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 37
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WALLER YOUNG, lawyer and politician, was one of the most force- ful men in the Democratic party in Northwest Missouri. Mr. Young was was elected district attorney in 1851; born in Bath County, Ky., in 1843 and in 1856 was elected to Congress, as came with his parents to Buchanan a Democrat, and served two terms; he was commissioned brigadier gen- County in 1851, setiling near Easton. soon after the breaking out of the war He served on the Confederate side during the rebellion, and after the war eral by President Lincoln; was prom- studied law, graduating at Louisville inent as a railroad builder and at one in 1870. He was private secretary to time president of the Hannibal & St. Joseph Company; in April, 1885, ac- cepted the position of city comptroller and served two years. He died Oct. Governor Woodson, and then repre- sented this district in the state Senate, and subsequently in the legislature. He.was also a member of the board 21, 1888.
of Asylum managers and president of the St. Joseph School Board and to his energies are due many improve- ments and conveniences at the Asylum and in the school system of the city. He was appointed County Clerk by Governor Stone upon the death of T. Ed. Campbell and filled out the unexpired term. Mr. Young died Nov. 17, 1896.
HERMAN LUND, shipping clerk, is a native of Germany and came to America in 1854 and St. Joseph in 1858. Served four years and four months in 16th Ill., of which he was major in 1865; was deputy sheriff of Buchanan County in 1871-2, and reg- istration officer, 1868. Married Julia Wright in St. Louis, 1864, and has one daughter.
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BUCHANAN COUNTY AND ST. JOSEPH.
WILLIAM HARLAN HAYNES, was married in Buchanan County to attorney at law, and at present State Sophia, the daughter of Frederick and Senator from Buchanan County, is a Elizabeth Ozenberger. Mrs. Haynes native of Kentucky, born in Monti- was born in Clinton County, Mo., in cello, Wayne County, April 28, 1848. November, 1850. Three children came His father, Herbert W. Haynes, was unto this union-Albert F., Hattie F., a carpenter; his mother's maiden name (now Mrs. E. M. Birkes of St. Jo- seph,) and Mandie, who died at the age of 7 years and 7 months.
was Lillie R. Hunt; both were Ken- tuckians, the former a native of Rus- sell County, the latter of Wayne Coun-
When Mr. Haynes came from De-
WM. H. HAYNES.
ty. Our subject came with his parents Kalb County to St. Joseph he was to Stewartsville, DeKalb County, Mo., known as the most successful lawyer in April, 1858. He attended the com- in that county. Shortly after remov- ing to St. Joseph he was employed in several important cases and it was conceded by all who heard him at the trials that he was not only a good law- mon schools and at the age of eigh- teen. He read law at night by the light of an old-fashioned coun- try fire place. In 1870 he was admitted to the bar and practiced in yer, but an eminent advocate. His DeKalb County until June of 1881, success at the St. Joseph bar is well when he came to St. Joseph, where known; as a trial lawyer he has no he has since lived. May 15. 1870, he superior and as an advocate before a
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BUCHANAN COUNTY AND ST. JOSEPH.
jury he has few equals in this section. He is often employed in important cases outside the city of St. Joseph and is known all over Northwest Mis- souri as an eminent, successful lawyer.
JOHN PATEE, an active pioneer, whose name is prominently connected with the early history of St. Joseph, was a native of Otsego County, New York, born Ang. 1, 1814. In 1845 he It is a well known fact that speeches. settled upon the site of the present city he has made in the Buchanan County of St. Joseph, his holding embracing court house have been pronounced by the various Patee additions, the price bench and bar among the ablest ever made in the halls of justice.
of the land being $13 per acre. He built the Patee House, after he had platted his ground into city lots,
He is a staunch Democrat and his political record is witbout a blemish, and his career as a legislator unsurpassed. As representative in the session of 1879, from DeKalb County, he stood in the front ranks. As repre- sentative in the sessions of 1885 and 1889 from Buchanan County he was a recognized leader and conceded to be the best parliamentarian in the body. At the election in November, 1898, he was elected State Senator of the Sec- ond District, which is composed of Buchanan County only; his record as Senator is fresh in the memory of all. It is universally conceded that he is the most successful member of that body; every bill that he introduced has been passed and become a law; he is a leader in that body and in debate is easily without an equal and is called by the other members "The Lawyer
and donated terminals to the Hanni- bal & St. Joseph Railroad, his belief being that the business of the city would center about his hotel. Patee Park is a monument to this public spirited pioneer. He died February 14, 1868, possessed of property, the taxable value of which was $350,000, of the Senate." His standing at Jef- and which is today worth several mil- ferson City with brother Senators and lions.
all the state officials is splendid, and the question is often asked, "To what higher position will he be advanced?" as he is qualified to fill with ability and distinction any office in the gift of the people of the state.
BENJAMIN F. LOAN, ex-Con- gressman, was born at Hardensburg, Ky., in 1819, and came to Buchanan County in 1838. He was a lawyer of reputation and high character and was identified with the history of St. Jo- seph from the beginning up to the time of his death, which occurred March 28, 1881. In 1861 he was ap- was elected to Congress and served six
MILTON TOOTLE, pioneer mer- chant, whose name is yet prominent in business and financial circles, was born in Ross County, Ohio, Feb. 26, pointed brigadier general. In 1862 he 1823. He went to Andrew County. in 1842, and in 1849 came to St. Joseph. years, after which he resumed the practice of law in this city.
He died January 2, 1887.
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BUCHANAN COUNTY AND ST. JOSEPH.
CHARLES ANTON PFEIFFER, for many years conducted on an ex- president of the Pfeiffer Stone Com- tensive scale. Our subject attended pany, was born December 19, 1844, at German and English schools in New Sigmaringen, Germany, and is the son York, Philadelphia and Chicago, and of Joseph and Aloise (Waldschuetz) Pfeiffer. His father is a native of Bingen, Hohenzollern, Germany, and his mother was born at Pfullendorff, Grand-duchy of Baden, Germany. His
CHARLES A. PFEIFFER.
various night schools in St. Joseph, among them Bryant's Business Col- lege. Early in life he learned the stone cutter's trade, mastering every detail, and this, coupled with profi- ciency in mathematics and business tact, has brought the Pfeiffer Stone Company into prominence throughout the West. Mr. Pfeiffer has read ex- tensively and is well abreast of the times, particularly as to the practical sciences, mechanics and political econ- omy. He is also a lover of music and was prominently identified with the Philharmonia Society in its day and several other musical organizations since. His military record is brief; he served under Capt. Louis Hax in Co. B., 87th regiment M. S. M., in 1865. Mr. Pfeiffer has since his entry into active life, taken great interest in matters pertaining to the advance- ment of St. Joseph, and his name is prominently coupled with every great public enterprise that has been pro- jected. Politically he is a Republican, and as such served in the council, as alderman at large, from the Eighth Ward in 1890-92 and distinguished himself particularly as chairman of the finance committee. He was also a trustee of the Hall School and is now a member of the board of directors of the Free Public Library. In 1898 he mayor and was defeated by Dr. Kirsch- ner. His defeat was due principally to a factional quarrel in his own party, which grew so intense that many Re- publicans remained away from the
father, a stone cutter of high profi- ciency, came to New York on the sail- ing vessel Sara Sheaf in March of 1849 and our subject followed, with his mother, in the ship Jennie Lind in was nominated by the Republicans for October of the same year. The family lived in New York, Philadelphia and Chicago until 1860, when they came to St. Joseph, arriving April 17, 1860. Joseph Pfeiffer began business in his line on the north side of Felix street, polls. Our subject was married in St. between Fourth and Fifth streets, then located at Sixth and Charles streets, and, in 1868, at Fourth and Locust streets, where the business has been
Joseph, November 7, 1871, to Louise Charlotte Koch, born at Clinton, La., the daughter of Gerhardt and Jose- phine Koch. Seven children were
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BUCHANAN COUNTY AND ST. JOSEPH.
born into this union-Otto, Edward 1843, clerking for Perry Brothers, who C., Joseph Anton, Agatha Louise, had just opened the second store at Alma Pauline, Mary Elizabeth and Helena. All of these are living except Edward C., who died at the age of nineteen months. Mr. Pfeiffer is a Catholic and attends the Cathedral.
PATRICK MORLEY, contractor and coal dealer, was born in County Mayo, Ireland, March 8, 1842, the son of Anthony and Mary (Jordan) Mor- ley; came to America in 1859, in the sailing vessel Collodion, landing at New Orleans, and thence to St. Jo- seph. Was at the siege of Vicksburg, also at Corinth, Island No. 10 and New Madrid; after the war he farmed and freighted until 1869, when he en- gaged in teaming and contracting and has built miles of sewers in St. Joseph. His wife, whom he married in 1869, was formerly Miss Elizabeth Dela- hanty, and they have three children, Mary, Nellie and Laurina J.
ABRAHAM DAVIS, ex-member of the Missouri legislature, was born in Buchanan County, July 3, 1844, the son of Joseph and Sarah (Sheckell) Davis, on a farm that is now part of St. Joseph Extension Addition, in the northwestern part of the city. In his early days he worked on a steamboat that ran to New Orleans, and was for many years in the ice business. He was elected as Democrat to the legis- lature in 1880 and again in 1890. Sep- tember 16, 1879, he was married to Miss Jennie Robbins, born in New York state; both are members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Davis is now in the real estate business.
this point. By thrift and business abil- ity he amassed a fortune. He organ- ized the Saxton Bank, which was located in the building erected by him at the northeast corner of Fourth and Francis streets, now occupied by the First National Bank, which represents the consolidation of the Saxton and Schuster-Hax banks. Mr. Saxton died June 27, 1889.
WILLIAM RIDENBAUGH, pio- neer newspaper publisher, and founder of the Gazette, was born in Bedford, Pa., on Feb. 19, 1821, and learned the printer's trade. He came to St. Joseph in the spring of 1845 and established
the Gazette. He was a Democrat and prominent in political affairs. From 1852 to 1864 he was clerk of the circuit court. In 1870 he was again elected to this office, which he held at the time of his death, October 18, 1874.
THOMAS W. TURNER, dye works, 521 S. Third, was born in England, Feb. 4, 1835; came to Amer- ica, August, 1856, locating at St. Paul; went to Kansas in 1865, and came to St. Joseph in 1870. In October, 1864 he was married in New York to Miss Emma Harman, who was born in
ALBE M. SAXTON, a pioneer merchant and a progressive man, was born near Cleveland, Ohio, Feb. 12, England in 1842. One boy and three 1821 and came to Blacksnake Hills in girls, all living, were born to them.
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BUCHANAN COUNTY AND ST. JOSEPH.
DR. WILLIAM M. NEENAN steadily grown until he is among the was born in St. Joseph, Nov. 14, 1868, most successful physicians in the city. and attended the college of the Chris -. tian Brothers in St. Joseph. After
JOHN CORBY, one of the prom- graduating he decided upon medicine inent pioneers, was born in Limerick, as his profession and attended the Ireland, June 24, 1808; came to Amer- Ensworth College of St. Joseph, from ica at the age of twelve years; worked which he graduated in 1889. He then his way and secured what education he
DR. WM. M. NEENAN.
uated in 1891, and in 1893 he returned to Rush for a post-graduate course for six months, serving as first assist- ant under Dr. Philip Adolphus, in the clinic, on diseases of women; he also served as second assistant under Dr. J. D. Tuthill in his clinic on diseases of the throat and chest. Dr. Neenan returned to St. Joseph in the spring of 1894 and opened an office at 2335 S. Sixth street, where his practice has
took a course at Rush Medical Col- could; became a railroad builder; lege, Chicago, from which he grad- located in St. Joseph in 1843 and be- gan busines as a general merchant; was mayor of St. Joseph in 1856. His business career throughout was suc- cessful, and he died May 9, 1870, leav- ing great wealth and many charitable bequests, principally to Catholic insti- tutions, having been a member of that church. May 30, 1852 he married Miss Amanda Musick of Florissant, Mo., who died early in 1899, leaving no children, and after many charitable deeds.
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BUCHANAN COUNTY AND ST. JOSEPH.
JOHN ARTHUR FLOURNOY, Midia Josephine, I year. Mr. Flour- attorney-at-law, First National Bank noy is a Democrat and a member of Building, was born in Ray County, the Christian Church. Mo., April 21 , 1864, and is the son of John S. and Nancy Flournoy, both MATHEW F. MYERS, insurance agent, is a native of England, born Oct. 9, 1850. In company with his sister he came to America in 1870 and located in Atchison County, coming to St. Joseph in 1873. He kept books born in Washington County, Ky., and who came to Missouri in 1854. Our subject attended school at Richmond, in Ray County, and the Kirksville Nor- mal School. He came to St. Joseph
-
JOHN A. FLOURNOY.
in 1889 and read law with Col. John for Weil, Kahn & Co., and Shultz & Doniphan for two years, being admit- Hosea for nine years; is now engaged ted to the bar in 1891. Since he be- gan practicing Mr. Flournoy has achieved success, and stands well at the head of the young lawyers at the St. Joseph bar. His wife is Julia, the daughter of Samuel Gann, a pioneer settler of Buchanan County. They have three children- Martha Victoria, in life insurance. His first wife was Miss Jean Jackson, whom he married in 1874. She died in 1884 and he mar- ried Mrs. Emma B. Keller, at Kansas City, in April, 1888. There were four children by the first marriage and one by the second; all are living. Mr. aged 6 years; Samuel G., 4 years, and Myers is a Republican in politics.
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BUCHANAN COUNTY AND ST. JOSEPH.
GEORGE LYON, Justtice of the of Company C, 25th regiment Enrolled Peace for Washington Township, is Missouri Militia. Captain Lyon was one of the best known and most re- president of the first agricultural ex- spected citizens of St. Joseph, where position in the county and served four he has lived since 1860. He was born
terms in the St. Joseph School Board. in Ogdensburg, St. Lawrence, Co., N. He was elected Justice of the Peace Y., May 22, 1823, and lived there until in 1894 and was re-elected in 1898 for twelve years of age. The next eigh- four years longer. Judge Lyon was teen years of his life were spent in married March 10, 1843 to Miss Jane
GEORGE LYON.
Albany, Orgensburg and Brooklyn. Judson, a native of St. Lawrence Co., Mr. Lyon was raisd in the mercantile N. Y. Ten children were born to business and followed it until 1854, them. Judge Lyon is a staunch Re- when he went to Chicago and engaged in the lumber business. In 1860 he
publican and has fought the battles of his party unceasingly since it was came to St. Joseph and engaged in organized.
the same business, building up a good and lucrative trade. In 1862 he was FREDERICK W. SMITH-Sec- ond only to Joseph Robidoux, the founder of the city of St. Joseph, in elected treasurer of Buchanan County and held the office eight years. He also held the office of City Treasurer. the early history of the city, and who During the civil war he was captain lived to see it expand and spread out
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BUCHANAN COUNTY AND ST. JOSEPH.
over the large body of land he pre- and named it after the founder of the empted adjacent to the original town city, Joseph Robidoux. Capt. Smith site, was Frederick W. Smith. Capt. pre-empted land, upon which a por- Smith was born October 3, 1815, in Prussia. He received his early ed- ucation in his native town and after-
tion of the city now stands, and which has been divided and subdivided and sold at different times. He was a cap- wards entered a military academy, tain of the militia for a number of where he was educated as a civil en- gineer. When eighteen years of age he sailed for America. Landing in New York in 1833, he remained there almost a year, and then removed to years, and was afterwards made a Major of the State Volunteers; was appointed the first postmaster of the village of St. Joseph; in 1861 he was elected mayor of the city; his last office was that of Judge of the Buch- anan County Court, his term ending in 1876. He married Miss Jane Tolin, of Daviess County, Mo., in 1843, who, recently died. Capt. Smith died May 7, 1883. He was a public spirited man and Smith Park, which he gave to the city, perpetuates his name.
STEPHEN A. DORING, general merchant, 18th and Messanie, was born in Germany, January 17, 1861. In 188I he came to America, locating at Troy, N. Y .; came to St. Joseph in 1884, engaged as grocer's clerk. In 1889 was married to Miss Lizzie Her- mann, daughter of the late Joseph Hermann, with whom he subsequently engaged in business at the present lo- cation. Mr. Doring is enterprsing and energetic and has been very successful. Two boys and one girl have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Doring.
FRED W. SMITH.
LOUIS HERWIG, ex-City License
New Orleans, where he was employed in a cotton press. Owing to the break- Inspector, was born in Germany in ing out of yellow fever in that city, 1850 and came to America in 1867, he embarked on the Mississippi River, after receiving a good common school and came to St. Louis, where soon education in the Fatherland. He came after his arrival he was appointed Dep- direct to St. Joseph and was employ- uty City Surveyor. In 1838, or 1839 ed at the Nunning brewery for some he left St. Louis for the Platte Pur- years. Afterwards he engaged in the chase, and settled at Blacksnake Hills saloon business. He was appointed (now St. Joseph). Here he engaged license inspector in 1897 by Mayor in farming and surveying. He Vories. He was married June 6, 1868 made the original map of St. Joseph to Miss Rosa Zillis.
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BUCHANAN COUNTY AND ST. JOSEPH.
MORRIS A. REED, attorney at Congress against Col. James N. law, is a native of Watertown, N. Y., Burnes, and gave that gentleman the where he was educated, graduating closest race he had during his Con- from Union Academy. During the civil war he enlisted in Company A, Ioth N. Y. heavy artillery, in Septem- ber of 1862, and afterward received an appointment on the staff of General Piper, at that time division comman- gressional career. He was appointed city counselor by Mayor Englehart, which position he held two years. In 1891 he was appointed general attor- ney for the St. Joseph & Grand Island Railway Company, which position he
MORRIS A. REED.
der in the defenses of Washington. still holds. October 15, 1872, Mr. During the last year of the war he Reed was married to Miss Margie R. served in the Shenandoah Valley. Kimball, of Bath, Me. They have two children, Clara A., and Morris H. After the war Mr. Reed returned to Watertown, studied law and in 1869 was admitted to the bar, and then RANDOLPH T. DAVIS, one of the foremost men of the community in his day, was born December 26, 1837, in Buchanan County, the son of Ishmael and Nancy (McDaniel) Davis, who were among the first settlers of located in St. Joseph, where he has been highly successful. For many years he was associated with Col. John Doniphan, but this partnership was dissolved in 1888. In 1882 he .was nominated by the Republicans for Buchanan County. Our subject at-
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BUCHANAN COUNTY AND ST. JOSEPH.
tended such schools as there were in Davis Mill Company was built and those primitive days, and at the age Mr. Davis was at the head of this bus- of sixteen entered the Western High iness until his death. He was a great School to prepare for college, but his stickler for high grades, and the tri- umphs of his faithful work are in the "No. 10," and "No. I" brands, famous father having lost heavily by the de- fault of an official upon whose bond he was, the young man was disap- the country over. Politically Mr. pointed. Having aided his father in Davis was a staunch Democrat. He recovering the homestead, our subject was county collector in 1878-82 and
R. T. DAVIS.
then he purchased the Union Mills in was elected to the state Senate in 1882, Platte County, and this venture was but resigned after serving in one ses- successful: Craving for a wider field sion of the legislature. He took great he sold the Union Mills and came to interest in the advancement of St. Jo- seph and was a leader in movements for public welfare. It was his am- bition to be mayor and he made un- successful efforts in 1888 and in 1890. St. Joseph, purchasing an interest in the City Mills at Third and Antoine streets, forming a partnership with Isaac Van Riley; in 1876 he became the sole proprietor. In 1883 the pres- He was married first in February, 1859 to Miss C. L. Bordston, who died in 1861, and again in 1863 to Miss Mary
launched out for himself. Up to 1866 he had been engaged in various lines, without finding something suitable; J. Bordston, his first wife's sister. He ent large modern mill of the R. T. died Dec. 14, 1894.
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BUCHANAN COUNTY AND ST. JOSEPH.
DR. O. C. SEIBERT, osteopathic physician, Hughes Building, is a new arrival in St. Joseph, but he comes recommended as a successful practi- tioner. He was born in 1857, in Ash- THOMAS H. RITCHIE, 1201 N. Second street, was born at Madison, Ind., April 21, 1832, the son of Silas and Sarah A. (Taylor) Ritchie; came to St. Joseph in April, 1857 and en- land County, Ohio, the son of J. W. gaged in brick making. During the Seibert, a native of Virginia, and a war was first lieutenant in Company mine owner. He is a graduate of the A, 25th E. M. M .; has always been a
DR. W. W. WERTENBERGER.
famous American School of Osteo- Republican; held the positions of dep- pathy, founded by Dr. A. T. Still, M. uty marshal, city register, deputy city D., D. O., and treats with success all curable diseases. The science of Os- teopathy is rapidly coming to the front. Dr. Seibert was married in Adair County, Mo., in 1886, to Alice, the daughter of George Meeks, born in Adair County in 1868, and who died in 1898.
collector, deputy sheriff and city mar- shall, being appointed to the latter place once and elected twice. January 27, 1856, he married at Madison, Ind., Hannah, daughter of Samuel and Mary Brenneman; they had six chil- dren, five living: Sarah, who is Mrs. J. K. Pogue; William B., Frances O., Thomas H. and Effie A.
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BUCHANAN COUNTY AND ST. JOSEPH.
THOMAS J. DAWSON, lawyer, Ruth Evelyn. Mr. Ransom came to was born in Clark County, Mo., May St. Joseph in 1858 and engaged in 28, 1867, his father, T. B. Dawson, brick making and contracting. Was a Union man; was internal revenue col- lector 1872-73, was in city council five years; was a Republican until 1896, when he supported Bryan for the being a pioneer settler of that county. In 1885 our subject entered La Grange College and graduated from the clas- sical course five years later. He at once came to St. Joseph and engaged Presidency.
THOS. J. DAWSON.
in the practice of the law. He is. classed among the brightest young attorneys at the Buchanan County bar. He is a Democrat in politics.
£ DR. JAMES E. HEWLETT, den- tist, is a native of Shelbyville, Ky., where he was born March 10, 1821. He came to St. Joseph in September, 1852, and engaged in the practice of dentistry. Dr. Hewlett was married Miss L. A. Brittain, who died in 1870.
WILLIAM Z. RANSOM, contrac- tor, was born at Cincinnati, Dec. 18, in Shelbyville in November, 1848, to 1821. April 19, 1848, married at Cin- nati, to Sarah Robinson, born in Ver- He took for his second wife Miss mont, April 6, 1826; had nine children, Mary Glaskin, the marriage occuring six girls and 3 boys; four girls died Dec 3, 1873. One daughter was born in infancy; those living are Alba Z., to them, who is now Mrs. F. C. Stan- Frank, Ruth Ann, William Z. and nard of St. Joseph.
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BUCHANAN COUNTY AND ST. JOSEPH.
DR. JAMES WEIR HEDDENS, He then began teaching anatomy in who stands in the front rank of the old St. Joseph Medical College, the medical profession in North- which position he held until 1891, west Missouri, is a native of when he accepted the chair of Opera- Barboursville, Clay County, Kentucky, tive Surgery and Gynecology in the where he was born in 1857. His father Ensworth Medical College, of which was the late Dr. W. I. Heddens, one he is a trustee. Dr. Heddens has of the most distinguished physicians achieved great professional success. of the West. Our subject came to St. He is a hard student and keeps thor-
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