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Celebrating women pioneers at the turn of the century in Joplin Missouri

Murphysburg honors women connected to the Murphysburg Historic District at the turn of the century during Women’s History Month. So many of the social life’s aspects have changed for women in the years. Starting with the right for education and ending with gender equality – all of this didn’t happen overnight, and many used their personal lives for a greater cause such as the suffragette movement, prohibition, and supporters of everything tending to uplift the betterment of the community. They were amoung America’s early leaders in the cause for women’s rights.

Four women connected to the Murphysburg Historic District at the turn of the century will be honored during March-Women’s History Month. Historic Murphysburg Preservation, Inc., a local non-profit organization, will celebrate the past by using present day technology. There will be a different woman featured for a week starting every Wednesday in March on HMP’s website and Facebook page. Paula Callihan said, “We are dedicated to making history informative and fun. Be sure to visit our Facebook page at Murphysburg and add your modern-day word/thought bubble via the comment option.” Paula encourages community members and descendants to contact her if they have pertinent Murphysburg historical documents, photographs, maps, or oral history to share. She reminds people that information about Murphysburg housekeepers, cooks, nursemaids, caretakers, chauffeurs, etc., is also a critical historical component.

THE STORY OF DOROTHY PECK AND MAC’S BAKERY

Dorothy Peck, who along with her husband, co-owned and operated Mac’s Bakery and Donuts from 1957 to 1984. The store was located at 701 West 7th Street on Route 66, which is also the gateway to the Murphysburg Historic District. At Mac’s you could enjoy a freshly made pie, cake, or donut with your cup of coffee. During the last three decades of Route 66’s official years there were many “mom and pop” bakeries in ...

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THE STORY OF EMMA SUE HILLS and MR. SWISS DRIVE-IN

Emma Sue Hills, who, along with her husband, co-owned and operated Mr. Swiss Drive-In from 1967 to 1987. Dorothy and Emma Sue were not famous.  They were not civic activists or talented athletes, but they were successful business owners, managers, cooks, wives, and mothers who served people on “The Mother Road.” ...

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The Legacy of Jo Kilbane: A Life of Service in Joplin

Women’s History Month featuring Mary Joanne Kilbane ...

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Baby in the Bushes, at the Potlitzer home, 219 South Sergeant

FOR WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH, WE PRESENT A MYSTERY IN MURPHYSBURG. Abandoned baby! ...

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Woman’s History Month…Two Untold Stories

The investigation of the hidden history about Dora Kneeland and her connection to the beginning of Williams Chili Seasoning led to uncovering the fascinating true story of Mary Kirk Kelly ...

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Mary Kirk Kelly: Joplin Junior College Teacher

Our investigations led us to uncover the story of Mary Kirk Kelly. She was a teacher at Joplin Junior College and was instrumental in starting United Nations Day in Joplin around 1961. After retirement, Mary Kirk gained a reputation as a legendary American ceramic artist! ...

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Olivia Josephine Bendelari / Mrs. Alex Stein

Miss Olivia Bendelari Olivia was born on December 11, 1910 in Ohio, but soon came to live with her parents, Annie and Fred Bendelari at the Olivia Apartments. It must have been a constant source of pride and need for explanation for the young Olivia to live at the Olivia that was named for her grandmother, “Minnie” Mary Olivia. Her uncle, Arthur Bendelari also lived at the Olivia and had it built in 1906. Her ...

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Helen Bendelari Boughton-Leigh McAlpin

Helen Bendelari Helen was born on January 15, 1906, in Ohio, but soon came to live with her parents, Annie and Fred Bendelari, and siblings at The Olivia Apartments. Her uncle, Arthur Bendelari built the Olivia and lived there with his wife Frances. Her father and uncle were associated with the Consolidated Mining Company and Eagle Picher Lead Company, respectively. Both families made a very comfortable living in Joplin which enabled Helen and sisters Olivia ...

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Mary Bendelari

Inventor, Designer, Entrepreneur, Mentor, Lobbyist, Socialite, Manufacturer Mary also patented an elastic-edge tablecloth and a rigid bed sheet. Mary was born in Ohio in 1902, but soon came to live with her parents, Annie and Fred Bendelari, and siblings at the Olivia Apartments, 320 S. Moffet in Joplin.  Her uncle, Arthur Bendelari built the Olivia and also lived there with his wife Frances.  Her father and uncle were associated with the Consolidated Mining Company and Eagle Picher Lead Company, respectively.  ...

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Frances Geddes Bendelari / Mrs. Arthur Bendelari

Joplin Society Leader, Prominent Vocalist in Joplin and Beyond Born in September 1884 in Ohio, Frances and her siblings grew up with their parents James and Dollie Geddes in Joplin, and at one point, lived at 301 S Sergeant in what is now the Murphysburg Historic District. A Quashed Elopement Several biographical books (and Joplin folklore) claim that Howard Robards Hughes (the father of the infamous Howard Hughes, Jr.) lived in Joplin while working in ...

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Edna Catherine Jackson Houk | Mrs. William Houk
218 South Sergeant Avenue | Joplin Missouri | Circa 1903 | Extant
Edna was an active worker in the cause of prohibition, a supporter of everything tending to uplift and better the community, and one of America’s early leaders in the cause for women’s rights.

Edna was born, August 15, 1852 in Eckford, Calhoun County, Michigan.

She married William Houk in 1891.

William was born in Dayton, Ohio on January 20, 1859 and died February 26, 1927 in Joplin.

William and Edna had one daughter, Helen Adelaide Houk, born on September 17, 1895 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The family moved to Joplin in the late 1900’s.

Helen died August 25, 1912  at the age of 16 in Joplin of typhoid fever.

Edna died June 1, 1911 in Joplin of cancer. 

Edna had been associate editor of the Cincinnati Post and was considered one of the most accomplished journalists in the area.  She was also a writer and special correspondent for a number of large newspapers and for many years was a highly valued assistant of the Scripps-McRae news service.  She wrote many poems and short stories which were published in newspapers and magazines throughout the East.

She was an active worker in the cause of prohibition, a supporter of everything tending to uplift and better the community, and one of America’s early leaders in the cause for women’s rights.

“…every girl should learn a trade or a profession…for it is a safer provision for the future, than money in the bank.”   

Edna wrote a book in 1893 titled Women Wealth Winners; or How Women Can Earn Money. Printed reproductions of the book are available through Amazon.  Edna lists several jobs that a woman could take on before the turn of the century.  One such example was that of a mature woman who gave in-home lessons in the science of housekeeping to the mistress of the house, her daughters, and the hired help.  Another example is that of a semi-invalid 15-year-old girl who boarded pets for society ladies.  Edna stated in her book that “…every girl should learn a trade or a profession…for it is a safer provision for the future, than money in the bank.” 

William Houk (1859-1927) consolidated several mining operations into the Conqueror Zinc. Co. serving as its President and Edna as Vice President.  In 1905 he co-founded the Conqueror Trust Company and was elected President. 

NOTE:  Mr. Houk subsequently married Frances R. Hengelsberg of St. Louis after Edna’s death.  To this union two daughters were born, Emily in 1913 and Edna in 1914.  

Edna wrote to her daughter Helen and husband William poignant letters of farewell on April 17, 1911 that survived in the family archives.  Mama writes to her daughter words of encouragement days before traveling to St. Louis for her second examination. Edna wrote, “Always think of me as happy and at rest, and having lived nearly the allotted life of mankind”.  Edna died 48 days later.

Edna and family are interred at Mount Hope Cemetery, Webb City, Missouri.

Historic Murphysburg has not been able to find a photo of Edna. Pictured is Henrietta Cosgrove, Edna’s sister.

Bill Caldwell wrote about Henrietta in his Globe column in 2016 on Women’s History Month, ”Cosgrove was a writer, philanthropist and a political worker at the turn of the century.”

“Henrietta Cosgrove, of Joplin, was one of the city’s first proponents of social reform, fighting to secure better treatments for families left behind when workers were killed in mines.”

Historic Murphysburg Preservation, Inc is proud to remind our readers about two sisters committed to the betterment of the inhabitants of Joplin before women even had the right to vote!

Learn more about the Women of Missouri from National Trust for Historic Preservation at Women’s Heritage Month. 

HMP’s mission is to implement charitable and educational activities that promote and stimulate historic awareness throughout the neighborhood.  We strive to educate people about the Murphysburg Historic District and the value of historic preservation to our economy, local quality of life, as well as state and national value.