USA > Missouri > Encyclopedia of the history of Missouri, a compendium of history and biography for ready reference, Vol. I > Part 76
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in which he worked several weeks for his board. He then became office boy in a law office, intending to begin the study of law, but by this time he had made some friends among the business men of Sedalia, and the offer came to him of a position in the Seda- lia Savings Bank. This circumstance changed the course of his life, and made him a banker instead of a lawyer. After remain- ing in the employ of the savings bank until 1872, he was elected teller of the Citizens' National Bank of Sedalia, when that bank was organized and went into operation. He was soon promoted to assistant cashier, and retained that position until 1881, in which year he was invited to come to St. Louis and accept the position of cashier in the Conti- nental Bank. This bank had then a capital stock of $100,000, and Mr. Bullen's connec- tion with it continued for something more than ten years. Within that time it became one of the largest and most successful bank- ing institutions in the city of St. Louis, being reorganized as a national bank, and having its capital stock increased to $2,000,000. This growth and de- velopment of the modest banking en- terprise with which Mr. Bullen first be- came connected when he came to St. Louis was largely due to his ability as a financier, his careful methods as a banker, and his pop- ularity as a man. In 1892 he severed his con- nection with the Continental National Bank to become president of the National Bank of the Republic, a position which he held until his death, which occurred April 2, 1897.
Bullene, Thomas Brockway, is a name most prominently linked with the his- tory of the retail trade interests of west- ern Missouri. To write a biography of this man would be the chronicling of a life whose accomplishments left a wholesome impress upon the material welfare of a section of untold richmess, and whose modest ventures in the business world, backed by remark- able tact and commercial ability. resulted in the growth of a country store to a palatial establishment of innumerable departments and metropolitan magnitude. Mr. Bullene was born in Hannibal, Oswego County, New York, August 10, 1828, and died December 4. 1894, at his home in Kansas City, Missouri. He was the youngest son of John and Susan
Bullene. In 1834 his parents removed to Albany, New York, and in 1837 to Wiscon- sin, settling upon and pre-empting a farm on the site of the present village of Silver Lake, Kenosha County, Wisconsin. There, on the banks of the Fox River, amid the hardships and privations incident to the life of the early pioneer, Thomas B. Bullene passed the earlier years of his boyhood. Ilis advantages for securing an education were exceedingly meagre, but in 1840 he entered Bristol Seminary, in the same county, and later Bowman's Select School, attending dur- ing the winter months, and learning at the same time the valuable lessons of frugal thrift and industry. Thus he acquired a fair academ- ical education. At the age of twenty-one he entered a partnership with his brother, Lathrop, who was two years his senior, in a country store at Lyons, Walworth County, Wisconsin. One year later, Mr. Lathrop Bullene removed to New York City, and the subject of this sketch became the owner of the entire stock: In the fall of 1856 he re- moved to Independence, Iowa, where he car- ried on a merchandising business until 1860. when he sold his store and accepted the posi- tion of postmaster of Independence, which position he held until the spring of 1863, when he turned his face toward a young municipal giant of the West, then in the earli- est stages of its formative period-Kansas City. There he formed a partnership with his brother, Lathrop, who was at that time carrying on a dry goods business at Law- rence, Kansas, and with Colonel Kersey Coates, of Kansas City. The firm was known as Coates & Bullene, and was the prede- cessor of the firm of Bullene, Moore, Em- ery & Co., which, through various changes, finally became the Emery-Bird-Thayer Dry Goods Company, a name familiar through- out the marts and trade circles of the world, and deservedly ranking at the head of the retail interests of Missouri. The story, in brief, of the founding of this notable com- mercial house is, indeed, interesting, and illustrative of the perils and vicissitudes inci- dent to the times of which this is written. In the spring of 1863 Kansas City was under martial law. One of the leading firms then carrying on the dry goods business there was Gillis & Coates, whose establishment was at the northeast corner of Main Street and Missouri Avenue, Mr. Gillis was
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through birth, education and environments a strong sympathizer with the cause of the South, and did not hesitate to express his convictions. Indeed, it is recalled by the early residents that there were not a few in Kansas City at that time who openly shared his feelings, and whose sentiments were akin to his. About the first of April of that year the provost marshal issued an order closing up several mercantile establishments, proclaiming that they would not be permit- ted to resume business so long as there remained in their firms outspoken secession- ists. The house of Gillis & Coates came under the ban, the store was closed and the proprietors immediately set themselves to the task of finding some one who would buy the interest of Mr. Gillis. They dispatched a messenger to Lawrence, the residence of Mr. Lathrop Bullene, to lay the case before him. Mr. Bullene went to Kansas City. made an offer for the Gillis interest, and wired to Thomas B. Bullene, at Independ- ence, Iowa, who at once went to Kansas City. The deal was closed and the new firm opened for business the first of May. After the destruction of Lawrence by Quantrell, August 21, 1863, in which Lathrop Bullene lost his store and stock. valued at over $20,000, the Bullenes bought of Colonel Coates his share of the stock in the Kan- sas City store, and the firm became Bullene Brothers. Thomas B. took charge of the business as resident partner, while Lathrop still retained his residence in Lawrence, where he soon resumed business, doing the buying in the East for both stores. Fortu- nately, he was in New York, engaged in this work, at the time of the raid, and thus es- caped the terrible fate which was so cruelly visited upon one hundred and sixty of his fellow citizens. Business at this time was carried on in constant danger from the guer- rillas that infested the surrounding country, threatening destruction to both person and property. In October. 1864, when General Price was marching his army up the Mis- souri Valley, toward Kansas City, Thomas B. Bullene, as many others did. hurriedly packed up a large portion of the most valu- able stock in the store and shipped it by steamboat up the Missouri River for safety, until the danger following in the path of the invading army should be past. In July, 1867. W. E. Emery became a member of the
firm, which was changed to Bullene Bros. & Emery. In 1870 L. T. Moore, of Lexing- ton, Kentucky, purchased an equal in- terest in the business, and the firm name became Bullenes, Moore & Em- ery. During this year the large store fronting on Main, Delaware and Seventh Streets was erected, and thereafter became the place of business for this rapidly growing establishment. In January, 1872, L. R. Moore, of Montgomery, Alabama, purchased Lathrop Bullene's interest in the business, and the firm became Bullene, Moores & Emery. During these years the increase in the volume of business was phenomenal, and large additions were made to the store build- ing. The aggregate of sales at that time reached nearly, or quite, $2,000,000 annu- ally. T. B. Bullene, as the head of this firm, so remained until the time of his death. He was active always, and was often styled the "Merchant Prince" of the Missouri Valley. He was at all times a participant in enter- prises looking toward the advancement of Kansas City and the most wholesome munici- pal interests. Politically, he was a liberal Republican. All his life he was a tireless, active business man, and kept pace with timely events as an attentive student of his- tory and a close reader of the good literature of the day. He was twice married. his first wife being Miss Amarett Hickock, daughter of Harris Hickock, of Bridgeport, New York, the wedding taking place December 29, 1851, at Kenosha. Wisconsin. Mrs. Bullene died in Kansas City, in 1883. The second wife was Mrs. Sallie McGraw Reid, to whom he was married in Kansas City. Four children sur- vive Mr. Bullene: Lathrop B., president of the Riverside Iron Works, Kansas City ; Fred S., of the "Kansas City Star"; Harry H. and Mrs. Walter C. Root, of Kansas City. Mr. Bullene was as prominent in public af- fairs as he was successful in business life, serving the people of Kansas City during a most prosperous mayoralty administration as president of the common council, and participating in every movement having as its end the improvement of the city and the prosperity of the people. He was notably a man of public spirit, a leader among men, and a citizen who abundantly deserved the deep regard in which he was held by all who knew him. The establishment of which he was so long the head has undergone pecu-
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liar changes in nomenclature. Because of the fact that at different times there were two brothers of three names in the firm, it has been known as Bullenes, Moore & Emery ; Bullene, Moores & Emery, and Bul- lene, Moore & Emerys. After 1880 Mr. Bullene took but little active part in the man- agement of the great store, but continued to occupy a prominent place in the affairs of Kansas City and Missouri. In addition to his political successes, he represented Mis- souri at the World's Fair in Chicago. The first store building occupied by the found- ers of this great house was located at Main Street and Missouri Avenue, a modest build- ing, in which eight or ten assistants were em- ployed. Much of the Santa Fe trade was supplied with provisions and outfitting neces- saries at this store, and it was a common sight in the early days to see long lines of covered wagons drawn up in front of the store. January 4. 1870, the store was moved to the corner of Seventh and Main Streets, and became the center of the dry goods trade. This store was then considered a large establishment, but it was not a hint of the future in store for the firm or the palatial structure which it was in a few years to occupy. In 1881 Joseph T. Bird was ad- mitted to the firm. He went to Kansas City September 25, 1868, from his native State, New Jersey, and entered upon his employ- ment as a clerk in the store of Bullene Bros. & Co., at Missouri Avenue and Main Street. In 1875 Mr. Bird accepted an interest in the store, but was not actively known in the partnership at that time. He took a mon- eyed interest in 1881, and is now the resident head of the immense store with which he has been so long and faithfully connected. Mr. W. B. Thayer dates his connection with this house since September 1, 1871, when he entered the employ of Bullenes, Moore & Emery as a clerk. He became a member of the firm August 1, 1883, when the style of the firm was Bullene, Moores & Emery. The splendid building fronting Walnut and Eley- enth Streets and Grand Avenue was occu- pied by this firm in September. 1890, and has since been the center of a vast trade, which reaches out into many States and Territories. The house has been denomi- nated the greatest store in Missouri, and the store itself, with its magnificent appoint- ments, tons of valuable contents and army
of employes, seems to bear out the state- ment with tangible accuracy. After the death of Mr. Bullene, the firm became Emery, Bird, Thayer & Co. A short time later, November 7, 1895. articles of incorporation were granted, and the style became Emery-Bird- Thayer Dry Goods Company. The capital stock is $1,200,000, and the members of the company and officers are as follows: W. E. Emery, of New York, president ; Joseph T. Bird, of Kansas City, general manager and vice president ; William B. Thayer, of Kan- sas City, secretary and treasurer: John C. Fennell, who has been connected with the store since 1878, and became a member of the firm January 1, 1890, assistant secretary and treasurer, and L. T. Moore, of Kansas City. Mr. Emery removed to Kansas City in 1867, arriving there September 14, from New Jersey. In 1872 he removed to New York, where he represents the interests of the company of which he is how the head, attending to the imports, Eastern purchases, and the multitude of duties which naturally follow the operations of a concern of such large proportions.
Bunceton .- A town in Cooper County, on the Missouri Pacific Railway, fifteen miles south of Boonville. It has three churches, a public school, two banks, two newspapers, the "Eagle," Democratic, and the "Tribune," Republican ; a steam flouring mill, grain elevator, and several business houses. It was platted in 1868 by Harvey Bunch, of Boonville. In 1890 the popula- tion was 493.
Bundschu, Anthony Joseph, mer- chant, was born January 19. 1855, in Wyan- dotte County, Ohio. His father, Charles G. Bundschu, was a native of Germany, and came to this country in 1850, locating in Ohio. Until 1857 he engaged in agricultural pursuits in that State. In the year named he started on a journey up the Missouri and Kansas Rivers, and landed at Lawrence, Kansas. He embarked in the merchandise business in the same year at Franklin, a small place four miles east of Lawrence. He then spent four years in business at Lecompton, and in 1861 engaged in the butchering trade in St. Joseph, Missouri. Shortly after that time he enlisted in the Forty-third Regiment Missouri Volunteers, and served through
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Price's campaign as a soldier on the Union side, being taken prisoner by Price's men at Glasgow, Missouri. He was exchanged and sent to Benton Barracks, and at the close of his experience at that place, went to Inde- pendence, Missouri, where he engaged in the butchering trade until 1885. He then retired from active work and passed the remainder of his days in quiet. He died in February, 1892. Mr. Bundschu was a Republican in politics, and was a devout Catholic. He was married to Susanna Fetter, also a native of Germany, who came to this country with her parents in 1846, and settled in Wyandotte County, Ohio. Mrs. Bundschu is still liv- ing, in the enjoyment of good health and quiet happiness, at the age of sixty-six years. A. J. Bundschu was educated in the private schools of St. Joseph and Independence, Missouri, and attended Professor Bryant's College at Independence. After leaving school he became associated with J. May & Sons, and was later with John S. Mott, his association with the two employers covering sixteen years. In 1885 he purchased the old Sullivan dry goods store, on the west side of the square, and continued in business there two years. In 1887 he bought the Wil- son Opera House block, and to-day conducts the leading mercantile establishment of Inde- pendence, carrying on a regular department store business. In 1892 Mr. Bundschu was a candidate for the office of mayor of Inde- pendence. He has always been a Repub- lican in politics, but has not taken an active part in public affairs. He adheres to the Catholic faith. He was married, November 18, 1885, to Miss Anna Ott, daughter of
Christian Ott. Four children have come to this union: Henry Alfonso, Charles Chris- tian, Louise Martha and Pauline Josephine. Mr. Bundschu is known as a progressive business man, one ever ready to advance the interests of the community and to take any step that will add to the glory of the State.
Burch, William Rodes, one of the most substantial citizens of Randolph County, Missouri, was born January 5. 1824, near Georgetown, Scott County, Kentucky, and was descended from old and influential families of that State. His grandfather, Jo- seph C. Burch, a native Virginian, and a sol- dier during the Revolutionary War, was present at the surrender of Cornwallis, and
after peace was declared, became one of the early settlers of Kentucky. One of his near relatives became the wife of John C. Breckin- ridge, a Democratic candidate for the presi- dency. Milton Burch, son of Joseph C. Burch, married Martha Viley, both natives of Scott County, Kentucky. Their son, Wil- liam Rodes Burch, was educated at George- town (Kentucky) College, from which he was graduated in 1843, in a class which contrib- uted many brilliant figures to civil and mili- tary life. For two years following he taught school in his native county, meanwhile pur- suing medical studies. When the Mexican War was at its height he caught the martial .spirit, and, joining a company commanded by Captain Stephen L. Gano, was elected to a lieutenancy. His command took the field, but was recalled before reaching the Mexican boundary. He was about to enter a medical college to complete his professional educa- tion, when the current of his life was changed by his coming to Missouri, where he met and married Miss Martha E. Viley, an ac- complished young lady, oldest daughter of Judge John Wiley. of Randolph County, in 1847. Returning to Kentucky with his bride, he engaged in farming, but two years later came back to Missouri, to make his home upon a five-hundred-acre farm near Roanoke, presented to him by his father-in-law. For seventeen years he managed this property, at the same time carrying on large trading operations and building up a fortune of fifty thousand dollars, including interests in Mis- sissippi and Louisiana. Nearly all of his possessions disappeared in the destructive Civil War period. In 1866 he acquired from his father-in-law the old Viley homestead, in Randolph County, upon which he has since made his home. Determined to retrieve his shattered fortunes, he took up farming and trading with renewed energy, and his fine natural business abilities enabled him to achieve notable success, and his home prop- erty is unsurpassable for productiveness and beauty, while other possessions give him po- sition as one of the most substantial men of that region of the State. Now seventy- seven years of age, he has retired from active concerns, and is soon to occupy a beauti- ful home which he has built in the village of Armstrong. During his long and busy life he has been foremost in developing and advancing the interests of his county and
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neighborhood, and amid his greatest activ- ities has constantly preserved a character marked by strict integrity, and kindly con- sideration for those needing aid, to whom he has ever been a helpful friend, wise in his counsels and generous in his benevolences. a typical Southern gentleman of the old time. To him is yet left the bride of his youth, who is widely known and cherished for her kindly ministrations to those in dis- tress. Mr. Burch has always taken an active part in political affairs, but has never desired or held public position. Originally a Whig. he held Henry Clay in peculiar reverence. Since the disruption of the Whig party he has been a Democrat of the most pronounced type. He is connected with no church, but holds in high regard and contributes liberally to the Baptist denomination, to which be- longed his parents, and in which he was reared. With deep respect for practical re- ligion, he has ever adhered to the Golden Rule in his personal conduct, and gives his approval to all creeds that inculcate love of man unto his fellow, reverence of the creature for his Creator, and all else that tends to pure life on earth and anticipation of a higher life beyond.
Burdette, Samuel C., lawyer, soldier and member of Congress, was born in Leices- tershire, England, February 21, 1836, and, at the age of twelve years, came to this country with his parents. He received a good education at Oberlin College, Ohio, and after studying law, was admitted to the bar at De Witt, Iowa, in 1858. When the Civil War began he entered the Union Army, and served as a private until 1864. In that year he was chosen a presidential elector. Shortly afterward he came to Missouri, and in 1866 was appointed circuit attorney. In 1868 he was a delegate to the Republican National Convention, at Chicago, and the same year was elected from the Fifth Mis- souri District to the Forty-first Congress as a Republican, by a vote of 10,772 to 9.066 for Smith, Independent, and 2,090 for Dale, Democrat. In 1870 he was re-elected.
Bureau of Geology and Mines .- This bureau was established in 1889, to have charge of the work of making the geological survey of Missouri, locating the deposits of minerals, and performing other duties in con-
nection therewith. The members of the board, four in number, are appointed by the Governor for four years, the Governor being a member ex-officio. The bureau is lo- cated at Jefferson City, and the State geolo- gist, together with four assistants, has charge of the work done under its auspices. The board makes a report to the General Assem- bly. The members receive their traveling expenses only.
Bureau of Labor Statistics .-- A department of the State government, estab- hshed in 1879 to "collect statistical details re- lating to all departments of labor in Missouri, especially in its relations to the commercial, industrial, social, educational and sanitary condition of the laboring classes," and to "secure inspection of mines, factories, and all places where persons are employed, and the observance of laws relating thereto." The head of the office is called labor commis- sioner, who has authority to enter and inspect mines, factories, and other places, administer oaths, examine witnesses, to call upon State, county and municipal officers for statistical information, and require manufacturers and employers to make annual reports setting forth the number of employes, male and female, wages paid yearly, value of raw ma- terial used, amount paid for rent, taxes and insurance, cost of machinery and repairs, cost of buildings and grounds, number of weeks in operation, and class and value of goods made. The labor commissioner is appointed by the Governor and makes a report every year to the executive, giving general information about the condition of manufacturing indus- tries in the State, number of establishments, capital invested, value of plant, materials used and goods made, number of employes and aggregate wages paid out ; and showing also grievances and hardships that the employes in any special industry may labor under, and suggest remedies. The labor commissioner lias his office in St. Louis.
Burgess, Gavan Drummond, judge of the Supreme Court, was born November 5. 1835, in Mason County, Kentucky. His parents were Henry D. and Evaline (Dye) Burgess, the former a native of Maryland, and the latter of Kentucky. The father was an early settler at May's Lick, in his adopted State; he was a farmer by occupation, and
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served two terms in the Legislature from Fleming County. The son, Gavan Drum- mond, passed his boyhood upon the parental farm and received no education beyond that afforded by the common schools. From early life he cherished an ambition to become a lawyer, and with this end in view seized upon every opportunity to add to his in- formation and improve his mind. In 1851 he began reading law at Flemingsburg, in the office of William H. Cord, known to the legal profession as author of "Cord on Rights of Married Women," a standard authority upon the subject of which it treats. The instruc- tion which the young student derived from this talented man was not only thorough and comprehensive, but was also a stimulus which contributed greatly to his after success. In 1853 he was admitted to the bar, in the same town, and at once engaged in practice, in which he continued until the fall of 1855. In that year he removed to Missouri, locating at Milan, Sullivan County, where he practiced until 1866, when he removed to Linneus, Linn County, Missouri. In the fall of 1874 he was elected to the circuit bench of the old Eleventh Judicial District, and was successive- ly re-elected until his official terms extended through the unusual period of eighteen years. During portions of this time his personal popularity and prestige as a capable and irre- proachable jurist enabled him to succeed in the face of an adverse partisan majority. In 1893 he was elected a judge of the Supreme Court of Missouri, in which high position he has displayed the powers of a well trained analytical mind, and has taken position with the foremost jurists in the history of the State. He is known as a deep student, and his time is unsparingly devoted to the duties growing out of his office. He has written many opinions, among them several of great importance upon questions hitherto almost untouched. Perhaps the most notable, and attracting greatest general attention, was the case of the State, or informatione Crow. Attorney General, vs. the Lincoln Trust Co., etc., of St. Louis, reported in 144 Mo., 562. This was a quo warranto proceeding brought to oust the defendant and similar trust com- panies of their franchises, because of the ex- ercise of powers and privileges not conferred upon them by law, the acts complained of be- ing the carrying on of such business as is conducted by incorporated banks, and the
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