USA > Missouri > Cooper County > History of Cooper County, Missouri > Part 55
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Edward Cramer was educated in St. Louis University and for about six months he was connected with Judge Heim, at Boonville in the mer- cantile business, prior to locating in Bunceton, in 1867. In the fall of 1862 he went to St. Louis and was employed in a hardware store in that city for some years. He then established his business at Bunceton. In 1878 his store was burned and he rebuilt and began anew. Mr. Cramer took a deep interest in educational matters and was secretary and treas- urer of the old Parrish Institute at Bunceton. Oct. 7, 1875, he was married to Miss Louisa Henley, a daughter of Capt. Samuel Henley, born and reared in Boone County. She died in April, 1913. The children born to Edward and Louisa Cramer are: Catherine M., living in Bunceton ; Otto H., of this review; and Walker, a merchant at Sedalia, Mo.
Otto H. Cramer attended the school of his native town and entered his father's store when a boy. He became thoroughly grounded in busi-
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ness management and business principles and succeeded his father in the store. Mr. Cramer was married in 1907 to Miss Mabel Roeschel, a daugh- ter of the late W. E. Roeschel of Boonville. Mr. Cramer is an independent voter. He is a member of the Christian Church and is a Mason, holding a membership in the Knights Templar and Chapter at Boonville.
Christ Ohlendorf, proprietor of "Evergreen Stock Farm," a valuable place of 224 acres in Clarks Fork township, 11 miles southeast of Boon- ville, is a native son of Cooper County. He was born on a farm in Clarks Fork township, Nov. 19, 1863, sone of Ferdinand and Wilhelmina (Linda- man) Ohlendorf, natives of Germany.
Ferdinand Ohlendorf left his native land in young manhood and came to America, locating in Cooper County, where he married Mrs. Wilhelmina (Lindaman) Fricke, a widow, and settled in Clarks Fork township, becom- ing a substantial farmer and a leading man of affairs. He died on that farm about 1909. His wife died about 1904, and both are buried in the cemetery of the Clarks Fork Lutheran Church. By her first marriage, Mrs. Ohlendorf was the mother of two children, Henry Fricke, of Prairie Home township, and William, now deceased. Mrs. Ohlendorf had been a resident of Missouri since she was eight years of age having at that age accompanied her parents to this country from Germany, the family first locating in St. Louis, and later coming to Cooper County. By her marrige to Ferdinand Ohlendorf she was the mother of seven children, as follows: Ferdinand, deceased; Minnie, wife of Herman Schnack, Boon- Ville; Sophia, wife of William Bewie, Beecher, Ill .; Christ Herman, propri- etor of "Wintergreen Farm," in Clarks Fork township; Emma, Clarks Fork township, who is the widow of John Schmalfeldt, who died in 1904, and Caroline, Boonville.
Christ Ohlendorf was reared on the home farm in Clarks Fork town- ship, and received his schooling in the Lutheran parochial school. As a young man assumed the management of the home place, relieving his father of much of the responsibility, and at the same time for some sea- sons operated a threshing rig until about 1889, when he bought from the Nicholson heirs the farm of 224 acres, on which he is now living, and which he has very appropriately named "Evergreen Farm." After his marriage in the fall of 1890, Mr. Ohlendorf established his home on that place, and has ever since resided there, during that time having made a complete new set of improvements, including farm house and barns. The first barn he built was destroyed by lightning, but he now has three barns, the largest being 48x44, with metal roof and concrete floor. Mr.
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CHRIST OHLENDORF
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Ohlendorf gives a good deal of attention to his live stock, and keeps regis- tered pure-bred Shorthorn cattle, and registered Mulefoot hogs, these latter having had their origin in the Hawaiian Islands and said to be cholera proof. There also is a fine flock of Rosecomb white Leghorn chickens at "Evergreen Farm." By careful treatment of the soil and equally careful sifting of seeds, Mr. Ohlendorf has gained a reputation as one of the most successful prize winners at neighboring agricultural exhibits, having a record of more than 50 premiums awarded his exhibits at the State Fair at Sedalia and at the county fairs in Cooper County, His entry at the State Fair in 1910 netted him more than $400 in premi- ums on products of his farm, corn, clover, oats, etc., and in 1912 at Sedalia he won sweepstakes on the best 10 ears of corn, this premium being $40. With this record it is not to be wondered at that he is constantly answer- ing inquiries for seeds, and he has sold seed corn, especially, in all parts of the State. Mr. Ohlendorf also takes an active interest in general local affairs. He and Horace Windsor and Elza B. Shannon were the first commissioners for the first special road district in Cooper County, the road thus indicated being the road from Rankin's Mill to a point a half mile south of "Evergreen Farm." With the exception of the Meyers hill this road was constructed on a four and one-half per cent grade. Mr. and Mrs. Ohlendorf are members of the Clarks Fork Lutheran Church.
Oct. 23, 1890, Christ Ohlendorf was united in marriage with Anna Barbara Honerbrink, who also was born in this county, daughter of E. F. and Barbara (Aeisle) Honerbrink, pioneers of Prairie Home township, and the former of whom is still living on the home place there. Mrs. Honerbrink died in 1914. To Mr. and Mrs. Ohlendorf have been born five children, namely: Henry, who served with the American Expeditionary Forces in Europe; George, at home; William, who died at the age of eight years; and Alma and Lenora, at home. Henry Ohlendorf, the soldier son, entered the service of the United States Army in September, 1917, and was sent to France in May, 1918. He was at the front from July 5 until wounded, Sept. 27. He then was in a hospital until Nov. 14, when he was returned to his command in France, a member of Company I, 138th In- fantry, 35th Division, until his honorable discharge, May 12, 1919, and is now at home. On Sept. 26, 1918, Private Ohlendorf, with 40 of his com- pany, became lost from their company, and fought alone for an entire day, and when relieved they had captured 40 Huns He was wounded on the next day when holding the line. Gunner Ohlendorf raised up and was shot through the right arm. As a result he is yet badly crippled.
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Col. Albert Gallatin Blakey .- For several years past the people of this country have been greatly interested in the humane manner in which many of the reform institutions of the United States are being conducted. A new profession has sprung into being; different and better methods based upon the teachings of Jesus Christ have been applied to the man- agement of the penal and reformatory institutions where those who have fallen into ways of transgression against the laws of the country have been placed as a punishment for alleged wrong doing. The harsh dis- ciplinarians in the State penal institutions have been replaced in many instances by men of broader outlook, endowed with humane sentiments, and imbued with beliefs that there is some good in every boy or man if the individual is handled properly. Harsh and unrestrained discipline with its ironclad rules of dire punishments for infraction of petty rules governing the conduct of inmates have given place to a kinder, juster, more lovable method which places the unfortunate one upon his honor and gently leads him to better ways of living and is more inclined to assist him to attain true manhood in the end.
Since July, 1917, when Col. A. G. Blakey, superintendent of the Mis- souri Training School, took charge of this important State institution, a marked and pleasing change has taken place, not only in the management of the school, but in the well being and comfort of the unfortunate youths who have been sent to the school from all parts of the State. Colonel Blakey has surrounded himself with officers who were alike in their ideas of management and believe that there is in every boy some latent good which can be developed if he is handled rightly.
The precepts of the Great Teacher are taken as the basis in handling the youths who are inmates of the school. It is the avowed object of the superintendent and his capable assistants to teach the boys who are sent to the school that they must live, act, think and conduct them- selves as the Master would have them do. Actuated by such a laudable and moral idea, it is not to be marveled that during the past two years a wonderful change has taken place in the conditions as they existed at the training school when Colonel Blakey took charge. The boys have been taught the dignity of labor and instructors are at hand to teach them the trade for which they seem best adapted and for which they have an inclination.
At the time Colonel Blakey took charge many of the buildings were in a deplorable condition, plastering had fallen from the walls and ceil- ings, the sanitary conditions were bad, vermin were plentiful in the dor-
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mitories and buildings, the heating arrangements were inadequate and practically everything was in a run down condition.
His first duty was to place the school in a condition which would result in more livable conditions for the erring youths placed in his charge. Handicapped as he was by lack of funds to accomplish the ends sought, he cast about for ways and means to add to the income which the State of Missouri and the counties from whence came the boys allowed him. The past two seasons have been a time of labor shortage. Many of the boys were capable of earning money by assisting the farmers in the vicinity and others who were in need of labor. Hundreds were hired out; a certain portion of their earnings, by law, goes to the upkeep of the institution. By the use of the labor of the boys themselves and the earnings of those who were thus "farmed" out, the run down condi- tion of the buildings was remedied, the noxious vermin were eradicated and precautions taken to prevent their return, the sanitary conditions were made better and bad odors have been absent from the dormitories and toilets, better heating arrangements were installed and an era of well being inaugurated in the training school which has been the marvel of all observers. An entirely new heating plant was placed in the main building. All these things were brought about by the willing co-operation of the officers and boys of the school. The writer was privileged to ob- serve on several occasions during the early spring the splendid team work of the officers and boys in the performance of work about the buildings and grounds. Instead of sullen and vengeful appearing youngsters as are often seen at similar institutions he observed polite and well mannered youths who appeared well fed, contented, and willingly performing their tasks. On different occasions he witnessed the active work of rock road building on the grounds and was told by the officer in charge that the stone had been quarried and crushed by the boys themselves and that the work of building these splendid macadamized drives would be done at little expense to the State. The moral tone of the school is likewise a marvel; little or no restraint is placed upon the boys who are placed upon their honor and taught the precepts of Christianity. For half the day the boys attend school under competent instructors. The other half is devoted to useful employment and recreation. A fine band furnishes music to enliven the hours of the day and evening.
The State Farm in connection with the school was found to be in a run down condition. Gullies were worn on the hillsides and the soil fer- tility was depleted to such an extent that careful methods of conserva-
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HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY
tion and restoring its productivity were necessary. All this has been remedied to a considerable extent. In 1918 there was farmed in addition to the 540 acres owned by the State, an additional 350 acres which were rented on a crop basis. During the season of 1919 there is being farmed nearly 1,000 acres.
Corporal punishments have decreased more than 50 per cent but discipline is enforced as usual and the boys are required to be obedient, clean, courteous, and industrious. Kindness has taken the place of force to a considerable extent and, whereas, in former times the buildings of the school had the appearance of a jail owing to the windows being covered with heavy steel screens, now, the screens have been removed and have been made into corn cribs. Loyalty, faith, and honor in mankind have taken the place of the unbending, blind requirements of past years, and a wholesome, happy atmosphere pervades the entire institution.
Albert Gallatin Blakey was born at Pleasant Hill, Feb. 3, 1874. At the early age of three years he was left an orphan by the death of his father, Col. A. G. Blakey, and was reared to young manhood in Cooper County.
Col. A. G. Blakey, the elder, was one of the noted personages and a striking character of the earlier period of Missouri history. He was born in Warren County, Ky., July 4, 1825, and died July 28, 1877. His father was a son of Scotch-English parents and emigrated from England to America and settled in Ketucky, where A. G. Blakey, the elder, was reared, until 1836. He was a man gifted with the power of leadership and his entire career was a distinguished one such as comes to a soldier, editor, and diplomat. He was well educated. He served his country in the Mexican War and fought with Colonel Doniphan's command. He first enlisted as a captain in the army in 1846 and at the close of the war was a major general of volunteers. He accompanied his parents to Missouri in 1836, and was here reared to manhood. His first business venture was in 1856 when he and a brother settled in Benton County, Mo., establishing a trading post at Cole Camp. He became owner of the land upon which the town of Cole Camp was built, but after leaving that local- ity some years later he paid little attention to his holdings, having the early pioneer's disregard of the eventual rise in the value of lands. Of recent years his son has, in numberless instances, freely given a quit- claim deed to property in Cole Camp and vicinity because of the fact that the original owner was his father. Colonel Blakey served two terms as a member of the Missouri Legislature, in 1858 and again in 1860. Dur-
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ing the administration of James Buchanan he was appointed minister to Chili and served in this capacity prior to the Civil War.
When the Civil War broke out he was elected colonel of the Third Regiment of Missouri, but declined to serve, because of the fact that he still held an affection for the Southland and desired to be loyal to the Union. He spent the war period in Europe and at the close of the war he returned home and located at Pleasant Hill, Mo., where he engaged in the newspaper business. He published the "Pleasant Hill Review" for a number of years prior to his death, took a considerable and influential interest in local and State politics and served three terms as mayor of his home city. During the Crimean War he was again sent to Europe on a diplomatic mission. He was married in 1867 to Miss Sue Tompkins, of Cooper County. She was born in Marion County, Mo., Aug. 3, 1849, and departed this life Feb. 8, 1880. She was a daughter of Hiram A. Tompkins, a native of Virginia, who was one of the early settlers of Missouri and Cooper County. Two children were born to this marriage: Mrs. Fred H. Harris, Eldorado Springs, Mo .; and A. G. Blakey, of this review.
A. G. Blakey of this review, after the death of his parents, was reared in the home of his uncle, William D. Adams, who lived on a farm four and a half miles east of Boonville. He received a good education in the public schools, Kemper Military Academy, Boonville, and Westmin- ster College, Fulton, Mo. For three years after leaving college he worked on the farm of W. D. Haas and then came to Boonville to engage in the real estate business. For seven years he was an officer in the Missouri Training School and while serving in this under capacity he developed the ideas which his present position have permitted him to place in force. In 1898 he became a traveling salesman in the employ of the McCormick Harvester Machine Company. He was next in the employ of the John Deere Plow Company and his last employment as salesman was with the Delker Brothers Carriage Company and while with this concern he had entire charge of the Missouri territory. In July, 1917, Colonel Blakey took charge of the Missouri Training School at Boonville as superintendent.
December 31, 1897, A. G. Blakey and Miss Edith Ells were united in marriage. Mrs. Edith (Ells) Blakey was born in Boonville and is a daughter of William and Clemence Ells, who are residents of this city.
Five children have been born to A. G. and Edith Blakey, as follows: Florence, wife of Robert Jewett, a farmer living east of Boonville; Albert, at home, served six months as an enlisted man in the United States Navy,
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HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY
at Seattle, during the World War; Mary, Clemence and William are at home.
The democratic party has always had the allegiance of Colonel Blakey and the only political office that he has ever held was that of chief clerk in the office of State Auditor John Gordon for a period of six months. He had charge of John Gordon's campaign for the office, a task in which his wide acquaintance throughout the State came into good play. Colonel Blakey organized the State Drummers Association which held its first meeting in 1906, and he served as the first president of the association. Through his energy and organizing ability the membership of the associa- tion attained the large total of 1,300 and this membership is now around 600. Colonel Blakey is a member of the Presbyterian church and is affiliated fraternally with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. Prob- ably no Cooper County citizen has a wider or more favorable acquaintance throughout the State than Colonel Blakey and his splendid success in placing the Missouri Training School in the front ranks of schools of this character is destined to bring him a nation wide renown.
Lorenzo H. Moore, vice-president and secretary of the Hawkins Hard- ware Company, Bunceton, Mo., is a member of one of the oldest Cooper County pioneer families. He was born April 15, 1853 in Palestine town- ship.
J. Henderson Moore, his father was born in Cooper County, in 1821 and was a son of George H. Moore, of Kentucky, who settled in Palestine township in 1817. J. H. Moore died in 1890. He followed farming dur- ing his entire life and was a splendid horseman who bred fine horses. He died in Clinton, Mo., where he had moved in 1888. Mr. Moore became owner of several hundred acres of rich Cooper County land and gave each of his children a farm, owning 220 acres at the time of his death. He was father of three children: Lorenzo H., of this review; J. Warren Moore, with a manufacturing concern, Omaha, Neb .; Hattie, wife of O. N. Dills, retired, Bunceton, Mo. The mother of these children, Mary A. (Mc- Carthy) Moore, was born in Cooper County, in 1823 and departed this life in 1891.
Reared on his father's farm, L. H. Moore received an outright gift of 130 acres of good land from his father when he became of age. He added to this acreage until he owned 183 acres upon which he resided until 1899, when he came to Bunceton. During 1900 he was in the employ
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HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY
of the International Harvester Company as salesman and then embarked in the hardware and implement business.
Mr. Moore was married in 1873 to Miss Josie Tevis, a native of John- son County, Mo., and daughter of Silas Tevis, of a Missouri pioneer family. Two children blessed this union: Bessie, wife of C. D. Corum, of St. Louis, Mo .; Hattie, wife of A. J. Nelson, of Kelly township.
Over 100 years have elapsed since the Moore family came to Cooper County. J. Henderson Moore was one of the "Forty-Niners" who made the long trip to the Pacific coast with a wagon train, hauled by oxen.
L. H. Moore is a democrat and a member of the Presbyterian Church.
Albert S. Chamberlin, farmer and stockman, secretary of the Bell Air Special Road Commission, clerk of the district school board, is owner of a nicely improved farm of 95 acres in Palestine township. His farm is part of the old Chamberlin place upon which his grandfather, John W. Chamberlin, settled in 1858. Near this farm and bridging the Petit Saline creek flowing nearby is one of the few remaining wooden covered bridges in central Missouri, erected in 1856, and still in a good state of repair.
John W. Chamberlin was born in Virginia in 1802 and died in Cooper County, in 1882. He came to Cooper County, Mo., in 1858. His son, Albert M. Chamberlin, father of Albert S. Chamberlin, of this review, was born in 1844, served in the Confederate Army during the Civil War and died in Cooper County, in 1890. He came to this county in 1865, married Bettie A. Barnett, who was born in St. Louis County, Mo., in 1856 later moved to Polk County, and departed this life in 1907. She was a daughter of W. F. Barnett, who married Minerva Thurston of Mor- gan County. The children born to Albert N. and Battie A. Chamberlin are as follows: Grace, wife of Charles Shirley, living three miles east of Speed, Mo .; Albert S .; Clara, deceased; Kellie, wife of Ernest Aldridge, living three miles east of Speed; Barnett G., deceased; George W., living west of Speed; Leonidas H. resides with his brother George.
Leonidas H. Chamberlin was born March 14, 1890, was inducted into the National Army, July 26, 1918, training at Camp Funston became a member of the 28th Field Artillery, Tenth Division, and received his hon- orable discharge from the service Feb. 2, 1919.
John W. Chamberlin accumulated a large estate of 500 acres. His son, Albert M. Chamberlin, had a large farm of 320 acres and both were rated among the well-to-do and substantial citizens of Cooper County.
Albert S. Chamberlin was born March 9, 1875, attended the Billings-
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ville School and the Clarksburg College, afterwards becoming a student in the Pilot Grove College. He has always followed farming and has been successful. He erected his pretty cottage home in 1897. He was mar- ried Nov. 27, 1895 to Miss Florence Shirley, born in Cooper County, Mo., March 7, 1876, a daughter of the late William Shirley. Mr. and Mrs. Chamberlin have one child: Mildred, born March 3, 1897, a graduate of Boonville High School, class of 1918.
Mr. Chamberlin is a democrat. For the past 20 years he has served as school director and clerk of the district school board. He was ap- pointed road commissioner for the Bell' Air Special Road District in 1911 and is secretary of this commission. He is a member of Concord Baptist Church and is affiliated with the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Boonville Lodge, No. 36.
Theodore Brandes, a prosperous farmer and stockman of Clarks Fork township, was born in Germany in 1850. He is a son of Christian and Sophie (Vent) Brandes, both natives of Germany. The Brandes family immigrated to America when Theodore was five years years old. They settled in Iowa, where they remained about a year and a half, when they came to Cooper County, and settled in Clarks Fork township, where the father bought an unimproved farm of 80 acres, for which he paid $5.00 per acre. Here he built a log cabin which was the family home for many years, until the present Brandes residence was erected in 1880, but the old log house still stands on the place. Christian Brandes was an industrious man and a good citizen He died at the age of 74 years, and his wife departed this life in 1897, aged 86 years, and their remains are buried in Clarks Fork Cemetery. They were charter members of the Clarks Fork Evangelical Lutheran Church.
Theodore Brandes was educated in the Pleasant Grove parochial and the public schools of Clarks Fork, and has spent his life in Clarks Fork township, with the exception of about two years. At the death of his father he succeeded to the home place, to which he has added 162 acres, and now owns 282 acres. The place is well improved and one of the valu- able farms of Clarks Fork township. The residence, which was built in 1880, was remodeled and modernized in 1911, and is now one of the fine residences of Clarks Fork township. There are three good barns on the place. Mr. Brandes raises cattle, hogs and sheep, and is an extensive feeder. He has met with success and is one of the progressive citizens of the county. He was formerly an extensive dealer in mules.
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THEODORE BRANDES AND WIFE
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HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY
in Cooper County until 1873 and they then settled on the place now owned by George Oak. The following children were born to John and Margaret Oak: Mrs. Kate Heim; George; Henry, and John, deceased; William, liv- ing on a farm two miles west; Charles, a rice grower in Arkansas; Eliza- beth, deceased wife of James Gault; Catherine, deceased wife of Frank Heim; Margaret, living in Arkansas. The mother of these children died in 1898.
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