some of whom enjoy a wide celebrity for the supe-
riority and nicety of their work. Among the latter
the well-known establishment of John A. Scholten is
specially worthy of mention. Mr. Scholten was born
in Bees, a town on the Rhine, in Prussia, and at-
tended the schools of his native place until four-
teen years old, when he emigrated with his parents
to America, settling at Hermann, Mo. Here he
remained for three years, and then removed to St.
Louis, where he spent some time in the dry-goods
store of Trueworthy Hoyt, a respected and highly
successful merchant. In 1857, however, he aban-
doned commercial pursuits and turned his attention
to his present calling, in which he soon won an exten-
sive local reputation for the correctness and artistic
beauty of the likenesses which he produced. His
success prompted him to choose a more central loca-
tion, and he removed to Fourth Street, between Olive
and Locust, and subsequently to the northwest corner
of Olive and Fifth Streets. His rooms at the latter
location were models of elegance and good taste.
In 1874 he removed to his present location, near
Olive and Tenth Streets, which he had fitted up es-
pecially for the delicate requirements of his profes-
sion. On New Year's night, 1878, his establishment
was burned, but in May, 1879, he resumed business
at the same location, in a studio erected specially for
him, and combining all the approved features of the
most celebrated Eastern galleries, modified in such par-
ticulars as Mr. Scholten's long and varied experience
had shown to be desirable. He not only built a
structure suitable in every way to his art, but pro-
cured the most costly and perfect apparatus yet in-
vented.
Mr. Scholten has applied himself to his calling
with unreserved devotion, and has been an enthusi-
astic laborer, constantly experimenting and perfecting.
Instead of being content with the accepted methods
of others, he has investigated for himself, and in so
doing has been the introducer of improvements hav-
ing a permanent value. He was the first to introduce
into St. Louis the popular carte de visite, and by lib-
eral yet judicious expenditure has contributed materi-
ally to the development of the photographic art in St.
Louis. The estimation in which he is held by lead-
ing citizens appears in the following testimonial :
"MERCHANTS' EXCHANGE OF ST. LOUIS.
" John Wahl, Prest. George H. Morgan, Sec.
"ST. Louis, May 3, 1879.
" MR. JOHN A. SCHOLTEN :
" Dear Sir, The undersigned, president and ex-presidents
of the Merchants' Exchange, desiring to express to you their ap-
preciation of your kindness in contributing to the 'records' of
the Exchange the handsomely framed portraits of the ' presi-
dents,' have had prepared the accompanying medal, which they
beg you to accept as a token of the esteem in which you are
held by them individually, and as a recognition on the part of
the Exchange of your liberality and courtesy. They desire also
to congratulate you on the opening of your new rooms, and trust
you may receive the generous patronage which you so richly
deserve as an artist and a gentleman.
" D. P. ROWLAND. WEB M. SAM TEL.
"GEORGE BAI.V. JOHN A. SCDDDER.
"WILLIAM J. LEWIS. NATHAN COLE.
"THOMAS RICHESON. R. R. TANSEY.
" W. H. ScrDDER. E. 0. STANARD.
"Attest:
"JOHN WAHL, Prest. GEORGE H. MORGAN, Sec,"
TRADE, COMMERCE, AND MANUFACTURES.
1335
Copper and Tin. la 1816, John Dowling com-
menced the business of a copper and tin manufacturer
in St. Louis, in a shop " in the rear of Mr. Robidoux's
store, and near Matthew Kerr's store." Copper and
tinware were made and repaired. In 1817, Reuben
Neal " commenced the manufacturing of copper and
tinware in the house lately owned and occupied by
Mr. Joseph Brazeau, opposite Mr. Hempstead's, in
Church Street, St. Louis," where he made stills, fullers',
hatters', wash-, stew-, and tea-kettles, and copper, tin,
and sheet-iron ware of all descriptions. In 1820,
Neal & Liggett carried on a copper- and tin-shop on
South Main Street, opposite Antoine Dangin, Block
36. According to the census of 1880, the number of
manufactories engaged in the production of tin, cop-
per, and sheet-iron ware was one hundred and twenty,
but it is probable that there are over two hundred
establishments in the city where tinware is manufac-
tured. The value of the business has been estimated
at one million two hundred thousand dollars per an-
num.
Lithographers. There were eleven firms en-
gaged in the lithographing business in 1882, and St.
Louis enjoys facilities in this respect possessed by few
other cities in the country. One of the pioneer firms
engaged in this industry is that of August Gast & Co.
Its founder, August Gast, was born in Belle, a village
in the princedom of Lippe-Detmold, Germany, March
10, 1819. He was educated at the Gymnasium at
Detmold, and with his brother Leopold learned the
trade of lithography, and worked at this business in
Germany for several years. The disturbances of 1848
prostrated business in that country, and the brothers
determined to emigrate to America. They had very
little money, their chief possession being a press and
a small lithographic outfit which belonged to Leopold.
They spent some months in New York, and about one
and a half years in Pittsburgh, and finally, in 1852,
arrived in St. Louis, and commenced business as lith-
ographers in a little shop on Fourth Street, between
Walnut and Elm Streets, where the " Southern Hotel"
now stands. They started with the small outfit above
mentioned, and the name of the firm was Leopold
Gast & Brother.
Up to that time there had been but one lithographer
in St. Louis, Julius Hutawa, who confined himself
chiefly to the production of maps. His trade was
small, and he soon went out of business, leaving Gast
& Brother in sole possession of the field.
The brothers began on a very modest scale, but
they did good work and soon began to prosper. In
I860', August Gast purchased his brother Leopold's
interest, and from 1866 to 1877 he had two partners.
In the latter year he purchased their interest also,
and admitted E. F. Wittier to this firm. Wittier
had been for some years traveling agent, and had
distinguished himself by his industry and efficiency.
In January, 1878, the firm was further enlarged by
the admission of Louis Wall. Since that time the
business has expanded rapidly, and the house now
employs four color artists, fifteen engravers, fifteen
transferors, ten steam-presses, several compositors,
and hand-press printers, bookbinders, etc., and in
May, 1882, the business of steel-engraving was added,
the whole requiring a force of about one hundred and
ten hands. It is one of the largest establishments of
the kind in the West. It has devoted itself to the
higher class of work, and enjoys a wide-spread reputa-
tion for the beauty and elegance of its manufactures.
Mr. Gast landed in St. Louis without a penny in
his pocket, and when he started in business he did
no small share of the work with his own hands.
What thirty years of industry have accomplished
may be seen by going through his mammoth estab-
lishment in St. Louis and viewing the army of work-
men employed there.
In March, 1853, Mr. Gast was married to Sophie
Von Laer, a native of Schleswig. She died in 1864,
and in November, 1865, Mr. Gast again married, his
wife being Marie Barthel, a native of Leipsic, Sax-
ony. Both are members of the Evangelical Lutheran
congregation.
Early Trade Notes. From the advertising col-
umns of the newspapers, from pamphlets, and other
sources not directly in the line of historical data
many interesting facts are to be learned. On Aug.
24, 1808, C. Burns advertised for two or three jour-
neyman tailors, " to whom constant employment and
good wages will be given." On September 14th of
the same year F. Hinkle " wanted to hire a negro
woman, one without children will be preferred," and
on September 17th, William "Harris, hatter, respect-
fully informed " his friends and the public in general
that he has commenced the hatting business in all its
different branches on Main Street, next door below
Dr. Saugrain's, where any person may be supplied on
the shortest notice and on moderate terms." On the
14th of the following month a house was to be rented
on application to M. P. Lcduc, and the same day
Samuel Solomon had twelve hundred gallons of good
old whiskey for sale for cash. On Jan. 11, 1801), we
find that "Joseph Coppinger proposes setting off for
New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, and Wash-
ington on the 1st of February, to return in May. He
takes this method of offering his agency to his friends
and the public, and expects reasonable compensation
1336
HISTORY OF SAINT LOUIS.
for any trust undertaken." Aaron Elliott & Son, of
Ste. Genevieve, on the 7th of June, advertised in the
St. Louis papers to the effect that " all those who
have open accounts with Aaron Elliott, or Aaron
Elliott & Son, are requested to call and close the same
prior to the 1st August, 1809. Those who neglect
this call will have their accounts to settle with an
attorney," with a postscript stating that they had
constantly on hand a complete assortment of drugs
and medicines, " which they will sell either wholesale
or retail on as good terms as can be purchased in this
country." On July 5th, Michael Dolan, " tailor
and habit-maker," Main Street, announced that he had
opened a shop at the house then occupied by Mr.
Hampton, " breeches-maker." Cornelius Burns, also
a tailor, begged leave, on November 2d, to acquaint
his friends and the public that he had commenced
business on his own account at the house formerly i
occupied by Wilson & Price. On the 16th of the
same month, Bernard Lalende made it known that
he manufactured gentlemen's coats for $4.50, and
pantaloons at $1.75, " well made and in the newest
fashion." In 1811, Norman McKenzie wanted a few
carpenters, and Robert Wash announced himself as
administrator of James A. Graham, and offered a re-
ward of $20 for a fine cloak that had been stolen. J.
Septlivres, on the 2d of June, 1812, published his
card as house and sign painter. In an advertise-
ment dated Aug. 5, 1813, we find that there " ar-
rived a few days ago from the mouth of the Columbia
River, Robert Steuart, Ramsey Crooks, Joseph Mil- .
ler, and Robert McClellan, and three hunters,'' whose
narrative would appear the following week. In 1815,
William Sullivan kept a livery-stable in St. Louis,
and his terms were ten dollars per month, with no de-
duction for any horse taken out unless he remained
out a week or more, $3 per week, 75 cents for twenty-
four hours. Auguste Chouteau advertised at private
sale, May 18, 1816, his lots lately laid out on the hill
west of town, a plot of which might be seen at the
printing-office. On the 8th of June of the same
year, John Keesacker informed the " gentlemen of
St. Louis that he has opened a barber-shop in Front
Street, near Mr. Paul's store building, and pledges
himself he will give satisfaction in his line of business.
Price of shaving per month, $1." On the 18th of
June, Mrs. Baker started the millinery business in
the brick building opposite Mr. Savage's auction-
room. In 1829 the announcement was made that
" the new bathing establishment of Mr. J. Sparks &
Co. has about thirty-five visitors, and of that number
not one has experienced an hour's sickness since the
bathing commenced ; we should, for the benefit of the '
health of the city, be glad there were more encourage-
ment, and as the season is partly over, tickets have been
reduced to one dollar the season."
Miscellaneous Trades and Industries. In ad-
dition to the foregoing there is an immense variety of
trades and industries in St. Louis, of which it is im-
possible to give a particular account within the limits
of this work. Among the more important may be
mentioned the trade in wall-paper, carpets, etc., in
which thirty-one houses were engaged in 1881, their
business aggregating one million nine hundred thou-
sand dollars ; books and stationery, in which five
wholesale and seventy-five retail houses were employed
in 1881, the aggregate business being estimated at
six million nine hundred thousand dollars ; news
and book paper, etc., represented in 1881 by nine
wholesale dealers, transacting a business of three mil-
lion nine hundred thousand dollars ; J music aud musi-
cal instruments, transacted by eleven houses, whose
business was estimated in 1881 at one million six hun-
dred thousand dollars ; produce, seventy-nine houses,
with annual sales estimated in 1881 of two million
dollars, besides four firms engaged in the sale of seeds
of various kinds ; powder, guns, and sporting goods,
five wholesale firms, who confine their business to gun,
rifle, and blasting powder and similar goods, and three
firms who deal in guns, pistols, fishing-tackle, and
sporting goods; aggregate value of business in 1881,
six hundred thousand dollars.
In addition to the manufactures already described
there were in 1881 the following among other indus-
tries in active and successful operation : Agricultural
implements, seven firms, 500 hands employed, $900,-
000 value of annual product ; artificial feathers and
flowers, three firms, 79 hands, $150,000 annual sales ;
awnings and tents, ten firms, 250 hands employed,
$400,000 annual sales ; bags, paper, flax, hemp, and
jute, seven firms, 500 hands employed, $1,100,000
annual sales ; box manufactures, twelve firms, 250
hands employed, $400,000 annual sales ; brass foun-
dries, fourteen firms, 157 hands employed, $580,000
1 " At a meeting of the directors and stockholders of the ' Mis-
souri Paper Manufacturing Company,' held at their office, No.
46 Chestnut Street, St. Louis, Tuesday, Oct. 30, 1860, the or-
ganization of the company, under the laws of the State of Mis-
souri, was completed, and the following-named gentlemen con-
firmed as directors of the company for the first year from the
7th of July last, and the persons named in connection with the
same elected officers for the same term.
" Directors, as named in the license from the State, R. II. Hut
bell, E. Stafford, Bernard Poepping, George Spear, V. B. S.
Reber; President, Hon. Bernard Poepping; Vice-President
Thomas H. Paschall, Esq. ; Secretary, Edward Stafford, Esq."-
Misaouri Republican, Nov. 2, 1860.
TRADE, COMMERCE, AND MANUFACTURES.
1337
annual sales; carriages and wagons, forty firms, 1100
men and boys employed, nearly $2,000,000 annual
Bales ; confectionery, three hundred dealers, value of
business $1,200,000 per annum; cooperage, eighty
establishments, 900 hands employed, $500,000 capital
invested, total annual sales $1,500,000 ; cordage and
twine, fourteen firms, 77 hands employed, $75,000
estimated value of business ; corsets, three firms,
$10,000 annual sales; cutlery and tools, four firms,
20 hands employed, $24,000 annual sales ; engraving,
die-sinking, etc., seventeen firms, 65 hands employed,
$151,000 annual sales; wood-engraving, three firms,
24 hands employed, $40,000 annual sales ; files, six
firms, 35 hands employed, $42,000 annual sales;
glass, six firms, 400 hands employed, $600,000 an-
nual sales ; glue, five firms, 30 hands employed,
$75,000 annual sales ; machinery, forty-six firms,
1600 hands employed, $2,500,000 annual sales;
marble- and stone-work, fifty-six firms, 475 hands em-
ployed, $800,000 annual sales ; mattresses and spring-
beds, nine firms, 55 hands employed, $150,000 an-
nual sales ; mineral and soda waters, ten firms, 100
hands employed, $175,000 annual sales; paints and
varnishes, total capital invested $2,000,000, 532
hands employed, 82,700,000 annual sales ; refrigera-
tors, three firms, 101 hands employed, $309,000 an-
nual sales ; roofing and roofing materials, five firms,
75 hands employed, $177,000 annual sales; show-
cases, four firms, 79 hands employed, $90,000 annual
sales ; shirts, seventeen firms, 274 women and 52 men
employed, $280,000 annual sales ; stone and earth-
enware, five firms, forty-one hands employed, $50,000
annual sales ; tin, copper, and sheet-iron, about 200
firms, with an estimated business of $1,200,000 per
annum ; vinegar, fourteen firms, 120 hands employed,
$575,000 value of annual product; wheelwrighting,
fifty-two firms, 130 hands employed, $155,000 annual
sales ; whips, four firms, annual business $20,000 ;
wire- work, 600 hands employed, $1,300,000 annual
sales.
COMPARATIVE BUSINESS IN LEADING ARTICLES AT ST. LOUIS FOR 1878, 1879, 1880, AND 1881.
ARTICLES.
1878.
1879.
1880.
1881.
Flour, amount manufactured bbls.
1,916,290
2,142,949
2,077,625
1,718,129
" handled bbls.
3,633,872
4,154,754
1 217,664
3,600,689
Wheat, total receipts ... bush.
1 1 :;''j,431
17,093 362
21,022,275
13,243,511
Corn, " " bush.
Oats, " " bush.
9,009,723
3,882,276
13,360,636
5,002,165
22,298,077
5,607,078
21,259,310
6,295,050
Rye, " " bush.
845,932
713,728
468,755
469,796
Barley, " " bush.
1,517,292
1,831,517
2,561,992
2,411,723
36,107,334
46,037,578
60,477,547
51,785,403
Cotton, receipts bales.
338,340
472,436
352,219
461,759
Hemp, " bales.
5,087
4,072
1,731
3,580
Bagging, manufactured. . .. yards.
7,500 000
8,000,000
10,000,000
10,000,000
Hay, receipts, bales of 400 Ibs ....bales.
330,981
461,979
676,268
98,097
Tobacco, receipts hhds.
25,870
20,278
18,813
22,042
Lead, receipts in pigs, 80 Ibs. average P'S 8 -
764,357
817,594
764,887
925.406
Hog product, total exports Ibs.
188,529,593
220,891,273
199,456,866
1 96,827, 'J'JS
Cattle, receipts head.
406,235
420,654
424,720
503,862
Sheep, " head.
168,095
182,648
205,969
334,426
Hogs, " head.
1,451,634
1,762,224
1,840,684
1,672,153
Horses and mules, receipts head.
27,878
33,953
46,011
42,365
Lumber, " feet.
Shingles, " pcs.
189,238,333
88,059,000
280,986,361
77,811,500
330,935,973
106,246,750
434,043,094
56,578,785
Lath, " pcs.
33,993.000
27,713,700
41,023,400
18,523,823
Wool, total receipts Ibs.
16,469,816
20,786,742
12,387,089
11,198,272
Hides, " " Ibs.
17,129,894
20,042,734
18,436,253
20, 079, S| I
Sugar, received Ibs.
106,836,225
107,176,052
113,627,470
109,537,015
Molasses, shipped galls.
Coffee, received bags.
1,844,260
201,080
1,684,9(50
267,533
2,164,098
303,649
4,190,290
245,239
Rice, receipts bbls.
25,600
34,213
39,399
48,661
Coal. " bush.
33,087,300
36,978,150
41,972,356
44,720,175
Nails, " . ke^s
522,399
575,538
601,795
53<t,227
Potatoes, receipts . . bush
602,675
963,047
801,422
1,378,754
Salt. " . bbls.
271,521
1M4.986
313,379
232,843
" sacks.
78,781
78,345
61,348
73.239
" bush, in bulk.
Butter Ibs
" 8,627,'056
439,788
8,961,965
333,868
8,659,133
314,720
8,247,401
[
In 1871 a carefully prepared statement by William
A. Johnson showed the increase in manufactures in
twenty of the leading articles to have been nineteen
per cent, in the capital employed, and thirty per cent,
in the value of the products.
Mr. Charles W. Knapp, from whose very able paper
on St. Louis, read before the " Round Table" in Oc-
tober, 1882, we have frequently had occasion to quote,
thus groups the manufacturing cities, according to the
census of 1860, 1870, and 1880 :
1338
HISTORY OF SAINT LOUIS.
MANUFACTURING OF LEADING CITIES IN 1860.
ClTT.
Number of
Establish-
ments.
Capital.
Average
Number of
Hands.
Wages.
Cost of Material.
Product.
Baltimore
1310
$3,789,757
21,821
$4,351,244
$18,068,683
$29,591,958
1050
14,527,880
19,093
6,948,839
20,254,277
37.681,808
1032
12,320,876
12,758
4,462,633
19,040,316
34,241,520
Buffalo
792
5,529,471
6,500
1,819,382
6,974,291
10,774,400
Chicago
469
5,571,025
5,593
1,992,257
8,026,670
13,555,671
Cincinnati
2084
18,983,693
30,268
8,693,830
25,887,363
46,995,062
387
2,676,963
4,455
1,333,118
4,029,015
6,973,737
368
4,137,766
3,707
1,080,095
3,743,285
6,498,593
Jersey City
279
3,345,690
3,310
1,171,857
3,479,927
6,760.241
Newark
770
13,846,605
21,800
6,517,952
15,029,087
27,927.514
New Orleans
1232
3,431,535
5,568
2,907,469
5,295,265
11,373,265
Nfiw York
4375
61,212,757
90,204
28,481.915
90,177,038
159,107,369
Philadelphia
6298
73,318,885
137,983
27,369.254
69,562,206
135,979,677
894
17,961,985
23,769
6,651,040
13,655,956
29,211,478
Pittsburgh
1191
20,531,440
20,493
6,241,520
13,020,615
26,563,679
San Francisco
229
2,284,800
1,564
1,703 672
15,037,840
19,595,356
St. Louis
1126
12,733,948
11,737
4,372,087
16,212,699
27,000,070
Washington
429
2,905,865
3,148
1,139,154
2,884,185
5,412,102
MANUFACTURING OF LEADING CITIES IN 1870.
CITY.
Number of
Establish-
ments.
Capital.
Average
Number of
Hands.
Wages.
Cost of Material.
Product.
Baltimore
2,759
$26,049,040
23,944
$10,352,078
$36,144,425
$59,219,933
2,546
47,311,906
43 550
22 748,700
50,384,305
111,380,840
Brooklyn
1,043
25,287,981
18545
9.273,994
39,899,971
60,848,673
Buffalo
1,429
13,043,790
13,274
4 946,414
15,274,440
27,446,683
1,440
39,372,276
31,105
13,045,286
60,362,188
92,518,742
Cincinnati
2,469
42,646,152
37,344
15,601,289
44,876,148
78.905,980
1,149
13,645,018
10,063
4 539 065
16,861 357
27,049,012
Detroit
1,193
14,732,160
13,989
5,375,213
15,336,359
26,217,685
333
11,718,400
5,624
3,280,526
17,229 652
24,256,017
801
11,129,291
11,589
4,464,640
10,369.556
20,364,650
828
8,109,199
8,433
3,409,172
11,609,995
18,798,122
1,198
22,606,662
22,156
11,537,270
29 255,062
52 108,958
New Orleans
911
5,751,985
5,084
2,254,554
4,556,543
9,989,288
7,624
129 952,262
129,577
63 824,049
178,696,939
332,951,520
8,184
174,016,674
137,496
58,780,130
180,325,713
322,004,517
Providence
1,303
54,485,967
37,100
15,097,233
55,147,483
85,142,032
Pitts'>ur"h
1 184
54 303 474
34,228
18 493,124
52,165 657
88,789,414
San Francisco
1,223
21,170,856
12,377
7,238,528
20,046,321
37,410,829
4,579
60,357,001
40,856
24,221,717
87,388,252
158,761,013
Washington
952
5,021,925
4,685
2,007,600
4,754,883
9,292,173
MANUFACTURING OF LEADING CITIES IN 1880.
CITY.
Number of
Establish-
ments.
Capital.
Average
Number of
Hands.
Wages.
Cost of Material.
Product.
Baltimore
3,596
$35,760 108
55,201
$14 467,825
$46,488,244
$75,621,388
3,521
32,750 134
56 813
23 715 140
77,586 607
123,366,137
Brooklyn
5,089
56,621,399
45,226
21,672,051
124,951,203
169,757,590
Buffalo
5,137
24,188,562
16,838
6,913,702
25,888,263
40,003,265
Chicago
3,479
64,177,335
77,601
33,795,486
174,244,364
214,045,007
3,231
43,278,733
41,188
18,571,687
55,939,133
94,869,105
Cleveland
1,033
18,134, 7S!>
21.499
8,377,081
30,85(1, '.177
47,352.208
Detroit
875
1J,L'02,159
15,162
5,811,426
17,143,490
28.333,580
Jersey City
555
11,329 915
10,688
4 347,034
49,320,099
50,581,141
Louisville
1,066
19 583 013
16,579
5,496,521
19,180,212
82,381,733
Milwaukee
821
13,811,405
19.620
6,0(15,487
26,462,740
38,955,238
1,299
i':; '.ity.iio
29,232
12,809,011
-IL','.40,817
66,234,525
New Orleans
906
8,401,390
9,449
3,658,152
10,475,022
18,341,1106
New York
11,162
164 917,856
"17 977
93,378,806
275,097,236
448,209,2*8
Philadelphia
8,377
170 495 191
173,869
60,606,287
187,169.375
304.501,725
Providence 7