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 73
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have been born, all living at home, namely : Mamie, October 16, 1904; Ivy, July 25, 1906; Ina, May 30, 1908; Ethel, December 11, 1910; and Ona, born May 26, 1913.
Politically, Mr. Ramsey is a Republican, and fraternally he is a mem- ber of the Modern Woodmen.
RICHARD EDWARD EVERETT.
Statistics show that most of our men of business were born on the farm, and data also shows that comparatively few of those now engaged in industrial pursuits, the trades or professions are following the lines of endeavor in which their fathers before them engaged, and we also find that very few men continue in the vocation in which they first started. It is not best for the young man to continue at anything for which he is not properly equipped by nature. If a boy feels dissatisfied with farm life, continually thirsting for something different, it is well to allow him to follow his natural tendencies. We are not all adapted by nature for one line of work, which is a wise provision, otherwise farming would be more largely overdone than at present. Some of us were intended for lawyers, others for physicians, ministers, mechanics, tradesmen, inventors. It has always been found to be folly to try to make something out of a man whose natural bent lay in another direction. This is the cause of so many failures in the various walks of life. One is indeed fortunate if he determines when a boy at the outset of his career just what work he can do best in this tread-mill world of ours. It seems that Richard Edward Everett, president of the Springfield Planing Mill & Lumber Company, has been well forti- fied by nature for his life work and has therefore succeeded.
Mr. Everett was born November 20, 1856, in Darien, Fairfield county, Connecticut. He is a son of William Everett, who devoted his active life to railroad work, having for years been engaged in construction work for the New York & New Haven Railroad Company. He was an expert com- plicated-track builder. He lived in and around New York City, Brooklyn and Long Island. He was a native of Ireland, where he spent his boy- hood, and from there immigrated to America when eighteen years of age. He worked as teamster on the great Jacob Bell estate, which furnished Fulton Market, New York City, with most of its produce in those early days before railroads. Later he moved to Darien, Connecticut, and took up railroad construction work which he followed the rest of his life, having been with that road more than forty-seven consecutive years, his death occurring in Connecticut in' January, 1893. He was a member of the Catho- lic church and a stanch member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. He
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married Hanora de Guidra, native of Ireland, of French descent. She lived to the advanced age of eighty-nine years, dying at Darien, Connecticut in 1908. To these parents the following children were born: William H., de- ceased, patented the first electric block system ever used in a railroad; John B., Thomas W., Richard E., Katherine E., Mary A., and James H. Everett.
Richard E. Everett grew to boyhood in Connecticut, and received his education in the schools of Darien. He entered business life for himself in 1881. He immigrated to Missouri in 1877 and for one year thereafter was a builder at Ash Grove, Greene county, erecting the high school building at that place, and a number of the most important business houses. For three years thereafter he was pattern maker for the Springfield Foundry & Machine Company, at the end of which time he embarked in his present business and has since been a builder of prominence. Some of the first structures of prominence in Springfield he erected were the "Gulf shops," public school buildings, the Board of Trade Building, the electric power house, the water works and many of the best residences of the city. He had served a thorough apprenticeship at his trade in his youth before he left the East, then for one year was in the United States navy, having been joiner on the ship Colorado.
The business of the Springfield Planing Mill & Lumber Company, which has for many years been regarded as one of the largest of its kind in this section of the Middle West as well as one of the most widely known, was first established in 1868, Mr. Everett being the successor to the Chicago Lumber Company. The business is conducted on quite an extensive scale, and the buildings and yards covers about a half a block, the main building being a substantial two-story brick. It is well equipped with modern machinery and a large number of skilled mechanics and helpers are constantly employed. The business has gradually increased with ad- vancing years, for the rapid growth of Springfield and nearby cities and towns of the Southwest has called for exceptional activity on the part of the lumber and mill work and bank and store fixtures, and Mr. Everett has responded nobly to the demands made upon him since locating here. his company having all the while been one of the most prominent in its line of work and as its machinery has been kept up to the high standard of the costliest type. the mill has been found equal to the demands made upon it. From this mill has come a very large part of the material which has entered into the construction of the leading private residences and prominent and extensive business blocks which have been erected during the past three de- cades or more in the Queen City of the Ozar's, as well as other towns in this section of the state. From this plant also has come most of the hardwood fittings for the Springfield banks, stores and other well-known buildings. Mr. Everett besides building the old Gulf south side shops at
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Springfield, furnished the material and did all the building for the Kansas City, Ft. Scott & Memphis Railroad Company, from Memphis, Tennessee, to Birmingham, Alabama, from Amory to Aberdeen, Mississippi, and from Ensly to Coal Camp, Alabama, and from Willow Springs to Grandon, on the Current River Branch, and from Ash Grove to Clinton, high line.
In rotation he furnished the work for the Anheuser-Busch people, building the ice and refrigerating plant, cold storage building; Crighton's Provision Company ; the building occupied by Armour & Company ; John F. Meyers Milling Company's model mill; St. John's Hospital; St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal church; Classical Hall for Drury College; and others.
For the last six or eight years, the company has turned its attention more to mill-work and fixtures, having installed in this city some of the most complete outfits, such as those in the Dalrymple Drug Store, the Model and Rep's Dry Goods stores, Browne Bros. Book Store, Queen City Bank, the mill work for the new Landers building, the mahogany fixtures for the Mezzanine and second floors of the new Heer building, the fixtures for Fred Harvey in the new Union Station in Kansas City, and various other Fred Harvey restaurants.
In his yards Mr. Everett keeps a full line of lumber of all kinds, and his extensive modernly equipped mill is prepared to furnish anything usually manufactured in a planing mill, prompt and high-grade work being his aim at all times. The plant was originally established by Knott & See, which firm later sold out to S. W. Mclaughlin, who sold it to the Chicago Lumber Company. Mr. Everett has been connected with the concern since 1881, and has been sole proprietor since 1892. It has been incorporated inder the laws of Missouri with a capital stock of eighty thousand dollars.
The present officers are: Richard E. Everett, president; Karl W. Everett, vice-president and general manager; W. W. Johnson, acting secre- tary; I. N. Johnson, treasurer. At this writing thirty-eight mechanics are employed. The yards extend from Phelps avenue to the tracks of the old Gulf railroad, thus giving the company excellent shipping facilities.
Mr. Everett was married in Springfield, in 1882, to Lizzie M. Titus, a daughter of Joseph Titus and wife, an old family of this city. Here sne grew to womanhood and received a good education in the Springfield schools, having been one of the youngest pupils that was ever graduated from the high school.
Politically, Mr. Everett is a Democrat and he has long been influential in political and public affairs here.
Beginning with 1879 he has been connected with the city fire depart- ment, twenty-one consecutive years. He served in the capacity of chief for twelve years and during that time the department was greatly improved
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under his able supervision, it finally ranking third in perfection in Missouri. For thirteen years he was a member of the city council from the Third ward, serving under Mayor Ralph Walker and others. At one time he was city marshal, and years ago he made the race for mayor but was defeated for the nomination. He has done much for the general upbuilding of Spring- field. He is a member of the Catholic church, and fraternally belongs to Springfield Council No. 698, Knights of Columbus. Ozark Council No. 418. Royal Arcanum, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
That Mr. Everett is a progressive and energetic business man is seen from the large measure of success which he has achieved in his special line of endeavor, having started in a modest way. His reputation in all walks of life has been unassailable and he is widely and favorably known through- out the Ozark region.
CHARLES W. CARTER.
In examining the life records of self-made men, it will invariably be found that indefatigable industry has constituted the basis of their success. True, there are other elements which enter in and conserve the advancement of personal interests,-such as perseverance, discrimination and mastering of expedients; but the foundation of all achievement is earnest, persistent labor. It seems that Charles .W. Carter realized this fact when but a boy and it has had much to do in shaping his substantial career, for he learned to rely upon himself, observe closely those things which could be of service to him and therefore he has advanced from an humble environment by his own efforts to the responsible position of foreman of the paint department of the new Frisco shops at Springfield.
Mr. Carter was born in Laclede county, near Lebanon, Missouri, Janu- ary 21, 1874. He is a son of Berry Frank Carter, who was born near Knoxville, Tennessee, July 9. 1842. He was eleven years old when he moved with the family to Greene county. Missouri, locating on a farm near Springfield, where he grew up, attended school and lived many years, then moved to Laclede county, this state, and spent the last years of his life in retirement. He devoted his life to farming. He died at the age of sixty- nine years. During the Civil war he served in the Federal army. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and he belonged to the Presby- terian church. He enlisted in Company A, Twenty-fourth Missouri Volun- teer Infantry, early in the war and served three years. seeing considerable hard service and participating in a number of engagements. He was wounded once while in camp. He married Mary F. Headlee, a native of this county, and a daughter of James and Mary A. (Dysart) Headlee. Her
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death occurred on February II, 1914, at the age of seventy-five years, her birth having occurred October 27, 1838. She and her husband are both buried in Maple Park cemetery, Springfield. These parents were married, August 29, 1865, and to them the following children were born: Eliza has remained single and is living in Springfield; Emery Frank is employed in the store room of the Frisco shops, Springfield; Cora is unmarried ; Edward is deceased; Charles W. of this sketch; William H. is an engineer on the Frisco, running out of Springfield.
"Jack" Carter, grandfather of our subject, was a native of Tennessee, from which state he removed to Greene county, Missouri, in pioneer days, locating on a farm near Fair Grove, in Jackson township, and died here.
Charles W. Carter grew to manhood on the home farm and was edu- cated in the common and high schools of Greene county, where he was brought by his parents when young in years. He left school when sixteen years of age and began working on a farm. When a young man he served an apprenticeship as house carpenter. He began work for the Frisco rail- road, April 6, 1893, as laborer, later serving an apprenticeship as painter in the locomotive and coach department. He soon became proficient and was sent out on the road as sign and depot painter, and was thus employed for a period of seventeen months during which time he was sent all over the sys- tem, after which returning to the old North Side shop where he remained till July 8, 1909, when he was placed in the new Frisco shops at Springfield, being promoted to foreman locomotive painter, which position he held until April 16, 1914, when he was appointed coach painter foreman at the new shops in connection with his duties as foreman of the locomotive paint shops, and he still holds this position, having about one hundred men on an average, under his direction. He is not only an expert in his line, but being a man of more than ordinary executive ability, knows how to handle his men so as to get the best results and at the same time retain their good will and friendship.
Mr. Carter was married, January 23, 1895, to Ida Wright, of Fayette- ville, Washington county, Arkansas. She is a daughter of William T. and Mary E. (Burrow) Wright. The father was born September 2, 1844, in Illinois, his death occurred in Greene county, Missouri, September 28, 1908. Mrs. Wright was born January 17, 1848, her death occurred June 22, 1888. She was born in Washington county, Arkansas, near Fayetteville. Mr. Wright devoted his life to farming. His family consisted of ten children. To Mr. and Mrs. Carter three children have been bron, namely: Herschel, born May 25, 1896, a sheet metal apprentice at the new shops, Springfield ; Pearl, born January 3, 1901, died when two years of age; Edgar, born December 24, 1902, is attending school.
Politically, Mr. Carter is a Republican. His family belongs to the
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Presbyterian church. Fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic Order, including the Blue Lodge, the Chapter and the Council, Temple and Shrine; also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows No. 218, the Wood- men of the World, the Improved Order of Red Men and the Eagles.
RUDOLPH STEURY.
It does not take one of a contemplative turn of mind long to determine why those who come from the fine little Republic of Switzerland and settle on American soil always prosper. It is due to many causes, but largely to the fact that they have inherited qualities of grit, determination, industry and economy and partly because they have been reared under laws similar to our own. Thus we find them to be, almost without exception, excellent and law-abiding citizens, loyal to our flag and institutions, and home build- ers and willing to help better the general public conditions of their locality. One such is Rudolph Steury, a farmer of Wilson township, Greene county.
Mr. Steury was born in Switzerland, November 23, 1851. He is a son of Peter and Barbara Steury, also natives of that country, where they grew to maturity, were educated in the common schools, married and settled on a farm near Interlacken, and there they continued husbandry until 1872, when the family immigrated to the United States. To these parents seven children were born, all surviving but one and living in the United States, namely : Peter resides at Ozark, Christian county, Missouri; John lives in Greene county ; Barbara is deceased; Rudolph, of this sketch; Mrs. Mag- gie Koenig lives in Nebraska; Mrs. Elizabeth Decker, of Springfield; Mrs. Anna Knelle is a resident of Kansas City. These children grew up on the farm and received common school advantages.
Rudolph Steury spent his boyhood days on the farm in Switzerland, where it was necessary for him to work hard most of the year, assisting in supporting the family. During the winter months he attended the com- mon schools of his community and got a limited education. When seven- teen years of age he went to the French locality in his native land, known as Canton Wadt, and remained there until he was about twenty years of age, then returned home, but in March, 1871, went to Thun. Switzerland, where he worked until the summer of 1872, when he accompanied the rest of the family to America. They came straight to Greene county, Missouri. and settled on a farm, which is now occupied by our subject. Here the father purchased eighty acres of which he made a good farm and lived comfortably until his death, which occurred in 1904. The mother pre- ceded him to the grave in 1900. Our subject had purchased land adjoining
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the home place prior to the death of the father, and after that occurred he took over the homestead. He has kept the place well improved and well cultivated, the residence and other buildings properly remodeled and he has a valuable and desirable farm, carrying on general farming and stock raising.
Mr. Steury was married March 12, 1878, to Emma Fassnacht, a daugh- ter of Conrad and Christina (Haas) Fassnacht, both now deceased. She was born in Michigan, in the year 1860, and spent the early part of her girlhood in that state. She received her education in the public schools here, having been about eight years old when her parents brought her to Greene county, Missouri, the family locating on a farm, on which the parents spent the rest of their lives. Three children were born to them, namely; Edward, who lives in Campbell township, this county; Emma, wife of our subject ; and John, who is a resident of Campbell township.
Eight children have been born to our subject and wife, named as follows : Will R., John E., Anna L. is deceased; Mrs. Emma McComis, Minnie M. is at home, Frank is at home, Christina is deceased, and Edward is with his parents.
Mr. Steury is a member of the Lutheran Protestant church, and his wife is a Catholic.
JOHN M. SISK.
The soil is the limiting factor in crop production. Persistent and thor- ough cultivation depletes the soil more and more in proportion to the size of the crop removed. Feeding some plant food back into it is necessary to sustain next year's production. The best cultivation is advisable for each year's immediate return. A farmer might as well expect to continually check against his account at the bank and expect to always have a balance there, as to continually crop his land without returning any plant food to the soil and expect to have continually fertile fields. One of the progressive farmers of Greene county who well understands this fact and is making a success as a general farmer because of well-applied principles is John M. Sisk, of Boone township.
Mr. Sisk was born in Arkansas, October 19, 1856. He is a son of Abner Sisk, who was born in Alabama, in 1829. He devoted his life to farming. During the Civil war he served three years in the Union army. After the close of hostilities he removed to Greene county, Missouri, locating eight miles north of Springfield, where he raised one crop, then moved to within a mile and a half of Ash Grove. He spent the remainder of his life
JOHN M. SISK.
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on various farms in Boone township, dying in 1909. He married Eliza- beth Sparks, a daughter of Solomon Sparks, a native of eastern Tennessee, from which country he removed to Arkansas in an early day.
John M. Sisk grew to manhood on his father's farm, where he worked hard when a boy, and he received a common school education in the schools of Greene county, having been young when his parents removed with him from Arkansas to this locality. At the age of twenty years he began farm- ing for himself, later engaging in the grocery and bakery business in Ash Grove. Selling out, he then engaged in the livery and transfer business there; then, after a few years, he sold the latter business and operated a dry goods store. About this period he erected three substantial brick store buildings in Ash Grove. He was successful in whatever he turned his atten- tion to, and became one of the leading business men of that city. He pur- chased eighty acres at one time, and later one hundred and thirty-seven acres south of Ash Grove. In October, 1896, he traded two of the brick buildings in on three hundred and twenty-eight acres, about two miles west of that city. He is still living on this excellent, well-kept and highly improved farm, one of the best in this part of the county. He is engaged in general farming on an extensive scale : also handles large numbers of live stock from year to year. He is making a specialty of an excellent grade of cattle and also of Ohio Improved Chester hogs. He has a valuable peach orchard of forty acres, also a few acres of pears. He markets his products principally at Fort Scott, Kansas. He has an attractive home in the midst of beautiful surroundings, and there are to be seen on his farm many substantial and convenient outbuildings. Everything denotes thrift and that a man of energy, intelligence and good taste is at the helm.
Mr. Sisk was married on October 12, 1881, to Amanda H. Likins, a daughter of Charles H. Likins, who located in southwestern Missouri before the Civil war. During the Civil war he served in the Union army in the three-year service.
To Mr. and Mrs. Sisk five children have been born, three sons and two daughters. namely: One child died in infancy; Charles, now sixteen years of age ; John, who is thirteen years old; Pauline, who has passed her elev- enth birthday; and Wayne, who is seven years old. Mr. Sisk is giving his children every advantage. In order to give them the advantages of good schools he lives in Ash Grove during the winter months, removing back to the farm for the crop season.
Politically, he is a Republican, and while he has always been active and influential in the affairs of his city and county, he has never been a secker after the emoluments of office. Fraternally, he belongs to the Inde-
(102)
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pendent Order of Odd Fellows and Modern Woodmen. He is a man who. has always enjoyed a good reputation, like his honored father before him, and he is an agreeable man to meet, either in his own pleasant home or in public. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
J. H. HINERMAN.
The success which J. H. Hinerman, well known contractor of Spring- field, has achieved in a varied career, has been well deserved. Faithfulness. to duty and a strict adherence to a fixed purpose, which always do more to advance a man's interests than wealth or advantageous circumstances, have been dominating factors in his life, which has been replete with honor and success worthily attained, and he has become an important factor in the- business world of his adopted city and stands in the foremost rank of those in his vocation in this section of the state.
Mr. Hinerman was born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, July 27, 1869. He is a son of Lindsey and Elizabeth (Sloniker) Hinerman, both natives of Pennsylvania, the father born in 1822 and the mother in 1825. They grew to maturity in the old Keystone state and there attended the schools of the early days, receiving limited educations. There they established their home and were well known in their vicinity. The father and mother are still living at the advanced age of ninety-three and ninety years, respectively. Lindsey Hinerman devoted his active life to general farming pursuits. His family consisted of eight children, all still living but one, namely: M. S., Martha, David, Mary, Sarah, Emma is deceased, J. H., of this sketch, and Elsworth.
J. H. Hinerman grew to manhood in his native state and there attended the public schools, later took a business course in Delaware, Ohio. He be- gan his career by engaging in the furniture and undertaking business in Cameron, West Virginia, and in 1891 he came to Springfield, Missouri, and went to work in the construction department of the Iron Mountain railroad, remaining in this service twelve years, during which he not only gave the road eminent satisfaction in every respect, but also mastered the various. phases of this line of endeavor. Upon severing his connection with the road he went into the general contracting business for himself in Springfield, and has continued the same to the present time, having been successful from the start. He does general contracting and construction work promptly and in an honest and modern manner that never fails to give general satisfaction. He had the contract for erecting the Southwest Hospital in this city and has built many beautiful residences and substantial buildings of various
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kinds, all of which will long remain a credit to him,-monuments to his skill as a builder. Of recent years he has made a specialty of good residences and modern bungalows, and at this writing he is completing a handsome and modernly appointed home for himself on Pickwick Place, which would be known to the building trades as a "Swiss shelay" type of architecture.
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