“HENRY NABER. This gentleman, who is the leading boot and shoe dealer of Louisiana, Pike County, was born in Oldenburg, Germany, September 5, 1835. His parents were John H. and Sophia (Spradau) Naber, the former of whom was also a native of Oldenburg, while the mother was born in a neighboring village. The father of our subject was a well-to-do farmer in his native land, and there lived engaged in that vocation until his decease, which occurred when he was seventy-four years of age. In religious views he was a Lutheran. The father of Mrs. Naber was also an agriculturist and highly regarded in his community. She departed this life in 1840, prior to the death of her husband, and like him was a member of the Lutheran Church. They were the parents of six children, who are: Diedrich B., living on the old homestead, Germany; Margaret, living in the old country; Herman, Johann, Henry and Herman. The two Hermans and Johann are deceased. Of this household our subject was the fourth in or der of birth. The subject of this sketch spent the first fifteen years of his life in his native place, in the meantime attending regularly the common schools. At that early age he accompanied relatives to America, who had been here but had returned home on a visit; they landed in New York, August 4, 1851, whence they continued their westward way to Michigan City, Ind., where they stopped for a time, and there young Naber engaged at work on the railroad. Not being satisfied with this employment he abandoned it after a few days and taking a boat for Milwaukee, Wis., remained there until the fall of that year. In that city our subject learned the business of a boot and shoemaker and continued working at it until 1854, in which year he left the Cream City and went to Galena, Ill., by way of Madison, Wis., in a stage coach. In that region he engaged as a journeyman shoemaker, following the business until December, when he boarded a train on the Illinois Central and went to Chicago. From the World’s Fair City he went to St. Louis by way of Alton. He remained in the last-named city until 1858, during which time he purchased some of the “bit” lands of Southwest Missouri from the Government. In order to perfect the title he went to live on his lands, staying there from April of that year until November, building a home and paying his first taxes, which amounted to one dollar and sixty-eight cents on two hundred and eighty acres. He is still the owner of this property, which is located in Ripley County, and on which the taxes last year were sixteen dollars. The notorious bushwhacker, Tim Reeves, lived on the farm adjoining. Mr. Naber became ill while on this land and returned to St. Louis, where he remained until March, 1859, when he came to Louisiana on the steamer bearing that name. He found no difficulty in obtaining work at his trade, first entering the employ of J. H. Bickerman, with whom he remained until April 18, 1864. He then formed a partnership with George Wahl and established himself in the boot and shoe business at his present stand on Georgia Street. Their capital was two hundred and fifty dollars in stock and fixtures, and one hundred dollars in cash. In 1867, they purchased the ground on which their store was located for eight hundred dollars, and in 1870 Mr. Wahl erected the three-story building which they now occupy. They have prospered in all their undertakings and now supply the best residents of the city with footwear. They carry a general line of boots and shoes which they retail at very popular prices. Mr. Wahl died in 1892 and his sons, Charles L. and Edward J., took his place in the business. They are energetic and enterprising young men and together with our subject control a large trade. Henry Naber and Miss Mary Louise Kake were united in marriage at Louisiana May 28, 1867. She was born in Randolph County, Ill., and being orphaned when young was reared by Dr. Mettler, of that county. By her union with our subject three children have been born: Margaret, Matilda and Henry. The wife and mother departed this life March 24, 1874, firm in the faith of the Lutheran Church. Miss Margaret is keeping house for her father, and Henry is working at his trade, that of a printer. Mr. Naber joined the Lutheran Church previous to leaving his native land. His daughter, however, is connected with the Cumberland Presbyterian congregation of Louisiana, and Henry was baptized in the Methodist Church. In politics our subject is a stanch Republican, and, socially, belongs to Evening Star Lodge No. 28, I. O. O. F., of Louisiana. In this he has passed through all of the chairs and is at present serving as Past Grand. He has been active in the work of the fraternity ever since joining it in 1864. By industry and fairness Mr. Naber has secured a handsome competence and established himself in the confidence and esteem of the people of the city.” 1
