific railroad. Quitting the railroad, he accepted a position as fireman in the Hotel Portland, in 1889. Five years later he married, living with his bride one year in Portland, then coming to Missouri in 1895 to take up the happy life of a farmer.

This highly representative citizen and leading farmer of Macon county, whose interests are principally in Morrow township near the town of Callao, and are very extensive and valuable, was born on June since 1866, a period of forty-four years. His parents, Singleton Lyle, Sr., and Frances (Boatwright) Kasey, were born and reared in Virginia, the former in Bedford county and the latter in Cumberland county. They were planters of prominence and influence in the Old Dominion, and accounted among the best citizens of that portion of the state in which they lived. They were married in 1823 and had four children, all of whom they reared to maturity. Three of them are liv- ing, Eliza, widow of the late Clinton MeCann; James T., who lives at Salisbury, Missouri, and Silgleton L. Their mother died at her Kentucky home on January 3, 1866, and the next year the father came to Missouri to live. Here he passed the remainder of his days, dying on Mareh 28, 1875, in Macon county. He was a Whig until the party of his young espousal died and he then became a Democrat. He always took an active part in political affairs, but was never a candidate for any office, either by election or appointment. He was a man of large

` property, owning considerable land in Virginia and Kentucky and a large number of slaves before the Civil war: When he moved into this state he located at what is now Kaseyville in Macon county, which got its name from him and his family. The great-grandfather of our subject was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, serving three years under General Morgan. He took part in the battle of Gilford Courthouse and a number of other important engagements, being discharged at Morristown.

His son, Singleton Lyle Kasey, was reared on the parental estate in Kentucky and educated in the schools of his native county. After completing his education he taught school for a number of years there. In 1866 he moved to Macon county, Missouri, and two years later, in association with his brother, he started a mercantile establishment at Kaseyville, which they conducted together for a period of twenty years. "The brother retired after ten years. He then retired from merehandising to devote his entire attention to farming and raising stock, except what might be required for the performance of a good eitizen's duty in eohneetion with publie affairs and the development and improvement of the region in which he lived. He is still actively engaged in farming and raising stock, and has been very successful in all his operations. He now owns and has under cultivation 1,450 acres of first-rate land, all of which he farms with skill and good judgment, except what is necessary for grazing for his extensive herds and flocks.

` In polities Mr. Kasey is a firm and faithful working Democrat, with an earnest and continuous interest in the success of his party and a determined and effective zeal in helping to bring that about on all occasions. He has demonstrated decided fitness for public office and a wide knowledge of publie affairs. So conspicuous has he been in this respect that in 1892 he was elected a member of the state legislature and re-eleeted in 1894, serving until 1896. He took high rank in the legislature and rendered his constituency and the people of the whole state valuable and appreciated service. He had a law passed creating an additional mine inspector, thus increasing the closeness and effi- eiency of the inspection by dividing the work between two men instead of having it all done by one. This law has been of great benefit to the state and has also helped the mining interests very considerably by seeuring greater care and better results in their work. Fraternally Mr. Kasey has been a member of the Masonie order since 1864. He was married on November 6, 1878, to Miss Octavia Stanley Hall, a native of Randolph county, Missouri. They have four children, James §.,

Y John A. Wright

A native of Macon county, born on August 26, 1852, and having passed all of the fifty-eight years of his life to this time within the borders of the county, John A. Wright, of Ethel, is thoroughly acquainted with the people here and knows all the springs of political, intellectual, moral and industrial life that actuate and animate them. He has been a busy man among them, taking a leading part in all their activities and helping by every means at his command to develop the township and county, advance the interests of their people, broaden and intensify all the ageneies for good work in their midst, and hold up the highest ideals of citizenship before all the world. He is therefore justly entitled to the universal esteem in which he is held and altogether worthy of the general good will that is bestowed upon him in all parts of the county.

Mr. Wright is a son of David and Eliza (Ballinger) Wright, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Kentucky. The father became a resident of Missouri in 1842, making his home in Macon eounty and aetively engaging in farming and raising live stock. The mother came to this state and county with her parents in 1845. Here she made the acquaintance of the elder Mr. Wright and here they were married. They had two children, their sons K. D. and John A. The father was a Democrat in political faith but was never an active partisan. He died in 1852, and sometime afterward the mother was married to John Williams, a native of Macon county, by whom she became the mother of four additional children: Mary, the wife of 'Thomas Conklin of Callao; Lucy, the wife of William Staey of Bucklin, Linn county; S. P. and Nicholas. Their mother died in November 1896 and their father in 1872. Both were respected highly by all who knew them.

John A. Wright grew to manhood on his step-father and uncle's farm and obtained his elementary education at the distriet schools in the neighborhood of his home. He completed his scho- lastie training at Old Bloomington under the tutorship of W. O. Gray. He did not, however, aim at professional life or mercantile pursuits. He had a decided taste for farming, and as soon as he left school he turned his attention to this ealling and to this he has adhered with unwavering fidelity ever since. He has not allowed his own affairs to wholly absorb his energies and time, though, for he has been active and serviceable in the interest of the township and county, and has given their affairs a considerable amount of his time and attention. He has been a justice of the peace continuously for more than twenty years and a member of the sehool board for more than ten. In 1902 he was elected county judge and served acceptably in that capacity for four years. In polities he is a pronounced Republican and always zealous and effective in the service of his party. While not an office seeker or desirous of publie life, he consented to serve a term of two years as constable in addition to filling the offices already mentioned as having been held by him.

Mr. Wright's offieial life has in all respects been greatly to his eredit, and his activity in ehurch work has also been pronounced in its energy and benefieial results. He is conneeted by membership with the Christian church, and during all of the last twenty-seven years has been one of the elders of the congregation to which he belongs, and he has also been the superintendent of two Sunday schools at the same time, and very energetie in Sunday school work. In July, 1872, he was married to Miss Louisa J. Richardson, a native of this county. Of the seven children born to them four are living, Oscar, Otis, John Luther and Elmer. The parents are regarded as among the most worthy and estimable citizens of the county.

B. Dennis Bradley

While the life work of a bank cashier is necessarily one of considerable routine and sameness, following the same beaten path from day to day and month to month without much variety in incident, it nevertheless affords the man who fills it in the proper spirit opportunity for great usefulness to his community and service to its people in both a personal and general way. Interests of magnitude are often dependent for their accomplishment on the assistance of the banking facilities, and private welfare is many times almost at their mercy. Tf those facilities are used wisely and judiciously they ean be made to minister to both the general and the individual prosperity, and help every enterprise to good and useful development.

of Ethel in this eounty, and formerly cashier of the Bank of Ethel in the same town, is one of those gentlemen who know how to conduct a banking business with a spirit of usefulness to the people among whom it is carried on, while, at the same time, carefully caring for and protecting the interests of the stockholders and depositors of the institution. His service in these respects are highly appreciated in Ethel and throughout the country that is tributary to it in the way of trade, for they have been judicious and rendered with due regard to all the interests the banks he has served have had in charge and the welfare of the whole community.

Mr. Bradley is a native of Macon county and was born in White township on September 23,1876. He obtained his preliminary scholastie training in the common schools and completed it at the State Normal School at Kirksville. In 1900 he entered the Bank of Ethel as cashier, and in this capaeity he served it faithfully until May 18, 1905. On August 26, 1906, he became cashier of the Citizen Bank of Ethel, and to the duties of that position he has ever since faithfully devoted his time, energies and accomplishments. He is recognized as one of the most capable and careful bank officials in this part of the state, and the institution to which he gives his services is regarded as one of the most progressive, wisely managed and enterprising in Northeastern Missouri. The people have eonfidence in it, for it has demonstrated its soundness and the prudence with which it is conducted. The business community around it believes in it, for it has been liberal in accommodations to. business men and institutions, and at the same time, has taken every precaution to protect its stockholders and. depositors from all undesirable or risky transactions. Financial cireles here and elsewhere accord it high rank for progressiveness, modern methods of doing business, and the employment of excellent judgment in the management of its affairs. Its reputation is largely due to the intelligence and breadth of view which Mr. Bradley has exhibited as its cashier and the controlling spirit in its directorate. It does a general banking business, including every feature of enterprising modern banking, and has made steady progress into more extensive operations and a larger volume of business from its very foundation.

Mr. Bradley takes an earnest interest and active part in publie affairs. He is a Democrat in politics, always zealous in the service of his party and judicious in his efforts to help it to success. He is at present town treasurer of Ethel and as such is rendering acceptable service to the community. Fraternally he is connected with the Order of Elks and the Masonie Order with the rank of a noble of the Mystie

William T. Gilbreath

Shrine in the latter. He was married in 1903 to Miss Mary Phipps, a native of Macon county. They have four children, W. T., Helen B., Paul D., and Beverly R.

William Thomas Gilbreath

Owning and operating three excellent farms, and, since May 1, 1882, the energetie and progressive president of the La Plata Savings Bank, William Thomas Gilbreath is one of the prominent, useful and influential citizens of that favored portion of this county known as La Plata township, and well deserves his eminence among the people of that section. There is much in his ancestry and the record of his family that would account for his su in all his undertakings in the judgment of the antiquary or the critical inquirer into circumstances whieh determine a man's eapability to meet the requirements of his situation in life. But observers who associate with a man from day to day and know him well do not have to look beyond his own manifestations to find a suffieient basis for his actions or a full explanation of ihs eareer. Such observers have found in the case of Mr. Gilbreath enough in his personal eharacter and capabilities to justify the suecess he has won and the mastery over circumstances and eonditiens which he has shown in all the relations of life.

Nevertheless, his family history is interesting and important as showing inherited traits and the inspiration springing from ancestral examples. Mr. Gilbreath was born in La Plata township, on March 26, 1849, and is a son of Judge John and Martha (Clayton) Gilbreath, the former a native of Maury county, Tennessee, and the latter of the state of Maryland, where the Claytons have been domesticated from early colonial times. John Gilbreath was a son of Hugh Gilbreath and a Kentucky lady whose maiden name was Hannah Conover, and who died in 1829, when her son, John, was but twelve years of age, he having been born on December 8, 1817. Hugh Gilbreath was one of the early settlers of Cooper county, Missouri, having migrated from his native state of Tennessee to that portion of Missouri with his family in 1826. In that county he took up a tract of government land and resided on it until his death in 1851. He took up his land while it was a part of the trackless wilderness in this state, and in the quarter of a century of effort and skill he bestowed upon it he made it over into a produetive farm, improved with good buildings and equipped with all the appliances of a comfortable country home of the day and loeality in whieh helived. He served in the war of 1812 and won distinetion for his valor in the field, his enduranee on the march and his readiness for every emergency in the service. His second wife was Miss Flora MacDuffe, a lady of Seotch ancestry and distinguished lineage in that country. Both were widely known and highly respected in Cooper county, in which the greater part of their activities in this state were expended.

Their son, John Gilbreath, grew to manhood in Cooper county, Missouri, and was married there to Miss Martha Clayton, on February 18, 1840. In 1841 he moved to Newton county with his young bride, and after a residence of less than a year in that county moved again, taking up his residence in Cole county. In 1841 he came to Macon county and bought a farm three miles south of La Plata. Making this the base of his operations, he entered government land and purchased other tracts until he owned more than 1,000 acres, all of which he farmed and devoted to his kindred industry of raising live stock, and in both industries he was eminently successful.

In 1872 he was elected county judge and his service on the bench was highly creditable to himself and of great benefit to the people. But his chief title to distinction was the fact that he was among the first to engage in raising shorthorn cattle in this part of the state, and by that means one of the chief contributors to raising the standard of cattle in the county, which he did with great effect in his day'and generation, and which his son, William T. Gilbreath, has done with similar results in his. For many years the father raised and handled a large number of this superior breed of cattle, and by his example stimulated others to do the same. The result was that he created a market for his output and at the same time helped to expand the provision for supplying it. He and his wife were the parents of six children: John H., who lives at La Plata; Nancy C., who is the wife of George Roon of this county; William T., the immediate subject of this review; James C., who is a resident of the state of Colorado; and Charles C. and Lorenzo D., the latter of whom died in 1878. The father died in September, 1887, at the age of seventy years, and the mother on January 18, 1904, aged eighty-one year The father was a Free Mason in fraternal life and a member of N onary Baptist church in religious affiliation. Their son, William T. Gilbreath, is a worthy son of a worthy sire, and in his career has well upheld the family name and traditions, exemplifying all the traits of character and all the manifestations of enterprise for which his father and grandfather were distinguished. He also is distinguished as a producer of superior grades of cattle and hogs on a large scale, and by his zeal and enterprise in this industry has very considerably awakened and fostered similar enterprise in his neighbors and acquaintances, and the farmers of the county in general. In fact, his influence in this respeet has worked well and largely throughout the state and helped materially to bring Missouri into general publie notice as a producer of high grade stock and give her output a very high rank in Chicago and eastern markets. If he who makes two blades of grass grow where one grew before is to be considered a publie benefactor, how much more is the man entitled to publie esteem who takes an ordinary product of a fruitful region and raises its standard to the point of commanding universal commendation and the highest price in the marts of ecommerce and trade? Mr. Gilbreath has very largely helped to do this for the stock industry of Missouri and is entitled to full eredit for the efforts he has made in this behalf. He owns and eultivates 900 aeres of first rate land, which he has brought to a high state of produetiveness by the vigor and skill with which he eultivates it. He also has his farm improved with good buildings and equipped with all the necessary appliances for the suecessful development of its resources and the management of his farming operations according to the most approved modern methods. He devotes the same intelligence and energy to his stock industry, and both that and his farming are highly suecessful from every point of view, bringing him good returns for his labor and eare and stimulating others to greater activity by the force of his example.

In 1882 Mr. Gilbreath bought a large block of stock in a private bank of excellent reputation, and he at once reorganized the institution into the present Savings Bank of La Plata, of which he has been president from the time of the reorganization. He has given all the affairs of the bank his close and careful personal attention and directed its wise and sound poliey from the beginning. It has flourished greatly - and continuously under his management, and the credit for its progress is due largely to him. His study in connection with it has been to know and meet all the requirements of the community that such an institution ean provide for, and keep its improving and developing resources in vigorous action and lead them to the highest and best results. In this aspiration he has been eminently successful, and in return for the good he has done the community through his bank that institution has reaped a rich harvest of profit from the spirit of enterprise and thrift at work among the people, which it has helped to foster and develop, and the relations between it and the people have been reciprocal and mutually beneficial.

On November 14, 1871, Mr. Gilbreath was united in marriage with Miss Sarah M. Gates, a native of this eounty and a daughter of one of its most esteemed families. They have one child, their daughter, Olive

M., who made an extended tour of Europe in the summer of 1909, and after her return entered upon the important duties for which she had been seleeted as instruetor of English in the State University of Kansas. She is a graduate of Wellesley College, and received the degree of A. M. from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor.

Mr. Gilbreath is a Democrat in his political faith and has always taken an active part in the campaigns of his party, rendering it good service in both the council chamber and the field, although he has never consented to accept a political office for himself, either by election or appointment. Fraternally he has long been connected with the Masonie order and has elimbed its mystie ladder to the height of becoming a Noble of the Mystie Shrine. His religious affiliation is with the Presbyterian church, and in this he finds scope for the exercise of his benevolent and philanthropic tendencies and desires. Macon county has never had a better citizen, or one for whom the whole of her people have felt a more genuine regard. In all the relations of life he has exemplified the highest and best attributes of citizenship and upright, elevated and forceful manhood.

Of the high character, general resourcefulness, extensive and accurate knowledge and skill in the application of it which distinguishes the professional men of Northeastern Missouri, Dr. Willis Ezra Bradley of Ethel, Macon county, furnishes a fine illustration. He ranks high in his profession because of his mastery of it in theory and practice, the zealous devotion he bestows upon his work, and his eminent success as a practitioner. He also stands high as a citizen, displaying commendable breadth of view and public spirit in reference to everything involving the progress and development of the township and county in which he lives and the enduring welfare of the people among whom he labors with such signal success.

Dr. Bradley was born on August 13, 1870, in White township, Macon county, and is a son of R. F. and Adeline (Greenstreet) Bradley, who was born in Kentucky. The father came to Missouri in 1856 and took up his residence in this county. He followed farming from the time of his arrival and is still engaged in it on the tract of land on which he first ''stuck his stake'' here. This tract he redeemed from the waste and has made over into a very productive and valuable farm and a most comfortable and attractive country home. What it is now is the result of his energy and skill - the fruit of his systematic and well applied industry and ability. His wife died in 1894. They were the parents of nine children all of B grew to maturity and eight of whom are living: Dr. Willis E., N. W., who lives in Drake township; Sallie, the wife of J. S. en of Rutledge, Missouri; Edwin L.; Nathan E.; Millie, the wife of Dr. Abbott of Goldsberry; and Grover C. and Dee M. The father has always been a Democrat in polities and always active in the service of his party, but he could never be induced to accept a political office of any kind.

Dr. Willis E. Bradley was reared on his father's farm and secured the basis of his scholastie training in the country schools of the neighborhood. A prime element in his mental development, which gave him self knowledge and knowledge of others, was his experience of four years as a school teacher, which he had soon after leaving school himself. In 1890 he began the study of medicine in Beaumont Hospital Medical College, whieh is located in St. Louis, and from which he was graduated with the degree of M. D. in 1893. He started the practice of his profession at New Boston in our sister county of Linn, which borders Macon on the west, and remained there about one year. At the end of that period he moved to Ethel, and here he has been living ever since and actively engaged in a large general practice, with an increasing body of patients from year to year and a steady gain in the confidence and esteem of the people.