Encyclopedia of the history of Missouri, a compendium of history and biography for ready reference, Vol. I, Part 18

Author: Conard, Howard Louis, ed. 1n
Publication date: 1901
Publisher: New York, Louisville [etc.] The Southern history company, Haldeman, Conard & co., proprietors
Number of Pages: 856

USA > Missouri > Encyclopedia of the history of Missouri, a compendium of history and biography for ready reference, Vol. I > Part 18

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Starting homeward, in December, he was ar- rested, cast into prison, and lay in a dungeon in the City of Mexico until July, 1835. Re- turning to Texas the following September, he found a revolution opening and volunteers or- ganizing for battle. He was chosen com- mander-in-chief, and at the head of his forces moved upon the fortified town of San Antonio. In the meantime a provisional government was formed, and Austin, Branch Archer and William Wharton were appointed commis- sioners to seek aid from the United States. Wharton and Archer favored absolute inde- pendence from Mexico, while Austin was in favor of making Texas a Mexican State. Austin visited the United States and returned home in June, 1836. His sufferings in the Mex- ican prison had wrecked his health, and in a few months he took to his bed, from which he never arose. In August of 1836, though a sick man, he was a candidate for President of Texas against General Sam Houston.

Autenrieth, George, was born in Stuttgart, Germany, August 11, 1843, and died in Clayton, St. Louis County, Missouri. March 23, 1899. He was the son of Philip Adamı and Cathrine Barbara (Roggenhauser) Autenrieth. The elder Autenrieth was a farmer and wine-grower of Stuttgart, who emi- grated to the United States in 1864, locating on a farm near Kirkwood, Missouri, and later in Clayton, where he died in October, 1881. After acquiring a practical education in the public schools in his native town, young Au- tenrieth was employed as clerk in a hotel until 1864, when he came to the United States with his parents, settling with them on the farm near Kirkwood, where he remained six years. In 1870 he removed to Kirkwood and opened a hotel, remaining there nine years. In 1879 he moved to Clayton, Missouri, and leaseo the Edwards House, and ten years later purchased the property now known as the Autenrieth Hotel, which he conducted until his death. The Autenrieth Hotel was known far and wide by the traveling publie as one of the promi- nent landmarks of Clayton, where genuine hospitality and good cheer was dispensed to its guests by its popular landlord. In 1870 Mr. Autenrieth began to attain prominence in polities, and for thirty years was one of the most conspicuous characters in public life in St. Louis County. Ife was a member of the Republican County Central Committee, of

Coco. autenrieth

AUTUMNAL FESTIVITIES ASSOCIATION-AVERY.

which he was chairman for the last ten years of his life, and attended many conventions of his party as a delegate. He was one of the founders of the St. Louis County Bank, and its vice president at the date of his death : a di- rector of Mount Olive Saengerbund, presi- dent of the Clayton School Board, member of the orders of Knights of Honor, Sons of Her- mann, Odd Fellows, Harugari, and other or- ganizations. He was also a member of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Autenrieth was thor- oughly identified with every worthy object calculated to promote the public welfare, and contributed liberally to educational, religious and charitable objects, without regard to sect or nationality. Successful in his business ca- reer, he left a handsome fortune to his family. He was twice married, first to Miss Kathrine Barbara Hoffmann, a native of Wurttemberg, Germany, in 1865. She died in August, 1875, leaving four sons, Henry Autenrieth, Fred- erick Autenrieth, Charles Autenrieth and Al- bert Autenrieth. His second marriage was with Miss Marie Schmidt, also a native of Ger- many, March 2, 1876. Six children were born of the second marriage, named, respectively, Emma Autenrieth, George Autenrieth, Cath- arine Autenrieth, Bertha Autenrieth, Louisa Autenrieth and William Autenrieth.

Autumnal Festivities Association. An association formed in St. Louis, July 25, 1891, which had for its object the advancement of the business interests of that city, through an annual pageant and other attractions to be given in the fall of each year, which would bring to the city visitors from all parts of the country. Among the founders of the associa- tion were Captain Frank Gaiennie, Honorable S. M. Kennard, Goodman King, Honorable E. O. Stanard, Colonel M. C. Wetmore and others. The association passed out of exist- ence and was succeeded by the Business Men's League of St. Louis in 1894.

Auxvasse .- An incorporated village in Callaway County, thirteen miles north of Ful- ton, on the Jefferson City branch of the Chi- cago & Alton Railroad. The town is on the edge of Grand Prairie, in the center of a rich agricultural section. It was founded in 1871 by J. A. Harrison, and for some time was known as Chariton City. It has a graded school, four churches, a roller flouring mill, a bank, hotel, extensive lime kilns near by, a

weekly paper, the "Review," and about twenty business houses, including stores of different kinds and small shops. Population, 1899 ( es- timated), 500.

Ava .- The judicial seat of Douglas County, in Benton Township, located a little west of the center of the county, and fourteen miles from Mansfield, in Wright County, the near- est railroad point. It was founded in 1864, at which time it succeeded Vera Cruz as the seat of justice of the county. It has a substantial courthouse, three churches, a good public school, lodges, fraternal orders, a bank, flour- ing mill, brick yard, two hotels, six general and eight other stores, and one newspaper. the "Douglas County Herald," published by Ben- jamin J. Smith. The village is one of the best inland business places in the State. Popula- tion, 1899 (estimated). 600.

Avalon .- A village in Livingston County, fifteen miles southeast of Chillicothe and nine miles from Hale, in Carroll County, the near- est railroad and shipping point. It has four churches, a public school, and it is the seat of Avalon College, which is under control of the Presbyterian denomination. It has a large steam flouring mill, a newspaper. the "Aurora," and about ten stores and shops in different lines of trade. Population, 1899 (es- timated), 500.

Avery, Henry, one of the earliest settlers of Henry County, was a native of Tennessee. In 1812 he served under General Jackson against the Seminole Indians ; he attracted the attention of General Jackson, whom he served as secretary ; the acquaintance was maintained until broken by death, and they kept up a friendly and confidential correspondence. Henry Avery married Miss Elizabeth Green, of White County, Tennessee, in 1819. In 1830 they immigrated to Missouri, stopping in the counties of St. Louis and Morgan. Avery visited Henry County the same year, and staked the claim upon which he settled and to which he removed his family in 1831. He made his home in Tebo Township, the first part of Henry (Rives) County which was opened by white men; he was probably the first to break prairie ; he put up the first hewn log house in the county, and about 1835 was the first to put window glass in a dwelling. In that house was born his daughter, Susan, after-

AVILLA-AXTELL.

ward Mrs. Henry Roberts, the first white child born in the county. The first birth was that of a colored child, whose mother belonged to him. He was the first justice of the peace after the creation of Rives County, and the first county court sat at his house. Upon his land the first store was opened, by Stephen Clark. He was an old school Baptist, and was ordained to the ministry in 1832 ; he preached all through central and southwest Missouri, to Indians as well as to whites, without recom- pense ; meanwhile, he carried on farming in- dustriously and amassed a competency. He was an earnest and forcible speaker, fairly well educated, and commanded great atten- tion. In 1842 he engaged in a debate with Joshua Page, a Christian, which was regarded for years afterward with admiration. He died September 26, 1845. aged fifty-two years. Of his children, August Clark became one of the most influential men in Henry County, and John M. became a leading financier. Both reside in Clinton.

Avilla. - A town in Jasper County eight miles cast of Carthage, the county seat. It has a school, a Methodist Church, a Christian Church, and a Baptist Church, lodges of Ma- sons and Odd Fellows and a flourmill. In 18go the population was 180. The town was platted in 1858 by David S. Holman and An- drew L. Love.

Axtell, Samuel W., was born in Knox County, Ohio. June 17. 1850, son of George R. and Amanda (Farnham) Axtell. Taken at six years old to Beech Creek Township, Greene County, Indiana, he was sent to the common schools at his home and later to the Indiana State University, graduating in the class of 1874. He was very poor, and for a time while in the University had only bread and water as a daily ration. Leaving the Uni- versity, he located at Bloomfieldl, Indiana, and commenced the practice of law. In 1876 he was elected county school superintendent. Mr. Axtell introduced the graded schools in his county, and worked for better conditions. overcoming great opposition and prejudice. He held the office of county superintendent until 1884. when he was elected prosecuting attorney in the Fourteenth Judicial District, and in 1892 he was the candidate for the nomi- nation for Lieutenant Governor. Becoming mnich interested in psychology, or mental sci-

ence, he began to read everything available on the subject, and attended (in 1891) a course under Dr. Still, the renowned founder of the new school of medicine-Osteopathy-but believing that to be but included in the broader field of mental science, he visited Professor Dewey, of New York, the recognized authority in psychology, and followed this with wide reading on psychometry. or the power of the soul. He also familiarized himself with all authors on psychic phenomena, such as Bu- elianan, of California, Miss Helen Wilmans, of Sea Breeze, Florida, and other reputed writers. Ile met and studied with the famed masters of psychic phenomena of India, such as Professor Bettiro, of Chicago, finally attending the New York Institute of Science at Rochester, and in the summer of 1897 graduated at the Weltmer School, of Nevada, Missouri. He had long ere this fully realized the value of applying these principles to every day life. especially to the healing of diseased bodies and the correcting of distorted minds, and had begun their appli- cation among his friends who were in touch somewhat with his own abstruse and trained intellect. As a lawyer he had applied his knowledge of mental science, and finally, in 1896, decided to abandon the law and devote himself to healing and to teaching. Locating in Missouri, he spent several months in travel- ing about the State, and his success was so great and his followers so many he finally de- cided to locate permanently, and so established the Axtell School of Magnetic Healing and Infirmary at Sedalia. There no longer remains in the minds of the thoughtful and investiga- tive any doubt as to the rightful claims of mental science as being founded upon truth and a purely scientific basis. "Evolution is the bottom plank of mental science and evolution teaches us there is no death ; nothing is called dead : it is one perpetual circle of life. Intelli- gence is life; and when the brain becomes ruler of our lives we shall be as God. The will of man is the Supreme Ruler. Unfortunately, we look upon the occult as something super- natural, while it is the most natural thing in the world. It is simply mental control, and mental control leads to clear vision. Meta- physical healing, divine healing. Christian science, osteopathy and hypnotism are all but lesser ideas, and are all included in the general subject of mental science.

"To crown all. Professor Axtell has devel- oped the recently formulated idea of soul com-

AYERS.

munication called telepathy, whereby minds can be in touch and communicative even at great distances, and has applied the knowledge of healing absent patients. Thought is the only creative power in all the world. There is no power in disease comparable to the power in- vested in the human mind, and this knowledge he transmits to his patients by the force of telepathy, and when they are brought into relation with the mind of the healer disease is replaced with normal conditions, health."

Hundreds of letters from grateful patients show the proof of the efficiency of this absent healing. These come from persons thousands of miles apart, but all breathe the same spirit of thankfulness for returned health. Professor Axtell is a pleasant gentleman to meet, of a highly sensitive organization and with natural strong mentality, the power of thought and will being strongly illustrated in his own life.

Seeking the broadest field for the exercise of his talent as a healer of disease, Professor Axtell has recently accepted one of the most responsible positions in the faculty of the S. A. Weltmer School of Healing at Nevada, Mis- souri. In this institution, which is known over the entire world, he will have a splendid opportunity for the practice of his profession and the further development of his marked ability in that line.

Ayers, Howard, educator, was born May 21. 1861, at Olympia, Washington. son of William N. and Sarah (Sanborn) Avers. He was one of a family of seven children, of whom three brothers and two sisters are still living. From early boy- hood he determined upon the acquisition of a liberal education, and obtained his prepara- tory training in the common schools of Fort Smith, Arkansas. He was graduated from Harvard University in 1883, with the highest honors, at the age of twenty-two years. Inci- dental to hiis university studies, he won the First Walker Prize of the Boston Society of Natural History for the best scientific memoir, the contest being open to competitors in all lands. His monograph was published by the society, and gave a world-wide fame to its author as an original investigator. Upon graduating from Harvard, Mr. Ayers went to Germany and studied for two years in the uni- versities at Heidelberg, Strasburg and Frei- burg under such famous professors as Gegen- baur, Wiedersheim, Schmidt, Butschli, Weis-

mann and Benecke. His studies included original investigations, the results of which form three scientific papers which were pub- lished in German periodicals, two of the nuin- ber being in the German language. At the conclusion of his course in the Freiburg Uni- versity he received the degree of doctor of philosophy, magna cum laude. Afterward he continued his scientific investigation in the Marine Zoological Station of Vienna Univer- sity, at Trieste and the Station Maritime of the University of Paris, at Banyuls-sur-Mer. France. He also attended the lectures of fa- mous teachers at the College de France and the Sorbonne, Paris. Upon his return to the United States Dr. Ayers at once entered upon his work as a teacher in one of the largest uni- versities in the United States. He was called to Harvard University the following year as an instructor in biology. He occupied this position for two years, displaying marked abil- ity and untiring zeal and industry. During this time he contributed to the scientific jour- nals in America, England and Germany papers which evoked high commendation of his abil- ity as an investigator and author. This effort in the class room and laboratory brought him the distinction of election as Fellow in the Ameri- can Association for the Advancement of Sci- ence. Thereafter, for four years, beginning in 1889, Dr. Ayers was director of the Lake Labo- ratory at Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Here his opportunities for continuing his researches were unusual, and here he accomplished much of his most important work, his contributions to scientific knowledge in special lines being recognized throughout the world as of the highest importance. Here he wrote his "Comparative Anat- omy of the Vertebrate Ear," a volume which is regarded as the highest authority up- on the subject of which it treats, and as neces- sitating the rewriting of leading chapters in works on physiology and psychology. During the period of his connection with the Lake Laboratory and thereafter until 1898 Dr. Avers spent his summer vacations at Woods' Hall, Massachusetts, where he had charge of investigations in animal morphology in the Marine Biological Laboratory. Incidental to this was his delivery of public lectures upon morphological subjects from time to time. He was made a corresponding member of the Philadelphia Academy of Science and an active member of the American Society of Natural-

AYERS.

ists. He is a charter member of the American Society of Morphologists and president of the Scientific Association of the University of Mis- souri. He is collaborating with the National Museum at Washington City and with a corps of British scientists at Cape Town, Africa, in the scientific work connected with the survey of that province. He is also an associate edi- tor of two important scientific journals, the "Zoological Bulletin" and the "Journal of Ap- plied Microscopy." In 1894 Dr. Ayers was elected to the chair of biology in the Univer- sity of Missouri, in which position he won ad- ditional honors for himself and gave a higher prominence to the institution with which he had become connected. His period of service with the University of Missouri terminated in 1899, when he was called to the presidency of the University of Cincinnati. This call came as a due recognition of the distinction which he had achieved as an educator and a scientist. The friends of science in Missouri deeply re- gret the loss to the State of the services of so distinguished a teacher and investigator.

Ayers, Samuel, physician and surgeon, was born June 2, 1858, at Danville, Kentucky. His parents were Samuel and Mildred (Shouse) Ayers, both natives of that State. The father, who was a dentist by profession, was descended from a Scotch family which immigrated to America prior to the Revolution, and rendered service to the patriot cause in that struggle. Their son, Samuel, received his early educa- tion in Centre College at the place of his birth, which he entered at the early age of fourteen years, receiving his diploma as bachelor of arts at the age of eighteen years. He then engaged as a teacher, having charge of schools in Lin- coln County and in Fayette, Kentucky, for three years. During this same time he was closely engaged in medical studies under the tutorship of Dr. L. S. McMurtry, now an emi- nent surgeon of Louisville, Kentucky, whom lic attended in the office and accompanied on sick calls, gaining at once all the advantage to be derived from actual practice, as well as froni theoretical instruction. Ilis medical studies were pursued with great diligence, and he left his tutor well grounded in the elementary branches of his chosen profession. In the autumn of 1880 he entered the Medical College of Ohio at Cincinnati, and attended lectures and clinics for one year. The year following he devoted to observation of hospital practice

in Chicago, engaging in the work himself, in order to gain a deeper insight into the science he had adopted for his life work. He followed this with taking a scholarship in the medical department of the University of Louisville, Kentucky, and in 1883 was graduated from that institution with the degree of doctor of medicine and the additional high honor of re- ceiving the faculty medal for general high class standing. He was almost at once ap- pointed to a high position in the Louisville City Hospital, and, after being so engaged for one year, entered upon practice in that city, in which he continued until 1886. During this period he was connected with the Hospital Col- lege of Medicine, having been appointed to the chair of surgical anatomy in 1884 and dean of the faculty in 1885. In 1886 his arduous atten- tion to his professional and college duties had so worn upon his health that he was obliged to seek rest, and he went to Kansas, where he spent two years in recuperation. In Septem- ber, 1888, having regained his old-time vigor, he removed to Kansas City, Missouri, and en- gaged in a practice which has grown to large dimensions, surgery being a principal feature, as often in an advisory way as otherwise. In this department of his profession he is widely known in western Missouri and in Kansas, and his distinguished ability has led to his ap- pointment as chief surgeon of the Kansas City, Pittsburg & Gulf Railway and of the Kansas City & Suburban Belt Railway. He holds membership with the Jackson County Medical Association and with the Academy of Medicine of Kansas City. In all his professional asso- ciations he is regarded as an eminently capable practitioner. Politically he affiliates with the Democratic party. Since the age of fourteen years he has been a member of the Christian Church. His fraternal connections are limited to the Blue Lodge in Masonry. He was mar- ried in 1885 to Miss Stella Hobbs, of Louis- ville, Kentucky, and of this marriage two chil- dren were born-Nannie Louise, who died in 1890 at the age of eleven months ; Samuel, Jr., the only living child, was born January 3, 1893. Dr. Ayers is a gentleman of broad views, and is a favorite in all social and other circles in which he moves. While abating nothing of his devotion to his profession, he is genial and companionable, and is very highly regarded throughout the community for his personal worth, as well as for his professional attain- ments.

Very Truly yours

AYLOR.

Aylor, Joseph W., one of the leading capitalists and mine owners of Jasper County, was born September 29, 1839, in Rap- pahannock County, Virginia, son of Staunton and Malinda (Quaintance) Aylor. He was reared in Virginia, and enjoyed limited educa- tional advantages, attending school in all but two months and nineteen days. He had a nat- ural genius for business affairs, however, and by dint of industry and the best use of his op- portunities acquired much of that kind of knowledge which helps to build up fortunes. When he was twenty years old he went to work for himself, and soon afterward came to Mis- souri, where he went to work on a farm, re- ceiving twenty dollars per month as wages. He was thus employed until 1861, when he entered the Confederate Army, serving first under Captain Grigsby and later in the bat- talion commanded by Major Brace, now Judge Brace, of the Missouri Supreme Court. In 1862 he was mustered into the regular ser- vice, Confederate States Army, and served thereafter until the close of the war, first under General Martain Green, then in General Par- sons' brigade of General Price's division. When the war closed, and his regiment was disbanded at Shreveport, Louisiana, he went to Texas and again began work as a farm la- borer. In 1866 he returned to Missouri and engaged in farming and stock raising opera- tions on his own account. About 1880 he be- came interested in various mining enterprises, among these being the Eleventh Hour Mines and the McCorkle Hill Mines, of which he is sole owner. More than two million dollars' worth of lead and zinc ore has been taken from the Eleventh Hour Mine within the past

sixteen years, and the McCorkle Hill Mine has produced half a million dollars' worth of ore. These operations have made Mr. Aylor a con- spicuous figure among the mine magnates of southwest Missouri, and there are few men in the State whose operations have been so uni- formly successful as have his. He has built up a splendid fortune, and what he has accom- plished may well prove an incentive to young men who have their own way to make in the world. All his life he has been a member of the Democratic party, it may be said, because he was reared in that faith and has never wa- vered in his devotion to Democratic principles. His Church connections are with the Method- ist Episcopal denomination, South, and he is a member of the Masonic order. January 21, 1866, Mr. Aylor was married to Miss C. M. E. Webb, who passed her early childhood in Ten- nessee, coming from there to Jasper County, Missouri. She was in every way a worthy helpmate to her husband up to the time of her death, in 1899, and their union was a long and happy one. . Of four children born to them, two were living in 1900. Their eldest child, Ida Aylor, married Mr. S. Nilson, and they now reside in the Aylor homestead in Webb City. Mrs. Nilson was educated in the public schools of Webb City and at St. Ann's Academy at Osage Mission, Kansas. Mr. Aylor's other surviving child, Ben C. Aylor, married Miss Anna Hardy, and resides at Webb City, where he is interested in the management of his father's affairs and in mining operations of his own. Ben C. Aylor was educated in the pub- lic schools of Webb City and at Neosho Col- lege under Dr. J. C. Wood, and completed his studies at Washington University of St. Louis.

BABB-BACON.

Babb, Jere Glenn, proctor of the Uni- versity of Missouri, and secretary of the Board of Curators, Columbia, Missouri, was born December 12. 1854. in Abbeville County, South Carolina. His parents were Robert Franklin and Virginia A. (Cooper) Babb, both natives of South Carolina, who removed to Audrain County, Missouri, about 1859, and settled in Columbia in 1872. The father was a minister of the Baptist Church. The son attended the public schools in Audrain and Boone Counties until 1872, when he entered the University of Missouri, from which he was graduated in 1877 with the degree of bachelor of arts and as valedictorian of his class. Ile then entered the law school of the same insti- tution, and graduated in 1881 with the highest honors. His studies during all these years were interrupted, many months in the aggre- gate being devoted to teaching. Immediately following the completion of his law studies, he opened an office in Columbia, where he prac- ticed for seven years, establishing a remunera- tive business and a high reputation for ability and integrity. In February, 1888, a promising opportunity opened before him at Wichita, Kansas, and he removed to that eity, where he practiced until June, 1889, when was held the annual meeting of the Board of Curators of the University of Missouri. That body elected him to the secretaryship of the board and also to the position of proctor of the university. Ile accepted, and at once returned to Cohun- bia, where he continues to reside, having con- tinuonsly remained to the present time in the positions to which he was chosen ten years previously. His political affiliations have al- ways been with the Democratic party ; in re- ligion he is a Baptist. llis fraternal society relationship is confined to the Masonic order, in which he has attained to the Commandery and Scottish Rite degrees. August 16. 1803. he was married to Miss Clara Louise Beau- champ. an accomplished lady, and of this union two children have been born. Mr. Babb is a gentleman of culture and education and an earnest advocate of the higher education. His abilities and personal worth are amply assured by the responsible and honorable positions he

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Encyclopedia of the history of Missouri, a compendium of history and biography for ready reference, Vol. I, Part 18

Author: Conard, Howard Louis, ed. 1n Publication date: 1901 Publisher: New York, Louisville [etc.] The Southern history company, Haldeman, Conard & co., proprietors Number of Pages: 856

Author: Conard, Howard Louis, ed. 1n
Publication date: 1901
Publisher: New York, Louisville [etc.] The Southern history company, Haldeman, Conard & co., proprietors
Number of Pages: 856