Gaston Frederic DuBois, president of the Monsanto Chemical Works of St. Louis, was born in Switzerland in 1880 and has been a resident of St. Louis since 1904, arriving in this city when a young man of twenty-four years. He is a son of Louis Ferdinand and Lucy (Smith) DuBois, both of whom are still living in the land of the Alps. The father is now a retired banker, having for many years been a prominent figure in financial circles. The maternal grandfather was a prominent railroad engineer, specializing in the building of Alpine railroads.
Gaston F. DuBois was educated in the public schools of his native land and was graduated from the Federal Polytechnic School of Zurich, Switzerland, in 1903, having completed a course in chemical engineering. He afterward went to Germany, where he specialized on electro-chemistry and one year later he came to America. Arriving in St. Louis in 1904 he engaged as chemical engineer with the Monsanto Chemical Works And in 1919 was elected to the presidency of the company. This firm supplied acids and other lines to the government during the World war.
In the year 1909 Mr. DuBois was married in Switzerland to Miss Marguerite Gill and they have become parents of three children: Rene, Frederic and Jeanne. Mr. DuBois belongs to the Ethical Society of St. Louis and he has membership with the University Club, the City Club and the American Chemical Society. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he keeps well informed concerning the vital questions and issues of the day. He finds recreation and diversion in music and outdoor sports. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to try his fortune in the new world for he has here found the business opportunities which he sought and in their employment has made steady progress, reaching an enviable place in the commercial circles of the city.