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 40

Author: McDonald, Elwood L., 1869- , comp; King, W. J., comp
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: St. Joseph, Mo : Midland Printing Co.
Number of Pages: 604


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 40


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THEODORE BASSAR, meat mar- ket, 1314 North Fourth street, was born in Buchanan County, Nov. 22, 1847. His father was Francis Bassar, born at Paris, France, who came here in an early day, who was on terms of warm friendship with Joseph Robi- doux, and who operated the first horse-power grist mill in the county. Our subject was for twelve years with the St. Joseph Gas Company as lamp


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BUCHANAN COUNTY AND ST. JOSEPH


lighter, and then entered his present line. He was married in 1869 to Miss Serena Sharp of Nodaway County and they have one son and two daughters. Mr. Bassar has by his thrift and busi- ness ability accumulated handsome property. He is a Republican.


DON C. KINNAMAN, proprietor of the restaurant at 618 Edmond street is a native of Illinois. He was born in Mercer County April 28, 1861. At


Woodmen, Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Forresters. Re- ligiously Mr. Kinnaman is a Latter Day Saint.


ABRAHAM DAVIS, ex-member of the Missouri legislature, was born in Buchanan County, July 3, 1844, the son of Joseph and Sarah (Sheckel) Davis, on a farm that is now part of St. Joseph Extension Addition, in the


DON C. KINNAMAN


-Photo by Mulvane.


the age of fifteen years, he moved with his parents to Stewartsville, Mo., where his education was finished. He came to St. oJseph in 1889 and en- gaged in various occupations. He be- gan the restaurant business in 1897 at 715 Edmond street and moved to his present location in 1910. He was married to Miss Elizabeth Lewis of St. Joseph in 1899. They have five children, three sons and two daugh- ters. He has membership in the


northwestern part of the city. In his early days he worked on a steamboat that ran to New Orleans, and was for many years in the ice business. He was elected as Democrat to the legis- lature in 1880 and again in 1890. Sep- tember 16, 1879, he was married to Miss Jennie Robbins, born in New York state; both are members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Davis is now in the real estate business.


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. BUCHANAN COUNTY AND ST. JOSEPH


WILLIAM F. KIRKPATRICK, jewler at 721-723 Felix street, is a native of Kansas. He was born at Garnett, April 6, 1869. His education was received in the schools of his na- tive town, where he also learned the trade of jeweler. In 1889 he went to Parsons, Kan., where he worked at his trade for a time. He came to St. Joseph in 1890 and worked at his trade for two years, after which he


counselor, is a native of St. Joseph, having been born in this city Sept. 11, 1872. He was educated in the city schools after which he read law in the offices of Charles M. Street, for three years. He was admitted to the bar in 1902 by Judge W. K. James. In 1905 he was appointed assistant prosecut- ing attorney by John D. McNeely, then prosecutor of Buchanan County. Mr. Hess was appointed to his present position in 1913. He is unmarried.


WILLIAM F. KIRKPATRICK


engaged in business. He started at 616 Edmond street in 1892. He moved to his present location in 1894, and has enjoyed his full share of prosperity, his business having de- veloped until it is one of the largest of the kind in the country. He was married to Miss Lenora K. Ahern of Hiawatha, Kan., September 23, 1897. He is a member of the Elks.


HERMAN HESS, assistant city


TILLMAN H. SINCLAIR, blacksmith for the Board of Public Works, is a native Missourian. He was born in 1852 and has resided in St. Joseph since 1902. He was appointed to his present position in 1908, and has served through the various adminis- trations and changes since that time. His services are in demand because is a competent and painstaking work- man. He is also one of St. Joseph's representative citizens.


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BUCHANAN COUNTY AND ST. JOSEPH


JOHN D. CLARK is a native of Mis- souri. He was born in Daviess County, January 21, 1858. His father, Marion D. Clark, was at one time a real estate dealer in St. Joseph. Our subject's mother, Mrs. Isabelle Stone Clark, was born in Virginia. Mr. Clark came to St. Joseph, with his parents, in 1867, and was educated in the public schools of the city. He was in charge of the circulation of the


board were Charles J. Borden and W. A. Bodenhausen. Mr. Clark is an ac- tive Republican and has served on the city, county and state committees. He was elected to the state committee four times, serving two years each term. He still takes an active inter- est in the affairs of his party. He is vice-president of the St. Joseph Brew- ing Company. Mr. Clark was mar- ried October 23, 1879 to Miss Frances


JOHN D. CLARK


-Photo by Mulvane.


Daily News for about five years and later drifted into politics. He was elected alderman from the Second Ward in 1893 and in 1895 was ap- pointed city license inspector, holding the position until


1897. He was elected a member of the first board of public works in the city, which was dissolved by a supreme court de- cision in 1900, it being held that the law creating it was not properly passed. The other members of this


M. Echtler, who was born in St. Jo. seph in 1873.


DANIEL D. DARROW, subscription book publisher, 322 South Sixth street, was born in Crawford County, Penn- sylvania, Nov. 22, 1856, and came to St. Joseph in 1887, engaging in his present line, and by his energy and sagacity has built up a business of large proportions. Mr. Darrow mar-


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BUCHANAN COUNTY AND ST. JOSEPH


ried Miss Adella L. Anderson at Lind- boro, Pa., April 9, 1883, by whom he has two boys. Mr. and Mrs. Darrow take great interest in the order of Knights and Ladies of Security, and are both high in its circles.


F. CLAUDE DAVIS, engaged in the real estate business, Seventh and Francis streets, was born in Platte County, Missouri, February 22, 1858.


Our subject attended the common schools of Platte and Buchanan coun- ties, and at the age of twelve years moved to St. Joseph with his parents and for a period of seven years, to- gether with his brother, the late Dr. W. B. Davis, who was two years his senior, engaged in the dairy and ice business under the firm name of Davis Bros., after which time his brother graduated from the Missouri Medical College and practiced medicine, when


bist-stuck.


F. CLAUDE DAVIS


His grandparents on both his mother's and father's sides were natives of Kentucky. His father was the Rev- erend John C. C. Davis, who was one of the pioneer Methodist ministers of this section of the county, being a member of the Missouri Conference of the M. E. Church, South. His mother is Mary G. (Clay) Davis. Her par- ents, Johnson and Rebecca Clay, came from Kentucky and settled in Platte County among the earliest settlers.


Mr. F. Claude Davis associated him- self with his uncle, the late R. T. Davis (who was in the milling busi- ness), as sales manager, and was very successful in building the brands


manufactured by Mr. R. T. Davis throughout the entire country. Shortly after the death of R. T. Davis, he severed his relations with the milling business and associated himself with hith brothers, Marvin M. and Robert L., in the real estate business, in


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BUCHANAN COUNTY AND ST. JOSEPH


which he is now engaged under the firm name of Davis Bros. To his credit are placed many of the large transactions in St. Joseph real estate.


Mr. Davis was married November 27, 1888, to Miss Fannie Dean Popple, who was a native of Illinois, and to this union were born three children, Fannie Lee, Ruth and F. Claude, Jr.


Mr. Davis is a member of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church, South, and is a Mason.


business. He was married to Miss Elizabeth Fondermann in November, 1901. They Lave six children, five daughters and one son. Mr. Fenner's fraternal affiliations are with the Red- men, the Odd Fellows and Knights and Ladies of Security.


WILLIS GILBERT BRINSON, man- ager of the Postal Telegraph Co., was born on a farm near St. Joseph, Sept.


AUGUST H. FENNER


-Photo by Mulvane.


AUGUST H. FENNER, manager of the Western Dairy Co., is a native of Holstein, Germany, where he was born June 29, 1878. He was edu- cated in Germany and at the age of 16 years came to St. Joseph. He at once became associated with his bro- ther, the late Herman C. Fenner in the conducting of the affairs of the Western Dairy Co. Herman Fenner died in July, 1913, and the subject of this sketch was made manager of the


18, 1867, and was educated in the pub- lic schools of St. Joseph. He learned telegraphy and before he became of age was made manager of the Postal Telegraph Company's office in this city, which position he has held ever since and by strict attention to busi- ness has secured his company a large share of the telegraph traffic of the city. Mr. Brinson is an earnest Re- publican in politics, but has never aspired to office.


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BUCHANAN COUNTY. AND ST. JOSEPH


WILLIAM J. BETTIS


WILLIAM J. BETTIS was born in Nashville, Tenn., November 27, 1866. At the age of five years he came with his parents to St. Joseph, and received his education in the schools of the city.


He went to work for the old Citi- zens' Street Railway Company at the age of eighteen years. Cars were pulled by horses in those days, and Mr. Beattie was a driver for a num- ber of years. When the street rail- way lines were electrified he was a


driver on the Union line. One Satur- day, when he took his faithful mule team to the barns, he received orders to take out the first regular electric car over the road. Accompanied by Mr. J. H. VanBrunt, now general man- ager of the street railway system in: St. Joseph, he made the trip amid the cheers of an interested and startled public. For twenty-seven years he re- mained in the service of the street railway company, twenty-two years of which time he was a conductor on the. Union line. He was at all times con-


BUCHANAN COUNTY AND ST. JOSEPH


417


sidered one of the most trustworthy men in the service, and became a warm personal friend of Mr. Van Brunt, with whom he made the initial trip on the electric car. In 1908' he was a candidate for the Republican nomination for sheriff at the primary election, and was beaten by the late Joseph Albus by the narrow margin of fifty votes. In 1912 he received the Republican nomination for sheriff, but was defeated at the general election


the law department of Yale Univer- sity in 1906-07. He was admitted to the bar in 1908, after a thorough ex- amination by the Missouri State Board, May 25th, 1908, and has since practiced his profession successfully in this city. He is one of the promis- ing young attorneys of St: Joseph, his success being due to his thorough knowledge of his profession coupled with willingness to work hard. He is a son of Benjamin Goldman, a


JOSEPH GOLDMAN


-Photo by Mulvane.


by C. H. Jones by a majority of 125 votes.


He was married to Miss Neva Mc- Natt of Topeka, Kan., November 22, 1894. They have five children, three girls and two boys.


JOSEPH GOLDMAN, attorney at law, 401-402 German-American Bank Building. He came to St. Joseph while yet young. After being edu- cated in the city schools he attended


pioneer merchant of this city.


KESSLER BROTHERS, 102 Francis street, are known to their trade as men of reliability. They never mis- represent an article and their custom- ers know it. They have a well estab- lished and growing business and bid fair to prosper as the years go by. Their industry and attentiveness en- title them to the success they have achieved.


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BUCHANAN COUNTY AND ST. JOSEPH


DAVID FELTENSTEIN, head of the D. Feltenstein Liquor Company, and one of the most successful business men St. Joseph has ever developed, is a native of New York. He was born there October 22, 1873. He came to St. Joseph with his parents when a lad of 10 years. Mr. Feltenstein was educated in the public schools of this city. His predilection of a mercan- tile career manifested itself early in


rooms, known to the trade as the Blu Front Department Store. After eigh years, each more successful than th one preceding, he sold his interest i: the Blue Front Store and embarked in the wholesale, retail and mail orde: liquor business. He started in one room at 315 Edmond street, but this soon proved inadequate to the needs of his growing business. He needed more room and first one then another adjoining room was secured until he


DAVID FELTENSTEIN


his life for when he was but 18 years old he started in the dry goods busi- ness at Third and Poulin streets. He remained at this location for two years. In 1893 he moved to Market Square, where he started in a small room in a modest way and began building the business that was des- tined to be a monument to his memory for years to come. His growth in business was steady and rapid. In a few years he occupied four large


now occupies three full store build- ings, both ground and second floors. In 1913 he bought the half block on Edmond street immediately west of Fourth street, in which his place of business is located. With characteris- tic enterprise Mr. Feltenstein imme- diately began making plans for re- modeling the property. When he had finished it had been transformed into one of the most presentable looking business properties in the city. But


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BUCHANAN COUNTY AND ST. JOSEPH


not alone in this instance has he proven his enterprising spirit. He owns other pieces of valuable prop- erty, including the building occupied by the George Cooke Crockery Com- pany on Third street. It, too, was re- modeled by the new owner and made into a modern business structure of which any city might well feel proud. He believes that it pays to improve any piece of real estate he owns, and the success he has accomplished


in the buggy business established by his father, Walter C. Beardsley, in 1869. Few firms are better known throughout the western country and the fact that it has withstood the competition of nearly half a century is evidence that it was established on the right basis and managed accord- ing to sound business principles. Mr. Beardsley was married to Miss Fannie Johnson of Atchison, Kas., in August, 1896. He is a member of the Elks.


HERBERT C. BEARDSLEY


proves the correctness of his theory. Mr. Feltenstein was married to Miss Roe Cohen of St. Joseph. They have a family of three sons, all living.


HERBERT C. BEARDSLEY, car- riage dealer, at 218 South Fourth street, is a native of St. Joseph, hav- ing been born here May 10, 1871. He was educated in the public schools, and at an early age became interested


-Photo by Mulvane.


JOHN M. WITT, that whom there are few better and more prosperous business men in the city, is proud of the fact that he is a native Missourian. He was born in Buchanan County, March 19, 1877. His education cov- ered the entire range of the schools of the county and later he attended the State Normal School in Chilli- cothe, from which institution he was graduated with honors in 1899. After


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BUCHANAN COUNTY AND ST. JOSEPH


leaving school he entered the railway mail service in 1903. He remained in the service for three years and in 1906 was transferred to the St. Joseph postoffice where he was assigned to duty as a city distributor. He held this position for four and one-half years, when he was made postmaster of Station E. His assignment to this position dates from May 12, 1911. He is still on the job at this station and gives general satisfaction to the pa-


law, 716 Corby-Forsee Building, was born in St. Joseph June 20, 1882. He was educated in the city schools and was graduated from the Christian Brothers College in 1898. The follow- ing five years he spent in study at the St. Mary's College, St. Mary's, Kansas. He received his diploma from this school in 1903. The same year he entered the law department


PHIL A. SLATTERY


-Photo by Mulvane.


trons of the office. Mr. Witt was married June 10, 1903, to Miss Emma G. Creek of Stewartsville, Mo. They have four children, two sons and two daughters. Mr. Witt is an active member of the Odd Fellows organiza- tion. His father, James M. Witt, was born in Platte Township, on a farm where he lived and died at the age of 70 years.


PHIL A. SLATTERY, attorney at


of Georgetown University at Wash- ington, D. C. and was graduated in 1906. He began practicing in St. Jo- seph at once and in 1908 was elected city attorney, as a Democrat. The of- fice was discontinued by the charter of 1909, the duties being performed by an attache of the city counselor's office. Mr. Slattery was appointed to this place and served three years.


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BUCHANAN COUNTY AND ST. JOSEPH


DR. ALBERT R. HAROLD, dentist, at 2004 St. Joseph avenue is a native of Kansas. He was born at Axtell, January 12, 1888. He was educated in Axtell, and in 1910 entered the Kansas City Dental College, from which school he was graduated in 1913. He first located in Blue Springs, Kansas, where he practiced his profession with success for a period of eight years. In 1914 he came to St. Joseph


ning twenty-four years ago to its pres- ent magnificient proportions. The customers of this modern establish- ment not only include every class of people within the confines of the city but also embrace the residents in numerous other cities and towns throughout Missouri and adjacent states.


The business of Hirsch Brothers Dry Goods Company was originally established at 319 Felix street in 1891


DR. ALBERT R. HAROLD


and became associated with Dr.


James Ross where he remained for about a year. In May, 1915, he opened his present office and has been enjoying a profitable practice. Dr. Harold's fraternal affiliation is with the Masons.


THE HIRSCH BROTHERS DRY GOODS COMPANY is one of St. Jo- seph's leading department stores which has grown from a small begin-


under the firm title of the NEW


YORK RACKET STORE. During the twenty-four years that have elapsed since then the managing part- ners have been remarkably success- ful although obliged to change loca- tion three different times.


The nucleus of the present Hirsch Brothers Dry Goods Company was formed by Sol and Morris Hirsch and they are still the sole proprietors and executive managers of this extensively


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BUCHANAN COUNTY AND ST. JOSEPH


popular establishment. Their expert business acumen coupled with strict personal integrity has been one of the controlling factors in their unqualified mercantile success.


Five years after the opening of the New York Racket store by the Hirsch Brothers the business had prospered so well that they sought more commo- dious quarters at the southwest corner of Fourth and Felix streets, familiarly known to old residents of St. Joseph as "The Old Corner" which had for many years been occupied by Young, Townsend & Frazer. For five years more the Hirsch Brothers conducted a successful and rapidly growing busi- ness there until they were obliged to relinquish the premises when the First National Bank bought the prop- erty in order to erect the present im- posing building now the headquarters of that great financial institution.


After having been forced to leave the Old Corner the Hirsch Bros. moved into temporary quarters at 411 Felix street where they remained until the present building at Eighth, Felix and Frederick avenue had been com- pleted for their occupancy. Upon the removal of the business there fourteen years ago the style of the firm was changed to that of HIRSCH BROTH- ERS DRY GOODS COMPANY, under which title the business has multi- plied to its present immense dimen- sions under careful and judicious management.


A fair idea of the magnitude of the Hirsch Brothers trade and its com- prehensive details may be gained from the fact that there are thirty different departments conducted in a strictly up-to-date manner under the same roof. These include the silk de- partment, dress goods department, cotton piece goods department, linen department, lining department, hand- kerchiefs, ribbons, gloves, neckwear, laces and embroideries, hosiery, blankets and comforts, patterns, no- tions, shoes, gents furnishings, under- wear, millinery, art goods, infants wear, corsets, muslin underwear, cur- tains and draperies, toys, drug sund- ries, fancy novelties, leather goods and bric-a-brac, trimmings and but- tons, and last but not least women's and misses' ready-to-wear and millin- ery departments.


The building occupied by the Hirsch Brothers Dry Goods Company is ad- mirably situated in the heart of the St. Joseph shopping district. It has the advantage of having the benefit of traffic from three streets, Freder- ick avenue, Eighth street and Felix street. It is a solid buff brick struc- ture, 120x140 feet, and contains two stories and a basement. The front is a veritable field of glass, the huge show windows giving the establish- ment every opportunity to have at all times an attractive and splendid dis- play for the edification of the public.


The Hirsch Brothers store is equip- ped with all the latest modern conven- iences calculated to prove beneficial to its patrons and employes alike. There is an automatic sprinkler sys- tem in operation which cannot be ex- celled by any of the large depart- ment stores in any metropolitan cities of the country. One of the most de- lightful and attractive features of the store is the ladies' rest rooms where either customers or employes may find comfort when tired or fatigued .. The ventilation throughout the en- tire store is superb and every kind and character of improvement is in- stalled there, which may be found in any first class department store.


The Hirsch Brothers Dry Goods store enjoys an excellent patronage in St. Joseph and from cities, towns and country districts throughout the states of Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa. This trade was built up principally on the record made for the high grade values given the patrons of the store, and likewise for the uni- form courtesy which is the guiding spirit of every employe in the estab- lishment.


The Hirsch Brothers Dry Goods Company is composed of Sol Hirsch, president and treasurer; and Morris Hirsch, vice-president and secretary. There are over one hundred and fifty employes in the different departments and six attractive delivery wagons give prompt service to the patrons all over the city. The management also conducts an extensive mail order business which has increased ten fold since the inauguration of the parcel post service in the United States.


BUCHANAN COUNTY AND ST. JOSEPH


423


HUND & EGGER BOTTLING COM- PANY .- The city of St. Joseph has many prosperous business enterprises dating back to the early days, but few can equal the successful career of the Hund & Egger Bottling Company.


It is more than two generations ago since the nucleus of the present firm was started by Dumke & Gleitz at Main and Faraon streets. In 1881 William Hund, now active executive


required that property for trackage purposes. Hund & Egger selected the old Aniser & Ost brewery site at Thirteenth and Frederick avenue as the base of their immediate opera- tions. They remained in that location two years and then erected their present building at 421-423 North Second street, where the firm is now doing a fine business.


In addition to making and bottling every variety of soft drinks the Hund


WILLIAM HUND -Photo by Mulvane.


head of the company, purchased Mr. Gleitz's interest and the firm name was changed to Dumke & Hund. Seven years later Mr. Dumke sold his partnership interest to Louis Egger in 1888 and the firm name was changed to Hund & Egger, the present name of the corporation.


Shortly after Mr. Dumke retired the bottling works was obliged to move from the old location at Main and Faraon streets because the railroad


& Egger company are sole agents in St. Joseph for Pabst Milwaukee beer either in bottles or by the keg. The plant is one of the finest in the west and nothing is lacking in modern ma- chinery to bring it up-to-date in every respect. With motor delivery trucks and several wagons the business of the Hund & Egger Bottling Company has extended to the remotest confines of the city and to a number of towns throughout adjacent states.


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BUCHANAN COUNTY AND ST. JOSEPH


After the death of Mr. Egger on February 10, 1908, Mr. Hund organ- ized a company and he was unani- mously elected president of the cor- poration. Mr. Hund is favorably known to the old residents of St. Jo- seph, and even the young ones have a keen liking for Hund & Egger's bot- tled goods.


DR. WESLEY GOOD, dentist, at 4091/2 Edmond street, was born August


He was married to Miss Harriet B. Brown of King City, Mo., December 29, 1892. The family consists of a son and a daughter. Mrs. Good died in October, 1912.


Doctor Good is a member of the Modern Woodmen, Modern Brother- hood, Court of Honor and Knights of the Maccabees.


HARRY C. SEVERNS claims Mis- souri as his native state and is quite


DR. WESLEY GOOD


-Photo by Mulvane.


4, 1865, in York County, Pennsylvania. He was educated in the common schools of his native county, and in 1886 came to St. Joseph and entered the dental offices of his uncle, Dr. J. B. Good, at the same location in which he is now practicing. In 1890 he entered the Philadelphia Dental College, and was graduated in 1892. He returned at once to St. Joseph and continued the practice of his profes- sion with his uncle.




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