Circa 1899 Missouri Fixer Upper With Great History $59,900

OHU50K Notes   $59,900

 

Now a fixer upper, in 1899 this house was built to impress. The three bedroom, one bath home has 2,874 sf of beautiful woodwork, including a tiled fireplace mantel, stunning staircase, pocket doors and 5-panels doors. The home’s history is impressive, too. The home is Not on MLS. It is being sold through a land bank.

 

Realtor Comments

Built in 1899 by Edward C. Browne, an Irish immigrant, and his wife Margaret. Edward was able to build this lovely frame home with his earnings as paymaster for the Burlington Railroad. Before he moved to Omaha in 1904, Browne was one of the most popular men in the city. As befit a man of such popularity, 1509 was the site of some wonderful entertainments. Soon after it was completed, Margaret hosted a card party. The St. Joseph Gazette published a rather extensive account of the party that gives a sense of what the house looked like: “Much time was spent by the guests in admiring the beautiful new home, so artistically furnished. The large reception hall was fragrant with the spicy odor of white carnations. On the newel posts of the stairway were bowls of these beautify blossoms with fern leaves, while smilax garlanded the banister railing. In the parlor and dining room were great quantities of jonquils and the incandescent lights shone through yellow shades.”

Edward built his home to impress, to show how successful he had become. It was impressive enough that after the Brownes moved, it was purchased by Silas Selecman. Selecman was a prosperous farmer who was said to be the wealthiest man in Andrew County. In 1903, he married the much younger Ophelia Allison, and it seems that it was to please her that he purchased a home in St. Joseph instead of keeping his young bride on the farm. Silas and Ophelia’s daughter Gertrude (later a very popular English teacher at Central High School) was born at the house in 1906. In December 1909 Ophelia placed an ad in the St. Joseph News Press: “Wanted – Expert seamstress on children’s clothes: make fancy dresses for girl 4 years old.” In 1912, Silas died at the house of a cerebral hemorrhage. His body was taken back to Savannah, MO on the interurban trolly for burial. Ophelia remained in the house for a further five years, sharing the substantial space with her cousins Banthora and Corinne Allison.

In 1917, the Selecman family left the home and it was purchased by Dr. Pierre Leonard for the princely sum of $6,000. Dr. Leonard was born in Luxembourg and immigrated to the United States in 1879. He and his second wife, Annie L. Good, and their son Pierre Jr. lived in the home for three decades. Dr. Leonard died at the house in 1912 and is buried at Mt. Mora. Eventually, Pierre Jr. and his wife Ruth shared the home with Annie. Pierre Jr. worked for St. Joseph Tent and Awning Co.

From 1950 until well into the 1980s, William Schott, a salesman for Kraft Foods, and his family lived at 1509. They moved in not long after he was discharged from the Navy after having served during World War II.

• 3 bed
• 1 bath
• 2,874 sq ft

 

 

If interested in a property, please contact the realtor whose link is provided in the post below, or contact an agent of your own choosing. Independent verification of details and status is recommended. 

1509 FRANCIS, Saint Joseph, Missouri  $59,900

Contact Realtor: Carime Reeves — Top Line Realty

Google Map

Niche

 

 

Family History (per Historic Saint Joseph Emporium)

Browne Family

Built in 1899 by Edward C. Browne, an Irish immigrant, and his wife Margaret. Edward was able to build this lovely frame home with his earnings as paymaster for the Burlington Railroad. Before he moved to Omaha in 1904, Browne was one of the most popular men in the city. As befit a man of such popularity, 1509 was the site of some wonderful entertainments. Soon after it was completed, Margaret hosted a card party. The St. Joseph Gazette published a rather extensive account of the party that gives a sense of what the house looked like: “Much time was spent by the guests in admiring the beautiful new home, so artistically furnished. The large reception hall was fragrant with the spicy odor of white carnations. On the newel posts of the stairway were bowls of these beautify blossoms with fern leaves, while smilax garlanded the banister railing. In the parlor and dining room were great quantities of jonquils and the incandescent lights shone through yellow shades.”

Selecman Family

Edward built his home to impress, to show how successful he had become. It was impressive enough that after the Brownes moved, it was purchased by Silas Selecman. Selecman was a prosperous farmer who was said to be the wealthiest man in Andrew County. In 1903, he married the much younger Ophelia Allison, and it seems that it was to please her that he purchased a home in St. Joseph instead of keeping his young bride on the farm. Silas and Ophelia’s daughter Gertrude (later a very popular English teacher at Central High School) was born at the house in 1906. In December 1909 Ophelia placed an ad in the St. Joseph News Press: “Wanted – Expert seamstress on children’s clothes: make fancy dresses for girl 4 years old.” In 1912, Silas died at the house of a cerebral hemorrhage. His body was taken back to Savannah, MO on the interurban trolly for burial. Ophelia remained in the house for a further five years, sharing the substantial space with her cousins Banthora and Corinne Allison.

Leonard Family

In 1917, the Selecman family left the home and it was purchased by Dr. Pierre Leonard for the princely sum of $6,000. Dr. Leonard was born in Luxembourg and immigrated to the United States in 1879. He and his second wife, Annie L. Good, and their son Pierre Jr. lived in the home for three decades. Dr. Leonard died at the house in 1912 and is buried at Mt. Mora. Eventually, Pierre Jr. and his wife Ruth shared the home with Annie. Pierre Jr. worked for St. Joseph Tent and Awning Co.

 

Schott Family

From 1950 until well into the 1980s, William Schott, a salesman for Kraft Foods, and his family lived at 1509. They moved in not long after he was discharged from the Navy after having served during World War II.

 

 

 

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