USA > Missouri > Centennial history of Missouri (the center state) one hundred years in the Union, 1820-1921, Volume V > Part 43
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DANL EVANS.
Danl Evans, vice president of the Danl Evans Construction Company, was born September 28, 1840, in Wales, and since 1873 has been a resident of St. Louis. His father, Richard R. Evans, was also a native of Wales and came to America on the 17th of October, 1864, settling at Johnstown, Pennsylvania, while later he resided in Racine, Wisconsin, and afterward went to Emporia, Kansas, where he was living at the time of his death which occurred in 1880 when he was fifty-seven years of age. He was a woolen manufacturer and was very successful in the conduct of his business affairs. He married Catherine Edwards who was also born in Wales and passed away in that country in 1860.
Danl Evans was the fourth son in a family of five sons and two daughters. He was educated in the city of Towyn, Wales, attended the British schools and before coming to the new world entered upon an apprenticeship to the carpenters trade in his native country, gaining comprehensive knowledge of the building business there. He arrived in St. Louis in the fall of 1873 and for two years followed his trade in the employ of others. He then began contracting on his own account, establishing business in a small way in connection with Richard R. Evans, a younger brother, under the firm name of Danl Evans & Brother. This association was continued for about five years and subsequently Danl Evans conducted the business alone until 1908, when it was incorporated. The Danl Evans Construction Company is today one of the oldest contracting and building firms of the city. They engage in general building operations including office and residence property and have long enjoyed an extensive patronage. Among the buildings which they constructed are the St. Paul church, Lindell & Spring avenue; the Y. M. C. A. on Grand avenue; the Jewish Hospital and St. Luke's Hospital.
On the 17th of October, 1883, Mr. Evans was married in St. Louis to Miss Jennie Jones, a native of this city and a daughter of James J. and Martha Jones, both of whom are now deceased. Her father and mother were natives of Wales. Mr. and Mrs.
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Evans have become parents of three children: Daniel, deceased; Jennie M. E. and Mabel L. The daughter Jennie is now the wife of Otto G. Stauffregen of St. Louis. Mabel was recently married to George D. Duntze. Both daughters took a very active part in war work during the World war.
Politically Mr. Evans has been a republican since attaining the right of franchise and he belongs to Wilder Lodge, I. O. O. F .; Anchor Lodge, A. F. & A. M .; St. Louis Chapter, R. A. M. and St. Louis Commandery, K. T. His life has long been dominated by his religious faith and his membership is in the West Presbyterian church. He had but, limited financial resources at his command when he came to the new world but he sought the opportunities here offered and in the line of advancement which opens up before determination and energy, he has proceeded to the goal of success.
FREDERICK EMIL BAUSCH.
Frederick Emil Bausch, resident manager of the Hooven, Owens, Rentschler Com- pany of Hamilton, Ohio, builders of Hamilton Corliss engines, sugar mills, etc., and manager of the Terry Steam Turbine Company of Hartford, Connecticut, and the Gris- com-Russell Company of Massillon, Ohio, was born in Mannheim, Germany, January 8, 1871, son of Bernhard and Emilie Bender Bausch.
In June, 1871, when he was six months of age, his parents came to the United States, settling in St. Louis. The father was a chemist of renown who passed away in 1877. The mother survives, having taught for twenty-nine years in the St. Louis public schools and at present, at the age of seventy-seven years, is very active in a business enterprise established by. her son in 1893. They have a family of four children: Oscar, who is sales manger with Meyer Brothers Drug Company; Emily, a well known landscape painter and wife of Emil Summa; Frederick E. of this review; and Adolf, who is su- perintendent of the Frederick E. Bausch Fire Clay Works.
Frederick E. Bausch attended the St. Louis public schools, passing through con- secutive grades to the high school and afterward attended the Washington University, from which he was graduated in 1892 with the degree of Electrical Engineer. Imme- diately afterward he taught in the Manual Training School of St. Louis and at night in the Polytechnic night school until 1895. The following year 1895-1896 he took post- graduate work at Cornell University, where the degree of Master of Mechanical EngI- neering (M. M. E.) was conferred upon him.
His first work in the engineering field was that of assistant to the chief engineer of the Bell Telephone Company and in 1897 he became assistant chief engineer at the Missouri Edison Electric Company, now the Union Electric Light & Power Company, St. Louis. From 1900 to 1901 he was appointed chief engineer of the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company at Crystal City, Missouri. From 1901 to the present-for twenty years- he has been district manager of the Hooven, Owens, Rentschler Company of Hamilton, Ohio, builders of Hamilton Corliss engines, unlflow and poppet valve engines, sugar mills, marine engines, etc. In this connection he has supervision over the trade that extends throughout Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas, part of Tennessee and Kentucky and Southern Illinois. He is likewise manager of the Terry Steam Turbine Company of Hartford, Connecticut, and the Griscom-Russell Company of Massillon, Ohio.
In addition to the machinery connections above listed Mr. Bausch is proprietor of one of the most modern fire clay plants in St. Louis county, designed and equipped with labor saving devices of all kinds, specializing in the mining and grinding of fire clays. He also owns a crucible clay plant at Kaolin, Illinois, and a China Clay plant in southern Missouri. It is of interest to note that Mr. Bausch's mother is active man- ager of his fire clay plant in St. Louis county and is never so happy as when the day's mail brings the customers' instructions for more clay.
Mr. Bausch is a member of the Protestant church. Politically he is a republican with liberal tendencies. He belongs to no lodges but is identified with the City Club, the Missouri Athletic Association, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the American Institute of Electrical Engineers and the local Engineers' Club. During the war period he was greatly interested in various activities for the support of the gov- ernment and the soldiers in the field. He was a captain in the United War Work cam. paign and his organization was one of three to win a prize for efficient work in securing the largest number of subscriptions. That Mr. Bausch is an excellent salesman is
FREDERICK E. BAUSCH
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manifested in the fact that he accomplishes splendid results when he goes out into the field in connection with his business. He easily inspires and wins confidence and today enjoys wide trade connections. At all times he keeps abreast with the spirit of the age and is actuated by progressiveness in everything that he undertakes. He is a lover of literature, art and music and all those things which have cultural value in life, while at the same time he is most practical and enterprising in his business affairs and is accomplishing splendid results in the management of important interests.
JOSEPH O'NEIL.
The life record of Joseph O'Neil was one that was ever prompted by worthy purposes and high ideals and actuated by a most progressive spirit. He left the impress of his individuality for good upon the progress of the city of St. Louis in many ways and by reason of what he accomplished and the sterling worth of his character he commanded the respect and honor of all who knew him. He was one of the early builders of the city and afterwards became identified with its financial interests and ultimately was a prominent factor in connection with the development of a railway system of the state. In the work of the Catholic church he was also a recognized leader and by reason of what he accomplished the world is better for his having lived.
Joseph O'Neil was born near Roscrae in County Tipperary, Ireland, on the 10th of May, 1817. His father died on the Emerald isle after which the widowed mother brought her family of several sons and two daughters to the new world, Joseph O'Neil at that time being a lad of twelve years. After a residence of eight years in Utica, New York, the family went to Dayton, Ohio, and in 1837 the elder sons and daughters. of the family made their way to St. Louis, thus casting in their lot with those who were among the earliest in founding and developing the city.
It was in 1839 that Joseph O'Neil took up his abode in St. Louis, then a young man of twenty-two years, and for more than a half century he was closely associated with much that made for the material and moral progress of the city. His financial resources were then very limited but he possessed energy, perseverance and ambition -substantial qualities on which to build success. He had practical and expert knowl- edge of house-building and he was naturally led to direct his efforts into that field of activity and there are not a few of the substantial structures which he erected still standing as a monument to his skill and enterprise. It was not long before he had gained recognition as a progressive and reliable business man and his interest in all that pertains to the welfare of the city also made him a leader in its political circles. A stanch supporter of the democracy he was elected on that ticket to the state senate and aided in guiding the early legislation of the state, being one of those who framed the bill that resulted in the extension of the Missouri Pacific Railroad. He was also instrumental in causing a revision of the lien laws to the great advantage and pro- tection of the mechanics of the state. That his course in the legislature was highly satisfactory to his constituency was manifest in his re-election for a second term, at the close of which he retired from the senate but was soon afterward made the democratic nominee for the office of mayor. On that occasion, however, he was de- feated. In the early '70s he served as presiding judge of the county court and remained throughout his entire life a stalwart champion of democratic principles, though he was never again a candidate for office. He made generous contributions of money for the benefit of the party in which he so firmly believed.
While he was not again active as an office holder Mr. O'Neil nevertheless did much in shaping the history of city and state. He became a prominent figure in bank- ing circles which he entered in 1857 as a director of the State Savings Institution, John How at that time being the president. About this time, having become attorney de facto for the Most Reverend Archbishop Kenrick and thereby placed in absolute control of his grace's material affairs, Mr. O'Neil undertook to augment his revenues, reduce the large real estate holdings and improve the affairs of the diocese in general. His plans culminated in the organization of the Central Savings Bank, which under the careful direction of Mr. O'Neil proved successful from the beginning. Some time afterward, however, dissensions arose over the financial policy and not approving of certain methods of his associates Mr. O'Neil resigned. The later history and failure
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of the Central Bank proved the soundness of his views and the course which he had pursued. He later became one of the organizers of the Citizen's Savings Bank and placed it upon a very substantial foundation. The bank managed to weather the wide spread financial panic of 1873 and continued upon an era of unbroken prosperity, Mr. O'Neil remaining active in the management until 1891 when because of advanced years he retired from the position of chief executive.
Mr. O'Neil was equally well known in railroad circles for he became one of the organizers and one of the first directors of the Kansas Pacific Railroad Company. His activities were manifold and resultant factors in the upbuilding and develop- ment of the city along many lines. While presiding judge of the county court he compiled the data which led up to the Scheme and Charter which resulted in the separation of the city and county. At that time he also earnestly advocated the city's purchase of what is now Forest Park and was made chairman of the board that eventually made the purchase of the property. His public spirit was manifest in many helpful ways and his devotion to the general good was never called into ques- tion. His entire career was actuated by a spirit of progress that resulted most bene- ficially for the community at large. No good work done in the name of charity or religion appealed in vain to him for aid and as a member of the Catholic church he con- tributed most generously to its support. For a number of years he was president of the orphan board, which he assisted in organizing and in 1845 he attended the first local meeting of the St. Vincent de Paul Society as a charter member. For almost a half century he was connected with that organization in an official capacity, remain- ing for many years as its treasurer.
A love of poetry was one of the dominant characteristics in the life of Joseph O'Neil, who could repeat from memory the finest passages from Moore, Byron, Burns and Mrs. Hemans. His love of literature was one of the predominant traits of his life and kept him in touch with the master minds of all ages. Life was ever to him purposeful and resultant and through his entire career he eagerly and quickly improved an opportunity for the public good as for his individual advancement and success. On the 17th of March, 1893, his life labors were brought to a close in death, but his influence is still felt by those who knew him and his memory is honored and revered by all who met him in any relation of life. Well might his friends say of him:
"This was a man. Take him for all in all, I shall not look upon his like again."
HENRY A. BAKER.
Henry A. Baker, a St. Louis lawyer, is one of the substantial citizens that the Empire state has furnished to Missouri. His birth occurred at Webster, New York, August 3, 1867, his parents being Charles J. and Mary Anna (Wiedmann) Baker, both of whom were natives of Germany and came to the new world in 1848, prior to their marriage. Charles J. Baker settled at Webster, New York, and there continued to make his home until his death, which occurred May 14, 1895, when he had reached the age of seventy-six years. He followed agricultural pursuits throughout his entire life and was very successful. It was in the Empire state that he wedded Mary Anna Wiedmann and to them were born five children, four sons and a daughter, but the daughter is now deceased.
Henry A. Baker was the fourth in order of birth in his father's family. He was educated in the district schools of Webster and in the Union school there, after which he attended the New York State Normal School at Geneseo, from which he was graduated. For his university course he entered Yale at New Haven and was there graduated in 1895, winning the Master of Arts degree. He prepared for the practice of law in the St. Louis Law School and in 1897 the LL. B. degree was conferred upon him. In 1895 Mr. Baker came to St. Louis and taught school in the Smith Academy, during which period he devoted his leisure hours to reading law, being admitted to the courts in June, 1897, as a member of the bar. He has engaged in general practice and since 1898 has given his undivided attention to his professional duties. Stimulated by a laudable ambition he has constantly worked his way upward and his clientage is now of an important character.
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HENRY A. BAKER
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While America was at war with Germany he was assistant on the legal advisory board to men who were enlisting. His political support is given to the republican party and during President Taft's administration he was supervisor of census at St. Louis through the appointment of the president. He belongs to the University Club and is a member of Anchor Lodge, No. 443, A. F. & A. M., while in the Scottish Rite he has attained the fourteenth degree. He is a loyal follower of the craft and it is his purpose to take the higher degrees which will make him a Consis- tory Mason. For a quarter of a century he has been a resident of St. Louis and since his admission to the bar has made steady progress along professional lines, where advancement depends entirely upon individual merit and ability. He belongs to the St. Louis Bar Association and is also a member of the Phi Delta Phi.
JOHN C. BERTHOLD.
About the year 1836 there came to America from Prussia, Germany, one Herman Berthold, then unmarried and a carpenter hy trade, who settled at Hermann, Gasconade county, Missouri, and who, through his frugal and industrial habits, and the oppor- tunities America afforded, acquired such earthly means as he could not have secured in the old world. He also followed the oft repeated example of supplying funds for bringing to America those nearest and dearest from the old world. Through his generosity there came to America in 1850 his brother, John C. Berthold, his second wife, and Ferdinand, Fred W., Edward, Louise and Ida, the children of his former marriage to Wilhelmina Becker. The Bertholds removed from Hermann to Union, Missouri, thence to Washington, the men working all the time at the carpenter's trade in which all were skilled and adept doing all of the labor in house building from hewing the logs for the frame work to that of the finest cabinet finishing. Eventually they settled in Gray Summit, Missouri, where certain members of the family became pioneers in the mercantile business and at that place Fred W. Berthold, who was born March 30, 1836, and was the second eldest of the family, met and on the 14th of June, 1862, married Miss Amalia Kierspe, a daughter of William and Amelia Kierspe who were natives of Germany and prosperous farmers living near St. Albans, Mis- souri. To Mr. and Mrs. Fred W. Berthold were born eight children of whom three died in infancy, while those who reached adult age were Edward W .; Laura W., who he- came the wife of Henry G. Knappmeier of Grover, Missouri; Lena, the deceased wife of Herman Steines of Centaur, Missouri; John C. and William H.
Mr. Berthold had been married only a brief period when he answered to his coun- try's call, enlisting in the Union Army in the Civil war. He served with Company G, Seventeenth Missouri Infantry and joined his command near Vicksburg, Mississippi, taking an active part in Grant and Sherman's campaign. The Seventeenth Missouri, at the end of two years' service, was merged with the Fifteenth Missouri in which Mr. Berthold served until the end of the war. Returning home he settled on a farm near St. Albans where his family was reared and where he prospered as the years passed by. He also took an active part in civic and social matters, was a stanch republican in politics and a strong advocate for better schools and roads. He was also an active member of D. N. Keeler Post, G. A. R., at Melrose, until depleted in ranks and disbanded, when he became connected with Brouster Post, at Clayton, Mis- souri. He now lives retired from business at Kirkwood, Missouri, surrounded by the families of his three sons, and at the ripe old age of eighty-five years is still active in body and mind.
It was on his father's farm near St. Albans that John C. Berthold was born April 10, 1870, and he acquired the rudiments of an education in an old log schoolhouse adjoining the farm and there dreamed his dreams of the future while following the plow or riding the reaper. At eighteen years of age, when the family nest became too small for the entire family, he severed his home ties and entered upon a two year's apprenticeship at general blacksmithing under Arthur J. Hardt, at Fox Creek, St. Louis county. There and in the city of St. Louis and at Rock Hill, Missouri, he mastered the craft to the extent that in 1892 he rented and conducted the very shop in which he began his apprenticeship some four years before. It was during this short business career that he felt the need of a better education and after one year's successful operation of the smithy he sold out to the former owner and in
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September, 1893, entered the Toensfeld Institute, then a popular educational in- stitution of St. Louis. As his first year's course was nearing a close, realizing that his life's savings would not permit another year's school work, he undertook and successfully passed the teacher's examination in St. Louis county and was engaged to teach the Smith school near Pond, Missouri, a position which he filled for three terms. He then became teacher at the Rott school near Kirkwood and utilized his summer vacation in additional training including that of a business course.
On the 9th of May, 1899, Mr. Berthold was married to Henrietta Ossenfort, who was born June 7, 1878, the only daughter in a family of six children, whose parents were William and Eliza (Kincaid) Ossenfort. Mrs. Bertholds's father was born and reared near Melrose and her mother was born just across the line near St. Albans, in Franklin county, Missouri. Her paternal grandfather, Frederick C. Ossenfort, was a native of Germany and came to America in 1844, settling near Melrose where he spent the remainder of his days. There he invested his early savings in realty when land was yet low in value, thus displaying his unbounded faith in St. Louis county real estate. He lived to see his dreams realized when his large holdings became valuable property. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Berthold was Dr. Peter Kin- caid, a native of Scotland and a graduate of the University of Edinburg. He arrived in St. Louis at an early period when the city was yet young and passing it by acquired a large tract of land in Franklin county at a prominent steamboat landing on the Missouri river, becoming one of the pioneer physicians in that section. There he laid out the city of St. Albans, naming it after a famous city in Scotland. The treacher- ous Missouri, however, played havoc with this prospective city, when in 1844 the high water covered it and from the land it has never receded. Thus Mrs. Berthold is descended from two of the pioneer families of Missouri. She was reared in this state as a member of the Ossenfort household whose six children were Charles H., Fred W., John T., Henrietta, August L. and Edward of Melrose, Missouri, beside Mrs. Berthold.
To Mr. and Mrs. Berthold were born four children: Harold J., whose birth oc- curred July 31, 1900; John, who was born December 20, 1902, and is now deceased; Mildred Leona, born December 14, 1905; and Marjorie Marie, born February 5, 1914.
In 1903 after a successful career of eight years as a teacher, Mr. Berthold entered the St. Louis postoffice as an employe in the registry division and at the same time acquired a home at No. 374 South Taylor avenue in Kirkwood where he has since lived. On the 16th of March, 1908, he became identified with the office of clerk of the circuit court of St. Louis county as deputy under C. C. Wolff, then circuit clerk, and later was chief deputy under A. D. Willecken, successor to Mr. Wolff. In this office his long and active service has aided materially in bringing about the essential and needed reforms.
Mr. Berthold has always taken an active interest in the public welfare. He served as an alderman of the city of Kirkwood and he is a stockholder and at one time was a director of the Kirkwood Trust Company. He is a stalwart advocate of bet- ter schools and of good roads and did much for progress in that direction while serving on the city board. He is a stanch supporter of the republican party, believing that it will best serve the public needs and welfare and in his activity along that line Mrs. Berthold has joined since suffrage has been extended to her sex. Fraternally Mr. Berthold has been closely identified with the Sons of Veterans, an auxiliary of the Grand Army of the Republic, and he is also a Mason and a member of several benevolent and farmer organizations. His has indeed been an active and useful life, characterized by kindly purposes, fraught with good deeds and actuated by high and worthy motives.
PRESLEY REUEL COOPER.
Presley Reuel Cooper, a partner in the Lee Cooper Motor Company, one of the newly established automobile enterprises of Kansas City, but one which has already gained a creditable place among those who are successfully engaged in the sale of Ford cars in Western Missouri, was born upon a farm in Woodson county, Kan- sas, July 16, 1874, his parents being Alfred and Emma (Matthews) Cooper. The father is a native of Perry county, Ohio, while the mother's birth occurred in Mis-
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