USA > Missouri > A history of northwest Missouri, Volume III > Part 39
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farm, but the commodious and well arranged structures now found there are the result of Mr. John F. Iden's enterprise.
Mr. Iden was married to Sarah R. Edwards, daughter of Hayden Edwards. They have one child, Zetha Maud, who was born October 28, 1896.
In his home place Mr. Iden has ninety-six acres, besides 110 acres west of Bigelow and twenty acres next to the river. Some years ago he was one of the organizers of the bank at Fortescue and is still serving as one of its directors, and later bought the grain elevator at Fortescue, and is now engaged in the grain business and coal and implement trade at Fortescue. Mr. Iden was formerly a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, and his mother was a devout adherent of that church. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Mound City and the Modern Woodmen of America. He has served as road overseer and director of the school board. His politics is demo- cratic, though his father was a republican.
GUY JONES is one of the reliable and industrious farmers and stock- raisers of Holt County, classed with the rising generation of agricultur- ists, who are acknowledged to be as broad and scientific in their methods and as fruitful in valuable results to the community as the workers in any other branch of modern industry. At the present time Mr. Jones is engaged in the cultivation of 640 acres of fine land in Bigelow Township, a large part of which is devoted to pasture, where he raises large herds of thoroughbred cattle, in addition to which he feeds and ships hogs. He is well known to the people of his community as a progressive and energetic citizen, who can at all times be depended upon to support beneficial measures.
Mr. Jones was born in the vicinity of Big Lake, Holt County, Missouri, May 30, 1882, and is a son of Henry and Julia (Chaney) Jones, who are living on an adjoining farm to that occupied by their son. Henry Jones came to Missouri from the East at an early date, and here for many years has followed the pursuits of the soil, being accounted a substantial farmer and helpful citizen of this progressive section of Northwest Missouri. Guy Jones was given a good education in the public schools, and this was supplemented by attendance at a business college, where he took a commercial course. He is the only child of his parents, although by his father's previous marriage, to Lucinda Green, he has two half-sisters, Minnie and Addie. Mr. Jones was brought up on the farm and thoroughly trained by his father in the various methods of successfully conducting agricultural operations, so that he arrived at man's estate well fitted to enter upon a career of his own. He remained, however, under the parental roof until the time of his mar- riage, in 1907, when he moved to his present farm of 640 acres, where he has continued to make his home, having developed it into one of the most valuable and attractive country places in this part of the county. The improvements have all been made under his supervision, the barns and sheds are of modern construction, well equipped within and with- out, roofed with tin and furnishing excellent facilities for the feeding of cattle, and the home, while not large, is well kept up and attractive. The buildings are well arranged, and everything about the place suggests the presence of able and intelligent management. While Mr. Jones has done some general farming, the greater part of his attention has been devoted to feeding and shipping stock, chiefly Hereford cattle and Duroc-Jersey hogs. His efforts have met with a most gratifying suc- cess, and he is justly named as a business man of more than ordinarily keen perceptions. In political matters he is a democrat, but his activi-
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ties in public life have not extended beyond that interest which is felt by every good citizen in the welfare of his community. Fraternally he is connected with the Woodmen of the World, and also is prominent in Masonry, having attained the Shriner degree and being a member of the Temple at St. Joseph. Mrs. Jones is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Mr. Jones was married in 1907 to Miss Hazel Spellman, of Mound City, Missouri, daughter of Mathew and Elizabeth (McRoberts) Spell- man, who came to Missouri from Canada. Mrs. Jones has one brother and one sister : Earl, who married Anna Evans and is a resident of St. Joseph ; and Grace, who is single.
PLATT HUBBELL, the senior member of the firm of Hubbel Brothers, at Trenton, Missouri, was born in Myers Township of Grundy County on January 12, 1870.
His father was the late Loring W. Hubbell, who was born in Tren- ton Township of Grundy County, December 18, 1845.
The Hubbell family in America has a continuous record of lineage going back to Richard Hubbell, who was born in England in 1627, and on coming to America settled at Fairfield, Connecticut. There is a book entitled "History of the Hubbell Family," showing that men of that name have had a modest part in the work of developing this nation.
The late Loring W. Hubbell was educated in the public schools of Grundy County, and when he was a young man commenced teaching, a vocation to which he devoted the best years of his life, although at the same time he was a farmer. Finally he located in the City of Trenton, and operated in real estate and insurance until his death on August 18, 1913. The position he held in the community can best be described in the words of a review which appeared in the Trenton Daily Republican at the time of his death :
"Loring W. Hubbell lacked little of living the allotted period of three score and ten, being just sixty-seven years and eight months of age on August 18, the day of his death. Born and reared in Grundy County, he never sought to change his place of residence. He died within a quarter of a mile of the spot where he was born. During his latter years his bodily infirmities kept him from taking part in the active affairs of life. As the world views it, he never sought position, place or power. He chose to cultivate the modest yet endearing graces of mind and heart, rather than to attempt the achievements which men applaud. His most pronounced trait of character was his advocacy of the importance of education. He believed that the mind and soul are so inseparably intertwined that the cultivation of the mind is one step in the direction of cultivating the soul in the immortality of which he firmly believed. He has often quoted the words of Plato, 'A house that has a library in it has a soul.' This trait of his character is illus- trated by the fact that when a young man he taught school and for several terms taught a Bible class in the Christian Church, of which he was a member. He helped his own children to get a practical educa- tion, thus benefitting them more than if he had left them a vast estate without an education. In the active part of his life he did what he could to increase the efficiency of the public schools. Until his eyesight failed he was a habitual reader, and thus kept in touch with current events. In his early life he was an industrious student and received a liberal education. In his student days he saw the leading artists of the opera and the drama on whose attainments he was pleased to dwell. He advocated fraternity among men, as witnessed by his membership in the Knights of Pythias. He made his life useful by doing the plain, un-
MR. AND MRS. PLATT HUBBELL AND FAMILY
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pretentious things which helped others. For instance, he took a leading part in preserving the burial places of the dead. He said, 'If we love the living we will provide a suitable resting place for their earthly remains.' 'If we love the dead we will preserve their graves as sacred shrines.' His ever patient and cheerful disposition endeared him to all who knew him. To his immediate family earth cannot replace the loss of him."
The late Loring W. Hubbell married Nannie M. Browning. Her father, John M. Browning, was born in Kentucky, and from that state in 1858 came to Missouri accompanied by his family, their journey being made across the country with teams and wagons. He located in what is now Myers Township of Grundy County, and bought land six miles east of Spickard. He there built a log house, which served his family as a home for several years. He was successful as a farmer, added to his land and improved his home, planted a good many fruit trees and surrounded himself with all the comforts of rural life. He served as a soldier in the Union army during the Civil war, Mr. Browning mar- ried Jane McBride Ewing, who was born in Kentucky and who survived her husband some years. They reared several children. Nannie M. Hubbell died March 19, 1905, and a brief estimate of her life was given in a Trenton paper, which will be appropriately quoted herewith :
"Nannie M. Hubbell was born on February 2, 1853, near Sherburne, in Fleming County, Kentucky. Her maiden name was Nannie Metcalf Browning. With her parents she came to Grundy County, Missouri, when she was a little girl. Though only a child when she removed from Kentucky, she vividly recalled and fondly cherished the men and mem- ories of her native state. She became a member of the Christian Church when quite young, and ever afterward remained an earnest toiler in the vineyard of righteousness. In addition to her regular church work, she made many private individual appeals for a higher life. Many per- sonal, yet unpretentious, acts of charity attest the sincerity of her pur- poses. She became a member of several fraternal orders, to which she was closely attached, and in which she was an industrious worker. Among these are the Knights and Ladies of Security, the Rathbone Sisters and the Eastern Star. She was married to L. W. Hubbell on November 20, 1867. She leaves four children, named Platt, George, Hallie and Alida, together with their father. She had a wide circle of personal, lifelong friends. Devotion to the duties that lay nearest to her was a dis- tinguishing trait of her character. Her highest pleasure was in humbly rendering service. To render self-sacrificing, simple service to the per- sons and the causes she loved was to her a perpetual joy. The cares of her home and family and others she chose to serve kept her from using any system in her reading. Yet in the midst of her toil and cares she read much of the best literature and highly appreciated good thought, in whatever form it might be expressed. She had a natural aptitude for music. Her originality in arranging and combining the moderate means and small influences within her reach for the accomplishing of generous purposes was an impressive quality of her mind. She did not climb the Heights of Earth, but, walking with her Savior as her guide, she trudged along in the lowly valley path. On Sunday, March 19, 1905, after a lingering illness, she wearied of her many burdens and, reclining upon them for a couch to rest a while, passed into that silent slumber from which she shall not be awakened until the resurrection morn. To those by whom she was known and loved, earth cannot replace the loss of her."
Admitted to the bar in 1891, Platt Hubbell began practice at Tren- ton. For some years he and his brother George have been in partnership,
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and they occupy a good suite of offices on Main Street. Theirs is consid- ered one of the most complete law libraries in the north part of the state, and it includes many special works on railroads and other specialties. The Hubbell Brothers are not corporation lawyers, and most of their cases originate among the plain people. They have fought many impor- tant cases to a successful conclusion, and have a reputation for serving the best interests of their clients. A brief examination of court cal- endars shows that the Hubbell Brothers practice not only in Grundy County, but in many adjacent courts and even in the states of Iowa and Kansas. A number of cases in which they have been employed have been adjudicated in the Appellate Court and have set valuable precedents in Missouri law.
Platt Hubbell was married at St. Joseph, Missouri, March 4, 1909, to Maude Irene Ray. They are the parents of three sons, Ray, Paul and Ernest. Mr. Hubbell and wife are members of the Christian Church, and he is affiliated with Trenton Lodge No. 111, A. F. and A. M., and with other fraternal orders.
GEORGE H. HUBBELL. Junior member of the firm of Hubbell Brothers, attorneys, at Trenton, George H. Hubbell was for several years a success- ful educator in Northwest Missouri, and since turning his attention to the law has gained a secure position in the profession.
He was born on a farm in Jackson Township, Grundy County, May 24, 1878, a son of Loring W. and Nannie Browning Hubbell, the details of which prominent family in Northwest Missouri are to be found in a preceding article. George H. Hubbell attended country school as a boy, and in 1897 graduated from Avalon College. Three years were spent in the work of teaching in the country districts, and for two years he was principal at the Third Ward School at Trenton. He also did a great deal of private tutoring in preparing pupils for advanced schools, and was particularly successful in this work. Walter E. Reno, who later grad- uated from the Annapolis Naval Academy, was one of the young men who came under his supervision at that time. At Avalon College Mr. Hubbell took a course in stenography with a view to becoming a court stenographer. While teaching he devoted much time to the study of law, and eventually determined upon that as his chosen profession. He was examined and admitted to practice on November 12, 1902, and in 1904 formed his present association with his brother Platt under the firm name of Hubbell Brothers. They have in the last ten years built up a large and prosperous legal business.
On October 20, 1907, Mr. Hubbell married Essie Pearl Barnes of Tren- ton. Mrs. Hubbell is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, while her husband affiliates with the Christian denomination. He is well known in fraternal circles, having affiliation with Lodge No. 801, B. P. O. E .; with Aerie No. 721, Fraternal Order of Eagles; with Modern Woodmen of America ; and with Lodge No. 38, Knights of Pythias. From April 19, 1912, to May 28, 1913, Mr. Hubbell was president of the Second District Pythias Association, comprising the counties of Grundy, Mercer, Putnam, Schuyler, Sullivan and Adair. Mr. Hubbell has made a careful study of the ritual in the Knights of Pythias and is a constant advocate of its teachings and principles as one of the best mediums to attain better cit- izenship and stronger manhood. He is a republican, having cast his first vote for William McKinley. In November, 1906, Mr. Hubbell was elected prosecuting attorney, and by re-election in 1908 served two terms in that office.
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LOT BROWN. One of the most valuable and beautiful of the many valuable and handsome properties of Holt County, is the property of Lot Brown and son, an 800-acre tract lying in Bigelow Township, known as Walnut Meadow Farm. Here is to be found every improvement which makes country life attractive ; its owner has spared no pains in developing and beautifying it, and the result of his labors is a country home that probably equals any in point of beauty in Northwest Missouri. Mr. Brown is a member of that class of individuals whom nature has endowed with versatile talents. Primarily a railroad man, with little previous experience in agricultural pursuits, when he came to his present problem he at once entered upon a career of success that equalled his achieve- ments in his former field of endeavor, and from that time to the present has continued to be known as one of Bigelow Township's most sub- stantial farmer-citizens.
Lot Brown was born at Rockford, Nebraska, and is a son of William and Abigail (Waite) Brown. His parents, both members of old and prominent New England families, were married at Providence, Rhode Island, and as a young married couple came to the West, taking up their residence in Nebraska, where they spent the remaining years of their lives and both passed away. Educated in the public schools of his native state, Lot Brown early adopted railroad work as his line of endeavor, and worked his way from position to position in this field to a place of prominence with the Burlington System. He had a large force of men under his employ, and continued as a railroad man unti! 1906, when he turned his attention to the management of his farm, and from that time to the present has steadily developed into a skilled and progressive agriculturist. Walnut Meadow Farm, Mr. Brown's 800-acre tract, was formerly a part of the estate of Mr. Brown's uncle, E. A. Brown, who was widely known in Northwest Missouri as "Parson" Brown. He came to this part of the state in 1870 as a poor man, and through wise investment and continued successes became the owner of some ten thousand acres of land, a large part of which he put under cultivation.
Since his arrival here, Lot Brown has erected an entirely new set of buildings, which are accounted among the best in the township, if not in the county, substantial and commodious in character, attractive in appearance, handsomely furnished, and with every modern equipment known for comfort and convenience. The residence is set well back, with a well-kept grove to one side, and this is one of the show places of the county. Mr. Brown's agricultural operations have been largely con- fined to the raising of alfalfa, and each year he gets out about five crops. He is a republican in politics, but has taken little save a good citizen's part in public affairs. Mrs. Brown is a consistent member of the Baptist Church.
Mr. Brown was married to Miss Anna Wilcox Payne, of Nebraska City, Nebraska, daughter of Robert Payne, and to this union there have been born two children: Robert, born at Nebraska City, who is promi- nent in Masonic circles, having attained the Shriner degree; and Miss Lucy Ellen, who was born at Chicago. Both children reside with their parents.
C. S. McKEE. One of the men active in commercial affairs at Bigelow is C. S. McKee, now at the head of a large general merchandise estab- lishment which has made a progressive growth since it was founded here about fourteen years ago. Mr. McKee has spent most of his life in this section, represents an honored family, his father having been long promi- nent in business affairs, and through his own career has done much to
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increase the business facilities of Bigelow. It was in 1900 that Mr. McKee engaged in merchandising on a small and modest scale at Bigelow. His first location was in an old frame building just across the street from where his now large store stands. He subsequently moved his stock to the W. O. W. Building, and was located there about six years, and in July, 1913, moved to his present quarters. His store is larger and more modern in every respect than his previous location, and conse- quently he is better prepared to handle the trade which has been steadily growing since he began business.
C. S. McKee was born at Savannah, Missouri, November 22, 1875. His father, H. N. McKee, has lived in Holt County since 1877. He estab- lished a grain elevator and began the buying and selling of grain at Bigelow when that was one of the most important railway stations in this part of Missouri. Previous to the building of the branch road to Skidmore and Mound City, all the farmers in that vicinity hauled grain from a radius of twenty-five miles to Bigelow. H. N. McKee thus had important relations with the producing community and at times handled as much as thirty-five cars of grain in a single week. H. N. McKee married Sarah Scott. They were married in Iowa, and she was born in Pennsylvania. There were eight children in the family, all of whom were born in Northwest Missouri.
Mr. C. S. McKee married Edna E. Bridgman, daughter of J. F. Bridgman. They are the parents of four daughters. Mr. McKee is affiliated with Camp No. 35 of the Woodmen of the World, and with Holt Lodge No. 34 I. O. O. F. Mr. McKee has served on the local school board and was mayor of the town, and he and his family are members of the Christian Church.
GEORGE W. POYNTER. The Bank of Bigelow for thirteen years has given ample facilities to the town and surrounding country at Bigelow. The officers and directors have all been men of substantial position in the community, and the bank has been the medium for a large share of the general commercial transactions of the community, has offered a safe service in the conservation of surplus funds, and has been conducted throughout on stable and conservative lines. The bank was organized November 22, 1901, by W. H. Poynter, W. M. Poynter and A. W. Chun- ing. Mr. Chuning was its first president. The original directors included John C. Hinkle, C. C. Catron, and T. O. Davis. The capitaliza- tion was $10,000 from the beginning. J. F. Bridgman succeeded Mr. Chuning as president and still holds that office. John C. Hinkle has been vice president since the organization of the bank, and the position of cashier has been held by George W. Poynter since the bank opened its doors for business thirteen years ago.
The Poynter family has long been prominent in affairs in this sec- tion of Northwest Missouri. George W. Poynter's father was born in Hart County, Kentucky, and also the grandfather was born in the same state. George W. Poynter's mother was Margaret C. Stanton. There were seven sons and one daughter in the family, all of whom are living. George W. Poynter first married Mabel Graham, who died at Kansas City in April, 1912, leaving a son and a daughter. Mr. Poynter subsequently married Jennie McKee of Craig, Missouri. Mr. Poynter and his father are both affiliated with Masonry, the father at Avalon, Mis- souri, and the son belongs to the Blue Lodge at Oregon, the Royal Arch Chapter at Rockport, and the Lodge of Perfection at St. Joseph. In politics Mr. Poynter is a democrat.
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J. R. KRUSOR. The community of Bigelow has been well served through the general merchandise and hardware and implement house of J. R. Krusor & Company. The head of this firm is a thorough merchant, understands his business and the needs of the people, and has ener- getically and successfully endeavored to supply those needs, not only by handling reliable goods but by affording his own judgment and integrity in all his relations as a merchant. The present business of J. R. Krusor & Company was established at Bigelow by R. W. Graham on November 1, 1912, and on June 1, 1913, Mr. Krusor bought out the stock and has since continued under the firm name of J. R. Krusor & Company.
Mr. Krusor began business as a general merchant at Craig, Missouri, in 1909, and sold out his interests there on moving to Bigelow. Mr. Krusor was born four miles northeast of Craig on a farm, a son of Michael and Emerald (Gallaway) Krusor, and was one of three children. As a boy he grew up on a farm, received a training in the country schools, and lived the life of a farmer until twenty-two years of age, when he engaged in selling merchandise. Mr. Krusor's father was one of the early settlers in the vicinity of Craig, and both parents are now deceased having passed away on the old homestead. Mr. Krusor married for his first wife Elva Cook, daughter of P. G. Cook. To that union were born two children : J. R., Jr., and Vera, both of whom were born at Craig. Mr. Krusor's present wife is Florence, daughter of W. G. Sping. They have in their home five children, named as follows: Gomez Garcia, Joubert, Mattie, Fredia and Louis Sping. In politics Mr. Krusor is a democrat.
JOHN COUGHLIN. Few men have contributed more practical encour- agement to the farmers of Holt County than has John Coughlin, whose hay and grain establishment has been one of the chief commercial factors of the Town of Bigelow since his arrival here in 1909. With a variety of experience to back him in his project, Mr. Coughlin came to this community, and within the short space of five years has advanced so rapidly in business circles that he is now known far and wide as the "Hay King," and is doing business with farmers in every part of the county. His career is another instance of the strong call of the soil and its varied interests rising superior to other callings, for Mr. Coughlin resumed his connection with agriculturists and agricultural products after some years spent in other pursuits. He has had no reason to regret his decision, for he has not only succeeded in a material way, but has also gained and held the respect and entire confidence of those with whom he has had business dealings.
By birth Mr. Coughlin is a Kansan, and comes of a family which originated in Ireland. His birthplace was the Town of Silver Lake, in the Jayhawker State, his natal date June 12, 1870, and his parents John and Mary (Collopy) Coughlin. The parents were married at Warrens- burg, Missouri, but shortly after their marriage removed to Kansas, and there the father took up land, on which he established a home for his family. He, however, never followed agricultural pursuits, being throughout his life a railroad man. Both he and his wife are now deceased. They were honest and hard-working people, lifelong mem- bers of the Roman Catholic Church, in which they reared their family of six children, and in the faith of which they themselves died.
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