USA > Missouri > Linn County > Compendium of history and biography of Linn County, Missouri > Part 38
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JAMES R. HUFFAKER, M. D.
Two facts stand out strongly to the credit of this veteran physi- cian and surgeon and give him a firm hold on the regard, confidence and good will of the people of Linn county. These are that he is the oldest practitioner of medicine in Brookfield in continuous work, and he is one of the best and most successful the county has ever known. His is a record of long and faithful service to the people of a character that has won their high approval, both by its excellence and by its zealous industry in their behalf, and it is one that they have shown they appreciate even while he is still among them and continuing his useful labors for their welfare and enduring comfort and peace of mind.
They have a peculiar interest in the doctor from the fact that he is wholly a product of the county. He was born in Baker town- ship, Linn county, on March 17, 1847, the son of John W. and Eliza (Long) Huffaker, pioneers of that township and forceful factors in helping to lay the foundations of its government and give form to its civil and moral institutions. The father was a native of Indiana, and came from Illinois to Missouri in 1842, with his father. The family took up its residence in Baker township, this county, and there the doctor's grandfather cleared a farm and redeemed it from the wilder- ness. He later disposed of it and returned to Tennessee where he died.
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His son extended the good work his father had begun by clearing and improving a farm.
He followed farming all his life, but also took part in public affairs, filling with credit a number of township and county offices, and always wielding an influence for good among the people. In 1851 he crossed the plains to California with an ox team and was engaged in mining there until 1856 meeting with success. He was for many years an active and devoted Freemason and prominent locally in the order. He died in Brookfield in 1903, and his widow passed away two years later. His father, Jesse Huffaker, at one time owned the ground on which the state capitol of Indiana now stands in Indianapolis.
Dr. James R. Huffaker was reared in this county on his father's farm and began his academic education in the primitive country schools of his boyhood. He was ambitious for mental development and a wider range of scholarship than they could give him, and when he was eight- een years old passed a year at the Carlisle Academy in Carlisle, Indiana. After his return from that institution he taught school in Linn and Chariton counties until 1868, then, still inspired by his desire for more extended academic attainments, entered the State University at Colum- bia, from which he received a full course of academic instruction and was graduated in 1871. He also studied medicine one year while there.
He began the study of medicine the same year under the tuition of Dr. L. E. Cross of Brookfield, and, after reading studiously one year, attended lectures at the Homeopathic Hospital College in Cleve- land, Ohio, in the winter of 1872-3. He entered on his professional career in the spring of 1873, taking the place of his old preceptor, Dr. Cross, and continued in the field with all his energy and the most dutiful devotion to business until 1878, when he attended the St. Louis Homeopathic College, receiving his degree of M. D. from it the same year. Two years later this college conferred on him the honorary degree of "ad eundem."
Dr. Huffaker's practice has long been extensive and lucrative. It has often called him into each of several counties and won him golden opinions in all. For he has been a most careful and capable practitioner, with extensive theoretical knowledge of the science of med- icine and abundant common sense and excellent judgment in the applica- tion of it. He understands human nature too, and uses his knowledge of it in proper influence over his patients for their benefit and thus makes his own ministrations to them more effective and successful.
Living and moving among the people continually and actively for
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so many years, the doctor has necessarily been deeply interested in all that concerns them and aids in promoting their welfare. He knows the whole county and its needs, and he had been sedulous in his efforts to further every undertaking which he has deemed beneficial to it or its inhabitants. He is progressive and public spirited, but his zeal in this respect is tempered by prudence and guided by good judgment. Rash, hasty and ill-considered projects have no welcome from him, but all that are worthy and promise good results receive his hearty practical support.
On May 26, 1874, Dr. Huffaker united in marriage with Miss Dora Rooker, a native of Tennessee. They have had three children, Edith, who is the wife of W. C. Huffaker of Texarkana, Texas; Mabel, who died some years ago ; and Elva S., who is living at home, and is the wife of I. B. Cooper of Brookfield. In politics the doctor trains with the Democratic party and is loyal to its principles and candidates. But he has never been an active partisan or sought or desired a political office for himself. He performs all the duties of citizenship with fidelity and intelligence, but from the honorable post of a private station, and as a man deeply interested in the enduring welfare of his county, his state and his country.
WILLIAM J. CARLON
Realizing that the law is a jealous mistress and will accept no half- hearted attention from her votaries, William J. Carlon, one of the leading attorneys and counselors of Brookfield, has paid his devotions at her shrine with assiduous and studious diligence, and she has rewarded his zeal with a high rank at the bar, a large and lucrative practice and the confidence, esteem and good will of his professional brethren, together with the universal respect of the people of the city and county.
Mr. Carlon's life began in Oneida county, New York, on April 3, 1875, and there he remained until he reached the age of nearly three. He is a son of James and Mary (Redmond) Carlon, natives of the British empire. The father was born in the town of Easky, County Sligo, Ireland, on December 17, 1832, and came to the United States with his parents in 1850, and found a new home with them at Boonville, New York. He had completed his education, as far as he had oppor- tunity to go, in his native land, and when the New World spread before him all its wealth of chances for advancement he at once began to embrace them. He was engaged in the livery business ten years in
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Boonville, and also owned a farm in the county of Oneida, in which that city is located.
There also he met with and married the mother of William J., who was born in England of Irish parents, and who died in this county in 1878, one year after her arrival within its boundaries. They had six children, two sons and four daughters, all of whom are now deceased but their son William J. In 1877 the father brought his family to Missouri and located on a farm in Brookfield township, this county. In 1879, one year after the death of his first wife, he married a second, being united by this espousal to Miss Joanna Burns. They became the parents of six children, two of whom are living. The father is now living in Brookfield retired from active pursuits. The paternal grand- father, whose name was also William Carlon, was born and reared in Ireland and came to the United States in 1850, as has been noted. He was a farmer and died in Lewis county, New York, at the age of eighty- three.
William J. Carlon, the immediate subject of these paragraphs, grew to manhood on his father's farm in Linn county and attended the country school in the neighborhood when he could be spared from the exacting duties of cultivating the farm and the other work incident to that. He completed his academic education in a school of a higher grade in Brookfield and one and one-half years at State University. In 1895 he entered the law department of the State University as a student, and obtained his degree of LL. B. from that institution in 1896. But he had been admitted to the bar some months before by the supreme court of the state in Jefferson City, and after his graduation he began his practice in Brookfield.
This he continued without intermission and with steady progress in the volume and value of his business and in public esteem until the beginning of the Spanish-American War, when he helped to organize Company A, Sixth Missouri Infantry, and was elected first lieutenant for that short but decisive contest. He was excluded from the service on account of defective eyesight, and immediately returned to his law business. By 1898 his rank at the bar was so well established that he was nominated by his party as its candidate for the office of prosecuting attorney. Owing to the large adverse majority in the county, he was not elected, but he made a very creditable run for the position.
Mr. Carlon has lived continuously in Brookfield since he entered on his professional career, except during one year, when he was in the new state of Oklahoma. He has been earnest, intelligent and practical in his support of all worthy undertakings for the improvement of Brook-
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field and Linn county, and the substantial and enduring welfare of their people. But projects of doubtful propriety or advantage never receive consideration from him. He has excellent judgment, and he is guided by it, not by rose-tinted prospects or sentimental considerations, in all he does.
In his political relations he has been a life-long Republican, zealous and energetic in the service of his party and much esteemed by its leaders and its rank and file for his wisdom in council, his efficiency in action and his unwavering loyalty under all conditions. Fraternally he is connected with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He has also served four years as one of the directors of the National American Society of Kansas City in United States. On all sides he is regarded as one of Linn county's best, most useful and most representative citizens.
ALPHA L. BURNS
Occupying a high rank in his profession, held in the greatest esteem as a man and citizen, and earnestly interested in everything that per- tains to the progress and improvement of the city and county of his home, Alpha L. Burns, of Brookfield, the present prosecuting attorney of Linn county is a force for great good and extensive usefulness in his locality and an ornament to its progressive and elevated manhood. He is the second member of the law firm of Burns, Burns & Burns; his two partners being his older and younger brothers.
Mr. Burns was born on a Linn county farm on January 19, 1879. He is a son of John T. and Mary (Joyce) Burns, the former a native of Ireland, born near Dublin, and the mother born in Linn county but of Irish parentage. The father came to the United States at the age of seventeen and located at Albany, New York. He was a sailor, and from 1855 to 1861 cruised along the shores of the great lakes and the Atlantic ocean. Although a Democrat, he was ardently attached to the Union and soon after the Civil War began enlisted in Company B, Forty-fourth New York Infantry for a term of three years. At the end of that term he re-enlisted, becoming a member of Company F in General Hancock's veteran corps.
He was in the Army of the Potomac and of course saw a great deal of active service, taking part in many of the historic battles of the war, among them the sanguinary contests of Antietam and the Wilderness. In the latter he was severely wounded, but he recovered rapidly from his wound and went again into the service in time to receive another
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in one of the iaier battles. When the war closed he still remained in the army for a time and did duty of a high order in various ways. He was mustered out of the service with the rank of corporal.
In 1866 he came to Linn county and located on a farm which he lived on and cultivated until his death in May, 1905. His widow is still living. They were the parents of twelve children, seven of whom are living: Thomas P., a lawyer, and the head of the firm of Burns, Bunrs & Burns; John E., a resident of Ashland, Montana; James H., who lives in Nebraska; Alpha L., the immediate subject of this writing; Charles B., the third member of the law firm; Lola J., who is the wife of J. L. Morey, of St. Louis; and Theresa, who is a school teacher and lives with her mother.
Two of the sons were sacrificed on the altar of their country during the Spanish-American War: William B., who was killed in the Philip- pines while fighting as a member of Company F, Forty-fourth United States Volunteers; and Joseph A., who belonged to Company A, Sixth Missouri Infantry, and died of typhoid fever in Savannah, Georgia. They followed the inspiring example of their father in an active exhibi- tion of their patriotism and it cost them their lives. He was a Catholic in religion and a member of the Grand Army of the Republic in fra- ternal life. He was a great student and a man of extensive and varied attainments in learning.
His son Alpha was reared and educated in Linn county, and here also he made his preparation for the professional career he is working out with so much credit to himself and benefit to the county. He studied law under the tuition of the late Harry K. West and was ad- mitted to the bar of this county in 1902. He began practicing at once and soon afterward formed a partnership with his brother Thomas under the firm name of Burns & Burns. In 1906 he was elected prose- cuting attorney of Linn county and in 1910 was re-elected. The excel- lent record he made in his first term he is extending in his second, gaining friends and popularity as time passes and the people are more and more impressed by his fidelity to duty and decided ability.
On November 20, 1907, Mr. Burns was united in marriage with Miss Anne McGowan, a daughter of John and Margaret (Meehan) McGowan. Three children have been born of the union, John T. and Margaret T. and Mary C., twins. The father is a Democrat in politics, a member of the Order of Knights of Columbus and the Order of Wood- men in fraternal relations, and belongs to the Catholic Church in religious affiliation.
Thomas P. Burns, head of the firm of Burns, Burns & Burns,
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lawyers, and an older brother of Alpha, was born on June 14, 1868, on his father's farm in this county. He grew to manhood on the farm and obtained his academic education in the public schools. After a due course of preparatory study of law he was admitted to practice in 1894, then passed four years in Joplin, Jasper county, this state. At the end of that period he returned to Linn county and was soon afterward elected county attorney and re-elected for a second term. He is very prominent as a lawyer and is held in the highest esteem as a man and citizen, being progressive, enterprising and public spirited, with an earnest and helpful practical interest in everything involving the wel- fare of the people of his city and county.
On June 26, 1905, he was married to Miss Eleanor Downing, of St. Louis. He also is a Democrat in his political alliance, and belongs to the Knights of Columbus and the Order of Elks fraternally. His re- ligious allegiance is given loyally to the Catholic Church. In all the relations of life he is true to his manhood, faithful to duty and zealous in the performance of everything he undertakes, slighting nothing and winning good results in all. Brookfield and Linn county have no better or more useful citizen.
Charles B. Burns, another member of this influential family and the third partner in the law firm, was born on March 6, 1881, on his father's farm, and like his brothers, was reared and educated in this county. He studied law under the direction of his brothers, and was admitted to the bar in October, 1904, and at once became a member of the firm of Burns, Burns & Burns. He has already taken rank among the most promising lawyers of his age in this part of the state, is prominent and popular socially, and is in all respects a valuable addi- tion to the citizenship of the city and county in which he lives. He is a Catholic in religion and a Knight of Columbus and a Modern Woodman of America fraternally. He has shown his cordial and intelligent in- terest in the city and county by active participation in everything that makes for their betterment and the increased comfort and general weal of their people. All classes of the population esteem him highly and he is worthy of the regard and good will of all.
LOMAX & STANDLY
This much esteemed banking firm, whose enterprise and progres- siveness have done a great deal of good in and around Laclede in fur- thering the development and improvement of the locality, and whose
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banking institution is a source of just pride to the people of Jefferson township, has the reputation of being among the most progressive con- cerns in Linn county, and its members are everywhere reckoned in the number of the county's best, most useful and most representative citi- zens. Their local patriotism is of a high order, and they give expres- sion to it in energetic and effective support of every worthy enterprise undertaken for the good of the township and county in which they con- duct their helpful operations. Their bank, which is a private institu- tion, was founded in 1895. It has a capital stock of $5,000 and a surplus of $10,000. Dr. Z. T. Standly is its president, H. C. Lomax, his partner in the firm, is cashier, and the son of the latter, H. W. Lomax, is the assistant cashier. They are all excellent business men, and they carry on their business, which includes all features of general banking, in a manner very profitable to the bank and highly beneficial to the community.
H. C. Lomax, the cashier and controlling spirit of the bank, be- longs to a family of bankers, special aptitude for this form of commer- cial enterprise seeming to have been given to several of its members, and they have found good opportunities for exercising their endow- ments in this respect. He was born in Adams county, Illinois, on September 21, 1844, and is a son of John and Anna (Shank) Lomax, the former born in Sevier county, Tennessee, in February, 1812, and the latter in Virginia on June 16, 1819. They were married in 1835, and had thirteen children. The father died in February, 1877, and the mother Anna Lomax, 1902.
Of the thirteen children born of their union eight are living: W. M., who resides at Laclede; Melinda J., who is the widow of the late J. C. Carothers; J. W., who also has his home at Laclede; Hattie, who is now the wife of Gilman Reed of Kansas City, Kansas; Laura L., who mar- ried W. C. Love and is living with him at Long Beach, California; George N., who dwells in Denison, Texas; Elizabeth, who is the wife of Horace Alexander, also a resident of Denison, Texas; and H. C., the Laclede banker who is the immediate subject of this writing.
In 1835, about the time of his marriage, the father moved from his native state to Preble county, Ohio, and the next year came to Missouri. But he did not remain long in this state at that time. In 1837 he moved across the Mississippi into Adams county, Illinois, where he remained until 1859. In that year he returned to Missouri, and was variously occupied here until the beginning of the Civil War. He enlisted soon after hostilities began in the Eighteenth Missouri Infantry, on the Union side of the great sectional conflict, and remained in active serv-
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ice with his regiment until the fall of 1862. He was then taken prisoner by a band of guerrillas while recruiting a company in Tennessee. After six or eight months of captivity, during which he suffered many hard- ships and privations, he was exchanged in June, 1863. But his patriotic desire to aid in the defense of his country was not yet sated, and it inspired him to a new engagement in the army.
He enlisted again, becoming captain of Company M, of the First Alabama Volunteer Union Cavalry, with which he remained until after the close of the war, during the latter part of which he was provost marshal of northern Alabama. He was also with Sherman in his his- toric march to the sea, and took part in the battle of Nashville and many other engagements. He was mustered out of the service in 1865, and immediately returned to his farm in this county in the vicinity of Laclede. He cultivated this farm, until 1871, then opened a grocery store in Laclede, which he conducted until his death six years later at the age of sixty-five.
H. C. Lomax came with his parents to Linn county and Laclede in 1859. He was then fifteen years old, and after completing his educa- tion here, found employment in a general merchandising establishment, with which he was connected until 1870. During the next twenty-five years he was engaged in general farming, then, in 1895, bought the banking business which he and Mr. Standly have ever since been carry- ing on. In 1897 Mr. Lomax gave up his farming operations and since then he has devoted his time and attention exclusively to the affairs of the bank. He was its president in 1895 and 1896, and in 1897 accepted the cashiership, which he has held continuously from then to the pres- ent time (1912), and the institution has flourished under his manage- ment.
During the Civil War he also had some experience in the military service as a member of the provisional militia under Captain Holland. On September 26, 1876, he was married to Miss Matilda A. Turner, and by this union he has become the father of six children, four of whom are living. They are: E. M. Lomax, president of the Linn county Bank in Brookfield, a sketch of whose life will be found in this work; J. C., who is prominent in the abstracting and loan business at Princeton; John T., who is president of the Farmers State Guaranteed Bank of San Benito, Texas; and H. W., who has already been mentioned as the assistant cashier of his father's bank.
The mother of these children died on July 2, 1894, and on March 18, 1896, the father contracted a second marriage in which he was
.
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united with Mrs. Betty L. (Watson) Heryford, the widow of the late Walter Heryford of Hale, Missouri. Mr. Lomax is considered a lead- ing citizen of Linn county, and he well deserves this distinction. For there has not been for years a project for the benefit of the county or the betterment of its residents in the promotion of which he has not been a leading factor. In business, in public affairs and in social life he stands high in the regard of the people and enjoys their confidence in full measure. His life has been open and serviceable among them, and they have found a great deal in it to commend.
Mr. Lomax has held his church membership at Laclede for 46 years. He has received his mail there since 1859 and is the oldest con- tinuous voter in the township.
WILLIAM L. MOORE
Of the multitude of occupations which engage the faculties and provide for the wants of men, William L. Moore of Linneus has devoted his powers and endeavors to but two, but he has succeeded in both of these, and by doing so has given strong indications that he would have done the same in any one of many others. For he has shown excellent judgment, constant industry and commendable enterprise, with fine business capacity, and these qualifications will win success in any undertaking.
Mr. Moore is a native of Anderson county, Tennessee, where his life began on July 20, 1839. His parents, Joseph C. and Jane (Pate) Moore, who belonged to old families long resident in Tennessee, brought him to Missouri and Linn county in 1842, when he was but three years old. He was reared on his father's farm and educated in the subscrip- tion schools prevalent in this part of the country in his boyhood. From the time of his arrival within its borders until now (1912) he has passed his life in this state, and during all his years of youthful and manly strength has been an active and productive factor in the great sum of its industries. He is therefore, to all intents and purposes, a thorough Missourian, and in many ways has manifested his cordial and helpful interest in the welfare of the state and its people.
From the dawn of his manhood until January 8, 1896, Mr. Moore was occupied in farming on his own account. On that date he began business as a banker in partnership with Major Mullins under the firm name of Moore & Mullins. They have a private banking house in which
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they carry on a general banking business, including all forms of pres- ent-day banking, and by their close attention to business and liberal policy in conducting it they have made their institution popular with the people and of great service to them. The patronage they have won by this means has also made the bank strong, and given it a firm hold on the confidence and high standing in the regard of all classes of the population.
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