The history of Buchanan County, Missouri, Part 86

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

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ROBERTS & HALL,

dealers in groceries, boots, shoes and general merchandise. This firm commenced business in St. Joseph during the early part of 1881. Their stock is among the most select to be found, and being courteous and affable gentlemen, they command a liberal trade. Edgar Roberts was born in Harrison County, Missouri, November 17, 1855. His father, W. WV. Roberts, was an early settler of that county, and soon after the war migrated to Buchanan County, locating five miles southeast of St. Joseph, engaging in agricultural pursuits. Here Edgar was educated, raised and resided until he embarked in trade. R. P. Hall is a native of Missouri, and was born in Harrison County, November 11, 1852. When compara- tively young his father, W. P. Hall, removed with his family, including R. P., to Buchanan County, locating in Washington Township, east of St. Joseph, where he engaged in farming, and our subject here developed into manhood and was educated and remained, pursuing the vocation of his boyhood days until he made his departure in mercantile pursuits.

ERASTUS ROBINSON,

yard master of the K. C., St. J. & C. B. R. R. Co., was born in Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, November 7, 1843. His father, Josiah, removed with the family to Quincy, Illinois, when our subject was quite young. He commenced railroading with the H. & St. J. Co. when a mere boy, and worked in various departments for ten years, as baggageman, freight and passenger conductor, etc. Was in the employ of the St. L., K. C. & N. R. R. for a time, and in 1874 entered the employ of the K. C., St. J. & C. B. R. R. Co. as freight conductor. When the yard was opened in St. Joseph, he took his present position. In 1879, he embarked in the coal oil trade, delivering oil in small and large quantities, to any part of the city. It is a great convenience to the consumers, and Mr. R. has secured a substantial trade in the enterprise. He married in 1866, Miss Elizabeth Lewis. They have one son-Erastus Wyman. Mr. R. is a member of the Masons, K. of H., and a charter member of St. Johns Lodge, Hannibal.

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WILLIAM ROBERTSON,

dealer in furniture. One of the pioneer physicians of Buchanan County, and one who figured more or less prominently with the medical fratern- ity, was Dr. A. H. Robertson, who took up his residence in St. Joseph in 1853. He practiced his profession up to the time of his demise, which occurred in 1870. His son, William, the subject of this sketch, is a native, of Missouri, and was born in Boone County, on November 25, 1837. Was there reared, educated and resided until he came to St. Joseph, in the. spring of 1853, and soon after his arrival engaged in the grocery trade. This he continued until the breaking out of the rebellion. After the war again engaged in the grocery trade in this city, continuing up to 1877, when he commenced his present business. Mr. Robertson is an unas- suming, courteous gentleman, and commands the respect of a wide circle. of acquaintances.

W. J. ROBERTSON,

head engineer of the Glucose Works, is a native of Aberdeen, Scotland, and was born August 25, 1855. When twelve years of age he emigrated to Canada with his parents, locating in Belleville. His father, John Rob- ertson, was a machinist, and for a number of years, has been superin- tendent of the gas works in that city. W. J. was there educated and learned his trade, and eventually migrated to Detroit, Michigan, where he worked as journeyman for several years. In 1878, he became a resident of this city, and for some time was a machin- ist in the employ of the Kansas City, St. Joseph & Council Bluffs Rail- road. Upon the opening of the Glucose Works he took his present posi- tion. He is a machinist and engineer of more than ordinary skill, and keeps familiarized with the new ideas in the mechanical world.

HERMAN ROSENBLATT,

musician and dealer in dry goods and notions, was born December 3, 1829, at Hausen, Bavaria, where he was raised and received a good mus- ical education. In 1853 he emigrated to America, arriving at New York City. Soon after he went to Albany, New York, where he ac- cepted an engagement as a musician in Utica. There he staid one year, and also learned the trade of cigar manufacturing. In 1854 he came to St. Joseph and joined partnership with his two brothers, Samuel and Levi, in the grocery business. This was continued up to 1861. In 1862, with his brother-in-law, Leopold Cohen, he opened a dry goods and grocey store, which they kept for one year. In 1865 he was enabled to engage in business on his own account and one year later engaged exclusively in the dry goods and notions trade. Since his arrival in St.

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Joseph Mr. R. has devoted the greatest part of his time to musical af- fairs. In 1854 he formed the St. Joseph Band, known then by every- body under the name of Rosenblatt's Band. He married March 4, 1861, Miss Minnie Cohen, a native of Bristol, England. They had eight chil- dren-Julius, born May 24, 1862; Fanny, born January 1, 1864, died in 1865; Frank, born September 10, 1866; Henry, born September 19, 1867 ; Leopold, born April 22, 1870, died in six months ; Emma, born February 14, 1872 ; Rose, born November 2, 1876; Herbert, born Octo- ber 19, 1879.

WILLIAM DOUGHERTY RUSK,

born in Woodford County, Kentucky, on the 15th day of June, 1850, came to Missouri at an early age with his parents, who settled in St. Joseph. He was a member of the first class graduated from the St. Joseph High School, the other male members of the class being Dr. Wm. R. Hall, Assistant Surgeon U. S. A., and W. P. Hall, Jr., late Prosecuting Attor- ney for Buchanan County. Soon after graduating he went to New Eng- land for the purpose of pursuing an extended course of study, a pur- pose, however, which he was compelled to forgo by an affection of the eyes, for which the most eminent oculists he could consult told him nothing could be done, and which for a time threatened him with per- manent blindness. In 1871, not yet being able to use his eyes, he was appointed teacher of mathematics in the St. Joseph High School, a posi- tion for which he was eminently fitted by reason not only of his natural aptitude and fondness for that branch, but also of the thorough and comprehensive course of study he had given it. But he soon discovered qualities far more important to the teacher of the young than the posses- sion of knowledge or even the ability to impart it, the rare faculty of arousing in others a thirst for wisdom. An unvarying modesty of man- ner, united with a quiet firmness, secured for him at once the respect and obedience of his pupils, who could not fail to be more honest and frank from their association with one whose every word and act gave evidence of the most unselfish honesty of purpose. As soon as his eyes would permit, he resumed a systematic course of reading and study, which he has since pursued with an assiduity and ardor equalled only by his earn- est and conscientious discharge of the laborious duties of teacher. His own habits of study have doubtless done much to inspire his pupils, for it is pleasanter to drink from a running stream than a stagnant pool, however deep the latter may be. Upon the resignation of the former principal of the school, Mr. Rusk was appointed to fill the vacancy, and the success crowning his efforts in that arduous and responsible position proves the wisdom of the appointment. He has shown not only unusual · executive ability, but also an appreciation of the fact that the art of edu- cation is as yet in its infancy, and a commendable desire and readiness

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to make every practicable endeavor to leave the ruts which it is often easier to follow than it is to originate and develop new and improved methods of instruction. He is especially interested is devising how to make the public school system more potent in the formation of manly character. It is to the interest of every community to see that the pro- fession of teaching be made sufficiently remunerative to retain, if possi- ble, such instructors within its ranks from which they are continually enticed by the more promising rewards offered by other professions and callings.

GEORGE W. RUSCO,

carpenter and builder, is a native of the State of New York, where he was born, September 3, 1833. He was there raised until he attained his eighteenth year, when he migrated to Wisconsin, living in different parts of that state, until 1864, learning his trade in the meantime. In 1864, he came to St. Joseph, and has devoted his attention to his profession, erecting many fine and imposing edifices, which indicates that he is no amateur. He was married, in Wisconsin, to Miss M. F. Saunders, a native of New York. They have four children : Charles, Alice, Elmer, and Lydia.

H. A. RUSSELL,

general agent for the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railway Company, was born in Akron, Ohio, August 30, 1840, and was there reared until he attained his fifteenth year, when his father, H. F. Russell, who was a miller, removed to Monmouth, Illinois. There he engaged in the mill- ing business. The senior Russell was among the early settlers of the Buckeye state, locating there in 1822. The subject of this sketch at the breaking out of the rebellion tendered his services to the Union cause, enlisting in Company F, Seventeenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. The greater portion of the time he was on detached service ; was special pos- tal agent at General Grant's headquarters, and had charge of eastern military mail for division of the Mississippi. He participated in the battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, and other notable engagements ; was honorably discharged in 1864. Returning to Illinois, he engaged in the milling business with his father, continuing until 1867, when he came to Kansas City, and, until 1869, was bookkeeper for the Novelty Milling Company. After this, he was in the employ of his present company then known as the North Missouri Railroad. On the Ist of July, 1875, he was stationed at St. Joseph. Mr. Russell has a host of friends in this city, and among the masses of the traveling public. He was married, in 1869, to Miss Agnes R. Anderson, a native of Ohio. They have four children : Maggie, George, Frank and Fred. He is a Mason, and a member of I. O. U. W.

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BIOGRAPHICAL.

O. RUST,

manufacturer of well augers and drills, is a native of Oakland County,. Michigan, and was born November 21, 1828. Was there reared, edu- cated, learned, and, afterwards conducted, the marble trade for a num- ber of years. He operated the same business in Wisconsin, Illinois,. Indiana, and, in 1870, came to Macon City, Missouri, where he engaged in business. In 1873, he commenced operating a well auger. Being a man possessed of a large amount of inventiveness, he set to work to- produce an auger that would economize on time and labor, and the result of his ideas was in placing before the world the Old Reliable Rust Auger. He continued still in sinking wells, and, in 1876, commenced to. manufacture at Macon City, Missouri. The merits of this good article soon became known, and the demand was so great that, in the spring of 1880, he commenced to manufacture in St. Joseph, where better facilities were offered. Also, for one and one-half years his manufacturing was. done at Fort Wayne, Indiana. Some estimate of his business may be- inferred from the fact, that his sales, in 1880, footed upwards of $25,000 .. His trade extends into nearly every state in America. The Eagle Drill- ing Machine, another of his patents, although but recently placed on the- market, is rapidly becoming popular in the mining regions of the West, as well as Eastern States. Mr. R.'s father, Clement Porter Rust, was a prominent citizen, and figured conspicuously and successfully in Michi- gan politics. Our subject was married, in 1355, to Miss Helen Porter, of Vermont. They have four children : Ida M, Kittie, Clara and Frank ..

WILLIAM SALLEE,

farmer, Section 15, Postoffice St. Joseph, was born in Green County, Ken- tucky, May 6, 1821, and when twelve years of age, his parents removed to Morgan County, Illinois, where they remained eighteen months, and then removed to Lee County, Iowa. Here his father, John, died in 1841,. and in 1842 Mrs. S. and her family returned to Morgan County, Illinois, where she died in 1852. William came from Lee County, Iowa, to Mis- souri in the fall of 1838, and in the fall of 1839 came to Buchanan County. He was reared on a farm, and has followed farming during life. His landed estate consists of 800 acres, of which 310 are in the home farm. He was married December 25, 1845, to Miss Josephine Hunter. She was born in Cumberland County, Kentucky, October 31, 1828. They have had twelve children, seven of whom are living-Joseph H., born Novem- ber 13, 1849; William M., born February 24, 1853 ; George A., born Feb- ruary 4, 1855 ; Mollie L., born July 17, 1859; Emily J., born November 27, 1861; Margery M., socially known as Nattie,, born June 11, 1863 : and Quantrell, born February 10, 1867.

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ST. JOSEPH.

GEORGE W. SAMUEL

was born June 4, 1810, at Newcastle, Henry County, Kentucky. At the age of seventeen he left school, for want of means to further prosecute his studies, owing to his father's reverses in business, whereby he lost his once ample fortune. In feeble and delicate health, he started to seek his for- tune in the West, and reached Fayette, Howard County, in November, 1828, his capital at this time being fifty cents, his mother's parting bless- ing, and a clear conscience. He entered the mercantile house of Harrison, Glasgow & Ross. After remaining with them two years, he had so won the comfidence of his employers that, with their aid and commendation, he embarked in business in Chariton, Missouri, but on account of unhealthiness of the location, he removed to Huntsville, Randolph County. The settlement, not affording trade enough for his energies, he formed a partnership with the Lawrences, of Columbia, in 1834. In 1835, they erected the first paper mill west of the State of Ohio, at Rockbridge, Boone County. The depreciation of state banks, at this time, produced a panic, which, added to the burning of their paper mill, brought the firm into depressed circumstances. Mr. Samuel's declining health required a change of climate, and a sea voyage was recommended. The vessel, upon which he took passage, was wrecked near the Bemici Islands, on Moselle Rock. He managed to get back to Missouri, a mere skeleton, and penniless. Through the assistance of a friend, he embarked in the packing business, but the experiment was unfavorable. He next engaged in steamboating on the river, but this proved disastrous. Mr. Samuel's reverses emboldened him to try other fields, with new hope, and, in 1838, removed to Platte City. In Martinsville he erected a neat, plain cottage, the first house upon which a saw, hammer and plane were used in the Platte Country. This house was occupied afterwards by Hon. David R. Atchison, for one day President of the United States. He was one who foresaw the great future of the site upon which the City of St. Joseph now stands. A company was formed to buy it, a bargain for the pre-emption right, for $1,600, made between them and the pro- prietor, but for a trivial offence, given by one of the party, the owner refused to carry out his agreement. Mr. Samuel then embarked in the mercantile business in Savannah, Missouri, where he remained until 1860, at which time he found his fortune again restored. Being driven out by the war, after suffering great loss, he removed to St. Joseph, in 1868, and organized the St. Joseph Fire and Marine Insurance Company, and, for a time, was its President. He has been interested in stores, in the Counties of Howard, Boone, Clay, Chariton, Randolph, Ray, Lafay- ette, Clinton, Caldwell and Andrew, and has always been noted for his indomitable energy and integrity, passing through all the panics from 1837 to 1877, making no compromise with his creditors, but paying.

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always one hundred cents on the dollar, and it is a well known fact that he owes no man a just debt, and that, to his knowledge, never wronged a fellow creature. Mr. Samuel is one of nature's noblemen, a friend in need, a counsellor in trouble, and a sympathizer in sorrow's dark hour. His business tact and commercial integrity are too well known to need mention. Mr. Samuel was married, in 1838, to Miss Rebecca T. Todd, daughter of the late Judge Todd, early in life a Captain under General Harrison, in the war of 1812. She died on the 26th day of July, 1865. A month later, on the 26th of August, his only son, Colonel David Todd Samuel, was killed at the battle of Kenesaw Mountain. Mr. Samuel has three daughters : Eliza B., wife of Henry W. Yates, of Omaha ; Annie I, now Mrs. John S. Lemon, and Florence T., now Mrs. T. Johnson.

JOHN SANDERS,

of the firm of Sanders & Hawman, merchants, was born in Toronto, Can- ada, February 24, 1838, and was there reared and educated. For a num- ber of years he pursued the vocation of school teaching. In 1861, went to California, and engaged in mining, and also for a time worked on the Comstock Lode, at Virginia City. After five years, he returned to Can- ada. Sojourned a short time there, and then came to Stewartsville, Missouri, and engaged in merchandising, the firm being McCrosky & Sanders, afterwards Sanders & McCrosky, and later Mr. Sanders became sole proprietor. In the spring of 1880, he came to St. Joseph, and during the winter of 1881 engaged in trade. " He was married in 1868, to Miss Emily Johnson. They have three children-Mabel, Luella and Annie. His father, Henry, and his forefathers, were natives of New York. Mr. Sanders is a member of the I. O. O. F.

ANTON SANNER,

contractor in stone masonry, is a native of Switzerland, and was born July 17, 1831. His education was received in his native country, and he there learned the stone mason's trade. In 1851, he came to America, locating in Detroit, Michigan, where he became proficient in brick masonry, and there resided for several years. He thence removed to St. Paul, Minnesota, remaining thirteen years, and during his sojourn was identified with the prominent contractors of that city. In 1868, he ·came to St. Joseph. For seven years he devoted his attention to rail- road work, and had over one hundred miles of the stone work on the A. & N., and seven miles on the Denver Road. Mr. Sanner is a skilled workman, and is favorably known in building and contracting circles. He was married in 1851, to Miss Francisca Tryer. They have seven ·children, Mollie, Sophie, Anton, Philip, Charlie, Frank and John.

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ST. JOSEPH.

ALBE M. SAXTON

was born near Cleveland, Ohio, February 12, 1821. He received his ed- ucation at the common schools and at a private academy in Cleveland. In 1841 he went to St. Louis, but not finding the employment he ex- pected, he commenced trading in country produce on a capital of $56, (all the money he possessed) a venture which proved successful and was the first of a long series of commercial operations which have been the means of building up an ample fortune. During the summer of 1842 he was clerk in 'a steamboat running up the Illinois River. He lost no op- portunity of improving his mind and fitting himself for business. In the winter of 1841, he attended the night session of a commercial col- lege in St. Louis and graduated from the institution. In April, 1843, meeting in St. Louis Charles A. Perry, who was desirous of starting a mercantile business at the Black Snake Hills, as the site of St. Joseph was then called, in connection with C. Perry's younger brother, Elias H.

he went to that point, and, May I, 1843, opened a store there.

It was

the first store established in St. Joseph for the purpose of trading ,with

white inhabitants. In 1843, he pre-empted a quarter-section of land near the lunatic asylum, which he entered at $1.25 per acre. This land he afterwards sold for $100 per acre. In 1848 he formed a partnership with Robert W. Donnell, now a banker of New York City, and with him con- tinued the mercantile business. This partnership continued until 1858 at which time the transactions of the firm had grown from a retail trade to a large wholesale business, the most extensive at that time conducted in St. Joseph. Closing up the mercantile business in 1858, the branch of the Bank of the State of Missouri at St. Joseph was organized, of which Mr. Saxton was made cashier. This institution was merged into a na- tional bank in 1865, under the title of the State National Bank, Mr. Sax- ton retaining the position of Cashier. In 1870 the affairs of the State National were closed up voluntarily and profitably and the State Sav- ings Bank was organized with Mr. Saxton as President, a position which he retained until the summer of 1881. Besides his connection with banking and mercantile business he has been interested in other public enterprises. In partnership with T. D. Hastings he built some eighty miles of the Kansas City and Northwestern Railroad, and 239 of the St. Joseph and Denver. In company with Milton Tootle and others in 1853 he built and launched on the Missouri River two steamboats, the Silver Heels and Omaha. Mr. Saxton has never aspired to a public position,

but in 1874 when the State was building the Lunatic Asylum No. 2, he was appointed treasurer and still retains the office. His residence is near Saxton Station, on the H. & St. Jo. R. R., where he owns a large body of land, well improved, making one of the finest farms in the Platte Purchase. His business career has been an enviable one, confining him-

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BIOGRAPHICAL.

self to regular transactions. Speculations have never tempted him. He has always aimed to be safe and cautious, deeming it the greatest credit which any business man can claim to go through life without fail- ure. He married Mrs. Sarah E. Flint, of Dorchester County, Maryland, in 1856.

JOHN SAXTON,

architect, carpenter and builder, was born in Ulster County, New York, August 7, 1838, and was there reared to manhood and educated. His father, John Saxton, was a carpenter, and the son adopted and learned that trade. In 1868, he came to St. Joseph, where he has since been prominent among our carpenters and builders. Was married, in New York, to Miss Nancy Bloomer, of that state. They have seven children: Charles W., Frank P., Grace A., Liddie, Katie M., Lizzie and Fannie. Mr. Saxton is a member of Columbia Lodge of Masons No. 38, of Tut- tletown, New York.

COLONEL A. N. SCHUSTER.

One of the representative men, not only of St. Joseph, but of the great and growing West, is Colonel Schuster. Although a native of Rheinish Prussia, where he was born January 1, 1837, and educated in accordance with the strict regulations of that country, dreams of the New World early dazzled his imagination, and in 1857, when he was just out of his teens, he crossed the ocean and came directly west to Savannah. He immediately accepted a position in the store of his uncle, Mr. August Schuster, and gave his days to business and by far the larger portions of his nights to the study of the English language, in which his powers of apprehension, coupled with his unremitting perseverance, soon rendered him proficient. May 1, 1862, he married the accomplished Miss Lucretia Price, daughter of W. A. Price, a representative business man of Savan- nah. By this marriage he has three daughters, Luada, Florence and Edna. In 1865, he removed to St. Joseph and took charge of the United States Collector's office as deputy collector, his father-in-law, Mr. Price, being collector. In 1866, he engaged in mercantile business for himself. For the next six years he was very active and enterprising in the retail trade, being connected with four different stores. At the end of that time he went to wholesaling. From 1869 to 1871 he was United States Collector for what is now two Congressional districts, embracing twenty-five counties. In 1872, he was elector of this district to the cel- ebrated electoral college which had such stormy discussions over the. enfranchising of the so-called rebel element. Colonel Schuster warmly advocated enfranchisement and had an honest and decided difference of opinion from certain of the Republican party to which he belonged.

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He has since had the satisfaction of seeing his views fully endorsed. Nine years ago he went into the wholesale business under the firm name of Schuster, Ketcham & Co. Afterwards the firm was Tootle, Schuster & Co., now it is A. N. Schuster & Co. In addition he is connected with the bank of Schuster, Hax & Co., is president of four Kansas banks, and is largely interested in stock raising in Texas and Arizona.

JOSEPH SCHENECKER,

grocer, was born in Prussia, August 9, 1827, and was there reared, edu- cated and learned the blacksmith's trade. He came to the United States in 1852, locating in LaFayette, Indiana, and there engaged in working at his trade. He resided for a time in Wisconsin and Minne- sota, and in May, 1856, took up his abode in St. Joseph. He com- menced to work as journeyman, and soon opened a shop, which he operated for a number of years. He engaged in his present business in 1870. Mr. Schenecker is well known throughout the county. As a black- smith he was among our best, and as a merchant has attained a good reputation for square dealing. He was married May 5, 1856, to Miss Gertrude Robling. They have seven children, Annie, Charles, George, Edward, Olive, Joseph and Frank.

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The history of Buchanan County, Missouri, Part 86

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

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