* * * * HISTORY of COLUMBIA, ILLINOIS 



COLUMBIA'S 
* CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION 
JULY 3, 4 and 5, 1959 



HISTORY 

OF 

COLUMBIA AND COLUMBIA PRECINCT 

MONROE COUNTY, ILLINOIS 

1859 - 1959 

AND 

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION 

COLUMBIA, ILLINOIS 

JULY 3-4-5, 1959 



FOREWORD 

This year, 1959, marks the 100th anniversary of the in- 
corporation of Columbia, Illinois, as a town. 

Because of this, we, on July 3, 4 and 5, 1959, formally 
celebrate this event by a Centennial celebration. 

As a part of this celebration, a committee was appointed 
to write the history of Columbia. 

The story of Columbia goes back far more than a hun- 
dred years, and the story would not be complete without 
the telling of our rich background of early history. 

For it is a story of hardy pioneering, with sacrifices and 
heroism. It is a story, too, of simple virtues, lofty ideals 
and wholesome domestic life. Yet it is a story of civic and 
military achievements and trail blazing. Underneath it all 
is deep religious faith and the quest for education ; and the 
establishment of businesses and commercial enterprises 
that make for better living. 

In our Centennial year, we pause to reflect upon our 
heritage and to survey our future prospects. 

By this Centennial celebration the people of Columbia 
wish to publicly express their appreciation for 100 years of 
blessings and success, and our deep gratitude to our for- 
bears, even down to those in the dim and distant past 
whose bravery and fortitude made possible the Columbia 
of today. 

To them, and to all the citizens of Columbia is this his- 
tory dedicated. 

Our people pledge anew that the Columbia of today and 
tomorrow shall measure in every respect with the hopes 
and ambitions which imbued its founders. 







Mayor and City Council: Left to right, bottom row: Michael Steffenauer. Jo?. J. Volkert, Jr., City Clerk; Albert C. Metter, 
Mayor; Carl Richert, City Treasurer; Henry Haberlah, Magistrate. Top row: William E. Landgraf, Wilbert Kremmel, 
George J. Van Luik, Arthur Beckmann, Warren Bergmann. 




Centennnial Officers and Directors: Mrs. C. ',. Volkort, Mrs. Dorothy Eppinger, C. A. Hacker. Arthur P. Wink, A. C. M 

Miss Ruth Kuergeleis, Mrs. Gerard Dundon. Top row: Mrs. M.-lvin Gasser, Roy P. Conrad, Walter F. Giffhorn, Herbert J. 

Vogt, B. D. Middleton, Charles J. Grueninger, Mrs. Raymond Kremmel. 

Officers are: Arthur P. Wink, President: C. A. Hacker, Vice President; Miss Ruth Kuergeleis, Secretary; Mrs. Gerard 

Dundon, Assistant Secretary; Mrs. Dorothy Eppinger, Treasurer. 

Leo A Weilbacher, Sr. is a director but was not present for picture. 




The above is the Historical Committee from left to 
right, bottom 1 row: Mrs. Ella Rose Rohm, Mrs. Lottie 
Henckler, Arthur P. Wink, Mrs. C. L. Volkert, Albert C. 
Metter, Mrs. Bertha Arnin Schoening, Miss Ernestine C. 
Smith; top row: Mrs. Viola Rapp Rueck, Mrs. Florence E. 
Haberl, F. W. Weinel, Victor Breidecker, Carl Reis, B. D. 
Middleton, Herbert J. Vogt, Jack Divers, C. A. Hacker, 
Mrs. Anna Belle Compton, Elmer Janson, Bertha Kunz 
Arnin, Walter F. Giffhorn, Mrs. Irene Haberl. Dorothy 
Weinel Eppinger and Leo Weilbacher, Sr. are members, but 
not present. 

The Historical Committee appointed by Mayor A. C. 
Metter and approved by the City Council at the regular 
meeting March 2, 1959 for further historical research after 



the Centennial is over, includes the above named commit- 
tee, and Ex-Officio Members, Mayor and City Council; 
Honorary members, Ex-village trustees, Edmund L. Rauch, 
Theodore Ludwig, Daniel Daab and Louis Landgraf and 
Ex-Village Clerk, Philip Ludwig. 

To the right is a part of the Centennial Style Show 
cast taken at the home of Style Show Chairman Mrs. Mel- 
vin Gasser. Notice the beautiful doorway of the Gasser 
home. Front row, left to right: Lester Deffenbaugh, Mary 
Reyling, Mrs. Erwin Kossina, Mrs. Marvin Deem. 

Middle row: Mrs. Wm. Klein and Mrs. Clifford Ludwig. 

Back row: Joe Avellone, Arthur P. Wink, Mrs. Melvin 
Gasser, Kenneth G. Haller, Mrs. Eugene Luhr and Al Kish. 




CENTENNIAL STYLE SHOW 




CITY EMPLOYEES 

Bottom row, left to right: James Mahoney. 
General Supt. Utilities and Streets; Leo 
Koberlein; Police Sgt. Alfred Descher; Chief 
of Police C. L. Volkert; Theodore Klein, 1st 
Asst. Fire Chief; Jacob Steppig, Fire Chief; 
2nd Asst. Fire Chief, Clemence Metter. 
Back row, left to right: Walter Giffhorn, Jr.; 
Erwln Kossina, General Maintenance; Mrs. 
Clifford Haberl, Asst. Librarian; Donald 
Stumpf, General Maintenance; Mrs. T. B. 
Henderson, Librarian; Ernestine C. Smith, 
Chief Control Room Operator; William Rle- 
bellng, Control Room Operator; Mrs. Olga 
Nollau, Control Room Operator; Margaret 
Volkert, Custodian City Hall; Alvin G. Klein, 
Asst. City Clerk and Asst. City Collector. 



SCHIEMER INSURANCE AGENCY 

On March 10, 1923, Charles L. Schiemer founded the Schiemer Insurance Agency, soliciting all forms of insur- 
ance in Columbia and the surrounding area. The office was located in his home at 509 North Metter Avenue. 

On April 7, 1938, the agency was licensed to sell real estate. 

In 1940 a subdivision known as "Columbia Acres" was developed. 

Through the years his sons joined him in the business and on September 1, 1955, the business was incor- 
porated under the name of Schiemer Insurance Agency, Inc. 

In order to accommodate their clients and maintain efficiency, the First National Bank Building, located at 
102 South Main Street in Columbia was purchased, which gave all the facilities necessary to service their clients. 
The building has a vault to protect their records against fire and windstorm. The grand opening of the office 
was held in December of 1955. 

The founder, Charles L. Schiemer, died on September 28, 1958. The present officers of the firm are Carl L. 
Schiemer and Robert H. Schiemer. 




THE SPRING OF LASTING WATER' 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA, MONROE COUNTY, ILLINOIS 



Columbia, in Eagle precinct until March 15. 1ST5. when 
the precinct name was changed to Columbia, was laid out 
in 1820. incorporated as a Town in 1859 under a special 
Act of the 31st General Assembly of the State of Illinois, 
approved by Governor William H. Bissell, who was elected 
from Monroe County, changed to a Village in 1903, and to 
a City under the aldermanic form of government in 1927. 

Columbia is situated in the northeastern part of Co- 
lumbia precinct, near the center of Township 1 South, 
Range 10 West of the third principal meridian. The south- 
eastern part is the oldest, and was laid out on the land of 
Louis Nolan in 1820. Wilson and Gardner laid out lots 
near the center of town in 1849. Columbia was surveyed 
tnd platted by John B. Whiteside, but not recorded. 

The above is the legal description. To the layman. Co- 
lumbia is fourteen miles south of downtown St. Louis on 
Illinois routes 3 and 158. and U S. route 50. It is one mile 
from the Jefferson Barracks Bridge road, gateway to the 
West and the great new industrial areas of St. Louis 
County. Missouri. 

A new by-pass enables traffic to skirt Columbia. It 
thus becomes a quiet, residential suburb within easy com- 
muting distance of a great metropolis. St. Louis, Mo., and 
the industrial East Side. 

Columbians have always prided themselves on their 
homes and gardens, and that is as true today as it was in 
1359. Amongst the many modern, new homes are the ones 
of other generations, all well kept, each with a garden. 
There are many houses older than the city itself. These 
are architecturally beautiful and still a joy to owners and 
beholders. 

Although Columbia is in the Greater St. Louis Metro- 
; olitan Area, it still retains its quaint, old world charm, 
umbia's heritage from the early pioneers and the 
sturdy Germans who settled here in the early ISOO's. 

Each brought with them the remembered beauty ni 

their home lands and incorporated a part of it in C >lum- 

r "land of the free and the home of the brave." 



WHAT IS HISTORY? 
Webster's dictionary says: "History is a narrative, 
written or oral, especially a systematic narrative of 
events, and circumstances relating to man and his social 
or civic condition." Macaulay, the great English historian 
has said, "The history of a country is best told in the 
lives of its people." 

Agreeing with these ideas, it is our purpose to weave 
into the dates of history the story of the people who 
founded Columbia. How they built it from an almost 
trackless wilderness by slow and painful degrees into the 
Columbia we know today. In the process we will try to 
understand why Columbia is what it is and where it is. 
WE ROLL BACK THE SCROLL OF TIME 

The Mound Builders undoubtedly were Columbia's 
first citizens. They were so-called because they built 
mounds in North America chiefly centered in the va. 
of the Mississippi and Ohio rivers. These mounds can still 
be seen near Columbia at Bixby and Fish Lake. The 
mounds here were apparently garden plots where maize 
and other crops were raised Their tops were flat to make 
cultivation easier. In flat lands these mounds averted th<- 
disaster of floods and excess moisture. It is possible t 
garden mounds were surrounded by stakes to prevent the 
ciops from being destroyed by great herds of bison and 
deer that roamed the country. 

The Mound Builders were Indians, ethnologists now 
agree, rather than people of a mysterious culture who 
preceded the Indians, as was originally thought. Columbus, 
when he discovered America, name: inhabitants 

Indians, for he mistook the new continent foi India. 

Indians who built the mounds are believed to have 
inhabited the area from the eighth or ninth century be- 
fore the arrival of the earliest French sett 

The Mound Builders here were succeeded by the Kick, 
apoo Indians who were hunters and warriors. They 
marauders and savages indeed. They belonged t 
Illinois confederacy which in.-luded the Mlchlgamies. Kas- 
kaskias. the Kahoklas, the Peorlas, the Tamaroas, the 
Sacs and Foxes, the Winncbagoes, the Piankeshaws, the 
Pot tow atomies and the Shawn. 



THE FIRST WHITE MEN 

Probably the first white men to see what is now Co- 
lumbia precinct were the French. These two men were 
Pere Jacques Marquette, a missionary priest and Louis 
Jolliet, an explorer. This was in 1673. Jolliet was born 
in Canada and had gone far in the wilderness around the 
Great Lakes. He had heard the Indians tell about a big 
river named the Mississippi and he was eager to find out 
where it reached the ocean. The French governor of 
Quebec, Count Frontenac, under orders from the King of 
France, told Jolliet to explore it. With Jolliet went Father 
Marquette, for he knew the Indian language, and hoped 
to convert the Indians to Christianity. In 1673 they floated 
down the Mississippi in two canoes after portaging from 
one river to another to reach the Mississippi. They must 
have floated down past the western boundary of Colum- 
bia precinct, to become the first white men to see Colum- 
bia. 

Other Frenchmen followed. Count Frontenac knew 
that the rich fur trade would have to be protected 
against hostile Indians and other enemies and so did a 
great soldier, Robert Cavalier Sieur de le Salle. He dream- 
ed of a vast empire stretching all the way from the Great 
Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico, to be called New France. 
He proposed to bring settlers from Europe to colonize it. 
He too must have floated past Columbia on his voyage 
down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico. Returning, he 
placed his good friend Henri de Tonti, an Italian, in 
charge Tonti guided missionaries who came from Quebec 
to establish missions among the Indians at Cahokia in 1699. 

OLD AND NEW KASKASKIA 

Four years later in 1703 the missionaries established 
the Mission of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed 
Virgin on the Mississippi River, sixty miles below Cahokia, 
at the Indian village of Kaskaskia, again floating past 
Columbia. 

This was not a flourishing mission so the priests in 
charge and the Kaskaskia Indians started down the Illi- 
nois river expecting to continue their journey down the 
Mississippi to the new settlements But when they reached 
the head of the island of Kaskaskia they crossed over 
the narrow neck which separated the Mississippi from 
the Okaw and settled on the bank of the Okaw. Here 
they founded the first permanent settlement in Illinois. This 
village became the new Kaskaskia. This settlement grew 
and soon became known by all travellers passing up and 
down the Mississippi. 

History records few French people in Columbia, and 
no permanent French settlers. The French possessed Illi- 
nois until 1765 but they were lax in holding their terri- 
tory, and at the close of Europe's Seven Year War the 
French ceded their holdings to the British. 

For a few years the British flag flew in Illinois until 
George Rogers Clark captured Kaskaskia in the name of 
the immortal Patrick Henry, Governor of Virginia. The 
hauling down of the British flag is a dramatic story. 
Clark had persuaded Patrick Henry to let him take his 
175 men, his "Long Knives", Kentuckians, so designated 
because of the ferocity of their fighting, to capture the 
outpost at Kaskaskia, the farthest British port in the 
Illinois country. Leaving their boats at the present site 
of Metropolis, Illinois, they started on foot along the old 
Indian trail to Kaskaskia, and announced to the startled 
village that Illinois now belonged to America. This was 
on July 4, 1778. No one resisted Clark when he hauled 



down the British flag. Then he captured the British fort 
at Vincennes. Some of Clark's men, under the command 
of Captain Bowman journeyed over the now famous Kas- 
kaskia Trail through Columbia. Clark, however, was not 
with the group, but some of the early settlers of Colum- 
bia were. 

They went back to Virginia and told their families 
and friends about the lands they had seen and many pio- 
neers began preparing for the hazardous journey to the 
new land of their choice. 

EARLY IMMIGRANTS BEGAN TO ARRIVE 

These Virginia immigrants who had come from the 
fertile fields of England, the green valleys of Ireland, the 
picturesque plains of Wales, and the moors and fens of 
Scotland settled the Atlantic coast from Maine to Florida. 
Those who came to Monroe County came from Virginia, 
Maryland and North Carolina. The early eastern immi- 
grants were from families of wealth in their native 
countries. They established large plantations or estates, 
taking hundreds of acres of ground. 

Immigrants coming later found no ground for a home, 
so they pushed on into Kentucky looking for land. The 
mountains there did not furnish the kind of land they 
wanted. They wanted a home and land to till, so they 
went on into Ohio, down the Ohio river to the Mississippi 
and crossed into Illinois. Remembering the stories that 
Clark's men told of the fine land here near what is now 
Columbia they decided to settle here. Here were clear, 
cold streams in plenty, so that water was no problem. 
Everything was heavily wooded so that trees could be 
cut for homes and burned for fuel. In the forest game 
abounded to stock the family larder. The lakes in the 
neighborhood teemed with fish. Here stretched away acres 
of potentially rich farm land bordering the banks of the 
mighty Father of Waters. Aeons before, a slow-moving 
glacier of the Ice Age engineered the bed for the Missis- 
sippi to flow in — thirty miles of it in Monroe county. But 
the Bottom land was low, subject to floods and plagued 
with blood-thirsty mosquitoes. Poisonous snakes lurked 
in the undrained Bottoms. Miasmic vapors hung over the 
rich land and the settlers thought they gave them the 
"aggers and fever". 

But there on a rise between the Bottom and the 
nearly 700 feet bluffs lay a plateau, 509 feet above sea 
level, which, safe from floods, protected from storms by 
a rise of hills on the north and east would make a good 
site for homes This site, which is now Columbia, had an 
abundance of clear, spring water. Th^y probably reasoned 
this was the logical place to settle and found a perma- 
nent village. 

In the Bottom lay the rich alluvial soil for raising 
crops if they were venturesome, and dared defy the oft- 
flooding Mississippi. On the hills above the river were 
deep layers of loess soil if they were of a conservative 
bent. 

The only established road through the wilderness was 
the old Kaskaskia Trail, which wended its leisurely way 
through what is now Columbia. Though only a footpath 
of the Indians, this road must have seemed a wonderful 
thing, for the settlers had practically cut their way 
through the wilderness from Virginia and Kentucky and 
into Illinois. The Trail was probably a deciding factor in 
their settling of Columbia. 



SETTLEMENT OF WHITESIDE STATION 

The oldest permanently settled place in what is now 
Columbia precinct was established by the Flanneries. It 
.. known as Whiteside Station, in 1793 the White- 
from Kentucky. They were born and raised on 
the frontiers of North Carolina and Immigrated to Ken- 
lucky. The patriarch and leader, William Whiteside, had 
been a celebrated soldier in the Revolutionary War and 
was In the famous battle of King's Mountain. He came to 
Illinois as captain of a company of mounted rangers and 
Immediately began the protection and defense of the 
! His eldest daughter. Elizabeth, the next year after 
the arrival of the family, became the wife of John Moore. 
! irst child, Sebastion. was born in 1795. The same 
John D. Whiteside, youngest child of William and 
Mary Whiteside was born. These children were presum- 
ably the first white children to be born in the precinct. 
ad his relatives built a fort in section 26 Township 
1 Range 10 west on the St. Louis and Waterloo road, a 
little southeast of Columbia. It is part of the farm of 
Robert J. Frierdich now. 

The forts sometimes consisted of a single block house. 
the second story projecting over the first with holes in 
the floor through which to shoot at Indians attempting to 
i ntei the lower stop.. The lower floor had portholes 
through which to fire and strong puncheon doors 3 or 4 
inches thick. Sometimes there were block houses at four 
era with uprights of wood to make a high fence. 
When Indians appeared everyone in the surrounding ter- 
ritory went into the block houses. It probably was the 
larger block house the Whitesides built, for their family 
was numerous. There were William and Mary Whiteside, 
Johnson D., Uel. Davis, Samuel, John L. and John D. Other 
people who came to the fort for protection were Samuel 
Judy, Isaac Enochs. John Porter and John Dempsey and 
their families. 

In 1795 Captain Whiteside gathered to his standard his 
small but trusty company: Samuel and William White- 
Samuel Judy, Isaac Enochs, Johnson D. Whiteside 
and others — fourteen in all — and attacked and killed a 
.amp of Indians of considerable number. The French at 
Cahokia told him the Indians had assembled at the Bluff 
to attack him and his property. He was wounded in bat- 
tle, presumably mortally, but his son Uel. whose arm was 
disabled so he could not use his gun. found the bullet 
was deflected and lying near the skin. He took his knife 
and cut it out. The old warrior sprang to his feet and 
cried. "Boys, 1 can still fight the Indians." 

In 1793 the Kickapoo Indians stole horses from the 
American Bottom near Eagle Cliffs. • <See footnote) Wil- 
liam Whiteside. Captain Samuel Judy, and John and Sam 

• side, Wm. L. Whiteside. John Porter and John Demp- 

■ .ok after them. The Indians were camped near Belle- 
near Shoal Creek The Whiteside party found three 
ol the horses grazing on the prairie, took the horses and 

led forces of four men each. They attacked at the 
,-ame time "whooping and hollering" from opposite 
Thinking a large number were attacking them, old Chief 
red. The Whitesides took the horses, and 
(light made off for Whiteside Stl 
Forty Indian warriors pursued them, but they reached the 
fort and safety. 

In 1811, when Indians again began depredations. 
Whiti elected Colonel of the St. Clair County 

militia and held that office for many years. He also 

ed in the Mexl an War After peace reigned he turned 
his attention t.. his farm at the station and planted the 



t:r-t apple o', hard in these parts In 1832 he was ap- 
pointed agent to receive from the state authorities all 

sums of money derived from the sale Ol saline lands in 
Gallatin County. The iiniuum 

treasurer from 1*37 to 1841. History says he and his wife 
are burled at Whiteside Station. 

FORT P1GGOTT 

Another fort stands out in the history of early Co- 
lumbia. This is Fort Piggott. or it was sometimes known 
as. Fort Big Run. James Piggott erected this fort in 
at the foot of the bluff, one and one half mil. 
Columbia. The fort was located on what was known as 
Can- Creek, which the French called "Grand Risseau " 
i literal translation large gully). The creek was na 
for Lenard Carr, an early settler. Fort Piggott was lot 
on the old Charles Schneider place, now the residen 
Elmer Schlemmer, et al, in survey 554 Claim 487 T 1 S R 
10 W. Monroe County. Illinois, adjacent to present •' 
in City limits of Columbia. Whiteside Station or Fort 
Whiteside is located on the Robert J. Frierdich place and 
easl Ol i he Shoemaker School mow occupied by Joe Maul 
and wifei in survey 412 Claim 520 T 1 S R 10 West Mon- 
roe County, Illinois, formerly owned by Francis Joseph 
Frierdich, now by Robert J Frierdich. Th.- were 

in the American Papers in the Court House at Waterloo. 
Illinois and the information supplied by Robert Gardner, 
County Surveyor and Arthur H. Rueck, Circuit Clerk- 
James Piggott the builder of the fort was a soldier. 
He fought with Washington in the Battle of the Brandy- 
wine and with Gates at Saratoga. As Indian depredations 
increased the Fort became a haven for the settlers. When 
word went out to summon the settlers for safety's sake 
to the fort it was said that even the children realized the 
danger and would go silently to the fort without a word 
of caution from their elders. Indian massacres were ac- 
celerated and during 1789 and 1790 no one was safe. In- 
deed, one-tenth of the population was massacred by the 
Indians. 

The trouble began early in 1788, for on March 28 of 
that year, William Biggs, a Columbian and John Vallis 
of Bellefontalne mow a part of Waterloo) set out for Ca- 
hokia to sell some beaver fur. Within six miles ,,f V 
gott they heard the report of two guns. Soon afterward 
sixteen Indians made their appearance, guns in firing 
position. Biggs and Vallis whipped up their horses but 
Biggs" horse was killed. Four shots pierced his overcoat 
but he was uninjured. With his furs and saddle he at- 
tempted to run away, but he was caught by the Indian-. 
Vallis, though shot, clung to his horse and made it to Kt. 
Piggott As he reached there a swivel gun was On 
summon the neighborhood to the Fori '■'■ iians 

heard this they ran with Riggs for six mllei i 
no horses. Forty miles they covered that day says hi 
The KickaDOOS took BlggS to their villaee on the Wi 
He later escaped and reached Kaskaskla via the w. 

lippl rivers. Froii I 
fontaine. 

Another time Fort Piggott pr 
tiers attacked by the Indians In 17S.I >i\ India) 

Om ,,t the boys, David Waddle, a dl 
relative of Miss Josephine Burroughs of Columbia 
"injured in three places" and then scalped Ti ■ 
rushed him to the fort and his life •■ 
One of the outstanding events in Columbia 
hist 

inhabitants of hi 



Big Run. They also asked Territorial Governor St. Clair 
for grants of land for the settlers. They asked for 400 
acres of land for every settler (head rights it was called) 
and for 100 acres of land for every militiaman enrolled 
that year, 1790. 

When the British commandants were in power they 
exercised the power of making land grants subject to the 
approval of the King of England. British Colonel Wilkens 
granted 30.000 acres of land between Kaskaskia and 
Prairie du Rocher to John Edgar, a British subject, and 
John Murray St Clair, the territorial governor's son. The 
French had previously given this land to others, but the 
records were conveniently lost by the British. In spite of 
this fiasco the U. S. government confirmed the grants, 
despite protests. 

The name of John Edgar appears on a number of early 
Columbia land sales, saying that the property was a grant 
from the government in 1813. In fact, he really did a land 
office business, for his transactions fill 172 consecutive 
pages in land records of Randolph county. He was the 
largest landowner in the territory for he paid taxes on 
130,400 acres. Robert Morrison paid on 34,000 and William 
Morrison on 24,000. These Morrisons were relatives of 
Carlisle B. Morrison of Waterloo, all early Illinois settlers. 
When the Illinois country organized in 1795 these land 
grants called for many hundred thousand acres of land 
but the 1,000 individuals to whom these grants were made 
divested themselves of the land prior to the first assess- 
ment of taxable property. 

Lands in cultivation were assessed at $C.OO per acre; 
"improved" at $1.50; wild lands at SI. 00. Forty acre head 
rights were sold at from $30 to $200; militia rights (100 
acres) brought from $6 to $14. The so-oalled "improve- 
ment" rights were 50c per acre. 

SHADRACH BOND'S PRE-EMPTION LAW 

Columbia precinct has another, though rather indi- 
rect claim to fame, in that Shadrach Bond, the first Gov- 
ernor of Illinois, spent much time in Columbia with his 
uncle, another Shadrach Bond who lived in Moredock pre- 
cinct close to Columbia precinct. 

Shadrach, the younger, served as the first delegate 
from Illinois to sit in Congress. He was elected in 1812. 
During his term of office he secured the enactment of the 
first pre-emption law ever put upon the statute books 
in the United States. This law will be better understood 
if we recall the practices of frontier life. 

It often happened that the surveyed land was not 
placed on the market for a number of years. The settler 
usually selected his land and made improvements with 
the expectation that he would buy the land when it 
came upon the market. Unprincipled men would watch 
and often step ahead of the settler at the land office and 
buy the improved land at government prices. This often 
resulted in violence and bloodshed. Bond's pre-emption 
law recognized the settler's equity in the improvements 
and prevented any one else from buying the land without 
the consent of the one who had improved it. 

This Act of 1813 brought the public land into the mar- 
ket. Immigrants poured in and the land rush was on. 
Many Columbia titles and abstracts reflect this Act, and 
also the huge parcels of land belonging to John Edgar of 
Kaskaskia. 

EARLY SETTLERS 

A number of improvement claims lie scattered over 
Columbia precinct indicating permanent settlements prior 
to 1788. Claim 228 was improved by Jacob Stillman; Claim 
2058 by Thomas Winn; 501 Joseph Lacoutour; 408 Robert 
Watt; 505 Francis Bellew; 487 James Piggott; 520 White- 
side Station. These claims, with the exception of the 



Whiteside claim, lie in the northern part of Columbia 
precinct and embrace the Mississippi Bluffs throughout 
their point of extent. Southeast of these and less than a 
half mile south of Fountain creek, lies Claim 607, im- 
proved by Jacob Groats; south of Claim 571 Leonard 
Harness; Claim 543, Charles Gill. The Whiteside claim is 
in the eastern part southeast of Columbia. 

SETTLERS PRIOR TO 1820 

Among settlers best known to Columbia historians 
were the three Wilson brothers: Otho, Edward and Wil- 
liam. The Wilsons were originally from Maryland. They 
moved to Kentucky and in 1800 came to Columbia. Otho 
married Elizabeth Biggs and settled a mile and a half 
northwest of Columbia. They farmed. Their children were 
Zeborah, Nancy. Edward, William and Sarah. Otho served 
in the War of 1812 and the Black Hawk War. Edward 
married Catherine Ryan and moved to St. Clair county. 
William married Matilda Wallace, and settled on Section 
9, three-iourths of a mile northwest of Columbia. They 
were farmers. His children were John H., Elizabeth, Sarah, 
Mary, Deborah, Louis M. and George. William Biggs was 
another prominent settler, here before the advent of the 
Wilsons. He kept a tavern a half mile north of Columbia 
on the old Kaskaskia Trail, "near a spring of lasting 
water." This was one of the first stopping places of the 
stage coach between St. Louis and Kaskaskia and existed 
as early as 1800. George Ramsey came from Virginia in 
1803. In 1805 he married Nancy Chance and settled near 
Fish Lake in the Bottom. In 1816 he bought land one and 
a half miles north of Columbia from Joseph Ogle. Ben- 
jamin Ogle owned the adjoining land. The Ogles were 
from Virginia and were very old settlers. James Bradshaw 
from Kentucky settled on the southeast quarter of section 
35 in 1814. His children were Mabel, Mary, John and Syl- 
vester. Jacob Neff, one of the few German immigrants 
in this group came in 1814 and settled in section 25 Town- 
ship 1 South Range 11 West. He was a plain, industrious 
farmer and had a family of four daughters and two sons, 
who moved to Missouri. Mr. Neff stayed on the farm here 
until his death at an advanced age. Thomas Porter a 
"sporting man" and lover of horse racing, settled at Fish 
Lake in 1814 in Columbia Precinct. Joseph Beaird was a 
prominent and influential business man and farmer. He 
settled in Section 24, Township 1 south Range 10 west 
in 1817 and kept ten or twelve slaves. Thomas Nelson 
in 1817 settled in the northwest quarter of Section 26. 
He built a cabin and lived there until 1830. He had six 
sons, all six feet tall. Richard Acklas settled at Fish Lake 
in 1817. San-.uel Hill of Virginia an influential man, large 
land owner with a number of slaves settled on Section 4 
in 1818. Leonard Carr, a German, lived near the creek 
that now bears his name. John Divers of Baltimore. Mary- 
land came and settled one mile west of Columbia. He was 
a successful and wealthy farmer, and was also in the 
milling business. He died in 1849. His son, George Divers, 
served as mayor of Columbia for several terms. William 
Morgan, his wife and child came from Kentucky in 1849. 
James Shepherd came in 1826 and settled in Section 25. 
John Ryan married Susan Gall and settled in Section 25. 
Dr. Hammond Shoemaker came from New Orleans in 1833 
and settled in Section 25. He was educated as a physi- 
cian in Philadelphia. Rev. Nolan, father of Dr. James No- 
lan, a prominent and influential citizen of Columbia, was 
among the first preachers. 

Palmier cemetery, the oldest burial place in the pre- 
cinct, was laid out on the Ogle estate about 1783. Many 
Revolutionary, War of 1812 and Mexican War heroes were 
buried there. 



Other settlers prior to 1820, not previously mentioned 
were: William Phelps, George Lunceford, Robert Kidd, 
Daniel McCann. Stephen Ferry, Nicholas Smith, Henry 
O'Harra, Absolam Bradshaw, Nancy Payne, nee Wilson. 
Jacob Clark, Jacob Judy, John Johnson, Adelaid Perry, 
David Yates, P. Rockblave, James Whitley, William Trum- 
bull. David Waddle, Benjamin Rodgers, David and Ed Cox, 
John Prim, John Violeny, constable of Eagle precinct, 
James Nowlin. Juhn Tolin. 

Settlers after 1820, but not including the German set- 
tlers: James Hudson, Robert Coleman (first Grist mill, ox- 
power 1828). John E. Christy, Dr. William Goforth (old 
pills he was called), Samuel McRoberts, Nighton B. Wall, 
Joshua Parker i first blacksmith), J. B Smith and Stewart 
i first merchants in an old building near Coleman's grlsl 
mill. 1828), Lafayette Warnock, John McKee, Thomas Fin- 
ley, Stephen Gardner. John Scott Morgan, Henry Wader- 
man, John Ralls, Thomas Morgan. 

THE COMING OF THE GERMANS 

The Germans came to Columbia about 1833-35. Many 
of them came by boat from New Orleans to St. Louis and 
eventually to Columbia. Some came overland in covered 
wagons from the east coast, stopped here and looked for 
land. When the Germans arrived, large parcels of land 
were in the hands of the English, Irish, Scotch and Welsh 
settlers, who came from Virginia, South Carolina, Mary- 
land and Kentucky with George Rogers Clark. A few Ger- 
mans had found their way previously to this territory. 
and their glowing accounts of the wonderful country they 
had discovered stimulated the relatives and friends of 
the first settlers to follow to the new country. 

From 1835 to 1840 a flood of Germans came to Co- 
lumbia and surrounding territory. Some of these were 
Jacob and Christian Beck, the Beckerles, John Bohlman. 
Jacob Bersche, J. P. Ebel, Jacob Rau, Thomas Koenigs- 
mark, Joseph Platz, Valentine Janson, the Petris, Mos- 
bachers, Weckers, Frierdichs, Weilbachers, Huchs, John 
Rey, John Miller, Paul Mueller, Peter and Jacob Schlem- 
mer. John Valentine, Daniel Klein, Johan Heinrich Tocnjes. 

Land was cheap, the climate right to grow good crops, 
and those who had been politically and religiously op- 
pressed, could not wait to get to this new country where 
liberty was theirs to breathe. 

By their industry and thrift and methodical work, 
they changed the character of Columbia from a pioneer 
settlement to the Columbia today. The English. Irish and 
Scotch settlers hired the Germans to farm their large 
estates. Since the pioneers had acres and acres of land, 
but not too much money, they paid the German farmers 
with land, until, ultimately most of the land belonged 
to the Germans. 

OLD HOUSES 

The Germans were good farmers and good business 
men. They built substantial homes of brick, modeled after 
the homes they knew in the old country. They were good, 
law-abiding citizens. Because they had been oppressed in 
the old country they wanted everyone to be free, so prac- 
tically all opposed slavery and were more than willing to 
fight to oppose slavery. Practically every able-bodied man 
in Monroe county was in uniform during the Civil War. 
Women and children worked In the fields to take their 
men's places while they were away at war. 

The combination of the two types of settlers in Co- 
lumbia produced an interesting citizenry. The V. 
family of Scotch-Irish descent, the McKee family torigi- 
nally spelled M.i'Ki'i bom the Inverness region of the 
Scotch Highlands, the Warnock family descended from one 
of the first families of Edinburgh, who migrated to South 



Carolina. They were wealthy planter! there. The Ran, 
came from Virginia, the Divan from Maryland, the Mor- 
gans (rom Kentucky, the Biggs from England, the Miles 
from Wales, the Ditch family, the Shooks and Bonds 
from influential English families. 

These pioneers were people of intelligence and I 
ing. Their homes were pretentious. They lived a life of 
comparative ease, by the standards of the times. The 
happy-go-lucky, volatile, hot-tempered, courageous 1 
the canny Scot; the brooding Welsh; and the well-dis- 
ciplined English mitigated and lightened the more phleg- 
matic dispositions of the Germans. The Germans believed 
that work was of utmost importance, and that play came 
only after work was done. Mingling with the pioneer citi- 
zens we see some of the German people patterning their 
lives somewhat after the Southern planter who lived next 
door. The planters took on some of the characteristics of 
the thrifty, hardworking Germans. 

Clashes of the two personalities were in plenty-bloody 
ones, but the years have mellowed both and they are 
blended Into a harmonious whole, which is as it should 
be, in this melting pot which is America. 

Between the 1840's and the 1860's the people who 
came to Columbia, both in town and in the Bottom, are the 
ancestors of those who live here To name a few of them: 
Henckler, Gilmore, Litzenberger, Kuehner, Pfeffer, Payne, 
Huth, Schmidt, Brand. Riebeling. Wenkel. Stepplg, Stumpf. 
Gummersheimer. Breidecker, Ritter, Weinel, Vogt, Frier- 
dich, Niemeier, Kunz, Lotz, Schneider, Ferkel, Weisenborn, 
Bergmann, Grosse, Stoll, Rueck, Rohm, Meyer, Schrader, 
Angerer, Kemp, Fischer, Gundlach, Reis, Rauch, W.-il- 
bacher, Beckmann, Ludwig, Landgraf, Eckert, Metter, 
Reichert, Kremmel, Van Luik, Volkert, Schuchardt, Richert, 
Steffenauer, Roessler, Kupferschmidt, Arnin. Bauman. 
Weisenstein. Durrer, Wink, Diehl, Wierschem, Van Guest, 
Tunze, Eschmann, Wilde, Van Closter, Schueler, Fiege, 
Dreher, Mitweide, Miller, Brucker, Taake, Grob, Haberlah, 
Oiffhorn, Harmacek, Stemler, Heise, Carle, Grueninger, 
Faust, Schorb, Blittersdorf, Schroeder, Doerr, Theobald, 
Lepp, Habermehl, Brellinger, Oexner, Daab, Harres, Phelps, 
Hick. Dollar, Heiligstedt. Reichenbach, Schoening, Her- 
mann, Dotzauer, Juengling, Schiemer, Kraus, Schaefer, 
Koch, Mueller, Schuler, Mundinger, Rehg, Kossina, Menner. 
Petri, Scheuermann. Dankenbring. Sander, Lehr, Rose. Oer- 
ter, Briegel, Rapp. 

THE FIRST YEARS OF THE COLUMBIA SETTLERS 

The first years of Columbia settlers were busy ones. 
•They broke the sod for crops, cleared the ground for 
cabins, built cabins, fought Indians. With all this drudgery 
which preceded the beginnings of civilization they had 
little time for anything but mere survival. Ther< 
log cabins in Columbia as early as 1815. In 1821 
original town of Columbia was laid out on the land of 
Louis Nolan. The survey and plat was made by a V, 
but It was never recorded Town boundaries 

u-nated and the municipality was first incorporated 

a "Town" by a special Act of the Thirty-First Gen.-ral 

Assembly of the State of Illinois, approved on the 19th 

of February A. D. 1859, by Governor William H. B 

The first election of said Town of Columhia w I 
at the house of Ernst Mund, In 1859, at which "all white 

male inhabitants over the ac..- I I 
entitled to vote. Only a bona fide freeholder who had 

l a state and county tax could hold the office of 
Trustee. 




THE A. F. WEINEL HOME IN COLUMBIA 




THE HENRY PAYNE HOME 
Oldest Log Cabin still in use in Columbia Precinct 



HOME OWNED BY GEORGE DIVERS 




THE JAMES WARNOCK HOUSE 
10 



The first Officers for the Town of Columbia, elected 
iit 1859, were: President. Stewart McKee. Trustees, John 
Gundlach. John Just, John Ferkel; Clerk, Armln Borne- 
mann; Treasurer. John Ferkel; Constable, Henry Scheuer- 
mann; Street Commissioner. Jacob Beck. 

Minutes of the first meeting. March 10, 1859. 10 A. M. 
Stewart McKee. Lafayette Warnock, John Gundlach, John 
Ferkel and John lost legally elected and duly qualified 
rn as Trustees of the Town of Columbia, met OB 
Lhe tenth day of March, 1859 at 10 o'clock A. M. and 
proceeded to organize as a body incorporate under the 
style and name of the President and Board of Trustees of 
the Town of Columbia. At the motion of John Gundlach, 
Stewart McKee was elected President. At the motion of 
John Gundlach, Armin Bornemann was appointed by the 
Board as clerk and ordered the same to be sworn. At the 
motion of Lafayette Warnock. John Ferkel was appointed 
Treasurer of the Town. The motion of Lafayette Warnock 
to appoint a street commissioner was postponed till the 
next meeting. At a motion of Lafayette Warnock, the 
president was authorized to appoint a committee of three 
for the purpose of making by-laws. The President ap- 
pointed Lafayette Warnock. John Gundlach and John Jost. 
They read the Town Charter which was signed by Wm. R. 
Morrison speaker of the House of Representatives, John 
Wood. Speaker of the Senate, and was approved by Gov- 
ernor William H. Bissell, and registered with the Secretary 
of State. O. M. Hatsch. 

Warnock moved the President appoint a committee for 
superintending the work of the surveyor by surveying the 
limits of the Town. The President appointed John Gund- 
lach and John Ferkel. It was decided to charge a license 
for an auctioneer, 'pedlar.' a beer house, a grocery, a nine 
or ten pin alley or shuffle board, a theatre or other ex- 
hibition such as a circus or caravan, provided that for mu- 
sicales or concerts, or exhibitions of painting and statuary, 
given or made by citizens of this town and Thespian per- 
formances for benevolent purposes no license be required. 
However, anyone playing a hand organ or other musical 
instruments about the streets to entertain must have a 
license. All persons keeping a grocery or house of 
entertainment wherein spirituous, vinous or mixed liquors 
or any fluid containing alcohol are sold in less quantity 
than one gallon shall be required to have a license. 

Hugo Ropiquet was appointed surveyor, and John Jost 
was appointed to carry the flag for the surveyor. At the 
motion of Lafayette Warnock the Board adjourned until 
the next regular meeting at the office of A. Bornemann. 

At the meeting held March 26, 1859 it was decided 
that every able-bodied man between the ages of 21 and 
50 be required to labor on streets and alleys four days 
every year, with reasonable diligence, for ten hours a day 
or get no credit, or he could pay 75c a day in lieu of his 
labor. He worked under the supervision of the stn-.-t in- 
spector. Next they decided to rent a town hall from a 
Mr. Ebel for $3.10 a month, and also to get bids to ma- 
cadamize Main street. 

The first licenses issued were as follows: 
John Ferkel fur keeping a grocery for 6 months 
Henry - Siemens for keeping a grocery for 6 months 
Ernst Grosse for keeping a grocery for 6 months 
Wm. Henze and Stoehr beer house 
L KaffenbergeT beer house 

n and Welnel Store I 1 year 
Eenird and Gardner Store I 1 year 
Reid and Ceirns Store I 1 year 



Henze and Stoehr Store I 1 year 

tlan Breldecker store 1 l year 
Henry Siemens Ten pin alley 
Ernst Mund Ten pin alley 
Billiards and pitchinhole also licensed. 

This unusual Ordinance was passed: Every male per- 
son of the age of 21 and upward who shall neglect or re- 
fuse to join in the posse of the constable or any other 
officer by neglect or refusing to aid and assist arresting 
persons against whom they may have issued any civil 01 
crin.inal process or who may have escaped after having 
been arrested shall be fined not exceeding $25. 

The Trustees had authority to make pavements or 
sidewalks— ''provided always, that the lot in front of any 
sidewalk should be taxed to at least one-half the ex- 
penses of said sidewalk", and the town could sell any 
property subject to redemption when the tax levied upon 
It was not paid. The charter further provided that the 
"County court of Monroe County shall not be authorized 
to levy a license on the aforesaid houses of public enter- 
tainment, taverns, beer houses, groceries and stop 
in the limits of said Town of Columbia.— Provided said 
town shall support and maintain her own paupers". 

The Board ordered a desk to be made by Fred Utzen- 
berger in which to keep records. It was made of solid 
walnut and is now in the City Library as beautiful as it 
was when made. The next order of business was to pro- 
vide ways and means for road building. Streets there 
were none worthy of the name, and the condition of the 
roads can be described by a story they used to tell. It 
may not be quite true, but reflects their feeling about 
streets and roads. 

A man on his way to St. Louis saw in the Bottom a 
hat on top of the ground. The man got off his horse to 
pick up the hat. and found a man under it. The man un- 
der the hat said "I am safe, but under me is a wagon and 
four horses mired in the mud, and I think they are In a 
bad fix." 

Things must have jogged along pretty comfortably 
for nothing of great import was recorded from the minutes 
of the town board from which this part of the history is 
taken until on July 1, 1861 a bill of Charles Henckler was 
allowed for revision of the town charter which was passed 
on Feb. 19. 1859. Some minor provisions were corrected 
On July of 1561 the board appointed a committee to 
"make a circulation of a building" 16x20 feet two stories 
high to be made of "wrock" and brick, lower story 
feet over the ground to be l 1 - feet thick; upper 
brick, 9 inches thick. This was apparently a plan for .. 
town hall, but no further mention of it was made until tl 
board in 1875 met to consider the building of a calaboo-. 
or a •'calabooze" and market house. Fred Koch estimate, 
the cost of the "calabooze" at $1150 and calaboose an. 
market house at $2237.50. They decided to build a cala 
boose and town hall and let the bid to Berg am! I 

075, building to be of stone and to be finished 
iber l, 1877. 

February 6, 1865, John Gundlach was appointe,! 
to Springfield on account of having amended the 
charter. He was allowed $15 for his expenses. 

At the last meeting in 1866 the only thing of ll 
was tha> Niemeicr oppposed letting <!■ 

loose in Columbia. He lost his point and pups had t 
freedom of the town. 

On October 7. 1SG7. August F. Wcinel. then 
t was paid $400 for surveying anil 
cash. 

Prom 1H6.T to 1871 
with the building ids and bn ■: 



U 



Strangely enough there was no mention of any kind 
of the Civil War either in Board proceedings or other data. 
One mention, only, there was. A committee called on the 
widows of Civil War veterans to see if they were in need 
of aid. They were not and that seemed to close the 
matter. 

At the April 1S66 meeting the Board asked for bids to 
macadamize Main street a distance of a quarter of a mile, 
road to be 16 feet wide, 13 inches deep in center and 7 
inches at the sides. 

In 1875 when A. F. Weinel was president, a mention 
was made of paupers. Columbia cared for its own paupers. 
Also in 1875 P. W. Miller and Henry Riebeling were com- 
missioned to build a gun carriage for a cannon. This 
cannon and gun carriage figured prominently in Colum- 
bia Fourth of July celebrations. 

In November 1876 they decided to build a pavement 
from Main street to the school house, (this was the year 
the new school was built). Sidewalks built at that time 
were plank walks. 

In July of 1S77 there was threatened litigation over the 
failure of the Cairo and St. Louis Railway Company ta 
build a depot here as required by law. The town threaten- 
ed to sue but arbitrated the matter with the result the 
railroad paid half and the city half. Fred Koch got the 
contract — $460 the cost. 

On February 12, 1879 Columbia had its first street 
lighting project. The new coal oil lights were lit for the 
first time by the Town Marshal, Henry Riebeling. They 
were lit at dark and extinguished at dawn, such duties 
performed by the Town Marshal. These lights were in 
square lantern effect, such as are now used to light patios 
and gardens. 

CENSUS IN 1879 
The year 1879 and the pace begins to quicken, fore- 
telling more improvements for the little community. On 
October 4, 1875 a census disclosed: 

Males under 6 years 110 

Females under 6 years 124 

Males between 6 and 21 254 

Females between 6 and 21 246 

Males 21 to 50 238 

Females 21 to 50 225 

Males over 50 101 

Females over 50 95 

Total 1393 

Total Males 694 Total Females 699 

An order of business in 1879 made many happy. 
There would be no further road labor for males, even 
though they filled and graded and macadamized the road 
to the Catholic cemetery' that year. 

In 1881 the Cit;, vlads built a fence around the city 
park and commissioned Henry Reichenbach to buy one 
dozen chairs for the town hall. Half of these chairs, cap- 
tain's chairs of oak, are still in the City Hall. The mar- 
shal was also permitted to wear a star as a symbol of his 
office, and Chris Niemeier gave a police whistle to said 
marshal, "which was thankfully received." The marshal's 
salary was S15 a month plus $10 for caring for street 
lighting. 

In 1882 Peter Frierdich and Sons built a switch to 
the St. Louis and Cairo Railroad 150 yards long, 8 feet 
wide on North Second, and made a culvert at Peter 
Small's. In 1885 Henry Huch the miller, wanted to build 
one along Whiteside street to the railroad but his re- 
quest was denied. 



In 1884 practically the only thing of note was, that if 
a citizen could not pay his fine, he could be chucked in 
the calaboose — notice, not "calabooze". 

In 1866 the town bought a Howe 10 ton triple beam 
scale for $170 and appointed a weighmaster, J. A. Brei- 
decker, he to get 50% of the proceeds. Prices for weigh- 
ing were: two-horse wagon 15c; for gross and tare live 
stock 10c a head and 5c thereafter. 

In 1877 and thereafter saw a trend toward providing 
employment for citizens. At John Pfeffer's request the 
city decided to dig for coal. At an election 207 were for 
digging for coal and 5 against. Peter Reis, Charles Brei- 
decker and L. E. Seyfarrdt asked for an appropriation, 
which was granted. The state geologist was contacted to 
locate a site. By October they decided to go to at 
least 550 feet in an attempt to locate a vein. The venture 
apparently died a-borning, but some coal was dug, for 
Turner records showed they purchased coal from the com- 
pany. 

A town ordinance in 1888 provided that a passenger 
train could go no faster through the corporate limits of 
Columbia than 15 miles an hour and a freight train but 5 
miles an hour; and if a person could not pay a fine, the 
city ordered the culprit retained with ball and chain if 
necessary at faithful labor upon the streets, alleys and 
public grounds for at least eight hours per day until the 
fine was paid off, allowing 50c for each day's work, 
board free, but at night the culprit was popped in the 
calaboose. There were rock piles all over town for the un- 
fortunate sinner to work at. 

In 1888 an attempt was made to change Columbia 
from a town to a village. The citizens voted the change 
down by a vote of 68 for and 94 against. 

In this year, 1888, John B. Schmidt, George Divers, A. 
B. Vogt, J. R. Walker and William Gundlach contacted St. 
Louis manufacturers to locate in Columbia, with little suc- 
cess for there is no mention of anyone coming to Colum- 
bia for that purpose. Later there was a mass meeting at 
the Turner Hall to try to raise $15,000 for a factory, but 
this too was unsuccessful. 

In 1890 the Board allowed Henry Huch to build a 
switch to the mill for which he deeded to the town that 
part of North Second street, beginning at Mr. Rose's cor- 
ner and extending to the corner of Daniel Klein's prop- 
erty; and also the street beginning at the Masonic Hall 
on Main street to North Second street. 

In 1891 the town bought two sets of balls and chains 
and one set of handcuffs for which they paid S17.00 
(The balls and chains have not been used lately, but they 
are still at the City Hall). 

July 1891 the town gave the G. A. R. Post 8 pounds of 
gun powder and the use of the cannon for the Fourth of 
July celebration. The Turners invited the Town Board to 
participate in their Fourth of July celebration. The Town 
Board accepted and hired a rig from A. F. Weinel so they 
could ride in the parade. This year the town park was 
opened to the public, the town to build twelve new bench- 
es. The park was where part of the City Hall now stands. 

In 1891 the town was back to road building, for they 
hired Urmey and Morgan to assist in staking out grades 
and repairing Cherry street. They were to fill and raise 
the bridge on Chercy street below Turner Hall. Dr. Wil- 
liam Rose sold the ground for the fill for §100.00. 



12 




The Joshua Wilson House now 1-JO years old, owned and occupied by Miss Josephine Burroughs. 




The John and Philip Peter Gundlach house built in 1856-1857 as a two family residence. Purchased by Ern-t 
and lately by Paul Helsler by whom it is now occupied. 

These two houses represent two cultures — the English manor house and the sophisticated German residence. 

13 



IMPROVEMENTS 

Now ir.ore stirring of interest in improvements is evi- 
dent. A committee was sent to Waterloo to inspect their 
light plant. The committee consisted of J. A. Breidecker, 
H. C. Schneider and Henry J. Kunz, Sr. In December the 
town board wrote to a Mr. Murdack of St. Louis requesting 
information about incandescent lighting. 

There was a robbery at the Catholic Church early in 
December of 1891. Thieves entered the church and stole 
sacred vessels from the altar. At the December meeting of 
the town board a reward of $200 was offered "for the 
capture and conviction of any burglar, dead or alive, of 
burglary committed within the corporate limits of Colum- 
bia." They moved to assist trustees of the Catholic 
church to hire a detective (paying half the cost) to as- 
sist in the capture of the burglar. Two night watchmen 
were hired at $1.00 a night, George Bauer and Conrad 
Steffenauer, who were to be on duty from 9 p. m. to 
6 a. m. The Masonic Hall was the dividing line of their 
beat. The burglar was never caught but the missing 
articles were found many years later, having been buried 
under a tree near town. 

In August of 1891 the Bell Telephone Co. sought a 
franchise to operate a telephone business in Columbia. 
There is no record of any action on the matter. But in 
1895 the town bought two telephones, one for the depot 
and one for the power house. In 1896 Dr. M. G. Nixon 
and Adolph Lambrecht asked permission for the Missouri 
Telephone Mfg. Co. of St. Louis to run a telephone cable 
through the streets of Columbia, subject to many condi- 
tions. Permission was granted. 

On December 27, 1891 they passed an ordinance to 
create a light plant, contracting with Murdack for the 
construction ot same. The name was to be the Columbia 
Electric Light and Power Company. The matter hung in 
fire until June of 1892 when the Board informed Murdack 
that if the light plant was not in operation by July 1, 
1892, the contract would be null and void. In December 
the contract was voided. 

Still seeking to modernize Columbia, on July 20. 1892 
at a special meeting with President Henry J. Kunz, Sr., 
presiding, Joseph M. Arnin and Charles Pepperni were 
commissioned to go to St. Louis to find out how to organ- 
ize and finance an electric light plant. Another special 
meeting was called for September 5. It was proposed that 
the town of Columbia purchase electrical energy from a 
company to be known as the Eagle Electric Company. A 
building was to be erected, machinery purchased and the 
town was to have 90 street lights of 32 candle power. 
The building erected was our old power house. Current 
was to be purchased from sunset to sunrise, the fran- 
chise to run for ten years, cost $1.50 a lamp. This was ap- 
proved October 3, 1892. Columbia purchased the stock. 
Henry Huch was president of the new company which 
operated until June of 1903 when the town offered to buy 
out the company for $?000. However, appraisers were ap- 
pointed, Arthur Huey, George W. Ziebold and F. W. Baltz. 
They appraised the holdings at $2750 and the offer was 
promptly accepted. A special election confirmed the 
judgment of the board to purchase the plant which was 
then operated by the town, until it was sold to the Illi- 
nois Power and Light Co. in 1923. 

From 1895 to 1901 there was little of interest to 
record except the struggles of the trustees to get a satis- 
factory light plant. 



October of 1901 saw a smallpox and diphtheria epi- 
demic, for a board of health was appointed to guard 
against smallpox and other contagious diseases. E. F. 
Schoening, Dr. Wm. Rose and Dr. M. G. Nixon were the 
committee appointed. It must have raged until spring for 
there were bills for George Wilson and Conrad Steffen- 
auer for guarding diphtheria cases and Mr. Wilson for at- 
tending smallpox cases. Mrs. Charles Schneider was 
paid for disinfecting "smallpox houses." 

COLUMBIA BECOMES A VILLAGE 

On September 7, 1903 a petition signed by 40 legal 
voters was presented to the board to submit the question 
to organize as a village under the general law. The elec- 
tion was held and on October 5, 1903 by a vote of For 53 
Against 16, spoiled ballots 7. By this vote Columbia be- 
came a village. 

The pace of Columbia's growth begins to accelerate. 
In 1904 Henry N. Kunz, son of former mayor Henry J. 
Kunz, Sr., was elected president of the board to succeed 
the vacancy caused by the resignation of James Warnock. 

The new presiding officer was young and full of 
energy. He was a methodical business man and a farm 
land owner. One of his first official acts was to order the 
village attorney, A. C. Bollinger, to prepare one hundred 
copies of the revised ordinances of the village. It was ap- 
parent his administration would be a business adminis- 
tration. And well it might be, for there was a great need 
for improvements. Many of these were in a formative 
state. In previous administrations there was a quest to 
find a source of water that Columbia might have a 
municipal water plant of some sort. In 1901 legislation 
v.-as parned in the village board to examine springs and 
make surveys from springs to town and make estimates 
of costs of waterworks. The town passed an ordinance 
allowing the Columbia Star Milling Company, owned by 
E. F. Schoening to test the town well at their own ex- 
pense and if sufficient water was found to reimburse the 
Mill for all expenses and permit them to use water for 
$1.00 per year, but with the town to take over the well. 
Louis Bendit asked to clean out and test the town well 
and was authorized to do so, but nothing came of it. 
The water problem, it seemed, could not be solved, so 
the new mayor turned his attention to other problems he 
felt he could solve. 

Columbia, under President Kunz, showed increasing 
evidence of the changing times. He presented the 1904 
appropriation ordinance for $5620 for streets and alleys; 
$1300 for lights; $2600 for contingent fund and $1300 for 
salaries. 

He appointed Albert Lepp superintendent of the light 
plant, with Henry Frierdich engineer; Dan Eckert fire- 
man. Charles Morgan succeeded Frierdich as the engineer. 
Many improvements were made then, including adding 
of machinery, and supplying electrical energy three days 
a week. 

In August of 1904, the city bought a strip of ground 
35 feet wide and 77 feet easterly, to be used for street 
purposes to the new Mobile and Ohio station. Previously 
it had been located at Rick street near the Briegel resi- 
dence and then across the tracks from its present location. 
There was much passenger traffic then and seeing the 
trains come in and depart, especially on Sunday, was a 
favorite Columbia recreation, for many from St. Louis 
carre to spend their Sundays here. 




PHILIP SCHMIDT. BREWERY OWNER, RESIDENCE 




JOE SCHULER RESIDENCE 





PHILIP SCHMIDT BEER CELLAR 




PHILIP SCHNEIDER RESIDENCE 



PHILIP SCHMIDT NICOLAUS WILDE JOE SCHULER 



The above pictures were procured from the Library of Congress at Washington. D. C. and are fine example 
architecture Introduced to Columbia by G 



IS 



WORLD'S FAIR 1904 

In September 1904 the city officials, businessmen and 
citizens of Columbia decided to go to the World's Fair at 
St. Louis in a body. 

On September 22, 1904 every business house and all 
the schools in town and in the neighborhood were closed 
and given a holiday at the World's Fair. 

Among the enthusiastic workers were Mayor H. N. 
Kunz, John A. Pfeffer, E. F. Schoening, J. M. Arnin, O. M. 
Rendelman and Henry Reichenbach. 

There was a special train of seven coaches, with 
streamers indicating that it was Columbia day. They had 
the Columbia Star Band to furnish the music. After their 
arrival at Union Station, the Shuttle Train had a special 
awaiting them to take them to the Fair Grounds. On 
their arrival, to the stirring music of the Columbia Star 
Band, they marched to the Illinois State Building. There 
an address of welcome was delivered by Commissioner 
C. J. Doyle and responded to by Honorable A. C. Bollinger 
and Mayor Henry N. Kunz. Then the crowd disbanded 
and spent the day seeing the sights. 

From the St. Louis Republic under the head "Hail 
Columbia" in reference to Columbia Day we take the fol- 
lowing: 

"Were a medal struck to celebrate the city, town or 
hamlet, which relatively, should make the best showing 
in attendance at the World's Fair, the honor would belong 
to the village of Columbia. Illinois. 

This village could not send 400,000 people to the Ex- 
position in one day as St. Louis did, or 50,OCO as Chicago 
will; but its record is glorious enough to make the bigger 
cities envious. 

Columbia's record is so creditable to the Exposition 
and to St. Louis as well as to the people of Columbia, as 
to require special attention. 

The village was represented one day at the Expo- 
sition by 1000 of its inhabitants, which means that only 
300 remained at home, as the total population is 1300. 
This is a record which it would be almost impossible to 
beat. And it must be said that the honor for attendance 
belongs to Columbia." 

A note of tragedy and sadness entered Columbia Day 
when John Novack fell off the train as it was returning to 
Columbia, in the tunnel, and was killed. 

A newer form of transportation, the streetcar — ap- 
peared on the horizon. On October 1, 1906 by Ordinance 
No. 10, the East St. Louis, Columbia and Waterloo railway 
and its successors was granted permission to build, main- 
tain and operate a street railway. 

In January of 1907, following the submission of a 
petition by William Hills and Fred and Philip Gummer- 
sheimer, officers of the Farmers Fountain Telephone Com- 
pany, said company was granted the right to operate on 
Columbia streets. The line finally began operation on 
August 7, 1912. 

Employment was increasing in Columbia, the Colum- 
bia Quarry Company was operating two quarries and on a 
large scale; Dupo and Bixby had opened up as railroad 
centers for the Missouri-Pacific and allied lines. A news- 
paper had come in, The Columbia Star. Due to the en- 
couragement given by President Kunz and stories in the 
metropolitan press, that Columbia, almost to a man, had 
attended the St. Louis World's Fair on Columbia Day 
George W. Smith located here and established The Co- 
lumbia Star on May 7. 1906. He worked for many years 
in Chicago, and most of the large dailies in the 
country and then established a country newspaper in West 
Point, Iowa. Being originally from Waterloo from an old 



German family, Columbia appealed to him. Editorially he 
suppoited every measure that was for the good of Colum- 
bia and was not averse to taking a very personal interest 
in any disputed matter. He was a fighting editor of the 
old school and was afraid of nothing. The Columbia Star 
was made the official newspaper of Columbia. 

In March of 1907 a special meeting of the village 
board was held for the purpose of securing granitoid (or 
cement) sidewalks for Columbia. This was a great step 
forward, for the old plank walks had practically disinte- 
grated. The plan was for the city to pay half of the cost 
and the property owner the other half. 

Not much time was wasted, for Farley and Company 
of Homer, Illinois got the contract. Good sidewalks they 
were, too, for most of them are still being used and are 
still in good condition. 

Other new things became a part of the Columbia pic- 
ture for on June 1, 1908 Emil Pfeffer established the first 
movie house in Columbia in the old Harmacek building 
now operated as a tavern by Harry Kuehner. An ordin- 
ance provided that "a bona fide resident of Columbia, by 
paying a fee of $50 a year or $30 for six months could 
operate a movie show, mutascope or magic lantern show. 
Art Penn also conducted an airdrome at the Gundlach 
place. 

Old things were passing away in Columbia, for in 
1908 the A. F. Weinel Company discontinued their livery 
stable, so long a part of old Columbia. 

Then in February of 1907 came a crisis. The village 
announced that it would be unable to furnish light unless 
a larger dynamo be installed. This was met by the order 
that no one be allowed to burn electric lights all night 
and other essential cutbacks. In April of that year E. L. 
Rauch was appointed superintendent of the light plant, a 
position he occupied for eighteen years. He introduced 
an era of economy and good business methods that put 
the light ilant on firm footing. By 1909 Columbia had 
full day current and on February 1, 1909 the tungsten 
system of street lighting was installed. The schedule 
of rates posted at that time is interesting. 

1 — 4 lamps 16 candle power $1.50 per mo. 
5 — 8 lamps 16 candle power $2.00 per mo. 
9 — 12 lamps 16 candle power $2.50 per mo. 
12 — 20 lamps 16 candle power $3.00 per mo. 
For all over 20, 10c each additional light per mo. 
Saloons and R. R. Depots: 
1 — 5 lamps 16 candle power .85 per mo. 
6 — 8 lamps 16 candle power .75 per mo. 
9 — 12 lamps 16 candle power .65 per mo. 
Stores: 

1 — 5 lamps 16 candle power .60 per mo. 
6 — 8 lamps 16 candle power .55 per mo. 
9 — 12 lamps 16 candle power .50c per mo. 
On March 2, 1908 the village finished paying of the 
Eagle Electric Company and finances began to get better. 
There were a number of "thou shalt nots" intro- 
duced at this time such as, "Children are not allowed to 
fly kites in any street, avenue or public place, not to 
have a hand or a toy sled on the street, nor to obstruct 
or use sidewalks, footways, or thoroughfares within the 
village, by playing marbles, spinning tops, rolling hoops, 
playing ball or toss ball of any description." Violator's 
parents were to be fined $3 to $15. 

Another ordinance provided "Anyone propelling an 
auto or conveyance propelled by steam, gas or electric, 
more than six miles per hour through the village was 
subject to a fine of $5 to $200 or confined in the county 
jail for not more than six months." 



16 



October 1, 1906 a street railway ordinance was pub- 
lished in the Columbia Star authorizing the E. St. Louis 
and Columbia Ry. to operate on the streets of Columbia. 

A curfew ordinance was passed keeping the Children 
■ <{ Columbia off the streets after 7 p. m. in win' 
8 p. m. In summer. However, they continued to play "Lay 
Low, Sheep", the game of the time, until bedtime. Com- 
pared to today it was certainly a harmless game, although 
at that time many complained of the noise. 

Much was accomplished in the Kunz administration, 
particularly in paying up old debts and laying the founda- 
tion tor improvements Mayor Kunz knew were to come. 

In 1909 H. N. Kunz. retiring president, presented the 
new president Fred G. Rapp with a bundle of work and 
trouble when he passed him and the new board cor- 
respondence regarding sewerage and waterworks for Co- 
lumbia. Mr. Kunz knew that though the time was not 
yet ripe for them in his administration. Mr. Rapp would 
fall heir to them and he wished to help him all he could. 

FRED G. RAPP NEW PRESIDENT VILLAGE BOARD 
The new president of the board was a former school 
He was also a businessman conducting a large 
insurance agency, the Rapp Insurance Agency. He was 
a civic-minded man and loved Columbia with a rare fervor. 
He knew that Columbia had many civic problems to solve, 
but he was happy to give of his time and talents to make 
Columbia a better place to live in. 

Since his work involved much traveling he sold Co- 
lumbia to everyone who would listen to him. He coined 
the phrase "Columbia, the City of Gardens and Homes." 
It was largely, too. through him that Columbia became 
known as "Spotless Town." 

He was a member of the board of the St. Louis Metro- 
politan Planning Commission, as was the former presi- 
dent, Henry' H. Kunz and the present Mayor A. C. Metter. 

Mr. Rapp's task as the presiding officer of an old, old, 
successively, village, town and city, was not an easy one. 
There were many problems, sometimes seemingly insur- 
mountable, but through it all he never lost interest, 
never gTew discouraged. Nearing the end of his final term 
of office he announced he would not run again. But to 
the end of his term he was as interested as the day ho 
took over the reins of government of his beloved city. 
Herewith, step by step, we give the record of his regime 
as compiled from the proceedings of the city board. 

Under the leadership of the new village board presi- 
dent in June of 1909 the search for water for a municipal 
plant in Columbia began in earnest. Sewerage, too. was 
on the agenda. In August of that year George Cadoogan 
was ordered to draw up plans for water and 
ge, and the search for water began. 

mbia had its first annual Clean-Up Day on Octo- 
'. )\0. This became an annual event and continued 
until Columbia employed a garbage man and a man to 
take aw-ay tin cans and other accumulated junk. 

At the January 2d. 1911 meeting the board talked of 
buying ground for a light plant. On February 11 the same 
year the board was authorized to purchase ground adjoln- 

what was known ns the Mill 
the Columbia Star Mill. E F Schoening. presidi 
$5500. They also bought a new boLer (or the 1 i k ■' ' 
In June 1911 the citizens of Columbia asked [or 

The village agreed to place the oil on the 
if the property owners would pay for the oil. This 
ager to do. 



In October of that year the Council voted to modern- 
ize their bookkeeping methods by requiring numerous 
forms including burial permits. All death certificai' 
ordered filed with the Stale Board of Health in Springfield. 

At that time too the East St. Louis, Columbia and Wa- 
terloo Railway asked for an extension of the time limit 
set for them to have their railway completed. There was 
some litigation about the right-of-way. Tl. 
was granted with September 1. 1912 as the deadline. They 
beat the deadline for on August 7, 1912 the first street car 
came to Columbia, thus beginning another step forward 
for Columbia. 

On January 22, 1912 the survey of Columbia of R. I. 
Arbogast was questioned and he rosurveyed and replatted 
at a cost of $400. The project was completed April 1. 1913. 

At the March 12, 1912 meeting the board moved to 
abolish slot machines. 

Now comes a real search for water for Columbia. In 
February of 1913 the village secured an option of two 
acres of ground from Adam Grieshamer with orders to 
proceed at once with drilling for water. On March 3. 1913 
one acre of ground was leased from A. F. Weinel for the 
same purpose with John M. Burkhard to drill for water. 
On June 3, 1913 the Illinois State Water Survey reports 
that the water on the Grieshamer property was satisfac- 
tory. 

On August 19, 1912 it was ordered that Columbia put 
up the new, recently purchased street signs. At the same 
meeting waterworks and sewerage reports were brought in 
and the water committee was granted permission to drill 
for water in and about Columbia. 

On July 7, 1913 it was ordered that the village scales 
be moved to Schoening avenue. 

On August 3, 1913 liability insurance was placed on all 
village employees. 

On December 1, 1913 it was decided to try' a metered 
rate for electricity. Previous to that time only the flat rate 
system was used. 

In 1914 the village paid for oiling the streets, an in- 
novation then, but custom since then. 

On September 17, 1914 Columbia was invited to attend 
the St. Clair County Centennial at Belleville at which Co- 
lumbia entp'ed a float. 

At the same meeting William Vogt presents the plat 
of Columbia Heights to the city This is Columbia's first 
new subdivision, and thus marks another step forward. 

On March 1915 the official village base or plane of re- 
ferral is established. It is a fixed stone sill 100 feet away 
from South Second and Cherry Streets. At this meeting 
Henry N. Kunz was appointed public engineer and E. A. 
Weinel, Superintendent of streets. 

BOND ISSUE FOR WATERWORKS & 
SEWERAGE DEFEATED 

On April 3. 1915 a special ell I held 

for a bond Issue of (10,000 for waterworks ■ > 
It was held on Jun. • s; 363 no. 

On October 4, 1914 the Columbia Star Mill asked for a 
switch to their property from the Mobile and ON 
Ion granted. 
At the November 6 meeting. 1914 E I. Raueh. light 
iperintendent, pr< current foi 

light u 

light plant Improvements, 

At the October 1917 mi 
night marshal. Me served until July ' 

ing an aut< I 



% k 




Bi : & ■& 




1909-1910 Mayor and City Council. Policemen George Baner and John B. Schmidt. Ferdinand Fiege, Albert Lepp, Louis 
Tunze, Gustav Tunze, Fred G. Rapp, Mayor; Chas. Lotz, William Haberlah, E. L. Rauch and Herman Meyer. 



At the October 1917 meeting the Columbia Commer- 
cial Club presented a petition for free mail service. 

At the January 7, 1918 meeting the Village bought a 
road oiler, and in that year also authorized the purchase 
of a road oiling wagon for $400 from the Austin Road 
Machinery Co. 

At the March 4, 1918 meeting it was reported that 
smallpox was rampant in Columbia. 

At the May 6, 1918 session R. P. Briegel plats sub- 
division of lots 17, 18, 19 and 21 of McKee's addition and 
the board accepts it. 

On March 11, 1919 W. A. Fuller, engineer for proposed 
improvements at the light plant, is asked to submit an 
estimate of what it would cost to secure current from the 
East St. Louis, Columbia and Waterloo Railway. At this 
meeting it was reported that a boiler costing $1596.50 was 
needed for the light plant. 

NEW LIGHT PLANT AUTHORIZED 

On April 1, 1919 day and night current was authorized 
for Columbia electric light customers. In April of this 
year an election was held to authorize the building of a 
new light plant. The vote 192 for, 8 against. 

At the September 1919 meeting businesses were again 
ordered licensed. 

Trouble at the light plant in January 1920 when it 
was agreed the light plant could furnish current for only 
three days a week. In February of that year the influ- 
enza epidemic struck and quarantine regulations were 
set up. 

On April 12, 1920 full day current was restored. 

In September of 1921 R. W. English asked permis- 
sion to use the city park for a playground. Permission 
was granted and he was appointed Superintendent of 
Playgrounds of the park which was officially named the 
Columbia Community Playground. 



New subdivisions were platted from 1922 to 1924 as 
follows: Pauline Grieshamer, Clara Schmidt Addition, 
naming alleys; Lena Rose subdivision, Warnock subdivis- 
ion; Fred Lepp, resurvey; and Charles Grosse subdivision. 

At the September 22, 1922 meeting the paving of 
Main street was authorized. 

In 1924 the village board authorized the selling of 
the light plant to the Illinois Power and Light Company, 
for $30,000 and so ended the headaches of the village's 
municipal plant. 

In the September meeting mention was made of the 
death of a city employee, William Rauch, special police 
officer, who was killed by the automobile of David L. 
Smith. 

COLUMBIA BECOMES A CITY 

Came a new era for Columbia for on March 22, 1927 
there was an election held to change from village to city. 
The project carried, with a vote of 159 for and 50 against. 

In 1927 the board again received a petition for free 
delivery of the mails. 

Like Banquo's Ghost, the water problem would not 
down. To seek to solve it the City Board got prices for the 
installation of a water and sewerage system in Columbia. 
This report was presented in the October 27 meeting: 

PRICES FOR WATER 

East St. Louis $292,325; River Bottom $105,404; Hill's 
Spring $99,809; Olympia Street $73,623; Sanitary sewer 
system $70,623. 

Ground was bought from Adam Grieshamer for well 
and pump house; not quite an acre of land was pur- 
chased on which was an abandoned mine shaft. Here the 
water was located. It was installed during 1928 and 1929 



18 



and Columbians were quite happy over this, what they 
thought, was a solution of the problem. The sewer plant, 
an Imhoff Tank system, was located. 

This too, was a step forward, but very shortly trouble 
began to develop there too, and what seemed to be the 
ideal solution to sewer problems became almost as trou- 
blesome as the water problem. 

On March 10. 1930 the Turner Hall was bombed, and 
the Columbia American Legion Post volunteered to serve 
as a Vigilante Committee for the City. 

To insure more water, on August 4. 1930 the city 
authorized the drilling of another well. Again, on Janu- 
ary 5. 1931 Test well No. 2 was ordered on the Columbia 
Waterworks lot. 

On January 31, 1931 the city water supply was in- 
adequate due to a long drought and another well was 
dug which proved to have a flow for 72 hours of from 30 
to 10 gallons per minute. 

The water situation became bad again. Water and 
sewers cost so much on account of the long drought that 
anticipation warrants had to be issued. Water had to be 
hauled in. There could be no sprinkling or washing of 
autos. At this time Alderman A. C. Metter was appointed 
chairman of the water committee. 

At the July 16, 1931 meeting the board recommended 
employing an engineer to make a preliminary survey of 
the now contemplated Dupo water supply line. 

CITY DECIDES TO PURCHASE WATER FROM DUPO 

At the August 13. 1931 meeting the board decided 
to accept plan calling for a 10-inch main. At the Novem- 
ber 4, 1931 meeting the board decided to get water from 
Dupo and get a new pipe line, pump house and pumps 
to cost S41.500.00 

But the City's finances were in bad condition, so bad 
they talked about reducing the street lights. 

Then it was decided by the board to get a Recon- 
struction Finance Company loan for $52,000.00. On Decem- 
ber 12, 1932 it was partially approved and on February 
21. 1933 the loan was finally approved. 

A. C. METTER IS COLUMBIA'S HEW MAYOR 
On April 18, 1933, Albert C. Metter was elected mayor 
for a two year term. A resolution was adopted author- 
izing an R. F. C. loan for $52,500 at 5 1 -: percent for con- 
struction of the Dupo-Columbia water line. Contract was 
awarded to the H. H. Hall Construction Company. The 
line was placed in operation in August of 1933 and the 
city well was abandoned. And the water problem was 
finally solved. March 20 of this year the new charter for 
the City of Columbia was received from the Illinois Sec- 
retary of State, pursuant to the election authorizing the 
changed status from a village to a city. The Turners 
deeded a quit claim deed to the city to extend Legion 
Avenue to Cherry Street so that it might become a part 
he city park. In 1936 the park and playgrounds proj- 
ect was approved under the Federal W. P. A. program. 
The old power house pond was eliminated for construc- 
tion of tennis courts as requested by the Great Oaks Ten- 
nis Club. Later new ornamental street lights were placed 
>,e Municipal Park driveway. 

In 1934 the city adopted, by virtue of a special elec- 
tion, a one mill benefit tax to meet annual sewer as- 
sents against the city for public benefit: an alcoholic 
liquor license was adopted and a new vehicle license 
law went into effect. This was setting the city in order 
financially so that an outfall sewer to the Mississippi 
might be constructed to eliminate the sewer disposal 
ed unsatisfactory. Application was 



then filed with the Federal Emergency Administration of 

the P. W. A. for a grant to aid financing conxtru, 

an outfall sewer and pumping station to the M 

river. An arterial street system under the Illinoi 

Fuel Tax law was set up and approved. This gave the 

city a goodly sum for streets. 

In 1935 an airplane marker sponsored by the Aero- 
nautical Society was installed on Breidecker meet under 
W. P. A. jurisdiction. In 1936 the Illinois Commerce 
Commission notified the city that the East St. Louis, 
Columbia and Waterloo railroad (the street car) had ap- 
plied for authority to abandon and discontinue all pub- 
lic utility services. It was approved Jan. 30, 1936 in com- 
pliance with the U. S. Bankruptcy Act. At midnight July 
31, 1936 the street car system was no more. 

At the request of the City of Columbia, an unin- 
corporated town on the Chicago, Aurora and Elgin Rail- 
road in Kane county agreed to change its name to 
Crown, Illinois to eliminate the confusion caused by two 
places in Illinois being named Columbia. In this year 
the final chapter (or what they thought then) in the 
sewer story was written for a federal grant of 
the cost of the outfall sewer was approved, the city to 
assume 55% of the cost of the sewer. The right-of-way 
was procured to lay the sewer to the river Previously, nt 
a special election, the sale of 528.500 in General Obliga- 
tion bonds was approved to assist in financing the line, 
and erecting the pump house. The total cost of the proj- 
ect was $64,454 with approximately $28,500 by Federal 
srant. There was also a $7,000 Sewer Revenue Bond is- 
sue. The contract was awarded on November 26, 1936 to 
Dobson Humphry of Minneapolis, Minn. The sewer was 
completed on October 8, 1939. An ordinance was passed 
then to reduce the interest rate from 6 to 4 per cent and 
authorize redemption prior to maturity on Water and 
Sewer District No. 1 bonds. In 1938 the interest rate on 
$37,500 5'v per cent outstanding Water Revenue Bonds 
held by the R. F. C. were re-purchased at -i 

Now in 1939 comes an era of building. Columbia Post 
581 American Legion obtains permission to build a 
Legion Home in City Park. The Scouts become interested 
in a Hut of their own. The G. M. and O. railroad was 
granted permission to operate a bus line through here. 
In 1940 the city agreed to house the equipment of the 
Rural Fire Department and have city firemen man their 
trucks. 

On August 6, 1938 Columbia officially celebrated the 
completion of five civic Improvements with a torchlight 
procession. The celebration marked the completion of a 
new 4 1 -.- mile outfall sewer system from Columbia to the 
•pi river; a 10 inch cast iron water supply lin • 
from Dupo to Columbia, a distance of 6'j miles. The 
third project was the Municipal Park and Playgrounds 
and a site reserved for a Scout Hut. The fourth project 
was the concreting of the street car tracks of the dis- 
continued E. St. Louis, Columbia and Waterloo Railway. 
The Illinois State Highway Department paved the tracks 
after their removal, giving Main street paving curb to 
curb. The fifth project was the erection of a Municipal 
Bandstand In the new park. 

On March 26, 1940 by a special election the con- 
struction of a new municipal building to be financed by 
$26,000 of Water Revenue Bonds was eul 
contract WSJ let to Bauer Brothers of Bi 
cost $35,000. which included the furnishings of the build- 
ing. 

In 1941 water distribution lines were put In to Sugar 
Loaf and Lunceford Road, and to Sugar Loaf 



19 



and Lake View. This was the beginning of serving out- 
of-town customers. Since then many more lines and fire 
hydrants have been installed whenever possible. Main 
street's widening project was started with motor fuel tax 
funds. ' 

Subdivisions appeared on the scene beginning in 1940 
when Columbia Acres was accepted by the City. Scott 
Street and many others were opened or vacated to make 
a better street system. From 1940 on the following sub- 
divisions have been accepted: Wilson's Third Addition, 
Briegel's, Fred Lepp's, William Vogt's, Columbia Heights, 
First Addition to Frierdich Place, Columbia Hills, Wood- 
land Terrace, Faust's, Roessler's, Evergreen Terrace, Cas- 
cade Hills, Giffhorn's, Thiele's and Klein's. St. Paul 
Church of Christ was granted extension of Republican 
street from Bottom avenue to Church street, the city con- 
structing the extension. Upon request of the Public 
School Board certain streets in Wilson's subdivision were 
closed in the school grounds as a safety measure for the 
children. 

In 1942 the city's commercial water rates were insti- 
tuted at the request of the Columbia American Distillery. 
In that year Civilian Defense was worked out in World 
War II. Blackouts were set up under Illinois War Council 
of Defense jurisdiction. The Millstadt bus line was 
granted permission to operate to the Jefferson Barracks 
Bridge. A 10 o'clock curfew was established. In 1943 the 
Columbia Fire Departrrent was reorganized at a special 
meeting on June 21, 1943. 

The widening of Main street project was approved, 
using Motor Fuel Tax Funds. In 1944 ordinances were 
passed authorizing the construction of a 50 foot diameter, 
300,000 gallon concrete ground water storage reservoir 
and high service pump 500 g p m for $14,500. In June 
the city purchased a tract of land from Mrs. Elizabeth 
Wecker as a site for the reservoir. An ordinance was 
passed auhorizing the issuance of revenue bonds in the 
sum of $7,000, the balance being on hand. 

In 1947 an ordinance was passed granting the Illinois 
Power and Light Company authority to service the city of 
Columbia with electric energy for fifty years. The com- 
pany agreed to re-wire, furnish fifty per cent of the 
street lighting, a White Way, and electric energy and gas 
to the Municipal Building and Parks free. 

In 1948 an ordinance was passed regulating and 
licensing automatic musical devices and coin operated 
amusement devices. Concrete guttering and curbing was 
installed by Motor Fuel Tax Funds from Main Street to 
Legion to the G. M. and O. tracks. 

In 1950 a 50 year franchise was issued to the Illinois 
Power Company to permit them to supply natural gas 
from the Mississippi Fuel Corp., whose main line is at 
the western limits of Columbia. 

On the request of the Columbia Woman's Club the 
council agreed to submit the question of establishing a 
city library to the voters if a properly signed petition was 
presented to the Council. The petition was presented, 
the election was held and the vote was favorable. 

In 1951 an ordinance establishing a uniform system 
for street numbering was passed. New street signs 
were purchased. The Harrisonville Telephone Co. an- 
nounced plans for a dial telephone system with under- 
ground cables. This was completed. 

In 1952 the council passed an ordinance authorizing 
the issuance of $215,000 in Water Revenue Bonds, for a 
12-inch cast iron pipeline 6% miles long to enable Co- 
lumbia to purchase water directly from the E. St. Louis 
and Interurban Water Co. instead of the City of Dupo. 



In 1953 garbage collection services were instituted 
and city employes placed under social security. In 1954 
the Illinois Fire Inspection Bureau reports Columbia 
placed in Class 6 insurance rating, affording Columbia 
home owners an insurance saving up to 15%. A new ad- 
dition to the Municipal Building is authorized by the 
voters for housing the rural fire department and the li- 
brary. Metter street was widened and this included the 
razing of the residence of Mrs. Christina Weiss, who 
agreed to this procedure. 

An election on Feb. 10, 1955 authorizes the issuance 
of $18,000 in water revenue bonds for improvements to 
the municipal waterworks building. H. J. Frierdich and 
Sons were awarded the contract. Cost $42,699.40. The 
water tower and tank repainted and repaired, the tank 
requiring a new steel welded bottom. The % per cent 
municipal retail occupation tax was put into effect. Val- 
uation committees to work with the state highway de- 
partment to procure necessary land for the new Freeway 
By-Pass right-of-way were appointed. The East St. Louis 
and Interurban Water Co., increased water rate 33% % 
effective Nov. 14, 1955. In 1956 the outstanding balance 
due for equipment purchased for the Columbia Fire De- 
partment by the medium of a bond issue was paid in 
full. A Control Center necessitated by the Harrisonville 
Telephone Co. putting in a dial system, was established. 
From this center police calls are taken and dispatched to 
the police force. Fire calls are received and the fire 
company dispatched to the fire. Fred Bruenig and Lillie 
and Gottlieb Schuhkraft through the medium of the 
county court asked annexation of 224.5 acres to the city. 
Request is granted. John Daab deeded 40 feet of his 
land to the city to be used as a street to be named 
Daab street, commencing at Metter Street and ending at 
Briegel street. 

The position of general administrative clerk (as- 
sistant to city clerk and collector) was authorized with 
Alvin G. Klein the appointee. Trunk line intercepting 
sewer established in center strip of new highway from 
southern to northern city limits, interconnecting to dis- 
posal trunk line to Mississippi river. Feb. 13, 1957 a 
hearing was held at the City Hall on new Federal aid 
highway. Main street widening project was begun from 
Mulberry street to Cherry street with M. F. T. funds. 

Ordinance passed establishing a sewer charge. New 
police car purchased. In 1957 a new 12-inch sewer dis- 
posal trunk line contract awarded to Eugene Luhr for 
S65.446 30 for construction jointly on Federal Aid No. 4 
state highway to sewer trunk line by contractor arrange- 
ment, financed by issuance of sewer revenue bonds in 
the amount of $80,000 with 4% per cent interest author- 
ized over 20 years. 

In 1958 the city officially accepted the Bolm-Schuh- 
kraft Memorial Park, a 44.5 acre tract to be forever used 
as a public park and playground. The City Council appoint- 
ed a 15 member advisory board of local citizens to assist 
with long-range public improvement programs and a city 
limits extension program. The council established the 
Columbia Public Library tax, not to exceed 1.2 mills. The 
library is managed by a nine member library board of di- 
rectors, appointed by the City Council. The U. S. Weather 
Universal Storm Warning System has been adopted. The 
city purchased land for water standpipe and reservoir 
from Albert Kish and Mary Overall. Quit claim deed 
given to Albert Kish and Mary Overall to extend Cherry 
street to Water Reservoir. City installed brackets on 
utility poles on which to attach Christmas and other 
decorations. 



20 



Under consideration will be n water boosting; pump- 
Uon, additional water line and standpipe i 
a sewage treatment plant, a sewage lift station and con- 
necting lines, cooperation to the Cascade Hills subdivision 
and the establishment of final boundary lines for city 
limits. 

With the completion of the new by-pass, Columbia be- 
comes an ideal residential city. i"r the through traffic 



from Dllnolf Route 3, 158 and Federal route 50, which 
plagued Columbia, is now on the outskirtl "f our city. The 
new by-pass, too opens up the prospect of more de- 
velopment both industrial and residential When the 
next 100 years of history is written this will probably 
show the by-pass to be the point of beginning for a 
larger and more beautiful Columbia. 




The Municipal Building houses all administrative of- 
fices, public library, auditorium for meetings of a civic 
nature, jail, police and fire departments. It houses all City 
and Rural Fire District equipment which is manned and 
serviced by the Columbia Volunteer Fire Department, with 
J") well trained members. The Illinois Inspection Bureau 
gives it Class 6 rating. 

Columbia has a modern police department and its 
streets are regularly patrolled. 



Purified Mississippi River Water is additionally chlori- 
nated here and meets all Illinois State Board of Health 
and U. S. Health Service standards. Sewerage system con- 
sists of laterals, a preliminary treatment plant, pumping 
station and 5 miles of 12" outfall sewer disposal line to 
the Mississippi. 

A Freeway from Columbia to East St. Louis is being 
constructed to prevent traffic congestion. 





DESK IN LIBRARY 100 YEARS OLD 



COLUMBIA FIRE EQUIPMENT. RURAL AND CITY 



a 




COLUMBIA SENIOR CITIZENS, 80 years of age or over 
are: Bottom row, George Eckert, 84; Charles Vogt, 82; 
Louis M. Huch, 84; Henry F. Schmidt, 81. Second row: John 
A. Eschmann, 80; William F. Doettling, 82; Henry Beck- 
mann, 84; Adam Wierschem, 86; Jacob Ludwig, 94; Henry 
Rehg, 84. Third row: George Ritter, 87; William F. Stumpf, 
82; Gustave Juengling, 84; Fred J. Juengling, 86; August 
J. Ebersohl, 85. 
Bottom row: Mrs. Bertha Tunze, 82; Mrs. Emma Fiege, 80; 



Mrs. Sybilla Van Luik, 90; Mrs. Jennie Rauch, 84. Second 
row: Mrs. Meta Schneider, 82; Mrs. Caroline Vogel, 85; 
Mrs. Emma Rauch, 84; Mrs. Emelia Giffhorn, 80; Mrs. 
Franciska Oexner, 82. Back row: Mrs. Caroline Gummer- 
sheimer, 88; Mrs. Barbara Bergmann, 92; Mrs. Pauline Hal- 
ler, 81; Mrs. James Lemen, 81; Mrs. L. A. Vogt, 86. 
Others who registered were Mrs. Mary Ebersohl, 83; Mrs. 
Ida Grueninger, 85; Mrs. Louise Kossina, 82; Mrs. Emma 
Kruse, 83; E. L. Rauch, 82; Mrs. Louis Steppig, Sr. 81. 





MISS COLUMBIA GIRLS — Front row: Judy Vogt, Carol Lee Daab. Back row: Mary Pearl Grueninger, Germaine 
Schaffer Margaret Ann Kruse, Mary Louise Crowe, Karen Ludwig, Mary Lou Miller. 



Miss Columbia Presentation Program 

SUNDAY, JULY 5, 1959—2 P. M. (DST) 



Prelude — Music "Columbia The Cem of the Ocean" — Co- 
lumbia Community Unit No. 4 Band. 

Welcome — Centennial Chairman — Arthur P. Wink, Presi- 
dent Columbia Centennial Association. 

lUon of Fla^ Mrs. Laura Kremmel, President 
an Legion Auxiliary. 
Flag raising . Monument and Pledge of Alle- 

giance to Flag— Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, Post Drill 
Team ami Co Kenneth G. Bailer, Commander, 

Columr American Legion. 

mgled Banner — Columbia High School Band, Uhl 
Sackman. Director. 

■man H. Rahmoeller B. D. Pastor St. 
Paul United Church of Christ. 



Introduction of "Miss Columbia and Her Court of Honor" — 
UViibacher. Sr., Chairman Queen Contest. 
.uon uf ■•.Miss Columbia"- Hon. All 
Mayor, City of Columbia. 

Introduction of Platform Guests — City Officials a: 
ing dignitaries— Arthur P. Wink, Program Chairman. 
Introduction Of Speakers— Hon. Albert C. Metier, Mayor. 

Father Elmei :mmaculati 

lion Church. 

Musical selection — "America" — Columbia Commui 
i-and. 



23 




CHAIRMEN OF COMMITTEES — Front row: Miss Ernestine C. Smith, Mrs. Dorothy Eppinger, Mrs. Raymond Krem- 
mel, Leo Weilbacher, Sr., Mrs. Melvin Gasser, Mrs. C. L. Volkert. Second row: B. D. Middleton, Herbert Schueler, 
James Crowe, Herbert J. Vogt, C. A. Hacker. Back row: Roy P. Conrad, Charles J. Grueninger, Arthur P. Wink, L. A. 
Weilbacher, Jr. 




STYLE SHOW COMMITTEE — Seated left to right: Mrs. J- J. Volkert, Mrs. James Crowe, Mrs. Melvin Gasser, chair- 
man; Mrs. Paul Reyling, Mrs. Erwin Kossina. Standing left to right: Mrs. Ken Puckett, Mrs. Alvin Koch, Miss Ethel 
Mae Wink, Mrs. Vernon Smith, Mrs. Adolph Rohm and Mrs. Oliver Durrer. 



24 




Columbia Volunteer Firemen: First row: Edgar L. Steppig, 
Edward Vogt, Carl Landgraf, Theodore E. Klein, Chief 
Jacob Steppig, Alfred Crowder, Clemence Metter, William 
Klein. Middle row: Norman Schroeder, Raymond Schroed- 
er, Ronald Raeber, Dennis McMullan, Harry Daab, James 



Juengling, John Landgraf, Herman Kraek, Herman Frier- 
dich. Back row: Oliver M. Durrer, Edward Kremmel, Don- 
ald A. Stumpf, Marvin Bergmann, James Janson, E. J. 
Schorb, George J. Van Luik. 



COLUMBIA VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT 

In the early history of Columbia the strident cry of 
■■ as all that was needed to get help to put out 
the fire. As you ran, you grabbed whatever would hold 
water, and brought it to the well, the pond or the spring 
01 wherever there was a water supply. Then you lined 
up with people who were already there and passed the 
water from one person to another until it ultimately 
reached some of the most adventurous men who were 
already on the roof or wherever the fire was blazing. It 
was primitive, but amazingly effective as this writer can 
testify, for many's the itme she joined a "Bucket Bri- 
gade". Before the water reached its target many other 
neighbors carried the furniture out of the burning house. 
Due to the excitement many's the time the dresser mirror 
was thrown out the window and the feather bed care- 
fully carried down the steps. 

Rubber buckets and a very- primitive hand pump were 
the next step up in the evolution of Columbia's Fire De- 
partment. By dint of hard labor, water was forced to 
by the old "up and down" with six men on each 
side. This apparatus was equipped with a rope about 25 

10 arrive at the engine house 
apparatus out and started to the fire They were joined 
• home by men and boys, with mother and the 
help The hose cart had to be gotten 
out, too. Girls who lived near the Engine Hon ■ 
known to have the cart well on the way to the l : 



to be ruthlessly pushed aside by men. Dogs alwa; 
to the fires in the good old days, yipping joyously. Later a 
tongue was affixed to the fire engine with horses to pull 
it, and later still, a gasoline powered pumper was pur- 
chased. 

The first regularly organized Fire Department VU 
commanded by Fire Chief Albert Lepp. With his gold fire 
trumpet he commanded the volunteers at the scene of 
the fire. He was assisted by E. L. Rauch. George Fiege, 
Ed Schneider, Charles Schneider and all the aforesaid 
helpers. Fire equipment was housed at the old City Hall 
This was a rock structure on the site of the present 
municipal building. The council room was upstairs and 
the jail and engine house on the ground floor. A small 
park surrounded this building. 

Here is a list of transactions taken from their : 
which show how the Fire Department evolved into the 
ultra-modern one we have today, staffed by firemen 
well trained in the art of fighting fires. 

In 1886 a draft of a hook and ladder wagon was 
made by John Schmidt In Decembei 

idden were purchased. In June ol : 
and ladder wagon was order) d to be put 
tor the Fourth of July celebration and a team , • 

hired to haul said wagon. Committee on urang 

were H C. Schneider, J A. Br. | n. n Kunz. 

up In varlo . 
.if town with tire extinguisher! in theni. the town mar- 
shal to keep them filled. 



In March 1897 some fire engines were tested. On April 
5 of that year an engine and hose cart was purchased 
from the Indianapolis Fire Company for $645.22 and 
400 feet of hose was purchased from the Goodyear Rub- 
ber Company for $105. On March of that year a fire bell 
was ordered; also 400 feet of cotton hose. Dollar and 
Weinland built an engine shed and belfry for the fire 
bell. In June 1897 two rubber coats and helmets and a 
fire trumpet, and one hose hook were purchased. 

December 6, 1897 three fire cisterns were built near 
the street; at the Catholic church; between Henckler's 
and Schaeffer's; and at Ernst Weinel's store. The cost 
for three was $125. Three manholes cost $18. 

On July 4, 1897 the Fire Company had a big celebra- 
tion. They invited the city to join in the festivities. The 
city bought powder to shoot the anvil, which was shot 
for the first time at the Brewery Blacksmith Shop, later 
at Rauch's Blacksmithy and then each blacksmith in 
turn, and there were many blacksmiths in town at that 
time. You turned the anvil upside down, stuffed it with 
gunpower, then put in a wooden plug. Next you heated 
a long rod red hot and applied it to the powder and 
'Bang" goes the anvil. Just before the shooting, Charles 
Reis, a drummer boy and bugler in the Civil War, would 
stand in the doorway of his barber shop where Mr. and 
Mrs. Fred Richert now live, dressed to the teeth in his 
uniform of blue, and bugle furiously. Then the anvil was 
shot, and the Columbia Star Band paraded all over town 
playing patriotic airs, starting from the Turner Hall. No 
one slept after daybreak on the Fourth and it was a 
bad day for firemen Fireworks were not taboo and 
small boys and very big boys took full advantage of this 
1o make a racket, frighten timid little girls and all in 
all to live dangerously. There was an old cannon also 
in use in those days but it fortunately or unfortunately 
according to your point of view, blew up, injuring one 
of the citizens, hereafter called "Cannone Fritz", or "Can- 
non Fritz." 

In March of 1900 a bell tower 50 feet high with 
lour posts of steel was p.ut up where our water tower 
now is, and the fire bell installed. In July of 1913 four 
more fire cisterns were put in. William Riebeling got the 
job on a $147 bid. November 4 Peter Hoffman put in 
three more fire cisterns for $147. In December of 1912 the 
\illage replaced fire buckets and all needed fire equip- 
ment. 

But on January 20, 1917, of all things, the fire en- 
gines burned up under mysterious circumstances. 

In February of 1917 the city bought a new fire engine. 
Mayor Rapp announced the reorganization of the Fire 
Department. Fire Chief Albert Lepp and H. N. Kunz set 
to work on this and in April 1917 George W. Smith, Presi- 
dent of the Fire Company, reported 17 new members at 
the reorganization meeting. 

Schmidt Brothers repaired the old engine, including 
suction hose and also bought 500 feet of fire hose at 
73c a foot. On July 2, 1917 the village bought an addi- 
tional 500 feet of fire hose. In January of 1920 the fire 
department was motorized. 

ANOTHER REORGANIZATION OF THE FIRE COMPANY 
Now begins a new epoch. On October 27, 1924, citizens 
and fire department members held a meeting to discuss 
adequate fire protection. E. A. Weinel presided, with Gus 
Schroeder serving as secretary. They decided to canvass 
the town and countryside, asking for contributions for 
modern fire equipment. Committees were set to work 
on the project. In December of 1924 there were $1878 
in the equipment fund from 102 memberships. The old 
Fire Department contributed i$106.75 and $598 pledged. 
Gus Goeckeler, Jr., was elected chief, after Otto H. Vogt 
had been appointed, and John Landgraf, assistant chief. 



They gave the Firemen's Ball — a novelty ball on 
Jan. 24, 1925 and cleared $175, and now there was $2515 
in the subscription fund. The public school children 
donated $100 to the cause. On March 3, 1925 the Village 
Council and firemen bought a General Manufacturing 
Company fire truck, Reo triple combination pump, chemi- 
cal engine and hose cart. This was accepted by the 
village council and we had our first modern fire fighting 
equipment. March 23, 1925 the Columbia Fire Department 
gave a check to J. F. Lotz, village treasurer for $3125 as 
part payment on the village fire equipment. 

June 25, 1£"5 the fire siren was moved from the top 
of the fire bell to the Masonic Hall roof. The fire engines 
were kept in the old power house, and meetings were 
held there. October 1925 six coats and hats were pur- 
chased. Turkey and goose raffles were held at the Old 
Power House that year and the fire laddies sold fish 
sandwiches to make money. 

January 3, 1926 they raised $492.92 by a popularity 
contest and dance. Contestants were Nora Shook, Stella 
Eschmann, Cecelia Reiter, Louise Schneider, Eleanor 
Schmidt and Ardelle Huth. February 27, 1927 they made 
a profit of $2438 on a Willys-Knight dance. 

In July of 1927 the village and fire department traded 
in the Reo fire truck for a General Studebaker Metro- 
politan pump, booster tank and hose cart, and 1 Graham 
Bros. G. Boy twin copper tank chemical fire truck for 
$9270, trade-in allowance $4270 and $3500 net cash, 
$1000 after delivery of first truck and $1500 after delivery 
of second fire truck. They had assets of $8000 and bor- 
rowed $1270. 

In 1927 Leo A. Weilbacher was president of the fire 
company; John Landgraf, vice president; A. A. (Casey) 
Lepp, secretary; George Dehn, treasurer; Gus Goeckeler, 
Jr., Chief. 

Jan. 26, 1929 the Fire Department gave a dance. Miss 
Lou Rauch won an Essex car in the popularity contest; 
Miss Dorothy Durrer won a Hudson sedan, and a La 
Grange, Illinois man won an Essex car. Other entrants 
in the popularity contest were: Helen Heise, Lucille 
Ebel, Aleda Grasshaw, Nelda Faus, Ruth Schneider, Esther 
Beckmann, Mildred Cash and Esther Kraus. Judges were 
R. P. Briegel, Miss Ernestine C. Smith and Ex-Fire Chief 
Panzer of St. Louis. 

Following are the Fire Chiefs from 1925 to the pres- 
ent: John Landgraf, 1925; G. C Goeckeler, Jr. 1926-28; 
John Landgraf 1929-48; Charles E. Brucker, 1949-51; Jacob 
Steppig, 1951-59. 

Assistant chiefs through the years were John Land- 
graf, Sr., Jake Daab, Albert Lepp, Otto Salger, Theodore 
Klein, Jacob Steppig, John Landgraf, Jr., and Carl Land- 
graf. 

COLUMBIA RURAL FIRE DEPARTMENT 

The Columbia Rural Fire Protective Association was 
formed September 1939. On October 30, 1939 they pur- 
chased a 1940 Chevrolet white fire truck. Later the name 
was changed to Columbia Rural Fire Protective District. 
This district was organized at an election held Dec. 16, 
1950. On January 24, 1953 this district purchased a 1952 
Ford F-8 Red Fire Truck. 

The present trustees of the Fire Protective District 
are Herbert L. Mueller, Robert C. Nolte and George A. 
Schmidt. These trustees are appointed by the County 
Judge. 

The City Hall houses all City and Rural Fire Depart- 
ment Equipment. The Fire Department is manned and 
serviced by the Columbia Volunteer Fire Department, 
with twenty-five well trained members. The Illinois In- 
spection Bureau gives the Department a Class 6 rating. 



26 



In 1942 when Civil Defense was set up in Columbia, 
the Fire Chief. John Landgraf, was appointed assistant 
coordinator to C. I.. Volkert, the coordinator of Auxiliary 
I >tto Salger of the Fire Department was appointed 
Chief of the Rescue squad. The firemen also participated 
in two ten-week courses in Red Cross First Aid. Some of 
the members of the Fire Department at that time who 
were called to the colors were: George Van Luik, Louis 
I.epp. Ed Offerman, Walter Habermehl, Carl Landgraf and 
Thomas Bergmann. 

Now records become scarce, as it is when all is well 
within an organization and only these notes are forth- 
coming: In 1943 they talked about overhauling the Stude- 
baker Fire Pumper; in 1946 a Reo disaster truck, fully 
equipped was purchased for $6500; a Dodge fire truck 
was in service; in October of 1949 a new Mack fire truck 
was purchased and donations were received for a port- 
able resuscitntor for the Disaster Truck, in the amount of 
§916.30. That year there was a bond issue for fire fight- 
ing equipment, and a Mack Fire Pumper was purchased 
lor the City Fire Department at the cost of about $18,000. 
New By-Laws were the order of the day in 1950. To 
summarize: the present City equipment is a Mack fire 
truck, a Studebaker truck and a Reo Disaster Truck. The 
Rural equipment is a 1952 F-8 Ford red fire truck. 

In earlier years, and from 1954 on, Columbia Fire- 
men have attended the Firemans' School at Champaign — 
Gus Schroeder in earlier years and Jack Steppig and 
Carl Landgraf in later years. There they learn the newest 
methods of fire fighting. In July of 1954 Jack Steppig 
spent a day at Scott Air Base at Belleville learning how 
to deal with crashed jet planes in the event of a 
disaster. 

The firemen have completely equipped a very mod- 
ern kitchen in the Municipal Building where they can 
prepare a course dinner or just snacks for sociable fire 
meetings. They have a large capacity deep freezer to 
keep fish for their popular fish frys; a club room for 
playing cards; a meeting room in the basement. 

They have been in charge of the Muscular Dystrophy 
from 1956 to the present for which they received a 
Citation of Merit. They also assumed the Infantile Par- 
Irtve in 1958. 

In 1955 they adopted a new Constitution and By- 
Laws. 

For some years, from 1952 on, they have sponsored 
soft ball teams and Khoury league teams both financially 
and by furnishing leadership. Carl Landgraf has been 
the manager, and has been helped by Oliver Roessler, 
Howard Moskopf, John Landgraf, Elton Schorb and Albert 
Jahr and others. 

The Columbia Fire Department with modern equip- 
ment and twenty-five fire laddies ready and willing to 
• alls any time, any where, is of great import- 
ance to Columbia. Before the wail of the fire siren moans 
ts last alarm, the fire department doors are opened 
and the firemen on their way. 

This department in Columbia is one to inspire con- 
fidence for they are quick to answer all calls and they 
are expert firemen with years of service. They all face 
peril and dentil together and should be honored for their 
selfless, loyal service to the community. 

The fire calls, since the dial telephone went into 
effect, are received at the Control Center at the City 
Hall, where 24 hours a day someone is at the Control 
desk. Formerly the fire calls went to the telephone op- 
erators at the Harrisonville Telephone Exchange and 
• rators blew the • 



for 1950-60: City Fire Depart- 
ment: City Fire Marshal pig; 1st Assistant, 
Theodore E. Klein; 2d Assistant; Qemence Metter. 

Officers and Firemen Columbia Volunteer Fire Com- 
pany: President Carl Landgraf; Vice President. Edward 
Vogt; Secretary. Alfred Crowder; Treasurer. Clcmenee 
M.lter. 

Firemen (25) Marvin Bergmann, Alfred Crowder, 
Harry Daab, Oliver M. Durrer. Robert Farr, Herman G. 
Frierdich, James Janson. James Juengling, Theodore E. 
Klein, William E. Klein. Herman Krack. Edward Kremmel. 
Carl Landgraf, John Landgraf, Jr., Dennis McMullan. 
Clemence Metter, Ronald Raeber, E J. Schorb, Norman 
Schroeder, Raymond Schroeder, Edgar L. Steppig, Jacob 
Steppig, Donald A. Stumpf, St., George J. Van Luik, Ed- 
ward Vogt. 





The old engine house, city hall and "calabooze" 
town to make way for the new municipal 
building. 



21 



TURNVEREIN 
THE COLUMBIA GYMNASTIC ASSOCIATION 

The Columbia Gymnastic Association, formerly known 
as the Columbia Turnverein, is one of our earliest social 
and educational organizations. It contributed much to the 
physical, cultural and social life of this community. It can 
truthfully be said that the Turner Hall was Columbia's 
community center. 

This organization had its beginning in Germany. Fath- 
er Jahn, a teacher there, felt that physical education and 
cultural education should be equally stressed. He organiz- 
ed the Turner movement. German immigrants brought the 
idea over with them and when the immigrants became 
established they wanted this medium of education and 
culture as part of their lives. 

Accordingly a group of Columbia Germans met at the 
home of Gustav Pentzler in 1866. Mr. Pentzler acted as the 
temporary chairman to organize a Turnverein. It was long 
an ideal of his and he may well be called the Father of 
the Columbia Turnverein or Gymnastic Association as it 
now is called. "Verein" means society. 

The Turner motto is "A Healthy Mind in a Healthy 
Body." Another motio was "Frisch, Freie, Treue, Stark." 
This in English is "Fresh, Free, True and Strong." The 
Turner greeting was "Turner Gruess" or "Gut Heil" and 
headed all Turner communications. 

Charter members were: John Philip Ebel, Wenzel Sou- 
kopf, Charles Beck, Peter Reis, Henry Pretsch, Henry Beck, 
John Schmidt, John Kolb, Charles Schaefer, William Ebel, 
Joseph Stephan, Michael Herz, Gustav Pentzler, Daniel 
Kraus and August Mund. 

First officers were: Philip Ebel, President; Wenzel 
Soukopf, vice President; Henry Pretsch, recording secre- 
tary; Carl Schaeffer, corresponding secretary; Carl Beck, 
first instructor; John Schmidt, second instructor, Gustav 
Pentzler, treasurer, and August Mund, custodian. 

The first new members were Charles Schuler, Freder- 
ick Walz and John Reinhold. 

Present officers of the Columbia Gymnastic Associa- 
tion are: Charles J. Grueninger, President; Frank T. Toen- 
jes, Vice President; Erwin Hankamer, Secretary-Treasur- 
er; William Landgraf, Corresponding Secretary; William 
Schueler, William Rehg and William Lengfelder, Trustees; 
William C. Gummersheimer, business manager; Pamela 
Horsley, pianist; and Harry Temperle, Turning School in- 
structor. 

Shortly after the first meeting Gustav Pentzler and 
John Schmidt were sent to St. Louis to purchase standard 
Turning school equipment. They must have gone by stage 
coach or horseback for there was no other means of trans- 
portation except on foot, and that was not unusual, for 
many went to St. Louis on "Shank's Mare." 

The equipment purchased consisted of standard equip- 
ment, poles, rings, ladders, horses, parallel bars, mats, 
wands, dumbbells, and Indian clubs. After these were 
purchased, regular classes began, being held weekly. The 
Turner costume for boys was a white shirt, blue knee 
pants with a white stripe down the side. Girls wore a dark 
blue shirt, piped in white, over knee pants. (Later the 
girls daringly wore very full blue serge bloomers.) They 
also wore long black stockings and shoes of black either 
button or lace. All had to wear standard uniforms and all 
had to pay for their own. Turning School fees were 50c 
initial fee, and 25c monthly thereafter. 

Meetings were held by candle light until 1867 when 
hanging oil lamps were bought. 

September 6, 1866 the Waterloo Turnverein invited the 
Columbia Turnverein to help them celebrate their second 
anniversary. Both Turnvereins gave exhibitions of their 
athletic prowess. 



The first October ball was held Oct. 7. 1866, at John 
Reinhold's Concert Hall. There was a dance and a Turner 
exhibition. This became an annual affair. We still have 
the October ball. 

May 9, 1867 the first anniversary was observed with a 
picnic at "Oxen Pasture" or Union Park as it came to be 
known. This was across the tracks from the present G. M. 
and O. depot. 

The first masque ball was held in 1866 on Shrove 
Tuesday, the day before Lent — the last fling of gayety 
before the penitential season, for Columbia always kept 
Lent. These masked balls were something special for be- 
sides costumes of all description and a good orchestra, a 
midnight supper was served. It was a feast, and your 
dancing partner as the midnight hour struck was your 
supper partner. The cook was "Grandma" Riebeling and 
she was a figure in Turner circles. She could cook an epi- 
curean feast and dance an old fashioned waltz that would 
put Lawrence Welk to shame. She was in great demand 
as a dancing partner, eighty-odd years old though she 
was. She ruled her kitchen with an iron hand and volun- 
teer help, and eyeryone who helped, felt that her hand 
was as heavy in discipline as her pie crust was light. 

In 1869 a singing society was organized for men's voi- 
ces only. This was chartered on Aug. 19, 1871. A teacher 
was hired for two nights a week to teach and direct. This 
was called the "Saengerbund". There were Bund choral 
fests with Waterloo, Red Bud and St. Louis. When Colum- 
bia competed out of town, they hired a hack from A. F. 
Weinel to take them. The Columbia Gesangverein, a part 
of Columbia's first library, back in 1885 joined the Turn- 
verein and became its singing section. 

Anyone could join. There were no lines drawn, either 
religious or social. If you could sing you were in. 

The Turners were duly incorporated as a non-profit 
organization, with profits acquired to be used for building 
or ethical purposes Officers were: Henry Riebeling, Presi- 
dent; Wenzel Soukopf, Vice President; Gustav Pentzler, 
Secretary; Philip Ebel, Treasurer; Fred Meyer, sr. gymnas- 
tic director and Henry Heitzenroeder, custodian. 

The objective of the society stated in the articles of 
incorporation were: the cultivation and advancement of 
body and intellect, the former by Turning, the latter by 
debates, music and other activities. It was organized as 
a not-for-profit corporation and all profits go for improve- 
ments, either physical or ethical. It is recognized as an 
educational institution, since Turning School is regularly 
taught and therefore it is tax-exempt. 

In 1875 the society purchased John Reinhold's Concert 
Hall. Previously they had met there and given entertain- 
ments on a cooperative basis, with Turner members 
served free. The concert liall was purchased from the heirs 
of Henry Schumacher for $800. The original building is 
still a part of the Turner Hal! although it has undergone 
a complete transformation during the years, making it 
one of the finest structures of its kind in Southern Illinois. 

In 1883 ground was purchased from the Henckler heirs 
for $1000 for a park to surround the Turner Hall. There 
was a house on the land where the father of Fred Henck- 
ler, sr. was born. Trees were planted, an out-of door pa- 
vilion for dances provided, out of door baking ovens and 
other innovations. The house was torn down later and the 
park now adjoins the city recreation center, becoming al- 
most a part of it, for the Turners permit the grounds to 
be used for out of door activities. 

In 1916 the Turners celebrated their fiftieth anniver- 
sary. Over a hundred members attended. The North St. 
Louis Actives class was present and with our classes gave 



2S 



a gymnastic entertainment. Officers then were George 
Roessler. President; Julius Lotz, Vice President; Henry 
Reichenbach, corresponding secretary; Arthur G. Arnin, 
Treasurer; Alvin Klein, first gymnastic instructor; William 
Juengling, second gymnastic instructor; George Riebeling. 
custodian; Albert Lepp, E. J. Schneider and Fred G. Rapp, 
trustees and ConraJ Zahn and Chris Dehn, banner bearers. 
The Turning teacher was William Thomason. 

The Turner Homecomings were an annual event 
and exist to this day. 

The L. M C. Club, a group of young Turners, gave a 
series of dances and a minstrel show and gave the net 
proceeds, $1-00, to the Turners for a new hard maple 
dance floor. The Turner Hall also served as a meeting 
place for the G. A. R., the Sons of Union Veterans, the 
Hari Garis, the Damen Verein, the Modern Woodmen, the 
Legion and its Auxiliary. They also had a picture show 
for a number of years with Joseph J. Volkert, Jr. and Emil 
Brucker and Alvin Klein co-managers and picture oper- 
ators 

We have taken this history from the records of the 
Turners. Records were first written in German, in the 
beautiful script of the educated German. Equally as beau- 
tiful were the English minutes of Emil Brucker who for 
many years served as secretary. 

The metropolitan press acknowledged what the Tur- 
ners contributed to Columbia as attested by this article 
in a Sunday edition of the St. Louis Globe-Democrat in 
1936 in which they say: 

"Seventy years ago in the little town of Columbia, Il- 
linois, a jolly, robust German by the name of Gustav 
Pentzler called a meeting of fourteen members to discuss 
the welfare of the children of the growing community. 
Thus was born one of the first societies of Turners in 
America. Recently all Columbia turned out to commem- 
orate in true German fashion that night in 1S66 when the 
Turnverein became a part of the community to work for 
the good of its creed. "A healthy mind in a healthy body" 
In the generations that followed in the small country 
town. 

Today Columbia is predominantly German. It is an 
oasis of quaint beauty, less than an hour's drive from the 
smoky, grimy atmosphere of large' cities. Its square, red, 
brick houses and neatly kept lawns speak for the tradi- 
tional neatness of the Germans. 



More than four hundred persons, invited by Charles 
Weisenstein, celebrated the anniversary of the organiza- 
tion of the Turnverein in 1866. German bands with their 
familiar tunes of "Ich Bin Der Doktor Eisenbarf, "Die 
Lorelei" and that old time favorite "Das Schnitzel Bank" 
were heard all day. Under the shade of a large spreading 
elm, was the welcome sign "Beer". 

The celebration was a continuous one, lasting two 
days and including a parade in which every child in Co- 
lumbia took part. For it is for the welfare Ol the children 
the Turners exist. The history of the Turners is the his- 
tory of Columbia or vice versa. The Germans settled in 
Columbia from 1833 to 1850. There were German revolu- 
tions in 1848 which hastened migrations. 

In the years that followed the Turners recognized the 
need for a Community Hall where all of Columbia could 
take part in the verein activities and singing parties of 
the musically inclined Germans. 

Nine years after its organization, or in 1875, the Tur- 
ners procured from one of its members, Henry Schumach- 
er, the site on which the Turner Hall stands. All activities 
of the community center around the Turner Hall. It is the 
meeting place for all organizations with no discrimination 
for religion or social standing. There developed in Colum- 
bia a community spirit that has no equal. All its commu- 
nity projects are successful as a result of the Turner spir- 
it. The organization grew and with it, the community. In 
1916 plans for a larger building were realized. The organ- 
ization had accumulated a treasury which, aided by con- 
tributions, produced $8000. On their 50th orjanization an- 
niversary the Turners dedicated their remodeled building 
to Columbia for community functions." 

The leaders of the 70th Anniversary of the founding 
of the Turners were: Charles Weisenstein, Fred G. Rapp, 
Walter Koch, Dan Daab, Henry Beckmann and Arthur P. 
Wink. 

When the Turners have only five members, and this 
will not be soon, for it is still a flourishing organization, 
the assets and property will revert to the Columbia public 
school. Early in their history they proudly purchased a 
bell for the new Columbia school. 

Their last gesture will be to give their all for educa- 
tion in Columbia, surely a worthy gift from a society that 
did so much for education. 





: BlA 

'.Hlian Landgraf, Mrs. Pat Vogt, 
Mrs. Pearl Grueninger, Mrs. Louise Shea. 



PRESENT OFFICERS OF THE 1'MBIA 

Lengfelder, ffm. Rehg. Hack row: Wm 
Hankamer, Frank S 
Gummersheimer. 



- i 





SCOUTING IN COLUMBIA 



Scouting in Columbia has always been popular, the 
citizens furnishing leaders, sponsorship and financial as- 
sistance. 

When the meeting place of the Boy Scouts, the old 
office of the A. F. Weinel Lumber Company, became too 
small and the meeting place of the Girl Scouts, the Co- 
lumbia Public School, outgrew the space allotted, the 
citizens of Columbia, with the consent of the City Council, 
supplied a place in the Municipal Park for a Scout Hut; 
plans were drawn up gratis by Architect Oscar Kress of 
East St. Louis and funds were solicited to pay for ma- 
terials for a Scout Hut for Columbia youngsters. 

Then the magic that is Columbia's began to evi- 
dence itself. Columbia works together for anything that 
is for the good of the community. The Farmers' Co-op, 
with manager Roy Downs, brought the firm's big Oliver 
tractor over to the site in the Municipal Park, and ex- 
cavated the basement; Fred Harres moved in with a 
team and scraper, and the Scouts and other helpers 
finished the job of excavating. Skilled workmen dug the 
sewer line for safety's sake; Senior Scouts and their 
fathers dug the water line; union men representing all 
the skills, from Columbia, Waterloo and Millstadt and 
even from St. Louis came on Saturday to help gratis; 
and a good time was had by all. Business men from Co- 
lumbia and dads of Boy and Girl Scouts all turned out 
to help. Meals were served to the workers and liquid re- 
freshments sent down to the Scout Hut by local tavern 
owners. 

The Girl Scout mothers furnished the Scout Hut with 
donated, painted and refurbished furniture. Columbians 
gave $650 to a solicitation committee of the old Lions 
Club assisted by the Boy Scouts, and a Hut was ready 
for the children of Columbia in 1938. The entire cost 
was not covered by subscriptions so Scout mothers gave 
parties and plays and liquidated the debt. 

Camporees on the public school grounds and at the 
Municipal Park, with tents borrowed from Scott Field 



at Belleville, were thoroughly enjoyed by both Boy and 
Girl Scouts. Later both Boy and Girl Scouts camped at 
Camp Vandeventer, near Valmeyer for a week, the Girl 
Scouts camping after the Boy Scout camping season was 
over. 

Scout movements wax and wane. Today's scouting 
seems to be on the rise, with many good leaders who 
spend endless hours planning and working for the youth 
of Columbia. 

History of Cub Pack 19. Columbia 

A charter was granted to Cub Scouts Pack 19, on 
May 14, 1941. The first cubmaster was Howard H. Hub- 
bell. There were seventeen boys and five Den Mothers. 
This Cub Pack was under Columbia PTA sponsorship 
and has been, continuously, through the years, up to 
the present. 

Following are the Cubmasters who served through 
the years: Howard H. Hubbell, Alvin E. Tunze, (Pack 
dropped December 1944 but re-registered in 1947); C. 
W. Gruninger, Erwin Withum, Jr., Lowell Andrew, Rea 
O'Neill, Oliver C. Hoffmann and Harry Niemann, the 
present Cubmaster. 

In 1941 seventeen Cub Scouts were registered; in 
1956, sixty; 1957-58 fifty, and at the present thirty-six 
are registered. 

Den Mothers for 1958-59 are Mary Krebel, Ardell 
Vogt, Bessie Riebeling, June Joseph, Margaret Henckler, 
Pat Thurman, Dorothy Niemann and Mary Ann Hoff- 
mann. Den Chiefs are: Leslie Niemann, James Hoff- 
mann, Bill Todd and Thomas Hermann. 

Some of the activities of the Cub Scouts are: study 
and practice of conservation, serving as color guards 
in civic parades, music shows, pow wows, constructive 
hobbies and games. 

Good sportsmanship, brotherly love and reverence 
for God and country form the foundation of all Cub 
Scout activities. 



30 



THE BOY SCOUT MOVEMENT IN COLUMBIA 

The Boy Scouts of Patrol 1 were organized in Co- 
lumbia in 191T. The sponsor of the troop was the Co- 
lumbia Commercial Club; the Scoutmaster E. J. Schnei- 
der; the assistant Scoutmaster Edward Schoppe. 

There is no record of this troop because it was a 
Lone Troop organized through New York Headquarters, 
and the records were not available. It could be assumed 
that the Commercial Club furnished the Troop members 
since they sponsored the troop. 

In the minutes of the Commercial Club at the Febru- 
ary 11, U»18 meeting, E. J. Schneider, Scoutmaster re- 
1 that nineteen boys passed their Tenderfoot tests. 
Monroe Gundlach has a sheepskin card issued to him Jan- 
uary IS. 1918 by E. J. Schneider, Scoutmaster. 

It was during the first World War to end all wars, 
and the government asked the Scout Troop to find 
walnut trees for the government out of which gun stocks 
were to be manufactured. This the Scouts did, thor- 
oughly, as boys of that age are excessively active. Our 
recollection is that they served on all war drives with 
distinction and received a citation from the government 
for their assistance. 

Some of the members of this energetic troop were 
Alvin E. Tunze (first to sign the charter*. Adolph Dreher, 
« Gundlach, Melvin Justus. Victor Breidecker. Edgar 
Schocning Jos. J. Volkert, Jr. ahe bugler), Erwin and 
ard Schoppe. Alex Rauch. Carl W. Richert and Miles 
Justus. There were more, but their names elude the 
writer. 

In 1923 and for several years after Albert C Metter 
served as Scoutmaster under American Legion sponsor- 
ship, during which time four of the Scouts became Eagle 
Scouts. 

In 1927 Troop 1 under the sponsorship of the Evan- 
gelical Church, furnished Scoutmaster, Rev. E. J. Wes- 
erbeck. pastor of the church. This is the first troop 
registered in the E. St. Louis Boy Scout Headquarters. 
The records from here on are through the courtesy 
:rs Oliver C. Hoffmann and Mrs. Harry Niemann, 
who went to the East St. Louis Headquarters and re- 
searched for four full hours, making a detailed record 
for the Columbia Scout organization. 

In 1928-9 Alvin G. Klein was the Scoutmaster of 
'."; from 193" to 1934, Rev. E. J. Westcrbeck. 
Troop 19 under Scoutmaster Ray Tunze. who served 
from 1934 to 1941; Rea O'Neill. 194245; Wm. D. Ham- 
mack. 1946; Gilbert Arnin, 1947-51; Norman Kutterer. 
I they dropped the charter, but re-registered in 
■ with Charles Schultz Scoutmaster. He served until 
1956; Oliver C Hoffmann has served from 1957 to 1959. 
The sponsoring organizations are as follows: From 1928 
to 1939 the Evangelical Church and Sunday School; from 
/ens; from 1948 to 1959 the 
Columbia American Legion Post 581. 

•ant Scoutmasters through the years were: 

•r C Ludwig. J. Lewis Weible. Robert Volkert. George 

F. V :. Volkert, Jack Divers, Charles J. Lepp. 

Alvin Farmer, Elmer J. Bieber. Robert Goessling. Ervin 

i and Harry L. Breitenstein. 

The committeemen for this year are: Horace C. 

Volkert. Charles Schultz, Ernst W. Huch. Lester Eckert, 

James H. Garris, George Elder, Alphonse Vogt, Harry 

Niemann and Raymond F Todd. 

A Mothers' Auxiliary was formed on April 24, 1958 
•he purpose of helping the Boy Scouts in securing 
money for their troop. Officers were: Mary Ann B 
mann. Chairman: Priscilla Huch, Vice Chairman and 
thy Niemann, Secretary-Treasurer. 



COLUMBIA GIRL SCOUTS 

The Columbia Girl Scouts were organized on May 
3, 1937. The organization meeting was held at the home 
of theto leader, Miss Lucille Ebel. The Girl s. 

• > the Columbia Household Science Club Mrs. 
F. W. Weinel was elected president of the troop com- 
mittee and Mrs. E. G. Rauch, secretary-treasurer at a 
meeting held May 5, 1937 at the public school which 
for a time was their meeting place. Thirty-five girls 
wanted to become Scouts, a camping trip wa 
and it was held at Camp Vandeventer. Due to the resig- 
nation of Miss Ebel, who was to be married, Miss Cora- 
lynn Landgraf was named captain, and Miss Armina 
Nollau. Miss Winnifrt •.: Evelyn Ludwig and 

Miss Florence Rohm lieutenants. 

In September of 1938 Mrs. C. L. Volkert was named 
chairman of the troop committee and Mrs. Virginia l.and- 
graf secretary. Misses Marian Weinel, Kathleen Brucker 
and Viola Vogt were assistants to Misses Evelyn Ludwig 
and Armina Nollau at the camp which thirty-two girl 
scouts attended together with the troop committee. 

In 1939 Captain Landgraf resigned and Miss Evelyn 
Ludwig took her place, with the Misses Winnifred Fiege, 
Marian Weinel, Dolores Fiege, Armina Nollau and Kath- 
leen Brucker as lieutenants. The Scouts began selling 
cookies as a means of raising funds and this continues 
to this day. They also had card parties and conducted 
paper drives. 

The Girl Scouts camped at Vandeventer in August 
of 1940 and again in 1941. In that year Mrs. John Land- 
graf was selected as troop chairman and Mrs. Rea 
O'Neill secretary-treasurer. 

In 1941 Mrs. David Rydeen and Mrs. Rea O'Neill were 
named lieutenants to assist Miss Ludwig. Mrs. Virginia 
Landgraf was named chairman of the troop comn. 
with Mrs F. W. Weinel treasurer and Miss Jeannette Hills 
secretary. 

At this time there were 22 senior scouts and 17 
juniors. First Aid courses were given by Rea O'Neill and 
Home Nursing by the County Nurse. The Girl and Boy 
Scouts gave card parties and plays to help lift the debt 
on the Scout Hut. 

In August of 1942 Mrs F. W Weinel was elected 
chairman of the general Scout Committee. Mrs. Esther 
Richert, secretary and Miss Dorothy '■'■ -urer. 

The Scouts again camped at Vandeventer. 

In 1944 the records show that the Intermedia' 
Brownies and the Seniors had separate organi/atior 
the movement was growing by leaps and bounds. The 
meetings convey the many aspects of what the Girl 
Scout movement the community, b 

girls went to camp, an increase over the 1944 can 

In August of 1945 Mrs. Kred Bruenig was m 
new pr. silent with Mrs. Esther 
to the polio epidemic there was no camping at 

nter but a Day Camp was held her.- nt the S 
Hut, 31 girls attending. 

become more complex we m 
cause of lack of 'nly the names of the chair- 

men from 1947 I 

Mrs Bland Rudolph; 19 

J. -an Hendi 
1958 Mrs. John Ryan I 

D. Betherington; Vice Chairman Mrs .' I 
tary. Mrs Margaret Daab; Tt : olhy 

Epplnger. 



31 



THE HISTORY OF SCHOOLS IN COLUMBIA 



The earliest pioneer schools in Columbia were sub- 
scription schools. Each child had to pay a small sum of 
money or some medium of exchange, per month or quar- 
ter. The teacher "boarded around". Teachers were peo- 
ple who had a smattering of education and a desire to 
impart or share their knowledge with someone else. 

Charles Walker taught a school in a log cabin within 
the corporate limits of Columbia near the Waterloo road 
as early as 1815. Levi Piggott kept a school in a log 
house near a spring that ran into Biggs Creek (now- 
Palmer Creek), in a clearing in the woods a little north of 
Columbia as early as 1817. 

Some of the earliest teachers in Columbia were Char- 
les McCann, an Irishman; Albert Laphardt, a Swiss; James 
McKee, a Scotsman, and son of John McKee, second 
mayor of Columbia. 

Books were scarce and the New Testament, biog- 
raphies of prominent men, Bible stories and such books 
as the pioneers had brought along with them from their 
former homes were used as readers. 

Arithmetic included addition, subtraction, multiplica- 
tion and division. Writing was taught by the teacher 
writing an old adage in his best writing on the black- 
board, or the slate of the pupil. The pupil copied this 
over and over again until he became proficient in that 
saying and then another was substituted. If the teacher 
was a good writer, it is safe to say the pupil became a 
good one too. 

With the coming of the Germans, education became 
more advanced. Germanv had enjoyed a common school 
svstem as early as 1600. They had good schools and Sun- 
day schools. The German immigrants, led by teachers 
and preachers came to this new country with the desire 
and firm resolution to found homes for themselves and 
their children by honest and hard labor. Merchants, skil- 
led tradesmen and wealthy agriculturists came, and 
schooling became important. 1833-35 brought a number 
of highly educated Germans to Columbia and with them 
came the desire for education. 

Three parochial schools were established early in Co- 
lumbia's history: the Catholic, the Lutheran and the 
Evangelical. 

While the Catholic parish was yet a mission a paro- 
chial school was established by the Rev. P. Baltes of Wa- 
terloo, in 1853. A log cabin was erected on what is now 
the sanctuary of the church and this was used as a 
school building. 

Mr. Theodore Lemkes was the first teacher of the 
Immaculate Conception School. Until 1874 the school was 
taught by lay sisters. In 1874 the Ursuline Sisters of 
Louisville. Kentucky were given charge of the school. The 
first three sisters to teach at Columbia were Sisters In- 
nocentia, Stanislaus and Veronica. In 1887 the Sister 
Adorers of the Most Precious Blood of Ruma assumed di- 
rection but in 1901 they were superseded by the Poor 
Handmaids of Jesus Christ of Fort Wayne, Indiana. Lay 
teachers again taught from 1907-09 when the Most Pre- 
cious Blood Sisters returned. The original school was used 
until 1870, when the original church was remodeled and 
converted into a school building. In 1874 at a cost of 
$2340 a one-story brick addition was added to the origi- 
nal church building to provide a home for the sisters who 
supervised the school. The building was further im- 
proved, enlarged and remodeled into three class rooms, 
when the parish acquired a neighboring property for a Sis- 
ters' residence. In 1921 a new school was built, and the 



old one removed to make a playground. In 1938 a school 
bus was purchased to take high school students to East 
St. Louis high schools, and in 1946 a new bus was pur- 
chased for the same purpose. 

'-' A Lutheran school was erected in 1849 and this 
building was used as a church and school until 1S54, when 
a separate church building was erected. 

The earliest Lutheran Christian Day School teachers 
were Gottlieb Heid, 1849-54; B. Guenther, 1856-62; P. Rexe, 
1862-65; W. Bunge, 1865-67; O. Gertenbach, 1S67-75; P. S. 
Merz, 1880-81. From that time on the Lutherans called 
their own minister and he taught school also. 

St. Paul's Evangelical Church also conducted a paro- 
chial school. The first confirmation class was confirmed 
in 1855 and every year thereafter, Rev. G. Steinert being 
the teacher of the first class. 

It is difficult to ascertain from the records when the 
first school house was built. There is some evidence that 
the school was built shortly after the construction of a 
brick church in 1849. and that this building was also of 
brick; for in the minutes of 1887 it is indicated that both 
the old church and the school house were to be wrecked 
to get the good bricks from both buildings for the "back- 
ing" brick for the new church which was completed in 
1888. Some of the brick from the 1849 church and school 
building are therefore in the north wall of the present 
church. 

The minutes of Januaiy 1, 1875 record the authority to 
procure a school teacher. In May 1875 the first school 
board was named: Henry Denges, Jacob Bersche and Chris- 
tian Dahmer. In 1877 the school closed temporarily be- 
cause the teacher, Theodore Bornemann, left, and a new 
teacher was to be procured as soon as possible. 

There is no further indication that a new teacher was 
ever procured and since the building was wrecked a few 
years later it can be assumed the children then went to 
the public school. 

Special religious instruction was given by the pastors 
even on week days preparatory to confirmation, and this 
often extended over two years. It can reasonably be as- 
sumed that in the period from 1849-1874 the pastor did 
the instructing in the little brick school house adjacent 
to the church, as this was the established custom in 
smaller churches who could not afford a resident teacher. 
The names of the ministers and teachers of the school 
after Rev. fteinert who served from 1854-61 up to 1876 
were: Rev. M. Fotsch 1861-63; Rev. T. Klingsohr 1863-66; 
Rev. E. Otto 1866-70 Rev. L. Reymann 1870-72; Rev. W. 
Wahl 1872-73; Rev. J. Hoffmann 1873-74; Rev. Carl Kautz 
1875-1880. 

These parochial schools must have been of a high 
order of scholarship for in 1889. the General Assembly of 
the State of Illinois passed an act concerning the educa- 
tion of children, and it was decided that the various private 
day schools under the auspices of the trustees and Pastor 
of the Columbia Roman Catholic Church and the private 
dav school conducted by the Trustees and Pastor of the 
Evangelical Lutheran St. Paul church are regarded as 
schools under this act. This ruling was obtained by Char- 
les Schuler of the Shoemaker school. There being no 
mention of the Evangelical Day School it is assumed that 
it no longer existed after the opening of the public school. 
There were also a number of other schools in Colum- 
bia. A German school was taught in the Rudolph Land- 
graf home by Henry Heitzenroeder. The directors of this 



THE OLD 
COLUMBIA GRADE AND 
HIGH SCHOOL 




RAZED 

TO PROVIDE SITE FOR 

NEW SCHOOL 



school were John Weinel, Christian Beck, Henry Schu- 
macher. Christian Breidecker, and Edward Victor Heilig- 
st->dt. This school was bought by the above-mentioned 
from George Divers for $100 on October 2, 1854. 
There are yet blackboards on the walls and a hole in the 
ceiling from which the bell rope hung. This building was 
also used as a library' and singing society (Gesangverein) 
meeting place after the building of the public school in 

There was also a school in the Methodist Episcopal 
Church in a frame building in the rear of the Henry Kunz 
residence. This school was taught by James E. Varnum 
and a Mr. Reider. This building was erected in 1865; an- 
other Methodist Episcopal Church, South, was built in 
1866, a brick building, on the site of the new high school. 
School was in session here until 1876 when the new public 
school was completed. 

Theie were other schools in various parts of the city: 
the Ginder House in the Guy Haltenhof building, taught 
by Mr Ginder; another in back of the Rose Drug store; 

- in the Harmacek house at Whiteside and Main 
taught by a Mr. Axley, then spelled Exley; James McKee 
taught the first "American" school where August J. Vol- 
kert's Tavern is now located. 

The first public school building in Columbia was 
erected in 1876. It was a handsome brick structure with 
limestone trimming erected by Fred Koch and Son at a 
cost of about 513.000. It contained six school rooms and 
two large halls. The records from 1876 to 1893 are lost 
so up to that time we have had to rely on our older citi- 

- information. They say the early teachers in the 
public school were Lewis and James Lemen; Mr. Weber. 
Mr. Dollinger. Mr. Limbach; Mr. Bergner, a former I uther- 
an school teacher; Mr. Holmes; Mr. Gans; Julia '•' 
John Delaney; James McKee. A list of Co'umbia teachers 
in an 1899 teachers list when Henry Eisenbart was county 
superintender. - includes Fred G. Rapp. Mui 11 r 
school; Magpie I'rmey fand Bank; Emilie Wagner. E t-r 
and N<-.: • Rlvervlew. 

From 1893 to 1897 the teaching staff of -he Columbia 
Public school was: E. T. Weible. Charles Breidecker. James 
McKee, R. P. Brlegel and Lewis Lemen. In 18!»8 James 
Lemen replaced Lewis Umen after Miss Julia Wil 
stituted f >r Lewis I,erren for a short time. From 1899-1904 
the teachers remained the same. In 1905 Lorenz 
was called and this corps served until 1910 v. hen " 



le became ill, and W. C. Heyl taught in his pin 
Weible passed away in 1911 after one-third of a century 
of teaching. Many of these years he was director of music 
at Teachers' Institute. He also worked untiringly for the 
school library. 

In 1910 Elbert Waller of Tamaroa, Illinois joined the 
staff. G. W. Smith petitioned the school board to es- 
tablish a high school, which they did in 1910 with Elbert 
Waller the teacher. There was one pupil. Consuelo Joy 
Smith. In 1911 O. B. Harris took Mr. Waller's place. Other 
teachers on the staff were: R. P. Briegel. Mrs. J. M. Jack- 
son, Lorenz Vogt. James Lemen, James McKee and Char- 
les Breidecker. This year a few more pupils entered 
high school— Anna Belle Weible, Hilda Kunz. Leota Clark, 
Ardell Vogt and Consuelo Smith. This year Summers 
College of Commerce began a commercial school with J. 
W. Hurst and O. B. Harris as teachers. This was in the 
library room of the grade school. There were day and 
night classes with tuition. 

In 1912 Mr. Bieidecker passed away after 29 years of 
teaching in the school. Mr. Breidecker was an artist to 
his finger tips, and under his teaching of drawing some 
very beautiful work was achieved. It was the fad in those 

i have autograph albums in which your teacher 
wrote a beautiful verse. Mr. Bieidecker embellished his 
verses with the most exquisite of drawings, and 
the verse so that it looked like a stee'. He was 

also a mathematical wizard, and the historian can well 
remember the thorough drilling he gave on mental arith- 
metic. 

School picnics were alvi 
in the good old days, and that aay tl 'tally a 

rushing of winds and a downpour of rain either in the 
morning before the star! 

after it was over. This day was an EVENT in Columbia. 
Children, dressed ill their best bib and tuci. 
at the school at the call of the 

.■■n a flag and free ti. k't- f .r pink lemonade The 
parade assembled, with tl 

■ ■in fell in line, wiiti p om bsnm n anm m 
rhere was ihoutlng and general h 
parade 

•iildren joined |n 

P ■ 




IMMACULATE 

CONCEPTION 

SCHOOL 



The school board members, E. A. Weinel, F. G. Rapp, 
E. H. Gundlach, J. M. Arnin, Joe Rauch, and patrons of the 
school Emil Brucker, E. J. Schneider and G. W. Smith had 
pockets full of nickels which were awarded the youngsters 
for feats of skill or strength or just because. 

In the evening the parade reassembled and marched 
back to the school, the band still gamely playing, and 
children still able to shout and sing. 

The last day of school there was an entertainment in 
the Turner Hall. Each room gave a program of dialogs, 
recitations and songs and school was over for the year. 

In 1912 women teachers were employed. This year 
saw Kitty Morgan, Elizabeth Daoust, now Mrs. F. W. 
Weinel, Louise Zimmer, Mary I. James, in addition to 
James Lemen, James McKee, R. P. Briegel and O. S. Hays. 
In August of 1913 O. S. Hays resigned and F. L. Eversull 
took his place. Olga Quemheim was added to the teach- 
ing staff. 

In 1914 George W. Smith, a member of the school board 
petitioned for a four-year high school. He was aided and 
abetted by R. P. Briegel and F. L. Eversull. This was 
established and Francis Blair, then state superintendent 
of schools, came down from Springfield to inspect the 
high school, gave it his blessing, and so began Columbia's 
four year high school. 

In 1913 the first two year high school graduating class 
included Anna Belle Weible, Hilda C. Kunz, Ardell Vogt, 
Leota Clark and Consuelo Smith, with O. S. Hayes the 
teacher. The first four year high school graduating class 
was made up of Mildred Briegel. Harry L. Metter and Con- 
suelo Smith with F. L. Eversull the teacher. 

There was a shortage of teachers at that time, and 
Mr. Briegel and Mr. Eversull gave the necessary encourage- 
ment and push to propel a number of Columbia high 
school graduates to go on to college and become teachers. 
Many of them taught in the grades and high school here 
after they became qualified. It was the policy of the 
school board to give preference to home town applicants. 

In 1915 the high school was accredited. The enroll- 
ment was getting larger and it was felt a community 
high school would benefit both the city and country. An 
election was held Jan. 20, 1920 and a community high 
school established, the vote being 107 for and 47 against. 
Fifty pupils were enrolled and Agriculture, Domestic 
Science and Commercial courses were offered in addition 



to the college entrance work. A cafeteria functioned in 
the basement, for farm children enrolled. 

But this school district was short-lived for on Feb. 11, 
1922 it was dissolved, the vote being 985 against and 408 
for. 

In 1940 the cornerstone of the first part of the present 
high school was laid, and in 1941 the high school erected. 

The second Community High School District, School 
District No. 4 was organized in 1951, which included a 
high school. This school district, then as now, includes 
a 62 mile area in and around Columbia. 

Enrollment in the grades and high school grew rapidly 
and by 1954 the entire school was too small. In January 
of 1954 work was started on a $496,000 project to enlarge 
and rebuild the high school and grade school. The school 
built in 1876 was demolished and a brand new and mod- 
ern grade school built and the high school enlarged. This 
school is complete with music rooms, gymnasium, cafe- 
teria, work shop and new and modern equipment through- 
out. There are six school busses for the out-of-town chil- 
dren, which deliver them in the morning and take them 
home at night. 

To celebrate the completion of the buildings on Feb- 
ruary 18, 1956 a high school alumni reunion, banquet and 
dance was held at the high school building. Over four 
hundred alumni from the classes of 1913 to 1955, their 
wives or husbands, teachers of the school, past and pres- 
ent, and honored guests were present at the banquet and 
more came later. A guided tour of the school had been 
arranged by B. D. Middleton, superintendent of Columbia 
Unit No. 4, after which the group enjoyed dancing in the 
new gymnasium. 

At that time in 1956, the school seemed spacious 
enough to accommodate Columbia's crop of young 
Americans. With the rapid expansion of the city, however, 
the school is now straining at its seams. 

A number of the Superintendents through the years 
include: R. P. Briegel, Carl Struckmeyer, N. A. Rosan, Wm. 
Unzicker, and the present superintendent, B. D. Middle- 
ton, who came here January 4, 1951. 

Some of the early school board members were: E. F. 
Schoening, J. M. Arnin, F. J. Miller, John Pfeffer, Chas. 
Diehl, Sr., Hy. Giffhorn. H. N. Kunz, E. L. Bersche, Hy. 
Rueck, E. A. Weinel, E. H. Gundlach, F. G. Rapp, Jos. 
Rauch, G. W. Smith, Fred Kraus, Henry Beckmann, Dr. O. 
W. Bollinger, Chas. Schiemer, Dr. Richard Grossmann. 



34 



Space docs not permit the naming of more. 

The present corps of teachers includes: May Elizabeth 
Ahlberg, Emilio Bassy, Herta Berger. Leona Blowers, Harry 
J. Brinkman. Rosa Brinkman. Wayne Challacombe, Jac- 
queline Clifford, Robert Dosier, Mabel Evans, Viola Hal- 
tenhof. Eleanor Faye Homes, Carolyn Houser, Elmer Hun- 
ter, Florence Jaenke. Sherman Jarvis, Patsy Killian, Mane 
Kremmel, Janet Messerll, Roberta Meyers, Richard Purdue, 
Reve Rendleman, Mary Ann Roediger. Uhl Sackman, Reba 
Shelton. Vernon W. Smith, James O. Stanley, Anna Walker 
and W. S. Woodress. 

The present Board of Education includes Harold Har- 
res. President; Oliver Rey, Secretary; John L. Gummer- 
sheimer. Wilbert Kremmel. William McConkey, Walter 
Rodemich and Robert P. Cash. 

B. D. Middleton is the Superintendent. Mrs. Morris 
Frank, Secretary. 

P. T. A. Officers are: Mrs. Orville Schmidt. President; 
Lester Deffenbaugh, Vice President; Herta Berger, Secre- 
tary; Mrs. Alvin Lepp. Treasurer. 

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACHIEVEMENTS IN 19S9 

In this Centennial year, 1959, Columbia high school 
won awards in music and in basketball which will be dif- 
ficult to duplicate. 

The Columbia High School Band, under the direction of 
Uhl O. Sackman was awarded a superior rating at the 
District Music Contests held March 4 at Bethalto, Illinois. 
This is the first time that the Columbia Band had been 
awarded a rating of I in a District contest, which entitled 
it to participate in the State Finals. 

At the State music contest held at McMurray College 
at Jacksonville. Illinois, Friday and Saturday, April 24 
and 25 Larry Vardiman received superior rating for a 
French horn solo; the woodwind duet composed of Jackie 
Andrea and Janet Baltz, good rating and the concert band 
excellent rating. 

Other solo and ensemble entries consisting of Larry 
Stumpf, alto saxophone solo; Harold Weisenborn, trombone 
solo; Arnold Stechmesser, trumpet solo; Karen Klein, Larry 
Stumpf and Judy Langhans, saxophone trio and Connie 



Kremmel, Shirley Deffenbaugh, Pat Pomeroy and Janet 
Baltz. piano accompanists all were awarded excellent 
ratings. 

These accomplished young people, guided by Uhl O. 
Sackman, director, are waxing a record of this award w In- 
ning music, which thej will package In Centennial garb 
and sill as souvenir* of the Centennial. 

The Columbia Eagles basketball team, also spread 
their win^s this Centennial year and turned In one of the 
greatest seasons in the history of the school, a 29 and 2 
record. Including the O'Fallon Invitational tournament, the 
District Championship and the Kaskaskia conference cham- 
pionship. Nelson Mathews was selected on the All South- 
ern team of the State of Illinois; received outstanding 
commendation on the All-State team and was selected to 
the East Side All Stars. He is a four year varsity man. 

The coach of this championship team Is Elmer Hunter; 
assistant coach Emilio Bassy. The team Includes Richard 
Roessler, Ronnie Edmonds. Harold Weisenborn, Roger and 
Ralph Schneider, Art Ritter, Ricky Kean, Nellie Mathews, 
Larry Pieper, Melvin Rehg, Jerry Landgraf and Chester 
Vogt. 

In 1950 the Eagles were District Champs under the 
leadership of Coach Edd L. Ghent, with a 23-10 record. 
Way back in 1920 or 21 the high school made a clean 
sweep of all events in a county field meet and were county 
basketball champs. Robert English was the coach at that 
time. 

Some of the records of the baseball team of Colum- 
bia High are as follows: Kaskaskia Conference won by 
Columbia in 1941; County Conference Champions in 1950; 
Columbia is Kaskaskia Conference Champion in 1959 with 
a conference record of S wins and losses. Boys on this 
year's team are Roger Schneider, Ralph Schneider, Cap- 
tain; Harold Weisenborn, Nelson Mathews, Larry Pieper, 
Marvin Rodemich, Art Ritter, Chester Vogt, Richard Roes- 
sler, Melvin Rehg, Ralph Wink, Ronnie Edmonds, Marty 
Kaempf, Jerry Landgraf, Arnold Stechmesser and Curtis 
Hayden. The team was coached by Vernon W. Smith. 

The team record for 1958-1959 season stand* 
wins and 6 losses with two games remaining to be played 
at the date of writing May 6, 1959. 




35 





ST. PAUL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 



IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH 





ST. PAUL'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH 



FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 





e-**- 



, 



RESIDENCE OF THE SISTERS OF THE 
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION SCHOOL 



PARSONAGE OF ST. PAUL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 



3G 



ST. PAUL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 

The History of St. Paul's Evangelical Church, known 
later as St. Paul Evangelical and Reformed Church and 
now as St Paul United Church of Christ. 

St. Paul's Evangelical Church was founded in the 
year 1849 through a Rev. Christian Schrenk. who came 
from New Orleans and served the church from 1848' 49. Be 
was commissioned to America in 1814. having received his 
ordination in London. After a year In Columbia, he return- 
ed to New Orleans, hut nuist have returned later as his 
tenure was from 1849-1854. Rev. G. Weltbrecht, who was 
the pastor at Zoar Evangelical Church at New Hanover, al- 
so preached at Columbia in 1S49 and 1850. A brick church 
was erected here in 1819 which served the congregation 
until 188a 

Following Rev. Christian Schrenk came Rev. G. Stein- 
ert who served here from 1854-61; Rev. M. Fotsch 1861-63; 
Rev. Theodore Klingsohr 1863-66; Rev. E. Otto 1866-70; 
Rev L. Reymann 1870-72; Rev. W. Wahl 1872-73; Rev. Jul- 
ius Hoffmann 1873-74; Rev. Carl Kautz 1875-80; Rev. Jul- 
ius Hoffmann 18S0-83; Rev. L. H. Buehrig 1883-1890; Rev. 
Theodore Krueger 1890-93. The next three pastors, Rev. G. 
Doernenberg, Rev. W. Schlinckmann and Rev. E. J. Wes- 
terbeck served successive periods of fifteen years each. In 
the interim between Rev Schlinckmann and Rev. Wester- 
beck. Rev. J. Nollau of Waterloo, served Columbia for six 
months. Rev. G. A. Friz came to Columbia from Quincy. Il- 
linois on January '25. 1939 and is still serving in 1959, a 
period of twenty years. On April 27, 1958 the congregation 
called the Rev. Norman H Rahmoeller as co-pastor, thus 
beginning a dual ministry for St. Paul. Rev. Rahmoeller 
began his ministry on August 1, 1958. 

The history of the Evangelical Church begins in Ger- 
many. The Reformed Church or German Reformed Church 
was established in 1747. The Evangelical Synod was the 
union in 1840 of the Reformed and Lutheran Churches in 
Prussia. This union met with considerable opposition. 
However it was most successful in the regions of West- 
phalia, along the Rhine: in Baden; and in Hesse-Kassel 
and Hesse-Darmstadt. The result of the union of the Re- 
formed and Lutheran churches was not one church, but 
three, for another denomination was formed. This was 
known as Die Unierte 'United) Church or the Evangelical 
Church. Many of the Columbia immigrants came from 
these regions, and helped to found the Evangelical Church 
In Columbia. 

The tide of German immigrants in the early 1800's left 
their homeland because of high taxes, political oppression, 
hard times and religious tyranny. They made their way to 
America, many landing at New Orleans and then up the 
;>pi to St. Louis and some eventually settled in 
Columbia. These immigrants wanted to worship God, free 
from religious and political tyranny, and they were ever 
watchful of anything that smattered of oppression As a 
• nee. most of them opposed slavery and were 
willing to fight for their belief, many of them volunteer- 
ing their services to President Lincoln. 

The early records of the church deteriorated and are 
illegible because of an improperly sealed cornerstone in 
the second church. This second church was proposed in 
1879 and was finally built and dedicated in 1888. This 
church served until 1927. The cost of the second church 
100 and by 1893 the congregation had liquidated 
the debt. 

In 1926 it became apparent that the church wi 
small, and under thi '.'.'• terbeck it was 

enlarged at the cost of S71.000 and the new chur< 
cated in February of 1927. 



In 1946 the congregation was planning for tl 
tennial in 1949. The Sunday School was too small, the 
church attendance had grown and the church ■■ 
small The- congregation decided to enlarge the church, 
install a neu organ and chancel and redecorate the 
church. On Sunday, Oct. 16, 1949. this new building was 
dedicated. 

In 1955 a Program of Progress, involving a new par- 
sonage to be built to the north of the church, the 
sion of the old parsonage Into an educational unit, and 
some minor changes in the church building proper, waj 
planned tor completion by 1957. The final costs of these 
improvements exceeded S50.000. The entire church and 
parsonage area of one block frontage had been complete- 
ly altered in appearance by the completion of the pro- 
jects. The new parsonage was dedicated in September of 
1956. The brick parsonage which was built in 1873, en- 
larged in 1908. was converted into an educational unit. 
The Rev Norman H. Rahmoeller to.,|< up his residence in 
the parsonage in August of 1958; the Rev. Dr. Friz now 
resides at 302 W. Gundlach St. 

At present i April 1959) the congregation of over 1400 
souls is planning for the 110th anniversary to be observed 
in October 1959. 

In 1939 a new constitution was adopted and the 
church officially incorporated under the name of St. Paul 
Evangelical and Reformed Church With the merger in 
1958 with the Congregational Christian Church, the con- 
gregation was to be known as St. Paul United Church of 
Christ i Evangelical and Reformed). When final merger 
proceedings have been accomplished the church shall be 
a part of a denomination of over two million members — . 
the United Church of Christ. 

For more than fifteen years, the congregation has met 
all of its expenses and the costs of all building projects 
by a method of direct giving, depending entirely upon 
the free-will gifts of the members without resorting to 
any money-making affairs. The splendid support in the 
past years attests to confidence among the membership 
in this laudable method of church support. 

Church personnel includes: Rev. Gerhard A. Friz. D. D, 
Pastor; Rev. Norman H. Rahmoeller. B. D., Co-Pastor; Mrs. 
A Klein. Organist: Mrs. Charles E. Brucker. Secretary; 
Delbert Arras, Custodian-Sexton: Mrs. Clara Kilian. House- 
keeper; Mrs. A. Krupnik, Choir Director; Miss Dolores 
Fiege, Assistant Organist and Children's Choir Director; 
Mrs. F. Eppinger, Girls' Choir Director. 

The Sunday School statistics show an enrollment of 
396 pupils and 63 officers and teachers for a total of 459. 
There are 7G on the cradle roll which includes the non- 
attending nursery and pre-nursory children. This makes 
a grand total of 535 on the Sunday School roll. 

The Consistory includes: Elders: W. E. Stanhope, 
President: Paul Heisler, Vice President: Herbert S 
Deacons: Mrs. William Kuerg.-leis. Finan. 
Ray Ramsey, Treasurer; Carl Riebeling, Secretary: Mrs. 
Gus Stumpf. Mrs. Clifford Haberl, Lester Lammers. Trus- 
tees: Fred Richcrt, Earl Muskopf, Erwin Wink. 

19S9 Officers of Organizations 

The Women's Guild: President. Mrs Elmer G. Rauch; 
Vice President. Mrs. j.ihn Jain, Mrs. Theo. 

Klein; Treasurer. Miss Carrie Hoffmann; Financial Sec- 
retary. Mrs. Walter Giffhorn. Sr. 

The Evening < iuil.l: I'i. 
nt, Mrs Richard M 

Winters. Treasurer, Mi roy. 

The Churchmen's Brother! 
dent, Oscai 



87 



ert L. Tunze; Treasurer, Victor Breidecker. 

The Junior Women's League: President, Mrs. Paul 
Heisler; Vice President, Mrs. Fred Weisenborn; Secretary, 
Mrs. Billy Lewis; Treasurer, Miss Lydia Theobald. 

The Youth Fellowship: President, Richard Kean; Vice 
President, Betty Durrer; Secretary, Evelyn Lammers; 
Treasurer, David Brinson; Adult Advisors, Mr. and Mrs. 
Jack Divers. 

The Fidesta Bible Class: President, Mrs. Lucretia 
Schueler; Vice President, Miss Hulda Breidecker; Secre- 
tary, Mrs. E. T. Lark; Treasurer, Miss Olivia Arnin. 

Sunday School: Jack Brucker, General Superintendent; 
Paul Heisler, Assistant General Superintendent; Mrs. Ray- 
mond Kremmel, Secretary; Arthur Klemm, Treasurer. 

HISTORY OF ST. PAUL'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN 
CHURCH 

The Evangelical Lutheran Church is the church named 
after the great Reformer, Dr. Martin Luther. This church 
accepts the canonical books of the Old and New Testa- 
ments as the infallible, revealed word of God; and ad- 
heres to the "Book of Concord" from the year 1580 as its 
confession. 

The history of St. Paul's of Columbia dates back to 
1841 when Pastor George Albert Schieferdecker did mis- 
sionary work here and also at Holy Cross Church in Sugar 
Loaf. He was serving as a pastor of the Holy Cross con- 
gregation in Wartburg at the time. Services were conduc- 
ted in the farm homes of Jacob Beck and Heinrich 
Schmidt, and other farm homes. In 1846 Jacob Beck 
moved to Columbia and from that time on services were 
conducted in Columbia. 

At this time it seemed there would be a large congre- 
gation, but there was a division of thought and many sub- 
scribed to the Reformed doctrines, and severed their con- 
nections with the Lutheran church. Only a few remained 
loyal to the Lutheran Confessions, and these were served 
by Pastor Schieferdecker until 1849. In that year he was 
called to Altenburg, Missouri. 

Pastor Schieferdecker was one of the seven hundred 
people who emigrated to America from Saxony, Germany 
in 1838. These people wanted to go to a land where they 
could worship God in safety according to the dictates of 
their conscience. 

Pastor Schieferdecker was one of the original signers 
of Synod's Constitution. He also served as the first presi- 
dent of the Western district of the Lutheran church. This 
district was organized in 1854 and consisted of 122 con- 
gregations, 46 pastors and professors, and 11 teachers in 
the states of Missouri, Illinois and Louisiana. 

From 1849 to 18S1 the Columbia Lutheran church had 
its own parochial school teachers, Gottlieb Heid serving 
as the first teacher in the Christian Day School. 

In 1849 a brick building 36x44 feet was erected at a 
cost of $2300 which served as church and school, and 
here Mr. Heid taught from 1849 until 1854. Further school 
teachers of this Christian Day School wlil be found in the 
history of Columbia Schools in this book. 

Pastor Renneke was called to Columbia in 1850. He 
served this congregation and the Holy Cross congregation 
at Sugar Loaf from 1850 to 1855 In 1849 the Columbia 
congregation was formally organized and joined the Syn- 
od in 1851. 

Because of crowded conditions in the school, where 
services were also being held, in 1854 the congregation 
voted to build a church. This also was of brick construc- 
tion. It was dedicated in 1854 and to this day stands, now 
being in use as a home. One of the principal speakers at 



the dedication was Dr. F. C. Walther, first president of 
the Synod. 

In 1855 Pastor Renneke accepted a call to another 
parish. St. Paul's of Columbia, Holy Cross of Sugar Loaf 
and Trinity (Millstadt) united in one parish and Pastor 
F. W. Holls became pastor of all three. He served the 
parish for 27 years. Due to increased enrollment (about 
TO children), in 1870 a new school was built. This was also 
a brick building. In 1882 Pastor Holls accepted a call to 
New Jersey. 

The congregation called a pastor of their own in 1882, 
Pastor A. O. Engel from Carlisle, Pennsylvania. He came 
to Columbia in 1883 and stayed two years. From 1885 to 
1887 students from the Seminary in St. Louis came to 
conduct services. 

In 1887 Rev. E. Schlingman came for two months and 
resigned. In 1888 Rev. G. W. Langehennig became the 
pastor of the church. During his stay a member of the 
congregation willed the congregation a two story brick 
house and a building site. The member was A. J. Rein- 
bothe. In 1898 Rev. Langehennig left and Rev. H. Meyer 
came to the congregation. During his ministry the two 
story house was remodeled to serve as a parsonage. 
Other ministers up to the present time were: Rev. J. 
Bucka, 1901-03; Candidate W. F. Wilk, 1904-08; Rev. P. 
Hassenflug, 1908-10; Candidate H. F. Ramelow, 1911-13; 
Rev. H. A. Huebotter, 1913-16; Candidate G. Groerich, 
1916-21; Rev. J. Losse 1921-26; Rev. F. Duecker, 1926-36; 
Rev. N. Hildebrandt, 1936-56; Rev. Herman C. Lehen- 
bauer, 1956-. 

During Rev. F. Duecker's pastorate the present church 
was erected. It was finished in 1927 at a cost of about 
§15,000, most of this paid in cash by members and friends. 

This congregation is affiliated with the Lutheran 
Chuch — Missouri Synod, the tenth largest single church 
body in America, numbering more than two million Christ- 
ians. 

In Springfield, Illinois and in St. Louis, Missouri there 
are Lutheran Seminaries, training camps for ministers. At 
3558 South Jefferson Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri, is the 
Lutheran Publishing House; also the offices of the "In- 
ternational Luther Hour"; the Lutheran Laymen's League 
and the Lutheran Women's Missionary League. The youth 
program, the Walther League, has headquarters in Chi- 
cago, Illinois. 

The congregation numbers 333, of which 190 are com- 
municant members. 

Church organizations are: Sunday School, Confirma- 
tion Classes, Church Membership Classes, Bible Classes. 
There are also The Ladies Aid Society, the Men's Club, 
the Walther League, the Married Couples Club and the 
choir. Officers of these last are as follows: 

Ladies Society: Mrs. Marvin Mueller, President; Mrs. 
Faul Koblitz, Secretary; Mrs. Hazel Roessler, Treasurer. 

Men's Club: LeRoy Moehrs, President; Marvin Muel- 
ler, Secretary; Otto Salger, Treasurer. 

Walther League: Jackie Wayland, President; Connie 
Kremmel, Secretary; Kenneth Hinrichs, Treasurer. 

Married Couples Club: Vernon Smith, President; Mrs. 
Harold Diehl, Secretary-Treasurer. 

Choir: Mrs. Ralph Mathews, Director. 

Sunday School Superintendents: Melvin Fritz and 
Stanley Herbst. 



HISTORY OF IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH 
AND PARISH. COLUMBIA. ILLINOIS 

Germans of the Catholic religion, primarily from Ba- 
varia and a few from Hanover, arrived In and around 
Columbia about isx> Among these were Robert and Petei 
Frierdich, Joseph Platz, Valentine Janson. John Beckerle, 
John Pfeffer. John Bohlman, the Petris, Gundlachs, Mos- 
bachers and Weckers. 

During the years from 1840 to 1860 came the Brands, 
Schmidts, Kuehners, Wildes. Riebelings, Sclmlers, Eich- 
muellers, Reis, Ritters, Koenlgsmarks, Vahles. Kolmers, 
Uhers, Habermehls, Juenglings, Oexners, Her- 
manns, MeQuades, Knotts and others. 

At first they attended church at St. Thomas Church 
established around 1835 to 1840. This was about six or 
seven miles away, or they went to Cahokia, ten miles 
away, or to Belleville, a full day's journey. The first ser- 
were held in the home of Dr. Knott, with Rev. 
Ostlangenberg of Belleville. Later on services were held 
in the homes of the Oexners, Einwichs and Frierdichs. 
Among the visiting missionaries were Rev. Philip Raphael, 
Rev. M. Prendcrgast, Rev. H. Liermann, Rev. J. Gallagher 
and Rev. P. J. Bait es, 

Next a permanent location for a church was a log 
cabin on the property recently acquired from Fred Jueng- 
ling. In 1846. Dr. Knott, Peter Frierdich, Joseph Platz, 
John Beckerle, Valentine Janson and others urged the 
erection of their own church. James McQuade donated 
the ground, Lot 25. original town of Columbia, then dug 
the foundation himself. Others donated stone, lumber, 
and did the work themselves. The church was small, 
60x35 feet, but it was their own church. This new parish 
was founded in 1846 and dedicated to Mary Immaculate 
and called the Immaculate Conception Church. 

In 1858 Rev. Arnold Pinkers of Belgium became the 
first resident pastor. He made his home with Peter 
Frierdich. who lived a mile from the church and Father 
Pinkers thought it advisable to have a parish rectory, 
which was erected on Lot 6 for $1688.00. The lot was 
bought from Mary Christy for $15 00. 

In 1860 came Rev. Francis Bloesinger and in 1861 
Rev. Wm. Koenig. During this time church bells were pur- 
chased — "Henry" weighing 1004 H pounds and "Elizabeth" 
275 pounds. The price was $982.50. Rev. Koenig died and 
the parish WSJ without a priest for six months. In 1863 
Rev. Julius Maurer, a native of the Tyrol came. The 
church was becoming too small so Lot 27 was purchased 
from Henry Schumacher and in 1866 a brick building 
90x55, seating capacity 400, was erected. The final cost 
was $9,585.00. It was dedicated December 12, 1867. Dur- 
ing March of 1870 the town disbanded its town square at 
the intersection of Main and Market and deeded the 60 
foot frontage of Lot 25 to the church. After 27 years in 
Columbia, Rev. Maurer returned to the Tyrol, where he 
died In 1919. In 1892 Rev. Bernard Claus was named to 
the church. During this period three Gothic altars, a new 
confessional, a communion railing, and a new heating 
system were added. On May 19, 1903 Father Claus died <>f 
a heart attack, and his assistant. Rev. Joseph Duenn of 
St. Louis was appointed administrator until Rev. Henry 
Goosens was made pastor. In 1916 Father Goosens re- 
signed the pastorate because of ill health. 

Rev. Charles Kuhlman was appointed in 1916. During 
this time a modern brick school was erected. The old 
school, which was the original church, and which had 
been enlarged and remodeled several times, was too 
small. Lots 7 and 8 were chosen as the site of the school, 
and a four-room one story brick building with basement, 



fa tag Washington street, north of the convent was 
erected at a cost of $16,000. 

In 1933 Father Kuhlman died and Re si bo- 

came pastor. In 1837 the size of the church was doubled 
and the outside stuccoed, the Improvements costing $31.- 
000. First services in the church were <>n Pebruai 
1938 and the dedication was on September 3, 1928 b] 
Most Reverend Bishop. In April 1930 Father Meier died, 
loved ami esteemed by Catholics and non-CathOllCS alike. 
Shortly afterward Rev. J. F. Wiemer was appointed. Under 
his administration the parish cemetery was placed in 
i, hi order. On April 1. 1934 Rev John F. Schreuder 
became his successor. In 1937 Rev. Schreuder visited his 
home in Holland and Rev. Gabriel Verkamp, O. S. B. as- 
sumed his place. In 1938 the Bishop obtained a school 
bus to take high school age children to Central Catholic 
High School and St. Teresa Academy at E. St. Louis. 

The church centennial was to be celebrated in 1946 
and in honor of this auspicious event the church was re- 
decorated and stately marble altars were donated by 
members of the parish. The high altar was in memory >f 
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Weilbacher by their children; the 
Blessed Virgin altar by Mr. and Mrs. L. A Vogt; the ' 
Joseph altar in memory of Mrs. Mary Menner by Leo 
Menner. Improvements and decorations cost from 1938 to 
1946. $12,700. 

In 1946 at the close of one hundred years of existence 
the families of the parish numbered 240 with about 810 
souls. 

On October 17, 1905 the church was robbed and rifled. 
Two months later the thief again returned and sacred 
vessels were stolen. Eight other robberies occurred in 
the community that same night Twenty-two years later, 
or in 1927, the sacred vessels were found buried beneath 
a railroad bridge near the city. 

On October 24, 1946 the present church was conse- 
crated by His Excellency The Most Reverend Henry 
Althoff. D. D. 

In the spring of 1954, Father Schreuder was granted 
a two and a half month leave of absence to regain his 
health, and on June 3rd of that year left for a visit to his 
native land of Holland. During this leave Father Kushler 
was assigned to the parish. The year 1954 having been 
declared as the Marian Year by the Holy Father the 
parish entered a float in the American Legion parade 
that year entitled "Our Lady of Falima" which attracted 
much favorable comment, and was awarded the third 
prize. Father Schreuder returned from his leave in the 
early fall of 1954. His health was not greatly improved. 
During the early days of 1955 he was successful in es- 
tablishing The Holy Name Society in the parish and on 
January 30, 1955 at evening services a group of men 
were received into this organization with Carl A. Reis 
serving as the first president. Father Schreuder was 
jubilant over the formation of this organization. He did 
not live to see it thrive and grow for on February 20. 
he was called to his eternal rest after having served the 
parish twenty-one years. During this time the parish 
made great progress. 

Rev. Charles Hellrung Of Waterloo was appointed by 
the Bishop as Official Administrator and Father Meski 
who was assistant pastor at Waterloo WU ''it to 
official residence at Columbia and to conduct nil ; 

rs until a successor was appointed On Sunday, May 
8, litof. the Holy Name So,:. | | the first Moth- 

ers' Hay I'.reakfast. which was well 

In August of 1955 Father Alphonse Schomaker was 
appointed as pastor He promoted activity in the Holy 
Name Society by securing playground equipment toi the 



39 



school children; and the building across the street which 
was known as the "Lepp building" was wrecked and a 
spacious parking lot created. Father Schomaker directed 
much attention to the youth of the parish. Due to the 
increase in the number of parishioners over the past ten to 
fifteen years, it became a problem to properly accommo- 
date them all on Sundays in the two masses and during 
Father Schomaker's pastorate arrangements for three 
masses on Sunday came into being. 

In August of 1956 Father Schomaker was transferred 
to Centralia, Illinois and Father Elmer J. Holtgrave from 
Prairie Du Rocher, Illinois was appointed as pastor of the 
Parish and is so serving at the time of this, the Centen- 
nial Celebration of the City of Columbia, Illinois. 

Father Holtgrave is an energetic individual, a person 
who is cognizant of the need for planning ahead. Prior 
to his appointment here he was appointed by the Bishop 
as Defender of the Marriage Bond in the Marriage Court 
of the Church in the Diocese of Belleville, an office which 
required many hours of his time. Despite this, he has 
worked untiringly to meet the many problems confront- 
ing the parish. He was faced with various major prob- 
lems wnere the question of finances enters the picture. 

The interior of the church was in need of redecora- 
tion and this project was completed in 1958. Expansion 
of playground facilities was a pressing matter. This 
meant the acquisition of some adjacent properties. Father 
Holtgrave was successful in purchasing the entire block 
to the west known as the Juengling property. This was 
secured for $30,000.00. The old rectory which was located 
north of the present church building was purchased for 
$20,000. 

With this property acquired the Mayor and City 
Council and the parish worked out an arrangement 
whereby the parish might acquire the two streets running 
between certain sections of the parish property, that is, 
the streets named Washington and Market. The Mayor 
and City Council manifested a deep interest in this proj- 
ect feeling it would eliminate the present hazard to the 
school children. The difficulty was worked out by the 
city closing the two streets. The parish agreed to the 
widening of the existing streets that is, Metter Avenue, 
Liberty and Madison Streets, ten feet along the entire 
parish property, with some monetary payment by the 
parish. 

An expansion drive was conducted which met with 
good success, the goal set being $125,000.00. At the con- 
clusion of the drive in the early part of 1958, $127,268.68 
had been pledged which amount was increased by late 
contributions after the close of the drive. The school 
building was redecorated on the interior and other mod- 
ernization work done there. Additional cemetery ground 
has been acquired. Thorough inspection of the church 
building by engineers has been made and roof construc- 
tion strengthened. Unless something unforeseen develops 
the church building should last for another twenty-five 
years. Sidewalk reconstruction programs have taken 
place and plans are underway for the construction of a 
very modern rectory during 1959. 

In April of 1957, Father Ronald Glennon was ap- 
pointed Assistant Pastor. He manifested much interest 
in the youth program in the parish and did much to 
develop the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine in the 
parish. His stay was short inasmuch as in November of 
1958 he was transferred to Carbondale, Illinois in charge 
of the Newman Center there. Father Vito Lopardo suc- 



ceeded him as assistant pastor and is serving in that ca- 
pacity at this time. 

During the early part of 1959, Father Elmer Holtgrave 
was appointed by His Excellency, Right Reverend Albert 
Zuroweste, Bishop of Belleville Diocese to the office of 
Presiding Judge of the Belleville Diocesan Tribunal. 

Through the years various parish organizations have 
functioned, the history as best obtainable from the rec- 
ords reflects the following: Altar Society, established in 
1859, and will therefore also celebrate its Centennial dur- 
ing this year of 1959: Sewing Society, established in 1906, 
and in the Centennial year of the parish in 1946, Mrs. 
Sybilla Van Luik was serving as president and Mrs. Ida 
Gruninger as treasurer; the Catholic Knights and Ladies 
of Illinois, St. Joseph's Branch, was organized May 31, 
1884, during the time Father Maurer was the pastor. The 
first officers were: President Jacob Harmacek; Vice Presi- 
dent, Louis Vogt; Recording Secretary, John A. Pfeffer; 
Financial Secretary, Joseph Schuler. 

In 1940 the Laymen's Retreat League was established 
through the efforts of C. W. Gruninger, Alfred Descher, 
Julius Kuehner and John Janson, Jr. During the Centen- 
nial year of the parish in 1946 the officeis were: Alfred 
Descher, President; C. W. Gruninger, Vice President and 
Julius Kuehner, Secretary. 

St. Vincent De Paul Society was founded in 1933 by 
Father Wiemer. 

The Blessed Virgin Mary Sodality was in existence in 
the year 1946 with Miss Mary Reis, President; Miss Alma 
Faust, Treasurer and Miss Mae Juengling, Secretary. 

In 1946 the officers of a Young Men's Sodality were 
John McDiermon, President .and Frank Leingang, Secre- 
tary-Treasurer. 

During this, the Centennial year of our City, the fol- 
lowing societies are active in the parish with the officers 
as listed: Altar Society: Mrs. Frank Haberl, President; 
Mrs. Charles Menner, Vice President; Mrs. Leo Herrmann, 
Secretary; Mrs. Clarence Janson, Treasurer. 

Mothers and Friends Club: Mrs. Norman Mueller, 
President; Mrs. Anthony Range, Secretary. 

Catholic Knights and Ladies of Illinois: Frank Knip- 
pler, President; William Faust, Secretary. 

St. Vincent De Paul Society: Elmer Janson, President; 
Paul Reyling, Secretary-Treasurer. 

Catholic Youth Organization: William Janson, Presi- 
dent; Mary Kathryn Conrad, Secretary. 

Confraternity of Christian Doctrine: Rev. Vito Lopar- 
do, Director; Chas. W. Gruninger, President; Calvin Fries, 
Vice President; Rita Leingang, Secretary; Arlou Koch, 
Treasurer. 

The men of the parish are affiliated with the Knights 
of Columbus, Waterloo Council 1334; and a number of 
the ladies are affiliated with the Daughters of Isabella. 

A Retreat movement for men in the parish, is under 
the leadership of Leo Weilbacher, Sr.; the ladies under 
the leadership of Mrs. Charles W. Gruninger. 

Rev. Elmer Holtgrave has been working untiringly, 
developing a long range program of improvements for 
the parish to meet the tremendous growth which seems 
to be in sight. The immediate large scale project that is 
at hand is the construction of a new rectory, the plans for 
which have been completed. This project should get un- 
der way in the spring of this year 1959. Father Holt- 
grave is always interested and concerned in seeing that 
the parish will meet the problems that come with an 
ever-growing community. At this time there are approxi- 
mately 450 families in the parish. 



40 



FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH. COLUMBIA. ILLINOIS 

In January of 1957, the First Baptist Church of Dupo 
elected a Missions Committee composed of three mem- 
bers. They were Russell Barnett. Calvin Pickering and 
Fred Schumaker. Their purpose was to establish a new 
church in Columbia. 

A visitation program was set up to visit and enlist 
the known prospects at that time. An effort was also 
put forth to find others who would be Interested In this 
great work. 

In spite of the fact that there were few Interested 
persons, the Baptist Mission was established under the 
supervision of the Mother Church of Dupo, Illinois. The 
work was begun in co-operation with the Superintendent 
of Missions of the E. St. Louis Baptist Association, Rev. 
Fred Propst. 

On February 24, 1957 the first service was held in the 
Louis Ritter building at 121 South Main Street (formerly 
Daab Confectionery)- This was the first home of the Bap- 
tist Mission and later the First Baptist Church. The work 
continued here for two years. 

Rev. W. W. Dishongh. pastor of the Mother Church, 
conducted the first service. Those present were Mrs. Paul 
Kobliu and daughter, Mrs. Chas. Fitts, Mrs. Vernie Hal- 
leran and son, Mrs. Ann Volk and two daughters and Mr. 
and Mrs. Ernest Clark and daughter, Jewell. 

Rev. Propst, Superintendent of Missions, conducted 
the services through April, during which time the first 
two-week revival was held. Members for a new church 
were enlisted. 

On Sunday before Easter Sunday, 1957, Rev. Doyle 



Keller of Dupo, Illinois came to conduct the services at 
lh«- Mission. At the request of the Mission congregation, 
the Mother Church called Rev. Keller to be 
Pastor. 

After sufficient growth, on July 20, 1958, Constitu- 
tion services were held. The mission became the First 
Baptist Church of Columbia with forty charter members. 

In January 1959 the First Baptist Church purchased 
the Dr. Dundon property at 626 West Bottom Avenue and 
moved to the new church home February 18. 1959. The 
pastor also moved upon the field. 

The present church officers are Rev. Doyle Keller, 
Pastor; Shirley Morrow, Clerk; Wm. C. Stonecipher, Treas- 
urer; Milo Newton, Wm. C. Stonecipher and George 
Womble, Trustees; Ernest Clark, Sunday School Superin- 
tendent; Wm. C. Stonecipher, Training Union Director; and 
Betty Cook, president of the Women's Missionary' Union. 

A brief doctrinal statement of the Church Is as fol- 
lows: 1. Jesus Christ established her. 2. She Is made up 
of baptized believers. 3. Her purpose is to take the gospel 
into all the world. 4. Her government is democratic. 5. 
She is located locally with no authority outside the local 
church. 6. Her finance is wholly of the tithe and offerings. 
7. She accepts the Bible as the whole inspired word of 
God. 8. She has always strived for separation of church 
and state. St. John 7:16 Jesus said, "My doctrine is not 
mine, but his that sent me." 

The First Baptist Church of Columbia is one of 30,000 
other Baptist Churches of like faith and order affiliated 
with the Southern Baptist Convention. 

Rev. Doyle Keller is the pastor of the church. 





'Bilder Joe' sold rosaries and holy pictures and herbs.' 



Mrs. Theodore Stritter. nee Breidecker. wife of a 
Columbia baker. 



•il 



BUSINESS DIRECTORY OF OLD COLUMBIA 



Carpenters: Fred Koch, 
Charles Landgraf. 



Grocery Stores: J. B. Smith and Stewart; Martin 
Schuler; Reid and Schuler; John A. Reid; Reid and Arnin; 
Joseph Arnin, Charles Breidecker, Scipio Beaird, Hy. 
Voges, Jacob Weinel and John H. Wilson, Eichmuellers, 
Edward Victor Heiligstedt, Wm. Allen, Henry Schaiper, 
Fred Meyer, Meyer Bros., Wm. Vogt, John Pfeffer, Co- 
lumbia Mercantile Co., Weilbacher's, John Weissler, J. P. 
Ebel, Joseph Schuler, Theodore Stritter, Henry Siemens, 
William Dieterle and Chas. Breidecker. 

Boarding Houses and Hotels: David Robinson 1823, 
Franklin Inn 1828, Albert Lepp, Jacob Boehne, John Eich- 
mueller, Buck Tavern, Robert Coleman, Ernst Grosse, 
Charles Juengling, A. F. Weinel, Fred Juengling, Jr. and 
Sr., Angerer Hotel, Breidecker Hotel, Arlington Hotel. 
Henckler's Hotel, Jacob Weinel. 

Blacksmith Shops: Joshua Parker, first one; Edward 
Heiligstedt, Jos. Rauch, Sr., Jos. Wuest, Frank Riebeling, 
Daniel Krauss, Jacob Lotz, Theodore and John Schaefer, 
Christian Dahmer, Schmidt and Rauch, Peter Miller, Jacob 
Schmidt. 

Wagon Makers: Fred Knieste, Frank Riebeling, John 
C. Schmidt, H. W. Schmidt, Henry Riebeling, George 
Schmidt, Jacob Schaffenberger. 

Insurance: Fred G. Rapp, E. T. Weible, John A. Pfef- 
fer, Jas. Warnock. 

Jos. Brand, Hy. Beckmann, 

Lumber Yards: Ernst Grosse and A. F. Weinel. 

Harness Makers: Frank Fahney, John Kolb, William 
Kremmel. 

Brick Yards: William Dankenbring, Henry Heulling- 
horst, George Hengle, Henckler's. 

Druggists: Louis Seyffardt, A. Bietlingmeier, Herman 
Rose, Wm. Rose, Sr., Schauffert. 

Doctors: Wm. Goforth (Old Pills), Wm. Grippenberg, 
James Nowlin, M. G. Nixon, William Rose, Sr. and Junior, 
S. Kohlenbach, Dr. Gillen, Dr. Hansing, T. Hall, Zoda 
Lumley, Louis Sondel, Hammond Shoemaker, John Pflue- 
ger, Umlauf. 

Veterinarians: John McKee, W. Wooters, Richard 
Grossman. 

Tailors: Christian Beck, Henry Beck, and Ferdinand 
and William Haberlah. 

Carpet Weavers: Eliza Wall and Anna Halle- 
Hardware: Christian Breidecker, Louis Kuehner, Philip 
Wilde, Ernst Weinel, Wm. Vogt. 

Dressmakers and Milliners: Mrs. Sophia Schneider, 
Mrs. Ellen Smith, Miss Mary Oerter, Miss Minnie Timmer- 
man, Miss Mattie Lane, Mrs. Dora Colburn, Mrs. E. L. 
Bersche, Mrs. Bertha Gordon, Mrs. Roever, Mrs. Gebhardt, 
men's shirts and pants. 

Cigarmakers: Gus Pentzler, Henry Kunz, Sr., Henry 
Rueck, William Henfling, Wm. Schaefer, Herman Miller, 
Wm. Williams. 



Livery Stables: Aug. F. Weinel and James Warnock. 

Furniture and Coffins: Fred Litzenberger, Chas. 
Schneider, E. J. Schneider, George and Gus Grob. 

Saloons: Franklin Inn, Buck Tavern, Ernst Grosse, 
Aug. F. Weinel, Chas. Juengling, Jos. Brand, Conrad 
Wolf, Albert Lepp, Kastner, John B. Schmidt, Henry 
Reichenbach, Sr. and Jr., Wm. Goeckeler, Hy. Scheuer- 
mann, Jos. Rauch, Gus Tunze, Herman Meyer, Louis 
Tunze, Jacob Weinel, Fred Henckler, John Petri, Elmer 
Oerter, Henry Siemens, Jacob Vahle, P. C. Schneider, and 
Emil Fleig. 



John 



Breweries: John Gundlach, Edward Gundlach, 
Schmidt. 

Bakeries: Kupferschmidt, Stamm, Brucker and G. C. 
Goeckeler. 

Cooper shops: Columbia Star Mill, Gardner Mills af- 
terwards Koeni?smark and Afflick and Phelps also E. F. 
Schoening; Christian Volkert. 

Butcher Shops: Fred Illgner, Joe Vahle, Gustav Rohm 
and Son, Jacob and Louis Habermehl, Wm. Gruninger, 
Pretzlic Bros. Joseph Volkert, Sr., James Stephan, Jacob 
Ferkel, W. H. Schumacher, Jacob Stock. 

Traders: Peter Reis, Gus Gnau, James Warnock, Jacob 
Ferkel, Franks Samenfink, Christian Niemeier, Gov't. 
Horse and Mule Buyer during Civil War. 

Candy store and Confectionery and Ice Cream Stores: 
Wm. Allen, Mrs. Sophie Schneider, she also served a 
piece of delicious cake with the ice cream free; Mrs. 
Emma Fiege, Weilbacher's, Stark's. 

Plasterers: Fred Keil. 

Painters: Gus and Andy Frierdich, Ebel and Schmidt, 
Stonewall Jackson. 

Shoemakers: Frederick Herold, Edward Fiege, Adolph 
Drachenberg, Joe Huber, Heinrig Reichenbach. 

Barbers: George and Ferd Fiege, Wm. Roessler, Julius 
Lotz (all babies got their first haircut free, and every 
child loved Barber Lotz), Louis Ritter Senior and Junior, 
Charles Reis. 

Farm Machinery: Peter Miller, Ernst Weinel, Wm. 
Vogt, Chris Breidecker. 

Jewelry: Seibeck and E. L. Bersche. 

Mills: Flour: Columbia Star and Gardner and Grist 
Mill Robert Coleman. 

Saw Mill — J. Weisenborn, run with two white oxen 
for power. 

Well Digger: Mr. Riebeling. 

Job Printing Office: Charles Breidecker. 

Photographers: E. T. Weible and Wm. A. Hills. 

Herb and Seed Store: Joe Wise, sold Herbs to make 
"Hamburger Brust Tea" which was a cure-all especially 
good for colds; also sold holy pictures, rosaries, cruci- 
fixes, books. Wore his hair long. He had a saintly face. 

Towncrier: Fred Henckler. 



42 



DIVISIONS OF COLUMBIA 
IN USE BY OLD-TIME COLUMBIANS 

Columbia, like Gaul of the Latin text books, was 
divided (not in three, however) but in five parts: Down- 
the north part of town near Gundlach's was St. 
Paul; Gaen^e Fertel. or Goose Quarter, was In the neigh- 
borhood of Riebeling street to the old Wardeman ceme- 
tery; so named because many families kept geese; Rosen- 
thal, or the Valley of the Roses, which extended from 
the Julian Burks home on route 3 down into the valley; 
the name being self-explanatory'; and Shake-rack (pro- 
nounced Sheckereck> which is the part of Columbia in 
the neighborhood of Ben Sunderman's garage and there- 
abouts. In the minutes of the village council it is spelled 
"Shake Rag". This district was probably so named from 
a poem written by George Fiege and his "Shake-rack" 
boys, set to music and played by the Shake-Rack band. 
It was written because a couple in this neighborhood 
refused to open the door for the serenaders when they 
came to charivari (shivari) the couple. The poem follows: 

The Green-horn's Party 

Tune — Ha, ha, ha I tell you 

The Shake-rack boys are full of fun 

And love to dance and sing 

They also organized a band 

Some good serenades to bring. 

Chorus Ha. ha. ha. I tell you 

ho ho ho I say. 

Keep your eyes on the Shake-rack band 

When they commence to play. 

A green-horn's daughter had found out 

Our little band could play 

And asked their ma and pa about 

To invite us all some day 

The green-horns gave a party 

I tell you it was grand 

We never met such people yet 

With our little Shake-rack band. 
Chorus 

Inside were Mike and Lizzie 

Little Mag and Leopold 

They were having a jolly time 

While we were in the cold. 

We then played Annie Rooney 

To give a nice serenade 

But they closed the doors and windows 

And left us in the shade. 
Chorus 

Censored the next verse 

We left the place right quietly 

You ought to see them glance 

We went in front of a neighbor's house, 

And there we had a dance 

We boys all like a party 

But I'll tell you very plain 

That you must be a dandy 

If you see us there again. 
Chorus 

Uptown Main street was called by the downtowners 
"Schlechte Fertel" or wicked quarter, and Ui-town re- 
taliated by saying Downtowners were rascals and Up- 
towners angels. 

These statements will not be found in any history, 
only from the tales of the old timers and the se. I 
who said what will never be divulged by the writer. 



TOWN TRUSTEES 18S9-1903 

Trustees of the Town of Columbia from 1S.VJ until it 
became a Village by election, October 3, 1903—4-1 years a 
town. 

Lafayette Warnock: 1859-61 and 1S66-67; John Cund- 
lach, 1859-61 and 1863-67; John Ferkel. 1859-60 and 1861- 
959-61; Jacob Beck, 1860-66 and 1868-69; 
Ernst Grosse. 1861-62 and 1869-70; Leonard Btetlingr 
1861-62; Christian Niemeier. 1862-64 and 1869-70; Jacob 
1862-63 and 1870-76 and 1882-S5: John Weisenborn. 
•I; Christian Breidecker. 1863-71; Peter Miller. 181 
1895-97; John Pfeffer, 1865-66 and 1875-77 and 1878-79 and 
1880-81 and 1886-87 and 1895-96; George Hengle. 1865-66; 
Thomas Koenigsmark. 1866-69 and 1871-72 and 1873-75; 
Hy. Voges, 1867-71 and 1876-80; Henry Riebeling. 1867-68; 
Theodore Repp, 1869-70; H P. Henekler. 1869-70; Henry 
Rueck, 1870-71 and 1894-96; John Kastner, 1S70-71; Fred- 
erick Koch, 1871-73; William Schaefer, 1872-73; Henry 
Huch. 1872-73; John McKee, 1873-74; John Beck, 1876-77; 
John Angerer, 1875-76; Peter Reis. 1879-80; George Divers, 
1871-72 and 1873-74 and 1880-82; Joseph Rauch, 1879-80 
and 1881-85 and 1888-90 and 1891-94; Joseph Schuler. 
1880-85; Joseph Stephan, 1832-85 and 1888-91; Edward 
Heiligstedt, 1881-82; Anton Vogt, 1888-90; Henry Reichen- 
bach. 1874-79 and 1885-86; Chas. Riebeling. 1877-81; John 
B. Schmidt, 1885-86 and 1887-89; Jacob Habermehl, 1885- 
88 and 1889-91 and 1892-93; Stephen Frickman, 1885-88; 
Gustav Rohm. 1899-1901 and 1903-04; Julius Breidecker, 
1886-92; Charles Lotz. 1892-94 and 1896-1904; John C. 
Schmidt. 1897-1904; Albert Lepp, 1895-1901 and 1901-1904; 
Jacob Harmacek, 1890-91 and 1894-95; Henry C. Schneider, 
1890-92; Henry J. Kunz, Sr.. 1891-92 and 1896-97; Charles 
Pepperni, 1891-93; Gustav Tunze, 1903-04; E. L. Rauch. 
1903-1904; Joseph M Arnin. 1892-94 and 1895-98; Joseph 
Brand, 1893-95; Charles Reis, 1897-99; Edward L. Bersche, 
1898-99; Philip Wilde. 1899-1903 and Theodore L. Schaefer. 
1901-03. 

At a General Election held October 3, 1903. the Mun- 
icipal Government was changed from Town to Village, un- 
der the General Laws of the State of Illinois, the first 
Officers for the Village of Columbia, elected April 19, 
1904, were: President, Henry N. Kunz, Trustees, Albert 
Lepp. Gustav Tunze, Edmund L. Rauch. George Roessler, 
William Haberlah; Clerk. Rudolph P. Briegel, Treasurer, 
George B. Schoening. Constable. John B. Schmidt. 

Village Trustees: William Haberlah, 1904-16; Albert 
Lepp, 1904-10; Charles Lotz, 1904-15; E. L. Rauch. IS 
George Roessler, 1904-07 and 1913-15 and 1917-21; Gustav 
Tunze, 1904-15 and 1921-24; Louis Tunze, 1907-13; Jacob 
Brand, 1910-16; E. H. Gundlach, 1915-17; Henry Kraus, 
1915-17; Otto H. Vogt. 1915-17; J. C. Frierdich, 1916-18; 
George Grob, 1916-18; Fred Juengling, 1917-19; Andrew 
Plutowsky, 1917-20; Daniel Daab. 1918-27; Theodore Lud- 
wig, 1918-20; Herman Haller, 1919-25; E. S. Rose. 1919-21; 
Joseph J. Volkert. 1930-27; J. L. Schmidt. 1921-25; Louis 
LandgraX. 1925-27; Wm. Roessler, 1925-2 Ailde. 

1925-27; Gus Schueler. 193 

On March 22, 1927 by a vote of 159 for and 50 against 
the municipal government was changed from Village to 
City, and the following elected first officers of the ( 
Columbia: Mayor, Fred G. Rapp; Clerk. Arthur A. Lepp, 
Treasurer, Julius F. Lotz; Police Magistrate, Edwin C. 
Kue/fner; Attorney. A. C. Bollinger; Marshal, C I. Kern; 
Fire Chief, Gus C. Goeckeler, Jr. 24 years a village. 

Following are the Aldermen who served from 
1959: Daniel Daab, 1927-28; Thomas C. Schmidt. 1927-31; 
Joseph J. \ 0; Herman Haller. 1927-31; E. 

L. Rauch. 1927-33; Arthur Rueck, I 

- II; Walter F. Giffhorn, 1929-36; Albert C. 



■J 3 



1930-33; Fred Heise, 1931-34; Albert Haller, 1931-34; Carl 
Reis, 1932-36; Gus. D. Schroeder, 1932-37; Walter F. Koch, 
1933-34; Michael Steffenauer, 1934-59; Philip Ludwig, 1933- 
59; Herman J. Frierdich, 1934-38; Wm. Juengling, 1937-42; 
Raymond Frierdich, 1937-41; Anton Wierschem, 1937-44; 
Ferdinand Rohm, 1939-41; William Landgraf, 1941-47 and 
1957-59, re-elected 1959; Elmer Janson, 1941-54; George 
Van Luik, 1943-59; relected 1959; Wm. Schueler, 1945- 
53; Wilbert Kremmel, 194S-59; Arthur Beckmann, 1953-59; 
Alfred Descher, 1955-56. Warren Bergmann was elected as 
alderman in the 3d ward, replacing Philip J. Ludwig who 
did not run for office this year. 32 years a City. 

DATA FROM OFFICIAL SOURCES 

The U. S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the 
Census, Washington, D. C. gives the following information 
on the census: "We find Columbia first in the 1850 Census." 
Here are the figures for each census from 1850 through 
1950: 1850, Columbia, Illinois population, 378; 1860, 1,080; 
1870, 1,246; 1880, 1,308; 1890, 1,267; 1900, 1,197; 1910, 2,076; 
1920, 1,592; 1930, 1,791; 1940, 1,871; 1950, 2,179. 

Unofficial 1959 census of Columbia School Unit No. 4, 
approximately 4,000, of which 2600 reside within the city 
limits of Columbia. 

POST OFFICES 

Records of the Post Office Department in Washington, 
D. C. show that a post office was established at Columbia, 
Illinois on August 10, 1822. Names of postmasters and 
dates of their appointment were: William G. Goforth, De- 
cember 10, 1822; Thomas H. Finley (declined) August 9, 
1828; Robert Coleman, November 21, 1828; Stephen Gard- 
ner, February 6, 1836; Charles Henckler, August 23, 1845; 
Jacob Stoutzenberg, August 16, 1851; Christian Breidecker, 
June 17, 1854; Louis E. Seyffardt, July 8, 1884; Lafayette 
Warnock, July 22, 1885; George W. Johnson, April 8, 1889; 
Heinrig Reichenbach, Dec. 14, 1892; Madison G. Nixon 
June 23, 1893; Joseph M. Arnin, June 28, 1897; Fred H. 
Henckler, March 10, 1914; Arthur G. Arnin, February 24, 
1923; Otto H. Vogt, January 24, 1933; Charles J. Schneider, 
May 31, 1933; Gustav H. Boemer, January 31, 1942; Robert 
P. Cash, September 15, 1951 (still serving in 1959). 

RURAL CARRIERS 

Two rural carriers service the rural community from 
the Columbia Post Office. Following are the records ob- 
tained from the Post Office Department Chicago Regional 
Office, Main Post Office Building: Route 1, established 2- 
2-03 to 12-31-17 William Gilmore regular rural carrier; 1- 
2-18 to 4-30-18 Adolph Grosse temporary; 5-1-18 to 2-23- 
19, Oliver Leister, temporary; 2-24-19 to 12-31-19, George 
Schlemmer; regular; 1-1-20 to 5-9-20 Philip Stumpf, tem- 
porary; 5-10-20 to 12-31-52, Otto D. Schneider, regular; 1- 
1-53 to 3-29-53, Edward J. Wilde temporary; 3-30-53 to 
date, George A. Wilde regular. 

Route 2, established 4-1-04 to 12-15-04, Louis Joseph 
Reis, temporary; 12-16-04 to 11-30-06, Julius Schneider, 
regular; 12-1-06 to 3-31-18 Chas. Lieser, regular; 4-1-18 
to 2-23-19 Richard Harris, temporary; 2-24-19 to 3-20-20, 
Richard Harris, regular; 3-21-20 to 5-9-20, Herman F. Zoel- 
ler, temporary; 5-10-20 to date Herman F. Zoeller, regular. 

Advanced to third class January 1, 1910; advanced to 
second class, July 1, 1943. Village delivery service started 
11-1-28; City delivery service started 7-17-50; Star route 
truck service started 5-1-52; Highway Post Office bus ser- 
vice started 1-5-53; Last service from trains, 5-31-56. 



THE ORIGIN OF THE NAME COLUMBIA 

The origin of the name "Columbia" has been the sub- 
ject of much discussion and conjecture among Colum- 
bian's wondering why it was so named. To clarify the dis- 
cussion the historian wrote to Columbia University in the 
city of New York, asking the president of the University 
why the University was so named. The president referred 
the request to M. Halsey Thomas, curator of Columbiana, 
of Low Memorial Library, and he forwarded the following 
explanation: 

"The name Columbia came into popularity at the 
close of the American Revolution. There seemed to be a 
feeling that Columbus, the discoverer of America, should 
be memorialized instead of Amerigo Vespucci, who had 
less reason to have his name attached to this hemisphere." 

The name, however, was used as early as i697 by 
Chief Justice Samuel Sewall of Massachusetts in a book 
he published that year. He spelled it Columbina, but the 
idea was the same. 

The first time the name appeared in legislation was 
the legislative act of the State of New York giving the 
name of Columbia to this institution, 1 May 1784. Two 
years later (4 April 1786) a new county was set off from 
Albany county and established with the name of Colum- 
bia county." 

Pursuing the subject further, the curator of Columbi- 
ana enclosed a copy of a clipping from Columbia Univer- 
sity's undergraduate daily paper the "Columbia Spectator" 
of April 30, 1946. 

"Columbia's Name Derived from Revolution War Song 
in 1784." 

"While delving through the archives of the Columbi- 
ana collection in the basement of Low, we found a Co- 
lumbia University Bulletin dated December 1896 in which 
an article "The Origin of Columbia", appeared. 

During the Revolution, Rev. Timothy Dwight, a chap- 
lain in the American Army, composed a song entitled 
"Columbia, Columbia to Glory Arise." 

A few years after the revolution, in 1784, the legisla- 
ture of the University was looking for a new name for the 
college that would present a striking contrast to the orig- 
inal name "Ring's College." In the use of "Columbia" 
Dr. Dwight had idealized the new republic. The word had 
become significant of liberty and patriotism — representing 
the new born hopes and aspirations of the American peo- 
ple and nation. A verse in the song which perhaps 
prompted the decision is the following: 
"Columbia, Columbia to glory arise, 
The Queen of the world and child of the skies." 
Columbia, then, became a popular name. By a Con- 
gressional Act in 1790, in 1791 the District of Columbia was 
established. The Columbia River discovered in 1792 by 
Captain Robert Gray was so named for his ship. That 
river became the focus of American settlement that cre- 
ated Oregon. 

Since the early settlers of Columbia had fought in the 
Revolution, it is possible they had heard the song, sung it 
and decided it was a patriotic and appropriate name for 
the town they founded, our own fair Columbia. 




AMERICAN LEGION MEMORIAL HOME 



HISTORY OF AMERICAN LEGION POST NO. 581 

The following history of Columbia Post No. 581 was 
written by C. F. Weilbacher, then Post Historian, for a 
booklet entitled "A Brief History of Monroe County in 
the Great World War", and distributed with the compli- 
ments of the American Legion Post No. 581, Columbia. 

The history follows: "Columbia Post No. 581, Ameri- 
can Legion was organized on March 23d, 1920. The or- 
ganization work was conducted by Joseph McGlynn of 
E. St. Louis, district organizer. The first meeting, held 
at Post Headquarters, Turner Hall, was a decided success, 
twenty-four charter members being enrolled. 

The following officers were elected at the first meet- 
ing: Commander, R. C. Kunz; Vice Commander, Ira J. 
Mund; Adjutant. W. F. Schuck; Finance Officer, C. W. 
Breidecker; Chaplain, Henry Haberlah; Historian, C. F. 
Weilbacher; Service Officer, A. G. Klein; Employment 
Officer, C. L. Volkert; Athletic Officer, E. Parrott; Bugler, 
A. C Metier and Sergeant-at-arms, G. Stemler. In 1921 
the same officers were re-elected. 

During the first year there were 56 members en- 
rolled, bringing the total membership to 80. 

The Charter members of the American Legion were: 
R. C. Kunz. Henry Haberlah, A. G. Klein. Albert Hof- 
stetter. Alpha C. Smith, Walter F. Schuck, Henry Thlele, 
Ira F. Mund, Mike Klohr, C. W. Breidecker, George Kut- 
terer. John W. Thomas, Henry D. ICehrtens, Earl G. Par- 
rott, Charles Steinsieck. Frank D. Buncher, August Welsch, 
Leo F. Kipping, Herman F. Taake and Louis Haberm«'hl." 

Mr. Weilbacher, in commenting on the war efforts 
of Columbians says: "Columbia's success in every war 
activity was due to her splendid community spirit, the 
spirit that is the pride and design of Southern Illinois. 

Both individually and as a whole Columbia Strove 
to "carry on" and succeeded as she always does when 
she so desires. Liberty Loans were all over-subscribed 



as were all the drives, and Columbia was generally the 
first precinct to go "Over the Top". 

Monroe County's Red Cross had its inception in Co- 
lumbia immediately after the declaration of war, en- 
rolling members and contributions months before Illinois 
was districted. 

Lodges, clubs, churches and individuals worked as 
a harmonious whole for humanity's sake that Columbia's 
sons and daughters who served the colors and who were 
absent in the flesh, but present in the spirit, would re- 
main away for as brief a lime as possible. 

Some of the organizations which worked at home 
and in the camps were: Red Cross, Knights of Columbus, 
the Council of Defense, headed by Louis Dehn and Mrs. 
Wni. Hills, investigated all claims; the Liberty Loan or- 
ganization headed by H. N. Kunz; Publicity. Ernst A. 
Weinel and George W. Smith; Food Administration; 
fuel administration headed by Emil Brueker; the Wu 
Chest, the Y. M. C. A. and the Salvation Army all with 
local directors." 

Immediately upon the return of World War I Vet- 
erans the post began the fitting celebration of Armis- 
tice Day and Memorial Day. The first Memorial Day 
after some had returned was in 1919. There w 
veterans in the parade that day, school children, or- 
ganizations, the officials of the city and two bands. 
There were aching hearts for those who did not return. 

in 1923 a committee was appointed to raise tunas for 
a Memorial to our soldier dead in all wars. It is a bronte 
statue, "The Spirit of the American Doughboy." The in- 
scription on the monument reads: "Columbia A: 
Legion Post No. 581 1775-1918, Memorial in honor of our 
sons and daughters who served their nation in F1 
cause and in memory of those of our number who gave 
that last full measure of devotion in I 1 I Wars: 

Revolutionary War, 1775-1781; War of 1812 
War, 1846-47; the Civil War, 1861-8S 



•;:. 



War, 1898; The Great World War, 1917-1918. Columbia 
American Legion Post No. 581. Greater Love Hath No 
Man Than This. By the Community of Columbia, 111. 

Money was raised for the monument by the sale 
of tickets which enabled purchasers to designate where 
the Memorial would be placed. The vote showed that 
the place would be at Main and Legion Avenue. Accord- 
ingly it was placed there and impressive ceremonies 
were conducted on May 30, 1924 when it was dedi- 
cated. The American Legion Auxiliary had a flag pole 
erected there, and a flag given by the Sons of Union 
Veterans Auxiliary were also dedicated on this day. 

The Post, with Albert C. Metter as commander, 
sponsored the first Community Christmas celebration 
early in its history. C. L. Volkert and Robert C. Kunz 
appeared before the Columbia Commercial Club and 
asked for their cooperation. This was forthcoming, and 
with the additional help of the merchants in Columbia, 
candy and peanuts and oranges for Santa's visit mir- 
aculously appeared. Santa in person, appeared at the 
Doughboy monument and gave young Columbians a 
community Christmas gift. Carols were sung by the as- 
semblage, and all Columbia joined in the celebration. 
This custom has continued to this day, although the 
location has been changed to the Municipal Building. 

Another event sponsored by the Legion was the 
Fourth of July picnic and dance, with fireworks over 
the pond, then where the tennis court now is situated. 
Yet another was the annual Turkey Day, which is still 
held. 

In January of 1926 Columbia Post was appointed 
trustee of the Palmier cemetery. This cemetery is one 
of the oldest in the county, having been established in 
1783. Veterans as far back as the Revolutionary War 
are buried there. It was so neglected that instead of 
using mowers, Post members came to work with axes 
to cut down the trees that all but hid the monuments. 
The Post also took charge of the City cemetery for 
several years. 

As time passed the organization felt the need of a 
Post home of their own and in 1934 the committee was 
appointed to find a site. The City of Columbia agreed to 
have the building placed on city property and this 
eliminated purchasing a lot. It also assured adequate 
grounds, since it is in the municipal recreational area at 
the corner of Metter street and Legion avenue. In July 
of 1940 the dream of the American Legion — a Post 
home — became a reality with the letting of the contract. 

The home is a modern frame structure with ample 
space for meetings, entertainment, and Post activities 
on the first floor and a large basement where kitchen 
and dining facilities are provided. It is tastily furnished 
throughout. The Legion Auxiliary donated the furnishings. 
The home was dedicated on December 1, 1940. 

Shortly thereafter when our country was plunged into 
World War II the Post was asked to help with Civilian 
Defense. They responded to a man and under Civilian De- 
fense Director C. L. Volkert, a Past Commander of the 
Post, they used their war-acquired knowledge so well that 
Columbia was the envy of other cities for their Defense 
work. They responded to calls for help in other communi- 
ties, and were of great help in 1943 when Dupo was evac- 
uated, and flood refugees in inundated areas were quar- 
tered in the City Hall. Federal troops came to help hold 
the levees along the Mississippi and the Legion helped 
there too. The Post helped with all wartime drives and 
activities to help the boys in the service of their country. 



In May of 1945 VE (Victory in Europe) Day was celebrat- 
ed and in August VJ (Victory in Japan) Day— and World 
War II was over. The Post welcomed World War II veter- 
ans to the American Legion and later the veterans of the 
Korean conflict. After a period of adjustment, the veter- 
ans of all three wars emerged as a strong and vital force 
in the community. 

The Legion stands by in emergencies of all kinds, and 
is now asked to "Stand By" when tornado warnings are 
broadcast. A Ground and Air Observer Corps was organized 
and the Legion served for several years in conjunction 
with the U. S. Air Force. 

A Columbia Legion Post No. 581 Drill team was organ- 
ized with squad Commander Maurice Schneider the leader. 
This is a well-disciplined drill team, snappily dressed, and 
has placed high at Veterans Day at the Springfield State 
Fair in competition with drill teams all over Illinois. 

The Legion backs all good measures for the advance- 
ment of Columbia. They have annual picnics and parades 
and other entertainments and use proceeds to develop 
their new Columbia American Legion Memorial Park, the 
site being purchased from Elmer Oerter for $22,000. This 
park was dedicated on Memorial Day, 1958. They have ob- 
ligated themselves for $28,506 so far. 

The American Legion sponsored the Boy Scout Troop 
early in the 1920's and from 1948 to 1958 they have con- 
tinuously been their sponsoring organization. They are Big 
Brothers to Columbia lads in their formative years. 

This park was purchased so that Columbia youth 
could have a well-equipped recreation center where they 
could gather and take part in competitive sports under 
supervision. It met with instant appeal and on summer 
nights and in vacation time the park is alive wUh young 
people happily engaged in Khoury League baseball. There 
are fourteen teams, and four diamonds, and most of the 
time games are in progress on all the diamonds. In fact, 
there were seventy Softball games in 1958. One of the dia- 
monds is equipped with lights, courtesy of the Columbia 
Rotary Club. 

This project, and others which the Legion has spon- 
sored proves that Legionnaires live up to their solemn 
American Legion obligation "To inculcate a sense of in- 
dividual obligation to community, state and nation" and 
to "foster and perpetuate a 100% Americanism." 

What better way than to serve the youth of Columbia! 

AMERICAN LEGION PAST COMMANDERS 

Robert C. Kunz, 1920-22; A. C. Metter, 1922-23; C. L. 
Volkert, 1923-24; A. C. Metter, 1924-26; C. F. Weilbacher, 
1926-28; A. G. Klein, 1928-29; Otto D. Schneider, 1929-31; 
Louis Mundinger, 1931-33; C. L. Volkert, 1933-35; H. F. 
Taake, 1935-37; E. R. Volkert, 1937-39; A. J. Kuehner, 1939- 
41; C. W. Hoffmann, 1941-43; Henry Haberlah, 1943-44; C. 
A. Brucker, 1944-46; Leo A. Weilbacher, 1946-47; P. A. Lud- 
wig, 1947-49; Maurice Schneider, 1949-50; Louis Schiemer, 
1950-51; Harold S. Mueller, 1951-52; George A. Wilde, 1952- 
54; Virgil J. Crook, 1954-55; Norman Wessel, 1955-56; Mar- 
vin Greatting, 1956-57; Robert Schiemer, 1957-58; Kenneth 
G. Haller, 1958-59. 

The present officers (1959) are as follows: Comman- 
der, Kenneth G. Haller; Sr. Vice Commander, Warren 
Bergmann; Jr. Vice Commander, Raymond Schrader; Ad- 
jutant, Millard Mundinger; Finance Officer, Norman Wes- 
sel; Chaplain, Harvey Buettner; Sgt. at Arms, Arnold Ru- 
dolph; Historian, Harold Mueller; Grave Registrar, Henry 
Thiele; Service Officer, Leo Weilbacher; Assistant Service 
Officer, George Wilde; Executive Board, Elmer Wilde, 
George Luhr, Robert Schiemer, Clarence Mueller, Erwin 
Stumpf, Howard Schrader, Leland Stechmesser. 



40 



AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY UNIT 581 

In May of 1922, a committee consisting of Charles 
Hollingsworth, C. W. Breidecker, Mrs. Bertha Hollingsworth 
and Miss Ida Schneider met to consider organizing an 
American Legion Auxiliary. They agreed that an Auxiliary 
was needed and another meeting was called, with Mrs. 
Bertha Rose Hollingsworth acting as chairman. A charter 
was applied for and it was issued May 13, 1922 to the Co- 
lumbia American Legion Auxiliary Unit 5S1. Twenty-six 
members were enrolled. The following officers were elec- 
ted: President, Phena Dehn; Vice President, Ida Schnei- 
der: Secretary, Florence Kunz; Treasurer, Dorothy Dehn; 
Historian, Louise Schneider; Chaplain, Ida H. Schneider. 

Meetings were scheduled at the Turner Hall every 
second Tuesday in the month at the same time of the 
meeting of the American Legion. 

Immediately the auxiliary began its role as a medium 
of help, not only for the Legion, but for the entire com- 
munity as well, as witnessed by their work taken from 
their records: In 1923 purchased a flag — began the sale of 
poppies made by disabled veterans, continued to today; 
sent two delegates to the state convention at Danville; 
a card party to raise money for the Legion's project, the 
Doughboy monument. They also paid for the flag pole 
erected near the monument, a bronze tablet for the mon- 
ument and gave $100 to put effective lighting in the mon- 
ument area; help every year to decorate the graves of de- 
parted soldiers. 

They donated money to the Evangelical. Lutheran 
and Catholic Churches. In 1928 they invested $5.00 a 
month in the Columbia Building and Loan Association; 
started making tray favors for hospitalized veterans, 
which they still do. They donated to many forms of child 
welfare; tornado relief; they collected $150 for flood suf- 
ferers and sent a half carload of clothing to them; gave 
Christmas baskets to Columbia's needy; gave 4th of July 
suppers in conjunction with Sons of Veterans Auxiliary. 

In 1932 they donated $20 to the Columbia Unemploy- 
ment Relief Fund; members of the auxiliary sewed clothes 
for needy families and the unemployed; farm members 
brought in bushels of potatoes for gifts to needy families; 
the Auxiliary' cut 150 pounds of sauer kraut, packed it in 
one-half gallon jars and donated it to the Columbia Re- 
lief Headquarters; in 1935 they brought sixty-seven bas- 
kets of food to needy people and pretty Christmas pres- 
ents for the children; assisted with the Community Christ- 
mas celebration at the Doughboy monument and later at 
the City Hall; served lunch on Turkey Day. 

In 1937 they donated to the Salvation Army, beloved 
of all service organizations, sent 472 cans of vegetables. 
57 boxes of clothing and 4 boxes of underwear to the Her- 
rin. Illinois flood sufferers They contributed to the Crip- 
pled Children's drive, to the Scout Hut and the Veterans' 
Gift Fund. 

In 1939 donations went to the Education Fund. Auxil- 
iary Loan Fund, cigarette and insulin fund. Red Cross. 
Easter Seals. Cancer Drive, March of Dimes and Leonard 
Wood Memorial. They gave to the High school band, gave 
$1000 to the Legion, gave for uniforms for the Legion Fir- 
ing Squad. They also gave a hospital bed for a memorial 
to veterans who died in the service. 

In 1940 when the Legion Hut was dedicated, they 
helped with open house. Every' May they take the food 
and entertain the veterans at the Illinois State B 
at Alton. In 1947 they celebrated the 25th anniversary of 
inding. and on March 30 this year U959) they 
gave a 40th anniversary party for the Legion. In 1949 they 
- to the Legion Drill Team; they sell Veterans' 



Crafts all during the year; send a high school junior to 
Girls' State at MacMurray College at Jacksonville. Illinois 
every year. 

These are Just a few of the activities of the auxiliary. 
Space forbids telling of more. 

Following is a list of Committee Chairmen for 1958- 
59: Americanism. Alma Rudolph; Auxiliary Loan Fund for 
Education of War Orphans. Helen Wilde; Community 
Service. June Weisenborn; Child Welfare. Lydia Immenga; 
Civil Defense. Mary Challacombe; Coupon. Ida Harres; II- 
lini Girls' State. Anna Lefholz; Gold Star, Alma Horcher; 
Membership, Amalia Bolle; Member of Liaison, Florence 
Hoock; National Security. Alma Kremmel; Legislative, 
Anna Lefholz; Pan-American. Tillie Harres; Poppy, Dolo- 
res Bergmann, Tillie Bergmann and June Weisenborn; Mu- 
sic. Myrtle Schneider and Irene Haberl; Past Presidents 
Parley, Ida Harres; Publicity, Esther Stumpf; Rehabilita- 
tion and Veterans' Crafts, Margaret Mueller; Flavor, Til- 
lie Bergmann: Tray Favors, Frieda Thiele; Entertainment, 
Virginia Klein. Mildred Haller and Alma Kremmel; Fi- 
nance. Myrtle Schneider, Margaret Mueller and Mary Ann 
Schmidt; Junior Activity, Amalia Boile and Lydia Immen- 
ga; Visiting, Tillie Bergmann; Ways and Means, Anna 
Lefholz, Irene Haberl and June Weisenborn: Revisions, 
Lydia Immenga, Amalia Bolle and Margaret Mueller. 

The Auxiliary has grown from twenty-six members in 
1922 to one hundred thirty-nine in 1959. Auxiliary members 
have held offices in the St. Clair-Monroe County Council, 
the 22d District, and at present Mrs. Amalia Bolle is a 
member of the Department of Illinois on the Civil Defense 
committee of the Fifth Division, and the 22d District Di- 
rector. 

Gold Star Mothers are: Amanda Mosbacher, Elizabeth 
Rehg, Alma Roever, Elizabeth Weinel, Mrs. William Eg- 
gert. Flora Pieper and Lillie Payne. 

JUNIOR AUXILIARY CF THE AMERICAN LEGION 

The Junior Auxiliary of the American Legion was or- 
ganized Nov. 10, 1956 with nine charter members. The fol- 
lowing officers were elected: Chairman. Ruth Bolle; vice 
chairman, Marlene Wilde: Secretary, Linda Custer; Treas- 
urer, Jo Ann Wilde; Chaplain, Betty Lindhorst; Historian, 
Sandra Lindhorst; Sergeant-at-arms, Karon Wilde. The 
Junior advisor was Mrs. Lydia Immenga. 

The Juniors make thirty tray favors every month 
which are sent to the Veterans' Hospital at Galesburg, 
Illinois; donate to a rehabilitation program of the depart- 
ment; enter the Poppy Poster contest; sing carols at the 
Nursing Home at Waterloo; and send gifts to the boys at 
Bennett Cottage at Normal, Illinois. 

At the present time there are 17 members with the 
following officers: Chairman. Marlene Wilde; Vice Chair- 
man. Nadine Wilde; Secretary'. Linda Custer; Chaplain, 
Mary Sue Alexander; Treasurer. Alice Challacombe; Ser- 
geant-at-arms. Sharon Wilde; Historian. Nancy Daab. Mrs. 
Walter Bolle is Junior Advisor. Ruth Bolle is 22d District 
Chairman; Nadine Wilde 22d District Historian. 

Past Presidents: Phena Dehn. 1922-23; Ida Schneider. 
1923-24; Consuelo Volkert. 1924-25; Florence Kunz. 
Lee Weilbacher. 1926-29; Lillian Heise, 1929-30; Fleda 
Nicks. 1930-31; Hilda Mueller. 1931-32; Ida Schneider Har- 
res, 1932-36; Minnie Heise. 1936-38; Hilda Muelli 
(died in office i ; Tillie Bergmann, December 
Weilbacher. 1941-43; Alma Kremn.. Lydia 

Schewe. 1945-47; Alma Kremn. Amalia Bolle, 

Irene Haberl, 1951-53; Tillie Hai 
Lydia Immenga, 1955-56; Margaret Mueller. 1956-58; Lau- 
ra M Kremmel. 1958-59. 



." 



ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS 1958-59 

President, Laura M. Kremmel; 1st Vice President, 
Esther Stumpf; 2d Vice President, Tillie Schorb; Secretary, 
Hilda Wilde; Treasurer, Lucille Woodcock; Historian, Frie- 
da Thiele; Chaplain, Virginia Klein; Sergeant-at-Arms, 
Alma Rudolph; Color Bearers, Laura Wood and Leona 
Stechmesser. 

COLUMBIA PUBLIC LIBRARY 

The present Columbia Public Library was originally 
sponsored by the Columbia Woman's Club. Club mem- 
bers felt that Columbia was badly in need of a library. 
There was no place available where the general public 
could borrow reference and research books or other good 
reading material. 

The Columbia Woman's Club had furnished a room 
in the Municipal Building where they held their regular 
meetings. They agreed that they would be happy to 
give up this room as a meeting place so that it might 
be used as a library. 

A solution was offered in the Fall of 1948 when Miss 
Helene Rogers, assistant librarian of the Illinois State 
Library was the guest speaker at the Woman's Club 
meeting. 

Miss Rogers explained that a state demonstration 
library might be of help in establishing a library. A 
library organization in the club could procure books from 
the State Library for a limited time if the club would 
pay the postage for getting the books here and returning 
them. The Club would also provide a suitable place. 

Mrs. Dorothy Eppinger, president of the club, and 
Mrs. Tom Henderson appeared before the City Council 
and asked for the use of the room as a library. The 
council agreed to do this and also promised to install 
shelves, provide heat, light and janitor service. The 
Woman's Club offered to staff the library and pay all 
expenses. 

It was agreed that residents of Columbia School Dis- 
trict No. 4 would be eligible for library service as well 
as the citizens of Columbia. 

On February 22, 1951 the library was formally dedi- 
cated with Mrs. Laura Langston, Chief of the Illinois 
State Extension Service, present to answer any questions 
relative to the new project. The library room was very 
attractive, and at the time of the dedication had 2000 
books on the shelves, mostly the property of the State. 
Mayor A. C. Metter made the dedicatory address and 
presented the library with the Book of Books— the Bible. 
The club made the announcement that they would 
staff the library, aided by Columbia High School pupils, 
and church members from the various churches of Co- 
lumbia. It was to be operated part time and during vaca- 
tion there would be leisure time activities. There was a 
staff of about forty available. The first six weeks showed 
a circulation of 200 books. 

Feeling the need for a permanent library, for this 
was a temporary project, they were advised to secure 
a district library on a tax supported basis. If this were 
voted in, a tax rate of 60c on the $1000 valuation would 
be automatically levied. The idea was indorsed and on 
June 6 an election was called. The district library plan 
was defeated with the vote 262 against and 215 for. 

When the Municipal building was enlarged after an 
election on March 1, 1955 to authorize this, space was 
provided for the library in the new addition. 

A committee from the Woman's Club appeared at the 
meeting of the City Board at the January 195S meeting 
and asked for a publicly supported library. They were 



given the proper legal procedure and at the April meet- 
ing they submitted for the establishment of a City Li- 
brary the required petition signed by 185 residents of 
Columbia. The City Council then agreed to establish a 
tax supported library in Columbia. 

This program went into effect on May 1, 1959 with 
Mrs. Tom Henderson, librarian. 

The library is open three afternoons a week and on 
Friday evening. It is very modern and attractive. About 
4,000 books are upon the shelves. 

It is served also by the Southern Illinois University 
Bookmobile and the Kaskaskia Regional Library Book- 
mobile which makes regular trips here. Upon request of 
the Columbia librarian the State Library will furnish any 
book requested by a patron of the Columbia Library. 
These loans are called inter-library loans. 

The Library Board appointed by the City Council is 
as follows: Betty Cash, Walter W. Giffhorn, Jr., Florence 
E. Haberl, Thomas Henderson, Thelma Herbst, Wilbert 
Kremmel, Ruth Schmidt, Mary Ellen Norman, Mary Ann 
Roediger. 

Leisure time activities for the children are provided 
during vacation months. 

THE COLUMBIA WOMAN'S CLUB 
The Columbia Woman's Club has had an interesting 
history. It had its inception in the old Columbia Literary 
Society in 1912 under O. S. Hayes. Meetings were held 
at the old Columbia Public School. The seventh and 
eighth grade rooms were thrown together to make a 
large assembly room. Pupils of the eighth grade were 
eligible, as well as the general public. Debates were 
held, parliamentary procedure studied and spelling bees 
held. Columbia men and women interested in education 
attended and took part in the programs, as well as 
school board members and business men. Early presidents 
were Louis Ritter and Ernestine Smith, with Edwin 
Rauch, sergeant-at-arms. 

Out of the group was evolved the Columbia Home 
Economics Club, an affiliate of the Farmers' Institute. 
Mrs. William Hills was the president of the County Unit 
in 1914, according to the State Farmers Institute year 
book. She was also the president of the Columbia club 
in its early days. During the time of the flood in the 
Bottom when many were barracked in the City Hall, old 
clubs records were accidentally destroyed. 

The club reorganized, became known as the Columbia 
Household Science Club in 1920, with Miss Beulah 
Hampson, president. Miss Hampson was the Home Eco- 
nomics teacher at the old Columbia High School. At 
first, club meetings were held in the evening, but later 
in 1940, it became an afternoon club. Meetings were 
held in Woodman Hall, until the new City Hall building 
was completed. Some unusual programs were given, 
one with the late Mrs. Leo Weilbacher in charge, was a 
Christmas pageant. Betty Weilbacher was Mary, George 
Brucker was Joseph and the whole Columbia Drum and 
Bugle Corps played 'We Three Kings of the Orient Are", 
as the Processional. The club made Christmas visits to 
tne Alms House, bearing gifts, and now visits the Monroe 
County Nursing Home. 

The club worked for the establishment of the Par- 
ent-Teacher Assn. They also worked to get a County 
nurse, indorsed all educational moves, and had their 
club meeting in conjunction with war time bandage 
making. They sponsored the Girl Scouts, helped with 



furnishing the Scout Hut, furnished a room at the City 
Hall for the use of all women's organizations. As early 
as 1938 they tried to get a P. W. A. library. Later it be- 
came the library' which was staffed by club members and 
friends. L'nder the guidance of the club the new city 
library was e v o lv ed, with Mrs. T. B. Henderson, the club's 
treasurer, also the librarian. 

The club meets the third Thursday of the month In 
the city auditorium. It is an affiliate of the Illinois 
Federation of Women's Clubs and is also an affiliate of 
the district and county organizations. 

Present officers are: Mrs Dorothy Christopher, Presi- 
dent; Mrs. Wm. Lengfelder Vice President; Mrs. T. B. 
Henderson. Secretary; Mrs Fred Wills. Corresponding Sec- 
retary and Mrs Wayne Compton, Treasurer. The club 
has forty-five members. 

Working in conjunction with the Columbia Chamber 
of Commerce, the club's hospitality committee calls on 
newcomers to Columbia, officially welcoming them to 
the city. 

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS 

Waterloo Council No. 1334, Knights of Columbus. Wat- 
erloo, Illinois, with which Columbia members are affili- 
ated, was granted a charter June 14. 1908, and one year 
ago on that date celebrated their golden jubilee. 

The organization committee consisted of three Broth- 
er Knights: Brothers Bennett James, Hugh Murphy and 
John Koenigsmark. 

The Knights of Columbus is a society founded upon 
Christian principles of service to God, Country and Fellow- 
man. 

The slogan of the Knights is Charity, Fraternity, Unity 
and Patriotism. 

The founder, the Reverend Michael J. McGivney, de- 
sired that the families of Catholic men should be protect- 
ed from privation at the death of the father or husband, 
and this desire motivated him in the establishment of the 
fraternal organization of Waterloo Council. 

Council officers for 1958-59 from Columbia are: Erwin 
A. Hankamer. Deputy Grand Knight; Norman Schmidt, 
Advocate; Howard Haberl, Outside Guard. Chas. W. Grun- 
inger served as Grand Knight in 1952-53. 

The Fourth Degree Assembly of the Knights of Co- 
lumbus was established in 1924 in Waterloo. The present 
officers from Columbia are: Faithful Comptroller, Norman 
Kutterer and Faithful Outer Sentinel. Al Kish and Roy P. 
Conrad. Faithful Captain who is now Faithful Navigator 
elect. Guido Serafini has also served as Faithful Navigator. 

The principal function of the Fourth Degree is to serve 
as a guard of honor at public appearances of His Excel- 
lency, the Bishop of Belleville Diocese. 

Over a million Catholic men belong to this very worth- 
while organization. 

COLUMBIA ROTARY CLUB 
Members of the newly organized Rotary Club were 
guests of the Millstadl Rotary Club on February 2. 1948. 
at a dinner meeting which preceded the organization pro- 
gram and election of officers for the Columbia club. The 
meeting was in charge of Oscar Krick, A. J. Mollman and 
Ray Payne, a former Columbian. These three Rotarians 
were the organizers of the Columbia club. 

The first meeting after organization was held at the 
SangTalee at a dinner meeting on February 9, 1948. Meet- 
ings were to be held on Monday night of each week from 
6:15 to 7:30. 

February Z3. 1948 was Charter Night with 27 charter 
members participating. There were about 250 guests from 
neighboring Rotary Clubs in attendance at this meeting. 



The objects of the Rotary are: to encourage and fos- 
ter the development of acquaintance as an opportunity 
for service; high ethical standards in business and | 
sions, the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occu- 
pation*, and the dignifying by each Rotarian of his occu- 
pation; the application of the Ideal of service by every 
Rotarian to his personal, business and community life; the 
advancement of international understanding, good will, 
and peace through a world fellowship of business and pro- 
fessional men united in the Ideal of service. 

The Rotary Club each year has a Rural Urban Night, 
the purpose of which is to bring town and country folks 
closer together. Each Rotarian invites a country neighbor. 

Inter-Club meetings were also a part of Rotary — 
neighboring Rotary Clubs being invited to Columbia with 
Columbia serving as host club. 

First officers were: Ed Rudolph, President; T. B. Hen- 
derson, Vice President; Roy P. Conrad, Secretary; Arthur 
P. Wink, Treasurer; Dr. S. W. Susewind, Gustav C. Goec- 
keler and Walter Reichert, Directors; Sergeant-at-Arms. 
Fred Bruenig. 

Besides the officers, charter members included: Gus- 
tav H. Boemer, Charles F. Diehl, Rev. Gerhard Friz, Edd L. 
Ghent, C. A. Hacker, William S. Haudrich. Walter F. Land- 
graf, Elmer and Forrest Oerter, Kendall Puckett, Walter 
F. Rapp, Orville C. Schmidt, Herbert Vogt, F. William Wei- 
nel, L. A. Weilbacher, Jr., Robert E. Weilbacher, George R. 
Wilde and Erwin Withum, Jr. 

Present officers are Alfred Asselmeier, President; 
Oliver Riechmann, Vice President; Arthur F. Rueck. Secre- 
tary; Elmer Dillon, Treasurer; Jacob Daab, Sergeant-at- 
Arms; directors, Charles J. Gruenlnger, Wm- Cash and 
Emilio Bassy. 

Among many projects sponsored by the Rotary Club 
were: summer playground supervised activities for several 
years; the celebration of the "Gay White Way" lighting 
project; flood lights on the high school ball diamond 
for night games, which were later moved and re-erected 
at the Legion Memorial baseball park. 

One of the most unusual programs was a tape record- 
ing of the Olympic games when this event was held in 
Australia. 

The Rotary has two honorary members — Dr. F. L. 
Eversull and E. L. Rauch. 








THE STAGE COaCH STOPS AT THE FRANKLIN INN 



JUENGLING TAVERN 

Flames wrote the last chapter of the story of the 
picturesque old Juengling Tavern on Main street in Co- 
lumbia in 1958. The Columbia Volunteer Fire Department 
burned the building after workmen had tried dismantling 
it in the orthodox manner. Walnut logs and handmade 
nails and century old construction made tearing down 
such a problem that a torch was applied. 

It was razed to make way for the new projects of 
the Immaculate Conception Church, which include a 
school playground and recreation center and later per- 
haps other necessary buildings. 

The old tavern and hotel had much interesting history. 
Many tracts of the original property were sold and 
these present a picture of the old names in Columbia 
history. Old deeds lent us by the Juengling family show 
it was 130 years old. It was purchased in 1828 by Robert 
Coleman. He established a grist mill, an ox mill, old 
records call it, for oxen were the power to run it. Coleman 
also had a store there. 

Old deeds show that in 1838 Stephen Gardner sold 
the property to Tom Morgan and Patrick Artimony. In 
April of 1840 these men and their wives, sold to Henry 
Randleman. None of the sellers could write as was evi- 
denced by their marks. Witnesses were John Divers and 
Moses Hart. Cassendre Randleman, executrix of the will 
of Randleman, sold her husband's property as specified 
in his will, to Ernst Grosse and Richard Stueck, grand- 



father of Alvin Klein. In 1853 Stueck sold his part to 
Mr. Grosse. Old histories call this inn the Franklin Inn. 
Later it was known as Buck Tavern. Its sign was adorned 
with the horns of a deer, hence its name. Mr. Grosse 
started the hotel and tavern in 1840. It was famous for 
its hospitality. Here the stage coach stopped and changed 
horses. The passengers refreshed themselves for the long 
journey to Renault which was the over-night stop en 
route to Kaskaskia where most passengers went to pre- 
empt land. 

Prices for liquor, and this included a free lunch, were 
$1.25 a gallon for cheap whiskey and $1.85 for the best, 
and by the drink 5 and 10 cents. Horses were fed there 
too at a comparable price and a deep well under the 
porch provided abundant water for stock. 

August F. Weinel, son-in-law of Mr. Grosse conducted 
the tavern until about 1872 when the stage coach gave 
way to the railroad. 

Ernst Grosse sold the place to Charles Juengling of 
St. Louis in 1873. Mr. Juengling took over the tavern and 
other members of his family conducted it for eighty- 
five years. Fred, senior, purchased it in 1912; Fred, junior 
and senior succeeded him and then Fred Junior operated 
it until 1954 when Charles Bergmann took charge. 

John Kolb, who lived across the street from the pres- 
ent Weinel Lumber Yard, was one of the early stage 
coach drivers. 



50 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA LODGE NO. 474 A. F. AND A. M. 
1B66 - 59 
"The Worshipful Master, Wardens and Brethren of Co- 
lumbia Lodge U. D.. A. F. and A. Masons met in Regular 
Communication at Masonic Hall, in the Town of Colum- 
bia. County of Monroe. State of Illinois. Jan. 6. at 7 o'- 
clock p. m.. A. D. 1866, A. L. 5866. and opened on the first, 
second and third degrees of Masonry in form. Present 
were: W. Bro. D. S. Donagin. Master; Bro, F. Horan, Senior 
Warden; Bro. H. A. Bornemann, Junior Warden; Bro. J. A. 
Reld, Treasurer; Bro. L. Wamock, Secretary; Bro. A. F. 
Agnew. Senior Deacon; Bro. Michael Doren. Junior Deacon; 
Bro. George W. Scheuerman. Tyler." 

These are the first recorded minutes of Columbia and 
represent all the first history of Columbia Lodge No. -174. 
Ancient. Free and Accepted Masons of Columbia, Illinois. 
There is no record of who organized the Lodge nor who 
besides the officers were members. 

A meeting was held on Sept. 15, 1866, at which time 
officers were elected to be named in the charter. These 
elected officers were installed on Friday night, Oct. 26. 
1S66, and were installed by Brother Charles Meyer, "act- 
ing as proxy for the Grand Master". 

The officers were: Frank Horan, Master; H. A. Borne- 
man, Senior Warden; H. S. Hibbard, Junior Warden; La- 
fayette Wamock, Treasurer; Jas. L. Gall. Secretary; G. 
Hoffman, Senior Deacon; James McKee, Junior Deacon; 
John Angerer. Steward; Christian Reither, Steward; August 
Hoffman. Tyler. 

The first meeting place was in the Scheuerman build- 
ing, now upstairs over Greatting's Market; then the old 
Methodist Brick church, now the site of the high school 
building until 1870. The next meeting place was above 
Charles Schneider's furniture store at the comer of Main 
and Mulberry streets until 1876; then they met in the 
•'new building of Messrs. Niemeier and Weinel" until the 
Masonic Hall building was completed on the present site 
of the First National Bank building. On Sept. 30, 1882 the 
Masonic Hall Association was incorporated and on Oct. 17, 
18S2 the contract was let to erect a three-story brick 
building, 33 feet x 70 feet for the sum of $7077.65. The 
third floor of this building was the meeting place for 
Columbia Lodge. 

XUl building was destroyed by fire March 12, 1953. A 
new site on Columbia city route 3 was purchased at the 
northern city limits and a Masonic Temple erected. For- 
mal dedication ceremonies were held Dec. 18, 1954. 

This building has a lodge room, ante-room, lounges, 
dining room, kitchen, conference room and recreation room- 
It is also the meeting place of the Order of the East- 
em Star, Job's Daughters Bethel and the E. A. Weinel De 
Molay chapter. 

In 1914 Herman L, Rose was commissioned a Grand 
Lecturer and subsequently appointed District Grand Mas- 
ter of this Masonic District. F. W. Weinel was appointed 
District Deputy Grand Master of the 91st District in 1943. 
Ernst Grosse was elected treasurer in 1869, serving 
until his death in 1892, succeeded by A. F. Weinel who 
served until his death in 1913. Ernst A. Weinel was elected 
to succeed his father and served until his death. 

Past Masters from 186E to 19S9 
D. S. Donagin 1866; Frank Horan 1866-68: Fred Daab 
1869; Madison G. Nixon, 1870-74; 1877; 1882-84; 1886; 
1889-95; 1898-99; H. A. Bornemann 1875; Wm. F. Sxith 
1876; Monroe M. Gray 1878: 1880-81; Isaac H. Brown 
Wm. B. Smith 1885; Albert L. Martin 1887; Corry M. Flke 
1888; Jos. M. Amin 1896-7; Emil Heer 1900; E. A. v. 



1901-2; Hy. Reichenbach 1903-4; Hy. Rueck 1905-06, H. N. 
Kunz 1907-8; Geo. B. Schoening 1909-10; Herman L. Rose 
1911-12; 1918; F. W. Weinel 1913-15; Geo. Grob 1916; 
Chas. L. Ebel 1917; Chas. Williams 1919-20; Albert Lepp 
1921-22; Robert C. Kunz 1923; Christ L. Dehn 1924-25 and 
1929; Ira J. Mund 1926; Chas. A. Brucker 1927-28 and 1930; 
Alvin E. Tunze 1931-32; John W. Compton 1933; Chas. W. 
Swartz 1934; John W. Hamilton, Jr. 1935; Hy. F. Breuer 
1936; Allen W. Robertson 1937; Herman F. Taake 1938; 
Wm. F. Taake 1939-10; Clarence A. Hacker 1941; Roland 
E. Muskopf 1942: Benjamin E. Bowers 1943; Wm. Henfiin^ 
1944; Wayne S. Compton 1945; Louis J. Loewe 1946; N. S. 
Church 1947; E. E, Scott 1948; P. P. Pretzlic 1949; C. H. 
Bordewisch 1950; P. C. Beal 1951; W. D. Bailey 1952; 
George Pentecost 1953, R. J. Tunze 1954; H. O. Schaefer 
1955; O. L. Brewer 1956; Alvin N. Koch 1957; V. A. Hoep- 
finger 1958; J. E. Rains 1959. 

Officers serving in 1959 are: Worshipful Master. James 
Rains; Senior Warden, Russell E. Smith; Junior Warden, 
Robert L. Bottiaux; Treasurer, Clifford H. Bordewisch; 
Secretary. Wayne Compton; Senior Deacon, Adam E. Mer- 
nick; Junior Deacon, Louis J. Girard; Senior Steward, Har- 
vey W. Hoover; Junior Steward, James B. Barfield; Chap- 
lain. Vernon A. Hoepfinger; Marshal, Martin C. Dunkin; 
Tyler, Peter P. Pretzlic. 

HISTORY OF MONROE CHAPTER NO. 597 
ORDER OF THE EASTERN STAR OF ILLINOIS 

On August 21, 1907, at the home of Mr. and Mrs. 
Ernst Weinel, the preliminary plans were made to organize 
a Chapter of the Eastern Star in Columbia. Mr. and Mrs. 
Hawkins, members of the Rob Morris Chapter, O.E.S. of 
East St. Louis helped in this organization. 

Twenty-one Columbians signed a petition to the 
Grand Chapter of Illinois for dispensation to form a new 
Chapter. The following who signed the petition are also 
charter members of the Chapter: Julia Hills, Lydia Rapp, 
Emma Grosse, Louisa McKee, Adella Rose. Lizzie Arnin. 
Bertha Arnin, Bertha M. C. Weinel, Ida Kunz, Adelia 
Schoening, Emma Rueck, Emelia Kunz, August F. Weinel, 
Bertha Weinel, Ernst and Mollie Weinel, Emelia Weinel, 
Lena Wenkel, Emelia Grosse. Elizabeth Schoening and 
Henry N. Kunz. 

This request was granted and the Monroe Chapter 
No. 597 O. E. S. was instituted on August 31, 1907 

Brother W. P. Vaughn of Rob Morris Chapter 98, O. 
E. S served as Deputy Grand Worthy Patron. Assisted 
by officers and members of his Chapter he Instituted 
Monroe Chapter 597 and installed the Charter officers. 

The charter officers were: Worthy Matron. Julia 
Gross Hills; Worthy Patron, Ernst Weinel; Associate 
Matron, Lydia Rapp; Secretary. Emma Grosse; Treasurer. 
Mollie Weinel; Conductress, Louisa McKee; Associate 
Conductress, Adelia Rose; Marshal, Lizzie Arnin; Chap- 
lain, Henry N. Kunz; Adah, Bertha Arnin; Ruth, Bertha 
M. C. Weinel; Esther, Ida Kunz; Martha, Adelia Schoen- 
ing; Electa, Emma Rueck; Organist. Emelia Weinel; 
Warden, Emilie Kunz; Sentinel. August F. Weinel. 

On that evening, petitions from four candidates were 
received, accepted, balloted upon and initiated. The four 
were: Fred G Rapp. F. W. Weinel; George B. Schoening 
and Henry Reichenbach. 

The Chapter meetings were held on the third floor 
of the Masonic Hall building in the Masr.nic Hall. 

In 1917 the United States went to war. The Chapter 
bought Liberty Bonds, and a Service flag. They donated 
to the War Camp Recreation Fund, the Red Cross. 

CJL, War Relief Fund, and the Soldiers' Memorial. 



r : 



They worked many hours on Red Cross Home projects 
and supported a fatherless child in France, named Rachel 
LeClerc. 

World War II came, and again the members worked 
for the Red Cross, made dressings, served at Blood Banks, 
saw the boys go forth to battle. 

In 1943 a tragic flood occurred on the Mississippi 
river. The Chapter donated services and supplies to the 
stricken. A reading and recreation room was set up for 
the soldiers from Scott Field who were here to help 
hold the levees. 

A Bethel of Job's Daughters was established in 1948 
which was given moral and financial assistance by the 
chapter. 

A chapter of DeMolay was started in 1950 and the 
Chapter sewed all the DeMolay robes. 

In March of 1953 a fire started in the theatre on the 
first floor of the Masonic building and destroyed most 
of the contents and the belongings of the O. E. S., 
Masons, Job's Daughters, and the DeMolay. Then meet- 
ings were held in the Brucker building, the Columbia 
high school gymnasium and the Dupo grade school gym- 
nasium. 

A new Masonic Temple on route 3 on the northern 
city limits, was built and dedicated, and the first Eastern 
Star meeting held there on June 24, 1954. 

In July of 1954, Adelia Schwartz, Past Matron, was 
honored as being the first Grand Lecturer from Monroe 
Chapter. 

The chapter is fortunate in having had the services 
of officers who filled their positions for many years: Past 
Matron, Bertha Arnin Schoening, also a charter member, 
has been an officer for 52 years of continuous service. 

Past Matron Lydia Rapp, also a charter member, 
held office for 37 years. 

Past Patron W. A. Schoening served as Worthy Patron 
for 24 years. 

Dorothy Weinel Eppinger has been an officer for 
25 years. 

Past Matron Viola Rapp Rueck held various chairs 
for 20 years. 

The following are the Past Matrons from 1907-59: 
Julia Hills, 1907-09; Lydia Rapp, 1910-14; Adelia Rose, 
1915; Mollie Weinel, 1916-17; Bertha Schoening, 1918-20; 
Zula Bollinger, 1921-22; Elizabeth Weinel, 1923-24; Flor- 
ence Kueffner, 1925-26; Viola Rapp Rueck, 1927-28; 
Amelia Swartz, 1929; Ruth Burke, 1930-31; Ophelia Muel- 
ler, 1932-33; Emelia Tunze, 1934; Virginia Landgraf, 1935; 
Dorothy Weinel, 1936; Anna Gaines, 1937; Elsie Tunze, 
1938; Esther Cohen, 1939; Gertrude Swartz, 1940; Edna 
Daab, 1941; Adelia Schwartz, 1942; Lucille Bersche, 
1943; Florence Becker, 1944; Edna Faulkner, 1945; Marie 
Goley, 1946; Theresa Stroupe, 1947; Rosalind Blittersdorf, 
1948; Grace Lenhardt, 1949; Necia Bryant, 1950; Opal 
Peters, 1951; Bernice Church, 1952; Ruth Raitt, 1953; 
Ruth Brubaker, 1954; Alma Bordewisch, 1955; Lorraine 
Kossina, 1956; Florine Burks, 1957; Elsa Mae Jacobs, 1958. 
The principal officers for the year 1959 are: Mary 
McDaniel, Worthy Matron; Norman Smothers, Worthy 
Patron; Associate Matron, Hazel Miller; Associate Patron, 
Lewis J. Girard; Secretary, Bertha Schoening; Treasurer, 
Dorothy Eppinger; Conductress, Florence Haberl; Associ- 
ate Conductress, Clara Kirleis; Chaplain, Frieda Lopinot; 
Marshal, Opal Cook; Organist, Ida Thompson; Adah, 
Patricia Smothers; Ruth, Gladys Wills; Esther, Miriam 
Girard; Martha, Lucinda Smith; Electa, Evelyn Schnell; 
Warden, Anetha Schiemer; Sentinel, Clifford H. Borde- 
wisch; Color-Bearer, Ray Tunze. 



LIONS CLUB 

The Columbia Lions Club charter night was celebrated 
at the Columbia Turner Hall October 1, 1952. The Water- 
loo Lions Club sponsored this organization, and James 
L. Kitchens, International Councilor, assisted their or- 
ganization. 

The Charter members of this organization were: 
Emilio Bassy, Arthur Beckmann, George J. Brucker, 
James Crowe, Lester Deffenbaugh, Albert Diehl, Walter 
Frierdich, Walter Giffhorn, Clifford Haberl, Guy Haltenhof, 
Stanley Herbst, Wayne Hettenhausen, H. G. Immenga, 
Alvin N. Koch, Leo Koberlein, August McConkey, Carl 
L. Schiemer, Frank Schmidt and George F. Vogt. 

Officers and directors were: President, Alvin N. Koch; 
1st vice pres., James Crowe; 2d vice pres., George F. 
Vogt; 3d vice pres., Arthur Beckmann; sec, Stanley 
Herbst; treas., Walter Giffhorn; Lion Tamer, Guy Halten- 
hof; Tail Twister, George J. Brucker; Directors: Frank 
Schmidt, Carl L. Schiemer, Lester Deffenbaugh and 
August McConkey. 

The Lions slogan is: L for liberty; I for intelligence; 
O for our; N for Nation's; S for Safety. 

Their annual achievements are: Support for the 
Leader Dog to the Blind, the Hadley School for the Blind, 
Mentally Retarded Children and sponsoring a Khoury 
League team. 

The projects which they have completed are: the 
presentation of bicycle racks for the public and parochial 
schools; a flag pole for the Catholic school and con- 
tributions amounting to $600 for the Khoury League. 

Ever since their organization it has been the desire 
of the Lions Club to have a swimming pool in Columbia. 
Obstacles have interposed, chiefly financial, but the 
Lions have kept this project constantly in mind. Recently 
the club voted in favor of making a study of the feasi- 
bility of a swimming pool for the city and appointed a 
committee to work out the details. Lions International 
has a club project reporting in detail the cost, the op- 
erating costs and revenue. This will be studied, and ap- 
propriate action taken after mature consideration. 

Present Lions Club officers are: President James H. 
Crowe; Sec.-Treas., Walter Frierdich; 1st vice pres., Elmer 
Diel; 2d vice pres., Lowell Campbell; 3d vice pres., Roy 
Limestall; Tail Twister, Arthur (Bunny) Rueck; Lion 
Tamer, Carl Schiemer; directors are: Carl Schiemer, Clif- 
ford Haberl, Kendall Puckett, Lowell Campbell and Elmer 
Diel. 

BI-COUNTY TOASTMASTERS 826 

The Bi-County Toastmasters 826 received its charter 
Thursday, June 15, 1950 at a meeting at Oerter's Sangra- 
lee restaurant. 

Charter members were: R. P. Cash, W. H. Cash, Les- 
ter Deffenbaugh, Walter Giffhorn, Guy E. Haltenhof, 
Harold Harres, Kenneth Harres, Paul Heisler, Arthur 
Kruse, E. J. Lude, August McConkey, William E. McFar- 
lane, Dr. Charles L. Moskop, Harold Pieper, Pete Radi- 
son, Elmer L.. Rauch, G. P. Reis, William J. Ryan, Chester 
G. Schmidt, Herbert Schueler, Leo Weilbacher, B. D. 
Wohlwend. 

First Officers were: President, Guy E. Haltenhof; Vice 
President, Chester Schmidt; Secretary, William Ryan; 
Treasurer, Lester Deffenbaugh; Deputy Governor, William 
McFarlane; Education Chairman, Leo Weilbacher; Ser- 
geant at arms, R. P. Cash. 

Present members are: Walter Giffhorn. Alvin Koch, 
Lloyd Lindemann, August McConkey, Robert Myrick, 
Harold Nolte, Clarence Pickering, Wm. R. Phelps, Har- 



52 



veyloula Stunipf. Clarence Schueler, B D. Wohlwend, and 
Len Petrasek. 

Present officers are: President. Alvin Koch; Educa- 
tional Vice President, B. D. Wohlwend; Administrative 
President, Clarence Schueler; Secretary-Treasurer, 
William K. Phelps; Sergeant at arms, Walter (offhorn. 

The following members won area speech contests and 
participated in District Speech contests: 1951, William Mc- 
Farlane; 1953, Edward Nlemanj 1957, Walter Giffhorn; 
1958, Lloyd Undemann. 

The club has furnished speakers for various civic 
functions: Memorial Day services. Masters of c. 
monies for parades; Judges for student speech contests; 
programs for other organizations; speakers to other 
organizations; and groups to promote Red Cross Blood 
Donations, TB Chest xrays. 

The purpose of this organization is: To improve its 
members in the oral expression of thought; to increase 
their ability to appear before audiences and creditably 
ss themselves, and to encourage the development of 
such ability in others; to secure fair and constructive 
criticism; to promote sociability, general welfare, and 
good fellowship amongst its members; to gain experience 
in public speaking and instruction in chairmanship and 
parliamentary procedure. 

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COMMERCIAL CLUB 
OR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 

A history of the Columbia Commercial Club, or the 
Chamber of Commerce, as it is now called, is almost the 
history of modern Columbia. 

A perusal of old club records pictures its development. 
Every measure for the good of Columbia was referred to 
this organization, where it was carefully studied, and, if 
worthy, received the indorsement of the organization. 
Farmers and townspeople joined the club. 

The Commercial Club was organized October 3, 1913. 
Officers were: President, Ernst A. Weinel; vice president, 
Herman L. Rose; secretary, Henry N. Kunz; treasurer, 
George Roessler. Executive committee: F. W. Weinel, E. J. 
Schneider, W. A. Schoening, Albert Lepp. 

Road building was of primary importance and the 
first year saw much of this. A report from the Good Roads 
Committee reveals why: "the Millstadt road, since road 
work outlined by the Club has been completed, can now 
be traversed in wet weather." The club bought three road 
drags for road districts and saw that they were used; gave 
money for roads, got donations, plus city and county aid; 
helped secure a state road outfit which constructed 1200 
feet of road on Schneider's hill south of town; recondi- 
tioned parts of North and South Second streets, and Cherry 
and Pine streets; and helped road commissioners get rock 
for district roads from the street railway. They were in- 
strumental in getting 550 feet for rock roads 13 feet wide 
on the Millstadt road near town; helped by getting dona- 
tions to get 1500 feet of road made on the Millstadt road 
at a cost of $10 to the district; bought a car load of rock 
for Schlemmer's Hill, and saw that it got on the road. The 
Club had a peculiar but very effective way of getting road 
materials. They would donate a car load of rock il the 
district would buy four. 

In their first year they entertained the triennial con- 
vention of the Modern Woodmen of the county; helped en- 
tertain the Catholic Societies "f the Diocese; Grou; 

Illinois State Bankers' Association. They served as 
at these affairs. 

An advertising man with the Chicago group fell a vic- 
tim to Columbia's charm, and had some signs printed. 



christening Columbia 'Spotless Town", n.- had I 
placed on the street cars and other places. 

The club, in 1915, helped entertain at the Farmers' In- 
stitute hen at the Turner Hall, ami spent S100 for adver- 
tising the event. As a result. 5000 came on Education Day. 
The City Club and the Business Men's League of St. Louis 
had been Invited by Mayor Rapp t" tins event, ami they 
came on special street cars. They marched i" the pa: 
their bands Joining with the Columbia Band, and the 
school children from all over the county. 

The Club sponsored and helped organize the Colum- 
bia Building and Loan Association, helping sell the first 
448 shares of stock. They attended and entered a float in 
the Belleville Centennial celebration. At the reque-t ol 
Mayor Fred Baltz of Millstadt they entered a float in the 
Millstadt Homecoming parade and won first prize. 

The next year they gained 49 members and their 
membership was well over one hundred. They had inter- 
esting meetings, good speakers and a lunch always fol- 
lowed the meetings Farm members brought in their fine 
sausages and as a reward received a year's membership 
to the club. Meetings were held in New Hanover and all 
surrounding settlements with splendid attendance and in- 
terest. The Club's indorsement o£ civic projects was al- 
ways sought and when they indorsed they got out and 
worked for the project. 

A community high school appeared to be the solution 
to the high school problem, so the club invited everyone 
to attend the meeting called to explain the proposition. 
On January 12, 1920 a report was made by their education 
committee, Fred G. Rapp, R. P. Briegel and John C. Gum- 
mersheimer that the proposition had carried by a vote of 
107 to 47. However, since the law provided that there 
could be an election every two years on the will of the 
votei to keep the school, the proposition was defeated in 
1922 when it came up for a vote, by (408) for and (985) 
against. 

The Club was anxious to get industries to Columbia 
but they would not buy a building nor pay a bonus. The 
only one that ever came on these terms, the Columbia 
Cleaning and Dyeing Co., was in the Hills Building Fire 
destroyed their machinery and the plant was discontin- 
ued. 

In World War 1 the Turners and Commercial Club gave 
a going-away party for the first soldiers called to the col- 
ors. They had happy memories when they entrained for 
Camp Taylor. They sponsored another celebration w hen 
ou. boys came home. 

The Club sponsored the Boy Scout Troop and Ed 
Schneider, as their Scoutmaster. This was in 1917. 

The Commercial Club officially adopted a slogan for 
Columbia. It was 'Columbia, the City and 

Homes, thirty minutes from Broadway, St. Louis." 

The Club entered the Columbia Drum and Bugle Corps 
in the Pageant of Progress celebration in E. St. l.ouis; in- 
l the city ; contributed to the new Colum- 

bia Band; Indorsed ami helped with the distillery pi 

On February 11, 1935 they pp 

the club president, with a purse filled with hills a- 

ken of their esteem for his 24 years of service as n 

they Indorsed the i M mill 

Club; Scout Hut and the Legion Hut. On February L'T. 

they conducted a mass meeting on the new city building 

proposition. As u ried and the club 

now hohis their meetings In the building they i 

The Commercial Club has changed its name to "The 
Columbia Chami' 

Ident; Eu ■ 



dent; Wm. Cash, Secretary; Arthur P. Wink, treasurer. 

The Chamber prepared and distributed a brochure 
advertising Columbia. The brochure is presented to new- 
comers when the Chamber's welcoming committee calls on 
new residents of Columbia. The Columbia Woman's Club 
appoints a committee for this purpose. 

The Chamber sponsors Khoury League baseball and 
has a team in the field this year. The Chamber has taken 
over Christmas street decorations for the community 
Christmas celebration. It has also provided a baseball 
scoreboard in the Legion's new recreational area. 

The Chamber is assisting in every way with the Co- 
lumbia Centennial celebration. George Wilde, Erwin With- 
um and William Cash comprise the solicitation committee; 
Arthur P. Wink heads the Centennial organization, with 
Leo Weilbacher Centennial Queen Committee Chairman. 

On the agenda for the years ahead is county zoning 
and correction of stream pollution. As in the past the 
Chamber of Commerce will do its best to serve Columbia 
faithfully and help her solve her municipal problems. 

COLUMBIA BUILDING AND LOAN ASSOCIATION 

The Columbia Building and Loan Association was 
organized on July 20, 1914. 

The original capital stock of the organization was 
$500,000. 

The first Board of Directors consisted of the fol- 
lowing: Emil H. Brucker, Henry Giffhorn, George Grob, 
Henry N. Kunz, Fred G. Rapp, Henry Reichenbach, George 
W. Smith, Ernst A. Weinel and F. W. Weinel. 

G. W. Smith was the first president of the Board 
of Directors and served in this office until his death in 
1924. Emil H. Brucker was the first secretary, and he 
served until his death in 1933. Mr. Brucker was succeeded 
by F. W. Weinel in 1933 and he has served continuously 
in that postion up until the present time. Mr. Weinel 
served on the first Board of Directors, and he is the 
last surviving member of that first Board. 

The> Columbia Commercial Club was vitally interested 
in the Columbia Building and Loan Association and 
helped to sell the first 448 shares of Building and Loan 
stock. 

A Building and Loan Association is an asset to a 
community. It provides funds for many citizens to finance 
the purchase of a home; to save systematically or to 
finance the education of children. It also provides in- 
vestors a safe investment for their funds. 

Since its inception in 1914 the Columbia Building 
and Loan has efficiently provided these services. It has 
a record for sound business operation, and has done much 
to promote the growth and welfare of Columbia. 

The assets of the association as of the close of its 
last fiscal year on July 31, 1958 totalled $670,388.69. 

Following is a list of the Officers and Directors as 
of July 31, 1958: A. W. Lepp, President; Wm. J. Thebus, 
Vice President; F. W. Weinel, Secretary; H. A. Lude, 
Treasurer. Directors: Arthur Beckmann, Walter F. Giff- 
horn, A. W. Lepp, H. A. Lude, Wm. A. Schulte, K. W. 
Simonds, Wm. J. Thebus, F. W. Weinel and John S. Huber, 
Attorney. 

This association is a member of the Federal Home 
Loan Bank System, Illinois Savings and Loan League 
and United Savings and Loan League. 

From its inception in 1914 to 1933 the meetings were 
held in the First National Bank; after 1933 meetings were 
held in the A. F. Weinel Lumber Company office, where 
they now meet. 



HISTORY OF THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK 

The First National Bank of Columbia was chartered 
April 19, 1905 and opened in August of that year. 

J. W. Perry of the National Bank of Commerce of St. 
Louis helped with the procurement of the charter, then 
later sold his interest to Henry Kolmer. 

The Bank was capitalized for 525,000. The following 
officers served at its opening: President, E. F. Schoening; 
Vice President, August F. Weinel; Cashier, Henry N. Kunz. 
Directors were Charles Schuler, Adolph Lambrecht, Henry 
Kolmer and John A. Pfeffer. 

Mr. Schoening served as president of the bank until 
1912. He was succeeded by Charles Schuler in 1913 to 
1933, the catastrophic year in financial circles all over 
America. 

In 1933 after the bank holiday the bank reopened as 
the First National Bank in Columbia. Capital and surplus 
were $60,000. H. N. Kunz was elected president and 
served as president until 1942. He was succeeded by E. 
A. Weinel who served until 1947. Fred G. Rapp suc- 
ceeded Mr. Weinel. The last two presidents have been 
Robert C. Kunz and C. A. Hacker, Mr. Hacker being the 
president at present. 

The original directors in the 1933 reorganization 
were H. N. Kunz, Fred G. Rapp, E. A. Weinel, William 
Vogt, E. H. Gundlach, Henry Kolmer and Henry Fischer. 

The First National Bank Building was originally in 
the Schiemer Insurance Agency building. Rapid growth 
of business taxed the facilities of the bank and in 1953 
construction of a new bank building began. The Masonic 
Hall property was purchased. This building had burned 
March 13, 1953 and had destroyed a large part of the in- 
terior. 

This building was completely remodeled and redeco- 
rated. The banking facilities are on the first floor and 
ultra-modern apartments on the second floor. The third 
floor was not restored. 

The bank is a handsome, beautifully decorated mod- 
ern structure, planned for the comfort and convenience 
of the customers. Parking space and a drive-in window 
are added features of the new bank. 

Officers in the bank today include: C. A. Hacker, 
President; Herbert J. Vogt, Vice Pres.; D. W. Eppinger. 
Cashier; E. A. Hankamer, Asst. Cashier. Directors: Her- 
bert J. Vogt, Charles J. Grueninger, Richard Harres. Arthur 
Kolmer, Walter Rapp, Fred Schewe, Clarence A. Hacker. 

HISTORY OF MONROE NATIONAL BANK 

In 1920 nine citizens purchased the private bank oper- 
ated by E. F. Schoening, Louis Dehn and Robert Needles. 
This institution was located in a small frame building 
next to the present post office. 

The new bank was organized as the Monroe County 
Savings Bank and Trust Company Officers were: E. F. 
Schoening. President; Kilian Koerver, Vice President and 
Louis Dehn, Cashier. Directors were Charles J. Schiele, 
Henry Weilbacher, John C. Gummersheimer, Charles Diehl, 
Sr., John G. Schneider and E. L. Rauch. 

This state banking institution was capitalized for 
$50,000 with $12,500 surplus. 

The bank building became too small with the growth 
of the bank and it was moved to the present Post Office 
building now occupied by Dr. O. Kremer. 

In 1933 the bank became a member of the Federal 
Deposit Insurance Corporation. The worst financial depres- 
sion the country ever had, caused a bank moratorium 
and after the bank re-opened deposits grew fast. 



The state bank was converted Into ■ National Bank, 
and named Monroe National Bank, April 8, 1938. 

With the growth of business the bank building again 
became too small and a new location VU acquired bl 
1956. This location fronts on Main street from Mulberry 
■treel t > Walnut street to a depth ranging from 155 to 
•t. A new bank was built which is modern in design, 
with beautiful exterior and interior. It was built primarily 
for the comfort and convenience of its customers, with 
generous free parking facilities and drive-in service. 

Since 1935 when footings were $424,000; in 1945, $2,- 
000,000; in 1955 $3,500,000 and on January 1, 1959 the all- 
time peak of $6,157,177.89 was reached. 

The present directors are: E. L. Rauch, Arthur P. 
Wink. Archie P. Weihl. Herman Hcinrich. C. F. Weilbacher, 
Arthur Kruse. Charles Menner, John C. Gummersheimer. 

Officers and employees axe: E. L. Rauch, Chairman of 
the Board; Arthur P. Wink, President; Lester F. Deffen- 
baugh, Cashier; Ruth Kuergeleis, Assistant Cashier; Ken- 
neth G. Haller. Assistant Cashier; Victory Kuehner, Nancy 
Mitweide. Norine Pomeroy, Marie Kuehner, Bookkeeper- 
Tellers; Anna Marie Gummersheimer, Bookkeeper and An- 
na Lefholz, Custodian. 

COLUMBIA GRAIN AND SEED COMPANY 
Columbia Grain and Seed Company was organized on 
May S. 1939. with Edwin C. Giffhorn, Alfred H. Vogt and 
Herbert J. Vogt as partners. The business to be carried 
on by this partnership was to be that of buying, selling 
and trading grain, grain products, feeds, seeds and fer- 
tilizers. This business also does custom feed grinding 
and mixing. 

This venture proved successful and additions to the 
original building were made in 1941. 1946 and again in 
1950. 

At the present time the business is being operated 
under the individual ownership of Herbert J. Vogt, who 
has purchased the interest held in the business by the 
other partners. 

This company is situated at 518 North Metter, with 
offices and mill in the same building. 

HISTORY OF THE COLUMBIA QUARRY COMPANY 
The company was organized in 1905; and the first 
purchase of quarry lands was the purchase of the Brown 
Quany. located approximately two miles north of Colum- 
bia, Illinois. At the time of purchase, it was a very small 
plant and had the capacity of two twenty-ton cars per 
day. Most work was done on a hand basis with two- 
wheel carts pulled by mules as a source of haulage from 
the face to the small crushing plant. At that time, the 
quarry was located on the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, 
which has since been Incorporated into the G. M. & O. 
Railroad. This plant was increased in size, and in 1907, 
the company acquired the quarry east of Columbia whicn 
was later called Quarry No. 2 where most of the chemical 
stone was produced. Both plants were expanded from 
time to time; and the first plant. Quarry No. 1, burned in 
the summer of 1912. At that time, the plant had a capac- 
ity of in excess of 1,000 tons per day; and the No. 2 
Quarry, about 300 tons per day. 

During the first World War, a small part of the quarry 
site at Valmeyer, Illinois, was purchased from the Iron 
Mountain Railroad, now part of the Missouri Pacific 
system, and a small crushing plant installed. 

From time to time, all plants were Increased In size 
and capacity, but again fire destroyed our Quarry 
in 1924. That was rebuilt the following year; and In that 
year, 1925. Quarry No. 2 was abandoned and expansions 
were made in the then remaining Columbia plant and the 
Valmeyer plant. 



Both stone and sand and gravel properties wer. 
ed up in other parts of Southern Illinois, some retained, 
but mostly abandoned. 

In the latter part of the depression, acquisitions were 
made in the vicinity of Prairie du Rocher. Illinois; and a 
small plant was established there. The Elsberry, Missouri. 
Quarry was started about 1943. 

During the war years, the plant at Prairie du Rocher, 
Illinois, was greatly enlarged; but, in '947, part of the 
property was sold to Allied Chemical & Dye Corporal i n 
to supply their needs for gtone for their soda ash plant 
at Baton Rouge, Louisiana. In 1947, the Columbia plant 
burned for the third time and was rebuilt the following 
year. 

In 1948, they bought the operating quarry located at 
Ullin. Illinois; in 1957 the quarry at Mermet, Illinois, and 
also the property in the vicinity of Dupo, Illinois. At the 
present time, equipment is being installed to establish a 
large quarry at the Dupo site. 

In the fifty years that Columbia Quarry Company has 
been in existence it has become the largest limestone 
producer in Southern Illinois, the daily capacity bein 
or seven thousand tons; the yearly capacity 1,250.000 
tons. 

The Columbia Quarry employs 125 men, with Elmer 
Heise, Superintendent. 

Officers in the company are: H. C. Krause, President; 
C. H. Krause, Vice President; W. E. Schmidt. Vice Presi- 
dent and Treasurer; A. J. Elliot, Secretary and Assistant 
Treasurer. 

Under the efficient supervision of Elmer Heise, super- 
intendent of the plant, Quarry No. 1 has achieved a 
note-worthy safety record. The last lost time accident oc- 
curred on May 7, 1954. Manhours of exposure during 
this period approximately 1,100.000 hours. On May 7, 
1959 it will be five years since the last lost time accident. 

The previous outstanding record was from 1933 to 
1938 inclusive for a period of over six years without a 
lost time case. 

Quarry No. 1 was awarded the Explosives Engineer 
Plaque for clear records In 1935, 1936 and 1937 for the 
best safety record of all plants enrolled in the National 
Crushed Stone Association Safety Contest covering Quar- 
ries in the United States and Canada. 







HAi 



ss 



HISTORY OF THE LUHR COMPANIES 

The Luhr Companies and businesses of today are the 
outgrowth of a very small contracting business started 
by Eugene Luhr (deceased December 4, 1958) and Adel- 
heid Luhr, his wife, during the year 1939. 

On March 1, 1946 a Partnership consisting of Eugene 
Luhr, Adelheid Luhr, and Alois Luhr was formed. This 
Partnership is still in existence, however, it is not active 
in the contracting business. 

A Corporation known as Luhr Bros., Inc., was incor- 
porated on May 3, 1948 in the State of Illinois with the 
following officers — President, Eugene Luhr; Vice-Presi- 
dent, Alois Luhr; Secretary-Treasurer, Adelheid Luhr. On 
December 13, 1954, Harry H. Niemann was appointed As- 
sistant Secretary-Treasurer. These officers held their re- 
spective offices until the death of Eugene Luhr, after 
which the following officers were elected on January 31, 
1959. President, Alois Luhr; Vice-President, W. H. Carder; 
Secretary-Treasurer, Adelheid Luhr; Assistant Secretary- 
Treasurer, Harry H. Niemann. 

Eugene Luhr & Co , a Corporation, was incorporated 
in the State of Illinois on June 23, 1949 with the follow- 
ing officers — President, Eugene Luhr; First Vice-Presi- 
dent, G. N. Hall; Second Vice-President, Alois Luhr; Sec- 
retary-Treasurer, A. G. Hall. On March 11, 1952 Eugene 
Luhr, Alois Luhr, and Adelheid Luhr purchased the stock 
of A. G. Hall and G. N. Hall and the following officers 
were then elected. President, Eugene Luhr; Vice-Presi- 
dent, Alois Luhr; Secretary-Treasurer, Adelheid Luhr. On 
December 13, 1954, Harry H. Niemann was appointed As- 
sistant Secretary-Treasurer. These officers held their re- 
spective offices until the death of Eugene Luhr, after 
which the following officers were elected on January 31, 
1959. President, Alois Luhr; Vice-President, W. H. Carder; 
Secretary-Treasurer, Adelheid Luhr; Assistant Secretary- 
Treasurer, Harry H. Niemann. 

The two Corporations are presently licensed as For- 
eign Corporations to do business in the following four- 
teen states of the United States: Arkansas, California, 
Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, 
Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma 
and Illinois. 

During the past ten years they have completed 
projects in each of the fourteen states. 

Following is a copy of a News Release from: 

Office of The District Engineer 

St. Louis District 

Corps of Engineers, US Army 

1050 Boatmen's Bank Building Annex 

420 Locust Street 

St. Louis 2, Missouri 

15 January 1953 

NEWS RELEASE 

"Colonel Fred E. Ressegieu, District Engineer, St. 
Louis District, Corps of Engineers, announced on 13 Jan- 
uary 1953 that a contract for the construction of under- 
seepage relief wells in the Columbia Drainage and Levee 
District and Prairie Du Rocher and vicinity, Monroe and 
Randolph Counties, Illinois, had been awarded to Luhr 
Bros., Inc., the low bidder, in the amount of 5172,935. 

"The fact that Luhr Bros., Inc., Columbia, Illinois, 
was low bidder on this contract is indicative of the in- 
terest Earthwork Contractors are taking, and are encour- 
aged to take, in the underseepage relief program, which 
program involves installation of seepage wells to relieve 
the hydrostatic pressure during floods and thus safeguard 
the stability of the levees. 



"Luhr Bros., Inc , is well known throughout the mid- 
west. The firm began construction work on contracts un- 
der supervision of the Corps of Engineers, St. Louis Dis- 
trict, in 1944, and to date has completed, or is in the 
process of completing, approximately 30 contracts involv- 
ing the placement of some 25,000,000 cubic yards of earth 
fill in the construction of about 75 miles of levee along 
the Mississippi River and tributaries between Alton, 
Illinois and Cape Girardeau, Missouri. The earthwork con- 
struction was effected by the use of various types of 
earth moving equipment such as Tower Machine, drag- 
lines, varying in size from two to six yards, and scraper, 
Euclid and other types of haul equipment. In addition 
to the earthwork contracts, Luhr Bros., Inc. has con- 
structed other types of flood control structures such as 
concrete closure structures at railroad levee crossings, 
gravity drainage structures, and access roads on levee 
crown." 

At the present time the companies employ from nine 
hundred to one thousand employees during the course 
of a years' time and maintain approximately sixty full 
time employees. They now have projects in progress 
Nebraska City, Nebraska; Muncie, Indiana; Valley Park, 
Missouri; Grafton, Illinois; Hecker, Illinois; Alton, Illinois; 
Ste. Genevieve, Missouri; Carlyle, Illinois; West Sacra- 
mento, California, and Beardstown, Illinois. 

The companies have enjoyed a steady growth and 
have made great progress in their field of business since 
their beginning. 

At the present time the Corporations deeply mourn 
the loss of their Founder and President. We feel the most 
fitting tribute and memorial that can be built in honor 
of him is to carry on and continue to build the firms 
at the same high level of business ethics as heretofore. 

THE MON-CLAIR GRAIN AND SUPPLY CO. 

Formerly the Monroe Grain and Supply Co., Columbia 

Farmers' Cooperative Grain Co., and Columbia Star 

Milling Company 

The Columbia Star Mill was built in 1856 by James 
and William Nimerick at a cost of about $25,000. It pro- 
duced about 150 barrels of flour a day. It was built of 
brick four stories high on a foundation 40 x 50 feet. An 
addition was built in 1880 and another in 1882. In 1883 
it produced 300 barrels of flour a day. 

The warehouse was of brick, three stories high and 
45 feet square. Its storage capacity was 50,000 bushels 
of wheat. The cooper shop connected with the mill where 
barrels were made to hold the flour, employed 15 men 
and made 300 barrels daily. 

In 1S57 Warnock and Wilson bought and operated 
the mill, until 1867 when Henry Huch and Franz Bauer 
bought it. They operated it in partnership until 1874 
when Henry Huch bought out Mr. Bauer. Mr. Huch and 
later Adolph Lambrecht operated the mill until E. F. 
Schoening bought it in 1896. Mr. Schoening owned it 
and operated it until 1926 when the Columbia Farmers' 
Cooperative Grain purchased it with John C. Gummers- 
heimer the manager. Its present manager for many 
years is Walter Reichert, and also for many years the 
president. Christian J. Diehl. 

Under the cooperative, business grew steadily. Feed 
grinding and mixing became important and a grinder 
was added to the equipment. 

Storage space was also insufficient, so in 1953 the 
mill and warehouse, an old Columbia landmark was 
razed. A large concrete storage elevator was erected. A 
new and modern, all concrete, office building was built 
with adjoining facilities for the feed and grain purchas- 
ing business. 



56 



The name of the co-op was changed in 1949 to the 
Monroe Grain and Supply Co.. with Walter Reichert. Man- 
ager and Christian Diehl. President, again. In 1959 the 
Monroe Grain and Supply Co., and the Summerfield Grain 
Co-op of St. Clair County merged, the new name being 
Mon-Clair Grain and Supply Co. 

The Columbia plant is installing bulk feed storage 
bins, the concrete base being finished and the steel 
work about to start. 

Manager Reichert last year reported a net income 
11.187.40. The company's net worth was $854,876.48 
as reported on Nov. 30. 1958. They handled 1,562.652 bush- 
els of grain during the year; farm machinery sales totaled 
H7 26. Assistant Manager Alois Pleper reported a 
record volume of feed sales during the past year with 
ions sold. 

There are ten employes at the mill. 

Directors from Monroe County are: Herbert A. Muel- 
ler. Theodore Lohkamp, Harold Goeddel and Alvin Wort- 
man. The President is Christian J. Diehl and Manager, 
Walter Reichert. 

COLUMBIA AMERICAN DISTILLERS 
(which previously was called the Monroe Brewery) 

The Monroe Brewery was a brick building built in 
1856 by John Gundlach at a cost of about $30,000. John 
Gundlach. Mrs. E. H. Gundlach's grandfather and Philip 
Peter Gundlach, John's brother, who was Edward Gund- 
lach's father, were partners in the Brewery until Recon- 
struction Days following the Civil War, when the brother 
Philip Peter Gundlach sold his rights in the property and 
moved to Belleville. 

In 1883 it was operated by Klausmann Brewery Co.. 
of south St. Louis. Its annual capacity was 6,000 barrels 
of beer. Underneath the building were beer caves capable 
of storing 3500 barrels of beer There was also a malt 
house and mineral water establishment connected with 
the business. 

A son of Philip Peter Gundlach, William, later be- 
came a partner. Following his death in 1893 the property 
was leased to Leonard Schoppe for six years, until 1903. 
In 1903 E. H. Gundlach took over, purchasing the brewery 
from Anna Wagner (nee Gundlach) and conducted the 
business for a number of years. When old machinery 
broke down the brewery was closed and the Revenue 
man. Mr. Walsh of Carlyle stood by while spoiled beer 
went down the drain into the Mississippi. 

In 1933 came repeal of prohibition and E. H. Gund- 
lach and a group of St. Louis men started building a new 
brewery. Costs of materials and construction were too 
high and construction was halted nearly four years. For 
four generations the Gundlachs had owned the property. 

In 1037 a group of Belleville men desirous of owning 
a distillery began organization and construction of the 
Gundlach property and in 1941 the Columbia American 
Distillers began operation In this building with added 
facilities, and during the war made alcohol for the United 
States Government. They are now licensed as a dis- 
till, tv, but are not operating at present. They distilled 
different brands of whiskey. 

Officers and directors are Herman Lorenz, General 
Manager: Wm. Taake. 1st Vice President; August 
I'd Vice President; Alois Lorenz, Secretary; Charles Man- 
ner. Treasurer. In addition to these, who serve also as 
directors are Edgar Hug and Hilmar Lindauer. 



COLUMBIA NEWSPAPERS 

Columbia is represented by two ne\ 
lumbla Star, which was founded by George W. Smith 
in May 1908, and the Monroe County Clarion, fOUl 
by Guy Haltenhof in May 1939. Th. 

in Columbia was the Columbia Gazette • y E. 

II Kim 'llic in i in February, lSiSO The Office 

was brought to Columbia from Red Bud. Five nun. 
were Issued when the paper suspended. The office re- 
mained closed until May 5, 1881, when it was purchased 
by Peter W. Baker, and from h Issued the Voice of Mon- 
roe. Owine, to the ill-health of Mr. Baker the paper sus- 
pended publication from Nov. 4, 1880 to May 6, 1881. 
when publication was resumed and continued to the 
dose of 1882. Mr. Baker was a native of Canada. He 
learned the printer's trade in Cleveland, Ohio and came 
to Kaskaskia in 1849. 

The Columbia Star changed ownership after the death 
of George W. Smith in April of 1924 his daughters. Miss 
Frnestine C. Smith and Mrs. Consuelo Volkert and C. L. 
Volkert took over the Columbia Star. 

Harold Fischer and Roy P. Conrad established the 
Clarion Printing Co. in 1940 and in 1941 became the 
owners of the Monroe County Clarion, and at that time 
were also printing the Dupo Herald-Tribune. Raymond 
Fischer later joined the partnership. 

Bryant B. Voris, George W. Miller and Roy P. Conrad 
in 1947 organized a corporation known as Voris, Conrad 
& Miller, which corporation purchased both the Monroe 
County Clarion and the Columbia Star, with Roy P. Conrad 
business manager and editor until September 1955 when 
Conrad became sole owner of the printing plant and 
newspapers. George W. Miller died in 1952 and Mrs. Miller 
was represented in the corporation until the sale of the 
Columbia plant. 

Mr. Conrad was born in New Design, November 19. 
1910, the son of the late Gustav Conrad and Mrs. Amanda 
Heck Conrad. He began his printing career in the Water- 
loo Republican after the family moved to Waterloo, at 
the age of 14, and has been engaged in the trade for 
35 years. 

He married Georgianne Reis of Saint Louis who is 
a graduate of Saint Louis School of Nursing. 

The family lived in Waterloo until 1953 when they 
purchased the Edward Schmidt home on North Metier 
and moved to Columbia. 

Mr. and Mis. Conrad have eight children, William P.. 
who is employed at the plant after having spent three 
years in the U. S. Navy, Michael G.. in tl • 
Chlncoteague, Virginia, Mary Kathryn, a student at Saint 
Teresa Academy. David a student at SS. Peter and Paul 
high school, Waterloo. John and Louise are 
Immariil.ii i Stephen and Lisa, be- 

low school age. 

The family are all members of Immaculate Con- 
ception Church. 

Mr. Conrad is a past president and charter member 
of the Columbia Rotary Club. Chamber of Commerce. Wa- 
terloo Council L334 Kuril's m| ColumbUS, Faithful Navi- 
gator Elect of tie- Fourth I "tan 
Typographical Union No. ii'. Columbia Gymnast] 

ttlon, past president of Immaculate Conception Holy 
Name Society. In 19531 . f.oury 

Award for meritorious I'.ase- 

ball Association. 



57 



HENRY WEILBACHER AND SONS, INC. 

Leo A. Weilbacher, Sr., manager of Henry Weilbacher 
end Sons, Inc., began his business career with the Co- 
lumbia Mercantile Co. in 1909, now occupied by Weil- 
bachers Uptown Grocery. Hy. Weilbacher and his family 
started business in February of 1914 with an ice cream 
parlor located then where George Van Luik now lives. 
Groceries, dry goods, hardware, paints and household 
utensils were added later. Mr. and Mrs. Weilbacher, Leo, 
Cornelius, Elmer, Mary and Josephine all helped in the 
store, A larger business became a necessity so the Pfeffer 
Store Building, then the Columbia Mercantile Co., was 
purchased in 1921. In 1922 the stock of the Columbia 
Mercantile Co. was absorbed by Weilbachers and they 
moved to this location. 

Leo Weilbacher and his wife, nee Lee Huhn, were 
firm believers in the efficacy of advertising. Their belief 
was justified and by 1928 the building was too small, 
and they purchased a site at Main and Locust streets, 
its present location. This site of old was called the 
"Phelps Corner," later it was owned by George B. Schoen- 
ing. By 1929 the new store was finished and opened to 
the public. 

In 1926 the force was enlarged to twelve employes, 
including Urban Schmidt, Julius Kuehner and Laura 
Kremmel and members of the Weilbacher family. An 
appliance store was planned in 1941, but due to diffi- 
culties during war years construction was postponed. How- 
ever in April of 1948 construction began on the appliance 
store and in June, 1948 it opened. 

In November of 1941 Henry Weilbacher passed away 
and Leo Weilbacher, Sr. was called upon to take over 
the leadership of the store in which capacity he serves 
today. In 1958 a modern super-market was erected on 
the former James Warnock property on Main street ad- 
joining the main store. A very large parking lot offers 
convenience to shoppers. At this time Weilbachers' em- 
ployes number regularly about 40 and in peak times, 
up to 50. 

COLUMBIA KOMMUNITY STORE 

The Columbia Kommunity Store was organized in 
1920 by Mrs. Elizabeth Vogt as a small confectionery, 
and has remained in the same location since the open- 
ing day. Mrs. Vogt's husband, the late Lorenz A. Vogt, 
was a school teacher in the Columbia school and in the 
Columbia area. He continued teaching while Mrs. Vogt 
operated the store. 

In 1925 an addition was built to the store and gro- 
ceries and dry goods added. In the years that followed 
the Vogt children, Alfred, Herbert, Ardel, Marie, Agnes 
and Edward, all at one time or another were employed 
in the store. In later years the daughters married and 
Herbert J. Vogt established his own business, the Colum- 
bia Grain and Seed Co. The store was enlarged in 1927 
and 1930. In 1946 Alfred and Edward Vogt purchased the 
business from their mother and the store became an 
IGA Supermarket with self-service. The brothers operated 
the store until 1953 when Alfred Vogt passed away. 
Upon his death his wife, Mrs. Magdalen Vogt, and her 
two daughters, Jeanette and Mrs. William Hannon and 
Edward Vogt and members of his family have been the 
proprietors. 

On April 1, 1959 Edward Vogt became the sole owner 
of the store. He is assisted by his son James and daugh- 
ters Carol and Judy; Jeanette Vogt, Alphonse Vogt, Mar- 
tin Oexner, Bertha Acker, Louis Osick and Adolph Steppig, 
Jr. The name of the store remains the Columbia Kom- 
munity Store. 



KRUSE CHEVROLET COMPANY 

The Kruse Chevrolet Company was organized by Mr. 
Arthur Kruse in August 1932, and has been under the 
same management ever since. It is located at 431 North 
Main on the corner of Main and Monroe Streets. Mr. Kruse 
has been selling Chevrolet Cars and Trucks, Buicks, Stand- 
ard Oil Products, Goodyear Tires and many other widely 
advertised items throughout these twenty-seven years. 

The Kruse Chevrolet Company started out during the 
depression with only Mr. Kruse and three other employees 
and has since that time grown many times its size. His 
records show that he has sold thousands of Chevrolet Cars 
and Trucks and many more used cars, actually more than 
are in this area now. At the present time Mr. Kruse is ac- 
tive in his business and has nineteen employees engaged 
in selling or servicing automobiles. 

Following are the people who are employed by him: 
Mrs. Evelyn Ludwig Schnell, Wilbur Ludwig, Oliver Riech- 
mann, Oliver Hoffmann, Albert Josten, Richard Roos, Har- 
old Stumpf, Bernard Roeber. Joseph Tebbenhof, Herman 
Huch, Earl Kruse, Ted Hankammer, Glenn Bequette, Mrs. 
Virginia Buehler, Harry Breitenstein, Jr., MelvLn Hoffmann, 
Bill Schaeffer and Harry Sandhagen of St. Louis who has 
been the company auditor since the business began. The 
years of service for the above employees amounts to ap- 
proximately 222 years for the same company. 

Mr. Kruse is the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Casper 
Kruse and has lived in the vicinity of Columbia all his life. 
At present time his home is at 344 West Liberty Street. 
He was married on October 3, 1933, to Miss Thekla Roos, 
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Roos of Millstadt. They 
have 3 children — Earl who is employed with his father, 
Margaret Ann who is a student at St. Louis University and 
Rosemary a pupil at Immaculate Conception School. His 
daughter, Margaret Ann, is a candidate for the "Miss Co- 
lumbia" contest being sponsored by the Chamber of Com- 
merce as a centennial feature. 

Mr. Kruse and his staff of workers hope to continue 
serving the public for many years to come. 

COLUMBIA DEVELOPMENT COMPANY 

The Columbia Development Co., Incorporated recently 
formed and incorporated with the State of Illinois, has 
purchased Cascade Hills Subdivision from the G. and B. 
Realty Company of St. Louis. 

The G. and B. Company purchased the tract of land 
some time ago from Fred Bruenig for construction of 
homes, but the project was halted after some grading 
was done. The area consists of approximately 87 acres 
and is all in the city limits of Columbia with access to 
city water, sewer, natural gas, city fire protection and 
police protection. 

Officers of the company are Herbert Schueler, presi- 
dent; Herman G. Frierdich, vice president; and William 
H. Cash, secretary-treasurer. 

Plans for the new homes include 2 and 3 bedroom 
brick veneer houses and are expected to be in the $15,500 
class for 2 bedrooms and $17,500 for 3 bedrooms. All 
homes will have concrete basements, hardwood floors 
in all rooms except kitchen and bath which will have 
tile floors, kitchen cabinets space, double bowl sink and 
all will be plastered throughout. 



58 




MAYOR AND MRS. HENRY JOHN KUNZ 



BELOW MAYOR AND MRS. HENRY N. KUNZ ON THEIR 
GOLDEN WEDDING DAY 




■ n 





HENRY J. KUNZ. SR. 

Henry John Kunz, Sr., served as mayor of Columbia, 
and he also served as a member of the town i 
He was born in Zurich, Switzerland on June 10, 1847. He 
came to this country in 1853 when he was five with Mi 
parents, coming by way of New Orleans. The family set- 
tled in St. Louis where Henry John Kunz learned th( 
making trade. On September 21, 18G9, he was man; 
Miss Emelie Steffenauer and located on the old Steffen- 
auer farm, afterwards the Gross place, then Hills i 
and now owned by the Moallanknmps. In 1870 the family 
moved to Columbia where he lived until his untimely 
death in 1898. He was a successful business man an 
built a large, comfortable home on Centerville Road in 
Columbia. He was prominent in public affairs and 
on the school board for a number of years. He was frank 
and fearless and made an excellent mayor and public ser- 
vant. Mr. and Mrs. Kunz had eight children, four of them 
passing on in their early youth. The surviving children are 
Minnie, now Mrs. Joseph Weiscnstein of Belleville, Emili.- 
Julia Lotz of Waterloo, widow of Julius Lotz; and Bertha 
Anna Kunz now Mrs. Harry Arnin. A son. Henry N. Kunz 
died March 30, 1943. He was a member of the A. 0. U W . 
Turnverein, the Fire Company, the Odd Fellows and St. 
Paul's Evangelical Church. Columbians deeply mourned 
the passing of these exemplary citizens. 

HENRY N. KUNZ 

Henry N. Kunz served as Mayor of Columbia from Ap- 
ril 19, 1904 to April 1909. 

He served during the transition period when Columbia 
was emerging from its role of a sleepy little country town 
to a modern small city. 

Henry N. Kunz was born on July 17, 1870, in New 
Hanover precinct, a son of Henry John Kunz and his wife 
Emelie, nee Steffenauer. His father, Henry, came from 
Switzerland. Henry N. Kunz, Jr. married Miss Ida Niemeier, 
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Christian Niemeier. They had 
four children, Robert, Hilda, now Mrs. William Kassing of 
St. Louis, Florence, wife of Oliver C. Breidecker of East St. 
Louis; one son died in infancy, and Robert C. Kunz, his 
oldest son, died in 1958. 

The picture shown was taken on Mr. and Mrs. Kunz's 
Golden Wedding Anniversary. 

Through the years with his good wife at his side, 
counseling and helping him, Mr. Kunz had become one of 
Columbia's outstanding citizens. He was a self-made man. 
As a boy he worked at the old M. and O. Depot as a '• 
rapher. He was the bookkeeper at the Huch mill wheih 
at that time served as a bank. He was President Of the 
First National Bank and a director. As mayor, he was pro- 
gressive and the city showed much progress during his 
tenure of office. Our first concrete sidewalks, much need- 
ed, were one of his projects. 

He was president of the school board, helped organ- 
ize the Columbia Commercial Club, and the .Monro,' Coun- 
ty Bankers Association; a Turner, and a charter member 
of the Monroe County Title and Abstract Co. 

He was active in his church, the St. Paul Evangelical 
Church, was president of the Church Council, and ; 
dent of the Church Brotherhood. 

He was active in Masonic circles, being master 
lodge for many years, a Shriner, and a permanent con- 
tributing member of the Shriner*! Hospital for Crippled 
Children. St. Louis. 

Par-seeing, he was an active member of the Regional 
Planning As n ii try-treasurer ol the old 

Christian Welfare Hospital. 

He died on March 30, 1913, after a long, busy and use- 

lul life. 



59 




MAYOR AND MRS FRED G. RAPP ON THEIR GOLDEN WEDDING DAY 



FRED G. RAPP 

Fred G. Rapp. Mayor of Columbia, Illinois from 1909 
to 1933 born in Central, Illinois, December 6. 1871, the 
son of Rev. and Mrs. John T. Rapp. He came to Columbia 
in 1890 after receiving his education in Waterloo. 

The above picture of former Mayor and Mrs. Fred 
G. Rapp was taken on their Golden Wedding Anniversary. 

Fred G. Rapp and Miss Lydia Schneider were married 
on April 26. 1896 at St. Paul Evangelical Church, Colum- 
bia. Mr. Rapp was mayor of Columbia for 24 consecutive 
years. During his administration a water and sewer system 
was put in and many improvements made in the streets. 
In fact, the city was just beginning to change from a 
sleepy little village to a hustling small city. 

Mayor Rapp had the happy faculty of making friends 
and of selling Columbia. His objective, as he so often 
stated in the addresses he made, wa iWigious 

and political toleration among uur citizens. He explained 
that we have in Columbia the advantages of the friendly, 
hospitable country town, and yet the pleasure of living 
in the St. Louis metropolitan area with its many cultural 
advantages. 

Both the press and the radio recognized Columbia 
as an unusual city — a city as Mr. Rapp christ 
of gardens and homes, with a reputation of good gov- 
ernment that was. and is. the despair of EgJ 
Southern Illinois is called. 

Mr. Rapp and his son Walter were heads of the Fred 



G. Rapp and Son Insurance Agency. Mr. Rapp was a 
teacher by profession with an insurance agency on the 
side. He taught for eighteen years at the Mueller School, 
but gave up teaching when the company he represented 
made him district agent in Monroe and adjoining coun- 
ties, reaching from Cairo to Jacksonville. 

As Mr. Rapp sold insurance he sold Columbia. His 
friends were legion. Once three street cars brought St. 
Louis business men. at Mr. Rapp's invitation, to Columbia, 
to get acquainted and help us with our school picnic. 
Their bands joined forces with ours, and to use an old 
cliche, "a good time was had by all." 

Mr. Rapp was a member of the Board of Education 
for thirty years, serving as Its secretary for twenty-nine 
years. He helped organize the Columbia Commercial Club 
and was its president. His church affiliation was the St. 
Paul Evangelical Church and he served as Buperinl 
of the Sunday School for thirty years, and was a member 
of the pension board. 

He was very active in Masonic circles s mei 
Columbia Lodge 474 A. F. and A. M , tin- Ml 
ley Consistory, the Eastern Stars and a life member of 
the Shrine Hospital. He was a member of the J 
Barracks Bridge Association and the Regional Planning 
Association. He was the head of the Colun,' 
I i thirty years. He died at the uy.^ 

!ay illness. His lovely wile. Lydia 
years later. She was his helps I 

and respected for her charity, her work in the community 
and her practical Christianity. 



- : 



~: ,~ 



If 






MAYOR AND MRS. ALBERT C. METTER 



Mayor Albert Charles Metter was bom in Sugar Loaf 
Township. St. Clair County on September 22, 1895, a son of 
Charles and Maria Metter, nee Doerr. 

He was educated in the Metter School and Belleville 
Township High School. His early life was spent on the 
Metter farm, which has been in the family for six genera- 
tions. 

He served as an Infantry First Sergeant in France in 
World War I for two years. 

After the war he attended Dodge's Institute of Teleg- 
raphy and Railway Accounting at Valparaiso, Indiana; 
Western Union Telegraph Company Managers School at 
Niles. Michigan; La Salle Extension University at Chicago 
and City College of Law and Finance, St. Louis. In 1930 he 
became a Registered Practitioner before the Interstate 
Commerce Commission, Washington, D. C. 

In 1923 he was married to Cora M. Baltz, daughter of 
Leonard H. and Caroline Baltz, nee Arras of Columbia. 
They have one daughter, Florence, wife of Clifford Haberl, 
and one grandson, Eugene Haberl of Columbia. 

During his industrial career Mr. Metter was assot/ated 
with the Western Union Telegraph Company; tie Fenn- 
sylvania R. R. Company and the Frisco R. R. Company, St. 
Louis. 

Since 1928 he has been the General Purchasing Agent 
and General Traffic Manager of the Midwest Rubber Re- 
claiming Company, Monsanto, Illinois and functions in the 
same capacity for the branch plants at Barberton, Ohio; 
Chester. Penn. and Paramount, Cal. 

Mr. Metter is a life long member of United Church of 
Christ; has served as president of the Church Council and 
vice president of Southern Illinois Churchmen's Brother- 
hood Federation. 

He is a 32d degTee Mason and a Shriner; a member of 
Columbia Lodge A. F. and A M. No. 474; Scottish Rite 
bodies and Ainad Temple, East St. Louis; member of Mon- 
roe Chapter 597 Order of the Eastern Star; and a perma- 
nent contributing member of the Shriner's Hospital for 
Crippled Children, St. Louis. 

In 1920 Mr. Metter helped organize Columbia Ameri- 
can Legion Post 581, and in 1923 and 24 served as post 
commander. He holds a 40 year continuous membership In 
the Legion. He served as local, county and district grave 



registrar, and was a member of the State Grave V. 
tion Department for five years; in 1935 he was a: 
chairman. He sponsored a Grave Registration bill which 
was brought before the State Legislature. It is now a law. 
Similar laws were adopted in several other states. He is a 
member of Voiture 40 and 8 and Egyptian Post Comman- 
der's Club of southern Illinois. In 1923 under Legion spon- 
sorship he became a Scoutmaster and served for several 
years. 

During World War II Governor Dwight H. Green ap- 
pointed him Monroe County Director of the Illinois State 
War Council of Defense, and in this capacity served three 
years. 

Mr. Metter was one of the original Illinois civic and 
business leaders in the promotion, location and construc- 
tion of the Jefferson Barracks Bridge across the M 
pi, connecting Illinois and Missouri. He served as 1st vice 
president of the original Lindbergh Bridge Association and 
its successor, the present Jefferson Barracks Bridge Asso- 
ciation at the time of its dedication on December 9. 1944. 
Mr. Metter was president of the Bridge As- 
1947-49 and is at present a member of the executive 
board. 

In 1930 when Columbia's municipal waterworks start- 
ed with water shortages due to droughts. Mr. Metter was 
elected alderman for two terms. April 18, 1933 he was 
elected Mayor. He is now serving his eighth term, having 
served consecutively for twenty-six years. 

During his administration the City Code of Ordinances 
were revised; a new accounting system was insta!. 
many Important public Improvements were con 
and placed into operation. 

Mr. Metter serves on the Board of Directors of the Co- 
lumbia Centennial Association; is a member of the Board 
of Directors of the Belleville Memorial Hospital; member 
of the Chamber of Commerce, Turners, National Industri- 
al Traffic League. Washington. D. C. Transportation 
Trowel Club of St. Louis; National Association of Purchas- 
ing Agents; St. Louis Chamber of Commerce and Illinois 
Manufacturers Association. He Is also chairman of the 
County-St Louis Planning Commission. Chairman 
i Traffic Committee, Rubber Reclaimers Assocla- 
i fork and vice president of the St. Louis 
Louis Traffic Conference. 



53 



COLUMBIA CENTFNNIAL PAGEANT COMMITTEE PRESENTS 

HAIL, COLUMBIA 

IN 10 ACTS 

PROLOGUE 

ACT I WHITESIDE STATION (1788-1795) 

ACT II HOUSE RAISING 1795 

ACT III KASKASKIA TRAIL 

ACT IV EARLY CULTURAL INFLUENCES 

ACT V THE GERMAN SETTLERS 

ACT VI FIRST COUNCIL MEETS (1859) 

ACT VII TURNVEREIN (1866) 

ACT VIII COLUMBIA DAY AT THE WORLD'S FAIR 1904 

ACT IX SHOP AND GOSSIP 

ACT X WE CHERISH OUR FREEDOM 

FINALE 

July 3 and 4, 1959 

AT 8:30 P. M. 

BETWEEN LOCUST AND WHITESIDE STREETS 
COLUMBIA, ILLINOIS 



69 




PAGEANT COMMITTEE: B. D. Middleton, Chairman, Uhl 
O. Sackman, Mrs. Ralph Mathews, George (Jack) Brucker, 
Mrs. Fred Henckler, Miss Dolores Fiege, Walter Frierdich, 



Frederick C. Young. Mrs. Gerard Dundon, Mrs. B. D. Mid- 
dleton, Walter Giffhom, Jr. and L. A. Weilbacher, Jr. 




AN EAGLE EYE'S VIEW OF COLUMBIA 
66 



Columbia Families . . . 

One hundred years of the history of Columbia would be incomplete and unsatisfying if the life stories of 
pioneer settlers and their children were not chronicled. 

We regret that every Columbian's family history could not have been included, but that was, obviously, 
impossible. Though all are equally important we could not include them all because of lack of space. 

In the main we selected the history of families from which some phase of the history of Columbia could 
be interpreted, taking in as many family groups as possible. 

Our sincere thanks goes to all who helped us in any way. We are especially grateful for the many val- 
uable old history and atlases, for the many pictures lent to us, and for the unfailing patience our long-suffer- 
ing friends exhibited when we asked for information. We wish especially to thank the Mayor and City fathers for 
lending us their century of records, and to all organizations who let us peruse their minutes. It was our purpose 
to use official records whenever possible. Even with this care in writing, there will be errors, for wtiich we crave 
your indulgence. The history was long and the time to prepare it, short. 

CONSUELO J. VOLKERT. Historian and Editor. 
ERNESTINE C. SMITH, Assistant Historian. 



>:t 



DR. A. H. MAEYS 

Dr. A. H. Maeys is the son of William Maeys and 
his wife, Margaret, nee Studt. Dr. Maeys' grandfather 
was George Maeys, whose wife was Elizabeth Reub. He 
came from the City of Oggerheim, in New Bavaria, where 
he was born in 1828. He came to America with his family, 
landing at New York, and settling in Pennsylvania in 
the Cumberland Valley. He and his family came to Mon- 
roe County, locating a mile and a half southwest of Co- 
lumbia, moving later to the Lawson farm in the Bottom 
near Columbia. The high water in 1844 flooded out the 
family and they moved to a farm near Maeystown. There 
the father, George Maeys, died leaving behind a family 
of six children. Jacob, the oldest boy, took over and kept 
the family together until such time as they could get on 
their own feet. 

William Maeys was a storekeeper in Maeystown. He 
was the brother of Jacob Maeys who founded Maeystown. 
Dr. Maeys is a graduate of the Barnes School of Med- 
icine. He located at Clayton, Missouri. 

He enlisted in the United States Army as a medical 
officer in World War I in 1917, was a 1st Lieutenant, and 
was assigned to the British army. He saw front line ser- 
vice in some of the severe battles of the war. He served 
for twenty-five months. He served with honor and dis- 
tinction and was awarded the British Military Cross for 
valor and was advanced to the rank of major. 

In September of 1919 he went to Maeystown where 
he opened an office. In October of 1933 he came to Co- 
lumbia and has resided here ever since. 

He was married to Miss Anna Hirsch, daughter of 
Gustav and Catherine Hirsch. To this union three chil- 
dren were born — one boy, Billy, passing on at the age 
of two years and seven months. Their daughter, Jean, 
is a teacher in California. Their son, Al, is a law graduate 
of St. Louis University. 

Dr. and Mrs. Maeys are faithful members of the Unit- 
ed Church of Christ. He is also a Mason and Shriner. 

ELMER ALBERT JANSON 

Elmer Albert Janson, member of the Columbia Cen- 
tennial Historical Committee, is the son of Valentine and 
Mary Janson nee Frierdich. In 1835 John Beckerle and 
Valentine Janson, brothers-in-law came to the Columbia 
area from Hesse Darmstadt. This Valentine Janson was 
Elmer's great grandfather. In Germany he married Eliza- 
beth nee Seibert and came to Monroe county to Section 
26 in the Shoemaker School District. 

There were seven children born to this union, John, 
born in Monroe county in 1839. John when grown up 
married Eliza, daughter of John and Hannah Weilbacher. 
John and Eliza had five sons and four daughters: John, 
Mary, Peter, Elizabeth, Catherine, Philip, Christian, Emma 
and Herman. The son Philip, and Elizabeth Janson were 
Elmer's paternal grandparents; Adam A. and Louise Frier- 
dich his maternal grandparents. 

Elmer's grandfather came to Monroe County in 1853 
and his grandmother in 1852. They farmed in Section 26. 

Elmer was born in Columbia, educated in the Immac- 
ulate Conception School and attended high school in 
Columbia. He belongs to Immaculate Conception Church. 
He was city alderman from 1941-54. He is a past presi- 
dent and secretary of the Chamber of Commerce. 

He is employed as the Clothing manager of Weil- 
bacher's Store, having been in their employ for 26 years. 

He is married to Regina Besse Janson and they have 
been blessed with seven children: James, Edward, Robert, 
Marilyn, Carolyn, Joan and Jean. Elmer has four brothers 



and sisters: Milton Janson of Columbia; William of Mill- 
stadt, Miss Lillian Janson of Columbia and Mrs. Milly 
Koch of St. Louis. 

The Jansons were vitally interested in education — 
Valentine Janson serving on the school board of Shoe- 
maker School in 1870, in- 1871, 1873 and 1874, Philip 
Janson, Elmer's grandfather serving in this capacity and 
in 1876-90 and 1896-97 Valentine Janson served there 
too. Schools were in session in these days only from Octo- 
ber to April to give farm boys a chance to work on the 
farm. 

FRED WILLIAM WEINEL 
Fred William Weinel, member of the Centennial His- 
torical Committee, was born in Columbia. He was the 
oMest son of August F. Weinel and Bertha Grosse Weinel. 
The Weinels and the Grosses were early business 
people of Columbia. A. F. Weinel and Mr. Grosse were 
proprietors of the old Franklin Inn, the old name of the 
Juengling Tavern. Under the Grosse and Weinel man- 
agement it was known as the Buck Tavern. Deer Antlers 
were placed ove_r the sign. It was the stopping place for 
the old Stage Coach and it was known all over the Kas- 
kaskia Trail for its fine hospitality. Later A. F. Weinel 
started a lumber yard and a livery stable in Columbia 
which grew and prospered. A son, Ernst A. Weinel, start- 
ed the E. A. Weinel Hardware Company, and it too, grew 
and prospered. After his death another son L. Philip 
Weinel became the manager. It was sold to Alois Riebe- 
ling who conducts the business now. 

The Weinel family was famous for their fine hospital- 
ity and the beauty of their home and gardens. They 
were from Germany and reflected the best of German 
culture. 

William Weinel attended school here and the Manual 
Training School of Washington University of St. Louis. Mr. 
Weinel is a member of the United Church of Christ, Co- 
lumbia, a member of Columbia Lodge No. 474 AF and AM 
since 1905, also the Mississippi Valley Consistory at East 
St. Louis and Ainad Temple Mystic Shrine and Monroe 
Chapter 597 O. E. S. 

He is president of the August F. Weinel Lumber Co. 
which was started by August F. Weinel in 1875. He is 
also president of the Dupo Lumber and Hardware Co. of 
Dupo; he assisted in organizing the Columbia Building 
and Loan Assn. in 1914 and has been a director thereof 
ever since. He has been the secretary since 1933. He is 
past president of the Illinois Lumber and Material Dealers 
Assn. and also past director of the Illinois Savings and 
Loan League. 

Three children were born to the union, August F. Wei- 
nel, who graduated from the U. S. Naval Academy in 1936 
and reached the rank of Commander. He gave his life for 
his country in the Pacific area in 1943 during World War 
II. A daughter, Marian Weinel, graduated from Iowa 
State College at Ames, Iowa and is married to Andrew 
P. Burgess. Mr. Burgess is now a secretary and manager 
of the August F. Weinel Lumber Co. Mr. Burgess was a 
Commander in the U. S. Navy during World War II. Ellyn 
Weinel graduated from William Woods College at Fulton, 
Mo. and DePauw University at Greencastle, Ind., and is 
married to Dr. August G. Swanson and lives in Seattle, 
Wash. Dr. Swanson is a Harvard University graduate and 
served as a flight surgeon in the U. S. Navy. 

The William Weinels live in a beautiful country home 
near Columbia, formerly the property of the Proctors. The 
house, a stately Georgian country home is built high on 
the hills overlooking Columbia and the lovely countryside. 
Mr. Weinel had always admired the site of the Proctor 
home, and he is happy to be able to reside there and en- 
joy the beautiful scenes surrounding his home. 





A. F. WEINEL LUMBER YARD 



GUS TUNZE-S SALOON 





E. A. WEINEL HARDWARE CO. 



POST OFFICE IN ARNINS STORE 











COLUMBIA STAR MILL 



EXTERIOR OF THE MILL SALOON NOW THE 
CLARION PRINTING CO. 



VICTOR BREIDECKER 

Victor Breidecker, member of the Centennial Histori- 
cal Committee, was born in Columbia, the son of Charles 
Breidecker and his wife Laura, nee Harres. The Breidec- 
kers were an old Columbia family coming here from Ger- 
many. Charles taught school here and also ran a printing 
plant. He was an excellent teacher though a stern disci- 
plinarian. He was married to Laura Harres. They had four 
children, Miss Alfrieda, Miss Hulda, Oliver and Victor. 
Oliver is vice president of the First National Bank in East 
St. Louis and a civic leader there. Miss Hulda is the book- 
keeper at the Dupo State Savings Bank, while Victor 
Breidecker is with the Lewin Mathes Co. division of Cerro 
de Pasco Corporation, Monsanto, Illinois. 

Victor attended school here, grade and high school, 
Brown's Business College at East St. Louis and Jefferson 
College of St. Louis. His paternal grandparents were 
Christian H. Breidecker and Catherine German Breidecker. 
His maternal grandparents were George Adam Harres and 
Gertrude Scheuermann Harres. All came here from Ger- 
many and all were early settlers. Gertrude Breidecker was 
the sister of Henry Scheuermann who had a tavern here 
in what was the Wm. Vogt store. Christian Breidecker was 
a business man in early Columbia, conducting a store and 
serving as Columbia's postmaster. 

Victor Breidecker married Miss Nelda Faus of near 
Maeystown. She died in 1939. They have two children, Kay 
Hulda, wife of Dale Prediger of Carbondale, Illinois and 
Private Karl Lewis Breidecker who is with the U. S. Army 
at Ft. Belvoir, Va. 

Mr. Breidecker is a member of St. Paul United Church 
of Christ, is a past secretary of the church consistory and 
treasurer of St. Paul's Church Brotherhood. 

He is a Mason, a member of Columbia lodge, also of 
Scottish Rite bodies and Ainad Temple A. A. ONMS. 

THE WILLIAM VOGT FAMILY 

William Vogt, Jr., was born in Stookey township, St. 
Clair Co , Illinois, the son of William and Julia Vogt, nee 
Waelti. The Vogt family was of Swiss origin, but migrated 
to Germany, close to Prussia. They were landowners there, 
but the lure of the new country of America beckoned them 
and they sold their land and came to America, landing at 
New Orleans and finding their way to Stookey Township 
in St. Clair County. Here they bought five quarter sections 
of land. This land remained in the Vogt family for over a 
hundred years but was sold in 1941. 

Mr. Vogt worked on farms in his youth, then in the 
coal mines as an engineer. He married Miss Henrietta 
Boemer of Millstadt. Two boys were born of this union. 
The mother died and two weeks later the younger boy 
died. The other lad survived — Otto H. Vogt of St. Louis. 

Mr. Vogt remarried — Miss Sophia Diesel of Millstadt 
becoming his second wife. They moved to Columbia where 
Mr. Vogt found employment as an engineer in the Lam- 
brecht-Huch Mill where he learned to do plumbing and 
heating work. 

In 1S93 he became a pioneer in the merchandising 
business and opened a big department store where you 
could "Buy anything from a needle to a threshing ma- 
chine". He built a small store at the corner of Main and 
Church streets and as business expanded Mr. Vogt's broth- 
er, George, who lived at Belleville, came to Columbia to 
help his brother in the store. Here he met and married 
Miss Emma Schneider, member of an old pioneer family. 
Three children blessed this union: Mrs. Carrie Bollinger 
and Mrs. Viola O'Brian of Pittsburgh, Penna. and George 
F. Vogt, Jr., of Grand Rapids, Mich. 

When Mr. Vogt began business, Columbia was a fur 
center and many residents depended on trapping as their 



livelihood. Trappers traded furs for supplies. Mr. Vogt was 
successful, built a beautiful home and was active in 
business and social circles in Columbia. He died at tht 
ripe old age of 90. Four daughters and three sons survive: 
Otto H. of St. Louis, Milton of California, William of Car- 
rollton, Mrs. Sophia Sondel of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, 
Mrs. Virginia Schuette of St. Louis, Mrs. Esther Joyce of 
St. Louis and Mrs. Julia Haller of Columbia. A. grand- 
daughter, Mrs. Florine Burks lives in Columbia in the old 
Vogt residence. 

MRS. WAYNE COMPTON 

Mrs. Wayne Compton, nee Annabelle Weible, is a 
member of the Centennial History committee. She is des- 
cended from an old Columbia family. She is the daughter 
of Edward T. Weible, who was born near Millstadt in 1857, 
and Miss Anna Wilson who was born in Columbia in 1S64. 
Mrs. Compton's paternal grandparents were John Weible 
and Jane Townsend Weible of Ohio. Her maternal grand- 
parents were Louis N. Wilson, member of an old and 
prominent Columbia family and Emily Morrison Wilson, 
born in Prairie du Long Precinct, Monroe county. Mrs. Wil- 
son was the sister of the late Col. William R. Morrison, 
who was once a candidate for President of the United 
States. The Wilson family came originally from Ireland, 
then migrated to Maryland and Kentucky, and finally set- 
tled in Illinois. 

Mrs. Compton's father was principal of the Columbia 
grade school for thirty-five years. He also had a photo- 
graphic studio and during the summer months was a 
salesman for the American Text Book Co. 

Her mother was one of the first women school teach- 
ers in Monroe county, teaching in the Etter and Sand 
Bank schools. Her aunt, Julia Wilson, now Mrs. Bert Div- 
ers, taught in Sand Bank school, walking back and forth 
every day, rain or shine, in mud or dust. Teaching was the 
profession Mrs. Compton's family followed, her mother, 
father, uncles and sister all being teachers. Her grand- 
father strved as sheriff of Monroe county for many years. 
They were all unpretentious and unassuming law-abiding 
citizens. 

Mrs. Compton was originally a member of the old 
Metthodist Episcopal church here, but when the services 
were discontinued she united with St. Paul United Church 
of Christ. She is past president and the current treasurer 
of the Columbia Woman's Club, Guardian and Treasurer 
of Job's Daughters Bethel 65, Member of the DeMolay's 
Booster's Club and the Order of the Eastern Star. Mrs. 
Compton for many years has been employed by the Wein- 
el Hardware Co. in a secretarial position. 

MRS. MELVIN GASSER 

Mrs. Melvin Gasser, nee Mildred Lee Roberts, daugh- 
ter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Lee Roberts of Dyersburg, 
Tennessee, was born at Hurricane Hill, Dyer County, Ten- 
nessee. She received her education in the public and high 
school of Dyersburg. She is a member of the Board of Di- 
rectors of the Centennial Association and the Centennial 
Style Show committee chairman. 

In fact she was untiring in developing the Style Show 
and it was largely through her efforts that the Style Show 
proved the great success it was. 

She studied Interior Decorating and for fifteen years 
she has followed this profession. 

She is a collector of fine antiques, furniture and other 
objects of art. The home she and her husband purchased 
is over 100 years old and is a fine example of the German 
Classic Revival style. It formerly belonged to the Rohm 
family. 

Mrs. Gasser is a member of the Presbyterian Church, 
and a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. Her hus- 
band works under civil service, being a railroad mail clerk. 



70 



MRS. HARRY ARNIN 

Mrs. Harry Arnin. nee Bertha Anna Kunz. was born 
in Columbia the daughter of the late Henry John Kunz. 
who was at one time mayor of Columbia, as was his 
Henry N Kunz Mr. Kunz, the senior, was born in 
Zurich. Switzerland and came to this country when he 
was five. Emilie Kunz. his wife, nee Steffenauer, was 
born in Carondelet. then a city in its own right, now a 
part of St. Louis. At the age of five she and her family 
moved to Columbia. Mr Kunz lived in St. Louts until 
he was S2, met an 1 married the beautiful Emilie Steffen- 
auer and came to Columbia to live on the Steffenauer 
farm, later Hills and now Mollankamp's. Later they mov- 
ColumbU where Mr. Kunz became a cigar-maker, 
making them and then going on the road to sell them. 

They had four children, Emilia, who married Julius 
Lotz of Columbia; Minnie, who married Joseph Weisen- 
stein and the subject of our sketch who married Harry 
Arnin. son of Jos. M Arnin and Henry N. Kunz. Jos. Arnin 
was the postmaster here for many years and conducted 
a general store He also served on the Town board and 
the school board and many similar civic organizations 
for the betterment of Columbia. His sons Harry and Arthur 
were clerks in the pi stOtOce. Arthur later became the 
postmaster, and his sister Olivia Arnin served as clerk 
for him. 

Mrs Arnin's maternal grandparents were John and 
Anna Steffenauer. nee Huber. The paternal grandparents 
lived in Switzerland. 

Mr. and Mrs. Harry' Arnin reside in the lovely home 
built by Mr Kunz. Bertha has inherited the graciousness 
Of her mother. They have two children. Marjorie, wife 
of Monroe Trost. and Walther H. Arnin at home. 

Mrs. Arnin is a member of St Paul United Church of 
Christ, the Women's Guild, the Sewing Circle of the 
Church and Monroe Chapter 597 Order of Eastern Star. 

B. D. M1DDLETON 

B. D. Middleton, chairman _; the Pageant committee 
> I the Columbia Centennial Association, is superintendent 
of Columbia Unit No. 4 grade and high schools, coming 
here June 4. 1951. Mr. Middleton was born at Iuka. Il- 
linois, the son of T. J. Middleton and his wife. Mary 
Catherine, nee Mulvaney His ancestors came from V. 
migrating to South Carolina, thence to Tennessee and 
then to Iuka, Illinois. Iuka was then called Middleton 
because in 1S51 the section where the village was sit- 
uated was deeded to the subject's great-grandfather, John 
B Middleton. Later his grandfather Daniel J. Middleton 
purchased the land, together with his brother Alfred. The 
name was changed to Iuka to avoid a clash of names. 

Mr Middleton is a direct descendant of Arthur Mid- 
dleton. who was one of the signers of the Declaration 
of Independence. He was married to Mildred Chapman 
and they have one daughter. Kim, wife of Dr. R. D. 
rson of Tuscon. Arizona. Mrs. Middleton attended 
Southern Illinois University and taught for fourteen years 
in Marion county schools. She is a graduate of Salem, 
Illinois high school. 

Mr. Middleton is a member of A. F. and A. M No 
1510; the Eatsern Star; the Illinois Education Associa- 
tion; a life member the National Education Association; 
i phi Kappa; Rotary' International and American 
Association of School Administrators. 

Mr. Middleton is a graduate of Southern Illinois Uni- 
th a master's degree; he also attended the 
University of Indiana and the Unlvirsitty of Illinois. 

He and his wife are members of the United Church 

hrist having transferred here from the Methodist 
Church. 



JOHN McKEE 

.as Columbia's first mayor. Of him 
there seems to be no record. Of the second mayor, J 
McKee, there is both record and memory, for tl 
family was prominent in Columbia in the • 

In tr.i 
found that the family l not McKee but '■' 

ami pronounced McKi. with the long "I". 

They were of the Clan McKay and came from the 
highland of Scotland, high up in the Invemi 
A clan is a division of a tribe made up of "septs" — so 
many septs to a clan. 

John McKee married Mary MacGowan. A description 
of him was given to the grandson. John Scott Ma 
by the late Jos. Volkert. Sr , who knew the old pi I 
w. II. Mr. Volkert told him that John McKee wa 
doctor, and he asked Joseph Volkert to hold a h 
which was to get treatment, while 1 l to 

Angerer's Hotel across the street where the Breidecker 
Building now is. He said the doctor was a fine >.' . 
Of a man, tall and broad-shouldered. The horse balked 
at the medicine but the doctor gave it to him by 
force of will — and brawn. He said Mr. McKee rode a 
big horse, at least sixteen hands high. His office was 
in a barn back of the Arlington Hotel, now the Chic 
Shop. Mr. Volkert was a little boy then and always re- 
membered the incident. 

James McKee was a fixture here. He owned much 
land here. He was secretary' of the Village Board for 
many years and a teacher in the public school here. The 
records kept by him were beautiful, his orna' 
looking like steel engraving. He lived to be 90. He had 
one son, Harry', who married Louise Weinel, daughter 
Ol Mr and Mrs A. F. Weinel. They had three children, 
Ruth, wife of Hugh Burke of Waterloo, Edith, wife of 
William Grimes of Downers Grove, Illinois and John 
MacKie of Burlingame. California. (He uses the correct 
form of the name). James McKee also had two daugh- 
ters, Mrs. Jessie Farrell of East St. Louis, and Mrs. Mabel 
Elish of Springfield. 

Janus McKee had one sister, Janet, who was a beau- 
tiful woman and whom, many said, greatly resembled 
Mrs. Grimes. 

This is the legend of the McKee or MacKay or MacKie 
family, Scottish highlanders, who sought and found a 
brave new world. 

MRS. CLIFFORD HABERL 

Mrs. Clifford Haberl, nee Florence E Metier, is 
a member of the Centennial Historical Committee. 

She is the daughter of Albert C. Metier and t. 
Cora, nee Baltz of Columbia. She is the grand-daughter 
Mr. and Mrs Charles Metier and Mr. and Mrs. Leonard 
Baltz. She was born in Columbia. Her ancestors came 
from Alsace-Lorraine and Germany. 

She is married to Clifford W. Haberl and ll 
1 with him in their business known as the C: 
W. Haberl Plumbing and Heating. She is the bookk, 
and the secretary' of the firm. 

They have one son, E years old. 

Mrs Haberl Is a graduate of the Columbia grade and 
high school and Brown's Business and Secretarial School 
in St. Louis. 

She has always been interested in Columbia's public 
library, being a member of the library board. She i- 
assistant librarian. 

A member of the St. Paul Church Of Christ. 
a deacon in the church and also a member of the Cl 
and the Senior choir. She is an the 

Parent-Teachers Association and the Columbl 
Club. She is also an officer 
of the Eastern Star. 



71 



MR. AND MRS. 
CONRAD STEFFENAUER 




I 




Front Row: Catherine Niemeier, 
Christian Niemeier, Chas. Niemeier. 
Back Row: Emma Rueck. Ida Kunz, 
Tillie Sodeman, Bertha Heinemann 
and Carrie Bollinger. 



MR. AND MRS. %&■ 

CHARLES LANDGRAF 



-^g A GAY BLADE 
OF THE lSOO's 




JAMES HENRY CROWE 

James Henry Crowe, president ol the I. ions Club which 
is in charge of the Beards for the Centennial, is the son 
of Mr. and Mr*. lamea i' Crowe, nee Marj 
There were four Crowe children: Janus, ih.' oldest, the 
subject of this sketch; lna Mae. Mrs Raymond Jahr; 
Margie, the widow of George Mengea of Belleville and 
Arlou, wife of Victor Reichert- 

"Jimmies" father. James P. Crowe, was a school 
teacher, coming from near Burks\ille, then later worked 
at the Sllgo Iron Stove Co. In St Louis. "Jlmmle" worked 
lor the Chevrolet Company at Columbia, later at St. 
Loots, then at Monsanto for nine years and eventually 
established his own business. The Jimmie Crowe Auto 
Repair, at his present place of business. 

Jim has an interesting family background. His grand- 
father. James Crowe, spent his first 16 years in Ireland, 
going to the public schools there. When he was 16 he 
accompanied his parents to America and in 1ST1 was 
married to Miss Margaret Fox. They had six children: 
Mathias. the oldest, Catherine, Agnes, Thomas, Mary and 
James. Mrs. Crowe, nee Fox, was a native of Monroe 
county. The family were all devout Catholics. Jimmie's 
great-grandfather, also James Crowe, was a native of 
Ireland. He was bom there on May 1, 1836, the son of 
Mathias and Catherine iRagin) Crowe. He married in 
Ireland and farmed there until 1852 when he set sail for 
the New World. He located in Monroe county and farmed 
there until his death, becoming a very successful farmer. 
He died in 1S64; his wife in 1878 They were parents of 
seven children: Celia. Mary. Patrick, Lawrence, Bridget. 
Thomas and James. James Crowe, the grandfather, was 
called the "White Crowe" because he was the possessor 
of snowy white, curly hair, and was a very distinguished 
looking gentleman. 

Jimmie is the fourth Crowe to bear the name of 
James. 

With the luck of the Irbh. Jimmie won a goodly sum 
of money in a sweepstakes, and with true Irish warm- 
heartedness, gave most of it to worthy charities and to 
churches, that is, what Uncle Sam did not get by way 
of taxes. 

Mrs. Crowe, nee Flora Weilbacher, is the daughter of 
Mr. and Mrs. John A. Weilbacher nee Elizabeth Leighten- 
heimer. The Weilbacher family is a pioneer family of 
this area, this branch of the family being prosperous 
farmers, who lived and farmed at the farm where now 
Richard Weilbacher farms, on the outskirts of Columbia. 
Mrs. Crowes father and mother purchased the beauti- 
ful old Pfeffer home and retired and afterward Jim and 
Flora bought the home. It has been modernized and re- 
decorated and is still a show place, sturdy and beautiful 
after many years. 

The Crowes have four children: John Patrick ijack); 
Mary Louise, a Miss Columbia Centennial candidate; 
James Joseph, the fifth James in the family and Jo Ann. 

MRS. IRENE HABERL 

Mrs. Irene Haberl, daughter of Fred and Catherine 
Dollar, is a member of the Centennial Historical Com- 
mittee. She was born in Columbia. She is the wife of 
Frank Haberl. The Haberls have four children. Vernon J-. 
Howard Clifford W. and Marcella iMrs. Alfred Crowder). 

Mrs. Haberl's ancestors came from Germany and Bo- 
hemia. Her grandparents were Mr. and Mrs. John A. Pfef- 
fer. nee Scherrer. The Pfeffers were a well-known Co- 
lumbia family for John A. was in business for many years. 



The father of John A. Pfeffer came from Candel. Ba- 
varia, Germany by way of New Orleans In 1832. He came 
to the Illinois country and cleared a tract of land near 
CentrevUle, which he fanned He worked on 
which plied Ihe Mississippi, and became an en> 
a distillery. He married Margaret Scherrer v. I 
Alsace-Lorraine. Two Of fourteen children survived to ma- 
turity — they being John A. and Mrs. Catherine Dollar. 

John A. Pfeffer, conducted a store and a sal 
this business grew the sons were taken into the business 
and it became the John A. Pfeffer and Sons Stort 
under other management, it became the Columbia Mer- 
cantile Co. 

John A. married Johanna K. Funk who was born In 
New Orleans. The following were their children 
for those who died in infancy: John Joseph, Joseph Fred, 
Emil F.. Peter A.. Mary. Theodore, Anna. Charles. Louis 
and Katherine. twins, and Louise, who is Mrs. David 
Jenkins, and who lives in East St. Louis. Being 
and kind people they adopted two children I 
Smith who became the wife of Frank Riebeling, and 
Johanna Mary. 

The Pfeffers were prominent in church circles, belong- 
ing to the Immaculate Conception Church. Mr. Pfeffer for 
many years was a member of the Town Board and also 
the school board. 

The Pfeffers built a beautifui brick home where they 
did much entertaining They were very hospitable people 
and gracious hosts and hostesses. Their home is now own- 
ed by James Crowe. 

Mrs. Haberl, a niece of the Pfeffers. is a member of 
the Immaculate Conception Church and is a Past Regent 
of the Daughters of Isabella; she is a Royal Neighbor, a 
Past President of the American Legion Auxiliary, a mem- 
ber of the Mothers' and Friends' Club of her church and 
now president of the Altar Society. She is a hard worker 
for her community and her church, as is her husband, 
Frank Haberl. 

RUDOLPH P. BRIEGEL 

Rudolph P. Briegel for many years head i I 
Iumbia public and grade school was born June 
in New Design Precinct. He was the son of Peter Briegel 
and his wife Elizabeth, nee Schrieber. 

Both of his parents came from Germany and 
on a farm in New Design Precinct. The Briege! 
among the first Germans to settle there. 

Mr. Briegel attended Portland School which was then 
known as the Normal School of Monroe County. He also 
attended school at Waterloo for one year. He attended 
Mound City Commercial College at St. Louis and - 
of summer normal school. 

In 1882 at the age of 16 he taught the Deer Hill 
Hun the Schroeder School and then the New Han- 
chool for four years, after which he came to Co- 
lumbia and taught in the grade school. He worked at 
the Star Milling Company here as a bookkeeper, and in 
• ame the superintendent of the Columbia School. 
Under his direction Columbia established a four year 
recognized high school with a two year commercial de- 
partment. Under his direction the school acquired a fine 
library. 

In 1894 he man-led Miss Pauline Stein of Belleville. 
They had one daughter Mildred Lucille, wife of Frank 
L. Eversull. 

Mr. Briegel was one of the organizers of the Eagle 
Electric Co. which furnished electricity for the City of 



73 



Columbia, and served as secretary for four years or until 
the company sold its interests to the city. 

Mr. Briegel's hobby was raising fine chickens. Silver 
laced and white Wyandottes were his specialty, and he 
was the only person in Monroe County to take a prize 
for poultry at the St. Louis World's Fair. 

He served as City Clerk of Columbia for four years 
and also as a Justice of the Peace. 

He was first and foremost a teacher. He had a special 
gift for teaching the essentials. He so often said, "There 
must always be hewers of wood and carriers of water, 
and we must plan our teaching so that pupils in this 
category can be taught what they can use in life. The 
more brilliant pupils who would probably go out into the 
professions could follow any program but special care 
must be taken of the rank and file who make up most 
of America." 

He was an excellent teacher and superintendent and 
an exemplary citizen. 

MRS. C. L. VOLKERT 

Mrs. C. L. Volkert, nee Consuelo Joy Smith was born 
in West Point, Iowa. She moved with her parents, Mr. 
and Mrs. G. W. Smith to Columbia in 1906. She attended 
Columbia public and high schools and Southern Illinois 
and Illinois University. She became a teacher of English 
and commercial subjects in Columbia high school and 
taught there for six years. 

Mrs. Volkert was married to C. L. Volkert, son of 
Joseph J. and Barbara Volkert, nee Strassner. To them 
three children were born — Carroll Barbara (Mrs. George 
F. Vogt), J. L. Volkert and Margaret Volkert and eight 
grandchildren. 

Mr. Volkert, "Mr. Dips" to most people, was born in 
St. Louis, moving to Columbia with his family in 1909. He 
was employed at the Herman Rose Drug Store for several 
years, then worked at Dupo for the Missouri Pacific for 
eleven years, resigning to assume the position of linotype 
operator and pressman at the Columbia Star Office. He 
was an Illinois State Trooper under Governor Emmerson 
for about four years. After prohibition he operated a 
tavern known as the Old Mill Buffet at Locust and Rapp. 
In 1941, after the death of Charles Kern in an auto acci- 
dent, he became Chief of Police of Columbia, which posi- 
tion he now holds. 

The Volkert family were pioneers of Columbia, Chris- 
tian Volkert and his wife coming from Germany from 
Mai Komrr.en in the Rhine River region. They were 
vintners in the old country. The Strassner family came 
from Rheinpfalz, Germany, St. Martin-an der-Hardt. The 
two families met on the ship coming to America. 

"Mr. Dips's brother, Ralph, has served two terms as 
sheriff of Monroe County and now is assistant warden at 
Pontiac; his brother, Joseph J., is the City Clerk for Colum- 
bia and for a number of years was assessor and treasurer 
of Monroe county. His brother Elmer is foreman on the 
"Rip" track at Dupo and his brother August is the genial 
host of Monnie's Sportsman's Inn. 

Mr. Volkert served for two years with the A E F in 
World War I, being stationed at LeMans, France in the 
railroad yards for the duration and after the war. He 
holds a continuous 40 year membership in the American 
Legion serving as Commander several times. He is a 
member of Columbia Lodge No. 474 A. F. and A. M. 

Mr. Volkert's great-grandfather. Chris Trenberger of 
St. Louis was a cabinet maker of note. He operated a 
cabinet shop opposite the Old St. Louis Cathedral where 
he carved an altar and a beautiful Trenberger carved and 
embellished door for this church. The artistic bent of the 
family could probably be traced to this early forebear. 



THE RAUCH FAMILY 

Under the spreading chestnut tree 

The village smithy stands, 
The smith a mighty man was he 

With large and sinewy hands 
And the muscles of his brawny arms 
Are strong as iron bands. 

What a pity the young people of Columbia will 
never be able to see the old blacksmith shops of the 
days of yore, with their "mighty" men toiling over the 
forge or bending down to shoe the foot of some nervous 
horse. It was always a delight to pass by the blacksmith 
shop of William, Edmund and Joseph Rauch at Locust 
street, peek in the door and see these stalwart men at 
work, each garbed in a leather apron to repel the sparks 
from the forge. As you passed, all three welcomed young 
America in hearty booming voices. 

The father of these three Rauchs (Smoke, they were 
called, because Rauch means smoke in German), was 
Joseph Rauch, Sr. He was born in Wurzburg, Rhein Bayern 
or Bavaria July 4, 1840. When he was four years old his 
sisters came to America, to St. Louis, bringing Joseph, 
Sr. with them. He grew to manhood in St. Louis and 
then moved to Columbia when he was grown. In 1856 
he was apprenticed to Edward Victor Heiligstedt, who 
had a blacksmith shop in back of his grocery store, both 
located on Monroe Bank property. He was married to 
Louisa Schumacher, sister of Mrs. Charles Schneider (Mary 
Schumacher) and Henry Schumacher, who lived in the 
John Landgraf house. Three boys were born to them, 
the subjects of our sketch — William, Joseph and Ed- 
mund. These boys helped their father in the blacksmith 
business which later was moved to Locust and South 
Second streets. The Schmidts, father and two sons, Ar- 
thur and John were wagon makers and these two fami- 
lies merged into Schmidt and Rauch. They also sold agri- 
cultural implements. 

The father, Joseph, Sr. passed away April 25, 1899 at 
the age of 59. He had been a trustee of the village from 
1879-80; from 1881-85; from 1888-90 and 1891-94, and his 
passing left a void in Columbia civic circles. 

The boys carried on their father's work, being ma- 
chinists as well as smiths. Joseph worked at the Columbia 
Quarry and at the Columbia Star Mill and later started 
a tavern where Greatting's Market now is located. 

Joseph Sr. had been vitally interested in politics and 
took an active part in it. Following in his footsteps were 
Joseph Jr. and Edmund who also participated in civic, 
county, state and national politics. Joseph, Sr. was also 
a soldier in the Civil War and saw much action. William, 
the oldest brother was the backbone of the blacksmith 
business. He stayed in the business while the younger 
brothers branched out, Edmund to plumbing and machin- 
ist work and Joseph to the tavern. 

William Rauch was married to Emma Fiege, and four 
children were born to them: Ella, Elmer, both of Co- 
lumbia; Tillie and Adolph, the last two having passed 
away. 

Joseph, Jr, was married to Jennie Eichmueller and 
five children were born to them: Hilda (Mrs. Gustav 
Boemer); Edwin and Joseph, deceased; Alex of St. Louis 
and Lou (Mrs. John Kleyer) of Columbia. Mrs. Boemer 
has a son M. J. New. 

Edmund L. Rauch was married to Mrs. Lizzie Linde- 
mann on September 18, 1910. Mrs. Lindemann, a widow, 
was the former Lizzie Osick. She had one daughter, Em- 
ma Lindemann. Emma married the son of William Rauch, 
Elmer G. Rauch, and they have one son, William Edward. 

William Rauch was killed while on duty as a 
special policeman for the city on Labor Day, Sept. 1, 



1921 Traffic was heavy on thai day. a blinding rain 
storm raging, and an alarm of fire at the Columbia Quarry 
further complicated traffic, so Mr. Kauch went of his 
own accord to direct traffic at the corner of Main and 
Cherry. He was struck and killed by a car without lights, 
driven by a St Loula man. Surely that was devotion 
above and beyond the call ol duty on Mr, Rauch 

E. L. Rauch was elected trustee of the town from 
and city alderman from 1927-33. .He was also 
the City Superintendent of the LiKht Plant and manager 
of the Cahokia Telephone Company of Dupo. He was 
the President ol the Monroe National Bank for 30 years 
and has been connected with the bank as director for 39 
years He belongs to the Turners and is an honorary mem- 
ber of the Rotary Club. He is a member of United Church 
irist 

Elmer G. Rauch, E. L. Rauch's son-in-law and also 
his nephew, is employed as the East Side Agent of the 
St. Louis Southwestern (Cotton Belt) railroad. Elmer's 
son, William Edward, is employed at McDonnell Air- 
iraft Co. of St. Louis. 

MRS. GERARD J. DUNDON 

Mrs. Gerard J. Dundon, assistant secretary of the Cen- 
tennial committee, is the wife of Dr. Gerard J. A. Dundon 
oi Columbia. They have three children, Gerard J., Denis 
S and Margaret M. 

Mrs. Dundon was born in New York City, her parents 
being Thomas C. S. and Margaret T. McCalmont. 

She is a graduate of the St. Angela Hall Academy 
and Maxwell Teacher's College of New York. 

The Dundon family came to Prairie du Rocher where 
Dr. Dundon practised and later moved to Columbia in 1951. 

Mrs. Dundon is an amateur artist of great ability. 
always in demand for projects requiring art work, be- 
cause she gives so freely of her time and talents. She is 
also an organist of ability. 

She is a member of Immaculate Conception church, 
a member and past president of the Columbia Woman's 
Club. She is past president of the Diocesan Council of 
Catholic Women, Past President of the Legion Auxiliary. 
Joseph Park Post of Prairie du Rocher, Past Secretary of 
Bishop Zuroweste Circle, Daughters of Isabella and Past 
President of the Altar Society of St. Joseph's Parish. 

CHARLES J. GRUENINGER 

Charles J. Grueninger, son of Mrs. Ida Grueninger and 
the late Albert Grueninger was born in Columbia, Sept. 
21, 1911. He was married to Pearl C. Frierdich, the daugh- 
ter of Otto Frierdich and his wife nee Schallom. They 
have three children, Carl James, Mary Pearl and Marvin 
John. Carl James is in the service, in the Ordnance Divi- 
sion, stationed in Augsburg, Germany. Mary Pearl is one 
Miss Columbia candidates. She is a Junior at SS. 
Peter and Paul high school at Waterloo. Marvin also at- 
tends school. 

Mr. Grueninger is secretary and treasurer of the Co- 
lumbia Motors, Inc. on north Main Street, Thll I 
ing business was started in 1944 as a partnership by Wm. 
S. Haudrich and C. J. Grueninger. It was changed to a 
corporation in 1948 with the following members: Wm. S. 
Haudrich, Florence Haudrich, C. J. Grueninger and Pearl 
Grueninger. 

Mr. Grueninger is a member of the Immaculate Con- 
ception Church; the Knight! of Columbus Fourth 
Assembly of Waterloo, Illinois: the Holy Name & 
the Catholic Church; member and Past President Ol the 



Columbia Chamber of Commerce; member and dir 
the Columbia Rotary Club; member of Colum 
and Hickory Hollow 
tor of the Waterloo Country Club, director oi th 

National Bank in Columbia; I Illinois Auto 

Dealers Trade Assn.; a member of the National A,UtO 

i leali i ■ a- "■ ial Ion; president of the I luml 
Assn.; and a director oi the Columbia Centennial ' 
tlon, on which he s< i 
man. 

LEO A. WEILBACHER 

Leo A. Weilbacher is a member of the Board of Di- 
rectors of the Columbia Centennial Association, a member 
of the history committee and the chairman of the Miss 
Columbia contest. Mr. Weilbachcr's family tree is most 
interesting tracing back to the European Thirty-Year 
War 1618-48. The name "Weilbacher" v. as coined I 
during the Thirty-Year War his family erected a wall 
■Well-Wall) behind which the family found shelter, The 
whole of Europe was involved and In 1659 when a peace 
treaty was finally signed Germany was in ruins and the 
Holy Roman Empire a hollow shell. 

Leo A. Weilbacher was the son of Henry and Johanna 
Weilbacher, nee Mueller and the grandson of Fredaline 
and Bernadine Weilbacher, nee Platz. His great-k'rand- 
parents were John Weilbacher and Johanna Essig; his 
great-great-grandparents were Adolph Weilbacher, born 
in 1775 and his wife Katherine Westerburger from Amien, 
Germany or France as the fortunes of war dictated. 

Leo's grandmother was Bernadine Platz, daughter of 
Joseph Platz and his wife, nee Margaret Pfeffer. The Platz 
family lived on the Platz farm on the old road to Belle- 
ville. When Mr. and Mrs. Platz came to Columbia they 
first lived in an abandoned squatter's cabin near the 
present house. The Platz family picked a beautiful spot 
for their home under the shelter of the Bluff near a 
clear "spring of lasting water" which runs into Wamser's 
Creek. On the hill back of their cabin when they arrived 
was an Indian village, with their wigwams visible from 
their home. Mr. Platz and Peter Frierdich, a neighbor, 
had to leave their wives to go on foot on an important 
journey. While the men were gone the women were 
alone but the Indians were kind and regularly brought 
them game when they came to the spring to get water. 
The women broke rock for their homes from the soft 
sandstones cliffs in their back yard. The Platz house 
was not completed until 1850, as a tablet on the house 
indicates. It is still a beautiful house. A picture of it 
appears elsewhere in this book. 

Mr. Weilbacher is the president of Henry Weilbacher 
and Sons; vice president of the Viking Freight Lines; 
Sec.-Treas. of Drugmaster Inc. 

His wife, the former Lee Huhn, member of a promi- 
nent pioneer Belleville newspaper family, preced 
in death. He has three children: Arthur Of Columbia, 
Mary Elizabeth (wife Of Dr Donald Bandle) ol St Louis 
and Robert oi Cleveland, Ohio, and eighl grandchildren. 

Mr. Weilbacher Is a member of the ''olumbla Immac- 
ulate Conception Church, and an ardent worker i"r th< 
church and il has the honor ol 

being the first child christened in tl 

Church. 

He is a member of Important civic . hav- 

ed as Service Officer of the Colun bia 
Legion Post No, ."> v l for many yean He '• i 
the early president 

serving for a number oi years In thai He also 

Is a Past Command. 




~1 M 

■ « : ■ 



SB. 



HEID & SCHULER GENERAL STORE 



THE WASHINGTON SALOON 
MEAT MARKET BY G. A. ROHM 








ARNIN'S GENERAL STORE 



THE OLD WM. VOGT STORE 




1 




P. W. MILLER & SONS BLACKSMITH SHOP 



J. A. PFEFFER'S STORE 



76 



ARTHUR P. WINI. PRESIDENT OF THE COLUMBIA 
CENTENNIAL ASSOCIATION 

Arthur P. Wink, president of the Columbia Centennial 
Association is an active worker in civic, benevolent and 
church circles in Columbia and Monroe County. 

Mr. Wink was born in Columbia. September 1G, 1905. 
the son of Charles and Anna Marie Wink, nee Ferkel. His 
birthplace was the Rock House on the corner of South 
Rapp and Jefferson streets. This stone cottage recalls 18th 
century small homes in Germany. It is built of native 
limestone, beautifully cut by Columbia artisans. It is well 
over 100 years old. and was the family home of Mr. 
Winks grandfather. Nicholaus Ferkel. Mr. Ferkel had 
emigrated to Columbia from Gimmelding. Neu Staadt-an. 
der-Haardt. Germany. The paternal grandsire, Carl Wink, 
also came from Germany. 

Mr. Wink's family moved to a farm south of Colum- 
bia when he was three years old. Mr. Wink received his 
education at the Shoemaker School, which was built in 
1867-8 by Fred Koch of Columbia at a cost of $800. This 
school is now a part of Columbia Community District 4. 
Farm life then was without present day refinements, 
and country' homes were without electric lights, an un- 
heard of thing today. 

Mr. Wink attended Columbia Community High School 
and later completed business school and accounting 
courses. 

He worked briefly in the Waterloo oil fields in 1920; 
and as a bookkeeper for Winmark Mercantile Co. of St. 
Louis. They sold principally on time payment, an innova- 
tion at that time, but which now has become a way of 
life of the American people. 

Shortly after the Columbia Farmers Cooperative was 
organized, now the Mon-Clair Grain and Supply Company, 
in 1925. Mr. Wink was employed by the Co-op for $12 a 
week. He progressed rapidly and by 1936 became as- 
sistant manager of the cooperative. 

In September of 1936 Fate tapped him on the shoul- 
der for advancement. He was appointed cashier of the 
Monroe County Savings Bank and Trust Company, now 
converted to the Monroe National Bank. Footings in the 
bank then were in the neighborhood of $700,000; in Jan- 
uary of 1959 nearly nine times that modest figure or 
S6.0O 

'.'ink is presently president of the 

:! Bank, member of the Board of Directors; Treasurer 

of the Chamber of Commerce; President of the Monroe 

ird of School Trustees; Treasurer of Monroe 

County Fair Association; and Vice President of the A 

ury Committee of Monroe County Department of Welfare. 

In the past he served as President of St. Paul 
Chu: and also the Brotherhood; Treasurer of 

the C -nbia: Treasurer of St. Paul Cen 

Columbia Gymnastic Association and Columbia B 
Club lent and President of the Rotary Club: 

Bankers' Association and Monroe 
County Chapter Red Cross; Vice Presidi nt of Columbia 
Chamber of Commerce and Columbia Gymnas' 

:ent Monroe County Chapter Khoury League 
Baseball Association and Chairman of Monroe County U. S. 
Savings Bonds. 

Wink is the former Ella R. Kruse. daughter of 
the late Fred Kruse and his wife. Emma. Mr. and 
Wink have two daughters. Ethel Mae and Carol All are 
members of the United Church of Christ 

With this impof icnts. Columbia is 

fortunate to ha- '•"■<? Centen- 



nial Association. His experience in dealing with people and 
affairs of magnitude make him well fitted fur the position. 
Equally vital to the planning of the Centennial was 
the efficiency of the committee which served under him. 

DR. FRANK L. EVERSULL 

Dr. Frank L. Eversull was brought up in East St. Louis, 
Illinois, where he received his elementary and secondary 
education. He received the degrees of Bachelor of Ph. 
ophy and Master of Arts from the University of Chicago, 
and the degree of Doctor of Philosophy from Yale Univer. 
sity. Subsequently he was honored by Marietta College 
with the degree of Doctor of Divinity, and Elon College 
with the degree of Doctor of Law. He has done work in 
Washington University. McCormick Theological Seminary, 
and other institutions. He married the for: l ired 

Briegel of Columbia, and they have one daughter, 
Evelyn Gustafson and one son, John. 

He still has his residence in Columbia, Illinois 
he was principal of the high school 1913-1016. From 1916 
Jl he was principal of the high school at Troy. At 
the same time he finished his work in theology and 
ordained there by Alton Presbytery in May 1917. h terved 
as pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Troy. In I min- 
istry he has served as assistant pastor of the Second Pres- 
byterian Church in Chicago, pastor of St. Mark's E: 
Lutheran Church. Compton Hill Congregational Church, 
and Peter's Memorial Presbyterian Church in St. I. 
and the First Congregational Church in Fargo, North Da- 
After leaving Troy, Illinois for graduate work at the 
University of Chicago, he was principal of the Woodward 
School in St. Louis, 1922-28; principal of the East St. Louis 
High School, 1928-33; instructor in education at Yale 
versity, 1933-34; President of Huron College, Huron Soutl: 
Dakota, 1934-38; President of North Dakota Agricul 
College. 1938-1946. He left there to enter American Mili- 
tary Government and was sent to Korea where he .<• 
as Chief of Colleges and Teachers C '1-1948 The 

next year he spent on the lecture platform, then enl 
Washington University where he was full professor in 
guidance, higher education, and comparative 
He conducted his own radio program — The Date Lil 
W I B V for more than two years. 

Dr. Eversull was selected as a distinguished graduate 
of the University of Chicago, June 8. 19e 
ated by King CI Denmark. M 

mnselor b> 
rial Guidance Associatl iring 

the summi 

international Seminar at Aarhus. Denmark. H 
an Elector in the Hall of Fame since 1936 and 
of the America) n for the A 

Science. By appointment of the I 

outhern Win 
sity an : l the Board. 

Ity is Sigma Alpha Epsilon. In 

Phi Kappa Phi, and Kappa 

"Who's Wl '"> 'n 

American Edu. 

. and "International Di 
ii.- was full professor a1 VI 
.is the full-' 
rtan Church of BeUevule, Illin 

Uni- 
■ 



MRS. BERTHA MARIE ARNIN SCHOENING 

Mrs. Bertha Marie Arnin Schoening is a member of the 
Centennial History Committee. She is the daughter of 
Joseph M. Arnin and his wife, nee Elise Kupferschmidt. 
Mrs. Schoening was born in Columbia as was her father. 
Her mother was born in St. Louis. Her paternal grand- 
father was John Arnin and her paternal grandmother nee 
Anna Harmacek. Her maternal grandparents were Philip 
Kupferschmidt and his wife, Catherine, nee Braun. Both 
grandfathers came from Baden, Germany while Grandma 
Kupferschmidt came from Alsace-Lorraine and Grandma 
Arnin from Mechlin, Austria. They all came to this coun- 
try in the 1850's and 1860's. 

Bertha Arnin was married to Arthur Schoening, whose 
father owned the old Columbia Star Mill and was inter- 
ested in many other Columbia enterprises. They have one 
son, Everett William Schoening, who is the consul at the 
United States Consulate at Calgary, Alberta, Canada. He 
served with honor and distinction in similar capacities 
(although his position was not so named) in Germany 
during and after World War II. His wife is the former 
June Crittenden of Columbia. 

The Arnin family conducted a general store here for 
many years. Mr. Arnin served as postmaster for many 
years, as did Mrs. Schoening's brother, Arthur Arnin. An- 
other brother. Harry, is the husband of the former Bertha 
Kunz, and he was also prominent in early Columbia. A 
sister, Olivia Arnin, lives with Mrs. Schoening, and also 
Mr. Arnin's sister, Louisa Arnin (Aunt Lou to everyone). 
Another sister, Mrs. Edwin Kueffner, nee Florence Arnin 
lives at Granite City. 

Mrs. Schoening is a member of St. Paul United Church 
of Christ. She helps in many church activities, the Wo- 
men's Guild, Sewing Circle of which she is secretary-treas- 
urer; teacher in the Junior Department of the Sunday 
School and member of the Fidesta Bible Class. 

She is a Charter member of Monroe Chapter No. 597 
Order of the Eastern Star, having been a member for over 
52 years, and serving as secretary of this organization for 
50 years, serving every year except two of the Chapter's 
existence. She was Worthy Matron for three years during 
191S-19-20. 

WALTER F. GIFFHORN 

Walter F. Giffhorn is a member of the Board of Direc- 
tors of the Columbia Centennial Association and also of 
the Historical committee. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. 
William Giffhorn. His maternal grandparents were Mr. 
and Mrs Wm. Kremmel, Sr., who came here from Switzer- 
land. Mr. Kremmel was a Columbia saddler for many 
years. Walter's paternal grandparents were Mr. and Mrs. 
Hy. Giffhorn. Mr. Giffhorn was a farmer. An uncle, Henry 
Giffhorn, was a popular county commissioner for many 
years. The elder Giffhorns came here from Germany. 

Mrs. Giffhorn was the daughter of Wm. Reichenbach 
and his wife nee Eckert. Her grandparents were Mr. and 
Mrs. Heinrig Reichenbach, Sr., who operated a shoemak- 
ing establishment. He made shoes by hand and his wife 
went to Carondelet, Mo. by ferry and sold the shoes for 
him. Later he operated a tavern which is now Eberhard's. 
The Reichenbachs came from Germany. Henry Reichen- 
bach, Jr., for many years was secretary of the Turnverein 
and his beautiful German records are a joy to behold. The 
Giffhorns have one son, Walter, Jr. 

Mr. and Mrs. Giffhorn are members of St. Paul United 
Church of Christ. He is a member of St. Paul's Brother- 
hood Mr. Giffhorn is with the Southwestern Railroad as 
Commercial agent. He belongs to the Traffic Club of St. 
Louis and the Little Egyptian Traffic Club. 



MRS. RAYMOND F. KREMMEL 

Mrs. Raymond F. Kremmel, nee Laura M. Schnell, a 
member of the Board of Directors of the Centennial Asso- 
ciation, and also in charge of the volunteer service for the 
Centennial, was born at Waterloo, the daughter of Mr. and 
Mrs. Lorenz Schnell. Mrs. Kremmel attended school at Val- 
meyer. She was also a graduate of Summers College of 
Commerce at East St. Louis. 

The Schnell family moved to Columbia and Mrs. 
Kremmel took a position with Henry Weilbacher and Sons 
in 1926 doing clerical work. In 1933 she was appointed 
buyer and manager in the ladies' ready-to-wear depart- 
ment in the same store. Until her retirement her entire 
business experience was with the Weilbacher Store, where 
she was employed for 26 ^ years. 

Mrs. Kremmel is a member of St. Paul United Church 
of Christ and has given many years of service to the 
church. She served as secretary of the Sunday School 
twenty-one years and as assistant secretary for nine years, 
and also as secretary of the Board of Christian Education. 
She served as a member of the church Consistory for three 
years and is also a member of the Women's Guild. 

She has also given years of work to the American Le- 
gion and is at present head of the American Legion Aux- 
iliary Unit No. 581, after serving as first and second vice 
president. She has served as Sergeant-at-arms of the St. 
Clair-Monroe County Council and is at present the chap- 
lain of that organization. In addition to this she is the 
president of St. Clair County Lodge 163, Auxiliary to the 
Brotherhood of Railway Carmen of America. 



MISS ERNESTINE C. SMITH 

Miss Ernestine C. Smith, daughter of George W. Smith 
and his wife, Kate Rose, nee Carroll was born in Chicago, 
Illinois. The family moved to West Point, Iowa, where her 
father started a country newspaper, the West Point Bee. 
The family, Mr. and Mrs. Smith and the two daughters, 
Ernestine and Consuelo, moved to Columbia in May of 
1906, where they started the newspaper, the Columbia 
Star, which was later sold to Roy Conrad, the present 
owner. Ernestine attended the public school at West Point 
and later St. Mary's Catholic School and high school there. 

Her paternal grandparents George Schmitt and his 
wife, Caroline, nee Zweig came by sailing vessel from 
Nuremberg, Bavaria and Westphalia, settling at Sugar 
Loaf. Her maternal grandparents, Martin Carroll, and his 
wife Rose, nee Murphy came from County Cork, Ireland 
to Vermont where they farmed. Later they moved to Mil- 
waukee and Martin Carroll became Milwaukee's first 
mayor. Democratic politics ran in the family for a cousin 
Martin Kennelly, served as mayor of Chicago. 

The subject is a graduate of Summers College of Com- 
merce, and later taught at the East St. Louis, CollinsvUle 
and Granite City branch schools of Summers. 

At the death of her father Ernestine became the edi- 
tor of the Columbia Star with her sister Consuelo, publish- 
er and her husband, C. L. Volkert, linotype operator and 
pressman. 

The subject served for seven years as Fiscal Supervis- 
or and head of publicity in the Department of Registra- 
tion and Education in Springfield, 111. For five years she 
was the librarian and councilor of the Christian Welfare 
Hospital School of Nursing at East St. Louis. At present 
she is head of the Control Room at the Municipal Building 
here. 



78 





COLUMBIA QUARRY CO. PICNIC 



SURREY WITH THE FRINGE ON THE TOP 





TURNING SCHOOL 



1892 CHAMPIONS 








THE M. & O. LEAGUERS 



OLD BALL DIAMOND 



HERBERT C SCHUELER 

Herbert C. Schueler was born at Columbia, the son of 
William Schueler and his wife nee Ida Oerter. He was 
married to Miss Leola Ludwig, daughter of Philip Ludwig 
and his wife Anna, nee Naumann. This union was blessed 
with one daughter, Wendy Lou. 

Mr. Schueler attended the Columbia public school and 
graduated from the Columbia High School. He attended 
the David Rankin Trade School, taking Architectural 
Drafting and Construction Technique at night school. He 
studied with the Chicago Technical College by correspon- 
dence, taking estimating and construction. While with the 
U. S. Army in France he attended the Biaritz American 
University, Biaritz, France, taking courses relating to con- 
struction. 

Mr. Schueler is a general contractor with Schueler 
Brothers, Contractors and Builders, Inc. He is president of 
the Monroe Building and Supply Co., president of Colum- 
bia Development Co., Inc., and director of Schueler Bros. 
Inc., Credit Union. 

Monroe Building and Supply Co. started in 1952. Offi- 
cers were Herbert Schueler, president; William Schueler, 
vice president; Clarence Schueler, secretary-treasurer. 
They procured buildings from Jefferson Barracks and cut 
them down in sections, transported them to Columbia and 
set them up for lumber storage. 

Schueler Bros. Contractors and Builders was organized 
in 1921 with William Schueler head of the organization. 
In 1938 Clarence Schueler came into the business and in 
1940 Herbert Schueler joined it and the name was changed 
to William Schueler and Sons. 

During World War II when both boys were in the 
service and there was a scarcity of building materials a 
brief interruption in business was necessary. But after the 
return of the boys after the war the two boys carried on 
the business, with the senior partner dropping out. The 
firm became Schueler Bros., Contractors and Builders until 
1959, when the partnership was incorporated. 

Herbert Schueler is president of this incorporation; 
William Schueler, vice president and Clarence Schueler, 
secretary and treasurer. 

Mr. Schueler is a member of the Centennial Associa- 
tion committee, relating to Concessions and Rides. 

He belongs to Columbia Post 581 American Legion, 
and is also a member of the Legion Drill Team. 

He is a member of St. Paul United Church of Christ, an 
elder in the church and president of St. Paul Cemetery 
Association. 

MILDRED LUCILLE BRIEGEL EVERSULL 

Mildred Lucille Briegel was born in Columbia, the 
daughter of Rudolph Briegel and his wife, Pauline, nee 
Stein. She attended the public school in Columbia where 
her father was for many years a teacher, and later suc- 
ceeded E. T. Weible as Superintendent of Schools. She 
graduated from the eighth grade and high school here, 
being a member of the first four year high school gradu- 
ating class. She attended Harris' Teachers College at St. 
Louis in the summer and in 1918 was married to Frank L. 
Eversull who taught in the Columbia high school from 
1913 to 1916. She taught in the public school system of 
Columbia for a short time. 

After the Eversulls moved to Troy, Illinois, Mrs. Ever- 
sull taught typing and stenography in the high school 
there. She attended the University of Chicago, and later 
when the Eversulls moved to St. Louis she joined the Ca- 
rondelet Women's Club and later served as its president. 
She initiated a woman's choral group in the Wednesday 
Club when they moved to East St. Louis. 



She is a graduate of the Kroeger School of Music at 
St. Louis. When Dr. Eversull attended Yale University Mil- 
dred took extension courses there. At Huron, South Dako- 
ta she was active in the Faculty Woman's Club and the 
Federated Women's Clubs. She also took college courses 
at Huron, gathering her credits, and graduating with the 
degree of Bachelor of Science at the North Dakota State 
Teachers' College at Fargo, North Dakota. There she 
taught in the Army Administration School which was on 
campus at the State School. She has done grade and high 
school teaching all during her married life. She has taken 
courses at Washington University at St. Louis. A writer, 
particularly of foreign travel, for she has taken three trips 
abroad; and a writer of fiction, for she is a member of the 
National League of American Penwomen. She is President 
of the McKendree Writers Association. 

Her sororities are Phi Kappa Phi, an honor society; 
Pi Gamma Mu, an honorary social science sorority. 

As wife of the pastor of the First Presbyterian Church 
at Belleville she has been very active in church work. 

The Eversulls have reared two children, Evelyn, the 
wife of Sanfred Gustafson. Their son John is a full Colo- 
nel in the U. S. Air Force. 

The Eversulls live in Mrs. Eversull's parental home at 
620 N. Metter, Columbia. 

She is chairman of the Women's Group in the fund 
raising campaign of the Memorial Hospital at Belleville. 
She is also much in demand as a public speaker and a 
book reviewer. 

JOHN S. DIVERS 

John S. Divers, a member of the Centennial History 
Committee, operates a farm in the American Bottom. 
Part of the land he farms was a land grant in 1848 
under President James Polk to James L. D. Morrison. It 
was later acquired by his grandfather, George Divers, 
who was an influential citizen and large land owner in 
old Columbia. 

John S. Divers, "Jack" as he is better known to Co- 
lumbians, was born in South Bend, Indiana, but came 
to Columbia as a small boy. His parents were John S. 
and Nettie Divers. 

His great-grandfather, John Salathiel Divers came to 
Monroe County in the 1820's from Maryland. The home 
now occupied by the Roy Stumpf family was reputedly 
the first Divers home. The home known as the Delaney 
home has been in the Divers family since 1862 (a Divers 
daughter, Addie, was married to John Delaney - — hence 
the name, Delaney home). It was purchased by George 
Divers in 1862. Records show that it was built before 1857. 

An interesting look into the days of yore comes in 
a little slip of paper 5x8 inches, the last "free" paper 
found in the Court House at Waterloo. It sets forth the 
following: "Mr. Wm. O'Melveny The bearer hereof, Susan 
Battiste, has been raised by me and has served her time 
out and is now of age and is entitled to her free papers. 
April 22, 1847 John Divers". This paper was never made 
a matter of record. 

George Divers was the mayor of Columbia for seven 
years. He also served four terms as Town Trustee. 

Mrs. "Jack" Divers, nee Clara Lieser, was born in Co- 
lumbia, a daughter of Charles and Mathilda Lieser, also 
early settlers of Columbia. Mrs. Divers' great-grandfather, 
Christian Lieser, migrated from Germany to Belleville 
and then Columbia in the early 1850's. They settled on a 
farm near the southern part of Columbia which is now 
owned by the Lowell Andrew family. There Mrs. Divers' 
father was born, and after he was married he and his 
family lived until the place was sold. Mr. Lieser serv- 
ed for many years as District road commissioner, ren- 



dering valuable service. Mr. Lieser was the last Com- 
mander of the Sons of Cnlon Veterans organization. 
From December 1, 1906 to March 31. 1918 Mr. Lieser was 
the rural route carrier on route 2. Those were the days 
when roads were quagmires and it took a bit of doing 
to get through with the mail. Mr. Lieser was active in 
the Columbia Commercial Club and the Turners for many 
years. 

The Liesers ha've three daughters. Mrs. Edward Lude, 
secretary - for the A F. Weinel Lumber Co. for many years 
and also the Building and Loan Association; Mrs. Ray 
Ramsey, wife of a prominent Bottom farmer and Mrs. 
Jack Divers. 

Mr. and Mrs. Divers are both graduates of the Co- 
lumbia High School, class of 19^6. They are both active 
members of the United Church of Christ, members of its 
auxiliary organizations, counsellors of the Youth Fellow- 
ship, and both teach in the Sunday school. 

They have two sons. Wesson C. Divers and Donald A 
Divers. 

MRS. DOROTHY EPPINGER 

Mrs Dorothy Weinel Eppinger, widow of Frank Ep- 
pinger, is the daughter of Ernst A. Weinel and his wife 
Mollie, nee Schubert. Her paternal grandparents were 
August F. Weinel and Bertha Grosse Weinel, early resi- 
dents of Columbia. The Weinels came from Germany; her 
mother's people came from Wheeling, West Virginia. She 
received her education in Columbia's grade and high 
school. 

She is a member of the St. Paul United Church of 
Christ and is the director of the GirLs' Choir. The posses- 
sor of a fine well-trained voice, she thoroughly enjoys her 
work as choir director. 

She is a member of the Monroe Chapter Order of the 
Eastern Star, serving as Past Matron and present treasur- 
er. She is a member of the Mission Shrine Order of the 
White Shrine of Jerusalem and a Past Worthy High Priest- 
ess. She is a Guardian of Job's Daughters Bethel 65; a 
member and Past President of the Columbia Woman's Club 
and a Director of the Belleville Memorial Hospital Auxili- 
ary'- She is serving as treasurer of the Columbia Centennial 
Association at present and is also Historic Homes Chair- 
man for the Centennial. 

She is the Cashier of the First National Bank in Co- 
lumbia. Illinois. 

Mrs. Dorothy Weinel Eppinger, Chairman of Historical 
Homes, reports that Columbia has many homes which 
are one hundred years old or older, and show the sturdy 
construction practiced by our forefathers. The early 
settlers came overland from Maryland. Virginia and Ken- 
tucky or by river from New Orleans, hence the houses 
show a varied type of architecture. 

The grill work, which unfortunately has all disap- 
peared, shows the Spanish influence; the Colonial col- 
umns and Gothic doorways the eastern and southern in- 
fluence. 

The houses in the South end of town are all built 
on the front edge of the property, to allow more space 
in the back for gardens — this showing the German 
conservativeness. 

One thing they have in common — the walls are 
about two feet thick, which accounts for the fact that 
they are still tenable and in good condition. 

These houses will be appropriately marked for the 
Centennial. 



JACOB LUDWIG. COLUMBIA'S OLDEST CITIZEN 

Jacob Ludwig, 94. lives in Columbia and Is our 
citizen. He is a familiar figure on Columbia streets — ac- 
tive In mind and body. He still works occasionally, and 
pays a dally visit to his sister, Mrs. Anna Wright He mi 
married to Miss Emma Mund. member of a pion- 
Hanover family. She passed away some years ago. Fath- 
er Ludwig makes his home with his sons. Theodore Lud- 
wig, retired, and his other son. Phillip Ludwig. 

Theodore Ludwig and his wife. Ida, nee Wilde, have 
four daughters: Mrs. Harold Schnell (Evelyn*. Mrs. Earl 
Schaefer (Mabel), Mrs. Harvey Taake (Ethel) and Mrs. 
Gene Henckler (Marguerite). 

For 37 years Theodore Ludwig worked for Monsanto 
Chemical Co. at Monsanto, retiring in 1957. 

Another son. Phillip, was the dean of aldermen of the 
City of Columbia, serving continuously for twenty-six 
years and as City Clerk for four years. Because of 111 
health he recently retired. Phillip married the former Miss 
Anna Naumann. They have four children: Hawert. a ma- 
chinist at Columbia Quarry Co.; Wilbur, employed at 
Kruse Chevrolet Co.; Clifford, employed at the Luhr Con- 
struction Co.; and Leola, wife of Herbert Schueler. 

Columbia was Mr. Ludwig's adopted city for the Lud- 
wigs came here from New Hanover — picturesque New 
Hanover, so named because German immigrants came 
there from Hanover, Germany in 1835. The village was 
established in 1794 by Jacob Tchudy who came here frorn 
Switzerland, and was one of the county's first settler?. 
New Hanover had the distinction of having an overshot 
water mill, the first in Monroe County. 

MISS JOSEPHINE BURROUGHS 

When George Rogers Clark came to Cahokia, the 
Johnstons of Virginia came with him. Miss Burroughs' 
mother was a Johnston. The Johnstons went to St. Louis, 
and were joined there by Miss Burroughs' grandmother, 
Mrs. Margaret Van Arsoll. The Van Arsoll family emigrat- 
ed to New York, then to Ohio then Pennsylvania and then 
to St. Louis. 

Miss Burroughs' sister was Louella Burroughs who 
married Joshua Wilson, who was a son of John H. Wilson. 
Miss Burroughs is the owner of the Wilson house which 
is believed to be about 140 years old. The original part of 
the house is in the back, and it remains largely the same 
as when it was built. The front part of it was planned by 
an architect friend of John H. Wilson from Boston, Mas- 
sachusetts, who came to visit the Wilson family when he 
was en route to California. 

He became so interested in planning the house and 
supervising the construction that he stayed for a year 
until it was completed. 

It is almost as it was when it was built, with the ex- 
ception of modernization, and is a landmark of beauty 
and of historical significance, linking the days of the early 
pioneers with the later German settlers. 

Mrs. John H. Wilson, nee Sarah Morgan, was a daugh- 
ter of Major Edward Morgan, noted Indian fighter, who 
was In a Brigade of Mounted Volunteer! In the War of 
1812. The home place of the Edward Morgans was the 
George Glaenzer farm. 

Burroughs for many years was a beloved teacher 
In the East St. Louis school system, and many of !;• 
er pupils come to visit her even now. 

Social life in Columbia in those days gone by Is re- 
membered by Miss Burroughs. Friends of the Wilson fam- 
ily were the Divers, the Morgans, the Waddles, and the 
Warnocks. and there was a gay social whirl amon^ 
ploneer settlers. 



n 



THE HENRY PAYNE FARM HOME 

The Henry Payne farm home on R.F.D. No. 1, of Co- 
lumbia, is among one of the most interesting of the 
old houses in the neighborhood of Columbia. It is one 
of the few original log houses still standing and is still 
in use by the Payne family. It is estimated to be between 
130 and 140 years old. 

Originally it was a one room pioneer home, with a 
fireplace, which served for warmth and for cooking. Later 
on through the years more room was added, but the 
construction of the original part remains the same as the 
day it was erected, including the fireplace chimney. The 
fireplace, however, has been closed in. 

It is situated on a spring of lasting water which the 
pioneers always looked for when they built. 

The history of the claim is interesting. On January 
18, 1818 Edward Wilson acquired 265 acres by patent 
from the United States; on August 13, 1827 Edward Wilson 
conveyed 164 acres to his brother, Otho; in 1850 Otho 
died and Anthony N. Payne acquired 32 acres on the site 
upon which the Payne house is located. In 1855 Anthony 
Payne transferred the land to his wife Nancy, nee Wilson. 

Nancy Wilson was the daughter of Otho Wilson and 
his wife Elizabeth, nee Biggs. The Otho Wilsons lived 
on Section 7, \k miles northwest of Columbia, near Scipio 
Beaird's claim. Nancy's sisters and brothers were Zeborah, 
Edward, William and Sarah. 

The Wilson family came originally from Maryland, 
then moved to Kentucky, and about 1800 came to the 
State of Illinois. There were three brothers: Otho, Edward 
and William. 

Nancy's father, Otho, served in the War of 1812 and 
in the Black Hawk War. 

Nancy Wilson married James Hudson, who came to 
this area from Kentucky in 1821, and it is entirely plau- 
sible that the Payne house was built at that time or be- 
fore. On March 21, 1849 Mr. Hudson died. 

Nancy's second husband was Anthony N. Payne who 
came to Columbia from Tennessee in 1835. Mr. Payne 
died on May 11, 1879 and Mrs. Payne probably came to 
Columbia to live. She lived in a small house where Mrs. 
Bert Divers' property now is situated. In another part of 
this house lived Mrs. Phoebe Hewitt. Mrs. Payne and 
Mrs. Hewitt had probably been neighbors on the farm, 
for in the F. W. Weinel abstract appear the names of 
Franklin and Lucy Hewitt, and the Weinel home is in 
the neighborhood of the Payne farm. 

The two old gentlewomen sat on the front porch 
of their home and were joined by Mrs. Palmier, who lived 
in the two-story house next to Al's Cleaners. These 
three were called affectionately by relatives and friends 
alike, "Granny" Payne, "Granny" Hewitt and "Granny" 
Palmier 'pronounced pal-me-er). 

On warm summer afternoons these three lovely old 
ladies rocked contentedly in their high backed rocking 
chairs and smoked their clay pipes, recalling the joys and 
sorrows of pioneer days the while. 

Word went out when they were smoking their pipes, 
and little boys and girls of German ancestry, unaccustom- 
ed to the Southern custom of women smoking pipes, 
found excuses to go past the house and furtively watch 
the old ladies. 

Nancy and Anthony Payne were Henry Payne's grand- 
parents; Robert and Raymond Payne's great-grand-parents 



and Allan Joel, son of Raymond Payne's, now in the serv- 
ice, great-great- grandparents. 

The Payne homestead was the birthplace of Ed- 
ward Payne, Henry Payne's father; also the birth-place 
of a step-brother, John; and a brother, George; also of 
Henry Payne and his son Robert. 

Mrs. Henry Payne, the former Emily Lepp, is also a 
member of an old Columbia family, the Lepp family com- 
ing here from Hecker, Illinois during the German immi- 
gration period. 

For the information on the real estate we are in- 
debted to Arthur Rueck, Circuit Clerk and Robert Gardner, 
County Surveyor, who gleaned the information from the 
American Papers in the Court House. 

CAMP NO. 5. ROYAL NEIGHBORS OF AMERICA 

Camp No. 5, Royal Neighbors of America was in- 
stituted on December 17, 1897 at the old Masonic Hall 
Building. 

The first officers were: Oracle, Mary V. Lemen, Past 
Oracle, Frances Brandt, Vice Oracle, Katie Bersche, Chan- 
cellor, May R. Johnson, Marshal Cora Johnson, Recorder, 
Maggie Urmey, Receiver, Lizzetha Ritter, Inner Sentinel, 
Magdelene Kalowsky, Outer Sentinel, Mary Kraus. Man- 
agers were Addie Tolin, N. J. Urmey and Fannie Divers; 
Physician, Dr. Wm. Rose. 

The Royal Neighbors are a benevolent and protect- 
ive organization. The organization now has a membership 
of 63 adult and 10 juvenile — a total of 73. 

They meet the second Thursday of the month at the 
Municipal Building Auditorium. 

Present officers are: Oracle, Elizabeth Rehg, Past 
Oracle, Bertha Haberlah, Vice Oracle, Elsie Phelps, Chan- 
cellor, Stella Tunze, Recorder, Esther Stumpf, Receiver 
Alvina Giffhorn, Marshal, Ella Jahr, Asst. Marshal, Laura 
Haberlah, Inner Sentinel, Lillie Ludwig, Outer Sentinel, 
Frances Laub, Managers, Dorothea Lark and Fronia 
Heise, Musician, Ernestine Smith, Flag Bearer, Elizabeth 
Karger. 

D. O. H. GERMAN ORDER OF HARUGARI 

Columbia Lodge, No. 379, D. O. H., German Order of 
Harugari, was organized June 28, 1875. The D. O. H. was 
first founded by twelve honorable German citizens in 
New York March 9, 1847, and organized in the State of 
Illinois in 1849. 

The object of the order was to organize a secret so- 
ciety with a ritualistic lodge system, to maintain and 
propagate the German language wherever the order 
exists, and to practice charity, mutual assistance and 
social intercourse among its members. The principles of 
the order are Friendship, Love and Humanity. 

Many Columbians were members, among them, Mr. 
Wm. Haberlah, who was an enthusiastic member, as was 
his father, Ferdinand Haberlah, Henry Haberlah, son of 
Wm. Haberlah is now the remaining member of Colum- 
bia Lodge. 

On September 6 and 7, 1920, Columbia was honored 
in having the convention of the Grand Lodge of Illinois 
held in this city. Mr. Wm. Haberlah served as Deputy- 
Gross Barde. He received the highest honor in being 
elected Gross-Barde of the D. O. H., Deutscher Orden of 
Harugari of the State of Illinois and faithfully served 
from 1922 to 1924. 



82 



STEWART McKEE 

1859-61 

1862-63 
LAFAYETTE WARNOCK 

1863-64 

1866-67 
JOHN GUNDLACH 

1S65-66 

1867-69 
GEORGE DIVERS 

1872-73 

18!^ 

1888-91 

1895-97 
JACOB LOT2 

1876-81 

1885-86 

1891-92 
JOHN B. SCHMIDT 

1886-87 
CHARLES LOT2 

JAMES WARNOCK 
1898-1903 



Heads of Government in Columbia 

MAYORS OF THE TOWN OF COLUMBIA 18S9-1903 
MAYORS OF THE VILLAGE OF COLUMBIA 1903-1927 
MAYORS OF THE CITY OF COLUMBIA 1927-1959 
TOWN APPROVED FEBRUARY 19. 1859 
VILLAGE OCTOBER 3. 1903 
CITY MARCH 22. 1927 

There were eighteen mayors who served Columbia 
over a period of 100 years. 

JOHN McKEE 

1861-62 
S. M. BEA1RD 

1864-65 

1869-70 
JOHN T. ANGERER 

1870-72 

1873-75 
AUGUST F. WEINEL 

1875-76 
JOHN A. PFEFFER 

1881-82 

1887-88 
HENRY J. KUNZ. SR. 

1892-93 
CHARLES PEPPERNI 

1893-94 

1897-98 
H. N. KUNZ 

1904-09 
FRED G. RAPP 

1909-1933 
ALBERT C, METTER 

1933-59 (inclusive) 



IF "fipsr* 



fififil 7 ' & 




, HL Unlol 



)ME OF JOSEPH AND MARGARET PLATZ. NEE PFEFFER 
83 




ySfiFTT* 



f/^ 



THE ADELHEID LUHR HOME 



Examples of Modern Architecture in Columbia 




MZr% & 



?«» 



*»**\ 



<**% '^^i, 




A VIEW OF THE GIFFHORN SUBDIVISION 




THE MRS. H. J. FRIERDICH HOME 




THE DUNDON HOME 



84 




JEFFERSON BARRACKS BRIDGE 

Of historic interest as well as practical value is the 
Jefferson Barracks bridge. It crosses the Mississippi just 
south of Jefferson Barracks on the Missouri side to Co- 
lumbia precinct in Monroe county on the Illinois side, 
connecting with Illinois route 3 just north of Columbia. 

It was officially opened to traffic on December 9, 1944, 
under the sponsorship of the Jefferson Barracks Bridge 
Association with Governors Forrest C. Donnell of Missouri 
and Dwight H. Green of Illinois participating as principal 
speakers. In this two state dedicatory ceremony Miss 
Paula Marie Waldemer, Bridge Queen of Missouri, daugh- 
ter of Alfred C. Waldemer of St. Louis, President of the 
Bridge Association, and Miss Florence E. Metter, Bridge 
Queen of Illinois, daughter of Mayor Albert C. Metter of 
Columbia, First Vice-President of the Bridge Association, 
were selected to cut the ribbon which officially opened 
the bridge to traffic. 

It is a cantilever type, highway toll bridge, 3626 feet 



long, costing $2,600,000. It was financed by revenui 
issued by the St. Louis county court. 11 is planned to 
make it a toll free bridge late this year — 1959, when 
the bonds pay out. It affords Columbians and traffic 
generally, a short route to south St. Louis and Lindbergh 
boulevard, or as it is now known, the St. Louis Outer-Belt 
Highway. 

In naming the bridge, honor was paid to a great presi- 
dent, Thomas Jefferson and an historic army post which 
was established by the War Department in UK 

Columbia businessmen and civic leaders who served 
on the original Lindbergh Bridge Association and its suc- 
cessor the Jefferson Barracks Bridge Association and took 
an active part in sponsoring the promotion, location, con- 
struction, and later the operation thereof were: Clarence 
A. Hacker, Albert C. Metter, Fred G. Rapp, Edmund L. 
Rauch and Leo A. Weilbacher. Sr. The pr. it 
board includes: Walter F. Rapp and Arthur P. Wink of Co- 
lumbia. 




At the Dedication of Jefferson Barrack nt row ■ 

C Mett< r. Paula Walcl. 

Metter llaberl. Second row icher, J. 

F. Schn aidant at J 

■ ks Bridge. 







Nellie Mathews, 17-year-old baseball and basket 
ball star of Columbia Community Unit No. 4, 
shaking hands with Charlie Grimm, vice-president 
of the Chicago Cubs, following the signing of a 
bonus contract for a sum reported at $15,000 
to $20,000. The signing took place at his home 
here. He is the son of Mrs. Leo Mathews of 
Columbia. 




COLUMBIA SCHOOL UNIT 4 BAND SALUTES HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI AT BANQUET 



The Ladies' Auxiliary to the Co- 
lumbia Gymnastic Association ad- 
vertised the Columbia Centennial 
by appearing in old fashioned 
clothes at all affairs given by the 
Turners previous to the Centen- 
nial. 




SG 



THE ROHM FAMILY 

The Rohms were early settlers of Columbia. Here is a 
little history of them. On January 4, 1813. In the American 
State Papers appears this real estate transaction. In April 
of that year John Edgar sold 100 acres of land to James 
Nowlin. Now the Nowllo family laid out the original town 
of Columbia. They lived in a log cabin on the site of the 
house where Adolph Rohm and his wife nee Ella Rauch 
now live. It was a tract of land of 100 acres and it sold 
for $300. It passed through the hands of many of the old. 
er settlers, the Wadermans, the McQuades. the Colemans. 
the Thomas Morgans, the Daniel Doyles and it was pur- 
chased in 1851 by Conrad Rohm, Gustav Rohm's father. 

Gustav Rohm conducted a butcher shop on Main 
street with his brother, Richard, his partner. He sold out 
to Gustav Rohm. Gustav Rohm married Katie Schneider, 
daughter of Philip Schneider. They had eight children: 
Henry. Philip. Mrs. Eva Kremmcl. Ferdinand, whose wife 
is the former Ella Rose. Miss Minnie, Adolph, who mar- 
ried Ella Rauch, Fred and Mrs. Carrie Kremmel, nee Rohm. 

All lived in Columbia but Fred, who moved to St. 
Louis. Adolph Rohm has a barber shop here. Ferd served 
on the City Council from 1939 to 1941. Gus served from 
1899 to 1901 and again from 1903-1904. 

Eva Rohm married William Kremmel of Columbia. His 
parents, who came from Germany and Switzerland were, 
William Kremmel Sr. of Columbia and Louisa Gentch, also 
of Columbia. They had six children, William, Ferdinand, 
deceased, Henry. Mrs. Amelia Giffhorn, Mrs. Alma Stahl 
and Adelia Kremmel. 

Their children are Clarence. Wilbert, who is present- 
ly on the school board and the City Council, Talitha Don- 
nel, who lives in Pennsylvania on the DuPont estate, and 
whose husband serves as head of the guards, Ardel Hin- 
richs, Thelma Herbst, Oliver, who is at the Veterans Hos- 
pital at Jefferson Barracks and recovering nicely and Lu- 
cille wife of Coach Smith of the Columbia High School. 

RAPP - LANDGRAF AND RUECK - NIEMEIER FAMILIES 
Mrs. Arthur Rueck. nee Viola Adele Rapp, is the daugh- 
ter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred G. Rapp, nee Schneider, and the 
sister of Walter Rapp who continues the insurance busi- 
ness established by the late Fred G. Rapp. 

Mrs. Rueck was born in Columbia. She graduated from 
the Columbia grade school and high school and attended 
Illinois State Normal University at Bloomington. She also 
attended Washington University and Southern Illinois Uni. 
versity. She has a degree in education from Southern Il- 
linois University. She was married to Arthur Rueck and 
they have one son Arthur F. H., who is associated with his 
uncle, Walter Rapp. son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred G. Rapp in 
the Rapp Insurance Agency. Mrs. Rueck's grandmother 
and grandfather were Mr. and Mrs. Hartman Schneider. 
Both came from Germany. Mr. Schneider was a relative of 
the Falkenhamers of St. Louis, who also came from Ger- 
many and had heavy land holdings in that country. The 
Hartmann Schneiders had two daughters, Mrs. Lydia Rapp 
and Mrs. Ida Meyer, wife of Arthur Meyer. 

Mrs. Rueck's grandmother, Mrs. Sophia Schneider, nee 
Landgraf, conducted a millinery store and dress-making 
shop here. Mrs. Schneider was born on shipboard, on the 
"Bunker Hill", as her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Land- 
graf came over from Germany, to locate at Burksvillo. Il- 
linois, where they established a flour mill. Their children 
. Frances Berkemeier. Bertha Seibert, Schanauel, Lena 
Keil, Ernst and Gus, who married two Irish girls from 
mty Cork, Ireland, Louis whose wife There!*, nee 
Schmidt, died recently at the age of 95. They had 8 child- 
ren: Louis, Edmund, Bertha, Walter, Ida, Anita, Arthur 
and Rudolph. 



Mrs. Rueck's husband, Arthur Rueck, was the son of 
Henry Huick. whi.se family came from St. Clair County, 
locating there after their arrival from Germany. Be 
twice married. His first wife, BM Harr.-s. was a relative 
of the Sauerwein family of New Athens. His second 
was Miss Emma Nlemelec of Columbia. They had three 
children, Arthur. Circuit Clerk and Recorder of Deeds of 
Monroe County and former councilman, Carl of Crestwood, 
vice president, Schroeder and Tremayne Sponge Co. Inc., 
and Elmer E.. with the Quality Dairy Co. of East St. Louis. 

The Niemelers were prominent in early Columbia his- 
tory. Mr. Nlemeier came from Prussia in Germany. His wife 
was Catherine Kraus of Columbia. Mr. Niemeier was a 
trader. He was very successful and during the Civil War 
procured horses for the North. He built a beautiful home 
In Columbia which was torn down to make way for Co- 
lumbia's first subdivision, the Herman Frierdich's First 
subdivision. 

Their children were Mrs. Emma Rueck, Mrs. Ida Kunz 
i Mrs. H. N. Kunz), Mrs. Bertha Heinemann, Mrs. Tillie 
Sodemann, Mrs. Carrie Bollinger and Charles Niemeier. 

KLEIN— TUNZE FAMILIES 

Daniel Klein, grandfather of Alvin Klein came here 
from Germany by sailboat, a voyage that lasted 90 days. 
He landed at New Orleans and came to St. Louis where 
for a time he lived on the Levee there, for St. Louis was 
sparsely settled then. He married Julia Kern. They located 
at Columbia. They had nine children, five boys and four 
girls. They were: Henry, Louis, Charles, William and Gus, 
Miss Carrie, Mrs. Elizabeth Reger, Mrs. Emma Kreckel, 
and Mrs. Ida Otto. 

On the maternal side, Alvin's great-grandfather W. 
Stueck came over from Germany in 1820, one of the first 
Germans to make Columbia their home. His wife came 
with him for they were married in the Old Country. He 
purchased considerable land in Columbia for his name ap- 
pears on many old real estate transfers. One of his child- 
ren, Elizabeth, married John George Bidlingmeier. She 
died, leaving two little girls, Anna and Lulu, both under 
five years of age. Anna, who afterwards married Henry 
Klein, was raised by Mr. and Mrs. A. F. Weinel and Lulu 
by Mr. and Mrs. Ernst Grosse, who lived in the Gund- 
lach house, now owned by Mr. and Mrs. Paul Heisler. 

Mr. and Mrs. Henry Klein had six children, Arthur, 
Alvin, Bertha, Eugene, Lulu and Roland. Henry Klein's 
brother, Wiliam, had four children: Theodore, Arnold, El- 
eanor and Frieda. Theodore and Arnold live in Columbia 
precinct, and Eleanor at Mobile, Alabama. Frieda died in 
her early youth. 

Alvin married Miss Alyda Tunze, a daughter of Mr. 
and Mrs. Gustav Tunze, nee Schmdit. Mrs. Klein is the 
organist at the St. Paul United Church of Christ. She has 
been the organist for forty-five consecutive years. She is 
a talented musician. Both Mr. and Mrs. Klein are mem- 
bers of the church and active in Masonic and Eastern Star 
circles. 

The Tunze family stems from Germany. Richard 
Tunze came here from Hanover on June 23, 1867. On Sep-, 
tember 2, 1868 he married Miss Louisa Luhrig at St. I.ou,s. 
They later moved to Columbia. They had t «-ri children: 
Gustav, Minnie Tilton, Charles. Louis. Fred, William. Her. 
man, John and Louise Kean, and Mrs. Sadie Ryan of St. 
IxjuIs who survive* 

The Tunzes were good citizens, for Louis Tunze and 
GtUtav Tunze both served on the Village Board. Herman 
Tunze's son. Raymond, whs one of Columbia's outstand- 
ing Scoutmasters, serving the time the Scout Hut was 
built. He was also an outstanding leader of Columbia 



-7 



youth in the DeMolay organization. 

The original of the sketch, Alvin Klein, served for 
many years as treasurer of the city and as city clerk. He 
is at present the assistant city clerk. 

THE YOUNG-HEILIGSTEDT FAMILIES 

The history of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Young's families 
goes back to early Columbia. 

Fred Young's grandfather, Fred Koch, Sr. was a car- 
penter-contractor. He built the old Columbia Public School 
and the old City Hall and jail. He had five daughters and 
one son. The daughters were: Mrs. Emma Rey, Mrs. Anna 
Meyer, Mrs. Henrietta Sauthoff, Mrs. Johanna Kuehner 
and Mrs. Louisa Young, who was Mrs. George Young 
mother of Fred Young. The son was Fred Koch, Jr. also a 
carpenter-contractor. The Koch family were all heavy 
landowners in and around Columbia. 

Fred Young married Miss Katherine Richert, whose 
mother was Emma Heiligstedt. The Youngs have one son, 
Frederick C. a director of the music department of the 
Dupo High School. 

Mrs. Richert, then Emma Heiligstedt, married Fred 
Daniel Richert, son of Fred Richert of St. Louis. They had 
three children, Carl, Katherine and Fred, all of Columbia. 
Carl is City Treasurer of Columbia. Fred Jr. has worked 
at the railroad yards at Dupo as a clerk for the past 46 
years. 

The Heiligstedts came to America on a sailing vessel 
in 1849. Edward V. Heiligstedt was Mrs. Young's grand- 
father. He was born in 1825 in Strausfurt by Ehrfurt, 
Koenigsreich, Preusen, Germany. Before coming to 
America he went to Brazil, South America. Two years later 
he left Brazil and came to New Orleans, lived there for a 
time and then came to Columbia where he lived until his 
death. On October 17, 1852 he married Christina Wagner 
who had come to America with her parents in 1849 on a 
sailing vessel. She was born at Oberhafles, near Mann- 
heim, Baden, Germany in 1828. In the old country she had 
been engaged to Jacob Lotz, but it took 85 days to get 
here, communications were so uncertain that Jacob Lotz 
thought she had decided not to come and became engag- 
ed to another girl. When Christina Wagner arrived she re- 
fused to let Mr. Lotz break his engagement to the other 
girl. She and her mother went to work at the hotel here. 
There she met and later married Edward Heiligstedt. They 
had ten children, five of whom died. The living children 
were Charles, Mrs. William < Billy) Scheuermann, Augusta 
Volkert, wife of John Volkert, Mina, wife of Albert Lepp 
and Emma, wife of Fred Richert. 

Mrs. Richert was a most interesting person. She was 
deeply religious and always interested in giving words of 
comfort to those in trouble. She was a great friend of 
what other Columbians termed the Yankees and because 
of this knew much of the history of early Columbia. 

MRS. EARBARA BERGMANN 

Mrs. Barbara Bergmann, widow of the late Charles 
Bergmann, Sr., is one of our most interesting settlers. 

She was born in Columbia ninety-two years ago, in 
the brick cottage now owned by Clarence Eckert, on St. 
Paul avenue, just across the street from where she now 
lives with her daughter, Mrs. Frances Laub. The house 
is 110 years old. 

Her parents were John and Barbara Mueller, nee Suda. 

Her husband's parents were Joseph and Frieda Berg- 
mann, nee Gochah. Mr. and Mrs. Bergmann lived in the 
beautiful rock house on the Millstadt road formerly owned 
bv Howard Hubbel, now of St. Louis. The older Berg- 
manns were farmers as was Charles Bergmann, Sr. 



Later he worked for the Missouri-Pacific railroad when 
Bixby and Dupo were just beginning to build up, as a 
car carpenter. Then he was transferred to De Soto, Mo., 
and with his family lived there. 

Later they moved back to Columbia, living briefly at 
the Stephen Miles homestead on Eagle Prairie in the 
Bottom. Their daughter, Frances, now Mrs. Fred Laub, 
was born there. 

Mrs. Bergmann's husband preceded her in death. 
Their living children are: Mrs. Minnie Ritter, Mrs. Frances 
Laub, Mrs. Barbara Riebeling, Joseph Bergmann and 
Thomas Bergmann. Their sons, Theodore, Charles and 
George preceded their mother in death. She has 28 
grandchildren, 52 great grandchildren and 10 great great 
grandchildren. 

One of her grandchildren is Warren Bergmann who 
recently was elected as a Columbia alderman. 

Before her marriage she worked for the Jim Allen 
family who lived in the Bottom. There she learned to 
speak the fine English she uses. Her memory is excellent, 
and she helped the historian very much in writing this 
history, for she knew and remembered very well so many 
of the older people of Columbia and the precinct, whom 
others had forgotten. She is a remarkable woman, as 
vitally interested in the Columbia of today as she was 
in the early days when Columbia had many families from 
the South, of English extraction as citizens as well as 
the Germans who came here to escape the tyranny of 
Germany and find for themselves a home in the land of 
the free and the home of the brave. 

MRS. LORENZ VOGT 

Mrs. Lorenz Vogt, daughter of Anton and Elizabeth 
Vogt, nee Petri, was born on a farm near the old Booster 
Station in the neighborhood of historic Whiteside Station 
on May 29, 1873. 

Mrs. Vogt's grandparents were Lenard and Margaret 
Petri, nee Neff. When Mrs. Vogt's grandparents came to 
America they first lived at Sugar Loaf in 1S37 and then 
moved to what is now known as the Ben Weilbacher 
farm in 1838. The Petris were among the first Germans 
to settle in Columbia. They could not understand English 
and the English settlers could not understand them, so 
they pantomimed their thoughts and got along very well. 
When they arrived, they needed a clap-board knife to 
split the trees into rough planks. They borrowed one and 
made their first shelter, a primitive cabin, of these rough 
planks. Beds were also made of planks with straw for 
a mattress. Later they built a barn. Not a nail was used 
in its construction — only wooden pegs. This barn, 100 
years old, was just recently razed on the property now 
owned by Earl, Harold and Kenneth Reichert. 

Mrs. Vogt lived with her parents, Anton and Elizabeth 
Vogt near a spring which was near an Indian camp ground. 
The spring emerged from under a tree. The middle 
water of the spring tasted like good well water; one side 
tasted oily and the other side sweet. After it flowed for 
a distance it tasted good. Since Whiteside Station is not 
far away from the spring, it is safe to assume that the 
Whitesides and Indians met in battle there, since the 
Vogt family found flint bags, arrow heads and arrows 
and a shoulder strap leather bag with divided pockets 
used either by the Indians or the Whitesides. One of 
Mrs. Vogt's brothers swapped this priceless collection for 
a pocket knife, and Dr. M. G. Nixon had the collection. 
It is thought John Honold received this collection from 
Dr. Nixon. 

Mrs. Vogt liked the name "Vogt" so well she married 
a man named Vogt, Lorenz A. Vogt who came from 
Burksville. Mr. Vogt was a friend of the illustrious Lemen 



family of New Design. Some of the Lemons. Lewis and 
James persuaded Mr. Vogt to come to teachers institute 
In Columbia when James Hilyard taught here. Mr. Vogt 
did, took the examination, passed It and 'qualified" as 
they called It In Columbia Mr. Vogt met Elisabeth Vogt 
and married her. ;i children, 18 grandchildren and 5 great 
grandchildren blessed this union. 

Mr. Vogt taught school — two years at Goeddeltown, 
fourteen at Shoemaker School, eleven at Sand Bank and 
seven at Columbia. He walked to the Sand Bank School 
as had a previous teacher, Miss Julia Divers. They had 
to wear hip boots in bad weather as the mud was knee 
deep in places. For 510 a month extra they started the 
dies at the school each cold morning. 

In 1927 Mrs. Vogt started a small grocery store which 
she and the children tended while Mr. Vogt taught school, 
her entire capital, §1500. for the building and stock. She 
was imbued with the true pioneer spirit, determination, 
gnt. a good business sense, a shrewd buyer and the store 
became very successful. Mrs. Vogt said without her chil- 
dren 'good children, she says) she never could have ac- 
complished the success which was hers. 

It is now owned by Edward Vogt who recently ac- 
quired the store. 

FRED JOHN JUENGLING. SB, 

Fred John Juengling, Sr., son of Charles and Katherine 
Juengling was born in St. Louis 86 years ago, in 1873. His 
parents were born in Rheim-Bayern, a division of Germany 
near the Rhine river, or Bavaria as it was also called. 

When Fred John. Sr. was one year old or in 1874, 
his parents moved to Columbia. His father, Charles Jueng- 
ling purchased the tavern of Ernst Grosse, known as Buck 
Tavern, and he served as the genial host there until 
1919. when prohibition was in effect. It remained closed 
until 1933 when prohibition was repealed, and Fred A. 
Juengling, Jr. became the host from 1935 until 1954. In 
1954 Charles Bergmann became the owner, and remained 
here until 1958 when the old tavern was razed. He built 
a new place a block from the old landmark. 

The land was sold to the Catholic Church for play- 
ground space for the children of the Immaculate Con- 
ception school, and for possible building purposes in the 
future. 

In this old landmark was a beautiful, massive fire- 
place of solid cherry, which was sold to Thomas Kut- 
terer for a fraction of its real value, Thomas wishing 
to incorporate it in his home. 

The old Juengling Tavern was in the hands of the 
Juengling family for 85 years, and the subject of our 
sketch, Fred John Juengling, Sr., has been a resident of 
Columbia for the same length of time, he being truly a 
pioneer Columbia resident. 

When Charles Juengling died in 1912 il was a custom 
of the Turners to furnish a band for the funeral corteges 
of Turner members, and since Mr. Juengling was a Turner 
be was escorted to his final resting place in the St. 
Paul's Evangelical cemetery with pomp and circumstance. 
Turner members formed a line behind the band with 
each Turner member wearing a mourning badge on his 
lapel. The regular Turner badge had a reverse mourning 
side. It was a sombre sie,ht to see the corteges wend 
their way to the cemeteries, playing appropriately solemn 
dirges. The hearse was drawn by a team of coal black 
borses (W< s . they were called), driven 

by Philip Eckert. father of Mrs. Clara Kilian. These beau- 
tltul animals wire accoutred with jet black plumes nod- 
ding decorously above their ears. People won- the deepest 
turning at that time, the mourning period being a 



year l • • n p: . Such were the modes of yesteryear. 

The children of Fred John Juengling, Sr.. are: Corinne 
Gildehaus of St. Louis; Fred A. Juengling, Jr C'lumbla; 
Helen Mau.r. St. Louis and Carl Juengling. assistant day 
superintendent of the Falstaff Brewing Co. of St. Louis. 
III.' husbands of Corinne and Helen both work for a 
rival brewery, the Anheuser-Busch establishment. 

Brothers nn.l sisters of Fred, Sr. are: Gustav, who Is 
M years old, William, Mrs. Mamie Mueller, Sister Alma 
(Louise Juengling) who for fifty years has been a nun at 
Glen Addie, Illinois. 

Mr. Juengling stays with his son and daughter-in-law, 
Mr. and Mrs. Fred A. Juengling, Jr. 



MRS. FRED HENCKLER 

Mrs. Fred Henckler, a member of the Centennial 
Historical Committee and the Pageant Committee, was 
born in Columbia, the daughter of Charles J. Schneider and 
his wife Martha, nee Reis. On the paternal side her 
grandparents were Charles Schneider, and his wife, Mary, 
nee Schumacher. Mr. Schneider came from Germany 
when he was a year old. The family settled In Monroe 
county in 1852. His wife came from Ohio. They conducted 
a furniture and undertaking establishment which later 
was taken over by Ed Schneider, their son, who conducted 
it until his death. After the death of Mrs. Schneider, nee 
Bertha Lotz, a nephew of Mrs. Schneider, Alois Meyer 
became the owner and proprietor. 

Mr. Henckler's paternal grandparents were Carl 
(Charles) and Charlotte Reis, nee Schoepperketter. Mrs. 
Reis came from St. Louis and Mr. Reis from Germany. 
He was a well-known barber in the early days of Co- 
lumbia. 

Mrs. Henckler's husband, Fred Henckler, was born 
in Columbia and attended the public school here. He has 
worked for the Missouri-Pacific for 35 years. He and his 
wife are members of St. Paul Church of Christ. He is a 
member of the Brotherhood, a Turner, an Odd Fellow and 
a member of the Ancient and Mystic Order of Samaritans. 

Mr. Henckler's father was Fred Henckler. his mother, 
Lizzetta Henckler, nee Lotz. Mr. Henckler was post- 
master of Columbia. He was a blacksmith by trade. 
Charles Henckler and Fred H. Henckler served as sheriffs 
of Monroe county; Charles in 1850 and F. H. in 1S60. 

Charles Henckler. Fred's great grandfather, was a 
native of Germany. He was a cabinet maker and then a 
Justice of the Peace. On the maternal side, Mrs Henckler's 
grandparents were Jacob and Barbara Lotz, net- Kolb. 
On the paternal side his grandparents were Ferdinand 
and Louisa Henckler, nee Eckert. All were born In 
Germany. 

Charles Henckler in 1853 was admitted to the bar. 
He was a special pleader and a partner of Thomas 
Quick and H. C. Talbott. secretary to Urn i: ' 
of Waterloo. He fought in tin- Mexican War and was 
wounded in battle. He died in 1878. 

Mrs. Henckler's father, Charles Schneider, WS 

>f Columbia, as was her husband's father. Fred 
Henckler, Mrs. Henckler is a membei "i St Paul Church 

of Christ, the Church Choir and the Guild, She 

bekah and a member of the Eastern Stars and White 

Shrine. 

The Fred Hem klers have one son, Gene F.. ■ 
married to the former Marguerite Ludwlg. They have one 
lene. 






THE GUNDLACH FAMILY 

One of the influential men of Columbia in the year 
1859 was John Gundlach. He assisted in procuring the 
Town charter. He was a Trustee of the town the year 
Columbia was organized and up to 1861. He served as 
Trustee again from 1863 to 1867. He was chosen Mayor of 
the Town from 1SG5 to 1866 and again from 1867 to 1869. 
He helped to draw up the rules and regulations which 
were to govern Columbia through the years. The men 
who served at that time met in the morning, and if they 
did not finish their work that day met again the next day. 
This John Gundlach was Mrs. E. H. Gundlach's grandfather 
and great-grandfather of Monroe Gundlach. 

John Gundlach was born in Germany in the Village 
of Cronberg, near Frankfort on the Main, in the Duchy 
of Nassau. He was born in 1825, the son of Mr. and Mrs. 
Peter Gundlach, nee Schauer. His father was a farmer, 
a cooper, and also a brewer for the town of Cronberg. 
When John was 18 the family came to America, landing 
at New York in 1844. They found their way to Belleville 
where an uncle lived, bought land and began farming. 
In 1849 John married Anna Ehrhard, a native of the 
Duchy of Nassau. In 1855 he started a brewery in Belle- 
ville. In 1856 he came to Columbia and started a brewery 
here which proved successful. He had two children, Wil- 
liam and Anna. Anna later became the wife of Maximilian 
Wagner. Mr. and Mrs. Wagner were Mrs. E. H. Gund- 
lach's parents. 

The Gundlach house built in 1857 which is now 
owned by Mr. and Mrs. Paul Heisler, was the home of 
John Gundlach and Philip Peter Gundlach, E. H. Gund- 
lach's father and John Gundlach's brother. John and his 
family lived on one side of the beautiful house and Philip 
Peter and his family lived on the other side. They sold 
it to Ernst Grosse in 1873 and the Grosse family lived in 
it for many years. 

Mrs. Gundlach vividly remembers this house, bustling 
with energy, bubbling with laughter, and noisy with the 
play of children. It was a spacious house, which held two 
families comfortably. 

Later two of these children were married. Edward H. 
Gundlach married Emilie Wagner, daughter of Maximilian 
and Anna Wagner, nee Gundlach. They had three chil- 
dren, one of whom survives, Monroe of this city. Mrs. 
Gundlach's sister, Mrs. Minna Parmegiani lives in Los 
Angeles. 

E. H. Gundlach acquired the Brewery formerly owned 
by John and Philip Peter Gundlach, from Mrs. Anna 
Wagner in 1903 and operated it until the advent of pro- 
hibition. After repeal E. H. Gundlach and a group of St. 
Louis men started modernizing the building, but construc- 
tion costs proved prohibitive and work ceased. 

Then a group of Belleville men acquired it and re- 
organized and remodeled it, converting it to a distillery. 
It is known as the Columbia American Distillery. Herman 
Lorenz is in charge of the plant which at this time is not 
in operation. 

E. H. Gundlach, the original owner of the Brewery, 
passed away, and his son Monroe has operated a filling 
station for many years at a site opposite the old family 
brewery which has been in the Gundlach family for four 
generations. 

MRS. SYBILLA VAN LUIK 

Sybilla Van Luik. nee Freitag, one of our Senior 
Citizens, 90 and past, reminisces for our readers. 

She is as bright as a silver dollar, her mind clear, and 
she can still do a good day's work. 

Her mother belonged to the Menner family. Her father 
was Ferdinand Freitag. They lived on a Menner farm. 



When she was 22 they moved to Columbia to a brick 
house where the Grossman house is now located. 

At the age of 12 she worked as a nursemaid at 
Joseph Stoll's, friends and neighbors of the family, as 
were the Wenzel Soukopfs and the Proctors. 

At 14 Sybilla worked for the Henry Huchs, then the 
proprietor of the Star Mill. She talked of their beautiful 
home with marquetry oak floors and beautiful furnish- 
ings. They even had a fountain in the front yard, she 
recalls, which she had to scrub every week as well as 
tend the rock garden and paint the brick walk with brick 
paint, made from a bucket of brick dust dissolved in 
water and applied with a broom. All good Columbia 
housekeepers followed this procedure. Of course, the 
usual rain spoiled the effect, but you did it over again 
for work disturbed no one in the old days. 

The Huchs were lavish entertainers, and Mrs. Van 
Luik recalls the evening parties the Huchs had. Later 
Adolph Lambrecht, an emigre from Switzerland married 
Miss Lena Huch. The Lambrechts were the first to have 
a club house in the country where they entertained often. 
Sybilla attended the Sand Bank School where James 
McKee was the teacher. 

She married George Van Luik, a steel molder. They 
lived in St. Louis for a while, but later moved back to 
Columbia. They had two children, George of Columbia 
and Adolph of Chicago. Mrs. Van Luik also raised a 
daughter of her husband by a previous marriage. She is 
now Mrs. Lorane Stacy of Kirkwood, Mo. Mrs. Van Luik 
has one sister, Mrs. Frances Fullhorst of St. Louis. 

The Van Luiks came from Holland. They lived near 
the Turner Park. Another Dutch family were the Joseph 
Van Guests (pronounced Fan' gest). Mr. Van Guest was 
the head waiter at Koerner's at St. Louis, a world famous 
restaurant. 

Mrs. Van Luik recalls that on February of 1879 a 
tornado hit Columbia. It passed through the Evangelical 
Cemetery, knocking down tombstones, then unroofing 
the Freitag house and moving a new barn built by the 
Klotzes, next door to Freitag's, off its base. This is about 
where the B. D. Middletons live. The Freitags sought 
refuge in a little summer kitchen in the rear of the 
house and were safe. 

Mrs. Van Luik prizes very highly, a black silk shawl, 
her mother's wedding shawl. It is heavily embroidered in 
red flowers, and is as good as the day it was purchased 
120 years ago. 

She remembers when you could pick dewberries by 
the tubful close to Columbia. 

But her most vivid recollection is of "Bilder" Joe 
Wise, a saintly man who sold seeds, herbs, rosaries and 
holy pictures at his log cabin situated on what is now 
Catholic Church property. Vividly she remembers the 
pungent scent of the 'Hamburger Brust Tea" he sold as 
a sure specific for colds. She also remembers a little 
candy and school supply house run by a Mr. and Mrs. 
Stark, in a little shop and home where Ferdinand Rohm 
now lives. It was a two-room brick house. You went 
down one step to the brick floored kitchen. Mr. Clark 
was a snuff sniffer, and this so fascinated Mrs. Van 
Luik that she went there often for penny candies. 

Although Mrs. Van Luik recently celebrated her 90th 
birthday with an open house, she is hale and hearty, 
still a pretty little woman who wears her clothes well. 
She is so active that her son and daughter-in-law, Mr. 
and Mrs. George Van Luik with whom she lives, have to 
be a bit stern when she elects to wash windows or do 
some other dangerous household chore. She is a dear 
little lady. May she live to reach the century mark. 



CARL A. REIS 

Carl A. Reis, a member of the Historical Committee 
of the Centennial Association, was born in Columbia. 
He was the son of Louis and Anna Reis. He graduated 
from the Columbia school and attended business college. 
His wife is a graduate of the Columbia High School. 
On the paternal side his grandparents were Carl and 
Charlotte Reis. nee Schoepperketter. and on the maternal 
side Joseph and Josephine Schuler, all early settlers of 
Columbia. 

He was married to Miss Hilda Habermehl, daughter 
of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Habermehl. nee Einwich. Mrs. Reis" 
maternal grandparents were Johann and Dorothea Ein- 
wich: her paternal grandparents, Joseph and Anna Haber- 
mehl. The Reis and Habermehl ancestors all came from 
Germany. 

Mr. and Mrs. Reis have four children: Mrs. Rose 
Marie Nottmeier. Donald. Robert and David. 

Mr. Reis served his city as alderman from 1932-36. 
and very' creditably, too, for he was far-seeing as well 
as practical. He is employed as Secretary and Business 
Assistant to the President of the Missouri Pacific Em- 
ployes' Hospital Association at St. Louis. 

Both Mr. Reis and his wife are members of the Im- 
maculate Conception Church and are active workers for 
the parish. Mr. Reis is a member of the Holy Name So- 
ciety, the Knights of Columbus, the Missouri Hospital 
Association and the Ludwig Organ Club. He is a member 
of the Brotherhood of Railway and Steamship Clerks, 
Freight Handlers, Express and Station Employes. 

Carl's grandfather. Joseph Schuler, was a trustee of 
the Town of Columbia from 1880-1885 and his paternal 
grandfather, Carl or Charles Reis served in the same 
capacity from 1897-1899. 

HERBERT T. VOGT 

Herbert J. Vogt, chairman of the Ways and Means 
committee, of the Columbia Centennial Association, and 
also a member of the Historical committee, is the son 
of Lon?nz A. and Elizabeth Vogt. nee Vogt. He was born 
in Columbia January' 6, 1906. He was educated in the 
Immaculate Conception grade school and graduated from 
the Columbia high school. He is a member of the Immac- 
ulate Conception church. He is past president of the 
Chamber of Commerce. Other affiliations are Columbia 
Gymnastic Association and board of directors of the First 
National Bank. He is the owner and manager of the 
Columbia Grain and Seed Company. 

He was married to Laura Stillman. They have two 
children, David and Arlene. Mrs. Vogt's grandmother's 
people were French, migrating from Alsace — Lorraine. 
Her grandmother's name was Clodon (pronounced Glodo). 

Mr. Vogt's father, Lorenz A. Vogt, came from Burks- 
ville, Illinois. He was a school teacher and taught in the 
Sand Bank school for twelve years and in the Columbia 
school for seven years. His grandparents on both sides 
came from Germany. His maternal great-grandparents, 
Leonard and Margaret Petri also came from Germany. 
They settled on what is now known as the Ben Weil- 
bacher farm in 1838. They came with the first German 
settlers to Columbia. His maternal grandparents Anton 
and Elizabeth Vogt lived near Whiteside Station, close 
to a "spring of lasting water". It must have been an 
Indian camp as countless Indian relics were found there 
by the Vogt children. 

Herbert J. Vogt, the subject of this sketch, helped 
in the Vogt store, run by his mother. He later started 
his own business, the Columbia Grain and Seed Co. first 
owned by Mr. Vogt and the late Alfred H. Vogt and 
Edward C. Giffhorn. 



MISS RUTH KUERGELEIS 

Miss Ruth Kuergeleis, secretary of the Centennial 
Association, was born in St. Louis. Mo., the daughter 
■ if William F. and Meta (Hoffmann) Kuer. 
her parents she came to Columbia from St. Louis. She 
is a graduate of the Columbia High School, and was an 
accounting major at She Is now 

the assistant cashier of the Monroe National Bank of 
Columbia. 

She has always been interested in affairs of a civic 
nature, serving on the Columbia Library Board and was 
a Girl Scout leader and a troop committee member. 

She is Past Worthy High Priestess of Mission Shrine 
No. 102, Order of the White Shrine of Jerusalem. She 
served as district deputy of this order during the past 
year. She is Guardian Secretary of Bethel 65, Job's 
Daughters. 

C. A. HACEEB 

C. A. Hacker is one of the incorporators and vice 
president of the Columbia Centennial Association He 
is also in charge of scheduling Centennial events. 

He was born at Marissa, Illinois, June 17, 1901, the 
son of Henry Hacker and his wife Katherine, nee Tieder- 
man. 

He was married to Miss Audrey Krupp of Belleville, 
Illinois. They have three sons, Keith, Kenyon and Jerry, 
all living in Columbia. 

Mr. Hacker came to Columbia in 1933, and served 
as cashier of the First National Bank for fourteen years. 
For the past eight years he has been the president of 
the bank and a director. 

Before coming to Columbia he served as treasurer 
of the Village of Marissa for ten years. In Columbia 
while the high school was being enlarged and reorgan- 
ized he served as the president of the school board from 
1940 to 1952. 

He is a Past Master of Columbia Lodge No. 474 A. F. 
and A, M., and a member of the Rotary Club. He is a 
member of the United Church of Christ of Columbia. 

DRUM CORPS 

The Sons of Union Veterans Auxiliary Drum and 
Bugle Corps was one of the fine musical units which at- 
tracted much attention wherever it went. It was spon- 
sored by the Sons of Union Veterans and Mrs. Gus Goeck- 
eler, Sr., was one of the moving spirits in its organization. 

Mrs. Fred Henckler was the drum major. She served 
from 1929 to 1935. St. Louis instructors trained the corps. 
Their costumes were outstanding. They wore pleated 
white serge skirts and scarlet coats, trimmed with gold 
braid. They wore Hussar caps. Mrs. Henckler wore a white 
serge suit, high white boots and a white Hussar hat 
and gloves. 

They appeared at all the Homecomings, school pic- 
nics and Columbia affairs. 

Once when the Columbia Commercial Club made a 
Good Will tour of the county and adjacent ci'. 
took the Drum Corps with them. One hundred automo- 
biles made up the caravan. The Drum Corps pari 
drew rounds of applause. The Good Will tour included 
stops at Belle\ille. Millstarlt. Freeburg. New Athens, 

• Sparta. Steeleville. Evansville, Red Bud 
and Waterloo. The corps with its twenty pretty girls, 
beautifully costumed was introduced by Mayor E 
Lapp, who was then Mayor of Columbia. Th' ■;. 
given ovations at the dtie* where they ;• 

They also played in the N R A parade at St l.ouis 
the line of march ten miles long. 1 

a St. Louis Police Circus in conjunction with the Police 
Band. 



91 



"EAGLE CLIFFS'' 



STEPHEN MILES 



An old burying ground, the Miles cemetery, is of 
great historical interest. It is situated on the brow of 
the bluffs overlooking the fertile river bottom land. Going 
up the Dug Hollow road to the cemetery and wandering 
about you will find the tombstones of Judge Shadrach 
Bond, uncle of the governor, the Moredocks, the Shooks, 
the Jameses, the Vorises, the Alexanders and others prom- 
inent in Monroe County history. It was here in 1858 that 
Stephen Miles I erected a large and costly stone and 
marble vault for himself, his family and descendants, 
under the care and direction of the oldest male heir of 
the family. It cost $25,000, a fabulous sum in that day. 
A long time ago the tomb was opened by vandals, seek- 
ing the jewels which were supposed to have been buried 
with the Miles family. The tomb is now sealed. 

It is said that Miles could stand on the hill and say, 
"Here, as far as the eye can reach, the land belongs to 
ine." Then he would go back to his beautiful home at 
the foot of the bluffs which is situated at what was 
then known as Eagle Cliffs. The post office was there, 
a general store, an agricultural implement shop and the 
Miles residence. It is a pretentious one mirroring the 
affluence which was once the Miles'. 

It is a two-story house, fifty-seven feet long, with 
twelve rooms, twenty-eight doors and thirty-one windows. 
A veranda extends the entire length of the front of the 
house. A huge entry hall with an open staircase leading 
to the upstairs, leads also into two spacious rooms on 
either side of the hall downstairs, each being 18 x 20 
feet. In these rooms are enormous fireplaces, so huge 
that shelves have been built into the sides. Rooms not 
so large are in back of these, and what was once a 
porch is now enclosed. At either end of the back are 
rooms where once the colored mammies stayed who took 
care of the children. These mammies were privileged in 
the old days, and had better quarters than the other 
slaves who worked in the fields. 

In the rear are also quaint staircases, winding dizzily 
upwards, with two landings and turns which lead to the 
many bedrooms upstairs. 

The house itself is constructed of solid oak and 
walnut with weather boards of walnut. No nails are 
used in the construction for the builders tenoned and 
mortised. The house has withstood the storms and 
stresses of 115 years, for it was thought to have been 
built in 1844 or earlier. It is situated on Claim 322 Survey 
399 in the Bottom. The Miles Cemetery is recorded as 
Claim 321, Survey 400. 

It has been said that the land for the home was 
purchased from Shadrach Bond, first governor of Illinois, 
but this could not be substantiated, even when a check 
of the story was made with Edward Miles of Carbondale, 
although he too, knew of the story. 

Miles married Lucretia Shook, beautiful daughter of 
a Moredock precinct family. 

Edward Miles' grandmother's name was Mary Tyrell. 
Mr. Miles' middle name is Vieux Temps, as was his father's 
name. Mr. Miles has no idea of the meaning of the name. 
His grandmother, after the death of Edward Miles' grand- 
father, Stephen Miles II, married Thomas Quick. His 
mother's name was Chloe Frazer. 

After the passing of the Miles family the settlement 
was bought by Isaac Eberman, farmer and wheat thresher, 
in 1875. Eberman came to Monroe county in 1827, mar- 
ried Nancy Hill. She passed away and Teresa Carpenter 
became his second wife. Eberman and J. B. Smith of 
Smith's Landing were business partners. They bought, 



sold and shipped wheat by river boats to the Port of 
St. Louis, their favorite boat being the "Emma Abbott". 
Grain in that section of the country was brought to 
Eagle Cliffs to be weighed, stored or sold. Some land 
was still in the possession of the Miles heirs, but most 
had been sold. The first Miles was fabulously wealthy, 
the second modestly so and succeeding generations not 
so prosperous. 

Issac Eberman was also a bridge builder. When the 
Eads Bridge, spanning the Mississippi river at St. Louis 
was in the planning stage, he made a model of a covered 
bridge and submitted it to the bridge committee. His 
model was not accepted, but James Eads' was. Eber- 
man's model is still in the Miles Homestead which is 
now in possession of the Fred Laub heirs. Mr. and Mrs. 
Stemler live here, Mrs. Stemler being the former Edna 
Laub. Fred Laub bought this property after the death 
of Isaac Eberman in 1893. The other Laub heirs are 
Mrs. Arthur Schmidt, nee Hilda Laub, and Arthur Laub. 
All three of the Laub children were born in this home 
and Mrs. Stemler has never lived any other place. Mr. 
and Mrs. Charles Bergmann, Sr. lived in a part of this 
spacious house for a time when the Ebermans lived 
there and here their daughter Frances, now Mrs. Fred 
Laub, was born in 1892. 

In the house were left many bookkeeping sets, show- 
ing in detail and beauty the immense business interests 
of the Miles family and the succeeding Eberman and 
Laub families. A heritage from the Miles family is a 
powder horn, a shot bag of tooled leather, and a musket 
of ancient vintage. The door keys of the house are enor- 
mous and these are still in use. A slab of marble from 
the Miles tomb is on the premises. Distant relatives of 
the Laubs were Martin and John Horr who were oxen 
drivers for Stephen Miles I. A visit to this house is like 
turning back the years and finding yourself in the ex- 
citing days of our pioneer ancestors. 

TRANSPORTATION 

In the very early days of Columbia, the Mississippi 
river was the only avenue of transportation. The country 
was an untamed wilderness. Then the Indians, little by 
little, hewed a trail, a mere footpath. As time went on 
this trail passed through Columbia, and with the simul- 
taneous settling of Cahokia and Kaskaskia it became 
known as the Kaskaskia Trail. 

This Trail became the mail and stage coach route 
from St. Louis to Waterloo, Red Bud and later southerly 
points to Kaskaskia. Columbia was the half-way stop 
for passengers en route to Red Bud. Horses were changed 
here and travelers refreshed themselves at the Franklin 
Tavern, known as the Buck Tavern and still later es 
Juengling's. In the winter the chilled travelers gathered 
around the huge fireplaces; and in the summer, beer 
brewed by Philip Schmidt and John Gundlach, cooled 
the parched throats of the passengers. Fares were com- 
puted by the drivers by means of milestones of gray 
marble with Roman numerals thereon, and your fare 
was so much a milestone. Some Columbians today re- 
member seeing these stones. 

For local travel, if you had no horse, you could go 
to a local livery stable and hire a "rig". August F. 
Weinel operated a livery stable as did "Jim" Warnock. 
Mr. Warnock bought a barn at the World's Fair, and 
set it up on the present site of E. H. Stumpfs home at 
706 Bottom Ave. Weinel's had a hack which made the 
St. Louis World's Fair by ferrying across the Mississippi 
on the Davis street ferry. 



32 



Horses were treasured possessions in the old da> I 
and a horse thief if caught, met with summary Justice. 
He was taken, dragged is the better word, to what was 
known as the horse thief tree and strung up without 
benefit of a trial. This tree still stands at the intersection 
of the main road and the old Quarry road, which passes 
Oscar Bremser's house. 

Now comes the era of the railroad. The Cairo and 
St. Louis was the first. It was chartered February 16, 
1865 and ten years later, March 1, 1875 it was completed. 
It connected East St. Louis and Cairo and had 151 miles 
of track. 

At the time of organization, the company decided 
to build a narrow gauge, three foot road which would be 
cheaper to operate. Contracts were let, and local aid 
promised but the financial panic of 1873 caused local 
aid to be withdrawn, and it was placed in the hands 
of a receiver February 1, 1882, when it was transferred 
to the St. Louis and Cairo R. R. and conducted by them 
about 1883. It utilized seven miles of the East St. Louis 
and Carondelet Railway with a third rail from East St. 
Louis to East Carondelet. 

In 1886 the road was bought by the Mobile and Ohio 
railroad and the following year it was changed to a 
standard track. In 1901 the next railroad built through 
Columbia precinct was an eastern division of the Iron 
Mountain R. R. called the St. Louis Valley R. R. Later 
it was transferred to the Gould system. August 13, 1940 
the road became the Gulf, Mobile and Ohio. In 1906 the 
Village of Columbia granted the East St. Louis, Columbia 
and Waterloo Electric Co. a franchise to construct an 
electric railway through Columbia, but right-of-way liti- 
gation and other difficulties held back the construction, 
and it was completed August 7, 1912. 

The automobile became another mode of transporta- 
tion. This mode required better roads, so on April 5, 
1923 grading began on State Route 3 through Columbia. 
Construction began on July 3, 1923 and the road was fin- 
ished by November 19, 1923, thus replacing the old 
village macadam streets. 

In 1932 the East St. Louis, Columbia and Waterloo 
Railway Company were authorized to discontinue pas- 
senger service and on July 3, 1936 the Illinois Commerce 
Commission authorized the company to discontinue all 
Its public utility services and the present line, the St. 
Louis Red Bud Motor bus line took its place, now called 
the Gulf Transport Company. 

HERMAN J. FRIERDICH 

To Herman J. Frierdich, carpenter, contractor, builder, 
who passed away November 29, 1958 belongs the dis- 
tinction of being among the first in Columbia to realize 
there was a need for a modern home building program — 
the subdivision as we know it today. He set about to 
establish a business that would make sub-division build- 
ing possible. He knew the business from the ground up, 
for he was a carpenter of the old school. 

He began business in 1919 with John LuetzHschwab, 
Millstndt contractor. Later John L Schmidt worked with 
him as did William Brand. Then Anton J. Wierschem 
joined forces with him and they took over the contracting 
business of John L. Schmidt which they operated for 
■even yean until Mr. WIerachem moved to Colorado Then 
Mr. Ftierdlch's two sons worked for him and thej operated 
the business individually until 1950 when they • 
a partnership which continued until 1958 when liny in- 
corporated. 

The officers of the corporation now are: Walt'-r II. 
Frierdich Herman c. Frierdich, 



and treasurer and Joseph J. Volkert, secretary. 

The iirst lubdlvision they built was Frierdicl 
than Hi.' First Addition to Frierdich Place, in pari 

wiih Leo a. Weilbacher, Columbia Hills was devi 
Tins subdivision is located on the hills overlooking Co- 
lumbia. Columbia Acres, inc. is another subdivision where 
many beautiful homes were erected. 

Recently the corporation purchased the 
farm now owned by nine Burroughs, ii 

of no acres, and plans are under waj to develop it 
some time in the future. Miss Burroughs, a 
Joshua Wilson, who owned tin- land, is public 
and in order that Columbia might grow, she sold the 
land which for so long had been owned by the Wilsons. 
A part of it is in the corporate limits of Columbia, 

The Frierdichs are directors in the newly laid out 
subdivision, Cascade Hills, which touches land where 
some of our first Columbians, the Piggots, built a f ■ >rt in 
the late 1700's. There is room in the new subdivision for 
over 200 homes with modern facilities available. 

The company is not interested in mass production of 
the small home, preferring to build the substantial, well 
designed modern home. 

They have recently erected a very modern office and 
show* room at 123 Rapp Avenue. There are shown and 
sold all the modern accessories that make the house of 
today so comfortable. 

Mrs. Herman J. Frierdich, nee Frances Schaffer, who 
survives her husband, has four children: Walter, Herman 
G.. Mary Ann, wife of Keith Hacker and Rita, wife of 
Le Roy Davis. 

JOHN A. DAAB 

John A. Daab, owner of Daab's Drug Store here in 
Columbia, was born on a farm near Columbia. It was on 
the St. Clair-Monroe County line, the house being in 
Monroe and the barn in St. Clair county. 

He was the son of Fred Daab and his wife, nee Arres. 
He was one of ten children. The following are the names 
of the children: Mrs. August (Mary) Mueller, W 
John, Dan, Gus and Eddie deceased, Fred, Mrs. John iDell) 
Tunze, Jacob, Mrs. O. J. (Alyda) Rexroth of Waterloo 
and Henry. 

In 1896 after the Daab family had moved to Co- 
lumbia, John wont to work at the John J. Schauffert 
Drug Store, located where the Daab Drug Store is located 
today. When Mr. Schauffert sold out to Herman Rose 
in 1899 John continued to work at the drug store and 
worked there for a total of 1 • irs. serving his ap- 

ihip there. Desiring to complete his education 
he went to work at the Meyer Drug Company at St. 
Louis where he worked f"r two years. Then he went to 
Indiana where he attended the [ndianapolii S 
Pharmacy for two years and graduated He came hack to 
St. Louis and found employment at the dni| 
atcd by William C. Lieser, a former Colun I 

When he learned that Herman Rose wanted I 
out he purchased the drug st.>re This was In 1918 and he 
has operated it very successfully ever since. 

H«- was married to Miss Adele Schein 
They had three children Mrs. Adele Elbaum of K 
Indiana, Mrs. Vlda Goldgar "( New Y^rk City, and 
who died in infancy. His wife also died He later i 
Mrs. Edna Barlow, and sh. ■ • 
yond. 

Daab's Dni oni> phai i 

and John is a familiar ii^urc tu all Columbians. 



93 



MRS. EMMA FIEGE 

Mrs. Emma Fiege, nee Wilde, widow of George Fiege, 
was born in Columbia, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. 
Philip Wilde, nee Mary Schmidt. 

Mrs. Fiege's paternal grandfather was Nickolaus 
Wilde, who was born in Germany, Aug. 11, 1797 and died 
in 1875. Her grandmother Wilde was born in 1808 and 
died in 1882. Both grandfather and grandmother Wilde 
were born in Germany at Koenigsreich, Bayern. 

Grandfather Nickolaus Wilde came to America in 1853, 
bringing his wife, Helena, nee Ferkel and his children, 
Barbara, 19, John, 18, Henry, 15, Philip, 13, Paul 10, Helena, 
4 and an infant. Mr. Wilde was 55 when he came to 
America. 

Mrs. Fiege has some letters relative to coming to 
America from a Jacob Wilde who was staying with Fred- 
erick Ferkel at Jefferson Barracks in 1850. After an ex- 
change of letters from the old world to the new world 
and back again, Grandfather Wilde decided to try his 
luck in the new world with his family. His passport, 
a treasured memento, in Mrs. Fiege'g hands, sets the 
time of leaving Germany at February 1853. 

Philip Wilde, Mrs. Fiege's father, had a tin shop, first 
in the old rock house the Catholic Sisters lived in; then 
in the building where Mrs. Fiege's confectionery was 
located. 

George Fiege, son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Fiege, 
and Emma Wilde were married. Edward Fiege, father of 
George, was a shoemaker in a small shop on the corner 
where now Schorbs live. George learned the barber trade 
in St. Louis at Leonard Strassner's barber shop on South 
Broadway. Mr. Strassner was the father of Mrs. Joseph 
J. Volkert, Sr. and grandfather of Elmer, Christ, Joseph 
J. Jr., August and Ralph Volkert. After George finished 
his apprenticeship at Strassner's he set up a barber shop 
where George Van Luik now lives. 

The house Mrs. Fiege lives in is 107 years old. The 
abstract of her property shows it passed from John 
Morgan to Jacob Beck in 1852; to Jacob Mild, to Henry 
Wilde, to Conrad Miller and then to Mrs. Emma Fiege. 

The homes of Philip Schmidt, now owned by Mr. and 
Mrs. Lloyd Burneson; the one owned by Nickolaus Wilde, 
now owned by Mrs. Ella Grasshaw; and the Joseph 
Schuler house, now owned by Mr. and Mrs. Eugene 
Gilbreth, and the beer cellar at the foot of Columbia 
hill are all registered in the Library of Congress at Wash- 
ington, D. C. They are examples of excellent German 
architecture and are pictured in various books of archi- 
tecture. The pictures of these houses appear in this 
history. 

The children of John L. Schmidt: Earl, Chester, Or- 
ville and Luan Crawley are great-grandchildren of Philip 
Schmidt, who owned the Brewery in back of the Philip 
Schmidt, now Burneson house. 

There is also an arched cellar near this house where 
beer was stored, before it was rolled down the hill to 
the beer cellar in the side of the hill. There are two large 
rooms in this "lagering" cellar, which the picture in this 
history will show. 

These historic places will be marked for the Cen- 
tennial, Mrs. Dorothy Eppinger being the Chairman of 
Historic Houses. 

THE ROSE FAMILY 

One of the very interesting families in Columbia is 
the Rose family. The members of the family were prac- 
tically all professional people, doctors, nurses, druggists, 
authors and teachers. 

Dr. William Rose was born February 12, 1848 at Claus 



Thai in the Hartz Mountains, Germany. He came to this 
country at the age of 13. He came to St. Louis and made 
his home with his uncle, Dr. Edward Rose. He lived there 
for three years. He worked in a drug store, learning the 
art of compounding medicines and went to medical school 
taking up the profession of medicine. He attended Christ- 
ian Bros. College and the Missouri School of Medicine. He 
graduated from the Keokuk, Iowa School of Medicine and 
became a registered physician and surgeon in the State 
of Illinois. He soon had a large practice for he was an 
excellent physician. He was a hard worker and traveled 
all over the countryside. He did a great deal of his sleep- 
ing en route to call on his patients for the doctor went 
to see his patients and hospitals were little used except 
in extreme emergencies. His hostler and driver was Fried- 
rich Ernst. 

On March 12, 1869 Dr. Rose was united in marriage 
with Miss Lena Freckman of St. Louis. The marriage was a 
very happy one for Mrs. Rose was always a wonderful 
wife and mother. As the wife of a country doctor and 
business man, for the doctor conducted a drug store too, 
patients and patrons who came from out of town came 
and generally found their way to the spacious and beauti- 
ful Rose home with its acres of lawn. Mrs. Rose was 
never sure just how many guests she would have for 
meals, but all were entertained most graciously. The 
Roses had thirteen children, but three died early in life. 
The children who grew up were: Dr. Fred Rose, who 
located in Millstadt; Dr. William Rose, Jr., who succeeded 
his father in Columbia; Herman L. Rose, St. Louis; Dr. 
E. S. Rose, a dentist of Dupo; Oliver Rose of Columbia; 
Mrs. Ida Cannady, wife of Dr. Edward Cannady of East 
St. Louis; Mrs. Louise Wilk, wife of Rev. W. F. Wilk of 
St. Louis; Mrs. Bertha Hollingsworth, wife of Charles 
Hollingsworth of California; Mrs. Emily Bowler of St. 
Louis and Mrs. Ella Rohm of Columbia, wife of Ferdi- 
nand Rohm. 

Dr. Rose was a busy man, but still had time to serve 
his community, for he was a member of the Columbia 
Board of Education for many years and also President 
of the Board. 

He died July 26, 1896. Columbia mourned for him for 
he was so much a part of Columbia that his passing left 
an aching void. His wife died Dec. 18, 1939. 

This is the roster of the Rose family who were pro- 
fessional men and women affiliated with the medical 
profession: Dr. Wm. Rose, Sr. had two sons, Fred of Mill- 
stadt and William of Columbia, both doctors. One son, 
Herman, was a druggist at Columbia. He was Chief Phar- 
macist at the St. Louis City Hospital, but is now retired; 
Dr. Rose's daughter, Mrs. Bertha Hollingsworth was a 
Red Cross nurse. She was in charge of Army Base Hospital 
65 at Brest, France in World War I. Dr. Edward Rose, 
son of Dr. Wm. Rose, Sr. was a dentist and orthodontist 
at Dupo, Illinois. He had three sons: Dr. Raymond Rose, 
a physician and surgeon and anesthetist at Weston 
Springs, Illinois; another son is Dr. Wm. Rose of Dupo, 
physician and surgeon; his brother is Dr. Edward Rose, 
a dentist at Clayton, Mo. 

Dr. Edward Cannady of East St. Louis is a grandson 
of the first Dr. Rose. Miss Esther Rose, daughter of the 
second Dr. Wm. Rose and his wife Adelia, nee Weinel, 
is a registered nurse. Mrs. Florence Eschelmann nee 
Florence Rohm, daughter of Ferdinand Rohm and his 
wife Ella, and granddaughter of the first Dr. Rose is a 
registered nurse. Dr. Fred Rose, Sr. has a son, Dr. Fred- 
erick Rose of Belleville, who is a physician and surgeon. 

This truly is a remarkable family, dedicated to serv- 
ing mankind. 



94 



DR. FREDERICK WILLIAM GEBHARDT 

Dr. Frederick William Gebhardt, one of Columbia's 
physicians and surgeons, came to Columbia with fiis wife 
and family in 1953. 

Both he and his wife and three of their four chil- 
dren, Felicitas Irene, Klaus and Mark D. were born In Ger- 
many. Their youngest child, Claudia, was born in this 
country'. 

They came to the United States in 1949, locating 
In St. Louis. Later they located at Herculaneum. Mo., and 
then at Valmeyer. Illinois. 

Dr. Gebhardt is the son of Frederick and Anna Geb- 
hardt, of Cologne, Germany. His father served for three 
terms as postmaster of Biedenkas, a suburb of Cologne. 
His father was a musician, specializing on the trumpet 
and viola. 

Dr. Gebhardt is a graduate in medicine of the Uni- 
versity of Marburg. He also attended Helsinki University 
at Helsinki, Finland. 

Dr. Gebhardt married Miss Ingeborg Gress, daughter 
of Dr. and Mrs. Richard Gress of Kassel, Germany. Dr. 
Gress is a musician and composer and well known to Co- 
lumbians because of his visits here. 

Mrs. Gebhardt is a graduate in music of Kassel Uni- 
versity and is a concert pianisL She also was a voice 
major at the University. 

Dr. Gebhardt practiced in Germany from 1939 to 1949. 
He served in the German Army in the campaign against 
the Russians, and was thrice wounded. 

One of the happiest days in the lives of the family 
was that day in 1955 when they officially became citizens 
of their adopted country — The United States of America. 

MBS. CAROLINE VOGEL 

Mrs. Caroline Vogel, nee Loehr, widow of the late Dr. 
Frederick George Vogel, prominent Waterloo physician, 
makes her home here with her son, Dr. E. G. Vogel. She 
has lived here since 1942. Dr. Vogel has been a dentist in 
Columbia since the early 1900's. 

Mrs. Caroline Vogel and her husband, Dr. Frederick 
Vogel, had four children, E. G., Victor, Viola and Rose. 
Only Dr. Vogel survives. 

The younger Dr. Vogel married Miss Margaret Illert 
of Waterloo. They have three children, Helen and Fred- 
erick at home and Mrs. Viola Frank of Waterloo. 

The Vogel family originated in Germany. Dr. Fred- 
erick Vogel's parents were German emigres and settled 
in Pennsylvania, later coming to Illinois. 

Mrs. Caroline Vogel, who is 85. is still hale and hearty. 

FERDINAND KREMMEL 

Ferdinand Kremmel came to Columbia in 1918 after 
farming in the American Bottom for many years. He 
came from Switzerland and settled in the Bottom, marry- 
ing Miss Bernadine Schmidt. They had eight children, 
seven boys and one girl. The children were: Ferdinand, 
George, Roy who died; and Gus. Louis, John and Harry, 
all farmers. The lone daughter, Cora, is the wife of Louis 
Ritter of Columbia. 

Louis Ritter's father was a barber here as was Louis 
Ritter, jr. The elder Mr. Ritter's wife was Miss Uzzetha 
Riebeling. Their children were: Mrs. Louise Aithoff, Mrs. 



Lucretia Schueler, Mrs. Laura Breidecker of Columbia and 
Mrs. Lucinda Jones of Whitehall, Illinois. Two daughters, 
Mrs. Jacob Habermehl (Lizettha) and Mrs. Lenora 
Schlemmer have passed away. 

CHARLES DIEHL, JR. 

Charles Diehl, Jr. is the son of Charles Diehl. Sr. who 
for many years was a Bluff farmer. His wife was the for- 
mer Katie Fidler, who also lived on the Bluff. Their par- 
ents were all emigres from Germany. 

Charley, as we all know Chas. Diehl, Jr., found an in- 
teresting career because he lost his job at Dupo during the 
railroad strike. He puzzled over how to make a living and 
remembering that as a boy on the farm they grew many 
vegetables, he decided to raise and sell vegetable plants. 
This proved lucrative, so he decided to raise potted 
plants. Later he decided to try flowers for cutting and 
this proved a good venture, so he decided to raise trees 
and shrubs. 

Uncle Sam called his helpers, his sons, to the army so 
it was not until after the boys got back from the army 
that he went into the nursery business which is now a 
thriving business. 

Christian Diehl, Charley's grandfather, was a German 
immigrant. He was a tailor and learned his trade in the 
old country. In 1870 he opened a tailor shop In Columbia. 
Believing he could make more money farming, he pur- 
chased a farm on the Bluff. There he prospered. But in 
1881 a terrible tragedy befell the family. A crew of thir- 
teen were threshing wheat on the Diehl farm and the 
steam engine blew up, killing nine of the men at work, 
including Charley's grandfather. Charley's father rode on 
horseback to town to get Dr. Wm. Rose, and Joseph Volk- 
ert, Sr., who was sitting on the drug store steps, said he 
never forgot the tragedy written in the eyes of Charley's 
father. 

Charley had three sisters, Sophia, now deceased, wife 
of George Glaenzer; Mary, wife of Herman Heinrich and 
Emma, wife of Louis Taake. 

Charley married Miss Laura Horcher. They have two 
sons, Norman, who married Caroline Baumer, and LeRoy, 
who married Ruth Kuehner. LeRoy has a florist shop in 
Waterloo. LeRoy had studied law and gone to Parks' 
Aviation College and is a licensed pilot, but rheumatic 
fever interrupted that career, so he has established a 
modern florist shop in Waterloo. Norman Is In business 
here, taking over the reins after his father retired about 
the first of the year. 

OLD HOMES 

We wish we had the space to describe the many in- 
teresting old houses in Columbia. In a survey taken by 
Mrs. Dorothy Eppinger, Historical Homes Chairman, she 
found that Columbia had over 200 houses over a hundred 
years old. 

The houses surveyed were found to be in excellent 
condition. They are mostly brick houses, for early Colum- 
bia had many brick yards. An amusing sidelight Is that 
Columbians always refer to the old Columbia brick as be- 
ing of Inferior quality, yet here are the houses built of 
this "soft" Columbia brick standing true and strong after 
a century of use. 



H 



PATRONS 



LOUIS KREMMEL 

MISS ROSALIE GIFFHORN 

MISS CLARICE GIFFHORN 

MRS. ANN WITHUM 

MR. AND MRS. KENNETH G. HALLER 

ROLAND WESSEL 

MR. AND MRS. GENE POMEROY 

FRED P. DOTZAUER 

MR. AND MRS. KEITH HACKER 

WALTER H. WILDE 

HENRY REHG 

MR. AND MRS. ALOYS G. RIEBELING 

MRS. L. P. WEINEL 

HAROLD T. REICHERT 

MRS. LOUISE G. WOLF 

MR. AND MRS. RICHARD D. BESS 

MR. AND MRS. OTIS J. REXROTH 

MONROE COUNTY FARMERS' UNION 

MRS. CARRIE ROSE 

MR. AND MRS. CARL A. REIS 

MISS MARGUERITE RICKERT 

JOHN BYERS 

JUDITH SCHLEMMER GLAENZER 

VERNON W. SMITH 

MR. AND MRS. TOM HENDERSON 

MR. AND MRS. LOUIS MAURER 

MR. AND MRS. CARL JUENGLING 

MR. AND MRS. OTTO GILDEHAUS 

CARL A. LANDGRAF 

MR. AND MRS. ARTHUR TOENJES 

MR. AND MRS. LEO FROMME 

MR. AND MRS. ARMJN WEILBACHER 

MR. AND MRS. ALVIN REY 

MR. AND MRS. LEO SHEA SR. 

FORREST DEAN KEIM 

CARL P. WINK 

MR. AND MRS. EDWIN L. BUETTNER 

WILLIAM E. RAUCH 

SADIE B. HENCKLER 

MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM M. LOWE JR. 

CLEMENS SCHMIDT 

ROBERT AND BESSIE RIEBELING 

MR. AND MRS. CARL RUECK 

MILLER AND FIEGE FAMILIES 



MR. AND MRS. ELMER SCHEWE 

MR. AND MRS. JOHN H. JAHR 

L AND S FARM SUPPLY 

MR. AND MRS. WALTER C. NAUMANN 

MRS. WESLEY R. DICKSON 

WALTEMATE'S LANDSCAPE SERVICE 

ANDY CERMAK 

MR. AND MRS. CONRAD A. KOLMER 

MR. AND MRS. OSCAR GROSSE 

RAYMOND SCHNEIDER 

MR. AND MRS. FRED B. MUELLER 

MR. AND MRS. ARTHUR LEPP SR. 

ALFRIEDA BREIDECKER 

MR. AND MRS. ERWIN A. HANKAMER 

MR. AND MRS. ROY P. CONRAD 

MR. AND MRS. FREDERICK C. YOUNG 

WALTER RODEMICH 

MR. AND MRS. ALFRED ASSELMEIER 

MRS. THOMAS C. SCHMIDT 

MR. AND MRS. WAYNE S. COMPTON 

RUTH S. METTER 

OLIVER REY 

RONALD HUCH 

LARRY HUCH 

KENNETH AND AUDREY JAHR 

ALBERT W. FAUS 

MR. AND MRS. EDGAR S. AMRINE 

MR. AND MRS. ADAM REICHERT 

MR. AND MRS. CARLYLE SCHNEIDER 

MR. AND MRS. GEORGE W. ECKERT JR. 

DR. AND MRS. P. H. VARDIMAN 

MRS. MINNIE (BERGMANN) THOMAS 

MR. AND MRS. JULIUS STRAUB 

MRS. S. SCHWARTZ 

MR. AND MRS. WM. E. C. KLEIN 

ROY C. SCHMIDT 

GUSTAV SCHNEIDER 

MR. AND MRS. MELVIN GASSER 

ALFRED J. BALTZ 

MRS. LYDIA BERGMANN 

GEORGE F. ECKERT SR. 

PETE AND LILLIAN PRETZLIK 

WILLIAM AND BARBARA RIEBELING 

JOHN F. LANDGRAF SR. 



96 



PATRONS 



MRS. ELLA HAAS RITTER 

EUGENE J. MUELLER 

MISSES BERTHA AND EMMA HABERLAH 

MRS. EMMA FIEGE 

MR. AND MRS. ALBERT L. DASHNER 

MRS. EDWARD S. ROSE 

DR. AND MRS. RAYMOND F. ROSE 

MR. AND MRS. HAROLD S. MUELLER 

MR. AND MRS. LESTER ECKERT 

MR. AND MRS. TRACT KNAUER 

MRS. ANNA LEFHOLZ 

MR. AND MRS. JOHN McFERON 

MR. AND MRS. ELMER DIEL 

JuHN OERTER 

BALTZ'S TAVERN 

EDWIN SCHLEGEL 

LOU KLEYER'S BEAUTY SHOP 

MR. AND MRS. CARL W. WILDE 

DR. AND MRS. GERARD J. DUNDON 

LEO A. WEILBACHER SR. 

MR. AND MRS. EDGAR O. ZIMMER 

ALFRED AND MARCELLA CROWDER 

MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM A. REIS 

JOHN A. MENZ 

MRS. BERTHA ANN SCHOENING 

OLIVIA C. ARNIN 

JOSEPH BRAND 

MR. AND MRS. GUS W. STU1VD7F 

MR. AND MRS. RAYMOND PELLMANN 

MR. AND MRS. TONY SCHLEGEL 

MR. AND MRS. JOSEPH A. SCHROEDER 

MR. AND MRS. AUGUST J. EBERSOHL 

MR. AND MRS. WM. F. KL'ERGELEIS 

MR. AND MRS. ELMER WEIDENAUER 

MR. AND MRS. VERNON V. SCHNEIDER 

MR. AND MRS. ALBERT KISH 

MR. AND MRS. LeROY O. KEIM 

MR. AND MRS. CLARENCE HERBST 

MR. AND MRS. ERNST HUCH 

MR. AND MRS. ELMER A JANSON 

MR. AND MRS. BEN FRESEN 

MR. AND MRS. EDWARD J. WEILBACHER 

MR. AND MRS. LEWIS BUETTNER 

MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM KLKINSCHM1DT 

DR. AND MRS. FRANK L. EVERSII.L 

MR. AND MRS. G. S. SERAFINI 



AUGUST F. WEINEL LUMBER COMPANY 

MR. AND MRS. EDWARD J. LUDE 

MARCELLA VOGT 

MR. AND MRS. EARL W. WILDE 

MR. AND MRS. ERW1N F. A. WITIIl'M SR. 

MR. AND MRS. ERWIN G. WITHUM JR. 

JAMES E. VOGT 

MR. AND MRS. MARK COLLIER 

MR. AND MRS. FRANK FINNERTY 

MRS. IDA THOMPSON 

MR. AND MRS. GILBERT P. ARNIN 

MR. AND MRS. KERMIT BLITTERSDORF 

MR. AND MRS. EDWARD F. KREMMEL 

MR. AND MRS. EUGENE GILBRETH 

MR. AND MRS. HUBERT HORCHER 

MR. AND MRS. E. A. HEISE 

MR. AND MRS. ELMER G. RAUCH 

MR. AND MRS. HOWARD MUSKOPF 

MR. AND MRS. GEORGE ROESSLER 

MR. AND MRS. ADOLPH ROHM 

MR. AND MRS. AUGUST G. HEISE 

MR. AND MRS. HERBERT J. VOGT 

ALBERT C. AND CORA M. METTER 

JAMES AND MARY BENNOR 

FRANK AND BARBARA FARBER 

MR. AND MRS. GEORGE O. DASHNER 

MR. AND MRS. ADOLPH DREHER 

MR. AND MRS. F. W. WEINEL 

HULDA BREIDECKER 

VICTOR BREIDECKER 

MR. AND MRS. NORMAN W. BECK 

MR. AND MRS CLARENCE HACKER 

DOROTHY WEINEL EPPINGER 

MR. AND MRS. THEO. LUDWIG 

MR. AND MRS. WALTER PAPE 

MR. AND MRS. LESTER DOETTLING 

MR. AND MRS. WARREN G. HOOCK 

DOROTHY A CHRISTOPHER 

MR AND MRS. EDWARD F. SCHULMEISTER 

MR. AND MRS. ALOIS MEYER 

MR AND MRS. RALPH C. BECKMANN 

MR. AND MRS. B D M1DDLETON 

MATHILDA McMULLAM 

MR. AND MRS. V. J. YOUNGHAUS 

MRS. CHARLES STRAUB 



n 



MB. AND MRS. MILTON G. JANSON 

MRS. EDWARD BOLLINGER 

MR. AND MRS. CHARLES J. GRUENINGER 

WM. S. HAUDRICH 

MRS. FLORENCE JAENKE 

MR. AND MRS. ARTHUR P. WINK 

DR. A. H. AND ANNA M. MAEYS 

MR. AND MRS. RAYMOND C. KOCH 

MR. AND MRS. LESTER LAMMERS 

MR. AND MRS. LOUIS TOENJES 

MR. AND MRS. ARTHUR H. SPARWASSER 

MR. AND MRS. ROBERT E. PAYNE 

MR. AND MRS. E. L. RAUCH 

MR. AND MRS. EDWARD J. DOERR 

CHARLES C. ROEVER 

DR. AND MRS. E. G. VOGEL 

MR. AND MRS. HERBERT A. GOSS 

MRS. JOHN L. STEPPIG 

MR. AND MRS. RAYMOND F. TODD 

MR. AND MRS. HARRY A. HALLER 

MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM G. McCONKEY 

MR. AND MRS. JOS. L. RARD 

MR. AND MRS. ALPHONSE SCHAFFER 

MR. AND MRS. WM. J. FAUST 

MR. AND MRS. CARL L. SCHIEMER 

ELLA M. SCHIEMER 

ROBERT H. SCHIEMER 

RUTH KUERGELEIS 

MR. AND MRS. ALVIN G. KLEIN 

MR. AND MRS. ELLARD RIESO 

MR. AND MRS. GEORGE SCHAEFFER 

MR. AND MRS. GEORGE R. NAUMANN 

MRS. OTTO ROEDIGER 

MR. AND MRS. ALBERT VICK 

MRS. OPHELIA MUELLER 

BERTHA M. SCHMIDT 

MRS. CHARLES J. SCHNEIDER 

MR. AND MRS. CARL W. RIEBELING 

MR. AND MRS. FERDINAND ROHM 

MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM C. STONECIPHER 

MR. AND MRS. CLARENCE O. HOFFMAN 

MR. AND MRS. ELTEN J. SCHORB 

MR. AND MRS. RONALD THOMAS RAEBER 

REV. ED. HUSTEDDE 

REV. CHARLES E. HELLRUNG 

ELMER F. OERTER 



PATRONS 

MR. AND MRS. FRANK SLOVINSKI 

La VERN'S CONFECTIONERY 

MR. AND MRS. WALTER M. REHG 

ARTHUR "BUNNY" RUECK 

ARTHUR W. BECKMANN 

MR. AND MRS. JOSEPH J. VOLKERT, JR. 

MR. AND MRS. TOGS LUCZAK 

MR. AND MRS. JAMES A. MAHONEY 

RAY J. TUNZE 

MR. AND MRS. L. L. RAU 

MR. AND MRS. JOHN CARLE, SR. 

ERNESTINE C. SMITH 

MR. AND MRS. DONALD A. STUMPF, SR. 

MR. AND MRS. FRED A. RICHERT 

MR. AND MRS. CLIFFORD A. HABERL 

MR. AND MRS. FRANK HABERL 

MR. AND MRS. EARL E. SCHMIDT 

MR. AND MRS. WM. F. STUMPF 

MR. AND MRS. GENE F. HENCKLER 

REV. AND MRS. NORMAN H. RAHMOELLER 

MR. AND MRS. FRED JUENGLING, JR. 

MR. AND MRS. ARMIN MAUS 

MR. AND MRS. CHARLES E. BRUCKER 

ARTHUR T. PARROTT 

MR. AND MRS. HARRY J. ARNIN 

MR. AND MRS. OLIVER A. REY 

MR. AND MRS. WILBERT H. KREMMEL 

MR, AND MRS. JAMES Y. MILLER 

MR. AND MRS. CLARENCE BUSS 

MR. AND MRS. HOWARD S. LIVELY 

MR. AND MRS. ARTHUR H. RUECK 

EMIL PULSE 

MR. AND MRS. HENRY HABERLAH 

MR. AND MRS. ROBERT A. WINTERS 

MB. AND MRS. LOUIS G. LANG 

MR. AND MRS. JOHN S. DIVERS 

MR. AND MRS. RALPH C. VOLKERT 

MR. AND MRS. ARTHUR H. KLEIN 

MRS. OLGA NOLLAU 

MR. AND MRS. ADOLPH VAN LUIK 

MR. AND MRS. ELMER G. BALTZ 

ARTHUR BALD 

MR. AND MRS. ARMIN C. HEIKEN 

MRS. MINNIE RITTER 

MR. AND MRS. WILBUR LOCKLEY 

MR. AND MRS. LEO C. DRAKE 



S 



PATRONS 



MR. AND MRS. ART WOOLLEY 
MR. AND MRS. CLYDE W. DRURY 
MRS. LOUISA OLTHOFF 
MR. AND MRS. JACOB DAAB 
MR. AND MRS. FRED G. YOUNG 
MR. AND MRS. HERBERT A. OELZEN 
MRS. MARY KREMMEL 
MR. AND MRS. RAYMOND F. KREMMEL 
MR. AND MRS. AUGUST J. VOLKERT 
MR. AND MRS. WALTER H. FRIERDICH 
CLEM J. METTER 

MR. AND MRS. VICTOR J. REICH ERT 
MRS. H. N. KUNZ 
MRS. BERTHA FISCHER 
MRS. FRANCES LAUB 
JOHN J. MUELLER 
MR. AND MRS. ALVIN FRIERDICH 
MR. AND MRS. HAROLD H. NOLTE 
COLUMBIA GYMNASTIC ASSN. 
MR. AND MRS. OMER C. WEISENBORN 
MR. AND MRS. PAUL E. REYLING 
MR. AND MRS. ART. STUMPF 
LEO F. KOBERLEIN 

MR. AND MRS. LOREN D. ESHELMAN 
FRANK J. ROIDER 
MR. AND MRS. LOUIS REIS 
E. R. AND ALMA VOLKERT 
FRANK AND JAKE KNIPPLER 
MR. AND MRS. MONROE H. TROST 
THE REV. AND MRS. GERHARD A. FRIZ 
LOUISE PRETZ1.IK 
MR. AND MRS. ALFRED J. DESCHER 
MR. AND MRS. GEO. J. VAN LLIK 
MR. AND MRS. EDWARD G. VOGT 
MR. AND MRS. M. W. STEFFENAUER 
MR. AND MRS. C. L. VOLKERT 
MISS MARGARET VOLKERT 
MR. AND MRS. GEORGE F. VOGT 
MR. AND MRS. J. LEONARD VOLKERT 
MR. AND MRS. WALTER F. GIFFHORN 
MR AND MRS. JOHN A. TRENZ 
MRS. HULDA GUMMKRSHKIMER 
MR AND MRS. WM. E. I.ANDGRAF 
MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM C. REHG 
MR. AND MRS. ARTHUR RIPPELMEYER 
MR AND MRS. RAYMOND SCHROEDER 
MR. AND MRS. DON R. NAUM ANN- 



MR. AND MRS. LORENZ J. SCHNELL 
MARY JANE AND LINDA MACDONALD 
MR. AND MRS. HAROLD F. SCHNELL 
MR. AND MRS. GEORGE GROH 
MR. AND MRS. ROBERT CURLEY SCHNEIDER 
MR. AND MRS. ARTHUR WEINEL 
MR. AND MRS. HARRY H. NIEMANN 
MR. AND MRS. SYLVESTER ZOELLER 
ESTHER VOGT JOYCE 
ELLEN KAY COHEN 
MR. AND MRS. BEN SUNDERMAN 
OLIVER J. AND ELSIE WILDE 
MR. AND MRS. HORACE C. VOLKERT 
MR. AND MRS. VERNON WOODCOCK 
DAVID A. VOGT 

MR. AND MRS. HARVEY T. BUETTNER 
MISS JEANNETTE HILLS 
EDWIN C. OFFERMANN 
MR. AND MRS. GENE E. MEHRTENS 
MR. AND MRS. FRED E. WILLS 
MR. AND MRS. EDWARD SICKMIER 
MR. AND MRS. LESTER F. DEFFENBAUGH 
MR. AND MRS. OLIVER M. DURRER 
MR. AND MRS. FRED HENCKLER 
MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM SANDER, SR. 
EMILIA LOTZ 

MR. AND MRS. H. G. FRIERDICH 
MRS. EUGENE LUHR 

MR. AND MRS. HOWARD A. DOTZAUER 
CLARENCE GUMMERSHEIMER 
JOHN L. GUMMERSHEIMER 
S. JACKSON 

MR. AND MRS. WM. C. GUMMERSHEIMER 
MR. AND MRS. ARNOLD F. STUMPF 
MR. AND MRS. D. Y. HORSLEY 
MR. AND MRS. HERBERT L. MUELLER 
MR. AND MRS. JACK STEPPIG 
PHILIP BRAIVH 
WILLIAM A. ECKERT 
BERTHA SCHMIDT TUNZE 
SOPHIA VOGT SONDEL 
MRS. EMMA MANN- 
MR. AND MRS. HARVEY TAAKE 
MR. AND MRS. EARL SCHAEFER 
JOHN A. DAAB 
MRS. WILLIAM BAUCB 
WILLIAM P. CONRAD 



99 



L'ENVOI 

In all they wrought, the souls of these still live; 

Their deed, their thought, each brave word bravely said, 

Live past the grave and master it, to give 

The living help and strength when life is fraught 

With sorest need of courage. All the length 

Of years, of time and change, the hopes, the fears, 

The failures and forgetfulness of lives between 

Our lives and theirs, take nothing from their strength. 

Their life abides. They are not dead. For still 
Our work is done to give them all their will. 
Near and afar, from sea to sea across the land, 
Their light is shed in light of every star, 

Blent with the stronger flame of day and made 

Intense, until our eyes are blinded, and betrayed 

By glories of our day, we turn lest we should see 

The dazzling radiance of the things to be. 

When by our aftercomers, it is said 

That we and these are of the old-time dead 

Yet still our work and all their work shall thrive 

To win the years a light that shall not fade 

Nor fail at last the stronger age, whose worth 

From time's old strains and crimes and hopes betrayed, 

Shall wrest the future of the ransomed earth. 

William Vincent Byars, 
From "The Axemen-The Artifex." (Mss.) 



100 



1 



Clarion Printing Co 



UNIVERSITY OF ILLI NOI S-URBANA