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 90
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in 1876 when she was a comparatively young woman. To these parents three children were born, namely: Gus and Thomas are farming in Sul- livan county, Indiana; and Samuel L. of this sketch.
William Eslinger, paternal grandfather of our subject, was a resident of Tennessee in the early days of that state, finally removed to Sullivan county, Indiana, where he spent the rest of his life, reaching the unusual age of ninety-eight years. For many years he was a large planter in Ten- nessee and owned many slaves. He was also interested in river commerce.
Samuel L. Eslinger grew to manhood in his native county and there he received a common school education, also attended school in Shelby county, Indiana. He was ten years old at the death of his mother, and soon there- after he went to live with his uncle, Capt. T. M. Allen, with whom he remained until he was thirteen years old. He then came to Springfield, Missouri, with his uncle, and here, in 1885 he entered the retail grocery business for himself in the five hundred block on Boonville street, renting a room there the second day he was in Springfield. Although he started out on a very small scale, he managed well and soon had an increasing trade and finally his quarters were outgrown and he moved a block farther north on the same street in more commodious quarters, occupying a store fifty by one hundred feet, and here he remained for some twenty years, enjoy- ing a large and lucrative business, ranking among the leading grocers of the city. Some idea of the gain in his sales may be had when we learn that his first day's sales in the grocery business in Springfield amounted to only two dollars, and when he sold out in 1907 his last day's sales totalled nearly two hundred dollars. He first entered the bakery business in 1905, in the Springfield Bakery Company, of which he is now vice-president and with which he has been connected for ten years during which period he has been the principal motive force and has assisted in making it one of the largest and most successful enterprises of its kind in the state. He has been a large stockholder in the same all the while. An article regarding this con- cern will be found on another page of this work. Our subject is actively engaged at the company's large plant, taking care of the shipping end of the business. He has been very successful in a business way and owns con- siderable property, including a valuable residence on North Jefferson street.
Politically, Mr. Eslinger is a Republican, and has been active in party affairs for some time. For two years he was a member of the city council. Fraternally he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and the Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks. He is a member of the Springfield Club, and belongs to Grace Methodist Episcopal churchi.
Mr. Eslinger was married first to Belle Lippman, a daughter of Jacob Lippman. This union was without issue. He subsequently married Clara Danforth, a daughter of Joseph Danforth, of Greene county, Missouri.
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Leonard D. Eslinger is now twelve years of age. Our subject's present wife was known in her maidenhood as Lula Knotts, daughter of Col. Rob- ert Knotts. This union has been without issue.
DUDLEY CASS.
Cass was formerly spelled Casse. It is said to have been derived from the name of a Celtic tribe or class located in what is now central France, bordered by ancient Germany and ancient Britain. These people lived in the latter country at the time of the invasion of Julius Caesar, when he led his Roman legions to the far north. The tribe located on the banks of the Thames river, and fruitlessly resisted the Roman invaders. The tribe con- tinued to reside in England for centuries until some of those bearing the name immigrated to America in the early Colonial period and from them the present numerous family of Cass in the United States descended. We first have definite record of John Cass, who was an English Puritan by birth, born at St. Alban, England, date not known, but he emigrated from that country to America in 1640, locating at Hampton, New Hampshire. The lineage of the subject of this sketch may be traced directly to him, back nearly four centuries. Records show that he married Martha Philbrick in July, 1647, that he died April 7, 1675, and that his family consisted of the following children: Joseph, born in 1656; Samuel, born in 1659; Mary, born about 1661; Jonathan, born in 1663, and who died in 1745, was the next in line of our subject's progenitors; Elizabeth, born in 1666; Marcy, born in 1668; Martha, born in 1669; Abigail, born in 1674; and Ebenezer, born in 1676. The great-grandfather of our subject was Mason Cass, and the grandfather was Capt. Mason Cass, Jr., who was born at Spring, New Hampshire, May 24, 1751, and died at Alexandria, New Hampshire, Octo- ber 15, 1777.
Mason Cass, father of our subject, was born at Alexandria, Grafton county. New Hampshire, in 1788, but he moved to New York state when young, located near Syracuse where he spent the rest of his life. He was a carpenter by trade, also engaged in farming, and for some time was a manufacturer of coffins. At the time of the breaking out of the war of 1812 he lived in Canada and, being an American, was forced to leave that country. In 1810 he married Mary Merrell, who was born in Endfield, Vermont, in 1793. She was of Scotch-Irish descent. Her death occurred at Sheboygan, Wisconsin, in 1884, at an advanced age, and there she was buried. His death occurred at Chenango, New York, in 1837, forty-seven
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years prior to the death of his wife, who was much younger than he. To these parents seven children were born.
Dudley Cass was born on March 21, 1811, in New Hampshire. He grew to manhood in the East and received a common school education. He worked with his father until the latter's death, and thus learned to be both a carpenter and farmer. He then moved to the state of Wisconsin, making the long journey, through wilderness a large part of the way, on horseback, in 1840, when Wisconsin was still in the wilds and little improved. Hc located at what is now the town of Salem, where he purchased a farm which he conducted until 1873, successfully engaged in general farming and stock raising. He was one of the early pioneers of the state, and was a man of much courage and force of character, a man whom hardship could not con- quer. He cleared and developed his land by hard and persistent work, in due time establishing a comfortable home. He was a stanch Democrat, and, taking a leading part in political affairs, was for some time a member of the general assembly of Wisconsin. He was for four years president of the fair association in his county. He held many county offices in Wiscon- sin, in fact, was active in public affairs all his mature life, was known throughout the Badger state, and did much for its early development. He remained in that state until 1873 when he removed to Springfield, Missouri, and here engaged in the grocery business with his son, Lewis Cass. They started in with a capital of only five hundred dollars, locating their store on Campbell and College streets. They managed well, dealt honestly and cour- teously with their customers and, increasing their stock from time to time as they prospered, became one of the largest grocery merchants in this city, and at the time of his death our subject was considered one of the wealthy men of Springfield. A part of his competency was gained through judi- cious and extensive speculation in real estate.
Dudley Cass was married in 1835 to Martha L. Robbins, who was born on March 4, 1816, at Deerfield, Massachusetts. She was reared in the East and received her education in the common schools. She came of a sterling old New England family, and she was a woman of many praiseworthy attributes, and she proved to be a most suitable helpmeet for her husband, her sympathy and counsel contributing much to his success in life. Her death occurred on October 13. 1894. The death of Dudley Cass occurred ten years previously, on October 28, 1884.
Politically Dudley Cass was an ardent Democrat all his life. Frater- nally he belonged to the Masonic order. He was a member of the Baptist church and a large contributor to its support. While living in Wisconsin he and three other men alone supported the church of this denomination in his community.
To Dudley Cass and wife the following children were born: Louis S.,
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born on November 3, 1837, in the state of New York, died June 12, 1906; in early life he was a school teacher, later engaged in the grocery business in Springfield, as noted above, with his father; he married Charlotte Collier, who was born in the state of New York, June 14, 1839, and died in March, 1897; she was a daughter of John and Ann Collier, natives of Buckingham, England. To Louis S. Cass and wife, who were married on September 17, 1862, seven children were born. Thressa A., second child of Dudley Cass and wife, was born on September 27. 1844, at Syracuse, New York, and she was nine months old when her parents took her to Sheboygan, Wisconsin; there she grew to womanhood and received her education in the common and high schools, later took a course in the Seminary at Evanston, Illinois. She is a well-educated, cultured and affable lady, who preferred to remain unmarried in order that she might devote her active life to the care of her parents in their declining years. She is a devout member of the Baptist church, in which she was a Sunday school teacher for many years. She resides in Springfield in a comfortable and neatly kept home, and it is to her that we are indebted for the data in this sketch of this interesting fam- ily. Kimball K., the youngest of the three children born to Dudley Cass and wife, first saw the light of day on April 20, 1846, in Sheboygan, Wis- consin, where he grew up, and he has devoted his life to agricultural pur- suits, living now in retirement at Bristol, Wisconsin.
Members of the Cass family have been known as law-abiding, intelli- gent and good citizens wherever they have dispersed.
ROBERT A. KIRKPATRICK.
It is an unwritten law that the secret of success in life in all individual cases is the common property or heritage of all unfortunates of the human race. It is therefore eminently proper for the historian or delineator of characer to review the lives of those individuals who have not only been successful in the various enterprises in which they have engaged, but as citizens and neighbors have won the lasting regard of all. Robert A. Kirk- patrick, an expert machinist, who is now timekeeper at the north side Frisco shops, Springfield, is deserving of the admiration of his friends in view of the fact that he has made a success in life through his individual efforts and despite obstacles, having come to our shores from a foreign strand with- out influential friends or capital, and began his career in a land where every- thing was quite different to what he had been used to in his earlier years.
Mr. Kirkpatrick was born in Londonderry, Ireland, and grew to man- hood in his native land. He was given excellent educational advantages in
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a school under the auspices of the Presbyterian church. When twenty years of age he set sail for America, landing in due time in New York City. Penetrating into the interior, he located at Columbus, Ohio, where he worked at the machinist's trade for five years, then went to Keokuk, Iowa, where he followed his trade two years. From there he went to Mount Vernon, Illinois, where he worked as machinist six or seven years, then came to Springfield, Missouri, and secured employment at once in the Frisco's north side shops, where he has remained to the present time. He had a natural taste and talent for his trade, and has given eminent satisfac- tion to the various companies for which he has worked. After following his trade a number of years here he was promoted to the position of time- keeper, which he still holds. He is regarded as one of the trustworthy and faithful employees of this plant.
Mr. Kirkpatrick was united in marriage in Keokuk, Iowa, with Julia E. Mills, who was a native of Southampton, England, from which country she immigrated to the United States with her parents when five or six years old, and here she grew to womanhood and received her education. The Mills family lived for a number of years in Keokuk.
To Mr. and Mrs. Kirkpatrick seven children were born, three of whom died in infancy; those who grew to maturity are: Harry, who resides at Thayer, Missouri; Nellie, to whom we are indebted for the data for this biography, is one of Springfield's popular teachers; she grew to maturity in this city and received an excellent education in the ward and high schools. graduating from the latter with the class of 1897, and in 1910 she was graduated from the local State Normal. She began teaching two years after graduating from high school, and for a period of nine years taught in the Waddill school, doing extension and summer work at the normal school during vacations. After teaching in the second, fifth and sixth grades she was made principal of the Bowerman school in 1908, which responsible posi- tion she still holds. She has always been a close student and has kept fully abreast of the times in all that pertains to her work ; that she has given the highest satisfaction is indicated by the fact that she has been retained so long in Waddill and Bowerman schools. She is a lady of pleasing per- sonality and is popular with her pupils. Dimple Kirkpatrick, sixth of our subject's children, was the wife of James Sawyer, and her death occurred in 1910; Virginia, youngest of the children, is the wife of W. S. Nelson. and they reside at Cleburne, Texas.
Politically, Mr. Kirkpatrick is a Republican, and fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, having passed the chairs in the local lodge of the same, and he is also a member of the Masonic order. He and his wife are active members of the First Congregational church, in which
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he has been trustee and in which she is deaconness. They have both long been influential in the affairs of this church and are highly regarded by all who know them.
JOHN ROSBACK.
John Rosback, veteran harness maker, and for thirty years a resident of Springfield, was born on January 15, 1844, in the River Rhine country, Germany. He was a son of Peter and Magdalene Rosback, both natives of Germany, where they grew to maturity, attended school and were mar- ried. They continued to reside in their native land until 1852, when they immigrated to the United States, and for many years lived at Springfield, Illinois, where the mother of our subject died, after which the father remar- ried and in January, 1879, came to Springfield, Missouri, where he spent the rest of his life, dying some thirty-four years ago. While living in Springfield, Illinois, he was employed by the Wabash Railroad Company. His family consisted of three children, namely: Margaret, who died in Memphis, Tennessee; John, of this sketch; and Fred, who makes his home in Benton Harbor, Michigan.
John Rosback was eight years old when his parents brought him to America. He grew to manhood in Springfield, Illinois, and there received a common school education, and when a boy learned the saddle maker's trade, which he made his life work and in which, he became an exceptionally skilled workman. He worked at this trade fifty-six years. When he first came to Springfield, Missouri, he worked as foreman at the old Moore Saddlery concern, then worked for the Steineger Saddlery Company as foreman for fifteen years. He was next employed by the Herman Sanford Saddlery Company, continuing as foreman for this firm until his death. He gave eminent satisfaction in the three firms mentioned above and did much toward making each successful. He was not only thoroughly familiar with every phase of the business, but was a man of good executive ability, sound judgment and foresight, and knew how to handle his men so as to get the best results possible and at the same time retain their good will and friendship. He was an artist at stamping leather and made many beautiful designs in leather work.
Mr. Rosback was married on October 9, 1865, in Springfield, Illinois, to Louise Pletz, who was born near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, February 3. 1844. She is a daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Witce) Pletz, both natives of Pennsylvania, where they grew up, attended school and were married. Later in life they removed to Springfield, Illinois, where they spent the rest of their lives and died there. Mr. Pletz was a shoemaker
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by trade and an accomplished workman. Mrs. Rosback was a small child when her parents removed with her from Pennsylvania to Springfield, Illi- nois, and there she grew to womanhood and received her education.
Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Rosback, namely: Ira, born on August 23, 1866, is a candy maker and lives in Chicago; Oscar, born on August 12, 1870, is engaged in the harness business on West Walnut street, Springfield, Missouri, and resides on South Market street; he mar- ried Flora McClure, a representative of an old family of Greene county. Frank E., born on November 9, 1875, lives in this city and is engaged in the clothing business; John, born on April 2, 1879, died when a small boy.
Politically, Mr. Rosback was a Republican. He belonged to the Masonic order and the Order of the Eastern Star. In his earlier life he took an active interest in Masonry and always tried to live by its high and noble precepts, which constituted his daily religion, and for this reason he was known as a man of exemplary character.
The death of Mr. Rosback occurred after a brief illness on November 6, 1914, at the cozy family residence on South Jefferson street, where he had resided sixteen years. He was seventy-one years of age. Mrs. Ros- back is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and is known as a neighborly, kind and hospitable woman who has a very wide circle of friends.
WILLIAM RILEY SELF.
Among the professional and public men of Springfield and Greene county the name of William Riley Self occupies a conspicuous position. In his earlier years he was a successful banker, later popular politician and servant of the people, and for many years he has ranked among the leading lawyers of this section of the state. When in court he is prepared; if he fails and must go higher, or if he wins and is forced up, he leaves no weak or broken links in the chain that begins where he starts and ends where he must go. As an advocate he may not have the fascinations and gifts that "universities can bestow," or the poet's blooming fancy, or the "fine phrensy" of passionate declamation. We know that the dangerous bril- liancy of genius may attract, and the melody of eloquent words may charm for the moment, but the voice of reason, the sturdy legal sense, the plain language, the stern, unerring logic of the law, which are a strong part in the contentious force of Mr. Self, are powerful weapons in the hands skilled in the use of them.
Mr. Self was born at Buffalo, Dallas county, Missouri, January 15. 1863. He is a son of William J. and Cynthia (Cowden) Self. The father
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was born in Dallas county on January 26, 1839. His father, one of the first settlers of that county, emigrated from Tennessee in pioneer days; in fact, was among the very first settlers. The mother of our subject was born in Georgia in 1844, her parents having been natives of that state. She was young in years when she came to Dallas county, Missouri, and there she married William J. Self, and died on the home farm near Buffalo, in July, 1863, and there the father of our subject is still living. He has devoted his life to general farming and stock raising, is one of the well known and esteemed citizens of that county. During the Civil war he enlisted in 1861, in the Fifteenth Missouri Cavalry, and served three years in the Union army in a gallant and faithful manner, being honorably discharged during the latter part of the war. His family by his second marriage consists of three children, namely: James H., who is engaged in the hardware busi- ness at Crowell, Texas; Francis M. is a banker at Buffalo, Missouri; and William R., of this sketch.
Mr. Self, of this review, grew to manhood on the home farm in his native county and there he worked hard when a boy, and received a com- mon school education in the district schools, later attended the Buffalo high school, then took a scientific course at the Valparaiso University at Val- paraiso, Indiana, from which institution he was graduated in 1887, having made an exceptionally good record and was president of his class. Return- ing to Buffalo, Missouri, he began reading law in the office of Thomas M. Brown, with whom he remained until he was admitted to the bar in 1888, but he did not begin the practice of his profession at once, entering the banking business in Buffalo instead, becoming cashier of the Dallas County Bank, holding that position from 1890 until 1897 to the satisfaction of the stockholders and patrons of the bank. Taking an active interest in politics. he was elected on the Republican ticket to the lower house of the Legisla- ture from Dallas county in 1892, serving one term. On June 30, 1897, he located in Springfield, where he has since made his home, practicing law without a partner all the while. He was elected city attorney in April, 1902, and served in this office until April, 1904, then was elected representa- tive from Greene county to the Legislature, serving one term of two years. He was elected prosecuting attorney of Greene county in 1906 and served one term of two years. As a public servant he gave in all these offices the highest grade of service, his ability, fidelity and honesty and unquestioned public spirit, winning not only the hearty commendation of his constitu- ents, but of all concerned. He is now engaged in the active practice of the law, maintaining an office at 3041/2 College street. He is vice-president of the Bank of Greene County, located in Springfield.
Mr. Self was married on November 8, 1889, in Valparaiso, Indiana,
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to Frances E. Bost, who was born in central Illinois, November 17, 1862. She received a common school education, later attended high school and the University of Valparaiso. The union of our subject and wife has been without issue.
Mr. Self has been loyal to the Republican party since attaining his majority. He is a member of the South Street Christian church, of which he is an elder, and is also Sunday school superintendent, and takes an abid- ing interest in church and Sunday school work. His record from boyhood up has been that of a scrupulously honest, conservative and safe man in business, professional and public affairs and he has ever enjoyed the implicit confidence and the good will of all with whom he has come in contact.
ROBERT MINTO.
One of the best-known railroad men of Springfield during the past generation was the late Robert Minto, who maintained his residence in Greene county for a period of nearly three decades, during which time he formed a very wide acquaintance and was rated among our best citizens, and his unfortunate death occasioned wide-spread regret. Like all men of positive character and independence of mind, he was outspoken in what he considered right, and his convictions were such that his neighbors and fel- low citizens knew well his position on all questions of a political, social or religious nature. His private life was exemplary and his amiable disposi- tion and many virtues made him widely popular.
Mr. Minto hailed from England and he was the possessor of the many admirable traits of the great Anglo-Saxon people. His birth occurred in Durham, England, June 22, 1853, but he spent practically all of his life in America, having been but six months old when he was brought to the United States by his parents, Thomas and Sarah Minto, both of whom were born, reared, educated and married in Durham, England, the birth of the father having occurred in 1830 and the mother was born in 1831. Thomas Minto was educated for a bookkeeper in which he became quite expert. After immigrating to AAmerica the latter part of the year 1853 he became a mine owner in Illinois, but while he remained in his native land he followed mercantile pursuits. He is now living in retirement on a fine farm near Shelbyville, Illinois, having accumulated a comfortable compe- tency through his good management. He has reached his eighty-fiftli year. His wife also attained a ripe old age, and was called to her eternal rest at the homestead at Shelbyville in 1913. Politically he is a Republican, and belongs to the Masonic order. He is a grand old man and is highly respected in his community.
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