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




JOHN W. ROSE. Among the enterprising, progressive and widely known
merchants of Springfield is John W. Rose, one of Greene county's worthy
native sons, and a worthy scion of an old and honored family of this
locality, a man who is deserving of a great deal of credit for what he has
accomplished, which has been in the face of obstacles that would have
crushed men of less grit and ambition, for his early environment was
decidedly unpromising, but, the modern Don Quixote that he was, he did not
sit by idly pining for something to turn up, but went forth to conquer,
and, by persevering, succeeded. His life, though comparatively uneventful,
has not been unfruitful of good results and kind deeds in behalf of his
fellow-men. He thoroughly understands the business to which so many years
have been devoted, and the confidence and respect of the hundreds of
customers who pass in and out of his doors continuously are his in a
satisfactory degree.

Mr. Rose was born in Greene county, Missouri, on November 6, 1862. He is a
son of John W. and Elizabeth (Laney) Rose, both natives of this state. The
father was a soldier in the Confederate army and was killed in a skirmish
with Union troops in 1864. The death of the mother occurred in 1906. The
paternal grandfather, W. R. Rose, was a native of Tennessee, and from that
state he came to Greene county, Missouri, in early pioneer times, locating
on a farm here in 1834. The maternal grandfather, J. H. Laney, was also a
native of Tennessee, from which state he emigrated to Lawrence county,
Missouri, in 1835, and was one of the earliest settlers of that county.
Both the Rose and Laney families were represented in the Revolutionary
war. The Laneys are of French and English ancestry. Grandfather Laney and
wife are buried in Garroutte cemetery, and Grandfather Rose and wife are
buried in Prospect cemetery.

John W. Rose was left fatherless when two years of age, and he has always
depended upon himself, which fact has doubtless been largely responsible
for his success in life. When thirteen years of age he hired out as a farm
hand at ten dollars a month, and continued farming until he was eighteen
years of age. Meanwhile he had little chance to obtain an education, but
this lack has later been made up by wide home reading and study and by
contact with the world until today he is regarded as one of the best
informed men on general topics in Springfield. When a boy he learned
telegraphy, and at the age of nineteen was in the employ of the Frisco
railroad and in charge of a station. He continued in that capacity for a
period of six years, giving the company excellent service and was
commended for his accuracy and fidelity. Not seeing much future to such
employment and believing he had qualifications for the mercantile world,
he left the road's employ and entered the mercantile business, and has
since been engaged in the same in Springfield, with the exception of
fifteen years spent as a traveling salesman, during which he gave
excellent satisfaction to the firms employing him, and became widely known
to the trade over a vast territory. He has operated a general book store
on East Commercial street since 1906 and has enjoyed a large and
ever-growing trade, and he carries at all seasons an extensive and
up-to-date stock of everything found in a modern book store, and his
obliging and courteous nature has won and retained a host of friends among
his patrons.

Mr. Rose was married in 1883 to Mattie Wade, a native of Greene county,
where she grew to womanhood and was educated. She is a daughter of T. W.
and Ellen (Skelton) Wade. Mr. Wade has devoted his active life to farming,
and he is a resident of Springfield.

Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Rose, namely: Ethel, married
R. R. Matthews, a mechanic, and they reside in Dallas, Texas; Leon M.,
died on July 4, 1912; Jerry H. is associated with his father in business;
Ina D. is at home. Ethel and Jerry H. are both graduates of the
Springfield high school.

Politically Mr. Rose is a Democrat. Religiously he belongs to the
Methodist Episcopal church, and fraternally is a member of the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows. He is deeply interested in the general welfare of
his city and county in every way.




REUBEN R. ROSE. Probably many of us never stopped to consider some of the
factors which have contributed to the gradual depletion of our soil
fertility. When we see a farmer hauling fifty bushels of corn to town,
worth in an average year about twenty-five dollars, we hardly think of him
as hauling away fifteen dollars' worth of soil fertility with that corn.
Yet if he brought back home in the form of commercial fertilizer the same
amount of fertility he hauled off that is what it would cost. Likewise
when fifty bushels of wheat is sold sixteen dollars' worth of soil
fertility goes with it. A ton of clover hay may bring seventeen dollars,
but the seller is giving away eleven dollars' worth of the soil fertility
in the hay. One of the farmers of Brookline township, Greene county, who
believes in putting something back in the soil and endeavoring to maintain
its richness while he is gathering life-sustaining harvests from it is
Reuben R. Rose.

Mr. Rose was born October 14, 1874, in Brookline township, near the
village of Brookline. He is a son of Reuben R. and Lucy A. (McElhany)
Rose. The paternal grandfather of our subject came from Tennessee to this
locality in the pioneer days and established the permanent home of the
family here. He and our subject's father devoted their lives to general
farming and were well known in this part of the county. Our subject is one
of a large family of children, namely: Sallie is the wife of Sol Owens
-and lives near Springfield; Jane is the wife of Amos Cooper and lives in
Oklahoma; Kennard lives at Galloway, Missouri; John lives in Brookline
township, Greene county; Reuben R. Jr., of this sketch; Martha is the wife
of Charles Grothy and they live at Webb City, Missouri; Lucy is the wife
of Wilson White and they live near Springfield; Homer lives in Brookline
township; Frank also lives in Brookline township; two sons and one
daughter are deceased.

Mr. Rose of this review grew to manhood on the home farm and there he
worked during the crop seasons, and in the, winter time attended the
district schools. He has always followed farming, starting out in life for
himself when eighteen years of age. He purchased forty acres in Brookline
township in 1906, and he now owns two hundred acres in section 36 and also
two hundred acres in section I. He resides on the former, in a commodious
residence, surrounded by substantial outbuildings and an excellent grade
of live stock. His land is also productive and well-improved, and he
manages it in a skillful and successful manner, being rated as one of the
best general farmers in the township. He is a noted mule breeder, and has
been very successful. He owns "Greased Lightning," a very fine jack.

Mr. Rose was married in 1896 to Opie McElhany, who did not live long
thereafter, and in 1900 our subject married Mamie VanWagon, a daughter, of
Fred VanWagon and wife of Brookline township, where she grew to womanhood
and was educated. To this union four children have been born, namely:
Philip, age thirteen; Glen R., age eleven; Elmer, age nine; and Effie
Marie, age seven.

Politically, Mr. Rose is a Democrat. He was elected school director in his
district, and has been incumbent of this office six years, and is a strong
advocate for good educational work.




BENNETTE J. ROSS. It is well for us all that Nature tries to conserve her
fertile fields. Man has ever been a robber of the soil and at this late
day he is beginning to realize that Nature, and her multitudinous
servants, cannot forever maintain the pristine fertility of alluvial
valley and loamy plain unless the reckless waste of soil riches is checked
by scientific rotation of crops or intelligent use of the legumes. A
diminishing yield per acre of cereals is Nature's warning to the children
of men that they cannot eat their cake and keep it, too. One of the
successful farmers of Murray township, Greene county, who has long been
fully awake to these conditions and such others as pertain to high-grade
twentieth-century husbandry is Bennette J. Ross, a scion of one of the
worthy pioneer families of this locality, where he has been content to
spend his life of over three score years.

Mr. Ross was born in Robberson township, Greene county, February 3, 1853.
He is a son of David and Louisa (Robinson) Ross. The birth of David Ross
occurred in Kentucky, March 12, 1812, and when a small boy he came with
his parents to Boonville, Missouri. He was a son of William and Elizabeth
Ross, also natives of Kentucky. William Ross, who was a surveyor, laid off
the town of Boonville, Missouri. While living there he became a surveyor
for the Mexican government and helped survey the major portion of what is
now the state of Texas. Leaving Boonville, Cooper county, he moved with
his family to Greene county, and took up a claim from the government in
Robberson township, but subsequently moved to Bolivar, Polk county, where
he engaged in mercantile pursuits for seven years, then located at
Versailles, Morgan county, this state, where he spent the rest of his
life, dying when past eighty years of age. His wife died at the home of
David Ross when past twenty-eight years of age. David Ross lived in
Boonville until he was twelve years of age, then came with the family to
Greene county and here engaged in farming and married here, later
purchasing a farm and building a residence in Robberson township, where he
lived the rest of his life, and was one of the prominent men among the
early settlers here. He not only managed his farm, but was a minister in
the Methodist Episcopal church, South, and preached at Springfield for
years and all over this section of the state, and was a powerful preacher
of the old school, remaining in the work over thirty-five years, and his
death occurred in 1869 at his home in Robberson township while still in
the fullness of his powers, at the age of fifty-seven years. He owned over
five hundred acres of excellent land here and carried on general farming
and stock raising on an extensive scale. His wife, Louisa Robinson, was
born in Tennessee about 1815, and her death occurred on the homestead in
Greene county at an advanced age. To these parents twelve children were
born, namely: Lafayette A., who is farming in Murray township; William
Monroe, deceased; Francis Emery, who was for over a quarter of a century
one of the leading physicians of Springfield, is deceased; Mrs. Elizabeth
Jane Whitlock lives in Springfield; Mrs. Mary Louisa Skeen lives in Ash
Grove, this county; David W. lives at Willard, Greene county; Mrs. Sarah
Melissa Watson, who resides at Morrisville, Polk county; Mrs. Henrietta
Josephine Robinson makes her home in Texas; Mrs. Cordelia Robinson lives
in Oklahoma; Bennette Jackson is farming near Willard; Mrs. Laura Emma
Appleby lives in Topeka, Kansas; Leonidas Clark is practicing medicine in
Springfield.

Bennette J. Ross grew to manhood on the home farm and did his share of the
work there when a boy, and he received his education in the township
schools and spent a year in high school at Ebenezer and two years at Drury
College, taking a scientific course; this was in 1876 and he was,
therefore, one of the first students of this now noted institution. He was
forced to leave college on account of measles, which affected his eyes.

November 24, 1897, Mr. Ross married Ida Ella Knox, a daughter of John and
Elizabeth (Locke) Knox. The father was born January 15, 1832, in Giles
county, Tennessee, but came to Greene county, Missouri, and took up a
claim from the government, later returning to Tennessee, where he married.
He brought his bride back to Missouri and settled on his claim in
Robberson township, near Percy's cave, which he discovered, and in that
vicinity he cleared and developed a farm, later selling out and purchased
another tract of one hundred and sixty acres in Murray township, which he
farmed until his death, in 1891. Politically, he was a Democrat, and was
an ardent member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and an elder in
the same for many years. His wife was born in Giles county, Tennessee, in
1830, and her death occurred on the homestead in Robberson township in
1879. She was an active member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. To
Mr. and Mrs. Knox nine children were born, namely: Joseph William lives in
Springfield; John McClain lives near Willard; Samuel Edgar lives near
Verona, Missouri; the fourth and fifth children died in infancy; Mrs. Mary
Belle Sneed lives at Willard; DeWitt Clinton lives on the old homestead
near Willard; Mrs. Sarah Alice Gillespie lives at Willard; and Ida Ella,
wife of Mr. Ross, of this sketch.

To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Ross four children have been born, named as
follows: Lockie, born March 25, 1900; Marie Anna Fay, born February 3,
1902; Bennette Knox, born September 16, 1905, and Pauline, born February
22, 1911.

Mr. Ross spent his earlier years on the home farm, remaining there until
the fall of 1911, when he purchased eighty-seven acres of excellent land,
where he now resides—"Maple Grove Farm," and is making a pronounced
success as a general farmer and stockman. He has a comfortable residence,
surrounded by a fine grove. His farm is well drained and well fenced.

Politically, Mr. Ross is a Prohibitionist and has taken an active part in
the work of the same for years. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal
church, South, at Willard, in which he has been steward, trustee and
Sunday school superintendent for many years, and at this writing holds the
office of steward. He is also a trustee in the church of this denomination
at Ebenezer, Robberson township. His wife is also a member of the same
church as our subject and takes an active part in the work of the Sunday
school, missionary and other societies of the church. At this writing Mr.
Ross is assistant superintendent of the Sunday school and is a teacher of
the Ladies' Bible class at Willard. He is a man who has always stood high
in the community owing to his industry, honesty and activity in church,
school and whatever pertains to the general good of his township, never
shirking his part in any good work.




DAVID EDWARD ROSS. Many people are of the opinion that the word farming
means the same the world over, and so it does in a sense, but yet, like
many another word in our complicated language, it has what one might call
an elastic meaning. At least the methods of farming vary radically in
different countries. So the word means one thing to the tiller of the soil
in the Ozark region and quite another to the husbandman in Mexico, Brazil
India or Ceylon. Such decidedly different methods have to be employed in
coaxing from Mother Earth the grains, fruit and vegetables by which we
live that the expert farmer of one country would be a decided failure in
another. And many years are required to become properly acquainted with
the methods of successful agriculture in any land and clime. This being
the case the world over, that man is wise who remains in his own country
if he intends to devote his attention to this vocation all his life.

David Edward Ross, a successful general farmer and stockman of Murray
township, Greene county, has been content to spend his life in his native
community, and, being a man of industry, sound judgment and a close
observer he has forged ahead until he now ranks among the leading men of
his calling in this locality. Mr. Ross was born near Willard, Greene
county, Missouri, July 11, 1869. He is a son of Lafayette A. and Malinda
(Evans) Ross. The father of our subject was born in Robberson township,
this county, February 21, 1835, the son of David and Louisa (Robinson)
Ross. David Ross, who was born in Kentucky in 1812, was one of the
prominent pioneer preachers of the Methodist church in southwestern
Missouri and one of the leading farmers of Greene county of that period,
having come here when he was twelve years of age from Cooper county,
Missouri with his parents, William and Elizabeth Ross. William Ross was a
surveyor and he laid out the town of Boonville, this state, and was also
employed by the government of Mexico to help survey what is now the state
of Texas. He left Greene county and engaged in merchandising in Bolivar,
Polk county, for a number of years, later moving to Versailles, Morgan
county, where his death occurred at an advanced age, he and his wife both
passing their four-score mile-post. David Ross engaged in farming in the
northern portion of Greene county, erecting a log cabin on wild land, and,
working hard and managing well, finally had a fine farm of about five
hundred acres and a large comfortable home took the place of his little
primitive dwelling. He handles large numbers of live stock of various
kinds and is a good judge of stock. For a period of over thirty-five years
he preached the gospel all over this country and was a powerful preacher
of his type. His wife, Louisa Robinson, was born in Tennessee about 1815
and her death occurred on the homestead here, and he died on January 6,
1869, at the age of fifty-six years, after a successful and useful career,
although comparatively brief. To these parents twelve children were born,
namely: Lafayette A., father of the immediate subject of this sketch;
William, Dr. Francis E., Mrs. Elizabeth J. Whitlock; Mrs. Mary L. Skeen,
David W., Mrs. Sarah M. Watson, Mrs. Henrietta J. Robinson, Mrs. Cordelia
Robinson, Bennett J., Mrs. Laura M. Appleby, and Dr. Leonidas C.

Lafayette A. Ross has spent his entire life in the vicinity of his birth
with the exception of three years in California during the early fifties,
the gold-fever days, having been but nineteen years of age when he made
the hazardous trip across the plains. Returning home in 1856, he took up
farming and stock raising here, which has since claimed his attention, and
he is owner of an excellent farm in Murray township of one hundred and
twenty acres, having lived on the same farm for a period of forty-six
years. He and Malinda A. Evans were married September 21, 1856. She is a
daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Leathers) Evans, all three of whom were
born in North Carolina. Joseph Evans was a millwright by trade, which he
followed during the winter months and farmed in the summer time. He moved
his family to Greene county, Missouri, in 1840, locating on a farm at the
edge of Robberson Prairie. He built the first frame house, also the first
saw mill and grist-mill in this county, and became a prosperous and
influential citizen here. His death occurred in 1888, when eighty-five
years of age. His family consisted of ten children, all now deceased but
four, namely: Alexander, of Springfield; Daniel M., of Willard; Malinda
A., who is the mother of our subject; and Mrs. Emma McDaniel, of
Springfield. To Lafayette A. Ross and wife six children were born, named
as follows: George Emery lives in Texas; William J. is a resident of
Morrisville, Polk county, Mrs. Emma Ault lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma; Mrs.
Lula R. Appleby lives with her parents; David Edward, of this sketch; and
Walter Evans, who lives in Oklahoma.

David Edward Ross, always called "Ed Ross," grew to manhood on his
father's farm and there he worked when a boy, and he received his
education in the public schools of his community and at Morrisville
College in Polk county. He remained on the home farm until his marriage at
the age of twenty-four years, after which he rented a farm just north of
his present place which he operated one year, and in 1894 moved to Willard
and engaged in mercantile pursuits, which he continued until in February,
1901, enjoying a good business and an extensive trade with the town and
community as a result of his straightforward and courteous dealings with
his customers and the fact that he always carried a well-selected stock of
general merchandise. He moved back to his father's farm in 1900, where he
now resides and has been very successful as a general farmer and stockman,
dealing extensively in buying and selling mules during the winter months.
He raises large numbers of mules for the market, also horses, and it is
safe to say that there is no better judge of both mules and horses than
he, and no small portion of his comfortable competence has been secured
through the judicious handling of these animals. In 1911 he moved to
Springfield, where he was in the horse and mule business and engaged in
trading until 1913, when he returned to the farm and is now active in
general agricultural pursuits. His counsel is often sought by his
neighbors and friends in regard to the horse and mule market and as to the
value of certain animals and his advice is usually followed with
gratifying results. His farm is well kept, well improved and indicates
that a gentleman of thrift and good taste has its management in hand.

Mr. Ross was married September 28, 1893, to Ida M. Watson, who was born,
reared and educated in the vicinity of Willard. She is a daughter of John
P. and Nancy (Bryant) Watson. Mr. Watson was born in Tennessee, October
22, 1840, where he spent his early boyhood, making the tedious overland
journey from his native state to Greene county, Missouri, when he was ten
years of age, with his parents, Barney and Jane Watson, who settled on a
farm in Murray township, and here John P. grew to manhood and received his
education in the early schools of this vicinity. His father took up a
claim in this township, which he developed into a good farm and here
devoted his remaining years to general farming and died here. John P.
Watson has devoted his active life to general agricultural pursuits,
becoming owner of a good farm in this locality but for several years has
been living retired, having bought a home at Morrisville. Polk county,
about 1904, where he still lives. He has been twice married. He is the
father of four children by his marriage to Nancy Bryant, who was born in
1839, being a native of Missouri, and her death occurred when her
daughter, Ida M. was six years of age. These children were named: Mollie,
who is the wife of William J. Ross, a merchant of Morrisville, Missouri;
David is deceased; Mrs. Lula Appleby lives near Willard, this county; and
Ida M., wife of the subject of this sketch. The second wife of John P.
Watson was Sarah Ross, and to this union one child was born, Ross Watson,
who is engaged in business at Willard.

Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Ed. Ross, of this sketch,
namely: Charles H., who is working in the oil fields of Oklahoma with his
uncle, Walter Ross; and John A., who is at home with his parents.

Mr. Ross is a Democrat but has never been an aspirant for political
honors, although he is active in all movements looking to the general
progress of his township and county. Fraternally, he is a member of the
Modern Woodmen of America and of the Masonic Blue Lodge. He and his wife
are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, at Willard and are
active in the affairs of the same. Mrs. Ross is third vice-president of
the Foreign Missionary Society of the same.




J. B. ROSS. The character of a community is determined in a large measure
by the lives of a comparatively few of its members. If its moral and
intellectual status be good, if in a social way it is a good place in
which to reside, if its reputation for the integrity of its citizens has
extended into other localities, it will be found that the standards, set
by the leading men have been high and their influence such as to mold
their characters and shape the lives of those with whom they mingle. In
placing J. B. Ross in the front rank of such men, justice is rendered a
biographical fact recognized throughout Greene county by the scores who
have come in contact with him during his residence here of more than three
decades. Although a quiet and unassuming man with no ambition for public
position or leadership, he has contributed and still contributes much to
the general welfare of his chosen city and county, while his admirable
qualities of head and heart and the straightforward, upright course of his
daily life have tendered greatly to the substantial standing of the
circles in which he moves and given him a reputation for integrity and
correct conduct such as few achieve.

Mr. Ross was born on a farm lying along the Ohio river, in Harrison
county, Indiana, not far from the city of New Albany, March 9, 1851. He is
a son of Jesse and Jane (Overton) Ross. The father was born in the same
community the same year in which Abraham Lincoln was born, and in his
earlier life was a steamboat man on the Ohio river in the days when our
chief transportation was by river. In his later years he took up land in
Harrison county, Indiana, and devoted the latter part of his life
successfully to farming, but eventually removed to Missouri, where his
death, occurred, His wife was also born in Kentucky and was reared there;
her death also occurred in Missouri. They were a sterling pioneer couple,
rugged, energetic, hospitable and honest. To these parents eight children
were born, namely: William, the eldest, is deceased; Mrs. Mary J. Fox
lives in Indiana; George is deceased; Henry is deceased; Ezekiel lives in
Indiana; Bernard lives in Illinois; J. B., of this sketch, and Sally, who
lives in Springfield, Missouri.

J. B. Ross grew to manhood on the home farm in Indiana and there he
assisted with the general work when a boy, developing a fine physique and
strength of body and mind which has been a great asset to him in his
subsequent career. His early education was obtained in the common schools,
later by a course in Holbrook Normal at Lebanon, Ohio; but he has remained
a student all his life and is a widely informed and well advised man an
all questions and topics of moment and current interest, especially in
political and national affairs. He began life for himself by teaching
school, which he followed for some time in his native county. In 1872 he
went to Helena, Arkansas, and engaged successfully in the mercantile
business for a period of fifteen years. He came to Springfield, Missouri,
in 1886, arriving here on November 23. Soon thereafter he engaged in the
real estate business, then was interested in mining at Aurora, this state,
a few years, making a success of each venture. All the while he has been
actively interested in local public affairs, being loyal in his support of
the Republican party, and during the administration of President Roosevelt
he was appointed postmaster at Springfield, 1902 to 1910, and very ably
and successfully discharged the duties of the same until his term expired,
proving to be one of the best incumbents of this office the city has ever
had, giving satisfaction to both the people and the department. In 1910
Mr. Ross opened a book store at 320 College street, which he has conducted
to the present time. He carries a well selected stock of everything
commonly found in modern book stores and is doing a very satisfactory
business.

Mr. Ross was married in Arkansas, in 1877, to Sophia Roberts, a lady of
many estimable qualities, whose death occurred in that state before our
subject removed to Springfield. She left two daughters, Elizabeth and
Nellie. They have both been well educated and are popular with the best
social circles in Springfield.

Mr. Ross is a member of the Royal Arcanum and the Springfield Club.
Personally, he is a pleasant gentleman to meet, obliging and
companionable.




LAFAYETTE A. ROSS. One of the venerable and most widely known citizens of
the northern part of Greene county is Lafayette A. Ross, who has spent
practically the entirety of his nearly four score years in this locality,
which he has seen grow from a wild and sparsely settled prairie, dotted
with log cabins when land could be secured for one dollar and twenty-five
cents per acre to its present thriving state when some of the best acres
are worth one hundred and seventy-five dollars each and modernly appointed
homes are numerous. And in this great transformation he has played well
his part in every respect. His long life of usefulness, industry and
charitable acts has won for him the sincere affection of almost every man,
woman and child in Murray township, and of many of those living in
townships adjacent. His early industry has resulted in his possession of a
neat competence, and while he still enjoys the glow of the golden rays of
the sun of life that must eventually set behind the horizon of the
inevitable, he shares that enjoyment with no stint in the companionship of
the members of his family and his wide circle of friends, won through his
residence here of more than three-quarters of a century.

Mr. Ross was born in Robberson township, Greene county, Missouri, February
21, 1835. He is a son of David and Louisa (Robinson) Ross. David Ross, who
was one of the noted pioneer preachers of southwestern Missouri, and one
of the most extensive agriculturists and stock men of. Greene county, was
born in Kentucky, March 12, 1812, and he was six years of age when his
parents, William and Elizabeth Ross, removed with their family to
Boonville, Cooper county, Missouri. William Ross was a man of ability and
an expert surveyor. While living in Cooper county he laid off the town of
Boonville, and about that time was employed by the government of Mexico to
assist in surveying the greater portion of what is now the state of Texas.
After returning from the Southwest to Cooper county he brought his family
to Greene county, having maintained his home in the former county six
years. He took up a claim in Robberson township, before this locality had
been surveyed, and on this he erected a log cabin, made such other
improvements as were necessary in placing raw prairie land under
cultivation, but he subsequently moved to Bolivar, Polk county, and
engaged in mercantile pursuits for seven years, then located at
Versailles, Morgan county, this state, where he spent the rest of his
life, dying when past eighty years of age. His widow died at the home of
their son, David Ross, when past eighty-two years of age. They were a
sterling old pioneer couple and did much for the advancement of early
civilizing influences in this section of the state. David Ross was twelve
years of age when he accompanied his parents to Robberson township Greene
county, from Boonville. Here he engaged in farming, erecting a log cabin
and starting in true primitive fashion, and, being a hard worker, a man of
rare foresight and good judgment he prospered with advancing years and
became owner of over five hundred acres of fine farming land here, which
he brought up to a high state of cultivation and improvement and carried
on general farming and stock raising on an extensive scale, raising large
numbers of horses, mules, cattle, hogs and sheep annually, and was a most
excellent judge of live stock. He was one of the best known and most
influential of the early settlers in this locality. For a period of over
thirty-five years he was a minister in the Methodist Episcopal church,
South, and preached in Springfield for many years and all over this
country. He was profoundly versed in the Bible, was an earnest, forceful
and eloquent preacher of the old school. His wife, Louisa Robinson, was
born in Tennessee about 18l5, and her death occurred on the home place in
Greene county at an advanced age. He died in 1869 at the age of fifty-six
years, when in the zenith of his powers.

To David Ross and wife twelve children were born, namely: Lafayette A.,
subject of this sketch, is the eldest; William Monroe; Dr. Francis Emery,
now deceased, was for over a quarter of a century one of the leading
physicians of Springfield; Mrs. Elizabeth Jane Whitlock lives in
Springfield; Mrs. Mary L. Skeen lives in Ash Grove, this county; David W.
lives at Willard; Mrs. Sarah Melissa Watson lives at Morrisville, Polk
county; Mrs. Henrietta Josephine Robinson lives in Texas; Mrs. Cordelia
Robinson lives in Oklahoma; Bennett J. is farming in Murray township; Mrs.
Laura Emma Appleby lives in Topeka, Kansas.; Dr. Leonadus Clark is
practicing medicine in Springfield.

Lafayette A. Ross grew to manhood on the home farm and worked hard when a
boy, and received such educational advantages as the early schools
afforded. He remained on the farm until he was nineteen years of age,
when, on April 10, 1853, he started overland across the great western
plains to the gold fields of California where he remained three years,
returning home on July 7, 1856. His experiences on his long journey to and
from the Pacific coast and while in the West forms a most important and
interesting chapter in his life record. With the exception of this brief
period he has always lived in the locality of his birth, and has resided
in his present home since in April, 1868, or over forty-six years. He owns
a finely improved and well-kept farm of one hundred and twenty acres,
which was a raw, unpromising looking tract when he purchased it, but by
hard work and close application he has made a fine farm of it and has a
commodious residence and substantial group of outbuildings, his place
being now well worth one hundred and seventy-five dollars per acre. He has
always followed general farming and stock raising, and he is still active,
although the frosts of old age are upon him, but he has had an
exceptionally robust constitution and has lived a careful life. He is a
man of fine business judgment and broad-minded in practical affairs.

Mr. Ross was married on September 21, 1856, to Malinda Evans, a daughter
of Joseph and Elizabeth (Leathers) Evans, all three natives of North
Carolina. Joseph Evans was born in 1804, and was fourth in a family of
seven children. He grew up in his native state and when a young, man
learned the millwright's trade which he followed in connection with
farming, plying his trade during the winter months. He removed with his
family to Greene county, Missouri, in 1840, locating in Robberson
township, at the edge of what has long been known as Robberson Prairie. He
built the first frame house in Greene county, and also had the distinction
of building here the first saw mill and grist mill. He sawed logs. for his
home out of black walnut trees that would now be worth a small fortune. He
became a prosperous farmer and influential citizen among the early day
residents. His death occurred in September, 1888, at the advanced age of
eighty-five years. Ten children were born to Joseph Evans and wife, four
of whom are living at this writing, namely: Alexander makes his home in
Springfield; Malinda, wife of the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Emma
McDaniel, who resides in Springfield; Daniel McCord lives in Willard, this
county. The paternal grandparents of these children were Daniel Evans and
wife, who, with their son, John, emigrated from England to the United
States in an early day and settled in North Carolina.

Eight children have been born to Lafayette A. Ross and wife, namely:
George Emery lives in Texas; William J. makes his home at Morrisville,
Polk county; Mrs. Emma Ault lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma; Mrs. Lula R. Appleby
is living on the home place with her parents; David Edward lives in
Willard; Walter Evans makes his home in Oklahoma. Two died in infancy.

Mr. Ross, is a Democrat but he has never held public office or desired to
be other than a quiet, honorable and unobtrusive citizen. He is a member
of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, at Willard, has been secretary
and trustee of the church at different times. His wife is also a member of
the same church, and both are much interested in general church affairs.




LEONIDAS CLARK ROSS, M. D. It, is no invasion, of the province of
propriety to narrate or chronicle the exploits, achievements, character or
the lesser or larger deeds of a. man who is yet a living personality. The
truest biographic insight of an individual will come to him who knows him
best, has most closely studied him in his particular spheres of thought
and action, and who has the advantage of aids of the subject of his
narrative, as the living, suggesting source and inspiration of it. The
artist's picture of the vanished original will not be an accurate
photograph of it. It was a maxim of the Egoists, who were uncertain of
everything, only, a few things, that "each one submit to a record of
himself, for his self's sake, but especially for his friends." Thus it
affords the biographer pleasure to set forth appropriately, but
succinctly, and, we hope, accurately, the life record of Dr. Leonidas
Clark Ross, who, owing to the enviable position he has gained in the
medical circles of Greene county, is entitled to specific mention within
these pages.

Dr. Ross was born in Greene county, Missouri, January 1, 1860, and is a
scion of one of the oldest and most prominent families of the County. He
is a son of Rev. David and Eliza (Robberson) Ross, the father a prominent
minister in the Methodist Episcopal church, South, for many years in the
pioneer days. His death occurred on January 6, 1869. The mother was a
sister of the late Dr. E. T. Robberson, of Springfield, Missouri, and also
a representative of an old and well-known family. William Ross, our
subject's paternal grandfather, died in Morgan county, and was buried at
Versailles, this state. William Robberson, the maternal grandfather, spent
his life in Tennessee, died and was buried at Farmington, that state.

Dr. Ross' brother, Dr. F. E. Ross was for over a half century one of the
best known physicians of Greene county, having practiced medicine in
Springfield from 1865 until his death in 1910. His widow still lives in
this city.

Dr. L. C. Ross grew to manhood in his native community and received his
early education in the schools of Springfield. Finally deciding upon a
career as a physician, he entered the Missouri Medical College at St.
Louis, where he made a good record and from which institution he graduated
with the class of 1891. In April of that year he began the practice of his
profession in Springfield, and from that time to the present his patients
have continued to increase in numbers until he is now a very busy man and
ranks with the most successful general practitioners of the county. Dr.
Ross is a post graduate of the New York Polyclinic, attending in the year
1895.

He is a member of the Greene County Medical Society, the Missouri State
Medical Association, the Southwest Missouri Medical Society and the
American Medical Association. Fraternally he belongs to the Masonic Order.
Politically he is a Democrat, and in religious matters belongs to the
Methodist Episcopal church, South.

Dr. Ross has remained unmarried. He is well liked by a wide acquaintance,
being a man of pleasing address and good habits.




MARSHALL ROUDEBUSH. The business of the farm and the business of farming,
while in many points analogous, are in reality quite distinctive. The
former carries with it the consideration of dollars and cents in the
employment of labor, the outlay of capital on buildings and improvements,
the cost of raising crops as against the revenue received after harvesting
and sale, the maintenance and repair of machinery and implements, and the
saving to be made possible if newer and improved machinery is installed on
the farm. In short, the business of the farm is to make the farm produce
the utmost possible at the lowest cost, and to be certain of a ready cash
market for all that is produced.

One of Greene county's farmers, who looks well to the general business of
farming and is therefore succeeding is Marshall Roudebush, of Brookline
township. He was born near Vernon, Jennings county, Indiana, October 14,
1856. He is a son of William S. and Nancy (Walker) Roudebush. The father,
who was one of a family of twenty-two children, was one of the first
settlers in Jennings county, Indiana, having located there about the year
1830 when the country was sparsely settled and little improved, but he
worked hard and developed a good farm. The mother of our subject was born
in Kentucky from which state she removed with her parents to Jennings
county, Indiana, about 1830 and there she grew to womanhood and married.
To William S. Roudebtish the following children were born: Daniel, who
served in the Civil war as corporal in the Union army was taken prisoner
and died of starvation at Andersonville prison; Charles L., who resided in
Kansas, died in 1887; Marshall, of this sketch; Elizabeth, who married a
Mr. Anderson, lives at Lebanon, Indiana; Jennie lived at North Vernon,
Indiana, and has been deceased for fifteen years; Ophelia Boggs lives in
Vernon, Indiana.

Marshall Roudebush was reared on the home farm in Indiana where he worked
when a boy, and there he received his education in the district schools.
He was thirteen years of age when his father died, and he started out in
life for himself, since which time he has made his own way in the world
unaided and is deserving of a great deal of credit for the large success
which has been his. He has been engaged in general farming for the most
part but has devoted considerable attention to buying, raising and
shipping live stock and he owes no inconsiderable portion of his success
to the latter business. He is regarded by his neighbors as one of the best
judges of various kinds and grades of live stock to be found in this part
of the county. He remained in Indiana until the winter of 1883 when he
came to Greene county, Missouri, and located in Brookline township,
purchasing forty acres in section 14 where he still resides, and
prospering with advancing years he has acquired additional acreage until
he now owns one of the valuable and choice farms of the township,
consisting of two hundred and forty acres, which he has brought up to a
high state of improvement and cultivation. He recently erected a
commodious pressed brick residence of the bungalow type, modern in its
appointments and surrounded on all sides by a fine grove of walnut and
oak. It is on an eminence commanding a splendid view.

Mr. Roudebush was married on December 26, 1880, to Olive Spencer, a
daughter of Major Samuel A. and Sarah (Ewing) Spencer. The father served
with much credit through the Civil war as a major of the Eighty-Second
Indiana Volunteer Infantry. Our subject's wife was born in Jennings
county, Indiana, in 1855 and there she grew to womanhood and received a
common school education. She has borne her husband the following children:
Bessie, born on November 30, 1884, is unmarried and living at home;
Everett A., born on July, 1886 is unmarried and is engaged in farming in
Kansas; Harry M., born on March 20, 1889, is single, and is living at home
assisting his father operate the home place; Charles S., born on August 3,
1893 is single, and is now employed by the United States government on
irrigation work at Phoenix, Arizona.

Politically, Mr. Roudebush is a Republican, but has never been active in
politics, although taking a good citizen's interest in. public affairs. He
has served three years on the local school board. Fraternally he is a
member of the Masonic Order.




J. B. RUFFIN. Among, the large percentage of Southern people in Greene
county is J. B. Ruffin, and like most of them, is the possessor of the
personal characteristics of those bred in fair Dixie land, which makes him
a desirable citizen, one who wins and retains friends easily. From his
early youth he has been a lover of horses and has become an expert judge
of them and also an expert in their successful handling, and he is at this
writing the owner of a number of good ones which he keeps in his modernly
appointed livery stable in Springfield.

Mr. Ruffin was born in Panola county, Mississippi, September 2, 1866. He
is a son of James and Mary (Brahan) Ruffin. The father was born in Hardman
county, Tennessee in 1838, and the mother was born in Mississippi in 1848.
They each represent old families of the South and grew to maturity in
their respective communities, received good educational advantages, were
married and have always lived in the South, still living at Sardis,
Mississippi, where they are widely and well known. James Ruffin attended
medical college when a young man and received his degree of Doctor of
Medicine and became a successful practitioner, engaging in the practice in
Tennessee and Mississippi for many years. Having accumulated a comfortable
competency he is now living retired. Having been long a prominent and
influential Democrat in his locality he was in 1906 elected deputy sheriff
of his county, and was also elected a representative to the state
legislature in Mississippi, serving one term of two years in a highly
creditable and satisfactory manner. During the war between the states he
enlisted in the Confederate army and was promoted from time to time for
his gallantry and merit until he became captain of his company and served
all through the war, taking part in many important engagements.
Fraternally he is a member of the Masonic order. He is a fine type of the
Southern gentleman of the old school, and his descendants may well be
proud of his record as a soldier, physician, public servant and citizen.
His family consisted of nine children, all still living but one, namely:
J. B. of this sketch; Maggie Belle, Rosa, Mary, Willie, Sallie, Haywood,
Mrs. Catherine Lee, and one who died in infancy.

J. B. Ruffin grew to manhood in the South and he received his early
education in the common schools in Mississippi, also attended high school.
He began his active life by selling goods, later going into the live stock
business, paying particular attention to race horses, and he has owned a
large number of fine ones, with excellent records. He engaged in farming
and stock raising in Tipton county, Tennessee, for some time and his
operations met with gratifying results. He remained there until 1906 when
he came to Missouri and located in Aurora where he engaged in the livery
business on a large scale, which he followed until 1912 when he came to
Springfield, and continued the same line of business, his present location
being at 310 Boonville street, where he has a large and modernly equipped
barn, keeping some of the finest horses and buggies in the city, and
maintains a boarding stable in connection, everything being first-class,
and promptness and uniform courtesy, are watchwords with him. He is
enjoying a large and rapidly growing patronage.

Mr. Ruffin was married in February, 1892, in Tipton county, Tennessee, to
Mamie J. Culbreath, who was born in that county and state on October 28,
1873, and she was reared and educated there. She is a daughter of J. Clark
and Sallie (Cockrell) Culbreath, natives of western Tennessee, where they
grew up, were educated and. married. Her father served all through the
Civil war in the Confederate army.

Four children have been born to our subject and wife, namely: James is now
a student in Drury College; J. B., Jr., is attending the Springfield high
school; Josephine and Clark are both in the ward schools.

Politically, Mr. Ruffin is a Democrat. He is a member of the Woodmen of
the World and the Loyal Order of Moose. He belongs to the Methodist
Episcopal church, South. He and his wife have made many friends since
locating in Springfield.




CHARLES W. RULE. A man of naturally sound judgment and shrewd perception,
characteristics of the Teutonic race of which Charles W. Rule, of
Springfield, is a descendant, are dominating factors in his career, and he
has so ordered his course in the world's affairs as to be eligible to
representation in a work of this kind. He has risen through close
attention to business and his desire to deal promptly and courteously with
his fellow men, and his name stands high in all business circles with
which he has come into relationship. His domestic and social connections
have ever been of a pleasant character, and the fact that his surroundings
are such as to make life enjoyable is due solely to his individual merits.

Mr. Rule was born in Springfield, Missouri, May 22, 1871. He is a son of
John Christopher Rule, who was born in Baltimore, Maryland, April 16,
1844, and he was a son of Mundus Rule, who was a native of Germany, from
which country he emigrated to America and located in Maryland, and engaged
extensively in railroad contracting and building in and around the city of
Baltimore, and there his death occurred in 1891 at the advanced age of
eighty-seven years. The father of the subject of this sketch grew to
manhood in the Monument city and was educated there, and he spent his
early life as a sailor. During the Civil war he entered the service of the
Confederacy, most of the time of his enlistment being spent in the navy
service. He was captured by the Federal navy and spent nine months in the
old Washington prison, then exchanged and released. After the close of the
war, about the latter part of 1866, he came to Springfield, Missouri,
where he spent the rest of his life, first engaging in business on South
street, later on Commercial street, and during this period of nearly a
half century he was one of the best known business men of the city He
lived to see and take part in the substantial and steady growth of the
city from a mere village to the metropolis of southern Missouri, and
always had its interests at heart. He married Celeste Heffernan, a native
of Wabasha, Minnesota, a daughter of Steven and Margaret (O'Day)
Heffernan, both natives of Ireland, from which country they emigrated to
Minnesota in an early day. The mother died when comparatively a young
woman. Mrs. Celeste Rule was a well-educated woman, and of an excellent
family, but was unable to definitely trace her ancestry in the Emerald
Isle. Her death occurred in Springfield on October 16, 1909. The father of
our subject survived until 1911.

Charles W. Rule grew to manhood in Springfield and was educated in the
public schools here, and when but a boy commenced his business life as a
grocery merchant on Commercial street, in which business he met with
encouraging success and remained four years, then took a position with the
Frisco railroad with the superintendent of motive power, the duties of
which responsible place he discharged for a period of nine years in a
manner that was entirely satisfactory to the company, then went on the
road for the Springfield Brewing Company, doing much to increase the
prestige of the same until it closed down in 1906, when Mr. Rule became
manager of the Springfield depot of the William J. Lemp Brewing Company of
St. Louis, in which position he is still employed and is handling the same
in his usual acceptable manner. He has been very successful as a man of
affairs and is a stockholder in the Citizens Bank of Springfield.

Politically, Mr. Rule is a Democrat. He was reared in the Roman Catholic
faith and has proved faithful to his allegiance to the mother church.
Fraternally, he belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks,
and is president of the local aerie of Eagles. He is also a member of the
United Commercial Travelers.

Mr. Rule was married in 1891 to Lula M. Teague, a daughter of Elihu and
Sarah (Brock) Teague. Mr. Teague lived in western Colorado, where he was
interested in mining. His wife died many years ago, and his death occurred
in 1911. The family formerly lived in Springfield, where Mrs. Rule was
educated in the high school from which she was graduated.

Five sons have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Rule, namely: Francis G., born
November 22, 1893, was educated in the Springfield high school, and is now
employed with the Lee steamboat line as electrician; Raymond T., born on
April 22, 1896, is attending St. Mary's school; Carl W., born on January
13, 1903, is in school; John Christopher, born on October 16, 1905;
Richard L., born on May 2, 1909.




WILLIAM RULLKOETTER. On June 26, 1864, William Rullkoetter was born in
Oberbauerschaft, Westfalen, Germany. Before the boy was five years of age
the mother had died and because the father had been drafted and served
through two campaigns, the Austrian and Franco-German war, he grew up in
the home of his mother's people. From six to fourteen he attended the
village school and stood for three years at the head of the school.
Because of this record, he was urged to complete his education at the
expense of the community. Preferring to depend on his two strong arms,
this offer was refused and plans were made to enter the army as a
volunteer and there to continue his education. However, in 1881, the
immigration fever impelled him to come to America, "the land of promise,"
instead of joining the army. After working in Ohio and Nebraska for five
years, at from twelve to eighteen dollars per month and saving nine
hundred dollars, he decided to enter the Academy of Hastings College,
Nebraska. Of this he says: "Since I had not been inside of a school house
for eight years and never inside of an English school, it was a struggle
in the dark, but gradually there came intermittent rays of light and
finally daybreak." Of the class of forty who entered the Academy with him,
he alone entered the college and in the junior college year took the prize
for English. Entering, the University of Chicago in the fall, of 1892, he
was graduated with the first class in 1893. Having received a fellowship
in history for two consecutive years, he did post-graduate work until the
fall of 1896, when he was called to the chair of history in Drury College,
which position he has held continuously until the failure of his health in
1912.

By work during the summer quarters, Mr. Rullkoetter received the reward of
his ambition, the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, in 1899, and in the next
year his thesis on "The Position of Woman Among the Early Germans" was
published and has become an authoritative work on this interesting phase
of German history.

The influence of Doctor Rullkoetter as a teacher is best told in the words
of a former pupil, when he said, "Doctor Rullkoetter, or Doctor Billy, as
he is affectionately called, in a remarkable way took hold upon those whom
he instructed, and influenced their lives mightily. His great motives were
contagious and his fine philosophy of life became the dominant note in the
lives of his students." A prominent business man said a short time ago, "I
had the good fortune to have some great teachers in college and
university, but somehow, what Doctor Billy said stays with me. He gave me
a method of thinking. He enabled me to see myself in vital and significant
relationships which, while they seem to remove the emphasis from the
individual, they nevertheless, by the very fact of socializing him, make
him -vastly more important. I find myself thinking his thoughts and
gauging my theories and my conduct by his philosophy."

While at the University of Chicago, Doctor Rullkoetter was an earnest
student and an ardent admirer of the great historian, Von Holst. Following
his own inclinations and under this inspiration, his mind naturally turned
to the great social, political and moral problems of the day the light
which an exhaustive knowledge of history and economics throws upon them.
In his capacity as one of the leaders of thought in municipal affairs, he
was persistent and unyielding in his opposition to petty politics and
corporate greed.

Quoting again from the writing of Mr. S. J. Vaughn: "Many years ago," I
heard him say repeatedly, The next quarter of a century must face and
solve the problem of industrialism. The forces of education and society
must take cognizance of the conditions, problems and hideous wrongs which
the growth of monopolized industry has forced upon the helpless and
dependent. It will probably be settled by those forces bringing about an
orderly, readjusting evolution; if not in this manner, then by a
blood-letting revolution.

Continuing, Mr. Vaughn states, "Doctor Rullkoetter was the first man I
ever heard use the term 'social consciousness.' His was the first
influence on me personally, looking toward education for efficiency,
freedom and happiness of those who must toil with their hands. His words
rang in our ears, 'It must come, and it is the business of the men and
women of the next quarter of a century to bring it about.' In the light of
what has taken place along these lines in recent years, these words seem
almost prophetic. In the matter of social consciousness, he has lived and
still lives far in advance of his day."

His literary work has been continued in an outline of history, especially
a medieval and in an interpretation of some of the German masterpieces.
Commenting on these interpretations, one of his former colleagues on the
Drury faculty writes: "I shall be most happy to tell others of these fresh
and keen sighted 'interpretations.' I want all my friends to know Doctor
Rullkoetter and in this way they may." A prominent alumnae says: "Doctor
Rullkoetter's own honesty and breadth of view and bravery have enabled him
to give a rarely sympathetic interpretation of Faust. The general favorite
of the three interpretations, however, has been the 'New Interpretation of
Wilhelm Tell.' All of us feel very strongly the originality and truth of
such an interpretation."

Any sketch of the life of Professor Rullkoetter would be incomplete
without mention of his ten years of service in the summer school, both at
Drury and for five years at the Normal. That the memory and influence of
his chapel talks during the three years he was director of the Drury
Summer School still linger in the minds and hearts of the teachers of the
Southwest.

Schiller asserts: " A good man thinks of himself only at last." Doctor
Rullkoetter thought of his home, his children, his students and if he
thought of himself at all, it was only at last.




GEORGE C. RUPPRECHT. It is not enough to be all right in this world, but
it is necessary that we look all right as well, because two-thirds of
success is making people think we are what we profess to be and can be
depended upon. Success in life also depends a great deal in selecting the
line of work for which we are best fitted by nature. How many third-class
ministers, lawyers, physicians there are who might have made remarkable
success as agriculturists or merchants, or as inventors, railroad men or
mechanics. George C. Rupprecht, foreman at the Steineger Saddlery Company,
Springfield, studied himself and found out what he was capable of doing
and what he was unfitted for, so he wisely selected a practical calling
and has made a comfortable living all the while.

Mr. Rupprecht was born October 4, 1865, at Wurzburg, Bavaria, a province
of the German Empire. He is a son of John and Barbara (Seubert) Rupprecht,
both natives of the same locality where they grew up, were educated,
married and established their permanent home. There the death of the
mother occurred in 1871 at the early age of thirty-three years: The father
became somewhat prominent in public affairs and was a city official and
held other public offices. He was also a commissioned officer in the
regular army there for a period of sixteen years. His death occurred in
his native land in 1882. Her father, Michael Seubert, was also a Bavarian
and spent his life in the Fatherland. He was a bleacher and master of
bleachers, also a riverman for years. To John and Barbara Rupprecht four
children were born, namely: Carl, Anna, Barbara and George C.

Mr. Rupprecht, of this sketch, spent his boyhood in his native land and
attended school until he was thirteen years of age, then went to work
learning the saddlery trade in the city of Wurzburg. After serving his
apprenticeship he entered the Seventy-sixth Infantry of the German army,
at Hamburg, and served two years. Then he followed his trade in different
towns of the Empire until 1892 when he came to America, landing at
Baltimore, Maryland, and from there made the long journey to central
Texas, where he followed his trade until 1899, when he came to
Springfield, Missouri, where he has since resided, and for over fifteen
years he has been in the employ of the Steineger Saddlery Company, working
for a year as saddle maker, then was promoted to foreman in 1900, which
responsible position he has continued to hold to the present time, giving
eminent satisfaction to his employers. He is an expert in his line and is
reliable and trustworthy. At present he has twenty-four hands under his
direction. He has saved his earnings and owns a good home on Cherry
street.

Mr. Rupprecht was married in Springfield in 1900, to Cecelia Guettinger,
who was born in Zurich, Switzerland, from which country she emigrated to
America when young. This union has resulted in the birth of four children,
namely: Carl is deceased; George is now twelve years of age; Walter is
eight, and Cecil is three.

Politically, Mr. Rupprecht is an independent voter. He formerly belonged
to the Catholic church. He is a member of the German-American Alliance,
being now president of the local order of the same; he is also secretary
of the German-American Beneficial Society of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. He
is also prominent in the Masonic order, being a member of Solomon Lodge
No. 271, in which he has held all offices. He is also a member of
Springfield Chapter No. 15 and has also held all offices, being at this
writing high priest.




COLUMBUS BERRY RUSSELL. When Columbus Berry Russell, one of the
substantial farmers of Brookline township, Greene county, lost an arm in
his boyhood it was regarded as a calamity, but, this very circumstance may
have led to the arousing of dormant energies, courage, self-reliance,
determination and ambition that could not be thwarted and thus the
accomplishment of greater things in future years than otherwise would have
been the case. Anyway he is certainly deserving of a great deal of credit
for forging ahead from discouraging and humble environment to the
commendable position he has attained in his locality.

Mr. Russell was born in Dade county, Missouri, December 20, 1852. He is a
son of Jefferson N. and Elizabeth Russell, who came to Dade county from
Virginia in the late forties. The paternal grandfather was a native of
Germany. His wife was a native of Ireland. They immigrated to America
early in the nineteenth century. Jefferson N. Russell owned a good farm in
this county where he and his wife both died. They were the parents of the
following children: Columbus B. of this sketch; Granson, of Hico, Hamilton
county, Texas; B. V. lives in Buena Vista, Texas; Calvin lives in
Plainview, Texas; Ann is the widow of J. D. Robinson and lives in Little
Oak, California; Arrena Jane is the wife of J. J. Gray, a farmer of
Brookline township, this county; Sarah E. is the widow of J. Hale, of
Kansas city.

Columbus B. Russell was a boy when his parents brought him to Greene
county and he was reared on a farm which formed a portion of the
battlefield of Wilson's Creek, and during this memorable engagement the
Russell home was converted into a hospital. Our subject has a vivid
recollection of the battle and tells many interesting stories regarding
it. Soon after the battle he passed over the field in search of some live
stock that had been frightened away by the firing, and he saw many dead
and wounded. Our subject's father was a member of the Home Guards and at
the time of the battle was at home; however, he was careful to conceal
himself from the Confederates and he was not disturbed. But during the war
he lost all of his live stock several hundred head, including sixty brood
mares, which practically ruined him financially.

Columbus B. Russell received his education in the district schools. He has
always followed farming. When fourteen years old he met with the accident
that caused the loss of his right arm, by the accidental discharge of a
gun, but nevertheless he began life for himself when fifteen years old by
engaging in farming and has made his way unaided in the world ever since,
and, managing well has been quite successful. He moved to his present
location in Section 36, Brookline township, in 1874, where he bought a
government claim of forty acres, since then acquiring eighty acres more,
the entire one hundred and twenty costing an average of about nine dollars
per acre. It is now well worth seventy-five dollars per acre, partly
because of the general increase in land and partly because he has made
many substantial improvements and has his land under excellent
cultivation. He also owns one hundred and sixty acres in Section 23, of
this township. He operates a part of his land, renting the balance.

Mr. Russell was married in 1873 to Visa Jane Crow, a daughter of Bryant
and Bindy Crow, whose home was on Wilson creek in Wilson township. Here
Mrs. Russell was born in 1853, grew to womanhood on the farm and was
educated in the district schools. The following children were born to our
subject and wife: Hubert, born in April, 1888, died when sixteen months
old; Lula, born February 10, 1875, married John Baumbarger and lives in
Oklahoma; Minnie A., born March 2, 1877, married John Ray, of Springfield;
Alberta, born December 22, 1879, lives at home; Etta, born February 6,
1882, married William Robinson, of Greene county; Roy and Effie, twins,
were born on February 11, 1885, the former is unmarried and lives at home,
and the latter married James Robinson and they live in Barry county,
Missouri; Homer V., born on March 13, 1889, died in June, 1910, in
Oklahoma; Phelix J., born on May 2, 1892, is single and lives at home;
Leona, born on August 21, 1896, is also at home. These children were
educated in the district schools.

Mr. Russell is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church.
Politically, he is a stanch Democrat but is not active in public affairs,
but is an advocate of all measures looking to the general upbuilding of
his community and county.




ST. DE CHANTAL ACADEMY OF THE VISITATION. Greene county has long stood
among the foremost of the one hundred and fourteen divisions of the
Missouri commonwealth in point of education, her many and high-grade
schools being known throughout the Middle West. Indeed, the city of
Springfield has been frequently alluded to as the "Athens of the Ozarks"
and the "Athens of the Southwest," the latter term embracing a vast
section of the American Union. Of our praiseworthy institutions of
learning, that of St. de Chantal Academy, although among the newest of the
county, occupies a prominent position in the list.

There is no doubt but that the location of an institution of learning has
a great influence in its success. The immediate environment has much to do
with its prestige and general results. Young minds are plastic and if
students are placed in pleasant surroundings their progress will
unquestionably be more rapid, and they will take more interest in their
work. It would be difficult to find an institution of learning throughout
the nation more fortunately situated in respect to its topographical
environment than that of St. de Chantal Academy at "Elfindale," which is
beautifully situated on the highest plateau of the Ozark Mountains, and
lies just outside of the city limits of Springfield. An inspiring panorama
of hill, valley, forest and field may be had over a vast stretch of
interesting country from these heights. Its pure air and clear spring
water supply, its unrivaled climate and beauty of scenery at all seasons,
make it an ideal site for an educational home. The naturally magnificent
grounds of one hundred acres, softened and beautified by the aid of man's
art into blending land and waterscapes, give a refining harmonious
environment and invite to outdoor exercise and nature study.

Both the academy proper and chapel buildings are models of elegant modern
architecture, substantial, imposing, serviceable, and in every way
suitable for school purposes. The former is four stories in height, of
fine gray Carthage stone and the latter is three stories high and built of
glazed brick with numerous artistic windows. Near by is a spacious and
well-kept greenhouse, where flowers and shrubs of many varieties are
grown. The elegant manor-house abounds in spacious halls and cheerful
rooms, all of which are furnished with the latest conveniences of light,
heat and ventilation to insure health and comfort.

"Elfindale" 'has been well named, for one does not need much poetic fancy,
when wandering over its delightful grounds, with its arched stone gateway
and its graceful and stately forest trees, to picture elfs of the infant
world gamboling among these fairy-like bowers surrounding the little
crystal lake a short distance from the academy, a bit of water which the
Indians would doubtless have named "the smile of the Great Spirit" had
they seen it, for it was their custom to give fitting names to Nature's
beauty spots. This lake, with its banks embowered with overhanging trees
and vines of many varieties common to this latitude, with its little
island, stone bridges, pavilion, boat-house and canoes, to say nothing of
the gay water-lilies that rest on its bosom in summer, must be seen to be
fully appreciated.

The Order of Visitation was founded at Annecy, Haute-Savoie, by St.
Francis de Sales and St. Jane Frances de Chantel, in 1610, and was
introduced into this country in 1709, at Georgetown, District of Columbia.

St. de Chantal Academy, opened in 1887 by the Sisters of the Visitation
Order in one of the fine residence parts of St. Louis, was, in 1906,
enabled, through the munificence of Mrs. Alice O'Day, to remove to
"Elfindale," Springfield, Missouri.

'The life and work at "Elfindale' have for their single purpose the full
and thorough training of its children for the mission that awaits them. To
this end, the school seeks by a judicious combination of physical, mental
and moral training, to develop harmoniously their entire nature, and by
the refining influences of a happy Christian home to mould their
character, in order thus to make them not only accomplished and edifying
members of society, but also sensible and practical women.

The government of the school assumes self-respect and self-restraint on
the part of the pupils; consequently the discipline is mild though firm,
and the pupils are expected to conform cheerfully to the established rules
and regulations. The scholastic year is divided into two sessions,
beginning respectively the second Monday of September and the first day of
February, but pupils are received, any time and charged from date of
entrance. Difference of religion is no obstacle to the reception of
pupils, provided they conform to the discipline of the school, but they
must come with proper references.

The curriculum comprises primary, preparatory and academic departments An
elective course of studies may be arranged for pupils whose health or time
advises against the full curriculum. French, history, literature, art and
music are the branches ordinarily preferred. A post-graduate course
enables the pupils to continue the study of philosophy, literature,
history another branches. The school's diploma and gold medal are awarded
to the pupils who satisfactorily complete the full course. The school
diploma is given to those who successfully complete an elective course.
The school's certificate of honor will be given to those who successfully
pursue the post-graduate course. In the preparatory department the pupils
are thoroughly grounded in English, geography, grammar and the elements of
English composition and other studies, preparatory to the academic course.
In the academic course the languages, sciences, philosophies and ancient
histories are taught, and running through each department Bible history
and Christian doctrine.

The school of music at Elfindale, while it enjoys the great advantage of
being incorporated with an academy eminent for its instruction in all
branches of a liberal education, offers at the same time a complete and
independent course for those who wish to devote their time especially to
music. Girls of tender years, with exceptional talent for music, will find
at Elfindale the best conservatory methods, combined with careful
guardianship and a regular English curriculum. Conducted by Sisters whose
studies under the best professors have been supplemented by many years of
experience, this school is prepared to carry its students through a graded
course to thorough musicianship. The course of musical instruction
embraces in addition to the chief departments of voice and piano, classes
in theory, harmony, history of music, chorus and sight singing, also
ensemble playing. There are two departments--the academic course and the
general music school. The latter is intended for those who, not having
time or talent for the academic course, yet wish to add the accomplishment
of music to their studies in the regular curriculum. A diploma and gold
medal are awarded for the completion of the academic course for voice,
piano or violin.

The art course is founded upon the methods employed in the National
Leagues. It comprises perspective, modeling, drawing and painting from
casts and life and history of art. The studio is furnished with all the
appliances of modern art, and the pupils are regularly informed of the
current events of the art world.

Before leaving St. Louis, in June, 1906, the Alumnae Association was
established. The first meeting was held on October 21, 1905, when the
graduates of eighteen years assembled at the academy and organized into an
association, with Mrs. Alonzo C. Church, its first graduate, as president.
The association was organized for the purpose of maintaining and of
promoting the interests of their alma mater in every manner that may
contribute to her prosperity and reputation as a leading institution of
learning. Besides Mrs. Church the other officers of the alumnae are
vice-presidents, Mrs. J. F. McDermott and Mrs. H. F. Woods; recording
secretary, Mrs. Gerald B. O'Reilly; treasurer, Mrs. J. Dillon.




BRIGHT AND SALTS. Bright and Salts are today among the enterprising and
well known business men of Bois D'Are, where they are engaged in the
livery business, their barn being one of the best patronized in the west
part of Greene county. They have a modernly equipped barn, which they keep
in as neat a manner as possible and their horses are always well groomed
and give good service. Their vehicles are also well kept and the firm
tries to give prompt and honest service at all times, consequently it is
popular with the traveling public

John C. Bright was born in Benton county, Arkansas, February 10, 1881. He
is a son of Alfred W. and Kate (Maberry) Bright, both long since deceased.

John C. Bright grew to manhood in his native state and worked on a farm
when a boy, and he received his education in the common schools. He
continued farming in Arkansas, Oklahoma and Missouri, until 1913, having
removed to the last named state in 1905. He is at this writing
successfully engaged in the livery business at Bois D'Arc with Robert A.
Salts.

Mr. Bright was married February 22, 1908, to Maud Salts, who was born in
Center township, Greene county, Missouri, in December, 1885, and here she
grew to womanhood and received her education in the public schools. Two
children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bright, namely: Harley A., born
June 19, 1909; James A., born July 28, 1912.

Robert Allen Salts was born in Center township, Greene county, Missouri,
February 19, 1893. He is a son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Walker) Salts, for
years popular and well known farmers of Center township.

Robert A. Salts grew to manhood on the home farm, where he worked when a
boy, and he received his education in the district schools of his
community. He engaged in general farming until 1914, when he went in
business with his brother-in-law, John C. Bright, at Bois D'Arc, a member
of the livery firm of Bright & Salts.

Mr. Salts married on January 13, 1912, Zula Shumate, who was born,
September 3, 1895.

Politically Mr. Salts is a Progressive, and religiously he is a Baptist.
He is a young man of much energy and is straight-forward in his dealings
with the public.




EMIEL SANDERS. America has always held the gates of her entry ports ajar
to the sons of Sweden, and having thus extended them a hearty hand of
welcome and given them every opportunity to advance themselves after they
got within our borders, they have come in large numbers, from year to
year, and their substantial homes now dot the hills and plains of nearly
every agricultural community of the Union, and there is hardly a city of
any importance in which we do not find their homes and places of business.
Thus they have aided us in developing this vast and comparatively new
western hemisphere and we have in turn improved their condition. They were
reared in a land where Mother Nature is somewhat unkind, where the winters
are long and the country rugged and none too fertile and where business
and professional opportunities are not so extensive as in our own country,
so that they have as a rule, had to battle hard for the right to live, had
to exert every energy for the food and clothing necessary to keep aglow
the little flame of life. But this all has helped them to win success in
America, where there are unlimited opportunities, for they have inherited
from their forebears those sterling qualities of energy, persistence,
fortitude and tact, and they do not halt at any obstacle or permit any
adversity to swerve them from their course. One of this number was the
late Emiel Sanders, as was also his father-in-law, Peter Swanson, men who
came to this country of ours with little to start on, but forged to the
front and became possessors of a competency and comfortable homes in due
course of time.

Mr. Sanders, who was for many years a well known furniture dealer in
Springfield, was born in Stockholm, Sweden, May 7, 1845. In an early day
he came to the United States, first locating in New York, and there he was
first married to a lady of English birth. They were the parents of three
children, two of whom died in infancy and John, who survived, is now in
Ponka City, Oklahoma. Subject's first wife died in 1876, and subject again
married, this time Marie Swanson a daughter of Peter and Gustava (Lawson)
Swanson, both of Sweden. Mrs. Sanders was one of six children, three boys
and three girls, the youngest born in America and the rest in Sweden. This
last marriage occurred May 10, 1880.

Emiel Sanders grew to manhood in his native land and there received his
education and learned the cabinet maker's trade, and when a young man went
to Germany and spent three years, then emigrated to the United States,
first locating in New York, as before stated. He came on to Springfield,
Missouri in an early day and here remained the rest of his life. He had
continued working at his trade, at which he was quite skilful, and after
he had become well established in Springfield he started a furniture
factory, which he operated a short times, then owned and conducted a large
furniture store at 309 Boonville street, where he built up a large and
satisfactory business, carried an extensive and up-to-date stock of
everything commonly found in the best furniture stores of the large
cities, and this line of business he continued until his death, at which
time he was one of the oldest furniture dealers in the city. He dealt in
an honest and courteous manner and his hundreds of patrons remained his
friends.

Mr. Sanders was married May 10, 1881, at Marshfield, Missouri, to Marie
Swanson, who was born in the central part of Sweden, April 21, 1857. She
is a daughter of Peter and Gustava (Lawson) Swanson, both natives of
Sweden also, and there they grew to maturity, received common school
educations and were married. Mr. Swanson was a farmer by occupation, which
he followed in his native land until 1869, when he emigrated to the United
States and located at Salem, Missouri, and after he got a good foothold in
the new country he sent for his wife and daughter, Marie, who made the
long trip from their native land to this state in 1872. The family moved
from Salem to Mountain Grove, Missouri, but the death of Mr. Swanson
occurred at Salem. His family consisted of five children, all living at
this writing. Mrs. Sanders grew to womanhood in Sweden and received a
limited education in the common schools, but she has educated herself and
is a well informed and intelligent lady, with affable manners. She is a
member of the Congregational church, and has a pleasant home on East Grand
avenue.

Four children were born to Emiel Sanders and wife, one of whom is
deceased, namely: Emma C., born February 16, 1882, was educated in the
schools of Springfield, married Gorden Coil, and they live on a farm near
Fair Grove, Greene county; Mary Hattie, born June 25, 1884, died in
February, 1886; Nellie A., born June 29, 1886, was graduated from the
Springfield high school and the state normal here, and she is a successful
teacher; Ada G., born July 29, 1888, was also graduated from the local
high school and the state normal here and taught in Wyoming one year,
where she made a good record.

Emiel Sanders was called to his rest on July 8, 1892, at the age of
forty-seven years, when in the prime of life.




WILLIAM BUCHANAN SANFORD. One of the most conspicuous figures in the
recent history of southwest Missouri is William Buchanan Sanford, too well
known to the readers of this historical and biographical compendium to
need any formal introduction here, a man actively identified with the
industrial and business interests of the city of Springfield and vicinity,
widely known as one of the leading financiers of this section of the
state. Equally noted as a citizen whose useful career has conferred credit
upon Greene county and the Ozark region, and whose marked abilities and
stirring qualities have won for him much more than local repute, he holds
today distinctive precedence as one of the most progressive men that ever
inaugurated and carried to successful termination large and important
undertakings in this locality. For a period of thirty-five years he has
been a conspicuous figure in the banking world, and the position he now
occupies, that of president of the great Holland Banking Company, brings
him up to the front rank of his compeers in this state. Strong mental
powers, invincible courage and a determined purpose that hesitates at no
opposition have so entered into his composition as to render him a
dominant factor in the business world and a leader of men in important
enterprises. He is essentially a man of affairs, of sound judgment, keen
discernment, rare acumen, far-seeing in what he undertakes, and every
enterprise to which he has addressed himself has resulted in liberal
financial returns. Mr. Sanford's extensive business interests are but the
legitimate fruitage of consecutive effort, directed and controlled by good
judgment and correct moral principles. He has forged his way to the front
over obstacles that would have discouraged and even thwarted men of less
heroic mettle, gradually extending the limits of his mental horizon until
he is not only one of our twentieth century captains of industry in the
South West, but also one of the best developed mentally, having always
been a close observer and a profound student and kept fully abreast of the
times. Taken as a whole, his career presents a series of continued
successes rarely equaled in Missouri. In the most liberal acceptation of
the term, he is the architect of his own fortunes and eminently worthy of
the proud American title of self-made man.

Mr. Sanford was born at West Point, Bates county, Missouri, December 29,
1858. He is descended from a sterling old Southern family, and is a son of
Wyatt, and Susan Green (Bigbee) Sanford, and a grandson of John Sanford, a
native of Virginia. The father, Wyatt Sanford, was a member of the famous
band of "forty-niners," having made the long, perilous overland trip to
the gold fields of California in 1849. After spending several years in the
far West he returned East and located in Springfield, Missouri, but
subsequently removed to Bates county and engaged in mercantile pursuits.
He was a good business man and possessed the many commendable traits of
the sturdy pioneer of his day and generation—courage, industry,
hospitality and unswerving honesty. He frequently bought up large numbers
of mules which he drove across the mountains to the New Orleans market,
and it was while on one of these trips that his attention was attracted,
to a fine farm near Searcy, Arkansas, which he later purchased and
operated, removing there from Butler, Missouri, during the Civil war, and
most of -his succeeding years were spent on that place, his death
occurring there April 16, 1872. In connection with general agricultural
pursuits he also engaged successfully in contracting and building, and one
of the enduring monuments of his skill as a builder is the old court house
at the town of Searcy, which he completed only a short time before his
death.

William B. Sanford was but a child when his parents removed with him to
Arkansas and there he grew to manhood on the home farm, where he assisted
with the work of the same and there began his education in one of the
historic old log school houses in White county, later attending the public
schools in Searcy. But this limited amount of text-book training has been
made up in later life by wide miscellaneous home study and actual contact
with the world until today Mr. Sanford is a well informed man on all
topics. He was fourteen years of age when his father died, and the
responsibilities that then devolved upon him no doubt had much to do in
moulding his character for his future career. He was one of eight
children, five sons and three daughters, he being the third oldest of the
sons. The family remained on the homestead two years after the father's
death then came to Springfield, Missouri, the mother and daughters making
the trip by rail, while the sons made the trip by wagon and a four-horse
team.

After locating in Springfield, Mrs. Sanford kept her family together by
maintaining a boarding house, assisted by her younger son, our subject,
the two older boys working with their teams on the street. Young Sanford
helped his mother until he secured a position in a law office, his duties
being such menial labor as building fires and cleaning up in a general
way. It was during this period that he first saw the farm that he now
considers one of his most valuable pieces of property, not especially
because of its superior improvements and productivity to other Greene
county farms, but for the pleasure derived from the time he spends there
each year, It seems that he and his two brothers made a trip to this farm
for the purpose of buying feed for their teams, when farm products were
both high and scarce in the city, and the younger boy was so favorably
impressed with the general appearance of the place that he never forgot
it. Finally fortune smiled on his efforts and enabled him to buy the
property. He has also added to his possessions the old Sanford homestead
in White county, Arkansas, and there he spends many of his vacations away
from the exactions of business, deriving a great deal of pleasure amid the
scenes of his boyhood.

After leaving the lawyer's office, young Sanford began work as delivery
boy for a grocery store, and for four years he put in his spare time
selling papers on the streets. He would do anything to earn an honest
dollar, some times driving a cab when work was hard to get, and for years
performed odd jobs over the city.

Mr. Sanford began his long career as banker at the very bottom rung of the
ladder, and his steady climb to the top, from janitor, messenger boy and
general aide to everyone about the institution to his present position of
president, was gained solely through merit, honesty, fidelity,
trustworthiness and an indefatigable industry. During his spare moments he
watched the bookkeeper and, being a close observer by nature, soon was
able to keep a set of books. Rapid promotion resulted from his devotion to
business and the careful discharge of his duties. In 1888, after a
connection with the bank of nine years he became cashier. His promotion
did not stop here, for he was soon afterwards a stockholder and a member
of the board of officers of the institution, which is now the oldest bank
in Greene county, and one of the largest in the Southwest. On October 21,
1911, he purchased the controlling interest in the bank from T, B.
Holland, who had assumed the place of his father, Gen. C. B. Holland, who
laid the corner stone for the financial Gibraltar of Springfield in 1875.
It is rather a significant fact that up to the fall of 1911 no sale of
shares had been made since 1896, when the bank was incorporated. President
Sanford, who, in the handling of millions, is giving eminent satisfaction
to the stockholders and patrons of the bank, is proving himself a capable,
conservative and sagacious financier.

Banking is not the only business in which Mr. Sanford's time is occupied.
He is financially interested in the Hermann-Sanford Saddlery Company, a
widely-known Springfield concern doing an annual business of half a
million dollars. He owns numerous valuable pieces of property in
Springfield, and finely improved farms in Missouri and Arkansas. He has
manifested a great deal of interest in agricultural pursuits ever since he
was a boy, and when fortune came to him he purchased good farm lands in
various places and has taken particular pride in bringing them up to a
high state of improvement and cultivation. The interest shown in this line
has contributed very materially to his fortune, for he has always sold his
farms at good profits. His delight in such work and his inherent love of
nature was the incentive that caused him to begin planting shade trees in
his earlier years. It is doubtful if there is any one living man in
Springfield who has caused as many splendid shade trees to be planted as
Mr. Sanford. His advocacy of "a city beautiful" has had far-reaching
effects, and future generations will owe him a debt of gratitude. In
recent years he has given a great deal of attention to the development of
his fine farm near this city. There he maintains a large herd of
registered Holstein cows and has many head of other live stock of superior
grades, including several very fine saddle horses. He has done much to
encourage a better grade of live stock in this locality.

While laboring for his own advancement, Mr. Sanford has never lost sight
of his larger duties to his city and county, and in a public way he has
contributed much to the development of each, and to the Ozark country in
general. It was largely through his foresight, energy and influence that
the Missouri Pacific Railroad was built into Springfield. When it seemed
that the company would give up its proposal to extend its lines in this
direction, Mr. Sanford made a trip to New York City, with the knowledge of
but few of his business associates. He went there solely for the purpose
of inducing those who controlled the road to build their lines into
Springfield. His tact, diplomacy and enthusiasm won, and upon his return
to this city, it was definitely announced that the road would be built
into Springfield, and work on the same was begun soon thereafter.

He was one of the founders and builders of the Colonial Hotel, which would
he a credit to a city much larger than Springfield. He was also largely
interested in the building of the first substantial home of the Young
Men's Christian Association in this city. The movement had started but was
about to be abandoned when it was found that a suitable site would be
costly and difficult to secure. Knowing that the proposition would be a
good thing for the city, Mr. Sanford became active and with the aid of
several other business men, purchased a lot at the southeast corner of
Jefferson and St. Louis streets and presented it to the local association.

In the organization of the Greene County Bureau of Agriculture, Mr.
Sanford took a leading part. The establishment of the bureau was the
result of his devotion to the cause, and it has resulted in incalculable
good to the farmers and general public of this locality. In banking
circles his ability has been recognized on numerous occasions. He attends
each session of the Missouri Bankers' Association, where his influence for
modern, safe and sane banking methods is powerful and salutary; and he is
a member of the committee on agriculture, and he has been largely
instrumental in making the work of this committee potent for the general
good.

The domestic life of Mr. Sanford began on Thanksgiving day, 1886, in,
Springfield, when he was united in marriage with Cora E. Holland, the
accomplished and cultured daughter of the late T. B. Holland. Her untimely
death, which occurred on May 10, 1901, was sincerely lamented by her wide
circle of friends in which she had long been a favorite. She left an only
child, Grady Holland Sanford, who was born November 13, 1891. He has been
given excellent educational advantages and is a young man of promise.

Politically Mr. Sanford is a Democrat, and while he is loyal in his
support of the party, he has never sought public office, preferring to
devote his attention to his large business interests, his attractive and
modernly appointed home and to the general good of his city and community.
He holds membership in Florence Lodge of the Benevolent and Protective
Order of Elks, and he belongs to the Presbyterian church. He has done much
to encourage deserving young men, and many people in Springfield owe to
him their start on the road to success, especially in the field of
business. His contributions to charity, though not known to any extent,
have been large. His benefactions have sprung from a kind heart and an
altruistic nature and not to win the admiring plaudits of his fellowman.
His desire to avoid display of any kind has prevented general knowledge of
the extent of his work in that particular field. He merits in every way
the high esteem in which he is universally held. His high position in the
minds and hearts of the people has been won to a considerable degree
through his marked ability as a man of industry, his public benefactions,
his sympathetic, true and generous friendships and his reputation as a
genial, companionable and unassuming gentleman.




JAMES S. SARTAIN. From the great Prairie state, where lived such renowned
men as statesmen, warriers, men of business and, authors, comes James S.
Sartain, engineer of the Fruit Dispatch Company, of Springfield. He has
not tried to emulate in his life work the eminent men of his native state
only in that he has tried to do something well, not desiring the plaudits
of the world in a public way, and so he has done his allotted work on
earth just the same as if his name was inscribed high on the honor roll of
the nation, for all good work by mankind is viewed as a part of the plan
of creation, and we are taught that "each thing and person in their place
is best."

Mr. Sartain was born October 18, 1868, in Pike county, Illinois. He is a
son of Charles and Matilda (Ham) Sartain. The father was born in North
Carolina in 1845, and the mother was born in Pike county, Illinois, in
1854. These parents received common school educations and were married in
Pike county, Illinois, whither the father removed from the South when
young. He devoted his active life to general farming and stock raising. He
remained in Illinois until 1880, when he removed to Bates county,
Missouri. During the Civil war he served a full term of enlistment,
participation in a number of battles, and was captured at Arkansas Post.
His death occurred in Bates county, this state, in 1909. His family
consisted of nine children, seven of whom are still living.

James S. Sartain grew to manhood on the home farm and received his
education in the public schools of Bates county and the high school at
Adrian, that county. He lived on the home farm until he was eighteen years
old,. then engaged in the threshing business for several years. He also
became a stationary engineer. In 1908 he moved to Springfield from Butler,
Bates county, and here he has since been running an engine, at the present
time being engineer at the plant of the Fruit Dispatch Company. He is
regarded as an expert in his line and likes the work; moreover, he has
proven to be a thoroughly trustworthy employee.

Mr. Sartain was married on November 18, 1889, in Adrian, Missouri, to
Eulalia McCraw, who was born, reared and educated there, the date of her
birth being February 27, 1874. She is a daughter of James and Margaret
(Calland) McCraw, who were, natives of Pennsylvania, but who came West in
early life. The father is still living, but the mother is deceased.

Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Sartain, namely: Grace, born
February 3, 1882, and Fred, born May 2, 1894.

Politically, Mr. Sartain is a Democrat, and fraternally he belongs to the
Knights of Pythias.




MAX SCHARFF. Among the enterprising citizens of Springfield who originally
came from the German Empire is Max Scharff, the major portion of whose
active career as a man of affairs has been spent in America, having for a
number of years been a resident on a plantation of the far South before
casting his lot with the people of the Queen City of the Ozarks.

Mr. Scharff was born in Esslingen, Rhinepfalz, Bavaria, September 9, 1854.
There he grew to be seventeen years of age, and received his education,
emigrating to the United States shortly after the close of the
Franco-Prussian war, in 1871. He was then seventeen years of age. He
landed in Vicksburg, Mississippi, subsequently locating in Louisiana on a
sugar plantation, where he resided until 1891, in which year he came to
Springfield, Missouri, and engaged in business on South street for one
year, then moved to the northwest corner of Campbell and Walnut streets
after the new building was completed here, in 1892 and this has been his
location ever since. His industry and good management has resulted in
success. He owns a modern and attractive home in this city.

Mr. Scharff was married September 6, 1882, to Rosa Scharff, of Natchez,
Mississippi. She was a daughter of Daniel and, Carolina (Wertheimer)
Scharff. Her father is a native of Germany. To our subject and wife four
children have been born, two sons and two daughters, namely: Daniel is
engaged in business with his father; Clarence is a traveling salesman with
headquarters at Vicksburg, Mississippi; Clara is the wife of M. A.
Ullman., a member of the firm of the Ullman-Netter Dry Goods Company of
Springfield; Fay is the wife of Marx Netter, a member of the firm of the
Ullman-Netter Dry Goods Company.

The mother of the above named children died in Louisiana in October, 1889,
and Mr. Scharff was married in Cincinnati, Ohio, on September 1, 1895, to
Carrie Hart, of that city. She is a daughter of Meyer Hart, a native of
Villmar, Nassau, Germany, on the river Lahn. There he grew to manhood and
was educated. He came to America in 1896, and his death ,occurred in
Springfield, Missouri, in 1907.

Mr. Scharff is a member of the Masonic blue lodge, Acacia, No. 116, at
Plaquemine, Louisiana. He also belongs to the Royal Arcanum and to the
Knights of Pythias, also Florence lodge of the Benevolent and Protective
Order of Elks. Politically, he is a Democrat; however, he is somewhat of
an independent voter and does a great deal of "scratching" on his ballot,
his aim always being to support the best man for the place sought, and his
method is one to be commended to the voters of all parties. He is a member
of the Temple Israel of Springfield, being vice-president of the same, and
has been influential in the work here for years. He has led a quiet,
law-abiding life, never having served on a jury, and has never been sued
or had to stand a law suit.




ALBERT L. SCHOFIELD. The Hoosier state has produced a very large
percentage of the nation's capable men, many of whom have distinguished
themselves as statesmen, generals, authors and scientists. This state has
furnished to the West and Middle West a myriad horde of capable men who
have been of material assistance in furthering our civilization. They have
established schools, churches, and various kinds of industries and have
proven to be valuable citizens wherever they have dispersed. Albert L.
Schcofield, foreman of the coach department in the South Side Frisco
shops, Springfield, is one of this number, and he seems to have many of
the commendable characteristics of the native Hoosier.

Mr. Schofield was born at Cochran, Dearborn county, Indiana, May 22, 1872.
He is a son of Thomas Schofield, who was born in England, in which country
he grew to manhood and received his education. When twenty-one years of
age he immigrated to the United States, where he has since made his home,
settling in Cochran, Indiana, where he began working for the Ohio &
Mississippi Railroad Company, in 1863. He came to Springfield, Missouri,
in 1889, and secured employment with the St. Louis & San Francisco
Railroad Company, remaining in the coach department as carpenter from that
time until in 1912, when he was retired on a pension by the company. He
was a skilled mechanic and one of the most faithful employees of the local
shops. He is living at 1065 Commercial street, being now in his
seventy-second year. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and belongs
to the Second Presbyterian church. He was the father of three daughters
and two sons, namely: Lillie married Harry Fenton, a cabinet maker in the
new Frisco shops, Springfield; Emma married Clarence Warner, a fireman on
the "high line" division of the Frisco, between Springfield and Kansa s
City; Albert L., of this sketch; Agnes is deceased; Earl is a clerk in the
Frisco offices, Springfield, in the master car builder's department.

Albert L. Schofield attended the common schools in his native town until
he was fifteen years old, when he gave up educational pursuits to begin
his career as railroader, for which he had a natural bent. He began
working in the coach department of the Ohio & Mississippi railroad, where
he remained a year, then came to Springfield, Missouri, and continued his
apprenticeship in the coach department of the Frisco shops, also learned
body work, beginning his apprenticeship in 1889, remaining in the North
Side shops until 1909, a period of twenty years, then was sent to the new
shops here, where he worked as journeyman until 1912, being appointed
foreman in November of that year. He remained there until July 10, 1914,
when he went on the road as traveling passenger car inspector. On October
1, 1914, he was placed in the South Side shops as foreman of the coach
department, which position he now holds, having charge of about sixty men
on an average. In all the various positions he has been placed he has
never been found wanting, always capable and trustworthy, he has given
entire satisfaction.

Mr. Schofield was married June 26, 1895, in Springfield, to Emma R.
Rathbone, a daughter of Barney and Rush (Woods) Rathbone, an old
Springfield family, where Mrs. Schofield grew to womanhood and received
her education. The union of our subject and wife has been without issue.

Politically, Mr. Schofield is an independent voter. Fraternally, he
belongs to the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America. Mrs.
Schofield is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.




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

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

Thomas Schofield grew to manhood in his native land and there received a
common school education at Failsworth, leaving school when thirteen years
of age. After working on the farm with his father, he began his career as
railroader with the Lancanshire & Yorkshire railroad, spending a year in
the goods department, then emigrated to the United States, arriving here
February 22, 1864, during the Civil war period, landing in New York City,
where, however, he did not long remain, coming direct to Cincinnati, Ohio,
where he went to work for the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad Company, in the
freight department, repairing and building freight cars. This road later
became the Baltimore & Ohio by which name it is now known. Mr. Schofield
remained with the road for a period of twenty-five years, during which he
was connected with a number of different departments, being foreman and in
charge of the caboose gang, later in the coach department for four or five
years, then was passenger carpenter in the shops of that road, ranking
among the most skilful in the coach department. In September, 1888, he was
employed by the Frisco Railroad in the coach department as carpenter. He
also remained with this road for a period of twenty-five years, when in
June, 1913, he was retired on a pension. He worked both in the old north
side shops and the new shops. He has evidently been not only a very highly
skilled workman but also trustworthy and conscientious else he could not
have spent a half century in one line of work, during which period he was
employed only by two different companies. In 1909 Mr. Schofield made a
trip to England, visiting and sightseeing.

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

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




WILLIAM H. SCHREIBER. Each man who strives to fulfill his part in
connection with human life and human activities is deserving of
recognition, no matter what may be the field of his endeavor, for it is
interesting to note the varying conditions that have compassed those whose
careers are brought to the attention of the readers of history.

William H. Schreiber, a well known civil engineer of Springfield, has had
a career worthy of attention by the biographer. He was born on May 16,
1874, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and is a son of Rudolph and Augusta
(Manegold) Schreiber, both natives of Germany, from which country they
emigrated to America when young. The death of the father occurred in
Denver, Colorado, about six years ago, and the mother is living in that
city at this writing. These parents were married in Wisconsin, in which
state they resided until 1905, when they removed to Denver. Rudolph
Schreiber was in the wholesale wine and whiskey business during his active
life. His family consisted of six children, two of whom are deceased.
Those living are, Mrs. Charles J. Starke, of Denver, Colorado; William H.,
of this sketch; Rudolph, Jr., of Denver; and Mrs. Augusta Hartman, also of
Denver. Politically, the father was a Democrat, and belonged to the
Lutheran church.

William H. Schreiber received his education partly in the schools of
Milwaukee, attending Markham Academy there, later the School of Technology
in Massachusetts. In 1893 he was assistant superintendent of the Columbian
Exposition in Chicago, under A. T. Atwood, with offices in the
Manufacturers' building. He went with the surveying crew of the Northern
Pacific Railroad through the West, then came to St. Louis, and there had
charge of the Missouri Valley Trust Company's maps and plats. Later he
went with the Iron Mountain Railroad Company as assistant engineer for the
elimination of grades, then was promoted to assistant chief engineer of
the Little Rock & Northern Railroad Company, and during the construction
of its White river line he was appointed chief topographer, and remained
in this capacity until the work was completed. He came to Springfield,
Missouri, and was city engineer here under the administration of Mayor B.
E. Meyer, and part of the administration of Mayor James Blaine. Since then
he has been doing supervision work for the Anheuser-Busch Brewing Company
at Springfield, Neosho and other cities, supervising the construction of
this firm's reinforced concrete buildings.

On April 14, 1901, Mr. Schreiber was united in marriage with Miss Lee
Sullenger at Taneyville, Missouri. She is a daughter of J. M. and Louise
Sullenger. To our subject and wife the following children have been born:
Augusta, Bernice, Delores and William, Jr.

Mr. Schreiber is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
His family are members of the German Evangelical Lutheran church.




ANDREW J. SCOTT. The name of Andrew J. Scott is becoming well known among
the contractors of Springfield, although he is a comparatively new comer
in this field, a number of his competitors have been in the business here
from a score to two score of years, but our subject's skill, advanced
ideas along the building line, his industry, honesty and perseverance is
resulting in a lucrative business. For over twenty years he was foreman of
one of our largest planing mills. A great deal of his early life was spent
in the South of which he is a native, but has resided in Springfield for
over a quarter of a century and is well known to the building tradesmen
here. Although a Southerner, he has a commendable record as a soldier for
the Union, and his life of nearly three score and ten has been a varied
and interesting one.

Mr. Scott was born in Tishomingo county, Mississippi, March 17, 1845. He
is a son of Robert and Elizabeth (Searcey) Scott, and is one of a family
of seven children, six sons and one daughter, namely: William died when
twenty-one years of age; John L. died Christmas night, 1858, when eighteen
years of age; Aaron W., died January 15, 1858, at the age of fifteen
years. Andrew J., of this review; Jane Elizabeth married William Miles,
and she died when twenty years of age, leaving one child, Victoria; Frank
P., who married Mrs. Josie Beal, lives in Springfield, Missouri; Rufus,
who was a planter at Rienza, Mississippi, died in 1902, at the age of
forty-two years. The father of our subject was born in Virginia, from
which state he removed to Tennessee when young and there married Elizabeth
Searcey, who was a native of Columbia, Tennessee. Later they established
their home in Mississippi and reared their family there. The death of
Robert Scott occurred in 1858, when our subject was thirteen years old.
His widow survived until 1871. They were both buried on the old homestead,
this custom being employed much in the South during the past generations
up to a few years ago.

Andrew J. Scott grew to manhood on the home plantation and there worked
when a boy, and received his education in the common schools. As stated
above his sympathies were with the Federal government and in order to
escape conscription in the Confederate army at the outbreak of the war
between the states, he went to Alabama, and although was but seventeen
years of age he raised the First Alabama Cavalry, which regiment was soon
placed in active service. Mr. Scott enlisted June 11, 1863, and was
discharged July 27, 1864, at Rome, Georgia. He had gone through Georgia
with Sherman in his memorable campaign and took part in all the
engagements of the same. After his discharge from the Alabama cavalry
regiment he went to Nashville, Illinois, and on February 11, 1865,
enlisted in the One Hundred and Fifty-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry,
in which he served until September 25, 1865.

After the war Mr. Scott returned to Mississippi, and operated a flat-boat
on the Mississippi river to New Orleans for three years, then went a
second time to Nashville, Illinois, where he engaged in the contracting
and building business for ten years, then engaged in the grocery business
eight years. He came to Springfield, Missouri, in 1888, and for a period
of twenty-two years was foreman of the Springfield Planing Mill and Lumber
Company, his long retention in this important position would indicate that
he gave the firm eminent satisfaction in every respect. During the past
four years he has been in the contracting business and has been very
successful.

Mr. Scott was married on May 19, 1880, to Laura Burns, a daughter of John
C. Burns and wife of Nashville, Illinois, where she grew to womanhood and
received her education in the common schools. At the time of their
marriage Mr. Burns was justice of the peace at Nashville, which position
he held for a period of thirty-four years continuously, discharging the
duties of the same most ably and was one of the influential men of that
place. His family consisted of two sons and two daughters.

Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Scott, namely: Arthur B., born
August 25, 1886, is chief clerk to the superintendent of the Oregon Short
Line Railroad, married Helen Madden, and they have one child, Arthur; they
live in Pocatello, Idaho. John T., second child of our subject, born
September 1, 1888, is with the Whaples-Olvey Millinery Company of
Springfield.

Politically, Mr. Scott is a Republican. He belongs to the local post of
the Grand Army of the Republic. He is a member of Grace Methodist
Episcopal church, and has been a member of the official board for a period
of twenty-three years and is one of the pillars of this church.

Mr. Scott owns the apartment house where he resides at 430 Kimbrough
street, also a rental here in the city.




WILLIAM RILEY SELF. Among the professional and public men of Springfield
and Greene county the name of William Riley Self occupies a conspicuous
position. In his earlier years he was a successful banker, later popular
politician and servant of the people, and for many years he has ranked
among the leading lawyers of this section of the state. When in court he
is prepared; if he fails and must go higher, or if he wins and is forced
up, he leaves no weak or broken links in the chain that begins where he
starts and ends where he must go. As an advocate he may not have the
fascinations and gifts that "universities can bestow," or the poet's
blooming fancy, or the "fine phrensy" of passionate declamation. We know
that the dangerous brilliancy of genius may attract, and the melody of
eloquent words may charm for the moment, but the voice of reason, the
sturdy legal sense, the plain language, the stern, unerring logic of the
law, which are a strong part in the contentious force of Mr. Self, are
powerful weapons in the hands skilled in the use of them.

Mr. Self was born at Buffalo, Dallas county, Missouri, January 15, 1863.
He is a son of William J. and Cynthia (Cowden) Self. The father was born
in Dallas county on January 26, 1839. His father, one of the first
settlers of that county, emigrated from Tennessee in pioneer days; in
fact, was among the very first settlers. The mother of our subject was
born in Georgia in 1844, her parents having been natives of that state.
She was young in years when she came to Dallas county, Missouri, and there
she married William J. Self, and died on the home farm near Buffalo, in
July, 1863, and there the father of our subject is still living. He has
devoted his life to general farming and stock raising, is one of the well
known and esteemed citizens of that county. During the Civil war he
enlisted in 1861, in the Fifteenth Missouri Cavalry, and served three
years in the Union, army in a gallant and faithful manner, being honorably
discharged during the latter part of the war. His family by his second
marriage consists of three children, namely: James H., who is engaged in
the hardware business at Crowell, Texas; Francis M. is a banker at
Buffalo, Missouri; and William R., of this sketch.

Mr. Self, of this review, grew to manhood on the home farm in his native
county and there he worked hard when a boy, and received a common school
education in the district schools, later attended the Buffalo high school,
then took a scientific course at the Valparaiso University at Valparaiso,
Indiana, from which institution he was graduated in 1887, having made an
exceptionally good record and was president of his class. Returning to
Buffalo, Missouri, he began reading law in the office of Thomas M. Brown,
with whom he remained until he was admitted to the bar in 1888, but he did
not begin the practice of his profession at once, entering the banking
business in Buffalo instead, becoming cashier of the Dallas County Bank,
holding that position from 1890 until 1897 to the satisfaction of the
stockholders and patrons of the bank. Taking an active interest in
politics, he was elected on the Republican ticket to the lower house of
the Legislature from Dallas county in 1892, serving one term. On June 30,
1897, he located in Springfield, where he has since made his home,
practicing law without a partner all the while. He was elected city
attorney in April, 1902, and served in this office until April, 1904, then
was elected representative from Greene county to the Legislature, serving
one term of two years. He was elected prosecuting attorney of Greene
county in 1906 and served one term of two years. As a public servant he
gave in all these offices the highest grade of service, his ability,
fidelity and honesty and unquestioned public spirit, winning not only the
hearty commendation of his constituents, but of all concerned. He is now
engaged in the active practice of the law, maintaining an office at 304 ½
College street. He is vice-president of the Bank of Greene County, located
in Springfield.

Mr. Self was married on November 8, 1889, in Valparaiso, Indiana, to
Frances E. Bost, who was born in central Illinois, November 17, 1862. She
received a common school education, later attended high school and the
University of Valparaiso. The union of our subject and wife has been
without issue.

Mr. Self has been loyal to the Republican party since attaining his
majority. He is a member of the South Street Christian church of which he
is an elder, and is also Sunday school superintendent, and takes an
abiding interest in church and Sunday school work. His record from boyhood
up has been that of a scrupulously honest, conservative and safe man in
business, professional and public affairs and he has ever enjoyed the
implicit confidence and the good will of all with whom he has come in
contact.




JOHN H. SHACKELFORD. The Shackelford family has been known in Greene and
Webster counties during the past three-quarters of a century, the father
of the subject of this review having established the future home of the
family here in the year 1840 when Springfield consisted of a few log huts,
lately the site of the Kickapoo Indian village; when the county was
sparsely settled and very little development had been done, the virgin
soil being covered with immense woods or rank wild grass, the haunts of
many kindreds of the wild. So the elder Shackelford was an important
factor in the early civilization of the county, for he was a builder by
profession and was a man who never quailed at hardships and loved to see
reclaimed this region of promise. From that early day to this the name of
the family here has been one against which no aspersions could be cast,
and has always stood for good citizenship.

One of the best known of the present generation is John H. Shackelford,
widely known contractor of North Campbell street, Springfield, who was
born on October 7, 1855, in Greene county, Missouri, and who has spent his
life here and in the adjoining county of Webster. He is a son of Garland
and Mary E. (Forren) Shackelford, and is a scion of old Virginia people on
his father's side. Garland Shackelford was born in Virginia, January 16,
1816, and there he grew to manhood and spent his life until 1840 when he
emigrated overland to Missouri, reaching the present site of Springfield
on June 17th of that year. He had learned the carpenter's trade when a
young man in his native state and he at once began working at the same in
his new community, and had the distinction of building the first frame
house in Greene county, which was erected for Major Powell, father-in-law
of Martin J. Hubble. He did a great deal of carpenter work and contracting
and built many of the best houses in this locality in the pioneer days. In
1850 he joined the gold seekers across the great western plains, making
the perilous journey to California, with Rip Weaver and Joe Farris. He
returned to Springfield in 1851, on account of sickness, making the return
trip by way of the Isthmus of Panama. Upon his arrival here he purchased a
farm two miles from town, and continued building and farming for six
years, and in 1857 removed to Marshfield, Webster county, this state,
where there was a better field for his contracting and building business.
There he also bought a fanning and carding mill. He became one of the
leading men of that county, and there he spent the rest of his life,
reaching the advanced age of ninety-two years, his death occurring on July
9, 1908. He was twice married, Mary E. Forren being his first wife, and to
this union thirteen children were born, six sons and seven daughters, six
of whom, two sons and four daughters survive, namely: Garland C., of
Springfield; Mrs. Mattie Robertson, of Marshfield; Mrs. Loma Darby, of
Center Point, Texas; Mrs. Amelia McKnight, of Nevada, Missouri; Mrs..
Josephine E. Lyon, of Marshfield, Oregon, and John H., of this review. The
mother of these children was born in Tennessee where she spent her
girlhood, coming to Springfield when twelve years of age, her mother
having died some time previously. She came to this locality with her
father who was a farmer, and here he died during one of the scourges of
cholera which swept the country at intervals in those early times. The
death of Mrs. Shackelford occurred on January 14, 1892, and the father of
our subject subsequently married Miss Ellan Whiticar. His last union was
without issue.

John H. Shackelford was two years old when his parents removed with him
from Greene to Webster county in 1857, and he grew to manhood at
Marshfield where he received his education in the common schools. He
assisted his father with his general work as a carpenter, contractor and
mill man while growing up, and upon reaching maturity engaged in business
for himself first as a farmer and later, March 16, 1883, he came to
Springfield and here he has resided ever since, engaging in business, for
the most part as a contractor for gravel and composition roofing. His
present establishment is located at 968 North Campbell street, where he is
well equipped for the prompt and successful carrying on of his line of
endeavor, and he has built up an extensive and constantly growing business
and employs a large number of skilled workmen. He has a reputation for
honest, high grade and quick work and is one of the popular contractors of
Springfield, He always handles the best of materials and his prices are
reasonable.

Mr. Shackelford was married on July 4, 1886, to Emma Donald, a daughter of
William Donald, of Saline county, Missouri. His family consisted of five
children, namely: Mrs. Julia Shelby, of Springfield, was twice married,
first to ex-senator S. R. Bridges; she has three children; Mrs. Ella
Louder is deceased; Emma, who is the wife of Mr. Shackelford of this
sketch; Leander McCord Donnell, of Springfield, married Rosie Roberts, and
they have four children; Royal, who is engaged in farming in Saline
county, this state, married Mattie Crowder, and they have two children.

To John H. Shackelford and wife two children have been born, namely:
Bessie E. Tolia Shackelford married Lake H. Gibson, of Springfield; he is
city salesman for the G. D. Milligan Grocery Company, and Louis C.
Shackelford, who was born on May 24, 1892, was educated in the Springfield
schools and Christian Brothers College, St. Louis; he is engaged in the
same line of business as his father--gravel and composition roofing, and
is a promising young business man.

Politically, Mr. Shackelford is a Democrat. Fraternally, he is a member of
the Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the
Royal Arcanum and the Modern Woodmen of America. He and his family are
members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church.




MIKE SHEEDY. No people that go to make up our cosmopolitan civilization
have better habits of life than those who have come from "'Erin's green
isle." These people, as well as their descendants, are distinguished for
their thrift and honesty, and these two qualities in the inhabitants of
any country will in the end alone make that country great. When with these
two qualities is coupled the other quality of sound sense, which all the
Celtic race possesses, there are afforded such qualities as will enrich
any land and place it at the top of the countries of the world in the
scale of elevated humanity. One of this number is Mike Sheedy, of Campbell
township, Greene county.

Mr. Sheedy was born in Ireland, in August, 1885. He is a son of Matt and
Katy (Sexton) Sheedy, both natives of Ireland also, where they grew up,
were educated and married and there they spent their lives on a farm. They
were members of the Catholic church. They were the parents of three
children, namely: Mike, of this sketch; Katie, who lives in Ohio; and Mrs.
Mary Lathem who makes her home in Ireland.

Mike Sheedy grew to manhood on the home farm in his native land where he
was taught to work diligently and intelligently. What education he has
received has been through his own efforts. When he was fifteen years of
age he emigrated to America with his sister Katie and settled in
Cleveland, Ohio, later went to New Orleans, thence to St. Louis in 1868,
and has lived in Missouri ever since. For some time he was in the service
of the St. Louis & San Francisco Railroad Company. In 1873 he purchased
the farm of eighty acres where he now lives in North Campbell township,
Greene county. He has prospered through close application, good judgment
and honest dealings and he is now owner of nearly eight hundred acres in
Greene county, comprising one of the most valuable and desirable farms of
the county, and he carries on general farming and stock raising on an
extensive scale. He raises blooded short-horn cattle, keeping about one
hundred head the year round, and feeds some two to three car loads of hogs
yearly--also is an extensive wheat grower. In 1914 he had two hundred
acres in wheat and raised five thousand bushels--an average of twenty-five
bushels per acre. He has a substantial home and large outbuildings and is
regarded as one of the successful self-made men of the county.

Mr. Sheedy was married on July 5, 1873, to Mary Gorman, a native of Iowa,
but she was reared in Missouri. She is a daughter of Simon and Mary
(Russell) Gorman, both her parents being now deceased. She is a member of
the Catholic church.

To Mr. and Mrs. Sheedy nine children have been born, namely: John lives in
Kansas City, where he is state grain inspector; Simon, Mike, James,
Emmett, Mrs. Katie Gorman lives in this county and has five children as
follows: Kate. Allen, Hal, Agnes and Margarite; Agnes, Maggie and Nellie.
All these children but the one married daughter live at home.

Mr. Sheedy was on the school board for twenty years and was road
commissioner for some twenty years. Politically, he is a Democrat, and he
and his family are members of the Catholic church.




W. B. SHELTON. After a man has devoted almost a half century to as hard
and exacting a work as railroading, he is entitled to spend his old age in
quiet. So no one will think it amiss that W. B. Shelton is now taking his
well-earned respite for he has now attained his three score and ten, and
it was just fifty years ago that he began his career as railroader, and he
has worked in various capacities in this vocation in the Mississippi
Valley. He is one of the gallant veterans of the Confederate army, and
when he recently retired from active life was one of the oldest railway
conductors in Springfield.

Mr. Shelton was born, September 12, 1844, in Staunton, Augusta county,
Virginia--a historic locality in the midst of the "land of Presidents." He
is a son of William and Matilda (Fauver) Shelton. The mother was born near
Middlebrook, Virginia, on a farm, May 27, 1818, and there she grew to
womanhood and was educated. Her death occurred at Middlebrook, January 6,
1887. The father of our subject was born near Richmond, Virginia,
September 12, 1810, and there he grew to manhood, received a good
education and spent his entire life in Virginia, dying on December 21,
1891. In his earlier career he taught school, later learned the jeweler's
trade, which he followed in Middlebrook, but failing eyesight finally
compelled him to retire. He was a great worker in the cause of temperance,
and was active in an organization known as the Sons of Temperance. His
family consisted of ten children, eight of whom are still living, namely:
John H., born August 27, 1838, died March 21, 1914, in Tacoma, Washington,
having spent most of his life in the West; Mary J., born May 11, 1840,
lives in Alderson, West Virginia; Francis E., born May 1, 1842, is
deceased; W. B., of this sketch; Margaret S., born October 27, 1846, lives
in Columbus, Ohio; Martha A., born October 3, 1848, lives in Craigsville,
Virginia; Amanda K., born July 29, 1850, lives at Goshen, Virginia; David
F., born August 28, 1853, lives in Indiana; Rebecca E., born April 3,
1856, lives in Craigsville, Virginia; Joseph C., born June 21, 1859, lives
in Staunton, Virginia.

W. B. Shelton grew to manhood in his native vicinity and received his
education in Staunton and Middlebrook. He left home when thirteen years of
age and went to Tennessee, where he lived for over ten years and was there
during the Civil war period, and at Greenville he enlisted for service in
the Confederate army, in April, 1862, in Company H,. Twenty-ninth
Tennessee Volunteer Infantry, under Capt. Henry Coulter, and was in active
service fifteen months, taking part in numerous engagements, including the
battles of Wild Cat, Kentucky, Mill Springs and Shiloh, Mississippi, and
was in many skirmishes. He proved to be a courageous and faithful soldier
under the stars and bars, and he was discharged in October, 1863, at
Knoxville, Tennessee. Soon thereafter he was captured by the Federals near
Knoxville and held for some time. He first went to railroading August 10,
1864, in Tennessee, as a superintendent for Mr. Talmage, who was president
of several roads. Remaining in the service in Tennessee until 1868, he
came to Missouri, first stopping in Greene county, but it was not long
until we find him working for the Missouri Pacific out of Jefferson City
as brakeman. He remained with that road from April, 1869, until October,
1871, when he went to work for the Atlantic & Pacific Railroad; then he
moved to Springfield and was promoted to freight conductor on the Frisco
in August, 1872, and on December 10, 1887, he ran his first passenger
train as conductor on the old Blair line into Kansas City. He ran on
various divisions for the old Gulf road and Frisco, but the Memphis
division was his main run. He was recently retired by the Frisco and
placed on the pension list being at that time the oldest conductor on the
Memphis division south of Springfield.

Mr. Shelton was married September 16, 1883, in Springfield, to Martha R.
French, who was reared and educated in this city, having been graduated
from the high school. At the present time she and her daughter are living
at Los Angeles, California. To our subject and wife two children have been
born, namely: Guy A., born January 17, 1885, died May 18, 1894; Louise,
born January 29, 1887, in Springfield, was educated in the local schools,
and is at this writing on the Pacific coast for her health. Mr. Shelton
lives on East Commercial street, Springfield.

Politically, he is a Democrat; fraternally, a member of the Local Order of
Moose. He is a member of the Order of Railway Conductors. In his youth he
belonged to the Sons of Temperance.




DR. EDWARD MARTIN SHEPARD. Edward Martin Shepard was born in West Winsted,
Connecticut, May 15, 1854, the son of Samuel Shepard and Mary Isabella
(Dennis) Shepard. In 1860, his family moved to Norfolk, Connecticut, where
his father entered into the mercantile business with his brother, James H.
Shepard. The early childhood of the subject of this sketch was profoundry
impressed by the events of the Civil war, two striking incidents of which
were the reception of Major Anderson in New York, after his return from
Ft. Sumter, and the funeral obsequies of the martyred President, Abraham
Lincoln, as his body lay in state in Independence Hall, Philadelphia.

In 1867 and '68, he attended the private school of Emory F. Strong, at
Bridgeport, Connecticut, and in 1869, '70 and ‘71 he prepared for college
at the General Russell Collegiate and Military Institute, at New Haven,
Connecticut, where he attained the rank of first lieutenant and acting
captain. The Christmas holidays of 1870-71, he went to Charleston, South
Carolina, to visit his parents, who were spending the winter in the South,
and though but a lad, the vivid impression left by the sad condition of
the Southland during the days of reconstruction was a powerful factor in
broadening his sympathies and political understanding in after life. A
severe attack of scarlet fever at the end of his New Haven school days, as
well as the critical illness of his father, compelled the temporary
abandonment of his college course; and after the death of his father,
which occurred January 14, 1872, he sought the outdoor employment which
his own health seemed to demand. In the spring of 1872, he secured a
position as rodman under Engineer Frank K. Pingree, on a branch of the
Chicago and Northwestern railroad, in the upper peninsula of
Michigan--then a wilderness, where, thirty miles from Menominee, the
nearest settlement, he spent the summer, and fall in the engineering work
of the construction of this railroad. Here the pure air, out-of-door life
and vigorous exercise laid the foundation of a more robust young manhood.
In 1873, again associated with Mr. Pingree, whose business ability,
coupled with a fine Christian character made him an admirable employer for
the young. He was engaged in the construction work of the New York, Boston
& Montreal railroad, and located in Dutchess county, New York, where he
remained until, as an after-effect of the financial panic of 1873, all
railroad construction temporarily ceased. During his enforced idleness, he
took up the study of botany and mineralogy, subjects which renewed his
desire for a college course, and which changed the whole trend of his
life. He was particularly fortunate in the intimate associates of his
boyhood and young manhood, many of whom were ambitious and eager for
useful careers, and some of whom have occupied honorable places among the
world's most distinguished men. Of these were Dr. William H. Welch, now of
Johns Hopkins University, the most famous physician and bacteriologist in
America; Charles Battell Loomis, widely known by his writings; Frederick
E. Ives, the noted inventor; Dr. Charles Gross, late professor of History
in Harvard University; Dr. J. S. Kingsley, zoologist, of Tufts College,
Massachusetts; Professor John Robinson, of Salem, Massachusetts; Rev. Dr.
John P. Peters, of New York City, Episcopal clergyman and archaeologist;
Dr. Waldo S. Pratt, of Hartford Theological Seminary; Dr. Frederick S.
Dennis, of Bellevue Medical School, one of the foremost surgeons of his
day; and the Rev. Dr. James S. Dennis, of New York, noted missionary and
author, the last two being his double cousins.

In 1875, he was employed by, Dr. Spencer F. Baird to collect minerals for
the Centennial Exposition at Philadelphia, and later was engaged to
collect material for the Smithsonian Institution from prehistoric mounds
which had just been opened in southeast Missouri. Interest in biology and
geology had so increased that he planned to resume his studies, and went
to Williams College to pursue these subjects under Professor Sanborn
Tenney. He was appointed mineralogist and cryptogamic botanist for the
Williams College Rocky Mountain scientific expedition. A vacation course
of study under Dr. A. S. Packard, at the Peabody Academy of Science, at
Salem, Massachusetts, still further advanced his scientific work, and
brought him in contact with eminent scientific men who became lifelong
friends. One never-to-be-forgotten experience of that summer was the
invitation to witness the first public exhibition of the telephone, by Dr.
Graham Bell, the cities of Boston and Salem being connected for that
purpose. His course at Williams College was interrupted during the junior
year, and later, the institution made him an honorary graduate, with his
class of 1878. In 1877 he went to Roanoke College, at Salem, Virginia, for
the purpose of classifying and arranging their fine museum, which had been
hurriedly placed in storage during the Civil war. Later, he was called to
the chair of Natural History in Waynesburg College, Waynesburg,
Pennsylvania, from which institution he went to Drury College as Professor
of Biology and Geology, where he began his work in the fall of 1878,
continuing the same until June, 1908, when ill-health compelled his
permanent retirement from the teaching profession, and he was placed upon
the Carnegie Foundation. In 1880, he, in connection with Prof. Charles H.
Ford, a graduate of Williams College, conducted the first summer school of
biology west of the Alleghenies. He was married, June 28, 1881, to Miss
Harriett Elma Ohlen, at Madison, New Jersey. He was acting president of
Drury College in 1893 and '94, a service for which he sacrificed a most
attractive engagement to superintend the Missouri mining exhibit at the
Chicago World's Fair, and in the summer of 1907 he again resigned special
engagements with the Illinois Geological Survey to resume the acting
presidency of the college. In 1881 he received the degree of Master of
Arts from Williams College, and in 1881 he received the degree of Doctor
of Science was conferred upon him by Waynesburg College, his thesis upon
that occasion being his book on "The Geology of Greene and Adjacent
Counties," published by the Missouri Geological Survey.

Enthusiasm for his work in geology led him to travel extensively
throughout the United States and other countries; twice through the region
of the Great Lakes and Canada; twice through Nova Scotia and New
Brunswick; several times to California and the North Pacific region; the
Gulf coast and Cuba; and Colorado and the Yellowstone National Park. In
1889, on leave of absence from the college, he traveled and studied
geology in the Hawaiian Islands, Fiji Islands, Australia, Tasmania and New
Zealand. At various times he made trips through Mexico, and in 1898, on
his retirement from active college work, he took an extended trip around
the world, sailing from New York through the West Indies to Panama, thence
along the north coast of South America, visiting the coast region, thence
north to England, where, after a stay of six weeks, he traveled through
the Mediterranean region, visiting Algiers, Genoa, Naples, Egypt, Ceylon,
Singapore, China, and spending several weeks in Japan.

On retiring from Drury College, he presented to the institution the large
collections of antiquities and specimens representing all departments of
natural history, these having been collected mostly at his own expense and
in accepting the gift, the trustees of the college voted to name the
college museum "The Edward M. Shepard Museum" of natural science. Mr.
Shepard is the owner of one of the largest geological libraries in the
state, and has published the following works: "Systematic Mineral Record,"
A. S. Barnes & Co., New York; "Tables for Plant Analysis," Springfield,
Missouri; "Qualitative Analysis Blanks," Springfield, Missouri; "Report on
Geology of Greene County and Portions of Polk, Webster, Christian and
Dallas Counties," VoL.XII, Missouri Geological Survey, Jefferson City,
Missouri, 1898; papers in Bulletins of the United States Geological Survey
on "Wells, Springs and General Water Resources of Missouri," in Bulletin
102, Water Supply and Irrigation Papers; "Underground Waters of Eastern
United States: Missouri," in Bulletin 114, ibid; "Spring System of the
Decaturville Dome, Camden County, Missouri," in Bulletin 110, ibid;
Bulletin 195, "Underground Waters of Missouri: Their Geology and
Utilization;" introduction to volume of sermons by the Rev. N. M. Long, of
Memphis, Tennessee; "The New Madrid Earthquake," Journal of Geology,

January, 1905, "Table of Geological Formations of Missouri and Arkansas,"
Bulletin Bradley Geological Field Station, Vol. 1, Pt. 1; "Historical
Sketch of Bradley Geological Field Station," ibid, Vol. 1, Pt. 1; "Key to
Rocks and Geological Horizons of Greene County, Missouri," ibid, Vol. 1,
Pt. 2. Other papers on the following subjects have been published in
various journals: "Historical Sketch of Lead and Zinc Mining in Missouri,"
Springfield, Missouri; "Geology of the Lead and Zinc Region of Missouri;"
"Comparative Study of the Lead and Zinc Deposits;" "Structural Geology of
Southwest Missouri;" "Clay Deposits of Missouri;" and "Historical 'Sketch
of the Lime Industry of Missouri."

He is a member of the following societies: Fellow of the Geological
Society of America, fellow of American Association for the Advancement Of
Science; member of the Seismological Society, American Institute of Mining
Engineers, American Mining Congress, National Geographic Society, member
and, delegate Tenth International Geological Congress, Mexico, 1896;
Authors' Club, London, England; member and counsellor for Missouri of
National Economic League; Society of Mayflower Descendants;
lieutenant-governor, Missouri Society of Colonial Wars; historian Missouri
Society of the Sons of the Revolution; president Springfield chapter,
'Sons of the Revolution; member board of managers Missouri Geological
Survey under the past six governors; acting state geologist, Missouri,
1901; assistant Missouri Geological Survey in charge of Greene, Polk,
Dallas, Webster and Christian counties, 1890-93; consulting geologist,
Sphalerite -Mining Company, Aurora, Missouri, 1894; consulting geologist,
Missouri Land and Improvement Company, 1901-1904; field assistant, United
States Geological Survey, department of hydrology, in charge of Missouri,
1903- 1907; honorary member Missouri Historical Society; gold medal for
best collection of mineral waters, Louisiana Purchase Exposition, St.
Louis; assistant, department of geology and mining, ibid; honorary member
of the Luther Burbank Society, of California; member of the Springfield
University Club; vice-president of the Springfield Country Club, 1907;
President of Winoka Club, 1912.

He is a descendant of some of the oldest Pilgrim stock in America, tracing
his ancestry back, in most cases, three and four hundred years. He is a
lineal descendant of Governor William Bradford, of Plymouth Colony, and of
Governor John Webster, of Connecticut. He had six ancestors in the
Revolutionary war, and twenty-one in the French and Indian wars.

He has two children, Isabel Violet Shepard, born August 23, 1888, and
Edward Martin Shepard, Jr., born August 27, 1889. His residence is 1403
Benton avenue, Springfield, Missouri.




HARRIETT ELMA (OHLEN) SHEPARD. Harriett Elma (Ohlen) Shepard was born in
the beautiful Mohawk Valley region of New York state, near the town of Ft.
Hunter, January 16, 1853, the ninth and youngest child of Stephen Van
Rensselaer and Nancy Record (Clark) Ohlen. The paternal ancestor, John
Olin (as the name was originally spelled) emigrated from Wales and settled
near East Greenwich, Rhode Island. The family was prominent in the
Revolutionary war, and various members held offices of state. From the
village of Ft. Hunter, Stephen Van Rensselaer Ohlen removed to the other
side of the Mohawk river and settled in the town of Tribes Hill, famous as
a center of activity during the Indian wars, where he engaged in
mercantile business, and where the childhood of the subject of this sketch
was passed. Later, the discovery of petroleum in Pennsylvania attracted
the father and his son, Henry Clark Ohlen, to that region, and the family
spent several years in the heart of the oil territory, the son becoming a
somewhat prominent operator there and a member of the first company to lay
a pipe line for the transportation of oil to the seaboard. Financial
interest again took the family eastward, the son returning to New York
City, where he was a member and president of the Petroleum Exchange, and
the father settling in the New Jersey suburban town of Madison, where the
youngest daughter began her preparation for Vassar College, at which
institution she entered the freshman class in the fall of 1870, graduating
in 1874 with the degree Bachelor of Arts. In her junior year she was one
of the editors of "The Vassar Miscellany," and her marked interest in
scientific research caused her to be engaged as assistant to William
Orton, the professor of geology of Vassar College, for the year following
her graduation. An accident, resulting in temporary disability, prevented
the fulfilling of this engagement, and the following year she was called
to the chair of Natural History in Milwaukee College, where Professor
Charles S. Farrar, one of her former instructors in Vassar, had gone to
take the presidency of that institution. During her four years' connection
with Milwaukee College, her routine work was varied by membership with
various scientific and art societies, the proceedings of which she
regularly reported for the daily newspapers, writing occasional editorial
articles as well. The wide circle of friends made in that intellectual and
progressive city, gave stimulus to the mental activities of the ambitious
young woman, who began to feel that her life-work must be connected with
the growing institutions of the West. In the spring of 1878, a call to
Drury College resulted in her taking up work in that institution the
following fall as head of the woman's department, where a broader field
seemed to open in the opportunity for guiding the young girls who were
under her immediate supervision in Fairbanks Hall, which was at that time
the dormitory for women. To her duties as a teacher, an increasing amount
of executive work was added, and outside of the college routine she
entered into the church and community life of the growing city. She became
a teacher in the Sabbath school and recognizing the opportune time for
interesting the women of the community in more varied intellectual
pursuits, she, in company with others, organized the Springfield Ladies
Saturday Club, the first literary club of its kind, so far as known, in
the state. After serving for three years as lady principal of Drury
College (the title "Dean of Women" not having yet been adopted by that
institution), she resigned her position, and on June 28, 1881, at her home
in Madison, New Jersey, was married to Edward Martin Shepard, professor of
biology and geology in Drury College, and with him spent the summer in
travel and study in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, gratifying the taste
for scientific research common to both. They returned to Springfield in
the fall to found a new home in the college circle of households--a home
to which teachers students and townspeople were always welcomed, and which
became a center for the scientific interests of the college. For many
years subsequent to her marriage, Mrs. Shepard's summers were largely
spent with her husband in studying the botany and geology (then little
known) of southwest Missouri, driving through the wilderness, camping out
where no better accommodations were available, and learning to know, at
first hand, the sturdy natives of this part of the state. A considerable
amount of miscellaneous literary work was always done in her leisure hours
at home, the reviewing of books for various publishing houses having been
an interesting and favorite occupation.. Her two children, Isabel Violet
Shepard and Edward Martin Shepard, Jr., were educated in Drury College,
graduating in the class of 1910, the son going immediately to Cornell
University, New York, where he graduated from the department of electrical
engineering, and the daughter supplementing her college work with special
courses in Missouri State University and the University of Chicago.

Mrs. Shepard was a member of the executive board of the Missouri Woman's
Home Missionary Union for a number of years, in which capacity she served
the various interests of home missions, and wrote a number of leaflets
which were published for the use of the union. Early in the summer of
1899, in company with her husband and children, she took an extended trip
through the West to San Francisco, and in the autumn of that year sailed
with the family for Honolulu, where she established a temporary home and
quickly became interested in the life of the island, particularly those
things related to their early missionary history, at the same time
visiting the volcanoes and other points of natural interest in that
"Paradise of the Pacific." On her return to Springfield, after a nine
months' absence, she wrote and lectured many times on life in Hawaii,
speaking, mainly to missionary societies and women's clubs. In 1896, she
went with her husband and daughter to the Tenth International Geological
Congress held in Mexico, being made an honorary member of the Congress,
with permission to share all privileges of delegates. In company with her
husband and geologists of many nations, she traveled extensively through
the mining regions of the republic, visiting its pyramids, museums, art
galleries, historic cathedrals, and the wonderful ruins of Mitla, and
enjoying, as a long-to-be-remembered feature of the whole experience, the
invitation to a reception and dinner given at Chapultepec Castle by
President and Mrs. Diaz.

Throughout the history of the Missouri Federation of Women's clubs, Mrs.
Shepard has been identified with the executive board of that organization,
and especially in sympathy with the various forms of altruistic work
carried on by that progressive, yet sanely conservative body. First as one
of its directors, then as chairman of its department of education,
vice-president at large, and finally as president of the organization for
four years she has found much satisfaction in working with club women in
all parts of the state. It was during her administration as president that
the educational fund through which the State Federation aids deserving
young women was established, and through her efforts that the prompt
co-operation of individual clubs caused Missouri to be one of the first
states to raise its apportionment of the General Federation Endowment Fund
of $100,000. She is a member of the Ozark Branch of the Association of
Collegiate Alumnae, in which she served as counsellor from 1908 to 1915;
president, ibid, 1915; A. C. A. School Patroness for Missouri of the
National Education Association, 1908-1910; delegate by governor's
appointment to American Civic Association, 1910; member executive
committee Missouri Conservation Association 1911; member board of managers
Public Library, Springfield, Missouri; delegate to National Conservation
Congress, 1911; member of Missouri Ex Club; P. E. O. organization,
Springfield Ladies Saturday Club and honorary member of Springfield
Sorosis.




DAVID ULYSSES SHERMAN, M. D. Why any man is made, who knows? Why any life
is, from snails to gods, who is to tell? Why you are what you are, why
some men are what they are; the influences and causes which made them so,
and how far the causes and influences were voluntary, or accidental--in
short, whether we make our own destiny, or have it made for us--who shall
solve the eternal riddle? These are things which none of us can fathom,
but all of us can make the most of the little life which is ours, as has
been the case with Dr. David Ulysses Sherman, one of the well-known
physicians of Springfield, and, by doing our best "between these walls of
time," as he is evidently striving to do, we may be a blessing to
ourselves, our families and the human race.

Doctor Sherman was born at Henderson, Webster county, Missouri, September
29, 1871. He is a son of Henry Sherman, born near Idlebury, Germany, March
10, 1836, and he spent his young manhood in his native land, where he was
educated, and in 1854, with two brothers, he immigrated to the United
States, also a sister accompanied him, and they settled in Butler county,
Pennsylvania. Four years later Henry Sherman and his sister came to
Missouri, locating on a farm near Henderson, Webster county, He had
learned the blacksmith's trade in Germany, at which he continued to work
in connection with farming after taking up his residence in the new world.
He proved his loyalty to his adopted country in 1861 by enlisting in the
Union army, in which he served six months as a private, then was assigned
to the government horse shoeing shops in Springfield, Missouri, these
shops occupying the present site of the Colonial hotel. He was later
transferred to the government shops in St. Louis, where he was retained
until the close of the war. He was an expert in his trade and gave every
satisfaction. After his discharge he returned to Webster county and built
a shop on his farm, where he did the custom work for miles around, and
succeeded in due course of time in hammering out on the anvil five hundred
acres of choice farming land in that county. He was one of the best known
blacksmiths in that part of the state, and many of his patrons came from
remote sections of the country. He married Rhoda N. Hardy in 1855. His
death occurred in 1907. She was a native of Virginia, from which state she
made the long overland journey, when a child, with her parents; the family
made the trip in an old-fashioned wagon, drawn by an. ox team. They
settled at Henderson, Missouri. Mrs. Sherman's mother was of Irish
ancestry, and both she and Mr. Hardy were members of the. Presbyterian
church, devout Christians, doing much church work, being always ready with
their time and money to do anything to further the interest of the church,
and they assisted in building many new churches; their home was always
open to ministers and church workers. The death of the mother of Doctor
Sherman occurred in 1904. Seven sons and one daughter were born to Henry
Sherman and wife, namely: William E., who lives on a farm near Henderson,
Missouri; Henry O. lives on a farm near Fordland, this state; Charles C.
is engaged in the hardware business in Fordland; James D. and Obit D. are
both farmers near Fordland; Lucian L. makes his home at Elmonte,
California, and is a bookkeeper by profession; Dr. David U., of this
sketch; and Mrs. Mattie Cobb, who lives at .Boulder, Colorado.

Doctor Sherman grew to manhood on the home farm in Webster county, where
he worked hard when a boy during the summer months and in the winter time
he attended the old district schools there, the old school house located
on, his father's farm, later entering the Henderson Academy, from which he
was graduated in 1891. In September, 1895, he entered the Beaumont
Hospital, at St. Louis, where he took the prescribed medical course, and
was graduated with the class of 1897-98. Soon thereafter he came to Greene
county and began practicing his profession at Elwood, where he remained
ten years, enjoying an excellent country practice; in fact, it is safe to
say that no country physician in this part of the state had a more
extensive practice during that period than he. In order to further fit
himself for his chosen vocation, he took the post-graduate work in the
Chicago Post-Graduate Medical School in 1896, and at once removed to
Springfield, where he has remained to the present time and has built up a
very satisfactory practice.

Doctor Sherman is a member of the Greene County Medical Society, of which
he is ex-president, also a member of the Southwest Missouri Medical
Society the Missouri State Medical Association and the American Medical
Association. Fraternally, he belongs to the Royal Arch Masons, the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the modern Woodmen of America and the
Royal Neighbors of America. Politically, he is a Republican, and
religiously he belongs to the Methodist church.

Doctor Sherman married Julia Belle Gault on September 12, 1895. She was
born in September, 1870, six miles east of Springfield on the James river,
in Greene county, Missouri. She is a daughter of Walter B. Gault, of Irish
ancestry, one of the early pioneers of Greene county, and he was one of
the successful and well-known farmers of the eastern part of the county,
and he did much to promote the general good of the county, having been
ambitious to place it in the front rank of the counties of the state,
which position it now occupies. During the Civil war Mr. Gault was a
soldier in the Union army, and was commissioned lieutenant for meritorious
service.

Mrs. Sherman grew to womanhood in her native vicinity and received her
education in the district schools and the Henderson Academy, at Henderson,
Missouri, from which institution she was graduated, after which she began
teaching, which she followed successfully for a period of nine years. On
account of the death of her parents when she was young, she was left to
depend upon her own resources, and she succeeded in becoming one of the
most popular teachers in her section of the state.

To Doctor Sherman and wife two children have been born, David Orlando
Sherman, whose birth occurred at Elwood, Missouri, January 16, 1896; he is
at this writing a student in the Springfield high school, where he is
making an excellent record.




GEORGE M. SHUMAKER. The hardy, courageous and energetic blood of the race
that has done much to make northern Europe one of the most progressive
countries of the world flows in the veins of George. M. Shumaker, who is
regarded as one of the most enterprising building contractors of
Springfield, and it is a pleasure to chronicle here the events that mark
his life as one of usefulness. He has successfully followed his vocation
here for a period of twenty-seven years. Material wealth must not exclude
the riches of character and ability in recounting the virtues which have
been brought to Greene county by its citizens, and among its most precious
treasures must be estimated the lives of those citizens who have by their
intelligence and their activities in the higher walks of life assisted in
raising the standard of citizenship in the communities which they have
settled.

Mr. Shumaker was born in Seneca county, Ohio, February 4, 1839, and is
therefore now well past his three score and ten milepost. He is a son of
Henry and Elizabeth (Weimer) Shumaker, and is one of a family of seven
children, three sons and four daughters, all now deceased but our subject
and one brother. The parents of the gentleman whose name initiates this
review, were both natives of Alsace, France (this being now a province of
Germany). This couple established their home in Seneca county, Ohio, in
pioneer days, developed a farm from the wilderness and there spent the
rest of their lives, the father dying in 1855 and the mother surviving
until 1888, she having spent her last days at the home of her daughter at
Pierceton, Kosciusko county, Indiana. Henry Shumaker, father of our
subject, grew to manhood on his father's farm in Alsace, and devoted his
active life to general farming, both then and after moving to America, for
years ranking among the leading farmers of his township in Seneca county,
Ohio.

George M. Shumaker grew to manhood on the home farm in Seneca. county,
Ohio, and there worked hard when a boy for in those early days everybody
on the farm found plenty of work to do. His early education was limited to
the common schools of his community. In early youth he learned the
blacksmith's trade which he followed for some time, then farmed for
awhile. In 1867 he moved to Kosciusko county, Indiana, where after a few
years on the farm he began the manufacture of rustic furniture which he
followed for a period of thirteen years with much success. He came to
Springfield, Missouri, in 1887, and here established his future home. Soon
thereafter he became engaged in the building and contracting business and
for more than a quarter of a century he has continued in this line with
most gratifying results and is one of the most widely known contractors in
this section of the state. He has erected scores of substantial buildings
of all kinds over this country. He has kept fully abreast of the times in
all that pertains to his line of business and is not only an exceptionally
skilled workman, but has a reputation for prompt and honest work.
Associated in business with him is his son, Urban M. Shumaker, a young man
of business ability who is now in active charge of the business, and who
takes considerable interest in local public affairs and during the city
campaign in the spring of 1914 was a candidate on the Progressive ticket
for councilman from the first ward. Their well equipped place of business
is located at 420 Pearl street.

Mr. Shumaker was married November 24, 1861, to Mary Weikert, of Tiffin,
Seneca county, Ohio where she was born, grew to womanhood and received her
education. Her father was a successful farmer there; his family consisted
of six children, four sons and two daughters.

Five children have been born to George M. Shumaker and wife, namely: Urban
M., born in 1863, married Edna Bond and they have two children, Neilson
F., and Ruth V.; Howard H., an expert demonstrator of woodworking
machinery, married Lucy Cheatham, has one child, and they live in Malvern,
Arkansas; Clarence E., lives at Shirley, Arkansas, married Patsy Arnold,
and they have two children; Ida I. is the wife of R. R. Marquis, a
minister of Lawrenceville, Illinois, and they have five children; Karl,
who lives in Chicago, is state secretary of Illinois for the Young Men's
Christian Association, he married Gertrude Boticher, and they have three
children.

George M. Shumaker is a Prohibitionist in politics. He is a member of
Calvary Presbyterian church, and has been an elder in the church of this
denomination for forty years. He has long been an earnest church worker
and has led an upright life, striving at all times to be a humble follower
of the lowly carpenter of Galilee, and his example as well as his acts and
charitable deeds has been most potent for good.




WESLEY C. SIDMAN. Worry comes from failure to think properly, so we are
commanded to consider, be still and know, and to remember that we live and
move and have our being, in the same universal spirit which has expressed
itself in all the wonders of the material universe. Even a flower is the
unfolding of a vast divine plan. We are, therefore, not to worry about our
life, but to take up our duties from day to day, as we know and understand
the right and--wait. The long and honorable life of Wesley C. Sidman, now
living in retirement in Springfield, in the fullness of his four score
years has lived along such a plan, for he knew from the start that the
best he could do was to work industriously, live nobly, and, therefore,
worry has had little place in his nature.

Mr. Sidman was born near Syracuse, New York, September 11, 1834. He is a
son of John B. and Mary (Ouick) Sidman, both natives of the state of New
York, where they were reared and received limited educations, and here
they were married. They were living in Ohio at the time of the father's
death, and the mother died in Jasper county, Missouri, a few years after
moving there from the East. They were the parents of seven children.

Wesley C. Sidman grew to manhood in Athens county, Ohio, and there
received a common school education. In his youth he learned the
carpenter's and cabinet maker's trade, at which he became quite expert,
and followed the same throughout his active career. He remained in Ohio
until 1888, when he came to Springfield, Missouri, and here he worked for
the St. Louis & Francisco Railroad Company for a period of six years, in
the coach department of the North Side shops, giving satisfaction in every
respect. He then continued his trade, working for public schools until he
retired from active life some six years ago.

Mr. Sidman was married September 9, 1858, to Mary R. Rose, who was born
near Zanesville, Perry county, Ohio,. where she grew to womanhood and
received her education in the public schools. She proved to be a most
faithful helpmate and was a kind and generous hearted woman, who left
behind a host of good friends when she passed to her eternal rest in
September, 1908.

Seven, children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Sidman, namely: William. D., a
Methodist minister, living in Springfield, is represented in a separate
sketch in this volume; John W. lives in St. Louis, Robert R. died on
November 20, 1903; Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Hamilton lives in Carterville,
Missouri; Mrs. Delia Jones resides in Springfield; Mrs. Captolia Irving
lives in St. Louis; Bessie M. has remained at home with her father.

Politically, Mr. Sidman is a Republican. He is a member of the Grand Army
of the Republic by virtue of the fact that he served four years in the
Federal army, having enlisted in 1861 in Athens county, Ohio, in Company
H, Eighteenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and he saw much hard
service with the army in the South, taking part in numerous engagements
and fighting gallantly for his country. He was honorably discharged in
Vinton county, Ohio, on September 24, 1865. Religiously, he is a member of
the Benton Avenue Methodist Episcopal church.




REV. WILLIAM D. SIDMAN. Any conflict waged on our planet between good and
evil belongs to the basic work of divine mind before it belongs to us. The
"power not ourselves that makes for righteousness," is more interested in
the success of the good cause than we can be. The constitution of this
moral universe is against evil and oppression and injustice. The stars in
their courses eternally fight against Sisera. The thought should gird one
with strength for mortal endeavor. He who strikes with a hammer finds all
the force of gravitation adding force to his blow. And he who combats any
of the gigantic evils under the sun has the support of infinite and
invincible allies. Let the fact nerve the arm and cheer the spirit of each
halting reformer to the end of time. May it encourage us all to believe
with Tennyson in that "one far-off divine event to which the whole
creation moves.

Believing in the above theory, Rev. William D. Sidman, superintendent of
the Springfield district of the St. Louis Conference Of the Methodist
Episcopal church, left a lucrative practice as a physician to take up the
work of the ministry of the gospel in order that he might accomplish more
good "between these walls of time," to which Longfellow referred in his
poem, "The Builders." Rev. Sidman was born in Vinton county, Ohio, June 9,
1860. He is a son of Wesley C. and Rebecca (Rose) Sidman. The father was
born near Syracuse, New York, September 11, 1834. When a small boy he came
to Ohio, where he grew to manhood and received a common school education.
He was a carpenter and cabinet maker by trade and became a very skilled
workman. When the Civil war broke out he joined the Union army, in which
he served four years, after which he returned to Ohio, but later removed
to Illinois, where he continued to work at his trade, then went back to
Ohio, and after spending a few years there came to Springfield, Missouri,
and worked at his trade for some time. He retired from active life six
years ago. His wife, Rebecca Rose, was born near Logan, Hocking county,
Ohio, where she grew to womanhood and received a common school education.
Her death occurred September 27, 1909. To these parents seven children
were born, namely: William D., of this sketch; John W. lives in St. Louis;
Mrs. Elizabeth Hamilton lives in Carterville, Missouri; Mrs. Delia Jones
lives in Springfield; Robert R. is deceased; Mrs. Captolia Irving resides
in St. Louis, and Bessie M. is teaching in Springfield.

William D. Sidman grew to manhood in Ohio, and there he received a good
education, was graduated from the Nelsonville high school, later studied
medicine and was graduated from the medical department of the University
of Cincinnati in 1884. He began the practice of his profession soon
thereafter at Rushville, Ohio, and he came to Springfield, Missouri in
1887. He engaged successfully in the practice of his profession for a
period of six years, building up a large practice as a general physician,
but, believing that the ministry was his true calling, he abandoned the
practice of medicine and joined the conference of the Methodist Episcopal
church in 1895, and has remained in the same to the present time, having
had charge of churches of this denomination at the following places:
Stockton, Republic, Greenfield, Osceola, Poplar Bluff and Marionville,
Missouri.

He is at present superintendent of the Springfield district of the St.
Louis conference, to which responsible post he was assigned on March 18,
1913. He is widely known throughout the conference as an able and earnest
church worker and a learned theologian and forceful and accomplished
pulpit orator.

Rev. Mr. Sidman was married February 23, 1882, to Ina M. Carnes, who was
born in Nelsonville, Ohio, and there grew to womanhood and received a high
school education. She is a daughter of Alfred H. and Emily (Bridges)
Carnes. Mrs. Sidman is a lady of admirable Christian character and is an
active member of the various societies of the Methodist Episcopal church,
and she has made a host of warm personal friends since coming to
Springfield, as has also her husband. Their union has been blessed by the
birth of one child, Emma, who was born February 5, 1885, who has remained
single and is living at home.

Fraternally, our subject is a member of the Masonic order.




JOHN M. SISK. The soil is the limiting factor in crop production.
Persistent and thorough cultivation depletes the soil, more and more in
proportion to the size of the crop removed. Feeding some plant food back
into it is necessary to sustain next year's production. The best
cultivation is advisable for each year's immediate return. A farmer might
as well expect to continually check against his account at the bank and
expect to always have a balance there, as to continually crop his land
without returning any plant food to the soil and expect to have
continually fertile fields. One of the progressive farmers of Greene
county who well understands this fact and is making a success as a general
farmer because of well-applied principles is John M. Sisk, of Boone
township.

Mr. Sisk was born in Arkansas, October 19, 1856. He is a son of Abner
Sisk, who was born in Alabama, in 1829. He devoted his life to farming.
During the, Civil war he served three years in the Union army. After the
close of hostilities he removed to Greene county, Missouri, locating eight
miles north of Springfield, where he raised one crop, then moved to within
a mile and a half of Ash Grove. He spent the remainder of his life on
various farms in Boone township, dying in 1909. He married Elizabeth
Sparks, a daughter of Solomon Sparks, a native of eastern Tennessee, from
which country he removed to Arkansas in an early day.

John M. Sisk grew to manhood on his father's farm, where he worked hard
when a boy, and he received a common school education in the schools of
Greene county, having been young when his parents removed with him from
Arkansas to this locality. At the age of twenty years he began farming for
himself, later engaging in the grocery and bakery business in Ash Grove.
Selling out, he then engaged in the livery and transfer business there;
then, after a few years, he sold the latter business and operated a dry
goods store. About this period he erected three substantial brick store
buildings in Ash Grove. He was successful in whatever he turned his
attention to, and became one of the leading business men of that city. He
purchased eighty acres at one time, and later one hundred and thirty-seven
acres south of Ash Grove. In October, 1896, he traded two of the brick
buildings in on three hundred and twenty-eight acres, about two miles west
of that city. He is still living on this excellent, well-kept and highly
improved farm, one of the best in this part of the county. He is engaged
in general farming on an extensive scale; also handles large numbers of
live stock from year to year. He is making a specialty of an excellent
grade of cattle and also of Ohio Improved Chester hogs. He has a valuable
peach orchard of forty acres, also a few acres of pears. He markets his
products principally at Fort Scott, Kansas. He has an attractive home in
the midst, of beautiful surroundings, and there are to be seen on his farm
many substantial and convenient outbuildings. Everything denotes thrift
and that a man of energy, intelligence and good taste is at the helm.

Mr. Sisk was married on October 12, 1881, to Amanda H. Likins, a daughter
of Charles H. Likins, who located in southwestern Missouri before the
Civil war. During the Civil war he served in the Union army in the
three-year service.

To Mr. and Mrs. Sisk five children have been born, three sons and two
daughters, namely: One child died in infancy; Charles, now sixteen years
of age; John, who is thirteen years old; Pauline, who has passed her
eleventh birthday; and Wayne, who is seven years old. Mr. Sisk is giving
his children every advantage. In order to give them the advantages of good
schools he lives in Ash Grove during the winter months, removing back to
the farm for the crop season.

Politically, he is a Republican, and while he has always been active and
influential in the affairs of his city and county, he has never been a
seeker after the emoluments of office. Fraternally, he belongs to the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Modern Woodmen. He is a man who, has
always enjoyed a good reputation, like his honored father before him, and
he is an agreeable man to meet, either in his own pleasant home or in
public. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.




JOHN SJOBERG. Wherever one is located or whatever his circumstances may
be, there is almost always some way out of difficulties, some way to rise
above untoward circumstances and environment if sufficient thought is
given. Many people complain that they cannot find a position suitable for
their qualifications; it is a good rule to do what you find at hand to do
and do it well; by and by something better is very likely to present
itself; do this also well, and eventually still better things will be
offered until one's ambition is better satisfied. John Sjoberg, proprietor
of the Central Shoe & Leather Company, of Springfield is one of our best
examples of a successful self-made man, who, by honest, earnest effort,
has advanced from a modest beginning through his individual efforts to a
position of importance and influence in the industrial circles of Greene
county. He believed from the start that the goal of his aims would be
reached in due course of time if he made the most of his immediate
opportunities and planned wisely for the future. His example might well be
emulated by other young foreign-born citizens who come to this country and
to whom the outlook at the start is discouraging.

Mr. Sjoberg was born in Sweden, November 22, 1866. He is a representative
of an industrious old Swedish family, his father having devoted his active
life to farming. He is one of a family of five children, two of whom are
now deceased.

Mr. Sjoberg was left an orphan in early life, his father dying when he was
nine years old and his mother passed away when he was twelve years of age.
His early education, obtained in the common schools of his native land,
was limited, but this lack has been made up in later life by contact with
the world and by persistent home reading along general lines, until he is
today a well-informed man and an intelligent conversationalist. He
remained with his family while learning the trade of shoemaker, for which
instruction he paid fifty crowns a year for two years. He applied himself
diligently and became an expert. He worked as a journeyman until he was
twenty years of age, then served his required time in the Swedish army,
after which he started a shoe shop of his own. The future of such a
business at that time and in that place did not present a very rosy aspect
to him, so, obtaining permission from the government to leave his native
land, he set sail for the United States, and located in Springfield,
Missouri, in 1888, where he has since resided. He not only had to start
life here without capital, but was in debt for about half of his fare from
the old country. But nothing daunted he set to work with energy and
ambition, soon adjusted himself to new conditions, manners and language
and for a year and a half worked for wages in a local shop at his trade,
then bought a small shop of his own, having the meanwhile saved his
earnings and also paid his living expenses and his debts. He did general
repairing for four years in his own shop, then began to branch out into a
larger business by carrying in stock a few half-soles and other minor
materials in his line, increasing the same as his meager capital
permitted. His little shop was only nine by fifteen feet. After five years
his business had increased to such an extent that he was obliged to seek
larger quarters, in which he spent five years also; this was on Boonville
street, near the Central hotel, and while there he added a considerable
stock of leather goods and shoes, his business rapidly increasing and he
employed a number of assistants. In 1910 he moved into the retail district
and has since occupied commodious quarters at 325-327 East Walnut street,
where he maintains an attractive, well-arranged, convenient and
well-stocked store and manufacturing plant known as the Central Shoe and
Leather Company. He does an extensive wholesale leather and shoe findings
business, keeping a capable salesman on the road continuously. Aside from
his wholesale department he operates a large retail shoe store and shoe
shop, employing a number of experienced assistants and he does a large
business in all departments. Four men are kept at work in his shop in
which modern machinery of all kinds has been installed, and high-grade
work is promptly done. He is at this writing making plans to increase his
wholesale department, the business of which already extends over a wide
territory in the Southwest. He has been very successful in a business way
during his career in Springfield of over a quarter of a century, and he is
owner of a good Greene county farm and a fine home which he built in 1909.

Mr. Sjoberg was married in 1892 to Hulda Ohrn, a native of Sweden, in
which country their romance began when young, and after prosperity
attended his efforts in the new world he induced her to come here and they
were joined for life's serious journey. Their union has been blessed by
the birth of three children, namely: Florence is a graduate of the
Springfield high school; Arthur will graduate from high school with the
class of 1916, and Dorothy, who is attending ward school.

Politically Mr. Sjoberg is a Republican. Fraternally he belongs to the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is past grand; he also holds
membership in the Modern Woodmen of America. Personally he is a sociable,
companionable and obliging gentleman, whose word is regarded as good as
the bond of most men by those with whom he transacts business and his
personal habits have ever been above criticism.




WILLIAM WESLEY SKELLEY. The time has arrived when intensive and
diversified farming is necessary for conditions have changed since the
former generation. We must now look more to soil fertility, grow better
and more livestock, each farmer must do more work himself and hire less.
The farmers and editors and statesmen who at one time insisted that
American intelligence, Yankee thrift and ingenuity needed no protection
have come to discover something different. In the language of the late
Grover Cleveland, "It is a condition which confronts us—not a theory." One
of the intelligent young farmers of Franklin township, Greene county, who
realizes that he must employ different methods in his vocation to those
employed a quarter or a half century ago is William Wesley Skelley, and he
is therefore making a success in his chosen work.

Mr. Skelley was born September 17, 1876, in Cumberland county,
Pennsylvania. He is a son of Theodore A. and Mary Elizabeth (Smith)
Skelley. The father was born in the same county and, state as our subject
April 30, 1840, and there also occurred the birth of the mother of our
subject. They grew to maturity in their native locality, were, educated in
the schools of the early days and married there and established the family
home. Theodore A. Skelley devoted his active life to farming and was also
a wagon maker by trade which he followed in his native state, working for
some time in the railroad shops at Altoona, Pennsylvania, in fact,
followed his trade for a period of eighteen years. He was highly skilled
and always found ready employment. He removed with his family to Greene
county, Missouri, in 1884, when our subject was eight years old, and here
he purchased a farm of one hundred and seventy acres in Franklin township,
known as the "Cedar Bluff Farm." It was well improved and had a good group
of buildings on it. Here he carried on general farming successfully, being
a hard worker and a good manager, and was highly respected by his
neighbors, being a good man in every sense of the word. He was a member of
the Methodist church at New Salem in which he was steward for several
years. During the Civil war he enlisted in Company G, Two Hundred and
Second Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, at Harrisburg, that state, August
20, 1864, and served in a faithful manner until the close of the war,
being mustered out as corporal, August 3, 1865, at Harrisburg, and was
honorably discharged. He was in the army of the Potomac, but did mostly
guard duty and was not in any of the great battles, but was in several
skirmishes, his principal work was in guarding railroads in Virginia.
Previous to his enlistment he had been in the employ of the government as
mechanic, teamster, etc.

The death of Theodore A. Skelley occurred on his farm in Greene county,
October 3, 1912, at the age of seventy years. His widow survives and
remains on the homestead. To these parents five children were born, named
as follows: Edward lives in Atchison, Kansas; Etta is deceased; Mrs. Ada
Stokes, wife of George J. Stokes, lives at Ebenezer, Greene county;
William W. of this review; Mrs. Mollie Hall, wife of Jesse R. Hall, lives
near Gladville, Greene county.

The early boyhood of William W. Skelley was spent in Pennsylvania, but he
grew to manhood on the home farm in Greene county where he worked during
the summer months and in the winter time attended the common schools. He
has remained on the home farm, which he is still operating in a highly
successful manner, raising much grain and large numbers of livestock
annually.

Mr. Skelley was married December 24, 1902, to Lenora Stokes, who was born
December 27, 1882, a daughter of Thomas Layson Stokes and Martha Ann
(Vaughn) Stokes, the former a native of Greene county and the latter of
Tennessee. He was born February 2, 1836, and died in 1898, and she was
born March 22, 1838, and died March 1, 1889. Mrs. Stokes came to Greene
county when a child with her parents and here she spent the rest of her
life. Mr. Stokes spent his life engaged in blacksmithing and general
farming on the homestead in Franklin township, just west of the Skelley
farm; however, he removed to Willard ten years prior to his death, where
he maintained a blacksmith shop, having learned the trade when young. He
also followed his trade in connection with farming in Franklin township.
He was regarded as one of the best blacksmiths in the county and many of
his customers came from long distances. Fraternally, he belonged to the
Masonic order at Ebenezer. Politically, he was a Republican.

To Thomas Stokes and wife thirteen children were born, namely: Mary is
deceased; Mrs. Sarah Frances Roan; Gatley is deceased; Cordelia is
deceased; Jasen H. is deceased; John R. lives at Pearl, Greene county;
George lives at Ebenezer; Mrs. Dona Dysert lives at Hickory Barrens, this
county; Charles lives in California; Mrs. Lotty Skelley lives in Atchison,
Kansas; Lucy is deceased; Mrs. Lorettie Chisler is deceased; Otterson is
deceased, and Lenora, wife of our subject, who was six years old when her
mother died.

Mrs. Skelley grew to womanhood in Greene county and was educated in the
public schools. She has borne her husband four children, Lee, born
November 1, 1903; Helen, born May 24, 1905; Loyd, born November 20, 1909,
and Anna, born April 11, 1908, died August 6, 1909.

Politically, Mr. Skelley is a Democrat, and he and his wife are members of
the Methodist church at New Salem, and they are both well liked throughout
the community.




GEORGE W. SMALL. Americans are often spoken of as a restless race, and
this is unquestionably true. Thousands of trains are constantly speeding
from one place to another, carrying families to new localities--everybody
hunting a better place to live. Most of them would be better off to remain
in their old communities. So when we find a man like George W. Small, of
Jackson township, Greene county, who has spent his entire life of
sixty-eight years on the same farm, we are ready to extend our
congratulations, for such a man is worthy of admiration. It shows that he
has had stability and a wise foresight.

Mr. Small was born on the farm where he now resides, October 16, 1846. He
is a son of Robert B. and Martha R. (Donnall) Small, natives of Rockingham
county, North Carolina, but when small children they moved with their
parents from that state to Tennessee, where they were reared on farms and
received common school educations, and they were married in that state and
remained there until the year 1833, when they emigrated to Greene county,
Missouri, being among the first settlers, and here our subject's father,
entered land from the government and owned seven hundred acres at the time
of his death. He was a very successful farmer and was one of the
substantial men of his locality and influential in county affairs. His
death occurred August 7, 1861. His widow survived many years, dying July
17, 1897, on the home place. These parents were members of the
Presbyterian church. Ten children were born to them, namely: Mrs. Sarah
Ross, deceased; Mrs. Mary J. Barnes; James B. is deceased; Mrs. Cordelia
Duke is deceased; Columbus lives in Greene county; George W., of this
sketch; Mrs. Christina Cavin, deceased; Julia is living with the subject
of this sketch; Willie and Robert, deceased.

George W. Small grew to manhood on the home farm and was educated in the
district schools. When twenty-one years of age he bought the homestead,
which he has kept well improved and well tilled. He has one of the choice
farms of the township, consisting of five hundred and forty-six acres. He
carries on general farming on an extensive scale and has prospered by his
able management. He keeps an excellent grade of live-stock of all kinds
and is a believer in progress in all lines.

Mr. Small was married in 1876 to Harriett A. Pipkin, who was born, reared
and educated in Greene county. She was the daughter of Louis and Frankie
(Roberts) Pipkin, highly respected farming people of this county, the
Pipkin family having long been a well established one here. The death of
Mrs. Small occurred January 7, 1878. The union of our subject and wife was
without issue. Mr. Small has never remarried.

Politically, Mr. Small is a Democrat. He belongs to the Masonic order, and
is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He has never been
especially active in public affairs, but has always been influential for
good in his community.




HARRISON MILTON SMITH. Harrison Milton Smith, cashier of the Farmers and
Merchants Bank, of Springfield, is a native of the Buckeye state, having
been born on June 28, 1857, in Licking county, Ohio. His parents were
Harrison and Margaret (Brown) Smith, who were natives of Culpeper county,
Virginia. His grandfather, Philip Smith, was a native of Warren county,
Pennsylvania, and came from that sturdy German stock. His grandfather on
his mother's side, Peter Brown, was of English descent. He was a minute
man of the War of 1812, and lived to the ripe old age of ninety-one years.
When H. M. was a small boy his parents emigrated from Ohio to Lagrange
county, Indiana, where he lived until he grew to manhood. He received his
early education in the district schools, and at the age of nineteen years
he commenced teaching. He taught four terms and in the spring of 1880 he
entered the State Normal at Terre Haute and graduated with honors in June,
1883, receiving a state teacher's license for life in the state of
Indiana.

After graduating he became general agent for the Union Publishing Company
of Chicago, in which position he served for eighteen months. In March,
1885, he entered the employ of the Goodspeed Publishing Company and for
five years he was their biographical writer for state works. He traveled
in ten different states and was considered as one of the company's most
efficient and competent men.

On May 9, 1889, he married Sarah Catharine Foltz, who is a native of
Indianapolis, Indiana. By this union three children were born; Imo Ann,
died on October 31, 1895; Orpha Foltz and Wilma Bernice are at home with
their parents.

On June 3, 1889, Mr. Smith located at Richland, Missouri, where he
organized the Pulaski County Bank, it being the first bank in Pulaski
county, hence he is known as the pioneer banker of said county. He was
elected its cashier, which position he held for fourteen years. In June,
1903, he sold out and moved his family to Springfield, Missouri, and at
once organized the Farmers and Merchants Bank, and it opened for business
on September 21, 1913. Here again he was elected as cashier of said
banking institution, which position he has since held. As a banker he has
been a. success. His principal has always been "safety first" to his
depositors and the banking institution of which he has been cashier,
carrying at all times a surplus equal to the capital stock. He has always
been a very busy man, looking carefully after every detail of the work at
hand and in doing this he has been able to accumulate good property. Mr.
Smith has always taken an active part in public affairs and in the welfare
of the city in which he has lived. He is a member of the Masonic
fraternity, being a member of United Lodge, No. 5, Gate of Temple Chapter,
No. 15, St. John's Commandery, Abou Ben Adhem Temple Shrine. He is also a
member of the Modern Woodmen of America and Woodmen of the World. He has
been a member of the Methodist church for many years, and is one of the
trustees of Grace Methodist Episcopal church and one of its active
members.

Mr. Smith is a self-made man in the true sense of the word. He was reared
on the farm, working for twenty-five cents a day when a boy; worked two
years in a brick yard at a dollar a day and boarded himself. He is one of
the substantial business men of Springfield and one of the leading bankers
of Southwestern Missouri. He was elected secretary of Group No. 7 at its
last meeting in the fall of 1914.







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