Page:History of Southeast Missouri 1912 Volume 1.djvu/628

 566 HISTORY OF SOUTHEAST MISSOURI in his operations iu the handling of realty of all kinds. The company with which he is now identified has built up a large and im- portant business, the ramifications of which extend throughout the various counties of southeastern Missouri, and he is showing marked circumspection and discrimnation in the adminstration of its affairs, the while his sterling character and correct methods have gained to him the implicit confidence of those with whom he has had dealings. He is pro- gressive, alert and aggressive as a business man, and as a citizen is loyal and public- spirited. A man of broad mental ken, and of genial personality, he has gained a wide cir- cle of friends in this section of the state, and has a secure place in the esteem of all who know him. In politics Mr. Bowman accords a staunch allegiance to the cause of the Democratic party and he takes a broad-minded interest in public affairs, especially those of local or- der. He is affiliated with Cape Girardeau Lodge, No. 639, Benevolent & Protective Or- der of Elks, and for two years has been secre- tary of the Commercial Club of Cape Girar- deau. In religion he is a Methodist. Mr. Bowman still remains in the ranks of eligible bachelors and is a popular factor in both Dusiness and social circles in his home city. William Lee Barrett. In the many im- portant lines in which southeastern Missouri has made great strides in the past decade, none is more noteworthy than that of educa- tion, and one of the chief factors in the at- tainment of this supreme benefit is Profes- sor William Lee Barrett, superintendent of the schools of Poplar Bluff, Missouri. He is by no means one content with "letting well enough alone," but is a constant stu- dent of the best educational methods and has succeeded in keeping abreast of the most modern and enlightened thought and im- pressing this upon the schools in his charge. Mr. Barrett was born near Nevada, Story county, Iowa, December 27, 1870, the son of John Thomas and Margaret (Seabold) Bar- rett. He was one of a family of two chil- dren, his only brother, Jesse Cross Barrett, living at Poplar Bluff, ]Iissouri. He spent his youth in his native county, receiving his preliminary education in the district schools and subsequently matriculating at Drake University, from which institution he was graduated in 1895 with the degree of Bach- elor of Scientific Didactics. Sir. Barrett taught in the district schools of Ringgold county, Iowa, for three years, and iu 1893 assumed the principalship of the Primrose, Iowa, public schools, in which posi- tion he continued until elected superintend- ent of the Birmingham, Iowa, schools in 1896. In 1899 he was chosen principal of the Fort Madison (Iowa) high school, building up one of the most remarkable secondary schools in the state, and continued in that capacity until elected to his present position in 1905, having successfully served in the ensu- ing six years as superintendent of the Poplar Bluff schools. He is well and favorably known not only in this part of the state, but in those sections of Iowa in which he has lived and la- bored as a particularly enlightened instructor and one who ever makes it his object to keep the highest ideals constantly before the mind of the student. He is one of whom it ma.y be said that he was born as well as made to the high calling to which he has chosen to devote his life. Mr. Barrett has taught in summer normals and institutes for years and attends regu- larly the district, state and many of the na- tional educational associations. He is at the present time a memlier of the state educa- tional council and also of the executive com- mittee of the State Teachers' Association. Mr. Barrett is a member of the Christian chui'ch, and is one of the most valued and useful of its members, serving at the pres- ent time as Bible school superintendent and member of the church board. He is a loj'al iIason and exemplifies in his life those ideals of moral and social justice and brotherly love for which the order stands. He is a member of several of the Slasonic orders and has served in several official capacities. He belongs to the R. R. Y. M. C. A. and is at the present time a member of the local board of directors. Mr. Barrett established a happy household by his maiTiage. on August 11, 1902, to Bertha E. Lightfoot, of Fort ]Iadison, Iowa, their two young sons, John Willis and Paul Burdette, having been born September 4, 1909, and May 30, 1911, respectively. Profes- sor and Mrs. Barrett are highly esteemed members of society and play a useful part in the many-sided life of the community to whose interests they are signally loyal. William L. Tucker. Talented and cul- tured, William L. Tucker, of Bloomfield, pro-