USA > Missouri > Buchanan County > The history of Buchanan County, Missouri > Part 65
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DR. JOHN THEODORE BERGHOFF,
professor of surgery in the Northwestern Medical College, was born in Prussia, November 17th, 1825, and landed in this country April 15th, 1846, and settled in Texas, with a Prussian colony, where he remained only a few months, when he came to St. Louis, October 16th, 1846. He remained in St. Louis until April, 1860, when he came to St. Joseph, where he has received a large and lucrative practice. Dr. B. received a thorough druggist education in Prussia, and studied medicine in St. Louis, and graduated from the Medical Department of the St. Louis University on March Ist, 1855. He was appointed assistant surgeon in the St. Louis hospital, and remained there for three years, with Dr. T. Y. Banister as resident surgeon. He opened a drug store in St. Louis, and continued the practice of his profession until he came to this city in 1860, when he opened an office and commenced the practice of his profession. During the late war, after a thorough examination by the army board, he was appointed surgeon of the Twenty-fifth Missouri Volunteers and remained in the service until 1864, being promoted to brigade sur- geon. He returned to this city, where he has built up a lucrative prac- tice. In 1881, he was unanimously elected to the chair of surgery in the Northwestern Medical College. In every position in which the doctor has been placed he has been equal to the emergency. He has performed many very critical surgical operations very successfully. He is a good physician and a popular lecturer.
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DR. GALEN E. BISHOP.
Among the distinguished physicians of Buchanan County, Dr. Bishop stands prominent. He has been engaged in the active pursuit of his profession for nineteen years in Platte County, and for fifteen years in St. Joseph. His birth occurred in Somerset, Pulaski County, Kentucky.
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His ancestors were of English descent, and, in colonial times, were resi- dents of New Hampshire. Members of the Bishop family fought in the Revolutionary War, and in 1783 settled in Virginia. Galen's father, who was born in Virginia, removed from Kentucky to Missouri in 1843, set- tling in Platte County, where he died in 1851. While comparatively young, Dr. Bishop had resolved on medicine as his profession. As soon as an opportunity offered, he began his medical studies, pursued them with diligence, and first established himself in practice at New Market, Platte County, Missouri, in the spring of 1846. He followed his chosen calling in that county for nineteen years, when, on account of threatened lung disease, induced by exposure incident to a rough country practice, and also with a view of securing a more central location, he determined to move to St. Joseph. Accordingly, he located in this city in the spring of 1865, and established himself in an office and general practice, mak- ing his specialties surgery and chronic diseases. To accommodate his increasing practice, he built his infirmary on Third Street, which is beau- tiful in architectural design He has one of the finest libraries in the western country, and on his long rows of shelves, ancient and modern authors stand side by side, and there can be found the best works of the leading writers of all schools. Dr. Bishop was originally an allo- pathic physician, but has thoroughly acquainted himself with the princi- ples of the different leading schools and systems. Naturally liberal in his tendencies, his practice is not hampered by the restrictive dogmas of any particular system. But he believes that some good and some foundation of truth exists in all systems, of which every physician should avail himself in his practice.
JOHN L. BITTINGER
is a native of Pennsylvania, having been born on the 28th day of November, 1833, in Franklin County. In 1840, his parents removed to Ashland County, Ohio. His father dying when he was only thirteen years of age, Mr. Bittinger went to work on a farm, and at the age of sixteen came west with his employer to Green County, Wisconsin, where he remained until the spring of 1852, when, thirsting for knowledge, he made his way to Freeport, Illinois, and entered the office of the Journal as an apprentice to learn the printing business. Here, with the aptitude which distinguishes a true journalist, he commenced to write for the paper, while becoming an adept in its mechanism, and in a short time became one of its principal editorial contributors. Three years later, having acquired his trade, he removed to St. Louis, where he became connected with the Intelligencer. During his residence in St. Louis he was chosen a delegate from the Typographical Union to the National "Convention, held in Chicago in 1858, and in Boston in 1859. In 1857, he
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became foreman of the St. Louis Democrat newspaper, holding that responsible position for two years, when, in company with the late Col. James Peckham and Lieutenant Governor Charles P. Johnson, he started the St. Louis Evening Bulletin, disposing of his interest in it in the spring of 1860, in order to remove to St. Joseph, where he has ever since resided. Taking an active part in the national political canvass of that year, especially as the correspondent of the St. Louis Democrat, as a reward for his labors, on the recommendation of General Francis P. Blair, Jr., at the incoming of President Lincoln's administration, in 1861, he was appointed Postmaster of St. Joseph, which position he held until May, 1865. In 1862, Mr. Bittinger was married to Annie M. Smith, of Freeport, Illinois. In 1862, he was elected as a member of the Twenty- second General Assembly, his competitor being the late Hon. Henry M. Vories, afterwards one of the Judges of the Supreme Court. Mr. Bittin- ger was chosen speaker pro tem. of the House at that session, and was one of the most active participants in the great senatorial contest of that period, which finally resulted in the choice of Hon. Jno. B. Henderson for the full term of six years, and ex-Governor B. Gratz Brown for the term of four years, he being the warm friend and supporter of both the successful aspirants. In 1862, he was commissioned as Aid-de-camp to Governor W. P. Hall, then Brigadier General in command of the North- western military district of the state. In the same year, he became asso- ciated with Hon. C. B. Wilkinson, as editor and proprietor of the St. Joseph Daily Herald, which he conducted as managing editor until 1878, when he disposed of his interest to the present proprietors. In 1864, he was unanimously nominated for re-election to the Legislature, but declined. Subsequently he was nominated for the State Senate, which honor he also declined. In 1866, he was selected by the then Secretary of War, Hon. Edwin M. Stanton, as one of the three commissioners to appraise the value of slaves, the property of loyal owners, who had been enlisted in the service of the United States. In 1870, Mr. Bittinger was again unanimously nominated for the Legislature ; was elected by a large majority and during that session was chairman of the committees on Internal Improvements and Insurance, and a member of the commit- tees on Congressional Apportionment, Printing, Retrenchment and Reform, and a number of special committees. Mr. Bittinger was re-elected in 1872, and again in 1874, after a most spirited contest, in which he was the only candidate of his party who was successful. At the beginning of the session, in January, 1875, Major Bittinger was the Republican nominee for Speaker of the House, and received the united Republican and Independent vote. After Major Bittinger had disposed of his interest in the St. Joseph Herald, he, for two years, was engaged in loaning money for Eastern capitalists, in Western Kansas. In June, 1881, he was tendered the editorial chair of the Kansas City Daily Jour-
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nal, which he accepted early in July, and he is now filling that responsi- ble position. He still retains his residence in St. Joseph, however. During his legislative career he obtained many important special priv- leges and benefits for his city, which accounts, in a great measure, for his success before the people when a candidate. To him, more than to all other influences, is due the location of the Northwestern State Luna- tic Asylum, at St. Joseph, and obtained the passage of the bill which secured to St. Joseph sessions of the Supreme Court. He was one of the incorporators of the St. Joseph Bridge Company, and Auditor of the Board during its construction, and did much towards securing the con- struction of the magnificent structure which now spans the Missouri River at that point. Mr. Bittinger, while in no sense a partisan, has always taken an active part in politics as a member of the Republican party. In 1862, he was a delegate and Secretary of the first Emancipa- tion State Convention ever held in Missouri, and has been chosen a dele- gate to every Republican State Convention since the organization of the party. In 1872, he was a delegate to the National Republican Con- vention held in Philadelphia, which nominated President Grant for a second term, and was also a member of the Republican State Central Committee for many years. Mr. Bittinger is a genial companion, a ready and forcible speaker, thoroughly versed in parliamentary practice, and an influential legislator. His friends in both parties are legion, attracted and attached to him by a suavity of manner which never for- sakes him, and by a kindliness of disposition and generosity which has no other limit than that of capacity.
T. L. BLAKEMORE,
farmer and breeder of fine stock, Section 25, postoffice St. Joseph, was born in Frederick County, Virginia, January 25, 1819, and was raised on a farm until fourteen years of age, when he became a clerk in a store. Six years later he was engaged in the same business for himself, and continued four years, when he began the hotel business, and at the same time was sheriff. He held the office of sheriff for nine years. In 1849, he, in connection with two other parties, erected a fine hotel at Capin Springs, Virginia, (a summer resort) at a cost of $80,000. In 1857, he came to St. Joseph, Missouri, and engaged in the hotel business. He retired in 1879, and removed to his farm, where he now resides. He was married October 1, 1839, to Miss Eliza Richards. Her nativity was the same as that of her husband, she being born May 19, 1819. They had eight children, of whom three are living, James M., Mary and Russell.
L. BLASS,
brick manufacturer, was born August 15, 1818, in Baden, Germany, where he was raised, educated, and learned the trade he now pursues.
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In 1848, he came to America, and after a short stay in the cities of New Orleans and St. Louis, engaged in the manufacture of brick at Belleville, Illinois. In the autumn of 1851, he took up his abode in St. Joseph. Many of the old landmarks of the city have been constructed of mate- rial of his manufacture. Mr. Blass has been twice married. His first wife (now deceased) was Miss Johanna Meit. By this union they had one daughter, Louise. His second wife was Mrs. Mary Beock. They have three daughters, Mary, Lillie and Rosa.
NOAH BOAZ,
carpenter and builder, was born in Clay County, Misssouri, August 5, 1844, and in his tenth year removed with his parents to DeKalb County, that state, where he was educated and raised to manhood. His father, Harrison, was a carpenter, and Noah adopted that profession. The death of Harrison Boaz occurred while he was a resident of DeKalb County, and Noah's mother was again married, to Captain William Moore, of Buchanan County. Mr. Boaz located in St. Joseph. He is a skilled workman, and has built many of its fine residences and other buildings in the city. In 1864, Miss S. M. Anderson, a native of Ken- tucky, became his wife. They have five children : Hallie, Effie, Ruth, Stella and Harrison.
HENRY BODER
was born in Switzerland, September 6, 1805, and came to this country in 1834, and settled in Mount Eaton, Ohio, and remained there for six years, working at his trade as carpenter and bridge builder. He went to New Orleans for several months, then to St. Louis, where he remained for four years, and then came to this city in 1844. He built two build- ings among the first built, one log and one frame. In 1845, he returned to New Orleans and remained until September 1, 1847, when he returned, and since which time he has been actively engaged in building. He has, by his industry and economy, saved a competency for old age. He married Louisa Perring, of Ohio, in 1836. She died in 1854, leaving two sons, Henry and Lewis, who now are bankers and substantial business men in Troy, Kansas. In 1863, he married Mrs. Angelique Croteau, who came to this city in 1840.
JOHN BOGLE,
is a native of Ireland, and was born in 1835. He emigrated to America June 9th, 1852, landing in New York, where he remained one year, and worked at bricklaying. In 1853, he was employed to go West and peddle. Worked his way on foot from Cincinnati, Ohio, to St. Joseph, Missouri, landing March 7th, 1857. He was a peddler three
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years, in partnership with McNealy, until 1861, and then went across the plains, and was absent for one year. He returned to St. Joseph, which has since been his home. Married, in 1863, S. O'Brien, a native of Can- ada, by which union they had one child.
C. H. BOLLER,
wholesale and retail dealer in stoves, tinware and general hardware, was born in Germany, in 1836, and came to America with his parents in 1848, locating in St. Louis. In 1849, the family removed to Boonville, Mis- souri, where C. H. was a resident until 1854, when he returned to St. Louis, and learned the tinner's trade. In 1864, he become a resident of St. Joseph. During the war, his father, John H. Boller, and his oldest brother, Godfried, were killed at Boonville, by the bushwhackers. In 1862, Miss Annie Roeder became his wife. By this union they have three children -- Laura, Tilla and Ida. Mr. Boller carries a stock of stoves and tinware that will compare favorable with any in the city. His wholesale trade is continually increasing. Is a member of the I. O. O. F. (Humboldt Lodge) Encampment, German School Society and German Benevolent Society.
DANIEL F. BOMBECK,
proprietor of the sheet iron, copper and galvanized iron works, was born July 16, 1826, at Rinteln, Lippe Schaumburg, Germany, where he was raised and learned the trade of copper smith. He became a soldier, served in the tenth German army corps, and took an active part in the Schleswig-Holstein campaign. When discharged, he again worked at his trade for six months and then emigrated to America, where he arrived, in 1850, at New Orleans. After a few months there, he went to St. Louis, where he was employed for six years. In the fall of 1856, he came to Hannibal, Missouri, where he established a sheet iron and copper works on his own account, which he carried on for three years. In 1859, Mr. Bombeck sold his business and went to Pike's Peak, trying his good luck by gold digging, but without much success. Hearing from the prospects in New Mexico he, in 1862, joined a prospecting party, and started with them up to the San Juan mountains, but had to return with- out reaching the desired success. He returned to the South Park mines, and then came back to Hannibal, Missouri, where he bought a farm, on which he worked up to 1867, when he came to St. Joseph. Here he was employed three years at his trade, and, in 1871, opened his iron and copper works, which business he carries on with great success. He mar- ried August 2, 1870, Mrs. Cornelia Hausting, born in Borngesser, Heidel- berg, Germany. They have two children, Frida, born September, 1871, and Heinrich Daniel, born September, 1875.
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A. D. BORTLE,
broom manufacturer, was born in Middleburg, Schoharie County, New York, March 3d, 1852, and when three years of age emigrated to Wis- consin, his father, J. H. Bortle, locating with his family in West Salem, LaCrosse County, being among the early settlers in that section. A. D. was there raised and educated. The family was located for a time in Minnesota, but vacated the state during the Indian massacre. In 1869, our subject went to Clear Lake, Iowa, where he remained one and a half years ; thence to Stewartsville, Missouri, where he learned the broom making trade. For five years was in a factory at Falls City, Nebraska, and took up his abode in St. Joseph in the autumn of 1879. The supe- riority of his goods has attained a wide spread and well merited reputa- tion. He was married, in 1881, to Miss Ida Bliss. Mr. Bortle is a mem- ber of the I. O. O. F.
WM. C. BOTELER, M. D ..
was born in Middletown, Md., August 4th, 1855. He received good educational advantages while young, preparing for a collegiate course, which he took at the Penn College at Gettysburg. He studied medicine with his father, Dr. W. E. Boteler, and attended the medical department of the University of Maryland, at Baltimore, receiving the degree of M. D. Dr. B. afterwards became a student at the John Hop- kins University, of Baltimore, Md., in the biological laboratory of Prof. J. Newell Martin, of Cambridge, England. Eighteen months afterwards he became a student of Prof. Mears, at the Jefferson Medical College, of Philadelphia, preparatory to service as surgeon in the United States Indian Department. In October 1879, he passed his examination and was appointed physician and surgeon, at the agency of Otoe and Missouri Indians in Nebraska. He remained there seventeen months, then resigned and located in St. Joseph, in February, 1881. On the 15th of May, 1881, Dr. Boteler was elected by the faculty of the Hospital Medi- cal College of St. Joseph, as professor of chemistry and histology, which chair he at present fills.
HENRY BOTTGER,
contractor and builder, Saxton, was born September 11, 1836, in the City of Florenceburg, Holstein, Germany, and was there reared and received the benefits of an education. When fourteen years of age, he commenced to learn the carpenter's trade. In 1854, he crossed the ocean, and landed at New York, working there for two years, and then emigrated West. He stopped a short time in Wisconsin and Chicago, and came to St. Joseph in 1858, remaining a short time, when he moved
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to Andrew County. During the late war, he served for three years in the Enrolled Missouri militia, under Captain Lewis, and then enlisted in the Eighteenth Missouri Infantry, Company E, and served until the end of the war. He took part in the battle of Atlanta, and was with General Sherman on his famous march to the sea and around to Washington. He returned to Andrew County, and engaged in farming, and came to Buchanan County in June, 1880, and settled in Saxton. He has built many buildings in St. Joseph and Andrew County. He was married December 30, 1860, to Miss Alice Mclaughlin, a native of Andrew County, Missouri. She died December 13, 1873, and left four children- Rose, (now Mrs. Henry Palmer), John, George W. and Mary. Mr. B. is member of the Masonic fraternity.
JAMES BOWEN,
a native of Ireland, was born October 19, 1826. He came to the United States when a child, settling first in Connecticut, where he resided till the year 1849, when he moved to Cleveland, Ohio. He married Miss Mary E. Fairbanks, daughter of Jabez Fairbanks, Esq., of Vermont. By this marriage he had several children, of whom six are now (1881) liv- ing : Emma A., Ella, Eliza L .. James Edward, Cora T., and Blanch R. He afterwards settled in St. Joseph, and, in 1871, was elected Council- man, serving two years of the period, during which the Missouri River bridge was being built. Mr. Bowen has devoted many years of his life to the building and operating of railroads. In 1875, Miss Eliza L., third daughter of the subject of this sketch, was married to Wm. L. Sommer, of St. Joseph. Emma received an excellent education ; is a teacher by profession, a business in which she has achieved marked success, and acquired an enviable reputation. She is now (1881) principal of the Mitchell Avenue School.
ROBERT I. BOYD
was born in Halifax County, Virginia, in 1808, and came to this county in 1837, and settled five miles southeast of this city. The Indians were their neighbors with but a few white families. Mr. B. started the first dry goods store in the county. He remained in trade until 1844, when he came to Blacksnake Hills, St. Joseph, and started a store in the fall under the firm name of Boyd & Moss. They continued in trade until 1857, and sold out on account of his poor health. He died in 1865. He married Kittie Moss in Boone County, Missouri, in June, 1828. They had one daughter, Isabella, who died when twelve years old. In 1867, Mrs. Boyd was married to Dr. John H. Edwards, of Jefferson City, Mis- souri, after which he moved to this city where he lived for nine years. He died in 1876. Josiah B. Moss, her nephew, and partner with Dough- erty & Ray in the lumber business, and Ernst Edwards, her step son, now live with Mrs. Edwards.
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J. V. BRADY,
of the firm of J. V. Brady & Co., jobbers in teas and cigars, is a native of Virginia, and during his boyhood, spent his time on a farm. During the years 1863-4, he was in the government employ, transporting horses from Wheeling to Washington City. In the spring of 1865, he emigrated to St. Joseph, and commenced clerking for Nave, McCord & Co. This he continued for eight years, and in January, 1873, was admitted as a partner. He retired from the firm in January, 1880, and on the Ist of April, 1881, he engaged in his present business.
WILLIAM L. BRANYAN,
foreman of St. Joseph Bridge, was born in Perry County, Pennsylvania, March 4, 1834, and was there educated and learned his trade. His father, Andrew, was a puddler in the iron works, and a native of that state. Our subject came west in 1858, locating at Pleasant Hill, Cass County, Missouri, and worked at his trade until 1862, when he enlisted in the Confederate army, Co. A, Sixteenth Missouri Volunteer Infantry, serving three years, after which he came to St. Joseph. For a time he worked at the carpenter trade, and for five years followed butchering. He again engaged at his trade, and worked on the construction of the St. Joseph bridge, and the 15th of June, 1874, took the foremanship. The duties of this position he has discharged very efficiently. In 1859, Miss Christa A. Parker, of Pleasant Hill, Missouri, became his wife. They have three children, Jennie Lee, William A. and Eula May.
A. F. BRAUN,
general manager of Tootle & Hosea's boot and shoe factory, was born in Mecklenburg, Germany, November 7, 1844. When eight years of age, he came to the United States with his parents, his father locating at New Baltimore, Michigan, where our subject was reared and educated. He learned the boot and shoe trade in Detroit, and in 1872 went to St. Louis, and worked for Appleton & Noyes as cutter, and then with Geo. Gog, the largest manufacturer of boots and shoes in the city, with whom he was foreman for two years. After this he came to St. Joseph, and in May, 1879, took his present position. He is thoroughly conversant with all the details of the trade, and one of the most experienced crispins in the West. In 1866, he married Miss Catherine Furtoh, of Michigan. They have five children, Ada, May, Henry, Lillie and Alice. Mr. B. is a Master Mason.
GENERAL R. C. BRADSHAW,
City Assessor, was born in Platte County, Missouri, March, 1840. In 1848, after the death of his father, his mother moved with her family to
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this city. Here young Bradshaw received his education, and in 1851 went to learn the blacksmith's trade. In 1858, he started a shop on the corner of Seventh and Messanie Streets, for the manufacture of wagons, which he continued until April, 1861. He took an active part in the election of Lincoln, and when the rebellion broke out, in April, 1861, he raised a company of 103 men, subsisting them himself until they joined different commands. He entered the service in June, 1861, as an enlisted man, in Company A, Peabody's Battalion, United States Reserve Corps, and a braver man did not enlist during the rebellion, and the wounds he received are evidence of his active service. After the war, he returned and continued the wagon business. In 1867, 1868 and 1869, he held the office of City Register. After this, he was appointed ticket agent of the St. Joseph and Denver Railroad, which he held for eighteen months. He is now City Assessor. He married Miss Fannie Wild, April 17, 1867, and they have three children-Fannie, Mary and Hero.
HENRY BRILL,
of the firm of Ernst & Brill, dealers in books and stationery, was born in Weston, Missouri, November 30, 1843. He was raised on a farm, and attended school during the winter, thereby receiving a common school education. At sixteen years of age, he came to St. Joseph and remained four years, learning the harness and saddlery trade. He started a shop in 1867 in Weston, and carried on the business for three years. In 1870, he sold out and engaged in partnership with F. C. Ernst, in the book business. Since that time their business has increased from a small paper and stationery stand, until now, in addition to their extensive retail trade, are doing a jobbing trade. As a firm they are affable and accommoda- ting, hence their great popularity. He married Miss Matilda Ernst, of this city, in 1867. They have three children, Charles F., Wm. H. and Clarence Leslie.
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