History of Cooper County, Missouri, Part 34

Author: Johnson, William Foreman, b. 1861
Publication date: 1919
Publisher: Topeka : Historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1464

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JOHN COSGROVE

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cavalcade they eventually arrived at their destination. Denver, Colo., at that time, was but a small cluster of about 150 shacks. The boys prospected for gold in the mountains, and, like countless others, sought in vain. After the two young adventurers decided that they had had enough of Western mining life. they walked back across the plains. Cos- grove stopped at Nemaha City, Neb., on the western bank of the Missouri River, and bought a skiff with which he intended to journey down the river. Not long after embarking on the journey down the river, the boat struck a hidden snag, filled with water and sank. The unfortunate traveler managed to get on an island in the river, was taken off to safety, and made his way to White Cloud, where he boarded the steamboat, "Jatan," and arrived at St. Joseph, Mo., June 30, 1859. He again worked his way to Quincy, Ill., by way of the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad. From Quincy he took the Burlington Road to Chicago. Young Cosgrove had no money, but the long trip and the outdoor life had so filled him with resourcefulness that he persuaded the captain of the "H. E. Mussey," a lake steamer, to allow him to work his passage to Oswego, N. Y. Dur- ing the second mate's watch some time during the voyage he was called out by the first mate to help furl the topsail. He climbed up the main mast, but was so weak from privation and semi-starvation that he lost his balance as the vessel keeled, and had it not been for his boot catching in the "rattle" where the ropes were criss-crossed he would have gone into the lake. When the vessel rolled back to an upright position he again took hold of the ladder and went down to the deck, dropping a dis- tance of 10 feet. The first mate again ordered him to climb the mast. He was unable to do so and the mate accused him of mutiny and threat- ened him with punishment. The second mate then came on the deck and · espoused his cause. He eventually arrived at Oswego. Young Cosgrove was acquainted with the captain of the steamboat which ran from Oswego down to Alexander and readily received permission to ride home. On the trip the engine of the boat broke down and it was 10 o'clock at night before the boat arrived at her berth in Alexandria Bay. He started out, tired, weary, and hungry, to walk the four miles to his father's home. Two and a half miles on the road he stopped at a famous spring, drank his fill of water that tasted like nectar, rested, and arrived home like a returned prodigal son, at daylight. So ended John Cosgrove's long quest for gold.

Upon his return home, John Cosgrove determined to secure an edu- cation. He attended the select school at Redwood and taught school in St. Lawrence, Jefferson County, N. Y. At the outbreak of the Civil War

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he volunteered for service in the Union Army, but was rejected on ac- count of physical disability or lack of strength. During the Civil War he was first lieutenant of a company of New York National Guards, and in 1864, his company was called for service at St. Albans, Vt., to repulse a rebel attack from Canada, serving for 100 days. While teaching school he read law in the law office of Hubbard & Lansing, Watertown, N. Y. He was admitted to the bar in October, 1863, and practiced in New York until November, 1865, when he came to Boonville, Mo. Mr. Cosgrove arrived in Boonville, Nov. 19, 1865, with a letter of introduction to Col. Jos. L. Stephens, then a prominent citizen of Cooper County.

He was without a single acquaintance in Boonville, but at once en- tered upon the practice of his profession. Being young and inexperienced the way was hard and his upward climb in his profession in competition with some of the leading lawyers of the State, who were then practicing in Boonville, was not without its difficulties and discouragements. He soon won an eviable position as an attorney, and for the past 54 years has enjoyed a lucrative practice. Mr. Cosgrove was elected city attorney of Boonville in 1870, and again elected to the office in 1871. He served one term as prosecuting attorney of Cooper County, being elected to this office in 1872. He was elected Congressional representative from the Sixth District in 1882, and served one term in Congress. Mr. Cosgrove was elected on the democratic ticket in succession to former Congressman John B. Clark. He was a member of the Committee on Post Offices and Post Roads, and the Committee on Private Lands. From this committee he reported a bill to compensate Mrs. Myra Clark Gaines who claimed title to several hundred acres of land which had been granted to General Clark, her father, by the Federal Government.

Nov. 18, 1874, Mr. Cosgrove was married to Georgia Augusta Bliss, a native of Vermont, and cousin to Mrs. Frederick T. Kemper, whose hus- band founded the famous Kemper Military School of Boonville. Six chil- dren have been born to this marriage: John Bliss, James Warden, Ger- trude, George Taylor, Frederick Kemper, and Daniel W.

John Bliss Cosgrove was born in 1875 and died in 1892 at the Uni- versity of Notre Dame, South Bend, Ind., of pneumonia. James Warden Cosgrove was graduated from Missouri State University and is a prac- ticing attorney at Muskogee, Okla. George Taylor Cosgrove died in infancy. Frederick Kemper Cosgrove died in infancy. Gertrude Cos- grove was formerly engaged in Government work, and is now teaching on Long Island, N. Y. She is a graduate of Missouri State University. Daniel W. Cosgrove, the soldier of the family, was born in 1882, gradu-

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ated from Kemper Military School, pursued the regular classical course at the State University, received the Bachelor's degree, and studied law in his father's office. He was admitted to the bar and served for two years as prosecuting attorney of Cooper County, and then became his father's partner. In August, 1917, he enlisted as a private at Chicago, Ill., be- coming a member of the 107th Illinois Infantry. He went into training at Camp Logan, Houston, Texas, and was promoted to a quartermaster sergeant of the first class and was assigned to service with the 108th United States Supply Train for service on the western front in France. Sergeant Cosgrove landed at Brest, France, in May, 1918, and his last station on the firing line was just northeast of Verdun. He was at Cha- teau Thierry, and in the great drive begun by the Americans at that point which resulted in the defeat of the Germans. From Sept. 2 to Nov. 11, 1918, Sergeant Cosgrove describes this great experience as "one continuous roar of heavy guns, bursting shells, and the whirring of air- planes, without cessation"-when the turmoil suddenly stopped at 11 o'clock of Nov. 11-then everything went "dead."

Mr. Cosgrove has had various legal partners during his long years of practice, the firm having been known as that of Cosgrove & Wear, Cos- grove & Johnson, and after his term in Congress he was associated with WV. T. Piggott, who has since served on the bench as judge of the Supreme Court of Montana. Mrs. Cosgrove is a member of the Episcopalian Church. For over 40 years Mr. Cosgrove has been an Odd Fellow. For the past four years he has been a member of the Boonville Board of Education, and was recently elected treasurer of the board. He, with others, organized the Boonville Electric Light Company, and he served as president of the company; J. F. Gmelich was treasurer and later be- came lieutenant governor; C. C. Bell was secretary. When the electric light plant was built by these citizens the price of artificial gas was dropped from the old arbitrary price of $4.50 per 1,000 cubic feet to $1.50 per 1,000. This was not a profitable venture for Mr. Cosgrove, and he acted as president and attorney for the company without receiving any remuneration for his 'services. He was also interested in the project of locating the Sahm Shoe Company here, and made an effort to get the stock subscriptions doubled, but his proposition was voted down by those interested.

The city of Boonville had no water company. John Cosgrove was one of the original incorporators of the Boonville Water Company, of which Col. John S. Elliot, now deceased, was the first president, with Mr. Cosgrove as treasurer and attorney. Mr. Cosgrove had 200 shares in

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the company. They had a 10-year contract with the city for supplying water. The city repudiated this contract, and Mr. Cosgrove lost upwards of $12,000 to $16,000 through this effort to provide Boonville with a nec- essary modern convenience. The Boonville Water Company is the best in Missouri, without exception. At the time these public-spirited men built the water plant everybody in Boonville relied upon cisterns for their water supply. The stock did not pay on the capital invested, and when the city refused to renew the contract Mr. Cosgrove lost $12,000.

When the city of Boonville voted to build a general sewerage system, the City Council hesitated to issue the necessary bonds to finance the undertaking. Mr. Cosgrove thereupon agreed to take the tax bills at 100 cents on the dollar; the sewerage system was established, and today Boonville has one of the best and cleanest sewerage systems in the State.

When the project of paving the main street of Boonville came up for discussion, Colonel Elliot and Mr. Cosgrove went on the bond of Thomas Hogan, the contractor, for the paving of three blocks on Main Street. Colonel Cosgrove then purchased the tax bills so as to pay Hogan for putting down the paving. Some property owners refused to pay. Mr. Cosgrove sued for payment and won in the Circuit Court. The case was carried to the Superior Court and he again was sustained. Since that time the city has built miles of splendid paved streets.

Mr. Cosgrove is a director of the Commercial Bank, and has various financial interests of importance. As a lawyer, he is widely and favora- bly known, careful and painstaking in his practice, tireless and energetic, eloquent in pleading, and more than ordinarily successful in his practice before the courts. As a public speaker, he is logical, forceful, and is elo- quent. Mr. Cosgrove is a commanding and forceful figure in the affairs of Boonville and Cooper County. He is well known throughout Missouri and for many years has been a factor in democratic politics in Missouri. When most citizens of his age are thinking of retirement and taking life easy for their remaining years, he is still attending to business with the same vim as of yore, and all indications are that he will continue to do so for some years to come.

Henry E. Sombart .- Time for the earthly sojourn is allotted to each man; it behooves him to accomplish his work among mankind while he may. The brief half century of time allotted to the late Henry E. Som- bart. deaceased prominent citizen of Boonville, was sufficient for him to achieve a success and leave a name which will go down in local history. Mr. Sombart was one of the best known and successful business men of Boonville and central Missouri-a builder of Boonville, a citizen who be-

HENRY E SOMBART

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lieved in making his home city better and more beautiful-a fitting example of his love of the beautiful being the handsome residence which he built for his family in Boonville. Henry E. Sombart was born in Boonville, June 3, 1863, and died June 7, 1916. He was a son of Judge Charles William Sombart, and grandson of William Sombart, a native of Germany, who immigrated to America and settled in Cooper County in 1837. His mother was Mrs. Catherine (Thro) Sombart.

Henry E. Sombart was educated in the public schools and at Chris- tian Brothers College, St. Louis. When a young man he became associ- ated with his brother, Charles A. Sombart, in the milling business, under the firm name of the Sombart Milling Company. He continued in the milling business until 1908, when he disposed of his interest to his brother, Charles A. Sombart, and retired from active business to a considerable extent. He erected a splendid brick mansion on Fourth Street in Boon- ville in 1892. Mr. Sombart was active in local business and financial enterprises, was a director and organizer of the Farmers Bank of Boon- ville, and was one of the founder of the Citizens Trust Company of Boon- ville. He was owner of several buildings in the city, and was interested in promoting many public enterprises.

Mr. Sombart was married on Nov. 24, 1887, to Miss Julia Sahm, born in Boonville, a daughter of George Sahm, pioneer shoe merchant and manufacturer of Boonville. To this marriage were born the following children: G. William and Harry Edward.

G. William Sombart was born Dec. 8, 1891. He was educated in the Boonville High School and the University of Notre Dame, Ind. He is a partner in the Boonville Ice and Laundry Company of Boonville, and has extensive business interests. Mr. Sombart was married June 10, 1914, to Miss Bernice McCann, of Versailles, a daughter of J. W. McCann. William and Bernice Sombart have one child, Martha Anne Sombart, aged one and a half years.

Harry Edward Sombart, the soldier of the family, was born Feb. 15, 1896, and enlisted in the National Army, Jan. 5, 1918, after receiving four years' training and study at Kemper Military School, from which he was graduated in June, 1916. Private Sombart was in training at Camp Funston, and was connected with the quartermaster's department. He was honorably discharged from the service on March 22, 1919, and is a partner in the Jeff Davis Shoe Co.

George Sahm, father of Mrs. H. E. Sombart, was born in Bavaria,

(24)

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Germany, Aug. 1, 1832, and came to America in 1848. After working at his trade of boot and shoemaker in Sandusky, Ohio, for three years, he came to Boonville. After working at his trade for three years here, he started a shop of his own in the spring of 1855. He built up a tremen- dous trade and expanded his business to such an extent that in 1877 he began the manufacture of his own stocks and for the general markets. In 1876, his son, George W. became his partner, and in 1880, Henry, another son, joined the firm. He was married to Miss Catherine Dick, who bore him the following children: George W., deceased; Mrs. Mollie Mittelbach, deceased; Henry J., Colorado; Joseph, St. Louis; Julia Som- bart, New York City; and Mrs. Katie L. Davis. Mr. Sahm held various official positions in the city such as school director and city councilman. He died Nov 17, 1915. Mrs. Catherine (Dick) Sahm was born in 1834 and departed this life on April 25, 1909.

Henry E. Sombart was a republican. He took no part in political affairs except in such a manner as would benefit his home city. For a number of years he served as chairman of the Boonville Water Works Board, and was active in promoting the success of this undertaking, which has resulted in giving the city of Boonville the finest supply of pure water to be found anywhere in the West. He was a member of Sts. Peter and Paul's Catholic Church, was liberal in his support of this denomination, and in fact was a liberal giver to all charitable and religious enterprises.

Eugene Earle Amick .- The banking career of E. E. Amick, president of the Boonville National Bank, Boonville, Mo., began when he was four- teen years old at Bunceton, his home city. He rose from janitor and messenger boy to the position of cashier in eight years and at that time was in all probability, the youngest bank cashier in the State. After assisting in the organization of the Boonville National Bank in 1916, Mr. Amick was elected president of this concern, which is the largest, most important and the strongest financial institution of Central Missouri, and the strongest in amount of deposits of any bank in cities of the country in population under 5,000.

Mr. Amick was born on a farm in Cooper County, Dec. 3, 1886. His father was Alonzo C. or "Lon" Amick, who was born on a farm in Cooper County in 1853 and died in 1903. Mr. Amick's grandfather, Leander Amick, whose wife was Melissa Lampton, was a native of North Carolina, and was a pioneer settler of this county. Upon attaining manhood, "Lon" Amick married Miss Alice Grey Moore, a daughter of Joseph Moore who

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was a member of one of the oldest of the Missouri pioneer families. Joseph Moore was a son of Major William Hampton and Anne (Cathey) Moore. Mrs. Alice Amick resides at Bunceton and is aged 64 years. The children born to Lon C. and Alice Amick are: Harry Amick, an insur- ance man at Raton, N. M .; Eugene Earle Amick, of this review; and Frances Amick, a teacher in the High School of Butler, Mo.

Since leaving the district school, Mr. Amick has been a constant student and by close application has become well informed. It seems that he was naturally inclined and destined for the banking business. Entering the Bank of Bunceton when but fourteen years of age, he ap- plied himself so diligently and painstakingly to the tasks at hand that he was advanced to the post of bookkeeper at the age of eighteen years. When he was twenty-two years of age he was serving as cashier of this bank. The opportunity presented itself and he came to Boonville and became associated with leading and progressive business men of this city in the organization of the Boonville National Bank, which is capitalized . at $200,000 and has interest bearing deposits of over $2,000,000.

May 23, 1917, Mr. Amick was united in marriage with Miss Gertrude Jones who was also born and reared in Cooper County, and is a daughter of Gilbert F. and Melcina Jones, residents of Bunceton. Mr. Jones has been a farmer and merchant in Cooper County.

Mr. Amick enlisted in the United States navy in July, 1918, and was in training at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station until after the signing of the armistice, when he was released from active duty in Dec., 1918. He is a democrat. He is a member of the Baptist church and is high in Masonic circles, a member of the Mystic Shrine, Ararat Temple of Kansas City and has taken all Masonic degrees excepting the Scottish Rite. He is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias. Personally Mr. Amick is agreeable, companionable and optimistic.

La Roy O. Schaumburg, city attorney of Boonville, Mo., was born in this city, Jan. 22, 1891. His father, Otto Schaumburg, was born in Her- mann, Mo., in 1854, and is the efficient superintendent of the brick manu- factory at Boonville. Upon attaining young manhood. Otto Schaumburg was married to Mary Winkelmeyer, who was born in Boonville in 1855, and is a daughter of Henry Winkelmeyer, a former citizen of Boonville of German birth who followed cabinet making and was a pioncer furni- ture dealer and undertaker of Boonville. Four children were born to Otto and Mary Schaumburg: Martin B., manager for the Baker-Vawter and Wolfe Company at St. Louis; Mamie, at home with her parents; L.

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O. Schaumburg, of this review; Clarence, deputy Circuit Court of Cooper County.

L. O. Schaumburg was educated in the public and high school of Boon- ville and then entered the Gem Business College of Quincy, Ill., where he completed the course of study in Dec., 1909. For the ensuing two years he was in the employ of the Johns-Manville Company, St. Louis. He then returned to Boonville and entered the employ of Judge W. M. Wil- liams as stenographer. This position afforded him the opportunity of reading law under the tutelage of Judge Williams and he remained with the Judge until the latter's death in the fall of 1916. Mr. Schaumburg then passed the bar examination and was admitted to the practice of law on Jan. 3, 1917.

Sept. 2, 1914, Mr. Schaumburg was married to Miss Jennie Barr of St. Louis, who is a daughter of Mrs. Anna Barr. One child has been born of this union: Mary Frances, born March 5, 1916.

Mr. Schaumburg is a republican and is at present serving as city attorney of Boonville, a position to which he was elected in April, 1918. Although one of the younger attorneys of Boonville, he has an excellent practice. Mr. Schaumburg is a young man of pleasing personality and has decided ability in his profession. He is a member of the Evangelical church and is affiliated with the Woodmen of the World.

Hon. Charles Christian Bell .- To obtain a lasting place in the annals of his native city, state, and nation, a citizen must have been not only a doer and creator on his own behalf, but he must have accomplished things of lasting benefit to his fellow men. He should not be selfish and seeking solely to advance his own personal interests, it is necessary that his activ- ities be so linked with the work of the whole people in some one depart- ment which will result in a common good, that history will record of him that "He strove that others might benefit, as well as himself." Many instances in the life story of Charles Christian Bell, a leading citizen of Cooper County and the State of Missouri, when properly portrayed, will indicate that during his entire successful career he has been actuated by a desire to assist his fellow men. Fame comes to a man of that type. More than local recognition usually falls to his lot. His acquaintance among public and influential men who are doers in this world of events, becomes wide and important, for the reason that his abilities and accom- plishments received just and well merited recognition. Such a citizen is Charles C. Bell, of Boonville, Mo., Union veteran, president of the Central Missouri Horticultural Association, "The Apple King of Missouri," and

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public man of affairs, who was born in Altstadt, in the dukedom of Nassau, Germany, Aug. 30, 1848.

John Adam Bell, his father, was born in Germany, on Feb. 3, 1803, and was a son of Henry Bell, who was a son of Thomas Bell. Thomas Bell was a Scotchman, born near Edinburg, and emigrated to Germany, where he established himself in business, and his descendents were men of affairs in their community for generations, until John Adams Bell, father of Charles C. Bell, took part in the Revolution of 1848, led by Carl Schurz, Fred Sigel and others against monarchy and the tyranny of the grandfather of the lately deposed kaiser of Germany. John Adam Bell assisted in organizing volunteers to take part in the movement to estab- lish a German republic. The revolt was crushed, and those who were prominent in the enterprise were compelled to flee the country. Mr. Bell had six sons. He resolved that none of them should ever live under a kaiser. Accordingly, he disposed of his real estate and manufacturing business as best he could, and set sail for America, but met with ship- wreck in mid-ocean. Putting back into Southampton, England, to repair the ship, they made another start, and reached New York. Finally, Mr. Bell, his wife, six sons and two daughters, landed at Boonville, in October, 1854. He bought a farm two miles south, opposite Mt. Sinai schoolhouse, and there spent the remainder of his life in the peaceful pursuit of agri- culture, getting the freedom and liberty which his independent spirit had craved, and for which he had sacrificed so much in his native land.

He planted one of the first vineyards and orchards in that neighbor- hood, and taught his son, Charles C., the art of fruit-growing, thus teach- ing him a business which has been his to follow much of his active life. Mr. Bell died Dec. 11, 1865. His wife, Katherine Sophia (Gross) Bell, was born Jan. 19, 1810, and departed this life Aug. 1, 1868. The children of John Adam and Katherine Bell were as follows: Henry, born Feb. 15, 1830, died May 11, 1904; Wilhelmine, born Feb. 13, 1832, married Casper Manger, two of her sons are now millionaires in New York, died Sept. 13, 1905; Philip, born June 30, 1834, was killed in the Union service during the Civil War; Katherina, born Aug. 27, 1836, died Sept. 18, 1840; John August, born July 17, 1838, killed while serving in the Confederate army under Stonewall Jackson, Oct. 12, 1863; Wilhelm Philip, born Sept. 5, 1840, died Jan. 5, 1841 ; William, born Nov. 29, 1841, died Jan. 9, 1855; Cather- ina, born Jan. 10, 1844, married Adam Cook-whose grandson, Lewis C. Cook, is now superintendent of the Bell Fruit Farm-died Jan. 20, 1896; Herman, born Jan. 22, 1846, died March 8, 1900; Charles Christian, of this

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review; John William, born on his father's farm, Nov. 29, 1856, died Feb. 15, 1906.

Aug. 2, 1864, Charles C. Bell enlisted in the Union service "cavalry." He was captured by Gen. Joe Shelby's command in October, 1864, was held prisoner for two days, and was then paroled, but a few days later he again joined his command and served to the end of the war, and was discharged July 11, 1865. While living at Austin, Texas, he was from 1872 to 1876 a member of the "Travis Rifles," then the best drilled com- pany in Texas. In 1879 he was commissioned by Governor Phelps, first lieutenant of Missouri State Guards, serving three years.

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History of Cooper County, Missouri, Part 34

Author: Johnson, William Foreman, b. 1861 Publication date: 1919 Publisher: Topeka : Historical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1464

Author: Johnson, William Foreman, b. 1861
Publication date: 1919
Publisher: Topeka : Historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1464