Class Book^ COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT HISTORY HKCOKDING f)N TI M K THE KVRNTS OF THE NATIONS. PKKSRNTl D TO / EDWARDS'S GEEAT WEST AND HER COMMEPIOIAL METRO P\^L^®' EMBRACING A GENERAL VIEW OF THE WEST, AND A COMPLETE HISTORY OF ST. LOUIS, FROM THE LANDING OF LIGUESTE, IN 1764, TO THE PRESENT TIME; WITH PORTRAITS AND BIOGRAPHIES OF SOME OF THE OLD SETTLERS, AND MANY OF THE MOST PROMINENT BUSINESS MEN. BY RICHARD EDWARDS AND M. HOPEWELL, .1 D. SI^LENDIDLY ILLUSTR.ATED. I I I i) > v ■W ' )« ' ' i " . WJ i .f i ir ' .a i Q ' a ' MmB,; ''! > y Entered^ccordiug to the Act of Congress, in the year 1860, by y RICHARD EDWARDS, In the Clgfk's OtEce of the District Court of the United States, for the Eastern District ^ of Missouri. JEWISH SYNAGOGUE, BENAIEL. Located on the South-east corner of Sixth and Cerre streets. NOTICE TO AUTHOP^^ "^t^ -Uectiuf ^ilwatl0i^ TO THE INH iVBIT ANTS OW ST. L O XJ I S , €)^t (^xmi Pctvopolis of llje Sftlcst, THIS BOOK IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED, BY'THEAUTHORS. Citizens of St. Louis, Greeting : It is the custom of most nations to have a Patron Saint for the purpose of protection and conciliation, and most books have some powerful Maecenas to introduce them to the world under favorable auspices. To you we dedicate this book, and claim j'ou as our Patrons. It is you who have developed the great resources of this Western Metropolis. It is you who have given it its fame, its wealth, and its business. You have given it reputation abroad, and prosperity at home. You have made it also famous for its hospitality, and the pilgrim and the stranger feel conscious when they enter the Mound City, that there are warm hearts and friendly hands to welcome them. St. Louis is still young, though in growth a Titan, and this history has recorded many of your names, as being instrumental in carving out its progressive destiny. There is scarcely a family in it, but in turning over the pages of this book, will see the name of some friend or relative, perhaps now festering in the shroud, who have acted well their parts, and have honorable mention in this record. And since St. Louis has become worthy of a history through the enterprise of her citizens, it is good and proper that " The Great West and her Commercial Metropolis," be dedicated to the Citizens of St. Louis. KICHARD EDWAKDS. PREFACE. Ix commencin;^ this preface, the authors readily yield to the emo- tions which animate them. They are emotions of gratitude to those who, with a good heart and a desire for the complete success of this work, liave imparted most essential information, and have furnished some of the chief materials that are woven in this history. To I\Iadam Elizabetli Ortes, the only one now living who recol- lects tlie founder of St. Louis, Pierre Laclede Liguest, we are under lasting obligations. She is the only living record of the early time of this city, and on every occasion was happy to answer our inquiries, and furnish us, fi-om the ample storehouse of a memory garnering in- cidents for nearly a century, interesting narratives and anecdotes. To .Madame Yament, James (t. Soulard, Dr. Robert Simpson, Henry Von Phul, Jean Baptiste Ilortez, some of them born in St. Louis, and all ol'them, with but one exception, past the threescore and ten years allotted to human existence, we likewise tender our thanks, for con- tributing much that was necessary for our purjjose; and to Xathaniel I'aschall, Colonel Charles Keemle, Augustus Kerr, and others, whose names are lefjion^ we cheerfully and gratefully acknowledge our in- debtedness for invaluable facts. It is now meet and proper, in giving this work to the public, to state the great difficulties which encompassed the undertaking. We do this, not to crave indulgence for imperfections, but to elicit a just and dispassionate examination with the light of surrounding circum- stances. All that was known of tlie early history of St. Louis, pre- vious to our un(l(;rtaking, consisted in some few isolated facts and traditionary narratives, Avhich, from time to time, had been published, and, if woven together, would have been meagre indeed — mere dis- jointed fragments, and not a centime of the material required for an histoiical fabric. Some of these narratives were also Avrong in histor- ical fact, and this coming to our knowledge, made us suspicious of the whole ; and it was only after a cautious examination of their authen- ticity that we adopted any of them as history ; and, consequently, the few pioneer marks left by others have not assisted our search, or sub- tracted from our labors. It has l>een over three years since this Avork was conceived, and for the last eighteen months we have been sedu- lously and absorbingly employed in collecting the necessary informa- tion. All of the French and Si>anish archives have been consulted in the original manuscript, for fear of errors creeping in the translated copies ; 54 PRKFACE. the Livre Terrein,* aud other papers contained in the United States Recorder's office, carefully examined ; and private papers, which have been committed to our care by some of the old settlers, have been ex- hausted of whatever was essential to our purpose. The records of the Catholic Church, which throw so much light upon the early history of St. Louis, were cheerfully submitted to our inspection by the Very Rev. Edmund Saulnier, the chancellor of the diocese of St. Louis, and from them we gathered most useful information. We have sedu- lously sought the acquaintance of tlie few that were left of the early inhabitants, and in the mass of information that has been acquired, have carefully weighed conflicting declarations, and have rejected all that wore an appearance of doubt and strong incredibility. Such have been the sources from which we have draAvn our information in form- ing the portion of the Avork which comprises the early history of St. Louis ; and if it can lay claim to no other merit, it has that of relia- bility. From 1808, the chief events of St. Louis were preserved from the oblivious influences of time by the establishment of a journal, now The Missouri Repuhlican^ and to its present proprietors we are under infinite obligations, for cheerfully consigning to our possession its files, that preserved in their columns so much of narrative inci- dent which would otherwise have inevitably perished; and our pro- gress from this date Avas much easier. However, it Avas constantly necessary still to advise Avith those of the inhabitants Avho lived at the time, and had a perfect knowledge of concurrent events. As the city enlarged, the matei'ials for history constantly increased, and Ave had to select those portions that Avere most fraught Avith interest and utility. It Avas impossible to embody all, and there may be some Avho Avould have been most interested in the rejected portions. P^or the disappointment of those Ave cannot justly be accountable, and hope Ave have alleged a suflicient explanation. The getting up of a Avork of this magnitude, and in such style, has been attended Avith an immense outlay of capital, all of Avhich has been boi'ne and risked, in this enterprise, by one of the authors ; nor has state or municipal aid been received or solicited. We have been compelled to change the design of this AVork, con- templated at its commencement. Then Ave intended to embrace in it the business of St. Louis. Had Ave done so, the history of St. Louis would have been but a meagre sketch, uuAvorthy of the name of history ; for we could not have given to it more than one-third of its present space, as it Avould not do to make a book of this nature too voluminous ; and, from the same cause, so as to give a greater latitude to the history of St. Louis, Ave haA'e omitted the sketch of the Mississippi Valley and the state of Missoui-i. HoAvever, at a near day, in a series of publications, Ave Avill embrace Avhat Avas then omitted ; the " Gazetteer of the State" being in incipient progress. Had this A^olume been larger, it Avould have been out of taste and unattractive. * W. Gr. Hofstetter, of the United States Recorder's Office, assisted us much in guid- ing our search in the old records with which he is so familiar. PREFACE. The biographies, which make a portion of this work, are replete with interest, and serve more fully to illustrate the history of our great metropolis — for they have for their subjects those who have become prominent in their respective spheres of life, and have mate- rially served to develop the elements which have given to the city its business importance and honorable jjosition. We Avill here give the names of many other prominent persons, whose biographies are not found in this work. They were all written to ; some declined, from too fastidious a delicacy, from appearing in the work, while the rest unfor- tunately did not receive the letters addressed to them, and their miscar- riage Avas not discovered until too late to rectify it. There Avere also some photographs and biographies received too late for insertion. The names of these gentlemen are as follows, viz. : Hon. Daniel D. Page, Hon. George Maguire, Hon. John ]V|. Wimer, Hon. James G. Barry, Hon. John How, Hudson E. Bridge, Judge Peter Ferguson, Hon. Wayman Crow, Right Rev. Archbishop Kendrick, Rev. Dr. Elliot, James Clemens, Jr., William Renshaw, Sen., Asa Wilgus, William G. Pettus, Colonel Robert Campbell, James Harrison, William M. M(^Pherson, Amadee Valle, Wilson Primm, Captain J. C. Swon, Daniel Hough, M. J. Swarmger, D. A. January, H. R. Gamble, Dr. J. N. McDowell, David Rankin, Judge R. J. Lackland, Judge Alexander Hamilton, D. R. Garrison, J. T. Dowdall, J. Finney, S. D. Barlow, Gabriel S, Chouteau, Francis Saler, John B. Carson, Dr. J. W. Hall, Rev. E. C. Hutchinson, John G. Priest, Henry Clay Hart, Captain AndrcAV Har-per, Frederick Dings, Dr. Robert Simpson,* and some others. In conclusion, we tender our heartfelt thanks to the journals of St. Louis, We thank them cordially for the many encomiums whilst in progress, and as we read their articles so flattering to our prospects, so^ fraught Avith predictions of certain success, Ave felt encouraged and sustained in our labors, and hurried uj) our lagging Pegasus, that their friendly and liberal jiromises to the public might, at all events, be measurably fultilled. They wove the bay Avreath for the book before it Avas finished, and before its merits had been tested. It now goes forth to the Avorld under the happiest auspices, and if it meet Avith disfavor, it must be because vm worthy. Richard Edavards. m. hopeavell. It is but an act of duty and justice for me to say that this Avork Avas first commenced over three years ago by Mr. Richard EdAvards, and all the pecuniary risk attending it is at his hazard. M. Hopewell. * Dr. Robert Simpson is the oldest American citizen, who came earliest to St. Louis. He was the first to keep a drug-store. He has been assessor, sheriff, county court judge, and physician in the army, and tliere are none who held these offices before him now alive. He is the oldest postmaster, has been connected with all the important phases in tlie early history of St. Louis, and we exceedingly regret that his biography is not in this worlc. o W Q INTKODUCTION. It is necessary to preface the History of St. Louis by a few preliminary I'emarks, so that the read^'r may liave an intelh'gent conception of some things which, unexplained, would leave a doubtful impression upon his mind, and perhaps subject the authors to the imputations of neglect or error. The founder of St. Louis has always been known by the name of Laclede, and it is ahnost universally believed that it was liis tamily name, when his full name was is Pierre Laclede Liguest. This error was a very natural one, as we shall proceed to explain, and it is most probable that all who lauded at the contemplated trading post on the loth of February, with i)ut few exceptions, believed that his surname was Laclede. At the time that a settlement was made upon the site of St. Louis, nearh' the whole of the great Mis- sissippi Valley was a wild, with the exception of the immediate neigh- borhoods of New Orleans, Natchez, Fort de Chartres, St. Genevieve, Kaskaskia, Cahokia, and a few more military posts. From the sparseness of the inhabitants in the villaofos and even in New Orleans. OLD SPANISH FORT. (Foot of Greene Street. the capital of the Province of Louisiana, there were no castes in society, and, with the exception of the commandants, and a few royal officers, there was a perfect equality among the others. They were almost all hunters and trappers, those being the leading pursuits at that period, and con- sequently rough, ignorant, and characterized by a freedom of manner always incident to the Caucasian race, when free from the refining influ- ences of education and society. Hence, in their intercourse with each other, they were known by the first, middle, or last names, as accident 58 INTRODUCTION. prompted. The first, or Christian name, was the most frequently used, as it is now among school-boys, and among the pioneers of civilization to this day. Probably some companion of Ligiiest, who had known him ' from his infancy under the appellation of Laclede, and accompanied him from France to New Orleans, called him by that name, which became henceforward his title among his new friends and follo^vers. It has been said by some that it was the custom of the French at that early day to transpose their names at pleasure, and, to confirm this decla- ration, it is asserted that Louis St. Ange de Bellerive, the first com- mandant of St. Louis, in all his signatures to the grants he made, signed himself .S^^. Ange. This is no support to the evidently erratic idea of such a custom prevailing. De Bellerive was evidently a titled name, and in his signatures he had a right exclusively to retain it, or link it with his first and family name, or even to drop it altogether. His signatures show that he did the latter; he signing himself simply St. Ange, which was his patronymic. Some of them, having an honorable title appended to their family names, pursued an entirely contrary course. La Salle, whose untitled name was Robert Cavelier, always signed himself La Salle, dropping altogether his patronymic. But there is no instance on record where the titled name and family name are both dropped, and either the first or middle name signed. From conclusive recorded facts, we must henceforth reject the name of Laclede as the family name of the founder of St. Louis, and adopt the proper one of Liguest. We will now proceed to give some of the instruments to which Liguest has affixed his signature. There is a deed No. 9 in the armory of the French and Spanish Archives, in which there is a conveyance of a house and lot by Liguest to Madame Chouteau, for the benefit of her children. The grantor signs himself Laclede Liguest. The deed is dated May 12th, 1768. There are two more deeds among these ancient records, num- bering 38 and 39, in which his name is signed in the same manner — one a conveyance to Jacques Noise, alias Labbe, dated December 10th, 1768, and the other. No. 201, a conveyance to Ignace Laroche, dated May 15th, 1768. In the Livre Terrein, Piernas confirms all the cessions of St. Ange de Bellerive, and among the other signatures to the instrument app'ears that of Liguest. We could give a dozen more instances; in some of which he signs his name Pierre Laclede L/iguest. In all of his signatures, he claims Liguest as his family name. CONTENTS. I*-A.DFt.T I. CHAPTER I. A General View of the Great "West. — Its Early History and Settlement. — Its General Resources and Curiosities 65 History of the St. Louis Press. 163 lE»-A.aEl.T XZX. CHAPTER I. Laclede Liguest and his companions start from New _^ _ ^, Orleans, August, 1763, and arrive at St. Gene- " ^/^RISJ CHUR'''^ " vieve in November. — Leave St. Genevieve and go to Fort de Chartres. — He makes a Voyage of Discovery to the Mouth of the Missouri. — Selects tiie spot for his Trading Post. — Settlement of St. Louia, February 15, 1764. "Visit of the Missouri Indians. — Treaty of 1763. — Secret Treaty between France and Spain. — Increase of St. Louis. — Early Habits of the Settlers — Rage of the people when informed of the secret treaty. — Arrival of Louis St. Ange de Bellerive at St. Louis. — Granting of land. — Popularity of the commandant. — The attachment of the Indians to the French — Their hatred of the English. — Laying out of St. Louis. — Its ex- tent in 1764 and 1780. — Its appearance before any buildings were erected. — Style of Dwellings. — Names of principal inliabitants. — Grant made to Liguest of tlie land on wliich he tirst commenced to build. — Grant of land on La Petite Riviere. — Mills built thereon. — First Mortgage. — First Marriage. — Laud reserved for Church. — First Baptism — Tlie place for a Public Square. — Unfavorable news from New Orleans. — The arrival of Kios. — The determination of tlie inliabitants to resist Spanish autliority. — Rios leaves St. Louis when the news readies him that the Spanisli commandant was driven from New Orleans. — Joy of the in- habitants. — The Common Fields. — Their Regulations. — Names of Common Fields. — Arrival of Pontiac. — His Appearance. — His Fame. — His visit to Cahokia. — His Assassination. — His Burial in St. Louis. — Extermination of the Illinois In- dians. — The arrival of O'Reilly in New Orleans. — His reception by the people. — Five of the inhabitants are executed, and six sent to the dungeons in Cuba. — The first Church is built in St. Louis. — Its Consecration by Father Gibault. — Arrival of Piernas in St. Louis. — He takes possession of the town. — French Domination ceases in Louisiana 238 CHAPTER n. Pedro Piernas. — His Policy. — His Character. — His Popularity. — Death of St. Ange de Bellerive. — His Character. — His Will. — Piernas is threatened with Assassina- tion by an Osage chief — Cruzat becomes Lieutenant-Governor. — The American Revolution. — The hatred of the Spaniards to the English. — Smuggled Goods. — Ferry across the Maramec. — Character of Cruzat. — Don Fernando de Leyba.- - 60 rONTKNTS. Dottth of riori\> Laolede Tiijjuoat. — Hia Appenranco. — His Charnctor. — Fonr of the ImUrtiis. — Attack on St. rAniis. — L'tinnre dii Coup. — Poath of Don Foniaiulo do Loyba. — Siiivooiioii l>v rarlaboiia. — Arrival of Oriizat. — Flood of tlio Missis- sippi. — 'I'lio riralos of liraiul Towor. — Piratos of Oottoiiwood I'^rook. — L'aiDUY (ics di,t batlr'au.r. — Tlio daiiijor from Indians. — Pain Court — Administration of Perez — Tnidoau and Oolassus. — l,ari;o (Grants. — Fover of Spi'cnlation.— ^Napo- loou Uona}>arlo. — Oossion of tlio Frovimv of J,outsianii to Franco. — Franco Sells it to tlio United Stales. — Knd of Spanish nomination 2(jO niArTKIl 111. Frenoh ("1 rants. — Spanish Ci rants. — rartiality for the Lands oontaininc load ore, or where Salines eonld he fonnd. — flie daiijter from Indians in working; the Mines and Salines, — The prol>al>ilily of ninny frandnlent claims. — Number of Houses in St. l.ouis at the time of the transfer of the Trovinee of L niisiana to the United States. — Mow the Houses were built. — IVseription of the principal Houses and Public lUiildiiij>-s in the Villasje in ISOt. — Haptism of Half-breeds and an Indian Child. — Morals of the Men and Women. — The mode of determin- ing: Uisputes. — The Customs, HabitvS, and Plea.sures of the Inhabitanta. — Names of the chief Merchants, Tradei-s, .and Tradesmen at the time of the ("Session to the United States. — The locality of the Residences of tlio principal Inhabitant.s. — Prices of iloods. — Moikfifur Tard{^' and Cevrtuil 'J.SO OHAPTKR IV. St. Louis under the United States Oovernment. — M.ajor Stoddard. — Cieneral Wilk- inson. — Lieutenant Pike. — Lewis and Clarke. — The Increase of Population of the Town.— The Kstablishment of a Post-(.>tIlce. — The MisDouri Cazfth: — The Trial of Indian Murderers. — flie Delj\waix» and Shawnee Indians near Cape Girardeau. — The lirst Man hung in St. Louis. — Death of Governor Meriwether Lewis. — Government of St. Louis. — Sitisjular Ordinances — The Mails. — The Population and Hiisiness of tiie City. — Curious Advertisements. — The Old iLirket built. — Louisiana Territory chauiivd to Missoiiri Territory — The Mis- souri Fur Company. — The manner of the orijani/.ation of Fur l\>mpanies. — Anecdotes ivlated by a Trader. — Trouble with the Indians in 1812 from British instiiration. — Intluence of General Clarke over them. — .V Travelliiij,' Maiiician. — Paiik of St. Louis. — Pank of Missouri. — St. Louis Prices Current. — Kxpondi- ture of St. Louis. — Formation of the Missouri Bible Society 291 ClIAPTKR V. Duel between Thomas C. Rector and Joshua Barton. — The latter Killed. — Fur Companies. — Battle with the Indians. — Disastrous Det'eat of the Whites, — Fred- erick Bates elected Governor. — Visit of Lafayette. — Route Surveyed to New- Mexico. — Con.seeration of the First Presbyterian Church — General ^iiller elected Governor. — Arsenal built. — Streets named — Stampede from the Jail.— Market built. — Benevolent Societies. — Branch Bank ol' the United States, — Improve- ments and chaiisxes in St. Louis, — Impeachment of Jiidije Peck. — Population in lS:n. — Fatal Duel. — Black Hawk War. — Love of the Iniiabitants of St, Louis for Politics. — Conduct of the People at the news of the Veto to the Ivecharterin>j of the United States B.ink. — Tiie Cholera. — Trial of Judjje Carr. — .fudge Merry elected Mayor. — His Flection declared Unconstitutional. — Building of a Hospi- tal for the Sisters of Charity. — Sale of the City Commons. — Gamblei-s. — Inter- nal Impivvement t\)nvention. — Burning- of a Negro Munlerer [Vil CHAPTFR VL IS;'7. — Act to Incorporate the Bank of the State of Mis.souri. — Its lei-s. — Its tii-st Dinvtors. — The Bar o-. the PnMich. — Daniel Webster St. Louis in l! Conimissionei"s. _. and family visit St. Louis. — Their Reception. — Sj>eech of Webster. — The great Financial Crisis of 1837. — Suspension of the Bank of the State of Missouri. — CONTENTS. 61 Ruin of Business. — Death of David Barton. — Murder of Thomas M. Dou;rhertv. — Whij? Vij^ilance Committee. — Death of General William Clark. — Kemper College built, — Meetintf of the principal Mechanics. — Establishment of a Criminal Court. — Bulldinff of Christ Church. — Incorporation of the St. LooLs Ifotel Company, who built the Planters' Hou.se. — Monvi MiMirjivlis fever. — Missouri ftilk Cne of an addition to Court-house. — Bank of the State of Mi.ssfjuri throws out all the notes of the Banks not paying specie. — Distress in Busine.s.s. — Comer-stone of St. I/juis College laid. — Proprietor of the Arg^m beaten. — Dies. — Trial of Wil- liam P. Dames. — Number of Insurance Offices in St. I/juLs. — Murder, Fire, and Arson. — The L>i.«covery of the Murderers. — Their Trial and Conviction. — Their Attempt to Escape. — Their Execution. — Synopsis of the Business Statistics of S'. Louis : 358 CHAPTER VIL Laying of the Corner-stone of the Centenary Church. — Death of General Atkin- son. — Of Judge Lucas. — Opening of the Gla.scow House. — Execution on Dun- can's Island. — Arrival of Audubon at St. Loui.s. — Arrival of Richard M. John- son, of Kentucky. — Death of Major John Pilcher. — Death of Judge Engle. — Arrival of Macready — His Dramatic Popularity. — Forrest. — Hackett. — Arrival of Professor Silliman. — Of Josiah Quincy, jr. — Briskness of Trade in St. I/OuLs. — Unparalleled Rise in the MLisissippi. — The Waters Overflow the Levee, and fill the first stories of the Buildings. — Consternation of the Inhabitants. — P^e- ports from the Illinfiis and Missouri Rivers. — More than five hundred destitute families quart<;red in the City. — Philanthropy of the Citizens. — The Three Great Floods. — Buildings put up in 1844 — Death of Colonel Sublette. — Constitution Revised. — Mercantile Library. — I>eatli of Mrs. Biddle. — Her Monument. — Her Charities. — Harbor Obstructions. — War with Mexico. — Great Excitement. — ^St. Louis Legion. — Patriotic feeling and actions of the Citizens. — Consecration of Odd Fellow.s' Hall. — Pork-Packing 378 CHAPTER VIIL Incorporation of Boatmen's Saving Institutiou. — Celebration of the Anniversary of the Founding of St. Louis. — The Great Proce.ssion. — Pierre Chouteau. — The Ad- dress delivered by Wilson Primm, Esq. — The Dinner at the Planters' Hou.se. — The Great Illumination of the City in honor of General Taylor's Victorie.s. — An eagle loo.sed from its cage. — Great Famine in Scotland and Ireland. — Meeting of the Inhabitants of St. Louis to afford Relief to those Countries. — The Magnetic Telegraph. — Interest in Railroads. — Ohio and Missi.ssippi Rail- road. — Complimentary Dinner to General Shields. — General Taylor a lavorite with the People of St. Louis. — They determine to run him lor the Presidency. — News of the outbreak in Paris. — Meeting of the Citizens- — Louis Napoleon. — Lamartine. — Death of Edward Cliarless. — General Kearney. - Cholera appears. — Purchase of Belle Fontaine Cemetery. — Great Fire — Twenty-three Steamboats consumed. — Whole blocks of houses destroyed. — Three millions of property consumed. — Death of T. B. Targee. — Building again Commenced. — Main street Widened. — Reappearance of the Cholera. — Its Mortality. — Disagreement of the Doctors. — City Council forbid the sale of Vegetables. — Revoke the Act. — Fatality of the Disease among the Emigrants. — Quarantine Established. — The eflect of the Fire and Cholera upon St. Louis. — Tiie Resumption of Basiness on a more extensive scale. — Prosperous Indications. — National Pacific Railroad Convention. — St. Louis Medical College built. — Tragedy at the City Hotel. — Two French noblemen Arrested. — Their Trial and Acquittal 395 LIST OF BIOGRAPHIES. Page Colonel John O'Fallon. .• 79 John Sappiugton 85 Hon. Edward Bates 86 Henry Von Phul, Esq. 90 Hon. John F. Darby 94 Kennetli Mackenzie, Esq 98 Samuel Gaty, Esq 102 Col. Thornton Grinisley lOG Col. Lewis V. Bogy HO Capitain John Simonds 114 George R. Taylor, Esq 119 Adolphus Meier, Esq 123 Hon. Trusten Polk 124 Bernard Pratle, Esq 128 Henry D. Bacon, Esq 132 Peter G. Camden, Esq 136 Robert M. Funkhauser, Esq 140 Dr. M. L. Linton 144 Hon. James S. Green 149 -Hon. Luther M. Ke'nnett 153 Samuel B. Wigghis, Esq 157 John Hogan, Esq 158 St. Louis Press 163 Nathaniel Paschall, Esq 167' A. P. Ladew, Esq 169 Col. George Knapp 170 Col. Charles Keemle 171 Abram S. Mitchell, Esq 173 William McKee, Esq. 175 George W. Fish back. Esq 176 James H. Lucas, Esq 185 Robert A. Barnes, Esq 188 Louis A. Benoist, Esq 193 Coh Joshua B. Brant 197 Capt. John J. Roe 201 Gen. Nathan Ranney 202 Theron Barnura, Esq 206 Dr. Anderson 210 Sullivan Blood, Esq 215 John A. Brownlee, Esq 219 Henry A mes, Esq 223 Henry T. Blow, Esq 224 Rev. Dr. M. McAnally 228 George Partridge, Esq 233 William Glasgow, Jr., Esq 237 Page Petej Lindell, Esq 421 Brig. Gen. Daniel Marsh Frost 427 Marinus Willett Warne, Esq 428 Washington King, Esq 432 Thomas Allen, Esq 437 Isaac Rosenfeld, Jr , Esq 440 Richard H. Cole, Esq 445 William G. Clark, Esq 449 Hon. John Richard Barret 450 Gerard B. Allen, Esq 454 William L. Ewing, Esq 459 Louis A. Lebaume, Esq 460 Rev. S. B. McPiieeters 467 Isaac H. Sturgeon, Esq 468 John D. Daggett, Esq 472 Rev. Truman Marcellus Post 476 William T. Christy, Esq 481 Thomas A. Bucklaud, Esq 485 Edward Walsh, Esq 489 Jonatlian Jones, Esq 493 F. S. Ridgely, Esq 494 John H. Gay, Esq 499 Alonzo Child, Esq 503 Dr. Charles A. Pope 507 Robert Barth, Esq 508 John Withnell, Esq 513 The Filley Family 515 Madame Elizabeth Ones 529 The Chouteau Family 533 Pierre Chouteau, Esq 536 The Soulard Family 541 James G. Soulard, Esq 542 The Right Reverend Cicero Stephens Hawks, D.D 544 John S. McCune, Esq 551 Hon. John Marshall Krum 555 Henry Boernstein, Esq 556 Hon. Francis P. Blair, Jr 560 Alexander Kayser, Esq 564 Major Henry S. Turner. 569 Dr. William Carr Lane 571 John J. Anderson, P]sq 575 B. W. Alexander, Esq 579 Aaron W. Fagin, Esq 580 Joseph Charless, Esq 584 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. Page Presentation Plate, (fiicin-' Title). View nil Lucas Place ao. Jewish Svnagosi'ue 50 Portrait of Kichanl Edwards 52 Ijindell House 5G Old Spanish Fort 57 Gav's Buildings (S-t St." Louis r G5 Braddock's Battle Field ()5 N'iew of Pittsburgh 67 Father llartjuette introducing Joliet to the Indians GS View of Cincinnati from Mt. Auburn. CO Bird's Eye View of Chicago 71 View of the Citv of Milwaukee, Wis. . 73 Bird's Eye View of the City of Detroit, 75 Portrait "of Col. John O'Fallon 77 John Sappington, Esq S3 Hon. E Governor of Canada they were then on their way to discover the great Mississippi, whose existence was vaguely known to the Indians in Canada;, and from the reports of its magnitude, the whites thought to be identical* with the great river discovered many hundred miles farther south, by De iSoto, more than a century before ; or, it may be, flowing into the Pacific- Ocean. Father Marquette and Joliet had stopped, at that point to gather what- ever information they could obtain regarding the perilous journey, and also, if possible, to get sonae assistance. FatheT Marquette for many years had been a dweller among the In- 11 KR COMMERCIAL METROPOLIS. 67 68 THE GREAT WEST, ETC diaus, and such was his meekness, his patience and his goodness, that he was more adored than loved by the untutored tribes with which he dwelt. In accordance with the wishes of the representative of his king in America, and to carry into still more remote wilds the name and his- tory of his Redeemer, he undertook, with M. Joliet, the perilous adven- ture. When the chiefs met in their great council he fearlessly stood among them. " My companion," said he, " is an envoy from France to FATHER MARQUETTE INTRODDCINO JOLIET TO THE INDIANS. discover new countries, and I am an ambassador ft-om God to enlighten them with the gospel." These distant Indians treated them with the most marked respect, but did all thev could to deter them from a con- tinuance of their voyage. They told them that the river w^as filled with strange monsters whicli would devour theni, and that the tribes of Indians that inhabited its banks were cruel and hostile to strangers. Finding all of their dissuasions fruitless, they assisted them to carry their little canoes over the narrow portage which divides the Wisconsin from the Fox River, HER COMilERCIAL METROPOLIS. 6y '0 THE GKEAT WEST, ETC. and left them on the banks of the first mentioned river, expecting never to look upon them again. It was the tenth of June, 1673, that they glided down the stream of the Wisconsin, sometimes skirted with prairies stretching far in the dis- tance like a vast sea, until blended with and lost in the horizon ; and sometimes the thick forest waved over the margin, bounding and impeding the vision with its thickness. On the seventeenth, they saw the " Father of Waters," and chanted the Me Exaudiat and De Profundis on his eddying current ; and in a few days afterward had a conference with the Illinois Indians. It was from this tribe that the flourishing state of Illinois takes its name, and the word is very suggestive — meaning, in the signifi- cant language of the Algonquins, " We are men." It is not our purpose in this part of our narrative to dwell any farther on the voyage of tlie gentle Marquette, or disclose more of his history; in another portion of this work, when we will thoronghlv treat of the Mississippi valley, we will give a full description of the life of this self- sacrificing missionary, and relate, in detail, all the incidents of his perilous undertaking. At present we are merely mentioning these fii'st pioneers of the wilderness in our rapid and general view of the Great West, m-jrely for the purpose of dating the era of the advent of the white man in this important {)art of our Union. The next daring spirit who ventured in those unexplored wilds was Robert Cavalier de La Salle, of an illustrious family, formerly of the order of Jesus ; but who, becoming moved by the spirit of chivalrous adventure, had forsaken the. convent, and by his address had obtained from his sovereign, Louis XIV. of France, the right to discover, subdue and govern, in his name, a country stretching over an immense area, yet in a state of nature, and inhabited only by the Indian. We find him on the Illinois river in the autumn of the year 1G79, accompanied by Father Hennepin and the chivalrous De Tonti. At this time the expedition had nearly all perished ; and the star of La Salle, which had just arisen on the horizon of fame, liad nearly disappeared as soon as seen. Famine and winter both assailed hun ; discontent, which had almost broken out in open mutinv, prevailed among his followers; and the maladies incident to a new and malarious climate had thinned their numbers and reduced their strength. Assailed by such a combination of misfortunes, almost any other nature but the iron one of La Salle, had yielded to the force of circumstances, and submitted to what appeared a manifest destiny ; but he, self-reliant and persevering roused the drooping spirits of his followers, and built a fort just above where the flourishing city of Peoria now stands, with its twenty-five thousand inhabitants, and gave it the significant name of Creoc- Coeur {fivokan Heart). His fortunes were sombre at that time, and the name had a poetical allusion. As we have before said, it is not now intended to give any other than a passing allusion to incidents at this place, and therefore we will not dwell any farther at the present on the explorations and voyages of this illustrious Frenchman. Let it suffice, that he established several French posts or fortifications in the state of Illinois, which formed the nuclei around which the hardy pioneers from Canada could settle with a pros- HER COMMERCIAL SfETROPOLIS. 71 r2 THE GREAT WEST, ETC. pect of safety, and coinincncetl the tirst eftbrts to reclaim tlie wilderness, and adsanee the cause of civilization. Attendant upon these early exhibitions were men bnrnino^ Avith a pious zeal, and intent only to light the t(n-ch of faith in the wis^wams of the savages, who dwelt in the darkness of a heatlien creed. The Jesuit missionaries were often a thousand miles in advance of civilization, ami, armed only with the crucifix and breviary, visited the most savage tribes, that they might turn them from a mistaken faith; teach them the hopes and blessings revealed in the Apocalypse; and by degrees curb their savage appetites by learning them the gentle amenities of life. Without a shudder, they sought a people who joyed in the gratification of these bloody instincts ; fearlessly breathed the poisonous malaria arising from the rivers, ponds and w-atercourscs ; and without a murmur or a thought of regret, lived upon roots for their sustenance. They lived a holy life and devoted it to the enlightenment of their benighted brethren; and when they died, a prayer was on their lips, and their joyful spirits, uncorrupted by the impurities of earth, winged their victorious tlight to their native skies. AVe could dwell with interest and admiration on the trials, sufterings and labors of these holy and undefiled men, but in this general sketch it would occupy more space than is consistent with our intention. The names of Fathers Mesnard, Allouez, Marquette, Kasles, Gravier, Marest, and many others, are interwoven with the early history of the Western wilds, and their goodness, rectitude and Christian virtues gleam brightly, when contrasted with the dark selfishness and cruelty which subsequently characterized the conduct of the white men in their intercourse with the savages. The great states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri, were first settled by the French, Ohio by emigrants chlefiy from the Fastcrn and middle states, and Kentucky and Tennessee by natives from Virginia and the Carolinas. It has only been since the Revolutionary war that the Great West of the Union occupied to any extent the public mind, and that her great natural resources became known atid partially developed. We will take a transient glance at some of her large cities, and see bow many years they have been growing to their present n)agnitude and importance. Cincinnati, now containing more tlian two hundred thousand inhabi- tants, was founded in 1789. Louisville, in 1788, contained but thirty inhabitants; Milwaukee, in 1834, contained only twenty houses; the first house was erected in St. Louis in 1764 ; and Chicago, with its 160,000 inhabitants, was laid out in 1830. In the fertile state of Illinois, now with her thousand miles of railroad in operation, and numbering now a million of souls, the population in 1812 was but little more than twelve thousand inhabitants; and all over the great West, the flourishing cities that adorn the banks, and pulsate with all the healthful elements of busi- ness prosperity, were but the growth of yesterday. Less than a century ago the elk and the buffalo roamed over the wide prairies, and the red men, in their wild independence, sounded their warwhoop and prayed to their Manitos. The whole country, stretching from the Alleghany to the Mississippi, has filled up in a shorter time than ever regions did before, and now the great West is the granary of the LTnion, and to it the enterprising of all Classes, conditions and avocations, not only from HEE OOMMERCIAi METK0P0LI8. 73 74 THE GREAT WEST, ETC. our Atlantic cities, but from the European continent, flock in almost in- credible numbers, to better their fortunes and increase the population of the favored regions. The number of bushels of wheat, corn, oats, barley and rye, shipped from Chicago the 'ast year, reached the astounding number of 18,032, KXPRF.SST,T FOR THIS WORK FROM A PHOTOGRAPH BY IIROWN. BIOGRAPHIES. St. Louis contains a population of one 'hundred and ninety thousand inhabitants, and is gradually advancing to a most superb destiny. Her magnificent location — the centre of the great Mississippi Valley — and her present importance have become apparent to the world, and now, without a rival to dispute her pre-eminence, she is the acknowledged metropolis of the great western country. Biogi'aphies of those who have become identified with the progress of the great city, who have guided and directed its business currents year by year, swelling with the elements of prosperity, and who have left the impress of their genius and judgment upon the legislative enactments of the state, must be sought after with avidity, and must be fraught with useful instruction. It will be a source of satisfaction to the reader to know that the engravings of individuals who adorn this work are not drawn by the flighty imagination from airy nothingness; but represent the lineaments of men, nearly all of whom are living and breathing at this time, who have achieved lofty positions, are still active iti the busy, bustling world, and affoi'd sterling examples of business excellence and moral and social virtues. In writing the lives of these men, the author has not attempted to swell facts beyond their proper magnitude, for the incidents which make up the biographies are of sufficient importance in themselves to vest them with interest, without the adventitious aid of the imagination. COLONEL JOHN O'FALLON. The subject of this memoir was born on the 2.3d of November, 1791, near Louisville, Jefferson county, Kentucky ; and is consequently sixty- eight years of age. His father. Dr. James O'Fallon, was an Irish gentle- man of education, and lived in Roscommon county, Ireland, and immi- gi-ated to this country in the year 1Y74. He settled in Wilmington, North Carolina, and when his young adopted country, conscious of the justness of her cause, threw down the gage of battle to the most powerful nation on the globe, Dr. O'Fallon took a prominent part in the contest, which, after seven years' struggle, so fortunately accomplished our inde- pendence. He raised a troop of a hundred Irishmen in the state of Geor- gia, and, being appointed the captain, served in that capacity from 1775 to the Battle of Brandy wine, in 1777. His professional services after that period were called into requisition, and so accomplished was he in the art of surgery, that he received the appointment of principal surgeon of the General Hospital of the United States, which important position he occupied until the close of the Revolution in 1783. While the elements which brewed the tempest of the Revolution were so COLONKL JOHN O FALLON. actively :it work, I)r. O'l^illoii, for h.-ivinti: oxprossoil his ropublicau priii- ciplos nvtlii'i- tot> tVoi'iy in ;i littlo Journal called the JAmv/////o. was thrown into prison by an lui^-lish jniverMor, when-' he remained until rescued by (uMierai Ashe with ei<;-ht hundred inilftia, and then lie turned tlie tal)Ie"s upon his Knjrlish exeelleney, forced hiui tt) take rofuijc in an English vessel in Cape Fear River, and so heartily was he frightened, that he never again ventured upon American soil. After the close of the revplutionary war, T^r. O'FaUon married the youngest sister of (Jeneral (Jeorgo Rogers Clark, and from that uniojj sprung the subject of this biography. From his youth, the young O'Fal- lon was remarkable for his popularity among his i;onipanions t'or his judg- ment, generosity and a predisposition for military glory. At tlic ago of nineteen, in tlie summer of 1811, he joinetl (leneral lliu-rison's army at Vineennes, Indiana, and in the autunm of that year took a prominent part in the memorable battle of Tippecanoe,, in which he was severelv wounded. After the battfe of Tippecanoe, he received a subaltern's, commission in the first reg.hnent of United States intantry, and arrived in St. Louis u\ January, 1 8 1 2. In the spring,he received from (lovernor Howard a captain's comnussion, and with lus company of eighty proceee horrors of savage war- fare the defenceless settlements in the northern part of the state of Illinois. lie was then ordered to take charge of some government boats bound for Fittsburgh, which arrived at their place of destination July, 1812, and aiterward he jiroceeded to Louisville for the purpose of ecpiipping himself to join GenenU Harrison, who was in C)hio, lie joined CJeneraf Harrison in October; at Franklinton, opposite Columbus, and was at once appointed to his stati". lie had the entire eontidence of his distinguished chief, and Wius with him at the siege of Fort Meigs, May, 1813, and afterward at tlie assault and capture of a British battery, on which occasion he was highly complimented for bis chivalrous behavior by his eomuianding general. In the autumn of 181,S he was at the memorable battle of'^the river Thames, still serving as aiile-de-camp,.and performing the duties of deinity- atljutant general, and remafneil with (Jeneral Karrison until tliat generars resignation in May, 1814. At the close of tlui war in 1 8 1 o, Colonel OTal- lon was the commandant of Fort Maiden, in Canada, opposite the moutli of the Detroit River. In August, 1818, ColonoLJohn OTallon resigned his commission in the- army, there being no tiehl to invite his military aspirations, and since that time has turned his attention to the more solid business avocations of life, anil always resided either in St. Louis or its vicinity. In 1821 he was engaged as contractor of tJie army, and traded extensively with the In- dians, lie was elected to the legislature in tlie same year, and served with honor and usefulness in that body for four years, the last two year* being a member of the Senate, AVhilst at J»>tTerson city, he took an active part in the passage of the celebrateil Loan \V\\l In 1821, Colonel O'Fallon was married to Miss Stokes, sister of AAiniiwn Stokes, who owned nearly a million dollars of landed estate in St, Louis. He was again married March lo, 1827, to Miss Caroline Sheetz, who came with her parents from the state of Maryland in 1824, By this marriage COLONEL JOUS o'fALLOX. 81 there are five children, at present livings Caroline (now Mrs. Dr. Pope)- James J, (J'Fallon, married to Miss Nanuie Harris, of Kentucky, j^and- daughter of tlie late General Taylor, Benjamin O' Fallon, married to Miss Sallic Carter, dautrhtcr of Walker li. Caiter, i]sq., of St. Louis Henry A. O'Fallon, and John J. O'Fallon. Perhaps there is no man living as much identified with St. Louis as is Colonel O'Fallon — not on account of his immense wealth, but for the useful purposes which he has made it to subserve the city and adorn it. With a charity unparalleled in its munificence, he has already bestowed more than a million of dollars to advance the cause of education and science and to relieve the wants of suffering humanity. He gave the ground where St. Louis University now stands, and also the site where the first Methodist church stood on Fourth Street, now occupied by Clarke's buildings. He gave the five acres of land on which the water-works of the city are erected, ami endowed the O'Fallon Polytechnic Institute with property va'ued at -^100,000. He gave most liberally to Wash- in(j:U)U University, and built the Dispensary and Medical College over which Dr. Pope so efficiently presides. He gave fifteen acres of land t* the "Home of the Friendless,'^ and his private charities are "legion." Liberality, so rarely found in the possession of wealth,, forms one of the dominant traits of Col. O'Fallon's character; and he once offered to make the city of St. Louis a present of a hundred acres of land, if Peter Lindell, Esq., wouW do the same ; each one of the gifts to be laid out into two magnificent parks ; but the condition of the offer was not ac- ceded to. Colonel O'Fallon was president of the Branch Bank of the United States ]?ank during its existence in St. Louis, and under his superior and honor- able management it was wound up with the loss only of one hundred and twenty-five dollars, while tens of thousands and hundred's of thousands dollars were lost in the various places the branches were located, in con- sequence of the frauds connnitted by the unprincipled oflUcers connected with them; and he was also agent for the United States Bank of Penn- sylvania from 1836 to 1841. The possession of unbounded wealth,, the Piigh and responsible posi- tions which he has filled in the military, civic and business relations of llife, have never generated pride and arrogance in his character, and made him forgetful of his duties to his Creator and his fellow bei7)gs. He was the first rn^an who organized a Sabbath-school west of the Mississippi River, and is a regular attendant of the Episcopal church. Unostenta- tious in his bearing k; can. be- approached by all, and liis manner pos- sesses much of that freedom and li-ankness- which lend a chann to conver- saition, and is- characteristic of^the early settlement of the West. When Colonel O'Fallon first saw St. Louis, it was but little more thar village of log-Btouses, containing but a few thousand inhabitants. Its commerce consisted only of the furs and peltries which were brought by the hunter and trader fi-om the Missouri, the Mississippi and the Illinois: and on their waters a few canoes and llatboats were sufficient to carry all of the required trade. Colonel O'Fallon has seen the Mound City through all of its progressive stages of advancement, from his first advent in 1812, to the presetit time, and has contributed more liberally to all public and private enterprise than any other man now living. He has won the 82 COLONEL JOHN o'fALLON. respect and love of every class of society, and in 1849, when the great fire threatened to reduce the whole city to ashes, such was his popularity and such his claim on public gratitude, that the firemen, knowing that some property must be destroyed, encircled his, and saved it on many occasions frt)m the devouring element. Colonel C>'FalIon has been identified with the great railroad enterprises of Missouri, which like a network will soon thread every portion of the state, and develop its vast resources. At the first meeting of some of the prominent citizens to create a company to form the plan of the Pacific Railroad, Colonel O'Fallon was chosen president, and after a charter was obtained fn>m the assembly of Missouri, he was nominated as a candidate for the presidency, but declined, and at the same time nominated Mr. Thomas Allen, who was duly elected. Colonel (,)'Fallon w:us the first president of the Ohio and Mississippi Rail- road, and also of the North Missouri. He was a director of the State Bank of Missouri, and subscribed liberally to the building of the I'lanters' House, and more recently to the building of the Lindell Hotel, now in the course of erection. He is now in the autumn of his life, and the golden fruits of a clear head and good heart are around him. He has abundance beyond his most sanguine wish, the love and respect of zealous and admiring friends; and thousands of young hearts who are educated by his bounty breathe his name with gratitude. Colonel O'Fallon has liberally dispensed his cliarities, and seen and en- joyed the fruits of them while living. His good works live around him, and he can enjoy them ; and when the sands of his life are all spent and he will be gathered to his "narrow house," he will be mourned as a public benefactor, and his name will not be forefotten. JOHN SAPPINGTON, ESQ. (I-. %3.) FNGRAVED EXPKESSLT FOR THIS WORK FROM A PHOTOGRAPH BY TBOXEL. JOHN SAPPINGTON. John Sappington was born May 28, 1790, in Madison county, Ky. His parents were of a respectable family in the state of Maryland, and his father, after whom he was named, when he became a resident of Kentucky, served in its legislative halls as senator, at the same period that Henry Clay was serving as a member. Mr. Sappington had a large family of eighteen children, and moved to Missouri in 1806. Young John Sappington was early put to work on the farm of his father, and was regularly brought up to the business of a farmer. When he came to St. Louis with his father, the now great city contained but a few hundred inhabitants, and were made up of such a low mixture of French, Indians, and negroes; of ruffians, robbers, swearers, and swindlers; that the forty families which had come together from Kentucky determined to pur- chase land some distance from the town, rather than mingle in such rascally society, although they could have purchased most of the land on which St. Louis now stands for owe rjallon of ivhiskey per acre* The place on which ^Ir. Sappington now resides, consisting of six hun- dred .and forty acres, was purchased at that time for the usual current price, one gallon of whiskey per acre. This was the golden epoch in the history of whiskey. It represented the currency of the time, and was known and esteemed in every domicile. Young John Sappington was delighted with his new abode. The rich soil had lain fallow probably for hundreds of centuries, and the yield in all kinds of grain was almost fabulous. In 1812 when the military enthu- siasm spread abroad in the land, on account of the rupture between this country and Great Britain, he volunteered under Colonel Nathan Boone, son of Daniel Boone, the Kentucky pioneer, and served under Governor Howard ; and was the first one of the fifteen hundred horsemen, to plunge into the Mississippi and lead the way across to Illinois, where they were going to join Governor Edwards. John Sappington was held in high estimation by Governor Howard, and he was appointed one of the trusty scouts, who were sent in advance of the army to detect ambush, and apprise of danger. Mr. Sappington was married January 8, 1815, to Miss Sarah Wells, daughter of John Wells, and has had eleven children. He has lived upon the farm where he now resides since 1806, to which he has added six hundred and forty acres, and so perfected is its condition, and so high its state of cultivation, that he was awarded a diploma, which was given as the premium at the last fair in St. Louis for " The Model Farm." He takes a great interest in all things pertaining to agriculture, and joined with the Hon. J. R. Barrett and others, in organizing the Agricultural and Mechanical Association, which is now so well-known throughout the Union. He has also served in the legislative council of Missouri for three periods, and was always popular with his constituents. He is still hale and vigorous, and early hardships appear not to have affected his iron constitution. * These were some of the French lamiliea, for whom Mr. Sappington had a high respect. 3 HON. EDAVARD BATES. This distinguished Jurist was born, September 4th, IVO.S, in Goochland county, Virginia. His ancestors were of English origin, and can be traced back even previously to their arrival in this country, in 1625, at the colony of Jamestown, They were cf the denomination called the Quakers, and strictly lived up to the tenets of their church. In common with the early settlers of that day, they doubtless had to endure the hardships incident to that early period, when the ambition of the pioneer extended no farther than to rear a little log cabin, to feed his family on the products of the chase, raise the maize of the country, and protect them from the scalp-knife of the Indian. It belongs not to the province of this work to follow the ancestors of Edward Bates through the trying and romantic variety of their chequered existence, when the state of Virginia was a wild, and the white men were so inferior in number to the sons of the forest. T. F. Bates, the father of Edward Bates, though reared in the strict creed of the society of Friends, when the war-cry of the Revolution rung through the infant colonies, joined in the cry of resistance, and with all the ardor of the patriot seized his gun to defend his country's rights. It was then that he was excommunicated by the society of Friends, whose peace doctrines he had violated, and from that day he was no more a Quaker, and his family was reared out of the pale of that church. Edward Bates, the subject of this memoir, was the seventh son of his parents, who had a large family of twelve children. He was sent early to school, but was often sutiered to leave at interims, and from this irreg- ularity, his attendance was almost wholly profitless. Fortunately for him, his father possessed a considerable amount of useful knowledge ; and Edward Bates garnered much from the frequent conversations he had with his father, who always directed his iniud to useful subjects. He had also the advantage of instruction for two years, from his kinsraanj Benjamin Bates, of Hanover, Va., who was an able instructor, an accom- plished scholar, and a pure and exemplary Christian. After leaving the instruction of his relation he was sent to the Charlotte Hall Academy, where he went through a regular academic course, and then his education was completed. C)n leaving school Edward Bates, in selecting a pursuit to follow for a livelihood, was strongly predisposed to join the navy, but yielding to the entreaties of his mother, declined a midshipman's warrant, which had been procured in accordance with his wishes. However, to gratify a spirit for military glory, during the last war with Great Britain, he served six months in the army, at Norfolk, Va., as a volunteer in a militia regiment. On reaching the age of twenty, Edward Bates removed to St. Louis under the auspices of his elder brother, who was then secretary of the territorv, and who afterward became Governor of Missouri. He studied law under Rufus Easton, then eminent at the bar, and who after- nimi HON. EDWARD BATES. (p. S7.) l:Ny was conversant with inany of the Jjatin authors, and highly relished the beauties of Horace, Virgil, and other Latin poets. In 1823, when young Darby had attained the age of twenty, he lost both of his parents ; but he did not relax his efi'orts, and continued his habits of industry. He then paid a visit to his grand-parents in North Carolina, and receiving some pecuniary assistance, he determined to com- plete his education, and placed himself under William Bingham, of Orange county, one of the most accomplished scholars in the South. He then, in 1825, applied for an appointment in the military academy at West Point, but for the want of infiuential friends, he was not successful. This disappointment served to incline his mind toward the law, and dis- posing of his small patrimony, he commenced the study of the legal pro- fession at Frankfort, Kentucky. His money, however, becoming ex- hausted before his profession was mastered, he applied to Mr. Swigert, clerk of the Supreme Court of Kentucky, who, taking an interest in his welfare, gave him some copying to do, from the proceeds of which he could live, and also prosecute his studies. He, in a short time, received license to practise from the Supreme Court of Kentucky. Mr. Darby then returned to Missouri, and to familiarize himself with the office routine of his profession, remained for some months as a student under Judge Gamble, until he was admitted to the bar in St. Louis, in ^1827. Filled with an honorable emulation, with a fair field before him, it was not long before he became known as a rising man in his profession, and crowds of clients soon began to throng his office. Ilo became a favor- ite with the people, was a popular stump orator, and in 1835, a year re- plete for him with honor and happiness, he was elected mayor of the city, and was married to a daughter of Captain Wilkinson. HON. JOHN i' . I) A R B V . ([..95.) KNOHAVKll KXI'BKHSLY F(JK THIS WdUK rUOM A I'UOTlKiB AI'll II V DROWN. HON. JOHN FLETCHER DAKBT*. 97 Mr. Darby, when he became mayor, took no sinecure. It was almost equal to clearing out tJic Augean stablcH, to get the city under a proper !)olicc syhtern, and under the }iealthf'u] jurisdiction of municipal authority. le established the iMayor's Court, where his summary manner of dealing out justice soon cleared the city of the gamblers. vagab'>rids, and other worthless characters which infested it, and in a few months after he com- menced his official duties, an efficient police was established, salutary laws were enforced, and every thing bore the aspect which indicated that an efficient officer was at the head of the municipal governm(;nt. Whilst mayor, Mr. Darby gf>t an act passed for the sale of tJic Commons, with the consent of the infiabitants who had a right to vote on tliat occa- sion ; and finding that the city was paying ten per cent, interest on its liabil- ities, he fjorrowed one liundred and fifty thousand dollars, at six per cent,, which much relieved itsfinancial embarrassments. lie was untiring during his administration, in advocating all measures that would redound to the ad- vantage and beauty of the city. In his message he advocated the purchase of public squares, as parks and parade-grounds; and through his influence Washingt<^»n Square was purchased from Mr. T. 11. Smith for tliirtv-five thousand dollars. This beautiful square was for a long time called Darby's Big Gulley, because the short-sighted coidd not see how a piece of land consisting of a tnultitude of gutters could be convertris\ng population who immigrated to what was considered the richest soifin Ajuerica. His father and mother did not long live in the new homes which thev had chosen, but died during the years 1805 and 1800, leaving a helpless family of eight children. The subject of this memoir, by the dissolution of his parents, was left an orphan at seven vears of age, and three years after losing his parents he was apprenticed to the saddlery business. He served his master faith- fully for eleven years, and the only compensation which he received was three months of schooling ; yet, by his diligent application to business, and a mind naturally of a superior order, he soon won the respect and confidence of his master, and in 1816 he was sent to St. Louis in charge of a valuable assortment of goods, at which place he completed his term of indenture ; and on reaching twenty-one years of age, the first act he per- formed in his independent manhood, was to return to Kentucky and attend school for six months, from the proceeds of extra work which he had performed during the term of his apprenticeship. After having exhausted his slender resources, in obedience to the invi- tation of his old master, Thornton Grimsley returned to St. Louis, and took charge of his business for about fourteen months, and then, feeling that he could succeed better untrammelled by the dictates of a superior, in 18-'2 he placed his name upon a sign-board, and boldly commenced his fortune. St. Louis at that time was young in years and weak in business resources ; and the gross amount done by the three little saddle and har- ness shops it contained, did not exceed twelve or fifteen thousand dollars per annum. Thornton Grimsley had to encounter all of the obstacles incident to the lot of an aspiring young man commencing business on a small capital, and, joined with his pecuniary difficulties, his health for five years was in a precarious condition. On commencing business for himself he married Miss Susan Stark, of Bourbon county, Kentucky, who was sister of the wife of the master un- der whom he learned his trade. Not long after commencing his business, and just as he was beirinning to gather the fruits to which his industry entitled him, a fire destroyed the property which he had accumulated durina; three years of toil, and left him "poor indeed." When this mis- fortune occurred he was in ill health, but did not waste a moment in idle regrets, and set about immediately in repairing what accident had de- prned him of, and in a little time he was again advancing in a prosperous career. COLONEL THORNTON G R I M S L E Y . (\>. li>7.) ENGUAVKD EXPRESSLY KO,< T.„8 WORK KKOM A PHOrmMCA.-i. KV UROW.N. COI-OXEL THORNTON GKEMSLET. 109 From the frankness of his disposition and natural goodness of lieart, Tlioniton Grimsley had always made himself hosts of friends, and in 1820 was elected an alderman, and introduced into that body the subject of grading the wharf in front of the city, and strongly advocated that the western edge should be raised three feet higher than its pres- ent grade. Had his proposition been acceded to, Front-street would not be inundated at every high flood of the river, and its property would be n)uch more valuable. In 1 828 Colonel Grimsley was called to the legislature of the state, where he was a useful and efficient member. lie used his efforts to have com- pleted tho national road to Jefferson City, and advocated other important measures. In 183.5 he was again elected alderman, and did much for settling satisfactorily the important claim of the St. Louis Commons. From this tract was selected Lafayette Park, and the spacious avenues about it. From the liberal dimensions of this park, some of the short- sighted citizens, in derision, called it Grimsley's folly — now it is one of the chief ornaments of our large and growing city. So useful was Colonel Grimsley in his political life, that in 1838 he was sent to the State Senate, and lent all of his influence for the pas.sage of the bill for the construction of the Iron Mountain Railroad, and also for the establishment of a workhouse. Though Colonel Grimsley was so liberally rewarded with civic honors he was not unmindful of military glory. He has filled all of the stations, from an orderly to division inspector; in 1832 he raised a volunteer com- pany and tendered their services to the Governor of Illinois during the Ulack Hawk war, and in 183G received from General .lackson a captain's commission in the dragoons of the United States army, lie declined this honor as it was in time of peace, and wisely stuck to his business pursuits, lie has now been engaged thirty-seven years in his only pur- suit, and does now a business of three hundred thousand dollars per annum. In 1846, in less than twenty days he enrolled a regiment of eight hun- dred men for the Mexican war, but being politically opposed to the Gov- ernor of Missouri, he was refused a commission and another appointed in his stead. Colonel Grimsley has been the father often children, four of whom are now living and happily and prosperously settled in life. He has now amassed a ojinpetent fortune, and in the autumn of life is enjoying the fruits with which industry ever rewards the managing and persevering. COLONEL LEWIS V. BOGY. Colonel Louis V. Bogy is emphatically a Western man. His father, Joseph Bogy, who was of Scotch descent, was a native of Kaskaskia, Illi- nois ; and his mother's family, of the name of Vital, were among the earliest settlers in Missouri; the mother, Mary Vital, is still living at an advanced age. Joseph Bogy filled the responsible position of private secretary to Governor Morales, while the states of Louisiana and Missouri were under the Spanish domination ; when Missouri became a territory, he became a member of the territorial council ; when she was received into the national confelonol A. 1>. Clianihors and Adolplnis Moior. (I'eorixo TayU>r lias always boon friendly to the railroad poliey, and acted as secretary to the first nieetinj; that was held at tiie IManters' House. So pt>pidar was he with the people, and possessed in so hiijh a dcijree their eontidence, that he w:is apiin elected to the t'oniinoji Council in 1850-7 ; and still again in 1859. lie always oHiciated as president of the boaril. Until recently the buildings of St. Louis were sadly detieient in height, and to him belongs the credit of creating an era in building. He was the first to have erected a six-story house in St. Louis, and people finding the style to architecture which height necessarily gives, soon followed his example, and buildings commenced to go up, which widely contrasted with the pigmy architciture formerly in fashion. St. Louis t"or many yeai"s had been in want o\' a first-class hotel, and several attempts had been made to supply the necessity, by meetings, subscriptions of stock, A'C, but all of the efforts made resulted in nothing. This public necessity was supplied by Mr. Taylor, who had the sjiiiit anil enterprise to build, unsupported, the large structure known as liarnuui's St. Louis lL)teI, whit'h was two years in building, and reared at a cost of two hundred thousauil dollars. He was also the leading spirit who brought into existence the Merchants' Exchange, which was reared on the site of the "Old Market;" and so sat- isfied were the stockholders of the active part that he took in this particu- lar, that in appreciation of his services, they presented him with a beautiful set of silver as a testimonial, at a cost of §1,000. lie was president of the board of trustees who had charge of the building, and still continues in office. When the city was suttering many years ago for a buihling suita- ble for a Post Office, he organized an association, of which he was elected president, and built on the place to which the Post Office was removed, on the corner of Second and Ohesnut streets. Mr. Taylor nuirried .Miss Theresa L. Paul, August 0, 1840, daughtex of Gabriel Paid, and granddaughter of Colonel Auguste Chouteau, so well known in the annals o\' St. Louis. Since he has been a resident of St. Louis, he has been ideutifieil with nuwsures that have been prolific of the greatest good. Ihning thi> different terms he served in the Common Council, he lias been liberal in his municipal policy, and anxious for the welfare of the city. In all pidilic-spirited measures, he has taken a prounnent part. Through his efforts and influence, the Merchants' Exchange came into be- ing, and he had the nerve to build, unassisted, Barnum's St. Louis Hotel, wlien St. Louis greatly needed a public house of that description. He was one of the corporators of the St. Louis Railroad Company, and sub- scribed to its stock the amount of twenty-five thousand dollars. He is just in the prime of active manhood, eminent for his public enterprise; popular with all classes of citizens; and is now the elfieient president of the Paeitic Railroad Company. * It was throusih his advice iliat the old City Hall was torn down, being unsuitable to the rvqnironicnts of the city, and a ph\\\ for one of a structure of larger dimensions, with all tiio niodorn ctuivonienccs, was delenuinod upon. A portion of land was ptir- ehasod, but the hind was found to lx> too vahiabio to iMinpU^te a City Hall, which had been cotnnieiieod. and other buildincrs were erected, wliioli were devoted to eoinmeivial purpose.". The whole of that part of Main street then oomnienced to be improved, aud the Merchants' Exchange is situated iu the midst of stately buildings. A 1) I. }• Tf C S M E I E II , ESQ. KVOKAVKIl I',XP1:KHKI,V KoKTIIIH W-,n"if he has not the advantages of proper previous trammg. Examples are often given of men, who, by the mere force ot intellect, with- out its being strengthened by proper training and preparation, become li.dits in the various professions and avocations of life. These incidents are as rare as "aiK'el visits;" and if vouth were not prepared by fitting in- struction for the dTfierent professions, the bar, the pulpit, and tluUabora- tory would soon present a sorry figure, and would receive the ridicule of any intelligent order of citizens. Fortunately for Mr. Polk, he had re- ceived all the adventitious assistance of thorough training m mental exer- cise previous to commencing the study of the law, and when he had mas- tered his profession, he possessed an untold advantage over those who had II O \ O IL A I! I. K T R II S T EN P O L K. .p. I'i:..) K,NUKAVK1> KXI-BKKSLY FOK TIII8 WOKK KKOM A IM1(>TI><;RA I'lf IIY liROWV HON. TRUSTEN POLK. 127 been deprived of a suitable preparatory education. His polished eloquence, the fund of knowledge which he could draw from a thousand sources to strengthen and adorn it, and his suavity of manner, soon won him hosts of tViends, and made him eminent as a lawyer. Two years after his arrival in St. Louis, Mr. Polk united in marriage, December 2G, 18-37, with Miss Elizabeth \V. Skinner, the second daughter of Curtis and Anne Skinner, who had been long residents in Missouri, and had emigrated from New Windsor, Connecticut. For several years after- ward, he pursued an extensive and lucrative practice, until the labors in- cident to a successful career in the legal profession, began to tell upon his constitution, and threaten a premature decline, lie was compelled to re- tire from his pursuits, that his health might be recruited. During this interval of relaxation, which was a portion of 1844 and '45, he spent one winter in Louisiana and the Isle of Cuba, and the ensuing summer, he travelled in the New England states and Canada. During his absence as a valetudinarian, he was selected by the citizens of St. Louis county as a member of the convention which met in 1845 for the purpose of remod- elling the constitution of the state, and did good service in the honorable capacity in which he served. It was not to be supposed that a man of JNIr. Polk's ability and popu- larity should not receive from the public, some demonstration of its confi- dence, by an appointment to some high official position. In 1856 he was appointcid by the Democratic party as candidate for governor. It was at a time of much political excitement ; for the " Know Nothing' party and the " Free Soil" party had their strongest champions in the field, and each were exerting themselves to the utmost to obtain a supremacy. In this warm contest, Mr. Polk was elected to the chief magistracy of the state, and in due time was invested with all the honors of his new appoint- ment. He had exercised his prerogatives but a few weeks before he re- ceived still further evidence of the estimation in which he was held by the public, by receiving from the legislature of the state the appointment of United States Senator, In possession, at one time, of the two highest political gifts which it was in the power of his state to bestow, it was in- cumbent that he should resign one of his official stations, and he gave up the gubernatorial chair, that he might represent his state in the Senate of the national Congress. This honorable position he still enjoys, and is an efficient member of the august body to which he belongs. In his profession, Mr. Polk deservedly occupies a place in the first rank. He is characterized by his honorable bearing, his urbanity of manner, and perfect freedom from vituperation in debate. His eloquence is of the Chesterfield style, impressive, conciliatory, but always free from the gusty excitement of passion. In politics he belongs to the Democratic party, is firm in his political faith, and warmly attached to its principles. He was a warm advocate of the common-school system, when in its incipiency, and has been for many years a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. BERNARD PRATTE. The Pratto family is one ot' tlio iiidst ancient families in Missonri, and came to the state when it had nothing; hut ]>iuiieer attractions. Bernard Pratte was born in the city of St. Louis, December 17, 1808. His father, (icneral iiernard Pratte, and his father's mother, were both born inSt. (j!en- ovieve, and liis orandmothcr and her mother were born in St. Louis. His father was a respectable merchant, and completed his education in Cana- da, as St. Louis at that time possessed none of the advantages of educa- tion. He filled positions of trust and responsibility, and was a leading man in the o-rowing city. From his education, his integrity and the con- fidence of the people. General Pratte was an acquisition to Missouri, and was appointed one of its territorial judges, a ]H>st which he held with entire satisfaction, and filled with consummate ability. He was patriotic in his feelings, and when war was declared in 1812, he commanded an expedi- tion to Fort Madison, and served his country until a permanent peace was established. His great weight of character and unimpeachable integ- rity had a wide reputation, and during the administration of Mr. Monroe, unsolicited on his part, he was appointed receiver of public moneys at St. Louis. Young Bernard Pratte was raised under the most salutary influences. ^He had the presence and example of his fatiier continually before him, to form his character, and incite him to honorable emulation. His father being highly educated, greatly appreciated mental cultivation, and he was sent early to the schools of tlie city, where he was kept until he was fifteen years of age, and then sent to Georgetown, Kentucky, where he remained until he graduated at that institution. In 18J1 Bernard Pratte returned to St. Louis, and it then being required that he should enter upon liis business career, he commenced under the tutorship of his father, and spent many years of his life in trading between St. Louis and New Orleans, doing a very extensive and a very lucrative business. He was taken in partnership by his father, and the firm of Ber- nard Pratte vt Co. had an enviable reputation in the commercial world. They were extensive dealers in fur, peltry, and Indian goods ; and suc- cessful in all their operations. Bernard Pratte was always of a venturesome and ambitious nature, and anxious to occupy a prominent position in his business. It was as late as 1832 when no steamboat had navigated the Missonri as far as the mouth of the Yellow Stone. The whole of the Missouri Kiver had been explored, it is true, as far as its source, and adventurous spirits had many years traded with barbarous tribes of Indians living contiguous to the liocky Mountains; but the river was so filled with snags and stumps, that it was deemed too perilous to risk a steamboat in a current so filled with danger- i; V. Tl N A U D r li A T T E , E S (^ . , lute Mayor of St.. LkuIh (p. 129.; ■FNORAVKD KXI'RKSST.Y KOtt Tlll-^ WORK Kl'.DM A I'tl'/IOfiBAIMl »V HBOWK BERNARD PRATTE. 131 ous obstacles. Bernard Pratte, in connection with Pierre Chouteau, in 1832 resolved to attempt the passage of the Missouri as far as the Yellow Stone, and, contrary to tlie predictions of the oldest navigators, he success- fully accomplished his undertaking. This feat established an era in the navigation of the Missouri River, and since that time, the whistle of the .steara-engine has been heard in the wild regions occupied by the Crows and the Blackfeet. In 1833, the copartnership existing between Bernard Pratte and his father was dissolved, and a new firm established, entitled Mulligan & Pratte. The new firm came into being under favorable auspices, and maintained a high reputation until it was dissolved by the withdrawal of Mr, Mulligan in 18-tO. Mr. Piatte still continued in business, until a new partner was taken in, and a firm was established, known as Pratte & Cabane, which had an honorable and successful existence for six years, when, Mr. Pratte having amassed independence, retired from the business arena, on which he had for many years been a prominent actor. Two years before he gave up his commercial pursuits, he was elected mayor of the city, which honorable office he held for two administrations, during tlie years of 1844-5 and '6. lie was a faithful pnblic servant, and carried with him in office tliose work- ing qualities which formed the basis of his success in business life. He was diligent in advancing the interest of the city, and during his term of office, the city was lighted with gas, and the levee, on which the com- mercial business of the city was conilucted, was properly paved. Bernard I'rattc has filled many positions of trust ; for he has always been found worthy, and his fellow-citizens on many occasions honored him with their confidence. In 1838 he was solicited to become a candidate for the General Assembly, and was elected to that V>ody. He has been president and director of the Bank of the State of Missouri, and in all business of finance his opinions received attention and respect. Mr. Pratte entered into matrimonial relations in 1824 with Miss Louisa Chenie, daughter of Mr. Anthony Chenie, of St. Louis, and has a family of six children. He has been successful in all of liis business pursuits, from a rare combination of industry and judgment, and has gained the confidence and respect of the community, by at all times exhibiting a rec- titude of character, which never wavered from the proper direction. His age sits lightly on him, and his health gives promise of many years of use- fulness in any position in which circumstances might place him. HENRY D. RACON. There are soino jiien whoso oharactors are so nobly planned h\ na- ture, and so plentifully adorneil with those virtues whieh ennoble hunian- ity, that it is a duty and a j»leasnre to write their biooiaphios and hand them as uiomorials to posterity for its benetit and instruetion. Henry !>. l>aeon was born May 8, 1818, at East (Jranville, Massaehu- setts. llis i:;raiulfathor participated in the tryiuij scenes of the Kevolu- tion. and made a part of that memorable expedition to Canada under Arnold and the lamented Montaomery; holdinir at that time the commis- sion oi' captain in the army, llis father was an intelligent farmer, and early inculcated amonu: his children the love of integrity, industry, and charitable feeling, which always guided his conduct and marked his ca- reer. The subject of this memoir is one of eight children, who are now living, and all well known and respected in the localities where tliey re- side. ^Villiau^, the eldest, lives at the old homestead; Sherman, the sec- ond son, is senior partner in the extensive drug business carrieil on by the tirm of liacon c(' Hyde, of New York, and which has a large branch in the city of St. Louis; and all of the sisters are most respectably married. For some time Henry I). Bacon assistcil his father in his agricultural pursuits, but feeling that the sphere of the farmer was too circumscribed, Hud also wishing to move to a place where he could have access to a good library, that he might improve his education, which had not been as lib- eral as he w ishcd, he went to Hartford, Conn., and entered a commercial house, in which he remained but a short time, and emigrated to St. Louis in 18;)5; and bearing the highest testimonials of character and capacity, he was soon engaged as partner in otie of the most respectable dry goods firms in the city. He then entered into the iron trade, which he pui-suod successfully for several years, until his marriage in 184-4 with Miss Julia Page, daughter of Daniel D. Page, when he became associated with his fatlier-in-law in the tlour business. In 1848 the banking house of Page it Bacon, afterward so extensively known, was organized, which in a few years so won the contidcnce of all classes of people, that it did the heaviest banking business in the whole of the western country. A branch was established in California in 1850, and in 1854, the exchanges reached the almost staogoring amount of eighty millions. Mr. Bacon was the active partner, and so readily and cordially did he at all times respond to the wants of the commercial com- munity, that to this ilay,mauy of our leading citizens feel under a debt of gratitude to him for his accommodating liberality at that period. The house of Page tt liacon was remarkable for its enterprise, and in 185o, knowing how frausxht with advantasres to St. Louis would be a direct II K N It Y 1). Ji A (' () N, K S (.i t.NOKAVl:J> KXPKl:««I.V Kol: TIM'* WOKK KKOM A IMIiiTuOliAPir BY lIKijWN. HENEY D. BACON. communication to the East, through the rich American bottom of Illinois, they advanced the immense means necessary for the building of the great- er part of tlie Ohio and Mississippi Railroad. This drew out an immense capital from their business, and a pressure shortly after taking place in the money market, the firm was compelled, in January, 1855, to suspend payment. The suspension caused for a short period almost a stagnation in business, as the house was the financial source from which a large por- tion of the business world drew the elements of their vitality. In the crush, which he could not avoid, and which must have torn with anguish his sensitive organization, Mr. Bacon gave way to no despondency, to no selfish grief, but bent all of his powers to complete the railroad, which had ever been one of his darling schemes, and which had to stop its operations at his failure. He went to New York, where he was well known, and induced Eastern capitalists to advance sums requisite for its comple- tion. This road, which now forms one of the main arteries of the pros- perity of St. Louis, owes its existence to his efforts. We have now to speak of Mr. Bacon in the retired walks of life, dis- connected with business pursuits. Wlien the Mercantile Library was in its infancy, and tottering for the want of pecuniary assistance to sustain it, he came forward and gave the required assistance, and stood its pow- erful friend, until his influence gathered other fiiends around, and to-day it is one of the most cherished ornaments and institutions of our city. The members have not been guilty of ingratitude; for they have graced the walls with a splendid portrait of their early benefactor. The splendid building known as the Union Presbyterian Church, in which the Rev. William Holmes officiated, he built and furnished, and donated to the church forty thousand dollars of the immense expense he had incurred. The Webster College and the Home of the Friendless are beneficiaries of his bounty; and his daily charities in the humble walks of life have relieved a plenitude of suffering. I'erliaps the golden estimation with which Mr. Bacon is held by the citizens of St. Louis, would have never been so apparent, had he always been a favorite of auspicious fortune. There would have been nothing to call forth the spontaneous tribute of the heart in a disinterested mo- ment ; but when misfortune lowered upon him, and the connnunity knew how much he suffered through his delicate sensibilities, there were ex- pressions of sympathy from all classes of society, and no enemy's poison- ed breath connected his name with dishonor, or rejoiced at his misfortune. He has ever been the friend of humanity, to science, and religion, and he is looked upon as the soul of honor and human uprightness. PETER G. CAMDEN. The parents of Peter G. Camden occupied a most respectable position in life, and were residents of Amherst county, Virginia, wh<;re the subject of this memoir was born, May 23d, 1801. His father, William Camden, and his mother both died in his infancy, and he was adopted by his uncle and aunt. Peter G. Camden, after going through the usual routine of other schools, at the age of twenty was se!it to Washington College, Virginia, to complete his course of study. After leaving college, he entered on the study of the law, and became a pupil under the instruction of Chancellor Taylor, an eminent jurist of Cumberland county, in the " Old Dominion." His legal education being completed, with all the ardor of the youthful aspirant, he came to the state of Missouri in 1827. At this time, the trade carried on between St. Louis and Santa Fe was becoming well es- tablished, and the fame of the beautiful country of New Mexico was luring many enterprising spirits within its borders. So WL'll taken was Mr. Camden with the reputation of the country, that he made every preparation for the journey, when a spell of sickness at- tacked him at Old Franklin, which made him forego the intended project. He then returned to Virginia, and, settling up his affixirs, again started for the West, and became a resident of Lincoln county, Kentucky, where he had an uncle, who resided in that portion of the state. He married his cousin, Miss Anna B. Camden, February 10th, 1830, and for the seven ensuing years practised, with success, his profession in that state. Mr. Camden had always been of the opinion that Missouri, when her great resources would commence to develop themselves, would become one of the most populous and wealthy states in the Union ; and he had always determined, again to iinigrate to her soil directly she had become a little older and more thickly settled. In 1837, he put his design in execution, and came to St. Louis, accompanied by two brothers of his wife. Abandoning the profession of the law, he established, whh them, a drv-goods house, and the firm was titled J. B. and M. Camden & Co. This continued till 1840, when Mr. Camden became sole owner of the establishment, which he carried on for three years, and then commenced the provision business. In December, 1858, he again made a change in his business relations, and became a general commission merchant, and as such continues to this day. He is well known upon "'Change," and his house has the entire confidence of the public. In politics, Mr. Camden was identified with the old American party and, as its candidate, became mayor of the city in 1846. It was during his administration that the city issued their bonds for $25,000, and it was used in purchasing stones to raise a portion of the eastern baidv of the Mississippi, which threatened to forsake its old bed, and make for itself a PETER G. CAMDEN, ESQ., Late Mayor of Si Louin. ENGRAVKD EXPRESSLY FOK THIS WORK FKOM A PHOTOGRAPH liY IKOXEI. PETKR G. CAMDEN. 139 new channel through the American bottom. The mayor strongly advo- cated the measure, for he did not wish to see the "Father of Waters" forsake the city which had so long been nurtured by the commerce which floated on its bosom. The harbor of St. Louis was also consider- ably improved during his tciin of office; it was owing to his efforts, while chief municipal officer, that gas was introduced as an agent for lighting up the streets. His administration was popular, and order was main- tained in the most efficient manner. Mr. Camden was one of the first directors in the Marine Insurance Company after its reorganization, and for many years has been a member of the ])a[jtist Church. I'eter G. Camden possesses all the frankness of manner, cordiality of feeling, and hospitable disposition so characteristic of the true Virginian. He necessarily has become popular in St. Louis, and can number as his friends many of the most influential citizens. He has passed through many phases of private and public life without reproach, and in the even- ing of his life, a retrospect of the past must be associated with the most pleasing reminiscences. ROBERT M. FUNKIIOUSER. The biography of such a man as Robert M. Funkhouscr is frauglit not only with a readable interest, but has a useful moral eflect upon the present time and posterity. It teaches youth, what industry and moral worth can aeliieve ; and tliat they can hope for all things if they make honor their guide, and are prompted by honorable enmlation. The subject of this memoir was born at Kquality, (Jallatin county, Illinois, March ;n, 1819. His father, llobert R. Funkhouscr, was a native of Greenbrier county, Virginia, and his mother was the daughter of Z. Cross, who served during the Revolution, and was a relation of Colonel Cross, of Revolutionary memory. The father removed from Virginia to Kentucky at an early day, and believing that Illinois oftered greater inducements he emigrated to that country, and soon after was elected to the legislature, where his sterling good sense made him an etKcient member, lie had a large family of children, nine in number, of whom five are now living. The eailv days of the subject of this biography were partially spent at school, but directly he became of size suiKcient to make his labor avail- able on the farm, he assisted his fatlier in his ;;gricultural pursuits, and on his demise in 1833, rented the farm, and by strenuous etlbrts made money sufficient to spend some time profitably at school, and then engaged with his uncle, until he was oftered the situation of supercargo, in a trip to New Orleans, and did his business most satisfactorily to his employer, who was his brother-in-law. For some time he pursued a rambling, irregular life, and was unsettled as to what was the best vocation for him to pursue. On his return home, he was invited by an uncle, who resided on the National Road, at a place called Ervington, and there for some four months he kept school, and saved from the proceeds seventy-five dollars. He then went to Alton, where he had a friend in the banking business, who told him that the little town was thronged with enterprising young men anxious for situations. Acting with tliat decision which is one of the chief elements of his character, he leaped on a boat that was about leaving the wharf for St. Louis. Mr. Funkhouscr, while on the boat, made the acquaintance of Mr. Sparr, of the Virginia Hotel, and stopped at his house. Tliis was in April, 1840, and his entire capital did not exceed fifty dollars. The second night after his arrival, in wandering through the streets, he was attracted by an auction sale, and seeing looking-glasses selling at wliat he considered dirt-cheap, he purchased four dozen, which he commenced to retail through the city. Whilst crying out his looking-glasses, he at- tracted the attention of Mr. T. R. Selmes, with whom he engaged as clerk, at two liundrcd and fifty dollars a year and board. He continued two years as clerk before commencing business for himself. Some time after- R O P, E li T M F T' N K ir O U S E R . ESQ., I'reKident af Hie D'liiinher of Commerce. (\,. 141.) KNOKAVKI) KXI'ltF.KSI.Y FOK THIS WOUK KKDM A PII0TO<;l: AI'II BY BKOWX, EGBERT M. FUNKHOU8EE. 143 •ward, he commenced a dry-goods business with Mr. Mattox, on a small scale, which he subsequently carried on himself, and made it lucrative. He continued this for four or five years, and tliis may be said to bo the comtncncement of tlie large fortuTie he has since amassed. Amid the political agitation to which Missouri has been subjected, and drawn so many into its wild and unhealthful excitement, Mr. Funk- houscr was never allured from his business, to take part in the factional disputes. His business engrossed all of his time, and its extensive opera- tions required all of his watchfulness. In April, 1848, Mr. Funkhouser married Miss Sclmes, daughter of the Mr. Sclmes who first took him in his employ, when he was a young vender of looking-glasses. It may be pioper here to observe, that Mr. Sclmes is still living, and is a wealthy and influential citizen of Hannibal, Missouri. As a business man Mr. Funkhouser has but few equals, and the suc- cess which he has met with, is the best criterion of his business excellence; as a man of integrity the following responsible positions which he holds are testimonials of the regard of the community. He is a director in the Southern Hank ; in the Millers' and Manufacturers' Insurance Company ; in the Western Wrecking Company; of the Ileal Estate Saving Associa- tion ; and is President of the Cliamber of Commerce, and Vice-President of the Building and Saving Association. He has been for years connect- ed with the Fire Department, and lias done much to bring it to its pres- ent state of elHcient usefulness. He is still young, and is in the very prime of physical vigor and matured experience. He can enjoy the fruit of the seed he has sown, whilst his nature is susceptible of enjoyment, and the stamina of life have not weakened and decayed. He has all the ele- ments of happiness within his reach, and they are of his own creation. DR. M. L. LINTON. This eminent physician was born in Nelson county, Kentucky, April 12th, 1808. His father was a respectable farmer, who had immigrated to Kentucky from Loudon county, Virginia. Young Linton was raised as the sons of industrious farmers are usually raised in Virginia and Ken- tucky, by going to school and occasionally working upon the farm; but the schools in which it was his fortune to become the inmate were of a very inferior quality. However, there was a grammar-school establish- ed in his neighborhood, to which he went for a few weeks, and learned effectually the principles of the English language. A little circumstance will often give a direction to the life of an in- dividual, and turn the thoughts into channels for which they have a natuial affinity, and from which they never after depart. A physician dwelt in the house of young Linton's iiithcr, and the young boy, anxious to glean knowledge from every source, would read the medical books thus accidentally thrown in his way, and at once evinced a strong inclination to become master of their contents. This influenced him in the choice of his profession, and, on arriving at the age of manhood, he went to Springfield, and studied medicine under the instruction of Dr. J. H. Polin. With him he remained tAVo years, with great benefit, and pos- sessing rare advantages ; for Dr. Polin was at once biased in his favor, and not only carefully gave him the instruction necessary for his profes- sion, but, being an accomplished scholar, instructed him in the Latin and Greek languages, and other branches which had before been neglected, and which are so essential to the education of the physician and the gentleman. After leaving Dr. Polin, he graduated at Transylvania College, Lexington, and commenced practice in Hancock county, where he re- mained for two years, and then went to Springfield, where he entered into partnership with his former friend and instructor. Dr. Polin. In 1839 Dr. Linton went to Europe for the purpose of accomplishing himself still more in his profession, by visiting the various hospitals and institutions with which that country abounds. He passed one year abroad ; a portion of the time was agreeably spent in the company of Dr. Charles A. Pope, whom he fortunately encountered in Paris. On Dr. Linton's return to the United States, he was invited to take a professor's chair in the medical department of the St. Louis University, which he still occupies. Dr. Linton married Miss Anna Rachel Booker, daughter of Judge Booker of Kentucky. He has never strayed fiom the orbit of his pro- fession, and has been untiring in his devotion to the pursuit he has chosen. He established the St. Louis Medical Journal in 1843, which has always been edited with great ability, and has the entire confidence of the profession. Dr. McPheeters is associated with him in the editorial charge of the journal. Dr. Linton has contributed many ably-written treatises on medical subjects, and is the author of a volume called the " Outlines of Pathology," which, by its simple and lucid arrangement, was not only suitable as a text-book for the student, but for general in- struction. He has the confidence of the public, a most extensive practice, and is the president of the Medical Society of St. Louis. Dr. JI. L. LINTON. r.xor.AVFi) i:xPKi:ssLY For. this work fkom a imiutograpii r.v liKowN-. HON. JAMES S. GKEEN. (I). 147.) EN(iIIAVEU KXPRK8SLY Vol: TIMS WORK FBOM A PIK.ToGRAIMI BY BROWN. HON. JAMES S. GREEN. Virginia has ever been prolific in jjiving birth to eminent men, and the subject of this memoir was born near Rectortown, Fauquier county, in the year 1817. From a boy he sedulously devoted himself to the cultivation of his intellect, and the few advantages whicli he possessed he embraced to the utmost. He did not receive the collegiate finish of an education ; but his own application to the advancement of his mind supplied every deficiency, and when he grew to manhood, there were few who possessed his funcf of information. James S. Green was of an aspiring disposition, and, at the age of nine- teen he determined to leave the precincts of the " Old Dominion," and seek his fortune in a clime where the business current was not so stagnant, and his eftbrts for future distinction more certain of accomplishment. He went first to Alabama, and after a short sojourn, he ascended the Mississippi, on a visit of observation to Missouri. This was in 1847. The visit was perfectly satisfactory, for that state has ever since been his home. He was admitted to the bar in 1840, and, being qualified in his profession, and possessing that suavity of manner so natural to the Vir- ginian, he soon obtained a lucrative practice. Feeling conscious of superior abilities, and anxious for distinction, he entered the political arena as champion of the Democratic party, and in 1844, was a Democratic presidential elector for Missouri. It was at this time that his star commenced to rise in the political firmament, and the people of Missouri became convinced, by the talents which he displayed in the campaign, that he would at a future time become one of the guid- ing lights of the Democratic party. He was appointed in 1845 one of the framers of the present constitution of Missouri, an appointment signifi- cant of the highest trust, and which was shared by the most talented citizens of the state. In 1846, Mr. Green was elected to Congress. His advent in the White House was at a time it was rife with excitement and agitated by a storm of political debate. It was when the troops of the United States were reaping their laurels at Resaca de la Pal ma, at Buena Vista, and other battle-fields in Mexico. The party opposed to the administration tried to bring it into disfavor, because it took measures to chastise a country that had been insultingly encroaching on our national rights since the Texas annexation. Mr. Green defended the policy of Mr. Polk with that lucid ness and strength of argument which are characteristic of his oratory, and from that time he was looked upon as one of the leading spirits of the Democratic party, and was regarded with respect by his opponents. In 1848, he was elected to serve another term in the national Con- gress, and, the great boundary question between Missouri and Iowa com- 150 HON. JAMES S. GREEN. ing up at that time for argument, the governor of Missouri paid the young representative a high compliment by appointing him to defend the rights of the state. Ills effort before the Supreme Court of the United States was worthy of the subject and the expectation of admiring friends. His constituents were so well satisfied with him during his representative capacity, that they nominated him for a third term, as possessing the greatest weight of political influence that could be brought to bear against the powerful odds that were arrayed against that part of the Democratic party which had remained true to the creed of its political faith ; many having apostatized through the influence of Colonel Ben- ton, thereby cutting up and weakening the party. He was defeated in tlie election of 1850, but, in 1853, was appointed minister to New C4ren- ada. In 1854, he resigned this appointment, and returned to Missouri, and practised his profession till 185G, when he was again elected to Congress, but, prior to taking his seat, the legislature of Missouri, know- ing his abihty and confident in his honor, elected him to the United States Senate, and he resigned his claim to a seat in the House of Representa- tives. Immediately on taking his seat in the august body to which he had been elected, Mr. Green entered warmly into the debate at that time taking place on the Lecompton Constitution. He supported the position of Mr. Buchanan in a speech so effective in argument and perspicuous in its style, that it called forth the commendations of the whole Union, and perplexed the designs of the talented but factious spirits who had arrayed themselves against the acts of the administration. As a speaker, Mr. Green has not that fault so characteristic of politi- cians, of speaking for sensation effect. He never rises to his feet on any occasion until he is master of his subject. His eloquence is of the argumentative order, displaying facts in their natural attire, without try- ing to array 'them in rhetorical beauties that might make them please the imagination, but weaken their effect. One of the effective attributes of his popularity is the purity of his character. It is this which has given him the esteem of all men and the unbounded confidence of his consti- tuents. He will leave as a heritage to his children, wealth, honor, and position — and all has been his own work. HON. LUTHER M.KENNETT. (p. 151.1 ENGRAVED EXPRESSLY FOR THIS WORK FROM A PIIOTOGRAPIl HY HROWN. IIOK LUTHER M. KENNETT. Luther M. Kennett was born at Falmouth, Pendleton county, Ken- tucky, March loth, 1807. His fether. Press Graves Kennett, was a respect- able and influential citizen of Falmouth, holding for inapy years the office of clerk of Pendleton county and Circuit Court, and was likewise pres- ident of the Falmouth Branch of Commonwealth Bank. He was a man of fine information, and consequently was anxious that all of the avenues of education should be opened to his children. Luther M. Kennett, after receiving a good English education and some knowledge of Latin, from the most respectable seminaries of learning, was sent to Georgetown, Kentucky, where he remained for two years, under the instruction of the Rev. Barton W. Stone, a distinguished Baptist divine, who was a profound scholar, and faithful in his duties of instructor, both in a pastoral and secular capacity. He boarded in the family of that gentleman, and became a good Latin scholar, and was making a fair prog- ress in the Greek and French, when his father, meeting with reverses, he was taken from school, at fifteen years of age, and, at once, had to seek a situation, that he might do something toward his livelihood. He obtained a situation as deputy-clerk of the county court of his native place, where he remained for eighteen months, with his uncle, Wm. C. Kennett, who then had charge of the clerk's office, and, at the invitation of General James Taylor, of Newport, who was clerk of Campbell county, he removed to that county, and performed the duties of deputy-clerk, and devoted his leisure hours to the reading of law. In 1825, when he was eighteen years of age, animated by that feverish desire of change of place, so often an attendant upon young ambition, he came to St. Louis, then insignif- icant in size, resolving to prosecute the study of the law, which he had pursued during some interims of leisure, and for which he had formed a predilection. To carry out this design, it was necessary that he should make some business arrangement by which he could live while complet- ing his studies; and, not being able to effect this double object, he en- gaged in a store, as clerk, and after a short time he went to Farmington, St. Francis county, and served in the same capacity. -From Farmington he went to Selma, Jefferson county, now the residence of his brother, Colonel F. Kennett, where he became acquainted with Captain James M. White, a merchant of St. Louis, and nephew of Hon. Hugh Lawson White, of Tennessee, with whom he formed a copartnership, and with whom he continued fifteen years. This connection in business pursuits proved very fortunate to Mr. Kennett, and he amassed an ample fortune. His success was not accidental ; it was the fruit of his energy, integrity and business capacity. His connection with Mr. White continued for many years, and resulted in a mutual and permanent friendship which subsisted until the death of Mr. White. In 1832, Mr. Kennett was married to Miss Boyce, who survived her marriage but three years, leaving a daughter, who is now the wife of Benjamin O'Farrar, of St. Louis county ; and in 1842, having returned 5 154 HON. LUTHER M. KENNETT. to St. Lonis from the mining region, he was elected alderman of the fourth ward, and served three years. ]Ie was again elected, in 1846, but shortly afterward resigned, to make a tour to Europe to bcnotit his health, and to witness the luxuriant growth of science and art in that nursery of civilization. Mr. Kennett had returned but a short time from his continental tour, when St. Louis was visited by that dangerous malady, the Asiatic cholera, which has proved such a scourge to many of the cities and towns of the Union. At this visitation — the ever-remembered year of 1849 — St. Louis presented the spectacle of a charnel-house, so awful were the ravages of that dreadful disease. In vain skilful physicians, for a time, would stem its progress; some boat from the south, freighted with the pestilence, would arrive at the wharf, and again it would spread over the city. The citizens were determined on establishing a quarantine, and Mr. Kennett was on the committee of twelve appointed to select the location, and carry out the wishes of the people. The very day of his appointment, in conjunc- tion with his colleagues, he took boat to put the design in execution. That year he served as chairman of the committee who got up the Pacific Railroad Convention at St. Louis, and was vice-president of the company which was organized to commence the work. In the next year, 1850, being elected mayor of the city, he removed the first shovelful of earth, as a commencement of the great railroad, which, in time, will become one of the main arteries of the Union. When major, Mr. Kennett was indefatigable in his exei'tions for the welfare of the city. He looked upon the health of the city as a blessing that could not be measured by dollars and cents. He was an advocate of, and efficiently adopted the practice of extensive sewerage, that St. Louis might be drained of its impurities ; and his efforts in that particular will long be remembered gratefully by the well-thinking portion of our citizens. He served two terms as mayor. In 1853, he was elected president of the Iron Mountain Railroad, and, as vice-president of the Pacific Railroad, delivered the address, on open- ing the first division of thirty-seven miles for travel. He was candidate for the Thirty-Fourth Congress, in 1854, and, on being elected to the national council of his country, proved himself an exemplary and efficient member. Whilst a member of Congress, Mr. Kennett, being a member of the Committee on Commerce, conti'ibuted much to secure the appropriations made for the Mississippi Rapids, and also to procure the right of way from the general government through the grounds of the arsenal and Jef- ferson Barracks, for the Iron Mountain Railroad. Mr. Kennett now resides at his fine country residence, appropriately called Fair View, in St. Louis county, happy in the pure enjoyment of the domestic circle. He has six children by his last marriage. He mar- ried Miss Agnes A. Kennett, daughter of the late Dixon H. Kennett, in the spring of 1842, who was his cousin, and now occupies a more en- dearing relation. He was friendless and almost penniless when he came to St. Louis, and now he is in possession of friends, affluence, and position, and owes this possession to his honorable exertions and high moral attributes. S A M U E I, B . W I(J G I N S , K S Q. (p. 15-0 KNfir.AVKD EXI'llESSI.Y FOi: THIS AVORIC rnoxr a 1MIu1(),;i;ai.m i;v TROXKI.. SAMUEL B. WIGGINS. Samuel B.Wiggins was born December lltk 1814, in Charleston, S.C. His uncle, Samuel Wiggins, now of Cincinnati, in the year 1817, estab- lished a horse ferry across the Mississippi River, which proved to be very lucrative. In 1823, this uncle was joined by William C. Wiggins, the father of the subject of this memoir, who came to St. Louis in 1818. In 1828, there was an improvement made in the ferry arrangement. The proprietors were men of judgment and enterprise, and could see in the future the magnitude of the infant city. The horse of flesh and blood was thrown aside, and the iron horse, with his unyielding sinews, was sub- stituted, to force the ferry-boat across the swift current of the " Father of Waters." The ferry became incorporated in 1832, and is known as Wiggins's Ferry Company. Samuel B.Wiggins, who heads this article, first commenced business in the state of Illinois, where he was clerk for Mr. S. C. Christy, but finding little to encourage a residence in that state, he, as well as Mr. Christy, came to St. Louis, and commenced business as Christy & Wiggins, which was carried on for some time, and Mr. Christy retiring, Mr. Wiggins re- mained alone until he took his brother into partnership, and the new firm was known as S. B. Wiggins & Co. After a continuance of some time, the firm was again changed to Wiggins & Anderson, a well-known grocery and dry goods firm, which dissolved in 1859. Mr. Wiggins was married to Miss Wilson, of Philadelphia, May 31st, 1838. He has been the architect of his own fortune. He has always followed the golden maxim, " Attend to your business and it will attend to you." As far as worldly wealth is concerned, he has accomplished a sufficiency, and is now retired. In review of his life, he does not have to mourn over an ill-spent youth, but can look upon the past and derive pleasure from the retrospect. He is extensively known in St. Louis, and lias won golden opinions from all men. He has filled many important positions in business life, and is now a director in the Southern Bank, also in the Pacific Insurance Company, and was for fifteen years a director in the Citizens' Insurance Company. His life is a bright example to the living and to posterity. REV. JOHN HOGAN, POSTMASTER OF ST. LOUIS. John Hogan was born January 2d, 1805, in Mallow, county of Cork, Ireland. His parents, Thomas and Marv Hogan, without beinor wealthy, were in comt'ortable circumstances by their own industry, the father pur- suing the avocation of a baker, and doing an extensive business. He had some relatives residing in the United States, and, from the favorable state- ments he received from them, and at their earnest solicitation, he sailed, in 1817, for America, and, on landing at Norfolk, immediately proceeded from thence to Baltimore, where his friends resided. The hopes of Mr. Hogan, from continual communications, had been highly elevated. He had formed extravagant expectations of the country across the Atlantic. He gave up his home, abandoned business, parted with friends, and sun- dered a thousand ties which naturally cluster around a person during years of residence in a place. Thus, when he looked upon the country which was to be the future home of his family, he was sadly disappointed in his expectations; and then a deep melancholy seized upon him, and he died from grief. The situation of the family at this juncture was a distressing one — they were deprived of their natural protector and left in destitute circumstances. It was necessary to make some provision for the children, and John, who was the eldest, was apprenticed to a shoemaker, by the name of James Hance, father of the present Seth C. Hance, a well-known and extensive druggist in the city of Baltimore. The elements which form the leading principles in the character of an individual, will make an effort to develop themselves under all circum- stances; and John Hogan's anxiety for knowledge was evinced by the means to which he resorted to attain it. With some little assistance from his fellow workmen, he learned his letters, and then to read, from copies of the Federal Gazette, a popular journal at that time, and printed in large type. He also attended regularly the Sunday-schools, where he garnered both mental and moral instruction, and feeling the force of relig- ious influences, became a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at sixteen years of age. After completing his term of indenture, he commenced preaching the gospel, and was sent by the Conference of his chuich, as an itinerant preacher, to the AVest. He joined the Illinois Conference, and traveled much through that state and Indiana. After spending some time in this preaching pilgrimage, he applied to the Conference for a location, and subsequently united himself in wedlock to Miss Mary M. West, of St. Clair county, Illinois. His application was finally granted, and Mr. ■'•'^^'yj:s:> JOHN HOGAN, p:SQ., Postmaster of St. Louis. (p. 159.) ENCRAVF.D EXl'BKSSLY FOn THIS Wnr.K FROM A T'HOTOCRAPll. i Ki:v. JOHN HOOAN. 161 Hop^an opened a store at Edwardsville, Illinois, He renriained in Ed- watdsvillc until 1833, and then located himself at Alton, and, whilst there, was elected to the Illinois lej^islature. In 1837, he succumbed, as most others did, to the financial revulsion of that period, Laving endorsed larg<'ly. Whilst a citizen of Illinois Mr. Ilo^jan largely enjoyed the confidence of the community, and filled, very efficiently, several important offices. He was commissioner of public works for two years, and was afifXiinted, in 1841, by General Harrison, register of the land office in Dixon, of that state. These appointments were very satisfactory to the people, and he filled them in the most creditable manner. In 184.5, Mr. Ilogan lost his wife, and he determined to remove from the scenes which would continually remind him of his domestic aflSiction, and went to St. Louis the same year, and became salesman in the large grocery establishment of Edward J. Gay k Co. He continued in this house for several yeans, first as salesman, and then as partner. He then retired from commercial pursuits, and, in 18.50, became agent for the Mis- souri State Mutual Insurance Company, where he continued five years; and it was during that period a series of articles appeared in the Misnouri Republican^ ¥-i\\cA, "Thoughts on St. Louis," which were read with avid- ity by the community, and excited a general interest. The author who had displayed in such an attractive manner the commercial and manu- facturing business of the city, could not remain incof/nito, and the mer- chants of the city presented Mr. Hogan with a beautiful service of silver, as a testimonial of their appreciation of his literary efforts, which had given the public an insight into the manufacturing and commercial world of St. Louis. In 18.58, he was appointed postmaster of St. Louis, under the administration of Mr. Buchanan, which office he still holds. Mr. Ilogan has filled many positions of trust in St. Louis. He was president of the Dollar Saving Institution, now Exchange Bank, and was then a director; and, from the high order of his business capacities, he could have been connected with many corporations, but his time, absorbed by other pursuits, forbade too many connections of this kind. As a poli- tician, he is well known as an able champion of the Democratic party, firm and fearless in the expression of his principles, but never indulging in the ■wholesale vituperation which ever marks the character of the blustering demagogue. As an author, he is well and favorably known, and has won "golden opinions," not only from the work which we have before men- tioned — " Thoughts on the City of St. Louis" — but also from being the author of the "History of Methodism in the West," and of a little pam- phlet, titled "The Resources of Missouri." His style is terse, clear, and spirited, and characterized with an originality that is refreshing, in these days of literary productions — "Nothing new under the sun." Mr. Ilogan was married the second time, in 1847, to Miss Harriett Gamier, daughter of Joseph V. Gamier, of St. Louis. He has always been connected with the Methodist persuasion, and is now a trustee and member of the Methodist Episcopal Centenary Church of this city. THE ST. LOUIS PRESS. There are few cities in the Union, with the same population, which can boast of journals of a higher order than the city of St. Louis. They are all ably edited, and none of them but have a respectable circulation. We will give a list of them all, with the names of the respective editors. There will be a slight historical sketch of the most prominent, and accom- panying the whole will be found the photographs and biographies of those gentlemen who most effectually represent the St. Louis press. We would gladly have inserted some other photographs and biographies of the talented gentlemen who represent the other journals, but this work has swelled into a magnitude little contemplated at its commencement. The people of St. Louis are emphatically a reading people, and are sensibly aware of the colossal influence over all business pursuits which a generous support of newspapers always produces ; and it is one of the most infallible signs of the business extent and success in St. Louis to see her journals thus handsomely supported. The Missouri Republican. The Missouri Republican is the oldest newspaper west of the Missis- sippi Valley, and, with but two exceptions, is the largest sheet in the Union. It was established in July, 1808, in a small room in a one-story building, under the name of the Missouri Gazette, and the man who set up the type for the first issue is still living in the state of Indiana, by the name of Hincle. He has been recently in St. Louis, and called to see the establishment of the journal that many years ago was no larger in dimensions than a quarto page. The paper has undergone many changes since that time. The little one-story house, in which first it had its being, has long since disappeared, and now a colossal six-story building is scarcely sufficient to afford room for the requirements of the journal. The Republican, in the various gradations of its advance, is as sure an index of the growth of St. Louis as is a mathematical calculation. Its little small columns first suited the small village, and as year by year the town grew, it swelled in its dimensions; and when St. Louis became the metro- polis of the West, it had outstripped in size and circulation every other journal west of the Alleghany Mountains. It has ever been devoted to the welfare of the city, and St. Louis owes much of its present important position to the influence of its columns. The Missouri Republican is now owned by Messrs. George Knapp, Nathaniel Paschall, and John Knapp. It has a daily circulation the 1G4: THE ST. LOUIS PRESS. largest in the city, a tri-weekly, and weekly one, also two California editions. There are one hundred and seventy-six hands employed in its office, and the weekly expenses are $5,000. Nathaniel Paschall is its chief editor, assisted by an efficient corps of talented gentlemen. The Missouri Democrat. The Missouri Democrat was established in 1852 by William McKee and William Hill, under propitious auspices. All the patronage wliioli had been bestowed upon the Sentinel and Union, two popular journals, was turned upon the new enterprise ; for both of these papers were discon- tinued at the commencement oi iha Democrat ; so that it could enter upon its career with the fairest prospects. The wants of the community required the establishment of a journal of the political tenets advocated by the Democrat, for since the establish- ment of the ^'Darnburner,''^ some years previously by Mr. McKee, in 1848, tVeesoilism had become very popular, and the new journal came into being with hosts of friends. In consequence of feeble health, Mr. Hill sold out his interest to Mr, George M. Fishback, a son of Judge Fishback, and a humorous and popular writer. He is the commercial editor of the paper, and is most efficient in that department. Day by day the Democrat has been gathering strength and popularity, and now, in the eighth year of its existence, ranks second to no -other paper in the great Mississippi Valley. The Daily Evening News and IntcUiffcncer. The Daihj Evening News, jointly owned by Charles G. Ramsey and Abraham S. Mitchell, was established in 1852, and started with the small circulation of five hundred copies. It was ably edited and soon became regarded with favor by the community. Its circulation has continually increased until it has reached 4,000 dailies, 7,000 weeklies, and 500 tri- weeklies, and the weekly expenses of the establishment are nearly $1,000 Mr, Abraham S, Mitchell, editor, Mr, I>aniel N, Grisson, associate-editor. There are also able reporters connected with the journal. The Evening Bulletin. This already popular journal was established in 1859 by Messrs, Peckam «fe Bittenger, who, in a few months afterward, disposed of it to Mr, Eu- gene Longmaier, a young gentleman of fine attainments, who has com- menced his editorial career with much promise. Mr. Longmaier is particularly suited to the atmosphere of St. Louis, for he was born in the Mound City — his parents also, and his grandparents ; and his great-grandmother, Madame Elizabeth Ortes, is the oldest inhabit- ant of the place. His journal is decidedly partisan, and embraces the Democratic creed. It has a daily and weekly issue. The St. Louis Daibj Express. The St. Louis Daily Express was established in 1858, by Wm. Cuddy, a gentleman for many years practically connected with journalism. Its first issue was in a miniature form, which continued for some months, THE ST. LOUIS PEE88. 166 until its increasinir patronage justified its increasing size. It is now a large and respectable sheet, and progressing in influence and circulation. It is published also weekly. The Home Press. This is the name of a highly promising journal, born at the commence- ment of the year 1860, and under the charge of It. V. Kennedy, T. M. Hatpin, and James Peckam. It is truly a family and literary paper, and the only one that can lay claim to that appellation west of the Mississippi. The St. Louis Daily Herald. This popular sheet was established in DecemVjer, 1852. It is at present owned and ably edited by Mr. James L. Faiicett, under whose efficient inaiiagement it has reached an extensive circulation. It has a daily cir- culation, and likewise an extensive weekly one. There are also in the city of St. Louis several other daily and weekly newspapers published in the English language — the »S7. Louix Observer, published weekly by A. F. Cox, and edited by the Rev. Milton Bird; the St. Louis Presbyterian, published weekly by Messrs. Keith r alJ men to feel a commetidable pride when they see that their merit has become acknowledged, and their efforts liave become rewarded by a well-deserved success, and George Knapp must have felt to the utmost the whispering praise of self-respect, when he found that at the early age of twenty-three he had become one of the proprietors of the most widely circulated and most influential journals in Missouri. When a small boy he entered the office in an humble capacity, and by the pos- session of sterling merit, and with a will that was determined upon success, he carved his way to fortune and position. He has been one of the pro- prietors of the Republican through all of its changes, from 1837 to the present. George Knapp, in 1835, took a part in the volunteer military service; and when the news flew through the Union like wild-fire that the troops of the United States and those of Mexico were in conflict, he was among the first to volunteer his services in 1846, and served in Mexico as lieutenant in the St. Louis Grays of the St. Louis Legion. He afterward became cap- tain and then colonel of the first battalion of the St. Louis Legion. As an officer he has always been most popular and respected. Colonel Knapp, by his virtues and his connection with the Republican is well known in St. Louis, and there is none whose fair fame is more pure. He is zealous in advocating and assisting all public-spirited enterprises; and many of the public buildings which now ornament the city owe their erection 'much to the zealous part he took in personally soliciting sub- scriptions. He has also been a stanch friend to railroads, and has sub- scribed liberally to their stock, lie has, by his industry and business qualifications, amassed a large fortune, but it has not chilled or destroyed the warm sympathies which make him so sensibly alive to the misfortunes of others. He is social, charitable, and public-spirited — alive to misfortune, and ready to relieve it ; and quick to advocate any measure that Avill ad- vance the interest of St. Louis or his adopted state. Colonel (Jeorge Knapp was married December 22d, 1840, to Miss Eleanor McCartan, daughter of Thomas McCartan, late of St. Louis. He is of a retiring disposition, more ready at all times to advance the merits of others than display his own ; and among the one hundred and ninety thousand citizens of St. Louis, there is no one more popular and respected. THE ST. LOUIS PRESS. 1*^% COLONEL CHARLES KEEMLE. In October, 1800, in the good old city of Philadelphia, Charles Keemle was born. His grandfather was a respectable physician, who eiiiigrated from Amsterdam and settled in the land of Penn. His father was a skilfnl mechanic, yet devoted but a little of his life to that pursuit, but as a commander of trading vessels, spent most of his time upon the rivers and the ocean. His mother died in the city of Norfolk, Virginia, when he was but six years of age, and he was placed in charge of an uncle until he was nine years of age, and then was put to learn the printing business in the office of the Norfolk Hei-ald, where he remained until 1816. He is, consequently, the oldest printer west of the Mississippi. The love of adventure was always a dominant trait in the character of Charles Keemle, and on leaving the office of the Norfolk Herald, at the suggestion of Dr. Jennings of Norfolk, who had a brother resident in Indiana, and looking forward to the chief magistracy of the state, he determined to go to Vincennes, Indiana, and there establish a paper. Accompanied by a fellow-printer of much more mature years, he started for his future desti- nation, where he arrived March, 1817, ha\ang performed that portion of the journey on foot between Baltimore and Pittsburgh. On March 14th, the first number of the Indiana Sentinel w&s, issued, published by Dillworth & Keemle. Believing, from the location of Vincennes, that it "would never become a great city, young Keemle accepted the invitation given to him by many influential citizens of St. Louis, and arrived there Angnst 2d, 1817. He took charge of a paper called the Emifjrant, which was the second journal west of the Mississippi, which was afterward merged into the SL Louis Enquirer, with which Thomas H. Benton was connected in the capacity of editor. The continued confinement beginning to tell on his constitution he gave up the printing business in August, 1820, and engaged as clerk to the American Fur-Company ; and now commences a portion of his history which is filled with romantic incident. The company started from St. Louis September, 1820, and spent the winter in trading successfully with the Kansas tribe of Indians. In 1821, Mr. Keemle was select(x1 by Major Joshua Pilcher to make one of a company of fifty-four, carefully picked for the occasion, to penetrate to the Rocky Mountains, to trade with the savage hordes of Indians who inhabited those far off wilds. The party started from Fort Lisa, in the vicinity of Council Bluff, and, after some perilous adventures, arrived at tlie mouth of the Yellowstone and commenced trading with the Crows, who inhabited that country, and sending out in all directions the ex- perienced hunters and trappers that they might obtain as large a quantity of beaver-skins as possible, whicii kind of fur was most desired by the company. Mr. Keemle acted as agent and clerk of the expedition, and for tin-ee years suffered all the hardships incident to living and trading in the remote wilderness, far from the pale of civilization. 172 THE ST. LOUIS PRESS. While in these remote regions, he narrowly escaped with his life from a murderous attack by an overwhelming number of Indians upon the few daring spirits who had ventured into their country. It was the closing of the Spring of 1823, that the company, which had become reduced to forty-one men, were trading on the head-waters of the Missouri, and from significant signs discovered that the Blackfeet Indians, who roamed over those regions, evinced a hostile intention. They saw large companies of that warlike tribe roaming in their vicinity, and evidently watching their movements. The company immediately retraced their steps, and en- deavored to regain the Crow country, where the natives were friendly and the feudal enemies of the Blackfeet. The last-named Indians, on dis- covering their intention, gathered themselves into a formidable body of more than a thousand warriors, and early one morning attacked the party, amid deafening yells, as they were passing along the base of a small moun- tain skirting the Yellowstone. To have yielded to their enemies would have subjected them to captivity, then torture, and finally death. Resist- ance, though against such fearful odds, was the only alternative, and the party had previously made up their minds to defend themselves to the last extremity to save their scalp-locks from the clutch of the savage. In the murderous attack the two leaders of the expedition, Immcll and Jones, fell early in the engagement, and then the command devolved upon Mr. Keemle, who ordered the men to fight while retreating from ravine to ravine, and after a conflict of eight hours succeeded in driving off their enemies, who had hung upon their path howling and yelling like so many demons — with considerable loss. The little party suffered severely, having had ten killed, nine wounded, and one was missing. They afterward reached a Crow village, and manufacturing some boats, arrived safely at the mouth of the Yellowstone. Colonel Keemle remained connected with the company until 1825, when he returned to St. Louis and associated himself again with the printing business, and although he had several lucrative offers made to him nothing could tempt him again to the Yellowstone. He was associated with five or six newspaper enterprises, none of which had a permanent existence; but during their time were the organs of the Democratic party. In 1839, Colonel Keemle was married to the only daughter of Thomas P. Oliver, now of Illinois, and has a family of three children. He possesses, in a high degree, the esteem of his fellow-citizens, and has been offered several honorable positions. In 1839 he was nominated for mayor, but declined running, and when General Harrison became president, he received the first appointment made by him in this state, that of super- intendent of Indian affairs for Missouri, In 1840 he received the ap- pointment of secretary of the interior, and under General Taylor's administration, that of Indian agent for the entire Platte River district, both of which he declined. In 1853 he was elected recorder of deeds for St. Louis county, which office he still holds. Colonel Keemle is one of the most popular men in the city of St. Louis. He is in the sixtieth year of his age, but possesses health and vigor sufficient to have another bout with the Indians at the mouth of the Yellowstone. ABRAM S. MITCHELL, EDITOR OF THE ST. LOUIS EVENING NEWS. The subject of this sketch was born December 1st, 1820, near the city of Nashville, Davidson county, Tennessee. His parents were both natives of Virginia. His grandfather, Thomas Mitchell, was a merchant in Lynch- burgh, Virginia, during the Revolution, and was a man of education and fine literary attainments. But his store was plundered by the British, and he was reduced to poverty. He next resorted to teaching; but died before his own children had derived much benefit from his instruction. The family being now quite destitute and helpless, were driven to emi- grate to the wilds of Tennessee. There were two sons, Thomas and Kobort J., and two or three daughters. After struggling in various ways to support himself as he grew up, among others, working at the shoe business, Robert J. Mitchell, the father of the subject of this sketch, joined the standard of General Jackson, who was raising volunteers for the Indian wars, and served under that leader in a campaign against the Creeks, and also in one against the Seminoles. Returning to Tennessee, he married, commenced farming, and in 1827 removed to the Hatchess River, in West Tennessee, and there, in Tipton county, the family still resides. Abram S. Mitchell was sent by his father to the schools of the neigh- borhood, but he soon exhausted the little that the schools in that new coun- try could impart, but was fortunate enough to meet at that time with an excellent teacher in the person of the Rev. James Holmes, who had formerly been a missionary among the Indians, and who earnestly advised him, when he could make circumstances suit, to complete his education at college. During intermissions of school, he sought work to aid in his own support. He applied for work unsuccessfully in a brickyard, where he was rejected for want of strength, and was afterward employed in tend- ing a bark-mill in a tannery. In 1837, just as he was preparing to finish his education by a collegiate course, his father became bankrupt by having become security for a sheriff, and all of his property was sold to meet his bond. However, a few years later, Mr, Robert W. Sandford, a friend of the family, feeling an interest in young Mitchell, and appreciating his desire for an education, aided him in going to college at Danville, Ken- tucky, where he remained only eighteen months, and graduated with full honors, having, by dint of application, accomplished in that time what usually required a much longer time to perform. He taught school until he relieved himself of the debt he incurred in his education (about $700), and then studied law in Danville, and established a newspaper called the Weekly Kentucky/ Tribune, in connection with Mr. James S. Hall. That year he supported the whig candidate for governor, who, alter election, before making any other appointment, bestowed upon him the ofiice of assistant-secretary of state. About this time Mr. Mitchell married Miss Bodley, of Lexington, Ken- tucky. After serving the term of his appointment, he and his father-in- 6 174 ABRAM S. MITCHELL. law, Mr. H. I. Bodley, determined on removing to St. Louis, which they did in 1849, the season of the dreadful visitation by the cholera, by which he lost his wife and child. This domestic desolation induced him to re- turn to Kentucky, where, in a short time, he received an invitation to become assistant-editor of the St. Louis Intelligencer, then about to come into existence. He accepted the invitation, but did not long remain con- nected with the paper. He received an invitation to become editor of the Republican Banner at Nashville, Tennessee, which he declined. He became land-agent, and then secretary of the Pacific Railroad Company, and some time after leaving this appointment, at the instigation of some of the most prominent citizens of Missouri, Mr. Mitchell, in connection with Charles G. Ramsey, established the Evening News. He is half-owner and chief editor of the journal. Mr. Mitchell is a vigorous and graceful writer, and his journal has an extensive circulation. He was married the second time, in September, 1851, to Miss Mary Brent Talbot, granddaughter of Governor William Owsley, Kentucky, whom he politically supported when he first wielded the editorial pen. WILLIAM McKEE, SENIOR PROPRIETOR OF THE MISSOURI DEMOCRAT. William McKee was born in New York city, September 24tli, 1815. He is of Irish descent, and his father, after emigrating to this country, was successfully engaged for many years in the lumber business. He was captain of a vessel, and plied between Maine and the West Indies, carry- ing lumber from Bangor to Jamaica. Captain McKee enjoyed the good-will of all who knew him, and had the confidence which years of integrity in business relations always es- tablish. William McKee had fair opportunities of education ; for, after finish- ing the programme of common-school education, he was sent to the Lafayette Academy, where he remained for some time prosecuting his studies; and, at the age of fifteen, entered as clerk in the office of Major Noah, who was at that time the editor of the New York Courier and Enquirer. Some time afterward, when Major Noah sold out to J. Wat- son Webb, Mr. McKee still retained his place under the new proprietor, and remained altogether in the office for five years. At the expiration of that time. Major Noah, having a high opinion of his business ability, offered him a desirable situation in the office of the Evening Star, which he accepted, and remained in that connection till 1841, when, wishing to be a sharer in the advantages which the Western country offered to as- piring spirits, he emigrated to St. Louis. William McKee enjoyed rare advantages of accomplishing himself in the art of newspaper publication, being so long in the office of Major Noah, one of the oldest editors, and one of the most finished scholars of the day ; and on his advent in St. Louis, he determined to turn his knowledge, gained under such auspices, to some account, and purchased an interest in the Evening Gazette, in connection with Mr. Ruth. He re- mained part proprietor of that paper for two years, and then, disposing of his interest, commenced the job-printing business. At that time, the political doctrines of the Hunker and Barnburner factions, originating in the empire state, commenced to spread over the whole Union, each party having its advocates. Mr. McKee was a sup- porter of the Free-soil doctrine, and started a campaign sheet called "The Barnburner'''' — the first Free-soil paper that commenced its career in the slaveholding state of Missouri. He then, in conjunction with William Hill, commenced the publication of the Signal in 1850, advocating the same political principles ; and then, having purchased the Union, the proprietors merged the two papers into a new existence — and the present Missouri Democrat came into being. It required all the enterprise, the hopeful faith, and energy for which Mr. McKee is so remarkable, to make a paper advocating Free-soil doc- trines sticcessful in Missouri ; yet he accomplished the difficult feat. He 176 GEORGE W. FISHBACK. purchased afterward the interest of his partner, and, after being some time sole proprietor of the paper, he took into partnership Mr. George W. Fishback, son of Judge Fishback, of Ohio, a gentleman of good attain- ments, and a fluent and graceful writer. Mr. McKee is still the senior proprietor of the Democrat. July 18th, 1855, Mr. McKee was married to Miss Eliza Hill, daughter of Samuel Hill, of New York. That he exerts a remarkable influence over the current events of his time, is evinced from the fact that the jour- nal under his control is the organ of the Free-soil party in St. Louis, and, it may be said, of the whole state. He has hosts of warm friends, and the business relations of nearly twenty years' residence in St. Louis have given him the entire and deserved confidence of the community. GEORGE W. FISHBACK, JOINT PROPRIETOR OF THE MISSOURI DEMOCRAT, AND ITS COMMERCIAL EDITOR. The subject of this memoir is a native of the old Buckeye state, and was born in the little town of Batavia, Clermont county, Ohio, in Decem- ber 3d, 1828. His father was a Virginian, who emigrated at an early day to the southern portion of Ohio, when it was almost a wild, and com- menced the practice of the law, which he pursued very successfully for thirty-five years, at one time being one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas. George W. Fishback, being intended by liis father for the law, had all the preparatory education so essential for the proper qualification of that profession. He was educated at College Hill, Ohio, and graduated at that institution. Being anxious to seek his fortunes in another sphere, he emigrated to St. Louis, and, disliking the monotony of a lawyer's life, he commenced the still more laborious life of a journalist, and connected himself with the Missouri Democrat as commercial editor, and soon after became joint-proprietor. Mr. Fishback is devoted to his profession, and writes readily on the cur- rent events of the day, and his contributions can readily be known by the rich humorous vein in which he frequently indulges. He is still youthful, but exercises a wide and deserving influence in the home of his adoption. THE ST. LOUIS PKESS. 177 HISTORY OF THE VARIOUS JOURNALS THAT HAVE BEEN PUBLISHED IN ST. LOUIS. Of all ventures in the business world, the publishing of a newspaper is the most precarious. It is far more hazardous and uncertain than com- mercial pursuits; is attended with toil that knows no cessation; and is daily liable to anathemas, which, if coming from holy lips, would consign it to eternal perdition ; yet, in despite of this certain destruction of worldly hopes, which awaits the adventurer in a newspaper enterprise, there is some mystical fascination which causes thousands to venture upon its dangerous current, where they rarely escape the fate that awaited the mariners of yore when navigating the seas containing the fatal rock and eddying whirlpool. It will be of interest to the reader, and a necessary portion of the his- tory of St. Louis, without which it would be incomplete, to give a succinct account of the different newspapers that have had their existence in our city, and played their different parts in the political and literary drama of St. Louis existence. We will lift the curtain which has fallen, and once more look upon the parts which they played. We will not touch upon those again whose history we have before given. The second newspaper was established by Joshua Norvell, in 1816, and was called The Western Journal. It was, soon after its birth, purchased by Sergeant Hall, who changed its name to that of the Emigrant and General Advertiser, a weekly sheet, which at first was somewhat popular, but, commencing to decline, it was sold to Isaac N. Henry, Colonel Thomas H. Benton, and Mr. Maury, and the name was changed to that of the St. Louis Enquirer, which, from the very first, became strongly partisan, advocating the Democratic political creed. It had an existence at the time when the question was mooted in what manner Missouri should be admitted into the Union — whether as a slave or free state. Colonel Benton, the editor in chief of the Enquirer, advocated the slave measure, and a pro-slavery constitution was adopted in 1820, when Missouri was admitted into the Union. A little while after this, the paper changed hands. Colonel Benton having been elected United States senator, and Mr. Henry having died, the remaining partner, Mr. Maury, disposed of the Enquirer to Patrick H. Ford, who, in 1823, sold it to General Duff Green, who was afterward the editor of the United States Telegraph at Washington, a democratic organ. He edited the paper until 1825, when he sold it to Charles Keemle and S. W. Foreman ; and on the early dissolution of that copartnership in 1826, the Enquirer was sold to Luke E. Lawless, at that time a lawyer of high standing, and as a politician a stanch supporter of Colonel Benton. The paper, during the short period he held it, was edited with much ability. He became a jurist of much ability. In 1827, Charles Keemle, one of its old proprietors, again pur- chased the Enqtiirer, in conjunction with William Orr, and changed its name to the St. Louis Beacon, which name it continued to bear until 1832, when it died. It was always a weekly sheet, and Democratic through all its changes. During certain periods of its existence it exer- cised a very important political influence. 178 THE ST. LOUIS PRESS. In 1820, The Herald was established by Messrs. Orr & Fleming, which had but a temporary existence. In 1827, The St. Louis Tiynes, a Democratic journal, was brought into being by Messrs. Stine tfc Miller, and edited by S. W. Foreman. Though Democratic, it was anti-Benton, and rabidly opposed, without etieot, the re-election of Colonel Benton to tlie senate. It afterward passed into the hands of Miller cfe Lovejoy, and then was conducted by Miller, Murray & Richards. It had some hopes at one period of its existence, but, from the want of popular support, soon became involved in pecuniary ditK- culties, and tinally, in 1832, was sold under legal process, and the fixtures purchased by Colonel Charles Keemle. The journal was sutlered to ex- pire. AVhen under Miller & Lovejoy, the paper was tinged with aboli- tionism. In 1831, a paper was started by James H. Birch. During 1831, The ]Vo)-k-i>i ENGRAVED EXPRESSLY FOR THIS WORK I ROM A HHUTOURAHII BY liROWJi. LOUIS A BENOIST, ESQ. (v.m.) li^GKAVED EXPRESSLY FOR THIS WORK FROM A PHOTOGRAPH BY BBOWX LOUIS A. BENOIST. Louis A. Benoist is one of tlie few citizens of St. Louis who can boast of having first seen the light in its precincts. He was born in St. Louis August 13, 1803. His father, Frangois M. Benoist, was a native of Montreal, Canada, and his mother, who is still living, is daughter of Charles Sanguinette, who came to St. Louis at the early day when the French surrendered Fort de Chartres to the English, according to the terms of the treaty of 1763.* Fran9ois M. Benoist, according to the cus- toms of most of the early French, was a trader with the Indians, and removed from Canada to St. Louis in 1790, so as to carry on the peltry trade with the numerous tribes Avho inhabited the banks of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers. Louis A. Benoist received from his father all the opportunities of edu- cation which the new settlement at that time afforded. He went to school to Judge Tompkins, one of the territorial judges, who kept for a shori period a school, and at the age of fourteen went to St. Thomas College, Kentucky, kept by a Dominican priest, where he remained for two years, and returning to St. Louis, he commenced reading medicine under the instruction of Dr. Todson. After a trial of two years, medicine not being agreeable to his taste, he commenced the study of law in the ofiice of Horatio Cozens. There was a good deal of conveyancing done at that period in St. Louis, and Louis A. Benoist got employment in the oflBce of Pierre Provenchere, a conveyancer of some note, which furnished him the means of continu- ing his legal studies. In 1823, he went to Europe to look after an estate belonging to his parents, and fully accomplished his object ; but on his return voyage, was wrecked in the Bay of Biscay. After some suffering and much detention, he finally reached St. Louis, when he commenced to buy and sell real estate, loan money, etc. He pursued this business for a short time, and in 1832 opened an exchange oflBce, in which, in connection with the banking business, he vended lottery tickets, at that time a favorite mode with all classes of trying the fitful favors of fortune. This was the first banking-house established in St. Louis, and that very spot where he first opened, though in a different building, Mr. Benoist still carries on the banking business. In 1838, the business of Mr. Benoist had increased to such an extent, that he deemed it practicable to establish a branch house in New Orleans, which he did under the firm of Benoist & Ilackny, and which is the large banking-house now known in the Crescent city as Benoist, Shaw & Co. In 1842, there was a tight pressure in the money-market, and the banking-house in St. Louis was forced to suspend, though in one month after, its doors were thrown open, and ten per cent, was paid on all liabilities. The branch bank in New Orleans did not suspend. Mr. Benoist may truly be said to be one of the favorite sons of fortune. The moment that he commenced the great battle of life his course has * Mr. Benoist is recently deceased. ;19j. LOmS A. BEN0I8T. been onward. Whatever lie has touched has prospered, and he is now numbered among the most wealthy citizens of St. Louis Durincr the great panic of 1857, the banking-house of Benoist & Com- pany outrode the storm, which compelled almost every private banker and corporate banking institution in the Union to juccumb for a whUe to the force of circumstances. It did not suspend, nor did the one m ^Mr!^Bcnoi;t, as has been seen, was not born to affluence, but began from an hunib e commencement, and owes alone to his efforts and indus- ry h s present position and fortune. What he has done can be done ailin if the same method be used for its accomplishment. Any young inan who will copy his perseverance, economy, and industry, and ike him be sedulous in preserving his reputation and credit, must attain affluence and reach a respectable position. Who properly sows in spr ng must reap a harvest, and he who in youth commences life with he practice of temperance, industry, and economy, must gather bountifully of the fruit they naturally produce. Mr. Benoist has been three times married, and ^^^^^^^^^ seventeen children ten of whom are living. His first wife was Miss Barton of Saskia his second. Miss Hacfny, of Pennsylvania ; and the^t^^^^^^^ Sarah E. Wilson, daughter of John Wilson, of New Jersey. In 1851, he took wfti him on a European tour his eldest son, Sanguinette H. Be-ist It was during the World's Fair at London, when the English capital was thi'nged wifh strangers. Born in St. Lou s, Mr. benoist has witnessed all thf wonderful changes in his native city since his boyhood. H^ ^ S hs manhood, all of his business relations, have been identified with St^ Lour-he is one of the old landmarks, and no one better than he is known and appreciated. COLONEL JOSHUA B. BRANT. <],. 195.) KNGRAVKD EXPRESSLY KOK THIS WORK FROM A I'noTIXiRAPII BY liRDWN. COLONEL JOSHUA B. BRANT. Colonel Joshua B. Brant was born April 8th, 1790, in the town of Hampshire, Hampton county, Massachusetts. His father, John Brant, WHS a gallant soldier in the trying times of the Revohition, and lis'ed to the remarkable age of ninety-nine years and three months, dying in the year 1852. His mother's maiden name was Bosworth, of a large and respectable family of that name who still reside in Massachusetts. The early days of young Joshua Brant were passed in the healthful exer- cise of farming avocations, and he ploughed the land and drove oxen till he reached eighteen years of age. The schooling that he obtained he re- ceived at night, the day being devoted to bodily labor. At the age of eighteen, Josliua Brant determined to leave the wholesome trammels of parental authority, and try his fortune in the world uncontrolled and unguided except through the agency of his own faculties. When he left home his capital amounted to thirteen dollars in cash. He went to Troy, New York, and engaged hi a drug store, kept by Erastus Corning, for twelve dollars per month and board; this gentleman has since become President of the New York Central Railroad, and a member of the national Congress. Wishing to enter upon some occupation where he could advance more rapidly in worldly thrift, Joshua B. Brant removed to Dutchess county, New York, and in partnership with a Mr. Snyder, commenced the distil- ling business, and in a short time amassed the sum of seven hundred dollars. When the war of 1812 became known through his neighbor- hood, he was busily engaged in the harvest field, cradling Avheat; but burning to serve the country, for whose independence his father had fought, he left all employment, and prepared himself for the battlefield. He joined a detachment of troops at Rhinebeck, commanded by Captain H. W. Odell, that were proceeding to rendezvous at Greenbush, where he received the appointment of sergeant, February, 12, 181.3, in the twenty -third regiment, commanded by Colonel Brown. From Green- bush the troops proceeded to Fort George, where there was a hard-fought battle ; the vanguard of the American army being led by Colonel Scott, now General Scott, and commander-in-chief of the United States army. From Fort George the army proceeded to " Forty Mile Creek," where another battle was fought, and then retired into winter-quarters at Platts- burg. During the war of 1812, Joshua B. Brant was in other battles than those we have mentioned. He was in the battles of Lundy's Lane, Fort George, Salter, and Fort Erie. In July, 1815, he was appointed by General Brown ensign of his regiment, which appointment was confirmed by the authorities at Washington the subsequent month, and the same year he was made second lieutenant, James Madison being president, and James Monroe secretary of war. During the intervening years from 1815 to 1838, he passed thro-ugh all of the progressive stages of military promo- tion under Presidents Madison, Monroe, Adams, and Jackson, until he 7 198 COLONEL JOSHUA B. BE ANT. was appointed by President Van Buren lieutenant-colonel of the United States Army, in 1838. Colonel Brant came to St. Louis in 182.3, but was engaged in military duty until 1839, when he resigned. He took part in the various In- dian wars in the West, and was also in Florida. Since 1839 he has de- voted himself to his private pursuits, and was the first who had the spirit and enterprise to commence the erection of large buildings in St. Louis. He has always been a firm friend of his city, and by his individ- ual efforts has contributed much to its adornment and prosperity. Colonel Brant has been twice married. His first wife was Miss Elizabeth Lovejoy, of Stratford, Connecticut, whom he married January, 1818. She was the sister-in-law to General Leavenworth, so well known in the West. She bore him two children, one of whom is Henry B. Brant, of Booneville, Missouri. His second wife, whom he married December 31st, 1829, was Miss Sarah Benton, daughter of Samnel and Mary Ben- ton, and niece of the illustrious statesman and author, Thomas H. Benton, who for many years represented the state of Missouri at Washington. Two children were the issue of this marriage, and a daughter is married to Doctor James McDowell, son of Governor McDowell, of Virginia, who is now consul-general at Constantinople. Colonel Brant, by his business habits and talents has amassed a large fortune; yet, though he has been frugal, he never has been parsimonious in his manner of life, and with a liberal hand has dispensed his charities. He is a regular attendant at church, and for many years has been a mem- ber of the Presbyterian persuasion. Whatever of wealth and social posi- tion he has achieved, he owes it all to himself. He has been the archi- tect of his own fortune, and his life will illustrate the old maxim, " where there is a will there is a way." Without injuring any one he has accom- plished much ; and as a soldier, a citizen, and a man, he deserves the esteem of posterity. C A PTAIN JOHN J. ROE. (p. 157.) ENGRAVED EXPRESSLY FOR THIS WORK FROM X PHOTOGRAPH BY BROWN. CAPTAIN JOHN J. ROE. John J. Roe was born April 18tli, 1809, near Buffalo, New York. In 1815, his father removed to Cincinnati, then to Kentucky, and then to Rising Sun, Indiana, where he owned a ferry, and died in 1834. After a few years spent in the country school-rooms, John J. Roe as- sisted his father in the labor of the farm, and also in the management of ■ the ferry which he conducted. Two years previous to his father's death he went to the city of Cincinnati, and became engaged in various situa- tions on steamboats, and was looked upon as one of the most efficient boatmen on the Ohio River, a,na on one occasion made a large profit for his employer, by acting as supercargo to Jacksonville, Tennessee. John J. Roe, by his attention to business, and judgment, soon won the confidence and respect of all who knew him ; and he gradually worked himself up the ladder of life until he became captain of a steamboat, and then owner. He then traded in boats for several years, commanding some of the finest that ran on the Ohio River ; and at one time did a very lucrative business on Green River, in Kentucky. He built several fine boats ; and having amassed a considerable fortune, he retired from busi- ness in 1844, and removed to St. Louis. After his removal to St. Louis he became largely engaged in the commission business, and the firm of Roe & Kercheval, then Hewitt, Roe & Co., then John J Roe «k Co., were well known to all the business world of the West. The position which Captain Roc has achieved he owes to his own efforts ; and to his credit let it be told, that on the demise of his father, he was the support for many years of the whole family. In 1837, he married Miss Wright, daughter of Thomas Wright, of Cincinnati, and no one, more than he, appreciates the quiet enjoyment of domestic happiness. His rollicking good humor has made him most popular in the social circle, and his known business qualifications have caused him to be elected to fill many important functions. He has been a director in the Mer- chants' Insurance Company, is a director in the State Saving Institution, and President of the United States Insurance Company. By an industry that has never wavered, by an integrity that is unimpeached, he has gained esteem, position, and wealth, and if the youth of the rising generation would go and do likewise, they would in time achieve what he has done. One of the finest boats on the river is called by his name. GENERAL NATHAN RANNEY. I General Nathan Ranney was born in Betlilehcin, a little village in the state of Connecticut^ on the 27th of April, 1797. Reared in respec- table circuiustances, his early li:fe was devoted to the cultivation of his mind, and to the inculcation of those business habits which have since made hiin so successful in life. In 1812, wTien England sent to our shores her veteran armies, just victorious over the able marshals of Napoleon in Spain, young Ran- ney, then only sixteen years of age, animated by the patriotic fire which burned so vividly at that time in American boson)s, enlisted in the army contrary to the remonstrance of his friends, and refused to accept of a discharge which was procured for him by his paternal uncle, who was a colonel in the army ; he had enlisted to fight for his country, and he was determined tO' do it. This desire of serving his country in battle was soon gratified ; for he was one of three hundred, Americans who cut their way through a greatly superior British force near Plattsburgh, and was one of the forlorn hope who crossed the Saranac river right under the range of a liritish battery to a thick underbrush of dry pine, lie was severely wounded in this gal- lant exploit; but in a little while after, wishing to distinguish himself by an act still more daring, he took twenty choice nu'n, and in the dead hour of the night successfully surprised a town in possession of a large British force, and carried off three prisoners of rank, without the loss of a single man. The galiaut bearing of young Ranney soon won for him the respect of his commanding officers, and he was (quickly promoted, first as a sergeant, and afterward as a provost nuirshal ; and his conduct throughout the whole war showed that patriotism alone influenced his services, and not a love of military promotion. A few years after leaving the army, desir- ous of making for himself a name and fortune, he came to St. Louis in 1819, and commenced conunereial pnrsuits. In the year 1827, two important events occurred in his life, and which have greatly administered to his happiness — he married in that year Miss Amelia .1. Shackford — and became likewise wedded to the Presbyterian church. His nuuriage has been blessed with a large family of children, and in the church of which he is such an efficient member, he has long been an elder. One of his danghters married Charles Hale, of St. Lonis. Though born in an Eastern state, and under a cold clime, General Ranney is neither a Northern nor a Southern maniac, but a conservative man, and his heart is as warm as a summer's sun. In 18.'36, General Ranney was ap- pointed by Governor Dunklin, Brigadier-General in the Missouri Militia. in 1842, he was President pro teinpore of the Board of Aldermen, and for years President of the Board of Pnblic Schools. In 1851, he delivered an eloquent address at Burlington, Iowa, declaring himself a Union man. In 1855, he addressed tho convention of the soldiers of 1812 at <; !•: \ !•: k a l n a t i i a x li a n x !■ v . KN(;r.A'. nil rxi'iiiBSi.Y idk tiiih \\f Mr. Henry Ven Phul, senior. General Ranney is the oldest merchant in St. Louis now living, and the store and warehouse of Shackford and Ranney were, for a long time, the only buildings of the kind on the levee, consequently, he has been a resident of St. Louis from its infancy, and his exertions and example 'have helped its growth and assisted its advance. Though upward of threescore years of age, from' his regular life he is still hale and vigorous, and is now the cashier and general agent of the St. Louis, Cairo, and New Orleans Railroad line of steamers, and is always to be found, dunng business hours, giving his at- tention to the important position lie knows so well how to fill. He is President of the Missouri Bible Society, and in all of the relations of his diversified life there is not a stain resting upon his character. TIIERON BARNUM. Theron Barnum was born April 23d, 1803, in Addison county, Ver- mont. His father, Steplien Barnum, was a farmer in humble circum- stances, and had the usual blessing of a poor man, a round dozen of chil- dren. Ho emigrated from Connecticut, in 1808, to Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, where he continued his agricultural pursuits. Young Theron Barnum worked on the farm, and assisted his father until he was seventeen years of age, receiving in the mean time the indifferent instruc- tion usually atibrded by a country school. Wishing to cultivate his mind, and at the same time to earn a livelihood, young Barnum at the age of seventeen commenced teaching scliool, which took up six hours a day of his time; and so desirous was he for mental improvement, that he walked at night the dista-nce of eight miles to a school taught by a pro- ficient scholar, where he could receive proper instruction in English gram- mar, and the more advanced branches of English education. For several years he pursued the vocation of teaching, and finding himself then, by his education, qualified to fill with credit almost any position, in 1824 he went to Wilkesbarre, and engaged as clerk in a store. He staid at that town till the year 1827, when he went to Baltimore at the request of his uncle, the late David Barnum, who gave Barnum's Hotel in Baltimore the deserved fame which it so long bore, of being "the •best hotel in the United States." With much advantage to himself, he remained with his uncle in the capacity of confidential clerk, and became, under his able instruction, well instructed in the mystery of keeping a first class hotel. During the time he was with his uncle, there was a great celebration in Baltimore, caused by the opening of the first fifteen miles of the Baltimore aiul Ohio Railroad to Ellicotts' Mills. Mr. Barnum, with many thousands of others, visited the place, and, it being at that time a terminus, he determined to put into practtical cff"ect the experience he had gained in hotel-keeping, and opened what was long known as the Pa- tapsco Hotel. So long as Ellicotts' Mills was a terminus the hotel did a swimming business. It was there that the stages received their passen- gers for the national road across the mountains, and on the arrival of the cars, the passengers for the West breakfasted with Mr. Barnum. In the summer, hundreds of citizens, attracted by the reputation of the hotel, and the natural loveliness of the romantic country, would come from the city in the morning, and after spending the day, would return in the evening. Mr. Barnum rem.ained at Ellicotts' Mills so long as it was a terminus and a harvest was to be gathered ; and when these essentials ceased to exist, he sold out his establishment to Mr. A. McLaughlin, now one of the proprietors of Barnum's (^ity Hotel, Baltimore.* Whilst at Ellicotts' Mills, in 1832, he married Miss Mary Lay Chadwick, daughter of Captain Chadwick, of Lime, Connecticut, who was a captain for some time on one * Mr. Andrew M'Laughlin disposed of his fine hotel at Ellicotts' Mills to much ad' vantage, owing to the prestige and success which it had attained. T H E R O N B A R X TT M. ESQ. I, p. '^117.) EN(JRAV'ED KXPKK88I.Y KOK THIS WORK FROM \ PIIOTOCJRAPII BY LON«. THEKON BARNUM. 209 of the large packets that coursed between New York and Liverpool. The fruit of this marriage was two sons, Freeman and Robert, both of whom are living. In 1835, Mr. Barnum removed to Philadelphia, and bought the Hiila- dclphia Hotel, located in Arch street, but having long before tliought of arranging his business and starting for the West, he sold out in 1838, determining to settle in St. Louis, whose great future, from the force of location, he knew was evident. On his way to St. Louis he was induced to stop at Terre Ilaut, a thriving town in Indiana, and take charge of a hotel owned by Mr. Chauncey Rose ; however, he did not long remain in that place, feeling convinced that though it would become a town of most respectable size and business, it would never support the kind of hotel of which he was desirous of becoming the head ; so he removed to St. Louis in March, 1840, and rented the City Hotel, situated on Third and Vine streets. This hotel was a long time the favorite house of the public, and Mr. Barnum, during his proprietorship, enlarged and im- proved it to a considerable degree. He kept that hotel successfully for thirteen years, and in September, 1852, sold out. The activity of Mr. Barnum's previous life precluded any thing like inaction, and in a short time, after selling out the City Hotel, he made an effort to raise a stock company, for the purpose of building a magnificent hotel at a cost of $300,000, which would be worthy of the great metrop- olis of the West; but his spirited cftbrts were not met with the encour- agement they deserved, and the project was abandoned, though Mr. George Collier, Colonel Brant, and Mr. Swearergen, each subscribed the liberal sum of $25,000. He afterward took his present hotel, which was built by Mr. George R. Taylor, and admitted Mr. Fogg, who was his clerk, as partner. Mr. Barnum always adopts the safe plan of select- ing his chief and responsible officers from the number of his numerous employes whose merits and talents fit them for superior positions; by this means he has well-tried, trustworthy, and efficient officers. The furnishing of his hotel cost Mr. Barnum the large sum of $80,000. The house is well known throughout the United States, and the well- known reputation of Mr. Barnum is evinced by the crowd of arrivals which daily enjoy his accommodations; and in private life his integrity, his en- terprise, his courtesy and generous disposition have made him universally loved and respected. DR. ANDERSON. This learned and eminent divine was born in Prince Edward's county, state of Virginia, December 5, 1814. llis father, Stephen C. Anderson, was a respectable planter, and served as a magistrate of the commonwealth in which he resided. The early days of young Anderson were spent upon the farm of his father, and usually attending the little village school of the place, whidi afforded him instruction in the common branches of an Eng- lish education; and with the aid of a tutor he was instructed in the mys- teries of the Latin and Greek languages, until 1831; he then went to the University of Ohio, at Athens, and from there to Andover, Indiana, and graduated in 1835. After having, by the study of years, formed the groundwork on which he could build any profession, young Anderson, following the bent of his inclinations, which had long fostered a love for religious pursuits, went to the Union Theological Seminary, for the purpose of fitting himself for the duties of the ministry. After passing through the full course suitable to his firture calling, Mr. Anderson went to Oxford, North Carolina, where he Tcmaiiied one year: and receiving an invitation from Danville, Vir- ginia, lie accepted the call, and for five years preached to a respectable and continually-increasing congregation. From Danville he removed to Nor- folk, where he soon became most popular in his calling. The fame of his learning, his piety, and his effective delivery from the pulpit, soon spread beyond the precincts of the little city in which he lived, and his name became associated with the constellation of ministers whose talents can best invest Religion with her true and heavenly attributes. After remaining in Norfolk for five years. Dr. Anderson came to St. Louis in 1857, and engaged as the pastor of the Central Church, which at that time was far from being in a flourishing condition. Nothing dis- couraged, he went earnestly to work, and by the daily example of a well regulated life, and by precepts from the pulpit, bathed in the llybla?an dew of eloquence, he awakened emotions in hearts which had before remained indiff'erent to the duties of religion, and by degrees the congregation in- creased in number, and the church was soon relieved from the debt which had so long oppressed it. The church is now in the most prosperous condition. Dr. Anderson was married April 9th, 1840, to Miss Lucy A. Jones, of Nottaway county, Virginia, and the domestic fireside and ministerial duties form the elements of his happiness. The secret of his success as a preacher is owing to his earnestness of manner, to the strength and purity of his lanU UY TROXKLL. SULLIVAN BLOOD. PRESIDENT OF THE BOATMENs' SAVINGS INSTITUTION The subject of this memoir was born in the town of Windsor, state of Vermont, on the 24th of April, 1795. His life has been one of progres- sion ; and, as we follow him from his humble commencement in the city of St. Louis, and see how step by step he has risen to position and affluence, we feel that his biography will exert a salutary induonce; and many an ambitious youth, denied the influence of friends and wealth, will be cncouraoed to fight manfully and hopefully the great battle of life. The parents of Sullivan Blood were natives of Massachusetts, and emi- grated to Vermont, then called the new state, in 1793, there lived upon a farm, and both died during the years 1813 and 1814. Two years after losing his parents, Sullivan Blood, who always possessed an enterprising and ambitious mind, determined to emigrate to the far West, and there manfully to work out his destiny. After examining thoroughly on the map the different locations, he selected that of the city of St. Louis as the most proper place to commence his fortune, and in 1817 fixed his residence in that spot. St. Louis, at that time, was just passing the barrier in municipal existence which divides the village from a town, and according to an edict issued by the authorities, a night-watch was ap- pointed the following year, and among the number of candidates for the new appointment Mr. Blood was elected as one of the watchmen ; but when he became known, and his character and talents appreciated, he was soon exalted to the position of captain. During the time that Captain Blood held his responsible position, the property of the city and citizens was well protected from the thief, the burglar, and the incendiary; and so efficient was he in the discharge of his duties, that he retained the position of captain for the space of some years After remaining six years in St. Louis, Captain Blood determined to revisit the Green Mountain state, and, during his visit, married Miss Sophia Hall, whose mother still survives, at the venerable age of ninety- one years. Captain Blood was a constable in the city for ten years; and served in the capacity of deputy sheriff during the terms of Robert Simpson and John R. Walker. In 1833, he was elected an alderman from the second ward, and served one year. Beyond this. Captain Blood has not been identified with political life, which he knew would inter- fere with his private business and domestic happiness. He has often been solicited to become the candidate for many important offices, but for the reasons- we have given, has always declined political interference. Captain Blood early turned his attention to steamboating, and in the palmy days of steamboat navigation, before railroads had crossed the western prairies, he became engaged in the trade between New Orleans and St. Louis, and plentifully gathered of the harvest which belonged to 216 SULLIVAN BLOOD. those who were engaged in the profitable pursuit of steamboating. He built two boats, both of which ho commanded, and by the kindness of his disposition, and the amenities of his manners, the boats he commanded became the general favorites of the travelling and commercial world. Many citizens of St. Louis, and iidiabitants of all parts of the Union can call up pIoas;int reminiscences, while a passenger in the boats commanded by the careful and friendly Captain IJlood. lie probably knew the Mis- sissippi, during the time he was an officer on its waters, as well as any pilot engaged upon it. The circumstance of Captain Blood being once a boatman, and his popularity with all who followed that profession, made it proper that he should be appointed a director in the "Eoatmens' Saving Institution," which was created with especial reference to the wants, and for the bene- fit of that numerous class of individuals who follow the western rivers as a means of subsistence. It was thought tliat the name would enlist the attention of numerous liardworking but improvident individuals, who miii'lit be induced to deposit a small portion of their hard-earned money, and by that means contract habits of calculation, and a desire to create a store on which they could draw, should some malady assail them, or old ao"e render them unfit for manual exertion. From the verj^ first, Captain Blood became the supporter and friend of this institution, which, from an humble commencement, has become one of the most extensive and favor- ite moneyed institutions in St. Louis. The confidence reposed in an institution necessarily arises from tho character of its officers; and Captain Blood was appointed a director in 1847, and during the last five years has been its president, and the weight of liis character is manifested by the popularity of the institution. He has always been a working man, and still works, enjoying a "green old age." lie has not frittered away his time either in visionary impossibili- ties or slothful inaction, but " honorable labor" has been the n)axim of his life, and to it he is indebted for the worldly comforts he possesses in the decline of his life; and to his industry, integrity, philanthropy, and domestic virtues, he owes the tribute of respect that is paid to his char- acter. JOHN A. BROWNLEE, Pranileiit of the Merchdnts' Bank. (p. 217.) KNUKAVKD EXl'BKSSLY I'OR THIS WORK FKOM A PHOTOGKAI"]! ISV HKOWN. JOHN A. BROWNLEE, PRESIDENT OF THE MERCHANTS' BANK. John A. Brownlee was born May 8th, 1819, at Basking Ridge, state of New Jersey. His fatlier, the Rev. William C. Brownlee, D. D., was an enjineiitDivine, and a most accomplished scholar, being a graduate of the University at Glasgow, Scotland, and, immediately on entering the minis- try, removed to this country, and first commenced his ministerial labors in the state of Pennsylvania, as a Presbyterian minister. His thorough and varied learning, and the earnest devotion to the sect whose creed he had chosen to follow and advocate, soon gave him distinction in the literary world, and made him the champion of his religious order. Besides filling with distinction various posts in his ministerial calling, the Rev. Dr. Brownlee was distinguished as an author in various depart- ments of learning, and, at one time, was the President of Rutger's College, New Brunswick, of which the Hon. Theodore Frelinghuysen is now the head. Dr. Brownlee removed to New York in 1825, and became one of the associate ministers of the Reformed Dutch Church, and was considered the ablest pulpit orator of the day. It was while he was pastor of the Presbyterian church at Basking Ridge, that his son, John A. Brownlee, the subject of this memoir, was born. As far as social position, paternal influence, and the well-wishes of troops of friends could subserve him, John A. Brownlee was born under the most favorable auspices. The position of his father gave him every opportunity of early improving his mind, and storing it with knowledge that might fit him for future usefulness. After receiving a liberal education, young Brownlee selected commercial pursuits as his business calling in life, and went to New York city, where he was engaged in the extensive wholesale silk house kept by Throckmorton & Co., and there remained for three years. Being of an aspiring- disposition, which prompted him to be at the head of the avocation he had chosen, he determined to remove from New York and seek in the West a more favorable field, where to found his fortune and gratify his ambition. Chicago, the Queen City of the lakes, had just commenced to attract attention, and John A. Brownlee removed to the then embryo city, where he remained one year, and then went to St, Louis, in 1839, where he believed the business inducements to be greatest. In St. Louis he com- menced as dry goods clerk m the house of P. E. Blow, which soon after became known as the firm of Blow & Labaume. By his business capacity, his integrity, and successful management, Mr. Brownlee soon won the respect and confidence of his employers, and by degrees passed through all tlie progressive stages of advancement until he became a partner in the establishment he entered as clerk, and the firm was conducted by him and his associate, Mr. L. B. Shaw; nearly at this time he was joined in marriage to Miss Ridgely, of Baltimore. At the death of Mr. Shaw, the entire business was purchased by Mr. Brown- 220 JOHN A. BROWNLEE. lee, which he conducted solely for some time, until the present firm of Brownlee, Homer & Company was organized. The ruling desire of Mr. Brownlee's life appears to have been to gain the highest round of usefulness in business life ; and his present position, his Avealth, integrity, and influence, show how well he has accomplished his wishes. lie is President of the Millers e Arc none but who respect his name,, an^l appreciate his chara«ter. HENRY T. BLOW, PRESIDENT OF THE COLLIER WHITE-LEAD OIL COMPANY. Henry T. Bloav was born July 15, 1817, in Southampton county, Vir- ginia. He is descended from a very ancient English family, and can trace his hneage to the days of the unfortunate Charles I. He has a por- trait of one of his ancestors, John Blow, who was an eminent musician and composer of music at that time, hung in his parlor. Captain Peter Blow, his father, was a respectable planter in Virginia, and removed for a brief time to Alabama, and from thence to St. Louis in 1830, and became proprietor of what was known as the Jefferson Hotel. He died a year afterward universally lamented. He was married to Miss Elizabeth Taylor, of an old Virginian family, and had twelve children, six of whom are living, Peter, Henry, Taylor, Elizabeth, William, and Mrs. Joseph Charless. The gentlemen are all highly esteemed for their business qualifications, integrity, and intelligence, in the localities where they reside. Henry T. Blow, the subject of tliis biography, was early sent to school, and liad all the advantages of early mental culture, being designed by his father for the profession of the law. He graduated at the St. Louis University, an institution which has always been eminent for its thorough scholarship; and having given up all ideas of the legal profession, he ob- tained the situation of clerk in the drug establishment of Messrs. Joseph Charless & Son. _ Mr. Blow was always remarkable for his industry, his energy, and ambi- tion to excel in business pursuits. He very soon became indispensable to the establishment of his employers, and in 183G, after the elder Mr. Charless retired, lie was taken as partner in the house by the son, and the firm was known as Charless &: Blow. The firm did a very heavy and lucrative business, till 1839, when Jklr. Charless wishing to retire, Mr. Blow bought out his interest, and became sole owner of the drug store. This continued until 1840, when Mr. Charless again became a partner, and the firm became Joseph Charless & Company. The business soon became much enlarged, and the White-Lead Works, which formed the commencement of the present Collier White-Lead and Oil Company were connected with their business. In 1844, Mr. Blow and Mr. Charless dissolved partnership; the former having determined to carry on the White-Lead Works which he had set apart for himself on the dissolution of copartnership ; Mr. Charless still carrying on the drug-store. Fortune had always been propitious to Mr. Blow, but she became lavish of her favors; for in the short period of four years after his sole possession of the White-Lead Works he amassed all the wealth he desired, and then determined to retire, having an ample fortune. He applied for an act of incorporation of the White-Lead Works, and a charter was granted under the stylo of the Collier White- n E N R Y T. 15 L O W, E S Q., ['resident nf ihe Collier Wliite-Lead and Oil (yym(>(iny. (p. 225.) ENOl'.AVKl) KXI'BKSSLY Ki)K THIS WORK KliOM A 1'I1(ITIH;BA1MI liY liROW.N HENRY T. BLOW. 227 Lead and Oil Company. From the very commencement in its corporate character^ Mr. Blow has been its President, and the works do a business of immense magnitude and profit. Mr. Blow was married July 15, 1840, to Miss Grimsley, the accom- plished daughter of Thornton Grimsley, Esq., of St. Louis. He has never been an ardent politician, and never had much relish for the feverish excitement of political life, yet 'he yielded to the earnest impor- tunities of his friends, and was elected to the state senate for four years. He was a hard-working and efficient member, and took an active part in all the important measures that were agitated. Whilst at Jefferson City he was chairman of the committee on banks and corporations. Mr. Blow has been one of the directors of the Iron Mountain Railroad, and through his efficient exertion, assisted by others who possessed a taste for the fine arts, the Westcn-n Academy of Art came into being. This institution has been brought into existence by its corporators with much labor and expense, so as to form and encourage a taste for a love of the beautiful. Such an institution was much needed in St. Louis, and it will form a nucleus around which will cluster the votaries of art, who will contribute generously to its advance, and its refining influence will direct the sensibilities of the inhabitants in more delicate channels, and encourage a love of the elegant. Mr. Blow is president of the institution. Mr. Blow has always taken a prominent part in the aff'airs of the Agri- cultural and Mechanical Association, now so widely known throughout the Union, and has been one of its most efficient officers since its incorpora tion. Daring the last Fair of 1858, so as to create a general emulation among the architects of St. Louis, he offered, as a private premium, the sum of two hundred dollars for the best plan of a suburban residence, the cost not exceeding 120,000. He is well known to the citizens of St. Louis; and in connection with his acknowledged business qualifications, he is highly esteemed for his moral attributes. He is now in the full vigor of manhood, and has already accomplished what most men lay out as the work of a protracted life — " wealth, honor, and the good-will of all men." REV. DR. M. McANALLY. This well-known Methodist divine, journalist, and author, was born in Granger county, Tennessee, February 17, 1810. His parents, Charles and Elizabeth McAnally, came to the state of Tennessee wlien it was almost a wild, and soon became possessed of a very large tract of land in that fertile state. Charles McAnally was a Christian and Methodist preacher for forty years, and died at an advanced age in 1849. His son, the sub- ject of this sketch, had the advantage in early years of a fine private school, and early evinced an inclination for study and the pursuit of letters. He occasionally worked on the farm, which served to complete his physi- cal development; and after receiving a proper preliminary education, he commenced the study of the law, which he abandoned afterward for that of the ministry. At the early age of nineteen, young McAnally commenced his labors from the pulpit, and in November, 1831, was ordained with full powers of the ministi-y. He was remarkably successful in making friends and proselytes; and his ardent zeal, and impassioned delivery, and his effec- tive reasoning made him one of the most popular preachers of the Metho- dist persuasion. He preached in Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia, and other places, until 1843, when he received the appointment of President of the Female Institute at Knoxville, over which he successfully presided for eight years; and the fame of the institution drew pupils from Maine to Texas. It remains to this day a first class seminary. In 1851, the Rev. Dr. M. McAnally came to St. Louis, at the invitation of the St. Louis and Missouri Annual Conferences of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to conduct the Christian Advocate, and take charge of the books published by his church. The concern was started with, a capital of $1,800, and it soon became so profitable, that in 1853, the publishing business was connected with the bookstore, and a large quantity of stand- ard works, equal in typographical excellence to any coming from the large establishments in the East,, liave already been published. There have been more than 100,000 volumes issued by the concern since it went into existence. The hwise does a m£>st extensive business throughout the West, and belongs to the St. Louis,. Missouri, and Kansas Conferences. Dr. McAnally's connection with the Christian Advocate, so widely cir- culated is well known. He is a fearless and lucid writer, and dissemi- nates those doctrines which he believes will exert the most salutary influ- ence over the temporal and eternal welfare of his fellow beings. REV. DR. M. McANALLY. (p. 929.) ENGRAVK.n KXHRKRSI.Y FIMi THIS WORK FROM A I'HI )TOO|; A t'H 1:V TUdXKI I. GEORGE PARTRIDGE. (p. 231.) ENGRAVED JCXPRKSSLY FOR THIS WORK FROM A PnOTOGRAPH BY BROWN. GEORGE PARTRIDGE. The subject of this memoir was born March 27, 1809, at Walpole, Mas- sachusetts. He was the son of honorable parents, who still are living qt Terapleton, in the state of Massachusetts. His father, Ezekiel Partridge, was a farmer, and George, who was one of twelve children, was early initiated in the mysteries of agriculture, and faithfully assisted his father in the cultivation of the farm till he was seventeen years of age, a small portion of time being given to his education. He had time to go to the country school in the winter — the rest of the year was devoted to hard work. When he arrived at the age of seventeen, being anxious to com- mence a start in life, he taught a little school during two winters, by whivh he earned a. few extra dollars. In 1828, an unexpected misfortune diminished very much the resources of his father, and George Partridge had to sever himself from parental guiding-strings, and seek a livelihood in the world among strangers. Though brave at heart, and early confident in himself, it was not without a full heart and moistened eye that he took leave of the parental roof, and went to Boston to seek his fortune. His cash capital on reaching Boston amounted to thirteen dollars, and consequently he could not delay in select- ing what to do, as his means would soon become exhausted. He must com- mence work at once, or starvation would be the result ; so lie commenced, as the quickest mode of turning over his capital, the sale of books and papers, and also procuring subscriptions for the same. This was an almost starving occupation, and young George Partridge soon forsook it, when he was offered a situation in a grocery store, at a salary of fifty dollars a year and board. He remained in that employment for some time, and finding that, with all his economy, he could scarcely save enough to purchase his clothes, he resolved to start, if possible, in business himself, if he could get credit for his stock of goods. His industry, honesty, and attention to business had been noticed by business men, and he found no difficulty in procuring credit, and started his fortunes with a stock of goods, and a store at four hundred dollars rent, in which first investment he was very fortunate. He remained at that time in the grocery business eight years, the last years of the time engaged solely in the wholesale trade. All who have reached the meridian of life must recollect the terrible financial crisis which visited the country in 18-'57, and swept from exist- ence in the business world firms which before appeared to possess all the elements of healthful endurance. Amid the business prostration which was everywhere around him, George Partridge stood unmoved by the shock. His neighbors suspended payment, but he was always ready to cancel his debts. It was the custom of groceries in those days, as now, to do a large liquor business, which formed the most lucrative portion of the trade, and finding if he did not sell that important article in Boston, that he could not keep 234: GEORGE PAKTKIDGE. pace with other grocers, Mr. Partridge sold out in June, 1838, and re- solved on trying his fortunes in the Far-west. After leaving Boston he went to Burlington, a thriving town in Iowa, where he established a large grocery house, which went under the name of Bridgeman & Partridge, and did a lucrative business. Whilst in Iowa Mr. Partridge made an effort to establish a Unitarian society, but there were too few of that popular sect in Burlington and its vicinity to form a congregation, so the project was unsuccessful. Thriving as the town of Burlington is, Mr. Partridge wanted an ampler field, so he came to St. Louis, and bought a copartnership in the firm of Smith and Brother, and commenced the grocery and commission business, under the firm of Partridge & Company, and one of the conditions of the partnership ex- presses that no alcoholic liquor is to be sold. Mr. Partridge has been twice married. In March 2*7, 1834, he was married to Miss Elmira Kenney, and on January 6, 1858, to Mrs. Claracc C. Cotter of Boston. From a long course of successful business pursuits, he has won for himself the confidence of all business men, and filled many important positions. He is a director in the Ohio and Mississippi Rail- road, also one in the State Saving Association, and was one of the Board of Public Schools, which he held for five years; took an active part in the building of the Unitarian Church ; one of the trustees of Washington University, and most eflicient in procuring the erection of the new Female Institute, the Mary Academy, to be connected with it; and is connected in divers ways with other institutions. The charity of Mr. Partridge is munificent and unostentatious, and wlien one of the eleemosynary institutions of our city was in debt five hundred dollars, he paid the amount out of his own pocket, without re- quiring the public journals to sound the charity in their thousands of dis- tributions. He is now approaching the "sear and yellow leaf" of life, but he is surrounded with troops of friends. In March 31, 1859, the parents of Mr. Partridge celebrated at his house their "golden wedding," having been married fifty years, and lived happily in that relationship. //Wf^>^- ^^ WILLIAM GLASGOW, JR., President of the Miinouri Wine Company. (p. 235.) KNGRAVKD F.XP11E88I.Y FOR THIS WORK FROM A PHOTOORAPH BY BROWN. WILLIAM GLASGOW, JR. PRESIDENT OF THE MISSOURI WINE COMPANY. William Glasgow, Jr., was born at Christiana, state of Delaware, July 4, 1813. Some five years after his birth, his parents, James and Ann Glasgow, removed from that state to Missouri, and settled at Chari- ton, and removed from there to St. Louis in 1836. William Glasgow, Jr., was the second child, and he received the rudi- ments of his education at Chariton, but on attaining a proper age, was sent to a fine school in Wilmington, state of Delaware, where he remained three years completing his education. After leaving school he commenced business in that town, where he remained until 1836, and, joining his father, came to St. Louis. After a residence of some years in Missouri, William Glasgow became convinced that the soil of a large portion of the state was adapted to the growth of the grape. lie drew his conclusions from the nature of the soil, the climate, and the plenty and luxuriance with which the wild grape abounded and flourished in almost every locality. So well convinced was he of the fact that the grape could be successfully cultivated, that he planted a small vineyard at his present residence, in 1844, amid the jeers of many who derided the idea that wine could be made in Missouri. However, the crop was an abundant one, and the experiment even surpassed the expecta- tions of Mr. Glasgow. This was the first vineyard ever established in the state of Missouri, and to Mr. Glasgow belongs the credit of introducing into the state an article of agriculture, which will soon rank as one of its staples, and become one of the chief elements of wealth and national industry. Mr. Glasgow, in 1847, obtained the first premium for grapes and wine that was conferred by any society in the state of Missouri. It is natural for man to link himself with successful measures; and finding that the cul- tivation of the grape would prove profitable, in 1853 there was formed a company called William Glasgow, Jr., & Company, which consisted of William Glasgow, Jr., Amadee Valle, and Allen PI. Glasby, for the pur- pose of manufacturing wine from grape produced in Missouri, on an exten- sive scale. The company obtained a charter in 1855, under the name of the Missouri Wine Company, with a cash capital of $65,000, and Mr. Glasgow was chosen President, which ofiice he still holds. The fame of the wine now extends over both hemispheres. Mr. Glasgow was married April 16, 1840, to Miss Sarah L. Lane, daughter of Dr. William Carr Lane, first mayor of St, Louis. He has the confidence and respect which the purity of his character so well deserves. PART III. HISTORY OF ST. LOUIS-FRENCH DOMINATION. CHAPTER I. Liiclede Liguest and his companions start from New Orleans, August, 1763, and arrived at Ste. Genevieve in November. — Leave Ste. Genevieve and go to Fort de Cliartres. He makes a voyage of discovery to tlie mouth of the Missouri. — Selects the spot for his trading post. — Settlement of St. Louis, February 15, ITGi. — Visit of the Missouri Indians. — Treaty of 1763. — Secret trea'ty between France and Spain.— Increase of St. liouis. — Early habits of the settlers.— llage of the people when informed of the secret treaty. — Arrival of Louis St. Ange de Bellerive at St. Louis. — Granting of land. — Popularity of the commandaht. — The attachment of the Indians to the P'rench, • their hatred of the P^nglish. — Laying out of St. Louis. — Its extent in 1764 and 1780. — Its appearance before any buildings were erected. — Stylo of dwellings. — Names of principal inhabitants. — Grant made to Liguest of the land on wliich he first commenced to build. — Grant of land on La Petite liiviere. — Mills built thereon. — First mortgage. — First marriage. — Land reserved for church. — First baptism. — The place for a public square. — Unfavorable news from New Orleans. — The arrival of Rios. — The determination of the inhabitants to resist Spani.'-h autliority. — He leaves St. Louis when the news reaches him that the Spanish commandant was driven from NewOrleans. — Joy of the inhabitants. — The common fields. — Their reg- ulations. — Names of common fields. — Arrival of Pontiac. — His appearance. — His fame. — His visit to Cahokia. — His assassination. — His burial in St. Louis. — Exter- mination of the Illinois Indians. — The arrival of O'Reilly in New Orleans. — His re- ception by the people.— Five of the inhabitants are executed, and six sent to the dungeons in Cuba. — The first church is built in St. Louis. — Its consecration by Father Gibault. — Arrival of Piernas in St. Louis. — He takes possession of the town. — French domination ceases iu Louisiana. It was in the summer of 1 763, that there was a commotion of no ordinary kind in the town of New Orleans, then the capital of the whole province of Louisiana, which was almost fabulous in its extent. It had become bruited abroad that a charter had been given a company, conferring upon them the privilege of «n exclusive trade with the savages of the Missouri, as far north as the St. Peter's River. The title of the company was Laclede Liguest, Antoine Maxent and Co., of whom the first-named partner was the active representative. At that time, little was known of the waters of the Upper Mississippi, for above the mouth of the Missouri there was no trade carried on with New Orleans, the capital of the province. Nearly a century before, there had been few settlements formed on the eastern side of the Mississippi, at St. Philip's, Kaskaskia, Cahokia, and Fort de Chartres, villages on or near its banks, but on the west side of the "great river" there was no attempt made to colonize the territory north of Ste. Genevieve, then called La Poste de Ste. Genevieve, which, as far as tradition, with the suggestion of musty records, will avail us, was founded in the year 1755, and is the oldest town in the state of Missouri. The announcement that a company was going to establish a trading post and colony somewhere on the west AND HEE COMMERCIAL METROPOLIS 239 240 THE GKEAT WEST banks of the Mississippi River, neai* the Missouri, created a great excite- ment among the inhabitants of New Orleans, -who were principally made up of trappers, hunters and traders, fond of the wild romance incident to pioneer life. Many of them were anxious to make part of the new emi- gration, so soon to alienate themselves from their homes, and risk their lives in a region where the savages still claimed the immunity of their heritage, and believed that their hunting-grounds were free from the en- croachments of the white men. The new enterprise was very popular, not only from the reason that we before advanced, of the love of the people, at tliat early day, of adventur- ous excitement, but from the circumstance that Antoine Maxant, one of the proprietors of the company, held an office under the king of France, in the province of Louisiana, it is probable that through his influence the charter was obtained from M. d'i\bbadie, the governor of the province. Of Pierre Laclede Liguest, previous to this time, we know nothing, except that he came from a province in France bordering on the Pyrenees, and came to this country with credentials from the court of France, with the intention of trading with the Indians. Of him history has made no rec- ord, and even tradition, in her legendary narratives, preserves a singular silence. It is only from 1*763, to his death in 1778, t,hat we have any data that can furnish any materials for his biography, or enable us to form any estimate of his character. ^ The company, consisting of a barge number of mechanics, trappers, hunters, with probably a few agriculturists, started from the Crescent City, in the rough, heavy kind of boats that were used at that time, for some spot on the west bank of the Mississippi that would be favorable for estab- lishing a trading post and colony. The expedition was under the com- mand of Pierre Laclede Liguest, who carried with him a large amount of coarse but strong merchandise, suitable for the trade with the savages. After a fatiguing trip, they made a short stop at Ste.Genevieve, the only French post on the west banks of the Mississippi that could furnish any thing like shelter or the comforts of life. It was the intention of M. La- clede Liguest to leave his merchandise at that place, until he coidd fix a location higher up the river, and more contiguous to the Missouri. Finding that Ste.Genevieve could offer no accommodation for his party or sufficient shelter for his goods, M. Laclede Liguest, at tlie invitation of the officer in charge of Fort de Chartres, again ascended the river, with the intention of stopping at that place, and there disembark his companions and merchandise, until he could select a location suitable for his purposes. On arriving at Fort de Chartres, he found that preparations were ac- tively making to evacuate the place, and deliver it to the English, to whom had been ceded all of the French territory on the east bank of the Mississippi, with the exception of the city of New Orleans, by the treaty of 1763. The fort was commanded by M. de Neyon de Villiers, who, from the meagre accounts which history has left us, was of a haughty and imperious disposition, and gave to the voyagers not a very cordial wel- come, although he had extended to them the invitation of hospitality.* * Colonel Auguste Chouteau's journal, a fragment of which is preserved in the Mer- cantile Librar}- of St. Louis, though inaccurate as regards historical dates, certainly furnishes tlie only aulheutic information concerning the first settlement of St. Louis. AND HER COMMERCIAL METROPOLIS. 241 M. Laclede Liguest, after storing his goods, started-with a few attend- ants for the mouth of the Missouri, resolving to fix on some spot between Fort de Chartres and the " Muddy River," at which he could commence a settlement in tlie early part of spring, it then being the month of De- cember. After carefully examining the appearance of the land on the west bank of the Mississippi, he arrived at the mouth of the Missouri, the Pekitanoni of the Indians, and, without making any delay, he immediately turned his boat down stream and landed on the spot which has since be- come the seat of the great metropolis of the western country. He had observed the location in ascending the river, and seeing no other possess- ing similar advantages, he determined that it should become the site of the village he proposed to establish. After closely examining the spot, he commenced slicing trees, saying to Auguste Chouteau, a young man who accompanied him: "You will come here as soon as the river will be free from ice, and will cause this place to be cleared, and form a settlement according to the plan I shall give you." After thus marking the place, he again set out for Fort de Chartres, delighted with the spot he had chosen, and on arriving at the fort, he told M. de Neyon and his officers, "that he had found a situation where he intended establishing a settlement, which, in the future, would become one of the most beautiful cities in America."* The place being selected for the establishment of his colony, M. Laclede Liguest occupied himself during the winter at Fort de Chartres, in making preparations to take possession of the chosen spot at the commencement of spring. Having early perfected his arrangements, and there being no hindrance from ice, he selected a choice body of men, consisting of the flower of the expedition, hqmg nearly all mechanics, and placed them under the direction of Auguste Chouteau, wlio acted as his lieutenant, and for whom and his family he always entertained a singular aftection. There were about thirty men under the charge of the young man, and M. Laclede Liguest gave to him, with other orders, the following instruc- tions : " You will go and disembark at the place where we marked the trees ; you will commence to clear the place, and build a large shed to contain the provisions and tools, and some little cabins to lodge the men."f Without any impediment they reached the place of their desti- nation, and disembarked on the fifteenth day of February, 1*764, at the desired place, and took possession of the soil on which they were to rear their future village.^ On the following morning the men commenced work in earnest, and, according to instructions, began the building of the shed in which to store the tools and provisions, and also the small cabins to serve as shelter for the men. In so inclement a month as February, the hardy pioneers must have been subjected to exposure and hardship which most of the present pam- pered inhabitants of St. Louis can scarcely reconcile with human endur- * Colonel Auguste Chouteau's journal. f Idem. i In the journal of M. Chouteau, written in his native tongue, there is some alter- ntion in the manuscript as regards dates, and the autlior, feeling some doubts whether the alterations had been made by him, has adopted the generally received opinion as regards the time of the arrival of the party who came from Fort de Chartres to com- mence the village. 242 THE GKEAT WEST ance. In those early days, tlie luxury of life consisted in bravin<>; its vicissitudes, and the Spartan education forced upon the inhabitants t'rom necessity, created from habit, a love of danger and a wish for the wild ex- citement of pioneer life, though unfruitful of gain and subjected to every deprivation. To mingle with the savages, to follow the chase, and to live secluded in the wilderness for months, following the hazardous business of trapping and hunting, formed almost the entire occupation of most of the French inhabitants of that period. A little season of frolic with their light- hearted countrymen, when they returned to the haunts of civilization to dispose of their peltries, amply rewarded them for all their fatigue and danger; and then, quickly surfeited, they again sighed for the Indian and the wilderness. Even the artisans were often lured from their peaceful avocations, and following the chase for a brief season, were not strangers to the rough fare and hardships incident to the hunter's life. They learned to live upon and relish dried buffalo meat or whatever game fortune threw in their way. They could pillow on the earth and sleep unsheltered under the canopy of heaven, without thinking it a hardship. The followers of Pierre Laclede Liguest were men of this stamp ; brave, light-hearted, and inured to hardship. They probably spent the Hrst night of their landing in sitting round their camp-fire, engaged in cooking and eating, in telling long stories of perilous adventure, in passing around the innocent jest, or in singing some national songs which brought to their memories all the pride with which Frenchmen regard their native land. In a few days the sheds and cabins were finished, and in the. early part of March, Laclede Liguest having arrived, the plan of the village was laid out, and the site selected where he wished his house to be built. He named the place St. Louis, in honor of Louis XV., king of France. He little knew, at that time, his king had disposed of the whole of the vast country west of the Mississippi to the king of Spain. ^ Laclede Liguest remained but a very short time at St. Louis, being com- pelled to return to Fort de Chartres to make hasty arrangements ibr the removal of his goods, as it was daily expected that the place wolud be given up to the English. He therefore laid out a sufficiency of work for the men, who were left, as before, under the direction of Auguste C'hou- teau, while he returned to Fort de Chartres to attend to his merchan- dise. Before his departure, a large arrival of the Missouri Indians gave much uneasiness to tlie new settlement. They had heard of the large advent of the w-hite men on the west bank of the Mississippi, and beino- nearly destitute of provisions, a whole village came down to St. Louis to get a supply of the necessaries of life — in other words, they came on a beagiiig expedition. There were some hundred and fifty warriors, besides a fair proportion of women and children, and their arrival, at first, was looked upon with distrust, and probably with some emotions of fear; for they out-numbered the colonists five to one, and could have been very troublesome had they evinced any hostile intentions. However dishon- orable their designs, they appeared to have no idea of personal violence, and satisfied themselves with what they could gain by begging, with the chances of pilfering, which they never neglected to embrace. The presence of the Missouri Indians, notwithstanding their amicable bearing, was a source of continual uneasiness, as they always treated any suggestion of departure with an obstinate refusal. The wdiole colony was AND HEE COMMEECIAL METKOPOIJS. 243 kept likewise on the alert lest so much temptation to their cupidity mioht excite them to some act of distrust and violence. It was thought best at this juncture by Laclede Liguest, to take some measures to cause the re- moval of these Indians, as their presence seriously conflicted with the advance of the colony. Already many who had come over from Cahokia, at that time called Caos, to take part in the future fortunes of the colonists, became alarmed at the presence of the Missouri Indians, and had removed again to their old homes; for they feared that the establishment of a colony on the west bank of the Mississippi River would be regarded with disfavor by the many warlike tribes on tll^f Missouri, who might forget their ancient feuds, and make common cause against a people to whose advance there appeared no limit. Laclede Liguest, by his decision of charactei-, joined with the knowl- edge of what measures have the most eftective influence on the savage mind, soon forced the departure of the Missouri Indians, and relieved the colony of their presence. They were, however, very obstinate in their endeavor to remain. After receiving a supply of provisions, they became so well pleased with their new friends, that they professed their inten- tion of always remaining near them, and of building a village around them. They said "that they were like ducks and buzzards, who sought the open water to rest, and could not find a spot more suitable for their purpose than the place where they then were."* By threatening them with the vengeance of the French troops stationed at Fort de Chartres, if they persisted in remaining, Laclede Liguest frightened them into a departure. The whole lot of ground situated between Market and Walnut, and Main and Second streets, three hundred- feet square, wiiere Barnum's hotel now stands, once made part of the large landed possessions of Laclede Liguest, and it was on it that the house was built which he first inhabited and the sheds and cabins of the men were on the east square. On these squares was the commencement of the city of St. Louis. The dirt from the cellar of the house was removed by the Missouri squaws, for beads and other trinkets which they highly prized. It becomes now necessary to break oft' the thread of the narrative, which cannot be pursued any farther at the present time with lucidity. We have before alluded to the fact that when Laclfde Liguest named St. Louis in honor of the king of France, he thought himself at that time the subject of Louis XV., and did not dream that the whole soil west of the Mississippi River had been ced#d to the king of Spain, He was aware that the whole country east of the Mississippi, with the exception of New Orleans, had been passed over to England, together with Canada, and when the news reached the villages and settlements there was a general mourning among the inhabitants, who possessed a feudal antipathy to the English, and who cursed, without stint, the cowardice or policy of their monarch, who transferred them to the allegiance of their most detested foe. They envied the few inhabitants on the west side of the great river, believing that they were still the subjects of la belle France. They were, however, suffering a delusion, for the whole of Louisiana west of the Mis- sissippi had been transferred to Spain, even before the treaty of Paris in 1763. * Colonel Auguste Chouteau's journal. 244 THE GREAT WEST France, placed under an imbecile monarch, and involved in pecuniary difficulties, entered into a secret treaty with Spain in 1762, and ceded to her all of her possessions west of the Mississippi River, including the city of New Orleans. What the terms of this treaty were the world never knew, but the natural inference to be drawn from the mystery and secrecy which shrouded it was, that it was in a high degree discreditable to France. The time when this secret treaty became known will be devel- oped in the natural course of this narrative, as it is intimately interwoven with the events which form a part of this history. After thus premising, we ?fill return to the direct events attending the settlement of St. Louis. On the departure of the Missouri Indians, the new colony, after finishing the necessary houses for their accommodation, soon gave indications of a thrifty appearance. The inhabitants of Caho- kia, Kaskaskia and other villages of the Illinois, having a great aversion for English rule, left their homes and settled in the new town, swelling the number of its inhabitants and adding to its resoui'ces. To this large accession of the French inhabitants of Illinois, who thought they liad re- moved to a soil loi)g to be governed by the laws of France, may be attrib- uted the increase, growth, and vital indications which attended St. Louis even at that early period. Under the direction of Lax:ilede Liguest, a man of rare energy of char- acter, and every way competent to be at the head of a new colony, if from the little that is left us of his history we can form an opinion, the great business for which he had come from New Orleans was soon estab- lished, and the trade with the Indians commenced. Before this, all of the trade in peltry had been carried on at Cahokia and Kaskaskia, but at the establishment of the trading post at St. Louis, tlie trade in those places commenced to languish, and by degi-ees was transferred to the new settle- ment west of the Mississ-ippi. The reason for this change of place in the peltry trade is not to be accounted for solely on the ground of the superior sagacity of the founder of St. Louis in directing the channels of trade to the place he had founded, but other circumstances had their force in eflect- ing it. As has been before observed, directly it became known that the Eng- lish were about to tatfe possession of the Illinois country east of the Mis- sissippi (a large portion of Upper Louisiana at that time went by the name of the Illinois country), many of the inhabitants removed to St. Louis, carrying with them their business ^nd their capital. This emigra- tion from Illinois was chiefly from Cahokia and Kaskaskia, the chief vil- lages, thereby weakening their trade and diminishing their resources. It is also a well known fact that the Indians have always had an aversion to the English fi-om their first intercourse with that people, and immediately that they received possession of the country east of the Mississippi, the savages, from a repugnance to their laws and their customs, no more sought to trade with the towns which were under their domination, but turned their attention to the new trading post on the west of the Missis- sippi, which was inhabited only by Frenchmen and apparently belonging to the domain of France. For the French the Indians had cordial feel- ino-s and a fraternal regard : for the English their feelings were worm- wood and gall. When St. Louis became the favorite place for the peltry trade, which AND HEE COMMEECIAL METEOPOLIS. 245 it owed mostly to the reasons we have given and somewhat to its loca- tion being contiguous to the Missouri, upon whose waters so many tribes of Indians dwelt, it became a still farther inducement for a place of resi- dence, which, together with the unpopularity of the English rule, caused a continual emigration from the villages east of the Mississippi ; and a little more than a year from its establishment, it became evident, that it was going to be a town of importance, and would be the leading business place in Upper Louisiana. For more than a year after St. Louis was founded, the inhabitants were contented and happy, and lived in a state of perfect harmony. There were no statutes, no lawgivers, no prisons. There were a few leading inhabi- tants who were looked upon in the light of patriarchs by the rest, to whom were submitted any little differences that would arise, and whose opinions had all the force of judicial decisions. The people who formed the first settlement at St. Louis were a different people from those which form the present population of the Great Metrop- olis of the West. Almost all of them were natives of the province of Louisiana or Canada, and consequently from their childhood had been unaccustomed to the luxuries of life, and were strangers to the artificial wants incident to older countries, and created by the indulgences of a more advanced stage of civilization. Divested of all extravagance in their wishes, they did not pursue wealth with the devotion so character- istic of modern days. They did not make it a god, for whom they were ready to sacrifice all of their temporal comforts and peril their eternal welfare. Contented with little, they had no motive to great exertion, and when their simple desires were satisfied, they endeavored to cultivate the art of being happy with each other. At that early time there was a fraternal bond which united the com- munity. There was but little division of interest, there were no castes of society, no temptations to test human weakness. All were on an equality, with the same habits^ and tastes. Their little cabins, formed by logs set upon their ends, and 'then roofed in, were the very rendezvous of happiness. The dance, the festive song, the uncontrolled mirth, all bore evidence that their spirits were untrammelled by the selfish cares of life, and revelled in the sans souci ecstasy of simple pleasures. Enjoyment was the aim and end of their being ; and though they were wofully deficient in mental cultivation, their tastes did not flow into those vicious channels so charac- teristic of an ignorant people ; they were marked by simplicity and un- tainted by degradation. Such were the characteristics of the first settlers of St. Louis, who, though settling in a wilderness, and suffering the almost numberless depri- vations inseparable from an infant colony, yet enjoyed a larger measure of happiness, and had less of culpable frailties than the inhabitants who now dwell in the city they founded. It was in April, 1764, that M. d'Abbadie, the commandant-general of the province of Louisiana, received orders from the sovereign of France to proclaim to the people the surrender of all the French possessions west of the Mississippi to the power of Spain. At this intelligence the people of New Orleans were almost maddened with rage, and publicly avowed that they would not submit to the foreign allegiance which their imbecile sovereign would impose upon them. The treaty with England had been unpopular, and 240 THE GKEAT WEST Louis had been abused for his pusillanimity ; but when this secret treaty with Spain was promulgated, and it became known that France had not a tittle of claim to all of her vast possessions which were hers two years before in America, the ire of the French was aroused, their national pride mor- tified, tliev iieaped curses on tiie head of their king and his ministers, and declared they would not be alienated from their mother country. M. d'Abbadie was so overwhelmed with grief at the orders he had received that he died of grief some months afterward.* It was not many months before the distressing intelligence reached the new colony at St. Louis, that they were no longer subjects of France, and the same grief and rage were manifested by the inhabitants which had been evinced by the people of New Orleans. For a brief season there was an interruption to the dance, the song,and the festive hour; and the little cabins sounded with males for America. Napolei>n saw that it was folly to attempt coping with the maritime power of England, which, when he was in Egypt, had nearly swept from existence the navy of France, and through the sagacious Talleyrand, determined to sell to the United States the property which controlling circumstances prevented him from occupying. Mr. Livingston was at that time the minister- plenipotentiary of the United States to France, and seeing the desire of the Frendi government, he obtained the sanction of Mr. Jetl'erson, then President, to purchase the country which the marine power of Eng- land and al)sorbing events in Europe prevented France from occupying. Mr. Livingston was a diplomat of the first water, but he had the }uince of diplomatists to cope with in the persons of Talleyrand and Marbois, and it wasthouiiht advisable by Mr.Jetierson to dispatch Mr. Munroe to Paris as an auxiliary in effecting the purchase of Upper Louisiana. After some masterly moves on both sides on the political chess-board, the sale was effected, the United States agreeing to pay 00,000,000 francs for the extensive province, and assuming a debt of 20,000,000 more, owing by France by way of indemnity to American citizens for maritime spoliation. The treaty was concluded on the 30th of April, 180;i, and signed on the 3d of May. While the purchase of Louisiana was pending between France and the United States, in consequence of the large nund)er of grant-s the surveys had been extended far into the wilderness, and in consequence, the sur- veyors and their attaches were exposed to the attacks of hostile Indiatis. One of the deputy surveyors, by the name of P>ouvet, whilst surveying a piece of land west of St. Genevieve, was taken prisoner by a band of Osage Indians, and after being subjected to the torture, was burned at the stake. There were numerous murders committed by that savage tribe, who wa-tched every occasion to attack isolated detachments of the whites when at a distance from the forts. There was no redress for these murders, * One ef tliese grants was to Colonel Auguste Chouteau, who built the first distil- lery iu St. Louis. AND IIEK COMMERCIAL MBTE0P0LT8. 277 for iinnnr'ce been renewed, and at a proper time we will again allude to it. Manuel Lisa, one of the chief directors of the St. Louis Missouri Fur- Company, and also of the Missouri Fur Company, was a Spaniard, who came from New Orleans to St. Louis a few years previous to the transfer of the province of Louisiana to the United States. Uis sole occupation il AND HER COMMERCIAL MEl'ROPOLIS. 803 was trading with the Indians, and he appeared to have been formed by nature with a predisposition to the pursuit ; for he Uived the venturesome life incident to the vocation, and was well versed in all the strange and strategic elements wliich compose the Indian character. lie was a thorough business man, and possessed an ample share of that peculiar cunning characteristic of the Spanish trader. There was also a dash of wild romance about liis life, llis first wife had been long a prisoner, with her child, among the Indians, until her release was procured by General Harrison. Iler husband had been killed at the time she was taken cap- tive. Manuel Lisa saw her and her cliild after she had regained her freedom, and pitying her misfortunes and destitution — for the charm of beauty had all fled — he married her, gave a luxurious home to herself and daughter, and treated both in the most atl'ectionate manner until their death. Manuel Lisa had no children, though twice married. The house in which he first lived is still standing, a small portion of the northern part only being removed. It is situated in Second street, on the west side, near the corner of Spruce, and may be known by the extended portico in front, and a kind of pigeon-house roof. The house when built was looked upon by the inhabitants of St. Louis as almost a palatial residence, and was built and occupied by one of the merchant princes of the growing town. Manuel Lisa died near St. Louis, wliere the Sulphur Springs are, and his property went to the children of his brother. We will again speak of this enterprising merchant in another place. . It was in the year 1812 that so many earthquakes occurred in the Southern and Western country, causing villages to tumble in ruins, an entire change in the face of the country, and a vast destruction of prop- erty. In New Madrid particularly, one of those dreadful phenomena of nature occurred, which was distinctly felt in St. Louis, and caused much alarm to its inhabitants. This earthquake is thus graphically described by Dr. Ilildreth of Ohio : " The centre of its violence was thought to be near the Little Prairie — twenty-five or thirty miles below New Madrid — the vibrations from which were felt all over the valley of the Ohio, as high up as I'ittsburgh. * * * New Madrid having sufi'ered more than any other town on the Mississippi, from its effects, was considered as situated near the focus from whence the undulations proceeded. From an eye-witness, who was then about forty miles below that town, in a flat-boat, on his way to New Orleans, with a load of produce, and who narrated the scene to me, the agitation which convulsed the earth, and the waters of the mighty Missis- sippi, filled every living creature with horror. The first shock took place in the night (December IG, 1811), while the boat was lying at the shofe in company with several others. At this period there was danger appre- hended from the Southern Indians, it being soon after the battle of Tippecanoe, and for safety, several boats kept in company, for mutual de- fence, in case of an attack. In the middle of the night there was a terrible shock and jarring of the boats, so that the crews were all awakened and hurried on deck with their weapons of defence in their hands, think- ing the Indians wore rushing on board The ducks, geese, swans, and various other aquatic birds, whose numberless flocks were quietly resting in the eddies of the river, were thrown into the greatest tumult, and, with loud 804 THE GREA.T WEST screams expressed their alarm in accents of terror. The noise and com- motion soon became husiied, and nothing could be discovered to excite apprehension ; so that the boatmen concluded that the shock was occa- sioned by the falling in of a large mass of the bank of the river near them. As soon as there was light enough to distinguish objects, the crews were all up making ready to depart. Directly a loud roaring and hissing was heard, like the escape of steam from a boiler, accompanied by the most violent agitation of the shores, and tremendous boiling up of the waters of the Mississippi in huge swells, rolling the water below back on the descending stream, and tossing about so violently, that the men could with difhciilty keep their feet. The sand-bars and points of the islands gave way, swallowed up in the tumultuous bosom of the river, carrying down with them cotton-wood trees, cracking and crasliing, tossing their arms to and fro, as if sensible of their danger, while they disappeared be- neath the flood. The water of the river, wdiich the day before was toler- ably clear, being rather low, changed to a reddish hue and became thick with mud tlirown up from its bottom ; while the surface, lashed violently by the agitation of the earth beneath, was covered with foam, which, gathering into masses the size of a barrel, floated along on the trembling surface. The earth on the shores opened in wide fissures, and closing again, threw the water, sand, and mud, in huge jets, higher than the tops of the trees. The atmosphere was filled with a thick vapor, or gas, to which the light imparted a purple tinge altogether diflferent in appearance from the autumnal haze of the Indian summer, or that of smoke. From the temporary check to the current, by the heaving up of the bottom, the sinking of the banks and sand-bars into the bed of the stream, the river rose in a few minutes five or six feet, and, impatient of the restraint, again rushed forward with redoubled impetuosity, hurrying along the boats, now let loose by the horror-struck boatmen, as in less danger in the water than at the shore, where the banks threatened every moment to destroy them by the falling earth, or carry them down in the vortices of the sinking masses. Many boats were overwhelmed in this manner, and their crews perished with them. It required the utmost exertions of the men to keep the boat of which my informant was the owner, in the middle of the river, as far from the shores, sand-bars, and islands as they could. Numerous boats were wrecked on the snags and old trees thrown up from the bottom of the Mississippi, where they had quietly rested for ages ; while others were sunk or stranded on the sand-bars and islands. At New Madrid, several boats were carried, by the reflux of the current, into a small stream that puts into the river just above the town, and left on the ground by the returning waters, a considerable distance from the Missisipppi. * * * The sulphureted gases that were discharged during the shocks, tainted the air with the noxious eftiuvia, and so strongly impregnated the waters of the river to the distance of one hundred and fifty miles below, that it could hardly be used for any purpose for several days. New Madrid, which stood upon a bluff fifteen or twenty feet above the summer floods, sank so low, that the next rise covered it to the depth of five feet. The bottoms of several fine lakes in the vicinity were elevated so as to be- come dry land, and have since been planted with corn." These earthquakes being of unusual occurrence, set in motion the superstitious elements which so largely make up the character of the In- AND HER COMMEKCIAL METROPOLIS. 305 dians and all barbarous nations. Some sixty miles below St. Louis, as has been before stated, the Shawnees and Delavvares had, by the invitation of the Spanish government, built some villages and formed a settlement. These Indians could feel the shock of the earthquake which was so severe in the neighborhood of New Madrid, very sensibly ; and as they felt the earth straining and heaving, as if in convulsions, according to their super- stitions creed they thought that the Great Spirit was offended, and in this way was manifesting his displeasure as a warning and precursor of something still more dreadful emanating from his wrath if hasty propitia- tion were not made. A writer of that period tlius describes the manner in which they attempted to conciliate their Deity : " After a general hunt had taken place, to kill deer enough for the un- dertaking, a small hut was built to represent a temple or place for offering a sacrifice. "The ceremony was introduced by a general cleansing of the body and the face, the novelty of the occasion rendering it unusually awful and interesting. After neatly skinning their deer, they suspended them by the fore-feet, so that the heads might be directed to the heavens, before the temple, as an offering to the Great Spirit. This propitiatory solemnity usually continued three days, and all of the interval was devoted to such penance as consists in absolute fasting. At night they lay on their backs upon fresh deer-skins, turning their thoughts exclusively to the happy prospect of immediate protection, that they might conceive dreams to that effect, the only vehicle of intercourse between them and the Great Spirit. "During this occasion, the old and young men observed the most rigor- ous abstinence from cohabitation with the women, under a solemn persua- sion that for a failure thereof, instant death and condemnation awaited ; and they gravely, and with much apparent piety, implored the attention of the Great Spirit to their unprotected and helpless condition, acknowl- edging their absolute dependence upon him, entreating his regard for their wives and children, their total disability to master their game, arising from a dread of his anger, and concluding by asserting their full assurance that their prayers were heard, and that for the future there would be a cessation of terrors, and game would again be in plenty, and they would have the strength to overcome it. "Tliese strange proceedings continued for three days, and they then be- lieved that the propitiation was complete, and that they would no more feel the effects of the wrath of the offended Deity. They then commenced to congratulate each other, related their dreams, and finally, in the enjoy- ment of a feast, which three days' abstinence had made them capable of appreciating, they concluded their strange and superstitious rites." It was in May, 1812, that the chiefs of the Great and Little Osage, the Sacs, Kenards, the Shawnees and Delawares, met at St. Louis in order to accompany General William Clark to Washington city. It is proper here to mention that General William Clark was the brother of General' George^Rodgers Clark, the hero of the West during the Revolution. He was also the compeer of Lewis during the celebrated expedition to the sources of the Missouri and Columbia, and was remarkable for the singu- lar po\\er he had over the Indians, who both loved and feared him. He had well studied their character in his constant communication with them, and almost by intuition could read their secret thoughts. He would dis- 30G THE GREAT WEBT cover their most subtle plans, however wily they may have laid them, and was looked upon by them as a Great Medicine, lie was their powerful friend on all occasions, and often kept tliein from impositions and wrongs which were ready at all times to be practised upon them by unprincipled white men. It was a curious sight to witness — these chiefs of the most powerful tribes coming together, each preserving in their features and attire, some peculiarity and custom of their tribe. The representatives of these tribes, by the advice of General Clark, con- cluded a peace among themselves, and agreed to bury the hatchet. They appeared to be moody and taciturn, distantly repelling all familiarity on the part of the citizens, who, excited by curiosity, or more friendly feel- ings, endeavored to enter into conversation. With that cold, impassive stoicism, for which the Indians in their palmy days, when undegraded by constant association with the white men, were remarkable, they heeded no inquiry ; and if pressed too closely by questions, wonld lift their straight forms still more lofty, and wrapping their blankets closer around them, would stride contemptuoush^ away. An eye-witness to the scene has related these facts to us. On the oth of May General Clark departed with these chiefs to the federal citv, for tlie purpose of some negotiation with the general gov- ernment, and also that they might witness the wealth and power of the United States, and make them the more anxious to cultivate friendly rela- tions. The Indians at all times, were objects of disquietude and alarm ; for both east and west of the Mississippi, all eflorts to conciliate them by pres- ents or kindness, or to subdue them by arms, were found to be abortive in producing any continued and permanent peace. They would profess friendship, but onl}' for the purpose uf throwing the inhabitants oti their guard, and then the settlements would become alarmed by the news of some horrible murders by bands of armed savages. Governor Howard, who tilled the executive chair in the territory of Lou- isiana was kept continually agitated by these alarms, and may be said to have spent nearly the whole term of his office in efforts for protecting the territory from the incursions of the Indians, and notwithstanding his vig- ilance and energy, massacres were continually committed. He and Gov- ernor Ninian Edwards of Illinois, acted in concert to protect the inhab- itants of the two territories, and kept constantlv in employ large and well organized bands of militia, which Kept the savages at bay, and almost effectually restrained their power of committing evil. Tecumsch, and his brother the Prophet, endeavored to sow defection among all the savage tribes east and west of the Mississippi, and even endeavored to form them into a league for the purpose of preventing the further encroachments of the whites, and force them east of the Alleghanies. Since the days of Pontiac, Tecumseh was the most talented chieftain ever born in the American wilds, and, animated by the patriotic desire of pro- tecting his race and preserving its existence as a people, he or his brother the Prophet, visited most of the distant tribes, making eloquent appeals to their passions, by telling them of the magnitude of their ancient possessions, the broad expanse of their hunting-grounds, and of the happi- ness of the red man when he worshipped the Great Spirit after the custom AND HEK COMMERCIAL METROPOLIS. 307 of their ancestors. After thus looking into the past to excite their pride, they drew before them their present state to excite their vengeance. They showed them, since the advent of the white man, how their lands had been encroached upon, their fame and power diminished, and how they were forced gradually to the setting sun from the forests wlierc their fathers hunted, and from the graves where their mothers lay. They then brought before them the daring deeds of the great warriors of the red men, whose spiritual forms were then chasing the chamois and the buffalo in the happy hunting-fields, and asked them to emulate their glory, retrieve the lustre of their name, and all the red men raising the tomahawk together, should tread with quick step the war-path, and with the fii'es of vengeance burn- ing and seething through their veins, should visit with dire wrath the invaders of their land, and the curse and bane of their race. Under the harangues of these celebrated chieftains, the infectious spirit of discontent was spread among all the tribes, from the Alleghanies to the Upper Missouri, and the bold pioneers with their families, tar in the wil- derness, fell beneath thefury of the excited savages, and their little cabins, after the work of human slaughter had been completed, were burned to the ground. In Illinois and Indiana, the savages succeeded in organizing in an effec- tual manner, and only by the fall of Tecumseh at the battle of the Thames, was the country relieved from a fearful coalition. In Missouri, there were many isolated murders, but there was no coalition of sufficient importance to fear any regular invasion. Especially in Missouri, so well was the Indian character understood, that there would have been very little trouble, had not the English, on the declaration of war in 1812, according to their custom sent their emissaries into the country of the savage, and used everv artful and mercenary motive to incite them against the Americans. Yet, on the Missouri, their efforts were nearly fruitless, only some of the reck- less belonging to some of the tribes, consenting to take part in the English cause. This was owing in a great measure to the fact that the whole of the trade of the Missouri, was under the control of merchants in St, Louis, and the supplies furnished by them which served at first as a gratification of luxury, by habitual continuance became a necessary. The Indians could no longer do without their powder, ball, guns, blankets, vermilion, etc., since they had been furnished so long with these articles, that their natures appeared to have undergone a change, had adapted themselves to their uses, and demanded a continuance. They were careful, then, not to commit themselves by any approved act of hostility toward the American government, and were not to be moved by the artful persuasions and presents of the British emissaries. Whenever it was known that any of the tribe had committed murder among the whites, they were immedi- ately given up to the ruling chiefs, and this summary mode of expressing their disapprobation, intimidated the young warriors, who were anxious on every pretext to sound the war-whoop, and enter on the v'ar-path.* The war with England in 1812, except in exciting disaffection among the Indians, had very little effect upon St. Louis. She could hear the * In the neighborhood of Florissant and Cote Sans Dessein there were many murders committed by the savages, but it is not the province of this work to enter into any detail of events outside of the preciucts of St. Louis. 308 THE GEEAT WEST stonn in the distance, but she was too far removed from the sea-coast to be affected, and the thunder and lightning of British warfare hurtLd in the distant part of the country, and were there exhausted. The contest, howevei", was one of lively interest to the people of St. Louis, and the print- ing-office of the Missouri Gazttte and Illinois Advtrtiser, the name which the present Missouri Republican bore during the war, was continually crowded with anxious citizens to hear the news from the East, and, as almost every week brought some triumph of American arms on sea or land, there was much congratulation among the inhabitants that the ter- rors of the English lion were of little avail, and that it was at length bowed and conquered. When peace was declared, and on terms so honorable to the United States, there was universal rejoicing ; for tiie pride of England was humbled, which was a source of considerable satisfaction, and the trade of Mackinaw would again be opened, which was more important to the people of St Louis as a trading post, than was New Orleans, though situated on the great Mississippi River. In September, 1814, we saw three advertisements in the journal we have just noticed that are significant memorials of the times, and serve as beacon-lights to guide us safely to its history. One of the advertisements was as follows : "Sleight of Hand. — John Eugene Leistendorfer, will exhibit on the eve of the 24th inst., and on every succeeding Saturday evening during the season, at the same house where he peiformed last year, a number of sleight-of-hand tricks, for the amusement of the ladies and gentlemen of this town and vicinity — among which he will perform the following: "Any person of the company may cut off tlie head of aliviijg chicken, and then he will immediately restore it to life with its head on. " lie will cause a shawl or handkerchief to be cut in two pieces. One of the halves will be burnt, the other cut into small pieces, and he will return it entire. " A new way of proving good whiskey, by putting a penknife or any other light article in a tumbler, and in pouring the whiskey on it ; if there is any water in the whiskey, the penknife will move only, but if the whis- key is good, the penknife will jump of itself out of the water, "He will catch between his teeth a ball discharged from a pistol, actu- ally loaded and fired by one of the visitors, and after having performed a great inany more tricks, too long to be enumerated, he will conclude by eating live coals of fire. " The Prophet Ilabdula Rakmany, of Egypt, an automaton figure, will perform several extraordinai-y and curious feats. "Constrained by misfortune thus to ca 1 upon the good people of this territory for their assistance, he begs leave to observe that he is the same Colonel Leistendorfer who served under General Eaton, in the capacity of guide, adjutant, inspector-general, and chief engineer in passing the desert of Lybia. " Certificates from severid gentlemen high in office in this government, testifv to his character and service. " Performance to commence precisely at seven o'clock, P. M. Admit- tance, fifty cents. Children, half price." A2rD HER COMMERCIAL METROPOLIS. 309 This advertisement of the wizard goes to show that the people of St Louis in 1814 were not a jot ditierent from the people of the towns and villages of the present day. They were fond of amusement, but as yet no building had been erected suitable for any exhibition of dramatic performance, and some stable-loft, or untenantable building, was usually fitted up to answer the purpose of these itinerant exhibitors who came to the city. It is said that Colonel Leistendorfer had no cause to regret his visit to St. Louis, and when he departed, after a protracted stay of three months, his pockets were well filled with the pure Mexican coin, and he enjoyed the reputation of either being Old Xick himself, who by some device had escaped from his fiery regions, or else he was on terms of the closest intimacy with that individual, so astonishing were the wonders he per- formed. He afterward settled in Carondelet.i'* In the journal of the same date we see a notice of a sale of land by the heirs of Madame Cliouteau, then deceased. It was the sale of the lot on which she had resided, situated between Second and Main, and Cliesnut and Market, on which Laclede Liguest had built, and donated to Madame Chouteau and her children ; she having only the usufructuary title, the fee- simple vesting in her children, as we have stated in another portion of this history. So as to sell the land to the best advantage, the lot was divided into four portions ; for land in that portion of the town was in great demand. In this maimer we find out the time when this piece of property was divided, which was so strong a testimonial of the generosity of the founder of St. Louis. At the same date, also, we see a public notice given, that on the 15th of Decen)ber, subscription books would be open at St. Louis, St. Charles, Ilerculaneum, Mine a Breton and St. Genevieve, Missouri Terri- tory, and at Kaskaskia and Cahokia, Illinois Territory, for the purpose of taking stock in the new-established bank at St. Louis. The business of St. Louis had so much increased, that it was found neces-ary to create a bank to supply its wants and conveniences. The bank was incorporated August 21st, 1816. The commissioners of that bank consisted of the fol- lowing-named gentlemen : Auguste Chouteau, John B. C. Lucas, Clement B. Penrose, Moses Austin, Bernard Pratte, Manuel Lisa, Thomas Brady, Bartholomew Berthold, Samuel Hammond, Rufns Easton, Robert Simp- son, Christian Wilt, and Kisdon H. Price. The commissioners called a meeting of the stockholders, on the 2d of September, 1810, and the following thirteen gentlemen were elected directors: Samuel Hammond, William Rector, Bernard Pratte, Risdon H. Price, Moses Austin, E. B. Clempson, Theodore Hunt, Justus Post, Robert Simpson, Charles N. Hunter, Walter Wilkinson, Theophilus W. Smith, and Elias Bates. The directors then met on the 20th of September, for the purpose of electing bank offi- cers, and Colonel Samuel Hammond was elected president, and John B, N. Smith, cashier. All felt that a bank was a necessity, and some of the leading citizens of the town became connected with the new institution. For a time the little town felt the benefit of a banking-hou-se, and the current of business swelled in volume and moved with increased vitality, from the flood of money that was poured upon all its channels. It is the law of nature that the greater the flood the greater the ebb, and the tide of business, when 310 THE GREAT WEST it swells and inflates to an excessive magnitude, will have its hour of col- lapse, and shrink into contracted boundaries. The sudden influx of money poured out by the new bank gave an unnatural expansion to commercial affairs, created a spirit of speculation and extravagance, and jeopardized every thing by the dangerous momentum which it gave. The hank had not been in operation for more than two years before the public felt convinced that something was wrong in the flnancial foun- tain which at first distilled so largely its supplies, and afterward became so meagre and exsiccated that business commenced to languish for the want of its usual support and nurture. The directors felt convinced that the cashier of the bank had exceeded his powers and loaned at too much hazard the money of the bank. At a meeting which took place on the 11th of February, 1818, Theophilus W. Smith was elected cashier, in the place of John B. N. Smith, the former officer, which election, being displeasing to some of the directors, a portion of them resigned, and, feeling that the business of the bank was not car- ried on in a legitimate and prudent manner, they took the keys of the bank, vi et armis, and it was some time before they could be prevailed upon to give them up again to the proper officers. Then the business of the bauk was in so deranged a state, that it was impossible that it would ever recover from its difficulties, and an honorable policy demanded tiiat it should be wound up; but this seizure of the keys created a sympathy in its favor, and as the officers pleaded the part of injured innocence, they found many friends among the people. They asked for a little while to arrange and ameliorate their affairs, which they acknowledged were somewhat embarrassed on account of a large Kentucky loan made by the former cashier. After several months occupied in putting their business on a proper footing, the bank again opened its doors, but only for a short period. It had been tottering for more than a year, and fell at last, dragging in its fsill the fortunes and prospects of many in- dividuals, and ruining the reputation of others, who were strongly suspected of sacrificing their moral principle to cupidity. The ruin of the bank was followed by many vexatious lawsuits, which were productive of but little pecuniary benefit of, except to the legal gentlemen who conducted them through all the lengthened chain q{ nisi prius and appellate process. A little while after the establishment of the Uank of St. Louis, the Missouri Bank came into existence, and was incorporated February 1st, 1817. The commissioners who were appointed by the stockholders to receive subscriptions, were Charles Gratiot, William Smith, John McKnight, Jean B. Cabanne, and Matthew Kerr; and these gentlemen were mainly instrumental in bringing the bank into existence. The first cashier was Lilburn W. Boggs, and the first president Auguste Chouteau. It will give the reader an insight of the leading citizens by givino- the names of the stockholders and the amount of stock for which they sub- scribed. The shares were one hundred dollars each. Shares. Shares. Thomas F. Eiddick, HI $S,100 William Smilli, 30 '5,000 Jean P. Cabanne 30 3,000 Berlhold & Clumteau, 30 3,000 Auguste Chouteau, 30 3,000 Christian Wilt, 30 $3,000 Joseph Philipson, 20 2,000 McKnijiht & Brady 30 3,000 Thomas Hanley, 20 2,000 Brady & McKnight, 20 2,000 AND HER COMMERCIAL METROPOLIS. 311 Shares. Matthew Kerr & Bell, 20 $2,000 Charles Gratiot, 20 2,000 Sylvestre Labbadie, 15 1,500 Frederick Bates, 15 1,500 M.D.Bates, 15 1,500 John Little 15 1,500 Thomas Hemp.stead, 10 1,000 Lilbiirn W. Boggs & Co., . . 10 1,000 James Clemens, Jr 10 1,000 Moses Scott, 10 1.000 Elisha Beebe, 10 1,000 Holmes & Elliot, 10 1,000 Alexander McNair, 10 1,000 Wm. E. Carr, 10 1,000 Michael Tesson, 10 1,000 J. & G. Lindell, 10 1,000 John W. Thompson, 10 1,000 Wra. E. Pescay, 10 1,000 Thomas Brady, 10 1,000 J. N. Amoure'ux, 10 1,000 C. N. B. Allen, 10 1,000 Henry Von Phul & Co., 10 1,000 John B. C. Lucas, 20 2,000 Antoine Chenie, 10 1,000 Wm. Christy, 10 1,000 Robert Walsh, 10 1,000 P. J. & J. G. Lindell, 10 1,000 Jeremiah Connor, 10 1,000 Michael Ely 5 500 Charles Bosseron, 5 500 Michael Dollan, 5 500 Thomas Peebles, 5 500 Evariste Maury, 5 500 A. Landreville, 5 500 D. Delaun)', 5 500 M. P. Leduc, 5 500 Samuel Edgar, 5 500 Total amount Shares. Emilien Yosti, 5 $500 Charles Dehault Delassus, . 5 500 Silas Bent, 5 500 Benjamin O'Fallon, 5 500 Farrar & Reed, . . .' 3 300 Nero Lyons, 3 300 Josiah Brady, 3 300 C. M. Price, 3 300 Christian F. Shewe, 3 300 A. L. Papin, 3 300 Ciiarles Sanguinet, 2 200 James Irwin, 2 200 Antoine Danjiii 2 200 Joseph Robidoux, 2 200 Silas Curtis, 2 200 John B. Zenoni, 2 200 A. Rutgers, 2 200 Peter Provenchere, 2 200 Cliristian Smith, 2 200 R. DavLrERCIAL METROPOLIS. 341 forced every few years to lop off a slice from their grants ; and their sim- plicity and nnbusiness-like habits were ofttimes taken advantage of by the enterprising race who had settled among them, and who unscrupu- lously and frequently accomplished their avaricious ends. In 1830, there was much excitement in St. Louis relative to the de- cisions of Judge James II. Peck, of the United States District Court, regarding some extensive land claims which some of the old French in- habitants contended had been granted to them under the Spanish domi- nation. Judge Peck was a jurist who could only be convinced by a chain of reasoning, and very properly viewed with prejudice and suspi- cion all claims which were not supported by proper legal proof. The cases in question were, Auguste Chouteau and others vs. United States, and the heirs of Mackey Wherry vs. the United States. The judge, suspecting from the remoteness of the legal links that the claims were not properly sup])orted, and that there was too much room for fraud to creep in the chasms, decided adversely to the claimants, llis decisions, which were published, were models of close legal arguments, though he did not give that wide latitude to the evidence which the claims of that nature seemed in justice to require. lie required something more than the face of the concession, and a proof of its genuineness. He went behind the record and inquired into the right of the lieutenant-governors in some cases to make the grants. The s\ispicions with which he regard- ed these Spanish concessions, called forth a public legal criticism from the pen of Judge Luke E. Lawless, the senior counsel for the claimants, which appeared anonymously in one of the public prints. The pub- lisher of the sheet was imtnediately arrested for contempt of judicial dignity; and Judge Lawless immediately avowed his authorship in open court, contending that the publication in question was only an examina- tion of a judicial decision, without any attempt to reflect upon official dignity. However, Judge Peck contended that the ermine had been touched by sacrilegious hands, and Judge Lawless was ordered to prison and suspended for a time from practising in that court. In obedience to that edict. Judge Lawless went to prison accompanied by a troop of his friends, but was released after a few hours confinement by a habeas corpus. He then, in retaliation for what he considered an outrage upon his feelings and a tyrannical display of authority, went to Washington and made charges against Judge Peck before the House of Representatives. After a careful investigation of the case the impeach- ment was dismissed. 1831. — A writer in one of the public journals of this year thus speaks of St. Louis : " Our city is improving with great rapidity. Many good houses are building, in a style worthy the most flourishing seaport towns. The arts and useful manufactures are multiplying and improving. Mills, breweries, mechanical establishments, all seem to be advancing success- fully, for the good of the country, and we hope for the great profit of our enterprising and industrious fellow-citizens. The trade and navigation of this port are becoming immense. Steamboats are daily arriving and de- parting, from east, west, north, and south ; and as this place has some decided advantages over all the ports of the Ohio River, for laying up and repairing, we have no doubt that in a few years the building and repair- ing of steam-engines and boats will become one of the most important 342 THE GREAT WEST branches of St. Louis business. We have all the materials, wood and metal, in abundance, and of the best quality. Already we have a foundry wliicli, it is hoped, will soon rival the best in Cincinnati and Pittsburg — and many skilful and enterprising mechanics. A bright prospect is be- fore us, and we look confidently to the day, and that not a distant one, when no town on the western waters will rank above St. Louis for indus- try, wealth, and enterprise. We hear that our worthy and active towns- man, Paul Anderson, has chosen this port to lay up his splendid boat, the Uncle Sa?ji, for the approaching season. She is a six hundred ton boat, and is said not to have a superior on the western waters." Political excitement ran high in the city. It was the time when the fame of Jackson was at its culminating point, and his name was the political battle-cry of his friends and a target for his enemies. The fol- lowing was the ticket of city candidates for that year, in St. Louis: Sheriff — John K. Walker,* James C. Musick, David E. Cuyler, George M. Moore. Coroner — John Bobb,* Jesse Colburn, Thomas Hobbs. The first idea that St. Louis ever had of a railroad was from an exhibi- tion during this year, in the old Baptist church, situated at the corner of Market and Third streets, of a miniature railroad. It consisted of a small circular track attached to a stage, on which was a small car with its miniature engine, which drove it around at the rate of seven miles per hour. The citizens regarded this as the great wonder of the day, and as the ultima thule of scientific perfection. St. Louis underwent considerable improvements during the year. The upper part of Third street was widened, a portion of it ordered to be graded and paved, and an ordinance passed for building the Broadway market. The immigration to the city was considerable, and the popula- tion was 5,963. The Missouri Insurance Company was also incorporated, with a capital of $100,000. George Collier was its president, and the following gentlemen, directors: John Mullanphy, Peter Lindell, II. Von Phul, Wm. Hill, Thomas Biddle, Bernard Pratte, and James Clemens, Jr. John Ford was secretary of the company. In August of this year. Bloody Island was again steeped in human blood, from a fatal duel between two citizens of high political and moral standing. Spencer Pettis was a young and promising lawyer, and the candidate for Congress of the Jackson party. He was opposed by David Barton, Esq., but unsuccessfully. Major Biddle, in a journal controversy, assailed the young political aspirant in terms so personally reflective, that Mr. Pettis, as a man of honor, felt bound to call him to an account in the manner prescribed by the bloody creed, which at that time was almost in universal observance. He challenged Major Biddle, who ac- cepted it; and on Friday evening, August 26th, the parties met on Bloody Island. Major Biddle was near-sighted, and, so as to neutralize the advantage which his opponent would have in consequence of his infirmity, he de- manded that the distance should be but five paces. This demand was acceded to, and the two rivals took their stations at that distance. At the first fire they both fell mortally wounded. Mr. Pettis survived but * Elected. AND HEB COMMERCIAL METROPOLIS. 343 twenty-four hours, and Major Biddle but a few days. Both feeling that they had received their death-wounds, with a magnanimity which was truly chivalrous, exchanged forgiveness upon the battle-field. On the day following the death of Mr, Spencer Pettis, a large portion of the members of the St. Louis bar assembled at the residence of Mr. Andrew Burt, to express complimentary resolutions in honor of the deceased. The committee of arrangement was Messrs. Joseph C. Laveille, Edward Dobyns, T. Andrews, John Shade, Charles Keemle, Captain J. Ruland, R. H. M'Gill, and Daniel Miller. The chairman of the meeting was Thomas H. Benton, and Auguste Kennerly, secretary. A few days after the fatal termination of the wound of Major Biddle, the officers stationed at Jefferson Barracks assembled to give a proper expression of their esteem for a brother officer. General Atkinson was called to the chair, and Captain II. Smith appointed secretary. A com- mittee, consisting of Brigadier-General Leavenworth, Major Riley, Captain Palmer, Captain Harrison, and Captain Rogers, was selected, to draft resolutions expressive of the sense of the meeting. The resolutions adopted were in keeping with the high-toned honor and chivalric merit of the deceased. In- consequence of the death of Mr. Pettis, there had to be another election for Congressman, and General William H. Ashley was elected. 1832. — It was in the spring that a large detachment of United States troops left Jefferson Barracks under the command of Brigadier-General Atkinson, to chastise the Sauks and Foxes, who, under Black Hawk and the Prophet, had violated their treaty with the United States, by remov- ing east of the Mississippi, and had invaded, with fire and scalping-knife, the unprotected frontier settlements of Illinois. The horrible butcheries alarmed the whole of the pioneer settlers, and they deserted their homes and removed into the thickly settled country, where they could be in safety from their barbarous foe. Thus leaving their homes and property unpro- tected, many of them in a distressing state from disease ; and many fam- ilies were in want of the common necessaries of life. In the cold, shiv- ering hour of their distress, the inhabitants of St. Louis rallied to their rescue, and furnished assistance to comfort them in their sufferings. A meeting of the most respectable citizens was held at the City Hall, at which Archibald Gamble, Esq., presided, and G. K. Gunncgle was appointed secretary. On motion of Henry S. Geyer, Esq., a committee of thirteen was constituted to solicit donations in money and provisions for the relief of the suffering inhabitants of the frontiers of Illinois. The gentlemen con- stituting the committee were D. D. Page, John Kerr, H. King, P.Powell, A. L. Mills, George Sproule, William Finney, Thomas Cohen, John Smith, J. B. Brant, A. L. Johnson, J. W. Reel, and John H. Gay. Fortunately the Indian war was not of long duration, and the efficient generals of the United States army, aided by the energy of Governor Reynolds of Illinois, soon subdued the savages. Black Hawk and the Prophet were taken captives, and peace permanently established. We cannot dwell longer on the difficulties with the Indians and the conditions of the peace aiade with them, as that portion of history is somewhat extrinsic of our narration, and should not have been touched upon had it not been somewhat connected with the history of St. Louis, by the participation of the United States troops from Jefferson Barracks, 34:4 THE GREAT WEST with the current events, and generous philanthropy of its inhabitants, which prompted them to take efficient measures to relieve their sufferino' neighbors. The inhabitants of St. Louis have never exhibited that apathy in politics which is often evinced in other cities of greater magnitude. The moment that the city became transferred to the United States and became peopled with Anglo-Americans, it became emphatically a political city. The cause of this was obvious. The immigration that came to the nevi^ town and settled in its precincts, was principally made up of persons of intel- ligence and ambitious hopes, who had forsaken their household gods, and had come to a new country to make for themselves a fortune and a name. They were persons of intelligence, ready to take whatever current would best serve to lead them on to fortune. They plunged into politics, and agitated as much as possible those waters, which were the natural reservoir of all men's opinions, and on which all eyes were fastened. They wished to be seen and known to the multitude, and launched into the element which would be more conducive tothe aims and ends of their ex- istence. The natural advantages of the city for all kinds of business pur- suits and professions have been developing year by year, and have never been exhausted by the demands of immigration, as great as it has been. There has always been an opening for the enterprising and ambitious, who continued to rush to the favored locality, and knowing that politics were in many instances the open Sesame to the strongholds of national preferment and greatness, they have ever kept it in agitation, nor suflFered political subjects to become stale or oblivious to the people. Amid the seasons of political excitement which have swept over St. Louis and ruffled popular feeling, there was no time at which there was more interest manifested than when the news came from the Capitol that General Jackson had vetoed the recharter of the United States Bank. To recharter the United States Bank was the darling wish of the speculators and coiiimercial men of the country, and even the solid, sterling business men of the Union were deluded to give it their support and countenance, from the apparent prosperity of all ramifications of business, which for a while is the natural consequence of flooding the country with a great amount of paper currency. They did not reflect that this paper currency, if thrown upon the country in such abundance that precluded the idea of redemption, gave an unhealthy expansion and deceptive appearance of thrift to every pursuit, and, like the dropsy, though enlarging the ap- pearance, is at the same time feeding upon the vitals. The people of St. Louis were rampant in their disappointment. They had suffered from the Jirst, Missouri Bank, the St. Louis Bank, and the Loan Office, though the latter was an institution guaranteed by the state; but the Branch Bank of the United States, since its establishment at St. Louis, had possessed the confidence of the citizens, had given them a healthful, unfluctuating currency, and they felt indignant at the act of the chief magistrate, which would produce the dissolution of an institution which, judging from their own experience, they thought had existed only for the welfare of the Union. Immediately on the reception of the veto, there was a howl of indigna- tion ; and a meeting of the citizens of the county and city of St. Louis was called at the court-house, in July, 1832, to give public expression to AND HEK COMMERCIAL METROPOLTS, 345 their disapprobation. Dr. William Carr Lane presided at the meeting, and James L. Murray was appointed its secretary. Resolutions were drafted strongly expressive of indignation, by a committee chosen for that purpose, and consisting of the following gentlemen: Messrs. Edward Bates, Pierre Chouteau, Jr., George Collier, Thornton Grimsley, Henry S. Geyer, and Nathan Ranney. Dr. George W. Call, and Messrs. Frederick Hyatt, Matthew Kerr, Asa Wilgns, Thomas Cohen and R. H. McGill also took an active part in the meeting. General Jackson, however, had in St. Louis, as he had in every section of the Union, a large number of friends and admirers, who followed him with a blind confidence, and upheld with faithful diligence all his decrees; and, in order to neutralize the effect of the whig indignation meeting, they called a meeting of their partisans at the town-house, that they might publicly declare their approbation of the veto, which would be the death fiat of an institution which, from its enormous capital, would have such a controlling influence as not only to crush, at pleasure, every other moneyed institution, but would insinuate its corrupting tendencies in our congres- sional halls and sway the councils of the republic. Dr. Samuel Merry and Absalom Link presided at this meeting, and William Milburn was appointed secretary. The cotnmittee to draft resolutions was appointed by the chair, and consisted of the following gentlemen : Messrs. E. Dobyns, John Shade, James C. Lynch, L. Brown, B. W. Ayres, L H. Baldwin and P. Taylor. Colonel George F. Strother made a spirited address to the meeting. It is nearly twenty-eight years since these events took place, and the hero of New Orleans is "pillowed in his sarcophagus." Those who con- scientiously opposed him at that day, although they may not have justi- fied the dangerous precedent of diff'cring on a constitutional question with the Supreme Court of the United States, which is the appointed guardian of the constitution — yet, when a few years after the veto, they saw the rottenness of the favored institution, must acknowledge the benefits that accrued to the country by the president refusing to sign the bill for its re- charter. In August of the present year, there were three candidates for gover- nor — John Bull, Samuel C. Davis, and Daniel Dunklin. The latter, who was the Jackson candidate, was elected, and L. W. Boggs as lieutenant- governor. During the summer, that dreadful scourge of the human race, the Asiatic cholera, visited St. Louis, swelling the number of interments in the church-yards, and carrying desolation to many a fireside, whose mem- bers would long have withstood the slow elements of corporeal decay, and would have lived long in the tender relations subsisting in the family circle. The pestilence did not come upon St. Louis suddenly : it gave warnittg of its approach by invading New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and the southern cities. The most efficient measures were taken to remove all unhealthful matter from the streets and to cleanse them from impurities. All was of little avail; for the direful malady nestled on the wings of the breeze, and first visited the outskirts of the city. A soldier at Jefferson Barracks was first attacked with the virulent symptoms of the disease, and the attendant physician pronounced the case, though unwillingly, one of Asiatic cholera. 346 THE GREAT WEST All intercourse with the military post was at once cut off, and it was fondly hoped that the pestilence niig-ht be kept from the city by careful sanitary measures. The hope was vain. In a few days it was in the heart of the city and raging with the utmost malignity. All who could leave the city, at once fled, and by this means the number of deaths was much abridged. The population of St. Louis at that time was G,918, including those who had left the town, and the number of deaths averaged for several days more than thirty per day ; and for two weeks more, there were about twenty victims to the disease daily. It continued its ravages for a month, and then disappeared. 1833. — In February an effort was made to impeach William C, Carr, one of the circuit judges, and one of the oldest inhabitants, who had come to St. Lonis one month after the transfer from Spain to the United States. There is no doubt that the effort owed its origin principally to political prejudices, and the main features of the charge had no founda- tion in truth. The alleged charge was that "William C. Carr is wholly unqualified for the judicial station, and ought not to hold the oflSce of judge in the third judicial circuit court in the state of Missouri." Such was the nature of the general charge, which consisted of fourteen specifications, all of them alleging something which disqualified him for his responsible position. The charge and the specifications were carefully examined by both houses of the legislature, and the pioneer jurist of St. Louis was acquitted. In 1833, St. Louis first commenced the era of that prosperity which has since continued, and which has been so remarkable in the annals of city prosperity. From its foundation in 1764 to this period, its advance had been one of quiet and constant progression ; but the elements of prosperity for some years had been gradually collecting in force, and gave a momentum to every department in business. It was in 1817 that the first steamboat (the General Pike) first touched its levee, and then a new era in navigation commenced. The barges and Mackinaw boats gradual- ly disappeared, and the class of hardy boatmen termed the voycu/eiirs began to lose their pre-eminence. The rough boats and rough boatmen had had their day, and a new order of things brought about by the magi- cal wand of science, came at once into being. Since the first arrival of a steamboat, year by year they had increased in number, and at this time there was not a day but numbers of steamers landed at the levee, or departed for Ohio, Illinois, Missouri, and the Upper and Lower Missis- sippi. There was also a line of stages for Vincennes, and Louisville. Tjie time of performing the journey by coach, between St. Louis and Louisville, was three and a half days. There was also a stage line between St. Louis and Galena, and Peoria, via Springfield. There was as yet no railway to destroy the impediments of distance, and a journey through the interior of the western country, that could not be assisted by river navigation, if performed in early spring, was associated with every idea of discomfort; the horses floundering in mud-holes and probably not be- ing able to extricate the vehicle, and then the traveler had to step out ofttimes in the very middle of the sink, which held to his legs with such quicksand pertinacity that it frequently required considerable effort to dis- VIEW ON LUCAS PLACE. Residence of William M. Morrison, E^q. ST. LOUIS UNIVERSITY.— 9th Street corner of Washington Avenue. F. CoosEMANS, S. J. President. SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH. Corner of 6tli aril Locust Streets, as it appeared before the steeple was blown down. Rev. Galusua Anderson, Pastor. CITY UNIVERSITY. Comer of 16th and Pine Streets. Hamilton R. Gamble, President. Edward Bredell, Vice-President. David H. Bishop, Secretary. FACULTY. Rev. E. C. Wines, D. D., President. John "W. Atcheson, A. M. David B. Tower, A. M. Edward Keller, A M. J AND HER COMMEKCIAL SIETROPOLT8. 347 engage himself. Then often the rivulets had become so swollen that the horses had to ford them b}' swimming. The drivers of these vehicles were made of other stuff than their descendants of the present day. If they encountered a large stream of water, which, from a freshet, had swept away the bridge, or which had become so increased from frequent rains that the horses in making the passage could not reach terra Jinna, they immediately unloosed the harness, and mounting the passengers on the horses, in this manner gained the opposite side — not regarding the soak- ing habiliments of the traveller with any kind of disquietude or uneasi- ness ; they would then return for the coach and drag it through the water, after getting it half filled or more with that element, and then baling out the water pursue their journey without thinking they had en- countered any obstacle outside of the ordinary routine. There was an ordinance established in the spring of this year, appoint- ing a weigher for the city, so that hay and stone-coal coming into the town for sale, might be weighed. The office and scales were established adjoining Market square. In the election of this year for mayor, Dr. Samuel Merry was elected; but liis election was contested upon the ground of unconstitutionality, Dr. Merry being a receiver of public moneys, which office he held under appointment of the president. In one of the articles in the amendment of the constitution of the state, it is laid down that " no person holding an office of profit under the United States, and commissioned by the president, shall, during his continuance in said office, be eligible, appointed to, hold, or exercise any office of profit under this state." The only question to be settled was, whether the office of mayor was an office under the state. Dr. Merry, the elected candidate, contended that it was exclusively a municipal appointment, and therefore did not come under the prohibition. However, the board of aldermen took a dif- ferent view.of the matter, and declared in conclave that the office of mayor, though a municipal appointment, was still an office of the state, and had many of his duties laid down m the statute enactments; and that the former incumbent, Daniel D. Page, should continue as mayor until after another election. The case finally went to the Supreme Court, and the decision of the aldermen was sustained. It was then agreed that the president of the board of aldermen should officiate as chief executive officer until the election took place in the following autumn, when Colonel John W.John- son was elected. Missouri has always been cursed with a lottery system, dating from al- most her early territorial existence to the present time. So as to increase the revenue of the state, and for the purpose of making certain improve- ments, the legislature licenses lotteries, which, though answering the pur- pose of revenue, yet by a plausible temptation allure the credulous to invest, in the hopes of a speedy fortune; and in many instances, and in a short time, by their nefarious system bring poverty and discord to many a hearthstone where once reigned plenty and happiness. In 1833, there was a newspaper controversy between two well-known lottery dealers, James S. Thomas and James R. McDonald, who carried on two difterent lotteries. The diflBculty arose from the fact that at the 15 34:8 THE GREAT WEST preceding session of the legislature a bill had been passed, authorizing the drawing of a lottery for the purpose of creating a sum of ten thou- sand dollars for building a hospital for the Sisters of Charit}^ where they could efficiently exercise their mission of mercy prescribed by their creed, in soothing the invalid during the hours of sickness and suffei'ing by ministering to the physical and mental wants. The commissioners ap- pointed by the legislature had sold this lottery to James S. Thomas. In this newspaper controversy it was made to appear that the gains arising from the scheme would be immense for Mr. Thomas, and by his system of lottery-drawing untold gains would flow into his cofters by the con- tract. The publication excited much interest at the time, and the suspicions of the community becoming aroused, a committee was selected to exam- ine into the mysteries of the lottery drawing which had received the patronage of the state authorities. The committee consisted of the following gentlemen : N. H. Ridgely, David H. Hill, George K. McGunnegle, D. Hough, Augustus Kerr, John F. Darby, and Bernard Pratte, Sr. After examining if the scheme were fraudulent, as fruit of their diligent labor they gave to the public a long and favorable statement concerning the honesty of the drawing. The following is the clause of acquittal on the ground of fraud : " Your committee then, after an attentive review of the subject, are of opinion that the charge made against this scheme, that it affords the manager an opportunity of fraudulently realizing a great and unusual proportion of profit, is not sustained." After this explanation, the pub- lic looked with additional favor upon the lottery ; and the object being for the erection of a hospital to be under the charge of the Sisters of Charity, the gambling scheme thus ministering to the cause of religion, became popular, and a large portion of the tickets were quickly sold. While thus speaking of the Sisters of Charity, we will give a little sketch of their order — as the order is so well known in St. Louis, and identified with religion and philanthropy — as given by an eminent divine of Balti- more : " The society known by the name of the Sisters of Charity, was founded in Paris about the year 1646, by St. Vincent of Paul. The intention of this illustrious benefactor of mankind in establishing this society was to procure relief to humanity in its most suffering stages. Accordingly, attendance on the sick in hospitals and infirmaries, visiting prisoners, the education of the poor, and the performance of every work of mercy, engage the attention and solicitude of the pious daughters of St. Vincent. This society is certainly one of the most useful that has ever been estab- lished, and has never failed to command universal admiration in the coun- tries in which it has been known. Even Voltaire, opposed as he was to every thing that bore the appearance of Christianity, could not withhold from it his measure of praise. 'Perhaps,' says he, in his Ussai sur U Hist. G^e« era/, 'there is nothing more sublime on earth, than the sacrifice of beauty, of youth, and frequently of high birth, which is made by a tender sex, to assuage, in our hospitals, the assemblage of every human misery, the very sight of which is so humiliating to our pride, and so shocking to our delicacy.' The order was soon spread through the different kingdoms of Europe. France, Germany, Poland, and the Netherlands, yet feel the AND HER COMMERCIAL METROPOLIS. 349 advantage of having the members of this community to attend their hos- pitals. *'In 1709, the sphere of usefulness of these truly pious ladies was ex- tended to the United States, through the means of Mrs. Seaton, of New York, a lady of distinguished birth and education, whose name is yet ven- erated by all who knew her, and whose memory will be blessed by children yet unborn, who will feel the beneficial influence of her disinterested piety and self devotion. "In Baltimore, her designs were encouraged by the Most Rev. Dr. Carroll, then archbishop of Baltimore. By bis directions, the original constitutions of St. Vincent were modified, so as to suit the manners and customs of our country. The modifications received his sanction, and Mrs. Seaton was exhorted to proceed. A few ladies joined her in her arduous and heroic undertaking, and she established her little community about fifty miles from Baltimore, in the Valley of St. Joseph, near the town of Emmettsburg, in Frederick county, Maryland. This is the prin- cipal establishment, and is called by them the mother house. Here they have an academy for the instruction of young ladies, on a very extensive plan. "The community is governed by a superior, called mother, an assist- ant mother, and two counsellors. The officers are elected every three years by a majority of votes. No one can hold the place of mother for more than two terms consecutively. The sisters make their engagements for one year only. At the end of this time they are at liberty to leave the society, if they think proper. Their vow of poverty is strict in the extreme. They receive no remuneration for their services; a small sum is paid to the community, barely sufficient for their apparel, and to provide for the contingency of sickness. "The Catholic orphan asylums and charity schools in most of the large cities in the United States have been placed under their direction. They have an establishment in Boston, one in Albany, two in New York, one in Brooklyn, three in Philadelphia, one in Wilmington, Delaware, one in Baltimore, two in Washington City, one in Alexandria, one in Frederick City, one in Cincinnati, one in St. Louis, and one in New Orleans. It is impossible to recount the good which is performed by them in these institutions, or to tell how many hundreds they have saved from igno- rance, and perhaps from infamy. In Baltimore, they have the charge of the infirmary which is connected with the medical college, and in St. Louis an hospital is placed under their care. It is in such haunts of suf- fering that their usefulness is more feelingly known. With what tender sympathy do they not receive the patient, who is to be the object of their future care! He meets with hearts which are melted at the recital of his sufferings; and the true compassion which he witnesses gives him the assurance that in them he will find affectionate mothers. With what unwearied patience do they not watch every accidental change in the disease! With what tender solicitude do they not give every relief! They are ingenious in inventions to save him from pain, and procure him the least momentary comfort. With soothing and" consoling words they revive his drooping spirits; with religious zeal they alleviate the agonies of death, and by seasonable exhortations, prepare his soul to appear before a sovereign Judge. These are the helps, spiritual and corporeal. 350 THE GREAT WEST which reHgion suggests to the feeling heart of a pious woman, and in which religion alone can give her the courage to persevere. " When the dreadful scourge which has depopulated our cities visited Philadelphia, tlie civil authorities of that city expressed a wish to have the assistance of the Sisters of Charity. The wish was made known to the community by the Right Rev. Dr. Kenrick, and by return of the mail thirteen of the heroines were landed in Philadelphia, ready to rush with joy to the assistance of those from whom the rest of the world seemed to fly with horror. The scene at the mother's house, when the request was made known, was related to me by an eye-witness, and is characteristic of the devotedness of this pious community. The council was assembled, a favorable determination immediately taken, and a selec- tion made of those who were to start. Joy beamed upon the counte- nances of those who were selected, and preparations were soon made, while those who remained behind, with sorrow upon their brow, looked with pious envy on those upon whom the happy lot had fallen. "In Baltimore the same request was made, and was met with equal heroism. It was here that was immolated the first victim of charity, in the person of sister Mary Frances, the daughter of the late Benedict Boarman, of Charles county, Maryland, once admired in the extensive circle in which she moved. On the morning of the day in which she died, she fainted from weakness occasioned by the premonitory symp- toms of cholera. "While preparing to take the remedies which had been prescribed for her, a patient, a colored woman, was brought into the hospital. The case seemed desperate, and to require immediate assistance ; and the heroic sister forgot herself to give relief to the patient. But her deli- cate frame was too weak, and the disease too strong, and in a few hours the cherished, accomplished, and pious Mary Frances, was a lifeless corpse. The death of this sister did not deter the others. There was no panic, no alarm, not even concern ; but with a devotedness which can scarcely be conceived or credited, her place was sought with emulation, and the catas- trophe only increased their courage. "The feelings with which the news of the immolation of this first vic- tim was received at the mother house, it would be diflScult to express ; she was loved, she was cherished as a sister, but could her fate be regret- ted ? They cannot be better pictured than in the words of the honorable mayor of the city of Baltimore, in the letter he wrote to the community on the occasion : ' To behold,' says he, ' life thus immolated in so sacred a cause, produces rather a sensation of awe than of sorrow ; a sentiment of resignation to the Almighty fiat, rather than a useless regret at the aflSicting event.' " The next victim was sister Mary George, the daughter of Jacob Smith, a wealthy farmer in Adams county, Pennsylvania. She dedicated herself at an early age. to the service of her neighbors, and was soon called to receive the crown which her devoted charity deserved. She died in Bal- timore, of the epidemic, in the nineteenth year of her age. " Several other members of this heroic band were attacked, either in the cholera hospitals or in the county and city alms-house, where the epi- demic was most fatal, but they have escaped death, only to be ready, at some future call, to administer relief and comfort to the suffering." AND HER COMMERCIAL METROPOLIS. 351 The Eagle powder mills were erected this year, by Major Phillips and Dr. Lane, in the southern part of the city, and their powder became justly celebrated. They were soon afterward blown to pieces by an accidental explosion. That the reader may form an estimate of the value of articles in St. Louis at this time, we will give the prices current of its market : ST. LOUIS WHOLESALE PRICES CURRENT. Molasses, gal. $0 35 a Nails— cut, lb. 06i a Oil — Sperm, gal. 65 a Linseed, .... gal. 1 00 a Tanners, .. . bbl. 18 00 a Pork— Mess, bbl. 11 00 a Prime,. .. bbl. 10 50 Ale and Porter,.. . bbl. $8 00 Bacon, Hams, lb. 03 a 09 Hog, round lb. 05^ a 06 Beans, bush. 75 Beef, bbl. 8 00 a 10 00 Beeswax, lb. 16i a 17 Butter, lb. 10 a 12 Castings, ton, gal. 1 35 a 70 00 Castor Oil, 1 37 Candles — Sperm, . lb. 40 a 42 Mould, . lb. 13 a 14 Dipt., . . lb. 11 a 12 Clover Seed, bush. 7 00 a 8 00 Coal, bush. 10 a 12 Coffee, [in demand] lb. 15i Cordage — White, . lb. 06 a 08 Manilla, lb. 20 a 22 Copperas, lb. 02 a 03 Cotton, lb. 11 a 12 Cotton Yarns, . . . !b. 25 a 27 Furs — Beaver, . . . lb. 3 50 Musk rat, . . skin. 20 a 25 Deer skins shaved, . lb. 20 a 22 Deer skins in Hair, . lb. 10 a 12 Raccoon, . . skin, 30 a 33 Feathers, lb. 37 a 40 Flour — superfine, Illinois,. bbl. 4 50 a 4 75 superfine, Ohio,.. . bbl. 4 25 a 4 50 Mackerel, bbl. 6 00 a 8 00 Glass— 10 bv 12,. box, 5 00 a 5 25 8 by 10,. box. 4 00 a 4 25 Grain — Wheat,. . . bush. 60 a 62 Corn, bush. 45 a 50 Gunpowder — Dupont's, keg, 7 00 Ky. & Dehvare, keg, 6 50 Hides — Dried, . . . lb. 11 a 12 Iron — Missouri & Juni - ata, ton 2,000 lbs. 120 00 Lard, lb. 06 Lead — Bar, lb. 06 Pig, lb. M a 4 62^ White, in oil, [in dMuaiid] keg. 2 75 Linen — Tow Vd. 13 a 14 Flax, .... yd. 20 a 22 25 05 09 15 Potatoes, bush. Rice, lb. Sugar, lb. do Loaf, lb. do Havana, white,... lb. 12 a Salt— Liv.blown.[sc.]bu.of501bs85 a Ground, do 70 a Turks Island,. . . do 62 a Kanawha, do Shot, bas. Cogniac Brandy, gal. gal. gal. gal. American do . Peach do . Holland Gin, . Common do.... gal. N. 0. Rum, gal. Jamaica do gal. Whisky — common gal. Rye,. . . gal. Tallow, lb. Tar, bbl. Tea- Gunpowder, . . . lb. Imperial, lb. Young Hyson, . lb. Vinegar, bbl. Wine — Madeira, gal. Tenerifte, gal. S. Madeira,.. . . gal. Port. gal. Malaga, gal. Champagne,... . doz. Claret, doz. 45 1 50 1 25 75 1 25 50 50 1 10 28 40 08 4 50 1 25 1 20 1 00 4 00 3 00 1 00 1 50 2 00 70 14 00 4 00 $0 37 07 70 1 12 20 00 12 00 11 00 37 06 10 17 13 90 75 65 50 1 62 1 75 1 00 1 25 1 50 60 55 1 15 30 45 09 5 GO 1 33 1 30 1 06 5 00 4 00 1 25 1 75 2 50 75 18 00 4 50 PROVISION MARKET. Beef, lb. $0 05 Veal, lb. 08 Mutton, lb. 06 Butter lb. 12^ Eggs, doz, 18i Ciiickens, (full grown,) 25 do young, 12^ 352 THE GKEAT WEST In 1834-37, St. Louis continued rapidly to increase. Its prosperity was a solid prosperity, not a pampered state of things brouglit about by the inflated tendencies of a plethoric paper currency, but a hoaltliv in- crease of all departments of business springing from natural and salutary causes. There was scarcely any paper money afloat, the currency being in gold and silver, as there was no bank in the city and state. A hard currency was always a hobby with Colonel Benton, who had been United States senator since Missouri was made a state in 1820. After the disgraceful failures of the Bank of St. Louis and Bank of Mis- souri, and the short and equally degraded existence of the Loan-Office, the people for some years were content to be without any banking insti- tutions, which appeared to keep the financial currents in a state of con- tinual agitation. The establishment of the branch bank of the United States, which during its existence was managed with judgment and con- ducted honorably, gave them a better opinion of banking; and after the winding up of that institution, there was a desire manifested by the business part of the community to create a moneyed institution to supply its place. Application was made at sundry times during the sessions of the legislature in 1835-36, without success; and as a last resort, banks of other states were invited to establish branch banks in the city, so that money might become more plentiful by having a fountain which would flood the country with a paper currency. In March, 1835, the legislature passed an act allowing the city authori- ties to make sale of the " Commons," if it were the wish of the inhabi- tants who were property holders in the town as it was bounded in 1812. At this time the city was much in want of a sufficient fund for muni- cipal improvement ; for its inducements for business had caused dwell- ings to multiply, and also new streets to be opened, before the funds of the city were sufficient to grade them. The inhabitants quickly consent- ed to the sale, and one-tenth of the proceeds was devoted to the support of public schools. Just at this time the immigration to St. Louis was immense, and the city realized more from the sale of the "Commons" than the most san- guine expectations had hoped for. One single fact will convey to the reader an idea of the increasing commerce of the city, when we state that on the night of the 11th November, 1835, there were eight steamboats which arrived at the wharf. The following extract from the steamboat register will furnish some idea of the trade of the city in some of its material departments : No. of different boats 121 Aggregate tonnage 15,470 No. of entries 803 Wiiarfage collected from do $4,573 60 "Wood and lumber liable to wharfage — Plank, joists, and scantling 1,414,330 feet Shingles ' 148,000 Cedar posts (8's) 7,706 Cords firewood 8,066 A writer in one of the popular journals of the day thus speaks of the increasing business of the city : " We cannot refrain from drawing the attention of the reader to the AND HEK COMMERCIAL METROPOLIS. 353 number of arrivals of steamboats during the past year, which show an in- crease on the former, as does the amount of revenue secured, which is commensurate with the activity and enterprise of our citizens. Every successive year, for the last ten, has shown a like increase. In referring to the statement furnished for 1831, we find that in that year sixty dif- ferent boats arrived in our harbor, and the number of entries was 532 ; the aggregate amount of tonnage, 7,769 tons, and the amount of revenue accruing from the same, was $2,167,45. Thus it will be seen, that in this comparatively short period, our commerce has more than doubled. Our advancement has not been stimulated by a feverish excitement, nor can it be said to have increased in the same ratio as many other places, but it has been firm and steady, and nothing is permanent which is not gradual. The prosperity of our city is laid deep and broad. Much as we repudiate the lavish praises which teem from the press, and little as we have heretofore said, we cannot suffer this occasion to pass, without a few remarks on the chaniies which are going on around us. Whether we turn to the right or to the left, we see workmen busy in laying the foundation, or finishing some costly edifice. The dilapidated and antique structure of the original settler, ,is fast giving way to the spacious and lofty blocks of bricks, or stone. But comparatively a few years ago — even within the remembrance of our young men — our town was con- fined to one or two streets, running parallel with the river — the ' half- moon ' fortifications ; the bastion, the tower, the rampart — were then known as the utmost limits. What was then termed the ' hill,' now forming the most beautiful part of the town — covered with elegant man- sions — but a few years ago was overrun with shrubbery. A tract of land was purchased by a gentleman now living, as we have understood, for two barrels of whiskey, which is now worth Jialf a million of dollars. Here and there we meet a few of the early pioneers, men who, like those who possessed the land before them, are fast fading away, and their places are taken by another generation. But we cannot do justice to those ' who have gone before us.' Prolific as the subject is, our object is to speak of the present. No one who consults the map, can fail to perceive the foresight which induced the selection of the site on which this city is founded. She already commands the trade of a larger section of ter- ritory, with a few exceptions, than any other city in the union. With a steamboat navigation more than equal to the whole Atlantic sea-board — with internal improvements, projected and in progress — with thousands of emigrants spreading their habitations over the fertile plains which everywhere meet the eye — who can deny that we are fast verging to the time, when it will be admitted that this city is the ' Lion of the West.'* We do not speak from any sectional bias, nor would we knowingly de- ceive any, but we firmly believe that any one who will candidly weigh the advantages we possess, will admit that our deductions are correct. We have no desire to see our citizens making improvements beyond the means they possess. As we have before remarked, nothing is permanent which is not gradual. We take pleasure in bearing testimony to the * Newspaper writers then, as now, were not very particular about the proper ap- plication of metaphors, and in their bluriderinp; hurry would frequently invest the female with the terrible attributes of the rougher gender. 354 THE GREAT WEST prudence and foresij^ht which have characterized our citizens. Thev have avoided, in a commendable manner, the mania which has too fatally pre- vailed in many places. It has a deleterious influence on the ultimate success of a community. "The improvements which are contemplated in the spring, will liave a decided effect on the appearance of the city. Many of the buildings will be of a superior order of architecture. Among the latter will be a theatre, a church, and hotel. " We fear that the scarcity of competent workmen will deter many of the improvements contemplated, from being completed. "Intimately connected with the prosperity of the city, is the fate of the petition pending in Congress, for the removal of the sand-bar now forming in front of our steamboat landing. It is a source of no incon- siderable importance to every one, and connected as it is with the com- merce of the western section of the valley of the Mississippi, we cannot but hope that Congress will give a speedy ear to the petition, and grant an appropriation which will eftectually remove this growing obstacle. There can be but one opinion in regard to its justice. Relying, as we do, on the good faith of the government, we cannot harbor the idea that we shall be defeated." Amid the heterogeneous population Avhich flocked to the city at this time, were many gamblers and persons of suspicious character, who followed their nefarious operations and took every opportunity to prey upon the unwary. The whole of the southern country appeared to have swarmed with persons of this description, to the great injury of society and the prosperity of business. Without the canopy of attempted con- cealment, they pursued their unlawful business and scoff'ed at interference, until the citizens of Vicksburgh, at a public meeting of the most respect- able citizens, declared that every f/cimblcr should leave the city in twenty- four hours. The gamblers laughed at this edict, which they thought was only a pretended demonstration and would not l)e enforced ; and if at- tempted to be enforced, they thought their numbers and their known desperate character could off"er sufficient protection. They disobeved the commands of the citizens, which had been duly served upon them, and when they found that the resolutions of the meeting were being enforced, they armed themselves, and killed a young physician of promise and pop- ularity. This murder turned hatred into vengeance ; and having seized upon all who had not escaped, the citizens resolved upon a speedy retrib- utive punishment. The gamblers were bound and taken to (he outskirts of the city, and, without shrift or trial, summarily executed upon the gallows. This act of the citizens of Vicksburgh arising from extremity, and which can only be palliated upon that ground and never justified, re- ceived the cordial endorsement of many cities* in the Union. Public meetings were held in Cincinnati, Louisville, Charlestown, and other towns, approving of the mode, and counselling similar measures. The law was not sufficient to arrest this evil ; and when the people of Vicks- burgh, in attempting to get themselves rid of it by high-handed measures, lost one of their number by the hands of the gamblers, and then hung them sine jure, sine gratia, the people of the Union sustained them. The citizens of St. Louis determined to rid themselves of the gamblers, idlers, and loafers who corrupted the morals and manners of society, AND HER COMMERCIAL METROPOLIS. 355 destroyed many a fair fame, blighted youthful hopes, and, like malarious exhalations, infected every thing within their influence. John F. Darby was mayor of the city ; and immediately an ordinance was passed for trying those persons suspected of having no honorable means of obtaining a livelihood, and subjecting them to punishment. A man being at the head of municipal affairs, whom it was well-known would execute laws with the same spirit with which they were created, struck terror into the gambling fraternity, and all others who lived by preying upon society ; and when the law was at once put into action, and several well-known cluiracters were brought before the mayor's tri- bunal and sentenced to imprisonment, there was a general exodus of the bad class of individuals, and the city comparatively freed from their presence.* St. Louis, so bountifully favored by nature in location, was materially assisted in its advance by the enterprise of its inhabitants. Most of the immigrants who had swelled her population were men of intelligence, ambition, and business qualifications, who were prompt to adopt any measure^ which could benefit the city and its inhabitants. A great na- tional road was building across the Union, which would pass through the principal cities of the Western states; and in 1835, a meeting of the citizens of St. Louis was called, in pursuance of a proclamation by John F. Darby, the mayor, for the purpose of memorializing Congress to let the road cross the Mississippi at St. Louis, in its extension to Jefferson City. The mayor presided at the meeting, and George K. Mc(iunnegle acted as secretary. A committee was appointed to draft the memorial, and much interest was felt in the great national road. There was a sand-bar, wliich had collected in front of the city, and straightway the inhabitants instructed their representatives in Congress to make an appropriation for its removal. The sum appropriated was fifteen thousand dollars at that time, which was afterward much increased, to improve the harbor. The railroad mania had commenced to seize upon some of the old states which bordered the Atlantic, and the journals of the whole country were teeming with the advantages which a successful trial of the new systen of improvement had indicated in the sections of the country where it was carried into efiicct. The citizens of St. Louis immediately caught the enterprising contagion, and they determined that their own exertions should not be wanting. An Internal Lnprovemcnt Convention was called in St. Louis, which the different counties of the state interested in the movement were invited to attend. The call was promptly attended to, and on the 20th of April, 18-35, the convention met at the court-house, and was organized by calling Dr. Samuel Merry to the chair, and appoint- ing G. K. McGunnegle secretary. The names of the gentlemen represent- ing their respective counties who were present were as follows : From St. Louis County — Edward Tracy, Major J. B. Brant, Colonel John O'Fallon, Dr. Sam\iol Merry, Arcliibald Gamble, M. L. Clark, Colonel Joseph C. Laveille, Thornton Grimsley, H. S. Geyer, Colonel Henry Walton, Lewellyn Brown, Henry Vou Phul, George II. McGunnegle, Colonel B. W. Ayres, Pierre Chouteau, jr., and Hamiltou R. Gamble. ■ Mr. Darby was elected mayor in the spring of this year (1835.) 356 THE GREAT WEST From Lincoln County — Colonel David Bailej', Hans Smith, Emanuel Block, Benjamin W. Dudley, and Dr. Bailey. From Washinriton County — Dr. J. H. Relf, Philip Cole, John S. Brickey, Jesse H. Mcllvaine, Myers IT. Jones, James Evans, and W. C. Reed. From Coopar County — Benjamin E. Ferry, N. W. Mack, and William H. Trifjj:. From Warren County — Carty Wells, Natlianiel Pendleton, and Irvine S. Pitman. From St. Charles County — Edward Bales, Moses Bigelovv, William M. Campbell, and W. L. Overall. From Calloioay County — William H. McCullough, William H. Russell, D. R. Mullen, Dr. N. Konns, C. Oxley, Jacob G. Lebo, R. B. Overton, and Moxley. Fom Montgoniery County — Dr. M. M. Maughas, S. C Rub}', arid Nathaniel Dryden. From Boone. County — Dr. James W. Mos.s, John B. Gordon, J. W. Keiser, D. M. Hick- man, J. S. Rollins, William Hunter, R. W. Morri.ss, and Granville Branham. From Hoivard County — Dr. John Bull, Major Alphonso Wetmore, Weston F. Birch, Joseph Davis, General J. B. Clark, T. Y. Stearns, and John Wilson. From Jefferson County. — James S. McCutchen. It was particularly urged at that mcetiug that two railroads should especially be considered and recommended to the legislature — one from St. Louis to Fayette, and the other from St. Louis to the iron and lead mines in the southern part of the state. It is foreign to the limits of this history to enter into any detailed account of the proceedings of the convention; we will only remark that the important object of the meeting was duly estimated, and the germ commenced to vegetate, which has been the prolific source of the numerous railroads which, like a network, are encompassing the whole state, and developing its resources. After their deliberations and labors in conclave, the convention, so as to give a zest to social feeling, met at the National Hotel, which was situated on the corner of Third and Market streets, where a truly epi- curean dinner was prepai-ed for the festive occasion. John F. Darby, the mayor, presided, assistecl by the vice-presidents, General John Ruland, Honorable H. O'Neil, Thomas Cohen, Major William Milburn, Beverly Allen, Colonel J. W. Johnson, W. G. Tettus, and by the secretary, Charles Keemle. To support and further the enterprising objects of the convention, the County Court appropriated two thousand dollars to assist in liquidating the expenses connected with the survey of the two railroads specially recommended by the convention. Immediately following the convention, the citizens of St. Louis were horrified by a dreadful murder perpetrated in their midst. A mulatto by the name of Mcintosh, for interfering with ofiicers in discharge of their duty, was arrested. He was being conducted to prison by George Ham- mond, deputy sheriff of the county, and William Mull, deputy con.stable. Suddenly breaking the hold of the officers, the negro drew a long knife, one of those formidable weapons frequently carried by sailors, to make an assault, or defend themselves in case of attack when on shore. He made a pass at Mull, but the officer, by a celerity of moment, avoided it. The next thrust was better aimed, and penetrated the left side, in- flicting a terrible wound, Hammond, the deputy sheriff, during the attack upon Mull, grasped the negro by the back of the neck, biit the latter, being an active, powerful fellow, wheeled suddenly round, aiming at the time his knife at the throat of the ofticer. It was a death-blow, severing all the large arteries, and, staggering a few paces, the worthy officer expired. The miscreant fled, but not to escape ; for Mull, though AND HEK COMMERCIAL METROPOLIS. 357 bleeding profusely, followed him, and citizens joining in the pursuit, he ■was soon arrested, and conducted to prison. The news of the atrocious murder was soon bruited through the city, and the crowd numbering in a short time a thousand persons, gathered around the dead body of the officer, wJio was universally loved and respected. Soon the wife of the murdered man, accompanied by her children, came upon the spot, and the desolation of their anguish at the sight of the husband and father weltering in his blood, excited the sympathy of the crowd, and moved them to take summary vengeance upon the murderer. The exclamations of pity soon became changed ijnto expressions of rage and fury. The cry of "Hang him! hang him!" sounded from the lips of the mnltitude, which soon changed, as they rushed to the jail, into the dreadful sentence of " Burn him ! burn Mm /" The final decree was carried into execution. The negro was dragged from the jail, carried to the suburbs of the town, and was soon bound to a scrubby tree, which was quickly surrounded with a pile of resinous dried wood. The torch was soon applied, and, amid the most piercing cries and contortions of the body as the flames licked his quiverino* flesh, the victim terribly expiated his crime,* The proceeding was an unlawful one on the part of the people; but it was one of those occasions which has frequently arisen from some extreme enormity, driving the popular mind beyond the bounds of reason, and though always tolerated can never be defended, even by the wide license of that popular doctrine " vox 2}opuli, vox Dei" The year 1836 was prolific of events in St. Louis. A new hotel was completed, a new church was erected, a city directory was published by Charles Keemle, and the first corner-stone of the St. Louis Theatre was laid on the afternoon of May 24tli on the corner of Third and Olive streets, and on the site now occupied by the custom-house, and when it was completed and the scenery all arranged for dramatic performances, there was quite a furore among all classes of people to see the first per- formance on its boards.f In August an exciting election took place in the city. It was an election for governor, and the candidates for executive office of Missouri were General AVilliam H. Ashley and Silburn W. Boggs. The last named gentleman, who belonged to the Jackson party, was elected, and James Brotherton was elected sheriff'. The Central Fire Company of the City of St. Louis was also incorporated near the close of the year. * Tlie place where tlie neg:ro was burned is what is now known as Tenth and Market streets. It was then a common of gutters. \ The theatre was called the St. Louis Theatre, and was finely finished in all its details. It was reared at a cost of $60,000, and built after a design by L. M. Clarke. The lot on which it stood, 60 feet front and 160 deep, was purchased in 1837 for the trifling sum of $3,000. This price was tlien considered enormous. It was reared through the exertions of N. M. Ludlow, E. H. Beebe, H. S. Cox, Jos. E. Laveille, C. Keemle, and L. M. Clarke. These gentlemen used the most untiring exertions to get the requisite amount of stock taken for its erection. The expense of keeping such a theatre in a style corresponding to its first debut, proved too much for the limited number of inhabitants at that time, and directly the novelty wore off for want of proper support, drew out a languishing existence until pur- chased by the government. It was rather in advance of the ability and taste of the city. 358 THE GREAT WEST CHAPTER VI. St. Louis in 1837. — Act to incorporate tbe Bank of the State of Missouri. — Its com- jpissioners. — Its first directors. — The Bar vs. the Bench. — Daniel Webster and family- visit St. Louis. — Their reception.— Speech of Webster. — The great financial crisis of iSoT. — Suspen.sion of the Bank of the State of Mi.s.souri. — Ruin of bu.sincss. — Death of David Barton. — ilurder of Thomas M. Dougherty. — Whig Vigilance Com- mittee. — Death of General William Clark. — Kemper College built. — Meeting of the principal mechanics. — Establishment of a Criminal Court. — Building of Christ Church. — Incorporation of the St. Louis Hotel Company, who built the Planters' Hou.se. — Morus Multiraulis fever. — Missouri Silk Company incorporated. — Extent of St. Louis. — Incorporation of a Gas-Light Company. — Boundary question between Missouri and Iowa. — Difficulty with Illinois concerning removal of a sand bar. — Laying corner- stone of an addition to Court-house.— r Bank of the State of Missouri throws out all the notes of the bank not paying specie. — Distress in business. — Corner-stone of St. Louis College laid. — Proprietor of the Argus beaten — Die.s. — Trial of William P. Darues. — .\umber of insurance offices in St. Louis. — Murder, fire, and ar.'son. — The discovery of the murderers, their trial, and conviction. — Their attempt to escape. — Their execution. — Synopsis of the business statistics of St. Louis. 1837. — This year commenced propitiously for St. Louis. Most of the irierchants had long wished for a bank in the city, and for several years had been trying to effect that object, which was steadily opposed by many, wlio dreaded the groat influx of paper money which is incidental to bank creation, and which, under impi'oper ancnjamin Young, of Calloway county, thirteenth district. This yeai also Lucas Market and the City Hospital were commenced. 1846. — We have before alluded to the formation of a mercantile library which first took place when St. Louis was but a good-sized village. For some years it existed, such as it was, consisting of a few hundred books of a miscellaneous character, contributed by the citizens, and but few of them of any intrinsic value. The little town had not physically expanded suiScieiitly for mental growth, and in a few years the library died for want of public spirit to sustain it. Some years afterward it was again resus- citated, and an effort was made by some worthy and enterprising citizens to give it a permanent existence. Liberal donations in funds and books were given to it, and it promised for a time to answer the sanguine wishes of its friends ; but the financial storm which swept over the whole Union in 1837 totally ruined the business of many of those who had nurtuix'd it in prosperity, and, deprived of their succor, it became so involved in pecuniary embarrassments, that the books were levied upon by legal process, and would have been sold, had not some noble and generous spirits satisfied the demands against it. The library then ceased to exist, and the books were piled away until, under more fortunate stars, it might again start into existence. For many years the necessity of a library where particularly the young of both sexes could resort to read, or could find books sufficient to satisfy the cravings of inquiring minds, became manifest. The little town had now advanced to a great city, and commenced to teem with all the indi- cations of wealth and prosperity. Hundreds of boats discharging or re- ceiving freights upon the levee showed the extent of the commerce; colossal buildings were everywhere being erected, overtopping far the older residences, and in every feature there was increasing taste and luxury ; schools had become established throughout the city, and a taste for mental culture had become predominant. The want of a public library was then felt to such a degree that measures were resolved to be taken by some of the leading citizens to supply it. The citizens who took an active and leading part in the creation of the Mercantile Library, which is now one of the boasted institutions of our city, should have their name recorded in the history of St. Louis for as- sisting in so laudable a project. The following-named gentlemen appear to have been most efficient in bringing about an organization to accom- plish the resuscitation of the Mercantile Library : — Messrs. Peter Powell, R. P. Perry, J. S. McCune, Wayman Crow, A. J3. Chambers, J. E. Yeat- man, Luther M. Kennett, John C. Tevis, George K. Budd, James H. Lucas, R. K. Woods, F. H. Morgan, Edward Walsh, John Simonds, William M. Morrison, Morris Collins, John Leach, Taylor Blow, W. H. Belcher, Roberth Barth, John A. Dougherty, Alfred Chadwick, Walter Carr, Alexander Peterson, E. Y. Wall^ W. L. Kidd, S. A. Ranlett, N. Valle, Junius Hall, John Carson, A. Peterson, J. S. Thomas, I. W. Clark, A. Ricketson, J. F. Franklin, and Henry D. Bacon. From the number of these gentlemen, the board of officers and directors were chosen, which was as follows : — James E. Yeatman, president ; L. M. Kennett, vice- president ; S. A. Ranlett, corresponding secretary ; John A. Dougherty, recording secretary ; R. K. Woods, treasurer. Directors — Robert Barth, 390 THE GREAT WEST William M. Morrison, John C. Tcvis, Petor Powell, J. F. Franklin, G. K. Budd, and A. Peterson. Whoever has walked in the vicinity of Tenth and Biddle streets may have observed a monument in an open space, on which is this simple in- scription : " Pray for the souls of Thomas and Ann Biddle." Some little items connected with this monument will be of interest to the reader, and are intimately blended with some important features of our history. On the loth of January, 1846, it became rumored in tiie city that Mrs. Aun Biddle was dead. Her great wealth, her high social position, and, withal, lier well-known charities and benevolence, had made her name familiar with all classes of society, and her death served to create inquiry and remark. She was the daughter of John MuUanphy, of immense wealth, at whose instigation the Sisters of Charity, four in number, first visited St. Louis, lie purchased the land on which is situated the Con- vent of the Sacred Heart, and established and endowed the male depart- ment of the MuUanphy Orphan Asylum. She was also the consort of Major Thomas Biddle, whose untimely and unfortunate death in a duel we have before alluded to. Mrs. Biddle, after the death of her husband, established the Female Orphan Asylum, and even gave up her fine residence on Broadway as an occupancy, and entirely supported it during the two years previous to her demise. Her charities did not cease at her dissolution; for in her will she left an appropriation for a widows' asylum, and to her testamentary munifi- cence are the city of St. Louis and humanity indebted for the Biddle Infant Asylum and Asylum of Indigent Widows and Lying-in Hospital. Not vet is the catalogue of this noble-minded Christian exhausted. She left to St. Louis the ground on which Biddle Market stands, for the purpose of a market; and lier charitable donations in every-day life it would be impossi- ble to enumerate. We have now to revert to tlie monument, with its meek and solemn invocation, which served as an introduction to the honorable name of Mrs. Ann Biddle. She left the piece of land on which the moiiument stands as a burial-place for herself and husband, and bequeathed eight thousand dollars to enclose it, build a vault, and to erect a monument. The meek inscription it bears is evidence of her conception of celestial purity ; for though her life had been spent in the practice of tliose holy precepts inculcated by religion and virtue, she felt that sin and stain were insepa- rable from earthly existence, and the soul once linked to corporal life must be cleansed by some propitiation before it is fitted for the skies. The charitable institutions she has founded will make her name more imperish- able than the marble mausoleum on which her name is inscribed. On one side of the plat of ground on which the vault is built is the Orphan Asylum ; on the other, the Lying-in Asyhnn. The harbor of St. Louis had always been a source of uneasiness and annoyance to the inhabitants. The currents of the Mississippi, in their eddying and wayward motion, continually changed the channel of the river, and as fast as obstructions were removed at one point they would form in another location, and seriously impede navigation. As has been before observed, both the city and general government had contributed to render it adequate to the wants of the growing city, and thousands of dollars had been spent upon it, apparently all in vain; for in this year a AND HER COMMERCIAL METROPOLIS. 391 sand-bar formed in the river directly in front of the landing, extending from Duncan's Island up to Cherry street. The island was no longer a proper name, for the slongh in many places had become partially filled up, and persons could pass over to the main part of the island without water interference. Along the levee, south of Oak street, navigation was en- tirely suspended, and the accumulation of sand was gradually forming toward the north. The inhabitants became much alarmed, and the ne- cessities of urgent measures became so apparent that Congress and the city fathers at once contributed liberally toward clearing the harbor, and it was done in years afterward in so efficient a manner that it was of final benefit. The commerce of St. Louis, at this time, had reached an extent truly surprising, and not only involved the welfare of St. Louis, but that of the most fertile localities on the Missouri, Illinois, and Mississippi rivers, of which the great "Metropolis of the West" had become the market. Hence, directly it became apparent that the obstructions of the harbor presented truly a serious aspect, pecuniary relief was at once offered. In 1845, there were two thousand and fifty steamboats in the harbor of St. Louis, with an aggregate tonnage of three hundred and fifty-eight thou- sand and forty-five tons; and the number of keel and flatboats was three hundred and forty-six. This year Peter G. Camden was elected mayor, succeeding Bernard Pratte, who had proved a most efficient municipal executive. The news which reached St. Louis of war actually existing between the United States and Mexico created the wildest excitement, mingled at one time with the greatest solicitude, when it was rumored that General Tay- lor, witli his handful of troops, was surrounded by an overpowering force of the enemy. Immediately the martial and patriotic spirit of the inhab- itants evinced itself, and companies were organized almost at a moment's warning. The St. Louis Legion, which had long been one of the most popular military organizations in the city, began immediately to prepare for the regions west of the Rio Grande. They had their camp at a little distance from the city, and military tactics and discipline were at once commenced Some of the volunteers not being properly prepared for the campaign, Judge Bryan Mullanphy made an effort to get five thousand dollars from the State Bank of Missouri, on his individual note for four months, pledging valuable stocks as security; but the length of time, and the manner of his oftered negotiation with the bank, proved an objection, and his patriotic efforts were fruitless. However, the citizens of St. Louis determined that the volunteers in the service of their country should not leave for a foreign land without their proper supplies, and at a meeting to take into consideration the subject, a subscription was started, and nearly six thousand dollars were subscribed on the spot. Colonel J. B. Brant started the subscription with one thousand dollars. The following- named gentlemen contributed also most liberally : J. & E. Walsh, J. H. Lucas, B. Mullanphy, Robert Campbell, E. A. Filley, J. B. Sarpy, Alfred Vinton, William Milburn, K. Mackenzie, James Glasgow, Benjamin Stick- ney, A. Meier jcn, Isaac H. Sturgeon, Calvin Case. Comity — John K. "Walker, James H. Castello, George M. Moore, Frederick Hyatt, William F. Berry, Henry Walton, James Sutton, James McDonald, Hamilton R. Gamble, Alton Long, Judge Higgins, Henry McCuUough, John B. Bogert, Peregrine Tippett. Zciio Mackey, John Sappington, Peter 1). Barada, "William Milburn, H. M. Shruvo, G. W. Goode, Dr. A. Front, H\)gli Garland, William M. McFlier.son, Miron Leslie, John Barnes, L. A. Lebaume, R. S. Klliott, Dr. Penn, F. M. ilaiglit, iM. Blair, L. M. Kennett, Thomas Allen, Thomas B. Hudson, M. Tarver, Henry Kayser, A. B. Ciiam- bers, R. Phillips, John 0' Fallon, l<:dward Wal.-h, John F. Darby, J. M. Field, G. K. Budd, N. K. Cormany, John Loughborough, Charles G. Bamsej-, John B. Meyer, John Withnell, George L. Lackland, 'J'. T. (jantt, Tiiomas D. Yeats, Samuel Gaty, 0. D. Filley, A. Ohlliausen, "V^. Staley, James G. Barry. at. GtnevHwc — Lewis V. Bogy, Auguste St. Gemme, Felix St. Gcmme, F. Valle, Gustave St. James. PENNSYLVANIA. William .J. Totten, N. B. Craig, George Darsie, George Ogden, J. K. Mooiiiead, T. W. Roberts, Charles Naylor, T. J. Bigham, G. K. Warren, James May, D. Wiimarth, James Wood, W. M. Lyon, W. M. Temple, W. McCaudless, R. H. Kerr, William Phillips, J. H. Reed. NEW YORK. Hon. Amherst K. Williams, of St. Lawrence county. Henry Stoddard, S. Forrer, J. C. Lowe, H. Van Tuyl, John W. Van Cleeye, D. W. Deshler", W. Whiteley, J. H. Sulliyan. Hon. A. T. Ellis, Samuel Kmison, R. G. McClure, H. D. Wheeler, A. Simpson, W. Simpson, A. B. McKee, W. G. Foulks, Abram Smith. Pierre Pichardyille, John Kmison, Samuel Wise, Charles C. Smith, L. L. Boyer, William Miller, \\illiam Patterson, Wn). T. Scott, L. L. Watson, Ben. P. Wheeler, James T. Alexander, and W. R. McCord, of Knox county. Vigo County — Hon. R. W. Thompson, James T. MoOatt, T. J. Bourne, Charles Wood, W. N. Hamilton, W. B. Warren, W. W. Williams, Jacob H. Hagar, Charles Crult, W. K. Kd wards. Dearborn County — Servetus Tufts. Marion County — Hon. Oliyer H. Smith. Tijppecanoe County — Hon. Albert S. White. Sullivan County — John H. O'Boyle. Franklin County — Rufus Raymund. Greene County — R. H. Rousseau. KENTUCKY. Paducah — L. M. Floumoy, Capt. J.F.Harris. Henderson County — Henry J. Kastin. Louisville — T. P. ShalVner, T. C. McClure. Jersey City — G. Hulmo. Scott County — B. Duke, Capt. J. Harper. Frankfort — A. S. Mitchell. Cook County— S. A. Douglas.s, P. Maxwell, Thomas A. Stewart, H. A. Clark, S. A. Lowe, Thomas Hoyne, James Pollock, M. Wright, William M. Hall, John R. Livings- ton, Governor Wells, Dr. Kagan, Mr. Doyle. Handulplt — J. P. Ovvings, D. Kelly, Jacob Feaman, S. S. Frain, Dr J. S. Curie, R. E. Morrison, G. Morri.son. Morgan — J Gordon, W. Dean. Schuyler — G. Terry. Scott County — C. C. Perry, E. Bogardus. Thomas Hollowbush, James Williams. Morgan County — Judge Dalton, Rev. F. Stevenson, W. Stevenson, W. N. Ross, D. Hue}-, John W. Kvans. Will County — W. E. Little, R. S. Higgins. AND IIKR COMMERCIAL METROPOLIS. 417 Chirk Countij — J. K. Greenough, Stephen Archer, A. Sliaw, William Montgonieiy, H. P. H. Browtiell James Welsh. Pike County — J. S. Roberts, J. M. Parker, W. Rosa, B. F. Spencer, J. .1. C*,)llard, P. N. 0. Thoiiipson, C. D. Higbee, R. E. Hicks, Alexis Mudd, D. B. Bush, John Shasted, A. Starrow, K. D. Whitnej', G. 0. Bush}', F. Jennings, Mont Blair, Thomas Digby, J. Klein, jr., M. Kdvvards, John Shyster, Henry T. Mudd, John Tooloy, M. Ross. liiclihirid County — John Allen, F. Biuce, A. H. Baird, G. F. Powers, Henry Barney, Samuel St. John, H Barney, J. ToUiver, J. M. Rank, Mclntyre Ryan, C. Chihb, II. L. Carson, J. May, Perry Heaston, John 1-tiint, N. U. Jay, A. 6. Bmford, M C. McClain, Andrew Lowry, James Starr. Albert Burdon, G. Hurlsell, John Bruer, J. Mooro. Fulton County — R. R. McDowell, A. (J. Thompson, J. L. Sharpe, J. Kuykendall, Thomas Majiles, S. H. Pilkin, J. G. Davidson, Amos Smith, Lyman Moore, Frank Foster, F. J. Porter, Tliomas Risicj', J. G. Davidson. Madison County — Hon. L. Trumbull, Hon. N. Pope, Hon. R. Smilh, Judge Bailliache, M. G. Atwood, J. E. Starr, B. F. Snyder, Dr. L. S. Metcalf, J. C. Keteham, Charles Skillman, Dr. B. K. Hart, S. Y. McMasters, T. M. Hope, C. Stiggleman, E. Keating, C. W. Hunter. S. A. Buckmaster, J. R. Thomas, O. M. Adams, E. L. Dimmock, D. A. Spaulding, L Kellenbergcr, .James Semple, B. F. Lotig, A. Breatli, H. W. AVood, C. A. Murray, H. Wood, R. Fergu.i^on, John Ash, L. B. Parson, James Sline, William Martin, H. B. Bowman, George T. Brown, S. F. Choat, H. W. Billings, J. L. Pierce, J. W. Schweppe, 0. Brown, N. Johnson, Dr. C. Smith, T. P. Woodridge, AV. T. Miller, 11. Flagg, I. Scarritt, C. E. Blood, Chailes Trumbull, L. Wosonor, II. P. Hulbert, F. t! id- dings, Joim Quigiey, A. Tufl'ts, S. B. Caals, P. Tuft'ts, J. G. Lamb, J. J. Mitchell, S. Wise, H. L. Baker," A. S. Barney, S. Wait, John AUi.son, N. D. Sweeney, Dr. G. T. Allen, A. Jvidd, C. BJakeman, J. Sjjjes, A. L. Saimders, J.Wilson, B. C. Stanton, ,T. W^. Coventry, J. Tliornbuigh, D. Morrell, S. Carlton, J. \V. Jeffries, R. Parker, J. Wilson, J. Ferguson, S. H. Mudgc, William McKean, A. (i. Ncal, W. B. Graham, N. Eno.s, H. Reimacks, L. B. Cornian. F. M. Lytle, George Churchill, John Bradey, John Wood, J S. Dewej', J. R. Swain, Thomas Judy, J. A. Barnsback, Thomas Smith, James Biown, W. Jarvis, M. Jilton, J. Taylor, W. F. Provincs, J. C. Edwards, A. C. Rondaiett, J. Padon, Dr. J. (Jatcs, J. K. McMaiion, W. H. Smiley, Joseph Shader. Alton, Madison County — C. H. Fox, L. J. Clawson, E. D. Topping. Pike County — William P. Harpole, Alexis Mudd, John S. Ball. Monroe Countij — J. B. Needles, W. C. Starkie, E. Omelvany, Thomas Quick, C. Crocker, H. Ilolcomb, J. Morrison, E. P. Rogers, J. A. Reid, T. Winstanly, T. Single- ton, A. Durfee, C. Henckler, T. Henckler, J. A. Gilley, Bradley Rust, Lewis James, J. A. Talbott, C. H. Priesker, George Trick, J. Saurs, H. Null, P. Wehrheim, Henry Lower, Henry Prusber. White County — William H. AVilson. St. Clair County — P. K. Fleming. J. Winstanly, D. Hopkins, E. Abend, William Snyder, Julius Wrii^lit, M. Phelps, W. Singleton, J. Knoble, Samuel Thrift, Benjaniiu J. Smith, W. Westield, G. M. Bowles, L. D. Cabana, C. Alexander, J. U. Hughes, George C. Hart. Clay County — Arthur McCanly. From the Stale at Lar(/e — J. P. Cooper, of Clarke ; J. McDonald, Fayette ; C. F. Keener, Scott; A. H. Grass, Lawrence; Z. Casej% JetVerson; R. Yate.n, Morgan; Vi. B. W^arren, do.; H. T. Pace, Jeil'er.son; W. B. Scate.s, do.; A. Eads, J. Davies. Marion County — LIriel Mills, J. S. Martin, G. W. Haynie, William < reen, G. W. Pace, T. B. Lester, 11. F. Hamlin, B. F. Marsliall, Thomas Easton, Emory Wooter. Pond County — Benjamin Johnson, N. Levertier, P. W. Lamkin, W. Watkins, G. Stevenson, William S. Wait, A. Berrie, J. M. Gilmore. John Leverton, F. Ricliey, J. Gilmore, A. Bowman, James McGehe}', Isaac Roark, Lemuel I'lant. McPonouyh County — H. Agers, J. I*;. Jackson, A N. Ford. Jersey County — W. Casey, II. 0. Goodrich, J. Duncan, Z. H. Adams, C. A. Knapp, Dr. Veitch, R. V. Baugh, Dr. J. 0. Hamilton. Cass County— U. E. Dannner, R. S. Thomas, E. R. Saunders, W. A. Turpin. Lafayette County — A. Dikeman, William C. Greenup, E. Griffith, N. M. McCurdy, H. C Waterman, R. A. Phillip.s. Lawrence County— V,. T. Ryan, S. H. Clubb, H. Seed, T. J. McDonell, E. D. Em- mons, J. Thompson, C. H. Naff, C. Durkce, N. M. Keesemar, T. Spencer, E. C. Banks, N. Norton, A. J. AVaruer, AUred Gras.s, jr., F. Coat, V. B. Buchanan. lis THE GREAT WEST Cumberland County — A. J. Freeman, William Freeman, Reuben Stinson, John Shook, Steplien Waite. Craivfvrd County — G. "W. Smith, A. Norsworthy, J. B. Trimble, "William Barber, jr., A. G. Markley, J. W. Wilson, J. D. Smith. Effingham 'Cuuntij — H. L. Smith, Henry, Fisher. Rock Island County— W. Bracket!, P. A. Whittaker, J. K. Corker, A. K. Phileo, Jacob Norris. Wa7-ren County — J. W. Davidson, John Brown. Ada77is — J. P. Erskiue, J. B. Young, C. A. Savage, J. W. Hallowbush, P. Cleve- land, J. H. Luce, C. Howland, T. Redmond, J. B. Morgan, H. Asbury, J. C. Woodruff, Andrew Wood, S. P. Church, J. D. Moore, S. B. Hofiman, G. Holmes, J. H. Beasy, B. Colhns. Clinton— R. S. Bond. M. Stiles. Coles — J. D. Van Deren. IOWA. Lee County — John A. Graham, Colonel Samuel R. Curtis, D. W. Kilbourne, General V. P. Van Antwerp, G. Wells, J. W. Rankin, W. G. Anderson, L. E. H. Houo-hton, Sam\iel Walker, H. H. Beldiii, Robert Pope, G. Lewis, F. Wright, P. D. Foster, T. G. Williams, J. Webster, James H. Cowles. Des Moines — H. W. Starr, J. G. Edwards, J. F. Fletcher, Dr. Graham, Isaac Baggs, T. S. Cordis, P. Mertz, W. B. Reemey, James Clark, Governor J. Clarke, W. Walker, H. Moore, B. C. Armstrong, S. S. Runson, J. E. Darst, J. H. Hughes, R. Pope. Davi-^—3. B. Peach. 1 Folk— J. Gilkey. Madison — W. Compton. | Henry — Hon. W Thompson. Wapello— J. Williams, H. B. Hendershot, T. J. Devin. Jefferson— B. Henk, R. Erwin, Culonel W. H. Walner, W. H. Lyons. Jones — Joseph A. Hunt, G. H. Walworth. Van Buren — D. Smith, A. McDonald, S. MlUington. Dee— A. Hamlin, L. E. John.son, W. L. McGavie, J. W. Taylor, J. L. Curtiss, T. Fitzpatrick, L. R. Reeves. V,. KHbourne, Dr. McMurtry, C. Stewart. Muscatine — Judge J. Williams, Pliny V-ay, N. M. McCormack, Adam Ogilvie, Joseph A. Green, J. Butler, Stephen Nye, Legrand Morehouse. Dubuijue — H. C. Fellows, Peter Waples. Johnson — H. D. Downy, G. D. Parmer, E. Morris, Dr. H. Murry. "WISCONSIN. Lafayette County — Edward Vaughn, William M. Boudoin, Charles Bracken. Dane County — A. R. Murray. ' MICHIGAN. ] Detroit — John Biddle, LOUISIANA. Keiv Orleans — C. C. Lathrop. TENNESSEE. Shelby County — G. W. Lincoln, E. Hickman, S. Fance, J. C. Carroll. Memphis — A. S. Caldwell, W. T. Avery. PETEE LINDELL, ESQ. (p. 419.) KNOK.VKO KXPBESSLT .OK THIS WOKK KKOM A .HOTOCHAPH BV ..OWN. PETER LINDELL. Peter Lindell was born March 24, 1776, in Worcester county, Mary- land. He is of English origin ; for his grandfather who bore the same name, having obtained a grant of land located in Maryland, imigrated to the United States, and, locating himself on his grant, was many years en- gaged in rendering the soil suitable for agricultural purposes. He lived to an advanced age ; and one of his sons, John Lindell, came by descent in possession of this tract of land, and was looked upon as the most skil- ful farmer in that portion of the country. He was the father of the subject of this memoir, and raised a large family of children. He died at the advanced age of seventy-six. Peter Lindell spent — like most others who lived at that early time, and whose parents had good farms — his early years in work upon the farm. He went to school, to be sure ; but the i-egular schoolmaster was not abroad in that portion of the country, and the people would often induce some itinerant clock peddler from Yankeedom, to forego his usual vocation, and adopt that of the pedagogue. It is not to be wondered at when schoolmas- ters were thus chosen, that the pupils would remain ignorant of the fun- damental principles of their language. Between going to schools of this cast and working upon the farm of his father, he reached the age of twenty-one, and possessing a large share of self-reliance, he immediately commenced business for himself. He kept a little store in the country, believing that a commercial life, and that too with less of servitude, led more directly to afHuence than the slow profits which had then to satisfy the industrious farmer. He remained four years engaged with his store, and seeing that the vast tide of emigration was flowing westward, he de- termined to follow the current, although his first eftbrts had been attended with vast success. He was not satisfied, for he did not see his locality filling up with a vigorous growth of new settlers, which alone could bring wealth to the neighborhood, and insure a fortune to those engaged in commercial pursuits. L)rawing these logical conclusions, he wound up his business in Maryland, and started for the West. Some time in 18U8, Peter Lindell stopped at Pittsburgh, the only town west of the Alleghany Mountains that oftered, at that time, any induce- ments for commercial enterprise. There he commenced the life of an itin- erant merchant, trading on a boat at the various localities between that place and Louisville. Laying in an assortment of goods suitable to the wants of the people at the different locations at which he traded, he was soon doing a most thriving business. He received no money for his goods, that article in the western wilds being seldom seen, but he received in exchange, furs, peltries, hemp, and tobacco, with which he could pur- chase a new supply of merchandise, or sell for money, at his option. 422 PETEK LINDELL. In two years, finding that his business throve, even beyond his most sanguine expectations, Peter Liiidell sent for John Linddl, one of his brothers, that he might assist him in his hxbors, and whom he could in- struct in a pursuit that had ah'eady proved so profitable. In due time, John arrived, and he was initiated in all the mystei-ies of a trader's life at that period, and the business soon reached a greater magnitude than ever, and yielded larger returns. The name of Lindell was well known on the Ohio River, and he was anxiously looked for by the pioneers who inhabited its rich banks for the purposes of trade. After John had been with him some time — and fortune still continu- ing to smile upon his etiorts— he sent for another brother by the name of Jesse, that he too might become a reaper in a field whi"bh yielded so plentiful a harvest. He extended his business with the assistance of his brothers, and in his trading voyages, hearing of the natural advantages of St, Louis, he determined to quit the life of a general trader on the river, and settle himself as a merchant in a toww, whose brilliant prospects for the future, promised so much success to the early citizen who made judicious investments. In 1811 he came to St. Louis, and commenced keeping store on Main street. The houses at that period, with but few exceptions, were little log cabins, the interstices being filled with lime and plastered withir,, making a warm but small and inconvenient dwelling; and Peter Lindell, a little while after his advent, astonished the inhabitants by building three brick houses, which, for a little while, were the wonder of the place, and the era of brick building in St. Louis. His business in the new and growing town, grew and increased yearly ; and he was soon known as one of the most enter- prising merchants of the place. At that early day, not even a steamboat had floated on the "Father of Waters," and the merchant when he went East to purchase goods, had to perform the fatiguing journey of more than a thousand miles on horse- back. In one of these expeditions, an event occurred which had nearly a tragical termination ; and as it serves to illustrate the character of those early times, and gives an insight into the nature of the subject of this sketch, we will relate it. While journeying to one of the Eastern cities, Peter Lindell was accompanied by the late John Collier, and one night they stopped at a little cabin at Shawneetown, Illinois. There were sev- eral men who were in the house, and among them was a desperado, who pursued the vagabond life of hunting for a subsistence. When he was not emplo3'ed in the chase, he was engaged in cursing, swearing, and fighting. Mr. Collier had had the misfortune to oftend this fellow, and when he and Mr. Lindell entered the door, this man was seated in the cabin. Imme- diately that his eyes glanced upon Mr. Collier, they glared like those of a basilisk, and a dark scowl darkened his features, giving to them the expression of a demon. He told Mr. Collier with a horrid oath, that he would kill him, and sallied from the cabin to procure a gun, that he might put in execution his murderous purpose. At that time, Peter Lindell was in the prime of a glorious manhood, with the strength of a bufialo, and the spirit to use it. He well knew the fiendish character of the ruflian, and he followed him from the cabin. When at a little distance, he upbraided him for his murderous purpose, and told him then and there to defend himself. He then commenced PETEK LINDELL. 423 pouring upon him blows with the force of a sledge-hammer, and in less than two minutes the fellow was hors de combat,, and pounded into a jelly. This drubbing operation completely satisfied him, and lie no more threat- ened vengeance against Mr. Collier. After becoming a resident of St. Louis, Mr. Lindell, in conjunction with his commercial business, became extensively engaged in the pur- chase of landed estate, which at that time brought but a nominal price in comparison to its present value. He bought land and held it, and it was in consequence of not again selling it, that he is so extensive an owner in real estate at the present time. By that magical power with which some men appear to be invested, whatever he has touched has turned to money ; and so fortunate has he been in his efforts to amass a fortune, that in 1826 he threw up his commercial pursuits, which had been his leading business. Since that time he has been out of the pale of the busy, bustling world, and dedicated himself to preserving that fortune which by industry he had garnered, when his body and spirit rejoiced in the exuberance incident to youth. The present generation know but little of him ; for neaily all who lived when he made a part of the active sphere of life, and helped to guide and direct its business currents, have paid the debt of nature, and cannot speak of the events with which Peter Lindell has been connected. From great wealth, which receives almost the universal homage of man- kind, the name of Peter Lindell is almost as well known in the city of St. Louis as that of the great river which sweeps by its levee ; but of his habits, and the natural gush of feeling which form his character and influ- ence his actions, they know but little. They see his property in every part of the broad circumference of the Mound City ; but of the owner, they cannot speak. We will relate an anecdote told us by one whom time has blanched, but not overthrown ; who knew him before his frame was weakened, and when his whole time was devoted to business. The narrative is thus : "There was a gentleman," says this narrator, "who during a money pressure was driven to great straits, and applied to me for counsel in his exigence. He had abundance of good paper in his possession, more than ten times the sum that was causing his disquietude, which was a note of some thousands of dollars held by the Bank of the State of Missouri, ■which would be due in a few days. Should he not be able to take up the note, his credit would be gone forever, and all his bright prospects for the future would be a wreck. I knew but one man who could furnish the amount he required, and, moved by his distress, I volunteered my services, as I was intimate with the person that 1 knew had always money by him. I took from his papers a note for five thousand dollars, drawn and endor- sed by unexceptionable parties, to Peter Lindell, and told him the cir- cumstances that induced me to call upon him. Mr. Lindell replied that he had the money but it was designed for another purpose ; but on my again mentioning that without his interposition an honorable man would be eft'ectnally ruined, he drew me a check for the full amount, and when I signified my surprise, he told me, under no circumstances could he take from any individual more than ten per cent, interest. This is but one out of many instances," continued the gentleman who related to me the anecdote, " which I could point out, in which Peter Lindell has acted in the same manner." 424 PETER LINDELL. We have peen how well Peter Lindell has acted the part of a relative, when he sent for two of his brothers, that they niitjht share with him the success which his judgment and industry had brought about; and when tbey were taken from their families by death, he at once assumed the du- ties of a father and protector. To him belongs the honor of starting the first packet to I'ittsburgh ; he was one of the corporators and directors of the old Missouri Insurance Company ; and was one of the directors of the Branch Bank of the United States. He is the largest stockholder in the magnificent hotel known as the " Lindell Hotel," and his property is valued at many millions. BEIG ADIER-GENERAL DAVID M. FROST (p. 425.) ENGRAVED EXPEE88LY FOB THIS WORK FROM A PIIOTOGBAPn BY BKOWN. BRIGADIER-GENERAL DANIEL MARSH FROST. The subject of this memoir was a native of Schenectady county, state of New York, and was born August 9th, 1823. His ancestors came to this country, from England, during its early settlement, and during the Revolutionary War one of his grandfathers fought faithfully under the banner of his country. The father of General Frost was a man of fine attainments ; he was appointed surveyor and civil engineer in the state of New York, and made the first complete survey, soundings, and map of Hudson City. He also commanded a volunteer company in the last war against England. General Frost, the subject of this sketch, had all the advantages of early education, until, at the age of sixteen, he entered the Military Academy at West Point, and graduated with high honors at that celebrated institution in 1844. He was attached to the 1st regiment of artillery, and, after some service at various forts, he was sent to Florida. Becom- ing tired of seaboard garrison life, he was transferred to the regiment of mounted riflemen in 1846, and in the same year went to Mexico, under General Scott, fighting in all the battles in which his illustrious com- mander was engaged, until the "star-spangled banner" floated over the battlements of Mexico. General Frost, in the many battle-fields in which he was engaged, reaped plentifully of military laurels, and at the battle of Cerro Gordo was especially complimented by his commander-in-chief. At the decla- ration of peace, he returned to Missouri, and was soon after ordered across the Plains to Oregon City. The following year he returned to St. Louis, where he was married to the daughter of the late Major Graham, who was at one time one of the aids of General Harrison. The judgment and military abilities of General Frost have always been held in the highest estimation by his superior ofiicers, and he was selected by the secretary of war, as an efBcient oflicer to send to Europe, to gather information concerning cavalry drill and discipline. After return- ing from Europe, in 1852, he joined his regiment in Texas, and shortly after, was wounded in an engagement with the Indians. In 1853, he returned to St. Louis, and resigned his commission, but was chosen the commander of the Washington Guards, which he held for five years. In 1854, he was elected to the state Senate, and served in that body till 1858, at the expiration of which he was elected brigadier-general and commander of the first military district of Missouri. General Frost is scarcely in the summer of manhood, and, with youth, fame, position, and character, can hope for all things that can gratify an honorable ambition. MARINUS WILLETT WARNE. Marinus Willett Warne was born at New Brunswick, New Jersey, December 7th, 1810. His father was a respectable merchant, engaged in the liardware trade, and died insolvent, owing to the financial crisis which took place after the war of 1812, when the subject of this memoir was only ten years of age. Young Warne, after the death of his father, re- ceived no further education, but was forced to do something for his own livelihood. At the age of twelve years, he engaged himself to the succes- sor of his father's business, with whom he remained nine years, during th;it time acquiring a complete knowledge of the hardware and cedar- ware business. Marinus AVillett Warne, on arriving at the age of twenty-one, deter- mined on removing to New York city, where, if the field of success was more difficult, it otfered an ampler harvest to the votary of ambition. He 'accordingly removed to the great metropolis, and entered the large establishment kept by William Galloway «fe Company, with whom he re- mained two years. Then, feeling anxious to carry on business on his own account, untrammelled by any superior power, he commenced the manufacture of cedar-ware on a most extensive scale, with which he in a short time connected the house-furnishing business. At this time Mr. Warne appeared to be one of the favorites of fortune. Wealth poured upon him from a thousand avenues, and he conducted the largest business of the kind in the great empire city ; but clouds were lowering around him which he did not see, and he soon experienced how uncertain is the stability of sublunary things. His friendly feelings had led him to indorse notes to a considerable amount, and a little pres- sure taking place in the money market, the notes which he indorsed were thrown on his hands for licpiidation, and for such an amount that his im- mense business received a sudden check, and he was forced to wind up his concern. Thus suddenly stripped of the fortune wliicli he liad acquired during a long term of continued labor and economy, Mr. Warne, tlK)Ugh he felt sorely his misfortune, did not yield to despondency and useless com- plaint. He felt that the same continued perseverance, the same business qualifications put in force, would again achieve an independence. He resolved, then, to commence his fortune in the far West, the land that was open to adventurous ambition, and started for St. Louis. When he ar- rived in the city of his destination, he had neither friends nor money. He had only that self-reliance which formed one of the chief elements of his character, and that energy whicli was ready to encounter and over- come every opposing obstacle. On arriving at St. Louis, he commenced to work at his trade, and, after some time, having amassed a little money, he engaged with Henry L. Joy in the manufacture of wooden-ware, at Quincy, Illinois, by machinery, at the same time carrying on a business in St. Louis. The factory at Qiiincy did a tremendous business, and the profits of the concern were considerable. M W. W A RNE, ESQ. (p 429.) KNGRAVEI) KXPHERSLY FOR THIS WORK FROM A PHOTOGRAPH BY HHOWN. MAEINUS WILLETT WARNE. 431 The horizon of the future again became bright, and the hopes of Mr. Warne again became flowering, but only again to be blighted. The fac- tory at Qnincy took fire by some accident, and was reduced to ashes. There was no insurance, and the loss was totah This was a heavy blow upon his prospects and business, but he bestowed still closer attention on his concern in St. Louis, which was by this time in a flourishing condi- tion ; but, as if misfortune was bent on testing, to the utmost his powers of mental, moral, and physical endurance, the great tire of 1849 swept his remaining property in the universal conflagration, and left him almost stripped of every thing. With the pittance he received from the in- surance companies, who were nearly all rendered insolvent by this wide destruction of property by fire, he commenced partnership with William H. Merritt, and, during the seven years of the continuance of the part- nership, the firm were very successful. Mr. Merritt then sold out his in- terest to E. L. Cheever, who, February 5th, 1857, lost his life in the ill- fated steamer. Colonel Grossman. Captain Joshua Cheever then took his brother's interest, and the name of the firm remained unchanged. The firm of Warne, Cheever & Company are composed of the subject of this sketch, the senior partner, Captain Joshua Cheever, and Mortimer N". Bur- chard ; the last named gentleman Mr. Warne brought up from a boy. Mr. Warne has a large family. He was married in June, 1S3.'3, to Miss Mary S. Tenbroeck, of New Jersey, and eleven children have been the fruit of the union, ten of whom survive. In his domestic relations, he has ever been most happy ; and if clouds lowered around him during a large portion of his eventful life, there were always smiles and peace at his fireside. Mr. Warne has always been a devotee to business, and has had neither leisure nor inclination to busy himself with any outside matters. How- ever, when the subject of the horse railroad came up for consideration on the part of our leading citizens, he at once took a prominent part in what he considered would be of so much benefit to St. Louis. lie is also one of the efficient directors of the Exchange Bank of St. Louis; is president of the civic organization of the Missouri Guards, and life-member of the National Guards, both of which organizations are composed of our most respectable citizens. He was also the first president of the Citizens' Sav- ings Loan Association. Mr. Warne may be proud of the part which he has played upon the drama of life. He has had to contend with vicissi- tudes that were sufficient to make the bravest falter, and make the stoutest heart yield to despondency; but though the shafts of misfortune flew thick around him, he neither faltered nor yielded ; and now he can reap his reward, and is the senior partner of one of the most substantial and extensive firms in the great metropolis of the West. He has a large number of assistants in his business, and sedulously inculcates those principles of attention, rectitude, and industry which are so interwoven with his own character. The pages of his life are instructive to the young, and teach them that opulence and social position are in the reach of all who, like him, can hope, work, and persevere with an untiring spirit, and are determined to achieve independence and a sterling business reputation. WASHINGTON KING. The subject of this memoir was born in the city of New York, on the 5th of October, 1815. Ilis father, who is still living, is a native of Eng- land, who emigrated early to this country, and, being a well-informed man, gave to his children all the advantages which the liberal range of studies pursued in the common schools in the city of New York afforded. Washinecomc in a short period, that at the extra ses- sion of Congress, he became a candidate for the public printing and was elected. His competitors were veterans of journalism, and had long basked in the favor of the natiomil council of the country. Messrs. Blair & Rives of the Globe, and Messrs. Gales & Seaton of the TnteUu/encer were the op- ponents of Mr. .'Mien. It is impossible for us in this sketch to follow Mr. Allen through all the mazes of his editorial progress, and we will only repeat the words uttered on the floor of Congress by the Hon. James Buchanan : "that paper," said he, r('f<'rring to the Madisonian, " is worthy of the days of Madison." After five years in the political arena, where the young editor had shown himself capable of coping with the first intellects of the country, he sold out the Madisonian in 1842 and came to Missouri. A few months after his arrival, he married Miss Anne C. Russell, daughter of William Russell, a distinguished and wealthy citizen of St. Louis, The marriage took place July i2th, 1842. After Mr. xMlen's advent in St. Louis, he did not long continue the practice of the law, which he had at first determined to pursue, but finding that his private affairs had attained a considerable magnitude, he aban- doned altogether his profession. His mind, however, accustomed to create, could not remain inactive, and he published several pamj)hlets on interesting subjects, which had the efl'ect at the time of controlling, to a considerable degree, the currents of popular opinion. Among these pub- lications was a Commentary on the Treaty of Paris, T803, and another called "Letter Smuggling." The last was reprinted by the order of the post-office department of the United States. He was also elected presi- dent of the St. Louis Horticultural Society, and prepared for the St. Louis delegation to the Chicago convention, an elaborate pamphlet on the com- merce and navigation of the Mississippi River and its tributaries. He also, in 1848, used his efficient influence to get a municipal subscription of $700,000 to the St. Louis and Cincinnati Railroad. Mr. Allen has always been a great advocate of internal improvements, looking upon them as the proper arteries of a country, furnishing vitality and strength to the body corporate. In 1849, when a meeting was called to take action on the subject of a Pacific railroad, he ably discussed the importance of a "national central highway to the Pacific," and became one of tlije corporators of the Pacific Railroad, which, when it will receive the patriotic aid to which it is entitled, will soon reach the great ocean which flows by our western borders. A pamphlet from the pen of Thomas Allen, containing "The Address of the People of St. Louis to the THOMAS ALLEN. 439 People of the United States," which was widely scattered throuirh the Union, met with iinich favor ; and at the national convention called on the subject of the Pacific Raih-oad, fourteen of the United States were rep- resented, and Mr. Allen was selected by the convention to prepare the memorial to Congress, When the charter was granted to the Pacific Railroad of the state of Missouri, there was prejudice on the subject, for Missouri was far behind the times, and to remove this prejudice Mr. Allen was determined. He had been elected the first president of the company after its organization, and to arouse the slumbering energy of the people, and to awaken in them the proper feelings in regard to the importance of the Pacific Railroad, he travelled on horseback through the different counties of its projected route in the state, haranguing the people at the most prominetit stations; and having been elected to the state Senate, he succeeded in interesting the members of the assembly on the subject, and a loan of state credit was granted for 12,000,000. On the subject of railroads, it is not too much to say that Mr. Allen has done more to originate and bring them to their present state of prosperity than any man in Missouri. His talents and time have been long given to foster their growth, and he well deserves the gratitude of the country for his continual exertions. It was he who proposed the whole system of railroads througli the localities which they now take in their course. AVhen ho was in the Senate, he gave effectual support to "the creation of a geological survey, which has made known the different sections of the state, attracted immigration, and, pari passu with tiie railroads, has served to develop its resources. He was agent for the World's Fair, both in London and New York, by appointment, and the journals both abroad and in the East glowed with contributions from his pen on the state of Missouri, and he placed her before the world with all her mammoth re- sources made manifest. He selected the land donated by the general government for the Pacific Railroad; and when, in 1854, he resigned his position as director and president, resolutions the most complimentary were passed by the board. He was again nominated at this time for state senator, but declined. In 1857, he was elected president of the Terrc Haute, Alton, and St. Louis Railroad, which he held for one year. In Sep- tember, 1858, he established the well-known banking-house of Allen, Copp, «k Nisbet, he furnishing the capital. In 1859 he was entrusted by the state of Missouri with $900,000 of her guaranteed bonds, to be dis- posed of by him for the benefit of the South-west Branch of the Pacific Railroad, and he discharged the trust with fidelity and success. Mr. Allen has won for himself laurels that can never fade. He is the father of the railroad system of the state, and with paternal devotion has done all that man could do to advance its interest. As a benefactor of Missouri he has advocated her internal improvements, and with his graphic pen revealed to the world her agricultural and mineral wealth; and as a citizen of St. Louis he has ever been solicitous of her interest, by mak- ing her the great reservoir whence all her channels of internal improve- ments must flow. His life has been one of utility and constant action ; and his literary and political contributions and unceasing efforts for the good of the state are well known to the living and will receive the Mppre- ciation of posterity. ISAAC ROSENFELD, JR. Isaac Rosenfeld, Jr., was born near Nuremberg, in Bavaria, March 27th, 1827. His father, KaHman Rosenfeld, who was a miller and grain dealer in Germany, is still living, and has eight children. From the circumstance of his father being placed in a comfortable sphere in life, Isaac Rosenfeld, Jr., had all care given to his education in youth, and did not want for teachers to fit him suitably for the vocation in life it was determined that he shoiild pursue. When this was acquired, he was placed as a clerk in a large dry-goods house, where he remained for three years. He then made an engagement in another house, in the same capacity, where he remained for four years. He had by this time acquired a complete knowledge of his business, and, having reached the age of manhood, he determined to make the United States of America his future residence. He had studied the theory of free institutions, and had become a convert to the doctrine that man can govern himself. He accordingly left Bavaria at the age of twenty-two, and embarked for New York. On arriving in this country, he traveled for some time, that he might see the different cities, and select a location. On seeing St. Louis, he gave it the preference. Isaac Rosenfeld arrived in St. Louis March 7th, 1849. He com- menced the wholesale fancy dry-goods business, in partnership with other gentlemen, and the firm was styled Ottenheimer & Company. The firm was soon after changed to Silberman & Rosenfeld, which continued until 1853, when he gave up commercial pursuits. He was then elected treasurer and secretary of the Germans' Saving Association, an office of great trust and responsibility, which he held for three years. He always had a predis- position for the business of finance, and, with some few others, originated the present State Savings Institution, and started it on that firm basis which has insured so etfectnally its subsequent success. He was elected cashier of the institution, which does the largest money transactions of any bank in the western country ; frequently its daily business exceeding a million of dollars. Mr. Rosenfeld is just in the flower of manhood, and in all matters of finance, there is no one in the city whose opinion is more valued. In the season of youth he has achieved what is usually the work of a life- time — and his future is redolent with brightness. ISAAC ROSENFELB, JR. (p 441.") ENGRAVED EXPRESSLY FOR TIIIB WORK FROM A PHOTOGRAPH BY RROWN. RICHARD H. COLE. (p. 443.) ENGRAVED EXPRES8LT FOR THIS WORK FROM A PHOTOGRAPH BY TROXELL. RICHARD H. COLE. Richard H. Cole was born in Stafford county, Virginia, March 22d, 1816. His father, Daniel Cole, was an honest blacksmith, who early taught his son the trade that he followed, and gave him a good common business education. At the age of sixteen, Richard H, Cole thought himself proficient enough in his business to take charge of a blacksmith-shop and coach-factor}', in Loudon county, Virginia. So expert was he in horse-shoeing that he won the friendship of a man by the name of Henry Sacket, by the skill that he evinced in this particular branch of his trade, who proposed to him to go and see the West, and settle in that growing country — tliat he would pay, at all events, the expenses of a journey of observation. He followed the suggestion of his friend, and came to Missouri in the autumn of 1835. He went to Marion City, where he married Miss Amanda Eversle, daughter of Jacob B. Eversle, and, in 1837, moved to St. Charles, where he became engineer in a steam flour-mill, which em- ployment he pursued for some years, and then resumed his trade. He remained working at his trade for four years, and in 1844, came to St. Louis. When Mr. Cole came to St. Louis, he was but an humble blacksmith, and engaged himself to Messrs. Gaty & McCune at eight dollars per week, and at that time he could obtain no higher wages, which were scarcely sufficient for supporting his famil3^ After pursuing journey-work for some little time, he determined, if possible, to commence business him- self, and rented a place in the vacant lot adjoining the Park Mills, from Mr. Francis Watkins, where he built a rough shop, from some boards wliich were kindly furnished him by Mr. Watkins. He remained eighteen months in this spot, when, having saved a little money, he built a large shop on Main street, and rapidly extended his business. While engaged in business on Main street, he became acquainted with the firm of Chouteau, Harrison & Valle. In their friendly intercourse, this firm told him that they had made a contract with the Illinois Central Railroad Company, to furnish them a large quantity of nuts and bolts, for the purpose of bridging. From the want of a careful examination, they bad contracted to furnish them with nuts at a price so low, that, on calculating the expense after the contract was closed, they found it would be most unprofitable. Mr. Cole saw the dilemma in which they were placed, and it struck him that he could furnish nuts at much less cost than usually attended their manufacture, by inventing a machine that would cut them at once from the iron, without subjecting them to the tedious process to which they were heretofore subjected. He put his brain on the rack of invention, and, after much thinking and some ex- periments, he succeeded in producing a machine that would answer the desired purpose. Feeling confident in the efficacy of his machine, he proposed to Messrs. 446 KICHAEn II. COLE. Chouteau, Harrison & Valle, to talce the contract off their hands. His proposition they cjhidly assented to, and, on Mr. Chouteau becoming acquainted with the now invention, he purchased a i)ah" interest for twenty-tive hundred dollars. However, in a little while, he expressing a desire of selling out for the same price, Mr. Cole repurchased his inteiest. Mr. Cole had heard that there was a celeb-rated nut machine invented by some one in Pittsburgh, and he started for that city with the intention of purchasing the machine if it proved superior to his own, so that he could employ it in the manufacture of nuts. On seeing the machine, he found that his own was incomparably superior; and it soon became widely known, and he became the great mit-maker in St. Louis. He made several inventions, which covered all the different varieties of nuts, and, having patented machinery to subserve his purpose, there was no one wlio could compete with him in their manufacture. So sensible did Mr. Chouteau become of the immense capital contained in the inventions, that he gave him 1.3.7, 500 for the half which he had be- fore resold for |!2,i)00, and a iirui was established whicli went under the title of K. II. Cole & Company, and then was built the St. Louis Nut and Washer Factory.. The fame of the new inventions spread far and wide, and one-third of tlie business done west of the Mountains was purchased by Mr. J. J. O'Fallon for $25,000, and one-third of the business done cast of the Mountains for the further sum of $40,000, and the firm became known as J. J. O'Fallon & Company. So useful are the inventions of Mr. Cole that tlieir fame lias passed the Athuitic, and there are branch houses established in various portions of Euroj)ey that are employed in the particular manufactures to which thev are suited. Mr. ^^'atkins, from whom he rented the ground on wliich he reared his little shop, owns a small interest iti the inventions, and is an agent in JMirope. In ]>irmingham, the well-known Victoria Works, whicli are one of the branches of the concern in St. Louis, are carried on by him, the firm being called Watkins & Keen. When Mr. Cole came to St. Louis in 1844 lie was in luimble circum- stances indeed, and he had to labor liard, under the ten-hour system, for six days, before he became entitled to his weekly salary of eight dollars. For many years he pursued his laborious task with a contented mind, yet hoping and bent upon producing some improvements in mechanics to which would be attached emolument and honor. What once Avere golden dreams liave assumed a j)ractical sliape, and the hundjle mechanic, from the loom of his active brain, has produced an invention which has startled the world and brought fame and fortune to himself. Mr. Cole is I'ichly deserving of all that he has gained, and all that may await him; for, even before the golden change came upon his fortunes, he was entitled to all that could beconveyed by the poet, when he wrote: "An honest man is the noblest work of God." r /^ w I r. r, I A M a. r l a ii k , esq. (|, 447.) K^ORAVKl) KXl'RI'.HKLV KOK TIIIH WOKK KUOM A I'llDTOIiKA I'll IIY I1R<1WN WILLIAM G. CLARK. The parents of William Clark belonged to the state of Maryland, and he was born in Baltimore county, November 4th, 1818. His grandmother still lives, at the venerable age of ninety-five years. His father, Matthew Clark, kept a hotel and store combined, and raised in a respectable man- ner a family of six children, giving them all a fair education, and training them to habits of early industry, William G. Clark was kept at school until he reached the age of seven- teen, and then he became clerk to Mr. John Taylor, a dry-goods merchant, with whom he did not long remain ; for, being invited by Mr. Trowbridge, the brother-in-law of Mr. Taylor, who was preparing to locate in the west, to accompany him to his new home, he accepted the offer, and, on reaciiing St. Louis in 1836, he commenced business with him in the capacity of clerk. He remained three years in that situation, and, under- standing by this time perfectly the routine of commercial pui'suits, in 1839 he connncnced business on his own account, in conjunction with two others, and a firm was established under the title of Jones, Clark and Gill, who carried on the clothing business. He continued as clothing merchant until 1842, and then, believing that the lumber business off'ered greater inducements, he entered upon his new pursuit, and soon became one of the most extensive and successful lumber merchants in the city. Mr. Clark, by his own eftbrts, has reached affluence and a commercial position, which has given his name weight and respect in the community. He is extensively associated with all enterprises which serve to strengthen and increase the business elements of St. Louis. He is a director in the Southern Bank, and essentially promoted the building of the City Uni- versity, which promises to elevate so much the standard of education in our city, and is a trustee of the institution. He has been for many j'ears a member of the church, and is a director in the Lindell Hotel, now in the course of erection. Mr. Clark has been twice married ; first to Miss Julia Miller, of Balti- more, in 1840, and had a large family of ten children. His present esti- mable lady was Miss Mary Bede Parks, daughter of Joseph Barks, of St. Charles county, Missouri. Mr. Clark has been a resident of St. Louis for twenty-three years, and is well known in the community as a man of sterling worth, who is well worthy of the fair fame, which a life of integrity has established, and of the affluence he has amassed by his industry. He is the owner of that fine block of buildings known as Clark's Buildings, which are an ornament to the locality in which thev are erected. HON. JOHN RICHARD BARRET. John Richard Barret was born August 21st, 1825, in the town of Greensburgli, on Green River. Kentucky. William Barret, his grandfather, was a respectable planter in the Old Dominion, and, though but a youth at the commencement of the Revolutionary war, soon became one of his country's defenders, and, when almost a boy in years, was made a captain in a Virginia regiment. Dorothy Winston, whom he afterward married, was of one of the ancient families of Virginia, and first cousin of Patrick Henry, the illustrious orator and patriot. His son, William D. Barret, the father of the subject of this memoir, was a man of sterling worth, remarkable industry, and unimpeachable integrity. He held the highest positions of trust in the state of Kentucky, and on his removal from Kentucky to St. Louis, in 1839, he associated himself, in the grocery and commission business, with Messrs. Blaine & Tompkins, and died in 1844. His wife, who is the daughter of General James Allen, of Kentucky, still •survives. John Richard Barret, the subject of this sketch, had all the advantages of an early education which the country schools of Kentucky at tliat time afforded. His father, though a self-made man, was always anxious for the mental culture of his children, and endeavored to instil into their minds a passion for learning. Directly the petticoat was shifted for the "round jacket," John Richard was sent to the little log school-house, and there became familiar with the rudiments of the English branches. When not at school, he frequently assisted in work upon tlie farm, and went regularly to mill in the old primitive manner, sitting on a well-filled sack of corn balanced on a horse's back. If the rider's attention is withdrawn for a moment to other things, down goes the sack; and to this day Colonel Barret is fond of relating to his friends his little mishaps when he went to mill. After reaching the age of thirteen, John Richard was sent to Centre College, where he remained until he passed through the freshman course, and was then called to St. Louis by his father, who had but shortly re- moved to that city, and had experienced such a considerable loss by fire, that he thought it a part of prudence to remove for a time his children from school, to curtail expenses. However, the president of St. Louis University, understanding his motives, insisted that he should send his children to that eminent institution, and remain a debtor for their educa- tion until his pecuniary circumstances were in a prosperous condition. This generous offer was accepted, and John Richard graduated at the university with the highest honors of his class, in 1843, and delivered the valedictory. HON. J. R. BARRKTT. (P 461.) ENGRAVED EXPRESSLY FOR THIS WORK FROM A PHOTOGRAPH BT BROWN. J HON. JOHN RICHARD BARRET. 453 He then commenced the study of the law, but his father dying, he was compelled to take out a license to practise before he had completed the time which he had set apart to thoroughly qualify himself for his profes- sion. From the very first he was successful ; nature had done much, and his own efforts were not wanting. He was moulded into a iorm which a knight of the middle ages might have been proud to possess, and had an energy, combined with his natural and intellectual attainments, which insured success. Upon him devolved chiefly the care of his brothers and sisters, younger than himself, and five in number. In 1852, be entered upon the political arena, and since that time has been one of the favorite champions of the Democratic party, and has never been defeated. He was elected in 1852 to the Missouri legis- lature, which position he held for four terms, and was a most efficient representative. In 1858, while absent from the state, he was nominated for Congress, and party excitement running very high, the election was a most exciting one in the coming August. Colonel Barret was elected by a considerable majority ; he was the Democratic candidate. In November, 18-17, Colonel Barret married Miss Eliza P. Simpson, the beautiful and accomplished daughter of the Hon. James Simpson, now chief-justice of the state of Kentucky. In 1852, he lost this amiable wonum, who had blessed his home for five )'ear8, and been the chief source of his happiness. Colonel Barret has that magnetism of character, so rarely possessed by the human family, which attracts toward him his fellow man without any appaient efi"ort. He appears to have been formed by nature for public life ; and his frankness of manner not only conciliates regard, but successfully woosthe most friendly feelings. In politics he is known by the appellation of " Missouri Dick ;" and as a champion of the Democratic party he has been most successful, and never been defeated upon the political arena. While a member of the legislature, he obtained the charter of the Agricultural and Mechanical Association. He has been its president since its incorporation, and the fame of its lovely "Fair Grounds," and its wide- spread salutary influence over agricultural and mechanical pursuits, is known and felt throughout the Union. In politics, he has always been for the union of his party, and stood for the union of the states. He is in the prime of manhood, and will gather fresh laurels in the legislative halls of his country, in which he will soon commence his useful duties. GERARD B. ALLEJ(. The subject of this memoir was a native of Ireland, being born in the city of Cork, November 6th, 1813. His father, Thomas Allen, was a respectable silk weaver of that cit}', and young Allen, believing that in America labor would be better rewarded than in his native country, re- solved to emigrate, and started for the city of New York in 1836. Previous to leaving Ireland, young Gerard B. Allen had learned the carpenter and turner business, and on his arrival in New York, followed those pursuits for more than a year, and then came to St. Louis in 1837. Here he worked journcywork until 1841, when he entered upon business himself, and, in turning and manufacturing bedsteads, he added consider- ably to his worldly wealtli, and extended his business relations. In 1845, lie had widely extended his operations, and owned two saw-mills, one in St. Louis and the other on Gasconade River. Believing that the working of iron afforded a vast field of enterprise and wealth in St. Louis, in 1847 he connected himself in the foundry business, and became a member of the well-known firm of (Jaty, MeCune & Co., with whom he remained until 1855. Two years after he had lost his amiable wife, who was Miss P'rances Adams, of New York, he com- menced, on his own account, his business at the Fulton Iron \\'orks. Mr. Allen is well known to the citizens of St. Louis as a sterling busi- ness man, and the uprightness of his character has won the confidence of the community. He is widely connected with positions of trust, and is president of the Covenant Life Insurance Company, is a director in the Hope Fire Marine Insurance Company, and also in the Bank of the State of Missouri ; he is also vice-president of the O'Fallon Polytechnic Insti- tute, and of the North Missouri Railroad. Every position of life which Mr. Allen fills and has filled, he has done it with satisfaction, and the eagerness with which he is sought after to hold important trusts, and to control important functions, shows the ster- ling value of his character in the community. GERARD B. ALLEN, ESQ. (p 455.) ENGKAVED KXPRE8SLY FOK THIS WORK FEOM A PHOTOOllAl'U I)V ijm)WN. WILLIAM L. EWING, ESQ. (p. 457.) KNCEAVEl) EXPREBSLV FOK THIS WOKK FROM A PHOTOGEAPn BY BBOWN WILLIAM L. EWING. William L. Ewing was born January 31st, 1809, near the town of Vincennes, Indiana. "When the whole of that portion of country where Vincennes is situated was called the Illinois Territory, Nathaniel C. Ewing, the father of William L. Ewing, received the appointment from the govern- ment as receiver of public money, and removed at an early day to the old French settlement to enter upon the duties of his office. He was like- wise a member of the territorial legislature, where he was known as a hard worker in every measure that concerned the advancement of the Illinois Territory. He left his influence upon the times in which he lived, and was well known for his strong advocacy in making the state of his adoption a non-slavcholding state. He died at the advanced age of seventy-five, in the year 1848. The very circumstance of William L. Ewing being born in the neigh- borhood of Vincennes as early as 1809, shows at once that he did not enjoy very excellent advantages of education in his youth. He had the instruction in the limited degree which the country schools at that period imparted ; but his thirst for knowledge overcame the barrier of adventitious circumstances and by continual self-culture he garnered much useful in- formation. Believing that Vincennes, like most of the old towns settled by the French, would never be a place of great magnitude, W^illiam L. Ewing determined on removing to St. Louis, and landed on August I7th, 1821. His first business effort was with Dr. William Carr Lane, his brother-in- law, with whom he came to St. Louis, and engaged with him in the capacity of clerk, and remained in that position for more than three years. (His employer was the first mayor of the city of St. Louis, and was after- ward governor of New Mexico.) After leaving the employment of Dr. William Carr Lane, Mr. Ewing went some time to the St. Louis University to complete his education, and then engaged as clerk in the Missouri Republican office, and served in that capacity in sundry other places until 18.33, when he returned to his native town in Indiana, and started a store, which he successfully conducted for three years and a half. Having thus achieved a start in Vincennes, Mr. Ewing again came to St. Louis, determining to build up a fortune and commercial reputation in a city which he knew would soon occupy a position of primary importance in the commercial world. The second advent of William L. Ewing in the Mound City was attend- ed with the most auspicious circumstances. He opened a grocery and commission house, and at once commenced a most prosperous career. The firm was known as Berthhold & Ewing. The year 1849 will ever be remembered as a marked year in the an- nals of St. Louis. A destructive fire broke out in the lower part of the city, and, despite the exertions of the citizens and firemen, raged with a fury that threatened to wrap the whole town in the contiagration. Amid 460 WILLIAM L. EWENG. the thousands of sufferers was the firm of Berthhold & Ewing, after a prosperous existence of ten years — the loss was $18,000. Nothing daunted by the unexpected calamity, Mr. Ewing, with the confidence and energy for which he is remarkable, again commenced business under the firm of William L. Ewing & Company, which is still in existence, and it has the confidence and respect of the whole business community. He was married February 8th, 1838, to Miss Clara Berth- hold, who was the granddaughter of Pierre Chouteau, senior, who was the companion of Pierre Laclede Ligueste, the founder of St. LouLs. William L. Ewing lias accomplished all that he wished for. It was his aim to excel in the avocation he chose, and he has succeeded. lie is known as one of the leading merchants of St. Louis, and his integrity and cordial deportment have won the respect and love of its citizens. He is liberal in his views, and a great advocate of internal improvements. Public spirit and enterprise are elements of his character, and he is liberal in his assistance to any public measure that tends to advance the interest of the city or the state. He has acquired his wealth not by practising a miser parsimony, but by the expansive views which he took of business relations, accompanied by eneigy, perseverance, and industry. In his charities there are few more liberal, and what he gives is to relieve suft'er- ing, and not from any spirit of ostentation. He is a director of the Agricultural and Mechanical Association, is a directol* in the Merchants' Bank and Union Insui-ance Company ; and to the various public institu- tions, eleemosynary and literary, he has subscribed munificently. He was a great encourager of the steamboat interest, and owned largely in many of the finest that land on the levee. One of the handsomest boats on the Mississippi bears his name. LOUIS A. LEBAUME, ESQ. fre-iiifetit of the St. Lnuis Ghh Comitany. (p. 461.) KMUKAVKD EXPRESSLY FOK THIS WORK FROM A TnoTOfiRAPH BYTROXKLL. i LOUIS A. LEBAUME. The biography of Louis A. Lebaume commences in St. Louis; for he was born in this city on March 13th, 1807. His father, Louis Lebaume, was a native of France, a gentleman of fine education, which made him take a prominent part in the country he early adopted as his own. Un- der Zenon Zrudeau, the Spanish commander, he filled the important and responsible position of secretary, and after the transfer of the province of Louisiana to the United States, in due time he was elected one of the judges of Common Pleas, and likewise colonel of the militia. His wife, who was the mother of the subject of this memoir, and whose maiden name was Susan Dubriiil, was connected with one of the oldest families in St. Louis, and was born within its precincts. The house in which the Dubruil family lived was an old-fashioned stone building with extended portico situated on the block in Second street, west side, between Clies- nut and Pine. The whole square was owned by Mr. Dubruil, and a part of it was devoted to the cultivation of vegetables, and on one extremity was located a barn. On that square now stands a marble building built by Mr. Gay, in which will be held the Mechanics' and Southern Banks, and it is in the very heart of the business of St. Louis, and its value most enormous. One of the family who resided in that square is still alive. It is Mrs. Celeste Delaurier, sister of Mrs. Lebaume, now seventy-five years of age. At the age of seven years, Louis A. Lebaume was taken from St. Louis to the Richw'Oods mines, where his father went to reside, and continued there three years, and then the family removed to a spot near the Belle Fon- taine Cemetery, and a portion of the place is now comprised in a part of the beautiful grounds; it was there that the elder Mr. Lebaume died. He was fortunate in having his early education properly cared for, and was sent to tlie then only college of the town, situated near the south-west corner of Third and Market streets, on the old Alvarez lot, and presided over by Bishop Dubourg, an accomplished scholar and an exemplary divine. He remained at the college until sixteen years of age, and after sojourn- ing with his mother a short period, he commenced his business career by clerking upon a steamboat, in which capacity he continued until 1827, and then went to France to settle an estate belonging to his father. He remained several years in la belle France, and whilst beneath its sunny skies, he formed the acquaintance of Mademoiselle Melane De Lapierre, whose father was high in authority, being/president of the civil tribunal of Vigan, departement du Garde. He was married to her on the 20th of December, 1832, and returned to St Louis in the spring of 1833. He then formed a partnership in commercial pursuits with Theodore Lebaume, his brother, and Jonas Newman, the firm going under the name of Lebaume & Co. This partnership continued until 1841, when Mr. Le- baume entered into partnership with Peter E. Blow, his brother-in-law, the firm being Peter E. Blow & Co. Some years after, Mr. Lebaume resolved to give up commercial pur- suits altogether, and then engaged in the mining business with his brother- in-law, in Washington county, which continued until 1851. In this pur- 464 LOUIS A. LEBAUifE. suit, Mr. Thomas M. Taylor was cno^fjed with them a short time. He then retired from the load business, which he had carried on extensively for several years, though he still owns the mines. Mr. Lebnuine, though strictly a business man, and turning all of his business connections to profitable account, without being a politician, or anxious to mingle in the political atmosphere, has been called upon by his fellow citizens to fill positions of trust and responsibility. In 1841, he was elected a member of the board of delegates, and in 1842, a mem- ber of the board of aldermen, and remained a member until he ixsigned, in 185-3, for the purpose of going to Europe to recruit his health, which had much declined. Whilst a member of the board of aldermen, he strongly opposed the measure for the city assisting in building the Ohio and Mississippi Railroad, contending that eastern capitalists for their own sakcs, so as to facilitate more directly communication with St. Louis, woidd complete the road, and if the city had any funds to invest in that manner, it should be in caring for the railroads in the state, which were so much required to develop fully the immense resources of Missouri. He opposed, too, the depositing of the city funds, frequently amounting to several hundred thousand dollars, with private bankers, previous to the failure of many of them, and saved the city from an immense loss in the banking business. As early as 1842, he introduced a bill for the widening of the levee, which was entirely too narrow for the business of St. Louis, but his enter- prising resolution was not supported, and not until 1849, after the great fire, was the levee widened, under the municipal administration of Mr. Barry ; Mr. Lebaume promptly urging the resolution, and, after it was passed, assisting in drawing the present line of the levee. In 1844, he was elected to the legislature, and during liis term Thomas H. Benton was elected for the last time to the United States Senate. During his public service, Mr. Lebaume was a hard-working member, and all of his efforts were directed, uninfluenced by the shallow motives of political prejudice, to the advancement of the city and state. When a member of the city council, an effort was made to double the salary of the members, but Mr. Lebaume, assisted by Mr. Palm, satisfied that the office should be one of lionor, and not of emolument, which would make it too much of an object for the unprhicipled and political harpies, strongly and effectually resisted the attempt. He has two brothers residing at St. Louis. One of them, Louis G. Le- baume, was once the popular sheriff of the county, and Theodore Lebaume for many years served as deputv-sheriff. In 1851, Mr. Lebaume was elected a director of the Gas Company of St. Louis, and soon after the president, which responsible office he still holds. In 1851, he was elected a director in the Pacific Railroad, and in 1855, a director in the Boatmen's Saving Institution. When it became evident in 1850, that corruption had crept into the county court, he took a very active part in abolishing it. He is well known in the place of liis birth, and has witnessed year by year the unparalleled growth of his native city, and his efforts and influence have done iniich for its prosper- ity. His name gives strength, "with whatever it is associated, and any enterprise with which he is connected, almost at once guarantees the sanction and the confidence of the public. RKV. S. 15. McPH EP:TE RS. (p. 4r,r,.) ENORAVm KXPRKSRI.V FOR THIS WORK TROM A PIIOTOOIIAIMI IIV TftoXRI.L. REV. S. B. McPHEETERS. Rev. S. B. McPheeters was born at Raleigh, North Carolina, Septem- ber 18th, 1819. Dr. William McPheeters, his father, was a learned and eminent divine of the Presbyterian church, who, for forty years, was at- tached to the ministry, and who was well known throughout the states of Virginia and North Carolina as a popular and able minister, and exem- plary in the practical duties of Christian life. He died at the age of sixty- four, and has seven children living, three of whom reside in St. Louis. One is the subject of this sketch — Dr. William McPheeters, who bears the name of his father, occupies a professor's chair in the St. Louis Medi- cal College, and has been a resident of the city for eighteen years; and James G. McPheeters, proprietor of the well-known Excelsior foundry. In his youth, the Rev. S. B. McPheeters was a constant pupil of the schools in his neighborhood, and directly he became sufficiently advanced, was sent to the L^niversity of North Carolina, where he graduated in 1841. After leaving college, he determined to study law, and read for eighteen months under the instruction of Mr. Manly, an eminent attorney ; but his feelings flowing into religious channels, he felt called upon to follow an apostolic mission, and, uniting with the church, went to Princeton, New Jersey, and, amid the classic associations of Nassau Hall, he assiduously devoted himself to preparation for the ministry. He remained three years at college, and, on returning to North Carolijia, he was licensed by the Presbyteiy of Orange, and in Nottaway and x\me!ia counties of Vir- ginia, with all the ardor of enthusiastic feeling, he promulgated the salu- tary precepts of the gospel. In the spring of 1848 Mr. McPheeters was ordained by the Presbytery of East Hanover, Virginia. In the year 1851 he received an invitation to the Westminster church in St. Louis. He accepted the call, and return- ing to St. Louis, became the pastor of thn church. He continued thus for two years, when it was thought advisable that a union should be effected between the Westminster church and the Pine street clnrrch, and he was invited by the congregations of the two churches to become their minister. He acted in obedience to their wishes, and still continues his duties as their pastor. The Rev. S. B. McPheeters was married to Miss Eliza C. Shanks, daughter of Colonel Shanks, of Virginia. In the pulpit he is popular; his discourse being impressive and attractive, from its literary finish and the conviction it enforces. His eloquence is mild and convincing, free from all unhealthful excitement, yet earnest in its appeal. He is well beloved by his congregation, and performs, to the utmost, the duties ap- pertaining to his station. ISAAC H. STURGEON. Isaac H. Sturgeon was born September lOtb, 182], in Jefferson county, Kentucky. His ancestry is of an old Pennsylvania stock, who emigrated at an early day, and settled in Kentucky, when it was a part of Virginia. His parents, Thomas Sturgeon and Eliza Tyler, were both born in Jcftcrson county, Kentucky, and after marriage lived upon a farm, in comfortable but not affluent circumstances, Thomas Sturgeon died Sep- tember 5th, 1822, and eleven years afterward his wife followed him to the grave. Both parents gone, the three orphan children, Edward T., Isaac H., and Thomas L. Sturgeon, received more than tlie usual sympathy of relations; and their maternal uncle, Robert Tyler, took them to his house, and charged himself with their future welfare. Isaac was the second in age, and had good advantages of early mental training. He went to a school kept by Mr. Robert N. Smith, who was a good teacher, and possessed a cultivated intellect, and in 1837, having left this school, young Sturgeon engaged as a clerk to Mr. Willis Stewart, a grocer and commission mer- chant, at a salary of one hundred and seventy-five dollars per annum. He afterward became a clerk in the Chancery court at Louisville, where he remained for three years, when his health became impaired, and he was compelled to seek out-door employment, and obtained the situation of deputy-marshal of said court. While Mr. Sturgeon was attending to his duties as clerk and deputy- marshal, he devoted all of his leisure moments to the study of law, which he pursued in the office of Messrs. Guthrie & Taylor. In 1842, business called Mr. Sturgeon to St. Louis, and so well satisfied was he of its pro- spective advantages, that he determiiied, as soon as he could make circum- stances suit, he would permanently locate himself in it. In 1845, he carried this design into execution, in connection with his brother Thomas. He also obtained license to practice law. Mr. Sturgeon had not been long in St. Louis before he became known through his enterprise and business talents, and his suavity of manner made him popular with all classes of citizens. He and his brother, in connection with their own business, were agents of his aunt, Mrs. Tyler, who owned a large portion of landed estate, outside of the populous por- tion of the city, in the new city limits, and he went to Jefferson City to induce the legislature to grant a portion of the tax-money for the purpose of paving the streets. He employed all of his efforts to effect this purpose, but when it came before the house, his prayer was rejected. Not to be foiled in what he believed a just request, he again renewed his efforts, and, despite the most strenuous opposition, he succeeded in carrying his measure. When a boy, he joined the democratic party, when the state of Ken- ISAAC H. STURGEON, ESQ., Assistant United States Treasurer. (p. 469.) ENGKAVF.D EXPKEgSLY FOR THIS WORK FROM A niOTOGRAPIl BY BROWN. ISAAC H. STUKGEON. 471 tucky was under whig control, and has never for a moment swerved from the political tenets he advocated in liis youth. In 1849 he was appointed director of the Bank of the state of Missouri by Governor King, and was one of the committee appointed to pray the legislature to grant one-half of the taxes of the new city limits during ten years, for paving the streets, and the prayer was granted at the close of the session, and all who hold real estate within the new limits are indebted to Mr. Sturgeon for the peculiar privileges which appertain to their property. In 1850, Mr. Sturgeon was again elected to the city council, and at this time, when the excitement between the Benton and anti-Benton party was at its height, he was the bitter opponent of the former party, and was most effective in exposing its inconsistencies, and defeating its favorite measures, lie went to Washington City on business, and while there, con- trary to his wishes and instructions, he was notnhiated by the anti-Benton party for the state senate, but the whole ticket was defeated. Mr. Stur- geon did not see any of his constituents until alter the election, being detained at the seat of government. However, in 1852 he was again nominated by the same part)'', and at the ensning election was elected by a large majonty. On going to Jefferson City the ensuing November, he met with one of those pleasant surprises which seldom- occur in a lifetime, and which cause the heart to overflow with emotions of gladness. Mr. Smith, his old tutor in Kentucky, had also arrived at the capital of the state, to take his seat as a member of the legislature, and being brought together under these circumstances afforded each more true joy than any success of party or public ovation. Both of them had immigrated to Missouri, and both had been called to honorable positions. Whilst a member of the senate, Mr. Sturgeon took a conspicuous part in all of the great measures of the day. He was made chairman of the committee on banks and corporations, also of ways and means, and was a great friend of the north Missouri and south-west branch of the Pacific railroad. He took strong grounds against banks of issue, believing that paper issue has only the tendency to make times easier in the season of gen- eral confidence, and where confidence is shaken to make them harder. He received his present appointment as assistant treasurer of the United States at St. Louis from Mr. Pierce, and subsequently was appointed by Mr. Buchanan. He has filled many high positions of trust. He has been five times president of the North Missouri Railroad, member of the state senate and city council, director of the Southern Bank, and his present ap- pointment shows the confidence reposed in him by the general govern- ment. Mr. Sturgeon was married December 16th, 1858, to Miss Nannie Celeste Allen, second daughter of the late Beverly Allen. As a politician, his course has always been noble, frank and consistent, and as a man his life has been made up with acts of kindness to others, and in neglecting no duty incumbent upon him to perform. 21 JOHN D. DAGGETT. John D. Daggett was born at Attleborongh, Massachusetts, October 4th, 1793. His father, Benjamin Daggett, was a respectable merchant, and his ancestors are all of English origin. When very young, John became an inmate of the little village school of Attleborough, where he was kept, according to the practical customs of the times, until he became strong enough to do something for his own livelihood. At the age of thirteen, his father died, and he was taken from school and put to learn the trade of a machinist, and during the time he was thus engaged, his ingenuity was such, that he undertook, while yet a youth, the manufacture of musket- locks for the army at Pautucket in 1812, which he accomplished with entire satisfaction. In 1814, John D. Daggett determined, after the fashion of most of the young ambitious Yankees, to quit his home and seek his fortunes abroad. He first went to Philadelphia, where he pursued for a little while his trade, and after remaining there for a year he went to Pittsburg and engaged as salesman in a tin and copper store. He soon again changed his place of business, and then commenced as clerk in a silver-plating establishment. While engaged in that capacity, his employer, struck with his ingenuity and general ability, made him superintendent of the whole establishment. His time was then profitably and pleasantly employed, but he was solicited by Reuben Ncal, who first employed him when he came to Pittsburg, to accompany him to St. Louis. Having wished for some time to go to St. Louis, he agreed to the off"er of Mr. Neal, and started for St. Louis with a boat well laden with tin and copper-ware, and a variety of goods of this kind. He went down the Ohio and then up the Wabash to Vincennes, where he disposed of his merchandise in a most profitable manner, and came across on horseback to St. Louis. The St. Louis of 1817 bore but little resemblance to the St. Louis of the present time. There was no town west of Third street, and though most persons thought it a growing town, the most sanguine could not have hoped that it would, in so short a time, reach the magnitude and ap- pearance it now presents. Mr. Daggett, however, liked the appearance of the town, and resolved to accept the offer which Mr. Neal made to him of taking general charge in superintending his business, which he estab- lished in the tin and copper line on quite an extensive scale. He remained with Mr. Neal three years and a half, when, having gathered some capital, he resolved to go into business for himself, and forming a partnership, he commenced the commission business, the firm being Daggett & Haldman. This continued until 1822, when the firm dissolved, and Mr. Daggett went into the general merchandising, and remained in that connection for eight years. All of the varieties of business that he pursued he made lucrative by giving them his undivided attention, and conducting them in legitimate channels, never having ventured in the uncertain depths of hazardous speculation. He was always contented with his profits, though slow, and day by day there was a gradual but healthful growth to his fortune. JOHN D. DAGGETT, ESQ. (I> «3.) RNGRAVED EXPRESSLY FOR THIS WORK FROM A PHOTOr.KAPH BY TltDXKLL. i JOHN D. DAGGETT. 475 On quitting the general merchandising business, as it was affecting his health, Mr. Daggett was in possession of considerable capital, and he went into the steamboat business, purchasing an interest in a steamboat, and then serving upon her, either in the capacity of captain or clerk. He ran principally between St. Louis and New Orleans, and was at one time in the command of the steamer Oceana, which, when first built, was the most beautiful boat that floated upon the Mississippi. He remained six years in steamboating, which, like every thing he undertook, yielded him certain profit and enlarged his fortune. On releasing himself from this pursuit, Mr. Daggett purchased an inter- est in the Sectional Floating Dock Company, and became the general agent and superintendent of the business of the corporation. While engao-ed in this business, it occurred to him there should be another company in existence, and when the time was i-ipe for such a corporation, through his instrumentality ^the Floating Dock Insurance Company was established, which niay be said to be the natural production of the other ; of this company he was for a long time director and president. This corporation has thriven since it has come into existence, wields a large capital, and exercises considerable influence. Though domestic in hi§ habits, and giving all of his time to his busi- ness pursuits, in 1841 the whig party nominated him against his will for mayor, and he may be said to have been dragged into the political contest. He was elected ; for the people had all confidence in his integ- rity and knew him to be a working man, so diff"erent from those who pursue politics as a profession and who seek oflfice with no other intention but to make what spoil they can out of it. After his term as mayor expired, Mr. Daggett never again ventured into the political field, for the turbulent confusion of which his inclination and habits of life were so unsuitable. Mr. Daggett was married February 10th, 1821, to Miss Sarah Sparks, daughter of Samuel Sparks, Esq., of Maine. He has been identified with a variety of different pursuits and been successful in all. He is friendly in his relations with everyone, discriminating in his judgment, and possesses that quality so rare in these days of vanity, a diffidence as to his own worth. He has held other positions of trust than those we have men- tioned, for his connection with any business gives it additional weight and importance before the community. He has been a director in the Citizens' Insurance Company, and president of the Gas Company ; also one of its corporators, and served some time as secretary and treasurer. He resigned his office in favor of Mr. Edward Stagg, the efficient secre- tary of the company. He was also a member of the Board of Aldermen for two years, and was also street commissioner. Mr. Daggett has for forty years been connected with the Masonic fra- ternity, and has held every office conferred by the order in the state of Missouri, and is now the treasurer of five distinct Masonic lodges. In the decline of his life, Mr. Daggett possesses an ample fortune, which he deserves to enjoy, for he has made it in legitimate channels. He com- menced life a poor boy, and what friends he has since made, what worldly goods he has since gathered, have been the natural consequence of probity of character and an untiring devotion to business pursuits. He has truly been the architect of his own fortune, and his success teaches an instruct- ive and useful lesson to posterity. REV. TRUMAN MARCELLUS POST. Tfus well-known author and divine was born June 3d, ISIO,. at Middle- biuT, Vermont. Roswell Post, his grandfather, was a native of Connecti- cut, and was one of the brave band commanded by Ethan Allen, in his attack upon Ticonderoga, and took an active part afterward in the Revo- lutionary War, being present at the battle of Bennington^ and rendering other Tmportant services to his country at this critical period. The father of the subject of this sketch was a member of the legal profession, at Middlebury, and at one time was a clerk of the legislature of Vermont. He died early in life, in 1811, leaving three children, the youngest of whom was the subject of this biography,, then an infant. T. M. Post received a good education, and early evinced a predisposition to study, and a love of literature. He was happy when surrounded by his books; but when he was fourteen years of age, his sensitive nature received a clieck, which stopped the flow of the genial feelings incident to youth, and filled his heart with sadness. He had to exile liimsclf from his mother's roof, on account of a disagreement with his step-father, and, at that early age had to become an actor in the drama of life.. He, how- ever, coutinued to prosecute his studies, and in 1829 graduated, with the highest honors of his class, at Middlebury College, Vermont; and then, afterward, became tutor, which still more thoroughly accomplished him in his studies. He then commenced the study of law, and, having quali- fied himself in his profession, came West in 1833, Mr. Post was an accomplished scholar, and was appointed Professor of Ancient Languages in Illinois College, which position,, in connection with the Chair of History, he held till 1847. During that time two important events occurred. In 1836, he was married to Miss Frances A. Henshaw, of Middlobury, Veitnont, whose ancestors came early to this country, a portion under the Protectorate, in 1653, and another portion in 1620, in the " Mayflower." In 1840, he was appointed to take the pastoral charge of the Congregational Church at Jacksonville, Illinois-, where he remained until 1 847 ; and then, from repeated solicitations, consented to take charge of the Tliird Presbyterian Church at St. Louis, for four years. Since that time has expired, he has ministered to the Congregational Church. The talents of ]\^j'. Post, as a pastor, are of a very high order. He is engaging in his manner, earnest in the delivery of his sermons, and his language flows with that grace and polish so significant of profound schol- arship. He is also an author, and his productions have justly an extensive reputation. UEV. TRUMAN MARGE LLUS POST. (p. 477.) ENORAVF.D EXPKE88LY FOR THIS WOKK FKOM A PHOTOGRAPH I!T BROWN. W I L L I A M T . CHRISTY, ESQ. (p. 479.) ENGRAVED EXPUESSLT FOP. THIS WOEK FROM A PIIOTOGKAFU BY BROWN. WILLIAM T. CHRISTY. Wm. T. Christy was born June 20, 1803, in Clarke county, Kentucky. Both of his grandfathers were natives of Virginia, and, animated by the wild spirit of independence so characteristic of the first settlers, started for Kentucky, and located near Georgetown and Boonesborough, of that state, when the savages, with all of their murderous instincts in fall action, were waging war upon tlrat soil, which, to this day, is known as "the Bloody Ground," Though risking all things themselves, they did not remove their families to the state until 1785, when the Indians had been driven from the hunting-ground, which, for y-ears, they had fought with the fury of demons to maintain. It was on the "Bloody Ground" that the subject of this memoir was born, and, in his 'childhood, he has often heard some of the old pioneers relate scraps of the fearful history connected with that period. The education of young Christy was confined to the country school- house, which any boy of quick parts could soon exhaust of its mental supply; and, at the age of thirteen, he entered the store of his elder bro- ther, at Winchester, Ky., and there remained, until 1817, when his brother gave up his business from declining health. After the death of his brother, he sought employment in Richmond of the siime state, and was taken into the service of J. A. Grimes, with whom he remained a year; and then repaired to Glasgow, Barron county, where he entered the store of his namesake and kinsman. Wan. T. Bush, and sojourned with him for three years. Leaving Glasgow, he went to Louisville, and was engaged as book- keeper for Messrs. Duncan, Dobbin tk Co. He did not remain long in his new situation, but, having formed the acquaintance of Mr. James Falls, a warm friendship sprung up between them, and this was followed by a busirress alliance; and the two, with a ciipital of |-.3,oOO, entered business in Russelville. Mr. Christy went on to Philadelphia, to purchase goods, and, in these times such a journey was to be dreaded, as, from Kentucky to Baltimore, it had to be performed on horseback. On this journey, he met with an accident, which compelled him to make his debut as a merchant, in the streets of Philadelphia, on crutches. The career of the new firm. Falls & Christy, established in Russelville in the autumn of 1822, was a prosperous one, although a deranged and fictitious currency kept the young men in a continual alarm, as the paper money, even in the season of comparative confidence, was fifty per cent. when exchanged for specie. Believing, however, that Tennessee offered greater inducements for business, the firm removed their stock to Mur- freesboro', where they entered upon a lucrative trade, which continued for 482 WILLIAM T. CHRISTY. four years ; and, at the expiration of that time, Mr, Falls having- married in Nashville, and wishing to reside in that city, he offered to sell out his interest to Mr. Christy, which was accepted. The partnership had sub- sisted for six years, and Mr. Christy frequently alludes to the rare business qualities and sterling worth of the partner of bis early years, who is now deceased. After the withdrawal of Mr. Falls, Mr. Christy determined, if possible, to induce Mr. James Woods to enter with him in business relations, as he had known him for several years, and thought him a proper substitute for the partner who had retired. Mr. Woods accepted the invitation, and the firm of Wm. T. Christy & Co. was well known for years in the vicinity, by the extent of their business, and enjoyed the unlimited confidence of the people. In 1836, the firm had amassed so considerable a fortune, that their capital became unwieldy in so small a place, and they deter- mined on removing to St. Louis, where tliey could extend, ad libitum, their business. At this time a younger brother of Mr. Christy's was admitted into the concern, and then the name which the firm now bears, Woods, Christy e Mechanics' Bank ; in the West- ern R.ver Wrecking Company; in the Masonic Hall A sociat on, also A "oTtiL "h- ' "' "^.^-P^^'^^^^-^ «f the St. Louis Mutual Building K 1) W A R I) WALSH, ESQ. .p. 4S-.) KN«KAVEI> KXIMtKSSI.Y KOR THIS WORK IP.OM A I'lIOTOfiRAl'H BY BROWN. EDWARD WALSH. The subject of this memoir was born in the county of Tipperary, Ire- land, December 27th, 1798. His father was an industrious fanner having a large family of children, eleven in number, all of whom he raised in the habits of industry and economy. "He sent his children to school until they were large enough to fill a situation, and they were then put to some employment. Young Edward Walsh was suffered to remain at school until twelve years of age, and was then put into the store of a cousin, where he re- mained for four years. After the expiration of that period, he went into business with his brother, who kept a mill and brewing establishment, where he staid until 1818, when he received a letter from his cousin in Louisville, which determined him to exile himself from the green fields of Erin and seek a home in the United States of America, where the in- stitutions were not under royal control, and where the prospects of success in the business walks of life were so much more flattering. He made hasty preparations for his journey, and departing from his native land, reached New York June 7tii, 1818. In those early days the iron horse was not known, and all long journeys had to be performed on horseback ; and it was on horseback that Edward Walsh perforrned his journey from Baltimore to Pittsburg, at which place he got a flat-boat and took passage to Louisville, and arrived there, after a tedious passage on the Ohio, of forty days. At that time Louisville did not have tlie hygienic celebrity it now enjoys, and was known, on the con- trary, as being the seat of malignant maladies, which circumstance influ- enced Edward Walsh to leave the town and start for Missouri. He came to St. Louis in October 1818, and after understanding well the neighbor- ing localities, he determined to settle at St. Genevieve county, where he put up a mill. In this pursuit he remained engaged at St. Genevieve very profitably until 1824, when he sold out his business, and after a little time spent in St. Louis in determining upon another suitable location, he went to Madison county, where he again engaged in the mill business, but remaining but a short time, he agjiin sold out and returned to St. Louis, At that time Edward Walsh deterniined upon changing his pursuit, and, in partnership with his brother, entered upon the general inercliand- ising business, the firm being known as J. «fc E. Walsh. Not being partial to his new vocation, in 1831 he sold out his interest and commenced mill- ing on a large scale in St. Louis, having three mills, one of which is still running, and having been in constant operation since 1827, has manufac- tured more flour than any other mill in St. Louis. As a miller, as in every thing else, Edward Walsh was successful, and he then became connected with the steamboat business, and so largely at 490 EDWARD WALSH. one time, that he had invested more than $100,000. He possessed an "interest in some of the finest boats that landed on the levee of St. Louis. He has also dealt largely in lead, which, by the alchemical virtues of in- dustry and judgment, he transmuted into golden profits for himself. In writing the biography of Edward Walsh, we feel it a bounden duty to pay a passing tribute to the worth and merits of his brother, John Walsh, now deceased, with whom he was identified so many years in business pursuits. John Walsh, during his life, was esteemed for his business capacity, and those pure principles of character which go to make up the truly hon- orable man. He was not only successful in his business calling, but he was emphatically a lover of the human family — known for his benevolence and his charities, and endeared to a large circle of friends. He has shuf- fled oft" liis "mortal coil," but his virtues live after him ; and when the name of John Walsh is now mentioned, it is with that respect which a character so pure as his so well deserves from posterity. Mr. Walsh has been twice married. His first wife was Miss Maria Tucker, whom he married in 1822, and his present wife, whom he mar- ried February 11th, 1840, was Miss Julia Denum. He has been connected with many of our public institutions, for his name has good weight and strength in the business world, and is an important auxiliary to any thing to which it is attached. Since the first establishment of the Bank of the State of Missouri, he has been one of its directors. He was also a director in the old Missouri Insurance Company, and is a director of the Union Insurance Company. Mr. W^alsh's business capacities are second to no one in St. Louis. He has a judgment that never errrs in its calculation, and an industry that is untiring in its pursuit of business. He commenced the world witliout the gifts of fortune or the aid of auspicious patronage, but made his way to wealth and influence by his own eff'orts, and is indebted to no extraneous aid for their possession. When a boy he came to a new continent, and without any adventitious aid has become one of the leading business men in the state of his adoption. JONATHAN JONES, ESQ (p. 491.) ENGRAVED EXPRESSLY FOR T1118 WORK FROM A PHOTOCiRAPlI RY TROXEI.L. F. L. RIDGELY, PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF UNDERWRITERS. This well-known gentleman was born in the city of Baltimore, October 21st, 1803. Noah and Hannah Ridgely, his parents^ were respectable per- sons in humble circumstances in Baltimore, having sufficient to procure for tlieir family all of the necessary comforts, but nothing to justify any indulgence of luxurious taste, or any relaxation of habits of untiring in- dustry. Consequently, directly the family had acquired a sufficiency of education to fit them for business pursuits, they were immediately put to pursue some honest avocation. F. L. Ridgely, the subject of this memoir, was kept at school until seven- teen years of age, and then learned his first practical lessons of business, as clerk, in the store of Ridgely & Edgar. After remaining in that capacity for some time, he started for the West Indies and Spanish Main, on a trading voyage, in which he was engaged for two years, and en- tered into the South American trade, where he was successful. After releasing himself from these commercial pursuits, Mr. Ridgely, in 1828, at the solicitation of his brother. Dr. Richard Ridgely, who was about paving a visit to his uncle, Mr. Nicholas Ridgely, then of St. Louis, and now a wealthy citizen of Springfield, Illinois, determined to see the Western country, concerning which he had heard such marvellous accounts. In this trip, he visited St. Louis, and so pleased was he with the briskness of its business aspect, that he made up his mind to locate himself in the fast-growing city. He commenced first as clerk on the steamboat "Missouri," where he remained two years; he then associated liimself with Mr. J. H. Gay for three years, when he retired from busi- ness, which had yielded during that time, very handsome business returns. Mr. Ridgely, after giving up business, again connected himself with steamboats, and, as clerk, captain, and owner, remained in the business for several years. In 1840, he was elected secretary of the Union Insurance Company, and served in that capacity for ten years, when he was elected president, and still continues in that honorable relation. He was the eldest child of his parents, and is brother to the wife of Mr. Brownlee, president of the Merchants' Bank, and also to Mrs. O. Shaw. One of his brothers, Lieutenant Henderson Ridgely, of the light infantrv, was killed in the Mexican war. He was mairied to Miss Eleanore, daughter of Mr. John B. Robert, of Lexington, Kentucky, a native of France. Mr. Ridgely has been successful in the various relations of life in which he has been engaged. This success is not to be attributed to the exploded doctrine of being " born under an auspicious star,"' but to his judgment, his foresight, and his habits of untiring industry. F. L. RIDGELY. President of the Board of Underwritera. I p. 495.) KNGRAVED EXPKES8LY FOE THIS WORK FROM A PHOTOGRAPH BY BROW. (:,:^''''WMr \ iB^ "SiS^ ;{; '';:i?^^- J OHN H. GAY, ESQ. (p. 4ti7.) KNGKATRO KXPUFSSI.T FOR THIS WORK FHOM A I'lIOTOi.ltAl'Il BY mioWN. JOHN H. GAY. John H. Gay was born October Yth, 1*787, in Staunton, Augusta county, Virginia. His pjirents wore in moderate circumstances, owning the farm on which tliev resided, and were devoted to the welfare of their children. They sold out their property, and went into the state of South Carolina, where they lived but a short time ; for they lost both liealth and property, and left their family in destitute circumstances. However, Henry Gay and his wife were well-beloved by their friends, and, immediately on their demise, they sent for the children, took them to their homes in Virginia, and properly cared for them. John Gay was the eldest of this family of children, and, after receiving schooling sutficient to qualify him for business pursuits, commenced, at the age of twentv, to learn the tanning and currier business. From the very outset, he evinced that judgment and activity in business, which have always marked his career, and insured him success in every thing he undertook. It was but a short period before- he purchased the concern of his employer, and carried on the business in a profitable manner on his own account. It was during this time that he united himself in wedlock to Miss Sophia Mitchell, daughter of the Rev. Edward Mitchell, their mar- riage bearing date August 7th, 1813. After the expiration of two years, during which he carried on the tan- ning and currii^r business, Mr. Gay sold out, and went to Liberty,-where he commenced trading in cattle. He was not engaged very long in this new vocation, which he carried on with great profit,, before he resolved to leave Liberty, and enter upon a new pursuit.. In 1819, he went to St. Clair county, Illinois, where he purchased a farm, and pursued the voca- tion of an agriculturist, for several years. The farm on which he then resided he still owns. In 1824, he gave up farming pursuits, and put into execution a design which he had formed some time previously, and came to St. Louis, where he commenced the life of a merchant; and, having associated with Mr. Estis, a firm caHed Gay and Estis sprung into exist- ence, and they were soon known as growing men, and worthy of the con- fidence and support of the community. Each year gave to the new firm increased strength and resources, and year by year the business extended, and soon became extensive in its mag- nitude. While on the full tide to fortune, the firm became extinct by the death of Mr. Estis, and then Mr. Gay took entire charge of the concern. This was in 1833, and so assiduously did he devote himself to his busi- ness, which, from its extent, required continual watchfulness, to keep all of its parts in a healthful condition, that his constitution failed, from its mass of care and labor, and, finding no remedy by which his health could be recruited, but a total abandonment of his business, he sold out to Messrs. Ridgely and Billon. Mr. Gay has three children, two sons and a daughter. The eldest son, Edward J. Gay, was born February 3, 1816,. and married Miss Maria Hines, daughter of Colonel Hinesy "of NashvUte,. Tennessee. The other 500 JOHN II. GAY. son, William T. Oay, was l)orn in St. Louis, October 15th, 1828, and mar- ried Miss Sallie liass, . M)l.) KNOIIAVF.D EXPKHHHI.Y FOR Tlim WOI!K I'l'.IlM A I'lloini; I'.A I'll liV Bl:<)WN. ALONZO CHILD. Alonzo Child was born July 21st, 1807, in Rutland county, state of Vermont. lie is a scion of an old and most respectable English family of Worcestershire, and the first member emigrated to this country in 1G30, and landed at Boston. His name was Benjamin Child, and from him there are numerous descendants, and it may be said that some of them are eminent, and all of them occupy most respectable spheres of life. The family are remarkable for their health, vigor, enterprise, and longevity, and Ebenezer Child, the father of the subject of this memoir, is now living in Castleton, Vermont, at the advanced age of ninety-one. Alonzo Child received an excellent education in his youth, having been first sent to the country schools, and then for several years to the Brandon Academy. At the age of eighteen, his eyes became diseased, and he became en- tirely blind for the space of two years; but having visited some of the eminent physicians of Boston, he received benefit from their remedies, and gradually recovered his sight, which he and his friends had feared was lost forever. This infirmity necessarily doomed him to inaction for several years, and checked his exertions in the very May-day of life, when the spirits are most genial in their flow, and most ardent for the trials and success of business pursuits. It was two years that he suftered from his affliction, and having partially recovered, commenced business in 1820, in Lowell, Massachusetts, by introducing the anthracite coal stoves, invented by the Rev. Dr. Nott — one of the most erudite scholars of the day, and so long the president of Union College, which he so richly endowed at his death — who furnished him with a large consignment for the purpose of starting him in business. Alonzo Child was careful at first to keep his business in a contracted sphere, but when he understood properly its tendencies and his bearing, he extended it as his patronage increased, and soon carried on a hard- ware store, in connection with other manufactures, of considerable extent. So as still more to extend his business, he entered into copartnership with Stephen Mausur, with whom he continued in an agreeable business connection for several years. Stephen Mausur, his former partner, is now the efficient and popular mayor of Lowell. From its contiguity to Boston, Mr. Child felt convinced that Lowell would never be a city of very great commercial importance, and he deter- mined to remove to some point where he could enlarge his business to a greater extent than he could in that town, and, winding up his concern, started on a visit of examination through the principal cities of the Union. He visited in his tour St. Louis, and his practical knowledge at once led him to believe that a splendid future awaited it, from the peculiar ad- vantages of its location. He had found what he wished for, a city with all the elements of business vitality, and which promised in time to be scarcely second in magnitude to any city in the Union. He commenced in 1835, the hardware business, in which he continues to this time. 504 ALONZO CHILD The business career of Mr. Child in St. Louis, has been a most prosper- ous one. His business talents, liis industry, and liis energy, would have made liini partially successful in any place; but in St. Louis, where there was such an ample field for their development, Mr. Child has reached a position in the business world which nuist satisfy all of his business aspirations. He is the senior partner of the well-known house of Child, Pratt & Co., and his name has an influence both in business and social circles, the result of successful enterprise and exalted merit. Though he has amassed a fortune sufficient to supply all the luxuries which even a devotee of pleasure might require, he still pursues his usual routine of business habits, with nearly the same ardor which characterized him in his early years ; and his remarkable diligence furnishes a salutary example to the young members of his establishment. In 1843-4, Mr. Child visited Europe, and spent several months in that country, in completing arrangements for direct importations of his goods, and his house has a fame second to none in the Western country. Since 1850, he resides principally near Tarry town, on the Hudson River, but spends the winter season in St. Louis. August 28th, 1838, he married Miss Mary Goodrich, daughter of James Goodrich, formerly of Massachusetts. They are a Scotch family, and the wife of Mr. Goodrich was a Wallace, and a lineal descendant of the martyr to Scottish liberty. Mr. Child has seven children, and in his domestic relations is an exemplary husband and father. ,,„*^»'' DR. CHARLES A. POPE. (11. r,()5.) KNORAVKD KXl'EEBSLY FOR TUIS WOKK KliOM A l'HOT0(;BAl-ll liY liBOWN. DK. CHARLES A. POPE. This distinguished surgeon, who now occupies the cliair of surgery ii. St. Louis Medical College, was born March 15th, 1818, at Huntsville. Alabama. His father, Benjamin S. Pope, was a respectable planter, in liberal circumstances of life, and gave his son all the advantages of an early education. When he arrived at the proper age, he was sent to thr Greene Academy at Huntsville, and was then transferred to the University of Alabama, where he passed through the prescribed course of collegiate study. Returning to his native town, he commenced the study of his profession with Drs. Fearn and Erskine, physicians of extensive practice, and accomplished in their profession. He then went to the Cincinnati Medical College, and attended a course of lectures, and believing he would have still greater advantages by going to the University of Pennsylvania. he became one of the students of that justly-celebrated institution, wherr he remained until he graduated. From a boy, Dr. Pope was of a sanguine temperament, and ambitious of success ; and after graduating at Philadelphia, he determined to put the last finish on an education which had been carefully conducted from the commencement, by a visit to Flurope. He travelled extensively in France and Germany, and resided two years in Paris, that he might learn all that appertained to his profession, and more particularly in the brand of surgery, which had been brought to such perfection in France. In 1841 Dr. Pope returned from Europe, and, satisfied that he had sought every source that could avail him, he came to St. Louis, and confidently opened his oflice for practice. He was highly accomplished in his profession, which, together with his urbanity of manner and high moral attributes, soon brought him before the public, and scarcely a year had elapsed since his advent in St. Louis, before he was elected professor of anatomy in the medical department of the St. Louis University. After filling that chaii for some years, he received the appointment of professor of surgery, whicl. chair he still occupies. On April 14th, 1846, Dr. Pope was united in marriage to Miss Carolins O'Fallon, daughter of Colonel John O'Fallon, of St. Louis. In the par ticular branch of his profession, to which he has devoted his closest at- tention, there are few who do not acknowledge his supremacy. He hac rare advantages, from a youth, and he embi-aced them to the utmost, s*^ that now his fame as a surgeon has extended throughout the Union. Th( St. Louis Medical College, with which Dr. Pope is connected, stands in the first rank of medical institutions, and is richly provided with every essential for a complete medical education. As a citizen. Dr. Pope has proved his devotion to the welfare of Si. Louis, by the active part he has taken with regard to the common schools. and has assisted to bring about the present efficient system, under whicl they so healthfully exist. He is chairman of the committee of High Normal Schools; is a trustee of the Washington University; and one o' the managers of the O'Fallon Polytechnic Institute. Dr. Pope is in the very meridian of life, and has already gathere<' laurels of which any man may be proud. He has fame, position, aiK affluence, and when scarcely thirty-five years of age was elected the eightli president of the American Medical Association. 22 ROBERT BARTH. Robert Barth was born March IGtli, 1815, at Torgan, in the country of Prussia. His parents were in respectable circumstances in life, and Robert received a good business education, having been sent first to the ordinary schools of the country, and then, at the age of fourteen, was sent to a commercial college at Magdeburg, Avhere he remained four years. His education then being completed, he entered as clerk in the grocery and produce business, where he remained seven years, and leaving that place, went to Hamburg, still in the capacity of clerk, and got ready em- ployment. While a resident of Hamburg, Mr. Barth heard of the West Indies, and thought of settling in some one of that famous cluster of islands; but during his voyage he changed his mind, determining to visit first the United States, and arrived in New York in 1839. He thought it first advisable to sec the country before fixing his residence, and, travelling through the west, came to the city of St. Louis. He arrived in December 1839, and the city pleasing him, he determined to commence business in it. He was a perfect stranger, with but little means ; but having a great deal of self-reliance in his composition, he made up his mind to commence and succeed. Chance threw him in the way of Mr. Angelrodt, one of the first German settlers in Missouri, and a most influential citizen, who took him into his establishment, the firm being Carstens, Angelrodt & Co., engaged in the commission and grocery business. Young Barth was always ambitious of success, and soon, by applica- tion, diligence, and economy, gained the entire confidence of his employers, and became a member of the firm, which changed to Angelrodt, Eggers & Barth; and in 1850 was changed to Angelrodt & Barth, which still continues. It is natural for any one with a cultivated mind to take an interest in every measure connected with mental cultivation ; and Mr. Barth used all of his eftbrts in promoting the establishment of the Mercantile Library, which is now one of the boasted institutions of St. Louis. He was married to Miss Sophia Angelrodt, March 15th, 1847, the daughter of his first friend and employer in St. Louis ; and so effectually has he won the public confidence of the citizens, that he was appointed as agent by the city authorities to negotiate city bonds in Europe. Pie has been a director of the Pacific Railroad, and consul and vice-consul of several German states, director of the Perpetual Insurance Company since 1843, is u director of the Phoenix Floating-Dock Company, and is the efficient president of the German Saving Institution, so high in the confidence of the community. ROBERT B A R T H • (I.. r,oo.) ENGP-AVED EXl-KESSLY FOU THIS WORK FROM A PHOTO.,KAP.i l.Y TKOXEl.L JOHN WITHNELL, ESQ. (p. -Ml.) ENGRAVED EXl-BESSLY FOR THIS WOKK FROM A PHOTOGRAI'II BY TKoXEM, JOHN WITIINELL. Whoever achieves fortune and social position by his own eftbits, and preserves at the same time an unblemislied reputation, is a credit to humanity, and is a safe example and guide to succeeding generations. The subject of this memoir belongs to this class of persons, who, by their own untiring energy and business talent, have risen by degrees to prom- inence among their fellovv-mcn ; and whose purity of character the foul breath of calumny has never aspersed. John Withnc'll was born March 19th, 1806, at Chorley, Lancashire, England. His father, John Withnell, after whom he was named, was an honorable and practical business man, and his mother, Elizabeth Spencer, was of an old Catholic family, and a woman remarkable for her Christian and domestic virtues. John Withnell, the elder, was a lumber merchant and builder, who early instilled into the minds of his children the principles of integrity and self-reliance as the great secrets of life. He gave them all a sound English education, sufficient to fit them for any vocation ; and then, this done, he felt confident, from the precepts and example he had given them, that they would steer safely and successfully their course ; nor has he been mistaken. He had three sons and tliree daughters. Two of the latter died before forming any alliance in life, and the youngest, Elizabeth, is still living, having married Mr. William Smith, of her native town. All of the sons have been busy reapers in the harvest-field of life, and have garnered amply of its riches. One of them, William, went to the West Indies, where he soon, by his talents, assumed a most prominent position, and became most fortunate in all of his business connections, and now lives in Liverpool, in the quiet enjoyment of the independence he has acquired. Another son, Thomas, is successfully following the occupation of an architect in Spain ; and the father still lives, at an advanced age, and sees with pride, that the example he set in life, and the principles he inculcated, have been followed by his children. At the age of fourteen, John Withnell was taken from school, and, after spending some time at home in employment, was apprenticed to the stone-cutting business, and remained in that capacity, in Liverpool, for five )'ears. He was always attentive to his work, and perfected himself in all of its details; for he had determined to be in the first rank of his vocation, and win his way to fortune. After leaving Liverpool, he returned home for a short time, and made preparations to sail for America. Ho had, for years, yearned for that favoied land which offered such inducements to the young votary of aspiring ambition. He landed in the United States in 1829, with one sovereign in his pocket, and, after sojourning in the East a short time, departed for Pittsburgh, on foot; for it was the commencement of the winter of 1829, and he could not well work at his trade during the in- clement season. Mr. Withnell's advent in Pittsburgh was propitious. It was there he 514 JOHN WITHNELL. formed the acquaintance of his present estimable lady, whose maiden name was Martha Graves Wain w right, whom he married in January, 1833, when he had become a resident of St. Louis. She was the daughter of Mr. Joseph Wainwright, of Lawrenceville, who is still living. After a trial of Pittsburgh for nearly two years, he departed for St. Louis, where he arrived in August, 1831, and in a little while afterward assisted in building the penitentiary at Alton. He soon became known in St. Louis for his skill and attention to business, and many of the large contracts for stone-work fell into his hands. He had the contract for the stone-cutting of the cathedral, and many others of much importance. He had formed a business connection in St. Louis with Mr. Coates, a gentleman of fine abilities and social worth, which existed until 1838, when Mr. Withnell went to Jefferson City, having obtained the stone- contract of the capitol. He was engaged in this contract for three years, and the capitol of our state, which is built of a kind of marble suscept- ible of the highest finish, owes much of its beauty to his skill and taste- ful execution. He was also for many years a partner in the brewery business conducted by Wainwright, Coates & Co. Shortly after leaving Jefferson City, he took the contract for the county jail, which was the last work he performed in the stone-contract business, and in 1843 bought the place where he now resides, in the suburbs of St. Louis, which was then a wild. Years before, in his rambles through the country, he had been delighted with the beautiful location, and had deter- mined, when sufficiently able, to purchase it. He has adorned it with the most exquisite taste and elegance, and the grounds are among the most tasteful and lovely in the Western country. Mr. Withnell has avoided politics as uncongenial with that quietude in which he delights; but in 1813, he was persuaded by his friends to be- come a member of the Board of Aldermen, in which he served two terms. He was one of the corporators of the St. Louis Agricultural and Mechani- cal Association, and was one of its eflScient directors for three years. He is also a director in the Gas Company, and his name adds weight and respect to every thing with which it is connected. He is retiring in his disposition, domestic in his habits, warm in his friendship, and passes his life chiefly in superintending the cultivation and adornment of his farm, and in the serene enjoyments which nestle around the family hearth- stone. THE FILLEY FAMILY. In America there is but little pride taken in genealogy, and it is a rare occurrence to meet a family who can trace their ancestral lineage farther back than two or three generations. Business is tiie great absorbing in- terest of all classes of society, and keeps them intent upon the present and the future ; what is past cannot materially affect their business, and the indulgence of family reminiscences would only occupy their mind to the exclusion of other thoughts more available perhaps in a financial view. This is the substance of their reasoning, and hence the ignorance displayed by most families in ancestral knowledge. There are some whom this business philosophy does not influence, who take a wortli}^ pride in tracing their families from some certain renowned epoch, through all the mazes of lineal and collateral descent for a long series of years, and in keeping a record of the names an '-^ O (t! fD <^ gx (B re a ,. CL - S 'o- 3 S - =■ O 2 ^ "^ ^ -^ ^ ^ a =?■ ■ " — ^T3 "- m - O . I— I t^ t> 1-3 K''( Si CS ~ Btao-i •o '-1 =:. tJT a. 3 te C ^ K o s 5< H OK 3 O O !> < K H 5 C5 . O ■2 X P S- c ? :t - 5P 3 3 2 <* o C K Cfq V ^* HJ 3 ^^ ^ CO 3 o «> £; ;r =• C;- <0 ;ii i_5 ="2. 7) Ol -* o !_, c« c a S 5-; '" -T ^ ^ - o = o El CO =^ -": 5 « ^'^ a: ai rt c -f- 2, • 3 = —^ E^i^-^ — -O K P' C- C5 O «-'• ~ 3 ^'-1 3 ^ 5-» a^. THE ADVANCE OF REAL ESTATE IN ST. LOUIS. The rise of real estate in St. Louis has been so fabulous that it has be- come a theme of wonder and interest. We could not make this history complete did we not give some account of the progressions ; and to make the relation n)ore varied, more extensive, more authentic, and interesting, we have solicited the aid of those gentlemen that are known to the com- munity, as most conversant with all of its features; and, without com- ment or alteration, we give to our readers the communications which have been addressed to us relative to our inquiries. No eftort on our part could have so eflectually gathered this most use- ful information, and these communications will form a most interesting portion of our work. We are indebted for the following coinnmnica- tions to William Louis A. Leraume, President of Gas-Light Company. Dr. J. W. Hall, Large owner of real estate. J. G. Barrv, Ex-Mayor of St. Louis. John Casey, Large owner of real estate. Belt & I'riest, Real Estate Agents. William Kisley, County Treasurer. Henry W. Williams, Attorney at law, and extensively engaged in real estate practice. " St. Louis, March 24th, 1860. "Dear Sir : — In compliance with your request, I have tried to bring to mind as far as I could the value of real estate in this city during the past forty-two years. I have not been a speculator in lands, but have bought for my own use. In the year 1822 I purchased a lot on Third street, between Plum and Cedar streets, 75 feet front by 150 in dei)th, for the sum of $225 the lot. In the year 1846 I sold the same lot for $3,000, and it is now held at a bid of $17,000. In 1834 I bought a lot on Main street, between Spruce and Myrtle streets, 40 feet front, running to the river baid<, for $350; and in 1852 I sold it, with a two-story house on it, for $10,000. The same property is now worth $35,000. In 1845 I bought a lot on Second street, between Lombard and Hazel streets, 150 feet front, running to the river, for $800; and in 1855 I sold one-third of it for $42,000, and held the balance at $100,000. In 1849 I bought a house and lot on Walnut street, between Sixth and Seventh streets, for $6,000. In 185G I was offered $15,000 for it. I have known similar sales, " Yours truly, " W. Kisley." KEAL ESTATE IN ST. LOUIS. 521 "St. Louis, March Gtli, IbGO. "Dear Sir : — I have been trying to remember some sales which might have taken phioe many years ago, and theretbre interest you, as showing the rise in the price of property in St. Louis. " I remember in 1834 I bought from Jjenjamin Lawhead some ground on wliat is now Second street, east side, between Locust and Olive streets, for $150 per foot, which is now valued at $1,500 or $2,000 per front foot. Recently, in 1850, I bought where I now reside, on Chouteau avenue, a $40 per foot front. It is now supposed to be Avorth $150 or $200 per foot. I have known various instances where ground has been sold for from $50 to $100 per foot, which is now worth from $1,000 to $2,000 per foot. In fact, the whole town is nothing but an illustration of the sud- den rise of property, and consequently the sudden enrichment of the owners of the property. I was once oftered ground on the corner of Main and Spruce streets for $15 per foot. I wanted to purchase it for a peach- orchard, but did not do so. It is now worth $700 or $600 per foot. I remember in the year 1832 or 1833 ground fronting on Fourth and Fifth streets, south of Gratiot street, that I declared positively I would not have the ground for a gift, the tlien owner to make me a deed for the land and put it on record. It is now worth $300 and $400 per front foot. "1 remember I was one of three commissioners appointed by the Corporation to sell city commons purely and solely as the ordinance pro- vided, for agricultural purposes. We soh:l land (I then called it giving away), some for say $15 per acre; it is now worth in some instances $50 per front foot. There was one instance we sold land in the commons for $1,500 per acre; it is now worth, on the corner of Parke avenue and St, Ang'e avenue, $125 per front foot. " 1 remain, sir, very respectfully, "James G. Barry." "St. Louis Gas-Light Company, St. Louis, Feb. 9th, 18G0. " Dear Sir : — At your request I refresh my memory to give you, as far as I can in my opinion, the value of property in St. Louis for some twenty- five to thirty-five years back. The first sale which I can recollect was made by grandmother Dubruil, of a lot on the corner of Second and Pine streets, 70 feet front by 150 deep, to M. Papin, for $700. This was, I think, in 1822 or 1823. My mother bought in 1822 or 1823 a lot 70 feet front by 150 in depth, corner of Second and Olive streets, south-west corner, with good stone house, log kitchen, barn and good fences, all for $1,500. The above are now worth from $1,500 to $2,000 per foot. "In 1826 my grandmother's property on Second street, block 61,1 be- lieve between Chesnut and Pine streets, was sold by the administrator, 50 feet, corner Second and Chesnut by 150, for $10 per foot. The remainder, about 18 feet, with a first-rate stone house and kitchen, was bought in by my mother for benefit of estate for $3,000, and sold by her to Mr. Gay in 1830 or 31 for the same price — so that property had not risen in that locality from 1826 to 1831. Property even in the business parts of the city had but a nominal value till about 1832 to 1833. It may have com- menced rising a little in 1831, but so slightly that it was not noticeable, and did not really seem to rise till 1835. From this period it went up 522 KEAh ESTATE IN ST. LOUIS. in the business parts of the town pretty rapidly till 1838 or 1839 — the coinnienconient of bank disasters. From that period to 1842-3, though there may have been no fall, there was no demand, and, to my knowledge, no sales. "In 1836 or 1837 I heard Mr. Lucas offer land about Lucas Place for $200 an acre. He sold lots to Benoist, Bogy and others on Eighth street, between Pine and Locust streets, for $10 per foot. "After the crash of the banks, from 1837 to 1841, property had but a nominal value; it commenced rising about 1842 or 1843, and went up gradually till 1845, from which time it improved more rapidly, till the great fire in 1849. From the latter date it rose very fast to the present time, and still continues rising, notwithstanding the cry of croakers to the contrary; and, in my humble judgment, will continue onward till the great vidley of the Mississippi is filled up and densely populated. Coun- try property rose but little until the building of plank and macadamized roads, but went up magically after the commencement of our railroads. " To resume, in my opinion, there was but an imperceptible, if any rise in property in the city till 1834 or 1835, when it continued to rise slowly till the great crash in 1838 or 1839. It went up again about 1842 or 1843, slowTy, till 1849, and from that period to date very rapidly. " Hoping the above may add a little light to your valuable researches, I remain, dear sir, yours truly and respectfully, " Louis A. Labaum." "St. Louis, March 29th, 1860. "Dear Sir: — In reply to your inquiries concerning the rise of real estate in this city, accept this hastily-prepared schedule of facts. * "In 1818, a lot on the west side of Main street, between Locust and Olive streets, having a fronton Main street of 65 feet, and running through to Second street, was purchased for $1,800 ; in 1857, a part of the same property, having a front on Main street of 43 feet, and running west to the alley 140 feet, back not quite half the western width of the lot, was sold for $1,275 per front foot— about $56,000. "In 1836, property was off"ered on the corner of Eighth and Pine streets for 1 10 per foot, but there were no bids for it, every one thinking that the price was greatly beyond the intrinsic value of the property, as all west of Eighth street was at that time a common. "In 1839, the eastern half of the block on which the Planters' House stands was sold for $150 per foot, fronting on Fourth street. The price was regarded as ruinous to the purchaser. The property is now worth, without improvement, $1,500 per front foot. "As late as 1849, previous to the great fire, the most desirable prop- erty on Main street would not bring more than $300 per front foot. "In 1851, during autumn, Stoddard's Addition was sold. Property on the corner of Locust and Beaumont streets was then sold for $15 per foot ; on the corner of Washington and Garrison avenues for 85 74 per foot; on the corner of Franklin and Ewing avenues for $15 per foot ; on the corner of Lucas and Leffingwell avenues for the same price; and other parts of the Addition, not having the advantage of a corner locality, at lower figures. Nine years have elapsed, and the same property will now readily bring from $65 to $100 per foot. REAL ESTATE IN ST. LOUIS. 523 "In 1827, on Second street, corner of Chesnut and Pine, J. Francis Chouteau sold seventy-two feet front by one hundred and fitly, running west, to Pierre Didier Chouteau for $800 ; in 185S the same property was sold by the heirs of Papin to Edward J. Gay for $1,080 per foot, each foot then bringing more than the whole seventy-two feet in 1827. On this lot stand Gay's marble buildings. "Very respectfully, "Belt & Priest, " Real Estate Agents, 41 Chesnut street." " St. Louis, March 9th, 1860. " Dear Sir : — I will try to comply with your request in relation to the relative value of property in St. Louis during the last few years. "I will give you the facts of a few prominent points, by which you will be able to judge of intermediate points. "Early in 1840, property on the corner of Fifth and Market streets sold for $100 per foot; the same will now readily sell for $1,000 per foot. "In 1840 I bought lots on Olive street, between Seventh and Eighth streets, at $40 per foot, which would now sell for $350 per foot. About this time I could have bought of Judge J. B. C. Lewis property on Olive street, between Eleventh and Twelfth streets, for $10 per foot, which is now worth $300 per foot. And on the same street, between Fifteenth and Sixteenth streets, $5 per foot is now worth $200 per foot. "In 1842-3 property sold in Christy's Addition, west of the St. Louis University, between Twelfth and Sixteenth streets and Christy avenue, at from $4 to $10 per foot. The same would sell to-day for from $125 to $200 per foot. "In 1843-4, on Franklin avenue, and south of it, in Mills' Addition, property sold about Twenty-third street at from $3 to $5 per foot, is now- worth from $50 to $75 per foot. In the neighborhood of the market on Seventh street, property could have been bought in 1844 at from $10 to $20 per foot. The same will now sell for from $250 to $300 per foot. Looking southwardly, property sold about this time at a very low figure, but has rapidly risen to figures quite as high as in any other direction. "From 1840 to 1850 the tendency was north. About 1850 a very rapid advance took place to the south and south-west. From about 1854 to 1860 a great rush took place to the north-west, in the direction of Fair Grounds. "North St. Louis, about Bremen, toward 1850 began to make rapid strides. "In 1849 Lowell was first off"ered. It had been bought, only one year before, for about $200 per acre. In May, 1849, it sold for from $5 to $10 per foot on Bellefontaine road. It is now selling at from $20 to $30 per foot, or about from $4,000 to $5,000 per acre. "Thus, if you take a stand-point about the court-house, you will find the progress resulting about the same, though something in favor of the northward. Westwardly you will find quite an equal advance. " In Stoddard's Addition, which is only about ten years old, property sold at from $5 to $20 per foot. It will now sell at from $50 to $125 per foot. 524: REAL ESTATE IN ST. LOUIS. " As you will observe, the wave of progress has fluctuated in every direction, first in one and then in another, but finally it gains an equilib- rium, as things have become established. "Thus you will see that those who invest money in St. Louis have only to wait a little, and a short time brings about vast results. And the only way to judge of the future is to look at the past; according to this rule, the destiny of St. Louis is bound to be the great central city of the United States. "Truly yours, "W.Hall." "Carondelet, March 12th 18GU. " Dear Sir : — I have endeavored to recollect a few instances which have occurred within my knowledge for the last thirty years as to the advance in the value of real estate in the city of St. Louis. "I purchased of B. A. Soulard in 1843 a piece of property on Caron- delet avenue, now Nos. 12 and 14, four doors this side of Park avenue, for $2,400, on which there were two brick dwellings, considered worth the amount paid for the whole property, 40 feet front by 140 in depth, for which I have been otFered recently $9,000. "I also bought of Edward Leavy a piece of property on the corner of Thirteenth street and Franklin avenue in 1843 for $850, on which there was a two-story frame building, now paying an annual rent of $850, 26 feet front by a depth of 107 feet. The above property was cultivated as a corn-field in 1840. This property is now worth $250 per foot. "I bought of John Loane in July, 1848, a piece of property on the south side of Morgan street, between Twelfth and Thirteenth streets, 26 feet front by a depth of 144 feet to Orange street, on which there was a two-story brick building, for $1,800, now yielding a monthly rent of $60, and worth now at least $250 per front foot. "I bought in October, 1849, a piece of property 83 feet front by a depth of 147 feet on the corner of Christy avenue and Nineteenth street, which cost about $45 per front foot. It could be readily sold now for from $125 to $150 per foot. "I was present at a sale made in 1832 or 1833 on Main street, where Murdoch & Dickson now keep their auction room. The property sold on that day was bid off to A. Kerr, of the house of J. & A. Kerr, at $70 per front foot, running back to Commercial street, and could now, 1 presume, be sold for $2,000 per foot. "Respectfully, "John Casey." "St. Louis, April 5th, 1860. "Dear Sir: — Assuming that you do not expect any thing more than ' personal recollections' in the statement which you have requested me to make in reference to the enhancement in value of real estate in St. Louis and its vicinity, I proceed to give you a few items. "My acquaintance with the property of St. Louis commenced in the year 1844. The population of the city was then estimated at 40,000, the previous census, taken in 1840, showing only 16,649. This remarkable increase of nearly twenty-four thousand in four years appears to have had but slight eftect upon the value of real estate, as property could have been purchased by the acre at that date in almost any direction from the KEAL ESTATE IN ST. LOUIS. . 525 court-house, a mile and a half distant from that point, at from $200 to $300 per acre. "In 1843-4 a very large amount of the land owned by the city, known as the Common, was disposed of at an average of less than $50 per acre. The amount originally owned by the city was 4,293 arpens. In 183G the city was authorized by the legislature to sell the same. The sale amounted to $425,000, or nearly $100 per arpen. The purchasers imagined, how- ever, that they had agreed to pay too much, and neglected to make their payments. Their rights were consequently declared forfeited, and the city, in 1843, proceeded to sell to other parties. In the year 1850, all of the lands owned by the city, save about (500 acres, had been disposed of, and at that date the total amount received by the city treasury for the lands sold was $163,680 ! The land so sold is now worth not less than $25,000,000 ! In the same year, the president of the Board of Assessors valued the unsold portions of the commons — 591 acres — at $581,391. He also valued the other real estate of the city at $753,913, making the total value of the real estate then owned by the city $1,335,304. In the year 1857, after the city had sold to the amount of about $1,500,000, the land register reported the value of real estate and improvements then belonging to the city at $15,919,856 63 ! " In 1843, the City Council passed an ordinance limiting the sale of the Commons at not less than $25 per acre ! " In 1847, I purchased 9,00 acres in block No. 66 of the Commons, for $6,500, with improvements worth not less than $4,000, and was rallied by some of my friends, who regarded it as an extravagant price. Three years later I sold it at $13,500, and the same land cannot now be pur- chased for $75,000. In the same year I purchased 4foy acres in block No. 75 of the Commons for $900, on three years' time, without interest. $9,000 has recently been offered and refused for the same tract. In the same year (1847) a friend was offered a tract fronting on Lafayette Park, with a comfortable frame-house, and well improved with fruit-trees, shrubbery, &c., for $2,800. He declined to purchase, stating that it was ' too far out in the woods.' The same tract is worth at the present time not less than $40,000. "In the year 1848, Daniel D. Page, Esq., sold to Mr. David H. Arm- strong a tract of twelve acres in the southern part of the city, north of the arsenal, at $200 per acre, amounting to $2,400 ; the same tract is worth at this date not less than $100,000. "In 1846, the great statesman, Henry Clay, visited ^t. Louis. He owned, with his son, James B. Clay, the tract known as 'Clay's old orchard tract,' and desired to sell it. He advertised a sale to take place at the Court House — 275 arpens to be divided into tracts of from five to forty acres, to suit purchasers. On the day of sale, he made a few re- marks to the assembled crowd, and concluded by reserving a single bid for himself. Some of the choice land in the tract was then offered, and the highest bid that could be obtained was the reserved bid of Mr. Clay, which, by the advice of Judge Can, he fixed at $120 per acre. No per- son being willing to purchase at that hiffk fifjure^ the sale closed, after which Mr. Clay offered the whole tract at $100 per acre. In 1849 sixty or seventy arpens of the tract were sold at an average of $250 per acre. In 1853, about sixty acres were sold at an average of $450 per acre ; in 526 • REAL ESTATE IN ST. LOUIS. 1857, sixty-five arpens were sold at an average of $1,050 per acre; and in 1859, four arpens, with improvements worth about $1,200, were sold for $9,000, being about $2,000 per acre. *' In 1844, there were but very few buildings beyond Tenth street. Nearly all the property west of that line was in acres, but a very small portion of it having been subdivided into lots. The city limits extended to about Seventeenth street. About the year 1850 or 1851, the sub- divisions had reached the city limits, and commenced to go beyond. Messrs. Leffingwell & Elliott were at this time engaged in getting up a correct map of St. Louis and its vicinity. They projected the street now represented as Grand avenue as the western boundary of the future city. It was originally designed to be 120 feet wide, to extend from north to south a distance of about eleven miles, and at one point over three miles from the river or eastern boundary of the city. The space between the old city line and the proposed ' Grand avenue,' as represented upon the map, looked exceedingly blank, and the very large territory embraced afforded good grounds for the belief which many persons entertained that the city never could reach Grand avenue. " Many persons believed, and were not backward in expressing their opinions, that Messrs. Leffingwell & P^Uiott were exceedingly wild and visionary in their views as to the future of St. Louis. Time, however, has proven those views to be correct. Mr. Elliott, in a very able article, based upon the increase of St. Louis during previous years, predicted that the population in 1860 would number 175,000. "The present census returns will show that he was short of the mark, although, at the date of his prediction, there were but few who regarded it as oracular. "A glance at the recent editions of Mr. Leffingwell's map will demon- strate that even Grand avenue is not to limit the westward march of our city. Nearly all the ground east of Grand avenue has been subdivided, sold, and a very large proportion of it improved. The city limits have been extended to Grand avenue and ten chains beyond it, and subdivisions are constantly being made beyond the city line. "To return, however, to the statements you desire in regard to the in- crease in the value of real estate. "In 1847, Colonel Rene Paul offered me ground on Chouteau avenue, just west of Eighth street, at $10 per foot, on ten years' credit, with in- terest at six per cent. The same ground is now selling at from $150 to $175 per foot. • "In 1845, the ground on Fourteenth street, between Market street and Clark avenue, was sold at prices averaging about $12 per front foot. It is now worth at least $150 per foot. "In 1851, the highest prices obtained in Stoddard's Addition was $20iuo per foot, and the average was about $15 per foot. At the present time property which then sold for $10, commands readily $125 per foot. " Many other instances might be cited, showing an increase in the value of the real estate of the city, of from thirty to fifty per cent, per annum ; but I have already wearied your patience, and close, regretting that the pressure of business has prevented my giving you a more con- nected and coherent statement of my ' recollections.' " Respectfully yours, " Uenry W. Williams." MADAME ELIZABETH O K T E S . //( her \)f)th year, 92 yearn a rexident of St Lauin. ENGRAVED FKOM A I'lIOTOllKAPIl 1!Y TROXELL, EXPRESSLY FOR THE "GKEA"* WEST. MADAME ELIZABETH ORTES. Madame Elizabeth Ortes was born September 27th, 1764, at Vincen- nes, a Frencli military post of great importance on the Wabash. To have been in Indiana at that early date, was to have been in a wilderness, and avast region on both sides of the Mississippi went by the name of Illinois. Her mother's name was Marguerite Dutremble, and that of her father Antoine Barada, who, previous to his marriage, was a French soldier, and served for some years in the French army, then commanded by Louis St. Ange de Bellerive. When Vincennes had been given up to the English, the very year after her birth, her parents still remained at the post; but see- ing, day by day, the old customs gradually dying away, which, from long use, had become necessary to their existence ; and feeling, also, that dis- like to the English natural to the French, they removed to St. Louis in 1768. Madame Ortes was then four years of age, and St. Louis was founded seven months before her birth. At the age of four years, the memory had commenced to retain upon its delicate tablet impressions of external objects, and Madame Ortes dis- tinctly recollects her removal from Fort Vincennes to St. Louis, and knows well the time when the little log church was built on Second street, near Market, on the same square where the cathedral now stands. The church was built by Jean B. Ortes, who became her future husband. She distinctly recollects the time when the French flag was lowered, and the town was delivered to the Spaniards by Louis St. Ange de Bellerive, who was then commandant. She well remembers the appearance of that distinguished general of the French, and the time when he died, at the house of Madame Chouteau, situated on the square opposite the Missouri Republican office. She distinctly remembers Pierre Laclede Liguest, the founder of the city, and was thirteen years of age when he died, on the Mississippi, at the mouth of the Arkansas. At fourteen years of age, Mademoiselle Elizabeth Barada was married to Jean B. Ortes, one of the companions of Liguest, who was a native of the same place, the county of Bion, on the borders of France ; and their birth-spot was in the shadow of the towering Pyrenees. Both emigrated to America at one time, and they were together Vhen the site of St. Louis was chosen and the trees marked where the erection of the buildings was to be commenced. He was a carpenter and cabinet-maker, and died in 1813, at the age of seventy-five years. Madame Ortes is now nearly ninety-six years of age, and has lived ninety-two years in St. Louis. She has seen all the different phases of the Mound City, from 1768 to the present time. She was a little girl during the first French domination, and saw Piernas, the first Spanish governor, when he arrived in the town. She had grown to womanhood when the town was attacked by the savages, in 1780. She was intimate with the families of the different Spanish commandants, and was in the fortieth year of her age when the city was again delivered to the com- missioner of the French, and on the following day was consigned to a 23 530 MADAME ELIZABETH ORTES. representative of the United States, and the star-spangled banner floated from the battlunients. She has witnessed all the changes St. Louis has undergone during the almost century of its existence. She has seen the little log- cabins of one story, as they grew tottering by the decaying lingers of Time, supplanted by palatial buildings. She has seen the gay, convivial, and happy inliabitants that once formed the population, go, one by one, to their " narrow house ;" and a new people, with different tastes, and animated by mercenary motives, are living and breathing around her. Every thing has become more attractive to the eye — shows the march of intellect and civilization ; but the atmosphere created by sympathetic influence has been chilled, and the warm sunshine of happi- ness, which radiated the days of the former inhabitants, is now wanting. Time has dealt gently with Madame Ortes. Though ninety-six years of age, her health is good, spirits buoyant, and her mind lucid and active. Her memory is most astonishing, and she loves to talk of the time that has passed, of the persons who were the companions of her childhood, and with whom she associated in the spring and summer of her life. She was always of a happy nature, lived a retired life, never was troubled by worldly wants, and, to use her own graphic expression, " her cellar was always full." To these salutary causes is to be attributed the health and the length of life she has enjoyed. We are happy to relate that she has resided, since the death of her husband, in the house of Mr. Joseph Philibert, her son-in-law, having at her command all worldly comforts. She is surrounded by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and in their society almost forgets the infirmities and regrets of age, and lives a life of comparative happiness. P I E R K E CHOUTEAU, ESQ. (p. 531.) ENGRAVED BXPBESSLY FOR THIS WORK FROM A MINIATURE PAINTIHG. THE CHOUTEAU FAMILY. There is no family that now lives or has lived in St. Louis, that is so identified with the city as the Chouteau family. The name is familiar to all classes of citizens, and a sketch of its history will be a record of unu- sual interest. It was from the beautiful country bordering upon the Po in France that a member of the family, in the person of a youth called Rene Chouteau, first emigrated, and came first to Canada, and afterward to New Orleans, where he engaged successfully in trading with the Indi- ans; and there married Mademoiselle Therese Bourgeois; and five chil- dren were the fruit of the marriage, namely, Auguste, Pierre, Pelagic, Ma- rie Louise, and Victoire. The eldest of these children, Auguste Chouteau, at an early period gave indications of business talent, and attracting the attention of Pierre La- clede Liguest, when he was making preparations for the trade with the Indians of the Missouri and Upper Mississippi rivers, he offered him a po- sition of trust, which was accepted, and previous to starting from New Or- leans he had so ingratiated himself in the favor of his employer, that he became the second in command ; and the position of the son being one of trust and importance, the mother and family started with the expedi- tion for the new post that was to be established on the Mississippi. The expedition first landed at St. Genevieve, and after leaving there, a few families stopped at Kaskaskia, among whom was that of Madame Chouteau, with the exception of Auguste Chouteau, who, as next in com- mand to Liguest, conducted the expedition to Fort de Chartres.* From Fort de Chartres, Auguste Chouteau started with Liguest, and a few picked men, for the mouth of the Missouri, to discover a site for the trading post which was to be their future home. In this voyage the site where St. Louis now stands was chosen, and the trees sliced to mark the spot where the first buildings were to be erected. After returning to Fort de Char- tres, Auguste Chouteau, directly navigation would permit, started with thirty picked men, by the order of Liguest, to commence building upon the spot previously selected, and the cabins for the men and the ware- house for the goods were built, and also the commencement of the build- ing which afterward became known as the old Chouteau Mansion, but lately torn down, and which stood on the square between Main and Sec- ond, and Market and Walnut streets. Six months after the little colony had become settled and somewhat comfortable, Madame Chouteau and her children, who had been left at Kaskaskia, moved to the new-named town of St. Louis, and a few months afterward resided in the square situated between Second and Main, and Chestnut and Walnut streets, where Madame Chouteau resided until her death. * See deposition of Jean Baptiste de Riviere dit Baccaue, as recorded in Hunt's Min- utes, in tlie United States Recorder's office. 534 THK CHOUTEAU FAMILY. Augustc Chouteau, the eldest son of the family, had a business educa- tion, and to him was committed the charge of surveying the precincts of the new town, in which work he was assisted by his brother, Pierre Chou- teau, lie then became a merchant and Indian trader, and after the death of Liguest in 1778, he was selected by Antoine Maxent, the partner of the deceased, to administer upon the estate, and in the Spanish archives still in existence in our court-house, is to be found a paper of Antoine Maxent, bearing testimony to the confidence he had in the administrator, and his satisfaction in the manner in which the business confided to him had been adjusted.* The house in which Liguest lived, was purchased by Auguste Chouteau, after his death, when oft'ered for public sale in 1770, for the sum of three thousand livres. This was for the whole square, and was a large price for property at the time ; but it must be recollected that though land was comparatively nothing in value, buildings were dear, and the one of Li- guest was the best in the village. Colonel Auguste Chouteau soon after- ward greatly enlarged the house, and it became known as the Choteau Mansion, and around it was built a wall having portholes for cannon ; and often, when alarmed from fear of the Indians, many of the inhabitants would take shelter within its gates. As the city grew it was again new modeled and with all the elegance that wealth could command, though preserving many of its primitive quaint features, which added to its inter- est.f In that mansion Colonel Auguste Chouteau resided until his death, which took place in 1829. Under Governor Lewis, Auguste Chouteau received the appointment of colonel — was one of the judges of the territorial courts, and a commis- sioner of the general government to treat with the Indians. He was also * See Archives. f When it was in contemplation to tear this old house down, it gave birth to the follow- ing beautiful poetical efl'usion from the New Orleans Picayune : THE CHOUTEAU HOUSE. BY M. C. FIELD. Touch not a stone ! An early pioneer Of Christian sway founded his dwelling here, Almost alone. Touch not a stone ! Let the Great West command A hoary relic of the early land; That after generations may not say, " All went for gold in our forefather's day, And of our infancy we nothing own." Touch not a stone ! Touch not a stone ! Let the old pile decay, A relic of the time now pass'd away. Ye heirs, who own Lordly endowment of the ancient hall, Till the last rafter crumbles from the wall, And each old tree around the dwelling rots, Yield not your heritage for "building-lots." Hold the old ruin for itself alone; Touch not a stone I MJJLllIllLlliii^^ iuiiiiijiijjjiiiii IIIIIIIIMI!!:^; BARNUM'S CITY HOTEL, oocurYiNO .V pur.Tio.v »v Tin; sqtjark on wiiicn tiik ou) ouodtkau mansiun FORMiiia-y htuod. Til K OLD TI O TT T R A F MANSION. BXGRAVED EXPKIOStSI.Y KliR IHIS AVOTK Fi;OM AN (iLD lil:A\VIXG IN IllK I'dNSKSSION OF J. C. DAliLOW, I SQ, THE CHOUTEAU FAMILY. 535 president of the old Bank of St. Louis and the old Bank of Missouri. During the time of the Spanish commandants, he possessed their confi- dence and friendship, and may be said to have been the prime vizier of all of them. He for a long time owned the only mill in the place, assisted in building the first church in 1*770, built the first distillery in 1789, and during the Spanish domination was the leading and enterprising spirit of the time. After the change of government, he was regarded by the Amer- ican people as a man possessing a high sense of honor and a benignant disposition. In early life he married Mademoiselle Therese Cerre, and had seven children, bearing names as follows : Anguste, Gabriel, Henri, Edward, Ula- lie, Louise and Emilie. Pierre Chouteau, who was the brother of Auguste, came to St. Louis, according to the ancient record, with his mother, as has been related be- fore, about six months after the founding of the post. From early youth he evinced a passion for trading with the Indians, and being taken into partnership by his brother Auguste, to him was confided the trading with the savages, and most of the years of his active life were spent amid the wilds of the Missouri, encountering all the liardships and vicissitudes then incident to the life of the trader. He may truly be said to have been the pioneer of the fur-trade, which in after years became the source of the wealth of St. Louis and of interest to the Union. In 1804 he gave up the Indian trade, and was appointed under Jeflferson agent for the Indians west of the Mississippi river. During the "Celebration of the Anniversary of the Founding of St. Louis," he was the oldest settler in St. Louis, and presided at the festival on that occasion. He was twice married. His first wife was Mademoiselle Pelagic Kiersereau, and four children were the issue of the marriage, namely, Auguste, Pierre, 'Paul Liguest, and Pelagic. His second wife was Mademoiselle Brigette Saucier, by whom he had five children, named as follows : Frances, Cyp- rien, Pharamond, Charles and Frederick. He died at the advanced age of ninety-one. We have now given a cursory history of the two sons of Rene and Built by a foremost Western pioneer, It stood upon Saint Louis bluff, to cheer New settlers on. Now o'er it tow'r majestic spire and dome, And lowly seems the forest trader's home ; All out of fashion, like a time-struck man, Last of his age, his kindred and his clan, Lingering still, a stranger and alone; — Toucli not a stone ! Spare the old house ! The ancient mansion spare, For ages still to front the market square; — That may be shown. How those old walls of good St. Louis rock, In native strength, shall bear against the shock Of centuries ! There shall the curious see, When like a fable shall our story be, How the Star City of the West has grown! Touch not a stone 1 536 THE CHOUTEAU FAMILY. Therese Chouteau, and will now simply mention the three daughters in their marringe connection. Pelagic married Sylvestre Labadie, a prominent merchant and Indian trader in the early days of St. Louis, and had one son and four daughters, namely, Sylvestre, Emilie, Pelagic, Sophia, and Monette, Marie Louise, the second daughter of Rene and Therese Chouteau, married Jean Marie Papiii, a merchant and Indian trader, who had a large family of seven sons and five daughters, viz. : Joseph, Laforce, Hy polite, Hilicour, Villeret, Pierre Didier, Dartine, Marguerite, Therese, Mario Louise, Sophia, and Emilie. Victoire, the third daughter of Rene and Therese Chouteau, married Charles Gratiot, a merchant and Indian trader, and had nine children, viz.: Charles, Henri, Pierre, Paul, Julia, Victoire, Therese, Emilie, and Eza- belle. We have now given the names of the children of Rene Chouteau and Therese Bourgeois, known as Madame Chouteau, and, likewise, the names of those to whom they were married, and the names of their children ; and from the marriages of these last have sprung some of the most influ- ential citizens of St. Louis. We have now to complete this sketch of the Chouteau farail\', by giving a biographical sketch of one of its prom- inent members, whose portrait adorns this work. PIERRE CHOUTEAU. Pierre Chouteau was born on the 19th of January, 1789. His father, after whom he was named, and of whom we have already given the reader some account as being an Indian trader, was seldom domesticated witii his family, being called, by the nature of his vocation, fiir in the remote wilds through which the Upper Mississippi and wild Missouri flow. His mother, Pelagic Kiersereau, had the whole charge of the children; and the first visitation of childish grief which young Pierre experienced was when, at the age of four years, he lost this estimable parent. After the death of his mother he was taken by his aunt, Madame Dahetre, who lived in a little one-story house, at the corner of Washington Avenue and Main. (At that time Washington Avenue had no name, and Main street was called. La rue principalc). There were, in the early days of St. Louis, two French teachers who taught all of the children of the little village. They were known as ^la- dame Rigache, and Jean Baptiste Trudeau ; and to them Pierre Chouteau owed the first rudiments of education. However, from the very first, his nature rebelled against confined and sedentary habits; and while a young boy, he would listen with rapture to the adventures of the hunters and trappers, who, at that time, made up a large portion of the population of St. Louis, and often besought his father to let him go to the trading posts established on the Missouri. This repeated solicitation was at length gratified ; for his father, having given up his trade with the Indians at the change of government, he consented in 1807 to young Pierre making his first essay as a trader, which was at that time a kind of knight-errant- ry to which all the ambitious French youth aspired. Panting with the pressure of youthful hopes, Pierre Chouteau left St. THE CHOUTEAU FAMILY. 537 Louis in August, 1807, with two boats laden with goods suitable for the Indian trade in that region. As is always the case in youthful perspec- tive, not more than one-half of his hopes were realized. The expedition did not produce the Potosi of wealth which he had before figured up would be the result; and on the whole was but a meagre compensation for the hardships he encountered in his first experience in the fur-trade ; for he wintered upon the Osage, and that year the winter was of unusual severity. In early spring he returned to St. Louis, and then, at the solicitation of Dubuque, the well-known pioneer miner and trader of Iowa, went up to the trading post bearing his name, and on the site of which is now a flour- ishing city, and became connected with the fur trade of the Upper Mis- sissippi. After the death of Dubuque, he came back to St. Louis, and in 1819 formed a partnership with his brother-in-law, Bcrthold, in the In- dian trade and general merchandizing business ; and the store was kept in the second brick house that was built in St. Louis, and located on Main street, between Market and Chestnut streets. The firm of Bcrthold and Chouteau soon became extensively known, and their boats and trading posts were familiar to the numerous tribes of Indians who dwelt upon the Missouri and its tributaries. Berthold re- mained in the store, and to Pierre Chouteau was confided the trade with the Indians. After the boats were dispatched a few days, he would start upon horseback and take the road leading from St. Louis toward what now is Manchester, and which, after some miles from the city, became a small Indian path, in many places scarcely perceptible. After leaving the set- tlements he had to content himself with Indian comforts in his business pilgrimage. Some bread and dried buffiilo meat which he carried in a wallet attached to his saddle, served as his sustenance on his journey. At night, he would tether his horse that it might graze at pleasure, and wrapping himself in a blanket, would lie upon the earth with his feet toward the fire which he usually kindled, according to the fashion of the Indians. Frequently in these wild solitudes he would come across small encampments of Indians, and would often accept their invitations to a feast; and, strange to say, there was never an insult offered him, nor any attempt made to interrupt his journeys. This originated in a great meas- ure from a perfect knowledge of the Indian character, and a disposition at all times to conciliate their regard rath,er than excite their prejudice.* After the dissolution of the firm of Berthold & Chouteau, Pierre Chou- teau became connected in business with other prominent Indian traders, among whom were General Bernard Pratte, and Jean P. Cabanne. It is a fact deserving of record that, in these associations, so total was the confi- dence of each partner in the other, that there were no written terms of copartnership, and never any difficulty in the final adjustment of the books. * In one of these journeys M. Chouteau was accompanied by two interpreters, Noal Montgraiu and Paul Loise. They started from St. Louis in the montli of Decem- ber, and in a few days they were overtaken by a severe snow-storm. The weather was exceedingly severe, and at night the travellers would lie down in the snow, with their blankets and bear-skins. The horses were tetliered or hobbled, and could fanj well on the branches of cotton-wood trees, of which they are very fond. 538 THE CHOUTEAU FAMILY. In 1827, Pierre Chouteau became associated with Mr. Astor, and the American Fur Company, then in its pahiiy days, was principally under his management. At this time the boats ascended the Missouri only as far as the Bluft's, and the goods were then taken and transferred in packs to horses, and carried in that manner to the regions of the Crows and Blackfeet at a vast expense. Pierre Chouteau, after being familiar with the currents of the Missouri for many years, resolved to pass wliat was thouglit to be the Ultima Thule of its navigation. In 1831, he ascended in boats to Fort Pierre, which feat Iiaving accomplished successfully, in the following year — 1832, the wild Indians living about the moutlis of the Yellowstone, first saw, in awe and surprise, a steamboat in their midst. In 1834, he purchased Mr. Astor's interest in the western branch of the company, and in 183G was established the present firm of Pierre Chou- teau, Jun., it Co., which, since that time, may be said to have monopolized all of the fur-trade of the Missouri and Upper Mississippi rivers. Mr. Cliouteau is also now engaged extensively in the iron business. June loth, 1813, Pierre Chouteau married his cousin, Emilie Gratiot, daughter of Charles Gratiot, and has two children, both living — his son, Charles Chouteau, being associated in business with him. He is now in the evening of an active and well-spent life, possessing a reputation pure from calumny, and enjoying the respect of all classes of citizens. He was one of the framers of the constitution in 1820, and has been of mucli utility to the general government in assisting in treaties with the far and distant tribes of Indians. He has been tlie largest fur-trader west of the Alleghany Mountains. At one period liis trading area extended over an immense country. It embraced the whole country watered by the Upper Mississippi and Missouri rivers, and by the Osage, the Kansas, the Platte, and the St. Peters ; he frequently having in his employ seven hundred men, some of them at immense salaries. To his pilots up the Missouri river he often gave seven hundred dollars per month, so as to secure the services of the most skilful; and to this circumstance may be attributed the fact that in all of the dangerous navigation incident to his business, he has never met with any serious losses. Pierre Chouteau is connected with two business houses in New York, one in the fiir-trade, the other in the iron business; his name is known from St. Louis to the Ptocky Mountains, and from St. Louis to the little lake from which flows the Mississippi, and wherever it is known it is loved and honored. J A M i; K S () U L A K D , E B Q . (p. 539.) ENGRAVED KXP! KSSLY Full THIS WOI'.K IKO.M A I'lKiTOfiRAPlI I;Y liHOWN. THE SOULARD FAMILY. The name of Soulard, so identified with the early annals of St. Louis, belongs to that part of France where the city of Rochefort is situated. We will commence with Antoine Soulard, the second surveyor under the Spanish domination in Upper Louisiana, he having succeeded Martin Duralde, the first surveyor who had been appointed by Piernas, the first Spanish commandant. His father figured conspicuously in the martial exploits of his country, and was a captain in the French Royal Navy. While holding this rank, in some engagement with the English, his left arm was shot off by a cannon-ball. Antoine Soulard, born at a time when France for many years presented the features of a recruiting camp, and born, too, of ancestors who had been bred to arms, gave early indications of a preference to a martial sphere, and, after being properly qualified by an education at a military academy, was in due time appointed a lieutenant in the royal army. A little while after his appointment, the lowering clouds which produced the storm of the Revolution, began to gather over the political firmament of France with portentous gloom. It soon burst with all its fury. The royal crown was rolled in the dust, and the king, queen, and whole hosts of their followers were swept from existence. To belong to the royal faction was to be a foredoomed victim to the bloody shrine of wild and barbarous anarchy ; and Antoine Soulard and many others, to escape the busy axe of the guillotine, resolved on expatriating themselves, and sailed for the United States in the year 1794. He landed at Marblehead, Mas- sachusetts, with but a small quantity of livi-es in his possession; and knowing that St. Louis was peopled principally by the French, he at once started for the distant town. He took his route through Pittsburgh, which journey he performed on horseback, and from thence he proceeded down the Ohio, in a keel-boat which was bound for St. Louis. When he arrived at St. Louis, Antoine Soulard was a perfect stranger, but, self-reliant and determined to enter promptly on some sphere of ac- tive life, he at once introduced himself to Zenon Trudeau, the Spanish commandant, but a Frenchman, and so favorable was the impression which he created, that the lieutenant-governor took him to his house, and there domiciled him. He did more. Finding how superior was his education, he appointed him surveyor-general of the whole province of Upper Louisiana, which office had then been vacant, and remained his true and staunch friend during the term of his administration, which expired in 1798. Antoine Soulard was continued in office by Delassus de Daluziere, the last Spanish commandant, during whose term, from the profusion of grants, his duties were very onerous. When the Province of Louisiana was transferred to the United States, he was continued in office by Major 642 THE 80ULAKD FAMILY. Stoddard, the first governor of the province when it came in possession of the United States; and when the province came under the jurisdiction of the Territory of Indiana, he was continued in his office by General Harrison, and held it until he resigned. After his resignation, Antoine Soulard devoted himself to the care of his farm, situated on what was then known as the Vide Poche road, now Carondelet avenue. What was then his farm is now comprised in the very centre of the southern portion of the city of St. Louis. It extended from what is known as Park avenue to Lesperance street, and, commenc- ing at the Mississippi on the east, was bounded on the west by Caron- delet avenue. He had the finest orchard of fruits known in St. Louis or its vicinity. Soon after his advent in St. Louis, Antoine Soulard was married to Julia Cerre, daughter of Gabriel Cerre, one of those who came from Kaskaskia to St. Louis a few months after its foundation, after the eastern portion of the Province of Louisiana fell into the hands of the English. He was consequently the brother-in-law of Colonel Augnstc Chouteau, •who married Therese Cerre, and likewise brother-in-law of Pascal Cerre, all children of Gabriel Cerre, who was engaged at one time extensively in trade with the Indians, and owned large landed possessions near St. Louis. Antoine Soulard died in 1825, and left three sons — James G. Soulard, Henry G. Soulard, and Benjamin A. Soulard, all of whom are still living. Antoine Soulard had one brother and two sisters, the latter living and dying in France. The brother, whose name was Benjamin Soulard, had a predilection for military life, and was fitted for it by graduation at a military academy. He was lieutenant in the navy, and was at St. Domin- go (now Hayti) when the negro insurrection occurred, and the whites were nearly all inhumanly massacred. He then went to Cadiz, Spain, and for a short time engaged in mercantile pursuits; but when the French legions marched into the country, he joined their ranks, and served in that eventful war, fortunate at first for the French, but disastrous in its termination. After the giant strength of Napoleon Bonaparte was forced to yield to the tremendous coalition against him, and he was inhumanl}' cast upon a barren and rocky isle in the wild waste of ocean, Benjamin Soulard, with many other French officers, was restored to his rank in the navy, and soon after retired — his pension being the half-pay of captain. He carried with him in his retirement the most honorable insignia of his profession as emblematic of his worth. He was invested with the order of " The Legion of Honor," and also with that of " Knight of St, Louis." He died at Kochefort. AVe have in this work a portrait of a member of this ancient family, and will now proceed to give his biography. JAMES G. SOULARD. James G. Soulard was born in St. Louis, July l7th, 1V98. He was sent to the well-known schoolmaster of the village, Jean Baptiste Trudeau. After the retirement of his father, Antoine Soulard, from the surveyorship THE SOULARD FAMILY. 543 of Upper Louisiana, lie received from him much instruction, as he had been highly educated in France previous to his entrance in the army. He was learned in the practical duties of agricultural life, as his father pos- sessed a superior farm, whose limits no'w almost embrace the heart of the city of St. Louis. James G. Soulard was married in early life to Miss Eliza M. Hunt, daughter of Thomas Hunt and of Eunice Wellington, both of Watertown, Massachusetts. Her father. Colonel Thomas Hunt, was an officer in the United States army, and fought for his country during the trying- period of the Revolution. He was stationed at Belle Fontaine, then the military post of the country, before the building of the Arsenal, and died at the fort, where he commanded. Four weeks afterward the amiable wife and devoted mother paid the last debt which humanity pays to nature, and was buried by the side of her husband. The turf is now green above them both, but their memories are still cherished by friends and children. James G. Soulard has been engaged in mercantile pursuits, which he pursued for some time in the state of Illinois, and for many years was one bf the hardy pioneers on the outskirts of civilization. He was for a short time a resident of Fort Snelling, Minnesota. He was made deputy-surveyor of the general government, and while a resident of Jo Daviess county, Illinois, he had so much the confidence of the community, that he was elected county recorder and county surveyor, which offices he held for many years. For twenty-two years he has resided near the flourishing city of Galena, Illinois, where he has been farming extensively, and, by his taste for the collection of the finest fruits, and skill in cul- tivating them, he has done much to call the attention of agriculturists to the profits arising from fruit-culture, and the blessing to the general health which attends their consumption. Mr. Soulard was the first to introduce the grape into that section of country, and now there are many flourishing vineyards which evince the success of its cultivation. He was also coast-master of Galena. Mr. Soulard has a large family of children — one son and seven daugh- ters. The daughters are all married. He is blessed with still a tine constitution, though he has drawn heavily upon it during the hardships incident to his pioneer life, and Time has but gently touched him during the more than threescore years of his existence, leaving scarcely an evidence yet of his "decaying fingers." His health is vigorous, his step elastic, his form erect, and possessing no mark of the decrepitude of age. He is warm and constant in his friendship, and, from his ami- able deportment, has always been popular. He was born in St. Louis when it was under a foreign domination, and is one of the few still left who recollect when our great Metropolis had less than one thousand inhabitants. THE RIGHT REV. CICERO STEPHENS HAWKS, D. D., BISHOP OF MISSOURI. The clistin2:uis]iecl subject of this sketch was born May 26th, 1812, at Newbeni, North Carolina. His father's family was of Eno-Iish extrac- tion, and liis mother's was of Irish origin. They settled in North Carolina at an early day. It was his misfortune, however, never to know the sweetest boon of childhood — a mother's affection, she having- died when he was but two years of age. She was exemplary as a Christian, a wife, and mother. His father, Francis Hawks, had nine children, of which the subject of this memoir was the youngest son, and on the death of the- mother, he was taken under the affectionate charge of the eldest sister, Phebe, who afterward married the Hon. Walter Andei'son, late chief- justice of the Supreme Court of Florida, and who siill survives her dis tinguished husband, and resides in Pensacola. It may be hei'e remarked that the two eldest brothers belong to the ministry. The Rev. Francis L. Hawks, D. D., LL. D., is the present rector of Calvary Church, New York, and the Rev. William N. Hawks is the rector of Trinity Church, Columbus, Georgia ; both of them are learned, popular, and eloquent divines, and the former has been thrice elected bishop. The father of Cicero Stephens Hawks gave to him all the advantages of an early education, and among his first classical teachers was the late Right Rev. George W. Freeman, D. D., missionary bishop of the south- west. After a due preparatory course, at the age of fifteen he entered the Sophmore class, of the Universitv of North Carolina. He was inde- fatigable as a student; not only did he excel in his scholastic duties, but there were none who could compete with him in knowledge of general literature. He remained three years at the Univei'sity, and then grad- uated. Whilst there he gave indications of his future eminence. His mind was comprehensive, brilliant, and logical, and his memory so impres- sive that whatever it acquired was ever after recorded upon its tablet. After leaving college, in accordance with the wishes of his father, and his own inclination, he commenced the study of the law in his native town, under instruction of the late Hon. Wm. Gaston, one of the most accomplished jurists and statesmen of his time. He had almost com- pleted his legal studies when his father died, and, forming new plans for the future, in 1833 he went to New York, furnished with introductory letters to Chancellor Kent and other prominent gentlemen, and for a short time continued to pursue his studies for the legal profession. A little while after his advent in New York, his ambition became chas- tened, and his early views became elevated, by reading some authors on theology under the awakening influences of conscience ; he felt a call to the ministry, and under the direction of his brother, the Rev. Francis L. THE EIGHT REV. C I C ]: R (J H T E P 11 E K S HAWKS, D . D . , Bixhoj^ of Missouri. (p. 545.) EX(:r.Avi:D rxpuESSLY For. this ^\•0I;K it.om a piiotoceapii by brown. BISHOP HAWKS. 547 Hawks, he commenced his course of studies, and was ordained a deacon by Bishop Onderdonk, of New York. His first charge of a congregation was in Ulster county, New York ; he officiated also in the neighborhood of Red Hook. When he had attained the age of twenty-four, he was qualified with the full powers of the ministry. He received many invita- tions, to preside over congregations, from diflferent sections of the Union, and finally accepted the rectorship of Trinity Church, Buff'alo. His win- ning and efficient eloquence, and the influence of an exemplary life, soon increased the number of his parishioners, and it was necessary to build another church of larger dimensions, and he was beloved by his numerous congregation. In 1^43, he received an invitation to the rectorship of Christ's Church, St. Louis, which he accepted by the advice of his friends. He became at once most popular in the new field of his labors, and, with the wishes of the resident ministry of the diocese of Missouri, in 1844, he was elected bishop unanimously by the House of Bishops, and the election confirmed by the House of Clerical and Lay Deputies ; and, October 20, 3 844, he was consecrated by Bishop Cliase of Illinois, in Christ Church, Philadelphia; Bishops Chase and Cobbs, the former of New Hampshire, and the latter of Georgia, were consecrated at the same time. Bishop Hawks, we believe, is the youngest bishop that has ever been consecrated in the Episcopal Church. He was, at his consecration, only thirty-two years of age. Possessing an expansive and comprehensive mind, he was soon familiar with his new sphere, and his administration over his exten- sive diocese has been popular and efficient. In 1847, Bishop Hawks received the honorary degree of D. D. from the University of Missouri ; at the same time that of LL. D. was conferred on the late Thomas H. Benton. In 1849, St. Louis was visited by the most dangerous of all known maladies, the Asiatic cholera. It was at this season of tribulation, when life held by so precarious a tenure, and hundreds were flying from the city, that Bishop Hawks was found ministering comfort by the side of the sick and the dying. He acted truly the part, during this fearful crisis, of an exemplary Christian and a faithful pastor to his fold. Five years after- ward, death launched his shaft into his household, and claimed as a victim the gentle being who brought happiness to his hearthstone, the wife of his bosom. Her maiden name was Ann Jones, daughter of Dr. Hugh and Anna Maria Guyon Jones, of Huguenot descent, natives of North Carolina. Her illness was a lingering one, yet she was sustained by Christian fortitude, and her sufferings assuaged by the balm distilled by an approving conscience. She left one daughter, still of a tender age, affording solace to the father in the dark hour of affliction. Bishop Hawks had also for many years the charge of three of his deceased brother's children, two sons and a daughter, who are now comfortably settled in married life. Bishop Hawks, while firmly advocating and maintaining the tenets of his Church, has no sweeping denunciation of others of different views. He is a true Christian, and while free from most of the weaknesses incident to humanity, he is charitable to the errors of others. His mind is a repository of learning garnered from every source, and he possesses rare executive powers. His writings, though not as voluminous as his friends 548 BISHOP HAWKS. and admirers would wish, are, nevertheless, known and popular, having been for many years a contributor to the various journals. He edited, some years ago, " Tlie Boys' and Giils' Library" for the Messrs. Harper, and also Appleton's "Library for my Young Countrymen." He wrote several of the volumes of "Uncle Philip's Conversations for the Young," and was the author of "Friday Christian ; or, the Firstborn of Pitcairn Island." In the pulpit, he wields the potent power of true eloquence. His discourse, convincing by the strength of argument, is relieved and adorned by appropriate rhetorical beauties ; and his manner, without beincc glowing or impressive, has the gentle fervency of Christian inspira- tion. With health unimpaired, and his mind rich in scholastic lore and the wealth of practical experience, the diocese of Missouri can h(^e, for many years, his popular superintendence. JO UN R. M C UN K, ESQ., Pvenident of the, Pilot Kn<>}> Iron Companij. (p. m:. , KNGEAVEI) KXJ'BKSHLV loic llllrt WORK Ki;y the Democratic party as their candidate for the mayoralty, and though his opponent was a Methodist divine of great popularity, he was tri- umphantly elected. After the expiration of the term of office, he was again nominated, but declined the appointment. In 1838, he was tendered the nomination of state Senator, but de- clined the nomination, as it interfered with his professional duties. In 1839, he was married to the daughter of Chester Harding, a distinguished artist of Boston, and in 1840 he moved to St. Louis, where he could have a more extensive arena to display his legal abilities. His reputa- tion as a lawyer had preceded him, and his efforts were successful. After three years of successful practice, he was appointed judge of the St. Louis Circuit Court, whose jurisdiction was far more extensive than at present. While on the bench, Mr, Krum published the "Missouri Justice," which was received with favor, and is a record of his industry and professional learning. Finding that the onerous duties of his office were undermining his health, he resigned his judgeship, and again resumed his profession. In 1848, he was nominated as candidate for mayor, and was elected, though opposed by one of the leading and most popular citizens of the place. He has since been attending to the duties of his profession, and is known as an able attorney, and one of the successful champions of the Democratic party. 24 HENRY BOERNSTEIN, Publisher of the '■^ Anseiger des Westens,''^ the oldest German ncxospai^cr west of the Mississippi. Henry Boernstein was born November 4th, 1805, at the town of Ham- burg", one of the free German cities of the Hanseatic league. He remained in that place until 1813, Avhen his parents emigrated and settled in Lem- berg, a city in Austrian Poland, where young Henry was sent to the University, and after being accomplished in the requisite preliminary education, commenced and completed the study of medicine. After leaving the university, Henry lioernstcin was so attracted by the ostentatious display of military life, that he entered the Austrian army, and remained connected with it during five years, and then, with all of the youthful romance which had been brought into play by the camp and epaulette banished forever, he resigned his commission in the army, and took up liis residence in Vienna, and there he first became connected with the press, and was associated with one of the leading journals. Very soon he evinced decided dramatic talent, and wrote plays which became popular on the theatrical boards, and in 1826 was appointed secretary of the two great theatres of the Austrian metropolis — " An Der H^iVn" and Josephslads, under Director Carl, who was the justly-celebrated stage- manager of Germany, and who has won a world-wide renown from the success which has attended his management of the dramatic boards. After remaining three years under the instruction of the greatest stage- manager iu Europe, Henry Boernstein became chief manager in several of the leading theatres of the cities of Germany and Italy — at Linz, Agram, Trieste, Venice, and other cities. He was not only known as a successful stage-manager, but was also known as a fevorite and popular actor, and in 1841 he and Mrs. Boernstein entered upon a star-engagement tour through the principal cities of Germany, and crowded houses evinced the apprecia- tion of the public of their claims as dramatic artistes. So popular was Mr. Boernstein in Germany, that he determined to go to Paris, "the glass of fashion" of all European cities, and in 1842 he be- came manager of the German Opera, in that city, and afterward of the Italian Opera. He carried on at the same time correspondence with the leadiijg journals of the day, and finding that he could not conveniently be an author and a stage-manager at the same time, he dedicated himself alone to literature, and wrote a number of plays, which had a fine run in the various German theatres. Henry Boernstein was always an advocate for freedom. His first breath was drawn in a free city, and his beau ideal of a perfect govern- ment was the sovereignty of the people ; consequently, wlien Louis Phi- lippe was dethroned, he advocated the cause of those who supported the H E N li y B () K K N S T E I N , ESQ., r\i}iliKhe,r of the " AxLzeiytr dm ir«»<( jm."' (p. 557.) BNUKAVKIl KXPUE8SLY FOR THIS WOUK FROM K PUUTOORAPII HY BEOWN. HENKY BOEKNSTEIN. 559 French Republic; but when Louis Napoleon became president, and find- ing France would again be under the dictatorial rule of a monarch, he resolved to go to a country which promised a continuance of the blessings arising from the expansive and elevating character of a well-organizeil government of the people. He embarked for the United States Decem- ber 10th, 1848, and immediately on landing, wended his way to the west, and remained for a year at Highland, Illinois, looking about for a proper locality, finally to fix himself. While at Highland, his literary abilities became known througli his correspondence, and he was offered the editorship of the ^'■Anzeigcr dcs Westeuis''' at St. Louis. He accepted the offer, and entered upon his duties in March, 1850, and very soon after became the publisher and proprietor of the paper. This journal has always wielded an immense influence in St. Louis, and from the ability and good faith in which it has been edited has constantly received a cordial support from the Germans. Mr. Boernstein has been true to the interest of his countrymen, and through many trying periods of political warfare, has stood forth lear- lessly their champion. He contends, and rightfully, that the German interest is not a nullity, but should receive some consideration in legisla- tive enactments, and they are not bound to sacrifice all their nationalities because they do not agree with the caprices and peculiar education of "native-born American citizens" who can claim the name, merely beause their ancestors, natives of some foreign country, reached our shores some years previous to their birth. He contends that the German citizens are as true to this Republic, and love and would fight by the " star- spangled banner" with as much devotion, as any other class of citizens, and therefore they have equal claim to legislative consideration. Mr. Boernstein was married November 13th, 1829, to Miss Mary Stol- zcr, and has four children, three sons and one daughter. By his talents and attention to business, he has already amassed a fortune, and in con- sequence of the amenity of his manners, he is both socially and politically popular. He is still the publisher and proprietor of the Anzcir/cr dcs Westens, and has recently leased the largest theatre in St. Louis, fitted it up in an expensive and tasteful manner, and converted it into an opera- house, and is doing much to elevate and improve the taste of the citizens of St. Louis by the introduction of the true classical drama. HON. FRANCIS P. BLAIR, JR. Francis P, Blair was born in Lexington, Kentuclcy, February 19th, 1821. His ffither was a native of Washington county, Virginia, was a gentleman of fine scholastic attainments, being a graduate of Transylvania University, and as a journalist and politician, was well known throughout the whole Union. He was the first editor of "77ie Globe''' at Washington City, and continued to preside over that acknowledged organ of the Dem- ocratic party until the advent of Mr. Polk in the "White House," when, not going the whole length prescribed by the Democratic platform, he was required to dispose of the journal to Mr. Ritchie, who was the Nestor of journalists, and was the unswerving advocate of Democratic principles, as established by conclave. He has now retired from the tur- bid currents of political life, and devotes his time to the independent and ennobling pursuit of agriculture, though, previous to retiring from the political field, when Martin Van Buren advocated the Free-soil doc- trine, and drew off large numbers from the Democratic ranks, Mr. Blair became a Free-soiler, and warmly supported the new political doctrine. Francis P. Blair, jr., the subject of this sketch, was brought up in Ken- tucky until nine years of age, when his father's family removed to Wash- ington, his father having been invited there the preceding year to edit The Globe. He was sent early to school, and, passing through the first gradations of education, he was sent to Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and enjoyed for a short time all the advantages of mental culture afforded by that justly-popular institution. His father being a scholar, and estimat- ing properly scholastic attainments, then sent him to Princeton, and at the age of twenty he obtained his diploma of graduation at Nassau Hall. After graduation at Princeton, he returned to Kentucky, and com- menced the study of law under the instruction of Lewis Marshall, an eminent lawyer, and brother of Chief-Justice Marshall, one of the most distinguished jurists of our country. He, however, remained but a short time prosecuting his studies, for his health was at that time feeble, and came to St. Louis on a visit to his uncle, Judge Blair, and then returning to Kentucky, he went to the Law School at Transylvania, where he con- tinued until he completed his legal studies. Young Blair, when he visited St. Louis to see his brother, had marked the vitality everywhere apparent in business, and believing, from its splendid location, in its great future, he had then determined to make it his home when he commenced his profession. After leaving Transyl- vania, he put this design in execution, and returned to St. Louis in 1843, for the purpose of practising his profession. He commenced his practice under favorable auspices ; but liis health was so feeble, it was much feared by his friends tliat the stamina of his constitution were prematurely declined. He was advised by his physician, so as eft'ectually to stop the HON. FRANCIS P. B L A I K , Jit. KNOKAVKI) KXPKKSSI.Y KOK TUI8 WORK FROM A PIIOTIlORA I'll l;Y IJKoWN. HON. FRANCIS P. BLAIR, JR. 563 progress of decline, to alter entirely his habits and pursuits, and, follow- ing the advice, he made a trip to the Rocky Mountains in company with some traders and trappers, and, at the breaking out of the Mexican war, joined the command of General Kearney in Mexico, serving as a private soldier. He returned to St. Louis in 1847, and resumed his profession. Mr. Blair had his health entirely re-established from the active, wild, and exposed life which he led for several years, and even enjoyed the deprivations to which he was subjected, owing probably to hereditary predisposition for that kind of life, as his mother was a descendant of the well-known pioneer Gist, one of the companions of Daniel Boone, when the "Bloody Ground" received its sanguinary baptism in the early annals of Kentucky. In 1848, Mr. Blair, following in the political footprints of his father, advocated the tenets advocated by the Van Buren or Free-soil paity, and took an active part in that campaign. He became a leader of the party at that time, and in ]8o2 was elected to the legislature, and was re-elected for the second year. In 1856, he was elected to Congress, and while in the House of Representatives fearlessly advocated his doctrines, contend- ing against the extension of slavery in the territories. He is no believer in the unholy and disgusting tenets advocated by Abolition fanaticism, but advocates the gradual abolition of slavery in the Union, and the colonization of the slaves emancipated in Central America, which climate appears to be happily adapted to their constitutional idiosyncracies. In September 8th, 1847, Mr. Blair was joined in wedlock to Miss Apolline Alexander, daughter of Andrew Alexander, of Woodford county, Kentucky. He is the acknowledged leader of the Free-soil party, not only in the state of Missouri, but of the Union; and has ever been the friend and supporter of the system of internal improvements, which is so rapidly developing the mineral and agricultural wealth of Missouri. ALEXAJ^DER KAYSER. Alexander Kayser was born at St, Goarshausen, on the Rhine, February 15th, 1815, Reinhard Kayser, his father, was a man of high repute in the town, and for twenty-eight years magistrate, under the Duke of Nassau ; he had been educated as an attorney, but, holding office, did not practice. As might be inferred from the high position of his father, young Alex- ander Kayser had every opportunity of cultivating his mind in the best schools, and, at the age of sixteen, showing a preference for architecture, he was sent to Frankfort-on-the-Main, that he might accomplish himself in that science. However, he remained but a short time there, owing to some reverses, and commenced learning the carpenter's trade. At the age of eighteen, seeing a pamphlet, written by Dr. Duden, a German physi- cian, who had travelled extensively over the United States, lived some time in Warren county, in this state, and spoken most favorably of its institutions and resources, he determined to leave Germany for the West- ern Republic; and, accompanied by his brother Henry and his sister, who has become Mrs. Bates, he left Europe, and, after a tedious journey, finally reached St. Louis, June 18th, 1833. He purchased a fVirm con- tio'uous to St. Louis, on which his sister still resides, but, not liking farm- ing, and being prostrated by an attack of sickness, he went to Beards- town, Illinois, and pursued the profession of teacher. In 1838, he returned to St, Louis, where his brother Henry was employed, in the surveyor-general's office, and he obtained a situation in the land-office, as acting register under the efficient charge of Mr. De Munn. During the municipal magistracy of William Carr Lane, he was appointed street commissioner, to which he was again reappointed, during the administration of the Hon. John F. Darby; but he shortly resigned his office, commenced the study of the law, and was admitted to the bar in 1841. In 1844, Mr, Kayser was appointed delegate to the Convention in Baltimore, and, in 1846, was lieutenant in the Mexican War. In 1852, he was chosen by the democratic party, one of the nine pre- sidential electors of the state. For many years Mr. Kayser has been the most prominent man in St. Louis, in taking an active interest in grape culture, and showing how greatly Missouri is adapted to the culture of the grape. He gave a pre- mium, in 1845, so as to bring forward specimens of the best native wine, and, in 1849, offered two premiums of $100 each, and one of $125, for the same purpose. He was married to Miss Eloise P. Morrison, grand- daughter of General Daniel Bissell. He is an enterprising and useful citizen, and highly esteemed in the state of his adoption. A L F, X A N D E li K A Y S E U , ESQ. (p r.fi.i.) K..NRK8HLY FOR THI8 WORK FROM A PHOTOORAPIF BY BROWN. JOSEPH CHARLESS. 587 wealth, from log-houses to palatial residences, which has taken place in the last two-score years in the Mound City. "Mrs. Sarah Charless, his mother, was a most exemplary Christian, and was the first to set in agitation an organization for the building of the first Presbyterian church in St. Louis, and from her hospitable doors no un- happy stranger or suflfering mendicant was ever turned away unrelieved. She died loved and regretted ; for she had lived in the service of her Creator, and in loving and assisting her fellow-creatures. " In nearly all works of general and municipal importance, Mr. Charless was connected. He has been a member of the Board of Aldermen, director in the Public Schools, has been president of the Bank of the State of Missouri, and is now president of the Mechanics' Bank of this city, and one of the directors of the Pacific Railroad. He is likewise a Christian, being a member of the Presbyterian church, and was one of the most active to carry into execution the building of the City University, which is an ornament of the city, and is under the control of the Pres- byterian church. "November 8th, 1831, Mr. Charless married Miss Charlotte Blow, daughter of Captain Blow, of Virginia. He is of domestic habits, and his sterling business qualities, integrity, social disposition and enterprise, have created a large number of friends, and given him deserving influence in the city which few possess." Since writing the above, Mr. Charless was shot in the streets of St. Louis, in June, 1859, by a man named Thornton, for having a year pre- viously given some testimony operating against him at a public trial. The indignation of the citizens was aroused, and the murderer narrowly escaped being hung on the spot. 25 HON. EUWAKD BATES. KUOM A I'ORTRAIT LATELY TAKEN EXPRESSLY FOR THIS WORK BV TUOXELL. — (SEE PAGE hT.) APPENDIX. (1) page 240. There arc a dozen instances in the Archives and Livre- Terrein where the founder of St. Louis has signed his name Pierre Laclede Liguest. Why he was known by the name of Laclede by the old in- habitants, is very easily accounted for. In the first stages of society there is no caste, no ceremony ; every person is on the most familiar footing, and it was rare that any one was called but by one name ; and that is as seldom the patronymic. The Christian or middle names are generally used. The inhabitants called the founder of the village Laclede in their daily familiar intercourse, but when it was signed by himself in legal instruments, it was written Laclede Liguest, or Pierre Laclede Liguest. (2) page 242. There is a statement made by Jean Baptiste Riviere dit Baccane, and recorded in Hunt's Minutes, that Laclede remained some time in Kaskaskia, previous to his visit to St. Louis, after he had sent Auguste Chouteau to take possession of the spot. In another portion of the same record it is related that the warehouse of the company was built on the jmblic square — the block now occupied by the Merchants' Exchange, between Market and Walnut, and Main and Front streets. (3) page 250. The hunters and traders of those days were a graceless set of scamps, take them as a whole. They were a jovial, ignoraut, and immoral set, though possessing honesty, courage, and self-reliance. If a true history could be made of some of their adventures, it would present hair-breadth escapes, feats of daring intrepidity, and suftering in all its phases, more plentifully than adorn the works of Spanish romance. (4) page 250. Third street was not opened until after 1800; for at the change of government it was only opened south of Market street. (5) page 261, "In the year 1774, the 27th of December, I the under- signed have buried the body of Louis St. Ange de Bellerive, Captain of the Swiss Battalion of Louisiana, in the cemetery of this sacristy, and have administered the sacraments of the church. Frere Valentin." From Register of Catholic Church. (6) page 265. There was a female who became afterward the school- mistress of the village, who when the savage made the attack, put on a coat, and buttoning it well up to her chin, and armed with a pistol in one hand and with a knife in the other, took her station at one of the gates, encouraged the men to make a valiant defence, and fearlessly exposed her person to the fire of the savages. This feat of courage dubbed her as a female warrior, and ever after she had the reputation of a heroine. (1^ page 268. (8) 273. It was during the administration of Perez, in the year 1792, 590 APPENDIX. that the honey-bee, that ever luims upon the track of civilization, appeared in tlie neigliborhood of St. Louis. The first swarm settled in the garden of Madame Chouteau, and was a source of much interest to the inhab- itants. Nine years after the advent of the honey-bee, the inhabitants of St. Louis were visited by that dreadful malady, the small-pox. It was brought from New-Orleans by some of the voyageiirs^ and proved very fatal to the inhabitants, as its proper treatment was little understood. The year of the visitation was called Vannec de la picote (the year of the Small-pox). (9) page 2*77. There were three men, commandants in Upper Louisiana at tlie time of the transfer, who were deputy commandants, Don Francis Valle, commandant at St. Genevieve ; Don Louis Lorimer, commandant at Cape Girardeau, and Don Juan Lavallee, conmiandant at New Mad- rid. The governor-general of Louisiana was for many years vested with all the powers of intendant-general, until the appointment of Morales. Delassus in 1803 received the following document from New Orleans, which rendered it illegal for him to grant lands after its reception. His not obeying strictly the order, opened the door to much dispute concern- ing land claims : "On account of the death of the assessor of tliis intendancy, and there not being in the Province a learned man who can supply his place, I have closed the tribunal of aflfairs and causes relating to grants and composi- tions of royal lands, and the 81st article of the royal ordinance for the intendants of New Spain provides that, for conducting that tribunal and substantiating its acts, the concurrence of that officer shall be necessary. I make this communication to apprise you of this providence, and that you may not receive or transmit memorials for the grant of lands, until further orders. God preserve you, &c. "New Orlkans, December 1st, 1802." (10) page 278. There were a great many inhabitants, it is true, who looked upon the transfer even at first with disfavor, but it was confined principally to that class whose possessions were meagre, and consequently who had but little to hope for in the rise of property. The couriers des bois and the voyageurs, doubtless regretted the change, as it gave pos- session of the country to a people who would throw some trammels over the wild liberties of their vagabondish life; and as we have in another part of this narrative given some description of the power of this half- civilized race, we will give some description of the latter. The voyageurs were principally French Canadians, brought up from their infiincy to follow the navigation of the vratercourses for a livelihood. They were a hardy, reckless race of men, whose ambition consisted in braving danger, and performing feats of personal prowess. Those who plied the oar on the eddying currents of the Father of Waters had in a greater degree that hardihood, recklessness, courage, love of danger, and strife, which characterized these demi-savages of the Caucasian race. It was the custom, for one who had been victor in many contests, and was considered a champion, on going ashore to place in his cap a scarlet feather, or a piece of red flannel representing a kind of flag, as a challenge to any one who dared dispute his title of precedence to personal strength APPENDIX. 591 and prowess. The banks of the Mississippi were the scene of many a bloody encounter between the desperate set of men who lived upon its waters. The voyageurs among; the i^eoplc in those earlv days, were looked upon with much respect, and especially by the young girls were viewed with special favor; and those who, still young, could boast of making the most trips to New Orleans, and victorious in the most encounters, received the most significant attention. These hardy men had to pass a term of pro- bation, before they received tlie appellation of voyageurs. During the first year of their plying the oar they were in derision termed mangeurs a lard (pork eaters), and were the subjects of many jests until their term of probation had expired, and they were dubbed with the degree of voyageurs. These voyageurs were the precursors of what were afterward known on the Ohio, Mississippi and other Western rivers as flat-boatmen, who had all their characteristics. These fiatboat-men in great numbers, some years after the change of government, plied between St. Louis jind New Orleans, and were as desperate a set of vagabonds as ever bore the seal of humanity. Among the number was Mike Fink, who has been made the hero of a popular novel. This dare-devil had his home in St. Louis, and there are still living some few old citizens who have seen and known him. We will relate one of his atrocious deeds, which was ultimately the cause of death. One of the feats of Mike Fink was to shoot an apple with his rifle from the hand of a man by the name of Carpenter, which he had done over and over again for a gallon of whiskey, halving it on all occasions with Carpenter, who jeoparded his life so fearfully on these occasions. The friendship which had so long subsisted between these brave and lawless men, was interrupted by a quarrel, and before the i-ancor had entirely passed, some one otfci'cd Carpenter a gallon of whiskey if he would let some one shoot an apple from his hand. The temptation was irresistible to Carpenter, and he was unwilling that any one perfocm the feat but Mike Fink. Mike Fink was sent for, and, arrived at the spot, professed his willingness to do what he had so frequently done before successfully. Carpenter took his station at eighty yards, and as Mike Fink raised his rifle, his countenance changed to a demon's hue, black and fearful. In an instant his experienced eye ranged the lead with the sights, and then when every muscle was still and unmoved as a rock, the rifle was fired, and, to the horror of all. Carpenter fell dead upon the spot, the ball having perforated his forehead. Mike Fink pretended that the rifle hung fire, and the death was entirely accidental. However, in one of his drunken orgies he confessed to have done it designedly, and being threatened with arrest went far up the Missouri to escape from the meshes of the law. Pirate vengeance is more searching for life than public justice, and one of the boon companions of Carpenter followed the mui'derer to his wild haunts and stabbed him to the heart. While we are giving a sketch of some of the desperate men who lived in early times, we will give a short space in placing upon record, as illustra- tions of an epoch that was remarkable for the lowness of its morality, some of the achievements of Dick or Ned Pierce. This man was power- fully built, an idle, loafing fellow, but brave as a lion and the bully of the >02 APPENDIX. plfice. lie had numberless contests in the rough and tumble manner, and liad always been the victor. He had fought with the strongest and most experienced fighters in the country, and their sledge-like blows had no more effect upon the head of Pierce than on an anvil. Pierce began to have great faith in the hardness of his skull, and offered on one occasion to fight a ram which was running in the common, and was remarkable for his viciousness. The fight was to be a la mode the ram butting. If successful he was to have a gallon of whiskey. The announcement created quite a sensation in the village, and numbers went to see the contest between Pierce and the ram. Pierce teased and aggravated the ram to the fighting point, and the animal, frenzied by rage, ran backward, according to his fashion of combat, and, with all his speed, his tremendous bound, he ran toward Pierce, who, upon his hands and knees, a'waited him, and as the animal, with a terrible dash, aimed at his head. Pierce escaped the shock by lowering his head, and raising it with all of his force, in time to strike the lower jaw of the ram, ■when the animal fell lifeless — his neck was broken. He obtained two or three victories in this way, and was at last killed by a large ram owned by Colonel Chouteau, When the ram made a dash at him, Pierce, ac- cording to custom, suddenly attempted to lower his head, but a stubble sticking in his nostril, caused him, from the pain, quickly to elevate it, and he received upon his forehead the full blow of the ram, and his brains were spattered upon the soil. (10) page 279. Some of the old inhabitants contend that the origin of the name was in this wise. Frequently the inhabitants of St. Louis would go to Carpndelet upon excursions of pleasure, and it was remarked that they always returned with an empty pocket — their money being generally lost in gaming, to which some of the inhabitants were addicted. Hence all returning from the village with an empty pocket {vide 2?oche), it became afterward known by that name. (12) page 291. General William Harrison was governor at that time of the Territory of Indiana, and visited St. Louis so as to see the condi- tion of the District of Louisiana, and perform properly the responsible duties vesting in him. After examining into tlie condition of things, he returned to Indiana, and, in connection with the judges of that territory, passed some laws relative to the government of the new district. They were passed October 1st, 1804, and the acts were as follows: concerning crimes and punishments, justices' courts, slaves, taxes, militia, recorder's office, attorneys, constables, boatmen, defalcation, court rules, establish- ment of probate court, courts of judicature, oath of office, appointment of sheriffs, and regulation of marriages. The last act is dated April 24lh, 1805, which was after the passage of the act of Congress changing the name of the District of Louisiana to that of "The Territory of Louisiana," but before the news of the act by the general government had reached Indiana. General Wilkinson was appointed governor at the passage of the act, March 3d, 1805, but was ordered in 1806 by the general government to watch and report the suspected movements of Burr, and Merrywether Lewis was appointed in his place ; who remained governor till 1809, when, committing suicide, Benjamin Howard was appointed, and served till the appointment of General William Clark in 1813; and General Clark re- APPENDIX. 593 mained governor until Missouri became a state, in 1820, when Alexander McNair was elected to the executive office. Mrs. Alexander McNair is still living, at a very advanced age, in St. Louis. (13) page 292. The lirst postmaster in St. Louis was Rufus Easton, who came at the close ot" 1804 to St. Louis, and as a member of the bar, directed his energies to the investigation of real estate titles, and became a high authority in that channel of legal business. He was a gentleman of known integrit}^ and had the confidence of the community. (14) page 308. Colonel Leistendorfer settled in Caroudelet, and raised a large family. Some of his sons became extensive traders, and were most respectable citizens. The general government recognized the services of Colonel Leistendorfer in Africa, by ordering him a pension. There is an anecdote told of the Colonel's expertness in sleight-of-hand necromancy, which would do honor to a professed Indian juggler, and, as it is somewhat illustrative of the history of the city, we will give it, as it smacks of interest and amusement. One evening. Colonel Leistendorfer was performing in the house of old Joseph Robidoux, an Indian trader, living at the corner of Main and Elm streets, and a large attendance of the villagers were present. He an- nounced to the company that he would raise a chicken from an egg, and, after it was full-grown, would cook and serve it up to the company. The audience were highlv pleased with the announcement of this favorite triclv. and watched the proceedings with much interest. The ogg was first shown to the company, placed in a little box that was emptied, then the box was closed, and straightway was heard the complaining notes of a young chicken; and, on opening the box, lo! a young chicken was found. It was transferred to another box, closed up, and immediately reopened, and the chicken had become enough to make a good broil for breakfast. It underwent quite a number of changes, growing larger each time, until it had reached the size of a full-grown chicken. Then the head was cut off" before the company, and the body, head and all placed on a dish, and. after being transferred to a box, from which it was taken a few minutes afterward, cooked to a beautiful brown, and swimming in gravy, from which a most inviting flavor emanated. The magician invited one of the company to carve the chicken, as he intended that the audience should partake of the fowl, aud judge of the merits of the cooking. Judge Wm. C. Carr, then a young attorney, took the knife and fork that was handed to him, and was on the point of using the latter in transfixing the breast of the chicken, when, to the utter astonishment of all, there was a con- vulsive movement in the dish, and a live chicken flew from it on the sort of a stage that had been erected, causing the gravy to splash considerably over the young lawyer. (14) page 309. Before the establishment of a bank in St. Louis, there was but little money afloat, the business being carried on through trade in lead, and all kinds of peltry were given in exchange for groceries and dry goods. (15) page 340. The first bricklayer who lived and followed his voca- tion in St. Louis was named John Lee. Mr. Pierre Berthold, Sen., saw him in Marietta, in Ohio, and persuaded him to accompany him to St. Louis, and carry on his business. Lee consented ; and the first brick house that was erected was of the brick he manufactured. The house was built 594 APPENDIX. on Main street, between Chesnut and Market streets, and was built for Bertliold & Chouteau. There have been many disputes concerning who owned the first brick house in St. Louis; and, as we have joiven much attention to the matter, we are prepared to give authentic information. Christian Wilt owned the second, Judge Carr the third, Manuel Lisa the fourth, and John Smith the fifth. Mr. John Lee, the first bricklayer who came to St. Louis, for some years had a monopoly in his business. He raised a large family, and some of his grandchildren have intermarried with some of the princely merchants of St. Louis. The following is from the Port Folio : "THE MISSOURI TRAPPER. " The varied fortunes of those who bear the above cognomen, what- ever may be their virtues or demerits, must, upon the common principles of humanity, claim our sympathy, while they cannot fail to awaken admi- ration. The hardships voluntarily encountered, and the privations man- fully endured, by this hardy race, in the exercise of their perilous calling, present abundant proofs of those peculiar characteristics which distin- guish the American woodsmen. The trackless deserts of Missouri, the fastnesses of the Rocky Mountains, have all been explored by these oold adventurers; and the great and increasing importance of the Missouri fur-trade is an evidence as well of their numbers as of their skill and perseverance. "The ingenious author of Robinson Crusoe has shown, by an agreeable fiction, that man may exist in a desert, without the society or aid of his fellow-creatures, and unassisted by those contrivances of art which are deemed indispensable in a state of civilized society ; that nature will supply all his absolute wants, and that his own ingenuity will suggest ways and means of living, which are not dreamt of in the philosophy of polished circles. That which the novelist deemed barely p(jssible, and which a large portion of his readers have always considered as marvel- lously incredible, is now daily and hourly reduced to practice in our western forests. Here may be found many a Crusoe clad in skins, and contentedly keeping 'bachelor's hall,' in the wild woods, unblessed by the smiles of beauty, uncheered by the voice of humanity — without even a 'man Friday' for company, and ignorant of the busy world, its cares, its pleasures, or its comforts. " But the solitary wight whose cabin is pitched in the deepest recess of the forest, whose gun supplies his table, and whose dog is his only com- rade, enjoys ease and comfort, in comparison with the trapper, whose erratic stops lead him continually into new toils and dangers. P>eing compelled to procure his subsistence by very precarious means from day to day, in those immense regions of wilderness into which he fearlessly penetrates, he is sometimes known to live for a considerable period upon food over which the hungry wolf would pause for a polite interval before carving. The ordinary food of a trapper is corn and buffalo tallow, and, although his rifle frequently procures more dainty viands, he is APPENDIX. 595 often, on the other hand, forced to devour his peltry, and gnaw his moccasins. " An old man arrived at Fort Atkinson in June hist, from the Upper Missouri, who was instantly recognized by some of the officers of the garrison as an individual supposed some time since to have been de- voured by a white bear, but more recently reported to have been slain by the Arickara Indians. His name is Hugh Glass. Whether old Ireland or Scotch-Irish Pennsylvania claims the honor of his nativity. I have not ascertained with precision, nor do I suppose that the humble fortunes of the hard}' adventurer Avill excite a rivalry on the subject similar to that respecting the birthplace of Homer. The following is his own account of himself for the last ten months of his perilous career: " lie was employed by Major Henry as a trapper, and was attached to his command before the Arickara towns. After the flight of these In- dians, the major and party set out for the Yellowstone River. Their route lay up the Grand River, and through a prairie country, occasionally interspersed with thickets of brushwood, dwarf-plum trees, and other shrubs, indigenous to a sandy soil. As these adventurers usually draw their food, as well as their raiment, from Nature's spacious warehouse, it is usual for one or two hunters to precede the party in search of game, that the whole may not be forced, at night, to lie down supperless. The rifle of Hugh Glass being esteemed as among the most unerring, he was on on'e occasion detached for supplies. He was a short distance in ad- vance of the party, and forcing his way through a thicket, when a white bear that had imbedded herself in the sand, arose within three yards of him, and before he could 'set his triggers,' or turn to retreat, he was seized by the throat, and raised from the ground. Casting him again upon the earth, his grim adversary tore out a mouthful of the cannibal food which had excited lier appetite, and retired to submit tlie sample to her yearling cubs, which were near at hand. The sufterer now made an eflfort to escape, but the bear immediately returned with a reinforcement, and seized him again at the shoulder; she also lacerated his left arm very much, and inflicted a severe wound on the back of his head. In this second attack the cubs were prevented from participating by one of the party, who had rushed forward to the relief of his comrade. One of the cubs however, forced the new comer to retreat into the river, where, standing to the middle in water, he gave his foe a mortal shot, or, to use his own language — ' I burst the varment.' Meantime, the main body of trappers having arrived, advanced to the relief of Glass, and delivered seven or eight shots with such unerring aim as to terminate hostilities, by dispatching the bear as she stood over her victim. "Glass was thus snatched from the grasp of the ferocious animal, yet his condition was far from being enviable. He had received several dan- gerous wounds, his whole body was bruised and mangled, and he lay weltering in his blood, in exquisite torment. To procure surgical aid, now so desirable, was impossible; and to remove the suflerer was equally so. The safety of the whole party — being now in the country of hostile Indians — depended on the celerity of their movements. To remove the lacerated and helpless Glass, seemed certain death to him ; and to the rest of the party such a measure would have been fraught with danger. Under these circumstances, Major Henry, by offering an extravagant re- 596 APPENDIX. ward, induced two of his party to remain with the wounded man until he should expire, or until he could so far recover as to bear removal to some of the trading establishments in that country. They remained with their patient five days, and supposing his recovery no longer possible, they cruelly abandoned him, taking with them his rifle, shot-pouch, &c., and leaving him no means of either making fire or procuring food. These unprincipled wretches proceeded on the trail of their employer, and when they overtook him, reported that Glass had died of his wounds, and that they had interred him in the best manner possible. They produced his eff"ects in confirmation of their assertions, and readily obtained credence. " Meanwhile, poor Glass, retaining a slight hold upon life, when he found himself abandoned, crawled with great difficulty to a spring which was within a few yards, where he lay ten days. " During this period he subsisted upon cherries that hung over the spring, and (jrains desbceufs, or buffalo berries, that were within his reach. Acquiring, by slow degrees, a little strength, he now set off for Fort Kiawa, a trading establishment on the Missouri River, about three hun- dred and fifty miles distant. It required no ordinary portion of fortitude to crawl to the end of such a journey, through a hostile country, with- out fire-arms, with scarcely strength to drag one limb after another, and with alm-ost no other subsistence than wild berries. He had, however, the good fortune one day to be 'in at the death of a buftalo calf which was overtaken and slain by a pack of wolves, lie permitted the assail- ants to cariT on the war until no signs of life remained in their victim, and then interfered and took possession of the '■fatted calf^ but as he had no means of striking fire, we may infer that he did not make a very 2)rodigal use of the veal thus obtained. With indefatigable industry, he continued to crawl until he reached Fort Kiawa. " Before his wounds were entirely healed, the chivalry of Glass was awakened, and he joined a party of five enfjar/es, who were bound, in a ■pirogue, to Yellowstone River. The primary object of this voyage was declared to be the recovery of his arms, and vengeance on the recreant who had robbed and abandoned him in the hour of his peril. "When the party had ascended to within a few miles of the old Man- dan village, our trapper of hair-breadth 'scapes, landed, for the purpose of proceeding to Tilton's Fort at that place, by a nearer route than that of the river. "On the following day, all the companions of his vovage were massa- cred by the Arickara Indians. Approaching the fort with some caution, he observed two squaws whom he recognized as Arickaras, and who, dis- covering him at the same time, turned and fled. This was the first intel- ligence which he obtained of the fact that the Arickaras had taken post at the Mandan village, and he at once perceived the danger of his situa- tion. The squaws were not long in rallying the warriors of the tribe, who immediately commenced the pursuit. Suffering still under the severity of his recent wounds, the poor fugitive made a feeble essay at flight, and his enemies were within rifle-shot of him, when two Mandan mounted warriors rushed forward, and seized him. Instead of dispatching their prisoner, as he had anticipated, they mounted him on a fleet horse, which they had brought out for that purpose, and carried him into Tilton's Foil without injury. APPENDIX. 597 "The same evening Glass crept out of the fort, and after travelling thirty-eight days alone, and through the country of hostile Indians, he ar- rived at Henry's establishment. " Finding that the trappers he was in pursuit of had gone to Fort At- kinson, Glass readily consented to be the bearer of letters for that post, and accordingly left Henry's Fort, on the Big Horn River, on the 28th of February, 1824. Four men accompanied him. They travelled across to Powder River, which empties itself into the Yellowstone, below the mouth of the Horn. They pursued their route up the Powder to its source, and thence across to the Platte. Here they constructed skin-boats, and de- scended in them to the lower end of Les Cotes Noirs (the Black Hills), where they discovered thirty-eight lodges of Arickara Indians. This was the encampment of Orexj Eyea'' band. That chief had been killed in the attack of the American troops upon his village, and the tribe was now under the command of Langue de Riche (Elk's Tongue). This war- rior came down and invited our little party ashore, and, by many profes- sions of friendship, induced them to believe him to be sincere. "Glass had once resided with this tonguey old politician, during a long winter, had joined him in the chase, and smoked his pipe, and cracked many a bottle by the genial fire of his wigwam ; and when he landed, the savage chief embraced him with the cordiality of an old friend. The whites were thrown oft" their guard, and accepted an invitation to smoke in the Indian's lodge. While engaged in passing the hospitable pipe, a small child was heard to utter a suspicious scream. Glass looked toward the door of the lodge, and beheld the squaws of the tribe bearing oft' the arms and other cftects of his party. This was the signal for a general movement; the guests sprang from their seats, and fled with precipita- tion, pursued by their treacherous entertainers — the whites ran for life, the red warriors for blood. "Two of the party were overtaken and put to death, one of them with- in a few yards of Glass, who had gained a point of rocks unperceived, and lay concealed from the view of his pursuers. Versed in all the arts of border warfare, our adventurer was enabled to practise them in the present crisis with such success as tO'baftle his bloodthirsty enemies; and he remained in his lurking-place until the search was abandoned in despair. Breathing once more a free air, he sallied forth under cover of the night, and resumed his line of march toward Fort Kiawa. The buf- falo calves, at that season of the year, were generally but a few days old ; and as the country through which he travelled was abundantly stocked with them, he found it no diflicult task to overtake one as often as his appetite admonished him to task liis speed for that purpose. 'Although,' said he, ' I had lost my rifle and all my plunder, I felt quite rich when I found my knife, flint and steel in my shot-pouch. These little fixens,' he added, ' make a man feel right 'peart^ when he is three or four hundred miles from any body or any place — all alone among the 2xnnte7's and wild varmeyits.'' " A journey of fifteen days brought him to Fort Kiawa. Thence he descended to Fort Atkinson, at the Council Blufts, where he found his old traitorous acquaintance in the garb of a private soldier. This shielded the delinquent from chastisement. The commanding officer at the post ordered his rifle to be restored ; and the veteran trapper was 598 APPENDIX. furnished with such other appHances, or fixens, as he would term thcin, as put him in a pHght again to take the field. This appeased the wrath of Hugh Glass, whom my informant left astonishing, with his wonderful nar- ration, the gaping rank and file of the garrison." SUCCINCT HISTORY OF THE VARIOUS RELIGIOUS SECTS IN ST. LOUIS. This record of the various religions denominations in St. Louis can be depended upon as correct, as the information has been attained from the most authentic sources. The facts thus carefully garnered must be of much interest to a large portion of the community, and will furnish an era from which the various sects date their existence. Beyond giving the time of their organization, and a few other incidental facts, this his- tory does not go, as a fuller description of them belongs to a book treat- ing exclusively of them. CATHOLIC CHURCHES. St. Louis was first settled by the Catholics, and the first record there is of a Catholic missionary was in 1766, two years after the founding of St. Louis. Father Meurin, at that time in a tent, performed the rites of bap- tism. When St. Louis was a little trading post, he used frequently to come from Kaskaskia, where he resided, to look after the spiritual welfare of the inhabitants. He died in 1770. After his death, Father Gibault succeeded him, and performed mass in the little log church which was erected that year. The founder of St. Louis laid off the square where the cathedral now stands, for a Catholic church, and on it was erected the first log church. On this square was buried St. Angc de Bellerive, the French commandant, and Fernando de Leyba, one of the Spanish commandants, and also his wife; and here likewise was interred one of the children of Cruzat, another of the Spanish governors. The first prayer and first blessing were breathed by Catholic lips. Their hands reared the first altar; and they first sang the Exaiulkit and De Profundis with jubilant voices, where now our great Metropolis stands. They first stood upon the heathen ground, and consecrated it to religion. There are seventeen churches. UNITARIAN CHURCH. The Unitarians organized in 1834, and service was held in the third story of a house situated on the corner of Locust and Main streets, where the Masons held their meetings. In 1837, the first church was built on the corner of Fourth and Pine streets, whicli was pulled down in 1850. The Rev. William G. Elliot was the first officiating clergyman. The sect have but one church, which supports the " City Mission," an eleemosynary in- stitution. PRESHYTERIAN CHURCH. In 1816, the Rev. Salmon Giddings was employed by the Connecticut Missionary Society to visit the state of Missouri, to eff'ect an organization APPENDIX. 599 of the members of that sect who were in that state, and he arrived in St. Louis April Gth of that year. It was not until the following year that he attempted any thing like an organization of the sect in St. Louis, having gone first to another part of the then territory. It appears, however, that Mr. Giddings, in the summer of 1816, administered the Eucharist at the house of Mr. Stephen Hempstead, at which there were three or four communicants — Mr. Hempstead, his wife, and Mrs. Manuel Lisa, his daughter ; and probably at the same time Mr. Thomas Osborne ; concerning the latter there is some confliction of testimony. The church was completely organized November iVth, 1817, and the following per- sons united in a covenant to that effect: — Thomas Osborne, Susanna Os- borne, Stephen Hempstead, Mary Hempstead, Britannia Brown, Chloe Reed, Mary Keeny, and Magdalen Scott. In the same building where the circuit court was then held Mr. Gid- dings rented a small room, where he taught school and preached. • It was in Market street, between Fourth and Fifth, and on that spot now stands Wyman's Hall. Service was held there until the first Presbyterian church was built in 1825, on Fourth street, between St. Charles and Washington avenues. "When Mr. Giddings died, he was buried beneath the pulpit of the church. At the conference in Philadelphia in 1837, there was some dispute on doctrinal observances, and from that grew the distinct branches of the Old and New School Presbyterians, and subsequently other subdivisions. REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. Organized April 2d, 1846. Church built in 1852, the Rev. Andrew C. Todd being then installed as minister. Previous to the building of the church, service was held on the corner of Third street and Washington avenue. One church in the city. UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. Organized in 1840, under the title of the "Associate Reformed Pres- byterian Church." The building was commenced in 1841, and service was held in the basement during its erection. The Rev. II. II. Johnson ■was the first installed minister. One church. FIRST CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. Organized by the Rev. J. G. White, April 29th, 1849. The church edifice was erected in 1852. There is a German church of the same persuasion about being erected, which was organized December 13th, 1857. Two churches. CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. Organized in March, 1852, which was eff"ected chiefly through the efforts of Rev. T. M. Post. The first sermon after organization was preached in the Third Presbyterian Church, between Washington and Franklin avenues, on Sixth street, and service was performed there until December, 1855, when it was transferred to the chapel which the sect erected near the spot where their beautiful church now stands. The church was commenced in the autumn of 1857. 600 APPENDIX. EPISCOPAL CHURCH. It was in September, 1819, that the first Episcopal service was held in an old frame buildincj on Spruce street, between Third and Fourth streets, a portion of the ground being now occupied as the " Sisters' Hospital." The sermon was preached by the Rev. John Ward, and it is probable that an organization was effected in November of that year. He remained in St. Louis until 1821, when he removed to Lexington. Nearly all the time that he remained in St. Louis he preached in the old Court-house, corner of Second and Walnut streets, and a temporary pulpit was erected in the old house, and it was termed the " Episcopal Chnrch." The first communicants of this church were Mrs. llari'ell and Mrs, Jourdaii. The former was the wife of the Rev, Thomas Harrell, a zealous and exemplary divine, who came to St, Louis in 1825, and was the successor of Mr. Ward, Mrs. Jourdan is now Mrs. Mason, and resides in the state of Il- linois. She is the sister of Henry Von Phul, senior. During Mr, Ward'.s time in St, Louis, there were no communicants. The first church was commenced in 182G, and completed in 1830. It stood on the corner of Third and Chesnut streets. The Rev, Thomas Harrel married Mr. Giddings when the Presbyterian missionary took a wife, and preached his funeral oration. EVANGELICAL CHURCHES. The first church of this name was organized in 1835, and the first ser- vice preached in a Methodist church, corner of Wasjiington avenue and Fourth street, by Rev. William Buettner, D. D. A church was soon after erected on Seventh street, and was called the Church of the Holy Ghost. In some years afterward there was a severance from the mother church, and there came into existence the Union Evangelical Church, being a union of the German Reformed and Lutheran doctrines. There are seven churches of the Evangelical order, BAPTIST CHURCHES, On February 18th, 1818, the first organization of the Baptists was eff"ected in St. Louis, principally through the 'exertions of the Rev. John M, Peck and Rev, James E, Welch, Thcre^ were then but seven Baptists in the town, Thev, however, with a praiseworthy zeal commenced erect- ing a church on the south-west corner of Market and Third streets, which became afterward the site of the National Hotel, In 1835, a fine church edifice was erected on the corner of Third and Chesnut streets. They have eight churches, METHODIST CHURCHES, There was no organization effected in St, Louis until 1820, though, previous to that time, the Rev. John Scripps occasionally preached and held prayer-meetings. In 1820, the Rev. Jesse Walker came to St. Louis, and organized the church. The service was held in an old frame build- ing, corner of Third street and Myrtle avenue. Through his exertions, soon afterward a frame church was erected on the corner of Fourth and Myrtle. Eighteen ciiurches. APPENDIX. 601 There are also two Jewish churches, both in a thriving state, and one " Christian Church," and one Universalist church. There are in all seventy-seven churches. Some years ago the Mormons had a church in the city, but it is not now in existence. REVENUE AND TAXES. It will be a matter of interesting information for the readers of this work to look over the following statistics, where they can see almost at a glance the gradations in the value of personal and real estate in St. Louis. Some of the record-books have been destroyed by tire, which accounts for the hiatus in the tables between the years 1812 and 1S19. We have given the amount of taxes raised by assessment, with the per- centage of each year, and, by careful calculation from that data, have arrived at the correct assessment of the real and personal estate. Year. Names of Taxes from Value of Eeal and Population. Assessors. Assessment. Personal Estate. 1799 925 1810 1,400 ISll ] Tugus^te alouteau \ ^^'^ ^8 (^ per cent.) $134,516 GO To,n i (Jharles Sanguiiiet, ) ..„ h, /, c ^\ -..si o-.^ />/x 1^12 \ ij,.. Hubert Simpsmi f ^^^ ^^ (* "^ ^^^ percent.) 134,313 00 1819 Jabez Waruef 3,396 481 424,560 00 1820 M. P. Leduc 3,585 54 4,928 1821 " 3,823 80 1822 " 3,824 68 1823 Ferguson & Leduc 4,050 32 (^ of one percent.) 810,064 00 1824 " 5,062 29 1825 " 1,970 41i(iof onepercent.) 1,013,167 00 1826 Peter Ferguson 2,509 68 J (^ of one percent.) 1827 Elliot Lee 2,933 45 1828 " 3,775 83 5,000 1829 Patrick Walsh 4,765 98 1830 L. A. Benoist 4,576 64 5,852 1831 " 3,466 77 1832 " 3,897 64 1833 " 2,745 84 6,397 1834 Joseph V. Gamier 2,579 61 1835 John McCausland 8,332 08 8,316 1836 26,615 41 1837 30,106 00 12,040 1838 1839 39,055 00 1840 43,29156 ." 8,682,506 00 16,469 1842 45,088 61 12,101,028 00 1844 ,...47,780 00 13,999,914 50 34,140 1846 15,055,720 99 1848 » •. 19,506,497 85 1850 .> 29,676,649 24 74.439 1851 34,443,529 21 1852 ' 38,281,668 96 94.000 1853 39,397,186 :!3 1855 42.991,812 00 1856 59,609,289 1858 82,609,449 3. 1859 1,074,112 08 104,621,360 92 185,587 602 APPENDIX. These tables have been prepared with the greatest care, and are perfectly reliable. Tliis statement is necessary, so that the community may know that we have gone to the records ourselves, and have drawn from no other sources. All of the reports which we have seen published in this connec- tion, without a single exception, are full of inaccuracies. When the Province of Louisiana was ceded to the United States, and Congress divided it into two districts, the governor and judges of Indiana, who had the executive control of the District of Louisiana, made some law relative to revenue, but the assessment was a general assessment, and St. Louis was only a part of a district. It was not until 1809 that it became a town, and the first assessment of which there is any record took place in 1811. The highest valuation of property was assessed to Auguste Chouteau, the valuation of his property being |1 5,604, on which he paid a tax of seventy-eight and thirty-two cents. The estate of Francis M. Benoist, father of L. A. Benoist, the well-known banker of St. Louis, was assessed at $1,100. Aususte Chouteau paid a tax of $268 10 on property assessed to $76,600, being the largest property-holder in the town. Judge J. B. C. Lucas paid a tax of $36 94 on property valued at $10,555. Colonel John O'Fallon paid a tax of $8 58 on property valued at $2,450. William Clark paid a tax of $69 TO on property valued at $19,930. William Christy {>aid a tax of $52 50 on property valued at $16,000. Henry Von Phul paid a tax of $28 61 on property assessed to $8,175 00. PUBLIC BUILDINGS. [We are indebted to Mr. John E. Yore for the following history of the Merchants' Exchange building :] MERCHANTS EXCHANGE. The preliminary steps to form a company to build the Exchange build- ing were taken in the early part of the winter of 1855-6. Several gen- tlemen, among whom may be mentioned the names of James H. Lucas, George R. Taylor, Edward J. Gay, .George Knapp, Louis C. Garnier, Fils & Corte, John G. Priest, L. A. Benoist, L. Piiggs, A. Mier, L. V. Bogy, and others, took a very active part in procuring the stock subscriptions and organizing the company. After the sum of seventy-five per cent, of the capital stock had been subscribed, a meeting of the stockholders was convened, at the Merchants' Exchange (at that time on the south-west corner of Olive and Main streets), on the 5th of January, 1856. At this meeting the sum or amount of $57,000 in subscriptions was represented and present. The object of this meeting was to elect by ballot, according to the articles of association, seven trustees to serve for one year as the first board of trustees of the St. Louis Merchants' Exchange Company. The result of this election was the choice of the following-named gen- APPENDIX. 603 tlemen : — George • R. Taylor, Edward J. Gay, James H.Lucas, Lamason Rig-gs, Felix Corte, Louis C. Gamier, and Neree Valle. At a subsequent meeting of the board, George R. Taylor was cbosen president, J, H. Lucas treasurer, and John E. Yore secretary. The company was then duly or- ganized, and proceeded at once to the purchase of the ground and the erection of the Exchange building. The ground was purchased of the city of St. Louis, consisting of one hundred and twenty-five feet in block No. 7, fronting on Main and Com- mercial streets, and between Market and Walnut streets. Messrs George R. Taylor, Lucas C. Garnier, and Felix Corte, were appointed the building committee. A premium of $250 was offered for the best plan and $50 for the second best plan for an exchange building. Twelve difterent plans were received by the company. The plans offered by Messrs. Barnett & Weler were adopted by the board, and also by the stockholders, at a subsequent meeting held for that purpose. Mr. Oliver A. Hart was ap- pointed superintendent, and Messrs. Barnett & Weler were awarded the contract for the building of the Exchange. The building was commenced in March, 1856, and finished in May, 1857. The front of the building on Main street is of stone, and on Commercial street of brick and stone. The front elevation on Main street, while it is not devoid of ornament, is yet sufficiently so to present an executive massiveness and grandeur. There are no expensive and meretricious ornaments to attract the fancy at the expense of the judgment, but all is simplicity, purity, anc^gnnosten- tation, and presents a very chaste and impressive eft'ect. The height of the building from Main street to the cornice is seventy feet. The front is one hundred and twenty-five feet ; depth about eighty-five feet. The exchange hall is one hundred and two feet by eighty-one in the clear, and is nearly as large as the great hall of the Mercantile Library, with twenty- six feet in the clear, surrounded with a deep cornice. Sliown from the centre of the hall is an opening of nearly fifty feet, through which light is admitted from an elegant spandrel dome, forming the ceiling in the centre, and rising above the roof of the building. The reading-room is on the south side of the hall, and rests on fluted iron columns, and is eighteen by eighty-one feet in the clear, surmounted with a handsome iron railing. Above the exchange hall the space is subdivided into four- teen large offices. The cost of this building was about $75,000. The present value of the building and ground is $200,000. CUSTOM HOUSE. On a portion of the site whereon stood the finest theatre in St, Louis is located the Custom House. It is but recently completed, having been several years in erection. It has been under the direction of the most distinguished architects in the West — first under the charge of Messrs. BarncU & Peck, and then Thomas Walsh. The building has all that stamina and massiveness peculiar to Egyptian architecture, but, with all its strength manifest in its immense blocks of stone, it still preserves a graceful and beautiful appearance, the heaviness beinfj- relieved by tasteful columns and pillars, which, without diuiinish- 26 604 APPENDIX. ing its strength, lend to it the attraction of Gothic architecture. It is a model of strength and beauty. The foundation is of piles — huge pieces of wood sharpened and driven by the power of machinery twenty-two feet in the earth. There is a vault running the whole length of the build- ing, and the immense structure is supported upon arches. It is a model of architectural beauty and strength, and probably is the cheapest build- ing ever erected, for which the general government had to pay the whole cost, being but $356,000. There are scores of buildings which deserve a mention in this history, but we have not space for the purpose, and have selected but these two as significant of the merits of the rest. One is the creation of public and the other of private enterprise. In a future number of the continuance of this publication we will give a full account of the public and business edifices of our great Metropolis. SUCCESSION OF THE MAYORS OF ST. LOUIS. The first city charter bears date December 9th, 1822. of mayors since that date has been as follows : The succession DATE. MATORS. 1823 to^829 ..William Carr Lane 1829 to 1833 ..Daniel D. Page* 1833 to 1835.. .John W.Johnson. 1835 to 1838... John F. Darby. 1838 to 1840...AVilliam Carr Lane. 1 840 John F. Darby. 1841 John D. Daggett. 1842 George Maguire. 1843 John M. Wnner. 1844 to 1846... Bernard Pratte. DATE. MATORS. 1846 .Peter G. Camden. 1847 Bryan Mullanphy. 1848 John M. Krnm. ' 1849 James G. Barry. 1850 to 1853... Luther M. Kennett. 1853 to 1855... John How. 1855 Washington King. 1856 John How. 1857 John M. Wimer. 1858-9 Oliver D. Filley. * In 1833, Dr. Samuel Merry was elected mayor, but he being at that time receiver of public money, the Board of Aldermen refused to recognize the election. (See page 347.) FIRST GOVERNOR OF MISSOl'RI. PRRSKNT O OVER NOR OF MISSOURI. FIRST »IATOK OF ST. LOUIS. PUiSbNT MAIUU OF hi. LOUIS GOVERNOR HON air's HOUSE, ST. LOUIS. THE GREAT WEST, AND HER COMMERCIAL METROPOLIS. COMPRISING. THE BUSINESS & BUSINESS MEN OF ST. LOUIS. VOL. II. This highly instructive and useful work will immediately follow the publi- cation of this book, and the following beautiful engravings which are inserted are given as specimens of the illustrations which will adorn it. It was atfirst the intention of the author to let the "Business and Business Men of St, Louis," make a portion of the present volume ; but our readers will see at a glance, that this would be impossible. This book is already sufficiently voluminous, and the •' Business and Business Men of St. Louis" will bo sufficient in themselves to form a volume of equal magnitude. The next volume, comprising the " Business and Business Men of St. Louis," will be gotten up in the same magnificent manner, which is a guar- antee of its utility, its authenticity, and artistical beauty. It will contain the biographies and photographs of those of our citizens who stand at the head of their respective classes of business, and whose energy, success and examples, would teach useful lessons to posterity. This work will give also in detail, the business of the great metropolis ; the extent, variety, and wealth of its manufactures and commerce, which, already so great, in its colossal strides, bids fair to surpass any city of our Union. The illustrations will comprise the buildings of our prominent business firms, public edifices, and some physical features, among which will be an illustration of the " Big Mound," from which St. Louis derives its sobriquet of the " Mound City." EICHAKD EDWAEDS, Cor. of 3d and Pine Sts. Editor & Publisher. MISSOURI SPINNING COMPANY. Menard Street, between Geyer Avenue and Emmet Street. Louis Bosse, President. Henry Prante, Vice-President. Charles F. Blattau, Treasurer. Joiix Rcegg, Superintendent. RiciiAiiD Boesewetter, Secretary. MISSOURI STEAj^I PLANING MILL. 9th Corner of "Walnut Street. LACLEDE MILLS. Corner of Soulard and Decatur Streets. S. G. Sears, & Co., Proprietors. ST. LOULS STARCH FACTORY. Clarke Avenue, between 16th and 11th Streets. Andrew F. IIcmjiitscii, Proprietor. fa; Q H O PATENT PRESS OIL WORKS. 2d Corner of Columbia Street. "Wymax. Renick, & Co., Proprietors VIEW ON SECOND STREET. Xos. 106 and 108. STEAM BAKERY, Corner Fraukliii Avenue and 17th Street. G. Garxeau, Proprietor. VIEW ON' WASHINGTON AVENUE. Between Main and Second Street. UNION BREWERY ON MARKET STREET. Corner of 18th Street. J. "VViNKELMEYER & ScHiFFEK, Proprietors. ;i.^ -JO^ft EDWARDS' JOURNAL. VIEW ON BROAD\A'AY- BRANCH OF CROOKES OLD SAW WORKS. ST. GEORGE MILL. Jackson Street, between Emmet and Lesperance Streets. Kalbfleiscj, Lj'.nge & Leonhardt, Proprietors. VIEW ON BIDDLE STREET. VIEW ON BROADWAY CORNER OF ASHLEY STREET. YIEW ON SECOND STREET. Numbers 102 & 104. ST. LOUIS STEAM LAUNDRY. Moore Street, between Clark Avenue and Market Street. « John K. Bkettall, Proprietor. VIEW ON MAIN STREET, NORTH WEST CORNER OF CHESTNUT. PHCENIX CHAIR FACTORY. Madison Street near Broadway. Fate & Co., Proprietora. ARCHITECTURAL IRON WORKS. Chestnut Street corner of lOtli Street. McMuRRAY. "U'lXKELiMAiRR k Co., Prnprielors. VIEW ON MAIN STREET. / —'- ---- ^ -^^ IST,L0U15 -^ IPLWINGMI raB ta ST. LOUIS PLANING MILL. O'Fallon Street corner of High Street. Ladd, Patrick k Co., Proprietors. VIEW ON 5th street CORNER OF HAZEL STREET. NORTH EAST CORNER OE 2d AND OLIVER STREETS. i VIEW ON 2d street. Xumbers 110 and 112. PLANTERS' HOUSE, 4x11 STREET CORNER OF CHESTNUT. Under which is situated the principal ticket offices of the several Railroads verging from St. Louis. VIEW OX 8th street, CORNER OF ST. CHARLES. EAGLE BRASS FOUNDRY. Vine Street, between 2d and 3d. John Goodin. Proprietor. VIEW ON 6th street, CORNER OF PINE. TRUNK FACTORY. Decatur Street, corner of Julleu Street. Stkphen F. Summers, Proprietor. VIEW ON MARKET STREET, BETWEEN 15th AND 16th STREETS. PARK MILL. Market Street, Corner of 13th Street. T. A. BuCKLAND, Proprietor. VIEW ON BROADWAY. CAMP SPRING MILL. Estelle Street, between 19th and 20th Streets. F. EiCKERMANN & Co., Proprietors. VIEW ON MAIN STREET. VIEW ON 10th street, CORNER OF ST. CHARLES STREET. WATER PIPE FACTORY. Papin Street, between 12 th and 13th Streets. Graham & Newman. Proprietors. VIEW ON 2d street. Nuniber.s S4 and 80. STEAM BAKERY, Corner Franklin Avenue and 17th SUeei. J. Garneau, Proprietor. tN CRAVED^ -: F r\_ E □ W AR d's' JOURNAL. VIEW ON BROADWAY— BRANCH, CROOKES & GO'S SAW WORKS. w H o o « o VIEW ON SECOND STREET NEAR WASHTNaTON AYENCTE. VIEW ON SECOND STREET CORNER OF LOCUST. COLLIER WHITE LEAD AXD OIL WORKS. Clark Avenue, corner of 10th Street. Hexrt T. Blo'.v. President. Thomas Richesox, Secretary. VIEW ON MAIN STREET. VIEW ON 10th street. Between Cerre and Gratiot. Fritz k Wainwright. — Lager Beer Brewery. ALLEN IRON WORKS. Corner Caronclelet and Allen Avenues. Thomson, Whitk k Co.. Proprietors. VIEW OF TODD MILLS.— HEMP WORKS. Decatur Street, corner of Barry Street. Lytle, Johnson & Co., Proprietors. VI KW OF SOAP FACTORY. Christy Avenue between 22(1 and 23d Stree.. ScHAEFFER, Anhkuseu & Co., Proprietors. WESTERN SPICE MILLS. ith Street, between Gratiot and Chouteau Avenue. NoRRis & Garesche, Proprietors. ST. LOUIS COTTON, FACTORY. Menard Street between Soulard and Lafayette Streets. Adolphus Meier, President. SAXONY MILLS. Lombard Street, between 3d and 4:th. Leonhardt & ScHURiCHT, Proprietors. MISSOURI HEMP WORKS. Stoddart Avenue, between Chouteau Avenue and Hickory Street. J. T. Douglass, Proprietor. 3 0YS7?