USA > Missouri > Dade County > History of Dade County and her people : from the date of the earliest settlements to the present time > Part 49
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Benjamin F. Ragsdale, the father of the subject of this sketch, was given 120 acres of land by his father, and from time to time he bought out the interest of the other heirs, until at the time of his death, November 30th, 1899, he owned some 700 acres of the old Joshua Rags- dale homestead. Nancy E. Ragsdale died in July, 1910.
Howard Ragsdale lived on a farm, attended the com- mon schools of the country, and remained at home until 24 years of age, when he entered the law office of Mason Talbutt at Greenfield, and studied law until 1897, when he was admitted to the practice. In addition to his com- mon school education, Mr. Ragsdale had also attended Ozark college in Greenfield. On being admitted to the bar he established a law office in Everton, where he re- mained for 12 years, and in 1909 moved to Ash Grove and continued the practice of law, and also engaged in the real estate business in the firm of Mortemyer & Rags- dale, where he is now enjoying a splendid business.
In politics Mr. Ragsdale is a "red-hot" Republican. In 1906 he was elected prosecuting attorney of Dade County and served one term. In 1899 he was elected a member of the Missouri legislature from Dade County
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and served one term. Since coming to Ash Grove he has been city attorney.
On the -17th day of May, 1898, he enlisted in Com- pany H, Fifth Missouri Volunteer Infantry, in the Span- ish-American war, and attained the rank of sergeant. He had been second lieutenant of the same company while in the state service. On being mustered into the Federal service it became necessary to recruit the company with members of another company, and in the new alignment the office of second lieutenant went to the other company. This company was mustered out November 6th, 1898, just as they were preparing to embark for Cuba.
Fraternally Mr. Ragsdale is a member of the Ma- sonic lodge at Everton, the Royal Arch at Ash Grove and Zabud Commandery at Springfield. He holds his Odd Fellow membership at South Greenfield and K. of P. at Ash Grove.
He was married in September, 1899, to Ellen Finley, who was born at Greenfield, Mo., February 1st, 1879, daughter of Milton and Susan (Stephenson) Finley, one of the prominent families of the community. Mr. Rags- dale and wife have no children.
Howard Ragsdale was the oldest of a family of 11 children :
(1) Howard.
(2) Lula, married Charles Ryan and lives in Cali- They have four children.
fornia.
(3) William A., now lives in California.
(4) Bertha.
(5) Elizabeth, married V. H. Snoddy. They live in Colorado and have two children.
(6) Elma, married James H. Cunningham, a promi- nent stock dealer. They live in Lockwood.
(7) Joshua, lives in New Mexico.
(8) George, married Kate Cowan. They live in California.
(9) Juanita, now Mrs. Stewart of California.
(10) John F., married and lives on the old home place.
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(11) Harriet, single and lives in California.
Among the many interesting and highly prized relics and souvenirs gathered by Mr. Ragsdale is a collection of small arms. They represent almost every stage of American warfare from the days of the Revolution to the present emergency, among them a pair of holsters captured at the battle of Wilson Creek by James Reese.
Few men enjoy the distinction of being any closer to the common people than Mr. Ragsdale. His greatest successes in the law business have resulted in his mas- terly appeals to the jury. As a public speaker, not only at the bar, but in political campaigns and at fraternal gatherings, Mr. Ragsdale has few peers and no superiors in southwest Missouri. He leads that quiet, unassuming, unostentatious life which becomes a man whose activities in life have given him a broad vision and complete poise. While he is nominally a citizen of Greene County, Dade County claims him as one of her boys, of whom she is justly proud.
JOHN F. RAGSDALE.
Was born in Dade County February 8th, 1885, a son of Benjamin F. Ragsdale and Nancy E. (Buckner) Rags- dale. His father was born October 27th, 1840, and was married to Nancy E. Buckner on April 7th, 1867. She was born February 26th, 1850.
With the exception of two years spent in California when he was 19 years old, JJohn F. Ragsdale has lived all his life on the old home farm in Dade County. At his father's death it comprised 574 acres, which he purchased from the other heirs, including the land upon which his father first settled. Since buying the old homestead he has sold 120 acres lying in Smith Township, and has pur- chased 100 acres in Washington Township, making him now a farm of 654 acres, all in one body, a splendid tract of land lying two and one-half miles due west of South Greenfield. He has been a farmer all his life. He received his education in the district schools of Dade
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County. On the 10th day of September, 1913, he was married to Zulah Louisa Preston, a native of Dade County, born September 5th, 1889, daughter of Jasper Newton and Josephine Rountree Preston. Her father is now deceased, but her mother is still living.
John F. Ragsdale and wife have two children:
(1) John Lynn, born June 14th, 1915.
(2) Josephine Elizabeth, born September 2nd, 1916.
Mr. Ragsdale is a Republican in politics, active in party matters, and has served as township collector. Both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church.
While Mr. Ragsdale's farm is well adapted to grow- ing grain, it is in effect a stock farm, all the grain grown thereon being fed to cattle and hogs. There is shipped from this farm about three cars of cattle and one car of hogs each year. Mr. Ragsdale also keeps a small flock of sheep. In addition to erecting a splendid barn and other outbuildings, the owner of this farm has built a 200-ton silo.
This farm is supplied with a first-class watering system, having a number of good wells, springs and branches, the supply being handled with a windmill. About 40 acres of this farm is still in native forest, the remainder being in grass and under cultivation. All is fenced and cross-fenced.
Mr. Ragsdale is a quiet, unassuming man, but every fiber of his being is filled with energy and enthusiasm. He is an earnest advocate of good roads, more intensive cultivation of the soil, and more live stock for the num- ber of acres cultivated. He deprecates the idea of rais- ing and shipping grain, and insists that in order to main- tain the original fertility of the soil more stock must be fed on the land. The brand of prosperity is stamped upon every enterprise of Mr. Ragsdale's farm.
WILLIAM RAUBINGER.
William Raubinger of Everton is one of our leading business men. He was born in Marine, Madison County,
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HISTORY OF DADE COUNTY AND HER PEOPLE
Illinois, December 8th, 1863, a son of Anton and Kather- ine (Adler) Raubinger, both natives of Germany, there- fore William Raubinger is a full-blooded German, al- though born in the great state of Illinois. Anton Raubin- ger was born October 7th, 1830, while his wife was born November 2nd, 1835. He died December 19th, 1908, and she February 7th, 1891. He was a cabinet maker by trade, and came to the United States in 1856, and re- sided in St. Louis, Mo., for two years, where he was married, and then moved to Madison County, Illinois, where he followed stationary engineering. To this couple were born five children, as follows: Emma, now the widow of Christ Zimmerman, and lives in Marine, Ill., and she has three children, Christ, Alfred and Marie; William, of this review; Mary, married Emil Jentsch, and she has three children, Christ, Alfred and Marie; F., is engaged in the mining business at Aurora, Mo., and has three children, Flora, Lloyd and Melton; Emile L., is a resident of Higginsville, where he is employed as bookkeeper for the Higginsville Milling Company.
William Raubinger learned the milling business and worked first for the Valier & Spies Milling Company at Marine, Ill., then for H. Prange & Sons as second miller at New Douglas, Ill., then came to Ash Grove, Greene County, where he worked for the Likens Milling Com- pany for three years, when he was transferred to Everton and took charge of the Likens Mill there, remaining two years, when he moved to Mt. Vernon, Lawrence County, Missouri, where he rented the mill and run the same for six years. In 1897 he came back to Everton and bought the large milling property which he now owns and runs from C. W. Likens. This is fine property and Mr. Rau- binger has added large warerooms to the mill proper and also built a fine new residence adjoining. Here he has built up the largest milling plant in the county. The mill was originally built by Galbraith & Tarrant. The present capacity is 125 barrels, with a 20,000-bushel ele- vator, and thoroughly equipped with modern machinery, and is run to full capacity practically all the time. Mr.
R. H. DARST AND WIFE. AT HOME.
SOME REAL PIONEERS. MARION, SAM AND ALLEN WHEELER, WILLIAM D. DARST.
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HISTORY OF DADE COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Raubinger has two brands of flour for which he enjoys a fine trade; they are named "Snow Kist," the leading brand, and "Magnolia," for his second grade. This is the only soft wheat mill in the county, and the product is the very best in this part of Missouri. He is a large buyer and shipper of corn, oats, rye and kaffir corn.
Mr. Raubinger married in Marine, Ill., Miss Mary Nemnich, who was born October 16th, 1865, a daughter of Henry Nemnich and wife, both natives of Germany. The father is now deceased, and his widow passed away September 28th, 1916.
To Mr. and Mrs. Raubinger have been born six chil- dren, as follows: Columbia, born December 2nd, 1893; Pauline, born October 26th, 1895; Walter, born January 14th, 1898; Alma, born January 22nd, 1900; Lydia, born December 4th, 1902; Ellis, born December 1st, 1904. This fine family of children have had and are having the very best of educational advantages. They are all mem- bers of the Presbyterian church, of which Mr. Raubinger is a deacon. In politics Mr. Raubinger is a Republican, and takes an active interest in all affairs of the country. Truly, Mr. Raubinger is a desirable citizen. He is always ready to help with his time and money on any enter- prise that is for the betterment of public conditions. He is a good booster for good roads and a staunch friend of our free public school system, and is at present serv- ing on the school board. It is a pleasure to hold a con- versation with him on any subject, for he is a broad- minded, courteous gentleman and man of affairs.
JEROME LEE RAWHAUSER.
Was born at Columbus City, Ia., February 9th, 1869. His father, David Rawhauser, was born at York, Pa., in 1832, and died in 1908. He was of German ancestry, his forefathers coming from the Fatherland to Pennsylvania in an early day. He had a common school education, was a carpenter by trade, and was both industrious and successful. He was a member of the United Brethren
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HISTORY OF DADE COUNTY AND HER PEOPLE
church, in politics a Whig, and later a Republican. He was a good citizen, progressive, liberal-minded, held local offices, and was charitably disposed, but of a retiring, reticent disposition. He was one of a family of nine children. He came to Muscatine, Ia., with his wife about the year 1851, and later moved to Louisa County, where he spent the remainder of his days. He married Anna Marie Blosser, a German girl, who was born in the Fa- therland in 1836, but who came to Pennsylvania with her father, where she was married. She was one of a family of four children, and had a common school edu- cation in English and German. Was a member of the United Brethren church, and the mother of eight chil- dren:
(1) Jane, born at Muscatine, Ia., married Andrew Baker, a farmer in Oklahoma.
(2) William B., born in Muscatine, Ia., and is now a harness maker at Carroll, Ia.
(3) Clara, died in infancy.
(4) Caroline, born at Columbus City, Ia., married William Towner, now residing in the state of Washing- ton. He is a farmer.
(5) Ira, died at the age of 15 years.
(6) Lula, died at the age of 13 years.
(7) Clara, born at Columbus City, Ia., married David Griffith, a tinner and plumber at Grinnell, Ia.
(8) Jerome Lee, the subject of this sketch.
J. L. Rawhauser attended the public schools in Columbus City, Ia., after which he entered a drug store and took up the study of pharmacy, after which he at- tended the Iowa State School of Pharmacy, from which he graduated.
After graduation he clerked for two years in a drug store in Tipton, Ia., and then entered the drug business on his own account at Columbus City. He then sold out and spent four years at the Keokuk College of Phy- sicians and Surgeons, receiving his diploma in 1907. His first practice was in Saratoga, Wyo., after which he spent three years in the practice at Central Point, Ore.
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HISTORY OF DADE COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
In 1909 he located at Cassville, Mo., and after four years of practice at that place came to Greenfield. He has succeeded in building up a splendid practice in Dade County.
On the 8th day of March, 1894, he was married to Kate Gambell of Winfield, Ia., a daughter of John and Margaret (Fulton) Gambell, who trace their ancestry back to the Pilgrims who came over in the Mayflower. Her father was a farmer and school teacher. Mrs. Raw- hauser also taught school, is a member of the Presbyte- rian church and a member of the Colonial Dames.
Mr. and Mrs. Rawhauser are the parents of three children:
(1) Anna, born June 20th, 1896, at Tipton, Ia., graduated from the Greenfield High School, class of 1915, and is now at home.
(2) John Gambell, born at Lone Tree, Ia., Septem- ber 6th, 1899.
(3) Jerome Lee Jr., born at Central Point, Ore .. August 15th, 1908.
Dr. Rawhauser is a member of the Presbyterian church, a member of the Odd Fellows and formerly was a Knights of Pythias, physician for and a member of the W. O. W., and in politics a Republican. He is progres- sive, public-spirited and wide-awake. He maintains a splendid office, equipped with the latest appliances of his profession, and is fast becoming one of the leading ply- sicians of southwest Missouri. He has received a com- mission from the United States government in the Offi- cers' Medical Reserve Corps, with rank of first lieutenant.
0-
LEWIS RENFRO.
Was born on Pennsylvania Prairie, Dade County, Mis- souri, March 16th, 1843, where he grew to manhood. He was educated in the common schools of that part of the county, spending all his early life on a farm. At the break- ing out of the Civil war he enlisted early in the summer of 1861 for six months' service in Captain John M. Stem- mons' company, Coffey's Regiment, Raines Brigade, in the
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HISTORY OF DADE COUNTY AND HER PEOPLE
Southern army. He participated in the battle of Wilson's Creek, Lexington, Lone Jack, Carthage, Cow Skin Prairie and several other minor engagements. At the expiration of his six months' service, in company with his brother, John F., and family, he went south to Texas, and in March. 1862, enlisted in the Confederate service for three years, or during the war, in Company C, Twenty-ninth Texas Cavalry, which regiment was being recruited at Paris, Tex. This regiment was assigned to the Indian service, and acted as a guard between the Indian nations and the state of Texas. During the first part of this service he was in the command of General Cooper, but later on General Gano commanded the Indian department. The fighting in this service was mostly skirmishes, although there were some hard-fought battles, namely, Greenleaf, Poison Springs and Cabin Creek. Mr. Renfro remained with this command till the fall of 1863, when he was transferred to Company A, Third Missouri Cavalry, Colonel's Coffey's old regiment, Shelby's Brigade, and which took active part in all the battles of the trans-Mississippi department, including the battles of Cow Skin Prairie, Marks' Mill, Jenkins' Ferry and the Price Raid in 1864, when there was fighting prac- tically every day. Two of the largest battles in which he was engaged were Westport and Mine Creek, both near Kansas City, where the Confederates had two generals, John S. Marmaduke and General Cabble, captured with part of their commands. Another hard battle was fought at Newtonia, where Colonel Smith was killed. This was the last hard battle he was in during the war.
Mr. Renfro held several non-commissioned appoint- ments, but was commissioned as third lieutenant. When the war closed he was acting adjutant of the Third Missouri Cavalry, with the rank of captain. At the close of the war he went back to Texas, and remained there until the spring of 1867. In the spring of 1867 he came to Missouri for a short stay, returning to Texas, where he remained until the spring of 1868, when he again returned to Dade County, and where he has lived ever since.
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HISTORY OF DADE COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
On the 24th day of September, 1868, he was married to Mollie Moore Finley, and settled on a farm near Mt. Zion, in the Preston neighborhood, and lived there until the spring of 1876, when he bought a farm one mile south of Greenfield. He lived on this farm till the spring of 1880, when he moved to Greenfield and engaged in the mercantile business. He followed this business until 1893, when, on account of poor health, he quit the mercantile business and returned to the farm, dealing in stock. Mr. Renfro was very successful in every line of business in which he engaged, and at one time owned over 1,000 acres of land in Dade and Lawrence Counties. In addition to his real estate, he also owned considerable personal property.
Three children were born of this first marriage:
(1) Dellie L., died at the age of 15 months.
(2) Myrtle lived to maturity, married, and died in her 28th year, leaving four children, one a baby girl, which died two months later.
(3) Forest M., lives in Greenfield, is married, has a family of five children, two boys and three girls.
Mr. Renfro's first wife died June 10th, 1890, and on the 9th day of June, 1892, he was married a second time, to Miss Mary E. Leslie, and to this union were born two chil- dren, a boy and a girl:
(1) Lucile, died December 10th, 1902, nearly 10 years of age.
(2) Leslie, now lives in Detroit, Mich., and has a position with the Ford Automobile Company.
Mr. Renfro has been an active Democrat in politics and has made three races for county offices on the Demo- cratic ticket, once for sheriff, once for collector and once for county treasurer, and, although the county is over- whelmingly Republican, he ran far ahead of his ticket each time, being defeated for county treasurer by only 86 votes. In 1906 he was tendered the nomination for circuit clerk by an unanimous vote of his party convention, but declined. He was twice elected justice of the peace in Center Town- ship, which is one of the Republican strongholds of the
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county. Mr. Renfro is a man of strong physique, although slightly wounded three times during the Civil war.
He was elected and served as assessor and treasurer of Smith Township under Township Organization from 1875 to 1880. He also took the census of that township in 1880, and now has in his possession a copy of that work.
At the organization of the R. S. Jacobs Banking Com- pany in 1892 he was elected one of the directors of that in- stitution. He was also associated with R. S. Jacobs in the mercantile business, at the same time in the "Boston Store," under the firm name and style of L. Renfro & Co., Mr. Jacobs being the "company." This firm had the high- est commercial rating of any retail store in the state of Missouri at that time.
Mr. Renro is a modest, unassuming man, of quiet de- meanor, but always eminently successful in all his business undertakings. Before he divided his property with his children he was reputed to be worth upwards of $25,000.
Mr. Renfro is now in his 75th year, but still hale and hearty, and bids fair to live to a ripe old age, being, as far as known, the oldest living person born in Dade County, and claiming it for a home since birth. Although well along in years, Mr. Renfro is still young in spirit, and takes great interest in current events.
He was initiated into the mysteries of Free Masonry in Washington lodge No. 87, A. F. & A. M., in 1880, and has since filled all the offices in said lodge, both elective and appointive. He united with the Presbyterian church at Greenfield in the summer of 1893.
Captain Renfro, as he is familiarly known among the Confederate Veterans, has always taken great interest in the fraternal societies of the Southern Confederacy, and has attended practically all the reunions, both county, dis triet, state and national, for many years. At present he is adjutant general and chief of staff of the Missouri Division U. V. C., and attended the National Reunion at Washington City in June, 1917, at which time he had the pleasure of meeting the President personally, and of hearing him speak,
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an honor and pleasure afforded but few men in the com- moner walks of life.
Mr. Renfro is yet active in the everyday affairs of life and is regarded as one of the substantial business men of the county. A man of honesty, integrity and good report.
JOSEPH H. RENFRO.
The subject of this interesting sketch was born in Dade County on Pennsylvania Prairie June 26th, 1848, a son of Absolom Renfro, a sketch of whose life is given in full in the history of Lewis Renfro at another place in this volume.
Joseph H. received his education in the common schools of Dade County, with the exception of one year in Texas and two years in Dallas County. At the age of 15 years he enlisted in the Confederate army, in the spring of 1864, and was in the service about one year. He was in Company A, Missouri Cavalry Troop, under the same command as his brother Lewis.
After the war the Renfro family returned to Dade County and engaged in farming. Joseph was married Octo- ber 18th, 1868, to Mary J. Merrick, a native of Tennessee, born in 1850 and came to Dade County with her father, James Merrick, in 1851. To this union were born four children, one of whom is now living:
(1) Perry C., born in 1871, died in 1895 at the age of 24 years. He was married to Laura F. Miller, and they had one child, Perry C., who was married to Carrie Bird of Dade County in 1917, and now reside on the old Merrick homestead in Smith Township.
(2) Bell, died at the age of 15 months.
(3) T. Clyde, born in 1875, married Cora Elmore of South Greenfield. They moved to Springfield, where he died in 1917, leaving three children, Artie, Hazel and Lloyd.
(4) Laura, born in 1880, and is now Mrs. J. H. Fuqua. He is engaged in the merchandise business at South Green- field.
Mrs. Renfro died in Dade County February 14th, 1908, and is buried on the old Merrick homestead, on Limestone Prairie.
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HISTORY OF DADE COUNTY AND HER PEOPLE
Joseph H. Renfro was again married, on the 7th day of October, 1916, to Emma E. (Harper) Cochran, widow of Elder W. B. Cochran, a minister of the Christian church and widely known throughout southwest Missouri. He was born April 13th, 1846, in Clay County, Missouri, and died at his home in South Greenfield March 1st, 1913. He was pastor of the Christian church at Aurora for over 21 years, and as an evangelist he has established over 50 churches and baptized over 2,500 converts during his ministerial life. He was a Knight Templar and a member of the I. O. O. F., and had served in the General Assembly of Missouri from botlı Dade and Lawrence Counties. Emma E. (Har- per) Cochran was his second wife, and to this union were born six children, all living:
(1) Hugh F.
(2) Ruth A., married Fred Eisert of Dade County.
(3) W. B. Jr.
(4) Robert A.
(5) -Blanch C., married Lester Godfrey of South Greenfield.
(6) Charles H.
Joseph H. Renfro and wife are each members of the Christian church, his membership extending over a period of more than 40 years, and being an organizer of the churches both at South Greenfield and Pennsboro, being a deacon at the latter place.
Mr. Renfro started in life for himself in 1869 by buying 40 aeres of land from his brother Lewis. Since then he has bought and sold real estate, making improvements, and prospering, until he was the owner of a splendid farm of 120 acres on Honey Creek, which he has recently sold and taken up his abode in Greenfield.
Mr. Renfro is a member of the Confederate Post, an active member in church, served for many years on the school board in his home district, was always in favor of good roads, good schools, and a progressive farmer.
Mrs. Renro is a great-great-granddaughter of Daniel Boone, a lady of refinement and culture, and a splendid
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D. F. EDMONSON AND WIFE. THEIR COUNTRY HOME.
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HISTORY OF DADE COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
housekeeper. They are among Dade County's most es- timable people.
0
ABSALOM RENFRO.
Was born at or near Crab Orchard, Ky., January 15th, 1806, where he grew to manhood. He was raised on a farm, but never received much education. Before he reached his majority he went to Madison County, Tennessee, and en- gaged in hauling goods from Nashville to inland towns. On the 16th day of June, 1825, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Penn, a grandniece of the noted Quaker, Wil- liam Penn. Her father was named after the original Wil- liam Penn. Mr. Renfro continued to follow teaming until the fall of 1829, when, in company with several other fami- lies, they came to southwest Missouri and stopped for the winter where the city of Springfield is now located. In the spring of 1830 they scattered out, except Billie Fulbright, who was one of the parties coming from Tennessee. He remained in Greene County, and Fulbright Springs derived its name from him. Absalom Renfro located where Little Orleans now stands, on Sac river. From there he came to what is known as the Manis place in Dade County. He sold his claim there and located on what is known as the Willis Beard farm. After living there for a time he sold out and located where the Speer mill now stands, and just a short time before the first land sales at Springfield he sold that claim and located 320 acres, being the first land sale in southwest Missouri. This was in the spring of 1840, and this 320 acres remained his home till the date of his death, May 15th, 1875. He professed religion at the age of 40 years and united with the Southern Methodist church, and remained a faithful member until death.
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