USA > Missouri > Macon County > General history of Macon County, Missouri > Part 59
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IVES B JONES
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HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY
In politics Mr. Jones is a Democrat, and, although he has never filled or desired a public office of any kind, he takes an active and help- ful interest in the affairs of his party and does his part to keep up its organization and win its victories. He has an earnest and abiding devotion to its principles and sees in the proper application of them the best hope for the perpetuity of American institutions and the lasting good of the country. His fraternal relations are with the order of the Knights of Pythias and his religious affiliation is with the Christian church. He is one of Macon county's most substantial and respected citizens.
EMLYN G. JONES.
V
This gentleman is a son of Rev. George M. and Elsie A. (Williams) Jones and a brother of Ives B. Jones, of Callao, an account of whose life is to be found elsewhere in this volume. The reader is referred to that sketch for the history of the family. The father was a native of Wales and the mother of the state of Ohio, where their marriage took place.
Emlyn G. Jones was born at Callao, this county, in 1870, and grew to manhood and obtained his education in that town. The public schools furnished the full measure of his opportunities for scholastic training, but he employed them wisely to his advantage and entered upon the active duties of life as well prepared for their performance as these schools and his own reading and reflection could make him.
After leaving school Mr. Jones worked on a farm and in the mines for about two years, then entered into partnership with his brother, Edwin T. Jones, in the hardware, furniture and undertaking business. Some time afterward his brother sold his interests in the business to A. B. English, and from that time on the firm has been trading under the name and style of Jones & English. Its business is extensive and its trade active, increasing in magnitude from year to year and growing in popular favor all the time. It has won a high place in business circles and laid under tribute to its coffers an extended patronage throughout the town and all the surrounding country. The reputation the house enjoys is that of handling the best goods that can be had for the money at which they are sold, and of meeting the delicate and exact- ing duties of directing funerals with all the skill known to the art and every consideration for the wishes and feelings of those most interested in the work.
Mr. Jones does not allow his business, exacting as it is, to absorb the whole of his time and attention. With a good citizen's love of his
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HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY
county, state and country, he takes an earnest interest in public affairs, and does what be can to advance the best interests of all classes of the people, locally and generally. In politics he is independent, looking always to the general welfare without regard to partisan considerations. He believes in having the best men available to administer the affairs of the people and, according to the light he has, he always aids to the limit of his power in the selection of such men for official trusts.
In the fraternal life of the community he has taken an active part as a member of the order of the Knights of Pythias, helping to give that energetic and progressive organization the highest standing it ean attain and guidance to the largest and most wholesome development and usefulness. Socially Mr. Jones is everywhere admired as a genial and resourceful gentleman, whose presence in any gathering is an addition to its forees for enjoyment and improvement. In business, in social and civic affairs and in fraternal relations he is a busy man, and in all he exemplifies with general approval and esteem the elevated traits of the best American citizenship, although his modesty will not approve of its being said so conspicuously in print. For he is unosten- tatious in all his bearing, finding his greatest pleasure in the complete and prompt discharge of every duty to the full extent of his powers.
VICTOR GROVE.
With his hand in several lines of mercantile business and giving each such attention that he is succeeding in all, Victor Grove, of Callao, is fully entitled to the high place he holds in the regard and good will of the business eireles of the town and all other classes of the people. He is yet young in years, but his reputation as a business man and citizen is firmly fixed and its standard is deservedly high.
Mr. Grove's life began in this county at Bloomington, where he was born on December 23, 1875. He grew to manhood in his native place and began his education in its public schools. After leaving school he gave his attention for a short time to the occupation of the old patriarehs, tilling the soil. But the genius within him cried out for business opportunities and he sought and found a way to gratify it. For a time he occupied himself in condueting a flourishing trade in timber, then turned his energies to the hardware trade, with furniture and farming implements included, beginning this venture in 1903 at Callao with Jethro Leffler as a partner. Some time afterward he bought Mr. Leffler's interest in the business and for a year thereafter con- ducted it alone. In 1905 he took in a new partner in the person of J. W. Ayers. One year later they sold the hardware and furniture
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HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY
departments and devoted themselves exclusively to handling vehicles and farming implements. Then, in connection with this line of trade, they became the purchasing agents for the Central Coal & Coke Con- pany of Bevier for timber at Callao, Kern, New Cambria & Lingo all in Macon county, and also handled railroad timbers. They are actively engaged in all these lines of trade at the present time and they push their business with an enterprise and energy that is worthy of and receives the highest commendation. In addition to his other undertakings, Mr. Grove owns and operates a handle factory at Kern, in this state, in which he manufactures extensively all kinds of handles for tools and implements of husbandry.
Mr. Grove has a good citizen's interest in the public affairs of his community, his state and the country at large, and does a good citizen's part toward promoting the welfare of all. But he is non-partisan in polities, holding himself free at all times to vote according to his judgment of men and measures, and without any regard whatever to partisan considerations. He also takes an interest in fraternal affairs as a Woodman, a Knight of Pythias and a member of the Pythian Sisters, giving to each order a fair share of his time and attention and doing what he can in his modest way to help them all along in all their worthy aspirations.
Through close application and hard work he has been very success- ful in business, but his success is the result of his own capacity and efforts. For he has had no special favors from fortune or adventitious circumstances. He has been quick to see and alert to seize and turn to his advantage every opportunity that presented itself, and so has built up his large trade, his excellent reputation and his prosperous business solely through his own energy, zeal and upright and useful life. The people who know him best esteem him most, and it is manifest that he is worthy of the regard all classes bestow npon him. Moreover, his star is still ascending and his capacity appears to grow by use. He is constantly on the lookout for larger opportunities and greater undertakings, and it is more than probable that he will yet write his name still higher on the business records of the community, and prove himself still more useful to its people.
AUBERT B. ENGLISH.
Performing well his part in all relations, whether as public official or private citizen, as business man or social light, around his domestic hearth or with reference to the affairs of the whole community, Aubert B. English has won a high place in the regard of the people among
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HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY
whom he has lived and labored and well deserves the esteem in which he is held. He is one of the enterprising and progressive merchants of Callao and one of its most promising and representative citizens.
Mr. English was born at Callao on February 15, 1879, and is the son of Samuel A. and Lucinda M. (Hinds) English, the father born in South Carolina on January 13, 1829, and the mother in Indiana on November 9, 1840. They were married on January 1, 1861, the father having come to this section of the country with a hope of finding better opportunities to advance his fortunes than his own state seemed to afford. Soon after their marriage they moved into Missouri, but a little while afterward returned to Indiana, where they continued to reside until 1865. In that year they again took up their residence in this state and it proved to be a permanent one. The father was a carpenter and worked at his trade until near the time of his death, which occurred on September 26, 1889. His widow is still living. They were the par- ents of seven children, of whom six are living: James P., a resident of Kansas; Alonzo, one of the esteemed citizens of Macon; William M., who lives in Oklahoma; Carrie L., wife of H. B. Clifton, of Twin Falls, Idaho; Estella W., wife of Zell Dice, of Lafayette, Colorado, and Aubert B., the immediate subject of this brief review.
Aubert B. English was reared at Callao and obtained his education at the public schools of that town and Macon in part, completing it at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. He used his educational advantages to good purpose and entered upon the course of active life as his own pilot and steersman, well equipped for the voyage of trial and triumph that lay before him. In 1900 he was appointed postmaster of Callao, and was at the time the youngest postmaster in the United States. His service to the government in that capacity lasted over eight years and was wholly to his credit and the advantage of the people of the town by whom his administration of the office was highly commended.
In 1908, with a view to making a permanent business arrangement for himself outside of the uncertain domain of politics, he entered into a partnership with E. G. Jones for the purpose of carrying on a mercantile enterprise in the furniture and hardware trade and the undertaking industry. The firm is still in active operation and its busi- ness has been steadily increasing from the start. Both members are enterprising and progressive. They make a study of their trade and its requirements and do all in their power to meet the demands in every particular. They are everywhere acknowledged to be good business men who handle first-rate merchandise and sell it at fair prices. And
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in the undertaking part of their business they are accomplished and attentive to the last degree.
In politics Mr. English has been a staunch Republican from the dawn of his manhood and active in the service of his party. He has been trustee of Callao during the past five years. He belongs to the Christian church, the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America. On June 18, 1902, he was married to Miss Addie V. Fans- ler, who was born and reared at Texas county, in this state.
HARVEY G. RIGGS.
With gifts of special value in the line of banking, bookkeeping and accounts, and having received special training in the development and use of those natural endowments, Harvey G. Riggs, cashier of the Mer- cantile Trust & Savings Bank, of Quincy, Illinois, which he founded, entered upon the battle of life for himself well prepared for the contest, and every stage of his career since then has proven his judgment and good sense in choosing his occupation and sticking to it with steadfast devotion.
Mr. Riggs is a native of Missouri and was born in Carroll county in 1867. His father died while the son was yet but a small boy, and he was left largely to shift for himself soon afterward. He obtained his academie training in the public schools of his birthplace, and after completing their course of instruction pursued a special course of busi- ness training at the Gem City Business College, of Quincy, Illinois. As soon as he had completed this he accepted a position as bookkeeper in the employ of the Totle-Lemon Company, of St. Joseph, Missouri. Later he represented R. G. Dun & Co. for a time with credit to himself · and advantage to the company.
But he had a genius for the banking business and longed for the opportunity to give it expression. After waiting for the chance to come until he wearied of the delay, he determined to force circum- stances to his service and challenged Fate into the lists. In 1892 he organized the New Cambria State Bank and became its cashier. He managed its affairs with success and profit to its promoters for a period of two years, then went to Macon and was made cashier of the Bank of Macon. Two years later he abandoned banking temporarily and carried on a successful real estate business for four years.
His taste was still, however, decidedly in the banking line, and in 1900 he returned to that field of endeavor, starting a banking business at Callao, which he condneted as cashier for about four years. By this time a larger field of operation was white with the harvest and
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HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY
ready for his sickle. In 1904 he moved to Quiney, Illinois, and founded the Mercantile Trust & Savings Bank, of which he became then and is yet the cashier. The bank has a capital stock of $200,000 and does a very extensive general banking business, including all features of such an enterprise. Mr. Riggs has been very successful in the manage- ment of its business and shown that he is well up in every department of banking, according to the most approved modern methods. It will be seen that Mr. Riggs has lived in a number of places and been in business in all of them. Wherever he has lived he has won the respect and good will of the community, and when he has gone elsewhere has left an excellent reputation behind him. He is energetic, capable and ambitions in business, and uses all his powers to make his advance rapid and continued. At the same time, he has a warm and intelligent interest in the community around him, and omits no effort to promote its welfare and the comfort and convenience of its people. Moreover, he is a high-minded and upright gentleman and has lofty ideals of citizenship toward which he steadily strives to work his way. In all the relations of life he has proven himself worthy of esteem by the faithful performance of every duty, and has thereby given to those who know him an example which they might well imitate. In Quincy, as in other places, he has risen to the rank of a leading and representa- tive citizen and an ornament to any social circle that may have the favor of association with him. It is of men like him that the most serviceable classes of the American people are composed.
MARK LA FRANCE UNDERWOOD, M. D.
Physician, druggist and agricultural promoter, Dr. Mark L. Underwood, of Callao, has shown himself to be skillful in several lines of action and has been successful in all. No physician stands higher in the profession in Macon county, no druggist is held in higher regard or has a better trade for the range of territory that is tributary to activity, and no one in this part of the country has accomplished more in any particular line of agricultural development than he has in his.
Dr. Underwood is a native of Missouri, born at Perry, Rolls county, on February 10, 1876. He is a son of John and Martha A. (Biggers) Underwood, both, like himself, born and reared in this state. The father was born in Rolls county in 1834 and they were married in that county. They became the parents of ten children, five of whom are living, John W., a resident of Fort Smith, Arkansas; Anna, the wife of Dr. H. T. Morphew, of Arkansas ; Benjamin JJ., who is living
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HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY
at Stuttgart, Arkansas; Dr. Mark L., of Callao; and Ray, who also lives at Stuttgart, Arkansas, where the father of the family now has his home, but has retired from all active pursuits.
Dr. Underwood was reared at Stuttgart, Arkansas, and began his academic training in the schools of that town. He afterward attended the Kentucky University, and when he left that institution entered the Marion Simms College of Medicine at St. Louis, Mo., from which he was graduated in 1898. Some years later, and after he had been prac- ticing for a time, he pursued a post-graduate course at the New York Polyclinic School, being graduated from that in 1906. After receiving his degree in 1898 he began the practice of his profession in Arkansas, where he remained about one year. He then located at Callao and practiced there three years. At the end of that period he moved to Fort Smith, Arkansas, where he purchased a drug store. This he condneted for four years, practicing medicine in that city at the same time. In 1906 he sold the drug store in Fort Smith and returned to Callao, and here he has been living and practicing ever since.
In Callao he is interested in a drug store which he helps to carry on in connection with his large and active practice, being the senior partner in the firm of Underwood & Tainter. He also has holdings in the Cook's Lake rice plantation, a productive and profitable enterprise which he has had a potential influence in developing, and which is located in the state of Arkansas. His principal occupation, however, is attending to his large and varied general practice of medicine and surgery, and to this he devotes himself with ardor and unflagging industry. He has attained eminence in the profession in Macon county and is accounted one of its most skillful and intelligent physicians. He also takes a zealous and effective interest in all matters pertaining to the welfare of the people, bringing to the councils of those who have the interests of the community in charge breadth of view, clearness of perception and untiring energy.
In the fraternal life of the city and county he has long been promi- nent and influential. He is a member of the Masonic order and has ascended the mystic ladder of its sublime symbolism and morality through all its gradations to the very top. In political faith he is a firm and faithful Democrat, but he has never sought or been willing to accept a political office, finding plenty to ocenpy his mind and engage his faculties in the demands of his professional, mercantile and social duties. Young yet in years, with all his faculties in full vigor, and wise and energetic beyond his age, the Doctor is one of the most useful citizens of the county.
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HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY
WILLIAM T. JONES.
Gradually winning his way over obstacles and through difficulties, wholly dependent on his own ability and exertions, and never losing an opportunity to advance his interests or angment his fortunes, William T. Jones, of Callao, furnishes in his career a fine illustration of what industry and thrift can accomplish in this land of boundless chances and gives a very encouraging lesson to all aspiring poor young men. For his achievements are all the work of his own hands and brain and the result of his untiring industry and frugality.
Mr. Jones was born at Bevier, this county, on February 10, 1866, and is a son of William and Jane (Reece) Jones, natives of Wales, but long residents of the United States. The father was born in 1820, and a few years after reaching his maturity left his native land in search of better opportunities and larger rewards for his labor. Aus- tralia opened her arms to him as a land of promise and he accepted the invitation. But after prospecting for gold three years in that country, he came to America and located at Johnstown, Pennsylvania, where he worked in the mines for a year.
The life in the coal mines of the great Keystone state was not to his liking, and in 1858 he moved to this county and located at Eureka, between Macon and Bevier. There he wrought diligently in the mines two years until the Bevier mines were opened, when he moved to Bevier, where he remained until his death on December 25, 1885. In 1876 he left the mines and turned his attention to farming, and this occupation he continued throughout the remainder of his life. He was married in his native land to Miss Jane Recce. They had nine children, seven of whom are living: David W., a resident of New Cambria ; Elizabeth, wife of D. T. Evans, of the same place; Thomas R., who lives at Bevier; Jennie, wife of F. D. Jones, editor and pub- lisher of the Bevier Appeal; Susan, wife of D. W. Davis, of Edmond, Oklahoma; Evan, of Bevier, and the subject of this brief sketch, William T. In politics the father was a Republican with an earnest interest in the welfare of his county, state and adopted country. His widow died in 1900, having survived him fifteen years.
William T. Jones grew to manhood in this county and obtained liis education in the public schools of Bevier and Callao in part, and in part at the college in Brookfield, Linn county. After leaving school he worked in the mines at Bevier four years, then clerked in a store at Edmond, Oklahoma, for one year. In 1898 he returned to Bevier and began a career as a successful farmer. He was married in 1891
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HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY
to Miss Catherine Jones, a native of Wales. They have six children, their sons Robert W., Andrew, Lawrence, Harold and Rowland and their daughter Elizabetlı.
Politically Mr. Jones is a Democrat. He has rendered good service to his party as an active worker, and good service to the people without regard to party considerations. Ile served six years on the school board in Bevier township, and in 1908 was elected a member of the school board of Callao for a term of three years. During the past year he has been vice-president of the board. Fraternally he has been a member of the order of Knights of Pythias for twenty-two years. In elmirch connection he is a Baptist. For many years he has been a zealous and effective worker in Sunday-school and church affairs, and been recognized as one of the most efficient men in the community in such work. He is universally esteemed.
JONES & CRAMER.
Y
This firm, which is one of the leading business combinations of Callao, and has a high rank in the business world throughout this part of the country, was organized in September, 1908, for the purpose of operating on a large scale in real estate, loans and brokerage. The men at the head of it were well known as gentlemen of capacity, char- acter and resources, and it started business with every assurance of commanding success because it contained in its make-up the elements of sneh success. During its existence, short as that has been, it has fully justified the faith on which it was founded and the expectations of the publie concerning it at its birth.
The firm buys and sells farms and town property, loans money and conduets a general brokerage business in 'all its features. Its opera- tions have been large and are always active; and as they are based on excellent judgment and a wide range of information, they are always profitable to the firm, as well as of advantage to its patrons and the locality in which they are carried on. The members of the firm make it their business to learn all there is to be known about any piece of prop- erty they buy or have for sale, and also to keep themselves informed as to what purchasers need or desire and where to find it.
They also deal extensively in insurance, representing the Pruden- tial Life Insurance Company, the Fidelity and Casualty Health and Accident Company, the National Surety Company of New York, the Connectient Fire Insurance Company, the Continental Fire Insurance Company, the Iowa State Fire Insurance Company, the Phoenix Fire Insurance Company of Hartford, Connectient, and the Home Fire
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HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY
Insurance Company of New York. They have been very successful in all their operations and they have deserved every triumph they have won.
JAMES M. BRICKER.
A man who devotes himself to but one thing in life and has ordi- narily good judgment and ability is very likely to achieve a consider- able measure of what he sets out to accomplish, and so well established is this truth that application and perseverance are looked upon in most cases as the most essential elements of success in any under- taking. James M. Bricker is not an ordinary man and he has not given the whole of his time and energy to one purpose or pursnit. But he has devoted himself so industriously and intelligently to his chief undertaking that he has made an eminent success of that, and he has also won worthy triumphs in other lines.
Mr. Bricker was born in Callao, this county, on September 20, 1882, and was reared and educated there. It became manifest to him early in life that he would have no other dependence for advancement than his own resources, and he went to work with a will to make the most of these. Fortune did not smile with any particular favor on his birth, and circumstances are seldom kind to the most of men. Mr. Bricker's best endowment was his self-reliant spirit and his power of intense and continued application; and he has invested this capital so judi- ciously that it has returned him large revenues of success in business and high standing in public esteem.
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