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 38
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To Mr. and Mrs. Murphy two children have been born, namely : Charles Edward, born on August 20, 1888, in Springfield, was educated in the public and high schools here; he is a machinist by trade and is living at home. Blanche May, born on January II, 1890, in Springfield, attended the local public and high schools and later business college; she married C. N. King, who is with the International Harvester Company, and lives in Little Rock, Arkansas. Mr. and Mrs. King were married on May 10, 1910, and one child has been born to them, Jack Weldon, whose birth occurred on January 19, 19II.
Politically Mr. Murphy is a Democrat. He is a member of Ozark Division, No. 83, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. The Murphy family are members of the Roman Catholic church. They own a fine and neatly furnished home on North Main street, Springfield.
ANDREW DURYEA MILLS.
Andrew Duryea Mills, chief clerk to J. R. Dritt, freight agent of the Frisco System at Springfield, was born in Brooklyn Borough, New York City, March 7, 1881. He is a son of Simeon Drake Mills, who was for many years engaged in business for himself in Brooklyn as a manufacturer of jewelry. In 1883 he removed with his family to Kansas City, Missouri, soon thereafter opening the S. D. Mills Jewelry Company's place of busi- ness, which he conducted until his death in 1890 at the age of thirty-two years. Politically, he was a Republican. He belonged to the Knights of Pythias, and was a member of the Baptist church. He was twice married, first, to Ella B. Duryea, a daughter of Andrew Duryea, who was a mer- chant in Brooklyn, New York. Her death occurred in 1883, leaving two children, namely: Ralph, who is agent for the Union Pacific railroad at Tonganoxie, Kansas, and Andrew D., of this sketch. His second marriage was with Alice Dewey, a daughter of Dr. John Dewey, of Kansas City, Missouri. This union was without issue.
Andrew D. Mills was a small child when his parents brought him to Kansas City, and there he grew to manhood and received his education, in- cluding the public schools and a business college. He began his railroad
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career when nineteen years of age, and has worked for the following roads: Kansas City, Ft. Scott & Memphis, now operated by the Frisco; the Mis- souri, Kansas & Texas; Kansas City Southern; Missouri Pacific & Iron Mountain; the Kansas City, Clinton & Springfield; the Texas & Pacific; Union Pacific; Denver & Rio Grande; Missouri Pacific; Chicago, Burling- ton & Quincy; later to the Missouri Pacific, then the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe, after which he went with the St. Louis & San Francisco road, with which he has since been connected. He was telegraph operator and station agent for the above named roads. In January, 1913, he was pro- moted to the position of chief clerk to the Frisco's freight agent at Spring- field, which position he still holds.
Mr. Mills was married in 1902 to Nellie Wilson, a daughter of Joel Y. and Josephine (George) Wilson, of Osceola, Missouri. Mr. Wilson has for many years been a druggist at that point. There Mrs. Mills grew to. womanhood and was educated in the common schools.
Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Mills, namely: Wilson, Charles, Alice M. and Josephine G.
Politically, Mr. Mills is a Republican in principle, but votes independ- ently, more for the man than for the party, as many other sensible people are doing today. Fraternally, he belongs to the Masons, the Royal Ar- canum, Royal Neighbors and the Modern Woodmen of America.
J. W. GANN.
From an excellent old Kentucky family comes J. W. Gann, the oblig -. ing and popular city passenger and ticket agent for the Frisco Lines at Springfield, and he seems to have inherited many of the commendable traits of his worthy progenitors. He has devoted the major portion of his ac- tive career to railroad service and has given eminent satisfaction in every position he has held in this field of endeavor.
Mr. Gann was born in Wayne county, Kentucky, December II, 1871. He is a son of William K. and Mary (Daugherty) Gann. The father was born in Kentucky in 1838, and there the birth of the mother occurred in 1848, each scions of old Southern families. They grew to maturity in the Blue Grass state and were educated there, the father receiving an excep- tionally good education for that period. After passing through the com- mon schools he attended the Louisville Medical College, where he made a fine record and from which institution he was graduated with the degree of doctor of medicine, also completing a course in pharmacy. He engaged successfully in the practice of his profession until his death in 1885. His,
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wife preceded him to the grave in 1883. They were the parents of five children, four of whom are still living, namely: Charles M. is deceased; J. W. of this sketch; Hattie, Mattie and Edward Everett.
J. W. Gann was reared at the parental homestead in Wayne county, Kentucky, and there he received a practical common school education, but he started out in life when young, being but seventeen years of age when he began his career as railroader, in which he has been engaged ever since. He began as telegraph operator for the Queen & Crescent railroad in Tate- ville, Kentucky. He was sent to various places to work by this road, with which he remained until 1900, then went to work for the Frisco Lines as ticket seller in the office at Birmingham, Alabama. In 1905 he was made city passenger agent in that city. Remaining there until in March, 1907, he was transferred to Springfield, Missouri, as chief ticket clerk, and in De- cember, 1910, he was promoted to city passenger and ticket agent, which position he still holds.
Mr. Gann was married on November 7, 1906, in Birmingham, Ala- bama, to Mrs. Sarah Elizabeth Prewitt. She was born near Springville, Alabama, February 5, 1874, and there grew to womanhood and received her education.
The union of Mr. and Mrs. Gann has been without issue.
Politically, our subject is a Democrat. He is prominent in Masonic circles, having attained the thirty-second degree. Religiously, he is a mem- ber of the Cumberland Presbyterian church.
E. B. McNEILL.
Like many another boy reared on the farm, E. B. McNeill, agent of the Missouri Pacific railroad at Springfield, turned his attention to railroad- ing and has continued to the present time, showing a peculiar adaptability for the same, so that he has won and retained the confidence of his employ- ers, for he is not only capable of quickly grasping the various details of his work, but is faithful and energetic in the performance of the same.
Mr. McNeill was born in White county, Arkansas, May 16, 1881. He is a son of John T. and Amanda (Lessenbury ) McNeill. The father was born in Tennessee, from which state he came to Arkansas in an early day, where he established the family home on the farm where he still lives in White county. The mother of our subject was also born in Tennessee. Her death occurred in White county, Arkansas, July 10, 1914. These parents were young when they left their native state and they were married in Arkansas. John T. McNeill served as a Confederate soldier during the
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last two years of the Civil war, was under Gen. Sterling Price and was in the famous raid of that great leader into Missouri.
John T. McNeill has been a successful farmer and stock raiser. His family consisted of eleven children, six of whom are still living, namely : Florence married C. M. Welbon, and they live in Colorado; E. B. of this sketch; William E. lives in Kensett, Arkansas; Elmer is engaged in rail- road service in Arkansas; Mrs. Anna Davidson lives in Kensett, Arkansas; Mrs. Grace Taylor lives in White county, Arkansas.
E. B. McNeill grew up on his father's farm in his native county and there assisted with the general work when a boy, and in the winter months he attended the common and high schools in Arkansas. He left the farm when nineteen years of age and began his career as railroader for the Iron Mountain as clerk and later as telegraph operator in his native state, work- ing at many points on the system. He came to Springfield in June, 1912, since which time he has been filling his present position, most of his work being on the White river division.
Mr. McNeill was married on June 12, 1907, at Calico Rock, Arkansas, to Allie M. Crews, who was born at Walker, Missouri. She is a daughter of Cassie Crews and wife. She received a good common school education. One child has been born to our subject and wife, Dorothy May McNeill, whose birth occurred May 12, 191I.
Politically, Mr. McNeill is a Democrat. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, is associate member of the Springfield Club, and his wife be- longs to the Methodist Episcopal church. Our subject has never affiliated himself with any religious body.
R. L. ARNETT.
R. L. Arnett was born in Fredericktown, in southeastern Missouri, on February 2, 1881. He is a son of R. C. and Fanny (Layman) Arnett. The father was also born at Fredericktown, February 5, 1849, his parents hav- ing been pioneer settlers there. The mother of our subject was born in Piqua, Ohio, December 21, 1853. She came to Fredericktown, Missouri, when young and there met and married the elder Arnett, who devoted his life to general farming, although he never lived on a farm. Politically, R. C. Arnett was a Democrat and was an influential man in public affairs in his native locality, having represented his county several times in the state legislature. His family consisted of five children, all sons, and all still living, namely: Smith D. lives in Pine Bluff, Arkansas; Sam R. lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota; R. L. of this sketch; Eugene F. is in the train
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service and is located at Pine Bluff, Arkansas; Alexander W. is attending Columbia University at this writing.
R. L. Arnett grew up at Fredericktown, where he obtained a good common and high school education. When only thirteen years of age he was enabled to begin the career he had long aspired to, that of railroading, and he has kept it up to the present time, his rise being gradual, and he evidently has greater things to yet accomplish in this field of endeavor. He began work for the Missouri Pacific before leaving school and continued at intervals with this road until he finished school, then went in the office as clerk in his native town. With the exception of a few months spent in the employ of other lines, he has remained continuously with the Missouri Pacific, having in the meanwhile been nearly all over the system, in various departments of this road. In September, 1908, he was promoted to com- mercial freight agent, in Ft. Scott, Kansas, and in November, 1909, he was sent to Springfield, where he is now occupying the same position. He is a young man of energy, tact, versatility and honesty of purpose and his su- periors place great confidence in his ability and integrity.
Mr. Arnett was married, April 23, 1903, in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, to Anna Lee Green, a native of that city, where she was reared and educated, later attending Ouachita College at Arkadelphia, Arkansas. She is a daugh- ter of Thomas and Disda Green.
To Mr. and Mrs. Arnett one child has been born, Roeanna, whose birth occurred July 1I, 1905.
Politically, Mr. Arnett is a Democrat. He is a member of the Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks, also the Hoo Hoo or Black Cat frater- nity. He is a member of the Springfield Club and the Country Club.
NEWTON V. ALLEBACH.
The beginning of the career of Newton V. Allebach was characterized by hard work and conscientious endeavor, and he owes his rise to no train of fortunate incidents or fortuitous circumstances. His rise has not been of the meteoric type, but has been steady and slow. The major portion of his life has been devoted to railroad service, having been on the Frisco system for a number of years, and he is the present popular general chairman of the Order of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, in which he has long been active and influential.
Mr. Allebach was born in Clarion county, Pennsylvania, August 6, 1860. He is a son of Abraham H. and Catherine (Kramer) Allebach. The father was born in Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, September 27, 1810,
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and the mother was also born in the old Keystone state in the year 1833. There they grew to maturity, received limited educations in the early-day schools and they were married in Clarion county and established the family home there, Mr. Allebach engaging in the mercantile business. He was twice married, our subject being a child by his second wife, and is one of six sons, four of whom are still living, namely: Ansen M. lives in New Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; Rufus D. is deceased; Newton V., subject of this sketch : Arlington H. is deceased; Melvin C. lives in New Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and Victor L. lives in East Brady. The death of Abraham H. Allebach occurred June 14, 1881, his wife, mother of our subject, surviving until in January, 1912, both dying in Pennsylvania, where they spent their lives. Politically he was a Lincoln Republican, and fraternally was a member of the Masonic Order, while his wife belonged to the Eastern Star.
Newton V. Allebach grew to manhood in his native community in Clarion county and he received a common school education. When he was seventeen years of age he went to Minnesota and worked in various parts of that state. For some time he engaged in lumbering at the head of Lake Superior. In 1881 he went to North Dakota, and in 1884 he began his career as railroader at Fargo, that state, on the Northern Pacific as fireman, and was later promoted to engineer on switch engines and freight trains. He remained in the North until 1889, when he had a run into Montana and Wyoming, then was in the employ of the Southern Pacific until in Sep- tember, 1895, when he came to Monett, Missouri, and went to work for the Frisco system as freight engineer, his run being from that city to Ft. Smith, Arkansas, and in 1906 he was given a passenger train and was in that service about seven years. His career in the train service on all the above named roads has been eminently commendable and satisfactory, and is a record of duty ably and faithfully performed.
Mr. Allebach has been actively engaged in the work of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers since 1895. He moved to Springfield in 1910, where he has since resided. Since his election to general chairman in above order he has devoted his time exclusively to the interests of the order. His position is one of importance and considerable rsponsibility, and he is kept very busy looking after adjustments and the many things constantly coming up to be attended to, which requires a man of tact, diplomacy and forceful personality, as well as energy and fidelity. The splendid record Mr. Allebach has made in this important office with which he has been honored would in- dicate the wisdom of his selection and his services are entirely satisfactory to all concerned. He is one of the best known and most universally liked rail- road men in the Southwest, being a good mixer, friendly, genial, honest and conscientious.
Mr. Allebach was married in Monett, Missouri, December 25, 1897, to
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Nora Blakeslee, who was born in northern Pennsylvania in 1870, where she spent her early girlhood, being eight years old when her parents, Lafayette and Delia (Cook) Blakeslee removed with her to Barry county, Missouri. These parents were natives of Pennsylvania, where they grew to maturity. received limited educations in the common schools and were married. The death of the father occurred in Barry county, Missouri, where Mrs. Allebach was reared to womanhood and educated in the common schools. The mother is still living. Mr. Blakeslee devoted his active life to farming and contracting. His family consisted of eight children.
To Mr. and Mrs. Allebach four children have been born, namely : Franz. born October 3, 1898; Vernon V., born September 13, 1901 : Karl A., born November 3, 1904 ; Catherine, born May 22, 1907. died December 4, 1908.
Politically Mr. Allebach is a Democrat. Fraternally he is a member of the Masonic Order, is a Knights Templar, and a member of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. Religiously the family belongs to the Presbyterian church.
GEORGE GREEN.
Americans have always had great admiration for Englishmen, not- withstanding that these nations have twice been at war. Each has enjoyed a century of peace and good feeling toward the other, and we have ever welcomed the British to our newer land of opportunity. Greene county has not been fortunate enough to secure many of her immigrants, but what few we have we are glad to note are good citizens in every respect. One of these is George Green, blacksmith foreman in the shops of the Frisco sys- tem at Springfield.
Mr. Green was born in Kent Waldwick, England, September 15, 1863. He is a son of Robert and Susanna Green, both born in England, where they grew up and received fairly good educations and spent the earlier years of their lives, eventually emigrating to the United States, where they both died, the father in South Dakota and the mother in Kansas. Robert Green was a carpenter by trade, which he followed for a livelihood most of his life. In his earlier life he was in the British army as a wheelwright and was in the memorable East India mutiny. After coming to America he followed railroading for a while and later was a ranchman in Texas for about four years. His family consisted of four children, namely: Robert is a locomotive engineer on the Frisco, running out of Kansas City, where he lives; George of this sketch; Mrs. Clara Bowen lives in Kansas City, Missouri, and Mrs. George Wallace, also of Kansas City.
George Green was young when his parents brought him to America,
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and here he received his education. He attended school in different places,. including a year in Dallas, Texas, and some time in Rochester, New York. In 1880 he drove overland from Texas to Springfield, Missouri, and began work for the Frisco System in the North Side roundhouse. After remain- ing there about three years he went to Kansas City and went to work for the Kansas City, Ft. Scott & Memphis Railroad Company, which was leased by the Frisco System in 1900, and when the shops of the former road were opened in Springfield, now known as the South Side Frisco shops, Mr. Green was sent here as blacksmith helper. He continued at his trade until. in 1896, when he was elected constable of Campbell township, in which of- fice he served two years with satisfaction to all concerned and credit to. himself. In 1901 he was appointed foreman of the blacksmith shop and is still one of the foremen in this shop. He is quite expert in his line and handles men well.
Mr. Green was married in 1882, to Sarah E. Twigger, who was born in Connecticut, in December, 1862. She is a daughter of George and Ann Twigger. She was educated in the common schools. She came west when young in years, with her parents, locating in North Springfield, Missouri, and here grew to womanhood, receiving her education in the public schools- of Springfield. She was one of eleven children, ten still living.
To Mr. and Mrs. Green seven children have been born, namely : Frank, born December 25, 1883; Maude, born in 1885, married George Brougher ; Ruby, born in 1887; Mrs. Georgia Woodfill, born in 1899; William J., born: in 1897; Charles, born in 1900, and Clara, born in 1902.
Politically, Mr. Green is a Democrat. Fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic blue lodge, the Modern Woodmen and the Loyal Order of Moose. The family are members of the Episcopal church.
MATTHIAS CHRISTMAN.
It is not the kind of work, but the kind of spirit with which it is done? that dignifies and exalts human service. This is a thought that should put heart into every worker, put glow and cheer into his service and fill him with a large degree of satisfaction in doing the work that nature seems to. have, in a way, appointed for him. Matthias Christman, general machine foreman in the North Side Frisco shops, Springfield, is a man who gets. satisfaction out of his daily tasks and therefore his work is not only well done, but life is worth living to him.
Mr. Christman was born in Springfield, Illinois, January 29, 1863. He.
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is a son of Michael and Caroline ( Duffner) Christman, both natives of Ger- many, in which country they spent their childhood years, and from there immigrated to America when young, both locating in Springfield, Illinois, where they were married, and there established their permanent home, the father of our subject, who is now eighty-four years old, and who has de- voted his active life to the machinist trade, is still a resident of that city, but the mother passed away on May 17, 1914, at the age of seventy-five years. To them seven children were born, three of whom are living at this writing, namely : X. B. is engaged in the hardware business in Springfield, Illinois ; Matthias, of this sketch; John D., who was a machinist by trade, is de- ceased; Mary is the wife of Joseph Phillipp, who is engaged in the furniture and dry goods business in Springfield, Illinois. The other children died in early life.
Matthias Christman spent his boyhood days in his native city and there he went to school until he was fourteen years old, when he left his text- books and went to work as an apprentice in the Wabash railroad shops in that town, remaining there from August, 1877, until 1882, completing his. trade as machinist, then went as journeyman to the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe shops at Raton, New Mexico, working there from September, 1882, until April, 1883, in April of which year he went to Decatur, Illinois and worked at his trade in the shops of the Wabash Railroad. From April, 1883, until July, 1883, he worked for the Wabash & Decatur Railroad, and in August he worked as machinist in Kansas City for the Kansas City, Ft. Scott & Memphis Railroad Company, which transferred him in 1890 to its shops in Springfield, Missouri, as erecting foreman, which position he held there until August, 1911. having continued in the employ of the Frisco System, which leased the former road in 1900. In August, 1911, he was transferred to the North Side shops as assistant general machine shop foreman, and in 1912 was promoted to general machine shop foreman, which position he now holds, there being about one hundred and fifty men under his direction. He is giving his usual general satisfactory service, being a man highly skilled in his trade and possessing marked executive ability. He has an interest in the Christman Adjustable Hub Plate Company, being a director and stockholder in the same. He has been the dominating factor in the success of this concern, indicating that he is a man of fine business acumen. He is also of an inventive turn of mind, and has invented piston valves and bushing for air pumps and holds patents on each. These devices have been highly praised by manufacturers.
Mr. Christman was married in 1884 to Elizabeth Hurley, of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, and to this union two children have been born, namely : John M., who was educated in the ward and high schools of Springfield,
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is now a machinist in the North Side Frisco shops; Carrie, who was also well educated in the Springfield schools, lives at home with her parents.
Politically Mr. Christman is a Democrat. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen of American, and to the Catholic church.
WILLIAM TAYLOR HANKINS.
Great changes "have come over the face of the land" since William Taylor Hankins first saw the light of day nearly sixty-seven years ago, and, having spent these long years in the same locality, he has been a most inter- ested and by no means a passive spectator to the transformations of the eastern part of Greene county, having sought to do his full share in the work of. progress here. For many years he was postmaster at Strafford, but is now living quietly on his farm. No one is better or more favorably known in this community, for his life has been an exemplary and inoffensive one.
Mr. Hankins was born on a farm near Strafford, Missouri, on April 2, 1848. He is a son of Abraham and Sarah R. (Miller) Hankins. The father was born in Tennessee on March 23, 1808, and was reared there on a farm and attended the common schools. In youth he learned the tanner's trade. Remaining in his native state until 1835, he then emigrated to Greene county, Missouri, making the trip by wagon, drawn by an ox and a horse. He farmed and followed his trade here, and he owned many slaves and was a successful farmer. His death occurred in November, 1861. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and was a prominent man in his community. The mother of our subject was born near Winchester, Ken- tucky, on June 3, 1809, was reared on a farm there and attended the public schools. She came to Greene county, Missouri with her parents about the year 1835, and here met and married Mr. Hankins. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Her death occurred on June 30, 1878. on the home farm. To these parents five children were born, namely : Andrew Jackson, deceased ; Benton T., deceased; William T., of this sketch ; Letitia, deceased, and Mrs. Susan Potter, of Strafford, who is the youngest.
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