July 4, 1837, Julius Sombart, a 12 year old lad, stood upon the deck of a sailing vessel just from Germany and looked upon the city of Baltimore, decorated with bunting and flags in commemoration of the signing of the Declaration of these United States.Years afterwards, Mr. Sombart delighted telling friends of the impression those colors made upon him as he stood looking out across the waters, an immigrant youth.
Years afterwards, as President Lincoln's call, Mr. Sombart answered to protect those colors. Monday his comrades in arms laid him to rest in his adopted land which he had served so faithfully.
Julius Sombart died at the family residence in which he had lived more than 56 years, 612 Sixth street, Boonville, at 8 o'clock Saturday night may 29. He had been quite ill the last six months.
Mr. Sombart was born in Siegburg, Prussia, June 28, 1825. Another month and he would have passed the ninety year mark. He came to this country in 1837, landed at Baltimore from whence he came direct to Cooper County. He farmed for a number of years three miles south of Boonville.
He enlisted in a Boonville company when the Civil War began and rose to the rank of captain.
He went in California in 1849 where he remained a couple of years. He then returned to Boonville and went into the milling business with his brother, Judge C. W. Sombart. He was successful. He was one of the directors of the Central National Bank for a number of years. Although intensely interested in politics and many times urged to run for office. Mr. Sombart steadfastly refused.
Perhaps no man was so widely known or had so many friends in Cooper County as did Julius Sombart. Nearly everybody familiarly and lovingly called him "Uncle Julius." He was kindly, generous and gave much aid to the needy.
Mr. Sombart had a wonderful memory. During his later years, after he had retired from business, whenever he was uptown a crowd would be found gathered about him listening to his words. He was a lover of books.
One night, at the family supper table, a discussion rose about the beard concerning one of Scott's novels. Mr. Sombart settled the argument by quoting an entire chapter. So did his mind retain what he had read.
Mr. Sombart's father, William Sombart, was a native of Prussia, a civil engineer in the employee of the government. His mother, who before the marriage was Miss Julia Vesthoff, was also of Germany. In 1856, Julius Sombart was married to Miss Louise Brenneisen, originally of Germany.
A number of years later she died leaving him five children. Of these, three survive their father. They are Mrs. Nora Goodman, William J. Sombart and George H. Sombart of Kansas City. One grandchild, Miss Louise Goodman of Kansas City, also survives him.
In 1871, Mr. Sombart married Mrs. Sophia Miller, who survives him. One stepchild, Charles G. Miller of Boonville survives Mr. Sombart as also does a sister, Mrs. Mary Sanger of Marshall, Mo.
Funeral services were held at the family residence on Sixth street at 2:30 o'clock Monday afternoon. The Rev. L. F. Clark conducted the ceremony. Prof. A. H. Sauter played and Hillard Brewster sang. Veterans of the Civil War, fellow members with Mr. Sombart of the John A. Hayn G. A. R. Post, conducted the burial at Walnut Grove Cemetery. Six nephews of Mr. Sombart were the pallbearers. They were: C. A. Sombart, W. A. Sombart, C. L. Vollrath, Julius Hosp, Judge Sohn E. Thro and John E. Walz. - Centralia Missouri Republican.
Thanks to Shirley Brier for finding, transcribing and contributing the above news article to this web site!
Note by Shirley: "All spellings in this transcription are as per paper. This is from the Centralia Missouri Republican newspaper."
Julius Sombart was the father of Dr. J.E. Sombart of Coldwater, Kansas.
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