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 104
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1897
GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
Illinois, but the father of our subject survived many years and died in Springfield, Missouri. He was a farmer and gardener. His family con- sisted of eight children, namely: Maggie, deceased; Jake, of this review; Peter, deceased; Daniel is living; Henry, deceased; Annie, deceased; the next two died in infancy unnamed.
Jake Albert, of this sketch, grew to manhood in Illinois and he received a common school education; however, may be classed with the self-educated men of our country, for he has been a great reader along varied lines. He followed farming until he was twenty-one years old, then went to Welling- ton, Kansas, and worked at the stone mason's trade. He came to Spring- field in 1887, and has made his home here ever since. From time to time he worked for the Frisco system for many years, also followed farming and fruit growing, the latter being his principal vocation, and he is still active in the same, in connection with which he deals in real estate. He had an addition of twelve acres in the edge of Springfield, and still owns a part of it. He built his own pleasant home on West Atlantic street three years ago, which is one of the most attractive and desirable in that part of the city. He has long been enthusiastic on the subject of fruit growing and is well informed on the various phases of the same. He has been a man of energy. never afraid of hard work, and, possessing sound judgment, has acquired a very comfortable competence.
Mr. Albert was married in September, 1886, to Dolly R. Davis, who was born in Illinois in 1872, where she grew to womanhood and was edu- cated, and they were married in that state. She was a daughter of John and Emma (Kimmel) Davis, natives of Pennsylvania and Illinois, respec- tively. Mr. Davis has devoted his active life to farming, and he and his wife are still living, having for some time resided in Greene county.
Mr. Albert was called upon to mourn the loss of his faithful life com- panion, who was summoned to her reward on August 2. 1900, at the farm of our subject, about two and one-half miles west of Springfield. She was a worthy member of the Christian church and was a fine type of the refined home-loving Christian woman.
Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Albert, named as follow : Otis, born on October 15, 1887. died October 15, 1905: Nettie, born in 1889, died in 1904: Emma, born in April, 1895, died in 1913: William, born on July 18, 1897, lives at home.
Politically, Mr. Albert is a Democrat and has long been more or less active in public affairs. He was at one time road overseer and commis- sioner here, and was for three years a school director in his district. Fra- ternally he belongs to the Eagles, the Loyal Order of Moose, also the Ger- man Brotherhood, and religiously he is a member of the Christian church.
1898
GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
CLYDE L. HAMMOND.
It is a matter of doubt which is the greater heritage, a distinguished name or a goodly estate. Some persons would choose one and some the other, depending wholly on their feelings and judgment combined; but when the two are handed down to descendants together, the permanent standing of such descendants in the community will never be questioned, so far as the heritage is concerned. The average citizen of the United States can hand no greater heritage to his children than an unblemished reputation, as was done in the case of Clyde L. Hammond, manager and chief engi- neer of the Hammond Brothers Ice and Cold Storage Company of Spring- field.
Mr. Hammond was born on June 14, 1888, at Parkerville, Morris county, Kansas. He is a son of Lycurgas L. Hammond, also a native of that place, the son of John Hammond, one of the early pioneers of the Sunflower state, whither he removed from Kentucky. There the father of our subject grew to manhood, received his education and spent his earlier years as a farmer, later engaging in the contracting business, and he did a great deal of contract work for the state at Harrington, also had the contract there for furnishing ice and fuel for the Rock Island Railroad Company. He is at present located in Kansas City, where he handles coal and ice and furnishes these materials to the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Company, also to the Rock Island and the Northwestern roads. For some time he was in partnership with his brother, John R. Hammond. His record is that of an honorable and successful business man. His wife, who was known in her maidenhood as Maggie Rider, died in 1884, and was buried at Parkerville, Kansas. To these parents two children were born. namely : Clyde L., of this sketch; and Helen, who is the wife of Dr. Glen Clark, of Kansas City.
Clyde L. Hammond grew to manhood in Kansas and there he received a common school education, but left school when sixteen years of age, and began clerking in a grocery store, later learned the butcher business, which he followed three years. In his early life he also worked as a farm hand for some time, also ran on the road for his father between Colorado, Kan- sas City, Chicago and Milwaukee. He came to Springfield, Missouri, in 1908 and became superintendent of construction of buildings and installed ice machines, etc. He became something of a mechanic and took the elec- tric course of one of the Eastern correspondence schools and became well qualified for his present position. The plant of the Hammond Brothers was built in the spring of 1908, and is three hundred and fifty by one hundred feet. The property was leased from the Frisco. . It is modern in
1 899
GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
every detail and well equipped for prompt, high-grade and sanitary service. It has a capacity of seventy tons of ice daily and employs twelve hands. The Frisco and a number of small dealers are constantly supplied, the road icing its cars from this plant, not only passenger coaches but meat and vegetable cars are supplied, the road having tracks on each side of the plant. The Hammonds have their own electric plant, three ice machines, two trans- script machines, each machine having a capacity of one hundred and five tons. The plant is operated from April until November. L. L. Hammond is president and J. R. Hammond is treasurer.
Mr. Hammond was married in 1910 to Hazel Phiffer, a daughter of Charles Phiffer, of Kankakee, Illinois.
Politically, he is a Democrat. He belongs to the Eagles and is a mem- ber of the Catholic church.
WALTER P. GUSTIN.
To the average mortal success in material things in this world comes as a result of persistant striving and grim determination. Walter P. Gustin, general yard master for the Frisco at Springfield, has succeeded in his life work as a result of applying right principles.
Mr. Gustin was born at Piqua, Ohio, October 31, 1871. He is a son of Joseph E. Gustin, who was born in Warren county, Ohio, and there he grew to manhood and attended the common schools. Early in life he took up the butcher business, which he continued to follow until his death, which occurred in 1911 at the age of seventy-eight years. He first engaged in business in Dayton, Ohio, finally coming to Springfield, Missouri, where he operated a large butcher shop on Main street for a number of years. Dur- ing the Civil war he enlisted in an Ohio infantry regiment and for gallantry was promoted to lieutenant. He saw much hard service and fought in a number of important engagements, including Bull Run. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His wife was known in her maidenhood as Harriet Holt, a daughter of Phillamon Holt, of Dayton, Ohio. She makes her home on North Jefferson street. Springfield, being now seventy-one years of age.
Walter P. Gustin spent his early boyhood in Ohio, where he attended school, finishing his education in the public schools of Springfield. How- ever, he left school when sixteen years of age and went to work for his father in the butcher business. Returning to Ohio. he began working, in 1890. in the shops of the Little Miami Railroad Company, later did yard work at Dayton until 1892. then returned to Springfield and went to work for the Kansas City, Ft. Scott and Memphis Railroad Company, in the yards,
1900
GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
where he worked until 1894, then went back to Ohio, and entered the train service of the Pennsylvania and Columbus Railroad Company, as brakeman, later being promoted to conductor, which position he held until March, 1902, when he came to Springfield and took a position as foreman in the engine yards, then became night yard master and finally general yard master. He was train master of terminals at Newberg, Missouri, for eighteen months or until July 4, 1910, then was yard master at Monett, this state, until September, 1912, then came back to Springfield as general yard master of terminals, which position he now holds. He has under him seventy-five hands. He has given eminent satisfaction in all the various positions he has held since entering railroad service.
Mr. Gustin was married in 1903 to Elsie Fisher, a daughter of David Fisher, of Xenia, Ohio. To this union four children have been born, namely : Charles, Francis, Walter P., Jr., and Rachael. Our subject owns his own home on North Jefferson street.
Politically, Mr. Gustin is a Republican. He has been a member of the Order of Railway Conductors for the past fifteen years. He belongs to the Benton Avenue Methodist Episcopal church.
STANLEY K. KAUFFMAN.
One of the broad-minded farmers of Wilson township, Greene county, who is a believer in not only keeping his soil properly built up but also pre- venting it from becoming thin, and who pays close attention to what the agricultural experts say, is Stanley K. Kauffman, and he is therefore suc- ceeding admirably as a general farmer.
Mr. Kauffman was born near Reading, Berks county, Pennsylvania, May 20, 1864. He is a son of William W. and Emma (Hahn) Kauffman, both natives of Pennsylvania, also, and there they grew to maturity, were educated in the old-time common schools, were married and established their home on a farm. To them six children were born, namely: Mrs. Martha Montfort lives in Texas; Stanley K., of this sketch; Mrs. Katherine Tharp lives in Greene county, Missouri; Mrs. Caroline Payne lives in Springfield; William H. and Grover C. both reside in Wilson township, this county. The parents of these children left their native state in 1872 and removed to Greene county, Missouri, and the first three months were spent in Spring- field, during which time the father looked over the country with a view of locating permanently in the Ozarks. He selected Taney county and there purchased two hundred and ten acres, to which he removed his family, and there conducted a farm along general lines and became a prominent citizen
1901
GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
in his community. He was elected justice of the peace, the duties of which office he discharged in an able and satisfactory manner for a period of ten years. Late in life he removed to Greene county, where he bought a farm and here he and his wife spent their last days, his death occurring April 3, 1902, having been preceded to the grave by his wife and mother of our sub- ject on June 7, 1901.
Stanley K. Kauffman was seven years of age when he removed with his parents from his native state to Springfield. He grew to manhood on the home farm in Taney county, and there assisted his father with the gen- eral work, and he received his education in the schools of that vicinity, when the slab benches and other rustic furnishings were in vogue and school lasted only three months in midwinter. His teacher was Judge Thomas Compton, who is now living in Lawrence county. Early in life our subject turned his attention to general farming, and this has remained his vocation to the pres- ent day. He owns a well-kept and well cultivated farm in Wilson township, Greene county, where he carries on general farming and stock raising ac- cording to twentieth century methods.
Mr. Kauffman was married, November 26, 1893, to Emma Moore, a daughter of Rev. W. B. and Drucilla (Payne) Moore, formerly of Arkan- sas. The father, who is a minister, is living in Republic, this county, where he is actively engaged in his calling. The death of the mother of Mrs. Kauffman occurred in 191I.
Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Kauffman, Howard K. and Herman L.
Politically, our subject is a Republican, and religiously he and his wife are members of the Christian church.
CHARLES C. CHAVOSE.
It should be impressed upon the minds of youth that at an early age they should practice introspection and should seriously study the famous Delphic oracle, "Know thyself." At an early age Charles C. Chavose, yard and lumber foreman at the Springfield Wagon Works, began to determine, if possible, what he was "cut out for," to use a common expression, and he thus became acquainted with his abilities and weaknesses and began to form his plans for the future accordingly, with the result that he has been successful in his chosen life work.
Mr. Chavose was born on July 31, 1873, at Lexington, Kentucky. He is a son of John Franklin Chavose, whose birth occurred on a farm near Lexington, representing an old Southern family of that section of the Blue
1902
GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
Grass state. There our subject's father grew up on the homestead, at- tended the rural schools and later was a student in the schools of Lexing- ton, including a course in the law college there. He was accordingly ad- mitted to the bar and subsequently came to southeastern Missouri, and prac- ticed his profession at Caruthersville, Pemiscot county, ranking among the foremost members of the bar of that county for many years. He con- tinued the practice of his profession until his death at the early age of forty years, in 1882, and was buried at Memphis, Tennessee. During the Civil war he served as bugler and staff officer under Gen. John Morgan, serving throughout the conflict in the Southern army. He was taken prisoner and after being held for some time was sent to the Federal prison at Alton, Illi- nois, and there was exchanged, after which he returned home. Politically, he was a Democrat, and he was a member of the Masonic Order, also a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He married Mary R. Colley, a daughter of Charles and Annie (Allman) Colley, of Mecklenburg county, Virginia, the Allmans having been among the first families of the Old Dominion. Mrs. Chavose now resides with her son, our subject, and is seventy-two years of age. She is a type of the old-time Southern aristoc- racy, hospitable and with pleasing personal address.
Five children were born to John F. Chavose and wife, namely: Annie is the wife of O. Peterson, a stockman, who is engaged in furnishing live stock to feed the smelter people at Omaha, Nebraska, where he makes his home; Charles C. of this sketch; Lillie is the wife of W. H. Day, who is connected with the Springfield Furniture Company; Louis E., who was a painter by trade, died in 1911 at the age of thirty-four years; Tex L. is foreman at the Moore Manufacturing Company's plant in Springfield.
Louis Edward Chavose, paternal grandfather of our subject, was born in France, from which country he was brought to America by his parents when about six years of age, the family locating in North Carolina. He grew up in the South and devoted his active life to farming.
Charles C. Chavose was a child when his parents brought him to Caru- thersville, Missouri, where he grew to manhood and received his early edu- cation ; however, he left school when thirteen years of age and went to work in a general mercantile establishment at Hartfield, this state, being employed as clerk for some time by Gorman-Mansfield & Company. Later he en- gaged in farming, also worked in the coal mines, then, in 1898, he came to Springfield and found employment in the Springfield Wagon Works as laborer in the lumber yard. His ability and faithfulness was at once noted by the management and he was rapidly promoted, going through all de- partments of both the yard and factory proper, and now holds the position of foreman and inspector of the lumber department, having twenty men under his direction. He has been continually in the employ of this plant for
1903
GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
over sixteen years. He also owns and operates a roller skating rink on South street. He has remained unmarried, preferring to devote his atten- tion to the care of his mother during her old age, which, indeed, is a most commendable act.
Politically, Mr. Chavose is a Democrat, and he is a member of the First Baptist church. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, in which he was for some time vice chancellor; he is also a member of the Knights and Ladies of Honor, and the Woodmen Circle. Loyal Order of Moose and the Woodmen of the World.
JOSEPH STUDLEY.
A few years ago it was predicted by a learned man who should have a good knowledge of conditions as they exist, that under the present system of farming the time was not far distant when the wheat lands would become exhausted of their fertility and the population of the world would want for bread, and this through the thriftless farming of what was once the richest of soils. If everyone farmed with as much caution and pains as Joseph Studley, of Brookline township, Greene county, such conditions as referred to above would not exist; for Mr. Studley has tilled the same farm over three decades and it is just as productive today as it was the first crop he raised on it.
Mr. Studley was born near Chard, England, December 22, 1836, and there he grew to manhood and attended school, and there, in 1859, he mar- ried Ann Vincent, whose father was a native of France. She was born in England, reared and educated there. She proved to be an excellent help- meet, and when she was called to her eternal rest on March 7, 1912, her loss was distinctly felt in her neighborhood, for she was a woman of lofty character, a sympathetic and helpful neighbor, always ready to wait on the sick and the suffering and to extend a helping hand to the needy. She was a devout Christian, and her piety is reflected in the lives of her children, of whom she was justly proud.
Mr. Studley remained in his native land until 1870, when he emigrated with his family to the United States and located near Pittsburg, Pennsyl- vania. Before leaving the old country he had followed the trade of Hurdle maker, and after coming to the New World he engaged in the carpenter's trade for a short time, then took up the occupation of mining, working in the anthracite mines around Pittsburgh and Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, con- tinuing in this work until about 1882, when, longing for the freedom of a western farmer, he moved to Greene county, Missouri and rented a farm
1904
GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
the first year, then bought one hundred acres, lying a half mile south of the village of Brookline, in section 3, Brookline township, on which he has since resided and where he has made a comfortable living and has a cozy home. He is now seventy-eight years old but still looks after his farm in a general way.
Mr. Studley is the father of eleven children; the following living : Lydia married H. B. McDonald, of Plainsville, Luzerne county, Pennsyl- vania; Elizabeth married Dan Jones and they live in Columbus, Kansas; Jane married John Potter, agent for the Frisco railroad at Brookline; Hester married John McCarty, of Junction City, Ohio; Thomas lives in Springfield; Leah married Jess Keller, of Dallas county, Missouri; Joseph lives in Brookline. He also has about twenty grandchildren and about ten great-grandchildren living.
CHARLES W. McCROSKEY.
"Earn thy reward; the gods give naught to sloth," said the old Greek sage, Epicharmus, and the truth of the admonition has been verified in human affairs in all the ages which have rolled their course since his day. Charles W. McCroskey, county superintendent of public schools of Greene county, and a scion of an old family of the Ozarks, has, by ceaseless toil and endeavor, attained a large degree of success, while yet young in years, in his chosen calling and has gained the confidence and respect of those who know him.
Professor McCroskey is a native of Christian county, Missouri, where his birth occurred on the 12th day of July, 1878. He is a son of Matthew Duff McCroskey and Sarah E. Barnett McCroskey and is one of ten chil- dren, an equal number of sons and daughters, all still surviving but two. The father, M. D. McCroskey, was born, reared and has always lived on the old homestead in Christian county, Missouri, which the paternal grand- father of our subject entered from the government in 1846 and which he developed from the wilderness by hard work and persistent efforts, and there spent the rest of his life, through many trying scenes of the early days in that county. His death occurred in 1869. The farm consists of three hundred acres, and there the father of our subject is carrying on gen- eral farming and stock raising on an extensive scale, raising and shipping to the markets probably as much live stock as any other farmer of his county. He has long been known as one of the leading citizens of that county, where his influence has been exerted all his life for the general good. His wife came from Tennessee in her youth, her family locating
1
C. W. McCROSKEY.
1905
GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
in Christian county. She received a good education and taught school for a while. She is not only a woman of strong mind but a devoted worker in the interest of her family.
Professor McCroskey spent his childhood and youth on his father's farm amid the stimulating influences of nature, which are conducive to a well-rounded physical development. Here he learned the habits of industry and matured plans for the future with the object in view of becoming some- thing more than a mere passive agent in the world which calls for men of strong will and well-defined purposes to direct and control its affairs. Pos- sessing a keen and naturally inquisitive mind and a liking almost akin to passion for books and study, he made rapid progress in the country schools he first attended. His rural school work was supplemented with high school work at Ozark. Mr. McCroskey then decided to teach, so he entered the old Springfield Normal and finished the teachers' course there. Desiring further training he entered the Warrensburg State Normal for two years, at the close of which the Springfield State Normal was established, so he entered this, his home institution, and received the degree of Bachelor of Pedagogy in 1907. He then attended the Wisconsin University for a short time, and spent two summers in Chicago University, and one year in Drury College. Springfield, Missouri, where he received the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1913.
During all these years he continued teaching at intervals. Professor McCroskey taught in a number of rural schools, and in 1907 became prin- cipal of the schools at Willard. Missouri, where he stayed only one year. being promoted to the head of the schools at Walnut Grove, Greene county. His work in these two towns caused the board at Republic, Missouri, to call him to head its schools, and he served as superintendent for four years, during which time he inaugurated a modern system of education, which was admirable and effective. From Republic he was called to the superin- tendency of the Ash Grove, Missouri, schools, where he labored with the same zeal and courage, boosting the schools to the front rank in this part of the country. At the close of his first year of work in Ash Grove, in 1915. he was elected to head the schools of Greene county as superintend- ent, in which position he is now serving. Professor McCroskey's work as a student and as a teacher has largely been in Greene county, and here he is doing a work that will long be remembered and felt. Although a well- rounded man and scholar, history and science are his favorite lines.
Professor McCroskey owns and operates a valuable, well-improved and productive farm, ten miles south of Springfield, paying particular attention to the raising of live stock and grain. He believes in scientific farming, as
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1906
GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
was indicated most forcefully in 1912, when he took the first premium in the corn exhibit at Columbia, for southern Missouri.
Politically, Professor McCroskey is a Democrat. Fraternally, he be- longs to the Modern Woodmen of America, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Masons. Religiously, he affiliates with the Methodist Epis- copal church.
WILLIAM M. STEPHENS.
Among the old and honored families of Springfield was the Stephenses, who cast their lot here nearly seventy years ago when this was a mere vil- lage on the frontier and the country round about practically a wilderness, only an improved place here and there, and from that remote day to the present, members of this family have played no inconspicuous role in the local drama of civilization, having led upright and helpful lives, assisting in the general development of the community in every way practicable. One of the best known of the family is William H. Stephens, who has been content to spend his life in his native locality, forty years of which have been spent in the piano business, during which time he has become widely known in his special vocation.
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