USA > Missouri > Centennial history of Missouri (the center state) one hundred years in the Union, 1820-1921, Volume V > Part 27
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On the expiration of that period Father Stolte was called back to St. Louis to organize Our Lady of Sorrows parish and in the intervening years he has accom- plished excellent work here. He has erected a modern hall and school building, which is being used temporarily for church services, and also built the parish resi- dence. These buildings were erected at a cost of thirty-seven thousand dollars, although they could not be duplicated at the present time for a much larger sum.
Father Stolte is a member of the Knights of Columbus, in which he has taken the fourth degree. He is also a member of Our Lady of Sorrows Benevolent Society and is keenly interested in every branch of the church work, which he has thor- oughly organized, and in many activities which pertain to the welfare and progress of the city at large.
LOUIS BUSCHART.
Louis Buschart, president of the Buschart Bros. Printing Company of St. Louis, was born March 4, 1868, in the family home, then situated at Second and Walnut streets. His father, Edward Buschart, was a native of Belgium and became a res- ident of Waverly, Missouri, in 1845, when in 1860 he removed to St. Louis. He was a tailor by trade and conducted a tailoring establishment at Third and Locust streets until 1869, when his place of business was destroyed by fire. He later was con- nected with and worked for different firms in the tailoring business until the time
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of his death in April, 1895. His wife, Mrs. Catherine Buschart, was of German descent, and in their family there were five children, three sons and two daughters, all of whom are living. The three brothers are engaged in the printing business as members of the firm of the Buschart Brothers Printing Company, with Louis Bus- chart as the president, Edward as secretary and treasurer and Charles Buschart as vice president and manager. The two daughters of the family, Ida and Philippine, are engaged in the millinery business at No. 2852 North Grand avenue.
In his youthful days Louis Buschart received but limited educationaal advan- tages, for the family was in somewhat straitened financial circumstances and he had to start out in the business world at an early age and aid in providing for the expenses of the father's household. Though he attended school for only a brief period he has since learned many valuable lessons in the school of experience and is now a well informed and practical business man. He had to work hard, however, from the time he was ten years of age but his training was such as laid the founda- tion for his success in later years. The present firm of the Buschart Brothers Print- ing Company was organized in 1896, their first location being at No. 1516 Locust street where they had a small printing press. They remained at their original loca- tion fifteen years, during which time they built up a good business whose continual growth necessitated their seeking larger and better quarters. Accordingly in 1896 they leased the present site where they have continued to develop their business and where they are conducting a general line of commercial printing, stationery and bookbinding. The building which they occupy is sixty-five by one hundred and fifty feet, a three story concrete structure equipped with modern printing presses and other necessary machinery to carry on the business. The firm employs an average of seventy-five people. They do soliciting in the city and state for sta- tionery and general printing and their business has become one of large and grat- ifying proportions.
In St. Louis on the 20th of October, 1889, Mr. Buschart was married to Miss Sophie Shattgen of this city, a daughter of Peter Shattgen. They have six children. William Louis, who is with the printing company in charge of the stationery de- partment; Mrs. Ruth Armerding, the wife of Ludwig Armerding, a grain dealer of Chicago; Grace, the wife of George R. Nelson of Minneapolis; Charles, twenty years of age, who is with the Purina Mills of St. Louis; and Catherine and Margaret, who are high school pupils of this city.
Mr. Buschart is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, also a member of the Brethren. In politics he is a republican. He has been a lifelong resident of St. Louis and has witnessed the development and growth of the city for many years. For almost four decades he has been prominently known in business circles here and his position in connection with the printing trade is an enviable one. Step by step he has advanced, his progress being due to his energy and ability, and he has justly won the proud American title of a self-made man.
CHRISTIAN FREDERICK PFINGSTEN, M. D.
So thorough has been the investigation into the laws of health and so wide the research of the members of the medical profession that it is impossible for any indi- vidual to cover with thoroughness the entire scope of professional practice. Accord- ingly this has led to specialization along certain lines with the result that expert ability has been developed. Well known among the specialists of St. Louis is Dr. Christian Frederick Pfingsten, who is devoting his attention to the diseases of the ear, nose and throat and who is also well known in the educational field. He was born in St. Louis, May 11, 1875, and is a son of Christian F. and Anna Sophia (Lohmeyer) Pfingsten, both of whom were natives of Germany. The mother came to America when quite young, settling in St. Louis. The father crossed the Atlantic when a youth of eighteen years and he, too, took up his abode in St. Louis where for many years he engaged in the coal business. He passed away in 1897 at the age of eighty-six years and his widow survived him until 1918, her death occurring in St. Louis when she was eighty-three years of age. They were married in this city and became parents of two sons and five daughters, of whom Dr. Pfingsten is the fifth in order of birth.
After acquiring a public school education Dr. Pfingsten received his academic and
DR. CHRISTIAN F. PFINGSTEN
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preparatory training at Beloit College in Beloit, Wisconsin, and then entered the St. Louis College of Physiciaus and Surgeons, from which he was graduated in 1898 with the M. D. degree. For six years he engaged in the general practice of medicine and then went to Europe to receive special instructions concerning diseases of the ear, nose and throat.' He spent one year in Berlin and another year in Vienna, studying under some of the eminent authorities of the old world. Returning to the United States he then opened an office for practice as a specialist on the ear, nose and throat and has won prominence and success in this field. He is now instructor on diseases of the ear, nose and throat in the St. Louis University and is oto-laryngologist at St. John's Hospital.
On the 30th of October, 1909, in St. Louis, Dr. Pfingsten was married to Miss Lillian Janvier Brown, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Swing Brown, the former a promi- nent wood-working machine manufacturer and representative of one of the old families. Dr. and Mrs. Pfingsten have become parents of three children: Marion Grace, Ruth Janvier and Charles Frederick, who are with their parents at No. 2922 Dodier street in St. Louis. Dr. and Mrs. Pfingsten are members of the Union Methodist Episcopal church. He is also a Scottish Rite Mason and member of the Mystic Shrine and is a loyal follower of the teachings and purposes of the craft as well as of the church. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he turns for recreation to automobiling and golf. Along professional lines he has connection with the St. Louis Medical Society, the Missouri State Medical Society, the American Medical Asso- ciation and the American College of Surgeons. He is very conscientious in the per- formance of his professional duties and has made steady progress since entering upon medical practice. Today he occupies an enviable position as an aurist and laryn- gologist, having developed a high degree of efficiency in this special field. During the period of the World war he was a member of the draft board of the Medical Corps, U. S. A., and also served as captain in the Medical Corps in the Second Regiment of the Home Guards.
CHARLES LUCAS.
Charles Lucas is a representative in the fourth generation of a family that has been most active in contributing to the development and upbuilding of Missouri from pioneer times and is a native son of St. Louis, his birth having occurred in this city June 18, 1892. His father, J. B. C. Lucas, is mentioned at length on another page of this work and in connection with his sketch is given the ancestral record of the family.
Spending his youthful days under the parental roof Charles Lucas attended the St. Louis University and afterward pursued his studies in the Fordham University and in the University of New York City. His father died, however, while he was pursuing his studies and by reason thereof he returned home before reaching the point of graduation in the last named institution. He had been made one of the executors of his father's estate which largely consisted of realty in St. Louis. Accordingly Charles Lucas turned his attention to the real estate business and at a more recent date has extended the scope of his activities by the establishment of an insurance department. In connection with his brother, Morton J., and his brother-in-law, John A. Hart, he gives much time to the management of the estate, having control in this connection of many business properties and residences of the city which return to the heirs a most gratifying and substantial annual income.
Mr. Lucas is a veteran of the World war. He enlisted on the 31st of May, 1917, in the One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Field Artillery and sailed for France on the 22d of May, 1918. He saw fourteen months' service with his command overseas and participated in the St. Mihiel drive and in the sanguinary engagement that was fought through the Argonne Forest as the Americans forced their way through the woods, meeting the fire from machine gun nests and from many a foe sheltered behind hills and rocks or perched with his gun in the trees. In the face of seemingly insurmount- able odds the khaki-clad Americans advanced until the woods were cleared of the enemy and the German forces were definitely started on a retreat that continued until the Rhine was crossed. Mr. Lucas was made sergeant of Battery B and after the war closed was returned to the United States, landing in New York on the 20th of Feb- ruary, 1919. He is of the Catholic faith and his political endorsement is given to the
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republican party. In both these lines he has followed in the footsteps of his ancestors who have ever been loyal followers of the church and stalwart supporters of the party which has ever stood for reform and progress.
DANIEL F. CROWE.
Daniel F. Crowe, a partner in the bakery firm of Crowe Brothers of Kansas City, was born in county Clare, Ireland, in 1870, while his brother Martin J. Crowe, with whom he is associated in business, was born in the same county in 1872. They are sons of John Crowe, a farmer by occupation. In was in 1887, when a youth of sixteen years, that Daniel F. Crowe came to the United States and was first employed as stock boy at the Boston Store in Chicago. Steadily be worked his way upward in that establishment as the result of his industry, faith- fulness and capability, remaining with the company for seventeen years. In 1913 he came to Kansas City where his' brother had located in 1893 and started a bakery in 1904, having learned the bakery business in Ireland. With the removal of Dan- iel F. Crowe to Kansas City the firm of Crowe Brothers was organized and they have today one of the largest bakery establishments of the city. Their trade is now very extensive and their establishment is one of the foremost business inter- ests of the kind in western Missouri.
In 1913, in Chicago, Mr. Crowe was married to Miss Caroline O'Neill. His religious faith is that of the Catholic church and his political allegiance is given to the democratic party. He has never been active as an office seeker, however, pre- ferring to concentrate his efforts and attention upon his business affairs. His thoroughness, efficiency and reliability are indicated in the fact that he was so long retained in the employ of the Boston Store in Chicago and by his steady progress since he has entered the business circles of Kansas City, his life illustrating what can be accomplished through the utilization of opportunities which come to all.
ROBERT M. ZEPPENFELD.
Robert M. Zeppenfeld, attorney at law, was born in St. Louis, August 11, 1883, and is a son of Robert W. and Eugenia ( Bellamy) Zeppenfeld. The father was likewise born in St. Louis and was a son of William and Amelia (Held) Zeppenfeld. The grandfather was one of the German revolutionists who, opposed to the mili- taristic government of Germany, came to America and made his way to St. Louis with Carl Schurz in 1848. Here be resided throughout his remaining days, passing away in 1903, at the age of seventy-nine. He was a contractor and builder who was very successful, so that he was able to retire when but forty-five years of age. In politics he was a stanch democrat. He possessed great shrewdness and keen sagacity and during the later years of his life acted as his own lawyer and was also active in court matters for others. His wife was also born in Germany, being reared at Albersfeld, and had become the sweetheart of William Zeppenfeld before crossing the Atlantic, making that trip about 1850. She died in 1862, leaving two sons, Robert W. and Maurice. The former was reared and educated in St. Louis and for many years engaged in the contracting business, winning a most liberal patronage and enjoying a gratifying success as the years passed. He is now retired, having put aside business cares in 1912. His wife is a daughter of the late Eugene and Eugenia (Nouss) Bellamy and a representative of a prominent old French family of St. Louis. She also survives and the family circle which numbers three sons and two daughters remains unbroken by the hand of death.
Robert M. Zeppenfeld, the eldest, was educated in the public and high schools of St. Louis and in Washington University, where he prepared for the bar, winning his LL. B. degree upon graduation with the class of 1905. He also pursued a three years' academic course but was obliged to discontinue that on account of ill health. Following his graduation he entered upon the practice of law in the office of Harry Troll, then public administrator, and since that time has specialized in wills and administration law. He entered upon practice independently in 1913 upon leaving
ROBERT M. ZEPPENFELD
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Mr. Troll's office, and for a time he was junior member in the firm of Henderson & Becker. The latter association was continued until 1916 and since that time Mr. Zeppenfeld has practiced alone. He belongs to the St. Louis, Missouri State and American Bar Associations.
On the 24th of June, 1918, Mr. Zeppenfeld was married to Miss Bertha Schwerdtmann, a native of St. Louis and a daughter of Charles and Amanda (Konert) Schwerdtmann.
Mr. Zeppenfeld is a republican in 'his political views. During the war period he was a member of the legal advisory board of the twenty-fourth ward. He has always been interested in outdoor sports and during his school-days was active in track work and was a well-known tennis player. He yet indulges in that sport and also finds recreation in fishing. In his profession he has made steady advancement and has gained marked ability in the line in which he specializes.
REV. EUGENE COYLE.
Rev. Eugene Coyle, pastor of St. Peters church at Kirkwood, is a native of Ire- land, his birth having occurred at Three Mile House, February 15, 1847, his parents being Owen and Mary Coyle. He early resolved to enter the priesthood and his studies were directed accordingly. He attended St. McCarten's Seminary in Ireland, from which in due course of time he was graduated and he pursued his philosophy and theology courses at St. Francis Seminary of Wisconsin, having come to the new world for this purpose. In 1872 he was ordained to the priesthood of the Roman Catholic church and on the 8th of March, 1873, he was appointed assistant pastor of the Church of the Immaculate Conception at St. Louis, while later he took charge of missions in Missouri. He established a parish in Adair county and was instrumental in building churches in Schuyler and Clark counties. He has labored most zealously and untir- ingly in behalf of the church and his efforts have been of far-reaching effect. He was made priest in charge of St. Patrick's church in Clark county and there continued his labors for about ten years. Subsequently he became rector of St. Louis Old Cathedral and is now pastor of St. Peters church of Kirkwood. He is well liked wher- ever known. A man of scholarly attainments he has kept in touch with the trend of modern thought and progress and his deep human sympathy is constantly prompt- ing him to extend a helping hand where aid of every kind is needed. Under his guid- ance the churches of which he has had charge have steadily grown in numbers and in influence and he is recognized as a potent force in the upbuilding of the Catholic faith in Missouri.
FRED N. REDHEFFER.
Fred N. Redheffer, of the Redheffer Envelope Company of Kansas City, was here born June 15, 1893, and is a son of James and Minnetta R. (Nind) Redheffer and a grandson of James Madison Redheffer. The family came from Germantown, Pennsyl- vania, to Kansas City many years ago and the grandfather was the owner of a tin shop and hardware store, becoming one of the pioneer merchants of western Mis- souri. His son, James Redheffer, when only a boy crossed the plains to the gold fields of California with the intention of there engaging in mining, but instead made sluice boxes. At length he returned to Kansas City and upon the death of his father took over the store which steadily developed in accordance with the growth of Kansas City. This pioneer hardware establishment was conducted on Main street until 1912 when a removal was made to 1427 Grand avenue. The father retired from business in 1918 and passed away in September, 1920, when seventy-seven years of age. He was at the time probably the oldest member of the Odd Fellows lodge in Kansas City and he also held membership in the Grand Avenue Methodist Episcopal church. He was married twice. . He first wedded a Miss Craig and to them were born two daughters and a son, the former being Mrs. Margaret Barnett and Mrs. Annie Hurd of Kansas City. By the second mariage there were six children: Thomas B:, who is with the Richards. and Conover Hardware Company; Mrs. Frank Harbison, of Fulton, Mis-
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souri; Roy, who is with the New England Mutual Life Insurance Company; Fred N., of this review; Emmerette; and Helen. The mother is still living.
Fred N. Redheffer is a graduate of the Westport high school. During his youth- ful days when not in school he was employed in his father's store. After his school days were over he was connected with the collection department of the First National Bank for three years. He acted as head collector of the clearing house department and later became associated with the Berkowitz Envelope Company at a salary of ten dollars per week. From this minor position he steadily worked his way upward until he became city salesman with the firm. He was advanced rapidly, receiving pro- motion after promotion until he severed his connection with the business to become sales manager of the Western Envelope Company in 1917. A year and a half later with his present business associate, Rulif F. Martin, and others, he organized the Red- heffer Envelope Company, opening business at Nos. 314 to 318 East Eighth street. In the spring of 1920 a removal was made to their present quarters at Nos. 1420 to 1428 Lydia avenue. They employ about forty-five expert workmen and their equipment is of the best.
In young manhood Mr. Redheffer was married to Miss Alberta May Hughes, a daughter of A. M. Hughes, of Kansas City. He had made arrangements to go to the officers' training camp when the armistice was signed. His life has been largely de- voted to business activity, for from an early age he has recognized the fact that close application and persistent energy are indispensable elements to success. He has worked diligently, has utilized every opportunity to the best advantage and as the years have passed has gained a most creditable position among the young, progres- sive and prosperous business men of Kansas City.
ROBERT T. STEPHENS.
Robert T. Stephens enjoys the unusual distinction of having served continuously for eight years as city attorney of Excelsior Springs. He was born in Caldwell county, Missouri, October 10, 1881, a son of Edward and Eliza (Evans) Stephens. The father was a farmer of Caldwell county for many years. Both parents, however, were natives of Wales, where the father's birth occurred in June, 1848, while the mother was born in September, 1849. They were married in Wales on the 16th of July, 1870, and in the fall of the same year left that little rock-ribbed country for the new world. Six weeks were consumed in making the voyage and after landing on the shores of America they did not tarry long in the east but came almost directly to Missouri, settling in Cald- well county where they reared a family of nine children. The father was a man of exceptional qualities in his relations to his family, finding his greatest happiness in promoting their comfort and welfare. He was also a most substantial citizen and while he did not seek nor fill public office he contributed in many ways to the gen- eral good and was held in high esteem by all who knew him. He passed away August 22, 1888.
Robert T. Stephens obtained a public school education attending the Excelsior high school at Cowgill, Missouri, from which he was graduated in 1902. He then entered the William Jewell College at Liberty, Missouri, from which he was graduated with the class of 1907. Later he became a student in the Kansas City school of Law and in 1910 was graduated with the LL. B. degree, while in 1911 his alma mater con- ferred upon him the degrees of Bachelor and Master of Arts.
Mr. Stephens entered upon the practice of his chosen profession in Excelsior Springs in 1911 and in April, 1912, was appointed city attorney to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Mr. Wyman. At the ensuing election he was chosen by pop- ular suffrage to the office and has been re-elected at each succeeding city election since that time, being once more chosen for the office on the 6th of April, 1920. He has made a most excellent record in this connection and no higher endorsement of the value of his service could be given than the fact that he has so many times been made city attorney. He has much to do with protecting and developing the interests of the city through the discharge of his official duty and Excelsior Springs numbers him among its most valued residents.
Mr. Stephens was very active in all war work. He served on the legal advisory board, and was one of the Four Minute men and also a member of the American
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Protective League. He was very anxious to get into the army and it was through no fault of his that he was not able to go overseas. He entered the service but was with the army only one day when the armistice was signed. He is now a member of Clyde Gustine Post, No. 236, of the American Legion. Politically he is a republican and fraternally he belongs to the Masons, having membership with the blue lodge, the chapter, Knight Templar Commandery and Mystic Shrine. His work as a man and citizen is widely acknowledged and all who know him esteem him highly.
AUGUST H. HUMMERT.
August H. Hummert, vice president of the St. Louis Seed Company, was born in Germany, April 1, 1878. His father, Fred Hummert, came to America in 1887 and was a truck market gardener of St. Louis, continuing in the business to the time of his death which occurred in 1913. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Charlotte Schoneweg, was also born in Germany and they became the parents of nine children, five sons and four daughters, all of whom are living.
August H. Hummert, the eighth in order of birth, obtained his education in the Lutheran Parochial schools of South St. Louis. When twenty-three years of age he entered the employ of Louis Mehrhoff of St. Louis in a clerical capacity, his employer being the owner of a grocery store where he remained for a short period and then accepted a position as clerk with the St. Louis Seed Company. During this period he employed his evening hours attending night school, and when thirty years of age he acquired an interest in the business. Two years later he was elected to the direc- torate and was also chosen vice president of the firm, in which position he has since continued and through the intervening years has been active in shaping the policy and directing the progress of the company. They handle all kinds of garden and field seeds, also poultry supplies and conduct both a wholesale and retail business, having the leading retail store of this kind in the southwest.
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