USA > Missouri > Centennial history of Missouri (the center state) one hundred years in the Union, 1820-1921, Volume V > Part 71
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The Watsons were Scotch, the father of Thomas Watson, Sr., having been born in Scotland. The mother of Thomas Watson Watson is Annie Ruffner, a native of Charleston, West Virginia, the daughter of Charles Ruffner, a plantation owner. He was a colonel in the Mexican war and served many years in the Virginia legislature before the Civil war when he was a colonel in the Confederate army. He was wounded early in the war and went back to his home then in the hands of the Union army. He was one of the first to take the oath of allegiance to the United States and urged others to do so. He was at once restored to citizenship and became a member of the West Virginia legislature during the reconstruction. His father was also Charles Ruffner. The first Ruffner to come to the United States was Joseph, the youngest son of a German baron. The baron was holding some alien soldiers as prisoners and the son who was a German officer did not approve of the treatment they received so he released them, thinking he would be forgiven for the act. On the contrary his father ordered him to be courtmartialed, and he was sentenced to be shot, but some of his own men aided him to escape and he fled to France. He married a French girl and migrated to the United States, settling in the valley of Virginia. One member of the Ruffner family married Virginia Rochet who was shipped from France to the United States in a sugar barrel during the persecution of the Huguenots in France
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Charles S. Ruffner who was the engineer of the Keokuk dam was a member of the family.
The early education of Thomas Watson Watson was acquired in the common schools of St. Charles and later he attended the State Normal school at Kirksville where he was graduated with the class of 1908. In that year he went to St. Louis where he engaged in business until 1912 when he went to Howell where he took up farming for the following five years. He returned to St. Louis and then came to St. Charles in 1918 where he has since carried on a farm land business. The farm was formerly part of the land owned and occupied by Daniel Boone and a log stable built by him is still to he seen on the premises.
Mr. Watson was married June 17, 1920, to Grace Bissland, the daughter of William Hope Bissland, a native of Scotland, who came to the United States with his parents who settled in Vermont when their son was three years old. He came to Missouri when he was a young man, married Irene V. Dobson of St. Louis and is now general baggage agent of the Missouri Pacific Railroad. Irene Dobson was the daughter of a Georgia planter who after the war engaged in business in St. Louis. His daughter is a lineal descendant of John Knox, the Presbyterian divine.
Mr. Watson gives political endorsement to the democratic party although he has never sought office, but takes a keen interest in local affairs. He is a member of the First Presbyterian church of St. Charles and holds the office of elder in that church. He has been appointed by the session to take charge of the Home Mission work in St. Charles and is a teacher in the Sunday school. He was superintendent of the Sunday school in Dardenne and also in St. Louis and performed his duties with marked ability. He also had charge of the adult Bible class in Boyle Mission in St. Louis for two years.
Few men are more prominent or more widely known in the enterprising city of St. Charles than Mr. Watson. He has been an important factor in business circles and his prosperity is well deserved, as in him are embraced the characteristics of an unbending integrity, unabating energy and industry that never flags. He is public spirited, giving his cooperation to every movement which tends to promote the moral, intellectual and material welfare of the community.
HARRIS HOUSE MILLER.
Harris House Miller, who in his business career has been an undisputed success, achieving most desirable results by straightforward methods and constant effort, is the head of the firm of H. H. Miller & Company, conducting a coffee brokerage busi- ness in St. Louis. He was born in Bradford, Pennsylvania, January 25, 1886, a son of Edward H. and Ella H. Miller, both residents of Owego, New York. His grandfather, Ephraim Hall House, was at one time a mayor of Owego.
It was in that city that Harris H. Miller spent the days of his boyhood and youth, completing his education as a student in the Owego high school. He started out in the business world in connection with the coffee brokerage trade in New York and has since been identified with this line. He came to St. Louis in 1909 and is now the head of H. H. Miller & Company, conducting an extensive and profitable business, representing the firm of G. T. Barbour Brown & Company of Chicago and New York and also the house of Ruffner, McDowell & Burch, Incorporated, of New York, Chicago, San Francisco and New Orleans, both being important coffee importing houses. Mr. Miller has ever been a most industrious man and his absolute integrity is unques- tioned in business circles. There is no feature of the coffee trade with which he is not thoroughly familiar and in fact his knowledge of the business is that of an expert. One who has long known him said of him in this connection, "He is honest, con- scientious; a wonderful salesman and absolutely trustworthy and dependable in every direction, which is plainly shown by the confidence placed in him by the largest con- cerns with which he does business."
In New York city on the 30th of October, 1909, Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Susie Edythe Maconnell, who was born and reared in Tremont and New York city. They now have one son, Harris Maring, born August 8, 1911. The religious faith of Mr. and Mrs. Miller is that of the Baptist church. Politically he maintains an independent course, considering the capability of the candidate rather than his party
HARRIS H. MILLER
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ties when he exercises his right of franchise. He belongs to Rose Hill Lodge, No. 550, A. F. & A. M., and has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, the Masonic fraternity finding in him a most worthy and exemplary representative. He is also well known in the club circles of St. Louis, belonging to the Midland Valley Country Club, the Auto Club and the Missouri Athletic Association. He has ever been keenly interested in civic affairs and supports all measures for the benefit and up- building of St. Louis, while during the war period he subscribed largely to all gov- ernment loans and to all organizations to better the welfare of American troops in camps and overseas. His life is actuated by a progressive spirit and his sterling worth has gained for him the high regard of all who know him.
JOHN E. REEDS.
Prominent in the financial circles of Jonesburg is John E. Reeds, cashier of the Peoples Bank of that place. He is one of Missouri's native sons, his birth occurring at Louisville, Lincoln county, February 24, 1863. His father, Hackley Craig Reeds, died in August, 1894, having engaged in business as a mechanic and blacksmith throughout his life. He was also a native of Lincoln county and a son of Squire Reeds who was a prominent planter and slave owner of that county. Hackley C. Reeds was a well known and highly respected man in his community and for some time held the office of justice of the peace. His wife was Jane Huntsman, the mother of John E. Reeds whose name heads this review. She was horn in Missouri, a daughter of Edward Huntsman, a mechanic and wagon maker of Lincoln county whose death oc- curred in Louisville. Mrs. Reeds passed away on the 27th of December, 1919, her death coming as a severe blow to her family and many friends.
John E. Reeds obtained his education in the common schools of Lincoln county until he reached the age of fifteen years, when he removed to Montgomery county with his parents and here attended school until he was eighteen years of age. While living in Lincoln county he spent his vacations in clerking in Porter's store at Olney and in Montgomery county he clerked and worked on farms. His first position on leaving school was a clerkship in the general store of W. I. Gardner at Prices Branch in which line of work he was so successful that he was transferred to the Gardner & Pearl store at High Hill. For a period of from ten to twelve years he was connected with these stores during which time he did some traveling for Amos Whiteley, selling farm machinery. His next business venture was as manager of the first store estab- lished at Belleflower and after three years there returned to High Hill and clerked in the general store of Aydelott & Owings. For three or four years he remained in that connection, at the termination of which time he entered into a partnership with John Owings, they huying out the store of Frank Craig, conducting it under the name of Reeds & Owings. For two or three years this partnership continued and then Mr. Reeds sold his interest to Mr. Owings and went on the road for the Plano Manu- facturing Company, selling farm machinery. For four years he traveled for this company and then entered the employ of the Warder, Bushnell & GIessner Manufactur- ing Company in the same capacity. In 1904 he returned to High Hill and entered into the mercantile business in partnership with Messrs. Kruger and Feike. Four years later Mr. Kruger bought out his two partners and Mr. Reeds came to Joneshurg. This was in 1908 and soon after arriving he accepted a position as cashier of the Exchange Bank where he remained until one year later when the Peoples Bank of Jonesburg was organized and he was made cashier and director. William F. Wilson is president of this bank. The capital stock is $15,000, the surplus $6,000 and the total resources have reached $227,000.
Mr. Reeds has heen twice married. On the 22nd of January, 1890, he was wedded to Miss Mary McCormick, a daughter of Richard McCormick, one time sheriff and col- lector of Montgomery county, living at Middletown. Her death occurred in April, 1914. To this union three children were born: Gladys May, now the wife of T. Clemens Warner, who is engaged in farming near Jonesburg; Lorin E. Reeds, who is farming in Montgomery county; and Mary, attending school in Joneshurg. On November 3, 1915, Mr. Reeds was again wed, this time to Miss Julia Smith, a daughter of John Smith of New Florence. Her father was a southern sympathizer during the Civil war and fought in the Confederate army. One child has been born to this second marriage, namely, John Reeds, Jr.
Politically Mr. Reeds has always given his allegiance to the republican party in
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which he no longer takes an active interest. He was formerly active in the interests of his party and served as secretary of the republican county central committee of which he was a member for many years. Mr. Reeds has never sought nor desired public office, preferring to devote his entire time to his business affairs. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Masons, having membership in the Jonesburg Lodge, No. 457, of which he is a past master and also in High Hill Lodge, No. 250. Mr. Reeds is district deputy grand master and district lecturer in the twenty-eighth district and he is a Royal Arch Mason of Triune Chapter, No. 93, at Wellsville. He is likewise a member of Centralia Council, R. & S. M., No. 34. The religious faith of the family is that of the Christian church and they are consistent members of that church in Jonesburg. Mr. Reeds helped build the present church at High Hill which he served as elder and superintendent of the Sunday school. During the World war he took an active part and was chairman of the Bankers Committee of Montgomery county. In the capacity of cashier he has proved most satisfactory both to the bank and its patrons and he has many friends throughout the community. He has made his way in life since an early age and as a result of his laudable ambition and characteristic energy and determination he has achieved a position of responsibility and is held in high esteem and respect by his fellowmen.
H. CAREY KORNDOERFER.
H. Carey Korndoerfer, who is successfully engaged in the leather business in St. Louis, having his offices in the Leather Trades building, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, May 25, 1881. His father, Augustus Korndoerfer, belonged to one of the old American families that has been represented on this side of the Atlantic through several generations. He is now a successful physician of Philadelphia. He married Adelaide Schiedt, their wedding being celebrated in Philadelphia where they have reared a family of three sons and three daughters, of whom one son is deceased.
H. Carey Korndoerfer, the youngest of the family, was educated in the Philadel- phia grammar and high schools, graduating from the latter in June, 1899. After com- pleting his course he turned his attention to the leather business in connection with the firm of Burk Brothers of Philadelphia, being employed in the stock room. He remained with that house until 1910 and in the meantime had worked his way steadily upward until he was sent out on the road as a traveling salesman. In the-year indi- cated he came to St. Louis to represent a Cincinnati concern in the leather business and was with that house until 1912. He then engaged in the leather commission business in connection with Arthur S. Patton and the partnership was maintained until 1916, when they dissolved their business relations and Mr. Korndoerfer started in business independently under the style of H. C. Korndoerfer & Company of which concern he is the sole owner. He has operated successfully in the leather trade to the present time and conducts his business on a commission basis, representing tanners of sole leather and uppers and occupying space in the Leather Trade build- ing. His long experience in connection with the leather business, his enterprise and laudable ambition have been the contributing element to his success, which has con- stantly grown since he established business on his own account.
In St. Louis on the 9th of February, 1917, Mr. Korndoerfer was married to Mrs. Emily Wood, a daughter of Phillip Willing, and the mother of one son-Willing Wood. Politically Mr. Korndoerfer is a republican and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day, believing firmly in the principles of his party as factors in good government. He has membership in the Chamber of Commerce and also belongs to the Sunset Hill Country Club. In religious faith he is a Presbyterian and belongs to the West Presbyterian church of St. Louis.
LORAINE A. MARTY, M. D.
Dr. Loraine A. Marty, superintendent of the Kansas City Roentgen & Radium Institute of Kansas City, was born in Republic county, Kansas, April 18, 1878, a son of Nicholas and Marie (Kramer) Marty, the former born in Switzerland, while the latter was born in Pennsylvania. When eleven years of age Nicholas Marty came to the United States with his parents, and he learned the shoemaker's trade at Bucyrus,
L. a. mart .
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Ohio. He afterward removed to Kansas, becoming a pioneer settler of that state, and took up a homestead which he developed and improved. There were very few set- tlers in northern and central Kansas at that time and Fort Leavenworth was the nearest trading post. He was a man of enterprising spirit who won success in his business, as well as becoming the owner of a very fine home in Republic county.
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Loraine A. Marty was reared as a farm boy and attended the country schools, while later he was a student in the high school at Courtland, Kansas. He afterward taught school for two years but it was his ambition to become a member of the medical profession and he entered the University Medical College when eighteen years of age, being graduated therefrom in 1900. He then located for practice in James- town, Kansas, but in 1906, removed to Lincoln, Kansas, and in 1909 became a resi- dent of Hays, Kansas. He was very active in professional circles there and in the public life of the community, and he filled the position of coroner and county health officer. In 1911 he came to Kansas City and is now superintendent of the Kansas City Roentgen & Radium Institute, for the treatment of malignant growths such as cancers and tumors. In his professional work he has shown marked ability and has enjoyed a merited and gratifying success. He is very ethical, adhering closely to the highest professional standards. Patients from all points in the southwest come to him. He is now chief of staff of X-ray and diagnosis in the Kansas City General Hospital, the City Hospital and the Wesley Hospital. His institution is fully equipped with every accessory for his work. He lectures before societies on X-ray work and is an active member of the Jackson County, Missouri State, Southwest and American Medical Associations. He belongs to the Radiological Society of North America in which he is chairman of the legislative committee and is president of the Kansas City Radiological Society.
Dr. Marty was married to Miss Louise Krugg of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a daughter of John and Wilhelmena Krugg, who were early settlers of Lincoln, Kansas. Dr. Marty is a democrat in his political belief. He belongs to the Masonic lodge and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His interests are broad and he is public spirited but his activities are largely confined to his profession. He has shown unusual ability in connection with the mechanical appliances of the Radiological Laboratory. As a physician he has a rare insight into conditions attending diseases, a quality of mind and knowledge which leads him readily to correct diagnosis and proper therapy.
CHARLES E. McCRAE.
Charles E. McCrae, who since 1905 has engaged in the practice of civil engineer- ing in Kansas City, was born in Rolla, Missouri, August 1, 1883. He is a son of Charles Murdock McCrae, of Woodstock, Connecticut, who came with his parents to Missouri at an early day, the family home being established in Rolla where he afterward became the publisher and owner of the Rolla Herald as well as several other news- papers. He belonged to the Masonic fraternity and became a prominent factor in state politics as well as in civic affairs. He married Miss Edwarda Rogers, a native of Virginia, and they became the parents of three children. The father has departed this life but the mother is still living.
Charles E. McCrae was educated in the public schools of his native city and in the Missouri School of Mines, from which he was graduated with the class of 1904. When but twelve years of age he served as a page in the house of representatives and when a youth of fifteen acted as page in the senate. He has always been more or less deeply interested in political problems and has at all times stood for progress and improvement in connection with interests which bear upon the public welfare. Having qualified for a professional career, he became connected with the Frisco System as civil engineer and after serving in that capacity for some time came to Kansas City in 1905. He has since engaged in civil engineering and has also handled municipal contracts and bonds. He is now the secretary-treasurer and general manager of the McCrae Securities Company, handling municipal bonds and he is also one of the officials of the Dayton Construction Company. His activities cover a wide scope and he has made for himself an enviable position as an enterprising, reliable and progressive business man who never stops short of the successful accomplishment of his purpose and at all times employs in the accomplishment of that purpose methods which will bear the closest investigation and scrutiny.
Vol. V-42
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In 1904 Mr. McCrae was married to Miss Eunicia Singleton of Kansas City, daugh- ter of J. M. Singleton, and they have become the parents of three children: Charles Milton, fourteen years of age; Eunicia Antoinette, aged thirteen; and Rogers, who is but a year old. Mr. McCrae belongs to the Kansas City Club. He and his wife are members of the Westminster Congregational church and take a deep and helpful interest in many branches of the church work and in those activities which have to do with the welfare and upbuilding of the city and state. Mr. McCrae deserves great credit for what he has accomplished. He has been an indefatigable worker, has thoroughly mastered everything he has undertaken and by reason of his reliability and agree- able personality has won a large clientele in the various lines in which he has engaged and in social life has gained many warm friends.
LEO ANTHONY NUNNINK.
Leo Anthony Nunnink, engaged in law practice in Kansas City, was born on the 27th of December, 1890, in Paola, Kansas, a son of Anthony Jacob and Johanna (Christopher) Nunnink. The family is of Holland lineage and was established in Shawnee, Kansas, in 1858, the father, Anthony Jacob Nunnink, there engaging in farming for many years.
Leo A. Nunnink, spending his youthful days under the parental roof, attended the public schools of Paola, Kansas, mastering the work of the various grades until he became a high school student. A review of the broad field of business with its various opportunities of a professional, agricultural, industrial and commercial char- acter led him at last to determine upon the practice of law as a life work and in preparation therefor he entered the Kansas City School of Law, from which he was graduated in 1917 with the LL. B. degree. For two years he was president of the alumni association of his class. He started out in the business world by doing clerical work for the Standard Oil Company but his laudable ambition prompted his efforts in other directions and he became a law student. Since his graduation he has devoted his attention to general practice and pursuing the even tenor of his way has made steady progress. He has always prepared his cases with thoroughness and care and is constantly studying the principles of jurisprudence, so that he is becoming more and more efficient in his chosen life work.
In September, 1912, Mr. Nunnink was married to Miss Linnie M. Swanson, a niece of United States Senator Swanson of Virginia. They now have one child, Leo A., Jr., who is five years of age. The parents are Catholics in religious faith and are com- municants of the Blessed Sacrament church. Politically Mr. Nunnink is a republican and is thoroughly in touch with the vital questions and issues of the day but has never been ambitious for office, preferring to give his undivided attention to his prac- tice, knowing that the law is a jealous mistress and that he who wins her favor must be persistent and faithful. Steadily he has advanced in his profession and his prac- tice is now of a substantial character.
WILLIAM ELI AUBUCHON, M. D.
Prominent among the members of the medical profession in St. Francois county is Dr. William E. Aubuchon who has been practicing in Leadwood for a number of years. Dr. Aubuchon is a native of St. Francols county, his birth having occurred on his father's farm near French Village, on the 10th of September, 1879. His parents, Eli Basil and Melissa (Bequette) Aubuchon, are now residing on a farm near Bonne Terre. Eli Basil Aubuchon was born October 7, 1856, and his wife's birth occurred on the 15th of February, 1861. She is a daughter of Edward Bequette, a farmer of St. Francois county.
Dr. William E. Aubuchon was educated in the common schools near French Village until he reached the age of twenty years, at which time he entered Carleton College at Farmington where he remained for a year. At the termination of that time he taught school for & period of four years and then resumed his studies in the State Normal school at Cape Girardeau. After completing his course here he taught for
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another two years and then thinking to take up law as his life's work, entered the law department of the University of Missouri. He changed his mind in regard to his career, however, and withdrew from that university. He then went to St. Louis to the American Medical College, now the Barnes Medical College, in 1905, and in 1909 was graduated from that institution with the degree of M. D. He immediately started into practice, locating at Leadwood where he has since remained, having built up an extensive and lucrative practice. In addition to his medical practice he con- ducts a drug store at Frankclay, Missouri, and he has been postmaster of that place since June, 1914.
On the 23rd of October, 1907, Dr. Aubuchon was united in marriage to Miss Lena B. Aubuchon, a daughter of Adrian Aubuchon who was the son of Frank Aubuchon. Both her father and grandfather engaged in farming near French Village and her grandfather operated the first blacksmith shop and country store in French Village.
Since age conferred upon Dr. Aubuchon the right of franchise he has been a stanch supporter of the democratic party and the principles for which it stands, but he has never sought nor desired public office. His religious faith is that of the Catholic church and he is a member of St. Ann's parish at French Village. In connection with his profession he is a member of the American Eclectic Medical Society of Mis- souri and also of the National Eclectic Society of the United States. In 1919 and 1920 he served as president of the state society. He likewise holds membership in the St. Francois County Medical Association. Dr. Aubuchon concentrates his atten- tion and efforts upon his professional activity and actuated by a laudable ambition he has won a creditable name and position in St. Francois county.
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