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 41
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1899, and in that year was promoted to general foreman, which position he held until his death, on February 7, 1913, at the age of fifty-five years. Politically, he was a Democrat and was prominent in the affairs of his party. He was county committeeman of Greene county for a period of twenty years and was a member of the city council. He did much for the general welfare of Springfield and was one of the city's most valuable and influential citizens for some two decades. Fraternally, he was a member of the Knights and Ladies of Security, the Modern Woodmen of America, a charter member of the Improved Order of Red Men, and also belonged to the Knights of Columbus. He was a member of the Catholic church. He belonged to the Germania Hall German Society, and was one of the most influential Teutons of Springfield. In 1876 Charles J. Busch married Cath- erine Holland, a daughter of Charles M. and Annie M. Holland. She was reared and educated in Cincinnati, Ohio. Her father was at one time a to- bacco planter and lived at Cincinnati many years. She was educated in a convent. She is now living with her son, our subject, and is now fifty-one years of age.
Five children were born to Charles J. Busch and wife, namely: Lena died in infancy; Edna married J. J. O'Dowd, chief clerk to the president of the Southern Pacific railroad, and he lives at Tucson, Arizona; Charles R. of this review ; Julions is deceased; and Leo, who is attending school at this writing.
The paternal grandfather of our subject was also named Charles J. Busch, and he was a native of Germany, and a coffin maker by trade. He grew up in the Fatherland and there received his education and learned his trade, remaining there until he was about twenty-three years of age when he immigrated to America and located in Buffalo, New York, where he re- mained two years working as a cabinet maker, then went to Litchfield, Illi- nois, where he opened up the Litchfield Car and Foundry Company, which concern made all the equipment for all railroads west of Chicago for some time. He remained thus successfully, engaged until 1895, at which time the foundry was sold to the American Car and Foundry Company, when he re- signed and retired from active life. He was general manager of the con- cern which he founded, and through his exceptional business acumen and industry it grew to very large proportions and made him wealthy. He was the largest stockholder in the company. He is still living, being eighty-five years of age, and makes his home in Litchfield, Illinois. He started in busi- ness in this country on a small scale, manufacturing wheelbarrows and other small conveyances, and gradually, but surely, he became one of the leading and well known manufacturers of the Middle West, and solely by his own efforts forged ahead from an humble beginning to a man of wealth and in- fluence in the manufacturing world. He is a Scottish Rite Mason.
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Charles R. Busch was educated in the public and high schools and St. Joseph's Catholic school. Thus well equipped for his life work, he began his railroad career in 1909 as stock clerk in the stock room of the Frisco's North Side shops, Springfield, where he remained until October 13, 1910, when he took a trip to Tucson, Arizona, with his brother-in-law, J. J. O'Dowd, the latter having lost his health and believing that the climate of the Southwest would benefit him. Our subject accepted a position with the general manager of the Mountain States Telegraph Company as private secretary, but three months later the company sold out to the Bell Tele- phone Company. He then entered the service of the Arizona & Eastern railroad and the Southern Pacific Railroad of Mexico as accountant, with offices at Tucson. He remained there until January, 1912, when he was promoted to the position of traveling accountant, covering all the western lines of these companies. While at Tucson he studied at the University of Arizona, taking up law and economics, studying at night. On September I, 1913, he came to Springfield, Missouri, on account of the illness of his father, and here secured a position as foreman at the North Side Frisco shops in the general store department; then was promoted to accountant at the general stores; then became assistant chief clerk to A. H. Young, Sep- tember 24, 1913 resigning and accepting a position as foreman of the reclamation plant, and on October 24, 1913, was promoted to chief clerk of this department in the South Side shops, under R. F. Whalen, which po- sition he is holding at this writing, the duties of which he is discharging in his usual high grade and faithful manner.
In 1912 Mr. Busch was detailed by certain American interests to col- lect various data and information concerning varied enterprises in the states of Sonora, Cinaloa and the territory of Tepic, Mexico, he made a trip in a motor car over a vast part of the southern republic, and, being a man of keen observation and quick perceptive faculties, secured the information de- sired in a short time, and while there saw something of the great revolu- tion, and upon his return to Arizona wrote a graphic, interesting and val- uable article on his trip, telling of his varied experiences, the manners and customs of the natives, the resources of the countries he visited, and touched upon such other points in a manner that would have been a credit to a trained and experienced man of letters.
Mr. Busch has remained unmarried. Politically, he is a Democrat. He is a member of the Delta Omikron Omikron. Fraternally, he belongs to the Knights and Ladies of Security and the Loyal Order of Moose. He is a member of the Catholic church. . Personally, he is popular with all who know him owing to his genial and obliging manners and genuine worth which the stranger at once perceives upon meeting him.
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JAMES M. BROWN.
The name James M. Brown does not sound very Irish-like, neither does the bearer of this plain old cognomen possess many of the outward characteristics of the Celtic people, but it is evident that he has inherited many of the praiseworthy traits of his ancestors, which have resulted in his success in his chosen field of endeavor and in his popularity among his associates. For we all know that there is no better blood in this country than Irish blood. Our subject is filling the responsible position of master mechanic at the Springfield Gas and Power Company. Such positions are not attained without careful preparation.
Mr. Brown was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, May 28, 1864. He is a son of John and Mary (Perry) Brown, the latter dying in 1910 at the age of seventy years. The father was born in County Cork, Ireland, where he spent his boyhood, immigrating to the United States when he was about nineteen years of age, and located in Tennessee, where he became a railroad contractor, making his home at Greenville, Greene county, that state, where his death occurred at the early age of forty-eight years, in 1894, and he was buried at Quaker Knob, Greene county. As a contractor he built rail- roads in eastern Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia. His family consisted of six children, namely : William M. is an engineer for a railroad company, operating coal mines in North Carolina; Thomas, formerly a stationary en- gineer, lives at Little Rock, Arkansas; Daniel is engaged in farming in Texas; James M., subject of this sketch; Mary, a trained nurse, resides at Morristown, Tennessee; Sallie is married and also resides at Morristown, Tennessee.
James M. Brown received his education in the public schools, but left his text-books when only twelve years of age to go to work in a saw mill at Bull's Gap, Tennessee, where his duties were to keep the sawdust thrown back out of the way and to pull the whistle three times a day, considering the latter privilege an honor. He was later fireman at the mill, receiving a dollar and fifty cents per day, after he had been working only six months at the plant. He held this position for two years, and, being a close ob- server and a willing worker, became a full-fledged engineer before he was he worked on a farm two years; then worked in a water mill on Clear fifteen years of age. He then went to McDonald county, Missouri, where creek, hauling flour from the mill for one year; then came to Ash Grove, Greene county, about 1880, securing a position with the Likins Milling Company, and helped erect a plant there, of which, when it was finished, he was engaged as engineer, which position he filled until 1895, then came to Springfield and was employed by the Springfield Electric Light Company, later the Springfield Traction Company, as engineer, and three months later
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was appointed chief engineer, continuing in this position until 1913. The work became too heavy and he then took a position as repair man, and is now master mechanic at the Springfield Gas and Power Company, in whose service he has been employed for a period of twenty years. He has given eminent satisfaction in every respect, being not only an expert engineer and mechanic, but is faithful, reliable and trustworthy.
Mr. Brown was married on October 28, 1890, to Annie E. Sanford, of Walnut Grove, Missouri. She is a daughter of Robert C. and Mary (Holder) Sanford, To this union two children have been born, namely : Millard F., who was educated in the Springfield ward and high schools, is single, and he has been employed in the main office of the Frisco railroad for five years; Sanford, who was educated in the high school, Drury Col- lege and a local business college, is connected with the Heer Dry Goods Company, of Springfield.
Mr. Brown owns a pleasant home on North Main street. Politically, he is a Republican, and, religiously, a Presbyterian. He is a member of the National Association of Steam Engineers, of which he was formerly secretary. Fraternally, he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
EDWARD FARMER.
To the person who closely applies himself to any occupation which he has chosen as his calling in life, there can only come one result, that of suc- cess and a high place in the esteem of those among whom his lot has been cast. Edward Farmer, chief engineer of the state Pythian home at Spring- field, is no exception to this rule, and he has also during his residence here of nearly forty years manifested much interest in the city and county where he located his permanent home, taking a just pride in their general devel- opment.
Mr. Farmer was born at Belsfield, Prince Georges county, Maryland, January 26, 1861. He is a son of Alfred and Susanna (Dugan) Farmer, the mother a native of the same county and state as our subject, where she grew to womanhood, attended school and was married. She lived in a number of states until she removed with her family to Springfield, Missouri, where she spent the rest of her life, dying here in 1898, at the age of sev- enty-two years, and was buried in Maple Park cemetery. The father of our subject was born in England, where he spent his earlier years and at- tended school, immigrating to the United States in 1840, landing in New York City. He had learned the bricklayer's trade in the old country, which
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he followed as his chief life work. However, he was a deep sea sailor for ten years. After leaving the seafaring life he located in Maryland, where he married, after which he resumed his trade of bricklayer, which he con- tinued to follow the rest of his life, eventually developing into a contractor and builder, his work taking him practically all over the state of Maryland, and he became well known and successful in his vocation. Upon the break- ing out of the Civil war he went to the state of New York, locating in Onondaga county, continuing his occupation until he joined a large colony of New Yorkers in 1871 and went to the state of Kansas, where he re- mained three years. They were on their way to Florida when his death occurred in Carrollton, Arkansas, in 1875, at the age of forty-six years. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows before the Civil war, and he belonged to the Methodist church.
To Alfred Farmer and wife six children were born, namely: Albert met an accidental death in Oklahoma a number of years ago; Edward of this sketch; George, who was engaged in business in Kansas City, is de- ceased; Frank is a landscape gardener and lives, in California; Ellen, who lives in Baltimore, Maryland, is the wife of Frank Chappell, a railroad man; John died in infancy.
Edward Farmer received a limited education in the common schools, and when only twelve years of age he went to work helping his father as mortar mixer, which he continued two years. In 1876 he removed with his mother and the rest of the family to Springfield, Missouri, and went to work running a picking machine in a cotton mill, in which he remained three years, where he was also employed as fireman and engineer. Then he went to the Queen City mills as engineer in 1882, and later became chief en- gineer of the Meyer Milling Company, with which he remained over thirty- two years, having charge of both Model and Queen City flouring mills. He became an expert in his line and was a very faithful and trustworthy engineer, as may be surmised from his long employment here. He had four men under his direction most of the time, and during his long service there he saw many changes made in employees and also in the methods of operating the mills, many of these changes having been made at his sug- gestion. He left this concern in September, 1914, the work having become too heavy for his advanced years, and accepted the position he now holds, that of chief engineer at the Pythian Home, where he is residing, although owning two good residences in Springfield.
Mr. Farmer was married in 1887 to Pauline Dyer, a member of an old Springfield family and a sister of Fillman Dyer, a retired veteran of the Civil war. Here Mrs. Farmer grew to womanhood and spent her life, dying in October, 1907, and is buried in Maple Park cemetery. To our subject and wife two children were born, namely: Eva has remained sin-
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gle and is keeping house for her father; Nicholas is a Frisco clerk in the general offices at St. Louis.
Mr. Farmer is an independent voter. He belonged to the National As- sociation of Stationary Engineers, and for seventeen years he has been a member of the Knights of Pythias.
ALBERT L. SCHOFIELD.
The Hoosier state has produced a very large percentage of the nation's. capable men, many of whom have distinguished themselves as statesmen, generals, authors and scientists. This state has furnished to the West and Middle West a myriad horde of capable men who have been of material. assistance in furthering our civilization. They have established schools, churches and various kinds of industries and have proven to be valuable citizens wherever they have dispersed. Albert L. Schofield, foreman of the coach department in the South Side Frisco shops, Springfield, is one of this number, and he seems to have many of the commendable characteristics. of the native Hoosier.
Mr. Schofield was born at Cochran, Dearborn county, Indiana, May 22, 1872. He is a son of Thomas Schofield, who was born in England, in which country he grew to manhood and received his education. When twenty-one years of age he immigrated to the United States, where he has since made his home, settling in Cochran, Indiana, where he began work- ing for the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad Company, in 1863. He came to Springfield, Missouri, in 1889, and secured employment with the St. Louis & San Francisco Railroad Company, remaining in the coach department as carpenter from that time until in 1912, when he was retired on a pension by the company. He was a skilled mechanic and one of the most faithful employees of the local shops. He is living at 1065 Commercial street, being now in his seventy-second year. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and belongs to the Second Presbyterian church. He was the father of three daughters and two sons, namely: Lillie married Harry Fenton, a cabinet maker in the new Frisco shops, Springfield; Emma married Clarence War- ner, a fireman on the "high line" division of the Frisco, between Spring- field and Kansas City; Albert L., of this sketch; Agnes is deceased; Earl is a clerk in the Frisco offices, Springfield, in the master car builder's de- partment.
Albert L. Schofield attended the common schools in his native town until he was fifteen years old, when he gave up educational pursuits to be- gin his career as railroader, for which he had a natural bent. He began
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working in the coach department of the Ohio & Mississippi railroad, where- he remained a year, then came to Springfield, Missouri, and continued his apprenticeship in the coach department of the Frisco shops, also learned body work, beginning his apprenticeship in 1889, remaining in the North Side shops until 1909, a period of twenty years, then was sent to the new shops here, where he worked as journeyman until 1912, being appointed foreman in November of that year. He remained there until July 10, 1914, when he went on the road as traveling passenger car inspector. On October I, 1914, he was placed in the South Side shops as foreman of the coach department, which position he now holds, having charge of about sixty men on an average. In all the various positions he has been placed he has never been found wanting, always capable and trustworthy, he has given entire satisfaction.
Mr. Schofield was married June 26. 1895, in Springfield, to Emma R. Rathbone, a daughter of Barney and Rush (Woods) Rathbone, an old Springfield family, where Mrs. Schofield grew to womanhood and received her education. The union of our subject and wife has been without issue.
Politically, Mr. Schofield is an independent voter. Fraternally, he be- longs to the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America. Mrs. Schofield is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
ISAAC PRICE.
One of the oldest employees of the St. Louis & San Francisco Railroad Company is Isaac Price, foreman of the paint department in the South Side shops, Springfield. It is a significant fact that he has been continuously on the payroll of this company for a period of forty-five years. That would indicate that he is a man of unusual skill, industry and faithfulness. Al- though but a small boy during the great war between the states, he desired to do what he could for his country, and. not hardy enough to carry a heavy musket and other accoutrements of a regular field soldier, he served as bugler for the artillery.
Mr. Price was born at Pelham, Grundy county, Tennessee, September 17, 1846. He is a son of William and Matilda (Meeks) Price, both na- tives of Tennessee, where they grew to maturity, attended the old-time schools and were married, establishing their home at Pelham. The father was a blacksmith by trade. Taking a part in public affairs, he was elected sheriff of Grundy county, his native state, and served in that office for many years. Later he removed to Rockport, Arkansas. where he followed blacksmithing for a short time, and there his death occurred in 1861, when
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only thirty years of age, and he was buried at that place. His widow sub- sequently came to Missouri, and died at Pacific in July, 1914, at the ad- vanced age of eighty-seven years, having survived her husband over a half century. To William Price and wife six children were born, three sons and three daughters, namely: George, now deceased, was a locomotive " engineer on the Frisco; William, who resides in Springfield, is a Frisco en- gineer; Mary married Charles Hacker, deceased, who was a car repairer in St. Louis ; Bettie, deceased, was the wife of John McGoan, also deceased; Isaac of this sketch, and one who died in infancy. John Price, paternal grandfather of these children, was a millwright by trade and lived at Pel- ham, Tennessee.
Isaac Price spent his boyhood in his native community and there re- ceived a limited education in the common schools, also attended school at Rockport, Arkansas, for a while, but left school at a tender age, went to St. Louis and enlisted in the Federal service, in 1863, as bugler, in Com- pany M, Second Missouri Light Artillery, with which he remained until the close of the war in 1865, seeing considerable active service, and after the war he also served in the army of the West against the hostile Indians. He was honorably discharged and mustered out in St. Louis, December 29, 1865. After his career in the army he followed the carpenter's trade about a year, then, in 1867, began learning the painter's trade in the Mis- souri Pacific railroad shops at St. Louis, under a Mr. Langley. Remaining with that road until 1870 he began work at Pacific, Missouri, for the Frisco road, as car painter. Remaining there until this road opened shops in Springfield, now known as the North Side shops, he was sent here and worked as a painter foreman until July, 1909, in which year he was trans- ferred to the new shops as foreman painter. He worked there until April 15, 1914, when he was sent to the South Side shops as painter foreman, which position he occupies at this writing.
Mr. Price owns a small farm of thirty-five acres in Greene county and a good residence on the National Boulevard, Springfield. He was married in 1872 to Margaret Maugan, a daughter of Thomas and Mary Maugan, and to their union the following children were born, namely: Thomas, a sign painter in Springfield, is in business for himself; William is chief of the Springfield fire department; Annie married Connie Jones, who has long been in the employ of the Springfield Traction Company; Laura is single : and lives at home; Nellie married William Burks, a conductor on the New "Orleans, Texas & Mexico railroad, and they live in Kingsville, Texas. John - died in infancy.
Politically, Mr. Price is a Democrat. He belongs to the North Side post of the Grand Army of the Republic. He holds membership in the Im- proved Order of Red Men, and his family belongs to the Catholic church.
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WALTER CONSTANCE.
Railroad service in some form has a fascination for a very large num- ber of men, and when they once enter it, whether it be on the road or in the shops, they seldom give it up unless compelled by various circumstances to do so. It is well that this is so, for when we come to think of it a vast army is needed to keep necessary transportation lines of the world in suc- cessful operation, and it has been said that one of the chief differences be- tween civilization and barbarism is in modes of transportation. To the con- templative mind this statement is not so far fetched as it might at first ap- pear. Walter Constance, foreman of the blacksmith department of the reclamation plant in the South Side Frisco shops, is one who, although well qualified by both nature and education to follow other lines of human en- deavor, selected railroad service.
Mr. Constance was born on December 7, 1877, at High Hill, Mont- gomery county, Missouri. He is a son of William and Josephine (Flor- ence) Constance, the father a native of England and the mother of High- land county, Ohio. William Constance grew to manhood in his native land and there received his education, immigrating to the United States when twenty-two years of age, finally located his permanent home on a farm in Montgomery county, Missouri, where he is still living and is actively en- gaged in his vocation, although sixty-seven years old. He served his county four years as county assessor. He is a Republican in politics. His wife grew up in Ohio and received a common school education, and she came West when young. She is now seventy-seven years of age. To these par- ents five children have been born, namely: Edward, who is a civil engineer, now in the employ of the United States government, lives in St. Louis; Walter, subject of this sketch; the next two children died in infancy un- named; Florence married Owen Palmer, a farmer at High Hill, Missouri.
Walter Constance grew up in his native county on the home farm, where he assisted with the general work during crop seasons, and during the winter he attended the local schools there. First deciding to enter the educa- tional arena as teacher, he entered the state normal school at Kirksville. Upon leaving that institution, he taught two years in Warren county and one year in Montgomery county, this state, with success, but, not liking the work as he had anticipated, he went to Topeka, Kansas in 1898, and entered upon his railroad career, securing employment with the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe railroad. He worked there three years as helper and blacksmith, then came to Springfield, Missouri, and continued his trade in the North Side Frisco shops for a period of eight years, then was transferred to the same department in the new shops when they were opened in 1909, remaining in
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