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 49
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Mr. Linney was born on August 28, 1867, in Fort Worth, Texas. He is a son of William Carlyle Linney and Mary Ann (Kelso) Linney. The father was a soldier in the Confederate army under Gen. Sterling Price, and fought at the battles of Wilson's Creek, Pea Ridge, Lexington, Cabin Creek and others. At Cabin Creek his regiment captured, by the assistance of other troops, a Federal wagon train, taking valuable supplies. William Linney's brother had enlisted in the Union army about the same time of his enlistment in the Southern ranks. After the train was captured the bag- gage, clothing, provisions, etc., were divided among General Price's troop's, and William Linney's allotted portion contained a suit-case in which he found a new pair of boots and a good suit of clothes. In the pocket of the coat several letters were found, addressed to John Linney, and thus he knew that he had come into possession of his brother's clothes. After the war was over the Linney brothers got together and verified this fact.
William C. Linney was a native of Kentucky, but his wife was born in Missouri, to which state he removed with his parents when about two years old, the family locating in Grundy county in 1843, where they lived until 1861, when he moved to Ft. Worth, Texas, living there until 1867, when he. his wife and son returned to Grundy county, Missouri, living there until 1869, when he located at Clinton, Henry county, but not long there- after removed to Joplin. this state, thence, in 1878, to Grundy county, Mis- souri, where their permanent home was established.
William B. Linney received his primary education in the public schools
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of Joplin and the district schools of Grundy county. He assisted his father with the work on the farm in Grundy county, where the family led the plain life of a plain American people, the life which, in its apparently monotonous smoothness makes possible the development of good citizenship. During the winter months he attended the district schools in the vicinity of the home farni, until 1883, when he obtained a teacher's certificate. But he did not begin teaching then, securing a position as clerk in a general merchandise store at Grant City. He adopted a very simple rule at that time which has stood him in good stead in those greater undertakings later in life. That rule was to do every day's work thoroughly. Thus it was that his employer soon came to learn that the young man in his employ was to be trusted to do whatever was assigned him, with accuracy and complete fidelity to their interests.
The goal of Mr. Linney's ambition was finally reached and he entered the law department of the University of Missouri, at Columbia, from which institution he was graduated on March 25, 1886. His ambition to be a lawyer did not spur him ahead so rapidly that he neglected or only half learned the preliminary details of the profession. He took care to study his forms, the verbiage and the principles of its constructions so that he might be able to apply the knowledge to future original work. The future seemed very bright to his imagination, and he had already begun to look back with pride at the progress he had made since the days of the Grant City store. Especially encouraging was the consciousness that every day he was acquir- ing in fuller measure the powers by which he had cleared a way for himself thus far, and that, set in the right channels from the beginning those powers must ultimately bring success.
On August 23, 1886, Mr. Linney was admitted to the bar of Grundy county by Hon. Gavon D. Burgess, at that time judge of the Grundy Cir- cuit Court. He continued in the practice of his profession at Trenton, Missouri, until 1908, except the year 1894, when he was located at Joplin, in partnership with former Attorney-General Edward C. Crow, when he moved to Pryor, Oklahoma, where he was elected and served as cashier of the First National Bank of that place. It was said of him, "He filled faith- fully and with conceded ability the position which industry and honorable ambition secured for him." In January, 1914, he located in Springfield, Missouri, where he has since been engaged in the practice of the law with very gratifying results.
Mr. Linney was married on June 5, 1895, to Elenora Van Horn, a daughter of Robert F. and Margaret A. (Messerly) Van Horn, a well-known family of Webb City, Missouri. Mrs. Linney had the advantage of a good education. One child has been born to our subject and wife-Mary Marga- ret Linney, whose birth occurred on May 24, 1898.
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Politically, Mr. Linney is a Democrat. He is a thirty-second degree Mason, belonging to Indian Consistory at McAlester, Oklahoma; he is also a member of Bedouin Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mys- tic Shrine, at Muskogee, Oklahoma. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Woodmen of the World. He is a member of the Spring- field Club and the Country Club. He and Mrs. Linney have made many friends since locating in this city and gained a high standing in the circles in which they move.
ERNEST D. HAYNES.
It is not too much to say that it is possible for every able-bodied young man to prepare against those periods of misfortune and ill luck which await all mankind somewhere down the path of life, but some, instead of doing so, trust to luck, which is an elusive and capricious thing, and so, believing in the optimism of the future, they spend all on the present. The late Ernest D. Haynes, of Springfield, it seems, was wiser and his prudence urged him to pursue a different course, which, all contemplative minds will agree, is the wiser, and therefore his example is to be commended to the younger generation of readers of this work whose destinies are yet matters for fu- ture years to determine and who are hesitating at the parting of the ways, apparently unable to determine which course to pursue.
Mr. Haynes was born in Putnam county, Missouri, May 21, 1867. He was a son of Simon and Mary Belle (Smith) Haynes, the father a native of Missouri and the mother of Kentucky. He is now living in Arkansas, the mother of our subject being deceased. Siom Haynes has been a real estate dealer and promoter, and very active in politics, and has held several county offices on the Democratic ticket. His family consisted of four children, namely : Mattie M., deceased; Cora is living ; Myrtle is living ; and Ernest D., of this sketch.
Our subject grew to manhood in Putnam county and received a good common school education. He was engaged in mining for several years during his younger days, in Utah, interested in gold and silver mines. Re- turning East he began railroading in Ft. Scott, Kansas, becoming an engi- neer on the Kansas City, Ft. Scott & Memphis road, which is now under lease by the Frisco system, and he continued to work as such until 1901. when he went into the coal and fuel business in Ft. Scott, under the firm name of E. D. Haynes Coal Company, remaining there, enjoying a large business, until 1909, when he went to West Plains, Missouri. and purchased the ice plant there. Selling out later he bought a hack and buggy line in Ft. Scott, but subsequently returned to West Plains, where he remained two
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years, and in 1910 located in Springfield as manager of the Consumers Ice Company, and later bought the Clinton Ice & Fuel Company which he operated with his usual success until his death, having changed the firm name to the Haynes Ice & Fuel Company.
Mr. Haynes was married on December 16, 1891, in Park City, Utah, to Margaret Nolan, who was a native of New Jersey, and a daughter of Philip and Mary (Lyons) Nolan, both natives of New Jersey. Mr. Nolan was for a number of years engaged in the woolen mill business, and he and his wife spent their lives in their native state and died there. Their family consisted of ten children, six of whom are still living.
To Mr. and Mrs. Haynes only one child was born, Myrtle Haynes, whose birth occurred on October 24, 1892. She was given good educa- tional advantages. She married William M. Hamilton, who is in partner- ship with Mrs. Margaret Haynes in the fuel business at 331 North Campbell street, Springfield, under the firm name of the Hamilton Ice and Fuel Com- pany, with yards at Campbell and Water streets. They have built up a large and growing business and are making a pronounced success. Promptness and honesty of service is their motto.
Politically, Ernest D. Haynes was a Democrat. Fraternally, he was a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Pythias and the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
The death of Mr. Haynes occurred on October 31, 1912. He was known as a man of industry, making a success of whatever he turned his attention to, and he numbered his friends by the scores wherever he was known.
ONAS SMITH, M. D.
Success in the medical profession comes as a result of merit and painstaking effort. In the industrial world one may by the proverbial "lucky stroke" win great results or may come into possession of a lucrative business through inheritance, but professional advancement, especially as a physician, is to be depended on solely by critical study and consecutive research long continued. He must not only be a man willing to work hard and honestly, but must have courage, fortitude, sympathy, a kind and genial nature and lead a wholesome life, so that he will inspire the confidence and trust of his patients. The medical profession is a very old and honored one. All tribes and peoples of all the ages have had their so-called "doctors" or medicine men, and as a rule these were regarded as being especially gifted of the gods, but in this rushing age, with the mad desire to obtain wealth speedily, many young men are dishonoring the physician's calling by practicing quackery
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and every unfair means, their miotto being: "Get the money, get it quick and in as large amounts as possible." This class, however, is confined principally to the great cities, for such a course could not well be long pursued in rural districts for obvious reasons. So when a young man of ability and honest principles like Dr. Onas Smith, of Ash Grove, Greene county, takes up this calling he should receive special notice.
Dr. Smith was born at Halltown, Missouri, February 22, 1883. He is a son of Russell G. and Melvina (Oldham) Smith. Russell G. Smith was born in Mt. Vernon, Missouri, February 22, 1857, and is a son of James and Mary Ann (Clayton) Smith. James Smith was born in Kentucky about 1821, and was a son of Spencer and Sally Smith. Spencer Smith was a native of Kentucky, where he spent his life, meeting death suddenly, being killed by a horse. James Smith spent his earlier years in Kentucky, and removed to Lawrence county, Missouri, in 1857, and engaged successfully in general farming there for about thirty years. His death occurred in 1891. He was a Democrat, and while very active in public affairs, never held office. He was also active as a member of the Christian church. He was a member of the Masonic Order-the Blue Lodge.
Mary Ann Clayton, wife of James Smith, whom he married about 18440, was born in Kentucky in 1820, and her death occurred in 1906.
Russell G. Smith, father of our subject, grew up on the farm and received the usual educational training of that period in Lawrence county, Missouri. There he began farming when a young man and continued until 1910, when he removed to Ash Grove and in 1912 he purchased a third interest in the drug store of the firm name of Smith, Mason & Smith, a large and popular store here, which is doing an extensive business and is well stocked with drugs and drug sundries. Politically he is a Democrat and is very active in party affairs : is a member of the Christian church and is active in that. Fraternally he is a Mason, belonging to Ash Grove Lodge, No. 100, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. He and Melvina Oldham were married on September 10, 1877. She was born in Kentucky, on January 6. 1856. She was a daughter of Daniel and Mahaley (Sims) Oldham, who were early settlers of Lawrence county, Missouri. Mrs. Smith was a woman of fine Christian sentiment, and she was called to her eternal rest on July 4. 1904. To these parents two children were born, namely: Daisy, wife of John F. Mason. a sketch of whom appears on another page of this volume, and Dr. Onas Smith, of this review.
Dr. Smith grew to manhood on the home farm in Lawrence county and he received his early education in the public schools. He began studying medicine with Dr. C. A. Wilkerson, of Halltown, and in 1899 entered the St. Louis College of Physicians and Surgeons, where he made a good record
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and from which institution he was graduated on April 13, 1904, and just one month later he opened an office for the practice of his profession at Plano. Missouri, but remained there only six weeks, then came to Ash Grove, where he has been engaged in general practice to the present time and has met with ·encouraging success from the first. He is surgeon for the St. Louis & San Francisco Railroad at Ash Grove. He has a one-third interest in the Smith, Mason & Smith Drug Company here. In 1912 he took a post-graduate course in the Polyclinic Hospital in Chicago.
Dr. Smith was married on July 20, 1904, to Allie B. Sater, who was born in Kansas on May 18, 1886. She had the advantages of a good edu- cation. To the Doctor and wife one child has been born, Orland, whose birth occurred on February 15, 1906.
Politically, Dr. Smith is a Progressive. Religiously, he is a member of the Christian church. Fraternally he belongs to the Masonic Order, includ- ing Ash Grove Lodge, No. 100, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Ash Grove Chapter, No. 124, Royal Arch Masons; Zabud Council, Royal and Select Masters. and St. John's Commandery, No. 20, Knights Templars. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias, of which he is past chancellor, and he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The doctor and his wife have made many friends since locating in Ash Grove.
JAMES THOMPSON WALKER.
Nearly sixty years has passed into the irrevocable past since James Thompson Walker, deputy collector at Springfield, came to Greene county. Thus he has lived to see and take part in the great transformation of the country from practically a wilderness to one of the leading agricultural and commercial centers of the state of Missouri, and he talks most interestingly of the early days here, since which time everything has so changed as to make it seem that he is living in an entirely different country. He has not only lived to see the forests replaced by fine fields of grain, log cabins by large farm houses but an insignificant handful of buildings grow into the great city of which everyone of this section of the state is justly proud. Mr. Walker has served his country well, both as a soldier and as a public servant and citizen and now in his eightieth year, he is still active and efficient as a result of a carefully lived life, and he enjoys the good will and esteem of all classes, all well knowing that his long life has been one of use- fulness.
Mr. Walker was born in Bedford county, Tennessee, September 23. 1834. He is a son of Isaac W. and Violet Matilda ( Reed) Walker. Isaac
JAMES T. WALKER.
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Walker was born in Mecklenburg county, North Carolina, November 12, 1800. Isaac Walker was a man of much industry and devoted his life to farming in connection with carpentering and stone mason work. He and his mother removed to Tennessee in 1806, locating in Bedford county. the township in which they settled being now a part of Marshall county. There he grew to manhood and spent the rest of his life, and became a prominent citizen there, served as county commissioner for a number of years. His death occurred in July, 1888. Politically, he was first a Whig and later in life a Democrat. His wife Violet Matilda Reed, was born in Logan county, Kentucky, July 1, 1802, and died in July, 1865.
James T. Walker grew up on the farm where he worked hard when a boy. He had practically no chance to obtain an education, learning what he could in Sunday school, but later in life he became a well read man, and is well informed on general topics. He remained in Tennessee until he reached his majority and in 1855 came overland to Greene county, Missouri, reaching here November 12th. He found employment as clerk in a small store in the village of Springfield. Later he farmed in Robberson town- ship, Greene county, until the commencement of the Civil war, when he en- listed in Company A. Twenty-fourth Missouri Volunteer Infantry, August 5, 1861. He was in a number of engagements, including Pea Ridge, Arkansas, and Tupalo, Mississippi. His fidelity and ability were soon noted by his officers and he was made first sergeant, then duty sergeant and afterwards orderly sergeant, and served with his regiment in all the campaigns until mustered out October 14, 1864 at St. Louis. He was sick for two months at Helena, Arkansas, but was never wounded or a prisoner.
After the war he returned to Springfield, and engaged in farming near here until 1885, with the exception of six years, when he served as assessor of Greene county, having been elected in 1867, and he made such a satis- factory and commendable record that he was twice re-elected. He estab- lished his permanent home in Springfield in 1883. In 1898 he was appointed deputy revenue collector, which position he has held to the present time, a period of over fifteen years. his long retention being evidently a criterion of his faithful and satisfactory service.
Mr. Walker was married December 23, 1856, to Margaret H. Mullings, who was born in Bedford county, Tennessee, April 8, 1833. She was a daughter of Hosea and Margaret (Reed) Mullings, who came to Greene county, Missouri, in 1833. She has proven to be a faithful life companion. Mr. Mullings was in the war of 1812. Mrs. Walker is one of only a few of the real daughters of the war of 1812, there being only three living in Spring- field. To the union of our subject and wife, eight children have been born, two of whom died in infancy : Etta is at home: John Clay is farming in Greene
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county ; Hosea E. is a physician in New York; Violet is the wife of H. S. Warner, of Denver, Colorado; Maude is the wife of G. G. Beckley, who is employed by the Frisco railroad; and Isaac G. is a member of Fire Depart- ment No. I, Springfield.
Politically, Mr. Walker is a Republican. Religiously, he is a member of the Presbyterian church. He belongs to the local post of the Grand Army of the Republic, of which he has been post commander. He was a member of the Masonic Order, but is now demited.
DR. WILLIAM F. DONOVAN.
Ability, when backed by enterprising measures and progressive ideas, will accomplish more than any other professional requirement, an illustration of which may be seen in the career of Dr. William F. Donovan, one of the most widely known opticians in the Southwest. He ranks among the lead- ers in the professional circles of Springfield, and is in every way deserving of the large success that he has attained in life, for he has by his oivn efforts. risen from an environment none too auspicious to a conspicuous position in the professional world. But this is not to be wondered at when we learn that there runs in his veins blood of an excellent old Celtic family, and he has doubtless inherited from his sterling ancestors the characteristics that win in the battle of life.
Dr. Donovan was born in the city of Cork, Ireland, July 16, 1868. He is a son of John and Mary (McCarthy) Donovan. The father's death oc- curred in Hull, England, in 1892. He was surveyor of the board of trade of the British government for a period of more than thirty years. He was also an officer in the Royal navy for a period of more than twenty years, having been a lieutenant. Our subject's mother died when he was an infant and he has little knowledge of her family.
Doctor Donovan attended the common schools and later was gradu- ated from Christian Brothers College in 1883. When a boy he immigrated to America without the consent of his father. He went direct to St. Paul, Minnesota, and there began working for an oculist, remaining in his em- ploy for six months, and then entered the University of Minnesota, near the city of St. Paul, remaining a student there two years. He received funds from his father to defray his expenses while in school there. He then went back to work for his former employer, the "Pioneer" oculist, remaining with him one year, then took a position in the technical department of the Spencer Optical Company, of New York City, remaining there about five years. Desiring to further his optical education, he spent one year in the Phila-
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delphia College of Optics, and then went to Chicago and took charge of the Julius King Optical Company of the Chicago branch, this firm having other branches in Philadelphia, Cleveland and Chicago, the company's headquarters being in New York. After remaining three years with this company in Chicago and becoming exceptionally well equipped for his life work, he opened offices for himself on State street in Chicago, where he built up a lucrative and satisfactory business, remaining there until the opening of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis, in 1904, when he came to St. Louis to accept a flattering offer by the A. S. Aloe Optical Company of that city, who had obtained exclusive optical concession at the World's Fair. Doctor Donovan accepted the offer and became general superintendent and head consultant in difficult cases. He remained with this widely-known firm until the close of the fair, giving his usual satisfaction and high-grade service.
On February 6, 1905, Doctor Donovan came to Springfield, Missouri, and opened an office at 303 South street, taking the entire floor, and imme- diately built upon one of the largest businesses of its kind in the Southwest. After a stay of six months it became apparent, because of the crude and unsatisfactory work received in ordering his lenses ground in St. Louis and Kansas City and the necessity of returning them frequently for correction, it was absolutely necessary, if he was to turn out the high-class work, which had already won him an enviable reputation in Chicago and elsewhere, he must instal a grinding plant of his own. In September, 1905, an order for the same was placed with the Bausch & Lamb Company of Rochester, New York, and on November 1, 1905, was ground the first lens in southwestern Missouri, and his is still the only institution equipped for lense grinding in southern Missouri; in fact, there are only four other lens grinding concerns in the state. The extent to which Doctor Donovan's private practice has grown is illustrated by the fact that he has on file seventy-five thousand pre- scriptions for lenses, fitted and ground under his supervision, in addition to this, many lenses for other opticians in this section of the state. An aver- age day's grinding amouts to fifty pairs of lenses. Eight expert lense grinders and one frame maker are employed. Sixteen people are employed by Doc- tor Donovan to assist him in ministering to the needs of the eyes of the people of the Ozarks. In 1913 he removed from his first location to 306 South street, taking the entire ground floor, his increased business making this move necessary. In May, 1914, he began the erection of the attractive and substantial Donovan building at 420 South Jefferson street, and it was completed the following October. It occupies an excellent site just across the street from the Y. M. C. A. building. It was built at a cost of forty thousand dollars, and its erection would indicate the faith of Dr. Donovan in the future of Springfield.
Dr. Donovan was married on Thanksgiving Day, 1909. to Mary B.
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Durbin, a daughter of William F. and Matilda (Manning) Durbin, natives of Kentucky, from which state they came to Greene county, Missouri, in 1879, Mr. Durbin engaging in the grocery business on the public square, later removing to a location on South Campbell street. He is now conducting a large grocery store and meat market on College street. Mrs. Donovan was born in Springfield, on September 20, 1885, and here she grew to woman- hood and received a liberal education in the Loretto Academy, making a good record, and graduating from that institution in 1900. She was talented by nature as a musician and she devoted special attention to the study of this art, with the result that she is a highly accomplished musician, both vocal and instrumental. Until her marriage she was a leader in the choir of the Church of the Immaculate Conception. She is a lady of culture and has long been a favorite with a wide circle of friends. The union of our subject and wife has been without issue.
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