The history of Buchanan County, Missouri, Part 64

Author: Union historical company, St. Joseph, Mo., pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: St. Joseph, Mo., Union historical company
Number of Pages: 1104

USA > Missouri > Buchanan County > The history of Buchanan County, Missouri > Part 64

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ADAM AXHELM, JR.,

merchant. One of Buchanan County's early settlers was Adam Axhelm, Sr., who took up his abode in St. Joseph in 1853. The subject of this sketch was born in Erie, Penn., March 27, 1850, and came to St. Joseph with his parents in 1853, and was here raised and educated.

Mr. Axhelm has been twice married ; first, in 1869, to Miss Mary E. Thrap. By this union they had three children, one of whom is living- Charles. He lost two-Lena and Augusta. Mrs. Axhelm died in 1874. In 1878, Mrs. Mary Leip became his second wife. They have one daugh- ter-Lena. Mrs. Axhelm, by her first husband had two children-Tillie and Ollic.

THOMAS AYLESBURY,

Foreman Car Department Kansas City, St. Joseph & Council Bluffs Railway, is a native of Pottsville, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, and was born March 20, 1836; was there raised, educated, and learned the

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carpenter trade. His father, Robert, was superintendent of a coal mine, and our subject for a time was in the employ of the Reading Railway Company. In 1860, he came to Kewanee, Illinois, engaging in contract- ing and building, continuing until 1865, when he was employed by the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railway Company. For four years he was in the car department, and for three years was foreman of the coach building department. On the Ist ofMay, 1872, he took his present situation with the Kansas City, St. Joseph and Council Bluffs Railway Company, the duties of which he has discharged to the entire satisfaction of his employers. He is numbered among the most proficient foremen in car building in the country. He is a member of the Master Car Builders' Association of the United States and Canada, and is one of the com- mittee on automatic freight train brakes. During his sojourn in the city, he has been the choice of the citizens of the Fifth Ward as councilman for two terms. He married, in 1856, Miss Harriet Hill, of Pennsyl- vania, a native of England. They have had eight children, five now living, Charles, Ella, Ida, Thomas and Winfred. They lost three, Mary (aged thirteen years), Harry (aged six years), and Stella (aged three years). Mr. Aylesbury is a member of Charity Lodge No. 331 of Masons, and Enterprise Lodge I. O. O. F. During his term in the coun- cil, much credit is due him for the active and ardent work he did towards securing the water works.

ENOS EWING BACON,

proprietor Bacon House, was born in New Jersey, March 17, 1823, and was raised a farmer. He received a good education and taught school for one year, and then went to Indiana and taught school for nine years. He bought a farm in Maryland and worked it for six years, and after- wards sold out, and, in 1860, came to this city. He bought the lot and a small building where the Bacon House now stands and commenced keeping a boarding house and grocery store. In 1879, it was enlarged and opened as a hotel. As a hotel keeper he excels, as a citizen he has the confidence of all, as an enterprising business man, he is regarded as a success. He has been a life-long, consistent Presbyterian, and has done much for the church and its benevolence. He married Miss Sarah E. Thomas in 1844. They have seven children living, William T., Charles F., Enos Ewing, John Knox, Sarah E., Mary Anna, Rachel Ewing.

BADEN & CO.,

dealers in gents' furnishing goods, commenced business in St. Joseph in the autumn of 1880, and in the short time they have been here have won an enviable reputation. E. H. Baden, the senior member of the firm,

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was born on the 29th day of January, 1853, in Prussia, Province of Han- over, Germany, where his youth was spent until his sixteenth year. He then emigrated to the United States, and settled in Perry County, Missouri, and lived there two years, and then removed to Scott County, Iowa, residing there for a time, after which he engaged in trade in Lin- coln, Illinois. Becoming desirous to see the home once more of his early pilgrimage, he returned to his native country, remaining one year. When he again became a resident of the United States he engaged in the furnishing business at Lincoln, Illinois, and continuing until the autumn of 1880, when this house was established in St. Joseph. O. Del- venthal, the junior member of the firm, is a native of Hanover, Germany, and was born January 7, 1855. In his fourteenth year, he came to the United States, and became a citizen of Perry County, Missouri, and, after a three years' residence, went to New York, where he filled a clerkship for a time ; then to Davenport, Iowa, and finally settled in Lincoln, Illi- nois, where he formed a copartnership with Mr. Baden, gent's furnishing business, which they have since conducted with a good degree of success.

E. P. BADGER,

the liveryman, is a native of Connecticut, and was born in West Leader June 27, 1830. At an early age, emigrated with his parents to Quincy, Illinois, where, after a short stay, he located in Payson, Illinois. There E. P. was raised to manhood, and educated, his youth being spent in tilling the soil. His father, Joseph Badger, while a resident of Connec- ticut, was a seafaring man. In 1849, like thousands of others, the subject of this sketch went overland to California, and for five years was engaged in mining, and other pursuits, on the Pacific Slope. During the war, he was superintendent of a quartermaster's department. In 1864, engaged in the livery business, in St. Joseph, which he has since followed with considerable success, having one of the best appointed stables to be found in the northwest. He is a man of close observation, unassuming in demeanor, and commands the respect of all. In 1860, Miss Mary Griffith became his wife. They have six children : Walter S, Joseph E., Willie, Minnie, Eddie, Mazie.

JNO. W. BAILEY,

of the wholesale house of Bailey, Fairleigh & Weil, was born in Dover, Stewart County, Tennessee, September 17, 1830. He received an ordi- nary school education at home, and at the age of fourteen commenced his mercantile experience, in a country store owned by Watson & Hill- man, at Empire Iron Works, in Kentucky. Two years after he removed to the Tennessee Rolling Works, Kentucky, and sold goods for Hillman

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Van Lear & Co., four years. The last year he was given the entire charge and made the purchases of goods for the establishment, although only twenty years of age. He resigned this position, and on May 9th came to St. Joseph in company with his brother-in-law, James Kay and his partner, J. C. Ingram. He accepted a situation with Ingram & Kay, and in 1852 succeeded Mr. Ingram in the business and has been contin- uously in the firm from that time until the present, a length of time sufficient to test a man's capacity both as a citizen and a merchant. The house of Bailey, Fairleigh & Weil is one of the best known in the south- west, and Mr. Bailey has become widely regarded as a thorough busi- ness man, a reliable merchant and a gentleman of undoubted integrity. Mr. Bailey has been actively connected with many enterprises of public character in St. Joseph, and has uniformly manifested a commendable degree of sympathy with every scheme calculated to promote her inter- ests. May 8, 1856, he married Miss Susan E. Wildbahn, a daughter of Thomas Wildbahn, Esq., an old resident of Buchanan County. They have three children living, two sons and a daughter.

PETER BAKER,

boiler-maker and sheet iron worker, is a native of Germany, and was born in Prussia, in 1823, and was there educated and learned his trade. After serving his country in the army for several years, in 1849 he came to America, locating in Chicago, Illinois, where he worked at his trade for sixteen years. In 1865, he came to St. Joseph, where he has confined himself to manufacturing. He is a very proficient workman, and com- mands his share of patronage. He was married in Chicago to Miss Mary Kohner. They have had five children, three of whom are living : Mary, Margaret and Agnes, and has lost two, William and Joseph.

JOHN H BAKER,

bricklayer and plasterer, is among the progressive citizens of this city. He is a native of New York, and was born in Albany, February 22, 1852, and was there educated, raised and learned the bricklaying and plaster- ing trades, serving five years apprenticeship. In 1880, he came west, and took up his abode in St. Joseph. On the Ioth of October, 1878, Miss Agnes Meyers became his wife. By the union they have had one daughter, Kate. He belongs to the Bricklayers' Union.

ARTILEUS V. BANES, M. D.,

was born near Zanesville, Ohio, February 19, 1845. He was the young- est of three children, two sons and a daughter, the latter being the eldest child, and a lady of rare ability and refined culture. She is the present

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wife of John Townsend, a prominent merchant of St. Joseph. The subject of this sketch received his primary education in Zanesville, Ohio. In April, 1858, he came to St. Joseph with his step-father, Colonel John A. Dolman. He had the good fortune to complete his education, taking a classical course, in the school of E. B. Neely, the present distinguished Superintendent of Public Instruction in that city. On leaving school in 1860, he drove an ox-team to Denver. He then engaged in mining for some time near Central City, and subsequently moved to Montana Ter- ritory, where, in 1862, he was one of the first to settle in Alder Gulch, near Virginia City. His unremitting efforts in the mines were crowned with success, and he was enabled to return to Missouri in 1864, with sufficient means to defray the expenses of a first-class medical edu- cation, upon the pursuit of which he immediately entered. He first com- menced the study of his profession in the office of Dr. E. B. Forsee, of St. Joseph. He subsequently attended Jefferson Medical College, Phil- adelphia, from which he graduated with the degree of M. D., March 7, 1868. Returning to St. Joseph, he immediately entered upon the prac- tice of his profession and soon achieved a reputation for surgical skill few in the city have attained. In March, 1873, he married, in Philadel- phia, Miss Bessie Davis, daughter of a resident of that city, and a lady of rare native ability and elegant culture. Dr. Banes is at present (1881) a member of the faculty and lecturer upon clinical surgery in St. Joseph Hospital Medical College.

G. H. BANDEL,

bricklayer and contractor, is a native of Germany, and was born in Wurtemberg June 5th, 1847. In 1854, came to America with his parents, locating in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, where G. H. resided until 1863, when he became a resident of Springfield, Illinois, and there learned his trade, and remained until 1869, when St. Joseph became his home. Mr. Bandel is recognized as one of the stalwarts in his line, and many impos- ing edifices in the city are criterions to that effect. The Hax building, Dr. Geiger's office and residence were erected by him. He married, in 1870, Miss Kate Kiencle. By the union they have four children ; E. F., Lydia, Emma and Albert H. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and Encampment.

JOHN FISH BARNARD

was born at Worcester, Mass., April 23, 1829. He was raised on a farm until seventeen years of age, and received his education up to this period in the district school. In 1846, he attended the Normal School at Bridgewater, Mass., and while there was induced to enter Rens- selaer Polytechnic Institute, where he took a course in civil engi-

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neering, and graduated in 1850. The same year he was engaged by the Chief Engineer of the St. Lawrence & Atlantic Railroad, to go to Canada, where he remained until 1857, when the road was completed. He then, with others, engaged in making and shipping railroad ties to Cuba. In the summer of 1858, he took charge of a short road on the banks of the Ottawa River, in Canada, where he remained until 1863, when he was chosen Superintendent of the Montreal and Champlain Railroad. In 1864, this road was merged into the Grand Trunk east and west of Mon- treal. He was then removed to Bradford, in Upper Canada, as superin- tendent of the road known as the Buffalo and Lake Huron, but which had been consolidated with the Grand Trunk Road, and remained here until 1866, and then re-called to Montreal, and became Chief Engineer of over six hundred miles of the Grand Trunk Road. In 1869, he took charge of the Missouri Valley Road as Chief Engineer and Superin- tendent. The Missouri Valley and Council Bluffs and St. Joseph Road were consolidated in 1870. He remained with the company until the road was completed. In 1871, he took charge of the St. Joseph and Denver City Railroad as Chief Engineer and Superintendent. In 1872, he left this road, and was appointed Superintendent of the Kansas City, St. Joseph and Council Bluffs Railroad. April 21, 1853, he married Miss Gertrude A. Harvey, of Bath, England, who died March 25, 1865, leav- ing five children. April 28, 1868, he married Miss Julia B. Keefer, of Gault, Ohio.

JOSEPH BARNES,

the horseshoer, Frederick Avenue. Is a native of France, and was born April 22, 1855. He there learned his trade, and came to America in 1872, taking up his abode in St. Joseph in 1874. He has attained an enviable reputation throughout the country as a horseshoer, which is well merited. As a farrier he is also deserving of special mention, and. is thoroughly conversant with all ailments pertaining to the foot of a horse, which is very requisite in order to give satisfaction in shoeing.

W. F. BASSETT,

editor of the Evening News, is a native of Kentucky, and was born in Harrison County, June 21, 1848, and lived there until thirteen years of age, then removed to Clinton County, Missouri. His education was received in the schools of Kentucky and at Plattsburg. He studied law,. and was admitted to the bar in Pettis County. He returned to Ken- tucky, and was admitted to the bar in that state, but he had formed a. preference for journalism, and in fact, it may be said for the past fifteen. years he has had more or less experience with the press. He 1878, he. returned to Missouri, and since that. time. has been. connected with the:

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press of St. Joseph, and at the time of purchasing the Evening News, in 1881, was editor of the Gazette. Mr. B. is a polished and affable gentle- man and a thorough newspaper man. Since his management of the News, he has rendered it one of the most readable and deservedly popu- lar papers in the Northwest.

GENERAL JONATHAN MILES BASSETT,

for many years a distinguished lawyer and representative citizen of St. Joseph, was born in New Haven, Connecticut, February 17, 1817. After receiving a good common school education he was apprenticed to the printing trade. He completed his education in Springfield, Illinois, where he also read law, with Gov. Cailin, and was admitted to the bar by Judge Stephen A. Douglas. Shortly after, he moved to Quincy, Illi- nois, where he was for several years engaged, first, in the publication of a newspaper, and afterwards in the successful practice of his profession. In 1844, he moved to Missouri and settled in Plattsburg, Clinton County, where he resumed the practice of law. He was chosen a delegate to the state convention called at Jefferson City for the purpose of framing a new constitution, which, it might be added, on being submitted to the people, was rejected. While in attendance at this convention he formed the acquaintance of Miss Nannie Dixon, of Raleigh, North Carolina, whom he married in 1850. The result of this happy union was two chil- dren, Henry D., born August 26, 1851, and Derdee Bell, born in 1856, and married to John Maddox. He, shortly after, located in St. Joseph, where he soon achieved eminence in his profession. He was at one time Mayor of St. Joseph, and for four years filled the position of circuit attorney for this judicial district. In the late civil war, he early declared himself an uncompromising Union man, and did much to rally the loyal .sentiment of Northwest Missouri. He commanded a company of militia, and was, for two years, provost marshal of the district in which St. Joseph was included. General Bassett was a man of powerful frame and com- manding presence. He was an able, fluent and persuasive speaker. Few men who have taken the active part in public life that did Gen. Bassett have left the world with fewer enemies and more personal friends than he did. His death occurred suddenly in 1871.

J. W. BATCHELLER

was born in Virginia, in 1835, and had a good military and civil school education. In 1857, he emigrated to St. Joseph, Missouri. He served an apprenticeship at gunsmithing. In December, 1861, he entered the United States service as principal musician of the Twenty-fifth Missouri Regiment, and remained ten months and then was dis- «charged on account of disability. He returned to St. Joseph and engaged

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in the photograph business, continuing until 1869, and then engaged in the gun business up to 1874, at which time he engaged with F. G. Hop- kins, as foreman, remaining three and a half years, and then formed a partnership with Mr. Wall, the firm name being Batcheller & Wall. In 1879, he purchased his partner's interest, and has since been doing a prosperous business. He was married in 1858 to Miss A. E. Way, a native of Virginia. They have three children living. He is a Mason and a member of the Francis Street M. E. Church. Mr. Batcheller is a dealer in and manufacturer of breech and muzzle loading guns, rifles and pistols, fishing tackle, ammunition and sporting goods of every descrip- tion.

GEORGE BAUMAN

is a wagon manufacturer on Frederick Avenue, between Ninth and Tenth Streets. He was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, September 6, 1834, When he attained his nineteenth year he came to America, arriv- ing in St. Joseph in 1854. He here learned his trade, and in 1860, opened a shop on Third Street, continuing there until 1874, when he removed to his present commodious structure, which he erected. His business has been so increasing that in 1881, he will be obliged to add more room. In heavy and spring wagons he turns out durable and attractive work. He has a good and growing trade in Kansas and Nebraska, aside from Missouri. Mr. Bauman has been twice married, first in 1862, Miss Christena Behr, now deceased, became his wife, and for his second he married Miss Wilhelmina Fick, in 1869. By his first wife he has five children : Annie, Clara, Louie, Amelia and Oscar.

EDWARD BECK,

carpenter and foreman for John DeClue, is an accomplished and thorougly experienced mechanic ; was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, January 2, 1842, and there raised to manhood and learned his trade. In 1862, he displayed his spirit of patriotism by enlisting in the Tenth New Jersey, First Division, First Brigade, and participated at Petersburg and many other notable engagements. In the spring of 1868, he came to St. Joseph, and for the past eleven years has been in the employ of John DeClue. In 1871, Miss Sarah T. Smith, of St. Joseph, became his wife. The Beck's were among the old time settlers of Pennsylvania.

OTTO BEHR,

professor of music. Missouri is largely indebted to Europe for its rapid growth and the sterling qualities and accomplishments of many of its best citizens. The subject of this brief sketch, who for twenty-four years has been a resident of Buchanan County, is deserving a special

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mention. He was born in Germany, on the 19th day of June, 1828, and was raised there. He early developed a remarkable talent for music and decided to make it the chosen occupation of his life, and commenced his first studies at his birthplace. Then availed himself of the advan- tages offered by the conservatory of Leipzig, and the more proficient he became the more desirous he was to excel, and went to Vienna, and thence to Milan, Italy. In 1853, he emigrated to the United States, and settled in Philadelphia, where he remained about three years, occupying a prominent place among the musical profession. In 1857, overtures were made for him to settle in St. Joseph. Since his residence here no one has done more to raise the standard of musical education and to cultivate a refined and elevated taste in this direction. For nine years. he conducted a musical business in St. Joseph, for eleven years was organist of the church of St. Joseph, now the Cathedral, for six years. organist of the Episcopal Church, and for eighteen years organist of the Synagogue. To his most thorough qualifications as a musician he has attained an enviable record as a composer. As an instructor of vocal and instrumental music he has a wide reputation in the West, which is- well attested by the success some of his pupils have had. He organized the Philharmonic Society of St. Joseph, a string quartette of his pupils, and the Mendelssohn Musical Association of St. Joseph.

GEORGE W. BELL,

inventor of the Bell weather strip, was born in Canada, July 8, 1838, and came to this city in November, 1864, and is a carpenter by trade. He opened a shop and carried on building for many years, and erected many of the fine buildings in the city, among which are the Webster School on Sixth Street, the Presbyterian Church, the residence of Mr. Zook, etc. On May 8, 1880, he received a patent on his justly celebrated weather strip for doors. He formed a stock company for the manufac- ture of them, and their utility is attested by the numerous orders they are receiving daily. They are simple, cheap, and the most practical strip in the market. Mr. Bell has also two other designs for strips for windows and the sides of doors, which he intends to patent. They are. of equal value of his present one, and when completed will be a perfect protection from dust, rain, wind and snow. He married Miss Anna M. Johnson, September 6, 1868. They have two children, Frank and Flora.

J. P. BENNETT,

of the firm of Mayers & Bennett, is a native of Gallatin County, Ken- tucky, where he was born December 19, 1849, and was partially raised and educated in his native state. At the age of fifteen years, he removed

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to Illinois with his parents, and in 1869 took up his abode in St. Joseph. During his twelve years residence here, his career has been an active and successful one. His first appearance in the business arena was in the capacity of clerk in the clothing house of T. Connelly, subsequently was in the employ of Henry Hallo, Kahn & Co., and for three years waited on the patrons of the clothing house of Stern Bros. After this he was in the employ of Jones, Townsend & Co. We next find him with Mr. C. N. Mayers, the boot and shoe dealer, and, in 1879, he purchased an interest in the business. Mr. B. has held many positions with St. Joseph merchants, of trust and responsibility, and few of the promising young business men of the city are more widely or popularly known. He found a wife in the person of Miss Mary Bartly, a native of Illinois, whom he married September 2d, 1878. They have one son, Herbert.

W. W. BERNARD,

superintendent of Wyeth & Co.'s manufacturing establishment, was born in Quincy, Adams County, Illinois, in 1837, and came to this city in 1863. His father was a harness and saddle manufacturer, and the son, while very young, worked at the trade, and early became an expert in all branches of the business. During this time, he was sent to school, and received a good education, preparing himself for a business man. At maturity, he went into business with his father, and remained with him until he came to this city. He immediately established himself in busi- ness here, and continued it until January, 1870, when he was employed by W. M. Wyeth & Co. to take charge of their large saddle and harness manufacturing business as superintendent. Since his connection with the company's business, it has increased from a working force of ten or twelve men to seventy-five, and is one of the most complete establish- ments in the entire West. The plan and construction of their new build- ing, on Second Street, was the work of Mr. B. It being so complete in all its arrangements. it would well repay a visit to any of our citizens to see what is being done in their midst. He married Miss Ella Cubberly, in Middletown, Ohio, in 1860. By this happy union they have three chil- dren-Harry E., Jennie M. and Susan T. Harry E. graduated at the high school in the class of 1880, and is now in the employ of Messrs. Nave & McCord. Mr. B. is an active and zealous member of the Baptist Church, one of its staunch supporters and liberal contributors.

JOSEPH BERNARD,

grocer, corner Fourth and Isabelle Streets, was born in Alsace, France, February 28, 1826 ; was there educated, and resided, until he attained his twenty-sixth year. His father, Marc, was an agriculturist in that country. In 1852, our subject came to the United States, residing three

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years in Louisiana, where he learned the cooper's trade ; was also clerk for a time in a country store. He next went to Iowa, and resided tem- porarily at West Liberty, Indianola, and other points, engaged, princi- pally, in saw mill work ; was also for awhile a resident of Nebraska. In March, 1858, took up his abode in St. Joseph. He engaged in the hard- ware establishment of John Colhoun & Bro., on Second Street, and was in that house for ten years, and he then embarked in trade. He is fav- orably known in St. Joseph, and throughout the county, and does a lucrative trade. August 9, 1860, Miss Julia Montavon, of Alsace, France, became his wife. They have eight children : Mary J., Julia C., Joseph J., Emily C., Lucy L., Isabelle L., Louis A., Helen M. Himself and family are members of the Catholic Church.

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The history of Buchanan County, Missouri, Part 64

Author: Union historical company, St. Joseph, Mo., pub. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1881 Publisher: St. Joseph, Mo., Union historical company Number of Pages: 1104

Author: Union historical company, St. Joseph, Mo., pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: St. Joseph, Mo., Union historical company
Number of Pages: 1104