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 96
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107
1823
GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
A detailed description of the Tucker-Ferguson Company will be found on another page of this volume, to which the reader is respectfully directed.
Politically, Mr. Tucker is a Democrat ; however, he votes independently in local matters. Religiously, he is a member of the Christian church.
Mr. Tucker was married, August 15, 1897, to Elizabeth Ferguson, who was born, October 5, 1876, in Springfield. She received a good educa- ttion, and is a daughter of John R., Sr., and Virginia Ferguson.
Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Tucker, namely : Edward G., Jr., born February 14, 1899, died when seventeen months old; Florence R., born in 1902; Edna M., born in 1905; Anna E., born in 1907; Alice B., born in 1911. The daughters are all in school.
BRIGHT AND SALTS.
Bright and Salts are today among the enterprising and well known business men of Bois D'Arc, where they are engaged in the livery business, their barn being one of the best patronized in the west part of Greene county. They have a modernly equipped barn, which they keep in as neat a manner as possible and their horses are always well groomed and give good service. Their vehicles are also well kept and the firm tries to give prompt and honest service at all times, consequently it is popular with the traveling public.
John C. Bright was born in Benton county, Arkansas, February 10, 1881. He is a son of Alfred W. and Kate (Maberry) Bright, both long since deceased.
John C. Bright grew to manhood in his native state and worked on a farm when a boy, and he received his education in the common schools. He continued farming in Arkansas, Oklahoma and Missouri, until 1913. having removed to the last named state in 1905. He is at this writing suc- cessfully engaged in the livery business at Bois D'Arc with Robert A. Salts.
Mr. Bright was married February 22, 1908, to Maud Salts, who was born in Center township, Greene county, Missouri, in December, 1885, and here she grew to womanhood and received her education in the public schools. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bright, namely: Harley A., born June 19, 1909: James A., born July 28, 1912.
Robert Allen Salts was born in Center township, Greene county, Mis- souri, February 19, 1893. He is a son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Walker) Salts, for years popular and well known farmers of Center township.
Robert A. Salts grew to manhood on the home farm, where he worked when a boy, and he received his education in the district schools of his com-
1824
GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
1
munity. He engaged in general farming until 1914, when he went in busi- ness with his brother-in-law, John C. Bright, at Bois D'Arc, a member of the livery firm of Bright & Salts.
Mr. Salts married on January 13, 1912, Zula Shumate, who was born, September 3, 1895.
Politically Mr. Salts is a Progressive, and religiously he is a Baptist. He is a young man of much energy and is straight-forward in his dealings with the public.
AMMON KNIGHTEN.
It is now becoming generally understood that the life of the man who lives closest to nature is the best life, and no class of men are in better position to receive the benefits which are thus to be derived than farmers. You study the merchant, the professional man, the artist, the preacher, statesmen and inventor to find their lives no more excellent than the lives of mechanics or farmers. While the farmer stands at the head of art as found in nature, the others get but glimpses of the delights of nature in its various elements and moods. Ammon Knighten, one of the most progres- sive general farmers and stockmen of Franklin township, Greene county, is one of our worthy citizens who has ever taken a delight in nature and exist- ence, because he has been in touch with the springs of life, having spent his years on the farm.
Mr. Knighten was born on November 26, 1854, in Lawrence county, Arkansas. He is a son of William York Knighten and Sarah (Archey) Knighten, both natives of that state also, the father's birth occurring in Lawrence county, December 28, 1826, and there he grew to manhood and married. He was a life-long farmer. He remained in his native state until 1873 when he came with his family to Dade county, Missouri, where he farmed a year, then moved to Webster county, and a year later took up his residence in Dallas county, where he bought a farm of eighty acres on which he spent the rest of his life, dying there at the advanced age of eighty-two years. He was a successful general farmer and handled a great deal of live stock. He owned nearly four hundred acres of good land in Arkansas. He was three times married, first to a Miss Phillips, and to this union one child was born, Mrs. Sarah Thorne. The second wife of William Y. Knighten was known in her maidenhood as Sarah Archer, and to them eight children were born, namely: John Amonet is a practicing physician of Springfield ; Ammon, subject of this sketch; William Thomas lives in Dade county, Mis- souri; Alice is deceased: William York, Jr., died in Greene county in 1901 ; Laura died in infancy ; Mrs. Radie West lives in Lebanon, Laclede county,
PLAIN VIEW STOCK FARM-A. KNIGHTEN, PROP.
1825
GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
this state; Mrs. Effie Le Hew lives in Wisconsin. The mother of the above named children died on the home farm in Dallas county, Missouri, in Feb- ruary, 1877. The third marriage of William Y. Knighten was to Sally Stever, a native of Webster county, Missouri, and to this union four children were born, namely; Bogie, deceased; Mrs. Minnie Williams lives in Dallas county, this state; Winfrey also lives in that county; and Bertram, who lived on the farm with the subject of this sketch, died in 1894. Politically, Will- iam Y. Knighten was a Democrat, and he belonged to the Christian church.
Ammon Knighten grew to manhood on the home farm where he worked when a boy, and he received a common school education. He came to Greene county in January, 1891, locating at Hickory Barrens, Franklin township, ten miles northeast of Springfield. He learned the blacksmith's trade at Marshfield, Webster county, and there he maintained a shop for some time, and also had a shop at Hickory Barrens, where he spent eight years. He was regarded at both places as an exceptionally highly skilled workman. He also operated a store at the latter place, which he finally traded for a farm, and has since followed farming. He located on his present fine farm (The Mansel Putman homestead) in 1900. It is known as "The Prairie View Stock Farm." In connection with general farming he raises live stock in large numbers, specializing in Aberdeen and Galloway cattle, mostly the latter breed. His registered pedigree bull "Laddie," an Aberdeen, known as "Prairie View Laddie No. 4," was bred by J. M. Jones, of Everton, Missouri. It is the sire of "Laddie Blanchard," and its register number is 177435. Mr. Knighten's fine stock is greatly admired by all, being superior quality. His farm contains over four hundred acres of excellent land. It is nearly all under cultivation, a small portion being in timber. It is well improved in every way, and he has a substantial and convenient group of buildings. Everything about his place denotes thrift and good management. He also raises good horses, and the many cattle that he raises are sold to local buyers. He is one of the best judges of live stock in the county. He built his present handsome residence in 1906. and has made most of the other improvements on his farm.
Mr. Knighten was twice married, first, to Mary E. Dotson, July 10. 1873. She was born in Polk county, Missouri, but was reared in Arkansas. Her death occurred in 1891. To this union five children were born, namely : Samuel Arthur, who lives in Franklin township, near Fair Grove; Ida died when six years of age; Lona, wife of Claude L. Headlee, lives in Franklin township (a sketch of Mr. Headlee and family appears on another page of this work ) ; John Albert is deceased; Pearl is also deceased.
On May 6. 1900, Mr. Knighten married for his second wife, Mary Jane Putman, a daughter of Mansel and Minerva (James) Putman. This sec- (II5)
1826
GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
ond union has been without issue. A sketch of the Putman family will be found in another part of this volume.
Politically, Mr. Knighten is a Democrat, and fraternally he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Fair Grove. He was reared in the faith of the Missionary Baptist church. He is a congenial, quiet, plain gentleman and it is a pleasure to talk to him and visit his hospitable home. He is a man of strong intellectual endowment, and is deserving of much credit for his large success in life.
ANDREW B. DUNCAN.
It requires not only close application and studious habits to succeed in this day and age as a photographer, but also a natural esthetic taste. These characteristics are undoubtedly possessed by Andrew B. Duncan, one of the leading photographers of Springfield and southwestern Missouri, a man whose work has kept well abreast of the times and whose studio it is a pleasure to inspect by those who delight in and appreciate art of a high order.
Mr. Duncan was born, April 20, 1850, in Ontario, Canada. He is a son of Donald McDonald Duncan and Dorothy (Gennett) Duncan. The father was born near Grennock, Scotland, January 15, 1812, and the mother was a native of Ireland, born in 1815. They grew up in the British Isles and received limited educations, were married there and remained in that country until they emigrated to Canada, and there they kept an inn until the father's death in the year 1864. The mother died in Ottawa, Canada, in 1873. The maternal grandfather of our subject was captain of the Coast Guards in Cork, Ireland. His name was Andrew Bennett. Nine children were born to Donald M. Duncan and wife, only three of whom survive at this writing, namely: Isabelle, Andrew B., and Frederick T.
Andrew B. Duncan grew to manhood in Canada and he received his education in the common and high schools of Ottawa. When a young man he took a position with the Singer Manufacturing Company in Montreal, which he held for some time, and was in the sewing machine business for a period of twenty years, during which time he became thoroughly conversant with every phase of the business and made a success. He came to Kansas City, Missouri, in 1886, where he was connected with the White Sewing Machine Company for a period of five years. In 1891 he began his career as photographer for which he had not only a natural liking but a decided innate ability and consequently was successful from the start. For ten years he was official photographer for the Frisco railroad, using his own private
1827
GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
car, which was a model in every respect of its kind. He traveled extensively and did high grade work for which he was commended by the officials of the road. He came to Springfield in 1903 and located at the old Sittler place on St. Louis street. He was burned out there and he then moved to his present location. Since coming to this city he has enjoyed a large and con- stantly-growing business and his neat and modernly appointed studio is visited by people from all over the Southwest. His work is high-grade in every respect. He is an expert at posing as well as in finshing and he is never behind in the changing styles in his art.
Mr. Duncan was married on December 22. 1873, in Arnprior, Canada, to Mary Lyon, a native of that place, where she was reared and educated. The union of our subject and wife has been without issue.
Mr. Duncan is a member of the Masonic Order, including the Knights Templar and Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He holds membership in the Calvary Presbyterian church.
HOLLAND DAIRY FARM.
During the past few years it has been demonstrated beyond a question of a doubt that the best paying dairy is the one that is most sanitary and managed under scientific methods, although the expense of proper equip- ment and maintenance may be large, in the end the outlay is not regretted. Those who own dairies nowadays pay more attention to the comfort of their stock than in former years. Barns are kept clean and filled with light and air, are built with cement floors, windows for ventilation, much attention paid to an adequate supply of fresh water and high-grade food; in fact, there has been as much progress made in dairying as in most other lines of in- dustry during the past decade.
One of the most up-to-date, sanitary and successful dairies in Greene and surrounding counties is the Holland Dairy, owned and operated by Charles Holland, on his fine farm of four hundred and forty acres just west of Springfield, and the fame of this model dairy is far-reaching. It is often visited by people from other parts of Missouri and other states for the purpose of getting ideas for the establishment of dairies or improv- ing those already established.
Here is to be seen a one-story concrete housing barn, thirty-six by one hundred and ten feet, complete with "Star" equipment: three silos with a capacity of five hundred tons. He keeps an average of fifty head of high- grade Holstein cows, the best that the market affords, and his herd is given the tuberculosis test twice a year. The cows are milked by Sharples milkers.
1828
GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
The milk is never exposed to the air, going direct from the machine to the cooler, where the temperature is reduced from one hundred and one degrees to forty-four degrees, and from there to the bottling machine. All this machinery is thoroughly cleaned by steam and hand. One hundred and fifty gallons of milk are produced daily in this dairy. The tubular coolers are made of one and one-half inch copper tubes, which are tinned on the inside as well as on the outside. The tubes are made of sufficient gauge to with- stand high pressure. Heavy tinned brass strips fill up the spaces between the tubes. The cooler represents a continuous surface on both sides, which facilitates the cleaning. Brass plugs are provided so as to be able to clean the inside of the tubes and free them from any sediment. All coolers are made with double waterway connections. They are figured on a basis of twenty square feet of cooling surface to each one thousand pounds of milk or cream cooled. A double end milk bottle filler is used, quarts at one end ; pints, half pints or quarter pints at the other. It is installed in a regular bot- tling house, where four hundred and fifty bottles are prepared daily for the trade and sent to the Springfield market in attractive delivery wagons, especially designed for the purpose. The most approved stanchions are to be seen in the milking barn.
The Holland Dairy has been frequently praised by leading dairymen of the country and much written of in dairy publications.
Charles Holland, owner and manager of this dairy and surrounding farm, was born on November 9, 1879, in Springfield, Missouri. He is a son of T. B. and Bertonia (Hamilton) Holland, for a long lapse of years one of the prominent families of this locality, and of whom extended mention is made on other pages of this work.
Charles Holland grew to manhood in his native city, and after attending the common schools, entered Drury College, where he spent three years, later was a student for four years in the Webb School at Bellbuckle, Ten- nesee, and was graduated from that institution in 1902. He then spent a year in Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennesee, after which he entered the employ of the Holland Banking Company in his native city, and con- tinued in the same until 1907, when he went into the live stock business, importing Coach and Percheron horses from France. He continued suc- cessfully in this business until January 1, 1914, when he sold out and has dis- continued this line of endeavor. In 1912, he began operating the Holland Dairy Farms, and this is now claiming his chief attention and it has been a most successful venture in every respect.
Mr. Holland was married April 18, 1900, to Louise Massey, a daughter of Frank R. and Sallie (Jones) Massey, one of the best known and in- fluential families of Springfield, in which city Mrs. Holland was born on
1829
GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
April 25, 1879, and here she grew to womanhood and was educated. She has long been popular with the best clubs and social circles and is a lady of many pleasing attributes.
The union of Mr. and Mrs. Holland has resulted in the birth of four children, named as follows: Colley B., born on July 7. 1901 ; Charles, Jr., born in March, 1903; R. Massey, born on May 7, 1905; Richard H., born on May 9, 1907. They are all attending school, and are lads of much promise.
Politically, Mr. Holland is a Democrat. He is a member of the Spring- field Club, and fraternally belongs to the Masonic order, in which he has attained the thirty-second degree, and he also belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
ELMER D. SQUIBB.
The people of Bois D'Arc and vicinity point to Elmer D. Squibb, well- known jeweler and optician, as one of their most valued citizens, admiring him for his high moral character; for his life among them since his birth, some four decades ago, may well be likened unto an open book. That they place implicit confidence in him is evidenced by the fact that he is re- garded as one of the leaders in public affairs and is now serving them as postmaster. The duties of the various positions of trust which he has been called upon to fill have been discharged with credit.
Mr. Squibb was born in Bois D'Arc, Greene county, Missouri, May I1. 1875. He is a son of Joseph D. and Sarah (Leeper) Squibb. The name began from the Spanish Esquivel, and passed through France as Esquib, thence to Reading, Gerkshire, England, as Squibb, thence to Nova Scotia, and from there to Brooklyn, New York, where Dr. Edward R. Squibb established what is known today as the oldest chemical laboratory in the world. William P. Squibb and descendants are at Lawrenceburg, Indiana. John W. Squibb and descendants are known in Greene county, Tennessee, while James Squibb, the paternal grandfather of our subject, came and set- tled in Greene county, Missouri, in the early forties, where eight sons and one daughter, forty grandchildren and seventy great-grandchildren survived him in 1914. Joseph 1). Squibb, father of our subject, is today living in Center township, carrying on general farming, operating about five hundred acres, practically all of which is under cultivation. He has reached the age of sixty-four years and is well preserved and can do as much work as ever.
Mrs. Sarah Squibb, mother of our subject, died in November. 1877. She was a daughter of Andrew Leeper and wife .. who were natives of Greene
1830
GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
county, Tennessee, and came into Greene county, Missouri, in the early forties and were among the first settlers. Here they first established the Leeper home. They have long since passed over the River of Time.
Elmer D. Squibb grew to manhood in Bois D'Arc and received his edu- cation in the public schools here, later attending for one year the Marion- ville Collegiate Institute at Marionville, Lawrence county, then studied in the Scarrett College at Neosho, Missouri, one year. From 1892 to 1899 he ran a drug store and studied pharmacy, passing the state board's examina- tion in 1906. In 1899 he engaged in the grocery business. In 1900 he at- tended the Horological school at Omaha, Nebraska, from which he was duly graduated as a jeweler and optician, and in 1901 established his present store in Bois D'Arc, which he has since conducted with much success, enjoying a large business with the surrounding country. He carries a carefully selected line of jewelry, diamonds, watches, clocks, fobs, chains, bracelets, lockets, rings, charms, eye glasses, etc., and he has met with pronounced success as an optician. His repair work is regarded as high-grade.
On December 26, 1902, Mr. Squibb was appointed postmaster at Bois D'Arc and has since served in this capacity in a manner highly accept- able to the people and the department. Politically, he is a Republican, and has been very active in political affairs for some time. He served one term as constable of his township and in 1912 made the race for treasurer, but went down in the general defeat of his party. He was township committee- man from 1902 to 1908. Fraternally, he belongs to Lodge No. 449, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and has been worshipful master for about eight years; he belongs to Ash Grove Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, and Zebud Council of Royal and Select Masters, of Springfield; he is also a member of Ash Grove Lodge No. 422, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Woodmen of the World, of which he has been secretary for four years, and is also a member of the Woodmen of the World Circle. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Mr. Squibb was married, May 11, 1898, to Maude M. Frame, who was born, April 18, 1879. She is a daughter of J. W. and Delilah (Jones) Frame. Her father was born September 28, 1855, and her mother was born, February 12, 1852; the latter's death occurred March 1, 1883. Mrs. Squibb is a member of the Order of Eastern Star, Ash Grove Chapter, No. 109. She is deputy postmaster at Bois D'Arc. She is one of three children by her father's first marriage: Homer G., who is a practicing physician at Cave Spring : Mrs. Squibb was next in order of birth, and Rosalee, who mar- ried Walter E. Baker, a merchant of Bois D'Arc. Mrs. Squibb received her education in the public schools in Bois D'Arc and is a graduate of Omaha Optical Institute, Omaha, Nebraska.
-
1831
GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
JOHN FRANKLIN MASON.
While splendid success has come to John Franklin Mason, he has ever been actuated by the spirit of Lincoln in his sentiment: "There is some- thing better than making a living-making a life." He was formerly one of the enterprising business men of Ash Grove, and is now the efficient recorder of Greene county and makes his home in Springfield. Beginning in a comparatively humble position in life he has made his way to a place of substance and honor entirely through his own efforts and yet he has not con- sidered his private interests only, but rather has given greater consideration to the public welfare, for which he has ever been ready to make sacrifices.
Mr. Mason was born, November 26, 1868, on a farm near Halltown, Lawrence county, Missouri. He is a son of Reuben B. and Mary E. (Rich- ardson) Mason. The father was born in Lawrence county, this state, on January 13, 1843, and was a son of Abraham and Hulda ( Bodenhamer ) Mason. Abraham Mason was a native of North Carolina, where he spent his earlier years, and removed to Indiana in 1838. In 1841 he came West and settled in Lawrence county, Missouri, where he entered a large tract of land, which he cleared and on which he carried on general farming until his death, which occurred in 1861. He was one of the influential citizens in that county in pioneer times. Politically, he was a Whig. His wife, who was also a native of North Carolina, died on the home place in Lawrence county, July 25, 1880. Reuben M. Mason grew to manhood on the home farm and he received a common school education; he followed farming all his life, with the exception of the time he spent in the Union army during the Civil war as a member of the Seventy-fourth Missouri Militia, and later as a member of Company A, Sixteenth Missouri Cavalry. He saw con- siderable active service and made a good record as a soldier, and was hon- orably discharged and mustered out of the service, June 30, 1865. On January 18, 1866, he married Mary E. Richardson, who was born in Law- rence county, Missouri, October 26, 1846. She was a daughter of John W. and Maria L. (Ferris) Richardson. Politically, Reuben B. Mason was a Republican. His death occurred on March 27, 1902, but his widow is still living on the homestead near Halltown.
John FF. Mason grew to manhood on the home farm in Lawrence county where he worked when a boy, and he received his education in the common schools. He worked on the farm until 1898, when he went to Spencer. Missouri, where he spent four years in the mercantile business, and in 1902 moved to Halltown, engaging in the same line of endeavor, enjoying an excellent trade in both places. In 1907 he went to AAsh Grove, where he conducted a drug store with success until he was elected to the office of
1832
GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
county recorder, November 3, 1914. He carried his township by the largest number of votes that any candidate for county recorder ever received. He was elected by a majority of six hundred and ninety-three votes. He is filling the office in a highly creditable manner, being industrious, prompt and courteous in his dealings with the public.
Mr. Mason studied pharmacy and passed the examination required by the state board of pharmacy, November 25, 1911. He had a neat and well stocked store and carried a full line of drugs and drug sundries and he built up a large trade.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.