USA > Missouri > History of southeast Missouri : a narrative account of its historical progress, its people and its principal interests, Volume II > Part 3
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111
ROBERT L. VANCE. The present owner of the Lutesville Soda Factory is a self-made business man, of Scotch, Irish, German, Eng- lish and Welsh descent and an Illinoisan by birth. The greatgrandfather Vance, a Ger- man, came to America before the Revolution and during his service in that conflict swam rivers several times carrying dispatches. He was the father of eight sons and one daughter, who settled in various parts of the United States.
Robert L. Vance was born near Vandalia, Illinois, January 24, 1866. His parents were A. J. Vance, a farmer and saw mill man, and Margaret Cavanaugh Vance, bothi natives of Illinois. The latter died in 1872. eight years before A. J. Vance and family came to Bol- linger county. Robert L. Vance was one of four children born to A. J. Vance and his first wife. The others were two sisters, Mary (Hughes) and Rosa (Bloom), and a brother, U. S. Grant Vance. Mr. A. J. Vance's sec- ond wife also had four children.
Robert L. and the other children were early thrown on their own resources. While a youth, Robert resided with his grandmother Vance and his aunt, Ellen Vance. He began working as a farm laborer when very young and continued until sixteen years old. Four of his uncles were in the Union army during the Civil war and his Uncle Robert, for whom he is named, was an officer, acting as captain when killed at Vicksburg.
In 1886 Mr. Vance purchased a saw mill. This he has continued to operate in various sections of the county up to the present time. Since 1901 he has been a farmer and he is the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of
724
HISTORY OF SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
creek-bottom land five miles west of Glen Allen. In April, 1911, he purchased the Lutesville Soda Factory, which he operates with the assistance of his sons. The factory has a capacity of one hundred cases per day and is regarded as one of the best enterprises in Lutesville.
In October, 1884, Mr. Vance and Miss Nellie McGregor were united in marriage. Miss McGregor was the daughter of Preston and Mary McGregor, of Kentucky. She was born in 1864. Mr. and Mrs. Vance's family number eight children. Grace, the eldest, born in 1887, is now Mrs. Whitener. Ben- jamin L., born May 4, 1889, was married No- vember 6, 1910, to Adelia Cullison, of Bol- linger county, daughter of Abner Cullison, of Wayne county. Robert L. Vance has an interest in one hundred and eighty acres of land seven miles southwest of Zalma. He also assists in the management of the soda factory. In a fraternal way he is a member of the Modern Brotherhood. The other chil- dren are Claude, horn April 13, 1891. Rose, born in March, 1893; Lorah, in July, 1895; Versie, in 1897; Helen Gould and Gladys, both of whose birthdays are in September, the former was born in 1901, the latter in 1905.
DAN W. ROLAND. An esteemed and highly respected resident of Senath, D. W. Roland is actively associated with the advancement of the industrial interests of this part of Dunklin county, owning and operating the only roller mill in the place. A native of Kentucky, he was born on a farm in McLean county, in 1858. In 1859 his parents moved to Jacksonport, Arkansas, where his father was in business until interrupted by the breaking out of the Civil war, when he en- listed in the Confederate army. At the close of the war, his wife having in the meantime died, he moved back to his old home in Ken- tucky.
Brought up on the Kentucky farm, Dan W. Roland had but limited opportunities for obtaining book knowledge of any kind. Leaving home at the age of eighteen years, he spent a year on a farm in Arkansas, in Grant county, but, not satisfied with his work, he went back to Kentucky, where for a while he attended school. After his mar- riage, Mr. Roland was at first bridge carpen- ter on a railroad, after which he for two years successfully engaged in the undertak- ing and furniture business in Hopkins county, Kentucky. Entering then the em-
ploy of the Louisville Coffin Company, he was commercial salesman for eleven and one- half years for that firm, his territory extend- ing into Mississippi, and as far east as Balti- more, Maryland. Although he was held in high favor by the firm and his work was ex- ceedingly remunerative, Mr. Roland tired of being on the road, and resigned his position with the company, and on June 12, 1903, located in Senath, Missouri. For four years thereafter he was head sawyer for G. L. Roper, during which time he purchased the lot on which his present plant stands, it be- ing one hundred by one hundred and sixty- seven feet. On giving up work with Mr. Roper, he built his present mill in Senath, and also leased another mill, which he ran for two years, clearing enough money in its operation to equip his present mill. Mr. Ro- land's plant handles corn only, and has a capacity of six hundred bushels a day. He is carrying on an extensive business, which is increasing each year, being the largest in the spring, and he is constantly adding new machinery of the latest approved kinds for milling, and in filling his numerous orders employs one man besides himself, both being kept busy. From April, 1904, to April, 1906, Mr. Roland served as the mayor of Senath.
In Kentucky, in 1880, he was married to Carrie T. Toombs, and to them two children were born, Ganza T. and Walter H., neither of whom are now living. Fraternally Mr. Roland is a member of Senath Lodge, No. 513, A. F. & A. M .; of Helm Chapter, No. 117, R. A. M., of Kennett ; of Campbell Coun- cil, R. & S. M .; of Malden Commandery, No. 61, K. T .; and of Senath Lodge, W. O. W. While living in Kentucky, Mr. Roland united with the Cumberland Presbyterian church at Madisonville, which was organized by men who were strong believers in slavery, and for many years he was an active worker in the church.
WILLIAM H. BLANTON. Among the promi- nent and influential agriculturists of Madison county, Missouri, who have achieved a splen- did material success in this world, William H. Blanton is honored and esteemed as a business man of fair and honorable methods and as a citizen of intrinsic loyalty and public spirit. In addition to a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres, just north of Fred- ericktown. he is the owner of other valuable property holdings in this county, and he is also financially interested in the Bank of
725
HISTORY OF SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
Fredericktown, the Merchants Hotel Build- ing and the Schwaner-Buford Company, of Fredericktown. He was born in Iron county, Missouri, on the 6th of November, 1858, and he is a son of Benjamin F. and Ailsie (Berry- man) Blanton, the latter of whom was a niece of the distinguished Rev. J. C. Berryman, former president of Marvin Collegiate Insti- tute, now Marvin College. The father was born in Tennessee, in 1828, and he was called to eternal rest in 1880, at the comparatively early age of fifty-two years. His parents migrated to Missouri early in the nineteenth century, settling in the northern part of the state, in Henry county, where hoth resided until their respective deaths. As a young man Benjamin F. Blanton located in Iron county, Missouri, prior to his marriage. He was the owner of a large estate in the south- ern part of Madison county and for a number of years operated a farm on the big St. Francois river. Eventually disposing of the latter estate, he opened a large farm five miles distant from Ironton, where he passed the closing years of his life. He was a stanch Democrat in his political proclivities and in a fraternal way was affiliated with the time- honored Masonic order. His old farm is still in the family, being now owned and oper- ated by a son, J. T. Blanton. It was origin- ally wild timber land but is today recognized as one of the finest farms in the county. Ailsie (Berryman ) Blanton was born in Mad- ison county, Missouri, in 1825, and she died in 1870, at the age of forty-five years. Her parents were Virginians by birth and came to this state in the pioneer days. Josiah Berryman, her father, was engaged in copper mining for a number of years at Mine La Motte and elsewhere. In 1849 he made the perilous trip overland to California, in quest of gold, and on his second trip to the new Eldorado, in 1850. he was taken ill and died. Mr. and Mrs. B. F. Banton became the par- ents of nine children, concerning whom the following brief record is here offered .- J. Thompson resides in Iron county; Moman E. maintains his home near Fredericktown : Jennie is Mrs. Michael DeGuire, a sketch of whose husband's life appears elsewhere in this work; Alice died at the age of sixteen years; Millie was the wife of Jerome Watts at the time of her demise; Fannie, who mar- ried Mr. Kincaid and reared six children, died when past forty years of age; Carter died at the age of four years; James died in his fifty-second year, in 1907, in Colorado. where
he was a silver miner; and William H. is the immediate subject of this review.
William H. Blanton passed his boyhood and early youth in Iron county and at the age of sixteen years he became interested in mining operations, engaging in that line of enterprise for thirteen years in Colorado. In 1889 he came to Fredericktown, where he be- came a member of the De Guire Milling Com- pany, with which concern he was connected until 1904. In the latter year he removed to his fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres, just north of town, and there he has since resided. His estate is fitted out with all the most modern improvements and is one of the show places of Madison county. In addition to farming Mr. Blanton is a director in the Bank of Fredericktown and has been for a number of years financially interested in the Fredericktown Trust Company, now the Bankers' Trust Company, of St. Louis. He is also a stockholder in the Merchants Hotel Building and in the Schwaner-Buford Com- pany, two important business concerns at Fredericktown.
In the year 1885 was recorded the marriage Mr. Blanton to Miss Annie E. Lanpher, a daughter of George W. Lanpher, mentioned elsewhere in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Blan- ton have three children. namely,-Lillie, who remains at the parental home, was a student in Marvin College in 1903; Walter was grad- uated in the Fredericktown high school class of 1909, and attended the Columbia Agri- cultural College two terms, completing the Agricultural course in 1911; and Clyde is now attending the public schools at Freder- icktown. In their religious faith the Blan- ton family are devout members of the Meth- odist Episcopal church, South. While never an office seeker, Mr. Blanton is a stanchi Democrat in his political affiliations and he has ever manifested a deep and sincere inter- est in community affairs.
JEROME C. BERRYMAN. A cherished mem- ory is an enduring monument, more inef- faceable than polished marble or burnished bronze. "To live in the hearts we leave be- hind is not to die." Rev. Jerome C. Berry- man is held in reverent memory by scores of people in Southeastern Missouri, where he passed many years as a Methodist minister, missionary and educator. His demise oc- curred on the 8th of May, 1906, in the vil- lage of Caledonia, Missouri.
The Rev. Berryman was born in the vicin-
726
HISTORY OF SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
ity of Bardstown, Nelson county, Kentucky, the date of his nativity having been the 22nd of February, 1810. He was a son of Gerard Blackstone and Ailsie (Quisinberry) Berry- man, both of whom were likewise natives of the fine old Blue Grass commonwealth, where the father was long identified with agricul- tural pursuits. Jerome C. Berryman was reared to the age of eighteen years in his na- tive place, where he received a good common- school education and where he gained his early knowledge of Methodist theology. In 1828 he came to Missouri, where he was taken on trial into the Methodist Conference. His first circuit comprised seventeen counties, with Farmington as headquarters. In 1833 he was sent to the Kickapoo Mission and School, among the Indians in Kansas, remain- ing in that state for a period of fifteen years, at the expiration of which he returned to Missouri. While a resident of Kansas his cherished and devoted wife and two of his six children passed to the life eternal and were buried in that state.
In 1853 Rev. Berryman was appointed as pastor of the Centenary church, at St. Louis, his peculiar talents seeming to be demanded by the conditions existing there. In the year 1847 he founded the Arcadia College, at Ar- cadia, Missouri, and for twenty years he had charge of that institution, whose successor is Marvin College, at Fredericktown. Asso- ciated with Rev. Berryman in the conduct of numerous revivals in Missouri was his brother-in-law, well known by the unique sobriquet of "Rough and Ready" Watts. For some twenty years he was on the super- annuated list of Methodist ministers and at the time of his demise, in 1906, he was the only surviving member of the historic Gen- surviving member of the historic General Conference of 1844. Just before he passed into the great beyond he received a message of love and sympathy from the General Con- ference, then convened at Birmingham. The funeral of Rev. Berryman was conducted at Caledonia, the sermon having been preached by Rev. Martin T. Haw, who was assisted by Reverends A. P. Saffold, W. W. Emory, W. J. Heys and Rev. E. H. White. Con- cerning his great religious spirit the follow- ing statement is particularly fitting here : "To hear him sing . How Firm a Foundation' or 'I'm Nearer my Home' was to have faith reassured as by an interview with a prophet or apostle."
Rev. Berryman was married three times.
He wedded Sarah C. Cessua, of Kentucky, who bore him six children and who died in Kansas while Rev. Berryman was a mission- ary among the Indians. In 1847 was solemn- ized his marriage to Mrs. M. M. Wells, and after her death, in 1868, he married Mrs. Mary Trueheart, also deceased. In his prime Rev. Berryman was in every sense of the word an extraordinary man. Physically, he was over six feet tall, with broad shoulders and a fine erect carriage. His massive head and rugged face showed force and power of unusual order and the kindly expression of his large mouth, together with his deep sono- rous voice, was reassuring to all mankind. He was a man of splendid mental caliber and high ideals; generosity and kindliness of spirit characterized his every thought and act, and he was everywhere honored and es- teemed for his innate goodness and unusual ability.
THE HONORABLE THOMAS F. LANE, one of the most prominent lawyers in Cape Girar- deau county, has had wide and varied expe- rience in his profession. A man with strong opinions on all public questions, he has al- ways had the courage to express them. While in the senate he had the most exalted views of his office and the obligations it involved. He was not there to pander to public senti- ment or so to trim his sails that he might arouse a popular feeling among the people of his district, but he was there to represent the people as he felt they should be repre- sented. He felt that if it were otherwise and he were to be restricted in his views and their expression and obliged to wait to find out whether they pleased his constituents or not, that he would infinitely rather go back into private life and become a private citi- zen, with the right to express his views, un- trammeled and unquestioned by anybody on earth,-with the right to try to formulate public sentiment along the lines of his ideas. A man with such decided views could not fail of being an important factor in his party and in the country in general.
He was born in Dalton, Georgia, April 16, 1869. His father, John F. Lane, a native of Tennessee, receiving his education in Georgia, where he studied and practiced law. In 1868 he came to Poplar Bluff, where he es- tablished one of the first stores of that town. He carried on a thriving mercantile estab- lishment, but did not personally have much to do with its management, devoting his time
Thomas ans
727
HISTORY OF SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
to his law practice. He was elected proseeut- ing attorney and was probate judge for one term. He was a Democrat of the most de- cided character. He was a prominent Mason and also belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Nor did he limit his opera- tions to secular enterprises, but was instru- mental in building the First Methodist Epis- copal Church in South Poplar Bluff, work- ing indefatigably to raise the money to pay for the edifice, besides aiding in the carrying on of the various branches of church work. He died at the age of sixty three, having lived a very active life. The people in Pop- lar Bluff considered him as one of the pro- gressive men of the town, one who was inter- ested in all public affairs and indeed in any object he considered worthy, whether public or private. While still living in Georgia, he married Rosa A. Keith, a native of Whitfield county, Georgia, where she was educated. She is still living, interested in the welfare of her children, beloved by the large circle of friends who surround her. Mr. and Mrs. Lane have five children.
When Thomas was a baby of about twelve months, he came with his parents to south- eastern Missouri, locating at Poplar Bluff. When he was old enough he went to school, passing through the grade school and the high school in Poplar Bluff. After his grad- uation he began the study of law in the of- fice of J. Perry Johnson. He, with a boy's admiration of his father's profession, had long ago decided that he wanted to be a law- yer, and during his high school course had already shown his abilities along that line. He entered the law department of the State University at Columbia, Missouri, graduat- ing in 1893. He was admitted to the bar the same year, returned to Poplar Bluff and en- gaged in practice. After three years he moved to Ripley county and two years later was elected prosecuting attorney. That he was successful in this position was evidenced by his being re-elected three times, holding the office four terms in all. He had made himself so necessary in politics that in 1908 he was elected to the senate, the twenty-first district, including Cape Girardeau, Bollinger, Wayne, Carter, Ripley, Butler and Dunklin counties. He was a man who could not be a silent member, but from his very make-up was in the midst of things. He was chairman of the committee on fish and game,-a subject that was dear to his heart as he was an ardent sportsman all his life. He was a member of Vol. II-2
the following committees :- jurisprudence, wills and probate law, education, University and normal schools. He was chairman of the committee on county courts and justices of the peace.
On January 15, 1890, he married Mary E. Johnson, the eldest daughter of ex-senator J. Perry Johnson of Poplar Bluff. Mrs. Lane spent all her maiden days in Poplar Bluff, where she was extremely popular, not for her father's sake,-although he was very highly esteemed in the town, but she was loved be- cause of her own sweet personality, to which the dignity and responsibility of matron- hood has only added grace and attractive- ness. The senator and his wife have three children living, Lowell C., Bryan J., and Abigail F.
Thomas Lane is a prominent secret society man, belonging to the Ancient Free and Ac- cepted Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Benevolent and Protective Or- der of Elks, No. 589, the Knights and Ladies of Security. He is also a member of the Commercial Club in Cape Girardeau. There is nothing half hearted about the senator. When he is engaged in politics, he thinks of nothing else; when he is conducting a case, for him there is no other case; his fraternal connections are just as important, when he finds time to devote to them, nor is he less en- thusiastie in regard to his recreations or his family relations. Socially he is extremely hospitable, his numerous friends finding ready welcome from him and his charming wife.
JOHN C. BUERKLE. There are turning points in every man's life called opportu- nity. Taken advantage of they mean ulti- mate success. The career of John C. Buerkle is a striking illustration of the latter state- ment. Diligent and ever alert for his chance of advancement, he has progressed steadily until he is recognized as one of the foremost business men of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, to-day. Here he is held in high esteem by his fellow citizens who honor him for his native ability and for his fair and straightforward career.
Mr. Buerkle was born at Jackson, Mis- sonri, on the 22nd of September, 1880, and he is a son of John M. Buerkle, whose nativ- ity occurred at Wittenberg, Germany, on the 16th of April, 1829. About the year 1850 the father bade farewell to the scenes of his childhood and youth and set out for Amer- . ica, where he immediately began to work at
.
728
HISTORY OF SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
his trade, that of cooper. The second year after his arrival in the United States he came to Cape Girardeau county, Missouri, and here engaged in agricultural pursuits, continuing to be identified with farming ope- rations until his retirement from active busi- ness life, in 1902. He was united in marriage to Miss Fredericka Kies and this union was prolific of four children, one of whom died in infancy. Those living at the present time are: Mary; Augusta, who is now Mrs. John Lucht; and John C., the immediate subject of this review. John C. Buerkle received his preliminary educational training in the pub- lic schools and in the German parochial school at Jackson. After completing the course prescrihed in the local high school he attended the Jackson Military Academy for a period of one year.
In 1899 Mr. Buerkle became interested in the general merchandise business as an em- ploye of the firm of O'Brien & McAtee, with whom he remained for two years, at the ex- piration of which he bought out the share of the senior member of the firm. There- after a prosperous and profitable business was run under the firm name of McAtee & Buerkle but at the end of three years Mr. Buerkle was forced to withdraw on account of the impaired condition of his health. Since that time to the present he has been engaged in a number of different business enterprises. For a time he conducted a laundry at Jack- son and he also ran a livery stable in that city. He then went to Illmo, Missouri, where he turned his attention to the coal and feed business and whence he removed, at the end of six months, to Cape Girardeau, coming hither on the 24th of March, 1909. Here he has since been engaged in the coal and ice business, being at the present time associated in that enterprise with C. E. Meyer. He is a man of splendid business ability and one who will surely gain a high position in the finan- cial affairs of this city.
On the 15th of November, 1910, was sol- emnized the marriage of Mr. Buerkle to Miss Margaret McEndree, a popular young woman of Cape Girardeau, where she was reared and educated. In their religious adherency Mr. and Mrs. Buerkle are devout members of the German Evangelical church, in the various departments of which they are most ardent and active workers. In politics he accords a stanch allegiance to the principles and pol- icies for which the Republican party stands sponsor. While he is not an office sceker he
is ever on the qui vive and enthusiastically in sympathy with all measures and enter- prises advanced for the good of the general welfare. In addition to holding membership in a number of representative social and fraternal organizations Mr. Buerkle is also a valued and appreciative member of the Com- mercial Club of Cape Girardeau.
FRED J. RUETHER. One of the prominent and popular citizens of Washington is Fred J. Ruether, mayor of the city, who has re- sided here and in this vicinity since 1899, his business relations to the community having been those of a hotel man and retail liquor dealer. He is a native Missourian, his birth having occurred in St. Charles county, April 18, 1869, the son of Henry and Mary ( Albers) Ruether, the latter born in Missouri of Ger- man parents. Mr. Ruether, Sr., was born in Hanover, Prussia, in 1836, and came to the United States at the age of sixteen years in company with a widowed mother, two broth- ers and a sister. The other members of the family are Antoine and John Ruether, and Agnes, who subsequently became the wife of Henry Bolte and resides in St. Louis.
The Ruethers settled in St. Charles county and engaged in farming, and there Henry Ruether married and established an inde- pendent household. He and his wife both passed away in 1872, leaving the following children : Mrs. Ida Kleckcamp, of St. Louis; Kate, wife of Frank Meyer, of New Haven, Missouri; and Fred J., the mayor of Wash- ington.
Left an orphan in babyhood, Fred J. Ruether passed his youth in the home of an uncle, the John Ruether above mentioned, and his youthful activities were given to the labor of the farm. He attended the country school and himself became a farmer on attaining his majority. In 1898 he abandoned the great basic industry and located at New Melle, where he embarked in the hotel business, with a buffet as a prominent feature. In 1899 he located in Washington, where opportunities were greater and more commensurate with his ambition, and his career here has been very successful.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.