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 3
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967
GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
The best that was offered to the school teacher in those days in the way of remuneration was but meager compensation compared to the rewards of ability and energy in business. Mr. Fairbanks had received a flattering offer from the West, a place called Springfield, in the heart of the Ozark region and the principal city of southwest Missouri, from J. C. Wilber, who was close to Col. John M. Richardson, then prominent in the affairs of the city.
The school teacher, who was bent on changing his vocation, arrived in Springfield, November 10, 1866. He found a prosperous town of two thou- sand in the midst of a region of such great resources that he was satisfied there would be extraordinary development. There was so much building in progress that there was an unprecedented demand for lumber and when Fair- banks and Wilber opened up in the sawmill and planing business they had all the orders they could attend to. They increased their facilities and their business expanded rapidly. Mr. Fairbanks worked early and late. Some weeks he would leave home Monday morning and eat, sleep and work at the mill until Saturday night. He and his partner prospered for nine years, while his family grew up around him, he built a comfortable home and the prospects of life were fair from every point of view. Then came the hard times following the panic of 1873, in which men possessed of property amply sufficient to secure all their obligations under ordinary circumstances were made bankrupt before they knew it. Mr. Wilber had borrowed fifteen hun- dred dollars and Mr. Fairbanks had signed a note for the amount and in the general crash of credits he was called upon to meet the obligation for its payment. Friends tried in vain to help him. The holder of the note, per- haps himself pressed by creditors, was inexorable and the money had to be forthcoming. The real estate owned by Mr. Fairbanks embraced one hundred and ten acres located in what is now a populous part of the city between Washington avenue and the National boulevard. Different tracts and numerous town lots estimated at the time to be worth eight thousand dollars were sold to satisfy the note for fifteen hundred. John M. Richardson pur- chased much of the land, which was resold at great advances. Mr. Fair- banks, acting as agent for Colonel Richardson, afterward sold forty thousand dollars worth of property. He bought back his old homestead from the Richardson heirs and still lives there. Following the climax of his mis- fortunes which came in 1874, Mr. Fairbanks made preparations to leave Springfield. He was on the point of returning to Ohio, when Hon. John McGregor, president of the Springfield school board, following a suggestion made by Hon. L. H. Murray, came to him with a proposition to take charge of the schools of this city. Mr. Fairbanks accepted, assuming the duties of superintendent the next year. From that time down to the present, forty years, his work in connection with the schools of this city is well known.
968
GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
However, it may not be amiss to recall some of the incidents connected with this part of his extraordinary career.
There had been half a dozen superintendents of education during the years immediately preceding the beginning of the forty years administration of Jonathan Fairbanks. The chairman of the school board complained that the board had been called together nearly every week for a while to consider cases which should have been disposed of by the superintendent. On com- ing into office one of the first things which Superintendent Fairbanks noticed was the absurdity of some of the rules which had caused trouble.
The pupils were forbidden by one of these from entering the school building after a certain number of minutes during the noon hour when a number of them who lived at a distance had no other place to eat their lunches. This rule was quickly abrogated, the children being left free to enter the building at the noon hour and special provision was made for their comfort in other ways. The students of the high school were put on their honor, the pupils of the lower grades were treated with consideration, the schools were in a manner reorganized on a basis of reciprocal justice and kindness. Changes were made in the course of study by which the interests of practical education were conserved with continuous progress in liberal- izing and otherwise improving it. Various other changes were made to meet the demands of the times and the efficiency and popularity of the schools continued to increase from year to year. The teachers of the Spring- field schools welcomed the change to an enlightened administration at the beginning of Superintendent Fairbank's first term and became loyal sup- porters. He was re-elected without opposition for another term, and again and again until his re-election at the end of each consecutive year became a mere matter of formality. In politics, Mr. Fairbanks has been a Republican all his life, though liberal-minded, progressive and independent in his views. In view of this fact, the Greenbackers having made great progress in this. section in 1878, and wishing to put out a strong county ticket, sent a com- mittee to Mr. Fairbanks soliciting him to allow them to use his name as their candidate for county school commissioner. As a concession to the spirit of reform represented by their movements, he gave his consent with the result that he was elected by a majority of four hundred. Results similar to those which had followed his assumption of the duties of city superin- tendent followed throughout the county. The teachers of the country schools, as those of the city, had soon felt the inspiration of Jonathan Fair- banks' presence and helpfulness in all their works. So he was re-elected county commissioner at the end of the term. He was re-elected continuously during a period of twenty years until the office was merged in that of county. superintendent.
969
GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
In the last election he received one thousand seven hundred majority over three other candidates for county commissioner. In the administration of that office he did much toward the complete systematization of the county schools. Among other things, he kept a complete record of the proceedings of the boards and everything done in connection with the county during the twenty years of his incumbency. The record was unfortunately lost in a fire in Superintendent Bradley's office in recent years.
Superintendent Fairbanks never made a practice of punishing boys for fighting. His plan for dissipating this kind of trouble was to call them up and make them explain their differences and come to some kind of an under- standing. Some interesting stories are told in this connection. Other problems which have vexed less capable minds were disposed of in a similarly happy manner.
Summarizing his observations on the subject of discipline Superintend- ent Fairbanks said in a recent conversation : "Teachers should assume as far as possible that there are no bad pupils. Boys and girls will do the best they know how. The thing to do is to make clear to them the reasons for the requirements made of them. They often do wrong when they think they are doing right. Reason and consideration will go farther in securing compliance with the wishes of the teacher than anything else. There is not nearly leniency enough in the world."
The Jonathan Fairbanks of today is as busy as though he had but begun his life's work at the end of the three-score years and ten allotted to man. He is still a student teacher and reader, though no longer under necessity of hearing sixteen recitations a day, the first one at 7 A. M. and often continuing his tasks by lamplight and then getting up at 2 A. M. to go over the lessons in advance of his classes in preparation for the work of the fol- lowing day as he used to do at the beginning of his career as superintendent of the Springfield schools.
Much of the success and happiness of this venerable man's life is at- tributed to the helpfulness of the excellent woman who became his wife in youth and journeyed with him far toward the final rewards. Jonathan Fair- banks and Miss Angie Bowker were married September 3, 1856, in Sudbury, Massachusetts. She was born there June 13, 1832. She was a daughter of the Puritans, her parents, Samuel N. and Mary Earl Bowker, being descended from early settlers of New England, of Scotch-Welsh extraction. Children of Jonathan Fairbanks and Angie (Bowker) Fairbanks: Grace Ida, born in St. Mary's, Ohio, June 4, 1857, died October 1, 1858. Joseph Maybin, born in St. Mary's, Ohio, March 12, 1859, died May 19, 1865. Mary Caroline, born in St. Mary's, Ohio, April 7, 1860, died February 5. 1862. Alban Bradley, born in St. Mary's, Ohio, June 22, 1862, died in IQII. Annie, born in Piqua, Ohio, March 20, 1866, died June 21, 1899.
970
GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
George Bowker, born in Springfield, Missouri, April 16, 1868. John Wilber, born in Springfield, Missouri, November 13, 1870. James Otis, born in Springfield, Missouri, October 30, 1873. George Bowker Fairbanks is en- gaged in the general merchandise business at Foose, Dallas county, Missouri. He married Sarah Davis, July 31, 1910. Two children have been born to them, Perry George Fairbanks, September 23, 1911, who died March II, 1913 ; and an infant daughter, Harriet.
John Wilber Fairbanks married Annie Jugram, June 5, 1902. They have one child, John Howard Fairbanks, born March 10, 1904. James Otis Fairbanks married Miss Golden Sands, January 13. 1913.
Mrs. Fairbanks died December 29, 1912. She was a consistent mein- ber of the Baptist church.
JOHN R. BOYD, M. D.
It is not always easy to discover and define the hidden forces that move a life of ceaseless activity and a large professional success ; little more can be done than to note their manifestation in the career of the individual under consideration. In view of this fact, the life of the physician and public- spirited man of affairs whose name appears above affords a striking example of well defined purpose with the ability to make that purpose subserve not only his own ends but the good of his fellow men as well. Doctor Boyd has long held distinctive prestige in a calling which requires for its basis sound mentality and intellectual discipline of a high order. In his chosen field of endeavor Doctor Boyd has achieved success and his present eminent standing among the leading medical men of southwest Missouri is duly recognized and appreciated, not only in Springfield and Greene county, where he has been engaged in the practice for the past score of years, but also throughout this section of the state.
Dr. John R. Boyd was born in Logan county, Kentucky, December 16, 1854. He is the son of R. G. H. and Isabella (Herndon) Boyd, both natives of Kentucky.
The father was a land owner and ranked among the leading citizens of his community. His wife's people, the Herndons, were also extensive land owners in the Blue Grass state. The death of Mrs. Boyd occurred when her son, John R., was only six weeks old. She was a devout member of the Baptist church. To R. G. H. Boyd and wife four sons and four daughters were born. Three sons and one daughter survive. The living daughter makes her home in Lawton, Oklahoma. Our subject's surviving brothers are «engaged in farming in Kentucky and Oklahoma.
97I
GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
Doctor Boyd grew up on the farm and received his early education in the common schools and in Auburn Academy. He remained in Kentucky until 1879, when he came to Jackson county, Missouri, where he taught school and began reading medicine. He spent one year in the Bellevue Medical Hos- pital College of New York City and completed his medical education in the University of Louisville, Kentucky, from which institution he graduated with the class of 1886, later taking a post-graduate course from the Post Graduate School in Chicago, also a post-graduate course from the Polyclinic Institute of Chicago. He began the practice of his profession at Butler, Bates county, Missouri, in 1886, where he remained until 1895, when, seeking a larger field for the exercise of his talents, he removed to Springfield and has since been successfully engaged in the general practice of medicine, being success- ful from the first, and during this period of nearly twenty years has occupied an envied position among his professional. brethren.
In 1901 Doctor Boyd was elected state medical director of the Modern Woodmen of America, which important office he still holds with much credit to himself and satisfaction to all concerned. He was one of the promoters of the Missouri Fidelity and Casualty Company, at the organization of which he was elected a director, also medical director, and in 1912 was elected presi- dent of the company. He is now a director of the Southern Surety Company of St. Louis, Missouri. Several years ago he was president of the Greene County Medical Society for one term. He still holds membership in the Greene County Medical Society, the Southwest Missouri Medical Society, and the Missouri State Medical Association. Doctor Boyd was one of the founders of the Springfield Hospital, and has been a director in the same from the first, and for the first few years was treasurer and is now secretary of the same.
He maintains a modern suite of rooms in the Holland building, Spring- field. He has been very successful in a financial way and has been interested in numerous business enterprises and has been influential in the latter-day upbuilding of the Queen City. Politically, he has always been a stanch Demo- crat, and, fraternally, he belongs to the Masonic order, including the Council and the Royal Arch degrees. He also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America, and has always been actively interested in lodge affairs.
Doctor Boyd was married in 1883 to Nannie M. Montgomery, of Leba- non, Kentucky, in which state she grew to womanhood and received her edu- cation. She is a daughter of a farmer and stockman and an excellent old family. She has been prominent in the best social circles since coming to Springfield, and is an active member of several clubs.
The union of Doctor Boyd and wife has been blessed by the birth of one daughter, Lillian Boyd. She is a young lady of exceptional talent and refine- ment. She was graduated from the Academy of Drury College and after- ward received the degree of A. B. Cum Lauda from that college.
972
GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
Miss Boyd spent a year at the College of Hawaii, Honolulu, Territory · of Hawaii, where she specialized in science, taking the degree of B. S. She was an enthusiastic member of the college fraternities, Mu Beta and Pi Bi Phi.
The Doctor is a gentleman whom it is a pleasure to meet, at once im- pressing you with his polished Southern manners, his directness, frankness and learning, also his unpretentious simplicity.
J. A. WHITE.
The automobile business is a comparatively new line of human endeavor. It has not been so very many years ago since the first automobile made its appearance in Springfield. The business has grown with perhaps greater strides than any other line in the twentieth century. These autos are not only to be found in the larger cities, but in almost every city and town in the Union, and even on the wide plains of the West and in mountainous dis- tricts. One finds them in many of the rough, poor sections of the Ozarks. People not only enjoy riding in them, but they realize that they are time savers and thus in many instances money makers. Those engaged in this line of business, whether in manufacture, selling or repairing, are making a success. One of this number is J. A. White, manager of the Western Motor Car Company of Springfield.
Mr. White was born in Springfield, Missouri, August 21, 1879. He is a son of J. A. and Lou (Proctor) White. The father was a native of Tennessee and the mother was born in Louisville, Kentucky. They left their native states when young and came to Springfield, Missouri, where they were married, and here J. A. White, Sr., engaged successfully in the con- tracting and building business. During the Civil war he enlisted at Leaven- worth, Kansas, in the Twelfth Kansas Cavalry, and made a gallant soldier for the Union, being promoted for meritorious conduct to second lieutenant. He went out the first year of the war and remained in the service over three years, taking part in many engagements and campaigns. Politically, he was a Democrat and was active in party affairs. He was at one time a member of the city council of Springfield. His death occurred here in 1884. His widow is still living in this city. Three children were born to these parents, namely : J. A., Jr., of this sketch; Mrs. May Costella, and George P.
The subject of this sketch grew to manhood in his native city, and here he attended school, receiving, however, only a meager education. He first engaged in the bicycle business in Portland, Oregon, being naturally of a mechanical turn of mind, and believing that the Far West held greater op-
973
GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
portunities than his own country. He was, however, later convinced that this was not the fact, and after spending four years there, during which he got a start in life, he returned to Springfield on October 8, 1900, and here he continued the bicycle business until 1905 with much success, and in that year he turned his attention to the automobile business, and during the ten years that he has been engaged in this line he has met with ever-growing and excellent success. He was first connected with Holland Keet. He is now manager of the Western Motor Car Company, and is agent for the Chalmers machine. His place of business is located at 411-13-15 South Jefferson street, where he has one of the largest and most complete and modernly equipped repair shops in the Southwest. He is prepared to do promptly and well all kinds of repairing and has in his employ a number of practical and · highly skilled mechanics. He also maintains here a charging station for elec- trics. He is doing a large and lucrative business, and he enjoys the good will and confidence of his hundreds of patrons, who know him for a prompt, hon- est and obliging man of affairs.
Mr. White was married on June 28, 1904, to Alzora Sedgwick, a native of Kansas and a daughter of A. C. and Anna ( Palmour) Sedgwick. To this union one child has been born, Charles S. White, whose birth occurred August 17, 1910.
Politically, Mr. White is a Republican. Fraternally, he belongs to the Masonic order, including the Knights Templar and the Ancient Arabic Or- der of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is prominent in local club life, be- ing a member of the Springfield Club, the Young Men's Business Club. the Country Club and the Springfield Gun Club.
JAMES H. O'BRYANT.
There is an habitual tendency in human nature to live in and for that which is perishing, hence the necessity for something that shall remind us of what is abiding, something that shall enable us to realize our larger duties and higher destiny. The life of the masses of the people tends to become commonplace, and the only way to give color and zest and interest and beauty to the things around us is to be able to view them from the inside of a rich, splendidly furnished intellectual home. This is possible no matter in what line of work we are engaged. James H. O'Bryant is one of the citizens of Springfield who realized these facts long ago, and he has thus sought to develop his mind along general lines while engaged in his routine of daily tasks.
Mr. O'Bryant was born in Greene county, Missouri, August 20, 1866.
974
GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
He is a son of George W. and Mary C. (Howard) O'Bryant, natives of Tennessee and North Carolina, respectively, the father's birth occurring in 1823, and the mother's in 1830. They received limited educations in the old-time subscription schools, and when young they accompanied their par- ents from their respective communities in the South on the long overland journey to Greene county, Missouri, both the O'Bryants and Howards being pioneer settlers here, and here the parents of our subject were married. George W. O'Bryant was a successful farmer and stock raiser and became owner of three hundred and sixty acres of good land near Republic, and there his death occurred in 1866. His widow survived about thirty-seven year's, dying in July, 1903, at the old homestead in Brookline township at an advanced age. Mr. O'Bryant was a member of the State Militia during the Civil war and was an active Union man, but served only in one important engagement-the battle of Springfield, fought on January 8, 1863. His fam- ily consisted of ten children, namely : Sarah Jane is deceased ; Mary Frances lives in Polk county ; John C. is deceased; Martha A., deceased, was the wife of Judge Phillips, of this county; William and Delila, twins, both live in Re- public; Alice A. is deceased; Nancy C. lives in California ; George WV. lives near Republic, and James H., of this sketch, who is the youngest of the family.
James H. O'Bryant grew to manhood on the home farm in Brookline township and he received his education in the common schools. He remained on the home farm, of which he owned one hundred and forty acres, until 1899, when, after a successful career as general farmer, he sold out, and in that year was appointed superintendent of the Greene County Farm, serv- ing four years in a manner that reflected much credit upon himself and to the satisfaction of all concerned, doing much the meanwhile to improve the general condition of the farm and inaugurating an excellent system of man- agement. In February, 1903, he began working as salesman for the J. T. Carter Vehicle Company. Since then, or for nearly eight years, he has been engaged in the mail messenger service in Springfield.
Mr. O'Bryant was married May 24, 1891, in Republic, to Maggie L. E. Hood, who was born in Greene county, Missouri, July 31, 1873. She is a daughter of James D. and Mary E. (Clack) Hood. Her father was born in this county on December 31, 1848, and here he attended school, married and has spent his life. He is still living on a farm northwest of Republic. His wife was born in Tennessee, in 1856. These parents have always lived on the farm. To Mr. and Mrs. O'Bryant eight children have been born, namely: Nellie A., born March 21, 1892, is teaching school in the state of Washington ; Earle J., born December 30, 1893, lives in Oregon; Leta F., born December 25, 1895, is married and lives in Kansas City ; Elias B., born November 9, 1897, died August 15, 1900; Mary T., born February 15, 1902,
975
GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
is attending school; John R., born August 15, 1905, died May 3, 1910; Helen L., born September 19, 1907; Hazel C., born September 30, 19II.
Politically, Mr. O'Bryant is a Republican. Fraternally, he belongs to. the Masonic order, including the Chapter and the Order of Eastern Star, while Mrs. O'Bryant is a White Shriner and was treasurer, also worthy. matron in the Order of Eastern Star, and is very active in lodge work. Our subject and wife belong to the Grace Methodist Episcopal church.
GUY D. KIRBY. 1204199
As a lawyer Guy D. Kirby, now judge of the Circuit Court of Greene county, for many years stood at the front of his profession at the Springfield bar, his career being noted for strength, fidelity and honor in his character. The relations between him and his clients are ever loyal and genuine. He is. ever steadfast, sure and true. Among his professional brethren he is noted for his thorough knowledge of the law, not only of its great underlying prin- ciples, but also for its niceties and its exacting details, and for his faculty of clearly presenting to court and jury the law and facts of the case. On the bench his painstaking, laborious review and study of each case, and his accu- rate recollection of precedents always keep him in thorough preparation, and his profound legal erudition and sound judgment prevent him from resting on any hazardous or uncertain ground. In every sphere he demonstrates the individual unit and creation of himself. Rectitude, moral force, integrity, innate love of justice, exalted sense of honor, and unflinching advocacy of that which is right, are well defined elements of his personal character. Add to these industry and mental equipment, and we have the key to his success. as a lawyer and as a judge.
Judge Kirby was born in Springfield, Missouri, March 3, 1873. He is. a son of William M. and Virginia (Parrish) Kirby, the father being born in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1846, and the mother's birth occurred in Springfield, Missouri, in 1847. William M. Kirby spent his earlier years in the Monu- ment City and received a good practical education, and when a young man came to Springfield. Missouri, and ran a drygoods store here for several years, then held various positions under county officers for a number of years, and, in 1881, began his long career as traveling salesman, which he has continued to the present time, being one of the most widely known com- mercial salesmen in the Southwest. On December 22, 1870, he and Vir- ginia Parrish were married here. She grew to womanhood and was edu- cated in her native county, receiving an excellent education. To the parents of our subject four children were born, namely : William C. is deceased : Guy
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