Biography of James Chilton

JAMES CHILTON. This descendant of one of the most prominent families of Shannon County first saw the light of day on the old homestead near Eminence, his birth occurring April 3, 1854. He was but about eight years of age when his father was killed, and he attended the schools in the county until fifteen years of age. After this he commenced farming for himself and has continued this occupation up to the present time. He bought a farm near where his brother Perry now lives, 200 acres, and this he improved and resided on for some time. From there … Read more

Biography of Joseph Voohers

JOSEPH VOOHERS. In reviewing the leading industries of the town of Willow Springs, the mercantile interests claim special attention. Mr. Joseph Voohers, one of the leading merchants of the place, is esteemed on all sides for his enterprise and just methods, and has many warm friends. He is a native of Missouri, born January 24, 1853. The son of Dr. James B. Voohers, who was an early pioneer of Missouri. The Doctor was born in the Buckeye State, and practiced his profession many years in Springfield, Illinois, Booneville, Missouri, and St. Louis. His death occurred in 1855. Our subject received … Read more

Biography of Elisha E. Frazier

ELISHA E. FRAZIER, the subject of this sketch is one of the prominent farmers and stockraisers of Lincoln Township. He is the son of Dr. Lorenzo Lowe and Hannah (Bryant) Frazier, natives probably of North Carolina and Tennessee, respectively, the former born July 11, 1819, and the latter March 3, 1821. When a boy Dr. Frazier went with his parents to Tennessee, and received a moderate education, but a rather liberal one for that day. On the 9th of July, 1839, he was married to Miss Bryant and later emigrated to Missouri, where he taught school for some time. He … Read more

Biography of S. J. Holt

S. J. HOLT. S. J. Holt, manager of the West Plains Electric Light Company, of which Holt & Fallett are the proprietors, is one of the most successful and prominent business men in the city. The above mentioned business was established in 1889. This company is running the city lights and is doing a milling business, in all about $20,000 per year. Mr. Holt is a native of Grand Rapids, Mich., and his father being a prominent saw mill man, our subject grew up in that business. He became interested in a saw mill at that place, but left there … Read more

Biography of J. W. Garman

J. W. GARMAN. This gentleman, who is the most efficient cashier of the Citizen’s Bank of Willow Springs, Howell County, Missouri, is a native of Summit County, Ohio, born in the city of Akron, June 30, 1858. His father, Daniel K. Garnan, was a native of the Keystone State, but died in Summit County, Ohio, about 1888. He was a contractor by occupation. Our subject was one of nine children, and four of his brothers are farmers in the Buckeye State. J. W. Garman passed his early life in Akron, and attended the schools both at Smithville in Wayne County, … Read more

Biography of Judge James Orchard

The judges of the various courts established in Howell County have always been noted for their character and ability, and one of the most popular of the many worthy men elevated to the bench in the history of the county’s jurisprudence is Judge James Orchard, attorney at law at West Plains, where he has made his home for the past few years. Judge Orchard was born in Shannon County, Missouri, October 24, 1850, to the union of Jesse and Alcey (McCormack) Orchard. Jesse Orchard was a native Kentuckian, and the son of a Scotchman, who came to this country many … Read more

Biography of Hon. Pleasant N. Gulley

HON. PLEASANT N. GULLEY. This worthy representative of a successful, thoroughgoing and industrious Missouri farmer and stockraiser came originally from Hawkins County, Tennessee, where he was born in 1824. His parents, Lewis and Jane (Rolin) Gulley, were born in the Old Carolina State about 1784 and 1786, respectively, where they were reared and married, after which they moved to Tennessee and entered land in Hawkins County, and on that land spent the rest of their lives, dying in 1849 and 1833, respectively. They were Methodists, and the father was a soldier in the War of 1812 under Gen. Jackson. He … Read more

Biography of J. A. Truex

J. A. TRUEX, editor of the Journal and postmaster of West Plains, was a native of the Buckeye State,and was born in Marion County, November,6, 1843. The Truex family is of Dutch origin and an old Colonial one. The father of our subject, Benjamin Truex, was a native of Pennsylvania, and a farmer and carpenter. He raised a family of eight children, of whom our subject was third in order of birth. The latter grew to mature years in his native country, received his primary education in the schools of the same, and subsequently entered the High School at Goshen, … Read more

Biography of Rev. Thomas Wright Carpenter

REV. THOMAS WRIGHT CARPENTER. This earnest and effective worker in the cause of Christianity is a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, but is none the less a successful and enterprising farmer of Howell Valley, Howell County, Missouri He was born in Scott County, Missouri, in 1824. A son of Cyrus and Nancy (Davis) Carpenter, natives of Virginia and Tennessee, respectively, but who came to southeast Missouri in 1811, when young, and there experienced the earthquake shock of that period. They married in what is now Scott County, where they spent the rest of their lives, the father dying … Read more

Biography of H. M. Watchorn

H. M. WATCHORN. Among the most noted and enterprising men of the flourishing city of Willow Springs, Missouri, stands the name of H. M. Watchorn, the most efficient and capable mayor of the same. He has made his home in this city since 1883, and during that time his name has been inseparably linked with its progress and development. He is a native of the Emerald Isle, born May 27, 1862, and there grew to mature years and received a part of his education. He came to America with his father, Thomas Watchorn, who is now living on a farm … Read more

Biography of James A. Ferguson

JAMES A. FERGUSON. This prominent citizen, who is a member of the firm of Ferguson, Lucas & Kennedy, of Willow Springs, and president of the Willow Springs Bank, has been a resident of this city and vicinity since 1871. He was born in Greene County, Tennessee, May 9, 1851, and is a son of William M. and Elizabeth (Hogan) Ferguson, both natives of Tennessee. The grandfather, Alexander Ferguson, was a native of Virginia, but at an early date came to Tennessee. Some of the early members of this family served in the Revolutionary War. The father of our subject came … Read more

Biography of J. B. Thomas

J. B. THOMAS. There is no enterprise of equal importance in Howell County, Missouri, than that of insurance. Among those engaged in this business is our subject, J. B. Thomas, one of the representative men of Willow Springs and abstracter and notary public of that city. Mr. Thomas came from southern Iowa and has made his home in Willow Springs for the past five years. He is a native Kentuckian, born in Mason County August 27, 1859, and his father, James C. Thomas, is farming in that county at the present time. The latter is also a native of that … Read more

Biography of R. S. Hogan

R. S. HOGAN. No man in West Plains is more respected and liked than R. S. Hogan, who has achieved distinction in politics, and who has made a name for himself as a public-spirited citizen and a promoter of new enterprises. Greene County, Tennessee, was the birthplace of Mr. Hogan, as it was also of his parents, James H. and Amanda F . (Loutrell) Hogan. James H. Hogan was the son of Hiram Hogan, who came from Ireland to this country at an early day, and died when his son James was but four years old. The latter grew up … Read more

Phillips, Ila Marie Stephenson Mrs. – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Ila Marie Phillips, 71, of Prineville, a former Baker City resident, died Nov. 19, 2004, at her home. Her memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the upstairs room at the Veterans Club in Prineville. Mrs. Phillips was born on Jan. 8, 1933, at West Plains, Mo., to Claude and Ila Stephenson. Soon after her birth, the family moved to Prineville where she spent most of her life. Along the way she met the love of her life, Allen Phillips. They were married at Reno, Nev., and together they raised a family. They lived in … Read more

Biography of Marcus E. Benson

MARCUS E. BENSON, manufacturer and lumber dealer of West Plains, Missouri, like many of the prominent and successful business men of the town, was reared to farm life and there learned habits of industry and energy that have remained with him thus far through life. He was born September 15, 1856, and his parents,J. R. and Julia (Jones) Benson, were natives, respectively, of Vermont and New York. Grandfather Benson was in the battle of Lundy’s Lane. The father of our subject moved to Michigan at an early date, but in 1865 came to this State, and settled in Monroe County, … Read more

Biography of John W. Garrett

JOHN W. GARRETT. Howell County, Missouri, is fortunate in her farmers and stockmen, who are, almost without exception, men of energy, thrift and enterprise, and prominent among these is John W. Garrett, who is a native of Overton County, Tennessee, where he first saw the light in 1845. His parents, Jacob and Mary (Chapin) Garrett, were also born in that county, the former in 1819 and the latter in 1821, and were married in the State of their birth. In 1852 the family came by wagon to what is now Howell County and entered a tract of land, which now … Read more

Biography of M. B. Clarke

M. B. CLARKE. M. B. Clarke, cashier of the West Plains Bank, is one of the capable and practical business men of the place and his name is synonymous for integrity and good judgment. The bank, of which he is the most efficient cashier, was incorporated in 1883 with a capital stock of $15,000, and the officers were: B. F. Olden, president, and Joseph L. Thomas, cashier. The capital stock in 1890 was increased to $50,000 and the present officers elected. In 1889 Mr. M. B. Clarke was elected cashier, and after serving two years again took the position March … Read more

Biography of Daniel Jefferson Lance

DANIEL JEFFERSON LANCE. The parents of our subject, Anthony and Rosina (Simeral) Lance, were natives of Tennessee, and in that State celebrated their nuptials. Previous to the birth of our subject they moved to Missouri and were pioneers in that State. The father put up the first wagon shop in the town of Fredericktown, Madison County, and entered upon his career as a wagonmaker. He worked at that and farming until his death, which occurred before the war. He was successful in his different occupations and amassed a comfortable competence. After the death of the mother of our subject Mr. … Read more

Biography of David M. James

DAVID M. JAMES. There are few features of business enterprise which contribute a larger quota to the convenience of the residential and transient public than the well-appointed livery stable, and a valuable acquisition to the town of West Plains, Missouri, is the establishment of this kind owned and conducted by David M. James. This gentleman owes his nativity to Henry County, Kentucky, where he was born in 1833, a son of Dr. Beverly W. and Matilda (Day) James, natives of the old State of Virginia and Kentucky, respectively. When a young man Dr. James removed to Kentucky and was there … Read more

Biography of John Thomas Pool

JOHN THOMAS POOL. This successful farmer and stock dealer of Howell County, Missouri, owes his nativity to Humphreys County, Tennessee, where he first saw the light in 1833. His parents, Joel and Sarah Ann (Thomas) Pool, were worthy people, and the father died in Humphreys County, Tennessee, before the subject of this sketch was born. When he was about one year old, he was brought by his mother to Howell County, Missouri, after her marriage with Matthew A. McCammon, and in this section the rest of their lives were spent. They died some years after the close of the Civil … Read more