Springfield-Greene
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CHARLES C. CHAVOSE. It should be impressed upon the minds of youth that at an early age they should practice introspection and should seriously study the famous Delphic oracle, "Know thyself." At an early age Charles C. Chavose, yard and lumber foreman at the Springfield Wagon Works, began to determine, if possible, what he was "cut out for," to use a common expression, and he thus became acquainted with his abilities and weaknesses and began to form his plans for the future accordingly, with the result that he has been successful in his chosen life work.
Mr. Chavose was born on July 31, 1873, at Lexington, Kentucky. He is a son of John Franklin Chavose, whose birth occurred on a farm near Lexington, representing an old Southern family of that section of the Blue Grass state. There our subject's father grew up on the homestead, attended the rural schools and later was a student in the schools of Lexington, including a course in the law college there. He was accordingly admitted to the bar and subsequently came to southeastern Missouri, and practiced his profession at Caruthersville, Pemiscot county, ranking among the foremost members of the bar of that county for many years. He continued the practice of his profession until his death at the early age of forty years, in 1882 and was buried at Memphis, Tennessee. During the Civil war he served as bugler and staff officer under Gen. John Morgan, serving throughout the conflict in the Southern army. He was taken prisoner and after being held for some time was sent to the Federal prison at Alton, Illinois, and there was exchanged, after which he returned home. Politically he was a Democrat, and he was a member of the Masonic Order, also a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He married Mary R. Colley, a daughter of Charles and Annie (Allman) Colley, of Mecklenburg county, Virginia, the Allmans having been among the first families of the Old Dominion. Mrs. Chavose now resides with her son, our subject, and is seventy-two years of age. She is a type of the old-time Southern aristocracy, hospitable and with pleasing personal address.
Five children were born to John F. Chavose and wife, namely: Annie is the wife of O. Peterson, a stockman, who is engaged in furnishing, live stock to feed the smelter people at Omaha, Nebraska, where he makes his home; Charles C. of this sketch; Lillie is the wife of W. H. Day, who is connected with the Springfield Furniture Company; Louis E., who was a painter by trade, died in 1911 at the age of thirty-four years; Tex L. is foreman at the Moore Manufacturing. Company's plant in Springfield.
Louis Edward Chavose, paternal grandfather of our subject, was born in France, from which country he was brought to America by his parents when about six years of age, the family locating in North Carolina. He grew up in the South and devoted his active life to farming.
Charles C. Chavose was a child when his parents brought him to Caruthersville, Missouri, where he grew to manhood and received his early education; however, he left school when thirteen years of age and went to work in a general mercantile establishment at Hartfield, this state, being employed as clerk for some time by Gorman-Mansfield & Company. Later he engaged in farming, also worked in the coal mines, then, in 1898, he came to Springfield and found employment in the Springfield Wagon Works as laborer in the lumber yard. His ability and faithfulness was at once noted by the management and he was rapidly promoted, going through all departments of both the yard and factory proper, and now holds the position of foreman and inspector of the lumber department, having twenty men under his direction. He has been continually in the employ of this plant for over sixteen years. He also owns and operates a roller skating rink on South street. He has remained unmarried, preferring to devote his attention to the care of his mother during her old age, which, indeed, is a most commendable act.
Politically, Mr. Chavose is a Democrat, and he is a member of the First Baptist church. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, in which he was for some time vice chancellor; he is also a member of the Knights and Ladies of Honor, and the Woodmen Circle, Loyal Order of Moose and the Woodmen of the World.
[1901-1903]
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