Individual Details

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.

Birth	4 Jun 1841	Paisley, Scotland, United Kingdom
Marriage	6 Feb 1862	Waterford, Racine, Wisconsin, United States - Lamira Wealthy Russ
Marriage	6 Feb 1862	Waterford, Racine, Wisconsin, United States - Lamira Wealthy Russ
Death	26 Oct 1903	Bellefontaine Cemetery, Saint Louis City, Saint Louis, Missouri, United States
Death	26 Oct 1903	Bellefontaine Cemetery, Saint Louis City, Saint Louis, Missouri, United States
Burial	27 Oct 1903	Bellefontaine Cemetery, Saint Louis City, Saint Louis, Missouri, United States
Burial	27 Oct 1903	Bellefontaine Cemetery, Saint Louis City, Saint Louis, Missouri, United States
FIND-A-GRAVE		https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=116650603

Spouse	Lamira Wealthy Russ (1840 - 1918)
Child	Carrie E. Kehlor (1863 - 1936)
Child	Jessie E. Kehlor (1872 - 1946)
Child	Lamira Josephine Kelhor (1872 - 1954)

Father	Duncan McKellar (1810 - 1866)
Mother	Elizabeth Brodie (1819 - 1865)
Sibling	John Christie M. Kehlor (1839 - 1885)
Sibling	James Brodie M. Kelhor (1841 - )
Sibling	Janet M. Kehlor (1847 - 1905)
Sibling	Duncan M. Kehlor (1847 - 1914)
Sibling	Elizabeth M. Kehlor (1850 - 1905)

Notes