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 46
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 46
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 46
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REV. FATHER VICTOR VAN DER PUTTEN
(Rector of the St. Charles Borromeo Church, St. Charles).
One of the grandest and noblest features of the Holy Apostolic Church is the profound and lasting influence she exerts, and through- out its history has ever exerted, upon the hearts and consciences of all peoples among whom she carries the standard of the Cross." Wher- ever the holy men and devoted sisters of her following go, there is Christianity carried, pure and true and simple, to remain until the sun shall cease to shine and the order of the visible universe shall be no more. Everywhere, where the Catholic Church obtains, men and women, of whatever race or condition, are attracted to her by the irresistible power of her own truth, purity and righteousness. Some
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HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.
are raised up for the priesthood and others for the holy orders of noble sisters in which she abounds, - all devoted to an undivided life for the service of the Church and the cause of the religion of Christ. No alleged church, among all the multiplicity of denominations, fur- nishes an example to be compared to that presented by the Holy Catholic Church, of thousands and hundreds of thousands of men and women throughout the Christian world eschewing, altogether, secular life, divorcing themselves entirely from the world, taking the vows of lasting celibacy, and committing themselves finally and con- clusively to Christian work alone. Such a church and such a faith must possess something that finds a deep and lasting lodgement in the hearts and consciences of mankind; such men and women as these must be earnest, sincere and true. Only one among tens of thousands in this country to devote themselves to the service of the church is the subject of the present sketch, Rev. Father Putten. And like the others, his life and works illustrate the truth and value of the doctrines of his church. Devoted to his church, to his Maker and to the temporal and eternal welfare of his fellow-creatures, he has labored at the altar and among the people, amidst whom he has lived, in season and out of season, to forward the cause of righteous- ness. An earnest priest, and zealous in his great lifework, he is at the same time a kind and generous-hearted man and is esteemed by the community at large for his many estimable qualities only less than he is loved by the members of his own church. Father Putten was born in the Netherlands, February 26, 1845. He was the second of a family of four children of Francis and Mary (Reys) Putten, both also natives of the Netherlands, his mother, however, being of French descent. Father Putten was educated in his native province of North- Braband, where he also received the priestly ordination in the mag- nificent cathedral of Boise-le-Duc. In 1868 he came to America to enter the Society of Jesus, and, after two years of novitiate at Floris- sant, Mo., went to the College of the Sacred Heart, of Woodstock, Md., where he devoted two years more to theological studies. Father Putten now became Professor in the St. Ignatius College, at Chicago, but on account of ill health was ordered, a year later (1873), to join the famous Father Damen in giving missions in various parts of this country. He continued in this office three years, and in 1876 took charge of a colored church at Cincinnati, teaching at the same time at St. Xavier's College in that city. Six years later, on July 27, 1882, he was appointed rector of the St. Charles Borromeo Church, and ever since that time he has continued to exercise the duties of rector at this church.
JULIUS F. RAUCH (Express Agent, St. Charles) .
The second eldest in a family of seven children, young Mr. Rauch was only five years of age when his parents came to St. Charles in 1865. His father, Bernard Rauch, was a native of Germany, and his
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HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.
mother's maiden name was Mary .C. T. Beck, who was born in Northern France, and came to America when two years of age. They were married in St. Charles in 1856, and located at St. Louis, Mo. Later along, they removed to Evansville, Ill., and during the war they again returned to St. Louis, and lived there three years, and thence to St. Charles, Mo. The father was a saddler by trade, and died here March 20, 1872, at the age of 39 years. The mother is still living, a resident of St. Charles, and with her family of children. Julius F. was born at Evansville, Ill., on the 13th of September, 1859. Principally reared at St. Charles, he received a good education in English and German in the Catholic schools of this place. At the age of 17 he began work in the express office, having previously had some experience in mercantile clerking. He worked for the express company at this place for about two years, and then was promoted to a position at Moberly in the service of the company. Later along he received an appointment on the railroad for the express company, running between Kansas City and Chicago, and afterwards was trans- ferred to the route between Chicago and St. Louis, being the express messenger on the road. In 1881 he received his present appoint- ment at this place, and has been the express agent here ever since. These facts show that by his own merit he has risen from the bottom round of the ladder to his present enviable position. He is a young man of fine business qualifications, and is quite popular with all who know him.
CHARLES RECHTERN AND BENJAMIN F. BECKER
(Of Rechtern & Becker, Dealers in Dry Goods, Groceries, Boots, Shoes, etc., etc., St. Charles).
The house of the above named firm is one of the old and leading houses of St. Charles. They occupy a large building, their sales- room being 90x45 feet, in which is displayed one of the best and most complete stocks of goods in their lines in the country. An old and established house, they of course command a large trade. Their sales annually aggregate an average of over $40,000. Certainly this is a business that is worthy of more than a passing notice in the present volume. Nothing throws a truer light on any business than a correct understanding of the lives and character of the men who are at the head of it and control it. It is therefore entirely proper to give here a brief sketch of each of the partners of the above named firm. Charles Rechtern is a native of Prussia, born near Bremen, May 14, 1845. He was of a well respected family in the vicinity of Bremen, and had more than average advantages as he grew up in his native country to fit himself for a successful and useful career. His parents, Henry Rechtern and wife, Charlotte Haveker, were born and reared near where Charles, the subject of this sketch, was brought up, and where they continue to make their home. The father is a man of in- dustry and a good manager, and provided well not only for the sup- port but the education of his children. Charles took both a general
Y
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HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.
course in the German branches and the sciences and a thorough clas- sical course. In 1863 he came to America and located first at Belle- ville, where he obtained a situation as clerk in a store. From there he came to St. Louis and was a salesman in a wholesale store until 1867. He then resigned and engaged in business for himself at East St. Louis, establishing a dry goods and clothing house. Two years later he sold out and came to St. Charles, where he formed a partner- ship in business with Valentine Becker, an old and popular merchant of this place, and the father of Benjamin F. Becker, Mr. Rechtern's present partner. Mr. Becker, Sr., retired from the firm in 1873, and
his son, Benjamin F., succeeded to his interest.
Mr. Rechtern is a
capable, energetic and popular business man, and has achieved success by his own enterprise and business ability. November 4, 1869, he was married to Miss Ellen Becker, a sister to his present partner. Mrs. R. was educated at the Convent of the Sacred Heart. They have five children: William H., Adelia, Blanche, Charles E. and Ellen.
BENJAMIN F. BECKER, the second of the partners in the firm, is a son of Valentine Becker. As has been said, his father came from Darmstadt, Germany, when a young man, in 1840, and settled at St. Charles. He was married here to Miss Adelheid Denny, a daughter of Charles Denny, formerly of Germany. About the time of his mar- riage he engaged in merchandising at St. Charles and continued in active business at this place for about 30 years. He was very suc- cessful and built up a large business. He erected a business house which his son now occupies, and had previously built a business house at this place. In 1873 he retired on a competence from all active business. Benjamin F., the second in their family of children, was born at this place December 29, 1851. He was educated at college in St. Charles and in the Christian Brothers' College in St. Louis. Sub- sequently he took a course at commercial college. After this he was in the store with his father until the latter retired and he became a partner in the business. November 23, 1878, he was married to Miss Matilda, a daughter of Francis Martin, a well known grain dealer of St. Charles. Mr. and Mrs. Becker's only child, a bright little daughter, died in her third year, February 19, 1884.
EBENEZER C. RICE (Sheriff of St. Charles County, St. Charles).
Mr. Rice is a native of this county, born in St. Charles, June 6, 1844. His parents were Caleb and Nancy ( Bacon ) Rice, his father a native of Connecticut, and his mother originally from Maine. His father was principally reared in Ohio, and came to Missouri when a young man, in about 1836. His mother came to Missouri before her marriage in company with her brother, William Bacon. The parents first met in St. Charles county and were married here in about 1839. The father was a physician by profession, a licentiate of the Botanic School of Medicine. He practiced his profession in this county for
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HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.
many years and until his death, which occurred January 1, 1865. His wife died in June of the same year. They left a family of six chil- dren, namely : Mary E., who is now Mrs. John Adams, of St. Louis ; Ebenezer C., the subject of this sketch; Caleb W., a physician of Louisville, Ky. ; Samuel A., of New York city ; John T., a physician of San Antonio, Texas ; George H., a physician of Castroville, Texas ; Edward B., a druggist at San Antonio, Texas ; Josephine, the wife of a Mr. Smith, a successful merchant of New York city. Ebenezer C. Rice was reared at St. Charles, and educated in the St. Charles Col- lege, although he did not complete the full course except in mathe- matics. In 1860 he obtained a clerkship in the store of Love & Co., in which his father was a silent partner, and he continued in that employment until about the time of the outbreak of the war. He then went to Montana and was engaged in mining and farming at Vir- ginia City and in Helena for some five years. He was there during the exciting times of the reign of vigilance committees, and relates many thrilling experiences through which he passed. In 1864, his brothers, Samuel and William, joined him in Montana and the three remained there together for two years. Mr. Rice returned to St. Charles county in 1866 and shortly afterwards established a broom factory at St. Charles. He carried that on with success for five or six years, and then engaged in merchandising with his brother-in-law, G. P. LaBarge, as partner. A year later, however, he resumed the manufacture of brooms. In 1875 he was appointed deputy sheriff under J. W. Ruenzi, and he continued in that office until 1882, when he was elected sheriff himself without opposition. He is now serving his second year, and will probably be re-elected without opposition for the next term. His deputy is Mr. Charles G. Johann. In 1866, May 8, Mr. Rice was married to Miss Margaret LaBarge, a daughter of Charles and Estella (Cote ) LaBarge, both of early French families in Eastern Missouri. Her father was an old river pilot and died during the war. Mr. and Mrs. Rice have seven children : Mary, Ida, Jose- phine, Florence, Alfred, Augustus and Ella. Mrs. Rice is a member of the Catholic Church. He is a member of the A. O. U. W. Mr. Rice assisted in his official capacity at the executions of the murderers John Bland and William Barton, colored.
THOMAS J. ROBBINS (Proprietor of the Galt House, St. Charles).
Under the proprietorship and personal management of Mr. Robbins the Galt House has achieved an enviable reputation among the better class of interior hotels of the State. He took hold of it with the determination to run it as a first-class cosmopolitan hotel or to have nothing to do with it. He rightly judged that if it would not pay to run it as a first-class house it would not pay to run it at all, and he therefore started out to succeed on the right principle, or, if fail he must, to fail without any fault of his. His experience thus far has more than justified his belief that a first-class hotel can be made to pay
1
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HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.
at St. Charles. The Galt House under his management has grown rapidly in reputation and patronage, and its good name and success are steadily increasing. He sets a first-class table, regardless of cost, and keeps as neat, comfortable and desirable lodging rooms as can be found in the country. Every thing is clean and attractive and presents the air of home-like comfort. The servants are all under strict instructions to be polite, courteous and accommodating at all times and in all circumstances, and he has educated himself up to the point of keeping his physiognomy in the presentment, as the French would say, of a perpetual perennial smile, the like of which it is a very joy to see. The traveling man, especially, delights to revel in the luxu- ries of his bounteous epicurean table and to stentorate circumtononically snugly tucked away within the folds of his immaculate sheets. In a word, he has made Galt House a first-class hotel in every respect. Mr. Robbins was born and reared in this county, his primal natal day being the 4th of May, 1854. His father was Thomas J. Robbins, formerly of Ohio, and his mother's maiden name Elizabeth E. Ewing, of the well known and prominent Ewing family of that State. They were early settlers in St. Charles county, and the father was a suc- cessful farmer and stock-raiser of this county. He died here April 7, 1859. The mother died January 5, 1875. Thomas J., the subject of the sketch, was educated in St. Charles county and at Blackburn University of Carlinville, Ill., February 2, 1875, he was married to Miss Nettie Stonebraker, a daughter of Oliver and Catharine A. (Beckley ) Stonebraker, formerly of Hagarstown, Md. Mrs. Robbins was educated at Lindenwood College and at Dulin's Female College at St. Joseph, Mo. Mr. and Mrs. R. have five children : Ralph S., Lynn M., Lucy M., Edward T., and an infant, innominate.
JAMES SHORT
(Contractor for Stone-Building Work, Macadamizing and Grading, St. Charles).
The career of Mr. Short presents an example of industry, perse- verance and good management, rewarded by substantial results, well worthy of imitation by young men who start out as he did without a dollar to begin on, or the influence of wealthy friends to help them along. He came to this country a poor young mechanic, from Ire- land, in 1862, and was practically without a dollar. He worked at his trade for about a year in New York, and then spent a year at work in Chicago. From there he came to St. Charles, and has resided here ever since. He has become comfortably situated in life, and is one of the substantial men of the county. Besides valuable town property, he owns a handsome farm of nearly 300 acres in the county, and also has about 100 acres in Warren county. He does a large contracting business for stone-work in buildings, and also for macadamizing and grading. August 25, 1867, Mr. Short was mar- ried to Miss Anna Boil, a daughter of William and Mary ( McGuire ) Boil, formerly of Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. Short have eight children : Mary, John, William, Kate, Ella, Anna, Lizzie and James. He
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HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.
and wife and their children are members of the Catholic Church. Mr. Short was born at Limerick, Ireland. His parents were John and Mary ( Hungrolin) Short, both of ancient Irish families. The family came to this country in 1864 and settled in St. Charles county, where the father followed farming until his death, which occurred in January, 1879. The mother died in December, 1882.
MILTON SPENCER
(Farmer, St. Charles).
Born in St. Charles county, October 13, 1847, Mr. Spencer was a son of Robert and Anna (Cayce) Spencer, both also native of this county. His father was a soldier in the Mexican War, and during the Civil War served in the Confederate army. He died in 1864. The , mother had preceded him in 1856. Five of their family of children are living, namely : Ellen, Virginia, Sarah, George and Milton. Mil- ton was reared in this county and partly educated in the schools of St. Charles. He then entered Blackburn University of Carlinville, Ill., where he took a course in the higher branches. In 1880 he was married to Miss Julia Zull, a daughter of Abner and Agnes Zull, of Lockport, Ill. She died July 1, 1883. She was a worthy member of the M. E. Church, and died as she had lived, fixed in the faith of her Redeemer. After leaving the university Mr. Spencer taught school for a time and then engaged in farming in this county, which he has ever since followed. He has a good farm of 120 acres.
J. H. SPINKS
(Proprietor of Spinks' Barber Shop and Cold and Hot Bath-house, St. Charles).
Mr. Spinks was born in St. Louis county, March 18, 1840, and was the oldest of five children of John H. and Louisa ( Barady ) Spinks. His father was a farmer by occupation, and in 1849 went to Califor- nia, where he remained engaged principally in mining for about 12 years ; he died at Salt Lake on his return home in 1861. Mrs. Spinks is still living and makes her home with one of her children. John H., Jr., was reared in St. Charles and educated in the Catholic schools at this place. In 1861 he commenced the barber's trade, but shortly after- wards enlisted in the Southern army under Gen. Price. In 1864 he was taken prisoner and not released until the following year, when he was set at liberty under general orders from Gen. Grant. He .
then came home to St. Charles and has continued to reside in this city ever since engaged all the time at his trade. He stands at the head of his business in St. Charles, and is conceded to be one of the best barbers in the county. He has a good shop which is liberally patronized, and also has a complete system of hot and cold bath- rooms in connection with his shop. In 1857 he was married to Miss Julia Pallarsie, a daughter of Basil Pallarsie, of this county, but now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Spinks have seven children : Venie, Nora, John, Edgar, Stephen, Allison and Antone L. He and wife are
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HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.
members of the Catholic Church, and he is a member of the Catholic Knights of America.
ANTONE STOLZ
(Proprietor of Stolz's Hotel and Saloon, St. Charles).
Mr. Stolz is a native of Alsace, Germany, born January 17, 1844. His parents were Balthasar and Susan (Weber) Stolz, both born and reared in Alsace. Antone Stolz grew to manhood in his native prov- ince and received a common school education ; he was brought up on the farm under his father and remained with him until 1865, when he came to America. Here he first located at St. Charles and was subse- quently at other points engaged in various occupations, including rail- roading, farming, the saloon business, etc. In June, 1871, he returned to St. Charles and was a bar-tender here for Wm. Suermer for about eight months ; he then formed a partnership with Ignatz Behnert and engaged in the saloon business himself. Two years later his partner retired from the firm and he continued the business alone. He has been very successful in business, and has the largest saloon in the city; he also has a hotel in connection with his saloon, which is liber- ally patronized. Mr. Stolz justly prides himself on the quiet, orderly house that he keeps, everything about his premises being so conducted that any gentleman may enter at any time without seeing or hearing anything to give offense or out of taste and decency. Mr. Stolz was married September 20, 1873, to Miss Magdaline Weber, a daughter of Lawrence Weber, of St. Charles county, but formerly of Alsace, Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Stolz are members of the Catholic Church, and he is a member of the Catholic Knights of America. Mr. Stolz is a prominent stockholder in the tobacco factory of St. Charles. He is a pleasant, agreeable gentleman, well respected and quite popular among his friends and acquaintances. He is a man of good business energy and is steadily coming to the front as one of the substantial citizens of St. Charles.
JOHN E. STONEBRAKER (Cashier of the First National Bank, St. Charles).
In business affairs Mr. Stonebraker's career has been one of marked activity, not unattended with substantial success. He has long occu- pied a well recognized and enviable position among experienced and successful bank officials. Prior to becoming interested in banking, he had had a successful experience in general business life, well calculated to prepare him, so far as training outside of a bank could serve in that direction, for the general banking business. Mr. Stonebraker is well known to the people of St. Charles and throughout the surrounding country, as not only a thoroughly qualified bank official, but as a citi- zen of business enterprise, public spirit and much usefulness to the place and the entire community ; so that it is unnecessary to speak here of his standing and the influence he exerts. One of the worthy,
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HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.
active business men of the place, and having been closely identified with the material and other interests of St. Charles for many years, the intimate association of his name with the many enterprises con- ducive to the growth and prosperity of this city, afford the best record that could be given of the value of his services to the place. Known and recognized as one of the old and substantial citizens of St. Charles, always active and liberal in all movements of a public nature, designed to promote the business and general interests of the place, his name, even were it not borne on these pages, will go down in the history of the county as one of its worthiest and best citizens. Mr. Stonebraker is a native of Maryland, born in Washington county, on the 1st day of June, 1826. The grandfather has long been settled in Maryland and emigrated there direct from Germany. Mr. Stonebraker's father was John Stonebraker, and resided near Hagarstown. The mother was a Miss Naomi McCoy, and in 1843, when John E. was about 17 years of age, the family, including himself, removed to Missouri and settled at the village of St. Charles. It was then but little more than a small French trading post. However, the father improved a farm near this place, where he followed farming until his death, which occurred in 1859. John E. remained on the farm until he completed his majority. Meanwhile he had had fair educational advantages. Before the family left Maryland he had, in addition to attending the ordinary schools, taken a course at the Franklin Institute, of Pennsylvania. Before reaching his majority he had also studied book-keeping, and was there- fore more than ordinarily well qualified for those times, to begin a business career. When 21 years of age he obtained employment in the Collier flouring mills at St. Charles, as book-keeper. Mr. Stone- braker remained in that position until 1851, when he bought an inter- est and became an equal partner with Mr. Gibbs in the St. Charles woolen mills. For five years following he was an active partner in these mills, and had mainly the business management of them. Their success was unquestioned while he was connected with them, and in 1856 he sold out to good advantage, having already made some money. About this time the walnut lumber industry began to attract attention and offered a profitable field of enterprise. He therefore engaged in it, and for three years ran a mill for the manufactory of walnut lum- ber, and also did something in manufacturing other lines of native hard-wood lumber. Peter Hausam was his partner, and they did a heavy business in lumber industry. This was continued until shortly prior to the war, when, having accumulated some considerable means, Mr. Stonebraker decided to engage in the banking business. Recog- nizing his qualifications for the position, the board of directors of the St. Charles Branch of the Southern Bank of St. Louis, in which he was a prominent stockholder, appointed him cashier of the Branch. The Southern was the original of the Third National Bank of St. Louis, of which Mr. Tutt is now president. He was cashier of the Branch for about four years. In 1863 Mr. Stonebraker was instrumental in or- ganizing the First National Bank of St. Charles. This proved a suc- cessful enterprise, and has become one of the solid banking institutions
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