Past and present of Greene County, Missouri, early and recent history and genealogical records of many of the representative citizens, Volume II, Part 16

Author: Fairbanks, Jonathan, 1828- , ed; Tuck, Clyde Edwin
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Indianapolis, A. W. Bowen
Number of Pages: 1182

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 16

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).

James E. Smith grew to manhood in his native city and here received a common and high school education, and when young served his apprentice- ship as machinist and followed this trade at the old foundry at Mill and Boonville streets, where he learned the trade. After remaining there about three years 'he secured a position in the Springfield Wagon Works, in the paint department, later drove a grocery wagon for ten or twelve years. In 1890 he went into the grocery business for himself on Boonville street, also cigars and confectionery, remaining in that stand until 1894. However, prior to that year he was for some time in the employ of the Frisco, working as brakeman between Springfield and Memphis. In 1897 he went to work in the city fire department, where he remained until 1909, then opened his present grocery store at 831 North Campbell street and has built up a large and constantly-growing business, carrying at all seasons a large and well- selected stock of fancy and staple groceries.

Mrs. Smith was married, August 13, 1890, to Anna Miles, who was born in Hannibal, Missouri, September 17, 1870. She is a daughter of William A. and Malinda (Snyder) Miles, both natives of Pennsylvania, being early settlers in Missouri, locating on a farm. Mr. Miles served five years in the Civil war, participating in many hard-fought battles. Mrs. Smith grew to womanhood in her native city and received a good common school educa- tion in Hannibal.

To Mr. and Mrs. Smith three children have been born, namely: James E., Jr., born May 16, 1891, lives at home ; Jennette, born March 19, 1896, died the same year; Genevieve, born November 10, 1898.

Mr. Smith is prominent in fraternal affairs, being a member of the Ma- sonic Order, Knights of Pythias, the Improved Order of Red Men, the Royal Arcanum, Highlanders, also the Woodmen of the World and the Mod-

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ern Woodmen of America. He has been clerk of the Woodmen of the World for the past eighteen years and is active in Woodmen circles. Politically, he is a Democrat, and for the past three years has been councilman from the Sixth ward and has done much for the general good of the city. He was formerly secretary of the Retail Merchants' Association. His wife is a member of the Woodmen Circle and the Pythian Circle. Mr. and Mrs. Smith belong to the Catholic church.

GEORGE C. RUPPRECHT.

It is not enough to be all right in this world, but it is necessary that we look all right as well, because two-thirds of success is making people think we are what we profess to be and can be depended upon. Success in life also depends a great deal in selecting the line of work for which we are best fitted by nature. How many third-class ministers, lawyers, physicians there are who might have made remarkable success as agricul- turists or merchants, or as inventors, railroad men or mechanics. George C. Rupprecht, foreman at the Steineger Saddlery Company, Springfield, studied himself and found out what he was capable of doing and what he was un- fitted for, so he wisely selected a practical calling and has made a comfortable living all the while.

Mr. Rupprecht was born October 4, 1865, at Wurzburg, Bavaria, a province of the German Empire. He is a son of John and Barbara (Seu- bert) Rupprecht, both natives of the same locality where they grew up, were educated, married and established their permanent home. There the death of the mother occurred in 1871 at the early age of thirty-three years. The father became somewhat prominent in public affairs and was a city official and held other public offices. He was also a commissioned officer in the regular army there for a period of sixteen years. His death occurred in his native land in 1882. Her father, Michael Seubert, was also a Ba- varian and spent his life in the Fatherland. He was a bleacher and master of bleachers, also a riverman for years. To John and Barbara Rupprecht four chidlren were born, namely: Carl, Anna, Barbara and George C.

Mr. Rupprecht, of this sketch, spent his boyhood in his native land and attended school until he was thirteen years of age, then went to work learning the saddlery trade in the city of Wurzburg. After serving his ap- prenticeship he entered the Seventy-sixth Infantry of the German army, at Hamburg, and served two years. Then he followed his trade in differ- ent towns of the Empire until 1892. when he came to America, landing at Baltimore, Maryland, and from there made the long journey to central

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Texas, where he followed his trade until 1899, when he came to Spring- field, Missouri, where he has since resided, and for over fifteen years he has been in the employ of the Steineger Saddlery Company, working for a year as saddle maker, then was promoted to foreman in 1900, which re- sponsible position he has continued to hold to the present time, giving eminent satisfaction to his employers. He is an expert in his line and is reliable and trustworthy. At present he has twenty-four hands under his direction. He has saved his earnings and owns a good home on Cherry street.

Mr. Rupprecht was married in Springfield in 1900, to Cecelia Guettin- ger, who was born in Zurich, Switzerland, from which country she emi- grated to America when young. This union has resulted in the birth of four children, namely: Carl is deceased; George is now twelve years of age; Walter is eight, and Cecil is three.

Politically, Mr. Rupprecht is an independent voter. He formerly be- longed to the Catholic church. He is a member of the German-American Alliance, being now president of the local order of the same; he is also secretary of the German-American Beneficial Society of Pittsburg, Penn- sylvania. He is also prominent in the Masonic order, being a member of Solomon Lodge No. 271, in which he has held all offices. He is also a member of Springfield Chapter No. 15 and has also held all offices, being at this writing high priest.

CLARENCE S. MACK.

By a life of persistent and well applied industry, led along the most honorable lines, Clarence S. Mack has justly earned the right to be repre- sented in a work of the character of the one in hand, along with other pro- gressive men of affairs of Greene county who have made and are making their influence felt in their respective communities. He is widely known as a wholesale dealer in tobacco and other lines, and is a creditable repre- sentative of two of the old families of this locality.

Mr. Mack was born in Springfield, Missouri, April 7, 1876. He is a son of James B. and Elizabeth (Shackelford) Mack, both natives of Spring- field also, the father born in April, 1854, and the mother born in May, 1855, and here they grew to maturity, attended the local schools and have always resided. James B. Mack started in the drug business when only thirteen years of age, for the Hall Drug Company, and he continued successfully in this line for many years. About thirty years ago he began traveling on the road for the Myers Drug Company, of St. Louis, and is still thus engaged,

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being one of the best known commercial travelers in this portion of the Mid- dle West. His family consists of but two children, Clarence S., of this sketch, and Georgia.

Clarence S. Mack grew to manhood in his native city and here received a high school education. When eighteen years of age he went into the retail ·cigar business on his own account, and this he continued with gratifying re- sults until 1910, when he entered the wholesale cigar, tobacco, candy and chewing gum business, also soda fountain supplies. His present place of business is 309 McDaniel avenue, where he has a neat, modernly appointed and attractive store and is carrying on a large and lucrative business which extends over a large portion of the Ozark region.

Mr. Mack was married on April 7, 1906, in Springfield, to Cyrena Jones, who was born in Platt City, Missouri. She is a daughter of George T. Jones and wife. She received a common school education.

To Mr. and Mrs. Mack two children have been born: Margaret, whose birth occurred May 14, 1907, and Nancy Elizabeth, born August 17, 1914.

Politically, Mr. Mack is a Republican. He belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and is a member of the Christian church. He is a sociable and genial gentleman who is well liked about town.

THE JAMES FAMILY.

This is one of the earliest pioneer families in Greene county, where, for a period of three-quarters of a century its members have been active in various circles, doing their full parts in the upbuilding of the locality and leading public-spirited and exemplary lives, so that they have ever borne the best of reputations and have in every way deserved the material success they have been blessed with, as well as the high esteem in which they are universally held.

We first hear of David James, a native of Wales, who, when a child, crossed the Atlantic ocean to the New World in an old-time sailing vessel, the trip requiring many weeks. He located in Virginia, from which state he moved to South Carolina, thence to North Carolina, from there to Tennessee, later to Kentucky, then to western Tennessee, where his death occurred. It is believed he was married in South Carolina to Nancy Atchison. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, was wounded in battle and he carried the bullet in his arm the rest of his life. He was a blacksmith by trade. One of his near relatives settled in Ohio, and he also had a brother, Enoch, and it is believed that the Mr. James of President Garfield's cabinet was one of the (Ohio branch of the family. It was in Henry county, Tennessee, that David

JASON R. JAMES.

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...

THE JAMES HOMESTEAD.

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James spent his last days and died in 1842. His wife, Nancy Atchison, was born in Ireland, but when an infant, was brought to South Carolina and there grew up and married. Her brothers were Sirgenner, John, Robert and Wil- liam Atchison. In later years most of the Atchison family moved to Arkansas, some going on to Texas. Mrs. Nancy (Atchison) James died on the old homestead in western Tennessee, about 1840. To David and Nancy James these children were born, Thomas; Polly, who married a second cousin by the name of James, from the Ohio branch of the family; Mrs. Parmelia Wadkins of Kentucky; Mrs. Malinda Hall of Kentucky; Mrs. Aurelia Good, Joseph, John and Robert, all of Tennessee; David was killed when a boy, in Ken- tucky, by lightning, which struck a tree under which he took refuge during a storm which came up while he was out hunting.

Thomas James was born in South Carolina, December 21, 1792, but he grew up and was educated near the Kentucky and Tennessee line. He served as justice of the peace in Madison county, Tennessee, before removing to Missouri. He was a life long farmer, clearing and developing a good farm from the wilderness. It was in 1835 that he removed with his family to Greene county, Missouri, and his death occurred in Missouri while returning from his old home in Tennessee, on November 9, 1837, when a comparatively young man. He married Nancy Gately and their family consisted of nine children, all of whom are now deceased, namely : Mrs. Parmelia Wallace died in Greene county ; Irwin David died when young in Tennessee; Levi also died in early life in Tennessee ; Mrs. Minerva Putman died in Greene county : Win- frey died in Oregon after the family moved to Greene county ; Aurelia died in this county, November 6, 1844; Jason Robert, born February 25, 1827, in Madison county, Tennessee. Jason R., seventh child in order of birth, was about eight years old when he removed with the family in December, 1835. to Franklin township. Greene county, Missouri, and here he grew to manhood and was educated and when only ten years of age assumed charge of and farmed the homestead after the death of his father. His mother also died on the homestead here, April 11, 1863, aged about seventy. During the Civil war, Jason R. was a soldier in the Union army under Captain Jenkins, in the Missouri State Militia, and took part in the battle of Springfield, January 8, 1863. After the war he continued farming here until his death at an advanced age, March 21, 1908. The eighth child in order of birth of Thomas and Nancy (Gately) James was Susan Jane, whose death occurred in Greene county, February 1, 1845; Thomas, the youngest child, died April 14. 1858; he was a minister in the Methodist Episcopal church, South. He married Elizabeth Patterson, by whom one child was born, Nancy Arbelia, who now lives on the old James homestead in Franklin township, this county, operating the entire James estate of two hundred acres, and she has one hundred and

(69)

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two acres of her own which she farms with the assistance of her cousin, Robert James, the son of John and Martha (Futrell) James. Nancy James was educated in the township schools and has lived on the home place most of her life. Winfrey James, mentioned above, was a Methodist minister; having preached all over Greene county, where he was widely known in pioneer days, but later moved to the state of Oregon, where he continued preaching and where his death occurred September 17, 1897. He became a presiding elder of a conference of his denomination in that state. He mar- ried Sarah Jenkins, first, and later married Jane Williams, after the death of his first wife. The first union was without issue, but four children born of the second marriage, namely : Charles Wesley, who lives in Oregon; John Fletcher lives in that state; Sarah Jane, who married Thomas Bailey, is de- ceased; for his third wife he married Malinda Baisley and by this union had two children, both living in or near the state of Oregon. Thomas died in early life. Parmelia James, mentioned above, married John Wallace, by whom one child was born, Henry James Wallace, who married Tina Harkness, of Franklin township, Greene county, and three children were born to this union, namely : Blondville, Mrs. Flora Vaughn is deceased; Mrs. Lellian Bryan. Blondville Wallace married Pearl Logan and they have two chil- dren, Chesney and Flora Lee. Lellian Wallace married Bert Bryan and they have one child, Helen. Minerva James, mentioned above, married Mansel Putman, a farmer, late of Franklin township, and to this union one child was born, Mary Jane Putman, who married Ammon Knighten, a sketch of whom appears on another page of this volume. Both Mr. and Mrs. Mansel Putman are deceased.

Little is known regarding the Gately ancestry. The great-great-grand- father Mercer seems to have been stolen when a child from his home, possibly in the British Isles, and reared by seafaring men, taught when a child to assist on a sailing ship, especially in tying knots in the rigging. When he was supposed to be about twenty-one years of age he was given his freedom and a fine cup (silver, lined with gold) was presented him, and he took his own name. It is believed that he eventually located in the state of Tennessee. His daughter, Jemima, married John Gately, an Italian. In North Carolina, the great-great-grandfather Mercer was living with great-grandfather Gately sometime after the year 1793. The former hid a considerable sum of money and could not remember where he put it, and thinking his son-in-law. John Gately had stolen it, finally killed him, but afterward found the money where he (Mercer) had hidden it. Mercer had a son who was at one time a Con- gressman. The son helped his father out of his trouble without punishment. Great-grandmother Gately later moved to Kentucky, where she settled. Her children were John, James, Polly, Susan, Nancy, Crecy, Jemima and Phoeba.

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John married Rebecca Watt and one of his sons was named John Gately also. Polly married William Atchison, a brother of great-grandmother James. Susie married William Jenkins. Nancy married Thomas James. Crecy married William Tedford. Jemima married Sam Bradshaw. Phoeba mar- ried Jesse Grace.

EMSLEY L. BODENHAMER.

By a life consistent in motive and action and because of his many com- mendable personal qualities, Emsley L. Bodenhamer, for many years a suc- cessful farmer and stock raiser in Greene county, who is now connected with one of the leading implement houses of Springfield, has earned the sincere regard of all who know him. He came from an ancestry that distinguished itself in pioneer times, having had in them that unrest of the old world races that drives humanity ever westward on its great adventure, globe- girdlers and zone-conquerors. His progenitors were courageous, large-mus- cled, a stolid sort of people, in whom acute imagination was coupled with immense initiative, and who possessed, withal, loyalty and affection as sturdy as their own strength. He has inherited many of their commendable at- tributes.

Mr. Bodenhamer was born on December 27, 1872, five miles east of Springfield, on the old homestead. He is a son of Andrew J. and Charlotte Elizabeth (Wharton) Bodenhamer, the former a native of Greene county and the latter of South Carolina, from which state she came to Missouri overland in an early day with her parents. The parents of Andrew J. Bo- denhamer were among the pioneer settlers of Greene county, locating on a farm which they developed by hard work, enduring the usual hardships of life on the frontier. On the farm our subject's father grew up and worked when a boy, and he attended the early-day schools in his vicinity. He has devoted his life successfully to general farming, in which he is still engaged. He and his wife are both now advanced in years. His farm formerly con- sisted of one hundred and sixty acres, but is now only one hundred acres, he having disposed of the balance, not caring to be burdened with so much land in his old age. During the Civil war he enlisted, in 1861, in the Eighth Missouri Volunteer Infantry, in Springfield, and he served three years in a faithful and gallant manner.

Six children, all living, have been born to Andrew J. Bodenhamer and wife, namely: Alice, William, Tenny, Josephine, Emsley L. and Ira G.

The subject of this sketch grew up on the home farm and there he as- sisted his father with the general work when a boy, and in the winter months he attended the common schools in Seymour and his native vicinity. He

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made his start in life on the farm. When twenty years of age he went to Tulare, California, where he spent three years, then returned to Greene coun- ty and resumed farming on a place containing two hundred and ten acres, near the old homestead. He continued general farming and stock raising on a large scale for eight or nine years, then sold out and moved to Spring- field, in 1906, bought city property and went to work for the Diffenderffer Implement Company, at Market and Walnut streets, and has been employed by this firm continuously to the present time. He has proven to be a most energetic, capable and trustworthy employee and has drawn a great deal of trade for the firm.

Mr. Bodenhamer was married on December 18, 1895, to Mattie L. Quisenberry, who was born in Greene county, Missouri, June 10, 1878, and here she grew to womanhood and was educated. She is a daughter of El- cano and Ellen ( Vandergrift) Quisenberry.

One child has been born to our subject and wife, Minnie K. Boden- hamer, whose birth occurred on June 28, 1897. She is attending the State Normal School here and is taking a course in music, having decided natural ability in this line.

Politically, Mr. Bodenhamer is a Democrat, and, fraternally, he be- longs to the Modern Woodmen of America.

LOUIS N. BASSETT.

Every human being either submits to the controlling influence of others or wields an influence which touches, controls, guides or misdirects others. If he be honest and successful in his chosen field of endeavor, investigation will brighten his fame and point the way along which others may follow with like success. Consequently a critical study of the life record of the gentle- man whose name forms the caption of this paragraph may be beneficial to the reader, for it has been one of usefulness and honor and indicates how one may rise to positions of responsibility in the industrial world while yet young in years if he directs his energies along proper paths and is controlled by proper ideals.

Louis N. Bassett, superintendent of terminals of the Frisco Lines at Springfield, is a worthy representative of a distinguished family. He was born August 20, 1874, in Allen county, Ohio, and is a son of Samuel H. and Mary (Whipp) Bassett. The father of our subject was born in Ohio, in October, 1848, and there grew to manhood and received a limited education, and there he married and spent his earlier years. His wife was also born and reared in the state of Ohio and was educated there, the date of her birth

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being in September, 1850. To these parents eight children were born, name- ly: Ollis O., Mrs. Rosie Buchanan, Sarah (deceased), Louis N. (subject), Clara, Samuel, Jr., DeWitt and Glen.

Samuel H. Bassett is a fine example of a successful self-made Ameri- can. He made up for his early lack of education of a higher order by wide home study and by contact with the world until he became an exceptionally well informed man, and, choosing a military career, has attained a promi- nent place in the United States navy, having been connected with the navy department since 1896, and is now occupying the responsible position of au- ditor of the navy, with offices in Washington, D. C., and is discharging his duties in a manner that reflects much credit upon himself and to the satis- faction of his superiors in that department. During the Civil war he joined the Federal army in the fall of 1863 and served very gallantly as a private in the Twenty-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company I. He saw a great deal of active service in the far South, and was with General Sherman in his campaign about Atlanta and was on the memorable march to the sea. At the close of the war he was mustered out and honorably discharged. Many years ago he worked in the internal revenue department in northwestern Ohio and from that went into the navy, in which his rise has been rapid. He has shown much natural ability, and this, combined with keen observing powers and the fact that he has been a diligent student of everything that pertained to his work, has made him very efficient as well as popular in this branch of the government service, and he is popular and well liked in government cir- cles in Washington. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and belongs to the Knights of Pythias.

Louis N. Bassett grew to manhood in Allen county, Ohio, and there received a good common school education, later studying at the Ohio State Normal. at Ada, that state. He began his railroad career in 1896 in Kansas City, Missouri, as messenger boy for the Frisco in the terminal department there, and he has remained with this road to the present time. Being dili- gent, quick to learn, faithful and reliable in all his work, he has been pro- moted until he now holds a very responsible position. He became chief clerk in that department, which position he occupied until in 1908, when he was appointed superintendent of terminals at Springfield, and has since held this post in a manner that has proven him to be entirely capable and worthy of the high degree of trust and esteem in which he is held by the company. He looks after the operation of trains, both passenger and freight, also the yards, tracks and station. He is regarded as one of the best men, in this particular field, the Frisco has ever had, and he is frequently complimented by his su- periors for his efficient and prompt work.

Mr. Bassett was married April 3, 1895, in Ohio, to Genevieve Murray, who was born in Allen county, that state, where she was reared and well edu-

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cated. She is a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Depler) Murray. Mr. Murray was one of the oldest residents of Allen county and was twice mar- ried and reared a large family. To his second wife eight children were born, three of whom were triplets. Dr. Robert D. Murray, the brother of our subject's wife, was, at one time, government physician, specializing in yel- low fever, and was United States surgeon for many years and was located at Ship Island, Mississippi, for a time, and then went to Macon, Georgia, and was instrumental in wiping out the yellow fever epidemic at New Bruns- wick, Georgia, and in 1903 died in Key West, Florida.

Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bassett, namely: Clif- ford, born September 19, 1904, and Howard, born August 29, 1906.

Politically, Mr. Bassett is a Republican. Fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic order, including the blue lodge and other degrees of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and including the latter. He is active in the affairs of the order, in which he stands high. Religiously, he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Personally, he is a man of fine character, is a good mixer, and has made a host of friends since lo- cating in Springfield.

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Past and present of Greene County, Missouri, early and recent history and genealogical records of many of the representative citizens, Volume II, Part 16

Author: Fairbanks, Jonathan, 1828- , ed; Tuck, Clyde Edwin Publication date: 1915 Publisher: Indianapolis, A. W. Bowen Number of Pages: 1182

Author: Fairbanks, Jonathan, 1828- , ed; Tuck, Clyde Edwin
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Indianapolis, A. W. Bowen
Number of Pages: 1182