04/05/2026
Because so many people wanted to know more about A. B. Pool, we put a little something together. It's taken from a larger research project by David Steele and Barb Brockamp. They've been combing through St. Marys newspapers for many months to understand the historical geography of the town. The notes that follow are from David Steele on the fascinating life of A. B. Pool, who commissioned the current funeral home building and lived there for decades.
Amos Bierer “A.B.” Pool was born in Pennsylvania in 1842.
At the age of 16 he went west spending several years in Illinois. In 1861 he enlisted in the Army in Illinois but was transferred to the 7th Missouri Cavalry. He served for one year.
In August of 1862, he was taken prisoner by the notorious William Quantrill. He was eventually paroled and soon discharged.
After his discharge, he travelled to Washington Territory where he was engaged in farming and gold prospecting but owing to severe illness he left the cold climate and settled in Topeka, Kansas.
In 1871, A.B. Pool came to St. Marys where he opened a meat market that he operated for a short time. The location of this establishment is unknown. He then moved back to Topeka and became a successful foreman for the King Bridge Company.
In the spring of 1876, he returned to Illinois and married Matilda Hershey.
In the fall of 1876, he moved back to St. Marys. He and George Mohler went into the dry goods and grocery business on the corner of 6th and Bertrand, the building where Pearl Real Estate is today. (This building was also occupied by the First National Bank and St. Marys State Bank after the closing of the Pool business.)
It was a brave move to establish a store at this location, as this block, the Linn Block, was not fully developed and the “main” business district was to the east.
After a few years Pool bought out Mr. Mohler’s interest and discontinued the grocery business, focusing on dry goods.
Many trips were made both “back east” and to Chicago to select the finest in dry goods, clocks, jewelry, pantaloons, parasols, suits, shoes, dresses, trunks, valises, furs, hats, fabric, notions and more!
By 1884, Pool’s stock was immense and at that time there was a general demand for more commodious business locations in St. Marys. Accounts are unclear but at this time he either expanded, possibly into an adjoining building, or completely reorganized to provide room for yet more merchandise.
St. Marys was becoming a “fashion center” for the area for clothing and furnishings with fierce competition between Urbansky’s Crystal Palace, Anderson, Ullerick, Erbacher, Pool as well as other smaller establishments, dressmakers, and milliners.
Pool’s thriving business came to an end with a gigantic “Sell Out Sale” on April 21, 1910.
Until 1889, A. B. Pool owned the Creamery, but he was also involved in other businesses. For instance, he served as vice president of the First National Bank (originally located in Dr. Linn’s new hotel building at the corner of 5th and Bertrand). Pool also built and owned several houses and owned farmland in the area.
Around 1910, A. B. Pool, began disposing of his other properties, though he remained active in civic affairs until his death from pneumonia in December 1914.
A. B. Pool was a successful business pioneer. Though his business is no longer here, his legacy will live on through the Verschelden Funeral Home and the elegant house which he had designed and built for his family.
A.B. Pool and his family are buried in the Valley View Cemetery, next to his former business partner and friend, George Mohler, and his family.
Information comes from various newspaper items from the St. Marys Gazette, St. Marys Star, St. Marys Eagle-Journal, and from William G. Cutler’s History of the State of Kansas, and the St. Marys Historical Society.
