City of St. Joseph and Washington Twp. -
DR. HARDING OATMAN, physician and surgeon, Assistant Postmaster, and proprietor of the Riverton House, Riverton, was born, Feb. 10, 1813,in Indiana, and is of German origin.  He was reared at his birthplace, spending his boyhood days on a farm, and receiving his education at Green Castle, Indiana.  He was married Dec. 25, 1833, to Miss Wilmarth Bird, a native of Kentucky, born in 1815.  They moved to Dundee, Kane County, Illinois, where he engaged in the mercantile business for some time, and then commenced the study of medicine.  He attended Rush Medical College, during 1844 and '45, and first commenced the practice of his profession at Bethany, Harrison County, Missouri, in the spring of 1845.  He remained there for eight years, then moved to Llano County, Texas, where he continued for sixteen years in practice.  The country was infested by Indians and he had many narrow escapes.  He has discovered a new mode of treating typhoid fever, has practiced it for thirteen years, and has met with good success.  He returned to Harrison County, Missouri, in 1871, and thence to this county, in 1876, settling at Corby's Mill, thence to Riverton, in the spring of 1881.  His wife died Feb. 29, 1844, and left three children, Susan N. (now Mrs. Joseph Williamson), Julius F., and Marshall.  He married again Aug. 1, 1846, Elizabeth A. Hulse, a native of Belmont County, Ohio, born Sept. 27, 1830.  They have seven children, John C., Sheppard H., Pleasant H., Missouri, Julette, Seth W. and Enos S.
Source:  History of Buchanan County, Missouri, Published 1881 - Page 843

City of St. Joseph and Washington Twp. -
WILLIAM O'HARA, was born in Ireland May 12, 1840, and came to this country in 1855, stopping in Baltimore, Maryland, until the spring of 1861, when he then removed to Washington, District of Columbia, where he engaged in the employ of the Government, building fortifications, etc.  In 1865, he left Washington, and went to Atchison, Kansas, where he accepted the appointment of foreman of track-laying on the Central Branch Union Pacific Railroad.  In 1868, he came to Weston, as foreman track-layer on the Missouri Valley Railroad, and in July, 1869, came to this city, to superintend track-laying for Hastings & Saxton, from St. Joseph to Richmond, and then from Hiawatha to Hastings, on the St. Joseph and Denver City Railroad; also superintended laying the track from St. Joseph to Winthrop, under Singleton.  In 1872, Mr. O'Hara took charge of a construction train on the Kansas City, St. Joseph and Council Bluffs Railroad, which he continues to operate.  In 1880, he was elected Councilman from the Fifth Ward, in which capacity he still acts.  Mr. O'Hara is a man of excellent native judgment, is respected by his men, and is popular among his neighbors.
Source:  History of Buchanan County, Missouri, Published 1881 - Page 843

City of St. Joseph and Washington Township -
FRIEDRICH OHSTEN, who is among the oldest citizens of St. Joseph, was born May 5, 1802, near Stade, Hanover, where he was raised and learned the trade of miller.  He emigrated to America in 1846, and arrived at New York, from which place he went to Buffalo, where he found employment on a steamboat.  He made trips to Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1847, and from there to New Orleans during one year.  In 1848, he went to Kentucky, where he worked at the general merchandise business for two years, with success.  In 1850, he came to St. Joseph, where he settled and followed his occupation for ten years.  On account of failing health, he was compelled to retire from business, and invested his means in real estate.  He was married in 1849, Kentucky, to Miss Carolina Grubitz, a native of Peyne, Hanover, Germany.  They have one child - Carolina Frederike, born June 19, 1851, who was married April, 1867, to Mr. Friedrich Lehmann, wholesale merchant, at Helena, Montana Territory.
Source:  History of Buchanan County, Missouri, Published 1881 - Page 844

City of St. Joseph and Washington Township -
ANDREW OLSEN, cooper, was born in Denmark, in 1843, and was there reared, learned his trade, and remained until 1865, when he came to America, locating in St. Joseph.  Here he has since been, identified with his branch of trade, making a specialty of brewery stock, and his trade extends into Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, and other states.  He is a skilled workman and gives the business his undivided attention.  Was married, in 1869, to Miss Annie Hanson, who died in 1873, leaving a daughter, Christina.  He is a member of the Knights of Honor, and the German Benevolent Society.
Source:  History of Buchanan County, Missouri, Published 1881 - Page 844

City of St. Joseph and Washington Township -
SILAS R. OWEN, superintendent of the St. Joseph and Lake Railway, was born in Montgomery County, Indiana, June 9, 1843.  In 1850 his father moved his family to Page County, Iowa.  Silas learned the cabinet trade with his father, during which time he would work more at some new machinery or some invention than at his trade, very much to the annoyance of his father.  He finally learned the photograph business, and invented the Globe Camera; a previous claim, however, caused the rejection of his application for a patent.  He followed the photograph business for six years, removing in the meantime to Stewartsville, Missouri, where he invented the self-emptying sulky excavator, which is now in general use.  He came to St. Joseph in 1873 and became connected with the Missouri Valley Novelty Works, where he made several important inventions, among which is the Mahan & Owens dry placer invention for separating gold and silver from the dirt by a new process.  He has also completed a very simple and practical device for putting run-off street cars back on the track.  One of his last and perhaps most needed inventions in his fire-ladder, which can be raised to the top of a five-story building by four men in forty seconds.  Mr. O. was appointed superintendent of the above street car railway in 1879, finding the track, cars and everything out of order.  By his good management and the application of some of his many improvements he has made this one of the best lines in the city.  He married Miss Mary Keidalbaugh, of Iowa, in 1863.  They have one child living, Eddie.
Source:  History of Buchanan County, Missouri, Published 1881 - Page 844

Source:  History of Buchanan County, Missouri, Published 1881 - Page 698

City of St. Joseph and Washington Township -
DANIEL OZENBERGER, farmer and gardener,  Section 7, post office St. Joseph, was born Feb. 5, 1841, in Holmes County, Ohio, and removed with his parents when about eight years of age, to Missouri, they settling on a farm near St. Joseph.  Here Daniel was reared and received the benefits of a common school education.  During the late war he displayed his patriotism and love for country by enlisting in the Enrolled Missouri Militia, and serving fifteen months.  He moved to the place on which he now resides in 1866, and owns eighty-eight acres of well improved land.  He gives his attention to his business, and, by honesty and industry accumulated considerable of this world's goods.  He purchased an interest in the old Corby Mill, and is running it in partnership with Mr. Cabels.  He was married in the spring of 1865, to Miss Elizabeth Hesmiar, a native of" Missouri, born Nov. 19, 1841.  They have had eight children, William, Henry, Emma, Lawrence, Washington, Frank, Lilly and Edith.
Source:  History of Buchanan County, Missouri, Published 1881 - Page 845