MPW.65 / 2013 Trenton’s Humble Leader by Don Shrubshell
Photographer
Don Shrubshell Rocheport, Mo.

Team Gilka

Story Summary

Trenton and Grundy County, Missouri residents know William Robert McHargue, 72, as Nick. Some call him Doc. Some call him mayor.

Nick’s father Lester gave him the nickname as a child. It is short for Nicodemus who according to the Gospel of John, showed favor to Jesus.

Nick has been a dentist in Trenton for 45 years and is also a pubic servant, landlord, coach, employer, friend to people of all social-economics backgrounds and deep down, as humble a man you could meet. He and his wife Cheri raised three children who have professional careers.

He cares about his small northwestern Missouri town of 6,000 souls that is known as the Five-Point City. That is evidenced by his commitment to city government or picking up litter he comes across while walking.

He stays young watching Sprint Car races with friends, flying his Piper Cherokee 180 airplane, gardening-he is a Master Gardener, telling a joke or having an occasional cold beer at the local tavern.

He is truly Trenton’s Humble Leader.