USA > Missouri > Jasper County > A history of Jasper County, Missouri, and its people, Vol. II > Part 25
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Mr. Johns' father was Ferdinand Johns, who was born in Grulich, Austria, in the year 1848. He was a farmer by occupation and served in the Austrian army. He came to America in the year 1909, to join his sons, with whom he now makes his residence at 514 Gray St. The mother, Anna (Schmidt) Johns, was a native of the country which also
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witnessed the birth of her husband and children. She was born in 1852 and came to Joplin with the elder Mr. Johns in 1909.
The immediate subject of this review laid the foundation of a happy life companionship when on August 28, 1901, he was united in marriage to Miss Marie Dovvizzi, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Dovvizzi, of Joplin, the father being a prominent mine operator of this county. This union has been blessed by the birth of a little daughter, Frances Anna, born January 5, 1904, in Joplin, Missouri, and now a pupil at the Jack- son school.
Mr. and Mrs. Johns are communicants of the Catholic church and the former supports the policies and principles of the Democratic party. He is a member of that popular organization,-the Germania Singing Society. He owns an attractive residence at 515 Jackson St., which he has just built in Joplin, and this is the scene of generous hospitality. He finds his favorite diversion in out of door life. Mr. Johns is very loyal to his adopted country and has shown his appreciation of its ben- efits in the highest type of citizenship.
JACK C. AMMERMAN .- Orphaned in early life by the death of his father, and in consequence of this bereavement thrown on his own re- sources while he was yet only a youth, J. C. Ammerman, of Joplin, has made his way to his present business success and professional and social standing solely by his own endeavors and the judicious use of every op- portunity for advancement that he has been able to seize and turn to his service. His aim has been high and his ideal a lofty one. They have sustained him in all the difficulties and trials of the rugged ascent of the mountain road of progress toward them which has lain before him from the start.
Mr. Ammerman is a native of Cambridge, Illinois, where his life began on March 7, 1876. He is a son of Jonathan R. and Sarah A. (Hardy) Ammerman, the former born in Kentucky in 1824 and the lat- ter in Ohio on December 6, 1830. She was a daughter of Benjamin and Rachel (Frame) Hardy, prosperous residents and pioneers of that state. Jonathan Ammerman was a contractor and carried on an extensive business. He was steadily making his way to worldly comfort and es- tablished success in business when death cut short his labors and his career in 1885. The mother is still living and has her home in Moline, Illinois. They had nine children, five of whom are living, Jack C. being the last one born in the family.
He began his education in the public schools and was graduated from the high school in 1893. He then entered the law department of the University of Michigan, from which he received the degree of LL. B. in 1899. In December of the same year he came to Missouri and took up his residence in Joplin, where he has built up a good general practice in his profession and also done considerable corporation work and spe- cializing in bankruptcy practice. His attention has been mainly di- rected, however, to general lines of professional work, and in these he has made an excellent reputation as a capable and careful lawyer, with extensive and accurate knowledge of legal principles and court decisions and fine address and skill in the use of his attainments in the trial of cases. In fact, Mr. Ammerman is in the front rank in his profession in this part of the state, although he is yet a young man, and is regarded as one of the most successful and promising lawyers in southwestern Mis- souri.
In political relations he is a devoted member of the Republican party and an energetic and effective worker in its behalf. He has served it well and wisely as chairman of the city central committee in Joplin, as
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vice chairman of the county central committee in Jasper county for a number of years, and at the present time is a member of the Republican state central committee for the fifteenth congressional district. In all its campaigns he is one of its leaders in the county, and is considered one of its most judicious and reliable advisers. But he has never sought political office for himself, either by election or appointment, and seems to have no ambition in that direction, being content to work ardently for his party because he believes firmly in its principles, and not for his own honor or advantage either in the way of distinction or of emolu- ment.
In the business interests of the city and county of his home, and in all that makes for their advancement or improvement in a wholesome way, he is always one of the elements of strength and intelligence, apply- ing all his energy to any worthy project for the general welfare, but always tempering his zeal with prudence and directing his efforts with judgment.
It is not to be inferred, however, that all of Mr. Ammerman's trials and triumphs have been those pertaining to peaceful operations. He challenged Fate into the lists in his youth, and met her on almost equal terms, matching his indomitable energy and determination against her coldness and cynicism. He worked his way through school and the university, and valued their benefits all the more on that account. He started his professional career with nothing in the way of financial cap- ital, family influence or assistance from friends, and literally hewed his progress onward and upward to his present elevated standing as a law- yer. But he also saw service in the Spanish-American war, joining the navy as a volunteer when the contest began and remaining in the service until it ended.
His war service was often dangerous and at times thrilling. He was assigned to duty on the United States steamer Yosemite, which conveyed and landed the first American troops disembarked on Cuban soil for the conflict, and which did heroic work in beaching the Spanish stock- ade runner Antonia Lopez. For this service in that war the United States government, by special act of congress approved May 13. 1908, granted the members of the crew of the U. S. S. Yosemite a service medal. The beaching of the Antonia Lopez occurred at San Juan, Porto Rico. Mr. Ammerman was also in other engagements during the war and shared in the prize money divided among the forces which made captures. His enlistment was for the existence of the war, and at its close he was honorably discharged. If he had entered the service under an ordinary enlistment he would have been obliged to serve four years.
Mr. Ammerman takes an active and serviceable part in the organiza- tions designed to promote the interests and keep up the tone of his pro- fession. He is a zealous member of the state, county and city bar as- sociations. He is also cordial in his interest in the fraternal life of his community, and shows his devotion to it as a means of improvement by membership in the Order of Elks and the Delta Chi fraternity of his university. The social and business welfare of the people always com- mand his attention, and he is carnest in his support of all means at work to promote it. His membership in the Commercial Club of Joplin is a valued element in its influence and usefulness, and his connection with various social organizations gives them added inspiration and force for the good of the community.
Outdoor sports have always had a charm for this man of extensive business and large affairs. Whenever he can find a convenient oppor- tunity to indulge his appetite for them during the proper seasons, he goes off on a hinting or fishing trip, which he makes as extended as his
He. C. Ho umphreys
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engagements will allow. This taste and the habits it has engendered have ยท made him one of the leading members of the Carter County (Mis- souri) Hunting, Fishing and Shooting Club. Up to the present time (1911) he has remained unmarried.
HENRY C. HUMPHREYS .- The scion of old Virginia families and inheriting the lofty spirit of the people of the fine old commonwealth from which his parents came to Missouri, Henry C. Humphreys, now the leading merchant of the southwestern section of the state, gave proof early in life that nothing less than an abundant and striking success in whatever he might undertake would satisfy him or be a full and proper expression of his nature or product of his natural ability and force of character. He has had many difficulties to con- tend with, many obstacles to delay his progress, but has always con- fronted the former with an undaunted spirit and overcome the latter by indomitable will, fruitful resourcefulness and energetic persever- ance, ever keeping his lofty ideal in view and working toward the goal he had set for himself.
Mr. Humphreys is a native of this state and was born in St. Louis county on August 14, 1841. He traces descent in direct line to John Humphreys, a son of David Humphreys, born 1700-5, and of Catherine Lewis, his wife, born in 1723-5. John Humphreys was born in Charles- town township, Chester county, Pennsylvania, in 1744, and died at Harper's Ferry. Virginia, in 1794. He assisted in establishing Ameri- can independence while acting in the capacity of ensign and as sec- ond lieutenant. He was made ensign in Lee's battalion of Light Dragoons on the 2d of August, 1779, and was transferred to the Sixth Pennsylvania on the 25th of August, 1779. He was transferred to the Second Pennsylvania on the 17th of January, 1781, was made second lieutenant of the Fourth Continental Artillery on the 2d of April, 1782, and served to June, 1783. He was one of the original members of the Society of Cincinnati, as were also his brothers-in-law, Caleb and George North, and was one of the officers who received a land grant. in Virginia. John Humphreys married in 1770-2 Anna North, who was born in 1750 at Belvedere, near Charlestown, West Virginia, a daughter of Roger and Ann Rambo North. John Hum- phreys died in 1794, and his wife, Ann, died in 1826. Among their children was David Humphreys, born in 1775. He married on Au- gust 1, 1797, Catherine Keyes, who was born in 1778, and died on the 2d of May, 1844. He survived until the 24th of April, 1850. They were the paternal grandparents of Henry C. Humphreys. The latter's parents, Thomas Keyes and Helen (Cordell) Humphreys, were natives of Virginia, the former born October 5, 1811, and the latter December 15, 1815. They were married in the state of their nativity January 11, 1834, and subsequently became residents of Missouri. Here the father died July 10, 1851, and the mother December 3. 1865. They were the parents of eight children, of whom their son Henry was the fifth born.
He attended the country schools in his native county and also passed three years at Westminster college in Fulton, Missouri. While he was attending this college the Civil war began, and his zeal for the success of the principles at stake on the Southern side of the contro- versy put all desire for further scholastic training out of his mind. He turned with enthusiasm from classic shades to the battlefield, en- listing in Company H. Fourth Missouri Cavalry, Confederate service, under Colonel John Q. Burbridge, who was attached to General Mar- maduke's brigade. In this command Mr. Humphreys took part in most
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of the engagements in Missouri and Arkansas, and on General Price's raid through Missouri received a severe wound which deprived him of two fingers. He was taken prisoner once when twenty-five miles from Kansas City, but succeeded in making his escape and getting back to his company after great hardships and many dangers. He was not so fortunate later, when he was captured a second time, and was then confined in the penitentiary at Alton, Illinois, for a short time.
After his release he returned to the parental home and engaged in farming for three years on the family homestead. In 1869 he re- moved to Lebanon, Missouri, then the terminus of the railroad to San Francisco, and followed general merchandising twelve years. At the end of that period he changed the base of his operations from Lebanon to Grenola, Kansas, where he passed three years in the same line of endeavor, and then took up his residence in Johnson county, Missouri, and turned his attention to farming for a similar period of time. Af- ter again merchandising for six years, this time at Raymore, Missouri, he moved to Webb City in 1899, carrying with him a small stoek of goods worth four thousand dollars.
This little investment was the seed from which his present extensive business grew and the foundation of his fortune. His sales during the first year of his operations in Webb City aggregated $17,000, and since then have gone as high as $300,000 annually, his business being the most extensive of its kind .in this part of the country, and his trade being as active as any in any part. His mercantile enterprise, extensive as it is, is not, however, Mr. Humphreys' only connection with the world of busi- ness and trade. He has large possessions in real estate in and around Webb City. His mercantile business is incorporated, with himself as president of the company, Frank Hitner, secretary and treasurer, and Frank Payne, general manager. The company employs from thirty-five to forty persons on an average in its store, and it necessarily has to have a large building to transact a business of sufficient magnitude to require the services of that number. The building in which the business is housed is one of the largest and most imposing in the city, and Mr. Humphreys owns it. He also owns other business and residence properties in the eity, and has interests in very desirable and high-priced lots and build- ings at Royal and Brooklyn Heights, suburbs of Webb City, which are constantly growing in value.
Absorbed as he is in large mercantile and real estate affairs, he still finds time to give effective aid to all undertakings for the develop- ment and improvement of the city of his home and the country all around it .: Being one of the most progressive men in this section of the state, he is always counted on as a leader in all matters of publie expansion or advancement, and as an energetic and judicial assistant in every men- tal, moral and social projeet for the benefit of his community or the en- joyment of its people. His political allegiance is given freely and firmly to the principles and candidates of the Democratie party, but he takes no part in political contests. Fraternally he is an Odd Fel- low and has filled all the chairs in his lodge in the order. In his re- ligious faith he is a Presbyterian and belongs to the First church of that creed in Webb City.
In 1878 he was married in Laclede county, Missouri, to Miss Sarah Higgins, a native of St. Louis county, this state, and a daughter of Judge John Higgins, belonging to families of old settlers in that county, long prominent in its social, publie and business life, and formerly owners of large numbers of slaves. Four children have blessed the union and brightened the family circle of the Humphreys household: Cordell, who was born in Lebanon, Missouri, and is now the husband of former
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Miss Emma F. Patel and a prominent Webb City real estate dealer ; George, who was born in St. Louis county in 1881 and died in St. Louis at the age of twenty-two; Euola, who died at the age of two years; and Pearl, who was born in Raymore, this state, and is now the wife of Roy C. Graham and lives in Chicago.
JULIUS A. BECKER .- The United States ranks today as the foremost nation of the modern civilized world. It has served as the melting pot of the best characteristics of all other nations and the outcome is a fine, sterling American citizenship, consisting of strong and able bodied men, loyal and public-spirited in civic life, broad-minded and honorable in business, and alert and enthusiastically in sympathy with every measure tending to further the material welfare of the entire country. Although not himself a native of Germany, Julius A. Becker, whose name forms the caption for this article, is the son of a German. He has long been identified with banking interests in Joplin, where he has resided since 1879, and at the present time he is incumbent of the position of treasurer of the Conqueror Trust Company, one of the most reliable financial institutions in this section of the state.
Born at Granville, Illinois, on the 3d of January, 1870, Julius A. Becker is a son of Gustav and Emelie (Brennamann) Becker, both of whom were born and reared in Germany, the father coming to America in the early '50s and the mother immigrating to the new world in 1849. After his arrival in the United States Gustav Becker located on a farm in the state of Illinois, where he resided during the remainder of his life and where he was summoned to eternal rest in 1879, being survived by a wife and three children. Very soon after the father's death, the mother, with her two sons and one daughter, removed fur- ther west, establishing the family home in the city of Joplin, Missouri.
After completing the curriculum of the Joplin public schools Mr. Becker, the immediate subject of this sketch, was employed for a pe- riod of two years in a jewelry store. In December, 1889, at which time he was about nineteen years of age, he entered the First National Bank of Joplin, where he remained until January 1, 1907, and where his promotion, while not exactly rapid, was steady and permanent. Eventually he became assistant cashier of that substantial concern but in 1907 he resigned his position and launched out in the general in- surance business, to which he devoted the major portion of his time and attention until the 1st of January, 1911, when he was. elected treas- urer of the Conqueror Trust Company, which concern was incorporated, in 1905, with a capital stock of one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars. One of the best assets of this institution is the sterling integrity and altogether substantial and reliable character of its official corps, which is as follows : William Houk, president; Jesse G. Starr, vice president; and J. A. Becker, treasurer. Mr. Becker is a man of un- usual executive ability and tremendous vitality, both of which qualities have been so potent in his rise to prominence in the business world of Joplin.
In January, 1901, Mr. Becker was united in marriage to Miss Blanche George, whose birth occurred at Pleasant Hill. Missouri, and who is a daughter of N. B. George who died in 1897. To Mr. and Mrs. Becker have been born two children-Katherine, whose natal day was the 22d of October. 1903; and Helen, born on the 21st of September, 1906. Mr. and Mrs. Becker are popular and prominent in connection with the best social activities at Joplin, and their attractive home is widely renowned for its hospitality, which is of the ancient and sincere kind.
In his political convictions Mr. Becker is aligned as a stalwart sup-
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porter of the principles and policies of the Republican party, and while he has never shown aught of desire for the honors of political office he has given most efficient service as city treasurer, to which office he was elected by a gratifying majority in 1905 and of which he is now incumbent, this being his third term. In a fraternal way he is connected with the Masonic order, holding membership in both the York Rite and Scottish Rite branches, his affiliation with the former body being as a member of Fellowship Lodge, No. 345, Free and Ae- cepted Masons. That he is a man of impregnable integrity and sterling worth is evident when it is stated that he commands the unqualified confidence and esteem of the citizens of Joplin, who have known him and been familiar with his career from his earliest boyhood days.
S. H. STEPHENS .- A representative business man and sterling citizen of Joplin is S. H. Stephens, one of the city's most important real estate merchants, who has contributed in remarkable part to the growth of the city, among his many achievements having been the development of several additions to the city. He is also interested in Jasper county's mining industry, and his success has been built upon native ability and foresight and fair and honorable dealings, as well as upon his per- sonal popularity as a citizen. Mr. Stephens was born July 23, 1861, in Washington county. Illinois, and received his early education in the district schools of that county, and also in Jefferson county, that state. His youthful days were passed amid rural surroundings, and after bidding farewell to his desk in the school room he engaged in farming and stock raising and was successful in that work until thirty years of age, which was a landmark in that it formed a point of new de- parture. He came to Joplin and in the mines adjacent found work as a "hand," but proved so faithful and efficient in small things that he was given more and more to do and was advaneed so rapidly that in six months he was superintendent for Black & Company. He pros- pected on the side and bought mining lands, upon which he established his home. building a commodious house. He eventually secured a third interest in the business of Blake & Company, but later disposed of that and organized the Novelty Mining Company, selling that in turn, after bringing it to successful operations. April 2, 1902, marked his entry into the real estate field and in this business he has enjoyed the most thor- ough success. From small beginnings he has come to be one of the most prosperous real estate dealers in all Joplin. In addition to the usual real estate business he has developed several additions to the city and deals extensively in mining property. Among the above-mentioned additions are the Midway and Cox Park, which owe their existence to the subject and his distinguished enterprise.
On November 18, 1883, Mr. Stephens was united in marriage in his native state, Miss Jennie Huggins, daughter of J. R. Huggins, of Jack- son county, becoming his wife and the mistress of his household. To their union four children have been born: Roy E., born November 7, 1884, is engaged with his father in business: Arthur A., born May 7, 1891, is likewise associated with them: Edith, born December 31, 1900, is a student in the Franklin school of Joplin ; and the youngest mem- ber of the family circle is Wilbur, born December 4. 1906. Their home is an attractive spot, the abode of refinement and youthful good cheer.
Mr. Stephens' father. Joel D. Stephens, was born in 1816 and died January 27. 1899. He was a native of Tennessee, but migrated to Washington county, Illinois, when a young man. He engaged in the buying and selling of farm lands and in the great basic industry itself, and was well known and prominent in his section of the state. In
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1862 he and a party of friends took a trip overland to the gold fields of Idaho and prospected for gold, but after a few years he returned to Illinois and continued farming. He married in Washington county, Illinois, Miss Sarah Foster, born in 1842, becoming his wife. Her parents were Thomas and Rebecca ( White) Foster, prominent and highly respected people and her grandparents on the maternal side came to Illinois from West Virginia. This worthy lady preceded her hus- hand to the Great Beyond by a number of years, her demise occurring in February, 1889.
In politieal faith Mr. Stephens, the immediate subject of this re- view, is Demoeratie and his religious eonvietion is that of the Methodist Episcopal church. In addition to other interests above mentioned he is a director and the vice president of the Cox Park Realty Company. He is essentially public-spirited and his heart and hand are given to the welfare and progress of the eity in which his numerous interests are centered.
CARLTON H. PLUMB, of Joplin, Missouri, has gained distinctive pres- tige as one of the leading eivil and mining engineers in this section of the state. He has maintained his home and business headquarters in this city since 1907, and during the few intervening years to the pres- ent time he has gained a splendid reputation for fair and honorable inethods and for sterling integrity.
A native of Springfield, Missouri, where his birth occurred on the 24th of July, 1875, Mr. Carlton H. Plumb is a seion of an old colonial family, the original representative of the name in America having come to this country from England in the days prior to the Revolution. His ancestors were gallant and faithful soldiers in the war for independence and the family has contributed many citizens of fine moral caliber and sterling patriotism to this country. Mr. Plumb is a son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Blaekmer) Plumb, both of whom were born and reared in the state of New York, the former at Gowanda and the latter at Livonia. The father was born in 1832 and in 1876 he came to Joplin as a minister of the Congregational church. He was a pioneer preacher in the truest sense of the word, having preached on street corners, on wagons, and in faet at any point where he could get a congregation. As a result of his prodigious efforts the First Congregational church at Joplin was organized and built and he was the author of many religious and charitable movements in the early days. He was a man of in- domitable energy, fearless and courageous in the cause of righteousness, and one of the most influential and enterprising citizens in the early progress and development of this section of the state. He is still liv- ing, as is also his wife, at Baxter Springs Kansas, and while he has attained the venerable age of eighty years he retains in mueh of their pristine vigor the splendid mental and physical qualities of his youth. Rev. and Mrs. Plumb became the parents of five children, three of whom are now living.
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