USA > Missouri > Macon County > General history of Macon County, Missouri > Part 35
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At the beginning of the Civil war he enlisted in the army and followed his convictions to the field of carnage, participating in the battle of Lexington and other engagements of greater or less impor- tance. In politics he is a Democrat and always has been. He has served his party faithfully and it has recognized the value of his serv- ices, holding him in high esteem as a worker and finding in him capacity for the administration of official duties of delicacy and impor- tance. He has been a justice of the peace for more than seven years and a member of the school board for more than three. In 1901 he was elected mayor of Ethel, and in that capacity he served the town well and wisely until 1906. He is a gentleman of lofty ideals and very progressive views, and he has applied his methods of thought and action to all his official duties and all his efforts for the improve- ment and progress of the community in which he lives. In fraternal life he is connected with the Order of Odd Fellows, and his lodge in the order highly appreciates his energetic and stimulating member- ship. The township and county have had the benefit of his breadth
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of view and his comprehensive enterprise in the promotion of all their designs for the advancement of the region and the enduring welfare of its people.
On April 2, 1865, Mr. Sears was united in marriage with Miss Catherine Riley, a native of Macon county (who departed this life September 7, 1908), but a daughter of parents-who came to this state from Kentucky, where their forefathers helped to redeem the wilds and lay the foundation of civilized and cultivated life. Of the eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. Sears only three are living: Luetta, the wife of J. W. Ratliff, residing near Goldsberry, this county; James A., who lives at New Boston, Linn county, and William C., who is a resident of Ethel. During the last eleven years the father has been one of the leading merchants of Ethel, and throughout that period he has held the business name of the community up to a high standard of integrity and progressiveness, and has met all the requirements of his position as one of the prominent and representative merchants of the town in a masterly and commendable manner. Macon county has no better or more enterprising citizen, none whose influence and example have done it more good in general and special ways, and none whom the people more universally approve and esteem.
LON HAYNER.
Mr. Hayner, who is cashier of the Citizens' Bank of Macon, has been an important factor in connection with the industrial and business affairs of Macon county, which has represented his home from his boyhood days, and he stands today as one of the honored and influential citizens of the county in which he has attained to success and prestige through well-directed efforts along normal lines of productive enter- prise. As a banker he has long been prominent and influential and as a citizen and man of affairs he stands exponent of the utmost loyalty and public spirit.
Mr. Hayner is a native of Scott county, Kentucky, where he was born on the 25th of October, 1846. In the fine old Bluegrass state also were born his parents, James M. and Margaret (Branhan) Hayner, who were reared and educated and there married. James M. Hayner was engaged in agricultural pursuits in his native state until. 1855, when he removed with his family to Macon county, Missouri, where he developed a fine farm of 200 acres, in Independence township, and where he continued to reside until his death, which occurred in 1884. He was a man of superior intelligence and impregnable integrity, and he ever commanded the unqualified confidence and esteem of the com-
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munity in which he so long maintained his home. He was originally a Whig, a great admirer of Henry Clay. Though never consenting to become a candidate for publie office, he was a staunch advocate of the principles of the Democratic party, and his aid and influence were ever given in support of measures and enterprises which tended to conserve the welfare of the community. He and his wife were members of the Baptist church and their lives counted for good in all relations. Mrs. Hayner survived her honored husband by more than twenty years, and she was summoned to the life eternal in 1906, at a venerable age. They became the parents of two sons and one daughter, of whom the subject of this sketch was the first in order of birth. Thomas E. like- wise remains a resident of Macon county, where he is engaged in farm- ing, and Addie is the wife of James H. Ford, of Macon county.
Lon Hayner, to whom this sketch is dedicated, passed his boyhood and youth on the old homestead farm, in connection with whose work he gained his initial experience in the practical responsibilities of life. His educational training was secured in the schools of Macon county, and that he made good use of his opportunities is evident when we revert to the fact that when eighteen years of age he became eligible for pedagogie honors. For nine years he was a successful and popular teacher in the schools of the county, devoting his attention to this voca- tion during the winter terms and assisting in the work and management of the home farm during the summer seasons.
Mr. Hayner continued to devote his attention largely to farming until 1889, when he was elected to the office of county collector, of which he continued incumbent for a period of four years. After his retire- ment he was elected vice-president of the First National Bank of Macon, and he served in this capacity for six years. Upon the organization of the Citizens' Bank, in 1899, he became one of its chief stockholders and was elected its eashier. He has since held this executive office, and it is in large measure due to his discrimination and able management of the affairs of the bank that the institution has been so successful in its operations and has gained place as one of the solid and popular banking houses of this section of the state. He is also a member of its directorate. On other pages of this publication is given a brief review of the history of the Citizens' Bank.
Liberal, broad-minded and public-spirited as a citizen, Mr. Hay- ner has ever shown a deep and helpful interest in all that concerns the welfare of his home city and county, and his aid and influence are ever to be counted upon in support of measures tending to advance the best interest of the community, civic, political and industrial. He has served
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six years as a member of the board of education of Macon, as director and treasurer. From the time of attaining to his legal majority until the present he has given an unfaltering allegiance to the Democratic party, and both he and his wife hold membership in the Baptist church. He is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity and the Knights of Pythias. Mr. Hayner is the owner of the old homestead farm, which is endeared to him by the memories and associations of the past, and he gives to the same a general supervision.
Mr. Hayner has been twice married. In 1879 he wedded Miss Susan Jackson, who was born and reared in Macon county and who was a daughter of James R. Jackson, a representative farmer of Mon- roe township. Three danghters represent the offspring of this marri- age, and all survive their mother, who was summoned to the life eter- nal in 1885. Gertrude, the eldest danghter, was graduated in Hardin college, at Mexico, Missouri, and is now the widow of William G. Eng- lish, of Roswell, New Mexico; Annie E., a graduate of the college at Liberty, Missouri, is the wife of Charles Goodson, of Macon; and Sue E., likewise a graduate of Liberty college, remains at the paternal home, a popular figure in connection with the social activities of Macon. In 1891 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Hayner to Miss Emma Hock- ensmith, who likewise was born and reared in Macon county and who is a danghter of Mat Hockensmith. No children have been born of this union. She was educated at Stephens college at Columbia, Missouri.
JOHN R. MENEFEE.
One of the most enterprising, resourceful and successful real estate and loan men in Macon county, carrying on his business on a large scale and in a manner to command universal approval and commendation, and making even adverse circumstances minister to his advantage by the mastery of his spirit, John R. Menefee, of New Cambria, furnishes a fine example of American manhood at its best and determined to make everything tributary to its advancement. His success in his present undertaking is all the more creditable from the fact that he was not specially trained to the business in which he is engaged, but came to it, as it were, through the force of circumstances, and has proved, in his management of it, that he has the qualities that command success in any enterprise and under any conditions.
Mr. Menefee was born in Livingston county, Missouri, on Febru- ary 25, 1871, and is a son of Robert M. and Iberialı S. (Shirley) Men- efee, the former a native of Marietta, Ohio, born on April 30, 1834, and the latter a danghter of James A. and Martha Shirley, and born
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in Fayette, Howard county, Missouri. The father eame to this state in 1839 and with them located at the village which is now ealled Wood- ville, but was then known as Centerville in Macon county. He was but five years old when the family came to this region, and here he grew to manhood and obtained his education, attending the district schools during the winter months for a few years. He was obliged to begin making his own way in the world at an early age, and soon after leav- ing school became connected with mercantile life at Woodville and later at Chillicothe. He also engaged in the tobacco trade at College Mound. In 1862 he gave up mercantile pursuits and turned his atten- tion to farming, in which he was occupied until September, 1879, in his native county of Livingston. At that time he returned to Macon county and continued his enterprise as a farmer and stock man, keeping these industries as his chief occupation until his death on April 14, 1894.
His marriage with Miss Shirley occurred in 1859, and by it became the father of ten children, of whom the following six are living: Albert S., who lives at Clarence, Missouri; John R., a resident of New Cam- bria; Orlena, the wife of H. W. Owens, of Moberly; Morris R., who is also a resident of Moberly; Mattie B., who is the wife of I. M. Cole, of New Cambria ; and Lillian G., who lives in Kansas City, Missouri. The father was a Democrat in politics and took a very active interest in the success of his party. He served as a member of the school board for many years, giving the interests he had in charge close and intelligent attention and bringing about highly commendable results in the man- agement and improvement of the schools. In religious affiliation he belonged to the Southern Methodist church. His wife survived him ten years, dying on March 29, 1904.
John R. Menefee was reared and educated in Macon county. He grew to manhood on his father's farm and attended the district school in the neighborhood of its location. After leaving school he clerked for H. R. Southwick in the lumber business for a period of three years. He then became a telegraph operator in the employ of the Burlington railroad and remained in its service two years, working at various places along the line. In 1897 he entered the employ of Hon. Albert D. Nortoni, a sketch of whom will be found in this volume, and who is now one of the judges of the Court of Appeals of St. Louis. Judge Nortoni's business then was in real estate and insurance lines and his headquarters were at New Cambria. Mr. Menefee was associated with him in this business five years. In 1902 he started a real estate, loan and insurance business of his own, and in that he has been very actively and successfully engaged ever since. He has made many
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large deals and numberless smaller ones during his career on his own account, and has proven himself to be one of Macon county's most successful and enterprising real estate men. He makes a study of his business and the needs of his patrons, and if at any time he doesn't have just what a customer wants, he knows where to find it and how to make the deal satisfactory to both buyer and seller. No man in this part of the county has a more comprehensive or accurate knowledge of the trade in all its bearings.
In political affairs Mr. Menefee is a Republican and an active worker for the good of his party. At this time (1910) he is secretary of the Republican county central committee and his work in this posi- tion redounds greatly to the benefit of his party and is highly appreci- ated by both its leaders and its rank and file. In fraternal life he is connected with the Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Masonic order. In the order last named he belongs to the lodge at Bucklin, in Linn county, and to the Royal Arch chapter and the Knights Templar commandery at Macon. He was married in October, 1895, to Miss Clara E. Nortoni, a daughter of Edward W. and Hannah T. Nortoni, and a native of New Cambria. Six children have been born of the union and all of them are living. They are: Herbert R., now (1910) thirteen years old; Merrill F., eleven; Shirley M., eight ; Bert D., six; Eugene, three; and Virginia J., an infant, aged one year. The father has been eminently snecessful in business and has helped very materially to promote the advancement and improvement of the township and county in which his operations have been carried on. He and his wife are regarded as among the best citizens of this part of the state.
ROBERT R. BEAL.
Like nearly all other parts of Macon county, Missouri, Lingo town- ship has attracted considerable attention throughout the country by the extent and character of its live-stock industry, and its name and the names of its citizens who are engaged in that industry in a leading way are known in all the prominent stock markets in the land. In the list of those who are devoted to this interesting and profitable line of endeavor in the township, that of Robert R. Beal, whose residence is in the neighborhood of New Cambria, is prominent and well deserves its place.
Mr. Beal was born in 1855 in Virginia. His parents, William and Elizabeth (Thompson) Beal, were born and reared in England, and were married in that country in 1846. They came to the United States
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in 1853 and located in Pennsylvania, where the father engaged in mining coal. In 1869 he moved his family to Missouri and took up his residence in Macon county. Here he turned his attention to farm- ing and raising stock and passed the rest of his life in the pursuit of those industries, dying on March 5, 1902. His widow is still living and has her home with her son, Robert. They were the parents of thirteen children, seven of whom are living: George; John T .; Will- iam; Mary, the wife of D. H. Babbitt; Robert R .; Elizabeth J., the wife of E. B. Thomas, of Colorado, and Thomas E. L. Their mother is now (1910) eighty-six years old.
Robert R. Beal, who was but fourteen years of age when he came to this state and county with his parents, obtained his education in the district school in the neighborhood of his home in this and his native state. He acquired a thorough practical knowledge of farm- ing on his father's place, in the labors of which he took an active part from his boyhood. When the time came for him to choose an occupation in life for himself, he selected the one he had been reared to and became a farmer. He has never varied from this industry and its allied business of raising live-stock, and his determined and skillful pursuit of it has brought him success in a worldly way and excellent standing among the people of his township as a citizen. For he has shown himself to be publie-spirited and progressive, with reference to the affairs of the community of his home as he has in connection with his private business, and has taken his place among the helpful factors engaged in pushing forward the development and improvement of his county and promoting the enduring welfare of its people.
Mr. Beal's farm comprises 160 acres of land and is wisely and skillfully cultivated. It has been highly improved under his progres- sive management and he has supplied himself with the best modern implements for the most advanced and productive farming. The stock industry he conducts on it is extensive and is also managed with pru- dence, skill and good judgment, and both departments of his business are highly profitable because he makes them so. In politics he is inde- pendent, bestowing his suffrage on the candidates he deems best suited to the offices they seek and most likely to look after the best interests of the people, and never accepting or desiring official station for himself, either by election or appointment. The schools, the churches, the social institutions and all the industries of the county enlist his cordial inter- est and have his active support, and in every other way he meets all the requirements of elevated and worthy citizenship. His course in life
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has won for him the general good will and regard of the people in all parts of the county.
ALFRED JOHNSON SMITH.
The experience in life, which has been a large part of the prepara- tion of Alfred Jolinson Smith, of Lingo township, for the extensive farming and live-stock business he is so successfully conducting, was had in many parts of the country and under a great variety of circum- stances. He was born in the state of New Jersey in 1840, and in that state, also, his parents, David and Rosa (Miller) Smith, were born, reared, educated and married. They were farmers and prosperous in their day, and they were faithful to the duties of parentage and citizen- ship, bringing up their large family of twelve children, with a view to making all its members useful and worthy factors in the social and general life of the country. Four of their offspring are now living: Alfred J., George, Caroline and Mary Ann. The mother died in 1856 and the father in 1872.
Their son, Alfred J., began his scholastic training in New Jersey and completed it in Illinois, moving to that state in 1857, when he was seventeen years old and soon after the death of his mother. He lived three years in Illinois, then, in 1860, went into the Rocky mountain region, where he remained until 1862. Leaving there he located in Illinois, remaining there until 1865. In that year he located in Missouri and became a Macon county farmer with his base of operations near New Cambria. He came to this county at a time of depression and difficulty. This portion of the state had suffered severely during the Civil war, and the predatory and relentless border warfare which pre- ceded that momentous struggle, and in October, 1865, when Mr. Smith arrived here, all its industries were prostrate and the greater part of its people were seriously handicapped by the conditions that had been forced upon it. Mr. Smith, however, like many others, saw beyond the passing moment. He realized that Missouri was a giant fallen in battle, seriously but not fatally wounded, and that the giant had scarcely risen, as yet, on his elbow. He noted that the giant's strength, although wasted, was not spent, but only temporarily depressed, and he deter- mined to assist in raising him to his feet and restoring his full stature, believing that he had rich favors for the faithful who attended him and would be liberal in the bestowal of his bounty. His subsequent career in aid of the restoration of this mighty state and its further develop- ment and progress has fully justified his faith and shown the wisdom of his choice.
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Mr. Smith has prospered on the soil of Missouri and grown to consequence and influence among the people of Macon county. He now owns 391 acres of land, and, in addition to farming that, his chief. occupation is raising, buying and selling live-stock. He has has been very successful and is accounted one of the most progressive and capable farmers and stock men in this part of the country. He is, in addition, an excellent citizen, with a warm and serviceable interest and activity in the promotion of the advancement of his township and county and securing the enduring welfare of their people. In political alliance he is a Republican, but he has never been an active or hide- bound partisan. He looks always to the best interests of the region in which he lives, and, except a membership on the school board and service as its chairman for many years, he has never consented to fill a public office of any kind. He was married in October, 1863, to Miss Electa Smith, a native of Ohio. They had three children, their daugh- ters, Dora E., Edith and Anna. His wife died in 1881, but the daugh- ters are all living. The father is one of the leading men in the county and richly deserves the high position in the public estimation he occupies.
THOMAS E. JONES.
Although not a native of Missouri or of the United States, and not having passed all the years of his residence in this country in this state, Thomas E. Jones, of Russell township, near New Cambria, has lived in Macon county ever since he was twelve years old, a period of forty-five years. He is therefore, thoroughly acquainted with the people in this locality, familiar with their aspirations, methods and lines of activity, and imbued with their spirit. He might fairly be called almost a product of the county, so thoroughly is he in touch with all phases of its public and private life. And, at any rate, he is devoted to the best interests of the county and does everything in his power to promote and advance them.
Mr. Jones was born in Wales in 1853, and is a son of Robert R. and Hannah (Jones) Jones, also natives of Wales, where their forefathers lived from immemorial times. They brought their family to the United States in 1860 and passed one year in the state of Ohio and four in Illinois. In 1865 they moved to Missouri and located in Russell town- ship, Macon county, where they reared their family and where the mother died after many years of faithful labor in the performance of every duty. The father is still living and has his home with his son, Thomas E. In the days of his activity he was a coal miner and a farmer
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and followed both pursuits at the same time. At the period of his location in Missouri the state was still suffering from the effects of our great Civil war and all her industries were prostrated and inert. Mr. Jones' progress was, therefore, slow and painful for a time. But his industry was great, his frugality kept his expenses within his carn- ings and success was not long in coming to crown his efforts with the prosperity they deserved. As the state revived the industries grew more active and the worthy men engaged in them began to have a better chance. About this time Mr. Jones was seriously injured in a mining accident by which one of his limbs was broken and he suffered other casualties. But as soon as he was able he returned to work, never thinking of giving up the struggle or doing less than he was able in his endeavor to advance his fortunes and make provision for his family. He and his wife were the parents of fourteen children. Of this large number only four are living, Thomas E., E. Van R., Anna and Mary H., all but one of whom are still residents of this state.
Thomas E. Jones obtained his education in the district schools of Illinois and Ohio. He turned his energies to farming as soon as he left school and has been actively engaged in this occupation ever since. He had taste and special capacity for the business and lie has been very successful in conducting it. He now owns 440 acres of first-rate land, all of which is under cultivation and yielding abundantly, except what is reserved for grazing purposes for the extensive stock-raising industry he carries on in connection with his farming operations. His farm is well improved and fully supplied with all the appliances required for its full and vigorous cultivation, and is one of the valuable and attractive rural homes of the township in which it is located. It is a high tribute to its owner's skill and energy as an agriculturist and marks him as one of the best and most progressive farmers in the township. His stock industry is also representative of the best intelli- gence and most productive energy in that line in the region and helps to swell the commercial importance of Macon county. In politics Mr. Jones is a Republican, but he is not an active partisan and has never held a political office except membership on the school board.
V
ROBERT POWELL.
Among the enterprising, progressive and successful farmers and stockmen of Lingo township, in this county, Robert Powell holds a high rank, which he has attained by his sterling qualities of head and heart, his fine business capacity, his unconquerable energy and the skill with which he conducts all his operations. He is successful because he
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