Macon County, Missouri - Biographical sketches, 1910 (part 7 of 20)

Dr. Gates is a son of George and Sally (Stanfield) Gates, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Illinois. They were the parents of three children, two of whom are living, the Doctor and his sister. The father grew to manhood at a time in the history of this country when Bishop Berkley's prophetic line, '' Westward the course of empire takes its way,'' was fast being practically realized through the mighty tide of migration from the Atlantic slope toward the Rocky mountains and the regions beyond them, which was for many years one of the most spectacular and inspiring phases of American life. It was '' Westward, Ho!" for almost everybody, and among the host of hardy adventurers who were camping in hope for a season on the frontier, to live there a little later in comfort and prosperity, none was more enthusiastic or more thoroughly imbued with the spirit of conquest and self-promotion than this young Kentuckian, who was not yet a man in age, but who had all of a man's fortitude, self-reliance and power of endurance. True, his native state and locality had not yet passed far from the pioneer stage of its history, but it was becoming tame with the monotony of quiet life and the regular progress of events, and as he longed for the excitement and variety of thrilling adventure, he left his parental acres and struck out into the wilderness to make a home and a name for himself. He located in Illinois, then a remote region from his home, and there he created a good farm out of the wilderness and prospered on its products.

His first venture proved agreeable and profitable to him, and as time passed he longed for another advance in the wake of the setting sun. So, in 1839, he moved to Macon county in this state and established his family on a farm in what is now LaPlata township. On this farm his wife died in 1862, and on it he, too, ended his days, passing away in 1872. His arrival in the county was timely for his own advantage and for that of the community in which he settled also. He had capacity for publie affairs and was helpful in getting the newly organized local government on its feet and started well in its progress to its present systematized and satisfactory condition. And the opportunities for profit to thrift and enterprise were great and he succeeded in getting a goodly portion of their fruits for himself.

Dr. Josiah Gates began his education in Illinois and finished it, so far as the academic portion was concerned, in the public schools of this county. His professional preparation for the battle of life was made at a fine medical college in Cincinnati, from which he was graduated with the degree of M. D. in 1859. He at once began the practice of his profession at old Bloomington in this county, where he remained and flourished until 1874. In that year he moved to LaPlata, where he has ever since resided and continued his beneficent life-work with steadily inereasing demands on his time and attention and constantly augmenting returns for his labor, both in material substance and publie esteem. He long ago rose to the first rank in his profession in this part of the country, and he has al since his arrival in LaPlata, been considered one of its leading citizens and most ful and estimable men. His activity in connection with the publie affairs of the township and county has been fruitful, appreciated and continuous. Every duty of high-toned and progressive citizenship has been fully and faithfully discharged by him, and every proper claim on his time, energy or generosity has been liberally and promptly responded to.

In political faith the Doctor is a Demoerat and has been all his life. He was for many years very active in the service of his party and is still deeply interested in its welfare. Public office has never been inviting to him, but he waived his aversion to it for the publie good and served on the school board for many years. Fraternally he has long been connected in a leading way locally with the Masonie order, and for many years has been one of the most interested and serviceable members of the county medical association. He was married in 1856 to a Miss Taylor. She died in 1857, and in 1859 he was united in marriage with Miss Marietta Lin , a native of Wisconsin. They had three children, all of whom are living and contributing to the prosperity and advancement of the country. They are: Erskine M., assis eashier of the LaPlata Savings Bank, a sketch of whom appears in this work; Sally Susan, the wife of John Kimball, of Ohio; and William, who is one of the leading citizens of LaPlata. The Doctor is now living in a large measure retired from active pursuits in the enjoyment of the rest he has so richly earned, and is erowned in his old age with universal esteem.

Skill in praetieal work, aeeuraey in theoretieal knowledge and gentility and considerateness of manner are large elements of value in the profession of dentistry, and they have been potential factors in the marked sueeess of Dr. Theophilus P. Smith, of Laplata in his professional eareer up to this time (1909). He knows what to do, how to do, and is always possessed of the ready will to do everything known to his profession to secure the best results for his patrons with the least inconvenience and suffering on their part. His knowledge covers every detail of his work, his skill and capacity are equal to every requirement, and his genial and reassuring manner, delicacy in operation and application of the easiest and most rapid means to reach any desired end go far toward robbing his chair of torture of its terrors. He is modern, progressive and masterly in every department of his ealling and has made for himself an excellent and widespread reputation as one of the best dentists in the state.

Dr. Smith was born at Huntsville in Randolph county of this state on February 21, 1873. His father, Calvin Smith, who was born at Hightowers, Caswell eounty, North Carolina, eame to Missouri in his youth and located at Huntsville, where he was profitably engaged for many years in farming and trading in tobaeco. He was married December 18, 1857, to Miss Melinda J. Sears, a native of Randolph county, where the son was born. "They became the parents of six children, all of whom are living. They are: G. L; Mattie S.; Anna S., the wife of W. W. Price, of Sturgeon, Boone county, Missouri; W. R.; Theophilus P.; and Mamie, the wife of Dr. O. Grey, of Sturgeon, editor of the Sturgeon Leader. The father died at Huntsville, and the mother at the same place in 1903.

The Doetor was reared and educated at Huntsville. In 1891 he entered the dental office of Dr. W. A. Smith as a student of the profession, and in his five years' connection with that office and association with its masterly proprietor he gained a great deal of practical knowledge of the utmost value to him in all his subsequent career. He attended the Western Dental College at Kansas City, Missouri, and was graduated from that institution with the degree of D.D.S. in 1896. Within the same year he began his practice at LaPlata, and he has eontinued it there with undeviating devotion to his business ever since. He has been successful in building up a large practice and winning a high reputation for his skill and capacity and sustaining and justifying it on all occasions. E

In the public affairs of the county and state he is an active and helpful participant, taking great practical interest in everything that pertains to the general welfare of the town and its people, and giving his aid freely and fully to all commendable undertakings for their improvement. Tn political faith he is an unwavering Democrat and always zealous in the service of his party, although he has at all times refused to be considered available for a political office, resolutely declining all tenders made him in this respect. With the purpose of using every means at his command to enlarge his professional knowledge and keep himself in line with the best thought and latest discoveries in his work he is an industrious student of the literature of his profession and belongs in active membership to the Missouri State Dental Association. In this organization he takes great interest both as a contributor and a recipient of benefits, attending its meetings regularly and doing his full part to aid in making them pleasant and profitable to all who are concerned in them.

In fraternal relations he is connected with the Knights of Pythias and the Knights of the Maccabees. These orders appeal to the human and fraternal attributes of his nature and give him enjoyment of an elevated intelleetual and moral character. In the social life of the eommunity he is also popular, a weleome addition to every circle with which he is connected and a genial sunbeam in any company. Eminent in his profession, correct and upright in his daily walk and conversation, influential and prominent in public affairs, commendable in all the relations of life, he is one of LaPlata's best and most useful and representative men. With youth, health and becoming ambition among his productive assets, and with his position in public esteem already firmly established, the future opens before him with bright prospects of a very honorable and enviable career.

During the last thirteen years this esteemed and successful physician and surgeon has been engaged in an active general practice of his profession in this eounty, for about one year and a half at New Cambria and the rest of the time at La Plata. He has made an excellent impression on the people of the county as a practitioner of medieine and as a business man and citizen, and has established himself firmly in their high regard. His professional brethren also esteem him highly for his skill and ability, which refleet eredit on the line of work in which they are all engaged, for his character and demeanor as a man, and for his engaging personality, whieh makes him a very agreeable companion and friend.

Dr. Newton was born on November 22, 1867, at Circleville, Ohio, and is a son of John D. and Laura (Peters) Newton, the father a native of Virginia and the mother of Ohio. The father left his ancestral home in his young manhood and sought a name and an estate in a region then distant and not yet wholly redeemed from the wild condition in whieh it had lain for ages awaiting the advent of the commanding might of mind that was to call it forward to high development, rich productiveness and politieal importance and power. He was equal to the requirements of his new situation and flourished on the almost virgin soil to which he devoted his attention as a skillful and progressive farmer. In March, 1895, he died at the home he had created in the new location of his choice. His wife, whose maiden name was Laura Peters, survived him fourteen years, passing away in July, 1909. They were the parents of nine children, all of whom reached maturity and are living. They are; Edwin, Wilson, Famah, John, Charles, Lucy, George, Henry and Mattie. In their several stations they are worthy of esteem as good eitizens and faithful aids in the great work of American progress.

Dr. Henry O. Newton grew to manhood in his Ohio home, assisting his father in the work of the farm in the intervals between the sessions of the schools he attended. He obtained his education in academic lines at the distriet schools near his residence and the Ohio Normal University. After leaving the latter institution he began the study of medicine, and in due time entered Rush Medical College in Chicago as matrieulate. At the conclusion of his eourse in this renowned professional institution he was graduated with the degree of M. D., securing his diploma in 1896. He at once came to Missouri and loeated at New Cambria in this county, where he practiced for a period of eighteen months. In 1898 he moved to La Plata, and here he has had his home and the seat of his enterprise ever since. He has been continuously and successfully engaged in the practice of his profession during all his subsequent years and has risen to high rank in his work and an enviable plaee in the esteem of the people. His praetiee has grown steadily in magnitude and importance and he is now generally recognized as one of the leading physieians and surgeons and most prominent and influential citizens of the county.

Politieally the Doetor is a Republiean with an earnest interest in the welfare of his party and an energetic and effective devotion to its service. He is a valued member of the Masonie order and the Modern Woodmen of America. In professional lines he is medieal examiner for a number of life insurance companies, among them the New York Life, the Aetna and the Mutual Life of New York. He is also an active and serviceable member of the county, state and national medical associations, taking a leading part in their proceedings, contributing essentially to the interest and profit of their meetings and deriving a large amount of benefit from them himself.

denee, for he is a firm believer in progress and makes his faith shown in his active efforts to promote it along all wholesome and desirable lines of development. The moral, intellectual and social features of the body politie all have his earnest support and the stimulus of his intelligent and well directed energy, and the interests of the people generally always engage his thoughtful attention and eommand his zealous advoeacy and defense. His character as a man, his capacity in his profession and his activity as a citizen have made him a leader in his community and a representative of the best elements of its population.

Erskine M. Gates

'The life current so far vouchsafed to this prominent and esteemed citizen and accomplished banker of La Plata has been calm and full, without obstructions to disturb its progress, and without either tragedy or thrilling adventure to change its course or ruffle its placid surface. It has flowed Straight forward, widening its channel as it has swept onward, and dispensing expanding benefactions to every field of endeavor through which it has passed. Mr. Gates has used his opportunities for his own advantage and the good of his fellow men without ostentation or trumpet blasts, but his serviees have been none the less because of the quiet and modest way in which they have been rendered, nor are they less appreciated by those who have had the benefit of them.

Mr. Gates was born in this county on March 19, 1864, and is a son of Josiah and Mary C. (Linzee) Gates, the father a native of Illinois and the mother of Wisconsin. They were married in 1862 and had three children: Erskine M., his sister Sallie S., who is the wife of W. P. Kimball, and his brother W. J., who lives at La Plata, Missouri, The mother died in August, 1889. The father came to Missouri in 1837. He was a physieian and for many years had a large practice in this and the adjoining counties.

Erskine M. Gates was reared and eduaeted in La Plata, and on leaving the quiet pursuit of learning for the more serious business of life, decided on a career connected with the financial interests of the country. In 1866 he was appointed assistant eashier of the La Plata Savings Bank, a position in which his services have ever since Been required and faithfully rendered. He is a stockholder in the bank and one of its directors, and is therefore directly interested in its prosperity and directly responsible for its course in dealing with the publie and each of its patrons. He is conscious of the full measure of his responsibility and he does all in his power to meet it to the last extremity and in every respect. He is accounted one of the most capable and faithful bank men in the county, and the regard the people have for him in consequence is universal and of a high order.

The banking business at best is necessarily monotonous and trying. Mr. Gates finds relief from its exaetions and monotony in a flourishing farming and stock-raising industry which he conducts, and in which he has great enjoyment and reaps substantial profits. He owns a fine herd of beautiful Aberdeen Angus eattle, which is the pride of the township and a source of continual pleasure to him. By his enterprise in securing this herd and his liberality in the use of it, he has aided considerably in raising the standard of stock in the township and other localities, and made himself a name as one of the progressive and far-seeing promoters of the common good of the people and builders of the county's material wealth and importance. His reputation as an enterprising citizen and fruitful factor in the growth of the region in whieh he lives is fully justified by his activity in reference to other lines of improvement, in all of whieh he is energetie and helpful.

In polities he is a Democrat in national affairs. In local matters he looks first to the good of the community and to party considerations afterward, if at all. For many years he gave the city excellent service as a member of the eity eouneil, and in 1905 was eleeted mayor, an office in which he served a second term, being re-eleeted in 1907. In fraternal cireles he is connected with the Masonie order and the Knights of Pythias. In the former he is a Knight Templar and a Noble of the Mystie Shrine. His interest in both orders is constant and his part in their work is always a leading one. His membership is warmly appreciated by his lodges as reflecting eredit on them as well as giving them a very zealous and effective force for aid in all their laudable undertakings. On December 11, 1893, Mr. Gates was united in marriage with Miss Ella Tate, of La Plata, a lady of good family and general popularity in the town and throughout the surrounding country.

Jacob Frederick Weaver

Descended from sturdy German ancestry and inheriting the sterling traits of character of that industrious, thrifty and persistent race, Jacob F. Weaver, of La Plata, has justified his birth and training and well sustained in his own successful eareer the history and traditions of his family. He was made an orphan at the age of twelve years by the death of his mother, and lost his father in the same way when he was himself twenty-two. He was in consequence thrown on his own

Mr. Weaver was born on March 29, 1850, near Sidney, Shelby county, Ohio. His parents, John Jacob and Louisa (Demler) Weaver, were born in Germany, where the father remained until 1840. He then eame to the United States, and, making his way at once to the West, he located in the part of Ohio in whieh his son was born. In October, 1865, he moved his children to Missouri, his wife having died three years before. He established his household at Macon City and resided there until his death in 1872. His marriage occurred in 1847 and brought him three children, of whom his son Jacob Frederick is the only one living.

The son grew to the age of fifteen in Ohio and obtained what education he was able to secure in the publie schools of his native county. On leaving school he learned the blacksmith trade, but, while he worked at it a number of years, it was never satisfaetory to him, and he gave his attention at times to other pursuits until 1872. He then learned another trade, that of cooper, and in 1878 engaged extensively in the manufacture of barrel hoops, in which he was successful, as he was in everything else he did. a)

But publie affairs always interested this progressive and studious man, and he desired to have a more potential voice in them than working at a mechanical trade or conducting a factory could give him. In 1892 he founded the La Plata Republican, and he has ever since been its proprietor, editor and publisher. The paper expresses his own political sentiments, which favor the Republican party, and stands loyally by the principles and nominees of that organization. It has great influence in the councils of the party and a strong hold on the regard and approval of the people in general. Mr. Weaver's own political activity has been marked and fruitful in many ways outside of the work of his paper, and has been long appreciated by his party associates. In 1887 and 1888 he served as deputy sheriff of the county, and also filled the office of constable and collector for two years. He is at this time (1909) secretary of the school board, and doing good work for the cause of ERE edueation.

Mr. Weaver's fraternal alliances are with the Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. He is keeper of the records or secretary in each of the lodges to which he belongs, and his membership in them is valued for the distinction it gives them and the services he renders. Here, as everywhere else, in connection with anything that interests him, or in whieh he sees advantage to the eommunity, he is earnest, active and energetic, putting all his powers in operation to secure the best possible results. He has been very successful and deserves great credit for every step of his advance. On June 25, 1873, he was united in marriage with Miss Minnie A. Zwick, a resident of Macon, and one of its popular young ladies at the time.

James Lewis Baity

As the owner and editor of one of the leading newspapers of Macon county, the Home Press, of La Plata, James Lewis Baity has a weighty responsibility and one that is unceasing in its pressure. He is expected to give true and clear expression to the feelings, wishes and opinions of the people of the town in reference to publie affairs, local and general, to furnish his readers with information as to what is going on in the big world outside of their locality, and to present in his columns a graphie and satisfactory portrayal of the moral, intellectual, social and business life of the community for whieh he speaks.

For this onerous and exaeting task Mr. Baity has had special preparation in his circumstances and his training. He is a native of La Plata and has passed all the years of his life, with very limited exceptions, among its people. He has mingled with them freely, in school as a boy and youth and in business and social circles as a man. He therefore knows them thoroughly and is familiar with all the springs of action that impel them to exertion and direct their course. He also knows the town and its aetivities well, and has for years been a part of its developing and improving energy. He is, moreover, deeply and intelligently interested in its welfare and wise to the ways in which it may best be promoted. "With reference to publie affairs he has had opportunity to aequire broad and comprehensive views and exact and extensive knowledge. He is faithful to the requirements and lays all his resources under tribute to meet them.

Mr. Baity was born in La Plata on July 11, 1871, and is a son of the late William D. and Franees E. (Owenbey) Baity, the former a native of Illinois and the latter of Macon county, Missouri. The father came to Missouri a young man and took up his residence in this county, locating in Richland township, near La Plata, where he followed farming for a livelihood until his death in 1893. His marriage with Miss Frances Owenbey occurred in 1859 and resulted in offspring numbering eleven, all but one of whom are living. The living children are: Maggie, the wife of W. B. Bragg; Rev. George P., of Kansas City, Missouri; John E.; Cassie, the wife of N. L. Vanderlip, of Ellsworth, Iowa; James Lewis, the immediate subject of this memoir; Sarah, the wife of Emmett

Johnson; Herbert; Frank M., who lives at Colorado Springs, Colorado; Lottie L., who is a sehool teacher; and W. Harry. "Their mother is still living and is now one of the oldest residents of La Plata. R

James L. Baity was reared on his father's farm and obtained his education in the publie schools of La Plata. When he left school he at once began to learn his trade as a printer, and he began at the bottom, entering a newspaper office as a printer's **devil," and from that humble station working his way to the very top, and aequiring a thorough knowledge of the trade and all that belongs to the publieation of a newspaper in his progress. In 1898 he bought the Home Press and is still conducting it with increasing credit and advantage to himself and benefit to the community.

In the affairs of the community Mr. Baity has had an earnest and helpful interest for many years. As a boy he yearned to see it progressing and developing in accordance with the spirit of the times, and as a man he has been very energetic and far-sighted in his efforts to give it the full measure of advancement embodied in the eireumstances of the case. His political connection is with the Democratic party and is a warm and close one. He has served as a member and the treasurer of the county central committee of the party for ten years, and during every one of the ten has been both ardent and fruitful in his work for the organization, his contributions to its success involving both wisdom in the eouneils of the party and effective action in the labors of the eampaign. In 1901 he was appointed oil inspector by Governor Dockery and was reappointed by Governor Falk, an office whieh he held during eight consecutive years, and in which he made an excellent record for ability and fidelity to duty.

So satisfactory have been his services to the party, and so masterly has been his capacity as an organizer, that it was deemed well to call him to higher fields of effert in this line, and in 1908 he was appointed assistant to Hon. James T. Lloyd, a distinguished member of the United States House of Representatives from this state, and the chairman of the national Democratie eongressional committee, which had headquarters in Washington and Chieago.

Mr. Baity has not allowed his newspaper work and his political activity to absorb the whole of his time and energies. He has given helpful and valued attention to the social and fraternal life of the community also. He is a member of the executive committee of the La Plata Commercial Club and belongs to the Masonie order, the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America. In each of these organizations he is potential in influenee and assiduous in work, and in each his membership and the inspiration he imparts are highly appreciated. Whatever he does he does with all his might, his energy being restrained only by his judgment and yielding to no obstacle or difficulty. On December 27, 1896, he was united in marriage with Miss Martha M. Sanders, a native of La Plata like himself, and, like, him, too, well known and well esteemed by the residents of the town and county.

In an aetive professional service of over forty years rendered in one locality and under the searching observation of one people, a man is sure to show the material he is made of and the impulses and springs of action which eontrol him. The people who have witnessed his daily walk and eonversation for so long a period, involving great changes in eonditions - seasons of sunshine and storm, strenuous political and social experiences, the turbulence of publie passion and the calm of publie indifferenee - will get his full measure and know just how to estimate his worth.

Dr. Basil C. MeDavitt, of La Plata, has passed this test in full, and the universal and high esteem in which he is now held proves conelusively that it has only served to bring elearly into view his great force of character, his sterling and upright manhood and his unquailing courage as a citizen of prominence and influence. It has also demonstrated his ability and skill as a physician and surgeon, and shown that in his professional work, as in everything else, he is conscientiously enterprising and progressive and ready for any emergency.

Dr. MeDavitt was born on April 24, 1843, in Randolph cotnty, Missouri, and is a son of Leo and Eva (Kirby) MeDavitt, natives of Kentucky, who eame to Missouri many years ago, and here flourished as farmers, adding to the wealth and importance of the region in which they lived, and rearing eight of their nine children to maturity, training them up in the way they should go by every influence of discipline, precept and example available to them. The father was a school teacher in early life and continued his activity in that line of usefulness for some years after he began farming. He died in 1882 and the mother some years prior,

Their son, the Doctor, was reared on the family homestead in La Plata township and obtained his aendemie training in the local schools. He attended Rush Medical College in Chicago, and from that renowned institution he received the degree of M.D. in 1868. He at once entered upon his professional career at La Plata, and with that town as his headquarters he has ever since been busily engaged in a large and active general practice all over the surrounding country. His industry and fidelity, in which he buried all considerations of personal comfort and ideas of distinetion for himself, have been of the greatest value to the people of this and adjoining counties, but his unselfishness and devotion to the general weal have not been wholly without reward in a material and worldly way. They have brought him eminence as a physieian and skillful praetitioner, and also a substantial eompetenee in the way of worldly wealth. From every point of view his life has been a successful one, and wherever he is known it is so regarded and correspondingly appreciated.

When the gloom and terror of Civil war rested heavily on our unhappy eountry the Doctor took his plaee in the field and did his whole duty to his eountry, and in times of peace he has always borne a good eitizen's share of the burdens of civil and politieal life. He belongs to the Republican party and on all occasions renders it good service. He has two children, his sons W. A., who lives at Elmer in this county, and Leo W., the postmaster at La Plata, a brief account of whose life will be found in this work. The Doctor is a thirty-second degree Freemason and takes a great interest in the work of the fraternity. He is a stockholder in the La Plata Savings Bank and one of its most eonstant and serviceable supporters.

The interesting subjeet of these paragraphs is now and has been during the last six years holding a publie ofliee which brings him directly in eontaet with every class of the people and gives them intimate knowledge of his character and disposition. He is the postmaster of La Plata and is now serving his seeond term as such, having been first appointed in 1903. His service in this trying oflice has been satisfaetory in a marked degree to the patrons of the office and has confirmed him in the regard and good will of the whole community. He stands among the people of the town with the universal testimony of all elasses in his favor as one of its leading and most representative and useful eitizens.

But it did not need the trying experiences of official station to give him this standing or win him popularity and esteem. He has passed the whole of his life to this time among this people, except a short period when he was away at college, and his record is an open book in their midst, known and read of all men. He was born at La Plata on August 31, 1877, and is one of the two sons of Dr. Basil C. MeDavitt, whose useful life is briefly chronicled elsewhere in this volume. The son began his education in the publie schools of his native town and afterward attended a good college at Fayette in Howard county. After completing the course at this institution he started in business as a druggist, being associated with F. B. Christie in conducting an excellent drug store with a large and appreeiative trade for a period of three years.

On January 13, 1903, he was appointed postmaster of La Plata, and at the end of his first term was reappointed. He has devoted his whole time and energy to the duties of his office from the date of his first appointment, and has found this course a wise one. It has enabled him to give the patrons of the office and the government the best service possible under the circumstances, and brought him rich returns in commendations of his zeal and fidelity from both the people at home and the authorities in Washington. His political alliance is with the Republiean party and he is loyal and energetie in its service at all times, having the rare good fortune to work for it earnestly without offending the adherents of the other leading party or provoking criticism in any quarter. This is because his party loyalty is expressed in judicious ways that no one ean complain of, and it is effective in its results at the same time, a condition that is creditable to his judgment and prudence and does not reflect on his devotion to the cause.

In fraternal life Mr. MeDavitt is allied with the Knights of Pythias and the Masonie order. He is zealous and effeetive in his work for both and his membership is valued in each of the orders, At this time (1909) he is the worshipful master of his Masonie lodge at La Plata. In October, 1900, he was united in marriage with Miss Anna Louise Biggs, a daughter of William J. Biggs, cashier of the La Plata Savings Bank, a sketeh of whose life will be found in this volume. Mrs. Me- Davitt was born and reared in La Plata and is held in high regard by the people of the town and throughout a large extent of the surrounding eountry. She and her husband are the parents of two children, their daughters Clara Louise and Mary Elizabeth, who are the light and life of their pleasant home and a source of pride and pleasure to the hosts of friends of the family who frequent it, and have the benefit of its refined and generous hospitality.

The largest and most metropolitan mercantile house in the city of Macon is that conducted by Mr. Gieselman, who is one of the honored and representative citizens of his native place and whose extensive establishment is not excelled by any of similar order in the state.

Frederick Gieselman

except in the cities of St. Louis, Kansas City and Springfield. He has shown rare energy and business acumen and his eareer has not only been marked by large and definite accomplishment, but also by that sterling integrity of purpose which ever engenders popular confidenee and esteem.

Mr. Gieselman was born in Macon, on the 14th of May, 1866, and is a son of Frederick W. and Caroline (Ottensmeyer) Gieselman, both of whom were born and reared in Mindenana, Oehnhausen, Germany, where they were reared and educated and where the father learned the tailor's trade in his youth. In harmony with the eustom of his native land, Frederick W. Gieselman, Sr., entered the military service of Germany, and in this connection he attained to much distinetion and received high official recognition. He became a eommissioned officer in the German army, and was an active partieipant with the same in the war with Denmark. For gallantry and valor he received not only the iron eross and the gold eross, but also a special silver medal of honor presented by the emperor. In 1865 he seeured leave of absenee from the army and came to the United States. His purpase was to join the Union army, but by the time of his arrival the eivil war terminated, He became much impressed, however, with the attractions of America and decided here to establish a permanent home. He aecordingly settled in St. Louis, Missouri, and later eame to Macon, where he joined his brothers, and engaged in the merchant tailoring business. He built up a successful enterprise and continued his residence in Macon until his death, which occurred in 1891. He was a man of industry and of sterling character, and he held a secure place in the esteem of the community whieh so long represented his home. His wife died in 1906, and they are survived by five sons and three daughters.

Frederick W. Gieselman, Jr., the immediate subjeet of this review, was reared to maturity in Macon, and after availing himself of the advantages of the publie schools he pursued the study of German, French and other branches under the direction of a private tutor. When but thirteen years of age, however, he entered upon an apprenticeship to the jeweler's trade, at which he ved three years, at the expiration of which he was released from his apprenticeship, which had been arranged for a term of four years. He then went to Bowling Green, this state, but shortly afterward went to Little Rock, Arkansas, where he remained one year. He then returned to Macon, where he was employed for the ensuing four years in the jewelry establishment of L. G.& G. J. Fox. In 1886, with a capital of only $81, Mr. Gieselman initiated his independent career as a business man. He opened a jew- elry store in Macon, and by energy and careful management he built up a large and prosperous business, in which he continued for a period of thirteen years, at the expiration of which he sold the same to his brother, Charles L., and became manager and treasurer of the Macon Shear Company, and with which he continued to be identified until impaired health compelled his retirement.

In 1901, after a period of rest and recuperation, Mr. Gieselman purehased the dry goods business of S. L. Brock and he has since greatly enlarged the scope of the enterprise. In 1906 he purchased the dry goods stock and business of J. H. Barely, and eonsolidated the same with his original establishment, which is thoroughly metropolitan in equipment, appointments and variety of stock in the various departments. The building occupied is four floors, each seventy-five by one hundred feet in dimensions, and the entire space is utilized by Mr. Gieselman, who here employs from twenty-five to forty salesfolk, according to the demands of the seasons. He has proven his ability to grasp and control affairs of broad scope and importance and has given to Macon and its people an establishment of which the largest cities might well be proud.

Mr. Gieselman is liberal and progressive as a citizen and ever shows a deep and abiding interest in all that concerns the welfare of his native city and county. He has been a valued member of the city council, and is now president of the board of public works. He has also rendered effective service as a member of the board of education. His political allegiance is given to the Republican party, nationally. He is affiliated with the Masonie fraternity and the Knights of Pythias, and both he and his wife are communicants of the Protestant Episcopal church, being members of the parish of St. James Episcopal church.

In the year 1892 Mr. Gieselman was united in marriage to Miss Theodora Gellhaus, of Macon, and they have two children, Leonard G. and Hortense.

La Plata Savings Bank

This valued and progressive financial institution was first opened as a private bank on November 16, 1876, with a capital stock of $10,000 and the following officers: President, Josiah Gates; cashier, George N. Sharp, and assistant eashier, William J. Biggs. These officers continued to serve the bank in their several capacities as noted until 1879, when George N. Sharp was chosen president and William J. Biggs cashier.

Savings Bank and the capital stock was increased to $15,000. The officers chosen at this time were: William T. Gilbreath, president; James M. Irving, vice-president; William J. Biggs, cashier, and E. L. Brown, assistant cashier. These gentlemen were all made directors and in addition Alonzo S. Ray, Josiah Gates and Henry C. Gates were made members of the board. In 1887 the capital stock was inereased to $25,000, and on July 1, 1892, it w aised to $50,000, what it is at this time (1910). The present officers are: William T. Gilbreath, president; John T. Doneghy, vice-president; William J. Biggs, cashier; E. M. Gates, assistant eashier, and these gentlemen, with J. M. Irving, A. S. Ray and James I. Sears, directors.

The bank has a surplus of $10,000 and undivided profits amounting to over $6,000. It is the oldest banking house in Macon county, and for a period of two weeks in 1882 was the only one in the county open for business. It has always been conducted along safe and sane lines of prudent management and has never failed to pay its stoekholders a dividend at the regular time. No form of wildeat speculation or rapid enrichment has ever veered its directors and officers from the straight eourse of upright, legitimate banking, or even tempted them to the slightest temporary expedient aside from the well recognized principles of the banking business. The institution carries on a general banking business, including every form of accommodation for the publie and profitable engagement within the limit of its scope, and does all with skill, good judgment and well directed enterprise. All its officers and direetors take an active interest in its affairs, and it is due to their collective wisdom, general intelligence and extensive knowledge of financial affairs that the bank has prospered as it has. Their progressiveness is balanced with the conservatism of prudence, their enterprise is controlled by judicious restraint in direction and application, and their efforts to promote the interests of its stockholders and patrons are always made along ehannels of wholesome development and progress. At the same time the interest of the bank in the welfare of the community makes it liberal to the limit of safety, as is shown by its zeal and assistance in promoting all undertakings of worth in which that welfare is essentially involved.

It is due to William J. Biggs, the capable, courteous and skillful cashier of the institution, to say that much of its success is due to his work and influence in its behalf. He now has the distinction of being the oldest banker in Macon county, and on all sides he is accounted one of the best. Mr. Biggs has given this bank the best years of his life in faithful service and is justly entitled to feel proud of its success and progress. He has piloted it through several more or less severe panies, including that of 1895, in which so many banks throughout the country closed their doors never to open them again.* The bank enjoys the full confidenee of the people and every year shows a substantial inerease in the number of its patrons, the amount of its deposits and the volume of its business, with a corresponding gain in the regard of the publie.

William J. Biggs, the eashier, was born at Alexandria, Ohio, on January 24, 1846, and came to La Plata, Missouri, in 1866, when he was twenty years of age. For ten years after his arrival in this section of the country he was employed in various ways, and in 1876 was made assistant cashier of the La Plata Savings Bank, with which he has ever since been connected. The stockholders and officers of the bank were fortunate in securing his services, and he was also fortunate in being brought into association with a body of men so entirely in line with his own progressive ideas, and so ready to aid in applying them to the management of one of the most valued financial institutions in this part of the state. He has been cashier of the bank and the active manager of its affairs since 1882.

Roscoe E. Goodding

Among the younger business men of La Plata who are giving life, enterprise and broad-minded progressiveness to the fiseal, industrial and mercantile affairs of the eity and the surrounding country none stands higher in publie estimation or has shown more substantial grounds for general esteem than Roscoe E. Goodding, cashier during the last six years of the Bank of La Plata. He has been tried in different capacities and positions and been found competent and faithful inall. And in the social and general life of the community he has been and is a force for good that is constantly in action and always producing excellent results.

Mr. Goodding is a native of Macon county and was born in Lyda township on March 10, 1875. He is a son of John B. and Malissa J. Goodding, long residents and prominent citizens of this county. The son was reared in La Plata and began in its publie schools the academie education whieh he completed at Missouri Valley College, a leading scholastic institution located at Marshall in Saline county. Upon the completion of his education he at once entered upon a semi- publie career by becoming deputy county clerk in the office of his father, who was then county clerk. After a period of acceptable service in this position he was appointed assistant cashier of the Bank of La Plata, a position he held until 1903, when he was made cashier. In this capacity he is still serving the bank, its patrons and the general publie with great credit to himself and pronounced advantage to the institution and the community. As a stockholder and direetor of the bank he has a voice in all details of its management, and as cashier and the chief executive officer he directs its poliey and applies its activities to the needs of the people and its own expansion and profit.

The work of a bank cashier is ordinarily rather a tame and monotonous one and offers but little chance for the display of great qualities or the achievement of striking results. It goes on from day to day within a fixed and somewhat limited sphere, with very little variety of feature or spectacular display. But there are men who can put into the tamest monotony of daily toil a spirit of life and energy that ereates event and incident and makes the progress of the work a mareh of triumph. Mr. Goodding is one of these. Without aiming to do anything startling or spectacular, he sees unsuspected possibilities around him and puts his forces in motion to make the most of them. He has originality in initiative and method and makes it serviceable to the bank in increasing the volume of its business and the measure of its usefulness. Under his vigorous and enterprising management it has grown rapidly in the extent of its operations and the spread and elevation of its reputation and influence in the financial world. It is now considered one of the best direeted and most progressive, as well as one of the soundest financial institutions of its kind in the state, and is on the way to still greater achievements and higher standing.

On August 14, 1906, Mr. Goodding was married to Miss Bessie Williams, a native of La Plata. In polities he is a Democrat, always active and resourceful in the service of his party, but never desirous of a political office. His fraternal relations are with the Masonie order and the Knights of Pythias, and his religious alliance is with the Presbyterian ehureh. In his chureh and his lodges he is energetie and serviceable, as he is in every other relation in life. He has been eminently successful and well deserves his strong hold on the regard and good will of the people.

Active and prominent in mereantile circles in Atlanta during the last seventeen years, and for nearly ten the postmaster of the town, John T. Farmer has had ample opportunity to demonstrate the metal he is made of and the charaeteristie qualities of his citizenship. He has used his opportunity to good advantage, showing that he is sterling in material and make-up and that the village, township and county

Mr. Farmer is a native of this eounty, born in Lyda township on November 15, 1864. He grew to manhood here and was educated for the greater part in the publie schools of the locality. And he has passed the whole of his subsequent life among the people of Atlanta and vieinity. His record is therefore well known in the community of his home, and is admitted to be altogether to his eredit. He is a son of Henry T. and Biddie Ann (Kelly) Farmer, natives of Kentucky, who were married in 1861 and had six children, four of whom are living and contributing in their several ways to the growth and improvement of Atlanta and the surrounding country, all being residents of this locality. They are: James W., of Atlanta; John T., the postmaster and immediate subject of this brief review; Frances, the wife of Henry Bunch; and H. Edgar.

Their father was born in 1842 and came to Missouri with his parents when he was but three years old. He grew to manhood amid the rugged life of the frontier, for Lyda township was at the time of his arrival seareely more than awakened from the sleep of ages and beginning to break the shackles of barbarie dominion whieh had so long held the region in thrall. After he reaehed years of maturity he followed the prevailing occupation of the neighborhood, farming and raising live stock, which engaged his attention all the rest of his life. He wasa man of prominence and influence in the earlier history of the township and aided greatly in bringing its publie affairs to vigorous life and steady, systematie action, serving many years as school direetor and in various other useful and responsible eapaeities. In polities he adhered steadfastly to the Republican party and was potent and appreciated as one of its most active workers in this section. During the Civil war he belonged to the Macon county militia, whose services were as much required at home to proteet the country and its people from the depredations of irresponsible bands of roving marauders as that of the great armies were in the field to fight the mighty issues at stake to their final and permanent settlement. After the war and until his death in December, 1897, he was a deeply interested member of the Grand Army of the Republie. His widow is still living. She is a daughter of William and Frances (Lea) Kelly, who were early arrivals in this part of the state from Kentueky, where they were born and reared.

John T. Farmer had other views in life than that of being a farmer, and from his youth he bent all his energies to the task of realizing them. After completing the course of instruetion furnished by the publie schools he attended the Kirksville Normal School to prepare himself for usefulness as a teacher. He was graduated from that institution with the necessary legal qualification to teach, and during the next six years he devoted himself faithfully to the work he had chosen, teaching in a number of different publie sehools and with admitted success in all. But teaching became monotonous and other avenues of effort proffered better opportunities for rapid advancement. He felt that it was his duty to make the most he could of himself, and he therefore took his place in the business world as a lumber merchant in 1892. During the succeeding seven years he adhered to this line of trade, prospering in his undertaking and building up a considerable business. In 1899 he sold his interests and retired from the trade. While deliberating over what he should do next and looking around for new connections he was appointed postmaster of Atlanta, and ever since then he has continued to serve the people faithfully and acceptably in this position, which comes home to the hearts and convenience of them all.

Mr. Farmer is a Republican in polities, and, being a man of clear and firm convictions, he does all he ean to secure the supremacy of his party in the councils of the county, state and nation. His services to his party are those of no laggard, and as they are energetie and fruitful in character, and guided by intelligence and good judgment, they are highly appreciated by both the leaders and the rank and file of the party. In fraternal life he belongs to the Odd Fellows, has been three times elected representative to the Grand Lodge from the Twenty-sixth distriet, whieh was formerly the Seventy-sixth, and the Modern Woodmen of America. His religious affiliation is with the Christian chureh. On January 1, 1895, he was joined in marriage with Miss Jeannette Foster, a daughter of Hiram B. and Martha (Fergerson) Foster, long residents of this eounty. Five children were born of the union and of these Birdie Garnet, Ruby Eugene, Arlo John and Richard Odell are living, and all still members of the family household. The family stands well in the township and its members are universally and deservedly esteemed. Was nominated for eireuit elerk in 1890 by the Republiean party.

William J. Dearing

Although not born in this county, William J. Dearing, of Atlanta, js by birth, education and all the associations of his life to this time a Missourian, loyally devoted to the state and its people and thoroughly imbued with the principles, filled with the aspirations and true to the ideals of citizenship which guide and govern them. His life began in

Schuyler county in 1862 and he is a son of William M. and Nancy (Young) Dearing, the former a native of that part of old Virginia which is now West Virginia, born in 1810, many years before the fury of sectional strife tore the fair and fruitful region from the mother state. He became a resident of Missouri in 1845, locating at Alton in Marion county, where he kept a general store for a number of years. He next moved to Sehuyler county and there renewed his mercantile enterprise, carrying on extensively as a farmer and stock breeder in connection with his other business. He continued farming until his death, which occurred in 1885, but some years before that event sold his store and retired from merchandising. He was first married in 1837 and his first wife died in 1847. In 1853 he was married a second time, being united on this oceasion with Miss Nancy Young, a daughter of William Young, who was born and reared in Tennessee and became a resident of Missouri in the early days. The one child born of the first marriage died at the age of seven years, and three sons and three daughters are the only living fruit of the second. His mother also has passed away, her life having ended in 1873. The father was a life-long Democrat of the old school, and with the loyalty of his class he gave his party continuous, determined and effective support.

William J. Dearing was reared in his native county and educated in its publie schools. After leaving school he farmed and taught school until 1891. His work as a teacher was interesting and stimulating to him, and he gave it his whole and best attention. He found it increasing his knowledge of himself and of others and broadening his views of life for a time. But it offered little opportunity for advancement, and after a time began to grow monotonous. Besides, he felt within him unemployed powers for a more active and promising career, and they called him as with the voice of duty to put them in action,

The banking industry seemed a suitable field for his faculties, and in 1891 he became connected with it in Schuyler county - Bank of Laneaster, Missouri. He found the business to his liking, but his position in it not exactly what he wished. Accordingly he moved to Atlanta in 1892 and organized the Atlanta State Bank, being one of the organizing stockholders and directors and at once being elected cashier of the institution. This position he still holds with great acceptability to the officers and patrons of the bank and the general public. The institution has grown and flourished under his careful and enterprising management, steadily rising in publie esteem and grounding itself firmly in the confidence and regard of the people. It has an excellent reputation

Mr. Dearing studies his business and keeps in touch with all its late advances and developments. He is a valued member of the Missouri State Bank Association and takes a leading part and a great interest in its proceedings. He also is in line with other sources of information and stimulus, leaving no means of advantage to him in his pursuit unemployed. He performs a good citizen's duty with reference to publie affairs, local and general, taking an active part in politics as a Democrat of firm convictions, loyally devoted to the best interests of his country, and a leading place in fraternal life as a member of the Masonie order, with sincere and cordial admiration for its principles and zealous attention to the exemplification of its moral teachings in his daily life.

Mr. Dearing is still on the sunny side of fifty and in the enjoyment of good health, fine vigor and unconquerable enterprise. His standing in financial circles, the business world, social life and publie esteem is high and firmly established. His opportunities for good work are plentiful and on the increase, and his desire for progress grows by what it feeds on, keeping pace with the chances for its gratification which time brings him. He is in the midst of a fruitful, creditable and expanding career, and it needs not the voice of prophecy to give assurance that if he lives he will continue his steady and graceful ascent toward wide distinction and become one of the most prominent and influential men in the state. And it is one of the most gratifying features of the case that he deserves his success, which is the work of his own capabilities, and has the genuine merit that always dignifies and adorns exalted stations among men.

John Massengale

The life story of this fine old gentleman, who is one of the leading and most substantial eitizens of Bevier, in this eounty, is one of very unusual interest because of the great variety of incident and adventure it chronicles, the wide range of territory over which it passes, the numerous phases it presents for contemplation and the sterling manhood it makes known. It emphasizes anew the worth of courage, self-reliance, industry, devotion to duty and firm and sturdy manliness, qualities which have made its subject's record and fixed his place in the regard of men. It might well be taken as the story of Man himself in his contest with nature on a gigantic theater of action. Poetry sparkles, Hero-

Mr. Massengale was born at Nashville, Tennessee, on December 10, 1840, and is a son of John and Celia Massengale, natives of North Carolina. The ancestors of the father lived and labored many generations of human life in Germany before any of them came to this country, and yet they were not late arrivals here. In his young manhood the father moved from his native state to Tennessee, and there he passed tlie remainder of his days to the sudden and tragie elose of his career. He and his wife were the parents of two children, their sons, John and William. The latter and his father were killed by the same stroke of lightning in 1849, and the former is now the only living member of his family. Some time after the father's death the mother was married to Jesse Brewster, and by this union she became the mother of seven additional ehildren. She died in 1866.

Her son John's only means of scholastie training through agencies usually and everywhere provided for the purposes of education was a two months' attendance at a district school. He was nine years old when his father died and soon afterward began to fight the battle of life for himself. "The contest was fierce and continuous, and he had no time or opportunity to seek mental training, exeept what he could gain from the teachings of Nature and the lessons of experience. He wrought faithfully at various oceupations in his native state until he reached the age of twenty, when he eame to Missouri and found a generous friend and a hospitable home in Macon county.

Being practically fully orphaned by the sad fate of his father and the second marriage of his mother, he came to this eounty as a stranger, but Jefferson Morrow, one of the prominent pioneers of the county, a sketeh of whose life will be found in this volume, took him in and became a second father to him and enabled him to get a start in the world. In 1864, led thither by the exeitement over the discovery of gold in its soil, he went to Montana with a party of friends, making the journey overland with ox teams and consuming four months and sixteen days in accomplishing it. The country through which the party traveled was then an untrodden expanse of plain, and all the wild life of primeval nature still pervaded it. The little band of adventurers encountered many obstacles to its progress, was forced to suffer countless hardships and privations, and found almost every day of its advance through the trackless wilds fraught with peril. On one occasion it was compelled to literally hew its way through a tribe of hostile

In Montana Mr. Massengale worked in the mines in search of gold for a period of three years, with all the necessaries of life held at priees that would be declared fabulous were not the faets attested by thousands who had the same experience. Flour was $150 a barrel and other things in proportion, and what were then considered the luxuries of life were wholly unattainable. In 1867 Mr. Massengale returned to this county and engaged in farming with Mr. Morrow, his former patron. In 1869 he took another jaunt in the wake of the setting sun, going to Wyoming, and during the next four years he was in the employ of the Union Pacific Railroad Company, having charge of its live-stock interests, and giving them first rate attention.

By the end of the period mentioned he was able to take up a ranch of his own, in Wyoming, and this he oceupied and improved for nearly twenty years. In eonneetion with his ranehing he trailed cattle and other stock across the plains to Utah and Idaho. But he tired of his expatriation and wild life in time, and, after conducting his stock operations in South Dakota for eight years, whither he moved them in 1889, he again returned to Missouri and Macon county in 1895, after selling ull his possessions in the farther West. He then took up his residence in Bevier township, where he has ever since been energetically, extensively and profitably engaged in farming and raising stock, although he is now living in eomparative retirement from active pursuits and enjoying a dignified but genial ease, He owns and cultivates more than 800 acres of land, is one of the principal stockholders in the State Exchange Bank of Macon, and has considerable other valuable property.

Mr. Massengale has amassed a large fortune through industry, frugality and good management, but it has not changed his nature. Through all chances and changes he has held his course straight forward, keeping time with the march of progress and in harmony with his surroundings. He has been serviceable to every community in which he has lived where development and improvement were possible, and even in the mining eamps, where not much could be done in this way, his influenee was strong, his force of character was felt, his integrity was acknowledged and his example was emulated. In October, 1904, he was united in marriage with Mrs. Parrelee Massengale. They have no children. He and his wife are among the most highly esteemed residents of Bevier township, where they live and dispense the sunshine of their genial and useful presence. He is a member of the Masonie

The biography of this excellent citizen, even so short a one as this, would be incomplete without one of its most creditable chapters. During his residence in Wyoming he was associated in the stock business with James Ross, who lived at Carbon, in that state, Mr. Massengale having the management of their joint interests. The business was very profitable, but the stock was removed to Jackson county, South Dakota, to secure a better range for it. They continued their joint operations until July 20, 1898, when they sold out to Corbin Morse, of South Dakota. 'lhey, however, kept the assets of the firm intact until the death of Mr. Ross, which occurred on December 2, 1899, in the city of Philadelphia. No books were kept during the partnership, each member of the firm relying on the integrity of the other. After the death of Mr. Ross Mr. Massengale carefully computed the assets of the firm, including the increase during administration, and paid over a full onehalf to the executor of Mr. Ross, whom the latter had instructed to accept the statements and accounts rendered by his partner without question. The instruction was followed literally and the relations between Mr. Massengale and the executor and heirs of Mr. Ross remained entirely friendly and cordial; esteem on both sides has marked all the subsequent intercourse between the parties.

Mr. Massengale has reached the age of three score years and ten, the usual limit of human life as fixed by the inspired writer, but he is still in active vigor and productive usefulness, reminding all who know him of some pleasant year, proceeding to its close undoubtedly, but with its seasons of bloom, warmth and fruitfulness not yet wholly spent. Useful, consistent, upright and progressive from youth, and wearing with becoming modesty the laurels of a lofty manhood and elevated citizenship, he richly deserves the universal esteem in which he is heid. This is high praise, but it is only a just tribute to demonstrated worth.

James Willard Lyda

The salient characteristics of a people, the extent and tension of its enterprise and progressiveness, its attitude toward moral and mental agencies, and its social spirit, are often clearly portrayed in the range of vision of its business men and the manner in which they use the opportunities available to them for their own advantage and the benefit of the community in which their activities are employed. Tried by this standard the town of Atlanta in this county must rank high and be worthy of eordial commendation. Its business men are alert, wideawake and knowing, and they use all their forces at high speed for the good of themselves and the people around them, looking well to the substantial and enduring welfare of the community in general and of each individual resident according to his station and requirements in life.

One of the leaders among these business men is James Willard Lyda, a prominent and successful hardware merchant, an appreciated publie official, and a broad-minded and progressive citizen. He was born in the town on March 15, 1871, and is a son of J. G. and Margaret (Anderson) Lyda, the father a native of this county, born in Lyda township, and a son of a Tennessee planter who settled in the eounty in early days and gave his name to the township in which his descendants have since lived and flourished. J. G. Lyda devoted most of the years of his life, during its period of activity, to general farming, but also passed a number of years in merchandising. He was married to Miss Margaret Anderson, a native of Iowa. They had ten children and have six living: Edward E., of Bloomington, Illinois; James W., of Atlanta; Sarah, the wife of W. T. Evans, of the state of Idaho; Bertha, the wife of W. E. Miller, of Jefferson City, Missouri; Ora C., the wife of S. Wright, of Meridian, Idaho; and J. Winfield, of Bloomington, Illinois. The parents are still living and have their home in Atlanta. The father is an active Democrat in polities and a man of enterprise and energy in reference to all affairs in which the welfare of the town and eounty is involved, doing his part in every way to promote it and benefit their people practically and substantially.

James Willard Lyda was reared in his native township and obtained his education in its publie schools, He worked for the family on the parental homestead until 1891, then became a telegraph operator in the employ of the Western Union company, remaining in its service thirteen years. In February, 1904, he determined to seek n more ambitious field of labor and entered the hardware trade on a seale commensurate with his resources at the time. He has continued his connection with this line of mercantile life to the present time, steadily enlarging his operations, extending his reputation as a progressive and up-todate merchant, gaining rank and standing in the business world, and augmenting his profits and prosperity. He is also a stockholder in the Bank of Atlanta and connected with other institutions of value to the community. On the organization of the Bank of Atlanta he was ehosen one of its direetors and is still serving as such.

and prominent. He has been one of the trustees of the municipality and the treasurer of the board during the last four years and has rendered highly acceptable service in that capacity. Politically he is a Demoerat with a very warm interest in the success of his party, and fraternally he is an Odd Fellow and a Modern Woodman of America. On February 28, 1909, he was married to Miss Mary Shain, a native of Atlanta. He has been very successful in business and stands well in the regard of the people all over the county.

The late William A. Miles, who died in Atlanta, Macon county, Missouri, after a useful residence of more than half a century in this region, was one of the leading citizens and most prosperous and successful men in Lyda township during his life. He was active in several lines of produetive industry, the leading ones being farming and stock breeding and general merchandising. He was progressive and enterprising in all and showed it in every department of his work. As the pioneer breeder of shorthorn eattle in this county he contributed essentially to the improvement of the live stock industry, both in general and special ways; in condueting his farming operations he was studious, thoughtful, systematie and up to date in all respeets, and in his career as a merchant he was always up to the latest turns of the factories and changes of style in his stock, introducing every new contrivance for the comfort, convenience and enjoyment of the people around him.

Mr. Miles was born in Franklin county, Virginia, on November 7, 1825, and aceompanied his parents in two moves westward with the course of empire in his boyhood, going with them to Pulaski county, Kentueky, when he was five years old, and coming with them to this county when he was fourteen. He is a son of Armistead J. and Elizabeth A. (Arthur) Miles, also natives of Virginia. 'The father's life began on October 15, 1796, and ended on June 30, 1880, nearly all of his mature years being passed on the frontier. He was a valiant soldier in the war of 1812, although he was but a boy at the time in the number of his years. He had, however, the spirit of a man, and proved it by the enthusiasm he showed in the cause of his country and the manner in which he sustained that eause on the gory field of battle. The exeitement of camp and march and deadly conflict rather stimulated than satisfied the longing for adventure and conquest he had within him, and kept him going in obedience to its requirements throughout the remainder of his life. In 1830 he moved his young family to Kentucky, locating in Pulaski county, then on or very near the frontier, and still redolent of the wild life of the untrodden West. But the farther West had still a beekoning hand for him, and in 1839 he yielded to its persuasions and eame to Macon county, Missouri, taking up his residence in Lyda township, as the county is now divided. Here he engaged in farming as extensively as his circumstances would allow, and continued his operations until the death of his wife in 1857 at the age of fifty-seven years.

William A. Miles grew to the age of fourteen in Pulaski county, Kentucky, then came with his parents to this county. It was a wild and unsettled region, still wanting in all the luxuries and seant in many of the necessaries of life. The wild men of the forests and plains still roamed at large through it, and with their kindred terrors, the savage beasts of prey, still elaimed dominion over the expanse and all that it contained. Together they resisted the encroachments of the eivilizing forces that threatened their supremacy, filling the days with peril and making night hideous with their unearthly noises. Amid such conditions our young adventurer grew to manhood, and from them he acquired the self-reliance and resourcefulness that distinguished him through life. His entire life was passed in ming and raising stock, and engaged for a time in general merchandising in connection. He worked on the family homestead until 1893, when he moved to Atlanta. He was a farmer of an elevated standard, bending his efforts to the improvement of the agricultural conditions around him, in which he saw his own advantage and great good for the rest of the people. He started a herd of shorthorn cattle, as has been noted, being the pioneer in this particular line of improvement, and soon had the satisfaction of seeing his neighbors and associates in the cultivation of the soil following his example and working toward the result he had desired and anticipated. He was also an example and a stimulus in better methods of farming, in this, too, his residence in the township proving decidedly beneficial.

On August 5, 1847, he married with Miss Nancy Daugherty, a native of Pulaski county, Kentucky, and a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Lee) Daugherty, who moved from there to this county in the early days. Joseph Daugherty was born on June 8, 1801, and died on June 9, 1855. His wife came into being on February 5, 1802, and passed away on November 7, 1843. They lived clean and upright lives and were highly respected. Mr. and Mrs. Miles became the parents of twelve children. The seven of these who are living are: Fountain A., a resident of Oregon; Joseph D., a sketch of whom appears in this work; Madison L., who lives at La Plata in this county; Margaret L., the wife of J. M. Elsea, of Atlanta; William N., whose home is at Jacksonville in Randolph county; Charles H., of Macon, Missouri; and Arthur B. who resides at Port Arthur, Texas. The father was an active Democrat in politics, always zealous in the services of his party, and representing his township for many years in county and state conventions. He was a member of the Masonic order and filled many important offices in his lodge. He died at Atlanta on October 12, 1894, where his wife's life ended in June, 1887.

Enterprising and successful as a farmer, prominent in the public life of his township and county, influential in business circles and well established in social relations, Joseph D. Miles, of Atlanta, in this county, where he is now living at rest from exacting labors and enjoying the results of his many years of energetie industry, is an ornament to his community and a fruitful poteney for good in the citizenship of the state.

Mr. Miles was born in Macon county on January 9, 1854, and has passed the whole of his life to this time within its borders. He is a son of William A. and Naney (Daugherty) Miles, the former a native of Franklin county, Virginia, and the latter of Pulaski county, Kentucky. A brief account of their lives will be found elsewhere in this volume. The son, Joseph D., was educated in the schools convenient to his home, working on the farm while attending the sessions, and preparing himself in both mental and physieal development and training for the strenuous battle of life that awaited him. He remained with the family, working under the direction of his father in the management of the farm until 1881, when he began operating a farm on his own account adjoining the homestead. He continued the poliey of improvement and systematie eultivation of the land which he had already begun, and as the years passed the property steadily increased in value, in productiveness and in all else that goes to make a comfortable, profitable and attractive country home. He continued his progressive and successful operations until 1896, when he disposed of his farm and moved to Kansas, remaining there until January 1, 1909, when he returned to Atlanta, where he has since resided.

In the industrial, mereantile and social life of his present residence town Mr. Miles takes an active and serviceable interest in every practieal way, giving his aid to all worthy undertakings for the good of the community, and through it the welfare of the rest of the county. He is a stockholder in the Atlanta State Bank and is connected with other institutions of value to the people and the general well being. He was connected as a stockholder with the Quenemo (Kansas) State Bank and gave its affairs careful attention while there, but disposed of it in August, 1909. The publie affairs of the county, state and nation also interest him greatly. He is an unflinching Democrat in polities and renders his party valuable and appreciated serviee at all times. He has been a delegate frequently to county and state conventions, and is always found in the front rank of the organization fighting valiantly and intelligently for victory when a campaign is in progress. As road overseer for a long time and member of the school board for six vears he was potential in contributing to the advancement and improvement of the township and elevating one of its most serviceable and valued institutions, helping to raise the schools to a high degree of efficiency and enlarge their facilities in many ways. He has also been very useful to the people as a member of the tow nship committee.

In fraternal relations Mr. Miles is an enthusiastic Freemason, He has belonged to the order from the dawn of his manhood and given it his earnest, intelligent and constant support in every way from the beginning of his membership. On Mareh 24, 1881, he was united in marriage with Miss Anna Dunnington, a daughter of Palatine and Augeletta (Gilstrap) Dunnington. Her maternal grandfather was Louis Gilstrap, a prominent citizen of Bevier. Both she and her husband are highly respected by all classes of people.

Henry Clay Surbeck

Two eounties in Missouri have had the services and three banks have been helped to consequence and standing in the state by the business capacity and enterprise of Henry Clay Surbeck, of Atlanta, although he is now but twenty-seven years of age. This record shows that he is able, knowing and attentive to duty, and fully justifies the high standing he enjoys as a financier, citizen and business man. He began his business career early in life and has been very successful in all his undertakings from the start. The progress he has made and the triumphs he has won are also all his own, as he owes nothing to family influence or the special favors of fortune, having made his own way in the world by his own energy and ability.

Mr. Surbeck was born at Elmer, in this county, on February 4, 1882, and has passed the whole of his life to this time (1909) in this state, except during the time of his attendance at a business college outside, and the greater part of it in Macon county. His father, J. M.

Surbeck, was born and reared in Switzerland, but has been a resident of this county for many years. The son was educated in the district school near his home in Elmer and at Blees Military Academy, where he was one of the first students enrolled. After leaving that institution he pursued a course of special instruetion at the Gem City Business College in Quincy, Illinois, from which he was graduated in 1903. The next year he organized the Bank of Gifford, in the town of that name, and during the next three years was one of its stockholders and directors, and its cashier, In this position he had opportunity to aid greatly in building up and improving the town of Gifford, and he did all his cireumstances allowed in that direction. Much of the present pros y and development of the town is due to his own activity and the forces he put in motion to the same worthy end in others. The seed he sowed was good and it fell on fruitful ground. "The harvest has been bountiful, what was sown produeing well, some thirty, some sixty and some a hundred fold.

In 1907 Mr. Surbeck sold his interests at Gifford and accepted a position as eashier in a bank at Othello, Washington. But he was not made to oceupy a subordinate position and work wholly under the direction of others. He quit the Washington bank in December, 1908, and organized the Bank of Atlanta, of which he was one of the original stockholders and direetors, and of which he was at once ehosen cashier, a position he is still filling with great acceptability to the directorate and the patrons of the bank and with decided credit to himself. The institution was started with a capital of $15,000. It has had a steady and inereasing prosperity under the management of Mr. Surbeck, and is now accounted one of the soundest, safest, most progressive and best managed financial agencies of its magnitude in the state. It does a general banking business, including all the approved features of modern banking, and while its poliey is liberal, it is guarded with abundant eaution in proteeting the interests of its promoters. At the same time, it is at all times ready to do what it can to advance the welfare of the community, aid in its improvement and accommodate the requirements of its people. In addition to his connection with this bank and other productive enterprises in Atlanta, Mr. Surbeek was one of the directors and the secretary of the Gifford Brick and Tile Company for some time, and is still a stockholder in the company. In polities he is a zealous working Republiean, loyal to his party and effeetive in its serviee. His fraternal alliances are with the Masonie order and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in both of which he takes an earnest interest and holds an influential rank as a member.

James H. Houghton

Having passed the advanced age of four-score years, during nearly forty of which he has been a resident of this county and the township in which he now lives, James H. Houghton, of New Cambria, has witnessed marvelous changes in this country, and in his way and to the extent of his powers and opportunities, has helped to bring them about. He was born in Rochester, New York, when that now far eastern city was almost a western outpost of our civilization; and he is living at this time nearly a thousand miles west of the place of his birth, and is still hundreds of miles east of the center of our great domain. His years and experience cover the onward march of American settlement and conquest from the great lakes to the Pacific, and the redemption of all the intervening country from a wilderness to a thriving, populous and wonderfully productive empire.

Mr. Houghton is a son of James and Julia (Kadie) Houghton, the former a native of England and the latter of the state of New York. The father came to the United States as a young man and located at Rochester, New York. There he devoted his attention to farming and met and married with Miss Julia Kadie. They hàd three children, but all are deceased except the subject of these brief paragraphs. The father died in 1902, and his wife in 1901.

Their son, James H. Houghton, grew to manhood and was educated in his native place and the state of Ohio. In 1870 he became a resident of Missouri, locating at New Cambria, where he followed the pursuit of his father, industriously and profitably tilling the soil for three years. In 1873 he became a merchant, dealing in furniture, and this enterprise he carried on for about three years more. In 1876 he returned to farming and is still aetively engaged in that pursuit, He owns a vast extent of land, 420 aeres, the greater part of whieh is under eultivation and highly improved. It is not in aceordance with his views and has not been his practice to become possessed of great tracts of land merely to let them lie idle for the advance in settlement and development to give them value. He believes that every landholder owes much to his own day and generation, and ought to make his land yield its tribute to the sustenance and service of mankind, and he has acted on this belief with good results for himself and great beneficence to the regions in which his land is located.

Mr. Houghton has all his life been a great believer in the rights of the people of the country and their ability to govern themselves well and wisely. He has, therefore, always been a pronounced Democrat in political faith and allegiance, and has rendered at all times valuable service to his party, both in trying to keep it in the right path of principle and policy and in aiding to make its cause successful in the elections. He has never sought or held publie office, however, never having been desirous of either the honors or emoluments of official station. He has discharged the duties of citizenship from the comfortable and ineonspieuous post of private life, and his performance of them in that way has given his attention to them all the more weight, since it has been manifest that it was not based on any expeetation or desire of special personal gain.

Mr. Houghton's marriage oceurred in 1852, and by it he was united with Miss Julia Mason, a native of Ohio. They have had seven children, all of whom are living, and all but one of them very near the family hearthstone. The children are: Julius H., of Pascola, Texas; Loren P., William, Wallace and Theodore, all of New Cambria, and Charles and Walton, of this county.

Mr. Houghton is now eighty-three years of age. He is still very aetive and vigorous, and gives attention to the duties of life with the same earnestness and zeal that distinguished him in his early and more mature manhood, not beeause he has to, but because from the very nature of his mind and make-up he finds pleasure in work and a great sense of satisfaction in being occupied. The responsibilities he carries and the number of interests that force themselves on his attention would worry and wear many a much younger man, but he bears them lightly, and disposes of all matters of business with promptness and ease. This is the result, doubtless, of abundant resources of vitality kept fresh and active by continual use, and trained to readiness and promptness in response to all demands.

Not only is this "Father in Israel"! one of the oldest citizens of the county, but also one of the most esteemed and venerated. He is truly representative of the people among whom he has so long lived and labored, and embodies in himself their best traits of character and manhood, and exemplifies in his daily life their highest ideals, loftiest aspirations and noblest attributes. His life has been an example to the young, a stimulus to the men in their prime and a satisfaction to the old. All classes revere.him and have pride in him as one of their best and most admired citizens. It cannot be said of such a man, either, that he has lived in vain or that he has eome far short of his full power for good in the world. For he has been useful at every period of his life, and at every stage of it has met his responsibilities with the full measure of his eapacity and up to the limit of his opportunities. What wonder then that his evening is mild and genial and his sunset rosy with the promise of a glorious morrow? It is the inevitable result of his well-spent years.

Mr. Houghton is a stockholder in the New Cambria State Bank. He and his wife belong to the Episeopal church. He has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for over thirty years.

Edwin 0. Snow

Whether viewed in the light of his eminent business suecess, in that of his elevated and serviceable citizenship, in that of his loyalty and devotion to the community of his home and his activity and intelligence in promoting its welfare, or looked at with reference to all together, no man stood higher in Macon county during his life, or was held in more general and appreciative esteem by its people than the late Edwin O. Snow, of Atlanta. His untimely death in 1908, at the age of fifty-three, when it was supposed that he had still long years of usefulness to the county and state awaiting him, cast a gloom over the whole of his township and caused deep and lasting regret in many other localities.

Mr. Snow was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on December 23, 1855, and was a son of Orson and Rosella (Ward) Snow, the former a native of the state of New York. The son came to Macon county when he was twelve years old, with his father, and grew to manhood here. He completed in the publie schools of this county the education he had begun in those of his native city, and when he left school took his place among the prodnetive forces at work in this region as a farmer a short distance east of Atlanta. In 1881 he moved to Kansas, and for a year was industriously engaged in farming in that state. He then moved to Hastings, Nebraska, and there carried on a general mercantile business until 1883. Returning to Atlanta in the year last mentioned, he again started an enterprising business in general merchandising, and this he conducted suecessfully and with inereasing profits until his death. His business views were broad and his spirit was progressive. He laid all his resources under tribute to give the people around him the best general store the eireumstanees would warrant, and he was eminently successful in his design, winning renown as a merchant and sealing all comers unto him in friendly regard as aman. His stock was always seleeted with judgment and a full knowledge of the trade he had to supply as well as the markets from whieh he procured his merchandise. It was a large part of his desire to lead the taste of the community to higher development and loftier standards while catering to it, and his establishment was in its measure educational as well as mercantile. This was the opinion of the people, and the eredit it implied and expressed was freely and voluntarily tendered him by them, but he never claimed it for himself.

In polities Mr. Snow was an ardent and very active Republican, lle was prominent and influential in the leadership of his party, serving as township eommitteeman for many years, and applying his knowledge of the people and his force of character wisely and effectively in the service of the cause he espoused and the candidates it put forth for the suffrages of the electorate. His fraternal relations were with the Masonie order, of whieh he was long an energetie, enthusiastie and valued member, taking to heart its noble teachings and exemplifying in his daily life its pure and lofty precepts. But neither party allegiance nor lodge conneetion narrowed him or made him bigoted or intolerant. On the contrary, every means he had of mingling with his fellow men and learning of them seemed to broaden and liberalize him. In 1877 he was united in marriage with Miss Cora M. Davies, a daughter of William and Mary (Williams) Davies, natives of Baltimore, Maryland. He and his wife became the parents of two children, both of whom died in infaney. "The father's record is embalmed in the memory of all who knew him and is redolent of the fragrance of genuine manly worth.

Orphaned at the age of nine years by the sudden death of his father when the latter was far from his home and his family, and by that of his mother when he was but eight, Volkert D. Gordon, one of the leading citizens and most progressive and successful business men of this county, was obliged by the stern arbitrament of fate to take up the burden of life for himself at a very early period in his career, and has been obliged to bear it ever since. He has made his own way in the world without the aid of Fortune's favors or adventitious cireumstances, and every triumph recorded to his eredit is wholly his own. The triumphs number many and stand forth as tributes to his business capacity, his persistent industry and thrift, and his unwavering confidence in himself and his powers of advancement.