USA > Missouri > Buchanan County > The history of Buchanan County, Missouri > Part 69
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A. C. CRAIG,
retired merchant, was born in Jackson County, Indiana, April 24, 1822, and lived in Jeffersonville, Indiana, until his 12th year, and then removed to Kentucky, and remained nine years. He made his home in Nashville, Tennessee, four years, and then came to this county in 1848. His edu- cation was received mostly in Kentucky, at the common schools. His early ambition was for a store, so that he spent several years as clerk. When he came West, he went into the general dry goods business with his brother, in DeKalb, in which they remained until 1858. He then came to this city and commenced in the dry goods business with Messrs. Clark & Conard. In 1862, they sold out their business, Messrs Clark & Conard going to Montana. In 1864, he went to Montana, and again embarked in the same trade, and remained until 1866, when he returned to St. Joseph, and entered into the wholesale business with Tootle, Far- leigh & Co., and also Tootle, Craig & Co., remaining with them until 1876. Since that period his time has been occupied in attending to his private interests. He married Miss Ellen I. Christopher, daughter of Major Christopher, of Richmond, Kentucky, March 27, 1851. They have one son, living, Dr. William B. Their eldest son, Thomas, died in January, 1877, in this city, aged twenty-five years. Mr. Craig is one of the many successful business men of this city.
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DR. W. BEDFORD CRAIG
was born in DeKalb, Missouri, September 17, 1855. He graduated at the city high school, in 1873, and studied medicine with Dr. J. D. Smith for two years. Attended the Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York, for one term, and he was graduated from the St. Louis Medical College, and the following year re-entered the Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York, and received an addendum. At the opening of the St. Joseph Hospital Medical College, he was appointed Professor and Demonstrator of Anatomy, and also of Ophthalmic Surgery, and he has been a successful practitioner five years.
WILLIAM L. CRAIG,
a sturdy son of Kentucky, was born in Rock Castle County, in that state, December 19, 1823. At the age of seventeen he moved to Crab Orchard, where he learned the blacksmith's trade. Four years after, he went to Madison County, settling near Richmond, where he worked at his trade eleven years. In 1855, he moved to St. Joseph, of which city, with the exception of an interval of five years spent in farming in Andrew County, he has since been a constant resident. An experience of forty years at the forge has earned for Mr. Craig a reputation for excellence in every detail of his calling which few men enjoy. In 1844, he married in Wash- ington County, Kentucky, Miss Elizabeth Shoemaker, a native of that . part of the state. They have a family of eight children living-Sarah E., James Y., William M., (of St. Louis), Robert A., Aggie, Lottie, Fannie and Thomas J. Mr. Craig has been a member of the Masonic Order for thirty years. He is a Knight Templar, and, in Kentucky, was a member of the Grand Lodge of the state.
ENOS CRAIG,
City Marshal, was born in Holmes County, Ohio, April 27, 1829, and came to St. Joseph in September, 1850. He married Emily M. Barnes, in this county, April 4, 1852. They have four children : Corydon F., Morton H., Lilia M. and Lulu A. Mr. Craig was a hard working man, living in Iowa when work was the order of the day. He operated a large breaking team for awhile, but became a victim of the California fever in 1852, and, with many others, remained in the land of gold until 1859, when he returned to this place, and accepted a position in the Postoffice. Remained there until 1862, when he was elected Sheriff of the county, and held the office for the term of two years. In 1865, he was appointed mail agent on the Hannibal & St. Joseph R. R. In April, 1866, he was elected Marshal, etc., of the city. The changing of the city charter vacated all officers then acting, so he stepped down and out,
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but, in 1870, he was again appointed mail agent, and served faithfully for nearly four years ; then ticket agent for the H. & S. J. R. R. one year, and, in 1877, was again appointed mail agent on the St. J. & W. and again, in 1878, was appointed to a position in the Postoffice as general delivery and forwarding clerk. This position he held two years, and was for the second time elected City Marshal, etc.
JAMES Y. CRAIG,
horseshoer, is a native of Kentucky, and was born November 3, 1849. When six months of age, with his parents he removed to Andrew County, Missouri, where his father, W. L., resided until the autumn of 1863, when they located in St. Joseph. James Y. learned the trade from his father, who is numbered among the best in the country. He was married, in 1869, to Miss M. F. Baxter. By this union they have a family of two children, James Arthur, and Helen Francis.
ENOS J. CROWTHER,
City Attorney, was born in England, September 24, 1852, and while yet a child his father came to this country and settled in St. Joseph in 1865. He received a good education at the High School in this city, and grad- uated in 1873, at the head of his class. He taught school in Holt County for some time, and studied law with the present judge of the Circuit Court, W. H. Sherman. He attended the law course at the Uni- versity of Michigan, and after receiving his degree he returned home and was admitted to practice before Judge Grubb, March 4, 1875. After being admitted, he spent a year or more in traveling in Mexico for a large mining company. On his return home, he was very soon elected to fill a seventeen months vacancy in the City Register's office. At the next election he was renominated and elected for the full term. After faithfully discharging the duties of Register for nearly four years, to the entire satisfaction of his constituents, he was nominated by the Republi- can party for City attorney, and over his popular competitor, William Fitzgerald, was elected by a large vote. He is one of the rising young attorneys of the city. He married Miss Effie G. Barrett in February, 1880. She was the daughter of Dr. Barrett, late surgeon in the United States army.
GEORGE CROWTHER,
of the firm of Crowther & Rogers, foundry and machine shop, was born in Derbyshire, England, March 16, 1824, and was there educated and raised to manhood, and learned the machinist trade. In 1854, he came to America, locating temporarily in New York. After a time he became a
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resident of Chicago, residing there ten years, then removed to Daven- port, Iowa, and, one year later, he migrated to DesMoines, where he was engaged in the foundry business for a number of years, and furn- ished the material for the old state capitol. After leaving DesMoines, he remained for a time in Nebraska, and then came to St. Joseph, where he has been closely identified with the manufacturing industry. For several years was of the firm of Burnside, Crowther & Rogers, and in 1880 the firm became Crowthers & Rogers. He is a man of sterling merit, and commands the respect of a large circle of acquaintances, is a Royal Arch Mason, and a member of the I. O. O. F. He was married, in 1843, to Miss Harriet Johnson, of England. They have four sons by this union : Thomas J., Geo. C., Enos J. and James O.
THOMAS CULLIGAN,
the subject of this brief sketch, is a native of Ireland, and was born December 21, 1827, and received his education in his native country. In 1849, he emigrated to America, arriving in June of that year. In September, 1856, he came to this city and entered the employ of the late John Corby, one of Buchanan County's early and most respected citizens, as well as one of St. Joseph's most prominent business men, and by his straightforward, upright course, and sterling business talents, he received the confidence of his employer in a high degree. At the death of Mr. Corby, his large estate was left to Mrs. Corby, who, sharing the confi- dence of her husband in Mr. Culligan, entrusted to him the management of the entire property. This trust he has so executed as to commend him to the entire business community, and his private character and business record is without stain. He is no political aspirant, preferring the peace and quiet of his legitimate business. He married Miss Maria L. Blake, of this city, in 1853. Their family consists of seven children, Mary L., Margaret, Henrietta, Eddie, Millie, Joseph and Birdie.
COLONEL J. H. R. CUNDIFF
is a native of Hampshire County, Virginia, and was born November 1I, 1832. His ancestors were residents of that state from a period previous to the Revolutionary War, a contest in which both his maternal and pater- nal grandfathers took part. In 1840, his father emigrated to Missouri, coming directly to Buchanan County, and settling east of St. Joseph. In 1846, he returned to Virginia, and while there died. The subject of this sketch was about eight years of age when he came to Missouri. At sixteen, he began to learn the printing business. He entered the Adven- ture newspaper office in St. Joseph in 1848. Working four years on that paper, and thoroughly mastering the printing business, he left St. Joseph in 1852, and worked in St. Louis, New Orleans, Memphis and Cincin-
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nati. He returned to St. Joseph in 1853, and with P. S. Pfouts bought the Gazette, conducting the same as a weekly till 1857. The proprietors then started the Daily Gazette, the first daily newspaper ever published in St. Joseph. The paper remained in the control of Messrs. Pfouts & Cundiff until June, 1861, at which time it had become firmly established and was in a prosperous condition. Towards the close of the year 1861, its publication ceased on account of the opposition it met with on the part of the Federal authorities, by reason of its political sentiments. From 1861 to 1854, Colonel Cundiff was in the Southern army, serving in all ranks, from lieutenant to colonel. For two years and a half after the war he was in Mexico, connected with the Vera Cruz & Mexico Railroad, of which he for a time had charge. He returned to St. Joseph in the fall of 1867, and in June, 1868, re-established the Gazette. He managed it successfully, and disposed of the paper in October, 1873. In November, 1874, he was elected Circuit Clerk of Buchanan County. Subsequently Colonel Cundiff left St. Joseph and removed to St. Louis. In 1879, he purchased the St. Louis Times, published it for one year, and is now (1881) on the staff of the St. Louis Republican. He was married, in 1855, to Cecelia Keedy, the daughter of Dr. D. G. Keedy, a leading physician of St. Joseph.
E. L. CUTLER & BRO.,
dealers in staple and fancy groceries. This reliable house was estab- lished in the spring of 1881. Mr. E. L Cutler, the senior member of the firm, was born in Delaware (now a portion of Morrow) County, Ohio, October 8th, 1842, and when twelve years of age migrated to Michigan, his father, S. B., locating with his family in Hillsdale County. There he engaged in farming, and the subject of the sketch made it his home until 1862, when he tendered his services to the Union cause, enlisting in Company F, Eighteenth Michigan Volunteer Infantry. Was in the Athens engagement, and other notable engagements of the war; was honorably discharged after serving three years and two months. In 1866, the family removed to Atchison County, Kansas, where the father, Mr. S. B. Cutler, resided until 1878, when he took up his abode in St. Joseph. In 1870, E. L. engaged in the manufacture of brick, at Troy, Kansas, continuing until 1873, when he became an officer in the peniten- tiary, at Leavenworth, in which capacity he acted seven years, and dur- ing three years he was yard master. He married, in 1866, Miss Mary Putnam, of Hillsdale County, Michigan. They have three children : Jennie M., Cora E. and Mabel May. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. Mr. C. W. Cutler, the junior of the firm, was born in Morrow County, Ohio, February, 18, 1854, and when quite young, removed to Hillsdale County, Michigan, with his parents, residing there until 1866. Then the
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family migrated to Atchison County, Kansas, where our subject was raised to manhood, and educated. His early days were spent in tilling the soil. In 1874, Mr. Cutler received the appointment in the peniten- tiary, at Leavenworth, as an officer, the duties of which he discharged until embarking in mercantile pursuits, in St. Joseph. He is a member of the I. O. O. F.
DANCKMEYER & SEBUS,
dealers in staple and fancy groceries, flour, feed, etc. Charles Danck- meyer was born in the Province of Westphalen, Germany, September 24, 1836, and was there reared and received the benefits of a good latin education. For several years he pursued the vocation of school teach- ing. In 1859, he came to America, locating temporarily in New Orleans, and soon came to Missouri, and for a considerable length of time was clerk in a dry goods and clothing house in St. Louis; for one year clerked in a store at Louisiana, Missouri. In 1860, he removed to Hannibal, Missouri, and engaged in the grocery trade, and was identified with the commercial interests of that city until 1865, when he came to St. Joseph. For several years he was a member of the firm of Kahn & Danckmeyer, broom manufacturers. In the summer of 1879, he engaged in his present. business with John Sebus. He was married in December, 1869, to Miss Mary Thinnes. Mr. D. is a Master Mason, and a member of the Chapter, Council and Commandery; also an Odd Fellow and Encampment member, and Knight of Pythias; also the Foresters and German Benevolent Society.
RANDOLPH TRUCT DAVIS
was born December 26, 1837. It is claimed that he was the first child of white parents born within the limits of what is now Buchanan County. His father, Ishmael Davis, was a native of Maryland, who emigrated from home and settled in Louis County, Kentucky, when a young man. He there married Miss Nancy McDaniel, a daughter of John R. McDaniel, a native of Scotland. Soon after their marriage they moved to Missouri, settling first in Hannibal, and, as soon as the Platte Purchase was effected moved to that portion included in what is now Buchanan County, where he laid claim to a half section of land on Rock House Prairie, on which the subject of this sketch was born, as above mentioned, he being the fourth child of his parents. The eldest of these, Robert P., died in infancy. Rev. John C. C. Davis was a minister of the M. E. Church South, and a member of the Missouri Conference from 1852 to the period of his death, in 1874. No man was more beloved in life by those who knew him, and he died regretted by all. The third child was Edney Ann, who died at the age of twelve years ; and the fourth, the subject of this sketch ; Wm. Frank Davis, now of Clinton
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County, was the fifth ; Ishmael Davis, of St. Joseph, the sixth ; Hum- phrey Marshall, who died in infancy, the seventh, and Nannie, the eighth and youngest. R. T. Davis received the advantages of a common school education, and, at the age of sixteen years, entered the Weston High School with the view to taking a regular collegiate course. He was, however, forced to forego this opportunity, in consequence of the financial embarrassment of his father, who happened to be a bondsman, in 1854, of a defaulting sheriff. Young Davis left school to encounter the struggle of life, with no resource save industry and determination to succeed. He first engaged in farming and live-stock dealing, which bus- iness he pursued about five years. He then purchased the Union Mills, of Platte County, Missouri, which he operated with such ability and suc- cess as to achieve for him the reputation of a first-class mill man. His marked success in the enterprise determined him in the choice of a calling, and he resolved to make milling the business of his life. Appre- ciating the fact that the Union Mills were inadequate to the accomplish- ment of his ideas of excellence in the manufacture of flour, he disposed of them, and moving to St. Joseph, purchased of William Ridenbaugh a half interest in the City Mills there. Engaging in partnership with Isaac Van Riley, the mill was soon in successful operation, and the firm of Davis & Riley known for the excellence of the flour they manufactured. In November, 1869, A. Beattie purchased Mr. Riley's interest. In 1873, Mr. Davis bought out Beattie, and since that time has conducted the business alone. During all this time he never lost sight of his aim to produce a quality of flour not to be surpassed in the United States, and his unremitting energy finally accomplished this end, overcoming all prejudice and establishing beyond all question the superior character of his flour. In compliment to his successful perseverance and energy, the citizens of Buchanan County presented Mr. Davis with a magnificent gold watch, inscribed with the words : "Presented to R. T. Davis, April 23, 1877, by the citizens of St. Joseph and Buchanan County, Missouri, in appreciation of his fancy brand of flour, St. Joseph No. I, as being the best flour ever sold in St. Joseph, Missouri." At the St. Joseph Exposi- tion of 1879, Mr. Davis was presented by the ladies of St. Joseph with a similar testimonial in the shape of a cane. For the past six years his flour has taken the premium wherever exhibited. In November, 1878, R. T. Davis was elected on the Democratic ticket Collector of Buchanan County. He was re-elected in 1880 by a larger majority than that of any other man on the ticket, thus evincing his efficiency and popularity as a public officer. February 7, 1859, he was married to Miss Louisa C. Boydston. She died March 6, 1861, leaving one child, a daughter, Mattie E. June 30, 1863, Mr. Davis married Miss Mary I. Boydston, a sister of his former wife, who still survives, and by whom he has had six children : Emma L., H. Clay, Middleton Randolph, R. T., Jr., Nannie May and
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Frank B., the youngest. She died November 15, 1880, at the age of three years.
WILLIAM W. DAVIS,
editor of the Catholic Tribune, was born in Detroit, Michigan, in 1839, and moved with his parents to Chillicothe, Ohio. He studied at the Jesuit College of St. Joseph, at Bardstown, seven years, and St. Xavier's, at Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1858, he went to Europe and traveled for five years in that country. While at school he received the first medal for Christian doctrine and penmanship. He entered the service of the United States and remained for three years; was mustered out after a hard campaign in Arkansas, being badly used up. He participated in five engagements during the war; was at Wilson's Creek with General Lyon, and was by his side when he spoke his last words to his men before the battle. Mr. D. went from St. Louis to Kansas City, Missouri, in 1878, and with William A. Maynard started the Catholic Tribune. After two years' publication, he moved the establishment to St. Joseph, where he has built up a good paper. Mr. Davis' connection and success with the Tribune shows what energy is necessary and how much it has taken in bringing the enterprise to where it now stands. He is a good writer and is entitled to success.
THEODORE WHITEHEAD DAVIS
was born June 9, 1844, at Pine Plains, Dutchess County, New York, and when four years old (1848) his parents removed to Poughkeepsie. His early education was received at the Dutchess County Academy and the collegiate school of Poughkeepsie. Afterwards he entered the Rensse- laer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York, taking a course in civil engineering. In the year 1862, he entered the United States navy, and served in the Mississippi River engagement and in the blockade at Mobile, attached to the personal staff of Admiral D. G. Farragut, as Fleet Ensign and Senior Aid. In 1864, from partial (at the time considered permanent) blindness, the result of injuries received in the service, he was discharged. In 1866, he was married to Mary Estelle, eldest daugh- ter of John P. H. Tallman, Esq., of Poughkeepsie. In 1867, he com- menced the practice of his profession. From 1869 to 1880, was engineer, and after the completion of the works, he was superintendent of the department of water works and sewers of the City of Poughkeepsie, and at the same time City Engineer. The works, in his charge, were recog- nized by the profession as the standard on the subject of filtration of potash waters, and took rank with the most economically managed public works. In November, 1880, Mr. Davis removed to St. Joseph and to his present position, as superintendent of the St. Joseph Water Com-
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pany. Was one of the charter members of the Poughkeepsie Society of Natural Sciences. In military affairs he has occupied the positions of Brigade Engineer and Inspector of the Eighth Brigade of the National Guard of the State of New York, to which brigade staff the world known riflemen Colonels John Bodine, and Henry A. Gildersleeve, and Henry F. Clark were formerly attached. He is a member of the Masonic fra- ternity, and was Master of Poughkeepsie Lodge, No. 266, in 1874, '75, '76, '77 and '78; District Deputy Grand Master of the Ninth Masonic Dis- trict, 1878; a member of, and for six consecutive years, P. S. of Pough- keepsie Chapter, No. 172, of Royal Arch Masons, and also a member of King Solomon's Council of Royal and Select Masters. Mr. and Mrs. Davis have three children, Angie W., William T. and Charles G.
A. J. DAWSON,
carpenter and builder, a popular and accomplished mechanic, is our sub- ject. He is a native of Mahoning County, Ohio, and was born in Fred- ericksburg, February 1, 1836. His father, Thomas Henry, was a black- smith. A. J. was here raised, educated and learned his trade. In 1854, he came to Iowa, locating in Moscow, Muscatine County, and pursued his trade for four years, when he removed to Clinton County, Illinois. In 1862, he enlisted in Company B, Thirtieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and participated in the battles of Vicksburg, Atlanta and Champion's Hill; was with Sherman on his march to the sea ; was honorably dis- charged April 17, 1865, at Raleigh, North Carolina. He returned to Trenton, Clinton County, Illinois, remaining for a time, when he migrated to Kansas, and in 1873, took up his residence in St. Joseph, where he has since been closely identified with the building interests of the city. In 1867, Miss Nancy E. Sweeney became his wife. They have seven children, Mary E., Charles A., Matilda M., John H., Joseph A., Peter B., and Annie E. Mr. Dawson is a Master Mason.
JOHN DECLUE,
proprietor of the St. Joseph planing mill, and the subject of this brief sketch, was born in the city of New York, in 1821, was educated, raised to manhood, and learned the carpenter trade in his native city. In 1848, he came to Illinois, and after a residence of four years, returned to New York, sojourning until 1859, when he drifted westward, and became a resident of St. Joseph. Here he engaged in carpenter work and build- ing, and has done much in this important branch of industry, In 1868, in connection with contracting and building, he established and opened. the St. Joseph planing mill. His trade in sash, doors, blinds, etc., has been steadily increasing, and extends not only in Missouri, but also in Kansas, Nebraska, Arkansas, Texas, and other states. Many fine edi-
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fices of St. Joseph were constructed under his supervison, among which are the Court House, which is conceded by all to be the finest in the West, the Christian and Presbyterian churches, W. M. Wyeth's residence, and others ; also, throughout the states of Kansas and Nebraska, he is well known as a schoolhouse and bank builder. At home there are few men who are more respected than John DeClue. Religiously he is a Presbyterian.
FELIX DEFONDS,
steward, assistant superintendent of the city hospital, and secretary of the Board of Health, was born in France, February 28th, 1848. He received a good education in his youth. He came to Wheeling, West Virginia, in 1866, and to this city in 1870. Was employed by Herman Garlichs, and remained with him until appointed by the City Board of Health to his present position; he has performed his duties well and with universal satisfaction. In 1875, he was appointed clerk of the Board of Health. He married Miss Jennie Marsee, in this city, Decem- ber 24, 1873. They have two children, Adele and Eddie.
E. W. DIENGER,
proprietor of the Charleston House, was born in Germany, December 17, 1844, and received a good education. Emigrated to America May 15, 1867, landing in New York, and from thence went to Sandusky City; Ohio, where he worked on a farm, remaining ten months. Then located in St. Joseph, working in a soap factory for nine months, then clerked in a grocery store; he afterwards leased a farm and raised grapes and vegetables for eight years, after which he engaged in business for one year, then returned to the farm and remained for two a half years; then rented the Charleston House for four years, buying all the furniture and fixtures belonging to the hotel. He was married August 21, 1871, to Caroline Beck, a native of Missouri. She was born March 14, 1848. They had by this union four children: Mary Tracy, born May 31, 1872; Charles F., born March 25, 1874; Anna E., born December II, 1877, and Mary A., born July 20, 1879.
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