Page:History of Southeast Missouri 1912 Volume 1.djvu/735

 HISTORY OF SOUTHEAST MISSOURI 645 nigan) Elvins and a grandson of William Elvins, who was a native of England, a clock- maker by trade and the founder of the fam- ily in America. In the year 1840 Moses Elvins established his home in Farmington, St. Francois county, Missouri, and here he continued to reside until his death. He be- came one of the prosjierous fanners of the county and also had other interests of im- portant order. He was a man of the most inflexible integrity and ever commanded the confidence and esteem of his fellow men. His wife survived him by a number of years. Jesse M. Elvins was reared and educated in his native county aud as a youth he served an apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade, to which he continued to devote his attention, as a contractor and builder, for many years, within which he contributed materially to the upbuilding of various towns aud villages in the county, as did he also through his various real-estate operations, which reached wide scope. He had much to do with the development of the lead industry in this dis- trict and was the virtual founder of the pres- ent fine little city which perpetuates his name. He supervised the construction of the lead mills at Bonne Terre and Doe Run and was known as a business man of ability, enterprise aud scrupulous integrity. His progressive policies and thorough business methods enabled him to achieve large and worthy success in connection with his va- rious undertakings, and no citizen in the county commanded more secure vantage ground in popular confidence and esteem. He was signally true and lo.yal in all the relations of life and his name merits an enduring place of honor on the roster of those who have contributed in conspicuous measure to the development and prosperity of his native county, within whose gracious borders his entire life was passed. He was aligned as a staunch supporter of the cause of the Republican party and was admirably fortified in his opinions as to matters of public import. In the year 1861 was solemnized the mar- riage of Mr. Elvins to jMiss Zelma Politte, a representative of one of the old and dis- tinguished French families of Missouri. IIrs. Elvins, a Avouian of most gracious and gentle personality, was summoned to eternal rest on the 5th of January, 1885, secure in the affectionate regard of all who had come within the sphere of her influence. Of the seven children of this union three died in infancy and Rice, the fourth in order of birth, died in 1899. The surviving children are Linn, William and Politte, and concern- ing the last mentioned specific record is. given on succeeding pages of this work. The loved wife and mother was a devout com- municant of the Catholic church and her life was marked by kindly words and gen- erous deeds. On the 11th of December, 1888, Jesse M. Elvins contracted a second mar- riage, by his union with Miss Elizabeth Meh- ring, who survives him, as does also the younger of their two children, Charles Par- sons Elvins. The ekier son, Jesse Pierce, died at the age of five years. Measured by its rectitude, its strength and its definite accomplishment, the life of Jesse M. Elvins counted for much, and his name will be held in lasting honor in the county which ever represented his home aud the center of his varied interests. Hon. Politte Elvins is engaged in the practice of law and the banking business in the city of Elvins, St. Francois county. A staunch and active Republican, he repre- sented the thirteenth congressional district in the sixty-first congress of the United States, in which he made an admirable record and in which he had the distinction of being the youngest member. Mr. Elvins was born at French Village, St. Francois county, Slissouri, on the 16th of March, 1878, and is the youngest of the three surviving children of Jesse M. and Zelma (Politte) Elvins. On preceding pages of this publication is entered a memoir to his honored father, and the family data incor- porated in said article are such as to render it innecessary to repeat the same in the present sketch. Mr. Elvins is indebted to the public schools of his native county for his early educational discipline, which was supplemented by a course in Carlton College and the University of IMissouri, at Columbia, from which he received the degree of Bache- lor of Laws in 1899, being forthwith admitted to the bar. On the 25th of November, 1901, he was married to Miss Florence Kells, of Arcadia, Jlissouri. Mr. aud Mrs. Elvins are popular factors in the social activities of the com- munity and their pleasant home is known for its generous hospitality.