USA > Missouri > Buchanan County > The history of Buchanan County, Missouri > Part 82
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J. J. NEWELL,
dentist, was born in Green County, New York, June 17th, 1846, and when quite young removed to Ulster County, with his parents ; his father, J. J., who is a native of Richmond, Virginia, was a contractor and builder, and died when the son was thirteen years old. Our subject received the benefits of the common schools, after which he commenced the study of dentistry, at Kingston, New York., under Dr. Travis, a graduate of the Boston Dental College. After becoming thoroughly familiarized with the details of the profession he took a course in the College of Dentistry, in Boston. He commenced to practice in January, 1867, at Jeffersonville, New York, remaining three years, when he came to Mis- souri, locating at Plattsburg, where he practiced successfully until Janu- ary, 1877, then removed to this city. The family are of English extrac- tion ; his mother was Lucy Shaffer, the Shaffers being an old time York State family. Casper Shaffer was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Mr. N. was married, in October, 1871, to Miss Clara Zook, daughter of Thomas Zook, well known in the commercial circles of northern Mis- souri. They have three children ; Aulbion, Eddie F. and Beulah.
CHARLES T. NICHOLS,
millwright, was born in Lewis County, New York, April 18, 1830, and was there educated. When seventeen years of age he went to Carthage, Jefferson County, where he learned the millwright trade, and worked in various parts of the East, in 1861 assisting in organizing a company for the United States service. On account of inability for duty lie was obliged to remain from the contest. His three brothers, U. S. Merritt, S. and James L. were soldiers in the Union cause, the latter dying in the service from disease. His father, Samuel, was a bridge builder and stone contractor. In 1865 Mr. Nichols came West, spending the greater portion of two years at Helena and Virginia City, Montana. He erected
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the first saw-mill in Helena, and during his stay there was also inter- ested in mining. He afterwards returned home, going to San Francisco and thence by steamer to New York. The spring of 1867 found him in St. Joseph, where he has since been a resident. His business extends throughout Northern Missouri, portions of Iowa, Kansas, and Nebraska. The St. Joseph Glucose Works, one of the largest institutions of the kind in the country, was fitted and placed in running order by Mr. Nich- ols. Millwright work is his specialty, but he is an adept in the various branches of mechanism. He married in 1864 Miss L. A. Pardee, of New York. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
S. W. NIEMEYER,
dealer in lime, cement and painters' sundries, was born in Prussia, Ger- many, January 18, 1830, and was reared, educated and learned the paint- ter's trade in his native country. When in about his twenty-fourth year, he came to America, previous to which he spent one year in London, England. After remaining one year in New York, he went to New Orleans, spending over a year, when he came to St. Louis, there residing until the breaking out of the rebellion, when he enlisted in the Fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, as Sergeant. Was in the engagements at Springfield, Missouri, Pea Ridge, and with Curtis in the campaign from Pea Ridge to Helena. In 1863, while in a skirmish, he was severely wounded, which resulted in his being honorably discharged. He returned to St. Louis, resided there for a time, and thence to Leav- enworth, and in the spring of 1865 came to St. Joseph. Until 1879, he was engaged in painting, and in that year opened his present house, which he has made a success. Was married in 1866, to Miss Elizabeth Gregory, who died, and he was again married in 1868, to Josephine Fitore. By this union they have five children-William, Gustave, Annie, Lizzie and Fred.
C. NIEMANN,
is a native of Prussia, Germany, and was there reared, educated, and learned the cabinet making trade. In 1852, he came to the United States, locating in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he worked at his trade for three years, after which he came to Quincy, Illinois, engaging in the manufacture of furniture, and, for a time, did a large and lucrative busi- ness. Unfortunately, his factory was burned, which proved a serious loss financially. In 1866, he came to St. Joseph, and for five years was the junior member of L. Hax & Co., and since has been superintendent. He is an artist in all departments of the furniture trade, a close observer, and a skilled manager. Mr. Niemann is a member of the Catholic Church, and the German Catholic Benevolent Society.
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ST. JOSEPH.
E. M. NILES,
of Niles, Riblet & Co., proprietors of the Vulcan Machine Shop, manufac- turers of engines, boilers, etc., is a native of New London County, Connec- ticut, and was born February 16, 1840. When quite young he came West, and located at Kenosha, Wisconsin, where he resided four years, and learned the machinist's trade. He resided in Colorado and other localities until 1866, when he became a resident of St. Joseph. For several years he was foreman in the foundry now operated by Crowther & Rogers, and for nine years was in the employ of the Kansas City, St. Joseph and Council Bluffs Railroad Company. In the spring of 1881, he engaged in trade. He has had a varied experience as a machinist, and is a very thorough one. Was married in 1870, to Miss Annie Tracy. They have four chil- dren-Harry, Fred, Milton and Calvin.
CHARLES NOLD,
carpenter and builder, was born in Prussia, Germany, March 29, 1842. His father, Adam Nold, died in 1874. Charles remained in his native country until seventeen years of age, when he crossed the ocean, taking up his abode in Illinois. There resided until 1866, when he came to St. Joseph. Among the buildings that Mr. Nold constructed is Hax's furniture establishment, the Beigly & Robinson three stores, and others. He was married in Illinois, to Miss S. Keefer. They have four chil- dren, John W., Carrie, Henry, and Harrison. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., Humboldt Lodge, 130.
C. NOWLAND,
contractor, is a native of London, England, and was born February 6, 1847. His father, Henry, was a contractor and builder, in that city, and there our subject became proficient in the business. In 1869, he came to America, taking up his abode in St. Joseph. Few contractors are more widely known than Mr. Nowland. His wife was formerly Miss Mary Jones. They have had five children, three of whom are living : Alice, Minnie and Maud ; lost two : Freddie and Edith.
THOMAS NORRIS,
·dealer in dry goods, notions, boots, shoes, groceries, etc., Pateetown, is a native of Richmond, Virginia, and was born February 8, 1831. His father, Thomas Norris, was a native of that state. At an early age our subject removed to Baltimore, Maryland, where he learned the cabinet making trade, and in 1850, came to St. Josephi and engaged in working at his trade, for a time being with D. J. Heaton. In 1853, he went over-
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land to California, returning in 1857, and remained until 1859, when he again drifted westward, going to Pike's Peak. In 1860, he came here again, and engaged in merchandising, the firm being Norris & Turner, afterwards Norris & Ray, and latterly Norris & Payne. He has been closely associated with the progress of the city and county. In 1861, Miss Margaret Louden became his wife. She is the daughter of Hugh Louden, one of the pioneers of the county. They have seven children living: William, Annie, Edwin, Thomas H, Richard, Lula and Nellie B. They lost three: Eppa, Ida and Thomas.
C. B. NORRIS,
foreman, Kansas City, St. Joseph & Council Bluffs Railroad Company, is well known among railroad officials and employes. He was born in Waldo County, Maine, August 19, 1839, and was reared in the town of Searsport. His father, Cyrus B., was a blacksmith, and the subject adopted and learned that profession. For several years he was a seafar- ing man, and was second mate on a brig. In 1862 he enlisted in Com- pany E, Nineteenth Maine Volunteer Infantry, and was transferred to the navy and served until 1864, when he was honorably discharged. In 1867 he came West, and for a few years was engaged in mining in Mon- tana, and after that he came to St. Joseph, engaging with the Kansas City Company as blacksmith, afterwards was fireman on the road, and eventually engineer. In 1879 he took charge of the round-house. Few railroad men are more familiar with the general detail of the business than Mr. Norris. He was married in the autumn of 1866 to Miss Hattie J. Patterson, of Maine. They have two children, Hattie L. and Clara E. He is a Mason, belongs to the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Commandry.
H. NUNNING & SON,
brewers. Henry Nunning, the senior member, was born in Province of Westphalia, Prussia, and emigrated to America in 1849, locating at LaPorte, Indiana. He engaged in business, and after closing out, emi- grated to St. Joseph, Missouri, in 1854. The son, junior member of above firm, was born in LaPorte. Mr. Nunning established the brewery in St. Joseph in 1854. August was taken into the firm in 1879, and has been the successful manager ever since. The old brewery was situated corner of Eleventh and Faraon Streets, but became too small, and they were compelled to build a new one on its present site. This building is 208x64 feet, two-stories high, with 400 feet of cellar ; four dry kilns, six- teen fermenting tubs of fifty barrels capacity each, and three of sixty-five barrels capacity each. They do their own malting. The capacity of this brewery is sixty-five barrels at a brew, consuming 38,000 bushels of barley per year. They give employment to thirteen men, and their sal- aries amount to $1,000 per month.
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ST. JOSEPH.
DR HARDING OATMAN,
physician and surgeon, Assistant Postmaster, and proprietor of the Riv- erton House, Riverton, was born, February 10, 1813, in Indiana, and is of German origin. He was reared at his birthplace, spending his boyhood days on a farm, and receiving his education at Green Castle, Indiana. He was married December 25, 1833, to Miss Wilmarth Bird, a native of Kentucky, born in 1815. They moved to Dundee, Kane County, Illi- nois, where he engaged in the mercantile business for some time, and then commenced the study of medicine. He attended Rush Medical College, during 1844 and '45, and first commenced the practice of his profession at Bethany, Harrison County, Missouri, in the spring of 1845. He remained there for eight years, then moved to Llano County, Texas, where he continued for sixteen years in practice. The country was infested by Indians and he had many narrow escapes. He has discovered a new mode of treating typhoid fever, has practiced it for thirteen years, and has met with good success. He returned to Harrison County, Mis- souri, in 1871, and thence to this county, in 1876, settling at Corby's Mill, thence to Riverton, in the spring of 1881. His wife died February 29, 1844, and left three children, Susan N. (now Mrs. Joseph Williamson), Julius F., and Marshall. He married again August 1, 1846, Elizabeth A. Hulse, a native of Belmont County, Ohio, born September 27, 1830. They have seven children, John C., Sheppard H., Pleasant H., Missouri, Julette, Seth W. and Enos S.
WILLIAM O'HARA
was born in Ireland May 12, 1840, and came to this country in 1855, stopping in Baltimore, Maryland, until the spring of 1861, when he then removed to Washington, District of Columbia, where he engaged in the employ of the Government, building fortifications, etc. In 1865, he left Washington, and went to Atchison, Kansas, where he accepted the appointment of foreman of track-laying on the Central Branch Union Pacific Railroad. In 1868, he came to Weston, as foreman track-layer on the Missouri Valley Railroad, and in July, 1869, came to this city, to superintend track-laying for Hastings & Saxton, from St. Joseph to Richmond, and then from Hiawatha to Hastings, on the St. Joseph and Denver City Railroad ; also superintended laying the track from St. Joseph to Winthrop, under Singleton. In 1872, Mr. O'Hara took charge of a construction train on the Kansas City, St. Joseph and Council Bluffs Railroad, which he continues to operate. In 1880, he was elected Councilman from the Fifth Ward, in which capacity he still acts. Mr. O'Hara is a man of excellent native judgment, is respected by his men, and is popular among his neighbors.
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FRIEDRICH OHSTEN,
who is among the oldest citizens of St. Joseph, was born May 5, 1802, near Stade, Hanover, where he was raised and learned the trade of miller. He emigrated to America in 1846, and arrived at New York, from which place he went to Buffalo, where he found employment on a steamboat. He made trips to Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1847, and from there to New Orleans during one year. In 1848, he went to Kentucky, where he worked at the general merchandise business for two years, with success. In 1850, he came to St. Joseph, where he settled and followed his occu- pation for ten years. On account of failing health, he was compelled to retire from business, and invested his means in real estate. He was married in 1849, in Kentucky, to Miss Carolina Grubitz, a native of Peyne, Hanover, Germany. They have one child-Carolina Frederike, born June 19, 1851, who was married April, 1867, to Mr. Friedrich Leh- mann, wholesale merchant, at Helena, Montana Territory.
ANDREW OLSEN,
cooper, was born in Denmark, in 1843, and was there reared, learned his trade, and remained until 1865, when he came to America, locating in St. Joseph. Here he has since been, identified with his branch of trade, making a specialty of brewery stock, and his trade extends into Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, and other states. He is a skilled workman and gives the business his undivided attention. Was married, in 1869, to Miss Annie Hanson, who died in 1873, leaving a daughter, Christina. He is a member of the Knights of Honor, and the German Benevolent Society.
SILAS R. OWEN,
superintendent of the St. Joseph and Lake Railway, was born in Mont- gomery County, Indiana, June 9, 1843. In 1850 his father moved his family to Page County, Iowa. Silas learned the cabinet trade with his father, during which time he would work more at some new machinery or some invention than at his trade, very much to the annoyance of his father. He finally learned the photograph business, and invented the Globe Camera ; a previous claim, however, caused the rejection of his application for a patent. He followed the photograph business for six years, removing in the meantime to Stewartsville, Missouri, where he invented the self-emptying sulky excavator, which is now in general use. He came to St. Joseph in 1873 and became connected with the Missouri Valley Novelty Works, where he made several important inventions, among which is the Mahan & Owens dry placer invention for separating gold and silver from the dirt by a new process. He has also completed
·
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ST. JOSEPH.
a very simple and practical device for putting run-off street cars back on the track. One of his last and perhaps most needed inventions in his fire-ladder, which can be raised to the top of a five-story building by four men in forty seconds. Mr. O. was appointed superintendent of the above street car railway in 1879, finding the track, cars and everything out of order. By his good management and the application of some of his many improvements he has made this one of the best lines in the city. He married Miss Mary Keidalbaugh, of Iowa, in 1863. They have one child living, Eddie.
DANIEL OZENBERGER,
farmer and gardener, Section 7, post office St. Joseph, was born February 5, 1841, in Holmes County, Ohio, and removed with his parents when about eight years of age, to Missouri, they settling on a farm near St. Joseph. Here Daniel was reared and received the benefits of a common school education. During the late war he displayed his patriotism and love for country by enlisting in the Enrolled Missouri Militia, and serv- ing fifteen months. He moved to the place on which he now resides in 1866, and owns eighty-eight acres of well improved land. He gives his attention to his business, and, by honesty and industry accumulated con- siderable of this world's goods. He purchased an interest in the old Corby Mill, and is running it in partnership with Mr. Cabels. He was married in the spring of 1865, to Miss Elizabeth Hesmiar, a native of Missouri, born November 19, 1841. They have had eight children, Wil- liam, Henry, Emma, Lawrence, Washington, Frank, Lilly and Edith.
EWALD PADBERG,
was born November 20, 1847, in Westphalen, Prussia. After having received his education he followed the mercantile business, and held the position of director of a paper mill for six years. July 20, 1870, he came to America, landing at New York City, and immediately went to St. Louis, where he remained six months. Then he visited the state of Ohio for six months, and December 1, 1871, came to St. Joseph and formed a partnership with William Hellman in a meat market. In 1876, his partner died, and he has since carried on the business with great suc- cess. Married, January 9, 1875, Miss Flora Hellman. They had two children: Minnie, born in September, 1876, living, and an infant deceased.
WILLIAM PAPE,
of the firm of William Pape & Co. The above name is a very familiar sound throughout the entire Northwest, a circumstance due entirely to the fact that he is the manufacturer, and has placed before the people
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the celebrated Pape Wagon. Its superiority, both in material and work- manship, has given it an enviable reputation, and at every fair exhibited this wagon, without paint or varnish, has taken first premium, which is a sufficient guarantee of its popularity. The firm of William Pape & Co., is comprised of William Pape, Charles Sprenzel and Adam Muthig. They have two establishments on Frederick Avenue -one between Eighth and Ninth, and the other between Thirteenth and Fourteenth Streets, where they make a specialty of farm and spring wagons, and do general blacksmithing and jobbing. Mr. Pape has had a long and varied experi- ence in the manufacture of wagons, and gives the business his undi- vided attention. Their trade, at home and abroad, is large, and contin- ually on the increase.
JOHN B. PARKER,
is a native of France, and was born in 1844, at Pitting, in Lorraine. In 1847, his parents emigrated to America, settling in East St. Louis. He was married December 12th, 1875, to Mrs. Louisa Gasser, a native of New York. She died in December, 1880.
B. T. PARSELS
was born in New York city, September 18th, 1831, and was deprived of his father by death, when quite young. He lived for a number of years in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and served four years at house painting in New York city, and two years and a half in the Troy car works on the Hudson River. After this, for a time, he worked in the Port Schuy- ler carriage works, and subsequently established himself in trade in New Jersey ; there he attained a wide spread reputation for the superiority of his work. In 1877, he came west and located in this city, on the 16th of March. He has had thirty-three years experience as a painter, and is thoroughly conversant with all the details of the art. In 1854, Miss Catharine M. Kierstead, of Fairfield, N. J., became his wife. They have had twelve children, seven of whom are living: Charles W., James K., Elizabeth A., Amarantha, Charlotte, S. Margaret and Kate. They have lost five : Sarah A., Willie, Carrie L., Dorcas and Bennie.
ALVAH PATEE,
another old settler of St. Joseph, was born August 3, 1804, in Cayuga County, New York, where he was raised. When young he located on a farm near Auburn, where he remained up to his sixteenth year. His father then bought a farm in Delaware County, Ohio, and settled there. Young Alvah assisted his father until 1823, when he died. Our subject and his brother Henry took the management of the farm, which they
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worked successfully up to 1860. Alvah came to this city in 1860, and engaged in the lightning rod business, which he extended all over the State of Kansas and the western part of Missouri and Iowa with such success that he was enabled in 1863 to buy one hundred acres of land south of the city limits, located near King Hill. Becoming a neighbor of Jac. Madinger, the first wine grower, he followed his example and advice, and commenced raising wine. March 1, 1881, he rented his wine grove and retired from the hard work to which his whole life had been devoted. He was married in 1824, to Miss Roxinne Smith, of New York. They had four children-Eliphalet L., born February 13, 1827; Elmira E., born February 6, 1832, married first James W. Clayton, in 1851, second Samuel Russel, February 8, 1869; Armede, born in 1836, died in 1838; and Althen A., born May 6, 1840, married P. H. Early, in 1866.
JOHN PATEE.
Of all the prominent and active pioneers to whose efforts St. Joseph, to- day owes her consequence in the roll of Western cities, none have con- tributed more substantially to her aggrandizement, or left behind them more enduring evidences of their successful enterprise, than the man whose name heads this notice. John Patee was born in Millford, Otsego County, New York, on the first day of August, 1794. He received an excel- lent education, and in his early days gained his support by teaching in Utica and other points in his native state. In 1836, he decided to seek his fortune in the West, and moved to the State of Ohio. In 1840, he emi- grated to Arkansas. In 1845, he again moved, settling this time on the site of the present city of St. Joseph, which he made his final home, and which his energies contributed so largely to develop. Here he purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land, commencing at Sixth Street. This he afterwards laid off in town lots. It is known as Patee's addition to the city of St. Joseph, and now constitutes a populous, well built and business portion of the same. The price which he paid for this land was thirteen dollars per acre. Here he erected, at a cost of nearly $130,000, that stately monument of his enterprise, and faith in the future of St. Joseph, long known as the Patee House, and, in its day, not only the most ele- gant, but most excellently kept hotel in the city. Mr. Patee was never known to be idle, and though considerably in advance of his day in his estimate of the prospective development of the city, he was generally correct in his conclusions. His large estate he accumulated by honor- able, legitimate means, without oppressing the poor, whose friend he ever was, and to whom he set an excellent example of industry, economy and unswerving integrity. In all his business transactions he was scru- pulously exact. His well balanced mind was comprehensive in its grasp, logical and well stored with useful knowledge. The literary tastes acquired
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in his youth clung to him through life, and nothing seemed to afford him greater pleasure than the recreation of reviewing the standard English and American authors, with whom he had been so long familiar. His powers of memory, evinced in the facility with which he quoted long extracts from these writers, up to his last days, was wonderful. His belief in the Bible was constant, but until a late period of his life, though a strictly moral man, he had not connected himself with any religious denomination. He was, at the period of his death, which occurred Feb- ruary 14, 1868, a member of the Episcopal Church. Mr. Patee's taxable property at one time amounted in value to fully $350,000. Unlike the common herd of self-made men, he was public spirited and liberal of his means. A striking evidence of this noble attribute of the man exists to-day in the presence of the beautiful Patee Park, which occupies the entire space bounded by Penn, Seneca, Ninth and Tenth Streets. He first donated this to the city on condition of its being improved within ten years. At the expiration of that period, nothing having been done, Mr. Patee notified the city authorities of their failure to comply with the terms of the gift and declared the same forfeited. The property, by this time, had become valuable, and every one expected him to resume pos- session. His native generosity, however, asserted itself, and Mr. Patee renewed the donation, with the terms of which the city did not again fail promptly to comply. He had two children, Elijah and Mrs. Minerva Rus- sell, both of whom he survived. A notable feature in the will of Mr. Patee, was a bequest in the shape of the interest on one thousand dollars to be annually paid by the executor to his former slave, Ann, the principal to revert to the testator's heirs at her death. Besides one thousand dollars to Mrs. Bridget Mansfield, whom, when a little girl, he had taken under his care and educated. The entire property was bequeathed to his six grandchildren. The funeral of John Patee was attended by all the old settlers of the city, and his remains were placed beside his wife and chil- dren in Mount Mora Cemetery.
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