One of the most interesting characters in Richardson county and one who has real claims to being classed as a pioneer of Richardson county and the state of Nebraska, is Fulton Peters, who is a veteran plainsman and a present resident of Barada precinct in this county. He was born in Bavaria, Germany, April 27, 1835. and was a son of Francis and Mary Peters, natives also of Germany, where they grew up, married and made their home until 1838, when they brought their family to America, locating at St. Louis, Missouri, where their son, Fulton, was reared, attended school and learned his trade of ship carpenter. He helped build the ferry, “Carondelet,” which was subsequently transformed into a gun-boat for use in the Union navy during the Civil War, being the first unit that formed the famous Mosquito Fleet. Fulton Peters continued to follow his trade in St. Louis until 1867, but he came to Richardson county, Nebraska, in 1856, to locate land, moving in 1858 on the place he had entered, but after a year‘s hard work improving the land he went back to St. Louis and did not return to his land here to make a permanent home until 1870. During the Civil War he worked in the government navy yards, under an oath of allegiance, and received five dollars per day for his work. He has lived on his farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Barada precinct for a period of forty-seven years and has carried on a general farming and stock raising business.

Mr. Peters was married in 1856 to Euphrasia Barada, a sister of Antoine Barada, a half-breed Indian, after whom Barada precinct was named. Mrs. Peters was born in 1837 in St. Louis. and her death occurred in 1888. Her brother, Antoine Barada, was taken from the Omaha Indians when a boy and brought to St. Louis, where he was reared, and where he married a French woman. In 1855 he was notified that he was entitled to a tract of land in the half-breed tract or reservation in this county and he came to Barada precinct, Richardson county, developed his land and spent the rest of his life, dying in 1887. He was one of the best known of the early pioneers and when a boy visited this county with a party of Indians in 1816.

Politically, Mr. Peters is a Democrat. He has filled minor township offices and is a Catholic. Mr. Peters crossed the plains in 1853, from Kansas City to Ft. Laramie, Wyoming, in fact he made three trips in all across the great Western plains - one to Salt Lake City, Utah, and one to the Salmon river district in Idaho in 1854, with a train of one hundred and five wagons, taking the short cut-off by way of Pacific Springs on the Platte river and Green river in the mountains. He built a boat which he used in crossing that stream. Some members of the party became dissatisfied and started to Oregon, but when only ten miles away the deserters were attacked by the Indians or Mormons and many of the party were killed, the survivors returning to the original wagon train. A new party was sent out, which chased the maurauders, but the camp was attacked the second night following and the cattle was stampeded. Mr. Peters, with twenty-five men followed the stock, overtook them and turned them back. The train was again attacked on Green creek mountain on Snake river, at a time when the party was divided, part of them having been sent to rescue another party of whites that had previously been attacked by the Indians. Mr. Peters and his band drove off the Indians and then took charge of the immigrants and their supplies, helping them to get to the settlement, the train finally reaching Walla Walla, Washington. At Baker City, Oregon, Mr. Peters engaged in mining for some time; finally returning to Nebraska. In 1873 he made a trip to the Black Hills, in company with Antoine Barada, Frank Goolsby and William Ankrom, of this county. They made the trip overland to the Black Hills and started mining there, but on account of the hostile Indians of that country they were compelled to give up their prospects and return home, escaping the savages by strategy. They built a big fire at the camp to deceive the Indians and stole quietly away during the night, arriving at Buffalo Gap the following morning, their return trip homeward front this point being uneventful.

In 1883 Mr. Peters went to Blackbird, Nebraska, to locate on land which the Barada family was entitled to, but failed to get possession, after one year‘s effort, even carrying the case to Congress. Some members of the family proved up on their rights to portions of the land, but others, perhaps equally as well entitled to it, have failed. Mr. Peters worked on the Ohio and Missouri & Pacific railroad, when it was being built, contracting for a portion of the work. He was nearby when the memorable Gasconade disaster occurred. He also worked on the construction of the Gasconade bridge of the Missouri Pacific railroad.

Mr. Peters is well preserved for a man of his age and is one of the well-known and honored citizens of Richardson county, in which he has lived to see many of the great changes since he first traversed its wild prairie more than sixty years ago.

John P. Pourcelli was born in Provence, France, in 1749, and was married to Margaret Barada, at Vincennes, in the year 1780, and came to St. Louis about 1784. Their children were:

1. John Louis, born 1780
2. Margaret Pascale, 1782, married Joseph Lafrenaye in 1796.
3. John, in 1784, to Angelique Laperche, in 1815.
4. Maria Rose, in 1786, to Dominique Hugé, in 1803.
5. Antoine, in 1788.

Pourcelli, died October 15, 1789 at 40 years of age.

One of the loyal young Missourians who achieved distinction in the war with Spain, and saw much more active service than most of the Missouri troops, was born in Jonesburg, Montgomery County, of this State, July 30, 1872. He is the son of Sylvester A. Pratte, grandson of Bernard Pratte, who was twice mayor of St. Louis, and great-grandson of General Bernard Pratte, who was head of the old fur trading firm of Pratte, Chouteau & Co., and was one of the most distinguished of the early settlers of Missouri. Besides holding prominent offices under the territorial government of Missouri. General Pratte was a participant in the War of 1812. Two of the uncles of Sylvester A.. Pratte distinguished themselves as soldiers in the Civil War, one of them, Colonel Clay Taylor, serving on the staff of General Sterling Price, and it may be said that the martial spirit is a part of Mr. Pratte's family inheritance.

His mother was Miss Mamie Sloan before her marriage, and she was the daughter of Edwin C. and Mary (Morton) Sloan. His father, who was a well known citizen of St. Louis, died in 1897. Mr. Pratte grew up in this city, and was educated at the Christian Brothers' College and at the St. Louis University. The breaking out of the war with Spain found him in the prime of his young manhood and full of patriotic ardor and enthusiasm. March 1, 1898, he ertlisted in the First Regiment of the National Guard of Missouri, but failed at that time to pass the physical examination. May 12th following he enlisted in the Sixteenth United States Infantry, and joined that regiment at Tampa, Florida. On the 8th of June he left Tampa with the regiment; and on June 24th he was landed with the United States forces at Siboney, Cuba. Here were fought, immediately afterward, the battles which resulted in the overthrow of the Spanish forces and the capture of Santiago de Cuba, and was the beginning of the end of Spanish domination in America. Mr. Pratte was a participant in the battles around San Juan Hill, fought July 1st, 2d and 3d, in which the American troops covered themselves with glory and won the unstinted plaudits of their countrymen. He also took part in the bombardment of Santiago de Cuba, July l0th and 11th. On the 8th of August following the capitulation of the Spanish forces, his regiment started on its return to the United States, arriving at Montauk Point August 13th. Mr. Pratte was transferred from Company "G" to Company "L," and promoted to sergeant, September 15, 1898, and on the 5th of October, 1898, he was honorably discharged, with the record of having faithfully and efficiently performed his duty as a soldier and a patriot.

See also: Family History of Jean Baptiste Pratte by Greg Benard (Outside Link)

The subject of this sketch belongs to one of the oldest families in Saint Louis. His great-grandfather, Pierre Provenchère, Jr., came to this country from France near the close of the last century (at the time of the revolution there). The elder took up his residence in Philadelphia, the latter not long afterward settled in Saint Louis. Here he married, and here his son Ferdinand, father of William, was born. Ferdinand Provenchère married Mrs. Mary J. Saugrain, widow of Alfred Saugrain. She was a native of Virginia, but while she was still young, her father, John Linton, moved with his family to Little Rock, Arkansas. He afterward became a prominent lawyer in that state.

P. William Provenchère was born in Saint Louis, July 23, 1852; received his classical education at the Saint Louis University, finishing in 1871. He attended the law department of Washington University, Saint Louis, one term, and then went to the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, receiving the degree of bachelor of law from the latter institution in 1873.

In the autumn of that year Mr. Provenchère opened an office in Saint Louis, and for ten years has been in the steady practice of his profession in the civil courts only. His business has been fair, and is growing. He is a diligent student, a cautious adviser, true to his clients, painstaking and strictly upright in all his business transactions. As a lawyer he is esteemed by his associates at the bar, and as a citizen he is respected y his large circle of acquaintances.

Mr. Provenchère was elected to the legislature on the democratic ticket in 1880, and served on term, being on the committees on ways and means, internal improvement, and one or two others. This, we believe, is the only office he has ever held. It is evidently his intention to be known as a lawyer rather than as a politician. He is a member of the Catholic Church.

Col. Thomas Fiveash Riddick, son of Thomas Riddick and Fanny Fiveash, was born at Suffolk, Nansemond County, Virginia, June 5, 1781, and came to St. Louis about the time of the transfer of the country to the United States in 1804, and during the first fifteen years of his residence here, filled at various periods a number of public offices of trust, such as Assessor, clerk of the Common Pleas Court, Deputy Recorder of Land Titles, Secretary of the Board of Land Commissioners, Justice of the Peace, etc., etc., second President of the old Bank of Missouri Territory, succeeding Col. Augustus Choteau.

For twenty years Col. Riddick was an active, influential businessman of St. Louis, and was the principal originator of our Public School System. In 1826 an Alderman of the City.

In 1827 Col. Riddick removed to the Sulphur Springs, below the Maramec in Jefferson County, of which he was part of owner, and where he continued to reside until his death on January 15th, 1830, at the age of 48 years, 7 months and 10 days.

Col. Riddick was married in 1813*, at Lexington, Ky., to Miss Eliza, daughter of Charles Carr, Sen’r, and sister of William C. Carr, of St. Louis. He left at his death his widow, who survived him a number of years, two sons, Walter and Dabney, and two daughters, Virginia and Frances, who in Dec’r, 1834, were married at one ceremony by the Rev’d Mr. Chaderton, to Edward Brooks and Chas. P. Billon, both now dead, but the two widows still survive.

Note: Early marriage records of Fayette Co., KY indicate Riddick married Eliza Carr on 08 Aug 1812.

One of the pioneers of American St. Louis, was born in 1781, in Suffolk, Nansemond County, Virginia. His family had been prominent for generations in the political life of the colony, several members of it having sat in the Colonial Assembly and done good service on the frontier against the French and Indians. During the Revolution they took an active share in all the military and legislative proceedings in Virginia which established free independence of the colonies and gave free constitutions to the State and to the United States, and they have honorable mention in the Virginia records.

Colonel Riddick came to St. Louis in 1804, about the time of the transfer of Louisiana to the United States, and at once took a prominent part in the social organization of the new community. In 1806 he was appointed clerk of the board of commissioners of land claims and did good work in settling the titles to lands in Upper Louisiana. The experience gained in this office he turned to the most beneficent uses. Finding that there were many lots to which no valid title was held by anyone, Colonel Riddick proceeded to Washington in 1812 and had a bill introduced and passed in Congress conveying all unclaimed lots in St. Louis and adjacent villages to the common schools, securing for the schools a property now worth a miillion and a half, from which the St. Louis School Board derives a large revenue. The journey to and from Washington on this business was made on horseback at Colonel Riddick's own expense. The school board have recognized this great service by naming one of their schools the Riddick School. In the Organization of the first Legislature of the Territory in 1812 he acted as clerk pro tem of the House, and in the same year was appointed by President Monroe a member of the legislative council of the Territory. In 1820 he was a member of the convention which framed the Constitution under which Missouri was admitted into the Union. He also served the city for some years as alderman and justice of the peace.

In local affairs Colonel Riddick was very active. He was the lay organizer and first senior warden of Christ Church, now Cathedral. He was one of the incorporators of the Bank of St. Louis, the first bank established in the Territory, and in 1820 was president of the Territorial Bank of Missouri. The charter of the first lodge of Free Masons in St. Louis was granted to Meriwether Lewis, worshipful master; Thomas. F. Riddick, senior warden, and Rufus Easton, junior warden; and this lodge and its successor, Missouri Lodge, No. 12,afterward Missouri Lodge, No. 1, comprised in their membership the most influential citizens in the Territory. In April, 1821, Colonel Riddick assisted in the organization of the Grand Lodge of Missouri, and was elected its first grand master. There seems to have been no movement of public advantage, political, religious, educational or social, which failed to command the sympathetic and energetic assistance of Colonel Riddick. He was an enthusiastic believer in the coming greatness of St. Louis, and while its boundaries were yet limited by Third Street, confidently predicted a population of a million souls for the new metropolis in the heart of the continent. He enjoyed the confidence and esteem of the community in a high degree, and his dearth in 1830, at the early age of forty-nine, deprived St. Louis of one of her most public-spirited and useful citizens. Among the names of the pioneers and founders of St. Louis, that of Colonel Riddick deserves an honorable place. Extended notices of Colonel Riddick's life and public. services are to be found in "Scharf's History of St. Louis," "Billon's Annals of St. Louis," "Darby's Personal Recollections," and “Carr's Missouri."

Farmer, who also came in the boat with Chouteau in 1764, was born in Canada; his first wife whom he married at Fort Chartres, was Veronica, a daughter of Louis Marcheteau, Sr.; their children were four sons:

1. Louis, Jr. , born 1762, died February, 1794. Deaf and dumb.
2. Laurent, born 1764.
3. Claude, born 1766.
4. Francois, born 1768.

Mrs. Veronica Ride died January 2, 1773, at their residence, northeast corner of Main and Elm, where Ride had built his house in 1765.

(He married his second wife, Charlotte Hyacinthe, the widow of Louis Hunaud, of St. Genevieve, in 1776, who had three sons, Antoine, Louis and Toussaint Hunaud who came up to St. Louis, and two married daughters in Ste. Genevieve.)

This second Mrs. Ride, Sr., died in 1784-5, and Louis Ride, Sr., Nov. 6, 1787.

The son of David Robinson and Miriam Hamilton, was born in Augusta County, Virginia, January 24, 1782. A nephew of Alex’r Hamilton, his mother being a sister of Hamilton.*

He was bred a physician, and came to St. Louis very shortly after the transfer of the country to the United States, desiring to make it his permanent place of abode, and entered upon the practice of his profession, in which he continued for some years at intervals.

Doct. Robinson was married Dec’r 24, 1805, by Auguste Chouteau, Sr., then a justice of the peace in St. Louis, to Miss Sophie Marie Michau, a young lady born in Paris, whose parents brought her to the United States when a child of four years of age.

In 1806-7 Doct. Robinson was with Major Zebulon M. Pike, U.S. Army, as a volunteer associate in his expedition to Pike’s Peak, and his explorations of the interior of Louisiana and New Spain, from which he returned in the fall of 1807.

After this we find the Doctor, who was an energetic, enterprising man, almost constantly on the move, frequently changing his locality, which we arrive at from the birth of his other children. They were:

Edward V. Ham’n Robinson, Oct. 6, 1806 at St. Louis; lost at sea in 1831.
James Houze Robinson, Aug. 17, 1808, St. Louis, died at Natchez, 1818.
Ant’e Saugrain Robinson, April 18, 1810, at Fort Osage.
Henrietta Sophia Robinson, Nov. 21, 1811, at St. Genevieve; died at Natchez, 1818.
Virginia R. Robinson, in 1818, at Natchez; died there an infant, in 1818.

Doct. Robinson made these frequent changes of residence in the public service in obedience to orders.

He died at Natchez, Sept. 19, 1819, aged but 37 years, falling a victim, with his three children, of that malignant disease, yellow fever, which carried off two-thirds of his family.

His widow, Mrs. R., survived him 30 years. She died in St. Louis in 1848 at the age of 62 years.

Note: *Alexander Hamilton was the illegitimate son of two entirely different people than stated and was not the uncle of our John Hamilton Robinson according to descendant Teresa Tillman (2009)

Entered West Point in 1820, at 14 years of age. Commissioned at Midshipman U.S. Navy, March 4, 1823, at 17 years of age.
A Passed Midshipman, March 23, 1829, at 23.
A Lieutenant, March 3, 1831, at age 25.
Lost at sea, August, 1831, at age 25.*

Ant’e Saugrain Robinson, the only survivor of the Doctor’s family, long so well known here as the Cashier of the old Bank of Missouri, is still with us in his seventy-ninth year.

Note: *The U.S. Sloop of war, Sylph, was lost in an intense storm in August of 1831, disappearing after it departing Pensacola, Florida that July.

Hiram Shaw was born in Castleton, Rutland County, Vermont, May 10, 1806, and died in St. Louis April 30, 1869. He came to St. Louis in 1831, and was one of the early tobacco manufacturers of St. Louis, having been, in part, the founder of the present widely known Liggett & Myers Tobacco Manufactory. He was one of the originators of the Washington Fire Company of the old volunteer fire department, and was president of that company during almost the entire period of its existence.

Note: 2nd Husband of Elizabeth (Foulks) Liggett, he was laid to rest at Bellefontaine Cemetery, St. Louis.

Joseph was born at Rochelle, Department of the Lower Charante, France, on the 19th of February, 1799, and carne over to Philadelphia a young man, and to St. Louis a clerk of Braud and Detandebaratz, merchants from that city, in 1821.

On June 26, 1827, Mr. Sire was married to Miss Virginia, the only child of Silvestre Labbadie, and went into business with his father-in-law in Labbadie's saw mill at the upper end of the town. After giving birth to an infant, Mrs. Sire died on Sept. 22d, 1828, aged but 20 years, after a brief married life of but fifteen months, and leaving her parents childless.

After the death of his wife and child, Mr. Sire continued to reside with her parents until the disposal of the mill in the 1836, when Mr. Sire changed his business, and became a partner in the fur company of Pierre Chouteau, Sarpy & Co.

On June 29, 1852, Mr. Sire was married to Mrs. Rebecca, the widow of Augustus R. Chouteau, and died July 15, 1854, without children, aged 55 years.

Merchant John B. Smith, the eldest son of the above (William Smith), was born in Lexington, Ky., in January, 1800. On coming of age in 1821, he formed a connection with Alexander Ferguson, under the style of “Smith & Ferguson, Dry-goods, Merchants,” at No. 7 North Main, which continued for several years, and on the younger brothers becoming age was subsequently changed to “Smith Brothers,” Ferguson retiring. The firm continued for a number of years. At the organization of the Sate Bank of Missouri, in 1837, John B. Smith was elected its first President, holding the office for consecutive years. In 1852-54 he was appointed State and County Collector, and subsequently United Sates Surveyor for the port of St. Louis.

John B. Smith was twice married. 1st in New York, in 1821, to Miss Louisa, youngest daughter of Capt. Alexander McDougall, formerly of the British Navy, and his wife, Miss Ellsworth, of New York. Their children were:

Ellsworth F., born in 1825, married to Miss Belle Chenie in 1861, with 5 children.
Charles Bland, born in 1830, married to Miss Emilie De Mun, 1860.
Julia Penelope, born in ____, married to John H. Wilson, 1845, and died in 1861.

John B. Smith’s first wife died Feb. 18, 1832, and in 1836 he married Mrs. Penelope Hepburn, her sister.

John Brady Smith died in March, 1865, at the age of 65 years.

William Smith, Sr., a merchant, was born in Culpeper County, Virginia, in 1772, moved young to Lexington, Ky., and was there married to Eliza Brady.

He came to St. Louis with his family in the year 1810. Having ample means he purchased from B. Pratte, Sr., a lot on the east side of Main Street, just north of Market, upon which in 1812 he erected the second brick house built in the Town, for his store and residence, which he occupied until his death in 1817.

During the few years between his arrival in the place and death, being a business man of means and an active politician, he acquired prominence and influence in our then little town, was a director in our first bank of St. Louis, &c.

*He died Sunday, Sept. 28, 1817, at the age of 45 years, leaving his widow, four sons and one daughter, viz:

John B. Smith, who afterwards twice married.
William, who married the daughter of William Stokes.
Henry, who died unmarried.
Dalzell, who also married subsequently, and
Juliana, who died a young lady, in 1822.

The widow of William Smith was married on Dec. 29, 1827, to Lewis Edward Hempstead, a grandson of Capt. Stephen Hempstead, Sen’r. She died Oct. 24, 1832.

* The day following the death of Charles Lucas, in his duel with Col. Thomas H. Benton, a collection of idlers were assembled in front of Washington Hall, southeast corner of main and Pine Streets, discussing the unfortunate affair of the preceding day, when an altercation arose between Smith and a William Tharp, who received a blow from Smith, whereupon Tharp drew his pistol and shot Smith dead.

He was the son of Henri Francois Soulard and Marie Francoise Leroux, and was born at Rochfort, France, in 1766. His father had been an officer in the French navy and he himself had adopted the same profession. Leaving the navy with the rank of lieutenant, he came to St. Louis, where he was appointed "Royal Surveyor for Upper Louisiana" which he held until the transfer in 1804. They had the following children: James "Gaston" Soulard, born in 1797, married March 20, 1820, Elizabeth, daughter of Col. Thomas Hunt, U. S. A., and moved to Galena, Illinois where many of his descendants are still living; Henry" Gustave" Soulard, born May, 1801, married Harriet, daughter of Dr. Harvey Lane, of St. Genevieve, who married a "Carroll of Carrollton;" Elizabeth Soulard died unmarried; Benjamin Soulard, married Rose Closey of Pittsburg, and had children, Dr. Soulard; Mary; Blanche married Gen. Turner. Dr. Harvey Lane married Juliene, daughter of Col. Hamtramck, who was born in Prussia, Aug. 21, 1757, and joined the Continental Army in 1775, in 1802 held the rank of colonel. The daughters of Dr. Harvey Lane were, Harriette, married James G. Soulard, and Josephine, married Jules Chenie.

Stagg, Hannah Isabella, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, daughter of John and Hannah Davis. Her parents were worthy members of the Society of Friends, whose place of nativity was Bedford County, Virginia, from which they removed to Cincinnati when that place 'w-asa small village on the western border-line of civilization. Her father engaged in merchandising and assisted in laying the foundations on which the Ohio village afterward rose to the honor and eminence of the "Queen City of the West." At Cincinnati Mrs. Stagg was educated under the tutorage of a private teacher and at the school of Mrs. Mary Tallant, and there, too, she was married, in the year 1842, to Henry Stagg.

Shortly after their marriage they came to St. Louis, Mr. Stagg engaging in the business of financial and insurance agent, and Mrs. Stagg entering at once into the active charitable and church work which has since been, in large measure, the occupation of her life. Mrs. Stagg maintained his agency business until his death, in the year 1887. Mrs. Stagg was prompt to take part in enterprises in which she could do most good, and her zeal and intelligence in counsel and action soon caused her to be recognized as a leader among other good women in the work of building up the churches and charitable institutions of St. Louis. When the Civil War broke out she took a firm stand on the Union side, although it involved a severance of the ties that bound her to many Southern friends, and when an organized effort was called for to make provision for the sick and wounded soldiers in St. Louis, Mrs. Stagg became a charter member of the Ladies' Union Aid Society, formed at the suggestion of Mrs. John C. Fremont after the battle of Wilson's Creek, in which General Nathaniel Lyon lost his life. Throughout the trying period that followed she was one of the most active workers in this organization, and in 1864 she served as a member of the executive' committee, under whose admirable and efficient supervision and management the great Mississippi Valley Sanitary Fair was held in St. Louis. The purpose of this fair was to raise funds with which to provide for the better care of the disabled sick and suffering Union soldiers, and it was owing to the active sympathy and liberality of the people of St. Louis, directed by the intelligent and patriotic women of the Ladies' Union Aid Society, that the enterprise proved so great a success. When the restoration of peace relieved the patriotic women of their duties and responsibilities as auxiliaries of the Union Army, Mrs. Stagg turned her attention again to church and charitable work. She has been a member of the board of managers of the St. Louis Protestant Orphan Asylum for more than forty years, and for several years has filled the office of secretary of the board. All enterprises and reforms that sought to improve the condition of the weak and unfortunate could claim her sympathy and enlist her assistance, and in many of these she is gratefully remembered.

Mrs. Stagg became a resident of St. Louis when it was a small city, located in what was at that time considered the "Far West" and when Indians were a common sight on the streets, though their hostility never took a more dangerous form than appropriating articles that excited their barbaric fancy. The western limit of the city was Seventh Street, beyond which were forests and farms. She has witnessed its amazing growth and shared its trials of flood and fire, of war and pestilence. She remembers the great flood of 1844, when the river rose to a greater height than it has ever reached since; and the double calamity of fire and scourge in the year 1849, when the conflagration on the levee and in the harbor was followed by a visitation of cholera, which decimated the population.

She has a vivid remembrance of the tragic events in the history of the city - the falling of Laclede Hall and the disaster at the Gasconade bridge; and on the other hand, she has pleasant memories of happier things - the opening of Shaw's Garden to the public, the dedication of Forest Park and the other parks, and the building of the Eads bridge. She has been contemporary with many whose names are associated with the growth and prestige of the city-of men who have advanced its manufacturing interests, built its churches, estab1ished its schools and founded its libraries and charities; and she has been associated with women whose graces and culture have adorned our social life, and whose names are imbedded in the history of our benevolent institutions. She has been a dose observer and student of events in which she took part, and when she indulges in reminiscences of the more than fifty years which she has lived in St. Louis it is equally a charm and a profit to listen to her. She has been an active writer all her life, and the productions of her pen betray the woman of wide observation, culture and taste. In church work she was associated with Rev. T. M. Post, the Congregational clergyman so well known and warmly esteemed in his life time for his benign character and scholarly attainments, and some of her most pleasant recollections are connected with this association.

Of the five children born to Mrs. Stagg, two were living in 1898 - Virginia Isabella Stagg, wife of M. S. Forbes, of St. Louis; and William Lewis Stagg, a resident of Springfield, Illinois.

Lewis B.Tebbetts was born at Great Falls, New Hampshire, August 30, 1834. His parents were Lewis B. and Rebecca (Roberts) Tebbetts, his ancestry on the father's side being English stock, honorably connected with the first settlement of Rochester, New Hampshire. When the subject of this sketch was but a few weeks old the family moved to Newbury, Vermont, on the Connecticut River, where the father engaged in mercantile business, and where the children had the advantage of a flourishing seminary, of which Hester Ann, the eldest sister, subsequently became principal. About 1844 the family moved to Lowell, Massachusetts, and it was in the excellent grammar and high schools of that city that the subject of this sketch received the chief part of his education. About the year 1855, Mr. Tebbetts being then of age, went to Baltimore and engaged in mercantile and manufacturing pursuits, for which he revealed a high capacity for management, and during the Civil War was placed in superintendent over an extensive establishment, which undertook large and important contracts with the government for gunboats and ammunition.

Mr. Tebbetts, in 1859, was married, at Lowell, Massachusetss, to Miss Ellen Mansur, sister of the late Alvah Mansur, and in 1874, when the Mansurs came to St. Louis, Mr. Tebbetts came also, and in connection with his brother-in-law established the house which, first under the name of Deere, Mansur & Co., and afterwards as the Mansur & Tebbetts Implement Company, became, and still is, famous throughout the West for the extent of its operations and the superiority of its work. It is now an incorporated company, with Mr. Tebbetts as president, and the large success that has attended it is due, in no small measure, to Mr. Tebbetts' vigorous and admirable management. His capacity for business is recognized and appreciated in St. Louis, and his name and co-operation are esteemed a guaranty of prudent management and success in all commendable enterprises. He belongs to that class of business men who have the happy faculty of conducting their affairs with military precision, and hence are able to transact a vast amount of business with comparative ease. Perfect system in everything, and admirable method in supervising the affairs of a great commercial institution, have enabled him to dispatch business with unusual rapidity, and while he has been one of the busiest of busy men, he has always seemed to have time for everything which claimed his attention, and to be never too much engaged to give a courteous hearing to those who seek interviews with him. In this material age the minds which bend themselves to commercial and industrial pursuits are such as would have been absorbed with matters of statecraft, or in the direction of armies of conquest, a few generations since, and, as "Peace hath her victories no less renowned than war," Mr. Tebbetts is a typical representative of that class of modern business men, whose tact, sagacity and executive ability have enabled them to achieve such victories.

Besides conducting one of the large commercial houses of the city, he is identified with the banking interests of St. Louis as a director of the Continental National Bank, and is interested in various other enterprises. Church and charitable work has also been a matter of interest to him at all times, and when any appeal is made to the good people of St. Louis, who have kindly natures and responsive sympathies, he is never overlooked. A member of the Noonday and other clubs, he keeps in close touch with the social, as well as the business, life of the city.

Son of William Von Phul, Henry was born in Philadelphia, Aug’t 14, 1784.

In the year 1800, his mother, a widow, removed to Lexington, Ky., with some of her children; Henry, then 16 years of age, became the clerk of Thomas Hunt, Jr., in whose service he remained for ten years. In 1811 he came to St. Louis and commenced business on his own account, in which he was actively engaged until within a few years of his death, a period of nearly 60 years.

Mr. Von Phul was married to Miss Rosalie, daughter of Doct. Antoine Saugrain, on June 10, 1816. On June 10, 1866, they celebrated their golden wedding, 6 sons and 4 daughters participating.

June 10, 1874, celebrated their 58th wedding day.

Mr. Von Phul died Sept. 8, 1874, aged 90 years and 25 days.

Mrs. Von Phul died Feb 28, 1887, in her 90th year.

They were the parents of 15 children, of whom ten attained maturity and married, and leave a numerous progeny of descendants. Their surviving children are five sons and three daughters.

Henry, lives in Louisiana, married Miss Mary Daigre.
Frederick, lives in St. Louis, married Miss Nidelet, deceased.
Frank, lives in Louisiana, unmarried.
Benjamin, lives in St. Louis, married Miss Lape, of Mississippi.
Phillip, lives in St. Louis, married 1st Miss Chatard, dec’d, 2nd Miss Throckmorton.
Maria, wife of Thomas M. Taylor, St. Louis.
Eliza, widow of Judge W.M. Cooke, deceased, St. Louis.
Julia, wife of A.T. Bird.

A brewer, native to West Hofen, Pfalz, Westphalia, on the left bank of the Rhine, was born in 1740, and came to Philadelphia in 1765.

In 1775 he married Catharine Graff, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

He died in Philadelphia in 1798, aged 58 years, leaving his widow, 5 sons and 3 daughters.

The subject of this memoir was born in the county of Tipperary, Ireland, December 27th, 1798. His father was an industrious farmer having a large family of children, eleven in number, all of whom he raised in the habits of industry and economy. He sent his children to school until they were large enough to fill a situation, and they were then put to some employment.

Young Edward Walsh was suffered to remain at school until twelve years of age, and was then put into the store of a cousin, where he remained for four years. After the expiration of that period, he went into business with his brother, who kept a mill and brewing establishment, where he staid until 1818, when he received a letter from his cousin in Louisville, which determined him to exile himself from the green fields of Erin and seek a home in the United States of America, where the institutions were not under royal control, and where the prospects of success in the business walks of life were so much more flattering. He made hasty preparations for his journey, and departing from his native land, reached New York June 7th, 1818.

In those early days the iron horse was not known, and all long journeys had to be performed on horseback, and it was on horseback that Edward Walsh performed his journey from Baltimore to Pittsburg, at which place he got a flat boat and took passage to Louisville, and arrived there, after a tedious passage on the Ohio, of forty days. At that time Louisville did not have the hygienic celebrity it now enjoys, and was known, on the contrary, as being the seat of malignant maladies, which circumstance influenced Edward Walsh to leave the town and start for Missouri. He came to St. Louis in October 1818, and after understanding well the neighboring localities, he determined to settle at St. Genevieve county, where he put up a mill. In this pursuit he remained engaged at St. Genevieve very profitably until 1824, when he sold out his business, and after a little time spent in St. Louis in determining upon another suitable location, he went to Madison county, where he again engaged in the mill business, but remaining but a short time, he again sold out and returned to St. Louis.

At. that time Edward Walsh determined upon changing his pursuit, and, in partnership with his brother, entered upon the general merchandising business, the firm being known as J. & E. Walsh. Not being partial to his new vocation, in 1831 be sold out his interest and commenced milling on a large scale in St. Louis, having three mills, one of which is still running, and having been in constant operation since 1827, has manufactured more flour than any other mill in St. Louis.

As a miller, as in every thing else, Edward also was successful, and he then became connected with the steamboat business, and so largely at one time, that he had invested more than $100,000. He possessed an interest in some of the finest boats that landed on the levee of St. Louis. He has also dealt largely in lead, which, by the alchemical virtues of industry and judgment, be transmuted into golden profits for himself.

In writing the biography of Edward Walsh, we feel it a bounden duty to pay a passing tribute to the worth and merits of his brother, John Walsh, now deceased, with whom he was identified so many years in business pursuits. John Walsh, during his life, was esteemed for his business capacity, and those pure principles of character which go to make up the truly honorable man. He was not only successful in his business calling, but he was emphatically a lover of the human family - known for his benevolence and his charities, and endeared to a large circle of friends. He has shuffled off his “mortal coil," but his virtues live after him; and when the name of John Walsh is now mentioned, it is with that respect which a character so pure as his so well deserves from posterity.

Mr. Walsh has been twice married. His first wife was Miss Maria Tucker, whom he married in 1822, and his present wife, whom he married February 11th, 1840, was Miss Julia Denum. He has been connected with many of our public institutions, for his name has good weight and strength in the business world, and is an important auxiliary to any trip to which it is attached. Since the first establishment of the Bank of the State of Missouri, he has been one of its directors. He was also a director in the old Missouri Insurance Company, and is a director of the Union Insurance Company.

Mr. Walsh's business capacities are second to no one in St. Louis. He has a judgment that never errs in its calculation, and an industry that is untiring in its pursuit of business. He commenced the world without the gifts of fortune or the aid of auspicious patronage, but made his way to wealth and influence by his own efforts, and is indebted to no extraneous aid for their possession. When a boy he came to his new continent and without any adventitious aid has become one of the leading business men in the state of his adoption.

Merchant, and brother of Christian above, was born in Philadelphia, Oct. 27, 1791, came to St. Louis in 1818, and joined his brother in business Feb. 10, 1819, under the firm style of " Christian and Andrew Wilt."

He died in St. Louis, August 10, 1819, in his 28th year, unmarried, but 48 days before his brother. Their firm continuing but six months.

He brought out with him two sisters, the Misses Rachel and Juliana Wilt. The first became the wife of Charles S. Hempstead, Esq., in 1819, and died in Oct., 1823. The other died unmarried, Sept. 27, 1824.

Note: Laid to rest at Bellefontaine Cemetery

Merchant, son of Abraham and Rachel, he was born in Philadelphia, Jan'y 18, 1789, and came to St. Louis in June, 1811, and commenced business July 25, 1811, in Mrs. Labbadie's old store, opposite Mr. Gratiot's.

1813. He built the third brick house in St. Louis, at the southeast corner of Main and Locust, and moved his business into it, which he occupied until his death. He was an active business man, and soon acquired prominence in the business circles of St. Louis, operated a large mill and distillery on the Cahokia creek opposite St. Louis, was a director in the Bank of St. Louis, &c., &c.

He was married at St. Louis, Jan'y 10, 1815, to Miss Ann K., daughter of Major Geo. Wilson,* born at Louisville, Kentucky, Jan'y 20, 1798; she died Dec. 12, 1816, in her 19th year, and her husband Wilt, Sept. 27, 1819, in his 31st year. They left an only son, George, in his 3rd year, who died in 1823, aged 7 years.

* Major George Wilson was born in Auchentock, Ayrshire, Scotland, in the year 1750, and died in St. Louis, Jan'y 26, 1824, aged 74 years, father of Mrs. Christian Wilt, a gentleman highly esteemed, and one of the first interred in the Hempstead lot of Bellefontaine Cemetery, where his head stone still stands.

Note: Laid to rest at Bellefontaine Cemetery

See also: St. Louis Pioneer Merchant Christian Wilt, His significant link to the Missouri Fur Co. & Sacajawea - a blog by P. Davidson-Peters

Updated 28 Sep 2012
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