USA > Missouri > Jasper County > A history of Jasper County, Missouri, and its people, Vol. II > Part 68
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75
In his political convictions Mr. Davis accords an unswerving alle- giance to the cause of the Democratic party and he is affiliated with a number of fraternal and social organizations of representative char- acter, especially the Masons. He is decidedly popular in the best social activities of Sarcoxie and as a business man is decisive and energetic. October 11, 1911, he married Miss Charla Lane, of Morrisville, Mis- souri, having met her while attending school.
WILLIAM HI. SMITH .- One of our greatest American poets has writ- ten of a brilliant class-mate,
"There was a young fellow of excellent pith, Fate tried to obseure him by naming him Smith."
But in the case of the subject, as in that of the young fellow in question, Fate has been defeated in her nefarious designs. William II. Smith is one of the well-known citizens of Joplin, prominent in real estate circles and the supporter of all good causes, while he stands in an age of foreign invasion, a typical American in ideals and ancestry, his ancestral lines in America on both sides of the family pre-dating the Revolution and having given soldiers and patriots to the Colonies.
1027
HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY
Mr. Smith is a native of the state of Kentucky, his birth having occurred in Bowling Green, October 7, 1854. His father, Harley T. Smith, a native of Virginia, took up his residence in Bowling Green and became a prominent jeweler and merchant, his demise occurring in 1855, when his son William was an infant. The mother, whose maiden name was Mary Mitchell, was a native of Bowling Green, and survived her husband for many years, being summoned to her eternal rest in 1897 at the age of seventy-four years. Nine children were born to this worthy couple, six being girls and three boys, and William be- ing the youngest in order of birth.
In 1871 the mother and three of her children, all of whom had arrived at maturity under her courageous and enlightened direction removed from the Blue Grass state to Missouri, and located at In- dependence. A little later, some of the family having entered upon independent careers, Mr. Smith, with his mother, one brother and two sisters, established themselves in the hotel business. They conducted the Merchants Hotel formerly the Noland House, the hostelry under their direction enjoying no small amount of prestige with the traveling public. In 1874, however, they sold their hotel and removed to Joplin. Mr. Smith, having in the meantime secured his education in private and other schools, principally in Kentucky, upon coming to the new location secured the assistant cashiership with the Joplin Savings Bank of East Joplin, the first bank established in Joplin, and remained with that monetary institution until 1877. He then resigned and made a radical change by entering upon, a career of traveling through- out the south and southwest, and making his headquarters in various parts of California and Mexico. He was one of the first Americans in the town of Ensenada, Lower California, Mexico. Locating at En- senada, Mexico, in 1887, he engaged in the hotel business and afterward in banking and merchandise with residence in San Francisco, Cali- fornia. The advantages of Joplin remained strong with him and he returned to the city in 1898, engaging in the real estate business and associating himself with John H. Taylor, his brother-in-law. They are among the most important of the real estate dealers in the city, handling city properties, lands, farms, mining property, and so forth. Mr. Smith has other interests of large scope and importance, being director of the Joplin Trust Company and secretary and treasurer of the Gilchrist-Porter Realty Company. He is to be numbered among the substantial business men of the city and has contributed in due measure to the prosperity of the same. He was the originator of the Joplin & Pittsburg Railway Company, an electric inter-state line that extends to Pittsburgh, Kansas.
In political matters Mr. Smith gives hand and heart to the policies and principles for which the Democratic party stands sponsor, but in public affairs he takes merely the interest of the intelligent and en- lightened voter. his business interests preventing a more active interest. and he in fact. having no proclivities in the line of office seeking. Fra- ternally he is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and his church home is the Baptist.
Mr. Smith was married in Hannibal, Missouri, October 18, 1877, his chosen lady being Miss Comfort D. Porter, daughter of Judge Gil- christ Porter, former member of Congress. The Porter family is one long established in Missouri and the Hon. Mr. Porter is the original locater of the land owned by the company of which he is secretary. The land owned by the company, which was located in 1856 is now the heart of the city of Joplin, and is also, particularly rich in minerals.
1
1028
HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY
Mrs. Smith is a native of Clarksville, Pike county. Missouri. To the union of Mr. Smith and his wife have been born two children. A. Levering Smith was born in Hannibal, Missouri, June 20, 1886. He is a resident of Galena township, three miles north of the city of Joplin, and is secretary and director of the Joplin Trust Company. His wife was Miss Ethel M. Bacon, daughter of Judge Thomas Bacon, of Han- nibal, Missouri. The daughter, Miss Ellenita, was born in Ensenada, Mexico. October 12. 1890, and is at home.
Mr. Smith's paternal ancestors were of Scotch-Irish origin, and the earliest American members of the family settled in Culpepper county, Virginia. They included several Revolutionary soldiers. The maternal ancestors were English and they like-wise located in the Old Dominion and gave unmistakable proof of their loyalty to the new country by enlisting in the Colonial army at the time of the war for independence. Mr. Smith is as loyal to Joplin as any native son and with the keenest .pleasure he has watched the place grow from a mere mining camp to a progressive and flourishing city.
ROBERT E. HARRINGTON .- The greatness of a state lies not in the machinery of government, nor even in its institutions, but rather in the sterling qualities of its individual citizens-in their capacity for good and unselfish effort and their devotion to the public good. Re- garded as a citizen. R. E. Harrington belongs to that public-spirited. nseful and helpful type of men whose ambitions and desires are centered and directed in those channels through which flows the greatest and the most permanent good to the greatest number, and it is therefore consistent with the purpose and plan of this work that his record be given among those of the representative men of southeastern Mis- souri. He is a citizen of the younger generation, but has contributed his quota to material development and upbuilding. As president and general manager of the Harrington Mercantile Company, he is con- ducting one of the largest establishments of its kind at Carterville, Missouri.
Born at Doniphan, Missouri, on the 7th day of September, 1875, R. E. Harrington is the son of D. G. and Mary ( Williams) Harring- ton, the former of whom was summoned to the life eternal in the year 1902, and the latter of whom is now living at Carterville, Missouri. The father was a native of Tennessee, his birth having occurred in 1851, and he was engaged in the farming business during the greater portion of his active career. Mrs. Harrington was born and reared at Doniphan, Missouri, and she has now attained the age of sixty years. Of the five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Harrington, the subject of this review was the first in order of birth, and of the number all are living at the present time, in 1911.
In the public schools .of Doniphan, Missouri, R. E. Harrington received his preliminary educational discipline. At the age of twenty years he left school and launched into the business world as a clerk in a store at Doniphan. Five years later he decided to enter business on his own account. For the ensuing two years he conducted a general store at Doniphan, Missouri, and at the expiration of that time, in 1902, he removed to Willow Spring. Missouri, where he was engaged in business for three years. Disposing of his interests in the latter place in 1905 he came to Carterville, where he opened up a department store, and where he has since maintained his home. In 1902 his business was incorporated under the laws of the state with a capital stock of $25,000. The concern is known under the name of the Har- rington Mercantile Company and it is officered as follows: R. E.
1029
HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY
Harrington, president and manager; W. O. Harrington, vice presi- dent, and A. J. Harrington, secretary and treasurer. This establish- ment has grown in proportions until it is now recognized as one of the finest concerns of its kind in Cartersville, where it commands an extensive patronage. Mr. IIarrington's methods and business dealings have ever been of the fair and honorable type, and for that reason. as coupled with his genial personality, he is looked upon as one of the substantial and reliable citizens of Cartersville, Missouri.
At Doniphan, Missouri, on the 25th day of August, 1902, was solemn- ized the marriage of Mr. Harrington and Miss Mary J. Pratt, a native of Missouri and a daughter of Matthew Pratt, long a representative citizen of Doniphan, Missouri. Mrs. Harrington was graduated from the high school at Eldorado, Kansas, and later was graduated from the State Normal school at Cape Girardeau, Missouri. For some twelve years prior to her marriage she was a popular and successful teacher in the high school at Doniphan, Missouri. She was county school com- missioner of Ripley county, Missouri, from 1894 to 1902. She and her husband are consistent .members of the Presbyterian church in their religious faith, and they are exceedingly popular factors in eon- nection with the best social activities of Carterville. Mrs. Harrington socially is also a valued and appreciative member of the Order of Eastern Star. They have no children.
In polities Mr. Harrington is a Democrat and while he has no am- bition for political preferment, he is ever in sympathy with all meas- ures and enterprises advanced for the well being of Jasper county. He is affiliated with the time honored Masonic order, having attained to the 32d degree. He is a man of large heart and generous impulses and his circle of friends is co-incident with that of his acquaintances.
BENJAMIN F. CRUM .- A representative of the floricultural interests of Jasper county, Benjamin F. Crum is a resident of Joplin, Missouri. where he has 10,000 feet covered with greenhouses well filled with roses, carnations, bulbs and various plants.
Ile began as a boy to earn his living being employed at various trades; going to Louisville, then to Chattanooga, Tennessee, and from there to Carthage, Missouri, in 1874, then coming to Joplin, Missouri, in 1875 to reside.
The following spring he entered the employment of Thomas Green. the proprietor of a large greenhouse, and continued his employment seven years. Then he established a business of his own at the corner of Seventh and Jackson avenue, and here he has since conducted an extensive and exceedingly remunerative trade; his business ability, combined with his close applications to his favorite industry, placed him among the leading florists of this section of the country.
Benjamin F. Crum was born in Tennessee, April 22, 1855, at Green- ville, Green county, acquiring his early education in the Greenville schools, and he was married in Joplin, Missouri, June 22. 1877, to Miss Bell Reeves of Bolivar, Missouri.
THOMAS R. BELLAS .- Occupying a distinguished position among those who are ably upholding the high prestige of the architectural fraternity in the state of Missouri is Thomas R. Bellas, to whose talent is due many of Joplin's finest buildings. In addition to his ability in his chosen field he stands as one of the city's most public-spirited citizens, ever ready to give sympathy and support to such good meas- ures as will contribute to the general welfare of the city. He is also
1030
HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY
entitled to honor as one of the veterans of the great conflict which half a century ago disrupted the country.
Thomas R. Bellas was born in Alton, Illinois. August 22. 1847. His father, James R. Bellas was a native of the Keystone state and was by calling a steamboat captain and builder, who followed the Mis- sissippi river all of his life, from New Orleans to St. Louis, the entire route being rich with friends and admiring acquaintances. Also, for a number of years he was associated with Mitchell & Tansey in the building of steam boats. During the Civil war he was in the govern- ment service as steamboat inspector. The mother, whose maiden name was Hannah Kitchen, was likewise a native of the Keystone state.
Thomas R. Bellas received his educational discipline in the public schools of Alton, Illinois, finishing his studies in the high school at the age of sixteen years. He then followed his father aboard his boats, it being the original intention that he should follow in the paternal footsteps in the matter of a vocation. Father and son ultimately changed their opinion in this matter, believing that greater oppor- tunity lay in store for the man who learned a trade and in consequence young Thomas was apprenticed to a carpenter. In due time he became a journeyman and remained such for three years, before he became a full-fledged carpenter. His career, however, has been one of continual advancement and while engaged in his trade he studied and in course of time he entered the contracting and building business for which he was eminently well qualified by preparation and native ability. Dur- ing his residence here he has in truth, designed and built many of the fin- est structures in the city, including the principal publie buildings, among which may be mentioned the courthouse, and the public school build- ings. His field has not been limited to Jasper county, but many build- ings of note in several adjoining counties have been planned by him.
A glance at the year of Mr. Bellas' birth is sufficient argument against his having been a soldier in the Civil war, but the high-spirited youth was not deterred by tender years and enlisted as a member of the One Hundred and Forty-fourth Illinois Home Reserves, whose prin- cipal function was guard duty. He enlisted for one year but it was only necessary for him to serve but eight months. In the matter of polities Mr. Bellas is independent, believing that the support of the best man and the best measure far outweighs any consideration of mere partisanship. His religious conviction is that of the Baptist church ..
Mr. Bellas has been twice married. In 1873 he was united to Miss Martha Chapman and to their marriage two children were born. Earl T. and Della, who is the wife of William Ramp, a resident of Spring- field, Missouri. In 1905 Mr. Bellas was united to Miss Katie Todd, a native of Quiney, Illinois.
In Mr. Bellas are united German and Irish elements, both of which proved of distinct value in American civilization. His paternal an- cestors came from the "Fatherland" and located. as did so many of their countrymen, in the state of Pennsylvania. The maternal for- bears came from Erin and they also found a congenial home in the Keystone state. Aside from his talents and citizenship. Mr. Bellas possesses a most pleasing personality, genial, generous and hospitable and his circle of friends is coincident with that of his acquaintance.
JOHN B. BALL .- Whether the elements of success in life are innate attributes of the individual, or whether they are quiekened by a process of circumstantial development, it is impossible clearly to determine. Yet the study of a successful life is none the less profitable by reason
1031
HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY
of the existence of this uncertainty and in the majority of cases it is found that exceptional ability, amounting to genius, perhaps, was the real secret of the pre-eminence which many envied. So it appears to the student of human nature who seeks to trace the history of he rise of John B. Ball, a typical American of the best class. He is yet a young man but has achieved a success that many an older resident of Joplin might envy.
John B. Ball, whose name forms the caption for this review, has been identified with the jewelry business during practically his en- tire active business career. He was born at Paris, Illinois, the date of his birth being the 30th of May, 1875. His father, Howard J. Ball, was a native of the state of Indiana and during his lifetime was identi- fied with the work of the dental profession. The maiden name of his wife was Helen Besier. Dr. and Mrs. Howard J. Ball were the parents of three children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the youngest in order of birth.
After completing the curriculum of the common schools of his native place John B. Ball attended and was graduated in the Paris high school. He left school at the age of eighteen years in order to enter upon an apprenticeship at the jeweler's trade. In due time he secured employment in the jewelry concern of J. H. Reed, at Paris, Illinois, remaining there for a period of six years during which time he familiarized himself with the jewelry business in all its various branches. In 1898, at the time of the gold excitement in the Klondike, he too contracted the fever and with a party of friends set out for Alaska. Some time was spent in prospecting in the region between Dawson and St. Michaels, but being unable to locate a claim that seemed profitable, the young men, after spending seven months in the far north, returned to the United States, rich in experience but very poor of purse. The next position held by Mr. Ball was in the sales department of the C. D. Peacock Jewelry Company, at Chicago, Illi- nois, with which splendid concern he was connected for the ensuing two years, at the expiration of which he removed to Kansas City, Mis- souri, where he was proffered a position in the Kansas City Diamond Parlors, exclusive dealers in diamonds. After remaining in the em- ploy of the latter concern for six months he came to Joplin, the time of his advent in this city being August, 1901. On the 15th of Sep- tember of the same year he opened to the general public a well stocked jewelry house at 408 Main street, having during his years as a sales- man saved sufficient capital to warrant such a step. His grand open- ing was attended with every success and a brilliant future was pre- dicted for him. On the 5th of October, however, just after the arrival in the city of the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show, his attention was attracted to the circus parade and while he was thus engaged, a sneak thief entered his place of business and robbed him of over a thousand dollars' worth of goods, practically depleting his stock and about put- ting him out of business. This was a terrible blow to the young busi- ness man but he did not become seriously discouraged. He continued with his repair department and with such few sales as the size of his stock permitted and eventually he was enabled to purchase a new line of goods. He later formed a partnership with Ralph Putnam and location was then made at 414 Main street, in finer and more commo- dious quarters. The scope of operations has gradually been extended and the firm now control a large and representative patronage, their establishment being recognized as one of the very finest jewelry houses in the city.
1032
HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY
In this city, on the 6th of March, 1902, was recorded the marriage of Mr. Ball to Miss Lillian Gmeiner, a daughter of John Gmeiner, concerning whose career a sketch appears on other pages of this work. Mr. and Mrs. Ball are the fond parents of one child, John Gmeiner Ball, whose natal day is the 4th of March, 1906.
Mr. Ball's political interest is confined to the exercise of his right of franchise as his entire time and attention are demanded by his con- stantly increasing business affairs. IIe has never manifested aught of ambition or desire for political preferment of any description but gives freely of his aid and influence in support of all projects ad- vanced for the well being of Joplin and of Jasper county at large. He is a stanch supporter of the principles of the Republican party and in connection with his business activities is affiliated with the Com- mercial Club. He and his wife are popular and prominent factors in connection with the best social affairs of their home community. In all his business career Mr. Ball has shown steadfastness of purpose and a persisteney that are well worthy of the splendid success that has finally rewarded his efforts. The obstacles that beset his path have only served to strengthen his determination to progress and he is now recognized as one of the most aggressive and shrewd business men in Joplin. As a man he is kindly, affable and courteous. his liberal views and broad human sympathy winning to him the friendship of people in all classes of life.
BYRON H. COON .- Among the representative members of the bar of Jasper county is numbered Byron HI. Coon, who is engaged in the successful practice of his profession in the city of Joplin and who has given effective service as prosecuting attorney of the county, from which office he retired on the 1st of January, 1911, after having given an administration that will remain on record as one of the most ef- fective and salutary ever given to this important office in the history of the county. He is senior member of the firm of Coon and Threlkeld, which controls a large and important practice and retains a representa- tive clientele.
Byron II. Coon finds a due meed of satisfaction in reverting to the lake-ensconced Wolverine state as the place of his nativity. He was born at Baldwin, the judicial center of Lake county. Michigan, on the 24th day of June, 1875, and is the elder of the two children of Em- mett and Julia S. (Bryant) Coon, the former of whom was born in the state of New York. in 1842, and the latter was born in Massachu- setts in 1850. The younger son is Thurlow E. Emmett Coon became one of the successful merchants of Lake county. Michigan, having con- tinued to be identified with this line of enterprise until his death which occurred in Michigan, in April, 1908. He was a progressive and public- spirited citizen. was a man of sterling character and he ever com- manded the unqualified confidence and esteem of those with whom he came in contact in the various relations of life. He was a staunch adherent of the Republican party.
Byron II. Coon was a child at the time of the family removal to Grand Rapids, Michigan, in whose public schools he received his early educational discipline. He was graduated in the high school as a member of the class of 1893 and in the autumn of the same year he was matriculated in the literary department of the great University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, in which institution he was graduated, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, in the class of 1897. He then entered the law department of the university and in the same com-
1033
HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY
pleted the prescribed technical course, with the result that he received from his alma mater the degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1900.
After his graduation in the law department of the university in June, 1900, Mr. Coon did not long hesitate as to adopting a field for professional endeavor. In the following month he came to Joplin, Missouri, where he served a professional novitiate of brief duration, as he soon proved his abilities and powers of practical application in the vocation for which he had admirably fitted himself in a prelimi- nary way. Upon coming to Joplin he entered into a professional part- nership with Judge Thomas C. Trigg, with whom he continued to be thus associated until 1903, when he withdrew from the firm to en- gage in an individual practice. He has been unflagging in his devotion to the work of his profession, to which he has subordinated all other interests, and his success has been on a parity with his fealty and his ability. In November, 1908, Mr. Coon was elected prosecuting attorney, of Jasper county in which office he served the prescribed term of four years, and his administration was in many ways noteworthy. He was the first public prosecutor in the county to secure indictments against those violating the laws relative to saloons and gambling houses, and, without fear or favor, he zealously prosecuted such violators, securing a large number of convictions and thereby bringing about needed re- forms and the conservation of clean and effective government. He also conducted the affairs of his office expeditiously and economically, and saved to the county many expenditures that had previously been looked upon as unavoidable. He has never sacrificed his convictions or his professional ethics for the sake of personal expediency. As a public official he took high ground and flattery could not cajole him nor power awe when he believed that he was working in the interests of justice and equity. He is known as a specially versatile and resourceful trial lawyer and as a counselor he is also admirably fortified. He presents no cause before court or jury without careful and discriminating prepara- tion and he thus proves a formidable adversary to encounter in forensic conflicts. His unfaltering labors in behalf of the interests of the people of the county while serving as public prosecutor naturally created va- rious antagonisms, but he had the support of the best elements through- out his official career and gained an impregnable position in popular confidence and esteem, the while he added materially to his profes- sional reputation. Since his retirement from office, Mr. Coon has been associated in active general practice with T. M. Threlkeld, under the firm name of Coon & Threlkeld.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.