USA > Missouri > Jasper County > A history of Jasper County, Missouri, and its people, Vol. II > Part 18
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As a man of generous impulses and unvarying consideration for oth- ers, he ever upheld the high prestige of the family name, and his unos- tentatious acts of kindness and helpfulness were known only to him- self and the recipients of the favors in the majority of instances, as he had no desire for notoriety, merely believing that this was a duty of stewardship. Though a man of broad views and marked business aeu- men, he never consented to become a candidate for public office. He would have been a valuable factor in such capacity, as his ability was tantamount to his integrity and his civic ideals were of the highest type. He gave his allegiance to the Republican party and was ever earnest in the support of good government and progressive measures. He had a deep reverence for spiritual verities but was not formally a member of any religious organization. His life counted for good in all its rela- tions and he left the priceless heritage of a good name.
On the 24th of December, 1868, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. McNeill to Miss Roxie Carr, of Athens county, Ohio. She was born in Gallia county, that state, and was there afforded excellent educational advantages, including a course in a well ordered seminary for young women, at Mount Auburn. Her parents, Alfred and Mary (Liston)
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Carr, passed their entire lives in Ohio, where the father was a pros- perous farmer and a citizen of high standing in his community. Mr. McNeill is survived by two daughters: Mary M. is the wife of Clarence Leach, a resident of Atlanta, Georgia, and a commercial traveling sales- man by occupation. They have a fine little son, Charles McNeill Leach. Annie, the younger daughter, is the wife of Harvey Dixon, and they reside on a farm adjoining that of Mrs. McNeill. Mr. Dixon is a son of Judge Allen Dixon, who resides near the city of Joplin and who has served as judge of the county court. Both daughters were edu- cated in the schools of Joplin and both have many friends in their na- tive county. Mrs. McNeill has been for thirty years one of the most active and devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Oronogo and has been most liberal in the support of its various activi- ties, especially those of the Sunday school. A woman of most gracious personality, she has gathered about her a wide circle of loyal and valued friends, and her home is a favorite rendezvous for them. She has continued to reside on the homestead farm since the death of her husband, has shown marked ability and judgment in the supervis- ion of the affairs of the estate, and has shown her enterprising spirit by the erection of two fine residences in the city of Joplin, the same being attractively located on Pearl street, in the North Heights addition, and desirable tenants having been secured for these properties. Her farm lies in the zine range, but no development of the property has been made in the mining of the mineral product.
Mr. McNeill was known by many as Uncle Billy, and the following lines show the affectionate regard in which he was held and the hospi- tality of the home he established :
UNCLE BILLY'S
Where's Uncle Billy's? Why don't you know ? The dear old farm place just north of the town. Where the stately old maples and box elders grow, And the cool, shady nooks for the hammocks are found.
Where the soft southern breezes of springtime doth blow, And the fresh blue-grass carpets are covering the ground.
Where the apple tree blossoms perfume the still air, And the song bird is singing and building his nest. Where the honey bee sips from the flowers so fair That blossom in meadows, that silently rest In the sunshine; knowing nothing of snow or care, And every-where nature seems happy and blest.
Out to Uncle Billy's was the young folk's retreat, When tired of the rattle and din of the town And Oh! What sweet pleasure when together we'd meet, 'Twas such a short time from noon, till sun-down When our visit was ended; and our horses so fleet Were ready; and homeward they'd start with a bound.
How joyously and quickly we all tumbled out When we saw Uncle Billy coming down to the gate ; And what a commotion of laughter and shout, The sight of Aunt Roxie was sure to create, As she laughingly told us to hurry about Or else for the dinner we would surely be late.
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There was Annie so jolly, and Harry so still And Mary the happiest one in the lot,
There was Taylor and May, Lizzie and Will, There was Alice, and Vina, whom I almost forgot, I cherish sweet memories of the old Maple Hill
And think of it ever as a well beloved spot.
But time has made change in those dear happy days, And dear Uncle Billy has gone to his rest.
He peacefully sleeps where the summer wind plays With the grass and the wild-flowers, that wave o'er his breast
God called, and he left us, he has gone on his way,
We submit to the will of our God, who knows best.
But when I am weary and worn, by the care And the toil of the world that I daily must meet, When the burdens of life seem so heavy to bear, And the pathway seems thorny and rough for my feet, How I long for the meadows. the trees, and the air,
Of dear Uncle Billy's. that blessed retreat.
JOHN L. MCKINSEY.
February 21, 1900.
J. WILL BARKER, M. D .- In no profession is there more constant prog- ress than in that of medicine and surgery, thousands of the finest minds the world has produced making it their one aim and ambition to dis- cover more effectual method for the alleviation of suffering, some more potent weapon for the conflict with disease, some elever device for re- pairing the damaged human mechanism. Ever and anon the world hears with mingled wonder and thanksgiving of a new conquest of disease and disaster which a few years ago would have been placed within the field of the impossible. To keep in touch with these discoveries means con- stant alertness, and while there may be in many quarters great indolence in keeping pace with modern thought, the highest type of physician be- lieves it no less than a crime not to be master of the latest devices of science. To this type belongs Dr. J. Will Barker, one of Joplin's most promising young physicians.
He was born August 23, 1876, in Fulton county, Illinois, and is the son of Warren and Sarah E. Barker. He received his primary educa- tion in the schools at Riverdale, Kansas, where his parents removed when he was a child, they eventually moving to agricultural property in that vicinity. He entered Fairmont College at Wichita and was graduated from that institution in 1902. He subsequently removed to St. Louis, Missouri, and there matriculated at Barnes University, where he pre- pared for his profession, receiving his well-earned degree in 1907. Since that time his advancement in the profession has been very rapid. He spent one profitable year in the Centenary Hospital in St. Louis, per- forming on an average two operations a day, his surgical ability being manifested from the first as of the highest order. It was then his good fortune to become first assistant to Dr. Joseph E. Chambers, a noted physician and surgeon of St. Louis, his ability alone having recom- mended him to this position. He remained with Dr. Chambers for eight months, and then realizing the need of good representatives of his hon- ored profession in the southern part of the state, around the lead belt. he came to Joplin, in September, 1908, and established an office in the city, which he fitted up in the best and most commodious fashion. In the comparatively brief time of his residence here he has recommended
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himself to the confidence of the community and he is recognized far and wide as one of the most trustworthy and gifted of practitioners. He has built up a large practice which includes some of Joplin's leading families, and he is frequently called from the city on professional duties.
Warren Barker, the subject's father, was born November 25, 1844, in southern Illinois, and was the scion of prominent and highly respected pioneer stock. When he had reared his family past early childhood he removed to Riverdale, Kansas, and settled on farming lands, being one of the early pioneers in that section of the wild western country. War- ren Barker was one of those doughty pioneers to whom the nation owes much for blazing the way for present day prosperity. And he, after struggling with fearful odds and enduring tremendous hardships, be- came well-known and prosperous. He was also one of the brave wear- ers of the blue at the time of the Civil war, enlisting from Illinois with Company F, Illinois Regular Infantry, and serving for four years. His bravery and efficiency during that period were of the most distinguished character and he participated in many hard-fought battles. He was with General Sherman's command during the entire activity of that great officer. By the general's orders he was offered officer's stripes, but de- clined preferring to remain in the ranks with the rest of his comrades, and at the close of hostilities he was mustered out at Chicago, Illinois. Although he lived for many years after the war he never tired of relat- ing his adventures during that momentous period of our nation's history. This brave soldier and good citizen passed on to the Undiscovered Country, March 27, 1909, at Wichita, Kansas. His wife and devoted life companion, Sarah E. (Hettrick) Barker, was born, August 9, 1845, in Central Illinois, and became the bride of Mr. Barker February 22, 1868. Her demise occurred March 25, 1903, at Riverdale, Kansas. Dr. Bark- ker's paternal grandfather was a native of England and came to this country when a young man, and his maternal grandfather was Scotch, the scion of a noble family of the "land 'o cakes."
Dr. Barker is one of a family of three children. His brother, Or- ville P. Barker, resides in Wichita, Kansas, where he is a well known and prominent hardware merchant. His sister, Mrs. Lillian E. (Barker) Dolson, resides in Wichita, Kansas, and is associated in the hardware business with Orville P. Barker. She has two children,-Blanche and Dyrle.
Dr. Barker finds no small amount of pleasure in his lodge relations, which extend to the Elks, the Moose, the Masons and the Owls lodges of Joplin. He gives heart and hand to the men and measures of the Demo- cratic party and is particularly public-spirited. He is fond of foot-ball, base-ball and all other wholesome athletic sports. He is a great social favorite and maintains handsome bachelor apartments.
ROBERT S. KELSO, M. D .- On the 12th of March, 1911, was summoned to the life eternal the soul of a man whose sterling integrity and most exemplary Christian character have left an indelible impression upon the hearts of his fellow men. At the time when he was called from the scene of his mortal endeavors Dr. Robert S. Kelso was in his seventy- sixth year and it may be said of him that his "strength was as the number of his days." The prestige which he gained as a fair and honorable man was the result of his own well directed endeavors and his succes as a physician and surgeon of note was on a parity with his ability and well applied energy. Dr. Kelso resided in the city of Joplin, Missouri, from 1883 until the time of his demise and upon his record there rests no shadow or blemish.
On a farm near Delaware, Ohio, on the 28th of January, 1835, oc-
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curred the birth of Dr. Robert Sylvester Kelso, who was a son of Robert S. and Anna (Rose) Kelso. The original progenitors of the Kelso fam- ily in America were four brothers who came hither from Scotland in the early colonial epoch of our national history. They were active par- ticipants in the war of the Revolution and bore a full share of the hard- ships and privations of that sanguinary struggle for independence, sub- sequently settling in various parts of the country. The founder of the Ohio branch of the family was a pioneer in Washington City, this state. The maternal grandfather of him whose name initiates this review was Aaron Rose, who was a gallant and faithful soldier in the war of the Revolution and in the French & Indian war and among the narratives of strenuous war times is one relative to his service as "aide" to Washing- ton at the battle which resulted in General Braddock's defeat. The son of Aaron Rose was Abram Rose, who became the father of Anna Rose. Anna Rose was united in marriage to Robert S. Kelso, at Columbus, Ohio, in 1827. In 1847 Mr. and Mrs. Kelso removed to Missouri and located on a farm in the vicinity of Gallatin, where the Doctor was reared, his preliminary educational training consisting of such advantages as were afforded in the schools of the locality and period. In 1854 Dr. Kelso, of this review, was matriculated as a student in the University of Missouri and subsequently he attended Pleasant Ridge College, at Weston, this state, being graduated in the latter institution, in 1858, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts and as valedictorian of his class. In 1858 he re- ceived the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy from the Missouri Wesleyan University and in 1890 Baker University, at Lawrence, Kansas, con- ferred upon him the degree of Master of Arts.
In preparation for the work of his profession, Dr. Kelso attended Rush Medical College, in the city of Chicago, Illinois, in which excellent institution he was graduated as a member of the class of 1864, duly re- ceiving therefrom the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Later he pursued a course in post-graduate work in the College of Physicians & Surgeons and also in the Western College of Physicians & Surgeons, at St. Louis, and, realizing the value of specialization, he made a particular study of gynecological and abdominal surgery. Dr. Kelso practically worked his way through college. IIe began teaching school at the age of sixteen years and continued to be engaged in the pedagogic profession for a period of each succeeding year until he had completed his medical course. Ile initiated the active practice of his profession at Trading Post, Kan- sas, where he resided until the year 1883, at which time he came to Joplin, here maintaining his home and business headquarters until the time of his death, in 1911. During the early portion of his career he devoted his entire time and attention to a general practice but later he became wonderfully skillful in gynecological and abdominal surgery, perform- ing a large number of delicate operations with marked success. His thorough knowledge of the diseases peculiar to the Ozark regions gained him prestige as one of the leading physicians and surgeons in this sec- tion of the country, where he was widely known and highly esteemed.
Dr. Kelso was county physician for the Joplin district during the years 1888 to 1892 and he was health commissioner of the city of Joplin from 1888 to 1890. In 1891 he was requested by both the city and county to take charge of the public health department during the small-pox epidemic of that year. To this strenuous work he gave his most earnest attention, doing everything in his power to check the ravages of the dis- ease. He was specially active in the various medical associations to which he belonged, writing and reading a number of important medieal papers before their gatherings and he also contributed a number of ar- ticles on special discases to the various leading medical journals of the
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day. In connection with his life work he was affiliated with the Jasper County Medical Society, the Missouri State Medical Society and the American Medical Association, in each of which he gave efficient ser- vice as president. In the Civil war Dr. Kelso was assistant surgeon of the Fifth Regiment of the Kansas State Militia and he was active in the Pierce raid, prior to the inception of the war. Concerning his early military career the following extract is here inserted, the same being reproduced from an article published in a Joplin paper at the time of his demise.
"Few people have undergone the thrilling adventures that befell the lot of Joplin's pioneer citizen. Forced into the Federal army during the Civil war, when his sympathies were really with the South, Dr. Kelso narrowly escaped hanging at the hands of the people of Kingston, Mis- souri, who, in the excitement of the moment, did not realize that Dr. Kelso had joined the Northern cause against his own desires. The people of Kingston were in sympathy with the cause of the South, and when Dr. Kelso's enforced connection with the Federal army became known, a movement was started to hang him. Dr. Kelso expressed a desire to remain in the town and face the music but his wife implored him to flee. Equipped with bedding and food to last him several days, he rode horseback into the nearby woods and remained in hiding over night. The next day the excitement subsided and he returned. However, he soon made his departure from Kingston."
Prior to 1888 Dr. Kelso was aligned as a stalwart supporter of the cause of the Republican party but in that year he transferred his al- legiance to the principles and policies promulgated by the Democratic party. He never manifested aught of ambition for the honors or emolu. ments of political office and the only public position of which he was ever incumbent was that of town treasurer during his residence in Kan- sas. In that instance two-thirds of the votes belonged to the opposition party and he was the only candidate on his ticket to meet with success at the polls. In his religious adherency he was a member of the Metho- dist Episcopal church. South, in the various departments of which he was an interested worker. In the Masonic order he had passed through the circle of York Rite Masonry and held membership in the Lodge, Chapter and Commandery, in all of which he was honored with import- ant offices, including that of Worshipful Master of his lodge. During his life-time he was an earnest advocate of the life-insurance feature, which characterized various beneficiary societies, and he was a valued member of the Knights and Ladies of Honor, in the local lodge of which he served as treasurer and as protector.
In the year 1856 was solemnized the marriage of Dr. Kelso to Miss Elizabeth Davis, who died fifteen months after her marriage. She was survived by an infant daughter, Eva, who is now the wife of Frank Collins, of Idaho Springs, Colorado. On March 9. 1859, Dr. Kelso was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. West, of Springfield, Missouri. This union was prolifie of two children,-Ida, who is the wife of Rev. C. H. Bohn, of Mount Pleasant, Iowa; and Herbert S., who married Miss Almeda Jones, of Joplin. They maintain their home at Kansas City, Mis- souri, where he is employed in the government service. being chief stenog- rapher for the chief clerk in the Custom House. Mrs. Kelso survives her honored husband and she still resides in the beautiful family home at Joplin. She is a woman of most gracious personality and is deeply beloved by all with whom she has come in contaet.
Dr. Kelso was a man of extraordinarily keen perceptions, of broad and ready grasp of even the most intricate problems,-a genial man of lovable qualities. His work, both as a professional man and as a citi-
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zen, was ever characterized by that broad humanitarianism which is so potent a force in all the walks of life. Kindly, affable and courteous, he was generous in thought and deed and his death, in 1911, was a mat- ter for universal bereavement.
ARTHUR N. BOBBITT, M. D .- Dr. Bobbitt has been a resident of the city of Joplin from his boyhood days to the present time and has gained definite prestige and success in the work of his chosen profession, in which he is devoting special attention to surgery.
Dr. Bobbitt claims the Sunflower state as the place of his nativity and is a representative of one of its pioneer families. He was born at Altamont, Labette county, Kansas, and is a son of James W. and Anna (Young) Bobbitt, who have maintained their home in Joplin for a quarter of a century and who are numbered among the well known and highly esteemed citizens of Jasper county. The father was born in Tennessee, where he was reared and educated, and as a young man he removed to Kansas, where he was engaged in the carriage, wagon and farm implement business for a term of years. In 1886 he removed to Joplin, Missouri, and here he continued to be actively and successfully identified with business interests for many years. His wife was born and reared in Missouri and is a representative of a family whose name has long been identified with the history of this fine old commonwealth.
Dr. Bobbitt is indebted to the public schools of Joplin for his early educational discipline, and after his graduation in the high school he entered the academic department of the University of Missouri, in which institution he also availed himself of the advantages of the medi- cal department, in which he was graduated and from which he received the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He later completed an effective post- graduate course in the medical department of Vanderbilt University, at Nashville, Tennessee, and also did post-graduate work in a leading medical institution in New York city, where he also gained valuable clinical experience through his identification with hospital work. He initiated the practice of his profession in Joplin in 1909 and his ability and close application have brought to him success of unequivocal order. Though engaged in general practice, with an excellent clientele, Dr. Bobbitt specializes in the surgical branch of his profession. He has given special study to surgery. He is identified with the American Medical Association, the Missouri State Medical Society and the Jasper County Medical Society, and is medical examiner for various fraternal and life-insurance organizations, including the Missouri State Life In- surance Company and the International Life Insurance Company. He is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity, the American Yeomen, the Court of Honor, the Knights and Ladies of Honor, the Home and Health Society and the Mutual Protective League.
On the 11th of May, 1910, Dr. Bobbitt was united in marriage to Miss Nina Shelton, who was born and reared in Joplin and who was graduated in the high school of this city. She is a daughter of Robert Shelton, a representative business man of Joplin, and she is a popular factor in connection with the leading social activities of her native city.
CHARLES SCHIFFERDECKER .- The great empire of Germany has con- tributed to our American republic a most vital and valuable element. and from this source the nation has had much to gain and nothing to lose. Among the sturdy sons of the German fatherland who have here worked their way to definite success and prosperity and who have like- wise stood exemplar of the best type of citizenship is Charles Schiffer- decker, who is now living virtually retired in the city of Joplin. He
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has been prominent and influential in the development and upbuilding of the city, where he has been identified with numerous enterprises of the most important order, and his fine initiative and executive power have been brought to bear in such a way as to conserve not only his individual advancement but also that of the community at large. He is a man of most genial personality, frank, sincere and generous, and thus he has gained and retained a secure place in the confidence and esteem of the people of Joplin, where he had maintained his home for the past thirty-six years.
Charles Schifferdecker was born in the state of Baden, Germany, on the 28th of August, 1851, and in the same place were also born his parents, Andreas and Philipina (Buehler) Schifferdecker. The father learned the trade of a linen weaver in his youth, and to this line of enterprise he continued to devote his attention in his native place until his death, in 1856. After the death of her husband, Mrs. Schiffer- decker continued to reside in her native city for a number of years and then she came to America, whither her son had previously immigrated. She passed the closing years of her life in the home of her son Jacob in Crawford county, Kansas, where she died in February, 1896, at an advanced age. Both she and her husband were devout members of the German Lutheran church and they were persons of the most sterling attributes of character. Of their children two sons are now living.
Charles Schifferdecker gained his early educational discipline in the excellent schools of his native land and was a lad of about five years at the time of his father's death. After leaving school he secured work on a farm in his native state, and though his financial recompense was very small, he was frugal and industrious and by carefully saving his earnings for four years he accumulated sufficient funds to enable him to immigrate to the United States. Thus it may be noted that in 1869, when eighteen years of age, he severed the ties that bound him to fath- erland and set forth to seek his fortunes in America. He landed in New York city and then proceeded forthwith to Keokuk, Iowa, where he secured employment at farm and gardening work. Four years later he went to Quincy, Illinois, where for the ensuing nine months he was employed in a brewery. At the solicitation of a friend he then came to Missouri and secured a position in the Lichters malt house, in the city. of St. Louis, where he was thus employed for one year. He had in the meanwhile been economical and at the expiration of this period his financial resources were such as to justify him in making an independ- ent business venture, to which he was prompted by worthy ambition and by the desire to gain for himself a position of independence. In harmony with the advice of a judicious friend. Mr. Ed. Zelleken, Mr. Schifferdecker came to Baxter Springs, Kansas, where he worked for Mr. Zelleken in his brewery for nine months and then with Mr. Zelleken he opened a bottling house in Joplin, to which place he came in October of 1875. Here they established a wholesale beer and ice business, and by careful management, progressive policies and the handling of a superior product he soon built up a large and prosperous business, through which he laid the foundation for his present ample fortune. He severed his connection with this line of enterprise in 1888, but he has been prominently concerned in the upbuilding of other important business and industrial enterprises in Joplin. He assisted in effecting the organization of the First National Bank of Joplin, was elected its first president and held this office for twelve years, since which time he has continued a valued member of the directorate of this staunch institution, the upbuilding of whose large and substantial business has been largely due to his wise executive management. He is also a direc-
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