Christian County MO

Biography of Judge William Easson

Judge William Easson, born on September 24, 1835, near Sterling, Scotland, immigrated to the United States in 1841 with his parents, Henry and Jane Easson. After serving in the Civil War, Easson moved to Christian County, Missouri, in 1869, where he established a successful farm and later became the presiding judge. Active in the Republican party and community organizations, he was well-respected in Ozark. Easson and his wife, Sarah, have three children and are members of the Protestant Methodist Church.

Biography of William H. Paine

William H. Paine, born in 1820 in Warren County, Tennessee, became a prominent farmer and stockman in Lincoln Township, Missouri. He was the fourth of eleven children in a family descended from Georgia and South Carolina. Paine faced the challenges of pioneer life and had limited formal education, yet he developed strong mathematical skills through self-study. Married in 1848, he had thirteen children and lived primarily in Greene and Christian counties. An active participant in the Civil War, he served with the Missouri State Militia and was involved in significant battles.

Biography of James Harlin Hale

James Harlin Hale, born on October 10, 1832, in Washington County, Tennessee, exemplifies determination and industriousness. A blacksmith by trade and successful farmer in Stone County, Missouri, he navigated multiple relocations throughout his life, including his marriage in 1855 to Nancy Margaret Estes. Hale served in the Civil War, attaining the rank of corporal, and was wounded and captured briefly. He was a devoted Baptist and a respected community member, leaving behind a legacy of eight children and significant contributions to his region.

Biography of W. K. Johnson

W. K. Johnson, born on September 22, 1837, in Grainger County, Tennessee, has served as an esteemed treasurer of Christian County, Missouri, noted for his dedication to public service and community welfare. After moving to Missouri in 1859, he became an influential figure, championing education and political interests, particularly as a Republican. Johnson served in the Civil War and has been an active Baptist preacher. He and his wife Nancy had ten children and are integral members of their community, with enduring family ties in the area.

Biography of Preston T. Moody

Preston T. Moody, born in 1822 in Tennessee, became a prominent farmer and stockraiser in Christian County, Missouri. His parents, Thomas and Elizabeth Moody, moved to Missouri in 1852 where they both passed away within four years. Despite limited formal education, he was well-informed and engaged in various occupations including rafting. Married to Sarah Ann Elrod, he fathered twelve children. Serving briefly in the Missouri State Militia during the Civil War, he later settled in Christian County, where he cultivated 240 acres and earned respect as a community leader.

Biography of W. G. Holland

W. G. Holland, born August 19, 1862, in Christian County, Missouri, was a prominent figure in the local milling industry. He co-founded the Sparta Roller Mill in 1891, known for its production of high-quality flour, particularly the Extra Patent and Belle of Sparta brands. Holland’s early life involved farming and various retail roles, including clerking and running a drugstore. A respected community member, he was a Democrat and a Masonic Lodge member. He and his wife, Ottie Bruton, have one daughter, Norah Ann.

Biography of Thomas Gold

Thomas Gold, born on August 12, 1819, in Tennessee, became a key figure in Stone County, Missouri, after moving there in 1866. A veteran of the Civil War, he served in the Eighth Missouri Volunteer Regiment. Gold married Mary J. Cavanaugh, with whom he had eleven children, later marrying Catherine Wright. He was a successful farmer, stockraiser, and staunch Republican. Now retired in Billings, Gold is well-regarded in both his community and church, where he has contributed to local initiatives throughout his life.

Biography of William L. Robertson

William L. Robertson, born on February 23, 1858, in Stone County, Missouri, became a prominent businessman in Christian County. After moving with his family to Greene County and then Iowa, he settled in Ozark in 1864. He received his education at Drury College before pursuing farming and later joining the family business, J. W. Robertson & Sons. Married to L. F. Crain, he had five children. Robertson is respected in the community, advocates Democratic principles, and is involved in local Masonic and church organizations.

Biography of Hon. Simeon W. Bunch

Hon. Simeon W. Bunch, born in 1832 in Simpson County, Kentucky, is a prominent farmer and community leader in Christian County, Missouri. The youngest of five siblings, he experienced pioneer life in Taney County and faced significant hardships. Bunch married Martha Jackson in 1855 and had eleven children. He engaged in various agricultural endeavors and served in several local government positions, including county assessor and state legislator. A staunch Union supporter during the Civil War, he remains active in the Missionary Baptist Church and the Masonic community.

Biography of Thomas L. Robertson

Thomas L. Robertson, born on October 26, 1856, in Stone County, dedicated his life to honorable pursuits and personal development. After attending local schools and briefly working in St. Louis, he returned to Ozark and continued his family’s business established in 1864. A graduate of Drury College, he actively participated in community affairs, held leadership roles in organizations like the Masons and G.A.R., and was politically engaged as a Democrat. He married Annie Lowing, with whom he had two children. The family is actively involved in the Christian Church.

Biographical Sketch of George Napper

George Napper, born in England about fifty-nine years ago, trained as a blacksmith and served the British Government before immigrating to the United States around 1870. After residing in Wisconsin, he settled in Christian County, Missouri, where he developed a well-managed 400-acre farm and acquired additional real estate. A dedicated businessman, he overcame initial financial challenges through hard work. Napper was first married to Mary A. Peters, who passed away in 1883, and later married Miss Brown. Their daughter is Mrs. Dr. York of Billings.

Biography of Dr. G. P. S. Brown

Dr. G. P. S. Brown, born in 1853 in Greene County, Missouri, is a distinguished physician dedicated to serving his community. He was educated in Springfield and pursued medical studies at Keokuk College and St. Louis College of Physicians and Surgeons, graduating in 1890. Dr. Brown began his practice in Ozark before establishing himself in Nixa, where he also owns a drug store and farm. A Democrat, he is actively involved in the Southwestern Medical Association and values community welfare, continuing his family’s legacy of public service.

Biography of J. S. Johnson

J. S. Johnson, a prominent figure in Ozark since 1873, hails from a distinguished Virginia family with a history of military service. Born in Indiana in 1829, he was educated and married there before moving to Missouri. A Republican and a respected community member, Johnson served as postmaster in Chadwick and Ozark and was elected mayor in 1894. He has been involved in various business ventures, currently engaged in the meat business. His family includes six children, and he is active in both local Masonic and church activities.

Biography of Harrison Haskin

Harrison Haskin, born May 13, 1862, near Kingston, Canada, has been a key figure in Ozark, Missouri, since 1888, where he established a successful harness and saddle manufacturing business. After an apprenticeship in Kansas, he began his own venture in South Haven and later expanded to Ozark, providing employment and contributing to the local economy. A Democrat and member of the I.O.O.F. lodge, Haskin is married to Flora Hart, with whom he has three children, and is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Biography of Stanford Chapman

Stanford Chapman

Stanford Chapman, born on June 3, 1825, in Tennessee, moved to Missouri with his family as a child. He became a farmer and settled near Ozark, where he worked diligently to improve his land and community. A devoted family man, Chapman married Drucilla A. Horn in 1848, and they had eight children. He served briefly as a county court judge and was active in the Democratic Party. Now retired, Chapman resides in Billings and remains engaged in local banking and Masonry.

Biography of Charles E. Purdy

Charles E. Purdy, born on April 5, 1860, in Jackson County, Illinois, is the notable mayor of Billings, Missouri. A member of a prominent family with Puritan roots, he experienced early hardships, including the loss of his mother. Educated in Illinois, Purdy entered business, opening a general store in 1884 and later becoming involved in real estate. Elected mayor in 1892, he continues to serve the city while engaging in various civic duties. He is married to Mollie Stow and they have three children.

Biography of Charles R. Fulbright

The genealogy of Charles R. Fulbright traces back to German roots, with his great-grandfather, William Fulbright, settling in Greene County, Missouri, in 1830 after moving from Tennessee. A successful farmer, he became a well-known figure among early settlers. William’s son, Ephraim R., continued the family legacy as an industrious farmer in Greene County. Charles R. Fulbright, born in 1863, established a successful hardware business in Sparta, Missouri, contributing to local politics and community. He is involved in various fraternal organizations and is recognized as a prominent citizen.

Biography of Frank Kentling

Frank Kentling, born in 1841 in North Germany, is a prominent general merchant, farmer, and stock dealer in Highlandville, Missouri. After immigrating to the U.S. in 1865, he established a successful business and served as postmaster. Kentling began with a modest capital of $350 and grew his venture into a thriving operation generating $15,000 to $20,000 annually. Married to Catherine Sherch, he had eight children and contributed significantly to the growth of Highlandville, earning respect and admiration from the community.

Biography of Arren Bray

Arren Bray, born November 15, 1835, in North Carolina, moved to Christian County, Missouri, with his family in 1840. The son of Mark Bray, a prominent citizen, Arren worked in his father’s mill after starting his own farming career. He married Ann Wrightman in 1858, and they had nine children. After several relocations due to the Civil War, he settled on his current farm in 1873, where he achieved success in farming and stockraising. Bray is an active community member and attends the Baptist Church.

Biography of William T. Lamkin

William T. Lamkin, born on June 15, 1848, in Linn County, Missouri, became a distinguished attorney and influential citizen in Christian County. He was educated in common schools and taught for eight years before pursuing law, being admitted to the bar in 1891. A Democrat and active community member, Lamkin supported temperance and served as a justice of the peace and in many public roles. He married Mary E. Perkins, and they had one daughter, Nora, who sadly passed away at sixteen. Lamkin remains an esteemed figure in local history.