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 41

Author: National Historical Company (St. Louis, Mo.)
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: St. Louis, National Historical Company
Number of Pages: 1166

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 41
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 41
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 41

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

REV. J. H. PH. GRAEBNER

(Minister of the German Lutheran Church, St. Charles, Mo.).

Rev. Mr. Graebner is a native of Germany, born in Bavaria, July 7, 1819. His father was Johann Graebner, and his mother Eleonore

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HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

Rehm before marriage. His father was a music teacher, and died when Philip, the subject of this sketch, was 14 years of age. Rev. Philip Graebner was principally reared in Bavaria, and received a good general education in the German language. In his childhood he visited private schools ; then he obtained his theological education in the mission seminary of Rev. W. Loehe, at Neudettelsau, Bavaria. In 1847 he received a vocation from an emigrant colony, organized in his vicinity for settlement in Michigan, with which colony he came over during that year and settled in Saginaw county, Mich. September 5, 1847, after he came to America, he was regularly ordained a min- ister of the German Lutheran Church by the Missouri synod, Prof. Craemer officiating. After this he was engaged in the ministry at Frankentrost, Saginaw county, Mich., for six years, and then accepted a call to Roseville, Macomb county, Mich., where he remained until the year A.D., 1859, when he accepted a call from the Lutheran con- gregation at St. Charles, Mo. Rev. Mr. Graebner came to St. Charles in May, 1859, and has been located at this place ever since. He has always been recognized here as a man whose walk and talk in life are consistent with his faith in the requirement of the holy office he fills. He is an earnest, pious, Christian minister, a man well grounded in theology, a pleasant, effective speaker, and profoundly zealous in the cause of religion. In 1848 Rev. Mr. Graebner was married to Miss Jakobine Denninger, a daughter of George Denninger and Susanna (Itschmer), who came over from Germany and settled in Monroe county, Mich., in 1831. Mr. and Mrs. Graebner have seven children : August, who is married and is a professor of theology in the Theolog- ical Seminary of the Lutheran synod of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wis. ; Conrad, who is also married and is a resident of East Saginaw, Mich. ; Henry, who is likewise married and is a teacher at Milwaukee, Wis. ; Frederick, who is now taking a theological course at St. Louis ; Will- iam, now at the seminary ; Addison, Illinois; Regine, who is now the wife of Rev. J. H. Jungkuntz, at North Judson, Ind. ; Kunigunde, now the wife of H. H. Eggebrecht, teacher at St. Charles, Mo. They have lost one, Adelbert.

CAPT. JOHN F. HACKMAN

(Of S. H. Merten & Co., Proprietors of the Central Roller Flouring Mills, St. Charles).

Capt. Hackman, who has had a successful business experience in the grain trade and in milling, is of German parentage, but was himself born and reared in. St. Charles county. He was a young man, just past his twentieth year, when the war broke out in 1861. Loyalty to the Union was a distinguishing and honorable charac- teristic of the Germans of the country during the great life-struggle of the Nation. Wherever a German was found or a man of German parentage or antecedents, a faithful Unionist, was almost invariably found. Not only in principle and sympathy were they for the great government, which they had come so far and endured so many hard-

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HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

ships to live under and enjoy the personal liberty and benign equality before its just laws, but they were ready and anxious to fight for its preservation. Young Hackman was no exception to this class of his countrymen. He promptly enlisted under the old flag before the smoke of Ft. Sumpter had fairly cleared away, and he continued to do his duty in the ranks of the Union until the flag that was hauled down at Ft. Sumpter early in 1861 was unfurled in triumph at Appo- mattox in 1865. He entered the service as a sergeant and rose to the command of a company, which he held during most of the war and until its close. During this time, however, he became interested in the grain business at St. Charles in partnership with his brother, Wm. Hackman and Herman Mallinckrodt. This firm continued business up to 1866, when they formed a company for the milling business and built the present roller mills. Capt. Hackman has been in the business ever since, though the firm otherwise has had several changes. They have one of the best mills of the patent roller class in the country. Their mill has a capacity of 200 barrels of flour a day, and they do a large merchant-milling business. Capt. H. is the book-keeper of the firm, and has discharged the duties of that posi- tion for the past eight years. Capt. Hackman is the mayor of St. Charles, having been elected at the last spring election. He had for- merly served as a city councilman for several years.

CHARLES F. HAFER

(Of Hafer & Sons, Dealers in General Merchandise, St. Charles).

In early manhood Mr. Hafer had a varied experience and one not with- out hardships. A native of Prussia, he was born September 28, 1833, and at the age of 19 left his native land for the New World beyond the blue mists of the Atlantic. He took passage across the sea on a sail vessel, and, like Æneas of old, was for many days tossed about on the boundless waters at the mercy of the winds and waves. At last making haven at New Orleans he safely disembarked and soon proceeded up the turgid current of the Mississippi to St. Louis, where he spent about nine months at work in a sugar refinery. He was now employed to take control of a lot of men and to proceed to Cuba, in the West Indies, for the purpose of carrying on the sugar refinery. He was there successfully engaged in that business for about nine months, or until his men were stricken down with the yellow fever. In this emergency he did his full duty by his men, staying with them and waiting on them faithfully as a nurse until their recovery or death, and those that died where given the last sad rites as best he could perform them, a decent and Christian burial. Not until all the others had fallen under the malady was he taken down, and then he was so much exhausted by his labors and night-watchings for his men that no hope of his recovery was entertained. Meanwhile, he had started to make his way back to God's country, the United States, and through friends, although sick of the yellow fever, he was kindly smuggled into New Orleans, where the change of atmosphere and surroundings

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HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

soon became manifest in his rapid recovery. After his recovery Mr. Hafer returned to St. Louis, where he had to begin life anew at the bottom of the ladder. He learned the cooper's trade, and in 1857 came to St. Charles and established a wooden-ware factory at this place. In this he was quite successful and soon had a number of men at work under him. After an experience of about nine years in the coopering business he sold out and, with a partner, engaged in mer- chandising. In this he has also been successful, his house soon becoming one of the leading houses in general merchandise of St. Charles. He went into business with H. H. Shaberg, under the firm of Shaberg & Hafer in 1863. In 1869 Mr. Shaberg retired, and Mr. Mathias Sholle succeeded him. The firm then was known as Hafer & Sholle. During this period Mr. Hafer was especially successful, as the great railroad bridge was then built, and Mr. H.'s store being the headquarters of the foremen and engineers, they had no difficulty in procuring the trade of the workingmen. Mr. Sholle died in Janu- ary, 1872. The business was then carried on under the firm name of Chas. F. Hafer until December, 1872, when Mr. Hafer sold out his interest to Messrs. Geo. H. & Herman Brueggemann. In October, 1873, he bought the interest of Geo. H. Brueggemann and was again the leading partner of the firm under the style of Hafer & Bruegge- mann. In February, 1877, Mr. Brueggemann retired and was suc- ceeded by Mr. Hafer's sons, under the name and style of Chas. T. Hafer & Sons, which it is up to present date. Hafer & Sons carry a very large stock of general merchandise, including dry goods, cloth- ing, boots and shoes, groceries, queen's-ware, glassware, etc. They are doing a business of about $55,000 to $60,000 a year. Mr. Hafer has served twice as city councilman, once in the third and once from the fourth wards. In August, 1855, Mr. Hafer was married to Mrs. Mary Piths, widow of William Piths, formerly of Hanover. Mr. and Mrs. Hafer have two sons - Christian F. W. and Henry F. - both of whom are partners in the store. Mr. H. and family are members of the Lutheran Church, and he is a member of the I. O. O. F.

J. HENRY HAGEMANN

(Of Hagemann & Meiser, Carpenters, Contractors and Builders, St. Charles).

The above firm, of which Mr. Hagemann is a member, is one of the leading firms in that line, if in fact, not the leading one, at St. Charles. The partnership was formed in 1878 and has continued ever since with mutual satisfaction and profit. They do a large busi- ness in the way of contracting and building, and have a wide and enviable reputation in this class of work. Mr. Hagemann was born in St. Charles county, November 12, 1849, and was a son of John W. and Margaret ( Addelheide ) Hagemann, formerly of Hanover. They came to St. Charles county in 1847, where they made their permanent home. The father was a brick mason by trade and followed that at St. Charles. During the war he served with courage

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HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

and patriotism in the Union army. He died July 30, 1880. The mother died September 9, 1873. Both were members of the German Lutheran Church. They had a family of nine children, the others besides J. Henry, being William, who died in childhood ; Eliza, who also died at a tender age, J. Hermann, Anna, Julia, Mary, Wilhelmina and Louise. Anna and Wilhelmina reside in St. Louis. J. Henry Hagemann, who was the eldest of the family of children, was reared at St. Charles, and learned the carpenter's trade as he grew up. His education was acquired at the German Lutheran school of this place and the St. Charles College. He has followed carpentering ever since quitting college, and has built many of the better houses of St. Charles, including Mittelberger's Opera House and the Galt House. Mr. H. is unmarried and is a member of the German Lutheran Church.

JESSE HAIGLER

(Retired Farmer, St. Charles).

This venerable and respected old citizen of St. Charles county, a man whose life, to a green old age, has been well and usefully spent, and has been tarnished by no wrong, stands a worthy representative, in the third generation, of one of the gallant old soldiers of the Revolution who fought side by side with Washington for the estab- lishment of liberty and independence in the New World, and the great nation that now stands out the brightest and most powerful in the galaxy of peoples on the globe. His grandfather was William Haigler, who was a member of the body-guard of Gen. Washington throughout the Revolution, an honor that his descendants may more justly boast of than any descendant may of his ancestor having been a member of the " Old Guard" of Napoleon. Mr. Haigler's father was Jacob Haigler, and the family is an old and respected Virginia family. Jacob Haigler married Christiana Harper, and they reared 12 children to be grown and married. Of these, Jesse Haigler, the subject of this sketch, is the third. He was born in Randolph county, Virginia, November 6, 1808, and in 1831 was married to Miss Cath- erine Currence, a daughter of William Currence, of Virginia. Eight years afterwards Mr. Haigler came to Missouri and settled in Frank- lin county where he followed farming. In 1845 he crossed over into St. Charles county, where he opened a large farm, having some 400 acres in his tract. He also kept an extensive wood-yard to supply river boats and for shipment. He still owns his farm, but the shipping current of the river has swept away about half his land. In 1876 he retired from the active work of farming and removed to St. Charles, where he is spending the serene Indian summer of life in comparative ease and comfort. He rents out his farm which yields him a satis- factory income. Mr. Haigler's first wife died in 1847, leaving him six children : Cyrus R., Mahulda A., who is the wife of Dr. William West, of Chariton county ; Loman H., William F., Virginia, and C. Webster. One little girl died in infancy. Mr. Haigler's second

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HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

wife was a Miss Elizabeth D. Smith, who survived her marriage less than two years. She left a son, Joseph D. To his last wife, nee Miss Mary Casey, he was married in 1851. She was a daughter of Matthew and Margaret Casey, who came to America from Ireland in 1817 and from Virginia to St. Louis, Mo., in 1843. Mr. Haigler's last wife died in 1881. His son, Cyrus, was killed in Chariton county during the war. Mr. H.'s father was one of the early Meth- odists of Virginia, and he remembers that when he was a boy his father's house was used for church purposes for the early circuit riders, those of the ridge circuits as well as of the bottom circuits. Ministers then were not so cultured as they are now, nor so well dressed, but it is believed that there was far more piety and religious zeal in the clergy than there is at the present day. Salaries were not large, but the good sisters knew how to make good corn bread, good butter, and prepare good meat and vegetables, while there was a loom in every household for good, honest blue jeans, so that the preachers were always well fed and warmly clothed, and as a class they were generally happy and contented. Evidently those were good old times, the like of which we shall never see again. In fact, the writer himself never did see them, but then the worthy old septuagenarian whose name heads this sketch has seen them and enjoyed them, and it is a pleasure to observe with what animation and happiness he speaks of them.

MARTIN HENNEMEYER

(Proprietor of the St. Charles Feed, Seed, and Farm Machinery Store, St. Charles).

Mr. Hennemeyer's career adds another example to the many instances of success achieved by the energetic, thrifty Germans who have made their homes in this country. He was born in Prussia, September 27, 1838. Reared in his native county, he came to America in 1857 at the age of 19, and located in St. Charles county. In 1861, having been engaged in farming in the meantime, he enlisted in the Union service and served for about 12 months. After this he went to work on the barracks in St. Louis, and, saving up a little means at this, he engaged in the retail liquor trade. In 1865, how- ever, he returned to St. Charles and resumed farming. Shortly he was married to Miss Mary Miller, a daughter of Joseph and Mary Miller, who came from Prussia in 1845. Mrs. H's. mother died here in 1878, and her father in 1880. Soon after his marriage Mr. Henne- meyer started the transfer business at St. Charles, or teaming, which he kept up continuously until 1883, when he established his present store. He carries a full stock of feed of all kinds and seed and also a full line of farm machinery. Mr. Hennemeyer is well-known in and around St. Charles and has the confidence of the entire community. He has an excellent trade and is doing well in his present business. In 1880 he was elected a member of the city council and served with satisfaction to the public for two years. Mr. and Mrs. Hennemeyer have six children : George, Henry, Mary, Ida, Freddie and Frankie.

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HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

They lost two in infancy. He and wife are members of the Catholic Church, and he is a member of the Knights of America and the Catho- lic Benevolent Society.

THOMAS HEYE

(Dealer in Stoves and Tinware, St. Charles).

Forty-four years ago from the present fall Frederick Heye, the father of the subject of this sketch, crossed the blue waters of the Atlantic from Hanover bound for America. He came to this country believing that he could do better for himself and establish himself more comfortably in life than was possible for him to do in the Old World. He came directly to St. Louis. He was then a young man and had learned. the tinner's trade in his native country. He followed this in St. Louis for about 10 years, and then came up to St. Charles, where he made his permanent home. Here he was subsequently married to Miss Louisa Fetter, whose parents were also originally from Germany. He soon opened a tin shop and finally brought on a general stock of hardware, both of which lines he carried on with success until his death. He died at this city February 2, 1881, profoundly regretted by all who knew him. He became a man of considerable local consideration and served in the city council some 12 years. He was also vice-president of the Mu- tual Fire Insurance Company for a period of no less than 20 years. He and his good wife were blessed with a family of eight children, most of whom have become well settled in life. Thomas Heye is the fourth in the family of children and was born October 6, 1859. He was brought up to his father's business, and after the death of his father carried on business for his mother. Subsequently he secured his mother's interest and has ever since been sole proprietor of the establishment. He carries a large and well selected stock of shelf and heavy hardware, and also a full line of stoves and tinware, etc. He likewise runs a first-class tin shop in connection with his busi- ness. He has a good trade and is doing well. He is a worthy mem- ber of the A. O. U. W.

J. PHILIPP HOEHN

(Dealer in Groceries, and Late City Treasurer; also President of the St. Charles Mutual Insurance Company).

It has been nearly 30 years ago since Mr. Hoehn first made his home at St. Charles. He was then a young man early in his twenties, and had barely begun to get what may be called a foothold in life. He had received a good practical education, however, before leaving his native country, Germany, and what is equally as good, had learned a good honest trade, a calling that he could always rely upon for a comfortable support wherever his fortunes might be cast, when able to work. He was brought up in a country where honest toil is con- sidered no badge of dishonor, but where all believe that only those

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HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

should thrive and prosper who do so by worthy industry. Mr. Hoehn came to America in 1854, and after stopping for a time at New Orleans and at St. Louis for a little while, he located at St. Charles the follow- ing year, where he has ever since made his home. Here he formed a partnership for carrying on his trade, that of plasterer, with Frederick Wilhelm, which continued until after the outbreak of the war. Hav- ing left Germany and come to this country on account of his admira- tion of the free institutions of America, it is therefore not surprising that when the issue came whether these institutions, this free Republic, should be broken up and destroyed or maintained for those of the pres- ent generation and for posterity, he promptly trained under the flag of the Union and shouldered his musket to fight for the government that he had left his own country and come across the sea to live under. He was out from the opening until the close of the war, first in the Home Guards and then in the regular State militia volunteers. Sev- eral times he was promoted for meritorious service, and finally rose to the rank of first lieutenant, which he held until he was mustered out. He was once slightly wounded during the war. Returning home after the return of peace, he resumed work at his trade, he and his former partner then engaging in business together. They had good success in their business. In 1871 Mr. Hoehn was elected city mar- shal, and was afterwards re-elected, being also during the time ex-officio city collector. Subsequent to this he was appointed deputy sheriff, and also about this time became secretary of the car works at St. Charles. In 1876 Mr. Hoehn engaged in his present business, the grocery trade, which he has ever since followed. He carries a large stock of groceries, queen's-ware, glassware, etc., and also a stock of liquors. His trade is among the better class of customers, and is sub- stantial and fairly profitable. About three years ago, having for some vears before been a prominent member in the St. Charles Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and a member of its board of directors, he was elected president of the company, a position he still holds. This is well known as one of the reliable and well conducted insurance com- panies of the State, and such has been the high character and integrity of its management that it has never for a moment lost the confidence of the public, or even allowed itself to be placed in a doubtful posi-

tion. Mr. Hoehn has been city treasurer, a position he held for some eight years. He has served one term in the city council, and has held other positions of local consideration. Mr. Hoehn is one of the substantial citizens and clear-headed business men of St. Charles, and commands general respect and public confidence. Since 1858 he has been blessed with a family, though his home has not escaped, through all these long years, the sorrow of the shadow of death. His first wife was a Miss Amelia Jung, a daughter of T. George Jung, formerly of Alsace, France, now a German province. She survived her mar- riage nearly 18 years, but was at last taken away from her loved ones on this side the silent river whose opposite shore no mortal eye has ever seen, in 1876. She left four children : Laura L., George F., Amelia and Emily. One besides, a son, and the eldest, G. Otto, died in

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HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

October, 1883, aged 24 years. To his present wife, Mr. Hoehn was married in the fall of 1878. She was a Miss Adelaida Agene, formerly of Hanover. They have one child, Veronika A. Mr. Hoehn is a prominent member of the A. O. U. W. and of the Workingmen's Union.

FREDERICK W. HOLKE

(Of J. N. Mettelberger & Co., Dealers in Dry Goods, Boots, Shoes, Furnishing Goods, Etc., St. Charles).

From the age of 18 years Mr. Holke has given his undivided time and attention. to merchandising. For 11 years he was with one house in St. Charles, and since that time he has been continuously a member of the present firm. That he thoroughly understands retail merchandising it seems, in view of these facts, unnecessary to say. As a clerk he was not only valued by his employers, but was more than ordinarily popular with the public. The trade he brought to the house was a not inconsiderable item taken into account by the firm. And when he entered into his present partnership, although he put his capital into the firm, the custom his name demands was of more value to the business than the capital he put in. Mr. Holke is not only a popular salesman, but a buyer of superior judgment, and understands thoroughly the successful management of a store. He is one of the active, energetic members of the firm, and has con- tributed his full share to the marked success their house has achieved. Mr. Holke was born and reared in St. Charles county and is of Ger- man parentage. The family came here in an early day. His father was Herman H. Holke, and his mother nee Kate Wulfe- kammer, both from Prussia. His father was a farmer and had a suc- cessful experience as such in this county. Frederick W. was the eldest of the family of three sons and four daughters. His brother, Henry J., is a physician at St. Paul, Ill. His other brother, John H., is at Holstein, and also a physician. Frederick W. received a common-school education as he grew up on the farm, and at the age of 18 came to St. Charles and secured a position as clerk, which he continued for 11 years, as stated above. He not only learned the business thoroughly, but by economy saved up some means as a nucleus on which to begin business for himself. This he invested in his present business. November 28, 1879, he was married to Miss Cora H. Barron. She was educated at Lindenwood College. Mr. and Mrs. Holke have a family of three children : Emory B., Urban E. and Irene N. Mrs. H. is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

COL. JOHN D. HOLLRAH

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, and ex-Presiding Judge of the County Court; Post-office, St. Charles).

The name that heads this sketch is well known throughout the county as that of one of the old and highly respected and prominent and influential citizens of the county. Judge Hollrah has lived in

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HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

this county from boyhood, and by his own industry and good man- agement, his high character and usefulness as a citizen, has become both a leading farmer of the county and one of its prominent, repre- sentative men. Farming has been his occupation, including raising and handling stock, from youth, and he has devoted his entire time and attention to it when not otherwise employed in the military or civil service of the public. As a farmer he has accumulated a con- fortable property ; has become, in fact, one of the substantial property holders of the county. His homestead contains 450 acres, which is all under fence and well improved. He has other valuable farming lands in the county. Judge Hollrah was born in Hanover, Germany, September 30, 1824, and was about 11 years of age when his father, John D. Hollrah, Sr., came to this country with his family of children and settled in St. Charles county. Col. Hollrah is the only one of the five children of the family living. His father died here in 1859, but his mother, nee Mary Folbush, died in Germany in 1827. His father was a carpenter by trade, but after he came to America followed farming. He was a gallant soldier in the German army during the Napoleonic wars. After he grew up, John D. Hollrah, Jr., was married in this county, December 13, 1850, to Miss Anna Bechbrede, a daughter of Diderich and Helena Bechbrede, formerly of Hanover. Col. Hollrah engaged in farming at about the time of reaching his majority and has followed it ever since. At the outbreak of the war he organized a company for the Union service, of which he was made captain-Co. M, Twenty-seventh Missouri State militia. In 1863 he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant-colonel, and held that position until the close of the war. In 1866 Col. Hollrah was elected presiding justice of the county court, and was afterwards re-elected to that office as long as he would consent to serve, continu- ing in it until 1874. He and wife and family are members of the Lutheran Church. There are eight children : Henry, who married Miss Mary Barklage, and is engaged in farming in this county ; Her- mann, August, Frederick, Anna, Edward and George.

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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 41

Author: National Historical Company (St. Louis, Mo.) Publication date: 1885 Publisher: St. Louis, National Historical Company Number of Pages: 1166

Author: National Historical Company (St. Louis, Mo.)
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: St. Louis, National Historical Company
Number of Pages: 1166