R. W. CLINE. Few citizens of Missouri are more highly favored in respect to mercantile establishment-sin size, purity and general excellence of stock, etc., than Forsyth. Among the leading establishments of this kind is that conducted by R. W. Cline, which for the extent of its trade, the variety of its stock and the superiority of its goods is entitled to more than ordinary prominence and recognition. For a period of about sixteen years Mr. Cline has resided in Forsyth, and during that time he has won the esteem and respect of all. He was born in this State, Dallas County, March 23, 1858, and there grew to mature years and received his education.
After reaching mature years he turned his attention to blacksmithing and followed that for about ten years, in Springfield, whither he had moved. In 1877 he came to Forsyth, opened up a blacksmith shop, and remained in that business up to 1887, when he embarked in merchandising and has met with fair success. Industrious and enterprising, all his property has been the result of much perseverance on his part. In politics he is a Republican, and socially he is an Odd Fellow, a member of Forsyth Lodge No. 293, in which he has held office. He owns a mill, and also resident property in Forsyth. He became proprietor of the Forsyth Roller Mills, which are located on Swamp Creek, and which turn out several good brands of flour. This mill has a double set of rollers, and a corn buhr and cotton gin, and is doing a good business. Mr. Cline married Miss Martha Barker, daughter of Sampson Barker (see sketch), and four children have blessed their union: Nellie, Minnie, Lillie and Richard. Mr. Cline is a son of Isaac and Polly A. (Newport) Cline, both natives of east Tennessee. About 1852 this worthy couple moved to Dallas County, Missouri, and the father died on the farm he had entered there, in 1892. During the war he was in the Home Guards In political views he was a Republican. He made a good property, and the mother is still living on the old homestead in Dallas County. Six children were born to this couple, five of whom survive: John N., a blacksmith of Dallas County; A. N., a carpenter of that county; Mary, Mrs. Moore of Phelps, Lawrence County; R. W., our subject; Margaret died young, and James P., a blacksmith of Dallas County. The father was a blacksmith, but in connection was also engaged in farming. He was of German origin, his parents, John Cline and wife, having emigrated from the old country to North Carolina. The Newport family is of English and Irish descent.
Our subject lost his wife on the 21st of September, 1893, when thirty-four years of age, her birth occurring in Mendota, Virginia, in 1859. She remained in her native State until ten years of age and then came with her parents to Forsyth, Missouri, where she married our subject June 1, 1879. She was an excellent woman and was surrounded by warm friends.