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 96
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got an excellent start in life. Leaving the Lone Star state he came to Springfield, Missouri, in 1867 and engaged in the livery business, which he successfully conducted for about twelve years, meantime becoming interested in other lines, and these, assuming large proportions caused him to abandon the livery business and devote his attention to other channels of activity. Soon after locating here he evinced his faith in what was at that time known as North Springfield, now a part of the city proper and known merely .as the "north side," and he unwaveringly maintained his loyalty to that part of the city. He acquired much real estate in that portion of the city and was one of the chief factors in its upbuilding. Perhaps no man was a more potent factor in the development of that section of the city. The question of transportation between the two divisions of Springfield was .quickly grasped by him and he, in conjunction with R. L. McElhaney and H. F. Fellows, built the first railroad at Springfield, a single track, horse-car line, from Commercial street to the public square. While but a crude affair it was a paying venture, and was the nucleus of the present electric system, of which Mr. Stoughton was a director and heavy stockholder at the time of his death. \ reserved man, with few confidants, his connection with various enterprises was not generally known. He was vice-president and director of the Bank of Springfield, of which he was one of the founders. and its pronounced success was due in no small measure to his wise counsel and able management. He owned considerable valuable real estate, including one of the finest business blocks on Commercial street, which he had built himself.
Mr. Stoughton was married January 14, 1875. to Elizabeth Adams, who was born in Louisville, Kentucky, June 20. 1857. She is a daughter of Spencer and Patience ( Phipps) Adams, both natives of Kentucky and both descendants of fine old families of the Blue Grass state. Mr. Adams devoted his life successfully to agricultural pursuits. During the Civil war he cast his fortunes with the government and served three years in the Union army, proving to be a brave and gallant soldier, and took part in a number of important campaigns and battles. He and his wife spent their lives in Ken- tucky, honored and respected by their neighbors. They were the parents of eight children, all of whom are now deceased but three. Mrs. Stoughton grew to womanhood in her native state and there received a good education. She has inherited many of the estimable traits of character of her progeni- tors and her hospitality, charitable and affable disposition have made her popular with a wide circle of friends. She still resides in the beautiful family residence on Benton avenue, Springfield.
Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Stoughton, five of whom are still living, namely: Frank K., born November 1, 1875, died in November, 1906; Minnie, born January 2, 1877, died October, 1909: Lena P., born
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December 30, 1882, died when five years of age; Benjamin W., born on November 6, 1878, lives in Colorado; Harry B., born November 27, 1886, is at home ; Fountain, born on January 4, 1889, is in the United States navy ; Bernice J., born March 10, 1890, is at home; Guy Herbert, born November 6. 1893, is employed at treasurer's office ; Marie, born January 11, 1885, now Mrs. Albert Turner, of Springfield.
Politically, Mr. Stoughton was a Democrat, but was not ambitious to be a political leader. He was a member of the Presbyterian church, and a liberal supporter of the same. His death occurred May 7, 1907, when nearly seventy-three years of age.
JAMES D. SPENCER.
No man is better or more favorably known in Franklin township and that section of Greene county than James D. Spencer, now living in retire- ment in Springfield, having attained his seventy-fifth year and certainly entitled to a little respite from life's serious labors, for his record shows that he has been a man of great industry and also a man of usefulness to his community. He devoted over a half century to farming on the same place in Greene county, and for more than three decades was justice of the peace, one of the most efficient and popular justices the county has ever had. He is a native Missourian and has been a good representative citizen of the state all his life.
Mr. Spencer was born in Cape Girardeau county, Missouri, September 20, 1838. He is a son of Andrew J. and Christina (James) Spencer. The father was a native of North Carolina, who emigrated to southeastern Mis- souri in an early day and located on a farm. His wife's parents died when she was quite young.
Mr. Spencer grew to manhood on the farm in his native county, amid the rugged scenes of the early days, and he worked hard when a boy. His education was somewhat limited, but he improved such opportunities as he had and studied at night by the light from the open fireplace at home. On June 3, 1852, at the age of fourteen years, he arrived in Greene county, Missouri, and settled in Franklin township on a farm which he developed and kept well improved and here he carried on general farming for a period of fifty-four years and ranked among the best farmers of the township. He served the people of Franklin township as justice of the peace for a period of thirty-two years and it stands to his credit to add that during that protracted period he never had a decision reversed at the hands of a higher tribunal. This would indicate that he had a sound knowledge of
MR. AND MRS. J. D. SPENCER.
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the basic principles of the law and that he dealt fairly with all who came before him to settle their differences, his decisions being unbiased and satis- factory to all concerned. And his long retention of the office would also indicate that the people reposed in him the utmost confidence and held him in the highest esteem.
Mr. Spencer was married in this county on December 5. 1869. to, Mary E. Wallace, who was born near Cave Spring, Missouri, in the northern part of Greene county, and there reared to womanhood, and was educated in the common schools, and, although her education was limited, she was studious and was enabled to teach three terms of subscription school in her community when a young woman. She is a daughter of Jeptha and Nancy Wallace, natives of North Carolina, from which state they emigrated to Missouri as early as 1836 and located on a farm in Greene county, and the Wallace family has been well known in the northern part of the county from that time to the present. Mrs. Spencer is one of ten children, four sons and six daughters, five of whom are living. Mr. Spencer is one of six children, an equal number of sons and daughters, two of whom are living.
During the Civil war Mr. Spencer desired to take an active part, but was not in proper physical condition. However, he served in the Home Guards three months. He and his wife retired from active life and moved to Springfield, January 22, 1907, where they have since resided. owning a home on North Main street. He has been a loyal supporter of the Repub- lican party all his life. His wife is a member of the Presbyterian church.
The union of Mr. and Mrs. Spencer has been without issue.
COL. GEORGE SOLON RATHBUN.
For nearly a quarter of a century the late Col. George S. Rathbun occu- pied a conspicuous position among the professional men of Springfield, his reputation as a lawyer and politician being state wide for half a century. In the active practice of the law his character for personal and professional integrity was fully recognized and appreciated. He escaped the suspicion of ever having knowingly failed to fulfil all proper obligations of his pro- fession. Combined with the excellent personal and official qualities of the highest type of public servant, he was infused with the genius of enterprise. and was a man of enlarged public spirit. He was always ready to identify himself with his fellow citizens in any good work and extended a co-operat- ing hand to advance any measure that he deemed would better the condi- tion of things: that would give better government, elevate mankind, insure
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higher standards of morality and the highest ideals of a refined, ennobling, intellectual culture. The educational, moral and material interests of the locality honored by his citizenship were matters of concern to him, and the promotion of them were not forgotten in his cherished objects of life. He was for years the federal referee in bankruptcy. He took a prominent part in the war between the states and was a candidate for Confederate senator against the famous George G. Vest. He was especially well known in cen- tral Missouri where he spent his young manhood, residing in Lexington prior to removing to Springfield.
Colonel Rathbun was born at Newburgh, Ohio, February 27, 1829. Hc was a son of George Steward and Harriet ( Warren) Rathbun. His mother died when he was thirteen years of age. After having received a fair aca- demic education and graduating at Bacon's Commercial College at Cincin- nati, Ohio, he entered upon the study of law in the office of Bishop & Bac- cus, attorneys, at Cleveland, Ohio. Previous to completing his studies at the age of nineteen years, he removed to the state of Missouri, residing for sev- eral years in St. Louis county, when he removed to Lafayette county and for a time engaged in teaching, having charge of the Wellington Academy. On May 25, 1857, he was duly licensed by Judge Russell Flicks of the Sixth Judicial Circuit as a practicing attorney and enrolled as a member of the Lexington bar.
In November, 1860, as a candidate of the Whig party upon the Bell and Everett ticket, he was elected to represent his county in the state Legis- lature. In politics he remained an active Democrat, although he held few political offices, contented to be a worker for the cause. In the Civil war he took a prominent part and was a Confederate soldier with a record of which his descendants may well be proud. Prior to the sounding of the guns at Fort Sumter, Mr. Rathbun received his commission from Governor Jackson as lieutenant colonel and judge advocate of the Eighth military district, including the border counties south of the Missouri river, and im- mediately repaired to Lexington to organize forces for the coming struggle. He actively participated in the siege and battle of Lexington, and rendered efficient service in the organization of the army at Boston mountains and in the advance to Pea Ridge and at Elkhorn Tavern was present upon the field and participated with the Missouri troops in all the vicissitudes of that memorable engagement. He commanded the advance at the battle of Prai- ric Grove, and fought at Lone Jack, Granby and Newtonia, was also on the expedition to Cape Girardeau, commanding the rear from Bloomfield to the crossing of the St. Francis river, repulsing repeated attacks made upon it, and he participated in the ill-fated expedition to Helena. In August, 1864, it having been determined to invade Missouri, a company of officers and men numbering about one hundred were sent into the state in advance of
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Price's army to penetrate to the western border and concentrate all the ir- regular troops and volunteers to join the regular forces upon their arrival. Of this company Colonel Rathbun was chosen commander, and starting out upon the march from Batesville, Arkansas, entered the state near West Plains, and passing through Texas county entered Laclede. Passing on, without interruption through Henry and Johnson counties, Lafayette county was reached, Lexington menaced, the federal forces stationed there crossed the Missouri river and the city formally surrendered and was occupied by the Confederates some three weeks before the arrival of General Price's command. Then followed the battle of Westport and the retreat southward which, after leaving Missouri, became the march of a disorganized rabble, without order, without commissary stores and without any fixed purpose except to get through the wild Indian country, if possible, into southern Ar- kansas and Texas.
Our subject remained at Arkadelphia until the year following the close of the war, when he returned to Lexington, and, as soon as he was per- mitted to do so, resumed the practice of his profession and thereafter his rise was rapid. As attorney for the Lexington & St. Louis Railroad Com- pany he aided materially in the successful operation of that road, and secured its first lease in the Missouri Pacific.
Colonel Rathbun was married July 4, 1858, to Dicie Jennie Dean, a daughter of Jesse Dean and wife, of Lexington, Missouri, who removed from Carrollton, Kentucky, to a farm in Lafayette county, Missouri. about the Civil war period. Mr. Dean was a successful agriculturist during his active life and a highly respected citizen. Politically he was a Democrat. To Colonel Rathbun and wife six children were born, four of whom are living, namely: Jesse W. is the eldest; George is deceased; William A. is a well-known attorney of Springfield; Edward B. is deceased: Jennie L., and Hattie M. are the two youngest.
Colonel Rathbun removed from Lexington to Springfield in 1886 and here continued the practice of law for a period of twenty-three years with his usual success, and ranked among the leaders of the Greene county bar, and here his death occurred March 16, 1907, at the age of seventy-eight years.
We quote the following from a Lexington newspaper, under date of March 20, 1907: "The passing away of Col. George S. Rathbun will be a reminder to many of his old-time friends in this county that they, too, have climbed to the summit of life's tortuous journey and are traveling rapidly toward the sunset of this existence. He was well known all over Lafayette county. The most active and useful period of his career as a lawyer and citizen was when he resided at Wellington and Lexington in this county. He was what might be termed one of the pioneers of this county, having
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come here many years before the Civil war from the Buckeye state, locat- ing in Greenton Valley where he began life as a teacher in the public schools, afterwards studied law and the year preceding the war was elected to the state Legislature on the Whig ticket from this county.
"Colonel Rathbun was truly one of the most remarkable men that the war period brought into the spot-light of publicity in Missouri. Arriving in this section of the state at about the same period that the late Senator Vest arrived from Kentucky, they were thrown much together in the practice of law and became fast friends. It was against Rathbun that Vest made his first political eloquence count with telling effect and thereby paved the way to his future greatness in the field of politics. Though the warmest of friends they were decidedly unlike in physical appearance and temperament. This marked difference in the makeup of the two men is doubtless respon- sible for Missouri sending Vest, the ex-member of the Confederate congress, to the United States senate, while Rathbun, who won the epaulets of a colonel in the service of his beloved South, ended his days in practicing the profession of law. AAs practitioner at the bar, Rathbun was the equal of Vest at every turn of the legal road. Where Vest was eloquently persuasive, Rathbun was logically invulnerable. What Vest would accomplish with a rapier Rathbun could do equally as well with a club. In mental attainments Rathbun was equally the equal of Vest, and as a student, those who knew both men, say that he clearly outranked the 'Little Giant.' When the Civil war broke out Rathbun and Vest both enlisted under 'Old Pap' Price. Vest was given a place on the staff of General Price with the title of colonel, while Rathbun commenced further down the line. Vest had a decided aversion to soldiering. He had to take part in the battle of Lexington, but was heard to say soon thereafter that he would never be in another bat- tle. It was doubtless this pronounced dislike for army life that prompted him to wax so eloquent down in Arkansas a few months later when General Price's army held an election to send a representative to the Confederate congress. Colonels Rathbun and Vest were the two leading candidates. Vest was bringing all his cunning into play to secure his election while Rath- bun awaited the result of the ballot with utter indifference. At the oppor- tune moment Vest had one of his supporters to start the cry for a speech. It was the 'Little Giant's' opportunity and he made the most of it. His por- trayal of the soldierly qualities of his friend Rathbun made him loom on the military horizon like a Napoleon. The cap-sheaf of his eloquent speech was when he pointed to the magnificent and nearly perfect figure of Colonel Rathbun and said, 'Boys, are you going to allow the Confederate service to lose such a soldier when a d- runt like myself, who is of no earthly use to the military, can serve you in the Confederate congress just as well.' After the speech a ballot was taken and Vest beat Rathbun just one vote.
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The defeat never soured Rathbun the least bit. He served throughout the entire war and returned home with the title of colonel which was gallantly earned under Gen. Joe Shelby. After the war was over he took up the prac- tice of law in this county and was one of the leaders of the bar until he re- moved to Springfield."
A lengthy address, eulogizing Colonel Rathbun, before the Springfield bar association, shortly after our subject's death, after recounting in detail his long career as a soldier, lawyer and politician, closed with this paragraph :
"Colonel Rathbun's life since 1884 here in Springfield has been an open book to you all. His genial nature, warm and generous heart was clouded to his latter day acquaintances and more recent friends by the growing physical malady which overtook him. But to those who knew him of old. his heart was as of yore, and through that heart back along the cycle of years, I come to the picture on memory's wall that I love best, one in the bloom and beauty of a vigorous manhood, going forth with a proud uncon- scientiousness of strength to do and to dare, to battle for the right as it was given to him to see that right, to give and receive the blows of honor- able conflict, to accept without murmur the fate of battle and to bring to the new life a spirit unbroken, and a heart without taint. This picture, treasured in my heart, wreathed in immortelles, is the tribute I bear to the memory of Colonel Rathbun, the true friend and brother of the bar of us all."
After the principal address at the memorial held to honor the subject of this memoir, which was delivered by Mr. Massey, the following attor- neys also spoke of the commendable qualities of the deceased, of his ability as a lawyer, his courtesy, his scholarship, his kindness to young lawyers, of the value of his friendship and counsel, of his kindly and gentlemanly methods of conducting himself under all circumstances: Judge J. T. Ne- ville, Judge W. D. Hubbard, Judge J. J. Gideon, Judge Howell, A. H. Wear, Perry T. Allen, Guy D. Kirby, J. T. White and E. A. Barbour.
EPHRAIM CHALFANT.
The late Ephraim Chalfant enjoyed distinctive prestige among the en- terprising men of Springfield and Greene county of a past generation, having fought his way onward and upward to a prominent position in the circles in which he moved, and in every relation of life, his voice and influence were on the side of right as he saw and understood the right. He was always interested in every enterprise for the welfare of the community and liberally supported every movement calculated to benefit his fellow-men. Al-
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though the last chapter in his life drama has been brought to a close by the "angel with the backward look and folded wings of ashen gray," who called him to a higher sphere of action, his influence for good is still felt in the locality long honored by his residence and he is greatly missed by hosts of friends and acquaintances, for he was a man in whom the utmost confi- dence could be reposed, scrupulously honest in all his dealings with his fel- lows, always making good his promises, was kind and obliging, especially to the unfortunate, and a man whom all respected and admired.
Mr. Chalfant, who was a citizen of Springfield for over a quarter of a century, and widely known in southwest Missouri as a piano dealer, was born May 11, 1829, in Loydsville, Belmont county, Ohio. He was a son of Robert and Elizabeth (Orin) Chalfant, both parents natives of Pennsylvania, the father born August 29. 1779, and died November 24, 1854; he was a son of Robert and Rachael Chalfant. The mother of our subject was born July 2, 1789, and died December 10, 1857. Robert Chal- fant devoted his life to general farming. He left his native state when he was a young man and moved to Ohio, having married in Pennsylvania and established the family home in Belmont county. Politically, he was first a Whig and in later life was quite active in politics. He and his wife were both Quakers. Their family consisted of nine children, all of whom are now deceased. They were named as follows : Benjamin, Miller, Milton, Phoebe, Rachael, Mary, Elizabeth, Ephraim (subject of this memoir), and Lydia.
Ephraim Chalfant grew to manhood on the home farm in Ohio and there assisted with the general work when he was a boy, and, being com- pelled to work most of the time, he had little opportunity to obtain an edu- cation, but he was ambitious, studied hard at home and, in this manner and through contact with the business world he became a well-educated man and was a success in life, an example of a self-made man. In his carly life he learned the cabinet maker's trade, at which he worked until the breaking out of the Civil war, when he entered the service at the first call for troops by President Lincoln, enlisting at Wheeling. West Vir- ginia, in the spring of 1861 and served three months. Re-enlisting, he was made a lieutenant in August, 1862, in the Wheeling Battery and was soon in the full service, principally in the famous Shenandoah Valley, where he proved himself to be a most capable and efficient soldier for the Union. He was honorably discharged, and afterwards removed to Cooper county'; Missouri, where he engaged in farming for five years, then located in Boonville, that county, and opened a piano store, which he conducted with success until in 1881, when he removed with his family to Springfield, this state, where he spent the rest of his life. continuing in the piano business.
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enjoying a large and ever-growing trade as a result of his business ability, his honest dealings and courteous treatment of his many customers. He understood thoroughly every phase of this particular line and was by nature musically inclined.
Mr. Chalfant was married November 3, 1852, to Susan Humphre- ville, who was born in Mt. Pleasant, Jefferson county, Ohio, February 14, 1831. She is a daughter of William B. and Sarah (Dew ) Humphreville, the father a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and the mother was born in North Carolina. Mr. Humphreville was a cabinet maker by trade, and he made his own glue and varnish, and was a very skilled workman. He was a stanch member of the Quaker church, in which he was a pillar, and he was a "Free-soiler," in his political views. His family consisted of ten children, six of whom are still living, and of this number the widow of the subject of this memoir is the oldest. They were named as follows : Susan, who married Mr. Chalfant; Joseph is deceased; William, Alexander and Theodore are all three living; Julia is deceased ; Ensley is living ; Lewis, Sarah, are both deceased; and Fannie is the youngest of the family. Mrs. Chalfant received a limited education in the Quaker schools of her day. She is now a member of the First Congregational church in Springfield. She makes her home with her son, Prof. William A. Chalfant, who re- sides on Benton avenue. She is a woman of pure Christian sentiments and her long life has been one of usefulness and a good example to those with whom she has come in contact.
Two children were born to Ephraim Chalfant and wife: William Addison, born June 22, 1854, married Hattie Leach, and they have one child, Clinton; the elder Chalfant has been a professor in Drury College for a period of thirty-three years, his long retention being sufficient evi- dence of his scholarship and satisfaction, for during that period he has seen a number of presidents come and go, but he has kept the work of his de- partment up to such a high standard and has kept abreast of the times so well that they have all been glad to work with him. Alonzo B., second son of the subject of this sketch, was born January 8. 1858, and is one of the most efficient and popular photographers of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. He married Elizabeth May, and they have two children. May and Elizabeth.
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