USA > Missouri > Buchanan County > The history of Buchanan County, Missouri > Part 89
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W. F. STEPHENS,
merchant, the subject of this notice, is a native of Randolph County, Missouri, and was born April 2, 1842. When three years of age he removed to Callaway County, with his parents, and there resided a few years, when the family located in Andrew County, remaining six years, thence to Buchanan County. During the war our subject was engaged in freighting in the West, and for two years was a resident of Kansas. He engaged in his present business in March, 1880, and carries a well selected stock of goods, and by square dealing and his affable demeanor has built up a substantial business. In the spring of 1867, Miss Margaret
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E. Maxwell became his wife. They have five children, John, Tabitha, Mollie, Frank and Jessie.
JOSEPH STEMLER,
carpenter and builder, is one of the leaders in this important industry. He was born in Gasconade County, Missouri, July 25, 1853, and removed to St. Joseph at an early age. His father, John T., who was a carpenter, here engaged at his trade. Joseph was here raised and learned his trade, and is now an accomplished mechanic. Was married December 31, 1880, to Miss Minnie Breuninger, of St. Joseph.
WILLIAM STEWART,
foreman for J. W. Ambrose & Co., was born in Salisbury, Connecticut, June 21, 1814, and, upon becoming of age, he went to Wilbraham, Mas- sachusetts, where he received the benefits of a good education. After this, he went to Pittsford, Vermont, and learned the moulder's trade, and then went to Plymouth, Vermont, and worked at his trade seven years. Thence to Providence, Rhode Island, remaining about two years, having the management of the shops. He next returned to Vermont, and for eight years had charge of the shops at Windsor. For six years he was foreman in the foundry of Hartshorn & Ames, at Nashua, New Hamp- shire, after which, in company with two other gentlemen, he engaged in the foundry business at South Reading, Massachusetts. It was finally converted into a joint stock company, and Mr. Stewart continued in the capacity as foreman for six years. He next went to Connecticut, staying for a time, after which he entered the foundry of Morrison & Colwell, at Troy, New York, as foreman, remaining three years. He filled the same position with Wager & Fales for several years ; that company eventu- ally dissolved, and he continued to hold the same situation with Mr. Fales for five years. Subsequently he came to Rock Island, Illinois, and for one year was foreman in the stove works, in that city. Returned to Troy, and, in 1878, came to St. Joseph, and entered the employ of J. W. Ambrose & Co. as foreman. Mr. S. has been a foreman for thirty-five years, and is thoroughly conversant with the general details of foundry work. He has been twice married : First, to Miss Clara Pollard, of Ver- mont ; she died June II, 1879, leaving two sons, W. J. and George P. In the autumn of 1880, Mrs. Mary J. Reed became his wife. He is a Master Mason.
CHRISTOF STEINBRENNER,
farmer, section 26, post office St. Joseph, was born in Germany, Novem- ber 16, 1833, and received a good education. He came to America, April 15, 1853, locating in Cleveland, Ohio, where he learned the black-
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smith trade and followed it for a livelihood. In 1861, he emigrated to Buchanan County, since which time he has farmed. By his own industry he has secured seventy acres of land, all under fence and in a good state of cultivation. Was married, October 17, 1858, to Miss Lizzie Wiess, who was born in Germany, December 31, 1834. They have a family of five children : Phillip, born September 18, 1860, died May 21, 1868; George, born October 25, 1862; John A., born November 30, 1864; Frederick and Lotta, twins, born June 22, 1866; William, born April 19, 1871. Mr. S. is a member of Humboldt Lodge No. 130 I. O. O. F., and also belongs to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He is a school trustee. His mother-in-law lives with him. She was born in Germany, November 10, 1800, and had a common school education. Was married in 1824, to Jacob Wiess. They had five children: Amos, Charlotta, Phil- lip, Elizabeth and John. Her husband died in 1876. They lived a happy life and celebrated their golden wedding before his death. The old lady is healthy and active and would walk to St. Joseph if the family would let her.
THEODORE STEINACKER,
County Surveyor, was born in St. Louis, in May, 1853, and came to this city in 1858. Attended the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N. Y., in 1873, and received a finished education in civil engineering and surveying, and in 1880 was elected County Surveyor. His superior qualifications and strict attention to business of the county is a guar- antee that the people's interests will not be neglected.
PHILIP STIMMEL,
manager of the St. Joseph branch of B. D. Buford & Co's agricultural implement works, is a native of Pennsylvania, and originally did busi- ness in Philadelphia, where he received an excellent commercial educa- tion. He has been twelve years in the agricultural implement business, a calling in which he is thoroughly versed. He was formerly connected with an agricultural house established in St. Joseph in 1870, and con- ducted under the firm name of Buford & Warren. On the death of Cap- tain Warren, which occurred in a railroad accident, September, 1875, this firm was dissolved, but the business has since continued to be conducted by the original house, and managed in St. Joseph by Mr. Philip Stimmel, whose excellent business qualifications, and great personal popularity have contributed in no small degree to extend the territory of its pat- ronage. Basie D. Buford, the head of the firm of B. D. Buford & Co., Rock Island, Illinois, one of the largest manufacturing concerns in the West, is a member of the well known Kentucky family of Bufords. He moved to Rock Island when a small boy, and is now about forty-five
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years of age. The establishment of which he constitutes the head does an annual business of one million and a half of dollars. Besides the branch house managed in St. Joseph by Mr. Stimmel, and which alone does an annual business of two hundred thousand dollars, there are other branches of this immense business in St. Louis, Kansas City and St. Paul. The celebrated Rock Island plow works of D. B. Buford & Co., turn out Clipper plows, Buford-Brown sulky and gang plows, Black Hawk and Defiance cultivators, etc.
L. S. STIGERS,
architect, a pioneer in this branch, is the subject. Was born in Greene County, Pennsylvania, February 27, 1817, and when young migrated to Ohio with his parents, where he was reared, educated and learned the carpenter's trade, at Mt. Vernon, Kent County. Followed his vocation there until 1844, when he came to St. Joseph, and rented a residence and commenced business as a builder. Drafted the plans and built the Patee House, and many other buildings which to-day are old landmarks. For a time he was in partnership with F. R. Bættner, and a fair specimen of their architectural skill is the Market House, Saxton & Russell's build- ing, occupied by Baldwin, the jeweler, A. N. Shuster's residence and numerous store buildings and residences. Mr. Stigers superintended the erecting of Asylum No. 2. In the private and business walks of life he commands the respect of a large circle of acquaintances. Was married on the 28th of November, 1840, to Miss Harriet Gooding, of St. Clair County, Illinois. She was born June 11, 1815, and died May 25, 1874, leaving five children, of whom four are living-Mary E., born Septem- ber 24, 1841 ; Robert G., born March 16, 1845; Laura B., born June 14, 1849, and died September 21, 1850; Orren and Warren, (twins), born June 4, 1852.
JAMES A. STORM
was born in Emmittsburg, Fredericks County, Maryland, June 26, 1823, and was there reared, educated and became proficient in architecture, his father, James, being a prominent member of the profession in that state. In 1846, James A. removed to Baltimore, where he remained engaged in his profession and building until 1850, when he took up his abode at Berkeley Springs, Virginia, where he followed contracting and building, and he also became proprietor of a livery stable. To him much credit is due for giving the locality of Berkeley Springs the reputation it afterwards attained as a watering place. There he constructed and oper- ated swimming pools and a ten-pin alley, and was general manager of amusement. Mr. David H. Crawther, well known as a correspondent for Harper's Magazine, under the. nom de plume of Port Crayon, was
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associated with him for a time in this business. In 1857, Mr. Storm settled in St. Joseph. He drafted the design and superintended the building of the Pacific House. Was also superintendent of construction of the Buchanan County Court House and other important structures in St. Joseph. For a considerable length of time he was a partner in con- tracting and building with John C. Evans, the style being Storm & Evans. In 1862, they dissolved partnership, and Mr. S. turned his attention to the manufacture of ox yokes, tents, and necessaries for outfitting adven- turers for the West. His establishment was what is known as the St. Joseph planing mill. Also manufactured extensively the old-fashioned spinning wheel, looms, etc. In 1865, he sold out to DeClue & Shivel, and for one season, in company with W. Angelo Powell, conducted a real estate and architect's office. His next move was to engage in the fruit and produce business, which so rapidly increased that he was obliged to open a branch house at Omaha to accommodate his western trade. During one summer he shipped upwards of 30,000 bushels of apples and other products in proportion. In 1867, he opened a house and made a specialty of buying and selling game. He has done much toward improving the breeds of fowls, and in this important branch has achieved a wide reputation. Is the inventor of a fountain for the benefit of the breeders of fowls that will keep water from freezing in winter and keep it cool in summer. On this he was awarded the highest prize at the Centennial. Is a member of the State Horticultural Society and of the Missouri Valley Horticultural Society. Mr. Storm is a man of con- siderable taste in antiquarian curiosities, and is the possessor of a rare collection of ancient coins and fossils. Was married in 1844, to Miss Margaret A. Baumgardner, at Emmittsburg, Maryland. They have had seven children-John F, (now Deputy Assessor in St. Louis), James A., Joseph A., Charlie K., William M. and Louisa M., living ; and Mary A., deceased.
WILLIAM STRIBLEN
was born in the City of Cassel, Electorate of Hessen-Cassel, Germany, on the 16th of May, 1837, where his father held an official position in the civil service. After receiving a liberal education, William set out for the United States, arriving at New Orleans, Louisiana, on January 1, 1850. He then went to St. Louis, Missouri, and at once entered the drug busi- ness, paying close attention to pharmacy and chemistry. In March, 1853, he removed to Cincinnati, clerked several years in the drug busi- ness, in that city, afterwards at Indianapolis, Indiana, Covington, Ken- tucky, and Chicago, Illinois, until January, 1857, when he started West, landing in Keokuk, Iowa, where he established his own drug store. He continued to practice his profession until the war of the rebellion broke out in 1861, when he enlisted in the United States army, was promoted
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to hospital steward Twenty-seventh Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, afterwards to Lieutenant Sixty-third Regiment U. S. Colored Infantry, and finally to Captain in the Sixty-ninth Regiment United States Colored Infantry. While in the army he was at various times danger- ously wounded, in the head; a bayonet thrust in right lung, and shot in the instep of right foot. On the 5th of May, 1865, he was honorably dis- charged from the United States service by reason of wounds received while in duty. After his discharge, he traveled to regain his health, which had suffered from the effects of his wounds. A strong and robust constitution helped him to recuperate his former good health. In April, 1866, he arrived at St. Joseph, where he engaged in clerking until he established his own drug store in January, 1867, and has been carrying on the same business ever since. He was married December 21, 1866, to Miss Martha L. Walker, of Highland County, Ohio. She died in Feb- ruary, 1869. Mattie W. Striblen, born on December 15, 1867, was the fruit of this marriage. William Striblen, on the 21st April, 1870, was married to Miss Sallie B. Tracy, his present wife. There were born unto them Lena, April 17, 1871, died October 14, 1872 ; Frederick, born Jan- uary 7, 1873 ; Nellie, born November 28, 1875 ; Laura, born September 30, 1877, died March 24, 1880; Stella, born December 25, 1879.
GEORGE STROP,
brick manufacturer, was born August 5, 1837, at Tuscarawas, Ohio, and from there he went, when eight years old, with his family to the State of Kentucky, where he was raised, and remained up to 1865. He then came West, and located in this city, and worked at different brick yards. After three years, in 1868, he was enabled to open a brick yard on his own account, and carried on the same successfully. In 1877, he pur- chased a farm of 120 acres in Andrew County, Missouri, where his family resides. This he improves, besides tending to his brick yard at St. Joseph. In 1861, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Conrad, of Ken- tucky. They have had ten children, seven of whom are living.
STUPPY & REICHARD,
proprietors of the Central Green Houses in St. Joseph, bear the reputa- tion of skilled florists. L. J. Stuppy, the head of the firm, was born in Saint Genevieve County, Missouri, in September, 1849. He came with his parents to St. Joseph in the spring of 1850. His father, F. X. Stuppy, was one of the pioneer druggists of the place. L. J. was raised in St. Joseph and, in due time, educated in his father's calling. In obedience to the promptings of a natural taste, in 1875, he engaged in his present business, of which he has made a success. In 1876, he married Miss
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Annie Schiesl. They have two children, F. X., Jr., and Annie E. David M. Reichard, his partner in the business, was born near Martinsburg, in Berkeley County, Virginia, August 8, 1830, and, at an early age, moved with his parents to Maryland, where his father engaged in the nursery business. Brought up in his father's avocation, he early acquired a taste for floriculture. On attaining his majority, he moved to Washington, D. C., where he remained engaged in the nursery business till 1865, when he determined to try his fortune in the West, and settled in St. Joseph. In 1858, he married Miss Rebecca Boyd. They have four chil- dren, Milton, Walter, Howard and Willie. Mr. Reichard and family are members of the Presbyterian Church.
JACOB STUSSI,
farmer and dairyman, Riverton, was born October 9, 1832, in Switzer- land, and was reared at his birthplace and received the benefits of an education. It might be said that he was literally brought up in the dairy business. He understands it thoroughly and has followed it through life. In the spring of 1863, he emigrated to the United States, and landed at New York city. He first settled in Brooklyn, where he remained two years and then came west to St. Louis, where he resided three years, and afterwards moved to Andrew County, and engaged in the dairy and cheese making business. Remained there six years, and came to Buchanan County in 1878. He first settled east of Platte River, and moved to the place he now occupies in the spring of 1880. He was the founder of the town of Riverton, which formerly existed under the name of Bridgeport, but it had nearly died out. Mr. S. bought several pieces of land there, and started the town anew. He built a two-story hotel and other buildings and is erecting a dwelling house for himself. The town is situated on the line of the Narrow Gauge road, and has the prospect of becoming a lively place, and it is due to Mr. S.'s untiring efforts. He commenced life a poor boy and has been the archi- tect of his own fortune. Was married, in 1862, to Miss Frances Mier, a native of Switzerland.
JOHN R. SUTHERLAND,
carpenter, is a native of Shelby County, Indiana, born August 1, 1846. His father, Woodward, was a carpenter by trade, and migrated with his family to Illinois in 1857. In 1858, they came to Missouri, locating in Columbia, Boone County, where our subject resided until 1862, when he enlisted in Company B, 9th Missouri Cavalry. He passed through the usual routine of warfare, and was honorably discharged July 14, 1865. In 1866, he came to St. Joseph and engaged in working at the carpenter trade, having adopted the profession of his father. During his sojourn
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in the city he has been classed among its first class mechanics. He was married in 1869 to Miss Charity Brainerd, of St. Joseph. They have four children, Stella May, Birdie, John Franklin, and an infant. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., King Hill Lodge.
CONRAD TANNER,
was born in Switzerland, May 5, 1834, and when seventeen years of age came to America, and after a short sojourn in Ohio, removed to St. Jos- eph. He here learned the wagonmaker's trade, and in 1866, opened a shop, the style of the firm being Tanner Bros. He afterward erected the pres- ent shop. His long sojourn in this county, and his reputation for first class work, gives him a reputation that is well merited. Some specimens of his work are the wagons of the St. Joseph and New Ulm breweries. He was married in 1857, to Miss Genevieve Harman. They have had ten children, six of whom are living, Conrad, Adolph, Edward, Pauline, Wil- liam and Clara. Mr. Tanner is a member of the Druids, German Benev- olent Society, Greeklie Verein and Swiss Verein.
THEODORE TEXTOR,
liquor and cigar dealer, was born July 13, 1839, at Hofgeismer, Germany, and after having received his education at the high school, he went to Rassal, Hessen, where he studied at the Polytechnic School, and gradu- ated with honor in 1853. Then accepted an offer as superintendent of the distilleries and general management of large farms, which occupa- tion he held for five years, when he served three years in the Prussian army. When discharged he returned to his old work. Having had for a long time the desire to go to the United States, he left Europe and arrived in 1863 at New York City, where he only stopped a few weeks, and then came to St. Joseph, where he arrived in July, 1863. Obtained a situation as clerk in a hardware store, which place he filled two years, and afterward became clerk with Diedmann & Fuelling, cigar dealers. In 1868, he opened the cigar business on his own account, and removed September 1, 1880, to 310 Felix Street, and opened a store for the sale of liquors, cigars and smoking articles. Was married December 1, 1868, to Miss Minnie Deichmann. They have had four children-Oscar and Hermann, deceased, and Mathilde and Charles, living.
LOUIS THEIP,
Principal of the German-English School, was born in Prussia in 1831, and came to the United States in 1866. He received a good education in his native country, and afterwards taught for fourteen years. Since coming to this country he has taught fourteen years. Thus teaching
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has been his ambition and life work. He lived in Milwaukee, Wiscon- sin, for twelve years. and in San Antonio, Texas, one year. In 1880, he came to St. Joseph, and was soon employed as Principal of the German- English School, a position he continues (1881) to fill satisfactorily. Mar- ried Miss Lizzie Blummoth in Germany, in 1860. They have two child- ren, Emil and Jonathan. Emil is at the naval school in Annapolis, Mary- land, in his fourth year, and about to become an assistant engineer. Mr. Theip is a fine scholar, a successful teacher, and a man whose moral character is above reproach.
GENERAL M. JEFF THOMPSON
was born at Harper's Ferry, Va., January, 1826. His father Capt. Merri- weather Thompson, a prominent citizens of that place, was a native of Hanover County, Virginia. He was for years in the paymaster's depart- ment of the United States Army at Harper's Ferry. The proper name of the subject of this sketch was Merriweather. The appellation " Jeff" was a nick-name applied in childhood, and constitutes one of the very many instances of the absurdity of applying to children such names with the expectation of their remaining only temporary designations. The manner in which he acquired his middle name is somewhat amus- ing. It appears that in early life, the future General was anything but a studious child, indeed, was sorely addicted to playing truant, and having in numerous instances of desertion from school been found perched on the top of a scavenger's cart driven by an ancient darkey, who rejoiced in the name of Jeff Carlyle. By way of shaming the young runaway and reclaiming him from his objectionable habit, his friends called him " Jeff
Carlyle." Whether or not this had the desired effect we are not informed ; the name, however. clung to him through life, and after he had attained to manhood, and emigrated from his native home to St. Joseph, many who knew him as "Jeff," and were ignorant or oblivious of the fact that it was but a nick-name, continued so to address him. Powers of attorney were made out to him in this name under which, of course, he could not act, and in consequence he obtained an act of the legislature granting the additional " Jeff" to his name. On leaving home in 1846, he stopped in Liberty, Clay County, Missouri, where he clerked in a store about a year, at the end of which period he moved to St. Joseph and engaged as a clerk in the house of Middleton & Riley, remaining in the store till 1852, when he went in their interest to Great Salt Lake City. Returning in the fall, he started, in partnership with Major Bogle, a grocery store in St. Joseph. He subsequently closed out his store and accompanied, in the capacity of commissary, the surveyors of the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad. He afterwards returned from Hannibal in charge of a surveying party, having acquired during his
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trip by close application, a competent knowledge of practical surveying. He was entrusted with the task of constructing the western division of the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad, and remained in that position up to the period of its completion in February, 1859. In 1858 he filled the office of City Engineer, and in 1859 was elected Mayor of the city of St. Joseph. In 1860 he constituted one of the real estate firm of Harbine & Thompson, and was engaged in this business at the breaking out of the civil war. He was at that period, under the old state law, a Colonel of militia. He cast his fortunes with the South, and was among the earliest and most active to engage in the great struggle. He attained the rank of Brigadier General in the Confederate service, in which he acquired, among other appellations, the name of "the Swamp Fox." His career in the great struggle is now a part of our national history, and even an outline of its recital would exceed the limits of such a notice as this. At the close of the war, through the influence of General A. L. Lee, an officer of the Federal service, and formerly a banker of St. Joseph, Gen- eral Thompson obtained the appointment of Chief Engineer of the Board of Public Works of the State of Louisiana, with headquarters in the city of New Orleans, which position he continued to retain up to the period of his death. A short time previous to this, he had started a commission house in Memphis, Tennessee, but the venture proved a failure, and he went to New Orleans with the above mentioned results. M. Jeff Thompson married in Liberty, Missouri, in 1848, Miss Emma Hays, a native of Baltimore, Maryland. By this marriage they had five children, two of whom were boys. The General was the fourth of a family of six children. The eldest of these, Broaddus Thompson, form- erly a representative citizen and prominent lawyer of St. Joseph, was for many years widely distinguished for his refined culture and polished refinement of manner. Charles M. Thompson, the youngest, at present (1881) Deputy Circuit Clerk of Buchanan County, was for years a popu- lar and well known newspaper man of St. Joseph. In the fall of 1876 General Thompson retured to his old home, St. Joseph, and died at the Pacific House in that city. He was certainly a remarkable character, and in spite of his many eccentricities, it must be said that few men have lived in the world and filled as prominent positions as he did with as many fast friends and as few enemies. Peace to his ashes.
CHARLES M. THOMPSON,
was born at Harper's Ferry, Virginia, October, 1830, and came to St. Joseph, in 1849. He learned the printer's trade in Virginia, and his first business here was a position in the Gazette office. When but sixteen years old, he enlisted in the First Virginia Volunteer Infantry, for the Mexican War, and remained until the war closed. In 1863, with Mr. J.
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