USA > Missouri > Buchanan County > St Joseph > History of Buchanan County and St. Joseph, Mo. : from the time of the Platte purchase to the end of the year 1915 biographical sketches of noted citizens, living and dead > Part 16
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50
In 1900 the Eugene Field School was built at Sixteenth and Sacramento streets at a cost of $32,500, and the free public library and school office building was erected at a cost of $121,000. The Wyatt School, at Eleventh and Henry streets, was built the same year ; cost, $30,000.
In 1901 three substantial houses were built on the South Side- the Hosea School, at a cost of $26,700; the Hyde School, at a cost of $17,000, and the Florence School in Florence addition, at a cost of $4,800. The Wyatt School, at Eleventh and Henry streets, was also built in 1901, at a cost of $36,500.
In 1902 the Noyes School at Twenty-sixth and Delaware streets, in Saxton Heights, was built at a cost of $16,700; the Krug School, at the entrance to Krug Park, was built at a cost of $17,000, and the Pellipier School at a cost of $3,000.
In 1904 the Sherwood School, at Twenty-ninth and Edmond streets, was built. It was a two-room affair at first, but is now one of the best school buildings in the city.
In 1905 the Benton High School, in South St. Joseph, was begun. It was completed in 1907. The cost was $91,000.
In 1907 the Blair School, at Thirty-fourth and Renick streets, was built at a cost of $11,300.
As the number of wards increased in the city so the number of school directors increased. Up to 1864 there were six members, in 1865 there were ten, and from 1890 to October, 1895, there were sixteen. The members of the school board have always served with- out pay, but there was frequently spirited rivalry at the elections, which were held in June. And the sessions of the board were often so animated that the reports of the proceedings made spicy reading in the newspapers.
The conviction that the board was unwieldy had been growing upon the people for some time, and a movement to have the charter amended by the legislature met with hearty popular support. This was done at the session of 1895. Under the provisions of the pres-
145
BUCHANAN COUNTY AND ST. JOSEPH
ent charter the school board is composed of six members, two of whom are chosen at each general city election and each of whom serves six years. It is customary for each of the political parties to select a candidate, who is endorsed by the opposing party, thus taking the school board practically out of politics. At the April election of 1895, according to the emergency clause of the bill, six members were chosen-Messrs. B. R. Vineyard, I. T. Hosea, Dr. E. A. Donelan, B. Newberger, K. M. Mitchell and David Marshall. The board did not, however, take charge of affairs until October 1, 1895.
When the new board took charge of the schools the members elected Mr. Donelan as president and drew lots for terms. Direc- tors Hosea and Mitchell were placed for six-year terms, Dr. Done- lan and Mr. Newberger for three years, and Messrs. Vineyard and Marshall for one year. In April of 1896 Mr. Vineyard was elected to succeed himself and A. C. Hinkley was elected to succeed Mr. Marshall. In April of 1898, Dr. Donelan was elected to succeed himself and Charles J. Borden was elected to succeed Mr. New- berger. Mr. Borden served until he was elected mayor, in April, 1902, when he was succeeded by Elijah M. Birkes, who served until April, 1904. Dr. Donelan was succeeded in April, 1904, by John P. Strong, and James E. McEvoy was elected to succeed Mr. Birkes. In 1899, J. C. Wyatt was elected to succeed Mr. Hosea, and in 1900, Henry W. Burke was elected to fill the unexpired term of B. R. Vineyard. Since that date members of the board have been elected as follows: J. M. Wilson and E. M. Birkes, 1902; J. P. Strong and J. A. McEvoy, 1904; L. O. Weakley and W. E. Warrick, 1906; Car- roll Connett, 1908; D. E. Curtin, 1910; Jerome G. Wing, Orestes Mitchell and R. E. Dewitt, 1912; Samuel I. Motter, 1914.
From August, 1864, to August, 1883, Superintendent Neely was ex-officio clerk of the school board, and the buildings, supplies, etc., were looked after by committees. August 7, 1883, Frederick C. Parker was appointed secretary and superintendent of buildings. This gentleman held the position until March 1, 1897, when he was succeeded by Harry H. Smith, who in turn gave way to A. L. Long, the present incumbent, in April, 1910.
For many years the board officed and met in the Kirschner building, corner of Felix street and Market square. In 1892 quar- ters were secured in the Burnes building at Third and Felix, and these were occupied until August of 1896, when quarters in the Robidoux school building were taken. The present offices, in the public library building, were occupied in 1902.
The following are the names of the various president of the school board : Dr. J. H. Crane served 1860-63 ; John Colhoun, 1863- 67; Samuel Hays, 1867-70; Wm. H. Floyd, 1870-79; Adolph Stein- acker, 1879-85; Waller Young, 1885-94; C. A. Mosman, 1894-95; Dr. E. A. Donelan, 1895-1904; K. M. Mitchell, 1904-06; J. M. Wil- son, 1906-08 ; H. W. Burke, 1908-12; Carroll Connett, 1912-14 ; John P. Strong, 1914 -.
The following is a list of the members of the old school board, from 1860 to 1895: John Shehan, Louis Hax, John J. Abell, Jas. A.
146
BUCHANAN COUNTY AND ST. JOSEPH
Millan, E. F. Dixon, W. M. Albin, Thos. Harbine, A. Andriano, David Pinger, W. M. Wyeth, James Tracey, Robt. F. Maxwell, J. B. Adolph, Bernard Patton, J. M. Hawley, H. Nash, P. Bliss, Joseph Steinacker, T. Whiting, H. N. Turner, E. Sleppy, L. M. Lawson, J. J. Wyatt, D. C. Anderson, Otto Behr, Geo. Lyon, Elias Eppstein, Chas. F. Ernst, John T. Ransom, Jas. B. Johnson, Samuel Reynolds, Wm. Drumhiller, W. B. Johnson, John C. Evans, John B. Albrecht, F. T. Davis, D. H. Winton, Isaac Wilkins, J. H. Lewis, R. L. Mc- Donald, W. A. P. McDonald, Samuel Russell, Louis Fuelling, John A. Dolman, J. B. Bernard, John Broder, W. Z. Ranson, John S. Crosby, R. R. Calkins, George C. Hull, F. G. Hopkins, Jo. Hansen, J. M. Armstrong, Robert Musser, Christ. Mast, C. H. Foote, D. F. Bombeck, A. J. Redding, George P. Dixon, John Townsend, Waller Young, Alex A. Vories, O. E. Vandeventer, U. Schneider, C. C. Mc- Donald, J. H. Bulling, C. B. Claggett, George M. Good, C. L. Gros- cup, Frederick Neudorff, John S. Andrews, A. E. La Brunerie, H. G. Getchell, H. W. Burke, Samuel Hilpp, Joseph Albus, C. B. Lucas, William H. Floyd, Jr., Thomas Winston, W. E. Sullivan, John Jester, H. C. Twedell, John Albus, Jr., W. L. Reynolds, C. C. Crow- ley, M. M. Crandall, F. M. Atkinson, I. T. Dyer, H. B. Shale, Dr. J. B. Riley, C. J. Pohl, John D. Preston, George E. Acklam, Oscar M. Spalsbury, George Voltz, and B. C. Thayer.
As the directors were generally re-elected, many of them hav- ing retained their seats ten and twelve years, the roster is not larger considering the number of elections and members. Among those who served longest are the following: H. N. Turner, twenty years ; John Broder, sixteen years; George C. Hull, sixteen years ; Char'es F. Ernest, twelve years; H. Nash, eleven years.
Professor Edward B. Neely was superintendent of schools from 1864 until his death, April 29, 1904. He was succeeded by Prof. J. A. Whiteford of Moberly, Mo., the present incumbent.
PRIVATE SCHOOLS-Reference was made to the first school in the county in the opening lines of this chapter. Others of perhaps equal importance existed in different parts of the county from that time to the permanent establishment of the public school system. In 1845 Mrs. Israel Landis opened a female seminary in St. Joseph, which prospered for several years. Contemporaneous with this Mrs. Mary Stone, a Roman Catholic lady of culture, taught a pri- vate school in the city. In 1850 Rev. T. S. Reeve, a minister of the New School Presbyterian church, opened a female seminary in the basement of a church that stood on a hill upon the site of the Saxton National Bank building, at Fourth and Francis streets. Mr. Reeves taught successfully for four years and then withdrew from the pro- fession.
The St. Joseph Female High School opened at Fifth and Faraon streets in September of 1854. It was conducted by three ladies named Lesueur.
F. X. Stuppy, Wm. O'Toole, James Hart, Wm. M. Albin, Pro- fessor Charles C. Byrne and Mrs. Burr also taught private and sub- scription schools. In the fall of 1854 Edward B. Neely, afterward
147
BUCHANAN COUNTY AND ST. JOSEPH
superintendent of the St. Joseph public schools, arrived from Vir- ginia, accompanied by R. F. Maxwell. They established a school in the rooms vacated by Mr. Reeves. Mr. Maxwell soon retired and the school was successfully conducted by Mr. Neely until that gen- tleman closed it.
In 1855 Professors Davis and Rogers opened a female academy in what was afterward the Saunders House, at Third and Faraon streets. Professor Davis retired in 1858 and Professor Rogers in the following year. Rev. A. V. C. Schenck conducted the school for a brief period and sold out to William Cameron of Lexington, Mo., who remained until the building was converted into a hotel.
In 1858, Alonzo W. Slayback, who afterward figured promi- nently in the history of St. Joseph and of Missouri, taught a pri- vate school in what was the Cumberland Presbyterian church, at Sixth and Edmond streets, and which was afterward used as a synagogue. In 1859 J. P. Caldwell taught a school in the same building.
Miss India Cowden (Mrs. E. W. Ray) and Miss Sarah Bell (Mrs. Tiernan) also conducted school before and during the civil war.
At DeKalb, before the war, Professor Charles S. Raffington conducted the Bloomington Academy, a school of high reputation. During the war Professor Raffington came to St. Joseph and opened the St. Joseph Classical Institute in the Franklin school building. It ceased to exist when that house was required by the public schools.
The Patee house was twice used for school purposes. Rev. James H. Robinson, a minister of the M. E. church, South, opened a female academy there in September, 1865, which continued to Janu- ary 1, 1869. In 1877, Rev. E. S. Dulin, D.D., L.L.D., a prominent minister of the Baptist church, opened the St. Joseph Female Col- lege in the building. This institution had a high reputation and was successfully conducted for four years.
A prominent factor in education in the early days was the Ger- man School Society (Deutscher Schul-Verein), a chartered organi- zationzation of German-American citizens of St. Joseph. This asso- ciation was founded in 1855. Up to 1869, the late Joseph Dreis taught in a building on North Sixth street. The society, by means of entertainments, accumulated a considerable fund. With this money ground was purchased at Tenth and Felix streets and a building erected. The corner stone was laid with great ceremony on July 4, 1868. Professor Dreis was succeeded by William Beneke and Ernst Kuehl. Instruction was given in both German and Eng- lish. In 1872, the St. Joseph school board purchased the property for $8,500 and agreed to perpetually give instruction in equal pro- portion in both English and German in all branches taught.
Bryant's Business College, which was established in November of 1864 by Prof. Thomas J. Bryant and continued up to the date of Professor Bryant's death, several years ago, was a commercial school of reputation and had pupils from almost every point in the
148
BUCHANAN COUNTY AND ST. JOSEPH
West. Professor Chapman and Professor Ritner were also success- ful for many years during the seventies and eightiees with com- mercial schools.
In 1868 the Sisters of St. Vincent de Paul (Sisters of Charity) opened a school for girls on the south side of Felix street, between Seventh and Eighth, in a building owned by Dr. Long. This qch -. tinued until 1883, when the Sisters moved to Tenth and Powell streets, where a hospital building had been erected upon a block of ground donated by Joseph Corby. A school was maintained here until 1891, when it gave way to the present hospital.
Of the schools other than public which are still in existence, the Academy of the Sacred Heart is the oldest. In June of 1853 four members of this order came to St. Joseph from St. Louis. They at once established a school, and during the first month enrolled about one hundred pupils. In 1856 the foundations of the present convent were laid, and in the following year the academy was opened. As the establishment flourished the building was enlarged and equipped until today it is one of the best owned by the order of the Sacred Heart in the West.
The Christian Brothers College is another of the older institu- tions. In 1858 Father James Powers, a pioneer priest, erected a three-story building at Thirteenth and Henry streets and placed it in charge of the Christian Brothers. The school was discontinued during the war and the building used as barracks by federal sol- diers, for which the government, through the mediation of Con- gressman James N. Burnes, made an adequate allowance some years ago. In 1867 the school was reopened by Brother Noah. In 1886 the old building was made part of the present commodious modern structure.
In 1865 Dr. Charles Martin established a female academy at Fifth and Antoine streets, which he conducted until 1893. It con- tinued for some time under various managements. Doctor Martin died March 7, 1896. His daughters conducted a preparatory school in the building for some years.
A parochial school has been maintained at the church of the Immaculate Conception since the creation of the parish. German and English are taught here by Sisters of the Order of St. Joseph. At St. Patrick's church a school for boys has been in existence for many years under the direction of the Christian Brothers, and one for girls under the direction of Sisters of St. Joseph. Holy Rosary, St. Mary's, SS. Peter and Paul, South St. Joseph and Wyatt Park Catholic parishes all have schools attached. A parish school is also maintained in connection with the German-Evangelical church, on South Tenth street.
MEDICAL COLLEGES-At one time there were three medical col- leges in St. Joseph. The St. Joseph Hospital Medical College was founded in 1876. It was located on Second street, north of Francis.
149
BUCHANAN COUNTY AND ST. JOSEPH
Among the faculty were Dr. C. F. Knight, Dr. Joseph D. Smith, Dr. J. M. D. France, Dr. Thos. H. Doyle, Dr. J. M. Richmond, Dr. C. J. Siemens and Dr. A. V. Banes.
The College of Physicians and Surgeons was founded in 1879, and was located in the old Christian church building at Third and Robidoux streets. Among the faculty were Drs. W. I. Heddens, Jacob Geiger, E. A. Donelan, J. W. Heddens and P. J. Kirschner.
These two colleges were merged and the name was changed to Ensworth Hospital Medical College, in honor of Samuel Ensworth, deceased, who left $100,000 for this purpose. The Ensworth build- ing, at Seventh and Jule streets, was erected in 1888. The hospital has recently been placed in charge of the Order of Deaconnesses, under the auspices of the Fifth Street Methodist Church.
The Northwestern Medical College was founded in January, 1881, by Drs. F. A. Simmons, S. F. Carpenter, J. P. Chesney and J. T. Berghoff. Until the burning of the court house the college was quartered in the second story of that building. Subsequently it was located at Eighth and Sylvanie streets. In 1895 Dr. T. E. Potter, Dr. O. B. Campbell and others of the faculty withdrew and formed the Central Medical College, which is located at Ninth and Felix streets. The Northwestern continued for a short time and was subsequently converted into a school for the training of nurses, under the direction Dr. J. A. French, owner of the property. There are no medical colleges in St. Joseph at the present time, owing to the rather oppressive state law.
CHAPTER XVII.
ST. JOSEPH BRANCHES OF FEDERAL SERVICE-THE FED- ERAL BUILDING-HISTORY OF THE ST. JOSEPH POST- OFFICE-RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE-THE INTERNAL REVENUE OFFICE-ST. JOSEPH AS A PORT OF ENTRY -SURVEYORS OF THE PORT-THE FEDERAL COURT.
The first appropriation for a federal building in St. Joseph was made by congress August 5, 1882, while the late Nicholas Ford represented the Fourth congressional district. Of the original ap- propriation $50,000 was set aside to purchase a site and inaugurate the work of construction. After a long delay the lots at Eighth and Edmond streets were purchased for $11,750. There was or less objection by down-town merchants, who argued that the proposed location was too far removed from the business district of the city. The growth of business since that time, however, has been in the direction of the Federal building until now it is conceded that excel- lent judgment was displayed in selecting the site.
When the late James N. Burnes entered Congress he took up the work of pushing the completion of the custom house where his predecessor in office had left off. Congressman Burnes secured a second appropriation of $40,000 July 7, 1884, and, on March 3, 1885, another appropriation of $50,000. August 4, 1886, Congress- man Burnes succeeded in getting $50,000 additional, and March 3, 1887, the last appropriation of $127,000 for the building proper was made. August 29, 1890, Congressman R. P. C. Wilson obtained an appropriation of $3,600 for the purchase of a clock for the tower of the building, making the total appropriations $345,000.
Seven years were occupied in building the custom house, there being much vexatious delay, as is usual in such cases. The princi- pal loss of time was caused, however, by the sinking of the build- ing at the northwest corner. Much of the masonry had to be taken down and rebuilt after the foundation had been properly strength- ened. The latter part of 1890 saw the building completed, and it was occupied in January of 1891.
THE POSTOFFICE-In 1840 a postoffice was established at Blacksnake Hills, with Jules C. Robidoux in charge. The office continued under this name until 1843, when it was changed to St. Joseph, the town having meanwhile been platted and christened. Robidoux, George Brubaker and Captain Frederick W. Smith were the postmasters under the old name, and Captain Smith was the first postmaster under the new name. The mails were not very heavy in those days, coming mostly by boat from the outer world and by pony and stage from neighboring points. Captain Smith
151
BUCHANAN COUNTY AND ST. JOSEPH
wore an old-style, bell-crowned beaver hat, which he used as the repository of postal matter. He was personally acquainted with every inhabitant of the village, and it was his custom to deliver mail to parties as he met them. Thus it will be seen that St. Joseph had free postal delivery long before many of the now populous cities of the West were even thought of.
William B. Almond succeeded Captain Smith in November of 1844, and served until September of 1845, when he was succeeded by William Irvin, who served until September, 1848. Joseph Wyatt then filled the office for one year, and was succeeded by Jesse Hol- laday, who served until September, 1849, when he was succeeded by Henry S. Creal in January of 1852. Charles Dutszchky was ap- pointed April, 1853. Henry Clark was appointed April, 1854, but did not take the office. Henry Slack was appointed in the same month and held the office until October, 1855, when William A. Davis was appointed. Mr. Davis invented the railway postal car. The office was made presidential in March of 1858 and Mr. Davis continued as postmaster until April of 1861. He was succeeded by John L. Bittinger, who served until March, 1865, and was succeeded by William Fowler.
In March of 1866 George H. Hall was appointed. This appoint- ment was rescinded and James M. Graham was appointed October 31, 1866. However, the friends of Colonel Hall prevailed at Wash- ington and he was given the office in the following month, holding it until April of 1867, when he was succeeded by Joseph J. Wyatt, who served until April of 1869. James M. Hunter served from that time until March of 1871, and was succeeded by Phillip Arnholdt, who served until February of 1875. John Severance held the office until May of 1876, and was succeeded by Dr. Robert P. Richardson, who served only a few months, however. He was succeeded in the following August by James T. Beach, who served until December of 1877, and was succeeded by Francis M. Posegate, who served until June of 1881. Frank M. Tracy succeeded Captain Posegate and served until April of 1885, when he was succeeded by John S. Evans, who served four years and was succeeded by Charles F. Ernst. Captain Ernst died August 2, 1892. From that time until September 30 the office was in charge of Deputy Postmaster Joseph S. Browne, when Frank M. Atkinson took charge, served four years, and was reappointed for another four-year term in April of 1897. He was succeeded by A. W. Brewster in 1901. In March, 1910, L. O. Weakley took charge. He was succeeded by the present postmaster, Frank Freytag, April 1, 1914. Berent Springsted is assistant postmaster.
As long as the business of the city centered in the neighbor- hood of Market Square the postoffice was located in close proximity to that point. For many years it was in the Beatty bank building, on the east side of Second street, north of Francis. Under Hunter and Arnholdt it was located in the Constable building, on Fourth street, south of Edmond. Under Severance, Richardson, Beach, Posegate and Tracy it was located at the southeast corner of Second
152
BUCHANAN COUNTY AND ST. JOSEPH
and Francis streets. Under Tracy, in 1881, the office was moved to a room under Tootle's opera house, the theater at that time occupy- ing the upper floors only. The business of the office soon outgrew the accommodations here, and under Tracy, also, the first floor of the new Tootle building, east of the opera house, was taken. The office remained there until January 26, 1891, when, under Postmas- ter Ernst, it was removed to its present permanent quarters in the Federal building.
The office force consists of assistant postmaster, superintend- ent of mails, sixty-seven mail carriers, money order cashier and three clerks, three stamp clerks, two registry clerks, two general delivery clerks, six special delivery boys, and three messengers, making a total of fifty-seven regular clerks and thirteen contract clerks in stations. Seven rural routes are operated from the main postoffice. The receipts of the office for the year ending June 30, 1915, were $379,651.56.
THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE-The St. Joseph division of the railway mail service, which is embraced in the Seventh division of the service, has headquarters in the Federal building. There are two hundred clerks employed under the direction of the chief clerk of the St. Joseph office, fifteen of whom live in this city. The lines under the jurisdiction of the St. Joseph office extend into Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska.
THE INTERNAL REVENUE OFFICE-A branch of the Sixth Inter- nal Revenue district of Missouri has been located in the Federal building since its completion. A deputy, appointed by the collector at Kansas City, is in charge, and his jurisdiction extends over seventeen counties : Buchanan, Atchison, Holt, Nodaway, Andrew, Clinton, DeKalb, Gentry, Worth, Harrison, Daviess, Caldwell, Liv- ingston, Grundy, Mercer, Putnam and Sullivan. There are in this division 700 retail liquor dealers, including druggists who have permits to sell whiskey and alcohol. In addition there are thirty- two wholesale liquor dealers, three breweries, seven fruit distil- leries, five grain distilleries and fifty-two cigar manufactories. The business of all these concerns with the internal revenue department is transacted through the St. Joseph office and consequently it makes a vast amount of work. The deputy has stamp clerk, gauger, and storekeeper to assist him.
In 1862 St. Joseph was headquarters of the Third Revenue dis- trict of Missouri, embracing all of the state lying north of the Mis- souri River, and including forty-four counties. The taxes collected amounted to about one million dollars per annum. Charles B. Wil- kinson was the first collector. In 1865 W. A. Price of Savannah was collector and A. N. Schuster was his deputy. In 1869 Mr. Schuster was appointed collector, the district then embracing twenty-five counties. Schuster served until 1871. The boundaries of the district were subsequently changed and it was called the
153
BUCHANAN COUNTY AND ST. JOSEPH
Sixth. Schuster was succeeded by General James Craig, and he by W. Z. Ransom. In 1875, when Charles B. Wilkinson was collector a second time, irregularities and complications were discovered in the office. Wilkinson went to Australia and was brought back, tried and convicted of embezzlement on a technicality, the irregu- larities having been traced to some of his employes. Such was the nature of the case, however, that, after a careful examination of the same by the United States attorney-general and the president, a full pardon was granted Wilkinson.
R. T. Van Horn of Kansas City, having meanwhile been ap- pointed collector, the principal office was moved to Kansas City, and Christ. Mast was made deputy at St. Joseph. John G. Walker of Savannah followed Mast, and then came Charles Groscup, H. G. Getchell, John Harnois and John B. Rodgers. The latter was suc- ceeded in November, 1898, by William M. Shepherd, who in turn was succeeded by George L. Jewett, whose successor, George C. Toel, served from July, 1902, until April, 1915, when Wiley O. Cox, Jr., was placed in charge.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.