Shelbina, MO

Here I am with my good friend Bob Crist at his new home in Shelbina. We first met as fellow members of the Board of Governors of the MO Bar back around 1960. Bob practiced law in Shelbina for many years, and then served as a Justice on the MO Court of Appeals, Eastern District. Picture 42 on my pictures web shows Bob with his charming wife Betty Lou. My first wife Rosemary and my daughters Sylvia and Marcia visited the Crists on two occasions when they were living at the National Historice Site known as the Benjamin House, which is located just a few blocks from their present home in Shelbina. We had great times together. Two of their 5 children are about the same ages as my daughters. Their daughter Camilla and my daughter Sylvia were look a likes.
The Benjamin House, Picture 44, was built in 1873 by John F. Benjamin, who practiced law in nearby Shelbyville from 1848 to 1874. He entered the army as a Private in the Union Army and advanced to Brigadier General. He served in the State House of Representatives and in the U. S. Congress. He served as county surveyor, prosecuting attorney and supt. of schools. And was a big-time banker and financier. He was not very popular among townspeople because he recruited soldiers for the Union Army. A recruit could get out of serving if his father came up with $1,000.