History of Saint Louis City and County, from the earliest periods to the present day: including biographical sketches of representative men, Part 198

Author: Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas), 1843-1898
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Philadelphia : L.H. Everts
Number of Pages: 1358

USA > Missouri > St Louis County > St Louis City > History of Saint Louis City and County, from the earliest periods to the present day: including biographical sketches of representative men > Part 198

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The present W. M., N. B. Morris, has served the lodge in that capacity from the first. Stephen Thur- man is S. W., and Alexander Fletcher, J. W. The lodge has now eighteen members.

KIRKWOOD COUNCIL, NO. 8, LEGION OF HONOR, is an order which was founded in St. Louis in 1879. It is at the sainc time a social and beneficiary as well as mutual life insurance association. Its jurisdiction is limited to the city and county of St. Louis, and it now (1883) numbers about three thousand two hun- dred members. This council was organized in Octo- ber, 1879, with twenty charter members, of whom James B. Wilde was chancellor. The present chan- cellor is William C. Bragg. The council has been quite prosperous, and has lost by death only one member.

KIRKWOOD COUNCIL, NO. 616, ROYAL ARCANUM, was organized in April, 1882, with seventeen charter members. The officers are Henry Hough, Regent ; E. H. Lyectt, Vice-Regent; H. A. Hyatt, Past Re- gent ; William Dingo, Recorder ; and Samuel Snead, Treasurer. The council numbers twenty-two mem- bers.

ST. PETER'S CATHOLIC CHURCHI .- The records at this church do not show when a mission was estab- lished at this point, but from records in existence at St. Mary's Church, St. Louis, it is learned that it was early visited by Rev. Philip Borgna, C.M., vicar- general of St. Louis.

In 1838 it was visited by Rev. Bernard Allen, S.J., and in 1839 Rev. Peter R. Donnelly became the first resident priest. From 1841 to 1854 it was visited by various priests, among whom were Fathers John Baptist Fischer, Joseph Mchlville, and John Hen- nessy, present Bishop of Dubuque.

The Worshipful Masters since the organization of In 1854, Rev. James O'Hea resided at Kirkwood. the lodge have been Henry T. Mudd, 1876; Hugo S. In the summer of 1855, Rev. James Meller became

1906

HISTORY OF SAINT LOUIS.

resident pastor, and remained till 1863, when Rev. H. Van der Lenden succeeded him, and remained till 1874. After him came Rev. Thomas Bonacum, fol- owed by Rev. James J. Dougherty, who was suc- ceeded in 1878 by Rev. G. D. Power. The present pastor is Rev. B. G. Stemker.

In 1834 a rock church existed in Kirkwood (then called Gravois), and it is probable that it was built in 1832. About 1850 it was enlarged, and in 1863 a school-house was built and a parochial school estab- lished. In 1865 the site of the present church was purchased, and on the 26th of May, 1867, the cor- ner-stone was laid by Very Rev. Joseph Melcher, vicar-general. The Most Rev. Bishop of St. Louis had promised to dedicate the church on the 19th of July, 1868, but being ill and unable to do so, it was then occupied without dedication. It was blessed by Bishop Ryan, July 4, 1875, while yet unfinished.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH .- In October, 1854, Rev. J. F. Fenton organized this church with the following constituent members : Henry Singleton, Mrs. Marsena Singleton, Mr. and Mrs. - Beman, Robert Yates, Mrs. Fenton, and Dr. William Salc. The elders were H. Singleton, Robert Yates, and Mr. Beman. This was during three years the only Protestant Church in the town. The first place of worship was a small log school-house, but in 1856 the present church edifice was erected. It is a brick structure, with a seating capacity of three hundred. The exterior of this building is plainly finished, but the interior has re- cently been fitted up by the ladies of the congregation in very fine style. The first pastor was Rev. J. F. Fenton, who was succeeded in 1858 by Rev. Edward Sickles, and he, in 1862, by Rev. Allen Maxwell, who remained about three and a half years. The church was then without a regular pastor till July, 1867, when the present pastor, Rev. John R. Warner, was called. The society has from its organization been generally prosperous, and it has now no debt. The worshipers number about two hundred.

GRACE EPISCOPAL CHURCH .- The first Episcopal services in Kirkwood were conducted by H. I. Bod- ley, a lay reader, in his house, in 1854. He continued to hold such services in Kirkwood till April, 1859, when a parish under the above name was regularly organized, with A. S. Mitchell, H. W. Hough, II. I. Bodley, R. S. Elliot, H. Clay Hart, James Riley, and Thomas Kelly, Jr., as vestrymen.

The corner-stone of the church was laid in August, 1859, and it was consecrated on Whitsunday, 1860. It is a stone edifice, thirty-five by seventy-eight fect, with a spire eighty-three fect in height, and its cost was twelve thousand dollars. A rectory was built in 1866,

on ground purchased for the purpose, at a total cost of six thousand dollars.

Mr. Bodley continued to conduct lay services till September, 1864, when Rev. George K. Dunlap was called as rector. He continued till October, 1880, when he was elected Bishop of Arizona, and was succceded by the present rector, Rev. F. B. Scheetz.

At the time Bishop Dunlap became rector the num- ber of communicants was twenty. The present num- ber is one hundred and fifty-two. The parish has no debt. Additions and alterations to the church, the cost of which will be one thousand dollars, arc now (1883) in progress.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH SOUTH .- This church was organized in 1869, with eighteen members, by Rev. W. D. Shumate, in a hall. Rev. John N. Robinson served the church three years, and was suc- ceeded by Revs. J. S. Frazicr and B. R. Thrower during the next three years. Then followed J. B. McFerrin and Rev. William M. Leftwich, each one year ; Rev. J. D. Johnson, one year ; then Rev. J. L. Spencer, three years; Rev. J. C. Berryman, one year ; Rev. J. J. Watts, one year, and the present pastor, Rev. J. Dines, who came in 1882. By reason of the fluctuating population here the membership has varied greatly. At present (1883) it is fifty, and the society is prosperous.

The congregation first worshiped in Armintrout's Hall, on Main Street, and subsequently in a church on Clay Avenue. The present church edifice, on the corner of Clay and Adams Avenues, was built in 1877. It is a frame structure, with a seating ca- pacity of two hundred, and its total cost was two thousand dollars. The church has no debt.

BAPTIST CHURCHI .- Prior to 1870 no Baptist Church organization existed in Kirkwood, though a few members of the denomination resided in the town. July 30th of that year the church was organized with the following constituent members: Dr. B. F. Ed- wards, Mrs. Eliza Edwards, James Dunham, Mrs. Jane Dunham, Miss Mary Dunham, Allen Jack, Mrs. Maria Jack, J. W. Finley, Mrs. Ellen Finley, P. H. Abrams, Mrs. Angelina Burns, and Mrs. M. W. Leet.

The first place of worship was a rented room in a building now owned by Dr. Pitman, on Webster Avenue, next to the railroad, afterward in an upper room of a building on the corner of Webster Avenue and Main Street. The present church edifice was completed and first occupied in May, 1874. It is a brick building, with a seating capacity of thrce hun- dred. It stands on the corner of Webster and Wash- ington Avenucs. Its cost was four thousand dollars.

1907

COUNTY OF SAINT LOUIS.

The first pastor was Rev. J. R. Downer, followed, in 1873, by Rev. E. H. Sawyer, and he, in 1875, by Rev. T. C. Coffey, who was succeeded by Rev. Wil- liam Elmer in 1876, and he by Rev. T. J. Davis in 1878. The present pastor, Rev. J. D. Biggs, was called in 1881. The present membership is forty-five. The church has no debt.

CONCORDIA EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH. -In the spring of 1873, Peter Bopp, a citizen of Kirkwood, erected at his own expense a church edifice on Madison Avenue, between Clay and Web- ster Avenues. The cost of this building was one thousand dollars. In this in May of that ycar the Evangelical Lutheran Society was organized. The use of the house was given to the society free of rent during three years, at the end of which time the con- gregation purchased it. Its size is twenty by thirty feet, and its seating capacity is one hundred. At its organization the society numbercd twelve, and the number of worshipers is now about seventy-five. A parochial school, in which the German and the Eng- lish languages are taught, has been maintained dur- ing a portion of the time since the church existed here. Professor Martin Guenther has been the pas- tor from the first.

ROSE HILL BAPTIST CHURCH (COLORED) .- The records of this church are lost, but from the recollec- tions of members it is learned that the society was organized in 1870 by Rev. Emmanuel Cartwright, with Willis Mitchell, Mary Halc, Jane Rome, Kirke Gray, Maria Gray, and Alonzo Thomas as constituent members. During the same ycar the present house of worship was erected at a cost of six hundred and thirty dollars.

The pastors of the church have been Revs. Enoch Bolden, 1870 ; Willis Stafford, 1872; John Grant, 1874; Jerry McClandingham, 1876 ; John Johnson, 1881; W. E. Wilson, 1881; C. W. Lewis, 1882; and the present pastor, Finley Lewis, 1882. The society has no debt.

THE SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH (COLORED) was organized in 1878 with thirty-three constituent mem- bers. During two years the society worshiped in a rented house, but in 1880 a frame church building was erected ·at a cost of one thousand dollars, all of which has been paid.

The pastors have been Revs. George Clark, 1878 ; and the present pastor, Frederick McKinney.

A. M. E. CHURCHI .- In thic absence of records it cannot be learned when this society was organized, or when its house of worship was erected. It has at different times been a charge on the same circuit with one at Carondelet, and with another at Labadic, but

in 1879 it became a station. Its house of worship is a frame structure, forty-two by twenty-two. Its esti- matcd value is one thousand dollars, and the society has no debt.

The following clergymen are known to have served this society : Revs. J. W. Early, 1864; J. C. Em- bury, 1865 ; Moses Dickson, 1868 ; James Madison, 1870; I. N. Triplet, 1872; W. A. Dove, 1874; W. H. Sexton, 1875; D. W. Oaks, 1879; Hubbard Casper, 1881; and the present pastor, N. S. Parks, 1882.

KIRKWOOD DISTRICT SCHOOL .- Prior to the in- corporation of the Kirkwood School District the schools were conducted under the public school sys- tem of the State. By an act approved Feb. 17, 1865, the town was made a special school district with a board of six directors, two to be chosen annually, and to serve during three years:

In 1866 a lot was purchased at a cost of two thou- sand dollars, and a temporary school ·building was erected at an expense of two thousand five hundred dollars, and a church building was rented for a colored school. In 1869 a brick school-house with four school-rooms was erected on Jefferson Avenue, be- tween Clay and Harrison Avenues, at a cost of eight thousand five hundred dollars, and school was first opened in this in December of that year. In 1870 a lot was purchased and a building fitted up on it for a colored school. In 1876 two rooms werc added to the brick school-house at a cost of sixteen hundred dollars, and in 1880 an addition was made to the colored school building at a cost of seven hundred dollars. The school property has now an estimated value of twelve thousand dollars. ·

In these houses good schools are maintained, under five teachers in the white and two in the colored de- partment. The average attendance is three hundred, though the number of children of school age is much greater than this.

The people of Kirkwood look with a laudable pride on the schools which they maintain, where the chil- dren of the wealthy and the indigent alike may re- ceive such an education as to prepare them to fill with honor any ordinary position in life.

KIRKWOOD SEMINARY .- Sept. 5, 1861, this insti- tution was founded on as modest a scale as ever a school started. It opened with seven scholars, sup- plicd with different text-books, in a little room filled with heterogeneous furniture. Kirkwood was then a small village, twelve miles from St. Louis, founded only a few years previously, and with no school of any description. Its churches were struggling into existence. The civil war had divided its population

1908

HISTORY OF SAINT LOUIS.

into bands, and brought an element of discord into what had been a happy and neighborly suburb. No one who has not passed through such scenes can realize the bitterness of feeling that separated old, attached neighbors. Kirkwood being outside of the forts and guns of St. Louis, there was a possibility of danger ; and the occasional visits of United States soldiers, hunting for spies and rebel mails, the drilling of the Union militia, and the presence of bush- whackers, real and supposed, all constituted an at- mosphere in which it was hard for a school flying the Union flag to receive the support of the entire community. Good hard work had to be done at the foundation, and the discipline and thoroughiness of the school had to be such as to command the regard of the community in spite of bitter sectional prcju- dices. In the first year the school quadrupled its numbers, and for three years rented rooms as it could get accommodations for its increasing numbers, when the citizens of Kirkwood, thinking that the school should be put on a permanent basis, subscribed in 1864 for a small building. Among the early and stanch friends of the school were John A. Allen, of the firm of Claflin & Allen, T. J. Albright, Hudson E. Bridge, John Hoffman, and Gen. A. G. Edwards, of the United States treasury, St. Louis. Hudson E. Bridge, of the firm of Bridge, Beach & Co., selected the site and purchased the ground, giving to the principal a bond that she might purchase it at any time at the price which he had paid. When the land had appreciated four hundred per cent. in value it afforded his generous nature great pleasure to sell it to the principal at exactly the original price, less one hundred dollars donated to the school.

The following year, the school having increased so that the principal, Miss Anna E. Sneed, could not do justice to all, it was deemed advisable to add another room to the building, and Miss Mary C. Sneed took charge of the musical and primary departments. The house was then a little brown structure in the woods with two rooms. The squirrels, rabbits, and birds in the woods, the wild-flowers all around, and the total absence of fences were very pleasant features in those days.

Dr. Henry T. Mudd, of St. Louis, cut through the scrub-oaks a path which extended over the lots where are now the Catholic Church, public school, and many private residences.

In 1866, Miss Hattie E. Sneed was added to the corps of sisters that made the faculty of the school, and as, in the opinion of Mr. Bridge, it was unad- visable to add another room, as " it would make Kirk- wood Seminary look too much like a ropewalk," it was

judged best to discard the small building altogether, and erect one large enough to accommodate the school for some years. A year was spent in planning, and the summer of 1868 saw a two-story building, with a large audience hall, recitation- and music-rooms, oc- cupying its place.

The school was incorporated under a liberal charter* that empowered it to confer degrees and diplomas, and conveyed to it all powers and rights necessary.

The original corporators were Hon. E. W. Fox, president ; Rev. S. R. Sneed, vice-president ; Rev. John R. Warner, secretary ; Hudson E. Bridge, Dr. B. F. Edwards, Gen. A. G. Edwards, T. J. Albright, W. S. Woods, John Hoffman, and Anna C. Snecd.

Some years later the faculty was strengthened and new departments were added to the curriculum of study, till it was as full as that of any college in the West for young ladies.

A building for a boarding department began to be very greatly needed. Just then the square of four acres north of the seminary hall, containing a large stone dwelling, beautiful grounds, and the outbuild- ings, stables, servants' house, etc., came into the mar- ket. It was the property of the late William Mc- Pherson, and it had long been desired for the scmi- nary. It was purchased in the summer of 1873, and fitted up as a home for young ladies.

Rev. Samuel R. Sneed, who had been for fifty-four years an influential and devoted minister of the Pres- bytcrian Church in Kentucky and Indiana, now gave up his home and came to spend the evening of his life under his daughters' roof, laying down all bur- dens of care and responsibility, but still blessing his family and the school with his influence and prayers. Here in the summer of 1876 he breathed his last, full of years and honor, and mourned by all, from the highest to the lowest in the community, as a man of faith and prayer and good works.

In 1878 a cousin of the principal's father, Maj. James Hite, of Terre Haute, an old soldier of the war of 1812, and an elder in the Presbyterian Church, made a liberal donation, and lifted the greater part of the incumbrance resting upon the property. The seminary had now good property, suited to educa- tional purposes, ample grounds, furniture, musical instruments, library, the beginning of an art gallery, and the experience and reputation derived from eigh- teen years devoted exclusively and uninterruptedly to teaching by its principal. It had suffered the loss of several of the original corporators, Hudson E. Bridge and Dr. B. F. Edwards by death, and others by rc- moval. Hon. E. W. Fox, who for many years had been president of the corporation, had resigned.

ARY

LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CIRCUS,

COUNTY OF SAINT LOUIS.

1909

It was deemed advisable that, while the school was unsectarian in its character, it should be distinctly guided by Christian counsel from the different denomi- nations interested in its prosperity, and a new board was constituted, largely consisting of leading ministers and citizens in St. Louis. This board favored the institution with its wisc counsel for the term of elec- tion, four years; and consenting to serve again, their numbers were increased, and the following constitute the present advisory board of the corporation :

Rev. II. D. Ganse, D.D., president, pastor First Presbyterian Church, St. Louis ; Rev. S. J. Niccolls, D.D., vice-president, pastor Second Presbyterian Church, St. Louis ; Right Rev. Bishop G. K. Dunlop, vice-president, Santa Fé, N. M .; Rev. C. L. Goodell, D.D., secretary, pastor Pilgrim Congregational Church, St. Louis ; Rev. M. Rhodes, D.D., pastor St. Mark's English Lutheran Church, St. Louis ; Rev. W. V. Tudor, D.D., pastor St. John's Methodist Episcopal Church South, St. Louis; Rev. W. W. Boyd, D.D., pastor Second Baptist Church, St. Louis ; Rev. C. E. Felton, D.D., pastor Union Methodist Church, St. Louis ; Hon. John B. Henderson, St. Louis ; Col. George E. Leighton, St. Louis ; Carlos S. Greeley, St. Louis ; Capt. Thomas W. Fitch, St. Louis ; John Hoffman, Kirkwood ; O. A. Grubb, Kirkwood; C. H. Olcott, Roek Hill; Dr. H. F. Steinhauer, Sappington; Anna C. Sneed (ex officio), Kirk- wood.

The long financial depression over the country was passing away, and in 1880 it was found necessary to build a small addition to the stone dwelling to accom- modate the ever-increasing number of boarders. This was not sufficient, and it was deemcd advisable to erect a large building, with suitable parlors, dining- room, and accommodations for a family of fifty.

The annual report of the principal, April 25, 1881, said,-

" Last year we were compelled to build sufficiently to accom- modate fifty per cent. inore boarding pupils than before, and hardly had we finished before the dear ones, who came up to us from different States and Territories in our broad West, were crying in our ears, 'The place is too strait for me ; give place to mne that I may dwell.'

" We therefore considered our needs deliberately during the past winter, have planned leisurely, with the aid of a skillful architect, J. G. Cairns, Esq., St. Louis, submitting his drawings and estimates to different members of our board from time to time, and so great has been the prosperity of the school and the whole country that we have determined, with your ap- proval, to provide accommodations for twico tho present num- ber of pupils. The drawings, perspective, etc., have been laid before you at the former meeting, and our contracts only await your approval, and then we ' will arise and build.'"

Ground was broken for the new building April 26, 1881, and when the 3d of September came the statcly new structure was not only complete, but the carpets, curtains, furniture, and even the immense furnaces were in place. This was the summer of 1881, re- markable for its intense heat and sunstrokes, and the short time in which the building was erccted is truly

complimentary to the energy of the architect, the contractors, and the principal.

Since then the building has been filled to its utmost capacity with enthusiastic teachers and devoted and faithful pupils.

This institution, in its training, aims to give effi- ciency and carnestness to character, deepen conscien- tiousness, and make faithful, devoted, unselfish, and energetic women of those cominitted to its care, rank- ing these things as of higher valuc than its excellent and thorough training in the arts and sciences and all the branches of a liberal education ; and as a bright testimony to its success it may point to its honored graduates, educated women and true ladies, serving their generation as wives, mothers, and teachers in many States. The faculty of the seminary have given cspecial attention to instruction in fine art, as a glance at the specimens hanging in the parlor, and at the carved mantel-piece which reaches to the ceiling, all the designs and work of the principal, will show.

This brief sketch is appropriately closed with the following report of the board, made in 1882, the twenty-first year of the institution :

"During the summer of the last year Kirkwood Seminary was thoroughly rebuilt, greatly enlarged, and made convenient and attractive in every way. Its homelike interior has espe- cially attracted our attention. The year following has been marked by greater numbers, moro enthusiastic work, and in- creased efficiency in all departments of the school. It is delightfully situated near the city of St. Louis, combining the privileges of the city with country scenes of unusual love- liness and culture.

" Its course of study is well arranged, its teachers are excel- lent and earnest in their work, and tho results of the year's work are highly satisfactory.

"Wo recommend this institution to parents, not only for the' value of its training, but also for its marked Christian charae- ter, and we believe that those who intrust their daughters to its careful nurture will be well pleased.

" C. L. GOODELL, Secretary."

The faculty is as follows :

Miss Anna C. Sneed, Principal; Miss Mary C. Sneed, Vocal and Instrumental Musie; Miss Jeannette MeLagan, Advanced Department and Penmanship; Miss Lily M. Bruner, English Branches and Music; Mrs. Helen E. Barr, Primary Depart- ment; Miss Ottilie Holteamp, Primary Assistant; Miss Alieo Lathrop, Vocal and Instrumental Music; Miss Mary M. Barr, Music and Kindergarten; Miss Nettie Scheetz, Instrumental Musie; Miss Bessie Barr, Kindergarten Assistant; Rev. F. B. Scheetz, Examiner in Latin; Madame L. Tinling, French; Madame M. Steiffel, German; Miss Anna C. Sneed, Art De- partment; Professor II. M. Butler, Violin; Mrs. S. K. Sneed, Boarding Department.

TOWNSHIP OF CENTRAL.

Central township, so named because of its position in St. Louis County prior to its division, has St. Fer- dinand township for its northern boundary, the city of St. Louis on the east, the township of Carondelet

121

1910

HISTORY OF SAINT LOUIS.

and a part of Bonhomme on the south, and Bon- homme on the west. It has a length of about nine miles between north and south, and an average width of eight miles. It has, like the other townships in the county, a rolling surface, and like them a fertile soil.

A branch of the Des Peres River drains the south- ern part of the township, and the northern and eastern part is drained by another branch of the same stream. Fec-Fee (said to be a French corruption of the name " Fife") Creek takes its rise in the northwestern part, and discharges its waters into the Missouri River.

Several rock roads traverse the township and con- verge towards St. Louis, affording more facilities for travel and transportation to and from that city than are enjoyed by any other township in the county. Natural Bridge and St. Charles roads cross the north- eastern corner of the township, the Central or Olive Street road and the Clayton road pass through the central part, and the Manchester road traverses the southern portion of the township. Prior to the era of railroads these rock roads were not only avenues of communication between this township and the city of St. Louis, but were thoroughfares over which passed constant streams of emigration towards the great West. This was especially truc of the St. Charles road, which was the greatest western thor- oughfare.

The township is also traverscd by four different railroads. The Missouri Pacific crosses the south- eastern corner, the St. Louis, Kansas City and North- ern and the West End Narrow-Gauge Roads run through the northeastern corner, and the Laclede and Crève Cœur Lake Railroad passes across the south- western corner.

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History of Saint Louis City and County, from the earliest periods to the present day: including biographical sketches of representative men, Part 198

Author: Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas), 1843-1898 Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Philadelphia : L.H. Everts Number of Pages: 1358

Author: Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas), 1843-1898
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Philadelphia : L.H. Everts
Number of Pages: 1358