Centennial History of Missouri Collections

Meyer Brothers Drug Company

St. Louis is recognized as one of the leading drug and chemical markets in the United States and also has the distinction of being the home of the largest wholesale drug house in the United States if not in the world. Meyer Brothers Drug Company was founded by Christian F. G. Meyer at Fort Wayne, Indiana, in 1852. The founder came to this country from Lemforde in the kingdom of Hanover, Germany, in 1847 and consequently was in this country only a few years before entering the drug business. In 1865 the business had grown to such an extent that … Read more

Centennial History of Missouri

This is the second volume from this set and contains 363 biographies and photographs of leading men of the first century of history in Missouri (1820-1921). Though this manuscript covers the entire state of Missouri, a good portion of the individual biographies are on people who had resided in St. Louis at some point in their life.

Biography of William Waltke

William Waltke (1824–1916) was a prominent soap manufacturer in St. Louis, Missouri, and founder of William Waltke & Company. Born in Germany, Waltke emigrated to the United States in 1849 following military service in the 1848 German war. Settling in St. Louis, he initially worked for Becker & Brand, a soap manufacturer, before establishing his own soap business around 1860. His company grew substantially, eventually occupying a large factory on East Grand Avenue and distributing products nationally and internationally. Waltke incorporated the business in 1900 and led it until his death. He was a committed Lutheran and esteemed figure in St. Louis business circles.

Biography of William Waddell Duke, M.D.

Dr. William Waddell Duke, physician of Kansas City, was born in Lexington, Missouri, a son of Henry Buford and Susan (Waddell) Duke, the former a native of Louisville, Kentucky, and the latter of Lexington, Missouri. The father, now retired, was a manufacturer of farm implements and harness of the firm of Buford & George Manufacturing Company. Dr. Duke attended the Kansas City schools until graduated from the high school with the class of 1901. He next entered Yale University and gained his Ph. B. degree in 1904, while in 1908 Johns Hopkins University conferred upon him the M. D. degree, … Read more

Biography of William Victor Niess

William Victor Niess, who has held various important positions as a draughtsman, for which work he has been qualified by a thorough course of study in engineering and who is now well known in professional connections in St. Louis, was born April 20, 1878, in the city of Goeppingen, in the kingdom of Wurttemberug Germany, his parents being Christian Ulrich and Marie Louise (Mueller) Niess His father, now deceased, was also a native of Goeppingen and in his early man hood studied the enameling business in Switzerland. After his return to his native city he there established the first enameling … Read more

Biography of William P. Glennon, M. D.

Dr. William P. Glennon, specializing in surgery in St. Louis, was born in County Meath, Ireland, June 24, 1880, a son of Mathew and Catherine (Rafferty) Glennon, and a brother of Archbishop Glennon, mentioned elsewhere in this work. Dr. Glennon, after obtaining a public school education in Dublin, continued his studies in the Dublin University as a medical student and won his M. D. degree upon graduation with the class of 1906. He then resolved to come to America, thinking to find a more favorable professional field here, and made his way at once to St. Louis, where he entered … Read more

Biography of William N. Collier

William N. Collier, one of the most prominent breeders of thoroughbred Hereford cattle in the United States, makes his home at Fulton and has extensive farm property in Callaway county, on which are found his fine herds. Mr. Collier was born in the Blue Grass state, his birth having occurred near Falmouth, in Pendleton county, Kentucky, February 13, 1876. He is a son of William A. and Oetavia (Wyatt) Collier, both of whom were natives of Kentucky, to which state their parents had removed from Virginia. When William N. Collier was a lad of five years his parents went to … Read more

Biography of William M. Fitch

William M. Fitch was born in the year 1870, near Plattsburg, Clinton county, Missouri. His father, John G. Fitch, was born near Dayton, Ohio, and his grandfather, Humphrey F. Fitch, was born in New York. His mother, Elizabeth M. Johnson. was born near Maysville, Kentucky, near the place where her father, Milton Johnson. was born. John G. Fitch and Elizabeth M. Johnson were married in Clinton county, Missouri, during the year 1869. William M. Fitch was the only child. He obtained his education in the country schools; in the high school of Stewartsville, and in Stewartsviile Academy. In 1889 he … Read more

Biography of William M. Bryan, M. D.

The medical profession in St. Louis has many distinguished and capable representatives, men who are most conscientious and faithful in the discharge of all professional duties and who are continually striving to promote knowledge and efficiency by broad reading and comprehensive study. To this class belongs Dr. Bryan who was born in St. Louis November 25, 1875. His father, W. J. S. Bryan, also a native of St. Louis is a son of William and Martha Alice (How) Bryan. W.J.S. Bryan is now connected with the board of education of this city. His father, William Bryan, served as vice president … Read more

Biography of William L. Tamme

William L. Tamme, who is rendering valuable service to St. Louis as one of the city aldermen, was born here August 8, 1874. His father, Charles Tamme, came to America from Germany when twelve years of age. He was a butcher and sausage maker by occupation and was the first man to use the steam method of manufacturing sausage in St. Louis. He married Sophie Kroeger, whose father was Frederick Kroeger. They became the parents of four children, William L. being the second in order of birth. The others were: Fred A., who is engaged in the meat business and … Read more

Biography of William L. Nelson, M.D.

Dr. William L. Nelson, a physician with office and residence at No. 1483 Union boulevard in St. Louis, was born in Montgomery county, Missouri, July 12, 1879. His father, William Nelson, was of American birth, but his father came from Ireland to the new world. The former took up the occupation of farming in southeastern Missouri, where he owned three hundred acres, constituting a valuable farm to which he added many modern improvements. He married Ursula Gibbens, who was also born in the new world and was a niece of Brigadier General Gibbens of Civil war fame, serving with the … Read more

Biography of William L. Balson

The development of the western district of St. Louis is largely attributable to the labors, the progressive spirit and the broad business vision of William L. Balson, now deceased, who for many years was a prominent factor in the real estate circles of St. Louis. He saw possibilities and recognized opportunities which he utilized, not only in the upbuilding of his own fortunes but in the development and improvement of the city as well. A native of England, he was born at Bridport, Dorsetshire, October 8, 1842. His ancestors had lived for several generations in Dorsetshire and although some followed … Read more

Biography of William Horner Cocke

With various corporate interests William Horner Cocke has been closely associated, these various business enterprises benefiting by the stimulus of his industry, keen sagacity and capable management. He has made for himself a most creditable position in business circles and since 1908 has been president and general manager of the Commercial Acid Company which in 1918 became the Southern Acid & Sulphur Company of St. Louis, while with various other concerns he is also associated as stockholder or official. He was born in City Point, Virginia, September 12, 1874. His father, Henry Teller Cocke, was born in Prince George county, … Read more

Biography of William Henry Pralle, Jr.

Thousands of substantial business enterprises combine to make up the growing city of St. Louis. Among the bakery establishments is that of the Pralle Bakery Company, of which William Pralle, Jr., is now the president. Acquainting himself thoroughly with the business he has worked along this line from the age of fourteen years and his progress has been consecutive. He was born in St. Louis, December 10, 1890. His father, William Pralle, Sr., was a native of Hanover, Germany, born December 16, 1852, so that he was sixteen years of age when in 1868 he bade adieu to friends in … Read more

Biography of William Henry Luedde, M.D

Not only has Dr. William Henry Luedde gained prominence in his profession, medicine and surgery, in St. Louis, but has also made valuable contribution to many projects based upon the needs of the community and the opportunity for civic betterment and progress. His life story had its beginning August 13, 1876, at Warsaw, Illinois, within one mile of the northeast corner of Missouri, the state in which he has since found his field of service. His grandfather, Peter Luedde, arrived at Alexandria, Missouri, in the spring of 1854, after a precarious voyage in a sailing vessel from Bremen, Germany, to … Read more

Biography of William H. Vogt, M. D.

For twenty-three years Dr. William H. Vogt has engaged in medicine in St. Louis, his native city. He was born September 9, Dr. Gustavus Vogt, who is a native of Germany and on coming to first in Davenport, Iowa, whence he removed to St. Louis. He was the Missouri Medical College of this city in 1878, since which time continuous and active practice here, being today one of the oldest practicing physicians of the city, having for forty-three years followed his profession in St. Louis. He belongs to the St. Louis Medical Society, the Missouri State Medical Association and the … Read more

Biography of William Emil Sauer, M.D.

Dr. William Emil Sauer, a St. Louis physician now limiting his practice to diseases of the ear, nose and throat, was born in Evansville, Illinois, April 17, 1875. His father, Nicholas Sauer, also a native of that state, belonged to one of the old Illinois families of German descent, the first of the name in America being Philip Sauer, who on crossing the Atlantic made his way at once to Illinois, where he followed farming and stock raising. Nicholas Sauer became a successful flour manufacturer, carrying on business first at Evansville, Illinois, and later at Cherryvale, Kansas. He died in … Read more

Biography of William E. Taylor

William E. Taylor, whose initiation into the business world connected him with publishing interests and who throughout the intervening period has continuously directed his efforts in the same channel, is now associated in an executive capacity with the business office of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. A native son of St. Louis he was born July 25, 1861, his parents being William N. and Mary Jane Taylor. The family is of English lineage and the father, William N. Taylor, was born in Yarmouth, England, whence he came to the United States, being the first of his family to emigrate to the … Read more

Biography of William E. Leighton, M.D.

Dr. William E. Leighton, who is devoting his time to the practice of surgery in St. Louis, was born in Portland, Maine, May 9, 1892, a son of the late George W. Leighton, who was a descendant of an old Massachusetts family which was founded in Cohasset in the early part of the seventeenth century by one of the name who came from England. One of the ancestral lines is traced back to the Packard family of Boston. Later descendants participated in the Revolutionary war. George W. Leighton, the Doctor’s father, was in the granite business and during the Civil … Read more

Biography of William E. Ellington

William E. Ellington is at. the head of one of the leading productive industries at Kansas City as senior partner in the Ellington-McCarthy Motor Company. He was born in Homer, Louisiana, April 11, 1882, a son of William H. and Rebecca (Jordan) Ellington. The father, a native of Georgia, became the owner of a sugar plantation at Homer, Louisiana, and was one of the substantial business men of that locality. His political allegiance was given to the democratic party and his religious faith was that of the Methodist Episcopal church, South. He was a typical gentleman of the old school, … Read more