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




ISAAC NEWTON SMITH. In many respects the career of the late Isaac Newton
Smith, for a period of thirty years one of the progressive business men of
Springfield, is peculiarly instructive in that it shows what a well
defined purpose, supplemented by correct principles and high ideals, can
accomplish when rightly and intelligently applied, even in the face of
obstacles. A native of the Hoosier state, he spent the major portion of
his life in Missouri, where he devoted over thirty years to the insurance
business and became one of the most efficient and widely known insurance
men in the southern part of the state. The last days of his busy career
were devoted, in a large measure, to the promoting of the electric railway
between Springfield and Joplin and he was president of this company. But
he was a man who was not only noted for his large success in material
affairs, having found time to take an active interest in church work and
was one of the most potent members of the Presbyterian denomination in
this section of the state. In short, he was a successful, useful and
honorable man and his record might be studied with profit by many.

Mr. Smith was born, February 27, 1847, in Miami county, Indiana. He was a
son of George and Rosa (Dilsaver) Smith, the father a native of Virginia
and the mother was born in Ohio, and there she grew to womanhood. George
Smith was brought to Ohio by his parents when he was a child and grew up
in that state and he and his wife were educated in the rural subscription
schools and were married and established their home, but later removed to
Miami county, Indiana, on a farm and devoted their lives to agricultural
pursuits. Their family consisted of twelve children, three of whom are
still living.

Isaac N. Smith grew up on the farm and he had little chance to obtain an
education, but improved such as he had and in later life became a well
informed man through contact with the world and much home reading; in
fact, he was a fine sample of the self-made man for which America is
noted. He left home when about seventeen years old, being compelled to
make his own way. He was ambitious to go through school and obtain a high
education, but the opportunity never presented itself. At the age of
nineteen, he came to St. Louis where he worked at different employments in
order to get a start, later became a bridge builder. Then he came to
Webster county, this state, purchasing a farm near Marshfield, and while
operating this he studied architecture and made some advancement, drawing
plans for buildings and in the general preliminary work of an architect.
About thirty- two years ago he went into the insurance business and this
proved to be his chief life Work. He started at Marshfield and remained
there until 1884, when he removed to Springfield, continuing the same
business. He was with the Mutual Life all the while, and he was district
manager of this company the rest of his life. He was very successful from
the first and the company regarded him as one of their most faithful,
industrious and trustworthy employees. About twenty years ago he received
a handsome cup, given by the company, for writing the most insurance in a
given period. This was won over hundreds of competitors and it shows his
ability in this field of endeavor. At the time of his death he was
president of the new traction line between Springfield and Joplin and was
doing much to make the project a success; in fact, his close application
in this enterprise hastened the closing of his earthly career.

Mr. Smith was married, November 25, 1875, to Margaret E. Butcher, a native
of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, her birth occurring February 9, 1852. She is
a daughter of Stephen and Maria (LeKeux) Butcher. The father was born in
England, near London, in the year 1802, and there he grew to manhood and
married Maria LeKeux in 1847, and they subsequently immigrated to America,
locating in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His wife was also a native of
England. Mr. Butcher received a good education in his native land,
traveled extensively and followed the sea for six years. Mr. Butcher
enlisted in the Civil war, in 1861, serving the full time enlisted in a
Missouri cavalry regiment. He was in several battles, including the battle
of Wilson's Creek, was a very faithful soldier and a strong Union man. His
family consisted of five children, three of whom are still living, namely:
Margaret E., who became the wife of Mr. Smith of this memoir; Mrs. Mary F.
King, and Stephen H. Mrs. Smith grew to womanhood in Pittsburgh, where she
was given excellent educational advantages, and she engaged in teaching
for a while after leaving school.

Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Smith, named as follows: Lucian
L., who married Lallah Smith, is claim agent for the Frisco railroad;
Mable married Charles F. Bishop, and they live in Quincy, Illinois; Ada
married John J. Tooker, and they live in Boonville, Missouri.

Politically, Mr. Smith was a Republican and a great worker for his party.
Fraternally he belonged to the Masonic Order. He was one of the leading
members of Calvary Presbyterian church for many years and was active in
church work. He was chairman of its board of trustees and was most
efficient in this capacity. He was a devoted Christian, with marked
administrative ability and was enthusiastically devoted to the service of
the church.

The substantial Smith residence is on Benton avenue, and there the
summons came for Mr. Smith to close his earthly account and take up his
work on a higher plane of being, March 10, 1914.




JAMES E. SMITH. It is a good sign when a county like Greene can boast of
so many of her enterprising business men and farmers who are native sons,
for it indicates, that there are to be found all the opportunities
necessary to insure success in the material affairs of life and that her
native sons, unlike so many front various sections, have found it to their
advantage to remain at home. They have been wise in doing this for nature
has offered the husbandman unusual advantages here and has seldom failed
to reward the earnest worker with gratifying results, and when the tillers
of the soil are prosperous all lines of business flourish, consequently
not only the farmers have succeeded in this locality but also the
merchants, millers, lumbermen, stock dealers, and many others, and the
county ranks well with the most thriving sections of this or any other
state.

One of the native-born business men of Springfield is James E. Smith,
whose birth occurred in this city, July 28, 1868. He is a son of David and
Mary (Fulton) Smith. The father was born in Glasgow, Scotland, as was also
the mother, and there they grew to maturity, were educated and married,
and when young immigrated to America and located in Greene county,
Missouri. The elder Smith was a well driller and he operated the first
well drill in the vicinity of Springfield. It was in 1858 that they
located here and they spent the rest of their lives in Springfield, the
father's death occurring here in 1870. To them thirteen children were
born; the following are still living, namely: Maggie lives in
Pennsylvania; David, a machinist, in the employ of the Frisco, lives in
Springfield; Joseph lives in Kansas City; James E., of this sketch, and
Jennie E. (twins), the latter also lives in Springfield; Robert makes his
home in this city.'

James E. Smith grew to manhood in his native city and here received a
common and high school education, and when young served his apprenticeship
as machinist and followed this trade at the old foundry at Mill and
Boonville streets, where he learned the trade. After remaining there about
three years he secured a position in the Springfield Wagon Works, in the
paint department, later drove a grocery wagon for ten or twelve years. In
1890 he went into the grocery business for himself on Boonville street,
also cigars and confectionery, remaining in that stand until 1894.
However, prior to that year he was for some time in the employ of the
Frisco, working as brakeman between Springfield and Memphis. In 1897 he
went to work in the city fire department, where he remained until 1909,
then opened his present grocery store at 831 North Campbell street and has
built up a large and constantly growing business, carrying at all seasons
a large and well-selected stock of fancy and staple groceries.

Mrs. Smith was married, August 13, 1890, to Anna Miles, who was born in
Hannibal, Missouri, September 17, 1870. She is a daughter of William A.
and Malinda (Snyder) Miles, both natives of Pennsylvania, being early
settlers in Missouri, locating on a farm. Mr. Miles served five years in
the Civil war, participating in many hard-fought battles. Mrs. Smith grew
to womanhood in her native city and received a good common school
education in Hannibal.

To Mr. and Mrs. Smith three children have been born, namely: James E.,
Jr., born May 16, 1891, lives at home; Jennette, born March 19, 1896, died
the same year; Genevieve, born November 10, 1898.

Mr. Smith is prominent in fraternal affairs, being a member of the Masonic
Order, Knights of Pythias, the Improved Order of Red Men, the Royal
Arcanum, Highlanders, also the Woodmen of the World and the Modern Woodmen
of America. He has been clerk of the Woodmen of the World for the past
eighteen years and is active in Woodmen circles. Politically, he is a
Democrat, and for the past three years-has been councilman from the Sixth
ward and has done much for the general good of the city. He was formerly
secretary of the Retail Merchants' Association. His wife is a member of
the Woodmen Circle and the Pythian Circle. Mr. and Mrs. Smith belong to
the Catholic church.




JAMES M. SMITH. While Virginia has been aptly termed the "Mother of
Presidents," she has also given to the nation many of its most
enterprising and successful people in minor capacities, and thousands in
the humble sphere of private citizenship trace their ancestry back to the
Old Dominion. This was true of the late James M. Smith, himself a
Virginian, and for a long lapse of years a successful farmer of Greene
county, Missouri. Just when the original progenitor of the Smith family
became a resident of that state is not known, but it is supposed to have
been at a time antedating the Colonial struggle for independence, and from
that remote period to the present, members of this fine old family have
been influential in the affairs of the various communities where they have
resided. This may also be said of the subject’s maternal ancestry, who
also settled in Virginia at an early day, so Mr. Smith was justly proud of
the fact that he belonged to two of the well known yet unorganized class,
denominating themselves as the "First Families of Virginia." His
popularity as a citizen was due, no doubt, to the fact that he possessed
many of the common characteristics of the true Virginian-hospitality,
gallantry, courtesy and adherence to right principles.

Mr. Smith was born in Lee county, Virginia, September 4, 1840. He is a son
of Hiram and Polly (Ely) Smith. The father was born in Virginia in the
year 1812, there grew to manhood and was educated in the common schools.
He grew up on a plantation. He came to Missouri in 1845 and settled in
Greene county, entering one hundred and sixty acres from the government,
cleared most of his land and made a success as a general farmer, and he
traded a great deal in live stock, especially horses. Politically, he was
a Republican. He died on his farm here when about eighty years of age. His
wife was born, reared and educated in Virginia and there they were
married. She was a member of the Holiness church. She died about three
years before her husband's death. To these parents twelve children were
born, namely: Mrs. Elizabeth Biggs, deceased; George, a soldier in the
Civil war, was killed during the service; James M., subject of this
sketch; Allen makes his home in the West; Mrs. Louisa Smith is deceased;
Mrs. Ellen Self lives in Polk county; Robert lives in Sparta, Christian
county; Mrs. Martha Hendrix, deceased; William, deceased; Preston lives in
Carter county; the two youngest children died in infancy.

James M. Smith was young in years when he accompanied his parents on their
overland trip from Virginia to Greene county, Missouri. Here he grew to
manhood on a farm and received such educational advantages as the schools
of that early period afforded. He remained under his parental roof- tree
until he was twenty-three years of age, then, in 1862, enlisted in the
Sixteenth Missouri Cavalry, Union army, in which he served faithfully
during the Civil war. Toward the latter part of his service he was
promoted to lieutenant. He saw considerable hard service in Greene county
and various parts of the state, and was with the troops that drove General
Price from Missouri when on his last raid into this state, our subject
having been thirty-eight days on this chase in Missouri and Arkansas, and
was fighting all the while. He was a gallant and brave soldier, and was
honorably discharged from the army at Marshfield, Webster county, June 4,
1865.

After his career in the army, Mr. Smith returned home and resumed farming
and on February 28, 1866, he married Rebecca Watts. He first rented a farm
of sixty acres, which he worked for three years, then moved on a two
hundred and fifty acre farm on the James river, which place he rented and
operated for eight years, getting a good start, then bought seventy-five
acres, to which he later added forty acres, and here his widow still
resides. He cleared this land and was very successful as a general farmer,
was a hard worker and good manager. Twelve acres of the place has remained
in timber. He built a comfortable home and made other modern improvements.
He devoted considerable attention to raising live stock, especially hogs.
Here his death occurred July 23, 1905. He was well liked throughout his
community and had the respect of all who knew him.

Mrs. Rebecca Smith was born in Greene county, Missouri, August 17, 1843.
She is a daughter of James and Delila (Taber) Watts. The father was born
in Tennessee in 1810, and there grew up on a farm and received a common
school education and married and there resided until three of his children
were born; then immigrated to Greene county, Missouri, in wagons drawn by
oxen, crossing the Mississippi river in the winter, on the ice. He
followed farming in Tennessee for a time after his marriage, later was a
steamboat pilot on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. He often made
extensive trips, being away from home eight and ten months at a time, when
he was a riverman. It was in 1835 that he brought his family to Greene
county, and. was thus among the first settlers. He entered from the
government two hundred and forty acres, most of which he cleared and
developed into a good farm and was rated among the successful pioneers of
this locality, was well-known among the frontiersmen and well liked for
his many good traits of character. Politically, he was a Republican. His
death occurred on his farm here. His wife was born in Tennessee in 1812,
was reared on a farm there and received such educational advantages as the
schools of those early times afforded. She was a hard worker and was
always ready to assist her husband in making the living and in the proper
rearing of their children. She lived to an advanced age, dying at the home
of her son twenty years after her husband's death. She was a member of the
Presbyterian church. To Mr. and Mrs. Watts the following children were
born, namely: William Harrison was an artillery man during the Civil war
and was killed in battle, shot while tending his cannon; John J., a
veteran of the Civil war, lives at Rogersville, Webster county; Thomas J.,
deceased; James Madison, who was a soldier in the Civil war, is deceased;
Isaac Newton, who was a soldier in the Sixth Missouri Cavalry, died while
in the service, in 1862; Rebecca, who became the wife of Mr. Smith, of
this sketch; Mary T. is deceased; Mrs. Delila. E. Sams lives in Clinton
county, Missouri; Robert S., deceased; George W. lives in Rogersville;
Andrew Jackson, deceased; Mrs. Mattie Robenau lives in Springfield, where
she is engaged in the millinery business, Mrs. Artelia. Jennings lives in
Webster county, Missouri.

Mrs. Smith was reared on the home farm and was educated in the common
schools in Greene county. She has been a diligent and worthy helpmeet and
a prudent and kind mother. She is now getting along in years, but has the
appearance of a much younger woman, being well preserved and enjoying good
health. She has a wide circle of friends in this part of the county.

To Mr. and Mrs. Smith three children were born, namely: Jerome, born
January 4, 1867, is deceased; Leon, born January 4, 1869, is deceased;
Mrs. Lennie M. Roach, born June 28, 1877. Mr. Roach operates the homestead
for Mrs. Smith, he and his wife residing at the old home with the widow of
our subject.




JOHN RANDOLPH SMITH, M. D. That life is the most useful and desirable that
results in the greatest good to the greatest number and though all do not
reach the heights to which they aspire, yet in some measure each can win
success and make life a blessing to his fellowman; and it is not necessary
for one to occupy eminent public positions to do so, for in the humbler
walks of life there remains much good to be accomplished and many
opportunities for one to exercise one's talents and influence which in
some way will touch the lives of those with whom we come in contact,
making them better and brighter. In the list of Greene county's honored
citizens is Dr. John Randolph Smith, now living in honorable retirement
after a long, useful and eminently successful career as a physician,
having for many years ranked among the leading professional men of
southwestern Missouri. In his career there is much that is commendable and
his life forcibly illustrates what one can accomplish even in the face of
obstacles if one's plans are wisely laid and his actions governed by right
principles, noble aims and high ideals.

Doctor Smith was born on January 27, 1836, at Monticello, Kentucky, a
scion of an excellent old southern family. He is a son of David and
Charlotte (Havens) Smith, born in 1777 and 1800 respectively, who removed
to Newton county, Missouri, in 1836, and were thus pioneer settlers in
this, state. David Smith died January 24, 1845, when Doctor Smith was nine
years of age, and his wife died in May, 1884. Our subject was an infant in
arms at that time and he grew to manhood in Newton county, received a
limited education in the old-time subscription schools and worked on a
farm during his boyhood. But he was an ambitious youth and studied hard at
home, taking an interest in medicine when only sixteen years of age, and
about that time began studying medicine under, Dr. J. W. Walker in Jasper
county, Missouri. He made rapid progress and was equipped for his chosen
career at an early age, being a fine example of a self-made man. He first
began practice at Diamond Grove, this state. Seeing the need of a college
training he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and took the course in the medical
college there. He owes much of his success in life to his mother who was a
well educated woman and taught him much at home. In his youth he taught
school for a time in Newton county, Missouri. Finally turning his
attention to the newspaper field he started, owned and operated the Weekly
Record at Stella, Missouri, which he retained until in February, 1914,
when he retired from active life. From 1871 to 1873, inclusive, he owned
and operated a wholesale and retail drug store in Springfield, under the
firm name of W. G. Porter & Company, at the southwest corner of the public
square. Upon the death of Mr. Porter, Doctor Smith continued the drug
business at 223 South street, under the firm name of J. R. Smith &
Company. He enjoyed a large trade, maintained one of the leading drug
stores of Springfield and was very successful as a business man. In
connection with his business interests he followed his profession and had
an extensive practice. Being of a literary turn of mind he has written and
published a number of books on varied themes, principally of a religious
tone. His writings show a depth of thought, broad culture, a splendid
general knowledge and a fine literary finish.

Doctor Smith was never named by his parents, being known only by a
"nickname" until he was eight years of age when he selected his own name.
He comes from an excellent old American family. Robert Smith, his
grandfather, was born in England, and he served in the Revolutionary war,
becoming captain of a company in the Fourth North Carolina regiment. He
was a gallant officer and took part in many engagements, including the
battle of King's Mountain. After the war he was a merchant and ship
builder of note, owning several vessels which operated between North
Carolina ports and the West Indies. Nathaniel Geist, the doctor's
great-grandfather, first married Mary Howard, of Baltimore, Maryland, and
later Dinah Volkeer of Holland. His daughter, Mary Geist, by his first
wife, married Robert Smith, our subject's grandfather. Nathaniel Geist
served with George Washington in the war with England against France, and
he was captured in 1773 at Braddock's famous defeat by the Cherokee
Indians, who held him four years. During his captivity be married an
Indian maiden and they reared a family. One of their sons, George Geist,
was a man of exceptional prowess and ability and the Indians called him
Chief Sequoyah, and he was for some time chief of the Cherokee tribe. He
has been held in great reverence by the succeeding generation of Cherokees
in view of the fact that he originated the Cherokee alphabet.

David Smith, father, of our subject, was born in North Carolina. He lived
in Tennessee, Alabama and Kentucky before coming to Missouri in 1836. He
was a great cattleman, raising large numbers in the above mentioned
states, and in the early days before there were any railroads in the
South, he practiced driving immense herds of cattle to Baltimore,
Maryland, where he marketed them. Many claim that he originated the
familiar term "cowboy." He was left an orphan in infancy, his father and
mother both dying at that period of his life. All his life he was a dealer
in live stock and was one of the most widely known cattle and horse
dealers in his day and generation in the localities where he resided. He
was one of the first to import blooded horses, and he raised thoroughbreds
for a number of years. He lived to a ripe old age, spending his last years
on his large stock farm in Newton county, this state. His family consisted
of the following children: Benjamin F. died in infancy; Sarah A. married
Thomas Walker, Mary J., who is now eighty-two years of age and has never
married, is living at the old homestead, "Kent Park," Newton county,
Missouri; Dr. John R., of this sketch; Charlotte E. married James W.
Roseberry, now deceased; their son Chalmer H. Roseberry, owns and conducts
a large deer farm at "Kent Park," Newton county, and is a member of the
Society for the Preservation of Wild Animals of the United States
Government. Thomas H. Benton Smith died in 1863 while in the service of
the Confederacy, having been with General Rains brigade at Ft. Smith,
Arkansas, at the time of his death.

Dr. John R. Smith owns a gun which was made to order for his father in
1829, by John Bull, a gunsmith of Warrior Mountain, Alabama. It is a fine
specimen of guncraft of those days, is mounted with silver and has a gold
powder pan and bushings. The stock is of curly maple and the barrel of a
very soft iron. It is a remarkably accurate shooting piece and it was
designed as a "target" gun for the pioneers. The mounting has several
inscriptions on the silver plating. The doctor values this heirloom very
highly.

Doctor Smith was married October 3, 1861, to Frances Ruth Keet, a daughter
of Josiah T. and Elizabeth Proctor (West) Keet.

To Doctor Smith and wife the following children were born: Kenyon Ida died
in infancy; Ernest V. is a lieutenant-colonel in the regular army of the
United States, now stationed at Honolulu, Sandwich Islands; he is a
graduate of West Point Military Academy, which he entered when seventeen
years old; he married Cora Young, of Troy, New York. Grace K. Smith became
the wife of the late George Cooper, a sketch of whom will be found in
another part of this work; Charlotte married Willard P. Paddock, who was
for many years a professor in the Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, New York, he
is now a well known artist, and has made a fine bronze statue of Noah
Webster, that was unveiled in September, 1914, in Massachusetts. Mr. and
Mrs. Paddock reside in New York City. Clara, youngest of the doctor's
children, married Edward Steichen, a well known artist of New York City,
where they reside. The mother of these children, to whom they owe so much
for their general culture and success in life, is now seventy-one years of
age.

Doctor Smith has been living retired for some time, making his home with
his daughter, Mrs. Grace Cooper, at her beautiful home on Cherry street,
Springfield. He is now in his seventy-ninth year, but is still
comparatively hale and hearty and possesses all his faculties and has a
fine memory. For a number of years he was medical examiner of the pension
bureau of the United States government. Politically, he is a Democrat. He
is a member of the Sons of the American Revolution and Ancient Free and
Accepted Masons, and belongs to the Christian church. He and his good wife
are indeed a grand old couple, greatly beloved by a very wide circle of
close friends. They have led useful and helpful lives, being hospitable
and charitable by nature, but never from a desire for display rather from
an innate love for suffering humanity and to meekly follow in the
footsteps of the lowly Nazarene.




MITCHELL C. SMITH. As a leading citizen of Springfield, in its
professional life, lending eminent strength to her bar, Mitchell C. Smith
commands attention from the biographer who would wish to do Greene county
justice. He is one of our ablest of attorneys, and has few peers in his
comprehensive knowledge of state and international law, and has conducted
annually for many years a large number of cases to successful issue. He is
thoroughly the thinker and legal philosopher, inclined to be mild and
gentle, but capable of attaining a glowing passion of eloquence, stirring
and exciting in its appeals to the emotions and the intellect. He
possesses the elements of determination, courage and nerve, and his mental
organism is broad, solid, and disciplined to the last degree by thought
and study; he is singularly free from any narrowness of professional
bandinage, and the prejudices and partialities of the mere attorney. He
seldom indulges in anecdote or humor, but this may not be equally true in
matters of retort and repartee. It is not of frequent occurrence that a
lawyer can be found who has so sharp and clear a mind for details and
historic particulars, accompanied by such depth and strength of thought,
and sustained and invigorated by so healthful a moral nature.

Mr. Smith was born in Hinds county, Mississippi, in 1849. He is the scion
of an old Southern family. His father, Dr. N. J. Smith, was a native of
Norfolk county, Virginia, and his mother, Sarah J. Smith, was a native of
Currituck county, North Carolina. The progenitors of our subject were
patriotic and several of them served in the various wars of the country,
including the Revolutionary war, War of 1812, and the Civil war. In the
latter they were true to their own Dixie and fought on the side of the
Confederacy. Several of his ancestors were prominent in public life, were
members of the convention in North Carolina on the adoption of the
constitution of the United States, and also the ordinance of secession of
1861.

Dr. N. J. Smith was born in 1809. He was graduated from Jefferson Medical
College, Philadelphia, in 1840, and practiced his profession in Norfolk
county, Virginia, and Hinds county, Mississippi. He died in Kansas in
1884. His mother's maiden name was Bell, who was a descendant of the
Ferebee family, among the earliest settlers of eastern North Carolina. She
died in Kansas in 1912, at the age of eighty-seven years.

Mitchell C. Smith grew to manhood in eastern, Kansas. He received his
early education in the common schools, and later attended the State Normal
at Emporia, Kansas. He began studying law when a young man and was
admitted to the bar in 1882, at Yates Center Kansas. He first began
practice at this place, and in 1893 located in Springfield, Missouri,
where he has remained to the present time, and has built up a large and
lucrative clientele, ranking among the leading attorneys of the Greene
county bar.

Mr. Smith was married in November, 1882, to Elenor M. Bixler, a daughter
of Israel Bixler and wife of Sumner county, Kansas. Mrs. Smith was born in
1861, and she received a good common school education in Kansas,
graduating from the State Normal at Emporia, Kansas.

To our subject and wife three children have been born, namely: Otto M.,
Allie D., and Edwill B. These children are now all mature and have been
carefully educated.

Politically, Mr. Smith is a Democrat. He is a member of the Springfield
Bar Association, and fraternally is prominent in Masonic circles.




ONAS SMITH, M. D. Success in the medical profession comes as a result of
merit and painstaking effort. In the industrial world one may by the
proverbial "lucky stroke" win great results or may come into possession of
a lucrative business through inheritance, but professional advancement,
especially as a physician, is to be depended on solely by critical study
and consecutive research long continued. He must not only be a man willing
to work hard and honestly, but must have courage, fortitude, sympathy, a
kind and genial nature and lead a wholesome life, so that he will inspire
the confidence and trust of his patients. The medical profession is a very
old and honored one. All tribes and peoples of all the ages have had their
so-called "doctors" or medicine men, and as-a rule these were regarded as
being especially gifted of the gods, but in this rushing age, with the mad
desire to obtain wealth speedily, many young men are dishonoring the
physician's calling by practicing quackery and every unfair means, their
motto being: "Get the money, get it quick and in as large amounts as
possible." This class, however, is confined principally to the great
cities, for such a course could not well be long pursued in rural
districts for obvious reasons. So when a young man of ability and honest
principles like Dr. Onas Smith, of Ash Grove, Greene county, takes up this
calling he should receive special notice.

Dr. Smith was born at Halltown, Missouri, February 22, 1883. He is a son
of Russell G. and Melvina (Oldham) Smith. Russell G. Smith was born in Mt.
Vernon, Missouri, February 22, 1857, and is a son of James and Mary Ann
(Clayton) Smith. James Smith was born in Kentucky about 1821, and was a
son of Spencer and Sally Smith. Spencer Smith was a native of Kentucky,
where he spent his life, meeting death suddenly, being killed by a horse.
James Smith spent his earlier years in Kentucky, and removed to Lawrence
county, Missouri, in 1857, and engaged successfully in general farming
there for about thirty years. His death occurred in 1891. He was a
Democrat, and while very active in public affairs, never held office. He
was also active as a member of the Christian church. He was a member of
the Masonic Order—the Blue Lodge.

Mary Ann Clayton, wife of James Smith, whom he married about 1840, was
born in Kentucky in 1820, and her death occurred in 1906.

Russell G. Smith, father of our subject, grew up on the farm and received
the usual educational training of that period in Lawrence county,
Missouri. There he began farming when a young man and continued until
1910, when he removed to Ash Grove and in 1912 he purchased a third
interest in the drug store of the firm name of Smith, Mason & Smith, a
large and popular store here, which is doing an extensive business and is
well stocked with drugs and drug sundries. Politically he is a Democrat
and is very active in party affairs; is a member of the Christian church
and is active in that. Fraternally he is a Mason, belonging to Ash Grove
Lodge, No. 100, Ancient Free-and Accepted Masons He and Melvina Oldham
were married on September 10, 1877. She was born in Kentucky, on January
6, 1856. She was a daughter of Daniel and Mahaley (Sims) Oldham, who were
early settlers of Lawrence county, Missouri. Mrs. Smith was a woman of
fine Christian sentiment, and she was called to her eternal rest on July
4, 1904. To these parents two children were born, namely: Daisy, wife of
John F., Mason, a sketch of whom appears on another page of this volume,
and Dr. Onas Smith, of this review.

Dr. Smith grew to manhood on the home farm in Lawrence county and he
received his early education in the public schools. He began studying
medicine with Dr. C. A. Wilkerson, of Halltown, and in 1899 entered the
St. Louis College of Physicians and Surgeons, where he made a good record
and from which institution he was graduated on April 13, 1904, and just
one month later he opened an office for the practice of his profession at
Plano, Missouri, but remained there only six weeks, then came to Ash
Grove, where he has been engaged in general practice to the present time
and has met with encouraging success from the first. He is surgeon for the
St. Louis & San Francisco Railroad at Ash Grove. He has a one-third
interest in the Smith, Mason & Smith Drug Company here. In 1912 he took a
post-graduate course in the Polyclinic Hospital in Chicago.

Dr. Smith was married on July 20, 1904, to Allie B. Sater, who was born in
Kansas on May 18, 1886. She had the advantages of a good education. To the
Doctor and wife one child has been born, Orland, whose birth occurred on
February 15, 1906.

Politically, Dr. Smith is a Progressive. Religiously, he is a member of
the Christian church. Fraternally he belongs to the Masonic Order,
including Ash Grove Lodge, No. 100, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Ash
Grove Chapter, No. 124, Royal Arch Masons; Zabud Council, Royal and Select
Masters, and St. John's Commandery, No. 20, Knights Templars. He is also a
member of the Knights of Pythias, of which he is past chancellor, and he
belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The doctor and his wife
have made many friends since locating in Ash Grove.




WILLIAM F. SMITH. A native of Missouri, but with the blue blood of
Kentuckians in his veins, William F. Smith, chief engineer of the
Springfield Gas & Power Company, is a young man who has attained a very
creditable standing in life as a result of his straightforward and
conscientious course.

Mr. Smith was born in St. Joseph, Missouri, November 8, 1882. He is a son
of Frank and Bernedina (Vanderstay) Smith. The father was a native of
Kentucky, where he spent his earlier years, and from there emigrated to
Missouri. He devoted his active life to the plasterer's trade, and died in
1892, when only about thirty-six years of age. His wife was a daughter of
Frank Vanderstay, a western Missouri citizen. Mrs. Smith is now making her
home in Springfield, living with her son, our subject.

To Frank Smith and wife five children were born, namely: William F. of
this sketch; Walter is deceased; Benjamin is engaged in the grocery
business in Kansas City; Joseph is attending school in Pennsylvania;
Vincent is an electrical operator in the employ of the Springfield Gas &
Electric Company.

Levi Smith, the paternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was a
bricklayer by trade. He spent his life in Kentucky and western Missouri,
having married in the former state. In later life he removed to Kansas,
where he continued to follow his trade.

William F. Smith was educated in the common schools of St. Joseph,
Missouri, and Atchison, Kansas. When sixteen years of age he went to work
for a grocery store, delivering goods and clerking, then worked in the
power house at Leavenworth as fireman helper, was also oiler in the engine
room, then became night engineer in the Leavenworth Light, Heat & Power
Company, remaining in the employ of the traction company there for eight
years. He then worked a few months for the St. Joseph Light, Heat & Power
plant at repair work, then went back to Leavenworth and worked in the
machine shops, later becoming day chief engineer for the traction company
of that city. In September, 1908, he came to Springfield, Missouri, and
took a position with the Springfield Gas & Electric Company, working as
night engineer from 1908 to 1912, when he was transferred to day engineer,
and on August 12th of that year, he was placed in charge of the company's
power house, located at Main street and Phelps avenue, and has since been
chief engineer of the power house, and is discharging his duties with his
usual success and satisfaction. He has had as many as twenty-five men
under his direction since taking this important position, and at present
he is assisted by ten men. He is an expert in his line and is well read on
every detail.

Mr. Smith was married in November, 1913, to Florence Pile, a daughter of
Jonah Pile and wife, of Springfield. The untimely death of Mrs. Smith
occurred on December 23, 1914, leaving one child, Arthur Smith, who was
born on November 9, 1914.

Politically Mr. Smith is a Republican. He is a member of the Catholic
church, and he belongs to the Improved Order of Red Men and the National
Association of Steam Engineers.




WILLIAM M. SMITH, M. D. One of the best-known physicians of the city of
Springfield, an honored veteran of the Civil war, and for a quarter of a
century one of the respected citizens of Greene county, is Dr. William M.
Smith. He chose medicine as his life profession and life purpose and
pursuit. The environment of his earlier years, its discipline, his college
course and drill, the culture that comes from books and study and travel,
the success with which he has met as a physician, and the standard in his
profession to which he has risen all testify to the wisdom of his choice.

Dr. Smith was born in Barnesville, Ohio, June 7, 1842. He is a son of John
C. and Hannah (Thompson) Smith. The father was born in 1817, was reared a
Quaker and was a carpenter and contractor during his active life. Toward
the early part of the Civil war, although then advanced in years, he
enlisted for service in the Union army in August, 1862, in the One Hundred
and Twenty-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, under Col. John H. Howe,
and he served in the battles around Vicksburg, Mississippi, but the
hardships of army life proved too much for him and he died before his term
of enlistment had expired and was buried in the National cemetery at Mound
City, Illinois. The mother of our subject was born January 18, 1818, in
Huntington county, Pennsylvania, and was a daughter of Amos Thompson, a
farmer. She came with her family to Ohio when she was a child, and her
parents both died in that state. She spent the latter part of her life at
the home of our subject in Springfield, Missouri, where her death occurred
in 1889, and was buried in Hazelwood cemetery here. Some of the maternal
great-great-uncles of our subject were soldiers in the Revolutionary war.
The family is of German-English, Scotch and Irish ancestry.

Dr. Smith was reared in Ohio and there he received his early education in
the common schools, later graduating from the Kewanee Academy, at Kewanee,
Illinois, and was preparing for college at the time of his enlistment in
the Federal army in September, 1861, in Company A, Forty-second Illinois
Volunteer Infantry, under Col. Stewart, later serving under Col. Northrop.
He saw considerable hard service and proved to be a gallant defender of
the flag, participating in the battles of Farmington. Stone River, and the
great battle of Chickamauga, in which he was wounded and taken prisoner,
but was later paroled and sent to General Hospital in St. Louis. He was
honorably discharged at St. Louis at the expiration of term of enlistment
and later re-enlisted, February 7, 1865, in the Ninth Illinois Cavalry,
serving until October, 1865, and was discharged at Selma, Alabama. After
his career in the army Dr. Smith returned home and taught school for
several terms, devoting his spare time to the study of medicine, and in
1868 he entered the Keokuk Medical College, at Keokuk, Iowa, later
entering Rush Medical College, Chicago, from which he was graduated in
1870. He first began the practice of his profession at Atkinson, Illinois,
remaining there nine years, and had a good practice; he then went to
Sterling, Illinois, and practiced, three years, after which he moved to
Beadle county, South Dakota, where he practiced six years, and in 1888
came to Springfield, Missouri, where he has remained to the present time,
enjoying an excellent practice all the while and ranking among the leading
general practitioners in the county.

Dr. Smith is a member of the Greene County Medical Society, the Southwest
Missouri Medical Society, the Missouri State Medical Association and the
American Medical Association. He was president of the first named society
for one term. He belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic. He has been
secretary of the local board of pension examiners for the past sixteen
years. Politically he is a Republican and religiously is a member of the
Congregational church.

Dr. Smith married Viola M. Ferrin, December 15, 1870. She is a daughter of
Isaac and Maria (Bailey) Ferrin, both natives of New England. Mrs. Smith's
father died when she was an infant. The mother spent her last years with
our subject and died at his home in Springfield in 1890.

Four children have been born to Dr. Smith and wife, namely: Wells Ferrin,
born in Atkinson, Illinois, in 1871, was educated in the Springfield high
school and Drury College, later was graduated from Beaumont Medical
College, in 1898, and he began his practice in Springfield, securing a
position in the Frisco Hospital, where he remained two years, then removed
to Arkansas, and is now division surgeon for the Iron Mountain Railroad,
with headquarters at Little Rock. He married Robbie Blythe, of
Clarksville, Arkansas, in 1905, and they have four children, Helen, John,
Elsie and Elizabeth. He is a thirty-second degree Mason, and is a fine
surgeon. Charles Wilbur Smith, second son of our subject, was born in
Atkinson Illinois, in 1873, was educated in the Springfield high school
and Drury College, also studied at the Beaumont Medical College,
graduating with the class of 1901, later, in 1902, taking a post-graduate
course in the St. Louis Hospital. He began the practice of his profession
at Keota, Missouri, in 1902, and remained there six years, then came to
Springfield and has been engaged in practice here ever since, and is one
of the most successful of our younger surgeons and general practitioners,
doing a great deal of surgery. 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. He was at one time
health commissioner of the city of Springfield. He is a thirty-second
degree Mason, and also belongs to the Knights of Pythias and B. P. O. E.
He married Mary Helen Vail in 1902. She is a daughter of Edward Vail,
superintendent of a local coal company. One child has been born to Dr.
Charles W. Smith and wife, a daughter, Vail Smith, whose birth occurred in
1903. Amy Jessie Smith, daughter of the subject of this sketch, was born
in Atkinson, Illinois, was educated in the Springfield high school and
graduated from Drury College. She married Alfred H. Mansfield, an
attorney, now chief claim agent of the Missouri Pacific Railroad; they
reside in St. Louis. To this union one child has been born, Elizabeth,
born on August 8, 1914. Winifred Elizabeth Smith, youngest of our
subject's children, was born in South Dakota, was educated in the
Springfield high school and Drury College, and she married O. J.
McCutcheon, president of the McCutcheon' Bros. Vehicle & Harness Company,
of Springfield; to them one child, Elizabeth, was born in 1910 in this
city. The above named children were given every advantage as to education
and general preparation for life, and they are all popular wherever they
are known, and are well situated in life.




WILLIAM Y. SMITH. A great essayist once said that "when one has given the
best that is, in him to a work, he experiences a feeling of satisfaction."
While this statement may seem rather broad, yet a greater truth than this
was never spoken. Whether one is successful or not in what one undertakes,
if he realizes that nothing on his part has been left undone he should
have no regrets. This does not mean that the unsuccessful person feels
just as elated over defeat as the successful over victory. When one does
his best and, is successful he has a double reason to be happy. To this
class belongs William Y. Smith, who has had a varied career as farmer,
implement dealer traveling salesman and life insurance agent, and whose
record shows that by his individual efforts persistently applied he has
succeeded in lines that have claimed his attention.

Mr. Smith was born in Greene county, Missouri, June 5, 1851. He is a son
of William and Sarah (Julian) Smith, natives of Virginia and Tennessee,
respectively. They grew to maturity in the East and were educated there
and married in Kentucky. The father was a physician by profession. He went
to California in 1851, during the gold fever period, and his death
occurred in Eugene, Oregon. His widow survived until 1875, dying in Greene
county, Missouri. To these parents six children were born, three of whom
are deceased, namely: Julian D., deceased; Robert O., deceased; Cyrenia
lives in Paris, Texas; Saphronia lives in Fair Play, Missouri; Aglentine,
deceased; and William Y., of this review.

William Y. Smith had little opportunity to receive an education. He
attended night school for a time, but later in life this early lack has
been made up for by wide miscellaneous reading, and he is today a
well-informed man on general topics. He was married near Willard, his
native county, October 15, 1871, to Anna B. Campbell, who was born in
Greene county, Missouri, in 1855, and here she grew to womanhood and
received a common school education. She is a daughter of Andrew and Louise
(White) Campbell, natives of Tennessee and Kentucky, respectively, but
were married in Greene county, Missouri, after they immigrated here among
the early pioneers, locating on a farm. During the Civil war Mr. Campbell
joined the Confederate army and died in the service. His widow survives
and is living in Tennessee. Mrs. Smith is a granddaughter of George White,
one of the pioneer preachers of Greene county, who located here in-the
year 1853 and was known as a circuit rider, preaching at Friendship
Baptist church near Ebenezer, Ash Grove, Slagle Creek church and Cedar
Bluff, holding services one Sunday each month in the churches in his
regular circuit.

Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Smith, five of whom are
living at this writing, namely: Lydia Eugenia lives in Kansas; Fred,
deceased; Ethel is married and lives in Springfield, Missouri; Mattie is
also with her parents; Nellie lives in Joplin, Missouri; Walter died in
infancy; Campbell lives in Springfield, and Lee is deceased.

William Y. Smith is an example of a self-made man. His father died when he
was a small boy, leaving our subject's mother with a number of children to
rear, which made it necessary for William Y. to face life alone and
unaided; but this he did courageously, and the hard knocks he received at
that tender age proved valuable to his makeup. He engaged in general
farming on the farm where he was reared, continuing in this vocation until
he was twenty-five years of age, then moved to Springfield and engaged in
the implement business, later went on the road for a harvester company,
selling machines, remaining in that line of work a number of years, or
until the various harvesting machine companies were consolidated into the
trust, whereupon he turned his attention to the life insurance business.
During the past five years he has been on the road as a commercial
traveler, selling different lines, but principally lighting systems and
silos. He is one of the most successful and best known traveling men in
this section of the country. He has a pleasant home on Monroe street,
Springfield.

Mr. Smith is a Democrat, and has long been more or less active in the
affairs of his party. He is a member of the Anti-Horse Thief Association.




OTIS EVERETT SNIDER. Never before has there been so much interest taken in
the best methods of farming and in the conditions of rural homes. The
struggle to bring rural life from the present to ideal conditions is not
an easy one, nor will it be speedily accomplished. Yet there are now farms
and country homes in every county which might be taken as models worth
imitating. Among, those in Greene county which come pretty near the
high-water mark of an ideal twentieth-century farm is that owned and
operated by Otis Everett Snider and known as "Brookdale Farm." Such places
are a credit to any community, and they inspire others to put forth a like
effort, as well as publishing to the outside world the fact that here is a
community of citizens of thrift and good taste.

Mr. Snider was born in the above-named township and county on February 23,
1874. He is a son of David and Eliza Jane (Robertson), Snider. David
Snider was born on February 19, 1844, in Monroe county, eastern Tennessee,
and was a son of John and Nellie (McKee) Snider. John Snider was a native
of Tennessee, where he spent his life, dying there when his son, David,
was seven years old, after devoting his life to farming. His wife, Nellie
McKee, was a native of Pennsylvania. David Snider grew to manhood in
Tennessee and received such educational advantages as the old-time
subscription schools afforded, and there he continued to reside until he
was twenty-seven years of age, when he removed to Gentry, county,
Missouri, but remained only three months, coming on then to Greene county,
arriving here on December 24, 1872. After renting a farm for some time, he
bought forty acres, and prospering through close application and good
management, he added to his original purchase, until he owned three
hundred and thirty acres of valuable and productive land in sections 21
and 28, Murray township, and there he still resides, engaged successfully
and extensively in general farming and stock raising, and ranks, among the
leading agriculturists of the county, throughout which he is widely known
and highly esteemed as a man and citizen. He and Eliza Jane Robertson were
married on February 3, 1873. She was born in Greene county, where she grew
to womanhood and was educated. She is a daughter of Jefferson and Mary Ann
(Ludspeech) Robertson, one of the pioneer families of the northern part of
Greene county. A history of this well-known family appears in the sketch
of Charles L. Robertson on another page of this work.

To David Snider and wife five children were born, namely: Otis E., of this
sketch; Mrs. Josie Lee Green, of. Murray township; Mrs. Mary Justice, who
lives near Ash Grove, this county; Mrs. Virgie Thomas, who lives in Murray
township; and Virgil, who died in infancy.

Politically, David Snider is a Democrat, but has never cared for public
office. Fraternally, he belongs to the Masonic order at Bois D'Arc Greene
county. He was reared in the faith of the Methodist church, and his wife
is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, at Willard.

Otis E. Snider spent his boyhood days on his father's farm and received
his education in the local public schools. He remained on the home place
assisting with the general work there until his marriage, at the age of
twenty-four years, after which he began farming for himself in Murray
township, and was successful from the first. He accumulated two hundred
acres of good land, which he sold in 1913, and removed to Nebraska; but
ranching in that state did not appeal to him in every respect, and after
making a crop there he returned to his native township and located on his
present place, "Brookdale Farm," which consists of two hundred acres, and
is one of the desirable and well-improved farms of the township, on which
stands a good residence and substantial and convenient outbuildings. He
carries on general farming, and makes a specialty of raising hogs, and has
traded in them on a large scale until very recently, when he turned his
attention more to general crops. His place is well drained, well fenced
and well watered, there being an excellent running spring on his land,
besides good wells.

Mr. Snider was married, February 2, 1897, to Birdie Gilmore, a native of
this part of Greene county, where she was reared and educated. She is a
daughter of George and Miley (Phillips) Gilmore, a well known and highly
respected family of near Willard, this township.

To our subject and wife four children have been born, namely: Ralph,
George, Ellis, and the youngest died in infancy, unnamed.

Politically, Mr. Snider is a Democrat, but has never been active in party
affairs. He was reared in a Methodist family, and his wife belongs to the
Methodist Episcopal church at Willard. He is a quiet, hard-working farmer
of good habits and pleasing disposition.




MARVIN H. SOUTHWORTH. Industry, uprightness and intelligence are
characteristics which will advance the interests of any man, and will tend
to the prosperity to which all aspire. Such are some of the traits of
Marvin H. Southworth, for forty years a well known contractor of
Springfield and one of the most successful in southwest Missouri in his
vocation. He has lived to see and take part in the latter day development
of the Queen City in which he has ever manifested a just pride, and
although he is now past his allotted three score and ten he is still
active and in full possession of his faculties, as everyone should be in
old age, if they have been fortunate enough to escape the untoward
accidents which fate sometimes sends. He hails from the old Empire state
and has evidently inherited many of the, sterling characteristics of his
Yankee ancestors.

Mr. Southworth was born, May 10, 1842, in Gowanda, Cattaraugus county, New
York. He is a son of Aaron and Deborah (Barnes) Southworth. The father was
a native of Steuben county, New York, where he grew to manhood, was
educated in the public schools and there began life as a farmer which
vocation he followed through life. Leaving New York state he came west in
1848 and located in Springfield, Missouri, and here continued farming with
his usual success until his death in 1850. The mother of our subject was
born in the state of Vermont, from which state she removed with her
parents when a child to Gowanda, New York, where she and Aaron Southworth
were married. Her death occurred in 1851. To these parents the following
children were born: Mary Louisa, widow of Isaac Davis, she died in
Springfield, April 16, 1912; Helen, who married Byron Van Vleit of western
New York, died in 1889, leaving one child, Roy; Finette, who lives in
Silver Creek, New York, married, first Edwin Brooks, by whom she had one
child, Burk, and later married Byron Van Vleit, who had first married her
sister, Helen, and two children were born to her second marriage, Lovie
and Bessie; Marion H., of this review.

Mr. Southworth, of this sketch, grew to manhood on the home farm in the
old Empire state and there assisted with the general work in the summer,
and during the winter months he attended the common schools of his
vicinity. He was first married in 1863 to Maria Welch, of western New
York, and one of his school mates; her death occurred in 1909. To this
union one child was born, Nellie, whose death occurred on August 1, 1895,
at the age of eighteen years. On March 29, 1911, our subject married Mrs.
Carrie L. Hevern, of Plymouth, Indiana, widow of Charles Hevern. She is a
daughter of William R. Haskett, a farmer of that community, but he and his
wife are both deceased; their family consisted of ten children.

Mr. Southworth was twenty-five years of age when he came to Springfield,
Missouri, about the close of the Civil war, and this has been his home
ever since, consequently he has seen and taken part in the development of
the city from a small town to the capital of the Ozarks. He here took up
the trade of stone mason, and has been a city contractor for a period of
forty years, being associated in this business with John Cowell, a
well-known citizen here for twenty years. He is one of the most widely
known contractors in southwest Missouri and he has laid the foundations of
most of the important buildings in Springfield. Besides the court house
there was but one brick building in the city when he came here. After the
building season was over and during his first winter in Springfield, he
sawed wood for Prof. J. Fairbanks, the supervising editor of this history.
He was for a time engaged in the dry goods business in later years, a
member of the firm of Hirsch, Southworth & Mack. He has been very
successful as a business man and now in his old age he finds himself in
possession of a comfortable competency and also enjoying the esteem of all
who know him as a result of his industrious, public-spirited and honorable
life.

Politically, Mr. Southworth is a Republican. He is a charter member of the
local lodge of Knights of Pythias. He has been a member of Grace Methodist
Episcopal church for a period of forty years, and has been active in its
affairs. He was for some time chairman of its building committee, and has
been honored with most all the offices of this church.




JOHN SPANDRI. In the following sketch is strikingly illustrated the force
of well-directed energy, steadfast purpose and never-ceasing effort for
the accomplishment of noble ends, and the successful overthrow of those
obstacles which beset the progress of every young man who, unaided and
alone, starts out to combat life's stern realities and hew his own way to
distinction and fortune. It is the story of a successful life, and from
the study of such a record the discouraged youth may gain lessons of
ultimate value, lessons that are calculated to inspire new zeal in his
faltering heart and new courage in his darkened spirit. It shows that it
takes grit, perseverance and honesty to win in life's battle rather than
the help of wealth or influential relatives or friends. In other words, it
is better to rely on ourselves and map out our own paths than to rely upon
others and follow a career dictated by others.

Mr. Spandri hails from the wonderful little republic of Switzerland, a
country from which many of the so-called great nations of the earth might
take-valuable lessons. His birth occurred in the southern part of that
country on December 1, 1860. He is a son of Peter and Mary (Vanini)
Spandri, both natives of Switzerland, where they were reared, educated,
married and established their future home. The paternal grandfather of our
subject was a native of Italy. Peter Spandri was a collier by trade, his
work being chopping timber, which he burned by a process to make charcoal.
His death occurred in his native land before our subject left there and
the mother survived until about seven years ago, having reached an
advanced age. To these parents four children were born, namely: Juditta is
living in Italy, Frank is deceased, John, of this sketch, and Giacomo
lives in Europe.

John Spandri spent his boyhood in Switzerland and he received a limited
education at home, which has been greatly supplemented in later life by
contact with the world and by wide miscellaneous home reading until today
he is a well informed man and an excellent conversationalist. When a boy
he worked with his father in the woods, but when only fifteen years of age
he left home and began working for wages. Believing that America held
greater opportunities for the poor boy with pluck, he bade a final adieu
to his native hills in the autumn of 1882, crossed the great Atlantic,
landing in New York in the month of November. He did not tarry in the
great city, but came on West to Rolla, Phelps county, Missouri, reaching
the goal of his long journey with only ten dollars and twenty-five cents
in his pocket. He soon found employment and went to work with a will. Six
months later found him a contractor, in business for himself. In May,
1883, he came to Springfield and began contracting to build foundations
for houses and buildings in general. He prospered at this and continued in
this line until a few years ago. Among the foundations he laid for
well-known buildings were those of the South Street Christian church,
Meyer's Model Mills, the round house at the North Side shops, St. John's
church and many others. Some years ago he turned his attention to other
lines of contracting, such as railroad construction work and sewer
building. His first work in the former line was in 1901, when he turned
out jobs for both the St. Louis & San Francisco and the Missouri Pacific
railroads. It was in 1909 that he began sewer work, and during that year
put in about three miles of sewer in Springfield, then took a large
contract for the Frisco in Texas in building arch culverts. At this
writing he is confining his attention to sewer construction. He has been a
careful student of modern ways of contract work along his lines and his
work is always highly satisfactory, being well done in every respect. He
is well equipped in the matter of modern machinery and tools and employs a
large number of skilled hands. He gives personal attention to every detail
of his business, which is under a superb system. He has been very
successful in a business way and is one of the substantial men of affairs
of the Queen City of the Ozarks. He deserves a great deal of credit for
what he has accomplished, which has been done in the face of obstacles. He
owns an imposing home and office at 520 ˝ East Commercial street.

Mr. Spandri was married on January 15, 1885, in Springfield, to Eliza
Carmack. She was born in Phelps county, Missouri, on July, 10, 1861, and
is a daughter of William Carmack, a native of Indiana, where he grew up
and married, removing with his family to Phelps county, this state, in an
early day, and there he became a well-to-do farmer. Mrs. Spandri, spent
her girlhood in Phelps county, and she was given the advantages of a good
education.

Two children have been born to our subject and wife, both deceased, they
were named, John, whose birth occurred on December 28, 1886, received a
good education in the Springfield ward and high school and Drury College;
he met an untimely death in a railroad accident on May 15, 1910: he had
married Blanche Morrison, by whom one child was born, Walter J., whose
birth occurred on September 8, 1909. William, our subject's second son,
was born on November 22, 1888, received a good education in the
Springfield schools and died on August 19, 1901. They were both very young
men and their early deaths were much lamented by their family and friends.

Politically Mr. Spandri is a Democrat and he has long taken an active
interest in public affairs. However, has never been an office-seeker.
Fraternally he belongs to the Masonic Order, including the Knights
Templars, the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine.

Mr. Spandri won the Springfield Republican trophy cup in the annual Ozark
motor tour of three hundred miles On June 27th to 29th, inclusive, 1910,
using his favorite car--E. M. F., a make of the Studebaker Company. He
gets a great deal of pleasure and diversion out of motoring. He is a
gentleman of sociable inclinations, obliging, public-spirited and
companionable, which traits, added to his unassuming manner and high sense
of honor, make him popular among a wide acquaintance.




EDWARD A. SPENCER. We are never ready to give up a member of the family or
a close friend. It always seems to us that their lives might be prolonged
indefinitely, but there is no staying the grim Reaper, whose name is Death
when he gets ready to thrust in his sickle and reap, gathering both the
flowers and the bearded grain; he does not heed our pleadings or our
tears, and the only thing that we can do is to summon our fortitude,
suppress our grief and go on with life's every day affairs, not forgetting
the lessons in the lives of those with whom we have been associated on the
journey and now gone on, leaving us behind.

The late Edward A. Spencer was summoned from earthly scenes in the prime
of life, when it seemed that his family needed him, but Fate decreed
otherwise. He was a member of one of the best-known families in the
southern part of Polk county, just over the line from Greene county on the
north, and several of the younger members of this old family have also
made their homes in Springfield for a number of years. Our subject was
born on a farm, near Brighton, Polk county, Missouri, September 1, 1857,
and his life was spent in his native vicinity where he followed general
farming for a livelihood. He grew up on the homestead where he worked when
a boy, and he received his education in the rural schools of his district.
He was a son of Dr. Sebern and Nancy Ann (Tuck) Spencer. The latter was a
native of Tennessee, from which state she came to Polk county, Missouri,
when a child and there spent the rest of her life, dying many years ago.
Dr. Sebern Spencer was a native of North Carolina, and was comparatively
young in years when he made the long overland journey from the old Tar
state to Polk county, Missouri, where he spent the rest of his life
practicing medicine and farming. He was a physician of the old school, was
a self-educated man and rarely gifted by nature for the duties of a family
doctor. He was very successful in his practice and was one of the
best-known physicians among the pioneers in Polk county. He has been
deceased many years. He was three times married, our subject being a child
of his second marriage, which union resulted in the birth of four
children, two sons and two daughters, all living but the subject of this
sketch.

Edward A. Spencer was married, December 31, 1877, to Dallas S. Ruyle, who
was born on a farm near Brighton, Polk county, this state, April 26, 1858,
and there grew to womanhood, and received her education in the common
schools. She is a daughter of Alvis and Susanna (Casey) Ruyle. The Casey
family was well-to-do and was among the pioneers of the vicinity of Ozark,
Missouri. Alvis Ruyle was born, reared and spent his life in the southern
part of Polk county where the Ruyles have been a prominent family for
three-quarters of a century. He was a son of Aaron Ruyle, one of the first
settlers near the town of Brighton, where he became an extensive land
owner and had numerous slaves in the early days before the Civil war.
Alvis Ruyle devoted his life to farming, owning a place two miles west of
Brighton. He has been deceased several years.

Four children were born to Edward A. Spencer and wife namely: Jessie M.,
George S., Ben E., and Grace E., all living at home with their mother.

Politically, Mr. Spencer was a Democrat. He professed faith in Christ
early in life and joined the Baptist church at Slagle, in Polk county, but
later in life inclined toward the belief of the Methodist Episcopal
church, South, however never joining same, although intending to do so
when his last illness overtook him. He suffered intensely for a year but
bore it with true Christian fortitude and never complained, and when he
was summoned to his reward on September 18, 1911, at the age of fifty-five
years, his last words were, "Climb higher, climb higher." He was a man of
jovial disposition, never permitted life's common burdens to weight him
down, as so many do.

After the death of our subject at his home at Brighton, Polk county, his
widow and children removed to Springfield and bought a home on Lyon
street, where they now reside.




GEORGE W. SPENCER. The life record of George W. Spencer, the present
efficient and popular sheriff of Greene county, is one which might be
studied with profit by the youth who stands discouraged and hesitating at
the parting of the ways, for it shows what grit, determination and an
unconquerable will can accomplish despite an unfavorable early environment
and numerous obstacles, for our subject has by his own unaided efforts
forged his way from the bottom rung of the ladder to a position of
importance in the body politic. He has evidently inherited many of the
traits that win in the battle of life from his sterling ancestors of old
Kentucky, from which far-famed country he hails, but has spent the past
quarter of a century in Greene county, and in the growth and development
of which he has been an interested spectator, having had its interests at
heart all the while. He has always been a persistent worker, idleness
never for a moment appealing to him, and while he has tried to keep busy
he has never neglected his duties as a broad-minded citizen. Among his
friends, neighbors and acquaintances, wherever he is known, his word is
considered as good as his bond, and it is a fact worthy of note that he
has never been sued at law on his individual paper, nor had business in
the courts except as a public official. For many years he was one of our
enterprising agriculturists, and in all that goes to make up true
citizenship he occupies a prominent position in the community.

Mr. Spencer was born in Bath county, Kentucky, forty miles east of the
city of Lexington. He is a son of Jack and Mary (Leach) Spencer, both
natives of Kentucky, and they grew to maturity there, were educated in the
common schools and married there and established their home on a farm and
spent their lives in general farming, dying many years ago. They were hard
working, honest, hospitable people, true products of the Blue Grass state.
Politically, Jack Spencer was first a Whig, later a Republican when the
latter party succeeded the former in 1854. During the Civil war he cast
his fortunes with the Union army, in which he enlisted from Bath county,
his native state, and saw four years of active service, which he performed
bravely and creditably. He was twice married, his first wife being Mary
Leach, by whom two children were born, George W., of this sketch, and
Elijah, who has remained in Bath county, Kentucky, where he is engaged in
farming, and he has served two consecutive terms as jailer in his county.

The death of Jack Spencer occurred when his son, George W., was a small
child, soon after the close of the war, and the lad was reared in the home
of an uncle, where he remained until he reached manhood. He spent his
boyhood on the farm, where he worked hard, and he received a limited
education in the public schools of Bath county. He has been twice married,
first, to Elizabeth Montjoy, March 28, 1877; she was a daughter of Jared
and Maggie (Shoult) Montjoy, both natives of Kentucky, where they grew up
and established their home and where their daughter Elizabeth grew to
womanhood and was educated in the common schools. Eight children were born
to Mr. Spencer by his first wife, namely: Claude lives in Dallas county,
Missouri; Mrs. Alice Barron lives in Republic, Missouri; John is farming
near Brookline, Greene county, this state; Mrs. Ava Hutchinson also lives
in that community; Ethel, Ruth, Georgia, are all living at home, and Lilly
is deceased. The mother of the above named children was called to her
eternal rest on April 20, 1905. Mr. Spencer was married on November 9,
1906, to Mattie Cross, who was born at Republic, Missouri, where she grew
to womanhood and was educated in the public schools. She is a daughter of
Henry and Alice (Logan) Cross. The mother was born and reared at Republic,
Missouri, and the father was born in England, coming to this county in an
early day. He was a farmer all his life.

One child has been born to Mr. Spencer and, his second wife, Cleo Spencer,
who is now seven years old.

Mr. Spencer began life for himself in Kentucky by engaging in general
farming, which he followed until he removed to Springfield, Missouri, in
1884, arriving here on April 16th. He worked for some time as a common
laborer on the streets, then worked on a farm for over a year near
Springfield, then rented a farm and followed general farming and stock
raising until he entered the sheriff's office as a deputy in 1902-3, under
Sheriff Milliken, and later also served as deputy under Sheriff Freeman in
1909, and in November, 1912, he was elected sheriff by a majority of six
hundred and fifty-one. He assumed the duties of office January 1, 1913,
and is discharging the same in a manner eminently satisfactory to all
concerned. He is very prompt and faithful in his every duty, is unbiased
and accurate and courageously enforces the law as he sees and understands
it.

Politically, Mr. Spencer is a Democrat and has always been loyal in his
support of the party. Fraternally, he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of
America at Brookline, Missouri. He and his family are members of the
Christian church.




JAMES D. SPENCER. No man is better or, more favorably known in Franklin
township and that section of Greene county than James D. Spencer, now
living in retirement in Springfield, having attained his seventy-fifth
year and certainly entitled to a little respite from life's serious
labors, for his record shows that he has been a man of great industry and
also a man of usefulness to his community. He devoted over a half century
to farming on the same place in Greene county, and for more than three
decades was justice of the peace, one of the most efficient And popular
justices the county has ever had. He is a native Missourian and has been a
good representative citizen of the state all his life.

Mr. Spencer was born in Cape Girardeau county, Missouri, September 20,
1838. He is a son of Andrew and Christina (James) Spencer. The father was
a native of North Carolina, who emigrated to southeastern Missouri in an
early day and located on a farm. His wife's parents died when she was
quite young.

Mr. Spencer grew to manhood on the farm in his native county, amid the
rugged scenes of the early days, and he worked hard when a boy. His
education was somewhat limited, but he improved such opportunities as he
had and studied at night by the light from the open fireplace at home. On
June 3, 1852, at the age of fourteen years, he arrived in Greene county,
Missouri, and settled in Franklin township on a farm which he developed
and kept well improved and here he carried on general farming for a period
of fifty-four years and ranked among the best farmers of the township. He
served the people of Franklin township as justice of the peace for a
period of thirty-two years and it stands to his credit to add that during
that protracted period he never had a decision reversed at the hands of a
higher tribunal. This would indicate that he had a sound knowledge of the
basic principles of the law and that he dealt fairly with all who came
before him to settle their differences, his decisions being unbiased and
satisfactory to all concerned. And his long retention of the office would
also indicate that the people reposed in him the utmost confidence and
held him in the highest esteem.

Mr. Spencer was married in this county on December 5, 1869, to Mary E.
Wallace, who was born near Cave Spring, Missouri, in the northern part of
Greene county, and there reared to womanhood, and was educated in the
common schools, and, although her education was limited, she was studious
and was enabled to teach three terms of subscription school in her
community when a young woman. She is a daughter of Jeptha and Nancy
Wallace, natives of North Carolina from which state they emigrated to
Missouri as early as 1836 and located on a farm in Greene county, and the
Wallace family has been well known in the northern part of the county from
that time to the present. Mrs. Spencer is one of ten children, four sons
and six daughters, five of whom are living. Mr. Spencer is one of six
children, an equal number of sons and daughters, two of whom are living.

During the Civil war Mr. Spencer desired to take an active part, but was
not in proper physical condition. However, he served in the Home Guards
three months. He and his wife retired from active life and moved to
Springfield, January 22, 1907, where they have since resided, owning a
home on North Main street. He has been a loyal supporter of the Republican
party all his life. His wife is a member of the Presbyterian church.

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Spencer has been without issue.




ELMER D. SQUIBB. The people of Bois D'Arc and vicinity point to Elmer D.
Squibb, well-known jeweler and optician, as one of their most valued
citizens, admiring him for his high moral character; for his life among
them since his birth, some four decades ago, may well be likened unto an
open book. That they place implicit confidence in him is evidenced by the
fact that he is regarded as one of the leaders in public affairs and is
now serving them as postmaster. The duties of the various positions of
trust which he has been called upon to fill have been discharged with
credit.

Mr. Squibb was born in Bois D'Arc, Greene county, Missouri, May 11, 1875.
He is a son of Joseph D. and Sarah (Leeper) Squibb. The name began from
the Spanish Esquivel, and passed through France as Esquib, thence to
Reading, Gerkshire, England, as Squibb, thence to Nova Scotia, and from
there to Brooklyn, New York, where Dr. Edward R. Squibb established what
is known today as the oldest chemical laboratory in the world. William P.
Squibb and descendants are at Lawrenceburg, Indiana. John W. Squibb and
descendants are known in Greene county, Tennessee, while James Squibb, the
paternal grandfather of our subject, came and settled in Greene county,
Missouri, in the early forties, where eight sons and one daughter, forty
grandchildren and seventy great-grandchildren survived him in 1914. Joseph
D. Squibb, father of our subject, is today living in Center township,
carrying on general farming, operating about five hundred acres,
practically all of which is under cultivation. He has reached the age of
sixty-four years and is well preserved and can do as much work as ever.

Mrs. Sarah Squibb, mother of our subject, died in November, 1877. She was
a daughter of Andrew Leeper and wife, who were natives of Greene county,
Tennessee, and came into Greene county, Missouri, in the early forties and
were among the first settlers. Here they first established the Leeper
home. They have long since passed over the River of Time.

Elmer D. Squibb grew to manhood in Bois D'Arc and received his education
in the public schools here, later attending for one year the Marionville
Collegiate Institute at Marionville, Lawrence, county, then studied in the
Scarrett College at Neosho, Missouri, one year. From 1892 to 1899 he ran a
drug store and studied pharmacy, passing the state board's examination in
1906. In 1899 he engaged in the grocery business. In 1900 he attended the
Horological school at Omaha, Nebraska, from which he was duly graduated as
a jeweler and optician, and in 1901 established his present store in Bois
D'Arc, which he has since conducted with much success, enjoying a large
business with the surrounding country. He carries a carefully selected
line of jewelry, diamonds, watches, clocks, fobs, chains, bracelets,
lockets, rings, charms, eye glasses, etc., and he has met with pronounced
success as an optician. His repair work is regarded as high-grade.

On December 26, 1902, Mr. Squibb was appointed postmaster at Bois D'Arc
and has since served in this capacity in a manner highly acceptable to the
people and the department. Politically, he is a Republican, and has been
very active in political affairs for some time. He served one term as
constable of his township and in 1912 made the race for treasurer, but
went down in the general defeat of his party. He was township committee
man from 1902 to 1908. Fraternally, he belongs to Lodge No. 449, Ancient
Free and Accepted Masons, and has been worshipful master for about eight
years; he belongs to Ash Grove Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, and Zebud
Council of Royal and Select Masters, of Springfield; he is also a member
of Ash Grove Lodge No. 422, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Woodmen
of the World, of which he has been secretary for four years, and is also a
member of the Woodmen of the World Circle. He and his wife are members of
the Methodist Episcopal church.

Mr. Squibb was married, May 11, 1898 to Maude M. Frame, who was born,
April 18, 1879. She is a daughter of J. W. and Delilah (Jones) Frame. Her
father was born September 28, 1855, and her mother was born, February 12,
1852; the latter's death occurred March 1, 1883. Mrs. Squibb is a member
of the Order of Eastern Star, Ash Grove Chapter, No. 109. She is deputy
postmaster at Bois D'Are. She is one of three children by her father's
first marriage: Homer, G., Who is a practicing physician at Cave Spring;
Mrs. Squibb was next in order of birth, and Rosalee, who married Walter E.
Baker, a merchant of Bois D'Arc. Mrs. Squibb received her education in the
public schools in Bois D'Arc and is a graduate of Omaha Optical Institute,
Omaha, Nebraska.




JAMES CALEB SQUIBB. "I didn't begin with asking, I took the job and stuck;
And I took the chance they wouldn't and now they're calling it luck."

Thus wrote, Rudyard Kipling of a man who pronounced success in life by his
own efforts, advancing himself from an humble environment, refusing to
permit discouraging circumstances to down him, until he won the goal
sought. The great poet might just as well have had in mind James Caleb
Squibb, for many years a successful druggist of Springfield. He came up
from the soil, won a large measure of success unaided and also made a good
citizen.

Mr. Squibb was born in Greene county, Missouri, July 29, 1861. He is a son
of Caleb and Elizabeth (Wallace) Squibb, both natives of Tennessee, where
they grew to maturity, received such educational advantages as the
old-time schools offered, and were married in their native state, and from
there emigrated to Missouri, locating in Greene county, where they spent
the rest of their lives in farming. They came here in the days before the
great Civil war and experienced the stirring times here during the
struggle. They worked hard and had a good farm and comfortable home and
were well and favorably known. The death of Mr. Squibb occurred in August,
1861; his widow is still living in this county, having thus survived her
husband fifty-four years, and has reached an advanced age. They were the
parents of two children; James Caleb, of this review; and Prior Lee, who
is living on a farm in Greene county.

The subject of this sketch spent his boyhood days on the farm with his
parents, where he worked hard and remained until he was nineteen years of
age, when he came to Springfield and attended the common schools, later
entered the Marionville Collegiate Institute, at Marionville, Missouri,
where he took a general course. Leaving college at the age of twenty-two
years, he went to St. Louis and took a course in a business college and
afterwards studied pharmacy and went into the drug business in
Springfield, and continued the same, owning his own store until 1913, when
he sold out and has since been living practically retired, merely looking
after his private property. He made a pronounced success as a druggist and
always enjoyed a good trade and carried a large stock of drugs and drug
sundries, and dealt fairly and courteously with his many regular customers
and transients alike. He has a fine home on North Jefferson street.

Mr. Squibb was married on November 19, 1883, to Nora Massey, who was born,
reared and educated in Greene county. She is a daughter of Nathaniel J.
and Mary Catherine (Bass) Massey, both natives of Missouri, who located in
Greene county in an early day and established the permanent home of the
family. Mr. Massey was a successful farmer and stock trader and a
public-spirited, self-made man. During the Civil war he was a government
contractor, furnishing stock and general supplies to the army. In politics
he was a Democrat and a Union man. His father, James Massey, was probably
born in the green isle of Erin, but crossed the Atlantic when young and
settled in Tennessee. Later he moved to Greene county, Missouri, and
located a few miles east of Springfield, where he became the owner of a
good farm. There his death occurred during the Civil war. He was twice
married and was the father of twenty-two children. His last wife, who died
on February 15, 1894, married Allen Gentry, of Stone county. Theophalus
Bass, Mrs. Squibb's grandfather, was the first representative to the
Legislature from Taney county, and died during his incumbency and was
buried in Jefferson City. Nathaniel J. Bass was born in Tennessee, about
1815, and died in 1868. His second wife, mother of Mrs. Squibb, was born
in Taney county, Missouri, and died about forty years ago in Springfield
She was born during the later forties, was reared and educated in Boone
county, Missouri, having attended Howard Female College. Our subject's
wife was one of two children, she being the eldest; her sister, Effie, was
born in February, 1868, married Oscar Headley, and they live in Los
Angeles, California. Mrs. Squibb's great-grandfather, John D. Shannon,
came from Tennessee and settled in Greene county, Missouri, in the
forties. He was the first representative from Greene county to the
Legislature, and he was the first sheriff that ever held office in
southwestern Missouri. Mrs. Squibb, when young, went to live with an aunt
in Troy, Doniphan county, Kansas, and there she received her education, in
part, finishing in the Marionville Collegiate Institute. She taught school
in Stone county for a while before her marriage.

To Mr. and Mrs. Squibb ten children were born, named as follows: Lillard,
born on December 1, 1885, died on January 16, 1889; Harry W., born on
January 10, 1887; James Lee, born on July 28, 1889; Mildred E., born on
August 27, 1892; Effie H., born on January 22, 1895; Ernest R., born on
March 18, 1897; John W., born on March 4, 1900; Lenora Glenn, born on June
3, 1903; Sylvia L., born on October 25, 1905; Sanford S., born on June 22,
1908.

Politically, Mr. Squibb is a Democrat. He is a member of the Travelers'
Protective Association of America, and of the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows. He and his family belong to St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal
church, South.




S. R. STAFFORD. It is a pleasure to write the biography of a man of
unusual personal merit--the possessor of a combination of gifts so
comprehensive that happiness and success in any enterprise is bound to
follow the application of his qualities to the solution of almost any
reasonable problem in life. The career of S. R. Stafford, veteran of the
Civil war, a pioneer and for a long period a farmer, stock man, miller and
merchant of this section of the Ozarks, would indicate that he is the
possessor of those characteristics that make for success in almost any
walk of life, and it also shows that he has not used these traits entirely
for self aggrandizement, but that he has been a public-spirited and
helpful citizen, doing what he could all along the line to promote the
general welfare of the various communities in which he has resided.

Mr. Stafford was born in Dallas county, Missouri, November 6, 1843, the
son of a pioneer family. He grew to manhood in Dallas county, and when a
boy assisted his father with the general work about the farm and
blacksmith shop, attending the rural schools in the winter time. When a
young man he began life for himself by trading and handling cattle and
other live stock. He made several trips to California and back in the
early days, taking cattle to the Western markets. When the Civil war came
on he existed in the Federal army, serving very creditably for three years
as a member of the Twenty-fourth Volunteer Infantry. He participated in
numerous battles and skirmishes, including Wilson's Creek, Pea Ridge, Lone
Jack and Springfield. He was honorably discharged, and soon thereafter
began farming in Webster county, later working in a flouring mill, finally
becoming owner of a good mill there; later he engaged in general
merchandising at Hurley, Stone county, Missouri. Having accumulated a
competency for his old age he retired from active life some time ago and
is now making his home at Eureka Springs, Arkansas.

On March 8, 1865, he was married in Webster county to Anna Elizabeth
Turner, the daughter of an old Webster county family. To our subject and
wife the following children were born, namely: John C. is engaged farming
near Green Forest, Arkansas; William D., deceased; Viola is the wife of L.
A. Logan and they live in Hurley, Missouri; Bertha is teaching in the
Pickwick school in Springfield; Adella is the wife of R. W. Swart and they
live at Crane, Missouri; Bessie is the wife of E. M. Fite and they reside
at Marionville, this state; Arch lives at Hurley, Missouri.

Bertha Stafford, mentioned above, and to whom we are indebted for this
biographical data, was given good educational advantages, which she made
the most of, being ambitious to do something worth while in the world.
After completing the work in the common schools at Marionville, Lawrence
county, she specialized in kindergarten work, after which she taught in
the Marionville schools for a period of twelve years, then engaged in
general merchandising for one year, but finding teaching more to her
liking she came to Springfield and began teaching in the primary
department of the McDaniel school, later being transferred to the Pickwick
school as principal of the primary department, where she has since
remained; she is giving eminent satisfaction. As a teacher she has kept
well abreast of the times in her line and is alert, painstaking, energetic
and sets a commendable example before her pupils. She is an active member
of the First Baptist church of Springfield and is superintendent of the
junior department in the Sunday school. She is a lady of pleasing
personality and has made many friends since coming to Springfield.




STAHL BROTHERS. The firm of Stahl Brothers, horseshoers and general
blacksmiths at 218-220-222 West Pacific street, Springfield, is one of the
most widely known and popular of its kind in Greene county and special
mention of the success of these young men in this, one of the oldest and
at the same time one of the most important and indispensable of the
trades, should be noted in a work of the nature of the one in hand. They
believe in employing progressive methods in their work and maintain a
modernly equipped shop, where high-grade work is promptly done, and their
customers come from over a wide territory adjacent to Springfield.

William F. Stahl, senior member of the firm, was born on September 26,
1878, in Sullivan, Franklin county, Missouri. He is a son of Julius and
Louise (Rauch) Stahl, both natives of the state of New York and of German
descent, but they were reared in St. Louis, and they are now living in
Springfield. The father is a contractor in concrete work and is one of the
well-known men in his line in this locality, having lived here twenty-six
years, removing at that time from Lebanon, Laclede county, Missouri. To
Julius Stahl and wife five children were born, all still living, namely:
William F., Ernest A., Charles H., Julius A., and Paul W.

William F. Stahl received a common school education and when he began life
for himself it was in the brick business, later was with his father in the
concrete business, finally learning the blacksmith's trade, having
commenced working at the age of eighteen for a blacksmith on Commercial
street, Springfield. He then went to Watrous, New Mexico, and went into
business as a blacksmith for himself, and later established a shop at
Canyon City, Colorado, where he remained until 1906, when he returned to
Springfield and continued his business in partnership with L. L. Calk at
the corner of Campbell and Pacific streets, later purchased one-half
interest in the firm of Stryker & Morgan, buying out Mr. Morgan. Then our
subject's brother, Charles H. Stahl, bought a one-third interest in the
business, the firm name changing to Stryker & Stahl Bros. The latter
purchased Mr. Stryker's interest in 1908 and have since conducted the
business under the firm name of Stahl Bros., at the present location, and
have built up a large and constantly increasing business and enjoy a
reputation for honest and excellent work as horse shoers and general
blacksmiths. They began in a modest way, starting with a small shop, but
in 1912 it was necessary for them to add two new buildings, and they are
now occupying a large, well-arranged and substantial two-story brick
structure and are the leading blacksmiths on the north side of the city
and equal to any in Greene and adjoining counties. Beside themselves they
require seven skilled assistants.

William F. Stahl was married on August 7, 1908, to Bessie Sanders, who was
born in Mountain Grove, Missouri, and is a daughter of William Sanders and
wife. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Stahl has been without issue.

Politically, he is a Democrat. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen and the
Eagles, having been treasurer of the latter lodge for the past six years,
is also treasurer of the Fraternal Aid, of which he has been a member for
a number of years. He is a member of the Germania Club and the German
Brotherhood.

Charles H. Stahl, junior member of the firm, was born on October 11, 1883,
in Lebanon, Missouri, and received his education in the common schools in
Springfield and when a boy began learning the blacksmith's trade and has
since followed this vocation in Springfield. In his earlier career he
worked for some time in the shop of L. L. Calk. He has remained unmarried.
Politically, he is a Democrat. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen and the
Eagles, the Germania Club and the German Brotherhood. Both these young men
stand well in the circles and clubs in which they move.




WELDON E. STALEY. The country has many advantages over the city. Likewise,
it has its disadvantages, and one of the greatest of its disadvantages is
the lack of opportunity to gain a competence within a reasonable period of
time. Many farmers have grown rich through increased valuation of their
land; others have become well-to-do through carefully husbanding their
resources, rigid and economical living and good business ability, ofttimes
combined with favorable seasons for their principal product. It seems
something of a pity that the farmer is not responsible for considerable of
the increase in the high cost of living. He should be getting more of the
high prices which the city people are paying for their produce than he is,
because he is justly entitled to it. It costs too much for the farmer to
market his stuff. Transportation charges are too high. The middleman's
profits are excessive and there is not sufficient security for the farmer
to insure him a just and honest return from all commission dealers.
Nevertheless to the honest, pushing, hard-working and enterprising farmer
is due the prosperity, wealth and advancement of any community, and to
their zeal, energy and integrity will its future prosperity be indebted,
as it has been in the past. . Among the names that have long been
prominent in agricultural circles in the northern part of Greene county is
that of Weldon E. Staley, of Cass township.

Mr. Staley hails from below the Mason and Dixon line, being a
representative of a sterling old Southern family, and his birth occurred
near Raleigh, North Carolina, July 9, 1840. He is therefore nearly to the
mile-post marking three-quarters of a century. He is a son of Alfred
Staley, who was born in North Carolina, June 2, 1811, in which state he
grew to manhood and received a good education for those early days. He
devoted his active life to general farming in which he met with more than
ordinary success. In an early day he removed with his family to Clinton
county, Missouri, making the long, tedious overland journey in wagons, in
typical pioneer fashion. After spending two years in that county he came
to Cave Spring, Greene county, this state and established the future home
of the family, and there also established a general merchandise store. He
built up a large trade among the early settlers, notwithstanding the fact
that the country round about was sparsely settled, but many of his
customers came long distances from settlements in the northern part of
this and the southern part of Polk county. He remained a merchant there
until his death, which occurred on December 16, 1853. His wife, Lucina
Brower, was born in North Carolina, in which state she was reared,
educated in the subscription schools, and there they were married on
February 12, 1835. To their union nine children were born, three of whom
died in infancy, the others being named as follows: Caroline married James
Van Bibber, of Greene county, Missouri; William B. is a retired farmer,
living in Texas; Weldon E. of this sketch; John C. died at Cave Spring
many years ago; Sanders, who was at one time a judge of the Greene County
Court, lives in Springfield; Lula, who. married Doctor Coltrane, is living
in Springfield.

Weldon E. Staley was young in years when his parents brought him from
North Carolina to Missouri. He received a common school education in
Greene county, and assisted his father in the store at Cave Spring until
he was about twenty-one years of age. He and his brother operated the
store for many years after which he removed to the farm, although he had
been very successful in the merchandise business. In 1860 he purchased his
present fine farm in Cass township, and in 1861 removed to it, thus he has
been a resident on one farm for the unusual period of fifty-four years.
Doubtless very few farmers of this county have lived on their farms during
a period of such a length of time. His, place consists of two hundred and
sixty acres, which he has developed very largely from a wild state,
bringing it up to a high standard of improvement and cultivation through
close application and good management. He has carried on general farming
and stock raising on an extensive scale and has a good home in the midst
of pleasant surroundings. During the Civil war he was a member of a
militia regiment, but did not see much active service.

Mr. Staley married Angeline Evans, January 23, 1861. She is a. daughter of
Joseph Evans, one of the old settlers in this part of Greene county, the
Evanses having been among the best known and most highly respected
families of this locality for several generations. Here Mrs. Staley spent
her girlhood and attended school. Mrs. Staley died, December 20, 1903.

Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Staley, one of whom died in
infancy; the others were named as follows: William Walter, Molly is the
wife of Tom Watkins, and they reside in Springfield; Mrs. Dolly Roberts
lives in Greene county; Fannie is the wife of W. E. Thompson and they live
in Cass township; Horace lives in Carthage, Missouri; Joe lives on the
farm with his father; Kate is living at home; Bunch is engaged in, farming
a short distance west of the homestead; Juanita is the wife of George
Haun, and they live on a farm south of Springfield.

Politically, Mr. Staley is a Democrat, and while he has ever been loyal in
his support of the party and a public-spirited man, he has never sought
public office or political leadership, being content to devote his
attention exclusively to his home and his farm. Like the rest of the
Staleys, his reputation in all the relations of life has been that of a
plain, honest and helpful citizen, deserving of the high esteem in which
he is held by wide acquaintance.




GODFREY C. STANCILL. It matters little what vocation a man may select as
his life occupation as long as it is an honorable one. If he is an honest,
upright man, courteous in his intercourse with his fellow men, and
possessed of the average amount of energy and business sagacity, he is
bound to make his business a financial success. The late Godfrey C.
Stancill possessed all the above mentioned requirements, and was for many
years a prosperous merchant of Springfield. In his earlier career he
operated a plantation in the South with equal success. He was one of the
gallant veterans of the Confederacy, and was always loyal to his native
Dixie land.

Mr. Stancill was born in North Carolina, one of the strongest of the
Confederate states, having first opened his eyes on the light of day on
April 27, 1837. He was a son of Caswell and Rebecca A. (Anderson)
Stancill, both parents also natives of North Carolina, the mother having
been a daughter of Col. Rule Anderson of that state, and there these
parents grew to maturity and married and established their home, but in
1839, when the subject of this memoir was two years old, they removed from
the old Tar state to Mississippi, locating on a plantation where the
parents spent the remainder of their lives. Caswell Stancill entered land
from the government there, and developed it, finally owning a valuable
plantation of several thousand acres, and was a prominent citizen in his
community. His family consisted of five children, three of whom survive at
this writing.

Godfrey C. Stancill grew to manhood on his father's plantation and he
assisted with the general work on the same when a boy. He was given
excellent educational advantages for that time and was a well informed
man, naturally keen intellectually and of sound judgment. He was still in
school when the war between the states began and he unhesitatingly
enlisted in 1861 in Company I, Mississippi Volunteer Infantry, under
Captain Humphries, and this regiment was finally a part of General
Longstreet's division, Confederate army and saw much hard service,
Participating in many important engagements. Mr. Stancill was seriously
wounded in the great battle of the Wilderness, and was not in the service
after that. He returned to the home plantation after the close of the war
and carried on general farming, which he enjoyed, for a number of years,
or until he removed to Springfield, Missouri. Here he went into the
grocery business on Boonville street, later on Cherry street, and enjoyed
a good business, always carrying a well selected stock of staple and fancy
groceries and dealing honestly and courteously with his many customers. He
spent the latter part of his life in retirement, having given up the store
about nine years before his death.

Mr. Stancill was married twice, first, to Mrs. Amanda Cox, who died
without issue. On September 26, 1899, he married, in Springfield, Ellen V.
Potterfield, who was born in St. Louis county, Missouri, December 13,
1839. She grew to womanhood in her native community and received a good
education in the city schools of St. Louis, and she followed teaching in
that city for a period of fifteen years. She is a daughter of Daniel and
Eliza (Garrett) Potterfield, both natives of Virginia in which state they
spent their earlier years, finally removing to St. Louis county, Missouri,
where they spent their last years, Mr. Potterfield engaging in mercantile
pursuits during his active life.

Politically, Mr. Stancill was a Democrat, but was never a public man,
giving his time exclusively to his business and to his home. He was a
worthy member of the Christian church. He always took a great deal of
interest in the affairs of the United Confederate Veterans.

The death of Mr. Stancill occurred at the family home on Cherry street,
Springfield, where his widow still resides, January 6, 1912, when past
seventy-five years of age. He was a man of polished Southern manners,
neighborly, kind hearted in every way a true gentleman.




JOHN A. STEINERT. A farmer when he has raised his crop has performed only
half his duty; the other half is selling, which determines his profit for
the year's work. It is just as important for the agricultural producer to
know what the markets are as it is for the lumberman, the coal and ore
producers, or the manufacturer to know what his goods are worth in the
market and what competition he must meet in his selling. In some places it
has been found possible to organize farming territories into zones of
distribution and to control the output in such a way as to prevent
congestion and wasteful prices by overcrowding the markets and in other
ways. It stands to reason that such associations have unlimited power
compared to the individual. One of the farmers of Wilson township, Greene
county, who is not only a man who knows how to make his land produce well,
but how to find ready markets for his varied products, is John A.
Steinert.

Mr. Steinert was born in Stone county, Missouri, January 28, 1876. He is a
son of Charles A. and Mattie (Cantrell) Steinert, the father a native of
Germany and the mother was born in Dade county, Missouri. Charles A.
Steinert spent his boyhood in his native land, immigrating to America when
sixteen years of age. After spending a short time in New York he came on
to Dade county, Missouri, where he was married and later located in Stone
county, where he engaged in general farming, owning one hundred and sixty
acres. His family consisted of four children, namely: Thomas lives in
Greene county; Tinie is the wife of Silas Price and they live in Stone
county; William L. lives in Greene county, and John A., of this sketch.
The parents of these children are both deceased.

John A. Steinert grew to manhood on the home farm in Stone county, and
received a limited education in the district schools. When fifteen years
of age he went to work for Lewis Hendrix, a farmer, with whom he remained
four years, then hired to a Mr. Cox for a year, then worked for John Inman
on his farm for a period of twelve years. He saved his money and finally
purchased the old Yarbrough farm in Wilson township. It consists of one
hundred and twenty acres, and he has placed it under excellent
improvements and a fine state of cultivation. On it may be seen a good
home and numerous outbuildings. The place is free from all indebtedness.
The prosperity that has attended Mr. Steinert's efforts has been well
deserved. He is a hard worker and takes a delight in general farming and
stock raising.

On March 24, 1897, Mr. Steinert was married to Rosie Yarbrough, a native
of Greene county, where she grew to womanhood and was educated. She is a
daughter of Jerome B. Yarbrough, who was a well-known citizen of this
county. He was a veteran of the Civil war. He served four years as a
member of Company B, Twenty-fourth Missouri Volunteer Infantry, was a
brave and faithful soldier and rose to the rank of first lieutenant. He
served two terms as deputy sheriff of Greene county. Mr. Yarbrough has
been deceased for several years.

To Mr. and Mrs. Steinert four children were born, named as follows: Mamie
is attending the State Normal school at Springfield; Edreal, Sylvia and
Paul are all at home and are studying agriculture.

Politically, Mr. Steinert is a Democrat in national affairs, but often
votes independently in local elections. His wife is a member of the
Christian church.




WILLIAM M. STEPHENS. Among the old and honored families of Springfield was
the Stephenses, who cast their lot here nearly seventy years ago when this
was a mere village on the frontier and the country round about practically
a wilderness, only an improved place here and there, and from that remote
day to the present, members of this family have played no inconspicuous
role in the local drama of civilization, having led upright and helpful
lives, assisting in the general development of the community in every way
practicable. One of the best known of the family is William H. Stephens,
who has been content to spend his life in his native locality, forty years
of which have been spent in the piano business, during which time he has
become widely known in his special vocation.

Mr. Stephens was born in Springfield, Missouri, September 22, 1848. He is
a son of John A. and Pamelia C. Stephens, and is one of a family of six
children, four of whom survive at this writing. John A Stephens was born
in Ohio. He received a good education and was graduated from Princeton
College in Kentucky. He removed to Springfield, Missouri, in 1845. He
taught school for some time, was a civil engineer of ability, but he
devoted most of his active life to mercantile pursuits, operating a drug
store, hardware store and dry goods store. He was a good business man and
had rare mental gifts; was an honest and industrious man, and did much
toward the early development of this city. During the Civil war he joined
the home guards, and met death by accident, in 1862, being killed by his
own men, who mistook him for one of the enemy. His wife was a native of
Henderson, Kentucky, and they were married in that state.

William M. Stephens, oldest of the children, was reared in his native city
and educated here. During the Civil war he was in the employ of the
government, then worked in the local post office four years, then worked
in the office of the circuit clerk, then turned his attention to the piano
business, which he has continued to the present time, a period of forty
years, during which he sold pianos and employed a piano salesman for
several years, and he has also been regarded as an expert piano tuner; in
fact, being musically inclined, mastered the various phases of this
business in a few years, and has long been one of the best known piano men
in southwest Missouri.

Mr. Stephens was married on September 22, 1870, to Eva C. Sawyer, a
daughter of Thomas L. Sawyer, a school teacher, whose family consisted of
five children.

To Mr. and Mrs. Stephens seven children have born, namely; George A. died
at the age of thirty-eight years; Maud married Dr. A. P. Evans; they
reside in Concord, New Hampshire, and have one child; William A. died at
the age of twenty-eight years, leaving a widow; Margaret married H. A.
Thompson, a merchant of Beatrice, Nebraska, and they have one daughter and
one son; Laura is married and lives in Beatrice, Nebraska, and has one
child; two children died in infancy.

Politically, Mr. Stephens is a Democrat, and, while never active in
politics, has always been loyal in his support of the party. He attends
the Christian Science church.




RUDOLPH STEURY. It does not take one of a contemplative turn of mind long
to determine why those who come from the fine little Republic of
Switzerland and settle on American soil always prosper. It is due to many
causes, but largely to the fact that they have inherited qualities of
grit, determination, industry and economy and partly because they have
been reared under laws similar to our own, Thus we find them to be, almost
without exception, excellent and law-abiding citizens, loyal to our flag
and institutions, and home builders and willing to help better the general
public conditions of their locality. One such is Rudolph Steury, a farmer
of Wilson township, Greene county.

Mr. Steury was born n Switzerland, November 23, 1851. He is a son of Peter
and Barbara Steury, also natives of that country, where they grew to
maturity, were educated in the common schools, married and settled on a
farm near Interlacken, and there they continued husbandry until 1872, when
the family immigrated to the United States. To these parents seven
children were born, all surviving but one and living in the United States,
namely: Peter resides at Ozark, Christian county, Missouri; John lives in
Greene county; Barbara is deceased; Rudolph, of this sketch; Mrs. Maggie
Koenig lives in Nebraska; Mrs. Elizabeth Decker, of Springfield; Mrs. Anna
Knelle is a resident of Kansas City. These children grew up on the farm
and received common school advantages.

Rudolph Steury spent his boyhood days on the farm in Switzerland, where it
was necessary for him to work hard most of the year, assisting in
supporting the family. During the winter months he attended the common
schools of his community and got a limited education. When seventeen years
of age he went to the French locality in his native land, known as Canton
Wadt, and remained there until he was about twenty years of age, then
returned home, but in March, 1871, went to Thun, Switzerland, where he
worked until the summer of 1872, when he accompanied the rest of the
family to America. They came straight to Greene county, Missouri, and
settled on a farm, which is now occupied by our subject. Here the father
purchased eighty acres of which he made a good farm and lived comfortably
until his death, which occurred in 1904. The mother preceded him to the
grave in 1900. Our subject had purchased land adjoining the home place
prior to the death of the father, and after that occurred he took over the
homestead. He has kept the place well improved and well cultivated, the
residence and other buildings properly remodeled land he has a valuable
and desirable farm, carrying on general farming and stock raising.

Mr. Steury was married March 12, 1878, to Emma Fassnacht, a daughter of
Conrad and Christina (Haas) Fassnacht, both now deceased. She was born in
Michigan, in the year 1860, and spent the early part of her girlhood in
that state. She received her education in the public schools here, having
been about eight years old when her parents brought her to Greene county,
Missouri, the family locating on a farm, on which the parents spent the
rest of their lives. Three children were born to them, namely; Edward, who
lives in Campbell township, this county; Emma, wife of our subject; and
John who is a resident of Campbell township.

Eight children have been born to our subject and wife, named as follows:
Will R., John E., Anna L. is deceased; Mrs. Emma McComis, Minnie M. is at
home, Frank is at home, Christina is deceased, and Edward is with his
parents.

Mr. Steury is a member of the Lutheran Protestant church, and his wife is
a Catholic.




WILLIAM ROY STEWART. Greene county has been especially fortunate in the
character of her pioneers, who, save in rare instances, possessed the
pluck, fortitude and sound judgment of the true Anglo Saxon--that race
which appears to delight in difficulties, because thereby an opportunity
is afforded to conquer them. The founders of this country were brave,
strong-armed, far-seeing, law-abiding citizens, patriotic and true to
their native land, and conscientious in the discharge of their every duty
toward their fellow men. Such was the Stewart family, who emigrated from
the old Blue Grass state to Greene county, Missouri, fifty-four years ago,
and have proven to be among our substantial citizens from that remote day,
over a half century ago, to the present time. One of the best known of the
present generation is William Roy Stewart, who, although a young man,
holds the responsible position of yard-master at Springfield for the
Frisco railroad.

Mr. Stewart was born in this city on January 31, 1883. He is a son of John
W. Stewart, who was born in Kentucky, near the old city of Lexington, and
from there he came to Greene county, Missouri, in 1861, and has since
resided here, living now on College street. After attending the schools he
began his railroad career, in 1880, as brakeman for the Frisco, becoming
conductor in 1881, and he continued in this capacity until 1908, or a
period of twenty-seven years, during which time he was one of the best
known conductors on the system, and that his work was, highly satisfactory
in every respect is indicated by his long service. In 1908 he quit the
road and entered the yard service of the Frisco as switchman in
Springfield, which position he has held ever since. Politically, he is a
Republican. He belongs to the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, the
Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine and the Knights
Templars; also the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Order of
Railway Conductors, and to the Methodist Episcopal church.

John W. Stewart married Emma Kite, whose death occurred in December, 1905,
at the age of forty-three years, and she was buried Maple Park cemetery.
Three children were born to these parents, namely: W. Roy, of this sketch;
Walter, who was in the employ of the road, and was killed in 19l3 by a
locomotive; Guy D. died in infancy.

A. Dudley Stewart, paternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch,
spent his earlier days in Kentucky, removing with his family to
Springfield, Missouri, about the commencement of the Civil war. He has
devoted his active life to railroad service, and for many years worked as
carpenter and car repairer in the North Side Frisco shops. He is still
living at the advanced e of eighty years, making his home on North
Jefferson street, this city.

William Roy Stewart moved with his parents from Springfield to Denison,
Texas, when a child and there spent his boyhood and received his education
in the public schools, but left the school room when only fourteen years
of age to begin his railroad career, his first work being that of night
baggage agent at Joplin, Missouri, in 1899, for the Frisco. In 1900 he
began braking out of Monett and in 1902 was promoted to conductor, his run
being between Sapulpa, Oklahoma, and Sherman, Texas, also ran out of
Monett, Missouri, as conductor. He resigned this position in the spring of
1905 and in the fall of that year went to work as switchman in the
Springfield yards, and in the same year was promoted to the position of
yardmaster, which position he has held to the present time, having
twenty-five hands under his direction. In all capacities in which he has
worked for the Frisco he has given eminent satisfaction. He has charge of
the work in the yards at the passenger station.

Mr. Stewart was married in 1904 to Kate Crow, a daughter of James Crow, a
native of Louisiana. To this union one child has been born, Belva Stewart,
now ten years old and attending school.

Politically, Mr. Stewart is a Republican. He belongs to the Order f
Railway Conductors, holding the office of assistant chief conductor in e
local lodge. He is president of the local Switchmen's Union. He belongs to
Solomon Lodge No. 271, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. He also a member
of the Methodist Episcopal church.




MURRAY C. STONE, M. D. It has not been so very long ago when a doctor was
supposed to do a little of everything when it came to looking after
humanity as to its general physical improvement. Any one whom the medical
schools graduated, and even many who never attended a medical school, were
called upon in all kinds of physical needs, to dispense medicine for all
the ailments to which flesh is heir, to look after all kinds of surgical
operations, etc., in short, the family physician was general doctor,
druggist, chemist, dentist, bacteriologist, and several other things. But
that has all changed. Now we have departments in medical science and
specialists in all departments. The field is so vast that the man who
attempts to master all phases of this science only gets a smattering
knowledge and is never capable of effective work in any. One of the
younger doctors of Springfield, who has specialized in a very important
line, is Dr. Murray C. Stone, pathologist and a most scientific and
capable man in his line.

Doctor Stone hails from New England, having been born in the state of
Massachusetts, April 22, 1880. He is of English and Welsh ancestry, and is
a son of Charles P. and Ella L. (Aldrich) Stone. The father was born in
Massachusetts in 1847, and the mother, who was a native of New Hampshire,
is still residing in Massachusetts, being now sixty-three years of age.
These parents grew to maturity in New England, were educated and married
there, and established their future home in Massachusetts, where Mr. Stone
devoted his active life to the work of an expert mechanic, working many
years as engineer for the Brown Engine Company. His death occurred in
1905. He was a son of Fordyce Stone, a native of Massachusetts, he having
been a son of Windsor Stone. Thus the record shows this to be one of our
oldest Eastern families.

Dr. Murray C. Stone grew to manhood in his native state and there received
his education, first attending the public schools, later taking the course
in the medical department of Harvard University, Cambridge, from which
historic institution he was graduated with the degree of Doctor of
Medicine, with the class of 1903, and in that year he began the practice
of his profession at Fitchburg, Massachusetts, where he remained, enjoying
a good general practice until 1910, when he came West, locating in Kansas
City. After remaining there eighteen months, he went to Jefferson City,
spending two years at the Missouri capital, then, in October, 1914, took
up his residence in Springfield, where he intends making his future home.
He has devoted many years to a special study of pathology and in due
course of time became an expert analyst. Before leaving Fitchburg, his
native state, he was pathologist at the Burbank hospital, and while in
Kansas City he held the same position at the general hospital; while in
Jefferson City he was the official state bacteriologist, giving eminent
satisfaction in all these important trusts. He is now making a specialty
of clinical pathology. He has become well established in his work here,
and maintains a well equipped and modem laboratory in the Woodruff
building, Springfield. His patrons are the leading physicians of this and
other cities of southwestern Missouri.

Doctor Stone was married in 1906, at Fitchburg, Massachusetts, to Eleanor
M. Taft, a daughter of Benjamin Taft, a leading citizen of that city.
There Mrs. Stone grew to womanhood and was graduated from the Fitchburg
State Normal. The union of the Doctor and wife has resulted in the birth
of two children, namely: Edward W., born in Fitchburg, September 29, 1907;
and Windsor, whose birth occurred in that city on October 12, 1908; they
are both attending school at this writing.

Politically, Doctor Stone votes independently. In religious matters he is
a Presbyterian. He is a member of the Greene County Medical Society, the
Missouri State Medical Association, the American Medical Association and
the American Public Health Association. Personally, he is a plain,
practical, sociable gentleman and has made many friends during his short
residence in Springfield.




JAMES A. STOUGHTON. One of the successful and influential men of affairs
of Springfield of a past generation was the late James A. Stoughton, who,
having inherited many of the sterling qualities of his New England
ancestors, fought his way to the front, notwithstanding an unpromising
early environment, and he proved himself to be a man of keen business
discernment and sound judgment. He had great faith in the future of
Springfield and at his death the city sustained the loss of a citizen of
sterling worth and one closely identified with her upbuilding and material
advancement. He was eminently a business man and from the inception of his
career he was uniformly successful. Endowed by nature with a keen
analytical mind and an indomitable will he overcome all obstacles and
carried through to a successful conclusion the many varied enterprises
with which he was connected during his long career.

Mr. Stoughton was born in Vermont, May 26, 1834. He was a son of. James A.
Stoughton, who was reared and educated in New England, and engaged in
farming in Vermont, spending his life there.

James A. Stoughton grew to manhood on the home farm in his native state,
and there he assisted with the general work during the crop season and he
received his education in the district schools of his community, which,
however, was none too extensive, but this lack was later supplied by
contact with the business world and by wide home reading. At the age of
twenty years he left Vermont and made the long journey to Texas, where he
was engaged in the cattle business for a period of eight years and thereby
got an excellent start in life. Leaving the Lone Star state he came to
Springfield, Missouri, in 1867 and engaged in the livery business, which
he successfully conducted for about twelve years, meantime becoming
interested in other lines, and these, assuming large proportions caused
him to abandon the livery business and devote his attention to other
channels of activity. Soon after locating here he evinced his faith in
what was at that time known as North Springfield, now a part of the city
proper and known merely as the "north side," and he unwaveringly
maintained his loyalty to that part of the city. He acquired much real
estate in that portion of the city and was one of the chief factors in its
upbuilding. Perhaps no man was a more potent factor in the development of
that section of the city. The question of transportation between the two
divisions of Springfield was quickly grasped by him and he in conjunction
with R. L. McElhaney and H. F. Fellows, built the first railroad at
Springfield, a single track, horse-car line, from Commercial street to the
public square. While but a crude affair it was a paying venture, and was
the nucleus of the present electric system, of which Mr. Stoughton was a
director and heavy stockholder at the time of his death. A reserved man,
with few confidants, his connection with various enterprises was not
generally known. He was vice-president and director of the Bank of
Springfield, of which he was one of the founders, and its pronounced
success was due in no small measure to his wise counsel and able
management. He owned considerable valuable real estate, including one of
the finest business blocks on Commercial street, which he had built
himself.

Mr. Stoughton was married January 14, 1875, to Elizabeth Adams, who was
born in Louisville, Kentucky, June 20, 1857. She is a daughter of Spencer
and Patience (Phipps) Adams, both natives of Kentucky and both descendants
of fine old families of the Blue Grass state. Mr. Adams devoted his life
successfully to agricultural pursuits. During the Civil war he cast his
fortunes with the government and served three years in the Union army,
proving to be a brave and gallant soldier, and took part in a number of
important campaigns and battles. He and his wife spent their lives in
Kentucky, honored and respected by their neighbors. They were the parents
of eight children, all of whom are now deceased but three. Mrs. Stoughton
grew to womanhood in her native state and there received a good education.
She has inherited many of the estimable traits of character of her
progenitors and her hospitality, charitable and affable disposition have
made her popular with a wide circle of friends. She still resides in the
beautiful family residence on Benton avenue, Springfield.

Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Stoughton, five of whom still
living, namely: Frank K., born November 1, 1875, died in November, 1906;
Minnie, born January 2, 1877, died October, 1909; Lena P., born December
30, 1882, died when five years of age; Benjamin W., born on November 6,
1878, lives in Colorado; Harry B., born November 27, 1886, is at home;
Fountain, born on January 4, 1889, is in the United States navy; Bernice
J., born March 10, 1890, is at home; Guy Herbert, born November 6, 1893,
is employed at treasurer's office; Marie, born January 11, 1885, now Mrs.
Albert Turner, of Springfield.

Politically, Mr. Stoughton was a Democrat, but was not ambitious to be a
political leader. He was a member of the Presbyterian church, and a
liberal supporter of the same. His death occurred May 7, 1907, when nearly
seventy-three years of age.




JOSEPH STUDLEY. A few years ago it was predicted by a learned man who
should have a good knowledge of conditions as they exist, that under the
present system of farming the time was not far distant when the wheat
lands would become exhausted of their fertility and the population of the
world would want for bread, and this through the thriftless farming of
what was once the richest of soils. If everyone farmed with as much
caution and pains as Joseph Studley, of Brookline township, Greene county,
such conditions as referred to above would not exist; for Mr. Studley has
tilled the same farm over three decades and it is just as productive today
as it was the first crop he raised on it.

Mr. Studley was born near Chard, England, December 22 1836, and there he
grew to manhood and attended school, and there, in 1859, he married Ann
Vincent, whose father was a native of France. She was born in England,
reared and educated there. She proved to be an excellent helpmeet, and
when she was called to her eternal rest on March 7, 1912, her loss was
distinctly felt in her neighborhood, for she was a woman of lofty
character, a sympathetic and helpful neighbor, always ready to wait on the
sick and the suffering and to extend a helping hand to the needy. She was
a devout Christian, and her piety is reflected in the lives of her
children, of whom she was justly proud.

Mr. Studley remained in his native land until 1870, when he emigrated with
his family to the United States and located near Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.
Before leaving the old country he had followed the trade of Hurdle maker,
and after coming to the New World he engaged in the carpenter's trade for
a short time, then took up the occupation of mining, working in the
anthracite mines around Pittsburgh and Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania,
continuing in this work until about 1882, when, longing for the freedom of
a western farmer, he moved to Greene county, Missouri and rented a farm
the first year, then bought one hundred acres, lying a half mile south of
the village of Brookline, in section 3, Brookline township, on which he
has since resided and where he has made a comfortable living and has a
cozy home. He is now seventy-eight years old but still looks after his
farm in a general way.

Mr. Studley is the father of eleven children; the following living: Lydia
married H. B. McDonald, of Plainsville, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania;
Elizabeth married Dan Jones and they live in Columbus, Kansas; Jane
married John Potter, agent for the Frisco railroad at Brookline; Hester
married John McCarty, of Junction City, Ohio; Thomas lives in Springfield;
Leah married Jess Keller, of Dallas county, Missouri; Joseph lives in
Brookline. He also has about twenty grandchildren and about ten
great-grandchildren living.




FRANK P. STUTZMAN. "The Song of the Forge" has ever been pleasant to the
ears of Frank P., Stutzman, one of the most skilful and popular
blacksmiths of Greene county, whose well-equipped shop in the city of
Springfield draws patrons from remote parts of this locality, for here
they know that they will receive prompt and careful attention. A criterion
of his high-grade work is shown from the fact that many of his customers
have patronized him for a score of years, refusing to have any other do
their blacksmithing. It is as much an art to shoe a horse properly as it
is to do anything else in a mechanical way, and our subject has become
quite proficient in this art, being excelled, in fact, by none of his
contemporaries. He has lived in Springfield nearly a half century.

Mr. Stutzman was born in Goshen, Elkhart county, Indiana, April 25, 1856.
He is a son of John M. and Catherine (Baughman) Stutzman, both natives of
Ohio, where they grew up, received such educational advantages as the
early day schools afforded and there were married and established their
home. In his earlier years John M. Stutzman was a carpenter, contractor
and builder and in later life a farmer. He is living in Springfield,
Missouri, at this writing. He has been twice married, first to Catherine
Baughman, by which union eight children were born, six of whom are still
living, namely: Elizabeth, Frank P., Mahalia, Emma, Adeline is deceased;
Mary, Jerome; the youngest child died in infancy, unnamed. The father's
second marriage was to Mrs. Shaw.

Frank P. Stutzman spent his boyhood in northern Indiana. He had little
opportunity to attend school, and most of his education has been obtained
by studying at home of evenings after the day's work. When eleven years of
age, in 1867, he accompanied his parents to Springfield, Missouri, where
the family established their permanent home, on a farm, just south of the
city, and there they resided about five years, then our subject went to
Illinois where he remained two years, after which he returned to
Springfield and took up blacksmithing, first working with Sam Begle, and
when only nineteen years of age Mr. Stutzman went into the business for
himself, having learned rapidly and shown much natural ability in this
direction. He started up in the alley in the rear of the Metropolitan
Hotel, on a small scale, and since then he has carried on general
blacksmithing and horse shoeing, his business increasing constantly with
advancing years until he soon found it necessary to secure larger quarters
and employ assistance. He has built up a large and lucrative business, and
is now located in a modern and commodious shop on Convention avenue. He
has an excellent location, and while he is specializing in high-grade
horse shoeing, he is doing a great deal of general blacksmithing. Prompt
and honest work has ever been his motto.

Mr. Stutzman was married on May 5, 1878, in Springfield to Louise
Crostwait, who was born in Canada in 1859, and she removed from her native
land to Missouri with her parents when she was a child, and here grew to
womanhood and received a common school education, and here Mr. and Mrs.
Crostwait spent the rest of their lives, both having been deceased a
number of years.

Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Stutzman, namely: Alta, born
in 1881, was reared and educated in Springfield, and she is living at
home; Virginia, born in 1883, was also reared and educated in Springfield,
and is still with her parents.

Politically, Mr. Stutzman is a Democrat. Fraternally, he belongs to the
Knights of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen, and the Royal Arcanum. He is a
member of the Christian church.







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