Robert T. Fryer

HON. ROBERT T. FRYER. It is safe to say that no one is more popular in Kingsville than is this distinguished gentleman, who has made his home here for a quarter of a century. He is President of the bank of Kingsville, and in addition to this is engaged in general farming about three miles from town.

James H. Fryer, father of our subject, who was a native of Kentucky, moved to Howard County, Mo., about 1826; a few years later he went to Cooper County, where, until 1849, he worked at his trade of a brickmason, and also carried on a farm. That year, the gold excitement in California being at its height, he made the journey to that state overland, and on the return trip was seized with the cholera, on board an Atlantic steamer, and died, aged forty-two years. He married Margaret McCulloch, a native of Virginia, where she was born in 18 12. She is now living, and although eighty-three years old, is still active.

The original of this sketch was the eldest son and second child born to his parents. Christina, widow of R. M. George, lives in Kingsville; Lina is deceased; Mary Ann, the wife of E. W. Eee, makes her home in Texas; Zerelda, the wife of James Douglas, is a resident of this county; and Martha J., the wife of J. F. Howeth, makes her home in Kingsville. Robert T. was born in Cooper County, Mo., April 23, 1835. He was early trained to habits of industry and economy on the home farm, and when ready to begin life on his own account those agriculture as his vocation. The rudiments of his education were obtained in the common schools, and when only nineteen years of age he was given a certificate to teach.

On the death of his father the responsibilities of the family fell upon the shoulders of our subject, who bravely assumed the care of the household. He continued to manage the home place, finding farming both a congenial and remunerative occupation. May 16, 1861, he was married to Alice Taliaferro, whose birth also occurred in Cooper County, this state, in 1843. Her father, James G. Taliaferro, was a Kentuckian by birth, and was a typical Southern gentleman. Her mother's maiden name was Lucy A. Woodard.

Mr. Fryer remained on the homestead until 1867, when he purchased a farm three miles from this city, on which he has continued to reside ever since. In 1890 the bank of Kingsville was organized, and of this he is now President and the principal stockholder. In 1874 he was elected a member of the Legislature on the Democratic ticket, and during his term represented his district with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. He is a very careful and conservative business man, and is pointed out as a fine example of the self-made man. In 1883 he was elected Associate Judge of the County Court, serving a term of four years in that important position. On the expiration of that time he was

3i6 elected Presiding Judge, and during his administration conducted the affairs of his office in a manner satisfactory to all concerned.

Mr. and Mrs. Fryer are the parents of six children, namely: Bertie May, now the wife of T. C. Creel, of Kingsville Township; Lulu; Lina; James, who resides in Lipscomb, Tex.; Margaret; and Alice. Socially our subject is a prominent Mason, having attained the Royal Arch degree after the organization of the Blue Lodge at Kingsville in 1869. He was under dispensation appointed Master, and by re-election has filled the chair much of the time since. Mr. Fryer belongs to the Universalist Church, while his wife is a member of the Christian Church. She is a most worth)' lady, always responding to any and all demands upon her that she deems worthy of support, and both she and her husband enjoy the confidence and esteem of the entire neighborhood.

(John j. Campbell, a. b., Profes.sor of

I English in the State Normal School at Warv2/ rensburg, Mo., has long been recognized as one of the leading educators of the state. For the past twenty years he has been connected with the normal, his work being now more specialized than it was at first. He is a great student, and by years of research has fitted himself well for his position in one of the best colleges not only of this state, but of any of the Western States. Frequently he has written articles of great merit and practical ability for educational associations and for teachers' journals.

Professor Campbell was born in Huntingdon, Pa., October 5, 1840, and is of Scotch descent. His father, Samuel Campbell, born in 1819, is still living at Port Royal, Pa., and is a native of the Keystone State. He was reared on a farm, but at a very early age engaged in teaching, continuing in that vocation until his retirement from active life. At intervals he taught in the public schools and in academies. When his soivj. J. was preparing for college, he held a chair in Milnwood Academy, at Shade Gap, in Huntingdon County.

At the age of twenty years our subject graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts from what was then known as Jeflferson College, but which is now style the Washington and Jeflferson College of Cannonsburg, Pa. Later he entered the Western Theological Seminary at Allegheny City, Pa., and studied there for two years. Subsequently he enlisted in the United States Signal Service, remaining in the Government employ for one year and a-half, at the end of which time he and his companions were organized into a kind of scouting party, and went on the march to the sea and also through the Carolinas. He was honorably discharged at Louisville, Ky., August 22, 1865, and at once returned to finish his theological course. He had become identified with the Presbyterian Church and had acceded to his parents' desire that he should enter the ministry, but when he returned from the army he was not strong, and instead of preaching he began to teach. About that time he accepted the offer of a position in a female seminary at Hollidaysburg, Pa., and afterwards became Principal of an academy at Richland, Ill., but had to resign that position on account of his health. After recuperating for some time at home, he went to take a professorship at Academia, Pa., believing that life in the mountains would be beneficial. It was in September, 1867, that he went there, and during the three years of his stay his hopes were realized.

August 22, 1870, Mr. Campbell married R. Annie French, of Philadelphia, Pa. She was born in New Albany, Ind., in 1838, and came of New England stock. Soon after their marriage the young couple started for Warrensburg, where Mr. Campbell had been elected to serve as Principal of the public schools. About five years after his graduation he had received the degree of Master of Arts from his Alma Mater. Some five years he was Principal of the city schools, and then, in the fall of 1875, became an instructor in the normal, with which he has since been connected. His wife died in June, 1877, leaving two children. Edith M., who graduated from the normal in the Class of '94, has finished the musical course in that school; and James E. is now a student in the University of New York City. In 1880 Professor Campbell married Eliza M. Smith, of Little Rock, Ark. She was born in this county, February 2, 1859, and was a student in the normal. She is a natural musician and has received special instruction in that line. She inherited her talent from her father, and her only child, Laurence, who was born September 2, 1882, also possesses musical ability of a high order.

Though his father was an ally of the Democratic party, our subject is quite liberal in his ideas relating to politics. His first ballot was cast for General Grant, and he prefers to vote for worthy men rather than party machines. A member of the Presbyterian Church, he has served as an Elder since 1878.

As printed in Portrait and biographical record of Johnson and Pettis counties, Missouri ; containing portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties, together with biogr (1895). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.