USA > Missouri > Linn County > Compendium of history and biography of Linn County, Missouri > Part 67
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In addition to these serious works Father Cullen has written a number of poems, some lyrical, some didactic, some ardently patriotic in spirit and expression, and some in the form of hymns which breath the very essence of sacred devotion. Many of these poems have been published in local papers and many have reached the broader field of periodical embalmment. All have been received with favor and aug- mented the reputation of their author, whose pen is as graceful at the shrine of the Muses as it is vigorous in the domain of the logicians or that of the theologians.
J. CAMPBELL LAWSON
The pioneer grocer of Bucklin and engaged in his present line of trade in that town almost continuously for twenty-four years, J. Camp- bell Lawson has become thoroughly familiar with the needs of the com- munity in his department of mercantile enterprise. As he has been studious of his business in all its phases and features, studying the mar- kets as zealously as he does the wants of his patrons, he is able to meet
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the requirements of his trade in a way that gives great satisfaction to the public and is profitable to him at the same time.
county, Missouri, on July 1, 1861. His parents were Harvey and Ruth (Chaffin) Lawson, natives of North Central Tennessee, where the father was born in 1818 and the mother in 1820. The father was a clergyman of the Christian church and a blacksmith by trade. He and his wife came to Linn county in 1852 and located three miles north and west of Bucklin, where they lived three years, then moved to Macon county. In 1865 they returned to Bucklin, and here they passed the remainder of their days, the mother dying in 1904 and the father in 1905. They had four sons and four daughters, all of whom are living, J. Campbell and two of his sisters being residents of Linn county.
In addition to being a minister of the gospel the father was also a farmer, and as he was eloquent and impressive in the pulpit, so was he also very practical, progressive and successful on his farm. For a year and a half during the Civil War he was chaplain of the Forty-second Missouri Volunteer Infantry, and in times of peace he took a cordial and helpful interest in the affairs of the state. He was one of the founders of the State Normal School at Kirksville, and was widely known throughout Missouri because of his devotion to the general welfare of the people, especially in connection with the cause of public education and the spread of the Christian religion, in both of which he took a very active part.
J. Campbell Lawson was about four years old when his parents brought him to Bucklin, and he has lived in that town ever since except for about three years. He obtained his education in the district schools of the town, and when he completed their course of instruction engaged in railroad construction work as a bridge carpenter on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy road, for which he worked some seven years. From early life, however, he had a desire for mercantile pursuits, and at the end of the period mentioned he determined to gratify that desire.
In 1888 he opened a grocery store at Bucklin, which he conducted for a number of years. He was then absent from this part of the county for three years, but at the end of that period returned to Bucklin, where he has been occupied in his former business ever since. He has been very attentive to his business and it has prospered. But he has not allowed it to absorb all his time and attention. Other business interests in the community have also had the benefit of his intelligence, enterprise and breadth of view in their management, as he has been for some years a director of the Citizens Bank and of the Bucklin Coal
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Company, serving the latter also as treasurer for some time and holding that office at present.
Mr. Lawson was married on April 16, 1890, to Miss Belle Howe, a daughter of James Howe, a pioneer of Linn county and county judge for a considerable time. Mr. and Mrs. Lawson have two children, their son Ralph and their daughter Frances. The father is connected with the Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Woodmen of the World in fraternal relations, stands well socially, has a high rank among business men and is regarded wherever he is known as one of the most enterprising and public-spirited citizens of Bucklin township and Linn county.
MICHAEL A. COFFMAN
A well-fixed farmer on the fertile and fruitful land of Linn county, who has his business well in hand and prosecutes it with vigor and intelligence is in a comfortable condition in a worldly way, and almost beyond the reach of adversity. Moreover, his occupation is one that keeps him in close touch with Nature, the source and inspiration of all life, makes him independent of the rise and fall of political parties, the uncertainties and hazards of commercial life, and all the various and disturbing contentions among men. It makes and keeps him a veritable king in his own dominion, but without any of the fuss and artificial restraints, the trappings and gauds, the atmosphere of hypocrisy and pretense, and the other disagreeable attendants of royalty in the realms of state craft and government, where ambition is the ruling passion and power the prize sought.
Michael A. Coffman, one of the best known and most progressive farmers in the neighborhood of Marceline, is a man of this type and enjoys his membership in the class. He is a wide-awake and enter- prising farmer, up to date in his methods, winning good returns for his labor, enjoying the confidence and esteem of his friends and acquaint- ances, and relying on his own resources for his advancement in life. He was born on March 2, 1861, in what is now West Virginia, but was then a part of the Old Dominion. His parents, Jacob and Elizabeth (Harr) Coffman, were also natives of that state, born and reared in Taylor county.
The father was a blacksmith and farmer. He moved his family to Missouri in 1868 and located on a tract of unbroken prairie in Knox county. This he lived on and improved until 1891. He is now a resi- dent of Clark county, where he and his wife dwell together in a pleas-
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ant home. They have had eleven children, five sons and six daughters. Four of the sons and three of the daughters are living, two in Linn county, Michael and his brother James M., the latter residing at Marceline.
Mr. Coffman was seven years old when his parents moved from West Virginia to Missouri, and from then until he was twenty he remained at home. He attended the district school in the neighbor- hood of the home farm, aided in breaking up its stubborn glebe and reducing it to systematic productiveness and bore his part in all its laborious requirements. At the age of twenty he went to Wisconsin to begin the battle of life on his own account, but after an experience of two years in that state he returned to his Missouri home, where he passed one year more, or a part of one.
In 1883 he went to Virginia City, Montana, and in the vicinity of that then busy mining camp became possessed of and operated a cattle and horse ranch. The country was wild; Indians and beasts of prey were still abundant in it; transportation facilities were meager; the ordinary comforts of life were often difficult to get, and the experience was one of hardship and hazard. But he remained ten years and in spite of all the unfavorable conditions was successful in his undertaking.
But he grew tired of the wild existence, and in 1893 returned to this state and bought a farm in Linn county. On this he has since lived and labored with sedulous and well-applied industry, keeping pace with the progress in his calling and making himself one of the best farmers in his township and his farm one of its most valuable and attractive rural homes. His efforts are directed by intelligence secured in a close and careful study of his work, his land as to its requirements and possibilities, and the varying state of the markets with reference to products and desires. He is therefore always at the door of oppor- tunity with his output, and it is always saleable and has good value, while every acre of his land is made to yield its full tribute to his industry.
Mr. Coffman was married on January 12, 1884, to Miss Lotie Buford, a daughter of James and Mattie (Glasscock) Buford, early settlers in Knox county, this state. Two children have been born of the union, but only one of them, a son named Earl M. Coffman, is living. The father is a Democrat in politics, but he has never filled or sought a political office of any kind, and is not an active partisan beyond per- forming faithfully the duties of good citizenship as a voter. Frater- nally he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and his
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wife is a member of the Baptist church, which he also attends. He is well known in the county and is everywhere highly esteemed.
ALONZO WITHERS
Having devoted the greater part of his life and energy to farming on an extensive scale, and also having given time and attention to profitable merchandising during the last twenty-three years, in connec- tion with his farming operations, Alonzo Withers, of Marceline, has been a useful factor in the growth and development of this part of the state, a considerable contributor to its industrial and mercantile activity and influence, and a force of potency in its civic and social life.
While not a native of Linn county, Mr. Withers has passed a large part of his life within its borders and is thoroughly imbued with the spirit of its people. He had nothing to learn of this spirit when he came among them, for he was never remote from them and had no predilections in favor of other sections of the country to overcome. He was born, reared and educated in the adjoining county of Chariton, where his life began on May 16, 1855, and since its founding in 1888 he has lived at Marceline.
Mr. Withers is the son of Arthur and Purlina (Hays) Withers, natives of Madison county, Kentucky. The father was a millwright and cabinet maker, and also followed farming. He came to Missouri about the year 1830 and located in Chariton county twenty miles north of Brunswick. There he took up government land, which he lived on, improved and farmed until his death in 1879. The mother died in 1880. They were the parents of six sons and six daughters, only five of whom are living, Alonzo and four of his sisters. The father took an active interest in public affairs, and for many years served his town- ship as a justice of the peace, and also filled other township offices.
Alonzo Withers still owns the old family homestead in Chariton county on which he was reared and from which he was sent to the neighboring district school. He taught school for ten years and at the same time was engaged in farming. For a short time he also kept a store at Westville. In 1888, when the foundation of Marceline was laid, and the promise of its rapid growth and coming importance as a mer- cantile center engaged general attention in this part of the state, he located there and opened a drug store with general merchandise as a part of his stock in trade. That city has been his home and the seat of
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his operations ever since, but he has continued to superintend the work on his farms, which comprise 320 acres.
Mr. Withers was married on August 17, 1879, to Miss Nanny D. Akers, a daughter of Simon P. and Catherine E. Akers, who came to Missouri from Virginia about 1840, and were among the early arrivals in this part of the state. Five children have been born in the Withers household: James A., Emma H., and Simon P., who have died, and Alonzo T. and Catherine, who are still at home with their parents.
While Mr. Withers feels a deep and patriotic interest in public affairs, and gives them a good citizen's attention, he has no ambition for prominence in the management of them and has never sought or desired a public office of any kind. He believes in and votes with the Democratic party, but is not an active partisan in the sense of being a campaign worker. He does not hide his hand in this respect, but neither does he flourish it in any ostentatious way. His impulse and incitement in the matter is the good of his county, state and country, and in working for this in his quiet way he fulfills his duty as a citizen and meets his obligation to his fellow men. In all matters of public improvement he is deeply interested and manifests his interest in active support of all worthy undertakings which have the public welfare in view.
HON. EMMETT B. FIELDS
Although born on a farm in Sullivan county, this state, former Senator Emmett B. Fields, now a resident of Browning, has passed almost the whole of his life to the present time (1912) in Linn county, and for many years has been prominent in its civil, social, professional and political activities. He has been called by the people to several offices of responsibility and high trust, and has been commended by all classes for the excellence of his record in each. He finally received from Linn county the highest political honor it alone could bestow by his election to the state senate, and to emphasize their approval of his course in that body, the people of the county re-elected him to it twice, the full extent of his tenure of the office of senator being three terms, or twelve years.
The senator's life began on January 24, 1863, and he is a son of Patterson and Sarah (Jennings) Fields, the former a native of Russell county, Virginia, and the latter of Shelby county, Kentucky. The father was brought to Missouri in 1842, when he was but one year old. His parents first lived in Sullivan county for a few years, then moved to
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Linn county, where their son grew to manhood on a farm near the town of Purdin. He was a farmer and died on his Linn county farm in 1872. The mother died in 1869.
They had three children who grew to maturity, and all of them are now living in this county. They are the senator, his brother, John W. Fields, an extensive live stock dealer, and their sister, Mrs. R. L. Bowyer. After their mother died the father married a second wife, being united with Miss Nancy Baskett, who is still living. Two daugh- ters were born of this marriage, only one of whom is living, Mrs. Sarah Neely, of Browning. The grandfather, Capt. Joseph B. Fields, was born in Virginia, came to Missouri to live in 1842, and died in Linn county in 1870. While living in Virginia he was a lieutenant-colonel in the militia of that state. His regular occupation was teaching school, and he served as county superintendent of schools in this county from 1853 to 1863.
He took an active part in the public affairs of the county, and on one occasion was the Democratic candidate for the state legislature and was defeated in the election by a majority of one vote. He was married twice and had a large family by his first wife. Of their off- spring, two sons and one daughter are living: Thomas J. and Colin C. Fields, and Mrs. Elizabeth Baskett. The grandfather was born in 1805. He was a lifelong Democrat, beginning his service to his party by casting his first presidential vote for Andrew Jackson in 1828.
Emmett B. Fields was reared from an early age to manhood in Linn county and obtained his academic education in its schools. He began the struggle for advancement among men as a farmer and school teacher, and adhered to those occupations for a number of years. In 1886 he began the study of law and was admitted to the bar in 1887, in the month of June. He soon afterward started his professional career at Browning, and here he has been living and actively engaged in practice ever since. He assisted the state in the prosecution of the famous Taylor murder case, and also in other celebrated cases, and has been counsel for the defendant in a number of noted trials which have attracted wide attention.
In 1887 Mr. Fields was elected clerk and assessor for his town- ship for a term of four years. He has also served as a member of the city council of Browning, and was mayor of the city from 1891 to 1896. In 1888 he was the Democratic nominee for prosecuting attorney of the county, but failed in the election by a narrow margin of seven votes. From 1890 to 1898 he was a member of the county central com-
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mittee of his party, and during the last two years of this period served as its chairman.
Mr. Fields was first elected to the state senate in 1898, receiving the nomination of his party after a deadlock in the convention which lasted thirteen days, and in which 7,050 ballots were taken. He was re-elected in 1902 and again in 1906. During the whole of his service in the senate he was a member of the judiciary committee, and for eight years of the time its chairman. He was also on the revision com- mittee and the committees on normal schools and insurance. In 1905 and 1907 he was president pro tempore of the senate, and during the interval between the expiration of the term of T. L. Ruby and the accession of John C. Mckinley to the position of lieutenant-governor, Mr. Fields filled that office.
Senator Fields was married first on February 20, 1887, to Miss Eunice M. Jessee, a native of Virginia. They had one child, their daughter Eunice D., who is now the wife of William Dickinson, of Browning, Missouri. Her mother died on July 16, 1889, and on Sep- tember 30, 1894, the father married again, being united on this occasion with Miss Gertrude Carter, who was born and reared in Linn county. They have five children, all of whom are living: Wayne B., Florence G., Hazel E., Allilie M. and Sherborn.
In politics the senator is a firm and faithful Democrat. In frater- nal relations he is connected with the Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Royal Neighbors, and in religious faith he leans to the Southern Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is a regular attendant. He is widely and favorably known throughout the state as a capable lawyer, an enterprising and progressive man in civil and political affairs, an earnest advocate of every undertaking that makes for the betterment of his county and state, and an excellent citizen from every point of view.
CHARLES E. RINEHART
This gentleman is the youngest man who ever occupied the office of postmaster of Browning since it was established, but in the full year of his tenure of it, which is now ended (April, 1912), he has demon- strated his entire fitness for its duties and responsibilities and his ability and readiness in a performance of them that has given complete satisfaction to both the people of the community and the authorities of the federal government under whom he works. He exemplifies in an
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admirable manner the Jeffersonian requirements for good public service -honesty, capacity and fidelity-and his exhibition of them is highly appreciated by all the patrons of the office and the general public which have the benefit of them.
Mr. Rinehart is a native of Linn county and was born on January 29, 1877, on a farm a short distance southeast of the village of Brown- ing. He was reared on that farm and began work as a boy assisting his father in its cultivation. He started his education in the district school near the farm, but completed it at the Chillicothe State Normal school. He has therefore passed almost the whole of his life in this locality, and when its residents recommended him for appointment to his present office after the death of the late Benjamin F. Carter, its former incumbent, they knew full well what they were doing and the kind of official they were asking for.
Mr. Rinehart is a son of Arthur and Mary E. (Armstrong) Rine- hart, natives of Green county, Pennsylvania, where the father was born in 1838 and the mother in 1843. The father was reared on a farm in that county, and farmed there himself until 1864, when he moved to Illinois, remaining in that state three years. In 1868 he came to Sulli- van county, Missouri, but soon afterward changed his residence to Linn county, locating on the farm on which he and the mother are still living, and which he has brought to a high state of development and fruitful- ness. Three children have been born in the family, Charles E. and his brothers, George L. and Frank N. They are all living, and George and Frank are residents of Canada.
After leaving school Charles E. Rinehart farmed on his own ac- count for a few years, then turned his attention to dealing in and ship- ping live stock to the markets, continuing his operations in this line for ten years. For a time he was also engaged in business as a furniture dealer and undertaker at Browning, and for three years served as township assessor of Benton township. In 1910 he was the census enumerator for this portion of the county, and in February, 1911, was appointed postmaster of Browning, taking charge of the office in April of the same year.
On November 9, 1898, Mr. Rinehart was united in marriage with Miss Ola Gooch, a daughter of James and Rebecca R. (Robinson) Gooch, residents and valued additions to the citizenship of this county. Three children have been born of the union, all of whom are living and still at home with their parents. They are: Marjorie F., Doris B. and C. Arthur. All the members of the family are ornaments to the social life of their community, and the parents are among its most esteemed
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residents, giving serviceable aid to every good work of its people and every undertaking for their welfare.
In political relations Mr. Rinehart is a Republican of influence in the councils of his party, and has been a member of its county central committee for a number of years. Fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America, and in this fraternity he takes a cordial interest and gives it loyal and helpful support. He is a broad- minded, public-spirited and progressive man of the best American type.
HENRY C. BAILEY
While it cannot be said that Henry C. Bailey was present at the birth of Browning and one of the sponsors of this new municipal off- spring of American enterprise and progressiveness, he was certainly one of the early arrivals at the place for permanent residence, and has been one of the most helpful and productive forces in promoting its growth and improvement. He arrived at what is now the town of Browning in the spring of 1881, just three years after the village was incorporated and eight years after the site for it was first surveyed. He at once opened a general store, and he has ever since been actively engaged in merchandising on an extensive scale with this town as his base of operations and the beneficiary of his large disbursements, voluminous transactions and stimulating and fruitful public spirit in behalf of the general well being.
Mr. Bailey's life began in Green county, Pennsylvania, on Septem- ber 3, 1844, and he is the son of Eli and Elizabeth (Patten) Bailey, also natives of that state and county. The father was born in 1806, and even before the dawn of his manhood became a farmer on his own account in his native state. In 1848 he moved his family to Peoria county, Illinois, and there he continued farming until 1866, when he came to Missouri and bought a partially improved tract of land in Sullivan county not far from where Browning now stands. On this farm the father died in 1869, and the mother six years later, that is, in 1875.
They were the parents of four sons and eight daughters. Two of the sons and four of the daughters are living, and three of the six reside in this state. Three of the sons served in the Union army during the Civil War, one in the Eleventh Illinois Cavalry and another in the Seventy-seventh Illinois Infantry and a third in the One Hun- dred and Eighth Illinois Infantry. One of the three gave up his
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life on the altar of patriotism in the fighting at Vicksburg, Mississippi. The other two came out of the service unharmed.
The grandfather, Joab Bailey, was born in Connecticut, and later became a resident of Pennsylvania, where he farmed and served in the state militia, taking part in several prolonged contests with hostile Indians in that state. He died there at the age of eighty-three years. The family was founded in this country by Joel J. Bailey, who came to the colonies from England in 1680 and located in New England, where his descendants lived without change of residence for several genera- tions, and where some of them are yet to be found among the most highly respected and influential part of the population in that section of the country.
Henry C. Bailey grew to manhood from the age of four years in Illinois, and was educated in a graded school in that state kept by J. W. Cook, an instructor of considerable renown in that locality. He farmed in Peoria county, Illinois, until the winter of 1864, then enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry in which he served eleven months. He took part in the siege and capture of the Spanish fort in the harbor of Mobile bay in 1865, and also did police and garrison duty at various places. He was honorably discharged from the army in 1866.
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