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 II > Part 102
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107
Mr. Owen was born September 22, 1857, near Wilson's Creek, this county. He was a son of Capt. C. Baker and Ellen (Yarbrough) Owen. He was a grandson of Col. Sol Owen, who settled the old Owen farm in 1837, on which place our subject's death occurred. The parents of our sub- ject were both born in Tennessee, from which state they came to Greene county, Missouri, in an early day, when they were children, the father being twelve years of age when he came here. Here he grew up and helped de- velop the farm. When the Civil war came on he enlisted in the Federal army and became captain of Company D, Twenty-fourth Missouri Volunteer Infantry, which he commanded in a praiseworthy manner for three years. Later he served four years as sheriff of Greene county. He was a farmer and stock raiser. He was a strong Democrat and a leader in his party.
Captain Owen was twice married, first to Ellen Yarbrough, mother of our subject. The only other child by this union was Stephen A. Douglas Owen, who died in January, 1915, on his farm on the James river, this county. The mother of our subject died when he was a small boy. Later Captain Owen married Caroline McCroskey, an aunt of C. W. McCroskey,
1879
GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
the present superintendent of schools of Greene county. A sketch of Pro- fessor McCroskey appears in this volume. Eight children were born to Captain Owen and his second wife, all of whom are living but one.
John S. Owen of this sketch grew up on the home farm and he was educated in the rural schools, however, educating himself for the most part, and was an excellent example of a self-made man. When twenty-four years of age he started in life for himself on a farm of one hundred acres, which was a part of the old Owen homestead. He prospered and at the time of his death owned two hundred eighty-seven and one-half acres, which val- uable place is now in possession of our subject's widow and children. Mr. Owen carried on general farming in a very successful manner. He was never much of a trader, for being a great home man, did not like to be absent from his family. However, he handled many mules, of which he was an excellent judge. This farm is known as the "Old Judge 'Sol' Owen place."
Mr. Owen of this sketch married, on April 28, 1881, Sarah M. Rose. She was born in Greene county, Missouri, near the Wilson's Creek battle- ground, on October 16, 1859. She is a daughter of Reuben O. and Lucy A. (McElhaney) Rose. Mr. Rose was born in Tennessee, from which state . he came to Greene county, Missouri, devoted his active life to general farm- ing and died on his farm near Wilson's creek in March, 1880. His wife was also born in Tennessee, and she is still living on the old homestead here, and, although now advanced in years, is well preserved-in fact, looks many years younger. She has always looked for the silver lining in life's clouds and is the possessor of many admirable characteristics. Mr. Rose was owner of the old Rose flouring mill, well known in the former generation in this part of the country. To Reuben O. Rose and wife fourteen children were born, ten of whom are still living. Mrs. Owen received her education in the public schools of her community.
Eleven children were born to our subject and wife, namely: Charles B., born April 5, 1882, married Evelena Murray, a farmer and stock man of Polk county, Missouri; Jerome B., born November 22, 1883, married Olive Murray, and they live on a farm in Greene county; Abbie E., born April 13, 1885, died September 10, 1886; Rose H., born December 3, 1886, married Charles Reichle, a machinist in the Frisco shops, and they live in Springfield; Joseph C., born March 1, 1889, married Amelia Helbig, and they reside on the home farm; Robert F., born October 1, 1890, died July 24, 1891 ; Wilda (Nora) A., born April 8, 1892, lives at home; Sarah E., born January 10, 1894, married Clarence Robertson, who is engaged in the banking business, and who resides at 468 South Grant street, Springfield; Savanna F., born February 3, 1896, is living at home; John Sol, Jr., born
1880
GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
August 1, 1897, is living at home; Hollie M., born February 5, 1899, is liv- ing at home.
Mr. Owen was a public-spirited man, always ready to give his support to any good movement in his community. He was a deputy sheriff of this county, serving under Sheriff John Day, serving the full two years very creditably. In 1896 he was elected sheriff of Greene county on the Demo- cratic ticket, and served two years in a very creditable manner. Like his father before him, he was loyal to the Democratic party. Fraternally, our subject was an active member of the Knights of Pythias and was buried by that order. He also belonged to the Modern Woodmen, the Woodmen of the World and the Royal Arcanum. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, South. His wife and children also belong to this church. The death of Mr. Owen of this review occurred October 24, 1899.
GEORGE E. RAYMOND.
Perhaps as much suffering has been caused in this world of ours from inadequate heating facilities as from any other cause. This was especially ' true in the earlier ages before mankind had evolved modern methods. Even what we now call old-fashioned fireplaces were not thought of until com- paratively recent epochs in history. For centuries they were very crude affairs; even the chimneys of the log cabins built by the first settlers of our country less than a century ago were made of poles and clay or mud, and later, when houses contained several rooms, all but one of them were without any method of heating, for but one fireplace, as a rule, was to be found in a home, some of the wealthier classes having two, perhaps. Then stoves became generally used, but many rooms were still left without heat, few caring to go to the expense and trouble of keeping the entire house properly warmed during the winter months. So mankind has undergone a great deal of physical discomfort and downright suffering, especially among the poor of nearly all countries for lack of heat in their dwelling places. But with modern methods, such as are installed by the Raymond Heating Company, of Springfield, people are now making themselves more comfortable dur- ing the cold months, entire buildings, no matter how large, being kept warm continuously from one central source, so that the rigors of the long north- ern winters are now without their terrors, even farmers throughout the country enjoying their furnace heat, which is distributed over their mod- ernly appointed houses in the form of hot air, steam or warm water.
George E. Raymond, head of the above named company, has long been engaged in this line of endeavor and understands thoroughly every phase
1881
GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
of modern heating, and he is one of the well known and successful business men of Springfield, where he has resided nearly a half century. He was born in Pekin, New York, July 8, 1861, and is a son of Joseph P. and Elizabeth (Bromley) Raymond, both natives of New York state, the father born in 1820 and the mother in 1818. They grew to maturity in their na- tive state, received limited educations in the common schools and were mar- ried there. When a young man Joseph P. Raymond learned the shoemak- er's trade, which he always followed for a livelihood. He removed from New York with his family to Springfield, Missouri, in the fall of 1868, and here spent the rest of his life, dying in 1887, and here his wife died in 1880. They were parents of five children, namely: Emmett B. lives in Los An- geles, California; Bedten S., deceased; Mary J., deceased; William B. lives in Springfield, Mo., and George E., subject of this sketch.
Mr. Raymond of this review was seven years of age when he came with the family to Springfield, Missouri, and here he grew to manhood and was educated in the common schools. When a young man he went to Ohio and served an apprenticeship in a tinshop at Dayton, returning to Springfield a few years later, where he finished learning his trade, and here he worked at the same until 1887, when he went into business for himself on South street, establishing a heating and sheet metal works, continuing to the pres- ent time with ever increasing success until he enjoys a very extensive and lu- crative business as a result of his close application and good judgment and his fair dealings with the public. In 1900 his son, Clyde, formed a partner- ship with him and the firm name became the Raymond Heating Company. and their plant at 219-221 West Walnut street is one of the best of its kind in the Southwest, equipped with up-to-date appliances of all kinds, and skilled work is promptly done, a specialty being made of warm air heating and ventilating and sheet metal work.
Mr. Raymond was married July 12, 1881, in Springfield to Milicient Ewers, who was born in Knox county, Ohio, October 4, 1861. She is a daughter of Orrilla and William G. Ewers, both natives of Ohio, where they grew up, were married and educated and established their home. They are both now deceased. Mrs. Raymond was nine years old when. in 187Q. her parents removed with her to Springfield, Missouri, and here she grew to womanhood and received a common school education. The Ewers home was established on the north side.
To Mr. and Mrs. Raymond only one child was born. G. Clyde Raymond, whose birth occurred April 11, 1883. in this city, and here he grew up and was educated. He married Georgia Davis. He is in business with his father, as before stated, and is a young man of enterprise and ability.
Politically, Mr. Raymond is a Democrat. Fraternally, he belongs to
1882
GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Pythias and the Royal Arch Masons. He is an associate member of the Springfield Club. He has always borne an excellent reputation in local business circles.
FREDERICK W. ARMSTRONG.
Mr. Armstrong was born in Hillsboro, Illinois, January 13, 1868. He is a son of William F. and Minerva P. (Simmons) Armstrong, the former born in Ireland, April 11, 1830, and the latter in Hillsboro, Illinois, January 7, 1837. In that state she grew to womanhood, was educated in the com- mon schools, and she and Mr. Armstrong were married in the town of Hillsboro. Her death occurred December 17, 1901. William F. Arm- strong spent his early years in his native land and there attended school, and when a young man he set sail across the broad Atlantic for American shores and located in Hillsboro, Illinois. He was a carpenter and con- tractor, which line of endeavor he followed during his active life, except when in military service. Upon the first call for troops by President Lin- coln to put down the Southern Confederacy in April, 1861, Mr. Armstrong enlisted in Company E, Ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and he proved to be such a brave and excellent soldier that he was promoted from private through the various subordinate ranks to that of major, and was a success- ful and dashing officer, taking part in many important campaigns, battles and skirmishes. He was many times wounded, receiving a severe wound at the battle of Shiloh, and he carried five bullets to the grave in his body. He served not only in the Civil war, but in some of the campaigns against the hostile Indians of the West, and was in the United States army in all nearly five years. After leaving the army he returned to Hillsboro, where his death occurred April 17, 1868. Politically, he was a strong Republican. He belonged to the Masonic Order and the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows. His family consisted of four children, namely: Tom W., a Spring- field plumber, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume; Eliza- beth is deceased; Samuel, the eldest, lives in Hillsboro, Illinois, and Fred- erick W., of this sketch.
Mr. Armstrong of this sketch grew to manhood in Hillsboro, Illinois, and there he received his education in the common schools, working at odd times in a grocery store before leaving school, and when fourteen years old he began working at the carpenter's trade, but after following it for one summer he turned his attention to the plumbing business, serving an ap- prenticeship and became an efficient workman in due course of time. He remained in his native town in this work until 1899, when he came to
1883
GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
Springfield, Missouri, where he has since resided. He was in partnership with his brother, Tom W. Armstrong. He has done a great deal of work of this nature throughout the city, often turning out large contracts. He has kept well up in his line in every respect and employed capable assist- ants so that his jobs have always been satisfactory. He has been the of- ficial plumbing inspector of the city of Springfield during the past four years and discharged the duties of this important post in a manner highly satisfactory to all concerned. He retired from this office April 15, 1915, and at the present time is engaged in the grocery business for himself at the corner of National boulevard and Kearney street, where he is enjoying a good trade.
Mr. Armstrong was married in Hillsboro, Illinois, December 29, 1895, to Minnie B. Follis, who was born in that city January 24, 1872. She is a daughter of Joseph and Rachael (Roach) Follis, the father a native of Ken- tucky and the mother of Illinois. Mrs. Armstrong is one of three children.
Two children have been born to our subject and wife, namely: Tom, Jr., born October 18, 1897, and Minnie M., born May 5, 1906.
Politically our subject is a Republican. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Knights and Ladies of Security, the Woodmen, and the Tribe of Ben-Hur .. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
BENJAMIN F. TEGARDEN.
In studying the life record of Benjamin F. Tegarden it will be seen that he is the possessor of those attributes which never fail to win success if persistently and properly directed, as has evidently been done in his case, for he has accomplished definite results in many lines of human endeavor, including extensive mining operations, a large meat packing business and at present he ranks among the most progressive agriculturalists and stockmen of Greene county, being proprietor of beautiful "Clover Leaf Hereford Farm" in Murray township, where he is carrying on farming under the most approved and advanced twentieth century methods and is making a specialty of handling a high-grade of live stock.
Mr. Tegarden was born December 15, 1857, in Orange county, Indiana. He is a son of Andrew and Sarah (Fisher) Tegarden. The father was born in Kentucky in 1802, where he spent his boyhood, and located in Indiana in 1818, when sixteen years of age, with his parents, Basil Te- garden and wife, and he spent the remainder of his life in Orange county, that state, on the farm where he first located. He made many visits to Mis- souri but never established his home in this state. He devoted his active
1884
GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
life to general farming and made live stock raising a specialty. He pros- pered through his able management and judicious dealings with his fellow men, and became one of the leading farmers of Orange county, owning seven hundred and sixty acres of valuable land at the time of his death. He was well informed on general topics and an influential man in the affairs of his community. He was very successful in a business way and accumu- lated considerable wealth all through his individual efforts, for he started out in life without a dollar. His death occurred November 8, 1872, at the age of seventy years. He was known as a man of public-spirits, charitably inclined and a true friend to those worthy of his friendship, and he was widely known and highly esteemed for his many fine qualities. Andrew Tegarden was three times married, first to a Miss Lee, by which union four children were born, namely: William Henry, Abraham, John and Jane, all now deceased. His second wife, Mrs. Finley, bore him five chil- dren, namely : Joseph, Polly Ann, Sally, Amanda, all four deceased; and Preston, who lives in Fort Scott, Kansas. His third wife, Sarah Fisher, was born in Orange county, Indiana, in 1822, and her death occurred Jan- uary 16, 1877, at the age of fifty-five years. Ten children were born to this last union, named as follows: Benjamin F., of this sketch; David An- drew lives in Kansas; Winfield Scott lives in Arkansas; Elijah Elsworth lives in Kansas; Ulysses Grant lives in Springfield, Missouri; Robert Basil makes his home in Arkansas; Mrs. Cora Dell Carr, of Indiana, and John Reed, of California, were twins; Elmer J. is a resident of Louisiana; the youngest child died in infancy.
Benjamin F. Tegarden spent his boyhood days on his father's farm in Orange county, Indiana, and there he learned the various phases of agri- cultural pursuits which stood him so well in hand in later life, and he received his early education in the public schools of his native community, but left school at the age of thirteen years, when his father died, continuing to assist with the work on the home place until he was eighteen years of age, when he struck out in life for himself, and he is today a fine example of a successful self-made man. He began his career by working in a brick yard, keeping his eyes open the meanwhile and learning thoroughly the brick making business, spending three years in the same yard. He also learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed two years. For some time he devoted his attention to well drilling in western Kansas. He has traveled extensively, having been in twenty-seven states. Farming has formed no small portion of his life work. He is entitled to rank with the progressive, scientific, well-informed husbandmen who is doing much to place this coun- try on an equal basis with the best as an agricultural country. For ten years he engaged in the mining business at Joplin, Missouri, Arkansas, and what was then the Indian Territory. He also followed the show business
1885
GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
for three years and the meat packing business for eight years, in partner- ship with his brother, Ulysses Grant Tegarden, they having founded the Te- garden Packing Company of Springfield, Missouri, which has long been a successful and well-known concern throughout this section of the country. Our subject is no longer connected with this splendid and well-equipped plant, but it is still operated by the Welsh Packing Company. Our subject also followed the meat packing business in Fort Scott, Kansas, for some time. He at present has interests in mines in California. It was in 1904 that he came to Springfield and he resided there until 1913, when he bought his present fine farm of three hundred and sixty acres in Murray township, which is one of the best and most desirable farms in Greene county, none be- ing more highly improved or more productive, however, it was badly "run down" when he took possession of it, but by hard work, the expenditure of ample funds and the application of modern ideas of farming he has trans- formed it into an estate of which he should be justly proud and which is one of the show places of the township. He has remodeled the barns and painted them an attractive red and made such other improvements as were necessary. He has a feed mill, and his residence is commodious and nicely furnished. The general surroundings are beautiful, and everything about the place indicates thrift, good management and excellent taste. In connection with general farming he is making a specialty of handling Percheron horses and Hereford cattle, being a breeder of the latter. At this writing he has seventy head of cattle and nine head of horses, and is also an extensive raiser of a good grade of hogs. He has worked hard to make his place a model farm in every respect and is realizing the ac- complishment of his ambition.
Mr. Tegarden was married on December 18, 1890, to Margaret Craw- ford, who was born in Iowa, a daughter of Harvey and Mary (Riley) Crawford, both natives of Indiana and both now deceased. They spent their early days in their native state, finally establishing their home in Iowa, where they became comfortably located and were well known and highly respected and there Mrs. Tegarden grew to womanhood and was educated. She has proved to be a fit helpmeet to her energetic husband in every way and no little amount of his success has been due to her encouragement and counsel.
The union of Mr. and Mrs. Teagarden has been blessed by the birth of three children, namely: Hazel Dorothy, who married George Bolds, who is now connected with the Kansas City Star, and he is also a vaudeville sketch and song writer of some note and has placed two benefit shows on in Kansas City which were a success; this marriage has been without issue. Harvey married Nellie Harrison, a native of Greene county; he lives with his father, whom he is assisting on the home farm; he and his wife have
I886
GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
one child, Benjamin F., Jr., Bernice, the youngest of our subject's children, is at home with her parents.
Politically, Mr. Teagarden is a Progressive, is a man of liberal views on civic, religious and other questions, and while he takes much interest in public matters has never sought or held office and has no fraternal affilia- tions. He is essentially a business man and a home man, never better contented than when by his own cheerful fireside with his mutually happy family. Mrs. Tegarden is a member of the Methodist church. They are both known to their neighbors as hospitable, helpful and kindly disposed.
WILLIAM DELANGE.
Although William DeLange, now engaged in farming in Wilson town- ship, Greene county, has lived but thirty-two years, he has crowded into that brief span more than the average man experiences in the full Biblical allot- ment of three score and ten, and it would require a good-sized volume to set forth his life record in detail. Mr. DeLange was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, October 14, 1882. He is a son of Eugene and Rose DeLange. The father was a native of Germany, from which country he emigrated to America when young, but he had previously traveled all over Europe as valet to a wealthy Frenchman, with whom he also visited the Far East and the Mediterranean countries, and while in Russia had difficulty with a party of Nihilists, one of whom fired a shot that wounded Mr. DeLange, the bul- let entering his leg, and our subject is now the possessor of this leaden pel- let, which was successfully extracted from the wound. Upon reaching the New World the elder DeLange settled in Philadelphia, and was in the em- ploy of the immigration bureau in that city for the government for a num- ber of years. He was a highly educated man, was able to speak, read and write several languages, and could speak seven different tongues and read and write four of them, and at the time of his death in 1908 he was man- ager of the Continental Hotel in New York City. He was married after coming to Philadelphia, and to this union nine children were born, eight of whom survive at this writing, namely: Charles; Joseph; Mrs. Laura Freed- man, who lives in Pennsylvania; Archibald is deceased; Anthony, Theresa, William, Harry and John, who lives in New York City.
William DeLange spent his early days in the City of Brotherly Love, up to his eighth year, and he attended the public schools there two years. When but a small boy he was left an orphan, and was taken care of by his maternal grandmother, who found a home for him in Kent county, Dela-
1887
GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
ware, on a farm, where he remained until he was fifteen years of age, and while there he attended the district schools two months out of each year. At the age of fifteen he ran away, returning to Philadelphia, but remained there only a few months, then went to New York City and began working as a messenger boy and at other similar work, such as a boy his age could find in a great city, remaining there about two years. He then went to work on a truck farm at ten dollars per month and board and spent two years in this manner. Later he enlisted in the Eleventh United States Cavalry, in Troop M, for three years' service, during which time his regiment sailed from New York for the Philippine Islands, by way of the Suez canal, and was on the water sixty-eight days, and the regiment, after its service in the antipodes had expired, returned to the United States by way of Nakisaki, Japan, and the Sandwich Islands, stopping at Hawaii, landing at San Fran- cisco after a long voyage across the Pacific Ocean. From the city by the Golden Gate the regiment was sent to Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, and after the expiration of his term of service in the army Mr. DeLange went to New York City, thus completing the circuit of the globe. In 1905 he came to St. Louis and took a business course in the Jones & Henderson Business College, completing the course as stenographer, and he worked at that vocation in various positions in St. Louis, Kansas City and Chicago. In June, 1910, he was appointed to a position in the civil service under the Isthmian Canal Commission, and was accordingly sent to the Panama canal, where he spent two and one-half years, resigning his position there in January, 1913, and returning to Missouri. Desiring to lead a quieter and simpler life, he purchased a farm in Wilson township, Greene county, ten miles southwest of Springfield, near the historic battlegrounds, and now owns the old Thomas Phillips homestead, located on the old "wire road," and which place consists of fifty-nine acres, and here he is engaged in general farming and has a well located and productive place.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.