Name/Title
Lehr Family & Lehr Construction Company History FileEntry/Object ID
AM2018.25.121Scope and Content
Lehr Family & Lehr Construction Company History File. Contains photocopies of J.W. Lehr and his family; death certificate for Helen Lehr, his first wife, note concerning Cooper Furniture Factory Lehr operated in Bethany, MO, and a 1954 news history of the firm as below. See images for scans of the family photos.
Lehr Construction Company History News Article, 1954. "Lehr Firm Built Many Landmarks", St. Joseph News-Press, May 30, 1954..
"Lehr Construction Co. was stared in 1890 by James W. Lehr, who brought his family to St. Joseph in 1888 following the destruction of a furniture factory he had operated in Bethany, Mo.
Mr. Lehr first worked for John DeClue, early day contractor, and then went into business for himself at 17th street and Frederick avenue. Both construction and milling services were offered; later the mill work was discontinued.
In 1902, his son Arthur L. Lehr entered the business, having worked first for the Burlington railroad, which transferred him to Chicago. He returned to St. Joseph to take charge of the company's clerical department as the business grew. Top carpenters in 1903 received $3 a day, working 8-hour days and six days a week--a total of $18 per week.
Incorporated in 1916
The firm was incorporated as Lehr Construction Co. in 1916 with J.W. Lehr as president and Arthur L. Lehr as secretary and treasurer. J.W. Lehr died in December, 1927. The company moved to a new building at 2115 Frederick avenue, the present address in 1929 and Arthur L. Lehr died Aug. 14., 1944.
Now president is J.W. Lehr, third generation of the family. Son of Arthur, he joined the firm as a junior partner in 1934.
Sam Miller, construction superintendent who retired last October, has been with the company since 1912. George Wright, present construction superintendent, has been with it since 1916.
The company's work can be seen on all sides. Following are examples:
Municipal buildings--Y.M.C.A., Buchanan county home, city hall, state office building at Jefferson City, clinic and kitchen building at State Hospital No. 2, national guard buildings at Rosecrans Field, administration building at Rosecrans Field,
Some Fine Charges
Schools--Everett, Hall, Central High School, Noyes
Churches--Christian Science, Temple Adath Joseph, Wyatt Park Christian, Westminster Presbyterian, Wyatt Park Baptist, Zion Evangelical.
Industrial: Missouri Valley Sack Co. (now Western Tablet), Terminal Warehouse, Trans."Lexicon
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Lehr Construction Co.Relationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Jim LehrPerson or Organization
Arthur LehrPerson or Organization
Wright, GeorgePerson or Organization
Sam MillerPerson or Organization
Helen Lehr
