Page:History of Southeast Missouri 1912 Volume 1.djvu/780

 678 HISTORY OF SOUTHEAST MISSOURI horses, mules, cattle, sheep and hogs; also com, grass, Kaffir corn and cow peas, thus utilizing all of his farm. He is regarded as one of the most enterpi-isiug, progressive farmers in his section of the country. In 1890 Mr. Farnsworth married Miss Florence Redford, born March 6, 1872, the daughter of W. W. and ]Iary E. (Rutledge) Redford, of Henry county, Missouri, and they now have a family of three children,— Nellie P., born in 1891, married to J. W. Gib- son, of Johnson county ; Cvrus Paul, born in 1894 ; William Ernest, born in 1898. Mr. and Mrs. Fai-nsworth lost two children by death, one, Archeles Earl, the twin brother of Wil- liam Ernest, dying at four and one-half months and Albert Clyde, died at seven weeks. Mr. Farnsworth is a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and both he and Mrs. Farnsworth are members of the Mis- sionary Baptist church. He is a devout Chris- tian worker and consistently religious in his every day life. E. Baker. It is the lot of some men to be born great, while others have to achieve great- ness, and Mr. E. Baker of Senath, was clearly destined to be the architect of his own for- tune. He began life for himself on a low rung of the ladder of attainments, but by sturdy industry, untiring energy and a diligent use of his faculties and opportunities has met with well deserved success in his agricultural operations, his large farm being one of the best cultivated and most productive of any in the vicinity. Born in Pontotoc county. Mis- sissippi, December 9, 1853, he there lived on his father's farm for ten years, having no educational advantages whatever. AAHien ten years old lie accompanied his parents to Tennessee, and from that time un- til attaining his ma.jority he assisted his father on the home farm. In 1874 his pare.nts came to ilissouri, Imt after a year's residence in this state they moved to Texas. Jlr. Baker remained in Dunklin county when his parents settled in Texas, and although he had no capital, with the exception of thirteen dollars in cash and a Texas pony, he bought sixty acres of the land included in his present es- tate, paying four dollars an acre for it. buy- ing it on credit. He continued work, how- ever, as a farm laborer the following year, but at the end of that time married, and, with his bride, assumed possession of his land. Labor- ing resolutely, he cleared and improved a good farm, and from time to time judiciously invested in other land, having now a fine farm of four hundred and forty acres, the greater part of which is in a high state of culture, having been cleared and made productive through liis own efforts. In 1904 Mr. Baker added to the improvements already inaugu- rated a substantial house, which, * with the three barns on the place, make a good set of farm buildings. Mr. Baker's farm is carried on by tenants, being rented to different people, there being five good tenants on his land, which is devoted principally to the rais- ing of corn and cotton. Mr. Baker married, in Dunklin county, Missouri, in 1876, Fannie Roniines, a native of this part of Missouri, and into their home four children have been born, namely: Zella, wife of Clarence Ilutchins, of Dunklin county: Willie, wife of Edward Wallace, one of Mr. Baker's tenants; Maddie ; and Charles, at home. Politically Mr. Baker is a sound supporter of the principles of the Democratic party, and for nine years has served as school director. Religiously he is a member of the Methodist Church, and an active worker in Harkey's Chapel, having been trustee fifteen and steward fourteen years, and still holds the office of trustee. Frank Schulte is a noble illustration of what Independence, self-faith and persistency can accomplish in America. He is a self- made man in the most significant sense of the word, for no one helped him in a financial way and he is self-educated. As a young man he was strong, vigorous and self-reliant. He trusted in his own ability and did things single-handed and alone. Today he stands supreme as a successful business man and a loyal and public-spirited citizen. Most of his attention has been devoted to mining and prospecting enterprises and at the present time he is vice-i)resident of the Bank of Fredericktown, an institution that lias l)('ne- fitted greatly bv his shrewd counsel. A native of the great Empire of German.y, Mr. Schulte was born near the citv of Berlin, on the 10th of May, 1842. He is a son of Anton and Elizabeth Schulte, who immi- grated to the United States in 1845. bringing with them their famil.v for four sons and two daughters, of which Frank was the youngest. Anton Schulte, after his arrival in America, proceeded directly to Madison county, lIis- souri. where he engaged in mining operations, entering the employ of the Flemings, ownei-s