George F.Braun

GEORGE F. BRAUN, president of the LaHarpe Smelting Company, with offices at Galena, is one of the most successful dealers in ore in this section of the State. He has been and is still identified with many prominent companies, and has made this business his life work.

Mr. Braun was born in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1871, and is a son of George H. and Emma Braun, residents of St. Louis, where the father is a commission merchant and an extensive dealer in grain. The union of our subject's parents was blessed with the following children: Minnie, who lives in St. Louis; George F.; Fred, who is in the office with our subject at Galena; and Clara (Schlosstein), of St. Louis.

George F. Braun received a superior edcuation in the public schools and in Washington University at St. Louis. Upon leaving school he became identified with his present occuption,—buying ore, mining and smelting. He came to Galena, Kansas. in 1890, and bought ore for the Picher Lead Company, of Joplin, Missouri, and he still represents them. He was also with the Collinsville Zinc Company until 1896, and from that date until 1902 represented the Nicholson Smelting Company. In 1903, he was identified with the Prince Western Smelting Company, and on November 1st of that year began for himself, establishing the LaHarpe Smelting Company of LaHarpe, Kansas, with the ore-purchasing department at Galena. He has met with unqualified success and has sold some of his interests to New York capitalists. The plant at LaHarpe covers 1O acres of ground, on which there is a large brick building, 65 by 1OO feet in dimensions, and eight furnaces in all. It is located on the Missouri Pacific and Missouri, Kansas & Texas roads, three switches from each road affording exceptional railroad facilities. The average number of men employed is 1OO. The latest pattern of smelters and all modern machinery are used, and 50 tons of raw ore are treated per day. Mr. Braun is also interested in the Palmetto Mining Company, the Riverside Mining Company. the Red Rose Mining Company, and the South Side Mining & Manufacturing Company, of which he is vice-president. In 19O1 he erected one of the most beautiful homes in the county at Spring Grove, and the grounds surrounding the house are of especial beauty. Flowers of many varieties are raised, also shrubs, and some of the roses grown there have measured six inches in diameter.

Mr. Braun was married in Galena, Februay 10, 1895, to Ora Brown, daughter of W. H. D. Brown, a record of whose life appears elsewhere in this work. They have one daughter, Margaret Russell, the name Margaret having been handed down from generation to generation in this family. Mr. and Mrs. Braun possess many accomplishments and are clever entertainers, and their many friends delight to while away pleasant hours with them at their home amid beautiful surroundings. Our subject is a high Mason,—a Knight Templar and Mystic Shriner,—and is a member of the A. O. U. W.

History of Cherokee County Kansas and its representative citizens, ed. & comp. by Nathaniel Thompson Allison, 1904, transcribed by students from USD 508, Baxter Springs Middle School,Baxter Springs, Kansas, 2/26/97.