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'''Henry von Phul''' (1784–1874) was an American pioneer merchant, businessman and public official whose career coincided with the growth of the city of [[St. Louis]], Missouri, between 1811 and 1874.
'''Henry von Phul''' (1784–1874) was an American pioneer merchant, businessman and public official whose career coincided with the growth of the city of [[St. Louis]], Missouri, between 1811 and 1874.


== Origins ==
== Origins ==
Henry von Phul was the son of William von Phul, who was born at [[Westhofen]], in Central Pfalz, on November 14, 1739, and came to British North America in 1764, settling in [[Lancaster, Pennsylvania]], where he was married to Catharine Graff on November 14, 1775.<ref name=":0">''The Cincinnati Enquirer'' (Sept. 10, 1874), p. 4.</ref> Both belonged to the [[Moravian Church]], and it is possible that von Phul had left Germany for religious reasons.<ref name=":1">''Dictionary of Missouri Biography'' (1999).</ref> Their marriage was happy, and the fruits of it were George, Catharine, William, Sarah, Henry, [[Anna Maria von Phul|Anna Maria]], Philip and Graff von Phul.<ref name=":0" />
Henry von Phul was the son of William von Phul, who was born at [[Westhofen]], in Central Pfalz, on November 14, 1739, and came to British North America in 1764, settling in [[Lancaster, Pennsylvania]], where he was married to Catharine Graff on November 14, 1775.<ref name=":0">''The Cincinnati Enquirer'' (Sept. 10, 1874), p. 4.</ref> Both belonged to the [[Moravian Church]], and it is possible that von Phul had left Germany for religious reasons.<ref name=":1">''Dictionary of Missouri Biography'' (1999).</ref> Their marriage was happy, and the fruits of it were George, Catharine, William, Sarah, Henry, [[Anna Maria von Phul|Anna Maria]], Philip and Graff von Phul.<ref name=":0" />
== Early life ==
== Early life ==
Henry was born on August 14, 1784, in [[Philadelphia]], where in 1792 his parents and all his brothers died from the [[1793 Philadelphia yellow fever epidemic|yellow fever]] that was so fatally epidemic there during that year.<ref name=":0" /> In 1800, at which time he was the only support of his two sisters, he removed to [[Lexington, Kentucky]], where he resided ten years, in the employ of Thomas Hart, Jun., brother-in-law of [[Henry Clay]], and after whose father [[Thomas Hart Benton (politician)|Thomas H. Benton]] was named.<ref name=":0" /> In the interest of Hart, young Von Phul made numerous trips to the [[Southern United States|South]], having In charge [[Keelboat|keel-boats]] loaded with flour, lead, bagging and rope.<ref name=":0" /> Stopping at the principal towns on the [[Mississippi River]], he would dispose or his merchandise, taking In exchange cotton, which he would take to [[New Orleans]] and sell, as well as the keel-boats.<ref name=":0" /> He would then return on horseback to Lexington, where be would make up another shipment of whatever wares his customers wanted.<ref name=":0" />
Henry was born on August 14, 1784, in [[Philadelphia]], where in 1792 his parents and all his brothers died from the [[1793 Philadelphia yellow fever epidemic|yellow fever]] that was so fatally epidemic there during that year.<ref name=":0" /> In 1800, at which time he was the only support of his two sisters, he removed to [[Lexington, Kentucky]], where he resided ten years, in the employ of Thomas Hart, Jun., brother-in-law of [[Henry Clay]], and after whose father [[Thomas Hart Benton (politician)|Thomas H. Benton]] was named.<ref name=":0" /> In the interest of Hart, young Von Phul made numerous trips to the [[Southern United States|South]], having In charge [[Keelboat|keel-boats]] loaded with flour, lead, bagging and rope.<ref name=":0" /> Stopping at the principal towns on the [[Mississippi River]], he would dispose or his merchandise, taking In exchange cotton, which he would take to [[New Orleans]] and sell, as well as the keel-boats.<ref name=":0" /> He would then return on horseback to Lexington, where be would make up another shipment of whatever wares his customers wanted.<ref name=":0" />


== Move to St. Louis ==
== Move to St. Louis ==
Line 50: Line 50:
Von Phul commenced business in St. Louis in a little store on Main street, and kept dry goods, groceries and such other merchandise as is usually kept in country stores.<ref name=":0" /> In 1817 he and [[Auguste Chouteau]] raised funds to buy a fire engine and build a firehouse for the city.<ref name=":1" />
Von Phul commenced business in St. Louis in a little store on Main street, and kept dry goods, groceries and such other merchandise as is usually kept in country stores.<ref name=":0" /> In 1817 he and [[Auguste Chouteau]] raised funds to buy a fire engine and build a firehouse for the city.<ref name=":1" />


In 1831 von Phul formed a partnership with Theodore McGill, under the style of Von Phul & McGill, and moved to the corner of Olive street and the levee, where he was largely engaged in the grocery business and steamboat agency, owning an interest in some of the largest steamboats of that day.<ref name=":0" /> He was afterward senior partner of the firm of Von Phul, Waters & Co., a respected business house in St. Louis.<ref name=":0" /> For over sixty years he was continually in business as a St. Louis merchant.<ref name=":0" /> He filled several important positions connected with the municipal government of St. Louis, and was connected with many of her public and private institutions, both civil and charitable.<ref name=":0" />
In 1831 von Phul formed a partnership with Theodore McGill, under the style of Von Phul & McGill, and moved to the corner of Olive street and the levee, where he was largely engaged in the grocery business and steamboat agency, owning an interest in some of the largest steamboats of that day.<ref name=":0" /> He was afterward senior partner of the firm of Von Phul, Waters & Co., a respected business house in St. Louis.<ref name=":0" /> For over sixty years he was continually in business as a St. Louis merchant.<ref name=":0" /> He filled several important positions connected with the municipal government of St. Louis, and was connected with many of her public and private institutions, both civil and charitable.<ref name=":0" />


== Death ==
== Death ==
[[File:Vonphulhenrygrave.jpg|thumb|Shared tomb of Henry and Rosalie von Phul, [[Calvary Cemetery (St. Louis)|Calvary Cemetery and Mausoleum]], St. Louis]]
[[File:Vonphulhenrygrave.jpg|thumb|Shared tomb of Henry and Rosalie von Phul, [[Calvary Cemetery (St. Louis)|Calvary Cemetery and Mausoleum]], St. Louis]]
Henry von Phul died at his residence, 1516 Olive street, St. Louis, at about 3 p.m. on September 8, 1874, aged ninety.<ref name=":0" /> He had been prostrated for some time, and his death had been expected for several days.<ref name=":0" /> Von Phul left forty-three grandchildren and four great grandchildren.<ref name=":0" />
Henry von Phul died at his residence, 1516 Olive street, St. Louis, at about 3 p.m. on September 8, 1874, aged ninety.<ref name=":0" /> He had been prostrated for some time, and his death had been expected for several days.<ref name=":0" /> Von Phul left forty-three grandchildren and four great grandchildren.<ref name=":0" />


== Personal life ==
== Personal life ==
In 1816 von Phul was married to Rosalie Genevieve Saugrain (1797–1887), daughter of Dr. Antoine D. Saugrain, of which marriage were born fifteen children, ten of whom survived:
In 1816 von Phul was married to Rosalie Genevieve Saugrain (1797–1887), daughter of Dr. Antoine D. Saugrain, of which marriage were born fifteen children, ten of whom survived:


* Maria Taylor, wife of Thomas M. Taylor, of St. Louis;
* Maria Taylor, wife of Thomas M. Taylor, of St. Louis;
* Eliza Cook, wife of Judge William M. Cook;
* Eliza Cook, wife of Judge William M. Cook;
* Julia Bird; wife of A. T. Bird, planter in Louisiana;
* Julia Bird; wife of A. T. Bird, planter in Louisiana;
* Sophie von Phul;
* Sophie von Phul;
* Henry von Phul, Jun., a planter of Louisiana;
* Henry von Phul, Jun., a planter of Louisiana;
* Fred von Phul, commission merchant of St. Louis;
* Fred von Phul, commission merchant of St. Louis;
* Frank von Phul, merchant of New Orleans;
* Frank von Phul, merchant of New Orleans;
* William von Phul, planter in Louisiana;
* William von Phul, planter in Louisiana;
* Benjamin von Phul, cotton broker of St. Louis;
* Benjamin von Phul, cotton broker of St. Louis;
* Philip Phil Phul, of St. Louis.<ref name=":0" />
* Philip Phil Phul, of St. Louis.<ref name=":0" />
Line 84: Line 84:


* {{Cite encyclopedia |year=1999 |title=Henry von Phul (1784–1874) |encyclopedia=Dictionary of Missouri Biography |publisher=University of Missouri Press |location=Columbia, MO |url=https://missouriencyclopedia.org/people/von-phul-henry |editor-last=Christensen |editor-first=Lawrence O. |edition=online |editor-last2=Foley |editor-first2=William E. |editor-last3=Kremer |editor-first3=Gary R. |editor-first4=Kenneth H. |editor-last4=Winn}}
* {{Cite encyclopedia |year=1999 |title=Henry von Phul (1784–1874) |encyclopedia=Dictionary of Missouri Biography |publisher=University of Missouri Press |location=Columbia, MO |url=https://missouriencyclopedia.org/people/von-phul-henry |editor-last=Christensen |editor-first=Lawrence O. |edition=online |editor-last2=Foley |editor-first2=William E. |editor-last3=Kremer |editor-first3=Gary R. |editor-first4=Kenneth H. |editor-last4=Winn}}
* {{Cite book |last=Edwards |first=Richard |url=https://archive.org/details/cu31924028846827/page/90/mode/2up?q=%22Henry+von+Phul%22 |title=Edwards's Great West and Her Commercial Metropolis |last2=Hopewell |first2=M. |year=1860 |location=St. Louis |pages=90-93 |chapter=}}
* {{Cite book |last=Edwards |first=Richard |url=https://archive.org/details/cu31924028846827/page/90/mode/2up?q=%22Henry+von+Phul%22 |title=Edwards's Great West and Her Commercial Metropolis |last2=Hopewell |first2=M. |publisher=Edwards's monthly |year=1860 |location=St. Louis |pages=90-93}}
* {{Cite book |last=Stevens |first=Walter B. |url=https://archive.org/details/stlouisfourthcit02stev/page/418/mode/2up?q=%22Henry+von+Phul%22 |title=St. Louis: The Fourth City, 1764–1911 |publisher=The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. |year=1911 |volume=2 |location=St. Louis and Chicago |pages=418, 465, 480, 544, 689-90}}
* {{Cite book |last=Stevens |first=Walter B. |url=https://archive.org/details/stlouisfourthcit02stev/page/418/mode/2up?q=%22Henry+von+Phul%22 |title=St. Louis: The Fourth City, 1764–1911 |publisher=The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. |year=1911 |volume=2 |location=St. Louis and Chicago |pages=418, 465, 480, 544, 689-90}}
* {{Cite news |date=September 10, 1874 |title=Death of the Oldest Merchant of St. Louis |pages=4 |work=The Cincinnati Enquirer |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-cincinnati-enquirer-henry-von-phul-o/2686384/}} {{Source-attribution}}
* {{Cite news |date=September 10, 1874 |title=Death of the Oldest Merchant of St. Louis |pages=4 |work=The Cincinnati Enquirer |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-cincinnati-enquirer-henry-von-phul-o/2686384/}} {{Source-attribution}}

Revision as of 07:01, 4 November 2023

Henry von Phul
BornAugust 14, 1784
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedSeptember 8, 1874 (aged 90)
St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Resting placeCalvary Cemetery, St. Louis
Spouse
Rosalie Genevieve Saugrain
​
​
(m. 1816)​
RelativesAnna Maria von Phul (sister)
Military career
BranchMissouri Rangers
Battles/wars
Signature

Henry von Phul (1784–1874) was an American pioneer merchant, businessman and public official whose career coincided with the growth of the city of St. Louis, Missouri, between 1811 and 1874.

Origins

Henry von Phul was the son of William von Phul, who was born at Westhofen, in Central Pfalz, on November 14, 1739, and came to British North America in 1764, settling in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where he was married to Catharine Graff on November 14, 1775.[1] Both belonged to the Moravian Church, and it is possible that von Phul had left Germany for religious reasons.[2] Their marriage was happy, and the fruits of it were George, Catharine, William, Sarah, Henry, Anna Maria, Philip and Graff von Phul.[1]

Early life

Henry was born on August 14, 1784, in Philadelphia, where in 1792 his parents and all his brothers died from the yellow fever that was so fatally epidemic there during that year.[1] In 1800, at which time he was the only support of his two sisters, he removed to Lexington, Kentucky, where he resided ten years, in the employ of Thomas Hart, Jun., brother-in-law of Henry Clay, and after whose father Thomas H. Benton was named.[1] In the interest of Hart, young Von Phul made numerous trips to the South, having In charge keel-boats loaded with flour, lead, bagging and rope.[1] Stopping at the principal towns on the Mississippi River, he would dispose or his merchandise, taking In exchange cotton, which he would take to New Orleans and sell, as well as the keel-boats.[1] He would then return on horseback to Lexington, where be would make up another shipment of whatever wares his customers wanted.[1]

Move to St. Louis

At that time St. Louis was attracting attention as a business point, and not finding Lexington as rapidly advancing in population and business as he wished, von Phul started for the new city in 1811, feeling confident thar from the position it occupied it must in time become a place of importance.[1] On arriving he found St. Louis a settlement of eleven or twelve hundred inhabitants, most of whom were French, and engaged principally in dealing in lead and peltries.[1]

War of 1812

Further information: United States Rangers in the War of 1812 and Osage Nation § U.S. interaction

At that time, all the country west of St. Louis and on the Illinois side of the Mississippi River was still unsettled, and the American Indians who lived there often came into conflict with the white settlers.[1] In 1812 von Phul joined the Missouri Rangers and enlisted in a company of volunteers commanded by Nathan Boone, son of Daniel Boone, the Kentucky pioneer, and with them hastened to the relief of the settlers on the Missouri River, who were attacked by bands of Indians.[1] During the war of 1812, he made several trips on horseback between St. Louis and Louisville.[3]

Success in St. Louis

Black painted felt fire hat worn by Henry von Phul of North Fire Co. and Union Fire Co. No. 2 in 1819
Likeness of "Henry Von Phul, Esq.", engraved from a photograph, c. 1860

Von Phul commenced business in St. Louis in a little store on Main street, and kept dry goods, groceries and such other merchandise as is usually kept in country stores.[1] In 1817 he and Auguste Chouteau raised funds to buy a fire engine and build a firehouse for the city.[2]

In 1831 von Phul formed a partnership with Theodore McGill, under the style of Von Phul & McGill, and moved to the corner of Olive street and the levee, where he was largely engaged in the grocery business and steamboat agency, owning an interest in some of the largest steamboats of that day.[1] He was afterward senior partner of the firm of Von Phul, Waters & Co., a respected business house in St. Louis.[1] For over sixty years he was continually in business as a St. Louis merchant.[1] He filled several important positions connected with the municipal government of St. Louis, and was connected with many of her public and private institutions, both civil and charitable.[1]

Death

Shared tomb of Henry and Rosalie von Phul, Calvary Cemetery and Mausoleum, St. Louis

Henry von Phul died at his residence, 1516 Olive street, St. Louis, at about 3 p.m. on September 8, 1874, aged ninety.[1] He had been prostrated for some time, and his death had been expected for several days.[1] Von Phul left forty-three grandchildren and four great grandchildren.[1]

Personal life

In 1816 von Phul was married to Rosalie Genevieve Saugrain (1797–1887), daughter of Dr. Antoine D. Saugrain, of which marriage were born fifteen children, ten of whom survived:

  • Maria Taylor, wife of Thomas M. Taylor, of St. Louis;
  • Eliza Cook, wife of Judge William M. Cook;
  • Julia Bird; wife of A. T. Bird, planter in Louisiana;
  • Sophie von Phul;
  • Henry von Phul, Jun., a planter of Louisiana;
  • Fred von Phul, commission merchant of St. Louis;
  • Frank von Phul, merchant of New Orleans;
  • William von Phul, planter in Louisiana;
  • Benjamin von Phul, cotton broker of St. Louis;
  • Philip Phil Phul, of St. Louis.[1]

On June 10, 1866, he celebrated his golden wedding, which was attended by many of the old citizens of St. Louis who still remained alive.[1] In 1819 he was elected a vestryman of the new Christ Episcopal Church in St. Louis, but in later life he converted to Roman Catholicism.[2]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u The Cincinnati Enquirer (Sept. 10, 1874), p. 4.
  2. ^ a b c Dictionary of Missouri Biography (1999).
  3. ^ Edwards 1860, p. 90.

Bibliography

  • Christensen, Lawrence O.; Foley, William E.; Kremer, Gary R.; Winn, Kenneth H., eds. (1999). "Henry von Phul (1784–1874)". Dictionary of Missouri Biography (online ed.). Columbia, MO: University of Missouri Press.
  • Edwards, Richard; Hopewell, M. (1860). Edwards's Great West and Her Commercial Metropolis. St. Louis: Edwards's monthly. pp. 90–93.
  • Stevens, Walter B. (1911). St. Louis: The Fourth City, 1764–1911. Vol. 2. St. Louis and Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. pp. 418, 465, 480, 544, 689–90.
  • "Death of the Oldest Merchant of St. Louis". The Cincinnati Enquirer. September 10, 1874. p. 4. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
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