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 98
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RAY C. BOYER.
Ray C. Boyer was born at Meadville, Crawford county, Pennsylvania, October 27, 1880. He is a son of Lukes Boyer, who was born in Allentown, Lehigh county, Pennsylvania. He was a carpenter and contractor by trade, and spent many years of his life at the city of Meadville, where his death occurred in 1888, and he was buried at Sackerton, Pennsylvania. He was about fifty years of age. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and also belonged to the Lutheran church. His widow, who was known in her maidenhood as Nancy Beige, is now living in Spring- field and is the wife of August Drishaver, a carpenter and contractor. Our subject is the only child by her first marriage, and there are no children by her last marriage.
Stephen Boyer, paternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, later moving to Crawford county, that state. He was a tanner by trade, but followed farming in his later life, owning a small farm.
The Boyer family is of German extraction, and upon immigrating to America, settled first at Trenton, New Jersey, later locating in Pennsyl- vania. Boyertown, that state, was named after members of this old family. which has lived in the United States since before the Revolutionary war, in which conflict several of the Boyer men fought under George Washington.
Ray C. Boyer spent his boyhood in Pennsylvania, and was educated in the Meadville public schools. Leaving school when seventeen years of age, he began learning the painter's trade, which he followed three years.
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GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
In 1898 he came to Springfield, Missouri, with his mother and stepfather, and secured a position as hostler in the shops of the Kansas City, Ft. Scott & Memphis Railroad. On June 27, 1909, he was promoted by the Frisco, which company leased the former railroad in 1900, to engineer, after he had been working as fireman for some time, and he is at this writing night engineer in the south side shops.
Mr. Boyer was married twice, first, in 1904 to Nellie Massey, a daugh- ter of Bud and Thressa ( Rathbone) Massey. Her death occurred in Decem- ber, 1905. His second marriage was celebrated in 1908, when he married Eva Massey, a sister of his first wife. Both marriages were without issue.
Mr. Boyer is a Democrat. He is a member of the National Associa- tion of Steam Engineers, the Modern Brotherhood of American Engineers and is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. He lives on Wassola street, where he built a cosy home a few years ago.
MERTON CLEANTHUS HOUSE.
Although Merton Cleanthus House is a young man, at the age when most boys are just getting started in life, he is holding a responsible posi- tion, that of foreman of the O. K. Weld plant in the north side Frisco shops, Springfield. This position was secured not through any streak of luck or by the aid of influential friends but through his own merit, because he was prepared and had the right ideas of what an employe should do, namely : that he should strive to do high-grade, honest, conscientious work promptly. Such a course, where there is good judgment and average abil- ity to begin with, always leads to gratifying results.
Mr. House hails from a section of the Union that has not sent many citizens to Greene county, having been born on a farm in Steele county, Minnesota, December 24, 1887. He is a son of Lorenzo Jackson House, a native of the state of New York where his earlier years were spent. finally removing to St. Paul, Minnesota, later to a farm near Meriden, that state. Finally selling his farm there he came to Conway, Missouri, where he con- tinued farming five years, then engaged in the butcher business for awhile. As a result of an accident while thus engaged which incapacitated him for further physical work, he removed to Springfield in 1901 and worked for the Van Noy News Company until 1911 in which year his health failed com- pletely and he was bedfast until his death in December, 1913, at the age of fifty-eight years. Politically he was a Republican. He belonged to the Woodmen of the World and the Methodist Episcopal church.
The mother of our subject was known in her maidenhood as Lizzie
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Ross. She is now sixty-four years of age, and is living with her daughter Sadie at Caney, Kansas.
To Lorenzo J. House and wife four children were born, namely : Mer- ton C. of this sketch; Sadie married S. A. Badgley, a painter by trade, of Caney, Kansas; Annie B., married O. M. Martin, died in November, 1913; Raymond is a barber in Springfield.
Merton C. House was reared on the farm where he worked when a boy, and he received his education in the public schools of Conway, Mis- souri, but left school when only fourteen years of age to begin life for him- self. He came to Springfield and went to work in the Eagle Pencil Factory. where he remained two years, then learned the tailor's trade, working at the same with a number of Springfield tailors for a period of eight years, and became quite expert in this line, especially as presser and bushelman, but owing to failing health was finally compelled to give up the work. His next employment was in the tin department of the Frisco's north side shops, under G. A. Holder; where he spent one year, then, on November 4, 1913, he was placed in charge of the O. K. Weld plant there, which position he has since held to the satisfaction of his employers, being regarded as one of the most efficient foremen this department has ever had.
Mr. House was married on Easter Sunday, 1911, to Mamie A. Molen, a daughter of John Molen, a farmer in Arkansas. Mrs. House grew up on the farm and received a common school education. The union of our sub- ject and wife has been without issue.
Mr. House is a member of the Knights and Ladies of Security, and he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church, South.
EDWARD J. DEWITT.
It has not been so very long ago that a number of immigrants from our older Eastern states coming to Missouri could procure good new land and thereby get a start with small capital. Now the new lands of our country that can be profitably farmed are practically all occupied. The only course left for the American farmer to pursue is to adopt a system of farming that will not only build up and maintain, but will increase the production of the land. The dairy cow seems to be the means through which a part of our farmers are destined to do this. One of the citizens of Center town- ship, Greene county, who secured new land upon casting his lot with us is Edward J. DeWitt, and this he developed intelligently and now has a good farm and has been making a comfortable living all the while.
Like many of our worthy population he hails from grand old Vir-
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ginia, his birth having occurred in Bedford county, that state, January 17, 1840. He is a son of Elisha D. and Susan (Coleman) DeWitt, both of whom were natives of Virginia, where they grew up, were educated and married and established their home. Their parents came from Scotland, so our subject is of Scotch descent from both sides of the house and he manifests many traits of that excellent race. These two families immi- grated to the United States prior to the war of 1812. Ten children were born to Elisha D. DeWitt and wife, five of whom are living, namely : Lafayette is a tobacco manufacturer of Lynchburg, Virginia; Marion is farming in Bedford county, Virginia; Mary is the wife of John Thomas- son, a sales agent for a carriage manufacturing concern of Lynchburg, Vir- ginia ; Eliza is the wife of William Owens, a farmer of Bedford county, Virginia; and Edward J. of this sketch. All three of these sons served through the Civil war in the same company.
Edward J. DeWitt grew to manhood on the home farm in his native county in the Old Dominion and there he worked during vacations, attend- ing the common schools in the winter time. He remained at home until he was twenty-one years of age when he enlisted in the Tenth Virginia Artillery, Lee's army, at the commencement of the Civil war and remained in the service until Lee's surrender, April 16, 1865. He proved to be a faithful soldier and rose to the rank of sergeant. He took part in many of the important battles and campaigns of the war. After being mustered out he returned home where he remained until October 26, 1866, when he married Mollie Coleman, a daughter of William and Amelia (Wooley) Coleman of Bedford county, Virginia. Upon his marriage he moved to near Kiser, West Virginia, where he rented a farm and resided until 1873 in which year he came to Greene county, Missouri, locating in Campbell township where he lived four years, then bought his present farm of eighty acres in Section 12, Township 29, Range 23, Center township, the same having been formerly the property of the St. Louis & San Francisco Rail- road Company, and Mr. DeWitt was the first person to secure a deed to the property. He cleared it up and placed it under good improvements and cultivation.
To Mr. and Mrs. DeWitt two children have been born, namely: Willit J., born on August 13, 1874, received a public school education and lived at home until his death, January 13, 1907; Monnie P., born on December 14, 1882, married on November 22, 1905, to Elmer Reynolds of Springfield, he being in the service of the Frisco lines at that place; they have three chil- dren, May who is eight years old, Clarence who is five years old, and Ernest who is one year old.
Mrs. DeWitt's family has a commendable war record. Two of her brothers were killed in battle during the Civil war, another was wounded,
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and one served out his enlistment without accident. They were all in the Southern army.
Our subject and wife have been lifelong members of the Methodist Episcopal church, South. Politically he is a Democrat.
MADISON ANDREW BROWER.
The man who produces double the customary crop assumes a leadership that brings responsibilities. His farm is an object of interest. When his work becomes known and his methods discussed he is called a model farmer. Others want to see and learn, and then do likewise. One of the farmers of Center township, Greene county, who not only raises big crops, but who keeps his farm in an attractive condition, everything well cared for, thus presenting to the visitor a pleasing appearance, is Madison Andrew Brower.
Mr. Brower was born in the above named township and county on December 2, 1869. He is a son of John Robinson Brower and Sarah Ann (Spoon) Brower. The father came from North Carolina before the Civil war and located in Center township, this county; the mother also came here from North Carolina about the same time, and here they were married and spent the rest of their lives on a farm, the father dying in 1899 and the mother passing away in 1908. They were the parents of nine children. seven of whom are living at this writing, namely: Louise married Daniel Henley, a farmer of Oklahoma; James is farming in Center township. Greene county; Calvin H. is teaching school in Center township; Etta mar- ried L. G. Reynolds, who is employed by the International Harvester Com- pany and stationed at Springfield; Ella married John Cook, a farmer of Oklahoma; Lizzie married Edward Miner, a farmer of Center township; and Madison A., of this sketch.
Mr. Brower of this review grew to manhood on the home farm, where he worked when a boy during vacations, and he received his education in the public schools of his community. He has always followed farming. He remained with his parents until he was married when twenty-six years old. He moved to his present excellent farm of one hundred and sixty acres in section 13, East Center township. in 1904, which he purchased at that time. He also owns one hundred and sixty acres in section 23 of the same township. His farm is one of the best improved and best kept in the township and it lies on the Carthage road, five miles west of Springfield. occupying one of the highest points in this part of the Ozarks. It is well drained and very productive, having produced a number of record crops. In connection with general farming he pays considerable attention to hog
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GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
raising, making a specialty of pure bred Poland-China hogs, and has been more than ordinarily successful in this line. His dwelling and other build- ings are substantial and neat in appearance, and everything denotes good management about his place.
Mr. Brower was married on May 10, 1895, to Mrs. Mary Ann (John- son ) Wilson, widow of J. H. Wilson and a daughter of Ellis and Rachel Johnson, early settlers of West Center township, where she grew to woman- hood and received her education.
Two children have been born to our subject and wife, namely: Lillian, born on July 13. 1897, and Claude, born on June 19, 1900. They are both at home with their parents.
Fraternally, Mr. Brower is a member of Elwood Lodge No. 278, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, also the Elwood Lodge of Modern Woodmen of America. Politically he is a Democrat, and he has always manifested a good citizen's interest in local public affairs. He attends the Methodist Episcopal church, South.
GREEN IRWIN BLANCHARD.
There is a recess in every man's brain that answers to the call of the wilderness, a heritage of pre-historic origin which will be with us always. If given the opportunity, it will respond at once to nature's beauty and depth. What is more natural than man's love for the conditions and envi- ronment that gave him food and shelter, enabling him to live during the dawn of his existence? Thus it is easy to understand why many of us prefer the country and life on the farm to that of the city. One such family is the Blanchards of whom Green Irwin Blanchard, of Center town- ship. Greene county, is a creditable representative. For generations they have tilled the soil, made a good living and been happy. The older members knew what it was to fight the wilderness in order to live, but this they did courageously and successfully, and never complained that their lot was hard.
Mr. Blanchard was born on December 17. 1838, at Russelville, Logan county, Kentucky. He is a son of Henry Hudson Blanchard and Mary (Patton) Blanchard, both of whom were born, reared and educated in that county and state and there they were married and established their home. Their parents were from North Carolina, immigrating to the Blue Grass state in an early day. The family is of English origin but for the last four generations they have lived in the United States. When our subject was one year old he was brought by his parents in 1839 to Greene county, Mis- souri, the family locating in Center township on what is known as Leeper's
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Prairie and theirs was the first house built in that neighborhood, their near- est neighbor being over three miles away. When Henry H. Blanchard landed in the wilds of this locality his worldly possessions consisted of a broken down wagon, a team of ponies in the same condition and five dollars in money; but, being a man of enterprise, he forged ahead and at the time of his death in 1862 he had acquired over three hundred acres of good land, several hundred head of live stock and a competency, besides a comfortable home. This was considered quite an achievement for those days and proves the sterling mettle from which the Blanchards are made. His family con- sisted of but two sons. Green I. of this sketch and John A., who was born in 1836. The latter received his education in the district schools of Greene county and here worked on the home farm when a boy, and lie devoted his active life to general farming. He took a deep interest in public affairs and in 1872 was elected recorder of deeds of Greene county, the duties of which office he ably discharged for four years, then moved back to the farm, and later he served fourteen years as justice of the peace and was a member of the school board for several years, giving satisfaction as a public servant in every respect ; in fact, he was a strong personality and influential in his locality. His death occurred in 1895.
Green I. Blanchard grew to manhood on the home farm in Center township where he worked when a boy and he received his education in the schools of his community, attending subscription schools until he was fifteen years old, after which the public schools being established he attended them until he was twenty-one years old. He was twelve years old when the family moved to within a mile of Elwood and there our subject lived until his marriage in 1860 to Mary Eaton, who died in 1884. For his second wife he married Mrs. Mary E. Lawdermilk, nee Craven, a daughter of Thomas G. and Mary Craven, of Center township, in September. 1886. The first marriage resulted in the birth of seven children, six of whom are still living, namely: Dora A., born on September 26, 1865, married in 1883 A. A. Vaughan, a cabinet maker in the Frisco shops at Springfield. and they have one child, Earl, born on July 24, 1895: he was graduated from the Springfield public schools, and is now a teacher in a manual train- ing school there. Delia A., born April 2, 1867, married in 1884. B. L. Chastain. a contractor of Springfield: Henry W., born on December 23. 1868, is a conductor on the Rock Island railroad, lives in Kansas City, mar- ried Cora O'Neil in 1890 and they have one child. Irwin, who was born in 19II. Fannie, born on November 9, 1870, married on May 30, 1893. Mil- lard Brady, a railroad man of Parsons, Kansas: they have one child. Grace. who is now eleven years old: Robert Lee. born on August 12, 1874, who is a conductor on the Missouri Pacific railroad; he lives in Kansas City, and he married Bernice Gilty of that place. Virginia, born on September 3.
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1877, married F. E. Blockman, a farmer living near Elwood, Center town- ship, and they have two sons, Robert and June, fifteen and thirteen years old, respectively. John M., born on June 25, 1880, was a railroad man and died in Nevada, April 8, 1914; he married Della Kindrix, of Center town- ship, this county, who, with one child, Geraldine, eleven years old, sur- vives him.
Our subject's second wife was born on May 27, 1855, in Randolph county, North Carolina; she was first married to Dr. A. A. Lowdermilk, who died in 1884. She spent her girlhood in North Carolina and there she was educated. When nineteen years of age she removed with her par- ents to Greene county, Missouri, the family locating near Springfield where she lived until her marriage.
Our subject has made a success as a general farmer. He moved to his present farm of fifty-five acres in Section II, Center township, in 1892 and here he has a neat home.
Mr. Blanchard was a soldier in the Civil war, having enlisted in May, 1863, in the Sixth Missouri Provisional Militia and served faithfully until August, 1864, with the rank of corporal.
Fraternally, he is a member of United Lodge No. 5. Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. He belongs to the Baptist church. Politically, he is a Democrat.
SAMUEL HERRICK.
Not too often can be cited to the discouraged young man starting out in life's serious battle, the lessons to be found in the records of such self- made men as Samuel Herrick, well known transfer and storage man of Springfield. For the life histories of such men are not only interesting but instructive, showing what may be done in this free land of ours despite unfavorable early environment if one has the courage, the will and the grit to do and dare.
Mr. Herrick was born in Cole county, Missouri, June 10, 1862. He is a son of Ebenezer and Annie (Truble) Herrick. The father was a farmer, and his death occurred when our subject was twelve years of age. The death of the mother occurred in 1899.
Samuel Herrick grew to manhood on the home farm in Cole county, where he worked hard when a boy and there he received his education in the public schools. Although but a boy when his father died, he found it necessary to shoulder heavy responsibilities, and this early necessity for doing his own thinking and earning his way in the world, while hard at the time, has doubtless been responsible for his success in later life, such train-
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ing often being of more value to the youth than where they are protected in every respect and have some one to plan and work for them, taking all responsibility off their shoulders. He began supporting himself when six- teen years old and has "hoed his own row" ever since. He has adapted himself to every new condition that he has found necessary to meet and has made a success of his business career.
Coming to Springfield when but a boy, Mr. Herrick here worked at a number of different things, including nearly two years in the employ of the G. D. Milligan wholesale grocery house, then worked for eighteen months with the Hadley Wholesale Grocery Company as order clerk, which was also his position with the former firm. He then went with the Keet-Roun- tree Dry Goods Company, where he worked as packing and shipping clerk for a period of eight and one-half years. He was an alert, capable, wide- awake and trustworthy employe, and gave all these firms eminent satisfac- tion. While working for the last named he purchased a span of three-year- old horses and gave a man half what the horses earned by hauling on the streets. He saved his earnings from both sources until 1904, when he began a transfer and storage business in a very small way. He managed his affairs judiciously and his business grew steadily until it has now reached very large proportions, and in addition he sells automobiles, being agent for the well-known Hudson, the Regal and Grant pleasure cars and in trucks he is agent for the General Motor Truck and Dart Trucks. In con- nection with being agent for above named cars he has a general repair shop and sells tires and sundries. He now owns an attractive and modernly appointed home, also three good storage buildings and other properties and is in independent circumstances. One of his rules is to pay cash for every- thing he buys and for all labor performed for him.
Mr. Herrick was married on March 4, 1888, to Mary E. Philpott, a daughter of David A. Philpott, a resident of Servis Point, Webster county. Missouri. He is a veteran of the Civil war. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Herrick has resulted in the birth of the following children: Ira Manley, born in Webster county, April 26, 1889, was educated in the Springfield ward and high schools, also a business college here; he married a Miss Wood. Maude, born in Springfield, March 11, 1891, died in 1899; Nona, born in Springfield, March, 4, 1895, was educated in the Springfield ward and high schools, and business college; she is single and living at home. Samuel, Jr., born in Springfield, January 21, 1897, was educated in the ward, high schools, and the State Normal of this city. Neoma, born in Springfield, December 5, 1898, was educated in the ward schools and is now attending business college; Otto, born on August 15, 1900; Everett, born May 7, 1907.
While Mr. Herrick realizes the fact that he has made splendid advance-
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ment in life's affairs, he does not take all the credit to himself, admitting that the counsel and sympathy of his good wife has been of great assist- ance to him, and his children have also aided him in many ways; in fact, here is a mutually helpful and happy family. He has built a nice home for his eldest son, costing three thousand five hundred dollars and gave it to him. He has never neglected to do all possible for the welfare of his children and he is a great lover of his home.
Politically, Mr. Herrick is a Democrat. He belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Modern Woodmen, and religiously the family are members of the Baptist church.
HOWARD STRUNK GLASSMOYER.
There is something in the wilderness of nature that seems to appeal to one in a subconscious way, something in the forests, the streams and all the natural nakedness of the lakes, winding waters, trees and grasses that is irresistible. The solitude is attractive. We go to the forest to glory in the silence of its intricacies, yet we care not for silence and solitude, although it is pleasant all around us. We do not feel alone. There are living things here that speak through their very silence, a medium which makes us feel. There are families who are not satisfied away from nature, away from the farm and these not only enjoy existence but also make a comfortable living, being satisfied without the huge earnings that so many city dwellers crave. Such is the Glassmoyer family, who have from generation to generation been, for the most part, tillers of the soil.
Howard Strunk Glassmoyer, a farmer of Center township, Greene county, was born near Reading, Pennsylvania, December 22, 1867. He is a son of Peter M. and Caroline (Strunk) Glassmoyer, both of whom were born and reared in the neighborhood of Reading, our subject being born in the same house in which his mother first saw the light of day. His grand- parents were also born in the neighborhood of Reading. The family, for generations, were "Pennsylvania Dutch" and were characterized with the usual thrift and steady habits of that type of our citizens. There the par- ents of our subject grew up, attended the district schools and were married and spent their active lives engaged in farming, the father dying in his native locality in 1887, but the mother, now advanced in years, is still living at Reading. They became the parents of four children, two sons and two daughters, a son and a daughter being now deceased, a daughter is living at Reading.
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