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 43
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
and his first work here was that of an engineer on the construction of a tem- porary bridge across the Missouri River at St. Joseph on which to trans- fer cars for the railroads terminating in St. Joseph to the one railroad then terminating in Elwood, Kans., known as the St. Joseph & Denver City rail- road. The transfer of these cars had previously been done by boats until navigation was closed by the ice and- made the temporary bridge necessary.
GEORGE WASHINGTON WEBB
Virginia, and served as a soldier in the war of 1812. He was a son of Adrian Webb, who was the son of Cuthburt Webb, who was a descend- ant of William Webb, who was born at Dorchester, England, in 1582 and came to America in 1629, settling at Isle of
Wight, Virginia. William Webb and his three brothers were the progenitors of the Webb family in the United States.
George W. Webb came to Buchanan County, Missouri, in the fall of 1872,
In 1873 Mr. Webb enlisted in Com- pany G, Third United States Infantry, at 'Fort Leavenworth, and served two years in Colorado, his regiment being engaged in protecting the settlers from Indian depredations.
Soon after retiring from the army he settled in Florida, engaging in orange growing until the fall of 1888, when he returned to St. Joseph and had charge of the construction of some large business structures, in- cluding the C. D. Smith Drug Com-
456
BUCHANAN COUNTY AND ST. JOSEPH
pany building.
In the fall of 1889 he was engaged by the contractors who consolidated the street railway systems of St. Jo- seph into one corporation and system and changed it from mule transporta- tion to that of electricity, St. Joseph being the first city in the United States to make this complete change, as electrical traction was just being born. He then went to Denver in January, 1890, and took charge of the
the First Reformed Church, and for over twenty years has been its secre- tary and treasurer. He has always been a champion of fraternal socie- ties, especially those that furnish in- surance to its members, and, besides holding his membership in a number of them, he has served in various of- fices of trust in them, especially those offices having to do with records and finances. He also is a member of the Lincoln Club.
CHARLES F. OGDEN
opening of the first electric railway in Denver, known as the South Broad- way, of which he was superintendent and electrician until his health broke down and he was obliged to seek a lower altitude, and so returned to St. Joseph where he has resided continu- ously since. Since the year 1890, when he returned to St. Joseph from Den- ver, he has been engaged almost con- tinuously in the real estate and in- surance business.
Mr. Webb is a charter member of
-- Photo by Mulvane.
Mr. Webb has been married twice, his first wife being Julia M. Merritt of Janesville, Wis., who died in 1913. His present wife was Mrs. Lorena Jane Earll, whose maiden name was Jackson, a native born Missourian, her family being among the early set- tlers of St. Joseph, and she herself born in what was then known as Blacksnake Hills.
CHARLES F. OGDEN was born in Ralls County, Missouri, July 19, 1868. At the age of seven he was taken by
BUCHANAN COUNTY AND ST. JOSEPH
457
his parents to live at Hannibal, Mo., where he was educated. In June, 1886, he came to St. Joseph, and was in the employ of the Badger Lumber Com- pany for two years. In 1888 he ac- cepted a position with E. W. Ray & Son, lumber dealers, which he re- tained thirteen years. For nine years he was the company's foreman. In 1900 he was elected, at large, as a member of the city council, which of- fice he held two years. Mr. Ogden has a wide acquaintance in St. Joseph.
perintendent of the street railway lines. He held this position for fif- teen years, during which time he had active charge of all outside work. Mr. VanBrunt has been a potent fac- tor in building up the street railway system of St. Joseph, which at the time he came here was in a very dis- tressed condition. That St. Joseph has now one of the best transporta- tion systems in the country, size of town considered, is admittedly true. That this state of near perfection is
JOHN H. VAN BRUNT
JOHN H. VAN BRUNT, vice-presi- dent and general manager of the St. Joseph Railway, Light, Heat & Power Company and president of the Savan- nah Interurban Railway Company, is a native son of New York and was born in Redbank, September, 1868. His early education was received in the schools of his native town; later he attended some of the best schools in New York City. He came to St. Joseph in March, 1889, to become su-
due in great part to Mr. VanBrunt's untiring energy is equally true. When the Clarke syndicate bought the plant in 1892, Mr. VanBrunt was made vice- president and general manager, which position he has held continuously since that date.
He was married to Miss Pearle Dougherty, only daughter of A. M. Dougherty. £ They have a family of three sons.
458
BUCHANAN COUNTY AND ST. JOSEPH
JOSHUA MOTTER, vice-president of the Wheeler-Motter Mercantile Company, comes from the good state of Maryland, and from one of the old- est families of that commonwealth. He was born in Williamsport, and was educated in the Penn College at Get- tysburg. He came to St. Joseph in 1867 and first engaged with the old Colhoun Bank, as bookkeeper. He held this position for several years to the complete satisfaction of his em-
scope was considerably enlarged and the Tootle, Wheeler & Motter Mer- cantile Company was incorporated. The name was changed to the Wheel- er & Motter Mercantile Company.
Mr. Motter was married to Miss Gussie Barrow, daughter of Major John E. Barrow, December 2, 1873. Their family consists of three chil- dren, Samuel I. and John Barrow Mot- ter of St. Joseph, and Mary Catherine Hall of Kansas City. Mr. Motter is
Gist-shults
JOSHUA MOTTER
ployers. In 1875 he embarked in the dry goods business, as a traveling salesman for Tootle, Craig & Co. Later he sold goods for Tootle, Hosea & Co. for a period of eight years. He quit the road in 1883, his advance- ment having been so rapid that he was taken into the firm some years prior to that date. In 1893 the house of Tootle, Wheeler & Motter was or- ganized, and continued in business un- der that name until 1899, when its
a Mason.
JOHN COMBE came to St. Joseph in 1858. He learned bookbinding, and in 1879 started in business, the firm being Combe & McCreary. To Mr. Combe's tireless energy and business tact the present establishment stands as a credit. Mr. Combe is a Republi- can and represented the Sixth Ward in the council in 1892-94. He was mayor of St. Joseph from 1900 to 1902.
BUCHANAN COUNTY AND ST. JOSEPH
459
MAURICE G. CURRY, formerly a member of the city fire department, was born in Springfield, Ill., July 28, 1864. In March, 1873, he came with his parents to St. Joseph, where. he received his education. In 1890 he was appointed a member of the St. Joseph fire department, in which capacity he served for eight years. In 1898 he retired, to accept a position as fire marshal for Swift & Company. After serving four months he was in-
ciation and the Red Men.
The morning after the Kennard fire, in March, 1892, The Gazette reported that Mr. Curry had been burned to death. The report was erroneous, and Mr. Curry enjoyed the joke along with his friends.
REV. SADIE GIBBONS EVALSON, was born in Ringgold, Pa., February 20, 1864, and lived in Illinois, Iowa and Kansas before coming to St. Jo- - seph in 1913. She was educated in
MAURICE G. CURRY
jured by the falling of a wall. This mishap occurred on his birthday. Dur- ing the succeeding three years he was incapacitated for work. In 1901 he resumed his connection with Swift's, and remained in their service until 1907.
In 1889 he was married to Miss Agnes O'Donough of St. Joseph. There were four children of the union, two boys and two girls. Mr. Curry is a life member of the Eagles, and a mem- ber of the Central Protective Asso-
-Photo by Mulvane.
the common schools of Iowa and in Ashland College, Ohio. She was mar- ried to Charles Gibbons October 27, 1887, who died the following month. The subject of this sketch was in business as a dressmaker in Milledge- ville, Ill., and later followed nursing and missionary work in Chicago. She was married to John W. Evalson of St. Joseph September 7, 1915. Rev. Evalson has been active in the min- istry of the Brethren church for many years.
460
BUCHANAN COUNTY AND ST. JOSEPH
VINCENT E. BURCH, tonsorial art- ist, whose shop is in the German- American Bank building, was born in Bloomfield, Ind., December 13, 1869. He went to Maryville, Mo., in 1881 and came to St. Joseph in 1890 and embarked in the business he now fol- lows and in which he has been suc- cessful. In 1900 he was appointed by Governor Stephens a member of the state board of examiners for barbers,
farm. His father, Henry S. Hill, was a lieutenant in company D, Fifth Mis- souri cavalry, and our subject accom- panied his father through the entire campaign of that regiment. Subse- quently he learned the printer's trade at Brownville, Neb., and came to St. Joseph in March of 1877 to take the popsition of foreman of the Gazette composing room, in which position he continued until the organization of
VINCENT E. BURCH
and was reappointed by Gov. Dock- ery in 1903. He was named to a place on the same board by Governor Ma- jor. Mr. Burch is an enterprising and progressive citizen, and his work on this important board has always been most satisfactory. He was married November 28, 1893, to Miss Anna Tol- son of St. Joseph. Mr. Burch is an Odd Fellow and a member of several other secret societies.
BENJAMIN F. HILL was born in Atchison County, Missouri, Sept. 13, 1850, and spent his early years on a
the Press Printing company in 1893. Mr. Hill is now with the Combe Print- ing company.
JAMES NELSON BURNES, who represented this district in congress from 1882 to 1889, was one of the ablest men in the history of Missouri. He was born in Indiana Aug. 22, 1827, and came to the Platte Purchase in 1837 with his father, James Burnes; was educated in the best schools of the section and then went to Harvard, graduating from the law school in 1852. Locating at Weston in Platte
BUCHANAN COUNTY AND ST. JOSEPH
461
County he soon took front rank in his profession, and was elected cir- cuit attoroney in 1855. He had a great talent for business and was interested in various enterprises, notably in pro- jecting and building railroads, bridges and waterworks in this section, and in the promotion of public interests generally. In 1869 he was elected judge of the court of common pleas of Platte County, which he held until
St. Joseph, was born in Buchanan County, Oct. 23, 1862. When he was two years old his parents moved to the city, where he was educated. At an early age he began carrying papers on the old St. Joseph Gazette, which was then published in the second story of the building now occupied by Nevin & Schwein on Felix street. Mr. Cameron soon developed unusual
business acumen for a newspaper
WILLIAM H. CAMERON
1872, when he resigned and located in St. Joseph. In 1882 he was elected to congress and re-elected in 1884, 1886 and 1888. He served with distinction and was one of the foremost members on the Democratic side. On Jan. 23, 1889, he was stricken with paralysis while uttering the first words of a speech on the floor of the house, and died at his hotel in Washington on the following day.
WILLIAM H. CAMERON, than whom few men are better known in
man and engaged in the distribution and sale of the leading publications of the country. He is now local agent for the Curtis Publishing Company and other similar concerns of national reputation.
GEN. DONIPHAN-Alexander . W. Doniphan, whose military exploits are briefly chronicled in a previous chap- ter, was closely identified with the early history of Buchanan County. He practiced law at Sparta and at St. Joseph. He was born in Mason coun-
462
BUCHANAN COUNTY AND ST. JOSEPH
ty, Kentucky, July 9, 1808, and came to Missouri in 1830, locating at Lex- ington. In 1837 he moved to Liberty, . where he made his home for thirty years, and then moved to Richmond, where he died Aug. 8, 1887. His first military exploits were against the Mormons, and his second was the fam- ous expedition to Mexico. He was most successful as a criminal lawyer. Nature had endowed him munificent-
has gained a reputation as a first-class apothecary. His store is one of the best in the city. He was married Oc- tober 4, 1881, to Miss Julia Dio, a na- tive of Alabama, and they have one boy and three girls living.
THOMAS J. CARSON was one of the pioneers of the Platte Purchase. Mr. Carson was born in Cocke Coun- ty, Tenn., Dec. 24, 1825, where his father was also born. He married
ANTON BURVENICH
-Photo by Mulvane.
ly; his presence was magnetic and his speech fascinating, and he exercised a great and wholesome influence in a broad sphere.
ANTON BURVENICH, Eighteenth and Frederick avenue, is the oldest druggist in St. Joseph, with forty-nine years practice to his credit. He was born in Germany March 7, 1852, and came to St. Joseph in 1857. He be- gan in the drug business in 1865 and
Miss Sarah Easterhay, Nov. 19, 1846, and in 1851 came with his wife and small children to Platte County, later removing to Buchanan, where he was for many years a successful farmer. His wife died March 22, 1882, having borne him nine children, among them T. Jeff Carson, formerly a member of the local police force. Our subject died March 31, 1899.
463
BUCHANAN COUNTY AND ST. JOSEPH
THOMAS J. DUNCAN, real estate agent, is a native of Missouri, having been born in Gentry County, May 25, . worth, Peabody and Holton. He grad- 1859. When six years of age he re- moved with his parents to Buchanan County, and he received his education in the schools of this county. In 1892 he was appointed road overseer of District 24 by the late Judge Thomas Brown. This position he held for ten years. In 1906 he made the race for
parents to Kansas, where he attended grade and high schools at Leaven-
uated from Northwestern College, Naperville, Ill., in 1904, since which time he has served as pastor of dif- ferent churches in Kansas and Mis- souri. He was appointed to St. Joseph. in 1914.
Rev. Kliphardt served many years" as secretary of the Kansas Confer --
THOMAS J. DUNCAN
sheriff, and again participated in this contest in 1908, but was defeated in both elections. In 1914 he made the race for presiding judge of the county court and was defeated by Judge T. J. Hill. He is a member of the Odd Fellows and the Eagles.
CHARLES F. KLIPHARDT, pastor of First Church of the Evangelical Association, Sixteenth and Locust streets, was born at Wallace, Ontario, Dominion of Canada, May 11, 1878. At the age of nine he moved with his
-Photo by Mulvane.
ence Missionary Society, an organiza- tion carrying on extended work throughout Missouri, Kansas, Okla- homa and Colorado. He did editorial work on the first volume of the His- tory of the Kansas Conference, pub- lished in 1915, and has been honored by his conference with appointment on some of her most important com. mittees. For two years he was treas- urer and a member of the executive committee of the Kansas Conference Branch young people's organization of
464
BUCHANAN COUNTY AND ST. JOSEPH
his church.
He was married July 17, 1906, to Miss Lydia Abbuehl of Valley Falls, Kans., and has one child, Annetta Kliphardt.
E. W. DIENGER, proprietor of "Badischer Hof," 614 Messanie street, was born in Baden, Germany, Dec. 17, 1844, and received a good education; came to St. Joseph in 1867, worked at various occupations and then engaged
born near Pevely, Jefferson County, Missouri, July 22, 1888, as the first son of the Rev. F. E. Rothe, an Evangeli- cal Lutheran pastor. In 1902 he en- tered St. Paul's College at Concordia, Mo., where he completed a six years' course in 1908. The same year he entered Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Mo., where he completed a three years' theological course in June, 1911. He accepted a call from St. Peter's
E. W. DIENGER
in gardening for eight years; kept the Charleston House until 1888, when he moved to his present location, which he owns. August 21, 1871, he married Caroline Beck, who died Sept. 10, 1888, leaving five children. Oct. 21, 1890, he married Emma Aniser, born in St. Joseph.
REV. OTTO ROTHE, pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran St. Peter's church at Fourth and Dolman, was
-Photo by Mulvane.
Evangelical Lutheran congregation, arriving in St. Joseph in August, 1911. Mr. Rothe was married April 18, 1912, to Miss Hulda Schaefer of St. Louis, Mo. The first child, Vera, was born Dec. 15, 1914. Mr. Rothe preaches regularly in the German and in the English language and also conducts a German-English parochial school. He has always been a member of the Evangelical Lutheran church, but has
BUCHANAN COUNTY AND ST. JOSEPH
465
never joined any lodges or secret societies. He resides in St. Peter's parsonage, 415 Dolman Street.
ARTHUR O. LEWARS, of the firm of Snyder & Lewars, painters, is a native of St. Joseph. He was born May 14, 1875 and has spent his life in St. Joseph. He comes from one of the oldest families in this section -- the kind of people that make a com- munity worth while. He took up the
Missouri. His father came here in the early "forties." Mr. Petree spent his entire boyhood in Andrew County. He taught school in Andrew and Gentry Counties and January 24, 1892, mar- ried Rhoda B. Richardson of Gentry County. In 1895 he entered the min- istry of the Methodist church. His first charge was Cosby, a few miles northeast of St. Joseph. He later was pastor at Union Star, King City, Mays-
ARTHUR O. LEWARS
painter's trade in 1895 and has never found it necessary to change. His present partnership was formed four years ago. He is a member of the Odd Fellows and Modern Woodmen of America.
es REV. CHARLES E. PETREE was born near Savannah, Mo., Oct. 1, 1869. His parents were pioneers in le the Platte Purchase. His mother was born at Liberty Landing in 1837, and from infancy has lived in Northwest as
-Photo by Mulvane.
ville and Marceline. Then he served four years as superintendent of the Kirksville district of the Methodist Episcopal church. In October, 1913, he' was appointed pastor of the Huff- man Memorial church of St. Joseph. He has been active in temperance movements, local and otherwise. He has a family of two sons and four daughters. His eldest son, Leo H., served one year as principal of the
n, 1. 2. İs,
be
he
1
.
,
466
BUCHANAN COUNTY AND ST. JOSEPH
Maxwell school, St. Joseph. The sec- ond son, Noel H., is principal of the Central ward school of Trenton, Mo.
WILLIAM L. SCHRAAG, contractor and builder, 2906 Francis street, is a Kansan. He was born in Atchison, July 20, 1881. He was educated in Atchison and at the age of 16 years enlisted in the Twenty-second Kan- sas Infantry. November. 3,. 1899, he enlisted in the First United States
REV. JAMES EDGAR DILLARD, D D., pastor of the First Baptist Church was born in Danville, Va., June 3 1879, and came to St. Joseph in Feb, ruary, 1915. After being educated ir William Jewell College and Washing ton University he took special work in other universities, specially fitting. him for his life's work. He has takern an active interest in educational matt . ters . and held the position of presii
WILLIAM L. SCHRAAG
Infantry and served three years in the Philippines. He was mustered out November 22, 1902. Mr. Schraag came to St. Joseph several years ago and has built up a profitable business as a contractor. He has been the successful bidder for some of the most important jobs let in this section of the country in recent years. He was married to Miss Minnie Haulthaus, of Atchison, March 10, 1900. He is a member of the First Baptist Church.
-Photo by Mulvane.
dent of Clarksburg College 1901-06 Entering the ministry he became pa: tor of Tabernacle Baptist Church Kansas City, Mo., and later held th pastorate of Delmar Avenue Baptis Church, St. Louis. He came from that city to St. Joseph, and althoug he has been a resident here for les than one year his energy and abilit have advanced him to the front ran among the city's progressive and su cessful ministers. Aside from a wor)
BUCHANAN COUNTY AND ST. JOSEPH
467
hg interest in educational institu- ions for fifteen years he has found me to devote to literary work. He as written several books and has een a contributor to some of the ading magazines and newspapers. ev. Dillard has also done much lec- re work and in this field his success as been marked. He was married to Miss Lillian Lee Madison and they ave an interesting family of two chil-
law department of the Missouri Uni- versity the same year. He was grad- uated from the state law school in 1912 and began practicing in St. Jo- seph the same year. He formed a partnership with Joseph Goldman in January, 1913.
REV. J. F. LE CLERE, minister of the gospel, pastor of the First United Presbyterian church, Twelfth and Felix Streets, was born in Dubuque
BENJAMIN L. LIBERMAN
agen, James Edgar, Jr., and Lillian bis.
BENJAMIN L. LIBERMAN, lawyer, is as born in Russia, Nov. 17, 1886. He me with his parents to America hen he was but 7 years old. They me direct to St. Joseph and young E it
berman was educated in the city hools, graduating from Central High chool in 1906. He took his B. A. de- ee at Yale in 1910 and entered the
-Photo by Mulvane.
County, Iowa, Feb. 24, 1881. He grad- uated from Monmouth College, Mon- mouth, Ill., in 1906, and from the Pittsburg Theological Seminary of the United Brethren Church of North America, in 1909. The first year of his ministery was spent in Jeannette, Westmorland County, Pennsylvania. In 1911 he took charge of the Rix Mills United Presbyterian Church of New Concord, Ohio, where he re-
3
468
BUCHANAN COUNTY AND ST. JOSEPH
mained until the fall of 1914, when he accepted the pastorate of the local church. He was married June 12, 1911, to Miss Edna Chalfant of Jean- nette, Pa.
DR. JOHN H. SAMPSON, physician and surgeon, whose office is in the Corby block, Fifth and Edmond, was born in Buchanan County, Jan. 29, 1857. His father, Benjamin, is a far- mer and miller and was born in Illi- nois, while his mother Eliza (Ewell) Sampson is a native of Ray County,
that he might have a more extended field of operation and his success in the city has been in keeping with his expectations. Dr. Sampson was mar- ried Aug. 7, 1878 to Miss Mary J. Par- nell of Buchanan County. One boy and four girls, all now living, have been born to them.
REV. GEO. S. MURPHY, D. D., pas- tor of the First English Lutheran church, Tenth and Charles Streets, was born in Reedsville, Penn., March 4, 1865. He graduated at Wittenberg
Dr. Thomas
Nellie
FAMILY GROUP OF BENJAMIN SAMPSON
Standing (Left to Right)-Richard, Dr. Benjamin, Charles, Albert, William, Belle, Grant, Dr. Clarence. Sitting (Left to Right)-Magdeline, James, Father and Mother, Dr. John, Jesse.
Mo. Our subject early decided on the profession of medicine as the one best suited to him and he prepared himself by attending the Missouri Medical College at St. Louis, graduat- ing in 1881; also with a post-graduate course in 1891. On his graduation, in 1881, he located at New Market, in Platte County, Mo., where he built up a large practice and where he stul has many patrons. March 15, 1885 he lo- cated in DeKalb, remaining in De- Kalb for 11 years. February 19, 1896 Dr. Sampson located in St. Joseph
College, Springfield, Ohio, in 1893, with second honors, and was a mem -. ber of the faculty of his alma materrk from graduation until 1903, when hedl resigned the chair of Greek to enterrT the work of the active ministry. Hiss A first charge was near Mansfield. In 1906 he was called to Peabody, Kans., K a where he soon led the congregation in building the finest church in that sec- tion of the state. In March, 1912, he u came, to his present field and before D a year had passed he was again lead- ing his people in a building enterprise. th
469
BUCHANAN COUNTY AND ST. JOSEPH
resulting in the fine stone church and brick parsonage at Tenth and Charles. 1
He was married in 1906 to Miss Re- becca Weber, of Penn's Grove, N. J., who has the unique distinction of be- ing descended from Roger Williams, through his second as well as his first marriage. George W. Murphy, the only child, is a sophomore at Central High School.
Dr. Murphy is a member of the Phi
Hill Avenue, is a native of the state of Illinois. He was born at Astoria, June 8, 1868. At the age of twelve years he went with his parents to Sabetha, Kans., where he was edu- cated. He came to St. Joseph in Au- gust, 1906. The Farmers' State Bank was organized October 30, 1906, and Mr. Klepper was elected cashier. The growth of this bank has been steady since the day it began business, and
WILLIAM J. KLEPPER
Kappa Psi Fraternity. He is a Knight Templar, a Shriner, and 32° Mason. The Supreme Council, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, conferred upon him the honorary degree of Knight Commander Court of Honor, .t the recent meeting in Washington. n 1914, Midland College conferred pon him the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity.
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.