Page:History of Southeast Missouri 1912 Volume 1.djvu/684

 606 HISTORY OF SOUTHEAST ^MISSOURI both consistent members of the Christian church. Mrs. Blanton is one of a family of seven children, but of this number only one brother, Nicholas A., a farmer in St. Fran- cois county, survives in addition to herself. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Blanton has been blessed by the birth of the following children : Beatrice is the wife of M. P. Gregory, of iladison county and the mother of two children, Helen and Corena ; Pauline died at the age of two years; Benjamin B., deputy sheriff of Iron county, is a citizen of Ironton ; Gerard, a farmer of iladison county, married Miss Belle Freeland and their two daughters are Winifred and Char- lene ; Courtright R. is at home ; Sophie is the wife of James L. Freeland, a farmer of Iron county, and their two sons are Nicholas and Josiah ; M. Deguire is at home, as are also the twin brothers, Langdou E. and James E.. and the youngest meinlier of the family, Ailsey Litia. In evidence of the zeal and energy of Mr. Blanton is the fact that his farm bad but twenty acres cleared when he bought it and at the present day some two hundred acres are under cultivation. It is one of Iron county's finest farms, is adorned T^nth a fine, commodious dwelling, and its buildings and fences are of the most substantial character. In the matter of politics IMr. Blanton has always been a Democrat, having given his suffrage to the party since his earliest voting days. He is a member of the IMa.sonic order of Blanton and exemplified its high ideals in his own living. Mrs. Blanton retains her membership in the Cbristian church of Libertyville. Saint Francois county, and the various members of this popular family en- joy high standing in the community in which their interests are centered. JiMER E. Rtce. Among the citizens of southeast IMissouri who began their careers dependent entirely on their own ability and energy and have since attained positions of influence and independence, one of the best known examples in Dunklin county is Mr. Jimer E. Rice, the banker. He is a native son of Dunklin county, where he was born March 1, 1870. He at- tended the county schools, and then entered the State Normal, where he studied part of four years. He had assistance in ouly the first year and then tauebt to earn the money for the rest of his education. After grad- uating he taught four years, and made him- self known as a reliable, intelligent young man w"orthy of larger responsibilities. He was then made deputy county collector, and after four years in that ofSce was elected by the people of the county to the office of county treasurer, and served two terms. He was a resident of Kennett practically all his life until he located in Hornersville. Buying an interest in the Bank of Horners- ville in 1908, he moved to this town and en- tered upon his duties as cashier and member of the board of directors. This bank was or- ganized by IMr. Langdou in 1901 and con- ducted as a private institution five years, being incorporated in 1906. It is one of the three banks south of Kennett, and its Inisi- ness is growing rapidly. The capital has been increased from five to ten thousand dol- lars, and in the last five years it has ac- cumulated a surplus of five thousand dol- lars. Besides his active connection with the bank, IIr. Rice is a dealer in real estate on his own account, and his investments have been very profitable. He is the owner of farm land three miles south of Hornersville and some near Kennett, and has considerable town property. All this has been the re- wards of his own efforts and business man- agement, and few citizens of the county can point to a better record of success than he. In politics he is Democratic, and was the choice of that party when he served as a count.v official. He and his family are mem- bers of the IMethodist church. South. Jlr. Rice married, June 2.3. 1895, IMiss Lil- lian J. Brower. Their children are : Nola, born in June. 1896 ; and David B.. born No- vember 19, 1907. Fraternally ilr. Rice is a member of the Ma.sonic lodge at Horners- ville. Edw.vrd W. Flentge. How difficult it is for a young man to choose the line of work he intends to follow throughout his life. What a little thing will often cause him to decide and something just as small may cause liim to change his mind. A single stone may turn the rivulet of water to the right or to the left. It is sometimes said that Providence shapes our careers. LTndoubtedly something outside of ourselves has something to do with the general direction of a man's life, but the getting on is a purely private aft'air. Each individual is fated to work out his own career. If he is qi^alified by nature he cannot be kept down ; if deficient he cannot by hook or crook be boosted up. Opposition, adversity and hard luck are powerless to