Springfield-Greene
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CHARLES W. RULE. A man of naturally sound judgment and shrewd perception, characteristics of the Teutonic race of which Charles W. Rule, of Springfield, is a descendant, are dominating factors in his career, and he has so ordered his course in the world's affairs as to be eligible to representation in a work of this kind. He has risen through close attention to business and his desire to deal promptly and courteously with his fellow men, and his name stands high in all business circles with which he has come into relationship. His domestic and social connections have ever been of a pleasant character, and the fact that his surroundings are such as to make life enjoyable is due solely to his individual merits.
Mr. Rule was born in Springfield, Missouri, May 22, 1871. He is a son of John Christopher Rule, who was born in Baltimore, Maryland, April 16, 1844, and he was a son of Mundus Rule, who was a native of Germany, from which country he emigrated to America and located in Maryland, and engaged extensively in railroad contracting and building in and around the city of Baltimore, and there his death occurred in 1891 at the advanced age of eighty-seven years. The father of the subject of this sketch grew to manhood in the Monument city and was educated there, and he spent his early life as a sailor. During the Civil war he entered the service of the Confederacy, most of the time of his enlistment being spent in the navy service. He was captured by the Federal navy and spent nine months in the old Washington prison, then exchanged and released. After the close of the war, about the latter part of 1866, he came to Springfield, Missouri, where he spent the rest of his life, first engaging in business on South street, later on Commercial street, and during this period of nearly a half century he was one of the best known business men of the city He lived to see and take part in the substantial and steady growth of the city from a mere village to the metropolis of southern Missouri, and always had its interests at heart. He married Celeste Heffernan, a native of Wabasha, Minnesota, a daughter of Steven and Margaret (O'Day) Heffernan, both natives of Ireland, from which country they emigrated to Minnesota in an early day. The mother died when comparatively a young woman. Mrs. Celeste Rule was a well-educated woman, and of an excellent family, but was unable to definitely trace her ancestry in the Emerald Isle. Her death occurred in Springfield on October 16, 1909. The father of our subject survived until 1911.
Charles W. Rule grew to manhood in Springfield and was educated in the public schools here, and when but a boy commenced his business life as a grocery merchant on Commercial street, in which business he met with encouraging success and remained four years, then took a position with the Frisco railroad with the superintendent of motive power, the duties of which responsible place he discharged for a period of nine years in a manner that was entirely satisfactory to the company, then went on the road for the Springfield Brewing Company, doing much to increase the prestige of the same until it closed down in 1906, when Mr. Rule became manager of the Springfield depot of the William J. Lemp Brewing Company of St. Louis, in which position he is still employed and is handling the same in his usual acceptable manner. He has been very successful as a man of affairs and is a stockholder in the Citizens Bank of Springfield.
Politically, Mr. Rule is a Democrat. He was reared in the Roman Catholic faith and has proved faithful to his allegiance to the mother church. Fraternally, he belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and is president of the local aerie of Eagles. He is also a member of the United Commercial Travelers.
Mr. Rule was married in 1891 to Lula M. Teague, a daughter of Elihu and Sarah (Brock) Teague. Mr. Teague lived in western Colorado, where he was interested in mining. His wife died many years ago, and his death occurred in 1911. The family formerly lived in Springfield, where Mrs. Rule was educated in the high school from which she was graduated.
Five sons have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Rule, namely: Francis G., born November 22, 1893, was educated in the Springfield high school, and is now employed with the Lee steamboat line as electrician; Raymond T., born on April 22, 1896, is attending St. Mary's school; Carl W., born on January 13, 1903, is in school; John Christopher, born on October 16, 1905; Richard L., born on May 2, 1909.
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