USA > Missouri > Jasper County > A history of Jasper County, Missouri, and its people, Vol. II > Part 69
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In politics Mr. Coon is found arrayed as a stalwart in the camp of the Republican party and he has been an active and efficient worker in the party cause. In the Masonic fraternity he has become affiliated with the York and Scottish Rite bodies, in the latter of which he is identified wih the consistory. He holds a membership in the lodge and chapter in Joplin, as well as in the commandery of Knights Tem- plars and in the allied organization, the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, he is identified with Abou Ben Ahdem Temple, in the city of Springfield, Missouri. He also holds member- ship in the Joplin lodges of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Pythias, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a valued member of the Country Club. He is a scion of families founded in America in the colonial era of our national history and by reason of certain of his ancestors having been valiant soldiers of the Continental forces in the great struggle for independence, he is eligible for and holds membership in the Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, in which he is identified with the organization in the city Vol. II-30
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of St. Louis. Mr. Coon is popular in both business and social circles in his home city and is still numbered on the list of eligible bachelors.
WILLIAM L. BLACK .- Although Mr. Black has resided but a short time in Jasper county. Missouri, his citizenship is a most valuable ad- junct to this section of the state. IIe is a man of energy, enterprise and industry. A native of the state of Illinois, he was born in Schuyler county. the date of his birth being the 4th of April, 1861. He is a son of John S. and Angeline (Peckinbough) Black, both of whom are now deceased. At the time of the inception of the Civil war John S. Black and one son gave evidence of their intrinsic loyalty to the cause of the Union by enlisting as soldiers for the defense of the country. They served in Illinois regiments, and the father died in a hospital in Mem- phis, Tennessee, in 1863. Mr. and Mrs. John S. Black became the parents of twelve children, of which the subject of this notice was the tenth in order of birth.
William L. Black was a child of about two years at the time of his father's death, but he was reared to maturity under the careful guidance of a fond mother. His early education consisted of such privileges as were afforded in the country schools of Schuyler county Illinois, and he remained at home until he had reached his nineteenth year. At that time he hired out as a farm hand, and he continued to be identified with farm labor for the ensuing two years, at the expira- tion of which he rented a farm in Henry county, Missouri, on which he resided until 1890. With his savings he then bought a farm in Saline county, Missouri, which he disposed of in the following year. Returning to Illinois, he bought a farm in Brown county and lived there for a period of four years, and went thence to Iowa and lived on a rented farm in Wapello county. In 1897 he removed to Harlan county in southwestern Nebraska, where he purchased a farm of three hundred and twenty aeres, later buying four hundred aeres adjoining. thus making a farm of seven hundred and twenty acres and every acre tillable. In one year on that farm he raised 10,400 bushels of wheat. 3,600 bushels of oats, 10,000 bushels of corn and 60 tons of alfalfa, and also in that year he fed 240 head of cattle and 600 head of hogs. In 1906 he removed to Holdrege, Phelps county, Nebraska, and bought two hundred and forty acres of land, also erecting at Holdrege a beau- tiful modern dwelling worth some four thousand dollars, which he still retains in his possession, although he has since disposed of his other holdings in that city. In the spring of 1911 Mr. Black came to Jasper county, Missouri, here he purchased a farm of two hundred and eighty acres near Avilla, and where he was engaged in agricul- tural pursuits and stock raising. In July of that year he traded the farm for property in the city of Carthage, including the opera house. a fine residence and unimproved property.
Mr. Black has been three times married. In 1881 he was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. McGinness, who was born and reared in Missouri and who was called to eternal rest in 1884, at which time she was survived by one child, Claude E., who died at the age of twenty- one years and six months. He had married Sadie Richardson, and at his death left one daughter, Victoria C. In 1885 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Black to Miss Cornelia Langford, a native of Illinois. She died in Schuyler county, Illinois, in 1891. This union was prolific of four children: Frederick, born on the 12th of October, 1886; Henry S., born on the 27th of October, 1888; Ethel E., deceased ; and Angeline, born on the 13th of June, 1892. In addition to the above children Mr.
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Black has an adopted daughter, Irene, whose birth occurred on the 9th of March, 1902. For his third wife Mr. Black wedded Miss Louella V. Lawler, of Schuyler county, Illinois, the ceremony having been per- formed December 19, 1893. There have been no children born of the last union. In their religious faith the Black family are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which charities and benevolences he is a most liberal contributor.
Mr. Black is an uncompromising advocate of the principles and policies for which the Republican party stands sponsor in his political faith. He is not an active politician but is deeply and sincerely inter- ested in all matters projected for the good of the general public. In fraternal orders he is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America and with the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
M. LEON .- The financial and commercial history of Missouri would be very incomplete and unsatisfactory without a personal and some- what extended mention of those whose lives are interwoven so closely with the industrial and financial development of the southwestern por- tion of the state. When a man, or a select number of men, have set in motion the machinery of business, which materializes into many forms of practical utility, or where they have carved out a fortune or a name from the common possibilities, open for competition to all, there is a public desire which should be gratified to see the man as nearly as a portrait and a word artist can paint them, and to examine the elements of mind and the circumstances by which such results have been achieved. He whose name initiates this article finds an appropri- ate place in the history of those men of business whose enterprises have contributed to the general prosperity and to the commercial activity of Jasper county. 'A foreigner by birth, he came to America prac- tically penniless, and his admirable success in life is due entirely to his own well directed efforts. He is the owner of a splendid mercantile enterprise known under the firm name of M. Leon and Company, the same being one of the largest and most fully equipped stores of its kind at Carterville.
A native of the fine old empire of Germany, M. Leon was born at Soetearn, that country, on the 18th day of April, 1865, and he is the son of M. Leon and Ester Leon, both of whom are now deceased. The father was identified with stock business in Germany during the greatest part of his active career, and he died in the year 1891, his cherished and devoted wife having passed away some years previous. One in a family of twelve children, M. Leon was reared to the age of sixteen years in the old fatherland, his educational training having consisted of such advantages as were afforded in the neighboring schools. At the age of fourteen years he began to work in a dry goods store in Soetearn, but in 1881 he decided to seek his fortunes in the New World. Accord- ingly he bade farewell to his relatives and friends and set sail for the United States, landing in New York city and proceeding thence to Sedalia, Missouri, where he obtained a position as clerk in a dry goods store. Five years later, in 1886, he went to Paola, Kansas, where he was engaged in clerking for two years, at the expiration of which time he went to Rich Hill, Kansas. In the latter place he was manager of a store for the ensuing three years, and then, on January 1. 1891, he resigned his position and came to Carterville, where he has since resided, and where he has gained prestige as one of the ahlest citizens and business men in this city. After his advent here he opened up a dry goods store, being associated in that move with A. Hart, under the firm name of Hart & Leon. In 1892 the business was incorporated
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under the laws of the state with a capital stock of $10.000. the name being that of the Carterville Mercantile Company. This concern grew in patronage and importance and rapidly became one of the big stores in Carterville. In 1902, however, the corporation was dissolved and the business continued under the name of Leon & Roedecker, Mr. Stern- berg, Sr .. having withdrawn. Four years later, in 1906, Mr. Leon bought np his partner's interest and since that time has conducted the store individually under the firm name of M. Leon & Company. His establishment has grown to be the largest store in Carterville, and Mr. Leon carries a large and select stock of dry goods, shoes, clothing and hats. Ile is well known as a business man of splendid executive ability and as one whose dealings have ever been characterized by square and honorable methods.
At Rich Hill, Missouri, on the 12th of January, 1890, was cele- brated, the marriage of Mr. Leon to Miss Grace Baum, who was born in North Missouri, of German parentage. Her father, whose name was L. Baum, was long engaged in the mercantile business at Rich Hill, Kansas, where he was accorded recognition as a man of sterling worth and unquestioned integrity. Mr. and Mrs. Leon are the parents of two sons, Milton, whose birth occurred on the 2d of March, 1891, and Will- iam whose natal day is the 4th of May, 1895. Both sons are being afforded excellent educational advantages. After being graduated in the Carterville high school, Milton Leon was matriculated as a stu- dent in the University of Missouri, where he was a member of the class of 1910. The younger son, William, is now attending high school at Carterville. Mrs. Leon is a woman of most gracious personality and is deeply beloved by all who have come within the sphere of her gentle influence. In their religious affiliations, 'Mr. and Mrs. Leon are con- nected with the Jewish church, to whose charities and benevolences they have contributed generously of their time and means.
In his political sympathies, Mr. Leon is aligned as a staunch sup- porter of the principles and policies promulgated by the Democratic party. He has never manifested any ambition for the honors or emolu- ments of office of any description, but he is ever ready to give his aid and influence in support of all projects advanced for the progress and improvement of Carterville and of Jasper county at large. His loyalty and public spirit have ever been of the most insistent order, and as a citizen no one commands a higher degree of popular confidence and esteem than does he. In the grand old Masonie order he is a valued and appreciative member of the thirty-second degree of that ancient order; and he has passed through the circles of Scottish Rite Masonry, being a member of Joplin Consistory and having attained to the thirty-second degree as stated. He is also connected with the local lodges of the Modern Woodmen of America, and with the Knights of Pythias, in both of which organizations he has held prominent offices. As a representative citizen of Carterville, Mr. Leon is eminently deserv- ing of mention in this historical compilation devoted to the interests of Jasper county. Through persistency and a determination to forge ahead, he has made of success not an accident, but a logical result, and his entire career is without blemish.
O. D. SUTTON .- A prominent and progressive young business man of Joplin, O. D. Sutton is a fine representative of the native-born citi- zens of this place, his birth having occurred in this city August 15, 1880. Ilis father, William A. Sutton, now living retired from active business cares in Joplin, was born in Missouri. He was for years one of the best known journalists of Jasper county, being connected with
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the office of the Daily News, one of the leading papers of Joplin. His wife, whose maiden name was Mathilda Davis, died in Joplin, Missouri, in 1881.
O. D. Sutton was educated in the graded and high schools of Col- umbia, Missouri, and there, as a young man, served an apprenticeship of three years at the wall paper business with Mr. Miller. He subse- quently began work at his trade in Columbia, and a few years later located at Joplin, where he continued working for a time as an employe. In 1902 Mr. Sutton embarked in the wall paper business on his own account, opening a store at No. 419 Penn avenue. He met with success from the start, and in 1910, his business demands requiring more com- modious quarters he removed to his present fine location at No. 303 Main street. Here he has met with the same excellent success, and in cater- ing to the needs of his extensive and lucrative patronage employs a large force of skilled and experienced workmen.
Mr. Sutton married, November 5, 1903, Florence Field, a daugh- ter of Thomas and Sophronia Field, of Joplin, where her father is a prominent coal merchant. Three children have brightened the union of Mr. and Mrs. Sutton, namely: Delmar, born August 26, 1904, at- tends the Central School; Omer, born in April, 1906; and Thaddeus born in February, 1910. Mr. Sutton is a steadfast Democrat in poli- tics, and a valued member of the Baptist church.
GEORGE H. BLACK plays a prominent and useful part in the busy life of Joplin as the agent of the Pacific Express Company and possesses those qualifications which result in good citizenship. He is a native of Illinois, his birth having occurred in charming Galesburg, that state, July 28, 1869, and his father being a very well-known farmer and vet- eran of the Civil war, by name James M. Black. When he was a small child the subject's parents removed from Illinois to College Springs, Iowa, and there he attended the public schools and Amity College, where he took a commercial course and was graduated in 1887. Until the age of twenty-one years Mr. Black resided upon his father's farm, assisting in its operation, but not finding agriculture sufficiently to his liking to chose it as his permanent occupation. Following this he secured employment at the Marinda (Iowa) Asylum and at Hastings, Nebraska, which consumed some three years. At the end of that period he returned to Iowa, and tried another season of farming for two years. In 1896 he came to Nevada, Missouri, and secured a position as clerk for the American & Pacific Express Company, remaining at that place for four years and then being transferred to Coffeyville, Kansas, where he continued as agent for the above company for a year and a half. He resigned to go to North Dakota, where he took up railroad con- struction work and there remained for one year, then selling out his interests and returning to Missouri. In 1905, he accepted his present position as agent for the Pacific Express Company, and in this import- ant capacity his services have been of the most useful nature.
Mr. Black's father, James M. Black, was born in Louisville, Ken- tucky, and came to Illinois from his native state when a young man. He farmed for a time and then removed to Iowa, which section was in an unsettled and wild state at that day. He made the journey across the plains by wagon, and upon reaching the desired location, cleared land and established his home. He enlisted at the time of the Civil war, as a member of Company B, One Hundred and Second Illinois Volunteer Regiment, and took part in many notable engagements, among them Lookout Mountain, Pea Ridge, Chickamauga, and At- lanta, and being with Sherman on the great march to the sea. He was
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mustered out at Washington. The demise of this gentleman occurred in 1893. His grandfather, Clark H. Black, came from Germany and settled in Pennsylvania at an early day. His mother, whose maiden name was Nancy Jane Nelson, was born in 1846 in Indiana and died in 1902. She was of an excellent English family, which early took up its abode upon these shores, and the name of Nelson is one which has been much honored by those who have borne it.
On February 13. 1893, Mr. Black was married at Hastings, Ne- braska, to Miss Minnie Kay, daughter of James C. and Caroline Kay, the father a well known real estate man of Hastings, Nebraska. Mr. Kay was born in 1825 and his wife but three years later and both are now living at ripe old age. Four children have come to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Black. Herold L., born in 1893, in Torinda, Iowa, is wire chief of the Home Telephone Company of Joplin, Missouri; Don L., born in 1897, at Nevada, Missouri, attends the ward school; Car- nalite K., born in 1901, is a student in the ward school; and the young- est member of the little cirele is Harrison Starceline.
Mr. Black is one who takes no small amount of interest in his lodge relations, which extend to Ilome Lodge No. 345, of the Masonie frater- nity ; to Fellowship Lodge, No. 3365, Woodmen and to the Yoemen. Politically he is in harmony with the policies and principles promul- gated by the Republican party and he and his wife are useful members of the Presbyterian church. Mrs. Black is a member of the organiza- tion, known as the Royal Neighbors. Mr. Black is characterized by progressiveness and stands high in the community. He is fond of out- door sports.
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CHARLES M. MILES .- In a record of those citizens of Joplin, whose progressiveness and public-spirit has contributed in no small degree to the prosperity of the city, the name of Charles M. Miles must be written large. Now one of the leading insurance and real estate men of the city, he prefaced his career in this field by a number of years successful devotion to the great basie industry of agriculture, and since coming to Joplin he has manifested superior qualifications as a public official in the important trust of city assessor. He is the owner of large real estate holdings and from every viewpoint comes under the classification of the most substantial citizenship.
Charles M. Miles was born November 10, 1854, in Jackson county, Iowa. He is the son of James A. and Rebecca ( Prussia) Miles. The former was born in Ohio and when a young man removed to Jackson county, Iowa, the year of his removal being 1850. He was one of the carly settlers in that section of the state and as railroads were at that time a minus quantity he came across country by wagon, which neces- sitated many weeks of hardship in order to reach the goal. He took a government patent on a section of very desirable land, of which he later disposed and removed with his family to Carthage, Missouri, in 1868. He remained in that city for only about a year and a half and then bought land west of the city of Joplin, where he found the niche in life in which he was comfortable and where he became well-known and respected. During the earlier part of the Civil war his duties as the head of a family prevented him from joining the ranks, but in the last year, he was drafted into service, but was never called ont, owing to the close of hostilities. The death of this honored gentleman oeeurred in Jasper county, in 1904. The mother, Rebecca (Prussia) Miles, was born and reared in Jackson county, Iowa, of highly respectable stoek, and in the district of her nativity met and married Mr. Miles. the elder. She is still living in Joplin, crowned with years and veneration. Three
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other children were born to her and her husband, besides the subject. Edward O. Miles, former county surveyor and civil engineer, is now living retired at Joplin, Missouri; Henrietta, is the wife of B. F. Mar- tin, assistant postmaster of St. Louis, Missouri; and Mittie is the wife of J. P. Frank, president of the Frank-Seivers Undertaking Company.
Mr. Miles, of this review, obtained his elementary education in the public schools of Jackson county, Iowa, and subsequently, when his parents removed to Carthage, he entered the high school of that eity, being graduated from that institution in 1877. His first experience in the work-a-day world was as a farmer, doing general farming and gardening and finding a ready market for his products in the city of Joplin. In 1899 he made a radical change, by selling his farm and re- moving with his family to the city. He proceeded to establish himself in the real estate business, buying various properties and operating successfully for a little over a year. He then entered the insurance field, and handles all kinds of insurance, his firm being one of the most successful of its kind in this part of the state.
On June 11, 1884, Mr. Miles was united in marriage to Miss Mary Barner, daughter of N. L. and Mary C. Barner, of Joplin. Both of Mrs. Miles' parents are now deceased. The father, who was well known in mining circles and subsequently an attorney and mining agent, of Joplin, passed on the Undiscovered Country in 1895, and his wife, who was a native of Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, survived him for several years, her demise oceurring in 1900. Mr. and Mrs. Miles have two children, Iloyt B. graduated from the Joplin high school in 1900; from the Business College in 1905; from the Missouri State University in 1906 and in 1907 received his degree as bachelor of laws. This prom- ising young man is now in business with his father. Justin W. Miles, born December 29, 1890, is a pupil in the high school.
Mr. Miles subscribes to those principles and policies for which the Republican party stands sponsor and his excellent service of two terms as city assessor has been mentioned in preceding paragraphs. He and his family belong to the First Christian church. This well known and popular gentleman is found aligned with all good causes and his citi- zenship is a credit to the city of his adoption.
HENRY C. JOHNS .- The substantial and well-to-do citizens of Marion township have no better representative than Henry C. Johns, proprie- tor of Over Look Farm and who holds high rank among the keen- sighted, progressive and business-like farmers who are so ably conduct- ing the agricultural interests of this part of Jasper county. He was born thirty-three years ago in Cleveland, Ohio, where he was bred and educated.
The late Edward W. Johns, his father, was for many years a prom- inent resident of Carthage, Missouri, and the Johns family owns much valuable property in that city, consisting of business bloeks and other real estate. Edward W. Johns was born in Swansea, Wales, the son of William Johns, who was born and reared in Wales, and on coming to America settled in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where he resided until his death. His wife and their son and daughter started for America to join the husband and father, but she died en route on the ocean. Ed- ward W. and his sister continued the journey and lived in Pittsburg for some time. From there Edward W. Johns went to Cleveland, Ohio, and from there came to Missouri. He was engaged in mining in Jasper county, and his death occurred at Carthage at the age of sixty-nine vears. He had married Kate M. Jones, who was also born in. Wales, and she died at the age of sixty-five. Their children were Emma,
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Marie and Henry C. Mr. Johns was a member of the Masonic frater- nity and was a Knight Templar.
H. C. Johns began his active career in Carthage, where he was pros- perously engaged in business for some time. Subsequently turning his attention to agricultural pursuits he assumed possession of Over Look Farm in 1909, and in its management has displayed superior ability and judgment. It is pleasantly located about two miles from Carthage, and the modernly built stone residence. containing ten large rooms, plenty of closets, a basement and an attic, is situated in the midst of a spacious lawn and occupies a natural building site overlooking the country roundabout, the view being one of the finest in the county. The farm is further improved with substantial and roomy barns and stables, a tenant house and a cement dairy house, twenty feet by twenty- six feet. The dairy barn has also cement floors and the stalls and everything associated with the producing of milk and the manufae- ture of butter is kept in a perfectly sanitary condition.
Mr. Johns is engaged in stoek raising on an extensive scale, Over Look Farm being noted throughout this part of the state. He pays especial attention to the breeding of fine horses, having one of the best improved French Percheron horses to be found in the entire west, a magnificent fellow weighing two thousand, one hundred and fifty pounds and having splendid style and action. He keeps Poland China swine and thoroughbred White Plymouth chickens, being successful in the raising of both hens and hogs. His dairy is composed of a herd of valuable pure bred Jerseys, which have won the best butter records in the county. His silo holds large quantities of feed, and he has a windmill to pump water for use in the barn and dairy and on the lawn, while a five horse-power gasoline engine has been installed in his dairy' for churning purposes. His Jersey eattle are all registered animals and some of them are imported stock.
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