R. V. LASATER. The American people not only travel more extensively than any other nation, but they patronize to a greater extent the numerous establishments for the hire of horses and carriages. One of the best known, most deservedly popular and liberally patronized livery stables in this city is that conducted by R. V. Lasater, a wide-awake, thorough-going business man. Mr. Lasater was born in St. Francois County, Missouri, November 28, 1858, and is a son of Reuben and Elizabeth (Govreau) Lasater.
The father was born in Tennessee, and when but a boy came to Missouri. About 1868 he located in Howell County, at West Plains, and became the owner of a large farm on which a considerable portion of the city now stands. Farming was his principal occupation in life, but he was public-spirited and progressive and was holding the office of sheriff and collector at the time of his death, which occurred in West Plains in 1874. He served in the Union Army all through the Civil War, was in many hard-fought battles, and was one of the best of soldiers. Politically he was a Republican and socially a Mason. He gave the Oak Grove to both lodges. Mr. Lasater was a man of considerable means and a good, law-abiding citizen. He was a good judge of fine horses and made a business of raising fine animals. No man was more highly esteemed than he, for he had the happy faculty of making friends wherever he went. The farm he owned is now in city lots, and is the handsomest part of West Plains. Mr. Lasater was about sixty years of age at the time of his death. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. Lasater is still living in West Plains. She was born in St. Genevieve County, Missouri, and was the daughter of Charles Govreau. By her marriage she became the mother of twelve children, six daughters and six sons, as follows: Frank, living on a farm in Oregon County, Missouri; John, a farmer in the same county; Mollie, wife of Gideon Thomas, of the West Plains planing mill; Clara, was wife of William Bollind, of West Plains; Julia, wife of Daniel Galloway; Reuben V., subject; George, who died when twenty-three years of age; Joseph, who is running a stock farm in Howell County; Marion, also a farmer; Addie, the wife of Charles Brown, of Illinois; Jennie, single, at home; and Lillie, single.
R. V. Lasater comes from one of the old and prominent Missouri families. He passed his school days in West Plains, and received his primary education in the first school building erected in the city. This was a log building but his educational advantages were limited, as he only attended about six months. In 1885 he began business in the livery stable he now owns, and later he sold out, but in 1891 purchased it again. He is now in business with his father-in-law, Mr. Henry, and is manager. The barn is a well-regulated one and the leading one in the city. Mr. Lasater is a member of the K. of P., the subordinate and uniform ranks and the – Lodge. He married Miss Alice Henry, and five children have been given them: Gertrude, Ruby, Jess M., Effie and Samuel. Mrs. Lasater is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics Mr. Lasater is a stanch Republican, and he is a public-spirited, successful young business man.