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 97
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Ephraim Chalfant was a Republican but never an office seeker or ambitious to lead in public affairs. Fraternally, he belongs to the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows. and passed all the chairs in the local lodge. He was a member of the First Congregational church, of which he was trustee and treasurer, and was long active in church affairs, and when he was called to his eternal rest on January 26, 1908, he was greatly missed in church and business circles. He was nearly seventy-nine years of age.
GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
JOHN BAKER GLASS.
For a period of nearly forty years the late John Baker Glass was re- garded by his wide acquaintance as one of the representative citizens of Greene county. He was a man whom to know was to admire and re- spect, for he was the possessor of that peculiar combination of attributes which results in the attainment of much that is worth while in this world. He aimed to be progressive in what he did, was always in sympathy with enterprises having for their object the common good, and his influence was invariably exerted on the right side of every moral issue. Like all men of positive ideas he sought to know the truth at all times and to apply it in his every-day affairs, and thus he was spoken of as one who "stood four-square to every wind that blew."
Mr. Glass was born in Stark county, Ohio, March 6, 1845. He was a son of John and Sarah ( Baker) Glass, the father dying on March 3, 1845, just three days before our subject was born. (See sketch of Albert M. Glass.) To these parents one other son was born, Albert Glass, who is now living near Bois D' Arc, Greene county, Missouri. The father was a native of Ohio, where he grew to manhood, established his home in Stark county, where he engaged in farming, and operated a large saw mill, also.
John B. Glass spent his boyhood in his native state and attended the common schools. He served during the latter part of the Civil war, en- listing in 1865 in Company G. One Hundred and Sixty-second Ohio Vol- unteer Infantry. He was in the service about four months and did guard duty mostly in Covington, Kentucky, and other points. After the war he returned to Stark county and attended Mt. Union College for two years, receiving an excellent education. He then began his career as teacher, which he followed successfully until in May, 1870, when he came to Spring- field, Missouri, and here engaged in the grist and saw mill business, under the firm name of Glass & Creighton. Later Mr. Creighton sold his interest to a Mr. Mishler, and the firm name was changed to Mishler & Glass. The business was continued for many years by our subject, who met with con- tinuous success and accumulated a competency and considerable valuable property. His health failing, he gave up active work and spent some time away from Springfield in an effort to regain his health. Upon his return he lived in retirement, merely looking after his property.
Mr. Glass was married near Springfield on January 20, 1880, to Mar- tha 1. Witherspoon, a daughter of William E. and Mary Jane (Watts) Witherspoon. Mr. Witherspoon came to Greene county in 1858 and pur- chased eighty acres, later bought another eighty adjoining, and here became a successful farmer. He was one of eight children. He was a native of
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MR. AND MRS. J. B. GLASS.
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GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
Tennessee and was a small child when his father died. Mrs. Glass was one of ten children, seven of whom are still living, five sons and two daugh- ters, all making their homes in Greene county but one. They are Mrs. Elizabeth Cornell, who lives in Ottawa, Kansas; Martha L., who married Mr. Glass, of this memoir; Mrs. Nancy A. Votaw, Mrs. Mary J. Morris ; William J. is farming; Mrs. Margaret S. Stiver; Edward M. is farming; John M., the eldest son, died in 1880; two children died in infancy, un- named. The father of the above-named children died on the old homestead on April 16, 1883. His widow still survives and is making her home with her son, Edward M. Witherspoon, who lives on a farm near Springfield.
The union of Mr. and Mrs. Glass was without issue.
Politically, Mr. Glass was a Republican. He was a member of the Congregational church, in which he was for some time a deacon. He was also superintendent of the Sunday school twice, and was active in church and Sunday school work. He was twice honored by being chosen presi- dent of the Greene County Sunday School Association, and was also treas- urer of the same. He was one of the most influential and earnest men in this line of work in the county for many years. He was a member of John Matthews Post, Grand Army of the Republic, Springfield. Mrs. Glass belongs to the Ladies' Circle of the Grand Army of the Republic. She is also a member of the Congregational church. She has a pleasant home on North Jefferson street.
Mr. Glass was summoned to his reward in the silent land on Decem- ber 20, 1909. He was greatly missed from the circles in which he moved, all conceding that a good, broad-minded and useful man had gone.
LYNN HUMMEL.
The late Lynn Hummel was for many years one of the best-known lumber dealers in southern Missouri and had extensive interests in this line, and was one of Springfield's most progressive men of affairs, a citizen worthy of conspicuous mention in a volume of the nature of the one in hand. He placed true values on men and events, so that he was essentially demo- cratic and unassuming and showed the intrinsic strength and loyalty of his character. His benevolences were large and were ever unostentatious and admirably placed. He knew the spring of human motive and action, so that he was kindly and tolerant in his judgment and ever ready to lend a helping hand to any worthy movement.
Mr. Hummel was born in Pennsylvania, August 28, 1852, and was a
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son of David and Ellen Hummel, both also natives of the Keystone state where they spent their earlier years, were married and established their home, but finally came to Jasper county, Missouri, after living awhile at Freeport, Illinois. It was in the early seventies that they located in Missouri. David Himmel devoted his life to general farming. Politically, he was a Republican. His death occurred about 1889, and the death of his widow occurred in September, 1901. They were the parents of seven children, namely: Mphens is the oldest; Emma, deceased; Lynn, of this review ; Perry is deceased: Mrs. Eliza Shaffer, Nelson, and Ellis are the three youngest.
Lym Hummel was about seventeen years of age when the family removed from Pennsylvania to Freeport, Illinois. He received a good education in the schools of Freeport, Illinois, and Carthage, Missouri; was especially apt in mathematics, an excellent bookkeeper and a splendid musi- cian. He cultivated his decided natural taste for music, and when he began life for himself he went into the piano and organ business at Carthage, Missouri, in which he remained a year, then became expert accountant for S. A. Brown & Company of that city, lumber dealers, and our subject spent his time as auditor at the various yards of the firm. In February, 1884, he located at Springfield, Missouri, and here spent the rest of his life. He was placed in charge of the general office here of the Home Lumber Com- pany of Carthage. He was auditor of a chain of yards of that company for about five years, then went into business with W. R. Pickering, now of Kansas City, Missouri, and they established in Springfield the Hummel Lumber Company, with large yards on Mill street, and in 1901 built the extensive yards on Olive street, the first lumber yards to be located up town, and about five years later our subject bought out his partner, re- maining the sole owner until his death. This business grew to large pro- portions under his able management and wise foresight and became one of the largest of its kind in southern Missouri, in fact, was not equaled by any of its competitors either in magnitude or business, and it was he who blazed the trail in many new innovations for the arrangement of lumber yards and was a pioneer of many new ideas of advertising, etc., which are universally used today. Mr. Hummell handled great consignments of lun- ber of all kinds annually, shipping to all parts of the country, doing a large wholesale business and at different times was largely interested in mills in the South. At the time of his death he was the oldest lumber man in the Queen City. He thoroughly understood every phase of this line of busi- ness and, being both a student and close observer, kept fully abreast of the times in his vocation. By close application, honest dealings and the exercise of sound judgment he accumulated a handsome competence and was one of the substantial men financially of Greene county, and yet he
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remained a plain, modest, retiring gentleman who was admired and trusted implicity by everybody.
Mr. Hummel was married July 25, 1883, to Emma C. Stevenson, who was born in Boone county, Indiana, and when three months old her parents removed with her to Wisconsin. Her father was a mechanic. Soon after the close of the Civil war the Stevenson family moved to Missouri. Mrs. Hummel's parents were Elijah C. and Caroline ( Farlin) Stevenson, the father born in Ohio in 1832, and the mother's birth occurred in New York in 1836. They lived to advanced ages, the father dying in April, 1910, and the mother in July. 1908. Mr. Stevenson was a soldier in the Civil war, enlisting from Monroe county, Wisconsin, in Company D. Thirty-sixth Wis- consin Volunteer Infantry, at the second call of President Lincoln for volunteers. He made a faithful and gallant soldier, and for meritorious conduct was promoted to sergeant. During his service of three years he was in a number of important engagements, including the battle of Bull Run, Cumberland Gap and others. He was mustered out at Madison, Wisconsin, and was honorably discharged in the fall of 1865, and soon thereafter moved to Carthage, Missouri, where he continued working at his trade at which he was highly skilled. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. Politically, he was a Republican. His family consisted of seven children, five of whom are still living, namely: Charles, is deceased; Emma, who married Mr. Hummel, of this sketch; Colbert is living; May is deceased ; Rue, George, and the youngest, Clement, reside in Springfield. Mrs. Hummel received a common school education in Jasper county, Missouri, after which she taught school for a period of seven years. She was a most successful teacher and her services were in great demand. She taught two terms in Wisconsin, and she continued her profession until her marriage and has done newspaper work to some extent. She is a lady of education, culture and many praiseworthy characteristics. The union of our subject and wife was without issue.
Politically, Mr. Hummel was a Republican, but never a seeker of political office, being a home man and preferring a quiet life. He was a worthy member of the First Cumberland Presbyterian church, to which church Mrs. Hummel belongs. Fraternally. he belonged to the Woodmen of the World, and was a charter member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Florence Lodge of Springfield. He was actively interested in the work of the Young Men's Christian Association, and always paid the membership of at least one deserving boy, a plan which Mrs. Hummel has continued to pursue.
Mr. Hummel was a strong advocate of temperance and the Woman's Christian Temperance Union always received his willing support.
The death of Lynn Hummel occurred May 18, 1908, at the age of
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fifty-six years. He was buried in Park cemetery, Carthage, Missouri, the family burying grounds. He left behind him the record of a life well spent, a record against which no one could say one word of blame, and his memory will long be kept green by his hosts of warm friends wherever he was known.
WILLIAM C. JAMES, M. D.
In the history of Springfield and Greene county in connection with the medical profession, the name of Dr. William C. James must necessarily occupy a prominent place, for although he was summoned from the field of action in the prime of life, through a number of years he was one of the representative general practitioners of the Queen City of the Ozarks, pro- gressive, enterprising and capable. Such qualities as he possessed by na- ture always win success sooner or later, and to Doctor James they brought a satisfactory reward for his well directed efforts and at the same time won and retained the high esteem of his fellow citizens by his honorable record and obliging nature. He was one of the native sons of the Golden state, a class that has done so much in the general development of the Pacific coast country, but few of whom have found it to their advantage to remove from the far West and cast their lot among Missourians.
Doctor James was born near Napa City, in the Sacramento Valley, California, November 7, 1858. He was a son of William H. and Lucy A. (Wade) James, both parents being Southerners, the mother going from the South to California when a child and there grew to womanhood and married William H. James, who was in his earlier years a merchant, but later studied and practiced medicine, remaining in California many years, finally removing to southwest Missouri, where he became a well-known physician. His family consisted of seven children, five of whom are still living, namely: J. T., J. B., Dr. E. F., Mrs. J. P. Hubbel, Mrs. Mary Burford, Dr. William C., of this memoir, and Lucy, who is deceased.
Dr. William C. James was young in years when he came to Missouri with his parents. He received a common and high school education in Carthage, this state, later attending medical college at Nashville, Tennessee, from which he was graduated with the class of 1880, later taking a post- graduate course in New York City. He began the practice of his profes- sion at Marshfield, Webster county, Missouri, in the early eighties, but re- mained there only a short time when he removed to Springfield, where he remained until his death, maintaining an office on Commercial street, and was regarded as one of the leading general physicians of the city, especially popular on the north side, and he was successful from the first,
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his practice gradually increasing with the years and he was a man who kept well up with the trend of his profession, and although always busy, found time to keep up his studies.
Doctor James was married August 8, 1883, to Georgia A. Rush, a native of Pennsylvania, and a daughter of James L. and Frances C. (Nichols) Rush, the former a native of Pennsylvania of Dutch ancestry, and the mother was born in Webster county, Missouri. She met an un- fortunate death in the great cyclone that devastated the town of Marshfield, Missouri, in 1880. James L. Rush came to Missouri when young and settled in Marshfield. He was a lawyer and became one of the leading members of the Greene county bar. Politically, he was a Democrat and was quite active in politics. His family consisted of nine children, six of whom are still living, namely: J. N., Mrs. G. A. James, William H., James L., Margaret and H. B. Mrs. Georgia A. James grew to womanhood in Marsh- field and received her education in the schools of that place. She is a member of the Catholic church, and she has a comfortable home on Benton avenue, Springfield.
To Dr. James and wife four children were born, three of whom are still living, namely : Frances C., born July 18, 1885, is deceased ; James R., born on October 7, 1890; William L., born on August 16, 1898; and Mar- garet, born October 24, 1901.
Dr. James was a member of the Greene County Medical Society. the Missouri State Medical Association, and the American Medical Association. Politically he was a Democrat but was never an office seeker. Fraternally, he belonged to the Masonic Order. The death of Doctor James occurred January 5, 1908.
HARRY H. MITCHELL.
We should indeed be proud of the fact that there is no limit in this country to which natural ability, industry and honesty many not aspire, whether born here or in some foreign clime-the opportunities are open to all, the individual being largely responsible for his success or failure in this land of free thinking and comparatively free action. One born in the most unpromising surroundings and reared in the most adverse environment may nevertheless break from his fetters and rise to the highest station in the land, and the qualities do not have to be of transcendent character to enable him to accomplish this result. It is more the way he does it and his skill in grasping opportunities possessed by him. The late Harry H. Mitchell, well- known publisher and politician of Missouri, who stood high as a man of affairs and public-spirited citizen, although born under another flag, was
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an excellent example of how one with ambition, determination and force of character may rise from humble surroundings to a position of influence in his community.
Mr. Mitchell was born in Horsforth, England, August 7, 1850, and was the eklest son of George and Mary ( Armitage ) Mitchell, also natives of England, where they grew up and were married and established their home, but eventually came to the United States, in 1855. George Mitchell was educated both in the ministry and as a physician at Edinburgh, Scotland, and became a man of ability and learning, and his chief life work was as a preacher. When the subject of this memoir was five years old the family immigrated to America, first locating in New Jersey, later came to St. Louis, Missouri, where the father was for some time pastor of the Fourth Baptist church. From there he went to Lebanon and was pastor of the Baptist church in that city when the Civil war broke out. He sympathized with the Union, and was president of the first Union league formed in Missouri. He continued his pastorate work in this country, becoming popular in his denomination and built up the various churches to which he was called. His death occurred in Boliver, Missouri, May 27, 1879, and his wife passed away at Hiawatha, Kansas, September 26, 1911. Their family consisted of eight children.
Harry H. Mitchell had little chance to receive an education, but he attended school a short time in St. Louis, also went to night school there. He was a type of the successful self-made man, having become a well- educated man through long years of home study and contact with the business world. Although but a mere boy he enlisted for service in the Union army during the latter part of the Civil war and served a few months under Capt. John Long, of Miller county, Missouri.
By nature a splendid penman, Mr. Miller began life for himself by teaching penmanship in several schools, but his principal life work lias been in the field of journalism. He did his first newspaper work in Bolivar, Polk county, where he remained five or six years, and there he also worked in a merchandise store. From there he and his wife moved to Springfield in 1881, and here he found employment with Havens and Bentley, publishers of The Herald, remaining with them a few years, then took a position with the Silsby Hardware Company, for which he traveled for thirteen years throughout Missouri, then traveled for some time for the W. F. O. Bair grocery house of St. Louis, having given both firms most satisfactory ser- vice as a traveling salesman, doing much to increase the prestige of each over the territory assigned him. In 1892 he went to Henry county, this state. and purchased The Henry County Republican at Clinton. After con- chuicting it successfully for a time he returned to Springfield and purchased a share of The Springfield Republican, which has for many years been one of
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the leading dailies of southern Missouri, mention of which is made on other pages of this work. Later he became owner of The Central Missouri Re- publican, at Boonville, which paper is now the property of his widow. He was very successful as a newspaper man and did much to build up the various newspapers with which he was connected, being a man of keen foresight, sound judgment and indefatigable energy; he had the tact of knowing what his subscribers wanted and tried to give them a good paper and his advertisers full value for their patronage.
Politically, Mr. Mitchell was a strong Republican and a great worker in the party, for many years was one of the influential men of his party in the southern part of the state and was not unknown throughout the state to Republican politicians, many of whom relied on his judgment and ad- vice. He was secretary and treasurer of the Missouri State Editorial Asso- ciation for life and held that responsible position with much success until his death. He also served for some time as a member of the Republican State Central Committee and did much for the success of the party in Missouri. He was a member of the Springfield Club, and fraternally be- longed to the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Mr. Mitchell was married in Buffalo, Missouri, March 5, 1876, to Ta- bitha E. Morrow, who was born June 7, 1856, in that city, and is a daughter of William L. and Sarah L. (Brown) Morrow, the father a native of Tennessee and the mother of Georgia. Mr. Morrow was a pioneer in southwest Missouri, having come to Greene county when only two or three houses had been built where the city of Springfield now stands. He went on to Buffalo, Dallas county, and entered land from the government, which he improved and on which he established the future home of the family and there reared his children. He also engaged in the mercantile business here in connection with farming and became one of the leading citizens of the county. Politically he was a Republican. During the Civil war he was a member of the State Militia but was not called into actual service. His family consisted of seven children, six of whom are still living. Mrs. Mitchell grew to womanhood in Dallas county and there received a common school education. She is a member of Grace Methodist Episcopal church, also belongs to Grace Reading Circle. She owns a beautiful and neatly furnished home at 1307 Benton avenue.
To Harry H. Mitchell and wife six children were born, named as follows: Maude, born November 8, 1877, married Charles Wilder, editor of The Gasette of Colorado Springs, Colorado, in which city they live. They have two children, namely, Charles Townsend, Jr., born February 15, 1907, and Mitchell, born August 19, 1913: George A., born December 22, 1879, is unmarried and at this writing lives in Alaska; Helen E., born April 15,
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1882, married Carl Crone, a wholesale groceryman of Clinton, Missouri, in which city they live ; they have one child, Helen Elizabeth, born April 12, 1912; Harriet, born November 12, 1884, is the wife of O. C. Kisley, and they live in St. Louis; Harry H., born April 15, 1891, lives in Boonville, Missouri, where he runs the newspaper left by his father; Edith Maric, born January 8, 1895. lives at home. These children were all given excel- lent educational advantages and are well situated in life.
The death of Harry H. Mitchell occurred July 24, 1913, when nearly sixty-three years of age. He was a man of fine mind and exemplary charac- ter, widely known throughout the state and highly respected by all.
WILLIAM ROBY HARMAN, M. D.
Success in any enterprise demands that some person shall learn to do some one thing better than it has been done before. It is especially true of the medical profession. As a successful physician Dr. William Roby Harman, of Springfield, has done much for the cause of suffering humanity, and has won honor and the evidences of deserved success for himself. While engaged in the cares and exactions of his profession he has not forgot- ten to fulfill the demands of good citizenship, and no enterprise of a worthy public nature has appealed in vain to him for support.
Doctor Harman was born in Watuaga county, North Carolina, Jan- uary 25. 1867. He is a son of Alfred J. and Lucinda ( Trivett ) Harman. The father was born in North Carolina on January 3, 1845. and the mother was also born in that state, and there these parents grew to maturity, re- ceived meager educations in the old-time schools, and were married, and there they established their home. The father devoted his active life to general farming. During the Civil war he fought gallantly on the side of the Confederacy, a member of a North Carolina cavalry regiment, in Stone- wall Jackson's army. He saw much hard service and suffered many dis- eases as a result of exposure. He was never wounded, but was taken pris- oner and held by the enemy until the close of the war. His death occurred on May 17, 1884. His widow. a daughter of Wilbur Trivett, is still living, making her home in Jacksonville, Florida, at this writing. Her father was killed by bushwhackers during the war between the states.
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