USA > Missouri > Greene County > Past and present of Greene County Missouri, early and recent history and genealogical records of many of the representative citizens, Volume I > Part 82
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The business motto of Mr. Nichols was, "Do that which your sense of right demands, leaving the consequences to take care of themselves," and this he tried to observe at all times. One of the north side organizations of railroad men was named for Mr. Nichols, and Nichols Junction, the first station west of Springfield on the Frisco, was also named for him, as well as Nichols street in the city of Springfield. He was greatly interested in the upbuilding of the northern business section of Springfield, and he also did much for the development of Drury College and was a decided friend to the churches of all denominations, and every church in this city received aid
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from him, which was always gladly and freely given, but in a quiet manner. He was charitably inclined, but not in order to gain the plaudits of his fellow men, rather from a sense of duty and spirit of genuine altruism. Ile became very religious during the latter part of his life, and was instrumental in establishing Episcopal missions in New Mexico and Louisiana.
Captain Nichols was married in St. Louis on September 8. 1874. 10 Kate Cummings, a lady of culture and many estimable attributes and a rep- Presentative of a sterling old family. She is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Cummings. She was reared in St. Louis and there received an excellent education. Four children blessed the union of our subject and wife, namely : Mary, born in St. Louis on March 4. 1876, is the wife of E. B. Cowell, of Springfield: Sylvia S., born in St. Louis on October 15, 1878. is the wife of Seth Barham, chief accountant of the American Radiator Company, Chicago: Clara, born in Springfield on December 7, 1882, is the wife of Joel 11. Rountree, of Springfield, and Arthur D., born in Springfield on December 19. 1884. is superintendent of transportation for the Arkansas, Louisiana & Gulf Railway, and lives in Monroe, Louisiana.
Politically Captain Nichols was a Democrat. Fraternally he belonged to the Masonic Order, including St. John's Commandery, No. 20, Knights Templar, and was past master of Wentworth Lodge. No. 113. Ancient Order of United Workmien. Captain Nichols was a charter member of Knights Templar of Springfield and a member of the Mystic Shrine of Salina, Kansas.
The death of Captain Nichols occurred suddenly and without warning at Monroe. Louisiana, on November 27. 1910, at the age of sixty-one years. The funeral was hell from the beautiful Nichols residence on East Cherry street. conducted by Rev. F. F. Beckerman, rector of Christ Episcopal church, with which the decedent held membership. Interment was made in Maple Park cemetery. Captain Nichols will long be greatly missed by a very wide circle of acquaintances and friends.
The following resolutions adopted at a meeting of the vestry of Grace church at Monroe, Louisiana, December 5, 1910, signed by a committee composed of Archdeacon H. R. Carson, LeDoux E. Smith and John G. Sanders :
"Whereas it has pleased Almighty God in His infinite wisdom and love to remove from our midst the spirit of Danton H. Nichols, a member of the vestry of Grace church, Monroe, Louisiana :
"AAnd, whereas, his associates on that vestry and the congregation have lost in him one whose counsel and example were at all times helpful and inspiring :
"Therefore, be it resolved, That a formal record be made upon our minutes of the sense of genuine sorrow that is entertained by reason of his death.
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"In Captain Nichols we saw a man of the deepest religious convictions. At all times charitable, always regular and faithful in his devotions, con- stantly endeavoring to realize the highest precepts of his church. he stood as a splendid exemplar of the Christian faith. We shall miss him deeply. and we shall long cherish the recollection of his noble life.
"Be it further resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be forwarded to the family of Captain Nichols with the assurance of our deepest and profoundest sympathy."
A. D. NICHOLS.
Few young men of Springfield have achieved signal success in an im- portant calling so early as has A. D. Nichols. His career bears out the oft-heard statement that this is a young man's age and that positions of importance and lucrative remuneration are open to the youth of good habits and industry.
Mr. Nichols was born in Springfield, Missouri, December 19, 1884, and here grew to manhood and received good educational advantages. He began his railroad career when seventeen years of age as clerk and stenographer for his father, D. H. Nichols, a sketch of whose life occurs on preceding pages. The latter was at that time vice-president and general manager of the Pecos Lines, also Southern Kansas Railway Company of Texas, which properties belonged to the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad Company. A. D. Nichols was employed at various places in New Mexico, Texas and Kansas while connected with the Santa Fe, his principal work being stenog- rapher and secretary to the different officials at that time connected with the road. He remained in the Southwest practically two years and then went to the Frisco System at Springfield. Missouri, where he was connected with the road's transportation department, having a clerical position under C. R. Gray, who was at that time superintendent of transportation of the Frisco.
Mr. Nichols remained with the Frisco System until he was twenty-two years of age, and in May, 1907. went to Louisiana. He was with his father and later with J. M. Parker during the promotion of the Arkansas, Louisiana & Gulf Railway Company, and after construction was started held various positions, having run track gangs, work trains and had charge of the steam shovel work. After the line was completed and in operation, which was September, 1908, he went into train service in the capacity of conductor, where he remained for a year. In 1909 he went into the office of W. J. Hillyer, at that time superintendent, as chief clerk, remaining with Mr. "Hillyer one year, and 1910 was spent by Mr. Nichols as chief clerk for T. J.
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Shelton, traffic manager at Monroe, Louisiana. From 1910 until May 30, 1913, he was employed as chief clerk to the general manager and car service agent. On June 1. 1913. he was employed as superintendent of trans- portation under J. M. Parker, receiver for the above named road, and this responsible position he has filled to the present time in a manner that has reflected mich credit upon his ability and to the satisfaction of all concerned. Ilis headquarters are in Monroe, Louisiana, in which city he now makes liis home.
Mr. Nichols was married in the city of Monroe on January 4, 1911, to Bernice Margaret Renwick, a young lady of culture, and the representative of a fine old Southern family. To this union one child has been born, Joel Rountree Nichols, who is one year old at this writing.
Fraternally Mr. Nichols is a member of the Masonic Order, the Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks, and religiously hie belongs to the Episcopal church. He is a young man of exemplary habits and genial address and, judging from his commendable career in railroad service of the past, the biographer predicts for him a future replete with honor and success.
EDWARD L. BEAL, M. D.
For a period of a quarter of a century the name of Dr. Edward L. Beal has been a household word in the western part of Greene county, where he has engaged in the general practice of medicine, maintaining his home in Re- public. His marked success in the world's affairs has been achieved by close attention to business, and by an honorable and consistent course he has risen to a worthy position among the enterprising men of the locality of which he is a native and where his life has been spent. It is plain record, rendered remarkable by no strange or mysterious adventure, no wonderful or lucky accident and tragic situation, no epic breadth of expedients. For Doctor Beal is one of those estimable characters whose integrity and strong per- sonality necessarily force them into an admirable notoriety, which their modesty never seeks, who command the respect of their contemporaries and their posterity and leave the impress of their individuality upon the age in which they live.
Doctor Beal was born in Greene county, Missouri, on a farm, January 16. 1864, and is a scion of one of the oldest families of the county, where Daniel Beal, the paternal grandfather settled among the early pioneers, com- ing here from Kentucky, and entered land from the government which he cleared and improved and on which he established the future home of the family, and on this farm occurred the birth of our subject's father, George
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T. Beal, in 1832, and here he grew to manhood, and in early life pur- chased a farm near Springfield where he engaged in farming until 1855 when he made the long overland journey to California, and prospected for gold for two years after which he returned home and spent the rest of his life in general farming and stock raising in this county. During the Civil war he was a soldier in the Union army, a member of the Home Guards, rose to the rank of captain, commanding a company in the Marmaduke raid upon Springfield. After the war he resumed farming which he continued with gratifying results until 1896 when he retired from active life and moved to Republic where he resided until his death in 1910. He married Ann Eliza Rountree, who was born in Greene county, Missouri on February 19, 1841, and grew to womanhood and has always resided. She is a daughter of Junius and Martha J. (Miller) Rountree. She still lives in Republic, and has attained the advanced age of seventy-three years. To these parents six children were born, four sons and two daughters, namely: Dr. Edward L., of this sketch; Marshall F. died at the age of forty-one years, in 1908, after a successful career as contractor and builder; J. Solon, born in 1870, who is a contractor at Seattle, Washington, is married and has two children; Carrie M. died in 1896 at the age of eighteen years; Nettie married George Decker, an electrical engineer; they reside in Kellogg, Idaho, and have one son. Thomas M. died in infancy.
Doctor Beal grew to manhood on the old homestead and there he found plenty of hard work to do when a boy, being the oldest child. He received his early education in the public schools of his home district, in Ozark Col- lege at Greenfield, and Morrisville College, in Polk county. He began his preparation for a physician when but a boy, and he received his medical education in the Missouri Medical College at St. Louis, and in the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he made a brilliant record, taking the highest honors of a class of one hundred and eighty-eight graduates, an honor which has never been attained by a student from the state of Missouri in that college, before or since, and was graduated from that historic institution on April 8, 1888. Soon thereafter he returned to Greene county and began the practice of his profession and since March 16, 1889 he has maintained his office at Republic, and has built up a very large and lucrative practice, and has long ranked among the leading medical men of the county. He was associated with the late Dr. J. E. Tefft, the eminent surgeon of Springfield, for about five years.
Doctor Beal has been very successful in a financial way, and he is owner of a finely improved and valuable apple orchard of eighty-two acres, which is one of the best orchards in this section of the country, and he also owns thirty acres which are set in strawberries, and which also bring in a handsome annual income.
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Doctor Beal is a Democrat politically, and while he has always been ready with his support in all measures looking to the general good of his community in any way, he has never sought public office. He attends the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a member of the county, state and national medical societies, and fraternally belongs to the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons at Republic, also No. 471 Republic Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Maccabees and Woodmen of the World.
Doctor Beal was married March 30, 1889. to Mary E. Landers, who was born July 24. 1807. in Dade county, Missouri. She received a good education in the public schools. She is a daughter of John N. and Ellen J. ( Wilson ) Landers. Mr. Landers was a native of Missouri and he devoted his active life to farming and was a banker and merchant at Dadesville, where he died June, 1909. The mother died August 29. 1908.
The union of Doctor Beal and wife has been without issue but they have an adopted son, Luther Beal, who was born on January 30, 1894. He has been given good educational advantages, and he has a decided taste for horticulture. The Doctor is a gentleman whom everybody respects and trusts, his long record in his home community being above all idle cavil and his success in life is well deserved.
JOSEPH W. LEEDY.
His life-long residence in Greene county, his upright life and mature judgment, and the many services he rendered made the name of the late Joseph W. Leedy, for thirty years a leading merchant of Springfield, a synonym for character and worth. One could not contemplate the life record of such a man without gaining therefrom many helpful hints and forming at the same time a very high opinion of the individual, for his affable nature, charitable impulses and benevolent work, extending over a period of years, resulted in incalculable good and stamped him as a whole-souled man and would alone excite the admiration of all, especially of the contemplative turn of mind, for his services to his fellow-men came not from a desire to win the plaudits of the world or from any ulterior motive. but merely out of an altruistic nature and a spirit of profound human sympathy. It is scarcely necessary to say that in the inviolable precincts of an ideal home life the true nobility of Mr. Leedy found perfect apotheosis, but there is no desire in this connection to lift the sacred veil of the fireside circle. When he was sum- moned to close his eyes on earthly scenes when in the zenith of his material success and usefulness to society, all felt that a good man had been called away who could not well be spared.
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Mr. Leedy was born on a farm near Springfield. Missouri, March 6, 1857. He was a son of A.yG. and Mary ( Maiden) Leedy, both natives of Virginia, of excellent southern blood. They spent their early lives in the Old Dominion and removed to Greene county, Missouri in early pioneer times and here became widely and favorably known, for many years rank- ing among the leading agriculturists of the county. These parents lived to advanced ages, the mother having survived her son, Joseph W., and died at the age of eighty-four. Their family consisted of six children, namely : Joseph W., of this sketch; Annie married H. L. Ennis (deceased), of Chi- cago, and to them seven children were born; John is a carpenter and builder of Springfield; Mary married John Flannigan of Carthage, Missouri. and they have two children; Ella married George Booth, an attorney of Webb City, Missouri, and they have one son. Hunter; MIrs. Virginia Curtis who died in 1912.
Joseph W. Leedy grew to manhood in Springfield, where his family had come when he was seven years of age, and he received a good practical edu- cation in the schools of Springfield, which was later greatly supplemented by contact with the business world and by home reading on a general scale. He had a decided natural bent for mercantile pursuits, and this was his voca- tion in Springfield for a period of thirty years, having started here when but a boy, and eight years of this period he conducted a large dry goods store at 225-227 East Commercial street, on his own account. Here he main- tained a large and well stocked store, modern in every respect and managed under a superb system, employing a number of assistants, and many of his hundreds of customers came from remote parts of the county, for they knew they would always receive honest and courteous treatment here. By his indomitable energy, close application and integrity he built up one of the best known and leading dry goods businesses in the county, and a comfort- able fortune resulted from his efforts. The business is still carried on along the lines which he inaugurated. under the name of the Leedy Dry Goods Company, of which Mrs. Essie Leedy, a lady of rare executive ability and foresight is the leading spirit and she is making a pronounced success of the same.
Mr. and Mrs. Leedy first met in a store where they were both clerking, and their happy and harmonious domestic life began when their marriage nuptials were celebrated on January 3. 1903. She was known in her maiden- hood as Essie Carter, and was born and reared on a farm near Springfield and received a good education in the local schools. She is a daughter of Hazen Blanchard and Elizabeth ( Banfield) Carter, the former now deceased, but the mother survives ; she lives on the old homestead two miles north of Springfield. Mr. Carter was a highly respected farmer, owning a farm two- miles from Springfield. His family consisted of seven children, four sons
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and three daughters, namely: Sterling, Sherman, Blanchard, Emmett, Janie, Essie and Etta.
The union of Mr. and Mrs. Leedy was blessed by the birth of one child, Langdon Lee Leedy, whose birth occurred May 5, 1910, and he is a bright and promising child. Mrs. Leedy has a beautiful home on North Grant street.
Politically, Mr. Leedy was a Republican. He attended the Christian church. lle belonged to no secret orders from choice as his whole thought and attention were given to his family and home outside of business hours.
Mr. Leedy was summoned suddenly to his eternal rest on July 27, 1913, at the early age of fifty-six years. His death will long be deplored by a host of warm friends and admirers.
MAJOR WILLIAM MARION WEAVER.
For many reasons Major William Marion Weaver, a venerable pio- neer of Springfield, is entitled to specific mention in the present historical compendium, not the least of which reasons is the fact that he enjoys the distinction of being the only survivor of the Mexican war in Greene county, and in fact, one of the few men still living in Missouri who engaged in that memorable conflict sixty-seven years ago, within itself a span of years longer than is vouchsafed to but comparatively few men. He is one of our oldest native-born citizens, being the second white child born in the county.
Major Weaver was born April 25, 1830, in Greene county, Missouri, and is a son of Samuel and Rhody (Fulbright) Weaver, she having been the only daughter in a family of thirteen children. Samuel Weaver was a native of North Carolina, where he spent his earlier years, finally emigrating to Missouri and settling in Greene county, and was the founder of Delaware- town. His death occurred in 1833, when our subject was an infant. The mother of our subject was also a native of North Carolina and her death occurred in Greene county, Missouri, at the birth of Major Weaver. These parents were married in Tennessee, where they settled when young with their parents, and soon after their marriage they emigrated to Missouri, with our subject's maternal grandparents. Samuel Weaver and wife received limited educational advantages, and they spent their lives on a farm. To them only one child was born. Our subject's paternal grandfather, Jacob W. Weaver, was born in Normandy, France, from which country he emi- grated to the United States with Gen. Lafayette, and he served in the Revo- lutionary war under Lafayette for several years, and after the conflict he located in North Carolina. His name was originally Weber, in German,
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MAJ. WM. M. WEAVER.
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he having been of Teutonic blood, but the name was subsequently changed to the English spelling, Weaver. He married a North Carolina woman and they reared three children, namely : Samuel, father of our subject, Robert and Fred. The parents of these children spent their lives on a farm in the old Tar State, and so far as known, died there. William Fulbright, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was also a native of North Carolina, as was also his wife, Ruth Hollingsworth, and they grew to maturity in that state and were married there. To them thirteen children were born, the mother of our subject having been the fourth in order of birth. From North Carolina this family removed to Tennessee, but did not remain there long, coming on to Missouri in 1829, and in the autumn of that year Mr. Ful- bright settled the land on which the main portion of Springfield is now located, from the "Jordan" or properly Wilson's creek on the north and west to Campbell street on the east and the old "wire road" on the south. Mr. Fulbright became a prosperous farmer and owned about thirty slaves. He was widely known among the frontiersmen. Physically he was a very large man, weighing about three hundred pounds. He was very hospitable and visitors were always welcome at his board. His death occurred when Major Weaver was about thirteen years of age.
As stated in a preceding paragraph Major Weaver was the second white child born in the county, his uncle, Col. Daniel N. Fulbright, being the first, both first seeing the light of day in the same house, there being only three months' difference to a day in their ages. Our subject grew to man- hood in his native community. Being left an orphan when an infant he was reared in the home of his grandparents, the Fulbrights. When he became of proper age he attended the subscription school in an old-fashioned log cabin that was located on what is now College street. School lasted but a few months during the winter, and his education was meager, how- ever, he has since become a learned man through wide reading and contact with the world. The day he was seventeen years of age, April 25, 1847. he enlisted for service in the Mexican war, and on June 14th following went to the front. It was about the middle of May that year when one hundred and nine young men left Springfield, he being among them, with instructions to proceed at once to Independence, Missouri, the nearest mobilization point. "They represented some of the best families in southwestern Missouri. This band of youthful patriots who composed Company G, Third Missouri Mounted Volunteers, was made up almost wholly of young fellows from around Springfield, which at that time was little more than a crossroads with a store and a blacksmith shop. They were under command of Col. John Ralls, of Ralls county, who was regimental commander under Gen. Zachary Taylor. In 1848 half of the men in Company G returned home.
(49)
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Lieutenant Robert Love, a brother of Thomas Love, who is now a resident of Springfield and a former postmaster here, died en route overland to Santa Fe. The others responded to the final and eternal ring of taps on the battlefield. Fourteen went down in one battle with the Mexicans. Major Weaver is the only man left of the one hundred and nine in that company, and although eighty-five years of age, is well preserved and vigorous. He was one of the young men to enlist with the first Missouri troops and he was among the last to be mustered out in Independence after the Stars and Stripes had been planted on the citadel of the Montezumas. Ilis memory of the incidents of the overland trip to the border, of the movements of General Taylor's troops, and of the various incidents of the war is as clear as if it were but yesterday that the happenings took place.
Young Weaver was made a bugler, and the troops with which he was serving were sent to what is now El Paso, Texas. From there the march into Chihuahua state and to the city of Chihuahua was begun. Juarez, Santa Cruz and Chihuahua were taken in turn. Troops stopped their southward march at Chihuahua. General Taylor sent reinforcements to General Scott, who was advancing upon Mexico City from Vera Cruz, hav- ing first taken the city of Monterey. General Taylor's men got as far as Buena Vista, where the final and greatest battle of the war was fought, and in 1848 started back to the United States, the war having been terminated.
After the war Major Weaver returned to his native county. On December 24. 1848, he was united in marriage to Ester Ann Clements, who was born in Wisconsin in 1830, and, with a sister, was left an orphan when a child. The two moved to Greene county, Missouri, with a cousin. Jesse Gerard, and here Mrs. Weaver received her education. By this, Mr. Weaver's first marriage, three children were born, namely : Mary Frances, who married James Stewart, lives in California; Leonidas is deceased : Emma O. is deceased. On March 6, 1868, our subject was married a second time, his last wife being Jenna Ann Catts, who was born in West Virginia, from which state she came to Mt. Vernon, Lawrence county, Missouri, when a child, where she was reared. She is a daughter of George and Mary (Tarr) Catts, a highly respected pioneer family of Mt. Vernon. Mrs. Weaver received her education in the common schools of that place. She is still living. To this last union two children were born: Charles, born January 23, 1869; he was killed in an accident on the Frisco near Lebanon on July 29. 1903. Emma, whose birth occurred September 3, 1871, in Lawrence county, this state; she is the wife of Harry L. Bissitt, and they reside in Springfield. A sketch of this family occurs in this volume under the caption of James Bissitt. To Harry L. Bissitt and wife one child has been born, Marian Weaver Bissitt, whose birth occurred in 1903; she has
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