History of southeast Missouri : a narrative account of its historical progress, its people and its principal interests, Volume II, Part 35

Author: Douglass, Robert Sidney. 4n
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago : The Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 802

USA > Missouri > History of southeast Missouri : a narrative account of its historical progress, its people and its principal interests, Volume II > Part 35

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dollars and a surplus of twelve thousand dol- lars, and is well officered, J. H. McFarland be- ing its president and D. Welsh, the vice-presi- dent. Mr. Huffman is also connected with other enterprises of note, being president of the Farmers' Bank of Braggadocio, Missouri, and a stockholder, not only of the Bank of Caruthersville but of the Dillman Egg Case Realty Company and of the Union Gin Com- pany.

Mr. Huffman married, in 1887, Sarah Wil- liamson, who was born in Kentucky in 1864, and they have one child, Lissie. Taking an active part in local politics, Mr. Huffman was for four years secretary of the Democratic County Central Committee. Fraternally he is a member of the Woodmen of the World, and religiously he belongs to the Presbyte- rian church.

JAMES M. BAIRD. Among the prominent citizens whom Senath has been called upon to mourn within the past few years, special mention should be made of James M. Baird, whose death, which occurred February 26, 1910, was a loss not only to his immediate family and friends, but to the entire com- munity A native of Southeastern Missouri, he came from honored ancestry, being a son of Robert Baird, who reared several children, among those growing to maturity being the following named: James M., the subject of this sketch, Robert, M. D., of Saint Louis; Edward, of Arcadia, Missouri; and Mamie, of Saint Louis.

James MI. Baird spent his early life in Iron and Washington counties, Missouri, ac- quiring a good education while young. In 1878, through the influence of T. C. Lang- don, he came to Dunklin county, and was for several years in the employ of T. C. Lang- don & Company at Cotton Plant. From 1881 until 1889 Mr. Baird resided in Arcadia, be- ing there engaged in business. Coming to Senath with his family in 1889, he formed a partnership with his brother-in-law, Judge J. M. Douglas, and embarked in mercantile pursuits under the firm name of J. M. Baird & Company, carrying a stock of hardware, carriages, wagons, agricultural implements, etc., valued at $5,000, and built up a busi- ness amounting to from $40,000 to $50,000 a year. Mr. W. R. Satterfield, a nephew, was subsequently connected with the firm for two years, during which time the firm name was Baird, Satterfield & Company. After Mr. Satterfield's retirement the firm resumed its

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IIISTORY OF SOUTHEAST MISSOURI.

original name of J. M. Baird & Company, and continued until 1900, when Mr. Baird bought out his partner and continued the business alone until his death. In addition to deal- ing in hardware, agricultural implements of all kinds and vehicles of every description, he handled cotton most of the time, having a gin, and also had other interests of value, owning valuable tracts of land.

Mr. Baird married, June 16, 1880, Lucy Douglass, who belonged to an early and highly respected family, being a sister of J. M. Douglass and A. W. Douglass, of Salem township. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Baird, of whom two are now living, namely: Huldah, wife of O. H. Storey, cash- ier of the Citizens' Bank, of Senath; and Hettie, who is attending school in Des Moines, Iowa. Mr. Baird achieved distinc- tion in social and business circles, and as a result of his ability gained a comfortable for- tune. Fraternally he belonged to Senath Lodge, No. 513, A. F. & A. M .; to Helm Chapter, No. 117, R. A. M., of Kennett; to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; and to the Woodmen of the World.

In 1910 Mr. Baird's heirs were made in- corporators of the J. M. Baird Mercantile Company, of Senath, becoming successors of the J. M. Baird Company, which was founded twenty years before, it being capitalized at $30,000, with a surplus of $60,000. Mrs. J. MI. Baird was made president of the Com- pany; Mrs. Huldah Storey, vice-president; Miss Hettie Baird, secretary ; and Mr. O. H. Storey, treasurer and manager. This enter- prising company has a regular department store, its large building, sixty by sixty-five feet, being really a triple store, in which ten clerks are kept busily employed. It carries a fine line of buggies, carriages, wagons, agri- cultural implements and tools, and a good as- sortment of hardware of all kinds, and has a large warehouse, its stock being valued at $30,000, while the firm's annual business amounts to abont $100,000. The Company likewise deals in cotton, owning and operat- ing a cotton gin, which it has recently erected in place of the one formerly used. It han- dles from six hundred to one thousand bales of cotton per year, a business of $65,000, and during the cotton season gives employ- ment in this branch of industry to ten men. This Company has also other property of much value, including about a thousand acres of farming land, one half of which is

rented, the tenants growing cotton as their principal crop.

Mr. Baird was born in Potosi, Missouri, February 7, 1853, and died at Memphis, Tennessee, February 26, 1910. He had been in poor health for several years prior to his death, and about a month before contracted a severe cold through exposure at a fire, caus- ing pneumonia, which, with complications, re- sulted fatally. Hoping that a change might prove beneficial, his physician, Dr. Hughes, and Henry Hathcock, one of the trusted em- ployes in the store, took him to Memphis, Tennessee, on February 25, 1910, but he grew weaker and weaker while traveling, and on the morning following his arrival in that city he passed to the life beyond. As the falling of a sturdy oak leaves a vacant place hard to fill among the surrounding forest trees, so the loss of a person like Mr. Baird deprives family and associates of a noble character, within whose beneficent shadow it was good for all to dwell.

C. F. BAUMBLATT. Many of the thrifty and well-to-do merchants of our country have come from the land beyond the sea, note- worthy among the number being C. F. Baum- blatt, of Kennett, one of the properietors of the Kennett Store Company, who is carrying on a substantial business. A native of Ger- many, he was born in Wurtzburg, Bavaria, and was there educated.

Coming to America at the age of fourteen years, Mr. Baumblatt lived for awhile in Donaldsonville, Louisiana, where he received his mercantile training. Seeking a favorable place in which to locate, he next came to Mis- souri, and for three years .was in the employ of J. S. Levi & Company, at Malden. In 1892 he secured a position as clerk with Ta- tum Brothers, of Kennett, with whom he remained twelve years, acquiring a good knowledge of the business carried on by that firm. Mr. Baumblatt then, in 1904, estab- lished his present clothing house, becoming a half owner of the present concern, and has since built up an extensive and highly remu- nerative trade, dealing in gentlemen's cloth- ing, shoes and furnishing goods. This firm, known far and wide as the Kennett Store Company, carries a stock of goods valued at eight thousand dollars, and does an annual business of twenty-six thousand dollars, its trade being one of the largest of the kind in Dunklin county.

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HISTORY OF SOUTHEAST MISSOURI

E. C. HUNTER. Conspicuous among the leading real estate dealers of Kennett is E. C. Hunter, a large property owner, who has been among the foremost in advancing the growth and prosperity of the city, the vari- ous enterprises with which he has thus far been associated having proved successful. The record of his business career is noteworthy, disclosing keen foresight, great energy and much ability. A native of Tennessee, he was born in Weakley county, December 25, 1842, but his youthful days were spent in Paducah, Kentucky, where he acquired his early edu- cation.

During the Civil war Mr. Hunter served in the Confederate army, enlisting in the Third Kentucky Regiment, which was first commanded by Colonel Thompson, who was killed at Paducah, Kentucky, while at home on a visit. He continued with his regiment until the close of the conflict, taking part in many engagements and receiving but one wound, and that not a very serious one.

Coming to Kennett, Missouri, in 1885, Mr. Hunter was in the employ of W. F. Shelton, Sr., as a clerk for eleven years, after which he conducted a grocery on his own account for two years. Since that time he has de- voted his time and attention to the real estate business, having been identified with many transactions of importance, buying and sell- ing large and valuable tracts of land in Ken- nett and vicinity. Mr. Hunter laid out an addition to Kennett, in which he has built and sold many residences, and still owns about twenty good houses. He has also other residential property of value in Kennett, and owns business blocks on Main street and valu- able farming land in Dunklin county. His own home is pleasantly located in the central part of the city, being one of the most at- tractive in the community.

Mr. Hunter married, in Kennett, Birdie Hampton, of Kennett, and they are the par- ents of two children, Charley and Walter, both pupils in the Kennett High School. Al- though not a politician, Mr. Hunter served as county clerk while living in Kentucky, and for ten years served as a member of the Ken- nett Board of Education. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hunter are valued members of the Presby- terian church.

ELMER ORVILLE BROOKS. One of the prom- inent and promising young business men of the community is Mr. E. O. Brooks, who in spite of his youth has given proof of his abili-

ty in the commercial world. He made a suc- cess of managing a mercantile conceru for other parties and now at the early age of twenty-six, is entering upon his third year of business for himself, with every indica- tion of prosperity and permanency.

Lorena, Kansas, was the birthplace of El- mer Brooks. His father, Gardner Brooks, went from Huron county, Ohio, his native place, and settled in Kansas, where he con- tinued his life-long occupation-that of farm- ing. He was married in 1881 to Miss Flora Cole, also a native of the Buckeye state, and four children were born to them: Harry F., Elmer O., May (now Mrs. Louis Snyder), and I. Jay Brooks. In 1886 Gardner Brooks and his family came to Missouri, where they lived until 1904, when they went back to the old home in Ohio. The parents are still liv- ing there in Huron county. They are mem- bers of the Methodist church and Mr. Brooks belongs to the lodge of the Modern Wood- men.

Elmer Brooks was born in 1885. He re- ceived his early education in the public schools of DeSoto, Missouri. At the age of fourteen he left school to go on a farm at Blackwell with his parents. After three years at home, he returned to Blackwell to clerk for Hawkins and McGready of that place. He remained with this firm until 1905, when he went back to Ohio and accepted a simliar position there for a year. From May, 1906, until November, 1909, he had charge of one of Hawkins & McGready's stores at Tunnell Station, but gave this up to go into an inde- pendent establishment at South Blackwell.

Mr. Brooks handles general merchandise and has a good trade which is constantly growing. He is thoroughly acquainted with the business and with the demands of the trade in this locality.

Mrs. Elmer Brooks is the daughter of J. R. Politte, the well-known farmer of Black- well. He, as well as his daughter Olive, was born in the state of Missouri. The marriage of Miss Politte and Mr. Brooks took place No- vember 28, 1906. They have one son, Clif- ford. Mr. Elmer Brooks belongs to the same lodge and votes the same ticket as his father, Gardner Brooks. Both of them give their political support to the Democratic party.

WILLIAM LONDON. Saint Francois county is indeed fortunate in the quality of its pub- lie officials and William London, sheriff since 1908, has labored valiantly and successfully

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HISTORY OF SOUTHEAST MISSOURI

for the enforcement of the law, winning the gratitude and approbation of the law-abiding citizens of the county and becoming highly unpopular with those doubtful members of society whose business too frequently takes them from the straight and narrow path.

Sheriff London was born July 11, 1873, in Madison county, Missouri, and thus is a na- tive son of the state. His father, A. S. Lon- dou, was born in the state of Tennessee in 1841. The early life of the elder gentleman was passed on the farm and he received his education in the country schools. While still a child Mr. London came with his par- ents to Madison county, Missouri, where he engaged in farming with the older people. At the age of twenty-six he married, Miss Nancy Dudley of Madison county, daughter of William Dudley, of Alabama, becoming his wife. Ten children were born to this mar- riage. William London, the immediate sub- ject of this review being the second in order of birth. A. S. London continued engaged in agriculture until about the year 1885, when he left the farm and located in Doe Run, Missouri. He is still living and makes his home at Flat River, where he has charge of the supply office of the Doe River Lead Com- pany. He is Democratie in his political affili- ations; Baptist in his religious convictions, and a member of the Masonic lodge. He is well known and highly respected in the com- munity in which he is best known.

William London received his early educa- tion in the public schools of Madison, Saint Francois county, and at an early age became an active factor in the great working world. When about seventeen years of age he se- cured employment in the mines and he re- mained identified with this great industry un- til 1905, when he became deputy sheriff. As is so often, and quite appropriately, the case, the deputyship led to the main office, and in the fall of 1908 Mr. London was elected sheriff of Saint Francois county, which office he now holds.

In the year 1893, when twenty years of age, Mr. London laid the foundation of a happy life companionship by his union with Leora Evans, daughter of Samuel Evans, of Doe Run. Their marriage has been further cemented by the birth of six children, name- ly : Emma, Clyde, Carl, Edna, John and Leora.

Mr. London has not departed from the faith of his fathers and is Baptist in his re- ligious convictions. He gives heart and hand

to the men and measures of the Republican party and his fraternal affiliations are with the Masonic Lodge, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is a popular man and a self- made one, whatever fortune has brought to him having come through his own enlight- ened efforts.

JOHN J. ROGERS. Prominent among the leading druggists of Dunklin county is John J. Rogers, of Kennett, who is also a man of influence and recognized worth as a citizen. his business ability being unquestioned and his character above reproach. A native of Missouri, he was born at Vincit, Dunklin county, October 5, 1875, coming on both sides of the family from excellent ancestry. His father, the late William A. Rogers, was born in 1850, and died while yet in man- hood's prime, his death occurring in 1883. Mr. Rogers' mother, whose maiden name was Mary Cook, was born in 1853, and is now residing in Kennett, Missouri.

Having acquired his preliminary educa- tion in the district schools, John J. Rogers subsequently further advanced his education in the schools of Kennett, and later com- pleted a business course of study at Quincy Illinois. When ready to begin his active ca- reer, he secured a position as clerk with the Harrison Drug Company, at Kennett, and at the end of eight years, having obtained a practical insight into the business, bought out his employers and now, in company with G. C. Wells and Dr. Harrison, is carrying on an extensive and lucrative business as a deal- er in drugs, his trade being large and con- tinually increasing. Mr. Rogers is also much interested in the agricultural prosperity of this part of the community, being the owner of a good farm, from the rental of which he derives a fair income.

Mr. Rogers married, June 15, 1910, Myrtle Wells, who was born at Marble Hill, Missouri, February 22, 1884, a daughter of Jacob and Jean (Bollinger) Wells, both of whom are living. Public-spirited and active, Mr. Rogers is a valued member of the Democratic party, and for six years rendered his fellow-citizens appreciated service as mayor of Kennett. Fraternally he is a member of lodge No. 639, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, at Cape Girardeau.

THEODORE EHRICHS. Germany has given to America a large share of her most substan-

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HISTORY OF SOUTHEAST MISSOURI

tial citizens-men who not only make comfort- able homes and rear families which are an honor to society, but who participate in im- portant affairs of state with that energy and practical wisdom which is so distinctive of America as a nation. Measured by these best of standards, Theodore Ehrichs, of Festus, ex-probate judge and agriculturist of broad acres and broad mind, is fully representative of the German element which is most highly valued by those who have always considered the ideal nation one which is founded on family comfort and sobriety, widespread pros- perity and solid happiness resting upon health of body and mind.

Judge Ehrichs' life in the Fatherland com- menced with May 9, 1844; on that day he gladdened the hearts of his parents, Wil- helm and Louisa (Fritzberg) Ehrichs, who had welcomed eleven children before him and were to be blessed with one after him. The father was a hard-working schoolmaster, born in 1800, who died in 1850, the mother, who was his junior by about a dozen years, surviving her husband until 1898; but both spent their entire lives in Germany, being wedded to its modest and peaceful condi- tions.

Theodore, the son, was of the energetic, long-sighted temperament which chafes at confinement, and quite early in his boyhood became a sailor, being thus engaged until he was twenty years of age. His wanderings finally brought him to the United States, and, guided by his inherent common-sense and the instincts of his German blood, he deter- mined to learn a trade which he knew would be in demand in the new and undeveloped country of southwestern Illinois on the other side of the river from St. Louis. Locating in Madison county, he therefore mastered the carpenter's trade, following it as a journey- man in various localities for a number of years. He finally crossed the Mississippi in- to Jefferson county, Missouri, and became a successful builder and contractor at Hills- boro.

After marrying his first wife, in 1875, Judge Ehrichs began his active farming in Jefferson county, and has made that his main occupation since, although his home is in the city of Festus. His farm is located near Rush Tower, in this county and consists of three hundred and twenty-five acres, and is one of the most valuable and attractive in South- east Missouri. An honored resident of Fes- tus for many years, he has given the farm

his personal attention and his carefully se- lected and tended live stock is a credit to the state, which has stood in the front rank of that industry for many years. The strength and probity of his character have given the Judge both wide popularity and high reputa- tion, and outward manifestations of this gen- eral sentiment have been numerous. As a Republican he has repeatedly served in the conventions of his party, and in 1902 he was elected by his warm supporters to the probate bench, which office he honored for four years. He is also a Mason of high stand- ing, and conforms to the tenets of the order both in spirit and in letter, which means that he is a fraternalist in every sense of the word.

Judge Ehrichs married as his first wife, in 1875, Miss Alice Weaver, of Jefferson coun- ty, by whom he has three living offspring- Ella Louisa (Mrs. Coney McCormick), Dora Weaver and Georgia Minnie. Mrs. Alice Ehrichs died in 1886, and in 1903 the Judge married Miss Sophia Euler, by whom he has had one child, Marie Minnie. Judge Ehrichs is a natural musician and highly talented, and although he has contributed to many en- tertainments, etc., he has never made a pro- fession of the art.

W. D. LASSWELL, president of the Camp- bell Lumber Company at Kennett, Missouri, has had a noteworthy career since he first started in business. He was born January 7, 1861, in Dunklin county, Missouri, the son of D. J. Lasswell, who came from Tennes- see to Missouri in 1854, where he was both a merchant and a farmer. He died at the age of sixty-nine.

W. D. Lasswell attended school in his na- tive town and very early in life began to show signs of business qualifications. When he was just a lad he began to clerk and by dint of the strictest economy he managed to save five hundred and fifty dollars. With this capital he opened a store at the old Four Mile village, removing to Campbell at the advent of the railroad and the demise of the old village. He continued in the mer- cantile business until 1907, having been very successful during these years. Before that time he and his brother, J. F., had be- gun to manufacture lumber, a business which has since assumed such extensive proportions. The Lasswell Milling Com- pany was started in 1893 and in 1897 it transferred its property to the Campbell Lumber Company, the Lasswell brothers be-

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HISTORY OF SOUTHEAST MISSOURI

ing the principal stockholders. In 1898 W. 24th day of July, 1850, and is the son of D. became president of the company and act- ing manager. He widened the scope, build- ing a large mill at Kennett, since which time a big business has grown up. The officers at the time of its incorporation were W. D. Lasswell, president, O. A. McFarland, vice president, Louis Allen, secretary and treas- urer. Its present capital is one hundred thousand dollars. The mill cuts sixty thou- sand feet of logs daily, doing an annual busi- ness of three hundred thousand dollars. The Company employs four hundred men and its expenditure is seven hundred dollars daily. It has a saw mill, a planing mill and a stave mill. It owns six thousand acres of land in Arkansas and has built thirty miles of rail- road to supply the mill. In 1898 Mr. Lasswell was worth about twenty thousand dollars and since that time his capital has steadily ad- vanced, so that now he is looked up to as one of Southeastern Missouri's most success- ful business men. He has taken a great in- terest in land development, having pushed drainage developments and opened up farms. Mr. Lasswell, in company with his brother, has for the past three years been a large drainage contractor, having com- pleted works of one hundred thousand dol- lars in magnitude.

In 1883 he married Miss Jennie Barham, of Dunklin county, to which union six chil- dren have been born: Alvin, Fred, Gus, Bill, Murray and Marie.

Mr. Lasswell is a member of the Method- ist Episcopal church of Campbell, where he not only gives of his money, but he is always ready to help in the enterprises of the church in any other way that is possible. There are few men in the county who have attained the prominence that is enjoyed by Mr. Lasswell and none are held in higher esteem.

CICERO COLLINS. Among the popular and prominent citizens of Ironton, Missouri, is Cicero Collins, the recent purchaser and pres- ent proprietor of the New American Hotel. For twenty years past Mr. Collins has been interested in the milling business in Iron county and at Tiff, Washington county, Mis- souri, he has been running a saw mill and manufacturing lumber for the past year. He formerly resided at Sabula, Missouri, where he enjoys general esteem.

Mr. Collins was born in Iron county, in the southeastern part of the state, on the

Moses P. and Elmira (Wilson) Collins, na- tives of Kentucky and North Carolina, re- spectively. The father, who was born in 1813, came to Missouri in 1826, when a boy of thirteen, with his parents, Joseph and Julia Collins, both of whom were born near Covington, Kentucky. The mother was born in North Carolina and came to this state with her parents, William and Julia Wilson. These worthy people, who were agricultur- ists, as were all of their family, settled in Wayne county, near Piedmont. William Wil- sou located in the eastern part of Iron county, six miles east of Sabula, and there engaged in the cultivation of the soil. He died in 1873, and his wife survived him until 1882, his demise occurring at the age of eighty-four years. They were consistent members of the Baptist church and the father was a stanch and loyal Democrat. Cicero was one of a family of nine children, of whom but five are living. An enumeration of the orig- inal number is as follows: Jane, who died young; Lafayette, deceased; William, de- ceased; Isaiah, deceased; Taylor, of Pied- mont, Missouri; Cicero, the subject of this sketch; Joseph, of Arcadia; Lee, of Wayne county, residing near Greenville; and George, who still resides on the old homestead in the southern part of Iron county.

Mr. Collins, immediate subject of this bio- graphical record, received his education in the common schools of Iron county, where he has resided throughout almost the entire course of his life. As before mentioned, he has engaged in the milling business for a score of years and he also owns a fine farm near Sabula, his other activities not pre- venting him from managing it himself. It is a tract of five hundred and twenty acres, and is devoted for the most part to general farm- ing. He has also engaged in merchandizing at Sabula for the past twelve years, in addi- tion to milling and farming.

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History of southeast Missouri : a narrative account of its historical progress, its people and its principal interests, Volume II, Part 35

Author: Douglass, Robert Sidney. 4n Publication date: 1912 Publisher: Chicago : The Lewis Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 802

Author: Douglass, Robert Sidney. 4n
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago : The Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 802