Springfield-Greene
County LibraryEarly and Recent History and Genealogical Records
of Many of the Representative Citizens
ARTHUR LAFAYETTE WHITLOCK. This is the age of the expert. In every walk of life there is an insistent demand for the man who has made a particular study of one thing, whether it be in science, medicine, architecture, agriculture, horticulture, or in fact, any other field of human endeavor. In the few short years, however, that the soil expert has been a recognized factor in the success of American agriculture, he has demonstrated beyond dispute that he is, of all the experts, the most valuable, for, upon him, as upon no one else, depends the success or failure of America's most important citizen, the farmer. There are some who cling to their old-fashioned methods and ideas and refuse to heed the advice of the expert, all to their own detriment. But such progressive farmers as Arthur Lafayette Whitlock, of Franklin township, Greene county, avail themselves of the advice of the expert and, in fact, utilize all practical information regarding their vocations and are therefore making a success as general farmers.
Mr. Whitlock was born March 27, 1870, in the above named township and county. He is a son of Lambert L. and Mary J. (Harkness) Whitlock. The father was born in Tennessee, April 23, 1832. He was a son of Thomas J. and Elizabeth Ann (Montgomery) Whitlock. Thomas J. Whitlock was a native of North Carolina, from which state he emigrated to Tennessee, and finally came an to Greene county, Missouri, in 1832, when Lambert L. was six months old. Thomas J. located on a farm here among the early pioneers and became an influential citizen. He devoted his entire life to general farming and stock raising and, being a man of rare judgment and industry, accumulated much wealth, was one of the largest land owners in this county. He was the possessor of a number of fine farms at the time of his death. He was associated with C. B. Holland in the horse and mule business in Springfield for some time, and before the Civil war it was his custom to buy up large herds of live stock and drive them to the South where he disposed of them at a good profit. During the gold rush to the California Eldorado, Thomas. J. Whitlock joined the throng that crossed the great plains of the west in 1849 and remained on the Pacific coast two years. Upon returning home he sent his sons, Lambert L. and Samuel T. to California with a drove of cattle and they drove them across the plains successfully. At one time, Thomas J. Whitlock owned sixteen slaves, for whom he refused an offer of sixteen thousand dollars. He was a man of hospitable and liberal impulses, and was a power for good in his community. Everybody admired him and respected him. His advice was frequently sought on various questions. His death occurred in Greene county at advanced age of eighty-four years. His wife, who was also a native of Tennessee, died in this county at a ripe old age. During the war of the Rebellion, Thomas J. Whitlock owned and operated a grist mill at Marshfield, Webster county, also owned and operated a grist mill and a saw-mill in Greene county. He was identified with nearly every enterprise that had for its object the upbuilding and advancement of the county in any way. He was widely known, a good mixer, made, and retained friends easily and was loyal in his friendships. He had no superiors and few equals among the pioneers as a business man and public-spirited citizen.
Lambert L. Whitlock grew to manhood on his father's farm, in the development of which he had a hand, making himself useful during the crop seasons, and during the winter attending the township schools; he was a life-long farmer and stock man, inheriting many of the sterling characteristics of his father. He became owner of one hundred and sixty acres of excellent land and was one of the best general farmers in his township, and with the exception of two years spent in California, he lived his entire life within three miles of the homestead where the family located when he was a child. Politically, he was a Democrat. He belonged to the Cumberland Presbyterian church, in which he was a deacon for many years. His death occurred on the home farm January 4, 1906, at the age of seventy-four years, after a successful and honorable life. During the Civil war he served in the militia. His wife, Mary J. Harkness, born December 23, 1832, in Tennessee, came to Greene county, when twelve years old, where she grew to womanhood and was educated, and here her death occurred August 30, 1890. She too, was a devout member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church at Mt. Comfort.
To Lambert L. Whitlock and wife nine children were born, five of whom died in infancy. Those living are, Anna, who has remained on the home farm; Arthur L. of this review; Finis E. is deceased; Mrs. Ollie Freeman lives in Robberson township, this county.
Arthur L. Whitlock spent his boyhood on the homestead and there assisted with the general work. He obtained his education in the rural schools of his community, and here he has continued to reside, following general farming. In December, 1898, he married Lula Wharton, a daughter of J. William and Louise (Beckner) Wharton, the former a native of Greene county and the latter of Laclede county, Missouri. Mrs. Whitlock was born, August 7, 1866, and was reared and educated in Greene county. To Our subject and wife one child has been born, William Arthur Whitlock, born October 7, 1903.
A year after his marriage, Mr. Whitlock purchased the farm on which he now resides, and, during his residence of over fifteen years on this excellent farm, he has brought it up to a high state of cultivation and improvement, until today, it ranks with the best in Franklin township. It consists of two hundred and ninety acres of rich land. He harvests a large acreage of grain annually and raises large numbers of Shorthorn cattle, Jerseys and other live stock, of which he is a good judge. He has a pleasant home numerous convenient outbuildings.
Politically, he is a Democrat and while he is interested in local as well as national public affairs, like his honored father before him, he takes no active part and has never held office. Fraternally, he is a member of Modern Woodmen of America, No. 4975, of Springfield, and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Fair Grove. He and his wife are members of the Methodist church at Oakland, east of Springfield.
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