USA > Missouri > Buchanan County > St Joseph > The Daily news' history of Buchanan County and St. Joseph, Mo. From the time of the Platte purchase to the end of the year 1898. Preceded by a short history of Missouri. Supplemented by biographical sketches of noted citizens, living and dead > Part 12
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
The first section of Blacksnake sewer was built in 1883 across Main street. In 1889 it was carried east to Third street. In 1891 the city and the Chicago Great Western Railway Company jointly built the sewer from the Main street section to the river. In 1894 the sewer was extended from Third street, along the course of Black- snake creek, to Pendleton street; and in 1896, to Middleton street. This is a brick sewer, egg-shaped. The dimensions of the western portion are 143x17 feet. At the time of its building it was the largest brick sewer in the world. The dimensions of the eastern portion are 133x153 feet. The total length of the Blacksnake sewer is 4,797 feet.
Olive stret and Patee street have five-foot brick sewers, tapering to three feet. The length of the Olive street sewer is 2, 110 feet, and of the Patee street sewer is 2,794 feet. There is an eight-foot brick sewer on Grand avenue, 1,154 fet in length, which will be extended in time to the Blacksnake sewer. There is also a twelve-foot sewer on Atchison street, 300 feet long, which will be extended in time.
There are several four- and five-foot sewers of considerable length, all of which will be extended. On Middleton, Linn and Chestnut streets there is one of this class, 1,716 feet in length; on Isabelle street, from Blacksnake west, one of 710 feet; on Franklin street, from Blacksnake west, one of 2,040 feet; Sixteenth, Seven- : teenth and Sacramento streets, one of 1,409 feet; on Nineteenth street, one of 2,623 feet; on Twenty-third and Olive streets, one of 1,246 feet.
There are also 19,455 feet of public pipe-sewers and over thirty- one miles of district sewers that drain into these main sewers. In all, there are nearly forty-four miles of sewers in St. Joseph.
124
BUCHANAN COUNTY AND ST. JOSEPH.
Prior to 1885 property owners who desired sewerage had to build at their own expense. Now, however, the city is divided into sewer districts, and when a sewer is desired in a certain neighbor- hood, to drain into a main sewer, three or more property owners petition the council, and an ordinance is passed ordering the sewer. The city engineer advertises for bids, and when the work is com- pleted the cost is assessed against all of the real estate in the district, in proportion to the number of square feet contained in each lot. Special tax bills are issued, which bear 6 per cent interest after thirty days. The contractor is placed under bond to keep his work in repair for one year. By this method the burden of sewer building has been lightened, and, as a consequence, the drainage of St. Jo- seph is excellent.
STREET PAVING .- From 1866 to 1873 the topography of the city underwent a great transformation. The grader opened streets, leveled hills and filled hollows ; many miles of macadam were put down in the business and residence portions of the city. There had been street paving in the neighborhood of the Market square before the war, but the streets in general were in bad condition. Nor did the enterprising people of St. Joseph stop at home in their zeal for paving, but they went across the river-or at least their money did-and aided in the building of a rock road from Elwood west. Bonds in the sum of $25,000 were voted for this purpose, and the money was doubtless returned indirectly by the farmers who came to the city over the highway. Portions of the rock road are still in existence, though in bad repair.
The panic of 1873 checked all public improvements, and for the next thirteen years little paving was done. By 1886 the business streets were in wretched condition. The macadam was worn in many places beyond repair. Omaha was putting down asphaltum pavements. Dr. Thomas H. Doyle, who had been elected mayor upon the issue of good streets, was a strong advocate of asphaltum, and a committee that visited Omaha brought back satisfactory re- ports. The real estate boom was on and the prospects seemed bril- liant. There was no difficulty in securing signers for street paving, and so the work began, in the summer of 1886. Felix and Edmond streets were paved with asphaltum, and Francis street to Frederick avenue; as were also Fourth street, from Felix to Olive, and Third street, from Jule street to Messanie. In 1887 Sixth street was paved with asphaltum from Atchison street to Hall, and Frederick avenue
125
BUCHANAN COUNTY AND ST. JOSEPH.
from Eighth street to its terminus. In 1888 cedar blocks were put down on Twentieth and on Faraon streets, and during the same year many miles of macadam were laid in the residence districts. In 1890 vitrified brick was introduced, and with this material Francis street was paved from Frederick avenue to Thirteenth street, Main street from Felix to Isidore, and Fifth street from Patee to Antoine. In 1891 brick paving was laid on Messanie street from Second street to Eighth, on Lafayette street from Twenty-second to Twenty-eighth, and on Olive from Twenty-sixth to Twenty-eighth. In 1892 Charles street, from Second street to Twelfth, was paved with brick; in 1893 Jule street, from Main street to Sixth, and Fourth street, from Fran- cis street to Faraon, were similarly paved.
For the next four years no paving except macadam was put down, and not much of that. In the fall of 1897 Third street was paved with asphaltum from Jule street to Franklin. Seventh street, from Olive to Robidoux, is to be paved with asphaltum also.
CHAPTER XII.
MUNICIPAL OFFICES AND THEIR INCUMBENTS .- THE BOARD OF TOWN TRUSTEES, AND THE CITY COUN- CIL .- PRESIDENT AND MAYOR, CLERK, REGISTER AND AUDITOR, COLLECTOR AND TREASURER AND COMPTROLLER .- THE ENGINEER .- THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT .- ASSESSOR, COUNSELOR, STREET COMMISSIONER, LICENSE INSPECTOR, SUPERIN- TENDENDENT OF BUILDINGS, BOILER INSPECTOR, AND MINOR OFFICERS .- SALARIES, TERMS OF OFFICE AND DUTIES.
The municipal affairs of St. Joseph, like those of other incor- porated communities, have always been administered by men chosen by the people. As a town the administrative function was vested in a board of seven trustees, who selected one of their number as president. The first board, elected in 1845, was composed of Joseph Robidoux, president; Isadore Barada, John F. Carter, Johnson Copeland, Wiley M. English, Sinclair K. Miller and Benjamin Powell. The next board, in 1846, was composed of Wiley M. Eng- lish, president; Preston T. Moss, Johnson Copeland, Allen G. Mans- field, Posey N. Smith, Henry S. Creal and Joseph Robidoux. The board for 1847 was composed of Henry S. Creal, president; Wiley M. English, Johnson Copeland, Preston T. Moss, Edward Searcy, William H. High, Aaron Lewis and James B. Gardenhire. The board for 1848 was composed of Lewis Tracy, president; Joseph Smith, William Ridenbaugh, Preston T. Moss, Samuel D. Over- street, Thomas Wildbahn and James A. Anthony. The board for 1849 was composed of James A. Anthony, president; John White- head, Henry S. Creal, Thomas Price, Wiley M. English, Thomas Wildbahn and Lewis Tracy. The last board was composed of James A. Anthony, president; Lewis Tracy, John Rhode, William M. Carter, James B. Pendleton, Abraham M. Dillon and Lewis Stigers.
As a city the chief executive has been the mayor and the legisla- tive powers have been vested in a council composed of two repre- sentatives from each ward.
127
BUCHANAN COUNTY AND ST. JOSEPH.
MAYORS .- Thomas Mills, the first mayor, was elected in April, 1851, and served one year. His successors were as follows: Robert Lamdin, 1852-53; James A. Anthony, 1853-54; Robert Boyle, 1854-55 ; Jonathan M. Bassett, 1855-56; John Corby, 1856-57; Armstrong Beattie, 1857-59; M. Jeff Thompson, 1859-60; Arm- strong Beattie, 1860-61; Frederick W. Smith, 1861-62; Thomas Harbine, 1862-64; W. R. Penick, 1864-66; Armstrong Beattie, 1866- 67; Dr. Francis J. Davis, 1867-68; George H. Hall, 1868-70; John Severance, 1870-74; Isaac T. Hosea, 1874-78; Armstrong Beattie, 1878-80; Joseph A. Piner, 1880-82; Francis M. Postegate, 1882-84; H. R. W. Hartwig, 1884-86; Dr. Thomas H. Doyle, 1886-88; George J. Englehart, 1888-90; William M. Shepherd, 1890-96; Lawrence A. Vories, 1896-98; Dr. Peter J. Kirschner, 1898, the present incum- bent.
THE COUNCIL .- The first council, elected in 1851, was com- posed as follows, there being but three wards: First ward, John Angel, James Pendleton; Second ward, William M. Carter, James Pendleton ; Third ward, James A. Anthony, John H. Whitehead. For the ensuing years the representation was as follows :
For 1852-53-First ward, John Angel, James B. Pendleton ; Second ward, Joel J. Penick, W. M. Carter; Third ward, John H. Whitehead, B. F. Loan.
For 1853-54-First ward, H. D. Louthen, B. O'Driscoll; Sec- ond ward, W. M. Carter, Joel Penick; Third ward, John H. White- head, Thomas Wildbahn.
For 1854-55-First ward, John C. Cargill, Emery Livermore; Second ward, Robert W. Donnell, Joseph C. Hull; Third ward, Thomas Wildbahn, Robert L. McGhee.
For 1855-56-First ward, H. D. Louthen, James B. Pendleton ; Second ward, Joseph C. Hull, Preston T. Moss; Third ward, Arm- strong Beattie, J. O. Fisher.
For 1856-57-First ward, John Angel, James B. Pendleton; Sec- ond ward, Preston T. Moss, O. B. Knode; Third ward, Armstrong Beattie, John O. Fisher.
For 1857-58-First ward, Frederick W. Smith, N. J. McAshan; Second ward, O. B. Knode, Charles Kearney; Third ward, John J. Johnson, Samuel Floyd.
For 1858-59 -- First ward, J. N. McAshan, John Rhode; Second ward, O. B. Knode, J. A. Chambers; Third ward, John J. Johnson, Samuel G. Floyd.
I28
BUCHANAN COUNTY AND ST. JOSEPH.
For 1859-60-First ward, Michael McGee, William Lennox; Second ward, Thomas Keys, Wm. J. Taylor; Third ward, James Highly, Samuel G. Floyd.
For 1860-61-First ward, Wm. R. Penick, John Rhode; Second ward, D. J. Heaton, Robert F. Maxwell; Third ward, J. J. Johnson, P. L. Mclaughlin.
For 1861-62-First ward, Michael McGee, Louis Hax; Second ward, A. G. Clark, John Saunders; Third ward, James A. Storm, Samuel H. Boyd.
For 1862-63-First ward, James Tracy, Elias Eppstein; Second ward, George T. Hoagland, William Fowler; Third ward, Joseph C. Hull, John Colhoun.
For 1863-64-First ward, J. D. McNeely, G. W. H. Landon; Second ward, Anton Klos, R. Fisher; Third ward, Henry Boder, Joseph Steinacker.
For 1864-65-There were now five wards, represented as fol- lows : First ward, Thos. H. Ritchie, Wm. Z. Ransom; Second ward, John R. Bell, W. L. Chadwick; Third ward, John Corby, George T. Hoagland; Fourth ward, J. D. McNeely, A. Andriano; Fifth ward, H. N. Turner, Jeremiah Whalen.
For 1865-66-First ward, W. Z. Ransom, Wm. M. Albin; Sec- ond ward, W. L. Chadwick, John Colhoun; Third ward, John Corby, George T. Hoagland; Fourth ward, J. D. McNeeley, A. Andriano; Fifth ward, H. N. Turner, Isaac Wilkins.
For 1866-67-First ward, W. Z. Ransom, Wm. M. Albin; Sec- ond ward, W. L. Chadwick, Edward R. Brandow; Third ward, George T. Hoagland, Samuel Hays; Fourth ward, A. Andiano, Bernard Patton; Fifth ward, Jeremiah Whalen, Isaac Wilkins.
For 1867-68-First ward, W. Z. Ransom, Phillip Pinger; Sec- ond ward, J. H. Dayton, Robert Gunn; Third ward, John Corby, John A. Dolman ; Fourth ward, J. D. McNeely, David H. Winton; Fifth ward, Patrick H. Early, M. Fitzgerald.
For 1868-69-First ward, W. Z. Ransom, Florence Kiley; Sec- ond ward, I. Van Riley, O. M. Smith; Third ward, John A. Dolman, Thomas E. Tootle; Fourth ward, David H. Winton, Michael Mc- Gee; Fifth ward, Patrick Early, M. Fitzgerald.
For 1869-70-First ward, Florence Kiley, J. C. Kessler; Second ward, Robert Gunn, I. Van Riley; Third ward, John A. Dolman, J. A. V. McNeal; Fourth ward, D. H. Winton, Phillip Pinger; Fifth ward, Patrick Early, M. Fitzgerald.
For 1870-71-First ward, J. C. Kessler, Seymour Jenkins ; Sec- ond ward, Robert Gunn, George Buell; Third ward, A. C. V. Mc-
129
BUCHANAN COUNTY AND ST. JOSEPH
Neal, C. W. Davenport; Fourth ward, Phillip Pinger, George Hil- debrant; Fifth ward, M. Fitzgerald, Henry Blum.
For 1871-72-First ward, Seymour Jenkins, Joseph Diedrich : Second ward, George Buell, Fred Westpheling; Third ward, C. W. Davenport, Edwin Toole; Fourth ward, George R. Hildebrant, John Burnside; Fifth ward, Henry Blum, James Bowen.
For 1872-73-First ward, Seymour Jenkins, Joseph Diedrich ; Second ward, Fred Westpheling, Oscar Schramm; Third ward, Ed- win Toole, Isaac Curd; Fourth ward, John Burnside, John Kieffer ; Fifth ward, James Bowen, E. W. Ray.
For 1873-74-First ward, Seymour Jenkins, Joseph Diedrich ; Second ward, Oscar Schramm, J. H. Dayton; Third ward, Isaac Curd, James M. Street; Fourth ward, George R. Hildebrant, John Kieffer ; Fifth ward, Joseph Hermann, E. W. Ray.
For 1874-75-First ward, Seymour Jenkins, Joseph Diedrich ; Second ward, Oscar Schramm, J. H. Dayton; Third ward, James M. Street, Donald M. McDonald; Fourth ward, George R. Hildebrant, Wm. Sidenfaden ; Fifth ward, Joseph Hermann, Michael Kiley.
For 1875-76-First ward, Seymour Jenkins, Joseph Diedrich ; Second ward, Oscar Schramm, J. H. Dayton ; Third ward, James M. Street, Wm. H. Wood; Fourth ward, George R. Hildebrant, Wm. Sidenfaden ; Fifth ward, Michael Kiley, Joseph Hermann.
For 1876-77-First ward, Seymour Jenkins, Jacob Arnholt; Sec- ond ward, Oscar Schramm, J. H. Dayton; Third ward, Wm. H. Wood, Thomas H. Hail; Fourth ward, J. D. McNeely, Wm. Siden- faden; Fifth ward, Michael Kiley, Charles Michaelis.
For 1877-78-First ward, Jacob Arnholt, Charles Howe; Sec- ond ward, J. H. Dayton, George W. Morris; Third ward, Thomas H. Hail, H. C. Cockrill; Fourth ward, Wm. Sidenfaden, Joseph H. McInerny ; Fifth ward, John Kieffer, Thomas Aylesbury.
For 1878-79-First ward, Seymour Jenkins, Charles Howe; Sec- ond ward, George W. Morris; Third ward, Thomas H. Hail, H. C. Cockrill; Fourth ward, J. D. McNeely, Joseph McInerny; Fifth . ward, Thomas Aylesbury, Maurice Hickey.
For 1879-80-First ward, Seymour Jenkins, John Newcum; Second ward, George W. Morris, I. B. Thompson; Third ward, Chas. W. Campbell, Samuel Westheimer; Fourth ward, Joseph Mc- Inerny, J. D. McNeely; Fifth ward, Thomas Aylesbury, Maurice Hickey.
For 1880-81-First ward, Seymour Jenkins, John Newcum; Second ward, George W. Morris, I. B. Thompson; Third ward, Sam-
130
BUCHANAN COUNTY AND ST. JOSEPH
Westheimer, Chas. W. Campbell; Fourth ward, Joseph McInerny, J. W. Atwill; Fifth ward, Thos. Aylesbury, Maurice Hickey.
For 1881-82-First ward, Seymour Jenkins, Stephen Geiger; Second ward, John S. Lemon, I. B. Thompson; Third ward, Chas. W. Campbell, Samuel Westheimer ; Fourth ward, J. W. Atwill, Egid Wagner; Fifth ward, R. Womach, Wm. O'Hara.
For 1882-83-First ward, Seymour Jenkins, Willis M. Sher- wood; Second ward, Simon Stern, I. B. Thompson; Third ward, Jacob Geiger, Samuel Westheimer ; Fourth ward, Joseph McInerny, Egid Wagner; Fifth ward, Thos. Winston, John Kieffer.
For 1883-84-First ward, Seymour Jenkins, Willis M. Sher- wood; Second ward, Simon Stern, J. M. Austin; Third ward, Sam- uel Westheimer, Jacob Geiger; Fourth ward, Joseph McInerny, Egid Wagner; Fifth ward, Thomas Winston, Wm. Valentine.
For 1884-85-First ward, Seymour Jenkins, Ben B. Turner; Second ward, Simon Stern, J. M. Austin; Third ward, Stephen F. Carpenter, Samuel Westheimer; Fourth ward, Joseph McInerny, John Giller; Fifth ward, Thomas Winston, Wm. Valentine.
For 1885-86-First ward, Charles Nowland, B. B. Turner ; Sec- ond ward, Simon Stern, J. M. Austin; Third ward, S. F. Carpenter, Ewald Padberg; Fourth ward, Charles T. Nicholls, John Giller; Fifth ward, Thomas Winston, Wm. Valentine.
For 1886-87-First ward, Charles Nowland, Thos. R. Ashbrook; Second ward, James H. Lewis, George W. Morris; Third ward, Justus C. Gregg, Ewald Padberg; Fourth ward, William H. Jones, Oscar M. Spalsbury; Fifth ward, William E. Jamieson, John B. Ryan.
For 1887-88-First ward, Chas. Nowland, Thos. R. Ashbrook; Second ward, George W. Morris, (Mr. Lewis resigned and his place was left vacant); Third ward, J. C. Gregg, Ewald Padberg; Fourth ward, Wm. H. Jones, O. M. Spalsbury; Fifth ward, Wm. E. Jamie- son, John B. Ryan.
For 1888-89-First ward, Wilfred McDonald, Henry Luch- singer; Second ward, Nelson J. Riley, Samuel Ostrander; Third ward, Jacob Geiger, Henry Ellinger; Fourth ward, Rufus Todd, S. O. Brooks; Fifth ward, Wm. E. Jamieson, John B. Ryan.
For 1889-90-First ward, Wilfred McDonald, David E. Mar- shall; Second ward, N. J. Riley, Samuel Ostrander; Third ward, Jacob Geiger, Henry Ellinger; Fourth ward, Rufus Todd, Edward Felling; Fifth ward, Wm. E. Jamieson, A. E. Arnell.
131
BUCHANAN COUNTY AND ST. JOSEPH
For 1890-91-In 1890 the city limits were extended and the ter- ritory divided into eight wards. There were sixteen aldermen as follows : First ward, Hans Nelson, Wm. Dersch; Second ward, James M. Hall, D. E. Marshall; Third ward, Samuel Ostrander, J. W. Lancaster; Fourth ward, John L. Zeidler, T. W. Hackett; Fifth ward, Patrick Martin, Henry Ellinger ; Sixth ward, Joseph Hermann, Edward B. Felling; Seventh ward, Stephen T. Pendleton, A. E. Arnell; Eighth ward, Charles A. Pfeiffer, James W. Mansfield.
For 1891-92-First ward, Hans Nielson, Wm. Dersch; Second ward, James M. Hall, Thomas N. Finch; Third ward, Albert B. Duncan, J. W .Lancaster; Fourth ward, F. K. Doniphan, John Zeidler; Fifth ward, Patrick Martin, Henry Ellinger; Sixth ward, Joseph Hermann, John Combe; Seventh ward, S. T. Pendleton, W. E. Jamieson; Eighth ward, Charles A. Pfeiffer, Wm. M. Rush, Jr.
For 1892-93-First ward, James Burlington, Wm. Dersch; Sec- ond ward, C. F. Meyer, Thos. N. Finch; Third ward, A. B. Duncan, Thos. R. Bretz; Fourth ward, F. K. Doniphan, Robert Baker; Fifth ward, Patrick Martin, George M. Goode; Sixth ward, Wm. L. Buechle, John Combe; Seventh ward, J. W. Stouffer, W. E. Jamie- son; Eighth ward, Charles J. Borden, Wm. M. Rush, Jr.
For 1893-94-First ward, James Burlington, Horace Wood; Second ward, C. F. Meyer, John D. Clark; Third ward, Thos. R. Bretz, Daniel Ransom; Fourth ward, R. E. Baker, R. M. Abercrom- bie; Fifth ward, Geo. M. Good, George L. Jewett; Sixth ward, W. L. Buechle, J. W. Powers; Seventh ward, J. W. Stouffer, M. M. Duggan; Eighth ward, Chas. J. Borden, Samuel Gosnell.
For 1894-95-First ward, John Custer, Horace Wood; Second ward, John D. Clark, Stephen F. Geiger; Third ward, Daniel Ran- som, Andrew J. Smith; Fourth ward, R. M. Abercrombie, W. J. Browne; Fifth ward, George M. Good, George Geiwitz; Sixth ward, W. L. Buechle, J. W. Powers; Seventh ward, M. M. Duggan, E. H. Giles; Eighth ward, Chas. J. Borden, Samuel Gosnell.
For 1895-96-First ward, John E: Custer, Hans Nielson; Sec- ond ward, S. F. Geiger, Wm. H. Finch; Third ward, A. J. Smith, F. M. Lemon; Fourth ward, R. M. Abercrombie, W. J. Browne; Fifth ward, J. G. Geiwitz, G. D. Berry; Sixth ward, W. L. Buechle, Louis Prawitz; Seventh ward, L. H. Giles, W. E. Jamieson; Eighth ward, C. J. Borden, A. S. Long.
For 1896-97-First ward, John E. Custer, Hans Nielson; Sec- ond ward, James M. Cline, W. H. Finch; Third ward, John W. Bruce, F. M. Lemon; Fourth ward, R. M. Abercrombie, W. J.
I32
BUCHANAN COUNTY AND ST. JOSEPH
Browne; Fifth ward, C. A. Tygart, G. D. Berry; Sixth ward, D. H. Schmidt, Louis Prawitz; Seventh ward, W. J. Robertson, W. E. Jamieson ; Eighth ward, C. J. Borden, A. S. Long.
For 1897-98-First ward, John E. Custer, Fred E. Ernst; Sec- ond ward, James M. Cline, W. H. Finch; Third ward, John W. Bruce, F. C. Kuehl; Fourth ward, G. V. Koch, W. J. Browne; Fifth ward, C. A. Tygart, George W. Akers; Sixth ward, Richard Garvey, D. H. Schmidt; Seventh ward, W. J. Robertson, J. L. Meyer ; Eighth ward, C. J. Borden, A. M. Twedell.
For 1898-99-First ward, Fred E. Ernst. Phil Hall; Second ward, Wm. H. Finch, Wm. H. Smith; Third ward, F. C. Kuehl, John W. Bruce; Fourth ward, E. M. Birkes, G. V. Koch; Fifth ward, George W. Akers, John H. Kelly; Sixth ward, Richard Garvey, E. M. Chandlee; Seventh ward, J. L. Meyer, Henry Felling; Eighth ward, A. M. Twedell, Nels P. Sommer.
The council passes laws for the government of the city, author- izes the expenditures of money, levies taxes, grants franchises, con- firms or rejects appointments, and exercises a general legislative power over the corporation. One of the members is elected president each year. For the purpose of facilitating business, the president appoints standing committees, of three members, on finance, streets and alleys, public improvements, public health, fire department, workhouse, public buildings, water and gas, ordinances, street light- ing, claims, rules, auditing, judiciary and legislation. When a meas- ure is introduced it is referred to the committee which has in charge such matters. This committee makes a report at some future time, after consideration, and the council is generally governed by the re- port. It requires a majority of the members present to pass a meas- ure. The president of the council is authorized to act as mayor in the absence of that official.
*
CLERK, REGISTER AND AUDITOR .- The late General Ben. F. Loan was appointed clerk and attorney at the first session of the town trustees, in 1845. Levi T. Carr was clerk in 1846, James B. Gardenhire, afterwards attorney general of Missouri, in 1847; Ben F. Loan in 1848, A. D. Madeira in 1849. In 1850-51, the late Joseph J. Wyatt, father of J. C. and George Wyatt, held the office. He was the last clerk of the town board.
Under the city charter which went into operation in 1851, the city register's office was created. The register was a combination of secretary to the council and city accountant. The office was first
I33
BUCHANAN COUNTY AND ST. JOSEPH
held by Milton H. Wash, who served 1851-56, and who compiled and published the first city ordinances. William C. Toole succeeded Mr. Wash and served 1856-64, when the late John A. Dolman was elected. Major Dolman served 1864-66 and was succeeded by Thos. H. Ritchie, who served 1866-68. Col. Robert C. Bradshaw, who had distinguished himself in the war, was elected in 1868, and served two years. In 1870 W. W. Brown was elected and served four years, being succeeded by Hardin A. Davis, who served until 1877, when he was succeeded by Enos J. Crowther, who served until 1880. The late James H. Ringo was elected in 1880 and was succeeded in 1882 by the late Francis M. Tufts. Mr. Tufts was the last register. He was elected in 1884, for two years. When the new charter was adopted he resigned and was made auditor.
Purd B. Wright was the first city clerk. He was appointed in April, 1885, and served continuously until April, 1896. Mr. Wright created numerous features of this office and brought order out of a wilderness. His work, his indices and his classifications are of im- measurable value to the city. He was succeeded by Charles S. Shep- herd, the present incumbent. Mr. Wright is now librarian of the free public library. The city clerk is appointed by the mayor and council. The register was elected by the people.
Mr. Tufts was succeeded as auditor by Harry C. Carter, in 1888. Oswald M. Gilmer was elected in 1890, and served four years. He was succeeded in April, 1894, by Thomas R. Ashbrook, the present incumbent, who has twice been re-elected by the people.
COLLECTOR AND TREASURER .- The constable collected the taxes under the town organization, and the marshal under the city organization, up to 1866. Thomas Henry was the first collector, serving 1866-70. He was succeeded by H. R. W. Hartwig, who served 1870-72. George M. Hauck served 1872-74; Daniel T. Lysaght, 1874-76; James A. Millan, 1876-78; H. N. Turner, 1878-80; Joseph Andriano, 1880-84; Harry C. Carter, 1884-85.
The collector paid the moneys over to the city treasurer, who was generally connected with one of the local banks. Robert I. Boyd and John Curd kept the city's moneys in the town days, and John Curd was city treasurer from 1851 to 1863. George Lyon suc- ceeded Mr. Curd and served three years. In 1866-68 Samuel Mc- Gibbens was treasurer, and was succeeded by W. H. Collins, who served one year. Ignatz G. Kappner served 1870-73; H. N. Turner,
134
BUCHANAN COUNTY AND. ST. JOSEPH
1873-74; W. B. Johnson, 1874-77; George C. Hull, 1877-79; George W. Belt, 1879-81 ; Christian Frenger, 1881-82; Thomas W. Evans, 1882-84; John Colhoun, 1884-85. The collector was elected by the people and the treasurer appointed by the mayor. Under the charter oi 1885, these offices were merged. Harry Carter, who had been elected collector in 1884, for two years, resigned and was appointed collector and treasurer for the year 1885-86. The collector received fees under the old system and the treasurer received a salary. The office is now elective and the salary is fixed by the council. Harry Carter was elected to succeed himself, and served 1886-88, when he was succeeded by George C. Crowther, who served 1888-92. Joseph Albus served 1892-96, and was succeeded by Rice D. Gilkey, the present incumbent.
THE COMPTROLLER .- This office is a check upon the au- ditor and treasurer. Nor can any money be appropriated by the city unless the comptroller certifies that the amount is in the treasury to the credit of the fund from which it is to be drawn. He also coun- tersigns all warrants upon the treasury, redeems outstanding bonds, pays interest coupons, and is the city's fiscal officer.
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.