USA > Missouri > Macon County > General history of Macon County, Missouri > Part 37
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In the year 1902 Mr. Gary also took the initiative in the matter of the proposition of the settlement of the Missouri & Mississippi bond issue. Mr. Edgar White has devoted a short chapter in the general
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history of the county to this subject, to which we would refer the reader for full information. He secured in Macon the appointment of an advisory committee, consisting of fifty of the representative business men, and on the 30th of December of that year the proposition was submitted to the voters to be decided by them at the rate of 18 cents on the dollar. The measure was defeated by a majority of 250 votes, and the result is that the matter is still in litigation.
In 1906 Mr. Gary organized the Topeka Telephone Company, of Topeka, Kansas, which has an investment of more than $800,000, being incorporated with a capital of $1,000,000, and having an average annual income of $160,000. Of this company he is president. In 1907, in asso- ciation with others, he secured the plant and business of the St. Joseph Telephone Company, of St. Joseph, Missouri, which, in the following year, was reorganized under the title of the Home Telephone Company. A fine modern plant has been installed at an outlay of more than $1,000,- 000, and Mr. Gary is president and manager of this corporation, besides which he is president of the Atchison Telephone Company, of Atchison, Kansas, and of the Theodore Gary Investment Company, of Macon, Missouri. It is uniformly conceded that no man has done more to further telephone development in the middle west than has Mr. Gary, and his efforts have been directed according to the highest business principles and with consummate prescience as to ultimate possibilities. Having thus attained marked precedence and success along legitimate lines of enterprise, he has so ordered his course at all times as to merit and retain the unqualified confidence and esteem of those with whom he has been associated and also of the general public. In 1907 he published an interesting brochure, entitled "Independent Tele- phony," the work offering an adequate description of the magnitude and stability of the independent telephone service as operated without alliance with the great telephone trusts. The little volume has done much to beget public confidence and support in connection with the independent companies, not only those with which he is individually connected, but also those operating in other sections of the Union.
It is to be assumed that a man of so broad business capacity and so distinctive energy and enterprise could not be other than a loyal and progressive citizen, and Mr. Gary has ever given his aid and influ- ence in support of all measures tending to conserve the general wel- fare, the while he has shown a deep interest in governmental affairs and practical political manoeuvers, though he has had no ambition for the honors or emoluments of public office. His support was given to the Democratic party until 1896, when he repudiated the free silver
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heresy and the attack on the United States Supreme Court of the party and, with the courage of his convictions, aligned himself as a supporter of the cause of the Republican party, to which he has since given his allegiance. He is identified with various representative civic and fra- ternal organizations, was president of the International Telephone Association in 1907, and for the two previous years held the office of vice-president of this organization. Both he and his wife are com- municants of the Protestant Episcopal church, being zealous and val- ued members of the parish of St. James church at Macon.
Mr. Gary has been twice married. In 1876 he was united to Miss Nannie Ogan, who was born and reared in the state of Missouri, and she died in 1881. One child by this union died in infancy. In 1893 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Gary to Miss Helen Larrabee, daughter of Fairbanks Larrabee, of Macon, and she is prominent in connection with the leading social activities of her home city. To this union two children were born, Hunter L., who is assistant manager of the Macon Telephone Company and the Atchison Telephone Company, and Mary B., who is the wife of William H. Loomis, Jr., of St. Joseph, Missouri, where he is manager of the Gary Investment Company.
REES J. BEVAN.
It is a well-established truth that countries which are liberal in the matter of naturalization are prosperous and progressive. It would be impossible to estimate the volume of the obligation which is due from the United States to their population of foreign birth or parent- age. They have come to this country from every clime and brought with them the salient characteristics of the race to which they belong, and combining all in one mighty effort to develop, improve and enrich the country, have wrought out results which are the wonder and admiration of the world. All honor to the men and women of other countries who have left the lands of their nativity and become devoted citizens and active and potential factors in building up this land of their adoption, even though it did offer them better and more promising opportunities than they could see at home. For, while it did this, it also laid upon many of them a heavy burden of privation and hardship as the price of its benefits, and required them to work for every advantage they enjoyed.
Among the number of this class who live in Macon county, Mis- souri, is Rees J. Bevan, one of the successful and progressive farmers and stock-raisers of Russell township, where he owns and operates the resources of 450 acres of good land and has all the comforts and appli-
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ances of a fine country home. Mr. Bevan was born in Wales in 1856, and is a son of Evan and Mary (Richards) Bevan, also natives of that country and descendants of families resident there for many genera- tions. They brought their family to the United States in 1860 and located near St. Louis, in this state. Four years later they moved to New Cambria, Macon county, and here the father passed the remainder of his days, dying in 1900. He was engaged in mining the first few years after his arrival in Missouri, then turned his attention to farming and raising stock, which occupied him until his death. The mother is still living on the farm which their joint labors so highly improved, and which is hallowed by their devotion to the duties it laid upon them. They were the parents of six children, five of whom are living: Rees J., John, Harry, Joseph and James.
Rees J. Bevan was educated in the schools of Macon county, but his opportunities for scholastic training were necessarily limited. When lie left school he became a miner, following the occupation of his ances- tors in his native land for generations and that of his father in this country for a few years. He worked in the mines at Bevier, in this county, about five years, then became a farmer and devoted a consid- erable part of his energy to raising superior short horn cattle, of which he now has a fine herd. Through his enterprise in this respect he has contributed largely and materially in elevating the standard of live- stock in the county and helped to bring the region into general notice as a field yielding high class cattle for the markets throughout the country. He also raises other live-stock of superior strains, reserving a sufficient portion of his farm of 450 acres for grazing and range purposes, and giving all his stock his best and most intelligent attention, omitting no care or effort on his part to secure the best results and largest returns for his labor and supervision.
Mr. Bevan also takes an active interest and a leading part in all public affairs and is a valuable and appreciated help in the promotion of all worthy enterprises for the benefit of the township and county. He is a Republican in politics and always gives his party the best service of which he is capable, although he has no desire for official station.
Mr. Bevan was married in August, 1884, to Miss Mary Jane Parker, who was born and reared in Missouri, but who is a scion of old families long resident in England, whence her parents emigrated to the United States. Of the six children born of the union three are living: Eliza- beth, the wife of Thomas Mendenhall, of New Cambria, and Evan and Bertha. In his career the father has shown a strong combination of
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the sturdy qualities of industry, thrift and endurance for which the Welsh people are noted, and the resourcefulness, daring and all-con- quering enterprise characteristic of the people of the United States. In all his attributes and undertakings he is true to the genius of the Middle West in this country, and in his manhood and his citizenship is thoroughly representative of its best qualities. He and the members of his family are esteemed wherever they are known as worthy and estimable persons, correet in their own deportment and very useful to the county in what they do and what they stimulate others to do by their own activity and influential example.
THOMAS H. REESE.
This successful farmer, extensive stock-raiser and influential eiti- zen of Russell township, Macon county, is a native of Pennsylvania, where he was born in 1861. He is a son of John and Mary (Williams) Reese, who were born and reared in Wales and came to the United States in 1854. They took up their residence in Pennsylvania, which offered opportunity for almost every form of industry known among men, and for a few years they dwelt in comfort and flourished there. But the voice of the great West had a potent influence with them and in due time they hearkened to its call and became volunteers in its great army of industrial conquest and progress, moving to this state and locating in Macon county. They chose New Cambria as their abiding place in this region, and there the father worked at his trade as a carpenter and afterward became a farmer. They were the parents of ten children, seven of whom are living: Joseph, Hannah, Mary, Jean- nette, John, Thomas and Maggie. The father died in 1887 and the mother in 1897.
Their son, Thomas H., grew to maturity under the parental roof- tree and assisted in the work on the farm as soon as he was able to do it, working diligently during the summer months and attending the public school near his home in the winter during a few years. By this means he acquired a practical knowledge of the business he was des- tined to follow through life, and, although his instruction in books was limited, it was helpful to him in acquainting him with the value of learning and showing him how to increase his store of it. It also taught him self-knowledge and reliance on his own resources through- out the struggle for advancement among men, and thus gave him the means of making his own way in the world with steady progress and snecess, whatever the odds against him.
After leaving school Mr. Reese at once began farming on his own
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account and his progress in the enterprise, although slow and painful at first, has been steady, and after a few years became rapid and con- spicuous. He now owns 240 acres of land, all of which he has under good cultivation except what is reserved for grazing purposes, for he carries on an extensive and profitable industry in raising stock for the markets in connection with his general farming operations, and gives to each branch of his business the careful and intelligent attention required for the best results, and is repaid for his outlay of time, energy and studious supervision by securing such results.
Mr. Reese has taken an earnest and helpful interest in the affairs of the community and given them a proper share of his energy and zeal in work for their right guidance and successful promotion to the highest good for the township and county. For more than ten years he has been a school director and for a number was district clerk for the board. In religions connection he belongs to the Baptist church and to the congregation of which he is a member he renders faithful and appreciated service. He was married in 1885 to Miss Catharine Jones, a native of Ohio. They have four children, Albert G., Ada J., Paul J. and John M. .
The parents stand well in the community socially, the father is prominent as a farmer and stock-breeder, and has a high rank in these industries as one of the most enterprising and successful men engaged in them, and as a citizen he is influential and universally respected for the elevation of his character, his breadth of view and his public spirit in all things involving the advancement and enduring welfare of the region in which he has his home, expends his energy and conducts his fruitful and productive operations.
FRANCIS W. DREW, M. D.
Although born, reared and educated in England, and a resident of that great country until he reached the age of thirty-one years, Dr. Francis W. Drew, of Ethel, is as devoted now to the land of his adoption as he ever was to that of his nativity, notwithstanding he still reveres the latter and holds it in affectionate regard. He has been a physician in active general practice in Macon county during all of the last twenty-two years, and by that long and intimate association with its people has become endeared to them and a prominent and influential factor in their political, social and professional life. His birth occurred in County Gloucester, England, in 1851. His father, James Edward Drew, was a London surgeon of eminence, and his mother, Anna Cox (Drew), was also a native of England. The ancestry of the doctor on
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both sides of the house resided in England from time immemorial. The mother died in 1888, having survived by eight years her husband, who died in 1880. They were the parents of eight children, all of whom grew to maturity.
Dr. Francis W. Drew began the study of medicine in his native land after completing his scholastic education in some of its best schools. He came to the United States in 1882, and leaving the blandishments and supposedly higher culture of the East to those who preferred it, journeyed at once into what is still called the Middle West, and took up again the study of his profession at Keokuk, Iowa, entering the Keo- kuk Medical College and remaining among its students until he was graduated with the degree of M. D. in 1886. He began the practice of his profession in that city and remained there about one year. In 1888 he located at Ethel, being one of the first settlers of that now thriv- ing and progressive town, as he has since been one of the prime factors in building it up and developing its industries, and its intellectual, moral and commercial life. His life has been a busy and fruitful one ever since his location in this region, as his practice has been large and active, and has resulted in a very considerable contribution to the com- fort, prosperity and general welfare of the people. He is well informed in his profession and skilful in the application of his knowledge. He is, moreover, a gentleman of strict integrity and high character, and the people have found him worthy of their confidence and esteem and have freely bestowed their regard upon him. He is one of the leading physicians in the county and one of its most estimable and popular citi- zens, being known and esteemed throughont its limits, and in all the relations of life proving himself entitled to the good opinion in which he is universally held.
The Doctor is a diligent student of the literature of his profes- sion, striving by all means at his command to keep abreast of the latest thought and discovery in the science to which he is devoted; and he also receives and contributes practical help in the progress of the science by. mingling freely with his professional brethren as an active member of the state and county medical associations, with which he has long been connected. He is medical examiner for the Equitable and New York Life Insurance companies, and in Fraternal life belongs to the Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. His political faith and services are given to the Democratic party and he is very active in working for its success in all its contests. His influence is considerable and his services to the party are highly appreciated by both its leaders and its rank and file.
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Dr. Drew was first married to Miss Katie Allison, a daughter of Dr. Joseph Allison, of Barrow in Furness, England. They had four children, Josephine, Ernest, Blanche and Barrett E. The mother died in December, 1889, and in January, 1905, the doctor married a second wife, Mrs. Anna Cross, of St. Louis, Missouri. They have two children, whose names are Lorna Dorothy and Anita. Now in the very prime of life and full maturity of his powers, firmly established in the regard and good will of the people, with a high rank in his profession and a constantly increasing practice, Dr. Drew is one of the most useful citizens of Macon county. and as his health is good and his energy undiminished, it is to be expected that he has yet many years of nse- fulness before him and that his services to the people will still increase in extent and power. He has not sought political office of any kind, being devoted to his professional work, and finding in that enough to engage all his faculties and consume all his time, except what may be needed in helping to foster and develop the resources of the county and make them as effective and widespread for the good of the people as possible. But he performs all the duties of citizenship with zeal and intelligence, and exemplifies in his daily life, in public and private relations, all the attributes of elevated and highly commendable manhood.
JAMES R. HEATON.
V
Orphaned by the death of his mother when he was eleven years old and by that of his father three years later, the latter being brutally assassinated in the midst of the sectional strife that darkened and saddened this unhappy land from 1861 to 1865, because of his political opinions and his fidelity in defending them in two of the historic wars in which this country has been engaged, James R. Heaton, of Ethel. in this county, was obliged at an early age to look out for himself and work for his own advancement among men. He is one of the prominent and progressive farmers and stockmen of White township, and during the last four years has been president of the Bank of Ethel. The success which has attended his efforts and the consequence he has reached are all the more gratifying because they are the results of his own capacity, industry, thrift and excellent management.
Mr. Heaton was born near Concord church in this county in 1850, but he is a scion of old Virginia families resident in the Old Dominion from Colonial times. His parents, James D. and Alcinda (Jackson) Heaton, were natives of that state, as were their forefathers for many generations. The father enlisted in the Mexican war at the age of
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eighteen years under General Sterling Price and served for the full term of his enlistment, winning renown for conspicuous gallantry. At the first call for volunteers to serve the South in the Civil war he again took the field under General Price, and in this sanguinary contest he also served the full term of his enlistment and made a record creditable alike to him and the cause he was defending. After his return to his former home and a peaceful residence there for about two years, he was taken out on the night of August 18, 1864, by the federal state mili- tia, which was called the Home Guards, and made to pay the penalty with his life for what he believed in, being cruelly killed by men whose duty it was to protect peaceable citizens in the enjoyment of their rights. He and his wife were the parents of six children, four of whom are living, W. J., James R., S. C. and A. J.
James R. Heaton secured what education he could in the public schools, but his attendance was necessarily very limited and irregular. Yet he had a studions and observing mind, and made considerably more of even a little scholastic training than many a boy does of much. And since leaving school he has found experience always a thorough teacher, even though her lessons have been often difficult and her discipline has been nearly always severe. But he has profited by her instruction and is a man of considerable general information and a keen and accurate judge of human character, knowing men well and taking their measure correctly, with many times but limited acquaintance with them.
When his schooling in books was completed Mr. Heaton went vigorously to work at whatever he could find to do, following various occupations for a few years and giving close and conscientious atten- tion to whatever he undertook. In this way he laid the foundation of the general confidence and esteem in which he is held, and made every step of his progress a permanent advance. In 1871 he began farming on his own account and has been doing this with diligence and success ever since. He has 270 acres of fine land which he has brought to a high state of productiveness and improved with good buildings and equipped with every needed appliance for its full and skillful cultivation. He also conducts an extensive and flourishing enterprise in general stock- raising, to which he gives special attention and the fruits of his best study, observation and reflection. He deserves the success he wins in everything he undertakes, because he puts all his resources in motion to secure it.
Mr. Heaton also takes a very active interest in everything designed to advance the interests of the township and county, whether for the
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promotion of their business interests, their intellectual forces, or their moral or social agencies. Since 1906 he has been president of the Bank of Ethel and has given its affairs his close personal attention. As the directing spirit of its policy and its main impulse in activity he has shown himself to be both able and wise, and has helped very materially to build up the business of the institution, increase the number of its patrons and maintain its high rank in the financial world. In politics he is a true and loyal member of the Democratic party and at all times active in its service. The only political office he has ever held is that of town clerk, which he filled for a term of two years. He has always been averse to official station, preferring to serve the state and its people from the honorable post of private citizenship. His religious connection is with the Christian church. Of this organization he is an active and very useful member, giving his aid to all its worthy under- takings and helping to guide it by wise counsel to the highest and best development.
In 1871 Mr. Heaton was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Singleton, a native of this county. They have five children: Allie M., the widow of the late F. E. Van Fleet; W. J .; Mellie B., the wife of G. W. Burns, of South Dakota; and T. G. and Minos C. The parents are held in the highest esteem wherever they are known and they well deserve all the regard and good will the people bestow upon them.
HARRY M. RUBEY.
Success is the prerogative of valiant souls, and it has been vouch- safed Mr. Rubey to attain through his own well-directed endeavors a significant measure of success as a business man of fine initiative ability and sterling integrity. He is in the very prime of his life and his busi- -ness experiences have been varied, but ever directed along lines making for progress. He is a native son of Macon county and is now recognized as one of its leading business men and representative citizens-one to whom is accorded the most unequivocal confidence and esteem and one whose labors have not been self-centered, but have redounded to the general welfare of the community .. He maintains his home in the city of Macon, with whose banking interests he has been prominently identified, and here he is now the head of the Rubey-Brown Company, dealers in farm mortgages, bonds, investment securities, etc.
Harry M. Rnbey was born in the city of Macon, the thriving capital of Macon connty, Missouri, on the 25th of July, 1865, and is a son of Webb M. and Jennie P. Rubey. The subject of this review gained his preliminary education in the excellent public schools of his native
HARRY M. RUBEY
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place, after which he was a student in St. James Military Academy, at Macon, Missouri, and in the Missouri State University, at Columbia, in which latter institution he continued his studies for a period of three years. After leaving the university Mr. Rubey assumed the position of collection clerk in the First National Bank of Macon, and after having been employed in this institution for two years he went to Devil's Lake, North Dakota, where he operated a farm for one year, at the expiration of which, in 1881, he returned to Macon and engaged in the clothing business, as a member of the firm of Dowling & Rubey. He disposed of his interest in this enterprise later and removed to Kansas City, Missouri, where he held the position of head bookkeeper for the Kansas City Car Wheel Company for one year. In 1888 Mr. Rubey returned to Macon and he then became associated with Thomas E. Wardell, Jr., in opening the first large coal mine south of the tracks of the Chicago, Burlington & Quiney railroad in the city of Bevier, Macon county. The venture was one that at that time caused no little skeptical com- ment, but the result was the eventual development of the finest coal fields in this district.
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