Biography of Dunham O. Munson, M. D.

Dunham O. Munson, M. D., is one of the leading specialists of Southeastern Kansas. He has practiced at Pittsburg upwards of twenty years, and while the earlier part of his practice was devoted to general medicine and surgery, for the past five years he has given his time exclusively to the diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat. He is a man of splendid attainments in his profession and undoubtedly inherits much from his fine old Ameriean ancestry. He was born at Brockport, New York, June 27, 1859, but a part of his early life was spent in Ontario, … Read more

Biography of Fred G. Christmann

Fred G. Christmann, president of the Christmann Veneer & Lumber Company of St. Louis, organized the business in 1917 and through the intervening period has built up a trade of very gratifying proportions. He is a young man of determination, energy and ambition, alert and enterprising and he never stops short of the successful accomplishment of his purpose nor have his methods ever been called in question. He builds along constructive lines in the attainment of success and has therefore won a creditable name as well as gratifying prosperity. Born in St. Louis on the 21st of July, 1887, he … Read more

Biography of Charles E. Schaff

Charles E. Schaff, receiver for the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad Company, was born on a farm in Licking county, Ohio. February 4, 1856. He is a son of the late Isaac M. Schaff, who was also born in the Buckeye state and represented one of the old families there of Dutch descent. In early life the father engaged in agricultural pursuits and later turned his attention to railroading, becoming connected with the train service of various roads. He passed away in Carroll county, Missouri, in 1888, aged fifty-seven years, having become a resident of Missouri four years before. He … Read more

Biography of Henry Louis Dausman A.M., Ph.D., M.D.

Dr. Henry Louis Dausman, a physician and surgeon of St. Louis, his native city, was born January 18, 1855. His father, the late Henry Dausman, was a native of Germany but was brought by his parents to America when only two years of age, the family home being established on a farm near Evansville, Indiana. There Henry Dausman was reared, pursuing his education in nearby schools and after reaching a working age learned the tobacco business, thoroughly acquainting himself with that task. In 1850 he became associated in tobacco manufacturing in connection with John E. Liggett under the firm style … Read more

Biography of L. U. Gaston

L. U. Gaston, Chief of Police of Bartlesville, Washington county, Oklahoma, was born in Neosho, Kansas, October 13, 1873, a son of James Monroe and Laodicea (Smith) Gaston, both of whom were natives of Illinois. His father was a farmer of Kansas and followed that occupation to the time of his death, which occurred in 1877. His wife died in 1895. Mr. Gaston attended the public schools of Neosho county, Kansas, during his early boyhood and when his school days were over he engaged in the livery business, which he followed for a few years. He then removed to St. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Ernest Lucas

Ernest Lucas, secretary of the Rubelmann-Lucas Hardware Company of St. Louis, was born in Gasconade county, Missouri, on the 2d of February, 1860, and is a son of George and Amelia (Prosch) Lucas. He supplemented his public school education by study in Johnson’s Business College and thus qualified for the active and responsible duties of life. He started upon his business career as a salesman in his father’s grocery store in 1877 and after three years’ preliminary training there of a thorough character he came to St. Louis in 1880 and entered the employ of Rubelmann & Company, hardware dealers, … Read more

Benedict, Wicktorya Louise – Obituary

Wicktorya Louise Benedict, 90, of Union, died March 21 at a local care facility. There will be no public services, but those who wish may contribute to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Everyone is invited to sign the on-line guestbook at www.danielsknopp.com. Mrs. Benedict was born Jan. 1, 1918, the daughter of Henry and Sophie Patrick in St. Louis. She married Benjamin S. Benedict, a Navy retiree, on June 8, 1948, in Honolulu. They owned a ranch in Canada until moving to Cove in 1980. In 1992 they moved to Union. She loved her family, crocheting and cooking. Survivors include her … Read more

Biography of Samuel Sondheimer

Samuel Sondheimer is a well known and prominent figure in mercantile circles of Muskogee as a partner in the firm of Joseph Sondheimer’s sons. He was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on the 21st of January, 1871, a son of Joseph Sondheimer who passed away July 10, 1913, at the age of seventy-three years, and who was the first merchant of Muskogee. At the time of his demise the Muskogee Times Democrat published the following interesting review of his life. “Joseph Sondheimer, the oldest citizen of Muskogee in point of years of residence and the pioneer merchant of this city, … Read more

Biography of Edwin H. Wagner

Edwin H. Wagner, of the firm of Edwin H. Wagner & Company, certified public accountants of St. Louis, was born in Laramie City, Wyoming, October 6, 1873, a son of Henry and Susan (Cantwell) Wagner. The father’s birth occurred in Ohio and during the Civil war he served with the Halleck Guards and participated in the siege of Jackson and other important engagements that led up to the final victory that crowned the Union arms. The mother was a grandniece of General Joseph Warren, who commanded -the troops at Bunker Hill, where he gave his life for the cause of … Read more

Biographical Sketch of George Godfrey

George Godfrey lived at Ritford, England. His son Peter married Dorothea Learey, of England, by whom he had Thomas, John, Edward, George, Charles, and Mary. Thomas came to America and settled in Canada. John went to California, and died on his return to England. Edward lives in Mercer County, Pa. George married Mary Ostick, of England, and settled in Pittsburg, Pa., in 1830, in St. Louis in 1836, and in Montgomery County, where Jonesburg now stands, in 1838. His children are Mary A., George, Edward, William O., John W., Henry M., and James A. Mary A. married Rev. George Smith, … Read more

Biography of Hon. Granville Hogan

When the city boy crosses swords with the country lad in the struggle for ascendency, the odds are against him. There is something in the daily habits of the farm bred boy-the early rising, the necessity to make each blow tell-which develops in him a sturdiness and determination that count as most forceful factors in the world’s work when coupled with persistency and laudable ambition. This statement finds verification in the life record of Hon. Granville Hogan, judge of the circuit court of St. Louis, who was born October 20, 1878, at Merrimac, Kentucky, a son of the late Thomas … Read more

Biography of Myron M. Buck

Myron M. Buck was born in Shortsville, Ontario county, New York, January 16, 1835. His ancestors settled in central New York, when the state was wild and uncultivated, his maternal grandfather, Theophilus Short, in whose honor Shortsville, New York, was named, having been a member of the “Old Holland Land Purchase Company,” and prominent in every way in the affairs of the community. Attracted by the fertility of the soil in this undeveloped district, the company purchased a large portion of central New York. They at once proceeded to establish homes for the pioneers who were the leading spirits. The … Read more

Biography of George R. Wendling, Jr.

George R. Wendling, Jr., of the Myers-Wendling Insurance Company of St. Louis, was born March 9, 1894, in Bloomington, Illinois. His father, George R. Wendling, was also a native of Illinois, his birth having occurred in Shelby county. He became a prominent attorney of that state and was a member of a constitutional convention of 1870 which framed the organic law of the commonwealth and had the distinction of being the youngest representative in that body, as he was only twenty-five years of age when elected. He won wide popularity as a lecturer as well as distinction in law practice. … Read more

Biography of Edward C. Stuart

Edward C. Stuart, starting upon his banking career as clerk in the First National Bank of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, is now the vice president of the First National Bank of St. Louis, one of the largest and strongest financial institutions of the Mississippi valley. Advancement came to him in recognition of his worth and ability in his chosen field of labor. He has ever made it his purpose thoroughly to master any task entrusted to him and as power grows through the exercise of effort he has become a strong factor in financial circles of his adopted city. He was … Read more

Biography of Newton W. Amos, M. D.

Dr. Newton W. Amos, a physician of St. Louis, was born at Cape Girardeau, Missouri, January 26, 1867. His father, Adam Amos, was a native of Alsace Lorraine and came to America in 1856, making his way direct to Cape Girardeau county, Missouri, where he built the first blacksmith shop of the place. There he resided until 1871 when he removed to Smithville, Bollinger county, and in 1873 he removed to Poplar Bluff, Missouri, where afterward he established his home in Allenville, Cape Girardeau county, Missouri, his death there occurring in 1875. During the Civil war he was a member … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Robert E. Colyer, D. C., PH. C.

Dr. Robert E. Colyer, who is president of the Missouri Chiropractic College is also professor of symptomatology and pathology in that institution, was born in Perryville, Missouri, March 9, 1890, a son of John Read and Laura L. (Brewer) Colyer, the former a farmer by occupation. The son attended the public schools of St. Louis and was graduated in chiropractic on ‘the 26th of June, 1914, winning at that time the degree of Doctor of Chiropractic. He also gained the degree of Philosopher of Chiropractic, which was conferred by the Missouri Chiropractic College on the 1st of June, 1920. His … Read more

Biography of Henry Weinhard

Henry Weinhard, the leading and oldest brewer of Portland, was born in Lindenbroun, Wurtemberg, Germany, February 18, 1830. After serving a regular apprenticeship and working at the trade of a brewer in Stutgart and other places in Germany he came to the United States in 1851. He first secured employment at his trade in Philadelphia where he remained a year. He then went to Cincinnati and at the end of two years removed to St. Louis, where he remained until 1856, when he came to California and for a short time was located at Sacramento City. In March, 1857, he … Read more

Biography of Judge John W. Spencer

Judge John W. Spencer, deceased, one of the pioneers of Rock Island County, was born at Vergennes, Vermont, July 25, 1801. His parents, Calvin and Ruth (Hopkins) Spencer, were natives of the New England Colonies. The father of Judge Spencer was born in Bennington, Vermont, and his mother near Great Barrington, Massachusetts, and were descended from the Puritan English. They reared four sons and a daughter, John W., being the eldest. At this writing the first and second generations here mentioned are long since gathered unto their fathers, and only the grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren remain to perpetuate names made honorable … Read more

Biography of Sylvester Werneth

Sylvester Werneth came to America from the Fatherland. He was born in Germany, on the 29th of December, 1856, and when eight years of age crossed the Atlantic with his parents, the family locating in Wisconsin, whence they afterward removed to Springfield, Illinois. In the capital city of the Prairie state he acquired his education in the public schools and was there reared to manhood. When about sixteen years of age he entered upon an independent business career, learning the brewer’s trade, at which he worked in St. Louis, Missouri, and in California. In 1886 he came to Weiser, Idaho, … Read more

Biography of Hon. William A. Conn

Hon. William A. Conn, of San Bernardino, is one of those strong individualities in the pioneer history of California, who by his force of character and intellect stamped his impress upon the early civilization of the Golden State. Though a number of the first years of his residence on the Pacific coast were passed in the northern part of the State, at San Francisco, yet for a third of a century Southern California has had the benefits of his public-spirited patriotism, his business attainments and his generous philanthropy. Mr. Conn was born in 1814, on the West India Islands, where … Read more