James Brodie M. Kehlor (1841 - 1903)

Born 4 Jun 1841 in Paisley, Scotland, United Kingdom

Ancestors

Husband of Lamira Wealthy (Russ) Rust — married 6 Feb 1862 in Waterford, Racine, Wisconsin, United States

Died 26 Oct 1903 at age 62 in Saint Louis City, Saint Louis, Missouri, United States

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Biography

Name: James Brodie M. Kehlor. Given Name: James Brodie M. Surname: Kehlor. ^[1] A Given name was found in addition to a first name in the NAME tag. Born 4 JUN 1841. Paisley, Scotland, United Kingdom. ^[2] Died 26 OCT 1903. Saint Louis City, Saint Louis, Missouri, United States. ^[3] File File: (removed). Format: jpg. PHOTO Scrapbook: Y. FSFTID MBSM-NY3. AMTID 242059166405:1030:156276730. Note: JAMES B. M. KEHLOR. In the large cities there are many men who control extensive and important business concerns, and when one is accorded a position of leadership it is an. acknowledgment that his ability surpasses that of a great majority of his fellows. Mr. Kehlor was one of the most prominent representatives of milling interests in the middle west and largely gained for St. Louis the reputation which it enjoys in this connection. He was born in Paisley, Scotland, June 6, 1842. His father, Duncan M. Kehlor, was a prominent resident of that city and was connected with that industry which has made the city famous, the manufacture of Paisley Shawls. The mother bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Brodice. James B. M. Kehlor profited by the excellent educational opportunities afforded in his native city, and continued his studies in the English College. He was an apt student and completed his course at an unusually early age, after which he entered upon his business career as assistant in his father’s factory. The father was willing to give the son every advantage, but the persuasive voice of American opportunities called him across the sea and he determined to try his fortune in this land. He possessed a self-reliant, determined spirit, and believing that he could rightly place his dependence upon his own powers and business enterprise, he sailed for the new world, landing at New York City in 1861. He did not tarry in the east, but made his way at once to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where one of his brothers was located in the manufacture of paper. For a year he was connected with his brother in that undertaking, but. ambitious to begin business on his own account, he took charge of a flouring mill at Waterford, Wisconsin, in 1862. It was a small concern, having a capacity of only about eight barrels per clay, but he managed it carefully and systematically and the little enterprise proved a profitable. able one‘ Seeking broader scope for his industry and energy. His dominant qualities—he removed to Chicago, but in 1864 determined upon St. Louis as a place of residence and disposed of his interests in the former city, Since that time no man has taken a more active or prominent part in the development of the grain and milling interests of St. Louis than did .Mr. Kehlor. Opportunities that others passed by heedlessly he noticed and improved. He never waited for some future chance, but realized that the present was the moment for action and his insight and sole business judgment enabled him to successfully accomplish what others were afraid to undertake. He early displayed unusual business qualifications, which attracted the attention of prominent men of St. Louis, including. George Updike, who made him a proposition to establish a liaise in New Orleans. The result was that Mr. Kehlor and Mr. Updike entered into a partnership, under the name Of Kehlor, Updike & Company, and the firm became one of the most prominent and successful of the large grain and milling houses in the Mississippi valley. The main house in St. Louis handled more business than any other firm in the city, and its success was due entirely to Mr. Kehlor, well-laid plans were practical and could he carried to a prosperous conclusion. In 1369 the company, realizing that there were other chances for the use of their capital in St. Louis than in the south. closed out the New Orleans branch of their business and the capital which had accrued was invested in the Lack-de flouring Mill, then located at Snlard and Decatur streets, The next investment, made in 1871 brought them the Pacific Mills. at Third street, with a capacity of eleven hundred barrels per day. Mr. Kehlor had in the meantime become recognised as one of the foremost factors in the milling business of the west. and in 1373 his success was such that it justified the purchase of his partner's interests, after which he was alone in business for a time. He then admitted an elder brother to a partnership, but after a few months again became sole proprietor. In 1832 he erected the Kehlor Mills, with a capacity of fifteen hundred barrels per day, and in 1891. this was increased to twenty-seven hundred barrels. In 1884 he purchased the Litchfield Mill, with a capacity of twenty-two hundred barrels per day. His accomplishments in the business world seemed marvelous. and yet his path was never strewn with the wreck of other men's fortunes. His success was due to other causes: he knew the market. understood transportation facilities, kept in touch_with the growing crops and knew when and where and how to make his purchases and his sales. He always maintained the highest standard in the excellence of his output and used the most modern business methods in lirmgmg. his products to the notice of patrons, so that his remaining trade interests reached out to all sections of the country. He became a director of the United Elevator Company and in addition to his other interests was a director of the St. Louis National Bank and president of the Citizens Fire Insurance Company. While residing at Waterford, Wisconsin, Mr. Kehlor was united in marriage to Miss Lamira W. Rust, a descendant of the Pilgrims of the Mayflower, her. ancestors being among those who aided in the colonization of New England. In the family record appear the names of those who won distinction in military and political circles and thus aided in molding the early policy of the nzitiflfl. Her father, Samuel Chase Rust, was born in Northampton, Massachusetts, October I7,1811, and was married in Mliddletown Connecticut, April 15, 1834, to Adeline Barnes, whose birth occurred ]uly 4, 1809. She passed away July 17, 1863. In the family were seven children: Adeline, Ossian, Stephen Knight, Josephine Amelia, Alvina Miller, and Mrs. Kehlor. The last named was born September 20, 1840 in Waterford, Wisconsin, and by her marriage became the mother of three daughters Carrie E, ,who on the 15th of October, 1885, was married to George F. Tower, Jr., and has a daughter. Marguerite: Lamira Josephine and Jessie, twins. The former married Peyton T. Carr and they have three children, Kehlor, Peyton, and Jessie Josephine. Jessie is the wife of C. K. D. Walsh. The death of the husband and father occurred in 1903, and thus passed from life one who had stood as a central figure in his specific line of commerce. his efforts proving an important element in the upbuilding and promotion of the trade interests of St. Louis. He was a member of the Merchants’ Exchange and endorsed every movement for the city‘s welfare and improvement. Without any special family or pecuniary advantages at the outset of his career, he made a record which won him the respect of his colleagues and the admiration of his contemporaries. Isle never made an engagement that he did not keep nor incurred an obligation that he did not meet, His name stood as the synonym of business integrity as well as of marked business enterprise. Buried 27 OCT 1903. Saint Louis City, Saint Louis, Missouri, United States. Note: https:/www.findagrave.com/cgi-binfg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=116650603. ^[4] F.A.G File File: (removed). Format: pdf. DOCUMENT Scrapbook: Y. File: (removed). Format: jpg. PHOTO Scrapbook: Y. File: (removed). Format: jpg. PHOTO Scrapbook: Y.

• Fact: Burial Bellefontaine Cemetery, St. Louis City, St. Louis, Missouri, United States
• Fact: http://familysearch.org/v1/LifeSketch "KEHLOR, JAMES B. M.—St. Louis is already important as a grain market, and its importance in this respect is found to increase, as farmers are realizing more each year the profit in wheat raising. As a wheat producing country the territory around St. Louis is only second to the wheat-belt of the great Northwest. As a flour manufacturing center the city has already attained an eminence above the standard of the city as a wheat market, and her present position in that respect is mostly due to the brains, energy and capital of about a half dozen men, and none among them has taken a more conspicuous part in the development of the flouring industry than Mr. J. B. M. Kehlor, who has been connected with the local milling industry about thirty years.

Mr. Kehlor hails Scotland as his native land, and there, in the manufacturing city of Paisley, he was born June 6, 1842. His mother’s maiden name was Elizabeth Brodice, and his father, Duncan M. Kehlor, was a prominent citizen of Paisley, engaged in the manufacture of shawls, for which the city is so celebrated. His rudimentary education was obtained in the excellent schools of his native land and finished at an English college. Being a lad of exceptionally strong mental endowments, he at the age of fifteen had made most uncommon advancement in his studies, so much so that at this time his education was considered completed and he left school to become an assistant in his father’s factory. Although his father stood ready to do anything for him and give him the best of business opportunities, he was much too ambitions to remain at home as long as the bright stories of the wonderful land across the sea were uninvestigated, and with the self-reliance and independence that are characteristic of all men who are born to succeed, he was moved with a strong desire to branch out in life for himself. Having settled upon America as the future scene of his efforts, he arrived in New York in 1859. Having relatives in the metropolis, he made that city his temporary home until 1861, in which year he went to Milwaukee, which then gave promise of its present importance, and where one of his brothers was already located and engaged in the manufacture of paper. He became interested in this enterprise with his brother, an arrangement that existed for a year, or until Mr. J. B. M. Kehlor saw a chance to become a mill owner on his own account. In 1862, therefore, he took charge of a flouring mill at Waterford, Wisconsin, a small town about twenty-five miles from Milwaukee. Although the mill was a small one, only having a capacity of about eight barrels a day, he made money during the short time he ran it. However, Waterford did not offer opportunities that satisfied his ambition and he determined to again make a change, this time opening a commission business in Chicago. In 1864 he reached the conclusion that St. Louis offered better inducements as a field of operations than Chicago, and he therefore closed out his commission business and came to this city, where he established himself in the same line. Several shrewd and bold operations of a commercial nature attracted attention to him soon after opening his business, with the result that Mr. George Updike was one of the men who thus perceived and properly rated Mr. Kehlor’s business ability. The acquaintance thus begun led eventually to a proposition from Mr. Updike, having for its purpose the establishment of a house in New Orleans. This was done, Messrs. Kehlor & Updike entering into a partnership for this purpose, under the firm name of Kehlor, Updike & Company, the New Orleans house being considered a branch of the St. Louis establishment. The former house did a phenomenal business from the beginning, handling more and larger consignments than any of its competitors, receiving at one time consignments from every mill in St. Louis. Its success was entirely due to Mr. Kehlor, who had personal charge, his partners having absolute confidence in his integrity and good judgment. Notwithstanding its prosperity, the firm in 1869 concluded that it saw a better use for its capital in St. Louis, and the affairs of the New Orleans house were accordingly wound up, and the money invested in the Laclede Flouring Mill, then located at the corner of Soulard and Decatur streets. One reason of this return to St. Louis was the ill health of Mr. Kehlor’s family. In 1871 the firm entered yet further into the milling business by the purchase of the Pacific Mills on Third street, which had a capacity of eleven hundred barrels per day. In 1873 Mr. Kehlor bought out the interest of his partners and ran the business, which had already begun to assume vast proportions for a whi1e alone. He then admitted an elder brother to partnership, but in a few months repurchased his interest. It is an interesting fact that since coming to St. Louis, Mr. Kehlor has paid out in securing entire control of his business over a quarter of a million of dollars. Since coming to St. Louis it seems to have been his general rule to extend and increase his milling interest about every two years. This was done in 1882 by the erection of the Kehlor Mills in this city, with a capacity of 1,500 barrels daily. In 1891 this was increased to 2,700 barrels. In 1884 he purchased the Litchfield Mill, with a daily capacity of 2,200 barrels. Besides being the largest flouring mill owner in the West, a position he has attained solely by energy and business ability, he is president of the Citizens’ Fire Insurance Company, of St. Louis, a director of the St. Louis National Bank, a director of the United Elevator Company, and for twenty-seven years has been an influential member of the Merchants’ Exchange. He is undoubtedly one of the most active and able business men of St. Louis, as his eminent success testifies. He is a man of extraordinary force of character and has inherited much of the firm integrity and determination of his Scotch ancestry. He is a man who inspires confidence, and was one of the staunchest friends of the late Geo. P. Plant, and his long business connection with George Updike made of them the firmest friends. While running the little mill at Waterford, Wisconsin, Mr. Kehlor met and married Miss Lamira W. Russ. Of this marriage three children, all girls, have been born. Carrie E., is now Mrs. George Tower, Jr., while Josephine and Jessie are yet at home." Cox, James, Old and New St. Louis (St. Louis, 1894: Central Biographical Publishing Co.), pages 212-214.

• Fact: F.A.G https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=116650603

Sources

1. ↑ Source: #S1810 File File: (removed) Format: jpg PHOTO Scrapbook: N 11
2. ↑ Source: #S1810 File File: (removed) Format: jpg PHOTO Scrapbook: N 130
3. ↑ Source: #S1810 File File: (removed) Format: jpg PHOTO Scrapbook: N 141
4. ↑ Source: #S1696

• "Family Tree," database, FamilySearch (http://familysearch.org : modified 29 July 2019, 02:53), entry for James Brodice M. Kehlor(PID https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/4:1:MBSM-NY3); contributed by various users.
• Source: S1696 https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=116650603 https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=116650603
• Source: S1810 Ancestry.com, Missouri, Death Records, 1834-1910 (Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2008). Missouri Death Records. Jefferson City, MO, USA: Missouri State Archives. Microfilm.