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 with a farm experience in Greene County, Tennessee, attended the log schoolhouse of his native county, and farmed there until 1872. From there he went to Kansas, but one year later he came to Howell County and located near Willow Springs. He bought a good farm and resides there at the present time. During the Civil War he served in Longstreet’s command. In politics he is an ardent supporter of Democratic principles, and has held the office of justice of the peace twelve years. While a resident of Tennessee he married Miss Amanda F., daughter of James Loutrell, who died when she was a child, but who was an early settler of Tennessee, coming from North Carolina. Mrs. Hogan died in 1886. They were the parents of eleven children, all reared, and eight now living as follows: R. S., subject; David, a farmer, resides near Willow Springs; Sarah, now Mrs. Smith, of Willow Springs; John, a farmer near Willow Springs; Thomas, farming near Willow Springs; Alice, now Mrs. Daniels, of Willow Springs; Bettie and Walter at home. Three of the children died, James many years ago, and two daughters, Mary and Louie. Mary married Mr. Holliway and Louie became Mrs. Farris. R. S. Hogan was born September 1, 1852, and grew up to an active farm life.
In 1875 he began farming for himself, and was married the same year to Miss Bettie Pulliam. a native of Ripley County, Missouri, and the daughter of William Pulliam, who was a pioneer in southeast Missouri. Following their marriage our subject and wife located on a farm near Willow Springs and tilled the soil there for ten years. He met with good success as a farmer and then took a position as deputy collector in Howell County under William C. Green. In 1886 he was elected to the office of county clerk by the Democratic party, of which he has long been an ardent supporter, but he also received many votes from the Republican party. In 1890 he was reelected to the same office by a majority over the four candidates in the field. He is a very popular man in the county, and as a public servant has pleased his constituents. Mr. Hogan is vice-president of the West Plains Bank, and has been connected with it for about seven years. He is a representative man of the county and probably knows more men within its borders than any other man. He has been a master Mason since 1872, or since his twenty-first year, and has held office in the lodge. He represented the commandery and chapter in the Grand Lodge of Missouri in 1894, and is now holding the office of king in the chapter and warden in the commandery. Mr. Hogan lost his first wife in 1886. She left three children: Flora, Mary and Dick. His second marriage was with Miss Christa Minnich, of Oregon County, a daughter of Philip Minnich, who is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Hogan have three children: Edward, Jack and David.