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 23
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George W. Condon was educated in the common schools, leaving school when fifteen years of age and worked as clerk in a grain and feed store at Osage City, Kansas, for three years, and then engaged in coal mining there for six years, then operated a coal mine there two years, after which he en- gaged in the laundry business there for four years. After this he began railroading, working for the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe railroad in its shops at Topeka, in 1910, as machinist helper for about six months, then he was promoted to acetylene welder which position he held until 1913. In June of that year he went with the Oxweld Acetylene Company of Chicago, as demonstrator, and remained in that position until October 1, 1913, then came to Springfield, Missouri, and installed this system for the Chicago company in the Frisco shops and now he is foreman of that department, and has ten men under his direction. The plant is under the general direc- tion of the reclamation department of the South Side shops.
Mr. Condon was married on June 16, 1908, to Mary Clerico, a daugh-
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ter of Louis and Anna Clerico, of Osage City, Kansas, where she grew to womanhood and was educated. To this union one child, Marguerite Con- don, has been born.
Politically, Mr. Condon is a Democrat. He belongs to the Catholic church, and fraternally is a member of the Loyal Order of Moose and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Mr. Condon has the distinction of being the first man to use the Oxweld system on any railroad in the United States.
C. M. GEORGE.
There is such a fascination in railroad work that those who once enter it seldom abandon it for some other vocation, and it is not by any means an uncommon thing to find that men are still working at this line of endeavor who have perhaps been offered better positions in other lines. Many will remain active in the work until old age compels them to retire or the com- pany voluntarily retires them on a pension. They evidently do not remain in the work because it is easier than anything else or because the element of danger is lacking, but the fascination is there, nevertheless, and, too, the re- muneration is good and certain, better, perhaps, than in most lines.
One of the most capable and well known engineers on the Frisco, run- ning out of Springfield is C. M. George, who has been in the train service here for a period of twenty-five years, although he is scarcely a middle-aged man. He was born in Montgomery, Illinois, March 20, 1870, and is a son of I. E. and Mary (Tevbaugh) George. The father was born in Henry county, Indiana, in the year 1837, and the mother was born in Illinois in 1848. Her death occurred in Springfield, Missouri, December 31, 191I. I. E. George began railroading early in life and for a period of thirty years was an engineer. He came to Springfield in 1888 and began working for the Kansas City, Ft. Scott & Memphis road, and later worked in the com- pany's shops here, and subsequently was employed in the Frisco shops on the North Side. His family consisted of five children, namely: C. M., of this sketch; E. E. is deceased; John W. is deceased; Della is deceased, and Bessie, who is deceased.
C. M. George spent his boyhood in Illinois and there received his educa- tion in the public schools, remaining in his native state until the fall of 1888, when he came to Springfield, Missouri, where he has made his home ever since. In March, 1889, he began firing on a freight for the Kansas City, Ft. Scott & Memphis road, with which he remained as fireman until 1897, when he was promoted to engineer, and has worked in this capacity ever
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since, being in the employ of the Frisco for many years, this road having purchased the old "Gulf road" in 1900. Mr. George is regarded as one of the ablest and most trustworthy engineers on the system and he has long had a regular freight run from Springfield to Thayer on the Ozark division.
Mr. George was married on December 22, 1898, at West Plains, Mis- souri, to Mamie Buchanan, a native of Texas, who came to Missouri with her parents when she was a child. She received a high school education. She is a daughter of W. A. and Belle Buchanan.
Three children have been born to our subject and wife, namely: Albert V., born in August, 1901 ; Mary Margaret, born January 5, 1905; and Rose- belle, born in 1908. They are all attending school.
Politically, Mr. George is a Democrat. Fraternally, he belongs to the Masonic order, and he is a member of Division No. 378, Brotherhood of Engineers. He resides in a neat cottage on North Grant street.
JOHN H. HASTEN.
Everyone, in addition to his ordinary workaday life, whether it be pro- fessional, political, commercial, or one of manual labor, by which he earns his daily bread, needs to have something aside from his material existence to which he can turn for relaxation. If he is to escape the limitations of a humdrum, commonplace, provincial, and narrow existence, he must build for himself a home in the realm of the ideal. Thus he will be able to escape when he wishes from the ordinary environment of business or professional life and become a citizen of the world, living in a sense a life as wide as that of humanity. John H. Hasten, president of the Springfield Bakery Com- pany and for many years a well known business man of this city, is one who knows the value of good ideals-an intellectual abode, and thus he is not only a successful man of affairs but is a citizen who is highly appreciated by those who know him.
Mr. Hasten is a worthy representative of one of the sterling pioneer families of Greene county, and his birth occurred in Cass township, in the northern part of this county, on August 27, 1869. He is a son of Isaac N. Hasten, also a native of that vicinity, where he grew to manhood, attended the district schools and engaged successfully in farming many years, later in life locating in the village of Cave Spring, not far from the Hasten home- stead and there he engaged in general mercantile pursuits for a period of twelve or fifteen years, enjoying a large trade with the surrounding locality, dealing honestly and courteous with his many customers and carrying a large and well selected general stock of goods at all seasons. Finally he removed
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to Springfield and engaged in the retail grocery business on West Commer- cial street with his usual success until his death about five years later, in July, 1897, at the age of fifty-seven years. He was not only a capable busi- nes's man but an influential citizen and active in public affairs. For a period of nearly twenty years he served Cass township as justice of the peace in a manner that reflected much credit upon his ability and to the eminent satis- faction of the people, his decisions being characterized by a uniform fair- ness and sound principles of jurisprudence. He was also a member of the school board in his district and was a great advocate of good education, do- ing much to encourage better schools in his part of the county. Politically, he was a Republican. ] During the Civil war he enlisted in this county in the Forty-sixth Missouri Cavalry and saw three and one-half years of faith- ful and commendable service for the Union, proving a gallant and intelli- gent soldier.
The mother of the subject of this sketch was known in her maidenhood as Mary Jennings, who was born on August 22, 1850, in Neosho, Missouri.
Mrs. Mary Hasten, our subject's mother, is still living, now at an ad- vanced age, and makes her home with her son, John H., of this sketch, who is the youngest of her three children, her daughter being Docia, who mar- ried Joseph B. Wilson, a farmer and stock raiser of Cass township; the eldest child, William, died in infancy.
John H. Hasten grew to manhood on the home farm in Cass township and there he worked when a boy. He received his education in the district schools of his community and in Morrisville College in Polk county, later attending Drury College, Springfield, and finally took a business course in this city. When nineteen years of age he went into business with his father and helped manage the grocery store on Commercial street which was a success from the start. He was in partnership with his father and upon the latter's death he bought out the heirs and continued to con- duct the store until 1901 when he sold out to South Brothers, and en- gaged in the grocery and seed business on East Commercial street, in part- nership with R. A. Fisher under the firm name of Hasten & Fisher. They continued successfully until 1907 when our subject sold out, having other business interests which took the major portion of his time. In 1905, with others, he organized the Springfield Bakery Company, of which he has since been president and he has been the principal spirit in building up one of the largest, best equipped and popular bakeries in the Southwest. Further men- tion of this industry is made on another page.
Mr. Hasten was married on August 28, 1891, to Josie N. Lee, a daugh- ter of Robert and Ruth (Watson) Lee. Mr. Lee was a successful farmer of Cass township, Greene county, where Mrs. Hasten was born, grew to.
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womanhood and educated. Later Mr. Lee moved to California and engaged in the vineyard and fruit raising business.
Fraternally, Mr. Hasten is a member of the Masonic order, including all branches, such as the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine and the Order of Eastern Star; he also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen and the Court of Honor. He was a member of the school board of Cass township for two years. Religiously he belongs to the Baptist church, to which his wife also belongs, and in which he was formerly trustee and is now deacon. He is active in church work
H. M. MOOMAW.
Among the substantial farmers living in Brookline township is H. M. Moomaw, a man who has an interesting life record. He originally came from the Old Dominion, his people on both sides of the house having been among the residents of that grand old state in the early days, but little of our subject's life has been spent there, he having been lured across the conti- nent when a boy to the far West, where he sought that elusive yellow metal -gold-that has both made and ruined its thousands, and the last forty-five years of his life have been devoted to general agricultural pursuits in Greene county, Missouri, where he started in a modest way and eventually has become one of the leading farmers of this locality.
Mr. Moomaw was born in Virginia, December 13, 1841. He is a son of Christian and Frances ( Noffsinger) Moomaw, both natives of Virginia but of German descent. They grew to maturity in their native state and were married there, and established their home on a farm and lived there until their son, H. M., was six years of age, when they removed to northern Indiana, where the family resided about seventeen years on a farm, and there our subject grew to manhood and received his education in the public schools of his district. In 1864 our subject left his parental home in the Hoosier state and made the long, hazardous overland journey across the plains to Virginia City, Montana, where he remained six months, then went ·on to Portland, Oregon, remaining there about seven months, and then went to Idaho, where he spent about four years, during which time he did con- siderable prospecting for gold, then went back to Portland, Oregon, and from there to San Francisco. After remaining in California awhile he took a ship on the Pacific ocean for the Isthmus of Panama. After crossing the isthmus he took ship for New York City, and from there went to South Bend, Indiana. Remaining at home about six months, he came, in 1869, to
MRS. H. M. MOOMAW.
H. M. MOOMAW.
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Greene county, Missouri, and located permanently, after his extensive wan- derings, during which he gained a vast knowledge of the world. He located on a farm about seven miles northwest of Springfield, purchasing one hun- dred and twenty acres of railroad land on which he lived about four years, then sold out and moved to Brookline, this county, and in 1881 bought a fine farm of two hundred and twenty acres, all tillable but a few acres, which embrace a small oak grove. He made many important improvements here with advancing years, and carried on general farming and stock raising on an extensive scale, rotating his crops scientifically and becoming known as
MAPLE GROVE FARM-RESIDENCE OF HE. M. MOOMAW.
one of the most progressive farmers 'of his township. In November, 1913, his four thousand dollar home was destroyed by fire.
Mr. Moomaw was married in November, 1872, to Mary Dale, in Greene county, Missouri. She was born in Pennsylvania, June 4, 1846, and was a daughter of Solomon and Catherine (Zink) Dale, both natives of Pennsyl- vania, where they grew up and were married, but when Mrs. Moomaw was a young girl the family moved to Greene county, Missouri, and here the parents spent the rest of their lives on a farm, dying several years ago, and here their daughter, Mary, grew to womanhood and attended the public schools. Mrs. Moomaw died on April 28, 1914.
To Mr. and Mrs. Moomaw eight children were born, all of whom are (73)
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living at this writing, namely: William, Lottie, Arthur, Dot, Effie, Homer, Curtis and Earle.
Politically, Mr. Moomaw is a Democrat, but he has never been active in the affairs of his party, devoting his attention to his farm and his home.
JOHN H. JONES.
We are glad to note in this series of biographical articles that so many of the progressive citizens of Greene county have been born and reared here, for this is an indication of at least two things-that they are men of keen discernment, being able to see and appreciate present conditions as they are, and that the county is indeed one of the favored sections of the great commonwealth of Missouri, else these people would have sought opportunities elsewhere. As it is they did not need to heed the call of the wanderlust that is heard at some stage or other in the lives of all young men. One of this number who has been contented to spend his life in his- native locality is John H. Jones, the energetic druggist at Fair Grove, Jackson township.
Mr. Jones was born in this county on November 4, 1877. He is a son of James T. and Rachael A. (Norton) Jones. The father was born in Dallas county, Missouri, November 14, 1846, and there he grew to man- hood on a farm and attended the rural schools. Remaining in that county until 1870, he removed to Greene county and entered government land which he improved into a good farm and on which he establishd a com- fortable home and here our subject was born. The place first consisted of eighty acres .. As the elder Jones prospered through good management, he added to his original holdings until he now has a farm of two hundred and fifty-five acres, which is well improved and productive. He has, how- ever, retired from active life and keeps his land rented, and is residing in Fair Grove, where he moved ten years ago, buying a good home there. He devoted all his active life to general farming and raising live stock and has been very successful in his life work. He was married in 1868 to Rachel A. Norton, who was born in Tennessee, May 14, 1846, and when young in years her parents brought her to Missouri, the family locating in Webster county and there she grew to womanhood on a farm and she attended the country schools. She is a member of the Baptist church. To these par- ents four children have been born, namely: William G. lives in Greene county ; Messer F. is deceased; John H. of this sketch; and Mrs. Vada Bass, of this county.
John H. Jones was reared on the home farm in his native com-
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munity and there he assisted with the general work during the summer months, and attended the district schools in the winter. He continued to work on the farm until the fall of 1901. The following year he entered the St. Louis College of Pharmacy, where he made a good record and from which he was graduated with the class of 1906. Soon thereafter he went into the drug business at Fair Grove, which he has continued with ever- increasing success to the present time, having built up an extensive trade. He has a neat store which is stocked with a full line of drugs and drug sundries. He has been very successful in a business way and owns several lots and buildings in Greene county and a forty-acre farm in Dallas county, also a town lot in Oklahoma.
Mr. Jones has remained unmarried. Politically, he is a Democrat. Fraternally, he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Woodmen of the World.
IRVIN W. WINGO.
Widely known in Greene and Dallas counties, Irvin W. Wingo, of near Fair Grove, is a man deserving of a conspicuous position for his biography in a work of the province of the one in hand, for his career has been fraught with a large measure of success both as an educator and agriculturist. Over three decades of his career were devoted to school work with most com- mendable results, and for many years as county superintendent of schools in the latter county he did much to raise the standard of work in this field and place the county high in the list of those of southwestern Missouri do- ing good educational work. Although a school man in the broadest and best sense of the term and as such, making every other consideration secon- dary to his professional and official duties he never became narrow or pedantic as have so many whose lives have been spent in intimate association with the immature minds within the four walls of the school room. He re- mained a well rounded, symmetrically developed man, fully alive to the demands of the times, thoroughly informed on the leading questions before the public and has ever taken broad views of men and things, and is there- fore a useful and influential citizen in his locality.
Mr. Wingo was born in Dallas county, Missouri, July 8, 1861. He is a son of Jasper and Nan (Johns) Wingo, both natives of Tennessee, the father born in the middle section of the state, October 24. 1838, and the mother's birth occurred in Weakly county, February 24. 1842. They came to Missouri when young in years, with their parents, and here grew to ma- turity on farms and were educated in the early-day common schools and were
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married in Dallas county, in 1859. During the war between the states Joseph Wingo joined the Union army under Captain Kershner, in Company A, Eighth Missouri Calvary, and he saw considerable service, taking part in the battles of Prairie Grove and Brownsville and a number of minor en- gagements. At the close of the war he was honorably discharged at St. Louis, after which he returned to Dallas county and resumed farming. He owned one hundred and sixty acres. He is now living in Fair Grove, Greene county, in retirement, being advanced in years. His wife also sur- vives. They are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church and are highly respected by a wide circle of friends. Two children were born to them, Irvin W., of this review; and William W. of Springfield, who is employed by the Frisco Lines.
Irvin W. Wingo was reared on the homestead in Dallas county and there worked hard when a boy during the crop seasons, and in the winter time he attended the common schools, receiving thereby and through his individual efforts at home a good education. He began teaching school when only sixteen years of age, teaching twelve years in rural schools, then entered the Missouri State Normal at Warrensburg, taking a full course in teachers' work, graduating in 1889. He was then fully equipped for his chosen profession. Returning to his native county he was elected princi- pal of the schools at Buffalo, county-seat of Dallas county, remaining in that . position five years. He then taught one year in the old Springfield Normal, then taught three years at Cassville, Missouri, after which he came to Fair Grove and taught until 1911, thus, out of a period of thirty-four years, he engaged in teaching thirty-two years, during which his services were in large demand and he gave eminent satisfaction wherever he was employed, being progressive in his ideas and building up the work in general. He was elected school commissioner of Dallas county for two terms, without opposition, and was offered a third term but declined. This is sufficient criterion that his official duties were ably and satisfactorily performed.
Finally tiring of the school room, Mr. Wingo moved to his fine farm of four hundred and twenty acres which he had purchased while teaching and has since devoted his time and attention to general agricultural pur- suits with gratifying results, now specializing in the dairy business for which he is well equipped in every respect and he finds a very ready market for his products. Everything is kept in an up-to-date and sanitary condi- tion. His place is well improved along all lines and he has a commodious home in the midst of attractive surroundings. He is one of the progres- sive and substantial men of his community and one of the most influential, and yet is a man of entirely unassuming manners.
Mr. Wingo has been twice married, first, on October 10, 1881, to Ollie J. Wills, by whom three children were born, namely: Fred, who is em-
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ployed in Springfield; Elbert lives in Springfield; and Mrs. Gertrude Jones, also of that city. The wife and mother was called to her eternal rest on September 15, 1886. She was a daughter of Jack and Mollie (Goss) Wills, On December 26, 1889, Mr. Wingo married Julia McKee, a daughter of Melvin and Phoebe Ann (Grimes) McKee, both now deceased. To this second union eleven children have been born, named as follows: Glenn is living at home; Carl W., Mrs. Bessie Albright, Russell is teaching school, Ruth is attending high school at Fair Grove, Ralph, Charles is deceased, Jewett, Jasper, Phoebe Ann, and an infant son, deceased.
Politically, Mr. Wingo is a Republican. Fraternally he belongs to the Masonic Order, the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mrs. Wingo is a member of the Christian church.
JOHN M. LANE.
Successful farming calls for the best of judgment. It means good crops, good live stock well fed and handled, and a thoroughly balanced busi- ness in every way. John M. Lane, a farmer of Jackson township, Greene county, seems to know what constitutes success in agriculture and is there- fore making a good living on the place where he has been privileged to spend his entire life. That he knows what to do and when to do it is evi- denced from the fact that this farm is today as productive as it was when it first came into possession of the Lane family over a half century ago.
Mr. Lane was born on the home place in the township and county above mentioned, September 8, 1860. He is a son of William and Sarah (Rudde) Lane. The father was born in Tennessee on a farm and there he was reared and was educated in the rural schools in his native commun- ity. He came to Missouri when a young man, and located in Greene county at an early day. When the war between the North and South began he cast his lot with the Union army, as first lieutenant in Company E, Seventy-second Missouri Volunteer Infantry, and he proved to be a brave and efficient soldier. He fought in the battle of Springfield, January 8, 1863, in which he was gallantly engaged in defending the city from Mar- maduke's raiders when he was severely wounded from the effects of which he died eleven days later. During the gold fever days of the early fifties he had made two trips across the great western plains to California, driving a herd of cattle to the West. He secured a farm of two hundred and sixty- five acres in Greene county and was a man of much industry. His wife was born in Caswell county, North Carolina, and her parents brought her from that state to Greene county, Missouri, when she was a young girl and
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here she grew up on a farm and received her education in the common schools. After the death of her husband she managed the home farm un- til her marriage to John McCabe. Her death occurred in 1889 on the home- stead. She gave thirty acres for the town site of Stafford. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Her father, Joseph Rudde, was a large slave owner in the early days and he settled the place where our subject now lives.
To William Lane and wife three children were born, namely: Thomas, deceased; John M. of this sketch; and Edward, of Kansas City.
John M. Lane was reared on the home farm and attended the neigh- borhood schools. He has never left the homestead and owns one hundred and fifty-five acres of the same, which he has kept well cultivated and well improved, and although the land has been in the Lane family for seventy- five years it has been so carefully tilled and handled that it is still pro- ductive and more valuable than ever before. General farm products and live stock are raised.
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