USA > Missouri > History of southeast Missouri : a narrative account of its historical progress, its people and its principal interests, Volume II > Part 76
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BEN WILSON. A man of excellent business capacity and judgment, and an expert ac- countant, Ben Wilson, of Essex, is well known in financial circles as cashier of the Farmers' Bank, a substantial and prosperous institu- tion which is well patronized. A native son of Stoddard county, he was born near Leora April 3, 1873, and was educated in the public schools of Bloomfield.
As a young man Mr. Wilson served for three years as deputy county clerk and re- corder under Mr. C. A. Moseley, and was afterwards deputy recorder of deeds under Asa Norman for an equal length of time. Entering then the employ of the Graham Mercantile Company, Mr. Wilson remained with the firm as salesman until it was re- moved to Arkansas, a period of four or five years. Coming then to Essex, he accepted a position with A. R. Emory, at first serving as salesman and later as bookkeeper. Going to Arkansas, Mr. Wilson on January 1, 1907, was made manager and bookkeeper of the Monette Supply Company, of which Mr. Gra- ham was owner, the position being one of im- portance. Owing to the exceedingly limited educational advantages in that place, Mr. Wilson returned to Essex with his family, and was again bookkeeper for Mr. Emory until assuming his present position with the Farmer's Bank. This bank has a paid-up capital of twenty thousand dollars, with a surplus of fonr thousand dollars, and de- posits amounting to sixty thousand five hun- dred dollars, and has for its officers J. P. La Rue, president; William J. Hux, vice-pres- ident; and Mr. Wilson as cashier.
Mr. Wilson married Mary T. Davis, who was born in Mississippi, but was reared and educated in Stoddard county, a daughter of Garah Davis, a typical Southern gentleman. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wilson, one of whom, Roger Davis Wil- son, died when but eight years of age. Those Vol. II-26
living are as follows: Ben, Paul and Eliza- beth. Mr. Wilson was a charter member of Bloomfield Lodge, I. O. O. F., and is now a member of the Essex Lodge of that order.
JOHN P. LARUE. Stoddard county, Mis- souri, figures as one of the most attractive, progressive and prosperous divisions of the state, justly claiming a high order of citi- zenship and a spirit of enterprise which is certain to conserve consecutive development and marked advancement in the material up- building of this section. The county has been and is signally favored in the class of men who have contributed to its development along commercial and agricultural lines, and in the latter connection the subject of this review demands recognition, as he has been actively engaged in farming operations dur- ing practically his entire life thus far. He has long been known as a prosperous and en- terprising agriculturist and one whose busi- ness methods demonstrate the power of ac- tivity and honesty in the business world. In addition to his other interests he is a raiser and shipper of high-grade stock and he is also the present able and popular incumbent of the office of president of the Farmers Bank of Essex. The splendidly improved farm on which he resides at present is located in the vicinity of Frisco.
A native of the fine old Blue Grass state, John P. LaRue was born in Hardin county, Kentucky, the date of his nativity being the 25th of December, 1865. He is a son of Jacob and Rhoda F. (Perry) LaRue, the former of whom was born in France and the latter of whom claims Kentucky as the place of her birth. The father immigrated to the United States in the year 1829, and his mar- riage was solemnized in Kentucky, whence removal was made to Missouri in the year 1869, location having been made on a farm some four miles west of Bloomfield, in Stod- dard county. Subsequently the family home was established in Dexter, where Mr. LaRue ran a boarding house for the railroad men employed on the Cairo branch of the Iron Mountain Road, for which company he also worked. In 1874 he again turned his atten- tion to agricultural pursuits, removing in that year to a farm just north of Bloomfield. Two years later settlement was made on the Holmes Farm near East Swamp, between Dexter and Essex. In 1878 the father was summoned to the life eternal, at the age of fifty-six years, and he was survived by a
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widow and a family of thirteen children. James M. the eldest son, died in 1880, leav- ing John P., of this notice, to assume the re- sponsibility of the care of the family. The mother is still living, her home being with John P. LaRue.
In his youth John P. LaRue received but very meager educational advantages, the same consisting of about three months' attendance in the neighboring district schools. At the age of fifteen, at the death of his older brother, he became virtually the head of the family and on his good judgment depended largely the maintenance of his younger brothers and sisters. When twenty-one years of age he purchased a tract of about forty acres of land, paying for the same three dol- lars per acre. Previously he had been rent- ing this land and he paid for it ont of the crops. In 1887 he disposed of it for two hun- dred dollars, which sum he invested in a farm of one hundred and thirty-three acres, becoming indebted for six hundred dollars. This farm was partially improved and after working it for four or five years Mr. LaRue sold it for thirty-five hundred dollars, thus realizing a large profit on his investment. He continued to barter in land and at one time owned one hundred and sixty acres of heavily timbered land in Stoddard county. He began to clear his tract of woods, haul- ing logs to Dexter to start a factory. In 1895 he disposed of all his other property and bought a farm of two hundred and forty acres of most arable land eligibly located some six miles south of Essex, paying twenty dol- lars an acre for it. He resided in the vicin- ity of Essex from 1903 to 1908 and during that time was engaged in diversified agri- culture and in the growing and shipping of thoroughbred stock. He improved his land until he had two hundred acres under culti- vation and he erected a fine large barn and a beautiful, modern residence. In 1909 he traded some Essex real estate for eighty acres of land still farther south, which he later sold. In 1911 he removed from his farm near Essex to an estate of one hundred and fifty- three acres near the village of Frisco, where he is living at the present time. For this property he paid fifty-seven dollars an acre but through many improvements of recent installment he has raised the value to seventy-five dollars an acre. His old farm is also valned at seventy-five dollars an acre. Mr. LaRue now devotes most of his time and attention to the raising of cattle and hogs,
which are sired by thoroughbred males. While his tenants grow cotton he does not en- courage it as a crop.
In 1907 Mr. LaRue became instrumental in the organization of the Farmers Bank at Es- sex, which substantial financial institution is incorporated under the laws of the state with a capital stock of two thousand dollars and which is officered as follows: John P. LaRue, president; W. J. Hrux, vice-president; and Ben Wilson, cashier. In his political con- victions Mr. LaRue accords an uncompromis- ing allegiance to the principles and policies for which the Democratic party stands spon- sor and while he is not particularly ambitious for the honors or emoluments of public of- fice he has served with the utmost efficiency as mayor of the village of Essex. He is deeply interested in educational affairs and lias been a school director for a number of years. In 1903 he started a farmers co-op- erative telephone company from Essex to the Vincent school house and while the same be- came established the farmers failed to keep it up. However, he has kept up his own line from Frisco to Essex. Mr. LaRue is decid- edly a loyal and public-spirited citizen and he has ever done all in his power to advance the best interests of the county in which he has so long resided. Inasmuch as his splendid success in life is the outcome of his own well directed efforts it is the more gratifying to contemplate and by reason of his fair and honorable methods he is well deserving of distinctive mention in this compilation and of the unalloyed confidence and esteem of his fellow men.
In Stoddard county, Missouri, in the year 1889, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. La- Rue to Miss Ida Belle Allstun, who is a na- tive of this section of the state and who is a daughter of H. B. Allstun, a sketch of whose career appears on other pages of this work, so that detailed data at this juncture are not deemed essential. Mr. and Mrs. LaRue are the parents of eleven children, whose names are here entered in respective order of birth, -Charles B., Alma, Walter, John, Leta, Ora, Louis, Pansy, Russell, Harry and Herschel, all of whom remain at the parental home. Charles B., the oldest son, is farming for him- self on one of his father's farms and Alma is the wife of Elijah Langley, a prominent citi- zen and business man at Essex. In his relig- ious interests Mr. LaRue is not formally identified with any church but he attends and gives his support to the Baptist church, of
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which his wife is a consistent member. In a fraternal way he is affiliated with the time- honored Masonic order and with the local lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows.
ELIAS V. MCGREW. Having lived in Dun- klin county all his life, a prosperous farmer and highly esteemed citizen, Elias V. Mc- Grew is one of the old settlers and is the son of one who was a pioneer in the best of the term. Hamilton McGrew, his father, who was born in Illinois in 1842, was brought to Dunklin county by his parents in 1845. The family first lived near Cotton Plant, and then at Buffalo Island. No school existed in the county at that time, so his education was limited. He married Miss Elisa Branum, who was a native of Dunklin county. Seven children were born to them, but three sons and three daughters died, so that Elias V. is the only remaining representative of the family. Hamilton McGrew was one of the enterprising early settlers, and he acquired one hundred and sixty acres of land, forty of which cost a dollar and a quarter an acre, and the rest two and a half dollars an acre. Much of this he cleared himself. He had a cabin home, and he spent his life as an in- dustrious and prosperous farmer. His wife died December 5, 1879, and he passed away April 17, 1902.
Elias V. McGrew was born on the farm where he has spent the rest of his life on December 29, 1871. He lost his mother when he was eight years old, and he was reared on the home farm and attended free school at Buffalo Island. At the age of eighteen he married Miss Martha Noonan at Senath. She was born in Illinois, July 11, 1873.
His father having retired from regular labor several years before his death, Mr. Mc- Grew has had the active management of the home farm for a number of years. Not only has he done much to improve and develop the home farm which he got from his father, but he has increased his holdings until he is now one of the most extensive land owners in the vicinity. His possessions consist of five hundred and eleven acres, about one hundred and fifty being slough land, two hundred acres in cultivation and the rest timbered. In a short time practically all the land will be cleared. On the home place he has built a comfortable residence, and he has four houses for tenants, one being an especially good dwelling of the kind. He has a large amount
of wire fencing, and all his improvements are of a substantial character that enhance the value of the land and contribute to the pro- gress of the community. His farm is five miles southwest of Senath, at which town he does his trading. He also owns a house and lot in Cardwell.
Mr. McGrew is a member of the Masonic lodge at Senath, and in politics is a Repub- lican. He and his wife lost four of their children in infancy. The family now con- sists of: James H., born in 1890; William H., born in 1892; Fred L., born in 1896; Ed- ward V., born in 1900.
B. W. GREEN. There is no better known figure in Kennett than that of B. W. Green, the blacksmith, farmer, saw miller and Bible student. At either of the above occupations he is an expert.
He was born in Tennessee, Marshall county, in 1854, but owing to the condition of things in the south on account of the Civil war he received very little schooling. When he was sixteen years old he moved to Obion county, Tennessee. For six years he worked at all sorts of trades, being willing to do anything to earn an honest living. He then became a blacksmith in Horn Beak, Obion county, carrying on his work as a blacksmith at the farm which he has bought. His blacksmithy was known all over the county, as he was considered the best blacksmith of that re- gion. After staying in Horn Beak for nine years he moved into the "bottoms" of the county, which is the region where the night riders were famous. In 1901 Mr. Green came to Missouri and bought four hundred and twenty-two acres of land, most of which he still owns. He owned some land on Two Mile Island, where he started a saw mill a little later. He has operated this saw mill irregularly for eight years, for the most part sawing timber from his own land. He has one hundred and eighty-five acres of his land under cultivation and he has put up all the buildings that are on the place. He once had the misfortune to have his mill burn down, but he is not one of the kind who can be dannted by any mishaps.
In 1874 Mr. Green married Gertrude Wil- son, of Obion county, Tennessee. Four sons have been born to the couple, B. J., A. C., H. T. and C. J., all living on the farm, which they rent from their father.
Mr. Green is a Democrat. While he lived is Tennessee he was an elder in the Christian
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church, and has held the same office ever since he came to Missouri. He takes the greatest interest in the work of the church and de- lights in having discussions on religious sub- jects. While he was in Tennessee he raised seven hundred and fifty dollars of the thou- sand dollars for a church near his place and now a new church is being built in Kennett, of which Mr. Green was the main promoter. He has studied the Bible for thirty-five years and is thoroughly well up in the Scriptures. One of the Scriptural teachings which he has always carried out in his own life is to do with all his might anything which he under took.
JAMES H. HOLLAND. A natural mechanic, J. H. Holland acquired skill in the use of tools when young and served an old-time ap- prenticeship at the carpenter's trade, receiv- ing sixty dollars and his board for his first year's service, and one hundred and twenty- five dollars and his board the second year. He subsequently worked as a journeyman for four years, becoming an expert builder and joiner.
Mr. Holland also achieved success in the very exacting work of a pattern maker, as a young man being employed at the Quincy Foundry, in Quincy, Illinois, in that capac- ity. He subsequently spent ten years work- ing at his trade in Pike and Adams counties, Illinois, from there coming to Missouri, which promised for him a rich field of labor. Spending two years in Dexter, he erected many residences in that part of the county, and also several store buildings, including among others that occupied by the Miles' grocery. For the past six years Mr. Holland has been a resident of Essex, and here he has erected many of the more important private and public buildings of this place, and has also erected many of the county buildings, in every case giving excellent satisfaction as re- garded the artistic and durability of his work.
Mr. Holland has likewise filled important contracts in Arkansas, having erected the Female College at Conway, at a cost of seventy thousand dollars, and also doing con- siderable shop work at Pine Bluff.
Mr. Holland has been twice married. by his first wife having six children. He subse- quently married, in Arkansas, Mrs. Mattie J. (Remington) Bushfield, as a daughter of Alma Remington, who is engaged in the mil- linery business at Dexter.
JOSEPH W. MORRILL, one of Pacific's most highly respected citizens, is one of the en- gineers of long standing of the 'Frisco sys- tem, and for eighteen years has resided in this place. By the circumstances of birth he is a Canadian, his eyes having first opened to the light of day on Morrill Hill in Stanstead county, Quebec, October, 2, 1860. His father was David R. Morrill, a farmer and a native of that county, where the grandfather, Isaac Morrill, located as an emigrant from the state of New Hampshire. The family traces its lineage back to England and its remote American progenitor founded the family in New England among its pioneers. David R. Morrill was engaged in pastoral pursuits and was married in the county of his nativity to Miss Sarah Roberts, who was his second wife. By a former marriage there was a son, Estes H. Morrill, of Boston, Massachusetts. To the second union were born: Charles E., of Bos- ton, Massachusetts; Mrs. May Whitcher, of Chicago; Frank B., of Stanstead county, Quebec; and Joseph W., the subject. The father and mother passed away where they had made their lives and are remembered as worthy members of society.
Joseph E. Morrill was educated in the com- mon schools of his birthplace and at the age of eighteen years crossed over the boundary line to the United States. He found employ- ment as a wagon driver for an ice company at Boston and in November, 1879, he made a step which was to prove of importance in his life, coming west to Missouri and entering the service of the 'Frisco company as a laborer in their round house at Pacific. Proving faith- ful and efficient in small things, he was given more and more to do, and in a year he had worked himself up to the position of fireman, and in 1883 he was deemed sufficiently ex- perienced and trustworthy for the important position of engineer. He was in the freight service of the company until February, 1904, when he was given the Pacific Accommodation run to St. Louis, and this he still holds.
It was while running as a fireman and while located at Rolla, Missouri, that Mr. Morrill took out his first papers as a citizen of the United States. He completed that for- mality in St. Louis, and while he emphasizes the importance of independence in municipal affairs, he holds fast to the principles of pro- tection and votes for the Republican candi- dates for state and national officials. As he is known to be a staunch champion of good edu-
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cation, he was selected by his district some twelve years ago as a member of the school board of Pacific, and was chosen chairman of the board in 1911.
On November 18, 1885, Mr. Morrill was united in marriage to Miss Ida M. Murphy, a daughter of E. W. Murphy, of Dixon, Mis- souri. The issue of their marriage are Eulas C., J. Raymond, Helen M. and Donald E., an interesting quartet of young people who help to make of the hospitable Morrill home ยท a delightful abode.
Having aided as a stockholder in the organ- ization of the Citizen's Bank of Pacific, Mr. Morrill was made one of its directors. He is also a member of the official board of the Pacific Home Telephone Company. He has belonged to the Masonic fraternity since 1884, and for an equal period to the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. He and his family are affiliated with the Presbyterian church, to which they give valued support. Mr. and Mrs. Morrill stand high in the confidence and esteem of the community in which their in- terests are centered, and are recognized as valuable members of the communal life of Pacific.
DAWSEY RYAN, M. D. One of the repre- sentative physicians and surgeons of Bernie, Missouri, Dr. Dawsey Ryan is well uphold- ing the prestige of the honored name which he bears. His professional career excites the admiration and has won the respect of his contemporaries, and in a calling in which one has to gain reputation by merit he has stead- ily advanced until he is acknowledged as the superior of most of the members of the calling in this part of the state, having left the ranks of the many to stand among the successful few. Dr. Ryan has been a resi- dent of Bernie since 1905 and his public- spirited citizenship has been an important element in connection with progress and im- provement in this section of the state.
A native of Galatia, Illinois, Dr. Ryan was born on the 23d of October, 1881, and he is a son of Henry N. and Hanna (Jerdon) Ryan. The mother died at the age of twenty- seven years. The father was identified with farming operations during the greater part of his active career and he and his wife be- came the parents of three children, of whom Dawsey of this review was the first in order of birth. His father is still living on the old home place, and is now fifty years of age. Dr. Ryan was reared to the invigorat-
ing discipline of the old homestead farm in Illinois, in the work and management of which he early began to assist his father. His preliminary educational training consisted of such advantages as were offered in the public schools of his native place and at the age of nineteen years he became interested in the study of medicine. With that profes- sion as his ultimate goal, he entered the Col- lege of Physicians & Surgeons, at St. Louis, Missouri, and in that excellent institution was graduated as a member of the class of 1904, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He opened offices and entered upon the prac- tice of his profession at Galatia, his old home town in Illinois, but desiring a broader field he came to Southeastern Missouri in the fol- lowing year, locating at Bernie, where he has since resided. His success in this place was assured from the start and he is now re- garded as one of the most skilled physicians and surgeons in Stoddard county, where he controls a large and lucrative patronage. In connection with the work of his profession he is a valued and appreciative member of the Southeastern Missouri Medical Society and in a fraternal way he is affiliated with the Masonic order, being affiliated with Ber- nie Lodge, No. 573, Free & Accepted Masons. In politics he accords an unswerving al- legiance to the principles and policies pro- mulgated by the Republican party but his extensive medical practice prevents an ac- tive participation in public affairs.
At Harrisburg, Illinois, in the year 1904, Dr. Ryan was united in marriage to Miss Bertha Baker, who was born and reared in Illinois and who is a daughter of Henry and Phoebe (Gahm) Baker. Dr. and Mrs. Ryan have one child, Lois, whose birth occurred on the 30th of September, 1905. In relig- ious faith Mrs. Ryan is a devout member of the Methodist church and in a social way they are popular factors in connection with the best activities of their home community.
HUGH C. DAVIDSON, M. D. In the profes- sional annals of Butler county the name of Dr. Hugh C. Davidson, deceased, is one of importance, for no one more conscientiously and helpfully answered the call of the suffer- ing public. By native ability and training he was well equipped for his position in the community, and his memory is one of the prized heritages of the county. Dr. David- son was born in Hickman county, Tennessee, in 1832, the son of Rev. David and Theresa
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(Green) Davidson. In 1854 the father came to Butler county, Black river township, and there he continued to reside until a short time previous to his death, which occurred in Iron county in 1866. His entire life was given to the ministry of the Christian church and he was known as an eloquent speaker and zealous worker for the cause. He was the son of Joseph Davidson, a Scotchman, the county in Tennessee of that designation having been named in honor of that stanch citizen and pioneer. He was a Revolutionary soldier and he died in Hick- man county, Tennessee, at the age of one hundred and four years. The mother of Dr. Davidson was born in Ohio, in 1806, and her demise occurred in 1864, two years pre- vious to that of his father.
Hugh C. Davidson as a youth pursued his higher studies, such as Latin and Greek, under private teachers, and at the age of twenty-one years he began the study of med- icine. He subsequently matriculated in the Philadelphia Medical College and was grad- uated with the class of 1866. In 1862, at the time of the Civil war, he joined the secret service and was made provost-marshal for the sixteenth and seventeenth districts of Mis- souri, which office he retained until June, 1864, when he again entered upon his studies. As soon as his preparation was completed he began upon his life work and engaged in practice until his death on April 25, 1902.
Dr. Davidson was the owner of a fine farm of five hundred acres in Butler county, situated near Hendricks, and upon this es- tate he maintained his home. In addition to his other interests he was prominent in pol- itics, and was twice candidate for the state legislature on the Republican ticket. Sub- sequent to that he was nominated for con- gress on the Republican ticket.
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