History of Howard and Cooper counties, Missouri : written and compiled from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of its townships, towns, and villages : together with a condensed history of Missouri, a reliable and detailed history of Howard and Cooper counties-- its pioneer record, resources, biographical sketches of prominent citizens, general and local statistics of great value, incidents and reminiscences, Part 91

Author: National Historical Company
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: St. Louis : National Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 1198

USA > Missouri > Cooper County > History of Howard and Cooper counties, Missouri : written and compiled from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of its townships, towns, and villages : together with a condensed history of Missouri, a reliable and detailed history of Howard and Cooper counties-- its pioneer record, resources, biographical sketches of prominent citizens, general and local statistics of great value, incidents and reminiscences > Part 91
USA > Missouri > Howard County > History of Howard and Cooper counties, Missouri : written and compiled from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of its townships, towns, and villages : together with a condensed history of Missouri, a reliable and detailed history of Howard and Cooper counties-- its pioneer record, resources, biographical sketches of prominent citizens, general and local statistics of great value, incidents and reminiscences > Part 91

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He then, in 1867, returned to Boonville, and here began his present business. On the 30th of April, 1868 he was married to Miss Cathe- rine H. Franken, originally of Germany. They have seven children : Henrietta M. B., Urban A., Arthur J., Olive S., Augusta A., Oscar F. and William M. A. Mr. aud Mrs. Smith are both members of the Catholic church. Nicholas Meistrell was born in Howard county, Missouri, January 26, 1841, and was a son of Nicholas Meistrell and wife, Barbara, previously a Miss Smith, who came from Prussia to Howard county, Missouri, in 1839. When young Nicholas was a small boy his father, who was a farmer, moved to Chariton county, where the father died a few years afterwards, and in 1853 the mother with her children moved to Cooper county. Until 1860 young Meis- trell was engaged principally in farming, but that year he came to Boonville, and the following year enlisted in company G, Ist infantry, Missouri state militia. But prior to that he had performed service in the Missouri state guards, a union organization. He served in the Missouri state militia until the close of the war, being mustered out in 1865 as regimental commissary sergeant, to which position he had been promoted some time before. After the close of the war he returned to Boonville, where he clerked in a dry goods store until 1867, when he engaged in his present business with Mr. Smith, his brother-in-law. On the 21st of November, 1865, Mr. Meistrell was married to Miss Margaret Franken, originally of Prussia. They have five children : Edward A., Henry, Mary, Joseph and Annie. Both Mr. and Mrs. Meistrell are members of the Catholic church. Mr. Meistrell was for two years a member of the city council.

JOHN W. SMITH,

of the livery firm of Smith & Ragland. Mr. Smith, of the above named firm, whose business is outlined in the sketch of Mr. Ragland, is a business man who has, by his own industry and enterprise, taken a prominent position in the business life of this city, and is highly esteemed by all for his many excellent qualities. Energetic and per- fectly upright, he possesses in a marked degree the two leading elements essential to honorable success in life. He was born in Cooper county, September 27, 1853, and was educated in the common schools. Having been brought up on a farm he adopted that occupation as his calling in life, which he followed in connection with stock dealing un- til he became interested in his present business. His experience in dealing in stock was such as to particularly fit him for the livery busi- ness, and as he was successful in the former, so he is meeting with

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excellent success in his present line. Still a young man, with the start he now has, and with his past experience to aid him, his future prom- ises to be a more than ordinarily bright one. His father, David Smith, is one of the most highly respected citizens of the county.

DAVID SMITH,

farmer, section 16. Of the old citizens and successful farmers of Cooper connty none are more worthy of special mention than the sub- ject of this sketch. David Smith was born in Madison county, Ken- tucky, February 10, 1794, and is one of the only two now living of a family of nine children born to James and Margary Smith, who settled in Kentucky from Ireland in a very early day. Both parents died many years ago in the state of their adoption. David Smith remained in his native county until 1816, and being then twenty years of age came west to seek his fortune in a new country, and settled in Howard county, this state, where his only brother, James, also settled and still lives. He continued a resident of that county, where he settled - on Bonne Femme creek - for seven years, and then in 1823 crossed the river and located permanently on his present farm, in this county, where he has lived for the last sixty years. He has prospered as a farmer, and has reared a large and highly respected family. His homestead contains nearly three-quarters of a section of land, and is in a superior state of improvement. His residence, erected in 1853, thirty years ago, is a very handsome structure, and the fact that it has been so long built, and is still apparently as good as when con- structed, is an index to the general character of his improvements. He was married April 3, 1835, to Miss Sophia MeNichol, of Boone county. They have twelve children : Thomas, Mary, Benjamin, John, Solon, Frederick, David, Jr., Argila, Louvisa, Ida and Forest. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are members of the Presbyterian church. Forest, the youngest son, is still with his father on the farm, and a large share of the responsibility incident to the successful management of the place devolves upon him.

JUDGE C. W. SOMBART,

of the C. W. & J. Sombart Milling and Mercantile Company. Laying aside all the nonsense of life, and looking at it in a plain common sense light, he nearest fulfils an intelligent, practical mission, who, by industry, economy and good management, achieves a substantial snc- cess, and, when his race is run, leaves a sufficient provision for those who are to succeed him, to enable them to make their way in the

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world without having to encounter undue hardships, or to struggle against undue difficulties. Every man owes this much to himself and to his family, and unless all creation is without design, unless men are mere accidents, and are governed wholly by the so-called laws of chance, this is the primary, essential object of his existence, at least so far as this world is concerned. Hence, the man who has the prac- tical intelligence to appreciate this fact, and who goes forward in an even, persevering, honest way, in the discharge of his duty in life, is justly entitled to the considerate respect and esteem of all right think- ing people. Such a man, we may say, by the assent of all, is Judge Sombart, of Cooper county. Strictly honest and of untiring industry, he has labored in season and out of season for nearly fifty years, from penniless youth to approaching old age, rewarded by an ample com- petence of this world's goods. Such a career any man would well be proud of, and, unfortunately, many cannot boast. He was born in Prussia, May 2, 1820, and, in 1837, came to this country with his parents, settling in Boonville, this county. He followed farming until 1849, when he was attracted to the Pacific coast by the California gold excitement. He remained in California until the fall of 1851, engaged in mining, and then returned to Cooper county, where he and his brother, J. Sombart, bought a flouring mill, and began their milling career, which has extended over a period of thirty-two years, and has been characterized by the most marked success. They commenced with a small, old-fashioned mill a short distance below their present stand, but a few years afterwards acquired the property they now own, and by additions and improvements from time to time, have increased it in value and importance until now it is one of the finest and largest mills in the state, outside of St. Louis, and is probably the best and most valuable piece of mill property in central Missouri. It has a daily capacity of two hundred barrels of flour, has seventeen pairs of Stevens' rollers, a hundred and twenty horse power Corliss engine, two twelve six inch flue boilers, twenty feet long and four feet in diameter, and is in every way supplied with the latest and best machinery. Within the last two years they have improved it to the value of over $30,000, and it is now prepared to make by the same process, and the same class of machinery, the quality of flour made by the celebrated mills of Minneapolis, perhaps the finest in this or in any other country. In short, the Sombart Brothers have gradually built up from a small beginning one of the great mills of the west, and they are justly classed among the successful and leading millers of the country. The flour they make sells in the market side by side

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with the Minneapolis flour, notwithstanding the mills of that city nse the hard spring wheat of the north. Most of the flour of this firm is shipped to St. Louis and New York, in both of which markets it is in great demand. Such is the reward of intelligent industry, and of frugal, economical management. If the citizens of any community generally would do as well as these gentlemen have done, the country, prosperous as it is, would be beyond comparison far more prosperous. Aside from his milling interests, Judge Sombart has been engaged in various lines of business, and although having no ambition for public position or political distinction, has been called to serve the people in various capacities, and among the rest as judge of the county court, a position he filled with strict fidelity and efficient business-like ability. On the 6th of January, 1852, he was married to Mrs. Catherine Thro, originally from Germany, and they have seven children : William A., Kate, Charles A., Fannie M., Frank S., Robert V., and Hannah E.

CAPT. JULIUS SOMBART,

of the C. W. & J. Sombart Milling and Mercantile Company. Mr. Sombart is a brother to Judge Sombart, of the preceding sketch, and all that is said there with regard to the character of the latter, applies with equal truth to the former. Mr. S. possesses in more than a usnal degree the distinguishing traits of the German character, steady, patient industry, intelligent, practical economy, and sensible, good management of the affairs in hand. If real enterprise consists in building up a country, in making it wealthy and prosperons by its individual citizens becoming so themselves, through industry and frugal management, then Julius Sombart is one of the real enterpris- ing men of Cooper county, and if this is not enterprise, what is? The men who build up a country, not the men who stand around and talk enterprise, are its real enterprising citizens ; and by his own exertions Mr. S. has added as much perhaps to the wealth and prosperity of this county as any man in it. He was born in Germany, in June, 1825, and came over with the family in 1837. In youth he learned the blacksmith trade, which he followed several years, but, in 1849, in company with his brother, C. W. Sombart, and others, he went to California, returning three years afterwards, and then entered upon his milling career with his brother, as noted in the latter's sketch. In 1861 he served in the Missouri state militia about three months, and afterwards enlisted in an independent company, of which he was first lieutenant for a time, and during part of the service had command of the company. In this he continued about seven months, and then re-

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sumed private business, to which he has since devoted his whole time and attention. He was married in 1856 to Miss Louisa Breneisen, origi- nally from Germany, but she died a number of years afterwards, leaving him five children : William J., John E., George H., Joseph L. and Nora L. Mr. Sombart's father was also a native of Prussia,. and for some time, while he lived there, was an engineer in the service of the government. His mother, before her marriage, was Miss Julia Westhoff, likewise originally of that country.

AUSTIN P. SPEED,

proprietor of Speed's livery establishment. Mr. Speed, although com- paratively a young man, being now just past his thirty-second year, has long since taken rank among the most prominent business men of Boonville, and of this section of the state. His early advantages were more than ordinarily good - he came of one of the best families of Cooper county, and, as he grew up, received an advanced school and university education. At the age of eighteen he started out in life on his own responsibility, securing as his first employment a position in the office of the Missouri Republican as superintendent of carriers, which he held for three years, and until he resigned it to accept the office of assistant manager of the St. Louis branch of Dun's commer- cial agency, the principal commercial agency of the United States. In that he continued two years, when his resignation was offered and accepted, in order that he might become superintendent of the Boon- ville, St. Louis and Southern railroad, of which Colonel J. L. Stephens was at that time president. This position he filled for five years and then engaged in private business, buying out a livery establishment in Boonville, which he has since conducted. His building is a handsome new three-story brick, built by him expressly for the purpose. In its construction, regard was had as much to its architectural appearance as to its adaptability to the purposes for which it was intended. The result is that, situated as it is, in the heart of the city, it compares favorably, in style and finish, with the best class of business houses. He has over fifty head of stock devoted exclusively to his livery busi- ness, and his stable has a capacity for seventy-eight head more. His stock of horses is of a very superior quality, and includes some as fine driving and saddle animals as there are in central Missouri, a section, by the way, celebrated for its fine stock. Space cannot be given to describe them in detail, but suffice it to say that they are conceded to be one of the best collections of livery animals, number considered, in the state. The rolling stock and harness are all that the most fastid-

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ious could require. For brilliancy of turnouts, Mr. Speed can put rigs on the road that would ornament any drive-way in the west. His stock of vehicles includes every variety of the best qualities and latest styles of buggies, carriages, coupes, etc. He also has an extraordi- narily elegant and richly finished hearse, probably the finest in the state outside of St. Louis. Mr. Speed also has a telephone wire from his office communicating with all the hotels, depots, business houses, offices, etc., in the city, aud with Old and New Franklin in Howard county. His business is conducted with as much circumspection and dignity as that of any business house in Boonville, and illustrates in a striking manner the truth of the old adage that " the character of the man makes the character of the business." As a citizen he is up- right and public-spirited, and as a neighbor he is kind, and true al- most to a fault. Still a young man, his life promises many years of usefulness to the community and to his family and friends. Mr. Speed's personal biography may be given in a few words. He was born in this county May 28, 1851, and was the third of a family of seven children, three of whom only are now living. His parents were both natives of Kentucky, but came to this county early in life, where they married and reared their family. His father, William P. Speed, was born in 1816, and came to Cooper county in 1840. He died here June 27, 1863. He was a man of sterling integrity, superior intelli- gence and a successful, prominent farmer, respected and esteemed by all who knew him. His wife survived him about eighteen years, dying in this county November 28, 1881. Her maiden name was Sarah Ardell Hutchison, daughter of Colonel Jack Hutchison, an early settler of this county. She was a lady of more than ordinary culture, and was a noble, Christian wife and mother. Coming of such parents, it is but natural that young Speed should have developed the many excellent qualities he has proven himself to possess. After at- tending the ordinary schools in early youth he had the benefit of a course of study in Butler academy, of Louisville, Kentucky, at the conclusion of which he entered the university of Lexington, in that state, where he acquired a more advanced education. From Ken- tucky he came to St. Louis, since which his career has been briefly traced above. On the 22d of December, 1870, he was married to Miss Susie P. Jeter, a refined and accomplished young lady of St. Louis, and their union is blessed with five children, Lloyd J., Willie P., Estella, Cora and Memmie. Mr. S. is a member of the A. O. U. W., and in 1883 was elected a member of the city board of al- dermen.

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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.

JUDGE JOHN D. STARKE,

collector of Cooper county, Missouri. A life ofindustry, uprightness and good management has placed Judge Starke among the first farmers of Cooper county, and his well known business qualifications and per- sonal popularity have secured for him one of the most responsible of- ficial positions in the gift of the people. Judge Starke is essentially a self-made man, for he started out in life in early manhood with but little to commence on, save his own ability to work, an ordinary, good education, and a brave-hearted resolution to succeed. How well he has kept his purpose and realized it, is shown by his situation in life to-day. He was born in Kanawha, Virginia, now part of West Vir- ginia, August 3, 1842. His fatherwas Dryden Starke - native of that state - and his mother's name before her marriage was Miss Sarah Pryor, of the distinguished Pryor family of Virginia. When John D. was less than a year old his parents moved to Missouri and settled in Cooper county. Here the son was reared, and was educated in the common schools. He grew up on his father's farm, and naturally be- came a tiller of the soil himself, which he followed faithfully, intelli- gently, and with the most satisfactory success ; and, although now called to look after the public affairs of the county. he still devotes a part of his time and attention to his agricultural interests. In 1880 he was elected a member of the county court, filling the office with such ability and fidelity that at the next election, in 1882, he was elected to a still more responsible position, that of tax collector of the county, an office requiring, above all others in county affairs, good business qualifications and the most unimpeachable, spotless integrity. This trust he is now discharging. On the 5th of October, 1861, he was married to Miss Mary A., daughter of Thomas L. Stratton. Judge and Mrs. Starke have seven children : Sarah P., Dryden L., Josephine B., Mary R., Nora Lee, Pauline and Howlette Rogers.

COLONEL JOSEPH L. STEPHENS, DECEASED.

The life of Colonel Stephens was valuable above the lives of most men, not more for the practical good he did, which of itself is beyond estimation, than for the great lesson it tanght - that what the world prizes most - wealth and distinction - may be attained without doing a wrong act, indeed, with unceasing efforts to help others and to promote the general welfare. At a time when the be- lief was rapidly spreading that only those could rise to fortune who were wholly sordid and were unscrupulous enough to employ any

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means to accomplish their end, he led a singularly pure and generous life, and, although it was an unusually short one, it was extraordinarily successful. Starting out on his own responsibility while still a youth and without means or the advantage of influential friends, before he reached the meridian of manhood he had become one of the first citi- ens of the state -among the first in proved ability, in wealth and in public affairs, and above all in the respect and confidence of the people. His purposes were upright and his methods just. If a dis- honorable act had been the price of his success he would never have succeeded. Possessed of a high order of ability and of unswerving integrity, he was above the temptations-that often wreck the moral character of weaker men. Animated by an honorable ambition, and of untiring industry, his career was onward and upward from the be- ginning, and, doing " good unto all men and evil unto none," he at last closed a life, brief though it was, that has had but few equals in all that goes to form a useful and noble man. As a lawyer he occu- pied a conspicuous position at the bar while he practised, and after- wards as a financier he was a brilliant success. In public life he was more sought after than seeking, and if the preference of the people had not been sacrificed to the exigencies of a convention, he would have been the governor of the state. In all movements looking to the material development of the section with which he was identified he was the recognized leader both for his ability as an organizer and for his public spirit. Among the many enterprises that perpetuate his memory is the Osage Valley and Southern Kansas railroad, for which the public is indebted almost alone to his genius and energy. Of him personally another has said : " All in all, Joe Stephens, as he was familiarly known, was a brave, generous and true gentleman. Springing from a race of commoners he was never above the people, but lent a ready ear to every tale of distress, and his money was freely given for every deserved charity. His tastes were purely do- mestic and he lived a remarkably blameless life, for never was a sus- picion of wrong-doing breathed against his name. Chivalrous and simple-minded in his intercourse with men, his trust was frequently betrayed, but he cherished no malice toward any man and died with- out a known enemy." Joseph L. Stephens was a native Missourian, born in Cooper county, January 15, 1826. His father, Lawrence C. Stephens, was a native of Virginia, and his mother, Margaret C. Moore, was born in North Carolina. They were married in Cooper county, Missouri, and were among the first settlers and most re- spected citizens of this portion of the state. His father was a farmer

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and a man of far more than average ability. He represented his dis- trict in the legislature and filled various public offices. He died in 1873, leaving a widow and seven children, of whom Joseph L. was the second. In his youth Joseph assisted his father upon the farm and attended the common schools. Even while engaged in farm du- ties he assiduously employed his leisure hours in study. Without entering upon the classics he was yet sensible of the immediate and practical value of a thorough English and literary course, and there- fore made every effort to make his acquirements thorough and exact. His education was completed at the high school of Boonville, when he was found to be well versed in grammar, logic, ancient and modern history, philosophy, astronomy, mathematics, and other English branches.

In 1844, at the age of eighteen, he commenced the study of law in the office of Hon. John G. Miller, a man of superior attainments, and an able jurist who had represented his district upon the floor of congress for two terms. To the study of his chosen profession the young student applied himself with great assiduity, spending a few months home of each year teaching school as a means of supporting himself while prosecuting his legal studies. While still a student, our country became involved in the Mexican war, and in response to General Gains' call for volunteers he enlisted in a company raised in this county. The youngest in a company of 110 men, his popularity made him the choice of all for its captain. The company was a por- tion of the force designed for the relief of General Taylor. It was mustered into the United States service by Colonel Robert Campbell, and ordered to quarters at Jefferson barracks. While there dis- patches conveyed the intelligence that Taylor had already been re- lieved, and the company was sent to Boonville subject to order. In 1847 he had completed his legal studies and entered upon the practice of his profession with flattering success. Among the distinguished members of the Boonville bar at that time were Benjamin Tomp- kins, J. W. Draffin, Emmett R. Hayden, William Douglass, John B. Clark, Sr., John G. Miller, Abiel Leonard, Peyton Hayden, John C. Richardson, W. D. Muir, and Washington Adams, the last six of whom are registered among the dead. An earnest and formidable speaker, a close, logical thinker, as well as a good student and care- ful, painstaking practitioner, Captain Stephens soon commanded a widely extended and lucrative practice. In 1857 he became associated in practice with George G. Vest, present United States senator from this state, which partnership continued until broken up by the war.

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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND COOPER COUNTIES.

Captain Stephens afterwards became a member of the bar in the court of claims at Washington, D. C., and of the bar in the supreme court of the United States, continuing in practice there until 1864, when a painful, and it was feared dangerous, affection of the throat forced him, in compliance with medical advice, to abandon the pro- fession of his choice in which he had spent over seventeen years, to which he was devotedly attached, and in which he had long enjoyed a high reputation. Previous to the war he had been a member of the banking house of William H. Trigg & Co., of Boonville, a house doing an extensive business in central Missouri, which divided the capital stock on account of the war. In the management of that institution, ho vever, he took no personal part any further than as its advisor and attorney. In 1864 he opened a private banking house in this city, and the year following organized the Central National bank, one of the most successfully and honorably conducted institutions in the state. Besides the presidency of this bank he held directorship in the following named banking houses : The St. Louis National ; National Valley, of St. Louis ; Moniteau National, California, Mis- souri ; Bank of Tipton ; Pleasant Hill National bank, and the First National Bank of Fort Scott, Kansas.

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Author: National Historical Company Publication date: 1883 Publisher: St. Louis : National Historical Co. Number of Pages: 1198

Author: National Historical Company
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: St. Louis : National Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 1198