Springfield-Greene
County LibraryEarly and Recent History and Genealogical Records
of Many of the Representative Citizens
GEORGE W. SMALL. Americans are often spoken of as a restless race, and this is unquestionably true. Thousands of trains are constantly speeding from one place to another, carrying families to new localities--everybody hunting a better place to live. Most of them would be better off to remain in their old communities. So when we find a man like George W. Small, of Jackson township, Greene county, who has spent his entire life of sixty-eight years on the same farm, we are ready to extend our congratulations, for such a man is worthy of admiration. It shows that he has had stability and a wise foresight.
Mr. Small was born on the farm where he now resides, October 16, 1846. He is a son of Robert B. and Martha R. (Donnall) Small, natives of Rockingham county, North Carolina, but when small children they moved with their parents from that state to Tennessee, where they were reared on farms and received common school educations, and they were married in that state and remained there until the year 1833, when they emigrated to Greene county, Missouri, being among the first settlers, and here our subject's father, entered land from the government and owned seven hundred acres at the time of his death. He was a very successful farmer and was one of the substantial men of his locality and influential in county affairs. His death occurred August 7, 1861. His widow survived many years, dying July 17, 1897, on the home place. These parents were members of the Presbyterian church. Ten children were born to them, namely: Mrs. Sarah Ross, deceased; Mrs. Mary J. Barnes; James B. is deceased; Mrs. Cordelia Duke is deceased; Columbus lives in Greene county; George W., of this sketch; Mrs. Christina Cavin, deceased; Julia is living with the subject of this sketch; Willie and Robert, deceased.
George W. Small grew to manhood on the home farm and was educated in the district schools. When twenty-one years of age he bought the homestead, which he has kept well improved and well tilled. He has one of the choice farms of the township, consisting of five hundred and forty-six acres. He carries on general farming on an extensive scale and has prospered by his able management. He keeps an excellent grade of live-stock of all kinds and is a believer in progress in all lines.
Mr. Small was married in 1876 to Harriett A. Pipkin, who was born, reared and educated in Greene county. She was the daughter of Louis and Frankie (Roberts) Pipkin, highly respected farming people of this county, the Pipkin family having long been a well established one here. The death of Mrs. Small occurred January 7, 1878. The union of our subject and wife was without issue. Mr. Small has never remarried.
Politically, Mr. Small is a Democrat. He belongs to the Masonic order, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He has never been especially active in public affairs, but has always been influential for good in his community.
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