Carthage Evening Press
Monday, January 12, 1948

COUNTY TREASURER J.H.H. MOTE IS DEAD

Passes Away at McCune-Brooks Hospital -Had Been in Poor Health Several Months- He Was an Ordained Minister and Served Webb City Church Two Years -Also Was School Teacher and Held Various Political Offices- Funeral at 2 Tomorrow Afternoon At the Baptist Church

J. H. H. Mote, 70, who served as Jasper county's first agriculture agent, and the last two years as county treasurer, died at 5:35 o'clock yesterday afternoon in McCune-Brooks Hospital.
In failing health the last six months, Mr. Mote's condition became critical several days ago and Friday noon he was moved to the hospital. He suffered from a heart ailment.
When a small boy he went with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Mote, to Stella, from Darke county, Ohio where he was born February 27, 1887. Later Mr. Mote went to Neosho, where he taught school and also served as circuit clerk. He resigned his position there to go to Columbia, to continue his education and received his master's degree from the college of agriculture at the University of Missouri.

Here As Farm Agent in 1917
Upon receiving his degree, Mr. Mote accepted a position as farm agent of Lawrence county, making his headquarters in Aurora, and remained there until 1917, when he was elected agriculture agent here. He served in that capacity 13 years, resigning that post to accept a position as Missouri prison farms commissioner. He was active in Republican circles and was appointed a member of the state penal board by Governor Caulfield, serving in both capacities until the spring of 1933, when the Democrats came into power.
Mr. Mote returned to Carthage from Jefferson City and opened a real estate and insurance business, with offices in the Ramsay building. He continued in that business until the election as county treasurer in 1946. He also served for a number of years as a justice of the peace.

Ordained in 1938
Mr. Mote was an ordained Baptist minister. In August 1938 he accepted a call to the pastorate of Emanuel Baptist church in Webb City and the following month took over his duties in that capacity.
He was licensed to preach in 1936 and was ordained at a meeting held Sunday, August 28, 1938 in the First Baptist Church here. He served the Webb City church two years and also was vacancy pastor in several other churches of the district while the members were seeking a resident minister.
He long had been active in the Baptist church and was prominent in the work of the Carthage church. He had been a member of the board of deacons more than 30 years. His church was second only to his family.
Mr. Mote was married December 17, 1899 in McElhaney, MO., to Miss Zebbie Luney, who survives him. Also surviving Mr. Mote are three daughters, Mrs. Roy Greer of Joplin; Mrs. Frank Pickering of Kansas City and Mrs. Armel Dyer, of the home here; two sons: Homer Mote of Carthage and Jerry Mote of Ada, OK., two brothers Joseph Mote of Strasburg, MO. and Will Mote of Denver; a sister, Mrs. Stella Buttram of Wyandotte, OK., and seven grandchildren.
Lt. Col Dyer, U.S. Army, son-in-law of Mr. Mote is stationed in Korea and Mrs. Dyer has been at the home of her parents since he left.

Nephew to Conduct Funeral
Funeral services will be held at 2 o'clock tomorrow afternoon at the First Baptist church, with the Rev. Basil Mote of Cassville, a nephew of Mr. Mote in charge. Burial will be in Park Cemetery. The board of deacons of the church will serve as honorary pallbearers. Members of the Victory Sunday school class, of which Mr. Mote had been teacher since its organization, will be the active pallbearers. The body is at the Knell Mortuary.
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Son of John S. Mote and Sarah Ann Dunlap

NOTE: The death certificate can be viewed at Missouri Digital Archives/death certificates online website.