Memories from the Homestead: Cantwell contributed much to the Garber community

     Here in the Garber neighborhood on Roark, my mom’s family had some wonderful neighbors over the years. To the west of Garber along the west fork of Roark in Stone County was the home of Bob and Ella Cantwell, and in the late 1950s, Bob's grandson Jack Bennett and his wife Joyce would continue to operate the farm and would remain there for almost forty years.

     Bob Cantwell was born Robert Lee Cantwell on March 10, 1874, in Houston, Texas. He was the youngest of six children born to Wiley and Elizabeth Cantwell. The family lived for many years to the south, near Alpena, Arkansas, along the Long Creek Valley. When Bob was in his early twenties, he joined two of his older brothers who were living in Stone County. By 1902, the three young men found steady employment, assisting with construction of the new railroad as it was being constructed down the Roark Valley to make its way to the White River at Branson.

An early 1900s’ image of long-time cattle rancher and Garber resident Bob Cantwell. He was responsible for conducting a number of the early area cattle drives when the railroad came through the Roark Valley. (Photo submitted by John Fullerton)

     Bob earned two dollars a day, helping cut wood and clear right of way as construction moved forward. He also worked on the massive tunnel project just outside of Reeds Spring. Settling near Garber, he became acquainted with their residents and also conducted some of the earliest cattle drives through the area. In October 1902, Bob married Ella Fronaberger, who was a sister to Garber's Postmaster Bill Fronaberger. Ella passed away in 1942.

     In 1903, Bob and Ella purchased and resold 80 acres along Roark, their first property transaction. This would continue for a number of years. Purchasing the Rufus May farm, in 1912 they built a beautiful two-story home to the west of Garber along the west fork of Roark. Their farm continued to grow. They also raised hogs, chickens and horses, and grew wheat and corn, in addition to raising cattle and goats.

     Bob's land transactions continued on into the late 1950s. This included land purchases, a number of previously sold tracts, mortgage financing, resale, you name it, he did it. By 1960, Bob owned 3,111 acres of Roark Valley land. Today, nearly all of this property is the Stonebridge Resort community including the Ledgestone championship golf course.

     While Bob and Ella owned this property, his cattle drive events continued as he conducted a number of drives from his native Carroll County, Arkansas, into eastern Stone County in the Roark Valley. The railroad worked out a deal with Bob so he could ship cattle by train from the Roark Switch, a stop just west of Garber on their farm for Marvel Cave visitors, and in the 1920s he installed a loading chute along the railroad embankment at the Garber townsite near their depot.

     Cantwell also saw success as one of the early goat herders at Garber. In the 1920s he owned over 2,000 head, but by 1930 he had lost so many due to coyotes, he sold off a large number of the herd.

     In 1911, Bob and his brother-in-law Bill Fronaberger partnered together and built a large store building at the Garber townsite along the railroad. Serving as a country hardware store and mercantile, they sold everything agriculture related to the working farm families living around Garber. As the community experienced a decline in the late 1920s, the business eventually closed and just a portion of the foundation of the store remains today.

     Remaining a Garber resident for over 60 years, Bob passed away on May 7, 1964, at the age of 90. He was laid to rest at the Evergreen Cemetery, very close to his dear friends, J.K. and Anna Ross. Many of the longtime Stone County residents have fond memories of his family including the Bennetts as they were among a handful of Garber's last residents.

     I'd like to send out a special thanks to Zelma Bennett-Kostyshak, daughter of Jack and Joyce for assisting with Cantwell family photos. Also, many of you will remember Joyce working for Branson schools for many years, too. Joyce and Zelma agreed to a phone visit a couple of years ago and it was great to catch up! Much of the Cantwell family involvement at Garber will be discussed in my new book, "Roark Valley Memories: The History of Garber, Missouri," to be released soon!

    Happy trails, everyone!