My Genealogy Hound

Mason Talbutt, ex-probate judge and attorney-at-law of Greenfield, Mo., is a native of that city, born in 1846, and the son of Columbus Talbutt. The father was born in Bourbon County, Ky., and died in 1872. He was of French descent. While in Kentucky he followed the tailor’s trade, and in 1840 came to Missouri, and to Dade County in 1840. Later he settled at Greenfield, where he worked at his trade, and was one of the first tailors in the county. He was justice of the peace for a number of years, and was judge of the probate court at the close of the war. His wife, Amanda Allison, was a native of Tennessee, and is yet living. Her parents, Mathias H. and Mary Ann (Howland) Allison, came to this place in 1836, and became the owners of the land on which Greenfield is now standing. Mr. Allison donated the fifty acres for the site of the county seat. He died in 1878, but his wife is yet living at the advanced age of eighty-five years. To Mr. and Mrs. Talbutt were born nine children, Mason being the eldest. He was born in Greenfield, Mo., in 1846, and remained in school until eleven years of age. When twelve years old, he entered a printing office, and his first work was on the Southwest, at Greenfield. He worked as an apprentice two years. September 1, 1863, he enlisted in Company I, Seventh Provisional Regiment, Enrolled Missouri Militia, and November 1 of the same year he enlisted in the same company, Fifteenth Missouri Cavalry Volunteers, and was in the service until June 30, 1865, when he received his discharge, at Springfield. His service was in Southwest Missouri and Arkansas. In the fall of 1865 Mr. Talbutt resumed work as a printer and continued as such until 1868, when he became partner with John P. Giggs in the Greenfield Vedette, and edited it until 1869, when he bought his partner’s interest, and, in 1870, sold out. In 1871 Mr. Talbutt engaged in the grocery business, which he continued one year, and in the summer of 1873 he followed agricultural pursuits. During the winter of 1873-74 he published a paper called the Phoenix, and in the last mentioned year, went to Texas, where he remained during the summer. In the fall, he returned, and January 1, 1875, he became deputy circuit clerk and recorder, filling this position until June, 1877, when he commenced the publication of the Advocate, for B. G. Thurman, and continued at this for three years. In 1881 Judge D. A. De Armond and Mr. Talbutt bought the paper, and Mr. Talbutt published it until October, 1887, when he leased it. About 1870 he commenced reading law, and in June, 1879, was admitted to the bar, and commenced his practice. In 1882 he was elected judge of the probate court, and served four years, since which time he has confined his attention to his practice. In October, 1884, the firm of Mann & Talbutt was formed. Mr. Talbutt was justice of the peace six years, was a member of the school board three years, was mayor of Greenfield two years, and was a member of the city council two terms. December 7, 1879, he married Miss Clara Kimber, a native of Illinois, and the daughter of J. H. and E. A. Kimber. Five children were the fruits of this union: Florence, Mary, Maggie, Henry and Lucy. In politics Mr. Talbutt is a Democrat, casting his first presidential vote for Lincoln, in 1864. In 1886 he was a delegate to the State Convention. He belongs to Greenfield Lodge No. 446, A. F. and A. M.; Greenfield Chapter No. 37; Constantine Commandery No. 87, and is a member of Greenfield Post No. 75, G. A. R. In 1888 he was commander of the post. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.