Page:History of Southeast Missouri 1912 Volume 1.djvu/685

 HISTORY OP SOUTHEAST MISSOURI 607 keep a big man in a small place and no set of outside conditions can keep a small man in a big place. The best we can do is the least we can offer. Such has been and is the maxim of Edward ^V. Flentge, the post- master of Cape Girardeau. He lins attained a prominence in the county and his high po- sition has been reached by reason of his nat- ural capabilities, united with the efforts he has untiringly put forth. He was born in St. Louis, ]Iissouri, March 2, 1863. His grandfather, William Flentge, was born in Geruiany, there received his edu- catiou and was married. He was a cabinet maker by trade, but was not making very much money. He decided to come to Amer- ica, bringing his wife and son with him. He came direct to Cape Girardeau, but not meeting with success right away he moved to Jacksou, where he lived the rest of his life. His son, Henry, spent the first eight years of his life in his fatherland, when he came to America with his parents. He attended school in Cape Girardeau and learned the carjieutering trade. When he was only seventeen he was injured by a fall and was sent back to Germany. As soon as he was well again he felt that he should like to study medicine. He attended a medical school, gTad- uating from Marx College. After he returned to America he located at Cape Girardeau where he practiced medicine in Wayne and Cape Girardeau counties. During the Civil war he moved to St. Louis, where he established a large practice. In the fall of 1875 he moved to Texas, locating in McLennan county. He remained there for about two years and again moved to Rancho, Texas, thence to Oregon and California, where he died in 1903, being over seventy years old. While he was in Germany studying medicine he had met Teresa Heisen, a young German girl. They were married, she returning to America with him. She lived to be only forty-eight years old, leaving behind her three sons and her husljand. At present only two of the sons are living, of whom Edward is the second. ]Mr. Flentge was a successful physician, but he was of a roving turn of mind, not staying in one place long enough to ln;ild up a very large practice. Edward's boyhood days were spent in Wayne and Cape Girardeau counties, where he attended the public school. When he was twelve years old he went with his parents to Texas and attended school there for about two years. When he was seventeen vears old he came back to Missouri alone, attending the state normal school and locating at Cape Girardeau. At the close of his school life he became a clerk in the store of H. P. Pier- ronett in Cape Girardeau, remaining with him in different capacities until December, 1888, At that time he engaged in business for himself, forming a partnership with Mr, W^ood, the style of the firm being Flentge & Wood, They did a general merchandise business doing a flourishing trade until 1907, On the first of June in that year Mr. Flentge sold out his share of the business and be- came connected with the Cape Girardeau Brass Book Company, being secretary of the same. Since then he has filled many posi- tions of honor, being at this time president of the Rock Tobacco Company of Cape Girardeau and secretary and ti'easurer of the Painter Realty Compan.y. On the nine- teenth of December, 1903, he was appointed postmaster, having held the position ever since. He is a member of the Commercial Club at Cape Girardeau and was its vice president for several years. In 1884 he married Miss Sadie E. Taylor a native of Cape Girardeau to which union one sou and two daughters were born. The daughters died in infancy. John E., the son, married ilabel Hash and is now a resi- dent of Cape Girardeau. Mr. Flentge is a meuiber of the ^Masonic order. He is a Republican in political be- lief and has always been a most active worker for and with his party. He was a member of the city council for two terms and was two terms county collector. In 1906 he was a candidate for railroad and warehouse com- missioner, but the Democratic candidate was elected. Mr. Flentge has been practically a life long resident of southeastern ili.ssouri and has always been active in the Inisiness and political life of the state. Unlike his father, he found the greatest satisfaction in remaining in one place, feeling that by so doing he could not only gain a better living for himself and his family, but he could form more. lasting friendships, he could make his presence felt in the community and thereby be given opportunities to be of use in the county and state. Such has been Mr. Flentge 's desire, to .serve his fellow citizens and to fulfil to the best of his ability the duties which lu- undei'look. T. R. R. Ely. The IIonoral)lc T. R. R. Ely, one of the most prominent lawyers in