Greene County Biographies


From:  Past and Present of Greene County, Missouri
Early and Recent History and Genealogical Records
of Many of the Representative Citizens
by Jonathan Fairbanks and Clyde Edwin Tuck




CHARLES F. KANNING. When we learn that a man has engaged in one line of
business for over a quarter of a century at the same location, as has
Charles F. Kanning, well-known business man of Springfield, we know that
he is the possessor of a rare combination of personal qualities which
never fail to make for success wherever they are found. It indicates that
he is a man of keen discernment, sound judgment, conservative and
persevering as well as honest and honorable in all the relations of life.

Mr. Kanning, the well-known meat market man of Boonville street, was born
March 19, 1863, in Kentucky. He is of German descent and is a son of Henry
and Mary (Kimmell) Kanning, both natives of Germany, from which country
they emigrated to the United States when young, and were married in New
York City, where they lived for awhile, then came West, finally
establishing their home in Kansas. The father of our subject was well
educated and was a merchant tailor by trade. The last fifteen years of his
life was spent in St. Louis, where he followed his trade. During the Civil
war he served in the Union army.

Politically he was a Democrat. His death occurred in St. Louis in January,
1909. His widow died on November 27, 1914, at her home in Pittsburg,
Kansas. To these parents twelve children were born, namely: Agnes is
deceased; Alexander; Fisco is deceased; Henry; Charles F., of this sketch;
Mary; William; Clara; Tilly; Otto; Emma, and Bertha.

Charles F. Kanning received a common school education in Kansas. When he
reached his majority he came to Springfield and went into the butcher
business, starting with practically nothing, but by wise economy and good
management he forged ahead and for many years has enjoyed a growing and
lucrative trade. He has been in his present location, 527 Boonville
street, for a period of twenty-seven years under the firm name of
Kanning's Meat Market, which is one of the best known in the city. He
carries a large line of everything commonly found in the best meat markets
anywhere, and his place is neat and attractive. Promptness and honesty
have been his watchwords. He is still active. He has a fine home on Poplar
street.

Mr. Kanning was married in St. Louis on December 20, 1887, to Nannie B.
Dunbar, who was born in Port Gibson, Mississippi, April 5, 1864. She is a
daughter of Robert G. and Mary K. (Sevier) Dunbar, both natives of
Louisiana, where they grew up, were educated and married. They each
represented excellent old Southern families. The father of Mrs. Kanning
died at Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana, in 1866. His wife was born on
June 5, 1844, and her death occurred on July 17, 1887, in Nashville,
Tennessee. She received a good education and was talented in music and was
a cultured, refined lady in every respect. Her father, George W. Sevier,
was born near the city of Nashville, and he died at Port Gibson,
Mississippi, about thirty-five years ago. He was a grandson of Governor
Sevier of Tennessee. His wife, Sarah Knox, was a first cousin of James K.
Polk, President of the United States, also a niece of Mrs. Andrew Jackson
and she was reared by President Andrew Jackson and went with him to New
Orleans on his first trip down the Mississippi river. John Sevier,
great-grandfather of Mrs. Kanning, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war,
participating in thirty-seven battles of that conflict. By reason of his
service in our War of Independence, Mrs. Kanning is a member of the
Daughters of the American Revolution. Her paternal grandfather, Robert
Dunbar, spent his life in the South and died in Louisiana. Her father,
Robert G. Dunbar, was an extensive Southern planter, owning a large
plantation. He was an Episcopalian. His family consisted, of three
children, namely: Nannie B., wife of our subject; Isaac, now deceased, was
the eldest of the children; and Robert, who lives in St. Louis, is the
youngest.

Mrs. Kanning grew to womanhood in the South, and the careful training and
wholesome home influences of her girlhood are still manifest in her
general address, for she is a woman of culture, social inclinations and
affability, and enjoys the friendship of all who know her. She had the
advantages of a good education. When she was a child the family left the
South, locating in Mexico, Missouri, but lived there only about two years.

To Mr. and Mrs. Kanning one child has been born, Margaret Norvell Kanning,
whose birth occurred on June 25, 1893; she was given excellent educational
advantages, attending the Springfield high school and Drury College; she
is now a successful teacher in the public schools, and is a young lady of
much promise.

Politically Mr. Kanning is a Democrat. Fraternally he belongs to the
Modern Woodmen of America; also the Improved Order of Red Men. His wife
belongs to the Women's Christian Temperance Union, the Maccabees and the
Presbyterian church.





STANLEY K. KAUFFMAN. One of the broad-minded farmers of Wilson township,
Greene county, who is a believer in not only keeping his soil properly
built up but also preventing it from becoming thin, and who pays close
attention to what the agricultural experts say, is Stanley K. Kauffman,
and he is therefore succeeding admirably as a general farmer.

Mr. Kauffman was born near Reading, Berks county, Pennsylvania, May 20,
1864. He is a son of William W. and Emma (Hahn) Kauffman, both natives of
Pennsylvania, also, and there they grew to maturity, were educated in the
old-time common schools, were married and established their home on a
farm. To them six children were born, namely, Mrs. Martha Montfort lives
in Texas; Stanley K., of this sketch; Mrs. Katherine Tharp lives in Greene
county, Missouri; Mrs. Caroline Payne lives in Springfield; William H. and
Grover C. both reside in Wilson township, this county. The parents of
these children left their native state in 1872 and removed to Greene
county, Missouri, and the first three months were spent in Springfield,
during which time the father looked over the country with a view of
locating permanently in the Ozarks. He selected Taney county and there
purchased two hundred and ten acres, to which he removed his family, and
there conducted a farm along general lines and became a prominent citizen
in his community. He was elected justice of the peace, the duties of which
office he discharged in an able and satisfactory manner for a period of
ten years. Late in life he removed to Greene county, where he bought a
farm and here he and his wife spent their last days, his death occurring
April 3, 1902, having been preceded to the grave by his wife and mother of
our subject on June 7, 1901.

Stanley K. Kauffman was seven years of age when he removed with his
parents from his native state to Springfield. He grew to manhood on the
home farm in Taney county, and there assisted his father with the general
work, and he received his education in the schools of that vicinity, when
the slab benches and other rustic furnishings were in vogue and school
lasted only three months in midwinter. His teacher was Judge Thomas
Compton, who is now living in Lawrence county. Early in life our subject
turned his attention to general farming, and this has remained his
vocation to the present day. He owns a well-kept and well cultivated farm
in Wilson township, Greene county, where he carries on general farming and
stock raising according to twentieth century methods.

Mr. Kauffman was married, November 26, 1893, to Emma Moore, a daughter of
Rev. W. B. and Drucilia (Payne) Moore, formerly of Arkansas. The father,
who is a minister, is living in Republic, this county, where he is
actively engaged in his calling. The death of the mother of Mrs. Kauffman
occurred in 1911.

Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Kauffman, Howard K. and Herman L.

Politically, our subject is a Republican, and religiously he and his wife
are members of the Christian church.




W. ROBERT KELLER. The name of W. Robert Keller is a well-known and highly
respected one in railroad circles in Springfield, he having been connected
with the local lines for a quarter of a century, principally as conductor,
having had a passenger run on the Ozark division of the Frisco since 1900.
Early in life he manifested a natural inclination to this important field
of human endeavor and, being alert, a keen observer and trustworthy, his
rise was rapid and he is one of the most efficient conductors that has
ever run out of the Queen City.

Mr. Keller was born near Marshfield, Webster county, Missouri, December
25, 1865. He is a son of Joseph and Martha (Burks) Keller, both natives of
Tennessee, from which state they came to Webster county in an early day,
locating on a farm and there the death of the father occurred in 1913,
when past seventy years of age, his birth having occurred in 1842. He was
well known in Webster county, was a successful farmer and a good citizen.
The mother of our subject, who was also born in 1842, is still living on
the old home place near Marshfield. Joseph Keller took a great deal of
interest in the public affairs of his county and for a period of twenty
years was a judge of the County Court, retaining the office until his
health failed and compelled him to retire. During that period he did a
great deal for the permanent good of his county, always alive to its best
interests. He was a Republican in politics and a leader in his party in
Webster county. During the Civil war he enlisted at the beginning of the
struggle in the Home Guards and was stationed in Springfield with a
regiment of over one thousand men during the time of the Wilson's Creek
battle and was wounded at that time. His family consisted of six children,
all still living, namely: James; W. Robert, of this sketch; John, Jennie,
Sophia and Catherine.

W. Robert Keller grew to manhood on the home farm in Webster county and
there did his full share of the work when a boy. He received a common
school education there and while yet a mere lad he began his railroad
career. He came to Springfield in the fall of 1890 and secured a position
as brakeman on a freight train for the Kansas City, Ft. Scott & Memphis
road, now a part of the Frisco System. His run was between Springfield and
Thayer. He proved to be a hard and faithful worker and in 1893 was
promoted to freight conductor, at which he worked until 1900, when he was
promoted to passenger conductor and has remained thus engaged to the
present time, his run being from Springfield to Memphis, Tennessee.

Mr. Keller was married in Springfield, in October, 1890, to Millie Pipkin,
a native of Greene county, where she was reared and educated. She is a
daughter of James Pipkin, who was a soldier in the Civil war.

Politically, Mr. Keller is a Republican. He is a member of Division No.
321, Order of Railway Conductors. He belongs to the Masonic order,
including the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and
religiously he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.




JESSE MARION KELLEY. In nearly every community have lived individuals who,
by innate ability and sheer force of character, have risen above the
masses and won for themselves conspicuous places in public esteem. Such a
man was the late Jesse Marion Kelley a pioneer of Greene county and who
was intimately identified with the civic and industrial history of the
city of Springfield for a long lapse of years, his career as a progressive
man of affairs having been synonymous with all that was upright and
honorable in citizenship. He contributed freely of his time and means to
the maintenance of the early day schools of this locality and other
institutions which he deemed would make for the general good, using his
influence in, every way possible to advance the general welfare of those
with whom he associated in the various walks of life. Mr. Kelley was not
only a public-spirited citizen, but a whole-souled gentleman, whom to know
was to admire and respect, and he not only delighted in public
improvements in a material way, but liked to see also the promotion of
such interests as were conducive to the comfort and happiness of his
friends and fellow citizens. There was probably none of his contemporaries
in this locality who was held in higher esteem by the population, during
which might be termed the formative period of the county regardless of all
sects, political or professional creeds. His life most happily illustrated
what one may accomplish by faithful and persistent effort in carrying out
noble purposes, even in the face of discouraging circumstances. It is the
story of a life that has made the world better for his having lived, for
his actions sprung from a heart filled with love and altruism for
humanity, and was a blessing to all who were within range of his
influence. Personally, Mr. Kelley was a high-minded, right-thinking man,
according to those who knew him well, his private character having always
been unassailable. His life may be safely imitated by the young, and the
great amount of good which he did, while laboring for his own advancement
and that of his family, will never be fully known until the last great day
when the book of life shall be opened on high and every man receive due
credit for his works, his actions and his influence.

Mr. Kelley was born in Greene county, Tennessee, in 1830, and he was seven
years of age when he settled near Walnut Grove, Greene county, Missouri,
with his parents, George and Sally (Bouldon) Kelley. The family made the
overland trip from Tennessee by wagon, arriving in time to erect the log
house that was to be their home, before the rigors of winter set in. It
was merely a temporary shelter, and often during the terrible winter that
followed they awoke in the morning to find that their beds were covered
with snow which had sifted in through the cracks in the walls. But despite
the hardships and privations incident to the lot of early settlers, the
wife found time to give some instruction to her children. To the little
son, Jesse, fell the task of keeping the smaller children employed, and to
him many of the younger as well as the older ones owed their knowledge of
reading, spelling and the rudiments of arithmetic. Grammar was not taught
until a later date, but as the mother and father were excellent,
grammarians the children used good language from hearing it constantly in
their home, When the youngest of the children was quite small the father,
after a lingering illness, was summoned from earthly scenes, leaving the
highly educated and strong-minded mother to provide for the large family.
She took up her task with rare courage and fortitude, and succeeded
admirably although surrounded by a most discouraging environment. Jesse
had been engaged to teach the country school in that vicinity one season,
and although his pupils advanced as never before, the community felt that
because he had not turned the class back to the word "baker" (which was a
sort of land-mark in the old spelling-books) he was doing them an
injustice, having taught them to read and write instead. However, before
the end of the following summer the patrons of the school came to the boy
(he was still very young) and importuned him to accept the school for
another season, "because it was so nice to listen to their children read
after their day's work was done.

George Kelley, the father, had served very creditably as a member of the
state Legislature, also as sheriff of Springfield before his untimely
death, Jesse being his deputy. In Springfield, then, seemed to exist the
opportunity for the son to further his fortunes, so he decided to locate
here, and for many years was employed as a dry goods clerk. Here he met
and married Sarah (Taylor) Worley, a daughter of Hiram and Sarah Worley, a
relative of the Taylors of Tennessee and a direct descendant of the
Monroes and Henrys of Virginia, of whom the great orator, Patrick Henry,
was one. To the union of Jesse M. Kelley and wife three sons and one
daughter were born; Charles, the eldest, died during the Civil war;
Richard, a promising young railroad man, died as a result of exposure
while attending to his regular duties for his company at Grand River,
Indian Territory; Mary Lizzie, who lived to the age of nineteen years,
graduated from the Ward Seminary of Nashville, Tennessee, being a
brilliant musician and one of a strong, peaceful mind; after graduating
she returned to her home and lived for a short time to enjoy the benefit
of her education; Edwin H. Kelley, who is later mentioned in this sketch,
is the other son. Shortly after their marriage the wife prevailed upon her
husband to purchase a small house and lot near the corner of Walnut and
South streets. They pooled their ready money and contracted to pay the
balance in monthly payments. Long before the expiration of the stipulated
time they were given in which to make the final payment settlement was
made in full, and they improved the place by adding several rooms and in
making other important changes. Before and during the first years of the
war between the states a great many strangers passed through this section
of the state, many of them finding true hospitality and pleasant
surroundings at the Kelley home. From this modest beginning sprang the
name and fame of their hotel. About 1879 Jesse M. Kelley's name began to
be mentioned with favor as a worthy public official, and he became a
candidate for recorder of deeds on the Republican ticket, and he was duly
elected, serving the county well, inaugurating many improvements. At the
close of his term of office he began work on one of the first sets of
abstracting books in this county, and he remained identified with this
business in Springfield until his death, which occurred in January, 1914
at the advanced age of eighty-four years.

Mr. Kelley was one of the founders of the present splendid public school
system of Greene county. He posted the announcements, calling the citizens
in mass meeting, which resulted in much heated discussion, because some
believed that the colored population would be sent to the same schools
established for the whites. One fanatic even threatened the life of our
subject, and rode many miles to shoot him, "for callin' his children no
better'n niggers."

At the opening of the Civil war Mr. Kelley joined the Home Guards and
helped build the forts and rifle pits south and west of the city. During
these distressing times, coal was hauled from Greenfield, each wagon train
having hairbreadth escapes from the enemy. Then came news of large armies
marching on Springfield, and the citizens expected severe bombardments.
Later the town was attacked and while shells were falling around their
home the Kelleys took what they could of their household effects,
journeying by stage to Rolla, Phelps county, which was at that time the
western terminal of the railroad. There they took the train to St. Louis
and on into Illinois. Upon returning, after quiet had been restored in the
Ozark region, our subject and his wife found nothing but their house
remaining, and they again opened a small hotel, which up to the year 1881
was the favorite stopping place for many of Springfield's most influential
citizens. The hotel will be remembered by many as the Kelley House. The
domestic life of Mr. and Mrs. Kelley was ideal, and Mrs. Kelley's death
occurred only a few hours after that of her husband, in January, 1914.

Their son, Prof. Edwin H. Kelley, has long been one of Springfield's best
known musicians. He was born in this city on October 16, 1865, and here he
grew to manhood and received his education in the local ward and high
schools. By nature he is both a musician and an artist, and during his
school days here he became well known for his fine drawings. In 1891 he
went to Leipsic, Germany, and studied music under Hans Sitt, a famous
instructor, of the Royal Conservatory of Music of that city, remaining
there several years, making an excellent record. While abroad, Prof.
Kelley studied art during the summer months in the studio of Martin
Laemuel, a distinguished artist of Germany, who has since remained a very
warm friend of Prof. Kelley. The latter made many paintings in watercolor
while a student in Germany. They were all from life, and each one of them
has a history in themselves. They show unmistakable talent, and have been
admired by all who have had the privilege of seeing them. Returning to
America in 1895, he was appointed musical director at the old Normal
school in Springfield, which position he held two years. Since then he has
been one of the instructors in music at Drury College at two different
periods. He now devotes his attention exclusively to his studio in the
Masonic Temple building in this city and has a large number of pupils
constantly. He teaches the violin, on which instrument he is exceptionally
proficient.

Prof. Kelley was married in Leipsic, Germany, February 14, 1895, shortly
before his return to the United States, to Marguerite Kneip, a member of a
prominent old family of Leipsic, where she was reared and educated. This
union has been blessed by the birth of two children, namely: Elizabeth,
born on December 1, 1895, received a common school education in the local
ward and high schools, and is a member of Christ Episcopal church, in
which she was baptized when a child; Alice was born on February, 5, 1992,
and is now in the eighth grade in the public schools and has made
excellent records in all her work.

Prof. Kelley and wife are members of Christ Episcopal church, and he
belongs to the Springfield Musicians' Union, also the Springfield Musical
Club.




JOHN KELLY. The vast majority of men are not their own employers. They are
working for some one else and must continue to do so. The tendency of
modern business is toward more economical production and this means larger
establishments and fewer employers. Out of the ranks will come some
captain s of industry who will have large business enterprises of their
own; but their number will be insignificant compared with the army of
toilers who work for some one else. There are few men who are not
compelled to sell their services in their youth in order to get a start in
life, but lucky is he who does not remain a hired man too long, thereby
losing confidence in himself and incapacitating himself in a way to be
able to go it alone. One of the business men of Springfield who had the
tact to quit hiring out and start in business for himself when the proper
time came is John Kelly, who first came to Springfield forty-four years
ago, and for nearly four decades has been identified with the business of
the city, thus literally growing up with the town.

Mr. Kelly was born in Ireland, June 13, 1849. He is a son of Patrick and
Mary (Heckey) Kelly, both natives of Ireland where they grew up, were
educated in the common schools, and there were married and devoted their
lives to general farming. The mother was a daughter of a physician. John
Kelly spent his early boyhood in the Emerald Isle, and there received a
limited education by attending night school. He was sixteen years of age
when he emigrated to America. He penetrated to the interior, first
locating at Fulton City, Illinois, where he remained about a year, then
went to Montana, Utah and Colorado, remaining some time in the West, then
came to Springfield, Missouri, in 1870, arriving here in February, but
soon thereafter he went to Neosho and started in the liquor business for
E. F. Kinney. After remaining there a year he came back to Springfield
where he remained until 1876, when he went to Fort Worth, Texas, and spent
two years there, then lived at Parlor Point, Texas, two years. From there
he went to Colorado, where he remained six months, then returned to
Springfield in the fall of 1880 and continued working at his profession
until 1883, when he started in business for himself in partnership with E.
F. Kinney, in the liquor business on Commercial street, but two years
later the partnership was dissolved and he struck out for himself near the
corner of Boonville and Commercial streets, where he conducted his
business for fifteen years, then moved to Mill street where he has
remained to the present time. He has prospered in a financial way, and has
always been regarded as a law-abiding citizen.

Mr. Kelly has remained unmarried. He has been a Democrat ever since he was
old enough to vote, but has never aspired to office. He was confirmed in
the Catholic church in infancy, and has always adhered to the same.





ERNST KEMMLING. Greene county has furnished comfortable homes for many of
the enterprising citizens hailing from the great German empire, who have
been settling within her borders since early pioneer days when the land
was still the home of various tribes of Indians, the Osages, Delawares and
Kickapoos, and also the haunts of many specie of wild denizens of the far
stretching forests. We have always welcomed the Germans or any of the
people from her provinces, and this has been as it should be, for they
have been courageous and not afraid of hard work and have been of untold
assistance to us in clearing the fertile soil of its heavy timber of oak,
hickory, walnut, ash and other hardwoods; and they, too, have helped build
our substantial dwellings, convenient business blocks and imposing public
buildings. One of this sturdy class is Ernst Kemmling, who has resided on
the outskirts of Springfield for a period of thirty-seven years, where he
started in a modest way and in due course of time became owner of a vast
tract of valuable land.

Mr. Kemmling was born in Germany, November 6, 1846. He is a son of Henry
and Caroline (Hinkle) Kemmling, both natives of Germany also, where they
grew up, were married and established their home, and there the father
engaged in sheep raising for wool, principally.

To Mr. and Mrs. Henry Kemmling seven children were born, namely: Henry and
Augusta are both deceased; Carroll lives in Germany; Minnie is deceased;
Ernest, subject of this sketch; Lena lives in Germany; and the youngest
died in infancy.

Our subject remained with his father until he was twenty-one years of age,
at which time he was drafted into the Prussian army, and he served three
years in the regular army, and was a soldier for a year in the great
Franco-Prussian war, seeing a great deal of hard service, including the
sanguinary battle of Cravalett, which lasted two days in the middle of a
hot August, and in which engagement the Prussians lost thirty thousand men
and the French thirty-two thousand men. Our subject was also before Metz
for six weeks, where the French surrendered to the Prussians. The war was
concluded July 4, 1871; Mr. Kemmling was honorably discharged from the
service. He remained in his native land until December 27, 1871, when he
sailed from the Fatherland for the New World, coming straight to
Steubenville, Ohio, where he remained five years, during which he was
employed by the Jefferson Iron Company. Leaving there he came to
Springfield, Missouri, in March, 1877, and bought eighty acres of railroad
land on which he settled and went to work. By close application, economy
and good management he prospered with advancing years and added to his
original purchase from time to time until he became owner of five hundred
acres of good land, and ranked among the most enterprising and successful
agriculturists of Greene county. He has been living on his present place
many years, near the north end of Campbell street, but of late years he
has not been so active as formerly, merely overseeing his estate and
engaging in trucking and gardening on a small scale and is now practically
retired. He has accumulated considerable other property which he looks
after, including a splendid home. He is certainly deserving of a great
deal of credit for what he has accomplished since coming here, alone and
unaided and with but little capital with which to start.

Mr. Kemmling was married in his native province on September 4, 1867, to
Minnie Meke, a native of Germany and a daughter of Louis and Charlotte
(Henze) Meke, both natives of Germany, where they grew up, married and
settled, and to them seven children were born, all of whom are now
deceased except the wife of our subject.

To Mr. and Mrs. Ernst Kemmling four sons were born, named as follows:
Ernest L., Henry and August, all prosperous farmers of Greene county; and
John, who lives in Oregon on a farm, where he is doing well also.

Mr. Kemmling was for many years a member of the German Veterans. He has
been a Democrat for the past thirty-seven years, and he and his wife
belong to the German Evangelical church. They are well liked in their
neighborhood, being hospitable, neighborly and honest in all their
intercourse with the world.




HENRY F. KENNEDY. Much has been written of recent years regarding the
constant flocking of country boys to the city, which has resulted in a
very rapid growth of American cities and left the rural districts without
proper help in the raising and caring for crops. Many solutions of this
problem have been offered, for it seems a fact to be deplored that so many
boys who were better prepared by nature for agriculturists than for
commercial men should leave the old homestead for the boarding house in
the metropolis. Most of them had better remained on the farm, considering
the question from every view point. Henry F. Kennedy, a farmer of North
Campbell township, Greene county, is one who has wisely remained on the
farm, instead of seeking a precarious existence in the city.

Mr. Kennedy was born in Davidson county, North Carolina, November 7, 1858.
He is a son of Isham H. and Lydia M. (Meyer) Kennedy. The father was born
in the same county and state, April 21, 1832, the Kennedy family having
been among the older people of the Tar state. There the father was reared
on a plantation and received a common school education. He remained in
Dixieland until 1869, when he made the long journey to Missouri, later
buying a farm in Greene county, where he became a successful farmer. He is
now living with his daughter in Wright county, being past eighty-two years
of age, but is still active. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal
church. The mother of our subject was also born in North Carolina, on
December 29, 1839, and there she grew to womanhood and received a common
school education. Her death occurred in Wright County, Missouri, March 23,
1905. To these parents eight children were born, namely: Henry F., of this
sketch, being the eldest; Mrs. Martha J. Gardner, Mrs. Sarah Ayres, John
W., Mrs. Emma V. Mitchell, George, Mrs. Julia Smith, and Effie, the latter
being deceased.

Henry F. Kennedy was reared on a farm in North Carolina, and he received
some education in subscription schools. He worked for his father on the
farm until he was twenty-one years of age, then began farming for himself.
The first farm he owned contained eighty acres, to which he has added
until now he has three hundred and forty acres and owns three hundred and
twenty acres in Webster county. He has prospered through good management
and close application. He left his native state and took up his residence
here in 1888. He has become one of the most substantial and progressive
general agriculturists in Greene county, and he has brought his large
acreage up to a high state of development, his improvements being modern,
including a commodious residence and large outbuildings. In connection
with general farming he handles large numbers of live stock of various
kinds. He is deserving of a great deal of credit for what he has
accomplished unaided, and many a young man could well profit by studying
his methods. Since coming to this state he has lived in Greene, Barton,
Dade and Jasper counties.

Mr. Kennedy was married on April 6, 1885, to Sarah L. Appleby, who was
born in Greene county, Missouri, December 30, 1857, and here she grew to
womanhood and received a common school education. She is a daughter of
William and Elizabeth (Snow) Appleby. Mr. Appleby was a successful farmer
of this county. He and his wife have been deceased several years.

Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy, namely: Ida is with
her parents; David lives in Greene county; George is at home; Frank is
also helping his father on the farm; Effie, deceased, and Hugh, who is it
at home.

Politically, Mr. Kennedy is a Republican, and while he is always ready to
take a good citizen's part in public affairs, he has never sought
political leadership, preferring to devote his attention to his large
farming interests.




LEE CASPER KENNEDY. This is often called the age of young men, and it is
no doubt true that more men of tender years are filling responsible
positions than ever in the history of the world. One has only to look
about a little in any commercial center to find that this is true. In
these rushing, "iron clanging days" young and vigorous blood is required,
although, of course, were it not for the sagacious counsel of the
gray-haired element in the business arena, there would be many more
financial catastrophes than there are, great though the number already is,
owing to a degree of feverish recklessness that has crept into the
twentieth century way of doing things.

Among the young men of Springfield who hold positions of trust is Lee
Casper Kennedy, a descendant of an Irish ancestry. He was born in
Stockbridge, Michigan, February 11, 1885, and is a son of William S. and
Elizabeth (Doyle) Kennedy. The father was born at St. Thomas, Ontario,
Canada, in 1858, of Irish extraction, and there he grew to manhood and was
educated, and in his earlier years he followed lumbering and race horse
raising, being successful in both lines, and at present he is making his
home in Detroit, Michigan, where he is engaged in the real estate
business. Politically he is a Democrat, and in religion a Catholic. He and
Elizabeth Doyle were married in Dexter, Michigan, in 1878. She was born in
Pinckney, that state, about 1861 and there reared and educated. The Doyle
family were also originally of Ireland.

Lee C. Kennedy spent his boyhood days at Stockbridge, Michigan, and there
received a good education in the common and high schools, being graduated
from the latter in 1903. He began life for himself as a teacher which he
followed two years in Ingham county, Michigan, and although he gave
promise of becoming a highly successful educator, he did not see an
encouraging future to this line of endeavor and so turned his attention to
the world of industry. After working a year as foreman of a basket
factory, he accepted a position as bookkeeper and cashier of a poultry
house where he worked one year, then, in 1908, came to Springfield,
Missouri, and clerked in the Frisco offices for three years, after which
he became bookkeeper and cashier with the Quinn-Barry Tea & Coffee
Company, where he remained two and one-half years. In all these positions
he gave eminent satisfaction, being faithful, alert and painstaking in all
his work and at the same time he was broadening his general knowledge of
business forms and customs, and in the year 1912 he went with the Tegarden
Packing Company, now known as the Welsh Packing Company, as treasurer,
which responsible post he still occupies in his usual able manner.

Politically, Mr. Kennedy votes independently, however he supports the
Democratic ticket in national elections. He was reared in the faith of the
Catholic church and from this he has not departed. Fraternally, he belongs
to the Knights of Columbus, and to the Loyal Order of Moose.

Mr. Kennedy has remained unmarried.




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

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

Andrew B. Kerr grew to manhood in his native state and there attended the
public schools, but quit school when fourteen years of age and began work
carrying mail in his locality. He later learned telegraphy in the railroad
office there, and served his time in the Pennsylvania shops at Verona, as
machinist, remaining there from May 21, 1901, to January 8, 1906. Not
being satisfied with the education he had obtained, he quit the shop in
the last mentioned year and entered Purdue University, at Lafayette,
Indiana, made a good record and was graduated from that institution June
28, 1910, with the degree of bachelor of science; also received a degree
from the mechanical engineering department. After leaving the university
he began working as assistant engineer at the car barns of the Pittsburg
Street Railway Company at Homewood, Pennsylvania. Later he went to work
for the American Steel and Wire Company, in Pennsylvania, as machinist.
From there he went to Yoakum, Texas, as a machinist on the San Antonio &
Arkansas Pass Railroad, in 1911, being with this company but a short time
when he took up a position as instructor and representative of The
International Correspondence Schools, of Scranton, Pennsylvania, in
Yoakum, and in the spring of 1912 went to Omaha, Nebraska, as instructor
and text book writer of the educational bureau of the Harriman lines, and
in the spring of 1913 came to Missouri. He came to Springfield, Missouri,
July 12, 1913, and secured employment as machinist in the Frisco shops.
His ability was soon recognized and he was made instructor of apprentices
of the shops of this company in Springfield, which position he is holding
to the satisfaction of all concerned, being a young man of advanced ideas,
capable, energetic and trustworthy. He has charge of all the apprentices,
having under his care one hundred and twenty boys at the present time. He
makes use of two class rooms, one at the old plant and another at the new
plant. Each boy is required to attend his respective class two hours each
week. They are given sufficient instruction to enable them to gain a
general idea of all shop work. Mr. Kerr is making a great success in this
undertaking and has aroused much enthusiasm in the work in his classes.

Mr. Kerr was married July 3, 1911, in Lafayette, Indiana, to Grace Ullman,
who is a native of Tippecanoe county, Indiana, and a daughter of Emanuel
and Caroline Ullman; the father is deceased, but the mother survives and
still makes her home in Tippecanoe county, where Mrs. Kerr grew to
womanhood and received good educational advantages.

The union of our subject and wife has been without issue.

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




CHARLES WALTER KERR. In years gone by farmers were looked upon as a class
of people who were not educated, who could do nothing but farm. Now times
have changed--one can not make a pronounced success as a farmer unless one
is educated, not necessarily in the classics, it is true, but educated in
the things that he has to employ in his vocation--the care and management
of his place. A farmer, to be a successful farmer, must carefully manage
his farm and know what he is gaining or losing, and on what branch there
is no profit, just the same as the business man of the city manages his
business, in a way, he should be a good bookkeeper. Among the tillers of
the soil in Brookline township, Greene county, who not only knows how to
plow and hoe, but also how to properly manage the business end of his
farm, is Charles Walter Kerr.

Mr. Kerr was born in Vermilion county, Illinois, August 9, 1874. He is a
son of James A. and Sarah (Irvin) Kerr. The father was a native of
Indiana, in which state he grew to manhood, and was educated in the common
schools, and he remained in his native state until about 1869, when he
removed to Illinois, and from that state he brought his family to Greene
county, Missouri, when the subject of this sketch was six years old, the,
family locating in Brookline township, in 1880, and here our subject has
since resided. To James A. Kerr and wife seven children were born, three
sons and four daughters, namely: J. Owen, born in 1870, lives in Republic;
Elmer E., born in 1866, died in 1894; Mary E., born in 1868, married D. F.
Leabo, and they live in Carthage, Missouri, Emma V., born in 1872, married
R. A. Bowland, and they reside in Springfield; Charles W., of this sketch,
Olive M., born in 1876, married H. H. McElhaney, and they live in
Brookline township; Edna May, born in 1880, is unmarried and resides with
her mother on the home place in this township. The father died October 23,
1903.

Charles W. Kerr grew to manhood on the home farm and assisted with the
work during the crop seasons, attending the public schools in the winter
time in his district. He has always followed farming, on the home place,
managing the same for his father until the latter's death in 1903, since
which time he has operated the place on his own account. He has kept it
under an excellent state of improvement and cultivation. He recently
completed an attractive residence, on the bungalow order, near the old
home. It is on the main highway between Springfield and Republic, and is
surrounded by a beautiful oak grove, and is appropriately named "The
Oaks."

Mr. Kerr was married in 1911 to Frances Short, a daughter of Frank and
Nancy Short, who live in Christian county, Missouri, where Mrs. Kerr was
born, reared and educated, the date of her birth being 1878.

Politically, Mr. Kerr is a Republican, but while he supports every
movement calculated to be of general public interest, he has never been a
candidate for public office. He belongs to the Baptist church at Republic.




ULYSSES F. KERR, M. D. Prominent among the successful medical men of
Springfield and Greene county is Dr.Ulysses F. Kerr, formerly a
well-known-general practitioner of Christian county. During his fourteen
years of practice, his punctuality in keeping appointments with his
patients has been religiously adhered to, never having disappointed anyone
except in cases of the most urgent necessity. Privately, as well as
professionally, his life has been an exemplary one, and no proper help to
worthy enterprises, public, charitable or otherwise, has he withheld, and
he is honored and respected by all as a true type of the sympathetic,
broad-minded Christian physician.




CAPT. WILLIAM H. KERSHNER. Fame may look to the clash of resounding arms
for its heroes; history's pages may be filled with a record of the deeds
of the so-called great who have deluged the world with blood, destroyed
kingdoms, created dynasties and left their names as plague spots upon
civilization's escutcheon; the poet may embalm in deathless song the short
and simple annals of the poor; but there have been comparatively few to
sound the praise of the brave and sturdy pioneer who among the truly great
and noble, is certainly deserving of at least a little space on the
category of the immortals. One of the pioneers of Greene county is William
H. Kershner, Clay township's venerable citizen, who located in our midst
three-quarters of a century ago, and thus he has lived to see the growth
of the county from the beginning, for this has been his place of abode
with the exception of a few years in the far West during the days of the
rush for the gold beyond the Sierras.

Mr. Kershner was born in Hawkins county, Tennessee, March 12, 1835. He is
a son of John H. and Martha (Amis) Kershner. The father was born in the
same county and state and was reared on a farm there, married and in 1841
removed with his family to Greene county, Missouri, locating on the James
river, buying a two hundred acre farm on which he spent the rest of his
life and died there in December, 1856. His wife was also born and reared
in Hawkins county, Tennessee, Her death occurred on the home place in
Greene county in 1868. She was a member of the Methodist church. The Amis
family were very early pioneers of Hawkins county, Tennessee, They were
influential in milling and agricultural circles. They never left
Tennessee. To these parents ten children were born, namely: Mrs. Elizabeth
Cloud, deceased; Mrs. Frances Muncie, deceased; Mrs. Sarah Bench lives in
Greene county; William H., of this sketch; John, who was a soldier in the
Civil war, died after the close of the conflict; Mrs. Martha Crane,
deceased; Mrs. Harriet Wills lives in Greene county; DeWitt C. lives in
Montana; Mary, deceased; James, deceased.

William H. Kershner was five years old when he accompanied his parents
from Tennessee to Greene county. He worked on his father's farm until he
was twenty-one years old, and received a common school education. In
April, 1856, he started from Springfield across the great western plains,
to California with an ox team, arriving in the gold fields in September of
the same year. He spent five years in the Pacific coast country and was
fairly successful. He returned home in 1861, and joined the Federal army,
under Capt. John W. Matthews, of Company A. Eighth Missouri Cavalry. His
captain was wounded December 1, 1863 and died twelve days later whereupon
our subject was promoted to captain of his company, the duties, of which
responsible position he very ably and courageously discharged until he was
mustered out of the service in August, 1865. He took part in the battles
of Wilson's Creek, Prairie Grove, Arkansas; Chalk Bluffs, Arkansas, and a
number of smaller engagements, and was with the troops that took the city
of Little Rock. He was an excellent officer, according to his soldiers,
and never shirked his duty no matter how arduous or dangerous. After the
war he returned to the family home in Greene county, and here purchased a
fine farm of three hundred acres and has since devoted his attention to
general agricultural pursuits, ranking among the leading farmers of the
county.

Mr. Kershner was married in 1867 to Lucy E. Dodson, who was born on the
place where our subject is now living, in December, 1858. She was a
daughter of George and Eliza (Samuel) Dodson, both natives of Maury
county, Tennessee. They immigrated to Greene county, Missouri in 1840 and
owned a farm of one hundred and eighty acres here on which they spent the
rest of their lives, both dying some years ago. Mrs. Kershner was reared
on the farm here and was educated in the district schools. Her death
occurred May 23, 1910. She was an excellent woman and had a host of
friends. She was a worthy member of the Christian church.

To Mr. and Mrs. Kershner ten children have been born namely: Mrs. Martha
Collison, Mrs. Lonie Masoner, Willie is deceased; Ora Olive lives at home;
Mrs. Fannie Inghram, Lennie, deceased; Mrs. Annie Smith, Jennie is
deceased; Fred, at home and Johnnie, the latter deceased.

Politically, Mr. Kershner is a Republican. He is a member of the John
Matthews Post, Grand Army of the Republic, at Springfield, which post was
named after his captain when he first went into the army. He has had a
great deal of adventure and talks interestingly but never boastfully of
what he has seen and experienced.




CHARLES LOUIS KING. For many years Charles Louis King has occupied a
prominent place in the business circles of Walnut Grove and few men are
better known in Greene, Polk and Dade counties. As merchant, stock man and
banker, each role having been successfully followed by him, his career has
been characterized by industry and sound judgment, and fair dealing is his
watchword in all his transactions. He has for a decade been president of
the Citizen's. Bank at Walnut Grove. He is optimistic, looking on the
bright side of life and never complains at the rough places in the road,
knowing that life is a battle in which no victories are won by the
slothful, but that the prize is to, the vigilant and the strong of heart.

Mr. King was born at Walnut Grove, Missouri, February 7, 1868. He is a son
of John M. and Nancy E. (Carlock) King, the father born at Walnut Grove on
November 12, 1839, and the mother was born at Dadeville, this state, on
October 5, 1845, each representatives of pioneer families in this section
of the Ozarks. They grew to maturity amid frontier scenes, were educated
in the early-day subscription schools, and upon reaching maturity married
and established their home at Walnut Grove, where Mr. King spent his life,
engaged in various pursuits, such as farming and operating a hotel, and
was always well and favorably known throughout this locality. During the
Civil War John M. King enlisted in Company K, Sixth Missouri Infantry,
Federal army, and served faithfully as a private for two years, when he
was discharged on account of disability.

Charles L. King grew to manhood in his native community and received his
education in the Walnut Grove schools, and here he has spent the major
portion of his life. When twenty years of age he went to California and
herded cattle on one of the large ranches of that state for a period of
five years, during which time he became an excellent judge of cattle, and,
upon returning to Walnut Grove, bought and shipped live stock for a period
of six years with much success, then operated a drug store here for three
years, enjoying a good trade. He then went to Oklahoma, where he engaged
in the hardware business for a year, then returned to Walnut Grove and
organized the Citizen's Bank, and from that time, to the present he has
been president, a period of ten years, during which his able management
and conservative policy have resulted in the building up of one of the
sound and safe banking institutions in this part of the state and a large
business is carried on with the country, a general banking business being
done along the most approved and modern methods of banking. Mr. King also
finds time to deal extensively in the mule business.

On December 31, 1912, Mr. King was united in marriage to Audrey B. Morgan,
of Humansville, Missouri, a daughter of Daniel W. and Eliza A. Morgan, a
highly respected and well-known family of that place.

Politically Mr. King is a Democrat and has been more or less active in
local party affairs, although not as a candidate for public honors. In
1907 he united with the Presbyterian church at Walnut Grove, of which he
has since been a consistent member. Fraternally he belongs to the
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks at Springfield and the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows at Walnut Grove. He is a good mixer, friendly,
obliging and has no trouble in retaining the many friendships which he
forms everywhere he goes.




DR. THOMAS MONTGOMERY KING. The science of osteopathy is now well
established throughout the civilized world, and it has had a rapid growth
during the past decade. Its merits were recognized from the first by many
people, who had become skeptical in the use of drugs, but, like all
sciences, whether good or bad, it had to be thoroughly demonstrated in all
communities and prove the test of time. This it seems to have done, for we
find today advocates of osteopathy everywhere, who claim beneficial
results from it, and considering the short time it has been known,
comparatively short at least to that of medical science, it has gained a
wonderful foothold, one that is now assured and that no doubt will never
be eradicated no matter how much opposition is met with. Any new science,
creed, doctrine or philosophy meets with various kinds of antagonism, and
it is only the worthy that survive.

One of the leading, capable and best known exponents of osteopathy in
Springfield and Greene county is Dr. Thomas Montgomery King, who was born
at College Springs, Iowa. He is a son of George Adam King, a native of
Pennsylvania, in which state the latter grew to manhood and received his
education. He devoted his active life to general farming and stock
raising, and finally removed to College Springs, Iowa, where he spent the
rest of his life, dying there on July 24, 1887, having dropped dead while
at work in his fields. He married Caroline Simpson, a daughter of James
McBride Simpson, a native of Pennsylvania. Her death occurred in 1897. The
paternal grandfather, Solomon King, was a native of Pennsylvania, and
devoted his life to farming. His wife was Esther Schotz prior to her
marriage.

Dr. King grew to manhood on the home farm in Iowa and there worked when a
boy. He received his early education in the public schools and at Amity
College, College Springs, Iowa. He subsequently entered the American
School of Osteopathy at Kirksville, Missouri, where he made an excellent
record and from which he graduated in 1899. He also took a postgraduate
course in the Los Angeles College of Osteopathy, which he completed in
1910. He located in Springfield, Missouri, in February, 1899, opened an
office for the practice of his profession and has been here to the present
time, his practice during the sixteen years having steadily grown until it
has now reached very large proportions and he is kept very busy. He was
one of the first osteopaths to establish himself in the practice of this
profession in Springfield. He is one of the best known osteopaths in
southern Missouri. He is a member of the Ozark Osteopathic Association, of
which he was the first president, and is very active in the work of the
same. He is also a member of the Missouri State Osteopathic Association,
and was president of the same for one year. He is also a member of the
American Osteopathic Association, of which he was assistant secretary for
two years. He has filled these responsible positions in a most faithful,
able and highly acceptable manner. Politically he votes independently, and
religiously he is a member of the Presbyterian church. His offices are in
the Landers building.

Dr. King married Fannie B. Clark, November 21, 1900. She is a daughter of
Robert A. Clark, formerly a prominent business man of Springfield, who
died many years ago. His widow, who was Julia A. Withrow prior to her
marriage, was born in Virginia, and is making her home with Dr. and Mrs.
King in Springfield.

Two children have been born to Dr. King and wife, namely: Julia Margaret
King, born January 17, 1902, is now attending high school; and Robert
Montgomery King, born April 4, 1905, is in the fifth grade in the ward
schools.

Personally Dr. King is a pleasant, well-informed and courteous gentleman,
who has made a host of friends since coming to Springfield.




JOHN KINSER. One of Clay township's enterprising farmers is John Kinser.
He has made a success in his calling very largely because he has been
willing to give up many of the old and antiquated ideas of farming and
adopted such new ones as were practicable here. He is one of those farmers
who never loses sight of the fact that the soil must be well supplied with
organic matter; that humus is absolutely necessary to the soil to make
plant food available; that if one practices crop rotation, one must not
fail to include one or more of the legumes. These and many other similar
ideas of successful farming have long been known to him and it is a
pleasure to look over his well tilled place.

Mr. Kinser was born in Greene county, Missouri, about two miles from his
present residence, October 11, 1852, and here he has been content to spend
his life. He is a son of Jefferson and Sarah (Lee) Kinser. The father was
born in Virginia and grew to manhood and received his education in that
state, being a young man when he immigrated overland to Missouri with his
parents, making the trip in wagons drawn by oxen. The family settled in
Greene county, the father entering a large amount of land from the
government which he cleared and improved, and carried on general farming
and stock raising successfully here in the pioneer days. During the Civil
war he joined the Federal army, under Col. John S. Phelps, and most of his
service was confined to Greene county. He was a participant in the battle
of Springfield, when General Brown's forces were attacked by General
Marmaduke, January 8, 1863. He was honorably discharged at Rolla,
Missouri, at the close of the war. After the war he returned home and
resumed farming, which he followed until his death, which occurred at the
age of seventy-seven years. Politically, he was a Republican. He belonged
to the Christian church. He was a well known and influential man in his
locality, and had a great many friends wherever he was known. The mother
of the subject of this sketch was born in Virginia, and she received a
common school education. She was young in years when she came to Missouri
with her parents, the family locating on a farm in Greene county. She was
a great help to her husband on the farm, was industrious, spun and wove
most of her cloth in the early days, and raised cotton for this purpose.
She was a member of the Christian church. Her death occurred prior to that
of her husband.

To Jefferson Kinser and wife eight children were born, namely: Joseph,
deceased; Ephraim lives in Greene county on an adjoining farm to our
subject; John, of this review; Mrs. Sarah Davis, deceased; Mrs. Mary
Fulton, deceased; Mrs. Anna Dykes lives in Webster county; Nancy,
deceased; William is engaged in the livery business in Oklahoma.

John Kinser was reared to manhood on the home farm where he received his
education in the district schools of his community. He worked for his
father at home until he was twenty-five years of age, when he was married
to Sarah Cloud and began farming for himself. His father gave him a good
farm of one hundred and twenty acres, to which our subject has added
eighty acres. He cleared part of his land, making many improvements of a
substantial and permanent nature, built a comfortable home, several
convenient barns and his excellent place of two hundred acres is entitled
to rank among the best in this part of the county in every, respect. About
thirty acres is in timber. He carries on general farming and stock
raising. He has lately moved to Menter, where he now resides, going to and
from his farm as necessity requires.

Mrs. Kinser was reared to womanhood in Greene county, and here she
received her education in the common schools. She proved to be a most
faithful helpmeet and was a woman who was a favorite with her many
friends, and her untimely death at the early age of thirty-eight years was
deeply deplored. She was a daughter of Calvin and Elizabeth Cloud. Her
father was one of the earliest settlers in Greene county and he owned an
excellent farm here and spent the rest of his life on the home place, and
there his wife died also.

To Mr. and Mrs. Kinser four children were born, namely: Mrs. Laura Estes
lives in Greene county; Mrs. Lula Patterson is living at home with her
father; Mrs. Lennie White lives in Greene county; James E. is living on
the home farm.

Politically, Mr. Kinser is a Republican, and is loyal in his support of
the party, although is no office seeker or public man.




GUY D. KIRBY. As a lawyer Guy D. Kirby, now judge of the Circuit Court of
Greene county, for many years stood at the front of his profession at the
Springfield bar, his career being noted for strength, fidelity and honor
in his character. The relations between him and his clients are ever loyal
and genuine. He is ever steadfast, sure and true. Among his professional
brethren he is noted for his thorough knowledge of the law, not only of
its great underlying principles, but also for its niceties and, its
exacting details, and for his faculty of clearly presenting to court and
jury the law and facts of the case. On the bench his painstaking,
laborious review and study of each case, and his accurate recollection of
precedents always keep him in thorough preparation, and his profound legal
erudition and sound judgment prevent him from resting on any hazardous or
uncertain ground. In every sphere he demonstrates the individual unit and
creation of himself. Rectitude, moral force, integrity, innate love of
justice, exalted sense of honor, and unflinching advocacy of- that which
is right, are well defined elements of his personal character. Add to
these industry and mental equipment, and we have the key to his success as
a lawyer and as a judge.

Judge Kirby was born in Springfield, Missouri, March 3, 1873. He is a son
of William M. and Virginia (Parrish) Kirby, the father being born in
Baltimore, Maryland, in 1846, and the mother's birth occurred in
Springfield, Missouri, in 1847. William M. Kirby spent his earlier years
in the Monument City and received a good practical education, and when a
young man came to Springfield, Missouri, and ran a drygoods store here for
several years, then held various positions under county officers for a
number of years, and, in 1881, began his long career as traveling
salesman, which he has continued to the present time being one of the most
widely known commercial salesmen in the Southwest. On December 22, 1870,
he and Virginia Parrish were married here. She grew to womanhood and was
educated in her native county, receiving an excellent education. To the
parents of our subject four children were born, namely: William C. is
deceased; Guy D., of this sketch; Anne L. and Lellah V. These children
were all given excellent educational advantages in the Springfield
schools.

Judge Kirby grew to manhood in his native city and here attended the ward
and high schools, later was a student in Drury College. Leaving school in
1895, he began the study of law with the late John O'Day as preceptor,
and, having made rapid progress, was admitted to the bar in December,
1896. After that he continued studying law, but did not begin the practice
of his profession until 1900. He continued active practice in the local
courts for ten years with much success, or until he was elected judge of
the circuit court in 1910, since which time he has discharged the duties
of this important position in a manner that has reflected much credit upon
himself and to the satisfaction of his constituents and all concerned,
being generally regarded as one of the best men ever on this bench.

Judge Kirby has remained unmarried. Politically he is a stanch Democrat
and active in local political affairs. He belongs to the Baptist church.




WILLIAM L. KIRKEY. It is not a very frequent occurrence that in a
historical work of this kind the biographer finds a man who was born in
the fair Sunflower state living cast of that state; they either prefer to
remain within the limits of their own boundary or go farther west, but in
the person of William L. Kirkey, foreman of the mechanical department of
the reclamation plant of the Frisco's South Side shops, Springfield, we
have an exception, and, if all natives of Kansas are as capable in their
vocations and as good citizens in general as he, we would welcome many
more to Greene county

Mr. Kirkey was born August 24, 1872, in Highland Station, Doniphan county,
Kansas. He is a son of Louis and Nana (Jones) Kirkey. The father was born
in America of French parents, and the mother was a native of Nevada,
Missouri. His death occurred in 1874 and he was buried in Kansas. Her
death occurred in 1886 at the age of forty-eight years. To the union of
these parents only one child, William L., of this review, was born. After
the death of her first husband the mother remarried, N. N. Fields being
her last husband. To them three children were born, namely: Nathan was a
carpenter in Springfield, Missouri; Charles is deceased, and. Burton E. is
the youngest.

William L. Kirkey worked some on a farm when a boy and he received a
limited education in the public schools. He hired out at farm work when
only thirteen years of age, later learned the marble-cutter's trade,
having had natural ability as a sculptor. He served his apprenticeship at
Rich Hill, Missouri, for P. H. Scott, and continued in this work for
twelve or fourteen years, then turned his attention to machinery and
learned the machinist's trade at St. Louis, meanwhile studying at home all
books available pertaining to his trade, and in due course of time he
became an expert, working for the Parker-Russell Mining and Manufacturing
Company as a full-fledged machinist, at their St. Louis plant for six or
eight years, the last four or five years of that period as foreman. He
then secured employment with the Frisco Railroad Company at Springfield in
the North Side shops as carpenter in the coach department, in 1907, then
was inspector until in November, 1913, when he was transferred to the
reclamation plant of the company in the South Side shops as foreman of the
mechanical department, which position he still holds to the satisfaction
of his employers. Here repairing of all descriptions is done, as well as
new work turned out. He has a large number of men under his direction,
about forty on an average. He still devotes some time to sculpture,
maintaining a shop at home, this being his hobby, and he has achieved
quite a reputation as a sculptor, turning out some beautiful work from
time to time. He owns a pleasant home on Vernon avenue.

Mr. Kirkey was married in October, 1892, to Clara F. Phillips. She is a
daughter of George and Mary Phillips, of Springfield, where she grew up
and was educated. To our subject and wife two children were born, namely:
Mabel, who married Frank Thomas, a farmer at Cabool, Missouri; and
Clarence, a carpenter in the South Side Frisco shops.

Politically, Mr. Kirkey is an independent voter. Fraternally, he belongs
to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of America and
the Free and Accepted Masons. He is a member of the Christian church.




ROBERT A. KIRKPATRICK. It is an unwritten law that the secret of success
in life in all individual cases is the common property or heritage of all
unfortunates of the human race. It is therefore eminently proper for the
historian or delineator of character to review the lives of those
individuals who have not only been successful in the various enterprises
in which they have engaged, but as citizens and neighbors have won the
lasting regard of all. Robert A. Kirkpatrick, an expert machinist, who is
now timekeeper at the north side Frisco shops, Springfield, is deserving
of the admiration of his friends in view of the fact that he has made a
success in life through his individual efforts and despite obstacles,
having come to our shores from a foreign strand without influential
friends or capital, and began his career in a land where everything was
quite different to what he had been used to in his earlier years.

Mr. Kirkpatrick was born in Londonderry, Ireland, and grew to manhood in
his native land. He was given excellent educational advantages in a school
under the auspices of the Presbyterian church. When twenty years of age he
set sail for America, landing in due time in New York City. Penetrating
into the interior, he located at Columbus, Ohio, where he worked at the
machinist's trade for five years, then went to Keokuk, Iowa, where he
followed his trade two years. From there he went to Mount Vernon,
Illinois, where he worked as machinist six or seven years, then came to
Springfield, Missouri, and secured employment at once in the Frisco's
north side shops, where he has remained to the present time. He had a
natural taste and talent for his trade, and has given eminent satisfaction
to the various companies for which he has worked. After following his
trade a number of years here he was promoted to the position of
time-keeper, which he still holds. He is regarded as one of the
trustworthy and faithful employees of this plant.

Mr. Kirkpatrick was united in marriage in Keokuk, Iowa, with Julia E.
Mills, who was a native of Southampton, England, from which country she
immigrated to the United States with her parents when five or six years
old, and here she grew to womanhood and received her education. The Mills
family lived for a number of years in Keokuk.

To Mr. and Mrs. Kirkpatrick seven children were born, three of whom died
in infancy; those who grew to maturity are: Harry, who resides at Thayer,
Missouri Nellie, to whom we are indebted for the data for this biography,
is one of Springfield's popular teachers; she grew to maturity in this
city and received an excellent education in the ward and high schools,
graduating from the latter with the class of 1897, and in 1910 she was
graduated from the local State Normal. She began teaching two years after
graduating from high school, and for a period of nine years taught in the
Waddill school, doing extension and summer work at the normal school
during vacations. After teaching in the second, fifth and sixth grades she
was made principal of the Bowerman school in 1908, which responsible
position she still holds. She has always been a close student and has kept
fully abreast of the times in all that pertains to her work; that she has
given the highest satisfaction is indicated by the fact that she has been
retained so long in Waddill and Bowerman schools. She is lady of pleasing
personality and is popular with her pupils. Dimple Kirkpatrick, sixth of
our subject's children, was the wife of James Sawyer, and her death
occurred in 1910; Virginia, youngest of the children, is. the wife of W.
S. Nelson, and they reside at Cleburne, Texas.

Politically, Mr. Kirkpatrick is a Republican, and fraternally he is a
member of the Knights of Pythias, having passed the chairs in the local
lodge of the same, and he is also a member of the Masonic order. He and
his wife are active members of the First Congregational church, in which
he has been trustee and in which she is deaconess. They have both long
been influential in the affairs of this church and are highly regarded by
all who know them.




ROBERT FRANK KISSICK. Upon the shoulders of a train dispatcher rests grave
responsibilities. A little mistake on his part may, and often does, result
in most revolting disasters, so that it behooves one thus employed to keep
a clear head and a steady nerve, be wide-awake when he is on duty and also
a conscientious worker. Such a man is Robert Frank Kissick, train
dispatcher for the Frisco Lines at the Springfield North Side shops. He is
a man in whom the head officials repose the utmost confidence in every
respect.

Mr. Kissick was born in Holt county, Missouri, in January, 1873. He is a
son of William and Jane (McKane) Kissick, both natives of the Isle of Man,
a British possession. The father was born in 1827, and the mother first
saw the light of day in 1839. They grew up in their native country and
there attended school, emigrating to the United States when young and they
were married in Illinois, where they resided on a farm until 1871, when
they removed to Holt county, Missouri, remaining there on a farm until
1886, when they moved to Kansas, in which state the father spent his last
days in general fanning and, died there in 1892; the mother is now making
her home in Hutchinson, Kansas. To these parents eight children were born,
namely: Mary Jane lives in Wisconsin, Ida C., William E., Walter S.,
deceased; Lottie E., Robert F., Fannie F. and Daisy P.

Robert F. Kissick grew up on the home farm in Holt county, this state,
where he worked when a boy and there he attended the common schools. In
1890 he entered railroad service for the Atchison, Topeka & Fe at
Nickerson, Kansas, as call boy, remaining with that road in various
capacities until 1900. He remained in Nickerson until August, 1892, after
which he was telegraph operator at Sterling, that state, working in this
capacity there, at Great Bend and Dodge City, Kansas, for a period of ten
years. After this he worked for the Rock Island railroad in Kansas and
Texas when that company was building its line to California. He was in the
building department and remained with that road until August, 1901, when
he came to Springfield, Missouri, and began working for the Frisco as
telegraph operator. Thus employed for three years he was promoted to extra
train dispatcher and then promoted to regular train dispatcher at the
North Side shops, which position he holds at this time. He has given
eminent satisfaction with each of these three roads in every position he
has filled.

Mr. Kissick was married in June, 1905, in Springfield to Eva Skates, who
was born in Union county, Missouri. She is a daughter of Robert and Mary
Skates. Her father is a carpenter and contractor by trade, and has done a
great deal of this kind of work for railroads. He now lives in Kansas
City, Missouri.

To our subject and wife one child, Roberta Jane, has been born, the date
of her birth being October 22, 1913.

Politically, Mr. Kissick is a Republican. Fraternally, he belongs to the
Modern Woodmen of America and the Masonic order, in which he has taken all
the degrees except that of the Scottish Rite. He is well known in Masonic
circles.




ROBERT B. KITE. It is a well-authenticated fact that success comes as a
result of legitimate and well-applied energy, unflagging determination and
perseverance in a course of action when once decided upon. She is never
known to bestow her largesses upon the indolent and ambitionless, and only
those who seek her untiringly are recipients of her blessings. In tracing
the history of Robert B. Kite, now living in retirement in Springfield
after a long career as a railroader and in more recent years a farmer, it
is plainly seen that the prosperity which he enjoys has been won by
commendable qualities, and it is also his personal worth that has gained
for him the high esteem of those who know him.

Mr. Kite was born in Cleveland, Ohio, May 8, 1857, He is a son of Hiram
and Rosanna (Warren) Kite, the father a native of Pennsylvania and of
Quaker stock, while the mother was a native of England, from which country
she emigrated to America in girlhood and located in Pennsylvania, where
the parents of our subject were married, but not long thereafter removed
to Ohio, and there they lived until 1859, when they removed to Marshfield,
Webster county, Missouri, and Hiram Kite built one of the first houses in
that town. He was a leather worker by trade and was in business there when
the Civil war broke out and joined the Home Guards, but did not become a
soldier in the regular Union army. He finally removed to a farm near
Strafford, Missouri, where he spent the rest of his life, but his wife
died in Springfield. They were the parents of eight children five of whom
are still living, namely: Madora E., Mary,.Lottie, Nettie, Frances is
deceased; Robert B., of this review; Emma and Ida are both deceased.

Robert B. Kite received a limited education in the public school at
Marshfield, but he is principally a self-educated man. He began his
railroad career in 1873 as brakeman on the old Atlantic & Pacific
railroad, now the Frisco system, and he remained a brakeman until 1880,
when he was promoted to freight conductor, in which capacity he worked
until he was promoted to passenger conductor, and ran as such for a period
of fifteen years, or until 1901, living at Monett, Missouri, during that
period. He was regarded as one of the most capable and most trusted
conductors on the Frisco, and his continuous service of twenty-eight years
would indicate he was a first-class railroader. Finally, tiring of the
exacting work as conductor, he moved to his farm in 1901, just south of
Springfield. His fine place there consisted of one hundred acres of the
old Crenshaw homestead. This he brought up to a high state of improvement
and a high state of cultivation, all but about ten acres. He made it a
model farm in every respect. He installed the first water system in that
part of the county, running hot and cold water to both his house and barn.
He carried on general farming until 1907, when he sold out and moved to
the corner of South and Madison streets, Springfield, where he owns two
sets of four-apartment flats and two fine residence properties, all modern
and desirable in every way, and he now spends his time looking after his
personal property here.

Mr. Kite was married on September 17, 1883, in Rogers, Arkansas, to Vitae
A. Powers, who was born in Newton county, Missouri, May 21, 1867. She is a
daughter of Eli and Angeline (Wormington) Powers. The father was a native
of North Carolina and the mother of Tennessee. They came from the South to
Newton county, Missouri, in pioneer days, and there Mr. Powers engaged in
farming and the milling business. His death occurred in 1875, his widow
surviving thirty-five years, dying in 1910. They were the parents of five
children, namely: Andrew B., deceased; Mrs. Belle Carnes died in 1907;
Mrs. Addie Tudor died in 1880; Douglass lives in Carbonado, Washington;
and Mrs. Vitae Kite, wife of our subject. She grew to womanhood in Newton
county and received her education in the common schools.

Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Kite, named as follow: Olive,
born on October 2, 1884, was educated in Monett, married Andrew Edmondson,
and they live in Fort Smith, Arkansas; Rolland, born on September 10,
1886, was educated in. the Springfield high school and later attended
Drury College, married May King, and they are living in Hollister, this
state; Jessie May, born on August 11, 1888 was graduated from the Normal
school in Springfield, then attended Columbia University, New York, City,
and is now a successful teacher in Stephens College, Columbia, Missouri;
Warren P., born on February 11, 1896, was graduated from the high school
in Springfield with the class of 1914. He is a natural mechanic, is a
skilled taxidermist, and he has a splendid collection of Indian relics. He
has mounted a valuable collection of birds. He has built various kinds of
boats, canoes, power boats, etc., which have been regarded by those who
have seen them as equal to any on the market. The future evidently holds
much of promise for this fine young lad, as indeed it must for all Mr.
Kite's children, who are all intellectual and highly cultured, and well
liked by their associates everywhere.

Politically, Mr. Kite is a Republican, and he at one time was candidate
for sheriff of Greene county, but failed to get the nomination. He was a
charter member of North Side Division No. 30, Order of, Railway
Conductors. Fraternally, he belongs to the Masonic Order, in which he is
active and prominent, being a past eminent commander; he is a Knight
Templar, and a member of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic
Shrine. He also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Religiously, he is a member of the Presbyterian church, and is a liberal
supporter of the same. Mrs. Kite is a member of the Order of Eastern Star
and the Rebekahs. The family stands high in all circles in which it moves.




PETER KLINGENSMITH. A properly managed farmers' organization can be used
to secure the farmers the benefits that "big business" secures from doing
things on a big scale. Many have the idea that nothing can be done in this
line unless there is a powerful organization, but this is a mistake--the
successful cooperative enterprises have come from small beginnings. One of
the progressive farmers of Center township, Greene county, who is always
ready to adopt the advanced methods of farming, is Peter Klingensmith.

He was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, February 15, 1844. He is
a son of Gasper and Barbara (Bush) Klingensmith, and a grandson of Andrew
and Susanna Klingensmith. Ancestors on both sides of the house originated
in Bavaria, Germany. Andrew Klingensmith's father emigrated from that
country to America in an early day and here spent the rest of his life,
dying in Pennsylvania on a farm. Several generations of the family have
been farmers. Andrew Klingensmith was a member of the old Lutheran church.
His family consisted of eleven children, eight boys and three girls, all
now deceased. Gaspar Klingensmith was born in Westmoreland county,
Pennsylvania, December 24, 1820. He was a shoemaker by trade. Upon leaving
Pennsylvania he located in Trumbull county, Ohio, where he followed his
trade for a short time. Leaving that locality in 1865, he located in
Daviess county, Indiana, where he engaged in farming, and there his death
occurred November 5, 1885. His wife had preceded him to the grave January
19, 1865. Before moving to Ohio they were members of the old Lutheran
church, but at that time they joined the United Brethren church.
Politically, he was a Republican.

Peter Bush, father of Mrs. Klingensmith, devoted his life to farming. He
was twice married; twelve children were born by his first wife and four by
his second marriage. He was a Democrat and a member of the Lutheran
church.

Peter Klingensmith, our subject, was five years old when his parents
removed with him to Ohio. There he grew up and attended the public
schools, and when a young man learned the carpenter's trade. From Ohio he
moved to Daviess county, Indiana, and there, on June 17, 1868, he married
Sarah Rodarmel, a daughter of Friend Rodarmel, a native of Indiana, and a
son of Joseph Rodarmel, a native of Pennsylvania, but whose father was a
native of Germany, from which country he emigrated to the United States in
an early day and settled in the old Keystone state. Friend Rodarmel was
the father of twelve children, four of whom died in infancy, three of them
still living, namely: William lives in Knox county, Indiana, where he is
engaged in farming; Sarah, wife of our subject, and Marcellus, a farmer of
Knox county, Indiana. Politically, Friend Rodarmel was a Republican, and
he was road commissioner for some time in his community. He belonged to
the Cumberland Presbyterian church. His death occurred April 29, 1870. His
wife survived him twenty-five years, dying December 23, 1905, at an
advanced age.

Seven children have been born to our subject and wife, namely: Charles, a
carpenter at Bristow, Oklahoma, is married and has seven children. He is a
Modern Woodman. Gasper, the second son, who lives at Washington, Indiana,
is a carpenter and contractor. He is noble grand of the Independent Order
of Odd Fellows, and also belongs to the Improved Order of Red Men. He is
married and has five children. Jesse is a carpenter by trade, lives in
Greene county, and has a wife and five children. Mrs. Lucy Ginn is the
wife of a Greene county farmer and they have three children. Anna Augusta
died when three years of age. Edwin Ray is farming in Greene county, is
married and has two children. Amanda is the wife of Clarence Kindrick, of
Elwood, this county, and they have one child.

Peter Klingensmith left Indiana in 1888 and came to Cowley county, Kansas,
where he resided until 1891, when he moved to Greene county, Missouri,
locating on his present farm, buying fifty acres, Which he has placed
under excellent improvements and one on which he has made a comfortable
living. He has done a great deal of the work in building and keeping
repaired the famous Carthage road.

Politically, he is a Republican, religiously a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church, and fraternally a member of the Masonic blue lodge No.
449, of Bois D'Arc, but he first became a Mason in Indiana; he also
belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Elwood, to Encampment
No. 42 in Springfield, and to Lodge No. 512 Rebekahs, in which he has held
several offices. His wife is a member of the Ladies' Aid Society of the
Center Grove Methodist church, there being thirty-two members in the
society, and she is one of the most active.




JOHN WESLEY KLINGNER. The record of John Wesley Klingner is one that is
deserving of our admiration for it shows the possibilities here in free
America of a young man of ambition, fortitude, grit and perseverance,
although springing from a humble environment. It proves that blood counts
in this country but in a different way in which the "blood" of the
European nations count, for here we count as worthiest, the good, sterling
blood of our honest, hard-working ancestors, while across the ocean it is
merely a difference of aristocracy so-called and peasantry, the latter
counting, in many instances, for more than the former, in the true scale
of being. Our subject was fortunate in having behind him progenitors of
the right sort, what we in this country would call the best blood of
Germans and Anglo-Saxons, and so it is not surprising that he has made a
success in life despite obstacles.

Mr. Klingner was born September 28, 1877, at Fair Grove, Greene county,
Missouri. He is a son of John and Mollie (Shade) Klingner, a well known
and highly respected family of that locality, where the father has long
been engaged in general agricultural pursuits and where he is also doing a
splendid work as a local minister in the Methodist church. In view of the
fact that a full record of this family appears on another page of this
volume, it will not be repeated here.

John W. Klingner, who is one of the progressive and efficient undertakers
of this section of Missouri, grew to manhood on the home farm near Fair
Grove and there did his share of the work during the crop season, when he
became of proper age, and he received his early education in the public
schools of his native vicinity, and when young learned the blacksmith's
trade at which he worked for a period of ten years, becoming quite
proficient in the same and had a good business, but turning his attention
to another field of endeavor he entered the Williams Institute of
Embalming at Kansas City, where he made rapid progress and from which
institution he was graduated with the class of 1908. Soon thereafter he
went to Rogers, Arkansas, where he engaged in his profession a year and
got a good start, but seeking a larger field for the exercise of his
talents he came to Springfield, Missouri and on November 1, 1909,
organized the J. W. Klingner & Company, with a capital stock of seven
thousand dollars, and incorporated the same. They commenced business at
432 East Commercial street and here they have remained and have built up a
large and constantly growing business, of which our subject is manager.
They are properly equipped, everything modern, and prompt and honest
service is the aim of the company at all times. Mr. Klingner is an expert
in embalming and is a close student in all that pertains to this art, and
he is popular as a funeral director.

Mr. Klingner was married December 24, 1899, to Lulu Putman, of Fair Grove,
Missouri, where she was born September 17, 1880, and there was reared to
womanhood and educated. She is a daughter of E. B. and Meranda Putman.

Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Klingner, namely: Velda, born
August 2, 1901, died October 4, 1913; Mona, born February 14, 1906, John
B., born July 13, 1909; Malcolm, born June 12, 1911.

Politically, Mr. Klingner is a Democrat. He belongs to the Methodist
Episcopal church, South, and fraternally is a member of the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the Masonic order, being
postmaster of Gate of Temple Lodge, No. 422, in the work of which he has
been very active; he also belongs to Queen City Chapter, Order of Eastern
Star, No. 226.




THOMAS OTIS KLINGNER, M. D. Whether in the substance of our human nature
or the spiritualities of an expectant future being, mankind is inclined to
cling, with fierce tenacity, to not only the hope that the ego may not
disappear, but that the tangibles if dissolving personally, may be
fittingly remembered. To rescue, preserve and perpetuate was the mission
of the ancient Chronicles, and this is the province of history; and
equally so, of biographic narrative. "Man's sociality of nature," says
Carlyle, "evinces itself, in spite of all that can be said, with abundant
evidence by this one fact, were there no other; the unspeakable delight he
takes in biography." So when a man like Dr. Thomas Otis Klingner, one of
the best-known specialists of his class in Greene county, has reached the
honored position in the vicinity which he has attained, it is meet that
something of his individuality be set forth.

Dr. Klingner was born near Fair Grove, Greene county, Missouri, March 3,
1874. He is a son of John and Mollie (Shade) Klingner. The father was born
at North Vernon, Indiana, in 1844, and there he spent his earlier years
working on the farm and attending the district schools during the winter
months, and later he began teaching in the rural schools, which location,
in connection with farming part of the year, he continued for some time.
He eventually emigrated to Missouri and located in Greene county, where he
purchased a farm near the village of Fair Grove and there he still
resides, having developed a good farm and reared his children in comfort,
giving them proper educational advantages. For many years he has served
his community as a local preacher in the Methodist church, in which he is
an earnest and influential worker, and is called on by all denominations
to conduct funerals and marriages. He is widely known in his end of the
county and everybody is his friend. His good wife, who has proven to be a
most worthy helpmeet, was born in 1845.

This family is of German descent, as the name would indicate, the paternal
grandfather, August Klingner, having been a native of Bingen, Germany,
from which country he emigrated to America in an early day, with his wife,
and settled at North Vernon, Indiana, where he engaged in farming, and
there he and his wife spent the rest of their lives. The maternal
grandfather, Henry Shade, who was of Scotch descent, was a machinist by
trade, and he resided at many different places, but spent the latter part
of his life on a farm near Fair Grove, Missouri.

Seven children were born to John Klingner and wife, named as follows: Dr.
Thomas Otis, of this sketch; Henry Augustus resides at Wray, Colorado,
where he is engaged in the mercantile business; John W. lives in
Springfield, Missouri, and is engaged in the undertaking business; Charles
E. is a farmer and has remained on the homestead with his parents; George
Mack, of Roswell, New Mexico, is professor of English in the high school
there; Mamie Louise, who has taught school for about twenty years, has
remained single and lives at home; Florence Elizabeth, also unmarried,
lives with her parents on the farm.

Dr. Thomas O. Klingner was reared on the home farm and there did his full
share of the work during the crop seasons, and during the winter he
attended the district schools, later entered Morrisville College, at
Morrisville, Polk county, Missouri, where he completed the course leading
to the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy, however, was not graduated. When
about eighteen years of age he commenced life for himself by earning his
own living and obtaining money by teaching with which to educate himself,
also followed other pursuits, and in 1895 he entered the Missouri Medical
College at St. Louis, where he made a good record and from which he was
graduated with the class of 1898 with the highest honors in that class.
Returning to Greene county, he began the practice of his profession at
Willard, where he remained three years as a general practitioner, then
spent two years at Walnut Grove, this county, enjoying a good practice at
both places. In 1903 he took the civil service examination and went to
Washington, D. C., where he was given employment in the medical department
of the Pension Bureau, remaining there three years to the eminent
satisfaction of the department. The last two years there he had the
management of the eye and ear department. He came to Springfield,
Missouri, in 1906, established an office on Commercial street, which he
has maintained for the past nine years, building up a large and lucrative
practice, which is rapidly growing, and he is now located at 318 Landers
building. He has taken his place in the front rank of his professional
brethren who confine themselves to the treatment of the eye, ear, nose and
throat. He has met with great success in this field. His experience in
Washington City was invaluable to him, but in order to further equip
himself for his chosen work he took a post-graduate course, in 1906, in
the Chicago Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat College; also in 1912 took a
post-graduate course in the Chicago Polyclinic.

Dr. Klingner is a member of the Greene County Medical Society, the
Southwest Missouri Medical Society, the Missouri State Medical
Association, and the American Medical Association, being a Fellow of the
last named. He has been secretary of the Greene County Medical Society for
the past five years, also has been president of the State Association of
Medical Secretaries and counselor for the Twenty-eighth District. He is.
oculist and aurist for the Burge-Deaconess Hospital, the Southwest
Missouri Hospital, the Children's Home and the hospital for the St. Louis
& San Francisco Railroad Company. He is also vice-president of the
Southwest Missouri Hospital, and is secretary of the J. W. Klingner
undertaking establishment. In all of the above positions of trust and
responsibility he has discharged his duties in a manner that has reflected
much credit upon himself and to the satisfaction of all concerned.

Dr. Klingner was married in 1900 to Effie May Kernaghan, who was born in
Greene county, Missouri, November 27, 1874. She is a daughter of Jesse and
Elizabeth Kernaghan, for many years residents of this county, who later
made their home in Joplin, Missouri. Mr. Kernaghan, who engaged in
contracting for many years, is now practically retired from active life.
His wife died in Joplin in 1904 and was buried there. Mrs. Klingner was
reared in Greene county and educated in the public schools here.

To our subject and wife two children have been born, namely: Keating
Kenneth, born in Washington, D. C., in 1904, died in 1908, and Mary
Elizabeth, born in Springfield, Missouri, January 10, 1913.

Fraternally Dr. Klingner is a member of the Masonic Order and the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Politically he is a Democrat, and in
religious matters is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, South.

Personally the Doctor is a gentleman of the highest integrity and
sociability and the high position he has gained in the medical profession
and the county is in every way deserved.




ENOCH KNABB, M. D. It is claimed by some authors that a man's life, or
words of disparagement or praise of it, should not be written until after
his death. Perhaps not until he has been dead some years. For, though, in
one sense, none can know a man so well as he knows himself, and of the
exterior knowledge gained concerning him, the simplest facts are liable to
continual misrepresentation, still a certain amount of distance is
essential to the breadth, comprehension and truthfulness of the
view--especially of that tuneful harp, that mysterious picture, a human
existence. When an individual has attained the eminence in a community
that Dr. Enoch Knabb has, it is fitting that a suitable biography be
prepared of him for reference by his friends, hence the following tribute.

Doctor Knabb, for many years one of the well-known general physicians of
Springfield, Missouri, was born in Wright county, this state, March 1,
1867. He is a son of Henry M. Knabb, who was born near Indianapolis,
Indiana, August 4, 1836, and there he spent his earlier years, finally
immigrating in an early day to Missouri and establishing the family home
in Wright county, where he devoted his life to general farming and stock
raising. During the Civil war he was a member of the Eighth Missouri
Volunteer Cavalry. While in the service he contracted rheumatism and was
confined in the government hospital for some time. He saw considerable
hard service and was in a number of engagements. His death occurred in
Missouri at the home place in 1891. The doctor's mother was born in 1830
and died in 1905 at the advanced age of seventy-five years. These parents
were both members of the Christian church. The mother was known in her
maidenhood as Minerva Gass. Dr. Knabb has a sister, Mrs. Mary A. Priester,
who resides near Lorey, Wright county, Missouri. Her husband is engaged in
buying and shipping live stock there. Jacob Knabb, our subject's paternal
grandfather, was a German-American, born in Pennsylvania, and his death
occurred at the age of seventy-five years. His wife was a native of the
United States.

Doctor Knabb is an excellent example of a self-made man, having worked
hard in his youth to obtain money to defray his expenses in school, but
such ambition and determination as he displayed could not fail of definite
results. He grew to manhood in Wright county and received his early
education in the rural schools of his native community, later attended the
high school at Hartville, and, having decided upon a career as physician,
he entered the Keokuk Medical College, at Keokuk, Iowa, in the autumn of
1892, from which he was graduated with the class of 1895. Soon thereafter
he commenced the practice of his profession at Stoutland, Missouri, near
Lebanon, remaining there six years, during which he had a good country
practice. Seeking a larger field for the exercise of his talents, he
removed to Springfield in 1901, where he has been engaged in a large and
satisfactory practice ever since, which is constantly growing. He now
confines his practice mostly to within the city limits. He took a
post-graduate course in the Chicago Polyclinic in 1900 and 1905, and also
took a post-graduate course in Kansas City in 1912.

Doctor Knabb is a member of the Greene County Medical Society the
Southwest Missouri Medical Society, the Missouri State Medical Association
and the American Medical Association. Fraternally, he belongs to the
Modern Woodmen of America, the Woodmen of the World, the Independent Order
of Odd Fellows and many other lodges. Religiously, he is a member of the
Central Christian church, and politically is a Republican.

Dr. Knabb was married on October 11, 1885, to Matilda F. Davis, a daughter
of James and Mary C. (Foster) Davis. Mrs. Knabb is a native of Wright
county, Missouri, and she received her education in the rural schools
there.

Three children have been born to Doctor Knabb and wife, named as follow:
Henry F., born in Wright county, Missouri, May 5, 1887, was educated in
the Springfield public schools, graduating from the high school here, and
in 1907 he entered the medical department of the St. Louis University, and
was graduated with the class of 1911, and is successfully engaged in the
practice of his profession at Foyill, Oklahoma; he married Ora K. Harris
in September, 1910, who is a graduate of the Springfield high school, also
attended the State Normal here at different times, and she taught school
four years; she is a daughter of Doctor and Dolly Harris. Arthur D. Knabb,
second of our subject's children, was born in Wright county, this state,
January 28, 1889, was graduated from the Springfield high school in 1909,
and the same year entered the medical department of the St. Louis
University, from which he was graduated with the class of 1913; he served
one year as intern at Lexin Brothers Hospital, St. Louis, and was elected
professor of bacteriology and pathology; and later he resigned and took up
the practice of his profession with his father in Springfield, Missouri,
and is making a pronounced success in his profession. He was married on
June 26, 1914, to Beulah Harlow, a resident of Springfield. She is the
daughter of Rev. W. E. Harlow, of 1359 Washington avenue, and a woman of
education and refinement. She was graduated from Springfield high school
in 1909. She was one of five children, four of whom are still living at
home, the oldest having died about eleven years ago. Vernie E. Knabb was
born in Wright county, Missouri, October 19, 1891; was graduated from the
Springfield high school, later took a course in the Springfield Business
College, from which she graduated in 1904. She is single and lives with
her parents. These children have all received every advantage in the way
of preparation for serious life work, and they all give promise of
exceptional success in their chosen spheres of endeavor.




GEORGE KNELLE. There have come to the United States, from the German
Empire and other alien lands, men of limited financial resources, but
imbued with sturdy independence and a laudable ambition to succeed, and
who have taken advantage of the wonderful possibilities afforded here.
Gradually, step by step, they have risen to places of prominence in
various lines of activity. Of these there can be none mentioned who
deserves more favorable attention than George Knelle, for a period of
thirty-three years one of Springfield's progressive business men and
substantial citizens, and who having by his thrift gained a handsome
competency, is now living retired in one of the most attractive Modern
homes in the Oueen City.

Mr. Knelle was born in southern Germany, March 13, 1852, and is a son of
John and Katherine (Wagner) Knelle, both natives of Germany, the father's
birth occurring April 14, 1822, and he died April 1, 1913, reaching an
advanced age; the mother was born in 1824, and died in 1887. They grew up
in their native locality and received a limited education and were married
and there devoted their lives to farming. They were always noted for their
industry, honesty and neighborliness. To them five children were born,
three of whom are still living, namely: William, deceased; George of this
review; John is deceased; Peter and Charlie, of Kansas City. The parents
never left the community where they were born, being contented to spend
their lives on their native hills.

George Knelle grew to manhood in Germany, assisted his father with the
general work on the farm when a boy, and there received his education in
the common schools, and he learned the butcher's trade when a young man
which he followed until he was nearly thirty years of age immigrating to
the United States in February, 1881. He came to Cincinnati, Ohio where he
remained awhile, then came on to St. Louis, but on August 21st of the year
of his arrival in the New World he established his permanent home in
Springfield and this has been the arena of his operations ever since. He
at once launched out in the butcher business, and on November 15, 1882,
located his shop on East Commercial street, renting a building at first,
but as he prospered, purchased the building and continued to enlarge and
equip his shop until he had one of the best in southwest Missouri, and he
was the oldest butcher on the north side, if not in all Springfield, and
for more than a quarter of a century has been widely known in his
vocation. He purchased twelve and one-half acres just south of Doling
Park, and on this land maintained his slaughter pens and houses and other
necessary buildings, and always did his own butchering. His business grew
with advancing years until it assumed very large proportions, and on
January 1, 1911, Mr. Knelle sold out and retired from active life;
however, he still owns his property on the north side. In July of that
year he started building his magnificent home at 600 South National
Boulevard. It is of pressed brick, colonial style of architecture,
contains fourteen rooms and is modern in all its appointments, a home that
would be a credit to any city, and thus surrounded by every comfort and
convenience as a result of his former years of industry, he is spending
the latter years of his life in a deserved respite from life's toil and
fret.

Mr. Knelle was married on February 2, 1908, to Sarah E. Gott, who was born
in Mississippi on April 29, 1860.

Politically, Mr. Knelle is an independent voter. Fraternally, he belongs
to the Knights of Pythias, and religiously is a member of the German
Lutheran church. Personally he is a genial, obliging, hospitable
gentleman, uniformly courteous and noted for his scrupulous honesty.




AMMON KNIGHTEN. It is now becoming generally understood that the life of
the man who lives closest to nature is the best life, and no class of men
are in better position to receive the benefits which are thus to be
derived than farmers. You study the merchant, the professional man, the
artist, the preacher, statesmen and inventor to find their lives no more
excellent than the lives of mechanics or farmers. While the farmer stands
at the head of art as found in nature, the others get but glimpses of the
delights of nature in its various elements and moods. Ammon Knighten, one
of the most progressive general farmers and stockmen of Franklin township,
Greene county, is one of our worthy citizens who has ever taken a delight
in nature and existence, because he has been in touch with the springs of
life, having spent his years on the farm.

Mr. Knighten was born on November 26, 1854, in Lawrence county, Arkansas.
He is a son of William York Knighten and Sarah (Archey) Knighten, both
natives of that state also, the father's birth occurring in Lawrence
county, December 28, 1826, and there he grew to manhood and married. He
was a life-long farmer. He remained in his native state until 1873 when he
came with his family to Dade county, Missouri, where he farmed a year,
then moved to Webster county, and a year later took up his residence in
Dallas county, where he bought a farm of eighty acres on which he spent
the rest of his life, dying there at the advanced age of eighty-two years.
He was a successful general farmer and handled a great deal of live stock.
He owned nearly four hundred acres of good land in Arkansas. He was three
times married, first to a Miss Phillips, and to this union one child was
born, Mrs. Sarah Thorne. The second wife of William Y. Knighten was known
in her maidenhood as Sarah Archer, and to them eight children were born,
namely: John Amonet is a practicing physician of Springfield; Ammon,
subject of this sketch; William Thomas lives in Dade county, Missouri;
Alice is deceased; William York, Jr., died in Greene county in 1901; Laura
died in infancy; Mrs. Radie West lives in Lebanon, Laclede county, this
state; Mrs. Effie Le Hew lives in Wisconsin. The mother of the above named
children died on the home farm in Dallas county, Missouri, in February,
1877. The third marriage of William Y. Knighten was to Sally Stever, a
native of Webster county, Missouri, and to this union four children were
born, namely; Bogie, deceased; Mrs. Minnie Williams lives in Dallas
county, this state; Winfrey also lives in that county; and Bertram, who
lived on the farm with the subject of this sketch, died in 1894.
Politically, William Y. Knighten was a Democrat, and he belonged to the
Christian church.

Ammon Knighten grew to manhood on the home farm where he worked when a
boy, and he received a common school education. He came to Greene county
in January, 1891, locating at Hickory Barrens, Franklin township, ten
miles northeast of Springfield. He learned the blacksmith's trade at
Marshfield, Webster county, and there he maintained a shop for some time,
and also had a shop at Hickory Barrens, where he spent eight years. He was
regarded at both places as an exceptionally highly skilled workman. He
also operated a store at the latter place, which he finally traded for a
farm, and has since followed farming. He located on his present fine farm
(The Mansel Patman homestead) in 1900. It is known as "The Prairie View
Stock Farm." In connection with general farming he raises lives stock in
large numbers, specializing in Aberdeen and Galloway cattle, mostly the
latter breed. His registered pedigree bull "Laddie," an Aberdeen, known as
"Prairie View Laddie No. 4," was bred by J. M. Jones, of Everton,
Missouri. It is the sire of "Laddie Blanchard," and its register number is
177435. Mr. Knighten's fine stock is greatly admired by all, being
superior quality. His farm contains over four hundred acres of excellent
land. It is nearly all under cultivation, a small portion being in timber.
It is well improved in every way, and he has a substantial and convenient
group of buildings. Everything about his place denotes thrift and good
-management. He also raises good horses, and the many cattle that he
raises are sold to local buyers. He is one of the best judges of live
stock in the county. He built his present handsome residence in 1906, and
has made most of the other improvements on his farm.

Mr. Knighten was twice married, first, to Mary E. Dotson, July 10, 1873.
She was born in Polk county, Missouri, but was reared in Arkansas. Her
death occurred in 1891. To this union five children were born, namely:
Samuel Arthur, who lives in Franklin township, near Fair Grove; Ida died
when six years of age; Lona, wife of Claude L. Headlee, lives in Franklin
township (a sketch of Mr. Headlee and family appears on another page of
this work); John Albert is deceased; Pearl is also deceased.

On May 6, 1900, Mr. Knighten married for his second wife, Mary Jane
Putman, a daughter of Mansel and Minerva (James) Putman. This second union
has been without issue. A sketch of the Putman family will be found in
another part of this volume.

Politically, Mr. Knighten is a Democrat, and fraternally he belongs to the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Fair Grove. He was reared in the faith
of the Missionary Baptist church. He is a congenial, quiet, plain
gentleman and it is a pleasure to talk to him and visit his hospitable
home. He is a man of strong intellectual endowment, and is deserving of
much credit for his large success in life.




JOHN THOMAS KNOWLES, M. D. Although death is natural and inevitable to all
that is mortal, it comes among our friends and invades our homes before we
are ever ready. He comes—the Grim Reaper—unbidden, and with no decorum
crosses our threshold and removes those we have loved and who have loved
us, leaving in his wake only desolation and sorrow, an ache in the heart
that Time, even, cannot wholly soothe. Why the human heart was not made to
look with more tolerance upon the ravages of the so-called King of
Terrors, we cannot say, we do not know; for "seeing that death, a
necessary end, will come when it will come" as wrote the greatest of
poets, it would seem that we could regard it rather as the friend of
storm-tossed humanity than as an enemy. But there are things not given
mortal mind to understand. Death is particularly sad when it knocks at the
door of the young, promising and useful, as it did when it took from our
midst Dr. John Thomas Knowles, one of the leading younger physicians of
Springfield, and a man who had much to live for, who was needed, and whose
untimely end will long be deplored by the host of friends he left behind.

Dr. Knowles was born September 2, 1879, on a farm in Greene county,
Missouri, eight miles south of Springfield. He was a son of Thomas M. and
Martha (Yarbrough) Knowles. The father was born in Kentucky in 1833, and
there he grew to manhood, received a common school education, and in early
manhood removed to Missouri, establishing his permanent home in Greene
county on a farm where he still resides, engaged successfully in general
farming. His wife, who was Martha Yarbrough, was a native of Missouri, and
she grew up in her native community and, like her husband, received a
limited education in the district schools. Her death occurred in 1885,
leaving two children: Mrs. Minnie Kelly, who lives in St. Louis, and
Doctor John T. subject of this memoir.

John T. attended the public schools in Springfield, including high school.
Deciding upon a medical career he went to Memphis, Tennessee, where he
attended the College of Physicians and Surgeons, making an excellent
record and was graduated from that institution with the class of 1908. He
returned to Springfield in 1909, opened an office on the public square
where he remained until the opening of the Woodruff building, when he
removed to the same, maintaining offices there until his death. He was
building up a large and lucrative practice among the best people of
Springfield and was meeting with pronounced success as a general
practitioner.

Doctor Knowles was married April 1, 1901 in Springfield to Flossie V.
Moore, who was born in Greene county, Missouri, March 15, 1879. Sheis a
daughter of Samuel and Eliza (Payne) Moore, the father born in Tennessee,
March 15, 1846, and the mother was born in Arkansas, May 29, 1846. Mr.
Moore devoted his active life successfully to general farming, but he and
his wife are now living retired in Springfield. Politically, Mr. Moore is
a Republican. He is a veteran of the Civil war.

Mrs. Knowles is one of a family of ten children. She grew to womanhood on
the farm and received her education in the country schools. She is a lady
of broad mind, comprehensive ideals and genial address, and has long been
a favorite with a wide circle of friends.

The union of Doctor Knowles and wife was blessed by the birth of two
children, namely: Viola, born February 22, 1910 died in infancy; Mary
Helen, born April 27, 1912.

Politically, Doctor Knowles was a Democrat. Fraternally, he belonged to
the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Ladies and Knights of
Security and the Court of Honor. He was also an active member of the Young
Men's Business Club. He belonged to the Greene County Medical Society and
the Missouri State Medical Association. He was a splendid self-made man
and accumulated considerable property by his industry and good management,
including a handsome home on South Dollison street. He contributed largely
to charity and never hesitated to assist a person in need.

The death of Doctor Knowles occurred September 1, 1912, at the early age
of thirty-three years. His funeral was conducted by the Elks, Florence
Lodge, and also the county medical society attending in a body.




ALEXANDER KNOX. Born on the far-away heaths of bonnie Scotland, that
picturesque country, famed in song and story, familiar to us principally
through the versatile descriptions of such immortals as Scott, Burns,
Stevenson and Miller, but spending the major part of his life in America,
the late Alexander Knox, a descendant of the famous British statesman,
John Knox, is deserving of mentions in these pages. His long life of
usefulness and commendable acts winning for him the sincere regard of all
those with whom he came in contact, it is meet that his life record should
be preserved in proper form. He possessed many of the traits of character
of his sterling Scotch ancestor's.

Mr. Knox was born in Scotland, January 26, 1848. He was a son of George
Knox and wife, who were natives of Scotland, where they grew up and were
married and spent their lives.

Alexander Knox grew to manhood in his native land and there received .a
good education, taking a high literary course in one of the best schools
of the country. When twenty-one years of age, in 1869, he immigrated to
the United States alone, and first settled in the South, but after a short
time he came to Missouri. He began life for himself as a general farmer,
which line of endeavor he followed until about 1875, then entered the
employ of the St. Louis and San Francisco Railroad Company, first as
fireman and later he became an engineer, and finally was engineer on a
passenger train, which position he held for many years, or until his
health failed. He was regarded as one of the most faithful and competent
of the company's and was popular with officials and his fellow employees.

Mr. Knox was married on January 11, 1873, to Maria E. Ball, who was born
near London, England, April 11, 1856. She is a daughter of Frederick and
Margaret (Price) Ball, both natives of England, where they, grew up, were
married and established their home, and where they resided until 1870,
when they immigrated to America, first locating in Illinois, later moving
to Missouri, and here Mr. Ball began working for the St. Louis and San
Francisco Railroad Company in their shops at Springfield. He was a skilled
blacksmith, having as high as four and six helpers under him all the time,
and was looked upon by his officials as one of their most valuable men. He
did a great deal in his department to make it up to date, and he was given
credit for many things of importance. He was a man who was held in high
regard by all who knew him. He remained in the local shops until his death
in the year 1882. His family consisted of six children, three of whom are
still living, namely: Frederick, Mrs. Agnes Havens, and Mrs. Maria E.
Knox, widow of our subject.

Mrs. Knox spent her girlhood in England and was educated in the common
schools there and in the schools of St. Louis, Missouri. She was fourteen
years of age when the family moved to America.

Two children were born to Alexander Knox and wife: Alice M., born on
September 29, 1879, married first to Charles Schneider, who died about
fourteen years ago; later she married T. P. Nichols, and they live in St.
Louis. They have two children, Josephine and Charles A. George F. born on
July 8, 1882, married Courtney Gustin, who is engaged in the shoe business
in Springfield. Our subject and wife also raised James D. Knox, from the
time he was five years old, and shortly after our subject's death Mrs.
Knox adopted the child, who was born on November 18, 1880; he married
Maude Walker; he is connected with the Frisco shops and lives in
Springfield. They have three children, Charles Vere, Maxine and Margaret.

Alexander Knox was a Republican. He belonged to the Brotherhood of
Locomotive Engineers, and was secretary of the local order for a period of
fifteen years, performing the duties of the office most faithfully. He was
a member of the Masonic Order, the Blue Lodge, Gate of the Temple
(Masonic) and the Ancient Order of United Workmen, being a charter member
of the same. He was a member of the Royal Arcanum Lodge, and belonged to
the First Congregational church.

The death of Mr. Knox occurred on August 14, 1899, when scarcely past the
half-century mark. Mrs. Knox has a cosy home on Washington avenue,
Springfield.




EDWARD F. KOHLER. To the man in the habit of superficial thinking it would
seem that the place of one's birth could not matter very much; that it
could have no special bearing in shaping his earthly career, but proof to
the contrary is overwhelming. The principal reason for the difference in
degree of industry, intelligence and standards of civilization in the
various nations of the world is due very largely to latitude and
topography. For an example it is not hard to "figure out" why the people
of Belgium are progressive, energetic; courageous and in the main,
intelligent, and why the inhabitants of the islands of the South Seas are
languid, lazy, ignorant and primitive in their modes of living. The former
have to hustle for a livelihood on account of a somewhat resisting nature,
while those of the latter live off of nature's bounty without exerting
themselves winter or summer. People, like the Swiss, who live in a
temperate, mountainous, inland country are hardy, independent, liberty
loving and seekers after knowledge, consequently they make good citizens
and are welcomed in all countries to which they may immigrate. Among those
who have cast their lot with the residents of Greene county is Edward F.
Kohler, a merchant of Springfield.

Mr. Kohler was born in Switzerland, January 16, 1866. He is a son of
Edward and Margaret (Funk) Kohler, both natives of Switzerland, the father
born in 1835 and the mother in 1836. There they grew to maturity, were
educated, married and spent their lives, the father dying in 1882 and the
mother passing away in 1886. The elder Kohler was a banker, in business in
the city of Nidaw and was a successful and prominent man there during the
latter years of his life. His family consisted of eight children, five of
whom are living, namely: Arthur lives in Springfield, Missouri; Carl lives
in Argentine Republic, South America, where he is engaged in contracting;
Edward F. of this sketch; Marie lives in Arbon, Switzerland; Rosa also
lives there.

Edward F. Kohler grew to manhood in Switzerland and after passing through
the public schools spent three years in college. After serving an
apprenticeship in the mercantile business he immigrated to the United
States in 1884, locating first in Monticello, Iowa, and worked on a farm
near that town, until he could master the English language, which he
studied during spare time. Later he secured employment in a store where he
remained until 1891, during which time he not only became proficient in
our language but learned our methods of commercial life. He then came to
Springfield, Missouri, and secured a position as mechanic in the north
side Frisco shops. His natural ability in this direction and his
faithfulness and energy won him promotion and he became foreman, being in
charge of a department in these shops for several years, giving eminent
satisfaction. In 1904 he began the mercantile business for himself on a
small scale, renting a little frame building at 1954 Springfield avenue,
and there he carried a line of general merchandise, later purchasing a
fifty-foot front frame building. His business steadily increased and in
time he was able to erect a handsome two-story brick building on his
fifty-foot lot. In 1914 he built to his store another brick building with
a fifty-foot front, making now a substantial block with a one hundred foot
frontage, in which he maintains a modern, well-stocked and neat department
store, of four departments; groceries, hardware, shoes and clothing and
has a large force of clerks and assistants. He has built up a large and
lucrative business by his energy, honesty and courteous dealings. He may
well be referred to as one of the leading business men of the north side.
He has done much for this section of the city, and was instrumental in
securing the first paved streets in his locality as well as electric
lights and gas, and he is now advocating the necessity of a better sewage
system here. He is a man of excellent judgment and foresight, has his
store under a superb system and is by nature the possessor of rare
executive ability.

Mr. Kohler was married in 1887 in Monticello, Iowa, to Rosa Messerli, who
was born in Switzerland. She is a daughter of Joseph and Margaret
(Glauser) Messerli. When a child her parents, brought her to the United
States and located in Iowa where the father died some time ago and where
the mother still resides. Mrs. Kohler grew to womanhood in that state and
was educated in the common schools.

To our subject and wife one child has been born, Freda Kohler, whose birth
occurred on September 1, 1888. She received a good high school education
in Springfield, and married Clem P. Horat, an enterprising young man who
is engaged in business with Mr. Kohler.

Politically, Mr. Kohler is an independent voter. He belongs to the Modern
Woodmen and the Improved Order of Red Men, and religiously he is a member
of the German Congregational church. He is a pleasant man to meet,
impressing the stranger at once with his sincerity and genuine worth.




L. S. KUCKER. A man, of unquestioned artistic temperament is L. S. Kucker,
who although practically a new-comer in Springfield, is one of our best
known and most highly accomplished photographers, and a man who has made
many friends since casting his lot with the people of Greene county.

Mr. Kucker, of this review, has made the photograph business a life-study
and therefore has kept well abreast of the times in all phases of the work
as new discoveries and advancements have been made, and he is therefore
one of the most up-to-date photographers in the Southwest. He first began
the business in Alta, Iowa, when about twenty years old. He was successful
from the start, and, seeking a broader field for the exercise of his
talents he removed later to St. Louis, Missouri, and accepted a position
as special demonstrator for the Eastman Kodak Company, and he made St..
Louis his headquarters until he came to Springfield on December 1, 1909,
where he has since remained, and has built up a large and lucrative
business here. He has been in the same location ever since coming
here--314 Boonville street, buying an old studio there. While this place
was fairly well suited to his needs, he moved into one of the most
attractive and convenient studios in the state in May, 1915, in the
Fraternity building on St. Louis street, a handsome new structure, where
he will have modernly appointed, conveniently located and attractive
quarters with new and attractive equipment. He will spare neither pains
nor expense in his new studio and will doubtless rank with the best in the
Middle West in every respect.

Aside from his regular portrait work, Mr. Kucker does a great deal of
commercial photography, which has a certain distinctness about it not
commonly found and he is very successful in both lines and is always a
very busy man, yet never slights any part of his work, planning to do his
best, always, but promptness and courtesy as well as honesty are his
watchwords. He does every kind of work which one can have done at any
first-class, up-to-date studio. He is a firm believer in advertising and
does a great deal of it, always judiciously. He is a member of the
advertising trio watch, "300-Green," "Walkover," and "Take 'em all." He is
a member of the Springfield Club, the Young Men's Business Club, and the
Retailers' Association.







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