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 84
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Politically, Mr. Young is a Republican. Mrs. Young is a member of the Baptist church.
THOMAS T. CRENSHAW.
Success is only achieved by the exercise of certain distinguishing quali- ties and it can not be retained without effort. Those by whom great epoch changes have been made in the political and industrial world began early in life to prepare themselves for their peculiar duties and responsibilities, and it was only by the most persevering and continuous endeavor that they suc- ceeded in rising superior to the obstacles in their way and reaching the goal of their ambition. Judging from the record Thomas T. Crenshaw. president of the Greene County Lumber Company, is making, while still a young man, he has carefully laid the foundation for large future success, some of which he has already achieved.
Mr. Crenshaw was born in Springfield, Missouri, February 15, 1881. He is a son of L. A. D. and Fannie (Smith) Crenshaw. The father was born in Tennessee, from which state he came to Missouri in 1845 and lo- cated on a farm four miles south of Springfield, where he carried on general farming and stock raising successfully, making a specialty of raising mules and horses, being thus engaged until his death in 1884, comparatively early
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in life. His widow has survived him thirty years and is now living on Market street, Springfield, being advanced in age. To these parents seven children were born, named as follows: Sue E. is the wife of Dr. Joseph Love; Anne W. is the wife of C. C. Sheppard; D. W. lives on a farm; Smith S. was next in order; Aileen S. is the wife of J. H. Hoffman; Thomas T., of this review; Clara C. is the wife of Allen Earley.
Thomas T. Crenshaw spent his childhood on the farm, and he received a good education in the common schools which he attended until 1895, then went to Culver, Indiana, and entered the Culver Military Academy, where he remained three years. When the war with Spain broke out he enlisted in Company K, Second Missouri Infantry, and was sent with other troops to the large military camps at Chickamauga Park and Albany, both in Georgia, and Lexington, Kentucky. He remained in the service one year, and was mustered out at Albany, Georgia. He then returned to Springfield, where he remained a year, then went to the Pacific coast, where he began his career as a lumberman and there gained his first knowledge of the business. After remaining in the far West three years he went to Columbus, Ohio, and became sales manager in an eastern territory for a large lumber concern. the Missouri Lumber and Land Exchange Company, of Kansas City, and remained in the East about nine years, doing much to increase the prestige of his firm in that territory, and was regarded as one of the firm's most capable and trustworthy employees. In the meantime he had mastered the various phases of the lumber business, and in 1912, returned to Springfield, Missouri, and helped organize the Greene County Lumber Company, being incorporated under the state laws of Missouri. Mr. Crenshaw is president and general manager and his close application, able management and wise foresight has made this one of the most successful firms of its kind in Greene county, its business and prestige rapidly increasing with the years. All grades of lumber are handled, all kinds of building materials-every- thing to be found in an up-to-date twentieth century lumber establishment. Their extensive yards are located at 447 South Campbell street.
Mr. Crenshaw was married, May 12, 1906, to Mabel C. Noggle, a daughter of Ira and Allie E. (Erickson) Noggle, both natives of Union- ville, Missouri. The father died about twenty-five years ago, but the mother survives. Mrs. Crenshaw has a brother, John R. Noggle, who makes his home in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Crenshaw received a good edu- cation. She is a member of various clubs, in all of which she is popular. She is also a member of the Presbyterian church.
To Mr. and Mrs. Crenshaw one child has been born, Thomas T., Jr., who is now five years of age.
Politically, our subject is a Democrat. He belongs to the Christian church. He belongs to the Springfield Club, the Country Club and the Young Men's Business Club.
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MILTON C. McCONNELL.
The life of Milton C. McConnell, for many years a prominent farmer and grain dealer in Campbell township, Greene county, who is now a deputy sheriff of this county and living in Springfield, has been such as to bear aloft the high standard which has been maintained by his father, who was one of the early residents of this section of the Ozarks, and whose life was signally noble and upright, one over which falls no shadow of wrong in word, thought or deed. Such was the type of men who laid the foundation and aided in the development of this locality, and to their memories will ever be paid a tribute of reverence and gratitude by those who have profited by their well-directed endeavors and appreciated the lesson of their lives.
Mr. McConnell was born in Giles county, Tennessee, November 24, 1856. He is a son of James A. and Nancy C. (Knox) McConnell, both natives of Tennessee, the date of the father's birth being October 10, 1825. These parents grew to maturity in their native state and were married there and spent their carlier years. The mother of our subject died when he was quite young and he has little recollection of her. James A. McConnell re- ceived a good education of his day and he devoted his life to teaching and farming. He came to Greene county, Missouri, with his family in 1857 and located in the western part of the county on a farm and there spent the rest of his life, dying in 1899. His family consisted of seven children, all sons, namely : John K. lives in Greene county ; George H. makes his home in Prairie county, Arkansas; James C. of Springfield; Milton C., of this sketch; Henry D., of St. Louis: Albert A. lives in Oklahoma, and Josephus is a resident of Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Milton C. McConnell grew up on the farm and he received a common school education, which was limited for lack of opportunities, as the war between the states was in progress during his boyhood days. He remained with his father until he was about twenty-four years of age and then went to farming for himself. In 1880 he purchased one hundred and forty-five acres in Brookline township, which he improved until it ranked with the best farms of the township, and here he carried on a general farming busi- ness successfully, and also did a large and lucrative grain business for years, maintaining an elevator at Brookline. He also devoted considerable atten- tion to handling live stock. He removed to Springfield a few years ago and now lives in a good home on West Walnut street. In January, 1913. he was appointed deputy sheriff of Greene county and is discharging the duties of that office at this writing. Politically, he is a Democrat, and has long been more or less active in the ranks of his party. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church.
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Mr. McConnell was married in 1884 to Mattie E. Firestone, a daugh- ter of James H. and Mary J. Firestone, natives of Tennessee, where they. grew up and from which state they came to Greene county, Missouri, in an early day. They were the parents of twelve children, Mrs. McConnell being next to the oldest.
To Mr. and Mrs. McConnell five children have been born, named as follows: Mrs. Gertrude Crowe lives in Lebanon, this state; Thomas T. is a graduate of Purdue University, Lafayette, Indiana, and is now director of athletics and teaches agriculture in the University of Arkansas, at Fay- etteville; Milton Lee lives in San Francisco, California; Lucile died in in- fancy, and Ethel, who is at home. Mrs. Mary J. Firestone is still living and is making her home with our subject and wife. Mr. Firestone has been deceased a number of years.
DAVID MICHAEL DIFFENDERFFER.
The man who gains success in this age of materialism is he who can see and utilize the opportunities that come in his path-seize them at the right time and use them properly. To do so requires innate tact, keen discrimination and sound judgment; but after all the basic conditions of human life are ever the same, the surroundings of individuals differing but slightly, and whether we achieve positions of wealth and influence or whether we are underlings throughout our earthly span of years depend, according to Shakespeare, "Not in our stars but in ourselves." Realizing this at the outset of his career, David Michael Diffenderffer, one of Spring- field's successful business men, has sought to advance himself along legiti- mate lines by hard work and persistent effort.
Mr. Diffenderffer was born, August 30, 1870, in Ft. Bliss, Texas. He is a scion of a Pennsylvania family of German ancestry, and is a son of David R. and Margaret (Dunham) Diffenderffer. The father was born in New Holland, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and there grew to man- hood and was educated in Franklin-Marshall College in the city of Lan- caster. Shortly after his graduation he went to Mexico and was appointed United States consul to that country by President James Buchanan. After serving his term in this responsible office in a manner that reflected credit upon himself and to the satisfaction of the government, he returned to Lan- caster, Pennsylvania, and there engaged in the banking business with grati- fying success until 1874, when he came to Lebanon, Missouri, and there continued in the banking business until his death, which occurred in the spring of 1900. He enjoyed the good will and esteem of all with whom he
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was associated. Margaret Dunham, also a representative of an old family of the Keystone state, was reared and educated in Lancaster and there they were married. She is still living in Lebanon, this state. To these parents seven children were born, namely: William, who lives in Lebanon; Mary has remained at the old home in Lebanon; Harry W. is associated in the carriage and implement business with our subject in Springfield; Jennie is the wife of Carl Morris, and they live in Springfield; John is cashier of the bank in Lebanon; Grace is the wife of William Owen and they live in Lebanon; David M., of this sketch.
Harry W. Diffenderffer was but two years old when his parents estab- lished the family home in Lebanon, Missouri, and there he grew to manhood and attended the public schools, later was a student in the University of Missouri. Leaving school in 1891 he went to St. Louis and engaged with the Kansas & Texas Coal Company as assistant superintendent, remaining in the employ of this firm three years, then went to Galveston, Texas, and took a position as a reporter on the News, later went to Phoenix, Arizona, and after working there two years went to Alaska in newspaper work and a general prospecting expedition. He spent five years in that country, one year of which was spent in carrying the United States mail from Dawson to Circle City, over the ice, down the Yukon river, a distance of three hun- dred miles. He walked this six hundred miles each month, driving six dogs to a sled. He was also a member of the famous mounted Canadian police force, and assisted in running down many criminals, including a gang that had murdered three prospectors. He captured one, who was subsequently hanged.
Returning to the United States in 1902, Mr. Diffenderffer located at Caddo, Oklahoma, where he engaged in mercantile pursuits. He also en- tered politics there and in 1908 he was assistant secretary at the national Democratic convention in St. Louis, when William J. Bryan was nominated for a third time for President. Mr. Diffenderffer was subsequently national committeeman of the Independent political part of Oklahoma. In 1910 he went to New York City and was employed by William R. Hurst on the New York American and the New York Journal, handling principally poli- tical assignments, being sent all over the United States. He was regarded as one of the ablest and most versatile writers on the Hurst papers and most conversant with the political situation of the country. Finally tiring of newspaper work and and desiring to re-enter business, he came to Spring- field, Missouri, in the fall of 1911 and engaged in the buggy and implement business with his brother, Dave Diffenderffer, under the firm name of D. M. Diffenderffer, the name being later changed to the Diffenderffer Buggy & Implement Company. On April 24, 1902, he married Edith Kirk, and their union has been without issue.
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David M. Diffenderffer was about four years old when his parents removed with him to Pennsylvania, and in 1876 the family came to Mis- souri. He received his early education in the public schools of Laclede county, this state, finishing his education at Drury College, Springfield. He was with W. H. Owens Mercantile establishment in Lebanon while re- ceiving his early schooling. After leaving Drury College he went to Port- land, Oregon, where he was employed by a produce concern one year, after which he returned to Greene county and went to work for the McGregor- Noe Hardware Company in Springfield, and after working about a year for this firm he took a position as traveling salesman for a hardware firm in Chicago and remained with it one year, then, in 1897, he began in the implement business in Springfield, under the firm name of D. M. Diffen- derffer, located at the corner of Walnut and Campbell streets, where he remained about three years, during which he got well established, then re- moved to the corner of Pearl and Walnut streets on what is known as the Stewart and Cowan building, which was erected especially for Mr. Diffen- derffer. After remaining here about six years it became necessary to seek larger quarters, and our subject purchased property at the corner of Walnut and Market streets, where he erected a two-story, modern and convenient brick building, with twenty-one thousand feet of floor space, where the business has since been located.
This is the oldest implement company in this section of the state. A large and well-selected stock of buggies, carriages and implements is car- ried at all times. The business has been established over eighteen years and is one of the most widely and favorably known of its kind in southwestern Missouri. The volume of business has constantly increased with advancing years until it has assummed vast proportions, an extensive jobbing business being carried on over the Southwest, including a large portion of this state, eastern Oklahoma, and northern Arkansas.
David M. Diffenderffer was married, June 14, 1900, to Mabel Dunning, who is a daughter of A. C. and Laura (Crothers) Dunning, the mother being a daughter of Colonel Crothers, formerly of Indiana. Both the colonel and his wife are deceased. They were the parents of two children, Mrs. Mabel Diffenderffer being the oldest; the other, Mrs. Edith Sheppard, is also living in Springfield. Four children have been born to our subject and wife, namely: Margaret Jane, born July 17, 1902; Katherine Louise, born February 21, 1904; Mabel, born February 1, 1906, and David Ritten- house, born May 24, 1909.
Politically, Mr. Diffenderffer is a Republican. Both he and his wife are members of Calvary Presbyterian church. He is a member of the Masonic Order and the Royal Arcanum lodge; he belongs to Solomon lodge,
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Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. He is one of the charter members of the Springfield Club.
Mr. Diffenderffer has recently organized the Overland Motor Car Com- pany, of Joplin, Missouri, which has been incorporated by D. M. and J. L. Diffenderffer. The object of the firm is to distribute the Overland auto- mobile in a territory of about fifty counties tributary to the city of Joplin. Harry W. Diffenderffer will be in charge of this new enterprise, with head- quarters in Joplin.
JAMES H. MASON.
One of the old and honored families of Greene county is the Masons, and no history of this locality would be complete without mention of the same, one of the best known members of the present generation being James H. Mason, who, in the practice of law, in Springfield, has attained to a laudable position in his profession, while yet a young man; and his reputation for integrity, stability of character, and fidelity to his clients, and trusts committed to him, whether professional or otherwise, is firmly established. His pathways are along the moral levels of the world, and he preserves the symmetry of a true moral life by emphasizing his attachment . to it; by defending the truth, the right, and by right acting and living, and especially, by aiming to preserve the perfect proportions of truth.
Mr. Mason was born, February 19, 1874, near Ash Grove, Greene county, Missouri, on a farm. He is a son of Robert T. and Lavina (Thomas) Mason. The father was a native of Loudon county, Tennessee, and was a son of Daniel Mason, a native of Massachusetts, who emigrated to Loudon county, Tennessee, in 1800, and there established his home on a farm, and he enlisted in a Tennessee regiment during the War of 1812 and saw considerable service. His family consisted of nine children. His death occurred in Loudon county in the thirties, and in 1841, when Robert T. Mason was ten years old, the widow of Daniel Mason removed with her family to Greene county, Missouri, and took up a farm from the govern- ment, and this they improved and established their home on it, Robert T. Mason continuing to work the home place until he was twenty-two years of age, when he came to Springfield and began learning the saddlery busi- ness, which he continued until the breaking out of the Civil war, when he and three of his brothers enlisted in the Union army. The father of our subject was a private in the Eighth Missouri Volunteer Infantry, one of the most efficient, bravest and most feared of the regiments from this state, and he served four years in a faithful and gallant manner, seeing much hard service and taking part in many engagements, being mustered out a lieuten-
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ant. He was in the battles of Pea Ridge and all the important ones of the West. He was honorably discharged, and after returning home he taught school in Greene county and in Arkansas for a number of years, and was a successful teacher for those days. He had received his education in the dis- trict schools and by home study. The latter part of his life was devoted to general farming near Ash Grove, where he was esteemed as a good citizen in every respect, and there his death occurred, August 4, 1893. Lavina Thomas, mother of our subject, was born in Roane county, Tennes- see. She is the oldest daughter of George and Sarah Thomas, who emi- grated from Tennessee to Greene county in 1854 and located on a large farm near Cave Spring. George Thomas and two of his sons, James and Caswell, were soldiers in the Union army during the Civil war. Caswell was wounded and died during the service. The mother of our subject is still living at the age of seventy-three years, and she is beloved by her friends for her kindness and Christian sentiment. Of her brothers and sisters, of whom there were ten, all still survive, except two, Caswell, men- tioned above, and a sister, who died in 1913.
Six children, three sons and three daughters, were born to Robert T. Mason and wife, namely: George, a farmer of near Claremore, Oklahoma, married Margaret Christian, and they have nine children; Daniel C. died in 1905; James H., of this review; Lillie married Thomas Toombs, a farmer and stock dealer of Dallas county, Missouri, and her death occurred in 1897, leaving two children; Martha, wife of John Christian, a farmer of Dallas county, has eight children; Mary, who married Lon Wheelis, who is in the employ of the United States Express Company, of St. Louis, has three daughters.
James H. Mason grew to manhood on the home farm there and did his full share of the work when a boy. He received his early education in the public schools of Greene and Dallas counties and at the Marionville Colle- giate Institute, then took the course in the law department of the University of Missouri at Columbia, where he made a splendid record. Soon there- after he came to Springfield and opened an office for the practice of his profession and has been very successful, having built up a large and con- stantly growing clinetage and is regarded as one of the most promising of our younger members of the Greene county bar.
Mr. Mason was married, August 31, 1899, to Susie O. Alexander, a daughter of Dr. William O. and Mary E. Crumley) Alexander, of Pulaski, county, Missouri, a highly respected family there. She received a good education in the common schools. She has four brothers and two sisters.
To Mr. and Mrs. Mason three sons have been born, named as follows: Robert Oliver, born August 29, 1900; James Floyd, born January 7, 1903, and William Chauncey, born March 26, 1905.
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Politically, Mr. Mason is a Republican. Fraternally, he is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Religiously, he is a member of the Christian church. He has been active in public affairs for a number of years. He was postmaster at Phillipsburg, Missouri, from 1898 to 1903. In 1908 he was elected city attorney of Springfield, and in 1910 he was elected prosecuting attorney of Greene county. As a public servant he has ever discharged his duties in an able, conscientious and commendable manner, and to the satisfaction of all concerned. It can not be denied that his abilities are equal to the attainment of still greater ends than he has accomplished. Such talents as he has shown lie upon the borders of many provinces of thought, but in the exclusive province of the law, there would be no border-land, but an entire realm, without limit to the ecstacies and activities of the intellect.
GEORGE N. HAUN.
There are many things which the modern husbandman is learning that his ancestors also, mayhap, tillers of the soil, did not know, or think they needed to know. We of today, in order to get the greatest results from our labor, must know, among other things, what kind of soil we are working, must know the difference between soil-forming material and soil-forming agencies. The importance of distinguishing between these two groups of factors is apparent to the close observer. The tendency in the past has been to attach great importance to the former to the neglect of the latter, and this has resulted in classifying together soils of very dissimilar char- acter, simply because they were derived from the same rocks or from rocks which have been formed in the same manner. One of the younger farmers of Greene county who is making an effort to properly understand advanced problems of agriculture in all its phases is George N. Haun, of Wilson township, and as a result he is making a pronounced success as a general farmer.
Mr. Haun was born at Willard, Murray township. Greene county, Missouri. November 2, 1881. He is a son of Newton W. and Nellie ( Beal) Haun. The father of our subject was a native of Tennessee from which state he emigrated to Missouri in an early day and began farming in Law- rence county, but remained there only a short time, when he sold out and purchased a farm in Greene county, near Willard. The mother of our sub- ject was born, reared and educated near Springfield, and the parents of our subject were married in Greene county. To this union nine children were
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born, namely: Andrew, deceased; Daniel lives in Willard; Mattie is de- ceased; William lives near Willard; May is the wife of H. F. Emerson; Walter lives at Willard; Ella is the wife of William Tatum; George N., of this review; Laura is deceased. Newton W. Haun, father of the above named children, grew to manhood in Tennessee, where he attended school and where he engaged in mercantile pursuits for a while and there he was first married, but his wife survived only a short time, and it was not long thereafter until he came to Missouri.
George N. Haun grew to manhood on the home farm and received his early education in the schools of Murray township, and when nineteen years of age he entered the State Normal school, taking a two years' course in the common branches, after which he went to Kansas and spent a sum- mer on a farm, returning to his home at Willard the following year and began his career as farmer in Murray township on the estate left by his father who died in 1890. This place consisted of one hundred and sixteen acres, being a part of the old homestead. He got a good start here and in February, 1910, sold out and purchased one hundred acres in Wilson town- ship, where he now resides and is making a success as a general farmer and stock raiser, having a productive and well-kept farm and a good set of buildings.
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