Editor’s note: This is the first part of a two-part series on the Buescher family.
From the inception of this historic artery through the heart of Jefferson City, no family has had a longer presence on Capitol Avenue than the Buescher family.
Spanning 88 years, a Buescher family member has lived continuously in the 400 block of the avenue since 1933.
The family dynasty began with the purchase and renovation of the Gordon- McMillan house at 429 E. Capitol Ave. by Victor and Gladys Buescher and the opening of the Buescher Funeral Home in August 1933. The grandiose prominence of the stately convict-built mansion now named the Buescher Funeral Home provided an anchor for this historic but aging neighborhood.
Victor Rudolph Buescher rose from humble roots, born Oct. 20, 1908, in California, to Edwin Fredrich Buescher and Margaret Mary Osterloch.
Vic, as he was known to friends, graduated from Jefferson City High School in 1926. After graduation, he began employment with the Arnold Sales Company in his hometown of California. One year later, he returned to Jefferson City to become assistant manager of the White Rose filling station at the intersection of High and Main streets, across the street from St. Joseph’s Bluffs on West Main Street.
In the meantime, Victor met the girl of his dreams. The June 20, 1929, edition of the Jefferson City Post Tribune announced the “secret marriage” of Victor and Miss Gladys Emily Melcher, daughter of Albert and Katherine Diedel Melcher of Osage City.
Still newlyweds, Victor, an industrious young man, recognized a void in Jefferson City for funeral services, and he seized the opportunity. In 1933, he and Gladys purchased a decrepit property at 429 E. Capitol Ave. to embark on their new enterprise.
The house was known as the Gordon Hendy house, built just after the Civil War in 1868. Prior to this, a log cabin belonging to a prominent early founder of Jefferson City, John C. Gordon, had sat on this site, serving for a short time as the Cole County Courthouse.
The Bueschers commenced upon an ambitious remodeling of the large Italianate house, adding the rounded porch with its massive columns and expansive rooms to accommodate the business. A full-page notice in the Aug. 21, 1933, Jefferson City Post Tribune advertised the new venture:
“Mr. Buescher recently acquired the Gordon Hendy property and remodeled it into the present modern funeral establishment. It includes a spacious chapel, family room, a guest room and other conveniences for members of the family of the deceased, a modern preparation room and a merchandise display room.
“The Funeral Home has been arranged practically and at the same time uniquely. The principal entrance leads directly into the well-equipped chapel, furnished attractively with overstuffed suites and comfortable chairs. It will accommodate 125 chairs and despite its size is cozy and homelike. Cream marquisate curtains with maroon draperies and taupe carpeting add to the beauty of the room. The family room is isolated conveniently at the end of the chapel. A side exit permits the cortege to the cars. On the west side is the merchandise display room showing caskets of practically every price range. A modern well-equipped preparation room is located on the ground floor.”
To prepare himself for the new profession, Victor completed his training at the Williams Institute of Embalming in Kansas City and employed a mentor, Mr. F. Bowlin, who brought 15 years of embalming experience with him. Vic was friendly, well-liked and accommodating, and his business quickly became successful.
The young Bueschers welcomed the birth of their first child, Barbara Jean, in 1938. Three more daughters would follow: Betty, Bonnie and Beverly. As they raised their family, Gladys and Vic were involved in the community as members of the Central United Church of Christ on the Southside and moved in social spheres of Jefferson City’s elite.
Vic was in the Church’s Men’s Brotherhood, the Jefferson Lodge, Prince of Peace Commandery, Cryptic Masons and the Moolah Temple in St. Louis. His involvement in the capital clubs certainly helped network his name — Lion’s Club, Eastern Star, Eagles and Elks Lodges, and he even served as 2nd Ward councilman. Gladys also became involved in many social circles while also playing an active role in the family’s funeral business.
Vic and Gladys worked as a team to make their business venture a financial success. They had every hope their daughters would carry their success into the future.
Part 2 will follow next week with the fate of the business after Vic and Gladys were gone.