Springfield-Greene
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JOHN PARKER TROGDON. Farming has been considered a game of chance too long and the uncertainties of the elements have been overcome to such an extent by intelligent study and use of fertilizers, irrigation and drainage, and intensive cultivation that day by day agriculture is becoming more and more an exact science and the best and brightest minds of the country have not thought it beneath their dignity or effort to give it the best of their genius. John Parker Trogdon, of Brookline township, Greene county, is a type of our better class of farmers, a man who uses more brain than brawn in operating his place. He has been successful both as farmer and merchant and also as a dealer in live stock. The reason that he has been able to succeed in whatever he has turned his attention to is because he plans well is energetic in their execution, "preparedness" being his motto, in other words, he first decides that he is right, then goes ahead.
Mr. Trogdon was born near Ash Grove, Missouri, March 6, 1872. He is a son of Reuben and Phoebe (McDorman) Trogdon, the father of English descent, a native of North Carolina, the mother a native of Tennessee.
Seven children were born to Reuben Trogdon and wife, four sons and three daughters, namely: W. Clinton, Henry F., Loran E., all three live near Ash. Grove, this county; John P., of this sketch; Lottie married F. H. Moomaw, of Brookline township, Greene county; Effie married D. G. Hendrix, also of Brookline township; Laura married Jay Mason, of near Bois D'Are, Missouri.
John P. Trogdon grew to manhood on the home farm where he worked during the summer months, and in the winter attended the district schools remaining on the farm with his father until he was twenty-one years of age, or until his marriage, then started farming for himself, renting a farm near Ash Grove, where he remained nine years, then moved to that city and engaged in general merchandising two fears, after which he bought his present farm of one hundred and thirty acres near Brookline. His place is well improved in every respect and he keeps it under a high state of cultivation. In connection with general farming he devotes considerable time to the breeding of Jersey cattle, and he is very successful with his fine stock. He has a modernly appointed, nine-room residence of the bungalow type, only a fourth of a mile from Brookline on the main highway between that place and the village of Battlefield. His spacious yard is sown with Kentucky blue grass, which has given the place the appropriate name of "Green Lawn," by which it is known throughout the neighborhood. Mr. Trogdon has numerous substantial outbuildings, including two large barns, one of which is especially equipped for the care of his milk cows and is kept sanitary in all seasons. He has a concrete silo with a capacity of one hundred and fifty tons, a wagon and buggy-shed, a water-tank with a capacity of three hundred and fifty barrels, also a garage large enough for two cars.
Mr. Trogdon was married on March 6, 1894, to Dilla A. Johnson, a daughter of George A. and Jane Johnson, of near Halltown, and a native of Greene county, Missouri, where the family settled in the early thirties, having emigrated from Tennessee. Mrs. Trogdon grew to womanhood and was educated in her native community. The union of our subject and wife has resulted in the birth of two children, namely: Alta, born July 2, 1895, lives at home; Mabel, born December 24, 1901, is also with her parents.
Politically Mr. Trogdon is a Republican and is influential in the affairs of his party. He has served several years as township committeeman and has done much toward the success of the party in the county in years past. Fraternally he belongs to Brookline Lodge, No. 328, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; also the Modern Woodmen of America, of Springfield, and the Anti Horse Thief Association, of Nichols.
Mr. Trogdon is one of the progressive and useful citizens of his township and is ever ready to lend his support and encourage any movement having for its object the general good.
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