A history of northwest Missouri, Volume III, Part 116

Author: Williams, Walter, 1864-1935 editor
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 912

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CHARLES P. BREEN. One of Parkville's best citizens is Charles P. Breen, who has spent his life in Platte County in a progressive rise from stonemason's apprentice when a boy to independent contractor and builder, and finally to executive control of one of the county's leading banks. No small amount of his business service has gone in practical helpfulness to the community. Such men as Charles P. Breen typify the best in any locality.

Born at Weston, Missouri, June 29, 1858, he was the second child of James and Mary (Collins) Breen, who were early settlers of Platte County. His father was born at Wexford, Ireland, and died at Weston in 1891, aged sixty-two, while his mother was born in County Limerick, Ireland, and died at the age of sixty-five in 1907. All their nine chil- dren are still living. James Breen was twenty-two when he came to the United States, and was married at Maysville, Kentucky, his wife

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having come over at the age of eighteen. In Ireland he had served apprenticeship as a stonemason, and that was the trade he followed in Maysville until 1858. He then brought his family to Weston, Mis- souri, traveling by boat, and here continued his chosen work the rest of his active years.

Charles P. Breen took up the responsibilities of life at an early age. His schooling ended at fourteen, and he helped pay his way at home and also learned a useful trade by assisting his father. With skill and experience as a stonemason, he was not long in starting independently as contractor. His removal to Parkville in 1886 was in order to take charge of all construction work for Park College, and he has erected all the substantial buildings on the campus of that institution, structures of brick and stone that for many years to come will be monuments to the man who fabricated them.

In the course of years his business interests have expanded, while others have been laid by. In 1905 he was elected president of Park Bank, which had his services in that capacity four years. In 1909 Mr. Breen retired from mason contracting as a regular business, and his only resumption of activities was during 1912, when he took the contract and built the Weston Catholic Church. He donated his own services, only taking pay for the actual wages of his workmen. In 1911 he organized the Farmers Exchange Bank at Parkville, of which he is the owner and president, and now gives all his time to the management of that institution. His interest in home affairs has prompted him to give twenty years' service as member of the city council and school board. All his life he has affiliated with the democratic party, and he and his wife are Catholics.

In 1887 Mr. Breen married Miss Mary Nall, who was born at Weston, Missouri, October 5, 1861. Her parents were Mathias and Grace Nall, both natives of Germany, her father having come to Weston in 1848 and for many years following his trade as wagonmaker. Mr. and Mrs. Breen have a family of five children : Edward N. is vice president of the bank at Parkville and an employe of the new National Reserve Bank at Kansas City ; Everett J. is cashier of the Farmers Exchange Bank at Parkville ; Howard M. has also begun a banking career and is now connected with one of the banks of Kansas City; Charles and Grace, the younger chil- dren, are both in school.

HON. CHARLES M. DAILY. Honored in public life, eminently suc- cessful in business and deeply beloved not only by his kindred but by everyone who knew him, the late Charles M. Daily was a citizen of Andrew County, whose loss will long be deplored. The natural capacities and the sterling traits which made him an admirable judge, were com- bined with personal qualities which endeared him, in every phase of life, to those with whom he was brought into contact. Just and impartial in public office, in private life he was warm-hearted, genial, charitable and hospitable, and exemplified in his everyday life the best that is in man- hood those things which are worthy, useful, helpful and lasting.

Charles M. Daily was born near Greensburg, Decatur County, In- diana, September 1, 1837, and died on his home farm in Andrew County, Missouri, February 16, 1911. His parents were Samuel and Julia (Morgan) Daily. They also were natives of Indiana and came to Mis- souri when Charles M. was in early manhood and here spent the rest of their lives, passing away when aged about seventy years. Their family contained nine children, Charles M. being the first born, the others, but three of whom survive, being: Mrs. Martha Allison, who is deceased ; Mrs. Fannie Abbott, who is deceased; Mrs. Malissa Bennett,

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who is a resident of St. Joseph; Mrs. Cora Holt, who is deceased ; William, who is a resident of Greensburg, Indiana; Samuel and Abraham, both of whom are deceased; and Wilson, who is a resident of Benton, Kansas.

Charles M. Daily had attended school in Indiana and when he accom- panied his parents to Andrew County was ready to go into business. He owned 1,500 acres of land and the raising of stock was his object in holding so much. He became connected with the stock yards at St. Joseph, operating there a long time before the present commission system was established, and drove stock in the early days, before railroads were built, all over the country. He bought and sold and raised the finest horses, mules and hogs in the country, carrying on all his agricul- tural operations on a vast scale. Judge Daily continued in the commis- sion business with the St. Joseph yards for many years, one of his sons, Benjamin Daily, now of St. Joseph, succeeding him in that relation.

Judge Daily came to what continued his home place in sections 1 and 5, Rochester Township, in 1860. The original owner of the place, now known as Cherry Grove Farm, was the father of his second wife, Benjamin Holt, who entered the land from the Government and built the commodious, old-fashioned brick house still standing. The bricks used in its construction were made by Joseph Selecman. Here Judge Daily spent his most enjoyable years. While his business interests were large he became very prominent in public affairs in Andrew County and served three terms as county judge. It was during his administra- tion that the county courthouse was built, a fine structure creditable to its builders and the county alike, and the name of Judge Daily, with two other county judges, is inscribed on the building, they composing the construction committee. Within the building also is hung a portrait of Judge Daily.

The first marriage of Judge Daily took place September 23, 1858, to Miss Nancy R. Murphey, who came to Andrew County a short time previously with her parents. Three children were born to this union: Gates, who is a resident of St. Joseph, Missouri; John Frank, who lives at Moncraft, Wyoming; and Julia, who died at the age of three years. Judge Daily's second marriage took place November 28, 1864, to Miss Mary Ann Holt, and the six children of this marriage were : Benjamin, who is a resident of St. Joseph and prominent in the meat packing business; Julia, who is the wife of Jacob Carson, of Kodiak, Missouri; Charles M., who is a farmer in Andrew County; Robert, who is also a farmer in this county; and Abraham and Florence, both of whom are deceased, the former dying at the age of five years and the latter at three years. On September 27, 1881, Judge Daily was married to Miss Mary E. Selecman, who was born two miles north of the present home- stead, October 23, 1856, and has resided in Andrew County all her life. There were four children born to the above marriage: George William, who divides his time, living partly with his mother and partly at St. Joseph, where he is in the cattle commission business; Henry Redman, who resides at home; Sally, who is the wife of John Easley, residing near Savannah; and Mollie, who died when aged fourteen months. The large estate left by Judge Daily, including the home place of 700 acres, has not yet been completely settled, the heirs being the widow and nine children. Judge Daily owned the above farm for over forty years.

In politics Judge Daily was a democrat but during the Civil war he was in sympathy with the Union cause. He never was swayed by politics in public life and was always so busily concerned in other directions that he did little seeking for public office, serving faithfully, however, when elected. He was known all over the state and at his hospitable table many distinguished men were frequently entertained. It was his cus-

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tom to make a feast for all who cared to come, on the day his birthday was celebrated, when, with other special dainties, a young pig was roasted in true southern style. He was affectionately called "uncle Charley" by those who had known him long and appreciated his generosity and open-hearted kindness. There are many in Andrew County and else- where who can recall his words of encouragement and also his practical help when lack of money seemed to mean also lack of friends. He was identified with the Masonic fraternity and for many years was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.

JOHN L. ZEIDLER. A man of prominence and recognized ability, John L. Zeidler, of St. Joseph, has ever taken an active and intelligent interest in local affairs, and his influence for good has been felt in nearly all of the progressive movements for the betterment of city and county. A son of John Zeidler, he was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, of German ancestry.

John Zeidler was born in the Town of Selb, Bavaria, Germany, where his parents were life-long residents. Three of his brothers immigrated to America, Christian settling first in Poughkeepsie, New York, but later settling in Scranton, Pennsylvania, as did the other two brothers, Oswald and Loreny. John Zeidler was reared and educated in the Fatherland, and there served an apprenticeship at the baker's trade. Embarking on a sailing vessel he landed in New York after a long and tedious voyage of 103 days. He first found work on the Erie Canal, and later was engaged in lumbering in the forests of New York. In 1853 he went to Scranton, Pennsylvania, then a small city, and was there for a time employed in a sawmill. Establishing himself then in the bakery busi- ness he was very successful, and after a few years opened a hotel in a brick building in Scranton. He subsequently conducted both a hotel and the bakery, continuing in active business until his death.

The maiden name of the wife of John Zeidler was Maria Bechtold. She was born in Zweibrucken, Hesse Darmstadt, Germany. Her father, John Bechtold, was born in the same locality. In 1800 he came to America as a young man, and for a time was employed on the Erie Canal. Going then to Pittston, Pennsylvania, he found work in the Butler mine, which was the first mine to ship anthracite coal, and was foreman in the mine for upwards of forty years. He lived to the remarkable age of 105 years, retaining his mental faculties and good health until the last, passing away after an illness of three days. He was three times married, and reared three families. John Zeidler and his wife reared five children, as follows: Maria, Wilhelmina, John L., Margaret, and Emma.

Receiving his preliminary education in private schools, John L. Zeidler was fitted for college at Hoboken Academy, and later entered Mihlenberg College, in Allentown, Pennsylvania, but as he had decided not to engage in any profession he did not complete the course of study at that institution. Instead of being graduated, Mr. Zeidler left college and a good home and in 1878 started westward in search of fame and fortune. At Kansas City he hired out to go South with a herd of cattle, and in that capacity made several drives over the trail to Dodge City, Kansas, where the cattle were shipped West. A year later he came to St. Joseph, where he was variously employed for awhile, first at the Atlantic House, then one of the leading hotels, and later at the Colorado House. In 1885 Mr. Zeidler embarked in the real estate business, and having added a line of insurance in 1887 soon built up an extensive business in that line, and now represents several of the strongest insur- ance companies in the country ..

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Since taking up his residence in St. Joseph, Mr. Zeidler has been actively interested in the welfare of his adopted city. In 1888 he visited his old home in Scranton, and there first saw street cars operated by electricity. On his return he called the attention of the president of the St. Joseph Street Railway Company to it, with the result that the system of this city was changed from horses to electricity. At that time the trolley wheel ran on top of the rail, each car carrying a detached pole with which to shift the wheel whenever necessary to do so. It was in the car barns at St. Joseph that the wheel under the wire was devised.

Mr. Zeidler was one of the first to talk of interurbans, and to interest parties willing to build if a franchise could be obtained. He labored hard to secure the franchise, and the promoters then went to Indianapolis, where they established one of the greatest interurban systems of the world. For years Mr. Zeidler has talked and worked for good roads in Missouri, and was a member of the driving club that built the boulevard. He is a member of the Interstate Trail Association, of the Hannibal and St. Joseph Cross State Highway Association, and represents Buchanan County as a member of the executive committee of the Hannibal and St. Joseph Highway Association.

Mr. Zeidler married, in 1885, Josephine Wagner, who was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. On coming to America her parents settled in Pennsylvania, where the death of Mr. Wagner occurred, Mrs. Wag- ner, who survived him, passing away in Missouri. Fraternally Mr. Zeidler is a member of the Scranton Lodge, No. 345, Ancient Free and Accepted Order of Masons; of St. Joseph Lodge, No. 40, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; and of St. Joseph Aerie, No. 49, Fraternal Order of Eagles.

· JOHN KURTH. For nearly forty years John Kurth has been an estimable citizen of Andrew County, has spent most of his active career in farming, and is' now living retired at Cosby. As a young man he served during the closing months of the Civil war with a Union regi- ment, and his record as a citizen has been in keeping with the loyal qual- ities he displayed while fighting for his adopted country.

John Kurth is a native of Switzerland, born in Canton Berne, Novem- ber 12, 1840, a son of John and Elizabeth (Lontz) Kurth. His father was born in 1810 and his mother in 1812. In 1850, when the son John was ten years of age, the family left Switzerland, embarked on a sailing vessel at Havre, France, and after a long and tedious voyage of forty- three days arrived at New Orleans. From there they came up the Missis- sippi River to St. Louis, and then found a home with a colony of Swiss people at the old Town of Highland thirty miles east of St. Louis, in Madison County, Illinois. Highland was established by Swiss people, and has always retained its characteristic as a Swiss and German town. At Highland the father worked at his trade as a gunsmith for about twenty years, and then spent the rest of his career as a farmer. He died at the age of eighty-three, and his wife passed away at seventy-five. They were the parents of a large family of children, twelve in number, named as follows: Elizabeth, deceased, who married Rev. Jacob Tanner; John ; Jacob, of Portland, Oregon ; Barbara, who died at Effingham, Illi- nois, was first the wife of Jacob Kooch and later married Mr. Barthold ; Andrew, who died at the age of eighteen ; Caroline, deceased, who married a Mr. Joice; Godfried, who died in infancy; Eddie; Godfried, who lives as a farmer in Chase County, Kansas; Emilia, widow of Jonas Tontz of Portland, Oregon ; William, of Highland, Illinois; and Mary, wife of Jacob Hollinger, of Grand Fork, Illinois.

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Mr. John Kurth was ten years of age when the family located at Highland, and had only one year of schooling after that, since it was necessary for him to go to work and help his father support the large family of children. He was employed on a farm, and was an industrious worker at home until 1864, when he enlisted in Company B of the Fif- teenth Missouri Infantry at St. Louis. He served in the Army of the Cumberland, went South to Texas in the latter months of his service, and was mustered out in that state, and discharged at St. Louis in Feb- ruary, 1866, with the rank of sergeant.

After the war Mr. Kurth continued farming in Illinois until 1876, and in October of that year arrived in Bates County, Missouri. He rented a farm there one year, then ran a mail route, and on September 1, 1878, arrived in St. Joseph and worked as a teamster until the follow- ing spring. Mr. Kurth then bought a small place of forty-five acres north of Cosby, and some time later bought an improved farm of ninety acres in Rochester Township. For many years he continued the cultivation and operation of this farm, but after retiring from active life went to Cosby to live.

Mr. Kurth is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which his wife is also a member, and is well known in Grand Army circles. On October 20, 1870, John Kurth married Mary Elizabeth Kline, who was born in Vinton County, Ohio, August 19, 1848, a daughter of Godlove and Nancy (Byerly) Kline. The Kline family has some interesting con- nections with this section of Northwest Missouri, and a more complete sketch of the family will be found on other pages. Mr. and Mrs. Kurth are the parents of a family of nine children whose names and brief men- tion of whom are as follows: John G., who was drowned in the Platte River at the age of thirty years; Anna Oretta, wife of George McKee of Fort Scott, Kansas; Sally, who married William McKee, a rural mail car- rier and brother of George, and they live at Cosby; Nancy is the wife of Frank Krull of Bates County ; Mollie is the wife of John McKee of Hem- ple, Missouri; Emma died at the age of twelve years; William E., a farmer near Cosby ; Charles lives at Lathrop, Missouri; and Nellie is the wife of Bud J. Thomas of Andrew County.

DAVID WILLIAM HARVEY. In the field of agriculture it has often happened that the fathers and grandfathers have secured the broad and fertile tracts of land which the sons and grandsons have brought to their full capacity of productiveness. The rough, preliminary labors of the pioneers were necessary, but it has been the work of those who have come later which has made the various agricultural sections have such an important place in the life of any state. David William Harvey is one of the agriculturists of Andrew County who is living on land which was cultivated by his father and from which he is bringing excellent results. He was born on this property, which lies in section 15, Nodaway Township, about one mile south of the courthouse at Savannah, February 27, 1865, and is a son of Richard Jacob and Margaret Agnes (Abbott) Harvey.

The maternal grandparents of David W. Harvey were David P. and Celestine (Phelps) Abbott, the former a native of Indiana and the latter of Delaware. They came to Missouri as early as April 2, 1842, traveling overland with ox-teams from the Hoosier State, and bringing beside their six children all their household effects and $3,000 in gold and silver with which to purchase their land in the new country. Settling down in Andrew County they engaged in agricultural pursuits and established a home and here two other children were born to them. In 1849 when

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there came the thrilling news of the discovery of gold in California, Mr. Abbott joined a caravan of fifty wagons and made the long and dangerous journey across the plains, only to die shortly after his arrival at Sacramento City. Of his children, none survive.

Richard Jacob Harvey was born at Norfolk, Virginia, in 1822, and about the year 1858 came West to the Platte Purchase in Missouri and engaged in farming, in connection with which he was for many years one of the best known educators of this part of the state. He died in 1885 at the age of sixty-three years, and in the faith of the Methodist Church. In political matters he was a democrat, and an influential man in his community. By his first marriage he had one daughter : Elizabeth, who is the widow of Sam Porter, of Whitesville, Andrew County. After coming to Missouri, Mr. Harvey was married to Margaret Agnes Brown, who had been twice married before and who was born in Leesville, Indiana, in 1829. By her first marriage she was the mother of two chil- dren, Henry Green Caples and Mary A. Caples, both of whom are now deceased. By her second marriage she had one daughter, Fannie Brown, who died at the age of one year. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Harvey : David William, of this review ; and Richard A., a banker of Lincoln, Nebraska. Mrs. Harvey was thirteen years of age when she came to Missouri with her parents who at that time bought the farm of A. Walters, that had been entered in 1840. Mrs. Harvey died in 1892, in the faith of the Christian Church.

David William Harvey received his education in the public schools of Savannah, and as a young man was interested in mercantile pursuits for about three years, when he acted as clerk in a grocery store at Bar- nard, Missouri. At the end of that period, however, he returned to farming, and secured ninety acres of the homestead, of which he at present retains seventy acres. He is engaged successfully in general farming and stockraising, and has good improvements on his land, the greater number of buildings having been erected by himself. He has various other interests, and is a stockholder in his brother's bank at Hebron, Nebraska, the Hebron State Bank. Mr. Harvey is a member of the Christian Church and of its official board, and has shown his interest in the cause of education by serving efficiently as a member of the board of school directors of his township. Progressive measures and movements have his support, and in every respect he is entitled to be named as one of his community's substantial men.

In 1894 Mr. Harvey was married to Miss Jennie Miller, who died in 1899, at the age of thirty-five years, having been the mother of two chil- dren, Margaret, who died at fourteen months; and Abbot, who died when three months old. Mr. Harvey was again married in 1901, when he was united with Mrs. Sadie Clark Horton, and to this union there have been born three children: Richard Clark, who is twelve years of age and a student in the Savannah schools; John W., aged ten years, and also attending the public schools; and Caroline, who died at the age of eight months.

CHARLES B. NEWBURN. A resident of Andrew County more than forty years, Charles B. Newburn has been known as a successful farmer, for several years was identified with merchandising in Cosby, and is now living retired in that village.

Charles B. Newburn was born in Marshall County, Illinois, April 19, 1861, only a few days after the beginning of the Civil war. His parents were David and Lucinda (Van Winkle) Newburn, both of whom were natives of Preble County, Ohio. David Newburn, the great-grandfather

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of Charles B. Newburn, was born January 18, 1756, and died June 2, 1820, his ancestors being from Wales in England. Tamer Newburn, his wife, was born March 30, 1761, and died August 15, 1837. To them were born eleven children as follows: John, Rachel, Sarah Newburn Yarnell, Dorothy, Nemiah, Jacob, David, George, William, Mary Newburn Vore, Ann Newburn Vore. David Newburn, the grandfather, was born July 27, 1792, and died March 28, 1855. Beulah (Brown) Newburn, his wife (and daughter of John Brown and Virgin (Gaskell) Brown), was born February 17, 1787, and died February 22, 1829. David Newburn was married twice, and to the first marriage was born four children as fol- lows: Rachel, John, Virgin B. Newburn Hofford and David Newburn. He was again married and to himself and Gule Elma Newburn were born six children : William H., Mary Ann, Warner Leads, Amy Newburn Carney, George and Lydia Newburn Grable, the last mentioned at this writing is still living with her family near Abilene, Kansas.

David Newburn, the father of Charles B. Newburn, was born near the old Quaker Church, about ten miles south of Eaton, in Preble County, Ohio, on the 22d day of January, 1829. He moved out to Illinois when a boy, and first married Jane Reddick, who was the mother of one daughter, Louisa J., now deceased. David Newburn returned to Ohio and married Miss Van Winkle on February 2, 1860, and then returned to Marshall County, Illinois. In March, 1872, he brought his family to Andrew County, Missouri, locating a mile and a half from Cosby, and one year later bought a farm near the Platte River in Rochester Town- ship. He lived as a farmer for a number of years, finally retiring to the Village of Cosby, where he died June 2, 1914. His wife, who was born November 27, 1827, passed away in July, 1911. From the age of six- teen David Newburn had been a blacksmith by trade, combining his trade with farming until he came to Missouri, after which he devoted all his time to his agricultural interests. At one time he owned 700 acres in Andrew County. Politically he acted with the whig party in early life, later with the republican, and held several minor township offices. He and his wife were the parents of three children : Charles B., Warner L., who lives in Mankato, Jewell County, Kansas; and Sarah B., the deceased wife of J. N. Addington.

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A history of northwest Missouri, Volume III, Part 116

Author: Williams, Walter, 1864-1935 editor Publication date: 1915 Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis publishing company Number of Pages: 912

Author: Williams, Walter, 1864-1935 editor
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 912