Springfield-Greene
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of Many of the Representative Citizens
CLAUDIUS ELSBERRY TREVITT. In presenting the biographical memoir of this well-remembered gentleman, whose life was that of a high-grade man, of noble ideals and laudable ambitions, it is believed that the youthful reader, whose destinies are yet matters for future years to determine, will be much benefited and encouraged, for his was a life that made for success because of the honorable principles he employed in dealing with his fellow men and because of the many admirable qualities he possessed which made his daily walk one worthy to be emulated. It is no easy matter to achieve a high degree of success in any calling in this age of strenuous endeavor and sharp competition, and when an individual succeeds in several vocations, as did the late C. E. Trevitt, for many years one of the leading citizens of Ash Grove, Greene county, he wins the admiration of all.
Mr. Trevitt was born in Greene county, Tennessee, November 3, 1857, and was a son of James F. and Locaddie (Ripley) Trevitt. The father was a man of influence in public affairs. He spent his earlier life in Tennessee, but removed to Georgia in the latter sixties and represented his county in the state Legislature.
Claudius E. Trevitt grew to manhood in the South and received a very good education in the public schools and Tecumseh College in Tennessee. He went to Georgia when about sixteen years of age, and remained in that state three years. In 1878 he came to Greene county, Missouri, locating on a farm just east of Ash Grove and worked on various farms for about three years, then engaged in the furniture business in Ash Grove for about ten years, after which he devoted his attention to the grocery and hardware business, also dealt in real estate. He was very successful in all these lines of endeavor and built up a large business in each, having the confidence of the community by reason of his honest and straightforward dealings. He continued a very busy man until 1912 when he was compelled to retire from active life on account of failing health, and he continued to decline until he was summoned to close his eyes on earthly scenes on April 21, 1914.
Mr. Trevitt was married on January 25, 1880, to Nora McCrory, who was born in Louisiana, July 12, 1861, a daughter of James and Mary E. (Moss) McCrory. The father of Mrs. Trevitt was born in Wilkinson county, Mississippi, in 1829, and was a son of William and Mary (Hubbard) McCrory. His father was born in Ireland, December 25, 1792,and from that country emigrated to America in an early day, finally establishing his home in Wilkinson county, Mississippi, where his death occurred in 1843. His mother was a native of Tennessee and died in 1829 when he was an infant. James McCrory grew to manhood in his native state and was educated in the common schools there, and was engaged in farming until he removed to Louisiana. He remained there until 1867, most of the time farming in Catahoula parish. He then came to Illinois but soon thereafter came on to Missouri and stayed a year in Saline county, and then removed to Greene and located on a farm where he spent the balance of his life, three miles cast of Ash Grove. His fine farm consisted of one hundred and seventy acres. He was one of the successful general farmers and stock raisers of this section of the county. He was one of the first in his section of the county to help organize a grange in 1874. Mr. McCrory was married in 1855 to Mary E. Moss, daughter of George Moss, Esq., of Wilkinson county, Mississippi. Mrs. McCrory died February 14, 1868. They reared a family of three children all of whom grew to maturity married and located in Greene county. Mr. McCrory's death occurred in 1902. Mrs. Trevitt grew to womanhood on the home farm in Greene county and received her education in the public schools.
To Mr. and Mrs. Trevitt nine children were born, seven of whom are living, namely: Ada, deceased; Claude McCrory is an assayer for a gold mining company in the state of Washington; Cle F. died when six years of age; Fannie L. is the wife of L. L. Dyer, of Springfield; Carl L. is farming in Alberta, Canada; Clyde V. lives in Washington; James F., Helen and Roger P. are all at home.
Politically, Mr. Trevitt was a Republican, and was a worker for the general improvement of his community in which he was influential and held in the highest esteem.
[1728-1730]
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