USA > Missouri > Centennial history of Missouri, vol. 2 > Part 38
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John Roemer, father of Dr. Roemer, was born in Seifertshausen, near Rothenburg-am-Fulda, Germany, September 3, 1829, and eame to America when eight years of age with his father. Previously he had been a choir boy in the Lutheran church in his home town. After crossing the Atlantic he first lived at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, subsequently removed to Ohio and later to West Virginia, where for many years he was a leading dry goods merchant of Wheeling. There he passed away May 1, 1913.
It was at Wheeling, West Virginia, on the 17th of February, 1853, that he
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was married to Sarah Ann Donnell, by the Rev. Alfred Paull of the Presby- terian church. Both are buried in the Mount Wood cemetery of Wheeling, West Virginia, and memorial windows have been placed in the Second Presby- terian church of that city . by their children.
The Donnell family comes of Scotch ancestry and the first of the family in Ameriea was Thomas Donnell, who was born in Scotland not later than 1690 and emigrated to Pennsylvania not later than 1725, settling in the Cumberland valley. Ile had four sons: Thomas, James, John and Samuel. Of these, Thomas, born in 1715, died in 1755. He had always made his home in Pennsyl- vania, and he had six sons: James, John, Thomas, Moses, Samuel and Alexan- der. After the French and Indian war and the Peace of Paris in 1763 there was a great impetus given to pioneer settlement in Pennsylvania and Virginia. James Donnell, in 1767, went to Virginia and after eight years' residenee there established his family in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, stating that he wished to join his three brothers-John, Thomas and Moses, who had removed there from Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, in 1769. John Donnell was a soldier of the Revolutionary war, serving in the Pennsylvania navy on the head- waters of the Ohio, and was killed by the Indians. He had nine daughters and one son, John Donnell (II), who removed to Ripley, Ohio, and it is from him that the Donnell line can be traced down to Dr. Roemer. Their early history emphasizes the fact that they were Presbyterians and "religion was the rock upon which the founders of the Donnell family builded. It was a thing to them vital and filled a large spaee in their lives." Henry Donnell, grandfather of Dr. Roemer, was born February 7, 1785, and died November 3, 1849, while his wife, Rebecca Donnell, was born March 3, 1790, and died February 8, 1858. They were married March 23, 1810, and were buried in the Roemer-Donnell lot in Mount Wood cemetery at Wheeling, West Virginia. Their children were nine in number, the youngest being Sarah Ann Donnell, who was born in New Athens, Ohio, November 8, 1830, and, as stated, became the wife of John Roemer, her death ocenrring in Wheeling, West Virginia, September 12, 1894. The children of John and Sarah Ann (Donnell) Roemer are eleven in number : Rebecca E., born January 21, 1854, is deceased. Mary Adella, born February 27, 1856, is now Mrs. W. Clarenee Findley, of Kokomo, Indiana. IIenrietta Hamilton, born August 31, 1858, is now Mrs. Charles Woods Eoff, of Kansas City, Missouri. John Henry, born June 29, 1860, and Vallie and Annie, twins, born February 16, 1862, are all deceased. Charles Oglivia, born June 15, 1863, resides in Cumberland, Maryland. John Lincoln is the next of the family. Sarah Donnell, born January 30, 1867, is now Mrs. J. W. Avirett-Thomas, of Cumberland, Maryland. Donnell C., born March 9, 1870, and Maude Bell, July 9, 1871, are both deceased.
The early education of Dr. Roemer was acquired in the fifth ward school of his native eity, after which he attended the Linsly Institute, a military school for boys, at Wheeling. He had the good fortune of having "to work his way" through college and became acquainted with the ways of the business world. At one time he was assistant to the circuit court clerk of Ohio county. Later he became a bookkeeper for the American Insurance Company. During his summer vacations he was engaged by insurance companies and manufacturing plants to look after special accounts and their adjustments, and returned to the
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University of West Virginia in the fall with enough money saved up to pay his expenses for the school year. Before going to the Western Theological Seminary, after completing his university course, he became the private secre- tary of the gentleman who later became his father-in-law. Upon completion of his first year at the theological seminary he spent four months among the cow- boys of the west as a Sunday school missionary. The three years of seminary work finished, he became pastor for a short time of the Fairview Presbyterian church at Thomas, Pennsylvania, five miles out of Pittsburgh. Ile next went to Cleveland, Ohio, as pastor of the new congregation known as the South church, and later he went to the old and fashionable First church of Chillicothe, Ohio. Called to the Tyler Place Presbyterian church of St. Louis, Missouri, he minis- tered to the young church for over nine years and witnessed its development into one of the largest and most active congregations of St. Louis. While pastor of the Tyler Place church, the presideney of the Lindenwood College was offered him. Reluctant at first to enter a new field of labor, upon the earnest solicita- tion of the late Dr. Samuel J. Niecolls and Colonel and Mrs. James Gay Butler, he aeeepted the position and entered upon the work May 12, 1914. About the year 1827 the school for girls at Lindenwood was first established and was successfully eondueted until about 1843, when for some unknown reason it was suspended for about a year. About 1844 it was started again under the super- vision of Mrs. Sibley and Mrs. E. D. Rasseter and since that time has had a good attendance of young women, there being now about three hundred and fifty students from all over this part of the country in attendance. Lindenwood today is one of the foremost colleges for young women of the west. It was the first college for women admitted to the Missouri College Union as a Standard A college, ranking in its standing with the best colleges and universities in the courses offered in the arts and sciences. Many of the new buildings and great improvements of recent years have been made possible through the generosity of Colonel James Gay Butler of St. Louis and others who are interested in education.
On June 2, 1892, Dr. Roemer was united in marriage to Miss Lillie Pieken- paugh, daughter of Thornton Pickenpaugh, of Morgantown, West Virginia, a leading dry goods merchant in that city for forty-five years. lle was a publie- spirited man, interested in various pursuits, including the cultivation of timber lands and farming. For twenty-five years he was the president of the city sehool board. Ilis father was Nicholas Piekenpaugh, who was born in Morgan- town, West Virginia, and his father eame from Germany, where his family had long been prominent. He died August 18, 1902. Mrs. Roemer's mother was Mary Franees Wagner, who departed this life in 1919. She was a native of Morgantown, West Virginia, and her father was William Wagner, a native of Shiermanstown, Pennsylvania. John Wagner, the first American member of the family, came from Wales. IIe was the father of William Wagner, who for many years was a cashier of the First National Bank of Morgantown, where he was a prominent and influential eitizen. His wife was Lydia Dunstan Wagner, whose grandfather, John Waterhouse, was a soldier in the Revolutionary army and starved to death as a prisoner on an English man-of-war.
John L. Roemer takes an active interest in the social amenities of life, belong- ing to the Missouri Athletic Association of St. Louis, the University Club, the
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Sunset Club of Chillicothe, Ohio, and numerous social and scientific associa- tions. He has membership in Ellsworth Lodge, No. 505, A. F. & A. M., of Cleveland, Ohio; Hillman Chapter, No. 166, R. A. M., of Cleveland, Ohio; and Ohio Consistory, No. 8, of Chillicothe. He is also a member of the United States Chamber of Commerce and the Missouri Historical Society.
Of the four who consecrated themselves in 1914 to a greater Lindenwood- Dr. Niccolls, Colonel and Mrs. Butler and Dr. Roemer-but one remains. To Dr. Roemer is committed the responsibility of bringing to fruition the dreams of those who gave themselves and their means that the great southwest should have a college for young women equal to the best in the country. The college property and endowment are now valued at over three million dollars. To Mrs. Roemer her husband pays the highest tribute for his success. Giving them- selves in the trying hours of the history of Lindenwood, they expect when their work here is finished to have realized to some small degree at least the dreams and hopes of all the noble ones who since the beginning of the college have looked forward to a greater Lindenwood. Throughout Dr. Roemer's whole life, whatever his hand has found to do, in his official duties or in any other sphere, he has done with his might and with a deep sense of conscientious obligation. Well versed in learning and with a deep knowledge of human nature and the springs of human conduct, together with a strong mentality, an invincible courage and determined individuality, he has become a natural leader and a teacher and director of opinion.
Major Harry Llewellyn Goodwin
AJOR HARRY LLEWELLYN GOODWIN, veteran of the M World war and treasurer and general manager of the Atlas Cereal Company in Kansas City, was born in Burlington, Coffey county, Kansas, July 31, 1878, his parents being Thomas Jefferson and Jane (Morris) Goodwin, both of whom were natives of Wales, whence they came to the United States in early childhood. The father was about nine years of age when he crossed the Atlantic and after attaining his majority he engaged in mer- chandising in the state of New York, while still later he became a coal operator at Hannibal, Missouri. In 1870 he removed to Burlington, Kansas, where he had very large interests in mines and in financial and mercantile concerns, being connected with the Colorado Fuel & Iron Company. As the years passed he so directed and extended the field of his business operations that he became a wealthy man. Moreover, he was prominent in public affairs and held every town and county office that he could be induced to accept. IIe gives his political support at all times to the republican party. In 1888 he removed to Chicago and for several years was connected with the large mercantile house of Siegel, Cooper & Company. He still makes his home in that city but is now living retired from active business. His religious faith is that of the Welsh Pres- byterian church.
The mother of Major Goodwin died when he was but eight months old and his father afterward met reverses in 1888, so that the son was early thrown on his own resources. As a boy he came to Kansas City and sold newspapers and later he traveled over the country as a model newsboy with Alexander Hoag- land, the newsboys' friend, because he knew the Lord's Prayer. In those early days of hardships he often slept in the newspaper and fire engine honses. Later he worked as an office boy in a grain broker's office and afterward for a telegraph company as messenger boy. It is an old saying that blood will tell, and though his financial resources were extremely limited, Major Goodwin came from an ancestry that made him ambitious to win advancement and in due course of time he obtained a ward school education, the means for which were provided through his own labor. He worked for the packing houses for many years, being employed by the Swifts, Cudahys and Armours, and thus he learned the packing business. During the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago he was employed as night clerk in the Great Northern Hotel and during that time attended the LaSalle University, where he pursued a course in law. He then returned to Kansas City and for three years was a law clerk in the offices of Ess, Block & Georgeon and later with Beebe & Watson. His law course and law work were pursued with but one idea, however, in mind-that of becoming a success in commercial lines. He spent fourteen years in connection with the
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packing business and it was he who put the Old Dutch Cleanser on the market for the Cudahy Packing Company through his judicious and original adver- tising methods and progressiveness and initiative in the management of that department of their business. He was at length made western sales manager for the Toledo Computing Scales Company, having charge of all the territory west of the Mississippi river, with twenty-six men under his direction. He was recognized as a very efficient and high pressure salesman and would contract with a company to put a commodity on the market within a certain time. It was also Mr. Goodwin who opened up the butter and butterine business for the Cudahy Packing Company. He was also treasurer of the first advertising agency in Kansas City, Missouri, recognized by the Quoin Club of New York. He organized the American Farm Gate Company, originators of the first gal- vanized and self-lifting steel gates for American farms, which the company patented. Mr. Goodwin was vice president and general manager of this com- pany until the business was sold to the steel trust. He then went to Chicago as director of sales for the Woods Motor Vehicle Company and succeeded in making the Woods the most popular electric car in America. For a period of time he was sales promotion manager for the Gossard Corset Company of Chicago, originators of front-lace corsets, and later he returned to Kansas City as efficiency engineer. He became a representative of the Merry Optical Com- pany and visited all the steel plants, giving lectures to employes on the pre- vention of eye accidents in the industries. A recital of what he has attempted and accomplished-for he never stopped short of the successful accomplishment of his purpose-indicates that Major Goodwin is indeed a dynamic force in the business world. He seems with almost intuitive perception to recognize the value of organization and the opportunities of any business situation and he has the ability to instruct the public and create desire for any article.
At the outbreak of the World war Mr. Goodwin gave his services to the government in connection with the work of perfecting non-breakable lenses for gas masks and perfect aviation goggles. He originated the "Protexwel" and "Resistal" goggles, which were adopted and used by the United States army. In 1918 he was commissioned a captain in the aviation section of the army, doing work at the Research Laboratory at Hazelhurst Field, Mineola, on Long Island, in connection with eye protection and breathing apparatus. He also went to various fields to instruct in the uses of protective measures. Upon his discharge from the service he was given the rank of major in the United States Reserve Corps, Quartermaster's Division, in recognition of the valuable aid which he had rendered to the government in perfecting devices of the greatest worth to the soldiers on the battle front.
Major Goodwin is also president of the Blue Jay Coal & Mining Company, now developing two thousand acres of coal lands near Pleasanton, Kansas. He is also president of the Mid-Continent Land Company, now developing a new town on the Kansas City Southern Railway in Bates county, Missouri. He is likewise the president of The Peg-O-Way Company, originators and manufac- turers of games. In 1919 he became general sales manager for the Atlas Cereal Company and in 1920 was made treasurer and general manager.
In 1900, in Kansas City, Major Goodwin was married to Miss Bertha Louise Merry, who was born in Norwalk, Ohio, a daughter of Charles Lawrence and
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Jessie (Wickham) Merry. The father was born August 25, 1852, and passed away May 1, 1920. The mother, who was born in Norwalk, Ohio, passed away in February, 1909. In young manhood Charles L. Merry engaged in the jewelry business in Pennsylvania and also at Norwalk, Ohio, but later became associated with the Julius King Optical Company of New York. In May, 1890, he came to Missouri as a representative of the firm, locating with a branch at Kansas City. Later he took over the branch under the name of C. L. Merry and in 1899 he incorporated the Merry Optical Company, which now has twenty-one branches aud is today the largest distributing company of this character carry- ing on business in the United States. To Major and Mrs. Goodwin have been born four sons. Lawrence Merry was a student of the Telliride Association, a preparatory school, specializing on diplomatie and practical training work of every kind. This school is located in California. After attending there he con- tinued his education in the University of Missouri and then entered Princeton University of New Jersey. The second of the family is Harry Llewellyn, Jr., the name of Llewellyn being derived from the last independent ruler of Wales. The other sons are Frederick Merry and Robert Merry.
Major Goodwin is a Master Mason, also a prominent Consistory Mason and was given by the late Colonel James Gardner Stowe, thirty-third degree, a gold, diamond-studded medal for his active service in the Scottish Rite bodies. Hc is a life member of the Mystic Shrine and is likewise identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. In polities he is an active republican and a man of high eivie standards, his one desire being to assist in making Kansas City the cleanest and best city in the country by having the highest possible civic standards. In the year 1912 he was the nominee on the Missouri repub- lican ticket for the Missouri state senate from the sixth district of Missouri. He belongs also to the Chamber of Commerce and was active in connection with the industrial branch of that organization. ITis religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church and his connection with social organizations makes him a member of the Blue Hills Country Club, the Auto Club, the Kansas City Club, the American Legion and the Military Order of the World War, the last named organization being composed entirely of officers. He is likewise a dircetor of the American Corn Millers Federation and a member of the National Poultry, Butter & Egg Association, while in the year 1905 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society of London, England. Ile finds his chief recrea- tion in horseback riding. Major Goodwin has been characterized as "a doer of things." He is extremely forceful and resourceful, ready to meet any emer- gency, and his adaptability at all times enables him to make the best of every situation and use his opportunities to the utmost, while his labors have at all times been a most potent factor in the development of commercial interests.
Samuel Wesley Fordyce
T HAT the sources of our power lie within ourselves is demon- strated in the career of Samuel Wesley Fordyce, the measure of whose greatness is seen in thousands of miles of railroad, in banks and business enterprises which he established, in publie activities which he instituted and political policies which he formulated. His notably broad vision found ex- pression in practical effort for the embodiment and adoption of high ideals in connection with the development and upbuilding of the eoun- try. His breadth of view not only saw possibilities for his own advancement but for the country's development as well, and his lofty patriotism prompted him to utilize the latter as quickly and as effectively as the former. Mastering the lessons of life day by day, his post-graduate work in the school of experi- ence at length placed him with the men of eminent learning and ability and it was said that he was the counselor of every president from Lineoln down to the time of his death, which occurred on the 3d of August, 1919, when he had reached the age of seventy-nine years. The great majority of men of his age and of his wealth would have retired from business long years before, but he remained an active factor in the world's work to the end, his counsel and ad- viee being continuously sought in matters of far-reaching importance.
Samuel W. Fordyce was a native son of Ohio, his birth having occurred in Guernsey county on the 7th of February, 1840, his parents being John and Mary Ann (Houseman) Fordyce, both natives of Pennsylvania. Ile was de- seended from Scotch and Dutch ancestry, the Fordyce family being founded in America by his grandfather, Samuel Fordyce, who was born in Armoy, Antrim, Ulster, Ireland, in 1735, and, leaving the Emerald isle, established his home in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1775. There he passed away in 1824. The maternal grandfather, emigrating from Holland, took up his abode in the Keystone state only a little later.
Samuel W. Fordyce was one of a family of ten children. Ilis early youth did not foreshadow his future greatness, for his boyhood was spent in the usual manner of the lads of the period, devoted to the acquirement of a common school education. He was, however, ambitious to advance his knowledge and eagerly embraced the opportunities offered in that direction. After leaving the public schools he attended Madison College at Uniontown, Pennsylvania, and subsequently became a student in the North Illinois University at Henry, Illinois. He then returned home and when twenty years of age first became connected with railway interests, in which limitless field of labor he was des- tined to win distinction and greatness. Ilis original position, however, was a humble one, being that of station agent on the Central Ohio Railroad, now a
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part of the Baltimore & Ohio system. With the outbreak of the Civil war, all business and personal considerations were put aside and he joined the Union army as a member of the First Ohio Volunteer Cavalry. While he enlisted as a private, he was soon made second lieutenant and later was advanced to the rank of first lieutenant of Company B, First Ohio Volunteer Cavalry. His next promotion in 1863 placed him in command of Company H and a few months afterward he was made assistant inspector general of cavalry in the Army of the Cumberland and assigned to the Second Cavalry Division under the command of General George Crook. He participated in the battles of Murfreesboro and Chickamauga under General Rosecrans, and under General Buell took part in the battles of Shiloh and Perryville, Kentucky, together with other engagements of minor importance. His courage and valor were manifest in the fact that he was always in the thickest of the fight, being three times wounded and three times captured by the enemy, though he never served a day's imprisonment, having the good fortune to be recaptured twice, while once he succeeded in making his escape.
While a northern man, Mr. Fordyce following the close of the war sought the business opportunities of the south and was long a leading and influential factor in that section of the country. Such were his personal qualities and characteristics that he commanded the respect and confidence of all wherever he went and left the impress of his individuality and ability upon the history of the various communities in which he resided. He became one of the organ- izers of the banking house of Fordyce & Rison at Huntsville, Alabama, and while there residing played a most important part in the development and up- building of the northern section of that state. He was president of the first Agricultural Fair and Mechanical Association at Huntsville and he also as- sisted in financing the North & South Alabama Railway from Decatur to Mont- gomery, Alabama, now a part of the Louisville & Nashville system.
When Mr. Fordyce's health became impaired through close confinement, he removed to Arkansas, in January, 1876, establishing his home in the moun- tains near Hot Springs. He at once recognized the value of that locality as a health resort and that Hot Springs today is a health city of world-wide repu- tation is due perhaps more to the influence and efforts of Mr. Fordyce than any other individual. He was instrumental in securing the passage of a bill in the United States congress settling the matter of title to four sections of land which had been in dispute for sixty years. It was also through his influence that General John A. Logan, then United States senator, introduced the bill for the erection of the finely equipped Army and Navy Hospital on the govern- ment reservation at Hot Springs. His financial support was back of the build- ing of the leading hotels and opera house of Hot Springs, of the establishment of the water, gas and electric light works, of the building of the street railway system and the promotion of other public enterprises. Both Dallas and Denison, Texas, too, benefited greatly by his efforts, for he financed and had constructed the first cotton compress in those two cities.
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