USA > Missouri > Jasper County > A history of Jasper County, Missouri, and its people, Vol. II > Part 37
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On the 26th of November, 1889, Mr. Rhodes was united in marriage to Miss Lucy Stoddard, who was born and reared in Sussex county, New Jersey, and who was a daughter of Increase and Mariah Stoddard, both of New Jersey. The father was a farmer during his life time and he was a prominent and influential citizen of Sussex county. Mrs. Rhodes was summoned to eternal rest at Topeka, Kansas, the date of her death being June 27, 1897. There were no children born to this union. Mrs. Rhodes was a woman of the most gracious personality and she was deeply beloved by all who came within the sphere of her gentle influence.
Mr. Rhodes has ever retained a deep interest in his old comrades in arms and signifies the same by membership in the Grand Army of the Republie. He is also affiliated with the time honored Masonic fraternity and while he is not formally connected with any religious organization. he is a constant attendant and staunch supporter of the Presbyterian church at Joplin. In his political proclivities he is stalwart in the ranks of the Republican party, in the local councils of which he is an active and interested factor. While undoubtedly he has not been without that honorable ambition which is so powerful and useful as an incentive to activity in public affairs, he regards the pursuits of private life as being in themselves abundantly worthy of his best efforts. In community af- fairs he is active and influential and his support is readily and gener- ously given to many measures for the general progress and improve- ment. His life history is certainly worthy of commendation and of emulation, for along honorable and straightforward lines he has won the success which crowns his efforts and which makes him one of the sub- stantial residents of Joplin, Missouri.
ROBERT A. PEARSON .-- One of the most distinguished of the members of the JJasper county har who is widely gaining prestige in the state is Robert A. Pearson, of the law firm of Pearson & Butts and former city attorney of Joplin. In the prime of life and the fullness of his powers, it is probable that he has yet to reach the zenith of his career, which has already been rich in achievement. Like numerous of the citizens of Jop- lin, Mr. Pearson is a native of the state of Illinois, his birth having oc- curred in Colchester, that state, September 7, 1868. He is English in descent, both of his parents, the Rev. Thomas J. Pearson, a clergyman of the Congregational church, and his mother, Marion (Whitworth) Pearson, being residents of the mother country. They came to America about the years 1847 and 1853, respectively.
In the early boyhood Robert A. Pearson, who was one of a family of seven children, his parents removed to Kansas, where the father as- sumed charge of a Congregational church, being located for the last ten years at Topeka. In Kansas Mr. Pearson received his education, at- tending the common and higher departments of the public schools and also Washburn College of Topeka. In the meantime a long gathering ambition to become a lawyer had reached crystallization and the young man matriculated in the Kansas University at Lawrence, Kansas, being graduated with the class of 1896, with the well earned degree of LL. B. and being admitted to the bar. When looking about him for a location
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Joplin appealed to Mr. Pearson as a city with a future and accordingly he came here in 1897, a year after his graduation, and with the usual hopes and fears which are a part of the stock in trade of the young law- yer he hung up his shingle. In the fall of that same year he formed a partnership with a young colleague, W. L. Butts, a native of Kentucky, and their firm, known as Pearson & Butts, has continued as such until the present day. It has indeed proved a combination eminently satis- factory and one whose strength is recognized over a wide territory. Their practice is of a general character and is large and constantly grow- ing. In 1903 Mr. Pearson received signal mark of the high standing he enjoys in the community by his election to the office of city attorney, and his tenure of office included the years 1903 to 1905. The subject is eminently well qualified for his profession, and, careful in arranging and preparing his cases, he is never at a loss for forcible and appropriate argument to sustain his position. He has also a power of marshalling and presenting significant facts so as to bring conviction. On March 7, 1911, Mr. Pearson was appointed as city counselor for an unexpired term ending April 15, 1911, and at that time was reappointed to that office for the following year.
In the matter of politics Mr. Pearson is a tried and true Democrat, and has subscribed to the articles of faith of the party since his earliest voting days. He has ever shown himself ready and willing to be at any personal inconvenience to advance the interests of the party, and his word is of great weight in party conclave. Ile is one of the prominent members of the ancient and august Masonic order, belonging to Joplin lodge, No. 335. His papers before the well known Niangua Literary Club, of which he is a member, have ever been greatly admired and enjoyed. In religious conviction he is a member of the Presbyterian church.
Mr. Pearson established a home of his own by his happy marriage to Miss Eva Barr, daughter of E. P. Barr, a merchant of Joplin, which was celebrated November 8, 1904. Mrs. Pearson is a native of Joplin, in which city the Barr family were old settlers and where the name is held in high esteem. Their union has been blessed by the birth of a son, Robert Barr Pearson, born August 21, 1906. Their home is one of the cultured abodes of Joplin and the center of an attractive hospitality, they being identified with the best social and other activities of the city in which their interests are centered.
WILLIAM H. MALLORY, M. D., one of the prominent and well known physicians of Joplin. Missouri, has been engaged in the active practice of his profession at Joplin since 1905. He is a physician and surgeon of experience, ability and thorough equipment, and has gained a well de- served reputation throughout Jasper county. He is one of the progres- sive members of the profession and besides attending to his private prac- tice is also interested in movements to advance the standard of the ex- cellence and efficiency of his fellow practitioners throughout the state.
A native of Clinton, Missouri, Dr. Mallory was born on the 21st of February, 1879, he being a son of Thomas W. and Sarah (Moorehead) Mallory, the former of whom is a native of Kentucky and the latter of whom claims Missouri as the place of her birth. The father estab- lished the family home at Clinton in an early day and there he is a well known stock-dealer. Of the six children born to Mr. and Mrs. Mallory the Doctor was the third in order of birth. He received his preliminary educational training in the public schools of Clinton and in the high school of Lowry City, graduating in the latter in 1899. He commenced the study of medicine at the age of twenty years and in 1904 was grad-
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uated in the medical department of the University of Kansas, at Rose- dale. Immediately after receiving his degree Dr. Mallory opened offices and initiated the active practice of his profession at Kansas City, whence he removed to Joplin in 1906. He has succeeded in building up a large and lucrative patronage in this city and the same is indicative of the possession of innate talent and acquired ability along the line of one of the most helpful professions to which man may devote his energies, namely,-the alleviation of pain and suffering and the restoration of health, which is man's most priceless treasure.
At Girard, Kansas, on the 29th of June, 1904, was solemnized the marriage of Dr. Mallory to Miss Edith Grant, who was born in the city of Joplin and who is a daughter of R. I. Grant, long a well known grocer and later a prominent mining man in this city. Mr. Grant was one of the owners of the famous Red Bud Mine and in his various transac- tions he achieved marked success. The maiden name of the mother of Mrs. Mallory was Ferona Cole. Dr. and Mrs. Mallory have one daugh- ter, Jacqueline, whose birth occurred on the 4th of January, 1909. In their religious faith the Mallorys are consistent members of the Chris- tian church, to whose good works they contribute liberally of their time and means.
In connection with the practice of medicine Dr. Mallory is connected with the Jasper County Medical Society, the Missouri State Medical So- ciety and the American Medical Association. In politics he accords a stalwart allegiance to the principles and policies for which the Demo- cratic party stands sponsor, and while he has no time for active partici- pation in political affairs he is ever on the alert and enthusiastically in sympathy with all projects advanced for the good of the general wel- fare. In a fraternal way he is a valued and appreciative member of the local lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Dr. Mal- lory is a man of strong force of character, of marked individuality, of keen intellect and honorable purpose,-qualities which have won for him in eminent degree the respect and regard of his fellow citizens and many acquaintances throughout the state.
WALTER THOLBORN .- A man of unquestioned integrity, ability and worth, Walter Tholborn, the efficient and accommodating postmaster at Webb City, is performing the arduous duties connected with his posi- tion both ably and faithfully. He was born October 23, 1846, in Cot- tingham, Cambridgeshire, England, a son of Joseph Tholborn.
Joseph Tholborn, a native of England was born June 1, 1819, in Cambridgeshire, and was there a resident during the earlier part of his life. Immigrating with his family to America in the early fifties, he lived in New York , and Canada a short time, then in Wisconsin, and in 1852 located in Cole county, Missouri, near Jefferson City, where he was a pioneer. He spent his last days in Jasper county, Missouri, dying in August, 1890, in Joplin. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Wilson, was born in England, and died in Saratoga county, New York.
A lad of six years when his father settled in Cole county, Missouri, Walter Tholborn was educated in Jefferson City, attending school in the old Sterling Price building until 1866. Locating then in Newton county, Missouri, he was there engaged in agricultural pursuits for six years. In 1872 he came to Jasper county, and, although work was scarce, se- cured employment in Joplin, which was then but a hamlet, and for three years worked in the Murphy and Davis smelter. smelting lead ore. Giving up that position, Mr. Tholborn engaged in mining, and in 1877 was made superintendent of the North Creek Mining Company. In that capacity he started the first steam concentrator works in this section of
TI
ISAAC H. VAN IDOUR
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the country, an innovation that attracted the attention of the people of surrounding districts, numbers flocking in to see it in operation. Going to Short Creek in 1879, he there established, for Pat Murphy and Salem L. Cheney, the first steam concentrator plant in that vicinity, and ope- rated it for two years.
Mr. Tholborn was then induced to take charge of Mr. Cheney's farm, which he managed successfully until 1883, when he engaged in mining operations at Webb City, continuing thus profitably employed until 1887. Disposing then of his mining properties, he opened a large and well stocked livery barn in Webb City and carried on an extensive and lucrative business in that line until 1900, when his barn and all of his stock and equipments were destroyed by fire, causing him an entire loss of all his property, on which there was no insurance. Although left without means, Mr. Tholborn, nothing daunted, bravely assumed the position of motorman on the Interurban car line, and retained it for three years. The ensuing three years he was salesman for one of the large powder companies, resigning the position in 1906, when he was appointed to his present responsible position as postmaster at Webb City.
Mr. Tholborn married, February 3, 1870, in Neosho, Missouri, Hilia C. Harris, and to them four children have been born, namely : Joseph O., born June 28, 1874, in Joplin, and now a resident of Kansas City, Missouri, is married, and has one child, Ruth O .; Cora T., wife of W. F. Moore, cashier of the Webb City National Bank; Walter H., born in Webb City May 10, 1883, now a postal clerk in Webb City, is married, and has one child, Dorothy; and Ethel T., born September 29, 1885, in Webb City, Missouri, is the wife of E. A. Mattis, a well-known business man of Joplin.
Politically Mr. Tholborn uniformly supports the principles of the Republican party at the polls. He is a member of the Webb City Com- mercial Club, and belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. IIe is a liberal con- tributor towards the support of the Christian church, of which Mrs. Tholborn is a valued member.
ISAAC HENRY VAN IDOUR .- On the roll of highly honored and repre- sentative families of Carterville, Missouri, the name of Van Idour occu- pies a conspicuous place. Mrs. Isabell Van Idour was born in Eessex county, Canada, on the 4th of July, 1862, and she is a daughter of Dun- can and Sarah Ann (Heake) Smith, the former of whom was born in Argyleshire, Scotland, and the latter of whom was a native of Chatham, England. Both parents came to America in their early youth and location was made in the Dominion of Canada, where the father turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. In 1865 the Smith family re- moved from Canada to the United States, settling in Missouri, and to the public schools of the state Mrs. Van Idour, of this notice, is indebted for her preliminary educational training. She came to Carterville in 1877 and in October, 1888, was solemnized her marriage to Isaac Henry Van Idour.
Mr. Van Idour was born in Ontario, Canada, August 1, 1852, the son of William Van Idour. He was reared and educated in Canada and came to the states as a young man. He was largely interested in min- ing operations during the major portion of his active career and in that field of endeavor achieved a most gratifying success. In his politi- cal convictions he endorsed the cause of the Republican party, in the local councils of which he was a most active and zealous factor. He served for two terms as a member of the board of aldermen of Carter- ville and in every manner possible was a co-operant factor in all meas-
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ures and enterprises projected for the general welfare. His religious affiliations were with the Methodist Episcopal church and he was also connected with a number of social and fraternal organizations of repre- sentative character. He was summoned to the life eternal in the year 1911, at which time he had reached about the age of forty-nine years. Mrs. Van Idour was interested in the North Star Mine, which produced the largest piece of ore ever taken from any mine in this section of the country. This piece of ore weighed over sixteen hundred pounds and was on exhibition at the World's Fair in Chicago in 1893.
Mr. and Mrs. Van Idour became the parents of two children. Miss Twyla, whose birth occurred August 1, 1889, was graduated in the Carterville high school as a member of the elass of 1906, after which she was for about two years a student in the University of Missouri, at Columbia ; Miss Elsie, born June 18, 1891, was graduated in the Carter- ville high school as a member of the class of 1910. Both girls are now devoting their entire time and attention to the study of music, Miss Elsie, in particular, being very talented along that line. Mrs. Van Idour and her two charming daughters are popular and prominent fac- tors in the best social activities of Carterville, where their spacious and attractive home is a recognized center of refinement and most gracious hospitality.
FRED L. WILLIAMS is a prominent practicing lawyer of Joplin, Mis- souri, where he is numbered among the representative legal minds of the state, enjoying a fair share of publie patronage and its entire con- fidence and favor, and likewise the high esteem of his fellow citizens in all stations of life. He has been a popular resident of Joplin since 1903, is a co-operant factor in all matters projected for the publie welfare and his loyalty and public spirit in all affairs affecting Jasper county and the state at large have ever been of the most insistent order.
In Putnam county, on the 31st of May, 1879, occurred the birth of Fred L. Williams. He is a son of JJames C. Williams, who was born in Kentucky and who removed to Indiana as a boy. The parents of James C. were farmers and thus he was reared to adult age under the invigor- ating influences of rural life, himself engaging in that line of enter- prise after he had reached manhood. He married Miss Mary Alice Bridges, who was born and reared in Indiana, and they are both still living, their home being in Putnam county, Indiana. After complet- ing the curriculum of the publie schools of Putnam county, Mr. Will- iams, of this review, was matriculated as a student in DePauw Uni- versity, at Greencastle, Indiana, in which excellent institution he was graduated as a member of the class of 1902, duly receiving the de- gree of Bachelor of Philosophy. He then attended the Indiana Law School, at Indianapolis, being graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1903. In that year he came to Joplin, where he inaug- urated the active practice of his profession and where he has sue- ceeded in building up a large and representative clientage, the same in- cluding some of the largest firms and corporations in Jasper county. Immediately after his advent in this city he began to work in connection with the firm of Cole & Burnett and six months later he was admitted as a partner of that well known law firm, the name thereof becoming Cole, Burnett & Williams. This mutually agreeable partnership allianee continued until the 1st of January, 1909, when the partnership was mu- tually dissolved and Mr. Williams has sinee conducted an individual practice. He controls an extensive and lucrative clientage and is widely renowned as a lawyer of experience and marked ability.
At Shelbyville, Indiana, in June, 1906, was solemnized the marriage
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of Mr. Williams to Miss Ethel Jones, who is a native of Indiana and who was a class-mate of her husband's at Depauw University. Mrs. Williams is a daughter of Dr. Jones, who died in 1903, who has long been a resi- dent of Shelbyville, Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Williams have no children.
In his political proclivities Mr. Williams is an active Democrat. While he is not an office seeker he is ever alert for opportunities to help along progress and improvement. He was an interested factor in the fight for a commission form of government for the city of Joplin in 1910. In a fraternal way he is affiliated with the Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks and in connection with the business affairs of Joplin he is a valued member of the Commercial Club.
NAPOLEON B. CHATELLE .- Enterprise and determination are strong elements in prosperity, and they are found among the salient charac- teristics of Napoleon B. Chatelle, who is engaged in real estate opera- tions at Joplin, Missouri, and who is one of the city's most progressive and capable business men. His advancement in the commercial world has been through his own efforts, and today he is enjoying a richly merited success, while the future is bright with promise.
Mr. Chatelle was born in the province of Quebec, Canada, on the 15th of September, 1858, and he is son of Antwine Chatelle, who was likewise born in Canada, the date of his nativity being the 5th of May, 1827. Both the paternal and maternal grandparents of Mr. Chatelle, of this review, were born in Canada and they traced their ancestry back to staunch French extraction. Antwine Chatelle, who is still living, at the venerable age of eighty-four years, came from Canada to Ogdens- burg, New York, where was solemnized his marriage to Miss Matilda Robideau, on the 31st of January, 1853. Thence he proceeded to Janes- ville, Wisconsin, in 1865, and he came to Joplin, Missouri, in the year 1871. He is a carpenter and builder by trade and has been identified with that line of enterprise during the major portion of his active busi- ness career. He is still engaged in the work of his trade, and although now far advanced in years he is well and active and still retains in much of their pristine vigor the mental and physical qualities of his youth. He is the oldest carpenter and contractor in Joplin and it was he who built the first building in the city. Mrs. A. Chatelle was born in Canada on the 16th day of June, 1836, and she, too, is still living. To Mr. and Mrs. Chatelle were born fifteen children, and of the num- ber seven are living (1911), three sons and four daughters: Mrs. Etta Burres, Miss Della Chatelle and the immediate subject of this review are residents of Joplin. The parents maintain their home at East Joplin, where they are popular and well beloved citizens.
To the public schools of Janesville. Wisconsin, Mr. Chatelle is in- debted for his preliminary educational training and the same was ef- fectively supplemented by further study in the schools of Joplin, which he attended until he had attained to the age of seventeen years. He was a child of thirteen years at the time of his parents removal to Mis- souri and he was fourth in order of birth in the previously mentioned family of fifteen children. After leaving school he secured a position in the drug store of Orner & Shepherd at Joplin, and there thoroughly familiarized himself with the drug business. Three years later he was proffered and accepted a position as bookkeeper with the West Joplin Lead & Zinc Company and subsequently he was employed in a similar capacity by Solen L. Cherry, of Galena, Kansas. He continued in the employ of different mining concerns until 1909, in which year he estab- lished his home in Joplin, where he is engaged in the real estate busi- ness, handling mining properties, leases, etc. He also does an extensive
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business in city real estate. While at Galena, Kansas, Mr. Chatelle was a member of the city council, was city treasurer, was treasurer of the school board and treasurer of the Nowata Mining Company. In politics he is a stalwart supporter of the cause of the Republican party, in the lo- cal councils of which he has long been a most active worker. In 1875, when a mere youth, he was assistant postmaster at Joplin, in discharging the duties of which he gave most efficient service.
At Joplin, Missouri, on the 27th of December, 1881, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Chatelle to Miss Minnie Gaede, who was born and reared at Bismarck, Germany, whence she immigrated to America about the year 1872. To Mr. and Mrs. Chatelle have been born four children, three daughters and one son: Ursula, whose birth occurred on the 15th of November, 1882, is the wife of Fred W. Hood and they reside at Liberal, Kansas; Mayme B., born on the 9th of May, 1884, is married and maintains her home at Joplin, Missouri; Lena, born October 20, 1866, is the wife of John J. Jones, of Sapulpa, Oklahoma ; and E. Frank, born on the 12th of June, 1891, is an operator with the Frisco Railroad Company. In their religious faith the Chatelle family are devout com- municants of the Catholic church, in the various departments of which they are active and zealous workers.
In a fraternal way Mr. Chatelle is a valued and appreciative mem- ber of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, in which he has been grand foreman and grand overseer of the state of Kansas. He is also affiliated with the Knights and Ladies Society, a local organization, and in connection with his business affairs he is a member of the Commer- cial Club of Joplin. It is most gratifying to note at this point that Mr. Chatelle has himself built the ladder by which he has risen to affluence, his present status in the business world being the outcome of his own well directed endeavors. He started out in life with nothing to back him except pluck and determination to succeed, and he has made good in the most significant sense of the term. Strong in his individuality, he never lacks the courage of his convictions, but there are as dom- inating elements in this individuality a lively human sympathy and an abiding charity which, as taken in connection with the sterling integrity and honor of his character, have naturally gained to him the respect and confidence of men.
H. EDWARD THOMPSON .- A man of scholarly attainments, possessing a comprehensive knowledge of the law and of precedents, H. Edward Thompson, of Webb City, has attained well merited success in the prac- tice of his profession, being now numbered among the leading attorneys of this part of Jasper county. A son of Dennis Thompson, he was born July 17, 1875, in Chautauqua county, Kansas, where his parents were residents for a short time.
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