USA > Illinois > Monroe County > Columbia > History of Columbia and Columbia precinct, Monroe County, Illinois, 1859-1959 and centennial celebration, Columbia, Illinois, July 3-4-5, 1959 > Part 14
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Mr. Volkert's great-grandfather, Chris Trenberger of St. Louis was a cabinet maker of note. He operated a cabinet shop opposite the Old St. Louis Cathedral where he carved an altar and a beautiful Trenberger carved and embellished door for this church. The artistic bent of the family could probably be traced to this early forebear.
THE RAUCH FAMILY
Under the spreading chestnut tree The village smithy stands,
The smith a mighty man was he With large and sinewy hands And the muscles of his brawny arms Are strong as iron bands.
What a pity the young people of Columbia will never be able to see the old blacksmith shops of the days of yore, with their "mighty" men toiling over the forge or bending down to shoe the foot of some nervous horse. It was always a delight to pass by the blacksmith shop of William, Edmund and Joseph Rauch at Locust street, peek in the door and see these stalwart men at work, each garbed in a leather apron to repel the sparks from the forge. As you passed, all three welcomed young America in hearty booming voices.
The father of these three Rauchs (Smoke, they were called, because Rauch means smoke in German), was Joseph Rauch, Sr. He was born in Wurzburg, Rhein Bayern or Bavaria July 4, 1840. When he was four years old his sisters came to America, to St. Louis, bringing Joseph, Sr. with them. He grew to manhood in St. Louis and then moved to Columbia when he was grown. In 1856 he was apprenticed to Edward Victor Heiligstedt, who had a blacksmith shop in back of his grocery store, both located on Monroe Bank property. He was married to Louisa Schumacher, sister of Mrs. Charles Schneider (Mary Schumacher) and Henry Schumacher, who lived in the John Landgraf house. Three boys were born to them, the subjects of our sketch - William, Joseph and Ed- mund. These boys helped their father in the blacksmith business which later was moved to Locust and South Second streets. The Schmidts, father and two sons, Ar- thur and John were wagon makers and these two fami- lies merged into Schmidt and Rauch. They also sold agri- cultural implements.
The father, Joseph, Sr. passed away April 25, 1899 at the age of 59. He had been a trustee of the village from 1879-80; from 1881-85; from 1888-90 and 1891-94, and his passing left a void in Columbia civic circles.
The boys carried on their father's work, being ma- chinists as well as smiths. Joseph worked at the Columbia Quarry and at the Columbia Star Mill and later started a tavern where Greatting's Market now is located.
Joseph Sr. had been vitally interested in politics and took an active part in it. Following in his footsteps were Joseph Jr. and Edmund who also participated in civic, county, state and national politics. Joseph, Sr. was also a soldier in the Civil War and saw much action. William, the oldest brother was the backbone of the blacksmith business. He stayed in the business while the younger brothers branched out, Edmund to plumbing and machin- ist work and Joseph to the tavern.
William Rauch was married to Emma Fiege, and four children were born to them: Ella, Elmer, both of Co- lumbia; Tillie and Adolph, the last two having passed away.
Joseph, Jr, was married to Jennie Eichmueller and five children were born to them: Hilda (Mrs. Gustav Boemer); Edwin and Joseph, deceased; Alex of St. Louis and Lou (Mrs. John Kleyer) of Columbia. Mrs. Boemer has a son M. J. New.
Edmund L. Rauch was married to Mrs. Lizzie Linde- mann on September 18, 1910. Mrs. Lindemann, a widow, was the former Lizzie Osick. She had one daughter, Em- ma Lindemann. Emma married the son of William Rauch, Elmer G. Rauch, and they have one son, William Edward.
William Rauch was killed while on duty as a special policeman for the city on Labor Day, Sept. 1,
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1924. Traffic was heavy on that day, blinding rain storm raging, and an niarm of fire at the Columbia Quarry further complicated traffic, so Mr. Rauch went of his own accord to direct traffle at the corner of Main and Cherry. He was struck and killed by a car without lights, driven by n St. Louis man. Surely that was devotion above and beyond the call of duty on Mr. Rauch's part.
E. L. Rauch was elected trustee of the town from 190-1-27 and city alderman from 1927-33. He was also the City Superintendent of the Light Plant and manager of the Cahokia Telephone Company of Dupo. He was the President of the Monroe National Bank for 30 years and has been connected with the bank as director for 39 years. He belongs to the Turners and is an honorary mem- ber of the Rotary Club. Ile is a member of United Church of Christ.
Elmer G. Rauch, E. L. Rauch's son-in-law and also his nephew, is employed as the East Side Agent of the St. Louis Southwestern (Cotton Belt) railroad. Elmer's son, William Edward, is employed at McDonnell Air- craft Co. of St. Louis.
MRS. GERARD J. DUNDON
Mrs. Gerard J. Dundon, assistant secretary of the Cen- tennial committee, is the wife of Dr. Gerard J. A. Dundon of Columbia. They have three children, Gerard J., Denis S. and Margaret M.
Mrs. Dundon was born in New York City, her parents heing Thomas C. S. and Margaret T. McCalmont.
She is a graduate of the St. Angela Hall Academy and Maxwell Teacher's College of New York.
The Dundon family came to Prairie du Rocher where Dr. Dundon practised and later moved to Columbia in 1951.
Mrs. Dundon is an amateur artist of great ability, always in demand for projects requiring art work, be- cause she gives so freely of her time and talents. She is also an organist of ability.
She is a member of Immaculate Conception church, a member and past president of the Columbia Woman's Club. She is past president of the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, Past President of the Legion Auxiliary, Joseph Park Post of Prairie du Rocher, Past Secretary of Bishop Zuroweste Circle, Daughters of Isabella and Past President of the Altar Society of St. Joseph's Parish.
CHARLES J. GRUENINGER
Charles J. Grueninger, son of Mrs. Ida Grueninger and the late Albert Grueninger was born in Columbia, Sept. 21, 1911. He was married to Pearl C. Frierdich, the daugh- ter of Otto Frierdich and his wife nee Schallom. They have three children, Carl James, Mary Pearl and Marvin John. Carl James is in the service, in the Ordnance Divi- sion, stationed in Augsburg, Germany. Mary Pearl is one of the Miss Columbia candidates. She is a Junior at SS. Peter and Paul high school at Waterloo. Marvin also at- tends school.
Mr. Grueninger is secretary and treasurer of the Co- lumbia Motors, Inc. on north Main Street. This flourish- ing business was started in 1944 as a partnership by Wm. S. Haudrich and C. J. Grueninger. It was changed to a corporation in 19-18 with the following members: Wm. S. llaudrich, Florence llaudrich, C. J. Grueninger and Pearl Grueninger.
Mr. Grueninger is a member of the Immaculate Con- ception Church; the Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree Assembly of Waterloo, Jilinois; the Holy Name Society of the Catholic Church; member and Past President of the
Columbia Chamber of Commerce; member and director of the Columbia Rotary Club; member of Columbia, Waterloo and Hickory Hollow Sportsman's Clubs; member and direc- tor of the Waterloo Country Club, director of the First National Bank in Columbia; member of lilinois Auto Dealers Trade Assn .; n member of the Nationnl Auto Dealers Association; president of the Columbia Gymnastic Assn .; and a director of the Columbia Centennial Associa- llon, on which he serves as Concessions and Rides Chair- man.
LEO A. WEILBACHER
Leo A. Weilbacher is a member of the Board of Di- rectors of the Columbia Centennial Association, a member of the history committee and the chairman of the Miss Columbia contest. Mr. Weilbacher's family tree is most interesting tracing back to the European Thirty-Year War 1618-48. The name "Weilbacher" was coined because during the Thirty-Year War his family erected a wall (Well-Wail) behind which the family found shelter. The whole of Europe was involved and in 1659 when a peace treaty was finally signed Germany was in ruins and the Holy Roman Empire a hollow shell.
Leo A. Weilbacher was the son of Henry and Johanna Weilbacher, nee Mueller and the grandson of Fredaline and Bernadine Weilbacher, nee Platz. His great-grand- parents were John Weilbacher and Johanna Essig; his great-great-grandparents were Adolph Weilbacher, born in 1775 and his wife Katherine Westerburger from Amien, Germany or France as the fortunes of war dictated.
Leo's grandmother was Bernadine Piatz, daughter of Joseph Piatz and his wife, nee Margaret Pfeffer. The Platz family lived on the Platz farm on the old road to Belle- ville. When Mr. and Mrs. Platz came to Columbia they first lived in an abandoned squatter's cabin near the present house, The Platz family picked a beautiful spot for their home under the shelter of the Bluff near a clear "spring of lasting water" which runs into Wamser's Creek. On the hill back of their cabin when they arrived was an Indian village, with their wigwams visible from their home. Mr. Platz and Peter Frierdich, a neighbor. had to leave their wives to go on foot on an important Journey. While the men were gone the women were alone but the Indians were kind and regularly brought them game when they came to the spring to get water. The women broke rock for their homes from the soft sandstones cliffs in their back yard. The Piatz house was not completed until 1850, as a tablet on the house indicates. It is still a beautiful house. A picture of it appears elsewhere in this book.
Mr. Weilbacher is the president of Henry Weilbacher and Sons; vice president of the Viking Freight Lines; Sec .- Treas. of Drugmaster Inc.
His wife, the former Lee Huhn, member of a promi- nent pioneer Belleville newspaper family, preceded him in death. He has three children: Arthur of Columbia, Mary Elizabeth (wife of Dr. Donald Bandie) of St. Louis nnd Robert of Cleveland, Ohio, and eight grandchildren.
Mr. Weilbacher is n member of the Columbia Immac- ulate Conception Church, and an ardent worker for the church and its societies. His father has the honor of being the first child christened in the present Catholic Church.
lle is a member of Important civic organizations, hav- ing served as Service Officer of the Columbia American Legion Post No. 581 for many years. lle was also one of the early presidents of the Columbia Volunteer Fire Co serving for a number of years in that capaciay. He also Is a Past Commander of Columbia Legion Post No. 551.
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REIDSSCHULER
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REID & SCHULER GENERAL STORE
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ARNIN'S GENERAL STORE
P. W. MILLER & SONS BLACKSMITH SHOP
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THE WASHINGTON SALOON MEAT MARKET BY G. A. ROHM
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THE OLD WM. VOGT STORE
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J. A. PFEFFER'S STORE
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ARTHUR P. WINK, PRESIDENT OF THE COLUMBIA CENTENNIAL ASSOCIATION
Arthur P. Wink, president of the Columbia Centennial Association is an active worker In civle, benevolent and church circles in Columbla and Monroe County.
Mr. Wink was born in Columbia, September 16, 1905, the son of Charles and Anna Marie Wink, nee Ferkel. His birthplace was the Rock House on the corner of South Rapp and Jefferson streets. This stone cottage recalls 18th century small homes in Germany. It is built of native limestone, beautifully cut by Columbia artisans. It is well over 100 years old, and was the family home of Mr. Wink's grandfather, Nicholaus Ferkel. Mr. Ferkel had emigrated to Columbia from Gimmelding, Neu Staadt-an. der-Haardt. Germany. The paternal grandsire, Carl Wink, also came from Germany.
Mr. Wink's family moved to a farm south of Colum- bia when he was three years old. Mr. Wink received his education at the Shoemaker School, which was built in 1867-8 by Fred Koch of Columbia at a cost of $800. This school is now a part of Columbia Community District 4.
Farm life then was without present day refinements, and country homes were without electric lights, an un- heard of thing today.
Mr. Wink attended Columbia Community High School and later completed business school and accounting courses.
He worked briefly in the Waterloo oil fields in 1920; and as a bookkeeper for Winmark Mercantile Co. of St. Louis. They sold principally on time payment, an innova- tion at that time, but which now has become a way of life of the American people.
Shortly after the Columbia Farmers Cooperative was organized, now the Mon-Clair Grain and Supply Company, in 1925, Mr. Wink was employed by the Co-op for $12 a week. He progressed rapidly and by 1936 became as- sistant manager f the cooperative.
In September of 1936 Fate tapped him on the shoul- der for advancement. He was appointed cashier of the Monroe County Savings Bank and Trust Company, now converted to the Monroe National Bank. Footings in the bank then were in the neighborhood of $700,000; in Jan- uary of 1959 nearly nine times that modest figure or $6 1 000.
Mr Wink is presently president of the Monroe Na- ti nal Bank, member of the Board of Directors; Treasurer of the Char ber { Commer e; President of the Monroe County B ard of School Truste s; Treasurer of Monroe County Fair Association; and Vice President of the Advis- ory Committee of Monroe County Department of Welfare.
In the past he served as President of St. Paul United Church of Christ and als the Brotherhood; Treasurer of the City of Columbia: Treasurer of St. Paul Cemetery. Columbia Gymnastic Association and Columbia Rotary Club; Vice President and President of the Rotary Club. Fresident Monr e Co. Bankers' Association and Monroe County Chapter Red Cross: Vice President of Columbia Chamber of Commerce and Columbia Gymnastic Associa- tion; President Monroe County Chapter Khoury League Baseball Association and Chairman of Monroe County U. S. Savings Bonds.
Mrs. Wink Is the former Ella R. Kruse. daughter of the late Fred Kruse and his wife. Emma. Mr. and Mrs. Wink have two daughters. Ethel Mine and Carol All are members of the United Church of Christ
With this imp sing list of achievements. Columbia is fortunate to have Mr Wink as President of the Centen-
nlal Association. llis experience in dealing with people and affairs of magnitude make him well fitted for the position.
Equally vital to the planning of the Centennial was the efficiency of the committee which served under him.
DR. FRANK L. EVERSULL
Dr. Frank L. Eversull was brought up in East St. Louis, Illinois, where he received his elementary and secondary education He received the degrees of Bachelor of Philos- ophy and Master of Arts from the University of Chicago, and the degree of Doctor of Philosophy from Yale Univer. sity. Subsequently he was honored by Marietta College with the degree of Doctor of Divinity, and Elon College with the degree of Doctor of Law. He has done work in Washington University, McCormick Theological Seminary, and other institutions. He married the former Miss Mildred Briegel of Columbia, and they have one daughter, Mrs. Evelyn Gustafson and one son, John.
Hle still has his residence in Columbia, Illinois, where he was principal of the high school 1913-1916. From 1916 1J 1921 he was principal of the high school at Truy. At the same time he finished his work in theology and was ordained there by Alton Presbytery in May 1917. He served as pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Troy In h min- istry he has served as assistant pastor of the Second Pres- byterian Church in Chicago, pastor of St. Mark's English Lutheran Church, Compton Hill Congregational Church, and Peter's Memorial Presbyterian Church in St. Louis, and the First Congregational Church in Fargo, North Da- kota. After leaving Troy, Illinois for graduate work at the University of Chicago, he was principal of the Woodward School in St. Louis, 1922-28; principal of the East St. Louis High School, 1928-33; instructor in education at Yale Uni- versity, 1933-34; President of Huron College, Huron South Dakota, 1934-38; President of North Dakota Agricultural College. 1938-1946. He left there to enter American Mili- tary Government and was sent to Korea where he served as Chief of Colleges and Teachers Colleges, 1946-1945. The next year he spent on the lecture platform, then entered Washington University where he was full professor n guidance, higher education, and comparative education. He conducted his own radio program-The Date Line over WIB V for more than two years.
Dr. Eversull was select ·d as a distinguished graduate of the University of Chicago, June , 1946. H . was d cor- nted by King Christ an X { Denmark, May 13, 1 1 He was appointed protessional counselor by the National V - cational Guidance Association, October 31, 1319 I uring the summer of 1950 he served as Director of the Mowest in'ernational Seminar at Aarhus, Denmark. He has h en an Elect r in the Hall f Fame since 1 36 and is a fel ww of the American Association for the Advanc mt f Science By appointment of the Governor of Illinois. h> was on the Board of Trustees of Southern Illinois Univer sity and Vice President of the Board.
Flis fraternity Is Sigma Alpha Epsilon In the hun rary fraternities he belongs to Phi Delta Kappa, Pi Gamma Mu. Phi Kappa Phi, and Kappa Delta Pi, lle belongs i) all Masonic bodies, 33rd degree Scottish Rite Masın. Dr Ev- ersuli is listed in "Who's Who in America", "Who's Who in Am rican Education", "Leaders in Education", "Who's Who in the Northwest", and "International Dictionary of Blography' He was full professor at Washington Univer- sity and served as the full-time pastor of the First Pres- byterinn Church of Belleville, Illinois from 1945-1957. He Is now a Lecturer on Guidance at Southern Illin i U'ni- varsity-East St. Louis Branch.
MRS. BERTHA MARIE ARNIN SCHOENING
Mrs. Bertha Marie Arnin Schoening is a member of the Centennial History Committee. She is the daughter of Joseph M. Arnin and his wife, nee Elise Kupferschmidt. Mrs. Schoening was born in Columbia as was her father. Her mother was born in St. Louis. Her paternal grand- father was John Arnin and her paternal grandmother nee Anna Harmacek. Her maternal grandparents were Philip Kupferschmidt and his wife, Catherine, nee Braun. Both grandfathers came from Baden, Germany while Grandma Kupferschmidt came from Alsace-Lorraine and Grandma Arnin from Mechlin, Austria. They all came to this coun- try in the 1850's and 1860's.
Bertha Arnin was married to Arthur Schoening, whose father owned the old Columbia Star Mill and was inter- ested in many other Columbia enterprises. They have one son, Everett William Schoening, who is the consul at the United States Consulate at Calgary, Alberta, Canada. He served with honor and distinction in similar capacities (although his position was not so named) in Germany during and after World War II. His wife is the former June Crittenden of Columbia.
The Arnin family conducted a general store here for many years. Mr. Arnin served as postmaster for many years, as did Mrs. Schoening's brother, Arthur Arnin. An- other brother, Harry, is the husband of the former Bertha Kunz, and he was also prominent in early Columbia. A sister, Olivia Arnin, lives with Mrs. Schoening, and also Mr. Arnin's sister, Louisa Arnin (Aunt Lou to everyone). Another sister, Mrs. Edwin Kueffner, nee Florence Arnin lives at Granite City.
Mrs. Schoening is a member of St. Paul United Church of Christ. She helps in many church activities, the Wo- men's Guild, Sewing Circle of which she is secretary-treas- urer; teacher in the Junior Department of the Sunday School and member of the Fidesta Bible Class.
She is a Charter member of Monroe Chapter No. 597 Order of the Eastern Star, having been a member for over 52 years, and serving as secretary of this organization for 50 years, serving every year except two of the Chapter's existence. She was Worthy Matron for three years during 1918-19-20.
WALTER F. GIFFHORN
Walter F. Giffhorn is a member of the Board of Direc- tors of the Columbia Centennial Association and also of the Historical committee. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. William Giffhorn. His maternal grandparents were Mr. and Mrs Wm. Kremmel, Sr., who came here from Switzer- land. Mr. Kremmel was a Columbia saddler for many years. Walter's paternal grandparents were Mr. and Mrs. Hy. Giffhorn. Mr. Giffhorn was a farmer. An uncle, Henry Giffhorn, was a popular county commissioner for many years. The elder Giffhorns came here from Germany.
Mrs. Giffhorn was the daughter of Wm. Reichenbach and his wife nee Eckert. Her grandparents were Mr. and Mrs. Heinrig Reichenbach, Sr., who operated a shoemak- ing establishment. He made shoes by hand and his wife went to Carondelet, Mo. by ferry and sold the shoes for him. Later he operated a tavern which is now Eberhard's. The Reichenbachs came from Germany. Henry Reichen- bach, Jr., for many years was secretary of the Turnverein and his beautiful German records are a joy to behold. The Giffhorns have one son, Walter, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Giffhorn are members of St. Paul United Church of Christ. He is a member of St. Paul's Brother- hood Mr. Giffhorn is with the Southwestern Railroad as Commercial agent. He belongs to the Traffic Club of St. Louis and the Little Egyptian Traffic Club.
MRS. RAYMOND F. KREMMEL
Mrs. Raymond F. Kremmel, nee Laura M. Schnell, a member of the Board of Directors of the Centennial Asso- ciation, and also in charge of the volunteer service for the Centennial, was born at Waterloo, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lorenz Schnell. Mrs. Kremmel attended school at Val- meyer. She was also a graduate of Summers College of Commerce at East St. Louis.
The Schnell family moved to Columbia and Mrs. Kremmel took a position with Henry Weilbacher and Sons in 1926 doing clerical work. In 1933 she was appointed buyer and manager in the ladies' ready-to-wear depart- ment in the same store. Until her retirement her entire business experience was with the Weilbacher Store, where she was employed for 261/2 years.
Mrs. Kremmel is a member of St. Paul United Church of Christ and has given many years of service to the church. She served as secretary of the Sunday School twenty-one years and as assistant secretary for nine years, and also as secretary of the Board of Christian Education. She served as a member of the church Consistory for three years and is also a member of the Women's Guild.
She has also given years of work to the American Le- gion and is at present head of the American Legion Aux- iliary Unit No. 581, after serving as first and second vice president. She has served as Sergeant-at-arms of the St. Clair-Monroe County Council and is at present the chap- lain of that organization. In addition to this she is the president of St. Clair County Lodge 163, Auxiliary to the Brotherhood of Railway Carmen of America.
MISS ERNESTINE C. SMITH
Miss Ernestine C. Smith, daughter of George W. Smith and his wife, Kate Rose, nee Carroll was born in Chicago, Illinois. The family moved to West Point, Iowa, where her father started a country newspaper, the West Point Bee. The family, Mr. and Mrs. Smith and the two daughters, Ernestine and Consuelo, moved to Columbia in May of 1906, where they started the newspaper, the Columbia Star, which was later sold to Roy Conrad, the present owner. Ernestine attended the public school at West Point and later St. Mary's Catholic School and high school there.
Her paternal grandparents George Schmitt and his wife, Caroline, nee Zweig came by sailing vessel from Nuremberg, Bavaria and Westphalia, settling at Sugar Loaf. Her maternal grandparents, Martin Carroll, and his wife Rose, nee Murphy came from County Cork, Ireland to Vermont where they farmed. Later they moved to Mil- waukee and Martin Carroll became Milwaukee's first mayor. Democratic politics ran in the family for a cousin Martin Kennelly, served as mayor of Chicago.
The subject is a graduate of Summers College of Com- merce, and later taught at the East St. Louis, Collinsville and Granite City branch schools of Summers.
At the death of her father Ernestine became the edi- tor of the Columbia Star with her sister Consuelo, publish- er and her husband, C. L. Volkert, linotype operator and pressman.
The subject served for seven years as Fiscal Supervis- or and head of publicity in the Department of Registra- tion and Education in Springfield, Ill. For five years she was the librarian and councilor of the Christian Welfare Hospital School of Nursing at East St. Louis. At present she is head of the Control Room at the Municipal Building here.
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COLUMBIA QUARRY CO. PICNIC
TURNING SCHOOL
THE M. & O. LEAGUERS
SURREY WITH THE FRINGE ON THE TOP
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1892 CHAMPIONS
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OLD BALL DIAMOND
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HERBERT C. SCHUELER
Herbert C. Schueler was born at Columbia, the son of William Schueler and his wife nee Ida Oerter. He was married to Miss Leola Ludwig, daughter of Philip Ludwig and his wife Anna, nee Naumann. This union was blessed with one daughter, Wendy Lou.
Mr. Schueler attended the Columbia public school and graduated from the Columbia High School. He attended the David Rankin Trade School, taking Architectural Drafting and Construction Technique at night school. He studied with the Chicago Technical College by correspon- dence, taking estimating and construction. While with the U. S. Army in France he attended the Biaritz American University, Biaritz, France, taking courses relating to con- struction.
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