House History, 1870s-Pres

A lot of the appeal of owning an old home is the fact that it is a part of history. Before I closed on the house, I already began doing some research online. That research led me to my local library; which suprisingly there was a book entitled Foundations of a Community: Oakville before the Turn of the Century; which was published in 1977 by Lemay Bank & Trust.

This book was an invaluable source of information and even provided me with a photo of the house back in 1977. The photo isn't great because once again there are a lot of trees hiding the house (different trees that is); but nevertheless it is a photo I didn't have before.

Below is the history I've been able to pull together from the above named book, census records and misc. other information found online.
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Pre 1870s, Henry Taylor Blow, a prominent politician from the St. Louis area owned the land.
-He served in the State Legistature, was a US Ambassador to Brazil and Argentina amongst other things. Sidenote: Henry T. Blow's father was the original owner of the famous slave, Dred Scott.
-While Henry T. Blow had several children, one of his daughters, Susan Blow (for who my street is named after, Susan Road) has a legacy all her own. Susan was a famous Educator and her name has gone down in history as the founder of the first kindergarten in St. Louis.


1870s, Frank Koelbel, a Civil War Veteran purchased 22 acres from H. T. Blow.



1880s-1890s, Conrad Meyer I purchased these 22 acres and his son, Conrad II built the house sometime around 1890.


1910, Mike Zelch (Zilch) purchased the house and farm when Conrad II moved back to his father's farm which adjoined the property. Mike, his wife Minnie and daughter Arville lived in this home into the 1930s and maybe longer.


19xx, the land was divided and sold as separate lots.


19xx, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Henenberg were the owners during the time the book (Foundations of a Community...) came out in 1977.


1985, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Cox purchased the house.


2007, I purchased the home and 1/2 acre that remains-YEAH!!!!
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Of course, should anyone reading this know any of the above people, back history or have any further information, I would LOVE to learn more.