Springfield-Greene
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WILLIAM B. CLOUD. It was Oliver Wendell Holmes who said that the human race is divided into two classes--those that go ahead and do something and those who sit and inquire, "Why wasn't it done the other way." A review of the history of the Cloud family of Greene county shows clearly that they have ever been of the former class, and therefore have not only attained a large measure of material success, but have contributed in no uncertain degree to the general development of the community which has been honored by their residence for three-quarters of a century. When they cast their lot in Clay township they found a wild, sparsely settled community, and they endured the usual privations of pioneers, but being possessed of those qualities which turn adversity into success, they bore with brave hearts the vicissitudes of the early days and in due course of time became well established and at the same time did much toward the progress of that section of the county, which owes much to them. A creditable representative of this old family is William B. Cloud, who for the past eight years has filled the responsible position of clerk of the Greene County Court, being still incumbent of the office. Up to that time he had devoted himself to general agricultural pursuits with ever increasing success, ranking among the best farmers of his native vicinity.
Mr. Cloud was born in section 25, Clay township, this county, October 16, 1862. He is a son of Calvin M. and Elizabeth (Kirshner) Cloud. The father was a native of Granger county, Tennessee, and the mother was born in Hawkins county, that state. There they spent their childhood, were educated in the old-time subscription schools, and were married in Greene county, Missouri. Leaving their native state in 1838, they traversed the rough roads westward to Greene county, Missouri, and located in Clay township, entered land from the government, which they improved through close application and hard toil, and here spent the rest of their lives, the death of the father occurring in 1887 at the age of sixty-five years, the mother surviving until January 10, 1895, attaining about the same age as did her husband. Calvin M. Cloud was a prominent man in his township. For many years he served the people as justice of the peace, and was also clerk of the school district for some time. Politically he was a Republican. His father also entered a farm from the government in Clay township, but joined the great caravan of gold seekers across the great plains of the West to California in 1849, and there he spent the rest of his life. Our subject's maternal grandparents also immigrated to Greene county in the early period of her history, locating in the east part of Campbell township, on the James river and Pierson creek, and there spent the rest of their lives.
Calvin M. Cloud and wife were the parents of ten children, seven of whom are still living, namely: Mrs. L. F. Wills of Norwich, Kansas; John James died at Winfield, Kansas, in November, 1913; Mrs. Mary E. Wills, of Milton, Kansas; Mrs. Martha M. Gault is deceased; Mrs. Lucy A. Wrightsman, of Springfield, Missouri; Thomas H. lives in Winfield, Kansas; Mrs. Sarah R. Kinser is deceased; William B., subject of this sketch, Mrs. Harriet E. Chapman, of Ozark, Missouri; Edward C. lives near Grandfield, Oklahoma.
William B. Cloud grew to manhood on the home farm and he received his education in the rural schools of Clay township, and later took a business course. He remained on the home farm, of which he owns eighty acres, which he has kept well improved and under a high state of cultivation, and the buildings well repaired. He remained on the farm until he was elected clerk of, the county court eight years ago, taking office on January 1, 1907. He now resides in Springfield. He has filled the office of clerk in an able and satisfactory manner, being painstaking, obliging and courteous to the public, and is popular with all who have occasion to visit the office or having dealings with the court.
Mr. Cloud married, in 1886, Mary V. Patterson, who was born, reared and educated in Clay township, Greene county. She is a daughter of William Patterson, a well-known contractor and farmer who came here from Tennessee and established the family home in Clay township many years ago. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Cloud, namely: James R., now deputy clerk under his father, married Mida Ewing, of Ozark, Missouri, and they have two children, Velma Gene and Bernice Burton; Roxie Inez, the second child of our subject, is also one of his deputies in the county clerk's office. She married Harry T. Brundidge, Jr., of Kansas City, where he was a prominent newspaper reporter.
Politically, Mr. Cloud is a Republican. He is prominent in fraternal circles, holding membership with the Knights and Ladies of Honor, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Modern Woodmen of America, Improved Order of Red Men, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Loyal Order of Moose. He attends the Methodist church, but Mrs. Cloud affiliates with the Baptists.
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