USA > Missouri > Nodaway County > Past and present of Nodaway County, Missouri Volume I > Part 56
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Mr. Wray was born September 1, 1856, in Polk township. this county. and is the son of John and Sarah ( Wiseman) Wray, the father born on Feb- ruary 13, 1805. in what is now known as West Virginia, and was the son of Thomas and Rachel ( Neal) Wray. Thomas Wray was a school teacher. John Wray worked on a farm and taught school and in an early day moved to Gallia county. Ohio, and in 1854 came further west. locating in Nodaway county, Missouri. He entered four hundred acres in Polk township. There he farmed and taught school during the winter months. In the early sixties he was elected county judge and served one term very acceptably, and for some time he was a man of considerable prominence in the county. He enlisted
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in the Missouri Home Guards in the service of the Union and served six months during the Civil war. After this he devoted his attention exclusively to his farm until his death, which occurred on February 6, 1879. He was a Republican in politics, a member of the Masonic fraternity and the Methodist Episcopal church. On July 17, 1831, he married Sarah Wiseman, in Gallia county, Ohio. She was born in West Virginia, August 27, 1811, the daughter of Isaac and Mary ( Armentrout) Wiseman, old settlers of the Buckeye state, dying March 19, 1904. in Polk township, Nodaway county, Missouri. Eleven children were born to them, eight of whom are now living.
J. Arthur Wray of this review was educated in the country schools and worked on a farm in his youth; but, deciding that he would devote his life to other lines of endeavor, he came to Maryville and attended a business school. However, he returned to the farm and taught school during the winter months. In 1897 he bought the Banner Steam Laundry, the name of which he changed to Wray's Laundry. He successfully conducted this for a period of ten years, buying the building in the meantime. This has long been known as one of the leading and most reliable laundries in this part of the state, Mr. Wray having so ably conducted it as to give it this prestige. He is now devoting his exclusive time to his farming interests. owning three hundred and twenty-nine acres of fine land in Polk township. It is well improved, well managed and on it stand many substantial build- ings. Mr. Wray has a beautiful, modern home at No. 505 South Main street, Maryville, which is presided over by a woman of refinement, known in her maidenhood as Minnie M. Neil, whom Mr. Wray married on Septem- ber 25. 1883. She was born in Muscatine county, Iowa. September 30, 1864, but was still living in Polk township. Nodaway county, when she mar- ried. To this union three children have been born, named as follows : Nellie is attending college: Bessie is teaching school; Walter N. is attend- ing school in this city.
In political matters Mr. Wray is a Republican and he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. . He is a pleasant man to know, always courteous, genial and straightforward in his business life.
EDWIN C. CURFMAN.
He whose career is now taken under consideration and to whom the reader's attention is respectfully directed is numbered among the progressive young business men of Nodaway county, of which he is a native son and where
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his life has been spent, being at this writing one of the energetic members of the well-known firm of Curfman Brothers Lumber Company.
Edwin C. Curfman was born in Maryville, Missouri, October 4, 1872. the son of John C. Curfman, a complete sketch of whom appears on another page of this work. The father came to Missouri in 1865, settling first in Savannah and then coming to Maryville about 1867. He engaged in the hardware business up to 1887, when he sought a more peaceful life on a farm, remaining there until 1894 when he removed to Maryville and retired.
The mother of Edwin C. Curfman was known in her maidenhood as Lenora Alexander, daughter of Judge Joseph E. Alexander. She was born about five miles southwest of Maryville. She is yet of great encouragement and assistance to her children in their life work. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. John C. Curfman : F. L. is living nine miles north- east of Maryville : George H. lives at Salida, Colorado : Roy J. Curfman, of this city. These children were all born and reared in this county. Mary Curfman died at the age of eighteen years.
Edwin C. Curfman, of this review, was educated in the local public schools and the Maryville Seminary. He first decided to follow the law and he accordingly began the study of the same, but being naturally inclined to business, he gave up his ideas of the legal profession and entered the lumber business in 1898, first working for Conrad & Totterdale, with whom he re- mained until 1902, when he went to Burlington Junction, buying a lumber yard there which he successfully conducted until March, 1905; then he and his brother. Roy C., purchased their present business in Maryville, the old firm of Conrad & Totterdale, and he has been conducting the same since that time, assisting to build up one of the leading lumber firms in the county. Their yard embraces one hundred and thirty-two feet square, one hundred and ten by one hundred and thirty-two feet on the east side of the street that is not under cover. It is easily the largest lumber yard in the county, and it supplies a wide section of country.
Edwin C. Curfman was married on December 1, 1897, to Gertrude Con- rad, who was born, reared and educated in Nodaway county, where her people are highly respected. Four daughters have contributed to the happi- ness of this household. Laura, Helen, Mary Ruth and Gertrude.
Mr. and Mrs. Curfman are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. and politically. Mr. Curfman is a Republican, and he was honored by the people of Burlington Junction by being elected mayor of that town, and while in that office he did many things calculated to be of permanent benefit
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to the vicinity. He has served one year in the city council of Maryville. Fra- ternally, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Maccabees and the Hoo-Hoos, the latter an organization composed of lum- bermen.
THOMAS E. FLEMING.
It is an excellent thing to be born to great wealth, like a Vanderbilt, but it is also an excellent thing to be born to a good name. When ancestors through many generations have lived useful and distinguished lives and have made a splendid name for themselves by devotion to duty and honor, it is one of the brightest inheritances that can be left to descendants. In this respect Thomas E. Fleming, one of the most progressive and best known agri- culturists and stock men of the southern part of Nodaway county, who main- tains a valuable and attractive landed estate in Hughes township, is singularly fortunate, for he comes from an excellent old family of the Hoosier state. He was born in Shelby county, Indiana, on July 16, 1853, the son of Elijah F. and Sarah J. (Francis) Fleming, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Cincinnati, Ohio. In about 1855 they came to Andrew county, Missouri, and settled on a farm near Savannah, where they lived until 1865. when they moved to a farm about ten miles north of Savannah where they spent the remaining days of their lives, the father reaching the age of eighty- four years and the mother eighty-eight, her death occurring the last of March, 1910. They were a grand old couple, highly honored by all who knew them for their industrious, honorable, kindly and generous lives. They were the parents of nine children, of whom Thomas E., of this review, was the fifth in order of birth. He made his home with his parents in Andrew county until 1879, grew to maturity on the home farm on which he worked during the summer months and attended the home schools in the winter time. On the last mentioned date he came to Nodaway county and rented the farm where he now resides, for one year, then bought it in 1880, and he has since devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits, developing an excellent farm and establishing a very comfortable home.
February 12, 1880, Mr. Fleming was married, in Andrew county, to Ella Montgomery, who was born in that county on November 29. 1858. the daughter of George .K. and Rosanna (Newmeyer) Montgomery, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Pennsylvania. They were among the old settlers of Andrew county, having come there in 1856, and there Mr.
THOS. E. FLEMING RESIDENCE
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Montgomery died on May 12, 1888, at the age of sixty-four years. They were the parents of twelve children, an equal number of sons and daughters, of which number Mrs. Fleming was the fifth in order of birth. She was reared and educated in Andrew county.
Soon after his marriage, Mr. Fleming settled on the farm where he now lives and where he has labored to so goodly ends, having not only one of the best farms in Nodaway county, but he has erected one of the most modern, beautiful and comfortable dwellings in the county, which is surrounded by good outbuildings and everything that makes life worth living in the country . which, as most people are now beginning to realize, is the best of all lives.
Being a good manager and a persevering worker. Mr. Fleming has been very successful since coming here, being now the owner of very valuable farming lands in Nodaway and Andrew counties to the extent of nineteen hundred and seventy acres, and he also owns about twenty-two hundred acres of good land in Lipscomb county, Texas. All this he has made unaided, having learned, early in his career, to manage his affairs independently of anyone, and he is therefore deserving of the high esteem which is today ac- corded him by all who know him. for his life has not only been one of in- dustry but has been led along such even tempered lines as to give offense to no one.
Mr. and Mrs. Fleming are the parents of two children, namely : Frank- lin P., born November 12. 1880, and Mary B .. born January 6. 1883, and who is the wife of W. C. Wilson, of Hughes township.
Mr. Fleming takes a great deal of interest in the affairs of his county and community, standing always ready to assist any worthy movement looking to the general good.
JOHN F. ROELOFSON.
It is not only a pleasure, but profitable as well. to study the life history of such a worthy gentleman as he whose name forms the caption of this biographical review, for in it we find evidence of traits of character that can not help but make for success in the life of anyone who directs his efforts, as he has done, along proper paths with persistency and untiring zeal. towards a worthy goal. and having as his concomitant upright principles. which, as we shall see. have resulted in ultimate triumph.
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John R. Roelofson, well known public administrator, horseman and prominent citizen of Maryville, Missouri, was born in DeWitt county, Illi- nois. May 10. 1862. the son of Robert S. Roelofson, who was born in Whiteside county, Illinois, in 1832. He grew up on a farm, received a limited education in the pioneer schools and remained in his native state engaged in farming until in February. 1882. when he removed to Nodaway county, Missouri, with his family and located on a farm near Barnard, where the family remained one year and then moved to Maryville, where he still resides, being retired. He is advanced in years, but is fairly hearty and hale as a result of a past life of consistent living and the avoidance of those so- called "small vices" that wreck so many promising lives, the elder Roelof- son being a man whom everybody respects and honors for his honesty, his generosity and every attribute that goes to make up a genteel Christian gentleman.
The Roelofson family is of German origin. Grandfather Moses Roelofson, a sturdy pioneer farmer, was a native of Kentucky, from which state he removed to Illinois.
Amy E. Swearingen was the maiden name of the mother of John F. Roelofson. She was born in DeWitt county. Illinois, in 1844, whither her parents had come from Kentucky. She, too, is still living at an advanced age. This family consisted of seven children named as follows: Mary C. is the wife of Robert Lyle. living three miles southeast of Maryville; John F .. of this review : Clara V. is still a member of the home circle: Mrs. Eva L. is the wife of E. E. May. of Savannah. Missouri : Ira C. lives three miles northeast of Barnard, this county, married Ida Shanks. One child died in infancy.
John F. Roelofson spent his boyhood in McLean county, Illinois, attend- ing school at Heyworth. that county, whither the family had moved. After passing through high school he took up farming and school teaching and was rewarded with a fair measure of success. He came to Nodaway county, Missouri, in 1882 and taught school for a period of four years, having accompanied his parents to this county. He had an excellent reputation as a teacher, but finally abandoned the school room for the freer life of the agriculturist and stock man and large success has attended his efforts in this direction. After his marriage he moved on a farm which he bought in the same community as that of his father, and he is still the owner of one of the model farms of the county, containing two hundred and forty acres, four miles south of Maryville. It is well improved
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in every respect and the crops have been so rotated that the soil has re- tained its original fertility, Mr. Roelofson being an able manager of a farm. Thirteen years ago he removed to Maryville and since that time has been engaged in the real estate and loan business, also extensively engaged in breeding and selling fine Percheron and standard horses, now enjoying an extensive and lucrative business, having a wide reputation in this part of the state for the high grade stock which he always handles, being considered one of the best judges of horses in Nodaway county and his fine stock is admired by all who sees them. He keeps young stock for sale by the great "Phenix" and other noted sires. his motto being "quality and size." He has a large and substantial barn for his herd of horses in Maryville, at his suburban place, south of the main part of town. His horses are pro- nounced among the finest in the state.
Mr. Roelofson was married on March 21, 1888, to Susie L. Greeson. daughter of John W. and Margaret L. Greeson, the former a native of Clinton county, Missouri. He came to Nodaway county, Missouri, in an early day. Mrs. Roelofson's mother was born about six miles southwest of Maryville. October 20, 1868. Mr. Greeson is living at the age of seventy- seven years.
To Mr. and Mrs. John F. Roelofson the following children have been born : L'Marie Litta, born October 29, 1889: Goldie Clare, born February 6. 1895: Frank, born April 16, 1902: Harold, born March 19. 1904.
Mr. and Mrs. Roelofson are members of the Christian church, Mr. Roelofson having been a member of the official board since 1893. He be- longs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen and the Woodmen of the World. He was elected public administrator on the Democratic ticket in 1907. for four years, and he is at present very worthily discharging the duties of that office. He has long taken more or less inter- est in political affairs and he had been township trustee of Polk township. having carried every ward in the township and. this being the township in which the city of Maryville is situated, is evidence of his high standing in his home vicinity, especially when we note that the township is Repub- lican by vote. From 1900 to 1902 Mr. Roelofson was trustee of his township.
Personally, Mr. Roelofson is a pleasant man to know, genial, hospitable, straightforward in all his relations with his fellowmen and of such high standard of integrity that no one questions his motives or his intentions as being other than honest and fair.
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EUGENE RATHBUN.
We rarely find two persons in everyday life who attribute their success in different spheres to similar qualities. Hard work and plodding industry paved the way for one. good judgment and a keen sense of values for an- other, intuition and a well balanced mind for the third. An admixture of some of the qualities above named. emphasized by hard work and persist- ency, and a high purpose, have been responsible for the success of Eugene Rathbun in his battle for the spoils of victory. He is the present efficie" circuit clerk of Nodaway county, of which he was formerly a leading educator.
Mr. Rathbun was born on a farm near Hopkins, this county, on October 6, 1866, the son of A. L. Rathbun, a native of Marshall county, Illinois, who came to Missouri in 1869, settling on a farm near Hopkins. He assisted to build the first railroad in this county, having had a contract on the Chicago. Burlington & Quincy railroad when this line was built through here. He lived in this county until 1888 when he removed to Rooks county, Kansas. where he now resides on a farm, being a very successful agriculturist and a man whom the community highly honors.
The Rathbun family is of English antecedents. Grandfather John Rathbun was a native of Ohio and is described as a man of many sterling traits of character. The mother of Eugene Rathbun was known in her maidenhood as Rachael Hatfield, who was also a native of Marshall county, Illinois. She is still living and is a woman of splendid Christian attributes. To these parents eight children have been born, five of whom are living at this writing, named as follows: Edward resides in Rooks county, Kansas. on a farm: Henry lives in Indianola, Iowa; Eugene, of this review: Lottie is the wife of D. S. Clayton, living at Clearmont. Nodaway county, Mis- souri : Walter lives in Rooks county, Kansas.
Eugene Rathbun grew to maturity on the parental farm where he was born and when a mere lad assisted with the general work about the place. remaining at home until he was twenty-one years of age. He received a primary education in the district schools and the public school at Hopkins. He supplemented this with a college course at the Western Normal College. Shenandoah. Iowa. completing the course there in a very creditable manner in 1886. Early in life he decided to make teaching his vocation and he taught several terms before entering college. and after finishing at the Western Normal College he took up teaching permanently, following this line of endeavor with marked success for a period of eighteen years, during which time he became widely known as an able and painstaking educator.
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popular with both patron and pupil, and his services were in great demand ; he always kept abreast of the times in his profession and took an interest in institute and similar work. He taught at Quitman, Nodaway county, for two years, and the last three years of his teaching was at Elmo, this county, where he was principal. During his career as a teacher he was for two years a member of the county board of education, which passed upon and licensed the teachers of the county, his work with the board being commend- able and entirely salutary, for his interest in the best interests of education in this county has always been deep and sincere.
In 1906 Mr. Rathbun was elected clerk of the circuit court of Noda- way county, on the Democratic ticket, by a majority of one hundred and fifty-two, while the state ticket won by only seven ; this is certainly criterion enough for his high standing among his constituents. He took office on January 1, 1907, his term lasting four years, and he is giving the utmost satisfaction to all concerned in his new capacity as public servant. Prior to his election he had been deputy county clerk. He is well qualified for such work in every respect and his party will doubtless have further need for his services in various capacities.
Mr. Rathbun was married on August 26, 1891, to Maud Gasner, a lady of education and refinement, who at that time lived at Tarkio. Missouri, but was born in Iowa. This union has resulted in the birth of one child, Virgil, born November 17, 1900.
Mr. and Mrs. Rathbun are members of the Christian church, and Mr. Rathbun is a member of the Masonic fraternity and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
MARSHALL ELIJAH FORD.
The deft shuttle which weaves the web of human life and human des- tiny, constantly and ceaselessly flies backward and forward, and into the vast and checkered fabric is woven the individuality, the efforts, ambitions and achievements of each man-of all men. Within this web may be defined the varied lines of individuality, but each individual is merged into the great aggregate, and yet the type of character of each is never lost, and there is both pleasure and profit in studying the life records of individuals, how- ever briefly, to note the forces that have made for success or failure, that have influenced others and that are destined to result in good or harm to succeeding generations.
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The life of Marshall Elijah Ford, one of the successful young attorneys of Nodaway county, shows that success always comes to the deserving, to those who attempt to bear aloft high ideals and lead lives governed by right principles. He was born on a farm in Green township, this county, March 17. 1870, the son of Marshall and Lucy (Hutchison) Ford. The father was born in Wayne county. Kentucky, in 1819. He devoted his life to agricul- tural pursuits and in the early fifties came to Andrew county, Missouri, later to Nodaway county, locating east of Maryville. He soon settled in Green township, buying a farm of two hundred and forty acres on which he re- mained until his death. September 30, 1882. That community was only partly improved and sparsely settled when he came there and it required a great deal of hard work to put his farm in shape. The elder Ford was a Mason and a Democrat, a man whom everybody respected who had oc- casion to know him. He and Lucy Hutchison were married in 1840, while living in Kentucky. The latter was the daughter of a well-to-do farmer and an excellent family. She is still living on the old farm in Green town- ship. Fourteen children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Marshall Ford, Sr. Six of them are living at this writing.
Marshall E. Ford, of this review, received his education in the common schools of his native community and when a small boy was put to work in the fields. Being ambitious to become a lawyer, he began preparing him- self for this vocation. He attended the University of Valparaiso, Indiana, taking the scientific course, and was graduated from that institution in 1896. He then entered Drake University. Des Moines, Iowa, from which he was graduated in 1899, with the degree of Bachelor of Laws.
Thus well equipped for his chosen profession, he applied for admis- sion to the Iowa bar and was admitted in Polk county, that state, in 1899. and in 1900 he was admitted to practice in Jasper county, Missouri. He at once began practice and remained in the last named county one year. He then went to the Pacific coast and spent two years there, one year in a law office at San Jose, California, and nine months in the state of Nevada. He came to Maryville, Missouri, in 1904 and .has been engaged in the prac- tice here ever since, having built up a very satisfactory clientele and rapidly pushing his way to the front, having a profound knowledge of the law and being a close and painstaking student at all times, keeping well abreast of the times in all matters bearing on his profession. As in the performance of his professional duties he leaves the impression of his individuality on his work, in like manner and degree he impresses his associates. He de-'
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lights in good companionship and his greetings are uniform and friendly. His character is strong, deliberate, candid and truthful and to such young men the future holds much of promise.
Mr. Ford is a Democrat in his political relations and is always ready to do what he can to further the interests of his party. Fraternally, he is a Mason, having attained the third degree. He has remained unmarried.
ROY J. CURFMAN.
While yet young in years and at a period when most young men are merely casting about in a tentative way in an effort to ascertain just what their true bent seems to be. Roy J. Curfman, of Maryville. Nodaway county. has shown what may be accomplished when energy and proper business and ethical principles are persisted in, and he has made such an impression on the local business world that those knowing him best predict a future that will be replete with abundant success.
Mr. Curfman is a native of Maryville, born July 23. 1881, and he received his education in the public and high schools of this city. graduating from the latter with the class of 1901. He then spent six months at the old Maryville Seminary. Thus well equipped for a business career, upon which he had decided early in life, on January 1. 1902, he went to Burlington Junc- tion and worked for his brother, who was engaged in the lumber business. remaining there until the spring of 1903 and getting many serviceable "pointers" in this pleasant line of endeavor.
Returning to Maryville, Mr. Curfman began clerking for the grocery firm of Brink & Holmes, with whom he remained until January 1. 1904, giv- ing them the utmost satisfaction as an alert and reliable clerk. Then he be- gan working for Conrad & Totterdale, with whom he remained until March IO, 1905, when he and his brother purchased the business, which they have continued to conduct with increasing success, having built up a very satis- factory trade with the city and surrounding country, always carrying an ex- cellent line of all kinds of building material usually handled by the best lum- ber dealers.
Mr. Curfman's ancestry and immediate family are mentioned at proper length in another part of this volume, hence will not be duplicated here.
On June 25. 1907, Mr. Curfman married Nell L. Petty, daughter of F. M. and Lizzie (Smith) Petty, her father being a well known dry goods
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merchant in Maryville. Mrs. Curfman was born at Creston, lowa, June 25. 1882, and she has received a good education. One child has graced this union, bearing the good old name Virginia.
Mr. and Mrs. Curfman are members of the Presbyterian church. The former is a member of the Masonic fraternity, being senior warden of the local lodge ; he is also a member of the Maccabees and the Hoo-Hoos, a lum- bermen's organization.
Mr. and Mrs. Curfman have hosts of friends among the younger set in Maryville and vicinity where they are always cordially received.
THE BOUND TO PLEASE Heckman Bindery NC
DEC.65
N. MANCHESTER,
INDIANA
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