USA > Missouri > St Charles County > History of St. Charles, Montgomery, and Warren counties, Missouri, written and comp. from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of their townships, towns and villages, together with a condensed history of Missouri > Part 31
USA > Missouri > Montgomery County > History of St. Charles, Montgomery, and Warren counties, Missouri, written and comp. from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of their townships, towns and villages, together with a condensed history of Missouri > Part 31
USA > Missouri > Warren County > History of St. Charles, Montgomery, and Warren counties, Missouri, written and comp. from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of their townships, towns and villages, together with a condensed history of Missouri > Part 31
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HENRY A. BRANDES (Farmer, Post-office, Wentzville).
It was in 1847 that Mr. Brandes came to America. He was then a young man about 24 years of age. He had received a good education in his native country, and had learned book-binding, expecting to make that his regular calling ; but he learned on his arrival that there was very little demand for such employment west of the Mississippi. On the way over the ship on which he took passage had a rough sea to encounter, and for over four months she was tossed about on the bosom of the waters at the mercy of the wind and waves ; but at last she pulled in at New Orleans, and he reached the shores of the New World in safety. He came to St. Louis and resided in that city for about four years. Young Brandes then came up to St. Charles county, where he met one who to him appeared as fair as the evening air clad in the beauty of a thousand stars. His heart was touched, and from that moment forward his future seemed linked with hers, with only happiness possible in the halo of her sweet influence and gentle, lovely presence. To roughly cut a long and pretty story short, courtship followed, resulting in a happy marriage. He then went to work with a brave heart and willing hands to establish himself com- fortably in life, feeling as the happy years came and went that all the world was resonant with the divine music of love. She was a Miss Mary L. Meyer, a daughter of Charles F. and Agnes Meyer, formerly of Germany. Mr. Brandes engaged in farming in St. Charles county, and resided on the Femme Osage until 1857, when he removed to his present place, which was formerly uncultivated land owned by Mr. C. Stewart, who was at that time sheriff of the county, and the country when Mr. Brandes settled here was almost a wilderness. His place contains 240 acres, and he is comfortably situated in life. He and his good wife have had eight children : Charles W. and Louis, who are now merchants at Moscow Mills in Lincoln county ; Lizzette, Minnie, Agnes, Louisa, Dora and Julia. Mr. and Mrs. Brandes are members of the German Lutheran Church. During the war he served in the Home Guard from the beginning until its close.
SAMUEL BURLINGAME
(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Foristell).
For nearly 15 years Mr. Burlingame has been a resident of St. Charles county. He has a good farm where he resides, of about 240 acres, and is successfully engaged in growing grain and raising stock. Throughout his residence here he has borne the reputation of being a citizen of the highest respectability, and is well spoken of by all his neighbors and acquaintances. Though not many years from the allotted age of three-score and ten, he is still quite hale and active and manages his farm affairs in person. Mr. Burlingame is a native of Ohio, born in Morgan county, January 7, 1818. He was the second
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HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.
son of Josiah and Sarah Burlingame, his father from Rhode Island, but his mother born and reared in Ohio. His father was a farmer and school-teacher by occupation, and died in Ohio, July 1, 1875, in the eighty-third year of his age. The mother also died there. Samuel Burlingame, the subject of this sketch, was reared in his native county, and up to the age of 17 spent his youth engaged in farming, and in attending school. He then apprenticed himself to the shoemaker's trade, which he learned and afterwards followed for about 40 years. Mr. Burlingame came to Missouri in 1864 and located in Grundy county, but shortly returned. In 1867, however, he came back to this State and this time settled in St. Charles county where he has ever since resided. In 1839 he was married to Miss Lavina B. Sprague, a daughter of Jonathan and Almira Sprague, from Maine and Massachusetts, respectively. Mr. B.'s first wife died in 1848, leaving two sons, both of whom lost their lives in the Union army during the late war. He subsequently married Miss Eliza Grimm, a daughter of John and Margaret Grimm, formerly of Ireland. By this union there are three children : Josiah, married and a resident of this county ; Annie, wife of Louis Brandt, a merchant of Lincoln county, and Mary M., the wife of James M. Avis. One besides is deceased ; Dora the wife of Stephen Dorse, left one child, Albert, at her death, a sprightly little fellow, who is being reared by his grand-parents, Mr. and Mrs. Burlingame.
AUGUSTIN GREEN, M. D.,
(Retired Physician, Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Foristell).
Dr. Green has been a resident of North-east Missouri for the last 45 years, over 40 years of which he has resided in St. Charles county. He is well-known in this county as one of its worthy and highly respected citizens, and has had a successful experience as a farmer. He retired from the practice of medicine years ago, on account of ill- health resulting from the hardships and exposures which it required. Dr. Green has become comfortably situated as an agriculturist, and has an excellent homestead of nearly half a section of land. He has given his attention to raising stock in a general way, as well as farming, and has found the former quite as profitable as the latter. The Doctor is a Virginian by nativity, and is closely related through both agnate and cognate descent, to some of the best families of the Old Dominion. He is a first cousin to the late Gen. R. E. Lee, whom Gen. Wolseley, commander-in-chief for actual-service of the British army, recently declared to be the greatest general this country has ever produced and one among the first generals of all his- tory. Dr. Green was born in Frederick county, Va., October 24, 1802. He was the third in the family of 10 children of Augustin and Annie (Ball) Green, and was reared on his father's homestead in Frederick county. His father being a substantial citizen of Frederick county, and in comfortable circumstances, the son was given good school advantages. Having completed a course in the private schools
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HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.
of the vicinity of where he lived, he was sent to Fort Cumberland College, Md., where he studied under President Arnold D. Dake, then recently of Yale College. After quitting Fort Cumberland Col- lege, young Green began the study of medicine and in due time entered medical college at Lexington, Ky., where he took a regular course of two terms and graduated in 1825. He then located at Shawneetown, Ill. But his health failing in a short time, he went to the State of Mississippi for a more equable climate. Somewhat restored to health after a year's residence in Mississippi, he then went to Henderson county, Ky., and engaged in merchandising. From Kentucky he returned to Virginia, and in 1834 was married to Miss Emily E., a daugher of Harrison and Sarah (Kauffman ) Wood. Dr. Green continued the practice in Virginia until about 1839, when he removed to Missouri and located at Marthasville, in Warren county. Four years afterwards he settled in St. Charles county, where he has ever since resided. Dr. Green has always occupied a position of de- served consideration and influence wherever he has lived. While a resident of Henderson county, Ky., he served as sheriff of that county. At Marthasville, in Warren county, he accepted the office of justice of the peace, the duties of which he discharged with great satisfaction to the community. In this county he has held or sought no official posi- tion, preferring rather to give his entire time and attention to his private affairs and the interests of his family. He and his good wife have been blessed with but one child, who is living, Austin W., who was born in this county in 1850. He is married and resides on the homestead with his parents. Four other children died at different ages, one, Elizabeth, in 1882, at the age of 33, having been an invalid for nearly 20 years. The Doctor and wife are members of the M. E. Church South.
F. H. LEIMBROCK (Merchant and Postmaster, New Melle).
Though born and reared in this country himself, Mr. Leimbrock is of German-American parentage. His father was Frederick Leim- brock, and his parents were both natives of Hanover, where they were reared and married. They came to this country in 1838, and located at St. Louis. Four years later they came to St. Charles county, and the father died here in 1854. The mother died the same year, both of cholera. They have five children, three of whom are living. Of these F. H. Leimbrock, the subject of this sketch, was born June 15, 1843. Reared in this county, he was a youth when the war broke out, but soon afterwards he nevertheless enlisted in the Union service, and was out during most of the time of the war. His youth, up to the age of 16, was spent on his father's farm, but he then engaged in clerking in a store. Subsequently he engaged in merchandising for himself, and began business at New Melle in 1870. He carrries a general stock of merchandise and has a good trade. Mr. Leimbrock is also postmaster at New Melle. In 1866, August
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HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.
12th, he was married to Miss Catherine Risker, a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Risker. Mr. and Mrs. L. have three children : Alfred, Oscar and Ella.
THOMAS H. LUCKETT (Farmer, Post-office, Foristell) .
Among the early settlers of St. Charles county were the parents of the subject of the present sketch, William and Nancy Luckett, who came here from Virginia, in 1835. The father died here in 1848, and the mother in 1862. They came from Rappahannock county, Va., and Thomas H., then 23 years of age, came with them. He was born in the county of Frederick, March 18, 1812, being the second in their family of six children. Four years after the family settled here, in 1839, he was married to Miss Elizabeth C. Edwards, a daughter of Henry and Sarah Edwards, also from Virginia. After his marriage Mr. Luckett settled on a farm in the neighborhood, where he resided until 1855. He then removed to his present place, and has resided on his farm for a period, now, of nearly 30 years. He has a good place of over 200 acres, and is comfortably situated. Mr. Luckett, a citizen of this county for nearly half a century, is well known as a man whose life has been without reproach, and he is esteemed by all around him as a kind neighbor and true friend. On account of advanced years he has withdrawn from active work on the farm, his son having succeeded him in carrying on the place, but he still takes a worthy interest in the management of affairs and is of material help in the successful conduct of the farm. He and his good wife have reared eight children, namely : Sarah J., wife of William H. Pritchett ; Nancy L., wife of John D. Waller ; Elizabeth E., wife of Zachery Leaper ; William, who has charge of the farm ; Henry, who was wounded in the Confederate army at Pea Ridge, and died soon afterwards, in his twenty-first year ; Carr W., Susan M. and Fenton E. Henry, mentioned above, was the eldest of the children. Mr. and Mrs. Luckett are members of the M. E. Church South. Mr. L. was a nephew of Maj. Combs, of the War of 1812.
HENRY NEDDERMEIER
(Farmer, Post-office, Foristell).'
Among the thrifty, substantial German-American farmers of Calla- way township is properly classed the subject of the present sketch. Mr. Neddermeier has a good farm where he resides of nearly 400 acres, besides another place that he has rented out, and still another tract of 80 acres. He commenced for himself without any means whatever, and for a long time worked out as a farm hand. All he is worth he has made by his own industry and intelligence. He was born in Germany, October 30, 1822, and was the youngest in the family of five children of Gabriel and Henriette Neddermeier, both parents being now deceased. After receiving a common school educa-
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HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.
tion in Germany, he came to America in 1845 and located at St. Louis. Thence he came to St. Charles county, where he worked as a farm hand for Henry Becker for five years. In 1849 he was married to Miss Henriette Toade, a daughter of William and Lizzie Frapa, for- merly of Germany. He then soon engaged in farming for himself, renting land from his father-in-law. In a few years he bought a place, on which he located and where he resided until about five years ago, when he removed to his present farm, which he had also previously purchased. Mr. Neddermeier's first wife died in 1866, and afterwards he was married to Mrs. Charlotte, a daughter of Charles and Cathe- rine Berfield, formerly of Germany. She was the widow of Frederick Vogler, who died in 1865, leaving two children : Peter Vogler and Annie, now the wife of John Meier. Mr. Neddermeier has four chil- dren : Frederick, Emma, Gustave and Wilhelmina. One died in infancy, Frederick, and one besides in childhood, Charles. During the war he served in the Home Guard militia from first to last.
OGLESBY B. YOUNG AND WILLIAM O. OWEN (Farmers and Stock-raisers, Post-office, Wentzville).
Mr. Young was one of the early settlers of St. Charles county. He came here from Pittsylvania county, Virginia, as early as 1829. Mr. Young first settled near Gilmore, where he engaged in farming, but in . 1837, forty-seven years ago, he settled on the place where he now re- sides and where he has made his home continuously ever since. He first bought 160 acres of land, but being an industrious, energetic farmer and a good manager, he became able to add to that until he in- creased his landed estate to about 400 acres. He made a large farm and for years was extensively engaged in raising grain and tobacco, and in raising and dealing in stock. . He is now retiring from active work, having some time ago turned the management of his place over to his son-in-law, William O. Owen, the junior subject of this sketch. Mr. Young was born in Pittsylvania county, Va., April 7, 1804. His parents were Peyton and Elizabeth (Oglesby ) Young, both of old and highly respected Virginia families. The father was a member of the Grand Lodge of the Masonic Order of Virginia. He was married in 1826 to Miss Jane Love, a daughter of Robert and Esther Love, of Pittsylvania county. Three years afterwards he removed to Missouri with his family and settled in St. Charles county, as stated above. His wife died here November 13, 1860, leaving eight children, viz .: Milton J., Minter F., Margaret J., Oglesby, Julia A., Peyton, Martha and Elizabeth. Three others died in infancy. Mr. Young is a mem- ber of the Masonic Order.
WILLIAM O. OWEN is also from Pittsylvania county, Virginia. He was born there in 1838. Mr. Owen's parents were Anderson and Araminta Owen, his father a farmer by occupation. William O. was reared on a farm and at the outbreak of the war, in 1861, he promptly enlisted in the Southerm service, becoming a member of Co. B, Four-
14
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HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.
teenth Virginia volunteers. He was under Stonewall Jackson and Gen. Longstreet, respectively, throughout the war. Mr. Owen was in most of the leading battles of the entire struggle, including those of Malvern Hill, the Peninsula, Drewey's Bluff, first and second Manassas, Gettysburg, Fredericksburg, and many others. For gal- lantry he was several times promoted and rose from the ranks of a private soldier to the position of first-lieutenant of his company. He was wounded no less than six times, but had too much vital force to give up the ghost and finally came through the war as good as half a dozen ordinary men for any useful purposes. In 1866 he came to St. Charles county, and here he met and the following year was married to his present wife, who was a Miss Young, Mr. Young's youngest daughter, and as Mr. O. very naturally and properly thinks the fair- est of all the daughters of all the fathers throughout all the country round about. Mr. and Mrs. O. have three children : Virgil A., Ogles- by B., and James B. One other, William B., died in infancy.
GEORGE PRICE
(Farmer, Post-office, Dardenne).
Mr. Price is a worthy representative of the pioneer family of which Mr. M. Price, the subject of a following sketch, descended, and is a nephew of the former. He was born in this county August 31, 1837. Reared to a farm life, on the 30th of November, 1857, he was married to Miss Mary Doree, a daughter of Louis and Rosa Doree. Three children are the fruits of this union : Rosa, Ella and William. Mr. and Mrs. Price are members of the Catholic Church.
JOHN G. L. ROHLFING (Farmer, Post-office, New Melle).
Mr. Rohlfing is a native of Germany, born in Hanover in 1827, and a son of Clemens A. and Margaretha (Leimbrock) Rohlfing. Both parents are now deceased, the father having died in 1857, and the mother in 1859. John G. L. Rohlfing, whose full baptismal name is John Gustav Ludwig, was reared in Hanover and learned the wagon- maker's trade under his father. In 1852 he came to America and located in St. Charles county. Here he engaged in farming, which he has ever since followed. He was without means, so that he had to rent ; and he continued renting until he was able to buy a place of his own. Four years ago he bought a good farm of 246 acres, which includes what is known as the Webb farm. His principle product is wheat, of which he raises annually about 400 bushels. He also raises considerable corn, however, and feeds hogs for the markets. He has been quite successful, as the above facts show. In 1852 Mr. Rohlfing was married to Miss Carrie Trisir, formerly of Prussia. Of this union one child was reared, a daughter, Minnie, whose mother, however, died in 1857. Mr. Rohlfing's present wife was a Miss Clara Hensick,
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HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.
also formerly of Prussia. They have seven children: Lizzie, Amelia, Mary, John, Alvira, Caroline and Ada. One is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Rohlfing are members of the Evangelical Church. Minnie is the wife of Henry Grear, of St. Charles; Lizzie is the wife of Robert Plagmeier, of this county ; Amelia is married to Herman Sanford, of St. Charles ; and Mary is the wife of Henry Holscher, also of this county.
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1
CHAPTER XII.
. ST. CHARLES TOWNSHIP.
Location and Area - Physical Features-Early Settlers - City of St. Charles - Post Established - Village Incorporated - Board of Trustees Organized and the Village Constituted a City -Advancement -Newspapers - Schools - Francis Duquette - Bridge - Car Factory - Woolen Mills - Gas Company - Pork Houses - Union Fire Company - Tobacco - Foundry - Flouring Mills - Secret Orders - A. F. and A. M. - I. O. O. F. - A. O. U. W. - K. of H. - Order of Chosen Friends - Official Record of the City from 1849 to 1884.
St. Charles township lies south-east of Portage Des Sioux, and con- tains about 90 square miles, including islands. The entire eastern portion of the township borders upon the Missouri river, and the corners of section one and two, touch the Mississippi, seven miles west of St. Charles. The township is well adapted to agricultural purposes, the soil, both bottom and upland, being excellent in quality, and highly productive, the chief products being corn and wheat. A majority of the settlers now are Germans ; 60 years ago the settlers were mostly French. The farmers are generally thrifty, and their improvements, though many of them very old, are neat and substan- tial. There are a few small, unimportant streams in the township, and some fresh water springs; among the latter is Cave spring, which is quite a bold stream of water and located on the old farm of Judge . Daniel Griffith. There are other springs along the bluffs on the Mis- souri river. The timber in the township is still in great abundance. Limestone rock is found almost everywhere, and is utilized for build- ing and other purposes. Coal was discovered nearly half a century ago by Dr. Seth Millington, on his farm near the town of St. Charles. A mine is now marked for the local trade, on land near St. Charles, owned by E. C. Cunningham. There are numerous Indian mounds still to be seen at Elm Point and other places. In this township The Mamelles are located, two mounds that resemble the human breasts. These mounds have an elevation of 150 feet and afford an extensive view of a most beautiful country. Many years ago, a clergy- man was conducted by a friend to Les Mamelles, by the hill route, leading through the woods. Emerging from the front, the vista opened, disclosing to his astonished vision a scene of surpassing love-
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HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.
liness. A beautiful level plain spread out before him for miles, east, west and north, dressed in living green, variegated with many hued prairie flowers ; the whole encircled by the bluffs of the two rivers, whose crags and peaks, reflecting the rays of the evening sun, pre- sented the appearance of towns and villages and ruined castles. To the north lay the Marais Croche lake, like an immense mirror set in emerald. For a few moments the clergyman stood in mute astonish- ment. When he recovered his speech, he exclaimed, " I have never before seen anything that gave me a proper conception of the Promised Land." The Rev. Timothy Flint, in his " Ten Years' Residence in the Mississippi Valley," says : " Here is presented an imposing view of the course of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers, with their bluffs and towering cliffs, their ancient meandering banks, the Marais Croche lake, the mouth of the Illinois river, and the vast prairie dotted here and there with farm houses." 1
Thomas F. Bates was an early settler of Goochland county, Va. He was a Quaker, but when the War of the Revolution commenced he buried his religion in patriotism and became a soldier. He married Caroline M. Woodson, and they had twelve children: Charles, Ma- tilda, Tarleton, Fleming, Nancy, Richard, James W., Sarah, Mar- garet, Susan, Frederick and Edward. Charles lived and died in Virginia, where he became eminent in the profession of law. Matilda married Capt. Gett, and died, leaving a daughter ( Caroline M.) who was adopted by her uncle, Edward Bates, and died in St. Louis. Tarleton was killed in a duel at Pittsburg, Pa. Fleming lived in Northumberland county, Va., of which he was county clerk. He left several children at his death. Nancy married Thomas H. Walton, who was killed by lightning. He left one son, Robert A., who came to Missouri and married a daughter of Hon. Frederick Bates. Rich- ard studied law, but died young. He was an intimate friend of Gen. Winfield Scott, and had the promise of becoming a distinguished man. James W. lived and died in Arkansas. He was a delegate to Congress from that Territory before its admission as a State. Sarah never married, but came with her mother to Missouri in 1818, Mrs. Bates died in 1845, aged 90 years. Margaret was married twice -first to John Speers, and second to Dr. Orton Wharton, both of Virginia. She was left a widow the second time, and came to St. Charles county, Mo., in 1838. Susan died while a young lady, in Virginia. Fred- erick Bates was well educated and became a distinguished man.
1 Campbell's Gazeteer .
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HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.
President Jefferson appointed him Secretary of the Territory of Mich- igan, and about the commencement of the Aaron Burr conspiracy he was transferred to Upper Louisiana, as Secretary of that Territory. He afterward became Governor of the Territory of Missouri, and was the second Governor of the State after its admission. He mar- ried Nancy Ball, a daughter of Col. John S. Ball, who was a soldier of the War of 1812. Mr. Bates died in 1825, leaving four children : Emily C., Lucas Lee, Woodville and Frederick, Jr. During the latter part of his life he resided in Lincoln county. His daughter, Emily C., married Robert Walton, and is now living in St. Charles, a widow. Lucas Lee married a daughter of Samuel Conway, and lives in St. Louis county. Woodville died in his youth. Frederick, Jr., married Lavinia Merideth, and died, leaving one child. His widow married Samuel Conway, who also died, and she then married a Mr. Kerney. Hon. Frederick Bates was Governor of the Territory of Upper Louisiana from May, 1807, to October, 1807; from Sep- tember, 1809, to September, 1810 ; from November 29, 1812, to De- cember 7, 1812 ; and he was Governor of the Territory of Missouri from December 12, 1812, to July, 1813. He was elected second Governor of the State of Missouri in 1824, and died in 1825, before the expiration of his term. Edward Bates, brother of Frederick Bates, served as a private soldier in the War of 1812, having enlisted before he was of age; but he was promoted to sergeant before the expiration of his term. He settled in St. Charles county in 1814, and on the 29th of May, 1823, he was married to Julia D. Coalter, daughter of Hon. David Coalter. They had seventeen children. Mr. Bates was a man of a superior order of talents, and held many posi- tions of trust and influence during his life. He studied law under Hon. Rufus Easton, and became eminent in his profession. He was distinguished for a faithful and conscientious discharge of every duty entrusted to him, whether great or small, and he possessed the con- fidence of all classes of his fellow-citizens in the very highest degree. He represented St. Louis as a delegate in the first Constitutional Con- vention of Missouri ; served in the Legislature and State Senate for a number of years, and was a member of Congress in 1826. At the commencement of President Lincoln's administration he was honored with a seat in the cabinet as Attorney-General. He died in 1870, in his seventy-sixth year.
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