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 99
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John A. Granade came to Springfield, Missouri, in 1881, after his father's death and here spent the rest of his life successfully engaged in contracting and building, his business growing to large proportions under his close application and able management and he was widely known as an up-to-date, prompt and skilled workman, honest and straightforward in his dealings with his fellowmen. Politically, he was a Democrat, and religi- ously he belonged to St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal church. South, of which church one of his brothers, who was a prominent minister of this denomina- tion, was pastor for some time. Fraternally, our subject was a member of the Free and Accepted Masons. He was called to his eternal rest September 14, 1899.
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GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI
ALFRED H. WILSON.
It has been said by those in the habit of superficial thinking that the dead are soon forgotten and, according to one of America's greatest poets, in writing of the dead, "All that breathe will share thy destiny; the gay will laugh when thou art gone; the solemn brood of care plod on, and each one as before will chase his favorite phantom." Whether this be a universal truth or not, it is safe to say that few men of a past generation of Spring- field will linger longer in the memory of the citizens of Greene county who were contemporaneous with him than the late Alfred H. Wilson, who only recently "went on the journey we all must go." This is due to the fact that he had the qualities that impress men. Prominent and prosperous in busi- ness, he established a character for integrity, public-spirit and the social amenities of life, and he became also one of the noted local public men of his day and generation, serving faithfully and well in positions of honor and trust within the gift of the people. He was one of our sterling pioneers, having been a resident of Springfield for sixty years during which he saw and took an active part in the development of the place from a straggling frontier village to the rich capital of the entire Ozark region. He was a man of great force of character and usually found in the lead when any movement was on foot for the betterment of his city and county. Tena- cious of his own rights, he respected the rights of others, and in the best sense of the term he was always a gentleman in social intercourse, as well as a model citizen in the affairs affecting the public.
Mr. Wilson was born in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, July 21, 1835. He was a son of William and Cynthia ( Wasson) Wilson, both natives of North Carolina where they grew to maturity and were married. Removing from the old Tar state to Rutherford county, Tennessee, they lived there a num- ber of years, then, in 1854 made the overland journey to Greene county, Missouri, seven weeks being consumed in making the trip. The family re- mained awhile at Greenfield, Dade county, but soon thereafter came on to Springfield and established a camp on what is now the lot of the Silsby home on St. Louis street, but the family made their permanent location on a farm about five miles north of Springfield, and there began life in pioneer fashion, developed a good farm on which the parents of our subject spent the rest of their lives. Ten children were born to them, three of whom are still living, namely: Mrs. Samuel Ware, of Greenfield, Missouri; Mrs. Oliver Ritter, of Greene county, and Elisha who also resides in this county.
Alfred H. Wilson grew to manhood on his father's farm and worked hard when a boy. He received his education in the public schools of his native community in Tennessee, and, remaining a great reader and a close
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observer all his life, he became an exceptionally well informed man. He began life for himself as a teacher, which he followed for some time. He was nineteen years of age when he removed with his parents to Missouri, and he was twenty-one years old when he left the farm and located in Springfield, where he first worked in the United States land office. Later for several years he was identified with the Holcomb-Thompson Company in the foundry business at Phelps avenue and Campbell street. During the latter part of his active life he was an associate of the late H. W. Diggins in the insurance business. The last ten years of his life were spent in retire- ment from active business. He was very successful in a material way and it is understood by his friends that he accumulated a comfortable income.
A considerable portion of Mr. Wilson's life was spent in public of- fice. He was a loyal Republican and active in party affairs during his long residence in this locality-in fact, was regarded as a local leader. He was the first man in Greene county to be twice elected to the office of county col- lector, in which he served two terms with satisfaction to all concerned. He was also elected city clerk and city recorder several times, proving all the while to be a faithful, able and conscientious public servant.
Mr. Wilson was married in St. Joseph, Missouri, October 26. 1868, to Maggie O'Noeal, who was born December 16, 1845. in Crawford county, Pennsylvania. She is a daughter of John and Catherine O'Noeal, who were born in Ireland. Mr. O'Noeal was a stone and street contractor. He paved nearly all the streets of Weston, Missouri, where he long maintained his resi- dence and where his death finally occurred. His wife. Catherine O'Gorman, was also born in Ireland; they grew to maturity in the Emerald Isle and were married on board ship as they were on the voyage to America. To this union seven children were born, four of whom are still living.
Mrs. Maggie Wilson received a good education. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
To Mr. and Mrs. Wilson one child was born, Charles A. Wilson, whose birth occurred November 30, 1872. He was educated in the schools of Springfield, where he grew to manhood. He is at present living in Wichita, Kansas, where he is engaged in the jewelry business. He married Tilly Jocobi, and to them two children have been born, namely: Dwight and Al- fred J.
The widow of our subject lives in the old Wilson home on College street.
During the Civil war Alfred H. Wilson served in the Union army, ranking as first lieutenant, but he did not see actual field service. He went to Rolla, Missouri, in 1861, where he served in the quartermaster's office until the close of the war, performing his duties most faithfully and accept- ably, and was honorably discharged.
GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
Mr. Wilson formed an acquaintance at an early date with Martin J. Hubble and other pioneers of Springfield. A booklet recently published by Mr. Hubble relating reminiscences of certain old settlers contains the fol- loving excerpt from an interview with Mr. Wilson shortly before his death :
"It was a red letter day for Springfield about the middle of August, 1858, when the first overland coach arrived. The business houses were dec- orated, and men, women and children were out on the public square in force. If my memory serves me right, three coaches came in together-horses and coaches decorated with flags and ribbons, bugles sounding and the horses came up Boonville street hill at a gallop. Young John Butterfield, son of the promoter of the project, was on the first coach, and it was said that he made the entire trip through to California, but of course he was relieved for rest and sleep. The trip took about twenty-one days."
Mr. Wilson referred to the first stage coach through Springfield in the above interview. The stage line was discontinued about the date of the breaking out of the Civil war.
Mr. Wilson was called to his reward in the Silent Land on June 12, 1914, after a long illness, which he bore with fine Christian fortitude. The record he left will long be an inspiration to his descendants and those who knew him and were associated with him, for Greene county has never had a worthier name on her roll of honorable citizenship.
WV. B. SHELTON.
After a man has devoted almost a half century to as hard and exacting a work as railroading, he is entitled to spend his old age in quiet. So no one will think it amiss that W. B. Shelton is now taking his well-earned respite, for he has now attained his three score and ten, and it was just fifty years ago that he began his career as railroader, and he has worked in vari- ous capacities in this vocation in the Mississippi Valley. He is one of the gallant veterans of the Confederate army, and when he recently retired from active life was one of the oldest railway conductors in Springfield.
Mr. Shelton was born, September 12, 1844, in Staunton, Augusta county, Virginia-a historic locality in the midst of the "land of Presi- dents." He is a son of William and Matilda (Fauver ) Shelton. The mother was born near Middlebrook, Virginia, on a farm, May 27, 1818, and there she grew to womanhood and was educated. Her death occurred at Mid- dlebrook, January 6. 1887. The father of our subject was born near Rich- mond, Virginia, September 12, 1810, and there he grew to manhood, re- ceived a good education, and spent his entire life in Virginia, dying on
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December 21, 1891. In his earlier career he taught school, later learned the jeweler's trade, which he followed in Middlebrook, but failing eyesight final- ly compelled him to retire. He was a great worker in the cause of temper- ance, and was active in an organization known as the Sons of Temperance. His family consisted of ten children, eight of whom are still living, namely : John H., born August 27, 1838, died March 21, 1914, in Tacoma, Washing- ton, having spent most of his life in the West; Mary J., born May 11, 1840, lives in Alderson, West Virginia ; Francis E., born May I, 1842. is deceased ; WV. B., of this sketch; Margaret S., born October 27, 1846, lives in Colum- bus, Ohio; Martha A., born October 3, 1848, lives in Craigsville, Virginia ; Amanda K., born July 29, 1850, lives at Goshen, Virginia; David F., born August 28, 1853, lives in Indiana ; Rebecca E., born April 3. 1856, lives in Craigsville, Virginia: Joseph C., born June 21, 1859, lives in Staunton, Virginia.
WV. B. Shelton grew to manhood in his native vicinity and received his education in Staunton and Middlebrook. He left home when thirteen years of age and went to Tennessee, where he lived for over ten years and was there during the Civil war period, and at Greenville he enlisted for service in the Confederate army, in April, 1862, in Company H, Twenty-ninth Ten- nessee Volunteer Infantry, under Capt. Henry Coulter, and was in active service fifteen months, taking part in numerous engagements, including the battles of Wild Cat, Kentucky. Mill Springs and Shiloh, Mississippi, and was in many skirmishes. He proved to be a courageous and faithful soldier under the stars and bars, and he was discharged in October. 1863. at Knox- ville, Tennessee. Soon thereafter he was captured by the Federals near Knoxville and held for some time. He first went to railroading August 10, 1864, in Tennessee, as a superintendent for Mr. Talmage, who was presi- dent of several roads. Remaining in the service in Tennessee until 1868, he came to Missouri, first stopping in Greene county, but it was not long until we find him working for the Missouri Pacific out of Jefferson City as brake- man. He remained with that road from April. 1869, until October, 1871, when he went to work for the Atlantic & Pacific Railroad; then he moved to Springfield and was promoted to freight conductor on the Frisco in Au- gust. 1872, and on December 10, 1887, he ran his first passenger train as conductor on the old Blair line into Kansas City. He ran on various divis- ions for the old Gulf road and Frisco, but the Memphis division was his main run. He was recently retired by the Frisco and placed on the pension list. being at that time the oldest conductor on the Memphis division south of Springfield.
Mr. Shelton was married September 16, 1883, in Springfield, to Martha R. French, who was reared and educated in this city, having been graduated from the high school. At the present time she and her daughter are living
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at Los Angeles, California. To our subject and wife two children have been born, namely : Gny A., born January 17, 1885. died May 18, 1894; Louise, born January 20, 1887. in Springfield, was educated in the local schools, and is at this writing on the Pacific coast for her health. Mr. Shelton lives on East Commercial Street, Springfield.
Pohtically, he is a Democrat : fraternally, a member of the Loyal Or- der of Moose. He is a member of the Order of Railway Conductors. In his youth he belonged to the Sons of Temperance.
A. B. CRAWFORD.
This biographical memoir has to do with a character of unusual force, for .A. B. Crawford, whose life chapter has been closed by the fate that awaits all mankind, was for many years one of the best known and enter- prising citizens of Springfield and Greene county. He was a representa- tive of one of the oldest and most popular of pioneer families of this lo- cality, members of which, including himself, assisted in many ways in ad- vancing the interests of the community with which his life was identified. He was practically a self-made man, having fought his way to success in the face of obstacles that would have discouraged men of less courage and grit ; and while he carried on special lines of business in such a manner as to gain a comfortable competency for himself, he also belonged to that class of representative citizens who promote the public welfare while advancing individual success.
Mr. Crawford was born April 10. 1859, on the old Crawford home- stead, now the McClure farm, just east of Springfield. He was a son of Charles W. and Sally (Jernegam) Crawford, both natives of Tennessee, and both of good old Southern families. They grew to maturity in their native state, received such educational advantages as the early days afforded, which indeed were meager, and there they were married, and from there made the overland journey in pioneer days to Greene county, Missouri, establishing the future home of the family on a farm and here Charles W. Crawford became an extensive farmer and well-known citizen. For sev- eral years after his arrival here he engaged in teaching school during the winter and developed his farm during the summer months. During the Civil war he enlisted for service in the Union army and became quarter- master, a position which he filled with credit and satisfaction. His family consisted of seven children, five of whom are still living.
4. B. Crawford grew to manhood on the home farm and assisted with the general work during the crop seasons. He received his education in the
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Springfield schools, but a large portion of his education was gained by actual contact with the business world and by wide home reading, until he was eventually known to his friends to be an exceptionally well informed man.
Mr. Crawford was married on October 6, 1892, to Agnes M. O'Day, who was born in Springfield, where she grew to womanhood and was edu- cated in St. Charles county, Missouri. In Springfield she has long been a favorite with a large circle of the best families, and her beautiful home on West Walnut street is often the gathering place for her many friends. She is a sister of John O'Day, one of Springfield's most prominent men of a past generation, a sketch of whom appears on another page of this work. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Crawford was without issue.
Mr. Crawford turned his attention to various lines of business and by close application and the exercise of sound judgment he became one of the financially strong men of the city. For many years he was an official in the Holland Bank, later engaged in the loan and insurance business and for years he carried on an extensive business in this line of endeavor. He owned considerable valuable property in Springfield. He took an interest in public affairs and he was the principal factor in locating the new magnifi- cent county court house at Center and Boonville streets. Politically he was a strong Republican, and while he took much interest in local public affairs he was never a candidate for office. preferring to give his attention to his home and to his extensive business interests, being best contented when by his own fireside. He was a member of the St. Agnes Catholic church, as also is Mrs. Crawford.
The death of A. B. Crawford occurred on June 6, 1913, at the age of fifty-four years.
HENRY G. MELLON.
Having alternated the grocery business with farming during his career as a man of affairs, Henry G. Mellon, who maintains a well patronized gro- cery store in Springfield, has succeeded in each of these vocations, partly because he has liked each and partly because he has made it a point to devote his attention almost exclusively to whatever he has in hand.
Mr. Mellon was born near the banks of the Missouri river, about six miles northeast of Jefferson City. August 25. 1869. He is a son of P. H. and Martha (Bryant) Mellon, the father a native of Pennsylvania and the mother was a native of Virginia. They each left their native states with their parents when young and came to Boone county, Missouri, where they attended the early-day schools and there were married. P. H. Mellon de- voted his active life to general mercantile pursuits up to the Civil war, after
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which he was unable to carry on any line of active industry. His death oc- curred in Boone county in 1877. His widow survived many years, dying in Springfield in 1911. To these parents six children were born, four of whom are living, namely: Mrs. Walter Copsy, Elizabeth, Mrs. H. Brooks and Henry G., of this sketch.
Henry G. Mellon spent his boyhood in Boone county, Missouri, re- moving to Springfield when a boy, where he attended the public schools, also St. Mary's Academy and Drury College, thus securing an excellent education. He was thirteen years old when the family located in this city in 1882. After our subject finished school he began in the grocery business in Texas, which he continued there for a period of ten years. At the end of that period he returned to Greene county and began operating a farm which the family ow ned near Springfield. He continued in this line of endeavor for five years, and in 1908 he entered the grocery business again, and has since continued the same at 500 College street, where he has conducted a large, well stocked and popular grocery, carrying a complete line of staple and fancy groceries at all seasons, and his place has been a very busy one. requiring a number of employees. Prompt and courteous, as well as honest treatment of all his cus- tomers, has been his aim, and he has thus built up a large and lucrative trade.
Mr. Mellon was married in 1893, in Denison, Texas. to Clara Foley, a native of that city and state, where she grew to womanhood and was edu- cated. She is a daughter of D. F. Foley and wife. Her father was born in Ireland and her mother in Canada.
Three children have been born to our subject and wife, namely: Ray- mond F., born in 1895. is now a student in St. Mary's College; Mary, born in 1902, is at home, and Henry Sheridan, born in 1903, is at home.
Politically, Mr. Mellon is a Democrat. Fraternally, he is a member of the Woodmen of the World and the Knights of Columbus. He and his fam- ily belong to St. Agnes Catholic church,
LEWIS F. BANFIELD.
Among the successful farmers of Greene county of a past generation was the late Lewis F. Banfield, who was progressive in his ideas of hus- bandry, and in connection with his sound judgment and foresight he had the proper industry and perseverance to make his chosen life work a success. Like so many of our citizens of his generation he came from Tennessee and he had the sagacity to see in this locality splendid opportunities for the tiller of the soil, for no state in the Union has a more complete and rapid system of natural drainage, or a more abundant supply of pure, fresh water than
LEWIS F. BANFIELD.
MRS. LEWIS F. BANFIELD.
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GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
Missouri. Both man and beast may slake their thirst from a thousand perennial fountains, which gush in limpid streams from hillsides innumerable, and wend their way through verdant valleys and along smiling prairies or through shady forests, varying in size, as they onward flow, from the diminu- tive brooklet to the giant river. Our subject was a good farmer, good soldier and good citizen.
Mr. Banfield was born in Tennessee, August 16, 1845. He was a son of Qualles and Lucy (Warren) Banfield, both of old Tennessee families. There these parents grew to maturity, were educated in the old-time schools and there were married and established their home. The father devoted his life to farming and stock raising, first in his native state, remaining there until 1846, when he moved his family to Missouri, his son Lewis F., of this memoir, being then a year old. The family located on a farm in Greene county, not far from Springfield, and here the elder Banfield applied himself with his usual skill and diligence and made a success, and here he and his wife spent the rest of their lives, dying respected by their neighbors and friends. Their family consisted of six children, three sons and three daugh- ters, all surviving at this writing but the subject of this sketch: the brothers and sisters are, Columbus, John, Mrs. Elizabeth Carter, a widow: Mrs. Samuel Dishman and Lucy, wife of Benjamin Potter and subject. Lewis F. Most of them still live in Greene county.
Lewis F. Banfield was reared on the farm and assisted with the general work there when a boy, and he received his education in the public schools of his day. He was working on the farm when the Civil war began, and he unhesitatingly proved his courage and patriotism, although but a mere boy, by offering his services and his life, if need be, in behalf of the Union, serv- ing three years and three months in the Twenty-fourth Missouri Volunteer Infantry, in which he saw much hard service, taking part in many important campaigns and engagements, including the battle of Chattanooga. He proved to be a brave, gallant and faithful soldier, never shirking his duty no matter how arduous or dangerous. He was but twenty-one years of age when he was honorably discharged from the service.
After returning home from the army Mr. Banfield resumed farming, which he made his principal life work, and became owner of valuable farm- ing land in Greene county, a few miles west of Springfield, which he brought up to a high state of cultivation and improvement, and ranked among the best farmers of his township.
Mr. Banfield was married July 13. 1865, to Nancy C. Gibony, a daugh- ter of Andrew and Sarah A. (Hackney) Gibony. Mr. Gibony was a suc- cessful contractor and builder. Andrew Gibony was born in the South and died in Springfield. He built the first court house in this county, the one- that stood in the center of the public square. Mrs. Gibony was born in
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Boone county, Missouri, and was a daughter of 11. Hackney, who was an carly pioneer in Boone county.
Mrs. Banfield is one of a family of six children, three sons and three daughters, namely: Mrs. Mary E. Poster; James; John P .; Elizabeth ; sub- ject's wife: and one that died while young. Mrs. Banfield was educated in the public schools of Greene county. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Banfield, namely : Qualie W. died at the age of thirty-one years, leav- ing a widow : George Frederick, who is engaged in merchandising at Mc- Kinley, Lawrence county, Missouri, with his mother, is married and has one child. Ruby : his wife was AAlice Irby prior to her marriage. Nona E., third child of our subject, married Charles Aven, a farmer in Christian county, this state, and they have two children, Bertha and May; Mary A. married Thomas Carr, a farmer of Christian county, and they have two sons, Ralph and Fred: Sterling E., a steam fitter, married Addie Gruebaugh, and they live in Salt Lake City, Utah; Lucy E. married Ralph Wardell, who is con- nected with the Springfield Seed Company, and they have two daughters, Nona and Mildred : Louis Harvey died at the age of eighteen years.
Politically, Mr. Banfield was a Republican, but never very active in public affairs. He belonged to the Cumberland Presbyterian church and was a liberal supporter of the same. He belonged to the Sons of Veterans.
The death of Mr. Banfield occurred February 20, 1903. He was known as a good business man, a kind husband and father and a good neighbor. Mrs. Banfield, a woman of much executive ability in business matters, lives in Springfield, owning a home on West Walnut street, and also valuable farming land in the county.
JUDGE CHARLES B. MCAFEE.
In the ages of the world in which might constituted the measure of right, when controversies were determined by wager of battle, lawyers were not much needed. It is interesting to trace in the history of the world, and ob- serve as civilization advances, how law and order were taught among men- when rude barbarism gave way to farmers, artisans and merchants; when the arts, science and commerce were encouraged and protected among the people, the legal profession soon became a necessity. Now they have become so intimately associated with every department of business, in every part of our civil and social polity, that society can not well get along without them. Indeed, it is not too strong to say that order can not be preserved, right can not be vindicated, justice administered, and, one might add, government maintained, without them. In every age of the world's history the lawyers
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