Page:History of Southeast Missouri 1912 Volume 1.djvu/670

 596 HISTORY OF SOUTHEAST MISSOURI family is one which has been identified with the state for many years, the birth of the subject "s father, William Alfred Johns, hav- ing occurred in Robertsville, Franklin county, Missouri, in the year 1839. The earlj^ life of the elder gentleman was spent on his fa- ther's farm and he received his education in the common schools. He adopted agricul- ture as his own vocation and was thus en- gaged throughout the course of his useful and active life. At the time of the Civil war he was a member of the state militia and at the termination of the great contliet he again took up farming. The sub.ject's motlier was Mary Ann Sullens, of Penton, Jefferson county, Missouri, daughter of Isaac Sullens, a farmer and Methodist circuit rider. To this union, which occurred in 1861, nine children were born, William Leslie being the sixth in order of birth. The father passed on to his reward in 1877, but his devoted wife and helpmeet has survived him for more than a generation and is still living, her resi- dence being maintained at Grubville, Jeffer- son county, Missouri. The father was in his political conviction an adherent of the poli- cies and principles of the "Grand Old Party" and his religious faith was that of the Methodist Episcopal church. His lodge relations extend to the time-honored Masonic order. The early life of William L. Johns was passed on his father's farm in Jefferson county and in youth he had the u.sual oppor- tunity of the farmer's son to become familiar with the many sti'enuous duties of farm life. He attended the public schools and having come to the conclusion to become an instruc- tor, he entered the Cape Girardeau Normal School and was graduated from that institu- tion in 1907, with the degree of B. P. D. His first work in the pedagogical profession was as a teacher in the country schools, and this was of seven years' duration. For three and one-half years he was principal of the DeSoto grammar schools and, recommended by his excellent work at that point, he was called to Flat River, where in the capacity of superintendant of schools he has given the utmost satisfaction. The Flat River .schools are fully accredited and a diploma received from the high school admits without further ado to the state university. Profos.sor Johns laid the foundation of a happy and cultured household when, in 1897, he was united to Emma Cole, of Blackwell, Jefferson county, daughter of Joshua and Anne Cole, the former a well-known farmer of Jefferson county. Mr. and Mrs. Johns share their pleasant home with two young sons, — Delos Cole .and Burdette Thei-on. In his political adherence Professor Johns is aligned with what its loyal admirers are pleased to call the "Grand Old Party;" he is a Baptist in his religious affiliation, and his lodge relationship is extended to the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows. Roy Stone IMaelcw. Among the leading young citizens of DeSoto must assuredly be mentioned Professor Roy Stone Marlow, su- perintendent of the iMoorhazl Commercial College of this place. He has been a promi- nent factor in educational work of this sec- tion of southeastern ^Missouri since his grad- uation from college, having been a teacher in the public schools of IIontgomery county for five years previous to preparing himself for the duties of his present responsible position as the head of one of the noted Moorhart chain of colleges. His success in preparing young men and women for positions of a com- mercial character has been remarkable, and in addition to his professional ability he is esteemed as a good citizen and popular mem- ber of society. Professor ilarlow was born in Martins- burg, ilissouri, June 7, 1882. He is the son of W. H. Marlow, who was born December 9, 1851, at LaGrange, Missouri. The latter 's mother died when he was but a few months old and he was reared to the age of twelve years by two aunts. At about that time his father met his death in the Civil war. He had married again and had a family of small children, but young Marlow, although only a boy himself, returned to his father's home to manage the farm, and there he remained un- til he attained his majorit.v. He then re- moved to a farm in Callaway county and there, when about twenty-seven, established a home of his own b.y marriage. Miss Laura Peery becoming his wife. 'Three children were born to them, namely: Thomas, Roy S. and Ora Elizabeth. Some years later the father went into the hotel business at ]Iar- tinsburg, ^Missouri, and he remained there until four years prior to his demise. The last five years of his life were spent in retire- ment at Montgomery City, Missouri, and he died, univei-sally regretted, in 1908. He was a loyal and consistent Democrat, having given