USA > Missouri > Jasper County > A history of Jasper County, Missouri, and its people, Vol. II > Part 11
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The duties of his position with the Collier Publishing Company took Mr. Fletcher to all cities in Illinois, Missouri and Kansas, and his first trip to Joplin was in October, 1883. He was so favorably impressed with the advantages of the place that when he severed his connection with the Colliers he at once came here and engaged in business. He and A. A. Hall opened the first undertaking and embalming establishment in the new place, and met with great financial success. His friends, who were numerous, prevailed upon him to accept the nomination for justice of the peace on the Democratic ticket, and in consequence he was elected to that office by a large majority. After serving out his term of four years he went back to work for the American Tobacco Company (succes- sors to Liggett & Myers) at a large salary. and as city salesman at Kan- sas City, Missouri, but held the position only six months, for he wished to establish himself upon a more independent footing and started an employment and messenger service. He sold this out at a great profit and then entered the real estate business in 1907, in which he is still en- gaged. Ile is still very active in politics, wielding a large influence and is a candidate for the office of police judge at the present election. He also served as secretary of the school board for eight years, at the end of which time he resigned, but was prevailed upon to accept the office for one year longer. IIe has many interests of large scope and importance and belongs to several of Joplin's noted organizations. He belongs to the Commercial Club and was secretary of the same for two years; he has been a director of the Pittsburg-Midway Coal Company for thirteen years ; and is now president of the New Oklahoma Realty Company. A clever student in the school of varied experience, he is one of the most brilliant and successful of Joplin's business men and has done much to add to the advancement of the city.
On the 19th day of September, 1888, Mr. Fletcher laid the founda- tion of a happy life companionship by his union with Miss Euphemia (Mayme) McClaren. one of Joplin's daughters. her parents being Alex McClaren and Mary McClaren. Five children have been born to this marriage. Eula, born in Joplin, July 17, 1889, is a graduate of the high school and is now in charge of the Galena Smelter & Manufacturing Com- pany's office ; Roger C., horn October 8, 1892. is a student of the Joplin high school ; as is also Marian, who was born in May, 1895; Lillian A., born August 8, 1899, attends Lafayette school; and Walter Byron, born August 1, 1904, is the pet of the household. Their home is a happy, hospitable abode and a favorite gathering place.
Mr. Fletcher stands high in Masonry, being a past master of Fel- lowship Lodge. No. 345. A. F. & A. M .. and is also affiliated with the Order of the Eastern Star. He takes no small amount of pleasure in other fraternal relations, which extend to the Modern Woodmen of America ; the Woodmen of the World; and the Royal Neighbors of America. He is extremely popular in the city and at the time he made the race for justice of the peace he was but three votes behind the highest record
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made by a Republican that year. He is known far beyond the boundar- ies of Jasper county, particularly well in St. Louis, where he spent the greater part of his life, and where his parents and several brothers still live. He is one of those who hope to see Joplin the metropolis of the south.
The subject's father, Henry Fletcher, was born at Bristol, England, but came to America with his parents at the age of sixteen years. They settled near Cincinnati, Ohio, on a large tract of land, whose title is still in the family. The elder Mr. Fletcher removed from the Buckeye state to Pulaski county, Illinois, and was in charge of the Armory at Cairo until the end of the war. He then went to St. Louis, and the previously mentioned farm near that city he recently sold for a valu- able consideration to a well known real estate firm, who have divided it into building lots and called it the Fletcher Park addition. Mr. Fletcher still retains the old homestead,-a delightful spot, dear with many asso- ciations-where he and his worthy wife live in retirement.
TIMOTHY C. MOLLOY .- A popular citizen of Joplin who is prominent and influential in connection with both publie and business affairs is Timothy C. Molloy, who is at the present time serving as a member of the city council and whose local interests are of varied and important order. His career has been one of close application along normal and legitimate lines of enterprise and he has gained success worthy of the name, the same being the more gratifying to contemplate by reason of the fact that it is the direct result of his own efforts. Mr. Molloy is one of the most loyal and progressive citizens of Joplin and there is all of consistency in according him representation in this history of his home county.
Timothy C. Molloy finds due satisfaction in claiming Missouri as the place of his nativity, and his loyalty to this fine old commonwealth is of the most unwavering type. He was born at Lexington, the judicial center and metropolis of Lafayette county, on the 29th of August, 1862, and is a son of Charles P. and Ann (Moraghan) Molloy, both of whom were born in the fair Emerald Isle. Charles P. Molloy was reared and educated in Ireland and a military career of special note was given in- ception by his entering the English army, in which he served eleven years and three months. About the year 1850 he immigrated to America and soon after his arrival he made his way to the west, where he enlisted in the United States army, for service on the frontier. He served under General Harney and other commanders and participated in many spir- ited Indian campaigns. He was twice wounded in conflicts with the Indians, and when the Civil war was precipitated the injuries which he had thus received caused him to be rejected for service in the great struggle between the north and south. After his retirement from the army he located at Lexington, Missouri, where he was engaged in the boot and shoe business for many years, becoming one of the prominent citizens and influential business men of that place, where he continued to reside until 1871, when he came to Joplin and became one of the pioneers in the development of the mining industry in this section. He was successful in this line of enterprise, with which he continued to be identified until his death, at the age of seventy-eight years. He was a man of sturdy integrity and genial personality and he gained and re- tained the confidence and good will of his fellowmen. He was a com- municant of the Catholic church, as was also his devoted wife, who was born in county Roscommon, Ireland, and who survived him by a num- ber of years, her death having occurred at Joplin, in October, 1909, at
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which time she had attained to the venerable age of eighty-three years. Of the children of this union two sons are now living.
Timothy C. Molloy gained his rudimentary education in his native town and was about nine years of age at the time of the family removal to Jasper county, the home being here established in East Joplin, where he continued to attend the public schools until he was thirteen years of age, when he assumed the practical responsibilities of life. He secured a position with the Joplin Savings Bank and the Joplin Mining & Smelt- ing Company, for which corporations he continued to work in a clerical capacity until 1878, when the company last mentioned discontinued business. He then entered the employ of the Lone Elm Mining & Smelt- ing Company, in the capacity of bookkeeper and paymaster, and thus it will be seen that he had supplemented his somewhat meager school train- ing by effective self-discipline and by the experience gained in connec- tion with business activities. He continued with the corporation last mentioned until 1880, when he removed to Girard, Kansas, where he became cashier of the Bank of Girard. This incumbency he retained until 1883, when he assumed a similar office, in the Citizens' National Bank of Medicine Lodge, Kansas. He held this position until 1890, and in the meanwhile had gained high reputation as a capable and discrim- inating executive and financier. In the year last mentioned he resigned his position and returned to Joplin, where he identified himself with mining operations, with which he has since continued to be associated, in connection with enterprises of large scope and importance. Since 1904 he has also been general contracting agent for the Kansas Natural Gas Company. As a business man he is alert and far-sighted, and his progress toward the goal of large success has been consecutive and sure, giving him place among the substantial citizens of Jasper county.
In politics Mr. Molloy has ever been found arrayed as a stalwart sup- porter of the cause of the Democratic party, and no better voucher for his personal popularity in Joplin could be given than that afforded by the fact that he is now serving his seventh term as a member of the city council. He has had the further distinction of having been president of the council four times, and no citizen has shown more loyalty in the furthering of good municipal government and of progressive measures for the general well being of the community. Mr. Molloy is a valued member of the Joplin Commercial Club, is affiliated with Joplin Lodge, No. 501, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and both he and his wife are zealous communicants of the Catholic church, in which they are actively identified with the parish of St. Peter's church in their home city.
At Girard, Kansas, on the 18th of July, 1883, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Molloy to Miss Luna King, who was born at Clinton, Iowa, and who is a daughter of the late Dearman King. In conclusion is entered brief record concerning the children of Mr. and Mrs. Molloy. Don D., who was born at Girard, Kansas, July 4, 1884, is now engaged in banking at Oronogo, Missouri; Norah L., who was born at Medicine Lodge, Kansas, January 16, 1887, is the wife of E. F. Cameron, of Joplin, concerning whom individual mention is made on other pages of this work; Gertrude, who was born at Medicine Lodge, Kansas, May 23, 1889, remains at the parental home, as do also the three younger children, whose names and respective dates of birth are here noted,- Mark, June 21. 1894; Helen, September 22, 1902; and Frances, July 10, 1904.
FRANCIS M. REDBURN .- The world instinctively pays deference to the memory of a man whose success was worthily achieved and whose prom-
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inenee was not less the result of an irreproachable life than of natural talents and acquired ability in the field of his chosen labor. Judge Red- burn occupied a position of distinction as a representative of the legal profession at Joplin, Missouri, and the best evidence of his capability in the line of his chosen work was the large clientage which he controlled during his life time. It is a well known fact that a great percentage of those who enter business life meet with failure or only a limited measure of success. This is usnally due to one or more of several causes-super- ficial preparation, lack of close application or an unwise choice in select- ing a vocation for which one is not fitted. The reverse of all these things entered into the success and prominence which Judge Redburn gained in the practice of law. His equipment for his life work was unusually good and through close adherence to the unwritten code of professional ethies he commanded the respect and admiration not only of his fellow prac- titioners but of his fellow citizens as well.
Judge Francis M. Redburn, who was summoned to the life eternal on the 7th of November, 1902, was born in Gibson county, Indiana, the date of his nativity being the 31st of October, 1836. After completing the curriculum of the public schools of his native place he attended a private academy at Owensville, Indiana, and subsequently attended the Princeton Academy, in the same state. He then began to read law, under the able preceptorship of Colonel James T. Embree, at Princeton. When civil war was precipitated upon a divided nation Judge Redburn showed his intrinsic loyalty to the cause of the Union by responding immediately to her call for volunteers. In July, 1861, he enlisted as a soldier in Company K, Twenty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, in which he was commissioned first lieutenat of his company. He served with all of valor and faithfulness for a period of three years, participating in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, Champion's Hill, Fort Gibson, the siege of Vicksburg, Jaekson and many other sanguinary conflicts marking the progress of the war. After the battle of Shiloh he was promoted to the rank of captain of Company K and following the siege of Vieksburg he was commissioned major of his regiment, as a reward for meritorious service. He received his honorable discharge from further service at New Orleans and was mustered out of the army in October, 1864.
After the close of his military career Judge Redburn returned to Princeton, Indiana, where he soon resumed his law studies but whence he later removed to Missouri, being admitted to the bar at Brunswick, Chariton county, that state, in May, 1865. He initiated the active prae- tice of his profession at Keytesville and in the fall of 1866 he was elected to the office of clerk of the circuit court and recorder of Chariton county, serving with the utmost efficiency in that capacity for a period of eight years. In the spring of 1877, however, he severed his connections with legal affairs in that district and removed to Joplin, Jasper county, where he continued to maintain his home until the time of his death. After ar- riving in JJoplin he first turned his attention to mining operations but eventually resumed the practice of law, in which he built up a large and representative clientage and in which he gained prestige as one of the leading attorneys in this section of Missouri.
Politically Judge Redburn was a stalwart in the ranks of the Repub- lican party and he was a prominent and influential factor in connection with public affairs. He was elected eity attorney of Joplin in 1879, re- maining incumbent of that position for one year. He served as police judge of Joplin from 1880 to 1887 and to this day the old citizens of Joplin recall with pride the excellent order that prevailed while he filled that office. In 1896 and in 1898 he was the Republican nominee for the office of cirenit judge of Jasper county but owing to normal politieal
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exigencies was met with defeat in both instances. In 1902, however, he again became a candidate for that office and in the ensuing election he was successful at the polls, being elected by an overwhelming majority. The strenuous campaign had proved too much of a tax on his strength and he was not allowed to enjoy the harvest of his success. Just as the election returns were coming in he was stricken with typhoid-pneumonia and passed away just after his election had been ascertained. The fol- lowing extraet is taken from an article which appeared in one of the local papers at the time of his demise.
"No man in the community stood higher than Judge Redburn and his death is not only universally regretted but is peculiarly sad owing to the fact that the splendid efforts which he made for the success of the Republican ticket in the election of last Tuesday and which resulted in his election as circuit judge was too much for his frail strength and was doubtless the indirect cause of his death. Judge Redburn was one of the oldest members of the Jasper county bar and one of the most es- teemed citizens of Joplin. As a man he was honorable, able and con- scientious and as a jurist his ability was unquestioned."
Judge Redburn was united in marriage to Miss Mary J. Beazley on the 17th of May, 1866, the ceremony having been performed at Bruns- wick, Chariton county, Missouri. Mrs. Redburn was born and reared in Chariton county and she is a daughter of R. G. Beazley, long a rep- resentative citizen at Brunswick, where he was engaged as a tobacco merchant during his active business career. Judge and Mrs. Redburn became the parents of two children,-Francis M .. who is engaged with the Western Union Telegraph Company at Kansas City, Missouri; and Miss Ida, who remains at home with her mother.
Fraternally Judge Redburn was affiliated with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and he ever retained a deep interest in his old com- rades in arms, signifying the same by membership in the Grand Army of the Republic. In his religious faith he was a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal church, to whose charities he was ever a liberal contributor. In all the relations of life he was inspired by that high sense of morality which characterizes the truly great man. He was genial in his associations. affable in his address, generous in his judg- ment of his fellowmen and courteous to all. As a citizen and enthusiast of his town it is but just to say that communities would prosper and grow in proportion as they put a premium on men of his monld.
HARRY A. SCHNUR .- Having selected his vocation in life at an early age, and having adhered to it steadfastly in spite of many temptations and seemingly promising inducements to follow other pursuits, Harry A. Schnur. the leading job printer of Joplin, has achieved the success which usually follows devotion to one line of effort accompanied by in- dustry in performing its duties and frugality in the use of its proceeds. He was born. reared and educated in Joplin, and here has passed all the years of his life. working at the trade which he learned in his father's office in the city.
Mr. Schnur's life began in Joplin on February 1, 1880. IIe is a son and the last born child of Peter and Adeline (Coffeen) Schnur, the for- mer a native of Galion, Ohio. and the latter born in the state of Indiana. The father grew to manhood, obtained his education and learned the printing trade in his native town. He came to Missouri and located in Joplin in the early seventies, making the trip from Carthage in a wagon laden with his family and household goods, the railroad into the city of his destination not having yet been built. On his arrival in Joplin he founded the Mining Nors, which was the first newspaper published in
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the town, and was afterward known as the Evening News. He continued in the publication of his paper and a general job printing business until after the election of Benjamin Harrison to the presidency. He was then appointed postmaster of Joplin and sold his paper and printing estab- lishment.
At the end of his service as postmaster he engaged in mining for a few years, then returned to his old occupation, opening a job printing office in the Peters building at the corner of Fourth and Main streets. To the management of this he devoted his whole time and energy until his death. But some years before this event he moved his printing office to its present location at 121 East Fifth street. Since the death of the father the son has had charge of the plant and control of all its opera- tions. The father was capable in his business management and prudent in his style of living, and at his death left his family a comfortable es- tate which he had accumulated by his industry, thrift and care. His widow is still living and resides in Joplin .. Five children were born in the family : Millie, who is the widow of the late Edward Porter, twice mayor of Joplin and an extensive operator in the mining district in which the city is located ; Mabel, Herbert, Mamie and Harry A., the last born of the offspring, as has been stated. They are all residents of Joplin. Herbert is engaged in mining and is the appreciated superintendent of the Rex Mining and Smelting Company. He was married to Miss Clara Evans, a native of Joplin and daughter of parents who were among the early settlers in the city and are regarded as entitled to prominence on the list of its worthiest and most estimable residents. A sketch of their son-in- law will be found elsewhere in this volume.
Harry A. Schnur attended the public schools of Joplin until he reached the age of seventeen, completing both the lower and the high school grades. Immediately on leaving school he entered his father's printing office to learn his trade, and he has been connected with the business ever since. He has an extensive trade and a high and extended reputation as an accomplished printer with a thorough knowledge of his craft in all its developments and features, and he is held in high esteem wherever he is known as a man and citizen of broad views and progres- sive spirit, and a sincere and earnest supporter of every worthy under- taking designed to improve or advance his city and county or add to the convenience and enjoyment of their residents.
In national political affairs Mr. Schnur gives his allegiance to the Republican party, but he is not a political worker or hidebound partisan, and in local elections bestows his ballot on the cause and candidates he thinks will be most serviceable to the public. Of the fraternal orders so numerous among men he has become allied with but three, the Free Masons, the Elks and the T. P. A. Although a decided favorite in good social circles, he is still a bachelor, but he has shown himself to be as much interested in everything that embodied good for his community as any settled householder or man of family. Outdoor sports and other phases of the lighter side of life interest him and at times arouse his enthusiasm. But his business is always the first consideration with him, and nothing is allowed to interfere with his zealous and successful prosecution of it.
GEORGE R. CLAY .- In the exacting profession of law it has been given Mr. Clay to secure impregnable place as one of the essentially represen- tative members of the bar of Jasper connty, and he is senior member of the firm of Clay & Davis, one of the strongest and most successful now engaged in active professional practice in the city of Joplin. In the stern adjustments of active life in the world, honor is a necessity as a principle, though men do not live up to the principle always. The life
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that is predator and individualistie, with every emphasis laid upon the personal and egoistie, is not likely to develop the talents or the nobler veins of character. Thins necessity for personal effort in gaining a de- sired goal proves a benignant spur, for through its influence character and powers are revealed and brought into the domain of practical use- fulness. Mr. Clay is one of the men to whom success has come as a natural prerogative incidental to advancement through personal effort, and thus he has the more appreciation of the values and responsibilities of the success which he has attained in his chosen sphere of endeavor. He exemplifies the highest code of professional ethics and is known and valued as one of the able and resourceful attorneys and counselors of the Jasper county bar.
George R. Clay was born in the city of Aurora, Illinois, on the 23d of July, 1870. and is a son of Moses W. and Nancy L. (Bemker) Clay, the former of whom was born at Cohoes Falls, New York, in 1840, and the latter of whom was born near the city of Cleveland, Ohio, in 1847. The family removed to Newton county in 1880, and there Moses W. Clay became a representative farmer and stock-grower. The lineage of the Clay family as here represented is traeed back to stauneh French Huguenot stock, and the original progenitors in America settled in Quebee, Canada, whenee removal was later made to the colony of Vir- ginia, prior to the war of the Revolution. On the maternal side George R. Clay is of English and Scoth-Irish stock, General Stephen Bemker, maternal great-grandfather of him whose name initiates this review, was a gallant officer of the patriot forces in the war of the Revolution, the original representatives of the family in America having settled on Nantucket Island.
George R. Clay was about nine years of age at the time of the family removal from Illinois to Newton county, Missouri, where he was reared to adult age on the homestead farm. His preliminary education was there seeured in the district schools and in the prosecution of his higher academie education he depended to a large extent upon his own re- sources. He was for a time a student in Searritt Collegiate Institute, and later continued his studies in the Kansas State Normal School at Fort Seott. He was engaged in teaching in the publie schools at inter- vals, but this was only a means to an end, as he early decided to pre- pare himself for the legal profession. He read law under the able pre- ceptorship of Washington Cloud, of Pierce City, Lawrence county, Mis- souri, and made rapid progress in his absorption and assimilation of the science of jurisprudence. He was admitted to the bar in 1894, and he initiated the work of his profession at Pineville, McDonald county, where he remained from 1895 until 1900, when he removed to Neosho, the judicial center of Newton county, where he entered into a profes- sional partnership with Lyman W. White, with whom he was there as- sociated in successful practice until 1906, when he came to Joplin, to seeure a broader field of professional endeavor. Here he associated himself with R. M. Sheppard, under the firm name of Clay & Sheppard, and two years later Judge Henry C. Pepper entered the firm, the title of which was then changed to Pepper, Clay & Sheppard. About six months later Judge Pepper died and thereafter the original firm of Clay & Sheppard continued its alliance for one year, at the expiration of which the partnership was dissolved by mutual consent. Soon after- ward Mr. Clay formed his present effective professional partnership with R. H. Davis, and they have since continued to be associated under the firm name of Clay & Davis. They control a large and representa- tive general practice, and Mr. Clay has charge of the firm's practice in the criminal branch, in which he has gained a reputation that tran-
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