| Notes |
- Address
Delivered at the Funeral of William Regenhardt
April 9,1903
Psalm 112, 6.:
"The righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance."
When William Regenhardt drew his last breath at half past ten o'clock last Tuesday morning, a good man, a prominent and distinguished citizen, a highly esteemed and valuable member of the Lutheran Church, the honored head of a family, and the cherished friend of many of his fellow-men passed form time into eternity. In his demise a long and useful career on earth has reached its end. Large is the number of those who lament his death. It includes not only his faithful spouse, children, grandchildren andother near of kin; it includes also a large circle of personal friends, business associates and a host of men who formerly or of late were in the employ of the deceased; it includes our whole city and county; it includes the members of the Lutheran church in this city of which the deceased was an old member and a faithful officer for many years. Among the member of mourners is also his pastor who loved and esteemed the deceased very highly as a precious child of God by faith in Christ Jesus. I venture to say that there is no one present in this large assembly who is not sorry that the deceased has left us; we would all gladly have kept him in our midst for a few years longer at least.
But the time of his departure was come, and his soul, in peace with God and man, passed into another, a better and brighter world. Our loss is his gain. It devolves on us to bring his earthly remains to their last resting place on earth. I deem it a privilege to officiate at his funeral and to pay this tribute of love and respect to his memory. For he was one of "the righteous" of whom our text speaks, saying that they "shall be in everlasting remembrance".
"The righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance", says the Psalmist. Who are the righteous? Righteousness may be considered under two heads, as righteousness before men and as righteousness before God. The two must not be confounded. The one belongs to the province of nature, the other to the province of grace. The one is a very desirable thing in the sphere of civil life, the other is an important factor in the sphere of spiritual life. The one is the result of our own endeavors under divine providence, the other is the righteousness of Christ appropriated by faith.
In the first place, there is such a thing as civil righteousness or virtuousness. It consists of leading an outwardly honorable and virtuous life before our fellow-citizens. Civil virtues render a man righteous in the eyes of his fellow-men. Such civil righteousness cannot be recommended and praised too highly in this life. Law-abiding citizens, faithful husbands, men that are upright and honest in word and deed and reliable in their dealings, are a great boon to any community, are the mainstay and support, the pillars and sustainers of family, society, and state. God himself demands such virtues and rewards them in this life with temporal blessings. It is mainly this righteousness of which the Book of Proverbs (chap. 14, 34) is speaking when it says, "Righteousness exalteth a nation; but sin is a reproach to any people." By divine providence honesty is still the best policy, and virtue finds its reward.
Of such civil righteousness our departed friend and fellow-citizen was a glorious type. Born, cradled and reared in Germany, in a village of the Duchy of Brunswick, he came to this country in 1849 at the age of twenty-one and since October of that year has been without interruption a resident citizen of Cape Girardeau. Being one of its oldest, he was at the same time one of its best citizens. He was a man who, as to the virtues which go together to constitute good citizenship, far excelled many and would bear comparison with any. He was plain, economical, and temperate in his habits; fair and considerate toward his fellow-men; conservative in his opinions; charitable in his judgments; slow to speak, but when he did speak, every word full of marrow andto the point. He was of a kind and tender-hearted disposition; to refuse a favor asked for was to him well nigh an impossibility. He was a peaceful neighbor, having a strong dislike against quarreling. He was kind and generous to those who were in his employ. He was a man whom everybody knew and everybody loved. For these reasons he was a very valuable citizen; but he was also a prominent citizen. Taking a lively interest in public affairs very early, he was soon called upon to play a prominent partin the public life of our city and county. More than twenty-five years he was a member of our City Council, and from 1861 till recently he was Chairman of the Republican County Committee. In politics he detested everything which savored of corruption and bribery. In business he was successful; by duit of industry and good management he, by the blessing of the Almighty, prospered in almost everything he undertook. He was connected with a number of business enterprises, and everywhere he won and retained the regard and esteem of his associates. Take him all in all, he was a venerable old gentleman, a citizen who deserved to be highly respected by his fellow-men, a citizen of a kind which every community needs and no community can well afford to lose, His death signifies a loss to our city, and he will always be remembered as one who has been a good, honorable, valuable and prominent citizen of Cape Girardeau.
But he was still more. He was also a Christian, who stood high in the estimation of his fellow-Christians, whose memory will be cherished in the church of which he was an active member for many years, and whose departure has inflicted a loss which will be felt by his fellow-Lutherans for years to come. He took a lively interest in the affairs of the church, was a regular attendant at the public worship and at the lord's table; for twenty years and longer he was member of the Board of Trustees, president of the congregation and chairman at its regular monthly meetings, placing his remarkable ability for conducting a public meeting, his experience, his soundness of judgment, his conservative advice, his extensive influence and other gifts at the disposal of his church. His services were at all times valuable and were highly appreciated. His memory will ever be blessed among us.
But there is still another righteousness which is of far greater value for time and eternity than the one that we have hitherto been speaking of. That is the righteousness which is available in the sight of God. It is the righteousness of Christ which is procured for all men and is imparted of all believers. Civil virtues and Christian graces may render a man righteous in the eyes of his fellow-men and fellow-Christians, but will never justify him before God. And why not? God demands perfect obedience to his law, not only in some outward things, but in desires, thoughts, words, and deeds. Outward conformity to the divine law does not satisfy him, but he looks at the heart and will have us to be pure in heart, holy and without any evil lust, fearinghim and loving him above all things; and all our thoughts and words and deeds are to proceed from such fear and love of God. And he that offends against the divine law in a single point is guilty of all. And since no man can keep them, no man is justified before God by the Jew or Gentile, Pharisee or Publican, have sinned and came short of the glory of God, that in the sight of God we are all as an unclean thing and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags. All mankind is by nature under the wrath of God and deserving of eternal damnation, and hence sorely in need of a Savior, who is righteous himself and whose righteousness may be imparted to sinners. Such a Savior has made his appearance. It is Jesus Christ, True God and true man, who perfectly fulfilled the law in our stead and suffered the penalties of our sins, and by his holy precious blood and by his innocent suffering and death gained for us forgiveness of sins or the righteousness which is valid before God. By the work of redemption which Christ performed in the days of his flesh such righteousness has procured, and in the gospel it is offered to all sinners, and all that believe the gospel and thus accept
this righteousness of Christ actually become partakers of the same and are justified before God. To live up to the so-called Golden Rule is indeed our duty, but since we all come short of fulfilling it perfectly we can not be saved thereby, and if we areto receive for forgiveness of sins and be justified before God, it must be not by our works, but by the grace of God, for Christ's sake, through faith. And in this and in no other way was our departed friend justified before God, and in this and in no other way did he want to be righteous in God's sight. He knew and acknowledged that in spite of his civil virtuousness and Christian conversation he was a sinner deserving divine wrath and eternal condemnation. But he also knew and recognized his Savior Jesus Christ and firmly believed that there was salvation for men in nothing save the grace of God and the merits of Christ. Thus he was righteous before God, and was of the number of "the righteous" who "shall be in everlasting remembrance", who shall not have believed in vain, but who, when they die, are, according to the soul, at once present with Christ and, after the last day, shall be with Christ, body and soul, and live with him in eternal joy and glory. And thus he faced death calmly and serenely, trusting not in his own righteousness, but in the righteousness of his Savior; and his trust has not deceived him. He has entered the realms of everlasting bliss; for "blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth." (Rev. 14, 13.) He is wearing the crown of glory, according to the divine promise, "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life". (Rev. 2, 10.)
May the memory of William Regenhardt ever remain green among us. May his life and his faith be an example to us prompting us to follow in his foot-steps, striving to be good and useful men and women, and, above all, seeking the kingdom of God and his righteousness. And may we all die the death of righteous, and may our last end be like his. Amen.
- Christian William Regenhardt
Biographical Research
BIRTH: From the records of the Lutheran Church in Ahlshausen
Pg 86/87, number 6, year 1828 Baptism Record verifies
the following:
Name of Child: Christian Wilhelm
Name of Father: not given (see remarks below)
Name of mother: Johanne Justine Wilhelmina Wressig
Sponsor: Christian Wressig, Cottager here in Ahlshausen
Remarks: Born illegitimate. This illegitimate son of Johanne Wressig is indeed not formally recognized by the recorder of the church books as the child of the late linenweaver Wilhelm Regenhardt in Haieshausen, but he is openly recognized as his child according to reliable testimony. The mother assented to the decree of the Ducal Consistory of the 22 May 1841.
CONFIRMATION: Christian Wilhelm Wressig, called Ragenhardt
At the Niedersaschen State Archives in Wolfenbuttel the
following information is taken from photocopies of the Lutheran Church records in the town of Ahlshausen:
Page 252, number 11, year 1841 Confirmation Book verifies the following:
Day of Confirmation: 18 April 1841, Ahlshausen
Name of Child: Wressig called Ragenhardt, Christian Wilhelm
- born in the year 1828, on the 20th of February.
Name of Mother: Johanne Justine Wilhelmine Wressig
Remarks: According to the Birth Register for the year 1828,
page 86, number 6, Wilhelm Regenhardt, linenweaver, is the father of this illegitimately born child.
Emmigration: At age 21, listed as a bricklayer from Haieshausen,
he left from the port of Bremen, Germany on the ship EDMOND and arrived in New Orleans 20 MAY, 1849 with one piece of luggage. His destination was listed as Cape Girardeau. He traveled with the Bohnsack family.
He became a member of Hanover Lutheran Church.
He married Johanna Dormeier in Cape on 1 SEPT 1853.
He was a Corporal in Captian Michael Dittinger's Company "C", Cape Girardeau, Missouri Home Guard Volunteers from 27 JUN 1861 to 29 SEPT 1861.
He was a Captain of Co. "B", Cape Girardeau County Regiment, Missouri Militia from 7 OCT 1862 to 15 June 1870.
He was elected to the Board of Directors of the Cape Girardeau and State Line Railroad Co. 21 MAY 1870.
1876 - 1892 member of Cape Girardeau City Council
Wilhelm remarried on 20 April 1879 to M. Louisa Meier. They had no children. She was born in Alivese, Braunschweig Province, Germany, on 3 July, 1831. She died 30 June 1903.
The following information about events of the life of William Regenhardt was taken from various newspaper articles and other sources as noted.
_________________________________________________________________
DATE: 1 May 1876
LOCATED: 1983
From the Minutes of the City Council Meeting - 1 May 1876:
Wm. Regenhardt sworn in as new member (his signature is on this page).
He was appointed to these committees:
Ways and Means, Streets and Wharves.
_________________________________________________________________
DATE: 21 Feb 1891
NEWSPAPER: CAPE DEMOCRAT
PG. 3 COL. 2
LOCATED: 15 July 1983
Wm Regenhardt has contract to lay the foundation for D.A. Glenn's store building on Main Street.
_________________________________________________________________
DATE: 21 Feb 1891
NEWSPAPER: CAPE DEMOCRAT
PG. 3 COL. 3
LOCATED: 1983
We publish a communication today nominating William Regenhardt as the choice of the citizens of the 2nd and 3rd Wards for Mayor. Mr. Regenhardt is one of the gentlemen referred to by the little Main St. sheet as a wooly-mouthed and clabber-headed ignoramus. We will see later who runs the city.
DATE: 21 Feb 1891
SLUG: Bio/Politics
NEWSPAPER: CAPE DEMOCRAT
PG. 3 COL. 5
LOCATED: 1983
The Next Mayor
Editor: Democrat:
Since the "Era", backed by its Main Street syndicate is attempting to direct who shall be Mayor, and at the same time giving the Germans and colored citizens continuous complaints of unsavory character, it will be well to inform the "Era" man that Main Street and Main Street influence has run the town for years, and the time has now arrived for a change. And to please the "Era" man we, citizens of the 2nd and 3rd Wards, nominate our worthy councilman and fellow citizen, W. Regenhardt, as our candidate for Mayor, and if he will accept, we are pleased to state that his friends will place him in the Mayoralty by a decidedly handsome majority. Let the people be heard and Main Street influence in our city affairs will be more limited.
_________________________________________________________________
DATE: 4 July 1891
NEWSPAPER: DEMOCRAT
LOCATED: 1983
Wm Regenhardt is putting a rock foundation in D.A. Glenn's new store building on which the ceder sleepers for the floor will rest.
Wm Regenhardt has the contract for building a vault for the new bank and he is now getting the stone on the ground. The vault will be completed in time for the bank to open up for business on the 1st of August. All the stock for the new corporation has been taken and there are quite a number of people here who wanted stock but spoke too late to get it.
_________________________________________________________________
DATE: 8 Aug 1891
NEWSPAPER: DEMOCRAT
PG. 3 COL. 2
LOCATED: 1983
Wm Regenhardt has the contract to make a granitoid pavement in front of Glenn's new store building on Main Street.
_________________________________________________________________
DATE: 15 Aug 1891
NEWSPAPER: DEMOCRAT
PG. 3 COL. 3
LOCATED: 1983
Wm Regenhardt superintended the job of pulling down the walls of the Hirsch and Post Office buildings this forenoon. Since the walls are down the burnt district presents an ugly place on Main Street and it is to be hoped that the vacant lots will soon becovered with buildings better than the ones that were destroyed.
_________________________________________________________________
DATE: 26 Sep 1891
NEWSPAPER: DEMOCRAT
PG. 3 COL. 3
LOCATED: 1983
Wm Regenhardt has the contract for the stone work for 3 new houses on Main Street.
_________________________________________________________________
DATE: 6 Feb 1892
NEWSPAPER: DEMOCRAT
PG. 3 COL. 6
LOCATED: 1983
William Regenhardt - on Street and Wharf Committee of City Council.
_________________________________________________________________
DATE: 27 Feb 1892
NEWSPAPER: DEMOCRAT
PG. 3 COL. 1
LOCATED: 1983
A large number of friends of Wm. Regenhardt called on the old gentleman yesterday (Sunday, 21 Feb 1892) and as a token of their friendship presented him with a handsome gold-headed cane in honor of his 64th birthday. Mr. Regenhardt was looking for a call from his friends and he was prepared to receive them and he proved to be a generous host.
_________________________________________________________________
DATE: 21 Mar 1892
NEWSPAPER: WEEKLY DEMOCRAT
PG. 3 COL. 5
LOCATED: 1983
City Govenment Minutes: Petition signed by Trustees of German Methodist Church, and Wm. Regenhardt, Anton Haas, and other citizens was read. Petition asks the board to grade Independence St. between Sprigg and Ellis streets.
_________________________________________________________________
DATE: 26 Mar 1892
NEWSPAPER: WEEKLY DEMOCRAT
PG. 3 COL. 7
LOCATED: 1983
Cape Girardeau City Ticket (sample ballot for City Council election) - Wm. Regenhardt not on ballot.
_________________________________________________________________
DATE: 30 Apr 1892
NEWSPAPER: WEEKLY DEMOCRAT
PG. 3 COL. 2
LOCATED: 1983
Wm Regenhardt went down to Poplar Bluff this morning to bid on a job of stone work.
________________________________________________________________
DATE: 7 May 1892
NEWSPAPER: WEEKLY DEMOCRAT
PG. 3 COL. 5
LOCATED: 1983
City Government Minutes - Wm Regenhardt's last meeting as City Councilman was 2 May 1892.
_________________________________________________________________
DATE: 4 June 1892
NEWSPAPER: WEEKLY DEMOCRAT
PG. 3 COL. 3
LOCATED: 1983
Wm. Regenhardt, delegate to the National Repbulican Convention, will leave tomorrow morning for Minneapolis (6/3/92 -Friday).
_________________________________________________________________
DATE: 18 June 1892
NEWSPAPER: WEEKLY DEMOCRAT
PG. 3 COL. 1
LOCATED: 1983
Wm. Regenhardt returned home yesterday evening from Minneapolis, where he had been to help nominate the next President of the United States.
_________________________________________________________________
DATE: 13 Aug 1892
NEWSPAPER: WEEKLY DEMOCRAT
PG. 3 COL. 1
LOCATED: 1983
Wm Regenhardt is making the foundation for the addition to the Lincoln School.
_________________________________________________________________
DATE: 1 Oct 1892
NEWSPAPER: WEEKLY DEMOCRAT
PG. 3 COL. 2
LOCATED: 1983
Wm. Regenhardt purchased the city lot that was sold by the Sheriff today at partition sale. He paid $75 for it.
_________________________________________________________________
DATE: 14 Jan 1893
NEWSPAPER: WEEKLY DEMOCRAT
PG. 3 COL. 3
LOCATED: 1983
Coming down the grade on Broadway yesterday (Tuesday 10 Jan 1893) car number one ran on to the mules and caused them to runaway. The car was full of passengers and many of them jumped out when the car was going at breakneck speed. Wm. Regenhardt was one of the passengers who jumped. His face struck the rock on the street and was badly bruised. Fortunately he was not seriously hurt. The brake on the car did not work and the car was unmanageable.
_________________________________________________________________
DATE: 11 Mar 1893
NEWSPAPER: WEEKLY DEMOCRAT
PG. 3 COL. 1
LOCATED: 1983
Wm Regenhardt is going to build a residence building on his lot up in Donnybrook. The building will be for rent as soon as it is completed.
_________________________________________________________________
DATE: 11 Mar 1893
NEWSPAPER: WEEKLY DEMOCRAT
PG. 3 COL. 3
LOCATED: 1983
Wm Regenhardt is going to build a nice residence building in the Giboney-Houck Addition. There will be no less than eight buildings put up in that part of the city this year and they will all be good buildings, too.
_________________________________________________________________
DATE: 13 May 1893
NEWSPAPER: WEEKLY DEMOCRAT
PG. 3 COL. 4
LOCATED: 1983
Wm Regenhardt will soon begin work on a granitoid pavement around the new Sturdivant Bank Building. When completed this will be the longest stretch of granitoid pavement in the city and it will make the grand new bank building show up to much better advantage.
_________________________________________________________________
DATE: 13 Jan 1894
NEWSPAPER: WEEKLY DEMOCRAT
PG. 3 COL. 2
LOCATED: 1983
Wm. Regenhardt is apt to be out again. The old gentleman had a lengthy wrestle with the grip, and he was down in bed for a week or two.
_________________________________________________________________
DATE: 1 Sep 1894
NEWSPAPER: WEEKLY DEMOCRAT
PG. 5 COL. 2
LOCATED: 1983
Wm. Regenhardt purchased some real estate on Fountain Street the other day.
_________________________________________________________________
DATE: 8 Sep 1894
NEWSPAPER: WEEKLY DEMOCRAT
PG. 5 COL. 2
LOCATED: 1983
In the case of Regenhardt vs. Hass, the jury returned a verdict in favor of Regenhardt. (Ciruit Court - Common Pleas)
_________________________________________________________________
DATE: 19 Jan 1895
NEWSPAPER: WEEKLY DEMOCRAT
PG. 6 COL. 1
LOCATED: 1 Aug 1983
Wm Regenhardt, who was confined to his room last week, is able to be out again.
_________________________________________________________________
DATE: 16 Feb 1895
NEWSPAPER: WEEKLY DEMOCRAT
PG. 6 COL. 2
LOCATED: 1 Aug 1983
Wm Regenhardt went out to Jackson this morning and got back in time for dinner.
C. F. Betten will move his family to Jackson as soon as Wm Regenhardt completes the new house he is building out there.
_________________________________________________________________
DATE: 6 July 1895
SOURCE: City Council Minutes
LOCATED: 1 Aug 1983
The City Council has contracted with Wm Regenhardt for a hose house in the 2nd Ward. Mr. Regenhardt will build the house and lease it to the City for 5 years. (on Broadway near Ellis on
Wm Regenhardt's lot)
_________________________________________________________________
DATE: 19 Apr 1898
NEWSPAPER: WEEKLY DEMOCRAT
PG. COL.
LOCATED: 1983
Mayor had contracted with parties to quarry sandstone on Lorimier St. north of Mill St. But Wm Regenhardt appeared before Council stating that they were quarrying on his property.
City Engineer requested to locate lines of Lorimier from south side of Mill St. to the north side of Mason St. MOTION CARRIED.
Property owners on Meriweather from Ellis to Pacific asked Wm Regenhardt to ask the City Council to put in sewer pipe on Meriweather.
_________________________________________________________________
DATE: 27 Aug 1898
NEWSPAPER: WEEKLY DEMOCRAT
PG. 5 COL. 5
LOCATED: 25 July 1983
Wm Regenhardt has been confined to his bed several days.
_________________________________________________________________
DATE: 3 Sep 1898
NEWSPAPER: WEEKLY DEMOCRAT
PG. COL.
LOCATED: 25 July 1983
Wm Regenhardt is still in his room but he is now improving.
_________________________________________________________________
DATE: 10 Sep 1898
NEWSPAPER: WEEKLY DEMOCRAT
PG. 5 COL. 1
LOCATED: 25 July 1983
Wm Regenhardt, assignee of Stein Brothers, sold a lot of notes and accounts last Saturday. They didn't bring enough money to pay for advertising them.
_________________________________________________________________
DATE: 28 Jan 1899
NEWSPAPER: WEEKLY DEMOCRAT
PG. 5 COL. 2
LOCATED: 1983
Wm Regenhardt made his final settlement yesterday, as asignee of Stein Brothers.
_________________________________________________________________
DATE: 29 Dec 1900
NEWSPAPER: WEEKLY DEMOCRAT
PG. 1 COL. 6
LOCATED: 1983
Wm Regenhardt is on Board of Directors (and President of Stockholders) of the Cape Brewery and Ice Co.
_________________________________________________________________
DATE: 4 Jan 1902
NEWSPAPER: WEEKLY DEMOCRAT
PG. 4 COL. 2
LOCATED: 1983
Wm Regenhardt went out to Allenville this morning to lookout after the interests of the Cape Brewery and Ice. Co.
_________________________________________________________________
DATE: 28 Mar 1903
NEWSPAPER: WEEKLY DEMOCRAT
PG. 5 COL. 3
LOCATED: Aug 1983
Wm Regenhardt, one of the oldest and best citizens of the city, lies dangerously ill at his home on West Independence St. Mr. Regenhardt is past 74 years of age, and is suffering from an attack of la grippe.
_________________________________________________________________
DATE: 11 Apr 1903
NEWSPAPER: Weekly Democrat
LOCATED: July 1983, Cape Library
A GOOD MAN GONE
William Regenhardt Passed Away Tuesday Morning
A Life Crowned with Good Deeds Comes to an End
William Regenhardt, aged and respected citizen, known and loved by every man, woman, and child in Cape Girardeau, passed away at 10:30 last Tuesday morning at his home on Independence Street, between Sprigg and Frederick, after a life of usefulness and good deeds that is seldom if ever equalled.
No man has ever lived in Cape Girardeau who was better known or liked. He had lived here for years and was always spoken of with respect, good will, and reverence. A better man and a better friend never lived, and in his death Cape Girardeau and its people lose a valuable man.
The news of his death came as a great shock, as it was given out last night that he was much better and that the chances for his recovery were improved. This morning, however, it became apparent that the end was near and the family and friends were summoned to his bedside. The end came peacefully, the aged sufferer being concious to the last.
The deceased was 75 years old, having passed the birthday in February. He leaves a widow, two sons and one daughter, who were at the bedside when the last breath was drawn.
Mr. Regenhardt was born February 20, 1828 at Alshausen, Braunshweig, Germany.
- Civil War Draft:
https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/1666/32178_620303987_0018-00076?pid=3603105&backurl=https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/906160/person/1511948289/gallery&usePUB=true&_phsrc=pAo11&usePUBJs=true
- Douglas: History of Southeast Missouri, pg 501:
In 1859 the Cape Girardeau, Pilot Knob & Belmont Railroad Company was organized to construct a road from Pilot Knob to Bel- mont, by way of Cape Girardeau. William C. Ranney was made president of the company, arrangements were perfected and a large private subscription obtained for the stock of the company. The county of Cape Girardeau voted to take two hundred thousand dollars worth of the company's stock. It seemed that the railroad would be built and it probably would have been but for the breaking out of the Civil war. Nothing was done during that period, but after the close of the war the matter was taken up again. A company was organized, known as the Cape Girardeau & State Line Railroad Company, with intention to build a road from Cape Girardeau to some point on the Arkansas line. The company was organized April 27th, 1869, with the following directors : G. C. Thilenius, John Albert, T. J. Rodney, Robert Sturdivant, John Ivers, A. B. Dorman, M. Dittlinger, L. F. Klostermann, William Woeleke, F. Hanny, M. M. Kimmell, A. D. Leech, H. Bader, C. Hirsch, William Regenhardt, William Hamilton, J. Vasterling and Casper Uhl. G. C. Thilenius was made president, John Ivers, vice-president, and S. G. Kitchen, manager.
The company started off with very flattering prospects, there was a large private subscription to the bonds and the city of Cape Girardeau voted to take a hundred and fifty thousand dollars worth and the township of Cape Girardeau the same amount. The bonds were sold and with the money the work of construction was begun. Through bad management, however, the funds were exhausted before a single mile of the road was finished. It was then determined to build the road by contract. Accordingly an agreement was entered into with Governor Fletcher and his associates to build the road, and for their services they were to receive a deed to the roadbed, provided they completed twenty-five miles by December 1, 1871.
Governor Fletcher then proceeded to organize a company known as the Illinois. Missouri & Texas Railway Company and issued bonds to the amount of $1,500,000 secured by mortgage on the property of both companies. The bonds found no sale however, and it became impossible to secure funds. The project of building the road was abandoned for ten years. A considerable amount of work had been done in building bridges and in laying ties and throwing up a roadbed; all these suffered very materially during the years when nothing was done, the wood work decayed and the roadbed was washed away by the rain and grew up in brush.
- Louise Regenhardt et-all heirs of Charles Meyer deceased
To Hermann Weiss; Warranty Deed
This deed made and entered nto this 20th day May eighteen Hundred and Seventy nine by and between Louise Regenhardt late Louise Meyer widow of Charles Meyer deceased and William Regenhardt her husband August Heuer and Auguste Heuer, late Auguste Meyer, his wife. Matilda Masters late Matilde Meyer and David C. Masters her husband, of the County of Cape Girardeau and State of Missouri parties of the first part and Hermann Weiss of the County of Cape Girardeau and State of Missouri party of the Second part Witnesseth. That the Said parties of the first part in Consideration of the Fifteen Hundred Dollars to them paid by the Said party of the Second part, the receipt of which is here by acknowledged do by these presents grant bargain and sell Convey and Confirm unto the Said party of the second part and his heirs and assings forever all their right title and interest of every kind whatsoever, more particularly all their right title and interest in and to the following describedReal Estate, Situate and lying in the County of Cape Girardeau and State of Missouri acquired by descent as heirs at law and legal representatives of Carl Meyer deceased in right of Said Auguste Heuer and Matilde Masters daughters of Said Carl Meyer deceased and including the dower interest or any other interest whatsoever of the said Louise Regenhardt widow of Said Carl Meyer late of Cape Girardeau County deceased, That is to say in and to lot numbered four(4) as described in the report of Jeremiah Randol John Randol Jr. and Albert G. English Commissioners appointed by the Circuit Court for said County at the November term of Said Court for the year 1847 and ast laid out by Elam W. Russell County Surveyor for Said County and which by the report of Said Commissioners was set aside for Elizabeth Williams the widow of Isaac Williams deceased as her dower during her natural life and which is a part of the tract of Six Hundred and forty acres Confirmed to said Isaac Williams by the government of the United States; then divided on partitions among the devises and the dower admeasured to the widow of said Williams deceased by Said Commissioners as per that report filed and approved by the Circuit Court of Said County on the 16th day of December A.D. 1847 and which said land is Situated in Township No. thirty one (31) North, of Range thirteen (13) East in the south west-corner of Said Confimration bounding on Cape LaCroix Creek adn Contatins one hundred and thirty five acres and eighty hundredth of an acres (135 80/100) The said Real Estate was purchased by said Carl Meyer from William Williams Executor of Isaac Williams decd. as per Deed of January 1st 1855 Recorded in Book R pages 507 &508. The said parties of the first part Sate that they are th eonly heirsat law of Said Carl Meyer deceased. To Have and to hold the premises aforesaid with all and singular the rights privileges Appurtenances and immunitites thereto belonging or in any-wise appertaining unto the said party of the second part and to his heirsand assigns forever the said parties of the first part her by covenarsting that they their heirs executors and Administrators Shall and will Warrant and Defend the title to the premises to the said party of the second part and to his heirs and assigns forever against the lawful claims and demands of all persons whomsoever. In witness where of the Said parties of teh first part have hereunto set their hands and Seals the day and year first above written. The date changed before signing.
Executed in the presence of Louisa Regenhardt Seal
Edward D. Englemann William Regenhardt Seal
August Heuer Seal
Auguste Heuer Seal
Matilde Masters Seal
David C. Masters Seal
State of Missouri
County of Cape Girardeau Be it remembered that on this 20th day of May 1879 before the undersigned a Notary Public within and for the County of Cape Girardeau and State aforesaid personally appeared William Regenhardt and Louise Regenhardt his wife August Heuer and Auguste Heuer his wife and David C. Masters and Matilde Masters his wife who are all personally known to me to be the same persons whose names are Subscribed to the foregoing instrument of writing as parties thereto and Severally acknowledged that they executed the same as their act and deed for the purposes therein mentioned. And the Said Auguste Heuer and Matilde Masters being by me first made acquainted with the contents of the Said instrument of writing upon an examination Separate and aprt from their Said husbands Severally acknowledged that they executed the same freely and without fear compulsion or undue influence of their Said husbands and the said Louise Regenhardt being by me first made acquainted with the contents of Said insturment of writing when an examination Seperate and aprt from her Said husband acknowledged that she executed the same and relinquish her interest whether of Dower or otherwise in the Real Estate therein mentioned freelys and without fear Compulsion orundue influence of her said husband. In testimony whereof I have here-unto Set my hand and affixed my official Seal at my office in the City of Cape Girardeau Mo the day and yaer first above written. My Commission expire May 10th 1882
Seal Edward D. Engleman
Notary Public
Recorded May 22nd 1879 at 10:15am HR English Clk ?? official Recorded
above note courtesy of Judy Tuccinardi
- Southeast Missourian Newspaper 21 Dec 2024:
https://www.semissourian.com/history/local-history-the-regenhardts-men-of-stature-d5a17839
They were builders. William, the elder, was a stonemason, coming to the United States from Germany by way of New Orleans, March 20, 1849. At the young age of 20, he settled up the river in Cape Girardeau.
William was betrothed to Johanna Mohnkopf on Sept. 1, 1853, in Cape Girardeau. They were blessed with 10 children: William, August (died at 1 year), Anna (died at 3 years), Mina (died at 2 years), Ernst Wilhelm, Emil (died an infant), Christian Frederich, Henry, Edward F. and Johanna Emma. Following Johanna’s death in 1876, he married Louise Meier on April 20, 1879. They were members of Hanover Lutheran Church. During the Civil War, William was active in the local Company C Home Guard and the Missouri Militia Company B.
The Cape Girardeau Democrat in 1891 gives many of William Regenhardt’s accomplishments. Besides being elected to the board of the Cape Girardeau and State Line Railroad Co. (1870), William was a member of the City Council from 1876-92, when he served on the ways and means, streets and wharves committees. In 1892 he was a delegate to the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis.
William’s construction company provided the stone foundations of prominent Cape Girardeau buildings, including the David Glenn building, Lincoln School, First National Bank’s vault, Hirsch, the post office buildings and many fine homes. He was responsible for the Common Pleas Courthouse steps and many granitoid sidewalks, including the longest in front of the Sturdivant Bank building. (Source: Regenhardt Family Papers.)
The elder Regenhardts had many friends. It was reported Feb. 21, 1892, that he was presented a gold-headed cane by friends on his 64th birthday.
Just following his sitting on the board of the Cape Brewery and Ice Co., William became ill and died in April 1903.
The Weekly Democrat stated: “A life crowned in good deeds comes to end.”
Son of William and Johanna, Edward Franz was born in Cape Girardeau in 1867. He was educated in the public schools here and the Normal School. He moved to St. Louis and learned the trade of bricklaying before moving back to Cape Girardeau and marrying Alvina Theuerkauf, daughter of baker William Theuerkauf. Their children were Norma, William McKinley, Bertha, Theodore Roosevelt and Edward William Taft Regenhardt.
Edward F. and Charles Bode formed a partnership with offices on Main Street. In 1901 Regenhardt started quarry operations on 5 acres west of the Normal School campus. Large blocks of marble were shipped to Mephan & Kleine Co. in St. Louis.
On April 7, 1902, the Third District Normal School tragically caught fire about midnight. With the morning sunlight, members of the Board of Regents tramped through the ashes assessing the demise of the gothic building. Classes were dispersed to the courthouse, Lutheran school and Baptist and Methodist churches. Insurance was sought and bids taken for a new building.
The Cape Girardeau construction company, under the name Regenhardt & Maule which submitted the bid of $174.840, was chosen. Marble from the Regenhardt quarry was used for the new building.
After 11 1/2 months of construction, the new college was opened for public viewing. It was Edward Regenhardt’s grandest construction.
As was his father, Edward was a loyal Republican who was a leader at many conventions throughout this area of the state. During the early 1900s, he became a close personal friend of William Howard Taft, calling him “Bill”. Regenhardt — similar in size to Taft, at 6 feet, 7 inches, and 312 pounds — was a delegate to the Republican Convention in 1908 when Taft was chosen for president.
Taft appointed Ed Regenhardt a United States Marshall for the Eastern District of Missouri headquartered in St. Louis. It was during this time Regenhardt, accompanied by one of the Southeast Missourian publishers, made a trip to Washington, D.C., to visit President Taft. They were immediately escorted into Taft’s office for many conversations, including Regenhardt’s plea for Taft to visit Cape Girardeau on his Mississippi River trip. Taft and his flotilla obliged in his visit of 1909.
Regenhardt and sons, William and Ted, incorporated Regenhardt Construction Co. in 1923.
After a very successful career, the master builder died at his home in Cape Girardeau at 59 years old. President Taft had described the giant of a man as “The Lighthouse on the Mississippi.” “Big Ed” had suffered a stroke while supervising a stretch of pavement for Highway 9 northwest of Cape Girardeau. His sons, William, Theo and Edward, were associated with their father in the road contracting business.
His body was at Brinkopf Funeral Home on Broadway, with services at the family home at 514 Themis.
Beverly Hahs is a native of Cape Girardeau County, a freelance writer and graduate of Southeast Missouri State University with a degree in English and library science.
- William Regenhardt Naturalization 15 May 1852 Common Pleas Court Book A Pg 71
Cape Girardeau, Missouri
William Regenhardt a native of Germany and formerly a subject to William Duke of Brunswick appears in open court and applies to be admitted a citizen of the United States of America and appearing that said applicant on the 15th day of May 1852 before the clerk of the Cape Girardeau Circuit Court filed his application under oath of intension to become a citizen of the United States of America and it further appears to the satisfaction of the court from the oath of Henry Brandes and William Bierwirth who are known to the court to be citizens of the United States and that applicant for the last five years has resided within the limits and under the jurisdiction of the United States and for the last three years within the state of Missouri and that during that time he has behaved as person of good moral character attached to the principles of the Constitution of the United States and well disposed to the good order and happiness of the same. Whereas the said William Regenhardt declares an oath that he will support the constitution of the United States of America and that he doth and entirely and absolutely renounce and absolve all allegiance and fidelity to every foreign Prince potentate state or sovereignty whatsoever and particularly to William Duke of Brunswick of whom he was formerly a subject
Therefore it is ordered by the court that the said William Regenhardt be admitted a citizen of the United States of America.
- Cape Girardeau County Archives Center, Jackson, Missouri - 3 Jun 2021
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1828 - 1903 (75 years)
