Springfield-Greene
County LibraryEarly and Recent History and Genealogical Records
of Many of the Representative Citizens
ROBERT LOVE. The history of Greene county reveals the handiwork of many a noble soul who wrought heroically and unselfishly. Her smiling fields and splendid homes, her high-grade institutions, her happy, prospering people speak volumes of some one's steadfastness of purpose, of some one's strength of arm, courage of heart, activity of brain--of some one's sacrifice. But time, that ruthless obliterator, before whose destroying fingers even the stubborn granite must, in the end succumb, is ever at his work of disintegration. Beneath his blighting touch even memory fails, and too often a life of splendid achievement is forgotten in a day. Lest we forget, then, as Kipling admonishes us in his superb "Recessional," regarding a number of important things that should not be forgotten, this tribute to the memory of the late Robert Love is penned. Pioneer merchant, successful agriculturist, a public-spirited, brave, kindly, generous man, it is the desire of the biographer, as it must be of all who knew him, that his deeds and his character be recorded for the benefit of those who follow after.
Mr. Love was born in Pike county, Missouri, which picturesque locality has been made famous by the late Secretary of State, John Hay, in his "Ballads from Pike," the date of the former's birth having been March 26, 1839. He was a son of Andrew and Mary Ann (Muir) Love, both long deceased. Our subject was one of four children, namely: Harrison, deceased; Mrs. Margaret Dunn, deceased; Mrs. Sarah J. McCullister, deceased; Robert of this memoir.
Robert Love was reared in his native county and there received a common school education. At the breaking out of the War of the Rebellion, he joined the Union army and was such a brave and efficient fighter for the cause that he was promoted to lieutenant. He took part in many engagements, including the battles of Pea Ridge and Springfield, and was honorably discharged at the close of the war. Before the war he had removed with his stepfather to Greene county on a farm. He sold this place not long after the war and began the mercantile business selling dry goods at Strafford, being the first store-keeper in that place. He built up a good trade with the surrounding country, his many customers remaining his friends owing to the honest and courteous treatment he accorded them. He was the first man to buy a lot in Strafford. After remaining in business there about a year he resumed farming, but eventually returned to Strafford where he spent the last days of his life and died there on October 29, 1905.
Mr. Love was married November 26, 1864, to Margaret C. Piper, who, was born near Strafford, April 28, 1842, and there grew to womanhood on a farm. She received a good education in the local schools. Since the death of her husband she has shown rare business tact in managing successfully her various affairs. She has lived in Strafford twenty-nine years. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. She is a daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Smith) Piper, both now deceased. Mr. Piper was a successful farmer and stock raiser, well and favorably known in this locality. He and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. They emigrated here from Virginia in 1839 and were among the early settlers in Greene county, where Mr. Piper entered land from the government and developed a large and productive farm. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Love, namely : Mrs., Alta C.Brown lives in Springfield; Mrs. Sarah N. Dishman lives in Jackson township; Florence H. lives at home; Mrs. Mary E. West lives at Nogo, Missouri; Mrs. Margaret K. Kepley lives in Taylor township; Maude May died February 4, 1896.
Politically, Mr. Love was a Democrat. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity, and belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church. He was a man of fine personal character.
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