Springfield-Greene
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WALTER HAUN. In different localities the spirit of better things manifests itself in different ways. Sometimes it takes the form of increasing the fertility of the soil; at other places there is a demand for good roads; it is shown in the desire to keep better live stock, to have more attractive farm-yard surroundings or to grow larger crops. It -is shown in rural improvement clubs, in home economic organizations, in the consolidation of rural schools, in labor-saving appliances in the home in making the home attractive, and in a general belief that farmers are entitled to as pleasant surroundings as anyone else, and that a richer, fuller life may be better developed in the country than in any other place in the world. In Murray township, Greene county, one sees evidences of progressiveness on every hand, well-kept farms, modernly appointed homes and prosperous contented people. One of these careful farmers who owns a valuable place and a comfortable home is Walter Haun, a representative of an old and well-known family in this locality.
Mr. Haun was born in the above named township and county November 24, 1875. He is a son of Newton Wright and Nellie (Beal) Haun. Newton W. Haun was born in Monroe count , eastern Tennessee, September 8, 1822. He is a son of Abraham and Jane (Wright) Haun. Newton W. Haun was twice married, first in eastern Tennessee, May 2, 1854, to Martha I. Heiskell, a native of Tennessee, who died April 21, 1861. He was engaged. in the general merchandise business at Sweetwater, Tennessee, for a number of, years, finally selling out and removing to Lawrence county, Missouri, where he engaged in general farming until 1867, when he sold out and came to Murray township, Greene county, where he purchased two hundred and thirty-six acres of good land, which he farmed successfully, until his death, December 13, 1887. He was a man of great industry and sound judgment and was rated among the most progressive farmers of the county. He was a good citizen in every respect and was well liked. Politically he was a Democrat and was active in party affairs, and before leaving Monroe county, Tennessee, he held the office of surveyor one term, but would never accept office in Missouri, preferring to give his sole attention to his large farming and stock-raising industries. He was a faithful member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, was a charter member of the church of this denomination at Walnut Spring and a ruling elder in the same from its organization until his death. His family consisted of nine children by his second marriage, namely: Daniel F., Mrs. Martha R. Blankenship, who lives in this township, just east of Willard; William E. lives in Cass township, Greene county; Mrs. May Emmerson, of Springfield; Walter, of this review; Mrs. Ella Tatum, of Center township; George lives in Wilson township; and two who died in infancy.
Newton Haun married Nellie Beal in Greene county, Missouri, for his second wife. She was a daughter of Daniel and Nancy (Gibson) Beal. Daniel Beal was born in North Carolina, May 19, 1799. He spent his boyhood in his native state and, learned the cabinet maker's trade. When a young man he went to, Giles county, Tennessee, where he and Nancy Gibson were married. She was a daughter of George Gibson. Mr. Beal remained in Giles county, Tennessee, until three of his children were born, and, in 1831, he moved to Crawford county, Missouri, and settled near where Verona now stands. Judge James White came the same time and there Mr. Beal made a clearing and began his home, he and judge White being in partnership in the land, and, deciding that the tract of land was not large enough for both of them to operate he sold out to the judge and removed to Greene county, and in the latter part of 1833 Mr. Beal settled in Campbell township, on Wilson creek, four miles west of Springfield. He owned two hundred and eighty-eight acres which he cleared up and improved and on which he spent the remainder of his days. When he first came to Missouri the southwestern part of the state was still the home of different tribes of Indians, among whom he did considerable trading, and, finding him honest and kind-hearted, they were very friendly with him. In politics, he was a Democrat and both he and his wife were members of the Baptist church. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Beal, all now deceased but one, Allen Beal, who lives in Texas. The death of Daniel Beal occurred in the prime of life, December 7, 1847. Nancy Gibson, his wife, was a native of Tennessee, born near Madisonville, and she died in Greene county, Missouri, on the home farm in the western part of the county.
The mother of the subject of this sketch, who died, January, 1915, was born, April 7, 1839, near Springfield and here she grew to womanhood and was educated in the old-time subscription schools. Although she attained her seventy-fifth year she was active and had a good memory up until the time of her death. She was well known to the older citizens and 1ed a life fraught with good deeds.
Abraham and Jane (Wright) Haun, grandparents of our subject, were natives of Tennessee, the former born in 1790 and he died in 1848. He had devoted his life to general farming in Tennessee, where he and his wife both lived and died.
Walter Haun was reared on the home farm in Murray township, andhe received his education in the public schools. On October 20, 1904, he married Clara Middlemas, a native of New Zealand. She is the daughter of Thomas J. and Elizabeth (Dickey) Middlemas. The father is deceased but the mother is still living.
To Mr. and Mrs. Haun one child has been born, Doris Virginia Haun.
After his marriage, Mr. Haun moved to his present farm of eighty acres, which is one of the finest farms of its size in Murray township, is productive and well-improved, and he built a modern home in 1904, also an up-to-date barn and a large cement silo, all his buildings commanding an ideal view from the roadside and for some distance around, and his is one of the most desirable places in the township. He also owns seven acres of timbered land. He carries on general farming and stock raising, keeping a good grade of various kinds of livestock. He is one of the hustling young farmers of Greene county and is rapidly coming to the front. He takes a just pride in his farm and set of buildings. Politically, he is a Democrat, but no public man, and he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church at Willard, and are faithful in their attendance and support of the same. They are popular with the best circles of this part of the country, well liked by all who know them.
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