Attachments:
JOHN W JAMISON
For eighteen years John W. Jamison has been the efficient and popular
cashier of the Farmers and Manufacturers Bank of Rich Hill and his long connection
with business activity here renders it unnecessary for him to have special
introduction to the readers of this volume who reside in his section of the
state. He has many admirable social as well as business qualities and has
thereby gained a circle of friends that is almost coextensive with the circle
of his acquaintance. Indiana claims him as a native son, his birth having
occurred in Salem, that state, December 31, 1865, his parents being William G.
and Marjorie (Davis) Jamison, both of whom were born upon farms in the vicinity
of Salem. The father devoted his early life to general agricultural pursuits
and afterward became auditor of his county. He held various local offices
previous to that time and was ever found loyal to the trust reposed in him.
John W. Jamison was the second in order of birth in a family of four
children and through the period of his boyhood he attended the district schools
and also the schools of Salem, Indiana. Later he became a student in the Eikosi
Academy at Salem and in his broad educational training laid the foundation for
his later success. He was eighteen years of age when he became identified with
business interests of Rich Hill, Missouri, at which time he began driving a
delivery wagon for a grocery firm. Later he became a clerk in the store and so
continued for several years, enjoying the full respect and confidence of his
employers, whom he ably and conscientiously served. At length he retired from
that position to enter the employ of the Cowles Mercantile Company in the
capacity of clerk, continuing with that house for about two years. He was next employed
by J. L. Minor in the hardware business, remaining in that connection for four
years, when he was elected to the position of cashier of the Farmers and
Manufacturers Bank of Rich Hill. There has been no change in his business
career since that time. Through eighteen years he has faithfully served the
institution and its success may be attributed in large measure to his capability,
fairness and promptness in discharging the duties of the position. From time to
time he has made investments in lands and is now the owner of valuable property
in both Missouri and Kansas, but he devotes his entire tune to the bank and is
thoroughly familiar with every phase of the banking business.
On the I6th of January, 1883, Mr. Jamison was married to Miss Cora Zink,
who was born in Salem, Indiana, April 27, 1866, a daughter of Emanuel and Mary
(Wiseman) Zink. who were likewise natives of the Hoosier state, born near
Salem. The father followed farming and was also proprietor of the Salem Stone
Quarry, in both of which connections he conducted an extensive business. He
never sought nor desired office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon
his individual interests, in which he met with substantial success. Both he and
his wife have passed away. To Mr. and Mrs. Jamison was born one son, Winchell
W., who was born in 1884 and is now bookkeeper in the bank with his father. He
married Miss Clara Weeks, a native of Rich Hill. She is deceased [13 Apr 1914] and left one son, John Weeks,
three years of age.
Mrs. Jamison passed away April 28, 1912, at the age of forty-six years
and one day and her death was deeply deplored by all who knew her. She was a
most lovable woman, genial, good-natured and kindly and thus it was that she
was greatly endeared not only to her immediate relatives, but to all with whom
she came in contact. She was the youngest in her father's family of five sons
and four daughters and was the first to pass away. The others are: Mrs. T. B.
Ritter, Bloomington, Indiana; Mrs. C. W. Murphy: Mrs. Fred N. Clark; Dawson,
James and Grant Zink, all of Salem, Indiana: and Isaac and Lemuel Zink, of
Turon, Kansas. Mrs. Jamison was but thirteen years of age when she joined the
Christian church in Indiana in 1879. She at once took active part in its work and
became a member of the choir. It was in the Christian church in Salem, on the 16th
of January, 1883, that she gave her hand in marriage to John W. Jamison and
their wedding journey consisted of a trip to Bates county, where Mr. Jamison
has since lived, and during the period in which Mrs. Jamison remained here she
won the love of all with whom she came in contact. She was unassuming and
unostentatious in manner, possessed a jovial disposition and a generous spirit.
Her interest centered in her home, where she was a devoted wife and mother. She
was also an unselfish, sympathetic friend and at all times was generous in
thought and charitable in action. A tale of sorrow or distress made strong
appeal to her and she did everything in her power to obviate the cause thereof.
She ministered with tenderness and patience to the sick and gave assistance and
sympathy in the house of mourning. She was always among the first to assist in
church, lodge or public work of any kind and her heart went out in a helpful
spirit to the unfortunate. While undergoing medical treatment in Jefferson City
she frequently visited the penitentiary, where she would speak words of cheer
to or sing for the convicts, and at her demise J. J. Martin, chaplain of the
Missouri State Penitentiary, sent the following telegram:
"Jefferson City, Missouri, April 29th.
John W. Jamison, Rich Hill, Missouri.
My wife and daughters join me in deepest sympathy and
condolence in this, your greatest sorrow and irreparable loss. Two thousand
unfortunate prisoners who lovingly remember your wife for her sweet service of
song and kind words of sympathy are in deepest sorrow.
J. J.
Martin,
"Chaplain, Missouri
State Penitentiary."
Many other words of condolence and sympathy were received by Mr. Jamison
and his son at the death of the wife and mother.
Mr. Jamison remains a member of the Christian church, of which he has
long been a loyal representative. He is also prominent in fraternal circles,
holding membership with the Masons, Elks. Eagles, Modern Woodmen of America,
Woodmen of the World, the Odd Fellows and the United Workmen, and in the local
organization of the last named he has been treasurer for a quarter of a
century. His political support is given to the Democratic Party and in
political circles he has attained prominence and distinction. For two terms he
served as mayor of Rich Hill, where he has also filled the offices of city
assessor, clerk and treasurer. He was a member of the democratic state central
committee for two terms and in 1913 was chosen to represent his district at the
national convention of his party in Baltimore. His opinions carry weight in local
party councils and his public-spirited citizenship is above question. His life
in all of its varied phases has been honorable and upright and those who have
known him longest are those who esteem him most highly, which indicates the
worth and nobility of his career.
From:
Missouri, the Center State, 1821-1915 (Vol 4) P344-6. Walter Barlow Stevens. Pub
1915.
WILLIAM CHEVERTON.
Wallace William Cheverton has been prominently identified with farming and stock-raising interests in Bates County and now figures also in financial circles as vice president of the Commercial State Bank, of Rich Hill, Missouri. What he undertakes he accomplishes. His plans are well developed and carefully executed and his recognition of the fact that industry is the basis of all honorable success, has brought him to his present enviable position as one of the prosperous citizens of his section of the state. Of English birth, he is a native of the Isle of Wight, his natal day being October 4, 1858. His father, William Cheverton, was born on the Isle of Wight in March, 1821, and has made farming his life work. He wedded Anna [Hannah] Pryor [Prior], who was about four years his junior and who passed away in the year 1900, but Mr. Cheverton still survives. In their family were ten children.
In his boyhood days Wallace William Cheverton attended the public schools near his father's home, but at the age of sixteen bade adieu to friends and native land and sailed for the United States. He proceeded directly to Fort Scott, Kansas, where for one year [1875] he was employed by his brother. He afterward studied medicine for two years under the direction of Dr. Greening and subsequently spent three years in Dickinson and Saline counties, Kansas, devoting a part of his time to farm work and threshing. He operated a threshing machine at an expense of thirty dollars per day. In 1880 he removed to Rich Hill and for one year was employed by a brother in the butchering business. On the expiration of that period he embarked in the butchering business on his own account and for twelve years conducted business in partnership with his brother, carrying on a growing and profitable trade. Within that period he purchased land near Rich Hill. In connection with his brother he likewise engaged in the packing business. There was a financial panic that year and, afraid of the stability of the banks, the brothers deposited their money in a salt barrel in the packing-house. On withdrawing from the butchering business the brothers invested more largely in land and after buying the interest of his brother, Wallace William Cheverton operated a farm of three hundred and twenty acres as a general stock ranch, keeping a large number of hogs, cattle and horses. Again success attended his efforts. He proved himself an excellent judge of stock, making judicious investments and profitable sales. Since 1904 his son has resided upon the farm, while Mr. Cheverton has made his home in the town of Rich Hill. He is now vice president of the bank, but devotes the greater part of his time and attention to his farming and stock-raising interests.
On the 2nd of July, 1882, Mr. Cheverton was married to Miss May Potter [Patten] Greening, who was born in Madison, Illinois, May 6, 1862, a daughter of Dr. James and Francis (Stewart} Greening, natives of Kentucky and England respectively. Her father early took up the practice of medicine and also engaged in farming. Eventually he removed with his family to Fort Scott, Kansas, where he became a landowner and farmer and also practiced medicine until his death, which occurred in 1879. While a resident of Kansas he twice represented Bourbon County in the state legislature and he was active and interested in public affairs, doing much to further progress along various lines. He was likewise a minister of the Christian church and remained one of its active members up to the time of his demise, exemplifying in his life the teachings of that denomination. His wife passed away in Illinois in 1866 or 1867 at about thirty years of age.
To Mr. and Mrs. Cheverton have been born two children; Ernest William, who was born in 1883 and married Miss Ethel Williams, their home being now upon the ranch: and Gertrude, who [in 1915] is with her parents, having recently returned from Europe, [Arrived N.Y. 27th Nov 1913 on ‘Oceanic’] where she has been studying music.
Mr. Cheverton votes with the Democratic Party and while upon the ranch served as a trustee of his township and in Rich Hill has filled the office of alderman. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, the Modern Woodmen, and the Select Knights and Ladies of Honor. In his life he has displayed many sterling traits, which have won him respect and esteem. In his business dealings he has been thoroughly reliable, never taking advantage of others in his trade transactions. He holds friendship inviolable, has never been known to betray a trust and by reason of his many sterling traits has become firmly entrenched in the regard of his associates.
From: Missouri, the Center State, 1821-1915 (Vol 4) P352-3. Walter Barlow Stevens. Pub 1915.
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