Springfield-Greene
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WALTER WEIR McMASTER. Walter Weir McMaster belongs to the class of citizens whose lives do not show any meteoric effects, but who by their support of the moral, political and social status for the general good, promote the real welfare of their respective communities, and are therefore deserving of honorable mention in the pages of history. He takes an abiding interest in the progress and improvement of schools, good roads, in fact, in all matters pertaining to the upbuilding of his city and county.
Mr. McMaster was born in Springfield, Missouri, on March 22, 1874. He is a son of Cyrus J. and Belle (Weir) McMaster. The father of our subject was a son of Dr. Edwin K. and Eliza J. (Bull) McMaster, and was born in Dade county, Missouri, May, 1847. His parents were natives of North Carolina, and were among the pioneer settlers of Dade county. In 1851 his parents moved to Greene county, where Cyrus J. grew to manhood and was educated. In 1864 he enlisted in the Fourteenth Missouri Cavalry, and served until the war closed. During 1869-70 he carried on the saddle and harness business at Walnut Grove, this county. In 1871 he came to what was then called North Springfield and engaged in the produce and commission business. In 1880 he entered into partnership with George O. Vick and they carried on a thriving business in produce and grain shipments, handling about a quarter of a million dollars' worth of grain in 1882. We next find him engaged in the buggy and wagon business, which he conducted alone and on an extensive scale for a period of thirty-four years and was one of the best known dealers in this line in southwestern Missouri. Besides, he was local agent for a number of the standard makes of wagons and buggies. About 1904 he went on the road as traveling salesman for the Joel Turney Brothers Wagon Company, of Illinois. He remained active in business affairs until his death, which occurred, on December 30, 1912. In Walnut Grove, on December 16, 1869, he had married Belle Weir, who was born in Springfield, Illinois, on April 23, 1852; she was a daughter of James D. and Fidelia (Meacheld) Weir, natives of Kentucky and Illinois, respectively. They spent their active lives on a farm in Illinois, and to them nine children were born, only three of whom now survive, namely: Andrew, Mrs. Agnes Dagan and Marion. To Mr. and Mrs. McMaster two children were born, namely: Vernie, born on April 6, 1871, married John French, and they reside in St. James, Missouri, and Walter W., subject of this sketch.
The death of Mrs. Belle McMaster occurred on September 14, 1914.
Walter W. McMaster was educated in the Springfield schools, and where seventeen years of age he went into his father's store as clerk, remaining there several years, then took a position in the coach department of the Frisco shops, in the repair department, in which he remained three years, then started in the implement business with his father on Commercial street and remained in this two years, then, in 1902, he was appointed deputy recorder of deeds and. served eight years as such in a most faithful manner. In 1910 he wag elected recorder of deeds on the Republican ticket, serving one term, discharging the duties of the same in a manner that was highly satisfactory to all concerned. He is now engaged in the implement and real estate business.
Mr. McMaster was married on July 10, 1893, to Nettie Smith, who was born in Springfield, Missouri, on August 28, 1875, and here grew to womanhood and received her education. The union of our subject and wife has resulted in the birth of five children, named as follows: Raymond, born in, 1894; Irma, born in 1899; Verna, born in 1901; Marjorie, born in 1903, and Louise, born in 1910.
Politically Mr. McMaster is a Republican, and has been faithful in his adherence to the party in both victory and defeat. Fraternally he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, the Yeomen and the Court of Honor, and religiously he belongs to the Presbyterian church, in which he is a trustee and is active in the affairs of the congregation.
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