Hannibal pharmacist had ties to San Antonio’s early history

Leonard Orynski was among the performers in the Gilbert and Sullivan opera, “H.M.S. Pinafore,” on March 27, 1879, at Mozart Hall in Hannibal. Orynski was a Hannibal druggist. He left Hannibal soon there after, and relocated in San Antonio, Texas. Photo contributed by Joseph Haslwanter.

MARY LOU MONTGOMERY

Leonardo W. Orynski, a native of Poland, chose Hannibal as his American home circa 1870. Arriving in town with Thadeus W. and Wolvmir Orynski, (possibly his brothers) Leonardo went into the drug business, first operating a store on Market Street, west of Broadway, and later opening a second store at 407 Broadway. He was naturalized during the decade that he was a resident of Hannibal, and was a popular member of Hannibal society. At the time of his residency, he was considered to be among Hannibal’s most eligible bachelors.

He rubbed shoulders with other prominent residents of Hannibal, including fellow bachelors who were invited to attend a social at the home of F.P. Hearne, northwest corner of Sixth and Bird, on Friday evening, July 27, 1877. Mr. Hearne hosted young Hannibal singles - both men and women - to mingle with his visiting nieces: Carrie Stone and Mattie Hearne, of Covington, Ky.

Mr. Hearne was co-owner of Hearne, Herriman and Co., lumber dealers.

Bachelors in attendance, in addition to L. Orynski, were:

G.A. Mahan, attorney, born 1851; married Ida May Dulany in 1883.

Robert Robinson, Robinson Paint and Wallpaper Co., born 1848, married Fannie Bowman in 1881.

E.D. Brewington, whose family operated a saddlery business, born 1853; married Clara B. Rowe in 1880.

W.R. Chinn, whose family was in the grocery business, born 1852, married Sarah Elizabeth “Libbie” Corbett in 1880.

The women in attendance included Misses Cliffie Bowen, Ida Dulany, Julia McVeigh, Aurora Drescher, Ella Davis, Mary Bowling, Rosa Milton, Emma Martin and Jennie Ford.

The young people enjoyed a hearty supper, in addition to such delicacies as ices, cakes, jellies and salads.

Opera performer

Leonardo Orynski was among the performers who staged a rendition of “H.M.S. Pinafore,” on behalf of the organ fund of the Hannibal Congregational Church in 1877-78.

Jennie B. Hilton, wife of Walter J. Hilton, who was among the performers, kept a scrapbook of the actors and actresses in this local production. Her great-great-great grandson, Joseph Haslwanter, recently shared the photos contained within.

Mrs. Hilton wrote about Leonardo Orynski: “Said to have been the most capable singer, among the crew.”

The  opera was presented at Mozart Hall, located on the third floor of 407-409 Broadway. Mr. Orynski’s drug store was on this building’s first floor.

The publicity photos were taken by Deane photographers, corner of Broadway and Main, Hannibal, Mo.

Making the move

As the decade of the 1870s came to an end, L. Orynski made the decision to relocate to San Antonio, Texas. He placed advertisements in several newspapers, seeking either a buyer for his business, or individuals to purchase his stock at wholesale prices.

Among his stock were bottles of pure Kentucky Whiskies, for medicinal purposes:

Monarel Whiskey, 8 years old, $5 a gallon;

Hermitage Whiskey, 5 years old, $4 a gallon;

Peacock Whiskey, 3 years old, $2; and

Bourbon, 1 year old, $1.35.

Toilet articles and druggists’ supplies:

Lubin’s Extract, genuine, 65 cents per botle;

Hoyt’s Cologne, large, 63 cents;

Violet water, 80 cents;

Hagan’s Magnolia Balm, 50 cents; and

Pozeni’s Complexion Powers, 35 cents.

Also:

A large lot of fine cigars, $2.50 per box of 100 cigars.

Finally, the year ended and Orynski made the move to Texas.

The Sunday Times, Hannibal, Mo. announced in its Nov. 1, 1881 edition:

“It is rumored that our late fellow bachelor, L. Orynski, since his sojourn in San Antonio, has fallen madly in love with a beautiful senorita and is to be married. He is doing a big business down there.”

The lucky lady was Isabella Bowen, (1853-1944) born in Texas to John Bowen of Pennsylvania and Elizabeth Murphy of Ohio.

The ceremony took place in San Antonio.

Bowen family

John (formerly Ralph Wm. Peacock) Bowen 1801-1867 (Find a grave) was San Antonio’s first postmaster and city treasurer. His home, on Dwyer Avenue, LaQuinta, served as San Antonio’s first U.S. Post Office.

His wife was Elizabeth Murphy Peacock-Bowen 1818-1903. (Find a grave)

His land was considered an island, originally bounded by the San Antonio River on the north, west and south. Thus the property was known as Bowen’s Island. Today, Bowen’s Island is bounded by the San Antonio River on the north, Nueva Street on the south, Dwyer Avenue on the west, and Navarro Street on the east.

When Orynski moved to San Antonio, he located his drug store on Central Garden, Bowen’s Island.

A historic marker depicting the Bowen family’s presence in San Antonio is located along the River Walk.

Mining gold

While living in San Antonio, Orynski served as secretary of the International Club. He resigned from this involvement in 1908, noting that he would be spending a better portion of his time in Southern California.

A newspaper at the time reported that he was a personal friend of the Governor of Chihuahua, Mexico.

Orynski turned his attention away from the drug store business, and became involved in mining gold. Genealogy information suggests that Leonard Orynski died in May 3, 1916, in Chihuahua, Mexico.

At that time, his widow was living at 2222 Atherton, Oakland, Calif., and two of her sons, Jonathan B. and Leonard W. Orynski Jr., were students at the University of California.

Mrs. Orynski ultimately moved back to San Antonio, and died there in 1944.

Elizabeth Graham, with whom Mrs. Orynski made her home in her later years, was long-time Curator of the Spanish Governor’s Palace in San Antonio, and worked tirelessly on behalf of the San Antonio Conservation Society. She died in 1969.

Advertisement for L.W. Orynski's drug store in San Antonio, Texas, Freie Presse Fur Texas Nov. 18, 1886. newspapers.com

The San Antonio Express News published this photo of the wedding gown worn by Isabella Bowen at the time of her marriage to Leonardo Orynski in San Fernando Cathedral, San Antonio, Texas, on April 21, 1882. The gown was modeled in this photo by Mrs. Orynski’s granddaughter, Carolyn Graham. Leonardo Orynski was a Hannibal druggist during the 1870s. Published Nov. 18, 1957. newspapers.com

Hannibal City Directory, 1875-76. Accessed via the Hannibal Free Public Library's website.

Mary Lou Montgomery retired as editor of the Hannibal (Mo.) Courier-Post in 2014. She researches and writes narrative-style stories about the people who served as building blocks for this region’s foundation. Books available on Amazon.com by this author include but are not limited to: "The Notorious Madam Shaw," "Pioneers in Medicine from Northeast Missouri,” “Hannibal’s ‘West End,’” “Oakwood: West of Hannibal,”  and “St. Mary’s Avenue District.” Montgomery can be reached at Montgomery.editor@yahoo.com Her collective works can be found at www.maryloumontgomery.com