St. Louis Missouri

Biography of Oscar L. Duemler

Oscar L. Duemler, member of the St. Louis bar, who is noted for his ability as a lawyer, particularly in his eloquence before a jury, was born at Springfield, Missouri, February b, 1891. His father, Louis P. Duemler, is a native of Franklin county, this state, and a son of John Henry Duemler, a pioneer settler of that locality and of French Huguenot descent. The grandfather was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, in 1834 and was brought to Missouri in 1836 by his father, who settled in Franklin county, this state. The journey westward was made by boat to Washington, … Read more

Biography of James Willis Gleed

James Willis Gleed, general attorney for the Southwestern Bell Telephone Company of St. Louis, was born at Morrisville, Vermont, March 8, 1859. His father, Thomas Gleed, now deceased, was a native of England, who came to America during the ’30s, settling at first in Canada, but later he removed to northern Vermont, where he resided to the time of his death in 1861, when he was but thirty-five years of age. In early manhood he had wedded Cornelia Fisk, a native of the Green Mountain state and a representative of an old New England family that was established in Massachusetts … Read more

Biography of William Henry Tester

William Henry Tester was born in Burgess Hill, a town nine miles north of Brighton, County of Sussex, England, on July 4, 1869. He received the common school education as given by the parochial schools under the care of the Church of England. Six years of his life were spent in Weston Super Mare, situated on the Bristol Channel in Somersetshire. As a boy of ten or twelve, reading of the wonderful things of America–her immense mountain ranges, her Great Lakes and wonderful Niagara Falls, and last but not least of that Great American Desert as shown on the maps … Read more

Biography of Matt J. Scherer

Matt J. Scherer, attorney and counselor at law, was born in St. Louis, November 21, 1879. His father, the late Martin Scherer, was a native of Basil, Switzerland, and a son of Martin and Catherine Scherer. The former brought his family, consisting of his wife and son Martin, from Switzerland to the new world, first establishing his home in St. Louis. In 1846 they removed to south St. Louis, which was then known as Frenchtown. The grandfather was a carpenter and builder and followed that vocation to the time of his death, which occurred in the latter part of the … Read more

Biography of Emanuel F. Oehler, M. D.

Dr. Emanuel F. Oehler, whose most proficient surgical work has gained him prominence in the profession in St. Louis, was born in Yorktown, Texas, September 23, 1877, a son of the late Rev. Michael Oehler, who was an Evangelical Lutheran minister. He was born, reared and educated in Baden, Germany, and was graduated from a theological seminary there, after which he was united in marriage to Louise Mueller. They came to America following the close of the Civil war, first settling in New Orleans and later removing to Texas, where Mr. Oehler continued in the active work of the ministry … Read more

Biography of Adrian D. Nichols, D. O.

The school of osteopathy has a worthy representative in Adrian D. Nichols, who is a successful practitioner of St. Louis, and since his graduation from the Kirksville School of Osteopathy has practiced in this city. He was born on a farm near Nashville, Illinois, April 17, 1870, and is a son of David William and Tabitha (Ballard) Nichols. The father, a native of the state of New York, was born in what was then known as Bath Village but is now the city of Syracuse. He was a son of William Nichols who came to America from Scotland in early … Read more

Biography of Charles Swing Brown

Charles Swing Brown, president of the Hall & Brown Woodworking Machinery Company of St. Louis, was born at Brown Mills, New Jersey, November 27, 1852, his parents being George C. and Harriett (Swing) Brown. He obtained his education in public and private schools at New Egypt, New Jersey, and in early life began learning the machinist trade as an employe of the H. B. Smith Machine Company of Smithville, New Jersey, with which he remained from 1870 until 1877, gaining a thorough and comprehensive knowledge of every phase of the business during that period. He worked his way steadily upward … Read more

Biography of Herman Albert Haeussler

For a long period the name of Haeussler has been closely associated with professional activity in St. Louis. Herman Albert Haeussler was for many years connected with the bar and enjoyed an extensive and important practice. He was born in Butler county, Pennsylvania, May 21, 1838, his parents being Dr. Ferdinand W. and Clara Leontine (Strehly) Haeussler. The former, a native of Germany, came to America in the ’30s and established his home in the Keystone state. Later he removed to Kentucky and in 1844 became a resident of St. Louis, where he resided until his death, devoting his attention … Read more

Biography of Edward Richter, M. D.

Dr. Edward Richter, physician and surgeon of St. Louis, and now serving as coroner for the City of St. Louis, was graduated from Beaumont Medical College with the class of 1897 and through the intervening period has practiced in this city. He was here born July 4, 1868, a son of William and Caroline (Hess) Richter. The father’s birth occurred in Germany and in young manhood he came to the new world, settling in St. Louis, where he engaged in the merchant tailoring business, remaining active in that line to the time of his death, which occurred in 1897. His … Read more

Biography of John Julius O’Fallon

John Julius O’Fallon is a capitalist of large interests, partly received through inheritance and since largely increased through judicious investments. He is financially interested in many important business concerns which annually yield to him a substantial revenue. He was born in St. Louis, March 6, 1840, and is a son of Colonel John and Caroline Ruth (Schutz) O’Fallon. The father figured prominently in the history of St. Louis during the first half of the nineteenth century. Viewed through the perspective of the years, it is seen that he was active in fashioning the civilization of the city during its formative … Read more

Biography of Cyrus F. Blanke

Cyrus F. Blanke, president of the C. F. Blanke Tea & Coffee Company of St. Louis, was born October 24, 1862, in Marine, Illinois, a son of Fred G. and Caroline (Ortgis) Blanke. The father was born in Germany and came to America in 1847. He carried on general merchandising at Marine, Illinois, for a number of years, but his marriage was celebrated in St. Louis. To him and his wife were born ten children, seven sons and three daughters, of whom Cyrus F. is the fifth in order of birth. Four children, three sons and a daughter, have passed … Read more

Biography of Arthur Leslie Gregory, M. D.

Dr. Arthur Leslie Gregory, engaged in the general practice of medicine at Muskogee but largely specializing in surgery, was born in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, July 24, 1877, his parents being Benjamin and Amy (Muehler) Gregory. The father was a merchant and gave to his son excellent educational opportunities. The latter attended the Wyoming Seminary at Kingston, Pennsylvania, from which he was graduated with the class of 1893. He afterward determined upon the practice of medicine as a life work and entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons at St. Louis, Missouri, in which he completed a course with the class … Read more

Biography of Major Harry Sturgeon Crossen, M.D.

Major Harry Sturgeon Crossen, whose military title was won by active service in the World war and who is recognized as an eminent gynecologist of St. Louis, while his contributions to medical literature are rated as of high worth, was born in Appanoose county, Iowa, February 2, 1869. His father, the late James Crossen, was of Irish descent, the family, however, being founded in America at an early day. James Crossen devoted his life to merchandising and passed away in 1874. He married Affinity Sturgeon, who was of English lineage, although the family has long been represented on this side … Read more

Biography of Dr. Louis Ostrom

Dr. Louis Ostrom, A. B. M. D., was born in Helsingland, Sweden, May 1, 1874, and came to America when six years old. His father is a pipe-organ builder, known among hundreds of churches all over the country. Young Ostrom attended public schools, and as soon as he was able to work, was at one time or another employed during vacations in nearly all the shops of Moline. After becoming a student of Augustana College, he worked during the different vacations as section hand on the street car line, printer in a job office, and pressman to the Moline Daily … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William Kassebaum

William Kassebaum, the secretary of the Herman Oak Leather Company of St. Louis, was born at Farmington, Iowa, in 1870. His father, H. A. Kassebaum, was born in Germany in 1808, emigrated to the United States in 1840, and settled in St. Louis, his occupation being that of wagon-maker. With the exception of a very short period spent in Iowa he lived the rest of his life in St. Louis, dying there in 1906. Louise (Hadaway) Kassebaum, the mother of the subject of this review, was born in Germany in 1810 and came to America with her parents when very … Read more

Biography of Marion C. Early

Marion C. Early is the son of George G. and Mary A. Early. His father, George G. Early, was born near Norfolk, Virginia, July 13, 1819, and while still a boy removed with his mother to Knox county, Tennessee. His mother, Mary A. (Brittain) Early, was born near Lenoir City, London county, Tennessee, February 23, 1827. His parents later removed to Polk county, Missouri, where on a farm the subject of this sketch was reared. In a log schoolhouse there was held each year a four months’ term of school and this he attended until past nineteen, when he entered … Read more

Biography of George Louis Zollmann

George Lewis Zollmann, who since 1905 has been engaged in the commission business in St. Louis, is now president and treasurer of the George H. Zollmann Fruit & Produce Company. He has been a lifelong resident of this city, his birth having here occurred January 20, 1887. His father, George H. Zollmann, was born in St. Charles, Missouri, June 23, 1866, and came to St. Louis in 1878. Here he engaged in clerking in a grocery store until 1890, when he organized the firm of G. H. Zollmann & Company, commission merchants. The new enterprise prospered as the years passed … Read more

Biography of Eli T. Brand, M.D.

Dr. Eli T. Brand, president of the Lindell Hospital at 3766 Lindell boulevard in St. Louis, was born in Bonne Terre, Missouri, December 12. 1883, his parents being George W. and Mattie (Boyd) Brand. The mother died in Bonne Terre in 1913, and the father is still living in that city. For many years he was engaged in stock raising but is now living retired. Both he and his wife were native Missourians. Dr. Brand was one of a family of five sons and four daughters. He attended the schools of his native town and in 1904, having determined upon … Read more

Biography of William A. Kelsoe

William Austin Kelsoe was born in Greenville, Bond county, Illinois, February 1, 1851. Upon the death of his mother, a few weeks later, he was committed to the care of Mrs. Sarah Phelps, of Pocahontas, in the same county, and her daughters, one of whom is now Mrs. Kate L. Doubt, a resident of St. Louis. From the age of two years until he reached manhood he was a member of the family of William and Martha Greenwood Watkins and lived with them in Pocahontas, Greenville, Vandalia and East St. Louis, Illinois, also for three years on a farm a … Read more

Biography of Clarence William Turner

From the pioneer epoch in the history of Oklahoma’s development along industrial and commercial lines the name of Turner has been associated with mercantile interests. It has been inseparably interwoven with the annals of trade that stands for a dominant progressiveness, resulting largely in the up building of Muskogee. Clarence William Turner, whose name introduces this review, was born in Cleveland, Ohio, June 18, 1857, and comes of English ancestry, the founder of the family in the new world being John Turner, who crossed the Atlantic from England and became a resident of Canandaigua, Ontario county, New York, where in … Read more