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 45
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 45
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 45
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He was for many years captain of the St. Charles First Troop, a military company organized and maintained here for many years, and served its interests faithfully and well, giving it much of his care and attention and accustomed energy.
He was for some time a director of the North Missouri Railroad Com- pany, and gave diligence to the discharge of his high and responsible duties in that connection.
And last, but not least in his estimation, he gave many of his thoughts and much of his time to the ancient and honorable frater- nity of Free Masons - " ancient, as having existed from time imme- morial, and honorable, as tending so to make every one who will be conformable to its precepts." His devotion to this order is shown in his early connection with it, his steadfast adherence to it and his faithful service of it.
The writer has now lying before him Brother Orrick's " mark " as a Royal Arch Mason. It reads : "John Orrick, Schuylkill Mark Lodge, No. 138, June 30th, A. L. 5826," and has on it a representa- tion of a ship in full sail surrounded by the Royal Arch letters " H. T. W. S. S. T. K. S." Brother Orrick attained the age of 21 years on the 5th day of January, 1826. The date given on the " mark " shows that within less than six months after becoming of age he had not only taken the three degrees of Ancient Craft Masonry, but had also attained the degree of Mark Master.
When he came to St. Charles in 1833, there was no lodge working here ; but in 1837 he and others petitioned for authority to open a lodge, which was given, and Brother Orrick was appointed first Jun- ior Warden of the newllodge, which was called Hiram No. 23. In 1838 and 1839 he was its Senior Warden, and in 1840 became its Master. In 1841 he occupied no position but the honorary one of Past Master, which he had well earned; but in 1842, called again into active service, he became J. D. for two years and S. D. for one year. Hiram Lodge No. 23 ceased work about 1845, but another,
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HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.
called Hiram No. 118, was established in 1849 ; and in the first return made by the new lodge, Brother Orrick's name is enrolled as a Past Master. He continued a member of this lodge until its dissolution in 1861. After the organization of Palestine Lodge No. 241, in 1865, he became a member of it, and so continued until his death.
The records of these several lodges and the Grand Lodge of Mis- souri bear testimony to his zeal for the fraternity and his faithful- ness as a craftsman. Diligently and faithfully he served the brotherhood in his early manhood, in his riper years and in old age. He met the brethren of this lodge as often as his increasing infirmi- ties would permit, and his connection with the fraternity was never severed till the bowl was broken at the fountain and the wheel broken at the cistern.
Thus briefly recapitulating the best known events of his life, we would record our appreciation of him as a man and a Mason - as a man, filling up the measure of his days with usefulness, faithful in things, diligently discharging his duties in all the relations of life ; as a Mason, earnest and zealous for 53 years, never forgetting his high and solemn responsibilities, furnishing only true work and square work for inspection, honoring his brethren and honored by them. If he had faults let us forget them and bury them forever. He had many virtues ; let us imitate them. And now that he has gone-the very oldest among us at the time of his death - let us. cherish his memory while life shall last, remembering that we, too, young and old, must soon follow him into the unseen world.
DR. SAMUEL OVERALL.
. [Contributed].
The following is the report of the committee appointed by Palestine Lodge No. 241, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, to prepare a minute concerning the death of Dr. Samuel Overall. The report was prepared by Joseph H. Alexander, W. M. of the Lodge and chairman of the committee, and adopted by the lodge at a meeting held on the 19th of August, 1879 : -
The names of Overall and Griffith have been familiar to the records and identified with the history of St. Charles county for three-quarters of a century, ever since American immigrants began to find their way into the Territory of Louisiana. The Overalls and Griffiths emigrated from Nashville, Tenn., and settled in St. Charles in 1809, shortly after which Maj. Wilson L. Overall and Mary Griffith were united in marriage.
Dr. Samuel Overall was the fourth son of this marriage, and was born December 10, 1821, resided in the county of St. Charles all his life, and died August 3, 1879. His early years were spent upon a farm ; he attended such country schools as those early years afforded, going one year to St. Charles College. Coming to manhood's years and choosing for his life-work the profession of medicine he entered upon its study, and in due time was graduated at the Ohio Medical
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HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.
College in 1846. His diploma is dated on the 4th of March in that year.
Immediately upon his graduation he returned to St. Charles and commenced the practice of his profession, in which he achieved more than ordinary success.
In 1851, October 8th, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary A. Robinson - she and four children survive to mourn the loss of a kind husband and father.
His chief attention was given to the practice of his profession - that was his life-work, and he never relinquished it ; but in the midst of his absorbing duties and unceasing labors as a physician he found time for other things. In 1854 he served one term as mayor of the city of St. Charles, and did his work well. From time to time he gave his attention to various matters as a citizen - he was alive to all matter affecting the public good.
He was for many years a member of the Methodist Church, and gave freely of his talents, his means and his time to the advancement of the interests of that church and of pure religion generally in this community.
In 1849 he became a Free Mason, completing the three degrees of Ancient Craft Masonry on the 4th day of August, 1849, precisely 30 years before the day on which his body was consigned to the grave by his brethren of the Mystic Tie.
In both these relations - as a member of the visible church, and as a Mason - he served long and faithfully, obtaining official position and doing diligent service in both church and lodge, and discharging with conscientious fidelity every duty required of him by his brethren.
He was a Christian - none who knew him ever doubted the fact. He did not so much speak religion as live it, though if occasion re- quired he could defend it by word as well as show forth its excellency and power by a godly walk and conversation.
The writer of this notice has been with him in religious meetings and been struck with the evident sincerity and child-like simplicity of his prayers as he pleaded with God for mercy on those who were perishing.
I have also been with him in Masonic convocations, and remarked his honesty of purpose, his sound sense, his superior judgment and his readiness to forget self where the welfare of others was con- cerned.
I remember well -indeed, while memory continues I can never forget - the last time the lodge had the privilege of seeing Dr. Over- all within its doors. He was suffering with disease, and a very little exertion wearied him. Unknown to the Master, he had been notified to attend a meeting of the lodge. Weak in body and suffering at every step he slowly and painfully ascended the two flights of stairs leading to the lodge-room. At the proper time he asked why he was wanted. He was told that he had been notified without the knowledge of the Master, and that the Master, knowing the state of his health, would not have had him called, but that as he had come all the
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HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.
brethren were glad to see him and welcome him once more among them. He then remarked : "It was hard work for me to come, and I was about exhausted and nearly out of breath when I reached the top of the stairs, but I had been notified that I was wanted and I sup- posed the lodge was in distress and wanted help, and I thought it my duty to come." The world would be better and happier far than it is if there were in it more examples of such self-sacrificing devotion to duty. It was a little thing it is true, but it showed the principle that actuated the man - a principle that ruled his life.
But it was as a physician that he was best known by the largest num- ber, and as such that his character shown with a peculiar luster. He was in many and many a family in this community " the beloved phy- sician," visiting them in their sicknesses, taking upon himself, as it were, their weaknesses, suffering with them in their afflictions, admin- istering healing remedies to their bodies, refreshing their spirits and comforting and consoling their weary souls. Though oftentimes wearied in body and overburdened with the exacting cares of his pro- fession he was always ready with a word of cheer for the despond- ing -his very presence seemed to dispel the gloom of the sick chamber and infuse new life into the wasting body and new hope in the despairing soul.
He sympathized with suffering always and everywhere ; and I have heard him say that perhaps it would have been better for him if he could have been less sympathetic, for it often happened that his anxiety for his patients fairly consumed him.
He was my family physician for 24 years, and he was, in my judg- ment, an excellent physician for children ; and yet I have heard him remark that he dreaded to undertake the treatment of their cases, because they could not inform him of their ailments, and it was more difficult to diagnose their cases and prescribe for them, and it troubled him exceedingly, and often filled him with anguish of spirit to see the little things suffer and yet he be powerless to relieve them.
I know of no word that more exactly expresses my idea of Dr. Overall than the word sunny- he seemed to bring the cheerfulness of sunshine with him. When one is sick it is a time of clouds and gloom with him, and Dr. Overall seemed to have the happy faculty of scat- tering the clouds and dispelling the gloom. His patients have been known to lie on their beds of sickness, weary and helpless, while the hours seemed to draw their slow length along, waiting and watching for the time when the Doctor would come again, so that they might hear him talk and that they might feel the magnetism of his presence ; and many and many are the times when his cheerful voice, his kind salutation and his hopeful conversation have done as much as his skillfully-administered medicines to restore the sick and dying to health and life.
And this was the feeling and fact with all. It mattered not whether he was entering the mansion or the hut - whether he made his arrival known by the costly knocker on the richly grained door or by a rap with the knuckles on a door innocent of plane or smoothness-whether
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HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.
he came to see the rich, on rich beds, in richly furnished rooms, or those lying on straw pallets in the abodes of poverty ; everywhere it was the same- the same heartfelt sympathy, the same kindly greeting, the same cheerful smile. He entwined himself in the love of those to whom and among whom he ministered to a very remark- able degree ; and this was demonstrated on the day we buried him. The spacious rooms were filled with sorrowing and sympathizing friends, while many more on the grounds could not gain admittance into the house at all. The large assemblage had come to weep with those who wept, and to look upon the features of him who had been their true friend in sickness and in health and in all the changing scenes of life, and dropped the tear of sincere affection as they gazed upon his countenance now still and cold in death. Not only the children and mothers of the households where he had so often visited as friend and physician, but strong men, unused it may be to tears, had the fountain of emotion broken up, and their frames shook and their tears flowed as they stood by the bier of him who had so long been their strong reliance and support in the days when affliction had come to them and theirs.
As a husband, as a father, as a man, as a citizen, as a friend, as a neighbor, as a civil officer, as a Mason, as a physician, as a Christian - in all the relations sustained to others in the course of a long and useful life - he was true, diligent and faithful in the discharge of duty and in meeting the full measure of his obligations. He was aware of the nature of the malady that was threatening him, and for the last 10 years of his life lived from day to day as not knowing at what hour he might be called away. His lamp was kept trimmed and burning, and when at last, in the still watches of the night, the mes- senger came and almost literally snatched him away, he closed a useful life by a peaceful death.
How impressive the remark made by Mrs. Overall : " Oh, how we miss him ! We thought we would be prepared for his departure when it should come, for we had long warning of it; but now that it has come, how we do miss him!" Ah, yes, and how truthfully that remark can be made, in greater or less degree, by all who knew him ! We do indeed miss him, and shall miss him for many a day to come. Till I stood beside him as he lay there so peacefully in his coffin, I did not know how great was our loss, nor had I realized how greatly I loved him. I have, indeed, lost a friend, and with tearful eyes and out of a full heart, I have penned these lines to testify in some meas- ure my appreciation of his character and my love and affection for him as a man, a friend and a brother. It was no mean honor to have the esteem and confidence of such a man.
"And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth : Yea, saith the spirit, that they may rest from their labors ; and their works do follow them."
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HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.
CAPT. AUSTIN OWEN
(Proprietor of the St. Charles Ferry).
The name that heads this sketch is not an unfamiliar one to old citizens of St. Charles county and among river men of old times, on nearly all the Western rivers. Capt. Owen has been engaged in steamboating in one capacity or another for nearly 40 years, and has had a varied ex- perience. He was born in New York City, September 9, 1826, and is the son of John and Jemima Lear Owen. His father was a manu- facturer of stoves and grates in that city, and when the son was a mere lad, moved to Louisville, Ky., where he carried on a foundry, in which industry young Owen received practical instruction. The father died in 1849, but Capt. Owen's mother is still living, being a resident of St. Louis, which has been her home since 1845. At the age of 22 the subject of this notice began life on the river. He followed steam- boating as an engineer on the Ohio, Mississippi, Illinois, Missouri and other rivers, during which time he met with many narrow escapes, several of the boats on which he was employed, having been accidently burned or sunk. He was also one of the few who went down with the excursion train in the Gasconade bridge disaster, in 1856, that escaped without serious injury. In 1862, he removed to Brotherton, St. Louis county, to take employment with the St. Charles Ferry Company, and had charge of the North Missouri Railroad transfer boat at that point for several years. In 1876 he purchased an interest in the St. Charles ferry, and in 1880 he became sole owner in it. His house and grounds at Brotherton were swept away by the encroachment of the Missouri river in the spring of 1881, and since that time he has resided in the city of St. Charles. He still owns the ferry at St. Charles, which makes its regular trips every day in the year, when the river is not blockaded with ice. In 1856 he was married to Miss Adaline Couzins, daughter of Maj. J. E. D. Couzins, in St. Louis, and a sister of Miss Phœbe Couzins, well known all over the country as one of the brightest and most brilliant of American ladies. Capt. Owen's wife died in 1870. Four of their children are living : George W., now in St. Louis ; John C., also in St. Louis ; Addie C. and Austin, who re- side with their father. Capt. Owen is one of the most substantial cit- izens of St. Charles. He is genial, clever and popular with all classes. His residence is on Clark and Fifth streets.
JOSEPHUS L. PATTERSON
(Of Mittelberger & Co., Dealers in Dry Goods, Boots & Shoes, Furnishing Goods, Car- pets, Etc., St. Charles).
Mr. Patterson of the above named firm is a native of Missouri, born in St. Louis county, September 14, 1842. His father was John Pat- terson also born and reared in St. Louis county, and his grandfather, Elisha Patterson, was one of the early settlers of that county from North Carolina. £ The subject of this sketch being reared in St.
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HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.
Louis county, enlisted there in 1862, in the Southern service, becoming a member of the 9th Missouri infantry in which he served until the close of the war. While in service he participated in the following battles, Milliken' Bend, Pleasant Hill, Jenkin's Ferry and numerous less engagements ; in both of the first named battles he was wounded but not permanently injured. After joining the army and prior to leav- ing St. Louis county he was taken prisoner and was held for about three months when he was exchanged and resumed his place in the Southern ranks. After the war he returned to St. Louis county, but in the spring of 1866 went to Montana where he continued to make his home for about 14 years. He was in the mines about five years of his time, and then for some six years was engaged in freighting - the balance of the time he followed ranching. Mr. Patterson was quite successful in his affairs in Montana and made considerable money but as times were flush out there and the people generally by no means economical, they usually spent their money as liberally as they made it, and Mr. Patterson was no exception to this rule, though he saved up some means. After returning from Montana he located at St. Charles and became a member of the present firm. They carry a large and complete stock in their line and are doing a good business. June 2, 1880, Mr. Patterson was married to Miss Elizabeth, a daugh- ter of John C. Mittelberger, mentioned elsewhere. They have two children : Howard P. and Pansy N. : one, besides, Frederick, the oldest, is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Patterson are members of the M. E. Church South.
AUGUST PAULE (Florist, St. Charles).
The love of music and flowers, and in fact everything that appeals to the finer sensibilities of the heart and mind, is one of the most marked characteristics of the Teutonic and Gallic races. Wherever the Ger- mans settle music and flowers, and all that is pleasing to the ear and eye, flourish ; and hardly less so where the French settle. St. Charles is largely peopled by Germans, and it is therefore not surprising that a taste and demand prevails for flowers and floral decorations on all public occasions. Recognizing this want, Mr. Paule, very intelli- gently, came to the conclusion that a good flower garden could not fail to be a profitable investment. In 1879, therefore, he engaged in the florist business and has since continued to carry it on with excel- lent success. He has about two acres devoted to the business, which he has finely improved. He has every variety of indigenous and exotic plants, flowers, shrubs, etc. Mr. Paule makes a specialty of floral ornamentations and decorations of halls, churches, etc., for all public occasions, and has acquired a wide and enviable reputation for his skill and good taste in works of this kind. In 1884 he was elected a member of the city council, having previously held the office by former election. Mr. Paule was born and reared in St. Charles city ; he was the fifth, in a family of nine children, of John and Caroline
22
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HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.
(Mangold ) Paule, formerly of Alsace. His father was a tailor by trade, and the family came to America in 1838, residing for a time at Pittsburg, then locating permanently in St. Charles. August Paule was educated at Milwaukee and St. Louis, and while still a youth began clerking in a store which he followed, exclusively, until he engaged in the floral business.
ALFRED H. PAYNE
(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, St. Charles).
Mr. Payne's father was Benjamin H. Payne, who was brought out to Missouri by his parents from Kentucky, who removed to this State in an early day. He afterwards grew up in St. Charles county, and was married to Miss Anna M. Luckett, a daughter of Rev. H. F. Luckett, formerly of Virginia. Alfred H. was born of this union February 11, 1854. He was the eldest of four children, the others being Nellie L., now the wife of James A. Richardson, an attorney of Memphis, Mo. ; Robert H., now of the firm of Ford & Payne, promi- nent lawyers of St. Louis, and Florida and Belle, the last one deceased. The mother of these died in the spring of 1861, and the father was subsequently married to Miss Adelia R. Gray, a daughter of James S. M. Gray, former sheriff of St. Charles county. The father died in 1867, but his second wife is still living. There are still two children of their marriage, Jefferson and Fanny F. The father was a farmer by occupation, and a substantial citizen of St. Charles county. During the Mexican War he served with fidelity and courage under Gen. Doniphan until its close. Alfred H. was reared a farmer, and when he attained his majority inherited 116 acres of good land in this county, a part of his father's estate. Agriculture has been his permanent occupation, and, owing to the able assistance of Mr. Ezra Overall (who administered on his father's estate), is rapidly coming to the front as one of the successful, enterprising farmers of the county. In 1876, at the age of 22, he was married to Miss Cor- delia V. Goddard, a daughter of John A. Goddard, now a merchant of St. Charles. Mr. and Mrs. P. have two children: Pearl G. and Anna M. Mr. Payne, by industry and economy, has been able to add to his landed estate until he now has about 340 acres. This is a record of exceptional success, considering that less than 10 years ago he started with little over 100 acres of land. He is a member of the Knights of Honor, the A. O. U. W., and he and his wife are members of the Chosen Friends.
HENRY F. PIEPER
(Of Pieper & Co., Grocers and Dealers in Farming Implements ; also, County Treas- urer of St. Charles).
In 1836 Mr. Pieper's parents, Henry and Mary Pieper, came to St. Charles county directly from Hanover, Germany. His father bought land near St. Peter, where he improved a farm, and in course of time
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HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.
he became one of the successful, well-to-do farmers of the county ; he died in this county in 1856, widely and profoundly mourned, for he was well known and highly respected. Henry F. Pieper was born after the family settled in St. Charles county, August 3, 1840 ; his youth was spent at work on the farm and in attending the occasional neighborhood schools that were in reach. When 18 years old, how- ever, he came to St. Charles, and entered upon an apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade, in which capacity he worked three years ; he then did journey work at carpentering and in 1861 secured employ- ment on the government barracks at St. Louis, where he worked until they were completed. Returning to St. Charles, he shortly en- listed in the home guards, Union service, recruited for home protec- tion. After his term of service in the home guards, he formed a partnership with H. B. Denker in merchandising, under the firm name of Denker & Pieper. Subsequently he had different partners, and was at different times in the grain and grocery business, respect- ively, up to 1868, when John H. Gruer became his partner in the grocery trade. They have ever since continued the business together under the name of Pieper & Co. They have had good success in business and have one of the leading grocery houses of St. Charles. They also carry a large stock of farm implements, including steam threshers, and have a good trade in this branch of business. Mr. Pieper has become well and favorably known as one of the substantial, reliable business men of the county. For six years he was city treas- urer, from 1868 to 1872, and for six years he served the people of the county as county treasurer, from 1878 to 1884. His repeated elections render any remarks as to his efficiency, fidelity and popularity as a public officer entirely supererogatory. His successor was Henry Angert. In the spring of 1868 Mr. Pieper was married to Miss Caroline Boschert, a daughter of Joseph Boschert, late of this county, but now deceased, and originally from Germany. Mr. and Mrs. P. have two children : Henry A., now entered upon his college course at St. Mary's, Kan., and Celia, a bright little girl some 10 years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Pieper are members of the Catholic Church.
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