Buchanan County, Missouri - Biographical sketches, 1881 (part 7 of 12)

John Quigley

civil engineer, etc., was born in the State of Maine in the year 1827. In early boyhood he moved to Pennsylvania, settling in Susquehanna County, where he received his literary and scientific education, acquiring a thorough knowledge of practical engineering and surveying under the instruction of the distinguished Professor King. In 1847, he moved to Dubuque, Iowa, and in the following year entered the government employ as a surveyor, a business which he pursued for many years with marked success. Many of the important lines in the State of Iowa were run by him. In this experience, in common with his associates, he encountered many difficulties and dangers from the hostilities of the Indians, who harassed and often destroyed the settlers, but seemed inimical to the surveying parties. In his capacity as civil engineer he has done a vast amount of work on different railroad? in the West. In 1854, he took a contract of subdivisions, and so well and faithfully was the work performed that he was complimented by the Inspector of Public Surveys on the efficiency of his work, and declared to have done the best surveying accomplished that year. In consequence of danger from the treachery of the Indians, the business of surveying was temporarily suspended. He was then offered a partnership in the large mercantile house of his brother-in-law, Lawrence Maloney, of Dubuque, Iowa. In view, however, of his prospects of securing a large contract in his own line of business, he decided to decline the proposition, and continued the pursuit of his profession. In 1865, he came to St. Joseph.

Julian Rabadeux

foreman of the machine shops of the St. Joseph & Western Railway is a native of Rense, France, and was born December 22, 1848. When quite young his father died, and he came to the United States with his imother, locating at Madison, Indiana, where he was reared and educated. At seventeen years of age he commenced to learn his trade in the shops ©f the Terre Haute & Indianapolis Railroad at Terre Haute, after which he was employed for a time at Vincennes, Indiana, with the Ohio & Mississippi Company, and afterwards returned to the Terre Haute & Indianapolis Railroad. In 1372 he came to St. Joseph, and for three years was in the employ of the St. Joseph & Denver, when he removed to Effingham, Illimois, and was connected with the St. Louis, Vincennes & Terre Haute Railroad three years. He again becanie a resident of this city, ejitering the employ of his present company. He has had the practical experience and is one of the most skilled iron workers to be found in railroad works. He was married in December, 1875, '^o Miss Clara Richards, of Pennsylvania. They have one child, Perene. Mr. R. is a member of the United Ancient Order of Druids.

Henry M. Ramey

now a prominent attorney of St. Joseph, was born in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, February 14, 1844. He lived on a plantation till the breaking out of the civil war, when he left his home and enlisted in the Confederate service, joining the Ouachita Blues, then attached to the Fourth Louisiana Battalion. He served in many of the most important battles of the war, and was wounded in the terrible action of Franklin, Tennessee. The command in which he served surrendered at Greensboro, North Carolina, in the spring of 1865, when he returned to his native state and spent the remaining months of the year at school. He then turned his attention to farming, a business in which he engaged during the years 1866 and 1867. This proving unprofitable, he determined to try his fortune in the West. His first experience in that, to him, new country, was in trading along the line of the Union Pacific Railroad. In 1868, he landed in St. Joseph, an utter stranger, and in almost bankrupt condition. He, however, had the fortune to secure employment in a hat store, and at the same time began, with that spirit of determination which always ensures success, the study of law. His preceptors were Judge Henry M. and Allen Vories. By assiduous and laborious application, he soon succeeded in qualifying himself for the bar, and was admitted to practice in the fall of 1869. As a practitioner, he has met with encouraging success, and achieved a reputation which secured, in 1874,. his election to the office of prosecuting attorney, a position the duties of which he filled with credit to himself, and to the general satisfaction of his constituents. As a man, he enjoys that respect which ability and integrity always command. Politically he has ever been a zealous Democrat. -He was married October 3, 1876, to Miss Adela Vegely, daughter of Augustus Vegely, a representative citizen of St. Joseph. They have two children.

John T. Ransom

county treasurer, was born in Lee County, Virginia, December i, 1819, and came to St. Joseph in the spring of 1857. While a small boy he manifested great taste for the mercantile business. He entered a store in his native county as clerk, in which position he remained six years. At the age of twenty years, in consideration of the value of his services, he was taken into partnership, and remained in the business for seven years. In the meantime, he bought the interest of his partner in the concern. This he afterwards sold out and moved West, coming to St. Joseph. He brought a considerable amount of money with him, a part of which he loaned at a good rate of interest. He also bought a fine farm near the city. He became Deputy County Collector under T. J. Burgess, served through his term, and afterwards for M. M. Claggett, taking the entire charge of the business of the office, which he finally closed up to the entire satisfaction of the county. The ability with which he conducted the collector's very difificult duties brought him very prominently before the people, and in the fall of 1880 he was elected Treasurer of the county. No man stands higher in the estimation ot those who have the pleasure of knowing him, or by the tax-payers of the county than does Mr. Ransom. He married Martha Fulkerson, in Lee County, Virginia, July 7, 1846., They have no children of their own, but Mrs. Ransom lost a sister who left an infant daughter, Letta Poteet. They cared for and educated her as their own child. She grew up an accomplished lady, and was married to A. Kirkpatrick, of this city. She died January, 1876.

St. Joseph, 869 E. W. Ray

of firm of Dougherty, Ray & Co., lumber dealers, St. Joseph, was born in Randolph County, North Carolina, July 2d, 1832. His parents, emigrated to Missouri, settling on a farm in Buchanan County in 1841. Inclined by nature to mercantile rather than to agricultural pursuits, he determined to abandon the plow, and in 1866, embarked in general merchandise, in partnership with Mr. Morris, in St. Joseph. After a successful and highly satisfactory experience of four years in this connection he sold out his interest in the same, and associated himself in the lumber trade with Dougherty and others, thus instituting the firm of Dougherty, Ray & Co., now (1881) one of the representative firms of St. Joseph. November 18, 1858, Mr. Ray married Miss Fannie J. Snyder, a native of Indiana, born in 1838. The result of this union was two children: Mary F., born August 5th, 1859, died July 13, 1870, and Mark E., born November 3d, 1861. Mr. Ray had the misfortune to lose his first wife. June 24, 1879, ^^ married Miss India Cowden, a native of Indiana, and a lady who achieved an enviable reputation as an instructor of youth. She went to St. Joseph in i860, and there opened a private school, which she taught with success till 1864. She afterwards accepted A position, in the public schools of St. Joseph, discharging, with distinguished ability, the duties of principal of the Everett School in that city, during a period of seven years, retiring from the profession in 1879, to the universal regret of the many who knew and appreciate her sterling worth.

W. J. Rea

This gentleman is a native of Canada, and was born May 8, 1838. Was there reared and educated, learning his profession in the State of New York, and there he conducted studies for a number of years ; also, in Canada and Michigan. Previous to this he was in the employ of some of the brightest lights of the photographic world. In 1876, he located in St. Joseph. He does all kinds of photo work - India ink, crayon, etc., and has well appointed and furnished rooms. He is a member of the I. 0. 0. F. Encampment.

Rev. T. S. Reeve

was born in Massachusetts October 5, 1806, and resided there till he was twenty-one years of age when he emigrated to the state of Vermont, where he was engaged in farming for the space of three years. At the end of this period, he returned to his native state, and entered as a student a school at Wilbraham where he remained one year, when he went to Hartford, where he attended school two years. He then located in Troy, where he began his first experience as a teacher, continuing for two years, when he removed to Vermont, where he took charge of another school. His next move was to Richmond, Virginia,, where he enlisted as city missionary, serving one year. He then took up his abode in Stanton, and from that place moved to Roanoke. After a brief residence in the latter town, he moved to. Louisburg, where he engaged in the study of law and practice of the same till 1840. In 1837, he was married to Miss Elizabeth J. Huff, a native ofVirgina, and daughter of James P. and Elizabeth Huff. They have had five children, of whom two are (1881) living, James E., a druggist of Kansas City, and Mary B. Reeve, who continues to reside with her parents. In 1840, Mr. Reeve moved to Hannibal, Missouri, where he practiced his profession till 1843, in the fall of which year he abandoned the law and was licensed by the Palmyra Presbytery to preach. He immediately moved to Gentry County, serving there and in Holt County as an itinerant minister till the spring of 1844, when he moved to St. Joseph, where he located, in company with a number of others, and immediately set to work to build a church out of logs, which they cut in the neighboring woods. This primitive structure was the " old log church " referred to in the body of this history, and the first ecclesiastical structure ever erected within the limits of the ' town. During the building of this church, and till the following year, Mr. Reeve, with his family, lived in a stable. He then cut, with his own hands, the timbers and reared a little ' log hut for a residence for himself and family. His entire capital in money amounted, at that time, to but three dollars. He subsequently received a salary of two hundred dollars per annum from the American Missionary Society. He discharged, during the space of twelve succeeding years, the duties of pastor of this church, during which period he had the satisfaction of noting the development of the obscure village into the great and prosperous city of St. Joseph. In the fall of 185$) he moved to St. Louis, Missouri; thence to Syracuse, New York, where he was pastor of a Presbyterian Church one year. He then returned to Missouri and located at St. Charles. At the end of two years he removed to St. Louis, and thence to Ironton, Ohio, where he remained in charge of a church four years. His next move was to Hannibal, Missouri, where he resided six months in the capacity of agent for a missionary society. He subsequently moved to Rushville, Illinois; thence to Lincoln, Illinois, where he had charge of a Congregational Church one year, when he moved to Savannah, Missouri, and there became pastor of the Presbyterian Church. At the end of two years, the church becoming financially embarrassed, he resigned, and moved to Kansas City, where he erected a dwelling house and store in which he embarked in the drug and dry goods trade with his son, James E., to whom, at the house, sign and ornamental painters and paper hangers. V. C. Reese was born in Wayne County, Kentucky, October 17, 1843, and was reared and educated in that state, learning his trade at Louisville. He afterwards migrated to Kansas, residing there for seventeen years, and in 1874, took up his abode in St. Joseph. In 1865, Miss Matilda T. Herbert became his wife. They have six children: Camile G., Lillian L., Edna A., Edith E., Vincent and Parish G. S. D. MacMachen was born in Baltimore, Maryland, December 28, 1853, and in 1858, came to St. Joseph with his parents, and here his father, John H., is well known as a carpenter and builder. Sam. passed his boyhood days, was educated and learned his profession in this city. In 1878, he married Miss Josephine Kinsley, of St. Joseph. They have one daughter, Cristenia C. Messrs. Reese & McMachen are first-class workmen, gentlemen of the truest type, and command a large patronage.

H. C. Register

architect and builder, was born in New Hanover County, North Carolina, August 5, 1844, the place of his birth being near Moore's Creek, of Revolutionary War fame. He here spent his boyhood days on a farm, and upon reaching ^is majority in 1^61, he enlisted in Company C, Sixtysixth North Carolina, and participated at the engagements of Petersburg, Appomattox, forks of the James River and others; was wounded' May 27, 1864, after which he returned home. He learned his trade in the Mississippi Valley and Texas, doing bridge building, and came to St. Joseph in 1867, since which time he has done a large amount of work, both in the city and county. He has natural ability as a draughtsman and makes most of his designs. In 1877, he married Miss Martha J Montgomery. By this union they have one son - William Lee.

Mrs. Moranda Reid

section 27, Postofifice St. Joseph, is a daughter of Major William C. Connett, of whom mention is made elsewhere, and was born in Fayette County, Kentucky, January 20, 1828. She was there partly reared, and in Scott County, Kentucky, and was educated in the common schools, and also attended the convent at Lexington, Kentucky. In the spring of 1839, she came with her parents to Buchanan County, Missouri. April 5, 185s, she was married to Walker G. Reid, who was born August 16, 1814, in Loudoun County, Virginia. When five years of age his parents moved to Mason County, Kentucky. In 1835 he was married to Miss Lustey, who died fourteen months afterwards, and he then spent several months steamboating on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. In the spring of 1843 he married Miss Sarah Burgess, and in the spring of 1844 came to Missouri and located in Buchanan County. In 1850 he went to California and returned in 1852, and in 1854 his second wife died. By his third wife he had eight children, six now living, John, born June II, 1857; Benjamin F., born November 5, 1859; Charles W., born March 25, 1862 ; Alverda W. (known as Birtie Reid), born November 5, 1864; Gertrude G., born August 2, 1868, and Stella S., born in 1871. The farm which Mrs. R. now occupies contains three hundred acres, being mostly improved. Since the death of her husband she has carried on the iarm. She takes considerable interest in the education of her children in both science and music.

G. A. Riblet

of the firm of Niles, Riblet & Co-, proprietors of the Vulcan Machine Shop, was born in West Virginia, July 14, 1846, and there reared, educated, and learned his trade. In 1869, he came to Nebraska, and for three years conducted a blacksmith shop at Tecumseh. In 1873, he took up his abode in St. Joseph, and for six years was in the employ of the Union Foundry, after which he became one of the firm of Chase, Riblet & Co., which was changed to the' present firm name. He is an accomplished workman, and numbered among the leading iron^workers of the city. - merchant, was born in Clark County, Virginia, in 1849. Received a collegiate education at Hampden Sidney- College, in Prince Edward County, Virginia, and came to St. Joseph in 1871. Here he engaged with R. L. McDonald & Co. as stock clerk, remaining in their employ until the spring of 1874. Was then employed by Fallis, Trice & Co. as salesman. In 1876, Henderson & Co. bought out the firm of Fallis, Trice & Co., when Mr. Richardson and Mr. Wyatt took charge of the business for the company. In July, 1876, the present well known and popular firm of Townsend, Wyatt & Co. bought out the store, the business of which they have since continued to conduct. Mr. Richardson married Miss Mary C. Furguson in 1874. They have two boys, John H., and Herbert Freddie.

Thomas L. Ricketts

carpenter and builder, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, February 7, 1816, and was reared and learned his trade principally in his native city. In 1834, the subject of this sketch removed to Ohio, and in 1836 located in Indiana. For several years he was in the employ of the Madison and Indianapolis Railroad, in the car department, and in 1851 came to Holt County, Missouri, and pursued his trade until 1855, when he removed to Brownville, Nebraska, and built the first frame house in that town. He also erected a saw mill for Ben. Frazer & Co. In 1864, he came to St. Joseph, and the same year enlisted in Company C, Fortyfourth Missouri, serving one year. He participated at the battle of Spanish Fort and other engagements. In 1837, Miss Sarah J. Robinson became his wife. They have six children - Charles Wesley, John, George, Benjamin, Robert and Mary.

William Ridenbaugh

Wm. Ridenbaugh was born in Bedford, Pennsylvania, on the 19th day of February, 1821. He was apprenticed to the printing business at an early age, and learned the trade thoroughly. In 1843 he came to Liberty, Missouri, and engaged in the publication of a paper at that place. In the spring of 1845 he came to St. Joseph, and issued the first number of the first paper ever published in this city - the St. Joseph Weekly Gazette, moving his printing office from Liberty for that purpose. In August, 1852, he sold the office to Charles F. Holly, of Savannah, who subsequently sold an interest in it to Gen.. L. J. Eastin, and then bought it back again, and finally, on the nth of October, 1854, sold the office to Pfouts & Cundiff, who continued the publication of the paper until the breaking out of the rebellion. On the 28th of June, 1868, the publication of the paper was resumed by Mr. Ridenbaugh, Col. Cundiff and Peter Nugent, who continued to publish it until 1872, when the interest the former was disposed of to his son. In August, 1852, Mr. Ridenbaugh was elected to the office of Clerk of the Circuit Court, a position he held for twelve years. In November, 1870, he was re-elected to the same position, which he continued to hold up to the time of his death. He was also at one time Judge of the County Court for a brief period, and served as member of the City Council for two years. He was for years Chairman of the Democratic Central Committee, and always took an active part in the management of every political campaign. He was also twice a delegate to the Democratic National Conventions. He was for many years a Director of the Northwestern Fair Association, and at different times occupied a prominent position in almost every company that has ever been organized in St. Joseph. In 1846, Mr. Ridenbaugh was married to Miss Hannah Creal, daughter of H. S. Creal, Esq., of Wathena, who died in 1866, leaving six' children. In 1870 Mr. Ridenbaugh was again married to Mrs. Mary Baker, daughter of Major George Young, who survives him. The issue of the marriage was one son,

George. For nearly thirty years he was a citizen of St. Joseph, and his name has been identified with almost every public enterprise that contributed to its prosperity. He was the foremost in every movement that his own judgment induced him to believe was right, and adhered to his principles with a tenacity strong as life itself. Warm-hearted, impulsive, generous almost to a fault, his house was always a home for those who stood in need ; his purse was ever open for the relief of the suffering. No man who ever resided in St. Joseph has given more in public or private charity, and none ever gave more willingly. As a friend he was staunch and true to the last. A hundred acts of kindness on his part remain to be remembered in all the years to come, and the more to be remembered, probably, because they were the less deserved. He died October i8th, 1874.

Isaac Van Riley

son of Isaac V. and Matilda Riley, was born in 1830, in Montgomery County, Maryland. He was the third of a family of six children. He was raised a farmer, and educated in his native county. In 1850, he moved to Missouri, and settled in St. Joseph, where he engaged as clerk in the general store of Middleton & Riley, first in St. Joseph, and afterwards in Weston, where he remained in business about three years, at the end of which period he returned to St. Joseph. In 1858, he was elected Clerk of the County Court of Buchanan County, a position the duties of which he discharged so acceptably that, at the close of his official term, in 1862, he was again elected to the position, which he filled during another four years' term. In 1867, he took charge of the City Mills, in St. Joseph, which he continued to operate several years. In 1868, he was elected a member of the City Council of St. Joseph, serving two years. In 1874, he was, for the third time, elected Clerk of the County Court. The duties of this position he discharged with his usual ability, from January, 187S, to April of the same year, on the 24th of which month he died, after a short illness. Few men have enjoyed so large a share of personal popularity, in St. Joseph, as did Isaac Van Riley. So great was the esteem and regard in which h^ was held in the county, that the Governor was petitioned to appoint, as his successor, his son Edward V., the present popular clerk, requesting, at the same time, to defer the apointment a week or two, till he (the son) should achieve his majority, the young man, not being, at the time of his father's death, of eligible age. This, in obedience to the wish of the large number of petitioners, was done. As an evidence that none who signed his petition have had cause to regret their act, after a service of three years and nine months, Mr. Riley was elected to the office by a large majority. Isaac Van Riley was married in St. Joseph, in 1852, to Miss Frances N

Johnson, daughter of Nels^^n Johnson, Esq., of Shelbyville, Kentucky. He left four children : Edward V., above referred to, born in 1854 ; Nelson J., the present popular Deputy County Clerk, born in 1858 ; Fannie S., born in 1862, and Amos W., born in 1869.

James H. Ringo

was born in Fleming County, Kentucky, September 25, 1834. He came to Platte County, Missouri, with his father, David P. Ringo, in November, 1844, and to Buchanan County in the fall of 1845, where he has resided all the time since. By hard work, and under adverse circumstances, he received a liberal education, and at twenty years of age began teaching school, receiving his first certificate as a teacher from Judge William C. Toole, who was then Superintendent of Public Schools in Buchanan County. He was regarded as a very successful teacher, and can point to a number of young men in the county who have arrived at distinction among whom are R. H. Thomas, present Sheriff of Buchanan County ; Stephen C. Woods, a prominent lawyer of Plafte County: Dr. J. R. Woodson, now a successful practitioner at Agency, Missouri ; Benjamin Woodson, a member of the Missouri Legislature in 1880 and 1881, and O. M. Spencer, Jr., now prosecuting attorney for Buchanan County. In the capacity of teacher he was really an educator, a maker of men, as his labors in the school successfully show. June 24, 1858, he was married to Miss Sara C. Spencer, daughter of O. M. Spencer, Sr., then residing in the lower part of Buchanan County. In 1857, he began reading law, as he could spare the time from other duties, and in 1862, he removed with his family to St. Joseph, and completed his law studies with Judge Samuel Ensworth, and began the practice of law in St. Joseph, where he continued until July, 1878, when he began the publication of an evening newspaper, called the Evening Post, which was afterwards changed to the Evening Chronicle. As an editorial writer he is clear, plain, forcible and fearless. After running his paper a few months, he sold it to other parties, and took a position on the editorial staff of the St. Joseph Daily Gazette, where he continued until April, 1880, when he was elected to the office of City Register, for the City of St. Joseph, for the term of two years which he now holds. While engaged in the practice of law he was very successful, very seldom losing a case, and won many important cases in the Supreme Court of the State. To show his energy and determination in the interest of his clients, he fought one single case for seven years, reversing it three times in the Supreme Court, on account of incorrect instructions given by the Circuit Judge. Out of the number of cases he tried in the Supreme Court, the records show that he lost one. In 1874, he was selected by the Democratic Congressional Convention as chairman of the Democratic Congressional Committee, for the Ninth

Congressional District, and was successful in electing Hon. David Rea to Congress from that district, the first Democratic congressman the district had elected for fourteen years. He was prominently spoken of as a candidate for Congress from his district, but gave no encouragement to it, upon the ground that he could do the party more good as Chairman ofthe Congressional Committee than as a candidate for Congress. Under' his administration as Chairman- of the Committee, Hon. David Rea was elected to the second term by a largely increased majority over his first vote. Mr. and Mrs. R. have seven children - Martin D., Allie L., Enzie O., Samuel E., Oliver N., Lina C. and Leona B.

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. W. 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 comparatively 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, 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, ^^ 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.

William Robertson

dealer in furniture. One of the pioneer physicians of Buchanan County, and one who figured more or less prominently with the medical fraternity, 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 res'ided 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 unassuming, courteous gentleman, and commands the respect of a wide circle of acquaintances.

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 Robertson, was a machinist, and for a number of years, has been superintendent 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 machinist in the employ of the Kansas City, St. Joseph & Council Bluffs Railroad.. Upon the opening of the Glucose Works he took his present position. 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 musical education. In 1853 he emigrated to America, arriving at New York City. Soon after he went to Albany, New York, where he accepted 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.

Joseph Mr. R. has devoted the greatest part of his time to musical affairs. In 1854 he formed the St. Joseph Band, known then by everybody under the name of Rosenblatt's Band. He married March 4, 1861, Miss Minnie Cohen, a native of Bristol, England. They had eight children - Julius, born May 24, 1862; Fanny, born January i, 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 October 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 Attorney for Buchanan County. Soon after graduating he went to New England 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 permanent blindness. In 1871, not yet being able to use his eyes, he was appointed teacher of mathematics in the St. Joseph High School, a position 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 possession of knowledge or even the ability to impart it, the rare faculty of arousing in others a thirst for wisdom. An unvarying modesty of manner, 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 earnest 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 education is as yet in its infancy, and a commendable desire and readiness 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 profession of teaching be made sufficiently remunerative to retain, if possible, 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 milling 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 postal 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 Ji*ly, 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, ta 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.

O. Rust

manufacturer of well augers and drills, is a native of Oakland County,. Michigan, and was born November 21, 1828. Was there reared, educated, learned, and, afterwards conducted, the marble trade for a number 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 toproduce 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 Drilling 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 Michigan politics. Our subject was married, in 1855, 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, Kentucky, 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 Missouri 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 3M, 1828. They have had twelve children, seven of whom are living^ - Joseph H., born Novembel- 13, 1849 ; William M., born February 24, 1853 ; George A., born February 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.

George W. Samuel

was born June 4, 18 10, 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 fortune in the West, and reached Fayette, Howard County, in November,. 1828, his capital at this time being fifty cents, his mother's parting blessing, 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 voyagfe 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 proprietor, 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 i860, 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, Lafayette, 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.

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 i8i2. 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, Canada, February 24, 1838, and was there reared and educated. For a number 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 Eode, at Virginia City. After five years, he returned to Canada. 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 1 880, 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 nativie of Switzerland, and was born July 17, 1 83 1. 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 masoniy, 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 railroad 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 185 1, to Miss Francisca Tryer. They have seven children, Mollie, Sophie, Anton, Philip, Charlie, Frank and John.

Albe M. Saxton

was born near Cleveland, Ohio, February 12, 1821. He received his education at the common schools and at a private academy in Cleveland. In 1841 he went to St. Louis, but not finding the employment he expected, 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 opportunity of improving his mind and fitting himself for business. In the winter of 1841, he attended the night session of a commercial college 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 continued 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 national bank in 1865, under the title of the State National Bank, Mr. Saxton retaining the position of Cashier. In 1870 the affairs of the State National were closed up voluntarily and profitably and the State Savings 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- 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 failure. He married Mrs. Sarah li. 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 adapted 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 Tuttletown. 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 i, 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 i, 1862, he married the accomplished Miss Lucretia Price, daughter of W. A. Price, a representative business man of Savannah. 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 celebrated electoral college which had such stormy discussions over the enfranchising of the so-call'ed 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.

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, educated 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 Minnesota, and in May, 1856, took up his abode in St. Joseph. He commenced 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 blacksmith 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 Fraak.

Oscar Schramm

vinegar and cider manufacturer, was born at Culmbach, Bavaria, August 24, 1837, and came with his family in 1841 to New York city. From there he went to Circleville, Ohio, where his father, John G. Schramm, who was a merchant and vinegar manufacturer, had settled, and there he remained for two years. Thence to Chillicothe, Ohio, from which place he went with his grandparents in 1849 to Iowa, remaining one year. His father had opened a business at Burlington, Iowa, and Oscar went to this place and worked with him up to 1853, when the father died. The responsibility for the support of the family rested on Oscar, who was the oldest son, but with restless activity and energy he successfully carried on the business. In 1856 he moved to Keokuk, Iowa, where he engaged in business with his next younger brother. Having heard favorably of St. Joseph, he came here in 1859. With a limited capital, but supported by his experience and thorough knowledge of his business, he opened at once a vinegar manufactory. Soon his vinegar gained a wide reputation, and he was obliged to enlarge his business every year. From 1872 to 1876 he was a member of the City Council of St. Joseph, for two terms, and in the second year of his second term he was elected presiding officer. From June to August, during the absence of Mayor Hosea, he acted as Mayor of St. Joseph. He always used his whole influence in the interest of the city, and had the satisfaction to be rewarded by the request of the citizens of his ward to become a candidate for a third term in 1876. He married, January 12, i860, Miss Lida Cole, of Keokuk, Iowa. Her death occurred June 29, 1864. They had two childrenr Oscar Heinrich, born March 16, 1861, and Edward, born December 28, 1862. His second marriage was March 20, 1866, to Miss Carrie V. Yant, born at Louisville, Kentucky, July 17, 1839. They had eight children, Benjamin F., born June 22, 1867, died November 3, 1868 ; Katharina S., born June 14, 1869, died October 3, 1870; Wilhelm A., born November general insurance agent and notary public, was born March 30, 1837, at Wurtemberg, South Germany, where he was raised. When fifteen years old, he came with his parents to America, and arrived in 1852, at Baltimore, from which city he went to Weinsberg, Holmes County, Ohio, where he learned the trade of a shoemaker, and remained five years. In 1857, he visited the states of Minnesota, Illinois and Iowa, purchasing land in the former state. In 1861, he came to St. Joseph, and was employed in the shoe trade. When the war broke out he served three years in the enrolled militia, where he was promoted to Second Lieutent of Company B, and in August, 1864, he enlisted in the Forty-third Missouri Volunteer Regiment. After peace was declared and our subject honorably discharged, he went to DeKalb, Buchanan County, in 1866, where he remained four years, being engaged in the boot and shoe trade. In 1871, he returned to St. Joseph, and was appointed Deputy County Clerk, which position he filled for four years. In 1875, he accepted a position as Secretary of the Home Loan and Building Association. When their charter expired he engaged in the general insurance business, and became a notary public. He was married July 24, 1 861, to Miss Katharina Schott, who died April 10, 1880, leaving twelve children, John G., born May 12, 1862 ; Maria A., born December 3, 1863, died May 20, 1873; Ulrich, born February 3, 1865, died February 17, 1865; Elizabeth M., born May 4, 1866; Christopher M., born September 5, 1867, died October 10, 1867; Ellen, born .November 3, 1868; Amanda, born November 4, 1870; Laura A., born February 22, 1872; Mary A., born July 29, 1873 ; Lilly M., born February 8, 1875 ; Bertha E., born December 23, 1877; Carl U., born November 29, 1878.

William Schindler

ten years of age, spending his boyhood days on a farm and attending school. Emigrated west with his parents in 1848, and assisted his father in clearing a farm, and has made agricultural pursuits his occupation through life. During the late war he served three months in the enrolled Missouri militia. Went to California in 1868, and remained there eight years, engaged in farming, and then returned to this county and settled where he now resides, where he owns a farm of 230 acres, well improved- Was married July 3, 1863, to Miss Elizabeth Lehman, who is a native of Switzerland, and was brought to this country when about five years of age. They have had seven children, five of whom are living - Nora R., William T., Henry T., John A. and Alice A. Himself and wife are members of the Evangelical Association.

John C. Schmidt

manufacturer and dealer in boots and shoes, was born in Saxon, Germany, and when six years of age came to the United States with his parents. His father, Henry was a wagon maker, and after a six years residence in the East, the family migrated to Kansas, and soon after to St. Joseph, where John developed into manhood, learning his trade with Mr. Ernst Wenz. After this, for eight years, he was in the employ of Mr. F. Wenz. He embarked in trade October ist, 1880, and is a thoroughly drilled workman. In 1876, he married Miss Mary S. Bode, of St. Joseph. They have two children, William Heinrich and Oscar Frederick. He is a member of the Encampment I. O. O. F., Court of America No. I, Foresters, and belongs to the German Lutheran XZhurch.

George F. Sch.Effer

dealer in general merchandise, was born March 27, 1842, in Alcis, near Strausburg, Germany, which at that time belonged to France. His father, Jacob, emigrated with his family to Canada, when George was eleven years of age, residing there until 1865, when he came to the United States, locating in Pennsylvania. In the autumn of 1869, he came to St. Joseph. For two years was connected with Charles Burri. In the autumn of 187 1, he embarked in trade, which has rapidly and solidly increased, his store being commodious and the stock complete in all its appointments. Was married in 1871, to Miss Pauline Klink, of Buchanan County. They have four children - Henry, Annie, Albert and Nellie.

and at the age of eleven years removed to Pennsylvania, thence to Virginia and Ohio, locating with his parents in St. Joseph in the autumn of 1872. His father, Phillip Schroer, was also a cooper, and was engaged in trade, and J. A. became his partner in 1876. They are both skilled workmen, and in everything in cooperage do a good business. He married Mary Wurthner, of New York, an estimable lady^ They have one daughter, Esther Annie.

W. W. Scott

of the firm of W. W. Scott & Co., gravel, slate and iron roofers, was born in Ontario, Canada, August 12, 1843, and when sixteen years of age he came to Chicago and learned the roofing business. In i860 he went to California, and in 1861 enlisted in Company A, First California cavalry. He passed through the usual routine of promotion and was mustered out as First Lieutenant. He then returned to Chicago and up to 1872 was engaged in the tobacco and cigar trade, was burnt out, which proved very disastrous financially. He next engaged in the roofing business and in the autumn of 1873 located in Topeka, Kansas. Came to St. Joseph in the spring of 1875, where he has since been actively engaged in his present business. He is an experienced workman and commands a large trade, not only in St. Joseph but adjoining towns. He is a Master Mason and member of the Chapter.

Charles Seaman

dealer in stoves, tinware, groceries and notions, was born in Birmingham, England, March 24, 1830, and there he was reared, educated and learned the tinner's trade. In 1853, he emigrated to New York, where for fifteen years he was manager of the tinware factory of Musgrove & Young. Then formed a partnership with a gentleman, and engaged in trade ; but in a short time, found that he had been basely and systematically swindled, and was obliged to quit business, with limited resources. In 1870, he drifted west, taking up his residence in St. Joseph, July 2d, and in September engaged in business. In tin roofing and general work he has attained considerable celebrity. At the Buchanan County Agricultural Exposition, in 1874, he was awarded a silver medal for superior workmanship. Recommendations from prominent houses in England and America, indicate that he is a master of his profession. Commenced life a poor boy, and although meeting with many drawbacks, has, by industry and perseverance, secured a competency. Mr. S. was married in Englandy to Miss Emma Shaw. They have had six children, two of whom are living - Charles H. and Elizabeth C. Is a Mason and Knight of Homor.

John Sebus

IS a native of Platte County, Missouri, and was born in Weston June 24, 1856. He was there raised, educated and resided, until 1879, spending Tiis early days in tilling the soil. In the summer of 1879, he engaged in trade, in St. Joseph, with Mr. Danckmeyer. He is a young man, of good business qualifications, and commands the respect of his fellow citizens. He was married in June, 1879, to Miss Christena Thinnes. They have one daughter, Olga Mary. His father is still a resident of Weston. At .an early age he used to transfer goods from Leavenworth to Weston by -ox team. He is well known among the first settlers of Northwestern Missouri.

H. J. Skip

of the firm of H. J. Seip & Co., wholesale and retail dealers in hard and soft coal, was born in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, in 1842, and in 1859, came to St. Joseph, where he has since been actively engaged in various pursuits. For a number of years he was in the employ of the United States Express Company, after which, until 1868, he was clerk for the Hannibal Packet Company. In that year he embarked in his present business, and until 1872 was agent for the Central Coal and Mining Company, when the present company was organized, which comprises Mr. Seip, J. S. Hughes, W. D. Rankin, of Richmond, Mo., and S. W. Slayden, of the same place. They do the largest wholesale and retail trade in Northwest Missouri, tneir trade extending into the Far West and north into Iowa. He is a Master Mason, companion of the Royal Arch Chapter and Knight Templar, also a member of the Knights of Honor, A. O. U. W., and the I. O. O. F.

M. Shannon

was born in County Tipperary, Ireland, November i, 1833. His father, James Shannon, was a miller by occupation, and brought up his son to that calling. In 1853, Mr. M. Shannon came to America, locating, for a time, in Philadelphia, and then to Lacon, Marshall County, Illinois, where, for fifteen years, he superintended two large flouring mills. He afterwards went to Kansas City, residing there one year, when he took charge of the Perry Mill, at Weston, in Platte County, conducting the same two years. He came to St. Joseph in January, 1876, \vhere he has since been in the milling business with R. T. Davis, having the entire charge of the mill. He owns a house and lot, corner Third and Isabelle Streets. He has been twice married : First, in April, 1853, to Miss Bridget Downey, a native of the Emerald Isle. She died in January, 1870, and left a family of eight children : James T., Maggie, Annie, William,

'Lizzie and George, living, and two deceased: Ellen and John. His second wife was Liddie A. Biggs, by whom he has five children : Liddie, Lucy and Kate, living; and Charles and Henry, deceased. Mr. S. was baptized in the Catholic Church, and his family are also members of that denomination. During the persecution in England his forefathers worshiped with the same body.

William H. Sherman

was born at Homer, Michigan, in 1844. His ancestors, for several generations, lived in Connecticut and Vermont. He received a classical education and was graduated from the law department of Michigan University in 1863. He mov^d to Missouri in 1*865, ^rid for eighteen months was editor of the Herald and of the Union, newspapers in St. Joseph, and was at the same time deputy and acting clerk of the Supreme Court. Mr. Sherman was in 1867 elected City Attorney for St. Joseph, and for some years subsequently served as City Counsellor. He has been a zealous and diligent student in his profession, aiming- to deserve a respectable standing among his professional brethren. His efforts have been crowned with success, and he ranks with the representative lawyers of Northwest Missouri. In 1880 he was elected judge of this judicial circuit.

Willis M. Sherwood

is a native of Orleans County, New York, born November 15, 1818, and - was there raised and educated. His father, John, was a farmer, and Willis' early days were spent in agricultural pursuits. At an early age he determined to become a physician, and with that object in view, attended the Livingstown County Academy, also the West Lynn Seminary, and for a few years attended the Crosby Street Medical College, New York. In 1839, he went South for a short period, and again in 1843, when he located in Duplin County, North Carolina, where he practiced for fifteen years. In 1857, he came North, locating in Otoe City, Nebraska, where he was Postmaster one year, when he became a resident of St. Joseph. After coming to this city, was appointed Justice of the Peace, and served one year, and it is conceded by those who know, that he did the largest business in the city ever done by one official. During the war he was appointed First Quartermaster of the state troops in the Northwest, with the rank of First Lieutenant. Served in this capacity until the disbanding of the state troops, when he enlisted, and was assigned the duty of Quartermaster Assistant by General Benjamin Loan, under Colonel George H. Hall. After the war he was a candidate for Clerk of Courts, was elected, and while serving his term of two years was ousted from the office, caused by a party clause in the Constitution ; was re-appointed by the Governor ; served his term, and was re-elected ^ for four years. During his occupancy of the Clerk's office, was also Clerk of Probate Court. During the war he was also a stockholder in the St. Joseph Union, and his pon was wielded with a will in defense of the Union cause. He has frequently been called to Jefferson City as a juror in the United States Court, and has been honored by the foremanship. On the 28th of May, 1875, as a testimonial of their esteem, the Buchanan County bar tendered him a license to practice. In educational affairs Mr. Sherwood has always been among the foremost, and to him the citizens of St. Joseph are indebted to a considerable extent for its well appointed and flourishing schools. Religiously he is a Presbyterian, in which church he has been an active worker for fifty years. In him the Sabbath Schools have always found a willing and powerful assistant. Was married in 1844, to Miss Charlotte C. Hall, of New York, daughter of Samuel B. Hall. They have five children - M. K., Willis H., David F., Mary G. and Ella G.

Col. N. Y. Selleck

manager of the Glucose Works, was born in Utica, New York, Jan. 5, 1832, and when quite young removed to Cleveland, Ohio, where he was raised to manhood and educated. For a time he was a resident of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. On the i6th of April, l86i, he tendered his services to the Union cause, and served during the war. He was military agent for the State of Wisconsin, and afterwards was inspector of military hospitals and prisons of the East, receiving his appointment from E. M. Stanton. Was also for a term in active service on the field. Colonel Selleck has always been devoted to the Union cause, and since the war has not been lost sight of by those who control the affairs of the country. In 1869 he was consul to Europe, and for four years was quartered at Bradford, England, after which he spent one year in London. Returned to his native country in 1875, and for a number of years has given the business he now pursues his entire attention. For several years he was interested in . the grape sugar and glucose business at Buffalo, New York. He came to St. Joseph in 1880 and took the management and an interest in the works. He married in 1857 Miss M. E. Smith, of New York. They have two children, C. Y. and Adelade.

John Seyfried

was born in Germany, in 1848, and there received a good education. He came to America, in 1873, landing in New York May 3, and from thence came direct to St. Joseph, Missouri. He remained there two years, and then went to the South, and returned in 1878. He was married, in 1873, to Sophia Zimmerer. They had one child. His wife and child died in 1874. He was again married in 1878, to Mrs. Minnie Ackleman. He is a Mason, and an Encampment member of the Odd Fellows Order. He also belongs to the Ancient Order of Druids.

Charles H. Shultz

of the firm of Shultz & Hosea, wholesale dealers in foreign and domestic hardware, is a native of Ohio. He emigrated to St. Joseph in 1865. In 1877, the above named partnership was formed. Their business has increased, and is of such magnitude as to require rooms 60x140 feet, three stories high, with basement under entire building. They give employment to sixty-five men. In addition to the above they manufacture tin ware and run a retail store at No. 108 South Fourth Street. The room is 20x120 feet, four stories high, with basement. Both branches are producing very satisfactory results.

William Seidenfaden

undertaker, was born September 10, 1829, at Koelleda, Prussia, and there received his school education and learned the trade of cabinet maker- Then he served two years in the Prussian army, and after being honorably discharged, he opened in business. In 1855 he emigrated to America and visited New York and Chicago and from there came to St. Joseph in 1857. Here he embarked in the furniture business in 1861, which he carried on successfully for five years. In 1866 he sold out and engaged exclusively in the undertaking business, giving it his entire attention and energy. He was married December 3, 1861, to Miss Emilie Hunderle. They have seven children. William, born November 24, 1863 ; Emma, born November i^, 1865 ; Joseph, born November i, 1867 ; Edward, born January 4, 1869 ; Herrmann, born October 18, 1873 > Henry, born May 18, 1876 ; Frank, born January 13, 1879.

was born in Surry County, North Carolina, on the 17th day of March, 1830. His father's name was Peter Pruett Simmons. His mother's maiden name was Nancy Armstrong. His father was well off, owned an iron works, and was a merchant. His parents came to Missouri in 1841. His father died August, 1841, and his mother April, 1842. He had four sisters living then : Mary A., Sarah J., Martha D ancl Senah N. All are now living in Nebraska. He also had five brothers : Hugh A., Peter P. (who died, in 1865, in this city), James I. and Thomas A. He was married to Miss Lucy A. Holbert, in Platte County, Missouri,. May 12, 1853. Of this union he has had four daughters, and one little granddaughter. In the order of their birth, his children's names are : Flora L., now Mrs.

Jas. S. Blount, Mary E., Nannie A., and Clara Lavinia. All are now living with him, in St. Joseph. He received a collegiate education at Chapel Hill College, Lafayette County, Missouri. He studied medicine, and commenced practicing in 1855. Moved to Cass County, Nebraska, in 1856. Moved to Rochester, Andrew County, Missouri, April 26, 1864. March 12, 1879, moved to St. Joseph, Missouri, where he now lives. While living at Rochester, he was one of the founders of, and President of the Andrew County Medical Society. He is a member of the District Medical Association of Northwest Missouri ; was one of its Vice Presidents, and represented it in the American Medical Association, that met in Farwell Hall, Chicago, Illinois, in 1877, where 760 representative men convened from all the States, and from Canada. He was a member of the State Medical Association, and was one of the founders and incorporators of the College of Physicians and Surgeons, of this city, and Professor of Physiology and Diseases of the Nervous System, and Clinical Lecturer on the General Diseases of Women, for nearly two years, in this institution. After severing his connection with this school, last January, he became one of the organizers and incorporators of the Northwestern Medical College, and is now President of, and Professor of the Theory and Practice of Medicine, in this college. While living at Rochester, he urged the necessity of the publication of a medical journal in this city, and partly through his influence the St. Jos^h Medical and ^Surgical Reporter was started, edited by Dr. J. P. Chesney, in July, 1880. He contributed to this journal articles upon cerebral anaemia of infants, headaches, and about doctors. He has been a large contributor to other medical journals, upon various subjects, and has been an active worker in the transactions of all the medical societies with which he has been connected. He has by earnest work and constant study endeavored to keep well up with the progress of the profession.. He is extensively acquainted throughout the Northwest and with the rise and progress of the Platte Purchase. He saw this city rise from an Indian trading post, a mere village, and attire herself in the beauty and master mechanic for the St. Joseph & Western Railroad Company, is a native of Pennsylvania, and was born in Wilkesbarre, Luzerne County, April II, 1833. He received the benefits of the contimon schools, and attended Danas academy six months. He was employed for a time as brakeman on the Pennsylvania Coal Company Railroad. In 1852 he was rodman on the survey of the Northern Pennsylvania 'Railroad. He learned the machinist trade in the shops of the Beaver Meadow Railroad, and in 1854 the West attracted his attention and he came to

Springfield, Illinois, and afterwards to Alton. Returning East in 1856, he was in tllle employ of the Lake Shore Railroad at White Haven in 1857; came West again, and in 1858 located in St. Joseph, and was employed on the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad as engineer, continuing until 1861, when he was for a time connected with the Platte Country Railroad. From that time until 1871 he was assistant master mechanic of the Hannibal & St. Joseph. In that year he joined his present company. Mr. 'Sleppy is a finished workman and keeps pace with tho mechanical world. He is one of the original stockholders and vicepresident of the St. Joseph Steam Printing Company, one of the most creditable industries in the city. He is also a member of the firm of E. Davis & Co., druggists, corner Tenth and Olive. For two terms he was a member of the St. Joseph school board. Miss C. Balentine, of Pennsylvania, became his wife. By this union they have six children, E. W., Emma C, Mary F., Willie E., Carrie, Nellie M. »

Frederick W. Smith

-was born in Prussia, October 3, 1815. - He received his early education in his native town, and afterwards entered a military academy, where he was engaged as a civil engineer. When eighteen years of age he emigrated to. America. Landing in New York in 1833, he remained there almost a year, and then removed to New Orleans, where he was employed in a cotton press. Owing to the breaking out of yellow fever in that city, he embarked on the Mississippi River, and came to St. Louis, where soon after his arrival he was appointed Deputy City Surveyor. In 1838, or 1839, he left St. Louis for the Platte Purchase, and. settled at Blacksnake Hills (now St. Joseph). Here he engaged in farming and surveying, having made the original maps of St. Joseph, and nartied it after the founder of the city, Joseph Robidoux. Mr. Smith pre-empted 160 acres of land, upon which the city now stands, and which has been divided and subdivided and sold at different times. Mr. Smith was a Captain of the militia for a number of years, and was afterwards made a Major of the State Volunteers. He was appointed the first Postmaster of the City of St. Joseph. In 1861, he was elected Mayor of the City. His last office was that of Judge of the Buchanan County Court, his term ending in 1876. He married Miss Jane Tolin, of Davis County, Missouri, in 1843. They have three children, Frederick, Augustus M., and a daughter, the wife of John A. Duncan, of Kansas City.

O. M. Smith

was very successful, gaining the confidence and good will of the people iby his fair dealing and affable manners. He continued in business for :seventeen years, being one of the few who did so uninterruptedly through ithe war. He sold out his business in 1878, since which period he has .devoted his time to real estate transactions, the settling of estates, ;as administrator, and various other kinds of business. He has accumulated a competency, has a fine house, hosts of friends, and enjoys the confidertce and respect of his neighbors. He married Miss Jane E. Ivery, in St. Joseph, May 27, 1862. She was from Cambria County, Pennsylvania. They have one daughter, Mary C, born September 13, 1864.

C. D. Smith

Tvas born in Virginia, April 22, 1807, and emigrated to Boohville, Cooper County, Missouri, in 1838, where he worked at tanning for two years. He then moved to the neighborhood of Otterville, where he carried on tanning, making a new and complete tan yard, which he operated for about twelve years. In 1856 he quit the tanning business and went to farming. He remained on a farn/ until 1869, when he sold out and moved to Otterville, where he lived with his son-in-law, Mr. T. V. Ellis, nearly twelve years. During 1861 he took to his bed with chronic rheumatism, and was not out of bed for three years. Ever since he has walked on -crutches. He sustained loss by the war, in negroes and stock, to the of about $2,000. His son, C. Q. Smith, was in the Confederate service about two years, and was under General Cockerel, and taken prisoner and put in prison at St. Lous. His sister, Mrs. Ellis, secured his release. Mr. Smith was married November, 1835, to Miss Mary A. Thompson, a native of Virginia. She had seven children, one died in infancy. The others are alive and doing well, and all married except the youngest daughter. He is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and has donated toward building several churches. He has never regretted moving to Missouri, where he has had nothing to encounter except that which is incident to pioneer life. Mr. Smith, although a cripple, is cheerful and happy, truly resigned to his condition, and does jiot utter a single complaint.

A. T. Smith

-of the firm of Smith, Frazer & Co., wholesale dealers in boots and shoes, was born August 14, 1839, in Cooper County, Missouri. Up to the age of fifteen he worked on a farm and in a tanyard. In 1866, he commenced clerking for H. K. Judd & Co., and in 1869 engaged, in the wholesale boot and shoe business. Mr. Smith married Miss Louise Wise, a native of Missouri, May 13, 1873. She was born in St. Louis, December 25,

1848, and was raised in San Francisco, California. They have one child" - George A., born September 6, 1878. Mrs. S. is a member of the Episcopal Church. Mr. Smith has assisted liberally in building churches and school houses. He lost considerably by the late war. He has all through life extended a helping hand to the needy and unfortunate. Mr. Smith is one of the fortunate business men of St. Joseph, starting out in life a poor boy. He has achieved a success in business which ranks him financially with the representative wholesale merchants of the city.

J. M. Smith

of the firm of J. M. Smith & Co., dealers in staple and fancy groceries,, foreign and domestic fruits and Dozier & Weyl Cracker Co. crackers and fancy buiscuits, was born in Virginia in 183^, where he received good common school advantages. Emigrated to Indiana in 1854, locating in Perryyjlle, Vermillion County. Here he followed general merchandising. From thence he moved to Terre Haute in 1876, and traveled for Hulman & Cox, wholesale grocers. In 1880, he emigrated tO' St. Joseph and engaged in the above named business, in a room 22x140- feet, two stories high and cellar, giving employment to five men. At. the breaking out of the civil war he enlisted in the One Hundred and Fifteenth Indiana. Volunteer Infantry, under Colonel Lew Wallace- Entering the service as a private, he came out as first lieutenant on General Smith's staff Was in the service two and a half years. He has five children living and doing well : Harry A., Lewis W., Lenora, Doyne and Kate H. Is a Mason and Knight of Pythias.

A. M. Smith & Co

proprietors of Excelsior Soap Works and manufacturers of Turkish- White, and other celebrated brands of soap. Among the representative manufacturing industries of the Northwest, the above firm occupies a front rank. It is composed of Dr. A. M. Smith, of Nebraska City, and L. L. McBride, of St. Joseph. The latter is thoroughly conversant with the soap trade, and has charge of the works. The superiority of their celebrated Turkish White, and toilet brands is well known far and near,, and their trade is constantly on the increase, extending throughout the adjoining states and territories. Few enterprises in St. Joseph are more favorably known abroad.

G. T. Smith

dealer in White sewing machines, was born in Muskingum, Ohio, June 20, 1846. His father, Thomas, was an agriculturist and a native of the Buckeye State. When G. T. was in his tenth year he removed with his; parents to Cincinnati, where he resided until 1864, when he enlisted in Company I, Eleventh Ohio Cavalry. Was in the Army of the Plains, at Ft. Laramie and other points in the West, serving until July, 1866, when he was honorably discharged. Returning to Ohio, he located in Vinton County, and for five years was engaged in merchandising at Eagle Mills. Thence he removed to Hamilton, Caldwell County, Missouri, where he was engaged in the furniture business until 1877, when he came to St. Joseph, and has since been engaged in the sewing machine business. He controls four counties, and being a first-class salesman, combined with the unquestioned merits of the White machine, does a large business. Was married, in 1872, to Miss C. E. Bray, of Ohio. They have had four children, three of whom are living: Melville, Alice and Clyde. Nora died in August, 1874. Mr. S. is a member of the I. O. O. F., and also the A. O. U. W.

of the firm of F. L. Sommer & Co., manufacturers of fine crackers and confectionery, and wholesale dealers in fruits, nuts, etc., was born and received his elementary and business education in West Virginia. He left his native home in 1869, and settled in St. Joseph. His first experience there was in the capacity of clerk for the firm of Townsend & Wood, in whose employ he remained till 1873, when he first attempted his present business, then on a comparatively small scale. Few men in legitimate business in the West have met with more signal and rapid success. The building occupied by the sales room, office and ware rooms .includes four stories and measures forty by one hundred and fortj^ feet. The factory, which also includes four floors, is sixty by one hundred and forty feet. It affords employment to from seventy-five to one hundred hands, exclusive of the twelve traveling men constantly on the road. The business of this house amounted in 1873, to $50,000. In 1880, the same amounted to $400,000. It extends over a great part of Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Texas and Dakota Territory. The firm manufactures its own packing boxes and barrels ; this department of the business alone affording constant employment to eight men. In, 1873, F. L. Sommer was married to Miss Carrie Finger. They have had four children, three of whom are living.

Philip Sommer

is a popular representative of the drug trade in St. Joseph. He is a Virginian by birth, and became proficient in pharmacy in the City of Wheeling. His store is centrally located, and he being the most genial of gentlemen, does a lucrative business. He is a member, of the I. O.. 0. F.

was born June 22, 18 18, in Schoharie County, New York, where he was raised. In 1849, he went to Albany, and there became connected with a railroad company as pattern maker, car builder, and also in locomotive work. In 1854, he went to Bloomington, Illinois, where he carried on the same business for two years. Attracted by the news of the West,, he went to Geary. City, Kansas, where he staid one year. In 1857, he came to St. Joseph, and opened the Merchants' Hotel, which he conducted with great success. In 1878, he sold out to Mr. Wagner, who changed the name of the hotel to Atlantic Hotel, and Mr. S. retired from business. He was married in 1835, to Miss Charlotte Amy Riltse, of New York. They have had twelve children, Gertrude L. born October 22, 1836, married S. L. Bean, August i, 1854, and died July 22, 1868 ; Charlotte M., born May 12, 1839, married George Fanning, July 12, i860 ; Irvin J. born June' 16, 1842 ; Alzina, born September 7, 1844, died May 27, 1847; Alvina, born November 6, 1847, married to George H. Packard, December 30, 1879; Anliza, born September 7, 1851, died May 10, 1852; Estela and Arbel, twins, born June 10, 1855, Estela died October 12, and Arbel died November S, 1855 ; Howard, born September 2, 1858, August 2, 1859 > Adia and Idea, twins, born May 8, i860, both died 18, i860; Emma, born August 7, 1862, died May 12, 1863.

foreman and manager of F. L. Sommer & Co.'s Cracker Factory, is a native of Pennsylvania, and was born in Philadelphia July 16, 1853. At an early age he remove with his parents to Wheeling, Virginia, residing there for a number of years, and also, for a time, lived in Columbus, Ohio. In 1868, he became a resident of St. Joseph. He was married, in 1876, to Miss Eliza Bowen. They have two children, Beatrice and (Gertrude.

Oscar Sorge

"baker and dealer in groceries, is a native of Saxon, Germany, and was born August 12, 1829. He was there reared, educated and learned the harness making trade, and came to America in 1854, locating in New Jersey, where he resided two years ; thence to Illinois, locating in Whitesides County, for a time, after which he came to Farmington, Van Buren County, Iowa, and there lived until 1861. He enlisted in Company B, Third Iowa Cavalry, was elected sergeant, and passed through the usual routine of promotion and was honorably discharged as First Lieutenant. He participated in the battles of Pea Ridge, Helena (Arkansas), and all Ihe principal engagements of the Potomac, and served until the rebel- lion was suppressed. He returned to St. Louis and then went to Trenton, Grundy County, Missouri, and engaged in the hotel business, keeping the Bismarck House for four years ; also kept the Palace Hotel at Gallatin, Missouri. He next engaged in the hotel business at Atchison, Kansas, and was burned out, which proved disastrous financially. Came to St. Joseph in January, 1880, worked at the harness making trade for Mr. Landis and Mr. Haspel, and in June, 1880, engaged in trade. He was married in 1857 to Miss Elizabeth Shaffer. They have seven children, Annie, Bertha, Lena, Dora, Minnie, Laura, and Blanche. Mr. S. was an Encampment Odd Fellow, and was a charter member of Grand River Lodge No. 53, of Trenton, Missouri.

engineer with Louis Hax, was born in Orleans County, New York, October 12, 1838, and there raised to manhood, educated, and learned the carpenter trade. Darius, his father, also pursued that vocation. In 1864, our subject removed to Grand Rapids, Michigan. Being of a mechanical turn of mind, he adapted himself to and learned engineering. After remaining three years, he located at Whitewater, Wisconsin, in the capacity of engineer in the paper mill, which was soon after demolished by fire, when, upon its being rebuilt, Mr. S. took the same position, and remained in Whitewater four years. In 1871, he went to Nebraska, and engage in farming, which undertaking proved somewhat disastrous, on account of the grasshoppers. In 1875, he came to this city, but previous to coming here, was engineer in a mill at Hiawatha. He has been in the employ of L. Hax for five years. In May, 1869, he was married to Miss Jennie M. Penny, of Whitewater, Wisconsin. They have one child, J. D., and one adopted. Amy Belle. Mr. S. is a member of the I. O. O. F.

blacksmith, was born in Medina, New York, September 27, 1836, and was there reared, educated and learned the blacksmith's trade. In 1864, lie went to Grand Rapids, Michigan, and for four years worked as a journeyman, after which he returned to New York and for several years did business in Medina. Was also for a couple of years in Knowlesville. Came to St. Joseph in December, 1880, engaging in trade. Is a practical workmen in all branches. Was married, in 1859, to Miss J. P. Morgan, of New York. They have one daughter, Minnie.

J. L. Spalding

engineer on the K. C, St. J. & C. B. R. R., was born in Claremont, Sullivan County, New Hampshire, August 30, 1833. His father, Sanford Spalding, was a hxmex in that state, and his grandfather, Dyer Spalding, was a Lieutenant in the Revolutionary War, under Ethan Allen. Our subject, when seventeen years of age, commenced railroading as fireman on the Vermont Central, continuing until 1853, the latter part of the time being engineer. In that year he came to Ohio, and engaged as an engineer in the construction of the Ohio Central Railroad for eighteen months. In the fall of 1854, he went on the C, R. I. & P. R. R., and in 1855 we find him with the Illinois Central as engineer, and with this company he remained for over a quarter of a century, being in their employ until March, 1881. Then commenced work for the K. C, St. J. & C. B. R. R. Although but a short time in St. Joseph, Mr. S. has gained the esteem of all who have formed his acquaintance. Was married in i860, to Miss Ruth Hiles, a native of England. They have one son - James S. - a promising young man, who is a telegraph operator, at Amboy, Illinois. Mr. S. is a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, and is a Master Mason.

Spalsbury Bros

dealers in stoves, tinware and hardware. O. M. Spalsbury is a native of New York, and was born in 1849. At an early age he removed from the Empire State to Michigan, where he. was raised and educated. In 1863, for a time, he was a resident of Chicago, after which he emigrated to Kansas, coming to St. Joseph in 1865, and has since principally made it his home. For a time he was in the lumber trade at Hiawatha, Kansas, and Maryville, Missouri. In the autumn of 1877 he engaged in his present business. He is a member of the Mason's Blue Lodge. E. A. Spalsbury is a native of Jefferson County, New. York, and was born in 1855. ,He came to Missouri with his parents, taking up his abode in St. Joseph, and here he was raised and educated. He is numbered among the popular and promising young men of the city.

James M. Spangler

foreman with R. K. Allen, was born in Clay County, Missouri, March 24, 1845. His father, William H. was among the early settlers in the state, and of Clay County. Our subject was raised and learned his trade in Ray, Andrew and DeKalb Counties. He was a resident of Savannah and Andrew County, for thirteen years. In 1863, he enlisted in the Union cause in Company M, Ninth Missouri Cavalry, serving in the capacity of Corporal for two years. In 1879, he took up his residence in St. Joseph, and has since been in the employ of R. K. Allen. He is one of the most thoroughly skilled workmen in the city, and favorably known among the mechanics. He was married in 1865, to Miss Agnes Elliott, of Savannah. They have four children, Charles E., Carrie, Gertrude and Louie. Mr. S. is a member of the I. O. O. F.