Biographical Sketch of James A. Storm, St. Joseph, Buchanan County, MO

>From "History of Buchanan County, Missouri, Published 1881, St. Joseph
Steam Printing Company, Printers, Binders, Etc., St. Joseph, Missouri.
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James A. Storm was born in Emmittsburg, Fredericks County, Maryland,
June 26, 1823, and was there reared, educated and became proficient
in architecture, his father, James, being a prominent member of the
profession in that state.  In 1846, James A. removed to Baltimore,
where he remained engaged in his profession and building until 1850,
when he took up his abode at Berkeley Springs, Virginia, where he
followed contracting and building, and he also became proprietor of
a livery stable.  To him much credit is due for giving the locality
of Berkeley Springs the reputation it afterwards attained as a water-
ing place.  There he constructed and operated swimming pools and a
ten pin alley, and was general manager of amusement.  Mr. David H.
Crawther, well known as a correspondent for Harper's Magazine, under
the nom de plume of Port Crayon, was associated with him for a time 
in this business.  In 1857, Mr. Storm settled in St. Joseph.  He 
drafted the design and superintended the building of the Pacific House.
Was also superintendent of construction of the Buchanan County Court
House and other important structures in St. Joseph.  For a consider-
able length of time he was a partner in contracting and building with
John C. Evans, the style being Storm & Evans.  In 1862, they dissolved
partnership, and Mr. Storm turned his attention to the manufacture of
ox yokes, tents and necessaries for outfitting adventurers for the West.
His establishment was what is known as the St. Joseph Planing Mill.  He
also manufactured extensively the old-fashioned spinning wheel, looms,
etc.  In 1865, he sold out to DeClue & Shivel, and for one season, in
company with W. Angelo Powell, conducted a real estate and architect's
office.  His next move was to engage in the fruit and produce business,
which so rapidly increased that he was obliged to open a branch house
at Omaha to accommodate his western trade.  During one summer he ship-
ped upwards of 30,000 bushels of apples and other products in propor-
tion.  In 1867, he opened a house and made a specialty of buying and
selling game.  He has done much toward improving the breeds of fowls,
and in this important branch has achieved a wide reputation.  He is the
inventor of a fountain for the benefits of the breeders of fowls that 
will keep water from freezing in winter and keep it cool in summer.
On this he was awarded the highest prize at the Centennial.  He is a
member of the State Horticultural Society and of the Missouri Valley
Horticultural Society.  Mr. Storm is a man of considerable taste in
antiquarian curiosities, and is the possessor of a rare collection of
ancient coins and fossils.  He was married in 1844, to Miss Margaret A.
Baumgardner, at Emmitsburg, Maryland.  They have had seven children:
John F., now Deputy Assessor in St. Louis; James A., Joseph A., Charlie
K., William M. and Louisa M., living; and Mary A., deceased. 

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