CHAPTER XXVII (Part 80)
BIOGRAPHICAL
J. H. Nuckles - Every town not only in Missouri but elsewhere depends for its success upon the energy, capability and enterprise of certain men. One of the leading industries not only of Urich but of other towns in Missouri too numerous to mention is the Hurley Lumber Company, and wherever the Hurley Lumber Company is found is a recognized factor in the commercial and industrial development of that locality. Their business at Urich is no exception, unless of the possibility of it being above the standard. J. H. Nuckles, who represents the Hurley Lumber Company here, is a native of Missouri. He was born in Bates County in 1866 and is a son of J. B. Nuckles, an early settler of western Missouri, who is a native of that part of Virginia which is now West Virginia. The father was engaged in farming and stock raising in Bates County until 1887. He then went to Appleton City, Missouri, where for four years, he was engaged in the lumber business. He then removed to Brownington and for four years, was engaged in a similar enterprise. He then went to Urich, took charge of the Hurley Lumber Company's local affairs, representing them until 1890. A few years after that, he retired. He died in 1907. He was a man well known in this locality, prominent in lodge circles, being a member of the Masonic Lodge and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His wife survived him until June 29, 1915, when she too passed to the great beyond.
They were the parents of the following children: Mrs. Minnie Curran; Mrs. Libbie Garrison, deceased; John H., the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Minta Blanchard, Dallas, Texas; J. R., Osceola, Missouri; Fannie Fraley, Vogue, Kansas; T. O., Creighton, Missouri; Mrs. Nessie Littlejohn, Meyronne, Canada; and two who died in infancy.
J. H. Nuckles was united in marriage in June, 1892, with Miss Anna Scarife, a daughter of Thomas B. and Mary Ann (Kent) Scarife, both natives of England, and now reside at Monticello, Nebraska. To J. H. Nuckles and wife have been born the following children: Kent B., Evelyn, Madge, John Raymond and Shirley N.
Mr. Nuckles affiliates fraternally with the time honored Masonic Lodge and also holds membership with the Modern Woodmen of America. He and his family are progressive members of the community and the kind of citizens that are worthwhile.
George M. Stout - The Stout stock farm in the southwestern part of Fairview township is admirably adapted for the purpose of raising large numbers of live stock. This farm consists of 480 acres in one body, well equipped with good buildings, the large farm residence of nine rooms being located on a high point of land which overlooks the entire ranch.
Although Mr. Stout has been in possession of this splendid place for but a short period of nine years, he has the place well fenced and in fine condition, and is constantly making improvements. In addition to the stock farm, Mr. Stout owns a finely improved tract of 160 acres which he has recently purchased and which is situated near the town of Deepwater, where he intends to make his home in the near future. The Stout farm is endowed with rich pasturage and is well watered with a flowing stream.
Mr. Stout keeps from 150 to 200 head of cattle on the place each year and during the winter of 1917-1918, he fed 100 head of prime cattle for the markets. He also raises over 300 head of hogs annually. During the past spring and summer, he has completed the erection of a new barn 40x50 feet in dimension, all of the work being done by himself and his sons. The entire farm is fenced with the best of woven wire fencing material and shows all the ear marks of a progressive farmer and stockman. Mr. Stout is also engaged in the buying and shipping of grain at Deepwater.
George M. Stout was born June 2, 1866, in Tazewell County, Illinois, near the city of Pekin, and is the son of George W. and Eliza Bailey Stout, natives of Licking County, Ohio. Each went to Tazewell County, Illinois, with their parents in the early pioneer days and were there married.
George W. Stout was a soldier in the Union Army and served during the Civil War. He enlisted in an Illinois regiment of volunteer infantry and fought throughout the conflict. He died in 1906, only lacking seventeen days of attaining the age of ninety. Eliza Stout, his wife, died in 1907, aged seventy-five years. They were parents of ten children, seven of whom are living: Benjamin C, Nevada, Missouri; John H., Guymond, Oklahoma; Amos, Burlington, Iowa; Mrs. Maggie Lux, Parsons, Kansas; Mrs. Sarah J. Pierce, Pratt, Kansas; Mrs. Clarinfla B. McNett, Nevada, Missouri; George M., subject of this review. George W. Stout removed to Missouri from Illinois in 1881 and settled at Shelbina, Missouri, where both he and his wife died and are buried in the Shelbina Cemetery.
George M. Stout followed agricultural pursuits in Shelby County, Missouri, until 1909, when he came to Henry County, and purchased his large farm of 480 acres. In the spring of 1918, he bought a finely improved place of 160 acres near Deepwater in Fairview township.
George M. Stout was married in 1893 to Miss Emma Thomas, who was born January 27, 1877, in Adams County, Illinois, the daughter of William and Frances (Kessler) Thomas, who located in Shelbina, Missouri. Ten children have been born to George M. and Emma Stout, as follows: Ruth, born November 1, 1893; Roy, born August 26, 1896; Retha, born December 27, 1897; Ralph, born May 30, 1899; Russell, born August 16, 1901; Reason, born August 27, 1903; Ruby, born August 16, 1905; Rachel, born December 30, 1909; Edith Reva, born September 20, 1912; Reta, born July 12, 1915. Ruth Stout married Frank Davis, who resides on a farm one mile south of the Stout homestead, and has two children, Georgia and Lola. Retha married Burt McGhuey and lives in Iowa, has one child. Alberta.
During the past season of 1918, Mr. Stout has harvested 150 acres of wheat which yielded 18.5 bushels to the acre. He has harvested forty acres of oats which yield 26.5 bushels to the acre. Fifty acres of corn are in fine growing condition and promise a great yield.
Mr. Stout is a Democrat and he generally takes a warm interest in matters political and civil. For the past nine years, he has served as school director of his district. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, while Mrs. Stout and the children are Baptists.
Julius H. Schweer, assistant cashier of the Bank of Blairstown, is a native of Missouri and belongs to a pioneer family of this State. Mr. Schweer was born in Franklin County, January 24, 1862, a son of John H. and Katherine E. (Horstman) Schweer, both natives of Germany. The father came to America to escape the military system of Germany, and, for many years, was engaged in the mercantile business at Shotwell, Franklin County. He was prominently identified with that section and held the office of postmaster, justice of the peace and other positions of trust. He died in 1899 and his wife passed away two years later, and their remains are buried in the cemetery at Windsor. The following children were born to John H. and Katherine E. (Horstman) Schweer: Mrs. Elizzie Henneke, Gerald, Missouri; Mrs. Emma Steineker, Gerald, Missouri; Mrs. Carrie Martin, Johnson County, Missouri; G. W., Clinton, Missouri; Julius. H., the subject of this sketch; John W., died at the age of fifty-two years; Mrs. Kate A. Farrar, Windsor, Missouri; Henry A., Jamesport, Missouri; George H., Hot Springs, Arkansas.
Julius H. Schweer was educated in the public schools of Franklin County, and succeeded his father in the mercantile business at Shotwell, where he remained until 1892. He then came to Blairstown, continuing the mercantile business there until 1901, when he entered the employ of the Bank of Blairstown as assistant cashier, which position he still holds.
The Bank of Blairstown was organized in 1891 with the following officers, G. R. Hindman, president; R. O. Atkins, vice-president, and H. R. McCutcheon, cashier. The capital stock was $10,000, the same as it is now. The present officers of the bank are: R. O. Atkins, president; J. C. McCalmon, vice-president; W. R. Phipps, cashier, and Julius H. Schweer, assistant cashier. The surplus and profits are $15,000 and present deposits about $130,000.
Mr. Schweer was married September 29, 1887, to Miss Dora E. Roedder of Franklin County, Missouri. She is a daughter of John F. and Margaret (Rapps) Roedder, both now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Schweer have been born three children: William, died in infancy, and Otto F., born in Franklin County April 20, 1891.
He received his education in Blairstown High School and the Clinton High School and is a graduate of the Missouri Valley College at Marshall, Missouri, and is now serving in the United States Army as quartermaster sergeant; and Ida D., a graduate of the Clinton High School and a member of the class of 1918 of the Warrensburg State Normal School; resides at home with her parents.
Mr. Schweer is a member of the Masonic Lodge and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is one of the substantial men of Henry County, and the Schweer family stands high in the community. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church and a Republican in politics.
W. R. Phipps, a well known banker and financier of Blairstown, Missouri, cashier of the Bank of Blairstown, is a native son of Missouri and comes from a pioneer family of this State. Mr. Phipps was born in Johnson County January 5, 1869, and is a son of David and Cornelia J. (Wall) Phipps. The mother was a daughter of Dr. R. Z. R. Wall, one of the very early pioneer doctors of Johnson County, who located in Chilhowee township in 1839, and had much to do with the early history of Johnson County, not only from the standpoint of a physician, but a pioneer settler and citizen, who had a great influence in molding the sentiments and shaping the destiny of western Missouri in the early days. David Phipps, father of W. R. Phipps, settled in Johnson County, Missouri, in 1866. He came from Indiana and was a potent factor in the early history of Chilhowee township, Johnson County. After a well spent and useful life, he died here in 1888, and his widow now resides in Chilhowee township, Johnson County.
They were the parents of the following children: Mrs. Ida Rice, Chilhowee township, Johnson County; W. R., the subject of this sketch; Oscar D., Rose Hill township, Johnson County, Missouri; Josie, died in 1894; Walter, lives in Chilhowee township, Johnson County; Albert, died in 1901, and Harry, who is engaged in the mercantile business at Denton, Missouri.
W. R. Phipps received his education in the public schools and took a course in the business college at Sedalia. In 1889, he engaged in the hardware business at Blairstown, and continued in that line of mercantile enterprise for about two years. In 1893, Mr. Phipps became assistant cashier of the Bank of Blairstown and in 1901, became cashier, a position which he has since held. Mr. Phipps has had a long and varied experience in the banking world, and possesses the requisite qualifications of a successful banker. He is conservative enough for safety and progressive enough for all purposes of modern banking. For a number of years, he has been a student of the difficult problems of finance and banking, and his idea of a modern, successful bank is an institution that is big enough to accommodate its customers and not too big to appreciate them. There is a lesson in banking for the average banker in Mr. Phipps' philosophy.
Mr, Phipps was married in January, 1899, to Miss Mary L. Orr, a daughter of Rev. Z. T. Orr, formerly of Blairstown, now of Lock Springs, Missouri. Her father was a prominent Presbyterian divine and her mother is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Phipps have an adopted child, Martha. Mr. Phipps is a member of the Masonic Lodge and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is prominent in Henry County and he and Mrs. Phipps rank among the leading people of their community. He is an elder in the Presbyterian Church at Blairstown, Missouri.
