USA > Missouri > Centennial history of Missouri, vol. 2 > Part 27
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Mr. Schlueter was active in church and charitable work, holding member- ship in the Zion Lutheran church, while his contributions to its support were most substantial. His sterling worth was recognized by all who knew him and among the business men of St. Louis he occupied an enviable position and bore an unassailable reputation.
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Henry Polk Lowenstein
ENRY POLK LOWENSTEIN, a man of striet integrity, un- H tiring energy and great natural ability, the latter being con- stantly manifest in his law practice as a member of the Kan- sas City bar, was born in Monroe county, Tennessee, March 14. 1859. His father, Isaac Lowenstein, was for many years a leading citizen of White Hall, Ilinois, where he long engaged in merchandising. He was born in Gimsheim, a suburb of Worms, Germany, December 19, 1833, but the militarism of that country was repugnant to him and when but nineteen years of age he came to America in a sailing vessel, landing on the shores of this country after a voyage of fifty-two days. For a year or two he remained with an annt at Philadelphia and then made his way to east Tennessee. There abont 1854 he married Elizabeth An Ghormley, danghter of Pleasant Miller and Ann Ghormley, of Monroe county, Tennessee. When the Civil war broke out he had the contract for carrying mail between London, Tennessee, and Dalton, Georgia. He was not in favor of secession, but being a resident of the south, there was little to do but join the Confederate army and he became a cavalryman. He was captured twice and iwice was slightly wounded. Following his second capture he was sent to the military prison at Rock Island, Ilinois, where he spent the last thirteen months of the war period. His relations with the G. A. R. veterans in after years were always the most cordial and a source of reminiscences of historie value. He remained in Murray county, Georgia, until the fall of 1869, when he removed with his family to Washington county, Arkansas, and in 1872 left that place to become a resident of a little hamlet called St. Martha, near Pierce City, Missouri; On the 24th of July, 1873, he established his home at Patterson, Greene county, Illinois, and there engaged in the grocery business. In 1877 he removed to White Hall, attracted by the opportunities of the town, and for many years was prominent in its commercial circles as senior partner in the firm of Lowenstein & Sons, where the business is still carried on. To him and his wife were born eleven children and their care and training was of the utmost interest to him. His son, Louis Lowenstein, was a pioneer in reelama- tion work in the llinois valley and became one of the leading landholders of that section of the state. His sons Mark and Claude are now carrying on the store at White Hall, while William P. Lowenstein, long connected with the firm, has now passed away. He was also associated for twelve years with his brother Lonis in the farming and live stock business. The father was a man of the highest integrity of character and most upright purposes. His life was characterized by a kindly spirit and a generons disposition that was manifest in his relations to all. Ile was a most devoted follower of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and at the time of his death, which occurred September 30, 1895. was serving as noble grand of Benevolent Lodge. He has been de-
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Denry Dolk Lowenstein
scribed as "small of stature, somewhat stooped, with dark brown eyes, weighing one hundred and twenty-five or thirty pounds, with black hair in younger days and gray when old. He was a very modest person, was extremely unassuming and died respected by all citizens of every elass and station in life." His widow survived him for a decade and a half, passing away in 1910.
Henry Polk Lowenstein was the third in order of birth in the family. The others are: Louis Lowenstein, of White Hall, Illinois; Mrs. Louise Fishback, of Carrollton, Illinois; Mark Lowenstein and Claude Lowenstein, of White IIall, Illinois, and Mrs. Lena Eberhart, of Austin, Minnesota. Two brothers died in infancy, Davis and Herman. Two sisters, Mrs. Caroline C. Smith and Mrs. Laura Gardiner, of White Hall, Illinois, died several years ago. Mrs. Smith left one son, Lynn C. Smith of White Hall, Illinois.
Henry P. Lowenstein pursued his education in the public and high schools of White Hall, Illinois, and there took up the study of law in the office of an attorney of that place. He was admitted to the bar at Springfield, Illinois, in 1881 and entered upon the practice of his profession in that state, there re- maining until 1884, when he removed to Ottawa, Kansas. Later he returned to Illinois, where he again resided for two years, and on the 20th of December, 1886, arrived in Kansas City where he has since made his home. He is a val- ued member of the Kansas City Bar Association, enjoying the high respect and confidence of his colleagues and contemporaries in the profession. ITis unerring judgment and wide, knowledge of the law, and more especially the law in relation to real estate, have brought him prominence in that field. His success is attributable to his striet integrity, his good natural ability and his judgment along the line in which he has specialized.
Mr. Lowenstein was one of the examining attorneys of the Lombard In- vestment Company from 1888 until 1893 and after the company failed he re- mained with Frank Hagerman, sole receiver of the company, until its assets were sold to the Fidelity Trust Company in 1894. He examined all of the titles for the extension of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad yards a few years ago and all of the new Union station titles. He is now counsel for the Kansas City Title & Trust Company and has a large private practice, being regarded throughout the state as an authority on real estate law.
Mr. Lowenstein is a Mason, belonging to Temple Lodge, No. 299, A. F. & A. M., while in the Seottish Rite he has taken the degrees in the Adoniram Lodge of Perfection, the Arcopagus Chapter of the Rose Croix, De Molai Coun- cil of the Knights of Kadosh and the Consistory of western Missouri. His York Rite connections are with Orient Chapter, R. A. M .; Shekinah Council, R. & S. M .; and he has also crossed the sands of the desert with the nobles of Ararat Temple of the Mystic Shrine. IIe is very prominent and widely known in the order and is a man who is most liberal in connection with charitable and philan- thropie work.
He was married July 2, 1891, to Miss Rebecca C. Dempsey, of Danville, Indiana. One child was born of that marriage, IIenry Polk Lowenstein, Jr., who is a lawyer at Long Beach, California. He enlisted in the navy at the breaking out of the war, and was made ensign, and later lieutenant, j. g. Mrs. Lowenstein died July 7, 1900. Mr. Lowenstein was married to Mrs. Belle Van Natta Dom, of Kansas City, formerly of Burlingame, Kansas, June 25, 1907.
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Denry Dolk Lowenstein
It would be to give a partial and one-sided view of Mr. Lowenstein to write of him merely as a most successful lawyer. There is another side to his nature which has found expression in clear prose and exceptional verse. Some of his poems have been extensively copied in this country and Europe. Notably his answer to Lieutenant Colonel John MeCrae's "In Flanders Fields," also his "Welcome to Our Soldiers." He has recently composed a very beautiful poem, entitled, "O Let Me Sleep in Flanders Fields," which has attracted much at- tention. He has reached high poetic heights in some of these, the beauty and spirit of his poem as an answer to "In Flanders Fields" causes the historian to select that and "O Let Me Sleep in Flanders Fields" for presentation here :
IN FLANDERS FIELDS.
Sleep on, brave soldiers, sleep, sleep where the poppies grow,
Sleep on, brave soldiers, in your plaees, row on row. The lark's still soaring in the sky, Still bravely singing, soaring high, Away above the eannon's roar,
Scarce heard amid the guns as yore, Before you slept in Flanders Fields.
The faith with you we've kept and battled with the foe; On crimson fields by you we've slept where poppies blow, The torch you flung to us we eaught;
With blist 'ring hands we've bravely fought
To hold it high to guard you through the Night,
And at the Dawn to gnide yon to the Light,
When you awake from Flanders Fields.
LET ME SLEEP IN FLANDERS FIELDS.
In Flanders Fields, O let me sleep, And wake me not and never weep For me. I rest in perfect peace; And till all earthly strife shall cease, I shall in silence slumber deep.
You do me wrong to stir and sweep Away my fondest hopes and keep Me from my rest and just release, In Flanders Fields.
Disturb me not, but let me sleep Right where I am and never weep Again, for I shall never cease To live and make my light increase, As Time rolls on in silence deep, In Flanders Fields.
Rita a.8. nul
Mary Jo O Neil.
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Peter A. D' Reil
THE life record of Peter A. O'Neil contains many valuable les- sons which may be most earefully considered and pondered T While he started ont in the business world empty-handed as a lad of twelve years, he became in the course of his active career a prominent figure in real estate and financial circles in St. Louis; nor was there a single esoterie phase in his career. Ile builded his success upon the sure and stable foun- dation of industry, determination and laudable ambition and he never failed to take a forward step when favoring opportunity pointed out the way. When determination, perseverance and talent are arrayed against drawbacks, poverty and trials, the result is almost absolutely certain ; the former are invincible -- they know no defeat.
Peter A. O'Neil was born in St. Louis about 1840, his parents being James and Ellen (Long) O'Neil, the father a successful business man in the field of contracting. In his youthful days the son became a student in the Jesuit Col- lege of St. Louis, in which he pursued his studies to the age of twelve years and then started out to provide for his own support. He truly won the proud American title of a self-made man. llis first position was that of messenger boy in the Benoist Bank and the first business in which he engaged as an independent venture was in pork paeking with his brother Hugh. He was afterward asso- ciated with the firm of Fletcher Brothers in the same line of business and grad- ually advanced step by step, each forward step bringing him a broader outlook and wider opportunities. In 1875 he transferred his activity to what he be- lieved would prove a more profitable field-the restaurant business, taking charge of the Union Depot restaurant and also seeuring the dining-car rights on all trains leaving the city. Success attended the new venture from the beginning and he had materially added to his financial resources when he withdrew from that field of labor. His next venture was into the real estate business, where his keen discrimination and sound judgment found ample scope, and he was seldom 'if ever at error, even in the slightest degree, in his valuation of property or in his judgment concerning its possible vise or diminution in price. Ile nego- tiated many important realty transfers and at different times owned and sold considerable property, realizing a gratifying profit on his investments. He became known in financial eireles as a director of the Mercantile Trust Company and was recognized as a forceful factor in the business life of the city, possess- ing sound judgment and rare sagaeity.
In 1875 was celebrated the marriage of Peter A. O'Neil and Miss Mary A. Florez, daughter of Bernardino Florez, who was born in Spain, of Spanish de- scent. He left Spain at an early age, first making ample provision for his mother whom he left behind him there. It was his desire to see the world, and he went
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first to France and there served as a soldier under Napoleon III. After this he took service on a British sailing vessel and had the experiences of most sailors in the early days, serving under hard and brutal masters. This life was so intolerable that on reaching New Orleans, Louisiana, he and another sailor, an Irishman, left the vessel. The captain tried to locate them, but they contrived to elude him. It was then that Mr. Florez's business career was begun. Circumstances eventually brought him to St. Louis, and here he engaged in different merchandising ventures until his life's labors were ended. He often told his two daughters of his early trials and hard life at sea. He also made large investment in property and became recognized as a leading and forceful business man. He married Eleanor Rhyoum, who was born and reared in St. Louis, where her people settled at an early day. To Mr. and Mrs. O'Neil were born three children: Eleanor, now the wife of Fred Nolker, of St. Louis; Ellen, the wife of William Vest Logan, a resident of New York city ; and James, also of St. Louis.
The family residence on Lindell boulevard was erected by Mr. O'Neil, who found his greatest happiness in providing for the welfare of his wife and chil- dren and counted no personal effort nor sacrifice on his part too great if it would promote their best interests. His religious faith was that of the Catholic church. He was keenly and deeply interested in civic affairs and gave his support to many projects for the publie benefit. He was one of the directors of the World's Fair grounds, also a member of the building committee and took a very active interest in the success of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, while at all times he labored untiringly to promote the best interests of St. Louis along those lines leading to permanent development and improvement. His breadth of view not only saw possibilities for his own advancement but for the city's de- velopment as well, and his lofty patriotism prompted him to utilize the latter as quickly and as effectively as the former.
Bernardine Are;
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James Madison Franciscus
name in St. Louis is more uniformly regarded as a synonym N for business progressiveness and integrity than that of James Madison Franciscus. As financial agent he has controlled some of the most important moneyed interests of the city and as a real estate dealer has handled some of the largest prop- erties transferred. While legitimate success has been an ob- ject of his labors, he has ever regarded an honest name and his own self-respect as even more valuable and throughout his career there has been nothing esoterie and nothing to conceal. Appreciation of his ability and fidelity led to his retention in the office of city treasurer for a period of eight years, and with the progress and development of St. Louis he has been closely associated in many ways.
The life record of James Madison Franciscus compasses the period from the 15th of March, 1866, when he first opened his eyes to the light of day in St. Louis. His father, James M. Franciseus, now deceased, came to Missouri from Baltimore in 1835 and was one of the pioneer bankers of the city and a prom- inent factor in commercial life. lle passed away September 17, 1900, at the notable age of ninety-two years, while his wife, who bore the maiden name of Jane E. IFuffaker, died in December, 1918, at the age of eighty-eight.
After pursuing his collegiate course in Washington University, James M. Franciscus became an employe of the Simmons Hardware Company, with which he continued for two years. lle was next in the office of the auditor of the Wabash Railroad, occupying a clerical position there for a year and a half, at the end of which time he became bookkeeper for the Third National Bank, remaining with the bank for three years. His first independent business ven- ture was made as junior partner in the real estate firm of Moffett & Francisens and since that time he has operated in real estate circles, where his energy, his capability and his enterprise have brought him prominently to the front. lle is now condneting his interests under the firm style of Franciseus & Kunz. A contemporary biographer has said of him : "In his early career Mr. Franciseus displayed many of the qualities which distinguished his honored father and made him a leader in commercial and financial circles. The recognition of his own personal worth and capability led to the selection of James M. Franeiseus on two different occasions to act as special commissioner for the Lindell estate, and in control of its affairs he manifested such sound judgment and business enterprise that all concerned expressed their entire satisfaction. He was placed under two bonds of nine hundred thousand and seven hundred thousand dol- lars respectively, and that he could give them without delay shows the high confidence reposed in him by the business community, and especially by those who stood as sponsors for him in this financial connection. He also acted as
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special commissioner for the D. A. January estate, giving a bond of four hun- dred and eighty-five thousand dollars, and served also as executor of his father's estate and as co-executor of the estate of Mrs. Jane Lindsay, the mother of Mrs. Franciscus. In many other ways Mr. Franciscus has given proof of his unusual ability for the management of important business interests and the firm of which he is now the head bears an unassailable reputation for reliability and for sound judgment. In addition to what may be termed as the realty brokerage department, the company also acts in a confidential capacity for its clients and enjoys the unqualified trust of those whom it represents."
Aside from the important interests in the conduet of a real estate and finan- cial agency, Mr. Franciscus is one of the directors of the American Trust Com- pany and also vice president and director of the Title Guarantee Trust Com- pany. There is no name better known in financial circles in St. Louis than that of James M. Franciseus and none which more uniformly awakens confidence and respect.
It was a natural sequence of his business career that Mr. Franciseus should be chosen to handle public funds and at the democratic convention in St. Louis on the 12th of February, 1901, he was nominated for the position of city treas- urer. His personal popularity and the confidence reposed in him were indi- cated in the fact that he ran twenty-two hundred votes ahead of his ticket and, moreover, he was the youngest man ever elected to the office in St. Louis. His course justified the support of his constituents and on the expiration of a four years' term he was reelected, continuing in the office until 1909. He is not in- frequently seen in the conventions of his party and has had an influencing force in shaping democratic activities in city and state.
A most happy and interesting home life had its beginning when on the 12th of June, 1890, Mr. Franciseus was united in marriage to Miss Katherine G. Lindsay, daughter of the late General A. J. Lindsay, a retired army officer. She is a granddaughter of John Mullanphy, a scholar and jurist, who received his education in France and came to St. Louis immediately afterward, in 1799. IIe is yet remembered as one of the most benevolent men of the city. His son, Bryan Mullanphy, was the founder of the Mullanphy Emigrant Relief Fund. The father of Mrs. Franeiseus was General Andrew J. Lindsay of Confederate fame, who was a West Point graduate in the same class with General Grant. In 1857 he wedded Jane Delaney, a reigning belle and beauty, well known not only in the United States but in foreign lands as well. The youngest daughter of this marriage was Katherine G., who became the wife of James M. Franciscus, and to them have been born five children. The eldest, James Lindsay, married Kathleen Newhouse, of South Orange, New Jersey. He is captain of the Sev- enth United States Cavalry, Custer's old regiment, and is now serving on the Mexican border. The younger members of the family are Jane, Marian E., James M. and John D. The family is one of notable social prominence and the daughter Marian was chosen as queen of the Veiled Prophet's ball in 1919. For years this has been the most important social event in St. Louis and when, after an interim of two years, during which the ball was not held on account of the World war, the custom was revived, it was made the most brilliant affair that has been held in this city perhaps within its entire history. Miss Fran- ciseus has long been prominently known through her social activities and char-
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James Madison Franciscus
itable work. She was reared at Lindsayhurst, the family homestead, in the Florissant valley, and attended the Academy of the Sacred Heart and Miss Wright's School at Bryn Mawr and during the war period was very active in the conduct of the Allies' Tea Shop, which supplied money for the American fund for the French wounded, and which was conducted by the leading repre- sentatives of the foremost social cireles of St. Louis. Her beauty, grace, educa- tion and character well fitted her to be chosen as queen of the carnival, which equaled in grandeur many an old-time oriental celebration.
Mr. Franciseus and his family were all active war workers. His wife was chairman of the American Fund for French Wounded, which maintained a tea shop and because of its very liberal patronage was able to turn over a very substantial sum for the benefit of convalescents of the French army and navy, to which the proceeds of the shop were devoted. Mr. Franciscus' military ex- perience eovers service as a member of Company B of the National Guard of Missouri in 1888 and as captain of a division of the war workers during the Liberty bond, Red Cross and Y. M. C. A. drives, and in all such his district exceeded its quota. The family are communicants of the Catholic church. Mr. Franciseus is president of the Florissant Valley Club and holds membership in the St Louis Country Club, the Noonday, the St. Louis and Racquet Clubs. In 1892 he was appointed a member of the Mullanphy board, but resigned the following year. IIe has filled the office of vice president of the St. Louis Real Estate Exchange and he is keenly interested in everything that has to do with the city's development and progress. Throughout his entire career he has been aetnated by the spirit of Abraham Lincoln's words: "There is something bet. ter than making a living-making a life." He meets every obligation willingly and courageously, performs every duty to the best of his ability-and that ability is of a notably high order-and in the long years of his residence in St. Louis his eourse has reflected honor and credit upon an untarnished family name that for eight deeades and a half has figured most conspicuously in eon- nection with the financial interests of the city.
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Adolphe. E. Michelmeyer
Adolph Elias Winkelmeyer
DOLPH ELIAS WINKELMEYER is occupying a prominent A position in the business circles of St. Louis by reason of his connection with the Union Biseuit Company as its president. This has been developed into one of the important bakery in- terests of the city and the success of the enterprise is at- tributable in large measure to the indefatigable efforts and powers of organization displayed by Mr. Winkelmeyer. He was born in this city October 12, 1860, a son of Julius L. Winkelmeyer, whose birth oceurred in Heilbronn, Germany, May 26, 1816, and who passed away in St. Louis, January 23, 1867. He was a son of Christopher and Catherine Winkel- meyer, who spent their entire lives in Heilbronn. Christopher Winkelmeyer was a nail manufacturer in comfortable circumstances and reared a family of four sons, all of whom beeame residents of St. Louis, Charles arriving in 1837, Louis in 1840, Julius in 1842 and Ernest in 1844. There was also a daughter, Mrs. Louise Fingerle, who came to this city after the death of her husband.
In his father's establishment Julius L. Winkelmeyer learned the trade of nail making and then determined to try his fortune in America. Here he be- came acquainted with Frederick Stifel, a practical brewer of St. Louis, and in 1843 they formed a partnership, establishing a small brewery, Mr. Stifel taking charge of the brewing, while Mr. Winkelmeyer managed the commercial end of the business. The enterprise prospered from the beginning and in 1847 they built a new brewery on Chouteau's Pond, on Market street. In 1849 Mr. Stifel and his wife died of eholera and Mr. Winkelmeyer afterward condueted the business alone, ranking for many years as a pioneer brewer of the city, his business becoming the largest of the kind in St. Louis. After the death of Mr. Winkelmeyer the business was continued by his widow, first under the management of her brother, Christopher A. Stifel, and later under the direction of her sons, Christopher and Julius L. Winkelmeyer, and her son-in-law, Au- gust W. Straub. The business continued to grow and prosper until 1889, when the plant was sold to the St. Louis Brewing Association, having in the mean- time become a business enterprise of great value. Mr. Winkelmeyer prior to his death was connected with other business interests of St. Louis. In politics he was a democrat and his religious faith was that of the Evangelieal church.
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