Springfield-Greene
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CHARLES E. WADLOW. Human life is made up of two elements, power and form, and the proportion must be invariably kept if we would have it sweet and sound. Each of these elements in excess makes a mischief as hurtful as would be its deficiency. Everything turns to excess; every good quality is noxious if unmixed, and to carry the danger to the edge of ruin nature causes each man's peculiarity to superabound. One speaking from the standpoint of a farmer would adduce the learned professions as an example of this treachery. The farmer has a much better chance to observe and enjoy art as it is found in nature, and, therefore, ought to be a man of the highest ideals and cleanest characteristics. One of the well-known citizens of the northern part of Greene county who has been contented with life in the rural districts and has been a close observer of the uplifting things about him is Charles E. Wadlow, who is not only an excellent agriculturist, but a good citizen in the fullest sense of the term.
Mr. Wadlow was born on the old home farm in Murray township, Greene county, March 3, 1864. He is a son of John Wesley and, Mary Ann (Lethco) Wadlow. The father of our subject was born on December 17, 1797, in Washington county, Virginia, now a part of West Virginia, and there he spent his earlier years, removing first to Tennessee, where he remained until about 1835, when he made the rough overland journey to Greene county, Missouri, and settled about twelve miles northwest of Springfield. On July 24, 1837, he married Mary Hastings, and to them seven children were born, namely: Alzirah Jane, deceased; Mary Louisa is living; Sarah Ann, Margaret Elizabeth, Martha Agnes, Matilda Caroline and John W. are all deceased. Mary Hastings was born on January 27, 1820, and her death occurred on December 12, 1854. John W. Wadlow married, on November 29,1858, Mary Ann Lethco. To this second union were also born seven children, namely: Joanna, Susan Arbell, Charles E, George W. and Dora Emma were twins; Laura May is deceased; and Lillie D. The death of the mother of these children occurred on March 13, 1909. Cyrus Cunningham, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. John Wesley Wadlow was one of the early-day leaders in the Southern Methodist church in Greene county. He gave a tract of land on which was built the Wesley chapel, of Murray township, and close by he donated ground for a cemetery, in which he himself was finally laid to rest, when he had finished his useful, industrious and honorable life at the ripe old age of ninety-two years. In his early days he taught school, and was a justice of the peace in Greene county for many years. He was a successful farmer and accumulated a comfortable fortune by his thrift and honest dealings. He was a well-informed man, was a loyal Democrat and an influential citizen. His wife, Mary Ann Lethco, was born on March 28, 1829, in Richland county, North Carolina, and when twelve years of age she emigrated from that state to Illinois, later to Greene county, Missouri, the family locating near Ebenezer, in Robberson township. Her death occurred at the age of seventy-nine years; she had been a member of the Southern Methodist church for over sixty years.
Charles E. Wadlow spent his boyhood days on the old homestead, where he assisted with the general work, remaining there until he was twenty-seven years of age. He received his education in the public schools, mostly at the Waterloo schoolhouse. Later was a student in the preparatory branches of Morrisville College, in Polk county. Later he attended a business college in Springfield. After his marriage he located near where his present farm is located. He has spent all his life in Murray township, his native county. He has been very successful as a general farmer and stock-raiser and is owner of a finely improved and productive farm of three hundred and fifty acres, all in Murray township. They have a pleasant home in the midst of attractive surroundings. Mr. Wadlow formerly handled large numbers of cattle and hogs, and at present he feeds a great many mules from year to year. He built his present commodious residence in 1898, but for seven years previous he had lived in a small house on his farm.
Mr. Wadlow was married, November 26, 1890, to Jerena Boston, a daughter of Thomas Y. and Nannie (Killingsworth) Boston. Mrs. Wadlow was born in Greene county, here grew to womanhood and was educated. Her family is well known in the northern part of this county, where they have long been well established on farms.
To Mr. and Mrs. Wadlow five children have been born, namely: Mabel L., Thomas Wesley, Jerena, Mary Charlotte and Josephine. They are all at home.
Politically, Mr. Wadlow is a Democrat, and while he has never been an office-holder, he has been more or less active in party affairs. Fraternally, he belongs to the Royal Arch Masons, at Springfield, and the Blue Lodge at Willard, being chaplain of the latter. He is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America at Willard. Religiously, he belongs to the Southern Methodist church at Willard and is on the official board of the same. His wife also holds membership with this congregation and they are both active in church and Sunday school work. As a representative of one of the leading families of Greene county Mr. Wadlow is widely and favorably known, having the reputation of being a good neighbor, and helpful, public-spirited citizen, always ready to assist in any laudable movement having for its aim the betterment of his community in any way.
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