USA > Missouri > Jackson County > Kansas City > A memorial and biographical record of Kansas City and Jackson County Mo. > Part 38
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done much to mold his manhood's career. After passing his twenty-first birthday he became clerk in the Louisville Rolling Mill Company, and a few months later was pro- moted to the position of bookkeeper, in which capacity he served for a year. He was then made cashier and afterward served as cashier and bookkeeper for a wholesale gro- cery house of Louisville. In 1876 Mr. Snyder left that place and removed to St. Louis, Missouri, where he did business as a mer- chandise broker for four years. In the nnder- taking he won success, and after accumu- lating a few thousand dollars he came to Kansas City, and for nearly four years did business here as a dealer in fancy groceries, selling to the wholesale trade. Again suc- cess attended his energetic and well directed efforts, and he invested a portion of his capital in a cattle ranch, which he still owns, also began loaning money on real estate and dealing in high-grade investment securities. Out of this grew the Mechanics' Bank, which was organized and opened for busi- ness in January, 1891. From the beginning he has served as president, and has made it one of the solid financial institutions of the county. In May, 1895, on the organiza- tion of the Missouri Gas Company, he be- came president of that concern. This com- pany, supplying gas to consumers at a great reduction, has won thousands of friends and already has very liberal support.
On the 17th of January, 1876, Mr. Sny- der was united in marriage with Miss Fannie M. Hord, a daughter of James B. and Mamie Hord. She died in 1876, leaving one child, Robert M. Mr. Snyder was again married in 1880, his second union being with Miss Mary L. Dawson, daughter of George W. and Georgia A. (McCann) Dawson. They have four children : Mattie
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C., who died in infancy; Cary D., Roy J., and Kenneth W. The parents are members of the Christian church, and Mr. Snyder is now serving as deacon. In politics he is a democrat and socially is a thirty-second- degree Scottish-rite Mason.
Mr. Snyder is noted for his kindness and generosity and the poor and needy find in him a friend, yet his giving is always quiet and unostentatious, and his charities are frequently known only to himself and the recipient. He is a man of remarkable sym- metry of character, whose judgment in com- mercial affairs and upon general matters is singularly wise and sagacious, and who is always loyal to a high sense of moral obli- gation. He is a gentleman of unvarying courtesy, highminded and scrupulously faith- ful to every trust committed to his care. Quiet and unpretentious in his demeanor, with not the slightest trace of affectation, he bears himself with a becoming graceful dignity and acts with deliberation and the approval of his conscience in the discharge of his responsibilities. In him are blended in rare and attractive symmetry firmness, gentleness, kindness and an unswerving de- votion to his loftiest ideals.
OBERT A. HARRA, one of the enterprising and well-to-do farm- ers of Fort Osage township, al- though a native of this state, is of purely German origin, and in his mental constitution are found many of the sterling characteristics which distinguished his fore- fathers and their countrymen.
George H. Harra, the father of Robert A., was born in Hanover, Germany, July 4, 1817, and was married there to Miss Louisa Miller. By trade he was a cabinet-maker,
which he followed in the old country. In 1848 he emigrated to America, crossing the Atlantic in a sail vessel, and being eight weeks in making the ocean voyage to New Orleans, and thence up to Missouri, stop- ping first in St. Louis, and then Wellington, LaFayette county. Soon afterward he pur- chased a farın in Fort Osage township, this county, and from that time forward gave his attention chiefly to farming, now and then working some at the carpenter's trade, for himself and sons. He maintained his residence on the farm above referred to until August, 1890, when he sold out, and his , closing years were spent with his children. He died September 16, 1894; his widow sur- vives. They had ten children, namely: Augustus, a resident of Fort Osage town- ship; George, who died January 9, 1880; Christian, a farmer in this township; Mar- garet, wife of Joseph Campbell, Sniabar township, this county; Robert A., whose name heads this sketch; Frank L., a fariner of Fort Osage township; Amos E., a farmer of Fort Osage township; William, also en- gaged in farming in this township; Julia, wife of M. L. Cox, Sniabar township; and Elizabeth, wife of C. H. Latimer, of Kan- sas City, who maintains a farm near Blue Springs.
Robert A. Harra was born in Fort Osage township, March 5, 1852. He was reared on his father's farm and remained a member of the home circle until he attained his twenty-third year. Then he rented a farm and subsequently purchased land, at first only fifty acres, and from time to time as he was able added to it until now his farm comprises 316 acres, nearly all of which is improved and much of it under cultivation, the rest being utilized for stock purposes. The buildings and other improvements upon
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this place are the result of his well directed efforts.
Mr. Harra was married in Sniabar town- ship, near Blue Springs, February 26, 1880, to Miss Sallie Dillingham, daughter of Vachel and Nancy J. (Gibson) Dillingham, early settlers of Sniabar township. Her father was a soldier in the Confederate army and perished during the war. Her mother died in Sniabar township, October 4, 1881. Mrs. Harra is the youngest of their family of seven children, and was born September 15, 1862. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Harra are three in number and as follows: Thruston L., born March 20, 1881; Pearl E., July 3, 1884; and Louisa L., March 24, 1887.
In his political views Mr. Harra is inde- pendent, voting for the man rather than the party, and in all local affairs takes an active interest. In matters of a religious nature he is especially interested. He united with the Methodist church, south, in 1876, has been a steward in the church since 1877, and has all these years been an active worker in and a liberal supporter of the same. Mrs. Harra also is a member of the Methodist church, south.
a HARLES HAWLEY NEARING. -Among the native sons of the Empire State, who have sought homes in the west and become prominent in the various lines of business to which they have turned their attention, is the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch.
Mr. Nearing was born in New York, on the 20th of December, 1857, and is a rep- resentative of one of the old New England families, his ancestors having sailed from
Germany to America and taken up their residence in Connecticut in colonial days. The name of the family was originally spelled Nehring. The parents of our sub- ject were Wait Garrett and Ester Jane (Hawley) Nearing, the former a native of New Milford, Connecticut, and the latter of Delaware, N. Y., although descended from one of the old families of the Nutmeg State. Mr. Nearing met his death in 1880, at the age of fifty-five years, being struck by a tree which he was chopping down. In the family were two children,-Czar Lamont and our subject.
The latter acquired his education in the district schools near his home until fifteen years of age. When a youth of sixteen he was employed as teacher of the school where he first began his studies, and after the completion of that engagement he ma- triculated in Fairfield Academy, of Fair- field, New York, where he pursued a class- ical course and was graduated in 1879. Immediately thereafter he went to Coopers- town, New York, and entered the law office of Hon. Samuel S. Edick, under whose direction he continued his reading for a few months. In the winter following he re- turned to his old home and secured a posi- tion as teacher in a district school in the adjoining township. The succeeding spring he resumed his studies in Judge Edick's office in Cooperstown, and while he was thus engaged his father died. Not long afterward the home farm was sold and Mr. Nearing wisely used his share of the estate to secure an education. He entered the Columbia Law School in New York city and was graduated at that institution in 1882, with high honors. It was not long after this that he was admitted to the bar and secured a position in the office of Pratt,
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Geard & Powers, noted attorneys of New York. Here he obtained that experience so necessary as a foundation to successful prac- tice. He was given charge of a large por- tion of the Rhinelander estate, one of the largest estates in New York, and comprising some of the most valuable property in that locality. To this work he devoted his energies until the spring of 1884, when on account of failing health he was forced to abandon this and took the management of some valuable property in Texas. He re- mained in the south until the following fall and then came to Kansas City, where he hired desk room in the office of Thomlinson & Dew, and announced to the public that he had come to practice law. For a year he was employed as attorney of the Equit- able Mortgage Company, and then aban- doned the position to engage in general practice.
In the fall of 1886 he entered into part- nership with W. C. Barry, under the firm name of Nearing & Barry, which connection was continued until the spring of 1890. His next partner was John W. Wofford, and their relation was discontinued on the elec- tion of Mr. Wofford as judge of the criminal court. In November, 1893, he entered into partnership with F. W. Griffin, with whom he remained until the Ist of January, 1895, after which time he was alone until March, when he forined a partnership with Hon. Almerin Gillett, under the fırın name of Gillett & Nearing.
He is a man of high legal attainments and pronounced business ability. He cer- tainly deserves to be ranked among the fore- most lawyers in this part of the state. He is a good judge of law, and, what is of al- most equal importance, a good judge of men; and it was this quality, together with
his earnestness and ability as a speaker that has given him marked success in many jury cases. At the bar he has attained success, and among all with whom he has come in contact he has made many warm personal friends. He is a Master Mason and in poli- tics is an active republican.
Mr. Nearing has been twice married. In August, 1889, he wedded Miss Elba Reese, daughter of Morgan Reese, of New York. She was a most cultured lady, a fine scholar and skilled musician, and her many graces of character made her loved by all who knew her. She died on the 7th of August, 1890, leaving an infant son. On the 20th of September, 1893, Mr. Nearing led to the marriage altar Miss Anna Atwill, daughter of Bishop Edward R. Atwill, a most emni- nent divine of the Protestant Episcopal church, and bishop of the diocese of West Missouri. Mrs. Nearing is a lady of charm- ing personality, and with her little son is a most welcome addition to the Nearing household.
·
ENRY BERNAUER, who occu- pies the position of boiler inspector in Kansas City, has been identified with this place for a period of fif- teen years. He dates his birth in Mon- mouth county, New Jersey, February IS, 1854, and has in his veins a mixture of French and German blood.
His father, George Bernauer, a French- man, went from France to Germany, where he married Louisa File, a native of Ger- many, and after their marriage they emi- grated to America, landing here in 1852 and making settlement in New Jersey. Mon- mouth county, New Jersey, continued their abiding place until 1868, when they removed
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to Springfield, Illinois, and some time later located in Chicago. Mr. Bernauer died in Chicago, in 1888. His widow is yet a resi- dent of that city. Five sons and three daughters composed their family. In New Jersey Henry spent his boyhood days, and, as his parents were poor, he had limited advantages for an education. He, however, made the best of his opportunities, studied at night and whenever he had a leisure mo- ment, and by home study and close obser- vation has acquired a large fund of useful information. From 1868 to 1871 he lived in Springfield, Illinois, where he was a por- tion of that time an employee in a woolen mill. In 1871 we find him in Texas en- gaged in railroading, as an employee of the Texas Central. In this way he was occu- pied up to the spring of 1874, when he re- turned to Springfield and learned the trade of boiler-maker, at which trade he worked in that city until the spring of 1880. Since 1880 he has been a resident of Kansas City, Missouri. He followed his trade here until the spring of 1888, when he established the Kansas City Steam Boiler Works, which he sold out in the spring of 1889. About that time he was appointed boiler inspector by Mayor Davenport, and served one year under him and one year under his successor, Mayor Holmes. After this he resumed work at his trade and continued the same until the spring of 1894, when he was again ap- pointed boiler inspector, this time by Mayor Webster Davis. Being an expert mechanic and having had a number of years' experi- ence in this line of work, Inspector Bernauer is thoroughly qualified for the duties of this responsible position, and his record thus far has been without a blemish. Both as an official and citizen is he entitled to the high esteem in which he is held. Fraternally he
is identified with the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, the A. O. U. W. and the Knights of Pythias. His political affil- iations have always been with the repub- lican party.
Mr. Bernauer was married in 1879 to Miss Sarah Helton, of Springfield, Illinois, and they have one son, Earl.
R OBERT ORR CROSS is numbered among the younger members of the medical fraternity of Kansas City, but years have not hindered his progress, which has been both steady and rapid, until to-day he is recognized as one of the prominent representatives of the medical fraternity in this section, and is en- joying a business which many an older prac- titioner might well envy.
Dr. Cross was born in Harrisburg, Penn- sylvania, December 7, 1865, and is a son of Ralph E. and Elizabeth (Orr) Cross. The father was born near Lockport, Pennsyl- vania, in 1828, and was professor of geology in Alfred University, of Rochester, New York. He acquired his education in Yale College, and was graduated with the degrees of Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science. He is at present retired from professional life, and makes his home in Rochester, New York. His wife is also living and has attained the age of sixty-five years. Their family originally numbered eleven children, ten of whom are now living, namely: Ralph, a commercial traveler residing in Minneapolis, Minnesota; Byron, super- intendent of bridges and bridge-build- ing for the Santa Fe Railroad Company, with headquarters in Wichita, Kansas; Frank, who was accidentally killed at the age
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of thirty-nine; Volney, also a bridge-builder, living in Madison, Iowa; William, a mer- chant of Wyandotte, Kansas; Charles, also a bridge-builder, living in Topeka, Kansas; Covert, who is engaged in business as a shoe dealer in Rochester, New York; Mrs. Es- ther Brown, of Brown's Valley, Wisconsin ; Mrs. Chloe Hudspeth, who is living in To- peka, Kansas; Mrs. Elizabeth Long, also a resident of that city; and the Doctor.
The paternal grandfather of our subject was Alfred Cross, a native of Pennsylvania, and owner of coal mines in that state. He died at the advanced age of eighty years. His father, one of the heroes of the Revolu- tionary war, was a native of Philadelphia, where he lived and died. The maternal grandfather of the Doctor, Robert Orr, was born in southern France in 1781, and was of Irish lineage, his father having been a native of Belfast, Ireland, whence he emi- grated to France. Robert Orr has spent his entire life in the latter country, where he is now living, at an advanced age.
Dr. Cross, although born in the Key- stone state, was reared and educated near Seneca lake, New York. He attended school until eighteen years of age and then became identified with the interests of the west, emigrating to Missouri. He has since been a resident of Kansas City. He took up the study of medicine with Dr. Leonard, and subsequently attended medical lectures at the Kansas City Medical College, at which institution he was graduated with the class of 1889. Ambitious to attain a degree of perfection that would place him among the most able members of the medical fraternity in this city, he went to the east and pursued a course of study in Bellevue College, New York city, being graduated in 1890. The Doctor then returned to Kan-
sas City, where he has since made his home; and although his professional career has covered a period of but five years he has won a high reputation, which is justly mer- ited. He continues his investigations in the line of his professional labors and devotes himself to extensive reading and study. Hc is a member of the Academy Medical Society and the Jackson County Medical Society. He is yet a young man, and the future un- doubtedly holds in store for him brilliant successes which he will gain by his charac- teristic energy and application.
In 1893 was solemnized the marriage of Dr. Cross and Miss Alice Burkhart, of Sedalia, Missouri, daughter of John Burk- hart, of that city. He and his family arc members of the Methodist church. The Doctor is a genial, companionable gentle- man, of sunny temperament and pleasant manner, and his cheering presence in the sick-room well supplements his medical efforts.
RANK D. HUMMER, who is acting as private secretary to Kansas City's mayor, is a well known and popular man who claims Ohio as the state of his nativity, his birth having occurred there in the town of Middleport, April 5, 1854. When sixteen years of age he came to Missouri, arriving in Gallatin, on the 15th of April, 1870. His father, David Hummer, afterward removed to Washington county, Kansas, and still later to Washington, D. C., where he is now living.
The subject of this sketch had learned the tinner's trade while in Ohio, and fol- lowed that pursuit and carpentering in Gal- latin for a period of six years. He was
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married on the 13th of August, 1876, in that city, the lady of his choice being Miss Emma A. McGee, daughter of Judge Owen H. McGee, a prominent citizen of Gallatin. They had one daughter, Ona Cloy, who died at the age of four years. Soon after their marriage Mr. Hummer removed with his wife to Kansas and engaged in the hard- ware trade in Gaylord, Smith county. He continued his residence there for three years, when the excessive hot winds of that region underinined his health. During his resi- dence there he lost all that he had, and in ISSo he returned to Gallatin, where he made his home through the succeeding eight years. In 1888 he came to Kansas City, where for two years he was employed as county bridge inspector. In 1890 he ac- cepted the position as traveling collector for the Lombard Investment Company, of which James L. Lombard was the head, and for three years represented that concern on the road, his territory embracing Kansas and Nebraska. He served as general manager for northern Kansas and southern Nebraska, visiting the various local agencies and at- tending to loans, collections, etc. In June, 1894, he became a bookkeeper in the street department of Kansas City, and served in that capacity until appointed by Mayor Webster Davis as his private secretary. The two gentlemen were boys together in Gallatin and have always been fast friends.
Socially, Mr. Hummer is connected with the Knights of Pythias fraternity; is a Royal Arch Mason, and is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and the Traveling Men's Association of Columbus, Ohio. He is a gentleman of genuine worth, who has many warm personal friends and the high regard of all who know him.
C. SCHWITZGEBEL, one of Kansas City's favorite sons, prom- inent in business and social circles, is now the honored vice president of the Citizens' National Bank. He was born here on the 4th of January, 1857, and is a son of Peter and Minnie (Hoehle) Schwitzgebel, natives of Germany. In early life his parents had come to America and in St. Louis they became acquainted and were married. In 1853 they removed to Kansas City, but after a short time left this place, returning, however, in 1855, to become per- manent residents. Here the father estab- lished a brewery and became a very promi- nent man both in social and political circles, although he was never an office-seeker. He accumulated considerable wealth, but lost his property in the financial panic which swept over the country in 1872. His wife also died that year, but he survived until 1882. He afterward married again and his family numbered nine children. Those of the first union were Otto, Henry C., Katie, Robert, Louis and Adolph. Those of the second marriage were Mollie, Lizzie and Minnie.
In the public schools of Kansas City our subject acquired his literary education and afterward pursued a course in Spaulding's Cominercial College, at which he graduated with the class of 1870. Almost his entire business career has been in connection with banking. He first secured a position as messenger boy with the German Savings Association in 1870 and later was employed in the same capacity with the Union Ger- man Savings Bank. In 1875 he obtained a position in the brewery of Frank Kump, with whom he remained until 1878, when he became bookkeeper for the Kansas City Savings Association, and filled almost every
C. S. Crysler.
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position in connection with that bank and its successor, the National Bank of Com- merce, up to that of assistant cashier. He resigned that office in January, 1895, to ac- cept the vice-presidency of the Citizens' Na- tional Bank. He has been connected with the banking business nearly all his life and is weil known in both banking and social circles. He is thoroughly well informed on all matters pertaining to the business, his ability is widely recognized and he is known as a most capable financier.
In 1883 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Schwitzgebel and Miss Carolyn Mintun, a native of Iowa. They have two children, Jack and Carl.
Our subject is a member of several com- mercial clubs and ranks among the best citizens of this place. In manner he is a courteous and genial gentleman, and a friend once gained by him is always kept.
a HARLES S. CRYSLER .- Nature endowed Charles Sumner Crysler with two of the prime requisites for a good lawyer, -a marked taste for the law and a splendid constitution. The last he no doubt inherited from his mother, since her father was a man of marvelous physique, as well as of the most genial, kindly disposition. £ This maternal grandfather, George W. Dunlap, and his wife came of fine old families living in the north of Ireland, Protestant in their form of faith. The young couple sailed to America in 1825, locating in Marcellus, Onondago county, New York, where Mr. Dunlap became one of the large landowners and valued citizens of his county. He reared three sons and four daughters, and died at the advanced age of eighty-four years.
Philip Crysler, who was of German lineage, although born in New York, is still remem- bered in the Empire state as a man of great usefulness and saintly character. His long life was devoted to the ministry in the Meth- odist church, and he died at his home in Navarino, at the age of eighty-nine.
His son Cornell was graduated at the Albany Law School, and soon afterward married Miss Nancy Dunlap, a beautiful girl and amiable as. she was fair. House- keeping and the practice of law began in Marcellus. Three children were born, - Fanny, the eldest; Charles (August 21, 1856), and Cornell, a lad of great promise, who died at sixteen. The family soon removed to Syracuse, where Cornell Crysler built up a large, lucrative practice. He was intimately connected with educational mat- ters, and took a leading part in all progress- ive movements that would benefit his city or state, but declined political honors. He numbered among his associates Roscoe Conkling, Horace Greeley and Andrew D. White. The latter, who was at that time president of Cornell University, offered Mr. Crysler scholarships for his sons, and prom- ised " his personal oversight" during the years they would spend in college. Charles was in the meantime receiving elementary training in the public schools of Syracuse and at Onondaga Academy.
When the war began patriotism im- pelled Cornell Crysler to set aside every per- sonal interest for that of his country. He raised volunteer company D, New York in- fantry, and joined the one hundred and twenty-second regiment. He served as cap- tain through all campaigns until after the battle of Antietam, and was with Sheridan on his famous ride "to Winchester !" Whether in military, public or private life,
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