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 56
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 56
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 56
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HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.
tion, the respect and confidence, and the admiration of those around them. Hence it is that in every community the parish priest is always looked up to as a safe and wise counsellor in sorrow and misfor- tune, and in all the affairs of family, as well as in religious matters. It is he who carries the key to the trust and confidence of his parishion- ers, and who wields a justly potent influence in the community. Such is the character of man the good Father is, who is the subject of this sketch ; and such the position he holds in this community. The highest tribute that could be paid him as a man and priest is to say that he is in every way eminently worthy of his sacred office ; and this can be said with truth and without qualification. His record in the priesthood has been one of earnest piety and of untiring zeal in the cause of religion and of the church ; and one of ability and marked success as a priest. He is only less admired by those who know him for his learning and eloquence, than he is loved for his religious devo- tion and his unceasing labors for the good of those who are brought under his benign influence. Rev. Father Krainhard is a native of Germany, born in the Kreis of Wiedenbruk, on the 1st of May, 1841. He was a son of Johann T. Pollmeier and Katharine Brun- sick, and was the fourth in their family of six children. The parents followed him to America in 1868, and settled at St. Charles. His general education was acquired in different State schools in Prussia. Three years he visited the school at Marienfeld ; five more at Herze- bruck. Then he went for the higher branches of science one year and a half to Guetersloh ; from thence he came to Rietberg, and visited the college four years and a half. After having visited Reit school, at Felgte, half a year, he spent two years in the college at Waren- dorf ; he obtained the certificate of maturity at the State's examination in the fall of 1863, and later visited the academy at Paderborn two years and a quarter. There he was made acquainted with philosoph- ical and theological sciences. In the fall of 1855 he left his native country for America to devote his life to the work of mission in the United States. Seven days before Christmas he arrived at New York and immediately went to the seminary of St. Francis of Sales, near Milwaukee, where he completed his theological studies. Then he offered his services to the Archbishop Peter Kenrick, of St. Louis, and was ordained July 18, 1866, by the Rt. Rev. Fahan, Bishop of Nashville, now Archbishop of Chicago. His bishop sent him to St. Charles to assist the pastor at St. Peter's Church. From thence he was transferred to St. Joseph's Church, at Josephville, September 19, 1868, and in this position he has continually remained until now. His parents died in 1880, the father six months after the mother.
RUSSELL B. LEWIS, M. D.
(Physician and Surgeon, Flint Hill, P. O., Wentzville).
For 35 years continuously Dr. Lewis has been actively engaged in the practice of his profession at Flint Hill and throughout the surround- ing vicinity. Though so long engaged in a large and arduous country
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HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.
practice, where the hardships and exposures are out of all comparison more severe than those incident to a city practice, or practice in a large town and thickly populated community, he is still active and zealous in the work, and makes no hesitation when a call comes, to attend the suffering, but goes promptly in obedience to what he be- lieves one of his most sacred duties, regardless of personal comfort or interest. Ever faithful thus to his duties as a physician, and a man of kindly bearing, and the most generous, unselfish impulses, he has very naturally become not only well established as a leading physician of the county, but to occupy a place in the esteem, and it may truthfully be said, the affections of the people of his community, which only such a life as he has led, and such a man as he is, could win. Dr. Lewis has been very successful as a physician, judging success in the profes- sion as it should be judged, by the good one does. The people have confidence both in his ability and in his humane solicitude for those who come under his care and treatment. In his time he has performed many extremely difficult cures, successes that in a large city would have made him a reputation worth a fortune. But he has not sought fame or wealth in his practice, but rather to do his simple duty to suffering humanity, whenever and wherever called, in a plain, unob- trusive and conscientious manner. Thus, while perhaps he has not made as great a name in his profession as perhaps he otherwise might have done, yet he has the consciousness of having been true to him- self, true to the public and true to his profession, and of having never sacrificed anything for personal advancement, a consciousness that is worth more to a true and just man than all the empty honors and wealth that the world has to bestow. Dr. Lewis is a native of Ken- tucky, born March 31, 1823. His father was Russell Lewis, a lead- ing merchant of Frankfort, Ky., and sheriff of Franklin county, that State, but originally of Boston, Mass. He died when Russell B. (the' Doctor ) was in infancy. The mother, whose maiden name was Maria Bell, born and reared in Frankfort, Ky., subsequently became the wife of William C. Lindsay, who removed with her family to Missouri, in 1829, and settled in St. Charles county. The mother died in this county April 12, 1883, at the advanced age of 83 years. Russell B. Lewis, the only child by his mother's first marriage, was reared in this county, and received a common district school education. Sub- sequently, after attaining his majority, he taught school in the county for 18 months, and then went to Kentucky, where he studied medicine under Dr. Theophilus Steele, of Versailles. After a course of prepara- tory study with Dr. Steele, he took a course of lectures at Transylva- nia Medical College, of Lexington, Ky. Concluding his course there he returned to Missouri and completed his medical education at the Missouri Medical College, under the presidency of Dr. McDowell, from which institution he graduated in 1849. He then located at Flint Hill, and has been actively engaged in the practice here ever since. Dr. Lewis owns a good farm on which he resides, and the manage- ment of which he superintends. He has been married twice. His first wife was Miss Mildred Myers, a daughter of George Myers, of this
1
519
HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.
county, to whom he was married April 4, 1849. She died April 21, 1870, leaving two children, Mary M., now the wife of Rev. Henry Kay, pastor of the M. E. Church South, of Montgomery City ; and Mildred Bell, a young lady still at home. To his present wife Dr. Lewis was married January 11, 1876. She was a Miss Anna Chinn, of Frankfort, Ky., a daughter of Judge Franklin Chinn, of that city, and was educated at the Shelbyville High School, of Kentucky. Of this union there are four children : Madge, Jennie, Russell B. and Lizzie V. The Doctor and his wife are both church members.
PETER McMENAMY
(Farmer, Post-office, St. Paul).
Mr. McMenamy was born in Ireland, in March, 1838. When he was about 12 years of age the family immigrated to America and located at St. Louis, where they resided about two years. The fam- ily with the exception of the father who died on his arrival there from Ireland, in 1852, then came to St. Charles county. Here, during the war Mr. McMenamy, Jr., the subject of this sketch, served for a time in the Home Guards, Union service. Already he had engaged in farm- ing in the county and he has ever since kept this up. Mr. McMenamy by industry and good management has acquired a comfortable prop- erty. He has a good farm of over 300 acres which is well improved and well stocked. In 1863 he was married to Miss Isabella Bowles, a daughter of Walter and Rosa Bowles of this county. Mr. and Mrs. McM. have been blessed with 11 children, nine of whom are living, namely : Patrick W., Rosa A., Mary F., Litticia, Margaret T., Peter J., Perpetua, Bernardetta and John A. Mr. and Mrs. McM. are members of the Catholic Church.
BENJAMIN F. MOORE (Farmer, Post-office, O'Fallon) .
Mr. Moore's grandparents on his father's side were early settlers of Kentucky from Virginia, coming out to the Blue Grass State when his father, Benjamin Moore, Sr., was yet in early boyhood. The lat- ter grew up in Kentucky and became a well-to-do farmer and respected citizen of Harrison county. He died while on a visit to his son, Benjamin F., in this county, in 1871. He was married twice, his first wife having been a Miss Thompson, who left him two children at her death, both now grown and married. His second wife was a Miss Patsey Dance, also of Harrison county, Ky. Eight children were the fruits of the last union, including the subject of the present sketch. Four are living. Benjamin F. was the second in this family and was born on his father's homestead in Harrison county, Ky., January 1, 1837. Reared on a farm in his native county, he continued at home until he was about 21 years of age, when he came out to Mis- souri and located in St. Charles county. Shortly afterwards the war
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HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.
broke out and he enlisted in the Southern army, serving under Price until the summer of 1863. He was principally in the recruiting army of the service. In 1864 Mr. Moore went West, and for five years fol- lowing was mainly engaged in freighting on the plains. He returned to St. Charles county in 1868, and the same year was married to Miss Mildred Custer, a daughter of Hiram Custer, of this county, and
descended from the old Custer family of Virginia. Mr. Moore at once went to farming after his return to the county and has been engaged in this occupation ever since. A man of industry, good habits, economical and a good manager, he has of course done satis- factorily well as a farmer. He now has a comfortable homestead of over 300 acres, substantially improved and well stocked. Mr. and Mrs. M. have four children : Lizzie D., Frank C., Edna B. and Elon H. His wife is a member of the Presbyterian Church.
JUDGE BENJAMIN C. T. PRATT
(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Wentzville).
In early life Judge Pratt was a civil engineer, and although he retired from that profession while still a young man, he had already attained to enviable prominence. Born in Wareham, Plymouth county, Mass., February 23, 1834, his parents shortly afterwards removed to Binghampton, where he was reared and educated, and where he studied civil engineering. His being almost devoted exclusively to mental culture in and outside of institutions of learning, he early passed through the usual curriculum of studies, and indeed, before he was 20 years of age had studied civil engineering, and became proficient and a licentiate in that profession. He then at once came West, be- lieving that there were opportunities for a successful career for young men in his calling in this then new country not to be met with in the East. His experience here indicated his good judgment. Locating at St. Louis, he was in that city only a short time before he was appointed civil engineer for the North Missouri Railroad Company, and in pursuance of his appointment he made the survey of the road from St. Louis to the Iowa line. This route was adopted by the com- pany and his work has since been declared by the ablest civil engineers of the country to be one of the best selected and located routes, the geography and conformation of the country considered, in the West. His work was well and successfully done, and has never been criticised by any respectable authority. Young Pratt was then appointed superintendent of the construction of the road, and pushed the work of building it forward with vigor until 1858, when he resigned his position to engage in farming in St. Charles county, where he had bought a large body of land. Here he improved a fine farm and has been successfully engaged in farming and stock-raising ever since that time. He has a handsome place of some 500 acres, and is one of the substantial citizens of the county. Judge Pratt has from time to time held various official positions, including that of associate justice of the county court for a number of terms. November 6, 1868, he was mar-
521
HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.
ried to Miss Ellen T. English, a daughter of Dr. Benaia English, a leading physician of this county for many years, and a former repre- sentative of the county in the State Legislature, but originally of Vermont. Mrs. Pratt, Dr. English's daughter, was highly educated, and besides liberal instruction in other institutions, had the benefit of a collegiate course at St. Charles, where she graduated. The Judge and wife became the parents of seven children, namely : Edwin, who died in infancy ; Addie, Sarah, who died in young womanhood, and after she had become the wife of Henry T. Keithley ; Bennie, Lela, Henry and Albertena. Judge Pratt's parents were Hampton K. Pratt and Sarah (Tobey ) Pratt, both born and reared in Wareham county, Mass. They removed to Binghampton, N. Y., in 1836, where the father opened the first hardware store established at that place, and which he carried on with success for some 25 years. The mother died there in 1862 and in 1863 he, the father, came West to Macoupin county, Ill., and two years later to St. Charles county, where he died in 1878. There were three children, the two besides the Judge being Sarah, who is the wife of Henry Wiggins, a prominent merchant of Brooklyn, N. Y., and Addie, who is the wife of William H. Scobill, a leading lawyer of Burlington, N. Y.
CHARLES W. PRINGLE, M. D. (Physician and Surgeon, Foristell).
Dr. Pringle's father, Capt. Norman Pringle, from Connecticut, was one of the pioneer settlers of Warren county. Indeed he came here before the county had an existence in name, away back in 1820, and settled in what was then a part of Montgomery county, but what afterwards was included in the territorial limits of Warren county, when the latter was organized. He was a man of sterling worth, strong intelligence, and became a man of consideration in the county. He had served in the War of 1812, and came of an old and respected family of Connecticut, originally of Scotch descent. He was a tanner by trade and followed that in Connecticut until his removal to Missouri. Here he devoted himself mainly to farming, settling at Hickory Grove, and attained to comparatively easy circumstances. He served as post- master at Hickory Grove for a long time and until his death. He was for many years a worthy member of the Masonic fraternity. His wife was a strict Presbyterian. She preceded him to the grave by about two years. She was a Miss Sallie Kellogg, and was of Irish descent, but herself was born and reared in Connecticut. Nine chil- dren were the fruits of their long and happy married life. Of these Charles W. was the youngest, and was born at Hickory Grove, March 14, 1824. He was principally educated at a private school kept by Prof. C. W. Pritchett. Afterwards he began the study of medicine,. Dr. H. C. Wright being his local preceptor. After a regular course of preparatory study, in 1848, he matriculated at the Missouri Medical College under the presidency of the famous Dr. McDowell. After a regular course of two terms under Dr. McDowell he was regularly
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HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.
and honorably graduated, and at once returned to Warren county and located on his farm, about a mile north-east of Foristell, where he engaged actively in the practice of his profession. He con- tinued located there at work in the practice and superintending his farm until 1872, when he removed to the town of Foristell, where he has ever since given his whole time and attention to his pro- fession. Dr. Pringle has had a successful career as a physician, and stands not less favorably as a citizen than he does in his profession. October 18, 1844, he was married to Miss Meroe S. Edwards, the second daughter of Moses and Sallie ( Spires) Edwards of this county. The Doctor and Mrs. Pringle have been blessed with 12 children, 10 of whom are living: Edward M., who is married and is a merchant at Foristell ; Mark S., married and a farmer of Warren county ; Sallie H., the wife of John M. Bird, a farmer of that county ; John E., also married and a regular graduate and practitioner of medicine in Lincoln county ; Virgil K., a telegraph operator at Walloola Junction, Washington Territory ; Charles M., married and a farmer of Warren county ; Cyrus E., engaged in the practice of medicine with his father ; Lucy N., Julia O. and Meroe A., the last three at home. Adelbert and Mattie, the second and youngest child respectively, are deceased. The Doctor and wife and several of their children are members of the Christian Church ; the Doctor is also -a member of the A. F. and A. M.
EDWARD M. PRINGLE
(Dealer in General Merchandise, Lumber, Grain and Live Stock; also, Notary Public, Foristell).
Though hardly yet a man of middle age, Mr. Pringle has already achieved a degree of success that would do credit to one late in the evening of life and whose whole energy and intelligence had been well enlisted in business and industrial affairs. Born in Warren county September 18, 1845, he did not enter actively into business life until about 15 years ago. Yet within that comparatively short period, by his own energy and intelligence alone, he has placed himself in a prominent position among the leading business men of St. Charles county ; he is one of the principal general merchants of the western part of the county, and also one of the leading dealers in lumber, grain and live stock. Of general merchandise he carries a stock of about $3,000 and of lumber about $2,000, and also owns his business build- ings and places of business ; his annual sales in these two lines aggre- gate over $40,000. Of grain he ships about 80,000 bushels a year, and of live stock about $20,000 worth per annum. These facts speak for themselves .and require no comment. Mr. Pringle resides at Foristell and has an elegant and beautiful home, the handsomest place, by all odds, at this point. He is a man of culture and high character, as well as of superior business qualification, and stands well not only at Foristell, but wherever he is known ; he is the eldest son of Dr. Charles W. Pringle, whose sketch precedes this, and was reared on
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HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.
his father's farm, in Warren county, near Foristell. After taking the usual course in the district schools he entered the University of St. Louis, where he received an advanced general education. Afterwards he followed farming for about a year, and then in 1868 was appointed station agent at Foristell. This position he held for some 12 months, but finding it too confining and that it afforded no opportunity for a field of business activity commensurate with his ambition he resigned it to enter into business life on his own account. He engaged in buy- ing and shipping grain and live stock from this point and at once inet with marked success; this he ever since continued ; he also formed a business partnership in general merchandising with A. E. Forder- hase, the two continuing in business together for about seven years, when Mr. P. bought his partner's interest and still continued the business. Later along he also opened a large lumber yard, and has conducted this with success for several years. Mr. Pringle has served in the commission of notary public for about 12 years and transacts a great deal of business in this line for his neighbors and acquaintances in St. Charles and Warren counties. March 17, 1874, he was married to Miss Anna G. Webb, a daughter of James T. and Sallie A. (Forney ) Webb, of St. Charles county. They have three children : Edward C., Warren T. and John H. Mr. and Mrs. P. are members of the Christian Church.
REV. FATHER WILLIAM A. SCHMIDT (Pastor of St. Mary's Church, Dardenne) .
Father William Alexander Schmidt was born in L'inn Creek, Cam- den county, Mo., June 13, 1855. His parents, Fred. and Rosalie (nee Saettele ) Schmidt, came to America from Baden, Germany, in 1849, and settled at Linn Creek a short time afterwards. At the age of 13 young Schmidt began a private course of classical studies at Alton, Ill., which he pursued there for four years. He then went to Quincy, that State, where he continued his studies for two years more. In 1874 he entered upon a philosophical course in the Diocesan College at Ruma, Randolph county, Ill., and he subsequently pursued his theological studies at the Arch-Diocesan Seminary of Milwaukee, in St. Francis, Wis. Three years from the time he entered upon his theological course he had completed all his preparatory studies, and was accordingly ordained a priest in 1878, his ordination being for the Arch-Diocese of St. Louis. Immediately thereafter he was appointed assistant priest of St. Mary's Church, at St. Louis, where he served until 1879, when he was sent to the mission of Lake Creek, in Pettis county, Mo. While there he also attended the charges at Spring Fork, in the same county, and Cole Camp, in Benton county. In November, 1880, Father Schmidt was recalled from the Lake Creek mission and appointed pastor of St. Mary's Church at Dardenne, in St. Charles county, of which he has ever since had charge. As a priest he is a man of thorough learning and profound piety, and is earnestly and sincerely zealous in the cause of religion and the
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HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.
church. In the chancel and in all the relations of his holy office, as well as his walk and talk in private life, his conduct and character are in conformity with the duties and proprieties of his station, and hap- pily illustrate the benign influence of Christianity upon its true fol- lowers. He is an able and eloquent pastor, and is greatly esteemed, not only by his own parishioners, but by the people of the community at large.
JOHN SCHATZ AND JOHN H. SCHIERMEIER
(Of Schatz & Schiermeier, Dealers in General Merchandise and Grain, Foristell) .
The above named firm was organized January 1, 1883, when they bought out the general merchandise stock of A. E. Forderhase at this place and engaged in their present business. They carry a stock of about $6,000, and do an annual trade of some $20,000. In the grain line they handle about 16,500 bushels of wheat and about 6,600 bushels of oats. These facts show that they hold a position among the leading business firnis of the western part of the county. Both are men of thorough business qualifications, ample experience and unquestioned energy and enterprise, and the successful career they have thus far had can hardly fail to continue in the future.
MR. SCHATZ is a son of John G. and Mary E. (Kiburz) Schatz, his father a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, but his mother originally of Obererlisbach, Switzerland. They early came to this country and re- sided in St. Louis for a number of years. The father is now retired and both live at Foristell. John Schatz, the subject of this sketch, and the eldest of five children, was born in St. Louis, April 26, 1855. He was principally reared at Foristell, and after his school experience in youth went out to the cigar maker's trade, which he followed until 1875. He then began clerking in a store at Foristell, and continued clerking until he engaged in his present business. November 14, 1883, he was married to Miss Minnie, a daughter of Paul and Francisca Oehler, of St. Louis. Mr. S. is a member of the I. O. O. F.
JOHN H. SCHIERMEIER, the junior member of the above named firm, was born in St. Charles county, February 1, 1861. His parents were William and Catherine ( Kronsbein ) Schiermeier, both originally of Hanover, Germany. His father became a substantial farmer of St. Charles county, and served with courage and fidelity in the Union army during the Civil War. John H. was reared on the farm in this county and educated at the Central Wesleyan College of Warrenton. He then engaged in clerking in the store of E. M. Pringle at Foristell. However, before entering college he had followed clerking for about two years in the store of E. H. Meier, at New Melle. In all he had clerked for over four years before engaging in his present business.
HENRY SCHMUCKER
(Dealer in General Merchandise, and Farmer and Stock-raiser, Josephville, P. O.) -
The career of Mr. Schmucker presents a striking example of the success of German thrift - German industry, intelligence and econ-
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HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.
omy-in agricultural and business affairs in this country. He commenced with as little to start on as the poorest of poor native Americans. But he is now one of the substantial citizens of St. Charles county. He has a large business in the general store line, and a fine farm in addition, which is well improved and well stocked. His tract of land contains over 600 acres, nearly all of which is under fence and improved. His residence is a substantial and commodious brick, and the other improvements correspond favor- ably with his dwelling. He also owns the business house occupied by his store, an excellent brick building, well adapted to his business. Mr. Schmucker has a large trade and is doing a flourishing business. He was born in Ostraeden, in Prussia, November 1, 1832, and was a son of Heinrich and Elizabeth Schmucker, both of old Prussian fam- ilies. There were five other children in the family besides Henry, the subject of the present sketch. Only three of the others, how- ever, are now living. In 1836 the family immigrated to America and settled in Warren county, where the father engaged in farming. They resided there for over 20 years and then removed to St. Charles county, in 1857. The father served in the home guards during the war, as did also Henry, who enlisted in Co. K, of the Missouri cavalry, under Col. Bates, this being the regular Union service, however. He remained out until the close of the war. After the war Mr. Schmucker, the subject of the present sketch, resumed farming, which he had previously followed, and has continued in this industry and merchandising ever since. He has also been engaged in merchandis- ing for a number of years. In 1857 Mr. S. was married to Miss Frederika Panke, formerly of Germany. They have had eight chil- dren, six of whom are living: Marie, Heinrich, Elizabeth, Kathe, Joseph, Vina and Saluma.
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