The history of Buchanan County, Missouri, Part 72

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 72


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


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ST. JOSEPH.


firm of Bailey, Fairleigh & Weil. Mr. Fairleigh married, October, 1867, Miss Alice O'Neill, daughter of James O'Neill, deceased, and a sister of Mrs. Milton Tootle. They have four children : J. O'Neill, Jennie, Mary and William G.


J. P. FAIRCHILD,


inventor of the Boss Water Sprinkler, was born in Illinois in 1837, and received a good education and learned the trade of stone cutting. In 1866, he went to St. Louis and engaged in the street sprinkling business with the Shureman Bros., with forty-five wagons. Mr. F., after experi- encing the inconvenience of using the common sprinkler, set about the improvement of it. In 1880, he matured his plans, made a working machine, got it patented, and now has a carriage and tank which is not only admired by all, but its work is perfection itself. It has been adopted here, and in Keokuk, Iowa, Oskaloosa, Atchison, and some other cities, giving great satisfaction. He expects by another season to be able to supply the large increasing demand. He is now running five of his wagons in this city, which are not only in appearance a credit to the city, but their work is more natural than a shower itself. Such improvements reflect great credit upon our inventor, and gives character to a city and the whole country. Mr. F. has chosen this city for his future home. He is a man of energy and enterprise, and is a worthy acquisition to the business enterprises of this growing city. He married Miss Matilda Mooney, daughter of Jonathan Mooney, a merchant of St. Louis. They have, by this happy union, seven children: Ida May, Florence Belle, Mary Louisa, Laura Emma, John Arthur, Louis Charles and Herbert Davis.


R. P. FALES,


blacksmith, is among the early settlers of St. Joseph, coming here in 1855. He was born in Perry, Allen County, Indiana, in 1844, and settled in this county with his father, Shepperd Fales, in the above year. His father was well and favorably known in the county for a number of years. and now lives in Ft. Pierre. Dick was raised to manhood and learned his trade in this city and has a large acquaintance. As a blacksmith he ranks among the first. He was married, in 1865, to Miss Mary F. E. Striblen. By this union they have five children : Eva, Charlie, Alfred, Nora and Gus.


PATRICK FARRELL,


carpenter and builder, was born in County Meath, Ireland, where he was reared and educated. In 1848, he came to America, locating in Cincin- nati, Ohio, where he resided for a number of years. After spending some time in the southern states, in the fall of 1859, he became a resident of


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BIOGRAPHICAL.


St. Joseph, where he has since been actively engaged in working at the carpenter trade. He married, in 1855, Miss Mary A. Lonergan. They have ten children living: Edward, Kate, Richard, Annie, Nellie, Mary, Joseph, Thomas, Frank and Agnes.


H. C. FARIS,


son of Dr. Wm. Faris, ex-Deputy Sheriff, was born in Martinsburg, Berkley County, Virginia, March 25th, 1825. He came to this city in October, 1856, and was engaged in contracting and building for years. In 1861, with Mr. G. M. Venable, he bought a saw mill, which they oper- ated until 1874. He then sold out, and the same year was appointed Deputy Sheriff by Col. Gates, the Sheriff, and served under, him and also through the term of James L. Spencer, his successor. He was married to Miss Rachel J. Darling in Berkley County, Virginia, December 24th, 1845. They have six children living, John W., Robert M., Alexander N., Catharine R., Virginia Berkley and Mary Thompson.


G. W. FINN,


machinist, with Kansas City, St. Joseph and Council Bluffs Railroad, is a native of New York, and was born in Port Jervis, July 4, 1853; his father, M. J. Finn, was one of the first conductors on the Erie Railroad, and was killed a number of years ago in a collision. G. W. spent his youthful days in the place of his birth, receiving the benefits of a good education. He is a graduate of the Port Jervis public school. His trade he learned in the shop of the Erie Railroad, serving four years, after which he worked as journeyman one year. He next went to Oneonta, Otsego County, New York, and worked in the shops of the Albany and Susquehanna Railroad, remaining three and a half years. In 1877, he drifted West, taking up his abode in St. Joseph, and has since been in the employ of the K. C., St. J. & C. B. Co. As a machinist Mr. Finn has but few equals in the West. As a citizen he has a large acquaintanceship, and is always found genial and companionable. He is among the leaders in society with the younger class of St. Joseph elite.


JOSEPH FISHER.


In an humble, low roofed cabin, near the spot where the Blacksnake Creek empties its bluish waters in the Missouri, resides the subject of this sketch. Mr. Fisher was born in a small village in Germany, and emigrated to America in 1830, landing at the Crescent City, which was at the time sorely stricken with the Asiatic Cholera. Taking a boat, he ascended the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers, and disembarked at Evans-


Ri Savis


PROPRIETOR CITY MILLS


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ST. JOSEPH.


ville, Indiana. After remaining here for several years, he removed to Vincennes, Indiana, where he married Cerilda Brown, having by this union one daughter. He shortly afterwards settled in Cincinnati, Ohio, and finally moved to St. Louis, Missouri, from which place he came to St. Joseph, Missouri, in March, 1843. Here he has lived for thirty-eight years, being one of the earliest pioneers of St. Joseph. He has lead a quiet, unobtrusive life, at all times, earning his bread by the sweat of his brow. He is respected by all who know him, as a kind neighbor, and as an industrious and honest man.


CHARLES FITZNER,


carpenter, architect and builder, an able representative of St. Joseph's mechanics, is our subject. He was born in Prussia, Germany, November 4th, 1850, and when a year and a-half old was taken to Canada, where he was educated, raised and learned his trade. In 1870, he took up his abode in St. Joseph, and has since been a resident, with the exception of eighteen months spent in the Black Hills. He has been a contractor for three years, and has designed and erected many attractive and solid busi- houses and residences. He was married in 1873 to Miss Dortha Kachle, a native of Hanover, Germany. They have three children, Charlie, John and Willie. Mr. Fitzner is a member of Enterprise Lodge, I. O. O. F. He is numbered among the best workmen in the city, and as a draughts- man has attained considerable celebrity.


E. N. FLAISIG,


one of St. Joseph's railroad men, who is deserving of special mention, was born in Sydney, Ohio, February. 16th, 1841. When quite young he removed, with his parents, to Sandusky, where he was raised to man- hood and educated. His father, William Flaisig, was a merchant. In 1861, he commenced railroading, on the Ohio and Mississippi Railroad, continuing with that company, as freight conductor, for twelve years, after which, for five years, he was with the Missouri Pacific Railroad, in the same capacity. For three years he has had charge of the Hannibal & St. Joseph yard. He has served a long and continuous time at the business, and is one of the most efficient hereabouts. May 2nd, 1865, Miss Jennie Stevenson, of Xenia, Ohio, became his wife. They have two children : Nannie O. and William R. Mr. Flaisig is a member of the A. O. U. W., Select Knight.


LEWIS V. FLEMING,


well known in St. Joseph, is a native of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and was born April 13, 1817. His father, Benjamin, and his grandfather,


16


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BIOGRAPHICAL.


Benjamin, were natives of that state. His mother was Raphel Bowman, and her father, Henry Bowman, was an officer in the revolutionary war. Lewis was raised in Morrisville, Pennsylvania. His father was a ship carpenter and died when our subject was quite young. After receiving the benefit of a limited common school education he went to Philadel- phia and learned the coach finishing trade, and in 1838, went to Cincin- nati and worked as journeyman, after which he took up his abode in Madison, Indiana, and there fitted up the first coach that ran on the Madison and Indianapolis Railroad. He was engaged for a time in con- ducting a shop at Georgetown, Kentucky, after which he located in Worthsville, Kentucky, where for nine years he was engaged in mer- chandising. In 1855, he came to Missouri, locating in DeKalb County, and was engaged in stock raising, until 1866, when he became a resident of this city. He first commenced steamboating, purchasing the ferry, and acted in that role until after the completion of the bridge. There were but few residents in Buchanan County, and in Doniphan County, Kansas, but what became acquainted with Captain Fleming. He was married at Madison, Indiana, in 1840, to Miss Amelia, daughter of James H. Wallace, an official on the Madison and Indiana Railroad. By this union they have had eight children, Ben W., Louis F., James W., Henry B., George, Edward and Charles S .; lost one, Robert. Mr. Fleming is a member of the I. O. O. F., and was a charter member of Washington Lodge, No. 1I, of Madison, Indiana. During the nine years stay at Worthsville, Kentucky, in connection with his business, he held the position of Postmaster. He was one of the prime movers and directors of the St. Joseph and Denver Railroad. His sons, Ben W., and George B., the hatters; are among the sterling business men of St. Joseph.


S. L. FLEMING,


the popular representative of the new American sewing machine, is a native of Canada, and was born February 23, 1845. When twelve years of age, he removed to. Chillicothe, Ohio, where he was raised and educated, commencing the sewing machine trade when young. He was a resident of the Buckeye State until 1880, when he took up his abode in St. Joseph. Although but a short time in the city, he has made hosts of friends, by his affability, and business qualifications. He married in 1876, Miss N. F. Bond, of Ohio. They have two children by this union, John B., and Annie A. Mr. F. is a Royal Arch Mason and a Knight of Honor.


M. K. FLEMING,


freight agent, of the Kansas City, St. Joseph and Council Bluffs Railroad Company, is a native of Ohio, and was born in 1841. In 1861, he was married to Miss Mary Northup. Mr. Fleming was for four years in the


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ST. JOSEPH.


army, serving in four different Ohio and Indiana regiments. In 1871, he emigrated to Nebraska, and in 1875, was transferred to Missouri, being all the time in the employ of railroads. He is a Mason, an Odd Fellow, and a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen.


JAMES FLEMING,


farmer and stock raiser, Section 34, Washington Township, postoffice St. Joseph, was born February 2d, 1830, in County Tipperary, Ireland, and was there reared and received a common school education. On the 8th of March, 1848, he emigrated to America, and landed at Quebec on the 20th of May. From there he went to Franklin County, New York, thence to Fleming County, Kentucky, in the spring of 1849 and from there to St. Louis, arriving in St. Joseph in the spring of 1850. He worked at odd jobs until 1857, and on the 22d of June of that year he married Miss Lydia Miller, a native of Athens County, Ohio. They settled in St. Joseph and remained for 12 years. He was in the employ of Nave, Mc- Cord & Co. for some time, also with Andrew L. Kerr & Co. and others. He went West in 1860, and spent 7 years among the territories. He pur- chased the farm he now resides on in the spring of 1868, commenced improving it, and is now the owner of 114 acres of well improved land. He has a handsome residence, and a fish lake on the farm. He has filled the office of school director several terms. Mr. and Mrs. Fleming have five children, Mary, Margaret, (now Mrs. John Smith,) Agnes, Elizabeth and John D. Himself and family are members of the Catholic church.


HON. NICHOLAS FORD,


member of Congress, was born in Ireland, in July, 1830, and came to the United States in 1848, and to Saint Joseph in 1859. He has been a mer- chant for twenty years. As a business man, he has always won the con- fidence and support of the community.


CAPTAIN WILLIAM FOWLER


was born in the State of Delaware, in 1798. At an early age he removed to Indiana, where he was married to Miss Comfort L. Alley, who sur- vives him (1881). In the early history of Indiana, his name occupies a bright page, he having served six years in the Legislature of that State, five in the House and one in the Senate, only retiring with his removal to Missouri. He came with his family to Missouri in 1836, settling in Crawford Township, Buchanan County, on the quarter section of land now occupied by the town of Wallace. In 1839, he was elected Circuit and County Clerk of Buchanan County, which position he occupied till 1852. In 1846, when the county seat was changed from Sparta to St.


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BIOGRAPHICAL.


Joseph, he removed to this city, where he continued to reside up to the period of his death, which occurred at a few moments past two o'clock, on Tuesday, November 23d, 1880. At the breaking out of the civil war, Captain Fowler was commissioned and assigned to the Quartermaster- ship of General William R. Penick's regiment, and, at Mr. Lincoln's second election, was made Postmaster of St. Joseph. In all the positions of trust, filled by Captain Fowler, he invariably acquitted himself with credit, and honor to the state and government. He left, at his death, an aged wife and four children : Mrs. Benj. F. Loan, of St. Joseph ; Mrs. W. W. Guthrie, of Atchison ; Theodore A. and Miss Louisa Fowler. Captain Fowler was a man of great force of character, and during the period of his long and useful life achieved the reputation of an emi- nently honest man, loved by many and respected by all.


HENRY C. FOX,


foreman for J. W. Ambrose & Co., is a native of Missouri, and was born in St. Louis, July 15, 1841. Was there raised and educated, and learned the machinist trade in the shop of Gatey & McCune, after which, for three years, he was foreman in McCoard's foundry, and, for eight years, was steamboat engineer on the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. In 1870, he came to St. Joseph, and, for eight years, held the responsible position of pattern maker in the shops of the K. C., St. J. & C. B. R. R. He then went to Terra Haute, Ind., and held the same position in the car works in that city, until his return to St. Joseph, in September, 1880, with the exception of a temporary sojourn in Chicago. He has been with Ambrose & Co. since the autumn of 1880, and occupies a promi- nent place in the mechanical world. He was married in 1862 to Miss Lettia Newell. They have two children, Charles and Ada. Mr. Fox is a member of St. Joseph Lodge No. 78, A. F. & A. M., and has been Master of the lodge.


B. B. FRAZER,


of the firm of Smith, Frazer & Co., manufacturers and jobbers of boots and shoes, was born in Pennsylvania, March 15th, 1826, and emigrated to Clark County, Ohio, February 15, 1845. In April, 1846, he came to Missouri in the employ of Wm. Sloan for the purpose of selling goods at St. Joseph. After investigating the situation, and not being pleased, he decided to locate at Weston. At that time, and for many years, Weston was the leading town on the river of Northwestern Missouri. Continu- ing business there for two years, he exchanged his goods for cattle and drove them to Philadelphia, which, at this time, seems impossible. After his return, through the kindness of Mr. A. P. Goff, who was then clerk- ing at Fort Leavenworth in the commissary department, a situation was


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ST. JOSEPH.


obtained, where he remained four or five months, after which he was employed by Young & Belt, of Weston, remaining with them until they sold out, and was retained by the new firm, C. A. & E. Perry. In 1854 and '55, great excitement prevailed over Kansas and Nebraska lands. Mr. Frazer and R. Brown bought land and laid out the town of Browns- ville, Nebraska. Mr. Frazer remained there for two years, improving and selling lots and at the same time managed a small stock of goods, which was the first in the town. Returning to Oregon, Holt County, Missouri, in 1856, he was elected mayor of the city, and afterward he was elected County Commissioner. The war then breaking out, and demoralizing business, in the fall of 1861, he, with R. E. Turner, loaded ten or twelve ox and mule teams with goods, which they took to Denver, Colorado, and remained until the following February. In the fall, Mr. Frazer vis- ited his old home in Pennsylvania, and while there, in January, 1863, he married Miss Annie E. Sterrell, daughter of Hon. Robert C. Sterrell, of Carlisle, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. By this union they have had seven children, five of whom are living. In March, 1864, he returned to Missouri, and a partnership was formed by R. E. Turner, H. L. Wil- liams, J. M. Frazer and B. B. Frazer. He and Mr. Williams took charge of the business at Forest City, Holt County, Missouri, and R. E. Turner and J. M. Frazer established a wholesale grocery trade at St. Joseph, the firm name being Turner, Frazer & Williams. The business at St. Joseph increased so rapidly that it was decided for the best interests of all, for Frazer & Williams to move to St. Joseph, which was done, and the busi- ness continued for two years, at which time Messrs. Williams & Frazer sold their interest to Turner, Frazer & Co., which firm still exists. The subject of this sketch has always been interested in Holt County, and is now a partner in retail business in Craig, and is President of the Frazer & McDonald Bank, at Forest City, which was established in 1873. He has been a member of the First Presbyterian Church since 1864 and an elder in the same, and has always contributed liberally to churches and educational institutions, and every good cause receives his hearty support.


J. M. D. FRANCE, M. D.,


was born in the District of Columbia, in 1841, and there received his lit- erary as well as his professional education, and was graduated at the Georgetown Medical University. In 1873, he moved westward, and set- tled in the practice of medicine and surgery in St. Joseph, where he soon achieved a reputation which ranked him with the first men of the profes- sion in that city. He has held, at different periods, the positions of City and County Physician. The latter office he has held uninterruptedly since 1877. He is (1881) a member of the State Medical Society, and of the District Medical Society, of Northwest Missouri. He also is a mem-


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BIOGRAPHICAL.


ber of the faculty of St. Joseph Hospital Medical College, filling the chair of materia medica, therapeutics, and medical and surgical clinics in that institution. He is also secretary of the faculty of the college. Dr. France was married to Miss Lida Sheed, a native of New York. She died in 1873, leaving one child, a son, Duncan Eugene.


L. W. D. FRERKING,


fruit grower, section 25, post-office, Saxton, was born March 6th, 1855, and is a native of St. Joseph. He was educated in the German and pub- lic schools of this city, and was principally engaged in the grocery busi- ness till the spring of 1876, when he moved to his present location. His farm contains over forty-eight acres. He was married September 21st, 1876, to Miss Eliza Sholl, a native of New York, but of German ancestry. They have two children, Clara L. and George L.


JOHN ADAM FREDRICK,


upholsterer, was born March 28, 1824, at Wertheim, Baden, South Ger- many, where he was raised and learned the trade of upholsterer. Hav- ing always nourished liberal ideas, he took an active part in the move- ments of the republican party in South Germany, against the govern- ment. He was president of a working men's association, and did active service. When the revolution was suppressed he was condemned to imprisonment, but was successful in making his escape. He left his fatherland in 1849, and emigrated to America, settling in Chicago, Illi- nois, where he worked as a carriage trimmer for four years. There he opened his own upholstering business, which he carried on for five years. In 1858, he moved to Davenport, Iowa, where he was employed as trim- mer for three years, and thence removed, in 1861, to Muscatine, Iowa, where he remained two years. In 1863, he came to St. Joseph and com- menced his upholstery business, which he has carried on successfully. His experience in this line enables him to turn out some of the best work done, and is securing for him a large patronage. He married, in 1849, Miss Susanna Kapper, who died three months after their marriage. He married again October 11, 1850, Mrs. Anna Kebekop, widow of Mr. Funk, who had two children, George Funk, born October 4, 1848, and Friedrich Funk, born September 28, 1850. The fruits of the present marriage are eight children, of whom four are living, Christine, born March 13, 1852, died November 11, 1854 ; Marie, born November 4, 1853, died December 14, 1856; Anna, born November 15, 1855, died April 25, 1856 ; Emilie, born April 29, 1857, died August 20, 1859. Those alive are Edward, born December 22, 1858 ; Charles, born September 12, 1860; Margaretta, born January 14, 1866; Ottilie, born June 2, 1871.


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ST. JOSEPH.


W. C. FREDERICKS,


of the firm of Fredericks & Morrison, contractors and builders, was born in Spain, March Ist, 1833 ; was raised, educated and learned the brick- layers trade in Carroll County, Maryland. The first work he did after his apprenticeship was on the Capitol, at Washington, and the Armory, at Harper's Ferry. In 1854, came to Dayton, Ohio, sojourning for a time. In 1856, took up his abode in St. Joseph. The first work he did was on the Dr. Martin School Building, on Fifth Street, in May, 1856, after which he built the residences of A. Vories and Major Burrows. In 1863, went to Denver, Colorado, and was interested in erecting the first first-class work at that place. A large number of the finest buildings in the city have been built under his supervision. He also has had con- tracts in Iowa, Nebraska, and other states, building schools, court houses and private buildings. Among these is a female seminary, at Malvern, Iowa, and a banking house, at Creston, Iowa. Mr. Fredericks has worked at his trade in twenty-two states and five territories. He is one of the most efficient workmen of the day. Is a member of Zered- atha Lodge 189, A. F. & A. M .; St. Joseph Chapter No. 14, R. A. M. ; St. Joseph Council No. 9, R. & S. M .; and St. Joseph Commandery No. 4, K. T.


E. H. FUDGE,


attorney at law, is a native of Missouri, and was born in 1850, received a good education and graduated at Missouri University. He read law under General William Skeen, of Virginia, and was admitted to the bar in September, 1874; married June 30th, 1880, to Miss Katie Stone, a native of Missouri. He is at present associated with L. R. Lancaster, the firm being Lancaster & Fudge, and they are securing a remuner- ative practice.


H. M. GARLICHS,


druggist, has been prominently connected with the commercial interests of St. Joseph. He was born in Liberty, Clay County, Missouri, October 9th, 1839, and was there raised and educated. His father, Dr. F. A. H., was a practitioner in Clay County for thirty years, and was also of the firm of Garlichs & Hail, druggists, at Liberty, where H. M. learned the business. In 1857, he removed to St. Louis, where his father engaged in the foundry business, under the style of Garlichs, Beck & Fisher, known as the Monroe Iron Works. This enterprise proved very disastrous to Mr. G. financially, and in 1860, he came to St. Joseph with his family, where he was well known. His death occurred in 1865. The drug house of H. M. Garlichs was established twenty-one years ago, and is one of the substantial institutions of the city. The proprietor understands


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BIOGRAPHICAL.


his profession and under his careful supervision it has attained more than local notoriety. He is a Mason and an Odd Fellow. In 1864, Miss Emma Minturn, a native of Point Pleasant, West Virginia, became his wife. They have three children : Frederick, Ellis and Hartley M.


JOHN GOSTINE,


engineer, with R. T. Davis, was born in County Antrim, Ireland, in 1832, and was there raised to manhood, and educated. He came to America in 1859, locating at Madison, Indiana, where he made his home for four- teen years. In 1863, he enlisted in Company C, 188th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, passing through the usual ordeal of warfare. At Wartress, Tennessee, he assisted in constructing and operating a saw mill, for making bridge timbers. Was honorably discharged in 1865, and returned to Madison, Indiana, where, for a number of years, he was engaged in a starch factory. He came to St. Joseph in 1873, as an employe in the starch factory that was there established, and continued in that work during its existence. He is an accomplished engineer and a worthy, unassuming man. He married in Ireland, in 1855, Miss Susan Gil- lan, daughter of Aleck Gillan, a prominent millwright in that coun- try. They have had twelve children, eight of whom are living : Jane, John, James, Nellie, Mollie, Charlie, Aleck and Eddie ; lost four ; James, Elizabeth, Annie and Charlie.




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