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 68
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Mr. Van Bibber was married in 1854 at the age of twenty-six years, to Caroline Staley, daughter of Alfred and Lucinda (Brower) Staley. Alfred Staley was born in North Carolina where he spent his earlier years and from that state he emigrated to Missouri in 1846 and settled in Greene county. In 1848 he went into the mercantile business at Cave Spring, where he was a prominent merchant until his death in 1853.
To Mr. and Mrs. Van Bibber two children were born, namely: Alfred H., a sketch of whom appears on another page of this volume; and Laura
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Belle, who has remained unmarried and is living on the old homestead with her mother, the latter being now advanced in years.
Politically, Mr. Van Bibber was a Democrat, and fraternally he belonged to the Masonic Order, being a member of O'Sullivan Lodge No. 7, of Walnut Grove, and held the office of secretary for three years. He was a man of high Christian character and when his death occurred in 1909, sincere regret was expressed in the community in which he lived.
JOHN LANGSFORD.
Perhaps two-thirds of the citizens of Springfield and Greene county are of English descent, but the percentage born in the British Isles is com- paratively small. There is no marked difference-a slight peculiarity in accent and speech, maybe, is about all, and some words mean to an English- man something a little different to what they may convey to the American, but they are not very many; and thus being so closely related in so many respects, so nearly resembling each other from a physical standpoint and our aims being about the same, it is well that the peoples of these, the two greatest nations on the face of the globe, should be friends and mix freely.
John Langsford, city sewer inspector of Springfield, is one of the Britons who has cast his lot with the people of Greene county. He was born in the western part of England, June 24, 1862. He is a son of William and Mary Ann (Oliver) Langsford, both natives of England, the father's birth occurring in 1825. They both grew to maturity and received good educations in their native land, were married there and there spent their lives. The mother died when our subject was a small boy, about fifty years ago, after which the father married again, and he and his last wife have both been deceased some time. William Langsford was for many years con- nected with a great mining company for which he had charge of sinking shafts in northern England. His family consisted of three children, namely : Jane Ann, deceased; Charles, deceased: and John, of this review.
John Langsford was but a boy when he immigrated to the United States, and he received a meager schooling in the common schools of both countries, but educated himself for the most part. He located in Calumet, Houghton county, Michigan, where he worked for a copper mining com- pany for a period of eighteen years, having had charge of the sinking of shafts, in fact, he continued to reside in Calumet for a period of about thirty years during which he was always engaged in the mining business. the various phases of which he knew thoroughly and was enabled thereby to make a good livelihood. In 1902 he left the Wolverine state and came to
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Joplin, Missouri, in the lead and zinc mining district, and for some time had charge of two mines there, however, the following year he came to Springfield and took charge of the zinc mines near this city, remaining in this line of work until three years ago. In 1912 he was appointed sewer inspector of Springfield, which position he still holds, the duties of which he has discharged in a manner highly creditable to himself and to the satis- faction of all concerned.
Mr. Langsford was married on May 29, 1884, in Michigan, to Edith Harry, a native of England, from which country she emigrated with her parents to America when eight years of age. She is a daughter of Robert and Margaret (Trewella) Harry. The father was a mine operator. His death occurred some years ago, but Mrs. Harry is living in Calumet, Michi- gan. The wife of our subject grew to womanhood in Michigan and there received a common school education.
Five children, all living at this writing, have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Langsford, named as follows: Joshua, born October 19, 1886, lives in Iowa City, Kansas, where he is superintendent of the United Iron Works, is mar- ried to Nina Potter and they have one child, Robert; Clara, born on April 17, 1888, lives at home; Margaret, born on May 27, 1891, is teaching school . and lives at home; Lester R., born on June 2, 1895, is a clerk in the Frisco offices in Springfield, and lives at home; John M., born on December 22, 1910.
Politically, Mr. Langsford votes independently. Fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic Order, Knights Templars, and the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He and his family are members of ' the Grace Methodist Episcopal church on South street.
JOHN E. HENSHAW.
The success that has been attained by John E. Henshaw, general super- intendent of the new Frisco shops in Springfield, in the mechanical world has been well deserved and his example is worthy of emulation by the ambitious youth who would rise to the top of that vocation, for it indicates that merit alone, after all, wins the prizes in this uncertain human existence, especially is this true in our great republic of the West, where positions of responsi- bility and adequate financial reward are open to all who are worthy to fill them, regardless of birth, rank, station or caste.
Mr. Henshaw is of English descent and has inherited many of the ster- ling traits of that noble race. He was born in Port Huron, Michigan, Janu- ary 27, 1867. He is a son of John and Ann (Hilton) Henshaw, both natives of Manchester, England, the birth of the father having occurred in 1837,
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and the mother was born in 1839. There they grew to maturity, were edu- cated in the common schools and were married in 1860. When only a little over nine years of age the father of our subject began working in the mines in his native land, helped to shoe horses, and finally became an expert black- smith which trade he followed until he left England for America in 1861. He and his wife located first in New York, and he secured employment in the Brooklyn navy yard, and worked on the old Alabama, which warship was brought there for repairs during the Civil war. In 1866 he left New York for Michigan, and went to work in a marine shop, but later worked for George F. Pullman in the first Pullman car shops built in that state. In 1870 he secured employment with the Chicago & Grand Trunk Railway in Port Huron, that state, as hammer man and blacksmith. In 1881 he removed with his family to Detroit where he again secured employment with the Pullman company, with which he remained there for about ten years, then worked for the Detroit, Grand Haven & Milwaukee Railroad in its shops at Detroit until 1891. In 1897 he moved to Topeka, Kansas, where he went to work for the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad Company as black- smith. In December, 1900, he came to Springfield and worked as spring maker in the Frisco shops, and remained in charge of that department in the north side shops until he retired from active life July 1, 1904, and is now living in quiet in his cozy home in this city. He gave eminent satisfaction in all the positions he held, for he was regarded by his employers as an expert in his trade and a man that could always be relied upon implicitly, who was faithful and conscientious in all his work. He became a well-read man and still keeps well up with the times on current topics. He is one of the oldest members of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in Missouri, if not in the United States, having joined that order when twenty years old, in 1857. in Manchester, England, the lodge being known as the Manchester Unity. Politically he is a Democrat, and has long been active in political matters. His wife was called to her eternal rest on August 3, 1902. To these parents three children were born, namely: Jane is deceased; Tilly is also deceased, and John E. of this review.
John E. Henshaw received a common school education in Port Huron and Detroit, Michigan, also attended a business school in Detroit, known as the Goldsmith, Bryant & Stratton University, later attended a school for drawing in that city. Following in the footsteps of his father he became a machinist by trade, and has worked in many different shops, and, being a keen observer, has gained many new ideas in each place he has worked until today he is one of the most highly skilled men in his line in the country and is a man of progressive and advanced ideas. He has worked his way up from the bottom rung of the ladder until today he stands at the top. He came to Springfield, Missouri, in 1900 as pit foreman in the north side
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Frisco shops, later was gang foreman, also erecting foreman, and on June 25, 1909, was made general foreman of the Springfield shops. On October 7, 1910, he became superintendent of the new shops which position he still holds, and is discharging his duties in a manner that is reflecting much credit upon himself and to the eminent satisfaction of all concerned.
Our subject studied music a number of years and is a talented musician.
Mr. Henshaw was married on January 11, 1894, in Detroit, Michigan, to Florence Breitemeyer, who was born in that city in June, 1877, and there reared and educated. She is a daughter of Charles and Mary (Aames) Breitemeyer. Her grandfather was the oldest German florist in Detroit at that time.
Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Henshaw, namely: Etta L., born on July 1, 1905 ; and John H., born on January 3, 1909.
Politically, he is a Democrat, and fraternally belongs to the Masonic Order, including the Chapter.
JOHN AARON McCONNELL.
Many elements contribute to the development of a country, but no one thing plays so large a part as sterling worth and character. It is to the rugged, steadfast men and women who come into its domain that any coun- try must look for its progress, and it is most often the plain, blunt men of business and every-day affairs who most affect a country's history. One of the most extensive farmers in the southwestern part of Greene county is John Aaron McConnell, who grew up just after the Civil war. Through the years that have pasesd since then, his life has been a busy and fruitful one, and he has played an important part in the affairs of the community during the most important period of its development. He is one of our best examples of a successful self-made man.
Mr. McConnell was born on South street, Springfield, Missouri, April 17, 1865. He is a son of Thomas C. and Hannah B. ( Bledsoe) McConnell, who emigrated to Springfield from Tennessee during the Civil war, and in this city the father maintained a grocery store until 1868, when he removed to Granby, Missouri, where, shortly afterward he was accidentally killed. Our subject was at that time less than two years old, and his mother removed with him to Christian county to make their future home, with Mrs. McCon- nell's parents, who resided on a farm in that county, and there our subject spent his early boyhood. When eight years of age his mother married again, her last husband being James Holderby, a Baptist minister at Wilson Creek, where our subject lived until he was fifteen years old, leaving home at that
JOHN A. McCONNELL.
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time to work out as a farm hand. He had little opportunity to obtain an education, but this lack in his early life has been subsequently made up for by wide home reading until he has become a well informed man on current topics and important movements in the world's affairs. Saving his money when a lad he was enabled to purchase his first land, forty acres, in Brook- line township, Greene county, when twenty-four years of age. He was not only a hard worker, but a good manager as well, and, prospering with advance- ing years, he added to his original purchase until he owned a fraction less than nine hundred acres of valuable land. He has given each of his three children forty acres, and the use of eighty each out of his ranch, the rest he keeps well improved and well cultivated and engages in general farming and stock raising on a large scale, being regarded by his neighbors as one of the progressive agriculturists of the county. He has a large and well fur- nished home and numerous good barns and outbuildings in general, and an excellent grade of live stock of all kinds may be seen on his place. All this is the result of close application and honest dealings with his fellow men as well as the exercise of sound judgment. About three hundred acres of his land embraces the Wilson Creek battlefield, a part of historic "Bloody Ridge" where the greatest slaughter took place being on his land, and the home that he occupies at the present time is the one where the body of Gen. Nathaniel Lyon, commander-in-chief of the Union army, was laid out soon after he was killed about noon on the day of the battle. Mr. McCon- nell has a number of relics picked up on the battlefield which he takes a pride in exhibiting. Mr. McConnell handles a number of car loads each season of cattle, hogs and grain.
He raised two hundred and fifty acres of wheat in 1914 that averaged over twenty-three bushels to the acre. In 1915 he had about the same acre- age, with about sixty acres of corn. His farm is second to none in the county.
Mr. McConnell was married in December, 1885, to Mollie Keltner, a daughter of George and Martha Keltner, of Republic, this county. She was born in Greene county and here grew to womanhood and was edu- cated in the common schools. She proved to be an excellent helpmeet and when her death occurred in 1902 she was greatly missed by her neighbors who knew her for a woman of the finest character and noble impulses.
To our subject and wife the following children were born: Josephus married Minnie Hagwood, lives in Brookline township and they have three children. Earl. Virgil and Elsie: Bessie married William McElhany, of Brookline township, and they have two children, Gladys and Glen: Myrtle married Robert McClure, of Republic township, and they have one child. Eva : a son died in infancy, unnamed.
Mr. McConnell is a stanch Democrat.
(99)
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BENJAMIN BOWMAN.
It requires men of peculiar temperament to be successful railroad con- ductors. There are many who have spent several decades, perhaps, in rail- road service who are still utterly unfit to take charge of a passenger train, although they may be quite capable in some other specific line of railroading. Among other attributes essential to a successful conductor are fortitude, patience, quickness of perception and coolness of temper, also a steady nerve; for one is often called upon without an instant's warning to meet trying and exacting situations. One of the trusted and popular conductors on the Frisco lines is Benjamin Bowman, who has been with this company for over fifteen years and in the railroad service for a period of thirty-three years; having had varied experience in different parts of the country.
Mr. Bowman was born on February 27, 1865, in Shelby county, Illi- nois. He is a son of Harrison and Sarah (Yarbrough) Bowman, the father born in the old Keystone state of Pennsylvania Dutch stock, and the mother was a native of Kentucky. The former, whose birth occurred in 1839, is still living in Shelby county, Illinois. He was a successful farmer during his active life, but is now living in retirement in the town of Cowden. The mother of our subject died when he was about six years of age. To these parents five children were born, namely: Mary, John W., Benjamin, Joe is deceased; and James.
Benjamin Bowman grew to manhood on the home farm in Illinois where he worked hard when a boy, and there he received a limited education in the public schools. In 1881 he began his career as a railroader in the Burlington shops at Beardstown, Illinois, but a little later he began as brakeman for the same road and continued in this capacity until 1885, when he was promoted to freight conductor. In 1887 he went to Temple, Texas, and went to work as freight conductor for the Santa Fe road, about two years later he was promoted to passenger conductor, his run being from Temple to Galveston. Leaving the Santa Fe road in 1895 he went to work for the Missouri, Kansas & Texas out of Houston, Texas. About ten months later he went to Mexico, and ran a train for the Mexican Central railroad out of San Luis Potosi. Later he went to Vera Cruz, where he remained nine or ten months, in charge of a mixed train on the Inter Oceanic Railroad, then went to Salatio, Mexico, and worked on the Mexi- can National railroad, having a mixed run. After remaining in the land of the ancient Montezumas until 1898 he gave up his position there and came to Springfield, Missouri and secured employment with the Frisco as freight conductor in which capacity he worked a few years then was given a passenger run between Springfield and St. Louis which he has retained for the past eleven years.
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Mr. Bowman was married on January 30, 1889, in Sealy, Texas, to Lillie Harvey, who was born on a plantation in the Lone Star state, and there she was reared and educated. Her death occurred on December 27, 1909.
To Mr. and Mrs. Bowman four children were born, namely: Bennie, the eldest daughter, was born on May 3, 1894; Gordon, born on September 13, 1895; Chester, born September 1, 1904; Virginia, born on October 30, 1908.
In May, 1911, Mr. Bowman was married a second time, his last wife being known in her girlhood as Sarah Willia. She was born in Mobile, Alabama, February 27. 1882, and is the daughter of a physician. She grew up under the environments of a Southern home and she had excellent edu- cational advantages. To this union of our subject and wife one child has been born, Lois, whose birth occurred on January 3, 1912.
Politically, Mr. Bowman is a Democrat. He is an Episcopalian in his religious affiliations, and fraternally is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and also holds membership in Division No. 321 brotherhood of Railway Conductors. He lives in Denning Place, on the north side of the city.
JAMES W. FITCH.
James W. Fitch was born on the 22d of March, 1865, in St. Clair county, Illinois. His father was John L. Fitch and his mother Mary J. (Owen) Fitch. Mr. Fitch, Sr., was born in Wyoming county, New York in 1831. He was a graduate of Rochester College of Rochester, New York, and began his life as a school teacher, following that profession for about five years. Later he became a farmer. locating in Wisconsin for some years. Afterward he moved to Illinois, where he met and married his wife. Here he was a flour miller for some time, and then returned to his native state of New York in 1870.
The family afterward immigrated to Christian county, Missouri, and so settled near Billings. To this pair were born five children: James W., Clarence E., who lives in Chicago; Henry L., of Joplin, Missouri; Jennie (Davis) ; and Etta M. (Norman). John L. Fitch, the father, died at Eureka Springs, Arkansas, in 1882. His wife died in Billings in 1909.
James W. Fitch got his schooling in Wyoming county, New York, and there learned and followed the trade of a plasterer for a time. But in 1887 he found employment with the Frisco as a fireman, and began the life that he has followed ever since. His first run was on a freight train between Springfield and Pierce City. That year he moved to Springfield, and has
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resided here ever since. His present residence being at 508 Nichols street. In 1892 he became a freight engineer, running from Springfield to New- burg. He stuck to his business and in 1906 was promoted to a regular passenger run, between Springfield and Fort Smith, Arkansas. On this responsible run he is one of the best known and most trusted engineers.
Mr. Fitch married on October 18, 1888, Margaret A. Popp, who was born in Bavaria, Germany, November 9, 1868. She immigrated with her parents to Monee, Will county, Illinois, and afterward came to Billings, Christian county, Missouri. Here Mr. Popp spent the remainder of his life on a farm where his wife still survives him.
Mrs. Fitch passed away on April 19, 1912, leaving one daughter, Edna M., born on August 25, 1891, and who is her father's housekeeper. The mother was a member of the Episcopal church and an active church worker. Politically, Mr. Fitch is a Republican and fraternally, he belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is also a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers.
ALFRED H. VAN BIBBER.
Even though every other condition may be exactly right, even to the weather, farmers are beginning to learn that the success of any crop, what- ever the kind, depends upon the seed. An increasing proportion of farmers do not think of planting their corn without first testing the seed thoroughly ; but how about the clover, the garden seeds, and so on through the list? The tiller of the soil is learning that he can not afford to run the risk of poor seed with them any more than with the corn. It is not hard nor does it take much time to sprout one hundred or less seeds of most kinds. Then you know instead of guessing. This and many other phases of advanced agri- culture has been learned by Alfred H. Van Bibber, a farmer of Campbell township, Greene county.
Mr. Van Bibber was born on May 17, 1858, at Cave Spring, in the northern part of Greene county, Missouri, and when a small boy moved to Springfield and a few years later moved to the old home place where he now lives. He received a practical education in the district schools, start- ing farming when twenty-one years old. He is a son of James D. and Caro- line (Staley) Van Bibber. The father was born in Clay county, Missouri, in 1828, and the mother was born in North Carolina, in 1837. She immi- grated with her parents to Greene county, Missouri, in an early day and here she has since made her home, and is still living on the homestead, now advanced in years. James D. Van Bibber grew up on the farm and received
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a limited education in the old subscription schools in which his wife was also educated. His father, Joseph Van Bibber, was one of the earliest settlers of Clay county, Missouri, he and his wife having removed there from Vir- ginia. James D. Van Bibber received sufficient education to enable him to teach school for some time when a young man. He moved from Clay county to Arkansas and later to Greene county, being about sixteen years old when coming here, and for some time engaged in mercantile pursuits in Springfield. In 1874 he was elected to the office of county clerk of Greene county, and the fact that he was re-elected several times, serving in all twelve years, would indicate that he was a man of ability and dis- charged his duties faithfully and satisfactorily. He was a merchant for several years, and later purchased a farm near Cave Spring, Iowa, in 1887, established the family home of two hundred and forty acres in North Camp- bell township. His death occurred in 1909. Politically, he was a Democrat and was influential in the affairs of his party. Fraternally, he was a member of the Masonic Order. He was a man well informed on current topics and led a useful and upright life, leaving behind him a host of friends.
Only two children were born to James D. Van Bibber and wife, namely : Alfred H., of this sketch; and Laura Belle, who has remained single and is living at home with her mother.
Alfred H. Van Bibber has devoted his attention to general farming, for the most part, and is now owner of a good farm on sixty-six acres, a part of the homestead, which consisted of one hundred and forty acres. The land is all tillable and has been kept well cultivated and the improve- ments are fairly good in every respect, the father of our subject making most of the improvements now seen on the place. In connection with gen- eral farming Mr. Van Bibber makes a specialty of raising Jersey cows and Chester White hogs.
Politically, he is a Democrat, but he has never been as active in public affairs as his worthy father before him, and has never cared for office.
.
JOHN W. HOOVER.
Many young men nowadays make a mistake by looking for positions that do not require much physical exertion, seemingly forgetting that there is much work to be done in the world which requires brawn as well as brain. Hard work has never hurt very many people. It is wrong living and wrong thinking that play the mischief, but some labor under the old illusion that they can't "stand" certain kinds of work. John W. Hoover. now living in honorable retirement in Springfield after a busy life, is not of that type.
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