Lifetimes of Memories: Voices of Barry County

Volume 14

Narrators Include: Ella Mae (Crabaugh) Burns, Elma (Cowherd) Jackson, Hank & Dovie (Corn) Mathis, Clayton Montgomery, Verdayne & Evelyn (Dryer) Riddle
Ella Mae Burns Ella's interviews were conducted in early 2009. Mrs. Burns grew up in Seligman and has many fond memories of people and places there. She was a graduate of Seligman High School and has been a lifelong resident. Mrs. Burns has faced many hardships and challenges in raising a wonderful family; her life personifies Ozark endurance and courage. Reminisce with Ella as she recalls life in different times.
Ella Mae (Crabaugh) Burns
 
Ellma Jackson Elma's interviews were conducted in the summer of 2008. Born to Andy and Addie Cowherd, the youngest of seven children, and having grown up in Butterfield during its heyday, she has many memories to share. Mrs. Jackson remembers Butterfield as the strawberry capital of the world, as well as the Ferguson Sorghum Mill being located there. She was a 1943 graduate of Butterfield High School and married Leon Jackson in 1953. The Jacksons went on to have a large influence in Cassville and Barry County as Leon was a surveyor and Elma was always his willing helper. Leon was also the County Engineer for Barry, Lawrence and McDonald counties and plotted out most of the roads. Enjoy Elma's memories and history of Barry County.
Elma (Cowherd) Jackson
 
Hank Mathis The Mathis' interviews were conducted the summer of 2008. Hank was born in Arkansas, but grew up east of Cassville. Hank's father was a farmer and later owned a country store. Hank shares his memories of being an adventurous boy and growing up working at their rural store. The family later owned a café in Seligman. Ever an avid sportsman, Mr. Mathis recalls playing softball as well as other sports. Dovie was raised in Seligman as part of a large family of ten. Her father worked for the railroad and her mother was a full-time homemaker. Mrs. Mathis shares memories of growing up in a railroad town. The couple moved away from Barry County for a time, but returned when they retired. Enjoy as the Mathis' relive their busy and varied lives.
Hank & Dovie (Corn) Mathis
 
Clayton Montgomery Mr. Montgomery comes from a long time Barry County family dating back to the Civil War. The owner of a Century Farm, he has many interesting family stories and memories to share. During the Depression, Clayton was a member of the NYA, a government program established within the WPA, but tailored to younger men. Mr. Montgomery is also a veteran of World War II where he served in the Medical Corps. Read as he remembers his rich Barry County heritage and events he lived which shaped history. His interviews were conducted in early 2009.
Clayton Montgomery
 
Riddles The Riddle family came to the area in about 1930. Verdayne has spent most of his life in the retail business, even being born in the store at Oak Ridge. He remembers growing up in Cassville and many interesting personalities there. The Dryer family has long been in the shoe business, whether selling new shoes or repairing old ones. They came to the area in 1941 and opened shop. They taught their children hard work and life's most important lessons. Enjoy as the Riddles tell the story of family, work and faith that unfolds in Barry County. Their interviews were conducted in 2008.
Verdayne & Evelyn (Dryer) Riddle