Greene County Biographies
Greene County Biographies
From The History of Greene County, Missouri,"
St. Louis: Western Historical Company, 1883
Capt. Francis M. Shockley
This gentleman is the son of B. and Lillie (Beal) Shockley, and was
born in Tennessee, August 9, 1831. In 1841 his parents moved to Greene
County, Missouri, and it was here that Francis grew to manhood and was
educated. He learned the trade of carpenter, and in 1858 moved to Dade
County, Missouri. He enlisted in the Home Guards, but after the battle
of Wilson's Creek he went to Illinois. He returned in 1862 and took
charge of the government carpenter shop, receiving the same pay as cap-
tain, and so served until the close of the war. Capt. Shockley was
married May 7, 1854 to Miss Fannie, daughter of Washington Armor, one
of the early settlers of Southwest Missouri. Their union was blest
with eight children, four of whom are now living. Captain Shockley is
a large contractor and builder, having built many of the largest and
best business houses in the city. He built the Christian church, of
which he and his wife are members. His father was a native of Georgia,
but moved to Tennessee in an early day. He died upon his farm near
Springfield, Mo., in 1869.
John A. Short
Mr. Short is a son of Elias B. and Rebecca (McCullah) Short, and was
born April 23, 1852, ten miles southwest of Springfield, Missouri. He
remained at home upon the farm until he was eighteen years of age. He
then came to Springfield, and was a clerk in the postoffice for five
years. He was appointed postal clerk, or route agent, upon the St.
Louis & San Francisco Railroad upon the 18th of November, 1876 to run
between St. Louis and Springfield. He was married December 28, 1875,
to Miss Mary E., daughter of Rev. T. H. Hagerty, of the Methodist
church. Their union has been blest with one son and one daughter. Mr.
Short is a member of the Knights of Honor, and he and his wife are
members of the Methodist church. His parents are yet living upon the
farm they settled when they first came from Tennessee. They had a
family of six sons and two daughters. John A. being the third child.
He is one of the most reliable officials in the postal service.
Frank M. Sibley
Mr. Sibley is the son of Moses and Mary C. (Cole) Sibley, and was born
at Sutton, Worcester County, Mass., November 5, 1850. He grew to man-
hood and was educated in his native town. In 1870he went to Hannibal,
Missouri, where he was employed in the motive power department of the
Hannibal and St. Joe R.R., which position he held until 1873. He then
went to St. Louis and was clerk in the same department of the St. Louis
and San Francisco R.R. until 1876. Then he was transferred to Spring-
field, Missouri where he held that position until 1882. Then Mr.
Sibley went into the furniture and undertaking business with Mr. Loh-
meyer, the firm being Lohmeyer & Sibley. They do a flourishing business
at North Springfield. Mr. Sibley was married in 1877, to Miss Jennie
M., daughter of Washington and Jennie C. Barnharst. Their union has
been blest with two children, Frank C. B. and Nellie C. Mrs. Barnharst
is postmistress at North Springfield.
Philip T. Simmons
Mr. Simmons, the present able prosecuting attorney of Greene County,
was born in Davidson County, Tenn., January 15, 1848 and is the son of
Dr. G. J. and Fannie (Taylor) Simmons. Dr. Simmons was a native of
Virginia, and moved to Tennessee when a young man, where he remained
till his removal to Logan County, Kentucky, in about 1854. He was once
a physician of large practice, and though still living in Kentucky, he
has retired from his profession. Philip's mother died when he was
about four years old, having borne a family of eight children, five
sons and three daughters, the subject of this sketch being the young-
est. He received his education chiefly in Logan County, Kentucky,
though he did not complete it till after he had been a soldier in the
civil war. He enlisted in Company A, 8th (afterwards 12th) regiment of
Lyon's brigade of Kentucky volunteers, and served till mustered out at
Columbus, Miss., May 16, 1865. After his return home he attended
school till 1868, then began the study of law in the office of Judge
J. H. Bowden. He was admitted to the bar in November, 1869, by George
C. Rogers, judge of the 4th judicial district of Kentucky. In January
following, he came to Springfield, Mo., and taught school for six
months at Fair Grove, in Greene County. In the fall of 1870, was ad-
mitted to the practice of law in Greene County, and licensed to prac-
tice in all courts of record in Missouri. He received the Democratic
nomination for prosecuting attorney in 1882, and the following November
was duly elected, receiving a majority of 486 votes over his Republican
competitor. February 11, 1873, Mr. Simmons was married to Miss Mary
Doling, daughter of James M. Doling, of Springfield. They have five
children, all of them boys. Mr. Simmons is a Free Mason, and also a
member of the A. O. U. W. His wife is a member of the Christian church
of Springfield.
Leonard M. Sims, M.D.
The gentleman whose name heads this sketch is a native of Polk County,
this State, born January 16, 1855, and a son of B. D. and Eliza A. Sims
the father being a native of North Carolina, and the mother of Virginia.
They came to Missouri in 1832, and the year succeeding the birth of Dr.
Leonard M., moved to this (Greene) county where they remained till 1870.
The family then removed to Benton County, Arkansas, where the doctor
grew up and completed his general education, attending Pea Ridge high
school three years and the State Industrial University for one year.
During the years 1877-8-9, he taught school and read medicine, his pre-
ceptor beintg Dr. Clark, of Bentonville, Arkansas. In 1880 he entered
the Missouri medical college at St. Louis, graduating with the degree
of M. D. in 1882. He then located for the practice at Bois D'Arc, in
November of same year, where he is building up a fine practice. Few
young physicians enjoy the confidence of the people to a greater extent
than Dr. Sims. He is a hard student, and keeps well "read up" in his
profession. He was married September 10, 1882, to Miss Mattie Bond of
Greene County. Both Dr. Sims and wife are members of the Methodist
Church.
George W. Sittler
Mr. Sittler is the son of Jacob and Sidney (Cummings) Sittler, and was
born August 25th, 1847, in Shelby County, Illinois. He was educated in
the common schools of his native county, and at the age of nineteen he
entered into an apprenticeship under Dr. George H. Hannaman to learn
photographic work. He served two years, and then bought the gallery
from Dr. Hannaman in 1868. In 1872 he took A. R. Launey into partner-
ship with him, under the firm name of Sittler & Launey. In August,
1881, he sold out to his partner and went to Fort Scott, Kansas, where
he remained for a short time. In January, 1882, he came to Springfield
and purchased the gallery of Capt. S. W. Johnson, where he now carries
on the business. He is a member of the Photographic Association of
America, attends all conventions of his fellow-artists and keeps posted
in all things relating to the art. He has a large gallery, and employs
three assistants, one of whom, Robert M. Root, does all kinds of crayon
and water color work, and enlarges pictures. The gallery is located on
St. Louis street, just east of the square. He does quite a wholesale
business in picture frames, materials, chemicals, etc. He has one of
the largest trades in the business in the Southwest. Mr. Sittler is a
Knight of Honor, and a Royal Arch Mason.
Joel M. Skelton
Joel M. Skelton (deceased). This gentleman was the son of Noel and M.
(McGee) Skelton, and was born in Franklin County, Georgia, March 1,
1822. His father was a soldier in the War of 1812. Joel grew to man-
hood in his native county, where he was married February 28, 1845, to
Miss Martha E. A., daughter of Tavner and Elizabeth (Wades) Rucker.
Their marriage was blest with eight children: Mary E., Sarepta E.,
Sarah A. C., deceased, George V., Annie M. J., William J. W. R., Martha
H. A. and James M. T., all of whom are married. In 1857 Mr. Skelton
moved, by wagon drawn by oxen, to Greene County, Missouri, and settled
where his widow now resides. He was an inoffensive, quiet gentleman, a
member of the Baptist church. He took no part in the civil war, but
his sympathies were with the "sunny South," where he had been born and
reared. Upon the night of November 8, 1862, he was wantonly and cruel-
ly murdered in his own yard by two men dressed in Federal uniform. They
made him dance, and otherwise subjected him to indignities, and while
his devoted wife had gone to get a Union neighbor to intercede for her
husband, the fiends murdered him. The shock dethroned the reason of
his beloved wife, and she yet lives under that great affliction.
Benjamin Smith
This gentleman is the oldest engineer on the St. Louis & San Francisco
railroad, having run the first engine on that line. He was born in
Bridgeport, Connecticut, February 26, 1827. When he was sixteen years
old he went into the machine shops of the Housatonic railroad in his
native town, and commenced learning the trade of a machinist. Two
years later, after firing for a short time on the same road, he took
charge of an engine, which he ran at intervals for three years, then
regularly for six successive years. He then ran as engineer on the
Rock Island railroad for two years, going thence to St. Louis, where
he took charge of an engine on the Missouri Pacific till 1862. Going
to Memphis, he ran on the Memphis and charleston road nine months, for
the government, after which he was transferred to Nashville, Tenn.,
and given charge of an engine of the hospital train, which he ran on
various roads in the South till the war closed, visiting several
battlefields, among which were Mission Ridge, and the battle between
Nashville and Decatur. After the war he returned to Pacific City,
Missouri, and took the engine he had formerly run, and has been in
same employ ever since. Mr. Smith was married to Martha Tyman some
nine years before the civil war, by whom he has had seven children.
His home is in Pacific City, where he has lived for thirty years. He
is a member of Pacific division, No. 83, Brotherhood of Locomotive
Engineers, of which order he was a charter member. Besides this he is
in the Locomotive Engineers' Mutual Life Insurance Association, and is
also a member of the 'Frisco L. E. H. Association.
George Smith
Is a native of Canada, born in Quebec, May 10, 1845. He came to the
United States in 1864, and accepted a position on the Chicago and
Northwestern railroad, where he stayed three years, then took a train
on the St. Louis and San Francisco railway, where he is at present
running a passenger train. On the 8th day of November, 1876, he marr-
ied Miss Florence Britton, a native of New York. They have one child,
Clarence Osman Smith. Mr. Smith is a member of Ozark division, No. 30
Order of Railway Conductors.
J. W. Smith
Mr. Smith was born in Polk County, Missouri, March 20, 1851. He is the
son of J. B. and Kiziah (Crawford) Smith, both Kentuckians. His father
was one of the early settlers of Polk County, and is a prominent citi-
zen. J. W. Smith was educated in the common schools of the country,
and when old enough learned the blacksmith and wagon maker's trade, and
has followed that occupation ever since. He came to Walnut Grove in
the fall of 1879 and opened a shop, since when he has done a flourish-
ing business. He was appointed postmaster of Walnut Grove in July,
1881. He is an elder in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and a
citizen in whom all have confidence as a Christian and a gentleman.
He was married October 3, 1869, to Miss Amanda Kelley, a daughter of
Thomas J. Kelley, a prominent Baptist minister of Greene County. She
died December 25, 1878, leaving two children. Mr. Smith was married
the second time, July 5, 1880, to Miss Lucina, daughter of Robert
McGill, Esq., of this county. Their marriage has been blest with one
child.
James H. Smith
This gentleman is the son of A. G. and Helen (Fitchett) Smith, and was
born at Granville, Ohio, July 22nd, 1842, and was educated at Dennison
University. In July, 1862, he enlisted in the 113th regiment, Ohio
volunteers, U. S. A., as a private, and resigned as captain in 1865.
He came to Springfield, Mo., in January, 1867, where he engaged in bus-
iness for two or three years, and then traveled for a St. Louis grocery
house for nine years. He then returned to Springfield, where he has
been engaged in the grocery business ever since. He is proprietor of
the Spot Cash Grocery Store, upon South street, where he is doing a
flourishing business. Mr. Smith married Miss Lizzie Wall, of Duquoin,
Illinois. They have one child. He is a member of the I. O. O. F.,
A. O. U. W., and the K. of H. He and his wife are members of the Epis-
copal Church. His father died in 1862, at Granville, Ohio and his
mother is living at Kansas City. They had a family of four sons, James
H. being the third child.
Hon. Jared E. Smith
This gentleman is the son of William P. and Christian (Patterson) Smith,
and was born in Maury County, Tenn., October 8, 1826. He was educated
in the common schools of his neighborhood and made the best of his ad-
vantages. When sixteen years of age he engaged as a driver, receiving
for his services six dollars per month. In 1846 he was married to Miss
Sarah Roberta Mack, and settled upon a small farm and began business
for himself, occasionally working at the carpenter's trade. In 1851 he,
with his wife and two children, removed to Springfield, Mo. He engaged
in farming the first year, and then for six years in house building and
cabinet making. In 1853 he borrowed capital and built a planing mill,
grist mill, foundry, and machine shop, in which he used the first steam
machinery in Springfield. When the war came up he helped organize a
company of Home Guards, who were soon changed into U. S. volunteers,
and participated in the battle of Wilson's Creek, August 10, 1861. He
was soon after made captain of Company D, 72nd Regiment, militia, and
helped in the defense of Springfield, when it was attacked January 8,
1863, by General Marmaduke. In 1862 was elected to represent Greene
county in the Legislature. In 1864, was elected upon the Republican
State ticket as register of lands, and held that office, four years. He
was also county treasurer of Greene county for two years. In 1868 he
and his son-in-law, John R. Furgerson, engaged in the drug business,
and in 1873 the partnership was dissolved and Mr. Smith embarked in the
crockery and queensware business. In 1876 he was again elected to the
Legislature, in which capacity he served his constiuents well and
faithfully. He has been identified with the public spirited citizens
of the county in developing Southwest Missouri, and he is justly re-
garded as one of Greene's most prominent citizens.
John T. Smith
The subject of this sketch was born May 23rd, 1797, in Franklin County,
Georgia, and is the son of John and Elizabeth (Morgan) Smith. He was
educated at Willington College, South Carolina, from which institution
he graduated. It was his fortune while attending college to have been
many times examined by the prince of statesmen John C. Calhoun. He was
a schoolmate of Gen. McDuffie, who afterward became the colleague of
Calhoun in the Senate of the United States. Mr. Smith was a soldier of
the War of 1812, serving about six months. Soon after that war closed
his parents emigrated to the part of Mississippi territory, which sub-
sequently became the State of Alabama, and located near Huntsville. In
1818, Mr. Smith was elected magistrate and served eight years. His
father gave him a tract of land and seven negroes, and he farmed until
1832, by which time he had made fifty thousand dollars. In 1833 he
moved to Nashville, Tennessee, and ran a large brewing establishment
for three years, and then went into the wholesale grocery business,
which he followed until 1841, and in it, also, he made about fifty
thousand dollars. He then went to Virginia and bought sixty-five slav-
es, and took them to Henry County, Tenn., where he carried on a mule
farm of three thousand acres, until 1852. He then spent two years in
different States buying up land warrants, and in 1855 came to Spring-
field, Missouri. He was married December 10th, 1816, to Elizabeth
Shotwell, by whom he had seven children, four boys and three girls, of
whom two girls are now living. His first wife died in 1852, and in
July, 1867, he married Willea Dantyrell. He joined the Methodist
church in Alabama, in 1815. In early times he was a member of the Whig
and know Nothing parties. His father came to the United States as a
British soldier, and was twice wounded, and taken prisoner in Virginia.
He was the first clerk of Madison County, Georgia, and served for
twenty-seven years. He died in 1818, and his wife in 1816.
Julian D. Smith
This gentleman is the son of William and Sarah (Julian) Smith, and was
born in Laurel County, Kentucky, March 31, 1831. His father was a
native of Kentucky, born in 1801, and died in Oregon in 1866. His
mother was a native of Tennessee and died in 1876. They emigrated to
Greene County, Missouri, in 1838, and settled upon Grand Prairie, in
Center Township. Julian D. received his education in the common school
of the county, and when he was twenty-two years of age took the "gold
fever" and went to California. He stopped one winter at Salt Lake City
and then pushed on to the gold fields of California. Not being very
successful in the mines he returned to this county in 1855, and comm-
enced farming, and with the exception of two trips to Texas has been a
resident of this county ever since. He was married September 18, 1855,
to Miss L. P. Landreth, daughter of William S. Landreth, one of the old
settlers of Greene. They have a family of six children, four boys and
two girls. Mr. Smith was in the militia during the war but took no
active part in the struggle. He is a Greenbacker in politics, and one
of the substantial farmers of his section. He owns a fine farm of one
hundred and fifty-five acres, one mile southeast of Walnut Grove.
William N. Smith
Mr. Smith is a son of P. R. Smith, and a grandson of William B. Logan,
and Gen. Nick R. Smith. He was born at Springfield, Mo., June 28, 1854.
He was educated at Springfield, and for four years was book keeper for
Waldo C. Booth, one of the largest hardware dealers of Springfield.
Since then he has kept books for some of the leading mercantile firms
of the city. He was married January 19, 1879, to Miss Seldie Dyer, a
niece of Col. D. P. Dyer, of St. Louis, Missouri. Mr. Smith's father
is and has been for many years county clerk of Newton County, Missouri.
Hollet H. Snow
Mr. Snow is the son of William C. and Amanda (Hollingsworth) Snow, and
was born in Greene County, Missouri, December 13, 1847. He grew to
manhood upon the farm, and in 1868 was married to Miss Mary Lee, of
this county. Their union was blest with two boys and two girls. In
1871 he came to Springfield, where he worked at Schmook's mill until
1879. He was then appointed policeman and served on the force a year;
then was a deputy constable under D. V. Savage for six months, and from
then until the spring of 1882, he was janitor of the public school
building. On the 4th of April, 1882, he was elected to the office of
city marshal, upon the Republican ticket. His first wife dying, Mr.
Snow was married the second time to Julia E. Buckner. They have by
this marriage one girl and two boys. He is a member of the Knights of
Honor, and his wife is a member of the Christian church. His parents
came from Indiana in 1844, and his father died March 28, 1865. His
mother is living in Springfield. They had three girls and seven boys,
Hollet being the fifth child.
Alexander Snyder
This gentleman was born March 26th, 1826, in Davidson county, North
Carolina, where he remained at home with his father until he was twenty
four years of age. He emigrated to Greene county, Missouri, in 1845,
when the county was sparsely settled, neighbors were far apart, game
and wild honey abounded. He built a small cabin upon the farm where he
now lives, and on the 6th of August, 1847 he was married to Miss Ruth
Wommack. Their union has been blest with ten children, seven of whom
are now living: Sarah E., George W., Mary J., Philip C., Ben F., Laura
E. and Cora E. Mr. Snyder was a member of the enrolled Missouri mili-
tia during the war. His wife died June 18, 1882. He has been a member
of the Cumberland Presbyterian church for about thirty-five years, and
is one of the leading men of Jackson township.
Victor Sommers
Mr. Sommers is the son of F. and Sara (Marks) Sommers, and was born at
Rheim Pfalc in 1840. In 1853 he came to the United States, landing at
New Orleans, and from there went to Louisville, Kentucky, where he was
for several years in a wholesale clothing house. In 1868 he came to
Springfield, Missouri, where he has since been in the dry goods and
clothing business. The style of the firm has never been changed since
he came to the city. They first located upon Boonville street, where
Scott & Good now have a saloon; they then moved to where C. H. Heer &
Co., now are, and in 1871, moved to where they are at present, upon the
north side of the square. Mr. Sommers was married in 1869 at Louis-
ville, Kentucky, to Miss Bertha Bakrow. He is a member of the I.O.O.F.
and of the B'nai B'rith, a Jewish society. Mr. Sommer's father died in
1867, and his mother died in 1874 at Louisville. They had one son and
six daughters. Their son Victor, being one of the leading merchants of
Springfield.
Ernst Speaker
Ernst Speaker is the son of John and Sophia Speaker, and was born in
the province of Mechlenburg, Germany, in September, 1847. He came to
the United States when six or seven years of age, and located at Fort
Smith, Arkansas, where he learned the tinner's trade. In November,
1867, he came to Springfield, Missouri, where he followed his trade
until September, 1880. Then, in partnership with G. W. Hackney, they
opened out a large stock of stoves and tinware, where they do a flour-
ishing business at 217 Boonville street. Hackney & Speaker is one of
the solid firms in the city, and they deserve the success they have
met.
James D. Spencer
This gentleman is the son of Andrew J. and Christiana (James) Spencer,
and was born September 20, 1838, in Cape Girardeau county, Missouri.
His father is a native of North Carolina, and is now living in Barton
county, Missouri. His mother died October 12, 1864. They had six
children, three boys and three girls, James D. being the oldest. When
he was quite young his parents moved to Platte county, Mo., and in
June, 1852, came to Greene county, and settled on section 32, township
31, range 21, Franklin township. Mr. Spencer was educated in the com-
mon schools of Platte and Greene counties. During the war he served
for a time under captain Gately. He was elected justice of the peace
for Franklin township upon the Republican ticket in 1874, and re-
elected in 1878 and 1882. Squire Spencer was married December 5, 1869
to Miss Mary E., daughter of Jeptha Wallace. She is a member of the
Cumberland Presbyterian church. During the time the squire has been
justice of the peace he has discharged the duties of his office impart-
ially, and no one stands higher in the regard of the good people of
Greene.
James W. Spencer
Mr. Spencer was born in Crawford County, Missouri, May 6th, 1847. At
the age of seventeen he began braking upon the Ohio and Mississippi
railroad, and followed it for ten months. February 4th, 1865, he en-
listed in Company D, 154th Illinois volunteer infantry, and was muster-
ed out at Springfield, Ill., September 22nd, 1865. He then returned
home and learned the carpenter's trade, and came upon the St. Louis and
San Francisco railway May 23rd, 1871, and has ever since been engaged
in the bridge and building department of that road. Mr. Spencer was
married May 31, 1876, to Miss Julia J. Tutan, of Tallahassee, Florida.
Their union has been blest with one child, Mabel Estelle, born April 2,
1877. Mr. Spencer is a member of Springfield Lodge, No. 218, I.O.O.F.
Henry C. Sprague
Mr. Sprague is a Bostonian, and was born at the "Hubb," November 21,
1835. He is of English descent, his parents being Thomas and Elizabeth
A. Sprague. At the age of thirteen, he enlisted as a private soldier
in the U.S. service, and became drummer boy in the martial band. He was
in the service two years, when he returned home and then attended sch-
ool for some time. On quitting school he learned the trade of pattern
making and machine building at Mount Vernon, Ohio, continuing there for
four years. Going thence to Iowa City, he remained eighteen months,
then went to Monroe, Wisconsin, where he remained a year. Shortly after
this he went on the Illinois Central railroad, and after "firing"
awhile, was given an engine which he ran for some five years. In 1867,
he made a trip to Jacksonville, Florida, where he put machinery in a
mill. From Jacksonville he went to Alton, Illinois, and worked in the
machine shops for four years, during which time he was captain of a
fire company. On coming to North Springfield, Mr. Sprague began work-
ing with the bridge and building department of the 'Frisco road, and is
at this writing foreman of the same. He was married March 10, 1854, to
Miss Charlotte B. Truesdell, a native of Canada, born March 12, 1835.
Mr. and Mrs. Sprague have four children, named Ada A., Ida I., George
Bliss and Anna C. R. Sprague. George B. was born June 3, 1858, while
the family was living in Iowa City. He has been, like his father,
connected with the 'Frisco railroad for several years, and is at this
time a conductor of a train on that line. Henry C. Sprague is a member
of the Gate of Temple lodge No. 422, A.F. & A.M., and also of the
Springfield Royal Arch Chapter, No. 15
H. C. Sprinkle
Mr. Sprinkle is the son of William D. and Leah Sprinkle, and was born
in North Carolina, November 4, 1854. When he was about four years of
age, his parents moved to Cedar County, Missouri, where they lived two
years and then removed to Sullivan, Missouri. January 1, 1871, he be-
gan braking upon a train on the St. Louis & San Francisco railroad, and
in 1874 was promoted to conductor, and has been running a passenger
train for two years. Mr. Sprinkle was married June 13, 1877, to Miss
Belle Robberson, of Dixon, Missouri. Their union is blest with two
children, viz.: Curtis H., born March 10, 1878 and Walter, born Novem-
ber 17, 1882. Mr. Sprinkle is a member of St. Louis Divison No. 3,
Order of Railway Conductors, Sullivan lodge, No. 69, A. F. & A. M., and
Rolla Chapter, No. 32.
James Squibb
This gentleman is the son of Caleb and Susan (Johnson) Squibb, and was
born in Washington County, Tenn., December 15, 1813. His grandfather
upon his father's side came from Ireland, and upon his mother's side
from England. Mr. Squibb's father was a soldier in the War of 1812,
and both of his parents were natives of Tennessee. James grew to man-
hood in Washington and Greene counties, Tennessee, and was educated in
the subscription schools of that section. He followed farming in
Greene County, Tennessee, until 1851, when he moved to Greene County,
Missouri, where he has since lived, and is one of the most substantial,
honorable citizens of the county. He has been a member of the Metho-
dist Church since he was seventeen years of age, and his wife has also
been a member of that church for over forty-five years. He has filled
the office of justice of the peace for fourteen years, school director
for thirty years, and township clerk for five years. He has always
been a strong Union man, and lost heavily during the war, Price's men
stripping him of all but his land. He owns a fine farm of two hundred
and thirty acres of land, and has given eight of his children one
thousand dollars each. He was married February 14th, 1837, to Miss
Rachel, daughter of Joseph and Nancy (Bacon) Shields, of Washington
County, Tennessee. Their union has been blest with eleven children,
nine sons and two daughters.
Weldon E. Staley
This gentleman is the son of Alfred and Lucinda (Brower) Staley, and
was born in Randolph county, North Carolina, July 9, 1840. His father
represented his county in the North Carolina Legislature, and was a
very prominent member of that body. In 1847 his parents moved to
Clinton county, Missouri and in 1849 to this county, where Weldon E.
grew to manhood and has since resided. His father died in 1852, and
Weldon followed merchandising in Cave Spring until 1878, and since
that time has devoted his time exclusively to farming and stock rear-
ing. He has a splendid farm and one hundred and ninety acres. Mr.
Staley was married January 21, 1861 to Miss A. C. Evans, daughter of
Joseph and Elizabeth Evans, of this county. Her parents were natives
of North Carolina, and among the early settlers of the county. Mr.
and Mrs. Staley have eight children, viz.: William W., Mollie, Dollie,
Fannie, John H., Joseph A., Katie and Bunch E.
John P. Steele
This gentleman is the son of Richard and Margaret (Grimes) Steele, and
was born January 10th, 1822, in Willimson County, Tennessee. In the
fall of 1834 he came with his parents to Greene County, Missouri, and
settled upon Kickapoo prairie, where he lived with his father upon the
farm until he was twenty-one years old. He then went to White river,
in Tanney County, where upon April 13th, 1843, he married Miss Jane
Ramsey. That marriage was productive of five children, four of whom
are living. Soon after his marriage he came back to Greene and settled
near his father, where he lived until 1866. He then went to Stone
County, where he lived five years, when he came back to this county and
settled at Brookline. Mr. Steele's first wife died October 9th, 1858,
and he was married again April 19th, 1859, to Martha M. Gibson. By
this union they had three children, two are living. Mr. Steele is a
Mason and a member of the Congregational church. He was compelled by
General Lyon to act as one of the guides to Wilson's Creek battle
ground. His father was a native of North Carolina, and died, in Miss-
ouri at the age of eighty-two. His mother died in 1856 upon the old
homestead in Greene. They had twelve children, John P. being the tenth.
Mrs. Steele is a devout member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church,
and Mr. Steele is one of the most worthy citizens of the county.
Douglas Stevenson
Mr. Stevenson was born at Branford, Canada, January 20, 1855. He went
to Buffalo, New York, when he was eleven years of age, where he remain-
ed five years. He then learned the tinner's trade at Seaforth, Canada.
He came to Missouri in the fall of 1872, and began firing upon an eng-
ine, and in the fall of 1877 he was promoted to engineer, and has been
running an engine upon the St. Louis and San Francisco railway ever
since. He was married in 1876, and has three children, viz.: Nellie,
James and Douglas. Mr. Stevenson is a member of the Gate of the Temple
Lodge, No. 422, A.F. & A.M., and also of Pacific City Divison, No. 83,
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers.
John W. Stewart
This gentleman is the son of A. D. and Mary C. Stewart, and was born in
Grant County, Kentucky, June 8th, 1859. In 1876 he commenced braking
upon the St. Louis and San Francisco railway, and upon the 26th of Feb-
ruary, 1880, he was promoted to conductor, and has run a train ever
since. Mr. Stewart was married September 11th, 1881, to Miss Emma
Knight, of North Springfield. Their union has been blest with one
child, born January 31st, 1883. Mr. Stewart is a member of Ozark Div-
ision, No. 30, Order of Railway Conductors.
George Stones
Mr. Stones is the son of George and Sarah (Walbank) Stones, and was
born at Blackburn, Lancastershire, England, May 28th, 1836. At the
age of fourteen, he was apprenticed for seven years to learn the trade
of bricklayer. He worked at his trade in England until 1874 when he
came to the United States and settled in Greene County, Missouri.
Since coming here he has been engaged at his trade and in farming. He
helped to build Drury College and some of the best residences in the
county, being an excellent workman. Mr. Stones was married July 28th,
1861, to Miss Mary A., daughter of James and Mary (Arnold) Lawson, of
his native county in England. Their union has been blest with eleven
children, seven of whom are living, viz.: Richard, Fielding, Mary,
James, Sarah E., George and Hannah.
James A. Stoughton
Mr. Stoughton was born in Charleston, Vermont, May 25, 1837. When he
was twenty years of age he went to Western Texas and engaged in the
cattle business for eight years. He then came to Springfield in 1867,
and has been living in North Springfield since 1870. He was married
January 15, 1875, to Miss Lizzie Adams. This union has been blest with
three children, viz.: Frank K., Minnie and Benjamin W. Mr. Stoughton
is director of the bank, superintendent of the street railway company,
of which he is one-third owner, and proprietor of the large brick
stable of North Springfield. He is one of the most energetic, enter-
prising men of the city, and is at present in charge of the "Frisco"
stockyards.
James E. Stringer
Mr. Stringer was born in Putnam County, Indiana, September 18, 1845.
His father, Col. Thomas M. Stringer, was a native of Kentucky, born in
1822, and is now a resident of Jasper County, this State. His mother
was Miss Nancy Watkins, a native of North Carolina. James E. was edu-
cated in the common schools of his native county, and at Thorntown,
Boone County, Indiana, where he attended college some fifteen months.
He studied law when he was about twenty years of age, but came West in
1866 and went into the real estate business at Fort Scott, Kansas. He
removed to Lawrence County, Missouri, in 1868, and followed the same
business. He came to Greene County in January, 1881, and has been one
of the leading spirits of Walnut Grove, dealing largely in real estate.
He enlisted in 1862 in the Federal Cavalry under Col. Wilson, and fou-
ght until his discharge in October, 1864. He was with Gen. Thomas in
the campaign from Chattanooga to Atlanta and back to Nashville. Mr.
Stringer was married December 14, 1862, to Miss Georgie Alexander, a
native of Hart County, Kentucky. Their union has been blest with three
children, two girls and a boy.
Lewis Sutter
Mr. Sutter is the son of John and Elizabeth (Tinsley) Sutter, and was
born September 7th, 1842, in Clay County, Missouri. His father was
born in Lorraine, France, but his parents soon after moved to Paris,
where he took the position of butler for a nobleman, and traveled all
over the old world with his employer. He went to Clay County, Mo., in
1837, and followed farming extensively until his death in October,
1860. His wife died when Lewis was but three years old. She was of
the family of Tinsleys, of Kentucky, that produced so much tobacco.
Lewis was educated in Clay County, and remained at home on the farm
until his father's death. In February, 1862, he enlisted in Company F
Missouri State Militia, at Plattsburg, Missouri, and was mustered out
at Springfield, April 9th, 1865. He was married July 13th, 1865, in
this city, to Miss D. E. Britte. Their union has been blest with two
children, one son and one daughter. Soon after his marriage he went
back to Clay County, where he lived until October, 1867, and then re-
turned to Springfield, where he has been in the grocery business ever
since. He is the senior member of the large grocery house of Sutter
& Bryan on Boonville street.
Andrew C. Swinney
Andrew C. Swinney, is a brother of R. H. Swinney (see sketch) and was
born in Rockcastle County, Kentucky, February 19th, 1843. He was rear-
ed in East Tennessee, and received his education partly there and part-
ly in his native State. He began learning the mercantile business as a
clerk in 1866, and the succeeding year went into business for himself
in partnership with a man by whose dishonesty Mr. Swinney lost heavily.
In 1873, he moved to Greene County, engaging in farming, in which voca-
tion he has by thrift and economy again placed himself in good circum-
stances. In 1882, he purchased a half interest in his younger brothers
drug store, but still continues to operate his farm. He was married
November 14th, 1863, and has seven children, four of whom, Benjamin A.,
Vinton, and a pair of infant twins, still survive at this writing. Mr.
Swinney has been a member of the Christian church since he was fifteen
years old, and is a worthy and exemplary citizen.
R. H. Swinney
R. H. Swinney was born in Rockcastle County, Kentucky, August 1, 1850.
His parents Robert and Lydia Swinney, were both natives of Kentucky,
and his paternal grandfather was a soldier in the Revolution of 1776,
dying at the age of one hundred years. R. H. Swinney was educated at
Gilmore Seminary and the University of Kentucky, and subsequently en-
gaged in teaching and farming. In 1877, he came to Ash Grove, in
Greene County, and served as principal of the school there till 1880;
then after teaching two terms at Bois D'Arc, he engaged in the drug
business, and still successfully follows that vocation. At fourteen
years old, he joined the Christian Church, and soon became leader of
the choir. At twenty-five he was made an elder in the church. March
19, 1874, he married Miss Susan, daughter of Thomas G. and Elizabeth
Lawrence, with whom he had been intimate in early childhood, she being
a native of the same county, and her parents also being Kentuckians.
They have had three children, two of whom still survive. Mr. Swinney
is noble grand of the I. O. O. F. lodge at Bois D'Arc, and his wife,
like himself, is a member of the Christian Church.
Lewis F. Tatum
Mr. Tatum is the son of Rev. William and Phoebe (Barham) Tatum. His
father was a native of North Carolina, and died in Greene County, Mo.,
in 1856. His maternal grandfather, James Barham, was a native of Vir-
ginia, and a soldier of the Revolution. He too, died in this county,
aged 103 years. Lewis F. was born in Logan County, Ky., Nov. 4, 1812,
where he grew up and resided till his removal to this county in 1836.
He settled on the Leeper prairie fourteen miles from Springfield,
there being no house at that time between his and that town. In 1842,
he moved to the farm where he now resides, and has steadily followed
the vocation of farming. Though he was three hundred dollars in debt
when he first came to the county, he is now out of debt, and owns a
good farm of 160 acres in Center township, all made by his own industry
and economy. At the outbreak of the war, he joined Capt. Campbell's
company of Confederate State Guards, and although fifty years of age,
he served out his term of enlistment, and was in the battle of Dry
Springs and Wilson's Creek, and at the latter had his horse killed
under him. Mr. Tatum was married December 22, 1855, to Miss Sarah
Robinson, daughter of Littleberry Robinson, of Logan County, Kentucky.
Her grandfather, like his, was also a Revolutionary soldier. Mr. and
Mrs. Tatum had eight children, four of whom, Cornelia B., Phoebe C.,
Jemima E. and Henry T., still survive. They had two sons in the Con-
federate army, Columbus, who was killed at Glasgow, and John who died
in Arkansas. Mr. Tatum is remarkably active for a man of his age. He
has been a Freemason for 16 years, and was a charter member of Bois
D'Arc lodge. He also belongs to the Baptist Church, and is a worthy
and honorable citizen, respected by his neighbors and loved and honored
by his family.
Augustus H. Tevis
Rev. Augustus H. Tevis, A. M. M. D. The scholoarly subject of this
sketch is a native of Rush County, Indiana, born on his father's farm,
May 13, 1841, and was the ninth child of a family of three sons and
seven daughters. His parents were Dr. Daniel H. and Phoebe (Scott)
Tevis, the former having been a physician by profession, a self made
man, who enjoyed a large and lucrative practice. He (Dr. Daniel H.)
was born in Bracken County, Kentucky, and was quite a scholar as a
linguist, being a proficient in both Latin and Greek. The elder Dr.
Tevis died in 1858, and his wife in 1862, both of whom are buried in
Rush County, Indiana. After his father's death, the management of
the extensive farming operations, embracing several large farms, left
by him, all devolved on Augustus H., then but seventeen years old. In
1860 he entered Asbury University at Greencastle, Indiana, then under
the control of Bishop Bowman. Early in the beginning of the civil
troubles, however, young Tevis left college to volunteer like a true
patriot and aid in suppressing the rebellion. He enlisted in Septem-
ber, 1861, and became second lieutenant of Company H, Thirty-seventh
Indiana Volunteers. He was in active service for over three years,
participating in many hard battles, fights and skirmishes, including
Stone river, New Hope Church, Resacca, before Atlanta, and numerous
others. At Stone river, he was slightly wounded, and soon afterwards
was promoted to a first lieutenancy. He was mustered out in November,
1864, and soon re-entered the same institution he had left to join the
army. In the close of 1868 he was graduated therefrom, and in due
course was honored with the degree of A. M. On August 6, following, he
married Sallie A. Webster, daughter of Dr. E. Webster, of Connerville,
Indiana. One child has been born of this union, a bright little girl
named Lora Belle. Dr. Tevis' first charge as pastor was that of the
M. E. Church at Liberty, Union County, Ind. Following this he was
stationed at Wooster and Taylorville, and was next elected superinten-
dent of city schools at Madison, where he served one year. His con-
ference then sent him to Palestine, thence again to Peru, from which
latter charge he was transferred by Bishop Peck, to Carson City, Nevada
where he remained two years, and was chaplain both of the Legislature
and State prison. It was while here that he went into print as an
author, and wrote his "Jesuitism, the Bible, and the Schools," and also
his "Beyond the Sierras," published by Lippincott & Co., of Philadel-
phia. He also corresponded for various newspapers and literary jour-
nals. Santa Barbara, California, was his next charge, and from thence
he was sent to San Diego. The ill health of his family necessitated
his return to Indiana in 1879, and he having already read medicine
studiously, entered the Medical College at Indianapolis, from which he
soon after graduated as M. D. He was then sent by Bishop Wiley to
Springfield, Missouri, where he was pastor of Grace M. E. Church till
the spring of 1883, when he retired therefrom. Besides his more solid
literary attainments, Dr. Tevis has paid considerable attention to art,
and is quite proficient in music and painting, and has his home decor-
ated with a number of paintings indicative of true art, produced by
himself and wife. He had had many of his sermons published which rank
him high as a theologian. At present, he is writing a book on infidel-
ity considered in relation to its evil effects as contrasted with
Christianity, which will be completed before this work is put in press.
Had it not been for the assassination of President Garfield, Dr. Tevis
would doubtless have received the appointment to the Jerusalem consu-
late, for which he had received the recommendation of most public men
at Washington. Zealous in his ministerial work, fully imbued with a
love for mankind and a hearty desire for their spiritual and mental
elevation, always a student and given to habits of indefatigable re-
search, Dr. Tevis is one of those rare men who constitute a valuable,
acquisition to any community; while the high social qualities of him-
self and wife render their companionship in the keenest sense enjoy-
able, and win them hosts of friends wherever they are known.
John Thies
This gentleman is the son of B. and Susan Thies, and was born September
23, 1832, in Rhine Province, Prussia. His father was born in 1797, and
his mother in 1800, and are now dead. John was educated in the common
schools of Germany, and for a short time attended English schools. In
1854 he landed in New York City and lived there until 1858. He then
traveled considerably, and late in the fall of that year went to New
Orleans. During the war he was forced to join the rebel militia there,
but in 1863 he went back to New York and stayed until 1866. He came to
Greene county, Missouri, in April, 1871, and now owns a good farm, well
improved. In his younger days he worked at the tailor's trade for a
period of twenty-five years. Mr. Thies was married March 30, 1859, to
Annie M. Neubig, who was born in Bavaria, Germany, July 23, 1832. Mr.
and Mrs. Thies are both members of the Catholic church, and he is one
of the best citizens of the county.
George W. Thomas
Mr. Thomas is a son of Jonathan and Anna Thomas, and was born in Monroe
county, Tenn., December 15, 1819. His father was a native of North
Carolina, and died in Monroe county, Tenn., in 1857. George grew to
manhood in his native county where he was married to Miss Sarah A.
Smallin, of the same county. Their union was blest with ten children,
nine of whom are living, five boys and four girls. Mr. Thomas came to
Missouri in 1854, and settled on Grand prairie, this county, where he
lived two years, and then purchased three hundred and twenty acres of
land in sections 7 and 8, township 31, where he has since resided. Dur-
ing the war Mr. Thomas served in the enrolled militia ten months and
was at the battle of Springfield. His son, Jonathan C., a member of
Company E, 8th Missouri regiment, was killed in the southwestern por-
tion of the State, while pursuing a band of three hundred bushwhackers.
Mrs. Thomas died February 17, 1880 and is buried at the Mt. Pleasant
cemetery. Mr. Thomas is a member of the Baptist church, and one of
Greene's successful farmers.
Jacob Thomas
Mr. Thomas' parents were Christian and Martha Thomas, and he was born
in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, January 2, 1809. He grew to manhood
in his native county, and there received his education. For three years
of his life he worked at the tanner's trade, which he learned in youth,
and subsequently engaged for two years in the distillery business. For
the next six or seven years he worked at the carpenter's trade. In 1834
he moved to Ohio, stopping for a short time in Wayne County, going
thence to Pickaway county, where he continued two years. He spent
several succeeding years in various parts of that State, engaged chief-
ly in farming. In 1863 he crossed the plains with a drove of horses.
Returning the same year, he made another trip, in 1864, to the same
place and for the same purpose. Again, in 1865, he repeated this oper-
ation, returning in 1866. He had sold his Ohio farm in 1864, but his
family remained there till he brought them out to this (Greene) county
in 1866. After a short sojourn in Springfield, he invested in lead
mines in Christian county, which proved, however, not to be a financial
success. From that time he turned his whole attention to farming. He
bought the farm he now owns in 1868, and has lived there ever since.
May 4, 1858, he married Emiline Brockley of Marion county, Ohio. Six
children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas, four of whom are still
living. In politics, Mr. Thomas is a life long Democrat, and always
acts with that time honored party.
Col. James B. Thomas
Col. Thomas was born in Fredrick County, Maryland, February 4, 1806.
He came West in 1833, and to Missouri in 1867, and to Springfield in
1874.
Jacob R. D. Thompson
This gentleman is a son of Edward and Elizabeth (Dollison) Thompson,
and was born July 12, 1836. His father was a native of Maryland and
his mother of Kentucky. His father was among the very first settlers,
coming to this county in 1829, where he died in 1851. Jacob R. D.
Thompson grew to manhood in the county and has always followed farming
and stock rearing. He has a fine farm of two hundred and twenty acres,
all but sixty of which he acquired by his own industry and energy. He
was married in 1866 to Miss Eliza, daughter of Junius T. and Mary A.
(Blackwell) Campbell, who were among the early settlers of Greene. Mr.
and Mrs. Thompson were blest with three children: Mary J., James C. and
Elizabeth A.
James M. Thompson
James M. Thompson (deceased). This gentleman is a son of Edward and
Elizabeth (Dollison) Thompson, and was born in Henry County, Tenn.,
and when he was quite a child his parents moved to Greene County, Mo.,
reaching here in 1829, and were thus among the earliest settlers. James
grew to manhood here and made it his home until his death. He was
married May 21, 1854, to Miss Elizabeth R. Dabbs, and settled in Clay
township. He became a very prosperous farmer, dealing largely in
cattle, and owned a farm of eight hundred acres. He was assassinated
October 5, 1864, while upon his way home from Springfield. He had, or
was supposed to have, a large amount of money upon his person. The
money was never found and it is supposed the murderers got it. He left
a widow and four children, which she reared to be grown, and kept the
estate intact. She was killed by the cyclone of April 17, 1880. Her
oldest son, Abner, was born July 28, 1855, and was married December 4,
1879, to Miss Jane, daughter of Major Charles and Susan Gaolway of this
county. Her mother was killed in the same cyclone. Their union has
been blest with two children, Jesse L. and Susan E. Besides Abner, Mr.
and Mrs. Thompson left, three children, James P., Mary L. and Betty C.
William L. Thompson
Mr. Thompson is a son of Edward and Elizabeth (Dollison) Thompson, and
was born in Henry County, Tenn., December 13, 1822. His father was a
native of Maryland and his mother of Kentucky. After their marriage
they moved to Henry County, Tenn., where they lived until 1829, when
they came to Greene County, Missouri. He purchased a claim, but soon
sold it and in 1831 moved to what is now known as the Crabtree Price
farm, where he lived until 1841, when he moved to Clay township and
settled upon the farm where he died in 1850. William was reared and
educated in this county, where he has lived, except from 1863 to 1868,
he resided in Kentucky. When the war began he owned a farm of five
hundred acres, but owing a few hundred dollars his land was sold to pay
his debts in his absence. He returned a poor man and has since endeav-
ored to recuperate his fallen fortunes. He has now a good farm of one
hundred and sixty-seven acres, and is regarded as one of Greene's best
citizens. Mr. Thompson was married March 27, 1851 to Miss Elizabeth P.
daughter of John M. and Elizabeth (Blakley) Hagan. She was a native of
Logan County, Kentucky, and was married while upon a visit to this
county. They are blest with five children: M. E., Mary A., Edward R.,
Georgia Ann and Willie Douglas.
Winfield Scott Thompson
This gentleman is the son of Samuel S. and Mary H. (Flanagan) Thompson,
and was born at Penn's Grove, Salem County, New Jersey. He was educat-
ed in his early youth in the common schools of his neighborhood, and at
the age of eighteen he entered the Methodist Seminary at Pennington,
N.J., where he remained three years, teaching during vacations to help
defray his educational expenses. Immediately after leaving the school
he began the study of law, which he prosecuted a year before entering
law school. In September, 1864, he entered the famous law school of
Albany, N. Y., and graduated from that institution in May, 1865. Upon
the suggestion of his friend, Hon. Henry T. Blow, of St. Louis, he
settled in Marshfield, Webster County, Mo., in November, 1865, and en-
tered upon the practice of his profession. In 1866 he was appointed
county attorney, and held that responsible position until 1870. He was
then appointed attorney and general agent of the Atlantic and Pacific
railroad. In that capacity he settled the land question that had risen
between the "squatters" and the railroad comopany, to the entire satis-
faction of both. In 1875 he assisted in the organization of the Web-
ster County Bank, at Marshfield, and was elected cashier, being one of
the stockholders. In May, 1879, he sold out his banking business at
Marshfield, and engaged in the same business at Wellington, Kansas, for
a year. In October, 1880, he came to Springfield and was right of way
agent for the Gulf railroad east of this city. He is now town site
agent for all towns upon that road east of Springfield. Mr. Thompson
is a member of the I.O.O.F., and has been a representative to the Grand
Lodge several times. He was married September 16, 1866, to Miss
Susanah W., daughter of Lazarus and Elizabeth Nichols, of Wright County
formerly of Kentucky.
John T. Thoms
Mr. Thoms was born in Ypsilanti, Michigan, February 1st, 1855. On
February 23rd, 1880, he commenced firing on an engine upon the St.
Louis and San Francisco railroad, and January 1st, 1883, was promo-
ted to engineer, and is now running an engine. Mr. Thoms is a member
of the Good Templars Lodge and Congreagational church of North Spring-
field.
William A. Thoms
Few men of the day have been more uniformly successful, or had their
business qualifications more generally acknowledged than Mr. William
A. Thoms. He is a native of Ypsilanti, Michigan, born December 28th,
1848. At the age of nineteen, he began learning telegraphy, in the
office of the Michigan Central railroad, in his native town, in which
he spent one year. He then engaged in farming, but only continued
about a year and a half, when he concluded that the theory of farming
was good, but to make it a success required a great deal of hard labor
and that it was too slow a business for an ambitious young man. Going
to Indianapolis, he accepted a position as operator in the office of
the C.C.C. and I. railroad, and from then until 1872 was constantly
employed in Indiana and Illinois, part of the time as train dispatcher.
In February, 1872, he came to North Springfield and accepted the posi-
tion of train dispatcher on the St. Louis and San Francisco railroad,
and five years later was appointed station agent. On the 11th of Nov-
ember, 1879, he was promoted to the position of superintendent of the
Kansas division, holding this until 1881, when he was transferred to
the Missouri and Arkansas divisions, which he has charge of at this
writing. On November 6th, 1877, Mr. Thoms was married to Miss Ella
Evans, of Springfield. He is a member of St. John's Commandery No. 20,
Knights Templar, and also of the A.O.U.W. Still young, in perfect
health and the vigor of manhood, having a large and varied experience
in railroading, his future promises to be as useful as his past has
been active and successful.
John E. Tisdell
This gentleman is the son of Burrell and Elizabeth (Barrett) Tisdell,
and was born in Sumner County, Tenn., November 30, 1836. In 1840 his
parents moved to Arkansas and in 1843 to Greene County, Missouri, where
he grew to manhood and has since resided. From 1852 to 1860 he was en-
gaged in dealing in cattle, and selling principally to the government.
Since then he has given his entire attention to farming. Mr. Tisdell
was married May 12, 1862, to Miss Jennie, daughter of Crawford and
Francis (Bagby) Crenshaw, of this county, formerly of Tennessee, to
which State her father went from Virginia. They are blest with five
children, Allie, Frank E., John T., Hannah B. and Fannie. Mr. Tisdell
is one of the substantial citizens of the county.
W. M. A. Townsend
Mr. Townsend is the son of William and Mary (Langston) Townsend, and
was born September 5th, 1832, in Logan County, Kentucky. He is one of
a family of twelve children, seven boys and five girls. His father
emigrated to Missouri in the winter of 1832, and settled about three
miles south of Springfield, where William grew up, attending the
schools in his neighborhood. In 1849, he went to California, where he
lived until 1853, when he came back to Missouri, and staid three years.
In 1856, he and his father took a drove of cattle across the great
plains, and reached California just six months after starting. He
lived there until 1871, when he returned to Springfield, Mo., where he
has built up an extensive trade in the boot and shoe line, both whole-
sale and retail. Mr. Townsend is sold proprietor and manager. He was
married on the 16th of September, 1855, to Miss Nancy L., daughter of
George Rainey. They have four children, two boys and two girls. Mr.
Townsend is a Mason, and a prominent member of the Cumberland Presby-
terian Church. His mother died when he was quite young, and his father
died in Cassville, Barry County, Mo., at about eighty years of age. He
was one of Greene's earliest pioneers.
S. Spencer Tracy
Mr. Tracy is the son of Seymour and Ellen (Kelland) Tracy, and was born
in Yates County, New York, July 25, 1844. His fahter was born in 1804,
and from 1839 to 1879 did an extensive milling and grain business at
Penn Yan, New York, with a mill of four hundred barrels capacity per
day. Spencer grew to manhood and was educated in his native county. He
began learning the machinist's trade at the age of sixteen, and in 1862
he went to Springfield, Massachusetts, and worked in the United States
armory. In 1864, he took a course in Burman's commercial college,
graduating in 1865. He was then appointed government inspector, to in-
spect cavalry equipments at Newark, New Jersey, which position he held
until the war closed. In 1866 he went to Kansas City, Missouri, and
that fall went to Galva, Illinois, where he clerked in a store for two
years and then went to Van Buren, Arkansas, staying there four years,
and in 1873, he moved to Greene County, Missouri, where he has since
resided. He owns a farm of two hundred acres, and is one of the rising
young farmers of the county. Mr. Tracy was married November 3, 1873,
to Miss Jennie, daughter of Ellis C. and Parthena (Bryant) Powell, of
this county. By their marriage they have five children, viz.: Maud,
Ellen, Seymour, Clara and Freddie. Mr. Tracy has been a member of the
A. F. & A. M. society since he was twenty-one years of age.
Oliver Homer Travers
This gentleman is the son of Jeremiah T. and Sarah R. (Navy) Travers,
and was born April 3, 1846, in Baltimore, Maryland. He was educated in
that city and in St. Mary's County, Maryland. In the fall of 1866 he
came to St. Louis, Missouri, where he clerked in a commission house for
about eight months. In May, 1867, he came to Springfield, and accepted
a clerkship in the drug store of Murphy & Clements, where he remained
eighteen months. He then entered the law office of McAfee & Phelps,
where he studied, and was admitted to the bar in the fall of 1869. In
1872-3 he was elected city attorney upon the Democratic ticket. In 1876
he was nominated for the Legislature, but declined to run. He was pro-
secuting attorney of Greene county from 1879 to 1881. In 1881 was city
attorney of North Springfield. In 1880 he made the race for the Legis-
lature, against Walter Langston, Republican, and was only beaten by
forty-six votes. Mr. Travers was married November 20, 1869, to Miss
Virginia M., daughter of Dr. William Parrish, of this county. Their
union was blest with three children, only one of whom, Fred P., is liv-
ing. Mr. Travers has been for several years high priest of the Spring-
field Royal Arch Chapter, No. 15, Seignior Warden of Solomon Lodge, No.
271, and Prelate of St. John's Commandery, No. 20, and a member of the
I.O.O.F. As a lawyer he stands among the first of the Southwest, and
as an orator he is surpassed by no man in Southern Missouri. His father
is living in Maryland, and his mother died in 1859. They had five
children, of whom Oliver is the oldest.
George W. Tribble
Mr. Tribble is the son of George W. and Patsey (Embry) Tribble, and was
born in Christian county, Kentucky, July 11, 1842. His father was also
a native of Kentucky, born January 1, 1804, and is still living in Lin-
coln county, that State. His mother died in Madison county, Ky. When
George was about nine years of age his parents removed to Lincoln
county, Kentucky, where he was educated in the best schools of that
section. He began farming when quite young, and has ever since follow-
ed that occupation. In 1862 he enlisted in the Confederate army, under
Gen. Forrest, in Company A, 2nd Kentucky Cavalry. After the war he
returned to Christian county, and farmed there until his removal to
Lincoln county, in 1876. He lived there until October 15, 1879, when
he came to Greene county, Missouri, and settled where he now resides,
near Springfield. He owns a farm of eighty acres of land, well improv-
ed. Mr. Tribble was married February 20, 1861, to Mary E. Beazley. She
died February 27, 1862 and Mr. Tribble was married the second time to
Elizabeth J. Herndon, upon the 26th of February, 1863. Their union has
been blest with three children, viz.: William A., born February 1, 1862;
George H., born February 4, 1864; Mary E., born April 10, 1867. Mr.
Tribble is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and they are all members
of the Christian Church.
Granville W. Turner
This gentleman was born in Edina, Knox County, Missouri, January 3,
1844. He is the son of Granville D. and Maria Turner. In 1861 he
enlisted in the Federal army and served about nine months. He next
engaged in bridge building on the St. Louis and San Francisco rail-
road, whose western terminus was at that time at Rolla. He has been
a resident of North Springfield for three years. He is now master
of bridge builders, and fills the position with credit to himself
and safety to the road. He was married on June 30, 1880, in South
St. Louis, to Miss Melissa Trower. This union has been blest with
one child, viz.: Walter, born September 9, 1881.
John Turner
John Turner, Esq. The subject of this sketch is the son of John and
Mary (Williams) Turner, and was born in Maury County, Tennessee, April
2, 1809. His parents were natives of North Carolina, but emigrated to
Tennessee in 1806, where they lived for about six years, and then re-
moved to Kentucky in 1812, and settled in Logan County, where John
Turner, Sr., died. His widow survived her husband thirteen years, and
died in 1825. They were buried in the Turner family burying ground in
Logan County, near the Tennessee line. They had twelve children, all
of whom lived to be grown, save one little girl, who died in infancy.
Their names were, Elizabeth, Archibald, Charles, Thomas, Sarah, John,
William, James, Henry, Joseph, and Elijah. John, this subject, grew to
manhood in Kentucky upon the old homestead, working upon the farm until
he was sixteen years of age, when, upon his mother's death, he went to
Tennessee and lived with his relatives until his marriage. He was mar-
ried November 6, 1828, to Miss Nancy Price, of Robinson County, Tenn.
By this union they had three children, viz.: Mary Jane, Nancy Fisher,
and James William. His first wife died November 13, 1855, and is bur-
ied in the county of her birth. His eldest daughter married Samuel A.
Doss, and the younger married J. C. Howard, of their native State. Mr.
Turner, with his sons-in-law and his daughters, moved to Missouri in
March, 1856, and settled in Greene County. He bought a farm three
miles east of Ash Grove, from Silas Grantham in 1857, which he still
owns. He was married the second time to Mrs. Nancy B. Seward, of Law-
rence County, Missouri, on the 7th of December, 1856. This union was
without issue. His last wife died November 2, 1881. He was elected a
justice of the peace in 1857, and served four years. At the breaking
out of the war, Squire Turner being above the regulation age for sold-
iers, took his wife, together with his and his sons'-in-law negroes to
Texas, so as to be practically out of the war. He lived in Collin Co.,
Texas, for four years, and returned home in October, 1865. He lived
upon his farm until 1877, when he rented it out, and moved into Ash
Grove, where he still lives. He is now in his seventy-fourth year,
hale and hearty, and has promise of years yet. He reared an orphan
girl, Mary E. Casteel, who still lives with him. He began life poor,
but, by perseverance and economy he has amassed a handsome competence.
He is a member of the Baptist Church, and is respected by all as an
upright Christian gentleman.
David Tutt
For some time after the close of the war Springfield was the resort of
many hard characters. Adventurers of every sort came in and met the
ruffians of both armies, who lately disbanded, were seeking a liveli-
hood by any means not involving hard work. Among those who were in the
town in the summer of 1865 was one J. B. Hickok, who came to be known
as "Wild Bill," and as such has been made the hero of divers improbable
adventures set forth in certain flashy, sensational publications. Hic-
kok had been in the Federal service in Southwest Missouri and Northern
Arkansas, as a scout for the army of the frontier, and in the perform-
ance of his duties had grown to be well acquainted with danger, and
being by nature a ruffian he soon became a desperado, a drunken, swag-
gering fellow, who delighted when "on a spree" to frighten nervous men
and timid women. After settling in Springfield a favorite diversion of
his was to ride his horse on sidewalks and into saloons, hotels, stores
and other public places, and make the animal lie down and perform other
tricks, to the infinate delight, no doubt, of the proprietors, none of
whom, unfortunately, had grit enough to blow the bully's head off. A
man after Wild Bill's own heart was one David Tutt, an ex-Confederate
soldier, who had lived at Yellville, Arkansas, and had come, with his
mother, sister and younger brothers, to Springfield, early in the
spring. Tutt was a ruffian and a crack pistol shot. He was said to
have "gotten in his work," not only on Federal soldiers, but on citi-
zens who had crossed his path against his protest. Both Tutt and Hic-
kok were gamblers, and good ones, although the ex-Confederate was the
more proficient of the two. The two men were boon companions for a
time; the one touch of ruffianism made them both akin. They walked the
streets together, they drank together, they gambled together, and in
the latter pastime Tutt effectually "cleaned out" Bill. On the night
of the 20th of July the two men played poker in a room at the "Lyon
House," now the Southern Hotel, on South street. Hickok was the loser.
First his money went; then his watch, a fine gold hunting-cased "Walt-
ham," with a flashy chain and seal, then his diamond (?) pin and ring.
He rose from the table completely "strapped," and much irritated and
crest-fallen. Everybody knew Wild Bill's watch, and after it had been
surrendered to Tutt this night, Bill asked him at a special favor, not
to wear it publicly, or let people know that it had changed owners, as
he (Bill) felt bad enough already and did not want the evidence of his
misfortune, of his ill-luck and bad playing, flaunted in everybody's
face. Tutt laughed a mocking laugh at Bill's humiliation, and assured
him that it would give him as much pleasure to wear the watch on the
streets as it had already given him to win it. "I intend wearing it in
the morning," he added. Bill replied with an oath, "If you do, I'll
shoot you, and I warn you not to come across the square with it on."
The two men parted and retired to their rooms, to put fresh caps on
their revolvers. The next morning Tutt put on his watch, and his
revolver too, and went down on the square. Going along the west side
he entered the livery stable on the northwest corner and sat in the
door where he could cammand a view of all four sides of the square, and
especially of the Lyon House and South street. Very soon afterward,
Hickok came out of the hotel and down on the square, at the corner of
South street. He stood on the west side of the street, and stopping
one or two passers by inquired if they had seen "Dave Tutt down town
this morning?" On being told that Tutt was on the square, Bill said,
"Well, its all right if he hain't got my watch on, but if he has
there'll be merry hell, you bet your life!" Tutt's younger brother
came up, and to him Bill said, "You had better go and tell Dave to take
off that watch;" and when young Tutt said he thought his brother had a
right to wear what he pleased if it belonged to him, Bill answered,
"He shan't wear that watch anyhow." Just then Tutt came out of the
livery stable and walked south along the square. Bill saw him and ex-
claimed, "There he comes now." The little group about Bill scattered,
and he took a few steps toward and drew his revolver, a Colt's dragoon,
with cap and ball. Just as Tutt reached the corner of the court house
and Campbell street, Bill called out, "Dave, don't you come across here
with that watch." Tutt, as some say, drew his pistol, and almost in-
stantly Bill fired, using one arm as a rest for his revolver. Tutt
fell, shot nearly through the heart, and died very soon. Some deposed
that Tutt's revolver was out of its scabbard when the body was first
examined, and that Tutt had fired first. One chamber of the revolver
was empty, and there were those who swore that they heard two pistol
shots. Bill's shot was a fine one, but it is said by those who knew
him well that it was a chance shot, for it is averred that when here
Wild Bill was not considered a crack shot at all, and that his shot
which killed Tutt at a distance of 75 yards was an accident. As soon
as he had fired and seen that his shot had taken effect Bill handed
over his pistols to the sheriff, who came up, and informed that officer
he was his prisoner. A few minutes afterward Bill was observed riding
leisurely up South street taking the morning air. The circuit court
was in session at the time. Bill was promptly indicted, arrested on a
bench warrant, and brought to trial. He was vigorously prosecuted by
the circuit attorney, Maj. R. W. Fyan, and ably defended by Hon. John
S. Phelps. Witnesses testified that they heard two shots, and that the
first came from near where Tutt's body was found. The empty chamber of
Tutt's revolver was exhibited, and upon the ground of "reasonable doubt"
that Hickok was the aggressor, the jury acquitted him. There were
those however, who asserted that Hickok was cleared because he was ex-
Federal and a Radical, and the man he shot was a "rebel," and the jury
were all men who could take the "Drake oath." A prominent attorney
harangued the crowd from the balcony of the court house, and denounced
the verdict as against the evidence and all decency, and there were
threats of lynching Bill, but nothing was done, and he was allowed to
live until shot by another desperate character, named Jack McCall, at
Deadwood, D. T. (Tutt's body was first buried in the old cemetery,
inside the city limits. In March, 1883, it was disinterred by Lewis
Tutt, a former slave of the Tutt family, and reburied in Maple Park
cemetery.)
Seth Tuttle
Mr. Tuttle is the son of Horatio and Caroline (Horton) Tuttle, and was
born in Seneca county, Ohio, February 4, 1836. Seth was educated in
his native county and when young learned the wagon maker's trade. In
1851 he went to Barry county, Michigan, and there engaged in contract-
ing, stone, brick, and carpenter work. He had a sub-contract upon the
State University building, at Fayetteville, Arkansas. In 1877 he
located at Springfield, Missouri, and became the leading contractor
and builder in Greene county. Among some of the leading houses he has
had contracts upon are Rainey's building, Metropolitan Hotel, machine
shop, and many of the best buildings in both old and new town. Mr.
Tuttle moved out upon his farm in 1877, two miles from the city, which
contains about five hundred and fifty acres, all in cultivation and
well improved. He was appointed county superintendent of the poor
farm in April, 1879, which position he has filled to the satisfaction
of the people. He retired in April, 1883 to his farm. He was married
October, 1856 to Nancy M. Frank, a native of Kentucky, born in 1834.
Their union has been blest with four children, viz.: Alice, Ellen,
Minnie and Charles. Mr. Tuttle is a member of the A.O.U.W. and he and
his wife are members of the Christian church.
J. F. Utter
Mr. Utter is a son of Joseph G. and Rebecca Utter, and was born in
Morrow County, Ohio, April 1, 1858. He began braking upon the St.
Louis and San Francisco railroad upon the 8th of September, 1881, and
has been so employed ever since, with the exception of one month in
the fall of 1882, when he took a "lay off" and made a pleasure trip
West. He went to Deming, N. M., Chihuahua, Old Mexico, and San Fran-
sico. He returned via Central Pacific R.R., stopping off at Reno,
Nev., and Ogden, Utah. He then took the Union Pacific to Cheyenne,
then to Denver, thence to Halstead, Kansas, and then to North Spring-
field. He is a member of Lodge No. 113, I.O.O.F., at Granby, Mo., and
North Star lodge, I.O.G.T.
James D. Van Bibber
This gentleman is the son of Joseph and Susan (Boone) Van Bibber, and
was born May 3, 1828, in Liberty, Clay County, Missouri. In 1832 his
parents moved to Randolph County, Arkansas, where they died, leaving
James D., our subject, still a child. In 1844 he came with his grand-
father, Daniel Boone, to Greene County, Missouri, and settled on a
farm near Ash Grove. He worked upon a farm, and saved money enough to
give himself a good common school education. He taught school several
terms, two in 1849, and one in the winter of 1850. In May, 1850, he
sold goods for Alfred Stealey, at Cave Spring, which position he held
until Mr. Stealey's death in 1853. Mrs. Stealey then gave Mr. Van
Bibber entire control of the store until 1856, when he bought the
stock of goods from her, and ran it on his own account until 1860. He
was married February 28, 1854, to Caroline, daughter of Alfred and
Lucinda (Brower) Stealey. They have been blest with two children, viz:
Alfred H. and Laura B. In 1869 he removed to Walnut Grove, where he
lived until 1874, when he made the race for county clerk upon the Demo-
cratic ticket, and was elected. He served his term of four years, and
was renominated and re-elected in 1878, and was again re-elected in
1882. He is held in high esteem by all political parties. He is a
Mason, has been secretary of the lodge for several years, and is a gen-
tleman in every sense.
James R. Vaughan
Mr. Vaughan is the son of Thomas and Susan B. Vaughan, and was born
January 6, 1845, at Murfeesborough, Tenn. In 1849 his parents moved
to that part of Greene county that is now Christian. James was edu-
cated at the Ozark high school under the instruction of Rev. J. C.
Learned, and in 1859 he returned to Tennessee and attended the Union
University. He then returned to Ozark, and in March, 1862, enlisted
in Company C, 6th Missouri Cavalry, as a private, but was promoted to
the rank of sergeant major, and so mustered out at Baton Rouge, March
12, 1865. He graduated from the Ann Arbor law school in 1868, and
attended the university at Jacksonville, Illinois, one year before
going to Ann Arbor. He returned to Ozark where he remained in the
practice of the law until May, 1877, when he came to Springfield and
formed a law partnership with Hon. S. H. Boyd. Mr. Vaughan was marr-
ied May 10, 1871 to Miss B. A. Weaver. They have had one son and
three daughters. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and is
one of Greene's leading citizens. His father was a native of Ruther-
ford County, Tenn., born January 8, 1814 and died in Christian County,
Missouri, August 18, 1880. His mother is yet living in Springfield.
They had two sons, the subject of this sketch being one, and Samuel R.
the other, and one daughter, Sarah R., now the wife of J. Bell, all
living in Springfield.
P. F. Vaughan
This gentleman is the son of Philander and Harriet (Page) Vaughan, and
was born in Vermont, February 9, 1843. In 1847 his parents moved to
Summit County, Ohio, where he grew to manhood. He was educated at
Hiram College, when James A. Garfield held a professorship there. In
1862 he enlisted in Company G, 42nd Ohio, Col. Jas. A. Garfield, and
was at the battles of Chickasaw Bayou and the seige of Vicksburg. He
served until the three years men were mustered out and then went into
the Pennsylvania oil regions, where he remained until 1878. He then
moved to Springfield, Mo., and in the spring of 1879 engaged in the
well drilling business. He has been eminently successful in obtaining
water, knowing all the time that it was only a question of depth. The
drilling outfit is of his own design and construction. Some of the
deepest wells in the State are here, in Southwest Missouri, and drill-
ed by Mr. Vaughan. In 1881, he bought the farm upon which is the
celebrated Fisher cave, and moved out to the place in the spring of
1883. Mr. Vaughan intends fixing it up as a pleasant resort. He was
married in 1871, to Miss Sarah, daughter of Samuel and Sarah McCunkey,
of Warren County, Pa. Their union is blest with two children, Clarence
and Florence. Mr. Vaughan has been a member of the Christian church
since seventeen years of age, and is one of the substantial citizens of
the county of his adoption.
W. H. Vaughn
Mr. Vaughn was born in 1824, in Halifax county, Virginia. When he was
about twenty-two years of age he went to Tennessee, and from there he
came to Greene county, Missouri, where he was married upon the 15th of
January, 1857, to Miss Amanda, daughter of Thos. L. and Martha (Strick-
land) Aken. Her parents emigrated to this county from Bedford county,
Tennessee, in 1835. Mr. and Mrs. Vaughn have five children, James W.,
George W., Martha L., Joseph J. and Adolphus L. During the war Mr.
Vaughn was a Union man, and was a member of Capt. Bradley's company.
He has been a member of the Baptist church for more than thirty years,
and is one of the substantial men in the county.
William H. Vaughan
Mr. Vaughan is the son of Davis and Susan (Wells) Vaughan, and was born
in Perry county, Indiana, January 24, 1830. When quite a boy he went
to Hancock county, Kentucky, where he was educated in the common schools
of the county. In 1848 he returned to Perry county, Indiana, and there
learned the carpenter's trade, and made that his occupation until about
1874. Mr. Vaughan spent several years upon the coast of the Gulf of
Mexico, and built many houses in that section of the country. He went
to Henry county, Missouri, in 1869, where he lived until 1874, and then
came to this county, where he has since been engaged in farming and
fruit growing. He has twenty acres in fruit cultivation two and one-
half miles southeast of Springfield. During the year 1882 he sold
nearly one thousand dollars worth of fruit. Mr. Vaughan was married
September 9, 1856, to Miss Mary E., daughter of Henry J. and Nancy J.
Edwards, of Kentucky. She was born in Shelby county, Kentucky, Febru-
ary 15, 1836. Their union has been blest with five children, two sons
and three daughters. Mr. Vaughan's grandfather was a soldier in the
Revolutionary War and served throughout with distinction. During the
war Mr. Vaughan was in the militia, and in politics is a Republican.
He is a member of the I.O.O.F. and is president of the school board in
his district.
S. S. Vinton, Jr.
Mr. Vinton is the son of Samuel S. and Margaret (Campbell) Vinton, and
was born at Springfield, Missouri, July 16, 1857. He was educated at
the public schools and at Drury College. He was married October 8,
1878, to Miss Ella Whitson, of Springfield. Their union was blest with
one child. Mrs. Vinton died March 15, 1882. Mr. Vinton, since quiting
school, has been engaged in business with some of the leading men of
the county, both as clerk and as a partner. Since January 1, 1883, he
and his brother have been in the dry goods and boot and shoe business
for themselves on the north side of the square. They are upright, en-
terprising young men and will succeed.
R. S. Waddell
Mr. Waddell is the son of Hon. John S. Waddell, and was born at Spring-
field, Missouri, November 6, 1850. He was educated at Ann Arbor, Mich-
igan, and returned to Springfield, where for two years he was engaged
in mercantile pursuits as a clerk. In 1874 he went into the wholesale
house of Keet, Rountree & Co., and has been with them ever since. He
was married December 3, 1874, to Miss L. D. Shipman, of this city. They
have two girls and one boy. Mr. Waddell is a member of the A. O. U. W.
and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Church. He has been
quite successful in business and is one of the substantial young men of
the county.
Thomas W. Wade
Mr. Wade is the son of Rev. James and Nancy (Herron) Wade, and was born
in Franklin County, Georgia, November 12, 1847. His father was a nat-
ive of Virginia, and mother of Georgia. His father was a local Metho-
dist preacher for over fifty years, a man of sterling integrity and one
beloved by all who knew him. He moved with his family to Greene County
Missouri in 1850, where he lived until 1868, and then went to Arkansas
and died at the age of eighty years of age in 1881. Thomas W. grew to
manhood here in Greene County, where he has since resided, except in
1869 and 1870, when he lived in Arkansas. During the war he was in the
employ of the government for fourteen months. Mr. Wade is an enterpri-
sing farmer, and owns a good, improved farm. He was married September
15, 1860, to Miss Sarepta E., daughter of Joel M. and Martha E.(Rucker)
Skelton, of Greene County. Their union was blest with eight children,
Martha E., Nancy J., Mary M., Eda S., Laura E., Jula A, Ira C. and
Charles W. Mrs. Skelton's father was killed November 8, 1862, by a
party of men in blue uniform who hated him for his Southern principles.
Hon. William H. Wade
This gentleman is the son of Isaac S. and Eleanor (Lamb) Wade, and was
born in Clarke County, Ohio, November 3, 1835. His father was a native
of Virginia, and was for thirty years a justice of the peace. His
mother was born in Ohio, and her father was a captain in the War of
1812. William H. grew to manhood in his native county, where he was
educated, finishing his education at Antioch college. He followed
farming and teaching until the civil war began, and went out at the
first call of troops as 1st lieutenant of a company in the 16th Ohio
regiment. He was mustered out as lieut. colonel in April, 1866, having
served five years and nine days. He was at the battles of Corinth,
Murfeesboro, Chickamauga, and all the battles in the department of the
Cumberland. On May, 1866, he moved to Saline County, Missouri, where
he lived until 1874. He then came to Greene County, and in 1880 he was
elected to the Legislature, and re-elected in 1882. He was one of the
ablest members of that body. Mr. Wade was married in 1867 to Miss
Mary, daughter of William and Lydia (Price) Knott, of Clark County,
Ohio. Their union has been blest with six children, four of whom are
living.
William C. Wadlow,M.D.
Dr. Wadlow is the son of Charles W. Wadlow, a native of Tennessee, who
came to Greene county, Missouri, in 1837. He was a farmer and black-
smith, and died in February, 1863. His wife died in February, 1875.
Wm. C. was born October 18, 1842 in Cass township, this county, and
studied medicine at Walnut Grove with Dr. A. C. Sloan. He then attend-
ed the famous Missouri Medical College at St. Louis, and has been prac-
ticing eight years. Dr. Wadlow was married October 21, 1860 to Miss
Susan E., daughter of R. C. Julian, a former prominent citizen of the
county. Their union has been blest with six children, two boys and
four girls. The doctor stands high in the profession, and enjoys the
confidence of all who know him.
Judge Ralph Walker
Judge Walker is the son of Ralph and Ann (Bigley) Walker, and was born
in Cloncanon House, County of Galway, Ireland, November 27th, 1831. He
was educated at Ranella College Athlone, in the central portion of Ire-
land, and subsequently in that historic city Londonderry, where his
family name became associated with the memorable defence of that place
under the leadership of Governor George Walker in repelling the attacks
of the forces by King James. At the age of eighteen he came to America
landing at Philadelphia in 1851, and in that year he went to St. Louis
and accepted a position under his brother John, who was the agent of
the Adams Express Company at that city. He continued in that position
until 1854, when he accepted the first clerkship on the steamer Badger
State, plying between St. Louis and St. Paul; then on the steamer
Thomas Swann, from Louisville to New Orleans, and afterwards on the Ed-
ward Walsh and Michigan, between St. Louis and New Orleans. From 1858
to 1862 he was general freight and passenger agent of the Wabash rail-
road in St. Louis. In the latter year he made a trip to Liverpool,
England, taking over the first cargo of petroleum oil that ever crossed
the Atlantic ocean. In 1865 he returned to St. Louis, and in 1866 he
came to Greene county and engaged in the mercantile business at Ash
Grove; organized and laid out that town. In 1870 he was elected county
judge by those who favored internal improvements regardless of party
fealty. He served six years. In 1876 he assisted in the reorganiza-
tion of the Kansas City and Memphis railroad, in which he became a
director, and since the sale of that road to the Fort Scott and Gulf
company he has laid out and organized the towns of Everton, Seymour,
Cabool and West Memphis. He is also proprietor of the Ash Grove mines.
In 1857 he was married in the city of Dublin, by the Bishop of Cork, to
Frances J., daughter of Major Henry Wilson, of Her Majesty's 32nd regi-
ment of foot. They have had eight children, seven boys and one girl,
two of whom died in infancy. His eldest son, Harry W., is at present
connected with the Globe-Democrat of St. Louis. Judge Walker is a
Mason and Senior Warden of Christ's Episcopal Church, Springfield.
Joseph Ward
Mr. Ward is the son of Jacob and Annie (Smith) Ward, and was born in
Pennsylvania, July 8th, 1839. When Joseph was quite a small boy his
parents moved to Gallia County, Ohio, where he received his education
and grew to manhood. In 1861 he enlisted in Company M, 11th Pennsyl-
vania Cavalry, and served four years and twenty-three days. He was
mustered out at Richmond, Virginia, in the fall of 1865. He served
for some time as a dispatch courier for Gen. McClellan and other noted
generals. He came to Springfield, Mo., in November, 1865, and freigh-
ted goods from Rolla to Springfield. In July, 1866, he was appointed
as one of the police force, and has served about five years in all.
He was in the grocery business for a year, but is now on the force,
and discharges his duty without fear or favor. He was married in 1867
to Miss Martha J. Beal, of this city. Their married life has been
blest with two children, George S. (deceased) and Fred. He and his
wife are members of the Christian church. Mr. Ward's father died in
Pennsylvania, when he, Joseph, was eleven years old, and his mother
died in Springfield, in 1879. They had seven children, four of whom
are now living.
William Henry Ward
Mr. Ward is the son of William T. and Louisa J. Ward, and was born
October 10, 1842, in Greene County, Missouri, two miles west of Spring-
field. He grew to manhood upon the farm, and when the war broke out he
joined the militia for a year, and then enlisted in the 2nd Missouri
light artillery, battery I, as first sergeant. He was at the battles
of Springfield and Nashville. At Springfield he was wounded in the
left hand. He was mustered out August 10, 1865, at Benton Barracks,
St. Louis, Missouri. He then came home and learned the trade of stone
mason, and worked at it ten years, and during the time laid the founda-
tion for some of the principal business houses in the city of Spring-
field. In 1879 he moved to Christian county and ran a saw mill, and in
January, 1883, he returned to Springfield, and now has charge of the
large saw mill of R. A. Campbell. His first vote was cast for Lincoln
in 1864 on the steamer J. D. Berry. He was married September 22, 1870,
to Miss Lavinia, daughter of Henry Clay, of Springfield. Their union
has been blest with three sons and one daughter. His father was born
January 10, 1814 in Tazewell County, Tenn., and came to Greene County,
Mo., in 1837, settling upon the place where Col. J. H. Price now lives.
He then moved six miles south of Springfield, where he has lived forty
five years. His first wife was Miss Priscilla Price, a sister of Judge
William C. Price. She dying, he married Louisa J. Epperson, by whom he
had seven children, four sons and three daughters. His second wife
died March 31, 1854. Mr. Ward, Sr., was a Know Nothing before the war,
and voted for Lincoln in 1864. He was one of the pioneers of the
county, and one of Greene's best citizens.
H. S. Warner
Mr. Warner is a native of Ohio, and has been railroading about six
years, and on the Frisco road for four years. He is at present car
accountant.
Dr. Lorenzo T. Watson
Dr. Watson is the son of Barnett and Jane (Holloway) Watson, and was
born September 17th, 1833, in Monroe County, Tenn. He is the second
child of a family of twelve children. He was educated in his native
county at Hiwasse College, attending five years. In 1851-52 and '53,
he taught school in Georgia, Alabama and North Carolina. He left
Tennessee upon the 10th day of October, 1853 and reached Greene County
Missouri, November 20th, on foot, having walked the entire distance.
He taught school in Cass and Robberson townships for two years. He
then studied medicine in the office of Dr. Clinton, of Ash Grove, for
one year. In the fall of 1856 he went to McDowell's College, St.
Louis, and took one course of lectures. He then went to Hartsville,
Wright County, Mo., and practiced medicine until the fall of 1858,
when he returned to the same medical college and graduated in March,
1859. He then returned to Hartsville and practiced his profession
until the war broke out, when he was appointed assistant surgeon of
the 24th Missouri Volunteers, Union Army. He was afterward surgeon
of the M. S. M. He was in the service about three years, and then
came to Springfield and engaged in the mercantile business. He re-
mained in business in the city about three years, and then moved out
to his farm in Cass township, where he lived until 1881, when he came
back and moved into the house where he now lives, on South street,
said to be one of the first brick houses built in the city. Dr. Wat-
son was married in August, 1865, to Miss Josephine Massey. They were
blest with one child, Eddie. The doctor's parents came to Missouri
in 1851, and settled in Cass township. His father died in 1861, and
his mother in 1882, at the age of sixty-nine.
Capt. F. E. Watterson
This gentleman was born March 21, 1827 in Hawkins county, Tenn. At the
age of sixteen he was elected major of a regiment of Tennessee militia.
In July, 1847 he enlisted for the war with Mexico, and was elected 1st
lieutenant of Company E, 5th Tennessee volunteers. He was mustered in
at Knoxville in November, 1847 and discharged at Memphis, July 20th,
1848. During the war he served under Gens. Scott, Twiggs and Smith.
Mr. Watterson was married November 24, 1848 to Miss Martha E. Gal-
breath. In the fall of 1851 he moved to Greene county, Missouri, where
he engaged in farming until 1854, when he was appointed by the county
court to fill a vacancy as justice of the peace, and acted until the
general election. In 1858 he was appointed deputy sheriff, by Henry
Matlock, and was deputy when a mob hung a negro in 1859. In 1860 he
was reappointed deputy, by Sheriff T. A. Reed, and served until the
spring of 1861. In May of that year he was elected captain of a comp-
any of Home Guards, and was on duty in Springfield when the battle of
Wilson's Creek was fought. The Home Guards were then disbanded, and in
November, 1861 he went with the Fremont retreat, as a citizen, to Rolla.
During the winter he was a scout for the commander at Rolla, and in
February, 1862 he was guide and scout for Gen. Curtis from Rolla to Pea
Ridge. The remainder of the spring he was engaged in recruiting for
the 8th Missouri cavalry, and elected 1st lieutenant of Company L, and
served as such until January 22nd, 1865 when he resigned at Little
Rock, Ark., and returned to Greene county, where he has farmed ever
since. He has served as constable of Taylor township for six years.
Capt. Watterson is the father of eleven children, nine of whom are now
living. Mrs. Watterson died March 3, 1878.
Granville H. Watts
This gentleman is the son of Joseph and Patsey Watts, and was born in
Halifax County, Virginia, July 6th, 1818. His parents were native
Virginians, and his father was a soldier in the War of 1812. He grew
to manhood in his native county upon the farm, and at the age of
twenty-five he learned the saddler's trade, which he has followed in
connection with farming until the present. In 1857 he went to Lincoln
County, Kentucky, where he carried on the saddlery business at Crab
Orchard until 1879. He then came to this county, settling at Ash
Grove, but in 1880 removed to Greenfield, and in 1881 came back to
Greene and located permanently in Bois D'Arc, where he and his nephew
carried on the saddle and harness business very successfully. Mr.
Watts has reared two of his nephews, though never married. He has
been a consistent member of the Methodist Church for forty years, and
is regarded by all as an upright, Christian gentleman.
Henry Watts
Henry Watts is the son of Milton and Lucinda (Brown) Watts, who were
natives of Virginia, and his grandfather was a soldier in the War of
1812. Henry was born in Scott County, Virginia, March 7th, 1845 and
when twelve years of age he went with his uncle, Granville H. Watts,
to Lincoln County, Kentucky, where he was reared, working on the farm
and at the saddler's trade with his uncle. He lived in that county
until 1879, when he came to Ash Grove, Greene County, Missouri, where
he engaged in the harness and saddlery business. In 1880 he went to
Greenfield, and in 1881 located at Bois D'Arc, where they are now do-
ing a flourishing business. He also owns one hundred and twenty acres
of land, the result of his industry and energy. Mr. Watts is a member
of the I. O. O. F., and is one of the most substantial citizens of
Bois D'Arc.
Thomas J. Watts, M.D.
Dr. Watts is the son of James and Delilah (Tabor) Watts, and was born
in Tennessee, August 10, 1837. His parents were natives of North Caro-
lina. His great grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary War,
and his grandfather of the War of 1812. His parents moved to Greene
County, Missouri, and settled on the James River, near the Webster
County line. Thomas grew to manhood here, and was educated at the
Ozark High School. He taught school for some time, and in 1858 commen-
ced the study of medicine under Drs. Robinson and Barrett, and took
lectures at the St. Louis Medical College. In 1861 he commenced the
practice in Webster County, and in 1864 he removed to where he now
lives. He enjoys a large and lucrative practice, and is one of the
leading physicians of the county. He owns a fine farm of four hundred
acres, and deals extensively in stock. He began life poor and has
arisen to dignity and wealth by his own exertions. Dr. Watts was
married in 1863 to Miss Martha A., daughter of Wiley and Charlotta
(Edwards) Hedgheth, of Christian County, Missouri, formerly of Tenn.
Their union has been blest with two children, James W. and Lula T.,
deceased.
Edward L. Weaver
Mr. Weaver was born in Greene county, Missouri, February 21st, 1837.
His father was Joseph Weaver, and his mother's maiden name was May.
They were natives of Georgia, and came to Greene county, Mo., in March,
1830. Edward was educated in the common schools of this county, and
when old enough engaged in mercantile business. He was for some time
with Shepard & Kimbrough, and then Weaver & Wood, and afterwards as
Weaver, Wood & Co. He has been identified with the business interests
of Springfield for a period of about twenty-five years. In February,
1880, he retired from mercantile business and removed to his place just
upon the outskirts of the city, where he has one hundred and six acres.
At present he is engaged in buying and selling stock. Mr. Weaver was
married February 21st, 1861, to Miss Eliza E. Smith, who was born in
Springfield, Mo., July 30th, 1840. She was the daughter of General
N. R. and Harriet (Goodwyn) Smith. They were natives of Virginia.
General Smith died in April, 1858. He was one of the most prominent
property owners in the city. Mr. and Mrs. Weaver have been blest with
three children, two of whom are now living, viz.: Eddie W., born June
13th, 1867 and Clara V., born May 5th, 1871. Mr. Weaver is a member of
the Christian Church, and one of the best citizens of the county.
Albert T. Weir
Mr. Weir is a native of St. Clair County, Missouri, born December 29,
1848. He was educated in the common schools, remaining in the county
of his birth till the civil war. His father was Samuel and his mother
Lettie (Compton) Weir, the latter having died in 1862. Early in the
war, Mr. Weir was burned out by a marauding party from Kansas, and in
the fall of 1861, the youthful Albert, then but thirteen years old,
enlisted in the Confederate Service and fought till the surrender at
Shreveport, in June, 1865, having participated in many hotly contested
battles. He was on Shelby's raid through Missouri, and was three weeks
in the saddle day and night. At the close of the war, Mr. Weir spent
eight months in Tennessee, and returned thence to Callaway County, Mo.
In 1869, he came to Greene County, where he engaged in blacksmithing
for five years. He then purchased a farm in Boone Township and has
ever since followed the vocation of a farmer. He now owns two good
farms, one containing 160 acres, and the other 100 acres. Mr. Weir
was married December 16, 1869, to Miss Laura J., daughter of ex-Senator
Frank T. Frazier, of Greene County. They have a family of three girls
and two boys. Mr. Weir is at present a popular salesman in the dry
goods house of Wilkerson & McCray, though he resides just north of Ash
Grove. He is a Freemason of good standing, and belongs to lodge number
436, A. F. & A. M., at Walnut Grove.
John R. Wentworth
The subject of this sketch was born August 10, 1847, in Dover, New
Hampshire. He received a good practical education in his native town.
When he was sixteen he went to Boston, Massachusetts, and engaged as
clerk in the large shipping and commission house of Pierce & Bacon,
where he worked until 1868, then came to Missouri and joined the civil
engineer corps that located the present St. L. & S. F. railway. When
the road was completed to Marshfield he was appointed freight and tic-
ket agent at that place where he remained until 1873, then was trans-
ferred to the office at North Springfield. On the first day of June,
1881, he was promoted to superintendent of the Kansas division of the
St. L. & S. F. railway, which position he holds at present. On the
16th day of October, 1870, he married Miss Ida L. Straw, daughter of
Col. J. W. & Lucy Straw, of Marshfield. They have one child, Maud E.,
born May 27, 1873. He is a member of Star lodge No. 20, K of P., also
belongs to Wentworth lodge, No. 113, A.O.U.W.
Edward West
This gentleman is the son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Thompson) West, and
was born in Grainger County, Tenn., Nov. 18, 1807. His parents were
natives of Virginia, and his father was a captain of a company raised
for the War of 1812, but was not called into active service. Edward
West grew to manhood in his native county, where he lived until 1839,
when he moved to Greene County, Missouri, and settled upon the place
where he now resides. He was married March 19th, 1832, to Elizabeth,
daughter of Hugh and Sarah (Gallion) Gilmore, of Grainger County, Tenn.
She died in 1873, and Mr. West was married the second time to Mrs.
Nancy Nelherton, nee Morris, of Lawrence County, Mo., upon the 18th of
February, 1879. He reared a family of five sons and four daughters.
Mr. West came to Greene County when game was abundant and neighbors
lived far apart. He has seen many changes come over the face of the
country, and to the people, and went through all the trials of pioneer
life. He has been a consistent member of the Baptist Church for over
fifty years. He has always given liberally to the church, and his hand
is ever ready to assist any deserving enterprise. He owned a farm of
over six hundred acres of land, but has given it all, except eighty
acres to his children. Mr. West is yet active for a man of his age,
and reads without spectacles.
H. H. West
Mr. West was born in Grainger County, Tennessee, February 21, 1839. He
is the son of Edward and Elizabeth (Gilmore) West. His parents emigra-
ted to Missouri, when he was in his first year, and settled in Greene
County. He was educated in the common schools of this county, and was
engaged in farming until the fall of 1862, when he enlisted in the Con-
federate army, and remained in the service until the surrender in 1865.
He was in the engagement against Steele on the Saline river, and in
many skirmishes, but escaped without a scratch. When the war closed,
Mr. West went to Cooper County, this State, and remained three years.
He returned to Greene in 1871, and has, by integrity, economy and per-
severance accumulated a fine property. He owns one hundred and ninety
acres of land three miles southeast of Ash Grove. He was married in
October, 1872, to Miss Martha Hudgens, daughter of Wm. Hudgens, of
Greene County. She died August 16th of the following year. Their
union was blest with one child, Willie E. Mr. West was married the
second time to Miss Laura, daughter of John Van Horn, of Jefferson
County, Ohio, October 14th, 1880. she died August 12, 1881. Mr. West
is a member of the Baptist Church at Sac River.
James T. West
Mr. West is the son of Edward and Elizabeth (Gilmore) West, and was
born in Greene County, Missouri, March 7th, 1844. His parents were
natives of Tennessee, and were among the earliest settlers of Center
Township, in Greene County. James grew to manhood here, where he was
educated. In 1862, when he was but eighteen years of age, he enlisted
in Company H, 3rd Missouri Cavalry, C. S. A., and served until the
close of the war. He was under Gen. Marmaduke for over two years. He
was in the battles of Little Rock and Cape Girardeau, and in Price's
raid. He was wounded at Jenkin's Ferry, Ark., in 1864, and surrender-
ed at Shreveport, La., in 1865. He then went to Pettis County where
he lived until 1868, when he returned to Greene, and has since been
engaged in farming. He owns one hundred and ninety acres of good land,
and is one of Greene's most respected and useful citizens. He belongs
to the I. O. O. F., and is a trustee in the Baptist Church. He was
married Sept. 1st, 1870, to Miss Margaret E., daughter of Andrew and
Susan (Redferan) Leeper of this county. Their union has been blest
with four children, three of whom are now living, viz.: Albert E., Hugh
G. and Stella C.
Harvey A. White, M.D.
Dr. White is a son of John Wesley White, and was born in the township
of Westminster, Canada, November 27th, 1838. His parents moved to Ill-
inois in 1839, and settled in McHenry County, where his father was
engaged in milling and merchandising. Harvey farmed until he was
twenty-one years of age, and then enlisted in the army, joining at the
first call for troops, and continued until discharge upon account of
disability. He then went to Chicago, where he was engaged at the car-
penter's trade for about four years. He moved to Missouri in the fall
of 1866, stopping in Greene County for a short time, and then going to
the counties of Christian and Taney, building the Cedar Valley Mills in
the last named county, where he was employed in milling and the prac-
tice of his profession for about eight years. He then removed to Greene
county and located at what is now known as Republic, and took an active
part in the building of the town, and was one of its first trustees. He
received his medical education in the Eclectic Medical Institute of
Cincinnati. The doctor was engaged in the mercantile business at Rep-
ublic for seven years, but closed out in December, 1880, and resumed
his profession. He was married in February, 1867, in this county, to
Miss Jane, daughter of P. L. Anderson. Their union has been blest with
three chileren, two sons and a daughter.
Jacob White
Mr. White was born in Putnam County, Indiana, January 24, 1836 being a
son of Edwin White, a native of North Carolina, who died, however, in
Greene county. When Jake was about nine years old, his parents moved
to Iowa, where the subject of this sketch was educated. On leaving
school, Mr. White engaged in farming, which vocation he followed in
Iowa till he came to Greene in 1868, and settled in Boone Township. In
1873 he purchased the place where he resides at this writing, four
miles southeast of Ash Grove. His farm is a well cultivated tract of
land. November, 1878 he married Miss Nancy J. Sparks, who was born
February 24, 1837. They have one son and one daughter. Mr. White's
grandather was a soldier in the War of 1812, and died in Greene county
January 31, 1882. Politically Mr. White is a Democrat and always
votes the straight ticket of the party to which he belongs.
William White
Mr. White was born in Giles county, Tennessee, October 18th, 1816. He
grew to manhood in his native State, and followed farming as an avoca-
tion all his life. He moved to Greene county, Missouri, in 1853. Mr.
White was married January 23rd, 1839, to Margaret Fry, also a native of
Giles county, Tennessee. Mr. Whate was for many years a member of the
Christian church, and one of the first to organize a class in his
neighborhood. He died January 23rd, 1858, leaving five children, viz.:
J. Frank, Margaret J., now the wife of J. E. Phelps; Mary C., now the
wife of F. W. Norman; J. T. and Sallie M., now Mrs. E. M. Campbell.
George J. Wiley
Mr. Wiley is the son of Elijah and Ann B. (Waddill) Wiley, and was born
in Cocke County, Tenn., July 27, 1829. His father was a soldier in the
War of 1812, as was his grandfather upon his mother's side. His mother
was a sister of Judge Waddill. His parents moved to Greene County, Mo.,
in 1837, and built the house in which the first school was taught in
Center Township. He moved to Texas in 1858, where he died in 1868, and
his wife died in 1863. He was a strong Union man, but had two sons in
the Federal army, and two in the Confederate army. George J. has lived
in this county since coming here with his father in 1837. In 1862 he
enlisted in the 8th Missouri cavalry, U. S. A. He served under Gens.
Herron and Davidson in Southwest Missouri and Arkansas. He was at the
battle of Little Rock, and upon many skirmishing and scouting expedi-
tions. He was promoted to sergeant and served until the war closed. He
then returned to Greene County, where he has since been engaged in
farming. He has a good farm of two hundred acres and is well fixed to
enjoy life. He was married September 24, 1848, to Miss Elizabeth,
daughter of James and Jane (Stockton) Hughes. Her father was a soldier
in the Mexican War, and in the Federal Service during the Civil War. He
was wounded at the battle of Pea Ridge and died from the effects of the
wound. The married life of Mr. and Mrs. Wiley has been blest with
twelve children, nine of whom are still living, viz.: John H., James F.,
Lenora A., Rachel J., George L., Margaret C., Mary E., Nancy and Will-
iam. Mr. Wiley has been a member of the Methodist Church for twenty
years.
John D. L. Wiley
Mr. Wiley is the son of Elijah and Ann B. (Waddill) Wiley, and was born
in Cocke County, Tenn., November 1, 1832. His parents were natives of
that State, and his father was a soldier in the War of 1812. Both of
his grandfathers were soldiers in the Revolutionary War. John came to
Greene County, Missouri, with his parents in 1837, where he grew to
manhood and has since resided. His parents moved to Texas in 1858,
where his mother died in 1863, and his father in 1868. In July, 1862,
John D. L. Wiley enlisted in Company A, 8th Missouri Cavalry, U. S. A.
He was in the battles of Prairie Grove, Little Rock, and Ashley Station
and numerous skirmishes in Missouri, Arkansas and Kansas. In the spring
of 1865 he lost his health and was discharged on account of disability
in June of that year. He then returned home and has been engaged in
farming. He owns a farm of one hundred and twenty acres of land, made
by his own industry and energy. Mr. Wiley was married, September 20,
1854, to Miss Rufina J., daughter of James and Jane (Stockton) Hughes,
of this county, formerly of Alabama. Her father was a soldier in the
Mexican War, and was in the Union service during the rebellion, as was
four of his sons. He was wounded at the battle of Pea Ridge, and died
from its effects within a few days. Mr. and Mrs. Wiley have had nine
children, eight of whom are living, viz.: Nettie J., Jesse M., Martha
M., Nancy E., George S., Lillie E., Lucy M., and Charles E. Mr. Wiley
has been a member of the Methodist church for thirty years, and is one
of the best citizens of the county.
James M. Wilhoit
Mr. Wilhoit is the son of Andrew and Jane (Gentry) Wilhoit, and was
born in Clay County, Missouri, January 12th, 1834. He was educated in
Clay, and at High School in Andrew County, Mo. He lived upon the farm
until he was twenty-one years of age, and then taught school in Clay
County for about five years. He learned the trade of carriage and
wagon-maker from his father. July 2nd, 1863, he enlisted in Company C,
6th Missouri State Militia Cavalry, but saw no active service. He was
married November 23rd, 1865, to Miss Nannie, daughter of Z. M. Rountree
Esq. They have had seven children, five boys and two girls. In the
spring of 1870, he and F. J. Underwood organized the Springfield Wagon
Company. In 1874, he was elected on the temperance ticket as marshal
of Springfield, but has followed his trade most of the time since com-
ing to Greene County. He took a contract to furnish meat to the Gulf
railroad in April, 1882. Mr. Wilhoit has been a Mason for twenty-five
years, and is a member of the A. O. U. W. He and his wife are members
of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. His father died in 1868, and
his mother died in 1874. They had a family of seven children.
J. N. Williams
Mr. Williams is the son of John R. Williams, who came to this county
about 1833, and was born here in October, 1840. He lived in Dade
County, Missouri, from 1852 to 1856, and then removed to Barry County.
He returned to Greene County in 1860, and in 1861 enlisted in the 8th
Missouri Volunteers, U. S. A., under Col. W. F. Geiger, and served one
year. He was a non-commissioned officer of Company K. He was dis-
abled and discharged. Since coming to Springfield, he has been active-
ly engaged in business, and for the last twelve years has been in the
produce business, most of the time with J. M. Garrett, and still re-
mains at the old stand with A. Koenigsbruck. Mr. Williams was married
March 19, 1865, to Miss Matilda P., daughter of Junius M. Rountree,
one of the most prominent citizens of this county. Their union is
blessed with five children, three boys and two girls.
John T. Williams
Mr. Williams was born in Marion, Ohio, March 25, 1845. At sixteen
years old he was appointed ticket and freight agent on the Missouri
Pacific R.R. at Allenton, Mo., and has been in the employ of same
road ever since, the St. L. & S. F. R.R. being then under the same
management as Mo. Pacific. He remained at Allenton two years, when
he was transferred to the general freight office at St. Louis. In
1876 he came to North Springfield and his present engagement is that
of book-keeper for the bridge-building, and fuel departments of the
road. He is also city clerk of North Springfield, and has held that
position ever since the city received its charter. November 5, 1866,
he married Miss Elomise Desmoulin of St. Louis. They have three
living children: Maud B., Walter J. and an unnamed infant.
William J. Williams,M.D.
Dr. Williams is the son of William and Mary (Hicks) Williams, and was
born in Roane county, Tennessee, May 11th, 1849. William was brought
by his parents to Missouri, when he was about one year old. They
settled in Webster county, where he grew to manhood and received his
elementary education. When he was about twenty-one years of age he
began reading medicine under the preceptorship of his brother, Dr.
J. H. Williams, who is the present representative of Webster county in
the Legislature. William began the practice while a student, in 1875,
and in 1876-7-8 attended lectures at Missouri Medical College, St.
Louis, graduating in March, 1876 with degree of M. D. He then resumed
practice in Webster county, but in June, 1881, he moved to Strafford,
Greene county, where he began the practice, and also engaged in the
drug and grocery business. In the spring of 1882 B. W. Dillard bought
one-half interest in the store, and so continued until 1883. Dr.
Williams was married October 31st, 1879, to Miss Mary, daughter of
John Barnard, of Webster county. Their union has been blest with one
child, Oran, born August 21st, 1880. The doctor is a member of Straf-
ford Lodge, No. 497, A. F. & A. M. He has built up a good practice
since coming to Strafford, and enjoys the confidence of all.
Rev. John H. Wilson
This gentleman was born in Boston, Mass., February 27, 1810. His
parents were natives of that city, and died when he was a child. He
was educated at Andover, Mass., and at Williams College in 1836.
After graduating he commenced teaching, which occupation he followed
in New York until 1842. He was then ordained for the ministry in the
Onondaga, N.Y., Presbytery. He removed from New York to Cincinnati
in 1842, and became professor of languages in Farmer's college, for a
period of fifteen years. Then he was president of Central college,
Ohio, and then about the year 1860, he was sent as a missionary to
Reno county, Kansas, where he lived two years, and then went to Park
college, where he was a professor over two years. He then came to
Oakland farm, Campbell township, Greene county, Mo., where he still
resides. Mr. Wilson was married April 5, 1841 to Clarissa, oldest
daughter of Jonathan Dickinson, of Deerfield, Mass. She was born
September 4, 1815. Their union has been blest with five sons and
four daughters, four of the sons being dead. Mr. Wilson is a member
of the Ozark Presbytery, and occasionally preaches, though over
seventy-three years of age.
Joseph B. Wilson
Mr. Wilson is the son of Isaac N. and Malinda E. Wilson, and was born
in Greene county, Missouri, December 29, 1861. His grandfather, Thomas
Wilson, settled in Ebenezer, this county, in 1834, where his father,
Isaac N., was born September 2, 1835. He grew to manhood in his native
county, and was married March 11, 1856. He died with consumption, May
24, 1870. He was a man highly respected by all. He served one term as
deputy assessor of Greene county. Joseph B. Wilson is one of the pros-
perous young farmers of Cass township. He was married January 31, 1883
to Miss Theodosia, daughter of I. N. and Mary E. Hasten, of Cave Spring.
James G. Wood
Mr. Wood is the son of John and Elizabeth (Morris) Wood, and was born
in Madison County, Alabama, February 24, 1832. In 1834 his parents
moved to Illinois and took up a claim where the city of Rockford now
stands. In 1836 they moved to Lawrence County, Tenn., where James grew
to manhood and learned the trade of tanner and shoemaker. He moved to
Greene County, Missouri, in 1852 where he was engaged in farming and
stock rearing until 1861. He then went to Arkansas where he followed
tanning and shoemaking until 1864, when he came back to this county,
and has since been engaged in the rearing of stock and farming. He owns
a farm of one hundred and eighty-five acres, finely improved. He was
married in 1857 to Miss Susan, daughter of Henderson and Sallie J.
(Hail) Dishough. Her father was a native of North Carolina and her
mother of Tennessee. Her grandfather was a native of France, and her-
self of Lawrence County, Tenn. Her father was killed by lightning in
1847. Mr. and Mrs. Wood have had two children, one living, Susan J.
Mr. Wood's parents came from England to the United States in 1827. His
father was a skilled mechanic and cotton-spinner. He operated the
first cotton mill in Tennessee, and became quite wealthy.
John M. Wood
John M. Woods is a son of John and Elizabeth (Morris) Wood, and was
born in what was then a wilderness, but now Rockford City, Illinois,
upon the 19th of September, 1836. His parents soon after moved to
Tennessee, where young John received his education. His father was
a cottonspinner and also ran a tanyard. John worked with his father
in Tennessee until they moved to Springfield, Missouri, in May, 1853.
His father bought a farm five miles northwest of Springfield, where
John lived with his parents until 1858, when he accepted a clerkship
in the general store of Charles Shepard, in Springfield, where he
remained eighteen months. In 1860 he embarked in the mercantile busi-
ness for himself in partnership with Joseph Weaver. The war coming on
soon paralyzed all business, and the firm closed business. In 1864 he
engaged in the grocery trade and remained in that business until 1880.
He is now of the general merchandise firm of Wood & Williams. Mr.
Wood joined the Christian Church in Tennessee, and is now elder and
treasurer of that church, and has been a member of the city council.
He was married in September, 1860, to Miss Sarah A., daughter of Dr.
William Shackelford of this county. Their union has been blest with
six children, three boys and three girls, all living. Mrs. Wood is
of the same religious faith as her husband, and the family is one of
the county's "salt of the earth."
Jacob Woodward
Mr. Woodward is the son of Edward and Mary Woodward, and was born in
Robertson County, Tenn., September 13, 1820. His parents soon after
moved to Callaway County, Kentucky, where he grew to manhood. He
learned the shoemaker's trade when he was fourteen years of age, which
in connection with farming, has been his calling ever since. In 1843
he moved to Ash Grove, Greene County, Missouri, where he bought out a
distillery and carried on the business for some time. In 1859 he mov-
ed to the farm where he now lives, where he has since followed farming
and shoemaking. He served in the militia from 1863 to the close of
the war. He owns a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, and has made
all he has by his own industry and perseverance. Mr. Woodward was
married in 1846 to Miss Susan E., daughter of Charles N. and Sarah G.
Robinson, of Greene County, Missouri, formerly from North Carolina.
Their union has been blest with seven children, all of whom are living,
viz.: Sarah A. P., William H. S., James R., Ransom B. J., Charles R. E.,
John A. S., and Mary R.
W. W. Woodward
Mr. Woodward was born in Callaway county, Kentucky, December 6, 1824.
In 1843 his father moved to Greene county, Missouri and engaged in
farming. Our subject went to California in 1850, and returned to this
county in June, 1855 and on December 4th, of that year, he married Miss
Emily, daughter of William S. Landreth. His first wife died December
18, 1862, leaving one child, a daughter. Mr. Woodward was married the
second time to Miss M. F. Gilmore, January 27, 1864. He has lived upon
the farm, where he now makes his home, since 1864. Mr. Woodward is a
practical surveyor, and was deputy county surveyor for several years.
William H. Worrell
(Deceased) Mr. Worrell was born in Baltimore, Md., October 7, 1825.
He lived in that city until 1846, when he moved to St. Louis, Mo. He
came to Springfield in 1859 and built the house on the square with
glass front, where his widow is now doing business. During the war
he was a Union man, but being lame he could not bear arms but assist-
ed in raising troops, etc. His family became well known for their
kindness in ministering to the sick and wounded soldiers, and have
never received any remuneration. They have received many letters
from soldiers who regained health under their tender care, and the
officers spoke well of their unselfish offices to the distressed.
When the Confederates had possession of Springfield, Mr. Worrell and
family had to leave. They returned, however, with Curtis' army, and
have carried on the same business of bakery and confectionery. Mr.
Worrell was married in 1848, in Baltimore, to Miss Sophia N. Henry,
often mentioned in these pages. Mr. Worrell died December 27, 1878.
Rev. Calvin C. Wright
Mr. Calvin Coleman Wright is a son of John and Peninah (Dale) Wright,
and was born May 17, 1830 in Fentress county, Tenn. He was educated in
his native county, and in 1852 he emigrated to Benton county, Arkansas,
and in 1853 came to Newton county, Missouri, where he lived until 1855
and then went to McDonald county. In 1853 he was licensed to preach by
the Methodist Epsicopal church South, and from 1855 to 1858 was a local
preacher in McDonald county. In 1858 he entered the itinerant service
of the church and was preaching until 1862, when he joined the Confed-
erate army, and served until the war closed as chaplin of Gen. John B.
Clark's division. He lived in Louisiana until 1867 when he returned to
Missouri and entered the traveling ministry. In 1869 he was appointed
to the Springfield circuit, and was upon that work until 1871. He was
next appointed to Bolivar station until 1874. During this time he had
his residence at Morrisville, and was largely instrumental in organiz-
ing and starting the college at that place. He then went to California
where he preached four or five years. He then came back to Missouri
and in 1880 took charge of the Marshfield station, and in September,
1881, located by consent of the Pacific Conference. Mr. Wright was
married in August, 1852, to Miss Nancy Adkinson. They had, four child-
ren. He married the second time in March, 1881, to Mrs. Mary A. Mont-
gomery, nee Headlee. Mr. Wright's father was a native of North Caro-
lina, and died in Tennessee in 1845. His mother died in Tennessee in
1867. They had fourteen children, seven boys and seven girls. Calvin
C. was the seventh son.
Dr. Charles F. Wright
Dr. Wright was born at Tiffin, Ohio, January 25th, 1849. His parents
were Rev. Chas. A. and Hannah E. (Fisher) Wright, the former being a
minister of the Methodist church. Charles F. received his education
at Meidelberg College, leaving school at the early age of fourteen to
enlist in the cause of the Union against the enemies of the government.
He joined Company K, 49th Ohio Regulars, enlisting January 1st, 1864,
as drummer boy. Subsequently he was detailed as Gen. Wood's private
orderly, and served until mustered out at Victoria, Texas, in the fall
of 1865. Young as he was, he served with Gen. Sherman all through his
active campaigning in the years 1864-5. In October, 1867, his parents
and himself came to Springfield, this county, and Charles began study-
ing dentistry the following years in the office of Dr. Natrass, and
remained with him some three years. In the fall of 1871 he went to
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and took a course of lectures in the dental
college of that city, which prepared him for the practice of the pro-
fession. On completing his course, he came back to Missouri, locating
first at Lebanon, Laclede County, where he opened an office and prac-
ticed dentistry for three years. He returned to Springfield in the
fall of 1875, opened an office, and has done here a successful practice
ever since. Dr. Wright is connected with the Kansas City Dental Coll-
ege, and annually delivers lectures for the benefit of students attend-
ing that institution. He has the largest and most elegant dental
parlors in this part of the State, and is assisted by his brother,
Silas A. Wright. December 4th, 1870, Dr. Wright was married to Miss
Jennie Smith, of Lebanon, Missouri. They have one son and one daughter
named respectively, Charles D. and Lizzie B. Rev. Charles Wright,
above mentioned, was born in Syracuse, New York, and died in San Fran-
cisco, California in 1867, whither he had gone for his health. He was,
for twenty-five years, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
He was one of the first to volunteer for national defence at the out-
break of the civil war, and was first lieutenant in the 8th Ohio, and
subsequently was captain in the 82nd Ohio. His family numbered five
children, three sons and two daughters, of whom Dr. Charles F. was the
second in order of birth. His mother (widow of Rev. Wright) still re-
sides in Springfield. Though still a young man, Dr. Wright has built
for himself a reputation and a practice in his profession that many an
older practitioner might envy; and his courteous treatment of all
patients, under the greatest pressure of business, has won for him many
warm personal friends--a thing fully merited by such a genial gentleman
as Dr. Charles F. Wright.
Major Josiah Zink
This gentleman was born in Clarion county, Pennsylvania, April 1, 1822,
and where he spent his early life. At the age of nineteen he learned
the cabinet maker's trade, and worked three years for $37.50 per year,
and clothed himself. At the end of that time he had saved enough money
to buy a suit of "store clothes." He then went into partnership with a
man in the cabinet business, and in about a year they were burned out
entirely and Mr. Zink was left without a dollar. He then, by the help
of a friend, started in trade, and in two years was able to work five
journeymen. His health failing in a few years, he engaged in the hotel
business until the war broke out. He took an active part in recruiting
company E, 62nd Pennsylvania volunteers, and Company F, 103rd regiment,
and went into the last named as a private, and was promoted to the
captaincy of Company F. In 1863 he was discharged for disability. He
served in the McClellan campaign, and during the time he was in four-
teen engagements. In the old State militia he held the rank of major.
He came to Greene county, Missouri, in 1866, and owns a good farm and
devotes his time to farming and stock raising. He was married January
14, 1847, to Miss Martha Simcox, of Venango county, Pennsylvania. She
died March 29, 1880, and left six children, viz.: Maggie C., now Mrs.
Newell; Jefferson C., Laura E., now Mrs. Cowan, William S. T., Edward
K., and Marshall S. The major is a member of the Masonic fraternity,
and a gentleman in every sense.