Person:Robert Lamar (15)

Robert Spence Lamar spent his entire life in Calloway County, Missouri. He attended the district school near the farm where he lived. At the age of 20 years, when his father died, Robert Spence embarked on a career as a farmer and livestock dealer. He owned and operated a 200 acre farm until he became Judge of the Probate Court for Calloway County and took over the office January 1, 1923. He was elected Judge of the Probate in November, 1922. He served as Judge for five consecutive four-year terms and was elected to his sixth four-year term. No other person was ever elected for six consecutive terms to that office. He had served 14 months of his sixth term when he died. It was a tribute to the efficiency by which he handled the affairs of his court.

Throughout his life, Robert Spence Lamar was interested in public affairs. He was a staunch member of the Democratic Party. He entered politics in 1904 when he was elected representative of the Missouri General Assembly for Calloway County. In 1905 he was a member of the 43rd General Assembly. Then in 1916, he was appointed by Governor Major as a member of the Building Commission for the construction of the Reformatory for Negro girls in Tipton, Missouri and he served as chairman of the board. He also served as a member of the County council of Defense during World War I. His hobbies were teaching and lodge work. He was a deacon for the Missionary Baptist Church in Ebenezer and served as Sunday School Superintendent for 36 years. During that time, he taught a men's Bible class. He was also a Knight Templar mason, a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and a charter member of the Kiwanis Club.

Robert Spence and Frances "Fannie" Lamar didn't have any children of their own but they reared five orphan children: Earl M. Potts; Walter Musgrave; Clarence Sheets and Herschel Sheets. Earl M. Potts served as Judge Lamar's Deputy Clerk of the Calloway County Probate Court for many years.

1. ↑ ^1.0 1.1 Ancestry.com. OneWorldTree (3). (Name: Name: The Generations Network, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA;;)
   Database online.

   Record for Benjamin Berkeley Lamar