Springfield-Greene
County LibraryEarly and Recent History and Genealogical Records
of Many of the Representative Citizens
AZARIAH WILLIAM LINCOLN. One of the best known members of the Greene county bar is Azariah William Lincoln, who has been practicing law in Springfield for thirty years, during which time he has met with continued success and has kept well abreast of the times in his profession. Concerning the sincerity of purpose, the unquestioned probity and uprightness of conduct and character, the ability and honesty of Mr. Lincoln, it may be said, they are as well known and recognized as his name. It occurs occasionally that a peculiar accent accompanies the declaration when it is said of anyone, that he is honest, as if to impart a whisper of suggestion that the quality is rare or exotic. In its application to men in responsible public position it is not true; the reverse of it is. In its application to lawyers, as a body, which is not infrequently done, it is false; the reverse of it is true. Both Mr. Lincoln and his son, Harold T. Lincoln, a rising young lawyer, are known to be advocates of strict honesty in all relations of life, and this has been one main secrets of their success.
Azariah W. Lincoln was born in Iowa county, Wisconsin, September 25, 1851. He is a son of Thomas Lincoln, a native of Pennsylvania, who went to Wisconsin with his parents when a child, and after his maturity he removed to Ohio in 1862, and engaged in farming. His death occurred in May, 1890. He was a son of Azariah Lincoln, who died in Ohio in the early sixties.
Mr. Lincoln, of this review, received his education in the common schools of Ohio and the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio, from which institution he was graduated. He began studying law with James E. Wright, of Columbus, Ohio, and was admitted to the bar in 1881, before the supreme court of that state, but instead of devoting his attention to practice he engaged in educational work, was elected county superintendent of schools, which responsible position he held for three years with satisfaction to all concerned. He then came to Springfield, Missouri, in 1884, and began the practice of law, which he has continued to the present time, and has been very successful all along the line and ranked among the leaders of the bar here from the first. He was judge of the probate court from 1887 to 1895, and was judge of the criminal court for two years. As a jurist he more than met the expectations of his friends and. discharged his duties in a manner that reflected much credit upon his ability and fidelity, his decisions being noted for their fairness and profound insight into the basic principles of jurisprudence, as well as his familiarity with the statutes. He is senior member of the firm of Lincoln & Lincoln, and with his son enjoys a large practice.
In April, 1885, the marriage of Judge Lincoln occurred to Jennie M. Adams, a native of Mt. Gilead, Ohio, a daughter of Henry H. Adams, a merchant, who at present resides with his daughter, Mrs. Lincoln, in Springfield, Missouri. His wife was known in her maidenhood as Isabel U. Swaner.
To the union of our subject and wife three sons were born--William Lincoln, born in Springfield, in January, 1887, was graduated from the local high school, later attending Drury College several terms; he married Pauline Burns in 1908; she is a daughter of F. M Burns, and to this union one child has been born, William Burns Lincoln, whose birth occurred in January, 1910. Harold Thomas Lincoln, second son of judge Lincoln and wife, was born in Springfield November 11, 1888. He was graduated from the Springfield high school and from the Columbia Law School in Ohio, and commenced the practice of his profession with his father in 1909, and he is regarded as one of the leaders of the younger generation of the Greene county bar. In December, 1911, he married Maggie Sims, and to, this union one daughter has been born, Margaret Lincoln. Harold T. Lincoln is a Republican. He was appointed city tax attorney, which position he held two years and was assistant prosecuting attorney of Greene county under James H. Mason. Urged by his friend, he was a candidate for city attorney in 1914, and his election was regarded from the first as most probable, since he is popular with all classes, and his record as a public servant in his former capacities was most commendable in every respect.
Elwyn Russell Lincoln, youngest son of the Judge and wife, was born in Springfield, October 26, 1896, and died October 27, 1913.
Mr. Lincoln is a Republican. He is a member of the Masonic order and the Improved Order of Red Men. Religiously he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church.
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