St. Louis Missouri

Biography of Henry E. Grone

Henry E. Grone, secretary of the Grone Soda Water Company of St. Louis, is native of this city, his birth having here occurred on the 23d of April, 1899. His father, Herman Crone, was also born in St. Louis and was formerly a prominent brewer of the city. He married Adelaide Damhorst, a native of St. Louis and a daughter of C. M. Damhorst, one of the oldest and best known soda water manufacturers in the city. The death of Herman Grone occurred March 24, 1916. In the public schools of St. Louis Henry E. Crone of this review began … Read more

Biography of Robert Wray Brooks

For twenty-seven years Robert Wray Brooks has been identified with the wholesale paper trade of St. Louis and has developed an extensive business under the name of the Brooks Paper Company, of which he is the president. Studying closely every phase of the trade, actuated in all that he undertakes by a progressive spirit and by firm determination that enables him to overcome all obstacles and difficulties in his path, he has made steady progress toward the goal of success and is now controlling extensive and important commercial interests. Tennessee numbers him among her native sons. He was born in … 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 David Ranken, Jr.

David Ranken, Jr., was born at Boystown, County Londonderry, Ireland, October 9, 1835. He was the son of David and Ann Ranken of old Scotch-Irish Presbyterian ancestry which had emigrated from Scotland to the north of Ireland several centuries ago and engaged in the linen industry, in which they were highly prosperous. He was educated in Belfast Academy, Belfast, Ireland. His mother’s last surviving brother, David Ranken, who had come to this country in 1816, died a bachelor in St. Louis in 1859, leaving a large estate which was inherited by the families of his two deceased brothers, Thomas and … 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

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 Herman A. Hanser, M.D.

Dr. Herman A. Hanser, a St. Louis surgeon who has practiced continuously 1n this city since 1898, was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, September 22, 1877. His father, the late Rev. C. J. Otto Hanser, D. D., was a native of Bavaria and came to America in 1848, being forced to leave his native country on account of his political activity in opposition to monarchial rule he was a highly educated man, a graduate of one of the leading German universities and until he took up the study of theology had quite an adventurous life, being obliged to leave Bavaria … Read more

Biography of Frank W. Feuerbacher

Someone has said that the banking system is the heart of the commercial body, indicating the healthfulness of trade, and the banking institution that follows a safe, stable course is an element in bringing about a substantial prosperity, upon which the growth of a country much depends. With the banking interests of St. Louis Frank W. Feuerbacher has long been identified and he still remains an active factor in financial circles, although he has passed the Psalmist’s allotted span of threescore years and ten, for his birth occurred on the 30th of July, 1850, in St. Louis where his entire … Read more

Biography of Henry C. Susewind

HENRY C. SUSEWIND. – As proprietor of one of the most popular and up-to-date hostelries of our county, the Centennial hotel of Union, the esteemed subject of this sketch is not only well and favorably known in the county and the adjacent territories, but is familiar to the traveling public and a favorite as well wherever he is known, always displaying amiability and a genial spirit and broad views on public questions that is the leading spirit of the day, while in the manipulation of his business affairs he is equal to the best and exceeded by none in the … Read more

Biography of Alonzo Leo Fitzporter, M. D.

Dr. Alonzo Leo Fitzporter, physician and surgeon of St. Louis, in which city he was born July 23, 1884, is a son of Dr. John L. Fitzporter, who passed away June 15, 1915, at the age of seventy-six years, having long figured prominently as a representative of the medical profession in this city. Dr. A. L. Fitzporter attended the parochial schools of St. Louis and afterward became a student in the St. Louis University, from which he was graduated with the Bachelor of Arts degree in 1906 and then entered upon his medical course, winning his M. D. degree in … Read more

Biography of J. O. Cooper, M.D.

Dr. J. O. Cooper, engaged In the practice of medicine in Jefferson City, was born March 19, 1884, at Cooper Hill, Osage county, Missouri, the place of his birth having been named in honor of the family of which he is a representative. His parents, Thomas McCuin and Martha Jane (Cox) Cooper, were also natives of Missouri, the former born in Gasconade county and the latter near Cooper Hill in Osage county. Thomas M. Cooper was a farmer throughout his active life and was also prominent in public affairs. He served as notary public for thirty years and was deputy … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Roscoe Simmons Cate

Roscoe Simmons Cate, an attorney of Muskogee, was born in Bradley county, Tennessee, on the 2d of September, 1876, his parents being William Lea and Joanna E. (Julian) Cate, the former an educator. Roscoe Simmons Cate obtained his education in the public schools of St. Louis, Missouri, and of Little Rock, Arkansas, while his professional training was received in the Benton College of Law of St. Louis, from which he was graduated in June, 1901. He first located for practice at McAlester, Oklahoma, and there followed his profession until 1908, when he became chief clerk to the superintendent of the … Read more

Biography of Harry C. Bohrer, M. D.

Dr. Harry C. Bohrer, a St. Louis surgeon, who though among the younger representatives of the profession, has attained a prominence that many an older physician might well envy, was born in Macon, Missouri, October 8, 1890. His father, the late George W. Bohrer, was also a native of this state and a representative of an old Pennsylvania family that was established in Missouri in pioneer times. The grandfather was David Bohrer, who came to Missouri long prior to the Civil war and devoted his life to agricultural pursuits here. George W. Bohrer was reared and educated in Kansas and … Read more

Biography of L. U. Gaston

L. U. Gaston, Chief of Police of Bartlesville, Washington county, Oklahoma, was born in Neosho, Kansas, October 13, 1873, a son of James Monroe and Laodicea (Smith) Gaston, both of whom were natives of Illinois. His father was a farmer of Kansas and followed that occupation to the time of his death, which occurred in 1877. His wife died in 1895. Mr. Gaston attended the public schools of Neosho county, Kansas, during his early boyhood and when his school days were over he engaged in the livery business, which he followed for a few years. He then removed to St. … Read more

Biography of Captain Augustus Joseph Hiner

Captain Augustus Joseph Hiner of St. Louis, captain and pilot of Mississippi river steamboats, was born in Covington, Kentucky, December 17, 1860, and was but seven years of age when brought to Missouri in 1867 by his parents, David Augustus and Desdemona Amanda (Gorman) Hiner, the former a native of Hamilton county, Ohio, while the latter was born in Selma, Alabama. Captain Hiner pursued a high school course at Mexico, Missouri, and when seventeen years of age started out to learn piloting on the Mississippi river between St. Louis and New Orleans. He received his license from the government in … Read more

Biography of Hord Hardin

Hord Hardin is connected with one of the strongest financial concerns of the middle west, being the vice president of the Mississippi Valley Trust Company. Mere success has never throughout the history of the world, save in a few rare instances, been the cause of any individual being remembered by his fellows and never has the mere accumulation of wealth gained any man honor. The methods employed in the attainment of wealth, however, may awaken approval and admiration, for the world pays its tribute to him who through enterprise, unrelaxing effort and clear-sighted judgment makes advancement in the business world … Read more

Biography of Carl Edward Dudley, M.D.

Dr. Carl Edward Dudley, engaged in the general practice of surgery In St. Louis, was born October 23, 1873, in Terre Haute, Indiana, a son of Alvin W. and Sarah (Par. sons) Dudley, who were natives of Massachusetts and of Indiana respectively. In his youthful days Dr. Dudley was a pupil In the public schools of his native city and his boyhood passed without incident or event of particular importance. As he approached man’s estate his consideration of the broad field of business, with its varied opportunities along commercial, industrial, agricultural and professional lines, led him at length to the … Read more

Biography of Henry Weinhard

Henry Weinhard, the leading and oldest brewer of Portland, was born in Lindenbroun, Wurtemberg, Germany, February 18, 1830. After serving a regular apprenticeship and working at the trade of a brewer in Stutgart and other places in Germany he came to the United States in 1851. He first secured employment at his trade in Philadelphia where he remained a year. He then went to Cincinnati and at the end of two years removed to St. Louis, where he remained until 1856, when he came to California and for a short time was located at Sacramento City. In March, 1857, he … Read more

Biography of Arthur H. Feuerbacher

Arthur H. Feuerbacher, president of the Western Foundry & Sash Weight Company of St. Louis, represents a family that has long been connected with the business development of the city. He was here born July 9, 1881, and is a son of Max W. Feuerbacher, who was the founder of the Green Tree Brewery. He was born near Bamberg, Muhlhausen, Germany, June 30, 1835, his parents being John and Doretta Feuerbacher, the former a brewer by occupation, and under his direction the son, Max Feuerbacher, learned the business. He came to the United States when seventeen years of age and … Read more

Jessie Benton, Mrs. John C. Fremont

In the year 1868 the city of St. Louis erected a monument to the memory of one of her most distinguished citizens, Thomas Hart Benton. Of the forty thousand people who thronged the park on that May afternoon set aside for its unveiling, but one was of the great man’s blood, the daughter most closely associated with the accomplishment of his loftiest conception, that dream of Western empire for his country. Accompanied by her husband, General John C. Fremont, she had accepted the invitation to unveil the statue. As she pulled the cord that loosened its wrap-pings, and the school … Read more