USA > Missouri > Centennial history of Missouri (the center state) one hundred years in the Union, 1820-1921, Volume V > Part 62
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HARRY ANDREW ALLSHOUSE, JR., D. D. S.
Dr. Harry Andrew Allshouse, Jr., orthodontist of Kansas City, was born in Hanni- bal, Missouri, September 30, 1895, a son of Harry Andrew Allshouse whose birth oc- curred at Fort Wayne, Indiana, in 1868. In early boyhood the father went to Hannibal, Missouri, with his parents and there attended the public schools, after which he became a student in the University of Michigan, and was graduated upon completion of the pharmaceutical course. He then engaged in the drug business at Hannibal for twenty- one years and was very prominent in the commercial circles of that city. He afterwards became associated with Parke-Davis & Company, pharmaceutical manufacturers, as their representative in Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma. He resided at Topeka for five years and then returned to Kansas City where he had lived prior to taking up his abode in Topeka. In 1901 he was assistant manager of Kansas City for Parke-Davis & Company. He married Sarah Elizabeth Stephens, a daughter of Benjamin Q. Stephens, . one of the first dentists in Missouri on whom was conferred an honorary degree by Washington University of St. Louis. The daughter, Mrs. H. A. Allshouse, Sr., was born in Hannibal.
Dr. Allshouse of this review spent his boyhood days in Kansas City, where he attended the public schools uutil graduated from the Manual training high school. He, too, then became a student In the University of Michigan where he took up the dental course but later returned to Kansas City completing his studies in the Kansas City
Harry Allehouseof.
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Dental College, from which he was graduated in 1917. Following his graduation he entered the International School of Orthodontia, specializing in that work. He was the first to engage in special work in Kansas City without first entering upon the regular practice of dentistry. He is now an instructor of. dental anatomy and comparative dental anatomy at the Kansas City Western College and is an able educator in the line of his profession, as well as a most skilled and scientific practitioner. He is likewise the secretary-treasurer and one of the trustees of the Sant Chemical Com- pany, manufacturers of a perfect cleanser for artificial teeth. He belongs to the Kansas City Dental Society, to the State Dental Association and the National Dental Asso- ciation, and also to the American Society of Orthodontists. His clientele is drawn from the leading families of Kansas City, and his practice is most extensive and of a very important character.
In February, 1919, Dr. Allshouse was married to Miss Myrtle Winnifred Steen, a daughter of Henry Foster and Eugenia (Brain) Steen. Her father when fifteen years of age became an employe of the National Biscuit Company of Chicago and worked his way up to the position of manager of large plants for that company. He was manager of the Kansas City plant for several years and was very prominent in business circles.
Dr. Allshouse during his college days belonged to the basket-ball team of the University of Michigan, and also became a member of the Alpha Sigma Phi and Delta Sigma Delta, two of the leading fraternities of that university. In 1918 he was com- missioned a first lieutenant of the Dental Reserve Corps but was not called upon for active service outside of the country. His political support is given to the republican party and his religious faith is manifest in his membership in the Independence Boule- - vard Christian church. He belongs to the Country Club, Community Golf Club, and is well known socially, his personal qualities and characteristics making for popularity wherever he is known.
VALENTINE H. FREDERICK, D. D. S.
Dr. Valentine H. Frederick, engaged in the practice of dentistry in St. Louis, was here born May 1, 1874. His father, Henry Frederick, a native of Germany, came to America with his parents in 1857 and following the outbreak of the Civil war enlisted when seventeen years of age and served for four years and three months, becoming a non-commissioned officer. He later engaged in the cooperage business and was con- nected with the Southern Cooperage Company of which he later became president to the time of its liquidation. He was very successful in his business pursuits, his carefully managed affairs and thorough organization of his business interests win- ning him substantial success. He is now living retired in the enjoyment of well earned rest. He belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic, proudly wearing the little bronze button that proclaims him as a veteran of the Civil war. He was formerly identified with Hassendenbel Post and later became a member of Meuman Post. In politics he is a stanch republican but has never sought nor filled political office. He married Catherine Ganter, a native of Alsace, France, who came to America at the age of six years and who passed away in St. Louis. Their family numbered two sons and four daughters of whom four are living: Catherine, the wife of Charles Wirthlin of this city; Valentine H .; Christ, deceased; Emma, who is the widow of Louis Folk; Louise, the wife of Christ Frederick; and Theresa who died in infancy.
Dr. Frederick pursued his early education in public and private schools of St. Louis and at the age of fifteen entered upon an apprenticeship to the machinists trade which he later followed for a year as a journeyman. He then continued his studies in private schools and took up mechanical engineering, but at length determined upon a professional career and in 1888 became a student in the Marion Sims Dental Col- lege, from which he was graduated with the D. D. S. degree in 1902. He began prac- tice in St. Louis, on the 1st of May, 1902, and continued in general practice until the 1st of January, 1911, since which time he has specialized in the extraction of teeth and has been very successful in this work. He belongs to the St. Louis, Missouri State and the National Dental Associations and is a most thorough student of the profession, keeping in touch with dental progress along all lines.
On the 5th of September, 1906, Dr. Frederick was married to Miss Adele Stamm,
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a native of St. Louis and a daughter of Charlotte Stamm, and they have one son, Bur- ton H., who was born in St. Louis, September 5, 1909. The mother is an accomplished pianist.
Dr. Frederick is a Scottish Rite Mason and member of the Mystic Shrine. He also belongs to the Delta Sigma Delta, a dental fraternity, and is a member of the Riverview and of the Century Boat Clubs. Dependent upon his own resources from the age of fifteen years his progress has been continuous and step by step he has advanced until along professional lines he entered upon a path of progress that has brought him to a most desirable goal.
REV. PETER WIGGER. .
Rev. Peter Wigger, pastor of the Holy Cross church of St. Louis in which con- nection he has labored continuously since 1896, was born on Christmas night of 1857, at Stachelau, Westphalia, Germany. He studied at Bilstein where his uncle of the same name was pastor, the latter instructing his nephew in Latin and in other hranches of learning. In 1869 he came to the United States with his uncle, under whom he con- tinued his studies in St. Louis, the uncle being appointed pastor of St. Francis de Sales church. On Sundays the young student played the organ in the Holy Cross church at Baden where another uncle, the Rev. Hermann Wigger, was pastor. From September, 1876, until 1880 he studied philosophy and theology at the Salesianum at St. Francis, Wisconsin, and while there acted as organist in the seminary chapel. Following his examination for the priesthood he was obliged to wait for his ordination for more than a year as he had not yet reached the canonical age. He then went to Innsbruck, Austria, where he remained for two years pursuing higher courses of study and on the 28th of May, 1882, he returned to St. Louis to be ordained as a priest, the Rt. Rev. Coadjutor Patrick Ryan officiating. Subsequently Father Wigger of this review was appointed assistant at St. Peter's church in St. Charles, Missouri, where he labored until 1885, at which time he was appointed pastor of St. Mary's church at Bridgeton, Missouri. There he continued for ten years and in August, 1896, was appointed pastor of the Holy Cross church at Baden, St. Louis, over which he has since presided. His labors here have been most intelligently and wisely directed. Since his appointment to this parish, he has paid off the debt on the parsonage, built a handsome new church and a residence for the sisters. He has won the co-operation and support of his parishioners and has moved steadily forward with a strength that indicates his zeal and his devotion to the cause.
GEORGE W. STRODTMAN.
George W. Strodtman, doing business as The Strodtman & Strodtman Real Estate Company of St. Louis, is a representative of one of the old pioneer families of this city. He was born in St. Louis May 23, 1869, and is a son of George and Sarah J. (Meyers) Strodtman. The father was born in St. Louis in 1845 and was a prominent figure in real estate circles for many years, continuing in the business until his death which occurred February 14, 1898. His wife was born in England and was brought to the United States during her childhood days by her parents who settled in St. Louis. It was in this city that she became the wife of George Strodtman and to them were horn three daughters.
Their only son, George W. Strodtman of this review, was educated in the public schools of St. Louis, pursuing his studies to the age of fifteen years, at which time he secured a clerkship in a wholesale hardware store where he was employed for three years. When a youth of eighteen he turned his attention to the insurance business by establishing an agency and later extended the scope of his activities to include real estate. He has since operated in this field and has conducted a real estate business of considerable importance. He became one of the organizers of The Strodtman & Strodt- man Real Estate Company and the business is now one of substantial and gratifying proportions. They have a large clientage and have negotiated many important realty transfers.
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In St. Louis on the 28th of September, 1895, Mr. Strodtman was married to Miss Genevieve E. Richardson, a daughter of Dr. William C. Richardson. They are of the Episcopal faith and attend St. Albans church. Fraternally Mr. Strodtman is a Mason, belonging to Beacon Lodge, No. 3, A. F. & A. M .; and St. Aldemar Commandery, K. T .; while with the nobles of the Mystic Shrine he has crossed the sands of the desert. The nature of his activity and interest is further indicated in his connection with the St. Louis Real Estate Exchange, the Chamber of Commerce, and the North St. Louis Young Men's Christian Association, of which he is a director. His aid and influence are ever on the side of progress and advancement, uplift for the individual and benefit for the community.
TALTON T. FRANCIS.
Talton T. Francis, engaged in the stock brokerage business in St. Louis, was here born on the 26th of July, 1882, his parents being David R. and Jane (Perry) Francis, the latter a daughter of John D. Perry. Their marriage was celebrated in St. Louis and they became parents of five sons all of whom are living.
Talton T. Francis, who was the fourth son of the family, obtained his education in private schools of the east and was graduated from Yale University in 1907 with the Bachelor of Arts degree. After completing his college work he returned to St. Louis and entered the employ of Francis Brother & Company, with which stock broker- age firm he has since been connected. They have a large clientage in the stock and bond business and Mr. Francis of this review has thoroughly acquainted himself with every phase of the business and is now largely familiar with commercial paper. He has been a member of the firm since 1918 and is recognized as one of the alert, ener- getic and enterprising young men in financial circles today.
On the 22d of May, 1907, in St. Louis Mr. Francis was married to Miss Elizabeth Coste, a daughter of Paul and Emma (Janssen) Coste, the former a St. Louis lawyer. Mr. and Mrs. Francis have become parents of two daughters: Jane Perry, born March 23, 1912; and Miriam Coste, born February 21, 1914.
Mr. Francis is a member of the St. Louis Chamber of Commerce and lends his aid and support to all measures that are put forth for the benefit of the city along all lines of civic progress. He belongs to the St. Louis Country Club, the Racquet Club and his religious faith is manifest by his membership in the Unitarian church. In politics he is a democrat but the honors and emoluments of office have had no attrac- tion for him, as he has ever preferred to concentrate his efforts and attention upon his business affairs. Well descended, well bred and provided with liberal educational opportunities he has made for himself a most creditable position in the financial circles of his native city.
LEROY C. BRYAN.
Leroy C. Bryan, vice president of the Boatmen's Bank of St. Louis, was born March 13, 1882, in the city which is still his home, his parents being Henry M. and Eliza (Pritchartt) Bryan. The father was a son of Dr. John Gano Bryan, a prominent physician and surgeon of St. Louis in the early days. The mother was a daughter of William H. Pritchartt. Henry M. Bryan became a member of the bar and for many years practiced law in St. Louis, continuing active in the profession until his death, which occurred in 1900. He was a native of Missouri, born in Potosi, and his entire life was passed in this state. He served as a member of the school board of St. Louis from 1888 until 1892 and was always deeply interested in everything that pertained to the welfare and progress of his community and the commonwealth at large. His widow long survived him, passing away in New York in 1918.
Reared under the parental roof Leroy C. Bryan pursued a public school educa- tion and in 1896 started out in the business world, being then a lad of but fourteen years. He was first employed as an office boy in the Boatmen's Bank and later, realiz- Ing the value and need of further educational training, he took up night study, pur- suing courses in commercial law, banking and accounting. He steadily worked his
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way upward in the bank and in January, 1917, was appointed an assistant cashier and in January, 1921, was elected a vice president. Throughout his entire business career he has been identified with the Boatmen's Bank and no higher testimonial of his capability and fidelity could be given than the fact that he has always remained with this institution.
On the 14th of June, 1911, Mr. Bryan was married to Miss Valentine Shaw, a native of St. Louis, and they now reside at No. 744 Interdrive. Mrs. Bryan is a daughter of James G. and Regina H. Shaw. Her father retired from business some years prior to his death, which occurred in St. Louis in July, 1916. The mother survives and is now living at No. 5155 Maple Avenue in St. Louis.
Mr. Bryan gives his political allegiance to the democratic party which he has supported since attaining his majority. His religious faith is that of the Episcopal church and he also has membership with the Sons of the American Revolution. He is interested in golf and tennis, to which he turns for recreation when leisure permits, but his chief duty has ever heen his bank work and the thoroughness which he has manifested in this and the fidelity he has displayed toward the institution have won him a most creditable and enviable place in the financial circles of the city.
REV. N. L. FRANZEN, C. SS. R.
Rev. N. L. Franzen, pastor of St. Alphonsus Rock church in St. Louis, was born in Chicago, October 2, 1866, a son of Matt and Barbara (Thome) Franzen. He began his education in the parochial schools of his native city and afterward attended the Redemptorist College, while subsequently he became a student in the Kansas City Classical College. His next step toward the priesthood was the study of philosophy and theology at the Redemptorist College at Baltimore, Maryland, where he was or- dained in 1889 by Archbishop Feehan of Chicago. For thirteen years following his ordination he engaged in educational work and was then appointed to a pastorate in Chicago. Subsequently he was made priest of a church in Detroit, Michigan, and in 1907 came to St. Louis as pastor of the Rock church. In 1915 he was returned to Detroit, where he remained for four years, but in 1919 was again assigned to the pastorate of the Rock church in St. Louis, where he is now lahoring. He has the full confidence and the highest regard of the people of his parish and has gained their hearty cooperation and support in his work. He is a member of all the Catholic societies and is proving most able and effective in his labors to advance the interests of his church and thoroughly to organize its work in every particular.
DAVID CULP BOSSERMAN, M. D.
Dr. David Culp Bosserman, physician and surgeon of St. Louis, where he has practiced since 1914, was born at Leeton, Johnson county, Missouri, August 18, 1879. His father, James E. Bosserman, was born in Dunkirk, Ohio, October 14, 1857, and came to Missouri in 1875, settling near Leeton, where he engaged in stock raising and farming for a number of years, but is now living in Houston, Texas. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Martha Culp, was born in Ohio in 1857 and they were married in the Buckeye state before removing to Missouri.
Dr. Bosserman of this review was educated in the public schools near Leeton and in the State Normal School at Warrensburg, Missouri, and his professional train- ing was obtained in the Barnes Medical College, which later became the National University of Arts and Sciences. From this he was graduated in 1914, upon the com- pletion of his medical course, but long before entering upon the study of medicine he had become an active factor in the business world. After leaving the Warrensburg institution he engaged in various occupations and for a time was a compositor in connection with the printing business. Subsequently he and his father published the Independent, a weekly paper printed in Leeton. Later he took the civil service exam- ination and entered the railway mail service, with which he was connected for twelve years. It was while working in that capacity that he entered upon the study of medi- cine, preparatory to his college course. After winning his degree he at once began
educating unding
DR. DAVID C. BOSSERMAN
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practice but in 1917 put aside business and personal considerations and enlisted in the Medical Corps of the United States army, being stationed at Camp Travis, Texas, while later he was sent across to France, joining the Third Division as first lieutenant. He was on active duty on various battle fronts, was at St. Mihiel and participated in the Meuse-Argonne offensive. From October 1, 1918, to November 11, 1918, he was at the front with the Seventy-sixth Field Artillery taking care of sick and wounded, under shell fire every day of these forty-one days. Upon reporting to the front, the major physician to whom he was to report had just been killed by a shell while faithfully caring for the wounded. Five direct hits were made in his outfit, one tearing the Red Cross station to bits and it fell within five feet of the Doctor and his helper, but they being in a "fox hole" were uninjured. Later he went with the army of occupation to the Rhine in Germany and in 1919 returned to the United States and received his discharge. Later he was appointed to a captaincy in the Medical Reserve Corps.
In Belleview Valley, Iron county, Missouri, on the 29th of June, 1908, Dr. Bosser- man was married to Miss Maude Logan, a daughter of John and Lenora (Neely) Logan, representatives of a prominent family of southeast Missouri. Her father is a relative of General John A. Logan of Civil war fame. To Dr. and Mrs. Bosserman has been born one child, Beulah. Dr. Bosserman was reared in the faith of the Dunkard church but now has membership in the West Park Baptist church and is serving as its financial chairman. He takes an active interest in all branches of the church work and does everything in his power to extend the influence and promote the purposes of the organization. In politics he is an independent republican but has never been an office seeker. He is keenly interested in many affairs of importance, however, and belongs to the Patrons' Association of the Laclede school. He is also the treasurer of the Mount Auburn Improvement Association and belongs to the St. Louis Medical Society. Along fraternal lines he is connected with the Masons, having membership in Apollo Lodge, A. F. & A. M., also with the American Yeomen and last but not least with the American Legion, the splendid organization which has grown up among the men who fought for democracy in the World war.
JOHN W. DONALDSON.
Among those who closely studied the money market and the value of commercial paper was John W. Donaldson, who has developed a substantial business as an invest- ment banker of St. Louis. More than sixty-two years have come and gone since he made his initial step in connection with the banking interests of this city, at which time he was a young man of eighteen years. He was born in Dayton, Ohio, May 10, 1840, his father being Andrew Donaldson, a native of Scotland, who came to America in 1828 and first settled in New Jersey. In 1848 Andrew Donaldson removed to St. Louis, where he resided until his death, which occurred when he was eighty years of age. He was a master mechanic and master weaver, having qualified along those lines in Scotland, after which he always followed business interests of that character. In politics he was a stanch Democrat and in religious faith a devout Presbyterian. The Donaldson family traces its ancestry back through many generations in Scotland to the period when Robert Bruce was king of the land of hills and heather. Andrew Don- aldson was married to Helen Rhind, who was born at Vanoll, Scotland, and who also came of one of the old families of that country whose ancestral line can be traced back through many generations. Mrs. Donaldson crossed the Atlantic in early life, settling at Paterson, New Jersey, where she was married. Seven children were born of this union, four sons and three daughters, all of whom have passed away, John W. of this review being called to his final rest on May 29, 1920.
From the age of eight years the last named was a resident of St. Louis and here pursued a public school education and continued his studies in St. Paul's German Lutheran school. As a boy of eighteen he accepted his first position, entering the em- ploy of the Merchants Bank of St. Louis in 1858. He began as a collector and contin- ued with the institution until 1866, serving as teller during the latter part of that period. In the year indicated he became connected with the Commercial Bank and was its first cashier, occupying the position for two years. On the expiration of that period he entered the brokerage business, forming a partnership with Moses Fraley
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under the firm style of Donaldson & Fraley, which business was continued until 1882. In later years he has engaged in business on his own account as an investment banker and has long handled important interests for others in this connection and is thor- oughly familiar with the value of commercial paper, while his progressive spirit and devotion to his clients' interests have brought to him a most substantial and gratify- ing business. He was also a charter member of the St. Louis Stock Exchange.
On the 20th of November, 1867, Mr. Donaldson was married in St. Louis to Miss Mary Alby Watson, a daughter of James S. Watson, who was then president of the Southern Bank, which he had founded. Her mother, Mrs. Alby (Easton) Watson, was a daughter of General Rufus Easton, who was the first postmaster of St. Louis. In fact the Eastons were one of the oldest and most prominent families of St. Louis in the early days and Easton avenue, one of the leading thoroughfares of the city, was named in their honor. To Mr. and Mrs. Donaldson was born-a daughter, Alby Easton, who is the widow of John V. McCarthy, whose son John D. was a soldier of the World war and was killed in the battle of the Argonne forest on the 28th of September, 1918, when serving with Battery A of the One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Field Artillery. He was twenty-two years of age.
During the Civil war Mr. Donaldson was a sergeant and major in the Fourth Regi- ment of the Missouri Home Guard. His political endorsement was always given to the democratic party and that his life was guided by high and honorable principles Is indicated in the fact that he was for many years a devoted member of the Central Presbyterian church.
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