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 51
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Thomas Murray, of this sketch, was a child when his parents brought him to the United States from Ireland, and he grew to manhood in the state of New York, receiving a limited education in the common schools of Wayne county, that state. When a boy he worked awhile on the Erie Canal, later began working for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company as fireman out of Meadville, Pennsylvania, which position he held two years, then came West and located at Pacific, Missouri, when the St. Louis & San Francisco Railroad Company was being built in that part of the state, and there he began firing for this company. This was about the time this road was being built into Springfield. Later he was promoted to engineer, and he removed from Pacific to Springfield. He remained a locomotive engi- neer the rest of his life and was in the service of the Frisco system for a period of forty-six years, during which he was regarded as a capable and trustworthy engine driver. He found but a straggling village when he first came to Springfield, and he saw the place grow into the important city it is today. He was married in St. Louis in 1872, to Julia Hailey, who was born in 1849. Her death occurred in 1895. She had received a common school education and she was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic church.
To Thomas Murray and wife four children were born, namely: El- len is deceased : J. D., our subscriber, is mentioned at the close of this sketch : Julia is deceased : Thomas is also deceased.
Politically, Thomas Murray, the immediate subject of this sketch, was a Democrat. He belonged to the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, having been a charter member of the Springfield branch of the order. He was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic church. His death occurred at the family residence in Springfield on September 12. 1908, at the age of sixty- six years.
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J. D. Murray, son of our subject, was born in Pacific, Missouri, No- vember 19, 1876, and he was an infant when his parents brought him to Springfield, in which city he grew to manhood and was educated in the ward and high schools. After leaving school he worked eighteen months as machinist apprentice in the north side Frisco shops, later was sent out on the road as brakeman for the Frisco out of this city, and was in the serv- ice nine years as freight brakeman. In 1907 he met with misfortune, losing a limb which incapacitated him for further road service.
J. D. Murray has remained unmarried. Politically, he is a Democrat. He belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is also a member of the Brotherhood of Trainmen.
LOUIS ALLEN DICKEN CRENSHAW.
Few men of a past generation in Greene county were held in higher esteem than the late Louis Allen Dicken Crenshaw, who, now that life's fit- ful fever is over, is sleeping serenely in the "windowless palaces of rest." Although more than a quarter of a century has elapsed since he was an actor in the local arena of material affairs, his memory is still revered by a vast circle of friends who knew him well and admired him, for he was a man in whom all took delight, owing to his sterling honesty, his indomitable indus- try, his charitable nature and his readiness to help in the furtherance of any movement looking to the general upbuilding of the community. He was one of our sterling pioneer citizens to whom we owe so much, for he came here when little improvement had been made, and, working long and hard, re- deemed, with others, the fertile fields and the fine farms which we of today enjoy and which are now so valuable. We can never say too much regarding these splendid, brave and courageous pioneers who literally took their own lives in their hands, and, not counting the cost, cast their lot in a new coun- try, away from the pleasant hearthstones of their ancestors and the advan- tages of more advanced civilization. Mr. Crenshaw by his own efforts rose to be one of the most substantial men in the community, was one of the county's most extensive land owners and largest farmers and stock men, and influential in public affairs.
Mr. Crenshaw was born in 1821 in Nashville, Tennessee, and was a son of William and Susanna (Ward) Crenshaw. The father was a native of Virginia, a representative of a prominent family, members of which built the capitol building in Richmond, and the Crenshaws owned the mansion which was used by the Confederate president in Richmond. The mother of the subject of this memoir was born in North Carolina; her father emi-
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grated from that state to Nashville, Tennessee, when it was a little more than a fort. To William and Susanna Crenshaw four sons and one daughter were born.
Louis A. D. Crenshaw spent liis early life in Tennessee. When a boy he assisted his father, who was a wholesale grocery merchant in Nashville. In 1839, when just entering young manhood, our subject removed with his father to Greene county, Missouri, and located on a farm. Later the father purchased another farm, on which he spent the rest of his life.
In 1849 Mr. Crenshaw went to California, crossing the plains at the head of a large train of wagons drawn by oxen and loaded with provisions and merchandise of all kinds. He took with him twenty-seven men, who gave their services for their expenses on the trip. One of this number was later well known as Governor McClurg, of Missouri, being honored with the highest office in the gift of the people of this state. While in California, Lewis A. D. Crenshaw fitted up a store with the merchandise which he had taken to the coast, and then sold his stock and all his wagons at a big price. This business sagacity was characteristic of him. He seemed always to recognize the full value of an opportunity and by the wise use thereof he gained success. In all of his dealings he was thoroughly reliable and his efforts upon the Pacific coast gave him a good start. After about a year he returned by way of the Panama route and New York to Missouri. Again settling in Springfield, he engaged in dealing in mules and likewise became interested in a wholesale hardware business and other undertakings. He also made extensive investments in land and resided upon a large ranch of about three thousand acres four miles south of Springfield, which, since his death, has been divided into several farms. He planted forty acres in black walnuts, which made a magnificent grove. On this place he built a com- modious, substantial, and, at that time, elegant home, in the old Colonial style of architecture, and near by stands a large, expensive barn. Here his widow. who owns the place, still spends the summer months, but lives in Springfield with her daughter in the winter time. Mr. Crenshaw was one of the prin- cipal contractors and builders of the Kansas City, Ft. Scott & Memphis rail- road, commonly known as the "Gulf" line, which is now a part of the Frisco system, his operations being between Springfield and Ash Grove, this county. and he owned considerable stock in that road.
Mr. Crenshaw was twice married, first, in 1851, to Louise Crenshaw, whose death occurred in September, 1865, having borne her husband six chil- dren. On June 20, 1867, Mr. Crenshaw married Fanny Smith, who was born in Nashville, Tennessee, May 28, 1841. She is a daughter of John T. and Elizabeth ( Shockwell) Smith, the father and the mother natives of Georgia. To John T. Smith and wife six children were born, only one of whom, Mrs. Fanny Crenshaw, is still living. She grew to womanhood in
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Nashville, and there received her education, being graduated from a semi- nary there in 1857.
Eight children were born to our subject's second marriage, seven of whom are still living, namely: Susanah, born May 10, 1869, married Dr. J. W. Love; they live with her mother and they have two children, Louis C. and Bettie Love; Anna W., Mrs. Shepard; Edith is deceased; Dicken W .; Smith S. : Aileen Sandridge: Thomas, and Clara C., who is the wife of Allen Earley.
Politically, Louis A. D. Crenshaw was a Whig, later a Greenbacker, and finally a Democrat. He was a strong supporter of the Union during the Civil war times. When he was but a boy he was a deputy constable. His death occurred on his fine farm near Springfield on December 23, 1884.
JOHN WESLEY KLINGNER.
The record of John Wesley Klingner is one that is deserving of our admiration for it shows the possibilities here in free America of a young man of ambition, fortitude, grit and perseverance, although springing from a humble environment. It proves that blood counts in this country but in a different way in which the "blood" of the European nations count, for here we count as worthiest, the good, sterling blood of our honest, hard-work- ing ancestors, while across the ocean it is merely a difference of aristocracy so-called and peasantry, the latter counting, in many instances, for more than the former, in the true scale of being. Our subject was fortunate in having behind him progenitors of the right sort, what we in this country would call the best blood of Germans and Anglo-Saxons, and so it is not surprising that he has made a success in life despite obstacles.
Mr. Klingner was born September 28, 1877, at Fair Grove, Greene county, Missouri. He is a son of John and Mollie (Shade) Klingner, a well known and highly respected family of that locality, where the father has long been engaged in general agricultural pursuits and where he is also doing a splendid work as a local minister in the Methodist church. In view of the fact that a full record of this family appears on another page of this volumė, it will not be repeated here.
John W. Klingner, who is one of the progressive and efficient under- takers of this section of Missouri, grew to manhood on the home farm near Fair Grove and there did his share of the work during the crop season, when he became of proper age, and he received his early education in the public schools of his native vicinity, and when young learned the blacksmith's trade at which he worked for a period of ten years, becoming quite proficient in the
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JOHN W. KLINGNER.
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same and had a good business, but turning his attention to another field of endeavor he entered the Williams Institute of Embalming at Kansas City, where he made rapid progress and from which institution he was graduated with the class of 1908. Soon thereafter he went to Rogers, Arkansas, where he engaged in his profession a year and got a good start, but seeking a larger field for the exercise of his talents he came to Springfield, Missouri and on November 1, 1909, organized the J. W. Klingner & Company, with a capital stock of seven thousand dollars, and incorporated the same. They com- menced business at 432 East Commercial street and here they have remained and have built up a large and constantly growing business, of which our subject is manager. They are properly equipped, everything modern, and prompt and honest service is the aim of the company at all times. Mr. Kling- ner is an expert in embalming and is a close student in all that pertains to this art, and he is popular as a funeral director.
Mr. Klingner was married December 24, 1899, to Lulu Putman, of Fair Grove, Missouri, where she was born September 17, 1880, and there was reared to womanhood and educated. She is a daughter of E. B. and Meranda Putman.
Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Klingner, namely : Velda, born August 2, 1901, died October 4, 1913; Mona, born February 14, 1906; John B., born July 13, 1909; Malcolm, born June 12, 191I.
Politically, Mr. Klingner is a Democrat. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church, South, and fraternally, is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the Masonic order, being pastmaster of Gate of Temple Lodge, No. 422, in the work of which he has been very active : he also belongs to Queen City Chapter, Order of East- ern Star, No. 226.
WILLIAM H. COWDEN, M. D.
Amidst the splendors of twentieth century achievements and the nu- merous factors that go to make up the component parts of our boasted advanced civilization one factor looms among the most conspicuous-the art of healing. This fact may not be readily accepted by the rank and file of the peoples of the world, who no doubt believe the palm should be given to mechanical science, because the conspicuous progress in this field is more a part of our every-day life and is therefore kept more constantly before us and is more quickly observed and appreciated. The student of the early history of the human race finds that ignorance and superstition surrounded the anatomy of the human organism, which resulted in the belief that disease
(89)
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was of supernatural and mysterious origin. For ages it was believed that the sick and afflicted were possessed of devils and weird chants, incantations and so-called religious rites were common resorted to rather than the appli- cation of drugs or other means of modern healing. In fact, it was not until the thinking Greeks proved that the medical cure was the practical way of overcoming the multiform ills of the flesh which were not due to the presence of evil spirits or to the anger of the gods, and thus was placed upon a scien- tific basis the study of the human organism with its various ailments. There is generally a wide diversity of opinion among the people outside the medical profession in their estimate of the skill and ability of a particular physician. A family is likely to pin its faith to one practitioner and distrust all the rest. If there is a member of the profession in Greene county who has successfully fought down this prejudice, and now stands secure in the confidence of the general public, that man is Dr. William H. Cowden, of Springfield, a man whose research in the fields of science has produced such pronounced results as to leave no question of his knowledge of his profession.
Dr. Cowden was born in Polk county, Missouri, on February 9, 1850. He is a son of Robert Blackburn Cowden and Martha J. ( Headlee) Cowden, who were born in Maury county, Tennessee, the father in 1825 and the mother in 1831. There they spent their early childhood, but were young when they accompanied their parents to this section of the Ozarks, the Cowden family emigrating to Polk county in about 1839, and the Headlee family coming to Greene county in 1836. The parents of our subject received such educational advantages as the early day schools afforded, and here they were married, and immediately thereafter settled on a farm in Polk county, where they became successful in general agricultural pursuits, and there the death of the father occurred in July, 1892, and the death of the mother oc- curred on October 10, 1899. Robert B. Cowden was a stanch Democrat and was active in party affairs, however, during the Civil war he was in sym- pathy with the Union, but took no part in the war. After the close of the war he was registering officer for a number of years. He was one of the successful and influential men of his locality and of unquestioned integrity. He was a member of the Masonic Order, Ozark Lodge, No. 297, at Fair Grove, and was prominent in the affairs of this order. He and his wife were Presbyterians in their religious affiliations. They were the parents of the following children: Dr. William H., of this sketch; Christopher C., who remained on the old home farm in Polk county, becoming a successful general farmer and stock raiser, and previous to his death moved to Colorado, near Lamar, his death occurring on June 29, 1913; Mary Caroline, who died un- married, and Albert S., who studied law and became one of the leaders of the Springfield bar.
Robert Cowden, paternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was
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born in Alabama about the year 1793, where his father, also Robert Cowden, who was a captain in the American army during the Revolutionary war, had settled after the close of the war for independence. He removed to Tennessee with his father, where he soon after married and began farming. About the year 1838 or soon thereafter he emigrated by wagon to Polk county, Missouri, located on the Upshaw Prairie, where he developed a good farm and established a comfortable home, and there spent the remainder of his days, dying about 1863. He was of Irish descent. Politically he was a Democrat, and was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. His family consisted of the following children: James, who was a farmer in Greene county, died prior to the Civil war; John A. engaged in farming and mercantile pursuits at Pleasant Hope, Polk county ; William was a farmer and died at Pleasant Hope, leaving a family: Robert Blackburn, father of the immediate subject of this sketch; Newton, who remained on the old homestead near Pleasant Hope; Marshall became a farmer and miller at Pleasant Hope ; Samuel, who was a soldier in the Confederate army, operated a part of the old home farm; Hannah, long since deceased, was the wife of Newton Fawcett; Elizabeth married Lundy Crocker, who died in early life; Jane became the wife of J. P. Fullerton and they established their home in Polk county, and Melissa married Rev. J. B. Landreth, a Polk county min- ister of the Methodist Episcopal church, South; he died a few years ago at Morrisville, Polk county, and his widow is still living there.
Judge Elisha Headlee, the maternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was one of the pioneer settlers of Greene county, where he was well known among thie early residents, was prominent in public affairs and was a successful general farmer. His death occurred on his farm here about 1876. His grandfather, John Headlee, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and his father, E. Headlee, was born in the state of New Jersey in May, 1760, and was married there to Mary Fairchild, and soon thereafter, in 1790, removed to North Carolina. Judge Elisha Headlee was the seventh of eleven children, and was born in Burke county, North Carolina, in October, 1802, where he received a limited education. He removed to Maury county, Tennessee, with his parents in 1823, and there, in 1825, he married Rachael Steele, who was also a native of North Carolina, born in 1803, and removed from the old Tar state to Tennessee with her parents in 1810. Mr. Headlee farmed in Tennessee after his marriage until 1836, then migrated overland with his family to Greene county, being thus among the pioneer settlers here, and eventually one of its most prominent and useful citizens. He was a justice of the peace for several years, and in 1846 was elected a member of the County Court for four years, after which he received his appointment from the governor of the state and served two terms more wi+1 credit to himself and to the satisfaction of all concerned. In 1858 '
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appointed public administrator and served in that capacity until 1872. He was a stanch Democrat all his life, and voted for Gen. Andrew Jackson in 1824, and for every Democratic President until his death. However, during the Civil war he was in sympathy with the Union. In 1813 he became a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and after the war followed the Southern branch of that denomination. He and his wife enjoyed a happy wedded life of over half a century and became the parents of the following children : Dr. Samuel H., who established himself as a physician at St. James, Missouri, once represented Phelps county in the state Legislature; Mary Caroline, who died in childhood; Caleb C., who died in Louisiana in 1891 after a life devoted to farming; Martha J., mother of the subject of this sketch; Hannah A, married J. D. W. Kerr, who died many years ago; David A. died shortly after the Civil war; he was a soldier in the Federal army; Emma A., who became the wife of Robert Armor; Margaret M., who was a twin of Evaline (deceased) ; Rachael E. and Harriet I. all remained un- married and still live at the old homestead in this county.
Dr. William H. Cowden grew to manhood on the home farm where he worked when a boy, and he received his early education in the public schools at Ebeneezer and at McGhee College in Macon county, Missouri. During this period he spent a portion of his time in teaching. He finished his literary education in Drury College, Springfield, and in 1876 began the study of medicine with his uncle, Dr. Samuel H. Headlee, of St. James, Missouri, and in 1878 entered the Missouri Medical College at St. Louis, from which institution he was graduated in 1880. He returned to his home in Polk county and, staying but a short time, when he went to Fair Grove, and there he practiced his profession until 1882, when he went back to Polk county, staying until 1887, then returned to Fair Grove and remained until 191I, · when, seeking a larger field for the exercise of his talents, he located on the public square, Springfield, where he maintained his office until the disastrous fire of the spring of 1914, when he located at 200 East Commercial street, where he has remained. He had built up quite an extensive practice in the northern part of this county and in the southeastern part of Polk county, his name being a household word in that locality for years, and upon locating in Springfield he found that his reputation had preceded him, and he has enjoyed a good practice since coming to this city. He has been very suc- cessful as a general practitioner and has kept well abreast of the times in all that pertains to his profession. Soon after locating in Fair Grove he pur- chased a drug store, with which he was connected until he removed to Spring- field. He owns a comfortable home at 1376 North Jefferson street.
Dr. Cowden was married in 1890 to Mcie Butts, a daughter of J. M. and Fannie (Mclaughlin) Butts, natives of Kentucky and Barry county, Missouri, respectively, and are now residents of Fair Grove. where Mr. Butts
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has long been engaged in the drug business. Mrs. Cowden was born in Barry county, this state, but ever since early childhood has been a resident of Fair Grove until removing to Springfield four years ago, and was reared and educated in the former place.
To our subject and wife one child has been born, William B. Cowden, whose birth occurred on June 5, 1894, in Fair Grove, Missouri. There he grew to manhood and received his education in the public schools and in Drury College. He was making a splendid record for scholarship when he was compelled to give up his studies on account of trouble with his eyes. He is living at home.
Politically Dr. Cowden is a Democrat. He is prominent in Masonic circles, being a member of Ozark Lodge, No. 297, at Fair Grove; also of Vincil Chapter, No. 110, and St. John's Commandery, No. 20, both of Spring- field. He is a member of the Greene County Medical Society and the South- west Missouri Medical Society.
Dr. Cowden's generous treatment of his patients has won for him not the respect alone, but the earnest regard of the large clientele which he has gathered around him, and, like many other family physicians, he has become in many cases the family adviser in matters of business and affairs other than of a professional nature.
JUDGE JAMES R. VAUGHAN.
The life and record of the late Judge James R. Vaughan, for many years a prominent attorney and business man of Springfield, are typical of that class of men who in the earlier history of this country helped to lay the foundations of its present greatness, the same being true of his honored father and grandfather before him. He was austere in his relations with his fellow-men, puritanical in his ideas of right and wrong and zealous to live up to them. While on the bench he had a proper sense of dignity and research which was due to his court, and was not slow to insist on them. Nevertheless he took a lively interest in the careers of young men starting their work at the bar, and many of them have reasons to remember the kindly aid and suggestions from him which saved them from the pitfalls and traps of the law into which, in their ignorance, they might otherwise have fallen. In his public career as well as in his private life no word of suspicion was ever breathed against him. His actions were the result of careful and conscientious thought ; and when once convinced that he was right, no sug- gestion of policy or personal profit could swerve him from the course he had decided upon. His career was complete and rounded in its beautiful sim-
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plicity ; he did his full duty as a publc officer and as a private citizen ; and he died, in the fullness of years, beloved of those near to him, and respected and esteemed by his fellow citizens.
Judge Vaughan was born in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, January 6, 1845. He was the eldest son of Thomas and Susan B. Vaughan, and he was four years old, when, in 1849, his parents moved to Christian county, Missouri, locating on a farm, and there the elder Vaughan became a prominent citi- zen ; he took much interest in public affairs, and was one of the political lead- ers of that county. He was a Whig until that party was succeeded by the Re- publican party in the fifties, and he was a stanch Union man during the Civil war, and after the war he was a Democrat. His death occurred on August 18, 1880, his widow surviving several years. She was a native of Tennessee, and was a daughter of Robert Lawing, who was an early settler of that state. James Vaughan, Sr., paternal grandfather of our subject, was a native of Virginia. Thomas H. Vaughan, father of our subject, was a soldier in the Seminole Indian war in Florida. He and his wife were members of the Presbyterian church, but late in life she joined the Methodist Episcopal church. To these parents seven children were born, only three of whom grew to ma- turity, namely: Samuel R. died in 1889 at the age of twenty-two years ; a daughter who became the wife of James R. Bell; and James R., of this memoir.
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