USA > Missouri > Jasper County > A history of Jasper County, Missouri, and its people, Vol. II > Part 70
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Mr. Johns is a man of fine physique, weighing two hundred and fifty pounds, and is well proportioned, being six feet in height. Frank and cordial in his manner, he makes friends wherever he goes, and is universally liked and respected. He belongs to several fraternal or- ganization, being a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of the Knights of Pythias and of the United Commercial Trav- elers.
On the 4th of January, 1898, Mr. Johns was married to Lelia De Arman, who was born at Knobnoster, Johnson county, Missouri, a daughter of D. H. and Mollie De Arman. They have three children, Katie, Carrie and Herbert.
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WILLIAM J. FOSKEN .- Standing prominent among the more intelli- gent, capable and aetive citizens of Carthage is W. J. Fosken, who during the past five years, has rendered valuable service as street eom- missioner, the town of Carthage under his supervision being one of the eleanest and neatest as regards publie thoroughfares and alleys of any town in the county or state. He is a son of Alexander Fosken, born in 1857, in Rice county, Minnesota.
A native of Scotland, Alexander Fosken immigrated to the United States when quite young, and for a time was variously employed. In 1849 he joined a party of gold seekers and journeyed across the plains with ox teams, being on the road five months. He engaged in mining for a time, but not meeting with the anticipated sueeess that inspired the journey, he returned east by way of the Isthmus of Panama, locat- ing in Ohio. A few years later, having married in the meantime, he migrated with his family to Minnesota, locating in Rice county, not far
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from Faribault, settling there when the country roundabout was in its original wildness, deer, wild fowl and game of all kinds being abun- dant. Subsequently in search of a milder climate, he came with his family to Jasper county, Missouri, and bought a tract of land in Madi- son township, seven miles northeast of Carthage. Clearing and in- proving a homestead of two hundred and forty acres, he was there engaged in successful farming until his death. He was active and in- fluential in public matters, and in 1874 laid out the beautiful rural cemetery in Madison township, and it was named in his honor, Fosken Cemetery.
The maiden name of the wife of Alexander Fosken was Amanda E. Johnson. She was born in Cleveland, Ohio, where her parents settled soon after their marriage, and was of French and English lineage. Ten children were born of their union, as follows: James, of Doniphan, Kansas; William J .; John, of Guthrie, Oklahoma; Mary, of Illinois; Alura, of Oklahoma; Lincoln, of Kansas City, Missouri; Elmer, of Oklahoma; Katy, of Jasper county; Ella and Oscar, both of Jasper county, Missouri. The old homestead farm is now owned by Mrs. Campbell and sons. The father was a staunch Republican in his politi- cal views, and a very strict Presbyterian in religiou.
William J. Fosken spent his boyhood days in Minnesota, and in early life received excellent educational advantages, attending the pub- lic schools, and later continuing his studies at both an academy and a college. Engaging then in professional labors he taught school for twenty years, being an efficient and popular teacher, and highly es- teemed as an educator. In 1907 Mr. Fosken was appointed street com- missioner of Jasper, and has since served most satisfactorily in that position, performing the duties devolving upon him in that capaciey in a manner reflecting credit upon himself and honor upon the city.
Mr. Fosken married in 1883 Miss Emma Bond, who was born in Illinois, a daughter of Thomas and Harriet (McCormick) Bond, neither of whom are now living, the father having died in Missouri, while the mother's death occurred in California. Four children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Fosken, namely: Ethel, an expert stenog- rapher ; Willie, Henry and Guy. Politically, Mr. Fosken supports the principles of the Democratic party by voice and vote, and fraternally, he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America.
J. F. GULICK .- No finer representative of the prosperous and pro- gressive agriculturists of Jasper county can be found than J. F. Gulick, proprietor of the Spring Valley Stock Farm, which is located about four miles west of the city of Jasper, and is the home of some of the best pedi- greed cattle in the state. A native of Ohio, he was born in 1852 in Pickaway county, of Virginian ancestry. His parents, Joseph and Eliza (Hillery) Gulick, were born and educated in Virginia, but spent their early married life in Ohio, where their twelve children, six sons and six daughters, were born. Both parents lived to a ripe old age, the father dying at the age of eighty-five years, and the mother when eighty-three years old.
Brought up on a farm, J. F. Gulick, in common with his playmates, attended the district school as boy and youth, in the meantime acquiring an excellent training in the different branches of agricultural pursuits under the wise instruction of his father. A good scholar, however, he was anxious to secure a fair education, and became a student in the University of Illinois. After leaving that institution, Mr. Gulick taught school several years in Carterville, Jasper county, Missouri, but subse- quently turned back to the free and independent occupation in which
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he was reared, and has since found both pleasure and profit in tilling the soil and raising stock.
Spring Valley Farm contains twelve hundred acres of land, well adapted for stoek growing and general farming, having well cultivated and highly productive fields, plenty of pasture and meadow lands, the whole being well watered. The farm is likewise supplied with all the conveniences necessary for carrying on general work, the buildings being substantial and well arranged, while the commodious residence is a model of comfort. In 1896 Mr. Gulick began making a specialty of stock-growing, and now has one of the largest and finest herds of pure bred Herefords in southwestern Missouri, having between two hundred and three hundred cattle with a good pedigree record, and a sure winner of blue ribbons at all county and state fairs, having won premiums and prizes at fairs in Kansas City, Saint Louis and Chicago. He is also widely known as one of the most honorable and reliable cattle dealers in the country, the productions of his herds being in demand as far south as the Gulf of Mexico and as far west as the Rockies. The leader of his herd, Harris Prince, 90th (307513), is one of the best bred ani- mals in the United States, being purple blood in pedigree. His dam was Sillith 2nd (167825), while his sire was Beau Donald the 5th (86142). Another herd bull is Prince Pluto (385088), sire Keep On 6th (107796) and his dam is Princess Pluto (177187), a great sire and rib- bon winner. Mr. Guliek and his son Homer are members of various state and county agricultural associations, and both are excellent judges of good stock.
In 1879 Mr. Guliek married Mary Huntley, a native of Illinois, and into the household thus established five children have been born, namely : Mabel; Homer, who as a partner of his father is interested in the man- agement of Spring Valley Stock Farm and the breeding and growing of stock; Ruth, died when but five years old; Grace and Frances. Po- litically Mr. Guliek supports by voice and vote the principles of the Democratic party, and fraternally he is a member of the order of An- cient Free and Accepted Masons. He is a man of striking presence, being six feet in height, well proportioned, and with a frank and genial manner that everywhere wins him friends. He is held in high esteem as a man and a citizen, and is known far and wide as one of the most pop- ular stockmen in Jasper county.
J. H. BAILEY, a prominent attorney of Carthage, is an instance of a man who has had opportunities and has made good use of them. He has every reason to be proud of his descent, and yet how vain are all heredi- tary honors, those poor possessions from another's deeds, unless our own just virtues form our title and give sanction to our fond assumption. Mr. Bailey has made use of the refining influence of education; he has cultivated his natural abilities, and by the addition of hard work has become one of the leading attorneys of Carthage.
J. II. Bailey was born at Granby, Missouri, October 17, 1868. His grandfather was William H. Bailey, a native of Kentucky who had come north and settled in Franklin county at an early date. There, John C., father of J. H. Bailey, was born in 1844. When the Civil war broke out John C. Bailey, then only a youth, enlisted in the army, on the Union side. For four years and four months he fought with the Second Ar- kansas Cavalry, participating in all the engagements in which his regi- ment had a part. He fought against the land of his father's birth, but sided with the cause of liberty and equality. He held that "all men are created equal; that they are endowed by the Creator with certain inalienable rights that among these are life. liberty and the pursuit of
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happiness." After the war was over he returned to his home and en- gaged in mining, which profession he followed all his life. He became very well known and prominent in mining circles. He married Bar- bara Winchester, who like himself was born in Missouri and was also of an old Kentucky family. This union was productive of four sons, all of whom are now living (1911). In 1878 he came to Joplin as super- intendent of the Granby Mining & Smelting Company, which position he held for many years. He was always a very active man until he par- tially lost his sight in 1909 and was obliged to retire from active work as a result of that affliction. The Republican party has had an efficient supporter in John C. Bailey. He was several times chairman of the county committee and twice chairman of the congressional committee. He has also served as sheriff and recorder of deeds, and has an unblem- ished record in each and every capacity in which he has officiated.
J. H. Bailey was educated in the public schools of Jasper county, and when only a boy he gave evidence of possessing a remarkable gift of language, and a clear insight into the value of things. He could weigh both sides of a question, and although firm in maintaining his own argu- ments, he could also see his opponent's viewpoint. Because of these abilities he chose the profession of a lawyer. He attended the Washing- ton University, graduating from its law department in 1895 and imme- diately commenced his law practice in Carthage in that same year, and has been in Carthage since that time, where he has achieved great success.
In 1907 Mr. Bailey was married to Miss Elizabeth T. Beatty, a young lady who was born in Illinois. He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and of the Knights of Pythias, being an active participant in the work and sociability of both organizations. Like his father, his sympathies are Republican in tendency. He desires the ulti- mate triumph of the Republican party, and although not an office seeker, he is actively interested in public affairs. He has the interests of Car- thage and of the country at large very much at heart, and if at any time he should hold any office, it is safe to predict that its duties would be performed for the welfare of Carthage, and not to further his own in- terests.
JOSIAH G. WILBUR .- On alighting from the Missouri Pacific train at Webb City the first man one is apt to see is J. G. Wilbur, the station agent. It would not seem quite like Webb City if he were not at the depot, as for twenty-three years he has welcomed the coming and sped the parting guests in his genial, hearty way. There is not a traveler arriving in Webb City who does not soon learn to know J. G. Wilbur and to find a friend in him. Any assistance that Mr. Wilbur can give to the stranger is most cheerfully rendered. Anything that he can do to help his friends they may rely on him to do, regardless of all difficulties.
If desirous of learning his family history, one might ascertain that Mr. Wilbur's grandfather, Arnold Wilbur, was born in Vermont in 1803 and thence moved to the state of Ohio; later he went to Iowa, at the time when it was composed of simply a collection of hamlets. He settled in Marion county, being one of its pioneers. W. S. Wilbur, son of Arnold and father of Josiah G., was born on April Fool's day. 1845, at Hamden, Ohio, and in the early fifties he removed with his parents to Marion county, Iowa, where they became influential farmers. He re- mained in Iowa for a number of years when he decided to go to Mis- souri with his wife and children. He had married Miss Mary Palmer, who was born in 1845 in Marion county, Iowa, her parents also being
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early pioneers in the county. In 1869 W. S. Wilbur sold out his farm- ing interests and removed with his family to Carthage, where he felt there were better educational and social advantages than in Marion county. Carthage was, however, but a scattered collection of houses at that time; Mr. Wilbur saw the few houses become a town; he saw the public school system established and thrive there; he saw his children educated there, and his wife, the loved partner of his youth, died there. HIe is now (1911) living with his son in Webb City, honored and re- spected by all who know him.
Josiah G. Wilbur was born in Marion county, August 11, 1864. When he was five years of age he removed to Carthage, Missouri, with his parents. Ilis whole education was received there, first in the graded schools and afterwards in the high school. About the time of his grad- nation from high school the Missouri Pacific Railroad had just com- pleted its system into Carthage and he entered their employ, in 1881, working first in the transfer business and then as baggageman. He re- mained in the employ of this railroad, in various capacities, until in 1888 he was promoted to the ageney at Webb City, which position he is now holding. From the very first he had the confidence of his superior officers and his years of devotion to the welfare and interests of the company have shown that this confidence was not misplaced.
February 15, 1890, two years after he was promoted to the office of station agent, Mr. Wilbur married Miss Mamie Shnell, a young lady whom he had known from childhood in Carthage. Miss Shnell was of southern origin, her father being a well-known stock raiser and farmer in Bourbon county, Kentucky. He had removed to Carthage when Mamie was a child and he died there in 1905. Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur have four children who were all born in Webb City. Lillian, the eldest, was born June 17, 1892, and is now (1911) attending the Christian College at Columbia, Mo. Allen was born August 3, 1894, and is now attending the Webb City high school. Keith, born January 1, 1896, is now in the grammar school at Webb City. Margaret was born December 1, 1898, and is also in the public school.
Mr. Wilbur is a Mason, being a member of the Carthage Blue Lodge and of the Webb City Chapter No. 197 Royal Arch Masons. He is a member of the Carthage Lodge of the Knights of Pythias and holds the high rank of Exalted Ruler in the Elks Benevolent and Protective Order at Webb City. He is an ardent advocate of Republican principles and by reason of his personality has a great deal of influence in a political way.
Mrs. Wilbur is a member of the Christian church at Webb City and the family are regular attendants. The church feels that it could not successfully carry on its work without the support of Mr. Wilbur and his family. He is a member of the Young Men's Christian Association and the young men can always find a friend in him. He understands the temptations of a young man and the efforts that must be made to resist evil. In case of failure, he helps the young man to self-respect and further efforts along the right path. Mr. Wilbur's acquaintance is very extensive and he is a very popular man. He and his wife are al- ways glad to welcome their friends to their lovely home. When Mr. Wilbur takes a vacation he generally goes to one of the fishing resorts on the Missouri Pacific Railroad ; he is familiar with the favorite haunts of the finny tribe and is a very ardent and successful fisherman. Fish stories are proverbially exaggerated, but we can vouch for it that there is more truth in Mr. Wilbur's than in the average piscatorial yarn.
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FRANK M. WENZEL .- Active and industrious, full of vim and energy, Frank M. Wenzel proprietor of the Wenzel Cornice Works at Joplin, is fast pushing his way towards the front rank of the prominent and prosperous business men of Jasper county. A son of the late John Wenzel, he was born October 9, 1876, in Johnstown, Maryland, but was reared and educated in Kansas.
Born in Alsace, Germany, John Wenzel remained in the Fatherland until after his marriage. Coming then with his bride to the United States, he bought land in Maryland, and was there engaged in tilling the soil several seasons. In 1877, accompanied by his family, he fol- lowed the tide of migration westward to Kansas, and having taken up a tract of wild land continued as a general farmer for sometime, meeting with good results in his labors. When ready to retire from active pur- suits, he took up his residence in the city of Wichita, and there lived until his death, in 1908, at the advanced age of seventy-nine years, his birth having occurred in 1829. He married, in Germany, became the father of six children, as follows: John; Conrad; Freda; Mrs. Katherine W. Bostner, of Denver, Colorado; Maggie, now Sister Theodora, of the Ursuline Order; and Frank M.
Completing his early education in the public schools of Wichita, Kansas, Frank M. Wenzel began an apprenticeship at the cornice and tinner's trade with the firm of Kaswell & Buckley. Thoroughly master- ing the details of the business, he bought out Mr. Buckley, and conti- nued in business as senior member of the firm of Wenzel & Kaswell for two years. Starting then in business alone, Mr. Wenzel conducted the Globe Cornice Works successfully for three years, when he sold out to W. L. Lewis and came to Joplin, Missouri, to work on the Joplin Hotel, then in process of construction. Being pleased with the town and its future possibilities, he bought out Tuhey & Bolts' cornice works, of which he has since been proprietor. When he made the purchase the com- pany's shops were located on Sixth street, but his business increased so rapidly, assuming such large proportions, that more commodious quarters were demanded, and Mr. Wenzel transferred his business to its present location, at 922 Main street, and has since been very success- ful in his operations, having built up an extensive and lucrative patron- age. He is ever busy, and in the execution of his orders employs a large force of skilled workmen.
Mr. Wenzel married, in Wichita, Kansas, January 6, 1901, Ella Wilson, and they have one child, Marguerite, born March 8, 1902. In his political affiliations Mr. Wenzel is Independent, voting for the men and measures he deems most worthy, regardless of party prejudices. Fraternally he belongs to Wichita Lodge, I. O. O. F., and to the Ger- mania Society. Religiously he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
A. E. McKIEARNAN .- Full of vim, push and energy, A. E. McKiear- nan, the bustling manager of both Grand Opera House and the Lyric Airdome, the only Play Houses in the city of Carthage, is a man of great executive ability and keen judgment, and as a theatrical manager is meeting with well-merited success, being popular with the people of his profession and with the general public. Under the supervision of Mr. McKiernan the Grand Opera House, which easily seats eight hun- dred and fifty people, has been entirely remodeled and redecorated, and is now one of the most comfortable and home-like places of amusement in the city. Being located but a block east of the Public Square, it is within a convenient distance from the leading hotels and cafes, and is well patronized. The Lyric Airdome is a much larger house, seating
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fifteen hundred persons, a capacity that is frequently taxed to the limit, its attractions being always the best of the kind to be secured by the management, Mr. MeKiernan giving to the public the best of service in theatrical lines, accepting for his honses only the cleanest of plays and artists of recognized worth.
As proprietor and manager of the Carthage theatres, Mr. MeKiernan has made a close study of the best ways in which to secure good busi- ness for his theatres, and at the same time to please the good taste and pleasure of his audiences, be they ever so critical, and to inspire in the mind of the general publie confidence in him and his work. That he has been eminently successful in his efforts is plainly visible in the large number of patrons that assemble at the Grand Opera House and the Lyric Airdome each week night to enjoy the fresh, clean attractions he has billed for them, his patronage being large, and constantly inereas- ing.
In addition to having the entire management of both houses, Mr. Mc- Kiearnan also owns the bill boards of the city, and his advertisements are most artistically conceived and executed, often being of much merit, and a source of pleasure to those who scan them closely, rather than an eyesore and an offense to the passer-by.
A sunny-tempered. genial man, Mr. MeKiearnan has a pleasing per- sonality, and is exerting a wide influence in the advancement of a branch of art which is becoming an important factor in molding the opinions of the people and educating them along certain lines.
GEORGE T. FLETCHER .- A large percentage of the citizenship of Joplin is identified with the great mining interests of the section, and prominent among these is George T. Fletcher, manager of the United Zine Company. He is a New Englander by birth, East Wilton, Maine, having been the seene of his nativity and its date November 17, 1874. He is the son of Freeman and Ellen ( Abee) Fletcher, the former well known in the lumber region of the Pine Tree state. In fact the subject has followed in the paternal footsteps in the matter of a life work, for Freeman Fletcher followed the lumber business throughout the greater part of his life. The elder gentleman was born in the northern part of Maine in 1825. The mother, whose maiden name was Ellen Abee, is the scion of an old respected English family, who came to our country at an early period of national history and located in the northern part of Maine.
Mr. Fletcher was reared in his native state and received his educa- tion in the common and high schools of Skowhegan, Somerset county. At the termination of his school days, he received a Government posi- tion as an employe of the post office, but continned thus engaged for a short time only. He then crossed the continent to California, where he and his father went into the Inmber business with the subjeet's brother- in-law, N. C. Kennedy, their headquarters being at Oakland. In that city they conducted a very successful business for three years. The charms of his New England home remained vivid with him in his far western location and he finally yielded to his desire to go back home and re- main with his parents in their declining years. Accordingly he sold out his interests and returned home, where he remained for a short time renewing old associations. In order to be near home he secured employment in a large wholesale grocery house in Boston, Massachu- setts, and was identified with the same until 1899. It was in that year that he came to Joplin and undertook the management of the interests of the United Zine Company, owned by Boston capitalists. Having proved faithful and efficient and displaying unusual executive ability
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he assumed entire charge of the vast local interests of the company and developed the business in the most satisfactory manner. In addition to this important position Mr. Fletcher is interested in mining prop- erty with other parties and his financial success has been remarkable. He is very loyal to the section in which his success has been achieved and does all in his power for its upbuilding.
On April 23. 1900. Mr. Fletcher was united in marriage to Miss Bessie Boswell, daughter of John F. and Elizabeth Boswell, of Kansas City, their union being celebrated in Joplin, Missouri. Mrs. Fletcher's father was formerly a well-known merchant of Harrisville, Missouri. and is also noted for remarkable inventive ability, having carried to perfection several mechanical devices of much value and usefulness. Mr. Boswell is now perfecting in Kansas City a scale tester of consider- able merit. Two daughters have come to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher,-Ruth L., born May, 1906; and Elizabeth, born Decem- ber 22, 1909, both being natives of Joplin.
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