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Full text of "Centennial history of Missouri (the center state) one hundred years in the Union, 1820-1921"

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977.8 

St4c Ga^EALOGY COLLECTION 

V.5 

1415245 



3 1833 00829 4875 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY 



OF 



MISSOURI 

(THE CENTER STATE) 

One Hundred Years in the Union 




ILLUSTRATED 
VOLUME V 



ST. LOUIS— CHICAGO 

THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY 

1921 



1415245 




WELLS H. BLODGETT 



Biographical 



WELLS H. BLODGETT. 



Wells Howard Blodgett was born January 29th, 1839, at Downers Grove, Du- 
Page county, Illinois. His father, Israel P. Blodgett, was a native of Belchertown, 
Massachusetts, and his mother. Avis (Dodge) Blodgett, was born in the nearby town 
of Amherst, in that state. In 1830 they traveled across the country by wagon to 
Albany. The Erie Canal had then been opened, and they went by that route from 
Albany to Buffalo. From Buffalo they took a schooner (there were no steamboats 
on the Lakes in those days) to Chicago, which was then better known as "Fort 
Dearborn." From Chicago they traveled west about twenty-five miles, across the 
open country (th4re being no established roads), to the DuPage river, where they 
located their home. At that time the tribe of Indians known as the Pottowatomies 
occupied the DuPage river country. Locally they were friendly with the white 
people who were coming to settle in their country. But when Black Hawk, Chief 
of the Sacs and Foxes, declared war against the whites and commenced crossing 
to the east side of the Mississippi with his warriors, the white settlers residing 
west of Fort Dearborn became alarmed and fled to the fort for protection. After- 
wards, however, when Black Hawk had been defeated and captured, the Blodgett 
family returned to their home on the DuPage, but soon afterwards they moved to 
a new location and established their home at the place now known as Downers 
Grove, where Wells H. (the subject of this sketch) was born and grew up on a 
farm as other boys do in a new country. He was one of a family of eight children, 
seven sons and one daughter. His eldest brother (Henry W. Blodgett) was judge 
of the federal court at Chicago for many years. Another brother (Asiel Z.) served 
through the war 1861-5 as a captain in the Ninety-sixth Regiment, Illinois Volun- 
teers, and was severely wounded at Mission Ridge. Another brother (Edward A.) 
was adjutant of that regiment and received a brevet commission as Major of In- 
fantry. His youngest brother (Charles B.) still resides in the old home at Downers. 

In 1856, '57 and '58 Wells H. Blodgett was a student at Wheaton and Mount 
Morris, and at the close of the school year in 1858 he entered the law office of 
Norman B. Judd as a student. Mr. Judd was at that tim^ one of the best known 
citizens of the state. He was chairman of the Republican State (Sommittee and the 
member of the National Republican Committee from Illinois. He was general counsel 
for the Rock Island Railroad Company, and in the great suits brought, in both the 
state and federal courts, by the river interests, to prevent the placing of a bridge pier 
in the channel of the Mississippi river, he employed Mr. Lincoln as his associate, 
and at the National Republican Convention that met at Chicago in June, 1860, 
Mr. Judd presented the name of Mr. Lincoln as the candidate of his state and party 
for the presidency. In March, 1861, Wells H. Blodgett presented himself before 
the examining committee for admission to the bar, and received a certificate that 
entitled him to enrollment. On the 15th day of April, 1861, Mr. Lincoln issued his 
first call for an army of 75,000 men "to protect the national capital and suppress insur- 
rection." On April 17 of that year he (the subject of this sketch) enrolled as a 
private in a military company then being organized at Chicago by Captain (after- 
wards Colonel) C. C. Marsh. That company was not called into active service, but 
in July of the same year he again enrolled as a private for "a term of three years 
or during the war," in Company D, Thirty-seventh Regiment, Illinois Volunteers, 
and afterwards, in August, 1861, he was commissioned by Governor Yates as a first 
lieutenant in that company and regiment. In the autumn of that year he marched, 
with his company and regiment, to Springfield, Missouri, in the army commanded 
by General John C. Fremont. But as the Confederate Army commanded by General 
Sterling Price had fallen back to a point farther south, the army commanded by Fre- 
5 



6 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

mont returned north to a camp in Missouri, near what was then the western terminus 
of the Missouri Pacific Railroad. General Price, however, soon returned with 
his army to Springfield, and General Samuel R. Curtis, who had succeeded Fremont, 
decided to move his army against the Confederate forces at Springfield, and in Feb- 
ruary, 1862, that movement began and continued until the main army, under Cur- 
tis, had reached Sugar Creek, Arkansas, at a point two or three miles south of Pea 
Ridge. In the meantime the army under Price had been reinforced by a division 
of Confederate troops from Louisiana commanded by General Hebert: by a division 
from Texas commanded by General Ben McCuUough, and a division from Arkan- 
sas commanded by General Mcintosh. Such being the situation, and while the 
troops of the main army under Curtis were quietly resting in their camp on Sugar 
Creek, they were, on the afternoon of March 6, 1862, suddenly startled by the 
roar of artillery in the direction of Bentonville where the division of the Federal 
Army under Siegel was in camp. During the night of March 6 the Confederate 
Army moved from its position near Bentonville, and, on the morning of March 7, 
it was occupying a position north of the army under Curtis. The Thirty-seventh 
Illinois Infantry was in the division of the Union Army commanded by General 
Jeff C. Davis of Indiana, and instead of moving south to the attack it moved north, 
and at daybreak on the morning of March 7 the fighting began and continued until 
the night of that day. It was renewed the next morning and continued until between 
one and two o'clock p. m. of March 8. In the final charge of the Union Army, at the 
point known as Elkhorn Tavern, it so happened that the right of Company D, Thirty- 
seventh Illinois,. rested on the highway leading up (they were then moving north) 
to what was known as the Elkhorn Tavern. Down the slope to the north some 
seventy-five or one hundred yards, the Confederates had been compelled to abandon 
two pieces of artillery, and the next day, March 9, Company D of the Thirty-seventh 
Illinois, commanded by Lieutenant Blodgett, was detailed to escort the two cap- 
tured guns to the headquarters of General Curtis, who thanked the lieutenant and 
his company and complimented, in generous terms, the gallantry of the regiment 
to which they belonged. In the two days' fighting at Pea Ridge (March seventh 
and eighth, 1862), the Thirty-seventh Illinois Volunteers lost fifty-four men killed 
on the field, six of whom belonged to Company D. The number of wounded in the 
regiment exceeded one hundred. 

In April, 1862, Lieutenant Blodgett was detailed to support Major James M. 
Hubbard of the First Missouri Cavalry, in an expedition from CassvlUe, Missouri, 
into the Indian Nation. Standwaite, then Chief of the Cherokees, was an officer 
in the Confederate Army and had fought with his regiment under Price and Van 
Dorn at Pea Ridge. The force under Hubbard consisted of about three hundred 
cavalry armed with carbines; sixty selected men from the Thirty-seventh Illinois 
Infantry, armed with Colt's revolving rifles and two six-pound guns from David- 
son's Peoria Battery. Hubbard's command was furnished with ten army wagons, 
each of which was hauled by six army mules. The wagons served a double pur- 
pose; they not only transported the needed commissary supplies, but also enabled 
the infantry to ride and rest when the marching was too fast or too far for them 
to walk. Armed and equipped as above, the command moved out from its camp 
at Cassville and headed for the Indian country. The first day out they met with 
no opposition, but on the second day, whenever the route lay through brush or 
timber, small bodies of armed horsemen would form across the narrow roads, and 
thereupon one of the cannon would be brought into position and upon its discharge 
a platoon of Hubbard's men would charge down the road and tlie enemy would 
disappear. Before reaching the place then known as Seneca Mills Hubbard had 
captured more than thirty prisoners, but at that point the number was largely in- 
creased. At Seneca Mills Hubbard was informed that a Confederate camp, com- 
posed of both whites and Indians, was located over in the nation, on what was then 
known as Cow Skin Prairie, and at daylight the next morning he started with the 
cavalry and one piece of artillery to find and capture that camp. He found the 
camp, but its defenders had fled, and Hubbard returned to Seneca Jlills, and from 
there he marched his command to Neosho, the county seat of Newton county. On 
reaching Neosho he first took possession of the public square and placed his pris- 
oners in the court house, but he soon concluded that in order to hold the court 
house he would be compelled to divide his forces, and thereupon he moved his 
men to a ridge that overlooked the town, and was then covered with scattering 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 7 

timber. On the point nearest the town he stationed the artillery and supported it 
with the sixty men from the Thirty-seventh Illinois, commanded by Lieutenant 
Blodgett. Before reaching Neosho Hubbard had learned that a Confederate force, 
outnumbering his own, and composed largely of Indians, had been following him, 
and just at dawn the next morning the white men and Indians composing that force 
came charging into Hubbard's camp and for a few moments there was a din of 
shooting and shouting that was most bewildering. The fighting did not last long, 
however, and when it was over the enemy was seen to be in full retreat. In that 
brief engagement Hubbard lost two men killed and five were wounded, and inside 
of Hubbard's camp two Indians were killed and three white men were taken pris- 
oners. In that engagement a bullet fired from what is known as a squirrel rifle 
struck Lieutenant Blodgett in his left foot and caused a serious but not a permanent 
injury. The excitement of that attack being over, Hubbard informed his officers 
that 'he intended to move, and that his destination would be the Stone barn, then 
owned by Judge Richie, on the Newtonia prairie. The prisoners and the men of 
the Thirty-seventh Illinois were then quietly loaded into the wagons, and, at the 
sound of the bugle, the movement began. The first two or three miles were in a 
valley and the road was rough, but the Stone barn on the prairie was reached 
that afternoon. Soon afterwards, however, squads of mounted men armed with shot- 
guns and rifles began to appear just outside the range of their guns, and it soon 
became apparent that Hubbard's force was greatly outnumbered. It so happened, 
however, that Hubbard had with him a young man employed as a civilian scout 
and guide, who, while at Neosho, had volunteered to pass through the lines of the 
enemy at night, and go on to Cassville and advise Colonel Black of the situation. 
The young man succeeded, and at daylight the morning after his arrival at Cass- 
ville, Colonel Black left for Neosho with four companies of the Thirty-seventh 
Illinois Infantry, two companies of cavalry, a section of Davidson's Peoria Battery, 
and some wagons in which to rest the infantry. Arriving at Neosho, Black learned 
that Hubbard had gone to the Newtonia prairie, and, after giving his men a short 
rest, he moved in that direction, and before daylight the next morning the men of 
Hubbard's command welcomed the sound of the big bass drum of the Thirty-seventh 
Illinois as it announced the approach of Black and the men of that regiment. 
Soon after daylight the next morning the squads of Confederate horsemen that had 
been on guard began to move further away from the Stone barn, and by ten o'clock 
of that morning they had entirely disappeared, and Black, after resting one day 
with his men, took command of the entire force and returned to Cassville. As 
showing the manner in which the prisoners captured by Hubbard on that expedition 
were treated, the following quotation from a letter written many years afterwards 
by one of them may be of interest: 

"Muskogee, April 15, 1898. 
Lieutenant Blodgett, 

St. Louis, Missouri. 
Dear Sir: 

I address you as 'Lieutenant' because that was your rank when I was your 
boy prisoner, thirty-six years ago. 

Last week I saw your name mentioned in a Washington dispatch as being one 
to whom the President would offer a command, as brigadier general, in case we go 
to war with Spain. 

If we are to have another war I think old Confederates ought to be given the 
first chance. 

Treat me as good as you did when I was your prisoner thirty-six years ago. If 
you enter the service and do not fake me with you I shall be greatly disappointed. 
Very respectfully yours. 



In September, 1862, General Shelby of the Confederate Army was in camp on 
the Newtonia prairie, and it was reported that he had a force of 10,000 cavalry 
and several field batteries. On receipt of that report General Schofield. then in 
command of the Federal Army in the southwest, took the field. In making an at- 
tack on Shelby it was ordered by General Schofield that a brigade of cavalry com- 
manded by Colonel George H. Hall of Missouri should make a night march and 
at daylight attack the Confederate camp from the east, and that he (General Scho- 



8 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

field) with his infantry and artillery, would, at daylight, approach the Confederate 
camp from the west. Such was the plan, but when General Schotield reached a 
point from which he could with his glass see the head of the cavalry column under 
Hall, a staff officer appeared and reported to General Schofleld that Shelby and 
his army were retreating south on the road leading to Pineville. On receipt of that 
report General Schofield ordered General E. B. Brown to send a member of his 
staff to Colonel Hall and direct him to move forward with his command, and bring 
on an engagement, and that he (Schofield) would support him with his infantry 
and artillery. What happened to Blodgett in his effort to execute that order has 
since been printed and told on many occasions. We copy from a statement, made 
at the time, by General E. B. Brown, and published in 1865 in a volume entitled 
"The Civil War in Song and Story, 1860-1865." The events described in that vol- 
ume were selected and arranged by Frank Moore, who edited for the United States 
government the official records of the Union and Confederate Armies. In 1882 
that volume was reissued and on page 71 thereof the following statement appears 
exactly as it did in the edition of 1865: 

"One of the coolest and most extraordinary exploits of the war is thus described 
in a letter written by Brig. Gen. E. B, Brown, dated at Springfield, Mo., 1862. 
After a preliminary description of an engagement of the enemy eighteen miles from 
Newtonia, Gen. Brown proceeds: 

" 'Then General (Schofield) sent Lt. Blodgett with a single orderly with orders 
to Col. Hall of the 4th Missouri Cavalry, to move to the left and attack in that 
direction. The route of the lieutenant was across a piece of woods, in which he sud- 
denly found himself facing a squad of the enemy drawn up in irregular line. With- 
out a moment's hesitation he and the orderly drew their revolvers and charged. 
The cool impudence of the act nonplussed the fpe, and, probably thinking there 
was a large force in the rear, eight of them threw down their arms and surrendered. 
It is difficult for me to say which I admired most in the Lieutenant, his bravery 
in making the charge against such odds when to have hesitated a moment was 
certain death, or his presence of mind and coolness in offering to accept them as 
prisoners. 

The orderly, too, deserves more than a passing notice. His name is Peter 
Basnett, and he was at one time Sheriff of Brown County, Wis. 

The Lieutenant and orderly were well matched — both are quiet and deter- 
mined men. I am glad to bear witness to the bravery and soldierly conduct of 
Lt. Wells H. Blodgett, and I hope he will be rewarded as he deserves.' " 

The substance of the foregoing statement was contained in the official report 
of General Brown, and several years afterwards, at the request of General John 
C. Black of Illinois, the War Department examined the record and the following 
citation was then issued: 

"Wells H. Blodgett was mustered into the service on the 18th day of September, 
1861, to serve three years. He held the grade of Captain of Company 'D,' 37th 
Regiment, Illinois Volunteers, and a Medal of Honor is awarded to him for most 
distinguished gallantry in action, near Newtonia, Missouri, September 30th, 1862, 
where this officer, with a single orderly, captured an armed picket of eight men 
and marched them in as prisoners." 

On the Medal the following words are engraved. 

"The Congress to Colonel Wells H. Blodgett, 48th Regiment, Missouri Volun- 
teers, for most distinguished gallantry near Newtonia, Missouri, September 30, 
1862." 

On December 7, 1862, the battle of Prairie Grove. Arkansas, was fought be- 
tween the Federal and Confederate Armies in the southwest. In that campaign 
Lieutenant Blodgett was on duty as a staff officer, and, accompanied by a single 
orderly and a citizen guide, he conveyed messages and orders between General 
Frank J. Herron (Commanding the Army of the Frontier) and General James G. 
Blunt, who was then approaching the battle field with his division. For that service 
he (Blodgett) received the personal thanks of both the generals. In that battle his 
company, in the Thirty-seventh Illinois Volunteers, was commanded by Lieutenant 
William Johnson, who was killed in the action. On January 8, 1863, General Mar- 
maduke, with a cavalry force, reported to be 3,000 strong, and a battery of six 
guns, made an attack on the military post at Springfield, Missouri. In the battle 
fought on that day General E. B. Brown (commanding the Federal iorces) was se- 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF -MISSOURI 9 

verely wounded in the right shoulder, and Blodgett received a severe wound in his 
right leg above the knee. In March, 1863, Lieutenant Blodgett was commissioned 
by Governor Yates as Captain of Company D, Thirty-seventh Regiment, Illinois Vol- 
unteers, and on the face of that commission, above the signature of the Governor, 
the following words are written: 

"Promoted for meritorious services at Pea Ridge, Arkansas, March 7 and 8, 
1862." 

"Promoted for meritorious services at Prairie Grove, Arkansas, December 7, 
1862." 

Early in April, 1863, the Thirty-seventh Regiment, Illinois Volunteers (Cap- 
tain Blodgett commanding Company D), was rushed from southwestern Missouri 
into St. Louis in freight cars, and then hurried through the city to a steamer 
waiting at the wharf to transport the regiment to Cape Girardeau to meet and 
repel an attack upon that post by a Confederate force commanded by General 
Marmaduke. General John McNeil was in command of the Federal troops at the 
Cape, and as the men of the Thirty-seventh Regiment were moving off the steamer 
in the morning they were saluted by the roar of artillery in the very suburbs of the 
town, and quickly forming line at the wharf, and sending up a "yell" that could be 
heard by Marmaduke and his men, they went forward, double quick, to the posi- 
tion assigned them. It was soon discovered, however, that General Marmaduke 
and his troops were in retreat, and thereupon the Thirty-seventh Illinois (com- 
manded by Colonel John C. Black), and some other troops, followed in pursuit 
down through Bloomfield and on to the St. Francis river at Chalk Bluffs. In ap- 
proaching the river the highway passed for some distance through a low bottom 
that was at that time rather sparsely covered with large trees and" but little under- 
brush. When some two or three hundred yards from the river Colonel Black halted 
his regiment (37th Illinois) and ordered three companies (one of which was com- 
manded by Captain Blodgett) to deploy as skirmishers and advance towards the 
river. That order was quickly obeyed, but when the skirmish line reached the 
river it was found that the bridge had been blown up and rendered impassable. 
The river at that point was not very broad, and as no enemy could be seen on the 
other side the men of the Thirty-seventh Regiment left their alignment and sat 
down on the fallen logs to rest and wait for orders. Soon, however, the silence 
was broken by the sharp crack of rifles from behind the stumps and trees on the 
other side, and as the river could not be crossed nor the enemy seen General Black 
directed his bugler to sound the retreat. In that affair Lieutenant Eaton of Com- 
pany H, Thirty-seventh Illinois, was killed and two men of Company D of that 
regiment were wounded. In his official report General William Vandiver (com- 
manding the brigade) stated: 

"Colonel John C. Black, Thirty-seventh Illinois, brought his command gallantly 
into action, and deserves special mention for his services. I regret to announce 
the loss of Lieutenant Joseph Eaton, Thirty-seventh Regiment, Illinois Volunteers." 

In April, 1863, Blodgett was commissioned by President Lincoln as Judge 
Advocate of the Army of the Frontier with the rank of Major of Cavalry in the 
Army of the United States. In September, 1864, he was commissioned by Governor 
Willard P. Hall of Missouri as Lieutenant Colonel of the Forty-eighth Regiment, 
Missouri Volunteers. In October, 1864, he was commissioned by Governor Hall 
Colonel of the Forty-eighth Regiment, Missouri Volunteers. In December, 1864,. he 
was ordered to proceed with his regiment (Forty-eighth Missouri Volunteers) to 
Nashville, Tennessee, and report to General George H. Thomas, but while ascend- 
ing the Cumberland river, from Paducah to Nashville, all traffic on the river was 
blocked by an artillery force commanded by the Confederate General Lyon, and 
during the delay so occasioned General Thomas moved out of Nashville with his 
army and the battle was fought in which the Confederate army under General Hood 
was defeated. Arriving at Nashville Colonel Blodgett, with the troops of his com- 
mand, joined in the pursuit of Hood and followed the retreating army as far as 
Columbia and Pulaski, Tennessee. The war having ended with the surrender of 
Lee in April, 1865, Colonel Blodgett was, on the 1st of June, 1865, ordered to 
proceed to St. Louis with his regiment to be mustered out of the service. Upon 
its arrival in St. Louis his regiment was said to present a very fine appearance, 
and in the Missouri Democrat (now the Globe-Democrat) of June 12, 1865, the 
following complimentary notice appeared: 



10 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

"As the Forty-eighth Missouri Infantry, Colonel Blodgett commanding, marched 
up Fourth street yesterday afternoon they halted in front of the Democrat office 
and gave three rousing cheers for the Missouri Democrat, the gallant Colonel pro- 
posing the compliment. 

"We return our thanks to the Forty-eighth for its appreciation of our course, and 
promise them and all the other noble soldierly of the country who have been bat- 
tling for the Union our hearty cooperation whenever the government shall call upon 
their valor and patriotism." 

Again, on June 15, 1865, the following appeared in the same paper: 

"This regiment was raised principally in the second congressional district. Its 
organization was completed at Rolla, and in November. 1864, it started for Nash- 
ville. In connection with the Forty-fifth and Forty-seventh Missouri Regiments, 
it opened the Cumberland Tiver — at that time blockaded by the Confederate 
forces under General Lyon, and on account of that delay the Forty-eighth arrived 
at Nashville two days after the Confederate army under General Hood had been de- 
feated by General Thomas. The Forty-eighth Regiment joined in the pursuit of 
the army under Hood and when that army had been driven across the Tennessee 
river the Forty-eighth returned and took post at Columbia, where it remained 
until April, 1865. The officers have brought the regiment up to a perfection in 
drill and in the manual, which shows great energy on their part and great aptitude 
on the part of the men. We paid a visit yesterday nlorning to Benton Barracks, 
in company with General White, General McNeil and Senator Henderson. While 
there we had the pleasure of witnessing their drill and dress parade of the regi- 
ment. The party was joined by Colonel Bonneville, commanding the Post, and 
by other distinguished visitors, both civil and military. Without notice of such 
intention from Colonel Blodgett, the men appeared promptly at the call of the bugle 
with their arms and accouterments in order: their evolutions and manual, as we 
have just stated, were admirable and elicited the warmest commendations from 
every one present. After forming into a square, Senator Henderson was intro- 
duced to the regiment by the commanding officer. Three cheers greeted his 
introduction, to which he replied in a brief but eloquent address. Senator Hen- 
derson paid a deserved compliment to the regiment for the high qualities it exhibited 
of discipline and proficiency in arms, and expressed the solicitude with which he 
had watched its course. 

"General White was then introduced as a soldier who had served through the 
entire struggle. Many of the regiment seemed acquainted with that gentleman, 
and at the suggestion of someone in the ranks, three hearty cheers were given to 
him. General White also briefly addressed the regiment, complimenting the men 
and officers, as only a soldier can, on their military bearing and the proficiency 
they exhibited in their military acquirements. General McNeil was next introduced. 
Three cheers were accorded the General, whom all the regiment seemed to know. 
He also addressed the men and officers, praising the regiment for its appearance 
and the rapid proficiency it had shown, and expressing the belief that their expe- 
rience and training in the service would make every man in the regiment a wiser 
and better citizen in civil life. The visit was in every respect a pleasant one, afford- 
ing, as it did, independent of the parade, an interesting conversation with Colonel 
Bonneville; his reminiscences of St. Louis forty years ago were thrown in with 
great freshness and vivacity." 

A letter from Colonel Bonneville reads: 

St. Louis. Missouri. June 16, 1865. 
Col. Blodgett, 

48th Regiment, Mo. Vols. Inf. 
Dear Sir: 

I write this note to express my thanks for the cordial reception given me yester- 
day by the officers and men of your command. 

I noted with pleasure their efficiency in the manual as well as in their Com- 
pany and Battalion movements. 

Please say to Senator Henderson that his words were grateful to the ears of 
an old soldier.. 

I am, sir. 

Yours respectfully, 

Bonneville, Comdr. 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 11 

Colonel Bonneville, the author of the foregoing letter, and who is mentioned 
in the foregoing article quoted from the Missouri Democrat, was the famous Cap- 
tain Bonneville of the regular army, whose thrilling adventures, at an early day 
in the far west, were so interestingly described by Washington Irving in his 
Volume entitled The Adventures of Captain Bonneville. 

Following is the military record of Wells H. Blodgett: 

(A) — April 17, 1861 — Enlisted as private for three months in company com- 
manded by Captain C. C. Marsh. 

(B) — July 18, 1861 — Enlisted as private for three years in Company D, Thirty- 
seventh Regiment, Illinois Volunteers. 

(C) — August 1, 1861 — Commissioned by Governor Yates as First Lieutenant, 
Company D, Thirty-seventh Regiment, Illinois Volunteers. 

(D) — January 1, 1863 — Commissioned by Governor Yates as Captain, Com- 
pany D, Thirty-seventh Regiment, Illinois Volunteers. 

(E) — April 9, 1863 — Commissioned by President Lincoln as Judge Advocate, 
Army of the Frontier, with rank of Major of Cavalry in Army of the United States. 

(F) — September 22, 1864 — Commissioned by Governor Hall as Lieutenant 
Colonel Forty-eighth Regiment, Missouri Volunteers. 

(G) — November 25, 1864 — Commissioned by Governor Hall as Colonel Forty- 
eighth Regiment. Missouri Volunteers. > 

(H) — July 1, 1865 — Honorably mustered out of military service at St. Louis. 

The esteem in which Colonel Blodgett was held by his regiment was clearly 
shown in the words they caused to be engraved upon the beautiful watch they pre- 
sented to him on the day of their discharge from the service. The words are: 
"Presented as a token of admiration to Col. Wells H. Blodgett, 48th Regt. Mo. 
Vols., by his Officers, July 1st, 1865." 

In July, 1865, after his regiment had been mustered out of the service. Colonel 
Blodgett married Miss Emma Dickson, of Dixon, Illinois, and immediately located 
at Warrensburg, Missouri, to begin the practice of his profession as a lawyer. In 
November, 1866, Colonel Blodgett was elected member of the Missouri legislature 
from Johnson county. In November, 1868, he was elected to the state senate tor 
a term of four years, from the district composed of the counties of Johnson, Henry, 
Benton and St. Clair. In 1869 he prepared and on the 25th day of January of 
that year, he introduced in the Missouri senate the act providing for the establish- 
ment of two Normal schools in the state, one to be located north and the other 
south of the Missouri River. Under that act one Normal school was located at 
Kirksville and the other at Warrensburg. In 1873 he removed to St. Louis and 
became a member of the law firm of Blodgett & Dickson. During the year 1873 
he was employed as an assistant attorney of the St. Louis-Kansas City and North- 
ern Railway Company, and in 1874 he was elected by its board of directors as 
the general attorney of the company. The last named company was soon after- 
wards consolidated with the Wabash Railway Company of Ohio, and the con- 
solidated corporation took the name of the Wabash-St. Louis & Pacific Railway 
Company. At that time David Dudley Field and General Wager Swayne were 
general counsel for the company in New York, and Blodgett was its general solici- 
tor with his office in St. Louis. As general solicitor he had supervision of all the 
litigation arising out of the operation of all the lines in the system. Under the 
advice and supervision of Mr. Jay Gould new lines were added until 1884, when 
there were, in round numbers, six thousand miles of road in the system. In the 
latter year the Wabash System fell into the hands of receivers, appointed by the 
federal courts, and the main lines remained in their hands until 1889 when they 
were reorganized under the name of The Wabash Railway Company. In December, 
1911, the company again became insolvent, and on a bill filed in the federal courts 
by a general creditor, receivers (of all its property) were again appointed. The 
receivers so appointed were directed to take charge of all the property of the 
company without regard to mortgages, and by that order of the court. Wells H. 
Blodgett was appointed counsel for the receivers. Later on the trustees in the 
First Refunding and Extensions Mortgage filed their bill, in the federal court, to 
foreclose that mortgage. In that foreclosure proceeding the creditors, secured 
by the Refunding and Extensions Mortgage, were only entitled to the proceeds 
arising from a sale of the property therein described. And in order to ascertain 



12 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

exactly what property was covered by that mortgage, he (Blodgett), as counsel 
for the receivers under the creditors' bill, filed in said court a petition for an 
accounting, which is now (1920) pending before a special commissioner. In 
politics he is, and always has been, a republican. During the Civil war he was 
in favor of refusing the ballot to all who would not take an oath to support the 
federal constitution, but when Lee surrendered and the war was over, he was 
among the first to advocate a restoration of the ballot to every citizen. 

Speaking of his early years with the St. Louis-Kansas City and Northern 
Railway Company, Colonel Blodgett recalled that among its directors were such 
men as James B. Eads, who designed and constructed the St. Louis Bridge and 
Tunnel Railroad, and who afterwards, by his skill as an engineer, gave to com- 
merce a channel at the mouth of the Mississippi river that now enables the ocean- 
going ships to receive and discharge their cargoes at the dock in New Orleans. On 
that same board was Thomas A. Scott of the Pennsylvania System (commonly 
known as "Tom Scott") who, in his day, was thought to be without a peer in the 
science of railroad construction and operation. Again, in the operating department 
of the Kansas City and Northern Company, was William C. Van Horn, who after- 
wards constructed and operated the great Canadian Pacific System, and who, when 
knighted by King Edward, became known as Sir William Van Horn. On the 
Wabash board in those early days were such well known men as James F. Joy of 
Michigan, Solon Humphreys, Jay Gould, Russell Sage, Thomas H. Hubbard, O. D. 
Ashley and E. T. Jeffrey of New York, and among the younger men who grew up 
on that line was Charles M. Hays, who went from the Wabash to the Grand Trunk 
Company of Canada, and as its general manager constructed and operated the lines 
extending across the continent from Montreal to the Pacific ocean. It will be 
recalled that the wonderful career of Mr. Hays was suddenly ended when the 
Titanic, the great ocean liner, on her first voyage collided with an iceberg in mid- 
ocean. And speaking again of his forty years of service on the Wabash lines 
Colonel Blodgett said to the editor of this sketch that he could not recall a single 
instance in which, during all that time, he had received an unkind look or word 
from either an associate or superior. 

,. Colonel Blodgett has three children, one son and two daughters. His son, 
Henry W. Blodgett, was United States District Attorney at St. Louis, and is now 
a member of the state senate of Missouri, and his two daughters, Margaret and 
Edith, reside at the family home, 4449 West Pine Boulevard, St. Louis. He has 
membership in Blair Post, Grand Army; Missouri Commandery Loyal Legion; 
Society Army Tennessee; Society Army Cumberland; St. Louis Club; Noonday Club. 



THOMAS BOULDIN CREWS. 

Thomas Bouldin Crews, a prominent member of the St. Louis bar, is a repre- 
sentative of one of the oldest and most honored Missouri families "representing its 
democratic aristocracy and its aristocratic democracy." He was born September 19, 
1860, in the home of his maternal grandfather in Franklin county, Missouri, although 
his parents at that time were residing in Saline county, this state. His father. 
Colonel Thomas W. B. Crews, was a native of Henry county, Virginia, born in 1832, 
and was a youth of fourteen years when in 1846 he came to Missouri, settling in 
Howard county. He was graduated from Union College at Schenectady. New York, 
and afterward took up the study of law under Judge John C. Wright of Schenectady, 
and under Hon. W. B. Napton of Saline county, Missouri, who was later judge of 
the supreme court. In January, 1855, Colonel Crews entered upon the practice of 
law at Marshall, Missouri, and so continued until the outbreak of the Civil war when 
he raised a company for the Confederacy and entered the service. He participated 
in the battles of Boonville, Carthage, Wilson's creek. Fort Scott, Dry Wood and 
Lexington, and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel of the Second Cavalry 
"for bravery in action." In 1862 he was captured while on a sick bed at his home 
and sent to St. Louis as a prisoner of war. He was soon afterward paroled, how- 
ever, being the first paroled soldier of the state. Following the close of hostilities 
he took up his permanent abode in Franklin county, and there remained until his 
death in 1891. His long years of active practice brought him an enviable reputation 
as a lawyer, orator and citizen, and in 1875 he was called to represent his district 




THOMAS B. CREWS 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF ^IISSOURI 15 

in framing the constitutional convention of the state. His grandfather had served 
as a colonel in the Virginia militia when George III was king of England, and the 
family had long been connected with the history of the Old Dominion ere the re- 
moval was made from Virginia to Missouri. The mother of Thomas Bouldin Crews 
was in her maidenhood Virginia Jeffries, the daughter of C. S. Jeffries, one of the 
prominent citizens and pioneers from Franklin county, to which place he had re- 
moved from Virginia. 

The youthful days of Thomas B. Crews to the age of eighteen years were spent 
on the home farm with the usual training and experience of farm bred boys. Who 
represent the higher class of Missouri's agriculturists. He attended the public 
schools until he had mastered the branches of learning therein taught and afterward 
continued his education in an eastern academy. He started out in the business world 
in a clerical position in the office of the circuit clerk of Franklin county, and im- 
proved his leisure time by studying law privately until he was able to enter the 
St. Louis Law School. Following his graduation he practiced for a time in his home 
county and then removed to St. Louis. He has remained in the general practice of 
law and has accurate and comprehensive knowledge of many branches of the pro- 
fession. His mind is analytical, logical and inductive, and his clear reasoning is 
manifest in every case which he presents to the court. The precision and care with 
which he prepares his cases is always manifest and his defense of his position is 
well-nigh unassailable. It was the members of the bar of his own political party 
who nominated him to the office of judge of probate court of St. Louis in 1902 and 
his election followed. He served with great credit and distinction but met defeat 
in the landslide that involved his party for the succeeding election. He then re- 
sumed the private practice of law and has won a most creditable success. The court 
records bear testimony to many notable court victories he has gained especially in 
litigation relating to real estate 

In 1889 Mr. Crews was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Moore of St. Louis, 
and they have one child. Thomas B.. Jr., who was graduated from Cornell University 
in 1914. He volunteered for service in the World war in May, 1917, attended the 
officers' training camp at Fort Riley, Kansas, was commissioned first lieutenant of 
the Three Hundred and Forty-second Field Artillery, Eighty-ninth Division in 
August, 1917, and went overseas as such in March, 1918. He participated in the 
battles of St. Mihiel and the Argonne as acting captain in command of his battery 
and after the signing of the armistice continued in command of his batteiT in the 
Army of Occupation on the Rhine, during which time he was promoted to the rank 
of captain of A Battery, Three Hundred and Forty-second Field Artillery, Eighty- 
ninth Division, U. S. A., in recognition of his service during the campaign. He 
returned to the United States in June, 1919, and was honorably discharged at Camp 
Funston. He is now engaged in business in New York city. 

Judge Crews has held no public office save that of probate judge except by th^ 
appointment of the supreme- court when he served as a member of the Board of 
Law Examiners of Missouri from 1907 until 1910. He has spent much time in travel 
having recently returned from a trip of several months in South America. Of him, 
one who knew hihi well said, "the title of judge is given him instinctively as he 
looks, acts and talks the part." Judicial in the simplest matters, but without 
pomposity or arrogance; weighty without heaviness, serious without solemnity, dig- 
nified but genial; knowing him is to admire and trust him. Respected by his pro- 
fession for his learning and power of analysis, he is one of its most popular mem- 
bers also, by reason of his courtesy, kindness and willingness to serve others. 



RAYMOND J. DENYVEN. 



Raymond J. Denyven is a well known stock broker of St. Louis, in which city 
he was born on the 24th of November, 1888. His father, Joseph M. Denyven, 
was of Scotch descent and was born in Dorchester, Massachusetts. For many years 
he was general freight agent for the Mobile & Ohio Railroad at St. Louis and 
passed away December 16, 1919. He married Ida Forrest Griffith, a daughter of 
John C. and Susan (Haley) Griffith, who came of American ancestry represented 
in this country through four generations. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph 



16 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

M. Denyven occurred in St. Louis, November 9, 1887, and they became the parents 
of five children, three daughters and two sons: Raymond J.; Howard; Lucille, 
who died at the age of sixteen years; Marion; and Elizabeth. The living children 
are all residents of St. Louis. 

Raymond J. Denyven was educated in his native city, attending the Crow 
school and also the Central high school, from which he was graduated on the 
24th of January, 1908. He immediately afterward entered the employ of A. G. 
Edwards & Company, stock brokers of St. Louis, as board room boy and has con- 
tinued in their employ to, the present day, being now in charge of the St. Louis 
stock department. Thus gradually he has worked his way upward to a place of 
responsibility and prominence in connection with the stock brokerage business of 
the city and is widely and favorably known in financial circles. During the period 
of the World war he spent considerable time on the bond drives, securing sub- 
scriptions to the Liberty loans, and he never hesitated in supporting any of the 
necessary war activities. 

In St. Louis on the 4th of February, 1913, Mr. Denyven was married to Miss 
Margaret Winter, a daughter of RufRn S. Winter and a representative of a family 
that has been in America through four generations. Mr. and Mrs. Denyven have 
two daughters: Isabelle Ray, six years of age; and Mary Margaret, three years. 

In his political views Mr. Denyven is an independent republican. He belongs 
to the Kings Highway Presbyterian church and gives a helpful assistance to all 
those forces which make for public progress and improvement. He is also a 
member of the St. Louis Stock Exchange and of the Missouri Athletic Association 
and has qualities which make for personal popularity in club circles. 



WILLIAM LOUIS NIEKAMP. 

For twenty-eight years William L. Niekamp has been identified with the busi- 
ness of which he is now the president. Various changes, however, have occurred 
In the organization of the house and in the personnel of the firm, leading eventually 
to the adoption of the style of the Beck & Corbitt Iron Company. Mr. Niekamp is 
a native son of St. Louis. He was born June 21, 1877, and is a son of Charles Henry 
Niekamp, who was born in Osnabruck, Hanover, Germany, in 1851, and who came to 
America in 1854 with his parents, the family settling in St. Louis. There Charles 
H. Niekamp established a file business in 1877, becoming senior partner in the firm 
of Niekamp & Baker. The business was steadily developed along substantial lines 
and in 1891 was reorganized under the name of the Globe File & Hardware Com- 
pany. In 1895 this became the Globe File & Iron Company and in 1901 the busl- 
liess was consolidated with that of the Beck & Corbitt Iron Company, of which 
Charles H. Niekamp remained a member until his death in 1913. He had made for 
himself a very creditable position in the business circles of the city and had steadily, 
progressed since starting out on his own account. He married Sophia Miller, who 
was born in St. Louis in 1853 and was a daughter of Orlando Miller, who was engaged 
in the cooperage business. Their marriage was celebrated in St. Louis in May, 187 4, 
and they became the parents of three sons and six daughters, William Louis being the 
third son. 

Educated In the public schools of St. Louis, William Louis Niekamp passed 
through successive grades to the high school and in 1892 entered the employ of the 
Globe File & Hardware Company, with which he has since been associated, although 
various changes in the firm have occurred during the intervening period. Today 
he is the president of the Beck & Corbitt Iron Company, to which position he was 
elected in 1914, so that he has now been the chief executive of the concern for six 
years. A very large and substantial business has been developed and in its control 
Mr. Niekamp displays marked executive ability and wise administrative direction. 
He has also become associated with a number of other important industrial and com- 
mercial concerns, being now a director of the St. Louis Screw Company, of the Stiles 
Manufacturing Company, of the Chipley Underwriting Company and the United States 
Bank. Moreover, he has been a close student of questions affecting the development 
of trade and of all labor conditions and is connected with many interests which are 
proving effective forces in business advancement. He is a member of the Employers 




WILLIAM L. NIEKAMP 



CEXTEXXIAL HISTUKV oF .MISSUUKI 19 

Association; also of the Associated Industries of llissouri: the American Iron & Steel 
Institute; the American Iron, Steel & Heavy Hardware Association, of which he is 
the vice president; the Society of Mining & Metallurgy Engineers; the Railway Busi- 
ness Association and others. He belongs to the Chamber of Commerce of St. Louis 
and is also a member of the Chamber of Commerce of the United States. 

Mr. Niekamp was united in marriage to Miss Engie Marie Schultz, who was 
born in St. Louis. October 18, 1877, a daughter of Christian Schultz, a general mer- 
chant of St. Louis. They have one child, William Stacey. 

Mr. Niekamp is well known in social relations, belonging to the Missouri Ath- 
letic Association, the Normandie Golf Club, the Sunset Hill Golf Club and the River- 
side Club. Fraternally he is a Mason and has taken the degrees of the Scottish Rite 
and also of the Mystic Shiine. His political endorsement is given to the republican 
party, but honors and emoluments have not attracted him into the political field as a 
seeker after office, as he has ever preferred to concentrate his energies and attention 
upon his business affairs, where he has gained for himself a most enviable place as 
well as a substantial measure of prosperity. 



JERRE B. MOBERLY. 



Jerre B. Moberly, one of the officers and directors of the Mercantile Trust 
Company of St. Louis, having charge of the real estate loan department, was born 
in Saline county, Missouri, December 3, 1874, and is a son of James B. and Rebecca 
(Barling) Moberly. He attended the public schools of St. Louis and on the 1st 
of January, 1890, was graduated from the Stoddard school. He started upon his 
business career at office work with the firm of Hammett & Morrison, tie and timber 
contractors, in April, 1890. Through the intervening period he has made steady 
advancement, the steps in his orderly progression being easily discernible. Today 
he is at the head of the real estate loan department of the Mercantile Trust Company, 
with oflBces at Eighth and Locust streets. He is regarded as an expert valuator ot 
property, possessing detailed knowledge of city real estate, and in building up the 
department has surrounded himself with a corps of competent men who for many 
years have specialized in real estate matters. They handle only first mortgage 
loans and thus render the investor absolutely secure. Mr. Moberly has been a most 
important factor in the development of the large business now controlled by this 
department. 

Mr. Moberly was married to Miss Alice Muriel Babcock, a daughter of W. H. 
Babcock. Mrs. Moberly, who is now deceased, became the mother of one child, a 
son, Milton Dwight. Mr. Moberly has never allied himself with either political 
party, but casts his ballot according to the dictates of his judgment. He belongs 
to the Algonquin Golf Club, which indicates much concerning the nature of his 
recreation. 



OWEN D. TILLAY. 



Owen D. Tillay, a representative of municipal interests in St. Louis, being 
secretary of the department of public utilities, with office in the City Hall, was 
born February 2, 1880, in the city which is still his home, and is a son of John T. 
and Margaret Anna (Owen) Tillay, the former a native of Louisville, Kentucky, 
and the latter of Remsen, New York. The Tillay family has long been represented 
in Kentucky and at an early period the Owen family was established in the Empire 
state, being of Welsh descent. The great-grandfather in the Owen line was the 
founder of the American branch of the family. John T. Tillay was reared and 
educated in Louisville, Kentucky, and about 1850 came to St. Louis, where he spent 
the remainder of his days, the family occupying a prominent place in the social circles 
of the city. Mr. Tillay was a successful coal dealer, conducting business along that 
line until his death in 1901. His widow survives and is yet a resident of St. Louis. 

Owen D. Tillay is the only living one of their four children, three sons and a 
daughter. After attending Smith Academy to the age of sixteen years he started 



20 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

out to earn his own livelihood and secured a clerical position with the Travelers 
Protective Association. Later he became chief clerk for the company at national 
headquarters where he remained until 1909, serving altogether for about thirteen 
years. During the succeeding two years he filled the office of assistant clerk of 
the house of delegates, to which position he had been elected, and in 1911 was 
appointed chief clerk of the lighting department, and in 1908 was appointed secre- 
tary of the department of public utilities. He has good business qualifications, 
is always on the alert and is rendering excellent service in his present position. 

During the war Mr. Tillay aided largely in the sale of Liberty bonds and as 
far as possible promoted war activities. In politics he is a republican and has 
been a most loyal supporter of and worker for the party during the past nineteen 
years. Fraternally he is connected with the Royal League and is well known in 
club circles as a member of the City Club and the Forest Park Golf Club. In re- 
ligious faith he is an Episcopalian, having membership in the Church of the Ascen- 
sion. 



WILLIAM BRISCOE KIXEALY. 

William Briscoe Kinealy, enjoying high standing as a member of the St. Louis 
bar, practicing as a partner in the firm of Kinealy & Kinealy. with offices in the 
Central National Bank building, was born in St. Louis, November 15, 1S71, in the 
house which is still his place of residence. His father, Michael Kinealy, was a 
native of Ireland and when twenty-three years of age came to the United States. 
He was a man of liberal education who was graduated from Queen's University as 
a civil engineer, while later he took up the study of law, was admitted to the bar 
and for many years successfully engaged in practice in St. Louis, where he passed 
away in 1911. In early manhood he had wedded Sarah Jane Briscoe, a native of 
Missouri, who survived him for about seven years, her death occurring in 1918. 
In the family were five children, of whom three are' living. 

William B. Kinealy after attending the public schools of St. Louis was gradu- 
ated from the Manual Training high school and then entered Washington Univer- 
sity at St. Louis. He read law in the office and under the direction of his father 
and in 1899 was admitted to practice at the St. Louis bar, where he has since con- 
tinued. He is associated with James R. Kinealy, his brother, under the firm style 
of Kinealy & Kinealy, and for many years they have occupied an enviable position 
among the lawyers of St. Louis. This is due to no unusual qualities but has resulted 
from that close application and earnest study which must always feature in legal 
success. His mind is naturally analytical, logical and inductive and his reasoning 
is always clear and convincing. He finds his recreation largely in the development 
and improvement of a ten acre farm near St. Louis and the joy in country life in 
him constitutes the balance to his professional activity. 

In 1904 Mr. Kinealy was married to Miss Lily Marie Coale, of St. Louis. His 
religious faith is that of the Catholic church, his membership being with Corpus 
Christi parish. In politics he is a democrat, but the honors and emoluments of 
oflfice have had no attraction for him, as he has always preferred to concentrate 
his efforts and attention upon his professional interests. 



JOHN F. RUCKER. 



John F. Rucker, special deputy collector of customs for district No. 45, com- 
prising the ports of St. Louis. Kansas City and St. Joseph, Missouri, makes his home 
in St. Louis and is numbered among the native sons of the state, his birth having 
occurred in Randolph county, January 15, 1860. He is a son of the late Franklin 
Head Rucker, a native of Orange county, Virginia, and of French descent. The 
founder of the family in America came to the new world in the latter part of the 
seventeenth century, being one of the French Huguenots whom religious persecution 
drove out of their native land. Franklin H. Rucker was reared and educated in 
Missouri, attending the State UniVersity. He was a son of Minor Rucker, who came 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF .MISSOURI 21 

to this state in the early '20s and settled in Randolph county, where he entered large 
tracts of land near Huntsville, and engaged extensively in farming and stock raising 
to the time of his death. His son, Franklin H. Rucker, also took up the occupation 
of farming and stock raising. At the time of the Civil war he joined the Confederate 
army and served under General Price, who was his uncle, Mrs. Price having been a 
sister of his mother. The death of Franklin H. Rucker occurred in 1866. His wife, 
who bore the maiden name of Amanda Thomson, was a daughter of Asa Quarles 
Thomson, of Howard county, Missouri, who was among the pioneers of Missouri, 
having come originally from Virginia and later from Kentucky to this state. His 
daughter, Mrs. Rucker, was the mother of four children, John F., of this review, 
and three daughters. Two of the daughters died in infancy and the third in early 
womanhood. 

John F. Rucker is therefore the only surviving member of the family. He 
acquired his early education in the public schools of his native county and qualified 
for the bar as a student in Washington University at St. Louis, from which he was 
graduated with the LL. B. degree in 1898. Prior to his graduation he was city clerk 
at Moberly, Missouri, and also engaged in mercantile lines in Moberly after com- 
pleting his college course. In 1894 he entered the customs service at St. Louis, 
being made a special deputy in August, 1914. He had previously served as city 
clerk of Moberly for ten years and his long connection with the office plainly indicated 
his capability and fidelity. He has been equally loyal in connection with the customs 
service, with which he has now been identified for twenty-seven years. His political 
endorsement is given to the democratic party. 

In 1882 Mr. Rucker was married in Moberly, Missouri, to Miss Minnie Coates, 
a native of Randolph county, Missouri, and a daughter of Judge J. Tunstall and 
Amanda (Smith) Coates, the latter a daughter of Joel Smith, one of the early 
pioneers of Randolph county. Two sons have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Rucker: 
J. Frank, a resident of Randolph county, where he is engaged in stock raising and 
farming; and Tunstall Coates, who is giving his attention to the raising of high 
grade Jersey cattle and other stock, having a valuable stock farm in Randolph 
county. 

Mr. Rucker is connected with the Christian Science church and is regarded as 
a citizen who displays unqualified devotion to the public good and who in the dis- 
charge of his duties has ever manifested the utmost loyalty to the interests which 
he represents. 



WILLIAM FRANKLIN GEPHART. 

William Franklin Gephart, banker, educator and author, who is now vice presi- 
dent of the First National Bank in St. Louis, was born at Williamsport, Ohio, August 
7, 1878, a son of George Wesley and Nancy (Busic) Gephart. The father was born 
in Circleville, Ohio, and is now a retired farmer. He belongs to the Masonic fra- 
ternity and has always been active in civic affairs. During the Civil war he served 
for three and a half years with the Union army and was wounded in the battle of 
Gettysburg. He still makes his home at Williamsport, Ohio, where he is enjoying 
well earned rest after many years of activity in the development and cultivation of 
farm land. He married Nancy Busic, of Circleville, Ohio, a daughter of William 
Busic, a pioneer of that state from Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Gephart are the parents 
of five children: Charles W., living at Delaware, Ohio; Edward E., also of Delaware, 
Ohio; Thomas B., of Williamsport, Ohio; George C; and William Franklin. 

The last named was educated in the Ohio State University from which he was 
graduated in 1900, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and in Columbia 
University of New York, in which he won his Doctor of Philosophy degree in 1903. 
He has devoted much of his life to educational work. In 1905 he became professor 
of economics in the Ohio State University, there continuing until 1913, when he 
became professor and head of the department of economics of the School of Com- 
merce and Finance of Washington University of St. Louis, of which he was made 
deati in 1916. He has become recognized throughout the country as an authority upon 
questions of commerce and finance and has written largely for publication. He has 
been a contributor to European economic and financial journals as well as those 



22 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

published in this country and he is the author of works entitled: Transportation and 
Industrial Development in the Middle West, published in 1905; Principles of Insur- 
ance, published in 1910; Insurance and the State, issued in 1913; and Principles 
of Life and Fire Insurance, published in two volumes in 1917. With the organiza- 
tion of the First National Bank in St. Louis, as a result of a merger of the Mechanics 
American National Bank, the St. Louis Union Bank and the Fourth National Bank, 
he was elected to the vice presidency and so continues. He is a man of exceptional 
working ability. He works at high pressure without conscious strain and has great 
powers of concentration. Week in and week out he makes a large score of hours 
and the results are of a most tangible and effective character. His success in high 
degree is based upon that quality which is termed common sense. His advice has 
been sought on several occasions when he has been summoned to New York for 
consultation on insurance and labor problems. 

On the 2d of July, 1900. Mr. Gephart was married to Miss Theodosia Walston. 
of Williamsport, Ohio. He is not unmindful of the social amenities of life and in 
fact displays keen appreciation of warm friendship. He belongs to the Phi Beta 
Kappa and to the Masonic fraternity, is also a member of the Noonday, University, 
Round Table, Ridgedale Country and City Clubs. He turns to golf for recreation 
and diversion, but all these are incidental phases of an active life. His greatest 
public service thus far perhaps was the organization and management of food 
control in St. Louis during the war. his work in this connection being so effective 
as to secure many favorable comments not only through the city but throughout the 
country, and his advice was many times sought in Washington. He never with- 
holds his aid from matters of public interest, particularly where the betterment 
of social conditions is involved. He is an interesting speaker and his public 
addresses are characterized by directness, clearness and force. He seldom uses 
figures of speech, depending chiefly upon statement of facts and logical arrangement 
of thought. 



LOIS CHRISTIAN HUMMEL. 

Lois Christian Hummel, a St. Louis lawyer, was born at Humboldt. Nebraska, 
September 26, 1886, his parents being Christian L. and Josephine (Behringer) 
Hummel, the former a native of Allentown, Pennsylvania, and the latter of Wis- 
consin. The father was a son of Christian Hummel, who was the founder of the 
family in the new world, coming to this country from Germany, at which time 
he settled in Pennsylvania, while subsequently he removed to Illinois. He was 
an Evangelical minister and devoted his life to the work of the ministry, passing 
away in 1897, as the age of eighty-six years. His son. Christian L. Hummel, was 
married in Illinois to Josephine Behringer and to them were born six children, 
five sons and a daughter, all of whom are yet living. 

Lois Christian Hummel, the fifth child, was educated in the countrj- schools 
of Richardson county, Nebraska, and in the high school at Humboldt, that state, 
where he was graduated with the class of 1903. He pursued his academical course 
in the University of Nebraska, completing it in 1909. and then entered upon the 
study of law, winning his LL. B. degree in 1915. The same year he was admitted 
to practice and entered upon the active work of the profession in St. Louis, passing 
the required bar examination in this state on the 1st of December, 1915. He has 
since continued in general practice, his labors being uninterrupted until June, 1918. 
when he enlisted in the infantry of the regular army and was later transferred to 
Camp Taylor in the Field Artillery Central Officers Training School. Subsequently 
he was transferred to Camp Jackson, where he remained until the close of the 
war and was commissioned first lieutenant. With the exception of the period 
of his absence in connection with the army he has continuously given his attention 
to his law practice and he is a member of the St. Louis and Missouri State Bar 
Associations. 

In his college days Mr. Hummel was much interested in athletics, especially 
in high jumping, in which he excelled. Politically he is a republican but has never 
been an office seeker. He belongs to Sigma Nu, a college fraternity, is a member 
of the St. Louis Chamber of Commerce and he belongs also to the Shaw Avenue 




LOIS C. HUMMEL 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 25 

Methodist church. He has been much interested in Sunday school work, taking 
an active part therein prior to the time when he joined the army. Those who know 
him well speak of him as a man who is generous to a fault, who as a lawyer is 
keen and conservative and who at all times is conscientious and displays 
judgment. 



GEORGE KINGSLAND. 



George Kingsland, real estate officer of the Mississippi Valley Trust Company, 
was born in St. Louis, March 31, 1857. His father, George Kingsland, was a native 
of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and the son of Laurence Kingsland, who built and operated 
the first iron foundry in Pittsburgh. George Kingsland, Sr., came to St. Louis in 1834 
and represented his father's interests here. Later he founded the firm of Kingsland 
& Ferguson in 1844, thus establishing a business which was successfully maintained 
until 1900. The father, however, passed away in 1874. He was not only prominent in 
the business development of St. Louis but also was an active and influential member 
of the Presbyterian church. He married Eliza A. Ferguson, a daughter of David Fergu- 
son. Mrs. Kingsland became the mother of eleven children but only three are now 
living, the son George being the tenth in order of birth. The mother passed away 
March 12, 1898. 

At the usual age George Kingsland became a public school pupil in St. Louis and 
afterward attended the Morton University. He started out in the business world with 
the Graff-Bennett Company, owners of iron mills, and thus continued until 1882. He 
then organized and established the Central Union Brass Company and successfully 
operated under that name until the time when he entered upon active association with 
the Mississippi Valley Trust Company in 1907. His position as real estate officer is a 
very important one, as he passes upon all loans made by the company and also has 
supervision of much real estate for non-resident patrons of the bank. He travels widely 
in connection with this work in all parts of the United States and has thus become 
thoroughly familiar with real estate conditions in various sections of the country. 

In 1882 Mr. Kingsland was married to Miss Martha A. Chappell, a daughter of 
John T. and Martha (Alexander) Chappell, the former a native of Baltimore, Maryland, 
and the latter of Philadelphia. Mr. and Mrs. Kingsland have three children: Law- 
rence C, an attorney of St. Louis; George Dudley, a member of Kingsland-Rawlings, 
Incorporated, of St. Louis; and Martha, who is at home. The religious faith of the 
family is indicated in their membership in the Kingsland Memorial Presbyterian church. 
Mr. Kingsland is very fond of reading and keeps always in close touch with current 
events and vital questions and issues of the day. He was formerly a member of a 
number of leading clubs of St. Louis but has neither time nor inclination for club life 
at present, devoting his leisure to the interests of his family. He is a man of most 
courteous demeanor, approachable and at all times having the faculty of placing those 
in his presence at ease. He has become recognized as an expert on realty and loan 
values and his life of intense and intelligently directed activity has brought him to a 
place of prominence in business circles. 



HON. VICTOR H. FALKENHAINER. 

Hon. Victor H. Falkenhainer is judge of the circuit court of St. Louis, in 
which city he was born July 4, 1868, and is a son of Henry Falkenhainer of Worms 
Hesse, Germany. Crossing the Atlantic in 1856 he came at once to St. Louis, 
where he resided until his death at the age of seventy-eight years. He served 
his adopted country as a member of the Missouri Light Artillery during the Civil 
war and was wounded at the battle of Wilson Creek. He afterward became a 
successful grocery merchant and was regarded as one of the substantial residents 
of St. Louis. In politics he was a stanch republican and in religious belief was 
a Protestant. He married Rosa E. Stupp, who was born in Cologne, Germany, 
and came to St. Louis in 1867 with her husband on their wedding tour, Mr. Falk- 
enhainer having returned to Germany for his bride. They were married by the 



26 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

American Consul at Frankfort, Germany, and later had a second ceremony by a 
clergyman. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Falkenhainer were born eight children, four 
sons and four daughters. The mother is still living and makes her home in St. 
Louis. 

Judge Falkenhainer. the oldest of the family, attended the public schools of 
St. Louis, and started out in the business world as a clerk in his father's store. He 
afterward entered the office of the city assessor and subsequently occupied a posi- 
tion in the office of the court of deeds. While employed in the latter connection 
he took up the study of law in the St. Louis Law School, which later became the 
law department of Washington University, and was graduated therefrom in 1902 
with the LL. B. degree. On the 1st of January, 1903, he entered upon private 
practice in which he continued successfully until 1906 when he was elected assist- 
ant prosecuting attorney and filled that office for four years. He was then elected 
judge of the criminal court of correction, division No. 2, and served upon the 
bench for two years, after which he resumed the general practice of law and 
devoted his attentions to the interest of his clients until 1916 when he was elected 
circuit judge and has since remained upon the bench. His decisions are strictly 
fair and impartial and he is recognized as an able jurist who is capable of sub- 
merging all personal opinions or prejudice and fully sustains the dignity and the 
high purposes of judicial service. 

On the 21st of June, 1894, Judge Falkenhainer was united in marriage to 
Miss Lulu Schirr, a native of St. Louis and a daughter of August Schirr. They 
have one son, August H. Falkenhainer, who was born May 18, 1895, and who became 
connected with the medical corps during the World war but did not go overseas. 

Judge Falkenhainer is a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, belong- 
ing to Cosmos Lodge No. 282, A. F. & A. M.; St. Louis Chapter, No. 8, R. A. M; 
Hiram Council, No. 1, R. & S. M.; Ascalon Commandery No. 16, K. T.; and has 
also taken the Scottish Rite degrees and has been honored with the thirty-third 
degree and a member of the Mystic Shrine. He likewise belongs to the Loyal^ 
Order of Moose. He is a republican, very active in politics, and never falters in sup- 
port of any cause which he espouses. His life has been characterized by a steadfast 
purpose and by high professional ideals. Since entering upon the work of the 
bar he has been most careful to conform his practice to advanced ethical standards 
of the profession and has long maintained a most creditable position as a represen- 
tative of the bar of St. Louis. 



COLONEL F. WARNER KARLING. 

Colonel F. Warner Karling. a veteran of two wars, a prominent furniture dealer 
of Kansas City and a citizen who in days of peace is an untiring worker in behalf 
of progress in community, commonwealth and country, was born in Upsala, Sweden, 
July 30, 1879, his parents being August and EmniA Sophia (Wedding) Karling. 
The father was born near Stockholm. Sweden, while the mother's birth occurred 
in Vermland. They came to the United States with their family when their son, 
Colonel Karling, was but three months old, crossing the Atlantic in 1879 and settling 
in Boston, Massachusetts, where the father engaged in business as a cabinetmaker. 
In 1881 he went with his family to Chicago, where he resided for about five years 
and in 1886 removed to Omaha, Nebraska, where he conducted a cabinet shop, turn- 
ing out handmade furniture of high grade. There he remained in business until 
1898, when he came to Kansas City, Missouri, and is now assisting his son in the 
store of the F. Warner Karling Furniture Company. 

Colonel Karling obtained a common school education, which he supplemented 
by study alone in the evening hours. In 1891, when but twelve years of age, he 
became an elevator boy, working at a wage of two dollars per week for the Charles 
Shiverick Furniture Company of Omaha. He was steady and faithful, however, 
and soon gained advancement, working his way upward until he became stock 
keeper. Patriotic devotion to his country, however, has ever been one of his para- 
mount characteristics and on the 23d of May, 1898, he put aside all business ai?d 
personal considerations in order to enlist as a member of Troop G of the Second 
United States cavalry. He became a private of that command and was bugler of 




COLONEL F. WARNER KARLING 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 29. 

the regiment. He was mustered out in October, 1898, but reenllsted as a member 
of Battery O, Third Heavy Field Artillery, and later was transferred to the Thirty- 
sixth Coast Artillery Company. He served as corporal, sergeant and first sergeant, 
was with the China relief expedition of 1900 and was on active duty throughout the 
Philippine insurrection. Receiving his discharge on the 28th of June, ig~03, he 
then came to Kansas City, where he has since made his home. He has a most 
wonderful and interesting collection of flags and souvenirs from the Philippines and 
from China and his retentive memory enables him to relate many an interesting tale 
concerning his possessions of this character. Upon taking up his abode in Kansas 
City, Colonel Karling accepted a position as salesman with the George B. Peck 
Dry Goods Company and later was employed at the Household Fair and subsequently 
by the Emery Bird Thayer Dry Goods Company as a furniture salesman, occupying 
the latter position until February, 1912, when he engaged in the furniture business 
on his own account, opening a store in a little room nineteen by fifty feet, at which 
time his cash capital consisted of seventy-five dollars and twelve cents. He possessed 
courage, determination, good credit and a well merited reputation as a reliable 
business man and successful furniture salesman. Square dealing, indefatigable 
energy and persistency of purpose have been the salient features in his growing 
success. Today he is at the head of one of the important furniture houses of 
Kansas City as president, treasurer and general manager of the F. Warner Karling 
Furniture Company, which has its sales and showrooms at 2401-2411 East Fifteenth 
street. He there has forty thousand square feet of floor space, with one hundred 
and sixty feet of plate glass front, permitting of a splendid window display of 
furniture. In addition the company has a large warehouse on Chestnut street, with 
ten thousand square feet of floor space. The business, which was established 
February 2, 1912, was incorporated June 1, 1913, with a capital stock of forty 
thousand dollars. The company engages In a retail trade in furniture, stoves, 
carpets, rugs and office fixtures and has built up an extensive business among the 
best people of Kansas City. 

Throughout his entire life Colonel Karling has been keenly interested in mili- 
tary affairs and has continuously been active in military organizations. In 1906 
he became a captain of the Missouri National Guard in Company B of the Third 
Regiment, was afterward promoted to the rank of major and from 1908 until 
1912 served on Governor Hadley's staff with the rank of colonel. When America 
entered the World war he was again ready for duty and in July, 1917, was com- 
missioned captain. He became commanding officer of Company B, Fifth Separate 
Battalion of the Motor Transport Corps, and was promoted to the rank of major 
in August, 1917, serving until July, 1919, when he resigned. He has long been 
a prominent figure in the organizations among military men and in May, 1904, was 
instrumental in founding Louis A. Craig Post, No. 18, of the Veterans of Foreign 
Wars, of which he served as commander for six and a half years and as adjutant 
for one year. He has attended every national encampment of the organization 
save three since 1901. He was made adjutant general of the national organiza- 
tion under Commander in Chief General Wilder S. Metcalf, thus serving in 1904 
and 1905, and in 1907 he became junior vice commander in chief. In 1909 he 
was elected quartermaster general and in 1911 he was elected commander in chief 
of the Army of the Philippines at Detroit, while in 1912 he was unanimously re- 
elected at Lincoln, Nebraska. He was responsible for the consolidation and amal- 
gamation that was brought about at Denver when the Army of the Philippines 
and the American Veterans of Foreign Service merged and became the Veterans 
of Foreign Wars. He acted on the council of administration several terms and 
in 1918 was elected commander in chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the 
United States, to which position he was reelected in 1919 but refused to again 
accept an election in 1920. He was presented with a diamond studded past 
commander in chief badge and a gold inlaid sword by the Veterans of Foreign 
Wars, which has a membership of a quarter of a million men who have seen foreign 
service, from Mexico in 1846 to the World war. He is now senior member of 
the council of administration of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. When America 
was active with the allied forces in the successful effort to suppress German mili- 
tarism and promote world democracy. Colonel Karling took a most active part in 
advancing all Liberty, loans and other phases of war work. He was one of the 
five men who acted as personal escort to General Pershing when he was presented 



30 CEXTEXXIAL HISTORY OF MrSSOURI 

a ten thousand dollar sword at the Convention Hall in Kansas City. He is a mem- 
ber of the Army & Navy Club of Chicago and has been an honorary member of 
Battery B, Missouri National Guard, since 1908. He belongs to the Imperial Order 
of the Dragon, a Chinese organization, through reason of his service in the Chinese 
Boxer campaign, and he has membership as well with the United States Spanish- 
America War Veterans. He is a member of the Kansas City Liberty Memorial 
Committee and his was the original suggestion printed in the Kansas City Star, 
February 15, 1919, proposing a building to be used as a meeting place for military 
organizations as a memorial to both the living and the fallen heroes rather than 
the erection of a monument to only those who made the supreme sacrifice. The 
plan was accepted because of its feasibility and at his suggestion the Station 
Plaza was chosen as the location. The Chamber of Commerce made him its chair- 
man of the committee which represented the organization at the burial of overseas 
returned dead and a member of its reception committee to meet all returning troops 
passing through Kansas City,' in which connection he had charge of all parades. 

While no Interest outside of business claims as much of Colonel Karllng's 
attention as military matters, he is nevertheless widely and prominently known 
in Masonic circles, belonging to Ivanhoe Lodge. No. 446, A. F. & A. M.; Kansas 
City Chapter, No. 28, R. A. M.; Shekinah Council, No. 24, R. & S. M.; and Kansas 
City Commandery, No. 10, K. T., which has a very active drill team. He is like- 
wise identified with the Scottish Rite bodies, becoming a member of the Consistory, 
and he has membership with the Mystic Shrine and the Eastern Star. He also 
belongs to North Light Lodge, No. 193, K. P., in which he has filled all of the 
ofiBces, to the Ivanhoe Masonic Club, the Kansas City Club, the Hill Crest Club 
and the Triangle Club, while his religious faith is indicated in his connection 
with the Second Church of Christ Scientist. The Edward White Post of the 
Veterans of Foreign Wars, named in honor of Edward White of Spanish-American 
war fame and situated at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, has named its bugle and 
drum corps the F. Warner Karling Drum and Bugle Corps. 

Colonel Karling was united in marriage to Miss Anna Graham Kelly, who was 
born in Ellsworth, Kansas, a daughter of Ora and Agnes (Greer) Kelly, the former 
a native of Elizabeth, New Jersey, and the latter of Chester, Pennsylvania. Re- 
moving to Kansas, Mr. Kelly engaged in farming near Ellsworth in an early day 
and later took up his abode in Kansas City, where he became a representative of 
Bradstreet. Here his death occurred in 1886. His daughter, Mrs. Karling, was 
very active in war work, being president of the Women's Auxiliary, and is now 
president of the auxiliary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. 

Colonel Karling has always been very active as a supporter Of republican prin- 
ciples but has never been an office seeker. He feels that he can best serve the 
interests of his country in other connections and there is no man who is more 
stanchly a champion of Kansas City's upbuilding and her welfare than he. His 
strong purpose and his qualities of leadership have made him an influential factor 
in connection with public welfare and progress and he heads every movement to 
advance his community along patriotic lines. The Freemason, in a long article 
concerning him, said: "He can do more big things, cover a larger territory and 
do things with a greater degree of pleasure and less worry than most any man 
we know of. Always gallant, courteous, generous, broad-minded and public spirited 
wherever you meet him, whether in the store, in the lodge, in the soldier's camp or 
on a vacation trip, truly Mr. Karling is more than an ordinary man." 



OLIVER ABEL. 



Oliver Abel, an optometrist of splendid scientific attainment and broad practical 
experience, practicing his profession in St. Louis, was born July 12, 1873, in Eliza- 
bethtown, Essex county. New York. He is the son of Oliver Abel, Sr., who was 
also born in Elizabethtown, and passed away in 1891. The grandfather was like- 
wise named Oliver Abel, and was a native of Barre, Vermont, where the Abel family 
had settled prior to the Revolutionary war. coming to the new world from England. 
Oliver Abel, the father, was united in marriage to Mary E. Adams, who was born 
in Plattsburg. New York, and was a daughter of Elisha Adams of that place. Her 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF .MISSOURI 31 

maternal grandfather was Major Rufus Sanford, who served under Washington in 
the Revolutionary war, and her brother was Major Henry J. Adams, who served 
with the Union forces during the Civil war and was distinguished for bravery at 
Fort Sumter and awarded the congressional medal of honor. This branch of the 
Adams family easily traces its origin to the same English ancestors from whom were 
descended two of the presidents of the United States. Oliver Abel, Sr., was a lawyer 
by profession and became one of the founders of the republican party. He was a 
warm personal friend of Abraham Lincoln, whom he frequently visited in the White 
House, and he was also a personal friend of James G. Blaine and Governor Cornell. 
In fact he was acquainted with many distinguished men of national fame. His 
father was the partner of Judge Hand of the federal judiciary, whose son is Judge 
Augustus Hand of the present federal court, who rendered one of the noteworthy 
decisions concerning the constitutionality of the prohibition law. 

Oliver Abel pursued his education in the public schools of his native city until 
graduated from the high school of Elizabethtown in 1888. He afterward spent two 
years in the Albany (N. Y.), Preparatory school, and at a later period entered the 
Albany Medical College. He subsequently settled in Denver, where for three years 
he was employed as assistant by the Geneva Optical Company. From 1893 until 
1895 he was at Buffalo, New York, with the Fox Optical Company and then came 
to St. Louis. Here he was identified with Aloes until 1902, when he established 
business on his own account, at his present location, in the Carlton building. His 
business has prospered and he is not only engaged in fitting glasses, but also in 
the manufacture of them and he likewise treats and operates upon the eyes. His 
ability and scientific skill have gained him a most liberal patronage and a well 
deserved reputation. 

On the 10th of June, 1898, Mr. Abel was married to Miss Esther Frances 
Morall, and to them were born two children: Oliver, Jr., who was born in 1900; 
and Ralph Morall, born in 1912. The former was a sergeant of Company A, in 
the Reserve Officers' Training Corps and is now studying medicine in Washington 
University. Mrs. Abel is the daughter of Jacob C. Morall, of St. Louis, secretary 
of the Rosenthal-Sloan Milling Company. The Moralls came to this city from Con- 
necticut where they had lived for many years and the ancestry of the family is 
traced back to England. 

Mr. Abel gives his political endorsement to the republican party. He is a 
member of the Episcopal church and belongs to the Missouri Athletic Association, 
the University City Masons Lodge, the Red Cross Lodge, K. P., the West End Council 
of the Royal League and Brotherhood of St. Andrew. He finds recreation in golf, 
baseball and general outdoor sports and athletics, but never allows these things to 
interfere with the faithful performance of his professional duties, which he dis- 
charges with a sense of conscientious obligation. Those who know him — and he 
has a wide acquaintance — recognize his loyalty to the high standards of manhood 
and citizenship and he enjoys the warm respect of those with whom he has come 
in contact. 



GUSSIE VIRON KENTON. 



Gussie Viron Kenton, city editor of the St. Louis Star, the major part of his life 
having been devoted to journalistic labors since his graduation from the University 
of Missouri, was born in Miles Point, Carroll county, Missouri, February 19, 1885. 
The father, William P. Kenton, now living at Lee's Summit, Missouri, is a farmer 
by occupation. He, too, was born in Carroll county, and is a son of John Kenton who 
came to Missouri from Ohio long prior to the Civil war, and who was a descendant of 
Simon Kenton, the famous Indian fighter. Simon Kenton was a close personal friend 
of Daniel Boone. The towns of Kenton, Ohio, and Kenton, Missouri, are both named 
in honor of this family, which is of English descent. William P. Kenton was united 
in marriage to Maria Belle Freeman, who is a daughter of James F. Freeman, one of 
the pioneers of Carroll county, who at an early day had extensive holdings of land 
and of slaves. The father, James F., Sr., also came from Ohio, and the Freemans are 
descended from the Dutch family of Van Rensselaers of New Amsterdam, now New 
York. James Freeman, father of Mrs. Kenton, served as a Union soldier in the Civil war. 



32 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

Gussie Viron Kenton pursued his early education in the country schools near his 
father's home, which he attended to the age of sixteen years and then became a mem- 
ber of the class of 1905 at the high school of Richmond, Missouri. Following his gradu- 
ation he taught country schools for a year in Ray county, and then entered the Uni- 
versity of Missouri in which he pursued an academic course and also studied in the 
school of journalism, winning his Bachelor of Science degi-ee in 1910 from the depart- 
ment of journalism. He was in the second class to graduate from the department, and 
during his college days became a member of the Kappa Tau Alpha, an honorary fra- 
ternity. Following his graduation he made a tour of Missouri for the board of indus- 
trial commissioners in connection with other graduates of the school of journalism, 
writing up the interesting features of the state. Afterward the seven graduates of 
the class were employed by the St. Louis Star in obtaining information for a state 
almanac. This required about three months, after which Mr. Kenton was given a posi- 
tion as reporter on the St. Louis Star. He spent two months in that way at the end 
of which time he was promoted to assistant editor of the fast mail edition of the Star. 
After serving in that capacity for a year he was made telegraph editor, and later assistant 
Sunday editor and head of the copy desk. In fact he filled nearly every position on the 
paper prior to 1918 when he was promoted to city editor of the Star, and is today con- 
nected with the paper in that capacity. 

On the 23d of November, 1911, Mr. Kenton was married to Miss Lillian Ortwerth, 
a daughter of Conrad Ortwerth, a cabinetmaker of St. Louis who died in 1912. He 
and his wife, Katheryn Kuhr, were born, reared and married in Germany and about 
1884 settled in St. Louis. Mr. and Mrs. Kenton have become parents of a son, William 
Penn Kenton, born April 28, 1919. Mr. Kenton is a democrat in his political views. 
He has no club or fraternal relations, for his duties in the field of journalism practi- 
cally occupy all of his time. His professional course has been marked by steady progress 
that has brought him forward until he is now a prominent figure in journalistic circles 
in the middle Mississippi valley. 



FRANK MESKER. 



Frank Mesker, with a readiness to meet and a fixed purpose to overcome difficulty, 
entered the field of structural iron and sheet metal work and in that connection has 
won notable success where many others have met failure. His advancement has 
been due to his brother Bernard T. Mesker, and to his own industry and perseverance 
and to a calm, clear judgment which enables him properly to estimate the present 
and forecast the future. Born in Evansville, Indiana, on the 8th of January, 1861, he 
IS a son of John B. and Elizabeth (Nurry) Mesker, both of whom were of Holland 
descent. In fact the father was born in Holland and with a sister came from that coun- 
try to America in the early '30s when ten years of age, settling in Cincinnati, Ohio. 
While there residing he engaged in the hardware and metal business and also operated 
a trading boat between Cincinnati and New Orleans. He afterward removed to Evans- 
ville, Indiana, where he continued in the same line of business and he erected the first 
big brick business building in Evansville. There he passed away in 1906. His wife, 
a native of Cincinnati, was a woman beloved by all who knew her because of her noble 
qualities as wife, mother and friend. 

In his youthful days FYank Mesker attended a private school in Evansville, Indiana, 
and afterward continued his studies in a commercial college of that city, from which 
he was graduated in 1S76. He came to St. Louis in 1877 and started in business in 
1879 with his brother, Bernard T., in a small way in structural iron and sheet metal 
work at Nos. 1117, 1119 and 1121 Olive street. He had gained some practical knowledge 
of the business during Ms boyhood days in connection with his father's business inter- 
ests. Close application, indefatigable enterprise and thorough reliability characterized 
the firm of Mesker Brothers from the beginning and their increasing patronage later 
necessitated their removal to their present location at Sixth, Poplar and Seventh 
streets, where their business has further developed until it has become one of the 
largest of the kind in the country. Much of their work of late years has been for the 
United States government and during the World war they received contracts for ranges 
and bread bakers which enabled the government to feed six million men per day. Their 
work in this connection was of the greatest possible value to the cause of the allies. 




FRANK MBSKBR 



. CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 35 

Their products today go into every state in the Union and they also make large ship- 
ments to Canada and to Honolulu. Aside from the business of the firm Frank Masker 
is vice president and treasurer of the Mesker Brothers Realty & Investment Company. 
He is uniformly courteous and fair in all of his business relations and his business 
integrity stands as an unquestioned fact in his career. He possesses initiative and 
inventive genius along mechanical lines in connection with his manufacturing inter- 
ests and he has that quality and faculty much prized in the business world. 

In 1903, in St. Louis, Mr. Mesker was married to Miss Pauline Gehner, daughter of 
the late August Gehner, one of the prominent bankers and real estate dealers of this 
city who was born in Hanover, Germany, September 18, 1846, a son of Conrad and 
Mary (Hehman) Gehner. He attended school in his native land and also the German 
Institute of St. Louis from the time of his arrival in this city in 1859 until 1862, when 
he joined the Union army as a member of Company L, First Missouri Light Artillery, 
serving until mustered out in July, 1865. He was then a draughtsman in the ofiBce of 
the surveyor general at St. Louis until 1868 and through the succeeding three years 
was a clerk in an abstract office. In 1871 he opened an abstract office on his own 
account and conducted it until it was absorbed by the Guaranty Title & Trust Company, 
of which he was president until November, 1904. He then resigned and organized the 
Gehner Realty & Investment Company, of which he became president, conducting a 
general real estate and financial business. He was also president of the German Ameri- 
can Bank, became the third vice president of the Planters Hotel Company and a director 
of the Guaranty Title & Trust Company and the German Fire Insurance Company. He 
proudly wears the little bronze button that proclaims him a member of Frank P. Blair 
Post, No. 1, G. A. R. His daughter Pauline became the wife of Frank Mesker and to 
them have been born two children, Francis A. and John B. G. 

Mr. Mesker is a member of the United States Chamber of Commerce, St. Louis 
Chamber of Commerce, St. Louis Club, Sunset Hill Country Club, the Academy of 
Science of St. Louis, St. Louis Art League, Citizens Industrial League, Missouri His- 
torical Society, St. Louis Mercantile Library Association and Building Industries Asso- 
ciation. Mr. and Mrs. Mesker have traveled extensively, visiting many parts of the 
world, including Russia, Hawaii, the Samoan Islands, New Zealand, Australia, British 
and Dutch New Guinea, the Philippine Islands, and China and Japan. His social 
life is distinctly domestic. An honorable gentleman of most excellent and cheerful 
temperament, he never sought notoriety nor prominence and accepted no publ'T 
office nor trust but he always had the welfare of the city at heart. 



1415245 



FRANK EDGAR KAUFFMAN. 

Frank Edgar Kauffman, president of the Bernet, Craft & Kauffman Milling 
Company of St. Louis, is one of the progressive and substantial citizens Ohio 
has furnished to Missouri, his birth having occurred in the former state April 6, 
1852. His father, Jacob Kauffman, who died in 1916, was born in Lancaster, 
Pennsylvania," February 23, 1823, and when eight years of age was taken by his 
parents to Dayton. In his youthful days he was reared upon a farm and after- 
ward taught a country school in which he had formerly been a pupil. In 1855 he 
removed to Iowa and was engaged in horticultural pursuits in Mt. Pleasant for 
about four years, after which he began farming in that community. He raised a 
company for service in the Civil war, but was rejected because of weakness in his 
ankle which prevented him from walking freely. He was a citizen of worth in his 
community, serving for about fifteen years as supervisor of Henry county, Iowa, 
and for two terms in the Iowa legislature — from 1875 until 1879. While R. B. 
Hayes was president of the United States Mr. Kauffman was recommended by 
General Fisk as Indian agent and after his appointment to the position was sta- 
tioned at Fort Berthold, North Dakota, where he had supervision of nearly three 
thousand Indians and at the end of his term he was so popular and beloved by his 
wards that the Indians besought "the Great White Father" in Washington to let 
him remain there. But the political map had changed and a democrat was appointed 
by President Cleveland to succeed him. He was the first agent, however, to give the 
Indians really practical instruction in farming and his influence has not yet died 
out. He was not only a capable farmer but was very conscientious in all that he 



36 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

did. After leaving the agency he went to. Illinois, where he became superintendent 
of the Kauffman Milling Company, of which his brother and Frank Edgar Kauff- 
man were the owners. There he remained until 1891 when he removed to St. 
Louis and retired from business. He was a lifelong and consistent member of the 
Methodist church and during his younger years was very active in Masonry. 

It has been said that to understand thoroughly any individual one must know 
something about his ancestry, and the Kauffmans came of an Alsatian line of 
Huguenots. After living through the religious prosecutions which had their climax 
in the great massacre of St. Bartholomew's Day in 1681, the Kauffmans were forced, 
with many others, to seek refuge in Switzerland. They had suffered terribly from 
confiscation measures and assassination. A colony was formed in Switzerland to 
settle on the Canestoga river in Pennsylvania. The Kauffmans joined this colony 
and tor the first time in one hundred and fifty years the family rested where it 
could safely enjoy its religious beliefs. In 1716, Isaac Kauffman is known to have 
been living where Lancaster, Pennsylvania, now stands. He became a naturalized 
English subject in 1717. In 1718 he married Ann Neff, who belonged to the 
same family as the wife of Jacob Kauffman. In 1729 General Gordon, in speaking 
of the Kauffmans and the Neffs said, "It appears to me that they have behaved them- 
selves well, and have generally so good a character for honesty and industry as to 
deserve the esteem of this government and some mark of regard." The ancestral 
line can be traced with absolute accuracy from this Isaac Kauffman of Lancaster. 

The mother of Frank Edgar Kauffman bore the maiden name of Sarah Neff 
and was a daughter of Benjamin and Sarah (Daniels) Neff, the latter a daughter of 
Thomas Daniels, who served through the Revolutionary war under the immediate 
command of General Washington and was present at the surrender of Cornwallia. 
Mr. Daniels' father served under General Wolfe at Quebec and participated in the 
battle of the Plains of Abraham. Sarah Neff was born in 1828 and died in 1915. 

The early education of Frank Edgar Kauffman was obtained in the public 
schools of Henry county, Iowa, and later he attended the Iowa Wesleyan University, 
becoming a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity during his college days. He 
taught school in Iowa and Illinois for two years before attaining his majority and 
in 1873 became a resident of St. Louis where he entered the employ of the milling 
firm of E. O. Stanard & Company, the senior member being a relative and at one 
time lieutenant governor of Missouri, while for two terms he represented his dis- 
trict in congress. After a year and a half in the office Mr. Kauffman was sent on 
the road as traveling salesman and on his trips covered nearly the entire country. 
He was stationed at New York and was a member of the New York Produce Ex- 
change from 1879 until 1884. In the latter year he became associated with his 
uncle, John W. Kauffman, a partner of Mr. Stanard's, in organizing the Kauffman 
Milling Company with offices in St. Louis, and mills in this city and in Illinois. 
He was vice president of the company until 1896 and was president until 1902, 
when the corporation joined with the firm of Bernet & Craft, thus incorporating 
the Bernet, Craft & Kauffman Milling Company, with a capital stock of four hun- 
dred thousand dollars and through the intervening period Mr. Kauffman has been 
president of the company, which today controls one of the important milling inter- 
ests of the state. The business has been developed to large proportions and has 
long since become a most remunerative enterprise. 

On the 15th of October, 1879, Mr. Kauffman was married to Miss Kate Garrett- 
son, a daughter of G. A. Garrettson, a banker of Muscatine, Iowa. She died in 1891 
leaving a daughter, Myrle, who is the wife of Daniel A. Hill, the president of the 
Western Advertising Company of St. Louis, and a resident of Webster Groves. On 
the 12th of January, 1899, Mr. Kauffman married Nelle Dunham, a daughter of 
John S. Dunham, an old citizen of St. Louis, who was a lineal descendant of Sir 
John Dunham of Dunham on the Trent, England, who joined the Dissenters and 
left England on the Mayflower under an assumed name to escape the importunities 
of his parents. The Dunhams trace their ancestry back to the Pilgrims through 
several different lines. Two children have been born of the second marriage of 
Mr. Kauffman: Frank Edgar, who was born in 1900, attended the Hill school in 
Pennsylvania, was a student at Smith Academy of St. Louis and later at the Jackson 
Academy of St. Louis. When America entered the World war he enlisted in the 
navy and was in the Ensign School at Chicago and New York, but was not called 
upon for active sea service. He is now in business with his father. The daughter, 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 37 

Emily Dunham, was a student at Mary Institute, and after putting aside her text- 
books traveled with her mother in the Orient in 1920. 

Mr. Kauffman was at one time a member of Company A of the Missouri National 
Guard, a St. Louis organization. During the war period Mr. and Mrs. Kauffman 
were extremely active in promoting entertainment for the soldiers. Mrs. Kauffman 
gave practically all of her time to the cause. She was chairman for St. Louis county 
in the Y. M. C. A. drive. Mr. Kauffman was chairman of the Armenian and Syrian 
Relief Society of St. Louis for two years. This society raised tour hundred thousand 
dollars. 

In politics Mr. Kauffman is a republican and his religious faith is indicated in 
his membership in the Grace Methodist Episcopal church. Fraternally he is a 
member of the Tuscan Lodge, No. 360, A. F. & A. M.; St. Louis Chapter, R. A. M.; 
St. Aldermar Commandery, K. T.; and the Missouri Consistory, in which he has 
attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. In 1884 he joined the 
Merchants Exchange of St. Louis, of which he has served as vice president and 
director for three years. He was chairman of the committee having in charge the 
mixed flour law. He first called a meeting of millers and informed them as to the 
adulteration that was going on in the flour business and they looked to him to see 
that a proper law was passed. He drew up the law which was passed by congress 
and is still on the statute books of the country. To him more than to any one else 
is due the credit for the passage of this law. His life has ever been characterized 
by high principles and worthy motives, and his entire life has been in accordance 
with the record of an honorable ancestry. 



FREEMAN D. PHILLIPS. 



Freeman D. Phillips, president of the Central Telephone & Electric Company 
of St. Louis, was born August 6, 1872, in Lawton, Michigan, a son of Solomon 
Phillips, who was also a native of Michigan and represented one of the pioneer 
families of that state of English descent. He became a successful merchant of 
Lawton, where he resided throughout his entire life, passing away in 187 9 at the 
age of forty-five. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Rose Smith, was born 
in Michigan and was a representative of the Van Antwerp family, an old and promi- 
nent one of Michigan and of Dutch lineage. Mrs. Phillips passed away in 1886 at 
the age of forty-seven years. By her marriage she had become the mother of two 
sons and three daughters. 

Freeman D. Phillips, the fourth in order of birth, was educated in the public 
schools of Lawton and of Paw Paw, Michigan, and when eighteen years of age left 
home, going to Chicago where he was employed by the firm of R. Chester Frost & 
Company, wholesale jewelers. He remained in that business for four years and then 
entered the employ of the Electrical Appliance Company of Chicago, and while thus 
engaged entered upon the private study of electrical engineering. He remained with 
the Appliance Company until 19 6, working in various departments and becoming 
very proficient. He then removed to St. Louis where he accepted the position of 
sales manager for the Wesco Supply Company, with which he remained until May, 
1916. He then purchased an interest in the Central Telephone & Electric Company 
of which he was made vice president and sales manager and in 1918 was elected to 
the presidency of a company that today controls one of the leading business enter- 
prises of the kind in St. Louis. He is well known in business circles, belonging to 
the St. Louis Electrical Board of Trade and is a member of its executive committee, 
also a member of the Sales Managers Bureau and is serving on the executive com- 
mittee of the latter. 

On the 27th of December, 1898, Mr. Phillips was married in Chicago, to Miss 
Margaret T. Ryan, a native of that city, and a daughter of Patrick T. and Mary L. 
(O'Rourke) Ryan. They have become parents of seven children: Gerald A., Charles 
P., Elgie Louise, Katherine, Freeman D., Rosemary and John. 

Mr. Phillips is a member of the St. Louis Chamber of Commerce and is keenly 
interested in all those forces and agencies which make for the upbuilding of the 
city and the extension of Its trade relations. Politically he is a republican and 
fraternally he is connected with Keystone Lodge, No. 243, A. F. & A. M. He also 



38 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

belongs to the Midland Valley Country Club and finds his recreation and diversion 
in outdoor sports, particularly enjoying hunting and fishing. All these things, how- 
ever, are made subservient to his business affairs, and through his individual efforts 
he has advanced step by step, perseverance, determination and laudable ambition 
constituting the rounds of the ladder on which he has climbed to prosperity. 



WILBUR C. SCHWARTZ. 



Wilbur C. Schwartz, attorney at law and vice president of the Municipal Assem- 
bly of St. Louis, was born in Kdwardsville, Illinois, August 2, 1889. He is of German 
descent, his grandparents coming from Germany to the new world in 1849 and set- 
tling in St. Louis. His father, William Schwartz, was born in Edwardsville, Illi- 
nois. January 14, 1865, and is now a retired farmer of that place. He wedded Mary 
Feldman who was born in St. Louis March 10, 1866, a daughter of Carl Feldman 
of this city. The only brother of Wilbur C. Schwartz was John Schwartz who made 
the supreme sacrifice during the World war, his death resulting from pneumonia, in 
1918. 

Wilbur C. Schwartz was educated in the public schools of his native city and in 
Washington University at St. Louis where he was graduated in 1911 with the LL. B. 
degree. He is now engaged in the general practice of law and in 1915 was elected 
to the board of aldermen and was chosen vice president of that body in 1919, holding 
the position to the present time. 

On the 23rd of June, 1915, Mr. Schwartz was married in St. Louis to Miss Adele 
Byerly, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Byerly, who died during the early girlhood 
of Mrs. Schwartz. 

Mr. Schwartz is a member of the Evangelical church and he gives his political 
support to the republican party. During the World war he served as a member of 
the legal advisory board. He is well known in lodge circles belonging to George 
Washington Lodge No. 9, A. F. & A. M.; Bellefontaine Chapter No. 20, R. A. M.; 
Ascalon Commandery, K. T.; the Grotto and Moolah Temple of the Mystic Shrine. 
He is also a past commander of the Knights of Pythias, belongs to the loyal Order 
of Moose and has membership in the Missouri Athletic Association. 

His official duties are making constant demand upon his time for he is a capable 
and conscientious official whose activities are constituting a tangible element for 
progress and improvement in municipal affairs. 



RICHARD WERNER BOISSELIER. 

Richard Werner Boisselier, a certified public accountant of St. Louis, was born 
September 17, 1852, in the city which is still his home. His father was Charles 
Gerhardt Boisselier. a native of Birkenswee, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, and a 
grandson of Casper Dethart Boisselier, who was the founder of the American branch 
of the family, arriving In St. Louis in 1827. He was of French descent, his ancestor 
being one of the Huguenots who were driven out of France at the time of the 
suspension of the edict of Nantes, who settled in Bremen, Germany, which was then 
a free city. His descendants emigrated to Schleswig-Holstein. The grandfather, 
Casper D. Boisselier, was a farmer who located in St. Louis county, Missouri, taking 
up his abode in Bonhomme township, where he cleared a tract of land and developed 
a farm, residing thereon for a number of years but afterwards returning to Schleswig- 
Holstein, leaving his three sons in America. Two of the sons, Martin and Edward, 
became farmers in St. Louis county, while the youngest, Charles Gerhardt Boisselier, 
was first employed as a clerk in St. Louis and later established a hardware business 
at Thirteenth street and Franklin avenue, where he conducted his store for many 
years. In 1856 he, too, returned to Schleswig-Holstein, taking with him his four 
children: his son Richard W., also one younger son, and two daughters. Charles 
G. Boisselier, during his visit abroad, passed away in his native country. While he 
possessed a love of his native province which belonged to Denmark, he sympathized 
with Germany, and when Schleswig-Holstein became a part of the German Empire 




WILBUR C. SCHWARTZ 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 41 

he proclaimed American citizenship for his children, while in his native country he 
conducted his father's farm which he later inherited. 

Richard W. Boisselier was educated in Schleswig-Holstein and in Bremen, and 
early in 1873 he returned to the United States, settling in St. Louis. After he had 
been in this country for two years his brother followed him to St. Louis and a little 
later the German government tried to have them return to Germany with the object 
of forcing them to enter military service, but Mr. Boisselier of this review had become 
imbued with the spirit of American liberty and he and his brother refused to leave 
the United States. After much diplomatic correspondence the matter was finally 
adjusted. 

On the 1st of February, 1891, Mr. Boisselier entered the profession of public 
accountancy and when the state established a certified public accountant's degree on 
the 13th of October, 1909, Mr. Boisselier qualified and has since been actively 
engaged in the practice of his profession. In point of time he is the dean of the 
profession in St. Lotiis. 

On the 6th of June, 1889, in Highland, Illinois, Mr. Boisselier was married to 
Miss Carrie Louise Crouch, a native of Marine, Illinois, a daughter of the late Dr. 
Crouch of that place, the latter a representative of an old Vermont family. Mrs. 
Boisselier, during the World war, was very active in Red Cross work. Mr. Bois- 
selier is identified with many organizations, which indicate the nature and trend of 
his interests. He belongs to the Merchants Exchange, Missouri Athletic Association, 
the Apollo Club, the American Philatelic Association, the Missouri State Historical 
Society, the Million Population Club, the Automobile Club of St. Louis, the Ameri- 
can Institute of Public Accountants, the St. Louis Stamp Collectors Society, the 
Universal Brotherhood, Theosophical Society of Point Loma, California, and the 
Child Labor Committee of New York. He is also a member of the Altenheim 
Society. Politically he maintains an independent course, voting according to the 
dictates of his judgment. His experiences have been wide and varied, making him 
a man of liberal culture and progressive views. 



JOHN A. FLURY, M. D. 



Dr. John A. Flury, who for eight years has engaged in the practice of medicine 
in St. Louis and for five years has been associated in professional work with Dr. F. L. 
Henderson, was born in Toledo, Ohio, September 13, 1886, and is a son of Joseph Flury, 
who was engaged in hotel keeping and in the real estate business in Toledo to the 
time of his death, which occurred in 1893. He was a Frenchman by birth and came to 
America in his boyhood days. He married Louise Neander, who is of French descent 
but was born on this side of the Atlantic. She is still living and yet makes her home in 
Toledo. In their family were four children who survive, while one son, Joseph, died 
at the age of thirty-three. The living are: Mrs. H. C. Scanell, the wife of C. H. Scanell, 
of Toledo, Ohio, who is associated with an electric construction company of that city; 
Leo E., who is also living in Toledo, where he is engaged in the automobile business; 
Fred, a farmer living near Toledo; and John A., of this review. 

To the public school system of Ohio Dr. John A. Flury is indebted for the early 
educational advantages which he enjoyed. After coming to St. Louis as a young man 
he attended the St. Louis University and later the Washington University from which 
he was graduated in 1912 with the degree of M. D. He then took up the practice of 
medicine in St. Louis and for the past five years has been associated with Dr. F. L. 
Henderson. He has made steady professional progress, keeping in touch with the trend 
of modern thought and investigation regarding the treatment of disease, and is now 
a member of the American Medical Association and also of the Missouri State Medical 
Association and the St. Louis Medical Society. He likewise belongs to the St. Louis 
Ophthalmic Society and in his practice has specialized in ophthalmology. 

Dr. Flury was in the service during the World war, holding the rank of captain in 
the Medical Corps for fifteen months at Camp Lee, Virginia. Politically he is a republi- 
can but has never been an office seeker, preferring to concentrate his time and energies 
upon his professional and other interests. He belongs to the University Club and also 
to the Riverview Club of St. Louis and is well known and popular among the younger 
social set of the city. He also enjoys the high regard of his professional brethren, who 



42 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

recognize his close conformity to the highest ethical standards of medical and surgical 
practice. He has been a resident of St. Louis for twelve years and active in his pro- 
fession for eight years and has attained great prominence. 



AUGUSTUS FREDERICK SHAPLEIGH. 

While American trade annals contain records of many men who have been the 
architects of their own fortunes there has been no record more creditable by reason of 
undaunted energy, well formulated plans and straightforward dealing than that of 
Augustus Ferderick Shapleigh, the founder of one of the most important commercial 
enterprises of St. Louis. The name has become a synonym for the hardware trade 
here and the extensive house, now conducted under the style of the Shapleigh Hard- 
ware Company, remains as a monument to his progressive spirit and business ability. 

A native of New Hampshire, Augustus F. Shapleigh was born at Portsmouth, January 
9, 1810, a son of Captain Richard and Dorothy (Blaisdell) Shapleigh. The ancestry of 
the family in America is traced back to Alexander Shapleigh, who was a merchant and 
shipowner of Devonshire, England, and prior to 1635 came to America in his own ship 
"Benediction" as representative of Sir Ferdinando Gorges. He built the first house at 
Kittery Point, now in the state of Maine, on the river Piscataqua, authority for which 
statement is found in the entry on the records of the York court in 1650; "For as 
much as the house at the river's mouth where Mr. Shapleigh first bylt and Hilton 
now dwelleth; in regard it was the first house there bylt." 

In successive generations members of the Shapleigh family filled Important offices 
of trust under the British crown and were rewarded by landed possessions which are 
still held by members of the family, constituting a tenure of more than two hundred 
and fifty years. 

Major Nicholas Shapleigh, son of the American progenitor, was especially promi- 
nent in colonial affairs in the province of Maine, serving for many years as a member 
of the council and as treasurer of the province from 1649 to 1653. He was a com- 
mander of the militia from 1656 to 1663, made a treaty with the Sagamore Indians 
In 1678 and was attorney for the lord proprietor, Robert Mason. He also represented 
his district in the Massachusetts general court until his death. The line of descent 
is traced down through Alexander, son of the first Alexander, Captain John, Major 
Nicholas II. Nicholas III, Captain Elisha and Captain Richard Shapleigh to Augustus 
P. Shapleigh, of this review. In 1706 Captain John Shapleigh was killed by the Indians, 
who at that time captured his son. Major Nicholas Shapleigh served for a long period 
as major of the colonial wars while his son Nicholas took part in colonial wars with the 
"Blue Trupe of York," one of the companies of the regiment commanded by Sir 
William Pepperell. Captain Elisha Shapleigh, one of the sons of Nicholas Shapleigh 
III, raised the first company of the Second York County Regiment and as its captain 
served in the Revolutionary war. 

Captain Richard Shapleigh, father of Augustus F. Shapleigh, was master and owner 
of the ship Granville, which was wrecked off Rye Beach, New Hampshire, in 1813. In 
that disaster he lost his life, his ship and much of his property, and upon the son soon 
devolved the necessity of assisting the mother in the support of the family. Mrs. 
Shapleigh was a daughter of Abner Blaisdell, of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, who 
served in the Revolutionary war as sergeant in Captain Titus Salter's company of 
artillery at Fort Washington and later with Captain John Langdon's Light Horse 
Volunteers. 

The early boyhood of Augustus P. Shapleigh was devoted to acquiring an education, 
but when his father died and the family was left in straitened financial circumstances, 
he sought and secured a position as clerk in a hardware store at Portsmouth, New 
Hampshire, where in compensation for a year's services he received the sum of fifty 
dollars and boarded himself. The succeeding three years were devoted to seafaring 
life, during which he made several voyages to Europe, but at the solicitation of his 
mother and sisters, he left the sea and secured employment with the hardware house 
of Rogers Brothers & Company, of Philadelphia. Entering that employ in 1829, he 
there remained for thirteen years and successive promotion eventually made him 
Junior partner. This firm extended its operations to St. Louis in 1843 and Mr. Shap- 
leigh's business capacity, understanding of the trade and powers of organization led 




AUGUSTUS F. SHAPLEIGH 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 43 

to his selection for the establishment of the hardware house of Rogers, Shapleigh & 
Company, under which name the trade was continued until the death of the senior 
partner. Thomas D. Day was then taken in and the firm was reorganized under the 
name of Shapleigh, Day & Company, thus operating for sixteen years, or until the 
retirement of Mr. Day, when the firm of A. F. Shapleigh & Company continued the 
business until 1880. In that year the A. F. Shapleigh & Cantwell Hardware Company 
was incorporated and when Mr. Cantwell retired in 1SS6, the name was changed to 
the A. F. Shapleigh Hardware Company, which was retained until the retirement of 
Mr. Shapleigh in 1901. The business was then reorganized as the Norvell-Shapleigh 
Hardware Company, the corporate name being changed a few years later to Shapleigh 
Hardware Company. From 1S4.5, A. F. Shapleigh was the head of this well known 
establishment and from its incorporation until his retirement acted as president. 
He trained his sons to the business, except Dr. John B. Shapleigh, who is a prominent 
aurist. Alfred L., chairman of the board of directors, and Richard W., now president, 
exercise a controlling interest in the house, which from its organization has made 
continuous progress, enjoying that creditable and enviable prosperity which results 
from careful systematization, undaunted determination and the execution of well 
defined plans and purposes. Today the house has no superior in the entire Mississippi 
valley, its ramifying trade interests reaching out to practically all sections of the 
country and to foreign countries, while the development of the business has been an 
indispensable factor in making St. Louis the center of the hardware trade. 

Aside from his connection with this business Mr. Shapleigh was associated with 
various other business concerns, all of which constitute elements in the city's develop- 
ment as well as the source of revenue to himself. In 1859 he became identified with the 
State Bank of St. Louis and in 1862 was elected a director of the Merchants National 
Bank, so continuing until 1890, when he resigned in favor of his son Alfred L. Shap- 
leigh. He was also president of the Phoenix Insurance Company, vice president of the 
Covenant Mutual Life Insurance Company and interested in the Hope Mining Company 
and the Granite Mountain Mining Company. 

The marriage of Mr. Shapleigh and Miss Elizabeth Anne Umstead, of Philadelphia, 
was celebrated in 1838, and they became parents of eight children, five of whom sur- 
vive; Mrs. J. Will Boyd, A. F., Dr. John B., Richard W. and Alfred Lee Shapleigh. 

The death of Augustus F. Shapleigh occurred in February, 1902, when he had reached 
the venerable age of ninety-two years. Thus passed from life one whose activity made 
the world better. While he never sought the distinction that comes in political and 
military circles, his record was characterized by the faithful performance of each day's 
duty to the best of his ability — and that his ability was of superior order is indicated 
in the splendid results he achieved. His entire career was in conformity with the high- 
est standard of commercial ethics, and his history indicates that splendid success and an 
honored name may be won simultaneously. In early manhood he gave his political support 
to the whig party and on its dissolution joined the ranks of the republican party. He 
was long a member of the Central Presbyterian church and religion was to him no mere 
idle word. It guided him in all his relations with his fellowmen, and he ever strove 
toward those ideals of living which were set before the world by the Nazarene teacher 
more than nineteen centuries ago. 



FRANK SHAPLEIGH. 



The hardware business of which Augustus F. Shapleigh became the founder and 
promoter was carried on for many years by his son, Frank Shapleigh, in whose death 
on the 1st of January, 1901, St. Louis lost one of its leading residents and represen- 
tative merchants. All who knew him bore testimony to his ability and his worth as 
a man. His birth occurred in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, September IS, 1838, and 
he was a boy of scarcely five years when brought to St. Louis by his parents, Augustus 
F. and Elizabeth Anne (Umstead) Shapleigh. He pursued his education in the Wyman 
school at Sixteenth and Pine streets in St. Louis until he had mastered the elementary 
branches of learning, after which he continued his education at Hermann, Missouri, 
until 1857. 

In that year Frank Shapleigh became connected with the hardware establishment 



46 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

of which his father was the head ai^d which at that time was conducted under the 
firm name of Shapleigh, Day & Company. He applied himself to the mastery of the 
business and gained comprehensive knowledge of every phase of the hardware trade. 
It has been said that "power grows through the exercise of effort" and by his con- 
tinued application, enterprise and industry Frank Shapjeigh became more and more 
thoroughly qualified for the conduct of the business. His training was received under 
his father and he became the associate of his brothers in the management of the 
Shapleigh Hardware Company. The company always maintained the highest standards 
in the personnel of the house, in the treatment accorded patrons and in the line of 
goods carried and their patronage became one of mammoth proportions, their house 
outstripping many competitors and winning a place among the leading hardware estab- 
lishments of the Mississippi Valley. 

On the 6th of June, 1865, Frank Shapleigh was united in marriage in St Louis 
to Miss Mary Daggett, daughter of the Hon. John D. Daggett, who was at one time 
mayor of St. Louis. Mr. Shapleigh held membership in the Business Men's League, 
the Mercantile Club and the Merchants Exchange. His religious belief was that of 
the Presbyterian church and his life was guided by high and honorable principles. 
To his family he was devoted and he always held friendship inviolable. His own 
career exemplified the Emersonian philosophy that "the way to win a friend is to 
be one." He maintained unsullied the honored name transmitted to him by his father 
and when death called him St. Louis chronicled the loss of one of her most valued 
citizens. He regarded himself but as the steward of his wealtli and used his means 
wisely and generously for the benefit of others, and at no time was he oblivious to 
nor neglectful of the duties and obligations of citizenship. 



RICHARD WALDRON SHAPLEIGH. 

To say that Richard Waldron Shapleigh has for ten years been president of the 
Shapleigh Hardware Company is at once to establish his position as one of the fore- 
most merchants of St. Louis. Born in this city September 28, 1859, he was educated 
in the public schools and in the Washington University in which he pursued the 
academic course. He became connected with the hardware company in 1876 and had 
thorough training in all departments of the business, serving from stock boy up to 
salesman. He has for some years given special attention to establishing trademark 
merchandise and the name "Diamond Edge" is known today wherever hardware and 
building supplies are used. It has become a synonym for standard quality in these 
lines. Mr. Shapleigh has accomplished his purpose in this direction. Indeed he is 
a man who never stops short of the attainment of his objective and his methods are 
at all times of a constructive and progressive nature. The firm today is represented 
by two hundred and seventy traveling salesmen and their business extends to Mexico, 
Porto Rico, Central America and various European centers. The confidence and esteem 
which the salesmen and all employes of the house have for the oflicers of the concern 
is notably remarkable and is largely due to the efforts and policy of Richard W. Shap- 
leigh who believes in absolute fairness, a just wage and due consideration for all those 
in his service. If an individual is once employed by the Shapleigh Hardware Com- 
pany and proves satisfactory, his position is insured and, moreover, the employe is 
thoroughly satisfied with the business conditions and environment which surround him. 
Such a course as is followed by the Shapleigh Company would if universally adopted 
forever settle the (Juestions of labor unrest. 

On the 22d of September, 1SS6, Mr. Shapleigh was married to Miss Helen Shapleigh, 
a daughter of Marshall and Elizabeth (Blandy) Shapleigh, the former a well known 
white goods merchant of Philadelphia. One child has been born of this marriage: 
Dorothy, who is now Mrs. Leo deSmet Carton. She has one son, Benoist Langdon Car- 
ton, born in 1911. 

Of the Episcopal faith Mr. Shapleigh is a communicant of Christ Church Cathedral. 
He belongs to the St. Louis Club, the St. Louis Country Club, the Bellerive Club, the 
Noonday Club and the Missouri Athletic Association and he finds his recreation in golf. 
He needs no commendation of his career. His business record speaks for itself but 
the constructive policy which he has followed may well serve as an example to others 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 47 

and an analyzation of the development of the trade indicates that the growth is attribut- 
able in no small measure to the efforts of him who for the past ten years has been the 
head of the establishment. 



ALFRED LEE SHAPLEIGH. 



Alfred Lee Shapleigh, who since July, 1901, has been the treasurer of the Shapleigh 
Hardware Company of St. Louis, his native city, was born February 16, 1S62, a son 
of Augustus Frederick and Elizabeth Anne (Umstead) Shapleigh. He pursued his 
education in the academic department and for two years in the undergraduate depart- 
ment of Washington University, and he initiated his business career as a clerk in the 
Merchants National Bank, while later he was with Thomson & Taylor, wholesale coffee 
and spice dealers, until 1S82. In the latter year he became cashier of the Mound City 
Paint & Color Company, thus continuing until 18S5 when he was elected secretary of 
the A. F. Shapleigh Hardware Company. Since that time, or for a period of thirty- 
six years, he has been continuously connected with the hardware establishment which 
is today one of the foremost concerns of the kind in the country. The business was 
reorganized under the name of the Shapleigh Hardware Company and in July, 1901, 
Alfred L. Shapleigh was chosen treasurer, in which position he has since continued 
and on the 1st of January, 1912, was elected chairman of the board of directors. Some- 
thing of the volume of their trade is indicated in the fact that they are now represented 
upon the road by two hundred and seventy traveling salesmen. Alfred L. Shapleigh 
is also the president of the Shapleigh Investment Company and identified with various 
other corporate interests which regard his cooperation and sound judgment as valuable 
assets in their successful conduct. He is the president of the Union Lead Company, 
also of the Washington Land & Mining Company, is vice president of the Merchants- 
Laclede National Bank, vice president of the American Credit Indemnity Company of 
New York and a director of the St. Louis Cotton Compress Company and the St. Louis- 
San Francisco Railway Company. 

On the 21st of November, 1888, Mr. Shapleigh was married to Miss Mina Wessel, 
of Cincinnati, Ohio, and they reside at 6 Portland place in St. Louis. They have two 
children: Alexander Wessel Shapleigh, born August 22, 1890, treasurer of the Shap- 
leigh Hardware Company, and who married Lois McKinney of Chicago, and they have 
three children, Alexander Wessel Shapleigh, Jr., Alfred Lee Shapleigh II, and Warren 
McKinney Shapleigh; and Jane, born May 29, 1S95. Mr. and Mrs. Shapleigh are mem- 
bers of the Presbyterian church and in club circles he is well known through his 
membership in the Commercial, St. Louis, Racquet, St. Louis Country, Bellerive, Noon- 
day, Bogey, Deer Plain and Harbor Point Country Clubs. The extent and nature of 
his interests is further indicated in the fact that he is a member of the Missouri His- 
torical Society, the Sons of the Revolution, the Society of the Cincinnati and the Society 
of Colonial Wars, while his cooperation in much that has to do with the city's welfare 
and advancement has been manifest in many tangible ways. He is now a director of 
the Mercantile Library Association, the treasurer of the St. Louis Light Artillery Armors 
Association, president of the Hospital Saturday and Sunday Association, a director of 
the Washington University, a director and member of the executive committee of the 
Louisiana Purchase Exposition Company, was formerly a member of the republican 
state central committee and is now a member of the St. Louis Chamber of Commerce, 
of which at one time he was president. His activities have practically touched all those 
interests which affect the general welfare of society or which feature in municipal 
progress, as well as the business interests which have made St. Louis a great com- 
mercial center of the Mississippi valley. 



ANDREW C. BARNETT. 



Andrew C. Harnett, general passenger and ticket agent, for the Terminal Railroad 
Association at St. Louis, was born on the 18th of August, 1872, in the city which is 
still his home. His father, the late Andrew C. Harnett, was a native of Virginia and 
a representative of one of the old families of that state of English and French lineage. 



48 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

The father was for a quarter of a century connected with the St. Louis police depart- 
ment and was ever a stanch supporter of the democratic party, giving unfaltering 
allegiance to its principles and doing everything in his power to promote its success. 
He married Nannie Carver, a native of Kentucky, and descended from English ancestry. 
Both have now passed away, the mother's death occurring in 1887, while the father 
died in 1904 at the age of fifty-one years. They were the parents of seven children, six 
sons and a daughter. 

Andrew C. Barnett of this review was the eldest of the family and was educated 
in the public schools of St. Louis, but his opportunities in that direction were some- 
what limited for he started out to provide for his own support when a lad of but 
fourteen years. He was first employed in clerical lines in the passenger department 
of the St. Louis & Southwestern Railroad, known as the Cotton Belt, there continuing 
for about a year. He next became connected with the Terminal Railroad Company 
as a clerk and from that position has steadily worked his way upward through various 
departments until he has reached the place which he now fills, having been called thereto 
on the 2d of June, 1919. He has made an excellent record and his business qualifica- 
tions are thoroughly adequate to the heavy responsibilities and duties that now devolve 
upon him. 

In 1901, in Carrollton, Illinois, Mr. Barnett was united in marriage to Miss Maude 
E. Finch, a native of Jerseyville, Illinois, and to them has been born a daughter, 
Mildred Barnett, whose birth occurred in St. Louis, June 21, 1903. The parents have 
many friends throughout the city and they are members of the Bowman Methodist 
Episcopal church, the teachings of which guide their lives in all their varied relations. 

In political affairs Mr. Barnett is a republican where national questions and 
issues are involved, but in local elections casts an independent ballot. He keeps well 
informed on all ^he questions and issues of the day and is able to support his posi- 
tion by intelligent argument. He has membership in George Washington Lodge, No. 9, 
A. F. & A. M. and is a consistent follower of the craft. He belongs to the St. Louis 
Railroad Club, and to the Ticket Agents Association and the major part of his time 
and attention are devoted to his business and his home. Early in his career he recog- 
nized the fact that industry and faithfulness are essential and indispensable elements 
to success, and his loyalty to the company which he has served, his laudable ambition 
and the thoroughness of his work have won for him advancement until step by step 
he has reached the position of responsibility which he now fills. 



GODFREY SWENSON. 



A list of the beautiful and substantial structures that have come into existence 
through the activity of the Swenson Construction Company at once establishes 
the position of Godfrey Swenson as one of the most prominent contractors of western 
Missouri, for he is the president of the Swenson Construction Company which he 
incorporated in 1908. 

A native of Sweden, Godfrey Swenson was born on the 18th of April, 1876. 
His father was a contractor of heavy masonry in connection with railroad, build- 
ings, etc. The son graduated from schools in Sweden and studied some English 
preparatory to coming to the new world in 1896. He served an apprenticeship 
as a stone and brick mason and since the starting point in his career has made 
steady progress. His first work was a job by the day in Salina, Kansas, and the 
difference in his business position at the present is Indicated in the fact that he 
is now erecting in Salina one of the largest buildings in the west. A few months 
after reaching Kansas he removed to Kansas City, Missouri, and again secured 
employment at his trade. He then began taking masonry contracts, which grad- 
ually became of a more extensive and important nature as he gave proof of his 
capability and as his powers increased through the exercise of activity. He like- 
wise attended night school, where he took up the study of English, mathematics 
and drawing. In fact everything which he did constituted a forward step in his 
professional career. From the beginning his business has enjoyed a steady growth 
and today there is no better indication of his high professional standing than to 
state that he built the Telephone building of Kansas City, one of the finest oflice 
structures in the west, was the builder of the Westport high school, the Firestone 




GODFREY SWENSON 



CEXTEXNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 51 

building of Kansas City, the Security building and Liberty theatre o£ Kansas City, 
the Live Stock Exchange of Kansas City and the building of the Sears Roebuck 
Company of Kansas City. He has also been called into various other sections 
of the southwest and at Excelsior Springs there stands as a monument to his 
skill and power the fine Elms Hotel. His handiwork is also evidenced in the 
Barnes building at Muskogee, Oklahoma, and in the Sinclair building of Tulsa 
as well as in the Home National Bank building at Arkansas City. Another of the 
structures which have come into existence through his business power is the Coco 
Cola building of Kansas City. 

In 1898 Mr. Swenson was united in marriage to Miss Hannah Johnson, who 
is also a native of Sweden. They have become parents of twins, Clarence and 
Florence. The son will graduate in 1921 from the Kansas University, while Flor- 
ence will in the same year complete a course in the Kansas State Agricultural 
College at Manhattan. She is deeply interested in domestic science and in kinder- 
garten work, being very fond of children. 

Mr. Swenson and his family are members of the Swedish Lutheran church 
and he belongs to various Masonic bodies, having taken the Scottish Rite degrees, 
while with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine he has crossed the sands of the desert. 
He is deeply interested in civic affairs, supporting all measures for the general 
good, and in politics he is a republican where national issues are involved but at 
local elections casts an independent ballot, considering men and measures rather 
than party. Mr. Swenson has contributed much to the upbuilding and development 
of Kansas City and in his construction work employs from two hundred to five 
hundred men. He was a member of the board of directors of the Kansas City 
Chamber of Commerce in 1916 and 1917 and his life in every relation has spelled 
progress. 



HERMAN JACOB ELSON. 



Herman Jacob Elson, treasurer and manager of Walter A. Zelnicker Supply 
Company of St. Louis, manufacturers of railroad equipment and materials, was 
born in Meridian, Mississippi, January 7, 1876. His father, Louis C. Elson, now 
deceased, was a native of Bavaria but was brought to America by his parents during 
his infancy in 1840, the family settling originally in Boston, Massachusetts, where 
he was reared and educated. He removed to Memphis, Tennessee, prior to the Civil 
war and was there successfully engaged in general merchandising, conducting busi- 
ness in that city at the time it was captured by the Union forces. In the early '70s 
he removed to Mississippi where he continued until 1898 when he came to St. Louis, 
and here lived retired until his death, passing away in 1917 at the age of seventy- 
six years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Caroline Teller, is a native of 
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and belongs to one of the old families of that city of 
German lineage. She survives her husband and makes her home in St. Louis. 

H. J. Elson, the eldest of the family, was educated in the public schools of 
Meridian, Mississippi, and in the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, from 
which he was graduated in 1898. He was first made ensign in the United States 
navy and served oft Santiago during the Spanish-American war and then in the 
Philippines during the insurrection and in Chinese waters during the Boxer Re- 
bellion. In 1902 he resigned from the navy and became identified with the Walter 
A. Zelnicker Supply Company and has since been connected therewith in an official 
capacity. In 1910 he was made lieutenant commander and chief engineer of the 
Missouri Naval Reserve, now part of the United States Naval Reserve force with 
which he is still connected. 

At St. Louis, on the 2d of November, 1903, Mr. Elson was married to Miss 
Ophelia S. Scharff, a daughter of Adolph and Jeanette (Myer) Scharff. Politically 
Mr. Elson maintains an independent course, voting for the man whom he regards 
as best qualified for the office which he seeks. Fraternally Mr. Elson is a Mason, 
having membership in Brotherhood Lodge, No. 98 6, A. F. & A. M., of Chicago, in 
Oriental Consistory of that city and Medinah Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He now 
belongs to the Missouri Athletic Association, to the Columbian, Westwood Country, 
and Engineers' Clubs of St. Louis. During the World war he was inspector of 



52 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

machinery for naval vessels which were being rebuilt on the Great Lakes, the 
principal one being the conversion of the steamship Eastland into a modern gunboat 
now named "Wilmette" and used by the United States Navy for reserve force work 
on the Lakes. He acted in that capacity during the entire period of America's 
connection with hostilities in France and served until the spring of 1919. He is 
ever loyal to any cause which he espouses, is faithful to every trust reposed in him 
and by reason of a social, genial nature has become quite popular in the different 
club organizations with which he is identified. 



JACOB M. LASHLY. 



Jacob M. Lashly is a lawyer of pronounced ability in the trial of cases, espec- 
ially effective in his addresses to the juries, but while he has won prominence as 
a representative of the bar, he has never allowed his law practice to thoroughly 
monopolize his time, ever recognizing his duties and obligations in other relations, 
and thus it is that he is an exemplary representative of the Masonic fraternity and 
an earnest worker for all those interests and activities which are an uplifting in- 
fluence in the lives of men. He was bom in Randolph county, Illinois, February 16, 
1882, his parents being George W. and Cora (Woolford) Lashly. The father was 
born in Missouri, representing one of the old pioneer families of Iron county, where 
five generations of the family have been represented. The ancestral line shows 
mingled Scotch and Irish strains. George W. Lashly resided for many years in 
Missouri but is now engaged in mercantile pursuits in Monterey, California. His 
wife was also born in Randolph county, Illinois, where her people homesteaded 
at an early day. The first of the Woolford family in the new world had settled 
in Pennsylvania, seven brothers coming from Switzerland to the United States in 
1846. Five of them homesteaded on adjoining farms in Randolph county, Illinois, 
where George W. Lashly and Cora Woolford were married and where both of their 
children, Arthur V. and Jacob M., were bom. The maternal grandfather of Jacob 
M. Lashly was Jacob Woolford. 

Jacob M. Lashly was educated in the schools of Steeleville, Illinois, and the 
high school at Sparta, after which he entered the St. Louis University and was 
there graduated with the Bachelor of Arts degree in 1903, while in 1905 his alma 
mater conferred upon hira the Master of Arts degree. He prepared for the practice 
of law in Washington University and won his LL. B. degree in 1907. While still 
in school he acted as life insurance agent in order to provide for his own support 
and he also followed journalism at El Paso, Texas, being connected with the El Paso 
Herald. Following his graduation he entered upon active practice in 1906, having 
passed the state bar examination prior to his graduation. His attention has since 
been given to professional duties and he practiced alone from 1906 until 1912, 
when he became a partner in the firm of Johnson, Rutledge, Marlatt & Lashly, with 
ofiices in the Third National Bank building. The firm maintained its existence lor 
a year, after which two of the members departed this life. In 1913 the present 
firm was organized under the style of Holland, Rutledge & Lashly and engages in 
general practice. Mr. Lashly has specialized somewhat in bankruptcy law, being 
considered an authority upon the subject, as is indicated in the fact that since 
1916 he has lectured in the Washington University law department upon bank- 
ruptcy and for nine years was on the faculty of the St. Louis University Institute 
of Law, so continuing until 1918, when he resigned on account of the demands of 
his private practice. He is a man of marked personality who handles his subject 
in a convincing and forcible manner, whether speaking upon questions of law or 
important public topics. One who knows him well said of him: "His promptness, 
honesty and persistency in all business matters makes it a pleasure to transact 
business with him. He is a wonderful trial lawyer, especially effective before juries." 
He belongs to the St. Louis, Missouri State and American Bar Associations and on 
several occasions has served on the executive committee of the State Bar Association. 

In Dayton, Ohio, December 28, 1911, Mr. Lashly was married to Miss Bessie 
Henderson, who was born in Ohio but was reared in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a 
daughter of Dr. John A. and Flora (McGaw) Henderson, of Dayton, Ohio. Mr. 
and Mrs. Lashly have become parents of four children: Elizabeth, who was born 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 53 

June 22, 1915; John Henderson, whose birth occurred August 20, 1916; Jean 
Ellen, whose natal day was November 10, 1918; and Jacob Mark, Jr., bom Septem- 
ber 11, 1920. All are natives of St. Louis. 

When America was at war with Germany Mr. Lashly was active in promoting 
various campaigns for the benefit of the government and the army and he spent 
his thirty days at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station as a Y. M. C. A. secre- 
tary, doing excellent work in that connection and not only contributing his time 
but paying all of his expenses. He was also a four-minute speaker, a member 
of the Protective Association and assisted in all the various war activities. He 
finds his chief diversion in hunting. In politics he is a democrat and from 1908 
until 1912 was president of the Young Men's Democratic Club of St. Louis. He 
belongs to Polar Star Lodge, No. 7 9, A. F. & A. M., and has attained the thirty- 
second degree of the Scottish Rite, being also a Mystic Shriner. His social activities 
include connection with the City, University and Triple A Clubs. He is a member 
of the governing board of the Central Young Men's Christian Association and is a 
devoted representative of the First United Presbyterian church of St. Louis, in 
which he is serving on the board of deacons. He is generous to the church with 
both his money and his services. His activities have been directed in those chan- 
nels through which flow the greatest good to the greatest number. He recognizes 
the needs of the individual for physical and mental as well as moral development. 
He therefore supports the basketball team and baseball club of the Sunday School 
League and is a teacher in the Sunday school connected with the church in which 
he has membership. He is a lover of music, both vocal and instrumental, and 
supports the musical activities of the city. The interests of his life are thus 
broad, varied and of a helpful character. 



SAM LAZARUS. 



Sam Lazarus, president of the Acme Cement & Plaster Company of St. Louis, was 
born in Syracuse, New York, February 4, 1855. and is a son of Henry L. Lazarus, a 
native of England, who came to America during the early '40s. He settled in New 
York, where he resided until his death in 1859. His wife, who bore the maiden name 
of Annie Isaacs, was a native of London, England, and crossed the Atlantic with her 
parents when but three years of age, the family home being established in Syracuse, 
New York, where she became the wife of Henry L. Lazarus. Four childrn were born 
of this marriage, two sons and two daughters, of whom one only (the subject of this 
review) is now living. The mother's death occurred in 1916, in New York city, when 
she had reached the age of eighty-one years. 

Sam Lazarus was the second in order of birth in his father's family. He was 
educated in the public schools of Syracuse, New York, and of New Orleans, Louisiana, 
and when a lad of fourteen years started out in the business world. He has since 
been dependent upon his own resources and is truly a self-made man whose energy 
and determination have constituted the broad and stable foundation upon which he 
has built his prosperity. In 1869 he removed to Ladonia, Texas, and was there employed 
as a clerk in a dry goods store. He devoted about eight years to clerical work and 
then entered the cattle business, which he successfully followed for twenty-two years. 
At length he sold his interests in cattle and in 1898 removed to St. Louis. It was 
at this time that the Acme Cement & Plaster Company, which had previously conducted 
business at St. Joseph, Missouri, established its plant at St. Louis and since coming 
to the city Mr. Lazarus has been its active head, the business being one of the largest 
of the kind in the United States. He is also the president of the Quanah Acme & 
Pacific Railway Company and is a director of the St. Louis & San Francisco Railroad. 
In 1895 he became identified with the building of the Texas Louisiana and Eastern 
Railroad of which he was president and which was later sold to the Santa Fe system. 
In 1900 he was president of the Red River, Texas and Southern Railroad and has done 
not a little to promote railroad building and stimulate high standards of railroad manage- 
ment in this section of the country. 

On the 19th of April, 1883, Mr. Lazarus was married in New Orleans, Louisiana, 
to Miss Lillie N. Fisk, a native of New Orleans and a daughter of Frank and Margaret 
(Stumpf) Fisk. They have one child, Henriette, now the wife of William F. Baker, 



54 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

residing in New York. Mr. Lazarus gives his political allegiance to the democratic 
party and has been a prominent factor in democratic councils of city, state and nation 
for many years and has a wide acquaintance among the leading men of the party 
throughout the country. He was elected president of the city council of St. Louis in 
1912, was a delegate to the democratic national convention held in Baltimore in that 
year at which time Woodrow Wilson was nominated for the presidency and was also 
a delegate to the national convention in San Francisco in 1920 when James E. Cox 
received the democratic nomination. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias, also to 
the Noonday, Columbia and Sunset Country Clubs and to the Columbian. He is like- 
wise a memtjer of Dr. Harrison's church. While but the merest outlines of the life 
work of Mr. Lazarus have herewith been presented, owing to a lack of space, there is 
always something stimulating and encouraging in the history of such a man, as it shows 
what can be accomplished through individual effort. Dependent upon his own resources 
from the age of fourteen years, he is now at the head of Important business interests 
and has become widely recognized as a leading figure in industrial and commerical 
circles in St. Louis. 



ARTHUR B. DEWES. 



One of the most progressive of the younger representatives of the printing trade 
in St. Louis is Arthur B. Dewes, the head of the A. B. Dewes Printing & Stationery 
Company. Never content with what he has accomplished he is constantly reaching 
out along new lines, continually seeking to improve his business and to afford the 
highest possible satisfaction to his patrons. His initiative is constantly manifest in 
one form or another and his business has established standards which others have 
followed. 

Arthur B. Dewes was born in St. Louis, February 18, 1881, his parents being 
Alexander H. and Matilda M. (Droege) Dewes. The father, who was a native of 
St. Louis and engaged in the notion business, passed away in 1888. The mother, who 
Is still living, is of German descent and her parents were residents of the south side. 
To Mr. and Mrs. Alexander H. Dewes were born six children: Joseph A., who is the 
treasurer of the Woerner Sawmill Company; Edward, who is with the United States 
ordnance department; Matilda, now the wife of E. J. Andrae; Arthur B.; Olivia, the 
wife of Allen Bethal, copy editor with the Post-Dispatch; and Lydia. 

Arthur B. Dewes attended the public schools of St. Louis and afterward pur- 
sued a commercial course, being graduated on the completion of his studies in book- 
keeping and accounting in 1897. He then began work in the printing line and has 
since been so engaged. Gradually he advanced and became the organizer of the 
A. B. Dewes Printing & Stationery Company, of which he is now the president and 
treasurer. The organization was effected in 19 02 and in 19 07 the present firm style 
was adopted. The company not only does a large local business but receives an 
extensive patronage from various other states, including Louisiana, Arkansas, Missis- 
sippi and Texas. Mr. Dewes publishes a little pamphlet called Points, which is most 
original, unique and attractive in character, in which every word points to the 
thought it is intended to convey, the little booklet carrying conviction to the minds 
of its readers concerning the progressive style and initiative of the man who is at 
the head of the business. The word Points itself, according to its various letters, 
is taken to mean promptness, originality, individuality, neatness, thoroughness and 
service, all of which characterize the establishment of the Dewes Printing Company. 

On the 20th of September, 1905, Mr. Dewes was married to Miss Corinne 
Schoenle, daughter of Louis Schoenle, who was a dry goods merchant, well known 
In St. Louis, but is now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Dewes have eight children: Ray- 
mond, Emmet, Corinne, Lucille, Grace, Matilda, Bernice and Mercedes. The relig- 
ious faith of the family is that of the Catholic church and Mr. Dewes is a member 
of the Knights of Columbus. He belongs also to the Century Boat Club, the Lieder- 
kranz, the City Club, the White Squadron and the Ben Franklin Clubs. The last 
named is a printers' organization, of which he was president for the year 1920. He 
was one of the organizers of the White Squadron, formed "to establish and maintain 
friendly and sociable relations amongst each other and our friends, regardless of 
religious or political differences or affiliations." and for seven years he was elected 




ARTHUR B. DBWES 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 57 

captain of the organization, this being its chief executive office. His political sup- 
port is usually given the democratic party although he is not a strong partisan. He 
took an earnest interest in all war activities, including the Y. M. C. A. drives, the Lib- 
erty bond sales and other projects, doing effective work along those lines. It has been 
said of him: "He is a good Missourian, a most loyal friend and a most progressive 
business man whose notable success can be attributed to straightforward dealings, 
promptness, efficiency and conscientious regard for all obligations of his contracts." 
He is a most interesting conversationalist and enlightening public speaker upon any 
question which he discusses and his utterances are always enlivened by humor and 
enriched by sound logic. 



SCOTT SEDDON. 



Prominently known as a writer on many legal subjects and a successful law prac- 
titioner of the St. Louis bar is Scott Seddon, who was born January 9, 1892, in the 
city which is still his home, his parents being James Alexander and Louise Q. (Scott) 
Seddon. The father, who was a native of Richmond, Virginia, came to St. Louis in 1872, 
and here entered upon the practice of law which he has followed very successfully. 
He also served at one time as judge of the circuit court. His wife was a native of 
St. Louis, where they were married. Her antecedents were from Virginia. Mrs. Seddon 
passed away when her son Scott was but two years of age. In both the paternal and 
maternal line Scott Seddon comes of an old Virginia family. 

In the acquirement of his education Mr. Seddon attended the Smith Academy at 
St. Louis and then went to Yale, winning his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1914 upon 
the completion of a classical course. His law studies were pursued in Washington Uni- 
versity and he was graduated in 1916, with the LL. B. degree. He entered upon the 
general practice of law in St. Louis in the same year and concentrated his attention upon 
the upbuilding of his practice until May 26, 1917, when America having entered the war 
with Germany, he enlisted as a private in the Marine Corps and was assigned to active 
duty June 26, 1917, at the navy yard in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. On the 18th of 
August, 1917, he was transferred to the second officer's training camp at Fort Oglethorpe, 
Georgia, and there won a commission as second lieutenant. He left the training camp, 
November 27, 1917, and was assigned to the Three Hundred Thirty-sixth Regiment of the 
Field ArtiHery of the Eighty-seventh Division at Camp Pike. He remained with that 
regiment throughout the war except for two months spent at Port Sill, Oklahoma, in 
the School of Fire. On leaving Fort Sill he joined his regiment at Fort Dix, New Jersey, 
and sailed from New York on the 23d of August, 1918, remaining in France until 
March 8, 1919, when he returned to America and received his honorable discharge at 
Camp Taylor on the 18th of the month. 

Returning to St. Louis, Mr. Seddon at once resumed the private practice of law and 
is regarded as an able young attorney, excelling in civil practice. Moreover he has be- 
come well known as a writer on many legal subjects, his discussion of which is at 
times extremely profound, as attested by his colleagues and contemporaries at the bar. 

Mr. Seddon belongs to Christ Church Cathedral (Episcopal) and is an active sup- 
porter of the Red Cross. He is also identified with the Phi Delta Phi, a college fraternity, 
and in club circles is well known belonging to the University, Ridgedale Country, City, 
and Sunset Hill Clubs of St. Louis and the Yale Club of New York. 



MILTON LOUIS DAUGHERTY. 

Milton Louis Daugherty, general secretary of the Big Brother Organization (Inc.) of 
St. Louis, his native city, was born May 9, 1899. His father, Charles B. Daugherty, is a 
native of Indiana and of Scotch descent. In the early '80s he came to St. Louis and has 
since been successfully engaged in manufacturing. In former years he took a very active 
part in civic and political affairs. He married Frances Wall, a native of Missouri, who 
is of Irish lineage on the paternal side and of French descent in the maternal line. She 
has become the mother of two children, Milton liouis, and Wallace. 

Milton Louis Daugherty was educated in the public schools and in the St. Louis 



58 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

Manual Training School. He is now attending the St. Louis University, pursuing a 
course in law. His life thus far has been largely devoted to public service. His first 
position was with St. Louis Industrial School, later the Juvenile court of St. Louis, where 
he served for a period of three years as investigator. In October, 1918, he was appointed 
general secretary of the Big Brother Organization (Inc.) of St. Louis, and has since so 
served with credit to himself and with excellent results for the betterment of the organi- 
zation and the extension of its work. His broad humanitarian spirit and his deep 
interest in the welfare particularly of young boys have resulted in most effective effort. 
He has studied the problems of the youth and his executive ability is also manifest in 
the management of the affairs of the organization. 

His activity does not extend alone to this organization, for he is the secretary of the 
Social Service conference of St. Louis, is a member of the executive committee of the 
Cardinal Knot Hole Gang, the civic committee of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, 
"boys work" committee of the St. Louis Rotary Club, and the children's committee of the 
central -council of social agencies. It will thus be seen that his interests and activities 
largely lie along the line where organized effort is meeting sociological conditions and 
problems. He is an exemplary representative of Anchor Lodge, No. 443, A. F. & A. M., 
and a member of Brilliant Lodge, No. 55, K. P. His political allegiance is given to the 
democratic party where national questions and issues are involved but at local elec- 
tions he casts an independent ballot. 

On the 17th of March, 1913, Mr. Daugherty was married at CoUinsville, Illinois, to 
Miss Florence Stamm, a native of Missouri and a daughter of William and Emily (Hoch) 
Stamm. They have two children: Ruth Ellen, born January 15, 1915; and Jack Ethridge, 
born August 14, 1920. 

During the late war Mr. Daugherty was active in support of the Red Cross, the sale 
o£ Liberty bonds and the Boy Scout drive. His dominant characteristic is his humani- 
tarianism and his labors have been far-reaching and beneficial. 



BENJAMIN A. WOOD. 



Benjamin A. Wood, a St. Louis lawyer whose professional ideals are high and who 
puts forth every effort to raise himself to the level of these ideals, was born in John- 
son county, Missouri, November 18, 1876. His father, William L. Wood, was a major 
in the Confederate army during the Civil war. His birth occurred in Virginia but 
removing from the Old Dominion he became a resident of Missouri and made large 
investments in land. He was descended from English ancestors who fled to America 
to escape the wrath of Cromwell tor they were devoted adherents to the cause of 
Charles I, and thus the family became founded in Virginia. In the maternal line 
Benjamin A. Wood comes of Holland ancestry. His mother bore the maiden name of 
Laura Helen Smith and was a daughter of Benjamin F. Smith whose birth occurred 
near Crawfordsville, Kentucky, and whose forefathers came from the land of the 
dikes prior to the Revolution. 

Benjamin A. Wood acquired his early education in the public schools and was 
graduated from the high school of Holden, Missouri, while later he attended the State 
Normal School at Warrensburg and then entered the University of Missouri, from which 
he was graduated in 1903 with the Bachelor of Arts degree. During his college days 
he became a member of the Phi Delta Phi fraternity. His LL. B. degree was conferred 
upon him by Washington University, although he had previously been admitted to 
the bar upon examination. He at once entered upon the active practice of his profes- 
sion in St. Louis and after a brief period entered into partnership with Thomas S. 
McPheeters. a relation that was maintained until 1916, since which time Mr. Wood 
has practiced alone. His tendency is toward office and business practice and he has 
been successful both as a business lawyer and a business man. With his younger 
brother, Louis R. Wood, he formed a corporation under the name of the William L. 
Wood Estate Company, for the purpose of investments and it has had a prosperous 
growth. 

Mr. Wood is calm and very deliberate, accurate, farsighted and always considerate 
of others with whom he has business dealings. He is a lawyer who believes that laws 
were made to be enforced and lived up to. He is a business man who has the courage 
and energy to force success, backed up by integrity of purpose. When he becomes 




BENJAMIN A. WOOD 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 61 

financially interested in any project he is sure to direct it to success, nor wjjl he enter 
into any enterprise unless he has an understood agreement that he shall have something 
to say about its guidance. His capabilities are of diversified nature and he never stops 
short of the successful accomplishment of his purpose, nor does he sacrifice his honor 
In the slightest degree in winning his point. In the practice of law or in the state- 
ment of business affairs he has the quality of saying the right thing in a few convinc- 
ing words, so that his utterances are most forceful. All of these characteristics have 
made him a dynamic factor in the business and professional life of St. Louis. 

On the 25th of September, 1909, in this city, Mr. Wood was married to Miss Edith 
Trotter Smith, a daughter of S. Jenks Smith, who had removed to St. Louis from 
Philadelphia where he had been president of the Philadelphia Stock Exchange. The 
family came from Maryland, although one of the great uncles of Mrs. Wood, Andrew 
Jackson Smith, was postmaster of St. Louis in an early day. He also served in the 
northern army during the Civil war. The mother of Mrs. Wood belonged to the 
Newbold family of Philadelphia and one of her direct ancestors was a captain in 
Washington's army in the Revolutionary war and went through the memorable winter 
at Valley Forge with all of its hardships and discouragement. His personal diary, 
kept during that time, is now preserved in a church at Valley Forge and is one of 
the most interesting narratives of personal, military and political affairs of that period. 
To Mr. and Mrs. Wood has been born a daughter, Laura Emily Newbold, whose birth 
occurred March 15, 1911. 

In politics Mr. Wood is an independent democrat. He has taken an active and promi- 
nent part in all public affairs but not as an officer seeker — simply as a citizen who holds 
to high standards in regard to civic interests. He was secretary for several years of the 
Municipal Voters League, is active in the Civic League and is also prominent in con- 
nection with the movement for a new constitution, for reform in election methods and 
in all fine public projects. When he speaks upon questions of this character he is 
forceful, clear and convincing, recognizing that strength lies in a direct utterance. He 
was for several years attorney for the St. Louis Bar Association. He belongs to no 
secret societies and no social clubs but is a member of the Chamber of Commerce. 
During the World war as government appeal attorney of the twenty-sixth ward he 
gave up most of his time to the general service. An Episcopalian in religious faith 
his membership is in the Church of the Ascension in St. Louis of which he has been 
treasurer and vestryman since 1916. He is now residing at 5059 Waterman avenue 
and has recently purchased an estate of one hundred and thirty acres on the Conway 
road in St. Louis county and is looking forward to making that his permanent home. 
He is a man of quiet, domestic taste, finding his greatest happiness at his own fire- 
side, and is a delightful companion at all times according to the testimony of the many 
who are proud to call him friend. 



EDNA M. STONE, M. D. 



Dr. Edna M. Stone, physician and surgeon, with ofBces in the University Club 
building in St. Louis, was born January 28, 1878, in Carrollton, Illinois, of which 
state her father, Seranda Miller, was likewise a native, while her mother, who 
bore the maiden name of Martha Todd, was born in Missouri. The father was a 
lumber dealer, making a speciality of manufacturing walnut lumber. He would 
raft walnut logs down the Mississippi river to the mills to be cut into fine slabs 
for furniture and other domestic purposes, and continued in this business to the 
closing days of his life, his labors being ended in death in 1910. His widow is 
still living, making her home in Jerseyville, Illinois, and is quite active for one 
of her years. Her father was a Civil war veteran who volunteered for service in 
the Federal army, and is supposed to have been captured or died on the battlefield. 
The grandmother of Dr. Stone was Dr. Rebecca Miller, who was a physician, being 
the first woman admitted to the practice of medicine in southern Illinois, after 
which she followed the profession for a number of years in Greene county. After 
the death of Dr. Stone's father in 1904 her mother married again, becoming the 
wife of George Freeman of Illinois, and of this marriage were born six children, 
of whom only two sons are now living. 

Dr. Stone was educated in the public schools of Illinois and determined to fol- 



62 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

low the profession in which her grandmother had become a pioneer representa- 
tive. Accordingly she pursued a medical course in the Barnes College of Medicine 
in St. Louis and was graduated with the M. D. degree with the class of 1908. In 
her early professional career she was connected with the Ellen Osborn Hospital of 
St. Louis as a teacher in the nurses training department, and while thus engaged 
she also had wide surgical and obstetrical experience, thus qualifying in large 
measures for surgical work. Later she became clinical obstetrician for the Ameri- 
can Hospital at Thirty-fourth and Pine streets, occupying that position through the 
greater part of the years 1911 and 1912. She was afterward associated with Dr. Wil- 
lis Young in surgery, administering the anesthetic. She opened her present office in 
the University building in July, 1918, soon after the completion of the building 
which is in the very heart of the city, being located at No. 607 North Grand avenue 
and now occupied almost entirely by physicians. Dr. Stone has been engaged In 
the practice of medicine in St. Louis continuously from the day of her graduation 
from the Barnes Medical College, and is well known professionally here. She 
makes her home at the Biltmore Hotel and gives the major part of her time and 
attention to her professional work which is constantly growing in volume and im- 
portance. 



OITO CRAMER. 



Otto Cramer is identified with one of the leading commercial establishments 
of St. Louis as the treasurer of the Carleton Dry Goods company and his life record 
illustrates what may be accomplished through individual effort when intelligence 
and ambition are the guiding spirit of energy and industry. From point to point 
he has advanced in his business career as the result of his close application and 
there is much that is inspiring in his record. He was born in Hermann, Gasconade 
county, Missouri, on the 13th of October, 1847. His father, Edward Cramer, was 
a native of Saxony, Germany, and came to America in 1833. He entered upon the 
practice of medicine at Hermann, Missouri, as one of the first representatives of 
the profession there. He had acquired his education in the medical college at 
Gottingen, Saxony, and after reaching Missouri took a prominent part in promoting 
the pioneer development of Hermann as well as in ministering to the needs of the 
inhabitants along professional lines. There he reared his family, including eight 
sons, all of whom became prominently connected with business interests in Missouri. 
He died in the year 1878 and his wife has also passed away. 

Otto Cramer was the third in order of birth in a family of eleven children, five 
of whom are yet living. He acquired a district school education and afterward 
attended the St. Louis University up to the time of the Civil war. He was also a 
student in the Jones Commercial College and in 1862 entered the employ of C. Helm, 
a general merchant of Boonville, Missouri, leaving that place, however, when Mar- 
maduke made his famous raid in that section, at which time he came to St. Louis. 
He became associated with the Jameson-Cotting Dry Goods company, in 1863, with 
which he continued until 187 2 when the company dissolved. At that time he 
accepted an important position with the S. C. Davis Dry Goods company and re- 
mained with that house until the company retired in January, 18 9 6. Acquiring an 
interest in the M^ear & Boogher Dry Goods company at that date he has since been 
associated with the business, for the company was succeeded by the Carleton Dry 
Goods company of which he is now the treasurer. The latter was incorporated in 
1899 and today controls one of the most extensive commercial establishments of the 
west. Mr. Cramer acquired stock in the business and in 189 7 was elected a director, 
while later he was chosen treasurer. He also became a member of the directorate 
of the International Bank and has become identified with other business concerns 
which have figured in the development and upbuilding of St. Louis. Throughout 
his life he has displayed undaunted enterprise and industry and has ever recognized 
the fact that when one avenue of opportunity seems closed he can carve out other 
paths whereby to reach the desired goal. 

In September, 1872, Mr. Cramer was united in marriage in St. Louis to Miss 
Sophia Ludewig, a daughter of Johannes Ludewig. a hat and cap dealer. Mr. and 
Mrs. Cramer have become the parents of a son and three daughters: John, who 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 63 

is associated with the Carleton Dry Goods company; Dorothy, the wife o£ J. V. 
Henley, city representative for the Blumenthal Leather company; Ottilia, the wife 
of R. A. Kasting; and Elizabeth, wife of Chester L. Harvey. The daughters were 
educated at Mary Institute. 

Mr. Cramer holds membership in the Liederkranz Club and is a member of 
St. Margaret's Roman Catholic church. His business career has been marked by 
steady advancement and a ready recognition and utilization o£ opportunities that 
others have passed heedlessly by, so that he is now a leading figure in the mercantile 
circles of the city. 



EUGENE BLODGETT. 



Eugene Blodgett is the senior partner in the firm of Blodgett & Rector, attorneys 
at law of St. Louis. Missouri numbers him among her native sons, his birth having 
occurred at Shelbina, January 12, 1884, his parents being S. L. and Alice (Smith) 
Blodgett, the former a native of Iowa and the latter of Michigan. The father was of 
English descent, while the mother belonged to one of the old families of New York. 
Mr. Blodgett carried on merchandising at Shelbina, Missouri, for many years, but 
passed away in August, 1884, when thirty-nine years of age, his birth having occurred 
in 1845. He was but sixteen years of age when he enlisted for service in the Union 
army as a member of Company K of the Sixth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, in which he 
rose to the rank of captain. His wife survives and is a resident of St. Louis. They 
had a family of five children, two sons and three daughters. 

Eugene Blodgett, the youngest of the family, was educated in the public and high 
schools of his native city and in the University of Missouri, from which he was gradu- 
ated in 1905, winning the Bachelor of Arts degree. In 1904 he obtained the first Rhodes 
scholarship of Missouri and was graduated from Oxford in 1907 with the degree of 
Bachelor of Arts, in the honor school of jurisprudence. In the same year he entered 
the law department of Washington University at St. Louis, Missouri, and there com-, 
pleted his course in 1909, at which time the LL. B. degree was conferred upon him 
by that institution. Subsequent to his graduation he entered upon practice in St. 
Louis in the office of Morton Jourdan and subsequently was with the firm of Boyle 
& Priest. On the 1st of January, 1914, he entered into his present partnership rela- 
tion as senior member of the firm of Blodgett & Rector. Mr. Blodgett belongs to the 
American Bar Association, the Missouri State Bar Association and the St. Louis Bar 
Association, and of the state organization was treasurer iu 1915 and 1916. He has 
made steady advancement in a profession where progress depends, entirely upon Indi- 
vidual merit and ability. His knowledge of the law is comprehensive and exact and 
he is seldom at fault in the application of a legal principle. 

During the World war Mr. Blodgett served as a member of the legal advisory 
board of the eighth ward. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and 
he has been active in local, state and national politics. He belongs to the University 
Club, the Missouri Athletic Association and the Sunset Hill Country Club and enjoys 
a personal popularity that has gained for him many friends. Nature endowed him 
with keen intellectual force and he has used his talents wisely and well, advancing step 
by step until he now occupies an enviable place in professional circles in his adopted city. 



LEO LEVIS. 



The steps in the orderly progression of Leo Levis in the business world are 
plainly manifest. He has advanced steadily through the utilization of the oppor- 
tunities which have come to him and is now the president of the Levis-Zukoski 
Mercantile company, thus controlling one of the important commercial interests of 
St. Louis. He was born in Wurttemberg, Germany, February 21, 1839, and is a son 
of Seligman and Jetta (Rosenheim) Levis. He began his education in the public 
schools of his native country and continued his studies at Wheeling, Virginia, after 
coming to the new world in 1854, being at that time a youth of fifteen years. Soon 



64 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

afterward he secured employment in a dry goods store at Wheeling, Virginia, and 
in 1857 became a resident of St. Louis, where he joined his uncle, Morris Rosen- 
heim, a wholesale milliner. After acquainting himself with the business and prov- 
ing his capacity and trustworthiness he was admitted to a partnership and upon 
the retirement of Mr. Rosenheim in 1893 the Levis-Zukoski Mercantile company 
was organized and Mr. Levis has since been the senior partner. Under his guidance 
the business has been developed to substantial proportions and is one o£ the im- 
portant millinery houses of this city. 

In St. Louis, on the 12th of January, 1870, Mr. Levis was married to Miss 
Josephine Singer and they are now parents of three sons and a daughter: George 
S. Levis, the eldest son, is married and has two children, Frederick and Frances; 
Walter Levis, the second son, is married and has two children, Richard and Eleanor; 
Edgar S. is the third son of the family; Edna is the wife of Dr. W. W. Hamburger, 
of Chicago, and they have two children, Elizabeth and Walter Hamburger. During 
the World war the sons of Leo Levis were active in support of many movements 
relative to the country's welfare. 

Mr. Levis is a member of the Chamber of Commerce of St. Louis. His political 
allegiance is given to the republican party and he does everything in his power to 
promote its success. He belongs to the Hebrew Charities Association, also to the 
Ethical Culture Society and is a member of the City Club and the Columbian Club. 
He finds his chief recreation in travel. Coming to the new world when a youth in 
his teens he has since made steady progress along well defined lines of labor and 
he remains still the directing head of a prominent commercial enterprise of St. 
Louis, although he has now passed the eighty-first milestone on life's journey. 



COLONEL BENJAMIN G. BRINKMAN. 

Colonel Benjamin G. Brinkman, vice president of the La Fayette South Side 
Bank and identified with several other business interests of St. Louis, was born in 
this city in 1885. His father, William F. Brinkman, was a native of Franklin 
county, Missouri, and was formerly engaged in the iron and steel business but is 
now living retired in St. Louis. He wedded Mary Wolken, who was born in St. 
Louis, a daughter of Henry Wolken, a representative of one of the old families 
of this city. 

Benjamin G. Brinkman obtained his education by attending the public and 
high schools of St. Louis and St. Mary's College at Dayton, Ohio, being gradu- 
ated from the latter institution. He initiated his business experience in connection 
with banking in 1905, when he entered the La Fayette Bank, with which he re- 
mained as assistant cashier until 1916, when the institution was consolidated with 
the South Side Bank under the name of the La Fayette South Side Bank, at which 
time Mr. Brinkman was chosen vice president and still fills that position, bending 
his efforts to administrative direction and executive control in this connection. His 
fifteen years' experience in banking have well qualified him for the onerous and 
responsible duties that devolve upon him. He has ever recognized the fact that 
the bank is most worthy of support which most carefuly safeguards the interests 
of its depositors and in bank management he has always followed that course. 
He is a director of the South Side Trust Company and is president of the Yaryan 
products in the world. He was also at one time president of the Cardinal Base- 
Rosin & Turpentine Company of Brunswick, Georgia, the largest producers of these 
ball Club of St. Louis. 

On the 1st of September, 1909, in St. Louis, Colonel Brinkman was married to 
Miss Marie Doerr, a daughter of P. J. Doerr, formerly president of the La Fayette 
Bank, and they now have a son, Jerome, who is ten years of age. The parents 
attend St. Margaret's Catholic church and Colonel Brinkman gives his political alle- 
giance to the democratic party. He has served as colonel on the governor's staff 
and has been captain of the Missouri Home Guard, commanding Troop A. He was 
also general of the South St. Louis district in the Liberty Loan drives. His personal 
popularity is manifest whenever he visits the various clubs with which he is iden- 
'tifled. He belongs to the Sunest Hill Gun Club, the Century Boat Club, the River- 
view Club, the St. Louis Club and the Liederkranz Club, -of which he was formerly 




COLONEL BENJAMIN G. BRINKMAN 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 67 

the president. He has a wide acquaintance in St. Louis, where he is highly esteemed 
as a representative and progressive financier and as a well known and popular 
clubman. 



THOMAS W. WHINNERY. 



Thomas W. Whinnery, attorney at law of St. Louis, was born April 9, 1871, 
at Newry, Ireland, a son of William and Anna M. Whinnery. The father was a news- 
paper man of Ireland and came to the United States in 1890, settling in Chicago, 
where he became an employe of the Michigan Central Railroad, with which he 
remained until a recent date when he was to retire upon a pension. Both he and 
his wife are still living in Chicago, and celebrated their golden wedding, the fiftieth 
anniversary of their marriage, in that city on the 14th of July, 1920, the event being 
a news item in all of the Chicago papers. There were ten children in the family, 
and theirs is a notable record as all are yet living. 

Thomas W. Whinnery, the eldest of the family, attended the schools of his 
native country, and after the emigration of the family to the new world became 
a high school pupil in Chicago, being graduated on the completion of his course. 
In 1910 he came to St. Louis and was made manager of the Barnes-Crosby company 
of this city. Thinking to win more rapid advancement in other connections he 
then attended the Benton Law School of St. Louis from which he was graduated in 
1914 with the degree of LL. B. He at once entered upon the practice of law in 
this city and in 1918 was made attorney for the American Security Credit company, 
since which time he has looked after the legal affairs of this corporation. He be- 
longs to the St. Louis Bar Association and his fellow members of the profession 
recognize in him one thoroughly capable of handling the interests now in his charge. 

Mr. Whinnery was married in Chicago, December 31, 1895, to Miss Grace 
Edna Every, a daughter of Henry and Mary Evory, who had removed from New 
York city to Chicago. Mr. and Mrs. Whinnery have three children: Cecil H., who 
is twenty-two years of age, and who is a contractor and builder of St. Louis; 
William W. and Edward H., respectively eleven and nine years of age, both in school. 
The family residence is at No. 4235 Holly avenue, where they enjoy the quiet and 
comfort of the country and have all of the advantages of city life. 

Mr. Whinnery is a democrat in his political belief and has always faithfully 
supported the principles of the party but has never sought nor desired office. In 
his business career he has been actuated by a laudable ambition and has made 
substantial progress. In social life he displays qualities which cause those who 
know him to wish to meet him again. 



HUBERT S. MERRELL, Jb. 



Hubert S. Merrell, secretary of the J. S. Merrell Drug company of St. Louis, 
was born in Madison county, Illinois, September 28, 1885, and is a son of H. S. 
and Georgia (Crenshaw) Merrell, the latter a representative of one of the old 
American families. They were married in Madison county, Illinois, in 1880. The 
father was at one time a well known figure in commercial circles in St. Louis 
being vice president of the J. S. Merrell Drug company, from 1885 until 1911 
when death called him to his final home. He, too, was a representative of ancestry 
long connected with American interests. To him and his wife were born two 
children, a son and daughter: Hattie, the wife of Frank H. Coult, who is secretary 
of the firm of Charles P. Meier & company, engineers, with offices in the Times 
building, and H. S., Jr., of this review. 

The latter pursued his education in Smith Academy of St. Louis, and in the 
St. Louis College of Pharmacy, from which he was graduated in 1907 with the 
degree of Ph. B. In 1908 he acquired the degree of Ph. C. He became connected 
with the J. S. Merrell Drug company as chemist and continued to fill that 
position until December, 1911, at which time he was made secretary. He has 
since occupied the position, bending his efforts to administrative direction and execu- 



68 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

tive control in connection with a business that ranks with the foremost representa- 
tives of the drug trade of the city. 

In Collinsville, Illinois, on the 12th of January, 1910, Mr. Merrell was united 
in marriage to Miss Madge Kraftt, a daughter of C. H. and Olive (Johnson) KrafEt. 
They have become the parents of two children: Dorothy, born December 9, 
1911; and Hubert S., who was born on the 6th of May, 1915. The family resi- 
dence ia at No. 5071 Westminster place in St. Louis. During the war period 
Mr. Merrell subscribed liberally to all war activities and spent much time in the 
work of promoting the Liberty loan drives and the Red Cross and Y. M. C. A. 
drives. He belongs to the Masonic lodge, of Collinsville, Illinois, having been 
raised in May, 1917, and has since become a Scottish Rite Mason, connected with 
Missouri Consistory, No. 1, and belongs to Moolah Temple of the Mystic Shrine 
of St. Louis. He is likewise a member of the Chamber of Commerce, of the 
Advertising Club, the Algonquin Club, and the St. Louis Drug & Chemical Club. 
His political endorsement is given to the republican party, and his belief in Con- 
gregational doctrines is manifest in his membership in the First Congregational 
Church of St. Louis. In his life he has been an exponent of high and honorable 
principles, endorsed by the various organizations with which he is connected, and 
In business affairs he has been actuated by a laudable ambition that has prompted 
him to put forth that close application and thorough reliability which constitute 
the basis of advancement and success. 



EDWIN T. STANARD. 



While at the beginning of his business career Edwin T. Stanard entered upon 
connection with a business long associated with the name of Stanard, he came to 
the initial point in his commercial experience well trained for the duties that he 
was to undertake. It has been said that opportunity never presents itself to one 
who is not prepared for it and therefore upon individual action rests failure or 
success according as each opportunity is neglected or utilized. Well qualified for 
the work which he undertook Edwin T. Stanard has made steady progress in his 
chosen field of labor and is today vice president and general manager of the 
Stanard-Tilton Milling company. Inc., of St. Louis. A native of this city, he was 
born April 15, 1886, a son of William K. Stanard and a grandson of Edwin O. 
Stanard, at one time governor of Missouri. The father is the president of the 
Stanard-Tilton Milling company and one of the prominent and representative busi- 
ness men of the city. 

Edwin T. Stanard pursued his early education in the public schools of St. Louis 
and in Smith Academy, while in 1900 he completed a course in the Culver Military 
Academy and in 1903 was graduated from Smith College with the degree of Bachelor 
of Science. He next entered Princeton University and spent three years in pursuing 
a civil engineering course, winning the C. E. degree. He was also much interested 
in college athletics and was a member of the football team at Princeton. He like- 
wise studied for a time in Brown's Business College and then entered the Columbus 
laboratory where he pursued a course in milling technology and baking. All this 
was done with a view to entering upon his present business connection. When his 
textbooks were put aside he went to Dallas, Texas, where he managed one of the 
flour mills of the Stanard-Tilton company for a year. He then returned to St. Louis 
and became secretary of the Stanard-Tilton Milling company. Inc. Through the 
intervening period he has bent his energies toward constructive effort and executive 
control and is now the vice president and general manager of this mammoth business 
concern which owns mills at Alton, Illinois, with a capacity of three thousand bar- 
rels; a mill at Dallas, Texas, with a capacity of two thousand barrels daily; a ware- 
house and blending plant in St. Louis; elevators at Rockford and Jerseyville, 
Illinois; and main offices in the Pierce building in St. Louis. Mastering every phase 
of the business Mr. Stanard became splendidly qualified to assume directive control 
and under his guidance the interests of the company have been enlarged and 
extended. 

In 1913 Mr. Stanard was married to Miss Edna Griesedieck, a daughter of 
Benjamin G. Griesedieck, a prominent brewer of St. Louis. They have one child. 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 69 

William K. (II). Mr. Stanard turns to golf for recreation. His political allegiance 
is given to the republican party and he is well known in the club circles of St. Louis, 
having membership in the Missouri Athletic, Rotary, St. Louis, Country, University, 
Racquet, Sunset, Grain, Mills and other clubs and also in the College Club o£ 
Princeton University. He is a man of fine physique and when one enters his 
presence he feels the dynamic force that has made him a power in the commercial, 
industrial and financial circles of his native city. 



FRANK N. K. ORFF. 



Frank N. K. Orff, who has long been prominently known as a publisher and 
who makes his home in St. Louis, was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, March 17, 
1869, a son of Christian and Martha E. Orff. The father was a banker and 
pioneer merchant of Fort Wayne, where he conducted business from 1837 until 
1885. He it was who secured the right of way for the Pennsylvania Railroad from 
Fort Wayne, Indiana, to Chicago, and he drove the golden spike when the Wabash 
Railroad entered Fort Wayne. He also sold the first government bond sold west 
of Buffalo, New York, after the Civil war. He became a very successful merchant 
establishing a large store at Savannah, Georgia, where he formed a partnership 
with James F. Watkins and William R. Nelson of Kansas City, but formerly of 
Nelsonville, Indiana, the firm operating under the name of Orff, Watkins & Nelson, 
at Nos. 113 to 119 Congress street in Savannah, Georgia, and widely known. 
Mr. Orff wedded a daughter of Peter Heller, a prominent family in whose honor 
Hellers Corners, a postofflce of Indiana was named. Her father was a miller and 
merchant and owned a very large farm in that community. In Lincoln county, 
Maine, there was also a place called Orff's Postofflce, named in honor of the Orff 
family, this being the place of early settlement of the ancestors, who came from 
Germany and founded the family in the new world, Mr. Orff's father coming from 
Dusseldort, Germany, in the early days of emigration to the new world. 

Frank N. K. Orff was the only son in a family of three children. He was 
educated in the public schools of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and in the Germania Col- 
lege of that place, while still later he attended Charlier Institute at Fifty-ninth 
street in New York, a school for young men. After completing his preliminary 
training, he entered Cornell University from which he was graduated in 1887. 
He afterward pursued a law course with a view to practicing, but after acquiring 
a broad knowledge of the principles of jurisprudence he decided that the news- 
paper field was more alluring. His first experience as a publisher began when he 
was in the public schools of Fort Wayne, at the early age of thirteen years, at 
which time he acted as editor of a funny paper, called the Neighborhood News. 
His experience and success in that enterprise was proof of his natural ability and ten- 
dency, and after his school days were over he became associated with Fred Wen- 
dell Publishing Company, handling patent insides for small town newspapers. 
The business was carried on at Fort Wayne, Indiana, and after some time Mr. 
Orff removed to Chicago, and became one of the active writers on the Times staff. He 
made a trip around the world for that paper and wrote articles, which were illustrated, 
concerning all of the important places which he visited in his travels. At a later 
date he settled in Omaha, Nebraska, where he established the Omaha Daily News, also 
the Topics Weekly, a society paper. He likewise organized the Frank Orff Directory 
Company, and engaged in the publication of city directories in Nebraska and low?. 
On the expiration of that period he came to St. Louis and was here married to 
Annie L. Y. Swart, who was also well known in publishing circles, being engaged in 
the publication of The Little Red Book, a railway guide. Following their marriage 
they jointly published the Chaperone Magazine, the American Woman's Review and 
Orff's Farm Review. Mr. Orff afterward established the Sterling Magazine, which 
he later removed to New York city, and then purchased the Hampton Magazine, 
also the Columbia Magazine of New York, which he later consolidated under the name 
of the Hampton-Columbian Magazine, giving the world at that time the best and great- 
est monthly magazine, with a circulation of five hundred and fifty thousand copies. 
He was president and manager of the company and continued to reside in New York 



70 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

for a time, but like many of those who have lived in St. Louis, he returned to the city, 
maintaining a branch office of his business here. 

In 1914 Mr. OrfE was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who was a daughter 
ot Mrs. Mary Hart, the latter a sister of William and James Hart, the famous artist, 
and she, herself, possessed much artistic skill and ability, many of her fine paintings 
being still in existence. 

Mr. Org is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, also belongs to the Million 
Population Club of St. Louis, and is identified with other organizations which have to 
do with the upbuilding and progress of the city. His political belief is that of the 
republican party, and he was president of the Missouri League Republican Club, also 
president of the Republican Club of St. Louis. He assisted in the organization of the 
Rough Riders Club during Roosevelt's time and has been prominently connected with 
the republican party in many ways yet has never sought nor desired ofiBce. He is a 
member of the First Church of Christ, Scientist, of St. Louis. His life has ever dis- 
played a spirit of devotion to those things which are of cultural value and tend to 
promote the uplift of the individual and advance the welfare of the community at large. 
Patriotism has ever been one of his marked characteristics, and he has never faltered 
in any opportunity to serve his city nor his country, his efforts at many times being 
resultant factors in promoting public progress. 



FRANK LEWIS NEWMAN. 

Frank Lewis Newman, proprietor of the finest motion picture theatre in 
Missouri, known as the Newman theatre of Kansas City, was born in Newark, New 
Jersey, January 2, 1884, his parents being Nathan and MoUie Newman, the former 
a clothing manufacturer of St. Louis for many years. In his later life, however, 
he retired from business and his last days were spent in San Francisco. 

* Frank L. Newman of this review pursued his education in the public schools of 
Cairo, Illinois, and of St. Louis, Missouri, and after his textbooks were put aside 
engaged in the manufacture of ladies' underwear to the age of twenty-two years 
in St. Louis. He then became interested in the moving picture business, in which 
he was engaged in St. Louis from 1907 until 1913. In the latter year he removed 
to Kansas City and has recently opened the finest motion picture theatre in Missouri, 
known as the Newman theatre. This was completed and opened for business on 
the 5th of June, 1919. He has a splendid orchestra numbering thirty-five musicians 
and he also features grand opera singers from time to time. 

In 1903 Mr. Newman was married to Miss Fannie Bierman and to them have 
been born two children: Manuel F. Newman, sixteen years of age; and Viola V., 
thirteen years of age. Mr. Newman is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and 
he also belongs to the Kansas City Athletic Club,, the Progress Club, the Cooperative 
Association, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Masonic fraternity. 
In the last named he has taken high rank and has become a member of Ararat 
Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. The major part of his attention, however, is concentrated 
upon his business affairs and as the result of his close application, able management 
and progressive spirit he is today the owner ot three of the finest picture houses in 
the west — the New Royal, the New Twelfth Street and the Newman theatres, all of 
which are proving profitable investments, bringing to him a most gratifying financial 
return. 



EDGAR LACKLAND TAYLOR. 

Edgar Lackland Taylor is the vice president and one of the directors ot the Boat- 
men's Bank of St. Louis and has risen to his present position of prominence in financial 
circles through indefatigable energy and close application, for he entered the bank in a 
minor clerkship from which point he has advanced until he occupies the second execu- 
tive office in the institution. A native son ot St. Louis, he was born on the 30th ot 
August, 1870, his father being Theodore T. Taylor, a native of Bucks county, Pennsyl- 
vania, and a representative of one of the old families of that state, his lineage being 




FRANK L. NEWMAN 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 73 

traced back to John Taylor, a native of England, who became the founder of the family 
in America in 1698 and settled in Bucks county. Following his graduation from the 
University, of Pennsylvania, Theodore T. Taylor removed westward to Missouri in 1859, 
settling at Springfield. He was a civil engineer and removed to the west to become one 
of the builders of the Missouri Pacific Railroad. At the outbreak of the Civil war he 
entered the Confederate army at Springfield as a private and at the close of hostilities 
was serving as captain on the staff of General Magruder, from whom he received the 
following letter: 

To Capt. T. T. Taylor, 
Captain: 

The time having arrived when we must part, I avail myself of the occasion to 
tender to you my thanks for the many services you have rendered me, not only as a staff 
officer when I was in command, but also as a friend, when I ceased to possess power. 

You have served with gallantry, ability and devotion to the last, and in retiring to 
private life, you bear with you my best wishes for your success and happiness. 

Believe me. Captain, Your obedient servant, 

J. Bankhead Magbtjdee. 
Monterey, Mexico, July 5th, 1865. 

When the war was over he was obliged to leave the United States, together with 
Governor Marmaduke and Senator Vest. They went to Mexico and remained in that 
country until things had quieted down, after which Mr. Taylor returned to Missouri, 
taking up his abode in St. Louis. Here he entered the employ of John McCune & 
Company, pioneer coal merchants, who operated the first tug on the Mississippi river in 
1868. Mr. Taylor was united in marriage to Miss Frances Lackland, a daughter of 
Rufus J. Lackland, who at that time and for many years was president of the Boatmen's 
Bank. Following his marriage Mr. Taylor again took up the business of contracting 
which he followed successfully until his death, which occurred at St. Louis in 1896 
when he was sixty-six years of age. He was a stanch democrat and was very active in 
political affairs and in the promotion of civic interests. His wife survived him for a 
decade, passing away in St. Louis in 1906, at the age of sixty-six years. She had a 
family of three sons and a daughter: Rufus L., a resident of St. Louis; Edgar L.; Mary 
Susanna; and William B., all living in St. Louis. 

Reared in his native city Edgar L. Taylor attended the old Central high school 
and when twenty years of age made his initial step in the business world in a humble 
clerkship in the Boatmen's Bank. Applying himself with thoroughness he mastered 
every task assigned him and his developing powers fitted him for larger responsibilities 
and more onerous duties. Thus gradually he was advanced until he is now bending his 
efforts to executive control and administration as vice president and one of the direc- 
tors of the bank. 

In St. Louis, on the 20th of January, 1902, Mr. Taylor was married to Miss Mary 
Carr, a daughter of the late Charles Bent and Louise (Atchison) Carr, the latter a 
direct descendant of Laclede and the Chouteau and Papin families of St. Louis. To 
Mr. and Mrs. Taylor have been born three children: Marie, Dorcas Carr, and Edgar, Jr. 

In his political views Mr. Taylor is a democat, having stanchly supported the 
party since age Conferred upon him the right of franchise. During the World war he 
served as a member of the Home Guard. Fraternally he is connected with Tuscan 
Lodge, No. 360, A. F. & A. M., and the nature of his interests is further indicated in 
the fact that he holds membership in the Bellerive Club and in the Episcopal church. 
He has ever made quick response to the call of opportunity and is possessed of the 
progressive spirit of the age, which never stops short of the achievement of a purpose. 



WILLIAM TROLL. 



William Troll, serving as chief deputy of the sprinkling department of St. Louis, 
in which city he was born December 10, 1868, is a son of the late Henry Troll, who 
was a native of Germany but came to America with his parents in 1847, when but 
eleven years of age. He was born November 26, 1835, at Edenkoben, Rheinptalz, 
Bavaria, a son of Jacob and Margueritta (Weisgerber) Troll. After coming to the 
new world he continued his education in the public schools of St. Louis and in 



74 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

young manhood learned the cooper's trade. During the Civil war he manifested 
his loyalty to his adopted country by early enlisting in defense of the Union cause. 
He served througii the three months' term as a member of the Fourth Regiment 
of Missouri Infantry and then reenlisted at the call for three years' men, going 
into the field with the Second Regiment of Missouri Light Artillery. He was 
promoted to a first lieutenancy in 1863 and served with that rank until mustered 
out in October, 1864, returning to his home with a most creditable military record 
by reason of the valor and loyalty which he had displayed upon southern battle- 
fields, having participated in many of the most hotly contested engagements of the 
war. Following his return to St. Louis he was frequently called upon for public 
service of an important character. In 1868 he was made a member of the board 
of trustees having in charge the Mullanphy Emigrant Relief Fund and for four 
years filled that position. In 1887 he was elected a member of the board of educa- 
tion of St. Louis and for seven years so served, taking most active and helpful part 
in advancing the interests of the public schools. In 1894 he was elected sheriff of 
the city and in 1896 was reelected to that position, serving most capably, his duties 
being discharged without fear or favor. He was a stalwart advocate of republican 
principles, doing everything in his power to promote the growth and success of the 
party, and through an extended period was a leading figure in political circles and 
in connection with civic affairs in St. Louis. At the time of his death he was clerk 
of the circuit court, having served for three years and three months in that position 
when his life's labors were ended on the 1st of March, 1903, at the age of sixty- 
seven years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Fisher, was a native 
of Missouri and was a representative of one of the old families of the state. To 
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Troll were born seven sons and two daughters, of whom William 
was the fourth son. The mother departed this life in 1873. 

William Troll was educated in the public schools of St. Louis and in the Jones 
Commercial College, thus qualifying for life's practical and responsible duties. 
When sixteen years of age he was apprenticed to learn the machinist's trade, which 
he afterward followed as a journeyman for five years. Later he was appointed city 
jailer by Mayor Frederick Kreismann and filled the position for four years. In 
September, 1916, he was appointed to his present position — that of chief deputy in 
the sprinkling department of the city government — and has continuously and ably 
discharged the duties of the office since that time. From 1907 until 1911 he was 
clerk in the office of justice of the peace in the second district and at all times has 
discharged his duties with a sense of conscientious obligation that has made his 
record as a citizen and an oflicial a most commendable one. Like his father he has 
always been a stanch republican in politics and for the past fourteen years has 
served as republican committeeman from the ninth ward. 

On the 21st of December, 1901, Mr. Troll was married in St. Louis to Miss 
Emma Bieber, a native of this city and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Pius Bieber. 
They have become parents of eight children: Edna, Myrtle, Elvia, Lawrence, Harry, 
William, Charles and Melvin, all born in St. Louis. 

Fraternally Mr. Troll is connected with the Woodmen of the World, belonging 
to Magnolia Camp. He is also a member of the Jolly Time Fishing Club, which 
indicates something of the nature of his recreation when his official duties permit 
of leisure and diversion. The name of Troll has long figured prominently in con- 
nection with official service in St. Louis and has ever been a synonym for fidelity 
and capability. 



EDWARD ARTHUR HAID. 



Edward Arthur Haid, who since his admission to the bar on the 1st of August, 
1904, has engaged in law practice in St. Louis, where he was born November 4. 
1881, is a son of Frederick W. and Sophia C. (Kraemer) Haid, who are mentioned 
In connection with the record of George F. Haid on another page of this work. 
Edward A. Haid was a pupil In the Blair school of St. Louis and when a lad of 
between twelve and thirteen years began providing for his own livelihood. His first 
position was that of a bundle boy with the J. L. Hudson Clothing company and his 
original wage was two dollars per week. He worked in that way for six months 




EDWARD A. HAID 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 77 

and afterward became connected with the St. Louis Star, delivering afternoon papers 
for a half year. Subsequently he was office boy for Hon. Elmer B. Adams. United 
States district judge, and while thus employed took up the study of stenography. 
After six months he accepted a position with the Murnane Silvering & Beveling 
company as a stenographer and in 1901 became secretary to the Hon. Amos M. 
Thayer, judge of the United States circuit court of appeals. He began the study 
of law in the Benton Law School, where he completed his course in 1904, and the 
same year was admitted to practice. Resigning his position in connection with 
the United States court he entered the law office of Jones & Hocker, with whom 
he continued for about six months, or until January, 1905, when he began practice 
on his own account, thus spending two years. He next entered the law depart- 
ment of the Frisco Railroad with which he was associated until December, 1912, 
when he was made assistant general attorney of the St. Louis Southwestern (Cotton 
Belt) Railroad. In May, 1915, he was advanced to the position of general attorney 
of the Cotton Belt and so continued until January, 1917, when he resigned and 
entered upon private practice, specializing in railroad law and rate matters. In 
the discussion of legal matters he speaks clearly and to the point, without orna- 
ment, and his success is due to his close analytical work in the office and in the 
court. 

In St. Louis, November 24, 1904, Mr. Haid was married to Miss Princess A. 
Bailey, a native of Ohio and a daughter of Charles T. and Catherine (Wise) Bailey. 
The father, now deceased, was a representative of an old family of Van Wert, 
Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Haid have become parents of three children: Edward C, 
whose birth occurred June 13, 1906; Eula V., who was born March 19, 1908; and 
Lloyd Orr, whose natal day was November 28, 1910. All are natives of St. Louis. 

After America entered the World war Mr. Haid served on the legal advisory 
board of the twenty-eighth ward of St. Louis, was also a member of the intelli- 
gence bureau and took helpful part in the bond sales, the Red Cross drives and 
other war activities. Since attaining his majority he has voted with the repub- 
lican party. He is well known as a member of the Missouri Athletic Association 
and belongs to Grace Methodist Episcopal church, in the teachings of which have 
been found the guiding spirit of his life. 



FREDERICK W. PAPE. 



The office of commissioner of parks and recreation in a city like St. Louis 
requires of any incumbent the possession of certain qualities beyond the mere 
ability to direct the work of improvement and control the management of the 
park system; there must also be that quality of humanitarianism which recognizes 
the needs of the public in the matter of recreation grounds for the young and a 
place that will make its appeal to the better side of nature through its beauty 
and adornment. Well equipped to meet all the requirements of this office Fred- 
erick W. Pape is making an excellent record as one of the public officials of St. 
Louis. He was born in this city March 4, 1877, and is a son of the late William 
C. Pape, also a native of St. Louis, and a grandson of Christian Pape. The family 
was founded in St. Louis at a very early period, or in the '40s. The father was 
reared and educated in this city and after reaching man's estate engaged in busi- 
ness as a florist and landscape gardener, thus following in the business footsteps 
of his father. He was a stanch republican in politics and an active worker for the 
party. For five years he filled the office of general superintendent of the St. 
Louis park department, being the incumbent in that position at the time of his 
death which occurred in 1899, when he was forty-three years of age. His son, 
Frederick W. Pape, was then appointed to fill out the unexpired term and occupied 
the position for three and a half years in the same capacity as his father had 
done. 

Frederick W. Pape was educated in the public schools of St. Louis and when 
a youth of sixteen began working for his father and jn that way acquainted him- 
self with all branches of the business, including work as florist, horticulturist 
and landscape gardener. During the construction of the grounds of the Louisiana 
Purchase Exposition at St. Louis he was assistant to George C. Kessler, the chief 



78 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

landscape architect. He served in that capacity for fourteen months and then took 
up the horticultural business on his own account, giving his attention thereto 
until 1912, when he accepted the position of assistant city forester. He thus served 
until July, 1918, when by promotion he became city forester and acted in that 
capacity until February 1, 1919, when he was appointed to the office of commis- 
sioner of parks and recreation. His training from his boyhood days has fitted him 
for the duties and responsibilities that now devolve upon him. He displays the 
utmost thoroughness and care in the management of the park system and is con- 
stantly studying methods for their improvement and beauty and for the promotion 
of their utility as public playgrounds. His entire period of service in public office 
has been marked by thoroughness and devotion to duty which have won him high 
commendation, and his advancement to his present place was indeed well merited. 

Mr. Pape has been married twice. In St. Louis. November 12, 1902, he 
wedded Miss Mae Miller, a native of this city and a daughter of George C. and 
Josephine (Conlan) Miller. Mrs. Pape passed away in St. Louis. April 8, 1907. 
at the age of thirty years, leaving two children, Raymond and Mae. On the 5th 
of June, 1909, in St. Louis, Mr. Pape was married to Miss Louise Miller, a sister 
of his first wife and also a native of St. Louis. 

In his political views Mr. Pape is a stalwart republican and has been an active 
worker in the party since attaining his majority, now serving as a member of the 
republican city central committee. He belongs to the Lutheran church and is a 
member of Itaska Lodge, No. 420. A. F. & A. M.. and also of Missouri Chapter, 
No. 1, R. A. M. He likewise belongs to the Tower Grove Turner Society. During 
the progress of the World war he was active in the sale of Liberty bonds and also 
made a personal canvass of his locality for Red Cross subscriptions. In fact he 
did everything in his power to assist in financing the war and promoting the work 
■which could be done at home for the support of the soldiers in the field. Mr. Pape 
deserves much credit for what he has accomplished. His father met a tragic death, 
leaving his son, Frederick W., the eldest of six children, as the sole support of 
a widowed mother and the younger members of the family. He bravely took up 
the heavy task that devolved upon him and throughout his entire life has met 
every duty with the same courage, resolution and conscientious purpose. He 
has ever been a man of high ideals, devoted to his profession and is doing much 
good, especially in providing breathing spaces for the poor through the develop- 
ment of the park system and playgrounds in congested districts and thus directly 
benefiting a class hitherto much neglected. 



ALONZO F. BARR. 



Alonzo F. Barr, chief examiner of the efficiency board of St. Louis, Is a man 
of broad vision and splendid executive ability who in his present position passes 
upon the qualifications of all candidates for positions in the classified service of 
his city, of which there are about seven thousand. He has advanced to this position 
by reason of his own ability and without political influence. Mr. Barr was born at 
Florissant in St. Louis county. August 24, 1878. His father, John P. Barr, a native 
of Lorraine, France, came to America in 1832, making his way direct to St. Louis 
and soon thereafter settling in St. Louis county. The voyage to the new world was 
made in company with his parents, Nicholas and Mary Barr, John P. Barr being 
at that time a lad of twelve years. He was educated in a private school of St. Louis 
county and in young manhood purchased farm lands in the vicinity of Florissant, 
there successfully carrying on general agricultural pursuits from 185 6 until the 
time of his death in 1911. He was a Mexican war veteran and served in the 
Doniphan campaign as a private with the artillery. In 184 9, with others, he crossed 
the plains to California, remaining on the Pacific coast during the height of the 
gold excitement there, returning to Missouri in 1855. In 1856 he was married to 
Frances De Salme, a native of St. Louis and representative of an old and prominent 
French family early established in the city. Mrs. Barr, who is still living, has be- 
come the mother of ten children, six sons and four daughters, of whom Alonzo F. 
Is the youngest. But two survive, his brother being Nicholas Barr, also of St. Louis. 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 79 

The death of the father occurred at Florissant, February 28, 1911, when he had 
reached the notable age of ninety-one years. 

Alonzo F. Barr was educated in the public schools of Florissant, in St. Louis 
University and is now attending the St. Louis Institute of Law. Following the 
completion of his college course he took up the profession of teaching which he 
followed in the Florissant public schools for a period of five years. He next entered 
the government service as a postoffice employe, there remaining for fifteen years, 
serving during the latter part of that period as superintendent of the Field station. 
He was then appointed assistant examiner of the efficiency board in April, 1915, 
upon a competitive examination, and was promoted to chief examiner in August, 
1918. He is a tireless worker and conscientious in all of his efforts. He has 
recently made surveys of the largest city departments and as a result of these 
surveys has made recommendations with reference to the conduct of these depart- 
ments, which recommendations have met with uniform favor. He is recognized as 
one of the most competent efficiency experts in America and his reputation has 
brought to him numerous offers of municipal positions from various places through- 
out the United States, including New York on the far east and Los Angeles on the 
west. 

On the 20th of June, 1906, Mr. Barr was married in St. Louis to Anna Hanlon, 
a native of this city and daughter of Mathew and Mary Hanlon, now deceased. Mrs. 
Barr passed away May 12, 1908, at the age of twenty-eight, leaving a daughter, 
Jane Frances, who was born on the 25th of March of that year. 

During the World war Mr. Barr served as a speaker for the Red Cross and 
was also a member of the local war service board of the Knights of Columbus. In 
politics he is a stalwart republican. Of the Roman Catholic church he is a com- 
municant and is a district deputy of the Knights of Columbus. He takes a most 
helpful interest in the work of St. Francis Xavier's church, laboring untiringly for 
his parish. He is a charter member and vice president of the Knights of Columbus 
Choral Club, possessing much natural ability, his voice having been well trained. 
He participates in all the concerts of the Choral Club, which is recognized as one 
of the leading male singing organizations of the country. He is likewise an able 
pianist. As a graduate of St. Louis University, with an A. B. and A. M. degree, he 
is much devoted to educational development in general and to any plans or under- 
takings of his alma mater in particular. The care and protection of young men, 
assisting them to become better and truer citizens, is a matter of deep concern to 
him. He is president of the Catholic Civic Center, which has for its object the 
betterment of citizenship among young men, especially for those away from their 
own homes, and in this connection directs one of the most important activities of 
the present day. His leisure is devoted to the reading of good books and he keeps 
informed on all events of current interest. His literary standards are high and he 
is a clear, logical and forceful writer, while his fund of knowledge and excellent 
voice combine to make him a pleasing and convincing speaker. 



CHARLES M. TALBERT. 



Charles M. Talbert, a capable public official serving as director of streets and sewers, 
and as such as a member of the board of public service of St. Louis, manifesting at all 
times a public-spirited devotion to the general good, was born in Shelby county, Indiana, 
September 27, 1870. His father, William Talbert, was also a native of that state and 
was of French Huguenot and Scotch descent. In 1875 he removed to Barry county, 
Missouri, where he resided to the time of his death in 1895. For many years he 
successfully conducted business as a merchant. During the Civil war he served as 
a member of Company E, One Hundred and Thirty-second Indiana Infantry, participating 
in the fighting in Alabama and other districts of the south. He was a stanch republican 
and for a number of years was chairman of the republican county central committee 
of Barry county. At the time of his death, which occurred when he was fifty-one years 
of age, he was serving as county recorder of deeds. He also served as postmaster at 
Cassville, the county seat of Barry county, during President Harrison's administration. 
His wife, who bore the maiden name of Amanda Carter, was also born in Indiana and 



80 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

passed away in 1878, at the age of thirty years. Their family numbered three daughtei-s 
and a son. 

The latter, Charles M. Talbert, who was the second in order of birth, was edu- 
cated in the public schools of southwestern Missouri and in the State University, which 
he attended from 1891 until 1893. As a youth in the country his life was not unlike 
that ot other country boys. He clerked in a country store, taught school and was 
variously employed. After leaving college he entered the government service, survey- 
ing on the Missouri river, and later he was connected with a city engineering company 
for a year. He was next with the Mississippi river commission in general survey and 
improvement work until 1903, when he became connected with the Louisiana Purchase 
Exposition as construction engineer on the Cascades and when the fair opened he 
was made superintendent of buildings and exhibits in the liberal arts department under 
Colonel John A. Ockerson, thus continuing until the close of the exposition, when he 
became associated with the city government under A. J. O'Reilly, then president 
of the board of public improvements. He acted as assistant to the president and was 
later appointed street commissioner by Hon. Frederick Kreismann, then mayor of St. 
Louis. Later he was appointed to his present position by Mayor Kiel and was reap- 
pointed during the mayor's second term. As a member of the board of public service 
he has been found thoroughly capable, impressing one as a man of great ability and 
thoroughness in his work. He has a broad knowledge of the needs of the city and 
the best methods of working out the solution of its problems with regard to streets and 
sewers as well as to the traffic of the city. He is quick to perceive and analyze, ready 
to act and very efficient, having a remarkable capacity for execution. 

On the 12th of April, 1899, Mr. Talbert was married to Miss Mary Davitt, of St. 
Louis, a daughter of John and Wilhelmina Davitt. Her father was a lumber merchant 
who furnished most of the lumber used in steamboat construction in early days. Mr. 
and Mrs. Talbert have one son, William R., who was born in St. Louis, December 26, 
1899. 

During his college days Mr. Talbert was a member of the Missouri National Guard. 
When this country was a participant in the World war he took an active part in all 
interests to uphold the government and promote the welfare of the army. He served as 
a director of municipal cooperation, publicity division of the eighth federal reserve 
district, was for four years chairman of the public safety section of the National 
Safety Council and served on the legal advisory board. He was a member of the 
executive committee of the Liberty Loan and of the Red Cross executive committee. 
He was given an honor certificate and awarded a silver service belt buckle appropriately 
engraved for his part in the publicity for the fourth Liberty Loan and also a Red Cross 
service button was awarded him for the splendid work he did in behalf of the organiza- 
tion. Many letters of commendation and appreciation were received by him from 
many men high in the offices of the various war organizations on the boards of 
which he served. He has taken a leading part in the movement to create a national 
standard traffic code and his service along this line has been recognized by his 
selection as chairman of the first national conference which was held in Washington, 
D. C, in January, 1921. In politics he is an earnest republican and has been quite 
active in support of the party. Fraternally he is connected with Tuscan Lodge, No. 360, 
A. F. & A. M., has also taken the degrees of the chapter, of the Scottish Rite, of the 
Grotto and the Mystic Shrine. He is a prominent figure in a number ot the leading 
clubs of the city, belonging to the Midland Valley Country Club, Century Club. Riverview 
Club and the Missouri Athletic Association, while along the line ot his profession he 
is connected with the Engineers Club ot St. Louis and is a member ot the American 
Society of Civil Engineers. 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS MORRIS, M. D. 

Dr. Christopher Columbus Morris, a surgeon of St. Louis, was born in Putnam 
county, Indiana, December 27, 1858, his parents being Joseph M. and Sarah E. (Owen) 
Morris. He is a representative of old American families and one of his uncles in the 
maternal line, William Owen, served with the Union army in the Civil war. 

Dr. Morris pursued his early education in the public schools of his native state 
and afterward attended Licking Academy at Licking, Missouri, subsequent to which 




DR. CHRISTOPHER C. MORRIS 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 83 

time he entered the Missouri State University and won the M. D. degree in 1884. He 
has since taken post-graduate work in the New York Polyclinic during the winter of 
1890-91 and in 1S96 Ewing College conferred upon him the Master of Arts degree in 
recognition of his valuable scientific labors. He took up the general practice of medi- 
cine in northeast Missouri, where he remained until 1890, and in 1891 he opened an 
office in St. Louis. In 1893 he organized the St. Louis Baptist Hospital, of which he 
is now superintendent and surgeon in chief. He is recognized as an eminent authority 
on his branch of the profession, his skill and ability being proven in many major 
operations. He has devoted practically his entire time to his profession and is con- 
stantly studying to perfect himself in his chosen life work. In 1906 he took post- 
graduate work in the clinics of London, Berlin and Paris. He is a member of the 
St. Louis Medical Society, the Missouri State Medical Society, the American Medical 
Association, the American Electro-Therapeutic Association and a life member of the 
American Hospital Association. He is also a member of the American Association of 
Railway Surgeons, the Southern Medical Association and Southern States Association 
of Railway Surgeons; consulting surgeon of the Missouri Pacific Railway and substitute 
surgeon of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway. 

On the 17th of June, 1885, Dr. Morris was united in marriage to Miss Willa Raines 
and they became the parents of a daughter, Ina, who is now the wife of J. Travis 
Fleishel, vice president of the Cain-Hurley Lumber Company of St. Louis, Missouri. 
They have two children, Florence and Ina. In 1917 Dr. Morris was called upon to 
mourn the loss of his wife, who passed away on the 5th of October of that year. 

During the war Dr. Morris was chairman of Medical Advisory Board No. 7 of 
St. Louis and also received recognition from the war department for services proffered 
to the Volunteer Medical Service Corps in connection with the Council of National 
Defense. In politics he is a republican where political issues are involved but at local 
elections casts an independent ballot. Fraternally he is a Mason who has taken the 
degrees of both York and Scottish Rites. He belongs to the St. Louis Club and finds his 
chief recreation in golf. His religious faith is that of the Baptist church, his mem- 
bership being with the Second Baptist church of St. Louis, and for the past twenty- 
eight years he has been the superintendent and chief surgeon of the St. Louis Baptist 
Hospital. In this connection he has done a wonderful work for the benefit of man- 
kind and his labors have Indeed been far-reaching and beneficial. He has ever main- 
tained the highest personal as well as professional standards and has always enjoyed 
the fullest confidence and respect of his professional brethren and the general public. 



CHARLES HERTENSTEIN. 



Charles Hertenstein, chairman of the St. Louis efficiency board and prominent 
in union labor circles, has exerted a wide influence over labor organizations because 
he is at all times absolutely square and just. Moreover, he can see both sides of 
a question, and while it is his purpose to do everything in his power for the interest 
of his organization at the same time he deals squarely with other interested parties. 
It is therefore not a matter of marvel that he commands the respect of all who 
know him. 

Mr. Hertenstein is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio. He was born April 15, 1872, 
and is a son of Frederick and Anna Elizabeth (Braun) Hertenstein. The father, 
now deceased, was a native of Switzerland and came to America in the '50s, settling 
in Cincinnati, where he resided until his death, which occurred in 1881 when he 
was forty-eight years of age. In his active business career he was a shoe merchant 
and won substantial success. During the Civil war, however, he served as a soldier 
of the Union army, placing his duty to his country before all other interests. His 
Wife, a native of Germany, came to the new world with her parents in girlhood and 
passed away in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1907, at the age of seventy-two years. Their 
family numbered three sons and two daughters, of whom two sons and a daughter 
are yet living. 

Charles Hertenstein, after attending the public schools until he had mastered 
the work of the grades, entered the Woodward high school of Cincinnati from which 
he was graduated in 1890. His desire to become a professional man led him to 
take up the study of law in the Cincinnati Law School and in 1895 he was graduated 



84 CEXTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

with the LL. B. degree. The same year he was admitted to practice at the Ohio 
bar. Long prior to this time, however, he had provided for his own support. In 
fact at the age of ten years he started out to earn his own living and this he did 
as a newsboy. Later he began working at the printer's trade and from his earnings 
as a journeyman printer he paid his way through college. He was connected with 
the Post Dispatch for twenty years and becoming interested in the question of labor 
organization he joined the St. Louis Typographical Local Union, of which he was 
elected to the presidency, serving now for the twelfth term in that office. He never 
took up the practice of law but his knowledge thereof has been of immense benefit 
to him in various activities in which he has engaged as the years have gone by. 
In 1912 he was elected a member of the board of freeholders and served thereon for 
eighteen months without salary as a patriotic duty, filling the position at the time 
the board drafted the present city charter of St. Louis, which was adopted by a 
vote of the people June 30, 1914. On the 5th of September, 1916, he was appointed 
a member of the St. Louis efficiency board and by the board was elected chairman. 
He served for three years and was then again appointed by the mayor on the 5th 
of September, 1919. for a second three years' term and remains at the head of the 
board, which is doing excellent service In behalf of many public interests which 
come under its jurisdiction. Mr. Hertenstein is also treasurer of the Lincoln 
Housing Trust, an incorporated company the object of which is to assist poor people 
to acquire homes on easy terms and under favorable conditions. 

On the 2d of November, 1895, in- St. Louis, Mr. Hertenstein was married to 
Miss Ida Belle Grayson, a native of Indiana and a daughter of the late William 
Grayson, who was a representative of one of the old families of the Hoosier 
state. Mr. Hertenstein belongs to Keystone Lodge No. 243, A. F. & A. M.; Belle- 
fontaine Chapter, R. A. M.; and to Hope Lodge No. 186, K. P. He is likewise 
a member of the Century Boat Club and of the Riverview Club. He is most chari- 
table and is constantly extending a helping hand wherever it is needed. He makes 
a very convincing speech, being able to present his cause with clearness and force. 
He is essentially a diplomat, possessing sound common sense, and is a a tireless 
worker. He can meet any problem and work it out without contusion, is thoroughly 
reliable and has been successful in everything that he has undertaken. 



H. EDMUND WIEDEMANN. 



H. Edmund Wiedemann, consulting chemist of St. Louis, was born in Harrls- 
burg. Saline county, Illinois, April 1, 1882, a son of Edward W. and Sarah (Diet- 
rich) Wiedemann, the former a native of Germany who came to America in 1849, 
and first settled in Pennsylvania, whence he removed to Illinois- in 1868, estab- 
lishing his home in Harrisburg where he resided to the time of his death, which 
occurred in 1919, he having reached the advanced age of eighty-two years. He 
was a merchant and successfully followed business for an extended period. His 
widow is a native of Pennsylvania and a representative of the old families of that 
state of German lineage, founded, however, in America prior to the Revolutionary 
war. The ancestry can be traced back to John Heiser, who was the great great 
grandfather of Mr. Wiedemann of this review, and who served as a soldier in the 
War for Independence, and Mrs. Wiedemann is still a resident of Harrisburg. By 
her marriage she became the mother of three sons and two daughters of whom 
H. Edmund of this review is the fourth in order of birth. 

At the usual age he began his education in the public schools, passing through 
consecutive grades to the high school of Harrisburg, while later he became a student 
in Rose Polytechnic Institute at Terre Haute, Indiana, from which he was gradu- 
fiteA in 1903 with the degrees of Bachelor of Science, Master of Science and Chemical 
Engineer. Following his graduation he entered upon the practice of his profession 
in St. Louis in 1905. the interval having been spent as a chemist with the firm of 
Morris & Company of Chicago. Since coming to St. Louis he has continued 
in private practice and has been very successful. In 1912 he was employed as 
state chemist by the food and drug department of Missouri, and has since filled 
that position. He was also lecturer on chemistry in the manual training depart- 
ment in the Washington University from 1909 until 1911 inclusive, and since 1910 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 85 

has been the treasurer of the Academy o£ Science in St. Louis. He has contributed 
many articles to scientific journals having to do with his profession. At the time 
of the signing of the armistice he was manager of the explosive section of the St. 
Louis district of the ordnance department, his territory extending to the Pacific 
coast. 

In East St. Louis, Illinois, on the 24th of November, 1910, Mr. Wiedemann was 
married to Miss Amy L. Buchanan, who was born in St. Louis a daughter of Sam- 
uel and Laura E. (Jacobs) Buchanan, representatives of one of the old families 
of St. Louis. Mr. Wiedemann and his wife are members of the Second Presbyterian 
church. Politically he is a democrat when national questions and issues are in- 
volved but in local elections casts an independent ballot. He belongs to Uni- 
versity Lodge, A. F. & A. M., is also a member of the University Club of St. 
Louis, the Sons of the American Revolution, the American Chemical Society, and 
the Engineers' Club of St. Louis. 



I. RAY L. WILES. 



I. Ray L. Wiles, president of the Wiles-Chipman Lumber Company, belongs to that 
class of thorough-going and representative business men whose efforts have been a 
vital force in the upbuilding of St. Louis. He was born in Plattsmouth, Nebraska, 
August 2, 1877, a son of Captain Isaac Wiles, who became a pioneer settler of Nebraska, 
where he followed farming and stock breeding, also engaged in importing thoroughbred 
cattle. He was first lieutenant of Company H, in Colonel Robert W. Furnas' Second 
Regiment, Nebraska Cavalry, organized in the fall of 1862 as a nine months' regiment 
which served about one year. During the greater part of the time it was attached to 
General Sully's command and participated in the campaigns of that general against the 
hostile Indians in western Nebraska and Dakota. At the battle of White Stone Hill, 
in Dakota, in September, 1863, the casualties in the Second Nebraska were seven men 
killed, fourteen wounded and ten missing, five horses killed, nine wounded and nine 
missing. 

Isaac Wiles was also commissioned captain of Company B of the First Regiment, 
Second Brigade, mustered into service August 13, 1864, and served six months of similar 
warfare. His prominence in the public life of the community was manifest in the fact 
that he served in the seventh and twelfth territorial and second, third and fourth state 
sessions of the legislature of Nebraska. Among other things of which he and his family 
may be proud, he entered the bill which provided for the Great Seal of Nebraska, of 
the design and device following: "The eastern part of the circle to be represented by 
a steamboat ascending the Missouri River, the mechanic arts to be represented by a 
smith with hammer and anvil in the foreground, agriculture to be represented by a 
settler's cabin, sheaves of wheat and stalks of growing corn; in the background a train 
of cars heading toward the Rocky Mountains and on the extreme west the Rocky Moun- 
tains to be plainly in view; around the top of the circle to be in capital letters the 
motto 'Equality before the Law' and the circle to be surrounded with the words 'Great 
Seal of the State of Nebraska, March 1, 1867.' " 

Session Laws of the State of Nebraska, 1867, Page 57. 

House Journal of State Legislature of Nebraska, Friday, May 31, 1867, Page 123: 
"Mr. Wiles introduced House Roll No. 41, an act to provide for the seal for the State of 
Nebraska, read the first time." He was also very active in framing the state constitu- 
tion and in many ways he left the impress of his individuality and ability upon the new 
commonwealth taking active part in shaping its destiny and directing its progress. He 
married Nancy Elizabeth Linville, a native of Missouri, born at Robideaux Landing 
and a representative of one of the pioneer families of the state. She died in 1918, at 
the age of seventy-eight years. 

I. R. L. Wiles was the youngest in a family of five sons and five daughters. 
He pursued his education in the public schools of Plattsmouth, Nebraska, and his 
early life to the age of twenty years was spent upon a farm, with the usual experi- 
ences of a farm bred boy. He then started out in the world on his own account, 
and was first employed in the supply department of the Chicago, Burlington & 
Quincy Railroad Company at Plattsmouth. He continued in railroad service for 
twelve years and during a part of this time was with the Chicago, Burlington & 



86 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

Quincy, with the Wabash and with the Missouri Pacific Railroads, and when 
with the last named he was supply agent continuing in the position for a year. 
He then returned to St. Louis and became a stockholder of the O'Neil Lumber 
Company, while subsequently he was elected to the position of vice president. 
In 1916 a change occurred in the organization of the business, leading to the 
adoption of the name of the O'Neil-Wiles Lumber Company, in which Mr. Wiles 
was retained in the office of vice president. Another change in the personnel 
of the house led to the adoption in February, 1918, of the firm name of the Wiles- 
Chipman Lumber Company, at which time Mr. Wiles became the president. TMa 
Is today the largest capitalized lumber business of St. Louis and its volume of 
trade exceeds that of any other lumber firm of the city. The development . of the 
trade is attributable in no small measure to the efforts of Mr. Wiles. When he 
became connected with the lumber industry he studied it from every possible 
standpoint and his enterprise, sound judgment and careful management have 
been dominant factors in the continued growth of the business and its constantly 
expanding success. 

Mr. Wiles was married in Plattsmouth, Nebraska, on the 1st of September, 
189 9, to Miss Grace Ethel Kew, a native of Michigan, and a daughter of William 
and Sarah D. (Place) Kew. To them has been born a daughter, Thelma Delphine, 
whose birth occurred at Plattsmouth, May 26, 1901. 

Mr. Wiles was very active in support of the various Liberty Loan drives during 
the war, and also engaged in the manufacture of material for the government. 
Politically he has always been a republican. He belongs to the Algonquin Club, 
to the Missouri Athletic Association, and to the Christian church, associations 
which indicate much of the nature of his interests and the rules which have gov- 
erned his conduct. His lite record is that of notable advancement from a humble 
position, for he started out as waterboy on the railroad, in connection with railroad 
construction work, between Union, Nebraska, and Omaha. Along the lines of 
steady progression he has reached his present place of prominence as the head of 
the Wiles-Chipman Lumber Company, the leading lumber concern of the city, and 
in 1919 he was honored with the presidency of the St. Louis Lumber Trade Exchange. 
There is no man in St. Louis who is more familiar with the lumber industry nor 
has done more in recent years to promote progress in this field of business than 
has I. R. L. Wiles, whose opinions are accepted as expert and whose activity has 
done much to make St. Louis an important lumber center. 



JOHN R. LIONBERGER. 



In the annals of St. Louis the name of John R. Lionberger figures prominently, 
for as merchant and banker he left the impress of his individuality and ability upon 
the history of city and state. He was born in Luray, Page county, Virginia, 
August 20, 1829, and was in the sixty-fifth year of his age when death ended his 
labors on the 2 0th of May, 1894. His ancestral history was one of close connec- 
tion with a most picturesque and romantic epoch in the development of the new 
world. The Lionberger ancestors were of French Huguenot stock and came to 
the new world with William Penn. The great-grandmother of John R. Lionberger 
was killed in the Indian massacre at Luray Cave and the history of that cave is 
closely interwoven with the history of the family. It was toward the close of the 
eighteenth century that representatives of the name established their home in Page 
county, Virginia, where Isaac Lionberger, father of John R. Lionberger, was born 
and reared. In early manhood he sought the opportunities of the growing west 
and became one of the pioneer residents of Missouri in 183 6. establishing his home 
in Boonville. Cooper county. There he followed general mercantile pursuits and 
was widely recognized as a man of affairs in that section of the state for many 
years. His fellow townsmen, appreciative of his worth and ability, called him to 
the office of sheriff and he also served as judge of the county court, while he was 
also a local director of the old State Bank of Missouri, which at that period was 
the most important banking house west of the Mississippi. Isaac Lionberger wedded 
Miss Mary Tutt, daughter of Philip and Elizabeth (Ashby) Tutt, who were also 
natives of Virginia and were of Scotch-Irish descent. The grandfather in the ma- 




JOHN R. LIONBERGER 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 89 

ternal line was Captain John Ashby, while the grandfather in the paternal line was 
Lieutenant Charles Tutt, both of whom were soldiers of the Revolutionary war, 
entering the army as representatives of the Virginia line. 

Physical and intellectual vigor came to John R. Lionberger as a legitimate in- 
heritance from worthy ancestors. Fortunate is the man who has back of him an 
ancestry honorable and distinguished and happy is he if his lines of life are cast 
in harmony therewith. John R. Lionberger was a worthy scion of his race in per- 
son, in talents and in character. Superior educational advantages were accorded 
him and after attending the Kemper Academy of Boonville, Missouri, he matricu- 
lated in the State University at Columbia, when a youth of sixteen years. There 
he pursued a classical course and on its completion became actively engaged in 
commercial pursuits, conducting a store at Boonville for some time. 

The year 1855 witnessed the arrival of Mr. Lionberger in St. Louis. He was 
well equipped and well trained for life's practical and responsible duties and the 
field of commerce offered in the growing Missouri metropolis was to him an entic- 
ing one. Here he established, under the firm style of Lionberger & Shields, a 
wholesale boot and shoe business and almost immediately became recognized as one 
of the alert, wide-awake and progressive merchants of the city. After two years 
he purchased his partner's interest and for a time carried on business alone but 
afterward was joined by junior partners under the firm style of J. R. Lionberger 
& Company. The house won a wide reputation, enjoying an extensive trade dur- 
ing the middle portion of the nineteenth century, Mr. Lionberger remaining an 
active factor in its control until 1868, when he sold his interest and retired from 
the mercantile field, in which he had won a well merited reputation for high 
character and integrity of purpose as well as for successful management. Soon 
afterward he became actively identified with various enterprises which featured 
prominently in the growth and development of St. Louis and some of which were 
of a semi-public nature. He took helpful part in developing the transportation 
system of St. Louis and in promoting its banking interests and was a leading 
spirit in bringing about the construction of the Eads bridge, serving as one of the 
directors of the bridge company from the inception of the enterprise and also 
as a member of the executive and construction committees. Later he became inter- 
ested in the building of the North Missouri Railroad and its completion to Kansas 
City and the Iowa state line, and for an extended period he was president of the 
St. Joseph & St. Louis Railroad Company. He entered banking circles in 1857 
as one of the organizers of the old Southern Bank, of which he served as a director 
and as vice president. Upon the reorganization of the bank in 1864 under the 
national banking law, and the adoption of the nam© of the Third National Bank 
of St. Louis, Mr. Lionberger continued to be a large shareholder and in 1867 was 
elected to the presidency, thus serving until 1876, when he resigned for the purpose 
of making an extended trip abroad. Upon his return to America Mr. Lionberger 
was elected vice president of the bank and he also became one of the founders 
of the St. Louis Clearing House Association, serving on its first committee of 
management, of which he was made chairman. He was likewise a member and 
director of the Chamber of Commerce and was a member of the building commit- 
tee which had in charge the erection of the Merchants Exchange. He was promi- 
nently known as a representative of the Board of Trade and was twice sent as its 
local delegate to the National Board of Trade. In the later years of his life 
he became associated with the Union Depot Storage & Shipping Company, which 
in 1881 erected an elevator with a capacity of seven hundred and sixty thousand 
bushels of grain. Mr. Lionberger was likewise one of the organizers of the St. 
Louis Safe Deposit Company and he was also interested in the earlier development 
of the street railway system of St. Louis and owned a large block of its stock. 

In 1851 occurred the marriage of Mr. Lionberger and Miss Margaret Clark- 
son, daughter of Dr. Henry Clarkson, of Columbia, curator of the State University 
of Missouri. The children born of this union were: Marion, who became the wife 
of John D. Davis and is now deceased; Isaac H.; Margaret, who married Henry 
S. Potter and has passed away; and Mary, who completes the family. 

In political belief Mr. Lionberger was a democrat, stanchly upholding Jef- 
fersonian principles. His religious faith was that of the Presbyterian church and 
he closely followed its teachings. He was constantly extending a helping hand 
where aid was needed and his life was indeed blessed by reason of the "little 



90 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

ministries that filled the long years." A believer in the brotherhood of man and 
the fatherhood of God, he did everything in his power to ameliorate hard conditions 
of life for the unfortunate and his life was at all times a stimulating influence for 
good among those with whom he was associated. While he has passed on, his 
memory remains as a blessed benediction to all who knew him and is cherished 
In the hearts of all who were associated with him. 



FRANK HERBERT HASKINS. 

Frank Herbert Haskins, specializing in corporation and commercial law, 
who entered upon general practice in St. Louis in 1892, was born in Peoria, Illi- 
nois, January 10, 1867, his parents being L. P. and Juliet S. Haskins. The father 
passed away in 1885 and the mother is now living in Los Angeles, California. 

Frank Herbert Haskins has been a resident of St. Louis since 1874. Hla 
father had engaged in the wholesale grocery business in Peoria and after re- 
moving to St. Louis devoted his attention to the brokerage business. The mother 
comes from an old pioneer family of Illinois well known in Springfield. In the 
family were but two children, the brother being Archie F., who died in 1899. 

Frank H. Haskins was a lad of but seven years when the family came to St. 
Louis, where he remained a public school student until seventeen years of age 
and afterward devoted five years to a law course at Washington University, from 
which he was graduated in 1893 with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. He had 
been admitted to the bar in 1892. His first business experience had come to him 
through seven years' connection with George D. Capen, a well known figure in 
Insurance circles in St. Louis. With his admission to the bar Mr. Haskins entered 
upon the general practice of law and is now giving his attention largely to cor- 
poration and commercial law, being also widely known as a most able counselor. 
He is a deep thinker, a clear reasoner and prepares his cases with the utmost 
thoroughness and care, ^'hile his devotion to his clients' interests is proverbial. 

Mr. Haskins is a member of the Episcopal church and his political allegiance 
Is given to the republican party. He resides at the Missouri Athletic Club, is 
also a member of the Algonquin Golf Club and Automobile Club and has always 
manifested a keen interest in those things which have to do with progress and 
improvement in the city. During the war period he was a government appeals 
attorney and a member of the Home Guard, the age limit preventing him from 
being accepted for active service. He is a 3 2d degree Mason, a Knight Templar, 
and a member of the Moolah Temple of the Mystic Shrine. 



GEORGE SIBLEY JOHNS. 



George Sibley Johns, editor of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, was born in St. 
Charles, Missouri, on the 27th of December, 1857. his parents being John J. and 
Jane A. (Durfee) Johns. In the acquirement of his education he attended private 
grammar schools in St. Charles and later was a student in Kemper's family school 
at Boonville, Missouri. He then entered Princeton University from which he was 
graduated with the Bachelor of Arts degree in 1880 and after completing his 
course there devoted some time to the study of law, with a brief service on the 
Evening News of Philadelphia. In 1882 he turned his attention to journalism, 
establishing the St. Charles Journal which he conducted as editor and proprietor 
until 1883. He then became a representative of newspaper interests in St. Louis 
by joining the reportorial staff of the Post-Dispatch. Through the intervening 
period of thirty-eight years he has been identified with this paper, and two short 
periods with the New York World, advancing steadily through the positions of 
city editor, dramatic critic and managing editor to that of editor, reaching the 
last named position in 1898 and so continuing to the present time. The Post-Dis- 
patch ranks as one of the leading papers of the Mississippi valley, its wide circula- 
tion being due in large measure to the interest in the editorials from the pen of 




FRANK H. HASKINS 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 93 

Mr. Johns. Under his direction the editorial page through its independent policies 
became a powerful influence. 

Mr. Johns has been identified with a number of interests and organizations out- 
side of his special newspaper work. He helped to promote and made the first 
address at the school of journalism at the State University. He has been a member 
of the St. Louis Artists Guild since its inception; has served tor many years on its 
board of directors and was tor several years its president. He is a member of the 
American Federation of Arts. He was chairman of the executive committee and 
supervised the St. Louis exposition of arts and crafts here in November, 1919 — 
the first general exposition of its kind held in America. He served two terms as 
president of the Princeton Alumni Association and was a director of the Western 
Association of Princeton Clubs. Under his presidency and through his efforts 
the building of the Artists Guild was erected. He was one of the founders and the 
first vice president of the St. Louis Art League and has been a member of the board 
of governors continuously. He was one of the organizers and a member of the 
board of directors of the Burns Cottage Association which erected a replica of the 
Burns cottage at the World's Fair with an exhibition of Burns manuscripts and 
relics, out of which subsequently grew the Burns Club with a permanent room in 
the St. Louis Artists Guild. He is vice president of the club. He has been a member 
of the advisory committee of the Pulitzer College of Journalism at Columbia Uni- 
versity, New York, since the foundation of the college. 

He is a member of the University, City, and Sunset Hill Golf clubs. He has 
a country place near St. Louis where he spends most of his leisure time, dividing 
his interest between amateur farming and golf. 



THEODORE J. HARDER. 



Theodore J. Harder, chief rater with the insurance firm of W. H. Markham 
& Company of St. Louis, is a native son of the city in which he resides, his birth hav- 
ing here occurred July 20, 1877. His father, Adam Harder, was born in Germany 
and came to America in 1870. He engaged in the furnace and range business under 
the name of O'Connor & Harder, this being one of the first firms to carry on a business 
of that character in St. Louis. They were located at No. 615 Olive street, where the 
Rfiilway Exchange building now stands. Mr. Harder won a substantial measure of 
success in his business in which he continued active to the time of his death, which 
occurred in 1886. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Emma Hennemann, 
was born in St. Louis, and was a daughter of Theodore F. and Emma (Dieckmann) 
Hennemann. Her father was one of the first locksmiths in St. Louis doing business 
at No. 218 Locust street. To Mr. and Mrs. Harder were born five children, three 
sons and two daughters, of whom Theodore J. is the eldest. The others are Clara, 
the wife of Francis H. Miller, who is an accountant with W. H. Markham & Com- 
pany; Ida, a sister of the Holy Cross at Notre Dame, Indiana; Robert C, a Jesuit 
priest of the St. Louis University; and Albert M. 

Theodore J. Harder was educated in St. .Joseph's school and in the St. Louis 
University, in which he continued his studies for three years. From 1893 until 
1912 he was with the St. Louis Board of Fire Underwriters, beginning as a clerk 
and rising to the position of chief rater. On the 1st of October, 1912, he became 
connected with W. H. Markham & Company, entering their employ as chief rater 
and continuing with them to the present time in that position, which is one of large 
responsibility. His thoroughness and broad experience have well qualified him for 
the important duties that devolve upon him. 

On the 23d of September, 1903, in St. Louis, Mr. Harder was married to 
Miss Isabel Gorla, a daughter of John and Pauline (Valette) Gorla, the former a 
representative of an Italian- family while the latter is of French descent. The mar- 
riage of Mr. and Mrs. Harder was celebrated in the Visitation Catholic church. 
They have become parents of three daughters: Genevieve, born January 23, 1906; 
Marie, December 10, 1907; and Clare, June 17, 1915. 

During the World war Mr. Harder spent much of his time in securing sub- 
scriptions for the various war activities and made an inspection for the government 
of the packing plants and grain elevators. In politics he has maintained an inde- 



94 CEXTEXXIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

pendent course, voting for men and measures rather than parties. He was reared 
In the Catholic faith and is now a communicant of St. Pius church. He also 
belongs to the Knights of Columbus. He has membership in the Zoological Society 
and is interested in all that pertains to the welfare and progress of his city, his 
aid and influence being always given on the side of improvement and advancement. 



WALLACE RENARD. 



Wallace Renard, president of the Renard Linoleum & Rug Company, which conducts 
a large wholesale floor covering business, was born in St. Louis, November 6, 1885, 
and is a son of Louis Renard. 

He spent his youthful days under his parental roof, and his education was in the 
public schools, from which he graduated at the age of about fourteen, and then joined 
his fathfer in work for the firm of Trorlicht, Duncker & Renard Carpet Company, up 
to 1907, following the lines in the floor covering business entirely. 

Shortly after leaving the above firm, he started the firm of the Renard Linoleum 
& Rug Company and has since been active in formulating the policies and promoting the 
growth of this business, which has now been built up as a very strong organization, 
and a corps of efficient office and sales people now surround same, making It very 
successful. 

In St. Louis, on June 5th, 1910, Mr. Renard was married to Miss Lucille Kotan, 
a native of this city and daughter of William and Sophie Kohn, both representatives 
of old families in St. Louis. There are now three children in the family: Louis, Eliza- 
beth and Nina A. • 

Politically he is a republican, and fraternally a Mason, belonging to Corner Stone 
Lodge, also Scottish Rites and Moolah Temple, and also belonging to the Knights of 
Pythias fraternity. His membership relations also extend to various leading clubs, 
including the Missouri Athletic Association, City Club, Columbian Club, Westwood 
Country Club and Sunset Hill, and he greatly enjoys the social features of these organi- 
zations when leisure permits. 



ALBERT H. HAESELER. 



Albert H. Haeseler, a contractor and builder of St. Louis, was born at Bremen, 
Germany, September 5, 1848. His father, the late Albert Haeseler, was prominent 
In the same line of business in Bremen and spent his entire life in his native country, 
passing away in 1866. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Louisa Stremmel, 
was born in Darmstadt, Germany, and in 1874 came to St. Louis where her remain- 
ing days were passed, her death occurring in 1890 when she had reached the age of 
seventy-five. Her family numbered five sons and three daughters. 

Albert H. Haeseler, who was the fourth in order of birth, was educated in the 
public schools of his native city and also in private Institutions. He concentrated 
upon the study of architecture and after completing his preparation for the profession 
traveled in all parts of Germany for a period of three years, working as a builder 
and doing various kinds of architectural work, thus meeting the requirements of 
the country by rounding out his experience in this way. The opportunities of the 
new world attracted him, however, and in 1871 he crossed the Atlantic to the United 
States, arriving in St. Louis on the 2d of September. From that time until 1883 
he was employed as a journeyman in the building line and in that year established 
business on his own account, since which time he has won a well merited reputation 
as a contractor and builder. The thoroughness of his work, his reliability and his 
efficiency have won him steady advancement and during the intervening years he 
has erected many of the most substantial and beautiful homes of St. Louis. He has 
also been the builder of a number of the leading industrial buildings of the city 
and is now engaged on the erection of the largest individual industrial building ever 
erected in the city — the plant of the General Motor company which covers many 
acres. This is one of the most extensive building projects of the west and is the larg- 
est of the company's plants in the United States. Thus Mr. Haeseler has reached the 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 9^ 

position of leadership in connection with the building industry and the substantial 
character and beauty of many of the structures of St. Louis are attributable entirely 
to his labors. 

On the 7th of June, 1893, Mr. Haeseler was married in St. Louis, to Miss Bertha 

Steiner, a native of this city and a daughter of Otto and (Oehler) Steiner. 

Mr. and Mrs. Haeseler have become parents of two daughters: Ella and Irma. 

In 1907 Mr. Haeseler made a long tour through Europe visiting his old home 
and friends and enjoying his trip to many points of historic and modern interest. 
Mr. Haeseler votes for the republican party and belongs to Irvin Lodge, No. 291, 
A. F. & A. M.; to the Royal Lodge chapter; to the Scottish Rite Consistory; and 
to Moolah Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is also connected with the Independ- 
ent Order of Odd Fellows. His has been an active and successful life, and as 
the builder and architect of his own fortunes he has builded wisely and well. 



ROY CARL CANS. 



Roy Carl Gans, civil engineer, connected with the Department of Streets and 
Sewers of St. Louis was born in Ashland, Boone county, Missouri, September 29, 
1877. His father, George Ache Gans, was born near Uniontown, Pennsylvania, 
March 8, 1845 and came with his parents to Missouri from Fayette county, Penn- 
sylvania in 1868 settling near Columbia, Boone county. In later years he resided 
in Columbia where his death occurred January 7, 1919. His wife, Laura Loraine 
(Russell) Gans, was born near Ashland, Boone county. May 19, 1856, her grand- 
parents being among the early settlers of that county. Mrs. Gans now makes her 
home in Parsons, Kansas. She was married in 1872 and became the mother of 
two sons and four daughters, Walter Russell, Roy C, Nora J., G. Loraine, Ruth E., 
and Alma M. 

Roy Carl Gans, the second of the family, was educated in the public schools 
of Ashland and Nevada, Missouri, and in the State University at Columbia from 
which he was graduated in 1901 with the degree of Bachelor of Science in civil 
engineering. He has been engaged in the practice of his profession in various 
branches since his graduation and has been in the employ of the city of St. Louis 
since 1910. He has steadily advanced through various positions in the engineering 
department until promoted in 1918 to the position of Senior Civil Engineer, Depart- 
ment of Streets and Sewers, which he now holds. 

On the 22nd of August, 1902, at Coffeyville, Kansas, Mr. Gans was married 
to Cosette Aleen Davidson, daughter of Marshall and Mary Davidson of Nevada, 
Missouri, who came to Vernon county this state in 1880 from Woodford county, 
Illinois. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Gans are E. Maurine and George M. 

Mr. Gans is a member of the Church of Christ, the outgrowth of the reforma- 
tion movement that was begun about 1809 by Alexander Campbell and others 
at Washington, Pennsylvania, near the home of Mr. Gans' ancestors. 

He gives his political support to the republican party and fraternally is con- 
nected with the Tau Beta Pi. He is a Mason belonging to Itaska Lodge, No. 420, 
A. F. & A. M., and is a member of the American Association of Engineers. Dur- 
ing the World war Mr. Gans was active in the promotion of Liberty Loan and Red 
Cross drives. 



JAMES A. HOOKE. 



James A. Hooke is filling the responsible position of director of public utilities 
for the city of St. Louis. He is a high-minded man of broad vision who has closely 
studied many important public problems and is rendering valuable service in con- 
nection with municipal affairs through the exercise of his official duties. He was 
born in Bourbon county, Kentucky, January 18, 1878, and is a son of James H. 
Hooke, a native of Virginia, where his ancestors had lived through several genera- 
tions, the family being there founded in 1738 by Robert Hooke, who was one of 
the first justices of Augusta county, Virginia, and who had come to this country 



96 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

from Ireland. He was an Englishman by birth but was a student in Dublin 
University prior to his emigration to the new world. Robert Hooke was a planter 
and slaveholder. He served in the French and Indian war of 1755 and commanded 
a Virginia company as captain. 

James H. Hooke, father of James A. Hooke of this review, was reared and 
educated in Virginia and removed to Kentucky about the outbreak of the Civil 
war. He devoted his life to agricultural pursuits and stock raising and passed 
away in 1914, at the age of seventy years, his birth having occurred December 31, 
1844. In early manhood he wedded Josephine Allison, a daughter of John and 
Alta Zera (Ferguson) Allison and a granddaughter of Daniel Sinclair, who was 
a representative of one of the old pioneer families of Kentucky of Scotch descent. 
The mother of James A. Hooke passed away in August, 1919, at the age of sixty- 
six years, her birth having occurred January 9, 1853. 

James A. Hooke, an only child, was educated in private schools and in the 
University of Missouri in which he won his Bachelor of Science degree in 1902. 
Following his graduation he was employed by the Chicago & Alton Railroad and 
during the Louisiana Purchase Exposition at St. Louis in 1904 he was an engineer 
on construction. He has since followed the engineering profession and in 1905 
became connected with the sewer department of the city of St. Louis, thus serving 
until 1913, when he became sewer commissioner. Since 1914 he has been the 
director of public utilities and in this connection has rendered important service 
to the city, directing its interests and promoting its welfare through his various 
activities that have been a public safeguard. 

On the 18th of April, 1906, in Randolph county, Missouri, Mr. Hooke was 
married to Miss Eleanor Lewis, a native of Missouri and a daughter of Richard 
E. and Elizabeth (Hutchinson) Lewis, who were residents of Howard county, this 
state. Her father was a son of Benjamin and Eleanor (Turner) Lewis, who were 
pioneers of Howard county. Richard E. Lewis has passed away, but the mother 
of Mrs. Hooke is still living. 

Mr. Hooke belongs to the University Club, also to the Ridgedale Golf Club, 
to the City Club, the Century Boat Club, the Riverview Club, the Engineers Club 
and the Chamber of Commerce. He is a man of scholarly attainments whose 
vision has never been bounded by a mile radius but who looks at all vital questions 
from every standpoint and who in his public service has never allowed partisanship 
or personal welfare in any way to warp his judgment concerning the public needs, 
conditions and opportunities. 



WILLIAM ELI MINOR, M. D. 

Dr. William Eli Minor is one of the ablest and most successful physicians 
and surgeons of Kansas City, but important as he regards his professional duties, 
there is still another line of activity which features still more largely in his life 
record. Those who know him well — and he has a wide acquaintance — say that 
without invidious distinction he may be termed one of the foremost philanthropists 
of Kansas City, tor he is ever making all other interests subservient to his con- 
tinuous effort to do for his fellowmen and is particularly well known in connection 
with uplift work. He was born in Chillicothe, Missouri, June 8, 1865, a son of 
Preston H. and Lydia A. (Pace) Minor. The father was born in Bourbon county. 
Kentucky, and when about twenty-five years of age became a resident of Chilli- 
cothe, Missouri. The grandfather was a native of Virginia and in young manhood 
removed to Kentucky. The Minors all came originally from Virginia and many 
are still prominently known in that state. One of the number, John B. Minor, 
was for many years president of the University of Virginia and was the author of 
some noted law books. 

Dr. Minor of this review attended the public schools and the seminary at 
Chillicothe and then, having determined upon the practice of medicine as a life 
work, he pursued his studies in St. Louis and in Kansas City, winning his degree 
from the Kansas City University Medical College as a member of the class of 1889. 
Later he took a regular post-graduate course in the New York, Philadelphia and 
Chicago colleges and he also studied in and visited the principal European surgical 




DR. WILLIAM E. MINOR 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 99 

clinics. He has always specialized in rectal and abdominal surgery in Kansas City 
since 1889 and has operated almost exclusively 'at Research Hospital for thirty 
years. He has been physician in charge o£ the Thornton & Minor Sanitarium 
since the death of his father-in-law. Dr. Thornton, in 1895. There are few who 
have more fully met the obligations of man in relation to his fellowmen than has 
Dr. Minor. He is continually striving to assist the individual and promote the 
welfare of the community and there are many tangible evidences of his devotion 
to the public good. He gave liberally of time and money to the Christian Hospital 
and for the past twenty-five years has contributed most liberally to all needed 
buildings at the Research Hospital. He was one of the heavy subscribers to all 
the war drives put over in Kansas City and particularly to the Red Cross drives. 
In all of his activities the needs of the poor are first with him professionally and 
financially and he is continually extending his professional aid when he knows 
that there can be no chance of financial recompense. 

Because he has used his talents wisely and well, because his judgment in 
business affairs is thoroughly sound and his methods progressive and reliable, 
he has become the holder of large real estate interests in Kansas City. It was 
through his activities that the new Federal Reserve Bank secured its location. 
He was also the owner of the Reliance building, which is occupied by the Thornton 
& Minor Institute. This was built by Dr. Minor and is the first solid concrete 
building erected in Kansas City. In fact he formed a most important link in a 
group of public-spirited citizens who have upbuilded and maintained the business 
district of the city, assisting materially and financially in locating many of its 
large buildings, such as the Young Men's Christian Association building, the Inter- 
urban Station and the Federal Reserve Bank. He was likewise instrumental in 
promoting the construction of the Automobile Club building on Oak street. This 
was a pioneer building in concrete construction and is the first building in the 
United States in which was used a fifty-foot concrete girder without steel supports 
or reenforcements, having been erected in 1913. Dr. Minor also has other im- 
portant real estate interests in Kansas City, from which he derives a very gratify- 
ing income that is most wisely and generously used for the benefit of his fellow- 
men. 

In Kansas City, Missouri, in 1888, Dr. Minor was married to Miss Laura B. 
Thornton, daughter of Dr. Thomas W. Thornton, with whom Dr. Minor was in 
partnership until the death of Dr. Thornton about twenty years ago. Her parents 
were stanch and devoted members of the Christian church, as were her grand- 
parents. Her father came to Missouri from Kentucky when a young man and 
her mother's family removed to this state from North Carolina, all being worthy 
and substantial citizens. Dr. and Mrs. Minor have a daughter, Marie Alicia, who 
became the wife of Thomas W. Sanborn and resides in Kansas City, where Mr. 
Sanborn is engaged in the wholesale lumber business. 

Dr. and Mrs. Minor are most loyal members of the Linwood Boulevard Christ- 
ian church and for many years he has served on its board. He is a Knight 
Templar and also a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason and member of the 
Mystic Shrine. He is likewise a charter member of Union Lodge, No. 168, I. O. O. 
F., and he belongs to the Kansas City, Mid-Day, Athletic, Mission Hills, Blue Hills 
Golf and other clubs. He is likewise a member of the Sons of Revolution and 
of various civic organizations. He is leading a most busy life without thought 
of himself, seeking constantly the benefit and good of others. 



WILLIAM A. KLIEFOTH. 



Commercial interests of St. Louis find a worthy representative in 'William A. 
Kliefoth who is now the vice president of the Amos-James Grocery company. He 
has been a lifelong resident of this city, his birth having here occurred December 
7, 1878, his parents being William and Wilhelmina (Grimminger) Kliefoth. The 
father was born in Germany and came to St. Louis in 1856. Here he engaged 
in the newspaper business in connection with the Westliche Post, a German paper, 
and remained an active factor in newspaper circles to the time of his death, which 
occurred in 1881. His wife, who was also born in Germany, crossed the Atlantic 



100 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

to the new world in 1854 in company with her parents and died a half century 
later, departing this life in 1904. 

William A. Kliefoth obtained a public school education but early put aside 
his text-books in order to earn his living. He has worked his way upward through 
various positions with a number of different firms and is now the vice president 
ol the Amos-James Grocery company, so that he is well known in commercial 
circles. He has used his time and talents wisely and well and has neglected no 
opportunity that has presented itself for advancement. In addition to his interests 
in St. Louis he is the vice president of the Bement Rea company of Terre Haute, 
Indiana, and also a director of the Bement & Seitz company of Evansville, Indiana. 

On the 17th of January, 1904, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Mr. Kliefoth was 
married to Miss Martha A. Kuhl, formerly of St. Louis, Missouri, and a daughter 
of Ernest Kuhl, who was in the government service. Mr. and Mrs. Kliefoth have 
one son, William E., who was born August 29, 1911. 

Mr. Kliefoth belongs to the Chamber of Commerce of St. Louis and also to 
the United States Chamber of Commerce. During the World war he was con- 
nected with the inspection department of the food administration and was a most 
generous supporter of the Liberty loan and Red Cross campaigns. He belongs 
to the Sunset Hill Country Club, the Missouri Athletic Association and the Century 
Boat Club and in politics his position is that of an independent republican. There 
have been no unusual, no spectacular and no esoteric phases in his career. His 
record is that of a substantial business man who has pursued the even tenor of 
his way, who has by diligence and determination won success; and the same 
course, followed by others, would produce like results. It is such a course that 
makes substantial citizens who constitute the real foundation upon which is built 
the progress and future prosperity of city and state. 



HOWARD J. RHODUS. 



Howard J. Rhodus is president of the Continental Bank Supply comp'any, 
manufacturers of bank supplies, having the only exclusive house of this char- 
acter in Missouri. They have their headquarters in St. Louis but maintain branch 
houses at other points with a business that extends to all parts of the United 
States, Canada, Mexico and Alaska. A spirit of undaunted enterprise and pro- 
gressiveness characterizes Mr. Rhodus in the conduct of this business and St. Louis 
is proud to number him among her native sons, for he was born in this city Jan- 
uary 22, 1893. His father. Birch F. Rhodus, was also a native of Missouri, as 
was the grandfather, Thomas Rhodus. He was a son of Thomas Rhodus, Sr., a 
native of Ohio, who became one of the pioneer settlers of Missouri where he took 
up his abode in 1807, establishing his home in what was then the little village 
of St. Louis, conducting a furniture store on Main and Pine streets about 1820. 
Thomas' Rhodus, Jr., the grandfather, was engaged in the furniture and tobacco 
business on Main and Chestnut streets, and Birch F. Rhodus was also active in 
mercantile lines for a number of years but is now living retired. The grandfather 
also became president of the Merchants Exchange of St. Louis and was very active 
in civic and public affairs, as well as in the business life of the city. He was also 
a prominent worker in St. Johns Methodist Episcopal church in which he served 
as one of the deacons. In fact the family has borne a most important part in 
promoting the material, intellectual, social and moral development of St. Louis 
through four generations. Birch F. Rhodus was united in marriage to Miss 
Esther Ola Jones, a native of California and of Scotch descent, her people being 
among the pioneers of the Golden state coming originally from Tennessee. Mr. and 
Mrs. Birch Rhodus have become the parents of two daughters. 

Their only son, Howard J. Rhodus, was educated in the public schools of 
Chicago, passing through consecutive grades to the high school and after complet- 
ing his education there started out to earn his own livelihood when a youth of 
sixteen years. He entered the employ of the United States Envelope company 
of Worchester, Massachusetts, in the branch of their business which had been 
established in St. Louis. He continued with this firm for a number of years and 
was afterward with the J. L. Hammett company. Later he organized the Con- 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 101 

tinental Bank Supply company and has been the president since its incorporation 
In 1919. The business was established in 1914 and Mr. Rhodus has continuously 
been a most important factor in the development and extension of the trade which 
now covers very wide territory embracing the entire North American continent. 
The business methods of the house have always been such as would bear the closest 
investigation and scrutiny, and undaunted enterprise and progressive methods have 
characterized the conduct of the undertaking, making it one of the foremost busi- 
ness concerns of St. Louis. 

In his political view Mr. Rhodus maintains an Independent course. He is 
much interested in civic affairs, has taken an active part in promoting woman's 
suffrage, and was chairman of the speaker's committee and a member of the ex- 
ecutive committee in connection with the bond drives during the war. He has 
been a most active and earnest worker in behalf of the Young Men's Christian 
Association and his cooperation and aid can always be counted upon to further 
any plan or measure for the general good. He belongs to Trinity Lodge, No. 241. 
A. F. & A. M., and also has membership with the St. Louis Club, the Advertising 
Club, the St. Louis Salesmanship Association of which he is a director, and the 
Chamber of Commerce. The guiding spirit of his life is found in the teachings 
of the church, his membership being in St. John's Methodist Episcopal church. 
South, and in various departments of its work he has taken a most helpful interest, 
being now assistant superintendent of the boy's work. His life record should 
serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement to others, showing that the 
building of a fortune and building of character are not at variance, but that success 
and an honored name may be won simultaneously. He started out in the business 
world with little capital and made steady progress, winning an enviable position 
in the attainment of prosperity and the regard of his fellowmen. He finds his chief 
diversion in hunting and has gone to the wilds of many parts of the United States 
and has also hunted large game in Alaska. He is a representative of one of the 
oldest and most honored St. Louis families and his entire course is in harmony 
with the ancestral record which has made the name of Rhodus a synonym for esteem 
and respect throughout St. Louis. 



HERBERT S. GARDNER. 



Herbert S. Gardner, president of the Gardner Advertising Company of St. Louis, 
was born December 22, 1872, in Warsaw, Missouri, his parents being Nicholas S. 
and Susan Frances Gardner. The father was a merchant of Warsaw, Missouri, at 
one time and afterward lived at Appleton City, Missouri, where he continued in 
business for a number of years. In 1887 he came to St. Louis and was associated 
with the Brown Dougherty Company, in the wholesale dry goods business. In 
later years he retired and passed away in 1891. For several years he was a member 
of the state guard of Missouri. His wife was the daughter of John M. Holmes of 
St. Louis, who died when Mrs. Gardner was but a small child, and she afterward 
made her home with her uncle, Charles Holmes, who was a well known citizen of 
St. Louis, where he engaged in business as a cracker manufacturer and dealer. 
Mrs. Gardner survives her husband and yet resides in St. Louis. 

Herbert S. Gardner, of this review, was educated in the public schools of 
St. Louis and at the old Polytechnic school, then located at Seventh and Chestnut 
streets. He afterward worked in the public library under Frederick Crunden, who 
was librarian for a number of years. In November, 1888, he entered the employ 
of the Frisco Railway Company, in the accounting department, doing clerical work 
and thus continuing until January, 1894, when he accepted a position in the general 
passenger department of the Cotton Belt Railroad in St. Louis. There he continued 
until October, 1902, and during that time was chief rate clerk for the road. Sub- 
sequently he was appointed advertising agent of the company. On the 1st of 
October, 1902, he went to the H. E. Lesan Advertising Company of St. Louis, as 
office manager, and in 1903 was promoted to the position of secretary of the com- 
pany. In 1904 he was elected to the vice presidency. In 1907 the Lesan Company 
and the Gould Directory Company consolidated and Mr. Gardner became vice presi- 
dent of the new corporation, but in July, 1908, the Lesan-Gould Company dis- 



102 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

organized and the business was reorganized into separate units. Out of one of these 
Mr. Gardner developed the present Gardner Advertising Company, of which he has 
since been the president and executive head. In 1911 he organized the Trimplex 
Sales Company and was also chosen president of the new corporation. In 1914 he 
still president. In these various business connections he has displayed marked 
enterprise, capable management and keen discernment, leading to the attainment 
became the organizer of the Wizard Lightfoot Appliance Company, of which he is 
of substantial success. 

In January, 1918, Mr. Gardner was appointed director of publicity for the 
eighth federal reserve district in charge of the Liberty Loan publicity, and so con- 
tinued without compensation through the third, fourth and fifth Liberty Loans. 
Under his management in these three loans, the eighth district was the first to 
reach its quota, resulting in nation-wide publicity for St. Louis. In 1919, as a 
result of his achievement, Mr. Gardner was presented with the Wilkinson cup, which 
was offered to that member of the Advertising Club of St. Louis who did the most 
for the city, state and nation in advertising during the preceding twelve months. 
In 19 20 he was elected honorary secretary of the American Association of Adver- 
tising Agents. During the progress of the World war he was also director of 
publicity for the Y. M. C. A., Red Cross and the United War Work drives in 
Missouri. Aside from his business affairs already mentioned, he is one of the 
directors of the American Trust Company. 

On the 8th of April, 1896, Mr. Gardner was married to Miss Mary Piatt Read, 
a daughter of Edward M. Read, a retired piano dealer and well known citizen of 
St. Louis. Mr. and Mrs. Gardner have three sons: Edward Read; Herbert S. and 
Charles H. The son Edward was graduated from Princeton University in 1919 
and is now associated with his father in business, while the younger sons are now 
in school. Mr. and Mrs. Gardner occupy a beautiful home at No. 13 Kingsbury 
Place. 

Mr. Gardner has been a resident of St. Louis since 1887, or for a period of 
more than a third of a century, and has kept pace with the city's growth in every 
particular, in fact he has contributed in no small measure to public progress and 
improvement. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and cooperates in 
all of its plans and projects for the city's upbuilding and for the promotion of civic 
interests. He is likewise a member of the Salesmanship Club of St. Louis. He 
belongs to the Pilgrim Congregational Church and is a member of the state executive 
board of the Missouri Sunday School Association. He is likewise a well known 
figure in social circles, belonging to the Noonday Club, the Missouri Athletic Club, 
the City Club, the Bellerive Country Club and the Advertising Club of St. Louis. 
He has never been a negative quantity in any relation. His positive nature, his 
laudable ambition, his determination and his energy have brought him prominently 
to the front and he has accomplished what he has undertaken, while at all times 
his efforts and labors have been of a character that have contributed not only to 
individual success and advancement hut also to the public good. He today occupies 
a central place on the stage of activities in St. Louis. 



THOMAS J. SWEAZEA. 



Thomas J. Sweazea, of St. Louis, was born on his father's farm in Reynolds 
county, Missouri, October 14, 1870. He is a grandson of William Sweazea, a native 
of Tennessee, who removed to Missouri in 1808, becoming one of the pioneer settlers 
of the state. He located near the Black river, where he entered and purchased a 
large and fertile tract of land, which he tilled and developed and on which he 
made his home until his death in 1850. His son, William Sweazea, born in Mis- 
souri in 1832, was reared in Wayne county, where he started in the business world 
as a farmer, cultivating first a small tract of land on the Black river. In 1865 he 
removed to Reynolds county, where he purchased other land and thereon spent 
his remaining days in the cultivation and improvement of his farm, which he de- 
veloped into a valuable and productive property that was devoted to the raising of 
grain and live stock. Thereon he died in 1901 and in his death the community 
lost one of its substantial and highly respected citizens. He married Amanda Mann, 




THOMAS J. SWEAZEA 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 105 

of Reynolds county, who was born in 1832, a daughter of George Mann, a native 
of South Carolina, who in early life removed westward, establishing his home in 
the Black river district of Missouri. His daughter, Mrs. Sweazea, passed away 
in 1880, at the age of forty-eight years. Both Mr. and Mrs. William Sweazea were 
devout and consistent members of the Baptist church and in that faith they reared 
their family. They were parents of the following named: William A., a resident o£ 
Wayne county; Sophronia, the wife of Robert Benson, of Alabama; and Margaret, 
the wife of M. L. Sanders, of Leeper, Missouri. 

The other member of the family is Thomas J. Sweazea, whose name introduces 
this review. He lived upon his father's farm in his boyhood days and attended the 
public schools until he reached the age of twenty, when he entered Carleton College 
at Farmington, Missouri, there remaining as a student until 1893. He then took 
up the profession of Teaching, which he followed successfully, imparting readily 
and clearly to others the knowledge that he had acquired. In 1895 he was elected 
county commissioner for a term of two years and in 1902 was elected county clerk 
of Reynolds county by a large majority in which position he served one term. Still 
higher political honors awaited him, for in 1907 he was chosen by popular suffrage 
as representative of Reynolds county in the forty-fourth general assembly, and his 
wise counsel on legislative and public matters is stUI a matter of comment. He 
carefully considered all the vital questions which came up for settlement and lent 
the weight of his aid and influence to further progressive legislation. At the close 
of his service as a member of the assembly he removed to Salem and studied law 
until admitted to the bar in 1909. He then removed to Piedmont, where he opened 
a law office and entered upon active practice. While there residing he filled the 
position of secretary and member of the Piedmont school board and rendered val- 
uable service in developing and improving the school system of that place. He is still 
the owner of land in the vicinity of Piedmont. 

On the 6th of June, 1895, Mr. Sweazea was married to Miss Ella Malloy, a 
daughter of John and Mary (Warren) Malloy, of Wayne county. Their children 
are: Doyle J., who is employed by the Frisco Railroad Company; Pearl, who was 
graduated from the Central high school in 1918 and who is now taking private 
vocal lessons; Ava, who was graduated from the McKinley high school in Janu- 
ary, 1920, and from the Perry School of Oratory in June, 1920, and is now a stud'ent 
In the art department of Washington University; and Opal T., who is a student in 
the McKinley high school and is also studying music. The religious faith of the 
family is that of the Baptist church and in political belief Mr. Sweazea is a democrat. 
He is a representative of pioneer families in both the paternal and maternal lines — 
families long connected with the development of the state. He came to St. Louis 
in April, 1912, and since that time has been engaged in the practice of law and 
in the real estate business. He has made for himself a creditable position in both 
business and professional circles. 



CHARLES YEATMAN CARR. 

Charles Yeatman Carr, who since 1893 has been engaged in the insurance 
in St. Louis, was born September 18, 1872, at Glencoe, Missouri, hia 
parents being Alfred and Angelica (Yeatman) Carr. In the acquirement of his 
education he attended Smith Academy of St. Louis and also the Eastman Business 
College of Poughkeepsie, New York. He started out in the business world in 
connection with insurance interests in 1893 when a young man of twenty-one years, 
and in the following year became identified with the firm of Carr Brothers. In 
this connection he has so directed his efforts and energies that notable success 
has been achieved. He is familiar with all phases of the insurance business and 
has won a large clientage, while at the same time he has extended his efforts into 
other fields, becoming the secretary of the General Equipment company, the secre- 
tary of the Manufacturers' Equipment company, a director of the United Elevator 
& Grain company and a member of the Merchants Exchange. 

In St. Louis, in March, 1899, Mr. Carr was married to Miss Virginia Scudder, 
a daughter of Charles Scudder. Their religious belief is that of the Episcopal 
church and Mr. Carr is identified with the democratic party, to which he has given 



106 Ci:.\TEX\-IAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

his political support since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. During 
the time when America was at war with Germany he served as a member of the 
executive bureau of the aircraft service in the eastern division at New York. He 
belongs to the St. Louis and Noonday Clubs and is identified with various hunting 
and fishing clubs, associations which indicate the nature of his recreation and 
diversion, for to those pursuits he turns when business admits of a leisure hour. 



BYRON NUGENT. 



There is something inspiring in the life record of such m.en as Byron Nugent, of 
whom it was said, "Coming to St. Louis thirty-five years ago there was no time in 
the interval from 1873 to the day of his death in 190S when Byron Nugent was not 
a force for progress in the life of this community." For many years he was actively 
engaged in the dry goods business and became equally prominent as a factor in financial 
circles but the attainment of success was only one end and aim of his life. He always 
recognized and met his obligations to his fellowmen and his duties of citizenship and 
thereby became one of the valued and honored residents of St. Louis. 

Mr. Nugent was born in Marysburgh, Prince Edward county, Ontario, July 1, 
1842. and was a son of Thomas and Eleanor A. (Morgan) Nugent. At the usual age 
he became a pupil in the public schools and later attended Victoria College, at Coberg, 
Ontario. He was a young man of twenty-one years when he made his initial step in 
the business world by accepting a clerkship in the store of Robert Carrie, a Scotch 
merchant of St. Thomas, Ontario. He afterward went to New York City where he 
was employed by the firm of Lord & Taylor, from 1865 until 1867. He then visited 
his old home in Canada and one day met on the street an old friend who said he 
was going to Chicago. Mr. Nugent was then on his way to a telegraph office to wire 
acceptance of a position in New York but instantly changed his mind and that night 
accompanied his friend to Chicago. Thus he took his place in the commercial de- 
velopment of the middle west where he was later destined to play an important part 
In the business development and upbuilding of the section. He soon secured a situa- 
tion in the wholesale house of Bowen, Hunt & Winslow, which went out of existence 
soon after the Chicago fire. 

In 1869 Mr. Nugent established business on his own account by opening a small 
store in Mt. Vernon, Illinois, where he was joined by his brother, Morgan Nugent, 
who passed away in 1870. It was in March, 1873, that Byron Nugent sold his store 
in Mt. Vernon and cast in his lot with the business men of St. Louis where he purchased 
a small store formerly owned by James Barron, at the southeast corner of Broadway 
and Franklin avenue, and conducted it under the style of B. Nugent from 1873 to 
1878. Here he later admitted to partnership his three brothers, James G., Daniel C. 
and Charles W. Nugent,- all of whom are now deceased except Daniel C. Business 
was carried on for a time under the firm style of B. Nugent & Brothers, and in 1899 
their interests were incorporated under the name of B. Nugent & Brothers Dry Goods 
Company, of which Byron Nugent became president and so continued until his life's 
labors were ended in death. His careful direction of the business, his well laid plans 
and his unfaltering enterprise proved effective elements in the attainment of notable 
success. The integrity of his methods combined with his determination to bring desired 
results in all of his business affairs. Aside from his commercial pursuits he became' 
a director of the Boatmen's Bank of St. Louis and his name was ever an honored 
one on commercial paper. 

In January, 1873, Mr. Nugent was married to Miss Julia Lake, of Nunda, New York, 
and they became the parents of three sons: Edwin T., Byron and Julian L. It is said 
that Mr. Nugent was never happier than when he gathered around him at his firseside 
his wife and children as evening came on and put behind him the cares and perplexities 
of business. In his later years he traveled extensively and gained comprehensive 
knowledge of the lands and peoples that he visited, for he was a close observer and 
possessed a most retentive memory. He had a most interesting way of recounting 
his reminiscences of his travels and was at all times an entertaining talker. 

Mr. Nugent belonged to the Episcopal church and his life was ever the expression 
of high ideals. He held membership with the St. Louis Country and Noonday Clubs, 




BYRON NUGENT 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 109 

also belonged to the Mercantile Club and to the St. Louis Retail Merchants Associa- 
tion which at his death expressed regret in a fitting memorial, as follows: 

"Resolved, that in the death of Byron Nugent, our association, the retail business 
men of the city and of the county and the city of St. Louis have suffered a loss which 
it is difficult to estimate. For more than a generation he has stood in the front rank 
of merchants in this vicinity for success, integrity and public spirit. High character, 
untiring industry and unswerving devotion to the interests of the city have made 
his name and the name of his business universally known. We mourn his loss and 
desire these words to express as best we may our appreciation of what his life has meant 
to us, his business friends with whom he has so long associated in friendly endeavor. 

"Resolved, that the retail merchants be requested to close their stores on Tuesday, 
April 7, between two and three P. M., the hour of the funeral.' 

One of the local papers said at his death, "Of a numerous family of strong men, 
from a sturdy Canadian race, the merchant who passed from the scenes of his activity 
on Saturday, April 4, 1908, was in a sense a pioneer. His little place of business of 
thirty-five years ago was opened at a time when St. Louis was yet merely, 'promising" 
and it was men of the Nugent type that made the promise good in the brilliantly suc- 
cessful development of this day. Byron Nugent was active in a broad way publicly 
and in an effective way in his private beneficences. Uncompromising in truth, sym- 
pathetic in disposition, unsusceptible to flattery, he was a man of sterling qualities 
and unreserved in friendships once made. Always forceful in his public spirit and 
disinterested in his devotion to the welfare of the community, positive in decision, 
contemporaneous with the spirit and progress of his time, aristocratic by nature but 
a plain man by act and by tendency, he lived a life worth living, a credit to his name 
and to his city. His passing to the tomb leaves an indelible impress upon the activities 
of St. Louis and in the hearts of those who knew him." 



MARTIN WBNZEL. 



Martin Wenzel, president of the H. Wenzel Tent & Duck Company, was born 
in St. Louis, January 29, 1881, and has made for himself a creditable position among 
the younger business men of his native city. He is a son of Herman Wenzel, who 
was born in Germany in 1849 and who came to America in 1870, when twenty-one 
years of age, settling first in Springfield, Massachusetts. He arrived In St. Louis 
in 1873 and here engaged in the manufacture of tents, awnings and canvas. In 
1887 he organized the H. Wenzel Tent & Duck Company and continued active in 
the business until on account of age he retired. He started in a small way but 
developed the business to one of the largest enterprises of the kind, displaying at 
all times keen sagacity, sound judgment and indefatigable enterprise. He married 
Emma Buch, a native of St. Louis, in which city their marriage was celebrated, 
and to them were bom two sons and three daughters. 

Martin Wenzel, whose name introduces this review, was educated in the public 
schools of St. Louis and after his textbooks were put aside he began learning the 
business with his father. It is true that he entered upon a business already estab- 
lished, but in enlarging and controlling this many a man of less resolute purpose 
and of more restricted ability would have failed. He has on the contrary improved 
methods and promoted his interests until his concern is one of the foremost of the 
kind in the middle Mississippi valley. They are now making a specialty of auto- 
mobile tents and goods of similar character and their output is shipped all over 
the United States and Canada. Upon his father's retirement Martin Wenzel was 
elected to the presidency of the company in 1915 and has since remained its direct- 
ing head, shaping its policy and promoting its growth. He is also a director of the 
Briell-Rodgers Cotton Goods Company and of the Detring Real Estate Company. 
During the war period the factory of the H. Wenzel Tent & Duck Company was 
utilized almost entirely in making tents and tarpaulins for the government. 

In 1905, in New York city, Mr. Wenzel was united in marriage to Miss Adele 
Wenzel, a cousin, and they have become parents of three children: Esther, Edith 
and Adele. In his political views Mr. Wenzel has always been a stalwart republican 
since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He belongs to the Masonic 
fraternity and has attained the Knight Templar degree in Ivanhoe Commandery. 



110 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

In religious faith he is a Protestant. He belongs to the Midland Valley Country 
Club, to the Tower Grove Turnverein, to the National Tent & Awning Association, 
to the Chamber of Commerce and the Credit Men's Association, and he is widely 
and favorably known in both social and business circles. 



LUCILLE E. WEPFER. 



There is scarcely a field of business into which woman's activities have not 
penetrated within the last few decades, and in no field where intellectual effort, 
concentration and sound judgment are required has she failed. Occupying a unique 
position in connection with the productive industries of St. Louis are Miss Lucille 
E. Wepfer and her sister, Miss Marion J. Wepfer, the latter being the president 
and the former the vice president of the C. Damhorst Soda Water Company. Miss 
Lucille E. Wepfer was born in St. Louis, June 9, 1900, and mention is made of 
her parents in connection with the sketch of her sister, Marion J. Wepfer, on another 
page of this work. She spent her girlhood days under the parental roof and pursued 
her education in St. Mark's parochial school, while later she attended the Visitation 
Academy. She then entered her father's establishment, for he was for a long time 
the president and treasurer of the C. Damhorst Soda Water Company, with which 
he had been associated at an early day as an employe. Gradually, however, he had 
worked his way upward until he acquired the ownership of the business and re- 
mained at its head until his demise. His daughters were trained to this work and 
gained comprehensive knowledge of and familiarity w'ith the business, so that they- 
were well qualified to take over its control when the father passed away. Both 
are recognized as young women of excellent business ability, of keen sagacity and 
sound judgement and they have made for themselves a very creditable name and 
place in manufacturing circles. 



MARION J. WEPFER. 



Miss Marion J. Wepfer is the president and treasurer of the C. Damhorst Soda 
Water Company of St. Louis and is a business woman of excellent executive ability 
and of unfaltering enterprise. She was born in this city October 22, 1892, a 
daughter of Augustave A. Wepfer, whose birth occurred in Hamburg, Jlissouri, 
but who came to St. Louis when a young man. Here he engaged in business in 
connection with the Casper Damhorst Soda Water Company and became thoroughly 
familiar with every phase of the trade. Eventually he became general manager and 
afterward purchased the plant. In September, 1901, the business was incorporated 
under the name of the C. Damhorst Soda Water Company, of which Mr. Wepfer 
was the president and treasurer until his death, which occurred on the 2 7th of 
August, 1910. This Is one of the oldest established business enterprises of the kind 
in the city. The mother, Albertina (Faessler) Wepfer, was born in Zurich, Switzer- 
land, and was brought to the United States at the age of ten years by an aunt, who 
settled in St. Louis. In 1890 she became the wife of Augustave A. Wepfer and 
she passed away in this city May 8, 1905. 

The daughter, Marion J. Wepfer, was educated in the Sacred Heart convent^ 
at St. Louis, Missouri, and in the Loretto Academy of St. Louis, from which she 
was graduated in 1911. After leaving school she became associated with the C. 
Damhorst Soda Water Company as the secretary and in May, 1914, following the 
death of her father, she was elected president and treasurer of the company. In 
the meantime she had gained a thorough and comprehensive knowledge of the busi- 
ness in every particular and is well qualified to manage this concern, which is 
today one of the oldest of the kind in St. Louis. The business is of very gratifying 
proportions and the success of the undertaking in the past few years is attributable 
in very large measure to the efforts, the understanding and the executive ability 
of Miss Wepfer. 

During the World war Miss Wepfer was a member of the Red Cross. She belongs 
to St. Mark's Catholic church, in the faith of which she was reared. She has always 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 111 

lived in St. Louis and has a wide acquaintance here, being highly esteemed by many 
friends who have known her from her early girlhood, while her business experiences 
have brought her the respect and esteem of many with whom commercial transac- 
tions have brought her in contact. 



WILLIAM J. KINSELLA, Jr. 



Throughout his entire business career, William J. Kinsella, Jr., has been 
Identified with the coffee and spice trade and, steadily working his way upward as a 
result of his developing powers and increasing business ability, he is now the 
president of the Hanley & Kinsella Spice Company of St. Louis. He is a native son 
of this city, born September 18, 1881, his father being William J. Kinsella, Sr., 
who was prominently known for many years as a merchant and manufacturer of 
St. Louis. He was born in Carlow, Ireland, June 9, 1846, a son of Patrick and 
Ellen (Keating) Kinsella, the former a leading architect of Ireland. The son 
attended St. Patrick's College at Carlow and started upon his business career in 
the wholesale house of A. F. McDonald & Company of Dublin, Ireland. He was 
employed in his native land to the age of nineteen years, when he crossed the 
Atlantic and sought a position in the large mercantile house of A. T. Stewart of 
New York. There was no position suitable to his ability that was vacant at the 
time so he began wrapping parcels but not long afterward obtained a better 
position with Hamilton, Easter & Sons of Baltimore, Maryland. In 1870 he estab- 
lished a grocery business in Cleveland. Ohio, in company with his brother Edward 
J. Kinsella, and in the year 1874, William J. Kinsella removed to St. Louis, where 
he entered the employ of Porter, Worthington & Company. He was later offered 
a position as business manager of the St. Louis office of the Kingsford Oswego 
Starch Company, and he displayed such ability that he drew the attention of the 
Thompson-Taylor Spice Company of Chicago and in 187 9 was placed in charge 
of their St. Louis business. Two years later he purchased the business and in 
1881 organized the firm of William J. Kinsella & Company, developing a mammoth 
trade as the years passed. In 1886 the business was incorporated under the name 
of the Hanley & Kinsella Spice Company with a capital stock of two hundred and 
fifty thousand dollars, Mr. Kinsella becoming president and treasurer of the cor- 
poration. In time the firm's two large factories covered an entire block on Spruce 
street and contained a floor space of one hundred and twenty thousand square 
feet, while the annual sales amounted to a million and a half dollars, their trade 
extending throughout the entire west and southwest, making St. Louis one of the 
leading spice markets of the world. The business ability, the sound judgment and 
unfaltering energy of Mr. Kinsella were the effective forces which brought about 
the desired result, and for a long period he occupied a prominent position among 
the leading business men of St. Louis. He was, moreover, a most public-spirited 
citizen and gave his hearty aid and cooperation to all movements for the general 
good. He was likewise president and vice president of the Western Commercial 
Travelers Association and belonged to the Associated Wholesale Grocers & Busi- 
ness Men's League, to the Mercantile, Noonday and St. Louis Clubs, to the Royal 
Arcanum, to the Knights of St. Patrick and to the Latin-American Club, of which 
he was vice president. Aside from his coffee and spice business he became inter- 
ested in banking and was a director of both the Mechanics National Bank and 
the Mercantile Trust Company. He became one of the directors of the Louisiana 
Purchase Exposition and was appointed chairman of the committee of mines and 
metallurgy and a member of the ways and means committee. It was said of him 
that he possessed marked characteristics which commanded the respect of his 
fellowmen, combining a dignified manner with a simplicity and personal magnetism 
which won him a large circle of friends. In 1880 he married Nellie M. Hanley, 
a daughter of Lawrence Hanley of New York city, and they became parents of 
two sons and a daughter: William J., Dalton L. and Ella Marie. The death of 
the father occurred in 1918. 

The elder son, William J. Kinsella, Jr., was educated in the St. Louis Uni- 
versity and in the Notre Dame University at South Bend, Indiana, from which 
he was graduated in 19 00. He then began learning the coffee and spice business 



112 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

In connection with the firm of which his father was the head and worked his way 
upward through various positions eventually becoming superintendent, later vice 
president and in 1918, upon the death of his father, he was elected to the presi- 
dency. During the World war period the plant was a government licensed plant, 
furnishing supplies for the army and navy for the United States and for overseas. 
In 1908 Mr. Kinzella was married in Chicago to Miss Majorie Meacham, a 
daughter of F. D. Meacham of that city. They are members of the Catholic church, 
attending services at the cathedral. In politics Mr. Kinsella maintains an inde- 
pendent co"urse, voting according to the dictates of his judgment, and in all mat- 
ters of citizenship his attitude is a progressive one, for he is interested in all that 
pertains to the city's welfare and progress. At the same time he has made an 
excellent record as a forceful and resourceful business man, one of whom by rea- 
son of innate powers and developing ability has reached a prominent position, 
whereby St. Louis has become one of the greatest spice and coffee markets in the 
country. 



WILLIAM CHRISTY BRYAN. 

Following his graduation from the St. Louis Law School as a member of the 
class of 1894, William Christy Bryan entered upon the practice of his profession in 
St. Louis, where he has since continued, advancing steadily from that dreary novi- 
tiate which usually awaits the young member of the bar to a place of prominence 
In professional circles, his life record standing in contradistinction to the old adage 
that "a prophet is never without honor save in his own country." A native of St. 
Louis, William C. Bryan was born on the 6th of April, 1868, and is descended from 
an old and prominent family of North Carolina, in which state his grandfather, 
the Hon. John H. Bryan, was born and reared. He became a distinguished lawyer 
there and member of congress from his district from 1824 until 1828. He then 
declined reelection, but although he retired from official life, his labors and 
opinions continued to be an influencing factor on public thought and action In 
his state, and when he passed away the state government requested permission to 
hang his picture In the capitol at Raleigh. 

His son. Francis T. Bryan, also a native of North Carolina, was a West Point 
student, being there graduated with the class of 1846, after which he did active 
duty with the topographical engineering corps until 1861, when he resigned, having 
in the meantime surveyed the line between North Carolina and Virginia, also the 
proposed ship canal route across Florida and the present route of the Union 
Pacific Railroad. He likewise made early government surveys of much of the 
western country and was thus in the vanguard of that movement which opened 
up the great west to the influences and labors of civilization. He served as a 
soldier of the Mexican war and was brevetted lieutenant for gallantry and good 
conduct at the battle of Buena Vista. Subsequently he was in action against the 
Indians. In 1855 he was stationed in St. Louis, where his remaining days were 
passed. In early manhood he wedded Edmonia Taylor, a daughter of Nathaniel 
P. and Matilda Nicholas (Christy) Taylor, the latter a daughter of William 
Christy, who was a distinguished citizen of St. Louis and in whose honor the sub- 
ject of this review was named. His old home, erected in 1814 at Second and Monroe 
streets, is still standing, one of the Interesting early landmarks of the city. There 
was also an interesting military chapter in his life record, for he served under 
command of Generals Wayne and St. Clair in the Revolutionary war and participated 
in the expedition against Vincennes, Indiana. His father was Thomas Christy, 
who had come to America with Braddock's army. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. 
Francis T. Bryan there were six sons, four of whom are yet living: Francis T., 
who became a business man of Chicago; P. Taylor, a member of the St. Louis 
bar; William C; and Dr. Richard Shepard Bryan, who became a well known 
member of the medical fraternity of St. Louis. Another son. Dr. John H. Bryan, 
was also a physician, practicing to the time of his death, while George Frederick, 
the fourth child of the family, died in infancy. 

William Christy Bryan, who was the fifth in order of birth, supplemented his 
public school education by study in Smith's Academy and in Racine College of 




W. CHRISTY BRYAN 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 115 

Racine, Wisconsin, while later he entered Princeton University and there won 
the Bachelor of Arts degree upon graduation in 1891. He made preparation for 
the har in the St. Louis Law School and won his Bachelor of Law degree as a 
member of the class of 1894. The previous year, however, he had been admitted 
to practice and has since been active as an attorney of St. Louis, giving his atten- 
tion to general practice but largely specializing in civil law. His success in a 
professional way affords the best evidence of his capabilities in this line. The wide 
research and provident care which he has always displayed in the preparation 
of his cases has made him notable among lawyers. In no instance has his reading 
ever been confined to the limitations of the questions at issue; it has gone beyond 
and compassed every contingency and provided not alone for the expected but for 
the unexpected, which happens in the fcourts quite as frequently as out of them. 
His logical grasp of facts and principles of the law applicable to them has been 
another potent element in his success, and a remarkable clearness of expression, 
an adequate and precise diction which enables him to make others understand 
not only the salient points of his argument but his every fine gradation of meaning, 
may be accounted one of his most conspicuous gifts and accomplishments. 

Mr. Bryan was married in St. Louis, June 3, 1896, to Miss Mary Walker 
White, a native of Tennessee and a daughter of R. J. and Anne (Walker) White, 
natives of Madison county, Kentucky. The only son of this marriage, William 
Christy Bryan, Jr., was born October 7, 1899. The parents are communicants of 
the Episcopal chul-ch and Mr. Bryan has since 1903 been a member of the board of 
management of the St. Louis Industrial School. He belongs to the Ridgedale and 
Sunset Hill Country Clubs, to the St. Louis, Missouri State and American Bar As- 
sociations and the St. Louis Law Library Association. He has ever voted with the 
democratic party and was its candidate for Judge of the district court in 1904. 
However, he has always preferred to concentrate his attention and energies upon 
the private practice of law and his devotion to his clients' interests has ever been a 
forceful factor in his siiccessful career. Whatever he does is for the best inter- 
ests of his clients and for the honor of his profession. No man gives to either a 
more unqualified allegiance or riper ability. 



FRANCIS HUMPHRY WILLIAM WOOLRYCH. 

Francis Humphry William Woolrych, whose name is widely known in art circles 
^ot only in St. Louis but throughout this and other countries, is the possessor of 
many awards from art exhibits, while his pictures are seen in many of the finest 
Drivate collections in various countries. A native of Australia, he was born in New 
South Wales, February 1, 1864, his parents being Francis Benson William and Fran- 
ces Emily (Sherrington) Woolrych. The mother, who was born in England, died 
July 1, 1908. The father was the second son of Humphry William Woolrych, Esq., 
of Croxley House, Herts, England, one of the last sergeants at law. Francis B. W. 
Woolrych became a civil engineer. He was educated at Putney College and became 
the metropolitan district surveyor at Sydney, New South Wales. He retired in 1887 
and passed away on the 16th of July, 1907. 

F. Humphry W. Woolrych obtained his early education under private tutors 
and also attended the Sydney Grammar School, where he pursued studies equivalent 
to early college work. He was afterward under private tuition in Heidelberg, Ger- 
many, and later entered the Royal Academy of Fine Arts at Berlin, from which 
school he was graduated. He then continued his studies in Paris at the Ecole 
des Beaux Arts and the Atelier Colorossi under Gerome, Raphael Collin and 
Gustave Courtois until 1888. He also studied under Puvis de Chavannes in 
Paris. His life in early manhood was that of artist, teacher and illustrator. He 
became a member of the Hellas Art Club of Berlin and since coming to America 
in 1889 has been admitted to membership in the St. Louis Artists Guild, the Brush 
& Pencil Club, the St. Louis Architectural Club and the American Federation of 
Arts. His entire life has been devoted to art, including figure painting, portraits 
and landscapes in oil and water colors, and he also specializes in architectural 
renderings in water colors. His awards have been numerous. He received the 
bronze medal at the Portland exposition in 1905, also a medal for portrait and 



116 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

medals for water colors at the Sedalla State Fair of Missouri in 1913. His work 
is seen in the St. Louis public library and he has made water color renderings of 
the State Normal schools of Missouri, the Missouri University of Columbia for the 
World's Fair at St. Louis and the Filipino reservation for the World's Fair expo- 
sition for the United States government. He has pictures in prominent private 
collections in London, Paris, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Berlin, Germany, Sydney, 
Australia, and New York and other cities of the United States. 

On the 1st of October, 1887, in Paris, France, Mr. Woolrych was united in 
marriage to Miss Bertha Hewit, a daughter of Orson and Laura (Fenton) Hewit, 
of Conneaut, Ohio. Her father was a member of the Hewit-Sharp Commission 
Company of St. Louis and also vice president of the American Exchange Bank of 
this city. He died in 1907. To Mr. and Mrs. Woolrych have been born two chil- 
dren. Francis Humphrey William Woolrych, Jr., born in Compiegne, France, was 
married June 12, 1916, to Naomi Harman. Edmund Hugh Woolrych, born in 
Upper Alton, Illinois, was married April 17, 1917, to Sue Monemaker. The elder 
son is an architect of St. Louis and the younger is a mining engineer, now instructor 
in the Rolla School of Mines of the Missouri University. Mrs. Woolrych, like 
her husband, possesses marked artistic talent. She was born in Conneaut, Ohio, 
and was a pupil in the St. Louis School of Fine Arts and also studied under 
Morot, Collin and Courtois in Paris. She is a member of the St. Louis Art 
Students Association and also of the St. Louis Artists Guild, of which she was 
treasurer from 1905 until 1909. She was awarded a medal at the Lewis and 
Clark Exposition in Portland in 1905 and has won gold and silver medals at the 
St. Louis School of Fine Arts and a silver medal in 1908 at the St. Louis District 
General Federation of Women's Clubs. Both Mr. and Mrs. Woolrych have fre- 
quently been mentioned in the press by reason of their contributions to art circles, 
whereby they have gained prominence and well won distinction. 

They reside at No. 3855 Hartford street in St. Louis and have an attractive 
summer home at Sherman, Missouri. In religious faith Mr. Woolrych is an Epis- 
copalian, while Mrs. Woolrych attends the Unitarian church. Mr. Woolrych belongs 
to the Two by Four Society and also to the Missouri Athletic Association as well 
as the various different artists' associations previously mentioned. He is perhaps 
most widely known through his specialty of architectural renderings in water colors, 
in which connection he has gained wide and well merited fame. 



HOMER HALL. 



Homer Hall, attorney at law practicing in St. Louis, was born in Trenton, 
Missouri, August 24, 1871. His father, George Hall, a native of Indiana and a 
descendant from one of the old families of that state and of Kentucky, was born 
on a farm about ten miles from Indianapolis that had been preempted under the 
patent laws by his father and is still in possession of the family. In the paternal 
line there is a Scotch ancestral strain. In May, 1867, George Hall became a resident 
of Missouri and for the past fifty-two years has been an active practitioner at the 
bar of Grundy county. He is now the oldest practicing lawyer in that part of the 
state. Before his removal to Missouri he had served in the Civil war as a member 
of the Nineteenth and of the Seventy-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He proudly 
wears the little bronze button that proclaims him a member of the Grand Army 
of the Republic and he served as department commander for Missouri in 1899-1900. 
In politics he has always been an active republican and was a member of the Old 
Guard of 306 who voted for the nomination of U. S. Grant for a third term at the 
national convention of the republican party in 1880. From 1876 until 1880 he 
served as probate judge of Grundy county. His wife, who bore the maiden name 
of Rachel Abbott Smith, is a native of Ohio and is a descendant of an old Penn- 
sylvania family. Her father was a pioneer Methodist preacher of Ohio and West 
Virginia and was of Irish descent, and she was a cousin of the late Bishop C. W. 
Smith of the Methodist Episcopal church. She has been active in the Woman's 
Relief Corps, having served as president of the state organization and in the 
Federation of Women's Clubs in Missouri. 

. Homer Hall was the second in order of birth in a family of four children. He 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 117 

was educated in the Trenton public and high schools and in De Pauw University 
at Greencastle, Indiana, from which he was graduated with the Bachelor of Phil- 
osophy degree in 1893. He also studied law in that institution and in his father's 
office and he passed the required bar examination at Trenton, being admitted to 
practice in April, 1894. He then became associated with his father in practice as 
a member of the well known firm of Hall & Hall, which included a younger brother 
Frank Hall, who was for twelve years assistant to the United States attorney gen- 
eral in the land division of the department of justice and is now in private practice 
at San Francisco. 

On the 15th of October, 1910, Homer Hall came to St. Louis and served as 
assistant United States attorney from that date until March 1, 1915, when he 
entered upon the private practice of his profession. He belongs to the St. Louis, 
Missouri and American Bar Associations. Politically Mr, Hall is a republican and 
in 1899 was representative of Grundy county in the general assembly. He has 
always been an active worker for the party and for the best interests of the state. 
In 1909 he was a member and the secretary of the State Statute Revision Commis- 
sion of Missouri. When America's advent into the World war brought about fast 
changing conditions and made different demands upon the citizenship of the country, 
he became a member of Company F of the First Missouri Regiment of the Home 
Guards in August, 1917, joining the command on its organization and holding 
the rank of sergeant when discharged in October, 1918, at which time he was 
commissioned a major in the judge advocate general's department of the army, 
with which he served in Washington until the 24th of March, 1919. He is a 
member of Grace Methodist Episcopal church, is serving on its board of stewards 
and was a delegate to the Methodist general conference at Los Angeles in 1904, 
at Baltimore in 1908 and at Minneapolis in 1912. He is a member of the Uni- 
versity, City and Algonquin Clubs. Since the 1st of January, 1921, he has been 
general attorney for the Wabash Railway Company for the territory of Missouri 
and Iowa. 



WILLIAM M. HANGEN, M. D. 

Dr. William M. Hangen, physician and surgeon, with offices in the Arcade build- 
ing in St. Louis, was born in Dayton, Ohio, March 28, 1881. His father, Chris- 
topher Hangen, was also a native of Ohio and was of German descent, the grand- 
father of Dr. Hangen having been the founder of the American branch of the 
family. He came to the new world in the early '40s, settling in Ohio, where he 
followed the blacksmith's trade. Christopher Hangen was reared and educated 
in Ohio and became a successful farmer and stock raiser. He passed away in 
July, 1902, at the age of fifty-six years. His wife, who bore the maiden name 
of Sarah Meyer, is a native of Ohio and also of German lineage. She survives 
and is now living in Wellington, Kansas. Their family numbered six sons and 
three daughters. 

Dr. Hangen who was the third child, was educated in the public and high 
schools of Wellington, Kansas, and in the State University at Lawrence before 
entering the St. Louis University School of Medicine, from which he was graduated 
with the M. D. degree in 1907. Following his graduation he served in the city 
and private hospitals for six months and then entered upon the private practice 
of his profession in St. Louis, where he has continuously remained, being success- 
fully engaged in general practice throughout all the intervening years. He is 
very careful in the diagnosis of his cases and seldom, if ever, at fault in foretelling 
the outcome of disease. Moreover, he is most conscientious in the performance 
of all of his professional duties and holds to the highest ethical standards. He 
belongs to the St. Louis, the Missouri State and the American Medical Associations. 
During the period of the World war he was assistant diagnostician of urology 
for the city of St. Louis. 

On the 4th of October, 1912, in St. Louis, Dr. Hangen was married to Miss 
Grace L. Knaber, a native of Illinois and a daughter of Charles and Elizabeth 
Knaber. Fraternally Dr. Hangen is connected with Tuscan Lodge, No. 360, A. F. 
& A. M.; with Home Chapter of the Eastern Star; with Pacific Lodge, No. 304, 



118 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

K. P., o£ which he is a past chancellor; and with the Loyal Order of Moose. He 
likewise belongs to the Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the Rotary, 
St. Louis and Missouri Automobile Clubs. His political allegiance is given to 
the republican party and his religious faith is that of the Lutheran church. 

His interests and activities are broad and varied, showing that he is fully 
cognizant of the duties and obligations of citizenship and that he possesses a 
keen interest in everything pertaining to public progress. He has recently estab- 
lished what is an innovation in western cities — a down-town emergency hospital. 
This is most scientifically equipped according to modern methods and is maintained 
in connection with his splendidly equipped offices. The hospital contains two 
operating rooms, an X-ray laboratory, a chemical and microscopical laboratory 
and bedroom equipment, with attendant nurses, while a physician is always on 
duty, ready for any emergency that may arise. This hospital is proving of great 
value to St. Louis, having already taken care of many emergency cases, and in 
its establishment Dr. Hangen displayed the progressive spirit which has actuated 
him at all points in his professional career. 



HENRY CLARKSON SCOTT. 



If each individual used his talents to the utmost and neglected no duty that de- 
volved upon him the problems of the world would be settled. There are men here 
and there whose high sense of honor prompts them to the fulfillment of every obliga- 
tion and to the utilization of every opportunity for advancement. Such was the 
record of Henry Clarkson Scott who became a dynamic force in the business world, 
contributing to the upbuilding not only of St. Louis but of various other sections of 
the country and who while winning substantial success never for a moment forgot 
that business was but one phase of life and not the sole end and aim of existence. On 
the contrary his career was characterized by the highest principles and the world is 
better for his having lived. He came to St. Louis from Fredericksburg, Virginia, 
where his birth occurred on the 5th of May, 1S59, his parents being Hugh and Anne 
(Clarkson) Scott. His public school training was supplemented by a course of study 
in the Fredericksburg Military Institute from which he was graduated with the rank 
of captain and adjutant. 

Mr. Scott was a young man of but twenty-two years when he arrived in St. Louis 
in 1881 and from that time until his demise he was closely associated with business 
affairs of the city, his energies being first directed to his duties as secretary of the 
Carondelet Gas Light Company of which he became manager in. 1SS4. Following his 
resignation he founded the Laclede Power Company and was elected to the presidency, 
so continuing until the company was taken over by the North American Company. In 
the meantime he had become closely associated with various industrial, commercial 
and financial projects and business enterprises, his cooperation being eagerly sought 
by reason of his keen business sagacity, his sound judgment and his ability in discrim- 
inating between the essential and the non-essential in all business affairs. Moreover, 
he united and coordinated seemingly diverse elements into a unified and harmonious 
whole and never stopped short of the successful accomplishment of his purpose. He 
was not only the president of the Laclede Power Company but also of the National 
Light & Improvement Company, of the Missouri & Illinois Coal Company and a director 
of the Merchants Laclede National Bank, the Hydraulic Press Brick Company and 
the American Central Insurance Company. Various points in the southwest profited 
by his sound judgment, his keen discernment and indefatigable energj-. He became 
the president of the Fort Worth Light & Power Company of Fort Worth, Texas; presi- 
dent of the Waco Gas Company and Citizens Railway Company of Waco, Texas: presi- 
dent of the Wichita Gas & Electric Company of Wichita, Kansas; vice president of the 
Bellefontaine Cemetery Association; and a director of the American Surety Company 
of New York. The value of his judgment in business matters was widely recognized 
and at all times he commanded the respect of his fellowmen by his fairness, progressive- 
ness and initiative. 

On the 14th of February, 1893, was celebrated the marriage of Henry Clarkson 
Scott and Miss Bertha Drake, whose father, George Silas Drake, is mentioned else- 
where in this work, for he was an honored pioneer resident of St. Louis where he 




HENRY C. SCOTT 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 121 

took up his abode in 1826. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Scott were four in number: 
Hugh. Anne Warburton, George Drake and Alice Marlon. The elder daughter on 
the 12th of June, 191S, became the wife of Thomas S. Blumer of Boston, Massachusetts, 
where they reside, and they now have one daughter, Nancy Scott. Mr. Blumer was 
a first lieutenant in the Massachusetts Field Artillery during the World war. 

Mr. Scott's older son, Hugh, was a member of the Three Hundred and Fortieth 
Field Artillery of the Eighty-ninth Division. He left the senior class in Yale and 
was graduated in absento. In May, 1917, he enlisted and was sent to the officers' 
training camp at Fort Riley, where he was under the instruction of General Wood 
for a year. He was made a lieutenant in August, 1917, and was sent to France the 
following June. He participated in the St. Mihiel offensive and was on the Euvexans 
front at the time of the signing of the armistice, after which he was sent with the 
army of occupation into Germany where he remained until May, 1919. He then returned 
home and is now associated with Robert Gaylord, Incorporated, a paper box manu- 
facturing company. On the 6th of October, 1920, he married Miss Anne Block, a daugh- 
ter of Harry L. Block of St. Louis. 

George Drake Scott, the younger son, also left Yale where he was a student in 
the Sheffield Scientific School, in May, 1917, and joined the navy. Later he was 
transferred to the naval aviation section and was graduated at the Massachusetts 
School of Technology as an ensign in February, 1918. He was then made instructor 
in aviation at Bay Shore, Long Island, and left the service in April, 1919, with the 
rank of Junior grade lieutenant. He is now associated with George Tiffany & Com- 
pany, cotton brokers of St. Louis. 

Mr. Scott did not live to witness the splendid record made by his sons in military 
service for he passed away on the 14th of January, 1911, when fifty-two years of age. 
He was an Episcopalian in religious faith, attending the services of Christ Church 
Cathedral and was a devoted member of its chapter. Mr. Scott long took a helpful 
part in benevolent and charitable activities and in all good works. For a number of 
years prior to his death he had been one of the directors of St. Luke's (Episcopal) 
Hospital and he was chairman of the committee managing the business affairs of Holy 
Cross Mission. He held membership in the Society of the Cincinnati and belonged 
to the St. Louis Mercantile Library Association of which he was president and director, 
the Academy of Science, the Missouri Historical Society and various social organiza- 
tions. Including the St. Louis, Noonday, University, St. Louis Country, Florissant, 
Bellerlve, Commercial and Contemporary Clubs. When he passed away the Merchants 
Laclede Bank said of him: "Combined with ripe experience, wisdom and foresight that 
insured a splendid success and prosperity to whatever business devoted, he possessed 
such courteous manners, such charming social qualities, and generosity of heart, as 
endeared him to all his friends and make his loss Irreparable." This was but one 
of many expressions of regret at his passing made by various boards of which he 
was a member. All who knew him felt that a good man had been called to his reward. 
He held with Abraham Lincoln that "there is something better than making a living — • 
making a life," and his contribution to the world's work was indeed valuable along 
the lines of cultural and moral progress. Well descended and well bred the Innate 
refinement of his nature was opposed to anything gross or common and the high 
ideals which he cherished were transmitted as a priceless legacy to his family. 



HENRI RUSH. 



Henri Rush, member of the firm of Lee & Rush, architects of St. Louis, was 
born in Cape Colony, South Africa, June 24, 1874. He was educated in the Poly- 
technic Institute at Johannesburg, South Africa, being there graduated with the 
class of 1890. He entered upon professional work in that city as an architect and 
structural engineer and was thus engaged until 1896. Later he entered the mili- 
tary service as an engineer officer in the Transvaal State Artillery, being connected 
with the technology branch having charge of searchlights, bridges and roads on 
the Ladysmlth's battle front. On account of illness he was left by his company 
in the Drakensberg Mountains, where he was picked up by British soldiers and 
taken to Pretoria, where he remained in the military hospital until convalescent. 
He was then paroled and later was permitted to den^rt for England, after giving 



122 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

his word that he would not take part again in the war. He then went to Amster- 
dam and also traveled through continental Europe and England. Later he re- 
turned to Amsterdam, where he obtained his passport papers preparatory to com- 
ing to America. 

On reaching the United States in 1901 Mr. Rush first settled in Cleveland, 
Ohio, and was there employed by the Garrett & Cromwell Engineering Company 
for two years. He afterward returned to England on a visit and on account of 
not being able to get passports for South Africa he went to Hamburg, Germany, 
and then came again to the United States, settling in St. Louis in 1903. Here 
he entered the employ of the Missouri Pacific Railroad Company as designer of 
stations, and later he became connected with the director of public worics, being 
thus engaged during the time of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition. In this 
connection he designed buildings, including the airdrome for airships and also the 
buildings for the Boer exhibition. When the fair was over he accepted a position 
as chief engineer in the building department of the city and continued to act in 
that capacity until 1919, during which period he designed several buildings for 
the city. While thus serving he became silent partner in the firm of Lee & 
Rush in 1905 and when he left the city department in 1919 it was for the pur- 
pose of devoting his time exclusively to the interests of his own firm. They are 
numbered among the prominent architects of the state, making a specialty of large 
hospitals and churches and other buildings of great size. Some of the finest struc- 
tures of the city and state stand as monuments to their ability, and they have 
gained a reputation as one of the leading firms of architects in St. Louis. 

It was in this city in November, 1904, that Mr. Rush was united in marriage 
to Miss Marie Grueneberg, and four children have been born to them: Henry, Jr., 
Mary, Irma and Hildegard. 

The activities and experiences which have come to Mr. Rush have been broad, 
varied and interesting. He was given a full citizenship in the Transvaal Republic 
as a reward for his services, this being considered a very high prize in that country. 
Aside from the military service already mentioned he was likewise in the Jamieson 
raid in South Africa in 1895. Since coming to the new world he has taken out 
his citizenship papers here and has given his political allegiance largely to the 
republican party but does not hesitate to cast an independent ballot if his judg- 
ment so dictates. He was a member of the St. Louis Home Guards during the 
World war. His religious faith is that of the Lutheran church and he also has 
membership with the American Society of Civil Engineers and with the St. Louis 
Engineering Club. He is a man of highly developed powers and ability along 
the line of his chosen profession and has ever been actuated by a laudable ambi- 
tion to obtain a high degree of efficiency in this field. Step by step he has ad- 
vanced, and the high quality of his work is today widely recognized. 



WILLIAM F. WOERNER. 



William F. Woerner, an active member of the St. Louis bar for more than a 
third of a century, having completed a course in the St. Louis Law School in 1885, 
was born August 20, 1864, in the city which is still his home, his parents being J. 
Gabriel and Emilie (Plass) Woerner. In the acquirement of his education he passed 
through successive grades in the public schools of St. Louis until graduated from 
the Central high school in January, 1883. He then became connected with the work 
of the courts through a clerkship under his father in the probate court during the 
spring and summer of that year. In the autumn of 18S3 he enrolled as a student 
in the St. Louis Law School, from which he was graduated magna cum laude in 1885 
with the degree of LL. B., this serving as admission to the bar without examination. 
He entered upon the practice of his profession in connection with Charles W. 
Bates, the partnership continuing until 1887, after which Mr. Woerner practiced 
alone until January, 1895. He then entered into partnership with his father upon 
the latter's retirement from the probate bench and the firm association was main- 
tained until the father's death. He materially assisted his father, J. G. Woerner, 
in the preparation of his monumental work, "The American Law of Administration" 




WILLIAM P. WOERNER 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 125 

and "The American Law of Guardianship," and prepared the subsequent editions of 
the former work. 

Mr. Woerner has from time to time been called to public office. In 1898 he was 
the democratic candidate for judge of probate and received the highest vote given 
to any democratic candidate that year but was defeated by a small majority. On the 
23d of February, 1901, he was appointed police commissioner by the governor and 
occupied that position until March 9, when he resigned. On the 24th of January, 

1902, he was appointed by Mayor Wells to fill out an unexpired term as associate 
city counselor and was reappointed in April, 1903, remaining in the position until 
September 26, 1905, when Mayor Wells appointed him to prepare the official revi- 
sion of the city ordinances and annotation of the charter and ordinances. This work 
was completed in a year and subsequently adopted under the name of "The Re- 
vised Code of St. Louis, 1907." In the spring of 1909 Mr. Woerner received the 
mayoralty nomination of his party, but his entire ticket went down to defeat In 
the landslide of that year. On the 3d of July, 1913, he was appointed by the gover- 
nor as one of the original members of the Public Service Commission of Missouri 
and remained on the commission until November 18, 1914, when he resigned to again 
enter upon the practice of law. 

While active in the work of the courts, Mr. Woerner has conducted much Im- 
portant litigation both in private practice and as representative of the city of St. 
Louis. He succeeded in effecting legislation of prime iihportance, always in the 
public interest. After prior attempted reforms had been held unconstitutional by 
the supreme court he turned his attention in 1903 to the reform of the then pre- 
vailing antiquated fee system of compensation of the probate judges, which had 
become highly excessive, and formulated and drafted the bill providing for the pay- 
ment into the public schools revenue of the excess of probate fees when such ran 
beyond the compensation of a circuit court judge; and after obtaining the approval 
of the bill by the Bar Association of St. Louis, he put it through the legislature of 

1903, thereby securing not only a fair compensation to the probate judge but also a 
permanent increase in the public school fund of St. Louis of over twenty-five thou- 
sand dollars annually. This law was upheld by the supreme court against repeated 
attacks and is still in force. It was Mr. Woerner who also conceived, drafted and 
made effective the famous "mill-tax" ordinance, providing for one mill per passen- 
ger revenue tax payable into the city treasury by the street-car companies. This ordi- 
nance, which was enacted in 1903, became effective January 1, 1904, although 
fiercely assailed by the street-car corporations. Mr. Woerner, although no longer 
in office and acting wholly without compensation and for the public good, com- 
pletely vindicated the validity of this law in the supreme court of the United States, 
as reported in the case of St. Louis vs. United Railways Company, 210 U. S. 266. 
This decision, which was rendered in 1908, established a principle of law of great 
value and involved millions of dollars in the result. Though there was later resist- 
ance on the part of the railways, the decision above referred to was in every case 
held to be a final bar to the Railways Company under the doctrine of "res adjudicata" 
from making any successful attack upon the validity of the ordinance. Under this 
enactment the city has collected several million dollars and is receiving a revenue of 
but two hundred and fifty thousand dollars per annum. The examples cited are 
about two out of the many instances that might be given of his activities in public 
affairs for the general good. 

In 1912 Mr. Woerner prepared and published a volume of one hundred and 
twenty-nine pages entitled "J. Gabriel Woerner — A Biographical Sketch," which Is 
a memorial to his honored father. In 1917, at the time of the entry of the United 
States into the World war and before this phase had begun to be discussed, he pub- 
lished a pioneer book on the subject of a world organization, a question which he 
had been studying for many years previous. The work was brought out under the 
title of a word first coined by him, but since frequently used, "Supernationalism." 
In former years Mr. Woerner was and now again is professor of wills and adminis- 
tration on the faculty of the St. Louis University Institute of Law; and for the use 
of the law students on this subject he prepared, as co-editor, an abridgment of his 
father's great work "American Law of Administration," which was published in 1913 
under the title "Law of Decedents' Estates." He is now devoting his attention to 
private practice and has an extensive clientage of an important character. 

Mr. Woerner was married to Miss Agnes T. Judge and they have three chll- 



126 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

dren: Ruth J., Gabriel, and William F. Mr. Woerner is identified with the Masonic 
fraternity and is connected with a few clubs and social organizations, including the 
City Club, the Public Question Club, the Triple A and the Missouri Athletic Club. 
He is also a member of the St. Louis Chamber of Commerce, while along strictly 
professional lines he is identified with the St. Louis, Missouri and American Bar 
Associations. His entire life record has upheld an untarnished family name that 
figures most prominently in connection with the history of the bar of Missouri. 



GEORGE HENRY KEMMERER. 

George Henry Kemmerer, district manager of truck tire sales with the Good- 
year Tire & Rubber Company of St. Louis, was born in this city September 23, 
1891. His father, the late Charles R. Kemmerer, was a native of Pennsylvania 
and a representative of one of the old families of that state. He came to Missouri 
in early lite and was successfully engaged in business as a wholesale and retail 
dealer in cigars. He married Ida' Victoria Tool, who was likewise born In the 
Keystone state, where her ancestors had lived through several generations. The 
death of Mr. Kemmerer occurred in 1907, when he had reached the age of forty- 
nine years. The mother Is still living and now makes her home at Maplewood, 
Missouri. In the family were eight children, four sons and four daughters, of 
whom George H. was the third in order of birth. 

After acquiring his education in the public schools of St. Louis, George H. 
Kemmerer started out to earn his own living when a youth of sixteen years and 
was first employed by the Pullman Sleeping Car Company, continuing with that 
corporation until 19 09. In the latter year he entered the service of the Goodyear 
Tire & Rubber Company in a clerical capacity and was later advanced to the posi- 
tion of salesman, while his next promotion made him sales supervisor and then 
in turn he became assistant branch manager, district department manager and is 
the present district manager of truck tire sales, having advanced through the 
steps of an orderly progression and through various departments to his present 
position of trust and responsibility. 

On the 16th of September, 1914, in St. Louis, Mr. Kemmerer was married to 
Miss Ruth Blair, a native of this city and a daughter of John and Paulina (Barnes) 
Blair, the former now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Kemmerer have a daughter, Ruth 
Jane, born October 11, 1915. Mr. Kemmerer belongs to Mount Moriah Lodge, 
A. F. & A. M., and in politics he maintains an independent course, voting accord- 
ing to the dictates of his judgment. During the war period he took a most active 
part in promoting the loan drives and at all times he is a public-spirited and 
progressive citizen, cooperating in all plans and measures tor the general good. 



JEROME BAUDUY CORBY. 



Starting out to provide for his own support by working through vacation 
periods while still a schoolboy, Jerome Bauduy Corby has steadily advanced until 
he is now president and treasurer of the Corby Supply Company, a business of 
considerable importance in the commercial circles of St. Louis. He was born in 
this city May 21, 1875, a son of Francis Patrick Corby, whose birth occurred at 
Economy, Pennsylvania, on the 12th of May, 1821, and of Josephine Angelique 
(Robidoux) Corby, who was born at Savannah, Missouri, October 1, 1843. The 
mother was a daughter of Felix and Jane Catherine (Smith) Robidoux, the former 
born in St. Louis, May 4, 1820, and the latter in Nashville, Tennessee, March 10, 
1818. Felix Robidoux was a son of Joseph Robidoux (II), who was the founder 
of St. Joseph, Missouri. Joseph Robidoux (I) came to St. Louis in 1761 from 
Canada and was very active in shaping public affairs in the embryo city. His 
home occupied the block fronting the levee between Walnut and Elm streets, 
and from that time to the present representatives of the Robidoux family have 
remained in St. Louis and have taken prominent part in her public affairs. 

Jerome Bauduy Corby was educated in private and publie schools and began 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 127 

his active business career in vacation time with the firm of D. Crawford & Com- 
pany in 1887. In 18 8 9 he became connected with the railway supply business 
of Andrew Warren, with whom he continued until the latter retired, at which 
time Mr. Corby secured a position with the National Tube Works and was thus a 
factor in the business circles of St. Louis until that firm sold out to the Crane 
Company. He continued with the successors until November, 1903, when he was 
made manager, of the railway supply business of C. A. Thompson and occupied 
the position for four years. In March, 1907, he organized the Corby Supply 
Company, of which he is president and treasurer, and through the intervening 
period of thirteen years a business of substantial proportions has been developed. 
He is thoroughly familiar with every phase of the railway supply business and 
has always manifested the utmost thoroughness as well as energy and enterprise 
throughout his business career. He is also the president o£ the Campbell Machin- 
ery Company of Joplin, Missouri, and is a director of the Ball Ice Machine Com- 
pany and a director of the Newmarket Bank. His interests have thus become 
important and extensive and his life work has been crowned with substantial 
success. He has never allowed obstacles or difficulties to bar his path but has 
advanced steadily as the years have gone by, overcoming all difficulties by deter- 
mined purpose and ever recognizing the fact that when one avenue of opportunity 
seemed closed he could carve out another path whereby to reach the desired goal. 
During the World war he devoted much of his time to supplying the manufacturers 
of war material with equipment. He was offered and accepted a position in the 
ordnance department shortly before the armistice was signed, carrying with it the 
rank of major, but was never called to active service in that connection. 

On the 9th of June, 1899, Mr. Corby was married in St. Louis, Misouri, to 
Miss Ann M. Wopds, a daughter of John M. and Ann Woods. She was left an 
orphan when but three years of age and was reared by an aunt. Miss Mary E. 
Tucker, a daughter of C. L. Tucker, who in 1867 was president of the Merchants 
Exchange and was one of the pioneer flour mill operators in St. Louis. Mr. 
and Mrs. Corby have become parents of two children: Lieutenant Frank S. Corby, 
twenty years of age, now attending the University of Michigan; and Betty, four- 
teen years of age, attending Mary Institute. 

In his political views Mr. Corby has always been a stalwart republican and 
keeps well informed on the questions of the day, so that he is able to support 
his position by intelligent argument, yet he has never been an office seeker, pre- 
ferring that his public duty shall be done as a private citizen. He belongs to 
the Glen Echo Country Club, the Missouri Athletic Association, the St. Louiss Rail- 
way Club, the Rotary Club, the Engineers Club, the St. Louis Auto Club and the 
Chicago Auto Club and he is likewise a member of the St. Louis Real Estate Ex- 
change. His interests and his activities have long been broad and varied, bring- 
ing him into touch with many people, and the esteem in which he is uniformly 
held indicates the possession of sterling characteristics. 



TOM WIGHTMAN BENNETT. 

Tom Wightman Bennett, well known in financial circles as the organizer 
and promoter of the Mortgage Guarantee Company and also of the Mortgage Trust 
Company of St. Louis, was born in Arkansas, November 30, 1872, his parents being 
Zachary T. and Othelia M. Bennett. He pursued his education in the public schools 
of Little Rock, Arkansas, being there graduated from the high school with the 
class of June, 1892. He entered upon his business career in connection with the 
cotton commission business, in which he was engaged in 1894 and 1895. In the 
following year he became identified with shoe manufacturing and was thus active 
until 1905. In the latter year he became an officer of the Mississippi Valley Trust 
Company of St. Louis and remained, with that corporation until January, 1909, 
when he organized the Mortgage Guarantee Company of this city and two years 
later organized as an associate company the Mortgage Trust Company, since which 
time the two companies have continued as associate concerns in investment bank- 
ing and trust business, with Mr. Bennett as president and directing head of both. 
He is largely interested financially in both concerns as well as in other corpora- 



128 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

tions, the affairs of which are controlled or managed by the Mortgage Trust Com- 
pany. On January 1, 1921, the Mortgage Guarantee Company and the Mortgage 
Trust Company entered into a combination with the St. Louis Union Trust Com- 
pany and the First National Bank of St. Louis, whereby the latter institution owns 
the controling interest. The Mortgage Trust Company becomes the investment 
division of the First National Bank and will retain its present officials. This com- 
bination of interests makes the largest banking group west of the Mississippi 
river. Mr. Bennett is likewise an officer in several private corporations and his 
business affairs are most carefully and wisely managed, bringing substantial results. 
Mr. Bennett is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. South, and 
his political position is that of an independent democrat. He is well known In 
club circles of the city, belonging to the Noonday, Racquet and St. Louis Country 
Clubs. Those who know him — and he has a wide acquaintance — speak of him 
In high terms because of his social qualities as well as his business ability. 



EUSTATHIUS CHANCELLOR, M. D. 

Dr. Eustathius Chancellor is a widely known representative of the medical pro- 
fession who since 1880, or for a period of forty years, has practiced in St. Louis. His 
professional and scientific attainments and his genial nature have called him to leader- 
ship in various connections and there are few men outside of public life who have 
a wider acquaintance or more friends than has Dr. Chancellor. While he comes 
from English ancestry the family has long been represented on this side of the Atlantic 
and his birth occurred August 29, 1854, in Chancellorsville, Spotsylvania county, Vir- 
ginia, his parents being Dr. J. Edgar and D. Josephine Chancellor who were repre- 
sentatives of a number of the oldest and most distinguished families of Virginia. 
He began his education in private schools of his native county and afterward pursued 
his studies at Charlottesville, Virginia, continuing his classical education until 1870. 
He then initiated his business career when in October of that year he visited Columbus, 
Georgia, and accepted a position as assistant cashier and bookkeeper in a railway office. 
Ill health forced him to resign his position, however, a year later. He was not content 
with the educational opportunities which he had already enjoyed and in October, 1871, 
he returned to the University of Virginia where he entered upon a course in civil 
engineering as a member of the junior class and at the close of tlie session received 
certificates of proficiency in several departments. He remained a student in the State 
University through the succeeding two years, devoting his attention to classical courses 
and higher mathematics and then entered upon the study of medicine in the fall of 
1874. After two years of thorough work he graduated with honors on the 29th of 
June, 1876, and his professional degree was conferred upon him by the medical depart- 
ment of the University of Virginia. He further promoted his knowledge of the 
science of medicine by attending the clinics of the University of Pennsylvania for 
several weeks, at the end of which time he entered upon educational work in the line 
of his chosen profession, being appointed prosector in the chair of anatomy in the 
School of Medicine of the University of Maryland and also was made clinical assistant 
in the hospital. He likewise continued his studies in the Maryland University and 
a second diploma was conferred upon him in 1877 with a certificate of proficiency 
from the University Hospital. A further recognition of the excellent work which 
he had done came in his appointment as assistant resident physician at the University 
Hospital in the spring of 1878. He served in that capacity for a year and during 
much of the time acted as chief physician but resigned in March, 1879. He then 
returned to the University of Virginia and about the same time entered into partner- 
ship with his father. Dr. J. Edgar Chancellor, for the practice of medicine and surgery 
and became a member of the Medical Society of Virginia. Throughout his professional 
career he has been a well known contributor to leading medical journals of the country, 
beginning his writing soon after leaving college. 

Attracted by the opportunities of the growing west Dr. Chancellor came to St. 
Louis July 9, 1880, and was not long in becoming firmly established In an extensive 
and lucrative practice. He has always been a close student of his profession, examin- 
ing with thoroughness every theory and idea that has to do with the laws of health 
and the abolishment of disease. He has ever kept in touch with the latest scientific 




DR. EUSTATHIUS CHANCELLOR 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 131 

researches and discoveries and Iiis opinions are based upon long experience, keen 
sagacity and an almost innate perception as to the value of a course to be pursued. 

Dr. Chancellor's service as medical examiner for many fraternal, insurance and 
other organizations has brought him a most extensive acquaintance and his genial 
qualities have gained for him the friendship of nearly all with whom he has come 
in contact. He has served as medical examiner for twenty of the leading fraternal 
organizations of St. Louis and through this avenue he became an active representa- 
tive of Masonry, taking the degrees of the lodge, the commandery, the Scottish Rite 
and the Mystic Shrine. He also belongs to Elks Lodge, No. 9, and he became one 
of the active members of the Knights of Pythias and in 1886 was elected supreme 
medical director of the Legion of Honor, filling the position most efficiently and 
satisfactorily for three years or until he declined a reelection in 1889. Subsequently 
he was appointed supervising medical examiner of the Royal Arcanum of Missouri. 
It has been said of him: "No man has done more than he to advance the high 
standard of life insurance examination and characterize this field as a distinct specialty. 
He has the good fortune to be medical examiner of many of the best life and acci- 
dent insurance companies in the land and represents several traveling men's mutual 
accident and health associations." 

In the educational field Dr. Chancellor has won distinction. In 1885 he became 
one of the founders of the Beaumont Hospital Medical College and filled the chair 
of cutaneous and venereal diseases for five years, when he resigned on account of 
his growing private practice. Throughout his professional career he has continued 
to write largely for the leading medical journals and is regarded as a clear, forceful 
and impressive lecturer. His utterances in the Kansas City, Missouri State and Ameri- 
can Medical Associations are always listened to with eagerness, the profession recog- 
nizing that his opinions are well worth while. He had been a resident of St. Louis 
for but four years when in 1884 the St. Louis University conferred upon him the hon- 
orary Master of Arts degree. Among his many valuable contributions to medical liter- 
ature are the following: Researches Upon the Treatment of Delirium Tremens, 1S81; 
Successful Operations for the Deformity of Burnt Wrist, 1881; Treatment of Diabetes 
Insipidus, 1883; Gonorrheal Articular Rheumatism, 1883; Syphilis in Men, 1884; Causes 
of Social Depravity and a Remedy, 1885; Woman in her Social Sphere, 1885; Marriage 
Philosophy, 1886. 

There is a most interesting military chapter in the life record of Dr. Chancellor, 
who in 1883 became a private of Company H, First Regiment of the Missouri National 
Guard. In 18S6 he was advanced to the rank of captain of the medical department 
of the First Regiment and in 1891 was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel as 
medical director of the First Brigade of the Missouri National Guard. In the same 
year he was one of the organizers and coworkers with Colonel Nicholas Senn and became 
a charter member of the Association of Military Surgeons of the United States. 
He was chosen secretary and editor of the organization and continued to serve in the 
dual capacity until 1898. It was through his efforts that the first annual meeting 
of the Association of Military Surgeons was held in St. Louis in 1892 and on that 
occasion he was chairman of the entertainment committee. A recognition of the value 
of his contribution to the work of the National Guard is indicated in the fact that in 
1893 he was made an honorary member of the Illinois organization. In 1895 he 
became a member of the Medico-Legal Society of New York. For an extended period 
Dr. Chancellor has been a member of the St. Louis Medical Society and in the decade 
of the '80s served for several years as corresponding secretary thereof. It was also 
in that decade that he was chosen representative from the St. Louis Medical Society 
to the International Medical Congress, held in Washington, D. C. In November, 1896, 
he was made the delegate from the St. Louis Medical Society to the Pan American 
Medical Congress which met in the city of Mexico, being the only delegate from this 
part of the United States and not only was he accorded the honors due his position 
as a delegate to the convention but was also entertained by President Diaz when in 
that republic. In 1896 he spent almost a year visiting leading clinics in Europe 
and in that year was official delegate to the British Medical Association at London 
from the Association of Military Surgeons of the United States. In 1902 he was 
elected vice president of the American Congress of Tuberculosis and in 1903 was made 
a member of the American Electro-Therapeutic Association. In 1904 he served as 
chairman of the finance committee for the fourteenth annual meeting of the Associa- 
tion of Military Surgeons of the United States, held at St. Louis during the Louisiana 



132 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

Purchase Exposition. On tlie 9th of November, 1918, he received a commission in the 
United States Volunteer Medical Service Corps, No. 9895. It would be almost impossi- 
ble to say which branch of his professional service has brought to him greatest promi- 
nence. Of him it has been written: "Personally he is one of the most genial of men, 
possessed of a vast amount of personal magnetism, and as a gentleman, civilian-soldier 
and a physician, his word is as good of his bond." 



JOHN FELIX VALLE. 



John Felix Valle, secretary of the Desloge Consolidated Lead Company of St. 
Louis, was born on the 14th of December, 1861, in the city which is still his home, 
his parents being John B. and Lucie (Desloge) Valle, who were also natives of 
Missouri. The father was born in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, in 1820, and repre- 
sented one of the oldest and most prominent French families of the state. His 
parents were Francois B. and Catherine (Beauvais) Valle. The ancestry is traced 
back to Pierre La Vallee, the first of the name in America, who emigrated from 
Rouen, France, to Canada about the year 1660. He was born in 1645 and was 
the son of Pierre La Vallee and Madeleine Dumesnil, of the parish of St. Saens 
in the district of Rouen. Pierre La Vallee, the emigrant, was married at Quebec. 
January 12, 1665, to Marie Therese Le Blanc, who was born in 1651, a daughter 
of Leonard Le Blanc and Marie Riton. They had ten children, the seventh in 
order of birth being Charles La Vallee, who was born in 1679 and was married 
at Beauport, September 12. 1707, to Genevieve Marcou. He died February 22, 
1753, at the age of seventy-five years, and his wife died May 9, 1756. They were 
parents of twelve children. The fifth in order of birth was Francois La Vallee, 
the ancestor of the Valle family of Missouri. He was brave and adventurous and 
left his family home at Beauport to seek his fortune in the Mississippi valley. 
Some time prior to 1748 he arrived at Kaskaskia, the commercial center of the 
Illinois country. In that year he married Marianne Billeron, dit Lafatigue, and 
not long afterward removed to Ste. Genevieve on the Missouri side of the Mississippi. 
There is a tradition in the family that when it became known that the Spanish 
authorities were to take possession of Upper Louisiana, many of the inhabitants 
of Ste. Genevieve wished to leave and in great excitement went to Francois Vallee 
and threatened to kill him if he would not accompany them. This he refused to 
do. A day or two later, when Don Pedro Piernas, Spanish officer in command, 
arrived, Francois Vallee met his request for food and supplies, although he could 
not help regarding the Spaniards as intruders. Piernas and Vallee, however, 
became friends and when the former assumed the governorship of Upper Louisiana 
at St. Louis, Francois Vallee was made commandant of the Post Ste. Genevieve 
and civil and military judge of the settlement, which office he held until his death 
in 1783. It is thought that it was about this time, 1770, that the second "e" 
in the name was dropped and thereafter Francois Valle thus signed all his official 
papers, although it is said that in his private letters he continued to use the double 
vowel. He was married January 7, 1748, to Marianne Billeron, who was born 
in 1729 and died in 1781. The Spanish census of Upper Louisiana for 1787 
gives a record of the Valle families of Ste. Genevieve, including the following: 
"Don Francisco Valle, aged twenty-nine; Donna Maria, his wife, aged twenty- 
eight; Francisco, Marie and Juliana, their children; thirty-nine slaves; three houses 
on his place; products for the year w-ere eight hundred and ninety minots of 
wheat, twelve hundred pounds of tobacco, two hundred pounds of salt, eleven 
hundred minots of corn. He was a lieutenant of militia; forty-seven persons 
dwelt in his establishment." 

The fifth child of Francois and Marianne (Billeron) Valle was Jean Baptiste 
Valle, who was born September 25, 1760, and died August 3, 1849. He became 
the grandfather of John B. Valle. On the 7th of January, 1783, he married 
Jeanne Barbeau. After the death of Francois V^alle, the founder of the family in 
Missouri, the position of commandant at Ste. Genevieve was filled by several others 
and eventually by Francois Valle, the brother of Jean Baptiste Valle, who succeeded 
to that office iipon his brother's death in 1804 but served for less than a year, 
owing to the purchase of the Louisiana territory by the Americans. He was one 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 133 

of the most influential citizens of his section and was greatly beloved, being called 
Pere Valle by his relatives. In 1804 he was appointed justice of the general quar- 
ter sections of the peace by William Henry Harrison, then governor of Indiana 
Territory and the district of Louisiana. 

His second son, Francois B. Valle, was born in 1785 and died July 30, 1851. 
He married Catherine Beauvais, who died June 3, 1854, aged sixty-seven years. 
Their children were: Amedee, who married Marie Louise Sarrade and is now 
deceased; Mary, the wife of Anthony La Grave; Neree, who married Aglae Chou- 
teau, a daughter of Henry Chouteau; Clotilde, the wife of Adolf Rozier, of New 
Orleans; John B., father of John Felix Valle of this review; Francis, who is de- 
ceased; and Juliette, the wife of Dr. Thomas Reyburn. 

John B. Valle removed to St. Louis in early manhood and here engaged in 
the commission business, meeting with very substantial success for several years. 
He then became interested in mining near Fredericktown, in Madison county, and 
was widely known as one of the foremost representatives of mining interests in 
the state. He likewise assisted in promoting various business enterprises of im- 
portance in St. Louis and his contribution to the city's development and upbuild- 
ing was a distinct and vital one. He passed away in St. Louis, August 22, 1869, 
at the age of forty-nine years. He was a democrat in politics and his opinions 
carried weight in party councils, but he was never an aspirant for office. His 
widow survived him for many years, passing away in 1918, at the age of eighty- 
two. 

John Felix Valle, who was one of a family of three children, was educated in 
the public schools of St. Louis and in the manual training school of the Wash- 
ington University at Eighteenth street and Washington avenue. He was a mem- 
ber of the first class graduated from this department, completing his course in 
1883. For a short time thereafter he was associated with a grain commission 
house and then became identified with the lead industry, being made secretary 
of the old Desloge Lead Company. In 1886 the plant was destroyed by fire and 
they sold their properties. In 1889, however, they purchased other properties 
and organized the Desloge Consolidated Lead Company, of which John F. Valle 
became the secretary. Through much of his lite therefore he has been connected 
with the development of the lead mines and the marketing of the product and his 
business is now one of gratifying and extensive proportions. 

In 1912 John F. Valle was united in marriage to Miss Blanche Holland, of 
New York city. He and his wife are members of the New Cathedral Catholic 
church and Mr. Valle is also a member of the St. Louis Country Club. In poli- 
tics he maintains an independent course, voting according to the dictates of his 
judgment with little regard for party ties. He ranks with the leading and repre- 
sentative men of St. Louis and his entire record is a credit to that of an honored 
ancestry, his family having for several generations been one of the most dis- 
tinguished and represenattive French families of the state. 



RAYMOND F. McNALLY. 



The strong and substantial banking concerns of St. Louis have drawn to them 
a coterie of capable business men who have thoroughly acquainted themselves 
with every phase of the banking business and have displayed initiative in the de- 
velopment of interests controlled by the banks and the activities over which they 
have a supervising interest. Well known in the financial circles of St. Louis 
is Raymond F. McNally, the vice president and cashier of the National Bank of 
Commerce. Missouri numbers him among her native sons, his birth having 
occurred in Chillicothe, November 21, 1879. His father, Thomas McNally, came 
to the United States from Ireland in 1869, and made his way across the country 
to Missouri. For many years he was successfully engaged in the contracting 
business, furnishing ties to railroads. Settling in Chillicothe, he afterward became 
the organizer and was the president of the Citizens' National Bank of that place 
and remained a well known figure in financial circles until his death in 1899. 
His religious faith was that of the Roman Catholic church and his political belief 
that of the democratic party. He served for four years in the office of county 



134 CEXTEXXIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

treasurer and was active, prominent and influential in his community. He mar- 
ried Ida Fitzpatrick, who was born in Canada and now resides with one of her 
children at La Salle, Illinois. They had a family of two sons and three daughters, 
all of whom are yet living. 

Raymond F. McNally. who was the first-born in the family, was educated in 
the parochial schools of Chillicothe and in the Christian Brothers College of St. 
Louis, from which he was graduated on the completion of the collegiate course 
with the class of 1898. Throughout his business connection he has been identi- 
fied with banking. He was first elected cashier of the Citizens' National Bank 
at Chillicothe. Missouri, in 1901 and remained in that position for fourteen years, 
contributing in large measure to the success and growth of the business. He 
was then elected vice president of the Mississippi Valley Trust Company of St. 
Louis and for two years remained with that corporation. He was next chosen 
vice president of the National Bank of Commerce in January, 1918, and in the 
following November was made both vice president and cashier, occupying the 
dual position at the present time. He has been the president of the clearing house 
section of the American Bankers Association and is now the president of the Mis- 
souri Bankers Association, connections that indicate his high standing among the 
leading financiers of the country. 

In 1909 Mr. McNally was united in marriage to Miss Annabelle Quinn, daugh- 
ter of Joseph P. Quinn, of St. Louis, and they have three children: Raymond F., 
who is now nine years of age and is attending school; Mary Gray, eight years of 
age, also in school; and Gerald, a little lad of four years. 

Mr. McNally belongs to the Cathedral parish of the Roman Catholic church 
and is a member of St. Louis Council of the Knights of Columbus, being a past 
state deputy of the order. He is treasurer of the St. Louis Club and is connected 
also with the Missouri Athletic Association, the Bellerive Country Club, the Auto- 
mobile Club and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. In politics he is a 
democrat and keeps well informed on the vital questions and issues of the day. 
He has never sought nor desired political preferment but has done much important 
public work. He is treasurer of the St. Louis Convention Bureau, which has 
secured so many important conventions for the city, and is treasurer of the New 
Constitution Association, while in many other ways he has contributed to the 
work of making known to the world the advantages and opportunities which St. 
Louis offers. He has been an extensive reader, especially on matters of finance, 
and is a man of strong and forceful character and of magnetic personality. He is 
quick of decision and his sterling worth has gained for him hosts of warm friends. 



ERNEST JOHN RUSSELL. 

Ernest John Russell, a national figure in architectural circles and member of the 
firm of Mauran, Russell & Crowell of St. Louis, was born in London, England, March 
5, 18 70, his parents being John Stokes and Mary J. (Mayhew) Russell, the former 
now deceased. Early in the '70s the parents came with their family to the new 
world and after six months spent in Chicago proceeded to Colorado Springs, Colorado, 
for it was the condition of his health that caused the father to seek a change of 
climate in the United States. There he largely lived retired, although he devoted 
some attention to ranching to the time of his death, which occurred in 1880, when 
he was forty-six years of age. The mother yet makes her home at Colorado Springs. 
The family numbered nine children, five sons and four daughters. 

Ernest John Russell, the eldest of the family, after completing his public school 
education at Colorado Springs began providing for his own support when a youth ot 
fifteen years by serving as a messenger boy with the Western Union. His service in 
that connection, however, covered but twenty-four hours. He quit because the man- 
ager would not allow him to go home for dinner and soon afterward he secured a 
position as office boy with Frank T. Lent, of Colorado Springs, a prominent architect, 
under whom he studied. Developing his powers along that line, he made rapid prog- 
ress and from 1896 to 1900 was connected with Shipley, Ristaue & Collidge who dis- 
continued in 1900 when he entered upon the practice of the profession on his own 
account as a member ot the firm of Mauran, Russell & Garden in St. Louis. Fol- 




ERNEST J. RUSSELL 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 137 

lowing the withdrawal of Mr. Garden, the other partners were joined by Mr. Crowell, 
forming the present firm of Mauran, Russell & Crowell, a connection which has been 
maintained since 1911. Evidence of their superior ability is found in the many fine 
buildings for which they have made the plans. They were the architects of the 
Railway Exchange building, the Laclede Gas Light building, the Second Baptist 
church, the First Church of Christ, Scientist, the Federal Reserve Bank building, 
all of St. Louis; the Rice Hotel and municipal auditorium at Houston, Texas; the 
Galvez Hotel at Galveston; the Gunter Hotel of San Antonio; the Lee Huckins Hotel of 
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and many other prominent structures at various points 
in the country. Not only does this firm rank with the leading architects of St. Louis 
but enjoys a wide reputation in other sections of the country, Mr. Russell being 
regarded as one of America's leading architects and he is undoubtedly the best 
engineer in St. Louis. He was a national delegate to the international meeting of 
architects in London and he is consulted upon all national architectural problems. 
Thoroughly grounded in the essentials of his profession, his resourcefulness inspires 
confidence and his indefatigable energy retains it. In the local chapter of the Amer- 
ican Institute of Architects as well as in the conventions and councils of the insti- 
tute itself he has always been a leader of thought and action. He is a fellow of 
the American Institute of Architects and has been president of the St. Louis chapter, 
while in the national organization he has been made chairman of the jurisdictional 
disputes committee and chairman of the sub-committee on cooperation with related 
interests. 

On the 25th of September, 1895, at Springfield, Ohio, Mr. Russell was married 
to Miss Elizabeth B. Dunlap, a native of the Buckeye state and a daughter of Dr. 
Charles and Frances Warder (Bacon) Dunlap. Mr. and Mrs. Russell have two chil- 
dren, Mary Dunlap and Elizabeth Bacon. 

An Episcopalian in religious faith, Mr. Russell has membership in St. Peter's 
Episcopal church and he is keenly interested in the questions which are of vital 
importance to the city in connection with its material, intellectual, social, economic 
and moral problems. He has been an earnest supporter of such activities as social 
centers and playgrounds and was a member of the St. Louis Public Recreation Com- 
mission from 1908 until 1909 and again in 1911. He was a member of the St. Louis 
house of delegates in 1909 and 1911. In the latter year he was made a member of 
the board of appeals, filling the position for two years. He has served as chairman 
of the St. Louis City Plans Commission, is a member of the American Society for 
Testing Materials, a member of the National Housing Conference, the American 
Town Planning Institute, the National City Planning Conference and of the Civic 
League. During the World war he served on the United States Shipping Board 
and was assistant chief of production and of the housing division of the board. 

Mr. Russell's interests center in St. Louis, where he has been admitted to mem- 
bership in practically every social club of importance in the city, including the Uni- 
versity, St. Louis, Racquet, Noonday and Bellerive Country Clubs. In this connec- 
tion one who has long known him said; "He is one of the most lovable and beloved 
men in St. Louis. * * * jjg jg noted for his poise at the speaker's table, making 
no attempt at rhetorical show, but recognized as a forceful speaker on account of his 
direct and concise treatment of any subject undertaken. He goes straight to the 
point briefly and leaves nothing misunderstood." He is a reader of the best litera- 
ture, attends the best plays and the best operas. In a word, Mr. Russell is never 
content with the second best, whether in the line of recreation or entertainment, 
In the promotion of great civic interests or in the exercise of his professional activity. 



J. HOWARD TOMPKINS. 



For twenty-three years J. Howard Tompkins has been connected with the 
paper trade and throughout the entire period has been associated with one firm. 
His operations are now carried on as the vice president of the Mississippi Valley 
Paper Company of St. Louis and he has here been largely instrumental in the 
building up of a very substantial business. He was born in Chippewa Falls, Wis- 
consin, December 4, 1875, and is a son of Ira Gale and Demaris (Ide) Tompkins, 



138 CEXTEXXIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

the former a native of New York while the latter was born in Vermont, the marriage, 
however, being celebrated in the Empire state. 

J. Howard Tompkins obtained a public school education in Chicago and also 
attended the Lake Forest University, at Lake Forest, Illinois, just outside of Chi- 
cago. He started out in the business world in 1897 as an employe of the J. W. But- 
ler Paper Company of Chicago and held several positions with the parent com- 
pany in that city, gaining steadily a more comprehensive knowledge of the trade 
until now he is the vice president of the Mississippi Valley Paper Company of St. 
Louis which is a subsiduary company of the Chicago house with which he started 
upon his business career. There is today no phase of the paper trade with which 
Mr. Tompkins is not thoroughly familiar and his progressiveness and his enterprise 
have been dominant factors in the extension of the trade through the St. Louis 
territory. 

In Chicago, in June, 1905, Mr. Tompkins was married to Miss Lorena, who passed 
away in 1911. He belongs to the Christian Science church, is a member of the Algon- 
quin Club, the Missouri Athletic Association, the Benevolent Protective Order of 
Elks, the St. Louis Art League, the Chamber of Commerce and the National Paper 
Trade Association. These various membership relations indicate the trend of his 
interests and activities and, moreover, he is identified with the Masonic fraternity, 
having membership in Tuscan Lodge, A. F. & A. M.; St. Louis Chapter, R. A. M.; and 
Ascalon Commandery, K. T. His political allegiance is given to the republican party 
which receives his stalwart support although he has never been an aspirant for office. 
The firm with which he has so long been connected has claimed his undivided allegi- 
ance and he has made for himself a creditable name and position in the business world. 



PAUL JONES. 

The possibility for contributing to the welfare and improvement of a city through 
real estate operations has been recognized by Paul Jones from the outset of his career 
in this field of business and he takes a justifiable pride in putting upon the market 
some of the most attractive residence subdivisions of St. Louis. His labors have 
indeed been a potent element in adding to the beauty of St. Louis and the Paul Jones 
Realty Company has long figured prominently in the business circles of Missouri's 
metropolis. Mr. Jones was born in Huntingdon, Carroll County, Tennessee, January 
31, 1861. His lather, Le Grande Michaux Jones, was a distinguished lawyer of western 
Tennessee and a soldier of the Mexican war who served as sergeant major under 
Colonel William T. Haskell. His mother's maiden name was Cassandra Harris Woods. 
She was a great-granddaughter of James Dinwiddle, a nephew of Governor Robert 
Dinwiddle of Virginia. In the paternal line Mr. Jones is of Welsh and French descent, 
and the Le Grand and Michaux families were French Huguenots who were driven 
to this country by the fierce persecution during the reign of Louis XIV. His maternal 
ancestors were Scotch and Irish. Both lines were represented in the Colonial army 
during the Revolutionary war. 

Paul Jones attended the public schools of his native city and afterward became 
a student in the Peabody high school of Trenton. Tennessee. Later he was for two 
years a student in the Southwestern Baptist University at Jackson, Tennessee, and 
then entered upon the study of law in the office of his father at Trenton. At the 
age of twenty-three years he became clerk and master of the chancery court of the 
ninth judicial district of Tennessee and served in that capacity most acceptably for 
several years. In October, 1887, he came to St. Louis, where he entered the law 
office of his brother, Silas B. Jones, a leading member of the bar of this city. Ill 
health forced Paul Jones to abandon professional work after a year and a halt and 
for some time thereafter he gave his attention to the fire insurance business. In 
September, 1890, however, he entered the real estate field, becoming senior member 
of the firm of Paul Jones & Company, operations being carried on under that firm 
name until 1911. when the business was incorporated as the Paul Jones Realty Com- 
pany. A contemporary writer has said: "Mr. Jones has aided very largely in the 
material development of the business centers of the city and also in the developing 
of the beautiful residence districts of St. Louis. Through his efforts the westward 




PAUL JONES 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 141 

trend was started on Washington Avenue. He negotiated tlie purchases for the three 
great commercial structures situated on the southeast, northeast and northwest corners 
of Twelfth street and Washington avenue. One particular residence subdivision which 
was exclusively handled and developed by Mr. Jones was Hortense Place, known as 
'the gem of the city.' Other large and important real estate deals have been managed 
by him, his negotiations resulting in various realty transfers." Among the more 
recent subdivisions promoted by him was the Shaw tract, resulting in a million dollar 
sale. He iias also made extensive sales in farm lands in Missouri and Arkanas and 
he has recently developed the Glen Echo Park, a new subdivision in St. Louis county. 
There are few men more thoroughly informed concerning property values in the city 
and state than Mr. Jones and in all that he has undertaken he has been actuated by 
a most progressive spirit that has brought splendid results in the development and 
adornment of the city as well as in the improvement of his individual fortunes. 

On the 15th of April, 1895, in Chicago, was celebrated the marriage of Paul Jones 
and Margaret M. Humble, daughter of the late William Pickering Humble. They have 
four children: Paul, Jr., Margaret Cassandra, Virginia Lee and William Pickering. 
Paul Jones, Jr., married Miss Helen Moore Watts, daughter of Frank 0. Watts, presi- 
dent of the First National Bank of St. Louis. The daughter, Margaret Cassandra, 
was married April 15, 1919, to Sherman Leland Whipple, Jr., son of Sherman L. 
Whipple, a very prominent and brilliant lawyer of Boston. 

Mr. Jones is an earnest and active member of the Baptist church, taking an 
active and helpful part in the various phases of the church work. His political alleg- 
iance is given to the democratic party where national issues and questions are in- 
volved, but at local elections he casts an independent ballot. He finds much of his 
recreation in the game of golf and is a member of the Glen Echo Country Club. He 
was director of Glen Echo Country Club for many years. He has never made the 
attainment of wealth the sole end and aim of his life but has found time for coopera- 
tion in many of those forces which make for the uplift of the individual and the 
benefit of mankind. His life is actuated by a broad humanitarianism, based upon 
a belief in the brotherhood of mankind and the obligations thereby imposed. 

He was one of the moving spirits in the "Men and Religion Movement" that had 
so much to do with the bringing together of the various religious denominations of 
the country. 



PAUL JONES, Jk. 

Paul Jones, Jr., who is engaged in the real estate business in connection with his 
father in St. Louis, is one of the veterans of the World war, having been connected 
with the army for twenty-two months and during this period he spent one year on 
overseas duty in France. He was born in St. Louis, February 13, 1896, and is a son 
of Paul Jones, mentioned at length on another page of this work. In the acquire- 
ment of his education he attended Smith Academy from which he was graduated in 
1914 and he was a student at Cornell University in 1914 and 1915. He became a mem- 
ber of the Psi Upsilon during his college days. 

With his return to St. Louis Mr. Jones entered the real estate business in connec- 
tion with his father and has shown remarkable ability in all departments of the work. 
He has thoroughly informed himself concerning the marketable property and valua- 
tions and has displayed excellent powers of salesmanship in negotiating real estate 
transfers. 

At America's entrance into the World war Mr. Jones enlisted on the 14th of June, 
1917. and served from June 14, 1917, with the Fifth Missouri Infantry later the One 
Hundred and Thirty-eighth Infantry until December, 1917, and then with the One Hun- 
dred and Tenth Field Signal Battalion of the Thirty-fifth Division. He was on duty in 
France for a year and was stationed on the Vosges sector in Alsace from the 2d of July 
until the 31st of August. 1918. He was then in the Meuse-Argonne drive from the 26th of 
September until the 1st of October and in the St. Mihiel offensive from September 
12th to the 17th. On the 16th of October he was sent into the Verdun sector and 
was there engaged on active duty until the 5th of November. He was promoted to 
sergeant of the first class in the Signal Corps and was twice mentioned for promo- 
tion to commissioned rank. He saw much of the hardest fighting in which the Ameri- 



142 CEXTEXXIAI. HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

can troops engaged and there was no more brilliant nor more sanguinary engagement 
than that of the Meute Argonne, in which he took part, thus aiding in writing a glory 
page into American liistory. He received his discharge .May 9. 1919, after which he 
returned home and resumed his place in the business circles of St. Louis as associate 
of his father. 

On the 16th of May, 1919, Mr. Jones was married to Mfss Helen Moore Watts, a 
daughter of F. 0. Watts, mentioned elsewhere in this work. He belongs to the Glen 
Echo Golf Club and he and his wife occupy an enviable position in the younger social 
circles of St. Louis. 



ALEXANDER HAMILTON HANDLAN. 

Alexander Hamilton Handlan, starting out to provide for his own support 
when a youth of seventeen years, has steadily worked his way upward through 
persistency of purpose, ready adaptability, a recognition and utilization of oppor- 
tunities, and above all through the most thoroughly reliable methods, his integ- 
rity in business affairs never being called into question. He is now the president 
of the Handlan-Buck Manufacturing Company and as such widely known in the 
commercial circles of St. Louis. 

He was born in Wheeling, Virginia, April 25, 1844, and is a son of Alexander 
Hamilton Handlan, Sr., who was a native of Ohio and of English descent. He was 
a captain on steamboats on the Ohio, Mississippi and Missouri rivers and was also 
a veteran of the Civil war, having served in Missouri, where his duty was to select 
pilots for gunboats during the Civil war. He resided in Cincinnati tor many 
years and from 1SS6 until the time of his death, which occurred in 1893, when 
he was eighty-one years of age, he was a resident of Kirkwood, St. Louis county, 
Missouri. He married Catherine Kineon, who passed away in Ohio in 1895 at 
the age of seventy-seven years. Their family numbered three sons, all of whom 
are now living, the eldest being Eugene Young Handlan, who is retired and resides 
in Cincinnati, while John J. is a farmer of Bourbon, Missouri. 

The third member of the family. Alexander H. Handlan, was educated in the 
public schools and also in Herron Seminary of Cincinnati, but when seventeen 
years of age ran away from home and made his way to the south. He was first 
employed as a messenger in a telegraph office at Memphis, Tennessee, at a wage 
of three dollars per week. He also spent some time in Nashville. Tennessee, and 
in 1861 he removed to St. Louis. Later he returned to Cincinnati and there 
entered the quartermaster's department, with which he was connected for three 
years during the period of the Civil war. He was at the battles of Perryville, 
Kentucky, and Murphysboro, Tennessee. When the war was over he took up 
his abode in Memphis and there engaged in keeping books for his uncle. James 
T. Handlan, who was a wholesale and retail hat and shoe merchant, having a 
branch of the Jesse Arnold house of St. Louis. Mr. Handlan afterward became a 
resident of Washington county, Mississippi, where he had charge of a plantation for 
two years, after which he returned to St. Louis and was engaged in the railroad 
supply business, entering the employ of M. M. Buck in this connection in January, 
1869. At that time the business of the house amounted to only about fifteen 
hundred dollars per month. During the first two months after Mr. Handlan's 
connection therewith the business increased to over forty thousand dollars and 
after the first year's service he made arrangements whereby he was to receive 
a certain per cent of the profits instead of a salary. He thus entered into partner- 
ship relations and from a humble beginning has been developed the largest rail- 
road supply house in the United States. In 1895 Mr. Handlan purchased Mr. 
Buck's interest and he and his family have since conducted the business alone, 
holding all of the stock. With the purchase of Mr. Buck's interest Mr. Handlan 
changed the name to the U. M. Buck Manufacturing Company, under which style 
he carried on the business until 1901. when his three sons, Eugene W., .\Iexander 
H., Jr., and Edward R., became partners in the enterprise, at which time the busi- 
ness was reincorporated under the name of the Handlan-Buck Manufacturing Com- 
pany, of which Mr, Handlan has since remained the president. The company 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 143 

manufactures signal lamps, lanterns, headlights, track drills, metal flags and in 
fact an entire line of railroad supplies for contractors, machine shops, mills, 
foundries and mines. Mr. Handlan is also the president of the Handlan Warehouse 
Company and a director of the Commonwealth Realty Company. He has thus 
extended his efforts into various fields and his cooperation has constituted an im- 
portant element in commercial progress in St. Louis. 

On the 11th of September, 1866, Mr. Handlan was married in Nashville, 
Tennessee, to Miss Mollie A. De Prez, a native of Paris, France, and a daughter 
of Isadore and Francoise De Prez. To Mr. and Mrs. Handlan have been born 
seven children, four daughters and three sons, who are yet living. These are: 
Eugene W., who is the vice president and treasurer of the company; Alexander 
H., Jr., vice president and manager; and Edward R., secretary. The last named 
enlisted in the army in 1917 as a member of the Three Hundred and Forty-second 
Field Artillery of the Eighty-ninth Division and was acting colonel of the regiment 
at the close of the war. 

Mr. and Mrs. Handlan have celebrated their golden wedding, and on the 17th 
of January, 1919, his fiftieth year with the company of which he is now the head. 
There are thirty-four employes with the house whose service extends over a period 
of from twelve to fifty-two years. 

The religious faith of the family is that of the Catholic church, and Mr. 
Handlan belongs to the Knights of Columbus. His political support is given to 
the democratic party and while he has never been an office seeker, he does active 
work in behalf of his city as a member of the Chamber of Commerce, of which 
he is now one of the directors. He also belongs to the Old Mercantile Club, the 
Missouri Athletic Association and the Noonday Club. He has a very wide acquaint- 
ance in St. Louis, where he has now made his home for more than a half century, 
and throughout this period his record has been marked by a steady progress in 
business with the wise utilization of his time and opportunities, leading to notable 
success that may well serve to inspire and encourage others who must begin life 
as he did empty-handed. 



NATHANIEL M. RICE. 



While long connected with railroad interests, Nathaniel M. Rice is now the vice 
president of the Pierce Oil Corporation of St. Louis and in that connection is pro- 
moting a rapidly developing business. He was born in Rome City, Indiana, Decem- 
ber 28, 1863, and is a son of the Rev. Harvey D. and Violetta (Montgomery) Rice, 
the former a clergyman of the Methodist church. He was born in the state of New 
York and was a representative of one of the old families there of Welsh descent. 
The great-great-grandfather of Nathaniel M. Rice was the founder of the American " 
branch of the family. The grandfather was also a clergyman and upon the work 
of the church Harvey D. Rice entered actively as a minister of the Methodist denom- 
ination. He resided in Missouri from 1875 until 1903, living at various points in 
the state as he accepted different pastorates. He was a soldier of the One Hun- 
dredth Indiana Regiment of the Union army during the Cvil war, going to the 
front as a private. He died in 1914 at the age of seventy-six years, and his wife, 
a native of Ohio, passed away In Trenton, Missouri, in 1895 at the age of fifty- 
four years. Their family numbered two sons and a daughter and one of the sons, 
Orin D., is now deceased. The daughter is Mrs. James Bagley, a resident of Trenton, 
Missouri. 

The surviving son of the family, Nathaniel M. Rice, was educated in the public 
schools of his native city and when a youth of fourteen years started out to earn 
his own living. He was first employed on a farm, working in that way in Livingston 
and Carroll counties of Missouri. After devoting three years to the work of the 
fields he took up railroading in the employ of the Santa Fe Railroad and was a 
brakeman until 1886. He afterward became a yard clerk and assistant yard fore- 
man at Temple, Texas, where he continued for two years. He was then transferred 
to the stores department at Temple, Texas, where he occupied a clerical position 
for seven months, and subsequently he was made storekeeper for the Gulf, Colorado 
& Santa Fe Railroad, acting in the latter capacity until 1900. In that year he was 



144 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

promoted, on account of work done in connection with the Galveston flood, to the 
Chicago office as special representative of the operating department of the vice 
president and spent a year there in the store department work. In 1900 he was 
made general storekeeper, in charge of the coast line of the Santa Fe System, and 
when two years had passed was made general storekeeper of the entire Santa Fe 
System, holding this responsible position for a period of ten years, or until 1913, 
when he was made chief purchasing officer of the St. Louis & San Francisco Rail- 
road. In 1916 he was elected third vice president of the road and in 1917 was made 
second vice president of the Frisco System, which office he filled until the roads 
were taken over by the government. He then became assistant to the federal man- 
ager of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad, and so continued until the 
close of the war, with headquarters at New Haven. He next accepted the vice 
presidency of the Pierce Oil Corporation of St. Louis on the 1st of January, 1919, 
and is now filling this position. His entire career has been marked by a steady 
progression that has resulted in the attainment of a position of prominence in the 
business circles of St. Louis, and he is now occupying an important executive posi- 
tion, bending his attention to constructive effort and administrative direction. 

On the 8th of October, 1889, Mr. Rice was married at Temple, Texas, to Miss 
Mary S. Watson, a daughter of the late Judge George B. Watson, a prominent 
jurist, planter and at one time a slave-holder of Arkansas. His mother bore the 
maiden name of Harriet Caulk. To Mr. and Mrs. Rice have been born four chil- 
dren, of whom two are living, Anna Burr and Nathaniel M., Jr. The family resi- 
dence is at No. 5544 Cabanne avenue. 

Mr. Rice has always given his political allegiance to the democratic party. 
Fraternally he is a Mason who has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scot- 
tish Rite in the consistory and he also belongs to George Washington Lodge, No. 
19, B. P. O. E. There is much of inspirational value in the life record of Mr. Rice. 
Starting out as a farm boy when in his teens, he has progressed steadily step by step 
and each forward step has brought him a broader outlook and wider opportunities. 
In the course of years he became a forceful factor in railway circles and is now 
actively connected with the development of oil interests as the vice president of the 
Pierce Oil Corporation. 



JOHN H. GUNDLACH. 



The business career of John H. Gundlach has been marked by steady advance- 
ment, resulting from the wise ultllization of his time, talents and opportunities. 
Since 1892 he has been connected with real estate interests in St. Louis and has 
developed a business of extensive and gratifying proportions in connection with the 
handling of residence property. Mr. Gundlach was born in St. Louis county, October 
6, 1861, and is a son of Peter and Elizabeth (ReifE) Gundlach. The father was born 
in Germany in 1834 and came to the new world in 1849, settling in St. Louis, where 
he engaged in the manufacture and sale of shoes. He also served in the Civil war 
and was a member of the municipal assembly tor twelve years. 

John H. Gundlach pursued his education in the public schools of St. Louis, 
where he was a high school pupil in 1876 and 1877. He started upon his business 
career as an employe of Boehl & Koenig, photographers, with whom he continued 
for three years. He then went to Chicago, Illinois, where he engaged in the whole- 
sale tobacco and cigar business for about eighteen months, on the expiration of 
which period he returned to St. Louis and became chief clerk in the local freight 
office of the Wabash Railroad, with which he continued until 1892. Desirous of 
engaging in business on his own account, he then entered the real estate field, in 
which he has met with notable success, being regarded as one of the leaders in this 
line in St. Louis at the present time. He was at one time on the board of the Real 
Estate Exchange of the city. He has largely specialized in the handling of resi- 
dence property and close application and undaunted energy have been potent fac- 
tors in the continued growth of his business. 

In April, 1884, Mr. Gundlach was united in marriage to Miss Emma C. Dreyer, 
of this city, whose father was one of the early furniture dealers in the City Store 
on Market street. They now have two daughters: Alice, the wife of Arthur Leschen, 




JOHN H. GUNDLACH 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 147 

who is superintendent of the Leschen Rope Company; and Ruth, now the wife of 
Armin Hampeter. 

Mr. Gundlach has long been keenly interested in civic problems and municipal 
affairs and from 1909 until 1913 inclusive was president of the city council; during, 
which time he initiated a number of physical improvements looking to the city'a 
betterment and also inspired the ordinance creating a city plan commission. He 
holds to high ideals in regard to interests affecting the welfare and upbuilding of 
the city and in 1914 he was president of the St. Louis Pageant-Masque, which pre- 
sented the most splendid community pageant that has ever been produced. The 
same organization also produced the remarkable performance of "As You Like It" 
on the occasion of the Shakespearean tercentenary in Forest Park in June, 1916, 
at which time the Municipal Theatre was constructed with funds furnished by the 
Pageant Association. Mr. Gundlach has served for two terms as president of the 
Civic League, which has been so potential a force in the progressive development 
of the city's recent history. 

He is serving on the board of the Historic Society and during the period of 
the World war was chairman of the war camp community service. He is also a mem- 
ber of the board of the Masonic Home and is a past president of the North End St. 
Louis Business Men's Association. His political allegiance has always been given 
to the republican party where national questions and issues are involved, but at 
local elections he casts an independent ballot. Fraternally he has become a Knight 
Templar and thirty-second degree Mason and member of the Mystic Shrine and 
belongs to the City Club of St. Louis and the Sunset Hill Country Club. His worth 
is widely acknowledged. Because of his public spirit he is a recognized leader 
among men who are interested in the welfare and progress of the city without de- 
sire for personal aggrandizement. His judgment is sound and when he addresses 
the public upon a subject in which he is deeply interested, he displays considerable 
oratorical ability. His religious activities have been chiefly confined to Y. M. C. A. 
work and his philanthropic spirit has found expression in his aid of individual needs. 
His has ever been a nature tbat is not content to choose the second best. He strives 
ever toward the highest and his idealism has been an inspiring force in the efforts 
of others. 



THE BROWN SHOE COMPANY. 

The Brown Shoe Company, one of the most important manufacturing interests 
not only of St. Louis but also in connection with the shoe trade of the country, 
had its origin in November, 187 8, being organized by George Warren Brown, who 
associated with him A. L. Bryan and J. B. Desnoyers. The business was organized 
under the name of Bryan-Brown & Company in November, 1878. Mr. Brown had 
already become thoroughly familiar with the shoe trade, serving as shipping clerk 
with Hamilton-Brown & Company, of which his brother was a partner, and after- 
ward representing that company as a traveling salesman upon the road. The busi- 
ness was capitalized for twelve thousand dollars, of which about one-third was 
invested in shoe machinery, lasts, patterns and other equipment. The first em- 
ployes of the company were five expert shoe workers from Rochester, New York, 
and in order to persuade these men to remove to St. Louis it was necessary to furnish 
railroad fare. Soon thereafter real "Rochester finish" fine shoes were being made 
for the first time in St. Louis. The growth of the business was remarkable from 
the beginning. Within less than a year the factory was removed from its first loca- 
tion at 104 South Eighth street to larger quarters in the Cupples building at Eighth 
and Walnut streets, where the company occupied the top floor of the building but 
not long afterward secured the next floor below, while still later a third floor was 
required to meet the demands of this growing concern, and the owner of the build- 
ing, Samuel Cupples, erected an additional story for the use of the firm of Bryan- 
Brown & Company. The success of this company constituted the influence that 
caused the second successful concern to establish shoe manufacturing in St. 
Louis and from time to time other shoe manufacturing enterprises have been 
added until in the present year (1920) shoe manufacturing is not only the 
largest industry of the city but "St. Louis make shoes" are known and sold 



148 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

throughout the entire United States and are being sent in ever increasing volume 
to all parts of the world. Thus this pioneer company in a more pronounced way 
than any other had to do with creating the great shoe industry o£ which St. Louis 
is now so justly proud. In 1878 the St. Louis shoe market consisted of a number 
of wholesale shoe houses selling eastern made goods. In the decade preceding 
several small shoe manufacturing ventures had been established but for want of 
capital or business management, or perhaps of both, most of them had passed out 
of existence and in 1878 St. Louis contained three or four small factories using 
the shoe making machinery of that day. All of these, however, within a few years 
had gone the way of their predecessors. In 1880 the business established by Mr. 
Brown was incorporated as a stock company, thus making it possible for employes 
to become interested in the earnings of the business. Theirs was the first St. Louis 
shoe concern to incorporate, which plan of organization proved so popular as to 
become practically universal within a short time. The company also adopted the 
open shop plan of operation, which it has adhered to since. Soon after this the 
company's warerooms and offices were moved to the southwest corner of Seventh 
and St. Charles streets, there occupying a new seven-story building. 

In 1885 A. L. Bryan, then vice president of the company, retired on account 
of ill health and soon thereafter the name was changed to Brown-Desnoyers Shoe 
Company. In 1886 the growth of the business again demanded larger quarters 
and another removal was then made to 805 Washington avenue. By 1890 the 
business had grown to such an extent that it was again necessary to secure larger 
accommodations and the company leased the southwest corner of Eleventh and 
Washington avenue, occupying one-third of the block now utilized by the Rice-Stix 
Dry Goods Company. For several years the upper floors were utilized for manu- 
facturing purposes and the lower floors for warehouse and offices. Later, however, 
the entire building was required for warehouse and offices, at which time The 
President plant at the southeast corner of Eighteenth and Washington streets was 
built and the upper half occupied by The Capital factory, making high grade shoes 
for women. The lower half was given over to The President factory, making high 
grade shoes for men. A little later the Homestake plant at Twelfth and Russell 
avenue was built and this was followed by the Blue Ribbon plant at Jefferson and 
MuUanphy, while others were added as the business of the company increased. 

In 1893 J. B. Desnoyers, then vice president, retired«trom the company, which 
was reorganized under the name of The Brown Shoe Company. The business there- 
after grew with rapid strides and during the last year of the occupancy of the build- 
ing at Eleventh and Washington avenue the trade amounted to more than eight 
million dollars. In 1905 it became apparent that the requirements of the com- 
pany's growing trade made it necessary to provide a new building. Accordingly 
during that year negotiations were consummated for erecting the White House block 
on Washington avenue. Seventeenth and St. Charles streets and Robbins LaVie. Two- 
thirds of this block was taken over as the original White House building of the 
Brown Shoe Company, providing more than three and one-half acres of floor space. 
On the 1st of January, 1907, the company opened to their customers and friends 
the White House, the occasion being made a memorable one. The large lobby of 
the first floor was beautifully decorated with palms and cut flowers, many of which 
were contributed by competitors and other wholesale houses of St. Louis. A recep- 
tion was held and refreshments served, and the guests of that occasion numbered 
many foremost citizens, while addresses were made by Ex-Governor D. R. Francis, 
E. C. Simmons, Colonel George W. Parker, Rev. Dr. Napthali Luccock, Hon. C. V. 
Anderson and A. B. Groves, the architect. The guests were then shown over the 
building and thus was dedicated to commerce the White House building of St. Louis, 
used for the sales headq.uarters. general and executive offices of the company and 
for the assembling and distributing of shoes produced in all the factories of the 
company. This building was then the largest and finest occupied by any shoe 
house for the same purpose in America. It is strictly fireproof and contains labor- 
saving equipments which produce both economies and rapid execution, these being 
unique features of the White House alone. The architectural beauties of this 
building both within and without, with the ivory white tile exterior, make it the 
most complete and impressive shoe building in the world. 

The company was reorganized January 2, 1913, under the laws of the state 
of New York, as the Brown Shoe Company, Incorporated, with a capital stock of 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 149 

ten million dollars, represented by preferred stock of four million \nd common stock 
of six million. Mr. Brown was president of the first incorporated organization in 
1880 and so continued until May 18, 1915, a period of thirty-five years. He then 
resigned the position and was elected chairman of the board of directors, in which 
position he continues to the present time and is also a member of the executive 
committee. The present officers and directors of the company are as follows: 
G. W. Brown, chairman of the board; John A. Bush, president; E. R. McCarthy, 
vice president; G. A. Bull, vice president; T. P. Moody, vice president; P. O'Brien, 
vice president; H. L. Tomes, vice president; William Krail, secretary; H. S. Hutchins, 
treasurer; Joseph H. Roblee; Walter E. Sachs; G. E. Southwick; E. F. Shaw; T. 
F. James; G. M. Shanklin; A. G. McGaghey; and W. E Tarlton. 

The Brown Shoe Company, Incorporated, occupied in 1920 the entire block, 
the east third having been taken over in 1918, and the White House headquarters 
is one of the show places of St. Louis and a wholesome inspiration to every traveling 
salesman of the company, as well as to buyers, visitors and employes. X^iis build- 
ing contains five and four-tenths acres of floor space, which provides room not only 
to handle the company's requirements for offices, salesrooms, shipping rooms and 
stock floors for ready-to-wear shoes but here also are now located all the buyers' 
offices, printing and advertising departments. The Central Shoe Company branch 
occupies the modern new fireproof building, opposite the White House, at Seventeenth 
and Washington avenue. Seven large plants of the company are located in St. Louis 
and six are located in the St. Louis shoe zone in Missouri and Illinois, the buildings 
affording approximately thirty acres of floor space, while the company's shipments 
for 1920 are expected to reach forty million dollars. About eight thousand employes 
are now on the pay roll. Two hundred and fifty salesmen sell the company's goods 
all over the United States and in many foreign countries, including China, India 
and other sections of the far east. The highest principles have ever been main- 
tained in the conduct of the business, and it has always been the policy of the house 
to manifest an interest in the individual employes and reward their fidelity, capability 
and loyalty by promotion as opportunity has offered. Thus almost all who are now 
directors of the company and heads of departments have worked up from humble 
positions in the company's employ. 



SAMUEL M. KENNARD. 



Samuel M. Kennard, deceased, was at the head of the J. Kennard & Sons Car- 
pet Company of St. Louis and otherwise prominently identified with important 
business corporations of the city. He was born in Lexington, Kentucky, in Jan- 
uary, 1842, a son of John and Catherine (Fishburn) Kennard. He acquired his 
education in the public schools of his native city and when fifteen years of age 
came to St. Louis in 1857 with his father who established a carpet business. The 
son became the assistant of his father in this enterprise and as he advanced in 
years continually became more and more efficient in the management and control of 
interests connected with the carpet trade. The business was developed to exten- 
sive proportions, becoming one of the foremost commercial interests of St. Louis. 
At the outbreak of the Civil war, however, Samuel M. Kennard put aside business 
considerations and joined the Confederate army as a member of Landis' Battery, 
attached to Cockrell's Brigade. He saw active service in Mississippi, especially 
around Vicksburg, in 1863, and the command was surrendered to Grant when 
Vicksburg fell. He remained a prisoner of war until exchanged and afterward 
was promoted lieutenant in Landis' and Guiboir's Batteries, which were consoli- 
dated. He commanded a section of the battery at the battle of Franklin, Ten- 
nessee, October 30, 1864, under Alexander P. Stewart, and during the last six 
months of the war was with General Hood's army in Georgia and Tennessee as 
aide-de-camp to General N. B. Forrest. 

Upon his return to St. Louis in 1865 Mr. Kennard was admitted to a partner- 
ship in the carpet business which had been established by his father, the firm 
style. of John Kennard & Sons being then assumed. He more and more largely took 
upon himself responsibilities connected with the management of this mammoth con- 
cern and upon the death of his father in November, 1872, when the business was in- 



150 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

corporated under the name of the J. Kennard & Sons Carpet Company, he became 
president and at the time of his death was serving as chairman of the board. He 
possessed in large measure that quality which for want of a better term has 
been called commercial sense. He was ever a close student of trade conditions 
and of the market as affecting the carpet business and his keen sagacity and ability 
to discriminate between the essential and the nonessential in business affairs brought 
to his house a most substanial measure of success. As the years passed he ex- 
tended his connections into other fields, becoming a director of the National Bank 
of Commerce, also of the Commonwealth Trust Company and a trustee of the Barnes 
estate. He likewise assisted in building the new Planters hotel in 1894. 

In St. Louis, in 1867, Mr. Kennard was married to Miss Annie R. Maude and 
they became the parents of six children: John B.; Sa'Lees; Annie M., the wife of 
J. H. Brookmire; Mary R., the wife of H. B. Wallace; Samuel M.; and Richard S. 
Mrs. Kennard occupies one of the finest homes in St. Louis at No. 4 Portland place 
and also has an attractive summer residence at Magnolia, Massachusetts. 

Mr. Kennard was keenly interested in the welfare of St. Louis and cooperated 
most earnestly and heartily in all projects for the upbuilding and benefit of the 
city. To this end he became one of t^e organizers of the St. Louis Exposition and 
for twelve years was president of the Exposition Company. He was also president 
at the first meeting of the Autumnal Festivities Association, introducing the Veiled 
Prophet's celebration in 1891. This has become one of the most important social 
features of St. Louis and is the means of bringing thousands of visitors to the 
city every year, thus making known the city's resources and greatly promoting 
its commercial activities. Mr. Kennard became the vice president of the Louisiana 
Purchase Exposition Company and was the first president of the Business Men's 
League. He was thus most active and prominent in promoting the great projects 
which have had to do with the development and upbuilding of St. Louis and the 
effect of his labors is immeasurable. His political allegiance was given to the 
democratic party. He belonged to the Confederate Veterans and in 189 7-8 was 
brigadier general of the Missouri Division. He became one of the organizers of 
the Mercantile Club of St. Louis and also held membership with the Commercial, 
St. Louis, and St. Louis Country Club. His religious faith was manifest in his 
membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. South, and at his death his estate 
was generously shared with eight different charitable organizations and institutions, 
to which he made liberal bequests. Quietly and without ostentation, he was con- 
tinually giving tor the benefit of his fellowmen through organized benevolences 
or through individuals and his hand was ever reaching down to those less for- 
tunate than himself that he might aid them to rise to a higher level. He was a 
man whom the world respected and honored, while those who came within the 
circle of his close acquaintance greatly prized his friendship. 



PETER IBSEN. 

Peter Ibsen, active in the public life of Missouri as consul for Denmark, and 
connected with the commercial interests of St. Louis as a confectioner, was born 
in Denmark, November 4, 1862. His father, Jens Ibsen, was engaged in a foundry 
business in Germany, although his ancestors, through several generations had been 
farmers. The death of Jens Ibsen occurred in 1895. His wife, Ane Kerstlne Ibsen, 
who belonged to one of £he old and well known Danish families, passed away in 
1870. 

Peter Ibsen obtained a public school education in his native country and it 
was his father's wish that he should become his successor in the foundry business 
but when Peter Ibsen was seventeen years of age he decided to forego a college 
education and sail for the United States. He landed at New York and made his 
way almost immediately to Muskegon, Michigan, where he obtained employment 
in a foundry occupying that position for two years. He next went to Chicago, and 
for ten years was employed in a wholesale candy house, thoroughly learning the 
business. All this time he was practicing economy, as well as industry, and thus 
laid the foundation for his later success. In 1884 he removed to St. Louis, and 
established a little candy business on Olive street. This prospered and later he 




PETER IBSEN 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 153 

spent a year in travel in Europe after which he returned to St. Louis and opened 
a candy store in the Century building. For the past seven years he has occupied 
his present quarters and his store has become one of the iinest in the city and is 
recognized as one of the exclusive luncheon places in St. Louis. The highest 
standard is maintained in the meals served and in the confections carried and the 
business is now one of substantial proportions. Mr. Ibsen has concentrated his 
efforts and attention in almost undivided manner upon his business and from a 
penniless and friendless boy — for such he was when he arrived in the new world — 
he has advanced steadily step by step until he now owns one of the most select 
and one of the largest establishments in his line in the city. He is perhaps the 
best known of any of his countrymen west of the Mississippi river and for eleven 
years has held the post of consul for Denmark. 

Mr. Ibsen belongs to St. Louis Lodge, No. 9, B. P. O. E., and is also a member 
of the Chamber of Commerce. His religious faith is that of the Lutheran church 
and his political allegiance is given to the republican party. His pleasures are 
largely found in music and golf and through these avenues of interest he maintains 
an even balance which produces a well rounded character and development. 

His friends bespeak him as "a good business man absolutely clean and straight, 
who wants nothing but what is right, works hard and long and is very conscientious." 
He is also most charitable, quietly and unostentatiously doing much good, seeking 
out individual cases where assistance is needed. 



HENRY G. TRIESELER. 



Henry G. Trieseler, lawyer, actively practicing at the bar of St. Louis, was born 
in said city October 17, 1878. He was the oldest son of the late Henry Trieseler 
and Charlotte Trieseler whose maiden name was Charlotte Luth. Henry Trieseler, 
the father, was for a long period of time successfully engaged in the wholesale 
pork packing and provision business and operated a slaughter house for the pur- 
pose of killing hogs in connection therewith. Charlotte Trieseler was a daughter 
of Louis Luth who settled in St. Louis in 1834 and who was a successful contractor, 
builder and investor in real estate. Louis Luth served as a soldier in the Mexican 
war and also as a soldier in the Union army of the Civil war. During his early 
residence in St. Louis he lived at times outside of the limits of the city and at 
one time kept the toll-house on the old Gravois road in connection with his other 
business and became intimately acquainted with many persons passing through 
the southwest gateway from St. Louis. 

Henry G. Trieseler was educated in the public schools of St. Louis and was com- 
pelled to abandon his education while in the second year of the old St. Louis high 
school on account of the death of his mother. He set out to seek his own liveli- 
hood and procured employment in the old Fourth National Bank and while working 
for this institution qualified himself for admission to the law department of Wash- 
ington University. He entered Washington University in 1901 and was graduated 
therefrom in June, 1903, receiving his LL.B. degree. Immediately following his 
graduation he entered into the active practice of his profession in St. Louis and has 
extended his practice to include all of the courts of Missouri and Illinois and the 
federal courts of the United States. During the time he has devoted to the practice 
of his profession he has been connected with many cases of a civil character of 
great importance and litigation affecting the rights and welfare of the people 
of his native city. 

At the outbreak of the Spanish-American war Henry G. Trieseler answered 
the call for volunteers and enlisted for military service. He served honorably 
and with distinction throughout the war and for some time thereafter. At the 
general election in November, 1908, Mr. Trieseler was elected a member of the 
general assembly of the state of Missouri from the second representative district in 
the city of St. Louis and while serving in the session of the forty-fifth general 
assembly he was selected for membership on the following important committees, 
to-wit: Judiciary, elections, public health, railroads and revision of the laws of 
Missouri. He was also a member of various important special committees through- 



154 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

out the session of the legislature. He devoted a great deal of his time after the 
session adjourned to the work of revising the statutes of his state. 

Mr. Trieseler has held no other public office and has been an independent 
republican in his politics at all times. He has served as attorney for the Board of 
Pharmacy and has served as a special attorney for the State Board of Health. 
During the World war he served the United States first as a member of the Board 
of Registration under the selective service law and he became chairman of the 
local board for division No. 8 of the city of St. Louis from the time it was organized 
until the board passed out of existence. During the twenty-two months of service 
he devoted his entire time to the duties in connection with the enforcement of the 
selective service law in his jurisdiction with practically no compensation for his 
services. He was also a member of the executive committee of the Associated Local 
Boards of St. Louis organized for the purpose of handling registrations under the 
selective service law in the city of St. Louis. 

Mr. Trieseler was married December 24, 1908, to Miss Emma P. Putting, a 
native of St. Louis and a daughter of Francis Henry and Lena Caroline Putting 
(Paschedag), both of whom are residents of the city of St. Louis. Two children were 
born of the marriage, to-wit: Leona Charlotte, born in 1909 and Henrietta 
Elleanore, born in 1916. 

Mr. Trieseler and all members of his family, are active members of the Evan- 
gelical Lutheran church and have taken an active part in church work and an 
active interest in various orphan homes and the Old Folks' Home of their religious 
denomination. Mr. Trieseler has freely contributed his services, time and money 
to projects concerning the welfare of the city and its inhabitants although he does 
not aspire to public office. He stands high in his profession and enjoys the utmost 
confidence and respect of all persons with whom he comes into contact everywhere. 



NORTON NEWCOMB. 



Norton Newcomb, president of the Newcomb Brothers Wall Paper Company of 
St. Louis, was born February 13, 1871, in the city which has always been his place 
of residence. His father, George A. Newcomb, now deceased, was a native of Massa- 
chusetts, born February 14, 1841. For a long period he was the president of the 
Newcomb Brothers Wall Paper Company, so continuing until his death, and through 
his enterprise and progressive methods developing a business of large and substan- 
tial proportions. During the Civil war he acted as secretary to Admiral Lee in the 
North Atlantic fleet and afterward was a prominent member of the Grand Army of 
the Republic, serving as commander of Ransom Post of St. Louis. He married Julia 
A. Floyd, a daughter of James Floyd, and they became the parents of five sons and 
two daughters, of whom Norton is the eldest. The others are: Charles L., vice 
president of the Newcomb Brothers Wall Paper Company, who married Anna Heron 
and has three adopted chldren: George A., who is a traveling salesman for the New- 
comb Brothers Wall Paper Company and who married Beryl Roberts, by whom he 
has two children; Harold B., who is also representing the wall paper company as a 
traveling salesman and who married Josephine McCrea, by whom he has two chil- 
dren; Floyd T., who is a traveling salesman tor the Atlas Powder Company and who 
married Alvina Conrad, by whom he has two children: Dorothy, who is the wife 
of Hiram B. Mason, secretary and treasurer of the St. Louis National League Base- 
ball Club; and Edna. 

Norton Newcomb, whose name introduces this review, was educated in the pub- 
lic schools of St. Louis and in the Central high school. When seventeen years of age 
he started out in the business world as office boy with the W. P. Nelson Real Estate 
Company of St. Louis. When eighteen years of age he began clerking for the New- 
comb Brothers Wall Paper Company and during the succeeding fourteen years won 
advancement from time to time until he was made a traveling salesman. When 
thirty-two years of age he became connected with the National Wall Paper Company, 
with which he continued for a year as assistant manager. He then returned to the 
Newcomb Brothers Wall Paper Company as traveling salesman, which position he 
held until the death of his father in 1906, when he was elected to the presidency 
of the company and has so acted to the present time. The business has been estab- 




NORTON NEWCOMB 



^ CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

lished since 1852 and is one of the largest jobbing and wholesale paper 
the west. They do a large retail contracting business and in the conduct of their 
interests the most progressive and enterprising methods are employed. Mr. New- 
comb is also the president of the St. Louis Retail Wall Paper Dealers Association 
and his prominence in trade circles is Indicated in the fact that he has occupied this 
position for fifteen years. He has likewise been president for three years of the 
National Wall Paper Jobbers Association. 

In Racine. Wisconsin, July 17. 1903, Mr. Newcomb was married to Miss Pearl 
M. Spalding, a daughter of Eugene Spalding, a farmer. They have become the par- 
ents of six children, four sons and two daughters: Julia Floyd, fourteen years of 
age; Norton, Jr., a lad of twelve; Robert S., ten; Louise Christy, eight; James F., 
five; and Donald, a little lad of two summers. The religious faith of Mr. and Mrs. 
Newcomb is that of the Presbyterian church. 

Mr. Newcomb is identified with various organizations, belonging to the Sales- 
manship Club, to the Chamber of Commerce and also to the Missouri Athletic Asso- 
ciation, of which he was president for three years, while for nine years he was a 
member of its board of governors. His political allegiance has always been given 
to the republican party and he recognizes the duties and obligations of citizenship 
as well as its privileges and opportunities. He is widely known and has long been 
a man of Influence not only in business but in club circles in St. Louis and has done 
not a little in shaping public thought and action along various lines. 



F. ALEXANDER WITTE. 



F. Alexander Witte is one of the native sons of St. Louis who has risen to 
prominence in connection with the commercial interests of the city. He was born 
here October 2, 1868, his parents being Frederick A. and Cornelia (Lieber) Witte. 
The father was well known in commercial circles in St. Louis for many years and 
passed away December 4, 1880. The son obtained his early education in the public 
schools and afterward attended Smith Academy of St. Louis until May, 1881. He 
was then sent to Germany where he attended the Real Gymnasium of Oldenburg 
and was there graduated in April, 18 85. 

Upon his return to his native land Mr. Witte initiated his business experience 
by entering the employ of his uncle who was head of the Witte Hardware Com- 
pany, a wholesale concern, founded by his father, the late Frederick A. Witte, 
and ranking the third largest in St. Louis. He accepted a clerkship in this estab- 
lishment on the 1st of November, 1885, and closely applying himself to the work 
his diligence, industry and determination brought him various promotions until on 
the 1st of January, 1896, he was elected to oflScial position, being made secretary 
of the company, while in January, 1910, he became the vice president and in 1919 
was chosen president since which time he has been the chief executive officer 
directing the policies and shaping the further development of the business. There 
is no phase of the trade with which he is not thoroughly familiar. He has studied 
every feature of the business and is continually broadening the trade relations by 
a most efficient method of thorough organization and systematization and by earnest 
effort to please his patrons for he has ever recognized that satisfied customers are 
the best advertisements. 

On the 10th of April, 1900, in St. Louis, Mr. Witte was united in marriage to 
Miss Lillian T. Gehner. They are well known socially and Mr. Witte holds mem- 
bership in the Sunset Hill Country and the Missouri Athletic Clubs, and of the 
latter he is a member of the board of governors. He is likewise a member of the 
Chamber of Commerce, the Missouri Historical Society and the St. Louis Symphony 
Orchestra for he is a great lover of music and is prominently known in musical 
circles. He is a director of the United States Bank of St. Louis, the Traffic Club 
of St. Louis, the St. Louis Art League and the St. Louis Zoological Society. He is 
a Protestant in religious faith and all of these associations indicate the nature of 
his interests and the rules which govern his conduct. His political faith is that of 
the republican party but the duties of business have left him no time nor inclina- 
tion for public office. He turns to horseback riding and golf for recreation and 
diversion and his has been an active life in which his interests have been well 



158 CEXTEMXIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 



balanced. While a most successful merchant he has also been active in the sup- 
port of music and the fine arts, in fact in all those interests which are of cultural 
value and he has done much to promote and support the highest musical tastes of 
the city. At the same time in all business affairs he is most practical, formulating 
his plans readily and carrying them forward to successful completion and thus he 
has become a power in the mercantile circles of the city. 



EUGENE JOSEPH MUDD. 



Eugene Joseph Mudd entered the National Bank of Commerce at St. Louis in 
January. 1902, as a collector and since that time the steps in his orderly progres- 
sion have been easily discernible. The usual qualities of diligence, determination 
and faithfulness have constituted the foundation upon which he has built his 
success and he today figures prominently among Missouri's financiers as the vice 
president of the institution which he entered eighteen years ago. He has been a 
lifelong resident of Missouri, his birth having occurred in St. Charles county, at 
Boschertown, near the city of St. Charles. His father, Dr. James R. Mudd, was a 
native of Kentucky and a representative of the branch of the family that was early 
established in that state. For forty years Dr. Mudd was a practicing physician 
of St. Charles and at one time was mayor of that place, where his death occurred 
in 1915. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary C. Boschert, was a daughter 
of John Boschert, in whose honor Boschertown was named. 

In the acquirement of an education Eugene J. Mudd attended the St. Louis 
University, from which he was graduated with the Bachelor of Arts degree as a 
member of the class of 1901. It was in January of the following year that he 
secured the position of collector in the National Bank of Commerce and through- 
out the intervening period has made steady advancement, his capability and merit 
bringing him to the position of assistant cashier in 1916, while in 1919 he was 
elected vice president. Throughout all the intervening period he has been a close 
student of business conditions and particularly of the main features of the finan- 
cial world and his knowledge is comprehensive and accurate. He is the president 
of the James R. Mudd Estate, Inc., a company formed to keep intact the estate 
which was left by his father. 

On the 4th of September, 1907, Mr. Mudd was married to Miss Helen Ann 
Rechtern, a daughter of the late Charles Rechtern, a retired merchant of St. 
Charles, Missouri. The Rechtern family and the Becker family, of which Mrs. 
Rechtern was a representative, have long been prominently identified with the 
history of St. Charles county. To Mr. and Mrs. Mudd have been born four children: 
Dorothy Margaret, who was born April 30, 1909; Helen Mary, born June 12, 1912; 
Marjorie Ann, September 12. 1913; and Blanche Loretto, April 20, 1Q16. 

The family are Catholics in religious faith, identified with the St. Rose parish 
in St. Louis and Mr. Mudd is a fourth degiee member of the Knights of Columbus. 
While Mr. Mudd had passed beyond military age at the time of the World war he 
had four brothers who were in the service. In politics his family has always sup- 
ported democratic principles and candidates, but he has not affiliated himself with 
either party, preferring to cast an independent ballot. He belongs to the Missouri 
Athletic Association of St. Louis and he is prominent and popular in that order and 
wherever he is known. His business interests have brought him wide acquaintance 
and with its growth the circle of his friends has been extended. 



REV. JOHN NEKULA. 

The Catholic ministry has many prominent representatives in St. Louis and 
among this number is the Rev. John Nekula, pastor of St. Wenceslaus' Catholic 
church, situated at No. 3018 Oregon avenue. He was born in Moravia, in the 
province of Austria, now the Czecho-Slovakia republic, on the 3d of January, 1871, 
and is a son of Jacob and Catherine (Brokes) Nekula. The father died in 1918 
and the mother is still livirg in the old home at Moravia. 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 159 

Mr. Nekula was educated in the Theological Seminary at Brno, Moravia, and 
in the Louvain University at Louvain, Belgium. In 1894 he came to St. Louis 
and completed his studies in Kenrick Seminary. On the 8th of June, 18 95, he was 
ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Kane and was thereafter appointed 
assistant priest to St. John of Nepomuk church, where he served for five years. In 
1900 he was appointed pastor of St. Wenceslaus' parish; over which he has presided 
for the past twenty years. The parish has been built up from about ninety families 
to three hundred families and the school has an enrollment of about one hundred 
and seventy children, making this one of the strong and important parishes of the 
city. The membership of the church is composed wholly of Bohemian families 
and Rev. Mr. Nekula is proving a most able leader of his flock, working earnestly 
for the establishment of the highest Christian principles among his people and 
laboring untiringly for the upbuilding of the church. 

Mr. Nekula belongs to the Knights of Columbus and gives his political allegi- 
ance to the democratic party. He was sent to Europe in November, 1919, by the 
Catholic National War Council of Washington, D. C, to study conditions abroad 
and to lecture in the Czecho-Slovakia country. He spent seven months traveling 
throughout that country, also through France, Italy and Switzerland, and in Rome 
made a report to the pope. He returned home on the 28th of May, 1920. While 
in Europe he crossed the battle fields of France eight times as he traveled from 
point to point and gained a most intimate knowledge of conditions which then 
existed and of events which had taken place while the war was in progress. 



HON. E. L. MORSE. 



Excelsior Springs, with its modern improvements and air of general progress 
and prosperity, largely stands as a monument to the enterprise and business ability 
of Hon. E. L. Morse, who when a lad of eight years was working as errand boy 
and general assistant in a little bank and drugstore, the two business interests 
occupying one room. Since then Mr. Morse has proved his ability as a member 
of the bar, has been connected with the promotion of electric lights and water plants, 
with railway building, with real estate dealing and with many other business enter- 
prises which have been dominant factors in the upbuilding of Excelsior Springs. 
His entire career might be summed up in the one word, advancement, but justice 
demands a fuller exposition of his life because this advancement has ever been of 
a character that has contributed to the welfare and benefit of community, common- 
wealth and country, while at the same time as the architect of his own fortune 
he has builded wisely and well. 

Mr. Morse is a native of the Empire state, his birth having occurred in Bing- 
hamton, Broome county, New York, March 10, 1866, his parents being Benjamin 
Whitney and Emeline (Bissell) Morse, who were natives of New York and Penn- 
sylvania respectively. The father was a contractor and builder of Binghamton and 
conducted a very profitable business. In 1872 he came to Missouri, settling at 
Osborn where he purchased a farm, continuing its cultivation until his death in 
1894. His ancestors were among the earliest settlers of New York and tradition 
has it that seven brothers of the name came to America from the old world at an 
early period in the colonization of this country. Both the father and the grand- 
father of Hon. E. L. Morse prospered in business, but the Civil war brought on 
some reverses. 

The educational opportunities of E. L. Morse were extremely limited owing to 
the fact that when eight years of age he began to work in the bank and drug store 
of Osborn, spending eight years in that connection. He was sixteen years of age 
when he came to Excelsior Springs and established a drug store of his own, having 
thoroughly acquainted himself with the business in his previous employment. He 
was a registered pharmaceutist and knew every feature of the trade. He opened 
his drug store in 1880 and carried on the business for a year, at the end of which 
time he sold out. He then went to Kansas City where he entered the Kansas City 
School of Law, pursuing his studies for two years, after which he was admitted to 
the bar in 1883. Returning to Excelsior Springs he began the practice of his pro- 
fession and was elected to the office of city attorney in which capacity he served 



160 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

for eight years, making a most creditable record by the prompt and faithful per- 
formance of his duties. The limitless field of business, however, called to him 
and in 1888 he built and operated the Excelsior Springs Light & Water Plant. 
Still the chance lor the expansion of his interests made demand upon his energy 
and in 1893 he built the Kansas City, Excelsior Springs and Northern Railway, 
which he afterward sold to the Wabash system in connection with which the line 
is now operated. Mr. Morse also promoted and became the president of the 
company that built the Elms hotel. In this undertaking he was associated with 
the same people that were connected with him in the railway building. Later he 
organized the Excelsior Springs Land & Investment Company which owned the 
town site. This company took over all the assets and holdings of the original 
Townsite & Land Company in 1893 at the time of the building of the j-ailroad. It 
is due to Mr. Morse's energy, enterprise and foresight that Excelsior Springs is the 
attractive city one finds today. He still owns a large amount of property here, 
including eight blocks of the improved property in the business district. He organ- 
ized the Excelsior Springs Trust Company. Opportunity has ever been to him a 
call to action — a call to which he has made ready response. 

In 1887 Mr. Morse was married to Miss Kate Lemon who passed away in 1893, 
leaving three children. Benjamin W., deceased; Wallace M. and Howard Holden. In 
1S95 Mr. Morse was again married, his second union being with Harriett C. Chamber- 
lain of Denver, Colorado, and they have become parents of three children: Kate, 
Marguerite and William. The son Howard served through the World war. He is a 
young man of attractive personality and very popular in Excelsior Springs. He made 
a most creditable record while in the service being with General March and General 
Goethals. He was overseas five times and was with General Pershing when the armistice 
was signed. 

In his political views Mr. Morse is a republican and is a recognized leader in 
the ranks of the party in this state. In 1892 he went to the state legislature and 
was instrumental in securing the passage of a bill enabling Excelsior Springs to 
build its sewer system. In 1900 he made the big fight whereby the streets in 
Excelsior Springs were paved. Though he was strongly opposed in this under- 
taking at the time there is now no one but what feels that his course was most 
wise and justifiable. Mr. Morse has a wide acquaintance among prominent polit- 
ical leaders of the country and numbers among his friends Ex-Governor Lowden of 
Illinois and Senator James E. Watson of Indiana. There is perhaps no record in 
this volume which indicates more clearly that notwithstanding the advantages one 
may or may not have in the way of education he must eventually formulate and 
determine his own character. His life record also proves that the strongest and 
best in men is brought out through the pressure of adversity and the stimulus of 
opposition. With but limited advantages at the outset of his career he has made 
notable progress, accomplishing great things in the way of city building and there 
is no one to whom Excelsior Springs is more deeply indebted than to E. L. Morse. 



HERMAN LOUIS NIETERT, M. D. 

Dr. Herman Louis Nietert, an able surgeon of St. Louis, was born in Edwards- 
ville, Illinois, February 22, 1866. His father, Frederick Nietert, was a native 
of Germany and came to America in 1845, when twenty years of age, originally 
settling in Cincinnati, while during the '5 0s he removed to Edwardsville, Illinois. 
He was a farmer and stock raiser, conducting his business very successfully. He 
passed away in September, 1919, at the notable age of ninety-four years, and his 
wife, who bore the maiden name of Minnie Slueter, passed away in 1910, at the 
age of eighty-six years. She too was a native of Germany and came to the United 
States prior to the Civil war. By her marriage she became the mother of twelve 
children, seven sons and five daughters. 

Herman L. Nietert, who was the sixth in order of birth, was educated in the 
public schools of Edwardsville and at Shurtleff College at Alton, Illinois. His 
early life to the age of sixteen years was spent upon the home farm, and after 
completing his studies in the local schools, he entered the St. Louis Medical College, 
from which he was graduated in 1889. After winning his degree he served for 




DR. HERMAN L. NIETERT 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 163 

one year as interne in the St. Louis City Hospital and then spent two years abroad, 
studying in Heidelberg and in Vienna. Returning to St. Louis he entered upon the 
private practice of his profession, in which he has since continued but for some 
time has specialized in surgery. In 1902 he was superintendent and surgeon in 
charge of the St. Louis City Hospital, continuing in thai position from 1899 until 
1902, a period of four years. He was also post mortem physician for four years 
or until 1899. He belongs to the St. Louis, Missouri State, and American Medical 
Associations. He is now surgeon for the Deaconess Hospital and the Lutheran 
Hospital, and he has an extensive private practice which is indicative of the con- 
fidence reposed in his professional skill and ability. During the war he served 
as a member of the Medical Reserve Corps and was commissioned captain. 

On the 30th of November, 1902, Dr. Nietert was married in St. Louis to Miss 
Katharine Ziegenhein, a native of St. Louis and a daughter of Henry and Katherine 
(Hinkel) Ziegenhein. Fraternally Dr. Nietert is a Mason belonging to Meridian 
Lodge, A. F. & A. M. and to Ascalon Commandery, K. T. of St. Louis. He also 
has membership in the Sunset Inn Country Club. His political endorsement is 
given to the republican party, and he keeps thoroughly in touch with the questions 
and issues of the day but has never had ambition for office outside of the strict 
path of his profession. The thoroughness with which he has devoted his atten- 
tion to his practice has led to the attainment of the enviable position which he 
now occupies as one of the leading surgeons of St. Louis. 



OLIVER DWIGHT FILLEY. 

Oliver Dwight Filley, a man of the strictest integrity and probity of character, 
actuated at all times by marked devotion to duty during the most troublous period 
in the history of Missouri as well as in the days of calm and orderly progression, 
left the impress of his individuality in unmistakable manner upon the annals of 
city and state. While he never sought to figure in public life, he was the associate 
and was recognized as the peer of many of the ablest of the prominent men of Mis- 
souri. His birth occurred at Wintonhurg, now Bloomfield, Connecticut, May 23, 
1806, and his ancestral record is traced back to the earliest settlement of New 
England. When many were fleeing from the mother country to seek religious lib- 
erty in the new world, William Filley aided in founding the town of Windsor, 
Connecticut, in 1633 and thus established the Filley family on American soil. 

Oliver D. Filley was one of a family of six children, five sons and a daughter, 
whose father, Oliver Filley, Sr., was a tinner by trade and in his establishment 
the son began learning the business at an early age. He also attended the district 
schools and early in life became a factor in the industrial activity of Bloomfield. 
On attaining his majority he removed to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and worked 
at his trade in the shop of his uncle, Harvey Filley. He afterward removed to 
Pittsburgh, where he was employed for a time at his trade and then returned to 
Bloomfield but after residing there for a brief period started for the middle west, 
with St. Louis as his destination. He was accompanied by his brother, M. L. 
Filley, and the two made the trip in 1829, at which time Oliver D. Filley was but 
twenty-three years of age. On reaching this city he entered the employ of a 
Mr. Mansfield, for whom he worked as a journeyman tinner and about a year 
later purchased the business from his employer and for more than forty-three years 
was one of the prominent factors in the industrial life of St. Louis. In 1834 his 
brother, Giles F. Filley, entered the establishment as an apprentice and after com- 
pleting his term of indenture was admitted to a partnership in the business — a 
relation that was maintained for four years and from the business conducted by 
the brothers there developed the extensive stove works that constituted one of 
the important business enterprises of St. Louis, conducted by Mr. Filley up to 
the time of his retirement in 1873. In that year he sold his interests to Rodney 
D. Wells and put aside the more active cares of business life, having in the mean- 
time through his capable management, unfaltering enterprise and sound judgment 
acquired a handsome fortune. In no section of the country, especially in the west 
and northwest, was Mr. Filley unknown, his business relations extending to all 
parts of the United States, St. Louis being at that time the distributing point for 



164 CEXTEXXIAI. HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

the Mississippi valley and the great middle western country. His plans were always 
carefully formulated and promptly executed and his determined purpose and enter- 
prising methods enabled him to overcome all the difficulties and obstacles In his 
path and ultimately reach the point of substantial success. 

While ever averse to holding public office, Mr. Filley was yet an active worker 
in the ranks of the Benton and Jackson democracy and was an intimate friend of 
both Thomas Benton and Andrew Jackson, the latter always making Mr. Filley's 
residence his headquarters on every visit to the city, while Benton upon his return 
from Washington to St. Louis always made it a point to call at Mr. Filley's office 
and extend to him his first greeting. The latter was also a close friend and sup- 
porter of General Frank P. Blair. He stood with Benton in the split which subse- 
quently led to a split on the nomination of General Cass for the presidency as 
against Van Buren, Mr. Filley following the fortunes of the latter. For a time 
Mr. Filley was a director in the Bank of the State of Missouri and resolutely opposed 
the policy of recognizing and dealing in the doubtful currency that prevailed in 
the west prior to 1857. In 1858 he actively entered public life as mayor of St. 
Louis and his administration was characterized by various reforms and improve- 
ments. The free soilers in that year made him their candidate for mayor, much 
against his wish, but he was persuaded to accept the nomination, as he was con- 
vinced by his friends that he was the only man upon whom all the discordant ele- 
ments would unite and thus prevent the defeat of the party. He was elected after 
a hot contest by a handsome majority and served for two years. He gave his sup- 
port to the Union during the troublous times following the declaration of war in 
1861 but strongly opposed the military levies of money on all who were not con- 
sidered loyal, believing this to be an act of injustice. Under his administration 
many improvements were made in St. Louis. The fire alarm telegraph system 
was installed and a paid fire department was established. At the inauguration of 
the war he was given the chairmanship of the committee of safety, serving with 
James O. Broadhead, Samuel T. Glover, John How and J. J. Witzig. Mr. Filley 
stood as a strong Blair man in the difficulties originating in the removal of John C. 
Fremont from the command .of the military district. His position was never an 
equivocal one. He stood loyally for what he believed to be right and a sense of 
justice and honor guided him in all things. 

At Bloomfield, Connecticut, in 1835, Mr. Filley was married to Miss Chloe 
Varina Brown and at his death left six children: Oliver; John D.; Mrs. Ellen 
Richards; Mrs. Maria J. Davis, the wife of John T. Davis; Mrs. Alice Moore; and 
Mrs. Jeanette Morton, the wife of Isaac Wyman Morton mentioned elsewhere in 
this work. 

Mr. Filley passed away in St. Louis, August 21, 1881. He was a man of the 
strictest honor and integrity who could be trusted at any and all times to stand 
loyally by his beliefs and in support of the high principles which guided his life. 
He was liberal in his charity to those in need and gave generously where he 
believed assistance would be of real value. He made his life count for good at 
all times, on the side of progressive citizenship, of municipal reform and progress, 
of commercial and industrial development and also on the side of that broad 
humanitarianism which seeks to ameliorate the hard conditions of life for the 
unfortunate. He was one of the city's most honored and respected residents, a 
public benefactor and a noble representative of true manhood. 



HAMPTON ROTHWELL. 



Hampton Rothwell, who is engaged in the general practice of law in both the 
state and federal courts at St. Louis, was born in Callaway county, Missouri, January 
20, 1877, his parents being Alexander and Sallie (Price) Rothwell, the latter a daugh- 
ter of Captain Joe Price, of Callaway county. The father was a Kentuckian who 
came to Missouri about 1865 and continued a resident of this state until his death 
in 1912. His widow is still living. In their family were three sons: Fount, who 
is collector of United States customs in St. Louis; Hampton, of this review, known 
to all of his friends as Hamp; and Allen, who resides in Columbia, Missouri, and is 
conducting business under the name ot the Columbia Printing Company. 




HAMPTON ROTHWELL 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI '167 

Hiimpton Rothwell pursued his early education in the public schools of Ash- 
land, Missouri, and was graduated in 1902 from the State University of Columbia 
with the LL. B. degree. He devoted five years to the profession of teaching in the 
southern part of the county. He afterward pursued post graduate work in the State 
University and has since given his attention to law practice. He followed the pro- 
fession for four years at Moberly, Missouri, and in 1915 came to St. Louis where he 
has since conducted a general practice in the state and federal courts. He is recog- 
nized as an able attorney and his devotion to his clients' interests is proverbial. He 
belongs to the St. Louis Bar Association, the Randolph and Boone County Bar Asso- 
ciation, the Missouri State and the American Bar Associations. While residing at 
Columbia, he served as city attorney for eight years making an excellent record in 
that office. 

In August, 1917, Mr. Rothwell was appointed oil inspector for the city of St. 
L6uis by Gov. Gardner. The commission is for a period of four years. Mr. Roth- 
well is a director of and St. Louis attorney for the American Mutual Indemnity Asso- 
ciation of Missouri, and the American General Indemnity Corporation of Missouri, 
both companies being incorporated under the laws of Missouri, and doing a general 
automobile and plate glass insurance business. Mr. Rothwell is also president of 
the Security Stucco Company, of St. Louis, a Missouri corporation. 

Mr. Rothwell has two sons, Frank and Fount. He left behind him many friends 
when he removed from his old home, but he has made many new ones in St. Louis, 
where he has since gained a creditable social as well as professional position. Fra- 
ternally he is connected with the Odd Fellows and with the Elks and his political 
belief is that of the democratic party, while his religious faith is that of the Baptist 
church. He has been particularly active in politics throughout his entire life and 
is well known to many of the leading statesmen of Missouri. He was chairman of 
the city democratic committee of Columbia, and secretary of the Boone county central 
committee for a number of years. He has always done everything in his power to 
promote the growth and insure the success of his party because of his firm belief 
in its principles, and his position upon any vital question, political or otherwise, is 
never an equivocal one. 



A. N. ALTRINGER, M. D. 



Dr. A. N. Altringer of Kansas City, devoting his attention to diseases of the 
ear, nose and throat, was bom in Denver, Colorado, March 17, 1891, his parents 
being Edward W. and Mary Frances (Crowell) Altringer, who were natives of 
Virginia and Missouri respectively, the father becoming well known as a banker of 
Kansas City, Kansas. 

Dr. Altringer pursued his primary education in the public schools and also 
attended St. Benedict's College in Kansas, from which he was graduated in 1908 
with the Bachelor of Arts degree. He took up the study of medicine in the Johns 
Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, and won his M. D. degree in 1912. 
Later he spent three years in hospital work as an interne in Johns Hopkins Hos- 
pital, gaining broad and valuable experience in that connection. He was afterward 
connected with St. Mary's Hospital in Kansas City and also studied in the Chicago 
Eye and Ear Hospital, pursuing post-graduate work there in 1915. 

After America's entrance into the World war Dr. Altringer was for twenty-one 
months connected with the army. He first went to Base Hospital No. 28 and was 
commissioned first lieutenant. There he remained for four months and was then 
transferred to Mobile Hospital, No. 3, a French hospital, and was captain of the 
unit. He remained in service until April, 1919, when he received an honorable 
discharge and returned to Kansas City. He then resumed practice here and has 
since specialized in the treatment of the ear, nose and throat. He is constantly 
broadening his knowledge in that field of practice and his ability is manifest in the 
excellent results which have attended his professional labors. He belongs to the 
Jackson County, Missouri State and American Medical Associations, and the Amer- 
ican Academy — Oto Rhino Laryngologists. 

In 1916 Dr. Altringer was married in Kansas City to Miss Pauline Bracken. 
He is a communicant of the Catholic church and also has membership with the 



168 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

Knights of Columbus. Politically he is a republican but while well informed on 
the questions and issues of the day has never been an office seeker. Appreciative 
of the social amenities he now has membership in the Mission Hills and University 
Clubs. He is a young man of sterling personal worth and of most creditable pro- 
fessional attainment and is spoken ot in terms of high regard throughout Kansas 
City and this section of the state. 



ALFRED GERNE. 



A jeweler of St. Louis prominent in the trade is Alfred Gerne, whose birth 
occurred at Lebanon, Illinois, on the tenth of October, 1870. Conrad Gerne, 
his father, was a German butcher who emigrated to the United States as a youth 
and established a business in Lebanon, Illinois. Christina (Dolle) Gerne, his 
mother, likewise of German parentage and birth, also grew up in Lebanon. Their 
family consisted of four girls and four boys of whom Alfred was second from the 
youngest. 

Educated in the public schools of Lebanon, Illinois, Alfred Gerne began to 
learn the watchmaker's trade when he was fourteen years of age and has con- 
tinued in the jewelry business since that time. He came to St. Louis in 1893 
and established the A. Gerne Jewelry Company of which he is the president. 

Mr. Gerne is a republican partisan. His only fraternal affiliation is with the 
Knights of Pythias in which he has uniform rank. He is a member ot the North 
St. Louis Turnverein. Mr. Gerne is unmarried and maintains a home for his 
sisters. 



JOSEPH GOLDBERG. 



Joseph Goldberg, senior member of the firm of J. Goldberg & Sons, structural 
steel workers, was born in Austria, May 12, 1864. His father, Meyer Goldberg, was 
a silversmith who during the childhood of his son Joseph removed to Russia and 
there the lad attended school. Before leaving Russia Mr. Goldberg was united in 
marriage to Miss Gertrude Polak and to them have been born seven children; 
Rebecca, who is now the wife of Joseph Roseman, of Kansas City; Jacob; Max; 
Meyer; Harry; Lillie; and Minnie. To Mr. and Mrs. Goldberg had been born their 
eldest daughter when they left Russia and crossed the Atlantic to the new world. 
They made their home for a time in New York city and in Brooklyn. 

Before leaving Russia Mr. Goldberg had attended school to some extent and 
had became a sheet metal worker, being employed on the construction of high 
buildings and church steeples. After coming to America he worked by the day 
for two years and during that period he attended night school in order to acquaint 
himself with the English language. From New York he went to Seattle, Wash- 
ington, and spent some time in the northwest, where he continued to work at his 
trade. The year 1898 witnessed his arrival in Kansas City, since which time he 
has been engaged in structural steel work. For a time he was in partnership with 
L. J. Coen and after the memorable flood in Kansas City carried on business inde- 
pendently until his sons grew to manhood, when they were admitted to partner- 
ships. Mr. Goldberg gave his children excellent educational advantages, thus 
qualifying them for life's practical and responsible duties and the sons have 
received thorough business training under the direction of their father. The plant 
was largely used for turning out war material while America was in the world con- 
flict with Germany. The son Max served as sergeant and was assigned to Camp 
Funston. The firm of Goldberg & Son helped complete the contract, under an 
emergency, of laying the steam pipe for heating the barracks at Camp Funston in 
November, 1917. They also during ihat period fabricated steel for the locomotive 
repair shops at Logansport, Indiana, which entailed the manufacture of about ono 
thousand seven hundred and fifty tons of steel, of which Austin & Company of Cleveland, 
Ohio, were the engineers. 

The company has supplied the steel for many great buildings in Kansas City 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 169 

and in other parts of the country. In Kansas City their structural steel has been 
used in the building of the plant of the Southwest Milling Company, the Bray 
hotel, the public library, the Ford Motor Company, the First Presbyterian church. 
Father Key's church and various school buildings, including the Bancroft, Lin- 
wood, Benjamin Harrison, Longfellow, Gladstone, Switzer, Thackeray, Whittier, 
Mark Twain, Kump, Garfield and Sugar Creek. At Newton, Kansas, they erected the 
high school building and have also put up extension buildings in Oklahoma, Texas 
and Iowa. 

Mr. Goldberg takes an active interest in civic affairs and lends the weight of 
his aid and influence to all projects for the public good. He belongs to the Cham- 
ber of Commerce and is a member of the Builders' Association of Kansas City. 
Fraternally he is a Mason, loyally following the teachings and purposes of the 
craft. While he has been a very successful man, he takes little credit to himself, saying 
that the right kind of a man can succeed under most any conditions and anywhere. 
Nevertheless those who know aught of his career recognize the fact that his advance- 
ment has resulted entirely from his industry, determination and indefatigable 
energy and his life should serve to encourage and inspire others, showing what can 
be accomplished through individual effort. 



RICHARD SIMRALL HAWES. 

Richard Slmrall Hawes is the senior vice president of -the First National Bank of 
St. Louis and that as a financier his vision is broad, his policies well defined and his 
methods progressive is indicated in the fact that in 1919 he was elected to the presi- 
dency of the American Bankers Association, the highest honor to be conferred by the 
banking fraternity of the country. His' opinions have long carried weight and influ- 
ence among the leading American financiers for the soundness of his judgment and 
his enterprise have been manifest in a career that has brought him from the 
humble position of bank messenger to a position of administrative and executive control 
of one of the largest financial concerns of the Mississippi valley. 

Mr. Hawes was born in Covington, Kentucky, December 15, 1873, and is a direct 
descendant of the Nicholas, Carter, Smith and other prominent old families of Vir- 
ginia. His grandfather in the paternal line was Hon. Richard Hawes, of Paris, Ken- 
tucky, at one time governor of that state. His parents were Smith N. and Susan 
Elizabeth (Simrall) Hawes. The former was a merchant of Covington and during the 
Civil war served as a captain of the Confederate army while his father was acting 
as Confederate governor of the state and at different periods was also a judge in 
Kentucky and representative of his district in congress. The son was a youth of 
nineteen when he joined the First Regiment of Missouri Confederates, serving through- 
out the entire period of the war. He passed away in 1SS9 at the age of forty-five 
years, in St. Louis, Missouri where he had resided for several years prior to his death, 
during which time he had engaged in the wholesale lumber business. His wife was 
born in Madison, Indiana, was a representative of an old Kentucky family and was of 
French Huguenot descent in the maternal line while on the paternal side she came of 
Scotch ancestry traced back to the fifteenth century. She died in St. Louis in 1899 
at the age of fifty-four yeai-s. She had but two children, Richard S. and Major Harry 
B. Hawes. 

The former was educated in the public schools of St. Louis and of Kansas City, 
Missouri, and at the age of fifteen years started out to provide for his own support 
by securing employment with the Altman Jewelry Company of Kansas City. In 1S89 
he became connected with the Mississippi River Commission at St. Louis and his con- 
nection with the banking business dates from 1892, at which time he became messenger 
for the Chemical National Bank of St. Louis. In March, 1897, this bank was con- 
solidated with the Third National Bank and Mr. Hawes advanced through various 
positions in that bank until he was made vice president in 1911 and became senior 
vice president in 191S. In July, 1919, the Third National Bank consolidated with 
the St. Louis Union and Mechanics American Banks to form the First National Bank 
of St. Louis and Mr. Hawes is now senior vice president of the newly created organ- 
ization. He has long figured prominently among the bankers of the state and nation 
and in 1912 was elected treasurer of the Missouri Bankers Association, while in 1913 



170 CEXTEXXIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

he was chosen vice president and in 1914 was elected to the presidency. In 1915 he 
was made a member of the executive council of the American Bankers Association and 
was appointed to the finance committee. In 1916 he became a member of the admin- 
istrative committee of the American Bankers Association, in 1918 was elected to the 
vice presidency, was made chairman of the finance committee and in 1919 was elected 
president which office he is now holding. 

The banking interests of Mr. Hawes, however, constitute but one phase of his 
public activity. He has always been a stalwart champion of interests and movements 
which relate to the public welfare of St. Louis and has done most effective work in 
connection with the Chamber of Commerce. In 1912 he was made chairman of the 
members conference and the following year was elected to the vice presidency of 
the chamber. In 1916 he was re-elected to that office and in 1917 was made president. 
He has been president of the Association Reserve City Bankers, was chairman of the 
free bridge campaign and also chairman of the Buy in St. Louis League. In 1916 
as America more and more closely approached a break with Germany he was made 
chairman of various war activities and in 1916 became chairman of the bankers' com- 
mittee on Liberty loans, of the Red Cross and other war activities. In 1918 he served 
as chairman of the United War Work Campaign and was chairman of the Home Guard 
committee. He likewise served as state treasurer of the United War Work Campaign 
and was a captain of the Y. M. C. A. drive. 

On the 30th of June, 1897, Mr. Hawes was married to Miss Mary Theresa Kemp, 
a native of St. Louis and a daughter of Thomas and Jennie (Hart) Kemp, the latter 
a native of Dublin, Ireland. Her father is now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Hawes 
have been born four children: Richard S., Jr., Mary Bartow, Robert N. and Susan 
Elizabeth, all natives of St. Louis. 

Mr. Hawes is a member of the St. Louis Club, the Missouri Athletic Association, 
the Algonquin and several other social clubs, but while well known in these organ- 
izations he is a man of domestic habits and next to his home enjoys social affairs 
among his intimate friends rather than the larger activities of the club. He is a 
man of pleasing personality whose life has been characterized by industry, who is 
fair and impartial in dealing with employes and who has ever manifested the ability 
to approach a subject with an open mind. 



ISAAC H. CADWALLADER, M. D. 

Time gives the perspective that places each individual and each event in its 
proper relation to the history of the world. The memory of some men passes into 
oblivion while that of others becomes brighter as the years go by owing to their 
valuable contribution to the world's work. Such is the record of Dr. Isaac H. Cad- 
wallader who for many years was in charge of the Missouri Baptist Sanitarium of 
St. Louis and who was a specialist on gynecology and displayed expert knowledge 
and skill in the field of professional duty. The story of his life contains much that 
is of exceptional value and sets an example that may well be followed by younger 
representatives of the profession. 

Dr. Isaac H. Cadwallader was born in Warren county, August 29, 1850, and was 
the son of Dr. John T. and Rachel (Farquhar) Cadwallader who moved with their 
family to Illinois. The son Isaac, therefore, became a pupil in the public schools of 
Lincoln, Illinois, and later continued his education in the Lincoln University from 
which he was graduated in 1868. In the choice of his profession he followed a 
course pursued by several of his ancestors including his father, and was, as it were, 
to the manner born. At an early age he became interested in the practice of medi- 
cine in which some of the representatives of his family had won fame and promi- 
nence and he determined to enter the medical profession with the hope of himself 
making valuable contribution to the world's work through that avenue. A contem- 
porary writer has said of him, "From his early years all his aspirations were in that 
direction, a predisposition he may be said to have inherited, from his father; while 
from his mother — a woman of rare force of character, yet withal gentle, unassuming, 
self-sacrificing, ever seeking the welfare of others rather than her own — he received 
as a precious heritage those ideals which have characterized and dominated his life 
and which should be the peculiar endowment of all who aspire to that noblest of 




DR. AND MRS. ISAAC H. CADWALLADER 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 173 

professions, whose guerdon is humanity and whose watchwords are loyalty, service 
and sacrifice." 

Dr. Cadwallader pursued a course in pharmacy as well as a thorough course 
in the Rush Medical College, Chicago, in preparation for his professional duties and 
won his M.'D. degree upon graduation with the class of 1875. In the same year, 
he opened an office in St. Louis and won success and prominence in the general prac- 
tice of medicine, his business assuming large proportions as the years passed by. 
To his scientific knowledge and training he added broad human sympathy which 
contributed much to the understanding of his patients and his consequent success. 
In 1891 he was made a member of the medical staff of the Missouri Baptist Sani- 
tarium and his valuable hospital work lead to his appointment in 1900 as physician 
in charge of that institution. He became the director of one of the large and fine 
hospitals of St. Louis. The brick buildings are commodious and" stand in the midst 
of a three acre tract of land made beautiful with fine shade trees and flowers. Dr. 
Cadwallader surrounded himself with an able staff of physicians and surgeons and 
more than that he had the assistance and wise council of his wife, who was made 
superintendent of the institution. In fact Dr. Cadwallader always attributed much 
of the success of the sanitarium to Mrs. Cadwallader, whose kindly nature, whose 
tact and sagacity were continuously manifest in her work. The activities of the 
hospital were thoroughly systematized and a New York health report called atten- 
tion to the Missouri Baptist Sanitarium an "an institution second to none of its kind 
in the country, where high quality in such institutions is readily conceded by the 
medical profession of the entire civilized world. From whatsoever viewpoint we 
consider it, the establishment in question is entitled to foremost rank, and a con- 
sideration of its essential features will demonstrate good reason for singling it out 
from among similar establishments in St. Louis. 

"Primarily, the selection of a location for this institution indicates noteworthy 
judgment, for while wisely situated sufliciently near leading car lines to be readily 
accessible, it is located far enough away from the hurly-burly of downtown to escape 
the dust, noise and confusion accompanying the daily traffic and business turmoil 
naturally incident to a large city. Moreover, its environment is of healthful char- 
acter, and this fact, in connection with most excellent advantages of drainage and 
readability to ventilation, gives the Missouri Baptist Sanitarium decided sanitary 
features not often found. 

"In point of equipment this sanitarium deserves unqualified praise, for few of 
the magnificently endowed hospitals found in the eastern states are as thoroughly 
prepared in this respect, and we know of none in our own city of New York that 
has more promptly availed itself of modern hospital equipment or demonstrates 
greater zeal in securing for its use the auxiliaries for treatment offered in the steady 
progress of advanced surgical knowledge and evolution in the field of medicine. 
Every authentic appliance recognized by the leaders of the mastermarch of curative 
science is made use of; every commendable feature is utilized, and keeping, as it 
does, in close touch with the advancement of the science of medicine, nothing for 
the benefit or the convenience of its clientele is overlooked; and herein is found one 
of the salient reasons for the popularity of the Missouri Baptist Sanitarium both 
with the laity and with the recognized leaders in the medical profession throughout 
the state and even adjacent states. 

"Dr. Pancoast once declared that the physician offered one-third and the nurse 
offered two-thirds toward the recovery of the patient, and conceding the truth of 
this statement, there is but small cause for wonder at the remarkable successful 
record of this sanitarium, the nursing afforded is such as to exact praise from every 
physician familiar with the routine work of the corps of trained and intelligent 
nurses connected with this institution. With neither space nor inclination for per- 
sonal eulogium, we cannot but mention the recognized skill and high personal worth 
of the physician in charge and the earnest, conscientious efforts of the superintend- 
ent that have aided so materially in placing this establishment in the high position 
this institution occupies. These are some of the essential features that help make, 
it a leader among its kind and entitle it to the unreserved editorial endorsement of 
the New York Health Reports." 

In his profession. Dr. Cadwallader long specialized'on gynecology and olistetrics 
and became a recognized authority on that branch of professional service. He car- 
ried his researches far and wide and learned many scientific principles which he 



174 CEXTEXXIAI. HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

generously shared with his professional brethren. He belonged to the St. Louis 
Medical Society, Missouri State Medical and American Medical Associations, and 
through their proceedings kept in touch with the advanced thought of the profession. 
It was in 1896 that Dr. Cadwallader was united in marriage in St. Louis to 
Miss Ella C. Brown, a sister of George Warren Brown, chairman of the board of 
the Brown Shoe Company, and of the late A. D. Brown of the Hamilton and Brown 
Shoe Company, a most noted philanthropist, both brothers being pioneer shoe manu- 
facturers of St. Louis, their efforts being a most potent force in making this one 
of the great shoe manufacturing centers of the country. Dr. Cadwallader was ap- 
pointed head of the Missouri Baptist Sanitarium and Mrs. Cadwallader was made 
superintendent, and throughout her connection with the institution manifested 
marked executive ability and administrative force. She studied every phase of the 
hospital life and her ideas were at once practical and progressive. Dr. Cadwallader 
was continually giving her credit for the successful development of the institution. 
However, their aims and interests were one and their labors were most harmoniously 
carried on to the benefit of the sanitarium which they represented. Both Dr. 
and Mrs. Cadwallader had membership in the Third Baptist Church and the doctor 
attained the thirty-second degree in the Scottish Rite Masonry. He belonged also 
to the Missouri Athletic Club, the Amateur Athletic Association and the Ohio 
Society. His associates in professional and in private life ever spoke of him in 
terms of the warmest regard. His philanthropy ever constituted an even balance 
to his scientific knowledge and professional skill. He passed away July 22, 1919, but 
it will be long ere his influence ceases to be a factor for good in his profession and 
in the lives of those with whom he came in contact. 



REV. FREDERICK G. HOLWECK. 

For seventeen years Rev. Frederick G. Holweck has presided over St. Frances de 
Sales church of St. Louis as its pastor and through this period has accomplished 
great good in the organization of the work of the church and the extension of its 
influence among the people of his parish. Rev. Mr. Holweck was born in Wiesloch, 
Baden, Germany, on the 29th of December, 1856, and is a son of Sebastian and Mary 
Holweck, who came to the United States in 1886, settling in Ste. Genevieve county, 
Missouri. In 1888 they removed to St. Louis, where they resided until called to their 
final rest. 

Frederick G. Holweck acquired his early education in Ettenhelm, Germany, where 
he attended the Real Gymnasium, there studying for three years. He next entered 
the Freiburg Gymnasium, where he continued his classical course and subsequently 
completed the course at Karlsruhe Gymnasium in 1875. In the year 1876 he came to 
the United States and entered the Salesianum at St. Francis, near Milwaukee, Wis- 
consin, there pursuing his studies in philosophy and theology. On the 27th of June, 
1880, he was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Heiss, of La Cross, Wisconsin, 
and following his ordination he served for a few months in the absence of the priest, 
at Jackson, Cape Girardeau county, Missouri. In November he was sent to Jefferson 
City as assistant to Father Hoog, pastor of St. Peter's church, and in April, 1883, was 
appointed assistant at St. Francis de Sales church in St. Louis. In August, 1884, he 
was assigned to the pastorate of St. Joseph's church at Louisiana, Missouri, and in 
December, 1885, he was sent to River aux Vases, Missouri, as pastor of SS. Philip and 
James parish. He remained there until July, 1888, when he returned to St. Francis 
de Sales church of St. Louis as assistant and remained in that position for four 
years. On the 27th of May, 1892, he was appointed the first pastor of St. Aloysiua 
church and remained in that position for eleven years. On the 27th of May. 1903, 
he was appointed pastor of St. Francis de Sales church, over which he has since 
presided. For the third time he thus took up his labors in this parish and has 
remained its pastor for seventeen years. While in River aux Vases he built a parish 
house and school. At St. Aloysius he completed the church structure and built the 
basement for a new church. He also was instrumental in erecting a school building 
and a Sisters' house at that place. Since assuming his pastoral labors at St. Francis 
de Sales he completed the upper structure of the church, which is now one of the 
finest ecclesiastical edifices in the city of St. Louis, having been erected at a cost of 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 175 

more than three hundred thousand dollars and at a time when all building materials 
were much cheaper than today. He has also built the Sisters' house and in September, 
1920, opened a free school in the parish which has an enrollment of about seven hundred 
and fifty pupils. The parish numbers twelve hundred families, this being one of the 
largest in the city. 

St. Francis de Sales' church was founded April 22, 1867, and dedicated on the 
24th of May, 1868. The first pastor was Rev. Louis Lay, who ofiiciated there from 
1867 through the year of 1S6S. The second pastor, Rev. P. Wigger, assumed his duties 
in 1869 and continued his pastorate throughout the succeeding years until 1878, build- 
ing the first schoolhouse and establishing the convent of the Sisters of the Precious 
Blood. After his death his assistant. Rev. P. I. Lotz, was appointed pastor and served 
from 1879 until 1903. He enlarged the church and built the second schoolhouse in 
1888. On August 11, 1895, the cornerstone of the new church was laid, the plans of 
which were designed by E. Siebertz in Berlin, Germany, the architect being Joseph 
Conradi. In order to finish the basement of the church it was necessary to tear down 
the old church, this work being providentially done by a cyclone in the year 1896. 
In 1899 the new parochial residence was built. Father Lotz died May 14, 1903, and 
one of his former assistants. Rev. F. G. Holweck, was appointed his successor. The 
new residence for the Sisters was built by him in 1904, and the following year the 
congregation resolved to finish the upper church but the original plans being some- 
what enlarged the undertaking was not resumed until April 6, 1907. The church, which 
is one of the largest in St. Louis, was dedicated on Thanksgiving Day in the year 1908. 

Mr. Holweck is a member of St. Francis de Sales Benevolent Society, the largest 
Catholic benevolent society in the country. He is also president of the Married Ladies' 
Christian Mottoes Society, which has a membership of six hundred and thirty-two. 
He is likewise a member of the Western Catholic Union and the work of the church 
is thoroughly organized in every department and great good is being accomplished 
among the people of his parish, who are cooperating heartily with him in his efforts 
to upbuild the church and advance the Catholic cause in the city. 



CHRISTY M. FARRAR. 



Christy M. Farrar, attorney and counselor at law whose recognition of opportunity 
and employment of his native talents has brought him to a position of distinction as 
a representative of the St. Louis bar, was born October 31, 1880, at Higginsville, 
Missouri. His father, William C. Farrar, is a native of St. Louis and a representa- 
tive of one of the old pioneer families of the city originally from Carter county, Vir- 
ginia, and of English descent. The family was founded in the new world by Nicholas 
Farrar who came to America among the colonizers who established Jamestown, Virginia. 
The great-grandfather. Dr. Bernard G. Farrar, was the first representative of the name 
in Missouri. He arrived in St. Louis in 1803 and was the first American physician 
to settle in the city. He was also the first president of the first medical society of 
St. Louis and he passed away during the cholera epidemic of 1849. William C. Farrar, 
father of Christy M. Farrar, is mentioned at length on another page of this work. He 
wedded Clara Jennings, a native of St. Louis and a granddaughter of James G. Jennings 
who was a prominent agriculturist and in whose honor Jennings Station was named. 
The family came originally from Virginia and is of English lineage. To Mr. and 
Mrs. William C. Farrar were born two children: Christy M., of this review; and 
a daughter, Katherine, at home. 

Christy M. Farrar began his education in the public schools, passing through con- 
secutive grades to the high school and afterward attending Washington University from 
which he was graduated in 1904 with the LL. B. degree. He was admitted to practice, 
however, in May, 1903, and with the exception of the years 1917 and 1918, while serving 
with the army, has been continuously in active and successful practice, concentrating 
his attention upon civil law. He is a member and secretary of the St. Louis Bar 
Association. 

During the war period he went to the Second Officers' Training Camp where he 
remained from August, 1917, until sent overseas. He was with' the army until 
April 1, 1919, and spent one year and two months in France. He served with the 
heavy artillery and fought In a number of engagements in France. He was commis- 



176 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

sioned a captain April 1, 1919,— a fact indicative of his excellent military record. He 
is now commander of Richard Anderson Post of the American Legion of St. Louis. 
Since his return he has concentrated his efforts and attention largely upon the practice 
of law but is also one of the directors and the treasurer of the Farrar Pump & Ma- 
chinery Company. 

Mr. Farrar belongs to two Greek letter fraternities, the Phi Delta Theta and 
the Phi Delta Phi. He is a member of the Racquet Club and the City Club and also 
of St. John's Methodist church in which he is serving on the board of stewards. His 
political allegiance is given to the republican party and he served as assistant circuit 
attorney in 1910 and 1911. He is now the secretary of the City Club and is active 
in all civic matters. He served as chairman of the speakers committee which was 
instrumental in promoting the completion of the free bridge. His aid and cooperation 
have been matters of moment in the adoption of many plans and projects for the general 
good and his relation to all interests of general welfare is that of a public-spirited 
citizen. 



ANTHONY F. ITTNER. 



Anthony F. Ittner, city court judge of St. Louis and an able member of the Mis- 
souri bar, was born at Berlin Heights, Erie county, Ohio, November 23, 1872, his 
parents being Conrad S. and Sarah C. (Hill) Ittner. The father, a native of Ohio 
came to St. Louis from Lebanon, that state, when his son Anthony was but four 
years of age, and afterward engaged in the contracting business in St. Louis. The 
mother was of English lineage, although the family was founded in America several 
generations ago. Her grandfather, Samuel Butler of Saybrook, Connecticut, was an 
orderly sergeant in a Connecticut regiment during the Revolutionary war and was a 
brother of Colonel Zebulon Butler, commander of Fort Wyoming, in Pennsylvania, 
where the terrible Indian massacre occurred, the history of which is given much 
prominence in the stories of early days in Pennsylvania. In the maternal line 
Anthony F. Ittner is also connected with the Buckingham family of Connecticut, which 
included the Rev. Thomas Buckingham, who was one of the eight founders of Yale 
College and the most active in the college work among the eight, having much to 
do with the success of the university from its inception. 

Anthony F. Ittner obtained a public school education in St. Louis and after- 
ward attended Washington University, from which he was graduated in 1895 with 
the Bachelor of Arts degree, while subsequently he attended the Washington Uni- 
versity Law School and won his LL. B. degree in 1897. In the same year he entered 
upon the general practice of law in St. Louis. In 1898, when the call came for 
military aid following the inauguration of the Spanish-American war, he enlisted 
in Company G of the First Missouri Volunteer Infantry and served as sergeant* 
until mustered out. 

When peace was restored Mr. Ittner returned to St. Louis and resumed the 
general practice of law in the civil courts, never' taking up any criminal cases. He 
was very successful in all of his law work and as an attorney is quick in percep- 
tion and accurate in his judgment of the law concerning the specific case at issue. 
At present his time is taken up entirely with his duties as city court judge, for 
which he is admirably fitted. Those who know him speak of him as a man of 
scholarly attainments and as an attorney of marked ability. 

In 1911 Mr. Ittner was elected to the house of delegates of St. Louis and served 
in that official position from April, 1911, until April, 1913. In 1918 he served on 
the board of equalization for the city of St. Louis and in December, 1918, was ap- 
pointed judge of city court one and entered upon his duties on the 1st of January, 
1919. He has since occupied the bench and stands very high as a fearless judge 
who is at all times thoroughly just in his decisions. He has always regarded the 
law as made for all, rich and poor alike, and no political prejudice has ever marred 
the impartiality of his court. He is also a member of the public safety council 
and takes a very active part in its work. 

On the 20th of March, 1911, in Cincinnati, Ohio, Judge Ittner was married to 
Miss Maud R. Flickner, a daughter of John S. Flickner, who served in the Civil war 
as a member of the Fifth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. At the time of their marriage 




JUDGE ANTHONY F. ITTNER 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 179 

Mrs. Ittner -was in reality a resident of St. Louis, being at the head of the department 
of domestic science in the Central high school. She is a valued member of the 
Wednesday Club of St. Louis and during the war period she was chairman of the 
Eighth Food District under Dr. Gephart, which position she filled until March, 

1918, at which time she accepted a position with the home demonstration office, 
established and maintained jointly by the United States Agricultural Department 
and the State Agricultural Department for th6 purpose of aiding in food conserva- 
tion, and in this connection she labored until after the close of the war in May) 

1919. She is now serving as state chairman of the Home Economics department of 
the Missouri Federation of Women's Clubs and is a member of the executive board 
of that organization. Judge Ittner was also very active in connection with war 
work and was in charge of the Red Cross Christmas drive in a part of the four- 
teenth district and was legal advisor of the fourteenth district and also a member 
of the board of instruction there. Both Mr. and Mrs. Ittner are of the Unitarian 
faith, having membership in the Church of the Messiah. Their home has been 
blessed with one daughter, Martha Antoinette. 

Judge Ittner is a member of the Century Boat Club and is one of the well known 
Masons of the country. He belongs to the lodge, chapter, council, commandery, the 
Scottish Rite bodies and to Moolah Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He has been a 
most active worker in the order, is a past master of his lodge, past high priest of the 
chapter and was the founder of Alhambra Grotto No. 47 of the Mystic Order of the 
Veiled Prophets of the Enchanted Realm, of which he became the first monarch. 
He started in line in the supreme council of the Grotto in Buffalo, New York, in 1915 
and has since advanced until he is now grand orator. The local Grotto has a mem- 
bership of over six thousand. As grand orator he is a member of the supreme 
council, the governing body of the order, and in a very few years he will be grand 
monarch of this organization, which has a membership of over one hundred thou- 
sand. He is regarded as one of the finest orators the order has ever produced, being 
a forcible and convincing speaker, with a ready command of language, always able 
to give expression to his thoughts in well chosen words. Judge Ittner is also an 
officer of the grand lodge of Masons of Missouri, being now senior grand marshal, 
and he is past district grand lecturer and past district deputy grand master of the 
thirty-third Masonic district. He has been very active in all Masonic work for 
more than seventeen years and has been in office throughout the entire period. 
He is also a subscriber and life member to the Masonic Temple fund for the erection 
of a million dollar temple. His membership relations extend to St. Louis Lodge No. 
5, I. O. O. F., which is said to be the wealthiest Odd Fellows lodge in the world. 
He is also a member of Wildey Encampment. He is the founder and a charter 
member of the Missouri Beta chapter of the college fraternity, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, 
which was organized at Washington University and of which he was presiding 
officer. Judge Ittner is also the second national vice president of the National 
Exchange Club and organized the local branch in St. Louis last May and is the local 
president. The National Exchange Club is today the fastest growing Noonday Club 
in the country. Almost all of his time outside of his home and his official duties is 
given to Masonry, however, and he is now in line for the highest office in the grand 
lodge and in the Grotto. From various sections of the country where his Masonic 
connections have made him known there come words attesting his "high personal 
worth and unimpeachable character and unassailable integrity." One who has long 
known him well speaks of him as "a gentleman in every sense of the word and a 
leader of men." 



ISAAC WYMAN MORTON. 



Isaac Wyman Morton, of St. Louis, long prominent in the commercial circles 
of the city, was a man to whom life was earnest and purposeful. Opportunity ever 
meant a call to action and one to which he made ready response and throughout 
his entire career there was never an esoteric phase in his history and the most 
envious could not grudge him his success, so worthily was it won and so honorably 
used. His example remains as a source of inspiration and encouragement to those 



180 CEXTEXXIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

who knew him and his memory is cherished by all who came within the close 
circle of his friendship. 

Isaac W. Morton was born May 4, 1847, in Quincy, Illinois, a son of Charles 
and Rebecca (Wyman) Morton, the former a native of Halifax, Massachusetts, 
while the latter was born in Charlestown, that state. The father died in the year 
1851, when Isaac W. Morton was but four years of age. The latter was educated 
in the Wyman Institute and in Washington University and w^hen seventeen years 
of age made his initial step in the I)usiness world by accepting a position as col- 
lector with the Second National Bank of St. Louis. There he remained until he 
resigned in order to enter the employ of the Simmons Hardware Company, which 
in January, 1872, became the firm of E. C. Simmons & Company, Mr. Morton at that 
time becoming junior partner. In 1874 the business was incorporated under the 
name of the Simmons Hardware Company, Mr. Morton being elected to the vice 
presidency. He held this position for twenty-four years, when he retired from 
active management, although retaining official connection with the business as 
director. Mr. Morton was a man of very sound and discriminating judgment and 
keen sagacity. He early recognized the fact that satisfied patrons are the best 
advertisement and inaugurated a policy whereby every effort was put forth to 
please customers. The most harmonious relations always existed between the two 
men who were at the head of the concern and the labors of the one amply supple- 
mented and rounded out the efforts of the other. 

Mr. Morton was widely known by reason of his energy and determination that 
never allowed him to stop short of the successful accomplishment of his purposes, 
which were ever of a most honorable character. Honesty was not a matter of 
policy with him but a matter of principle, and he would countenance no method 
■which at any time sought disguise. 

On the 19th of January, 1877, Mr. Morton was married to Miss Jeannette 
Filley, a daughter of the Hon. Oliver Dwight Filley, who Is mentioned elsewhere 
in this work. To Mr. and Mrs. Morton were born three daughters: Alice, now 
the wife of H. H. Langenberg, residing at No. 4 9 Westmoreland place; Janet, the 
wife of H. M. Kauffman, of 51 Portland place; and Helen, at home. 

Mr. Morton was a democrat in his political interests and support, but while he 
usually voted with the regular organization of the party he did not hesitate to cast 
an independent ballot if his judgment so dictated. Mr. Morton was president of 
the Mercantile Library Association for two years, was also connected with the 
Ethical Society and was a trustee of the Self Culture Association. Educational 
interests found in him a stalwart champion and he was a member of the board of 
directors of Washington University for a number of years. He passed away Octo- 
ber 18, 1903, and a life of great usefulness was thus terminated. He was a broad- 
minded man whose vision was comprehensive in its scope and who while holding 
to high ideals utilised the most practical methods for their accomplishment. In 
all of his business career he followed constructive methods and his path was never 
strewn with the wreck of other men's failures. There is no name that deserves 
a more honorable place upon the pages of commercial history in St. Louis than 
does that of Isaac Wyman Morton. Mrs. Morton retains her residence in St. Louis, 
where her entire lite has been passed and where she occupies a most enviable social 
position, accorded her by reason of her innate culture and refinement and true 
personal worth. 



WILLIAMSON POPE HOWARD. 

The interests and activities in the life of Williamson Pope Howard made 
his an evenly balanced character for he never sacrificed developments along one 
line to progress in another. His keen discrimination enables him to put a just value 
upon all of the interests of life, and so directed his efforts that when he passed away 
in 1900, St. Louis mourned the loss of one of her representative and honored citizens. 
He won success but he also won the respect of his fellowmen, for at all times his 
course was such as would bear the closest investigation and scrutiny. A native of 
Virginia, he was born at Charlotteville, September 3, 1822, and he was therefore 
in" the seventy-eighth year of his age when he passed away. He came of a family of 




WILLIAMSON P. HOWARD 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 183 

English lineage, and in fact his ancestors belonged to the nobility of England, being 
of the same family as the Duke of Norfolk, having the same coat of arms. Mr. 
Howard, however, was a modest man, who did not prate on his royal ancestry, but 
felt that to be a good American citizen should be sufficient for any one. It was 
at an early period in the settlement of the new world that representatives of the 
family came to the United States, establishing homes in Maryland and Virginia. 

The education of Williamson Pope Howard was largely acquired under the 
personal instruction of an uncle, William Pettit, a brother of Mr. Howard's mother. 
The latter was, in her maidenhood. Miss Virginia Sidney Rout Pettit, representative 
of one of the prominent families of the Old Dominion. William Pettit, the uncle, 
became one of the pioneer educators of Saline county, Missouri, and W. P. Howard 
moved to this state in early youth with his father, John Howard, the family settling 
in Saline county, where the boy was reared in the usual manner of a farm bred 
lad, utilizing every available opportunity to acquire an education, for he was 
ambitious to improve his mind and thus qualify for life's practical and responsible 
duties. He benefited thoroughly by the instruction of his uncle, and also gained 
many valuable lessons in the school of experience, especially concerning the work 
of force, of energy and of perseverance. He was nineteen years of age when 
occurred the death of his elder brother, who had gone to Savannah, Missouri, where 
he was engaged in business. Following his demise the father sent W. P. Howard 
to Savannah to settle up his brother's affairs and he displayed marked capability 
in business management there. He afterward established a general merchandise store 
in Savannah, where he made his home until 1857 and then came to St. Louis. Here 
he organized the W. P. Howard Commission Company, and conducted a business 
that extended throughout the state. He handled pork, tobacco and hemp, and 
became one of the foremost commission merchants of Missouri, at a time when 
practically all shipments were made by boat. When the government removed the 
duties from him he fought hard to kill the bill in order to protect the Industry in the 
South. As the years passed on his commission business constantly increased in 
volume and importance and he handled as many as a million pounds of meat at a 
time. Later he confined his attention to the conduct of a wholesale bag business, 
which business in time passed into possession of his family. He contributed much 
to the business progress and development of St. Louis and won for himself a most 
enviable reputation by the reliability and progressiveness of his business methods. 
He built up his fortunes along the lines of a legitimate trade, and was a great 
opponent of gambling in stock or in any other form. Because of his attitude on this 
question he was called to Washington to speak upon the subject before the board 
of agriculture, for that board was planning to take steps to legislate against gam- 
bling. Mr. Howard knew from experience that straightforward business methods 
could win success if the required industry and sound judgment were brought to 
bear upon business problems, and his clear exposition of his opinions did not fail 
to make a deep impress upon the agricultural hoard in the national capital. 

Mr. Howard was married twice. His first wife bore the maiden name of 
Miss Catherine Clark, and in her maidenhood was a resident of Terre Haute, Indiana. 
She passed away in 1860, leaving three children: Thomas Weston, now deceased; 
Elizabeth, the wife of Dr. R. A. Quarrels of Fairhope, Alabama; and Kate, who 
married Dr. Thomas A. Smith of Saline county, Missouri, and both died in 1919, 
leaving three daughters. In 186 6 Mr. Howard was again married. Miss Mary 
Fisher becoming his wife and the mother of eight children, only three of whom 
are living; Frank F.; Adele; and Lucile, all residents of St. Louis. The daughter 
Adele, is the wife of David Fentres, their son Frank wedded Miss Van Cleave, who 
passed away leaving a daughter, Wilhelmina Van Cleave Howard. 

The death of W. P. Howard occurred on the 27th of January, 1900, when he 
was more than seventy-seven years of age. In the review of his life one should 
not overlook the fact that he served as a private under the command of Doniphan 
in the Mexican war; that he was one of the ablest and strongest business men of St. 
Louis; and that he was a man of most charitable purpose and kindly disposition. 
He became one of the early members of the St. Louis Club, and when he passed 
away was the oldest member of the Merchants Exchange, in the work of which he 
had taken an active and helpful part. Both he and his wife belonged to the Epis- 
copal church and Mr. Howard served as vestryman of St. John's church for many 
years. He contributed generously to various church organizations, however, for he 



184 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

was a broadminded man, who recognized the good in all. He was charitable in his 
opinions, kindly in his purposes and most honorable in every relation of life. He 
passed on to a ripe old age. His record was as the day with its morning of hope 
and promise, its noontide of activity, its evening of completed and successful efforts, 
ending in the quiet rest of the night and he passed on "as one who wraps the drapery 
of his cpuch about him and lies down to pleasant dreams." 



JAMES ALVA CLARK. 



A man prominent in the financial circles of Perry is James Alva Clark who has 
been connected with the Perry Bank since 1887, which institution he has served as 
president since 1919. He was born on the 16th of May, 1853, on a farm two miles 
southeast of Frankford, on what is now known as the Sanford Wright place, in Pike 
county. His parents were Martin J. and Mary E. (Ringo) Clark, the former born 
in Montgomery county, Kentucky, June 7, 1825. Martin J. Clark removed from his 
native state about 1850, spent a year in Illinois and then came to Missouri, settling 
in Pike county. After two years spent in Pike county he removed to Monroe county 
where he bought a farm near Florida and resided there for some time. He later made 
his home in Florida, Perry and Hannibal, at which latter place he died in 1904. He was 
a man of extraordinary energy and business ability and was authority on all classes 
of stock. It was his enthusiasm for mules that inspired the farmers of Monroe county 
to engaged extensively in that industry. He was connected with the sales stables of 
Edwards, Irvin & Clark of St. Louis for a long period of years and as auctioneer he 
was a leader in the conduct of the firm. Mr. Clark was not only well known in the 
community in which he resided but was known as far south as New Orleans as the 
"Mule King." In Illinois on the 23rd of March, 1851, Martin J. Clark was married 
to Miss Mary E. Ringo, a native of Mount Sterling, Kentucky, and a daughter of Alvin 
Ringo. Her family removed to Illinois at an early day. To this union the following 
children were born: J. Alva, the subject of this review; Alice R., who is the wife 
of Dr. Thomas Chowning, surgeon of the Levering Hospital of Hannibal; and Joseph 
L., who is residing in Perry, where he is conducting a milling industry. Mr. Clark 
died in November, 1904, and his wife's death occurred the following year. The grand- 
father of the subject of this review was James Clark who was born in Culpeper 
county, Virginia. He emigrated to Kentucky at an early day and there remained 
until far past middle life, when he removed westward and finally located in Monroe 
county, Missouri, and engaged in farming and stock raising until his death in 1863. 
His wife was Eliza A. Burroughs, also a native of Kentucky. James Clark participated 
in many of the Indian outbreaks and was a veteran of the war of 1S12. 

In the acquirement of an education James Alva Clark attended tne common schools 
of Monroe county, Missouri, until he was about fourteen years of age, at which time 
he entered Westminister College at Fulton. In due time he entered the University of 
Missouri and there remained until 1874. Some time after putting his textbooks aside 
he went to St. Louis where for a period of two years he was engaged in the commis- 
sion and feed business and in a sales stable of horses and mules, thereby stepping 
into the business In which his father had been so successful. He returned to his 
father's farm in Monroe county where he worked a year and in 1875 came to Perry 
and became associated in the drug business. For two years he continued in this 
connection and then selling his drug interests established the first livery business 
in Perry. After he had engaged In this business for a year he added a star mail 
route and had the mail contract from Laddonia and Mexico to Perry. In 1887 he 
sold out these interests and entered the Perry Bank as assistant cashier. This bank 
was founded in September, 1885, and he was one of the original stockholders. Mr. 
Clark proved his ability in this capacity and at the end of a year he was made 
cashier, serving as such until 1909 when he was elected to the office of vice president. 
In 1919 he was made president of the bank and is still holding this position, and he 
has been a director since its organization. Although he is not actively eonnected 
with farming he has never been without a large responsibility in the profitable con- 
duct of his real estate, owning land in Monroe, Ralls and Audrain counties. In addition 
to his prominence in banking circles he is also one of the well-known feeders of cattle, 
mules and swine of this section. 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 185 

On the 17th of October, 1876, occurred the marriage of Mr. Clark to Miss Georgia 
C. Gill, a daughter of Thomas F. Gill. Mr. Gill was born in 1831 in Bath county, 
Kentucky. At the age of twenty-one he married Sarah A. Moore of near Olympian 
Springs, Kentucky. They came to Ralls county in 1S52 and settled on a farm near 
Perry. Ambition led this early settler to expand his financial ability and so he moved 
to Perry and became a pioneer in the upbuilding of the town. He was organizer and 
president of the Perry Bank, acquired large land holdings and dealt extensively in 
live stock and city property. In 1892 he moved to Biloxi, Mississippi, and there con- 
tinued his investments until his death in 1897. 

The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Clark: Gill L.; and 
Charles Martin, who was born September 9, 1883. Gifted with a strong personality, 
ambition and a keen sense of finance, Charles early in life became associated with the 
New England National Bank of Kansas City, Missouri, where he remained until his 
death in 1911; Gill L. was born on the 6th of February, 1881, and is now engaged in 
the banking, loan and investment business in Billings, Montana. He married a Miss 
Naomi Mitten of Moberly, Missouri, and they have become the parents of a daughter, 
Helen. Gill Clark laid the foundation of his present day success by obtaining a 
splendid education. He graduated from the Hannibal high school, took a two years 
course in a Chicago law college and graduated from New York University School of 
Finance, Commerce and Accounts. 

Since age conferred upon Mr. Clark the right of franchise he has been a stanch 
supporter of the democratic party and of the principles for which it stands. He has 
never taken an especially active part in political affairs, however, and has evinced 
no desire to hold any public office. The family are consistent members of the Christian 
church of Perry and Mr. Clark is serving as elder. Fraternally he is a Mason, belong- 
ing to Lick Creek Lodge, A. F. & A. M., No. 32. He is likewise president of the Com- 
mercial Club of Perry. The home of the Clark family in Perry is one of the most 
beautiful residences in this section of the country and is widely known for its #varmth 
of hospitality. Mr. Clark is noted for his progressiveness and capability and is a 
dominant figure in the financial circles of northeastern Missouri. 



JAMES ADELBERT McMILLEN. 

James Adelbert McMillen, who since the 1st of July, 1919, has been librarian of 
the Washington University in St. Louis, was born January 23, 1889, near Maryville, 
in Nodaway county, Missouri, his parents being Cyrus Grant and Mary Ann (Warner) 
McMillen. The father was born in Hancock county, Illinois, June 30, 1864, and his 
parents were James B. and Margaret S. (Evans) McMillen. The former was born 
in Brown county, Ohio, in 1S2S and became one of the early settlers of Hancock county, 
Illinois, having removed to that state in 1849. There he remained for mqny years 
and in 1881 became a resident of Nodaway county, Missouri. His son, Cyrus Grant 
McMillen, has now for almost forty years been a resident of Missouri and is engaged 
in general merchandising at Pickering. His wife, Mrs. Mary Ann McMillen, was 
born in Richland, New York, December 30, 1868, and was a direct descendant in the 
ninth generation of Andrew Warner, one of the original settlers of Newtowne, now 
Cambridge, Massachusetts. It was on the 15th of March, 1885, that Mary Ann Warner 
became the wife of Cyrus G. McMillen. 

James A. McMillen was a pupil in the public schools of Maryville until graduated 
from the high school with the class of 1906 and later attended the University of Mis- 
souri, being graduated with general honors in 1913 with the Bachelor of Arts degree. 
He afterward entered the New York State Library School at Albany, New York, and 
the B. L. S. degree was conferred upon him in 1915. Throughout the intervening 
period he has devoted his attention largely to library work. He was assistant librarian 
at the Maryville (Mo.) Free Public Library in 1906-07 and librarian there from 1907 
until 1909. Throughout the ensuing year he was a representative of publishing inter- 
ests in the employ of the King-Richardson Company and In 1910 he accepted the position 
of assistant at the University of Missouri Library, there remaining until 1913. In 
July, 1914, he became a cataloger in the New York Public Library filling that position 
until the following September when he was made library assistant of the New York 
State Library and so served until 1915. In the latter year he became librarian of the 



186 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

University of Rocliester, where he remained until 1919 when he returned to his native 
state to become librarian of the Washington University on the 1st of July, 1919. 

Mr. McMillen enlisted on the 17th of May, 1918, for service in the World war and 
was sworn in on the 17th of June. He became chief quartermaster of the aviation 
department, U. S. N. R. F. He was stationed with the Naval Aviation Detachment at 
the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Massachusetts, from July 17, 
191S, until November 21, 1918, and has since been on inactive duty. 

In politics Mr. McMillen is an independent democrat, voting according to the 
dictates of his judgment rather than according to party ties. His religious faith is 
indicated in his connection with the Disciples of Christ, ofttimes known as the Christian 
church. He belongs to the Phi Beta Kappa and is a member of the City Club of St. 
Louis, also of the American Library Association and the New York Library Association. 



REV. JOHN F. STEVENS. 



Rev. John F. Stevens, pastor of SS. Peter and Paul Catholic church at the 
corner of Eighth street and Allen avenue in St. Louis, was bom January 11, 1875, 
in the city which is still his home, his parents being Henry and Catherine Stevens, 
both of whom were natives of Germany, whence they came to the new world with 
their respective parents. The father, now deceased, was a carpenter by trade. 

The son, John F. Stevens, was born and reared in the parish of which he now 
has charge. He attended the parochial school of SS. Peter and Paul church and 
later became a student in St. Francis Seminary at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where 
he pursued his classical and philosophical studies. Subsequently he took up the 
study of theology in Kenrlck Seminary of St. Louis and when he had completed 
his course he was too young to be ordained to the priesthood. He was then sent to 
Louvain, Belgium, attending the great university there and on the 8th of Sep- 
tember, 1897, was ordained to the priesthood, after which he returned to St. Louis 
and was appointed assistant to the Rev. Mgr. F. Galler, pastor of SS. Peter and 
Paul church. 

In 1910 Mgr. Galler passed away and was succeeded by the Rev. Mgr. O. J. S. 
Hoog, V. G. Owing to illness the latter retired from active work in the ministry 
in 1913, since which time Father Stevens has been in charge of the parish which 
is one of the oldest in the city of St. Louis, having been founded in 1849. The 
parish school has an enrollment of more than eleven hundred pupils. The work 
of the church has been thoroughly organized in its various departments and is one 
of the strong moving forces among the Catholic people of the city. 

Father Stevens has membership in St. Paul's Benevolent Society, also in the 
Western Catholic Union and is a fourth degree member of the Knights of Colum- 
bus, having been one of the founders of Lafayette Council, No. 1940. in March. 
1919. This council now has a membership of two hundred and fifty. Father 
Stevens is a man of scholarly attainments who exerts a strong influence over the 
lives of those with whom he comes in contact and his labors for the church and 
the upbuilding of the cause are far-reaching and resultant. 



WILLIAM COX BROWN. 



William Cox Brown is the treasurer of the Pioneer Cooperage Company of 
St. Louis, which had its inception at an early period in the industrial development 
of this city. In fact the name of Brown has been closely associated with business 
enterprise here for three-quarters of a century, for in 1845 William Brown, father 
of William Cox Brown, arrived from the east and thereafter remained a factor in 
the industrial and business development of the city to the time of his death. The 
son was born in St. Louis, January 23, 1858. He pursued a public school education 
and received his early business training under the direction of his father, who estab- 
lished a lumber and milling company at Cape Girardeau, Missouri. After a brief 
period, however, he returned to St. Louis and became one of the organizers of the 
enterprise that eventually assumed the name of the Pioneer Cooperage Company. 




WILLIAM C. BROWN 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 189 

Following the death of the father in 1888, Daniel S. Brown, brother of William 
Cox Brown, became the head of the company and so continued until his demise. 
Both the father and brother are mentioned at length on another page of this work. 
William Cox Brown remained an active factor in the management and control of 
the business in association with his brother for a number of years and eventually 
was elected treasurer of the concern, which is one of the most important enterprises 
of the kind in this section of the country. He also spent a part of his time with 
the branch house that was established iu Chicago but later concentrated his efforts 
upon the further development of the St. Louis business in association with his 
brother, Daniel S. Brown. 

In 1889 William Cox Brown was united in marriage to Miss Ottilie Eisenhardt, 
and by this marriage has one daughter, Dorothy Lydia Brown. Mrs. Brown passed 
away in 1893, and in 1896 Mr. Brown wedded Miss Edna Histed, of St. Louis, and 
they have become the parents of two sons, William Cox, Jr., and Warren Elliott. 

Mr. Brown is a man of most charitable and kindly spirit who makes generous 
response to many calls for aid and is always willing to extend a helping hand to a 
fellow traveler on life's journey. He is a member of the Missouri Athletic Club, 
but his time outside of business is largely devoted to his home, where his interest 
centers for he finds his greatest happiness at his own fireside. In business affairs he 
fully sustains an honored family name and manifests the same spirit of enterprise 
that has characterized the entire connection of the Brown family with the cooperage 
development of St. Louis. At all times he keeps in touch with the trend of public 
thought and feeling and his aid and influence are ever on the side of progress and 
improvement. 



WILLIAM N. KLETZKER. 



William N. Kletzker, the president of the Central Engraving Company of St. 
Louis, of which city he is a native son, was born August 6, 1885, his parents being 
Albert J. and Elizabeth M. (Buhnian) Kletzker, the latter also a native of Mis- 
soui-i. The father started out in the business world in connection with the Levi- 
son-Blythe Stationery Company and worked his way steadily upward until he was 
admitted to a partnership in the business. Subsequently he was proprietor of 
the St. Louis Engraving Company, a co-partnership, and remained with the firm 
to the time of his death, which occurred on the 13th of May, 1908. His widow sur- 
vives and is yet a resident of St. Louis. There were four children in their family, 
three sons and a daughter, all of whom are living in this city, namely: George S., 
secretary and treasurer of the Central Engraving Company, a sketch of whom 
appears elsewhere in this work; Wallace J. Kletzker, vice president of the Central 
Engraving Company; and Etta, who is now making her home in Oakland, Cali- 
fornia. 

The other member of the family is William N. Kletzker of this review who 
is indebted to parochial and public schools of St. Louis for the educational oppor- 
tunities which he enjoyed and which fitted him for life's practical and responsible 
duties. He started out in the business world in the employ of the St. Louis En- 
graving Company, with which firm his father was connected. His original posi- 
tion consisted of office work but gradually he worked his way upward, winning 
advancement by reason of his fidelity, capability and willingness to work. He 
remained with this firm up to the time of his father's death in 1908 and then 
organized the Central Engraving Company of which he became the president, so 
continuing throughout the intervening years. The company does photo engraving, 
half-tones, zinc etching, and three and four color process work, also illustrating 
and art work. The firm is now well established in business receiving a liberal 
patronage. Mr. Kletzker has figured in the business circles of St. Louis for 
thirteen years as head of one of its growing enterprises and is widely and favorably 
known throughout the city and surrounding country. The company occupies nearly 
all of the fourth floor of the Calumet building. The offices and work-rooms are well 
equipped with everything necessary for carrying on a progressive engraving busi- 
ness, and an average of twenty-four clerks and skilled engravers and workmen 
are employed. 



190 CEXTEXXIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

On the 14th of November, 1914, in Springfield, Illinois, Mr. Kletzker was mar- 
ried to Miss Agnes Bushek, a daughter of James Bushek of St. Louis who has now 
retired from active business. Mr. and Mrs. Kletzker have but one child, a sweet 
and winning little daughter. Virginia, two years of age." Mr. Kletzker is a mem- 
ber of the Chamber of Commerce, Advertising Club, Kiwanis Club, Missouri Athletic 
Club and St. Louis Art League. Throughout his entire life he has been connected 
with the engraving business and the thoroughness with which he has undertaken 
his work has brought about a degree of skill and efficiency that places him in a 
most creditable and enviable position among the leading engravers of the city. 



HENRY QUELLMALZ. 



Henry Quellmalz, head of the H. Quellmalz Lumber Company of St. Louis, 
has been a lifelong resident of this city and is a self-made man for he started out 
on his own account when a lad of but thirteen years and since that time has de- 
pended solely upon his efforts and energies for his business advancement and 
success. He was born in St. Louis, November 27, 1857, his parents being Henry 
and Elizabeth (Hofner) Quellmalz, both of whom were natives of Germany. The 
father came to America in 1850, settling in St. Louis, and in this city was married 
in 1854 to Elizabeth Hofner. He engaged in the machinery and blacksmithing 
business to the time of his death, which occurred in 1881. To him and his wife 
were born three sons and two daughters. 

Henry Quellmalz, the eldest of the family, was a lad of but thirteen years when 
he started out in the business world by learning the blacksmith's and machinist's 
trade. Later he was connected with the wood stock manufacturing business and 
afterward organized the Lloyd D. Harris Manufacturing Company. He was asso- 
ciated with the business until 1907 and then bought out his employers and organ- 
ized the H. Quellmalz Lumber & Manufacturing Company, of which he is the pres- 
ident. In this connection he has developed one of the important lumber interests 
of the middle west. He has large land holdings, embracing extensive tracts of 
timber land and he has five sawmills located in Clay and Greene counties of Arkan- 
sas. During the World war he supplied the government with material for tent 
pins and also wagon material. His trade relations cover a very extensive territory, 
for he ships lumber into various sections and the business is now a very profitable 

On the 27th of December, 1881, Mr. Quellmalz was married to Miss Annie 
Selhoefer, a daughter of Henry Selhoefer, a prominent contractor of St. Louis. 
To this marriage have been born four children: Henry, Mary, Edwin and Telka. 

In his political views Mr. Quellmalz is a stalwart democrat and for four terms 
served as state committeeman from the tenth district, continuing in the position 
from 1898 until 1918. He has been very active in democratic politics and his 
opinions carry weight in the councils of his party. He belongs also to the Western 
Rowing Club, to the Chamber of Commerce and along the line of his business 
is identified with the National Hardwood Lumber Association. Ho studies closely 
everything that relates to the trade and his enterprise, comprehensive knowledge 
and indefatigable energy have been the salient features in the attainment of his 
present-day-success. 



J. D. PERRY LEWI 



J. D. Perry Lewis, president of the Lewis Automobile Company of St. Louis, 
was born in this city September 11, 1873. His father, William J. Lewis, was a 
well-known merchant and manufacturer who was born in Buckingham county, 
Virginia. October 27, 1825, his parents being Thomas and Jedida (Whitehead) 
Lewis, who were also natives of the Old Dominion. The father died a few months 
prior to the birth of William J. Lewis, who was the youngest of six children. lu 
1831 the family removed to the west, settling in Howard county. Missouri, where 
the representatives of the Lewis family became interested in the tobacco industry. 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 191 

■with which their ancestors in the maternal line had been connected in Virginia.' 
A relative, W. D. Swinney, was at that time proprietor of the largest tobacco fac- 
tory in Missouri and there Benjamin Lewis, the eldest brother of William J. Lewis, 
found employment. After learning the business he established a factory of his 
own and William J. Lewis, then nine years of age, worked in the factory during 
the summer months. The business developed into the largest enterprise of the 
kind in the state and William J. Lewis gained valuable experience therein in con- 
nection with the tobacco trade. In 1847 he removed to St. Louis, where he estab- 
lished business on his own account in partnership with his brother, James W., under 
the firm style of Lewis & Brother and this business prospered and grew to a grati- 
fying degree. In 1854 they were joined by a brother-in-law, John D. Perry, and 
for many years the business was conducted under the style of Lewis, Perry & Com- 
pany. In 1870 William J. Lewis turned his attention to the commission business, 
with houses in St. Louis, New York and New Orleans, and the same qualities which 
had promoted the steady and substantial growth of the tobacco business now 
brought success to the new undertaking. Later Mr. Lewis became interested in 
the Memphis Packet Company, which at that time was in a precarious financial 
condition, and soon placed it upon a substantial business basis. In 1870 he was 
chosen the first non-partisan to fill the office of president of the Merchants Ex- 
change and most commendably and efficiently administered the affairs of the organ- 
ization. In 1866 he became one of the organizers and incorporators of the Com- 
mercial Bank and was elected its second president, continuing in the office for a 
decade without salary. He also became identified with the insurance business and 
with the development of the coal and iron trade in St. Louis. He was very active 
in the attempt to restore to St. Louis the trade which it had lost during the Civil 
war and his labors in this direction were highly successful. A contemporary writer 
has said of William J. Lewis: "His high spirit of unselfishness invited and secured 
the confidence of his associates in business and he was recognized as a man whose 
ability to achieve success by upright and honorable means was a guarantee that no 
enterprise committed to his management would ever be tarnished with even the 
suspicion of unfairness. One of his traits was a quick sympathy with deserving 
young men struggling against obstacles to make their way in the world and there 
are not a few who, at this day, remember his helping hand with lively gratitude. 
He was a successful man, but his success never lifted him above his early friends, 
nor altered his unpretentious manners. He always remained approachable, simple 
and sincere, and he never lost his youthful intolerance for affectation and pre- 
tense." 

In 1852 Mr. Lewis wedded Rebecca Turner, daughter of Talton Turner, of 
Howard county, Missouri, and they became the parents of six children: Mrs. Julia 
L. Knapp, Talton Turner, Mrs. Sallie L. Johnson, Benjamin W., William J. and 
J. D. Perry. The death of the father occurred July 14, 1879, at which time the 
St. Louis Republican said editorially: "There could be no death in St. Louis that 
would have given a greater shock to the whole community than that of William 
J. Lewis, which occurred very suddenly yesterday. He was a man esteemed in all 
circles. Of thorough business habits, enterprising and progressive, he seemed to 
influence all by whom he was surrounded. In social life he was genial and un- 
selfish. He was devoted to everything that meant prosperity, fame or honor." 
Mrs. Lewis long survived her husband, passing away in September, 1908. 

In the acquirement of his education J. D. Perry Lewis, the youngest of the 
family, attended the public schools, the Smith Academy and the Manual Training 
School. He started out in the business world in the employ of the telephone com- 
pany and afterward became connected with the Halsey Automobile Company, with 
which he remained for twelve years. Actuated by a laudable ambition he at all 
times tooked forward to the day when he might engage in business on his own 
account and in September, 1912, he organized the Lewis Automobile Company, of 
which he is the president. Long before reaching his present prominent position 
in connection with the automobile trade of St. Louis he had built the first motor 
car constructed west of the Mississippi river, his efforts in this direction reaching 
fruition in 1893. He had always been a student of electricity and when people 
began talking about the possibilities of a practical horseless carriage decided to 
convert a light road wagon which he owned into an electric machine. This proved 
successful in a way, after which he had a carriage-maker build him a large body, 



192 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

■which he fitted up with thirty storage batteries and the new car was a decided 
success as automobile successes were then rated. He was always followed by a 
crowd as he would drive his machine through the city and he continued to run the 
car for about two years, at the end of which time he lost interest in it because it 
had cost him about fourteen hundred dollars to build and he did not believe that 
anybody would ever want to pay that much money for a horseless machine. It 
was then that he became connected with the telephone company, but later realizing 
what the future had in store for the automobile he returned to that field of busi- 
ness. As the years have passed he has kept pace with the progress in the auto- 
mobile trade and today is president of the Lewis Automobile Company, which is 
conducting an extensive and profitable business as dealers in motor cars. The 
industry today justifies his early vision and belief and he has lived to reap the 
benefits of his early labors in the substantial success that has come to him through 
the sale of motor cars. 

On the 19th of January, 1897, Mr. Lewis was united in marriage to Miss Sallie 
E. Turner, of Glasgow, Missouri, and to them have been born three children: 
Ericson, who is an ensign in the United States navy; Abbie, sixteen years of age; 
and Lucy, nine years of age. 

Mr. Lewis maintains an independent course in politics nor has he ever sought 
political preferment. He belongs to the St. Louis Auto Club and has a wide social 
acquaintance in his native city. During the war he served as captain of one of 
the divisions in connection with the Red Cross drive and at all times he is keenly 
interested in everything that pertains to the welfare and upbuilding of community, 
commonwealth and country, his stalwart Americanism and his progressive citizen- 
ship being never called into question. 



JOHN J. MILLER, M. D. 



Dr. John J. Miller had passed the seventy-eighth milestone on life's journey 
when on the 17th of September, 1920, he was called to his final rest. For many 
years he had been a well known and successful representative of the medical pro- 
fession in St. Louis and his hospital work was particularly notable and valuable. He 
was born at Fayette, Howard county, Missouri, on the 3d of May, 1842, his parents 
being James and Martha J. (Woodson) Miller, the former a son of James Miller of 
Martinsburg, Virginia, whose brother, John Miller, was colonel of the Nineteenth 
United States Infantry in the War of 1812 and became the third governor of the 
state of Missouri, filling the office for two terms or from 1825 until 1832. The family 
name is one long associated with the history of this state. 

Reared under the parental roof, excellent educational advantages were accorded 
Dr. Miller, who eagerly improved his opportunities of this character and was graduated 
with the Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Nashville and the Western 
Military Institute at Nashville, Tennessee, in June, 1860. On completing his course 
in the latter institution he received a lieutenant's commission from Governor Isham 
G. Harris of Tennessee. A desire to make the practice of medicine his life work 
led to his matriculation in the St. Louis Medical College in January, 1862, and he was 
graduated therefrom with the class of March, 1864. In May of the same year he was 
appointed assistant army surgeon of the Confederate army and was on duty at the 
Winder General Hospital and also at the Libby Prison OflScers' Hospital at Rich- 
mond, Virginia, until the occupation of Richmond by the Federal troops in 1865. 
While at the Winder Hospital he instituted the practice of turpentine dressings as 
a remedy for, and preventive of, hospital gangrene. 

When the war was over Dr. Miller located for practice in the western suburbs of 
St. Louis and for many years was one of the most able and successful physicians of 
that section of the city. He was also physician to the German Protestants' Orphan 
Asylum, to which position he was called in 1874. In April, 1892, he took up his 
abode in the city of St. Louis and through all the intervening years until his death 
remained a most active and valued member of the profession. He kept in touch at 
all times with the latest scientific researches and discoveries concerning the laws of 
health and the treatment of disease, and in all of his practice his efforts brought 
results that indicated a most careful diagnosis and a thorough understanding of the 




DR. JOHN J. MILLER 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 195 

best remedial methods and agencies. He held membership with the St. Louis Medical 
Society, was a life member of the American Medical Association and belonged also 
at one time to the Mississippi Valley Medical Society, in which he served on the judi- 
cial council in 1888. He likewise had membership in the Missouri State Medical Asso- 
ciation and his writings and contributions to medical literature made him widely 
known to the profession in various parts of the country. 

On the 2 8th of December, 1865, Dr. Miller was married to Miss Mary E. 
Burd, the eldest daughter of John W. and Eliza A. Burd, of St. Louis, and they 
became parents of three children. The only son, Richard Burd Miller, was born 
in St. Louis county, September 26, 1866, and attended the manual training school of 
Washington University and also the Bryant & Stratton Business College. When a 
youth of sixteen he accepted a position as bookkeeper with the Alkire Wholesale 
Grocer Company, by which he was employed from 1882 until 1886, and through the 
succeeding eleven years was bookkeeper to president of the Collins Brothers Drug 
Company. In 1897 he became secretary and is now president of the O. J. Lewis Mer- 
cantile Company of St. Louis. He is a Methodist in religious faith, a Mason in fra- 
ternal connections and is a member of the Midland Valley Country Club. The elder 
daughter of the family, Evelyn, born in St. Louis county, July 24, 1872, was educated 
at Hosmer Hall and on the 11th of June, 1901, became the wife of Frederick Vierling, 
of St. Louis, by whom she has one son, John Frederick, born in St. Louis, September 
7, 1905. The second daughter, Clara Maud, born in St. Louis county. May 28, 
1878, is a graduate of the Beethoven Conservatory of Music and Hosmer Hall. On 
the 29th of January, 1908, she became the wife of Edwin B. Sherzer, of St. Louis. 
Both Mrs. Vierling and Mrs. Sherzer became charter members of the University 
Methodist Episcopal church. South. 

Dr. Miller was never active in fraternal circles, preferring always to concentrate 
his interests upon the home, and he was never happier than when with the members 
of his family at his own fireside. He was a devout Christian, living always as a con- 
sistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church. His father had been one of the 
founders of the old Eden Chapel, later the Mount Auburn church, and Dr. Miller 
held membership in the Cabanne Methodist Episcopal church. South, at Bartmer and 
Goodfellow avenues. He also belonged to Camp No. 731 of the Order of Confederate 
Veterans and was one of the active spirits in placing the Confederate veterans' monu- 
ment in Forest Park. His widow and daughters are members of the United Daugh- 
ters of the Confederacy and the two daughters are also members of the Daughters 
of the American Revolution through their descent from Captain Obadiah Woodson 
and Captain John Morton on the paternal side, while the son is a member of the 
Sons of Veterans. The Miller family has long been socially prominent and their own 
home has ever been the center of warm-hearted hospitality. Dr. Miller always gave 
his political allegiance to the democratic party but had no desire for public office. 
He was most conscientious in the performance of all of his professional duties 
and to this end he constantly read and studied that he might promote his efficiency 
and make his life of greater service to his tellowmen. His professional ability, his 
genial nature and his sterling worth made him a most valued and honored resident 
of St. Louis, and the news of his demise was received with a sense of deep sorrow 
on the part of all who were associated with him in any way. 



WILLIAM HENRY WEEKS. 



Alert and enterprising, ever watchful of opportunities and readily recognizing^ 
advantages which others pass heedlessly by, William Henry Weeks, through un- 
aided efforts, has worked his way steadily upward, his energy and ability gaining 
for him the prominent position which he now occupies as the vice president of the 
Kansas City Stock Yards Company. He was born at Battle Creek, Michigan, March 
1, 1871, and is a son of Joseph H. and Marion (Kingsley) Weeks, the former a 
native of Michigan, while the latter was born in Buffalo, New York. The father 
was an expert draftsman and millwright and became identified with the Nordyke 
Marmon Company, of Indianapolis. 

William Henry Weeks acquired a common school education, pursuing his 
studies to the age of sixteen years, when he took up shorthand and also enterei 



196 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

the employ of the Nordyke Marmon Company. He afterward went to Cairo, Illi- 
nois, where he was connected with the Cotton Belt Company for three years in 
the position of chief clerk. On the expiration of that period he removed to Fort 
Worth, Texas, and was for three years secretary of the Southwestern Fuel Com- 
pany, wholesale coal dealers. Later he was identified with the Cotton Belt Com- 
pany, of Fort Worth, as chief clerk to the assistant general freight agent and 
later was made assistant general live stock agent and filled the position of general 
live stock agent for four years at Fort Worth for the Cotton Belt. He came to 
the Kansas City Stock Yards Company in 1900 and for one year was the south- 
west representative in Oklahoma and Texas. He was general passenger agent for 
the Cotton Belt for three years and in 1904 he was made traffic manager of the 
Kansas City Stock Yards Company, having charge of the solicitation of business 
and of shipments. He was assistant general manager from 1913 until 1918 of 
the Kansas City Stock Yards and on the 1st of April, 1918, he was elected to the 
vice presidency and still fills this office. He is thus active in directing one of the 
most important business enterprises of the west and his long experience in connec- 
tion with railway interests constituted excellent training for the duties that now 
devolve upon him. He has closely studied every phase of the business connected 
with the management and direction of the stock yards and displayed marked initia- 
tive, combined with splendid powers of organization. He readily coordinates in- 
terests bringing them to a unified and harmonious whole and has become a dynamic 
force in the business circles of the west. 

Mr. Weeks was married to Miss Louise N. Shiner, of San Antonio, Texas, in 
which city the wedding was celebrated. She is a daughter of H. B. Shiner, a prom- 
inent cattleman and rancher of the Lone Star state. They have become the parents 
of one son, W. Henry, Jr. 

Mr. Weeks is well known in club circles. He is vice president of the Chamber 
of Commerce, a director of the Kansas City 'Club, a director of the Hoof and Horn 
Club, which he aided in organizing, a member of the Blue Hills Country Club, a 
member of the Knife and Fork Club, a director of the Convention Hall and a 
member of the Automobile Club. 



FREDERICK CASLMIR SIMON, M. D. 

Dr. Frederick Casimir Simon, who in the practice of his profession is confining 
his attention to the treatment of diseases of the ear, nose and throat, with offices in 
the Arcade building in St. Louis, is a native son of the city in which he yet makes his 
home, his birth having occurred at the southeast corner of Sixteenth and O'Fallon 
streets on the 7th of January, 1S75. His father, the late William Simon, was a native 
of Germany and came to America when a lad of fifteen years while subsequently he 
brought his parents to the new world. William Simon arrived in the latter part of 
the '40s and made his way direct to St. Louis where he resided until his death, which 
occurred July 12, 1914, when he had reached the age of seventy-two years. He had 
long engaged in the grocery trade and was very successful in his merchandising efforts. 
He married Rebecca Bammann, who was born in Germany and arrived in St. Louis 
when a young maiden of eighteen years. They were married in St. Couis and to them 
were born four children, three sons and a daughter, all of whom are living. The 
mother, however, passed away in this city June 15, 1912. at the age of seventy years. 

Dr. Simon, the youngest of the family, was educated in public and private schools, 
attending the Toensfeldt's Educational Institute, after which he entered the St. Louis 
College of Pharmacy and was there graduated in 1896 with the Ph. G. degree. He 
next took up the study of medicine and completed his course in the St. Louis Medical 
College in 1S99, being graduated with the M. D. degree. In the same year he was 
appointed a junior interne in the St. Louis City Hospital, which position he occupied 
for a year and then entered upon the general practice of medicine, in which he con- 
tinued for six years. On the expiration of that period he went abroad for post-graduate 
work in Berlin and Vienna, specializing on diseases of the ear, nose and throat. Pol- 
lowing his return to St. Louis he confined his attention to these branches of practice 
and has attained notable success in his chosen field. In 1917 he attended the University 
of Pennsylvania for post-graduate work and throughout his entire career has remained 




DR. FREDERICK C. SIMON 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 199 

a close student of the profession, keeping in touch with the trend of modern profes- 
sional thought and progress and manifesting the utmost conscientiousness in the 
performance of his duties. He belongs to the St. Louis Medical Society, the Medical 
Society City Hospital Alumni Association, the Missouri State Medical Association and 
the American Medical Association and is also a member of the Air Service Medical 
Association of the United States. He likewise has membership in the Nu Sigma Nu, 
a medical fraternity, and he is a fellow of the American College of Surgecins, a mem- 
ber of the St. Louis Ear, Nose & Throat Club and now treasurer of the St. Louis Eye, 
Ear, Nose & Throat Infirmary, and also treasurer of the St. Louis Medical Society. 
He has been the secretary and also the president of the Alumni Association of the 
Washington University Medical School and he formerly held both offices in connec- 
tion with the Medical Society of the City Hospital Alumni. He was second vice presi- 
dent of the St. Louis Medical Association in 1920. He enjoys the high regard of his 
professional colleagues and contemporaries because of his close conformity to the 
highest standards and ethics of his chosen calling. 

During the World war Dr. Simon was one of the first to volunteer his services 
beginning September 18, 1917, with rank of captain. His early duties were those of 
medical member of the examining board of the aviation section at St. Louis. Later 
he was sent to Mineola, Long Island, New York, for special research work in the 
aviation section. In June, 1918, he was sent to Hampton, Virginia, for duty as flight 
surgeon of Langley Field, being the first flight surgeon this flying field ever had. His 
duty as flight surgeon was to keep the flier mentally and physically fit for flying duty. 
This necessitated frequent and regular flights in order to study the various condi- 
tions the aviator had to undergo while doing stunt work and altitude flying. In the fall 
of 1918 he was flight surgeon at Carlstrom Field, Arcadia, Florida, where he continued 
until the termination of his service, January 13, 1919. At the present time he is major 
In the Medical Reserve Corps. 

On the 24th of May, 1918, in St. Louis, Dr. Simon was married to Miss Clara Sorber, 
a native of St. Louis and a daughter of Mrs. Augusta Sorber and the late Carl Sorber, 
representatives of one of the old families of this city. To Dr. and Mrs. Simon has 
been born a daughter, Rebecca Andrew, whose birth occurred in St. Louis, September 5, 
1919. The family residence is at No. 3523 University street. Dr. Simon is well known 
in Masonic circles, belonging to Tuscan Lodge, No. 360, A. F. & A. M. He has attained 
the thirty-second degree in the Scottish Rite, belonging to Missouri Consistory, and 
he is also identified with Moolah Temple of the Mystic Shrine and the Alhambra Grotto. 
He is likewise a member of Lloyd B. Boutwell Post, No. 136, of the American Legion. 
He belongs to the Missouri Athletic Association and in politics maintains an inde- 
pendent course, supporting those measures that he deems of advantage to the city and 
country. All interests, however, are made subservient to his devotion to his profes- 
sion and as the years have passed he has built up an extensive practice. At the 
present time he is serving on the staff of the St. Louis City Hospital, the Deaconess 
Hospital and St. Anthony Hospital as oto-rhino-laryngologist and is instructor on dis- 
eases of the ear, nose and throat in the St. Louis University. Thus he performs addi- 
tional duties to his private practice, which is extensive and of an important character, 
his patients including many of the most prominent and influential residents of St. 
Louis. 



H. H. SIMMONS. 

H. H. Simmons, boy scout executive at St. Louis, has been identified with the 
movement since its introduction, and has contributed much to the development 
of the organization throughout the intervening years. Mr. Simmons is of English 
birth. He was born January 19, 1871, and is a son of Charles and Jane (Rawlin- 
son) Simmons, both representatives of old English families. They became the 
parents of thirteen children, of whom but three are living, H. H. being the third 
child. One brother died while in the service of the British navy. The mother 
passed away in 1913 while the father survived until 1914. 

H. H. Simmons acquired his early education in his native country, attaining 
the equivalent of a high school course. He entered the British army as a boy, 
learning music, and served for seven years, being discharged as warrant oflicer. 



200 CEXTEXXIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

He was on duty in England, Ireland, Scotland, Malta, India and Egypt, and landed 
at Alexandria under Lord Charles Beresford at the bombardment o£ Alexandria in 
1882. He also participated in the campaign of Telel-Kebir in the Sudan and Nile 
expedition and crossed the desert for the relief of General Gordon at Khartoum. 

Mr. Simmons came to America when seventeen years of age and joined the 
American army winning promotion to the rank of corporal and sergeant, after 
which he took a competitive examination for instructor of cavalry and was assigned 
to Jefferson Barracks for two years. He was then transferred to the First United 
States Cavalry and was promoted to first sergeant and squadron sergeant major. 
He campaigned against the Indian chief, Geronimo, in New Mexico and Arizona 
and later took part in the White Bird Canyon Indian campaign in Idaho. For one 
year he was instructor in the White Bird Indian Agency school for boys and girls , 
and later took a station at the Yellowstone National Park. He spent two years 
at Mud Geyser station in charge of the game districts of Hayden valley but with 
the outbreak of the Spanish-American war entered upon more active service on 
foreign soils. 

At that time Mr. Simmons went to Cuba with the First Immunes under Lawton, 
and later sailed to the Philippines with the first expedition under General Otis. 
He campaigned northern and southern Luzon under Generals Lawton and Swan 
and was instrumental in bringing about the surrender of Philippine forces under 
General Canon, operating in northern Luzon, and aiding in the recapture of five 
hundred Spanish and American prisoners who had been held by the insurrectos for 
years. Mr. Simmons was commissioned by the president of the United States for 
meritorious service in the field. He also campaigned against the Moros on the 
Island of Mindinao under General Leonard Wood and received personal mention 
by General Wood for service in the field. Later he was wounded in action against 
the Moros and was invalided to the United States for medical treatment which he 
received in the General Hospital at the Presidio in San Francisco. 

After serving six years continuously in the Philippines Mr. Simmons resigned, 
due to disability, and the next four years were a convalescent period in his life. 
When the Boy Scout movement first became an absorbing topic in this country 
he was called upon to enlist one hundred and fifty or more boys in Chicago and 
take them into camp as the guests of the Miller Brothers, owners of the One Hun- 
dred and One Ranch, and to train them in all the phases of scouting, and as a 
result the American Boy Scout organization was launched in Chicago. Imme- 
diately after the big mass meeting and banquet in New York and the organization 
of the national committee of the Boy Scouts of America, the organization, then 
known as the American Boy Scouts was absorbed by the present organization and 
Mr. Simmons became the field secretary for the district of Chicago. He has served 
continuously with the Boy Scout Movement since its inception in this country and 
on the 4th of February, 1921, will have completed eight years as scout executive in 
St. Louis. In 1911 and 1912, following Colonel Wakefield of England, he con- 
ducted the Scout leaders training classes at Williams Bay, on Lake Geneva, Wis- 
consin. On the day that America severed diplomatic relations with Germany 
Mr. Simmons assisted in organizing the First Battalion of the First Regiment of 
the Home Guard of Missouri. He has been most actively and helpfully identified 
with the movement which is based upon the recognition of the fact that American- 
ization can be greatly promoted by the wise training of the youth of the land — 
that "the boy is father to the man." He has done most splendid work in con- 
nection with the now worldwide organization that is seeking the mental, physical 
and moral development of boys with a view to having them reach the highest point 
of efficiency, imbued at all times with the highest sense of honor and with the 
greatest love ol country. It would be impossible to mention the extensiveness of 
his work but there are hundreds and hundreds of boys who bear testimony in their 
life to what he has accomplished through his training in the Boy Scout Movement. 

On the 22d of May, 1896, Mr. Simmons was married to Miss Abigal Prosser, a 
representative of an old American family, and they have become parents of three 
children, two sons and a daughter: Walter; Edward; and Eula, the last named is 
now the wife of Robert Fross of Chicago. 

Mr. Simmons belongs to the Chamber of Commerce and also to the St. Louis 
Automobile Club. He is at all times approachable, genial and kindly so that he 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 201 

easily wins the confidence of boys, while as a disciplinarian he commands their 
entire respect, and the same qualities have established him high in public regard, so 
that he stands today a splendid example of American manhood and chivalry. 



ERNEST E. KOKEN. 



Ernest E. Koken, who was long connected with the commercial interests of 
St. Louis and for many years directed an important manufacturing enterprise under 
the name of the Koken Barber Supply Company, was born in Aerzen, Hanover, 
Germany, April 3, 1855, and represented a family of Holland origin that had 
removed to Germany in the eighteenth century. His parents were Theodore and 
Augusta (Blume) Koken and both families were well known and prominent in 
the kingdom of Hanover. Coming to the new world they settled in St. Louis in 
1860 and Ernest E. Koken was educated in the public schools of this city. He 
started upon his business career with the Weissburger Company, manufacturers of 
druggists' and barbers' glass labels, and was thus associated from 1872 until 1874. 
His initial business step undoubtedly directed his activities in later life, for in 
1874 he started out independently in the manufacture of barbers' furniture and 
steam grinding and concaving work. In 18 81 the business was reorganized by 
the firm of Koken & Boppert, but the junior partner passed away several years 
later and Mr. Koken conducted his interests alone under his own name from 1886 
until 1889, when the business was incorporated as the Koken Barber Supply Com- 
pany, of which he became president. He remained at the head of the enterprise 
until his demise and developed it into one of the important productive enterprises 
of St. Louis. 

In 1881 Mr. Koken was united in marriage to Miss Ellen Johnson, of St. Louis, 
and they became the parents of five children. Walter F., who is mentioned else- 
where in this work; Ellen A., now the wife of T. W. Van Scholack; Minnie L.; 
Olive R.; and Theodore W. 

Mr. Koken was a most thorough student of philosophy and was familiar with 
the works of all the great authors upon philosophical subjects. He was an ex- 
tremely well read man and one could not help but be broadened and benefited by 
association with him. 



WALTER F. KOKEN. 



Walter F. Koken, who since 191S has been president of the Koken Companies of 
St. Louis, was born in this city, December 28, 1881, and is a son of Ernest E. Koken, 
who passed away July 12, 1909, and who is mentioned elsewhere in this work. Ernest 
E. Koken wedded Ellen Johnson, who is still living in St. Louis. She is a daughter 
of Benjamin Terrell, who was known during his business life, however, as Benjamin 
Johnson. The family settled in Virginia at an early day and later generations removed 
to Kentucky and thence to St. Louis. Jesse Terrell, a brother of Benjamin, owned 
what was known as Terrell's farm, near the present site of Webster Groves, and the 
family came of English ancestry. 

Walter F. Koken obtained his early education in the public schools of St. Louis. 
Later he continued his studies in the Central high school and afterward attended the 
University of Missouri, from which he was graduated with the class of 1904. While 
a student there he became a member of the Kappa Sigma, a Greek letter fraternity. 

Walter F. Koken started out in business in connection with his father, who was then 
engaged in the manufacture of barbers' supplies. From the beginning he has been 
associated with this undertaking and thoroughly mastering every phase of the business 
he was elected to the presidency of the company in 1918 and is now largely directing 
its activities. In this connection a business of extensive proportions has been built 
up and the conduct of the enterprise makes heavy demands upon his time and energies. 

On the 15th of October, 1907, Mr. Koken was united in marriage to Miss Alice 
Woodward, a daughter of Charles B. Woodward, senior member of the C. B. Woodward 
Printing Company of St. Louis, who is mentioned in connection with the sketch of 



202 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

Walter Woodward on another page of this work. To Mr. and Mrs. Koken have been 
born five children: Ellen, Jane, John, Ernest and Anne. 

In religious faith the family are Unitarians, their membership being in Unity 
church, over which Dr. Dodson presides. In his political views Mr. Koken is a repub- 
lican and fraternally he is connected with Westgate Lodge, No. 445, A. F. & A. M., 
and is also a Scottish Rite Mason. His membership relations are extensive, con- 
necting him with the Algonquin Country Club, the Missouri Athletic Association, 
the St. Louis and the National Chambers of Commerce, the Perfumers Association 
of America, the National Metal Trades Association, in which he is serving as a mem- 
ber of the executive committee, the Manufacturers Association, the Employers Asso- 
ciation of Missouri, the St. Louis Employers Association, the St. Louis Furniture 
Board and all the leading organizations having to do with this line of business. He 
has never had time for fads or fancies, his attention being always claimed by his 
business and his family. He resides at No. 364 Jefferson road, Webster Groves, where 
he has established an attractive home for the members of his household. 



GEORGE R. MERRELL. 



George R. Merrell, vice president of the J. S. Merrell Drug Company of St. Louis, 
in which city he was bom November 13, 1869, is a son of Jacob Spencer Merrell, 
a native of New York, who became the founder of the J. S. Merrell Drug Company 
of St. Louis in 1845. Through the intervening period this business has remained 
one of the substantial commercial interests of the city and is still successfully oper- 
ating. Mr. Merrell was one of the comparatively few St. Louisans who assisted in 
recruiting men to fight against slavery and rebellion in the south and was quite 
active in local politics, serving as city treasurer of St. Louis from 1880 until 1884 
and at all times doing everything in his power to advance the political principles in 
which he strongly believed. He married Kate Kellogg, a daughter of Warner Kel- 
logg, and they became the parents of ten children, five sons and five daughters, and 
five of the number died in infancy. The father has also passed away, his demise occur- 
ring in 1885, and the mother died in 1911. 

The son, George R. Merrell, was the ninth in order of birth in the family. The 
others were: Lottie G., whose death occurred December 31, 1901; Hubert S., who 
died November 29, 1911; Lizzie M., who became the wife of Cyrus P. Walbridge, of 
St. Louis, and died January 5, 1912; and Ashbel M., who passed away January 30, 
1915. 

George R. Merrell acquired his early education in the Franklin school and after- 
ward attended Smith Academy of St. Louis, while later he was graduated from the 
St. Louis College of Pharmacy in June, 1889. He began work in his father's store, 
entering the retail department of the J. S. Merrell Drug Company, and advancing' 
steadily step by step as he acquired a knowledge of and experience in the business 
and developed his powers in handling and promoting the trade, at length reached the 
position of vice president and general manager of the company after having pre- 
viously served in the positions of manager of the city department, sales manager, 
second vice president and first vice president. This company is now conducting an 
extensive wholesale drug business, having the oldest drug house west of the Missis- 
sippi and one of the largest in St. Louis. 

On the 12th of April, 1893, in St. Louis, Mr. Merrell was united in marriage to 
Miss Alice Atkins, a daughter of Andrew Atkins, a native of England. Their fam- 
ily of three sons and two daughters includes Spencer Atkins, who was graduated 
from the United States Military Academy at West Point and served for four years 
on active duty with the American army, which covered the period of the World war. 
He entered as a second lieutenant and resigned as major. He was with the infantry 
forces at Chauteau Thierry and also in the Argonne forest. He also did much train- 
ing in France at Braum University in the infantry branch of the service. He married 
Lee Fowler, of Harpster, Ohio. George R., the second son, volunteered for the avia- 
tion service, in which he became a first lieutenant, and was ready to sail from New 
York when the armistice was signed. He is now completing his university course 
at Cornell University in New York. Charles Marquis, the third son, is a freshman 
at Cornell. The daughters. Ruth Porter and Alice Jane, are attending Mary Insti- 




GEORGE R. MERRELL 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 205 

tute. The family has always been characterized by public-spirited citizenship and 
patriotic devotion to duty. Two on the father's side and two on the mother's side 
from the family served in the Revolutionary war and through all the intervening 
period representatives of the name have been loyal to the best interests of the coun- 
try, seeking ever to promote national as well as community progress. 

In politics Mr. Merrell is a republican, believing firmly in the principles of the 
party as factors in good government. In religious faith he is a Congregationalist, 
belonging to the First Congregational church of St. Louis, in which he has served 
as vice president of the board of trustees since 1918. He belongs to Tuscan Lodge 
No. 360, A. F. & A. M., in which he was raised June 15, 1912. He is also a Scot- 
tish Rite Mason, having connection with Missouri Consistory No. 1, in which he 
took his work in April, 1913. He has also crossed the sands of the desert with the 
Nobles of Moolah Temple of the Mystic Shrine of St. Louis. He belongs to the 
Royal Arcanum and i" a well known member of the Chamber of Commerce, in which 
he is now serving as chairman of Division No. 5, having charge of drug and chemical 
interests. He belongs also to the St. Louis Drug & Chemical Club, and since its 
organization has been chairman of the membership committee. He is a member of 
the St. Louis Club, the Algonquin Golf Club and the Rotary Club. The interests 
and activities of his life are well balanced and his has been a useful and well spent 
career. In his business he has been watchful of all the details and all indications 
pointing toward prosperity and from the beginning has had an abiding faith in the 
ultimate success of the enterprise; yet this has not been alone the goal for which he 
has striven, for he belongs to that class of representative American citizens who pro- 
mote the general prosperity while advancing individual interests. 



ELBRIDGE MILTON DEARING. 

Elbridge Milton Dearing, judge of the circuit court and numbered among the 
honored residents of Potosi, Washington county, was born on his father's farm near 
Blackwell, in that county, December 20, 1867, and is a son of Richard H. Dearing, 
who engaged in farming in Washington county throughout his life, and his death 
in 1893 was an occasion of deep bereavement in the community. His birth occurred 
near Old Mines and his father, Addison Dearing, was born in Kentucky and came 
to Missouri in 1820 as a married man with a family, settling in Washington county. 
The wife of Addison Dearing was Miss Elizabeth Preston, a member of the prominent 
family of that name in Kentucky. The Dearing family was originally from Virginia, 
where it was founded in the colonial days, thence removing to Kentucky. When 
Richard H. Dearing commenced farming in Washington county, Missouri, he had to 
cut down the trees and make his own road to the wooded tract where be made his 
home. He was a prominent man in the community and for four years was presiding 
judge of the county court. He was a zealous Baptist and an exemplary member of 
the Masonic order, being a charter member of Blackwell Lodge, No. 535, A. F. & A. 
M. He married Miss Eliza C. Cole, who was born in Washington county, a daughter 
of Micajah and Larinia (Turley) Cole, both natives of Kentucky but early settlers of 
Missouri. Mrs. Dearing died on the 11th of June, 1917. She was the mother of eight 
children. 

The early education of Elbridge M. Dearing was obtained in the common schools 
of Washington county and Cape Girardeau State Normal School. After completing 
his course in that institution he taught school for a period of four years, studying 
law in his spare time under the direction of his brother, Frank R., who was practic- 
ing law in De Soto and was at that time holding the office of prosecuting attorney. 
In 1892 Elbridge M. Dearing was admitted to the bar and immediately entered upon 
practice in partnership with Frank R. as Dearing Brothers at Hillsboro and Potosi, 
taking entire charge of the firm's business at the latter place. Frank R. Dearing 
died in 1904 while holding the office of circuit judge, and Governor Dockery appointed 
Elbridge M. Dearing to fill the unexpired term, from June, 1904, to January 1, 1905. 
Previously he had served as prosecuting attorney for Washington county in 1896 
and had been re-elected in 1898. In the year of his brother's death, 1904, he was 
elected to the legislature from his county and served on the judiciary committee of 
the house of representatives. He was not a candidate for re-election. In 1910 he 



206 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

•was elected to the office of circuit judge for the twenty-first judicial circuit for a 
term of six years and in 1916 was re-elected and is still serving in that office. His 
circuit consists of Jefferson. Washington, Iron, Wayne and Reynolds counties. 

It was on the 4th of September, 1S95, that Mr. Bearing was united in marriage 
to Miss Fanny Bust, a daughter of Robert Bust who was born in England in 1834, 
came to America in 1S55, and located in Washington county, Missouri, where he 
engaged in the milling business. He married Miss Lucy McGready, a daughter of 
Dr. James K. and Mary Ann (McClanathan) McGready. Mrs. Dearing was born 
September 25, 1S6S, and died at her home in Potosi on January 26, 1921, of heart 
failure. The business was founded by a relative, Robert Hornsey, and was in pos- 
session of the family until his death in 1897. It is one of the oldest mills in the 
vicinity and for many years was run by water power. The father of Robert Bust 
was Joseph Bust, a native of England. Four children were born to Judge and Mrs. 
Dearing: Elizabeth, who received her education in the Potosi high school, Stephen's 
College at Columbia, Maryville College at Maryville, Tennessee, and is now residing 
at home; one cliild who died in infancy; Will Bust, attending the University of 
Missouri and preparing to enter the legal profession; and Lucy Beatrice, attending 
the Potosi schools. 

Judge Dearing has always been a stanch supporter of the democratic party and 
the principles for which it stands. In its interests he has taken an active part and 
has served on many of the party committees. He was a delegate to the famous Bal- 
timore convention in 1912 which nominated Woodrow Wilson for president. Fra- 
ternally he is a Mason, being a member of Blackwell Lodge, No. 535, at Blackwell, 
Consistory No. 1 of St. Louis, and has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scot- 
tish Rite. The religious faith of the family is that of the Baptist church. As a 
prominent and progressive citizen. Judge Dearing is interested in the development and 
improvement of his community, and in the financial affairs he takes an active part, 
being a director in the Bank of Potosi. He has always been a stanch advocate of 
education and to this end has been a member of the board of education for a num- 
ber of years. In connection with his profession he has membership in the American 
and Missouri State Bar Associations and he has been president of the bar association 
of his judicial circuit. He finds recreation in hunting and fishing, in which sports 
he is proficient, and he is also interested in farming. He owns land near Potosi which 
he cultivates and which is considered one of the finest farms in that section of the 
county. 

Judge Dearing is a representative of Missouri's most progressive citizens and 
during the World war he took an active part in all local affairs, being chairman of 
the Fourth Liberty loan drive, the Red Cross Association and was a Four Minute 
man. 



■WALTER WELLS NALL. 



Walter Wells Nail, clerk of the United States district court for the eastern 
district of Missouri, was born in Washington county, this state, June 15, 1859, 
and is a son of Greenbury Blackstone Nail, now deceased, who was a native of 
Kentucky and a representative of one of the old families of that state, while more 
remote ancestry lived in Virginia and came of French and Scotch lineage. Green- 
bury B. Nail was reared and educated in Kentucky and in 1862 became a resident 
of St. Louis but in 1863 removed to Washington county. He followed general 
mercantile pursuits there very successfully until 1868 when he established his 
home in Iron county and resided at Ironton to the time of his death which occurred 
in 1907 when he was seventy-seven years of age. He also followed merchandising 
at Ironton and in fact devoted his entire life to commercial pursuits. In early 
manhood he wedded Sally A. Wells who was born in Shelby county, Kentucky, and 
belonged to one of the old families of that state. Her father, George B. Wells, 
was a Confederate soldier who was killed during the Civil war. The death ot 
Mrs. Nail occurred at Ironton, Missouri, in 1909, when she was sixty-seven years 
of age. By her marriage she had become the mother of five sons and three daugh- 
ters, but only two are living, Walter Wells and H. A. Nail, the latter of Jefferson 
City, Missouri. 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 207 

Walter W. Nail pursued his education in Arcadia College of Iron county, 
Missouri, being there graduated in 1878. Both before and after leaving college 
he was employed in his father's store and when in 187 8 his father was elected 
county clerk of Iron county the son served as his deputy. In 1887 he came to 
St. Louis and was appointed chief deputy United States marshal for the eastern 
district of Missouri, continuously and acceptably filling that office for twenty 
years or until the 1st of April. 1907, when he was appointed to his present position 
— that of United States district court clerk, in which capacity he has since served 
and by virtue of the length of his service he is the oldest executive in the United 
States custom house of St. Louis. The office of clerk of the United States district 
court requires familiarity with federal practice, promptness and exactness in the 
keeping of papers and records, strict integrity in the handling of money belonging 
to litigants and the government, courteous treatment of the public and great dis- 
cretion in giving out information, all of which qualities Mr. Nail possesses in an 
eminent degree. His appointment to his present office came to him through Hon. 
David P. Dyer, who said: "Nothing can be said that will give a correct and faithful 
statement of his worth as officer, friend and citizen. There are few men as good 
and none any better. No dishonest dollar ever came to his hands and in all things 
he is accurate and faithful." 

At Ironton, Missouri, June 19, 1880, Mr. Nail was married to Miss Florence 
M. Banner, a native of Illinois and a daughter of Jacob and Margaret J. Sanner. 
They have become parents of five children, three sons and two daughters, who are 
with them in a pleasant home at No. 4122 Botanical avenue. Mr. Nail has always- 
given his political endorsement to the democratic party. He is a member of the 
Royal Arcanum and the motive springs of his character are found in his religious 
belief which is evidenced in his membership in St. John's Methodist Episcopal 
church. South. 



CHARLES CUNLIFF. 



Charles Cunliff, a prominent building contractor of St. Louis whose activities 
in this direction make heavy demands upon his time, yet finds opportunity for co- 
operation in many civic matters of broad scope and value, and he can be counted 
upon in support of all those interests which make for the uplift of the individual 
and the benefit of the community at large. 

Mr. Cunliff was born in Manchester, England, February 12, 1861, and is a son 
of William and Elizabeth (Redfern) Cunliff. The father was born in Manchester, 
England, and became extensively engaged in the tanning of leather, conducting a 
business that was established by his father. He continued a resident of his native 
land until 1883, there passing away at the age of fifty-three years. His wife was 
a daughter of Benjamin Redfern, a leading contractor of Manchester, England. 
Following her husband's death she came to the United States in 1894 to make her 
home with her son. 

Charles Cunliff spent the first twenty-two years of his life in his native coun- 
try and in 1883 crossed the Atlantic to New York, spending one year in the eastern 
metropolis, after which he resided for one year in Boston. He then made his way 
westward to Chicago where he continued for a time, but thirty years ago came to 
St. Louis. He was associated with the Rice-Stix Dry Goods Company for seven 
years when he resigned to take up the business of building and contracting which 
he has successfully followed for a period of twenty-three years, during which time 
he has erected more than five hundred homes and buildings in St. Louis, over two 
hundred of which are in the Cabanne district. He is now specializing in the con- 
struction of depots for railroad, companies. 

In 18 88 Mr. Cunliff was married to Miss Elizabeth J. Lewis and they have be- 
come the parents of eight children: Nelson, who is commissioner of parks and 
recreation for St. Louis and has done much notable work for the city, being men- 
tioned at length on another page of this volume; Charles J., who is superintendent 
of the Zoo in Forest Park; Benjamin L., who is connected with the Barrett Company 
of Tennessee; Harold S., who is assistant superintendent of the Pioneer Cooperage 
Company of St. Louis; William H., who is with the Unit Construction Company: 



208 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

Ruth, at home; and Violet and Albert, Jr., who are attending school, the last 
being a high school pupil. The family record is a notable one inasmuch as Charles, 
Benjamin, Harold and William all volunteered for service in the World war, join- 
ing the army as privates and returning either as first or second lieutenants, a record 
of which the parents certainly have every reason to be proud. 

Mr. Cunliff has ever been interested in the cause of education and put forth 
every effort to provide his children with good opportunities in that direction. He 
has been particularly interested in maintaining a high standard of instruction in the 
graded and high schools and is active in the Parents Club for the Clark and Soldan 
schools. He belongs to the City Club and fraternally is connected with Tuscan 
Lodge, A. F. & A. M.; Kilwinning Chapter, R. A. M.; St. Aldemar Commandery, 
K. T.; and Moolah Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is a charter member of the 
Maple Avenue Methodist Episcopal church, which he has served as treasurer and 
trustee. In politics he is independent, supporting the men whom he regards as 
best qualified for the ofRces sought. He is keenly interested in civic matters and 
is active in support of all interests pertaining to the good of St. Louis. 



SIMON PREUND. 



The poet has written: 

"How blessed is he who crowns in shades like these 
A youth of labor with an age of ease." 

These words find fitting exposition in the life record of Simon Freund, whose 
Intelligently directed business activity has brought him to a point of notable success, 
enabling him since 1902 to enjoy the comforts and luxuries of life without further 
recourse to business beyond the supervision which he gives to his invested interests. 
For more than four decades he was an active representative of the bakery trade in 
St. Louis, where he has made his home since 1849. He was brought to this city 
when but two years of age, his birth having occurred in Pilsen, Austria, April 30, 
1847, his parents being Maurice and Yetta Freund. The father had learned and 
followed the bakery business in his native country but in 1849, attracted by the 
opportunities of the new world, he came with his family to the United States and 
crossed the continent to St. Louis. Here he continued in the same line of busi- 
ness which he had followed in his native land, opening a bakery at 917 Soulard 
street. While his establishment was at first small because of his limited capital 
he built up a large and prosperous business in the course of years. This business 
was at length turned over to his sons when in 1872 the father was called to his final 
rest. For ten years he had survived his wife, whose death occurred in 1862. 

In early boyhood Simon Freund, whose name introduces this record, became a 
pupil in the public schools of St. Louis and thus continued his education until it be- 
came necessary to take his place as an active assistant of his father in the bakery. 
He thoroughly learned every phase of the business so that he was ever able to direct 
carefully the labors of the men in his employ. For many years, however, his own 
activity was concentrated upon the administration and executive management of the 
business and he made the notable record of never being absent from his oflice for a 
single day in forty-three years. Following the death of his father in 1872 the busi- 
ness was incorporated under the name of the Freund Brothers Bread Company and 
was carried on under that style until they sold out to the trust at a profitable figure, 
at which time Simon Freund retired from business life to enjoy in well earned rest 
the fruits of his former toil. An analyzation of his record shows that his prosperity 
is the direct outcome of indefatigable effort, wisely directed, and unfaltering enter- 
prise combined with the strictest business integrity. 

On the 25th of February, 1872, Simon Freund was united in marriage to Miss 
Pauline Schwartz and they became the parents of ten children, namely: Mrs. Martha 
Mang; Samuel; Louis S., who wedded Miss Helen Weill; Albert B., who married 
Miss Stella Mayer; Charles J., whose wife was formerly Miss Hulda Afenson; Mrs. 
Jennie Gutfreund; Mrs. Augusta Liftman; Walter L.; Eleanor; and Florence, now 
the wife of Dr. Julius A. Rossen of St. Louis. There are also sixteen grandchildren. 
The family home is a most attractive residence at No. 3011 Longfellow boulevard and 




SIMON FREUND 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 211 

ity and good cheer constitute most pleasing features of this household. Mr. 
Preund has always shown great appreciation for the best in literature and is the pos- 
sessor of a fine library of the old classics as well as the modern literature. A con- 
temporary writer has said: "Mr. Freund takes a great interest in everything which 
pertains to the higher development of men and is a broad-minded, cultured gentle- 
man who has reason to be ranked as connoisseur in art, his home containing some 
beautiful paintings which are the works of noted artists of the old world. He is also 
fond of dogs and horses and those which he keeps are of the highest breed. His ken- 
nels and stables are attractive to all who love these two most intelligent of all the 
animals." Mr. Freund gives his political support to the republican party and has 
ever been a stanch advocate of its principles. He holds to the religious faith of his 
forefathers, is a member of the Liederkranz Club and the B'nai EI Society. He is 
also well known in Masonic circles and has the distinction not only of being a thirty- 
second degree Mason but of having five sons who have taken the consistory degrees, 
and all are most loyal and exemplary representatives of the teachings and purposes 
of the craft, which recognizes the brotherhood of man and the obligations thereby 
imposed. Mr. Freund is now nearing the seventy-fourth milestone on life's journey 
and his record throughout the entire period of his residence in St. Louis — and this 
covers practically his entire life — has been such as to win for him the confidence, 
regard, respect and honor of his fellowmen. 



CHARLES E. WILLIAMS. 



Charles E. Williams, president of the C. E. Williams Shoe Company conducting 
business at Sixth street and Franklin avenue in St. Louis, was bom in Edinburg, 
Illinois, July 29, 1873, his parents being Benjamin F. and Anne Eliza Williams, 
both of whom were natives of Illinois where they were born, reared and married. 
The father was of Welsh descent, while the mother belongs to one of the old Amer- 
ican families. The father was a farmer of Fayette county, Illinois, for a number 
of years, but through the influence of many friends he was induced to become a 
candidate for the position of circuit court clerk and was elected to that office, so 
that he retired from agricultural pursuits and continued to serve as circuit clerk 
for a number of terms, in fact he was continued in the oflSce for eight years or until 
his death, which occurred in 1895. His widow survives and is now making her 
home in St. Louis. Their children were six in number, four sons and two daughters, 
of whom but three are living, these being: Mrs. Frank Eardley, the wife of Frank 
Eardley, living at 6026 McPherson avenue in St. Louis; a brother, J. Bertram, 
also makes his home in St. Louis. He was with the Pierce Oil Corporation of this 
city for seventeen years and at the present time is an automobile salesman. 

The other surviving member of the family is Charles E. Williams, whose name 
introduces this review. He was educated in the public schools of Fayette county, 
Illinois, and in the high schools of Vandalia, Illinois, after which he pursued a spe- 
cial business course at Terre Haute, Indiana. He started out in the business world 
as a general utility clerk with the C. E. Hilt Shoe Company at Sixth and Franklin 
avenue, at the small salary of five dollars per week. Gradually he worked his way 
upward as his knowledge and experience in the business increased, becoming shoe 
salesman, bookkeeper, and at length secretary of the firm. On the retirement of 
C. E. Hilt in 1913 the business was reorganized under the name of the C. E. Wil- 
liams Shoe Company and in March, 1913, Mr. Williams was instrumental in insti- 
tuting plans whereby each manager of the various departments became a stock- 
holder in the business and was manager of his own department, looking after the 
buying and selling of such stock as appealed to him. The system instituted by Mr. 
Williams has proved very successful in building up the trade and the business is 
steadily increasing. Today the C. E. Williams Shoe Company is one of the fore- 
most enterprises of the kind in St. Louis and Mr. Williams attributes his present 
prosperity to this plan of organization. It largely solved the problem of unrest 
which is manifest in many houses by the employes. It gives each man an interest 
in the business with a stimulus to put forth his best efforts to the upbuilding of his 
department and make it one of thorough success. The company handles every- 
thing in the general line of footwear, carries an extensive stock and is now doing 



212 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

a business of very gratifying proportions. It handles a popular line of shoes, and 
its thoroughly reliable business methods, combined with its enterprise and energy, 
have brought most desirable returns. Mr. Williams has been at his present location 
as a salesman and as proprietor of the store for more than twenty-eight years. 
The company owns and occupies a building fifty by eighty-five feet, three stories in 
height with basement, and the entire space is utilized by the firm and is well 
stocked -^vith a most attractive line of goods. The salesroom Is on the first floor 
of the building and the retail trade is now very extensive. In the year 1900 the 
store had the distinction of serving one out of every seven of the population of St. 
Louis as indicated by the census of that year. The firm specializes in popular price 
footwear and keeps on an average of thirty-five employes. 

On the 18th of September, 1906, Mr. Williams was married in Vandalia, Illi- 
nois, to Miss Hallie M. Eshleman of that city. They occupy a beautiful home at 
No. 7100 Pershing avenue in University City, which is a lovely, quiet suburban 
town where the business man can spend his evenings away from the noise and con- 
fusion of the city. The Williams household is a most hospitable one, its good cheer 
and cordial welcome being greatly enjoyed by many friends. Mr. Williams is a 
member of the Masonic fraternity and also is connected with the Knights of 
Pythias and the Chamber of Commerce of St. Louis, as well as with the Asso- 
ciated Retailers Organization for which he has been the vice president. He is like- 
wise president of the Missouri State Retailers Salesmen Association. In politics he 
is a republican but without ambition to hold public office. For twenty-eight years 
he has made his home in St. Louis and throughout the entire period has steadily 
progressed in his business life. Determination anfl energy have been the crowning 
points in his career and the integrity of his purpose has ever been above question. 



REV. WILBERT C. SHUPP. 

Rev. Wilbert C. Shupp, largely devoting his life to the temperance cause and 
head of the Anti-Saloon League in Missouri, was born in Bucyrus, Ohio, November 
16, 1867, his parents being Elias and Christiann (Zimmerman) Shupp, who were 
farming people of the Buckeye state. They had a family of seven children, of whom 
four daughters died in infancy, the others being: Ida, who became the wife o£ 
J. W. Cook and is deceased; Wilbert C; and Edward. 

Wilbert C. Shupp attended the public schools near Bucyrus and in 1899 com- 
pleted a language course in a theological seminary. For nine years he engaged in 
preaching the gospel, occupying several pulpits in Ohio, and in 1909 he came to 
Missouri, settling at Springfield, where he became district superintendent of the 
Missouri Anti-Saloon League, residing there until 1913 and then removed to St. 
Louis. Always a stalwart champion of the prohibition cause he became a most 
active worker in support of the dry issues and since 1908, has devoted practically 
his entire time to this work. He became state superintendent of the Anti-Saloon 
League of Missouri in 1913 and is one of the best known temperance workers of 
the country. The purpose of the Anti-Saloon League is the overthrow of the liquor 
traffic and this necessitates large political activity. Under the leadership of the 
Anti-Saloon League the state of Missouri has largely changed from a wet regime 
to a dry one and politics have been largely divorced from the saloon element. The 
work of the Anti-Saloon League is conducted solely by religious bodies and Mr. 
Shupp has succeeded in enlisting the entire body of evangelical religious organiza- 
tions in the state in the work of eradicating the saloons. He speaks constantly in 
the interests of temperance reform, occupying the pulpits of the largest churches 
of all denominations, and is a very earnest and effective speaker. Moreover, he not 
only presents his cause with clearness, force and logic, but possesses that executive 
ability which has enabled him wisely to select leaders as his assistants in the work. 
Now that the prohibition amendment has gone into effect the Anti-Saloon League 
is directing its efforts not only to the enforcement of the law, but also to securing 
the election of such men as will not attempt its repeal. The temperance forces 
recognize that their work is by no means over, that the wets are determined if 
possible to secure legislation that will do away with the prohibition amendment. 
The Anti-Saloon League is proceeding with its usual energy to support candidates 




REV. WILBERT C. SHUPP 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 215 

for Congress and the Legislature who will support the program for a dry America, 
and officials who will maintain in force what has already been accomplished through 
legislative enactment. 

One of the strong elements in the work of Mr. Shupp and his associates is that 
they are' looking ahead to meet not only the problems of the moment but the ex- 
igencies of the future. They are also cooperating in the great work to extend 
prohibition into other lands and Mr. Shupp is at all times thoroughly conversant 
with the temperance situation throughout not only this country but foreign lands 
as well. 

On the 28th of December, 189 2, was celebrated the marriage of Wilbert C. 
Shupp and Anna May McCracken, who is of Scotch-Irish descent. Three generations 
ago the McCracken family was founded in America by ancestors who came from 
Scotland and who were among the direct descendants of Mary, Queen of Scots. 
To Mr. and Mrs. Shupp have been born nine children, of whom eight are living, 
Ralph Talmage having died at the age of two and a half years. The others are 
Bessie, Howard, Raymond, Homer, Helen, Glenna, Lucile and Wilma. All of the 
family have been active supporters of war measures and the daughter Bessie has 
been a most earnest Red Cross worker. The religious faith of the family is that 
of the Presbyterian church, their local membership being in the King's Highway 
Presbyterian church. 

Mr. Shupp is identified with the Chamber of Commerce of St. Louis and his 
political support is given the democratic party. When leisure permits, he enjoys 
going back to nature for his rest and recreation and is more or less interested in 
agricultural pursuits, having been reared on a farm. Through the war period he 
did everything possible to assist in raising funds through the sale of Liberty Bonds 
and in every possible way advancing the interests of the country and, moreover, 
instructed those who work under him in connection with the Anti-Saloon League 
to put forth their efforts in the same direction. He had three sons as well as a 
daughter actively engaged in war service, Raymond being a radio operator in the 
Navy, stationed at Plymouth, England, connected with the work of determining 
the U-boat activities, while Homer was a member of the Students Army Training 
Corps and Howard was at Camp Funston. The daughter Bessie, joining the Red 
Cross, was in the department of hospital canteen service at St. Louis, where the 
soldiers passing through the city were received and their needs met. 

Such in brief is the history of Rev. Wilbert C. Shupp, but who can measure 
the extent of his influence and his labors? Regarding intemperance as one of the 
greatest evils of the country, the producer of crime, the handicap of industrial and 
economic interests as well as a blight on thousands of homes, he has sought to 
introduce higher standards through the instruction of the individual and through 
legislative enactment, upholding in his campaign work those men who have ever 
stood for law, order and civic righteousness. The results already achieved by the 
Anti-Saloon League are so tangible and beneficial that thousands have expressed 
their thanks to Mr. Shupp for what he is doing in this direction and from these 
results he and his associates have gained inspiration and encouragement for the 
labors which yet await them and which it is to be hoped will be crowned by the 
fullest success. 



AMEDEE V. REYBURN. 



Amedee V. Reyburn, safe deposit manager with the Mercantile Trust Company 
of St. Louis, is a representative of two old and well known families of this city. He 
was here born February 3, 1857, his parents being Thomas and Juliette (Valle) Rey- 
burn. The father, a practicing physician, was a son of Thomas G. Reyburn who came 
to St. Louis from Baltimore in 1844 and who had previously served as a soldier in 
the War of 1812. The mother, Juliette Valle, was born in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, a 
daughter of Francis B. Valle and a granddaughter of Francois Valle who came from 
Canada and was one of the five original settlers of Ste. Genevieve. 

Amedee V. Reyburn completed his education in St. Louis University which con- 
ferred upon him the degrees of Bachelor and Master of Arts. He initiated his busi- 
ness experience as an employe of the Harrison Wire Company of St. Louis. He after- 



216 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

ward entered the employ of th.e Mercantile Trust Company of St. Louis at the time 
of its incorporation in 1899 and has since been connected therewith, covering a period 
of twenty-one years, having thus attained his majority in the service of the company 
which he is now representing as safe deposit manager. 

Mr. Reyburn was married in St. Louis, May 23, 1878, to Henrietta L. Patterson, 
a daughter of Henry L. Patterson of this city. His wife died in less than a year and 
Mr. Reyburn afterward married Charlotte Mercer, daughter of Dr. William M. Mer- 
cer of Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Their children are Amedee V., Jr., who passed away 
February 10, 1920; Charlotte M., Juliette K., Henrietta H. and Mary G., all yet at 
home. 

The religious faith of the family is that of the Roman Catholic church. Mr. 
Reyburn is a member of the Holy Name Society and also of St. "Vincent de Paul So- 
ciety. In politics he is a democrat where national issues are involved but at local 
elections casts a non-partisan ballot. He belongs to the Knights of Columbus and 
was first territorial deputy west of the Mississippi river. He served as district deputy 
of district No. 1 for two years and was one of the charter members of St. Louis Council, 
which was the first council west of the Mississippi. His attention and activities 
have largely been concentrated upon the work of the church and upon his business 
and he has never sought to figure prominently in political or club circles. He is widely 
known among the representatives of the old and prominent families of St. Louis and 
has himself been a resident of the city for more than sixty-three years. 



GUSTAV F. KELLER. 



Gustav F. Keller is the president of the Kansas City Marble & Tile Company, 
a business formerly conducted by the Voska-Bremer Marble Company. He was born 
in Switzerland, November 10, 1874. His father was also a native of the land of the 
Alps, while his mother was of Canadian birth. The grandfather on the maternal side 
had come to the new world and here married but afterward returned to Switzerland. 

Gustav F. Keller pursued his educaiton in his native country, attending the 
graded schools and afterward the high school at Rheineck. He was also a pupil in 
the technical school at St. Gall and in young manhood determined to try his fortune 
in the United States, crossing the Atlantic in 1892. He at once made his way to 
St. Louis and was first employed there by the Picket Marble & Granite Company as 
a laborer, working on the Union Station. He afterward won promotion to the 
position of draftsman in the office and when thirteen years had passed he became 
the head of a department with the Andres Stone & Marble Company at Milwaukee, 
Wisconsin. He continued with that firm for nine years and during that period 
was in charge of the marble work on the Missouri state capitol in Jefferson City. 
He also had charge of the marble work of the city hall in Cleveland. Ohio, and the 
Continental & Commercial National Bank in Chicago. In 1910 he removed to 
Kansas City, Missouri, where he has since engaged in the same line of business, in 
the course of which he had charge of the marble work in one hundred and fifty-five 
bank buildings, located in various parts of the United States. He did the marble 
work in the Cosden building of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and remodeled the Fidelity Na- 
tional Bank & Trust Company building in Kansas City, Missouri. He is now pres- 
ident of the Kansas City Marble & Tile Company, the successors of the Voska-Bremer 
Marble Company. This firm has an extensive patronage of a most important char- 
acter and its business is constantly increasing in scope. Large contracts are awarded 
them and the excellence of their work insures to them a liberal support. 

Mr. Keller was married in St. Louis, in 1898, to Miss Frieda C. Walter, who 
was born in Germany, and they have become parents of four children: Virginia, 
Walter T., Thalia and Marion. 

Mr. Keller belongs to the College Avenue Baptist church and is a Mason of high 
rank, having become a member of the Mystic Shrine. He also belongs to the Cham- 
ber of Commerce and is a member of the Builders' Association. His life has been 
one of intense and intelligently directed activity. He was a youth of eighteen 
when he left his native land and sailed for the United States and he has never had 
occasion to regret his determination to try his fortune on this side of the Atlantic. 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 217 

Here he has found the opportunities which he sought and has steadily worked his 
way upward until his position is one of prominence as a representative of indus- 
trial activity in Kansas City. 



REV. JOSEPH R. WATSON. 



Rev. Joseph R. Watson, pastor of the Catholic church of Our Lady of Good 
Counsel at Eleventh and Destrehan streets in St. Louis, was born March 20, 1866, 
in the city which is still his place of residence, his parents being Henry R. and 
Mary (Murray) Watson, both of whom were natives of Ireland whence they came 
to the United States in young manhood and womanhood. For a time after crossing 
the Atlantic Mrs. Watson was a resident of New Orleans but Mr. Watson came 
direct to St. Louis, being a member of the Watson family that is numbered among 
the early settlers of this city, taking up their abode on what was known as Wat- 
son's Fruit Hill. The first brick house in St. Louis county was built by John Wat- 
son, a cousin of Henry R. Watson. The latter was a practical miller and was em- 
ployed as head miller at Tolle's mill on Cherry and Collins streets for many years. 
He was drafted into the service during the Civi war but was exempted on account 
of the need of the government for expert millers. 

Joseph R. Watson began his education in the St. Lawrence O'Toole's parish 
school and subsequently attended the Jesuit school and afterward St. Vincent's 
College and Seminary at Cape Girardeau, where he completed his studies and on 
the 25th of April, 1891, was ordained to the priesthood in St. Anthony's church of 
St. Louis by Archbishop Kenrick. 

Father Watson served as assistant priest at the Holy Name church for a short 
time and was then transferred to St. Lawrence O'Toole's church. Later he was 
made assistant at the old cathedral and from there was transferred to St. Matthew's 
church as assistant. In 1906 he was appointed pastor of St. Columbkill's church 
at Byrnesville, Missouri, and also had charge of St. Philomena's church at House 
Springs, Missouri, where he remained for three years. In May, 1909, he was made 
pastor of the Church of Our Lady of Good Counsel at St. Louis, over which he has 
since presided. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus and keeps in close 
touch with the interests of his parish and his people, doing everything in his power 
to advance the spiritual growth of the latter and the needs of the former as a factor 
in the religious upbuilding of the community. 



J. A. BECKER. 



J. A. Becker, bishop of the stake of the Latter-day Saints at Independence, 
Missouri, was born October 5, 1874, in Port Washington, Ohio, his parents being 
Adam and Charlotte (Miller) Becker. The father was a native of Ohio, while the 
mother's birth occurred in Germany and they were married in the former state. 
The father, while interested in all matters of public welfare, was a man of retiring 
nature but a very patriotic and loyal citizen who during the Civil war served as a 
volunteer in the One Hundred and Eighty-ninth Ohio Infantry. He had been at the 
front for nine months when he contracted measles and as a result became incapaci- 
tated for further military duty and was honorably discharged. 

J. A. Becker was educated in the public schools of Port Washington and in the 
State Normal School at Ada, Ohio, after which he attended the Northwestern Uni- 
versity at Defiance, Ohio, though he did not graduate there but pursued a special 
course preparatory to teaching. He afterward took up the profession of teaching, 
which he followed for about five years in Port Washington, Ohio. He then turned 
his attention to mercantile pursuits in which he engaged until 1903, when he took 
up active church work as a missionary. He was for two years pastor in Pittsburgh, 
Pennsylvania, and in 1905 was sent to the church mission in Germany, making his 
headquarters at Hamburg. His duty there was to put new life into the work of the 
church in Germany. He reorganized the church, which was in very bad condition 
because of the erroneous belief that the Re-organized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- 



218 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

day Saints which he represented was the same as the Mormon church of Utah. Mr. 
Becker was very successful in convincing the people of Germany that the church had 
nothing to do with the religious organization in Utah. After completing his mission 
there he returned to Kirtland, Ohio, where he was ordained a bishop in April, 1908. 
He then took charge of the Kirtland district, which embraced Ohio, West Pennsyl- 
vania and the panhandle of West Virginia. He remained at Kirtland until Septem- 
ber, 1918, or for a period of ten years, when he was transferred to Independence, 
Missouri, and he is now bishop of the Independence stake where are located the 
general offices of the church. 

Mr. Becker was married in Kirtland, Ohio, in 1899, to Miss Anna Young, a 
daughter of James and Chloe (Notman) Young, the former a native of Scotland 
while the latter was born in Pennsylvania. To Mr. and Mrs. Becker were born 
three children: Pauline Mildred, Diana Charlotte and John Adam. 

Mr. Becker has always been a lover of music and is a director o£ music in his 
church, also a member of the band and has been active in chorus work. He is a 
man of rare ability, of strong personality, very magnetic and at all times actuated 
by the highest ideals. 



WALTER N. DAVIS. 



Walter N. Davis, attorney at law practicing in the courts which convene in 
St. Louis, his native city, was born November 29, 1876. He is descended from 
Welsh ancestry, the family having been founded in America by tour brothers who 
came to the new world in 1700, Nicholas Davis being the progenitor of the branch 
to which Walter N. Davis belongs. He settled in Cecil county, Maryland, and 
among his descendants were those who participated in the struggle for American 
liberty as Colonial soldiers in the Revolutionary war. The grandfather, George 
N. Davis, served in the War of 1812. The father, Alexander Davis, was a native 
of Kentucky, his people having been early settlers of Carter county, that state. He 
was reared and educated in the Blue Grass state and in 1850 came to Missouri, 
settling first in St. Joseph. In 1851 he crossed the plains with an organized com- 
pany from St. Joseph. They traveled over the Santa Fe Trail to California and 
returned by way of the Isthmus of Panama. In 1867 he was married in Jefferson 
City, Missouri, and after his marriage took his bride to Montana, a hard and 
hazardous journey for a woman, but she cheerfully endured the trials and difficulties 
in order to be with her husband. In fact both displayed a most earnest and cour- 
ageous spirit in meeting the conditions of frontier life, their strong purpose and 
good cheer carrying them over the hard places which brought discouragement to 
so many of the early settlers. In 1869 he removed to St. Louis, where he resided 
until his death, which occurred in 1896, when he was sixty-four years of age. He 
was a lawyer by profession and was a graduate of Jefferson College. From 1869 
until 1876 he was connected with the law department of the Missouri Pacific Rail- 
road and was widely known as a prominent representative of the profession. Dur- 
ing the Civil war he served with Steen's Division under General Price and was taken 
prisoner west of Jefferson City, Missouri. Later he was paroled and subsequent 
to that time removed to Montana, becoming one of the pioneers of that state and 
the first judge, holding court at Virginia City during the Vigilantes days. A stanch 
democrat, he was active in politics both in Montana and Missouri. He served as 
a member of the Missouri state legislature from St. Joseph for two terms before the 
Civil war period. His religious faith was that of the Methodist church and he 
was a Knight Templar Mason. He married Alice Edwards, who was born in 
Jefferson City, Missouri, a daughter of John Henry and Mary (Chappell) Edwards. 
Her maternal grandfather was from Roxborough, North Carolina, and his wife from 
Danville, Virginia. The first maternal ancestor who came to America was John 
Chappell. He was captain of the Speedwell, a vessel that brought the emigrants 
to Virginia in 1630, and after abandoning a sea-faring life he settled on the James 
river. To Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Davis were born six children, three sons and 
three daughters. 

Walter N. Davis, who was the fourth In order of birth, was educated in Smith 
Academy of St. Louis and in the Vanderbilt University, from which he was gradu- 




WALTER N. DAVIS 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 221 

ated in 1898, winning the Bachelor of Arts degree. He then entered the St. Louis 
Law School and won his LL. B. degree upon graduating in 1900. The same year 
he was admitted to the bar and entered upon practice in St. Louis, since which time 
he has been a faithful and active follower of his profession. He continues in gen- 
eral practice, trying all kinds of cases and trying them well. He is a member of 
the St. Louis and Missouri State Bar Associations. In politics he is a democrat and 
the official positions which he has filled have been along the strict path of his pro- 
fession. He was special assistant United States attorney in charge of war work 
from September, 1917, until October, 1918, and handled on an average more than 
one hundred persons per day. He was the democratic nominee for circuit judge 
in 1916 and received the hearty support of the local bar, but was defeated in the 
republican stronghold. 

On the 6th of September, 1911, Mr. Davis was married in St. Louis to Miss 
Roberta Randolph Morrison, a native of Missouri and a daughter of T. BUis and 
Margaret P. (Guy) Morrison, the former now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Davis 
has been born a son, Robert Morrison, whose birth occurred in St. Louis, July 17, 
1915. The family resides at No. 5567 Pershing avenue. 

Mr. Davis is a member of Rose Hill Lodge, No. 5 50, A. F. & A. M. He also 
belongs to the Normandie Golf Club and he is a member of Sterling Price Chapter 
of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. He is likewise a meinber of St. John's Metho- 
dist Episcopal church. South, and high and honorable principles have ever guided 
him in all of the relations of life. He has manifested many of those sterling char- 
acteristics which enabled his honored father to meet difficult conditions as a Cali- 
fornia Argonaut of 1851 and as a pioneer settler of Montana at a period when the 
work of the Vigilantes was the only thing that prevented an era of unbridled crime. 
Under different conditions Walter N. Davis has displayed the same substantial 
qualities and as a lawyer he has been most loyal in upholding the highest standards 
of the profession, exemplifying In his career its most advanced ethics. 



LOUIS P. ALOE. 



Louis P. Aloe, born in St. Louis, July 20, 1867, educated in the Stoddard School, 
the Wyman Institute of Alton and in Washington University, has achieved success 
in his business career and made that steady progress which results from capability 
intelligently applied. To those who are at all familiar with the commercial history 
of St. Louis it is unnecessary to say that the Aloe Optical Company, of which he is 
president, with stores and offices in its own exclusive building at 513 Olive street, 
occupies a prominent position in its department of commerce. 

For a number of years Mr. Aloe has been a leading figure in civic affairs. Nature 
has well qualified him for leadership by reason of qualities of professional magnetism, 
executive ability and keen discrimination. When but twenty-nine years of age he 
was president of the Merchants League Club of St. Louis, an organization of over 
eight thousand members. 

For four years he was a member at large of the republican state committee and 
from 1891 to 1894 served as a member of the board of election commissioners of the 
city of St. Louis. He has twice been elected a delegate to the national republican 
convention- and participated in the naming of both McKinley and Roosevelt for the 
presidency. 

In all progressive civic affairs Mr. Aloe has taken an active part and shown rare 
initiative and ability. As a member of the board of freeholders he took a leading 
part in the writing of the present city charter, a monumental undertaking that made 
possible the unprecedented rapid yet solid growth of the city of St. Louis. Through 
his initiative the city obtained without cost a six mile levee railroad when the 
franchise of the Terminal Railroad Association expired and this road, now munici- 
pally owned and controlled, produces a revenue of over thirty thousand dollars an- 
nually. Likewise the Rankin tract, once famous as a cow pasture in the heart of 
the city, has been converted into a terminal district having more than thirty tracks 
with mileage for several hundred cars. 

As a member of the City Plan Commission, in the face of popular misunder- 
standings and even organized opposition, he helped in the formulation and adoption of 



222 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

the zoning ordinance, a legislative enactment which protects the home from encroach- 
ment of industrial structures and protects industrial property by stabilizing values 
in ample districts set out for such development. 

Mr. Aloe was elected president of the board of aldermen of St. Louis in November, 
1916. That term of office was so characterized by his great personal initiative, his 
wonderful capacity for organization and his whole-hearted energy that he was again 
elected in April, 1919, to fill the position for the full term of four years. In this posi- 
tion he now ably serves the people and from time to time is called upon to act as 
mayor of the city, wherein he has an even broader field for his energy and ability. 
While so acting he has shown added ability to grasp quickly and comprehensively to 
understand suddenly arising situations and promptly to take thorough action, as 
an example of which might be cited his protection of the city of St. Louis when it 
was threatened by an epidemic of smallpox through the great influx of negro refugees 
from East St. Louis during the city's race riots. 

In his work during the World war he displayed the same qualities and gained the 
same success as in civic affairs. As acting mayor in April, 1917, he received the distin- 
guished soldier-statesman General Joffre and Premier Viviani of France. He appointed 
the local boards to conduct the draft and his record and the records of those whom he 
selected to conduct the draft was such — a record free from all scandal or criticism — 
that he was later appointed by President Wilson to act as chairman of the district 
board of appeals. 

In the commercial field Mr. Aloe has likewise held positions of honor, being presi- 
dent of the National Association of Surgical Dealers of the United States and also a 
member of the executive board of the Chamber of Commerce. He is former president 
of the Columbian Club, one of the largest and most representative social clubs of 
the city. 

Mr. Aloe married Edith Rosenblatt, daughter of former City Collector Meyer A. 
Rosenblatt, now deceased, and they have four children: Clarabell, Viola, Isabel and 
Louisa. The family residence is at No. 36 Kingsbury Place. 



BENJAMIN S. ADAMS. 



While Benjamin S. Adams has passed away he lives in the memory of his many 
friends, enshrined in the halo of a gracious presence and charming cordiality. He 
was in the highest sense of the term a gentleman — one whose interest was in the 
better things of life and who in the conduct of a large and successful business en- 
terprise was the soul of integrity and honor. He was born in Nashville, Tennessee, 
February 15, 1854. a son of Adam Gillespie Adams, one of the most prominent busi- 
ness men of that city and also a leader in civic and church work. The home environ- 
ment of Benjamin S. Adams was such as to develop the best in him. He had good 
educational opportunities and early learned lessons of life which were of great value 
to him in shaping his later career. He became a prominent factor in many agencies 
which contributed to the social, intellectual and moral progress of his community 
and in businees circles he made for himself an enviable position. For many years 
he was associated with the E. C. Simmons Company and was thus prominently known 
to the hardware trade of the city. Subsequently he became identified with the 
Tudor Iron Works of which he was secretary and also of the Republic Iron & Steel 
Works which took over the organization with which he had formerly been connected. 
He was successful as a manufacturer of steel and iron specialties and owed his 
success to his industry and uncompromising integrity. He displayed enterprise, initia- 
tive and determination and he carried forward to completion whatever he undertook. 

On the 11th of March. 1891, Mr. Adams was married to Miss Madge Updike, a 
daughter of George Whitman Updike, of St. Louis, for many years a prominent figure 
in grain trade circles of the city and a representative of one of the oldest and most 
prominent families of St. Louis, tracing his ancestry back to early colonial days 
in Providence, Rhode Island. To Mr. and Mrs. Adams were born three children: 
Madge E.. who is now the wife of James Brooks Knight, of St. Louis: Benjamin Strick- 
ler; and Ewing, who is the wife of Edwin 0. Baker, of New Bedford, Massachusetts, 
a son of George P. Baker, who is professor of literature and drama at Harvard and 
is a cousin of the president of Harvard University. The only son died at Hoboken, 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 223 

New Jersey, just before his regiment sailed for France. He was born in St. Louis, 
August 27, 1895, and enlisted in May, 1917, in response to the call to the colors. He 
was trained at Fort Riley and Camp Meyer and was made a corporal of the Twelfth 
Field Artillery, Headquarters Company. He died of pneumonia on the 12th of Jan- 
uary, 191S, in St. Mary's Hospital at Hoboken the night following the one on which 
his regiment sailed for France, his death being a great blow to his mother, his family 
and his many friends, for a young life of great promise was thus cut off. 

Death had previously broken the family circle when on the 17th of April, 1906, 
Mr. Adams passed away. He was most widely and prominently known in St. Louis. 
He was a member of the St. Louis Club, the University Club, the St. Louis Country 
Club, and the Noonday Club. He was also active in the Mercantile Library Association 
and was a member of its board for many years. The entire period of his manhood 
was passed in St. Louis, for he arrived in this city when twenty-one years of age. 
Through the intervening period to the time of his death he occupied a prominent 
place in the public life of the community, particularly in connection with civic and 
church work. One who long knew him said he was "an old-school Presbyterian of 
the most conscientious type." He never faltered in his allegiance to what he believed 
to be right and at no time was his position an equivocal one. He possessed many 
sterling characteristics and not the least of these was his capacity for warm friend- 
ship. All who came in contact with him speedily appreciated him at his true worth, 
recognizing in him a man whom to know was to esteem and honor. Mrs. Adams has 
always shared in the high regard entertained for her husband. She is a prominent 
member of the Wednesday Club, of the St. Louis Country Club and also a member 
of the St. Louis republican committee, but her great work is in the Second Presby- 
terian church of which she is a most devoted and faithful member. 



MARTIN J. COLLINS. 

It is a long way from the position of office boy to the vice president of an im- 
portant business corporation, but this road Martin J. Collins has traveled, progressing 
steadily until he has reached the second position of executive control, being now 
vice president of the Graham Paper Company of St. Louis. He was born in this city 
November 6, 1869, and is a son of Thomas and Bridget Collins, who came from Gal- 
way, Ireland, to the new world. His education was acquired in St. Vincent's Catholic 
school of St. Louis which he attended to the age of eleven years and then started 
out to earn his living by working as a bobbin boy in a hemp factory in South St. 
Louis. He afterward acted as messenger boy with the Western Union and later 
became office boy with the Graham Paper Company. Here his willingness, his industry 
and faithfulness won him promotion and he steadily advanced from one position to 
another until he reached the vice presidency and is now bending his efforts to ad- 
ministrative direction and executive control in connection with one of the most im- 
portant commercial interests of the city. 

On the 17th of October, 1895, in St. Louis, Mr. Collins was married to Miss Mary 
A. McDonough, of Boston, Massachusetts, representative of one of the old New Eng- 
land families. They have become the parents of five sons: Harry J., Charles T., 
Robert B., William and Thomas. The religious faith of the family is that of the 
Catholic church and in political belief Mr. Collins is a democrat. He belongs to the 
St. Louis Club, the Missouri" Athletic Association and a number of the other leading 
clubs of the city. He has never filled political office but served as chief of staff under 
Governor H. S. Hadley, being the first democratic colonel on a republican governor's 
staff in Missouri. He takes a keen interest in both city and state politics and has 
been identified with many of those wholesome and purifying reforms which are now 
common to both parties and which receive the endorsement of all high-minded Ameri- 
can citizens who hold to the most advanced standards of civic life. He supports all 
measures which tend to civic betterment and improvement and is keenly interested 
In boys and welfare work. He is the vice president of the Big Brother organization, 
is the president of the Papa Club, Is the president of the Missouri School for the 
Blind and a director of the St. Louis Cardinal Baseball Club. He believes in foster- 
ing a love of manly sport among boys and has studied the boy problem from the 
standpoint of child psychology, while actual experience in his own household has 



224 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

given him most comprehensive and valuable knowledge. His labors have indeed been 
a most forceful element in protecting boy lite in St. Louis and as vice president of 
the Big Brother organization he is putting forth great influence in this connection, 
his labors being at all times beneficial and resultant. 



REV. PATRICK PAUL CRANE. 

Rev. Patrick Paul Crane, pastor of the Holy Name Catholic church in St. Louis, 
his native city, was born January 13, 1872, a son of William and Margaret (Lehane) 
Crane, who were natives of Ireland but came to the United States in young manhood 
and young womanhood. They settled in St. Louis where they were subsequently 
married and here resided to the time of their death. 

Patrick Paul Crane was educated in St. Bridget's and St. Malachy's parochial 
schools and also in Christian Brothers College, in which he pursued his classical 
course. He later entered the Kenrick Seminary and on the completion of his course 
in theology was ordained to the priesthood in June, 1899, Archbishop Kain offi- 
ciating. 

Father Crane's first assignment made him assistant to Father Tohyn, pastor 
of St. Mary and Joseph's church, where he labored for six years. On the expira- 
tion of that period he was sent by Archbishop Glennon to Washington, D. C, to 
attend the Apostolic Mission House to prepare for mission work in the diocese. 
For five years he was engaged in work of that character and in June, 1910, was 
appointed pastor of St. Lawrence O'Toole's church to succeed the Rev. M. S. Bren- 
nan. He remained in that charge for nearly ten years and on the 2d of February, 
1920, was appointed pastor of the Church of the Holy Name. While his labors in 
this parish have covered but a brief period he has already done excellent work in 
the further development of the parish and in the further entrenchment of the cause 
in the hearts of the people. 

Father Crane is a member of the Seminary board in St. Louis and also president 
of the Catholic high school board. He is a representative as well of the Catholic 
orphanage board and is an ex-state chaplain of the Knights of Columbus. He 
served as a member of the executive board of the National Catholic War Council in 
connection with the war relief work of the Catholic church. His activities have 
thus covered a broad field and his labors have at all times been far-reaching and 
resultant. 



JEROME F. DUGGAN. 



Among the attorneys of St. Louis who are natives of the city is Jerome F. 
Duggan, who was born on the 30th of August, 1893. His father, Patrick Duggan, 
is a native of Ireland and on coming to America first settled at Jerseyville, Illinois, 
but subsequently removed to St. Louis, where he has since made his home. He is a 
stationary engineer and followed that business for many years very successfully but 
is now living retired. He married Ellen Dougherty, also a native of the Emerald 
isle, and on coming to the new world she took up her abode in Chicago, where they 
were married. They began their domestic life in Jerseyville and Mrs. Duggan is 
still living, theirs being a pleasant and comfortable home in St. Louis. They became 
the parents of eight children, five sons and three daughters, three of whom have 
passed away. The record of the family is as follows: Lawrence A.; Mary, deceased; 
Jerome F., of this review; Margaret, who has also passed away; John J.; Patrick, 
who is deceased; Richard L.; and Ellen Grace. 

Jerome F. Duggan was educated in the parochial and public schools of St. 
Louis and prepared for his professional career as a student in the Benton College 
of Law, from which he was graduated in 1915 with the LL. B. degree, while in the 
following year his alma mater conferred upon him the Master of Laws degree. 
Prior to entering college, however, he was connected for eight years with the St. 
Louis board of education. Immediately after his graduation he entered upon active 
practice and while advancement at the bar is proverbially slow, no dreary novitiate 




JEROME F. DUGGAN 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF AIISSOURI 227 

awaited him. He has made steady progress, devoting his attention to general 
civil practice, and his clientage has been extensive and important. He is a well 
known member of the St. Louis Bar Association and enjoys the high regard of many 
of his professional brethren. Aside from his practice he is also a director and 
the secretary and treasurer of the Mangold Oil & Development Company, a Mis- 
souri corporation. 

Mr. Duggan is quite actively interested in politics and for the past four years 
has been president of the Ip'ifteenth Ward Democratic Club, in which capacity he is 
still serving. He belongs to the Immaculate Conception Catholic church, is a fourth 
degree Knight of Columbus and a member of the Western Catholic Union. He is 
also connected with the Woodmen of the World, with the Fraternal Aid Union, and 
with the Century Boat Club of St. Louis. 

After America's entrance into the World war Mr. Duggan on the 13th of May, 
1917, entered the officers' training camp at Fort Riley, Kansas, and was honorably 
discharged July 7, 1917. He reentered the service July 15, 1918, and was dis- 
charged in December following with the rank of second lieutenant of the Reserve 
Corps. He belongs to the American Legion and is past commander of Jackson 
Johnson, Jr., Post No. 72 and is a member of the national executive committee for 
the department of Missouri. He finds diversion and recreation in baseball and in 
tennis. His record is that of a self-made man, for he paid his own way through 
college with money he had previously earned and his success is attributable entirely 
to his own labors, for industry and capability have marked his course at all points, 
his thorough preparation of his cases being one of the salient features in his con- 
tinued success. 



CLYDE WILLIAMS. 



Clyde Williams, attoruey-at-law who resides at Hillsboro, where he is engaged in 
the practice of his profession, was born on his father's farm about ten miles west of 
that city, October 13, 1873, a son of William Franklin Williams now deceased, for- 
merly county judge of Jefferson county. The father was born in Madison county, 
Missouri, on the 5th of May, 1825. and was a son of James Williams, a well known 
Baptist minister in his section of the state. James Williams was a native of Ken- 
tucky, born on a farm less than thirty miles from Lexington. He was residing in 
New Madrid at the time of the earthquake and in recompense for the devastation of 
his land was awarded a tract by the state. This land, which was situated on the Mis- 
souri river in Clay county, never came into his possession, however, for he was so 
unfortunate as to secure the services of a dishonest lawyer. James Williams was 
united in marriage to Miss Lydia Jane Waller and they became the parents of nine 
children, William F. Williams, the father of our subject, being one of the sons. The 
boyhood of William F. Williams was spent on a farm and his education was such 
as could be obtained in the old log schoolhouses of those days. He left home at the 
age of seventeen years and started to learn the cabinet-making business, but not 
finding this line of work to his liking he gave it up and removed to Washington county 
where he secured work in the mines. In connection with mining he engaged in agri- 
culture and in 1849 in company with a number of other men he went to California 
in search of gold. In 1851 he returned to Jefferson county and there was united in 
marriage to Miss Margaret Manion, a native of that county, a daughter of John J. 
Manion, who was for many years a leading agriculturist in Jefferson county, and 
Clyde whose name initiates this review, was one of the children born of this union. 
A sister, Mrs. Ida Oster, is now making her home in St. Louis and has among her 
collection of family relics a grandfather clock which is about two hundred years 
old. This clock was made in England and shows the different phases of the moon as 
well as the time of day. It is keeping perfect time today and is in a splendid state 
of preservation. William F. Williams owned five hundred and seventy-five acres of 
land in Big River which he cultivated and was widely recognized as one of the most 
successful and progressive farmers of the community. In early life William P. Wil- 
liams gave his political allegiance to the whig party and in the presidential election 
of 1848 gave his support to General Taylor. After the passing of the whig party and 
the formation of the republican party Mr. Williams became a stanch democrat. He 



228 CEXTEXXIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

served as county judge for three terras and on the 12th of March, 1909, departed this 
life, his death coming as a severe blow to his family and many friends. 

Clyde Williams received his early education in the common schools of Jefferson 
county, where he remained until he was eighteen years of age, finishing the high 
school course. In due time he entered the State Xormal School at Cape Girardeau, 
Missouri, wliere he remained for two years, at the end of which time he became a 
student of the University of Missouri, graduating therefrom in 1901 in both academic 
and law courses with the degrees of A. B. and LL. B. He began the practice of his 
profession in De Soto where he remained until 1903, when he removed to Hillsboro, 
having been elected prosecuting attorney. Three times he was elected to that office 
and his service in that connection covered a period of six years. His law practice was 
for the most part general and he built up a large clientage, becoming one of the most 
prominent lawyers in the district. In 1911 the Jefferson Trust Company of Hillsboro 
was organized with a capit-jl stock of one hundred thousand dollars and Mr. Williams 
was one of the first directors. In 1915 he was elected president of this organization, 
a position which he has since held. The bank has a surplus of ten thousand dollars 
and the resources have reached nearly four hundred thousand dollars. 

On the 26th of April, 1905, Mr. Williams was united in marriage to Miss Lola E. 
Marsden, 11 daughter of Cornelius and Mary E. (Whitehead) Marsden, and a grand- 
daughter of Richard Marsden. a native of England who settled in Jefferson county and 
became one of the most prominent men in that locality. The father of Mrs. Williams 
is a successful merchant and railroad agent at Victoria. To Mr. and Mrs. Williams 
have been born two children: Eleanor Doyne, and Merle Lee, both of whom are 
students in the Hillsboro schools. 

Mr. Williams gives his political support to the democratic party in the interests 
of which he has always taken an active part. He is chairman of the democratic county 
committee and in 1920 was presidential elector candidate on that party's ticket. Mr. 
Williams was reared in the faith of the Baptist church, while his wife is a member of 
the Methodist church and takes an active interest in church and Sunday school work. 
She is a member of the Woman's State democratic committee and of the Eastern Star, 
in which she is past matron of the Hillsboro chapter. In social life Mr. Williams has 
always taken a prominent part and when a student at the University of Missouri he 
was elected to membership in the exclusive society consisting of ten men and known 
as the "Q. E. B. H." During his senior year he was president of that organization. 
He was also a member of Phi Delta Phi, of the Missouri University. During the 
World war he was especially active in the interests of the country and served as 
chairman of the legal advisory board in addition to giving his undivided support in 
the various loan campaigns. Fraternally Mr. Williams is a Mason having member- 
ship in Joachim Lodge No. 164 of Hillsboro of which he has thrice been master. 

The life of Mr. Williams has been one of diligence and industry and the enter- 
prise and sound judgment which he has displayed have been potent elements in win- 
ning for him deserved and continued success. He has never hesitated to take a for- 
ward step when the way was open and though content with what he has attained as 
he has gone along he has always been ready to make an advance. 



DANIEL NOYES KIRBY. 



Daniel Noyes Kirby, connected with the legal profession as an educator as well as 
a practitioner at the bar, being a partner in the prominent firm of Nagel & Kirby 
of St. Louis, was born in Lyme, Connecticut, August 22, 1864, his parents being Eliab 
Burgess and Caroline L. (Noyes) Kirby. The father was born in Middletown, Con- 
necticut, and in early manhood came to St. Louis, where the years chronicled his 
progress until he reached a position among the prominent merchants of the city. 
He was a member of a firm prominent in Civil war days, that of Collins, Kellogg & 
Kirby. He was also one of the founders of the St. Louis Merchants Exchange and 
he passed away in 1898. His wife, who was born in Lyme, Connecticut, died in 1917. 
They were the parents of six sons, three of whom are living. 

Daniel N. Kirby, who was the third in order of birth in the family, obtained a 
public school education, passing through the. Central high school of St. Louis. He 
next entered Washington University as a law student and was graduated there in 
18S6 with the LL. B. degree. He was admitted to the bar upon passing the required 




DANIEL N. KIRBY 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 231 

examination in 1887, and after another year's study was graduated from the Law 
School in 1888. In that year he entered the office of Mr. Nagel, a well known attorney, 
as assistant, and later was admitted to a partnership under the firm style of Nagel 
& Kirby. A change in the personnel afterward led to the adoption of the firm name 
of Finkelnburg, Nagel & Kirby and following the elevation of Judge Finkelnburg 
to the bench, a new firm was formed under the style of Nagel & Kirby, the partners 
being Charles Nagel, D. N. Kirby, G. F. Decker, A. C. Orrick and A. B. Shepley. They 
specialize in corporation and commercial law and Mr. Kirby has gained compre- 
hensive knowledge of these branches of the profession, on which he has concentrated 
his efforts and attention. He is a prominent figure In the St. Louis and Missouri 
State Bar Associations and is also widely and favorably known in the American 
Bar Association. He is ever careful to conform his practice to the highest profes- 
sional ethics and standards and he enjoys in an unusual degree the respect and 
confidence of his professional colleagues and contemporaries. He was for a num- 
ber of years lecturer before the St. Louis Law School on agency and constitutional 
law, and lecturer before the Washington University Medical School on medical juris- 
prudence. He has remained throughout the whole of his professional career a most 
earnest and discriminating student and hard worker and upon these qualities has 
been built his splendid success. 

Mr. Kirby is a member of the Second Presbyterian church and he belongs to 
the Noonday, University, Bogey and Florissant Valley Country Clubs, the City 
Club, and also to the University Club of New York. His political allegiance is given 
the republican party but he has never sought advancement along that line, content 
to concentrate his efforts and attention upon his professional interests, which have 
constantly developed in volume and importance. 



GEORGE F. BERGFELD. 



George F. Bergfeld, engaged in the real estate business in St. Louis, was born in 
Chicago, Illinois. October 16, 1865. His father, Alexander A. Bergfeld, who passed 
away in 1900 at the age of sixty-one years, was a merchant devoting many years to 
mercantile pursuits in St. Louis. He married Elizabeth Wesseling, who survived 
him until 1905 and was sixty-six years of age at the time of her demise. In their 
family were five sons and a daughter but three of the sons and the daughter have 
passed away. One son, Rudolph, is living in Tyler, Texas, where he occupies the 
position of vice president of the Citizens National Bank, He married Lena Pabst. 

The other surviving member of the family is George F. Bergfeld of this review 
who was the youngest of the household. He was educated in the public schools of 
St. Louis, passing through consecutive grades to his graduation from the Central high 
school in June, 1887. He then entered the real estate business as a clerk for Henry 
v. Lucas and was with that house between the ages of eighteen and twenty-five years, 
or until 1890. Gradually he had won advancement through intermediate positions so 
at the time he left the company he had full charge of the office. He was ambitious, 
however, to engage in business on his own account and organized the George F. Berg- 
feld Realty Company with office at No. 1027 Chestnut street. From that time to the 
present he has successfully engaged in the real estate business, although he has not 
continued at his original location. He removed first to No. 617 Chestnut street and 
finally to 610 Chestnut street where he is now located. He engages in the buying and 
selling of real estate and the building of fine residences and he has erected over two 
hundred and twenty-five fine homes. His company is one of the largest operating in 
the real estate field in St. Louis. An analyzation of the record of Mr. Bergfeld indi- 
cates the clearness of his business vision, the thoroughness of his plans and the effi- 
ciency with which he promotes his purposes. While he has conducted a business 
that has brought to him notable success it has been of a character that has contributed 
to the progress and prosperity of the city. 

On the 12th of June, 1889, in St. Louis, Mr. Bergfeld was married to Miss Ella 
Hufft, a daughter of Judge Hufft of New Orleans, and they have one son, Lucas L., 
who has become president of the George F- Bergfeld Realty Company and who married 
Virginia Phillips, a member of one of the old families of St. Louis. 



232 CEXTENXIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

Mr. Bergfeld is a member of Tuscan Lodge, A. F. & A. M. and he was raised in 
1895. He belongs also to the Chamber of Commerce and to the Real Estate Exchange 
and in addition to the conduct of his important and extensive realty business in which 
his official position is that of chairman of the board of directors he is now a director 
of the Liberty-Central Trust Company of St. Louis. His religious belief is Presby- 
terian, his membership being in the Kings Highway Presbyterian church in which 
he is a member of the board of trustees. Politically he is a republican but without 
desire or ambition for public office. His activities have not been withheld from 
various organized efforts for the public good; on the contrary he supports every meas- 
ure of progressive citizenship and at the same time his energy and efforts have been 
so directed in the channels of business that today he stands among the leaders in real 
estate circles in St. Louis. 



BERNARD RILEY HAUK. 



A pioneer among the dairymen of the south and southwest Bernard Riley Hank 
has established a creamery and supply business whose trade-mark, "The Bee," is 
known throughout that section of the country. He was born in St. Louis January 8, 
1871, the son of Willi?.m C. Hauk of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Anna (Lambourne) Hauk, 
a native of England. W. C. Hauk, the grandfather of Bernard R. Hauk, was the cap- 
tain of a steamer, the Clara Bella, which was sunk during an engagement in the 
Civil war. Ten sons of whom Bernard R. Hauk is the fifth and of whom six are 
living, and three daughters, were born to William and Anna Hauk. 

Bernard Riley Hauk received his early education in the Ellardsville school in 
St. Louis. His business career began as a night messenger boy in the employ of the 
old American District Telegraph Company, under the management of George F. Du- 
rant. Presently, however, when he was eleven years old he entered the service of the 
H. McK. Wilson Company, and traveled through southern Illinois, promoting cream- 
eries in most of the prominent towns. Having accumulated sufficient capital he later 
organized the firm of Blanke and Hauk which remained the Blanke Manufacturing 
Company after Mr. Hauk sold his interests, and organized the B. Riley Hauk Sup- 
ply Company. His latest enterprise is The Dairyman's Manufacturing and Supply 
Company of which he is president. Until the organization of this firm supplies of 
the sort were not obtainable nearer than New York and other distant points in the 
east. 

During the war Mr. Hauk bought Liberty bonds and war saving stamps liberally. 
He is a republican and has fraternal connections with the B. P. 0. E., the Knights 
Templar, the Masons and the Knights of Pythias of which he is a charter member 
of Pacific Lodge. His church affiliations are Episcopalian. 

Mr. Hauk was married in St. Louis on Sept. 22, 1S92, to Anna F. Ichtertz, and 
there were thirteen children born of this union: Robert, Nettie, Olivia, Harry, Ruth, 
Millicent, Evalen, Bernard, Loraine, Virginia, George, and two who died in infancy. 
Mrs. Hauk's parents, John Ichtertz of St. Louis, and her mother, a native of Cin- 
cinnati, are living in St. Louis and are over seventy years of age. 



JAMES A. GARVEY. 



James A. Garvey is the manager in St. Louis for the Elliott-Fisher Company, 
handling billing machines. He had formerly been identified with the business be- 
fore being sent to St. Louis and his splendid salesmanship and executive ability 
have enabled him wisely to direct the activities of the company in this city and 
to build up for the firm an extensive and gratifying business. Mr. Garvey was born 
in Cleveland, Ohio, November 10, 1887. His father, Michael Garvey, came to 
America from Ireland at the age of eighteen years. He wedded Mary Maher, daugh- 
ter of James and Mary Maher. who owned a large farm near Avon. New York. 

James A. Garvey obtained a common school education by attending St. Augus- 
tine's school in Cleveland, Ohio, and later became a student in St, Ignatius' College 
of that city. He there had the distinction of taking a two years course in one year 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 233 

and finishing first in the class at the end of the year. The following year he re- 
turned to college after the Christmas holidays and repeated the performance, al- 
though he was awarded fourth place on account of the faculty rule that a student 
was compelled to he in attendance throughout the full school year in order to gain 
one of the first three places. 

When his textbooks were put aside Mr. Garvey worked in an insurance office 
in Cleveland, where an Elliott-Fisher machine was used for writing policies. He 
saw the possibilities of a flat-bed machine for accounting. He afterward secured 
a position with the Champion Rivet Company as bill clerk but three years later 
left that firm to engage in the machine shop business. He soon sold out, however, 
and entered the employ of the Elliott-Fisher Company, for he had never forgotten 
his impression as to the effectiveness and value of their accounting machines. It 
was largely due to his efforts in Cleveland and Akron in educating business men 
in the possibilities of mechanical accounting that so many up-to-date firms now 
do not use pen and ink on any of their accounting work, which is all done by 
machinery. Some of the largest rubber and tire companies in the country are still 
using accounting methods installed by Mr. Garvey eight years ago. He has devoted 
the past ten years almost entirely to educating the business public to better methods 
of accounting, and was sent to St. Louis in 1916 because the city at that time was 
far behind the rest of the country in mechanical accounting. Here he is rapidly 
developing a business of substantial proportions. He has been very successful in 
proving to the business men of the city the value of the machines which he handles 
and the trade which he has built up is now most gratifying. 

On the 30th of November, 1911, Mr. Garvey was married to Miss Louise Hoef- 
fier, a daughter of John Hoefller, a cigar manufacturer of Cleveland, and they have 
become parents of two daughters, Mary Louise and Betty Ellen. The religious 
faith of the family is indicated in the fact that they are communicants of St. Mar- 
garet's Catholic church of St. Louis, and fraternally Mr. Garvey is connected with 
the Knights of Columbus. He belongs to the Chamber of Commerce, also to the 
St. Louis Credit Men's Association and to the Kiwanis Club. His political alle- 
giance is given to the republican party where national questions and issues are 
involved, but in local elections he casts an independent ballot, nor has he ever 
been ambitious to hold public office, preferring always to concentrate his efforts 
and attention upon his business affairs. He is a good salesman, possessing an analyt- 
ical mind, and his associates speak highly as to his character and ability, an opinion 
in which the public concur. 



JOHN E. LYNCH. 



John E. Lynch, born January 11, 1858, serving for a second term as United 
States marshal through appointment of President Wilson on the 15th of August, 
1914, is not only known by reason of his political activity in the ranks of the dem- 
ocratic party but also owing to the importance and extent of business interests 
which he has long controlled. In former years he was a most successful general 
contractor while at the present time he is the head of the Bank of Moberly, one of 
the strongest financial institutions not only of the city of Moberly but of the state 
as well. He has spent his life in Moberly, his father, Patrick Lynch, being one of 
the first citizens there. No special advantages promoted his interests at the outset 
of his career. The financial resources of the family made it necessary that he pro- 
vide for his own support at an early age and he began driving a team used in ex- 
cavation work for the railroad shops and lake at Moberly, receiving therefor a wage 
of a dollar per day. He was next employed in a blacksmith shop and later became 
connected with railroad interests as a fireman. 

From his youthful days John E. Lynch was interested in politics and has always 
been a stalwart champion of democratic principles. He was first called to public 
office in 1880 when he was elected chief of police of Moberly, the duties of which 
position he discharged without fear or favor for twelve years. He was likewise 
connected with public affairs of his city for three years as a member of the city 
fire department and was then reelected to the position of chief of police, in which 
office he remained for a period of eight years. The splendid record which he made 



234 CEXTEXXIAI. HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

in this connection led to his appointment to the position ot United States marshal 
by President Cleveland and he remained the incumbent in that office until 1898 
when he resumed the pursuits ot private life as a contractor for sewers and street 
paving, extending his operations throughout northern Missouri, the development 
of his business being marked by an expanding prosperity that enabled him In 1916 
to become a forceful factor in the banking circles ot Moberly. It was in February, 
1916, that he was elected to the presidency of the Bank of Moberly. and is now 
concentrating his attention upon constructive effort, administrative direction and 
executive control. The business of the bank is steadily growing and his breadth 
of view recognizes possibilities for the advancement of its business connections, 
while his marked initiative and determination enable him to make full use of these 
possibilities. 

In the meantime Mr. Lynch was again called to public office. While engaged 
in the contracting business his fellow townsmen chose him as their representative 
to the general assembly of Missouri in 1911-1912 and he was also made a delegate 
to the national democratic convention which was held in Baltimore and which nom- 
inated Woodrow Wilson. On the 15th of August, 1914, he was once more appointed 
to the office of United States marshal. While the opportunities of his youth were 
limited he has mastered the lessons of life day by day until his post-graduate work 
in the school of experience places him with the men of learning and ability who 
have figured prominently in shaping the material advancement and political his- 
tory of the state. 

Mr. Lynch was married in .luly. 1881, to Mary Hall, a native of Warren county, 
Missouri, and they have six living children: George I., Nellie. John E.. Jr., Frank, 
Lucille and Robert Lee. 



LEWIS PERRY. 



Lewis Perry, who is engaged in the real estate and investment business in St. 
Louis, his native city, was born December 17, 1855, his parents being John D. and 
Eliza Jane (Turner-Pulliam) Perry. The father was a representative of an old 
Virginia family and came to Missouri between 1830 and 1835. He devoted his time 
to general merchandising, conducting a store in Fayette and afterward in Glasgow, 
Howard county, Missouri. It was while there residing that he wedded Eliza Jane 
Turner-Pulliam, daughter of Talton Turner of that city. About 1854 he removed 
to St. Louis where he became connected with the banking house of Bartholow, Lewis 
and Company, a firm that was active in financial circles of this city until some time 
in the '80s. John D. Perry also became president of the Kansas Pacific Railroad 
Company, and his extensive and important business interests brought him promi- 
nently to the front in business circles. He passed away in 18 95. 

John D. Perry was married twice. His first wife being Julia Broaddus of Mis- 
souri, by whom he had two children: Charles W. and Mary E. Perry. After the 
death of his first wife Mr. Perry married Eliza Jane Turner-Pulliam. widow of Elijah 
PuUiam. who had two children, Sarah and Annie. Sarah PuIIiam married Joseph 
A. Wherry and they had one child, Eliza P. Wherry. John D. and his wife Eliza 
(PuUiam) Perry had the following children: Jane, the wife of Hon. David R. Fran- 
cis of St. Louis, who had six children, namely: J. D. P.. David R., Jr., Charles B.. 
Talt®n T., Thomas and Sidney R.. Francis. Lewis, ot this review; Richard E., who 
is with the firm of Carr Brothers, and who married Elizabeth Gibson, and they have 
become the parents of four children, namely: Laura. Charles G.. John D. and Marion; 
Laura; and two children who died in infancy. 

Lewis Perry attended the schools of St. Louis and then went abroad for study, 
attending schools in Dresden, Stuttgart and Wurzburg. Germany, between 1869 and 
1873. Returning to the United States he entered Cornell University as a member 
of the class of 1877. Following his graduation he was in charge of Perry Park 
ranch, midway between Denver and Colorado Springs, on which his brother Charles 
W., was accidentally killed in 1877. Lewis Perry remained upon the ranch until 
1879. He then became one of the organizers of the St. Louis White Enamel Com- 
pany, succeeded by the Standard Stamping Company. He was vice president and 
treasurer ot this company until 189 5, at which time he disposed of his interest and 




LEWIS PERRY 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 237 

since that time has not been active in the commercial world, devoting his attentions 
to the supervision of investments and real estate holdings. He is thoroughly in- 
formed concerning the real estate market and has handled his property in such a way 
as greatly to enhance its value. 

Mr. Perry gives his political support to the democratic party. He belongs to the 
St. Louis Club, to the Bellerive Country Club and has been identified with most of 
the leading club organizations of the city. He is of a very generous and charitable 
nature, always extending a helping hand to the younger generation of his family 
and to others. The success which he has achieved now permits of leisure to indulge 
his love of golf and he is a familiar figure on the links, largely finding his recreation 
in that way. He makes his home at the Buckingham Hotel and is widely known 
throughout St. Louis where he enjoys the high regard of many. 



J. SYDNEY SALKEY. 



J. Sydney Salkey, member of the St. Louis bar, was born in Los Angeles, Cal- 
ifornia, July 8, 1888. His father, Jacob S. Salkey, was born in Chicago and devoted 
much of his life to merchandising. He became the treasurer of the Irwin Garment 
Company of St. Louis and was thus well known in business circles of this city. 

J. Sydney Salkey obtained his early education in the schools of Los Angeles, 
California, but with the removal of the family to St. Louis became a pupil in the 
schools of this city at the age of twelve years and passed through consecutive 
grades to the high school. His college training was received in the University of 
Chicago from which he was graduated in 1910 with the Bachelor of Philosophy 
degree. With broad literary learning to serve as a foundation on which to build 
the superstructure of professional knowledge he entered Washington University 
for the study of law and gained his LL. B. degree in 1911. The previous year he 
was admitted to the bar and since his graduation he has engaged in general and 
corporation practice and specializes in federal taxation law. His practice is now 
extensive and of a very important character and he enjoys the respect and goodwill 
of his associates in the St. Louis Bar Association, the Missouri State Bar Associa- 
tion and the American Bar Association. Appreciative of the social amenities of 
life Mr. Salkey has membership in the Westwood Country, the Columbian, the City 
and the Sunset Hill Country Clubs. He has resided in St. Louis from the age of 
twelve years and his sterling qualities have made his circle of friends almost co- 
extensive with the circle of his acquaintance. 



JUDGE WILLIAM K. JAMES. 

When a judge has established himself in the public mind as an exponent of 
justice and equity in the discharge of his legal duties he reaches a point where 
his probity and integrity are beyond question. Among those whose character and 
services have lent dignity and distinction to the bench and bar of northwestern 
Missouri, Judge William K. James stands out prominently, and he Is recognized as 
one of the foremost members of the bar of Buchanan county. For more than thirty 
years he has been engaged in the practice of his profession in St. Joseph, and is 
regarded as a man of high attainments and exalted ideals. He displayed signal 
ability while presiding on the bench of the circuit court and has been a valued 
factor in the political activities of his section of Missouri as a stalwart and effective 
advocate of the cause of the democratic party. He always gives hearty cooperation 
in the furtherance of religious, educational and other worthy purposes, not the 
least of these being his activity as president of the board of trustees of the Bartlett 
Agricultural and Industrial School at Dalton, Chariton county, for the education of 
negroes along industrial lines. 

William K. James was bom in Sussex county, Delaware, August 20, 1852, and 
is a descendant of families whose names have been long and worthily linked with 
the annals of American history. He is a son of Urias T. and Eliza J. (Knowles) 
James, and was a boy of about fourteen years when in 1866 his parents removed 



238 CEXT!-:X.\IAI. HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

to Missouri and located in Pike county. In 1871 they went to Fremont county, 
Iowa, and established their home on a farm in the neighborhood of Hamburg, where 
the father developed a valuable property and became one of the prominent and 
influential citizens of the county, esteemed for his integrity and lofty character. 
There he and his wife continued to reside for the remainder of their lives. 

The healthy and hardy life of the farm formed the environment in which the 
boyhood and youth of Judge James were spent in both Missouri and Iowa. His 
early education was obtained in the public schools of his native state and Missouri 
and Iowa, and he also availed himself of the advantages of the village school at Ham- 
burg. That he made excellent use of the advantages thus offered is shown by the 
fact that at the age of eighteen he proved himself worthy of pedagogic honors and 
began teaching in the district schools of Fremont county, Iowa, making daily a three 
mile trip, morning and evening, between his home and the school. After he had 
taught tor one winter term with marked success, he entered Central College, at Fay- 
ette, Missouri, where he pursued higher studies for one semester. Thereafter he 
taught one term in the graded school at East Nebraska City, Fremont county, Iowa, 
and in 1872 again entered Central College as a student. Desiring to secure a still 
broader and more liberal education, he entered Yale University, where he com- 
pleted the regular classical course and was graduated from the university as a 
member of the class of 1876, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. It was in August 
of that year that he located in St. Joseph, and in this city he studied law, having 
for his preceptor the Hon. Willard P. Hall, former governor of the state. Keenly 
active and devoted to his legal studies, he made substantial progress in acquiring 
knowledge of the science of jurisprudence and in 1879 was admitted to the state bar. 

Judge James virtually set aside all other interests in response to the demands and 
exactions of his chosen profession, in which he has won advancement and high prestige 
through his technical ability, close application and conscientious devotion to duty. 
He has established a just claim as a resourceful and versatile trial lawyer, and 
his thorough knowledge of legal principles and precedent has given him distinctive 
priority as an adviser, besides creating an unique position for the exercise of judi- 
cial functions. Judge James built up a substantial practice, to which he continued 
to devote his attention until 1898, when he was elected to the bench of the circuit 
court. As a candidate on the democratic ticket, he led the same by more than 
eight hundred votes, which fact indicated his personal popularity and the apprecia- 
tion of his professional ability and sterling attributes of character. He made an 
admirable record on the bench, on which he served for tour years, and not many of 
his judgments met with reversal by courts of higher jurisdiction. He retired from 
ofiice in 1902 and resumed the general practice of the law, having as a partner 
William B. Norris. and the firm of James & Norris continued to command a large 
and lucrative law business until it was dissolved by the election of Mr. Norris to 
the office of city counselor of St. Joseph in 1905, since which time Judge James 
has continued in practice alone. He has acted as advocate in many noteworthy 
suits in the courts of this section of the state and has conducted many cases before 
the supreme court of Missouri. 

Judge James has ever given undivided allegiance to the democratic party and 
has been much sought after as a campaign worker. He is a logical and convincing 
speaker. In 1896 he delivered many vigorous and telling speeches in all the coun- 
ties of northwestern Missouri. Sincerity is his keynote in every relation of life, and 
thus his political addresses have been the more potent and fruitful of good, espe- 
cially in view of the fact that he is admirably fortified in his convictions concerning 
matters of public policy and has been a close student of political and economic 
problems. Judge James has held no other public office with the exception of that 
on the circuit bench and that of member of the St. Joseph board of police com- 
missioners, to which he was appointed by Governor Folk. 

Judge James became a member of the church at the early age of fourteen and 
during long residence in St. Joseph has been an ardent and valued member of the 
First Presbyterian church, of which he has been an elder for many years. A thor- 
ough churchman and one of practical faith, he has ever been influential in the 
affairs of the local church and of the synod with which he is identified, his knowl- 
edge of ecclesiastical law and his ripe judgment having made his counsel particularly 
valuable. His wife is equally zealous in church affairs. Judge James is president 
of the St. Joseph Young Men's Christian Association, his interest and services, how- 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 239 

ever, not being confined to the work of the local organization but extending also 
to embrace the affairs of the national body. He is president of the board of trus- 
tees of the Bartlett Agricultural and Industrial School; also president of the St. 
Joseph Art Society: first vice president of the St. Joseph Commercial Club; and 
is a liberal minded and public-spiiited citizen. He holds membership in the Country 
Club and the Benton Club, whose headquarters are at St. Joseph, and he is affil- 
iated with Invincible Lodge No. 470, I. O. O. P., of which he is past noble grand. 

In 1883 Judge William K. James was united in marriage to Miss Mary Tootle, 
a member of the influential and honored St. Joseph family of that name, being a 
daughter of Thomas E. and Ellen (Bell) Tootle. Judge and Mrs. James are the 
parents of two children: Ellen Tootle James and Thomas Tootle James. As in 
everything else with which they are identified Judge James and his wife take an 
abiding interest in the social and cultural activities of the community in which 
they reside, their aid ever being extended to all movements designed for the wel- 
fare of the public. 



REV. B. S. A. STOLTE. 

The Catholic clergy in St. Louis is represented by many who are native sons of 
the city and this number includes the Rev. B. S. A. Stolte, who is now pastor of 
Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic church and who was here born on the 25th of Octo- 
ber, 1870, his parents being William and Angela (Waterloh) Stolte, both of whom 
were natives of Hanover, Germany, whence they came to the United States in young 
manhood and womanhood. They located in St. Louis, where they were subsequently 
married, and here the father passed away about 1877, while the mother is still a 
resident of this city. 

The Rev. Mr. Stolte was educated in the parochial schools of St. Libory, Illinois, 
In which place the family was then living, and in St. Benedict's College at Atchison, 
Kansas, where he pursued his preparatory studies, after which he was sent to Rome, 
where he studied philosophy and theology in the American College. He was then 
ordained to the priesthood in St. John's Lateran church in Rome on the 30th of 
May, 1896, by Cardinal Parocchi. Following his ordination he returned to St. 
Louis and for three months was assistant at St. Liborius church, after which he 
was transferred to Jefferson City, where he acted as assistant for two years. Sub- 
sequently he spent eight years as assistant at St. John's church in St. Louis and 
in 19 06 was appointed pastor of St. Joseph's church in Farmington, where he labored 
for fifteen month, during which time he largely built up a run-down parish. 

On the expiration of that period Father Stolte was called back to St. Louis to 
organize Our Lady of Sorrows parish and in the intervening years he has accom- 
plished excellent work here. He has erected a modern hall and school building, 
which is being used temporarily for church services, and also built the parish resi- 
dence. These buildings were erected at a cost of thirty-seven thousand dollars, 
although they could not be duplicated at the present time for a much larger sum. 

Father Stolte is a member of the Knights of Columbus, in which he has taken 
the fourth degree. He is also a member of Our Lady of Sorrows Benevolent Society 
and is keenly interested in every branch of the church work, which he has thor- 
oughly organized, and in many activities which pertain to the welfare and progress 
of the city at large. 



LOUIS BUSCHART. 

Louis Busehart. president of the Buschart Bros. Printing Company of St. Louis, 
was born March 4. 1868. in the family home, then situated at Second and Walnut 
streets. His father, Edward Buschart, was a native of Belgium and became a res- 
ident of Waverly, Missouri, in 1845, when in 1860 he removed to St. Louis. He was 
a tailor by trade and conducted a tailoring establishment at Third and Locust streets 
until 1869, when his place of business was destroyed by fire. He later was con- 
nected with and worked for different firms in the tailoring business until the time 



240 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

of his death in April, 1895. His wife, Mrs. Catherine Buschart, was of German 
descent, and in their family there were five children, three sons and two daughters, 
all of whom are living. The three brothers are engaged in the printing business as 
members of the firm of the Buschart Brothers Printing Company, with Louis Bus- 
chart as the president, Edward as secretary and treasurer and Charles Buschart as 
vice president and manager. The two daughters of the family, Ida and Philippine, 
are engaged in the millinery business at No. 2852 North Grand avenue. 

In his youthful days Louis Buschart received but limited educationaal advan- 
tages, for the family was in somewhat straitened financial circumstances and he 
had to start out in the business world at an early age and aid in providing for the 
expenses of the father's household. Though he attended school for only a brief 
period he has since learned many valuable lessons in the school of experience and 
is now a well informed and practical business man. He had to work hard, however, 
from the time he was ten years of age but his training was such as laid the founda- 
tion for his success in later years. The present firm of the Buschart Brothers Print- 
ing Company was organized in 1896, their first location being at No. 1516 Locust 
street where they had a small printing press. They remained at their original loca- 
tion fifteen years, during which time they built up a good business whose continual 
growth necessitated their seeking larger and better quarters. Accordingly in 1896 
they leased the present site where they have continued to develop their business 
and where they are conducting a general line of commercial printing, stationery 
and bookbinding. The building which they occupy is sixty-five by one hundred 
and fifty feet, a three story concrete structure equipped with modern printing 
presses and other necessary machinery to carry on the business. The firm employs 
an average of seventy-five people. They do soliciting in the city and state for sta- 
tionery and general printing and their business has become one of large and grat- 
ifying proportions. 

In St. Louis on the 20th of October, 1889, Mr. Buschart was married to Miss 
Sophie Shattgen of this city, a daughter of Peter Shattgen. They have six children. 
William Louis, who is with the printing company in charge of the stationery de- 
partment; Mrs. Ruth Armerding, the wife of Ludwig Armerding, a grain dealer of 
Chicago; Grace, the wife of George R. Nelson of Minneapolis; Charles, twenty years 
of age, who is with the Purina Mills of St. Louis; and Catherine and Margaret, who 
are high school pupils of this city. 

Mr. Buschart is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, also a member of the 
Brethren. In politics he is a republican. He has been a lifelong resident of St. 
Louis and has witnessed the development and growth of the city for many years. 
For almost four decades he has been prominently known in business circles here 
and his position in connection with the printing trade is an enviable one. Step by 
step he has advanced, his progress being due to his energy and ability, and he has 
justly won the proud American title of a self-made man. 



CHRISTIAN FREDERICK PFINGSTEN, M. D. 

So thorough has been the investigation into the laws of health and so wide the 
research of the members of the medical profession that it is impossible for any indi- 
vidual to cover with thoroughness the entire scope of professional practice. Accord- 
ingly this has led to specialization along certain lines with the result that expert 
ability has been developed. Well known among the specialists of St. Louis is Dr. 
Christian Frederick Pfingsten, who is devoting his attention to the diseases of the ear, 
nose and throat and who is also well known in the educational field. He was born 
in St. Louis, May 11, 1875, and is a son of Christian F. and Anna Sophia (Lohmeyer) 
Pfingsten, both of whom were natives of Germany. The mother came to America when 
quite young, settling in St. Louis. The father crossed the Atlantic when a youth of 
eighteen years and he, too, took up his abode in St. Louis where for many years he 
engaged in the coal business. He passed away in 1897 at the age of eighty-six years 
and his widow survived him until 1918, her deatli occurring in St. Louis when she was 
eighty-three years of age. They were married in this city and became parents of two 
sons and five daughters, of whom Dr. Pfingsten is the fifth in order of birth. 

After acquiring a public school education Dr. Pfingsten received his academic and 




DR. CHRISTIAN P. PFINGSTEN 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 243 

preparatory training at Beloit College in Beloit, Wisconsin, and then entered the St. 
Louis College of Physicians and Surgeons, from which he was graduated in 1898 with 
the M. D. degree. For six years he engaged in the general practice of medicine and 
then went to Europe to receive special instructions concerning diseases of the ear, nose 
and throat.' He spent one year in Berlin and another year in Vienna, studying under 
some of the eminent authorities of the old world. Returning to the United States he 
then opened an office for practice as a specialist on the ear, nose and throat and has won 
prominence and success in this field. He is now instructor on diseases of the ear, nose and 
throat in the St. Louis University and is oto-laryngologist at St. John's Hospital. 

On the 30th of October, 1909, in St. Louis, Dr. Pfingsten was married to Miss Lillian 
Janvier Brown, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Swing Brown, the former a promi- 
nent wood-working machine manufacturer and representative of one of the old families. 
Dr. and Mrs. Piingsten have become parents of three children: Marion Grace, Ruth 
Janvier and Charles Frederick, who are with their parents at No. 2922 Dodier street 
in St. Louis. Dr. and Mrs. Pfingsten are members of the Union Methodist Episcopal 
church. He is also a Scottish Rite Mason and member of the Mystic Shrine and is a 
loyal follower of the teachings and purposes of the craft as well as of the church. 
His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he turns for recreation 
to automobiling and golf. Along professional lines he has connection with the St. 
Louis Medical Society, the Missouri State Medical Society, the American Medical Asso- 
ciation and the American College of Surgeons. He is very conscientious in the per- 
formance of his professional duties and has made steady progress since entering upon 
medical practice. Today he occupies an enviable position as an aurist and laryn- 
gologist, having developed a high degree of efficiency in this special field. During the 
period of the World war he was a member of the draft board of the Medical Corps, 
U. S. A., and also served as captain in the Medical Corps in the Second Regiment of 
the Home Guards. 



CHARLES LUCAS. 



Charles Lucas is a representative in the fourth generation of a family that has 
been most active in contributing to the development and upbuilding of Missouri 
from pioneer times and is a native son of St. Louis, his birth having occurred in 
this city June 18, 1892. His father, J. B. C. Lucas, is mentioned at length on another 
page of this work and in connection with his sketch is given the ancestral record ol 
the family. 

Spending his youthful days under the parental roof Charles Lucas attended the 
St. Louis University and afterward pursued his studies in the Pordham University 
and in the University of New York City. His father died, however, while he was pursuing 
his studies and by reason thereof he returned home before reaching the point of 
graduation in the last named institution. He had been made one of the executors of 
his father's estate which largely consisted of realty in St. Louis. Accordingly Charles 
Lucas turned his attention to the real estate business and at a more recent date has 
extended the scope of his activities by the establishment of an insurance department. 
In connection with his brother, Morton J., and his brother-in-law, John A. Hart, he 
gives much time to the management of the estate, having control in this connection 
of many business properties and residences of the city which return to the heirs a 
most gratifying ajid substantial annual income. 

Mr. Lucas is a veteran of the World war. He enlisted on the 31st of May, 1917, 
in the One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Field Artillery and sailed for France on the 
22d of May, 1918. He saw fourteen months' service with his command overseas and 
participated in the St. Mihiel drive and in the sanguinary engagement that was fought 
through the Argonne Forest as the Americans forced their way through the woods, 
meeting the fire from machine gun nests and from many a foe sheltered behind hills 
and rocks or perched with his gun in the trees. In the face of seemingly insurmount- 
able odds the khaki-clad Americans advanced until the woods were cleared of the 
enemy and the German forces were definitely started on a retreat that continued until 
the Rhine was crossed. Mr. Lucas was made sergeant of Battery B and after the war 
closed was returned to the United States, landing in New York on the 20th of Feb- 
ruary, 1919. He is of the Catholic faith and his political endorsement is given to the 



244 CEXTEXXIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

republican party. In both these lines he has followed in the footsteps of his ancestors 
who have ever been loyal followers of the church and stalwart supporters of the party 
which has ever stood for reform and progress. 



DANIEL F. CROWE. 



Daniel F. Crowe, a partner in the bakery firm of Crowe Brothers of Kansas 
City, was born in county Clare, Ireland, in 1870, while his brother Martin J. 
Crowe, with whom he is associated in business, was born in the same county in 
1872. They are sons of John Crowe, a farmer by occupation. In was in 1887, 
when a youth of sixteen years, that Daniel F. Crowe came to the United States and 
was first employed as stock boy at the Boston Store in Chicago. Steadily he 
worked his way upward in that establishment as the result of his industry, faith- 
fulness and capability, remaining with the company for seventeen year's. In 1913 
he came to Kansas City where his' brother had located in 1893 and started a bakery 
in 1904, having learned the bakery business in Ireland. With the removal of Dan- 
iel P. Crowe to Kansas City the firm of Crowe Brothers was organized and they 
have today one of the largest bakery establishments of the city. Their trade is 
now very extensive and their establishment is one of the foremost business inter- 
ests of the kind in western Missouri. 

In 1913, in Chicago, Mr. Crowe was married to Miss Caroline O'Neill. His 
religious faith is that of the Catholic church and his political allegiance is given to 
the democratic party. He has never been active as an office seeker, however, pre- 
ferring to concentrate his efforts and attention upon his business affairs. His 
thoroughness, efficiency and reliability are indicated in the fact that he was so long 
retained in the employ of the Boston Store in Chicago and by his steady progress 
since he has entered the business circles of Kansas City, his life illustrating what 
can be accomplished through the utilization of opportunities which come to all. 



ROBERT M. ZEPPENFELD. 



Robert M. Zeppenfeld, attorney at law, was born in St. Louis, August 11, 1883, 
and is a son of Robert W. and Eugenia (Bellamy) Zeppenfeld. The father was 
likewise born in St. Louis and was a son of William and Amelia (Held) Zeppenfeld. 
The grandfather was one of the German revolutionists who. opposed to the mili- 
taristic government of Germany, came to America and made his way to St. Louis 
with Carl Schurz in 1848. Here he resided throughout his remaining days, passing 
away in 1903, at the age of seventy-nine. He was a contractor and builder who 
was very successful, so that he was able to retire when but forty-five years of age. 
In politics he was a stanch democrat. He possessed great shrewdness and keen 
sagacity and during the later years of his life acted as his own lawyer and was 
also active in court matters for others. His wife was also born in Germany, being 
reared at Albersfeld, and had become the sweetheart of William Zeppenfeld before 
crossing the Atlantic, making that trip about 1850. She died in 1862. leaving two 
sons, Robert W. and Maurice. The former was reared and educated in St. Louis 
and for many years engaged in the contracting business, winning a most liberal 
patronage and enjoying a gratifying success as the years passed. He is now retired, 
having put aside business cares in 1912. His wife is a daughter of the late Eugene 
and Eugenia (Nouss) Bellamy and a representative of a prominent old French 
family of St. Louis. She also survives and the family circle which numbers three 
sons and two daughters remains unbroken by the hand of death. 

Robert M. Zeppenfeld, the eldest, was educated in the public and high schools 
of St. Louis and in Washington University, where he prepared for the bar, winning 
his LL. B. degree upon graduation with the class of 1905. He also pursued a three 
years' academic course but was obliged to discontinue that on account of ill health. 
Following his graduation he entered upon the practice of law in the office of Harry 
Troll, then public administrator, and since that time has specialized in wills and 
administration law. He entered upon practice independently in 1913 upon leaving 




ROBERT M. ZEPPENFELD 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 24? 

Mr. Troll's office, and for a time he was junior member in the firm of Henderson 
& Becker. The latter association was continued until 1916 and since that time 
Mr. Zeppenfeld has practiced alone. He belong.s to the St. Louis, Missouri State 
and American Bar Associations. 

On the 24th of June. 1918, Mr. Zeppenfeld was married to Miss Bertha 
Schwerdtmann, a native of St. Louis and a daughter of Charles and Amanda 
(Konert) Schwerdtmann. 

Mr. Zeppenfeld is a republican in "his political views. During the war period 
he was a member of the legal advisory board of the twenty-fourth ward. He has 
always been interested in outdoor sports and during his school-days was active in 
track work and was a well-known tennis player. He yet indulges in that sport and 
also finds recreation in fishing. In his profession he has made steady advancement 
and has gained marked ability in the line in which he specializes. 



REV. EUGENE COYLE. 



Rev. Eugene Coyle, pastor of St. Peters church at Kirkwood, is a native of Ire- 
land, his birth having occurred at Three Mile House, February 15, 1847, his parents 
being Owen and Mary Coyle. He early resolved to enter the priesthood and his studies 
were directed accordingly. He attended St. McCarten's Seminary in Ireland, from 
which in due course of time he was graduated and he pursued his philosophy and 
theology courses at St. Francis Seminary of Wisconsin, having come to the new world 
for this purpose. In 1872 he was ordained to the priesthood of the Roman Catholic 
church and on the 8th of March, 1873, he was appointed assistant pastor of the Church 
of the I'mmaculate Conception at St. Louis, while later he took charge of missions in 
Missouri. He established a parish in Adair county and was instrumental in building 
churches in Schuyler and Clark counties. He has labored most zealously and untir- 
ingly in behalf of the church and his efforts have been of far-reaching effect. He was 
made priest in charge of St. Patrick's church in Clark county and there continued 
his labors for about ten years. Subsequently he became rector of St. Louis Old 
Cathedral and is now pastor of St. Peters church of Kirkwood. He is well liked wher- 
ever known. A man of scholarly attainments he has kept in touch with the trend 
of modern thought and progress and his deep human sympathy is constantly prompt- 
ing him to extend a helping hand where aid of every kind is needed. Under his guid- 
ance the churches of which he has had charge have steadily grown in numbers and 
in influence and he is recognized as a potent force in the upbuilding of the Catholic 
faith in Missouri. 



FRED N. REDHEFFER. 



Fred N. Redheffer, of the Redheffer Envelope Company of Kansas City, was here 
born June 15, 1893, and is a son of James and Minnetta R. (Nind) Redheffer and a 
grandson of James Madison Redheffer. The family came from Germantown, Pennsyl- 
vania, to Kansas City many years ago and the grandfather was the owner of a tin 
shop and hardware store, becoming one of the pioneer merchants of western Mis- 
souri. His son, James Redheffer, when only a boy crossed the plains to the gold fields 
of California with the intention of there engaging in mining, but instead made sluice 
boxes. At length he returned to Kansas City and upon the death of his father took 
over the store which steadily developed in accordance with the growth of Kansas 
City. This pioneer hardware establishment was conducted on Main street until 1912 
when a removal was made to 1427 Grand avenue. The father retired from business 
in 1918 and passed away in September, 1920, when seventy-seven years of age. He 
was at the time probably the oldest member of the Odd Fellows lodge in Kansas City 
and he also held membership in the Grand Avenue Methodist Episcopal church. He 
was married twice. He first wedded a Miss Craig and to them were born two daughters 
and a son, the former being Mrs. Margaret Harnett and Mrs. Annie Hurd of Kansas 
City. By the second mariage there were six children: Thomas B:, who is with the 
Richards and Conover Hardware Company; Mrs. Frank Harbison, of Fulton, Mis- 



248 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

souri; Roy, who is with the New England Mutual Life Insurance Company; Fred N., 
of this review; Emmerette; and Helen. The mother is still living. 

Fred N. Redheffer is a graduate of the Westport high school. During his youth- 
ful days when not in school he was employed in his father's store. After his school 
days were over he was connected with the collection department of the First National 
Bank for three years. He acted as head collector of the clearing house department 
and later became associated with the Berkowitz Envelope Company at a salary of 
ten dollars per week. From this minor position he steadily worked his way upward 
until he became city salesman with the firm. He was advanced rapidly, receiving pro- 
motion after promotion until he severed his connection with the business to become 
sales manager of the Western Envelope Company in 1917. A year and a half later 
with his present business associate, Rulif F. Martin, and others, he organized the Red- 
heffer Envelope Company, opening business at Nos. 314 to 318 East Eighth street. In 
the spring of 1920 a removal was made to their present quarters at Nos. 1420 to 1428 
Lydia avenue. They employ about forty-five expert workmen and their equipment is 
of the best. 

In young manhood Mr. Redheffer was married to Miss Alberta May Hughes, a 
daughter of A. M. Hughes, of Kansas City. He had made arrangements to go to the 
oflScers' training camp when the armistice was signed. His life has been largely de- 
voted to business activity, for from an early age he has recognized the fact that 
close application and persistent energy are indispensable elements to success. He 
has worked diligently, has utilized every opportunity to the best advantage and as 
the years have passed has gained a most creditable position among the young, progres- 
sive and prosperous business men of Kansas City. 



ROBERT T. STEPHENS. 



Robert T. Stephens enjoys the unusual distinction of having served continuously 
for eight years as city attorney of Excelsior Springs. He was born in Caldwell county, 
Missouri, October 10, 1881, a son of Edward and Eliza (Evans) Stephens. The father 
was a farmer of Caldwell county for many years. Both parents, however, were natives 
of Wales, where the father's birth occurred in June, 1848, while the mother was born in 
September, 1849. They were married in Wales on the 16th of July, 1870, and in the 
fall of the same year left that little rock-ribbed country for the new world. Six weeks 
were consumed in making the voyage and after landing on the shores of America they 
did not tarry long in the east but came almost directly to Missouri, settling in Cald- 
well county where they reared a family of nine children. The father was a man of 
exceptional qualities in his relations to his family, finding his greatest happiness 
in promoting their comfort and welfare. He was also a most substantial citizen and 
while he did not seek nor fill public office he contributed in many ways to the gen- 
eral good and was held in high esteem by all who knew him. He passed away August 
22, 1888. 

Robert T. Stephens obtained a public school education attending the Excelsior 
high school at Cowgill, Missouri, from which he was graduated in 1902. He then 
entered the William Jewell College at Liberty, Missouri, from which he was graduated 
with the class of 1907. Later he became a student in the Kansas City school of Law 
and in 1910 was graduated with the LL. B. degree, while in 1911 his alma mater con- 
ferred upon him the degrees of Bachelor and Master of Arts. 

Mr. Stephens entered upon the practice of his chosen profession in Excelsior 
Springs in 1911 and in April, 1912, was appiointed city attorney to fill the vacancy 
caused by the death of Mr. Wyman. At the ensuing election he was chosen by pop- 
ular suffrage to the office and has been re-elected at each succeeding city election since 
that time, being once more chosen for the ofl^ice on the 6th of April, 1920. He has 
made a most excellent record in this connection and no higher endorsement of the 
value of his service could be given than the fact that he has so many times been made 
city attorney. He has much to do with protecting and developing the interests of the 
city through the discharge of his official duty and Excelsior Springs numbers him 
among its most valued residents. 

Mr. Stephens was very active in all war work. He served on the legal advisory 
board, and was one of the Four Minute men and also a member of the American 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 249 

Protective League. He was very anxious to get into the army and it was through 
no fault of his that he was not able to go overseas. He entered the service but was 
with the army only one day when the armistice was signed. He is now a member 
of Clyde Gustine Post. No. 236, of the American Legion. Politically he is a republican 
and fraternally he belongs to the Masons, having membership with the blue lodge, 
the chapter, Knight Templar Commandery and Mystic Shrine. His work as a man 
and citizen is widely acknowledged and all who know him esteem him highly. 



AUGUST H. HUMMERT. 



August H. Hummert, vice president of the St. Louis Seed Company, was born in 
Germany, April 1, 1878. His father, Fred Hummert, came to America in 1887 and 
was a truck market gardener of St. Louis, continuing in the business to the time of his 
death which occurred in 1913. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Charlotte 
Schoneweg, was also born in Germany and they became the parents of nine children, 
five sons and four daughters, all of whom are living. 

August H. Hummert, the eighth in order of birth, obtained his education in the 
Lutheran Parochial schools of South St. Louis. When twenty-three years of age he 
entered the employ of Louis Mehrhoff of St. Louis in a clerical capacity, his employer 
being the owner of a grocery store where he remained for a short period and then 
accepted a position as clerk with the St. Louis Seed Company. During this period he 
employed his evening hours attending night school, and when thirty years of age he 
acquired an interest in the business. Two years later he was elected to the direc- 
torate and was also chosen vice president of the firm, in which position he has since 
continued and through the intervening years has been active in shaping the policy 
and directing the progress of the company. They ha^idle all kinds of garden and 
field seeds, also poultry supplies and conduct both a wholesale and retail business, 
having the leading retail store of this kind in the southwest. 

Mr. Hummert was united in marriage in St. Louis, October 4, 1908, to Miss Anna 
Eymann, a native of this city and a daughter of Rudolph and Anna Eymann, both now 
deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Hummert have been born two sons and a daughter: Fred, 
whose birth occurred August 2, 1909; Elveria, who was born November 23, 1914; and 
August H., Jr., born October 10, 1917. The three children are still under the parental 
roof at No. 938 Kings Highway Park. 

Mr. Hummert is a life member of the National Society of American Florists, also 
a life member of the Missouri State Florists Club and in 1919 and 1920 was president 
of the St. Louis Florists Club. He is likewise a director of the Lutheran Hospital 
of St. Louis and has long been an active and earnest worker in the Lutheran church, 
serving as elder and treasurer of Emmaus church of St. Louis. In politics he is an 
independent republican, usually supporting the party yet not hesitating to exercise 
his own judgment in regard to political affairs. Mr. Hummert is a self-made man 
and whatever success he has achieved and enjoyed is attributable entirely to his own 
labors. Starting out in the world with a handicap of limited education and with no 
capital he has nevertheless worked his way steadily upward, broadening his knowledge, 
promoting his efficiency and gaining his objective in the business world. 



EUGENE D. ANDREWS. 



Eugene D. Andrews, an attorney of St. Louis, was born February 6, 1875, in 
Vicksburg, Mississippi, and is a son of William H. and Fannie D. (Fortner) An- 
drews. The father was a wholesale merchant of Vicksburg, Mississippi, for about 
eighteen years, continuing in the business up to the time of his death which occurred 
in 1879. The family comes of Scotch-Irish ancestry and was founded in Kentucky 
prior to removal to Mississippi. In both states they took up their abode in pioneer 
times. 

Eugene D. Andrews was educated in private schools of Petersburg, Virginia, and 
afterward pursued a law course in the University of Virginia from which he was 
graduated in 1899. At that time he came to St. Louis and entered upon the practice 



250 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

of law in which he continued for a few years. He then became assistant attorney 
for the the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad Company, which position he capably 
filled until July, 1918. He then became associated with E. W. Foristel whom he 
assisted in the general practice of law and on the 1st of May, 1920, he entered into 
partnership relations with Arthur Stahl, the firm now occupying a suite of rooms in 
the Federal Reserve Bank building of St. Louis. They have already gained many 
clients and are making steady progress as representatives of the bar. Mr. Andrews 
belongs to the St. Louis Bar Association, the Missouri State and the American Bar 
Associations. In 1903 he was tendered the position of assistant city attorney but 
his many other duties at that time prevented him from accepting the office. He has 
served on a number of occasions as judge of election. 

On the 23d of April, 1919, Mr. Andrews was married to Miss Martha Hutchinson, 
a daughter of Randolph Hutchinson of St. Louis, who was president of the Mechanics 
American National Bank which has been absorbed by the First National Bank of 
St. Louis. He continued to act as president o'f the former until 1910. when he retired 
and his death occurred the following year. Mr. and Mrs. Andrews have one son, Ran- 
dolph Hutchinson. Mr. Andrews belongs to a number of leading social organizations 
and clubs of the city and is likewise a consistent member of the Methodist church. 
He gives his political allegiance to the democratic party but has never sought nor 
desired office. He is a man of genial disposition who has formed a wide acquaintance 
and has many friends in St. Louis where he is rapidly gaining a position of prom- 
inence at the city bar. 



CHARLES FRANCIS HAANEL. 

Charles Francis Haanel. writer on philosophical subjects, was born in Ann Arbor, 
Michigan, May 22, 1866, a son of Hugo P. and Emeline C. (Pox) Haanel, who removed 
with him to St. Louis when he was in early childhood. He attended the high school 
of this city and started upon his business career as a clerk with the St. Louis Stamping 
Company, for which he worked for a period of fifteen years. At that time the vicinity 
of Tehuantepec, Mexico, was reputed as being especially adapted to the growth of sugar 
and coffee. He succeeded in convincing a number of capitalists of the feasibility of 
taking up land in that section of the country and working a plantation. The land 
was purchased and the company organized to engage in the raising of sugar and coffee. 
Of this company he was made president. The plantation was successful from the be- 
ginning and soon became an enterprise of considerable financial worth. This was 
organized in 1898 and in 1905 Mr. Haanel organized the Continental Commercial Com- 
pany, which was consolidated with the other company and also absorbed six additional 
companies. It operated under the name of the Continental Commercial Company, with 
Mr. Haanel as president but since the continued unrest in Mexico, like all other organi- 
ations there, has been inactive and will remain so until a stable government is put 
in power. Mr. Haanel has by no means confined his efforts to these lines, however, 
but has extended his labors to other enterprises with which he is associated in a prom- 
inent capacity. He was one of the organizers of the Sacramento Valley Improvement 
Company and for some time its president. He was likewise president of the Mexico 
Gold & Silver Mining Company, a company of some importance in developing the rich 
mineral resources of the southern republic. 

Mr. Haanel is now devoting his time largely to scientific and philosophical writ- 
ing and is the founder of The Master Key System of Philosophy. His researches and 
investigations liave been carried on broadly and he has evolved from the experiences 
of the activities of the ages the system of philosophy which he terms The Master Key, 
looking at life with broad vision and high purpose. He has in his possession many 
most interesting letters bearing testimony to the worth of his system of philosophy 
as a factor toward happiness, success and contentment in life. One writing to him, 
after losing two hundred thousand dollars as the result of heav>' real estate investments. 
said: "I felt that nothing could make life worth living again; was filled with regrets, 
remorse, fear, and everything but joy, courage and hope. To make a long story short, 
after reading, studying and appropriating the practical, self-evident statements and 
logical, scientific plan of life as set forth in The Master Key, everything is changed 
and I have recovered my health completely, my courage as well, and I am again on 




CHARLES F. HAANEL 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 253 

the road to financial independence with the great joy in sight of repaying every obli- 
gation, or I should say, of paying them. The scientific facts as set forth are real, the 
logic is perfect. It is as good as, yes, better in some respects than a college course so 
tar as education is concerned, aside from giving the absolute knowledge which makes 
health and true happiness possible." Many letters of similar purport, with changes 
only as to detail, environment and condition, has Mr. Haanel received and today The 
Master Key System has thousands of students in every country on the globe. 

In 1885 Mr. Haanel was united in marriage to Miss Esther M. Smith. Sixteen 
years later he was left a widower with one son and two daughters, and in July, 1908, 
he was married to Miss Margaret Nicholson of St. Louis, a daughter of W. A. Nichol- 
son. They have two children, Beverly and Charles P., Jr. While Mr. Haanel is a repub- 
lican, his pressing business interests have given him no time to take an active part 
in politics beyond that of casting his vote and using his influence for the election of 
the candidates of the party in whose principles he firmly believes. He is a member 
of Keystone Lodge, a thirty-second degree Mason and a Shriner. 



EDGAR DE FOREST BELL. 



Edgar De Forest Bell, the general manager of the Illinois Traction System was 
born in Hopewell, Indiana, May 6, 1875. His father, a prosperous farmer, was Jesse 
Bell, and his mother Elizabeth (Hood) Bell, both of whom were natives of that- town. 
Of the three boys and three girls born to them Edgar De Forest Bell was the third. 
He received his early education in the grade and high schools of Ut'bana, Illinois, and 
graduated from the University of Illinois in 1901 with the degree of Bachelor of Sci- 
ence and Engineering. He began work immediately with the Illinois Traction System 
and has advanced steadily to his present position as the general manager. 

Mr. Bell is one of the stockholders of the University Bank of Urbana, Illinois, and 
is connected with three prominent building and loan associations in that city. He 
has participated actively in all Liberty loan drives. 

A member of the Rock Springs Country Club of Alton, Illinois, and the Riverview 
Club of St. Louis, Missouri, Mr. Bell is also a Mason who has achieved the Scottish 
Rites. His party aflSliations are republican and his religious faith is that of the 
Quakers. 

Mr. Bell was married in Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1905, to Amelia Seifferman, 
daughter of Charles Seifferman of Urbana, Illinois, of the Transportation Department 
of the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis Railroad. They have one daughter, 
Mary Elizabeth Bell. 



GEORGE J. WANSTRATH. 



George J. Wanstrath, president and treasurer of the George J. Wanstrath Real 
Estate Company and also of the Wanstrath Investment Company, is a self-made man 
of St. Louis whose record should serve as a source of encouragement and inspiration 
to others, for when he arrived in America as a young man of twenty-one years his 
cash capital consisted of but five dollars. Since then he has steadily worked his way 
upward until he is now at the head of business enterprises the capitalization of which 
is four hundred thousand dollars. He was born January 29, 1866, at Bersenbruck, 
Hanover, Germany, and is the son of Henry and Minnie (Budke) Wanstrath. His 
youthful days were spent in his native country and on attaining his majority he sought 
the opportunities of the new world and made his way across the country to Kansas 
where he arrived practically empty-handed. For a time he was employed by others 
but was ever ambitious to engage in business on his own account and carefully saved 
his earnings until in 1888 he was able to establish a restaurant in Topeka, Kansas, 
which he conducted for about a year. In 1889 he removed to St. Louis where he 
again engaged in the restaurant business for three years and then established a 
grocery store of which he was proprietor until 1901. Every business enterprise with 
which he has been associated has been wisely and carefully managed and his enter- 
prise, economy and progressiveness have constituted salient features in his growing 



254 CEXTEXXIAL HISTORY OF MlSSr)i;RI 

success. After withdrawing from the grocery trade lie turned his attention to the 
real estate business and in this field has made notable progress, having developed ex- 
tensive business interests under the name of the George J. Wanstrath Real Estate 
Company of which he is the president and treasurer and the Wanstrath Investment 
Company. These two organizations have an aggregate capitalization of four hundred 
thousand dollars and conduct business of extensive proportions. They have handled 
many of the large real estate transfers of the city and Mr. Wanstrath is prominently 
known in this connection. He is a member of the St. Louis Real Estate Exchange, of 
the North St. Louis Business Men's Association, and an old time member of the City 
Club. In 1907 .Mr. Wanstrath subdivided six city blocks in the O'Fallou Park dis- 
trict in North St. Louis, which community is now known as Wanstrath Place. 

On the 16th of April, 1891, in St. Louis, Mr. Wanstrath was married to Carrie 
Alfeld and they have two children, George B. and Minnie. George B.. the son, is a 
progressive young man, engaged in the real estate business for himself. He was mar- 
ried June 12, 1918, in St. Louis to Alma Naber, a daughter of Henry Naber, of the 
Naber Lumber Company. Her grandfather in the maternal line was president of 
the Bremen Bank for forty-eight years. Immediately after his marriage George B. 
Wanstrath joined the army and on the 24th of July, 1918, was sent to Camp Funston, 
where he was assigned to the Tenth Division. He was discharged December 23, 1918, 
as a sergeant of the Hea'dquarters Company of the Tenth Sanitary Train. 

In politics Mr. Wanstrath is a republican. He belongs to the Perpetual Help 
Catholic church and is a member and trustee of fourth degree assembly of the Knights 
of Columbus and member of Marquette Council of the Knights of Columbus and for 
many years has been trustee and later vice president of St. Vincent Orphans' Home. 
His business record is indeed enviable and he is today one of the prominent real 
estate dealers of the city. 



FOUNTAIN ROTHWELL. 



Fountain Rothwell, United States collector of customs in St. Louis, was born 
in Callaway county, Missouri, February 1, 1868, and Is a son of Alexander McKee 
Rothwell. He comes of a family of early pioneers who removed from Virginia to 
Kentucky and thence to Missouri and who aided in building the bridges, the schools, 
the homes and the churches which transformed the wilderness into the beautiful state 
of today. 

Fountain Rothwell was educated in the country schools of Callaway county and 
in the high school of Ashland, Missouri, to which place the family removed in Octo- 
ber, 1881. When sixteen years of age he started out to provide for his own support 
and was first employed by G. A. Gans, owner of a sawmill at Ashland, his initial 
salary being ten dollars per month. He there remained for two mouths and then 
entered the service of Jack C. Conely who conducted a large ranch and sawmill and 
with whom he remained for a period of ten years, a fact indicative of his faithfulness 
and capability. During the last four years of that period he was foreman of the busi- 
ness. He began working at seventy-five cents per day and from a minor position worked 
his way steadily upward to the foremanship. In 1893 he was married and at that time 
began farming and stock raising on his own account, thus being identified with agri- 
cultural interests until 1896 when practically in a spirit of fun he permitted his name 
to be entered for the election of constable of Cedar township and to his surprise he 
was elected by a handsome majority. He served for two years and was then re-elected 
for a second term. Soon afterward, however, he resigned to accept the position of 
deputy sheriff at Columbia, Missouri, and removed to that city, taking up the duties 
of the office on the 1st of January, 1900, and so serving for two years under W. R. 
Baldwin. Tiie latter was defeated for re-election and as the result Mr. Rothwell was 
left out of office. During the next four years he served as assistant chief of police 
and on the expiration of Mayor Parker's term F. W. Niedemeyer, a republican, was 
elected, he being the first and last republican to fill the office. Mr. Rothwell was 
requested to continue in his position, which he did through the succeeding two years. 
He was then induced to become a candidate for sheriff and was elected by a large 
majority, taking tlie office January 1, 1905, and acceptably serving for a four years' 
term. On his retirement from the position of sheriff he engaged in the livery busi- 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 255 

ness which he followed successfully for a period of five years and was then appointed 
to his present office, that of collector of United States customs at St. Louis, on the 
1st of August, 1914. After four years he was reappointed on the 1st of November, 
1918, and is now serving for the second term. Since 1896 he has been very active 
in local, state and national politics as a supporter of the democratic party, being one 
of the influential representatives thereof in the state of Missouri. He has always 
been a mati of positive convictions, thoroughly loyal to his friends, and of him it can 
be said he never placated an enemy nor went back on a friend. He is held in the 
highest esteem wherever known by reason of his good judgment, his ability to judge 
character and his loyalty to those with whom he is associated and one of his marked 
characteristics is his charity in dealing with the faults of others. He is of a social 
and kindly nature, seeing the good in others and at all times seeking to bring out the 
best in those with whom he comes in contact. 

On the 29th of November, 1893, Mr. Rothwell was married to Miss Anna Harring- 
ton, of Ashland, Missouri, a native of Boone county and a daughter of the late Allen 
G. Harrington and his wife, both representatives of old Boone county families. To 
Mr. and Mrs. Rothwell have been born three children: Mary McKee, Jack and Allen 
Harrington, the last named, however, being always called Harry by his family and 
friends. Jack Rothwell was a member of the Thirty-fifth Division of the One Hun- 
dred and Twenty-eighth Field Artillery. He volunteered at the age of eighteen years, 
joining the army as a private and coming out as sergeant. With his division he was 
in the battle of Chateau Thierry and in the Argonne offensive, thus participating in 
some of the hottest fighting in which the American troops engaged. 

Fraternally Mr. Rothwell is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, 
the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Modern Woodmen of America and the 
Knights of the Maccabees and is quite prominent in these organizations. Through- 
out his entire life he has held friendship inviolable and his career has proven the truth 
of the Emersonian philosophy that the way to win a friend is to be one. 



WILLIAM L. ALLEN. 



William L. Allen is the vice president of the Laclede Steel Company and as such 
is prominently connected with one of the important productive industries of St. Louis. 
A native of Glenwood, Minnesota, he pursued his early education in the public schools 
of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and his preparatory course at Jlercersburg Academy. 
He then entered the Pennsylvania State College and afterward continued his studies 
in the University cf Pittsburgh, where he specialized in metallurgy of iron and 
steel. After leaving college he went to work as a common laborer in the mills of 
the Jones-Laughlin and Carnegie Steel Companies for the purpose of gaining first- 
hand practical experience. From the position of laborer he progressed through the 
various departments, later making his way to Moline, Illinois, where he worked for 
a time in the mill of the Republic Iron & Steel Company. Subsequently he returned 
to the Carnegie Steel Company where he was associated as metallurgist in the in- 
vestigation of gas producers, open-hearth furnaces and rolling mill power tests. This 
was followed by his connection with the armor plate department where he specialized 
as metallurgical sales engineer in the promoting of the sale and the proper use of the 
then new alloy chrome vanadium steel, which work involved the installing and organiz- 
ing of heat treating plants throughout the United States and Canada. In 1916 he 
went to East St. Louis where he organized the Valley Steel Company, capitalized at 
two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, of which he was president. This company 
engaged in the manufacture of ship and locomotive forges and car axles. In 1918 
this company was absorbed by the Laclede Steel Company and Mr. Allen was elected 
to the vice presidency of same. The Laclede Steel Company has three plants — one 
in East St. Louis, one in Alton and the other in Madison, Illinois. The company is 
a Missouri corporation and is capitalized for two million two hundred thousand dollars. 

Mr. Allen was married to Miss Helen Armstrong, a daughter of S. C. Armstrong, 
of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and they reside at No. 7 Beverly place, St. Louis. They 
have two sons, William L. Allen, Jr., and Robert Armstrong Allen. Mr. Allen is well 
known in the club circles of St. Louis, belonging to the St. Louis, Missouri Athletic, 
University, City, and Bellerive Country Clubs. He has won a notable place in manu- 



256 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

facturing circles, his thorough technical training and broad experience constituting 
the basis upon which he has built his later success. As the years have passed hla 
progress has been continuous and his position is now in the front ranks of the indus- 
trial interests in the Mississippi valley. 



A. SAMUEL BENDER. 



A. Samuel Bender, attorney at law, is one of the representatives of the St. 
Louis bar of Russian birth. Brought to the new world in early life he is a product 
of the educational institutions of St. Louis and his course has been a credit to his 
adopted city. He was born at Odessa, Russia, January 31, 1893. His father, Isadore 
Bender, is also a native of Odessa and engaged in commercial pursuits in St. Louis 
as a dealer in groceries and sundries. He came to the United States in 1900, mak- 
ing his way direct to this city, where he has since resided and has successfully en- 
gaged in the line of business indicated. He married Bessie Swerdlich, who was also 
born in Russia and who passed away March 7, 1910, at the age of forty-eight years. 
In the family were seven children, five of whom have passed away, Louis and A. 
Samuel, both of St. Louis, being the surviving members of the family. 

The latter was the youngest of the family and was educated in the public 
and high schools of St. Louis and also in the Washington University, in which he 
pursued his professional course, being graduated in 1914 with the LL. B. degree. 
He had started out to earn his living as a newsboy when but eight years of age 
and he continued to sell papers to the time that he entered the university, and from 
his earnings he paid his way while pursuing his legal course. In fact he continued 
to sell papers until January 15, 1915, and it was in that month he was admitted 
to practice. He then entered upon the active work of the profession, and although 
advancement at the bar is proverbially slow he has steadily progressed and already 
has won a large clientage of considerable importance. He prepares his cases with 
thoroughness and care and his ability and skill are manifest in the many favorable 
verdicts he has won for his clients. 

On the 13th of June, 1920, Mr. Bender was married in St. Louis to Miss 
Ruth Reichman, a native of this city and a daughter of David and Minnie Reichman. 
Mr. Bender is a member of the orthodox Hebrew church. Fraternally he is con- 
nected with the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and 
along professional lines has connection with the St. Louis Bar Association. His 
political allegiance is given to the republican party and he is interested in all that 
pertains to the progress and welfare of city and state. During the period when 
America was at war with Germany he was active in all Liberty Loan campaigns, 
frequently addressed public gatherings upon the vital questions of the hour and he 
served in the bureau of air-craft production and later was discharged at Camp 
Hancock, where he was attending the Machine Gun Officers' Training School, having 
been connected with the army for ten months. Though born across the water he has 
spent all but the first seven years of his life in St. Louis and is thoroughly imbued 
with American spirit and ideals, while in his profession he is steadily forging to 
the front by reason of those qualities which show him to be imbued with a high 
sense of professional honor. 



CLYDE HENRY SMITH. 



Clyde Henry Smith, a member of the firm of Smith and Smith Advertising 
Company, 2 21-222 Dwight building, Kansas City, Missouri, was born near Long 
Island, Phillips county, Kansas, May 9, 1881, his parents being Daniel L. and Mary 
E. (Pickel) Smith. The father was a native of Genesee, New York, and the mother 
was born in Michigan and is now living in Kansas City. The father learned the 
trade of a carpenter and millwright and in young manhood went to Michigan, 
where, after the outbreak of the Civil war he enlisted as a member of Company 
B, Fifth Michigan Infantry. Following his active service in defense of the Union 
on the battle fields of the south he went to Hancock, Iowa, but soon afterward re- 




A. SAMUEL BENDER 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 259 

moved to Kansas, making the trip by team and wagon, Mr. Smith furnishing the 
wagon while his friend George W. Young furnished the team, and thus they trav- 
eled across the country to Kansas. Mr. Smith took up a homestead claim, at which 
time Fort Kearney, ninety miles distant, was the nearest town. His experiences 
were those which usually fell to the lot of the pioneer on the western plains. He 
lived in a sod house and he met all of the hardships and privations of frontier life. 
He was married in Kansas in 1879 and as the years passed prosperity came to him 
and his wife. He was very active in public affairs, assisting in organizing Phillips 
county and serving as county treasurer from 1882 until 1884. In 1889 he was 
elected a member of the house of representatives, although he was not present 
at the convention, nor did he take active part in campaign work for he was too 
busy with his milling interests. Nevertheless his personal popularity and his rec- 
ognized capability won him promotion to the office and as a member of the general 
assembly he gave thoughtful and earnest consideration to all the vital questions 
which came up for settlement. He was long a recognized leader in republican cir- 
cles in Kansas. His religious faith was that of the Methodist church and he was 
throughout his entire life most loyal to any cause which he espoused. He occupied 
a prominent position in business circles and built in 1883 the first roller mill in 
Phillips county. He was also one of the first to grow hard wheat and he introduced 
alfalfa in Phillips county. When the farmers were burned out he acted as govern- 
ment agent in his district distributing food, clothing and other necessaries and per- 
sonally he gave flour to many a needy man. He continued in the milling business 
to the time of his death, which occurred in 1895, and as the years passed he pros- 
pered in his undertaking. He was long recognized as a leading citizen by reason 
of his activity in business, in politics and in the church. He was a charter member 
of the first Masonic lodge in Phillips county, which was organized in 1882. 

Clyde H. Smith spent his boyhood on the home farm, and attended school by 
going a mile and a half to the nearest schoolhouse. His father died when the son 
was fourteen years of age and he removed to Phillipsburg, Kansas, where he at- 
tended the high school. He was a member of the National Guard when the Span- 
ish-American war broke out but was too young to be accepted for active service. 
In 1899 his mother removed to Ohio, and the son worked on a big dairy farm. In 
1891 Mr. Smith entered college at Cleveland, Ohio, working his way through the 
institution. He was employed on the Cleveland Plain Dealer for a time and after 
coniDleting his course in the business college he spent two years in the Western 
Reserve University at Cleveland. 

Mr. Smith next went west to Colorado where he engaged in newspaper work, 
being employed on the Colorado Springs Evening Telegraph. He afterward founded 
the Inter-Mountain Fruit Journal, published at Grand Junction, Colorado, conduct- 
ing the paper for four years. Later he became associated with the Denver Weekly 
Post and still later with the advertising department of the Denver Times and 
the Rocky Mountain News. In October, 1914, he came to Kansas City as advertising 
manager of the Kansas City Weekly Post. In 1915 he was made advertising manager 
of the A. S. McCleary Hospital, one of the biggest institutions of the kind in the world. 
In January, 1917, he became general manager of the Rohe Auto & Tractor School, and 
while thus engaged the government there trained its first quota of men as mechanics 
for the motor transport corps — a total of more than five thousand men were thus 
trained. 

In August, 1919, Mr. Smith resigned his position to organize and become pres- 
ident of the Kansas City Auto & Tractor School, where practical training was 
given to young men who desired to be motor mechanics, the training being based on 
broad experience gained in government work. In December, 1920, Mr. Smith, dis- 
posed of his interests in the Kansas City Auto and Tractor School. In January, 
1921, he became associated with the reorganized firm of Smith and Smith Adver- 
tising Company, 221-222 Dwight building, Kansas City, Missouri. As a'member of 
this firm he is recognized as one of the most experienced men in Kansas City on 
subjects pertaining to advertising and merchandising. 

Mr. Smith is very widely and favorably known among advertising men of the 
country. He belonged to the Ad Club of Denver and is one of the most active 
members of the Ad Club of Kansas City, and in the latter has held nearly every 
office, being vice president in 1918 and president in 1919. He was one of the or- 
ganizers and a director of the Advertisers Protective Bureau and he is a member 



260 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

of the Associated Advertising Clubs of the world who have adopted as their motto: 
"Truth in advertising." Mr. Smith is also a member of the Chamber of Commerce 
of Kansas City and was chairman of the press committee for 1920 which put over 
the big allied charity drive, the greatest in the history of the city. He is now a 
member of the publicity committee of the chamber. 

On the 20th of June, 1906, Mr. Smith was married in St. Louis to Miss M. Cal- 
houn, a daughter of William and Martha Calhoun, descendants in the same ancestry 
as the distinguished statesman — John C. Calhoun. Her father was formerly a travel- 
ing salesman and is now a retired farmer and makes his home near Hobart, New York. 
To Mr. and Mrs. Smith has been born a son, Ralph Daniel, whose birth Occurred in 
March, 1914, and who, through the maternal line is a descendant of John C. Calhoun 
and through the paternal line a descendant of Daniel Webster. 

While in Cleveland, Ohio, Mr. Smith was a -^barter member and the first sec- 
retary of the camp of the Modern Woodmen of America. He belongs to the Kan- 
sas City Athletic Club, the Meadow Lake Country Club, and to the Masonic fra- 
ternity, having membership in Westport Lodge, No. 340, A. F. & A. M., while in the 
Consistory he has attained the fourteenth degree of the Scottish Rite. 



ROBERT MARVIN NELSON. 

Robert Marvin Nelson, secretary and treasurer of the Certain-teed Products 
Corporation of St. Louis, was born at Volga, South Dakota, October 13, 1885, his 
parents being Edwin and Tena (Void) Nelson, whose family numbered two sons, 
the elder, William Edwin, being now deceased. The parents removed to South 
Dakota in the latter part of the '70s, the father coming from New York, while the 
mother is a native of Iowa. Mr. Nelson was interested in lands, both in contiection 
with mining and agricultural activity. On leaving South Dakota he went to St. 
Paul, Minnesota, and there engaged in manufacturing interests. He passed away 
in St. Paul about 1902 and his widow is still residing in that city. 

Robert M. Nelson pursued a high school education in St. Paul and then en- 
tered Harvard, where he was graduated in 1913 with the Bachelor of Arts degree. 
During his college days he was a member of the editorial staff of the Harvard 
Advocate and he also took a keen interest in athletics. He made his initial step 
in the business world by working after hours during his high school days for the 
West Publishing Company and for two years he was on the editorial staff. Later 
he completed a law course by study at night and was admitted to the Minnesota 
bar and became a member of the bar association of that state. 

It was in July, 1913, that Mr. Nelson removed to St. Louis and became city 
salesman for the Pierce Oil Corporation. In 1914 he became identified with what 
is now known as the Certain-teed Products Corporation, accepting a minor position 
but steadily working his way up through the sales department and advertising 
department. In the latter part of 1915 he was made advertising manager and so 
continued until January 1. 1918, when he was elected secretary and treasurer 
of the Certain-teed Products Corporation. The business of this company is steadily 
increasing and plans are being carried out for a general production increase through- 
out the country in both the roofing and the paint and varnish branches of the 
business. This expansion is entailing the extension of manufacturing plants, espec- 
ially in the east, and the enlargement of factories near Chicago, together with the 
establishment of new foreign offices. In the autumn of 19 2 0, the company took 
over Thomas Potter Sons & Company, Inc., of Philadelphia, a deal involving over 
$3,000,000. The Potter concern is one of the oldest manufacturers of linoleums, 
floor coverings, oil cloths, imitation leather, in the field. Since the European war 
all of the offices abroad have been reopened save those in Germany and new offices 
have been established in Copenhagen and Australia. The Certain-teed Products 
Corporation is capitalized for twenty-five million dollars and that the business is 
steadily increasing is indicated in the fact that the shipments made in the first 
eight months of 1920 exceeded by nearly forty per cent those of the corresponding 
period for 1919. All business, foreign or domestic, is cleared through the St. Louis 
offices. Mr. Nelson has made for himself a prominent position in the business 




ROBERT M. NELSON 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 263 

circles of the city by reaching his present official connection with the Certain-teed 
Products Corporation. His work is ever characterized by thoroughness and energy 
and he has a well trained mind and a complete knowledge of advertising, selling 
and finance. He quickly grasps the fundamentals of the work in hand and nothing 
can cause him to lose sight of these fundamentals until the object is accomplished. 
His success is due to his broad primary education and his study of fundamental 
conditions. His good education enables him to apply theory to practice and he 
is particularly well grounded in economics. In everything he does he is thorough, 
possesses natural good business judgment and makes decisions quickly but not 
hastily. 

Mr. Nelson was united in marriage February 10, 1915, in St. Louis, to Miss 
Daphne McKee Brown, a daughter of George Marion Brown, and they have two 
children: Dorothy Katharine, born August 22, 1916; and Daphne Brown, born 
September 30, 1920. Mr. George Marion Brown is president of the Certain-teed 
Products Corporation, secretary-treasurer and member oE the board of directors of 
the Standard Slate Products Company of Granville, New York; secretary of Thomas 
Potter Sons & Company, Inc., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; secretary of the Harvard 
Club of St. Louis 1920-1921, and member of the Scholarship Committee of the 
Associated Harvard Clubs. In politics Mr. Nelson is a liberal republican and his 
religious faith is manifest in his membership in the Pilgrim Congregational church. 
He belongs to the St. Louis Country, Racquet and Noonday Clubs of St. Louis and 
the Harvard Club of Boston and New York; also the Indian Harbor Yacht Club and 
Greenwich Country Club, both in Greenwich, Connecticut. He finds his chief 
diversion in golf and yachting and also enjoys other athletic sports. In 1918 he 
won a gold medal as stroke oar of the Minnesota Boat Club eight-oared shell in 
a race at Springfield, Massachusetts, at the National Association of Amateur Oarsmen 
Regatta, his crew winning by a length against Detroit, with other crews trailing. 
He also stroked Minnesota four and eight oared crews to victory in Winnipeg, 
Canada, in 1908. Mr. Nelson has a very pleasing personality, is friendly, amiable 
and big-hearted, so that he is popular wherever he goes. 



EDGAR M. JENNINGS. 



Edgar M. Jennings was the senior member of the firm of Jennings & Cushman 
conducting a general insurance business with offices in the Pierce building in St 
Louis. He was born in London, England, March 20, 1886, and is a son of George 
C. H. Jennings, who was likewise born in London, and of Connie (Little) Jennings 
also a native of the world's metropolis. They became the parents of five children 
two sons and three daughters, of whom Edgar M. is the third in order of birth. 

His youthful days were passed in his native country and he pursued his educa- 
tion in private schools at Enfield, Middlesex and at Margate, in Kent, England 
He also attended college in London and for a time was a college student in ] 
sanne, Switzerland. He started upon his business career when a youth of eighteen 
as an office boy with the Broderick & Bascom Company of St. Louis. He arrived in 
America in 1904, making his way direct to this city, where he immediately entered 
the employ of the above mentioned firm. He later became a traveling salesman 
for the house and subsequently entered the Third National Bank of St. Louis in a 
clerical capacity in order that he might gain broader business experience. He con- 
tinued with the bank for a year and afterward accepted the position of manager 
with the Luckenbach Smokeless Furnace Company. Upon the organization of the 
American Automobile Insurance Company he became connected with it and was 
afterward made sales manager. In 1914 he entered the general insurance busi- 
ness under his own name and in October, 1919, formed the present partnership of 
Jennings & Cushman for the conduct of a general insurance business. Mr. Jen- 
nings has recently sold out the majority of his interest in the firm of Jennings & 
Cushman and has not as yet embarked in any other enterprise. 

On the 23d of January, 1912, Mr. Jennings was married in St. Louis to Miss 
Mary Angela Broderick, a daughter of J. J. and Emelie (Kern) Broderick. They 
he.ve become the parents of five children, two sons and three daughters: Maureen 



264 CEXTEXXIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

A., Virginia I. B., Eloise L., John Broderick and George Edgar, all natives of 
St. Louis. 

Mr. Jennings was made an American citizen in 1918. He and his family are 
connected with the Roman Catholic church and he belongs to the Missouri Ath- 
letic Association, also to the Sunset Hill Country Club, the St. Louis Club and to 
the Chamber of Commerce. He is interested in all that makes tor public progress 
and improvement and is a loyal supporter of many civic interests. In his business 
career he has made steady advancement and his success is due entirely to his own 
efforts and perseverance. 



DAVID B. SEIBERT. 



David B. Seibert, who following his training received in country banks of Mis- 
souri has come to a prominent position in the financial circles of St. Louis as vice 
president of the International Bank, was born in Perry county, Missouri, December 
29, 1853. His father, Daniel Seibert, was a native of Virginia and in his youth 
came with his father to Missouri, the family settling on a farm in Perry county 
where the grandfather spent his remaining days, his attention being devoted to 
general agricultural pursuits. The death of Daniel Seibert occurred in 1874. He, 
too, had been a successful farmer and he lived the life of a consistent Christian, 
holding membership in the Methodist church. In early manhood he wedded Melissa 
McCombs, of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, who passed away in 1875. They were the 
parents of five children, of whom three are living. 

David B. Seibert, the second in order of birth, was educated in the district 
schools of Perry county and in the St. Louis University, which he attended in 1872 
and 1873. He afterward taught school for two years in Cape Girardeau and then 
took up the occupation of farming which he followed for three or four years. Sub- 
sequently he became identified with commercial pursuits as proprietor of a general 
store and also engaged in the manufacture of flour, managing a mill for several 
years. He was active and prominent in connection with public affairs In Cape 
Girardeau and for three years filled the position of city collector there. He later 
became cashier of the Cape County Savings Bank at Jackson, occupying that posi- 
tion for seven years after which he was made state bank examiner of Missouri by 
Sam B. Cook and occupied the office for four years. This gave him splendid in- 
sight into the banking business and on the 1st of March, 1895, he became connected 
with the International Bank of St. Louis as its vice president and has continued in 
this executive position to the present time. 

In 1876 Mr. Seibert was married to Miss Rillie Wilson, of Cape Girardeau, and 
they have become the parents of two sons: Dr. David Glen Seibert, who is a prac- 
ticing physician of Jackson, Missouri, married Miss Ella Wilkinson, by whom he 
has four children; William Wilson Seibert, an attorney by profession, is now 
serving as slate bank examiner of Missouri and married Miss Kate Dennis. 

In his fraternal relations Mr. Seibert is a Mason, belonging to the lodge at 
Jackson, Missouri, of which he was master for a number of years, and at all times 
exemplifying in his life the beneficent spirit of the craft. He turns for recreation 
to our national game of baseball. While of quiet manner his sterling worth has 
won him a host of friends and his business ability has given him high standing as 
a banker. 



REV. BENJAMIN YOUNG. 



Rev. Benjamin Young, the widely known pastor of the Union Methodist Epis- 
copal church of St. Louis, was born in Derbyshire, England, January 25, 1S68, a 
son of Samuel and Anne (Bamford) Young. The father brought the family to 
America when the son was a lad of ten years and he was educated in Salt Lake 
Seminary of Utah and in the University of Chattanooga in Tennessee, from which 
he was graduated in 1896. He afterward attended the University of Wyoming, 
completing his course there in 1900 with the Master of Arts degree, and in 1906 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 265 

the University of Chattanooga conferred upon him the Doctor of Divinity degree. 
His entire life has been directed in the field of moral development and progress. 
He was ordained to the Methodist ministry, becoming a deacon in 1890, an elder 
in 1893, and from 189 7 until 189 9, was pastor of the churches at Lauden and 
Sheridan, Wyoming. During the succeeding two years he was in charge of a 
church in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and from 1901 to 1903 was located at Denver. He 
then accepted a call from a church in Salt Lake City, where he labored for four 
years, and in 1907 was ordained pastor ot the First Methodist Church at Portland, Ore- 
gon, where he continued until 1914. He then accepted a call from the First Church 
at Topeka, Kansas, where he remained until 1916, and since October of the latter 
year, he has been pastor of the Union Methodist Episcopal church of St. Louis. 
While his attention has mostly been directed to the work of the ministry, in which 
connection he has accomplished great good, he has also proved an effective and 
forceful worker in other connections, closely studying many of the grave problems 
before the public at large with a view to better civic conditions. He served as a 
member of the Charter Commission of Portland, Oregon, in 1911, and he was a 
member of the committee of fifteen who accompanied President Taft on a tour 
of the cities of the northwest. He was likewise a delegate to the National Peace 
Conference in 1912 and a member of the General Conference of 1912 and of 1916. 
He was the first vice president of the committee of World's Christian Citizenship 
Conference held at Portland in 1913 and was a member of the commission on 
Social Service of the Federal Council of Churches. He was likewise made a mem- 
ber of the Social Service Council of the Methodist Episcopal chui'ch and engaged 
extensively in Y. M. C. A. war service. 

On the 30th of June, 1891, Mr. Young was united in marriage to Miss Virginia 
Rohm Crawford of Greensboro, Pennsylvania. Fraternally he is connected with the 
Masons and was grand orator of the grand lodge of Oregon in 1912 and 1913. 
He has taken the Scottish Rite degrees in Masonry and has ever been a loyal fol- 
lower of the craft. His political allegiance is given to the republican party, nor 
does he lightly regard the duties of citizenship, feeling that it is the obligation of 
every individual to support his honest convictions concerning political matters. He 
feels that whatever affects the welfare of community, commonwealth or country 
should be a matter of individual concern and that moral progress is conserved in 
civic development. His life has been fruitful of great good. He is an earnest 
logical speaker, a clear thinker and a man of the keenest human sympathy, so that 
his entire life has been a helpful outreaching to mankind. 



GILL RICHARDS. 

Since 1919 Gill Richards has served the town of Perry as mayor and in the 
administration of his duties has shown himself to be a man of true personal worth, 
high ideals, and honorable principles. He is a native son of Perry, born in that 
town on the 27th of November, 1879, a son of Marion and Annie (Murphy) Rich- 
ards. The father was born in Bath county, Kentucky, and when four years of age 
removed with his parents to Ralls county, Missouri. On reaching the age of nine- 
teen years he launched into the mercantile TDUsiness, in which he continued until 
1906, at which time he retired. His death occurred on the 23rd of January, 1913. 
Marion Richards was the son of John Longly Richards, a native of Bath county, 
Kentucky, who removed with his family to Ralls county, Missouri, in 1853. His 
death occurred at the advanced age of ninety-two years. The Richards family 
were originally from England, coming to Virginia, where they settled during the 
colonial days, and from which state they removed to Kentucky. The mother, Annie 
Murphy, is still living and resides in Perry. She was born in Audrain county, Mis- 
souri, and was the daughter of John Murphy, a farmer in that county. John 
Murphy was of Irish descent and the family settled in Missouri prior to the 
Civil war. 

Gill Richards received his education in the public schools of Perry and grad- 
uated from the high school there with the class of 1897. He then entered Chris- 
tian College, now known as Stockton-Culver, where he took a two years course. 
After putting his textbooks aside he engaged in the mercantile business as partner 



266 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

with his father and an uncle, A. A. Richards, under the name of the Richards Com- 
pany. The store was a general one and upon the death of A. A. Richards and the 
retirement of his father in 1906 Gill Richards became sole owner and manager. 
Under his careful management the business reached extensive proportions and soon 
became recognized as the largest department store in Ralls county. In 1912 he 
sold an interest to Floyd Richards, his brother, and retired from active manage- 
ment. Floyd Richards is still conducting the business under the name of the 
Richards Company, by which name it has been known since 1873. 

Gill Richards for many years has been recognized as a successful and pro- 
gressive farmer and he owns some valuable land near Perry which he cultivates 
and on which he raises pure bred Durocs. In the financial circles of York he has 
also taken a prominent and active part, serving for many years as a director of 
the Perry Bank. He owns considerable business property in Perry and built the 
first moving picture theatre in that place. This venture proved a success from the 
beginning and his theatre is considered one of the most modern buildings of its 
kind in the surrounding territory. Mr. Richards has always taken an active part 
in politics, never seeking office for himself, however, but working in behalf of 
his friends. It was not surprising therefore when nominated for mayor by his 
many friends that he would not campaign for himself. His popularity, however, 
was made manifest by the fact that he received twice as many votes as both of 
his opponents combined. This election took place in 1919 and he ran on the 
democratic ticket. 

It was on the 17th of August, 1905, that Mr. Richards was married to Miss 
Sammie Lou Neville, a daughter of James W. Neville. She was born October 4, 
1879, and her father's birth occurred on the 14th of October, 1844, in Pike county, 
near Bowling Green. He was a retired farmer of Perry county, where his death 
occurred in 1917. When just a boy he removed to Ralls county. He was a prom- 
inent man in his community and was a leader in the prohibitionist movement. Her 
grandfather was Presley Neville who was of German descent but a native of Ken- 
tucky. The mother of Mrs. Richards, Almira Briggs, was born near Florida, Monroe 
county, on the 8th of September, 1857, and died February 2, 1899. To the union 
of Mr. and Mrs. Richards two children have been born: Marion Neville, whose 
natal day was May 29, 1906, and who is now attending the Perry high school; and 
Helen, who is attending the grade schools of Perry. 

Mr. and Mrs. Richards and family are consistent members of the Christian 
church of Perry and Mr. Richards has served this organization as deacon for several 
years and is also clerk of the board of the church. Fraternally he is a Mason, 
belonging to Lick Creek Lodge, No. 302, of Perry, has served as senior warden of 
the Royal Arch Masons of Hannibal, and is a member of Moolah Temple of the 
Shrine at St. Louis. He is an exemplary member of the Elks, belonging to Lodge 
1198 at Hannibal. Although the greater part of Mr. Richards' time has been 
devoted to his agricultural and business interests he finds recreation in the great 
out-of-doors and the strict confinement required in the mercantile business was 
the main cause of his retirement. Mr. Richards holds friendship inviolable and 
as true worth can always win regard he has a very extensive circle of friends. 
His thoughts are not self-centered but are given to the mastery of life's problems 
and the fulfillment of his duty as a man in his relation to his fellowmen and 
as a citizen in his relation to his city, state and country. 



MRS. THEODORE SHELTON. 

Mrs. Jane Redd Gentry Shelton, wife of Theodore Shelton, is one of the best known 
women of Missouri and no record of the state would be complete without extended 
reference to her, not alone by reason of the fact that she is a representative of one 
of the oldest and most distinguished families of the state and comes of a notably 
prominent ancestral line but also by reason of her personal contribution of valuable 
service to many of the important activities which tend to the uplift of the iiidividual 
and the advancement of the community at large. 

She was born May 28, 1848, at Oak Dale, the country seat of the Gentry family, 
about three miles northwest of Sedalia, Missouri, her parents being Judge and Mrs. 




MRS. THEODORE SHELTON 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 269 

William Gentry, of Pettis county. She comes of a family distinctively American in 
both its lineal and collateral lines. Her great-grandfather, Richard Gentry, married 
Jane Harris, a granddaughter of Major Robert Harris, who was a member of the Vir- 
ginia house of burgesses from 1730 until 1742. Richard Gentry was a valiant soldier 
in the Revolutionary war and was present when Cornwallis surrendered his forces at 
Yorktown. Mrs. Shelton indeed has reason to be proud of her ancestral history, for 
she is a direct descendant of John Crawford of Scotland, who landed at Jamestown, 
Virginia, in 1643 and obtained several grants of land, upon one of which he settled 
Her great-grandfather, David Thomson, was a major of the War of 1812 and with the 
rank of general commanded the Second Battalion of Kentucky Volunteers at the battle 
of the Thames. The wife of General Thomson was Elizabeth Suggett, daughter of John 
Suggett and Mildred Davis, and it is a matter of record (Filson Club Publication Vol. 
12, p. 50) that they were among those who made memorable the defense of Bryant 
Station, Kentucky, August 16, 1782, when it was learned that the Indians and British 
were preparing for an attack on Bryant Springs, near Lexington, Kentucky. It was 
found the fort was inadequately supplied with water and the women and children went 
bravely forth with their pails (as was their custom), reasoning that if the Indians 
thought the small garrison had no knowledge of their proximity, they would await night- 
fall for their attack, a surmise that proved to be true. The women and children there- 
fore went forth with their buckets, knowing they were under the eyes of savages, and 
Mrs. Mildred (Davis) Suggett and her husband's sister, Jemima Suggett Johnson, 
led the party to the spring, returning unmolested with the water for the siege. In 
the attack which followed the Indians shot flaming arrows into the fort and one of 
them fell into the cradle of the infant son of Jemima Suggett Johnson, Richard Mentor 
Johnson, who lived to become the vice president of the United States. A monument 
erected on the site of McClelland's Fort at Georgetown, Kentucky, to General McClelland 
and his men, and to the Revolutionary soldiers who were buried in Scott county, by 
the Big Springs Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution in the summer 
of 1920, contains among the many names those of but two women, the great-great- 
grandmother of Mrs. Shelton, Mildred Davis Suggett, and Jemima Suggett Johnson, 
her great-great-aunt. Mrs. Shelton was among the many Suggett descendants who were 
present at the unveiling of this monument. By reason of their bravery in leading 
the procession for water they were classed with the soldiers who successfully defended 
the fort. 

William Gentry, the father of Mrs. Theodore Shelton, born April 14, 1818, at Old 
Franklin, Howard county, Missouri, was among the most enterprising farmers and 
successful stock breeders in Missouri, owning and cultivating six thousand acres of 
land near Sedalia, Missouri. He was the son of Reuben Estes Gentry and Elizabeth 
White who came from Madison county, Kentucky, and settled in Missouri in 1809. For 
a long time William Gentry was president of the State Agricultural Fair Association. 
At the same time he held numerous responsible, honorable and important positions by 
appointment and on various occasions was chosen representative of the agricultural 
and live stock interests of the state, in which his pride and enthusiasm were paramount. 
It was through his efforts that the first live stock fairs in the state were organized 
and held their first exhibitions, 1857-8, in his woodland pasture, a half mile north of 
his colonial home, where generous hospitality was extended to his many friends from 
adjoining counties. The premiums were solid silver, made by Jaccard & Company of 
St. Louis (coin), his five daughters each receiving among her wedding gifts a half 
dozen of these silver water cups, besides pitchers, ladles, spoons, etc. John R., the 
youngest son of Major William Gentry, raised among his many famous horses the 
"Great John R. Gentry," who electrified the world with his speed, lowering the record 
to 2:00V2. He was unquestionably the greatest horse of his day and generation. He 
was born January 1, 1888, died December 14, 1920, and was buried in the State Fair 
grounds at Nashville, Tennessee, with all the honor and love befitting one so great. 
For twenty years Major Gentry served as county judge of Pettis county, filling the 
position until 1S62, when he was appointed major of the Fortieth Regiment of enrolled 
militia by Governor Gamble, so serving until the regiment was mustered out. Sub- 
sequently he served with the same rank in the Fifth Regiment of provisional militia 
until the close of the war. His many noble deeds firmly established him in the hearts 
of tTie people of Missouri. Though all of his own and his wife's affiliations, by blood 
and association, had been with the south and though his people were large slaveholders, 
he opposed secession and remained loyal to the flag. In 1875 he was appointed by 



270 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

Governor Hardin as one of the Missouri state managers for the Centennial Exposition 
in Philadelphia. In 1879 Governor John S. Phelps appointed him a delegate to a con- 
vention called in New York to form a National Agricultural Society. He was ap- 
pointed by Governor Marmaduke a member of the state board of health and at its 
first meeting was elected president and remained as such until his death on the 22d 
of May, 1890. In 1874 Judge Gentry was nominated by the people's party as candidate 
for governor. He received the vote of his county and good support from the state but 
was defeated by Charles H. Hardin. He had no real desire for office, however, his pref- 
erence being strong for the active pursuits of farming and other business enterprises. 
He was at one time president of the Lexington & St. Louis Railroad, was also a director 
of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad, president of the Sedalia, Warsaw & Southern 
Railroad and for several years was agent for Pettis county in railroad matters. He 
and his brother. Richard Gentry, and General George R. Smith guaranteed the right- 
of-way through Pettis county for the Missouri Pacific Railroad. (See Gentry Family of 
America, p. 160.) On the 12th of November, 1840, William Gentry wedded Ann Redd 
Major, daughter of Lewis Redd Major and Mildred Elvira Thomson and granddaughter 
of John Major and Elizabeth Redd of Virginia. John Major was in the War of the 
Revolution and was with Washington at Valley Forge. Ann was born on her father's 
estate of over one thousand acres near Frankfort, Kentucky, July 23, 1824, and re- 
moved with her parents in 1833 to Missouri, where they settled on the beautiful estate 
"Sunny Hill," eight miles northwest of Sedalia, Missouri. The colonial house will be 
good for another generation. The bricks were made on the place by his slaves. It 
has always been owned and occupied by his descendants until recently. The wedding 
was one of the most notable social events in central Missouri at that early date. Ann 
Redd Major was a lady of rare beauty of character and refinement, gifted with every 
domestic virtue, a descendant of the chivalry of Virginia. She was noted for her tender 
sympathy and generosity. Sick soldiers of the Civil war were nursed back to health in 
her home. Strangers in need were given shelter and protection. After the Civil war 
it was a familiar sight to meet a half dozen negro women and children coming down 
the road from the big brick house, each laden with baskets of apples, potatoes, meal, 
flour, bacon, sugar and coffee, proofs of her sympathetic, generous nature. None ever 
asked in vain. She wa.s always the friend of the needy," whose burdens she ever tried 
to lighten. Her gentle manner, her unbounded hospitality, her unselfish devotion to 
home, friends and family made her beloved by all. A copy of her portrait will be 
found in Volume II, page 73, Americans of Gentle Birth. 

To this union were born eleven children, four of whom are still living, four having 
died after reaching the age of thirty years and each having lived to establish hospitable 
homes of their own. Though the family was a large one, all of the children were given 
the best possible advantages for acquiring a finished education and as a result each 
member, as well as the father and mother, was noted for culture in literature and the 
refined arts. The daughter, Jane Redd Gentry, reared at the family home. Oak Dale, 
near Sedalia, attended school in Georgetown, Missouri, and also became a pupil in 
the Forest Grove Seminary under Professor Anthony Haynes and Professor A. A. Neal. 
In 1864-5 she was a student in the Visitation Convent at St. Louis, Missouri, and through- 
out her life she has manifested a keen interest in literature and all those things which 
have cultural value. On the 20th of February, 1S6S, she became the wife of Theodore 
Shelton, of St. Louis, a leading merchant of the city, where they have since resided. 
Mr. Shelton throughout this entire period has continued in the wholesale hat, cap and 
glove business, having one of the largest establishments of this character in the cen- 
tral section of the Mississippi valley. To Mr. and Mrs. Shelton were born two children: 
Richard Theodore, who is now the president of the Shelton Panama Hat Company on 
Washington avenue in St. Louis; and William Gentry, president of the Shelton Elec- 
tric Company of New York city. 

Mrs. Shelton is entitled to membership in all the patriotic societies and has be- 
come identified with many of the patriotic societies of the country. She is now a 
member of the board of the National Society of Colonial Dames of America in Mis- 
souri; also belongs to the Order of Americans of Armorial Ancestry, which she joined 
on its organization; and is the first vice president of the Colonial Daughters of the 
Seventeenth Century. She is a charter member of the National Society of Daughters 
of Founders and Patriots of Missouri and has been the treasurer since its organization. 
She is a Daughter of the American Revolution under five Virginia ancestors and a 
member of the National Society of United States Daughters of 1812 under two an- 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 271 

cestors. Mrs. Slielton and her sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Gentry Skinner, were among the 
organizers and charter members of the Missouri State Society of United States Daughters 
of 1812, and the former at the first meeting was elected registrar, while Mrs. Skinner 
was chosen a director, and these offices they continued to fill through the first seven 
years. In October, 1915, Mrs. Shelton was elected state president, occupying the posi- 
tion for two and a half years when she was unanimously elected honorary state presi- 
dent for life. The state board presented her with a silver vase, with the insignia of 
the United States Daughters of 1S12, Society of Missouri, engraved upon it, in token 
of their high esteem. In April, 1916, at the national council in Washington, D. C, 
she was elected the national auditor of the National Society. She attended the national 
board at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in October, 191S, and at Hartford, Connecticut, in 
1919. She served for two years as regent of the St. Louis Chapter of the Daughters 
of the American Revolution, an organization of four hundred members, and she and 
her sister, Mrs. Skinner, were for many years delegates for the different organizations 
holding their national meetings in Washington, D. C. In April, 1917, at the national 
council held in Washington, she represented the 1S12 Society as state president of 
Missouri and as national auditor. She was delegate to the Colonial Dames of America, 
representing Mrs. Eliot, the state president of Missouri. She was delegate to the con- 
gress of the Daughters of the American Revolution and has also been a delegate to 
the national convention of the Founders and Patriots of America. 

Mrs. Shelton belongs to the State Historical Society of Missouri at Columbia, is a 
member of the Missouri Historical Society, Jefferson Memorial St. Louis and the 
Valley Forge Historical Society of Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. For a number of years 
she has been the St. Louis county and city chairman of the Old Trails Ocean to Ocean 
Highway and she and her sister, Mrs. Skinner, are charter members of the Chart Club 
Drawing Rooms, an organization unique and beautiful in sentiment. She is a member 
of the St. Louis Woman's Club and first vice chairman of the Mortality Tablet Com- 
mittee under Mrs. Ben P. Gray, the tablet to be erected in the city hall. During the 
war she was a member of the Women's Committee, Council of National Defense, under 
Mrs. B. P. Bush, and also a member of the Navy League. From the beginning of the 
war until now Mrs. Shelton has been untiring in her efforts to cheer and comfort the 
sick and wounded soldiers. Her grandson, William Gentry Shelton, Jr., was lieutenant 
in the air service. Her nephew, Harry Duke Skinner, went overseas as a member 
of the American Expeditionary Force. The youth of her family all over the country 
responded valiantly to the call to arms. In February, 1917, at the home of Mrs. Shelton, 
was formed a Red Cross unit among the Daughters of 1812, the first unit formed in 
St. Louis, on which occasion George Simmons was the speaker. The members of this 
unit were most enthusiastic in their work throughout the war period and accomplished 
great good. When Mrs. Shelton was not sewing at the Kinloch Red Cross Headquarters, 
making bandages, etc., at Washington University and Barnes Hospital, she was at 
home knitting for the Navy League or doing other war service that promoted the 
welfare of American soldiers in camp and field. She was awarded a medal by the 
United States treasury department for patriotic service in behalf of the Liberty loans. 
Mrs. Shelton was chosen chairman of the patriotic organizations for the armistice 
parade on the 11th of November, 1920, and marched in the parade from her home to 
the Municipal theatre. 

Mrs. Shelton was appointed a member of the Missouri State Centennial Committee 
of 1916 and was requested to send the names of two delegates from the U. S. D. 1812 
Society of Missouri. She named Mrs. C. C. Evans, of Sedalia, and Mrs. Hugh Miller 
of Kansas City, thus representing the east, west and central sections of the state. 
Mrs. Shelton has worked hard and faithfully with the State Society U. S. D. 1812 of 
Missouri for the bronze roll of fame of the Missouri Pioneers and takes great pride 
in this beautiful tribute of love to the foundation builders of Missouri. It is the most 
valuable contribution to early Missouri history that has been accomplished. This 
magnificent bronze tablet hangs upon the west wall in Jefferson Memorial, made by 
Gorham and designed by R. P. Bringhurst. Mrs. Shelton presided at this memorable 
meeting when it was presented and her grandson, Richard Douglass Shelton, drew aside 
the silken flag that unveiled it. The brass cylinders containing valuable data for each 
of the names are kept in the vault and added to from time to time. 

Aside from the patriotic organizations with which Mrs. Shelton is connected she 
is much interested in the "Gentry Family of America," an organization which was 
formed by herself, her brother, Richard T. Gentry of Sedalia, Missouri, and her cousin, 



272 CEXTEXXIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

General W. H. Gentry of Lexington, Kentucky. At their first meeting in August, 1898, 
held at Crab Orchard Springs, Kentucky, Richard Gentry of Kansas City, Missouri, 
was elected president and historian and has published a history of the family which 
is found in many libraries. 

Notwithstanding all of her many, varied and useful activities Mrs. Shelton has been 
before and above all else a home maker for fifty-three years and gathers about her the 
loved ones from almost every state in the Union. She inherited the strong character, 
generous impulses and amiable qualities that distinguished her parents. Her nature, 
too, is as radiant as a day in June and her hospitality is unbounded. The year before 
the Louisiana Purchase Exposition was held in St. Louis she gathered the scattered 
branches of the Gentry family into a reunion at her palatial home and thereafter until 
the close of the Pair she entertained lavishly and untiringly, her guests coming from 
every section of the country. No home is more popular in St. Louis, nor are any 
citizens more highly esteemed than Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Shelton. 



ALBERT J. MILLER, M. D. 



The tendency of the age is toward specialization. Comparatively few men who 
enter upon a professional career attempt to cover the entire scope of activity in that 
field but concentrate their efforts and attention upon a particular line, so that they can 
thereby reach a high degree of skill and efficiency. This course has been followed 
by Dr. Albert J. Miller, a St. Louis physician, who has largely given his attention 
to cancers and skin diseases. Pennsylvania numbers him among her native sons, 
his birth having occurred in Goldsboro, September 20, 1854. His father, Benjamin 
Miller, was also a native of the Keystone state, where his ancestors had lived through 
several generations, although the family is of Scotch origin. Benjamin Miller was 
a successful farmer and resided in Pennsylvania throughout his entire life, his labors 
being ended in death in 18 77, when he was sixty-two years of age. His wife, who 
bore the maiden name of Susan Kunkle, was a native of Pennsylvania and of German 
descent. She died in 1898, at the advanced age of seventy-eight years. 

Dr. Miller of this review was the eighth in order of birth in a family of eleven 
children, eight sons and three daughters. He attended the public schools of Mount 
Wolf, Pennsylvania, and also the State Normal School at Millersville. He then took 
up the profession of teaching, which he followed in Pennsylvania and Ohio for a period 
of seven years but regarded this merely as an Initial step to other professional labor, 
becoming imbued with a desire to enter upon the practice of medicine. He therefore 
began studying with that end in view, matriculating in the Jefferson Medical College 
of Philadelphia, from which he was graduated in 1883. In the same year he entered 
active practice in St. Louis, where he has remained, except for the period spent in 
Ohio, and with the passing of time he has built up an extensive and important prac- 
tice, in the conduct of which he has been very successful. He is extremely careful 
in the diagnosis of his cases and his professional judgment is at all times sound and 
reliable. He has his office in the Holland building and has occupied space on the 
same floor since the 1st of May, 1899. or for a period of more than twenty-one years. 
From 1887 until 1890 he had charge of the post-graduate school and polyclinic in 
St. Louis and from 1891 until 1898 had charge of the cancer and skin department 
in the Surgical Hotel Hospital at Columbus, Ohio. Since the latter date he has 
specialized in the treatment of cancer and skin diseases and has become a recognized 
authority in this branch of practice. He has been called to attend patients in twenty- 
two states and in Canada. 

In St. Louis, on the 7th of August, 1884, Dr. Miller was married to Miss Emma 
W. Wesseling, a native of St. Louis and a daughter of the late Rudolph and Johanna 
Wesseling, who were of German birth and became residents of St. Louis in 1839. 
Dr. and Mrs. Miller have one son, Clayton P., who was born in St. Louis, May 10, 
1887, and who married Miss Hope Goodson, of this city. They have one daughter, 
June Hope Miller, born in St. Louis, November 30, 1915. 

Dr. Miller is a republican in his political views but has never been an office 
seeker. During the World war he was one of the four-minute men and was very 
helpful in support of the Red Cross and other war activities, doing all in his power 
to win public cooperation with these organizations. His life has ever been actuated 




DR. ALBERT J, MILLER 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 275 

by a laudable ambition. He worked his way through college, determined to win 
success If it could be accomplished by untiring and honorable effort, and today he 
stands among the able and prominent physicians of St. Louis, his practice being large 
and important. 



RULIP M. MARTIN. 



Rulif M. Martin was one of the organizers and promoters of the Redheffer Envelope 
Company, a growing young business concern of Kansas City, and by reason of the 
enterprise which he has manifested in this connection he deserves recognition as one 
of the progressive young manufacturers of western Missouri. He was born in Kansas 
City in 1895, and is a son of Edward R. Martin. In the acquirement of his education 
he attended the State University of Missouri, from which he was graduated, and during 
vacation periods he was employed by the State Historical Society, thus largely earning 
the funds which enabled him to pursue his college course. 

Mr. Martin is one of the veterans of the World war, for he was with the American 
Expeditionary Force in France and was in active duty on the battlefields of St. Mihiel 
and the Meuse-Argonne offensive. At length he was wounded and in January, 1919, he 
returned home after ten months' overseas service as second lieutenant. He was attached 
to the Headquarters Company of the One Hundred and Thirty-seventh Infantry and 
made a most creditable military record. In 1918 he became associated with Fred N. 
Redheffer in organizing the Redheffer Envelope Company, which they have since success- 
fully conducted. They are rapidly developing a business of attractive proportions, 
bringing them a desirable measure of success. 

Mr. Martin was united in marriage to Miss Mildred S. Strobach, of Rolla, Missouri. 
Fraternally he is a Knights Templar Mason and also a member of the Mystic Shrine 
and is a worthy follower of the teachings and purposes of the craft. He is widely 
recognized as an energetic young business man and all who know him recognize the 
fact that his future career will be well worth watching. 



REV. HAROLD LOCKE READER. 

Rev. Harold Locke Reader, pastor of the Webster Groves Baptist church was born 
at Marblehead, Massachusetts, May 6, 1885, a son of John J. and S. Emma Reader. 
On his mother's side he is descended from the family of the English philosopher, John 
Locke. He was reared in Illinois, beginning his primary education at Carrollton, 
Greene county, while in June, 1903, he was graduated from the high school in East 
St. Louis. Following his graduation he attended the Washington Unifersity in St. 
Louis, becoming at that institution a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. Later 
he entered Shurtleff College at Alton, Illinois, where he was twice president of his 
literary society, the Sigma Phi. He was ordained to the gospel ministry while pastor 
of the Winstanley Baptist church in East St. Louis at the age of twenty-two years. 
In April, 1910, he was called to the pastorate of the West Park Baptist church in St. 
Louis. His interest in young men led to the erection by that church of a gymnasium 
building around which the activities of the young men could center. 

Harold Locke Reader was married in 1911 to Jennie L. Hall and soon afterwards 
the state of his wife's health necessitated a change of residence to Denver, Colorado. 
In 1913 he returned from the west and in August of that year was called to the newly 
organized Baptist church in Webster Groves. This church is unique in that from a 
mempership of thirty-two meeting in a rented hall, it has grown in the seven years 
to a membership of three hundred owning its own beautiful property all acquired 
without the aid of one penny from the mission boards. The record is unique in Baptist 
history in St. Louis. 

Mr. Reader is an ex-president of the St. Louis Baptist Ministers Conference. He 
is very active in Masonic circles, being at the present time district deputy grand mas- 
ter of the fifty-seventh district and past master of Wellston Lodge, No. 613, A. F. & 
A. M. He is also a Royal Arch Mason, a member of the council, a Knight Templar 
and has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. 



276 CEXTEXXIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

' Mr. Reader was one of the first clergymen to offer his services in the late war and 
in July, 1917, was appointed chaplain of the Fifth Missouri Infantry, the famous St. 
Louis regiment to which Marshall Joffre personally presented a regimental flag. Later 
at Camp Doniphan \Vhen this regiment was consolidated with the First Missouri In- 
fantry to form the One Hundred and Thirty-eight Infantry he was transferred to the 
One Hundred and Tenth Engineers of the Thirty-fifth Division, with which regiment 
he served throughout the war, being on four battle fronts in France — near Amiens, the 
Vosges, St. Mihiel and the Argonne. He was granted an indefinite leave of absence 
by his church when he entered military service and in May. 1919. resumed his pastorate. 
In November, 1919, he was elected the first Post Commander of Webster Groves Memor- 
ial Post, No. 172, of the American Legion, which office he still holds. This in brief 
is the outline of his career. Those who read between the lines will see the earnestness 
of purpose that has always actuated him, high ideals which he has kept constantly 
before him, and the practical methods which he has followed in securing their adop- 
tion. There is about Mr. Reader nothing of that aloofness which too often marks 
the scholarly man of the ministry. Intensely human in all of his interests to the 
point of understanding human nature he is constantly seeking to inspire and encourage 
those whom he meets to choose those things which are most enduring and satisfying 
and which make for the upbuilding of the highest character. 



BRECKINRIDGE JONES. 



Breckinridge Jones, president of the Mississippi Valley Trust Company of St. Louis 
who has been one of the directing oflScers of this corporation for more than thirty 
years, was born in Boyle county, Kentucky, on the 2nd of October, 1856, his parents 
being Daniel W. and Rebecca Robertson (Dunlap) Jones. His early educational oppor- 
tunities were supplemented by a course in Centre College at Danville, Kentucky, from 
which he was graduated with the Bachelor of Arts degree in 1875. Before entering 
upon the study of law he taught school for one year in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. 
He then studied law for two years in the office of Colonel Thomas P. Hill of Stanford, 
Lincoln County, Kentucky, and was admitted to the bar in that county in 1878. In 
October of that year he moved to St. Louis. He attended the St. Louis Law School 
in the session of 187S-9 and attended the summer Law School at the University of 
Virginia in 1S79. In the same year he opend a law office in St. Louis where he con- 
tinued in practice for nine years, when by reason of the business interests of himself 
and a number of friends and clients he went to New Decatur, Alabama, as vice presi- 
dent and general manager of the Decatur Land Improvement and Furnace Company, 
then the largest corporation in North Alabama. After a successful reorganization 
of that company in 1890 Mr. Jones returned to St. Louis where he resumed law practice. 
but after a brief period he was elected the first secretary of the newly incorporated 
Mississippi Valley Trust Company. Throughout the intervening period of thirty years 
he has given his attention to constructive effort, executive control and legal direction 
of the interests of this strong financial concern of which he is now the president. In 
1896 he inaugurated the movement to form a national organization of the Trust Com- 
panies of the United States and is the recognized "father of the Trust Company sec- 
tion" of the American Bankers Association. In 1915 he was the chairman of the 
commission that wrote the revision of the banking laws of Missouri, enacted that year 
by the general assembly. 

Mr. Jones was married at Stanford, Kentucky, October 21, 1885, to Miss Frances 
MHler Reid and they became the parents of five children: Reid, Breckinridge, Jr., 
Frances Reid, Daniel W. and Mary D. The wife and mother passed away on the 
13th of August, 1904. On the 21st of September. 1910, at Cazenovia, New York, Mr. 
Jones was married to Mrs. Sarah Brant Colwell. a representative of an old promi- 
nent St. Louis family. Three of the children of Mr. Jones also served in the World 
war. His eldest son, Reid Jones, was a captain in the Thirty-second Regiment of En- 
gineers in 1917 and 1918, while Frances Reid Jones served in vocational training work 
at the Walter Reed Hospital in Washington. D. C, in 1918 and Daniel W. Jones was 
an ensign in the United States navy. His two stepsons also served in the World 
war: John Charles Colwell was a captain in the United States regular army, belong- 




BRECKINRIDGE JONES 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 279 

ing to the Fifty-eighth Infantry in 1917 and 1918; and Kent G. Colwell was a first 
lieutenant in the Intelligence Department of the United States army in 1917 and 1918. 
Mr. Jones belongs to the Union Avenue Christian church. Politically he has 
always been a democrat and in 1S82 was chosen to represent his district in the thirty- 
second general assembly of Missouri. He is a member of the St. Louis, Noonday, 
Country, Racquet, Florissant Valley, and Log Cabin Clubs. He is the treasurer of the 
Historical Society. 



JOHN B. C. LUCAS. 



The history of no country perhaps rests so largely upon the development of 
commercial and industrial enterprise as does that of the United States. This 
country has waged no wars for conquest, having since the establishment of the 
republic followed the most constructive lines in the upbuilding of the nation and 
the establishment of its policy. Into each state have gone men of resolute will, 
of broad vision and of high ideals who have become active factors in the upbuild- 
ing of a commonwealth, until the Union is formed of a galaxy of great states 
each with its paramount interests and activities, yet all contributing to the sum 
total of power and honor which are everywhere today associated with the name of 
America. 

Prominent among the promoters and builders of Missouri are those of the Lucas 
family, of which family John B. C. Lucas was a prominent representative. He 
was born December 30, 1847, a son of James H. and Emilie (Desruisseaux) Lucas. 
His ancestral line can be traced back through seven generations to one of the 
Revolutionary war heroes. He was a great-grandson of Andrew Vanoy, who was 
captain of a company of militia in North Carolina attached to the regiment of 
Colonel Abraham Shepard. In 1777 he enlisted as a member of the Continental 
army and rendered valuable service to the cause on various battlefields until the 
victory was won by the colonial troops. In the Lucas line the ancestry is traced 
back to Nicholas Lucas who was born in 1572 and died at the age of seventy-eight 
years. His descendants in successive generations in the line down to John B. C. 
Lucas were Robert, James, Robert, Robert Joseph and Robert Joseph Edward 
Lucas, who was the great-grandfather of him whose name heads this memoir. 
He was born in 1725 and passed away in 1783. In 1760 he became a procureur 
du Roi, or king's prosecuting attorney, of Port Audemur, in Normandy, France. 
He married Mademoiselle de I'Arche, and to this union there were born seven chil- 
dren, of whom John B. C. Lucas was the third child and second son and the 
grandfather of his namesake, whose name introduces this review. The grand- 
father was married in France to Mademoiselle Sebin. In the University of Caen, 
which was founded by Henry VI, king of England, he studied law with a view to 
becoming procureur du Roi. On the 17th of April, 1784, accompanied by his wife, 
he left Ostend. Belgium, for America, coming to Philadelphia. Soon afterward he 
purchased a large tract of land called Montpelier, situated at Coal Hill near the 
present site of Pittsburgh, where then stood Fort Pitt. There they lived until 18 05. 
Mr. Lucas had brought with him to the United States a letter of introduction from 
Benjamin Franklin, then minister to France, recommending him to President Jef- 
ferson as an able jurist whose counsels would be valuable in framing the laws of 
a new-born republic. He became prominently identified with the history of Penn- 
sylvania. He served on the bench with Judge Addison and in 1795 was elected to 
the state legislature, while in 1803 he became a member of congress. Two years 
before he had been sent by President Jefferson to ascertain the temper of the 
French and Spanish residents of Louisiana respecting the Louisiana purchase. He 
traveled incognito to St. Louis, thence to Ste. Genevieve and on to New Orleans, 
under the name of Des Peiutreaux. The commission was ably and carefully exe- 
cuted and the president bestowed upon him further honors in 1803 by appointing 
him judge of the territorial court and commissioner of land claims of Upper Louis- 
iana, following the purchase. For two years he filled that office in a most credit- 
able and honorable manner and in 1805 came to St. Louis after resigning his 
position. The city was but a little French settlement but he recognized its advan- 
tageous position, believed in its future growth and made extensive investments in 



280 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

real estate which afterward brought him and his family large wealth. He was 
always most devoted to his family and the death of his five sons caused him to 
retire from public life, after which time he gave his supervision only to his estate. 
He enjoyed an extensive law practice and his profe^onal duties and the manage- 
ment of his property fully claimed his time. He was one of the first to herald the 
abolition movement which he did in a speech made in St. Louis, April 20, 1820, 
defining his views in consenting to allow his name to be used as a candidate for 
membership on the delegation to the constitutional convention of Missouri. At 
that time he strongly opposed the introduction of slavery into the state and the 
speech created a great sensation. 

James H. Lucas, father of John B. C. Lucas, entered upon the scene of earthly 
activities about the time of the opening of the nineteenth century. He was born 
November 12, 1800, and became a student in the College of St. Thomas, in Nelson 
county, Kentucky. In 1817 he left the south, going to New Hampshire, and later 
studied law in New York. In 1819 he made his way to St. Louis and thence started 
by boat for South America but changed his plans and for a time remained at 
Arkansas Post and at Little Rock, in both of which places he devoted his attention 
to reading law at the same time supporting himself as a typesetter on the Arkansas 
Gazette and in operating the ferry. He afterward rode the circuit in the practice 
of his profssion and his developing powers won him a place of prominence, gaining 
him a wide and favorable acquaintance as a member of the bar and in other con- 
nections. In 1820 he was appointed major of the militia by Governor James 
Miller and later was made judge of the probate court. He was married May 10, 
1832, to Emilie Desruisseaux and they became the parents of thirteen children. 
In October, 1837, James H. Lucas returned to St. Louis at the request of his father 
who was then well advanced in years and who passed away August 17, 1842, 
leaving his large estate to his two children, James H. and Mrs. Annie L. Hunt. 

The son then assumed the management of the estate and as the years passed 
became recognized as one of the most prominent among the builders of Missouri 
through his promotion of many progressive movements and his organization of 
large business enterprises. He also rendered to his state valuable service of a 
political character and from 1844 until 1847 was a member of the state senate 
but was never ambitious to occupy public office. Nevertheless his aid could always 
be counted upon to further any plan or movement for the general good and in 
many private capacities he aided in public upbuilding. He subscribed one hundred 
thousand dollars for the construction of the Missouri Pacific Railroad and was 
twice elected to the presidency of the company. He assisted in organizing and 
acted as president of the Gas Company and was one of the promoters of the Boat- 
men's Savings Institution. For a long period he figured in financial circles, estab- 
lishing a bank in St. Louis in 1851, with a branch in San Francisco. The business 
was reorganized in 1853 and others became interested but on the 21st of October 
of that year, owing to the widespread financial panic which engulfed the country, 
both banks failed. Although Mr. Lucas was not legally bound he assumed the 
responsibility and paid the entire liabilities with ten per cent interest, at a clear 
loss to himself of a half million dollars but with business reputation and honor 
untarnished. Such was the character of the man. His high moral sense was ever 
one of his most pronounced traits and though he inherited and controlled an 
immense fortune he was never known to take advantage of the necessities of an- 
other and in fact would rather have met financial loss than to have compromised 
his commercial honor in any way. He built the Lucas Market and gave ten thou- 
sand dollars toward the erection of the Southern Hotel. He also made donation 
of an equal amount to the Missouri Historical Society and many movements for 
intellectual and moral progress received his strong endorsement and financial sup- 
port. His property was largely invested in real estate, his holdings including two 
hundred and twenty-five stores and dwellings in St. Louis which were divided 
among his eight living children when he passed away November 11, 1873. His 
wife survived him for about five years, her death occurring December 24, 1878. 

Already the Lucas family has become established as one of the most prom- 
inent and influential in connection with the material progress of Missouri when 
John B. C. Lucas became an active factor in the world's work. He was born 
December 30, 1847, and throughout his entire life lived up to the high traditions 
and the noble example of his forebears. He attended Washington University of 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 281 

St. Louis after mastering the elementary branches of learning and also con- 
tinued his education in Seaton Hall College at South Orange, New Jersey. Later 
he accepted a clerkship in his father's office, in which he remained for two years, 
acquainting himself with his father's varied business interests of which he later 
assumed entire management. At the death of his father he was appointed one of 
the executors of the estate which he settled. In business affairs he ev,(jr dis- 
played keen discrimination and sagacity and his name, like that of his father, was 
ever an honored one, always above suspicion, his course at all times being such 
as would bear the closest investigation and scrutiny. In 1890 he was elected to 
the presidency of the Citizens Bank and thus continued to serve until 1898. He 
was also one of the chief promoters and seven original owners of the Planters 
Hotel. 

In 1876 John B. C. Lucas was united in marriage to Miss Mollie C. Morton, of 
Little Rock, Arkansas, and they became the parents of two daughters, Isabel and 
Francine. The mother passed away in Colorado and Mr. Lucas afterward married 
Isabel Lee Morton, a descendant of the Notrebe, a very prominent French family 
of Arkansas. There is but one child living of the first marriage, Isabel, who is now 
the wife of Frank K. Sawyer, of Alexandria, Indiana, and they have two children, 
Mary M. and Lucas. The children of the father's second marriage who still sur- 
vive are three in number: Mary L., the wife of John A. Hart, of 19 Portland place, 
St. Louis, by whom she has two children, Mary L. and John A., Jr.; Charles Lucas, 
living at home; and Morton J., who wedded Marion Cronk and has a daughter, 
Isabel Morton Lucas. Since her husband's death Mrs. Lucas has spent much time 
in travel but maintains a handsome home at No. 4495 West Pine boulevard. The 
religious faith of the family is that of the Catholic church and for a number of 
years Mr. Lucas was acting president of Calvary cemetery. Death called him 
on the 16th of September, 1908, and thus he passed on to join his father and 
another name was added to the list of Missouri's honored dead, for he had been 
a most progressive citizen and one whose life counted for good in the world's work. 



SAMUEL KOBER. 



Samuel Kober, vice president and secretary of the Harris-Kober Diamond Import- 
ing Company of St. Louis, was born August 28, 1877, in the city which is still his home, 
his parents being Louis and Minnie (Seelig) Kober. The father was a resident of 
St. Louis during the greater part of his life, having come to this city when a mere 
lad from Breslau, Germany, during an early emigration of people of his nationality 
to the new world and never did he have desire to return. He was engaged in the 
cigar business and for a number of years was with the F. R. Rice Cigar Company of 
St. Louis, remaining with that house for about two decades or up to the time of his 
demise. To him and his wife were born four children. 

Samuel Kober, the eldest of the family, was educated in the public schools of 
St. Louis and was graduated from the high school with the class of 1896. After his 
textbooks were put aside he made his first step in the business world in connection 
with dairying and won a reputation for furnishing good milk to his fellow townsmen. 
He was for several years with the well known Hopson Dairy Company, a business 
that was afterward taken over by the City Dairy Company. The Grafeman Dairy 
Company was also consolidated with the Hopson Dairy Company. Mr. Kober continued 
his connection with this business for about six years and then accepted an appoint- 
ment in the St. Louis post office as one of the distributing clerks. There he continued 
for five years, at the end of which time he formed a partnership with E. F. Maritz 
for the conduct of a wholesale jewelry business. This association was maintained for 
five years, in which period Mr. Kober learned all the practical phases of the jewelry 
trade. He has now been associated for ten years with L. K. Harris with whom he has 
been close friends since early childhood, under the firm style of the Harris-Kober 
Diamond Importing Company, of which he is the vice president and secretary. They 
handle unset diamonds and are the largest exclusive diamond dealers of the middle 
west. Their trade covers the entire west and middle west and they do an extensive 
business. They are most progressive merchants and one of Mr. Kober's unique 
methods of advertising is to employ what appears to be a playing card the reverse 



282 CEXTEXXIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

side of which shows the king of diamonds, the face of the "king," however, being 
that of Mr. Kober. He is continually putting forth original methods in behalf of the 
development of the trade and the house has enjoyed substantial success from the 
beginning. 

In St. Louis, in 1907, Mr. Kober was married to Miss Myra Arnold, a daughter 
of S. J. Arnold, one of the oldest residents of St. Louis, who was connected for a 
number of years with municipal affairs as tax collector and who became one of the 
best known men of the city. He arrived here from Reading, Pennsylvania, during the 
Civil war. He was a member of the federal army and participated in a number of 
battles before being wounded in the hotly contested engagement at Gettysburg. Mr. 
and Mrs. Kober reside at No. 57S9 Westminster place in St. Louis. He belongs to 
the Masonic order, St. Louis Lodge, No. 20, A. F. & A. M., and Missouri Chapter, No. 1, 
and his membership relations extend to both lodge and chapter. He is also connected 
with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, No. 9, of St. Louis. His interests 
are wide and varied but center in his business affairs, and progressiveness, determina- 
tion and thorough reliability have been the salient features in making the Harris- 
Kober Diamond Importing Company one of the leading concerns in this field in the 
entire country. 



REV. JOSEPH C. EI, S. M. 



Rev. Joseph C. Ei, S. M., president of the Chaminade College of St. Louis county, 
was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, November 19, 1875, a son of Casper Joseph and 
Josephine (Tittlebach) Ei, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania and were of 
German descent. The father was a stationary engineer and resided in Pittsburgh for 
many years, or to the time of his death. 

Rev. Mr. Ei was educated in St. Mary's College at Dayton, Ohio, where he pursued 
his high school course and his junior college studies. Subsequently he went to France 
and studied at the University of Besangon, while later he was a student in Paris, 
completing his studies at the University of Fribourg, in Fribourg, Switzerland. He 
was ordained to the priesthood on the 30th of July, 1905, and with his return to 
America became a teacher in St. Mary's University at Dayton, Ohio, there remaining 
for two years. Subsequently he was chaplain and teacher in the St. Louis College 
at San Antonio, Texas, where he remained for five years, and for four years was 
president of St. Mary's College at San Antonio, Texas. In 1916 he came to St. Louis 
county, Missouri, and was appointed to the presidency of Chaminade College and has 
since beeii at the head of this institution. 

Professor Ei is a member of the Society of Mary. Since his ordination to the 
priesthood he has devoted his life to educational work and is particularly capable and 
successful in this field. 



JOHN EDMOND BISHOP. 



John Edmond Bishop, who is engaged in the practice of law in St. Louis as a 
member of the firm of Bishop & Claiborne, was born in Rocheport, Boone county, 
Missouri, August 6, 1869, a son of David and Ann Eliza (Stice) Bishop. It was in the. 
year 1844 that the lather removed from Clark county, Kentucky, to Boone county, 
Missouri, where he successfully carried on farming, while subsequently he engaged 
in merchandising at California, aioniteau county, Missouri. He passed away in 
1908 at the ripe old age of eighty-four years, his birth having occurred in 1824. 
His widow is still living. 

John Edmond Bishop was educated In this state, completing a high school 
course at California, Missouri, with the class of 1889, after which he pursued his 
academic studies in the aiissouri State University. He became a law student at 
Yale and was there graduated in 1895 with the degree of LL. B. In the meantime 
Mr. Bishop had taken up the profession of teaching and was assistant superintendent 
of the public schools of California, Missouri, in 1892 and 1893 and also through 
the ensuing term. In September, 1895, he came to St. Louis and entered alone upon 




JOHN E. BISHOP 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 285 

the practice of law, thus continuing until January 1, 1901, when he formed a 
partnership with Thomas H. Cobbs under the firm style of Bishop & Cobbs. Today 
he is the senior partner of the firm of Bishop & Claiborne, which was organized 
in the fall of 1918. He has always concentrated his efforts and attention upon 
general civil practice save that he filled the oflice of city attorney at California, 
Missouri, from 1892 until 1894. His law practice is now extensive and important 
and he is also a director of a number of corporations. 

On the 11th of March, 1916, Mr. Bishop was married to Miss Maria Claiborne, of 
St. Louis, daughter of Judge James R. Claiborne, a prominent jurist and the 
present partner of her husband in the practice of law. 

Mr. Bishop is well known in club circles. He is the secretary of the St. Louis 
Club and a member of the Noonday, the Bellerive Country and the Sunset Hill 
Country Clubs. He is very prominent in Masonic circles, belonging to Tuscan 
Lodge No. 60, A. F. & A. M., of which he is a past master, while in the consistory 
he has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. He is likewise a mem- 
ber of the Mystic Shrine and in 1920 was elected potentate of Moolah Temple. He 
belongs to the Christian church and the active forces of his life have always been 
such as have made him a highly esteemed and valued resident of St. Louis. 



WILBUR TYSON TRUEBLOOD. 

Wilbur Tyson Trueblood, a St. Louis architect of high professional standing, 
was born January 4, 1874, in the city which is still his home. 

His father, E. T. Trueblood, was born in Indiana and is of English descent. 
For many years he served as statistician for the Kennard Carpet Company of St. 
Louis, Missouri, but is now living retired from business life. During the Civil war 
he served as a soldier of the Union army and is now a member of a Grand Army 
post, thus maintaining pleasant relations with his old military comrades. In days 
of peace he has been as true and loyal to the interests of his country as when he 
followed the nation's starry banner on the battle fields of the south. He wedded 
Mary Cooper, a daughter of William Cooper and a representative of one of the 
old American families. By this marriage there were born two sons and three 
daughters: Mary Ada; Stella; Elizabeth, the deceased wife of Charles W. Thatcher, 
president of the Thatcher-Kerwin Glass Company of St. Louis; Wilbur T., of this 
review; and Alva C, who is an attorney of the firm of Wilson & Trueblood, with 
offices in the Federal Reserve Bank building in St. Louis, and who married Leona 
Wahlert. 

Wilbur T. Trueblood was educated in the public schools and in the Manual 
Training School of St. Louis, being graduated from the latter in June, 1892. He 
then entered the office of Isaac S. Taylor, a well known architect, with whom he 
remained until 1896, during which time he was studying the various phases of the 
business and thus constantly promoting his skill and efficiency. In 1900 he at- 
tended Columbia University in New York for a year, making a special study of 
architecture. The years from 1901 to 1905 he spent in the offices of architects, 
McKim, Mead, and White, of New York, and Mauran, Russell & Garden and Wil- 
liam B. Ittner, of St. Louis. From 1905 until 1908 he engaged in the practice of 
his profession independently during which period, for two years, he acted as in- 
structor in architecture in Washington University of St. Louis. In 1908 he went 
abroad to study architecture, entering the atelier of M. Duquesne in Paris, France, 
a connection of the Ecole des Beaux Arts. During his stay in Europe, which 
covered a year, he traveled through Spain, England and Italy, studying the archi- 
tecture of these various countries in addition to his work in Paris. Upon his return 
to St. Louis he again became instructor in architecture in Washington University, 
continuing his educational work there from 1909 until 1911. In the latter year 
he resumed business on his own account and was thus engaged until 1915 when he 
formed a partnership with Theodore C. Link, a connection that has since been 
maintained under the firm name of Link & Trueblood. They engage in the gen- 
eral practice of architecture and have a large clientele. 

Mr. Trueblood has acquainted himself with the highest architectural standards 
and designs of Europe and in the practice of his profession has shown initiative 



286 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

and originality in meeting the demands of present-day life and business conditions. 
During the World war he had charge of construction work for the Red Cross in 
the Southwestern Division. 

On the 4th of November, 1913, in St. Louis, Mr. Trueblood was married to Miss 
Kate C. Lee, a daughter of James W. Lee, now deceased, who was chaplain of the 
Barnes Hospital and for a number of years minister of St. John's Methodist Epis- 
copal church. South, in St. Louis. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Trueblood 
has been born one son, Wilbur Tyson, Jr., who is with his parents in an attractive 
home at No. 5043 Washington avenue. 

Politically Mr. Trueblood is a republican and his religious faith is evidenced 
in his membership in the Second Baptist church at Kings Highway and Washington 
avenue. He has been president since 1918 of the Municipal Art Commission of 
St. Louis. He is a- member of the St. Louis Artists Guild and the American Insti- 
tute of Architects. From 1918 to 1921 he filled the position of secretary of the 
St. Louis Chapter in this latter organization. He has ever been active in promoting 
and maintaining the highest professional standards and has gained a place in the 
foremost rank of the architects of his native city. 

\ 



EDWIN S. PILLSBURY. 



Edwin S. Pillsbury, president of the Century Electric Company of St. Louis, was 
bom in Riley county, Kansas, January 12, 1867, his parents being Leonard H. and 
Evelyn S. (Sanborn) Pillsbury, both of whom were representatives of old and well 
known New England families. The ancestry of the Pillsbury family can be traced 
back to about 1638, when representatives of the name came from England to the new 
world. The Sanborn family is also of English lineage, Evelyn Sanborn being a daughter 
of Captain Frederick Sanborn. Leonard H. Pillsbury, the father, was born In New 
Hampshire and was educated at the Phillips Exeter Academy at Exeter, that state. 
He later went to Kansas with the earliest settlers and passed through the usual ex- 
periences and hardships of frontier life for several years. Realizing that there was 
limitless opportunity in the legal profession he determined to study law and returned 
to Exeter where he began preparation for the bar. It was in 1862 that he wedded 
Evelyn S. Sanborn, the marriage being celebrated on Saturday evening and on Sunday 
morning, a week later, Mr. Pillsbury participated in the battle of South Mountain. 
He had recruited a company, of which he became captain, his command being mustered 
in as Company A of the Ninth New Hampshire Volunteers. He also participated In 
the battles of Fredericksburg, Antietam and Vicksburg and after the latter campaign 
only nine men out of his original company of one hundred and twelve responded to 
the roll-call. After the close of the war Leonard H. Pillsbury returned to Riley 
county, Kansas, where he conducted a newspaper and was also engaged in surveying 
for several years. From there he removed to Memphis, Tennessee, where for about 
five years he was an oflScer in the United States court. He then returned to New 
Hampshire where he engaged in general merchandising at Derry in connection with 
his brother and has since been a resident of that place. An interesting fact of his 
long and honorable career is that thirty years ago he served in the state legislature 
and during the year 1920, at the ripe old age of eighty-five, his fellow citizens again 
called him to the same position and he is now a member of the general assembly of the 
old Granite state. His wife has passed away, survived by the following sons and 
daughter: Frederick S., Amljrose Burnside, Edwin S., William S., and Grace. 

At the age of seven years Edwin' S. Pillsbury was in Memphis, Tennessee, to 
which place his father had removed the family, there holding a position in the United 
States court. Soon afterward, however, Edwin S. Pillsbury went to New England 
where he attended the public schools and the Pinkerton Academy at Derry. New Hamp- 
shire, while later he became a student in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology 
at Boston. In 1894 Mr. Pillsbury came to St. Louis, having accepted a contract with 
the Emerson Electric Manufacturing Company to develop the single phase alteratlng 
current motor, which up to that time had not proven a success. It was Mr. Pillsbury's 
work that resulted in the production of the successful repulsion start, induction oper- 
ating, alternating current motor and in the manufacture of this type of motor today 
St. Louis leads the world. After the expiration of his contract with the above firm 




EDWIN S. PILLSBURY 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 289 

Mr. Plllsbury was for some time connected with the Wagner Electric Company of this 
city. 

In 1902 he Joined the H. E. Lindsey Electrical Supply Company, jobbers of electri- 
cal supplies, etc., and at once changed this company to a manufacturing concern. In 
1904 the name of the Century Electric Company was adopted and Mr. Pillsbury took 
control of the business, of which he was later elected president. The company is 
today capitalized for one million seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Under 
his guidance the business has made rapid, substantial and satisfactory progress and 
today the Century motors are in use all over the world, shipments being made to 
China, Japan, Australia, South America and in fact to every part of the world. The 
output has now reached large proportions and the business is one of the large produc- 
tive industries of St. Louis. The plant, which is located at Pine and Nineteenth 
Streets, extends through to Olive street. The company owns the property on both 
sides of Pine street from Eighteenth to Nineteenth, with the exception of the parcel 
on the northeast corner of Eighteenth street. The plant is modern in every respect 
and the company has just completed, at a cost of several hundred thousand dollars, 
a new seven-story building in the middle of the block on the south side of Pine street. 
This building is one hundred and eighty feet long and is the last word In factory 
construction. In these magnificent plants employment is given to over one thousand 
high grade mechanics and the most advanced standards are maintained in connection 
with the output. 

On the 17th of June, 1907, in St. Louis, Mr. Pillsbury was married to Miss Harriet 
Brown, a native of Missouri, who was born at fronton, and they have become the 
parents of three sons: Frederick S., Joyce and William. The religious faith of the 
family is Baptist and they are members of the Third Baptist church of St. Louis, in 
which Mr. Pillsbury is serving as a trustee. Mr. Pillsbury is president of the Missouri 
Baptist Sanitarium and is also a trustee of William Jewell College at Liberty, Missouri. 
In political views he is a republican. The family now occupies a fine country resi- 
dence, Ridgeview, on the McKnight road, near Clayton. His has been a most active, 
busy and useful life. His enterprise and industry have enabled him to overcome 
all difficulties and obstacles in his path and step by step he has advanced, at all times 
keeping in touch with the onward trend of the electrical business. Thoroughly in- 
formed concerning every phase of the work his progressive methods have taken on 
tangible form and not only has he profited individually from the conduct of the indus- 
trial plant which he has built up but has also contributed much to the prosperity and 
business growth of the city and state. 



J. D. PERRY FRANCIS. 



J. D. Perry Francis, associated with the brokerage firm of Francis Brother & 
Company of St. Louis, was born October 31, 1876, in Normandy, Missouri, and is 
a son of Governor and Mrs. David R. Francis, his father being at one time chief 
executive of the state and now ambassador to Russia. The son was educated in 
private schools and in Smith Academy of St. Louis, while later he went east to 
enter Yale and completed his university course with the class of 1897. Upon his 
return he became associated with the firm of Francis Brother & Company in the 
conduct of a banking and a brokerage business and has since been active in this 
field. He is thoroughly familiar with the value of all commercial paper and has 
developed a large clientage in handling brokerage interests. He is also a director 
in the Mississippi Valley Trust Company, in the Mortgage Trust Company, in the 
Scruggs, Vandervoort & Barney Dry Goods Company, in the Scullin Steel Company 
and numerous others of the more important corporations of St. Louis. 

On the 31st of January, 1900, Mr. Francis was married in St. Louis to Mis3 
Emelie De Mun Smith, daughter of Dr. E. F. and Isabelle (Chenie) Smith, both 
now deceased. She is also a sister of Dr. Elsworth Smith, one of the prominent 
citizens of St. Louis. Mr. and Mrs. Francis reside at No. 4510 Maryland avenue. 

Mr. Francis has always given his political allegiance to the democratic party. 
When America was engaged in war with Germany he took most active part in 
promoting the Liberty loan drives and was also registrar in his precinct. Mr. Fran- 
cis is well known in club circles, belonging to the Racquet, St. Louis, Log Cabin, 

Vol. V— 19 



2<tO CEXTEXXIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

St. Louis Country and Noonday Clubs and various other clubs and social organiza- 
tions. He finds his recreation in golf and outdoor sports. He belongs to one of 
the most distinguished families of Missouri and while he has never sought prom- 
inence in the political field he has demonstrated the strength of his character, his 
business adaptability and his progressive spirit in the conduct, of his business 
affairs and in his cooperation with interests of marked value and worth to the city 
at large. 



CHARLES CALVIN ZIEGLER. 

Charles Calvin Ziegler, secretary and treasurer of the American Brake Com- 
pany of St. Louis, was born in Rebersburg, Pennsylvania, June 19, 1854. his 
parents being Isaac and Catherine (Kern) Ziegler, representatives of the old fam- 
ilies of that state. Charles C. Ziegler was educated in the public schools of his 
native town and also attended the State University of Iowa and Harvard University 
from which he was graduated in 1884 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. In 
1885 he came to St. Louis and became identified with the American Brake Company 
in 1888. Later he was elected secretary and treasurer of this company and has 
since continued to fill the position. He has contributed much to the success and 
growth of the business, owing to his spirit of enterprise and determination. Thor- 
oughly acquainted with every phase of the business he is thus able to direct the 
labors of other? and has been active in building up an organization that produces 
most' substantial results. 

Mr. Ziegler was married in St. Louis to Miss Mary Katherine Conser, of Rebers- 
burg, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Henry G. and Mary Conser. They have become 
parents of twin daughters: Laura Alpha, who died at the age of ten, and Calla 
Alpha who resides with her parents. 

Mr. Ziegler has given some time to literary work and is the author of a booklet 
of poems written in the Pennsylvania German dialect entitled "Drauss Un Deheem" 
which has received favorable mention. He belongs to St. Mark's English Lutheran 
church and now holds the office of church treasurer. Fraternally he is a Mason, 
belonging to Forest Park Lodge. No. 578, A. F. & A. M.: Kilwinning Chapter, 
No. 50. R. A. M.. and Hiram Council. No. 1. His political endorsement is given 
to the democratic party but he does not feel himself bound by party lines. He 
has never sought nor desired office, preferring to concentrate his efforts and atten- 
tion upon his business affairs and as the years have passed he has been active in 
the upbuilding of one of the important productive industries of St. Louis. 



J. ED. BAIRD, M. D. 



Dr. J. Ed. Baird, who since 1911 has engaged in the practice of medicine in 
Excelsioi- Springs, was born in Ray county, Missouri, September 21, 1880, a son 
of Jesse and Rachel (Rowland) Baird, the former a native of Tennessee, while 
the latter was born in Missouri. The father came to this state about 1870 and 
was married in Ray county where he settled and turned his attention to farming. 
"He died in 1881 during the infancy of his son Dr. Baird. The mother, however, 
is still living on the farm where the Doctor was born. 

To the public school system of his native county J. Ed. Baird is indebted for 
the early educational advantages which he enjoyed. He afterward attended the 
Northwestern State Normal School of Oklahoma and was graduated therefrom 
with the class of 1903. He then entered the University Medical College at Kansas 
City and completed his course in 1908, winning the M. D. degree. He at once 
began practice in Oklahoma, where he remained from 1908 until 1911, when he 
came to Excelsior Springs where he has since followed his profession most success- 
fully. His ability is acknowledged by all who have been his patients and it is well 
known that at all times he keeps in touch with the trend of modern professional 
thought and progress, his study, research and investigation proving strong ele- 
ments in his growing ability. 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 291 

On the 3d of September, 1908, Dr. Baird was married in Oklahoma, to Miss 
Garnett M. Kendall, a native ot Iowa whose father is a minister of the Methodist 
Episcopal church. To Dr. and Mrs. Baird have been born three children: Jack, Bill 
and Mary Garnett. 

Dr. Baird is fond of a game of golf and is seen upon the links when professional 
duties permit. His political support is given to the democratic party and fra- 
ternally he is connected with the Masons as a member of the lodge, chapter, com- 
mandery and Mystic Shrine. He served two terms as president ot the Excelsior 
Springs Commercial Club. During the World war he took a very active part in 
upholding the interests ot the government and was captain of the Medical Corps 
attached to General Hospital. No. 14. and is captain in the Medical Reserve Corps, 
United States army. He is always keenly interested in the welfare and progress 
of his city and state where his ancestors have lived for many decades. His grand- 
father removed to Ray county, Missouri, in 1818, becoming one of the pioneers 
and was active in all matters pertaining to shaping the early history of the state. 
His name is associated with many stories that have to do with the hardships and 
trials which the first settlers experienced and with the work of progress and im- 
provement as the years have gone on. The same spirit of devotion to community 
and commonwealth was shown by his father and is manifest in the life of Dr. Baird. 
He' is a most progressive citizen and this quality is manifest most strongly in his 
professional duties. He is a man of broad sympathy and kindly purpose and these 
have been contributing elements to the success which he has won in medical and 
surgical practice. 



CARL G. RATH.MANN. 

Carl G. Rathmann, assistant superintendent of the public schools of St. Louis 
through appointment of the board of education and previously long connected with 
the schools of the city as teacher and principal, was born May 27, 1853, in Plensburg, 
Germany, and is a son of H. N. and Johanna (Lippelt) Rathmann, the former a native 
of Tondern, Germany, while the latter was born in Brunswick, Germany. The father 
came to America in 1S70, making his way direct to St. Louis where he resided until 
his death in 1880. when he was fifty-four years of age. He was a shoemaker by trade. 
His wife died in 1871 at the age of forty-five years. In the family were five sons and 
two daughters, ot whom only two are living. 

Carl G. Rathmann pursued his early education in the schools of Germany, attend- 
ing the gymnasium, and after accompanying his parents to the new world in 1870 
he continued his studies in the Missouri State University. Starting out in life inde- 
pendently he took up the profession of teaching which he followed in his home city. 
He came direct to St. Louis in 1871 and later removed to St. Charles county where 
he remained for a year. The succeeding year was spent at the State University In 
completing his studies, after which he returned to St. Charles county where he again 
engaged in teaching for three years. He later returned to St. Louis where he taught 
German in the public schools for four years and later was made assistant director 
of the Toensfeldt Institute, in which position he continued for a decade. On the expira- 
tion of that period he opened a boarding and residence school for boys in Kansas 
City which he conducted for six years, or until 1898, when he returned to St. Louis 
and became principal of the Gratiot school, with which he was connected for a short 
time. He was then promoted to the Jackson school and later was principal of the 
Fremont and the Garfield school. In 1903 he was advanced to the position of assistant 
superintendent which office he has since filled, his educational work thus continuing 
over a period of forty-nine years. 

Professor Rathmann was married in St. Louis, August 18, 1879, to Miss Anna 
Crecelius, a native of Mehlville, Missouri, and a daughter of Philip and Anna (Crecelius) 
Crecelius, who were representatives of one of the oldest and best known families of 
St. Louis county, Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Rathmann have one son. Walter Lincoln. 

Politically Mr. Rathmann is a republican and keeps well informed on the vital 
questions and issues of the day. He has done much important public work and is 
now chairman of the board ot Children's Guardians, having charge of delinquent, 
dependent and neglected children in the city. He was appointed to this position in 1912 



292 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

and for the past four years has been chairman of the board. His fraternal relations 
are with the Royal Arcanum and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He also 
belongs to the City Club and to the Liederkranz of St. Louis and he is a member of 
the National Education Association, the Missouri State Teachers' Association, the 
St. Louis Society of Pedagogy, and the St. Louis Schoolmasters' Club, manifesting the 
keenest interest in all those forces which relate to the development and improvement 
of the public school system of the country. 



CLAUD D. HALL. 



Few representatives of the St. Louis bar have enjoyed so wide and well merited 
a reputation as has Claud D. Hall, an eminent attorney who achieved notable suc- 
cess as prosecutor in the famous case of B. G. Lewis, who had been the promoter 
of almost untold corporations and business interests that were of a chimerical 
character, existing more upon paper than in any substantial form. As a lawyer 
Mr. Hall has always displayed keen powers of analysis and notable insight into 
the purposes and plans of men. His preparation of a case has always been full 
and comprehensive, his application of legal principles exact and his deductions 
clear and logical. By reason of these qualities he has won notable success in his 
chosen profession. 

Mr. Hall was born in Areola, Douglas county, Illinois, December 6, 1873, and 
is a son of John Isom Hall, a native of southern Indiana, whose people came from 
Virginia and were of Welsh descent. The father was reared, educated and married 
in the Hoosier state. It was on the 4th of February, 1868, that he wedded 
Carrie Bond, a native of Lawrence county, Indiana, and soon thereafter they 
removed to Douglas county, Illinois, where they have since resided, occupying one 
farm throughout this period. The father is a very enterprising and progressive 
agriculturist and is one of the leading and prominent citizens of that part of the 
state. To him and his wife have been born eight children, four sons and four 
daughters. The parents celebrated their golden wedding on the 4th of February, 
1918. The parents of Mrs. Hall came from Ireland. The founder of the Bond 
family in the new world settled here in an early day, and Mrs. Hall is a descendant 
of Nathaniel Greene of Revolutionary war fame. 

Mr. Hall pursued his early education in the public schools of Areola, Illinois, 
and afterward attended De Pauw University, at Greencastle, Indiana, from which 
he was graduated in 1896 with the Bachelor of Philosophy degree. His high 
standing was indicated in the fact that he was chosen to deliver the class oration 
of that year. He prepared for a professional career in the St. Louis Law School, 
a department of Washington University, from which he was graduated with the 
LL. B. degree in 1898. On the 27th of June in that year he was admitted to the 
bar and has since continued successfully in the general practice of law. He is a 
member of the St. Louis Bar Association, the Missouri Bar Association, and the 
American Bar Association. His early life to the age of seventeen years was spent 
upon the home farm and his career illustrates the fact that when the city boy 
crosses swords with the country lad in the struggle to secure ascendancy the odds 
are against him, for the early rising, the necessity to make each blow tell on the 
farm, and the demands to meet the existing conditions all develop in the country 
bred boy qualities which make for advancement when he enters upon any line of 
business. While still a college student Mr. Hall acted as newspaper correspondent 
during vacation periods and gained much by this experience and thus added to his 
funds. He closely applies himself to the mastery of every problem presented 
for solution and in the preparation of his cases is prepared not only for attack 
but also for defense. He has been connected with some of the most important 
litigation heard in the courts sitting in St. Louis as well as the state and federal 
appellate courts. Perhaps the most notable law case with which C. D. Hall has 
been connected, was that which concerned E. G. Lewis, the publisher and organizer 
of scores of corporations which took the money of thousands of investors and 
stockholders from throughout the country, and yet some of these corporations never 
had a directors' meeting. 

The Post-Dispatch of St. Louis said: "This lengthy bill of complaint recites 




CLAUD D. HALL 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 295 

a marvelous story. It it recites the truth, or if a small per cent of the recitals 
are the truth then we have for consideration one of the most gigantic frauds that 
has ever been perpetrated in many a day" — in such terms did Judge Dyer and 
McPherson ot the United States circuit court order the enormous Lewis enterprises 
placed under a blanket receivership. 

Another Journal said: "The 'lengthy bill of complaint' referred to, consisting 
of several hundred typewritten pages of allegations, was prepared and presented by 
Claud D. Hall. In his presentation of the case, lasting more than an hour and a 
half, Mr. Hall recited the principal facts of the various and diverse Lewis schemes, 
and cited authority after authority, for his position without reference to any notes 
or memoranda ot any kind. His speech Is said to have been one ot the most 
convincing and most eloquent arguments ever presented in any court at St. Louis. 
"The largest ot the Lewis enterprises affected by the receivership order, were the 
University Heights Realty & Development Company, capitalized at one million dol- 
lars; the Lewis Publishing Company, three and one half million dollars; the United 
States Fiber Stopper Company, one million dollars; the People's Savings Trust 
Company, four hundred thousand dolars; and the Development & Investment Com- 
pa'ny, one hundred thousand dollars. 

"These concerns as revealed in the decision of the court were all figments of 
the brain of E. G. Lewis, not yet forty years of age. Mr. Lewis has proved himself 
one ot the greatest of frenzied financiers of the United States. He was the prototype 
of 'Get-Rich-Quick-Wallingtord.' When it came to gathering money, multiplying 
it, making it do double duty, etc., Lewis was a financial genius ot the first water. But 
he became involved; he waded in too far. Some of his stockholders suspected 
loose practices and called for a show-down, and it was then that Lewis' house of 
cards tumbled about his head. The story ot his career, which cannot be given here 
in full reads like a romance, a fanciful fairy tale from the inventive brain of some 
great imaginative writer. 

"Sixteen years ago Lewis found himself in a southern city stranded. With 
only twenty-five cents in his pocket, he faced the prospect of starvation unless 
something turned up at once. He had heard that oil of wintergreen was repugnant 
to bugs. Why not make of it a bug powder or a hug chalk? No sooner thought 
than done. He invested his quarter in oil of wintergreen and chalk, which he 
mixed with water and molded into sticks. Going to a nearby drug store, he an- 
nounced that he had discovered the first and only infallible bug chalk. He agreed 
in the presence ot a number ot the store's patrons, to prove the merits of his 
discovery. The druggist produced and set loose on the floor a roach. Lewis drew 
out a stick of his bug chalk and marked a wide circle on the floor around the roach. 
The insect ran around the floor until it came to the wintergreen-scented chalk 
mark, when it stopped, refused to cross that line and turned the other way. Lewis 
sold three dollars worth ot his chalk to those who witnessed the performance, stocked 
the druggist with it, bought more raw material and in one afternoon found himself 
launched on a long and varied career ot frenzied finance. 

"Among the many companies that he promoted or was interested in are these: 
Bus Chalk Company; Anti-Skeet Company, making tablets to kill mosquitoes; 
Anti-Fly Company; another anti-skeet company; Cathartic Medicine Company; 
World's Fair Contest Company; Mail Dealers' Protective Association, for collecting 
delinquent mail order accounts; Corroco Company, to take over all Tennessee 
preparations; Corona Compana, a St. Louis concern tor making bug poisons; Dr. 
Hott's Cold Crackers, guaranteed to 'crack a cold in an hour'; Diamond Candy 
Company; Hygienic Remedy Company; Walk-Easy Company, a foot powder con- 
cern; Anti-Cavity Company, toothache medicine; Progressive Watch Company, to sell 
watches by the endless chain scheme; Mail Order Publishing Company; National 
Installment Company; Coin Controller Company; Woman's Farm Journal Company; 
Woman's Magazine; Allen Steam Trap Company; University City Heights Realty 
& Development Company; Richarz Press Room Company; Controller Company of 
America; California Vineyards Company; Lewis Publishing Company; Fibre Stop- 
per Company; Peoples United States Bank; International Language Schools; 
Art Pottery Company; Woman's National Daily; the St. Louis Subway Scheme; 
and the Woman's National League. 

"The judicial opinion states the case in part as follows; 'Commencing approxi- 
mately ten years ago, the defendant Edward G. Lewis, utterly insolvent, has 



296 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

handled hundreds of thousands of dollars of money, and millions upon millions 
of dollars of paper in the form of notes, bonds, debentures, trusts deeds and 
securities. If the recitals of this bill are to be believed, and they are not as yet 
controverted, the South Sea Bubble, of which Washington Irving so beautifully 
wrote, has been well nigh equaled, if not eclipsed by the schemes during the last 
decade of the defendant, Edward G. Lewis. If this story is worthy of credence, the 
Panama stock and bond scandal of France of fifteen years ago, has been equaled 
if not surpassed. One corporation would be organized, accompanied by the most 
flaming and glittering bulletins, dodgers, circular letters and advertisements, 
informing the people how they could get rich over night and make money in 
fabulous sums by the investment of their meagre savings. One corporation would 
progress some time, but for a few months, and in no instance for longer than two or 
three years, when something better would be announced, investors advised to have 
evidence of indebtedness surrendered and changed in form and another corporation 
would be organized. Magazines were brought into being and sold to subscribers 
at a nominal rate, resulting in thousands of tons of such literature being carried 
through the United States mails in the city and country of St. Louis free of 
transportation charges and sent to all parts of the United States for a cent a pound. 
The ostensible purpose of these magazines and papers was for the purpose of pub- 
lishing literature of the highest order, but in truth and in fact for the advertising 
of the schemes of the enterprises of the defendant, Lewis. At the commencement 
of his career Lewis was not worth a dollar. He has collected hundreds of thousands 
of dollars, a part of which was for his own use and benefit, and many times that 
sum for the investment in buildings, machinery, real estate and the building of 
additions to the city of St. Louis. One of his schemes was for the creation of a 
college or university, partly to be devoted to oral teaching, but largely to teaching 
by mail. Stock was subscribed by persons from all over the country. Some stock 
would be issued but additional and more promises made for the issue of stock at some 
future day. By the time the stock was to be issued a new scheme would be devised 
and stock or bonds in many corporations promised. Some of these corporations 
were organized under the laws of the state of Missouri and were organized in utter 
defiance of the laws and constitution of the state. Other corporations were or- 
ganized under the laws of the state of South Dakota, the purpose thereby being to 
circumvent the laws of the state of Missouri. The place of business was to be at 
or adjoining the city of St. Louis, in the state of Missouri. 

"Boards of directors would be elected, or rather named on paper, and In some 
instances boards of directors of some of the defendant corporations have never 
held a meeting, and yet records were made up as if said corporations had been 
legally organized and the business carried on by and through regular meetings 
of the boards of directors and other oflicers. 

"People to the number of tens of .thousands, and these tens of thousands 
multiplied many times, subscribed for stock and bonds and other securities of some 
of these defendant corporations. The complainants If the allegations of the bill 
are true, parted with their money and have never received a farthing in return, 
either principal or interest. No one promise made to them has been observed. 

"The organization of these many corporations has been for the purpose of creat- 
ing an endless chain, to the end that the people who parted with their money could 
not tell where the chain commenced and where it would end. The bill recites in fact 
that how much indebtedness anyone of these defendant corporations owes, cannot 
be ascertained within a reasonable time. Accountants were employed and after 
expending much time, had to cease their work for lack of money to pay them. Dur- 
ing the oral argument each of us asked many questions, trying to elicit what the 
indebtedness of any one corporation amounts to, and what the assets of such cor- 
porations aggregate. All of such questions resulted in acquiring no information 
of a tangible or substantial character. 

" 'One of the defendants, a bank, has a certificate of deposit of eighty thousand 
dollars which has just matured and it is now claimed that a court of equity should 
construe that certificate into a mere receipt for some bills receivable, and that there 
is by reason thereof no money demand. One corporation swallows the assets of an- 
other corporation, and in turn the assets of that corporation are swallowed by still 
another. The truth is, if this bill is to be believed, there is no valid corporation 
and has been none. Every one of the defendant corporations has been organized 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 297 

as a mere sham and pretense — nothing in the world but a cloak to cover the purposes 
o£ the defendant, Edward G. Lewis. The matters of course have not yet been in- 
vestigated. To properly state an account between the so called defendants would 
require the work of accountants and a mastery in chancery for a considerable period 
of time.' 

"The bill goes on to discuss the purely legal aspects of the case and terminates 
by appointing a receiver and a master in chancery to conduct an inquiry into the 
accounts and assets of the concerns. 

"The decision was a great victory for C. D. Hall, who discovered and presented 
the facts and filed the proceedings that threw every dollar and every foot of the 
property of the corporations into the hands of the receiver for distribution to the 
thousands of creditors, of whom two hundred and thirty-three had engaged Hall 
to protect their interests. Hall was pitted for months in the Lewis case, against the 
leading lights of the Missouri bar. He has come off successful at every turn and 
has won a national reputation, having been on several occasions referred to on the 
floor of the United States senate." 

Mr. Hall was married at Mount Vernon, Iowa, to Miss Jessie S. Sherwood, 
from whom he secured a legal separation. On the 20th of April, 1910, in St. Louis, 
he married Mrs. Laura C. Gays, a native of this city and a daughter of Samuel 
Newton and Henrietta (Scobee) Cash, and a direct descendant through the maternal 
line of Daniel Boone. 

In politics Mr. Hall has always been a stalwart democrat and has been a very 
active and earnest supporter of the party. He belongs to Pride of the West Lodge, 
No. 128, A. F. & A. M., and has also taken the Royal Arch degrees of Masonry 
and is a Knight Templar and Shriner. He is a member of the City Club and of 
the Mercantile Club of St. Louis, and he belongs to the Hamilton Avenue Christian 
church. His is a notable career as a successful man, not only self-made but self- 
educated, for he worked his way through Washington University. The elemental 
strength of his character which he thus displayed has constituted the basis of his 
substantial advancement. He early recognized the eternal principle that industry 
wins, and industry became the beacon light of his life. It is said no man at the 
bar in St. Louis has greater liking or greater capacity for hard work than Mr. Hall. 
He recognized that success dances as a will-o'-the-wisp before the dreamer, slips away 
from the sluggard, but yields its fruits to the man of determined and resolute pur- 
pose. All through his life Mr. Hall has done with thoroughness what his hand 
has found to do and in his professional career he has made devotion to the interests 
of his clients one of his strongest characteristics, yet he never forgets that he owes 
a still higher allegiance to the majesty of the law. 



WALTER WAYNE SMITH. 



Walter Wayne Smith, clergyman and educator, who since 1916 has been president 
of the Independent Institute of Arts and Sciences at Independence, Missouri, was born 
at Somerset, Pulaski county, Kentucky, September 21, 1878, his parents being Martin 
Beatty and Melissa A. (Stephens) Smith. The father died in 1889 and in 1891 the 
mother removed with her children to Johnson county, Missouri, where Walter W. 
Smith was employed at farming until the outbreak of the Spanish-American war, 
when he enlisted as a private of Company L, Fourth Missouri Volunteer Infantry, serv- 
ing throughout the period of hostilities. During a part of this time he held a com- 
mission as Y. M. C. A. secretary with his regiment, under the Army Christian Com- 
mission. 

Following his release from military service Mr. Smith removed to Kansas City, 
Missouri, and was appointed to the active ministry of the reorganized church of 
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by the general conference of 1900. He filled appoint- 
ments in Kansas City and in Northern Missouri until April, 1904, when he was chosen 
pastor of the First Saints' church of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, there remaining until 
1916 when he removed to Independence, Missouri, to become the pastor of the First 
Saints' church of this place and also president of the Independence Stake Conference. 
This position he held until April, 1920, when he relinquished it to become the head 



298 CliXTEXXIAL IIISTOKV OF MISSOURI 

of the historical department of the church also occupying the position of church his- 
torian and editor of the Journal of History. This position he still fills. 

Mr. Smith received his early education in the public schools of Pulaski county, 
Kentucky, and .Johnson county, Missouri, and during his pastorate in Philadelphia 
he devoted much time to study and research, receiving the Ph. B. degree from Potomac 
College in 1913 while in the same year he received his Divinity degree. He was 
graduated from the Teachers' College at Temple University in 1916 and has been 
honored with the M. A. degree by the divinity school. In connection with his min- 
isterial work he has found time to teach almost continuously. In 1916 associated with 
others he founded the Independence Institute of Arts and Sciences and was chosen 
president, which position he now fills. He is also a lecturer at Graceland College at 
Lamoni, Iowa, and is a member of the standing high council of the church. He is 
also the author of a Normal Teacher training textbook and the nature and breadth 
of his interests is further indicated in the fact that he is a member of the Archaeological 
Institute of America; the National Geographic Society; the State Historical Society 
of Missouri; the Boy Scout Council of Independence and he also served as editor of 
Zion's Ensign the missionary newspaper of the church from 1916 until 1919. 

On the 2,5th of December. 1901, Mr. Smith was m-irried to Miss Maggie Eunice 
Winn, a daughter of David F. and Elizabeth J. (Howe) Winn of Kansas City, Missouri. 
Mr. and Mrs. Smith are the parents of three sons: Robert Wayne, born in Kansas 
City, June 6. 1903; Dudley Winn, born in Philadelphia December 24, 1905; and Ronald 
Martin, born in Philadelphia, September 23, 1909. Mrs. Smith is also active in the 
educational field, having received her training in the public schools of Kansas City 
and at Hatton College at Higbee, Missouri, while later she was graduated from the 
Teachers' College in the kindergarten training department of Temple University in 
1913. She received an A. B. degree from Milton University in 1916 r.nd is now engaged 
in teaching, being registrar of the Independence Institute of Arts and Sciences of which 
she was one oT the founders and director of the department of normal kindergarten- 
primary training. She is also the author of Sunday School lessons, beginners grade, 
tor her denomination. She belongs to the I, K. U., the Kindergarten Club of Kansas 
City, the Laurel Club, the Mother's Club and the Musical Clubs of Independence. 



ALFRED BYRON KING, D. 0. 

Missouri is the home of osteopathic pi-actice. The original school for instruction 
in this science was located within the borders of the state and many of the most 
successful practitioners have found their opportunity in the cities of this, common- 
wealth. Among this number is Dr. Alfred Bryon King, a most capable osteopathic 
practitioner of St. Louis. He was born July 4, 1S62, at Kittanning. Pennsylvania, and 
is descended from English ancestry, the family having been founded in America in 
the early part of the seventeenth century, the great-great-grandfather of Dr. King 
settling near Philadelphia when he arrived in the new world from England. Several 
generations of the family remained in Pennsylvania and in 1870 the parents of Dr. 
King removed to Iowa, where he attended the high school at College Springs. He 
later became a student in Amity College from which he was graduated with the 
Bachelor of Science degree in 1883. He initiated his business career as a clerk in 
a retail dry goods store in Rapid City, South Dakota, and after three years thus spent 
went to Sturgis, South Dakota. In 1887 he removed to Omaha, Nebraska, and occupied 
a clerical position with the McCord-Brady Company, wholesale grocers, with whom he 
continued until he turned from commercial pursuits to take up the study of osteopathy. 

Dr. King was planning at that time to become a medical practitioner and he di- 
rected his reading toward that end, but on account of some difficulty with his eyes 
during his senior year at college he was warned not to attempt a medical course until 
later. For this reason he entered the commercial field wherein he continued until his 
health tailed, and being benefited by osteopathic treatments determined to enter upon 
the study of osteopathy and matriculated in Still College at Des Moines, Iowa, winning 
his degree upon the completion of his course there in 1901. He has since successfully 
practiced in St. Louis and is a member of the National Osteopathic Association and 
the St. Louis Osteopathic Association and has served as a director of the latter, while 
of the Missouri State Osteopathic Association he is the vice president. He is also a 




DR. ALFRED B. KING 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 301 

charter member of the Optimist Club, of which he is the treasurer, and in 1920 was a 
member of the house of delegates of the American Osteopathic Association. He is a 
member of the Iota Tau Sigma fraternity and his social qualities make him popular 
wherever he is known. He belongs to the First United Presbyterian church and while 
his attention is chiefly given to his professional duties which he discharges with a 
sense of conscientious obligation, he never neglects the other interests of life that 
go to make a well balanced character. During the war period he served in the pub- 
licity department. 

On the 13th of October, 1892, at Dorchester, Nebraska, Dr. King was married to 
Miss Lora Maud Kepler and they have one child, Louise King, who was married May 
25, 1917, to Robert E. Zipp Prodt. Mr. and Mrs. Zipp Prodt have a son, Robert King, 
whose birth occurred November 13, 1918. Dr. King finds his chief sources, of recrea- 
tion in golf, fishing and motoring and enjoys an enviable position in social as well as 
professional circles of his adopted city. 



FRANK H. SOSEY. 



Frank H. Sosey, United States appraiser at St. Louis, was born in Palmyra, Marion 
county, Missouri, February 14, 1864, and is a son of the late Jacob and Annie (Hanley) 
Sosey. The father was a native of Virginia and was descended from an old family of 
French Hugeunot origin that was founded in America prior to the Revolutionary war. 
Jacob Sosey came to Missouri in 1839, settling in Marion county. He established a 
newspaper called the Palmyra Spectator which was the second journal published at 
Palmyra. It was originally a supporter of the whig party but afterward became a 
-democratic organ. Mr. Sosey continued as a newspaper publisher until his death which 
occurred in 1888 when he had reached the advanced age of eighty years. At the 
time of his death he was the oldest newspaper publisher in the state, while the paper 
which he established is today the oldest in Missouri since the St. Louis Republic has 
gone out of business. Jacob Sosey had learned the printing trade in Staunton, Vir- 
ginia, in young manhood, serving an apprenticeship with a Mr. Harper and later he 
became half owner of the paper which was known as The Spectator. The "Palymra 
Spectator" which was established by him, is still in possession of the family and 
since the father's death has been conducted by his sons, Frank H. and John M. Sosey. 
From that time forward he was continuously connected with the printing business and 
occupied a prominent position as a representative of the journalistic fraternity of Mis- 
souri. He was very active in politics and in civic matters but never sought nor filled 
public office. He had two sons, August and Harper Sosey, who were half-brothers of Frank 
H. Sosey and who served with the Confederate army during the Civil war. He married 
Annie Hanley, a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Francis A. 
Hanley who came from Ireland when a youth of nineteen years. Mrs. Sosey was 
reared and educated in Philadelphia and in 1836 her father came to Missouri, settling 
in Palmyra where a few years later he was joined by his daughter, Mrs. Sosey, who 
had remained in the east in order to complete her education. It was in Palmyra that 
Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Sosey were married and they became the parents of three children: 
Hallie, still a resident of Palmyra; Frank H., of this review; and John M. The wife 
and mother passed away in 1880 at the age of forty-five years, while Mr. Sosey sur- 
vived until 1888. 

In the acquirement of his education Frank H. Sosey attended Palmyra Seminary 
and St. Paul's College at Palmyra, Missouri, from which he was' graduated in 1885, 
being then twenty years of age. He afterward entered his father's newspaper office 
and learned the printer's trade. Upon the death of his father he became editor of 
the paper and has since continued its publication, still remaining as editor, writing 
his editorials from his St. Louis office, while the younger brother looks after the 
business management and mechanical end of the publication. Prank H. Sosey was 
reared in the democratic faith and has never seen occasion to change his views upon 
political questions and party policy. He has been a very active worker in party 
ranks and for fifteen years served as secretary of the democratic central committee 
of Palmyra. He was elected to the state legislature, serving during the forty-third 
general assembly, and such was his record that he was reelected to the forty-fourth, 
forty-fifth and forty-sixth assemblies. In his work in the legislature he was ever 



302 CEXTEXXIAI. HISTORY OF :*IISSOURI 

guided by a higli sense of devotion to his country and an eager desire to aid in advanc- 
ing the welfare and progress of the commonwealth. He introduced a constitutional 
amendment that was adopted by the people and which was the means of building the 
present good roads of Missouri, thus taking the necessary initial legislative step for 
the good roads movement in the state. During the forty-fifth general assembly Mr. 
Sosey was instrumental in securing an appropriation of ten thousand dollars to build 
a monument in memory of Mark Twain at Hannibal. Missouri, the monument being 
there erected and dedicated with appropriate ceremonies, much to the pride and pleasure 
of the citizens ot the town where the most celebrated American humorist once lived. 
In 1914 Mr. Sosey was appointed by President Wilson to his present position as United 
States appraiser and in this capacity has since served most acceptably, his duty being 
the appraising of merchandise brought to St. Louis from foreign ports. 

Mr. Sosey is also well known in literary circles through his authorship of a volume 
tntitled "Robert Devoy." a tale of the Palmyra massacre. This is a true story of how 
ten Confederate prisoners were taken from the Palmyra military prison to the fair 
grounds, were seated on their own coffins and then shot by order of General John 
McNeil, commanding the Federal forces of northern Missouri. The deed was in retalia- 
tion for the abduction of a Union man by Confederate soldiers, this man having made 
himself obnoxious to southern sympathizers. The event treated of in the story is 
considered the most tragic incident in the Civil war. The book was published in 1904 
and had a very large sale in all parts of the United States and in foreign countries, 
three editions having been brought out. 

In April, 1892, Mr. Sosey was married in Palmyra, Missouri, to Miss Sally Hawkins, 
a native of Hannibal, Missouri, and a daughter of Judge Thomas W. Hawkins, a 
well known and prominent lawyer and jurist of Hannibal, and of Belle (Newland) 
Hawkins. Both parents were natives of Kentucky and in early life came to Missouri. 
Mr. and Mrs. Sosey became the parents of a son, Donald H., who was born February 20, 
189.3. and who married Virginia Ellison, their home being at Palmyra. They have a 
daughter, .Martha, who was born February 19, 1*920. Donald Sosey served for one 
year during the World war as a member of the navy. Mrs. Sally (Hawkins) Sosey died 
at .Palmyra, December 13, 1906. when but thirty-seven years of age. her birth having 
occurred August 3, 1S69. 

Mr. Sosey is well known in Masonic circles, belonging to Palmyra Lodge, No. IS, 
A. F. & A. M., of which he is a past master, and to St. Louis Consistory. S. P. R. S., 
iiaving thus attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. He is also connected 
with the Royal Arch Chapter of Palmyra and he belongs to the Elks Lodge. No. 166. 
of Hannibal, Missouri. He likewise has membership in the Optimists and City Clubs 
of St. Louis and he belongs to the Jlethodist Episcopal church. South, at Palmyra. 
His entire life has been passed in this state where he has a very wide acquaintance 
by reason of his important connection with journalistic and legislative interests and 
other affairs of public concern. 



WILLIAM WURDACK. 



William Wurdack, a man ot broad intelligence, of industry, and always faithful 
in the performance of every duty, has become w^ell known in the business circles 
of St. Louis as president of the William Wurdack Electric Manufacturing Company. 
He was born in New York City September 3, 1858, a son of Ignatius and May 
Wurdack who were married in the eastern metropolis and who came to this country 
from Germany when quite young, settling in New York. The father was a land- 
scape gardener and followed that profession in connection with the improvement of 
public parks and large estates. He came to St. Louis about 1872 to take up work 
in connection with Forest Park and otherwise was associated with the development 
of the park system of .tliis city. 

William Wurdack was educated in the public schools ot St. Louis, attending 
the day sessions also the high school and the night school, pursuing a course in 
mechanical engineering in the latter. He started upon his business career with 
the Heisler Electrical Company about 18 7 3 and remained in that house for seven- 
teen years, or until 1890. He afterwards engaged in business on his own account 
for a few years and then organized the Inter-State Electric Company, conducting 




WILLIAM WURDACK 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 305 

a general electrical construction business until 1897. From that date until 1904 
he operated under his own name, after which he incorporated his interests under 
the firm name of the William Wurdack Electric Manufacturing Company which 
he has since controlled and of which he is president. I'he company specializes in 
devices for electric distribution and control doing a business throughout the 
territory served by St. Louis. During the period of the World war their entire 
plant was devoted to supplying electrical devices to the government. 

In January, 1890, Mr. Wurdack was married in St. Louis to Miss Louise Steber 
of this city and their children are: William F., Arthur H., Walter I., Blanche, 
and Pauline. The last named of the sons served during the war in the air service 
and was at Camp Mills for four months. The older sons did service during the 
war in connection with the operation of the plant in furnishing supplies for the 
government. All three sons are now with their father in the electrical business 
as designers and electrical engineers. 

Politically Mr. Wurdack is a republican and gives loyal support to the party. 
He is most progressive in his interests and aside from devoting his factory to war 
work he was very active in promoting the Red Cross and Liberty Loan drives in 
order to finance the army and promote the work growing out of war conditions. 
He is a great lover of music and his daughter Pauline possesses much musical 
talent. In the line of his profession he is connected with the Jovian Order and 
also with the Association of Electrical Manufacturers. He belongs to the Chamber 
of Commerce, to the St. Louis Automobile Club and to the St. Louis Electrical 
Board of Trade. He is a man of very pleasing personality, his manner being 
that of unfeigned cordiality, and he makes every one feel at ease in his presence. 



FIDELIO C. SHARP. 



Fidelio C. Sharp, attorney at law of St. Louis, in which city he was born January 
5, 1S75, is a son of Fidelio C. and Blanch M. Sharp, the latter bearing the maiden name 
of Blanch Maude. She represented one of the old families of St. Louis whose history 
is closely interwoven with the annals of the city. Fidelio C. Sharp, Sr., was reared 
on a farm near Frankfort, Kentucky, and later moved to_ Lexington, Missouri, and 
came to St. Louis in 1859. Before his removal here, he 'studied law in Lexington 
under Judge H. C. Wallace, a very prominent and well known attorney, and when 
he removed to St. Louis he entered upon the practice of his profession in connection 
with Col. James 0. Broadhead under the firm style of Sharp & Broadhead, attorneys 
at law. This association was maintained until the death of the senior partner in 
1875. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Sharp there were five children of whom three 
are living: Daisy S. who is the widow of Alex. Niedringhaus, who was well known 
in St. Louis; Birdie, the wife of William Hackney, a stock and bond broker of Chicago; 
and Fidelio C. 

The last named, the youngest of the family, was but three years of age when 
his father died. He was educated in the public schools of St. Louis and in Washing- 
ton University and the University of Virginia. He was graduated from the latter 
institution with the degree of LL. D. with the class of '94. He entered at once upon 
the practice of law in St. Louis and has remained at the bar occupying well appointed 
oflfices in connection with Judge Seddon and other prominent attorneys of the city 
in the Central National Bank building. Mr. Sharp has made continuous progress in 
his profession and has already gained for himself a most creditable place in a calling 
where advancement depends entirely upon individual merit and ability. He is very 
careful and painstaking in the preparation of his cases and his reasoning is always 
clear and cogent, while his deductions are sound and logical. 

On the 2Sth of January, 1894, Mr. Sharp was married to Miss Ollie Niedringhaus, 
a daughter of F. G. Niedringhaus, former congressman of St. Louis and a represen- 
tative of a prominent family of the city. Mr. and Mrs. Sharp occupy an attractive 
home in the quiet residence district of Clayton, St. Louis county, where they have 
all the advantages and conveniences of suburban life as well as the opportunities of 
the city. Mr. Sharp is a native son of St. Louis and has witnessed much of the growth 
and development of the city and that his life has been well spent has been indicated 
in the fact that many of his stanchest friends are those who have known him from 

Vol. V— 2 



306 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

his boyhood at the present time. Politically he has always been liberal in his opinions, 
voting independent of party ties. In religious faith he is a Methodist and is now 
serving as one of the trustees of the Methodist Episcopal church of Clayton. In 
Masonry he has advanced to the Knights Templar degree in the York Rite and is a 
member of the Mystic Shrine, while along professional lines his connection is with the 
St. Louis and Missouri State Bar Associations. He enjoys the good will and confidence 
of the general public, and the high respect of his professional brethren by reason 
of his close conformity to the highest ethical standards of law practice. 



REV. CHARLES L. SOUVAY, C. M. 

Rev. Charles L. Souvay, vice president of the Kenrick Seminary ; 
Groves and professor of Holy Scripture and Oriental languages, was born in Saulxures 
sur Moselotte, Department Vosges, Prance, December 15, 1870. He acquired his early 
education in the public schools of his native country and attended the Christian Brothers 
School prior to 18S4, when he entered Petit Seriiinaire de St. Nicolas due Chardonnet 
in Paris in which he pursued a classical course, spending six years as a student in 
that institution. From 1890 until 1893 he attended the Seminary of St. Sulpice at 
I«sy, Paris, where he pursued his theological studies and from 1893 until 1S96 he was 
at the Mother House of the Congregation of the Mission in Paris, having joined the 
congregation in 1893. On the 30th of May. 1S96, he was ordained to the priesthood In 
Paris and later pursued post-graduate work in philosophy and theology at St. Thomas 
College in Rome where he remained a student from 1896 until 1898. In the latter 
year the degrees of Doctor of Philosophy and Doctor of Divinity were conferred upon 
him. He taught Hebrew, scripture and church history in the theological seminary 
of St. Flour in France from 1898 until 1903. 

It was in the latter year that Mr. Souvay came to the United States and through 
the intervening years has been connected with Kenrick Seminary in St. Louis. -In 1911 
and 1912, however, he was in Rome where he took before the Pontifical Biblical Com- 
mission the degree of Doctor in Sacred Scriptures. Since 1916 he has been vice presi- 
dent of Kenrick Seminary and has contributed much to the development of the institu- 
tion. He is also a member of the Missouri Historical Society, of the St. Louis Catholic 
Historical Society, and editor of the St. Louis Catholic Historical Review. 



CRAIG M.\cQUAID. 



Craig MacQuaid, president of the United States Bank of St. Louis, whose progres- 
sive spirit is tempered by a safe conservatism that has won confidence and support 
for the institution of which he is the head, was born in Illinois, July 21, 1S70, a son 
of James P. and Mintia (Craig) MacQuaid, natives of Pennsylvania and Kentucky, 
respectively. The father, who was a representative of one of the old families of the 
Keystone state, devoted his life to the occupation of farming and became a prominent 
agriculturist and man of affairs in Fulton county, Illinois, where he passed away in 
1911, while his wife is still living. 

Liberal educational opportunities were accorded Craig MacQuaid who supple- 
mented his early training by study in Knox College at Galesburg, Illinois, from which 
he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1893. Early in his business 
career he was associated with ex-Governor David R. Francis in financial activities 
for a period of ten years. He then entered the United States Bank as vice president 
and in October. 1919, was elected to the office of president. This substantial financial 
institution occupies beautiful quarters in the Missouri Athletic Association building at 
the corner of Washington and Fourth streets and is capitalized for a million dollars 
while its surplus amounts to seven hundred thousand dollars. The bank is a member 
of the federal reserve system. The personnel of the directors insures a safe and 
conservative policy that does not, however, restrain that progressiveness which is so 
necessary an asset in the business life of the present day. 

In 1911 Mr. MacQuaid was married to Miss Ada Glenn and they have one son. 
Craig, Jr., now five years of age. The religious faith of the parents is that of the 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 307 

Episcopal church. Mr. MacQuaid belongs to the St. Louis Club and is a very promi- 
nent and well known Mason. He is a member of Tuscan Lodge, A. F. & A. M.; a 
past high priest of Rabboni Chapter, R. A. M.; a past commander of Ascalon Com- 
mandery. K. T.. and a past potentate of Moolah Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is 
likewise a past wise master of St. Louis Chapter of Rose Croix, Scottish Rite Masonry, 
and in 1913 in recognition of his efficient service in behalf of this order the honorary 
thirty-third degree was conferred upon him. He stands very high in financial circles 
and is recognized as a man of the soundest judgment and of notably keen sagacity. 
Since his college days he has been connected with financial interests and has made 
steady progress, each forward step bringing him a broader outlook and wider oppor- 
tunities which he has utilized for the benefit of business conditions in general as 
well as for the promotion of his individual success. His personal qualities, too, make 
for popularity among those who know him. 



LESLIE DANA. 



Leslie Dana, president of the Charter Oak Stove & Range Company of St. Louis, 
in which city he was born April 16, 1873, is a son of George Davis and Virginia (Lord) 
Dana, both of whom were natives of Cincinnati, Ohio. In the acquirement of his 
education Leslie Dana attended Smith Academy of St. Louis and afterward the Massa- 
chusetts Institute of Technology. He started upon his business career with the Ex- 
celsior Manufacturing Company, thoroughly learning the business and when the firm 
went out of existence he assisted his father in forming and promoting the Charter 
Oak Stove & Range Company in 1895. Later he became president of this company 
and still remains the executive ofl^cer. The business has steadily grown and developed 
until it is now one of the extensive and important productive interests of St. Louis. 
Mr. Dana is also a director of the Ludlow-Saylor Wire Company and a director of the 
La Fayette Mutual Building Association. 

At Kirkwood, Missouri, in 1901, Mr. Dana was married to Miss Judith B. Brown, a 
daughter of B. Gratz Brown, of Kirkwood, and they have become parents of three 
children: Judith Virginia, George Davis (III), and Mary Leslie. Mr. Dana finds his 
recreation in golf, fishing, hunting, tennis and horseback riding. In fact he greatly 
enjoys all manly outdoor sports. His political endorsement is given to the republican 
party and he is well known in fraternal and club circles. He belongs to the Chi Phi, 
a college fraternity, to the St. Louis Country Club, the Racquet Club, the Noonday 
Club, the Wianna Club, the Ochtowan Club of Canada, the Cuivre Island Club, the 
Marais Tempe Claire Club of Missouri and is also a member of several societies for 
the extension of knowledge and scientific research. He belongs to the Academy of 
Science and is one of the executive committee of the St. Louis branch of the Archaeo- 
logical Institute. He is also vice president of the St. Louis Numismatic Society and 
a member of the board of directors of the Zoo Society and the Natural History Museum 
of St. Louis. He also belongs to the National Society for the Promotion of Science 
and is a fellow of the American Geological Society. He has membership with the Porto 
Rican Association. Battery A, and belongs to the Contemporary and Classical Clubs. 
His interests are thus broad and varied, and while a successful, resourceful and efficient 
business man he is at the same time one whose labors and reading have covered a 
wide field, keeping him at all times in touch with the world's work and progress. 



EMIL H. DONI*. 



Emil H. Donk, manager of sales for the firm of S. A. Weisenborn & Son, coal 
operators, with offices in the Boatman's Bank building in St. Louis, was born in this 
city, February 11, 1875. His father Emil W. Donk, who passed away in 1891, was 
born in Germany, and came to America when twelve years of age. He was one of 
the founders of the Donk Brothers Coal Company of St. Louis which has now been 
in existence for fifty-nine years. The mother, who bore the maiden name of Erika' 
Mohr. was a representative of an old American family. 

Emil H. Donk, the only child of this marriage, was educated in the public schools 



308 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

of St. Louis, in the Smith Academy and in the Manual Training school from which 
he was graduated with the class ot 1S91. He afterward studied architecture for two 
years and then worked for a year for Albert Swasey. On the expiration of that period 
he entered the employ of Donk Brothers, coal and coke company, being at the time a 
young man of twenty years. He occupied a clerical position and remained with the 
firm for a quarter of a century rising to the position of credit manager. He left that 
concern on the 31st of March, 1919, to become connected with S. A. Weisenborn & Son, 
coal operators, in the position of sales manager, in which capacity he has since capably 
and successfully served. His previous long experience with the Donk Company well 
qualifies him for the onerous duties which he took upon himself in this connection. 

Mr. Donk was united in marriage to Miss Nellie Bennett, a daughter of August 
and Martha (Lynn) Bennett, both now deceased. This marriage, which was celebrated 
in St. Louis January 25, 1S98, has been blessed with one son and one daughter: Earl A., 
who married Loretta Keegan and is living in St. Louis; and Dorothy Marjorie. 

During the World war period Mr. Donk not only subscribed liberally to all Liberty 
loans but was active in promoting the sale of government bonds and he was ready 
to go to the front in the service of his country when the armistice was signed. His 
political allegiance is given to the republican party and his religious faith is manifest 
in his membership in the Third Baptist church. He belongs to the City Club, the 
Coal Club, the Railway Club and to the St. Louis Association of Credit. He is likewise 
a member of the Traveler's Protective Association of America and is serving as one of 
its directors. Along still more strictly social lines he is connected with the Missouri 
Athletic Association. He has a very wide acquaintance in this city, in which he has 
spent his entire life and the sterling worth of his character is recognized by all with 
whom he has come in contact through business or social connections. 



WILLIAM BUTTS ITTNER. 



William Butts Ittner, formerly architect for the Board of Education of St. Louis, 
enjoys an international reputation as a designer of school buildings. He was born 
September 4, 1864, in St. Louis, and is a son of Anthony and Mary Isabella Ittner. 
Anthony Ittner, his father, was horn October 8, 1837, in Lebanon, Ohio, his parents 
being John and Mary Ittner. John Ittner, born in Bavaria, Germany, came to America 
in 1832 and in 1833 became a resident of Cincinnati where he took out his first 
naturalization papers when William Henry Harrison was clerk of the court of 
common pleas of Hamilton county, Ohio, and who afterwards became President of 
the United States. He was married in Cincinnati, his wife being born on St. George, 
one of the Azores islands, in 1818. Her parents, however, were natives of Baden, 
Germany. Prom the Azores they sailed for America and became residents of Dayton. 
Ohio. John Ittner, following his marriage, removed to Lebanon, Ohio, and in 1844 
became a resident of St. Louis, where he lived until 1853 and then went to St. Paul, 
Minnesota, where he died a tew months later, survived by his wife and eight chil- 
dren, who returned to St. Louis. 

Anthony Ittner began earning his own living when a lad of nine years and 
after starting in business for himself at the age of twenty-one, he attended night 
school for three months and a commercial school for about the same length of 
time, thus gaining an acquaintance with arithmetic and bookkeeping. While his 
educational opportunities were very limited he learned many valuable lessons in 
the school of experience, rubbing shoulder to shoulder with his fellowmen. For 
three years in his boyhood he was employed in the Glasgow lead factory and after- 
ward secured employment in the brickyard of John Snyder. Later he entered upon 
a three-year apprenticeship at the bricklayer's trade and afterward worked as a 
journeyman for two years, while later he was made a foreman by Robert Davis. 
In February, 1859, on attaining his majority, he entered into partnership with his 
brother, Conrad S. Ittner, in the bricklaying and later in the brick manufacturing 
business. After 1888 he concentrated his attention entirely upon the manufacture 
ot brick and the growth of his business made it necessary for him constantly to 
enlarge his facilities until he had become the owner of two extensive plants at 
Swansea, Illinois. He was a member ot the Builders Exchange of St. Louis from 
its organization; was president for three terms and for one term was president of 




A\TIIMX\ ITTXER 




WILLIAM B. ITTNER 



CENTENNIAL I.ISTORY OF MISSOURI 313 

the National Association of Builders and also of the National Brick Manufacturers' 
Association, which he joined on its organization, being the seventh president of 
each body at one and the same time. 

Anthony Ittner was a member of the Missouri Militia during the period of the 
Civil war and a stanch advocate of the Union cause. He became a stalwart republican 
and an influential factor in the local councils of the party, serving at one time as 
chairmanof the republican city central committee. For two years, 1867 and 1868, 
he served in the city council and introduced a resolution for the appointment of 
a committee of five to investigate the character of material and workmanship used 
in the construction of streets and sewers. The resolution being adopted Mr. Ittner 
was made chairman of the committee and after an investigation of five months, a 
unanimous report was brought in condemning both workmanship and materials. 
While the city council did not adopt the report, time has proven its correctness and 
the reforms thus recommended have since been adopted by the board of public im- 
provements. In the fall of 1868 Mr. Ittner became a member of the general 
assembly and in 1870 of the state senate, to which he was reelected in 1874 and 
1876. Later he was nominated and elected to the forty-fifth Congress, where he 
made a most creditable record by his support of many bills looking to the welfare 
of the nation. 

In 1862 Anthony Ittner wedded Mary Isabella Butts and they became the 
parents of eight children, four sons and four daughters. Mr. and Mrs. Ittner held 
membership with the Church of the Unity of the Unitarian faith and were most 
active workers in its support. Mr. Ittner was also a member of the Board of Directors 
of the Missouri Historical Society and one of the promoters of the movement for the 
Louisiana Purchase Exposition. In 1863 he became an Odd Fellow and several times 
represented his lodge in the Grand Lodge. He also had a membership with the 
Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Royal Arcanum, was chairman of the com- 
mittee on industrial education for the National Association of Manufacturers and 
chairman of a similar committee of the National Brick Manufacturers Association. 
He also served on the board of managers of the National Society for the Promotion 
of Industrial Education and his life work was ever broad in its scope and far-reaching 
and beneficial in its results. 

William Butts Ittner attended the public schools of St. Louis and the manual 
training school of Washington University and afterward entered Cornell University 
at Ithaca, N. Y., where he was graduated as a special student with the class of 1887. 
He then took up the profession of architecture with the firm of Fames & Young in 
1888, continuing there for a year and then establishing an office of his own. In 
1897 he was elected commissioner of school buildings of St. Louis, and continued to 
serve in that capacity until March, 1910, when he was elected architect for the 
board of education, which position he filled until 1916. He has designed all the 
public school buildings of the city of St. Louis within this time, including the 
McKinley, the F. Louis Soldan, James E. Yeatman, Sumner and Grover Cleveland 
high schools and the Harris Teachers College. His school architecture has brought 
him into national recognition and he has to his credit similar buildings in Indiana, 
Tennessee, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Ohio, Colorado, Pennsylvania, Texas, Illinois, 
North and South Dakota, New York, and in the national capital he was architect 
of the Central high school, costing one million two hundred fifty thousand dollars. 
He is at this time consulting architect for a ten million dollar school building 
program at Buffalo, New York, as well as consulting architect on a large school 
building program at Niagara Falls, New York, and at Birmingham, Alabama. He 
recently completed a large school building program at Jacksonville, Florida, and is 
also engaged on other extensive school building work in the south. 

His work has brought him a fitting testimonial from his profession in a medal 
presented to him for marked and meritorious achievement in the design and con- 
struction of school buildings by the St. Louis chapter of the American Institute 
of Architects, of which he is a Fellow and of which he was president in 1895-6. 
He was also president of the St. Louis Architectural Club in 1897-8 and president 
of the Architectural League of Amer ca in 190^-4. At the present time he is a 
member of the board of directors of the American Institute of Architects. 

In St. Louis in 1888, Mr. Ittner was married to Miss Lottie Crane Allan of St. 
Louis, and they have three children, Gladys Blanche, Helen May and William B., Jr. 
In his political views, Mr. Ittner is a republican where national questions and 



314 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

issues are involved but casts an independent local ballot. Hs is a member of the 
Chamber of Commerce and is keenly interested in all that has to do with the welfare 
and progress of the city and the maintenance of high civic standards. He belongs to 
the St. Louis Club, the University Club, the Glen Echo Club and the Missouri Athletic 
Association. He has a membership with the St. Louis Lodge No. 5. I. O. O. F., and 
with the Masonic fraternity, in which he has taken all of the Scottish Rite degrees, 
while the honorary thirty-third degree has been conferred upon him. He is also 
a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. He has membership with the Church of the Unity, of 
which he is a trustee. During the war he was retained as school expert by the 
United States Housing Bureau of the Department of Labor, to make surveys of 
munition centers of the country to determine their school needs. Mr. Ittner is at all 
times keenly interested in those forces which make for progress and improvement 
while his aid and influence are always given on the side of justice, truth and right. 



CHARLES ERD. 



Charles Erd, engaged in the practice of law in St. Louis, was born at Waterloo, 
Illinois, February 18, 1870. His father, William Erd, a native of Germany, was 
born in 1826 and following the death of his parents in 1838 came to the United 
States, a youth of twelve years, to live with relatives on a farm near Waterloo. 
When twenty-five years of age he was elected clerk of the circuit court of Monroe 
county, Illinois, and occupied that position for twenty years, retiring to become 
county judge, a position which he filleci for another twenty years or until he retired 
from the bench because of physical disability. For thirty years he was the closest 
personal and political friend of the late William R. Morrison who represented that 
district in congress for a quarter of a century and who often besought Mr. Erd to 
become his law partner. The latter was a stanch democrat in politics and such 
was his popularity and recognized ability that he was only once opposed by an- 
other candidate when he was up for reelection. He was supported by all parties 
by common consent as the result of his high character, recognized ability and 
unfaltering devotion to duty. He wedded Mary Wesley, a daughter of John Wes- 
ley, who for many years was a well known captain on Mississippi river steamers. 
He was born at Wauseon, Ohio, and was descended from Sir Thomas Featherstone- 
Haugh, who while a page in the British parliament ran away, sailed for America 
and became a resident of Baltimore, Maryland, while this country was still num- 
bered among the colonial possessions of Great Britain. He married the daughter 
of a near-by farmer and reared a large family, some of whom settled in Pennsyl- 
vania while others went to Ohio. One of his ancestors was prime minister of 
England. It is from this family that Mrs. Mary Erd was descended. The death 
of William Erd occurred November 27, 1896, and his wife, surviving for a few 
years, passed away December 27, 1900. 

Charles Erd attended the public schools of Waterloo, Illinois, and was grad- 
uated from the high school in 1883. He then entered the St. Louis University but 
later was appointed a cadet at the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis 
through the influence of Colonel Morrison. After a year there spent he resigned 
and pursued a special course preparatory to entering upon the study of law at the 
Wyman institute, conducted by Edward Wyman. He then matriculated in the 
St. Louis Law School and won his LL. B. degree in 1889, in which year he was 
admitted to the bar. He next entered the office of Taylor & Pollard as general 
law clerk, continuing with that firm until its dissolution, after which he remained 
in the law office of one of the partners, Seneca N. Taylor, by whom he was admitted 
to a partnership on the 1st of June, 1893, under the firm style of Taylor & Erd. 
A son of Mr. Taylor afterward joined the firm under the name of Taylor, Erd & 
Taylor. Mr. Erd remained a partner until 1902, since which time he has prac- 
ticed alone save for the period when he suffered the loss of eyesight as the result 
of an accidental gunshot wound sustained in March, 1905. Later he resumed 
the active work of his profession and is now engaged in general law practice yet 
specializes in banking and corporation law and in these connections has an exten- 
sive and important clientage. He was general counsel for the Fourth National 
Bank until it was absorbed by the Bank of Commerce, was counsel for the Bankers 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 315 

World's Fair National Bank during the Louisiana Purchase Exposition and of the 
Central National Bank under the presidency of the late Hamilton A. Forman. He 
was also counsel for the St. Louis, Alton & Terre Haute Railroad, known as the 
Cairo Short Line, 

In 1909, while temporarily in Waterloo, Illinois, Mr. Erd organized the Waterloo 
Commercial Club of which he became president and he was the inspiration in the 
successful move to connect Waterloo with St. Louis by trolley. He started and 
conducted the necessary condemnation proceedings and brought them to a speedy 
and favorable termination. This movement resulted in building the road which is 
now in operation. The Commercial Club of Waterloo, largely through the efforts 
of Mr. Erd, has brought about the building of a new railroad station in Waterloo 
and many improvements in the city of a most substantial and valuable character. 

On the 10th of September, 1910, Mr. Erd married Lilly Steele, of St. Louis, 
daughter of Thomas Eyre and Mary Steele. Her father was born in Dublin, Ire- 
land, and came to St. Louis with his bride in young manhood. Many members of 
the Steele family have displayed marked literary talent and several of the name 
are mentioned on the pages of the Encyclopedia Britannica as authors. Mr. Erd 
and his wife are communicants of St. Rita's Catholic church of St. Louis county 
and in politics he is a firm democrat, having always given stanch allegiance to the 
party, while at all times he has upheld every interest and measure which he has 
deemed of benefit and value to the community at large, political and otherwise. 



IRWIN L. PAGE. 



Irwin L. Page, editor of the Star-News-Register of Bonne Terre, Missouri, 
where he resides, was born in Olivet, Michigan, December 17, 1873, on the farm 
of his father. He is the son of Denoice C. Page, who lives in Severance, Colorado. 
The latter is a retired farmer and a former soldier in the Civil war, having been 
wounded by a southern bullet. He is a native of New York state and came with his 
parents to Michigan. The first recorded member of the Page family came from 
Wales and was the grandfather of Denoice Page. The mother of Irwin L. Page 
is Elizabeth (Shoupe) Page, now living in Colorado. She was born in Michigan, 
the daughter of Simeon Shoupe, a native of Canada. 

Irwin L. Page attended the public schools of Friend, Nebraska, until he was 
seventeen years of age, when he finished the course there. He had learned the 
printing trade while in school at Friend, working in an office after school hours 
and on Saturdays, and during the summer vacations, both at Friend and at Lin- 
coln, Nebraska. After several years he was promoted to the position of foreman 
of the office at Friend and he left school to accept it. He was foreman of several 
plants in Nebraska and in 1896 he went to Hanover, Kansas, as foreman of the 
Democrat office. He remained in this position until March, 1898. when he pur- 
chased the Bonne Terre Star and removed to Bonne Terre. In 1910 the Star was 
acquired by a corporation of which Mr. Page became and continues to be president 
and general manager. In 1918 the opposition paper, the News-Register, died and 
the Star accepted their business rights, the News-Register plant being sold under 
mortgage and moved away. The paper is a" weekly publication, occupies a splendid 
office and has the most up-to-date equipment of any newspaper office in Missouri 
of its size. It is entirely equipped with electricity and some of the presses are fed 
automatically. Mr. Page has encountered many difficulties in his work but they 
have only served as an impetus to his further effort and perseverance. For sev- 
eral years he had trouble with certain lead company officials over matters which 
were abated when the lead company was reorganized. In 1914 a number of busi- 
ness men organized the Quick Payment Old Line Lite Insurance Company, of which 
Mr. Page became and continues to be secretary and one of the largest stock- 
holders. This company has its home office in St. Louis and has nearly five million 
dollars of insurance in force and had a premium income of nearly two hundred 
thousand dollars in 1920. ■ Mr. Page is also secretary of the American Silica Sand 
& Mining Company at Festus. 

Mr. Page was married November 25, 1897, to Miss Hilda Marquard, a daughter 
of Henry Marquard, of Hanover, Kansas, a retired millwright and implement 



316 CENTEXXIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

dealer. He was a native of Alsace, Lorraine, and came to the United States when 
he was a young man, settling in Wisconsin and later removing to Hanover, Kansas, 
in a covered wagon in the '70s. He departed this life in 1898. To Mr. and 
Mrs. Page have been born three children. Eola Gladys Page is an honor graduate 
of Bonne Terre high school and a graduate of the State Teachers College at War- 
rensburg, Missouri, specializing in home economics. She took post-graduate work 
at the Columbia University Teachers College in New York city. Before grad- 
uating from Warrensburg she was elected supervisor of the home economics depart- 
ment of the Bonne Terre high school, where she taught that subject for two years. 
She is now supervisor of household economics in the high school of Klein, Mon- 
tana, lone Johanna Page, a graduate of the Bonne Terre high school, is now 
taking an art course in Greeley, Colorado. Clark Marquard Page, who has been 
brought up and educated to the printing business, is a graduate of the Mergen- 
thaler factory Linotype School of Chicago. While he was a sophomore in the 
Bonne Terre high school in 19 20, ill health compelled him to go to Greeley, Colo- 
rado, where he is now a high school student. 

Mr. Page gives his political endorsement to the democratic party, and while 
he has never been a candidate for office, he has always manifested a keen interest 
in the activities of the party which he supports. He was a delegate to the dem- 
ocratic national convention of 1900, which was held in Kansas City, and eight 
years later went as a delegate to the convention in Denver. He was one of the 
original Bryan men and is still a warm friend and an ardent supporter of that dis- 
tinguished democratic leader. Mr. Page is a member of the Bonne Terre Metho- 
dist Episcopal church and a member of the board of stewards. He is also assist- 
ant superintendent of the Sunday school. Fraternally he has membership with 
the Modern Woodmen of America, belonging to Bonne Terre Lodge No. 39 36; with 
Mineral Lodge, No. 96, Knights of Pythias, of Bonne Terre; with Samaritan Lodge, 
No. 424, A. F. & A. M., of Bonne Terre; Uel Chapter, No. 129, R. A. M., of Bonne 
Terre, of which he is a past high priest; De Soto Commandery, K. T.; and Mis- 
souri Consistory, No. 1, of St. Louis, having attained the thirty-second degree of 
the Scottish Rite. He is also a member of the Eastern Star and has held the posi- 
tion of patron several times. Mrs. Page is also active socially and is a member of 
the Order of the Eastern Star, as are both of her daughters. Mrs. Page is past 
matron of the Lily Chapter of Hanover, Kansas, and also of the Vincil Chapter of 
Bonne Terre. She was district deputy in Kansas and Hilda Chapter in Marysville, 
Kansas, was named in her honor. Mrs. Page is a lover of good literature and is 
one of the founders of the Home Culture Club of Bonne Terre. She has been a 
delegate to the state conventions of the Missouri Federation of Women's Clubs 
and is greatly interested in the activities of the Eastern Star. The city of Bonne 
Terre is indeed fortunate in counting the Page family among its residents. Mr. 
Page is known as a voracious student and reader and his fund of information is 
broad and varied, so that he is especially well equipped for his work in the "art 
preservative of all arts." He has much originality in thought and diction and has 
made his paper one of the brightest in this section of the state. 



WALTER JOSEPH KNIGHT. 

Walter Joseph Knight, a consulting engineer of St. Louis, was born in Evergreen, 
Alabama, July 14, 1882. The paternal grandparents were also natives of that state. 
The Knight family comes of English ancestry. The grandfather met death by drowning 
in the Alabama River while a passenger on a boat which was wrecked and from which 
there were no survivors. James V. Knight, the father, who is also a native of Alabama, is 
still living in that state. During the most of his life he has devoted his attention to 
general merchandising as a wholesale dealer. He was but sixteen years of age when 
he enlisted for service in the Confederate army. He fought with the southern forces 
for four years and was under the direct command of General Lee when the latter sur- 
rendered at Appomattox Court House on the 9th of April. During the latter part of 
his service he was a scout and was twice wounded in action. He married Mary T. 
Brantley, a daughter of Brigadier General W. F. Brantley of the Confederate army who 




WALTER J. KNIGHT 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 319 

was a distinguished lawyer of Macon, Mississippi and was subsequently assassinated 
during the performance of professional duty. 

Walter Joseph Knight acquired his early education in the Mobile high school and 
was a member of the class of 1899. He then entered the Alabama Polytechnic Institute, 
Auburn, Alabama, and was graduated in 1903 with the degree of Bachelor of Science 
in civil engineering. He next entered the Eastman Business College at Poughkeepsie, 
New York, where he pursued a general commercial course, specializing In banking. 
After leaving the business college he was employed by the Midland Valley Railroad 
Company and assisted in the preliminary and location surveys of its lines from Fort 
Worth, Arkansas, to Wichita, Kansas. He was compelled to leave this service through 
illness brought on by exposure while in the line of his duty. He then went to Wash- 
ingtom. D. C, where he was associated with the bridge department of the District of 
Columbia, his work there consisting chiefly in the designing of concrete arches and 
steel trusses and also embraced general engineering work pertaining to the design 
and construction of many bridges. In the latter part of 190S he left the national capital 
and removed to St. Louis where he became chief engineer for the Gilsonite Construc- 
tion Company, a corporation engaged exclusively in the construction of reinforced con- 
crete structures. He remained with that company until August, 1913, when he organized 
a corporation known as the Bergendahl-Knight Company with offices at both St. Louis 
and Chicago, Mr. Knight dividing his time between the two cities. 

In August, 1915, he organized the corporation known as W. J. Knight and Com- 
pany, consulting engineers, of which he is the president and owner. This company 
lias spacious offices in the Wainwright building and employs a corps of efficient engi- 
neers and^ draftsmen. Their specialty is reinforced concrete and structural steel con- 
struction. They have been the designers of many of the most important structures in 
St. Louis and the southwest. Among other buildings for which they have acted in the 
capacity of consulting and designing engineers, are the Friedman-Shelby Shoe Com- 
pany, St. John's Hospital, Barry-Wehmiller Maftiinery Company, St. Vincent's Orphan 
Asylum, Milliken Chemical Company Plant, International Fur Exchange. Blackwell- 
Wielandy Book and Stationery Company, Mercantile building for D. R. Francis, Esq., 
and the Bevo Bottling plant which was erected at a cost of four million dollars. Still 
other structures designed by them are the Hotel Adolphus. the Harris-Lipsitz Furni- 
ture Warehouse, the Majestic Theatre and the Dallas County State Bank at Dallas, 
Texas, the Methodist Hospital at Memphis, Tennessee, the Crystal Palace at Galveston, 
Texas, the Norfolk Ice and Cold Storage Company at Norfolk, Virginia, and the Mer- 
chants lee and Cold Storage Company at Richmond, Virginia. Thus they have been 
called to various sections of the country in the execution of important contracts and 
as a consulting engineer Mr. Knight is most widely known. 

On the 2Sth of October. 1914, Mr. Knight was married to Miss Anita Gaebler of 
St. Louis, a daughter of Dr. A. N. Gaebler, who was born in this city where his father 
settled on arriving from Saxony. Dr. Gaebler's mother was a Miss Maxwell and was 
born in Virginia. Two children have added life and light to the Knight household: 
James Gaebler, born in 1915; and Ahden Brantley born in 1917. Mr. Knight is a mem- 
ber of the Baptist church, the faith in which he was reared. He never takes active 
part in politics and casts an independent ballot, regarding the capability of the candi- 
date rather than his political affiliation. He finds his principal recreation in fishing, 
golf, and motoring. Mr. Knight has contributed many articles on design and con- 
struction to different engineering publications and recently collaborated with Hool and 
Johnson as associate editor in the publication of two volumes known as the "Hand- 
book of Building Construction." He is a member of the University Club of St. Louis, 
the Glen Echo Country Club and the Chamber of Commerce and along professional 
lines he is a member of the St. Louis Engineers Club, the Chicago Engineers Club and 
the American Society of Civil Engineers. 



CHARLES AUSTIN MURDOCK. 

Charles Austin Murdock, deceased, was during an active life one of the distinguished, 
prominent and honored residents of Kansas City, connected in many ways with the 
public life of the community. He was born at Rupert, Vermont, on the 14th of Novem- 
ber, 1844, and his life record covered the intervening years to the 13th of February, 



320 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

1919. In his boyhood days he became a resident of Wisconsin, where he attended the 
public schools. He afterward engaged in the coffee business in Milwaukee, that state, 
becoming a member of the firm of Jewett & Sherman Manufacturing Company. In 
1878 he arrived in Kansas City where he engaged in the coffee business, organizing 
the C. A. Murdock Manufacturing Company in 1S81. This company was formed to 
deal in coffee, spices, flavoring extracts and condiments with Mr. Charles Austin Mur- 
dock as president, covering the states of Missouri. Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana, 
Nebraska, Iowa, Arizona and New Mexico, and his enterprise and progressiveness, his 
sound business judgment, thoroughness and reliability constituted an important adjunct 
to the growth and success of the business. He was also a director of the Fidelity Trust 
Company, a director of the Fidelity Savings Trust Company, one of the organizers of 
the Kansas City Missouri River Navigation Company and one of the organizers and 
directors of the Union Avenue State Bank. In fact he figured very prominently in 
connection with the financial circles of Kansas City and was honored and respected 
by all who knew him, n(*t only by reason of the success which he achieved but also 
owing to the straightforward and progressive business policies which he ever followed. 
He became one of the organizers of the Priests of Pallas and was one of the leaders 
in the building of Convention Hall. Obstacles and difficulties in his path seemed to 
serve but as an impetus for renewed effort upon his part and in his vocabulary there 
was no such word as fail. Determination and diligence carried him steadily forward 
and his sound judgment recognized the value and the opportunity of every business 
situation. 

On the 9th of January, 1889, Mr. Murdock was married to Miss Nellie Kby, a 
daughter of Upton Eby, treasurer of the Riley, Eby, Wilson Company, wholesale grocers. 
To Mr. and Jlrs. Murdock were born the following named: Katherine, who married 
Stanton Cole Sherman, of Kansas City; Charles Austin, Jr., who married Miss Helen 
Cunningham, of Kansas City, and they have a son, Charles Austin, Jr., III.; Joseph M. 
Murdock, not married; Frederick JucHon, who married Edith Ferguson, a daughter 
of Henry Ferguson and they have one daughter, Jean Ferguson. 

Mr. Murdock was a republican in' politics and a stanch supporter and warm admirer 
of Theodore Roosevelt. He belonged to the Kansas City Club, and was an active member 
of the Chamber of Commerce, cooperating in all of its definite plans and projects 
for the city's upbuilding and advancement. He was a man of broad vision who recog- 
nized opportunities that others passed heedlessly by — opportunities that look to the 
welfare and upbuilding of the city as w^ell as to the advancement of his individual 
fortune. He always found time to cooperate in any measure for the general good and 
at the same time carefully promoted his individual interests, becoming a prominent 
and prosperous business man of western Missouri, leaving to his family a handsome 
estate and also the priceless heritage of an untarnished name. 



CHARLES PETER PERETTI, JR. 

Charles Peter Peretti, Jr., attorney at law of St. Louis, was born July 2, 1895, 
a son of Charles Peter Peretti, a native of Italy, who came to St. Louis in 1880 and 
is a successful and enterprising merchant of the city. He has also been active in 
republican politics and for seventeen years has been precinct chairman of the repub- 
lican twenty-fourth ward committee, filling the position at the present time, while 
for the past twenty years he has been postmaster of Station No. 59 in St. Louis. 
He was a delegate to the national convention that nominated William McKinley for 
the presidency and he has been very active in all civic, as well as all political affairs 
and is proud of his American citizenship. He has been most loyal to his adopted 
country and her interests and his aid and influence are ever on the side of progress 
and improvement. He married Henrietta Pague, who was born in Osnabruck, Ger- 
many, and came direct to St. Louis from her native country. By her marriage she 
has become the mother of two sons and a daughter. 

Charles Peter Peretti, the second child, was educated in the Henry Shaw public 
school and the Central high school, being graduated from the latter in 1913. He 
then entered the Washington University of St. Louis and in 1917 won the Bachelor 
of Law degree. While a student there he was employed as assistant librarian and 
thus worked his way through college, the money thus earned enabling him to pay 




CHARLES P. PERETTI, Jr. 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 323 

his tuition and meet the other expenses of his college course. He was admitted to 
practice on the 12th of July, 1917, since which time he has been active as a member 
of the bar, continuing in general practice. He has won a large clientele among the 
German and Italian people of the city. He is thoroughly conversant with both lan- 
guages, as well as with the English, and this enables him to care for the interests 
of those who speak the tongues indicated. He belongs to the St. Louis Bar 
Association. 

In July, 1918, Mr. Peretti Joined the army and was first stationed at Jefferson 
Barracks, St. Louis, while later he was sent to Camp Pike, Arkansas, and afterward 
was transferred to the Non-Commission School as an Instructor. While there he 
was commissioned a sergeant major and was honorably discharged January 7, 1919. 
In 1917 he served as an advisor and he was a member of the pageant committee of 
The Pageant and Masque of St. Louis. On the 27th of October, 1920, in Chicago, 
Illinois. Charles Peter Peretti, Jr., was married to Miss Ellen Blake, daughter of 
Mr. and Mrs. James Blake of San Diego, California. 

Mr. Peretti gives his political allegiance to the republican party and in 1920 
was a delegate to the state convention held in Kansas City. He belongs to Lambskin 
Lodge, No. 460, A. F. & A. M., and Alhambra Grotto, and he is the president of 
the Farimount Camp of the World War Veterans. His entire life has been spent 
in St. Louis, and those familiar with his records know it to be a history of steady prog- 
ress resulting from his constantly developing powers and his laudable ambition. 



THOMAS J. FRIER. 



Thomas J. Frier, purchasing agent for the Wabash Railroad at St. Louis, was 
born in Keokuk, Iowa, February 12, 1866. His father, John Frier, was a native 
of Ireland and came to America in the late '40s, settling in Keokuk in the early 
'60s, where he resided until his death in 1873, at which time he was thirty-nine 
years of age. He had followed railroading and at the time of his demise was 
yardmaster of the Keokuk & Des Moines Valley Railroad. He wedded Mary Roach, 
also a native of Ireland, who came to the new world with her parents during the 
early '50s, the family home being established in Keokuk where she met and mar- 
ried to Mr. Frier. She is now a resident of Hannibal, Missouri. 

Thomas J. Frier is the second eldest of a family of four sons and three daugh- 
ters, of whom three are living. He acquired a public school education in Keokuk 
and also attended the parochial school of that city. When seventeen years of age 
he entered the employ of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad as a clerk 
in the master mechanic's office and continued with that road until 1909, advancing 
from his first position through various departments until he became general store- 
keeper of the entire Burlington System, with headquarters at Chicago. He was 
occupying that position at the time he resigned to become purchasing agent for 
the Wabash Railroad, which office he has continuously filled ^to the present time, 
covering eleven years. He is ingenious in working out details of economical con- 
trivances in the line of his business and has proven a most capable man, his in- 
dusty, his enterprise and his fidelity being manifest in his constant promotions. 

In Keokuk, Iowa, on the 5th of October, 1891, Mr. Frier was married to Miss 
Ann Neyens, a native of that city and a daughter of the late John and Elizabeth 
(Smith) Neyens, both representatives of old families of Keokuk of Dutch descent. 
To Mr. and Mrs. Frier have been born three children: John, who was born May 23, 
•1895, in Hannibal, Missouri, served in the navy during the World war as an en- 
gineering officer on a transport and was commissioned an ensign and promoted 
to the rank of junior lieutenant, while later he became senior lieutenant. He was 
on a mine transport — a ship that carried mines and explosives; Thomas J., Jr., 
the second son, born May 7, 1897, in Hannibal, served as chief yeoman, at the 
League Island navy yard during the World war. The daughter Elizabeth was born 
in Hannibal, June 10, 1902. 

In his political views Mr. Frier is a democrat where national issues and ques- 
tions are involved but at local elections often casts an independent ballot. He 
belongs to the Roman Catholic church and to the Knights of Columbus. He also 
has membership in the Missouri Athletic Association. He deserves much credit 



324 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

for what he has accomplished, having started at the bottom and climbed to the 
top in the purchasing and supply department of two large systems of railroads 
on his merit and faithful, intelligent effort. He has thus been successful in estab- 
lishing an excellent business reputation and is highly esteemed by his associates. 



JACK HENNING. 



John (Jack) Henning, an investment broker of St. Louis, is numbered among 
the native sons of Missouri, his birth having occurred in Perryville. Missouri, 
March 4, 1878. His father, -Dr. Adolph F. Henning, now deceased, was a native 
of Germany and came to America in 1857 when twenty-two years of age. He 
first settled in New York and there pursued a course in the New York College of 
Physicians and Surgeons. He had previously graduated from a Heidelberg Univer- 
sity and devoting his life to the practice of medicine continued active in the pro- 
fession to the age of seventy years. Removing to the west he practiced in different 
periods in Cape Girardeau and at Perryville, Missouri. Espousing the cause of his 
country he rendered military service in the Mexican and Civil wars. The last 
ten years of his life were spent in honorable retirement and he passed away in 
January, 1916, when he had reached the age of eighty years. He married Caroline 
Peseux, a native of Switzerland and of French descent. Her demise occurred 
when she was sixty-five years of age. She was the mother of twelve children, four 
sons and eight daughters, of whom two sons and three daughters are living. 

John (Jack) Henning of this review was the sixth in order of birth. He was 
educated in the parochial schools of Cape Girardeau. Missouri, and has learned 
many valuable lessons in the school of experience. When nineteen years of age 
he started out in the business world and was first employed in learning the black- 
smith's trade in which he served a three years' apprenticeship. He then turned 
his attentions to commercial lines and became a salesman. He likewise engaged 
in the real estate business in St. Louis for some time and since 1917 he has main- . 
tained a stock and bond brokerage business, gaining a liberal clientage in this 
connection. 

On the 14th of August, 1901, Mr. Henning was married to Miss Virginia Bran- 
ham, a native of Sturgeon, Missouri, and a daughter of Charles Branham and Ann 
Eliza (Sutherland) Branham. To Mr. and Mrs. Henning have been born four 
children, John Charles, Jr., born in St. Louis September 2, 1903; Virginia Eleanor, 
born March 17, 1906; Martha Louise, born in St. Louis March 22, 1910; and Caro- 
line Elizabeth, born September 26, 1916. 

Mr. Htnning maintains an independent course in politics voting for the can- 
didate whom he regards as best qualified for office. While he is a member of no 
church he is a close Bible student and a devout believer in the scriptures. His life 
has ever been actuated, by high and honorable principles and the sterling worth of 
his character is attested by all who know him. 



EDWARD TERHUNE MILLER. 

Edward Terhune Miller, who is classed by many as "one of the best lawyers of 
Missouri," is general attorney for the St. Louis-San Francisco Railway Company, 
a branch of the Frisco System. Choosing as a life work a profession in which 
progress depends entirely upon individual merit and ability he has steadily worked 
his way upward until his position is now one of large responsibilty and one of 
gratifying prominence. He was born in Keytesville, Missouri, December 29, 1870, 
his parents being John Caskie and Almeria (Hawes) Miller, the former a native 
of Scotland while the latter was born in Virginia. The father came to the United 
States in 1852, settling first at Richmond. Virginia, where he resided until 1859 
R'hen he removed to Missouri. In this state he engaged in banking and also in 
the tobacco business and his last days were passed in Nashville, Tennessee, where 
he departed this life in 1907. His wife was called to her final rest in 1900 and at 
her death left six children, all of whom are living. 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 325 

Edward T. Miller, after attending the public schools of his native city, con- 
tinued his education in the military academy at Lexington, Missouri, and ultimately 
was graduated from Westminster College at Fulton, Missouri, with the class af 
1889 and from that institution received the degrees of Bachelor and Master of 
Science. Having qualified for the bar he was admitted to practice in Chariton 
county in 1892 and there maintained an office until 1898. He afterward removed 
to Brunswick, Missouri, where he remained in the active work of the profession 
until 1901. In that year he returned to Keytesville where he resided until 1903 
when he removed to St. Louis and became associated in law practice with the firm 
of Boyle, Priest & Lehmann, thus continuing until February, 1908. At that 
date he was made general attorney for the Frisco System and has remained in that 
position for a period of twelve years. He enjoys the high regard of his colleagues 
and contemporaries in the profession and is widely and favorably known in the 
membership of the St. Louis, Missouri State and American Bar Associations. 

On the 20th of January, 1904, Mr. Miller was married to Miss Bess Townsend, 
a daughter of Major John H. Townsend, of Gallatin, Missouri, and they are now 
parents of two sons: Edward Hawes, twelve years of age; and Townsend, aged 
seven, both attending school. Both Mr. and Mrs. Miller are prominent members 
and active workers in the Central Presbyterian church in which he is serving as 
elder and both take a most helpful interest in promoting the growth of the church 
and extending its influence. Mr. Miller is a member of the Glen Echo Country 
Club and also of the Noonday Club. He is a lover of music and possesses an 
excellent voice. He turns to golf and fishing for diversion and recreation but the 
major part of his time and attention is given to his profession and he is a deep 
student of the science and principles of law. He is a logical thinker, a clear 
reasoner and possesses a most analytical mind and retentive memory. He is a 
man of studious habits, well read, whose ideas upon all questions are sane and 
practical. Natural ability and industry have brought him to the front in his pro- 
fession and yet he has never allowed it to monopolize his time and attention to the 
exclusion of other duties. He has been particularly active in the work of the 
church, has served as teacher of the men's Bible class and superintendent of the 
Sunday school and thus is making contribution to the moral progress of his city 
and the adoption of those principles and influences which result in tempering cold 
hard facts with sentiment and with love. 



EDWARD L. MARTIN. 



Edward L. Martin, deceased, who for many years was prominently associated 
with financial interests in Missouri, was born in Maysville, Kentucky, in 1842 and 
passed away in Kansas City, December 17, 1912. He obtained a public school 
education and started out in the business world in connection with the wholesale 
grocery firm of Ike Nelson & Company. In the early '60s, however, he went to 
Cincinnati, Ohio, where he became connected with the firm of Dunlap & Company, 
wholesale grocers, with whom he remained for six years. In 1868 he arrived in 
Kansas City and here engaged in the wholesale liquor business under the style ol 
Newell & Company and later as senior partner in the firm of E. L. Martin & Com- 
pany. They built a large distillery and conducted a growing and profitable busi- 
ness. Mr. Martin was also one of the builders of the Kansas City Belt Line and 
likewise of the Pittsburgh & Gulf Railroad, which is now the property of the Kan- 
sas City Southern Railroad Company. Of both companies he was the president 
and through his railroad operations contributed largely to the development of 
various sections of the country. He was also one of the organizers of the Mis- 
souri, Kansas & Texas Trust Company, which became one of the strongest finan- 
cial institutions of Kansas City, and when this corporation became the Guardian 
Trust Company he was made one of the original directors and the vice president. 
Moreover, he was connected with several other important banking and financial 
interests, being one of the organizers and oflficers of the Kansas City Savings Asso- 
ciation, which was the parent organization of what is now known as the National 
Bank of Commerce. 

Mr. Martin was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Ricketts, a native of 



326 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

Maysville, Kentucky, who is still living, and they became the parents of two 
children, Edward R. and Mrs. Lulu M. Gaines. 

In his political views Mr. Martin was a democrat and was very active in the 
councils of his party. He served as chairman of the state central committee and 
was a delegate at large to the convention which nominated Grover Cleveland for 
the presidency. He was elected judge of the county court and was serving for 
the second term upon the bench at the time of his death. He had the distinction 
of serving for twenty-two consecutive years as treasurer of the Kansas City school 
board and in 1874 was elected mayor on an independent ticket, giving to the' city 
an administration characterized by reform, improvement and progress. He pos- 
sessed a very benevolent and kindly nature and made liberal contribution to the 
churches and to organized charities. 



EDilOND SPENCER FAUTH. 

One of De Soto's most prominent citizens is Edmond Spencer' Pauth, superintendent 
of the International Shoe Company of that place. Like many enterprising men he is 
one of Missouri's sous by adoption, born on the 30th of October, 1881, at La Fayette, 
Indiana, a son of Maurice G. and Harriet Sibyl (Dailey) Fauth. Maurice G. Fauth, 
the father, is now living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he is manager of a sewing 
machine office. Mr. Fauth, Sr., was born in Wittenberg, Germany, in 1850 and in 1864 
came to the United States with his parents who first settled in Philadelphia. About 
1868 they removed to La Fayette, Indiana, where he was married. The father of 
M. G. Fauth was John Fauth, also a native of Germany, descended from the Free Staters 
engaged in the revolution against the German empire in 1S4S. Due to these activities 
the family were banished from the court of Germany, royal engagements broken and 
the family estates confiscated. After being in exile for some time the grandparents 
took up their residence in America. Maurice G. Fauth became a naturalized American 
citizen and fought in the Indian wars under "Buffalo Bill" Cody as scout. The mother 
of Edmond Spencer Fauth, Harriet Sibyl (Dailey) Fauth, was born in 1S51, in Ripley 
county, Indiana, a daughter of John E. and Alice Dailey. She was descended from the 
early French settlers in the lower Mississippi valley and her father, John E. Dailey. 
was killed while serving in the Union army in the Civil war about the year 1864. 

The early education of Edmond Spencer Fauth was received in the common schools 
of La Fayette, Indiana, and Chicago, the family having removed to Chicago when he 
was seven years of age. Here he resumed his studies and was graduated from the 
Northwest Division high school with the class of 1899, later taking a post-graduate 
course in advanced mathematics and science. This education was made possible for 
him by working all hours of the night and in his spare time at such work as could be 
found, from newsboy to housework and factory work, making odd shoe parts at home 
and often sleeping in the streets to secure early morning newspapers for sale before 
school. In 1899 he went to Dixon, Illinois, where he was employed in the cutting 
department of the C. M. Henderson Shoe Company, later being sent to the Amboy fac- 
tory of the same company, where he remained until the company sold out. Following 
this Mr. Fauth accepted a position with the Barker & Brown Shoe Company of Hunting- 
ton, Indiana, with whom he remained for two years, spending time between seasons in 
the Hillsdale, Michigan, factory of the Scowden & Blanchard Shoe Company as general 
operator. In 1903 he removed to St. Louis to take a position with the Hamilton-Brown 
Shoe Company's "union" factory as foreman. For seven years he was in their employ, 
being foreman of the several different departments and rising to the position of assistant 
superintendent. In 1909 he resigned from the factory to become connected with the 
Peters Shoe Company to open up a new factory at St. Louis to be known as the Full- 
Value Plant. Mr. Fauth's work with this concern was in the capacity of assistant man- 
ager and general foreman. In 1911 this company merged with the company of Roberts, 
Johnson & Rand and became known as the International Shoe Company. Under the 
general reorganization Mr. Fauth was assigned to the De Soto factory as superintendent, 
in which position he is still serving. The De Soto factory is one of the many similar 
factories of the company, and employs about three hundred and fifty people, making an 
average of twenty-five hundred pairs of shoes a day. 

On the 28th of May, 1903, Mr. Fauth was united in marriage to Miss Lona B. Shoe- 




EDMOND S. FAUTH 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 329 

maker, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry A. Shoemaker, a cement contractor of Hunting- 
ton, Indiana. Henry A. Shoemaker, the father, was born on his father's farm near Hunt- 
ington in 1859, his father having passed away when he was but four years of age. 
The father of Henry Shoemaker, David Shoemaker, was a German Baptist minister 
who came from Ohio and settled on the farm near Huntington, Indiana, where Henry A. 
was born. The mother of Mrs. Edmond S. Fauth was Elsie J. Rose, the daughter of 
William Rose, a carpenter and butcher of Huntington county, Indiana. To Mr. and 
Mrs. Edmond S. Fauth have been born six children: Lorraine B., who died in infancy; 
Stanley L., whose death was caused by an accident during his early childhood; Milton 
S., who is attending school in De Soto; Geraldine, also attending the De Soto schools; 
and Marian E. and Edmond S., Jr., the latter two being under school age. 

Mr. Fauth has always maintained an independent course in politics and although 
actively engaged in civic matters as president of the De Soto Commercial Club he has 
never desired to hold public office, having refused many nominations to positions of 
public trust opened to him, including that of mayor. Fraternally he is a Mason, having 
membership in De Soto Lodge, No. 119, A. P. & A. M.; Copestone Chapter, R. A. M.; 
and De Soto Commandery, No. 56, K. T. He is likewise an Elk, holding membership 
in De Soto Lodge No. 689, of which he is past exalted ruler and he is likewise a member 
of the grand lodge. The religious faith of the family is that of the Methodist Episcopal 
church, in the activities of which organization they take a prominent part. Mr. Fauth 
is a member of the board of stewards and has taught the Bible class in the Sunday 
school for the past five or six years, while Mrs. Fauth is president of the Ladies Aid 
and Missionary Societies. Both Mr. and Mrs. Fauth are members of the Eastern Star. 

During the World war Mr. Fauth was active in Liberty loan campaigns and other 
national needs, having organized the Red Cross society throughout the county and 
served as county chairman of the Jefferson county chapter for four years. 

Although Mr. Fauth is of a mechanical turn of mind and has written many articles 
along that line foi' trade journals and other periodicals he has contributed to other 
magazines and newspapers short stories and fiction. Mrs. Fauth's tendencies are those 
of the housewife and mother, although she possesses musical accomplishments. Mr. 
Fauth is in every sense of the word a self-made man and in his present position of 
prominence in the community possesses the confidence of the townspeople, due to his 
own industry and close application to business interests. He devotes much time to 
the advancement of young men of the city through interest in their future by encourag- 
ing their moral uplift and directing their energies against adversity towards a definite 
goal of success. 



JUDGE GUSTAVUS A. WURDEMAN. 

Judge Gustavus A. Wurdeman, who since 1909 has occupied the bench of the thirteenth 
circuit. Division No. 2. at Clayton, St. Louis county, was born In Swedesboro, New 
Jersey, in 1857, a son of Gustavus and Susan (Keyser) Wurdeman, the former a native 
of Germany and the latter of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The father was connected 
with the United States coast survey for many years and died in the service. The 
mother was directly descended from Dirk Keyser who came from Holland and settled 
in Philadelphia in 1687. The parents died in Philadelphia and at the age of six years 
Gustavus A. Wurdeman came with relatives to St. Louis where he acquired his educa- 
tion in the public schools, passing through consecutive grades to the high school and 
thus laying the foundation which qualified him to enter upon the study of law in 
Washington University. On the completion of the law course he passed the examination 
required for admission to the bar and has since been a well known' representative of 
the legal profession, advancing steadily toward prominence in judicial circles. He 
continued active in the practice of law for a number of years, winning a clientage of 
considerable extent and importance and in 1898 was called to judicial position, being 
made probate judge of St. Louis county in which capacity he continued to serve until 
July, 1909, when he resigned to accept the appointment of circuit judge of the thirteenth 
circuit. He was elected to the office at the regular election of Novembr, 1910, and was 
reelected in 1916 for a succeeding term of six years, so that his present incumbency 
will continue uptil 1922. His capability as a judge, the impartiality of his decisions 



^30 CENTEXNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

and his high sense of justice and right are indicated in the fact that he has twice 
been elected to the office following an appointment to the bench. 

In 1S93 Judge Wurdeman was united in marriage to Miss Lena Hospes, of Webster 
Groves where they have resided for thirty-six years. They have an adopted daughter, 
Eleanor, now sixteen years of age. 

Judge Wurdeman has always given his political allegiance to the republican party 
since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and is known as one of the law- 
makers of the state, for in 1890 he was elected representative to the legislature and 
endorsement of his service in that connection came to him in an election to the state 
senate in 1S92. He has thus been almost continuously in public office for a period 
of three decades. He belongs to the State Bar Association and his social nature has 
found expression in his membership in the Webster Groves Lodge of Masons and in 
the City Club of St. Louis. Moreover, he is keenly interested in the principles and 
projects for which these organizations stand and his cooperation can at all times be 
counted upon for any movement that tends to bring about the best interests of human- 
kind and the benefit of the community at large. 



BROTHER GERALD, S. M. 



Brother Gerald, S. M., principal of Kenrick Catholic Boys high school situated 
at Jefferson and Stoddard streets in St. Louis, is a native of New York City. He 
was born August 21, 1870, and is a son of John G. and Adelaide (Widerman) Gerald, 
both of whom were natives of Germany, but came to the United States in young man- 
hood and young womanhood. Brother Gerald was educated in the New York Grammar 
school and in St. John the Baptist Parochial school of the Society of Mary. Subse- 
quently he attended St. Mary's College at Dayton, Ohio, where he pursued his collegiate 
work and at a later period went to France where he took his University course at the 
College Stanislaus in Paris. There he specialized in mathematics and science and 
was graduated with the class of 1894, receiving the degrees of B. S. and M. S. Later 
he accepted a position in the Normal College of the S. M. at Dayton, Ohio, and was 
later called to the principalship of the Spalding Institute at Peoria. Illinois, when 
that institution was founded in 1899. He remained at that important post for ten 
years and then came to St. Louis where he was made principal of the old SS. Peter 
and Paul high school on Eighth and Allen streets. Later this school was supplanted 
by the present free diocesan Kenrick high school over which he has since presided 
as principal. The school gives instruction in the regular high school course and is 
largely attended by the sons of Catholic parents. 

Brother Gerald is the secretary of the board of inspectors of the Catholic parochial 
system of St. Louis. He is a most able educator, with high ideals concerning his 
worth and he inspires teachers and pupils under him with much of his own zeal 
and interest in the school work. 



JOHN J. DAVIS. 



The force, character, enterprise and adaptability which are so necessary to success 
in business found, expression In the life record of John J. Davis, now deceased. He 
was the vice president and general manager of the Peter Hauptman Cigar Company 
of St. Louis. 

He was born in this city September 14, 1866, and was the son of John and Anna 
(Meise) Davis, both of whom were natives of Germany, whence they came to the 
United States in young manhood and womanhood. They became residents of St. Louis 
where they were subsequently rnarried and John Davis devoted his attention to the 
retail grocery business in order to provide for the support of his family. 

His son, John J. Davis, pursued his education in SS. Peter and Paul grammar 
school and at the Bryant and Stratton Business College. Following the completion 
of his studies he secured a position in the office of the Griesedieck Brewing Company 
and was identified with that concern for three years, after which he became a member 
of the office force of the Cherokee Brewery and worked tor Peter Hiuptman at the 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF iMISSOURI 331 

same time. When the Cherokee Brewery sold out to the syndicate Mr. Davis continued 
with Mr. Hauptman as cashier of the Peter Hauptman Tobacco Company and in 1907, 
upon the death of Mr. Hauptman, he was made vice president of the company and 
following the demise of Mr. Harmes the duties of general manager were also assigned 
to him. He continued in the dual capacity of vice president and general manager 
until his death, which occurred September 11th, 1920, his burial occurring on the 
fifty-fourth anniversary of his birth. His record in business had been marked by 
steady advancement and his energy and industry constituted the basis, on which he 
placed his success. 

In 1890 Mr. Davis was married to Miss Anna C. Becker, daughter of Michael 
Becker, now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Davis became the parents of two children, Garcia 
B. and George B., both at home. Mrs. Davis and her children are communicants of 
the Catholic church, of which Mr. Davis was also a devoted member, guiding his life 
according to the teachings of the church. He belonged also to St. Vincent de Paul 
Society, taking an active part in the benevolent and charitable work of that organiza- 
tion. His membership extended to the Missouri Athletic Club and to the Benevolent 
Protective Order of Elks. He was interested in many of those agencies which work 
for the betterment of mankind and for the alleviation of hard conditions of life for 
the unfortunate and by reason of this spirit he was continually extending a helping 
hand to a fellow traveler on life's journey. 



DWIGHT BRADFORD BLOSSOM. 

Dwigh\ Bradford Blossom, president and treasurer of the Electric Garage & Service 
Company of St. Louis, was here born on the 13th of June, 1879. His father, Howard A. 
Blossom was prominent in insurance circles in St. Louis tor many years. He married 
Ada E. Bradford who was born in this city, a daughter of Alfred and Mary Bradford, 
the former engaged in the fur and furnishing business. 

Dwight B. Blossom was educated in private schools attending the Manual Training 
School of SL Louis and also Princeton University, thus qualifying for life's practical 
and responsible duties. He afterward engaged in the insurance business with his 
father following the completion of his school course and still later became connected 
with the Webb Motor Fire Apparatus Company. He was treasurer of the firm until 
the business was removed from St. Louis. In November, 1913, Mr. Blossom located 
at Clarenden and Delmar avenues, opening an agency for the Detroit Electric cars, 
the Buffalo Trucks and General Electric Trucks. In 1917 he was instrumental in having 
erected the building at No. 1651 South Grand avenue, which he now occupies as the 
president and treasurer of the Electric Garage & Service Company. In this connection 
he has developed a business of substantial proportions and is widely known by reason 
thereof. 

Mr. Blossom was corporal in the St. Louis Home Guards as a member of the Second 
Regiment, Company L. His political views are in accord with the democratic prin- 
ciples and he attends Christ church cathedral being largely in sympathy with the work 
of the Episcopal church. Fraternally he is a Mason, belonging to Tuscan Lodge, A. F. & 
A. M. and has also become identified with Ascalon Commandery, K. T. and has taken 
the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, while of Moolah Temple of the Mystic 
Shrine he is a member, having crossed the sands of the desert. 



JOSEPH R. GANT. 



Joseph R. Gant, president of the Centropolis Bank of Kansas City and prominent 
and honored in financial circles of western Missouri, was born in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, 
September 10, 1876, a son of Jared C. Gant who is mentioned elsewhere in this work. 
He was a lad of but ten or eleven years when in 1887 he came to Missouri. After 
completing a public school course he attended business college and then became a 
student in the Kansas City School of Law from which he was graduated In 1898. He 
has practiced law from the business standpoint only, but his knowledge of the prin- 
ciples of jurisprudence has been of great value to him in the conduct of important 



332 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

affairs. After completing his course he engaged with his father in the insurance busi- 
ness, conducting a general agency for the Home Life Insurance Company of New York 
in charge of the Kansas City district. In 1912 he organized and founded the state 
bank of Sugar Creek of which he became the president, and in 1919 he organized and 
became president of the Centropolis Bank of Kansas City, which has on its directory 
some of the strongest men financially in this city. The bank has enjoyed a substantial 
growth and has ever been conducted with a recognition of the fact that the bank 
which most carefully safeguards its depositors is the one most worthy of support. 
Accordingly he has tempered progressiveness by a wise conservatism and is making 
the Centropolis Bank one of the financial bulwarks of western Missouri. 

In 1907 Mr. Gant was married to Miss Mildred Stites. a daughter of John Stites, 
president of the Louisville Trust Company of Louisville. Kentucky, and a very promi- 
nent and well known business man of that section. To Mr. and Mrs. Gant have been 
born two children, Eliabeth Lee and John Stites. The religious faith of the parents 
is that of the Methodist church, and Mrs. Gant is very prominent in church and social 
circles. Along various lines of activity Mr. Gant has put forth his efforts with splendid 
results and is most loyal in his advocacy of any cause with which he becomes allied. 
He votes with the democratic party, is a member of the Kansas City Club, the Kansas 
City Athletic Club, the Midday Club, the City Club and the Chamber of Commerce. 
He was one of the prime movers and organizers of the Blue Valley Manufacturing 
and Business Men's Club which was formed in the industrial district in the eastern 
part of Kansas City. He was also prominent in founding the Blue Valley Community 
House, and w^s one of the leaders on the executive committee in the building of 
the Young Men's Christian Association home at Twelfth and Bennington streets. He 
took an active part in all war campaigning and drives and assisted in organizing 
the Seventh Missouri Regiment, the Business Men's Regiment of Home Guards, and 
became a lieutenant In Company I. He is the treasurer and one of the stewards of 
the Troost Avenue Methodist Episcopal church and is interested in everything that 
pertains to the intellectual and moral progress of the community and the uplift of 
the individual. He has closely studied many of the economic and sociological problems 
of the country and his deep interest in bettering conditions has led to his active work 
in behalf of community center interests. 



REUBEN MARCUS HAMMON. 

Reuben Marcus Hammon, a capable and successful business man of St. Louis, 
who could count upon the friendship and regard of all with whom he came in con- 
tact because of the sterling worth of his character and because of the friendly feel- 
ing which he always entertained for others, was born in Conneautville, Pennsylvania, 
on the 12th of August, 1845, his parents being Marcus and Eliza (Power) Hammon, 
both of whom were members of pioneer families of that place. 

Reuben M. Hammon was reared to manhood in his native town and was there 
united in marriage to Miss Jennie McCarty in the year 1868. Her father was 
Florence McCarty, a well known nurseryman of Le Roy, New York, now deceased, 
passing away at the notable age of ninety-two years. Mrs. Hammon was visiting 
a brother in Conneautville when she formed the acquaintance of Mr. Hammon, who 
sought her hand in marriage. To Mr. and Mrs. Hammon were born two sons and 
two daughters, of whom one daughter, Florence, alone survives. She is a most 
talented young woman and conducts a school of music In the city of St. Louis, 
residing with her mother. 

While working in his cousin's dry goods store in Conneautville in early man- 
hood Mr. Hammon began writing insurance and met with success in this under- 
taking. About 1873 he went to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he became asso- 
ciated with the Travelers' Insurance Company, coming a year later to St. Louis 
as its representative, and for forty-six years was one of the prominent insurance 
men of this city. He was the first man to write railroad instalment insurance 
and for many years handled the insurance of the employes of the Missouri Pacific, 
the Wabash, and the Texas Pacific Railway Companies. He was a close personal 
friend of John L. Way, vice president of the Travelers' Insurance Company, and 
numbered among his othei: friends many of the prominent men of St. Louis. 




REUBEN MARCUS HAMMON 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 335 

Mr. Hammon was an active member of the Mercantile Club and took the keen- 
est interest in its work and the accomplishment of its objects. While never an 
aspirant for public office, he took a great interest in civic and public affairs and 
gave his stalwart support to the republican party. He was devoted to the wel- 
fare and interests of his home and family and when not attending to his business 
duties was to be found customarily at his own fireside. However, he and his 
wife were capable and active members of the Ascension Episcopal church for four- 
teen years. Later he accepted the teachings of the Christian Science church, which 
he attended with his daughter Olive, who had become a member of that denomina- 
tion prior to her passing on May 27, 1915. Mr. Hammon passed away very sud- 
denly May 3, 1920, his death being the occasion of deep regret to his many friends. 
The stability of his character was acknowledged by all who knew him, and all who 
were associated with him in any connection recognized those distinctive traits which 
in every land and clime awaken confidence, respect and regard. 



F. BENTON MILLER. 



F. Benton Miller, a general agent at St. Louis for the Phoenix Mutual Life Insur- 
ance Company, was born in Brownstown, Jackson county, Indiana. His father, Eli 
Warren Miller who passed away in November, 1910, was also a native of the Hoosier 
state and was a representative of one of the old and pioneer families of Indiana. He 
came of American ancestry for the family has been represented on this side of the 
Atlantic since 1640. The father was a successful farmer who carefully and profitably 
tilled the soil but during the Civil war he put aside all business and personal consid- 
eration and served as a private in the Seventy-sixth Indiana Infantry. He married 
Ellen Cummings who was of Scotch-Irish lineage and her grandfather served in the 
Revolutionary war. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Miller was celebrated in Houston, 
Indiana, November 5, 1865, and they became the parents of nine children — six sons 
and three daughters, of whom F. Benton of this review was the second in order of 
birth. Three of the sons and one of the daughters have passed away. The living are: 
William, who married Olivia Hayes and is now living in Tulsa, Oklahoma; David J., 
who is married and resides at Seymour, Indiana; Martha, the wife of Henry Strohm- 
inger, a resident of St. Barnard, Oljio; and Delight, the wife of Charles Barkman, 
living in Brownstown, Indiana. 

F. Benton Miller, whose name introduces this review, was educated in the district 
schools of Jackson county, Indiana, and in a commercial college at St. LoBis, Missouri. 
When but sixteen years of age he taught school in Jackson county, Indiana, following 
the profesfeion until he attained his majority when he came to St. Louis to enter the 
employ of the Missouri-Pacific Railroad Company as receiving clerk, a position which 
he occupied for two years. In 1S91-2 he was a stenographer with the Remington Type- 
writer Company at St. Louis and from 1892 until 1904 he taught shorthand and type- 
writing in a commercial college in this city. During that period he purchased a half 
interest in the school and made it one of the successful commercial educational institu- 
tions of the Mississippi valley. During 1904 and 1905 Mr. Miller was connected with 
the department of admissions at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition and was assistant 
in charge of gate receipts during the fair here. In 1905 he disposed of his interests 
in the school and entered the employ of the American Tobacco Company in the city 
department. Sinc^ 1906 he has been connected with the Phoenix Mutual Life Insur- 
ance Company as a salesman and has been advanced to the position of general agent. 
He has now devoted more than fifteen years to insurance and is a well known figure 
in insurance circles by reason of the capability he has displayed leading to the develop- 
ment of a business of extensive proportions. ^ 

Mr. Miller was married in Webster Groves, August 2, 1893, to Miss Albertine 
Cornelia Hull, a daughter of William S. and Sarah (Fitch) Hull. To Mr. and Mrs. 
Miller have been born a son and a daughter: Warren S., who was in the navy during 
the World war, serving nine months abroad and at present is attending Washington 
University where he is pursuing an academic course; and Cornelia H., who has just 
completed a three years course in vocal music in Boston. The family resides at No. 659 
Tuxedo boulevard in Webster Groves. ' 

Throughout his entire life F. Benton Miller has measured up to the highest standards 



336 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

of American manhood and citizenship. His grandfather in the paternal line died at 
Valley Forge due to exposure while serving with the American forces in the Revolu- 
tionary war. The same quality of loyalty to country has been manifest by the family 
throughout all the intervening years which have run their course since that time. Mr. 
Miller has taken a most active and helpful part in community affairs and for twenty 
years has served on the school board of Webster Groves, acting as secretary of the 
board for eighteen years of that time. He is also vice president of the building and 
loan association of Webster Groves. During the war period he acted as captain of 
the teams securing Liberty loan subscriptions and was a large personal contributor to 
all war activities. His religious faith is that of the Congregational church and his 
entire life has been actuated by high and honorable principles and by worthy motives 
which have neither sought nor required disguise. Men speak of him in terms of the 
highest respect and confidence and the sterling worth of his character has gained for 
him a host of friends wherever he is known. 



HOMER S. BASSFORD. 



Homer S. Bassford, manager of the St. Louis Times, was born in Mexico, Audrain 
county, Missouri, July 20, 1870, his parents being James C. and Catherine (Osborne) 
Bassford. After acquiring a public school education he attended an academy and thus 
equipped for life's practical and responsible duties he entered upon newspaper work, 
his initial experience being received in connection with the Mexico (Mo.) Ledger. In 
1889 he was made Sunday editor of the Kansas City Times and later was advanced to 
Che position of city editor, while from 1893 until 1903 he was the dramatic and music 
critic of the St. Louis Republic. In the latter year he was made Sunday editor and 
served as such and as news editor until 1907. In 1906 he acted as European corre- 
spondent for the St. Louis Republic and in 1907 he became editor-in-chief of the St. 
Louis Times. He has since been connected with the latter paper and from 1914 until 
the present year, 1920, has been general manager. His long connection with the leading 
metropolitan dailies of St. Louis has made him a well known figure in newspaper circles 
in the Mississippi valley. 

On the 25th of June, 1892, Mr. Bassford was married to Miss Etta Overman Chase, 
of Cedar Palls, Iowa. He is a member of the Methodist church and is well known 
in the club circles of the city, belonging to the St. Louis Club, the Missouri Athletic 
Association, the Mercantile, Century Boat and Sunset Hill Country Clubs. He is also 
a member of the Missouri Historical Society. His political allegiance has always been 
given to the democratic party but his political activity has been confined to his endorse- 
ment of measures as editor of the papers with which he has been connected. 



THOMAS O'REILLY, M. D. 



Dr. Thomas O'Reilly, who developed extreme efficiency in the practice of medicine 
snd surgery and was long one of the most distinguished and honored physicians of 
St. Louis, was born in Virginia, County Cavan. Ireland, on the 11th of February, 1827, 
and belonged to one of the most prominent families of the Emerald isle, represented 
in connection with various incidents of the wars under Cromwell. 

Dr. O'Reilly was accorded liberal educational advantages and his aptitude was 
shown in the reading and translation of Ovid, Virgil. Sallust, Horace, Livy and Cicero 
before he was twelve years of age. By that time he had also read the New Testa- 
ment, Lucian, Homer and Xenophon in Greek and had mastered the sciences of algebra 
:ind geometry. It was his desire then to enter upon the study of medicine and with 
credit he passed the examination before the court of examiners of Apothecary's Hall of 
Dublin, Ireland, when he was not yet thirteen years of age. He next accepted a posi- 
tion in a drug store and gained thorough knowledge of the composition and uses of 
all drugs as a preparatory step to the practice of medicine. Some time later he became 
assistant to Dr. John Francis Purcell, of Carrick-on-Suir, Ireland, and his association 
with that distinguished physician and surgeon was most helpful. Dr. Purcell accom- 
panied the Earl of Bissborough to Dublin when that nobleman was made lord-lieutenant 




DR. THOMAS O'REILLY 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 339 

of Ireland and Dr. O'Reilly followed them. He continued his medical studies in Meath 
Hospital at Dublin and served as assistant clinical clerk and later as chief clinical 
clerk under Dr. Stokes, an eminent member of the profession. At the same time he 
was pursuing his studies in the Original School of Medicine. His hospital experience 
came during the time of the four years of famine in Ireland, from 1845 to 1849. Every 
hospital of the country was crowded to its utmost capacity and when the French gov- 
ernment sent a commission of medical men to Ireland to make researches concerning 
typhus and typhoid fevers and report to the French Academy of Medicine Dr. O'Reilly 
was appointed anatomist to this commission. But almost immediately after the visiting 
Frenchmen had entered upon their research work they were prostrated by typhoid fever 
and their task was thus brought to a quick termination. 

In 1848 Dr. O'Reilly was one of the Dublin students who, enthused by the French 
revolution, sought to arouse the Irish patriots and induce them to seek the independ- 
ence of their land. He accordingly abandoned his studies to enter upon this task but 
after a time recognized the hopelessness of gaining sufficient strength to press the 
cause. Accordingly he resumed his studies and was graduated from the College of 
Surgeons of London in 1849. 

Soon after the completion of his course Dr. O'Reilly sought the opportunities of 
the new world. When in midocean cholera developed on shipboard and six persons 
died within eight hours after the appearance of the disease and within ten days one 
hundred and twenty-live of the steerage passengers had been attacked. Dr. O'Reilly 
immediately put his professional knowledge to use in saving the lives of his fellow 
passengers and his work was of untold value. As the ship entered the gulf stream 
the sickness ceased as suddenly as it had broken out and there was not a case of 
cholera on board when the vessel reached New York harbor. In appreciation of the 
service whieh he had rendered Dr. O'Reilly's fellow passengers presented him with a 
well filled purse and a most earnest and sincere address of thanks, while the news- 
papers made prominent mention of what he had done. This would have served as a 
splendid introduction had he desired to engage in the practice of his profession in 
New York but he had already determined to come to the west where one of his rela- 
tives. Count Alexander O'Reilly, had previously been governor under Spanish rule when 
all this section of the country was known as Louisiana. Dr. O'Reilly continued his 
travels to St. Louis and here entered upon the practice of medicine, in which he con- 
tinued for many years. His practice was unsurpassed in volume and importance by 
that of any physician of the Mississippi valley and throughout the entire period of his 
residence in St. Louis he kept in close touch with the most advanced thought and 
progressive methods in connection with the practice of both medicine and surgery. He 
was well known through his contributions to medical literature, many of which at- 
tracted wide attention, including an article entitled "Beneficial Influence of Tobacco 
as an Antidote for Strychnine Poisoning" and another "The Influence of Rest and 
Recreation as a Cure for Nervous Prostration." 

When the Civil war was in progress Dr. O'Reilly offered his services to the govern- 
ment and was employed on many important missions, being associated with such men 
as Generals Lyon, Fremont, Frank P. Blair and William McKee. He was active in 
organizing the Seventh Missouri Volunteers and was offered a commission as brigadier 
general by President Lincoln but could not accept. Through this troublous period he 
served as a member of the committee of public safety. He was keenly interested in 
local politics and several times was offered an appointive ofl5ce but continuously refused 
to serve in political positions. He was also tendered positions in the various medical 
schools of the city but these, too, he declined, preferring to concentrate his efforts 
and attention upon his private practice which was most extensive and of a most im- 
portant character. 

Dr. O'Reilly was married twice and at his death left three sons, two born of his 
first marriage: Andrew J. and Thomas W.; while the son of his second marriage is 
James Archer O'Reilly. 

Dr. O'Reilly was intensely American but never forgot the land of his birth and 
was a most active worker for home rule for Ireland and numbered among his personal 
friends such Irish leaders and patriots as Parnell, Dillon, Davitt, T. P. O'Connor and 
others keenly interested In the Irish cause or the cause of freedom in any land. While 
residing in St. Louis, Dr. O'Reilly did valuable service for the city in connection with 
the development of its park system. Almost immediately after the close of the Civil 
war he began agitating the establishment of a series of public parks in St. Louis and 



340 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

being an intimate friend of Henry Shaw he used his influence to have him donate to 
the city Tower Grove Park. He was one of the first commissioners appointed to lay 
out Forest Park and was on the first board of directors of the Free Library upon 
which he served for nearly six years. He did valuable work in these connections, his 
activities being at all times characterized by the same zeal and high sense of duty 
that marked his conduct in all the varied activities of his long, honorable and dis- 
tinguished career. One of his marked characteristics was his benevolence and help- 
fulness to those who needed assistance. His home was ever open to the poor and 
unhappy and they were sure of a hearty welcome, kindly advice and assistance of a 
most substantial character. A man of the highest scholarly attainments he never lost 
the common touch but was constantly seeking to do good to those less fortunate. His 
ability, however, brought him the friendship and close companionship of some of 
the brightest minds of this and foreign lands and association with him always meant 
expansion and elevation. 



FRED E. MUELLER. 



Fred E. Mueller, present prosecuting attorney pf St. Louis county, who for 
thirteen years has enjoyed a large and distinctively representative clientele as a 
member of the St. Louis bar, practicing in Clayton, was born in Bonhomme, St. 
Louis county, May 13, 1883, a son of Ernest and Christina (Andrae) Mueller, both 
of whom are also natives of Bonhomme. His ancestors in the maternal line were 
among the earliest of the pioneer settlers of the county, the great-grandparents 
arriving in St. Louis about the year 1830. Ernest Mueller is today one of the well 
known farmers of St. Louis county and for several years served as justice of the 
peace and as central committeeman on the republican board. Both he and his 
wife still make their home in their native town. 

Fred E. Mueller was educated in the public schools of Bonhomme and at the 
Central Wesleyan College at Warrenton, Missouri, while later he attended Wash- 
ington University for the study of law and received from that institution his law 
degree in 1907. Immediately afterward he took his examination before the state 
board and was admitted to practice. He then opened law offices in Clayton and 
in the intervening thirteen years has won a large clientele and is ranked among 
the foremost attorneys of the county. In the August primaries of 19 20 he was 
chosen on the republican ticket as nominee for prosecuting attorney of the county 
to which office he was elected in the November election following. 

On the 29th of December, 1909, Mr. Mueller was married to Miss Cora M. 
Wessel, of Warrenton, Missouri, and to them have been born three children, but 
only one survives, a son, Frederick W. Mr. Mueller belongs to Clayton Lodge, 
No. 601, A. F. & A^ M., of which he has been worshipful master. He also belongs 
to Rabboni Cliapter, R. A. M., and is recognized as a most loyal follower of the 
teachings and purposes of the craft. He and his wife are consistent members of 
the Clayton Methodist Episcopal church. South, and he belongs to the St. Louis Bar 
Association and to the St. Louis County Bar Association. He enjoys the highest 
respect and confidence of his professional colleagues and contemporaries, for he 
has always been careful at all times to conform his practice to the highest standards 
and ethics of the profession. 



WALTER BARLOW STEVENS. 

Walter Barlow Stevens, newspaper man and author, was born at Meriden, Con- 
necticut, July 25, 1848, son of Rev. Asahel Augustus and Mary Comstock (Bristol) Stevens. 
The family moved to the middle west in 1S55. Walter B. Stevens passed his youth 
in Peoria, Illinois, attending the grade and high schools. He graduated from the 
University of Michigan in the class of 1870, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Arts. 
He was given the Master of Arts degree in 1872. In 1908 he received the honorary 
degree of LL. D. from Washington University, St. Louis. 

Beginning as a reporter in 1870, Mr. Stevens served as city editor and staff corre- ' 



CExNTENTNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 341 

spondent. He was Washington correspondent of the St. Louis Globe-Democrat from 
1S84 to 1901: president of the Gridiron Club, 1895; traveling correspondent of the 
Globe-Democrat, between sessions of Congress, in the United States, Mexico, Canada, 
Cuba. Letters over the signature "W. B. S." appeared in serial form under the titles: 
"The New States," "Convict Camps," "Missouri Mineral," "Silver in a Silver Country," 
"Black Labor in the South," "Washington Topics," "Signs of the Times," "Recollec- 
tions of Lincoln," etc. 

Mr. Stevens was secretary of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition Company from its 
organization in 1901; was director of exploitation and member of the superior jury of 
awards in 1904. In 1908 he was secretary of the National Prosperity Association; in 
1909 was secretary of the St. Louis Centennial Association. In 1912 he became secre- 
tary of the City Plan Commission and served until 1916. He was executive secretary 
of the Fourth American Peace Congress in 1913. The following decorations have been 
received: Knight of the Crown of Italy, 1904; Double Dragon of China, 1905; Chevalier 
of the Order of Leopold of Belgium, 1905; First Class Medal of Honor, Philippine Gov- 
ernment, 1905; Order of the Rising Sun of Japan, 1905; Officier de I'lnstruction Publique 
of France. 

In religious faith Mr. Stevens is a Congregationalist; in political opinion, a Repub- 
lican. He is a member of the Missouri Historical Society; secretary of the Louisiana 
Purchase Historical Association; was elected president of the State Historical Society 
of Missouri in 1917 and re-elected in 1920. He is a member of the National Geographic 
Society and of Phi Beta Kappa. Club memberships are the St. Louis, the City, the 
Round Table, the Burns, the Franklin of St. Louis, and the Gridiron, Washington. 

Authorship includes Through Texas, published in 1892; The Ozark Uplift in 1900; 
The Forest City, 1904; A Trip to Panama, 1907; Introduction and Notes on Facsimiles 
of Poems and Letters of Robert Burns, 1907; The Building of St. Louis, 1908; St. 
Louis, the Fourth City, 1909; The Log of the Alton, 1909; One Hundred Years in a 
Week, 1910; The Brown-Reynolds Duel, 1911; Water Purification at St. Louis, 1911; 
History of St. Louis, two volumes, 1911; Samuel Morris Dodd, 1912; Book of the Fourth 
American Peace Congress, 1913; St. Louis Nights Wi' Burns, 1913; Eleven Roads to 
Success, 1913; Missouri, The Center State, two volumes, 1914; Grant in St. Louis, 1915; 
Halsey Cooley Ives, 1915; Lincoln and Missouri, 1916; Missouri's Centennial, 1917; A 
Reporter's Lincoln, 1917; Missouri, One Hundred Years Ago, 1919; Ambassador Francis, 
1920; Missouri's Travail of Statehood, 1920; Centennial History of Missouri, two 
volumes, 1921. 

Mr. Stevens was married in 1912 to Mrs. Sarah Rebecca Croft, Georgtown, South 
Carolina. 



EMIL HARMS. 



Emil Harms, vice president of the Peter Hauptmann Tobacco Company of St. Louis. 
was born in this city September 20, 1888. His father, the late Henry Harms, was also 
a native of Missouri, and was a representative of one of the old families of the state 
of German lineage, the family being founded in America by the great grandfather of 
Emil Harms. Henry Harms was reared and educated in Missouri and in early life 
came to St. Louis where he engaged in mercantile pursuits, passing away July 4, 1909, 
at the age of fifty-two years. For thirty-five years prior to his demise he had been 
connected with the Peter Hauptmann Tobacco Company, the oldest established firm 
of the kind in the city. He wedded Mary J. Grosse, a native of Missouri and a member 
of one of the old families of the state. To Mr. and Mrs. Harms there were born four 
sons and four daughters. 

Emil Harms of this review was the fourth in order of birth and was educated 
in parochial schools of St. Louis and also in Walther high school. When seventeen 
years of age he made his initial step in the business world, his first position being 
that of wagon boy for the Peter Hauptmann Tobacco Company. From that humble 
place he has worked his way steadily upward through various departments to his 
present position as vice president, having been chosen for the office upon the death of his 
father who had been president and treasurer of the company for many years. Emil 
Harms is a man of sound business judgment and keen discrimination and is today 
active in the management of one of the oldest tobacco houses of the state. 



342 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

On the 20th of June, 1917, Mr. Harms was married in St. Louis to Miss Cornelia 
Peters, a native of this city and a daughter of W. L. and Katherine (Oonk) Peters. 
They reside at 6935 Waterman avenue. Mr. and Mrs. Harms are members of the 
Lutheran church. He had been reared in that faith, his parents being devoted members 
thereof. His mother was a most consistent member of the Jlessiah Lutheran church 
and a woman of many estimable traits of character. For eleven years following the 
death of her husband she has been the president of the Peter Hauptmann Tobacco 
Company, continuing at the head of the business until her demise. Emil Harms is a 
republican giving unfaltering allegiance to the support of the party. He belongs to 
the Missouri Athletic Association and also to the Sunset Hill Country Club. His 
business activities and his long residence in St. Louis have made him widely known 
here and the many sterling qualities which he has displayed have gained for him the 
frffendship and high regard of those with whom he has been associated. 



ROBERT E. MOLONEY. 



Robert E. Moloney, member of the St. Louis bar. was born October 28, 1882, 
in the city which is still his home. His father, T. F. Moloney, who for many years 
was a well known merchant was engaged in the retail dry goods business at Broad- 
way and Lucas avenue until 1889. He then retired from that business and passed 
away in 1892. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Josephine M. Dunn, is still 
living. 

Spending his youthful days under the parental root Robert E. Moloney attended 
the public school and afterwards prepared for the bar. Following his admission he 
entered upon practice and his life since that time has been devoted to professional 
interests of growing extent and importance. He prepares his cases thoroughly and 
his analytical mind enables him to present each point with due force, and to give 
special stress to the important point upon which the decision of every case finally 
turns. 

On the 12th of November, 1919, in St. Louis, Mr. Moloney was married to Miss 
Louise J. Welek, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles F. Welek. They have one 
child, Robert Welek, born September 17, 1920. Mr. Moloney is a member of the 
American, the Missouri State and the St. Louis Bar Associations. He gives his 
political allegiance to the democratic party which he has supported since age con- 
ferred upon him the right of franchise, and he belongs to the Noonday Club also 
to the Sunset Hill Country Club, and finds his recreation in outdoor life and sport. 



JAMES SIDNEY LEE. 

Of the business enterprises which center in a large city perhaps there is none 
of more real value as a factor in the improvement and adornment of the city than 
the profession of architecture and it is in this connection that James Sidney Lee 
has become well-known as he is senior partner in the firm of Lee & Rush, archi- 
tects of St. Louis. Here he was born December 15, 1875, the only son of John R. 
and Josephine Harding (Walsh) Lee. The Lee family, of English origin, was 
founded in Virginia at an early period in the colonization of the new world and 
representatives of the name removed from the Old Dominion to Maryland. It was 
in the latter state that John R. Lee was born and reared and in completing his 
education he attended Harvard University, being graduated from the law school 
with the class of 1860. Four years later he settled in St. Louis where he practiced 
his profession. At the outbreak of the Civil war he returned to Virginia and there 
entered military service, enlisting near Dover in the Confederate army. Not long 
afterward he was wounded and was thus incapacitated for further participation 
in the war. He continued his residence in St. Louis from 1864 until 1877 and then 
removed westward to Denver, Colorado, and afterward lived in other western states. 
While in Denver he served as a judge of one of the city courts. His death occurred 
in 1905 when he had reached the age of sixty-five years. His wife was born in 
St. Louis and was a daughter of James B. and Helena (Harding) W'alsh. Her 




ROBERT E. MOLONEY 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 345 

great-grandfather, Patrick Walsh, was of Irish descent but was born in the state 
of New York where the family settled at a very early day. Patrick Walsh became 
one of the pioneer residents of St. Louis where he took up his abode in the early 
part of the nineteenth century. He was a well known prominent character here 
and was the first justice of the peace of St. Louis. His son, James B. Walsh, was 
at one time mayor of Carondelet. The Harding family was of Welsh lineage and 
through that line Mrs. Lee was a direct descendant of Admiral Oliver Hazard 
Perry. She is still living and makes her home in St. Louis. 

James Sidney Lee, her only child, was educated in public, private and parochial 
schools completing his studies in Smith Academy. After leaving school at the 
age of fourteen years he entered an architectural school and upon completing his 
studies took up the active work of the profession in which he has since continued. 
For twenty-five years he has practiced as one of the architects of St. Louis and his 
recognized ability has brought him to a point of leadership in this field. On all 
sides stand buildings which are monuments to his skill and ability, for he has 
long enjoyed an extepsive patronage in the line of his chosen profession. 

On the 22d of April, 1894, Mr. Lee was married in St. Louis to Miss Ida Bell 
Rice, a native of St. Charles, Missouri, and a daughter of Dr. Curtis Rice of a prom- 
inent old family of this state and a well known physician and surgeon of St. Charles. 
Mr. and Mrs. Lee have become parents of two children: Wallace Francis, born in 
St. Louis; and Harold Silvester. 

Mr. Lee's military service covers three years' connection with the Missouri 
National Guard. During the World war he took most active part in promoting the 
work of the Knights of Columbus, in behalf of the soldiers. He is a fourth degree 
Knight and was formerly treasurer of the order. He belongs to St. Rose's Roman 
Catholic Church and in politics maintains an independent course. He has never 
sought nor desired office, preferring to concentrate his efforts and attention upon 
his business interests and he has become one of the well known architects of St. 
Louis. He has largely specialized in church architecture and has designed many 
of the leading Catholic churches, the Catholic hospital and orphanages of the city. 
He has also erected a large number of public buildings in the past twenty-five years 
in St. Louis and throughout the surrounding country and his work has at all times 
been the expression of that which is highest and best in his chosen field of labor. 



HARRIS L. MOORE. 



Harris L. Moore, engaged in the practice of law at Excelsior Springs, was born 
in Kansas City, Missouri, October 18, 1871, a son of John C. and Pauline (Harris) 
Moore. The paternal grandfather was Dr. John S. Moore who in early manhood 
became a member of the faculty of the Missouri Medical College of St. Louis and 
later was dean of the college. He became a man of note in his profession, long 
holding a prominent position as a representative physician and surgeon of the 
state. The maternal grandfather of Harris L. Moore was one of the leading men 
of Kansas City in his day and took a very active part in all public affairs. He 
served as mayor for two terms and on the occasion of his first candidacy was 
opposed by T. B. Bullene who was called a most popular man in Kansas City and 
who was a lifelong friend of Mr. Harris. Nothing was allowed to interfere with 
this friendship which was continued uninterruptedly even after Mr. Harris had 
defeated Mr. Bullene at the polls in the race for the mayoralty. It was during 
his term as mayor that the Hannibal bridge matter came up and the city had to 
give an answer to the railroad company within twenty-four hours as to whether 
they could give a certain cash bonus — a sum which at that time seemed very large 
but which had been offered by another city if the railroad would extend its line 
there. Mayor Harris, in the face of almost overwhelming opposition but with the 
realization that the bridge would be the making of Kansas City, wired the railroad 
people that Kansas City would give the bonus. Thus the bridge was secured to 
Kansas City with the result that the mayor had anticipated. At the time he sent 
the wire the city did not have the money but he set resolutely to work to secure 
it and thus win the bridge. He was a natural leader of men and the people of his 
community desired him to become a candidate for congress in his district but he 



346 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

refused feeling that his educational qualifications were not sufficient for the posi- 
tion. He was a man of most conscientious character and could never be swerved 
from a course which he believed to be right. At one time he was considered the 
leading real estate man of Kansas City and one of its wealthiest residents. In 
1880 he disposed of his business there and went to Durango, Colorado, where he 
spent the remaining years of his life, continuing active in public affairs in the 
west. He was in his seventy-fourth year when he was elected mayor of Durango. 

Harris L. Moore has reason to be proud of the record of both his paternal and 
maternal grandfathers and the course which his father pursued was also one which 
reflected credit and honor upon an untarnished family name. 

Harris L. Moore was educated in the public schools of Kansas City, St. Louis 
and of Pueblo, Colorado, before entering the Missouri State University at Columbia 
from which he was graduated in 189 2 with the Bachelor of Arts degree. He taught 
school for a time after leaving the University and during the same period studied 
law by himself. In 1893 he passed an examination before the court of Sedalia, 
Missouri, and was admitted to the bar. About a year later he entered into a 
partnership at Kingston, Missouri, under the name of Wood & Moore, but after 
eight months he removed to Excelsior Springs where he opened an office in Novem- 
ber, 1895, and entered upon the general practice of law in which he has since 
continued. He has enjoyed a good clientage during the last quarter of a cen- 
tury and is classed with the able lawyers of this section of the state. In 1898 
he was made a captain of Company M of the Missouri State Guards, a military 
organization of Clay county, and served during the Spanish-American war. On 
his return he resumed his law practice and for several terms filled the office of 
city attorney. He has also rendered valuable aid to the community as a member 
of the school board and is now serving as its president. 

In December, 1898, Mr. Moore was married at Excelsior Springs to Miss Nancy 
Jones, a representative of an old Kentucky family, her birth having occurred in 
Kentucky just before the removal of the family to Excelsior Springs. Mr. and 
Mrs. Moore have become parents of four children: John, Alma, Robert and Richard. 
They are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. South, and Mr. Moore is 
well known in Masonic circles, belonging to the lodge, chapter, commandery and 
Mystic Shrine. His political allegiance has always been given to the democratic 
party. He has ever been fond of hunting and fishing and now largely finds his 
recreation in gardening. He represents two of the old and prominent families of 
Missouri and is fortunate in that his lines of life have been passed in harmony 
therewith. His worth as a man and citizen is widely acknowledged and under 
different conditions but with equally loyal purpose he is contributing to the upbuild- 
ing and progress of the state just as his forefathers did in days of the early devel- 
opment of the commonwealth. 



CHARLES D. BOLIN. 



Charles D. Bolin, president and treasurer of the American Thermometer Com- 
pany of St. Louis, is a descendant of an old Virginian family that was represented 
in the Revolutionary war. He was born in Princeton, Indiana, August 29, 1866, 
and is a son of Benjamin T. and Alta (Baker) Bolin. At different periods during 
his boyhood the family home was maintained in Tennessee and in Arkansas, so that 
he pursued his education in the public schools of those states. He also took a com- 
mercial course in a business college at Memphis. Tennessee, subsequent to which 
time he began learning the printing trade in Forrest City, Arkansas. He was 
reared on a farm in the latter state and had early become familiar with the methods 
of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. His advantages were somewhat limited 
during his youthful days and it was after attending the public schools that he 
qualified for his business career by attending a commercial college at night. He 
was a youth of seventeen when he entered upon an apprenticeship in a printing 
office in Forrest City, Arkansas, and later accepted a position in a woolen mill at 
Jackson, Tennessee. He next entered the employ of the Memphis & Charleston 
Railroad Company at Memphis as an apprentice in car building and later accepted 
a more lucrative position with an insurance company, becoming solicitor for the 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 347 

Union Central Life Insurance Company of Memphis. He was afterward trans- 
ferred to St. Louis and promoted to the position of general agent, remaining with 
the Union Central from 1893 until 1912. At this time he resigned because in the 
meantime he had invested in hanking and manufacturing enterprises and had con- 
stantly extended his business connections, which by 1912 had become of a most 
important character. In 1918 he was elected president of the St. Louis & St. 
Charles Bridge Company and was also made president and treasurer of the Amer- 
ican Thermometer Company of St. Louis. He is likewise vice president of the Easton 
Taylor Trust Company of St. Louis, is a director of the Grand Avenue Bank and 
vice president of the St. Louis Crystal Water & Soda Company. His business inter- 
ests and connections have thus become extensive and his sound judgment and co- 
operation are sought in the conduct of various business concerns. He displays keen 
sagacity in discriminating between the essential and the non-essential in business 
affairs and has employed the most constructive measures in upbuilding the various 
interests with which he is identified. 

On the 5th of June, 1889, in Memphis, Tennessee, Mr. Bolin was married to 
Miss Minnie Richmond, a daughter of Captain Edward and Tranquilla Richmond, 
the former a planter and slave owner in antebellum days in Tennessee. Both 
parents have passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Bolin have a family of five children: 
Alline; Ray, who is president of the Crystal Water & Soda Company of St. Louis; 
Mary Jane; Virginia; and Dorothy, who is a student in the Mary Institute of St. 
Louis and will graduate at the early age of sixteen. 

Mr. Bolin is a member of the Missouri Athletic Club, also of the Glen Echo 
Club of St. Louis. He is well known in Masonic circles, having attained the Knights 
Templars degree in the York Rite and he has also taken the Scottish Rite degrees 
and Shrine — in fact is a member of every branch of Masonry. He belongs to the 
Methodist church and his life has ever been actuated by high and honorable prin- 
ciples. He is prominently and widely known in business and social circles, having 
for more than two decades been closely associated with many of the progressive 
business interests of St. Louis, where his ability, forcetulness and resourcefulness 
are widely recognized. 



JAMES J. PARKS. 



James J. Parks, secretary of the Missouri State Life Insurance Company, is 
taking active part in the upbuilding of a strong organization which has come to 
rank with the leading insurance companies of the middle west, its business show- 
ing remarkable growth and development for the past few years and especially 
within the past few months. This is due to the enterprise and thoroughly organ- 
ized plans of its officers who are taking cognizance of every condition bearing upon 
the insurance business and are wisely and promptly utilizing their opportunities for 
advancement. Mr. Parks comes to St. Louis, Missouri, from the neighboring state 
of Illinois, his birth having occurred in Rock Island county, January 10, 1852, his 
parents being Henry H. and Martha (Gingles) Parks, the former born near Colum- 
bus, Ohio, and of Scotch-Irish descent, while the mother was a native of Pennsyl- 
vania and a representative of Pennsylvania Dutch stock. Henry H. Parks removed 
from Ohio to Illinois in young manhood and was married in Rock Island county, 
after which he located on a farm and was identified with agricultural pursuits 
throughout the period of his active manhood. He passed away at the age of 
seventy-nine years. 

James J. Parks was educated at Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois, where he 
won the Bachelor of Arts degree in 1872, while in 1875 his alma mater conferred 
upon him the Master of Arts degree. He took up the study of law at Rock Island 
upon the completion of his college course and was admitted to practice at the 
state bar of Illinois in September, 1874. He then followed his profession in Rock 
Island until 1886, when he went to Wichita, Kansas, where he became a well known 
attorney, there remaining until 1895. In the latter year he removed to St. Louis, 
where he opened an office, but failing health forced him a year later to give up the 
practice of law and he identified himself with the New York Life Insurance Com- 
pany, which he represented in Dubuque, Iowa, for two and a half years. He then 



348 CEXTEXNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

returned to St. Louis as State manager for the Fidelity Mutual Life Insurance Com- 
pany of Philadelphia, with which he was connected for three and a half years. He 
next entered into business relations with the Franklin Lite Company of Illinois, 
having charge of the St. Louis office, in which responsible position he con- 
tinued to serve for nine years. On the 6th of May, 1912,' he came to the Missouri 
State Life Insurance Company as field secretary and in January, 1920, was elected' 
secretary, in which position of responsibility he is now serving, taking active part 
in further directing and shaping the policy of the company and promoting its 
rapidly increasing business. 

On the 30th of September, 1875, Mr. Parks was married to Miss Flora Conway, 
of Rock Island, Illinois, and to them were born two daughters: Cleland, now the 
wife of William M. Hunt, of Atlanta, Georgia; and Elizabeth, the wife of William 
R. Bright, living in St. Louis, Missouri. 

James J. Parks is a member of the Masonic fraternity and also of th_e Knights 
of Pythias. He belongs to the First Presbyterian church, of which his wife was also 
a member, but she passed away on the 28th of July, 1919. He has always been 
active in religious work and for six years served as president of the State Sunday 
School Association. He is also a trustee of Westminster College at Fulton, Mis- 
souri, and is a trustee of the Presbyterian Orphanage of Farmington, Missouri. 
He likewise was for fourteen years superintendent of the Sunday school of the 
First Presbyterian church and for twenty years has been one of the church elders. 
His interest in community affairs is shown in his connection with the St. Louis 
Chamber of Commerce and his political allegiance is given to the republican 
party. He keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day, recognizing 
the duties and obligations as well as the privileges of citizenship. His has been 
an active and useful life, characterized by high ideals and fraught with untiring 
effort for the benefit of his fellowmen. He has ever held to advanced standards 
and feels that he can render no better service than to aid the young in character 
development, recognizing the truth of the statement enunciated centuries ago: 
"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart 
from it." He has ever commanded the respect and confidence of his fellowmen, 
and all who know him bear testimony to Ms sterling worth of character as well as 
to his business enterprise and progressiveness. 



CHARLES NAGEL. 



Charles Nagel was born in Colorado county, Texas, August 9, 1849, a son of Dr. 
Herman and Fredericka Nagel. His paternal grandfather was engaged in commercial 
pursuits and was a man of influence in his small community. The maternal grand- 
father and great-grandfather of Charles Nagel were Lutheran clergymen. His father 
was a physician, graduated at the University of Berlin. Germany, in the early forties. 
In the year 1S47 his parents landed at New Orleans and proceeded to the interior of 
Texas, where they resided until, 1S63, when because of his sympathy with the Union, 
his father was obliged to leave the south. Taking his son Charles with him he fled to 
Mexico. In January they left for New York by a sailing ship, and arrived in St. Louis, 
Missouri, in February, 1S64. 

In the acquirement of his education Charles Nagel attended a German country 
school in- Austin county. Texas, and later a German private school in St. Louis. He 
afterward entered the high school at St. Louis, and was there graduated in 1868. He 
was valedictorian of his class. His preparation for the bar was made as a student in 
the St. Louis Law School, in which he completed a two years' course, and also in a one 
year's course at the University of Berlin, Germany, where he specialized in the study 
of Roman law, political economy, history and kindred subjects, thus pursuing branches 
of study of the greatest value to him in his law practice. On again taking up his abode 
in St. Louis, Mr. Nagel opened a law oflSce and through the intervening period has con- 
centrated his time and efforts upon his profession. The zeal with which he has devoted 
his energies to his law practice, the careful regard evinced for the interests of his 
clients and an assiduous and unrelaxing attention to all the details of his cases have 
brought him a large business and made him very successful in its conduct. He fre- 
quently contributes to magazines and newspapers, and devotes considerable time to 




CHARLES NAGEL 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 351 

the discussion of public questions. His briefs always show wide research, careful 
thought, and the best and strongest reasons which can be urged for his contentions, 
presented in cogent and logical form and illustrated by a style unusually lucid and 
clear. He has been equally successful in the educational field. In 1885 he was ap- 
pointed to a professorship in the St. Louis Law School, a position which he filled for 
twenty-four years. He has been most clear in his exposition of the law and wise in 
his direction of the mental development of pupils along the line of jurisprudence. 
Aside from his professional activities he has become a director of the Northwestern 
Mutual Life Insurance Company, the St. Louis Union Trust Company, the International 
Bank of St. Louis, and vice-president of the Chamber of Commerce of the United 
States. In 1911 he received the LL.D degree from Brown University. The same degree 
was conferred upon him by Villanova University of Pennsylvania, and by the Wash- 
ington University of St. Louis. In his law practice he has maintained several partner- 
ship relations having, among others, been a member of the firm of Finkelnburg, Nagel 
& Kirby from 1903 until 1905, of the firm of Nagel & Kirby from 1905 until 1909, while 
in 1913, after he retired from the cabinet, he again entered upon that relation. 

On the 4th of August, 1876, Mr. Nagel was married to Fannie Brandeis, of Louis- 
ville, Kentucky, who died in 1890. On the 1st day of May, 1895, he married Anne 
Shepley, of St. Louis. His children are: Hildegard Nagel; Mary S., the wife of Homer 
L. Sweetser, of Brookline, Massachusetts, who in 1917 volunteered for the navy and 
served as an ensign, being on duty first in Washington, while later he was assigned 
to a transport; Edith, who is the wife of Henry Augustus Rice Putnam, who was grad- 
uated from the Massachusetts. Institute of Technology as a mining engineer and served 
as a captain of engineers in the United States Army during the World war; Charles 
Nagel, Jr., who joined the United States Navy Reserve at Yale about the time he was 
to enter upon his first year's studies there and was mustered out at the close of Decem- 
ber, 1918, but has not yet been discharged; and Anne Dorothea. 

In politics Mr. Nagel has always been a stalwart republican and is a recognized 
leader in the ranks of his party in Missouri. In 1881 he was called upon to represent 
his district in the general assembly, serving for the two years' term. In 1893 he be- 
came president of the St. Louis City Council, and filled that position for four years. 
He was a member of the republicat national committee for 1908 until 1912 and from 
March, 1909, until March, 1913, was secretary of commerce and labor in the cabinet 
of President Taft. He is a trustee of Washington University of St. Louis, and has 
been a member of the board of control of the St. Louis Museum of Fine Arts. He has 
connection with the worth while clubs of St. Louis, including the University, St. Louis, 
Commercial, Round Table, Mercantile, Noonday and the St. Louis Country Club; also 
with the Bankers Club of New York, and the Metropolitan and Cosmos Clubs of Wash- 
ington, D. C. As a member of the Chamber of Commerce of the United States, which 
was organized through his efforts as secretary of commerce and labor, he participated 
in the war work during 1917 and 1918. particularly as a member of the price committee 
and the war committee. While secretary of commerce and labor he presided over the 
convention of delegates representing the United States, Great Britain, Russia and 
Japan, which formulated the Seal Treaty, thereby putting an end to the endless and 
costly controversies upon that subject, and resulting in the conservation of the valuable 
seal herds of the several countries. He has exerted a widely felt influence over public 
thought and opinion in his city and state, and has had not a little to do with shaping 
public policy. He is usually found in those gatherings where men of intelligence are 
met for the discussion of vital problems, and it is well known that association with 
him means expansion and elevation. 



MASTIN SIMPSON. 



Mastin Simpson, president and general manager of the Phenix Marble Com- 
pany, conducting business at Nineteenth and Olive streets in Kansas City, is a 
native of Brooklyn, New York. He was born Nov"ember 22, 1870, to Mr. and 
Mrs. George Elliott Simpson, and acquired his preliminary education in the 
Stevens Institute of New Jersey, while later he entered Princeton University at 
Princeton, New Jersey, as a post-graduate in the class of 1893. He has specialized 
in mechanical engineering and seeking the opportunities of the growing west he 



352 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

came to Kansas City as a draftsman for the National Water Works. His father 
was then vice president of that corporation and Mr. Simpson of this review re- 
mained with the company until the city purchased the system. He then returned 
to the east, remaining at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and at Newark, New Jersey, 
until 1901, connected with public utilities in those cities. In the latter year he 
again came to Kansas City and was here made secretary and treasurer of the 
H. P. Wright Investment Company. In 1909 he associated himself with the Phenix 
Marble Company, became president and general manager in 1913 and has so con- 
tinued to the present time. This company has furnished stone and marble for many 
notable buildings for both exterior and interior decorations throughout the United 
States and Canada, having contracted for eighty buildings in New York city alone. 
The company also supplied the inside marble decorations for the Missouri state 
capitol and many other fine structures throughout the west. They operate exten- 
sive quarries at Phenix, Missouri, near Springfield, and the business is now one 
of extensive and gratifying proportions. Mr. Simpson is thoroughly familiar with 
every phase of the business in principle and detail and his careful direction of its 
affairs has constituted a most important element in the growth and prosperity of 
the undertaking. 

In 18 98 Mr. Simpson was united in marriage to Miss Mary Matilda Hendrix, 
the second daughter of Bishop Eugene Russell Hendrix, and they have become 
parents of two daughters. Ann Scarritt and Mary Ellen. The religious faith of 
the family is that of the Methodist church. With various trade organizations 
Mr. Simpson is also associated. He is a member of the executive committee and 
governor of District No. 8 of the International Cut Stone Contractors and Quarry- 
men's Association and has served as president of the Kansas City Builders Associa- 
tion for two terms. He is likewise a member of the board of governors of the 
Employers Association and is president of the Simpson Estate Company. His 
activities are thus extensive and he is prominently known in building circles 
throughout the entire industry. 



GEORGE TREADWAY RIDDLE. 

George Treadway Riddle, president of the Franklin Bank of St. Louis, his 
flative city, was born February 22, 1847, his parents being Colonel Alexander and 
Mary E. (Treadway) Riddle. The father was a native of Pennsylvania, born in 
1802. The paternal grandfather, who was the founder of the American branch 
of the family, came to the new world from Scotland and crossed the mountains into 
western Pennsylvania, settling on a farm near Pittsburgh, where he resided until 
his death. His tombstone in the nearby cemetery spells his name "Riddell." It 
was in the latter part of the '30s that Colonel Alexander Riddle made his way west- 
ward to Missouri and in early life engaged in the lumber business at the corner 
of Biddle & Broadway in St. Louis, at which time he changed the spelling of the 
name to Riddle. He was commissioned a lieutenant colonel of the St. Louis Legion, 
Ninety-fifth Regiment, First Brigade, Second Division, Missouri Militia, and he was 
a well known figure in this city in the middle portion of the nineteenth century, 
here passing away in 1867. His wife, a native of Middletown, Connecticut, was a 
representative of one of the old families of that state of English lineage. She be- 
came the mother of two sons, Truman P. and George T. Riddle. She passed away 
in St. Louis in 1850. 

George T. Riddle was educated in the public schools of St. Louis, passing 
through consecutive grades to the high school at Fifteenth and Olive. Dur- 
ing the latter part of the "Civil war he served as a clerk in the office of the 
provost marshal and afterward became connected with the lumber trade in 1865 aa 
a clerk in the employ of James and William Patrick. On the 8th of February, 
1870, he became secretary of the Mississippi Planing Mill and continued with that 
enterprise until 1878, when the company was succeeded by the Riddle-Rehbein 
Manufacturing Company, of which Mr. Riddle is now principal owner. He has 
thus long been associated with the lumber trade and has won substantial success 
in this connection. On the 15th of March, 1911, following the death of G. W. 
Garrels, president of the Franklin Bank, Mr. Riddle was elected to the presidency 




GEORGE T. RIDDLE 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 355 

and r'emains as the head ot that Institution. In all business affairs he has dis- 
played unremitting energy and ability and his progress in the business world is 
the direct outcome of his ability. 

During the war Mr. Riddle was a member of the executive committee of the 
Red Cross of St. Louis. He belongs to the St. Louis Club, to the Missouri Athletic 
Association and to the First Presbyterian church — associations that indicate much 
of the nature of his interests, his recreation and the rules that govern his conduct. 
His political endorsement is given to the republican party. 



FRANK J. WIGET. 



Frank J. Wiget, vice president and trust officer of the Farmers & Merchants Trust 
Company is a well known figure in the financial circles of St. Louis, having filled his 
present position for a period of more than thirteen years. He was born in this city 
May 21, 1882, his parents being Xavier and Amanda (Nadig) Wiget both of whom 
were natives of Switzerland, the former born in 1848 and the latter in 1843. Mrs. 
Wiget came to America with her parents in 1848, the family home being established in 
St. Louis and here in 1878 she gave her hand in marriage to Xavier Wiget. They 
were the parents of four sons. Mr. Wiget had crossed the Atlantic In 1871 and he, 
too, became a resident of St. Louis. 

Frank J. Wiget was a pupil in the public and parochial schools of his native city 
and also attended business college before entering the Benton College of Law from 
which he was graduated in 1904 with the LL. B. degree. He then entered at once 
upon active practice and continued to follow the profession from 1904 until October, 
1919, when he was elected trust officer of the Farmers & Merchants Trust Company 
and has since largely given his attention to the duties of this office. He is also the 
president of the South St. Louis Investment Company, secretary and treasurer of the 
Prospect Investment Company, secretary and treasurer of the General Investment Com- 
pany and director of the Gravois Bank of St. Louis county. He has thus become 
extensively and actively interested in investment projects many of which have led 
to the development and upbuilding of St. Louis and his name is also a most honored 
one in banking circles in this part of the state. 

On the 26th of November, 1907, Mr. Wiget was married to Miss Ottilia Laux, a 
daughter of Anton and Adelheide (Korman) Laux. Three children have been born 
to them: Marcella, Lester and Francis. Mr. W^iget is a republican in his political 
views and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day but has never 
sought nor desired office, preferring to concentrate his attention and his activities' 
upon his business affairs which have been most carefully and wisely directed and 
have brought him a substantial measure of success. 



WILLIAM J. ROMER. 



William J. Romer. a merchant tailor of St. Louis conducting business as a 
partner in the firm of Kohler & Romer in the Carleton building, was born in Lima, 
Ohio, November 8, 1868. His father, Joseph Romer, was born in Alsace Lorraine and 
came to America in 1848. He engaged in the hotel business in Ohio and during the 
progress of the Civil war, saw active service with the Union army. He married Wil- 
helmina Laba, who was born in Colmar, Alsace Lorraine, and they became the parents 
of ten children of whom William J. is the youngest. Three daughters of the family 
are living: Anna, who married Henry Fruch, and resides in Lima, Ohio; Bertha, 
who became the wife of Charley Losee, also of Lima; and Emma, the wife of John L. 
O'Connor, likewise a resident of Lima. 

William J. Romer obtained his early education in the public schools of Lima, 
Ohio, and afterward attended St. Xavier College in Cincinnati, Ohio, for three years 
and studied the tailoring business at night. In 1889 he went to Omaha, Nebraska, 
where he studied medicine with Dr. Lee and Dr. Rebert for about a year, but in 1891 
he withdrew from active connection with the medical profession and through the 
succeeding years followed the profession of tailoring. In 1894 he came to St. Louis 



356 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

where he managed the Humphrys Clothing Company's business. In 1901 he formed 
a partnership with Mr. Kohler, organizing the firm of Kohler & Romer for the conduct 
of a merchaut tailoring business. Their success has steadily grown and developed 
through the intervening years and their trade is now extensive and important. They 
confine their activities to the making of higli grade clothing and maintain an attrac- 
tive and well appointed shop in the Carleton building. Their establishment is well 
known for the high standards maintained and they draw their patronage from among 
the best people of St. Louis and also from Maine to California. 

In Lima, Ohio, in October, 1897, Mr. Romer was married to Miss Winnifred Sulli- 
van, a daughter of Thomas Sullivan, who resides in Ohio, where he was engaged 
in railroad service as traffic manager for the Cincinnati, Hamilton and Dayton Rail- 
road. To Mr. and Mrs. Romer have been born two children: Rosamond, the wife 
of Herbert H. Hope who is engaged in the real estate business in Philadelphia; and 
William S., who was graduated from the Philadelphia Technical College in 1920. 

Mr. Romer received a medal from the treasury department of the United States 
government in recognition of his work done in behalf of the Liberty loan during the 
World war. His religious faith is that of the Catholic church and politically he main- 
tains an independent course. He belongs to the Chamber of Commerce and is interested 
in all that pertains to the city's progress and upbuilding. He is also connected with 
the Civic League and with the City Club and belongs to the Triple A Athletic Asso- 
ciation. In his business he has made steady progress for he started out in life empty 
handed and has gained a substantial measure of success, while at the same time a 
social disposition and genuine personal worth have gained for him the warm regard 
and friendship of many with whom he has been brought into contact. 



ISRAEL M. SIMON. 



Israel M. Simon, banker and broker of St. Louis, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, 
May 3, 1849, a son of Mark and Lottie (Thurnauer) Simon. He obtained a public 
school education in Cincinnati and was graduated from the Woodward high school. 
He attended the Harvard Law School from which he was graduated in 1871 with the 
LL. B. degree and entered upon law practice in Cincinnati as a member of the firm 
of Christy, Wright & Simon. In 1S80 he organized the brokerage firm of Simon & 
Huseman which later became I. M. Simon & Company. Under this business associa- 
tion he engaged in the banking and brokerage business and in 1887 organized the 
Kquitable National Bank of Cincinnati, of which he became a director. 

Mr. Simon dates his residence in St. Louis from 1900 and here succeeded to the 
business of Kohu & Company, bankers and brokers, which in 1906 was succeeded by 
the firm of Simon, Brookmire & Clifford and was thus associated until the organization 
of the firm of I. M. Simon & Company in 1915. He has been a member of the New 
York Stock Exchange since 1892. 

On the 15th of June, 1880, Mr. Simon was married to Miss Alice Kohn of St. 
Louis. Mr. Simon is a member of several clubs and is prominent socially. 



FREDERICK M. SIMON. 



Frederick M. Simon, a representative of the younger generation connected with the 
financial interests of St. Louis, is a member of the firm of I. M. Simon & Company, 
bankers and brokers with oflices in the Security building. He was born in Cincinnati, 
Ohio, February 24, 1886, and is a son of Israel M. and Alice K. Simon. 

Frederick M. Simon, the second of the family, was educated under private tutors 
and in the Milton Academy of Massachusetts before entering Harvard University from 
which he was graduated in 1909 with the Bachelor of Arts degree, specializing in 
political economy. He then entered the stock and bond business with the firm of 
Simon, Brookmire & Clifford and maintained that association until 1915 when the 
firm of I. M. Simon & Company became successors to the former business organization. 
The present firm has memberships on both the New York and St. Louis Stock Ex- 
changes. 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 357 

Politically Frederick M. Simon is a republican and keeps well informed on the 
questions and issues ot the day but is not ambitious to hold otBce. He belongs to the 
Sunset Hill. Columbian, Westwood and Harvard Clubs and is well known socially 
in the city, while in financial circles he has made a most creditable name and place. 



CHARLES A. CLARK. 



Charles A. Clark, president of the Egyptian Tie & Timber Company, was born 
in Wayne county, Illinois, December 25, 1S73, a son of Elias and Ulissa Jane (Leach) 
Clark. The father was a native of Wisconsin and belonged to one of the old pioneer 
families of that state of English descent. He removed with his parents to Wabash 
county, Illinois, prior to the Civil war, and in that state engaged in farming and 
stock raising for many years but when the country needed his aid in defense of the 
Union he became a private in an Illinois regiment and served on various battle fields 
of the south until the final victory was won. He then resumed his agricultural and 
stock raising interests in Illinois where he is now living retired. His wife was born 
in Edwards county, that state, where her parents had lived from any early day. The 
Leach family also came of English ancestry. Mrs. Clark departed this life in 1910 at 
the age of sixty years. By her marriage she liad become the mother of six sons and 
a daughter. 

Charles A. Clark of this review was educated in the country schools of Wayne 
county, Illinois, and spent his youthful days on the home farm, early becoming 
familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. At the 
age of twenty-seven years, however, he left the farm and entered the employ of the 
firm of L. D. Leach & Company, dealers in timber, with whom he continued for ten 
years and during that period he acquainted himself with all branches of the business. 
He then resigned his position and in 1911 organized the Egyptian Tie & Timber Com- 
pany of St. Louis of which he has since been the president. This company operates 
in Illinois and Missouri and in addition to dealing in timber products they also engage 
in the manufacture of lumber. The business has been steadily developed to exten- 
sive proportions and is the tangible expression of the ability, enterprise and determined 
purpose of Charles A. Clark. In addition to his activities of this character he is 
the president of the Egyptian Gravel Company and a substantial business has been 
built up in that line. 

On the 7th of October, 1900, in Wayne county, Illinois, Mr. Clark was married to 
Miss Beatrice Barnett, a native of Wabash county, Illinois, and a daughter of Thomas 
and Ruth (Brown) Barnett who were representatives of old and well known families 
of Wabash county. Mr. and Mrs. Clark have become parents of two children, Freda, 
born in Wayne county, Illinois, and Lena. The family now resides at No. 5361 Persh- 
ing avenue in St. Louis. Mr. Clark gives his political support to the republican party 
while fraternally he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and 
his family is identified with the Methodist church. Mr. Clark started out in life as 
a poor boy. His first earnings on a farm were but twenty-five cents per day and 
from that humble beginning he has steadily advanced, his success being due entirely 
to his industry and "perseverance. He attacks with contagious enthusiasm anything 
he undertakes and his unfaltering purpose and industry have enabled him to sur- 
mount all the difficulties and obstacles in his path and climb steadily to the goal 
of prosperity. 



CHARLES C. LEE. 



Charles C. Lee, of the Lee & Cooper Motor Company of Kansas City, was born in 
Newman, Illinois, March 27, 1884, his parents. John T. and Mary (Poulter) Lee, being 
also natives of that state. The father was a farmer by occupation, and has always 
lived a quiet, retired life now making his home in Florida, having put aside the 
affairs of active business to enjoy in well earned rest the fruits of his former toil. 

Charles C. Lee attended the schools of Charleston, Illinois, also a commercial col- 
lege at Indianapolis, Indiana, from which he was graduated. He started out in the 



358 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

business world as an employe of the Atlas Engine Works, a big concern with which 
lie gained much valuable business experience. 

The year 1908 witnessed the arrival of Mr. Lee in Kansas City at which time he 
obtained a position with the Weber Engine Company, and worked with all subsidiary 
companies in the purchasing and accounting departments. In 1910 he became asso- 
ciated with the Kansas City branch of the Ford Motor Company as a representative of 
the purchasing department and as chief clerk in the wholesale department. In 1919 
he became one of the organizers of the Lee Cooper Motor Company, handling Ford 
cars and tractors. His previous experience in connection with the automobile trade 
stood him in good stead in organizing and promoting the new enterprise which has 
already become one of the substantial business interests of this character in Kan- 
sas City. 

In 1912 Mr. Lee was united in marriage to Miss Mary Lyddou, who was born 
in Wichita, Kansas, and a daughter of G. D. and Coit (Major) Lyddon, the former 
a newspaper man. Mr. and Mrs. Lee have three children: Martha Jane; Charles 
Lyddon; and John Dana. Both Mr. and Mrs. Lee are well known in Kansas City 
where they have gained many warm friends who esteem them highly because of their 
sterling worth. Mr. Lee is recognized as a representative young business man and 
is actuated in all that he does by a progressive spirit that accomplishes desired 
results. / 



GEORGE S. DRAKE. 

St. Louis was just entering upon the second quarter of the nineteenth century 
when George S. Drake became a resident of the town and when the period of his boy- 
hood and youth passed he entered upon a business career that made him one of the 
foremost citizens. In tracing the ancestral line from which he was descended it is 
learned that through many centuries the Drake family has figured conspicuously in 
connection with the affairs of Great Britain. As early as 1272 John Drake held lands 
by grant of King Edward I and in 1313 John Drake had permission of Edward II "to 
go beyond the sqa." Many distinguished clerygmen, martyrs, authors and navigators 
have borne the name and among the most noted of the last mentioned class was Sir 
Francis Drake, prominent during the reign of Queen Elizabeth. In the year 1552 
Richard Drake, the ancestor of the branch of the family to which George S. Drake 
belonged, was high sheriff of Dublin, Irejand. This family was also represented by 
Robert Drake, minister of Thundersly, in Essex England, who died a martyr at Smith- 
field during the reign of Queen Mary. When exhorted by Bishop Bonner to renounce 
his "heresy" he made this remarkable and courageous reply: "As for your Church of 
Rome, I utterly deny and defy it, with all the works thereof, as I deny the devil and 
all his works." In the year 1630 John Drake, of Devon, England, crossed the Atlantic 
and established his home in Connecticut, ten years after a landing was first made 
by the Pilgrims on Plymouth Rock on the completion of the first voyage of the May- 
flower. In 1637 he took up his permanent abode at East Windsor. Connecticut, and 
to that place the ancestral line of the various branches of the family in America is 
traced. The name has long been a most honored one in various sections of the country 
for representatives of the family have been recognized as people of strong intellectual 
attainments and of marked ability in various lines. 

It was on the 11th of October, 1825, that George S. Drake was born at Hartford. 
Connecticut, his parents being Silas and Elizabeth (Warburton) Drake, who in 1827 
removed westward to Missouri and established their home in St. Louis, at which time 
George S. Drake was but two years of age. He continued a resident of this city to 
the time of his death and after attending the private schools to some extent he con- 
tinued his education at Kemper College and when sixteen years of age made his initial 
step in the business world by securing a clerkship in the dry goods house of Warburton 
& King, one of the oldest established commercial houses of the city. His fidelity to 
the interests of his employers, his reliability and his diligence brought him steady 
promotion and after six years he was admitted to a partnership when but twenty-two 
years of age, under the firm style of Warburton. Rossiter & Drake. His association with 
the house was continued until 1852 when he withdrew and became a member of the 
firm of Manny, Drake & Company, dealers in boots and shoes. Thirteen years later 




GEORGE S. DKAKE 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 361 

he withdrew permanently from mercantile circles to devote his attention entirely to 
the management of his invested interests, hut according to the statement of a con- 
temporary biographer, "these did not take Mr. Drake out of constant and active rela- 
tion with the business interests of St. Louis. The value of his opinion in matters of 
finance and investment was recognized by all who had business relations with him 
and there were tew men — if indeed there were any — who were more minutely familiar 
with the course of business, banking and money in St. Louis for the last half century 
than George S. Drake; and there were none who excelled him in legal habit of mind 
and quick discernment of the equities of questions. It was not strange, therefore, 
that his services should have been claimed and his counsel desired by institutions 
with which he was connected. He was one of the men whose long relations with the 
Boatmen's Bank were so fortunate to that institution — a connection which began in 
1859 and continued almost unbroken to the time of his death." For twelve years Mr. 
Drake served on the directorate of the Boatmen's Bank, after which he became vice 
president and occupied that position for twenty-four years. He resigned in 1895 but 
in 1897 was again elected a director and continued to serve in that connection through- 
out his remaining days. He was also vice president of the Bellefontaine Cemetery 
Association for many years and did much to make the cemetery a most beautiful place 
of burial. 

Mr. Drake was twice married and was the father of two children — a son, George 
S. Drake, Jr., and a daughter, Mrs. Henry C. Scott, who is mentioned elsewhere in 
this work. 

When his country needed him Mr. Drake at once responded and served through 
the Civil war as a member of the Lyon Guards who successfully defended the state 
against the invasion of Price's army. He was also a member of the board of control 
in charge of Confederate prisoners. He had a wide acquaintance among men of promi- 
nence as the years passed and was a close personal friend of William Clark of the 
Lewis and Clark expedition into the northwest. He held membership with the Masonic 
fraternity, was a devoted member of the Second Presbyterian church, served as an 
elder thereof and was active in all charitable work. He was made a member of the 
advisory board of the Home of the Friendless and was a most liberal contributor to 
the support of that institution. He was likewise a member of the advisory board of 
the Protestant Orphans' Asylum, was a member of the Provident Association and be- 
longed to the St. Louis Club, the St. Louis Country Club and the Mercantile Club. His 
interests were of a comprehensive character and his activities were at all times such 
as contributed to the welfare and advancement of the community in which he lived. 
He passed away July 27, 1908, after a residence of eighty-one years in St. Louis. To 
him had come "the blest accompaniments of age — honor, riches, troops of friends," 
and the name of George S. Drake is still revered and his memory cherished by all 
with whom he was associated throughout the long period of an exceedingly active and 
useful life. 



GEORGE S. DRAKE, Jr., M. D. 

Dr. George S. Drake, Jr., an alumnus of the Johns Hopkins University of Balti- 
more, has since 1905 been engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in St. 
Louis and his pronounced ability has brought him to a position of prominence in 
professional circles. He was born June 5, 1875, in St. Louis, and is a representative 
of one of the old and prominent families of this city, his parents being George S. and 
Bertha (Molloy) Drake. The father was brought to St. Louis in 1827 when but 
two years of age, so that Dr. Drake is of the first generation of the family here. He 
was sent east for educational training, attending St. Paul's School at Concord, New 
Hampshire, while later he matriculated in Yale University and was graduated with 
the class of 1897. Subsequently he entered the Johns Hopkins University of Balti- 
more, Maryland, from which he received his professional degree in 1901. After com- 
pleting his course there he served for four years as house surgeon at the Union Protes- 
tant Infirmary in Baltimore and in 1905 returned to St. Louis, where he was made 
associate attending surgeon to the St. Louis Free Skin & Cancer Hospital and also 
associate attending surgeon to the St. Louis Children's Hospital. He was associated 
with the former institution for five years and for two years with the latter. During 



362 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

the past fifteen years he has built up an extensive private practice and ranks high 
among the surgeons of the city, confining his attention solely to surgical practice. 
He keeps in touch with the most advanced methods and is thoroughly familiar with 
the latest scientific researches and discoveries having to do with the practice of sur- 
gery. He belongs to the St. Louis Medical Society, the Missouri State Medical Society 
and the American Medical Association. Dr. Drake enlisted for service in the Euro- 
pean war and was assigned to duty at Camp Logan, Texas, in the Base Hospital. 
Later he was transferred to Jefferson Barracks and afterwards to the Base Hospital 
at Camp Zachary Taylor, in Kentucky, being mustered out on the 19th of May, 1919, 
with the rank of captain. 

On the 3d of June, 1911, Dr. Drake was married to Miss Myrtle Clark of St. 
Louis, a daughter of Henry Clark of Montgomery, Missouri, who was chairman of 
the convention that first nominated Champ Clark for congress. Dr. Drake is a member 
of the University Club, the Racquet Club, the St. Louis Country Club, the Bellerive 
Country Club, the Florissant Valley Club and of other social organizations in which 
he is prominent and popular. His political support is given to the republican party 
and he and his wife are of the Episcopal faith, attending St. Peter's church. He be- 
longs not only to one of the old and prominent St. Louis families but is a represen- 
tative of one of the old and distinguished American families descended from a notable 
English ancestry that can be traced back through many generations. The nobility 
of character manifest in his forebears finds expression in his own career. Nature 
endowed him with strong intellectual force which he has wisely directed along the 
lines of usefulness to his fellowmen and his position is today an enviable one and 
his name an honored one in the annals of St. Louis. 



WILLIAM HENRY GRABE. 

William Henry Grabe, secretary and treasurer of the Glancy-Watson Hotel 
Company, proprietors of the Marquette Hotel at St. Louis, was born January 12, 
1862, in Enger, Germany. His father, Henry Grabe. was also a native of that 
place and came to St. Louis with his family in May. 1864. Loyal to his adopted 
land he promptly enlisted in the Union army, but too late to see active service. 
He became a stock raiser and farmer, a pursuit which his father had previously 
followed, and in tact the family had for many generations given their attention 
to agricultural pursuits near Enger. The death of Henry Grabe occurred in 1891, 
after a residence of more than a quarter of a century in Missouri. His wife, who 
bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Katherine Niehaus. was also born in Enger, 
Germany, and.>passed away in 1884. Her father, as well as her brother William 
Niehaus, was a cabinetmaker, doing the finest and most artistic work of that char- 
acter, both father and son ranking as experts in the business. 

William Henry Grabe attained his early education in St. Louis, having been 
brought to this city by his parents when but two years of age. He also received 
instructions from his father who was a man of scholarly attainment, and he like- 
wise attended the Clinton and Peabody public schools. When a youth of fourteen 
he started out upon his business career and was first employed as a cash boy in 
the dry goods store of Jacob Lowenstein. at the old French market. Later he 
entered the employ of a clothing merchant in the same block and when he was a 
youth of sixteen he became general office and laboratory assistant to Dr. J. H. 
McLean, in the manufacture of proprietary medicines. He became familiar with 
all the details of this business both in the chemical combinations and in the finan- 
cial management, and afterward went upon the road as traveling salesman covering 
the states of Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa and forty-eight of the eighty-eight 
counties in Ohio. On attaining his majority he left the service of Dr. JIcLean and 
turned hij attention to the accounting business in St. Louis, and afterward was 
with the Home Brewing Company for five years as cashier and notary. He next 
became connected with the famous restaurant of Tony Faust, and until 1907 had 
general charge of the financial and office department of that business. In 1907 
the Glancy & Watson Hotel Company engaged him to open its books and institute 
its accounting system. He performed the work so capably that he was offered a 
permanent position which he accepted. In 1910 he was elected secretary of the 




WILLIAM H. GRABE 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 365 

company and in 1911 was also elected to the treasurership and is now serving in 
the dual position. In the meantime, from 1914 until 1918, he attended the Benton 
College of Law from which he was graduated in the latter year with the degree 
of LL. B., and his knowledge of law has been of marked benefit to him in his busi- 
ness affairs. He passed the state bar examination in June, 1918, and was admitted 
to practice in July of that year but has not engaged actively in general practice. 
However, his opinions are much sought in consultations and his legal attainments 
are of great value to the company which is now enjoying a high degree of pros- 
perity. 

The Marquette Hotel, which was built and is owned by his company, was com- 
pleted in 1907 and contains four hundred rooms, elegant in their equipment. No 
hotel has been more successful in the United States for every effort has been put 
forth to please the patrons and supply them, with all comforts. His associate, 
T. H. Glancy, has the management of the hotel and has spent his entire life in this 
line of business, working his way up from the position of bell boy until he is not 
only prominent as the owner of a fine hotel but has also been honored with the 
presidency of the Hotel Men's Association. 

On the 14th of October, 1892, Mr. Grabe was married to Miss Anna Katherine 
Herzog, a daughter of Adam Herzog, who for many years was the owner of a 
country resort on Gravois Road, which was much patronized in those days by 
Ulysses S. Grant, afterwards president of the United States. Following her father's 
death her mother married John Stumborg, a well known political leader, whose 
warm friendship with General Grant continued throughout their lives. 

Mr. Grabe in his younger years was a great boxer, a famous skater and an 
expert ball player and still keeps up his interest in these and other clean and manly 
out door interests and sports. He is a lover of music and of good books, and finds 
much recreation in gardening and cultivation of flowers. He is noted for the vege- 
tables and garden products which he raises and he is justly proud of his achieve- 
ments in this line. He is also a lover of thoroughbred dogs and is the owner of 
Ted, a snow white bull terrier of the finest breed. He belongs to the St. Louis 
Bar Association and also to the Chamber of Commerce and his political allegiance 
is given to the democratic party. For maftiy years he was a member of the Presby- 
terian church, but he and his wife are now strongly inclined to the Christian Science 
church. Starting out to earn his own living when a lad of fourteen years he has 
steadily worked his way upward and by the wise utilization of his time and oppor- 
tunities he has become one of the leading hotel men of St. Louis, as his labors 
have been crowned with gratifying success. Mr. Grabe's motto through life has 
been, "The man who is loyal to his employer, works hard and saves a portion ot his 
earnings, is seldom in want or out of a job." 



FREDERICK MADISON SMITH. 

Frederick Madison Smith, president of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ 
of Later-day Saints, of Independence, Missouri, was born in Piano, Kendall county, 
Illinois, January 21, 1874. He is a son of Joseph and Bertha (Madison) Smith and 
the grandson of Joseph Smith, the founder of the church. The father, Joseph Smith, 
was chosen president of the church in 1860 and presided until his death in 1914. 

Frederick Madison Smith was educated in the public schools of Lamoni, Iowa, 
and studied at the University of Iowa during the years of 1894 and 1895. He received 
the degree of Bachelor of Science from Graceland College at Lamoni, Iowa, in 189S 
and in the fall of that year became a student in the extension department of the 
University of Missouri, so continuing his studies through 1899. He received the degree 
ot Master of Arts from the University of Kansas in 1911 and the degree of Doctor of 
Philosophy from Clark University in 1916. 

Frederick M. Smith was professor of mathematics at Graceland College in 1899 
and 1900 and in the latter year became editor of the Lamoni Chronicle, so continuing 
until 1902. He was assistant and associate editor of the Saints' Herald published at 
Lamoni, the official organ of the church from 1900 until 1904. In 1902 he was chosen 
the first counsellor to the president of the church and so continued until 1915 when 
he was elevated to the presidency, which position he fills at the present time. He 



366 CEXTEXXIAT. HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

was editor of the Journal of History from 1908 until 1912 and has been editor of the 
Saints' Herald since 1917. He has acted as secretary and director of the Lamoni school 
board, as a trustee of Graceland College and director of the United Order of Enoch. 

President Smith was married August 3, 1897, to Miss Ruth L. Cobb, a daughter 
of Elijah and Alice E. Cobb of Lamoni, Iowa, and their children are Alice Myrmida 
and Lois Audentia. 

President Smith holds membership in the American Geographical Society, the 
American Institute of Archaeology, the Missouri State Historical Society, the Ameri- 
can Institute of Criminal Law and Criminology, the American Economic Association, the 
American Peace Society, the American Sociological Society, the Academy of Political 
Science of New York, the Missouri Valley Historical Society, the Society of Colonial 
Wars and the Sons of the American Revolution. He is associated with the American 
Academy of Political and Social Science, the NatioiHl Confederation of Charities and 
Corrections, and the Missouri Confederation of Social Welfare. He holds membership 
in the University Club at Washington, D. C, is president of the board of directors of 
Independence Sanitarium and of the Independence Institute of Arts and Sciences. 

President Smith is a broad-gauged man of massive intellect and splendid education, 
democratic in his personal manners and an affable and pleasant gentleman. The re- 
sponsibility which he carries is great but he fully measures up to the requirements of 
his position. 



HON. EDWIN Mcdonald stevens. 

Edwin McDonald Stevens, member of the present Missouri state legislature, one 
of the foremost attorneys of Clayton, Missouri, and a recognized leader In the ranks 
of the republican party in the state, was born October 20, 1893, in the city which 
is still his home, his parents being Richard H. and Lulu (Suter) Stevens. The 
father, who passed away August 30, 1916, was born in St. Louis county, his par- 
ents being Dr. Richard Henry and Missouri Ann (Cordell) Stevens. The family is 
of English origin but was established in America at an early period in the devel- 
opment of this country. Joseph Stevens, one of the first representatives of the 
name on this side of the Atlantic, was the owner of over five thousand acres in 
Kentucky granted to him by the British government for service in the Indian 
wars. This tract included practically all of the present site of Louisville, Ken- 
tucky, and was deeded to him in 1752. His son. General Richard Henry Stevens, 
won his title by service in the Revolutionary war. His son, Louis Stevens, one of 
a family of thirteen children, was the first of the name to locate in Missouri, where 
he took up his abode in the spring of 1836. His son, Dr. Richard H. Stevens, was 
born in Caroline county, Virginia, in 1822, was graduated from the Jefferson Med- 
ical College of Philadelphia In 1844 and afterwards ent^ed upon the practice of 
medicine in Missouri. At the outbreak of the Mexican war he joined the army 
and following the close of hostilities resumed practice in St. Louis county. In 
1846 he wedded Missouri Ann Cordell, who was born in 1830, a granddaughter of 
John Cordell, who came from England at an early day, and a daughter of Hiram 
Cordell, a soldier of the War of 1812. Both John and Hiram Cordell and their 
wives are buried on the old Cordell homestead. Arriving in St. Louis county in 
1797 John Cordell was granted eight hundred arpents of land by the Spanish gov- 
ernment. He was an Episcopal minister and was a chaplain in Washington's army. 
The land which he secured in Missouri was largely cleared and developed by his 
son Hiram, who was a planter and farmer, and much of this property is still in 
possession of the family. Hiram Cordell was an abolitionist and protected John 
Lovejoy, who, however, was later killed because of his abolition teachings. His 
only child became the wife of Dr. Richard Henry Stevens and to them were born 
five daughters and three sons. The father passed away in 189 while the mother's 
death occurred in 189 4. 

Richard H. Stevens, father of Edwin McDonald Stevens, was graduated from 
the Missouri State University, July 4, 1876. He then pursued law studies under pri- 
vate instruction, was admitted to the bar in 1878 and in January of that year began 
practice at Mt. Olive. For many years he occupied a prominent position as a rep- 
resentative of the legal profession In this state. He was married October 17, 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF. MISSOURI 367 

1882, to Miss Lulu B. Suter of Palmyra, Missouri, daughter o£ John J. and Lucy 
A. Suter, the former a son of Virdner Suter, who removed to Palmyra from Ken- 
tucky in 1832 and there followed farming. During the last thirty years of his 
life he engaged in banking, being president of the Marion County Savings Bank. 
Mr. and Mrs. Stevens became parents of three children: John V., a civil engineer; 
Richard Henry, who studied for two years at Washington University and in Jan- 
uary, 1909, was admitted to the bar; and Edwin McDonald of this review. While 
the father passed away August 30, 1916, the mother is still living. 

Edwin McDonald Stevens attended the public schools of Clayton and afterward 
the St. Louis University, winning his Doctor of Philosophy degree in 1913. He 
attended night classes at the University, working days as assistant cashier of the 
Tri City State Bank at Madison City, Illinois. This necessitated his leaving 
home at five o'clock in the morning. He worked during the day and attended 
night classes at the University, arriving at his home about eleven p. m. The per- 
sistency of purpose which he displayed in obtaining his education promised well 
for a successful future. After winning his law degree he opened offices in Clayton 
and in the intervening seven years has built up a large clientage unequaled, perhaps, 
by any other attorney in the city, and on the 3d of August, 1920, at the republican 
primary held on that date, he was nominated for the state legislature, to which 
he was elected by a handsome majority in the November election following. In 
politics he has always been a republican, and has been very active in public affairs. 
He stands at all times for the most progressive measures and is constantly seeking 
opportunities to promote the public good. 

On the 16th of September, 1916, Mr. Stevens was married to Miss Marjorie 
Lowenstein of New York City and to this marriage have been bom twin daughters: 
Dorothy Elizabeth and Donna Lee. Mr. and Mrs. Stevens are well known socially 
and his position as a member of the bar is a most enviable one, few men of his age 
gaining the distinction and prestige which he enjoys as a representative of the legal 
profession. 



WILLIAM LEONARD WIMMER. 

William Leonard Wimmer, general contractor, whose skill and efficiency are 
manifest in a number of the large and substantial structures of St. Louis, was born 
December 26, 1875, in Munich, Bavaria, Germany, a son of William and Theresa 
Wimmer. The former was a cabinet-maker and worked at his trade in Germany 
until 1881, when he came to America, settling first in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where 
he continued in business until the time of his death in 1912. 

William Leonard Wimmer was educated in the public and high schools of Mil- 
waukee and after his textbooks were put aside he took up the study of architecture 
and through practical experience became more and more qualified for business of 
this character and at length entered the fields of general contracting. In 1897 he 
came to St. Louis and for a time continued as an employe in an architect's office. 
Later, however, he entered into partnership with C. L. Gray for the conduct of a 
contracting and building business and the firm became well known as the Southern 
Illinois Contracting Company. This company erected the Pierce building at Fourth 
and Pine streets in St. Louis, also the Municipal Courts building, the Coliseum 
building and a number of other buildings of the State University at Columbia, Mis- 
souri. For about fifteen years Mr. Wimmer was associated with that firm but in 
1914 organized the Wimmer Contracting Company, of which he has since been the 
president. This company erected the building of the Mercantile Trust Company 
in St. Louis, also the plant of the Western Cartridge Company at East Alton, Illi- 
nois, and a number of manufacturing plants in various cities of the country. In 
fact their work has been of a most important character and makes constant de- 
mands upon the time and energy of Mr. Wimmer. During 1917 and 1918 Mr. Wim- 
mer was president of St. Louis Master Builders Association. 

On the 26th of June, 1901, Mr. Wimmer was married to Miss Mary O. Garwick, 
a daughter of John Garwick of East St. Louis. They have become parents of three 
children: Gladys, who is eighteen years of age and is attending the Washington 
University; Carl and William, aged respectively eleven and nine years, and both 



368 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 

now in school. Mr. Wimmer and his family occupy a beautiful home at 5634 Bort- 
mer avenue where their friends are most delightfully entertained, and in social 
circles they occupy an enviable position. Mr. Wimmer is a member of the Chamber 
of Commerce, also of the City Club, the Automobile Club and the Benevolent Pro- 
tective Order of Elks. 



CHARLES E. GOLTERMANN. 

Charles E. Goltermann, proprietor of the business conducted under the name of 
the Goltermann Printing & Stationery Company of St. Louis, was born on the 4th of 
July, 187S, in the city which is still his home, his father being Charles T. Goltermann, 
a native of Hanover, Germany, -who came to America about the time of the close of 
the Civil war, settling in St. Charles, Missouri, where he followed agricultural pur- 
suits. After a short time, however, he removed to St. Louis where has since resided. 
He married Emma Hock, who was born in Baltimore, Maryland, of German lineage, 
and they became the parents of four sons and three daughters. 

Charles E. Goltermann, the eldest of the family was educated in the public schools 
of St. Louis and in the Perkins & Herpel Mercantile College. He also attended the 
St. Louis University for the study of law and at the age of sixteen years took up 
the study of pharmacy in connection with a wholesale manufacturing business and 
was active along pharmaceutical lines for ten years. At the age of twenty-six he 
entered the printing business and was employed by the August Gast Printing Company 
and also by the firm of Buxton & Skinner of St. Louis, being connected with both 
of these firms in an executive capacity. In 1911 he established his present business 
in a small way and has since developed a large and growing enterprise, conducting a 
general printing, engraving and stationery business, which does high grade com- 
mercial and book work. 

On the 1st of October, 1901, Mr. Goltermann was married to Alma Mier, a native 
of St. Louis and a daughter of August and Elizabeth (Schaefer) Mier. They became 
parents of three children: Elizabeth, Born October 5, 1903, in St. Louis; Carl August, 
born January 2, 1908; and Katherine, born July 20, 1909. 

During the World war Mr. Goltermann served on the legal advisory board of 
the twelfth district and was active in support of various war interests. Politically 
he is a republican and for the past twenty-six years has been a member of the Royal 
Arcanum, while of Good Hope Lodge, A. F. & A. M., he is likewise a representative. 
He also belongs to the City Club and is a very active Y. M. C. A. worker. He is also 
a member of the Chamber of Commerce, the Automobile Club and the Ben Franklin 
Club, the latter an organization of printers, of which he has served as vice presi- 
dent. His, interests are by no means confined to the advancement of his own fortunes 
for he cooperates in many plans and measures that have to do with the progress and 
prosperity of the city and the advancement of civic standards. For five years he 
was president of the Carondelet Improvement Association and is still a member. 



E. R. HENSEL. 



E. R. Hensel is the president and treasurer of the E. R. Hensel Steel & Copper 
Company, one of the extensive commercial interests of St. Louis and an analyzation 
of his career indicates the fact that throughout his life laudable ambition has been 
supplemented by firm determination, unabating energy and industry that never flags. 
These qualities have brought him to a point of leadership in his chosen field of labor 
and the story of his progress is an interesting one. He was born at La\yn Ridge, 
Marshall county, Illinois, December 8. 1873, his parents being Charles A. and Mary E. 
(Fendrick) Hensel, both of whom are natives of Germany. The father came to America 
with his parents in 1856, when but nine years of age. the family home being established 
at Lawn Ridge, where Charles A. Hensel was reared and educated. He afterward took 
up the business of farming and stock raising, a pursuit that he has since successfully 
followed, being now one of the influential and prosperous residents of St. Louis county, 
Missouri, enjoying the high respect and esteem of all who know- him. His wife came 




E. R. HENSEL 



Vol. V— 2 4 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI 371 

to America with an uncle in 1S56, when but seven years of age, both of her parents 
having passed away a short time before. She acquired a public school education while 
spending her girlhood days in Illinois and eventually gave her hand in marriage to 
Charles A. Hensel. To them were born three children, of whom one daughter has 
departed this life. 

E. R. Hensel, the only son, attended the country schools at Hoopeston, Illinois, 
and later became a student in Greer College, where he spent four years In preparatory 
work, after which he studied law at Newton, Kansas, under the direct supervision of 
Judge J. W. Ady who was then assistant district attorney for the seventh judicial district 
of Kansas. His financial resources did not justify a continuance of his studies and 
after devoting about two years to the mastery of the principles of jurisprudence he was 
obliged to resort to some activity that would yield him a livelihood. 

On the 5th of July, 1895, Mr. Hensel came to St. Louis and secured a position with 
Thomas W. Freeman as bookkeeper and stenographer. Mr. Freeman was engaged in 
the steel brokerage business which at that time was a very indefinite line. Five months 
later Walter C. Freeman became a partner with Thomas W. Freeman, the firm being 
then known as Freeman Brothers. In 1898 Thomas W. Freeman passed away and Mr. 
Hensel was admitted to a partnership by Walter C. Freeman and the business was 
conducted under a partnership arrangement as Freeman & Company until 1908, when 
Mr. Hensel purchased his partner's interest and became sole owner, continuing