Springfield-Greene
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GEORGE E. DILLARD. One of the well-known railroad men of Springfield is George E. Dillard, assistant superintendent of locomotive performance for the Frisco lines. He is a scion of one of the old and respected families of Greene county, and for reasons which are too apparent to enumerate here should be given a place in this volume.
Mr. Dillard was born in Taylor township, Greene county, Missouri, September 12, 1860. He is a son of George A. and Eliza J. (Gibson) Dillard. The father was born in Tennessee, in 1827, and his death occurred on the old homestead in this county in 1903. The mother was born in Tennessee in 1835 and died on the home place here in 1911. They grew up on farms and received limited educational advantages. They came to Greene county, Missouri, when young and were married here, each emigrating here with their parents about the year 1837. William Dillard, our subject's paternal grandfather, was a native of North Carolina, where he was born on May 1, 1782, removing from that state to Tennessee, where he lived for some time before coming on to Greene county, Missouri, where he spent his last years, dying here on April 13, 1877. His wife was known in her maidenhood as Sarah Gregory. The maternal grandfather was John H. Gibson, who was a native of Tennessee. He died in this county in the early eighties. His wife was Isabelle Buchanan before her marriage. She was a native of Tennessee, and her death occurred in this county in 1863. George A. Dillard enlisted for service in the Civil war in the spring of 1861, becoming captain of Company E, Twenty-second Enrolled Missouri Militia, and his father was a member of the Home Guards. The former saw little service outside of Greene county, taking an active part in the defense of Springfield during General Marmaduke's raid. He spent his life engaged in farming and stock raising. His family consisted of nine children, five of whom are still living, namely: William C., who lives in Springfield, is clerk in the office of the circuit court clerk's office; Mrs. Margaret Turner; Mrs. Isabelle Demar; James L. lives on the farm; and George E., of this sketch. .
Our subject grew to manhood on the home farm and he received his education in the district schools, remaining on the homestead until he was twenty-one years old, then came to Springfield and began working for McGregor-Noe Hardware Company as clerk for a short time then began railroading, which he has continued ever since, first as fireman on the Frisco between Springfield and Dixon. He was firing a freight locomotive when the road extended no farther than Pacific, Missouri. Later he fired a passenger engine, and in 1886 was promoted to freight engineer. In 1910 he was promoted to the position of road foreman of equipment, and he is now assistant superintendent of locomotive performance for the Ozark division, from Springfield to Memphis, Tennessee. The fact that he has been with the same company so long and that his rise has been steady would indicate that he has given entire satisfaction and that he is capable and trustworthy as well as thoroughly understanding his work and diversified duties.
Mr. Dillard was married on November 29, 1883, to Sarah G. McGinty, who was born in Howell county, Missouri, September 13, 1861. She is a daughter of A. C. and Susan (Hayden) McGinty.
Politically, Mr. Dillard is a Republican. Fraternally, he belongs to the Masonic order, including the Blue Lodge, also the Royal Arcanum and Knights and Ladies of Security. He and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
[1779-1780]
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