USA > Missouri > Pettis County > History of Pettis County, Missouri > Part 71
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Clemens Honkamp was born in Germany in 1854 and came to America with his parents, Clemens and Elizabeth Honkamp, in 1866. The family located at Covington, Kentucky, where Mrs. Honkamp died. In 1869 Clemens Honkamp, the elder, located in Ford County, Kansas, where he homesteaded land near Windhorse, Kansas, residing there to the end of his days, dying at the great age of ninety-two years. The Honkamp children are as follow: Mrs. Bernadina Shundebock, deceased; Mrs. Cath- erine Bottenbaumer, Ford County, Kansas; Henry H., Joliet, Illinois ; Clemens, subject of this sketch; Antonio, Joliet, Illinois.
Mr. Honkamp learned the trade of cigarmaker in Covington, Ken- tucky, and came to Sedalia in 1876 as previously stated. He was first married in 1878 to Catherine O'Brien, of this city. She died in 1881,
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leaving one son, Clemens Honkamp, Jr., who is now an income tax in- spector for the United States Government, and was formerly an internal revenue collector. Mr. Honkamp's second marriage took place in 1888 with Anna Glahu of Booneville, Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Honkamp reside at 502 North Prospect street.
Mr. Honkamp has generally taken an active and influential part in political and civic affairs during his long residence in Sedalia and is widely and favorably known as an honest and censervative business man, whose energies have added materially to the wealth of good citizenship in Pettis County. He served two terms as a member of the Sedalia City Council, and filled the office of treasurer of Pettis County from 1902 to 1904 with credit to himself and the satisfaction of the people of the county.
Joseph Fisher McDougall, freight agent of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas, Sedalia, Missouri, is one of the widely-known railroad men of the West, and for over half a century has been identified with railroading. He was born in Washington County, New York, February 19, 1851, a son of Daniel and Mary N. (Hanks) McDougall, both natives of Wash- ington County, New York. The father died in Chillicothe, Missouri, in 1888. He came West in early life, and was one of the pioneer merchants of Quincy, Illinois. About 1870, he came to Missouri and located at Chilli- cothe, where he was engaged in the mercantile business until the time of his death. His wife, Mary N. (Hanks) McDougall, departed this life in 1892, and her remains are interred in the Sedalia Cemetery. She was a daughter of Colonel Joseph Hanks, who was commander at Fort Ticon- deroga. New York, and for a number of years was prominent in the political affairs of New York State, having served in the capacity of canal commissioner.
Daniel and Mary (Hanks) McDougall were the parents of the follow- ing children: Ebenezer, resides at Hanksville, Utah, a town which was named in honor of his uncle; Joseph F., the subject of this sketch ; Jennie, married J. H. Reeves, Kingsville, Missouri; DeWitt C., an employe of the Missouri Pacific Railroad Company, Sedalia, Missouri.
Joseph Fisher McDougall was educated in the public schools of Quincy, Illinois. He came to Missouri August 17, 1868, as manager for the Illinois and Mississippi Telegraph Company, at Canton, Missouri. From there he went to Minneapolis, Minnesota, as manager of the Mis- sippi Valley Telegraph Company. In 1870 he came to Clay County, Mis- souri, and was agent for the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad, at what is
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now Birmingham. In 1873 he entered the employ of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad and went to Vinita, Indian Territory, for that company. In 1877 he became train dispatcher for that company, with headquarters at Sedalia, and served in that capacity until in 1881, when he was pro- moted to chief train dispatcher of the road. In 1884 he was appointed division superintendent, and served in that capacity for two years, when, owing to a change of management of the road, he resumed his old position as train dispatcher, filling that position until 1888, at which time he became freight agent, and has held that position until the present time.
Mr. McDougall was united in marriage in September, 1873, with Miss Mary M. Linderman, of Clay County, Missouri. She is a daughter of J. M. and Eliza Linderman, who were early settlers in that section of the State, and both are now deceased. Mr. Linderman was a very successful man, and at the time of his death was one of the largest land owners in Clay County. To Mr. and Mrs. McDougall have been born the following children: Zippie M., married Charles Baker, Detroit, Michigan; Ronald, a telegraph operator in the employ of the Missouri Pacific Railroad Com- pany at Pleasant Hill, Missouri; Mary M., married Holmes Hall, an attor- ney and former State senator, Sedalia, Missouri; Titinia, Sedalia, Mis- souri; Josephine, died at the age of eighteen years. Zippie McDougall, who is now the wife of Charles Baker, is a talented artist and has painted a number of portraits of high merit. One of her most valued works of art is now in the art gallery of the Missouri State Historical Society. It represents a scene of the killing of General Zollicofferat, at Mills Springs, Kentucky, in 1862, by Colonel Frye. This picture was reproduced by Mrs. Baker from a picture that appeared in Frank Leslie's Magazine, and has been pronounced a masterpiece by some of the leading art critics of the country.
Joseph Fisher McDougall has to his credit a long and honorable career in the important industry of railroading, and no man stands higher ยท in the community than he.
Dr. Edwin Duffield Holbert, a prominent osteopath of Sedalia, is a native of Iowa. He was born at Keosauqua, Iowa, February 21, 1877. He is the son of William T., and Sarah (Stevenson) Holbert. The father was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, in 1836, and died at Keosauqua, Iowa, in November, 1913. The mother now resides at Keosauqua, Iowa, at the age of seventy-nine years. To William and Sarah Stevenson Holbert were born the following children: Mrs. Margaret E. Cameron,
.
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Keosauqua, Iowa; Mrs. Mary Rhodes, deceased; William Scott, Lamar, Colorado; George B., an attorney, New York City; Mrs. Belle Northcraft, deceased; Mrs. Emma May Seigle, Muscatine, Iowa; Mrs. Gertrude Mor- rison, Rapid City, South Dakota; Dr. Edwin D., the subject of this sketch ; Charles M. LaMoure, North Dakota, and H. Herman, Vandale, Arkansas.
Dr. Edwin Duffield Holbert, was reared in his native town in Iowa, and received his education in the public schools. He was graduated from the Keosauqua High School, and then attended Highland Park College, Des Moines, Iowa. He then entered the American School of Osteopathy, where he was graduated January 28, 1904, with the degree of Doctor of Ostopathy. Shortly after completing his course Doctor Holbert located in Sedalia, where he has since been engaged in the practice of his profes- sion, where he has built up a well-merited. extensive practice. He is a close student of the science of his profession, and ranks among the most skillful and successful osteopaths of the State.
Doctor Holbert was united in marriage August 27, 1901, with Miss Margaret M. St. John, a native of Moulton, Iowa, and a daughter of Fletcher and Marien St. John. Mrs. Holbert's parents are both deceased. Her father died at Fort Dodge, Iowa, in 1891. He was a Union veteran of the Civil War, having enlisted at Keokuk and served in Company K, 15th Iowa Infantry. Fletcher and Mary St. John were the parents of the following children: R. M., deceased; Margaret Myrtle; Florence, the wife of Dr. James A. Craig, Keosauqua, Iowa.
To Dr. and Mrs. Holbert have been born the following children: Edwin D., Jr .; William Fletcher, died in infancy ; Margaret Marien, and Florence Gertrude.
Dr. Holbert is a member of both the National and State American Osteopath associations, and has been prominently identified with these organizations for a number of years. He served one term as president of the State Association, and was its treasurer in 1908 and 1909.
W. J. Menefee, a leading merchant of Sedalia, is one of the conspicu- ous figures in the business affairs of Pettis County. Mr. Menefee is a native of Pettis County and is a descendant of one of the pioneers of this section. He was born in this county April 25, 1877, son of George T. and Mary L. (Thorpe) Menefee.
George T. Menefee was born in Knox County, Missouri, December 4, 1841, and came to Pettis County with his parents, who settled near George- town. In early life George T. Menefee went to Saline County, where he
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was engaged in farming for a time, but soon returned to Pettis County and followed farming until about 1889, when he removed to Sedalia and engaged in general contracting. During the last few years of his active career he devoted himself almost exclusively to street paving and probably did more of that class of work in Sedalia than any other contractor. George T. Menefee was married in 1868 to Miss Mary L. Thorpe, of Saline County, Missouri. She is a daughter of Richard Thorpe, who was a prominent pioneer of Saline County and at the time of his death owned over 1,000 acres of land.
To George T. Menefee and Mary L. (Thorpe) Menefee were born the following children: Mrs. Louise Holman, McLinville, Oregon; Mrs. Anna Grant, Portland, Oregon; Mrs. Mildred Yater; George, Jr .; Joseph W .; W. J., the subject of this sketch; John T. and L. J., all of Sedalia. The father, George T. Menefee, died and the mother now resides on North Grand avenue, Sedalia.
W. J. Menefee was educated in the public schools and Central Busi- ness College at Sedalia. After finishing school he drove team for his father for about five years, during which time he hauled material for paving most of the streets of Sedalia. When he was only seventeen years of age he hauled 375 cords of wood from "Pin Hook" bridge, eight miles from Sedalia, making two trips each day. After remaining with his father about five years, Mr. Menefee engaged in business for himself. He is and has been for twenty-five years active in a variety of business enterprises, and has met with uniform success in all his undertakings. He conducts a grocery store at 402 West Second street, and also operates a coal and wood yard and an extensive livery and feed stable. The latter is located on Main and Maniteau streets and occupies one-half block. The coal yard is located at 715 East Third street. Besides these multifarious interests Mr. Menefee is also interested in farming and at the present 1 time has about 300 acres devoted to wheat.
Mr. Menefee was united in marriage June 16, 1898, with Miss Mabel A. Brown, a daughter of A. W. and Lydia (Rogers) Brown, of George- town, Missouri. The Brown family came from near Cleveland, Ohio, to Pettis County in 1881. The parents now reside on their farm near George- town. Mrs. Menefee is one of the following children born of her parents : Forest, an electrician in the employ of the United States Government ; Grace, married James Capen, Sedalia, Missouri, and Mabel A., married W. J. Menefee, the subject of this sketch.
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To W. J. Menefee and wife have been born the following children: Eldred, now a student at Westminster College, at Fulton, Missouri; and Irene, married Clay Harned, Sedalia, Missouri. Mr. Menefee is one of the substantial business men of Pettis County, and the Menefee family stand high in the community.
Col. Charles J. Hieronymus, of Sedalia, is one of the best known and most successful auctioneers in the State, and, in fact, his name and fame as an auctioneer, is by no means confined to the boundaries of Missouri. Colonel Hieronymus, is a native of Missouri and belongs to one of the pioneer families of this State. He is a son of Charles Rector and Mary Susan (Kemp) Hieronymus. The father was a native of Clark County, Kentucky, born in 1810. He was twice married and was the father of eighteen children. His first wife was Miss Mary France, and the following children were born to this union: Charlotte, died in in- fancy ; John Henry; Mollie; Sallie; Nannie; Frank; Benoni; Vassie; and Bettie. After the death of his first wife, Charles Rector Hieronymus was united in marriage with Miss Mary Susan Kemp and the following children were born to that union: Willie A., a daughter; Charles J., the subject of this sketch; Susie; Wesley; Eliza, Minnie; Hope; R. C .; and Kemp.
Charles Rector Hieronymus died in 1890, at Longwood, Missouri. His second wife died in 1899 and their remains are interred at Long- wood, Missouri. His second wife died in 1899 and her remains are interred at Longwood, Missouri.
Colonel Charles J. Hieronymus received his education in the public school and Central Business College, Sedalia, Missouri. He has made auctioneering his life's work and is recognized as one of the most capable in his line. His field of activity covers seven States, and he has made a great success in selling farms at auction, as well as in other avenues of his profession. He conducts thoroughbred and other stock sales regu- larly for some of the most prominent breeders throughout the country. Since he started in business, he has regularly conducted the stock sales of L. M. Monsees, one of the largest breeders of the country. Colonel Hieronymus also conducts the regular stock sales at the far-famed Long- view Stock Farm near Lee's Summit, Missouri. He has also conducted sales for Col. Henry Exall, State Fair Grounds, Dallas, Texas. He con- ducted a two-days' cattle sale at New Orleans, Louisiana, which is said to be the largest sale of its kind on record.
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The first sale which Colonel Hieronymus ever conducted, was for William Beshears, at Longwood, Missouri, and in recalling the circum- stances of this sale, the Colonel says that he was so scared on his initial experience, as an auctioneer, that he forgot his own name. He says someone asked him what his name was and he answered, "Curry."
Colonel Hieronymus was married December 31, 1905, to Miss Carrie Dell Fay, of Jefferson City, Missouri. One son has been born to this union, Charles Damon, age nine years. Colonel and Mrs. Hieronymus are well known and stand high in the community.
Francis McAllister, a well-known citizen of Sedalia, who has been identified with this city for thirty-five years, is a native of Ireland. He was born in County Down, and spent his early boyhood days in his native land, where he received a common-school education. When about fifteen years of age, he went to Glasgow, Scotland, and later he went to Eng- land and from there to Holland. When about nineteen years of age he immigrated to America. He lived in Brooklyn, New York, for a short time and from there went to Chicago. He was a traveling sales- man for a few years, and first came to Sedalia in 1880.
In 1886, Mr. McAllister settled here permanently and three years later engaged in business for himself which he continued for eighteen years. During his career, Mr. McAllister has been greatly interested in race horses and has owned some good ones. His horses have been entered in a number of races throughout this section of the country and he was considered a successful race horse man. He was the owner of "Billy Owens," a pacer, with a record of 2:17; and "Tuscan," a trot- ter, with a record of 2:21. These were Kentucky bred horses and were considered very fast for their time, and both won many purses for their owner.
Mr. McAllister was united in marriage at California, Missouri, Janu- ary 6, 1886, to Miss Sophia Meyer, a daughter of Gottlieb G. and Dora (Kramer) Meyer. To Mr. and Mrs. McAllister have been born two sons: Michael, a wholesale produce dealer at Ft. Wayne, Indiana, married Nora Filbert, of Ozark, Missouri, and they have two children, Marie and Fran- cis; and Edward, an auto machinist, who resides in Sedalia.
Mr. McAllister is independent in his political views, but has always taken a keen interest in public affairs. He was president of the Equaliza- tion party of Missouri, and was State chairman of the People's party, State convention, held at Sedalia in 1890. He is a member of the Catho- lic Knights and Ladies of America.
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An incident in the life of Mr. McAllister, which indicates his gene- rosity, was the occasion when Cox's celebrated army passed through the vicinity of Sedalia. It appears that it was the policy of General Cox's marching legions to derive their sustenance, chiefly by contribution from the citizens along the line of march. When they encamped about six hundred strong, near Sedalia, their commissary supplies were in the regular depleted condition, and the great host of marching reformers had to be fed. The army remained for three days, and the duty of supplying food for them devolved upon Mr. McAllister, or he rather volun- teered to feed them. He proceeded to buy all the bologna sausage in the city, which with other supplies were hauled out to the camp by the dray load, and thus Coxey's army were supplied with all they wanted to eat and drink without cost to them for three days. This contribution cost Mr. McAllister about five hundred dollars. Thus Mr. McAllister was a pioneer in the "feed the world" movement, but the mod- ern plan is not being financed by a single individual, as was the case of feeding the host of crusaders of social and economic reform of by- gone days.
Dr. Elmer C. Frank, a prominent dentist of Sedalia, is a native of Pettis County. Doctor Frank was born at LaMonte, Missouri, May 12, 1872, and is a son of Abraham and Catherine (Cloes) Frank. Abraham Frank was born in Germany in 1818 and came to America with his parents in 1832, when he was fourteen years of age The family located in Ohio, where the parents spent the remainder of their lives. Abraham Frank went to Illinois about 1845, and was living in that State when the Mexican War broke out. He enlisted and served in the United States Army during the Mexican War, and during the gold excitement in California, he went to the Pacific Coast. After remaining there three years, he returned to Illinois. Shortly after the Civil War, he came to Pettis County, Mis- souri, and bought a farm of 210 acres, north of LaMonte. Here he was engaged in farming and stock raising, during the remainder of his life. He was a conscientious man and a good citizen and met with a reason- able degree of success in a financial way. He died November 8, 1894. His widow survived him for a number of years and departed this life in 1912. Their remains rest side by side in the LaMonte cemetery. To Abraham and Catherine (Cloes) Frank were born the following chil- dren: Henry, deceased; Sadie, married Harvey Walls, Jefferson City, Missouri; Lizzie, married Gilbert Scott, Sedalia, Missouri; Hiram, lives
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in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; William, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Walter I .; Salt Lake City, Utah; and Dr. Elmer C., the subject of this sketch.
Doctor Frank was educated in the public schools of Pettis County, the State Normal School, at Warrensburg, and the Sedalia Business Col- lege. He then entered the Western Dental College at Kansas City, Mis- souri, where he was graduated in the class of 1900, with the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery. He immediately engaged in the practice of his profession in Sedalia, his first office being in the Central Building. Two years later he established his office in the Ilgenfritz Building, where he has since been located. Doctor Frank has built up a large practice and is one of the leading dentists of this section of the State. He has been very successful in the general practice of dentistry, although he special- izes in that sphere of his profession which has special reference to crown and bridge work.
Doctor Frank was united in marriage, November 18, 1915, with Mrs. Ida Gresham, daughter of Isaac Warren of Sedalia, Missouri. Doctor and Mrs. Frank have a pleasant home on South Park street and both have an extensive acquaintance in Sedalia and stand high in the community.
George J. Lass, owner and proprietor of the Lass Studio, 3171/2 South Ohio street, is one of the well-known and capable photographers of this section of the State. "Photos of the better sort" is the slogan of the Lass Studio. This studio is equipped with all modern appliances, conductive to the best artistic results in modern photography. There is no better equipped studio in Kansas City or St. Louis than this one. Among the many delicate and important instruments to be found in Mr. Lass' Studio is what is known as the "M" tubes, which is an instru- ment used for projecting from small to large negatives. He also had a Healiar lens which he turned over to the Government during the war, to be used in aerial photography, as these instruments were very scarce, and necessary for that kind of work.
George J. Lass was born in Denison, Iowa, June 11, 1860, a son of George and Margaretha Lass, natives of Schleswig-Holstein, provinces which now seem to be released from the domination of Germany, since the disintregation of the German Empire. George Lass, the father, fought with the Danes against the Germans in the sixty's in defense of his native province, which was finally conquered by the Germans. He was decorated for valor and distinguished service in that war. Shortly afterwards, he came to America and eventually located at Denison, Iowa,
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where he and his wife spent the remainder of their lives and are buried.
Mr. Lass has had a broad and varied experience in the field of photog- raphy. For several years he was connected with the Art Institute of Chicago, as a photographer. This concern had studios in a dozen different States. He came from Billings. Montana, to Sedalia, in 1913, and estab- lished his present business. His first customers were Claud Wilkerson, W. W. Blain, and Abe Higdon, three prominent attorneys of Sedalia. Mr. Lass started in Sedalia with a meager capital, but the excellency of his work was soon recognized, and it was not long until his business had de- veloped into one of considerable importance. He now has a splendid busi- ness which is constantly growing.
Since our earliest days, we all recall that one of the elements of successful photography, was to interest the juvenile subjects of art with some device that would interest and entertain during the instant of sus- pense at which the camera was "snapped." "Willie," a real live, educated canary bird, trained to all his duties in detail, is the fellow who has charge of this department in the Lass Studio. This is perhaps one of the best trained canary birds in the country. It is not confined to a cage but has free access to the entire studio and when Mr. Lass wants the bird for any purpose, like attracting the attention of a child who is being photo- graphed, he merely calls to the bird and directs it to take its position at any particular point, which it promptly does. "Willie" understands when he is treated kindly. If he is scolded, he very perceptibly resents it, and if he is spoken to kindly, he shows that he appreciates kind treat- ment and affection. When he wants to be fed, he has a language of his own, by which he makes his wants known. Mr. Lass has trained this bird to do many interesting stunts and "Willie's" name and fame has been heralded over the country on many occasions, as he has had several "write-ups" in newspapers and magazines.
U. S. Grant, a well-known photographer of Sedalia, is a native of Iowa. He was born at Mt. Vernon, January 17, 1863, a son of D. W. and Angeline (Hayden) Grant, the former a native of Scotland, who came to America when he was sixteen years of age, and the latter a native of Ohio. D. W. Grant is a miller by trade and now resides in Idaho. To D. W. and Angeline (Hayden) Grant were born the following children: Julia, married George Fordyce and resides at Anita, Iowa; U. S., the sub- ject of this sketch; and Ida, married John Van Slyke, Washington, D. C.
U. S. Grant began his apprenticeship at photography at the age of
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seventeen years at Atlantic, Iowa, and for twenty-eight years worked in various art galleries in Kansas and Nebraska. In July, 1907, he bought a gallery at Hutchinson, Kansas, and conducted the photograph busi- ness there for two and one-half years. He then went to Nebraska and worked at Lincoln and Fremont for four years. In 1914 he came to Sedalia and purchased the photograph gallery from William Latour, which is located at 402} South Ohio Street. Mr. Grant has one of the thoroughly modern equipped art studios of the city and his vast and varied experience, coupled with a natural talent for this class of work, places him in the front rank of the photographers of the country. The excellency of his workmanship has been recognized by a critical public to which the rapidity with which his business has developed, bear's mute testimony.
Mr. Grant was united in marriage September 4, 1888, with Miss Viola Strasberry, of Birmingham, Iowa, a daughter of George and Susan (Plaskett) Strasberry, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Indiana. They are both now deceased, and their remains are buried at Birmingham, Iowa. To Mr. and Mrs. Grant have been born two daugh- ters: Myrl, married Dell Mccullough, and Ruth, resides at home with her parents.
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