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 53
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Mr. Lloyd was married, October 10, 1882, in Canton, Missouri, to Eva Bartlett, who was born on September 12, 1859, in LaGrange, Missouri. She is a daughter of Henry S. and Mary (Barker) Bartlett. The father was born in New Hampshire, April 26, 1832, and his death occurred in Spring- field, Missouri, in 1906. The mother of Mrs. Lloyd was born in Kentucky on November 13, 1846, and is still living, making her home with her daughter, Mrs. Lloyd, in a handsome residence on East Elm street, Springfield. Mr. Barker devoted his active life to mercantile pursuits, and was a man of busi- ness ability and exemplary character.
Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd, namely: Nelle, born on January 5, 1884. married T. J. Means, who is in the railroad service : May Elizabeth, born on November 17, 1885, is the wife of Holland Keet, a well known young business man of Springfield.
Politically, Mr. Lloyd was a Prohibitionist. Fraternally. he belonged to the Masonic order and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, South. He was sun1- moned to his eternal rest on January 17, 1896. . Interment was made in Ma- ple Park cemetery. At a meeting of the Springfield Board of Charities the following resolution was passed on Mr. Lloyd's death :
"Whereas, In the mysterious providence of God, S. M. Lloyd, relief officer of the Board of Charities of Springfield. Missouri, has been removed by the hand of death,
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"Resolved by the Board of Charities assembled in special session, first : That, while bowing submissively to the will of God, we express our earnest regret at this seemingly untimely death and our appreciation of his efficient conscientious discharge of the arduous duties of his trying office during his brief administration, we could sincerely say to him, 'Well done, thou good and faithful servant.'
"Resolved, second: That we tender his bereaved family our sincere sympathies in the loss of a true husband and devoted father, and commend them to the care of Him who is pledged to be the husband of the widow and father of the fatherless.
"Resolved, third: That a copy of these resolutions be furnished to the family, the daily papers, and that they be spread upon the minutes of the proceedings of the board."
JOHN J. HOBBS.
Illustrative of the evidence that the bitterness and malevolence resulting from the war between the states is rapidly passing away, are the frequent reunions between the veterans of the North and the South. when they clasp hands across what was once a "bloody chasm," but is now filled and flower grown; and the frequent return of battle flags, torn from dying hands on the fields of conflict are a further evidence of a finer feeling and a more sin- cere regard each for the other. The children of the blue and the gray have intermarried and their sires sit together amid the falling shadows of life's evening, respecting each other yet the more because they have tried and learned to honor the dauntless spirit, each of the other, on the field of deadly strife.
One of the Civil war veterans of Greene county is John J. Hobbs, who, after a successful career as general farmer, is living retired at Walnut Grove, being now past his three-score and ten. He has spent his long life in this section of the Ozarks, which he has seen grow from a country of wild-woods to a thriving farming community. He was born in Dade county, Missouri, which adjoins this county, on March II, 1843. He is a son of Silas and Polly Ann (Fanning) Hobbs, each representing two of the early families of Greene county. His parents were both natives of Tennessee, from which state they came to this county about 1837 and settled on Grand Prairie, north of Springfield, both having made the journey with their parents. The paternal grandfather settled in Dade county, while the maternal grandfather located in Greene county. After their marriage the parents of our subject engaged in farming in Dade county. The father died in 1887. and the mother's death
MR. AND MRS. JOHN J. HOBBS.
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occurred in 1874. They were the parents of the following children : James WV., John J., of this sketch : Elizabeth, Jane, William, Louisa, Rebecca, Vinson G., Oliver P., Mary Ann and Silas A.
John J. Hobbs was reared on the farm in Dade county and there attended the common schools, and remained with his parents until July, 1861, when he enlisted in Company D. Sixth Missouri Cavalry Volunteers, sometimes called the Dade County Home Guards. It was not long until he had a chance to ascertain what war really meant, for on the roth of August of that year he fought at Wilson's Creek, not very far from his home, but which proved to be one of the two greatest and most important battles of the first year of the war. Here he conducted himself like a veteran, despite his youth and lack of military experience. He retreated with the Federal forces from that field to Springfield and on to Rolla, Phelps county, and his next engagement was at Wet Glaize, near Lebanon, Missouri. From there he was with the troops that went to Linn Creek, Camden county, where they captured Capt. Bill Roberts and his company. He was later in the battle at Prairie Grove, also Newtonia, then went to southeastern Missouri and fought an engage- ment with Gen. John S. Marmaduke's forces, driving them from the state. He and a comrade, E. Woodrow, were sent with a dispatch from Bloomfield to General Davidson's headquarters at Witsburg, Arkansas. While on the way they were captured by the enemy and held as prisoners at Little Rock for over two weeks, when they were exchanged, and soon thereafter rejoined their own company. Mr. Hobbs was on guard duty at the bridge of the Iron Mountain railroad for awhile. He took part in numerous other engagements, and was mustered out of the service on July 16. 1864, and honorably dis- charged, having been in the army three years. After returning home, where he remained several months. he re-enlisted on March 15, 1865, in the Four- teenth Missouri Cavalry, in which he served eight months, and was mustered out by general orders from the war department.
After the war Mr. Hobbs turned his attention to general farming in Dade and Polk counties and this continued to claim his attention up to a few years ago, when he retired from active life. He became owner of a good farm and devoted much attention to stock raising. He located in Greene county in 1912, and he is now living at Walnut Grove, where he has a pleasant home.
Mr. Hobbs was married on February 15, 1866, to Martha E. Messick, a daughter of Elihu and Sarah (Jeffries) Messick, each of whom came with their families to Greene county in the early days and located near Springfield when that place was a small frontier village.
Nine children have been born to our subject and wife, namely : Sarah L. is the wife of J. C. Routh, who lives in Montrose, Colorado: Benjamin L.
(90)
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lives in Hiattville, Kansas; John F. is farming in Polk county, Missouri; Thomas W. lives in Pompey Pillar, Montana ; Mary M. became the wife of O. E. Hargrave, who died in 1901, leaving three children; four of our sub- ject's children died in infancy.
Politically Mr. Hobbs is an Independent Republican. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He belongs to the Free Will Baptist church, and his wife is a member of the Methodist church.
CYRUS J. McMASTER.
There are always valuable lessons to be gained in perusing the life his- tories of such men as the late Cyrus J. McMaster, one of Greene county's. most progressive citizens of a past generation, whose life forcibly illustrated what energy, integrity and fixed purpose can accomplish when animated by noble aims and correct ideals. During the years of his residence in the county he held the unequivocal esteem of those with whom he came in con- tact, for he was a man whom to know was to trust and admire, owing to his many commendable attributes of head and heart, and when the "reaper whose name is death" gathered him in his sheaves he was greatly missed by a wide acquaintance. For many years he was one of the leading business men on the north side of Springfield, and was widely known as a hardware and implement dealer over this section of the Ozarks.
Mr. McMaster was born in Dade county, Missouri, on May 18, 1847. He was a son of Edward H. and Eliza J. (Bull) McMaster, both natives of North Carolina, where they grew to maturity, were educated exceptionally well for their day and generation. The father studied medicine and received his degree, after taking the prescribed course in a medical college, and he became a successful general practitioner, most of his active life being devoted to this vocation. The parents of our subject were married in their native state, but while yet young removed to Missouri in an early day, located in Dade county, where they became prominent among the pioneer settlers, and they spent the rest of their lives in this state. Their family consisted of nine children, four of whom are still living, named as follows: Rufus W., Mrs. Carrie Patterson, Mrs. Ester Denby and Mrs. Madge Denby.
Cyrus J. McMaster received his early education in the public schools of Dade county, but he was for the most part a self-made man, having had little assistance in any way, working persistently and earnestly to advance himself. He came to Walnut Grove, Greene county, when young, and there remained until he was about twenty-six years of age, when he came to Spring- field. He had for some time been engaged in the harness and saddlery busi-
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ness, which he continued after coming to this city for three or four years, then went into the buggy and wagon business, which he conducted alone and on an extensive scale for a period of thirty-four years, during which he car- ried on a successful trade over a wide territory and was one of the best known men in this line of business in southwestern Missouri, a large part of his trade extending into adjoining counties. He was the county agent of a num- ber of the best makes of wagons and buggies and had full charge of the busi- ness of these firms in this section of the state. Eight years before his death he went on the road as traveling salesman for the Joel Turney Brothers Wagon Company, of Illinois, and gave this firm eminent satisfaction in every respect, doing much to extend the prestige of the same in the territory as- signed him. He remained active in his chosen line of work until his death. He was one of the best informed men in the implement trade in the state, and his judgment and veracity could always be relied upon, so that his thousands of customers reposed implicit confidence in his integrity at all times during his career. His large vehicle house on Commercial street was kept fully stocked with various kinds of standard wagons, buggies, carriages and other similar things used by farmers and in fact, all classes of citizens who bought and used vehicles of any kind.
Mr. McMaster was married, December 16, 1869, at Walnut Grove, to Belle Weir, who was born in Springfield, Illinois, April 23. 1852. She was a daughter of James D. and Fidelia (Meachel) Weir. They were natives of Kentucky and Illinois, respectively. They grew up in their localities and were educated in the common schools, and when a young man Mr. Weir left the Blue Grass state and located in Illinois, where he married. They estab- lished their home on a farm, devoting their lives to agricultural pursuits. Their family consisted of nine children, three of whom are living at this writing. namely: Andrew, Mrs. Agnes Dagan and Marion. Mrs. Belle McMaster grew to womanhood in Illinois and received a good education in the schools there. She proved to be a most faithful helpmeet and was a woman of many commendable characteristics. Her death occurred on Sep- tember 14, 1914.
To Mr. and Mrs. McMaster two children were born, namely: Vernie, born April 16, 1871, married John French, and they live in St. James, Mis- souri ; Walter W., born March 22, 1874, married Nettie Smith. He was in the recorder's office of Greene county for a period of twelve years, eight years as deputy, and four years as recorder. His long retention in this office, one of the most important in the county, would indicate that the people im- posed implicit confidence in his ability and integrity. He is now engaged in business on the north side.
Cyrus J. McMaster was a veteran of the Civil war, having been but a mere boy when he enlisted in 1861 in a regiment of Missouri volunteers, hav-
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ing enlisted from Walnut Grove. He was in the army four years, seeing quite a good deal of active service, and serving in a most creditable manner for one of his tender years. Politically, he was always a Republican, and, re- ligiously, he belonged to the Presbyterian church, while his family affiliates with the Methodist Episcopal church.
Mr. McMaster was called to his eternal rest on December 30, 1912, at the age of sixty-five years, after a successful and honorable life.
CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS CLEMENTS, M. D.
The man who devotes his talents and energies to the noble work of con- scientiously administering to the ills and alleviating the sufferings of hu- manity pursues a calling which, in dignity, importance and beneficial results, is second to no other. If true to his profession and earnest in his efforts to enlarge his sphere of usefulness, he is indeed a benefactor of his kind, for to him more than any other man are entrusted the safety, the comfort and in many instances the lives of those who place themselves under his care and profit by his services. Of this class of professional men was the late Dr. Christopher Columbus Clements, who stood for many years with few peers among the general practitioners of Springfield. He realized that to attain determinate success in the medical profession there must be not only given technical ability, but also a broad human sympathy which must pass from mere sentiment to be an actuating motive for helpfulness. So he dig- nified and honored the profession by his able and self-abnegating services. His long and useful life as one of the world's workers was one of devotion, almost consecration, to his calling.
Doctor Clements was born at Clementsville, Jackson county, Tennessee, April 8, 1838. He descended from an old Colonial American family. He was a son of Christopher Columbus Clements, who was born in Virginia in 1791, and whose family immigrated to the Old Dominion from England prior to the Revolutionary war, in which conflict they participated. Our subject's father spent his early life in Virginia, from which state he removed to Tennessee in the early settlement of that state and devoted his life to general farming. He was active in politics and held various elective offices. He was a colonel of militia and served in the Seminole Indian War in Flor- ida. The town of Clementsville, Tennessee, was named after him, and there his death occurred, August 11, 1858, at the age of sixty-four years, his wife having died on the home farm there on September 11, 1849. He was a mem- ber of the Christian church, while she held membership in the Cumberland Presbyterian church. Mrs. Clements was known in her maidenhood as
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Mary Frame, a native of Tennessee, and of Scotch-Irish descent. To these parents eight children were born, six sons and two daughters, namely : Leroy S., Henderson M., Dr. Christopher C., William M., Andrew J., George W., Tabitha and Sallie.
Dr. C. C. Clements grew to manhood on his father's farm near Clements- ville, Tennessee, and there he received his early education in the public schools and when a young man began the study of medicine under the preceptorship of his brother, Dr. William M. Clements, with whom he pursued his medi- cal studies for several years, then attended the medical department of the University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, completing his education at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from which noted in- stitution he was graduated with the degree of doctor of medicine. Thus well equipped for his chosen profession, he returned to Tennessee and began practice in Macon county, where he was building up a good business during the earlier years of the Civil war, and he was appointed assistant surgeon of the Second Tennessee Mounted Infantry. Later he was major and sur- geon of the Fourth Tennessee Mounted Infantry, serving in such capacity until the close of the struggle. His record in the Union army is a most com- mendable one. His military service was mostly in the states of Tennessee, Kentucky and Mississippi. He participated in many important battles and skirmishes and was one of the surgeons who cared for the wounded at the battle of Nashville.
Following the close of the war between the states he went to Texas, spending a year in Sherman and Paris; leaving northern Texas in the spring of 1867, he located in Springfield, Missouri, where he resided and practiced his profession continuously and with pronounced success until shortly before his death, which occurred on December 20, 1905, or during a period of thirty- eight years.
Doctor Clements was married in Springfield, in 1870, to Albina Carson Parrish, a daughter of Dr. Horatio M. and Sarah J. Parrish, both natives of Warren county, Kentucky, from which state they came to Springfield, Mis- souri. in 1848, and here spent the rest of their lives, Doctor Parrish having been a well known pioneer physician. Two children were born to Doctor and Mrs. Clements, namely: Charles Edward, who died in infancy, and Frank Parrish Clements, who was born in Springfield and educated in this city and Chicago, and was engaged in the banking and manufacturing busi- ness in Springfield until 1903, since which time he has been engaged in busi- ness in the Southwest, although he has retained his legal residence in Spring- field.
Mrs. Dr. Clements resides at the commodious family residence on East Walnut street, Springfield.
Doctor Clements was a Republican in politics. He belonged to Solomon
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Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Springfield. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He was a member of and one of the organizers of the Springfield Medical Society, of which he was for many years president. He was president of the Board of Health at various times, and was president of the Springfield Board of Pension Examiners. He was interested in various public enterprises. He was a patron of the leading medical periodicals of his day, and kept well abreast of the times in his profession, and he stood high not only as a physician of rare skill, but as a man of high integrity in the city of his adoption, where he passed so many years of successful practice.
HARRY H. FINCH.
If industry, hard work and ceaseless activity, united with a strong and determined perseverance can accomplish anything in this world, then Harry H. Finch, engineer at the Springfield Gas & Power Company, is bound to succeed, for in him are to be found all the characteristics mentioned, and indeed he is deserving of more than ordinary credit for his career thus far in life, having yet scarcely begun his serious life work.
Mr. Finch was born in Springfield, Missouri, March 8, 1894. He is a son of John S. and Lillie (Robinson) Finch, the latter residing at her own home on West Poplar street, this city. The father was born at Straf- ford, Greene county, Missouri, and grew to manhood in this county and attended school here. Securing a position on the St. Louis & San Francisco road here when a young man, he worked his way up to a locomotive engi- neer, in which capacity he was long connected with this road and which he was holding at the time of his death, on October 2, 1903, when about forty-six years old. His death was by accident in a head-on collision at Thayer, this state. He was reared on a farm, and when he first came to Springfield he worked in the south side shops, then went on the road as fireman, and was in due course of time promoted to engineer. He was a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, also belonged to the First Baptist church. His family consisted of three children, namely : Nellie is the wife of Charles Gardner, lives with her mother, and has one child, Juinita; Harry H., of this sketch; and Jesse, who is an apprentice plumber.
The Finches were early settlers in Greene county, the grandfather hav- ing located there in pioneer times, became a successful farmer, and served in the Civil war.
1
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Harry H. Finch received his education in the ward schools of his native city, but left school when fourteen years of age and went to work in the plant of the Steineger & Rountree Harness Company, as an apprentice harness maker, but he found the work not altogether to his liking, having had a natural bent toward machinery, so he gave up the idea of becoming a harness maker and he secured a position as apprentice in the Frisco shops, later, when the shops closed down temporarily, he accepted a position with the Springfield Gas & Electric Company as an oiler, on October 25, 1907. He held this position for two years, then began work as an engi- neer, having successfully passed the required examination on October 15, 19II, and received his license, having enjoyed the honor of being the youngest licensed engineer in Springfield. But he had thoroughly prepared himself, having not only been a close observer while acting as oiler, but also mastered the prescribed course of the American Correspondence School in steam engineering. He is still a student of everything that pertains to his calling and is unquestionably one of the most up-to-date steam engi- neers in Springfield.
Mr. Finch was married on August 7, 1913, to Pearl Stine, a daughter of Cassius H. Stine. She received a common school education. This union has been without issuc.
Mr. Finch is a member of the National Association of Stationary Engineers. He is a member of the Baptist church on Grant street, and, politically, he votes the Democratic ticket.
LEONARD FAWCETT.
We may not always realize it, but quite often little things rob a farmer of the joy of farming and living in the free open country. It may be a broken-down gate. a half-destroyed string of fence, a leaky roof or a dozen other similar things that ought never to be found on a farm. These seemingly trivial things are responsible not only for keeping the owner in a bad temper but also positively occasion loss in many ways. The wise hus- bandman, during his spare moments from his crops and in the long winter months looks after these defects one by one until everything is efficient and in ship-shape, for he deems it a shame to let such little things rob him of the pleasure of farm life. Leonard Fawcett, of. Jackson township. Greene county, is this kind of farmer. The stranger finds everything in good re- pair and in its place when visiting his farm. Such a man sets a good ex- ample for his neighbors.
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Mr. Fawcett was born in Keokuk county, lowa, September 8, 1868. He is a son of Melville and Susan Jane (Shipman) Fawcett. The father was born in Ohio, November 9, 1838, but when a small boy his parents re- moved to West Virginia and there he grew to manhood and attended school. When nineteen years of age he came to Iowa, where he married and began life for himself on a farm, became owner of eighty acres and remained in that state twenty years, removing from there to Missouri in 1877, settling south of Springfield in Greene county, where he purchased a farm of two hundred acres. He was very successful as a general farmer and there he spent the rest of his life, dying in 1909. During the Civil War he served in the Union army, having been drafted into the service in 1863. After serving a year he was discharged at Mobile, Alabama. He belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church. The mother of the subject of this sketch was born in Canada, July 28, 1836, and there she was reared on a farm and educated. Remaining in her native country until twenty years of age she then moved to Michigan, later went to Iowa, where she met and married Mr. Fawcett. She is now advanced in years and is living on the farm adjoining that of her son, our subject, making her home with her daughter. To Melville D. Fawcett and wife ten children were born, namely: Herbert, deceased; Warren, Robert, Ira is deceased; Lucy, Leonard of this sketch; Jesse H., Mrs. Lottie Rogers, Rolland, and William.
Leonard Fawcett lived in lowa until he was nine years of age, when he removed with the family to Greene county. Missouri, and here he has since resided. He received a common school education. He remained at home working for his father until he was twenty-six years of age, in 1894, then married Rosa Putnam, soon after which he began life for himself as a farmer. He and his wife moved to their present farm nine years ago. This place consists of one hundred and two acres, which is well located, well improved and is kept well stocked. Our subject carries on general farming and stock raising and he has for many years dealt extensively in live stock, being one of the best known stockmen in this country. He has a good home and substantial outbuildings. Mrs. Fawcett was born in this county, August 20, 1876, on a farm, where she grew to womanhood, and she was educated in the rural schools. She is a daughter of Elijah and Maranda (Wood) Putman. Her mother is deceased, but her father is living in Fair Grove, Greene county.
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