EDGAR E. FOLLENSBEE Edgar E. Follensbee, president of the Sunshine Plumbing & Electric Company, in which connection he executes large and important contracts, has today the largest open' shop in the state. Straightforward dealing and fair treatment of employees has enabled him to secure a liberal patronage. permitting him to pay a good living wage to those who work for him. This spirit of fairness and justice is characteristic of Mr. Follensbee and commands for him the respect and confidence of all who know him. Mr. Follensbee is a native of Wisconsin, his birth having occurred in the capital city of Madison in 1852, his parents being Joseph and Adelaide Follensbee. The father died when the son was but four years of age. On leaving Wisconsin, Edgar E. Follensbee became a resident of Clinton county. Missouri, and since that time has made his home west of the Mississippi. He learned the plumber’s trade in Burlington, Kansas, and developing his natural skill and talent along mechanical lines. he has made steady progress in his chosen calling. He installed, owned and operated an electric light plant at Burlington, Kansas, in the year 1885, a plant that served three thousand consumers. Removing to Fort Smith, he began business with an open shop and never has he found it necessary to deviate from this policy. He is today operating one of the largest open shops in the state, doing plumbing and electrical contracting. He pays high wages and employs none but skilled workmen. He buys his material by the car load and he does perhaps more than one-half of the plumbing and electrical business in the city. His personal superintendence of all jobs and the capability of the workmen whom he employs insures excellent results in the execution of the contracts which are accorded him. He has been a close student of the labor conditions and problems before the country and he believes that fairness of treatment and fairness in the matter of wage will solve all the perplexing questions before the country today. His own course is a verification of his theory and his principles and there is no man who more thoroughly enjoys the respect and confidence of employees than does Edgar E. Follensbee. 0n the 31st of December, 1878, Mr. Follensbee was united in marriage to Miss Lelia Jackson, a daughter of J0seph and Clara (Siverly) Jackson, who were natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio respectively. The father died when his daughter, Lelia, was but four months old and the mother was married again, becoming the wife of George W. Brott in 1862. Mr. Brott departed this life in 1915, leaving two sons. Mr. and Mrs. Follensbee became the parents of a son, Donald, who died at the age of five months. Their religious faith is indicated by their membership in the First Christian church, while fraternally Mr. Follensbee is identified with the Masons. His political allegiance is given to the republican party.