St. Louis Missouri

Biography of Martin Van Buren Cagney

Martin Van Buren Cagney, born June 8, 1843, in Salem, Massachusetts, was an accomplished printer and influential figure in Emporia, where he spent over three decades. He learned the printing trade as a youth and served as a lieutenant in the Missouri State Militia during the Civil War. After the war, he established a successful printing business and held various roles, including mayor and city councilman. Cagney, a Republican and active community member, married Amanda Weesner in 1888 and had one daughter, Edna. His family lineage includes notable occupations and a strong commitment to public service.

Biography of Samuel Brownlee Fisher

Samuel Brownlee Fisher, born on October 24, 1846, in Ohio, is a distinguished consulting engineer with nearly fifty years in railway engineering. Descended from Scottish Covenanters, he studied at Washington and Jefferson College, earning multiple degrees. His career spans significant roles, including chief engineer positions with various railways, leading to his long-standing association with the Missouri, Kansas Texas Railroad Company. A Republican and Presbyterian elder, he married Agnes Crooks in 1881, with whom he had two children. Fisher’s legacy is marked by his contributions to American railway infrastructure.

Biography of E. O. Sloan, M. D.

Dr. E. O. Sloan, born on February 25, 1855, in Polk County, Missouri, emerged as a prominent physician in Crawford County, practicing for over twenty-five years. Raised in a family with a rich heritage, he pursued medicine, graduating from the Missouri Medical College in 1881. Sloan initially practiced in Walnut Grove before relocating to Cherryvale and then to Pittsburg, where his ethical standards and dedication to public welfare distinguished his career. A member of various medical societies and the Masonic order, he also contributed to the community as city health officer. He married Lucy Mizener, with whom he had four children.

Skillings, Marcella – Obituary

Marcella Lucinda Skillings, aged 80, passed away on December 2 at Wallowa Memorial Hospital. Born on June 20, 1924, in St. Louis, Missouri, she lived in various states before settling in La Grande. She married Raymond Benjamin Skillings in 1955 and earned a nursing degree in 1968. Marcella enjoyed outdoor activities and spending time with her family. She is survived by her children, four grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and several siblings. Her husband and multiple family members preceded her in death.

Biography of Samuel Sondheimer

Samuel Sondheimer, born on January 21, 1871, in St. Louis, Missouri, is a notable figure in Muskogee’s mercantile world as a partner in Joseph Sondheimers sons. His father, Joseph Sondheimer, was a pioneer merchant who significantly contributed to establishing Muskogee as a commercial center in the late 19th century. Samuel succeeded his father in the family business while also holding positions in the Muskogee Wholesale Grocery Company and the First National Bank. He is recognized for his active involvement in the community and has maintained a reputable standing in business and social circles.

Biographical Sketch of Roscoe Simmons Cate

Roscoe Simmons Cate, born on September 2, 1876, in Tennessee, was an attorney based in Muskogee, Oklahoma. He graduated from the Benton College of Law in 1901 and began his practice in McAlester. From 1908 to 1915, he served as chief clerk to the superintendent of the Five Civilized Tribes. Cate specialized in Indian affairs and was active in the Muskogee and Oklahoma Bar Associations. He married Martha Annette Griffin in 1905 and had two children. He is also involved in the Presbyterian Church and Masonic organizations.

Biography of Irwin Donovan

Irwin Donovan, an accomplished attorney born on August 3, 1879, in St. Louis, Missouri, has established a successful civil law practice in Muskogee, Oklahoma. After completing his law degree at Washington University, he began his career in St. Louis before moving to Muskogee in 1904. Over fifteen years, he gained a strong reputation at the bar and is admitted to practice in all Oklahoma courts and the U.S. Supreme Court. Married to Laura Virginia Edwards, Donovan prioritizes his legal work over political ambition, focusing on his clients’ needs.

Biography of Alexander Sondheimer

Alexander Sondheimer, born on May 11, 1873, in St. Louis, Missouri, moved to Muskogee at six. After education in Muskogee and St. Louis, he worked for the Cotton Belt Railroad before becoming one of Oklahoma’s first court reporters. He later partnered with his father in the hide, wool, and fur business, now the largest of its kind in the southwest. A prominent figure in local finance, he is a director of multiple banks and engages in farming and oil leases. Sondheimer married Eudora L. Cobb in 1895 and is active in community organizations while prioritizing his business pursuits.

Biography of Clarence William Turner

Clarence William Turner, born in 1857 in Cleveland, Ohio, was a pivotal figure in the commercial development of Muskogee, Oklahoma. He learned the mercantile trade from his father, John E. Turner, a prominent merchant and pioneer. After establishing the Turner Hardware Company in Muskogee in 1882, Clarence expanded the business and made significant real estate investments, contributing to the city’s growth. A staunch Republican and city alderman, he married Tookah Butler and had three children, continuing the family legacy of community involvement and business acumen.

Biography of L. U. Gaston

L. U. Gaston, born on October 13, 1873, in Neosho, Kansas, became the Chief of Police in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, after initially working in the livery business. He joined the police force as a patrolman in 1908 and was appointed chief in 1917, playing a key role in maintaining order during tense times, such as the Tulsa riot. Gaston’s personal life includes two marriages, resulting in two daughters. He is active in several civic organizations and is committed to the wellbeing of Bartlesville’s citizens.

Biography of B. H. Achter

B. H. Achter, born in 1850 in Hanover, Germany, immigrated to the United States at age 20. He initially worked as a coachman in Cincinnati and St. Louis before moving to Illinois, where he farmed. In 1881, he settled in Humboldt, Kansas, founding a livery business that evolved into a successful wholesale grocery operation. Since 1910, Achter has served as president of the Iola Wholesale Grocer Company. A dedicated community member, he is involved in various local organizations and has a large family, including several children involved in his business.

Biography of Hermon John Tholen, Jr.

Hermon John Tholen, Jr., born on June 26, 1885, in Humboldt, Kansas, is a notable figure in Iola’s business community, serving as treasurer of the Iola Wholesale Grocer Company, founded by his father. After receiving his education, Tholen joined the family business in 1903. He possesses a blend of modern ideas and integrity, earning the trust of his peers. A Democrat and active member of the Roman Catholic Church, he is married to Carrie L. Doggett, and they reside north of Iola.

Biography of Carl E. Kayser

Carl E. Kayser was born on May 20, 1889, in Newark, New Jersey, to German immigrant Carl F. Kayser and Lillian P. Kayser. After graduating from Columbia University, he joined the American Metal Company and became president of a subsidiary in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, which supplied gas to local zinc smelting plants. In addition to his business ventures, Kayser co-founded Prairie Mound Dairy, known for its certified milk. In 1921, he transitioned to the Mississippi Valley Oil Company, showcasing his strong business acumen and community involvement.

Schell, John, Mrs. – Obituary

Mrs. John Schell, aged 59, passed away at her home in the Burnaugh apartments, following a prolonged illness. She had spent the past year at a sanitarium in Portland, returning only a week prior to her death. The community mourned her loss, as the Schells had moved from St. Louis, Missouri, six years earlier, establishing deep connections in Wallowa County. Funeral services took place at her daughter’s residence, led by Rev. Cullison, with interment at the Enterprise cemetery.

Biography of Peter Taschetta

Peter Taschetta, a Swiss native born on January 6, 1822, became one of the early settlers of Leavenworth after arriving in America in 1849. He initially engaged in mercantile activities in St. Louis before moving west, where he invested in real estate and opened a restaurant. Known for his honesty and industriousness, Taschetta was also active in local politics and raised a family of eight with his wife, Elizabeth Adam. He passed away on November 5, 1897, leaving a legacy of community respect and goodwill.

Biography of H. J. Huiskamp

H. J. Huiskamp, born on October 19, 1873, in Keokuk, Iowa, has played a pivotal role in the success of the Buffalo Brick Company in Buffalo, Kansas, serving as its general manager and secretary. Under his leadership, the company became the largest of its kind in Kansas, with a capacity of 100,000 bricks daily. Huiskamp, an independent voter and active community member, has a diverse background, including work in manufacturing, finance, and mining, before joining the brick industry in 1905. He remains unmarried and is involved in various civic organizations.

Biography of John F. Richards

John F. Richards, born in 1834 in Virginia, was a pivotal figure in the development of Kansas City’s wholesale hardware industry. After moving to Missouri as a child, he gained valuable business experience before establishing his own hardware store in Leavenworth in 1857. Over the years, he expanded his business into the successful Richards Conover Hardware Company. Active in community and civic affairs, he served on the Leavenworth school board and was a member of the city council. His contributions shaped local commerce and governance in his region.

Biography of John Hunt

John Hunt, born June 23, 1842, in St. Louis, Missouri, is a prominent businessman in Grenola, Kansas, where he has provided lumber and building supplies for over thirty-four years. His lineage traces back to early New Jersey settlers, with a strong tradition of military service. After serving in the Civil War, he embarked on a successful mercantile career, eventually establishing his lumber business in Grenola. A devoted family man, he has been active in local politics, serving as mayor and on the school board, while raising a large family noted for their achievements.

Biography of John Adam Endres

John Adam Endres, born in Germany in 1835, emigrated to America in 1855 to avoid military duty. He settled in Leavenworth, Kansas, where he became a prominent merchant and civic leader until his death in 1893. Endres endured the challenges of the Civil War, rebuilding his business after it was destroyed by Confederate guerrillas. He was active in community affairs, a member of various fraternal organizations, and a devoted family man, fathering thirteen children, several of whom continued his legacy in business.

Biography of P. J. Concannon

P. J. Concannon, born on May 7, 1863, in St. Louis, Missouri, was a prominent businessman recognized for transforming Emporia’s theatrical landscape. Growing up on a farm in Leavenworth County, he married in 1890 and engaged in agriculture before operating a sawmill. By 1909, he focused on real estate and established a successful career in the moving picture theater industry, owning the Electric Theater in Emporia. Concannon was involved in various fraternal organizations and held a leadership role in the Exhibitors League. He and his wife, Mattie, had three children.