is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, and is no serving on the official board as president. In his profession he has ever been a close and discriminating student and is deeply interested in everything that enables man to understand more fully the complex mystery of life and the problems of restoration and perpetuation of health. He is skilled in his chosen calling and his work has been of marked benefit to mankind.
In no profession is there a career more open to talent than in that of the law, and in no field of endeavor is there demanded a more careful preparation, a more thorough appreciation of the absolute ethics of life or of the underlying principles which form the basis of all human rights and privileges. Unflagging application and intuitive wisdom and a determination to fully utilize the means at hand are the concomitants which insure personal success and prestige in this great profession, which stands as the stern conservator of justice; and it is one into which none should enter without a recognition of the obstacles to be overcome and the battles to be won. It is this which has brought success to Mr. Davis and made him known as one of the ablest representatives of the bar in this section of the state.
George F. Davis is a native of the Prairie state, his birth having occurred on the 18th of February, 1846. He is a son of Alexander and Priscilla (McKay) Davis, both natives of Kentucky. In 1845 the parents removed from their native state to Illinois, and seven years later, in 1852, came to missouri, where the wife and mother died in 1889, the father surviving until 1894, when he, too, was called to the world beyond, They had nine children who grew to years of maturity, seven of whom still survive, six sons and one daughter.
Mr. Davis, of this review, received his education in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, his parents having removed to Cedar county, Iowa, when he was about seven years of age. Choosing the profession of law as a life occupation, he immediately began the study thereof, and after completing his course, in 1867, he at once began practice in Iowa. He subsequently remove to Livingst5on county, Missouri, where his brothers resided, but shortly afterward went to Carroll county, this state, where he followed the practice of law until 1887 - the year of his arrival in Sarcoxie, Jasper county. Here he has since made his home, and as the years have passed he has built up a large and lucrative practice, his success being entirely due to his own efforts and merit. He is one of the directors and a stockholder in the Sarcoxie State Bank, and is one
of the largest real-estate owners in the eastern portion of Jasper county, owning twelve farms, all under cultivation.
In 1869 occurred the marriage of Mr. Davis and Mellissa E. Dunfee, and they have two living children. The eldest, Maud L., is a graduate of Lexington College, of Missouri, and is now the wife of W. T. Sabert, of Sarcoxie. They have two children, - Lucile and Fred. The second child, Eugene A., is at home with his parents. Mrs. Davis is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, South. Our subject is a free silver Republican, stanch in his advocacy of the principles of the party, but owing to his extensive practice he has had little time to devote to public matters. He is, however, a loyal and public-spirited citizen, and on one occasion was chosen as a delegate to the Perdle Springs convention. Socially he is a member of the Hale City Lodge, A. F. & A. M. Mr. Davis has won for himself very favorable criticism for the careful and systematic methods which he has followed. He stands high as an orator, and the care and precision with which he prepares his cases have made him one of the most successful lawyers in Jasper county.
Among those who have shown business talent in the developing of the mining interests of Webb City is J. Allen Hardy, who was born near Hannibal, Missouri, August 15, 1840. His parents were Joseph and Julia Ann (Gardner) Hardy, the former of whom was born in Frankfort, Kentucky, January, 1812, and the latter in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1810. The paternal grandfather was Casper Hardy, a man of means and prominence in his locality.
In 1846 J. Allen Hardy removed with his parents to Lafayette county, Wisconsin, and grew to manhood in the town of Shullsburg, where, at the age of fourteen, he began to work in the lead and zinc mines, continuing until 1873. At that date he removed to Jasper county, Missouri, where he continued his labors in the lead and zinc mines, becoming thoroughly familiar with every detail of this business. In 1882 Mr. Hardy came to Webb City and opened up what was known as the Hardy & Lillibridge mine, which was sold to good advantage in 1891.
The next contract taken by Mr. Hardy was the development of the Richland tract, and this was finally sold to the Richland Mining Company. For several years he mined the Duenweg property where he continued for four years and then disposed of his interests there and bought a lease of the Porter
tract, later selling to the Cordell Lead & Zinc Company, of which he is the president and manager. He also owns property in Moniteau county, Missouri, which is being developed.
Mr. Hardy was married, in 1862, to Miss Emily Edstrom, who was a daughter of Paul Edstrom, of Boston, Massachusetts, and to this marriage have been born four sons and six daughters: Harriet, wife of James McKanna, of Joplin; Mary, who is the wife of Dr. Tyree, of Webb City; George, who lives in Webb City; Alice, who is the wife of George Burgner, of Joplin; Catherine; Anna, who is the wife of Benjamin C. Aylor, of Webb City; J. Allen, Jr.; Thomas; Agnes, who is a student in a convent; and Herbert.
In politics Mr. Hardy adheres to the gold wing of the Democratic party. Socially he is connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and he is a director in the Mine Producers' Association. His life has been one of prominence in mining circles and he is regarded as one of the most reliable authorities in that line in htis rich mineral district. His opinion is very often asked and taken, as his judgment has proved of great value to those who have had the greatest financial interests placed in this locality.
One of the well known old settlers of Jasper county, Missouri, whose home has been here since 1859, is Moses Elliott, who resides on section 36, in Mineral township. His birth was in Athens county, Ohio, on February 4, 1849, and he was a son of John Elliott, who was born in Killy Beggs, county Donegal, Ireland, on My 1, 1816, and came with his father to America, locating first in Washington county, Pennsylvania, later removing to Athens county, Ohio, in the early days of its settlement. John Elliott remained in Ohio until 1859, at this date coming to Jasper county, Missouri, and locating near Spring River, seven miles west of Carthage, and died on his farm there, in 1879.
The mother of our subject was formerly Charlotta Mansfield, who was a daughter of Thomas Mansfield, who had been a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and his widow received a pension on that account. The Mansfields came of an old and distinguished family of Maryland. Nine children were born to the parents of our subject, and of such sturdy constitution that all grew to maturity, our subject being the fourth in order of age. He was but ten years old when the family removal was made to Jasper county, and here he attended school, remaining with his parents until 1861. At that time he went back to