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 90
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Mr. Robinson was born in Scotland, February 16, 1849. He was a son of Henry and Martha Robinson, both natives of Scotland, also where they grew up, were married and always lived. They received exceptionally good educations for their day and generation. Henry Robinson learned the baker's trade when a young man, which he followed during his active life. He never came to America. His family consisted of five children.
David H. Robinson was the only member of his family to emigrate to the United States. He grew to manhood in his native land and there received his education, and when young learned the jeweler's trade which he followed for some time, later turning his attention to the water works business. He crossed the Atlantic when about twenty-five years of age and came to Springfield, Missouri, about 1875, and helped lay the first city water mains, and he continued in some capacity with the local water works company the rest of his active life here. He was the second superintendent of the company, to which position he was promoted in 1887, and which he held until 1905. when failing health compelled him to relinquish his work, and he spent the rest of his life in retirement. He was the principal factor in developing a modern and efficient water works system here and he dis- charged his duties as superintendent in an able and highly satisfactory manner to all concerned, was very industrious and took a delight in keep- ing everything in excellent condition.
Mr. Robinson was married in Springfield, on September 22, 1884, to Mrs. Susan P. Askins, widow of Philip Askins, and a daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Olive) Keyes. She was born in Kentucky, in the city of
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GHRobinson
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Louisville, March 27, 1852. Her parents were both natives of Kentucky also. Mr. Keyes was a blacksmith by trade and he spent his earlier years in his native state, finally removing with his family to Missouri, where he died. His wife spent her last days in Springfield, dying in this city. They were the parents of seven children, two of whom are still living. Mrs. Robinson received a common school education. She has a home on North jefferson street.
Three children were born to David H. Robinson and wife, all of whom are living at this writing, namely: Jesse H., Anna L. and David W.
Politically, Mr. Robinson was a Democrat. Fraternally, he was a Mason, having attained the thirty-second degree of that order, and he belonged to the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. Religiously he was a member of the Presbyterian church. His death occurred August 16, 1912. Mr. Robinson was active in the upbuilding of the city, having built the two-story store building at the corner of Lyon and Com- mercial streets; also, built his fine home on North Jefferson street, both now owned by Mrs. Robinson.
WILLIAM ALFRED DENNIS.
It is the dictate of our nature no less than of enlightened social policy to honor the illustrious dead; to bedew with affectionate tears the silent urn of departed genius and virtue; to unburden the fulness of the surcharged heart in eulogium upon deceased benefactors, and to rehearse their noble "deeds for the benefit of those who may come after us. It has been the com- mendable custom of all ages and all nations. Hence the following feeble tribute to one of nature's noblemen.
William Alfred Dennis, for many years one of the most prominent men of affairs and esteemed citizens of Springfield, Missouri, was born in Des Moines, Iowa, April 8, 1857. He was a son of Thomas Dennis and Caroline (Miller) Dennis. The father was born near Paris, France, where he grew to manhood, was educated and spent his earlier years, immigrating to America about 1850, and engaged in business in Chicago. He was a prosperous business man and at one time owned a line of steamboats on the Mississippi river. He was a man of admirable qualities and had the highest conception of honor, his name being a synonym for honesty in the locality where he resided, and it was not uncommon to hear the expression, "as honest as Thomas Dennis," and his son, William A., of this sketch, was not unlike his father in his original and witty comments, his deep sense of justice, his fair ·dealings, his tender, kindly and generous heart. The elder Dennis moved his
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family to Des Moines, lowa, where he lived for some time, later removing to Paola, Kansas, where he spent the rest of his life, dying about 1896. Re- ligiously he was a Methodist. His wife, Caroline Miller, was born in Rudol- stadt, Germany, in 18344, was the daughter of a physician, and was a woman of culture and finished education. She was an accomplished linguist and was a teacher of German in a school for young ladies in Chicago at the time of her marriage. She is now living in Paola, Kansas, and although advanced in years is active in life, takes much interest in the work of the Methodist church of which she is a member, and is teaching the infant class in Sunday school.
William A. Dennis was an infant when his parents removed with him to Paola, Kansas, and there he grew to manhood and received his education, experiencing the varying and often perplexing vicissitudes of the conditions in the early days in the Sunflower state. But he was a resourceful lad and he believed that "Man is his own star ; and the soul that can render an honest and a perfect man, commands all light, all influence, all fate ; nothing to him falls too early or too late." Even as a boy he wished to construct, experiment, dig for information and do things. With the first money he earned, when but ten years of age and with the generosity and desire to make some one happy, which was the most marked characteristic of his kindly nature, he spent the entire amount in the purchase of a large Bible for his mother. Misplaced confidence in the honesty of men brought about financial reversion in the family, and, at the age of fifteen years, young Dennis began to rely upon his own resources and educated himself by working at night and attending school in the day time. "Improve each precious moment" was ever his motto as a boy, and he was always reading, studying, reaching out for more knowledge. He found time to study telegraphy at night, made himself proficient in the same, and his first position was that of telegraph operator, at a small station, as relief man for the old Fort Scott & Memphis Railroad Company. Subse- quently he was agent for this company at Joplin, Missouri, which position he held for nine years. He then went to Carthage as agent for the Missouri Pacific railroad, but a year later went to Memphis, Tennessee, and for a year held the position as traveling passenger agent for the Fort Scott & Memphis railroad, his headquarters at that time being at Bloomington, Illinois. He then took the general agency for that company at Springfield, Missouri, in which position he remained but a short time, retiring in 1889. In all these employments he acquitted himself well and to the satisfaction of his employ- ers. But railroad work was only a part of his versatile business capacity. He could originate and carry out extensive enterprises, and was by nature an organizer and promoter, a man of keen business discernment and sound judgment, and he was at different times in real estate, lumber and railroad construction work, engaging in the first named for a period of six years, and
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for some time he was in charge of the department of ways and maintenance for the Frisco system. The latter years of his life were devoted to railroad construction pursuits, and while it proved profitable, the exposure to which it subjected him and the harassment and anxiety incident to dealing with large numbers of men which were in his service essentially affected his health. He was ever an industrious, faithful and enterprising man and his untimely death was largely due to over application to business.
Mr. Dennis was married about twenty years ago to Mary Alice Maurer, of Springfield, Missouri, a lady of much executive ability and genial address, and she is still living in the attractive Dennis home in this city, and is man- aging the large property interests left by her late husband in a commendable manner. She was devoted to his interests and her sympathy and counsel were of great benefit to him in his life work.
At the age of forty years, Mr. Dennis, in the midst of strenuous busj- ness activities, found time to begin the study of law, at night, passed the necessary examinations and was admitted to the bar, not with the intention of practicing law, but merely with a desire to be better qualified for his busi- ness pursuits, and at the time of his death he owned the largest law library in the state outside of St. Louis and Kansas City. This splendid library is now owned by the Springfield court of appeals. Had he entered into the practice of his profession he would have doubtless become one of the bril- liant legal lights of Missouri. He was a Mason of high degree, and belonged to the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine at Kansas City. He was also a Knight Templar of Joplin, Missouri. He was also a prominent member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks at Springfield. He was a worthy member of the Methodist church. He took an abiding inter- est in public affairs, but was not a seeker after public office, preferring to devote his time to his home and his private business affairs. He deserved a great deal of credit for what he accomplished, unaided and in the face of ob- stacles that would have discouraged men of less heroic mettle. He never received assistance in a financial way from any one. He was a man of broad charity, always gave the other fellow who failed another chance, and many owe their success in life to his encouragement and assistance. He was never too busy to listen to the tales of misfortune related by those less fortunate than himself. He not only listened with a heart full of sympathy, but he always provided some means of relief. Distress, sorrow and misfortune he could not pass by without lending a generous hand. He was ever the cham- pion of the weak, and was a lover and protector of dumb animals.
William A. Dennis was summoned to close his eyes on earthly scenes and take up his work on a higher plane of endeavor February 29. 1904. not yet forty-seven years of age, when in the very zenith of his prime and when life promised most.
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The following just estimate of this splendid and lamented citizen's worth is part of an editorial which appeared in the Springfield Republican shortly after his death :
"His character was extremely generous. To grant favors and to show kindness to those about him was ever his delight. He possessed a tender heart, was a lover of children and easily won their love in return, a good neighbor, a public-spirited citizen, simple and unaffected in his tastes and manners, devoted to his home and family, finding sufficient and perfect hap- piness therein. Ambitious to succeed in life and always busy at projects look- ing to that end, he was a most affectionate husband, brother and friend, and . has left an abiding sorrow, through his untimely death, among those who knew him best."
JOHN HUNT JOHNSON.
When we refer to the late John Hunt Johnson as a true Kentuckian all who are familiar with the people of that fine old state will at once ac- quiesce in the statement that the biographer has bestowed upon him a genuine compliment, for where would one find a more splendid type of citizen than the Kentuckian of the old school, especially, with his independent spirit, self- reliance, courage, hospitality, obliging and courteous disposition? Mr. John- son was no exception to the rule, and all who knew him praise him for his many commendable qualities of head and heart. His life was a long and busy one, his active years being spent in merchandising and agricultural pursuits.
Mr. Johnson was born in Daviess county, Kentucky, July 1, 1824. He was a son of Jack and Lucy (Huston) Johnson. Jack Johnson was a native of North Carolina, from which state he came to Kentucky when a young man and was a farmer on a large scale, owning a fine plantation in Daviess county and a great many slaves. His death occurred in 1861. His wife was born in North Carolina also, and her death occurred in 1863.
John H. Johnson grew up on the homestead in Daviess county, Kentucky, where he worked when a boy. He had little opportunity to obtain an edu- cation. He remained with his parents until he became of age, then engaged in merchandising in Calhoun, his native state, but in 1857 went to farming in McLean county, Kentucky, and lived there twelve years, and at one time fire destroyed practically everything that would burn on his farm. During the war between the states he had many thrilling experiences but was not a soldier. In 1869 he went to Louisville and engaged in the tobacco business there, moving there in order to give his children proper educational ad- vantages. He remained there eight years, his work being principally on the
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road, however, during that time. Leaving the Blue Grass state in 1877 he removed with his family to Missouri and located on a farm near Lebanon, Laclede county, and engaged in farming and stock raising until 1894, when he retired from active life and located in Springfield, where he spent the balance of his days.
Mr. Johnson was married, April 28, 1853, to Anna M. Singleton, of Calhoun, Kentucky. She was born in Hardingsburg, that state, June 8, 1831, and was a daughter of Stanley and Mary (Daniel) Singleton. The father was born in Breckinridge county, Kentucky, June 27, 1777, and died July 11, 1869. The mother of Mrs. Johnson was born in Clark county, Ken- tucky, December 12, 1776, and died February 22, 1864. Mr. Singleton re- ceived an excellent education, became a noted lawyer, in fact, was for years one of the leading members of the bar in Kentucky. Mrs. Johnson grew to womanhood in her native state, was educated there, and she proved to be a most worthy helpmeet to our subject in every respect, and her admirable quali- ties have always made her beloved by all with whom she comes in contact.
The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, named as follows: Doctor Breckinridge, deceased; Dr. Samuel A. is conducting a sanitarium on North Jefferson street, Springfield : Clebourne, deceased ; Judge Arch A., a well known jurist of Springfield ; Fon L. lives in Joplin, Missouri ; Mary is the widow of John Bigbee; Sue E. is the widow of Joe Wilicke; Anna V. lives at home.
Mr. Johnson was a Democrat and was very active in the affairs of his party. In religious matters he belonged to the Presbyterian church.
The death of Mr. Johnson occurred on December 29, 1912. in his eighty- ninth year, closing a commendable career of nearly five score years. He was truly a grand old patriarch.
CHARLES WILLIAM VESTAL.
Success in the varied vocations of men is won practically along the same line by industry, persistency of effort, the exercise of sound judgment and correct ideals properly applied. The chronicles of our captains of in- dustry and men of affairs in general indicate that these characteristics always win the goal sought in the sphere of human endeavor, no matter what the environment may be or what obstacles are met with, for they who are endowed with them make stepping stones of their adversities to higher things. These reflections are suggested by a cursory study of the career of Charles William Vestal, who, while yet a young man, has forged his way to the front in the jewelry business in Springfield, and is among
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the worthy native sons of Greene county, throughout which he is widely and well known, principally by virtue of the fact that he was for years connected with the office of county collector.
Mr. Vestal was born in Greene county, Missouri, March 2, 1885. He is a son of James R. and Margaret E. ( Wadlow) Vestal. James R. Vestal was born in the above named county and state also, on December 20, 1859, and here, too, occurred the birth of the mother of our subject, on Decem- ber 19. 1863, and here they grew to maturity, were educated in the com- mon schools of their day and were married, and here spent their lives. They each represented pioneer families, well known in the northern part of the county. Dr. James R. Vestal, our subject's paternal grandfather, was a native of Indiana, from which state he emigrated to this locality when it was sparsely settled. He was a physician of the old school and he practiced in the vicinity of Cave Spring for many years and was one of the best known early-day doctors in that vicinity. Ilis son, James R. Vestal, Jr., thero grew to manhood, and when a young man learned the jeweler's trade in Walnut Grove, this county, and he worked at the same in that town for nearly twenty years, during which period he was post- master for some time, maintaining the office in his jewelry store, and he cared for the telephone interests of his town when the telephone was in its infancy. He was a resident of that town when he was elected by the Republicans county collector, whereupon he removed to Springfield. After serving faithfully his first term he was nominated by his party to suc- ceed himself in office and he was elected by a handsome majority. After his second term expired he spent the rest of his life in retirement.
His family consisted of two children, a son, Charles W., of this sketch, and a daughter. Nora F., of near Willard, this county. The mother of these children was a daughter of Dr. Wadlow, also a well remembered pioneer doctor of the vicinity of Cave Spring, who died some years ago, but his widow survives at an advanced age, and makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Nora Claypool, at Walnut Grove. The death of Mrs. Vestal occurred in July. 1908. Fraternally James R. Vestal was a member of the Masonic order, the Blue Lodge and the Royal Arch division; also belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Woodmen of the World and the Court of Honor. He was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. His death occurred after an illness extending over a period of some three years, on April 16. 1914, at the home of his son, our subject, on North Jefferson street. Springfield. In its issue on the fol- lowing day. the Springfield Independent, said of him, in part, as follows :
"James R. Vestal's familiar nickname was 'Ruff.' Everybody in north- western Greene county knew him and respected him. The town of Walnut Grove loved him. While a citizen of that town he enjoyed the happiness
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of his family, consisting of Mrs. Vestal, their son Charles and a daughter. The son is now a business man in Springfield. During his term of office his son was one of his trusted clerks. He and Mrs. Claypool, nee Miss Nora Wadlow, sister of Mrs. Vestal, are well known to every tax payer in Greene county. They were the faithful helpers in Mr. Vestal's office.
"Mr. Vestal was a great big-hearted man. He was the idol of his friends and a companion to them. He was ever ready to assist in the home of suffering and he was always ready to the assistance of the distressed. There was never a night too stormy or too dark for him when he heard the cry of want, neither did he ever flinch when duty called him. He had implicit confidence in humanity. This caused him some trouble as well as abundant joy. Many times he was deceived, yet his confidence was soon restored and he would go forward with greater determination. The many traits of splendid character he possessed endeared him to all the people and that is what placed him in one of the best positions in the giving of Greene county. The writer of this has known Mr. Vestal for nearly a quarter of a century. He has gone with him on missions of mercy and he has been cheered by him in seasons of gloom. His tender heart was the pride of his friends. He loved his family, his sainted wife, one of the purest of women, and his children were his idols."
Charles W. Vestal grew to manhood at Walnut Grove and there re- ceived his education, attending the high school there. He had in the mean- time learned the jeweler's trade under his father, and worked at the same for several years. He came with his father to Springfield as deputy county collector not long after leaving school and remained in the office during the two terms his father was incumbent of this office. In 1913 he resumed the jewelry business, opening a shop at 207 McDaniel avenue, Springfield, and, in May, 1914, purchased the Osborn jewelry store and is now located at 211 McDaniel avenue in neat quarters and is enjoying a large and rap- idly growing business, his friends of former days coming to him from all over the county and he has a large city trade of the best people. He car- ries an extensive, attractive and carefully selected stock, one that would be a credit to any city, keeping a large line of watches, clocks, diamonds and all kinds of precious stones, cut-glass, hand-painted china, novelties, optical goods; in fact, everything to be found in an up-to-date and mod- ernly appointed jewelry store in large cities. He makes a specialty of re- pair work of all kinds, doing all kinds of high-grade watch work and dia- mond mounting; in fact, makes a specialty of the two latter. High-grade, honest and prompt work is his motto, and by fair and courteous treatment he can attribute much of his pronounced success in his chosen vocation, and the biographer predicts for him a future replete with success of a still vaster degree.
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Mr. Vestal was married, June 20, 1910, to Ella J. Campbell, a native of Greene county, where she grew to womanhood and received a good edi- cation. She is a daughter of George W. and Serena ( Miller ) Campbell. Mr. Campbell was born in Greene county and Mrs. Campbell is a native of Pennsylvania. They were married here and are both living, Mr. Camp- bell being a farmer. Mrs. Vestal received a common and high school edu- cation and is a graduate of the Chicago Musical College.
Politically, Mr. Vestal is a Republican. Fraternally, he belongs to the Masonic order, including the Blue Lodge and the Royal Arch Masons, and is also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Ile is a young man of unquestioned integrity and industry and worthy of his business success and the high regard in which he is universally held.
MOSES ROBNETT DEGROFF.
There was something essentially American in the life of the late Moses Robnett DeGroff, for many years one of the widely known and influential citizens of southwest Missouri. The United States has given rare oppor- tunities to men with courage, honesty of purpose, integrity and energy, to achieve success. The bulk of men who have stamped the impress of their personalities on the minds and hearts of their fellow citizens in any manner have been men with the above enumerated characteristics. Mr. DeGroff believed that a man's life work measured his success, and that he who devoted his powers to the accomplishment of an honorable purpose was to be honored, and that if a careful study was to be made of the motives that actuate every man's life, there would always be found some paramount object for which one lives and hopes and strives. All who came within range of our subject's influence were profuse in their commendation of his numerous admirable qualities of head and heart and he was in every respect entitled to the high regard in which he was held in the three counties in which he was especially well known-Greene, McDonald and Newton.
Mr. DeGroff, whose late home was in Springfield, Missouri, was a scion of the best French and Scotch-Irish stock, an old ancestry. His birth occurred in Paris, Bourbon county, Kentucky, October 16, 1848. He was a son of Abraham P. and Margaret Elizabeth ( Robnett) DeGroff. The father, .1. P. DeGroff, was a grandson of John DeGroff, who emigrated to America from France in the old Colonial days, being among the perse- cuted Huguenots who were compelled to flee from their native land during the ecclesiastical war, famous in history. He settled in New York, and from him descended the present numerous family of DeGroffs in the United
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MOSES R. DeGROFF, DECEASED.
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States. When seventeen years of age, A. P. DeGroff went to Ohio to attend college, after which he went to Paris, Kentucky, where he met and married Margaret E. Robnett, of Scotch-Irish ancestry. She was a daughter of Moses Robnett, and a granddaughter of Capt. James Kennedy, who was an officer in the Revolutionary war.
When Moses R. DeGroff was two years old his parents moved to. Monroe county, Missouri, and settled on a farm near Paris, later moving to Neosho, this state, and while there Moses was employed part of the time by the United States government at Fort Sills. When his father was elected sheriff and collector of Newton county he served as a deputy. Later he moved to Pineville, McDonald county, and for a period of eight years. filled the position of deputy circuit and county clerk for that county, and for four years was county clerk. In 1894 he received the government appointment of land receiver with headquarters at Springfield, and he was in offices in the government building when it was dedicated and opened for public inspection. He was appointed to this responsible position under President Cleveland's administration and served four years in an eminently creditable and acceptable manner. He also gave the people of Newton and McDonald counties faithful, honest and high-grade service in the offices. of which he was incumbent in each, and was for a number of years influential in politics in all these counties, in fact, was one of the leaders in the Demo- cratic party in southwest Missouri for a number of years. He was a splendid example of a self-made man, having practically educated himself and become one of the best informed men on general topics, especially relating to public affairs in this section of the country. Fraternally he- was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and he held mem- bership in St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal church, South.
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