Greene County Biographies


From  The History of Greene County, Missouri," 
St. Louis: Western Historical Company, 1883



James Abbott
Mr. Abbott is the son of William and Abigail (Steward) Abbott, and was
born in Salem county, New Jersey, February 13th, 1835.  He was educated
at the public schools of that State and in 1855, went to St. Louis, 
Missouri, and took a position as clerk in the retail dry goods house of
J. C. Havens & Co., for whom he worked until 1862.  He then came to
Springfield, Missouri and engaged in the mercantile business with Wm.
R. Gorton until 1871, when he was elected county collector upon the
Republican ticket, and served until 1874.  He was appointed county
treasurer in 1864, but declined to serve, but was regularly elected to
serve in 1866, and held that office until 1868.  In 1865-66, was city
treasurer of Springfield.  He was elected secretary and treasurer of
Springfield Iron Works in 1875, which is now the Springfield Foundry
and Machine Shops.  He was mayor of the city in 1881, and chairman of
the Republican Congressional Committee of this district in 1882.  Mr.
Abbott was married January 30th, 1866, in New York City, by the Rev.
Theodore L. Cuyler, to Mary E., daughter of Timothy C. Wooley, Esq.
Their union was blest with seven children, six girls and one boy, of 
whom six are living, one daughter dying in infancy.  He and his wife
are members of the Calvary Presbyterian church, and he is one of the
trustees.  His mother died in New Jersey in 1874, and his father is 
still living at Brighton, Illinois.  From the many positions of honor
and trust that Mr. Abbott has held, it is the best evidence that no man
in Greene county has a better hold upon the affections of the people
than he.



B. Y. Acuff
This enterprising gentleman is a Missourian by birth, his nativity be-
ing Polk County, where he was born August 31, 1840.  His father was a
Tennesseean, and was born in 1806, and is still living at this writing,
his home being at Walnut Grove.  Mr. Acuff's mother was Rebecca Cates,
who died January 27, 1882.  The subject of this sketch was educated in
the schools of his native county, and began life as a farmer, which 
vocation he followed till 1870, when he came to Walnut Grove, this
county, and opened a general merchandise store.  Coming to the place
when it first started, Mr. Acuff has been in the lead of every enter-
prise to advance the interest of Walnut Grove.  His was the pioneer
mercantile house of the village, and in one sense, he may be called the
father of the town.  In 1863, Mr. Acuff enlisted in the State militia
and served about two years, mostly in Polk County.  He was married on
April 1, 1876, to Miss Carrie Hawk, daughter of David Hawk, a prominent
citizen of Polk County.  He has two children, both daughters.  Mr. 
Acuff is a Freemason of good standing, and is regarded as one of the
most enterprising and public spirited citizens of the county.  He has,
by thrift and industry, amassed a good property, thus showing what may
always be accomplished by energetic and painstaking effort.



Jeremiah Acuff
Mr. Acuff was born in Granger County, Tennessee, March 14, 1806.  Was
educated in his native county, and followed the vocation of farming
there till 1836, when he moved to Polk County, this State.  His parents
were John and Nancy (Watson) Acuff, the former a native of Virginia,
who died in Granger County, Tenn., shortly after the civil war, and the
mother, a native of same State, and died in same county as her husband,
in 1856.  Jeremiah followed blacksmithing in Missouri, and, in 1837,
bought a "claim" which he kept and improved.  He went into the govern-
ment land office in 1839, and entered a tract of 160 acres, whereon he
resided till 1864.  After some other trades and removals, he finally
traded for the store house at Walnut Grove, now occupied by his son, 
and himself, son and Chithim opened a general store, to which B. J.
Acuff is successor and sole proprietor.  Mr. Acuff was married December
12, 1826 to Rebecca Cates, who died in Walnut Grove, January 27, 1882.
Mr. Acuff and wife had seven children, six now living, four sons and 
two daughters.



James Alexander
Mr. Alexander is the son of Squire and Mary (Roney) Alexander and was
born November 24, 1809, in Blount county, Tennessee.  His father was a
native of North Carolina, but moved to Tennessee, and then in 1840 came
to Greene county, Missouri, and settled in Franklin township.  He died
in 1863 and his wife in 1862.  They are buried at Mt. Comfort.  They
had nine children, five sons and four daughters.  When James was quite
young his parents moved to Stewart county, Tennessee, and in the spring
of 1841 he came to this county, but returned to Tennessee in the 
following winter.  In 1843 he came back to Greene county where he has 
lived ever since.  He improved the farm now owned by Col. Thrasher, 
where he lived about thirty years and in 1874 he moved to his present
home upon section 21, township 30, range 21.  During the war Mr. Alex-
ander was in the Home Guards.  He had one son in the regular U. S. 
service and one in the militia.  Mr. Alexander was married in 1832 to
Nancy Sugg, of Stewart county, Tennessee.  They had three daughters by
this marriage, two are living.  His first wife died June 14, 1840 and
in 1842 he was married to Miss Mary P. Ford, of Stewart county, Tenn.
Their union has been blest with four sons and four daughters, all 
living.  His wife was stricken blind by a spell of fever in 1844, and
since then she knits about one hundred pairs of socks a year.  She is
an exemplary member of the Baptist church, and bears her affliction 
with Christian fortitude and patience.



Peter L. Anderson
This gentleman is the son of James and Hetty (Looney) Anderson, and was
born in Marion County, Tenn., July 28th, 1820.  He grew to manhood in
his native county, where he received his education.  In 1850 he moved
to Missouri, and reached Greene county the 6th of December.  He rented
land upon which he raised six crops, and then, in 1856, he purchased 
his present farm from a Mr. Rose, where he has since lived and added
many valuable improvements.  Mr. Anderson was married in Marion County,
Tenn., in 1837, to Miss Martha Hollaway.  By this union there were five
children, viz.: Hetty, Wm. H., John, Zaney and Elijah, three of whom
are living.  His son Wm. H. was a member of Kelsoe's cavalry company in
the regular service, U. S. A., and was taken prisoner in Newton county
by some men who were disguised as Federal soldiers, and was never heard
of afterwards.  It is supposed he was put to death by his captors, as
no word or trace of him ever reached his friends.  Mr. Anderson's first
wife died in January, 1853.  He was married the second time in December
1865, to Mrs. Sarah Luce, of this county.  Their marriage was blest 
with four children, viz.: Alexander, Henry, George and Martha Jane.
Alex died in 1880.  Mr. Anderson is a member of the Congregational
church at Republic.  He is a member of the Greenback party, and is an
honored citizen of the county.



W. B. Anderson
W. B. Anderson is the son of William H. and Asenath (McCorkle) Anderson,
and was born in Sumner County, Tennessee, March 6, 1820.  When he was
about fourteen years of age his parents moved to Greene County, Ill.,
where they lived three years, removing thence to Bond County, in which
the family resided till 1841.  They then came to Greene County, Mo., 
and entered land on what is now known as the "McCracken place," in Clay
township.  They sold out there in 1855, and went to California, where
both the parents of W. B. died.  The subject of this sketch entered the
land of his homestead from the government, and at this writing owns 
about 492 acres in this county, and 200 acres in Christian County.  He
was reared upon the farm, and has always followed farming as a vocation,
with the exception of two years spent in California in mining.  In July,
1855, Mr. Anderson married Miss Caroline Murphy, of Greene County, a 
native of Tennessee.  Eleven children have been born to them, eight of
whom still survive.  Both Mr. Anderson and wife are members of the Cum-
berland Presbyterian church at Springfield.  He has always been a Demo-
crat, and votes in accordance with the principles of that party.



James N. Appleby
This gentleman is the son of David and Catherine (Bell) Appleby, and 
was born December 6th, 1819, in Bedford county, Tennessee.  In October,
1832 his parents left Tennessee, and came to Wayne county, Missouri,
where they lived about ten months.  Then, in 1833, they moved to Greene
county, and settled in the southern part of Franklin township.  James
moved to Platte county, Missouri, in 1841, and returned to his old home
in Greene county in 1843, and has always followed farming.  He was 
elected, upon the Republican ticket in 1880, justice of the peace, and
re-elected in 1882.  'Squire Appleby was married in March, 1841, to
Susan Thornburg, of Platte county, Missouri.  That marriage was blest
with three sons and one daughter.  His first wife died in 1852, and in
1853 he was married again, to Mary McCurdy, of this county.  By this
union they have four sons and three daughters.  During the war Mr.
Appleby was in the enrolled militia, and was at Springfield when it was
attacked by Gen. Marmaduke, January 8th, 1863.  He was a strong Union
man in 1860, voting for Bell and Everett, Bell being a cousin of his
mother.  His father was a native of Pennsylvania, who removed to 
Georgia, then to Tennessee and then to Missouri, where he died in 1867.
His mother was a native of North Carolina, and died in 1866.  They were
married in Tennessee.  They had a family of three sons and four daugh-
ters.



Marcus Arrington
Rev. Marcus Arrington.  This gentleman is the son of Abel and Margaret
(Cobb) Arrington, and was born in Wilkes county, North Carolina, July
13th, 1820.  In 1823, his parents moved to Rhea county, Tenn., and in
the fall of 1829, they emigrated to Fulton county, Illinois, and in 
1839, came to Greene county, Missouri.  He was educated by B. McCord
Roberts, and at the school at Ebenezer.  Mr. Arrington then taught in
several of the counties in Southwestern Missouri for several years. 
From the scholars of his first school nine afterwards became ministers.
He was married in this county July 14th, 1842 to Miss L. McClure, dau-
ghter of John McClure.  They had by their union two sons and two daugh-
ters.  He carried on farming two years, and was then licensed to preach
by the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and appointed to the Osceola
circuit.  In the fall of 1844, he joined the conference, and in 1845,
was appointed to Hartville circuit.  Then, at his own request, he was
discontinued, and farmed for two years.  He sold his farm, and, after
moving about for a year or two, he joined the St. Louis conference in
the fall of 1850, and preached upon different circuits.  After the
battle of Wilson's Creek, he took charge of some of the sick and wound-
ed, and finally took them to Lexington.  He then went to Arkansas, and
was appointed by Dr. Caples as chaplain of the Missouri State Guards,
under Gen. McBride.  At the battle of Pea Ridge, he was taken prisoner
and sent to Alton, Illinois, where he was kept five months, and then
released by order of the War department.  He then went South, where he
met his wife and children in Arkansas.  He then went to Illinois, and
remained until 1865.  He was then put upon a circuit, and so remains at
the present.  In 1870, he took his family to Arcadia, Iron county, Mo.
In 1873-4-5, was principal of Doniphan High School, Ripley county, Mo.,
and in 1878-9 taught the high school at Marble Hill, Missouri.  In the
fall of 1879, he took charge of the Mountain House Academy, and was its
principal for two years, and then returned to Springfield.  In the fall
of 1882, he was the Greenback candidate for circuit clerk, and received
about eleven hundred votes.



Lemuel B. Austin
This gentleman is the son of Green and Nancy (Freeman) Austin, and was
born in this county, November 14, 1836.  His father was born January 1,
1805, and came to this county in 1834.  His mother was born in Septem-
ber, 1808, and died in August, 1876.  Lemuel was educated in the common
schools of the county, and has been engaged in farming since boyhood.
He lives four miles east of Springfield, and owns six hundred and
seventy-nine acres of land, a good portion of which is under cultiva-
tion and well improved.  Mr. Austin is extensively engaged in stock
raising.  He was married February 1st, 1863, to Miss Louisa J., the
daughter of George W. and Mary Mitchel.  They are blest with a family
of six children, viz.: Charles G., born December 6th, 1863; Mary E.,
born March 17th, 1865; Annie L., born July 22nd, 1869; Nannie V., born
December 25th, 1871; Albert M., born September 4th, 1876; Blanche, born
July 3rd, 1881.  Mr. Austin is a member of the A. F. & A. M.



W. S. Bacon
Mr. Bacon is a son of Robert and Elizabeth (Jeffries) Bacon, and was
born in Franklin county, Kentucky, March 10th, 1835.  He came to Miss-
ouri in 1854, and settled in Cooper county, near Boonville.  Here he
commenced fruit growing, and has since made it his chief occupation.
In September, 1880, he came to Greene county and purchased his present
home, three and one-half miles west of Springfield, where he has a
pleasant and comfortable home, and is extensively engaged in fruit
culture, especially berries.  During the summer of 1882 he sold three
hundred bushels of blackberries alone.  Mr. Bacon was married April 1,
1861, to Miss Susan Conner, of Cooper County.  Their union has been
blest with four children, viz.: Mary E., Robert, Sallie and Mattie.



Thomas Jefferson Bailey
Dr. Thomas Jefferson Bailey.  Dr. Bailey was a native of Kentucky, born
in Lincoln County, January 17, 1803, whither his father, John Bailey,
had removed with his family from Virginia.  There the father died, and
Thomas J. grew up to manhood.  He read medicine at Danville under the
able preceptorship of Drs. Smith and McDowell, till he was prepared for
practice.  Prior to remvoing to Missouri, in 1828, he married Miss
Harriet Sproul, a native of the same county as himself.  He settled
first in Ralls County, this State, where he practiced medicine till 
1837, removing thence to Springfield, when that town was a mere hamlet.
Both himself and wife were well pleased, and, resolving to stay, locat-
ed on a forty-acre tract between the two cities of Springfield.  Here 
he began a most successful profession career, and for nearly a quarter
of a century ministered to the sick in his plain, simple way that built
him the large practice of which he realized a fortune.  His sympathetic
disposition and moderate charges made him beloved by all, no one ever
complaining of excessive bills.  His plain style won confidence, and he
was never a man to judge others by dress or outward appearance, but
always looked within to find the man.  He thoroughly believed that,
"Twas not in rank or wealth or state, but "get up and get" that makes
men great."  Dr. Bailey was a staunch Whig, who found foemen worthy of
his steel in such Democrats as John S. Phelps, John P. Campbell, Nich-
olas R. Smith, and several others of Springfield and vicinity, with 
whom he coped all alone for several years, till joined by Col. Marcus
Boyd in 1841.  These leaders began collecting and organizing the Whigs;
and though weak in number and frequently defeated, they still continued
to gain strength, till by shrewd management they carried the county
against the "Invincibles" in 1858.  In 1860, Dr. Bailey favored the 
Bell and Everett ticket, and "The Union, the Constitution and the En-
forcement of the Laws."  When the civil war came, he gave his support 
to the Union cause.  Too old for active military life, he stood as a
reserve, and did all he could to further the success of the Federal
arms.  After the war, he took great interest in railroad building and
did active work at Jefferson City to secure the building of the
"Frisco" by legislative support.  He died of pneumonia, April 17, 1869.
His large estate he parceled out by will to his wife, his relatives and
the volunteers who fought the battle of Springfield in 1863; and lastly
giving his ex-slaves what he considered a fair remuneration for their
services.  The large monument in the National Cemetery was paid for ex-
clusively by him.  Mrs. Bailey survived till 1873, when she too, took
her departure to the land of rest.  Though they died childless, they
were always liberal and charitable to needy children.  Remembered by
all, loved by many, the entire community mouned the loss of those two
worthy people, and none live but can say to them in their graves,
"Requiescat in pace."



James Bair
Mr. Bair is the son of Jesse B. and Elizabeth (Bonfield) Bair, and was
born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, Dec. 18th, 1845.  His father was born
in Adams county, Penn., Nov. 11, 1814, and settled in Ohio in 1836. 
His mother was born in Canton, Ohio, Dec. 20th, 1819.  James was educa-
ted in the common schools of Stark county, and completed his education
at Mt. Union College, Mount Union, Ohio.  He then taught school during
the year 1868, in Stark county, Ohio, and the following year came to
Greene county, Missouri, and has since made teaching his vocation, hav-
ing taught in Campbell, Taylor, Franklin and Brookline townships.  Mr.
Bair was married August 11th, 1870, to Miss Virginia, daughter of 
William Jeffries, and old and highly respected citizen of this county.
Their union has been blest with four children, viz.: Annie L., born
April 20, 1871; William M., born May 4th, 1873; Victoria, born Sept. 8,
1874 and died March 5, 1875; Charles A., born May 2nd, 1878.  Mr. Bair
was appointed justice of the peace in January, 1879, and still holds
the office by appointment.  He enlisted in Company F, 80th Ohio Infan-
try Volunteers, upon the 21st of December, 1861 and served as sergeant 
major, and was first lieutenant at the close of the war.  He was at the
battle of Farmington, Miss., siege of Corinth, Iuka, Raymond, Jackson,
Champion Hill, siege of Vicksburg and Mission Ridge.  He was on the
Atlanta campaign and in many skirmishes.  He was mustered out in August,
1865, without having received a wound or being taken prisoner.  All of 
his company except fifteen were killed or wounded at the battle of
Corinth.



James Baker
Judge James Baker is the son of M. and Margaret (Waters) Baker, and was
born April 1st, 1819 in Mason county, Kentucky.  He was educated at the
Indiana State University, at Bloomington.  In the fall of 1838 he moved
to Davenport, Iowa where he studied law in the office of Judge James
Grant.  He remained there until 1843, when he moved to Ottumwa, Iowa,
and practiced law in that city for ten years.  In 1853 he was appointed
by President Pierce as register of the land office, at Chariton, Iowa.
In 1861 the Legislature of Iowa created an executive commission to 
raise money and equip troops for the army, and he was appointed as one
of the commissioners.  In the fall of 1861 he recruited the 13th Iowa
infantry, and was its lieutenant colonel.  He was at the battles of 
Shiloh, Iuka and Corinth.  He resigned because of sickness, and in the
spring of 1864 came to Springfield, Mo., where he was for a time assoc-
iated in law with Capt. A. M. Julian and Col. Fazan.  In 1868 he was
appointed attorney for the Atlantic and Pacific railroad, and was the
attorney for both roads until 1876.  He has been attorney, vice presi-
dent and president of the St. Louis and San Francisco railway.  He was
appointed as one of the judges of the Supreme Court by Gov. Fletcher in
1868.



James M. Baker
Mr. Baker is the son of Hamilton and Nancy (Haynie) Baker who were nat-
ives of Tennessee.  James was born in McMinn County, Tenn., November 2,
1851.  In 1854 his parents moved to Greene County, Mo., where he grew
to manhood, and received but a limited education.  He has since lived
in the county and owns a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres of
land, besides property in Bois D'Arc.  In 1881 he, in partnership with
Mr. E. E. Hendrix engaged in merchandising at Bois D'Arc, to which
place he moved his family in 1882.  He was married January 8, 1870, to
Miss Catherine, daughter of James and Sallie (Leeper) Harralson of this
county.  By this union they have three children, viz.: William, Ardello
and Walter E.  Mr. Baker is one of the safe, reliable men of the county
and enjoys the confidence of all.



Gideon P. Balay
Mr. Balay was born in Greene county, Kentucky, July 9th, 1818.  He is
the son of Perry and Tomsey (Warren) Balay.  When he was about ten 
years of age his parents emigrated to Johnson County, Indiana.  Gideon
moved to Marion county, Missouri, in 1839, but only remained in that
section of the State a year, and then removed to Cole county, where he
remained until 1866.  He then moved to Greene county and settled perm-
anently.  He now owns a fine farm two and a half miles southeast of Ash
Grove.  Mr. Balay held the office of constable, for four and one-half
years, of Boone township.  He and his wife are members of the Methodist
church at Ash Grove.  He was married June 15th, 1843, to Miss Eliza A. 
Hightower, of Patrick county, Virginia.  Their union has been blest 
with thirteen children, five of whom are dead.  Their family is one 
whom every one respects, and no man in Greene county enjoys the confi-
dence of his neighbors to any greater extent than Mr. Balay.  During 
the war he was chairman of the Home Guards of Cole county.  His oldest
son John, was killed in Arkansas by a band of bushwhackers.  He was a
Union soldier, defending his country from the advances of the Confed-
erates.



Hugh L. Baldwin
Mr. Baldwin is the son of Theophilus and Lucy Baldwin, and was born in
Lawrence County, Indiana, November 20, 1838.  He was left an orphan at
the age of twelve years, and when he was fifteen he went to Richland
County, Illinois, where he worked upon a farm.  In 1862 he commenced
railroading as a brakesman, upon the Chicago, Alton and St. Louis R.R.
In ten months he was promoted to freight conductor, and held that posi-
tion upon the road for seven years.  In 1870 he went upon the Burling-
ton and Cedar Rapids R.R., in the same capacity, but in the same year
went to the Central Pacific R.R., and was yardmaster at Oakland until
1872.  In 1873 he came to Springfield, Missouri, and is now one of the
most popular and prosperous grocery merchants of North Springfield. Mr.
Baldwin is a Royal Arch Mason, and one of the substantial citizens of
the county.  He was married in 1858, to Miss Sarah J. Philhower, the
daughter of William and Lucinda Philhower, or Richland County, Ill.
Their union has been blest with five children, three of whom are yet
living.



F. A. Barclay
Mr. Barclay is the son of Alexander and Catherine (Nelson) Barclay, and
was born in Rutherford County, North Carolina, but was taken by his
parents to White County, Tenn., when he was quite young.  His father
was killed by bushwackers on July 11, 1863.  His mother is still living
in White County, Tenn.  Mr. Barclay was educated in the common schools
of Tennessee.  He learned the carriage and wagon maker's trade, and
carried on the business until January, 1870, when he removed to Illi-
nois, where he lived but a few months, and then went to Cherryvale,
Kansas, and helped to lay the foundation of the first house built in
that place, and taught the first school in Montgomery County.  He came
to Greene County, Missouri, in the spring of 1878, and farmed a year.
He next went into the dry goods business at Walnut Grove, with Mr. J.
Brown.  December 24th, 1881 he, in partnership with J. H. Brown, opened
a drug store, where they also carry a full line of groceries.  Mr. Bar-
clay was married October 11, 1875 to Miss Rebecca, daughter of J. Brown,
Esq., one of the early settlers of the county.  Their union has been
blessed with three sons, two of whom are now living.  Mr. and Mrs. Bar-
clay are members of the Baptist Church, and he is a Master Mason.  He
enlisted in the First Tennessee Regiment, Company F, in 1864, and was
in some of the battles at the close of the war.



R. F. Barnes
Mr. Barnes was born in Circleville, Ohio, October 7, 1846.  In 1864 he
began railroading upon the Louisville & Nashville railroad, and worked
at it for several months.  He then returned to his home at Madison,
Indiana, where he was engaged in the mercantile business with his
father.  In 1873 he went to Oswego, Kansas, where he was again engaged
in merchandising for four years.  Then he was assistant clerk in the
county offices at the courthouse in Oswego, and next joined a civil en-
gineer corps and worked at the business for several months.  He then
returned to Oswego and worked in the courthouse six months.  He then
was engaged in the construction of a railroad from Parsons to Cherry-
vale, Kansas.  In 1879 and 1881 he was city assessor of Oswego, and in
June, 1881 he went to work for the St. Louis & San Fransico R.R., as
clerk for J. R. Wentworth, superintendent of the Kansas division of 
that road, whose office was then at Neodesha, Kansas.  Mr. Barnes re-
mained there a year, and was then transferred to North Springfield,
where he is clerk in the office of the superintendent of the Missouri 
& Kansas division of the same road.  Mr. Barnes was married upon New
Year's eve, 1876, to Miss L. F. Elliott, of Oswego, Kansas.  They have
one child, Eva Belle.



Dr. Beverly A. Barrett
Dr. Barrett is the son of John S. and Margaret (Patterson) Barrett, and
was born in Ste. Genevieve County, January 8, 1826.  The father was 
also a physician, was a Virginian, and emigrated to this State in 1811,
and was a member of the first Missouri General Assembly.  Beverly A. 
was the sixth child of a family of ten children, and had the advantages
of a common school education in his native county, subsequently attend-
ing a seminary taught by Fox and Davis at Fredericktown.  He began the
study of his profession in 1845, and after two years' close application
to medical lore, began the practice in Dallas County, Mo., where he re-
mained till 1858, removing thence to Springfield, his present home.  In
1864 he moved to St. Louis, and remained there till 1869, he moved back
to Springfield which has been his constant place of abode since then. 
Dr. Barrett has been in the active practice for thirty-five years, and 
has done as much labor as any physician in the Southwest.  He is a mem-
ber of the Masonic fraternity, and was at one time master of the lodge.
He is also a member of the M. E. Church South and has been for about
twenty-five years.  Politically he is a Democrat, and always acts with
the party.  He is a member of the State Medical Association, and keeps
well up in professional literature.  Dr. Barrett was married in 1847 to
Miss Susan Randleman, in Buffalo, Dallas County, who bore him five
children.  His first wife died in St. Louis in 1865, and he was again
married in 1871, to Miss Mary E. Priest, of Maury County, Tennessee, an
estimable lady, devoted to the cause of the church and to acts of 
Christian charity.  Dr. Barrett, although eminently successful as a
practitioner, has never sought to accumulate wealth, but has, on the
contrary, been moderate in his charges and done much charity work for
which he never asked or received any compensation.  During the civil
war, he was a warm friend of the Southern cause, but never took any
active part nor once neglected his professional duties; his principles
of heart prompting him to give his services to both armies when needed,
and always to bear himself as becomes the gentleman and man of honor
that he is.



Rev. Kirk Baxter
Mr. Baxter is a native of the city of New York, born February 26, 1829.
His parents were Henry and Mary Baxter, who moved to the city of Balti-
more and lived there three years.  They next moved to Washington City
and then to Piitsburg, Pennsylvania, where Kirk grew to manhood.  He
entered college at Bethany, Virginia, in 1848 and graduated from that
celebrated institution in 1851.  He then went to Wilkinson county, 
Mississippi, and taught school two years.  He then began preaching and
labored in that sacred calling until 1867, when he came to Springfield,
Missouri, and took charge of the Christian church from 1867 to 1871.
Three years of this time he taught a high school.  He next preached in
the counties of Southwest Missouri as an evangelist, but made Spring-
field his home.  In March, 1875 he moved to Huntsville, Randolph county
Missouri, and preached there a year, and then went to Dallas, Texas,
preaching for his church in that city four years.  He then returned to
this county and took charge of the church at Antioch, where he still
holds the pastorate of that congregation.  He owns the farm upon which
he lives and has a pleasant home.  He was married June 12, 1856, to
Miss A. F. Jackson, of Clinton, Louisiana.  Their union has been blest
with nine children, viz.: Charles W., Mary A., Willie H. (deceased),
Fannie, Cornelia, Rosa J., George H., Kirk E. and Walter Wood.  In 1878
while traveling in Texas with the noted evangelist, Knowles Shaw, the
train was wrecked and Shaw killed instantly.



George T. Beal
Capt. Beal is the son of Daniel and Nancy (Gibson) Beal, and was born 
in that part of Greene County that is now Lawrence County, Missouri,
November 10, 1832.  His father settled the place upon which the town of
Verona now stands.  When George was about a year old, his parents moved
to near Springfield and settled upon the place that is now known as the
Wingfield place, where he grew to manhood.  In 1854 he took the "gold
fever," and went to California and remained two years. He again crossed
the great plains to California in 1857 with a drove of milk cows, and
returned the same year.  He was married March 20th, 1860, to Miss Ann
Eliza Rountree, daughter of Junius Rountree, one of the pioneers of the
county.  Their union has been blest with seven children, viz.: Thos. M.
(deceased), Edward L., Marshall F., Joseph S., infant (deceased), 
Carrie M. and Nettie R.  At the battle of Wilson's Creek Mr. Beal was 
one of the four guides who directed Gen. Lyon to the memorable battle-
field.  In the fall of 1861 he took his family to Carlinville, Ill.,
and remained near there until the spring of 1862, and then returned to
his farm.  In August of 1862, he enlisted in the Enrolled Missouri
Militia, and was elected captain of Company F, 72nd regiment.  After 
six months' service he resigned and took no further part in the war.
Since that time he has been continuously engaged in farming, owning two
hundred acres of land in Wilson township.  Capt. Beal, his wife and 
oldest son, are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.  The 
Capt. thinks he is the oldest citizen of the county now living, who was
born in the county.



Bently O. Bearden
Mr. Bearden is a native of this county, born December 26th, 1856.  His
parents are Elias M. and Nancy A. Bearden, old settlers of Greene 
county, who came here in 1841 and settled on the farm on which they
reside at this writing, two and a half miles east of Springfield.  Soon
after coming to this county, Bently O. engaged in farming till 1860,
then came to North Springfield and went to work in the railroad machine
shops, where he remained until April 1st, 1882, when he was elected 
city marshal, which position he is still filling.  December 25th, 1881
Mr. Bearden married Miss Elizabeth McGowen, of Ozark County, Missouri.
Mr. Bearden is a member of Springfield Lodge No. 2285, of the Knights
of Honor, and is an efficient public officer, a worthy citizen, and one
who receives and deserves the universal esteem of all who know him.




James Beckerleg
Mr. Beckerleg was born in Ontario, Canada, June 2, 1858.  He commenced
firing on the St. Louis and San Francisco railway in 1874, and fired
until July 2, 1880, when he was promoted to engineer, and has been run-
ning an engine upon the road ever since.  He was married to Miss Martha
Franklin.  Their union has been blest with two children, Addie May and
James.  Mr. Beckerleg is a member of Frisco lodge, Brotherhood of Loco-
motive Firemen.



Edward Beer
Edward Beer was born in Kent, England, December 4, 1831.  When sixteen
years old he commenced working in the Northwestern R. R. machine shops
in Yorkshire, England, where he learned to be a machinist, and worked
seven years.  Then fired on a locomotive on the above mentioned rail-
road, for about three and a half years, then took an engine and ran it
on that road for twelve years.  He came to America in 1870, and has
worked at his trade on various roads ever since, excepting about three
years of the time he was engaged in farming near Brookline, Missouri.
In October, 1882, he took an engine on the St. Louis and San Francisco
railway, which he is running at present.  Mr. Beer has been twice marr-
ied.  His first wife was Miss Sarah L. Shutt, whom he married in Harro-
gate, England.  She died in Rock Island, Illinois, in 1870.  His second
wife was a Miss Fanny S. Dennis, of Rock Island, Illinois.  He is a 
member of Division No. 83, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, of
which he is chaplain.



Charles Bennett
Mr. Bennett was born in Chemung county, New York, July 31st, 1847.  His
parents were Charles and Louisa (Canfield) Bennett.  His father was 
born May 11th, 1807, and his mother was born May 18th, 1810.  When our
subject was about two years of age his parents removed to Kendall coun-
ty, Illinois, where they lived until 1870, and then removed to Greene
county, Missouri.  Chas. Bennett, Sr., lived here until May, 1882, and
then returned to his county where he died July 26, 1882.  Charles 
Bennett was educated in the common schools, and has followed farming as
an occupation.  He owns a fine farm of four hundred and thirty-two acre
in Campbell township, well improved and in a high state of cultivation.
He was married October 20th, 1881, to Miss Sarah Smith, who is a native
of Kendall county, Illinois, born August 13th, 1850.  Their union has 
been blest with one child, Charles, Jr., born September 11, 1882.  Mr.
Bennett is a member of the Masonic fraternity, with membership at Raven
Lodge, No. 303, Oswego, Illinois.  He has been very successful in farm-
ing and stock raising, and is one of the substantial citizens of Greene
county.  In politics he is a Republican.



William M. Bennett
This gentlemen is the son of Parminter M. and Sarah (Kelsy) Bennett,
and was born in Cocke County, Tenn., October 13, 1840.  His parents 
were natives of South Carolina, but emigrated to Tennessee in an early
day, and came to Greene County, Missouri, in 1844.  His mother died in
1876 and his father died in 1880.  William grew to manhood in this 
county, and on the 26th of July, 1862, enlisted in Company A, 8th Miss-
ouri Cavalry, U. S. A., and served until the war closed.  He was at the
battles of Prairie Grove, Little Rock, Ashley Station, and numerous
scouting and skirmishing expeditions.  After the war he returned home
and has since been engaged in farming.  He owns a farm of ninety-five
acres in Center Township.  He was married October 29, 1865, to Miss
Martha A., daughter of James W., and Susan C. (Bird) McSpadden of this
county.  Mrs. Bennett's father was a native of Tennessee, and her moth-
er of Georgia.  Her father was a soldier in the Mexican war, and in the
civil war, was upon the Confederate side, and died from the effects of
a wound received at Iuka, Mississippi.  Mr. and Mrs. Bennett have had
a family of seven children, six living, viz.: Susan L., Henry W., Sarah
C., Aurelia C., Mary O. and William I.  Mr. Bennett and wife have been
members of the Methodist Church for sixteen years, and he has been 
class leader for four years.



John S. Benson
Mr. Benson is the son of Samuel and Nancy (Bull) Benson, and was born 
in Accomack county, Virginia, April 17, 1813.  He was educated in the
common schools, and at the age of seventeen went to Baltimore and 
learned the watch maker and jeweler's trade.  In 1835 he came West and
stopped at St. Louis, Mo.  In 1842 he went to Lacon, Illinois, where he
followed his trade and carried on farming, for twenty-seven years.  He
came to Springfield, Missouri, in the spring of 1869.  Mr. Benson was
married in 1842 to Miss Amanda F. Houge, a native of Kentucky.  Mrs.
Benson is a member of the Episcopal church.  Her mother is still living
at the age of ninety-two.  Mr. Benson's father died in Virginia, in 
1855, and his mother in 1866.  They had four sons, none living save 
John S.



Henry S. D. Berry, M.D.
Dr. Berry is the son of Spartan D. and Jane M. Berry, and was born in
Anderson County, South Carolina, September 29th, 1853.  His maternal
grandfather was an officer in the war of 1812, and a general of mili-
tia.  His father died in 1855, and he and his mother moved to Texas in
1869.  He received most of his education from his mother, spending one
term at the university.  In 1873 he engaged in the drug business, at
Dennison, Texas and in 1874 entered the Louisville Medical College, 
from which institution he graduated in 1876.  Returning to Dennison he
commenced practicing his profession, enjoying a lucrative practice. He
was health officer and member of the city council of Dennison, resign-
ing when he left.  In 1881 he entered the St. Louis Medical College,
graduating in 1882.  He then located at North Springfield, and thus
early ranks among the leading physicians of the city, and does a lead-
ing practice.  The doctor is a Mason, and a member of the Order of
Chosen Friends, being their medical examiner.  He was married in 1877,
to Miss Lou, daughter of John and Mary Murphy, of Franklin County, Mo.
They have one child, James H.



Nathaniel Betson
This gentleman is the son of Robert and Mary (Mount) Betson, and was 
born in Clinton County, Ohio, December 20, 1821.  His father was a nat-
ive of New Jersey and his mother of Pennsylvania, in which State they
were married.  Nathaniel was the second of a family of eleven children,
and when he was about three years of age his parents moved back to
Greene County, Pa., where they remained until 1833, when they returned
to Clinton County, Ohio.  In the fall of 1840 the Betsons moved to 
Missouri, and located in Greene County, in the northern part of Pond
Creek township.  Nathaniel lived with his father until he was twenty-
five years of age and then he was married to Miss Nancy C., daughter of
James and Jane (Stockton) Hughes.  She was born in Rhea County, Tenn.,
November 14, 1829.  When she was four years of age her parents moved to
Alabama, and in 1844 they moved to Greene County, Missouri.  Her father
was a soldier in the Mexican War and also in the Union army in the 
civil war.  He died from wounds received at the battle of Pea Ridge,
Arkansas.  He served his country in two great wars, and at last met a
soldier's death.  Mr. Betson has always followed farming, and is one of
the most successful and substantial farmers in Greene County.  He owns
a finely improved farm of five hundred and forty acres.  He had four
sons in the Union army, one of whom died in the service.  Mr. and Mrs.
Betson were blest with nine children, eight of whom are living, viz.:
Malina, Isaac, Abner B., James M., George W., Nathaniel L. H., Sarah L.
G., and C. David.



Allen J. Biggs
Mr. Biggs was born in Robertson county, Tennessee, February 14th, 1820,
and is a son of David and Frances Biggs, both of whom were natives of
Virginia.  Allen J. lived in Robertson county until he was seventeen
years of age, and then went to Callaway county, Kentucky, and lived
there until 1843.  He then emigrated to Missouri, and took up a claim 
in Greene county, near his present home.  He now owns one hundred and
seventy acres of land, besides giving his children three hundred acres.
During the war he dealt in mules, buying and selling to the government.
Mr. Biggs has been married twice; the first time, February 1st, 1840,
to Martha Legan, of Callaway county, Kentucky.  She died in January,
1842.  He was married the second time to Nancy M., daughter of John and
Keziah Robertson, upon the 3rd of October, 1843.  This union has been
blest with five children, viz.: Napoleona (now Mrs. J. R. Debaun);
Adolphus, John R., W. W., and Kizzie, now Mrs. Wilson Fulbright.  W.W.
was married June 20th, 1882 to Maggie D. Waltz.



George J. Biggs
Mr. Biggs is the son of Moses Allen Biggs, and was born in Giles
county, Virginia, October 20, 1827.  He came with his father to Miss-
ouri in 1837, and in 1839 they located at Westport, Jackson county.
Here George assisted his father and learned the wagon-maker's trade.
His father died in 1848, and the following year he moved to Kansas
City, and built the first blacksmith and wagon shop in the place, and
continued the business until 1853.  He was married November 11, 1849,
to Miss Louisa Jane Barnett.  He left Kansas City in 1853, and remov-
ed with his wife and little daughter, who died in her first year, to
Fremont county, Iowa, and carried on his former occupation, until he
was elected, in 1857, to the office of treasurer, recorder, and coll-
ector of that county, all those duties being combined in one office.
In 1862 he went to the famous mines of Nevada, where he engaged in
mining until 1866.  In the autumn of the same year he removed his 
family from Iowa to Greene county, and bought his magnificent estate
in Cass township, where he has since lived and farmed very success-
fully.  In 1872 he wife died, leaving four children, viz.: James H.,
Charles H., Cora H. and William W.  Mr. Biggs was married the second
time August 2, 1876 to Elizabeth E. Ernest, of Greene county.  Two
children were born to this marriage, a boy and a girl.  The little
boy died December 1, 1882.



James Wilson Bishop
James Wilson Bishop, M. D., is the fourth son of David F. and Eunice
(Wilson) Bishop, and was born at Derby Centre, Orleans County, Vermont,
May 27th, 1828.  He leaned toward the medical profession, when quite a
child interesting himself in the anatomy of all animals killed upon the
farm.  He received his education at Oberlin, Ohio, and began the study
of medicine under Dr. Baxter of that place, where he took one course of
lectures.  He practiced one year, and then entered Ann Arbor medical
school, graduating in the class of 1854.  He then resumed practice at
Tower Hill, Shelby County, Illinois, where he lived six years, and then
removed to Story County, Iowa, remaining there in active practice for
thirteen years.  He then took two courses of lectures at the Keokuk
Medical college, where he graduated in medicine, surgery and therapu-
tics.  He returned to Story County, Iowa and resumed practice, but at
the end of eight months he came to Greene County, Missouri, and located
for the practice of his professsion at Republic, making a specialty of
obstetrics and diseases of women.  He was married in Williams County,
Ohio, February 22, 1850, to Miss Mary Meade.  Their union has been
blest with three children, two boys and one girl.  The doctor is a 
Mason in good standing and a most agreeable gentleman.



William Wallace Blackman
Mr. Blackman is the son of Stephen and Matilda J. (Campbell) Blackman,
and was born in Maury County, Tenn., December 28th, 1831, and came with
his parents to Greene County, Mo., in 1835.  His parents were natives 
of Tennessee, and his grandfather, upon his mother's side was a soldier
in the War of 1812, and died in the army at New Orleans.  His father 
entered the land now used as a race track near Springfield.  He died
March 18th, 1870 and his wife died December 18th, 1870.  William grew
to manhood in this county, and in 1852 he went to California with a 
drove of cattle.  He remained there two years, working and trading.  He
returned home in 1854, via Lake Nicaragus, landing at New Orleans, hav-
ing saved twenty-five hundred dollars.  In 1857 he took a drove of 
cattle across to California upon his own account, and returned the same
year, coming via Isthmus of Panama and landing at New York with seven
thousand dollars.  He then began farming and stock dealing in this
county, and at the beginning of the civil war was worth twenty-five
thousand dollars.  June 17th, 1861 he enlisted in Captain Campbell's
Company of cavalry, Confederate service, and served until the war clos-
ed.  At Wilson's Creek he was a guide for General Rains on that memor-
able battlefield.  After the battle at Pea Ridge he was transferred 
east to the Mississippi to Corinth, and in 1862 Major Campbell was sent
with seventy-five men into this section to recruit a regiment.  They
succeeded and Mr. Blackman was with that regiment at the battles of
Little Rock, Pine Bluff, Poison Spring, Jenkin's Ferry and Pilot Knob.
He was desperately wounded in September, 1864, being shot in the head
at the ear, and the bullet is still in his head in the back part near
the base of the brain.  He also carries a ball in his leg which broke
the bone, and has never been extracted.  It was eleven days before he 
could get his wounds dressed, as the surgeons thought it would hasten
his death.  But they finally dressed them and he began to mend at once.
When the Confederates left, he was taken prisoner by the Federals and 
sent to Alton penitentiary, and afterward was exchanged at Richmond,
Virginia, and sent to Mobile, and then to Jackson, Mississippi.  When 
the war closed he went to Texas, where he remained until 1869 and then
returned to Greene County.  He found his affairs in a bad plight and
himself about twenty-five hundred dollars in debt.  He set about to re-
trieve his fallen fortunes in which he has succeeded well.  He has a
large farm well stocked and an elegant residence.  He was married on
October 29th, 1866, to Miss Julia, daughter of Madison and Margaret S.
(Davidson) Fanning of Titus County, Texas.  They are blest with three
children.  Mr. Blackman is a member of the Christian Church.



Peter Blackwell
Mr. Blackwell is the son of Sylvester and Martha (Gregg) Blackwell, and
was born in Polk County, Tennessee, January 20th, 1839.  In 1846 his 
parents moved to McMinn County.  His father was a justice of the peace
and colonel of the militia.  Peter came to Greene County, Missouri, in 
1855, and in 1857 he went to Kansas where he lived until 1865.  He ser-
ved during a portion of the war with the Kansas State troops, and since
1865 he resided in this county engaged in farming. He has been a member
of the A. F. & A. M. since 1865, and for twelve years has been a member
of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.  Mr. Blackwell owns a good
farm of one hundred and forty-two acres.  He was married in 1860 to 
Miss Frances J., daughter of Edmund and Mary (Frazier) Hart, of Allen
County, Kansas, formerly of Illinois.  By this union there are four
children living, viz.: Julia A., Laura E., Edmund S. and Mary L.  Mrs.
Blackwell died November 27, 1879.  Mr. Blackwell was married the second
time, October 28th, 1880, to Mrs. Mary Grubbs, daughter of Galon and
Rebecca (Tatum) Johnson, of Greene County, Missouri.  Their union has 
been blest with one son, Walter M.  Mrs. Blackwell had two children by
her former husband, Lewis A. and Annie May.  Mr. Grubbs died in 1877.



Sylvester Blackwell
This gentleman is the son of Peter and Lydia (Padget) Blackwell, and 
was born in Rutherford County, North Carolina, November 14, 1810.  Both
his grandfathers were Revolutionary soldiers.  One of them, Blackwell,
was at the battle of Cowpens.  Sylvester Blackwell was born within four
miles of the battle ground. In 1823 his parents moved to McMinn County,
Tenn., where he grew to manhood.  He was a farmer and blacksmith, and
was quite a prominent citizen there, having held the office of justice
of the peace four years, and being colonel of a regiment of State mil-
itia.  In 1855 he moved to Greene County, Missouri, and in 1863 moved
to the farm where he now resides.  He has been twice married, the first
time to Miss Martha, daughter of Joel and Eunice Grigg, of McMinn Cou-
nty, Tennessee.  They had by this union fourteen children.  Mrs. Black-
well died August 27, 1876, and he was married the second time to Mrs.
Boyd, widow of the late Col. Marcus Boyd.  She was a Miss Price, daugh-
ter of Crabtree and L. Price, natives of Virginia, who came to Greene
County in 1836.  Mr. Blackwell had one son in the Federal and one in 
the Confederate army.  He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church South since he was nineteen years of age, and is regarded as one
of the most upright citizens of the county.




Ransom D. Blades, Sr.
This old settler and prominent citizen is the son of Edward and Ellen
(Maynar) Blades, and was born in McMinn County, Tennessee, January 29,
1821.  He was the second child and oldest son.  His parents were nat-
ives of North Carolina, but moved to Tennessee shortly after their
marriage.  In 1836, when Ransom was fifteen years of age, they came to
Greene County, Missouri, and settled on section 10, township 28, range
24.  Then that part of the county was settled by only two or three 
families, and to the southwest of them there were no neighbors nearer
than forty miles.  They went through all the hardships incidental to
early pioneer life, and the wild, open country that they found upon
arriving they redeemed from the wolves and foxes, and the glad earth
yeilded bountiful crops to bless the hardihood and pluck of these pio-
neers.  The schools, both in the eastern part of Tennessee and here at
that early day were poor and scarce, and Mr. Blades received but six 
weeks' schooling.  But in the great school of experience he learned 
hid lessons well, and in due time arose to be one of Greene's foremost
citizens.  In April, 1841 Mr. Blades was married to Frances, daughter
of Samuel Garoutte, Esq.  She belonged to that noted family of that 
name which appears frequently in these pages, and whose family history
appears fully in other chapters.  Their marriage was blest with eleven
children.  Mrs. Blades died March 17, 1863 and on June 14, 1863, Mr.
Blades was married the second time to Mrs. Gillie S. Davis, nee Will-
iamson.  Before the war Mr. Blades had been a Democrat, but favored
the Union and the winter of 1861-62 he spent in Kansas, because he was
outspoken in his devotion to the Union cause, and the Confederates then
had possession of the country.  He has been a member of the Methodist
Church for twenty-seven years, and now in an old age full of honor, he
enjoys the respect and confidence of all good men.  He owns a magnifi-
cent farm, well stocked and equipped in all the modern improvements.



John A. Blanchard
This gentleman is the son of Henry H. and Mary W. (Patton) Blanchard,
and was born in Logan County, Kentucky, December 7, 1836.  In 1839 his
parents moved to Greene County, Missouri and settled upon Leeper Pra-
irie, where John grew to manhood.  When he was twenty years of age he
began teaching school and followed that in connection with farming un-
til 1874.  In 1861 he enlisted in Capt. Campbell's company of Missouri
State Guards as orderly sergeant, and was at the battles of Dug Spring
and Wilson's Creek.  At the expiration of his term of enlistment he was
taken with typhoid fever, which disabled him for further service at the
time.  In February, 1862, he and his father started South in the rear
of Price's army.  They were overtaken upon the 12th of the month by 
Federal troops, who took his father out of the wagon and killed him.
He was sick in the wagon at the time.  He returned home with his fath-
ers body, and in 1863 moved to Boone County, Missouri, where he remain-
ed until 1865.  He then returned to this county, where he has remained
ever since.  He has been justice of the peace, and was county recorder
from 1874 to 1878.  Mr. Blanchard is a Mason, and a deacon and clerk of
the Baptist Church, of which he has been a member for twenty-seven 
years.  In 1865 he only had a wagon and team, and he now owns a finely
improved farm of one hundred and eighty acres.  He was married Septem-
ber 17, 1863, to Miss Cordelia D., daughter of Lewis F. and Sarah 
(Robinson) Tatum, of this county.



Frank C. Bobbitt
Frank C. Bobbitt is a son of John and Amanda Bobbitt, and was born in
Grayson County, Virginia, August 25, 1856.  His father was a blacksmith
by trade, and Frank worked with him, learning that trade in his fathers
shop, and has followed that vocation all his life.  From 1875 to 1879,
he worked at his calling in Ohio and Kentucky, and in the latter year
came to Greene County, Missouri, working at his trade in Ash Grove and
for the railroad company.  He located in Bois D'Arc in 1882, where he
does a flourishing business in his line.  Mr. Bobbitt was married in
1879 (March 2nd) to Miss Lizzie Alexandre, of Lincoln County, Kentucky.
They have two children, one boy and one girl, named Rosa B. and John.
Mr. Bobbitt is a man well thought of by the people of the community,
and is a reliable and trustworthy citizen.



Andrew J. Bodenhamer
This gentleman is the son of Jacob and Nettie (Goss) Bodenhamer, and 
was born in that part of Greene county that is now Webster county,
Missouri, September 13th, 1839.  His parents were from Tennessee, and
came to Missouri about the year 1833.  Andrew came with his parents to 
Campbell township, this county, when he was about three years of age,
and was educated in the common schools.  When quite young he began
farming, which occupation he has always followed.  In 1862 he enlisted
in Company A, 8th Missouri cavalry, U.S.A., under Col. Geiger.  He was
at the battles of Chalk Bluff, Prairie Grove, Little Rock, Brownsville
and many minor engagements.  He was taken prisoner at Prairie Grove,
but paroled in a few days.  He was mustered out in July, 1865, and re-
turned to his farm, where he has one hundred and sixty acres of land.
He was married September 6th, 1860, to Elizabeth Wharton, who was born
in Dallas county, Missouri, February 1st, 1843.  Their union was blest
with six children.  Mr. and Mrs. Bodenhamer are members of the Metho-
dist Episcopal Church South, and in politics Mr. Bodenhamer is a 
Greenbacker.  He is one of Greene's substantial farmers, and a gentle-
man in whom all have confidence.



Jacob E. Bodenhamer
This gentleman is the son of Jacob and Nettie Bodenhamer, and was born
in Giles county, Tennessee, November 20th, 1834.  His father came to
Greene county, Missouri, when Jacob was six months old.  He grew to 
manhood and received his education in this county.  He began teaching 
at the age of seventeen, and has taught nearly ever since, farming part
of the time.  During the war he was in the Home Guards for three weeks,
but was always called a "rebel."  He was married September 3rd, 1867,
to Mrs. Sarah A. Neaves, widow of Abel J. Neaves, whose sketch also
appears in this work.  Since his marriage, Mr. Bodenhamer has been en-
gaged in farming and teaching.  He is a member of the Cumberland Pres-
byterian church, Patrons of Husbandry, Brothers of Freedom, and Good
Templars.  Politically he is a Democrat.



B. Howard Boone
B. H. Boone (deceased) was the grandson of the famous pioneer, Daniel
Boone.  His father, Col. Nathan Boone, was Daniel's youngest son, and
an officer in the regular U. S. army from 1812 until the time of his 
death, in 1855.  His son, B. Howard Boone, was born in St. Charles
County, Missouri, March 15, 1814, and was educated in the common sch-
ools of that county.  He came to Greene County in 1835, and lived here
until 1863.  He was married in 1840 to Miss Mary E. Stallard, of St.
Charles County.  Their union was blest with five children, three of
whom are still living, viz.: Joseph, Charles and James.  Mr. Boone, 
after leaving Greene County in 1863, was engaged in the hotel business
in St. Louis, but shorly after he moved over to Illinois, remaining 
but a few months, and then returned to St. Charles County, Missouri.
He was a Mason in good standing, and helped organize the lodge at
Greenfield, Missouri.  He died February 7, 1866.  His estimable wife
survives him, and is now living at Ash Grove with her son, J. D. Boone.
J. D. Boone was married in 1867 to Miss A. E. McClure, of St. Charles
County.  Their marriage has been blest with six children, four of whom
are living, viz.: Edna G., Laura E., Mary E., and Joseph D.  Mr. Joseph
Boone remained in St. Charles County two years and returned to Greene
County in 1869.  He moved to Montgomery County in 1874, where he lived
five years, returning to this county in 1879.  He and his wife are, at
this writing, keeping the popular Grove House at Ash Grove.



John D. Bossert
John D. Bossert is a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  He was born
January 23rd, 1839.  When eleven years old he enlisted in the U.S. Navy
and served thirteen years.  During that time he visited South America,
England, France, Spain, Africa and China.  After leaving the navy he 
returned to Pennsylvania, locating at Oil City, and there worked at the
blacksmith trade.  In 1874 he emigrated to Franklin, Missouri and work-
ed at his trade in the railroad machine shops eighteen months, then re-
moved to North Springfield, and went to work in the machine shops of
the St. Louis and San Francisco railway, where he is at present working
at his trade.  Mr. Bossert has been twice married.  His first wife was
Miss Lydia A. Dilks, whom he married in 1859.  she died in 1874.  On
August 2nd, 1875, he married Miss Martha L. Foley, of St. James, Miss-
ouri, by whom he has one child, William James Bossert, born July 26th,
1876.  The subject of our sketch is a member of Springfield Lodge, No.
218, I. O. O. F., of which he is N. G.  He also belongs to Wentworth
Lodge, No. 113, A. O. U. W., of which he is M. W.



Milton Bowerman
Milton Bowerman is a son of Stephen and Phoebe (Garrett) Bowerman, and
was born April 14th, 1837, in Sombra, Canada.  He was educated at Det-
roit, Michigan, and there learned the carriage and sign painting trade.
At the age of twenty-one he went to Janesville, Wisconsin and in Sept-
ember, 1861, enlisted in Company A, 13th Wisconsin infantry as private,
but was afterward promoted to the first lieutenancy.  He served upon 
the staff of Gen. Rosseau in the topographical department for eleven
months, with headquarters at Nashville, Tennessee.  At the close of the
war he was mustered out there, and went back to Wisconsin.  He came to
Springfield in February, 1868, and followed his trade until 1878, when
he sold out, and in partnership with his father-in-law, Asa Root, open-
ed a grocery store at 712 Boonville Street.  He married Miss Sarah E.
Root, of Janesville, Wisconsin.  He and his wife are members of the
Baptist church, of which he is clerk, deacon, and superintendent of the
Sunday school.  Mr. Bowerman has been secretary of the public school
board for seven years.  His father died in 1864, at Battle Creek, Mich-
igan, and his mother is still living at that place.  They had a family
of eight children, two girls and six boys, and our subject Milton, one
of the six boys, is one of Greene's best citizens.



Hon. Sempronius H. Boyd
This gentleman, one of the beset known and most talented men of South-
west Missouri, is the son of Marcus and Eliza (Hamilton) Boyd, and was
born in Williamson county, Tenn., May 28th, 1828.  His parents came to
Missouri in 1840, and his father shortly after took high political rank
representing Greene county several times in the Legislature, being app-
ointed receiver of the land office, at Springfield, and a colonel in 
the militia during the civil war. He died in 1866. His son, S. H. Boyd,
was educated at Springfield, in English and the classics.  After comp-
leting his education he made a trip to Texas with a train loaded with
bacon; sold out the entire outfit, save the negroes whom he refused to
sell, and returned with them and the proceeds safely to Springfield. He
then took a position as clerk in the store of D. Johnson & Co.  In 1847
the firm established a branch store at Forsyth, Missouri and Mr. Boyd
placed in cahrge, though but nineteen years of age.  In 1849 he crossed
the great plains, arriving in California in August of that year.  He
mined in the placers of the Yuba, Feather and Moquelnes rivers, taught
school at volcano, Amador county, returning to Springfield in 1855, via
Nicaragua and New Orleans.  He then studied law under Judge Price; was
mayor of Springfield in 1856-7; was the first clerk of the probate and
common pleas court of Greene county, and was twice city attorney.  In
1861 he was major of Gen. Phelps' Home Guards; then colonel of a regi-
ment of United States volunteers, and was in several engagements.  He 
was elected to Congress over Gen. Phelps, the opposition candidate, and
took his seat in December, 1863, was active in re-organizing the postal
service in Southwest Missouri, member of the committee of post-offices
and post roads, chairman of the committee of revolutionary claims and
pensions.  He was circuit judge of the 14th judicial district in 1865-6
which office he resigned to interest himself in the completion of the 
Southwestern Pacific railroad.  He was again elected to Congress in
1868, as the regular Republican nominee, running largely ahead of his
ticket.  He took an independent stand in Congress; and for favoring 
rebel enfranchisement and supporting B. Gratz Brown, he was ostracised
by his party.  He was not a mere partisan, and, with him, principles
were never prostituted to position.  He was the Missouri member of the
Republican national executive committee from 1864 to 1868.  In 1872 he
founded the Springfield wagon factory, and resumed the practice of law
in 1874.  Though born in Tennessee, Col. Boyd had never been back there
until 1883, and being greatly pleased with Memphis, will make that city
his home.



Benjamin R. Brewer
This gentleman is the son of Fredrick and Sarah (Wright) Brewer, and
was born in Polk county, Tenn., April 2nd, 1852.  His parents moved to
Arkansas in 1859. When the war began his father enlisted as a volunteer
in the Confederate service, and died in 1863.  In 1866 his mother moved
to Greene county, Missouri.  He was educated in the public schools aid-
ed by his own industry at home.  In 1873 and 1874 he taught school in
this county.  In 1874 he read law and upon the 25th of March, 1875, was
admitted to the bar at Marshfield, before R. W. Fyan, judge.  In 1877
was admitted at Mt. Home, Arkansas, and also at Little Rock in U. S.
Court, upon the 3rd of June, 1879, by Judge Caldwell.  He took charge
of the "Webster County News" November 14th, 1881, as editor, and pub-
lished a vigorous paper for fourteen months, chiefly directed against
the then dominant political party of that county.  He came to Spring-
field February 15th, 1883, and is now one of the most promising young
attorneys of the city.  Mr. Brewer was married March 10th, 1875, to 
Miss Addie Wisby, at Marshfield.  Their union has been blest with two 
daughters and one son, Gertrude, Clara and Harold.  Mr. Brewer is a
Mason and I. O. O. F. and a member of the Christian church, and his
wife of the Congregationalist.  His parents had four sons, Benjamin be-
ing the second.  His mother died in Webster county in the fall of 1880.



George W. Britain
This gentleman is the son of John and Catherine (Hensley) Britain, and
was born in McMinn County, Tenn., June 20, 1827.  His parents were nat-
ives of that State.  His father was a soldier of the War of 1812, and
his grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary War.  In 1836 his
parents moved to Greene County, Mo., where his mother died in 1837, and
in 1838 his father moved to Bates County, Mo.  In 1840 his father died,
while on a trip back to this county, so George was left an orphan at 
the age of thirteen years.  The children were brought back to this
county, and George was bound out to Royal Hazelton, then of Brookline
township.  When twenty-one years of age he was offered eighty acres of
land for one hundred dollars, which he took, and upon which he has 
since resided.  He now owns over fourteen hundred acres of land, besid-
es giving a thousand acres to his children.  He is next to the largest
farmer in the county, and the largest tax payer in Pond Creek township.
He is a liberal, enterprising citizen, and his hand is ever ready to
help the deserving.  Starting in life as a "bound boy" his rise to
wealth, position, and honorable and useful citizenship is almost with-
out a parallel, and is a fine example to those who have energy and 
determination.  During the war he served for a year in Capt. Redfearn's
company of militia.  He has been a member of the Methodist church for 
over thirty years.  Mr. Britain was married in 1849 to Miss Betsy Ann,
daughter of Alexander and Margaret Bailey, of this county, formerly of
Tennessee.  Their union has been blest with nine children, eight of 
whom are living, viz.: Marcus F., John W., Eli H., Melissa A., James A.,
Sarah E., Albert A., and Amanda B.



M. F. Britain
Mr. Britain is the son of George W. and Betsy A. (Bailey) Britain, and
was born in Greene County, Mo., July 19, 1849.  His father is one of 
the leading farmers of the county, and the largest tax payer in Pond
Creek township.  Mark, as he is familiarly called by his friends, is an
energetic, active business man and prosperous farmer. He owns 240 acres
of good land, which he keeps in a high state of cultivation.  Mr. Bri-
tain was appointed deputy sheriff in 1880, and reappointed in 1883, 
discharging the duties of his office satisfactorily.  He was married
March 5, 1872, to Miss Mary J., daughter of John and Christiana Jackson
of this county, formerly of Tennessee.  Their union has been blest with
four children, Hubbard M., Pearle M., Zillah R. and Mary C.



Isaac N. Brockman
This gentleman is the son of William and Harriet Brockman, and was born
at Greensburg, Indiana, May 8th, 1833. His parents took him to Kentucky
when he was but a year old, and located in Lafayette County, where 
Isaac grew to manhood.  He came to Missouri in 1854, and stopped at
Weston, in Platte county, where he lived thirteen years.  He was marr-
ied April 5, 1855, to Miss Rachel K. Fry, of Platte county, a native of
Kentucky.  This union was blessed with seven children, one of whom is
dead. His oldest daughter, Eliza A., married A. E. Mack, of this county
but died December 12, 1882.  Before the war Mr. Brockman was a slave 
owner, and carried on extensive farming operations in Platte county.
When the war came on, he entered the Enrolled Missouri Militia in 1862,
and served four years.  In 1867, he sold out in Platte and came to 
Greene county, purchsing the old Dick Steele place southwest of Spring-
field, and again engaged in farming and stock raising.  He was elected
justice of the peace for this county in 1870, on the Democratic ticket,
serving eight years.  In 1882 he was again elected to the same office.
Mr. Brockman owns 280 acres of land in Greene and Christian counties.



J. H. Brown
J. H. Brown is the son of Josiah and Annie (Wright) Brown, both natives
of Tennessee, and the father among the early settlers of Polk county,
Missouri, to which he emigrated in an early day, and where J. H. Brown
was born in 1842.  He was educated in the schools of Polk county, and 
early in life began farming there, continuing till 1882, when he began 
business with Mr. F. A. Barclay in the drug line at Walnut Grove.  They
also carry a full line of staple and fancy groceries, and take a lead-
ing rank among the business men of that place.  In July, 1861, Mr. 
Brown enlisted in the U. S. service, 6th Mo. Cavalry, and served till
July, 1864, participating in a number of hard fought battles of the
Civil War, including Pea Ridge and Sugar Creek.  He was married October
20, 1864 to Miss Wood, daughter of Isaac Wood, of Polk county.  Her
mother was Susan Boatwright, and both her parents are dead.  Mr. Brown
has had a family of seven children, four of whom, three sons and a 
daughter, still survive.  Both Mr. Brown and his wife are members of
the Baptist Church, and rank high as citizens and church members.



John J. Brown, M.D.
Dr. Brown is a son of John and Ellen (nee Henderson) Brown, both of his
parents being natives of Virginia.  He was born in Rockcastle County,
Kentucky, February 5, 1847 and grew up in his native county, receiving
his education in St. Mary's College and the University of Kentucky. 
Early in life he began the study of medicine.  In 1866 and 1867 he 
attended the medical college at Cincinnati, Ohio and on leaving there
began the practice at Mt. Vernon, near where he was born.  In 1875, he
entered the medical department of the State University, returning to
Mt. Vernon and resuming his old practice after he took his degree of
M. D., in 1876.  He was appointed the same year by Gov. McCrary to 
serve as official examiner for the fifteenth district, to pass upon
applicants who desired to practice medicine before graduating from a
chartered college of medicine.  For eight years Dr. Brown filled the
office of county school commissioner in his native county.  He was 
married December 15, 1867, to Miss Mollie E. Snodgrass, a native of the
same county as himself.  They have seven children, all living at this
writing.  In the fall of 1882, Dr. Brown came to Greene County, locat-
ing at Bois D'Arc.  So well informed and experienced a physician will,
doubtless, win for himself the full share of the professional practice
which his ability and general fitness so fully merit.



Dr. Joseph Brown
This gentleman is the son of John D. and Jane (Bray) Brown, and was 
born in Randolph county, North Carolina, December 8th, 1828.  His
father was a native of North Carolina, born October 4th, 1804 and died
in December, 1864.  His mother was also a native of North Carolina, 
born February 29th, 1808, and is still living in Christian county,
Missouri.  Joseph came to Greene county, Missouri, with his parents in
1845, and was educated in the common schools of the county, and at 
Ebenezer.  In the winter of 1858-9 he attended the McDowell Medical
College at St. Louis.  He then returned to this county, and began the
practice in Taylor township, where he lived four years, and at Spring-
field the same length of time.  In 1867 he located where he now lives,
four miles east of Springfield, and enjoys a large and lucrative prac-
tice, besides, having a farm of two hundred and seventy-five acres. 
Dr. Brown was married July 7th, 1857, to Martha A. McFarland, of this
county, born January 30th, 1838.  She was the daughter of William and
Martha A. (Roberts) McFarland.  Dr. Brown and wife have been blest 
with a family of six children, three boys and three girls.  They have 
lost two children.  The doctor is a member of the A. F. and A. M., and
is a Democrat in politics.



Joseph Buck
This gentleman is the son of Joseph and Sarah (Medley) Buck, and was 
born at Hull, Yorkshire, England, October 25th, 1844.  In 1850, his
parents came to the United States, landing at New York.  They soon 
after came West with an English colony, and settled in Clinton county,
Iowa.  He came to Springfield, Missouri in May, 1870, and, in the 
following December, went into the grocery business.  The store was
burned in 1875, but they soon resumed business.  The firm at that time
was Morhiser & Co., but in November, 1880, it became Joseph Buck & Co.
Mr. Buck was married at Dubuque, Iowa, July 9th, 1868, to Miss Mary L.
Morhiser.  They have two children, George M. and Mary A.  Mr. Buck is
a member of the K. of H. and the I. O. O. F.  His wife is a member of
the Episcopal church.  His father was also a native of Hull, England,
and died in that country in 1869, while on a visit.  His mother died
in Iowa.  They had five sons and three daughters, Joseph being the six-
th child.



Abram Buttram
This gentleman was born in Cass County, Missouri, October 12, 1843. His
father, Jacob Buttram, was a Kentuckian, and came to Cass County, this
state in 1847.  His mother, Elizabeth (nee Burnett) Buttram, was born
in Virginia, and is still living at this writing.  Abram Buttram was
educated in Barry County, and followed farming after leaving school 
till he took the mail contract between Walnut Grove and Springfield in
1880, which he filled up to December, 1882.  In October, 1882 he went 
into the livery business at Ash Grove with Mr. I. J. Kelly, and they 
are doing a good business.  January 29, 1865, Mr. Buttram was married
to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Joshua and Rhoda Owen.  They have had
five children, of whom only two are living at this writing.  Mr. Butt-
ram is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and his wife
belongs to the Methodists.  During the civil war Mr. Buttram was in
government employ at Springfield, driving post teams.



William Parish Camp
William Parish Camp, M. D., is the son of William G. and Lucy C. 
(Foster) Camp, and was born in Hawkins County, Tennessee, March 22nd,
1841.  His parents emigrated to Greene County, Missouri, when he was
quite young.  At the death of his father, the family being poor upon
account of unfortunate ventures, he was thrown upon his own resources,
and set about fitting himself for the profession of medicine.  He 
worked upon the farm in the summer, went to school in the winter, and
soon began teaching, which he successfully carried on until the break-
ing out of the war.  He enlisted at the first call for troops in 
Phelps' regiment, and served until Phelps' term expired and then re-
enlisted under Colonel Geiger, 8th Missouri Cavalry, and served until
the end of the war.  At the battle of Prairie de Han the doctor was
put in command of his company, and received a dangerous wound in the
right side.  He was transferred to an ambulance corps, where he had
fine opportunity to study medicine and surgery.  At the end of the war
he came home and resumed teaching, and attended college as his means
would allow.  He practiced for some time in Arkansas, and as soon as
he had acquired money sufficient he took a regular course of medicine,
graduating from the Missouri medical college in 1875.  He then located
at Ozark, Christian County, where he practiced three years.  He then
settled permanently in Brookline where he has built up a large and
lucrative practice, and where he enjoys the confidence of all.  He was
married August 15th, 1880, to Miss Alice O'Bryant.  Their union has
been blest with one child, Fred O.  He and his wife are members of the
Cumberland Presbyterian Church.  He is a member of Relief Lodge, No.
341, A. F. & A. M.  The doctor is a Republican in politics and general-
ly liberal in all questions.



E. M. Campbell
Mr. Campbell is the son of J. T. and Mary A. Campbell, and was born in
Greene county, Missouri, May 29, 1853.  His parents came to this coun-
try in 1831, and he was educated in the High School of Springfield, at
the Washington University, St. Louis, in 1862-3; at the College of the
Christian Brothers in 1863-4; and in 1873-4 attended the Christian
University at Canton, Missouri.  Mr. Campbell was married June 24, 1879
to Miss Sallie M., daughter of William and Margaret White.  They have 
one son, Albert J.  Mr. and Mrs. Campbell are members of the Christian
Church.  Mr. Campbell is a farmer and stock raiser, and owns two hund-
red and fifteen acres of Greene's best lands.



John E. Campbell
Mr. Campbell is the son of William H. and L. J. Campbell, and was born
in Lawrence County, Arkansas, September 21st, 1852.  His parents moved
to Newton County, Missouri, in 1871, where they are yet living.  At the
age of twenty-one John commenced driving the stage between Neosho and
Joplin, which he followed about a year and then worked in the commision
house of Craudus, Winn & Co., of Neosho, for about eight months.  He 
then began working on the Neosho section of the railroad, where he
worked until 1876, and then commenced braking upon the St. Louis and
San Francisco railroad.  In 1882 he was promoted to conductor, and now
runs a train upon the Arkansas branch, between Winslow and Porter.  Mr.
Campbell was married January 9th, 1879, to Miss L. Robertson, of Ash-
land, Oregon.  Their union is blest with two sons, Fay and Gay.



John J. Campbell
'Squire Campbell is the son of Robert and Sarah (Mills) Campbell, and
was born in Maury County, Tennessee, May, 1818.  His parents were nat-
ives of South Carolina, and his grandfather was a soldier in the Rev-
olutionary War.  He lived in his native county, engaged in farming 
until 1850, when he moved to Texas, and in 1853 he moved to Greene
County, Missouri, where he has since resided and followed farming.
During the war he served in the Home Guards.  His oldest son, William,
was killed at the battle of Springfield, January 8, 1863, when it was
attacked by Gen. Marmaduke.  His son John R. served through the war.
Mr. Campbell has been a justice of the peace for seventeen years, and
has never had a decision reversed by a higher court.  He was married in
1839 to Miss Julia J., daughter of William and Mary (Blair) Mack, of
Maury County, Tennessee.  Her parents were from Virginia, and her 
grandfather was also a soldier in the Revolutionary War.  Squire and
Mrs. Campbell were blest with nine children, six of whom are living,
John R. M., Mary R., Margaret E., Iantha A., George W. and Ida, all of
whom are married.  No man in the county is more highly regarded than
'Squire Campbell.



John L. Carson
Mr. Carson is the son of Jesse H. and Nancy Carson, and was born in
Williamson county, Tenn., November 4th, 1833.  He came to Springfield,
Missouri, July 29th, 1855 and began work for William McAdams in the
saddlery and harness business.  He worked at his trade some fifteen
months, and then accepted a clerkship in the drug goods store of Shep-
ard & Kimbrough.  After staying with them six months, he worked again
at his trade a short time, and then sold goods for Vinton & Hornbeak
two years.  After the battle of Wilson's Creek, he left Springfield,
but returned and clerked for L. A. D. Crenshaw for a year, and then 
for two years the firm was Crenshaw & Carson.  He then went into the
drug business with Oliver Smith.  In 1865 Smith sold out, and the
style of the firm was J. L. Carson & Co.  Mr. Carson then bought out
the concern and changed the business back to dry goods.  In 1870 he
went to St. Louis, and was a traveling salesman for a year.  He re-
turned to Springfield, and was of the firm of Hornbeak, Carson & Oliver
eight months, and from September, 1871 to February, 1873 was of the 
firm of Doling, Carson & Robberson, of North Springfield.  In February,
1874, he bought out Massey & Onstott, and has continued the dry goods
business ever since.  He also owns the grain elevator on Jefferson and
St. Louis streets, and has been dealing in grain, more or less since
1874.  He was married December 12th, 1864, to Miss Annie E., daughter
of Maj. Joseph Weaver, Sr.  They have three sons and one daughter.  His
father was born in Virginia, and died in Tennessee in 1874.  His mother
was born in North Carolina and died in Tennessee in 1858.  They had a
family of five sons and three daughters, John L. being the third child.



Rolla Carter
Mr. Carter is the son of Caleb and Nancy (Ferguson) Carter, and was 
born in Monroe County, Tennessee, in 1830.  His father was a native of
Virginia, and his mother of Tennessee.  His grandfather was a soldier
in the War of 1812.  In 1833 his parents moved to Greene County, Miss-
ouri, and were among the early pioneers of this country.  His father 
was a blacksmith by trade and had his shop where Rolla now lives. 
There being no shop near him, he did the work for a space of country
extending twenty-five or thirty miles from home.  During the war Rolla
served in Captain Redferan's company of militia about a year.  Mr.
Carter was married in 1850 to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Stephen and
Sarah Darrell, of this county.  Mr. and Mrs. Carter were blessed with
thirteen children, nine of whom are still living.  Mr. Carter is one
of the most substantial citizens of Center Township, owning over five
hundred acres of land.



Lewis S. Cass
Mr. Cass is the son of Dudley and Martha (Robbins) Cass, and was born
in Madison county, New York, November 3, 1838.  When he was about six
years of age his parents moved to Wisconsin.  When Lewis was about 
twenty-three years of age he went to Lake county, Illinois, where he
lived two years.  He then went to Benton county, Iowa where he also
lived two years, and then, in 1867, came to Springfield.  In July of
that year he taught a select school for a few weeks upon Boonville
street.  In September of that yer he took a position in the public
school where he taught three years.  In August he commenced selling
groceries and continued the business while he was engaged in teaching.
In 1875 they built the store house they now occupy upon College street.
It is a two-story brick, 20 x 80 feet.  The grocery firm of L. S. Cass
& Co. is one of the oldest and best in the city.  They own besides 
their business house, the house occupied by Parce & Gray.  Mr. Cass
married Charlotte Collier, of Lake county, Illinois.  They have six
children, one boy and five girls.  He is a member of the I. O. O. F.,
K of H., and A. O. U. W.  He was elected upon the Democratic ticket to
the city council from the fourth ward in 1878 and 1879.  He and his 
wife are members of the Baptist church.



Frank Clark
This gentleman is the son of Thomas and Mary Clark, and was born in
Nottinghamshire, England, March 3, 1836.  At the age of seventeen he
learned the jeweler's trade, and carried on the business at Mislerton,
England, until 1873.  He then came to the United States, landing at 
Galveston, Texas.  He spent four years in Texas, working at his trade
and traveling in different parts of the State.  In 1877 he located at
North Springfield, Missouri, where he has since carried on the jewel-
ry business.  He has a nice stock of goods and is one of the best 
practical jewelers in the Southwest.  Mr. Clark was married in 1855 
to Miss Mary Gunthrop, of Nottinghamshire, England.  Their union has
been blest with three sons and four daughters.



Jasper N. Clark
Mr. Clark is the son of Dr. John M. and Parmelia S. (Nelson) Clark, and
was born in Polk county, Missouri, March 2, 1842.  His father was a 
native of Tennessee, and came to Polk county, in 1840, and practiced 
his profession until his death in 1847.  His mother was also a Tenn-
esseean, and is now living in Springfield. Jasper went with his parents
to Taney county, Missouri, when he was very small, where they lived 
about two years, and then moved to Christian county and remained there 
five years.  They next located in Greene county, and this has been his
home ever since.  He was educated in Christian and Greene counties, and
finished at Carton's College.  In August, 1862, he was mustered into
company E, 8th Missouri volunteers, under Capt. Bodenhamer.  He was at
the battles of Prairie Grove and Little Rock, besides minor engagements.
He was mustered out in May, 1865, as Sergeant Clark.  At the close of 
the war he went to farming, and in March, 1870, he purchased the place
where he now resides.  He owns one hundred and eighty acres of land,
mostly in cultivation.  He raises fruit, stock, etc., and is a very
successful farmer.  Mr. Clark was married September 11, 1866, to Miss
Francis E. Snyder, who was born in Westmorland county, Pennsylvania,
July 6th, 1846.  Her parents were John and Hannah Snyder, who came to
Clark county, Missouri, in 1845.  Mr. and Mrs. Clark have six children,
Lula M., Charles C., Mollie H. P., Myrtle G., Bertha P., and Laura E.
Mr. Clark and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.
He received the Greenback nomination for sheriff in 1882, but was beat-
en by the Republican candidate.



Robert A. Clark
Robert A. Clark is the son of John B. and Margaret (Horner) Clark, and
was born at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, June 19, 1824.  His parents emi-
grated to Missouri, 1837, and settled at Warsaw, Benton county. Robert
went to California in 1849 and returned to Melville, Dade county, Mo.,
in 1851, where he in partnership with T. A. Switzler sold goods.  In 
1871 he represented Dade county in the Legislature, being elected upon
the Republican ticket.  In 1874 was elected presiding justice of the 
Dade county court.  In 1876 he came to Springfield and was of the firm
of Peck & Clark in the wholesale and retail notion business until 1879.
When the Queen City Milling Company was organized, he took stock and
was chosen manager, which position he now holds.  He was married at 
Warsaw, Missouri in September, 1862, to Miss Julia A. Withrow, of Vir-
ginia.  They have four children, two boys and two girls.  Judge Clark
is a strong advocate of the temperance cause, and Mrs. Clark is a mem-
ber of the Calvary Presbyterian church.  Judge Clark has in his poss-
ession an old musket, that was carried by his grandfather in the
Revolutionary War.



John Claypool
John Claypool is a son of Jeremiah and Rebecca Claypool, and was born
in Warren County, Kentucky, October 18, 1822.  His father was a native
of Kentucky, and emigrated to Polk County, Missouri in 1839, where he
still resides.  John's mother was from Ireland, and died when he was
but a boy.  He received his education in the common schools of Polk
County, and after his school days were over he began farming as the
business of life.  He had moved with his parents to Polk County in 
1839, and continued there till he came to Greene, and located where he
now resides in 1851.  He owns a fine farm of 160 acres two and a half
miles northwest of Walnut Grove.  When the war came on in 1861, Mr.
Claypool enlisted for Union defense, under Col. Phelps at Rolla, and
served till mustered out in 1862.  During his term, he participated in
the battle of Pea Ridge and other fights and skirmishes.  Mr. Claypool
was married in May, 1851, to Miss Rebecca M., daughter of James Chris-
tian, a prominent farmer of Polk County.  Mrs. Claypool's mother was a
Ross, and she died in Tennessee.  Mr. Claypool and wife have had a 
family of ten children, five sons and four daughters of whom are living
at this writing, named as follows: Robert B., Elmira J., Susan A., 
Esther M., James E., Jeremiah M., Harriet Geneva, John P., and David E.
Anna E., born April 21, 1856 died when but three months old.  Mr. Clay-
pool belongs to the Baptist Church, and his wife to the Cumberland 
Presbyterians, and no family ranks higher with their neighbors than 
does that of John Claypool.



Dr. John F. Clayton
Dr. Clayton was born in Washington County, Maryland, February 5, 1832.
His father, Joseph Clayton, was born in Frederick County, Virginia, in
1804, and is still living at this writing in Ohio, having been a prom-
inent merchant for many years.  His father (grandfather of John T.) was
a captain in the Revolution and was killed at the battle of Long Island.
His widow was famous for the part she played on behalf of freedom.  She
resided at Sharpsburg, Maryland, and one of her many useful services
was knitting stockings for the American soldiers.  Often she entertain-
ed General Washington at her house.  In religion she was a Methodist,
and was one of the western pioneers of that creed, dying at Rushville,
Ohio, having been for years a government pensioner in consideration of
her services in the cause of liberty.  At about ten years old, John T.
Clayton moved with his parents to Fairfield County, Ohio, where he was
chiefly educated.  He began the study of medicine at twenty-one, and at
twenty-four commenced the practice, and for eighteen years continued 
the practice in Central and Northern Ohio, achieving quite a reputation
as a successful physician.  In 1872, Dr. Clayton came to Cass County,
Mo., having recommendations from some of the leading citizens of Ohio.
Here he practiced ten years, building quite a business in his profes-
sion.  He came to Walnut Grove, Greene County, in July, 1882, and in-
vested in property at Springfield as well as Walnut Grove.  Besides 
being a physician, Dr. Clayton was for many years a local preacher of 
the Methodist church, and preached both in Ohio and Missouri.  He is
now, however, devoting his undivided attention to the study and prac-
tice of his profession.  Dr. Clayton has had a family of seven children
having been married in January, 1853.  All the children survive at this
writing save one.  John C. Clayton, the oldest, is in the livery busi-
ness at Walnut Grove.  William C. Clayton, another son, is manager of
the Clayton House of Walnut Grove, and fully understands the art of
pleasing the public.



William Cliborne
Mr. Cliborne is the son of Jubal and Charlotte (Williams) Cliborne, and
was born in Knox County, Tennessee, January 30th, 1820.  He was reared
upon a farm in Tennessee, and in 1851, he emigrated to Missouri, sett-
ling in Greene County, where he has since resided.  When he reached 
here game was abundant and the settlers never knew what it was to be
without fresh meat.  As late as 1860 a large herd of deer passed over
Mr. Cliborne's farm.  When the war of the rebellion came on he was
elected second lieutenant of Captain V. Abernathy's company of Home
Guards.  After the battle of Wilson's Creek, a party of rebels went to
Mr. Cliborne's house and put a rope around his neck and threatened to
hang him, because they said he had signed a petition for the Dutch
soldiers to come to the county.  They released him upon the condition
of his leaving the country.  He went to Rolla, but returned with the
army.  He suffered at the hands of both armies who "pressed" his stock
and feed.  Mr. Cliborne was elected justice of the peace in 1860, and
served until 1876.  He was a soldier in the Black Hawk War.  He was
married the first time in Monroe County, Tenn., to Miss Drucilla Ann
Gilbreth.  That union was blest with four children, three of whom are
living.  He was married the second time in March, 1855 to Mary Logan.
They have three children, two boys and a girl.  Mr. and Mrs. Cliborne
are Methodists, and he is a Democrat in politics.  He gave the first
ground for the town site of Republic, and is a gentleman who takes
active interest in the good of the county.



Calvin M. Cloud
This gentleman is the son of William and Rebecca (Mitchell) Cloud, and
was born in Hawkins County, Tennessee, June 24, 1820.  His father was a
native of South Carolina.  In 1837 his parents moved to Jefferson Coun-
ty, Mo., and in 1838 to this county, and settled at the Hunt Spring,
where they took a large tract of land.  Mr. Cloud, Sr., lived there
until 1856, and then moved to California, where he died in 1857. Calvin
M. has lived in Clay township since 1838, and consequently is one of 
the oldest settlers in that part of the county.  He was badly wounded
by bushwhackers during the war.  They were trying to steal some of his
horses, and shot him while he was in his own yard.  He carries the 
bullet in his body to this day.  Mr. Cloud has held the office of just-
ice of the peace for eight years, and only one of his cases has ever
been reversed by a higher court.  'Squire Cloud is one of the prosper-
ous, reliable citizens of the county, and one in whom all have implicit
confidence.  He was married April 8, 1847, to Miss Kershner, daughter
of John and Martha (Amos) Kershner, of Greene County, Missouri.  Their
union has been blest with ten children, all living, viz.: Susanna F.,
John J., Mary E., Martha M., Thomas H., Sarah R., Lucy A., William B.,
Harriet E. and Edward C.  Squire Cloud has had twenty-seven grand chil-
dren, twenty-five of whom are living.



James P. Coffey
Mr. Coffey was born in Kentucky, March 17, 1860.  At the age of sixteen
he began braking upon the W. & St. P., R.R., and broke upon that road
nine months.  He then went home and lived with his father until 1878
when he went on the L. & N. R.R., where he was brakeman two years.  In
1880 he changed to the St. Louis & San Francisco R.R., where he braked
until December 18, 1882, when he was promoted to conductor and is now
running a train upon that road.  Mr. Coffey was married January 21,
1881, to Miss Harriet Salsman.  Though quite young he is regarded as
one of the most reliable conductors upon that celebrated road.



James Coleman
On the 25th of January one James Coleman, a young man living in the
country, was shot and killed in Springfield by a policeman named John
Orr.  The circumstances were that James Coleman, his brother Samuel,
and another man named Bingham, rode into town that day and got on a 
spree.  As they were riding out on South street Bingham, who was very
drunk, began whooping and yelling.  A policeman arrested him.  Sam
Coleman followed and seemed to be trying to effect Bingham's release.
James Coleman, who had been left with the horses, came up, a scuffle
ensued, and he was killed.  The notorious "Wild Bill" (J. B. Hickok),
was an eye witness of the affair, and detailed the circumstances under
oath as follows:  (Wild Bill's Testimony): When I got where the fuss
was, the police took a man off a horse.  After they had got him off 
the horse Chas. Moss came and took hold of him; he did not appear to
want to come with the police; kept talking, and when they got opposite
Jacob's store he commenced scrambling, and they threw him down the 
second time; then they took him along to where Ladd keeps grocery, and
by that time one of his comrades came up; those they stopped; Samuel
Coleman commenced talking, and the one who was killed had tied up the
horses at the blacksmith shop and came up and joined them at Ladd's,
or near Ladd's grocery; the two Colemans wanted to stop the police and
have a talk with the police; from that they got to jarring worse and
worse until they commenced shooting; the first I saw of the shooting I
saw John Orr jerk his pistol and put it up against the man and shot; 
did not see whether James Coleman had a pistol or not; his back was to
me, and Samuel Coleman grabbed a stick and struck, but I do not know
whether he struck James Orr or Charles Moss, and as soon as the first
shoorting was done Orr turned and shot Samuel Coleman; the crowd scat-
tered around, and some person, or persons, grabbed the first man 
arrested and ran off down town this way; he pulled the man up on the
platform and intended taking him into Ladd's, but he was locked up, and
he was then carried to the drug store of N. P. Murphy & Co.  The affray
commenced first opposite the Lyons House and closed opposite Ladd's
grocery, on South stree, Springfield, Missouri.)  There was much excit-
ment over the killing of Coleman, and a great deal of ill-feeling on
the part of the country people toward the Springfield police, who, it 
was alleged, arrested country people for trivial offences, and allowed
the town gentry to go unmolested for grave ones.  The excitement cul-
minated in a public meeting, which was held on the Monday following.
The meeting was presided over by Capt. See, Col. Marcus Boyd, and other
prominent citizens.  A resolution calling on the city authorities to
discharge the police was unanimously adopted, and then the meeting ad-
journed, the country people being apparently satisfied.  Orr was then
arrested, but managed to be released on bail.  He fled the country, 
and was never afterward brought to trial.  It is said that on one
occasion this same Orr, in Springfield, made Wild Bill "take water," 
and put up with a gross insult.



Thomas W. Coltrane, M.D.
This gentleman has been a citizen of Cass township since 1867.  He is a
native of North Carolina, and was born in Guilford county, August 16,
1842.  He was educated in the common schools of his county, at the Qua-
ker college at New Garden and at Trinity college, North Carolina, from
which institution he graduated in 1859.  He left North Carolina that 
year, and after traveling considerably over the United States he found
himself at Springfield, Missouri.  He then began teaching school in
Walnut Grove township, and was so engaged when the war came up.  He had
previously studied medicine while at college, and had a natural bent in
that direction.  In 1865 and 1866 he attended the St. Louis medical 
college, and then went to Pennsylvania, where he attended the medical
department of the Pennsylvania State university in 1869 and 1870. Then,
in 1877 and 1878 he took a course at the celebrated Bellevue medical
college in New York, and in 1880 and 1881 he took his last course at
the Missouri medical college at St. Louis.  He began practice at Walnut
Grove in 1866, and removed to Cave Spring in 1867, where he has prac-
ticed ever since, save when attending medical colleges.  October 10,
1882 he was elected professor of surgery and clinical surgery at the
Joplin college of physicians and surgeons, which position he still 
holds.  They had a very successful term of the college the first year
of the doctor's connection therewith, and the institution is building
up an enviable reputation.  Dr. Coltrane was married November 24, 1867
to Miss Lucina, daughter of Alfred Staley, one of the first settlers of
Cave Spring.  There union has been blest with two children, viz.: Daisy
(deceased), and Victor, born December 20, 1868.  The doctor, has beyond
question, the finest medical library in the county.  In politics he is
a Democrat, and is a member of the Presbyterian church.  He is also a
distinguished member of the Masonic fraternity.



Thomas Conlon
Thomas Conlon is the son of Roger and Mary (Smith) Conlon, and was born
November 23, 1832, in county Leitrim, Ireland.  At the age of eighteen
he came to America, landing in New York City.  He soon after went to
Auburn, New York, where he learned the carpenter's trade.  In 1851 he
went to Cincinnati, and from there to Columbus, Ohio, where he lived 
until 1854.  He then went to Chicago, where he lived until 1859, and
then removed to St. Louis where he lived until 1870. While in St. Louis
he had charge of the repair work in the post office building from Lin-
coln's to Grant's administration.  He also had charge of Jefferson 
Barracks as foreman, for four months.  In 1870 he moved to Lebanon, 
Laclede county, Missouri, and built the Catholic church of that place.
In 1872 he came to Springfield, and was soon appointed foreman of the
carpenter construction of the 'Frisco railroad in the Cherokee nation.
He then went to Texas, and was superintendent of bridge construction
for a private corporation for eight months.  He returned to this place
and lived three years, and then went to Leadville, Colorado, and foll-
owed mining and carpentering for a year and returned to Springfield,
where he has since lived.  Mr. Conlon is a large contractor and builder
having built many of the business blocks and fine residences of the
city.  He is a director and valuator of the Building and Loan Associa-
tion of Springfield.  He is a member of the city council from the first
ward, elected upon the Democratic ticket.  Is vice-president of St.
Vincent De Paul Society, a Catholic organization.  He was married Jan-
uary 15, 1853 to Miss Ann Mooney, of Columbus, Ohio.  Their union has
been blest with nine children, six boys and three girls, all living,
and all members of the Catholic church.  Mr. Conlon's father died in
Ireland in 1845, and his mother died at sea in 1848, on her way to
America.  They had seven girls and five boys, of whom, Thomas is the
second son.



Samuel R. Cooper
Is a native of Missouri, born in Franklin County, January 24th, 1845. 
In 1858 he began railroading as brakeman in Virginia, continuing about
three years.  When the war came on, Mr. Cooper enlisted (in Callaway
County, Missouri) in the Confederate service, joining Company B, first
battalion of Missouri volunteer infantry.  He was transferred subse-
quently to Company A, first Missouri cavalry, and his regiment assigned
to service in Virginia.  November, 1863, he was promoted to second 
lieutenant, and served until the war closed.  Returning to Missouri, he
went to "braking" on the Missouri Pacific railroad.  In 1869 he came on
to the "Frisco" line, and in 1873 was given charge of a train as con-
ductor, and at this writing runs his train regularly from North Spring-
field.  He belongs to the Temple of Honor, and also to the Royal T. of
H.  Mr. Cooper was married October 3rd, 1872 to Miss Anna Kennedy, and
has, at this writing, three children.



William W. Coover
Mr. Coover is the son of S. H. and Catherine (Wilhelm) Coover, and was
born at Vandalia, Montgomery County, Ohio, September 16, 1850.  His
parents moved to Iowa, and settled near Muscatine in 1857, where they
lived about nine years, and then came to Springfield, Greene County,
Missouri, where his father was a contractor and builder for some time.
William W. was educated in the common schools of the county.  His first
mercantile employment was with Sheppard & Co., in Springfield.  After
being in their employ three years, they put him in charge of a stock of
goods at Brookline, he receiving one-third of the profits.  In 1875 he,
with his father and John Potter, sold goods for themselves at the same
place.  In 1878, Mr. Coover moved to Republic, and opened the same line
of goods in partnership with M. P. Johnson, a commercial traveler, who
continued to travel, and Mr. Coover managed the business.  At the end
of three years that partnership was dissolved, and now Mr. Coover owns
the whole business.  Besides his merchandising Mr. Coover deals largely
in grain, shipping last year about one hundred thousand bushels of 
wheat.  Mr. Coover was married December 27, 1876, to Miss Mary E.,
daughter of S. F. Gibson, of Brookline.  Their union has been blest
with one child, Samuel Clyde.  Mr. Coover is one of the staunch busi-
ness men of the county, and enjoys an enviable reputation.



M. D. Cordray
Mr. Cordray is the son of J. P. and Sallie A. (Allen) Cordray, and was
born near Farmington, Delaware, November, 1846 and was educated at the
Farmington Institute.  In January, 1869 he went to Attica, Ind., and
lived in the State of Indiana until 1878.  He then went to Shelby coun-
ty, Tenn., where he was superintendent of a large cotton plantation for
two years.  In the spring of 1880, he went to Lonoke county, Ark., and
engaged in the hotel business for fifteen months, and then moved to
Gallaway, Ark., where he was in the mercantile business until January,
1883, when he came to Springfield, Mo.  Mr. Cordray is a member of the
Knights of Pythias, having joined Lonoke lodge, No. 9.  He is past
chancellor, and was master of finance for two years, and also a member
of the Endowment Ring, K. of P.  Mr. Cordray was married March 9, 1873
to Mary O. Pierce.  He and wife are both members of the Methodist Epis-
copal church.  His father was a native of Delaware, and was a large 
real estate owner, and dealt largely in fine stock.  He died at his 
home in Delaware, February 16, 1881.  His wife died when our subject
was but thirteen years of age.  They had seven children, five sons and
two daughters.



John Russell Cox
Mr. Cox is the son of John and Louisa Cox, and was born in Daviess
county, Mo., January 17, 1853.  His father was born in Bartholomew 
county, Ind., and his mother was a native of this State, and died when
John was quite a boy.  He was then taken by his grandfather, Nathan
Cox, and reared and educated in Greene county.  His chief occupation
has been farming.  Mr. Cox was married January 16, 1876, to Miss Mary 
E. Pierce.  She was born in Franklin county, Arkansas, November 11,
1857.  They have one child, Louisa C., born February 18, 1879.  In
1882 Mr. Cox and Mr. M. N. Wertz perfected a wheat cultivator and
ground pulverizer, and have applied for a patent upon the same.  Mr.
Cox is one of the safe, reliable young men of the county.



Warren C. Crane
This gentleman is the son of Joseph W. and Olive (Chatfield) Crane, and
was born in Medina County, Ohio, May 15, 1840.  His father emigrated 
from Massachusetts to Ohio about the year of 1820, and settled in 
Sharon township of said county.  His mother was a native of New York,
but married in Ohio.  They had nine children, viz.: Tryphena C., Warren
C., Corydon G., Mary, Charles A., Martha, Henry L., Willis G., and Etta
M., all of whom are living save Corydon, who died in 1862 in Ohio, aged
eighteen.  Tryphena C. is the wife of J. F. G. Bentley, the leading 
merchant and banker of Ash Grove; Charles A. is engaged in the lumber
business at same place; Willis G. is a harness-maker at same place;
Etta M. is the wife of J. W. B. Appleby, cashier of the bank and sales-
man for J. F. G. Bentley.  Warren C. Crane, the subject of this notice,
lived in Ohio until 1854. He then engaged in the photographing business
for two years.  Then, with a cousin, he took a drove of five hundred
sheep to Minnesota where he lived for about two years, when he came to
Springfield, Missouri.  He returned to Ohio, and with his brother,
Charles A., brought out a drove of fifteen hundred sheep, being ninety
days upon the road.  After selling his sheep he went out to Chetopa,
Kansas, and sold groceries for about a year.  In 1870 he came to Ash
Grove and sold goods for J. F. G. Bentley for nine years.  In 1879 he
embarked in business for himself at Ash Grove, selling furniture, 
agricultural implements, and sewing machines, in which he had no compe-
tition.  He was married January 20, 1866, to Miss Lucy Wright, of Dade
county, Mo.  This union has been blest with one child, Mabel Olive,
born November 29, 1876.  Mr. Crane is regarded as one of Ash Grove's
most enterprising business men, and a thorough gentleman. 



Jeremiah C. Cravens
This gentleman was born in Saline County, Mo., February 18, 1838.  He 
is a son of Dr. John Cravens, who for many years was the peer of the
finest physicians and surgeons of the State.  They are of Virginia an-
cestry, Jeremiah's grandfather, Dr. Joseph Cravens, being for many 
years a leading physician of Rockingham County, Virginia.  Jere C.
graduated from the Missouri State University in the class of 1860,
taking the degree of Bachelor or Arts.  The civil war breaking out
soon after leaving school, he cast his lot with the fortunes of the
Confederacy, and followed its flag until its brilliant star set forever
at Appomattox.  He was promoted by Gen. Slack to the position of aid-
de-camp to rank as Lieut. Colonel.  He was at the battle of Pea Ridge,
in March, 1862, by the side of General Slack, when that gentleman fell
mortally wounded.  After the battle he went with the army to Corinth,
Mississippi, and shortly after the evacuation of that place, he return-
ed to Missouri, with Col. Hughes, and participated in the battles of 
Independence and Lone Jack.  At the last named engagement, Lieut. 
Colonel Cravens commanded a company of recruits who fought desperately
upon that sanguinary field.  After the battle he was chosen captain and
served with his company in the 6th Missouri Cavalry, under Generals
Marmaduke and Shelby, until the war closed.  He then began the study of
the law and was licensed to the practice at Batesville, Arkansas, in
1866.  In 1868, he came to Springfield, where he has since resided, and
ranks with the best legal talent in the State.  He is, and has been for
ten years, a member of the Board of Curators of the University.  He was
married at Batesville, Arkansas, August 11, 1864 to Miss Annie D., the
daughter of Colonel Robert Smith.



Charles W. Crawford
Mr. Crawford is a son of Charles and Lucy (McNeil) Crawford, and was
born October 14, 1825 in Robertson county, Tenn.  His parents died, and
are buried in the county which gave him birth.  Charles W. received his
education at the common and private schools of his section, and at Wal-
nut Academy in Robertson county, Tenn.  He began teaching school in 
1852, and continued until 1857, when he closed his last school in Tenn-
essee, in Cheatham county.  On the 28th of April, 1857 he reached 
Springfield, Missouri, where he shortly afterwards married Sallie M.,
daughter of John H. and Nancy M. (Holland) Jernigan, and then returned
to Tennessee.  In November, 1857 he came back to Springfield, stopping
with his father-in-law until June, 1858, when he moved to Keetsville
(now Washburn), Barry county, Missouri, and on the 14th of the same
month took charge of a private school called the Union Institute, which
he conducted until 1861.  In January, 1862 he returned to Springfield
and lived upon the farm of his father-in-law until September, 1864,
when he accepted a clerkship in the quartermaster's department, then at
Springfield, where he remained until the war closed.  Mr. Crawford then
taught school in and around Springfield until 1875.  In 1868 he moved
to Springfield, and bought property, and in 1871, sold his town proper-
ty and bought a small farm, two miles east, on the St. Louis road, 
where he now resides.  He has a family of six boys and one girl.  His
wife died July 17, 1882 and is buried beside her father, mother and two
brothers in the family burying ground.  In 1880 he was nominated by the
Republican party for county collector, and elected.  His son, Alonzo B.
was his deputy.  He is a Mason, and has been secretary of the lodge,
and is regarded by all as an upright official and a thorough gentleman.



Theodore F. Criswell
This gentleman is the son of Gregory and Sarah (Baer) Criswell, and was
born in Stark County, Ohio, November 30, 1844.  He was educated in his 
native county, and upon the 7th of August, 1862, enlisted in Company B,
115th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in the army of the Cumberland, under 
Gen. "Pap" Thomas. He was mustered out July 6, 1865 at Cleveland, Ohio.
During the war he participated in the battles of Stone River and Block
House.  In April, 1867, he, with his brother, H. G. Criswell, came to
Greene County, Missouri, and bought the Sharp farm, which was the 
Wilson's Creek battle ground.  Previous to engaging here in farming, he
taught school in Lawrence and Christian counties of this State.  In 
March, 1874, they sold the Sharp farm and purchased and moved to their
present home, two miles north of Republic, upon the Mt. Vernon and
Springfield road.  It is a splendid farm containing one hundred and
eighty-seven acres.  Mr. Criswell was married February 4, 1869, to Miss
Arrimba, daughter of Thomas Greene, one of the old settlers of Greene
County.  Their union has been blest with two sons and two daughters. He
and wife are members of the Congregational church at Republic.  Mr. 
Criswell's parents are yet living in Stark County, Ohio.  They had ten
children, two daughters and eight sons, Theodore F., being the third
child.



John F. Crutcher
Is a son of Dr. A. L. Crutcher, both the doctor and wife being natives
of Kentucky.  In 1862 the family moved to Indiana and lived there till 
1868, when they moved to Missouri.  They first stopped at Leasburg, but
two years latter moved to St. James, remaining there till the spring of
1873, then moving to Springfield, this county.  Dr. Crutcher died, 
leaving a wife, four sons (John F., Leonidas C., William C. and Luke
F.) and one daughter (Mollie), wife of S. L. McLane, of the St. Louis &
San Francisco R.R.  Dr. Crutcher had been forced to sacrifice his prop-
erty in Kentucky owing to war troubles.  The expense of moving his 
family a great distance, left him, on reaching Springfield, with very 
small means.  The sons began railroading very young, and worked their 
way up to positions of conductors on the road, and acquired means suff-
icient to place themselves in easy circumstances.  The subject of this
sketch was born November 10, 1853.  He commenced "braking" on the rail-
road in 1872, and four years subsequent accepted the position of 
baggage master, and in 1879 was promoted to a conductorship on the St.
L. & S. F.  December 24th, 1878, he married Miss Catharine Jones, of
Anderson County, Kentucky.  They have one child, Edgar L., born October
30, 1880.  Mr. Crutcher is senior conductor of Ozark Lodge No. 30, 
Order of Railway Conductors, and is also a member of Springfield lodge,
No. 218, I. O. O. F.



Leonidas C. Crutcher
Leonidas Coleman Crutcher is a son of Dr. Crutcher, elswhere mentioned,
and was born April 15, 1855.  In 1870 he began "braking" on a train of
St. L. & S. F., and worked for a while as brakeman, then baggage master
next yardmaster, from which he was promoted to conductor.  He has at 
this writing been running a train five years.  On November 25, 1880, he
married Miss Sallie A. McFee, of Springfield.  They have one child, a
daughter named Gracie, born October 17, 1881.  Mr. Crutcher is a member
of the Gate of the Temple, Lodge No. 218, and Umpire Encampment, No. 42
I. O. O. F.  He was a charter member of Ozark Division, No. 30, Order
of Railway Conductors, which order he has served officially.



Luke F. Crutcher
The youngest son of Dr. Crutcher, was born March 24, 1858.  He was also
the youngest conductor that ever ran a train on the St. Louis & San 
Francisco railroad.  He began railroading on that line at the age of
fourteen, and at the age of seventeen they put him in charge of a
freight train which he conducted for over two years.  He was then pro-
moted and given a passenger train which he is running at this writing.
On the 3rd of June, 1880, he married Mary L., daughter of L. A. D. 
Crenshaw, an old citizen of Greene County.  They have one son, Luke
Allen, born May 24, 1882.  Mr. Crutcher is a member of St. John's 
Commandery, No. 20, Knights Templar.



J. P. Culbertson
J. P. Culbertson was born in Burke County, North Carolina, July 28, 
1826.  He went to Tennessee in 1848 and resided in Greene County, that
State, till his coming here in 1852.  He first entered land in Center
Township, where he remained till 1859, when he changed to Boone Town-
ship, and again entered land.  He enlisted in the army on the side of
the United States in 1862, and fought the rebellion for about a year.
After the war he returned to this county where he has ever since lived.
Mr. Culbertson's parents were Thomas and Martha Culbertson, both North
Carolinians by birth.  Mr. Culbertson was married August 26, 1848, to
Miss Mary A. Rincor, a native of Tennessee, who died in this county,
April 1, 1879.  They had six children, five of them still living at
this writing.  Though Mr. Culbertson owned many slaves before the civil
war, he was, on principle, an abolitionist of decided views; and he gave
up his slave property under emancipation with that patriotic spirit al-
ways so becoming to loyal citizens.



Thomas N. Culbertson
Mr. Culbertson was born in Greene County, Tennessee, August 26, 1849.
When he was three years old his parents came to Greene County, Mo.,
bringing Thomas N. with them, and here he grew up, receiving his educa-
tion in the common schools.  He began life as a farmer, and is still
engaged in that worthy calling.  In July, 1882, he purchased the place
where he now resides, containing 200 acres of fine land, well improved
and part of it in a high state of cultivation and productiveness.  His
farm lies one mile and three-quarters south of Ash Grove, and ranks
among the very best in the township.  Mr. Culbertson was married Janu-
ary 26, 1879, to Miss Nancy J. Hammond; she died, however, in July, 
1880, and the next year Mr. Culbertson married a second time, his last
wife being Huldah R. Hammond, a sister of his first wife.  The great
grandfather of Thomas N. (whose name was also Thomas Culbertson) was a
soldier in the War of 1812.  Mr. Culbertson has one child, a son by 
the first wife, named Everette, born July 22, 1880, just before the
death of his mother.



William P. Dabbs
This gentleman was born May 28, 1829, in Virginia, and is the son of
Abner, and Mary Dabbs.  His parents moved to North Carolina in 1838,
and remained there until 1844.  They then came to Greene county, Miss-
ouri, where William P. grew to manhood, in the city of Springfield. In
the fall of 1861 he enlisted in the State Guards, and in February, 
1862, he joined Capt. Dick Campbell's company, under Gen. Price.  He
was taken prisoner at the battle of Champion Hill, Miss., upon the 17th
of May, 1863, and held at Camp Morton, Fort Delaware and Point Lookout
until March, 1864, when he was released.  He then went to Clark county,
Ohio where he met his family, who had been ordered out of the county in
the spring of that year.  He lived in Ohio until September, 1881, when
he returned to Greene county, Missouri and bought the farm of one hun-
dred and seventy-five acres, where he now resides.  Mr. Dabbs was 
married October 3, 1858, to Miss Hannah M., daughter of John B. Johns-
ton, a former citizen of Springfield.  Their union has been blest with
ten children, eight of whom are now living, viz.: Mary C., John W.,
Hannah E., Clara L., Ellen V., Edward A., Thomas E., and an infant
daughter.



Charles L. Dalrymple
This gentleman is the son of Allen S. and Eliza (Churchill) Dalrymple,
and was born March 2, 1832, in Marion county, Tenn.  He was educated at
Knoxville and Chattanooga, and in 1849 he came to Springfield, Missouri.
Shortly afterward he left Springfield for Santa Fe, New Mexico, where
for two years he was agent for a transfer company.  He then travelled
about for some two years and then returned to Chattanooga, Tenn., where
he lived until 1856.  In 1857 he went to Memphis, where he remained un-
til 1868.  He was engaged in railroad construction work until 1860. 
April 29, 1863 he was appointed assistant U. S. Assessor for the eighth
district of Tennessee, and held that office until 1866.  He was then
appointed U. S. cotton weigher, which position he retained until 1868,
being also at the time tobacco inspector.  July 21, 1868 he came to
Springfield, and in the latter part of that year was made assistant 
U. S. assessor for the counties of Laclede, Dallas, Polk and Cedar, and
held that office until 1871.  In 1872 he was deputy circuit clerk of
Polk county, and in 1873 came back to Springfield, where he was deputy
county recorder for some time.  In 1874-5 he was city recorder upon the
Republican ticket, and was elected justice of the peace in 1874, and
resigned in 1879.  Mr. Dalrymple was married March 21, 1856, to Miss
Martha J. Thurston.  Their union was blest with three sons and four
daughters.  His father was born December 18, 1802, and is yet living.
His mother was a native of Virginia, and died in 1856.  They had but
one child, Charles L.



John W. Danforth
(Deceased).  Mr. Danforth was the son of Josiah and Sarah Roane Dan-
forth, and was born in Roane county, Tennessee, Sept. 19th, 1800.  His
father was a native of Massachusetts, and was a soldier in the Revolu-
tionary War.  His mother was a native of Charlottesville, Va.  When
John W. was about nine years of age, he went to Augusta, Ga., where he
received a fine education, and became an expert accountant.  After 
coming to this county he settled in Springfield and was engaged in
mercantile business under the firm name of Danforth Bros., for a number
of years.  In 1845 he went to Taney county, Mo., and founded the town 
of Forsyth, and became postmaster and county clerk.  He was married on
Dec. 19th, 1838, to Priscilla, daughter of Col. William Price, of Wash-
ington county, Va.  He was a colonel in the War of 1812, and died in
his native county, Sept. 20th, 1837.  Mrs. Danforth's mother was Miss
Elizabeth Cecil, born in Tazewell county, Virginia, and died Nov. 20th,
1841.  Mrs. Danforth was born in Washington county, Virginia, Oct. 5th,
1820.  Mr. Danforth was a Royal Arch Mason, and a member of the Cumber-
land Presbyterian Church.  Mrs. Danforth is a consistent member of that
church.



Josiah F. Danforth
Josiah F. Danforth (deceased).  This gentleman was born in Maryville,
Blount county, Tenn., August 23, 1800.  He was educated in the common
schools of his neighborhood.  On the 9th of December, 1830, he was
married to Miss Letitia, daughter of Benjamin and Nancy Prather.  He
emigrated to Gasconade County, Missouri, in September, 1832, but soon
after came to Greene County, and purchased thirteen hundred acres of
land.  At that time there were only four farms in Taylor township. He
represented this district in the Legislature from 1844 until 1848, and
was one of the ablest members of that body at the time.  He establish-
ed the Cumberland Presbyterian church in his neighborhood, and served
as deacon until his death, upon the 13th of August, 1849, at Las Vegas
New Mexico.  He had started to California to regain his health, but
only got as far as Las Vegas.  He is buried at the American cemetery
in that city.  During his life he was an earnest, devoted Christian,
kind husband and loving father.  He was the father of seven children,
only two of whom are now living, viz.: Josiah J. and Mary R.



Hon. Daniel E. Davis
This gentleman is the son of Isaac N. and Malinda A. (Gillespie) Davis,
and was born July 6, 1834, in what is now Pulaski county, Missouri. 
When he was fourteen years of age his parents moved to California.
Daniel returned in 1855, and in the latter part of that year went back
to California.  He remained there until 1858, when he again returned to
Missouri.  He was educated in his native county, and at the University
at Sonora, California.  In 1863 he enlisted in Company A, 48th Missouri
volunteers, as first lieutenant, but soon promoted to captain.  He was
mustered out January 30th, 1865 at St. Louis, and returned to Richland,
Pulaski county, where he was for many years engaged in farming, build-
ing and merchandising.  In 1870 he was elected upon the Democratic 
ticket to represent the county in the Legislature.  He was the repre-
sentative of the county every time but once until 1877.  He had been
county surveyor of Hickory county from 1858 until the war began.  He
came to Springfield in the fall of 1881, and is now extensively engaged
in contracting and building.  He employs a large force of help and has
already taken high rank in the business.  Mr. Davis was married Novem-
ber 2, 1855 to Miss Mary P., daughter of A. H. Foster, county and cir-
cuit clerk of Hickory county, Missouri.  They have two sons and two
daughters.  He and his wife are members of the Methodist church.  Mr.
Davis is a Mason and a member of the A. O. U. W.  His oldest son, C.H.
Davis, is prosecuting attorney of Pulaski county.



Edward C. Davis
Mr. Davis is a son of Charles and Mary (Cummings) Davis, and was born 
in Wisconsin, March 21, 1854.  His parents moved to Iowa when Edward 
was an infant, and settled upon a farm in Johnson county, fourteen 
miles from Iowa City.  It was here Edward grew up and attended the 
public schools of the neighborhood.  When he was seventeen years of 
age his mother moved with the family to Missouri, his father remaining
in Iowa to settle up his business.  He died, however, in Iowa, and Ed-
ward and his mother located at Springfield.  He attended Drury College
three consecutive terms, beginning the second term after the opening of
that institution.  He then went to live with Mr. E. C. Powell, with 
whom he farmed, and in 1872 his mother died, and then he began farming
for himself, and part of the time operated a threshing machine.  He was
appointed deputy sheriff in October, 1877 under Sheriff A. J. Potter,
and has served ever since, receiving his last appointment from Sheriff
Patterson.  Mr. Davis was married June 12, 1879 to Miss Alice M., the
daughter of Z. M. Rountree, Esq., of this county.  Mr. Davis has made
an efficient officer, and enjoys the confidence of a large circle of
friends.  He is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.



William H. Davis
Mr. Davis is the son of Robert and Mahala J. (Murray) Davis, and was
born December 15, 1847 in Cass township, Greene county, Mo.  When he
was fifteen years of age his parents moved to Gentry county, Mo., where
he received his education. In 1867 they came to Polk county, Mo., where
they lived a year, and then moved to Walnut Grove, Greene county, Mo.
William taught school and read law, and was admitted to the bar in 
March, 1878 at Springfield.  He practiced at Walnut Grove until Novem-
ber, 1881 when he came to Springfield.  His parents came to this county
in 1847, from Monroe county, Tennessee, and settled upon Clear creek,
where they lived three years, and then moved to Lawrence county and
lived there six years, and returned to Greene.  Mr. Robert Davis was
second lieutenant for six months in the Home Guards.  In 1868, 1869 and
1870 he operated a carding machine, and was connected with a saw and
grist mill at Walnut Grove.  William's grandfather, Lewis Davis, was a
soldier in the War of 1812, and served under Gen. Jackson.  At the
battle of Horseshoe he was taken prisoner.  He is now living at Lebanon,
Laclede county, Mo., aged eighty-eight.



Caleb W. Dawley
This gentleman is the son of James and Nannie H. (Ambrose) Dawley, and
was born April 2, 1859 in Covington, Kentucky.  His parents moved to
Kansas City, Missouri, in 1867.  He received his education at Kansas
City, William Jewell College, and at the State University at Columbia,
graduating in the class of 1879.  He then returned home and taught
school at Belton, Cass county, for a year.  Here he met the lady whom
he married December 23, 1881.  She was Miss Lula Boyer.  He and his
wife are both members of the Baptist church.  He came to Springfield in
May, 1881, where he has since been superintendent of the Springfield
Gas-Light Company. His parents are living upon a farm near Kansas City.
They have three sons, Caleb W. being the oldest.



George Sale Day
This gentleman was born at Lynchburg, Va., December 23, 1826.  In 1837
he came to St. Louis, where he was educated in private schools, and at
St. Xavier's College, now St. Louis University.  While in St. Louis he
learned brick laying and brick making, and then became a contractor, 
and has since followed that business.  In 1850 he went to New Orleans
and stayed there until 1852.  He then went to Vicksburg, where he lived
until 1856.  He next returned to St. Louis, where he lived until 1871,
when he came to Springfield, and has since made this his home.  He has
had contracts on many of the best buildings in the city.  Mr. Day was
married at New Orleans in 1852 to Theresa A. Fox.  Their union was 
blest with one child, Laura, who married Prof. S. M. Godby, of Morris-
ville Institute. She died February 13, 1880 leaving an infant daughter.
Mr. Day's first wife died May 29, 1882.  In December following Mr. Day
was married at Independence, Mo., to Mrs. L. C. Leftwich, by Dr. W. M.
Prottsman.  In 1876 Mr. Day was elected councilman of the city, serving
two years, and in 1882 he was elected mayor upon the Republican ticket.
Mr. Day was a Whig during his early life, but, on the dissolution of 
that party, became a Republican.  He is a member of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church South, and has been since eleven years of age.  His father
was Ezekiel Day, and mother was Elizabeth Sale, a daughter of Col.
George Sale, of the war of 1812.  Mr. Day was named for him.



Thomas J. Delaney
Mr. Delaney is the son of James and Alice (Mahon) Delaney, and was born
at New Orleans, La., May 10, 1859.  His parents were natives of Ireland
and came to this country when still young.  They first stopped in New
York City, but moved to New Orleans in 1858.  They had four daughters
and one son.  His father was a Confederate soldier, and was killed in
battle.  Thomas was educated at St. Mary's Academy at New Orleans, and
at the age of fifteen left home.  In April, 1874, he came to North
Springfield, Mo., and worked for the St. Louis & Santa Fe Railroad for
four years, being, during that time, fireman, baggage master, and store
keeper.  For seven months he was clerk in the offices at St. Louis.  He
entered the St. Louis law school October 15, 1878 and graduated June 9,
1880, taking the highest honors of a class of twenty-nine.  He then
practiced law for a year in the office of Britton A. Hill.  In June,
1881 he came to Springfield, Mo., and on April 4, 1882 was elected city
attorney upon the Democratic ticket.  Mr. Delaney was married December
29, 1880 to Miss Cardie, daughter of Hon. S. H. Boyd.  They have one
child, Thomas James.



Benjamin W. Dillard
Perhaps no young man in Taylor township stands higher in a social or 
business point of view than Ben Dillard.  He was born near Strafford,
Greene county, Missouri, December 22, 1855.  He was educated in the 
common schools of his neighborhood, and grew to manhood upon the farm.
In February, 1882, he formed a partnership with W. J. Williams, M. D.,
in the general merchandise and drug business in the town of Strafford,
where he has since resided, taking foremost rank in business.  He was
married October 14, 1880, to Miss Mary F., daughter of John E. and 
Mary Pritchard.  Their union was blest with one child, born, August 22,
1881, and died January 31, 1882.
		"The fairest flowers the soonest fade,
		 Else little graves were never made."
During the latter part of December, 1880, Mrs. Dillard took a severe
cold which settled upon her lungs.  She had a slight cough until her
baby's death, when she became rapidly worse.  She was confined to bed
two months before her death, which occurred May 16, 1882.  March 8, 
1883, he was married the second time to Miss Fannie, daughter of Dr.
S. B. and Melissa (Rountree) Neil, of Polk county, Missouri.  Mr. Dill-
ard bought his partner's interest in the store February 1, 1883, and
now owns and controls the business alone.



Capt. George A. Dillard
Mr. Dillard was born in Monroe county, Tennessee, December 4, 1826, and
is the son of William and Sarah Dillard.  When he was eleven years of
age his parents emigrated to Greene county, Missouri, and settled upon
section 8, township 59, and range 29, where George grew to manhood, and
where he has always lived since coming to Missouri, with the exception
of three years service in the army.  In 1862 he was commissioned as 
captain of enrolled militia, and served as such until the war closed. 
He was engaged the most of the time in the defense of Springfield, and
keeping the "bushwhackers" out of the country as far as practicable.
Captain Dillard was married upon the 31st of May, 1849, to Miss Eliza 
J., daughter of J. H. and Gabella Gibson.  Their union has been blest
with nine children, six of whom are now living.  Captain Dillard is one
of the best farmers and most enterprising gentlemen of this section, 
and no man is held in higher esteem in the county than he.



William Smith Dillard
Mr. Dillard is the son of William and Sarah (Gregory) Dillard, and was
born in Monroe county, Tennessee.  When he was about ten years of age
his father moved to Greene county, Missouri, and settled upon the farm
of William and his brother George A. now own in partnership.  Here 
their father lived and reared his family, carrying on farming until
his death.  William acquired his education chiefly in the subscription
schools of that day, which were not very extensive or good.  He has 
always been a farmer, and soon after his marriage began farming for
himself on the old homestead, and that has been his chief occupation
since.  He has traveled considerably in his time.  In 1849 he took the
"gold fever," and in the company made up for that expedition by Ex-Gov.
McClurg, went to California as a goldseeker.  He remained there about 
twenty months, and then went by water to Mazatlan, Old Mexico, and from
there came to Texas and sold a drove of horses and mules which he had
bought in Mexico.  In 1852 he returned home, and his travels since then
have been in Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nevada, Kansas, Arkansas, Indian
Territory and Colorado.  During the war, Mr. Dillard was a Union man
and served in the enrolled Missouri militia, 72nd regiment, and was in
the Marmaduke fight at Springfield.  He married September 20, 1848,
Miss Nancy E., daughter of Thos. Langley, of Illinois.  They have had
ten children, eight of whom are still living.  Mr. Dillard is a member
of the Masonic fraternity, Stafford lodge, No. 497.



S. Dingeldein
Mr. Dingeldein was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Middle Germany, October 15,
1842.  He learned the trade of a brewer, and traveled around for some
seven years.  He landed at New York City, October 6th, 1867, and went
from there to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and in October, 1868, he went to
St. Louis, Mo.  He worked in the largest breweries and malthouses of 
that city for over eight years, and then came to Springfield, Missouri.
He was married in St. Louis to Miss Dora Stuet.  They have two sons and
one daughter.  His father died in Germany in 1859, and his mother died
in 1862.  They had a family of seven girls and six boys.  Four boys and
four girls are yet living.  The brewery was built by Buehner & Finken-
auer in 1872.  Mr. Dingeldein leased the property in October, 1876, for
ten years, and in June, 1882 bought it before the lease expired.  The
old cellar is 16 x 36, 11 1/2 feet high; formenting cellar is 30 x 15;
brew house is 25 x 30 feet; the new cellar is 68 x 88, 13 feet high,
and will store 1,200 barrels.  The walls are of the best rock and laid
in cement.  The new brewery is 40 x 40, 2 1/2 stories high.  When first
started the brewery turned out eight hundred barrels per year.  In 1882
they made twenty-one hundred.



J. M. Dishman
This gentleman is the son of Jeremiah and Cynthia A. (Smith) Dishman,
and was born in Simpson county, Kentucky, February 5, 1830.  He is the
oldest of a family of five children, all of whom, except one, are now
living.  J. M. Dishman made two trips from Kentucky to Greene county,
Mo., upon horseback, one in 1853 and one in 1855.  He was educated in
the common schools of his native county.  When he came to Missouri the
second time, all of his father's family came also, and settled on the
head of Dry Sac river, in Jackson township.  He lived there until his
father's death, April 27, 1876, at the age of seventy-two years.  Mr.
Dishman was married August 16, 1859, to Miss Harriet, daughter of Sam-
uel Piper, a prominent farmer, and early settler of Greene county.  
Their union has been blest with eight children, seven sons and one
daughter, all of whom are now living, viz.: Jane, William F., Samuel,
James W., Jerry, Charles, Bert, and Leonidas.  Samuel is at present
section boss on the 'Frisco railroad at Strafford.  Mr. Dishman has
always followed farming.  He purchased the farm of one hundred and
sixty acres of land upon which he now lives, in February, 1875, and
removed there soon after, and has since made many valuable improve-
ments.  He is one of the substantial farmers of his section, and
stands well in the regard of all.



Samuel Dishman
This gentleman was born in Simpson county, Kentucky, July 29, 1835.  He
is the third of a family of five children, four boys and one girl.  His
father was Jeremiah Dishman, a native of Virginia, who was brought by
his parents to Kentucky when he was a child.  He grew to manhood and
followed farming in that State until 1855, when he moved to Greene 
county, Missouri.  They stopped some time in Springfield, and finally
settled in Jackson township.  He was married in 1829 to Miss Cynthia A.
Smith, of Simpson county, Kentucky.  She is still living with her son,
Samuel.  Jeremiah Dishman died April 24th, 1876, aged seventy-two 
years.  Samuel was engaged in farming with his father until 1869, when
he embarked in the milling business, which he followed for fourteen
years.  He then settled on a farm which he had bought in sections 21
and 22, township 30, range 20.  He has since followed the independent
life of a farmer.  He was married August 5th, 1865, to Miss Mary J.,
daughter of R. L. Banfield, a prominent farmer of Greene county, form-
erly of Tennessee.  Their union has been blest with six children, five
of whom are still living.  Mr. Dishman is a member of Strafford Lodge,
A.F. & A.M.  He is one of the substantial citizens of the county, and
enjoys the confidence of all.



Rev. J. Hervey Dobbs
Mr. Dobbs was born in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, March 24, 1844, 
and is the son of Bennett and Nancy Dobbs.  After having served in the
State and National Guards, he enlisted for government service in the
civil war, in the Mississippi squadron, being assigned to duty on gun-
boat Silver Lake, No. 23, where he remained till the war closed.  He 
was mustered out June 26, 1865, at Mound City, Illinois, and soon 
afterwards entered Genesee Wesleyan seminary, of New York State, where
he completed his education.  He then went into the mercantile business,
till 1876, when, by the urgent importunities of his friends he was in-
duced to enter the temperance work as a lecturer, and also lectured on
other subjects.  Subsequently, he entered on the ministerial work, as a
local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church, though he still con-
tinued his temperance work till the spring of 1878, when he was appoin-
ted State deputy and lecturer of the I. O. G. T. of Pennsylvania.  
While holding that position he was appointed secretary of the executive
committee of the Pennsylvania State Temperance Union, and placed in
charge of the legislative work in behalf of temperance.  In March, 1881
he resigned his position and took a transfer from the Central Pennsyl-
vania conference to the St. Louis conference, and was stationed at 
North Springfield, Greene County.  Mr. Dobbs was married December 28,
1868, to Miss Mary Johnston, of Dunkirk, N. Y.  Three children have 
been born to Mr. and Mrs. Dobbs, two of whom still survive, named Mary
D. and Nettie M.  These children Mr. Dobbs and wife have taken great
pains to rear and educate properly, teaching them the religion that
gives the greatest value to life.  Mr. Dobbs was assigned to a charge
in Kansas City early in 1883.



A. B. Dodson
This gentleman is the son of James M. and Mary Dodson, and was born in
Maury County, Tennessee, February 11, 1847.  His parents are yet living
upon the old homestead in Tennessee.  He came to Missouri in 1870, and
farmed three years in Greene County.  He then moved into Springfield
and engaged in business.  He began firing upon the St. Louis and San
Francisco railroad in December, 1880, and has recently been promoted to
engineer, and is now running an engine upon that road.  Mr. Dodson was
married in 1870 to Miss F. E. McMeen, of Maury County, Tenn.  They have
one child, Olivia, born December 16, 1871.



F. M. Donnell
Mr. Donnell was born December 22nd, 1847, in Jackson township, Greene
county, Missouri and received his education in the country schools of 
his neighborhood.  In 1864 he enlisted in Company E, 16th Missouri Cav-
alry, and was in the battles of Big Blue, Jefferson City and Lexington.
He was mustered out June 30th, 1865.  In 1868 he went to California,
and for several years he was foreman upon a farm of fifteen thousand
acres.  He returned to Missouri and lived a year at Sedalia, and then
came back to Greene county.  He was on the police force in 1879, 1880
and 1882.  In November, 1882 he was elected to the office of constable
of Campbell township.  Mr. Donnell married Miss Jerusha Roberts, who
died in March, 1879, leaving two sons.  He was married the second time
to Mattie J. Williams, a native of Knox county, Kentucky.  Mr. Donnell
is a member of the K. of P.








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