USA > Missouri > Centennial history of Missouri (the center state) one hundred years in the Union, 1820-1921, Volume V > Part 11
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pendent course, voting for men and measures rather than parties. He was reared in the Catholic faith and is now a communicant of St. Pius church. He also belongs to the Knights of Columbus. He has membership in the Zoological Society and is interested in all that pertains to the welfare and progress of his city, his aid and influence being always given on the side of improvement and advancement.
WALLACE RENARD.
Wallace Renard, president of the Renard Linoleum & Rug Company, which conducts a large wholesale floor covering business, was born in St. Louis, November 6, 1885, and is a son of Louis Renard.
He spent his youthful days under his parental roof, and his education was in the public schools, from which he graduated at the age of about fourteen, and then joined his father in work for the firm of Trorlicht, Duncker & Renard Carpet Company, up to 1907, following the lines in the floor covering business entirely.
Shortly after leaving the above firm, he started the firm of the Renard Linoleum & Rug Company and has since been active in formulating the policies and promoting the growth of this business, which has now been built up as a very strong organization, and a corps of efficient office and sales people now surround same, making it very successful.
In St. Louis, on June 5th, 1910, Mr. Renard was married to Miss Lucille Kohn, a native of this city and daughter of William and Sophie Kohn, both representatives of old families in St. Louis. There are now three children in the family: Louis, Eliza- beth and Nina A. .
Politically he is a republican, and fraternally a Mason, belonging to Corner Stone Lodge, also Scottish Rites and Moolah Temple, and also belonging to the Knights of Pythias fraternity. His membership relations also extend to various leading clubs, including the Missouri Athletic Association, City Club, Columbian Club, Westwood Country Club and Sunset Hill, and he greatly enjoys the social features of these organi- zations when leisure permits.
ALBERT H. HAESELER.
Albert H. Haeseler, a contractor and builder of St. Louis, was born at Bremen, Germany, September 5, 1848. His father, the late Albert Haeseler, was prominent in the same line of business in Bremen and spent his entire life in his native country, passing away in 1866. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Louisa Stremmel, was born in Darmstadt, Germany, and in 1874 came to St. Louis where her remain- ing days were passed, her death occurring in 1890 when she had reached the age of seventy-five. Her family numbered five sons and three daughters.
Albert H. Haeseler, who was the fourth in order of birth, was educated in the public schools of his native city and also in private institutions. He concentrated upon the study of architecture and after completing his preparation for the profession traveled in all parts of Germany for a period of three years, working as a builder and doing various kinds of architectural work, thus meeting the requirements of the country by rounding out his experience in this way. The opportunities of the new world attracted him, however, and in 1871 he crossed the Atlantic to the United States, arriving in St. Louis on the 2d of September. From that time until 1883 he was employed as a journeyman in the building line and in that year established business on his own account, since which time he has won a well merited reputation as a contractor and builder. The thoroughness of his work, his reliability and his efficiency have won him steady advancement and during the intervening years he has erected many of the most substantial and beautiful homes of St. Louis. He has also been the builder of a number of the leading industrial buildings of the city and is now engaged on the erection of the largest individual industrial building ever erected in the city-the plant of the General Motor company which covers many acres. This is one of the most extensive building projects of the west and is the larg- est of the company's plants in the United States. Thus Mr. Haeseler has reached the
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position of leadership in connection with the building industry and the substantial character and beauty of many of the structures of St. Louis are attributable entirely to his labors.
On the 7th of June, 1893, Mr. Haeseler was married in St. Louis, to Miss Bertha Steiner, a native of this city and a daughter of Otto and (Oehler) Steiner. Mr. and Mrs. Haeseler have become parents of two daughters: Ella and Irma.
In 1907 Mr. Haeseler made a long tour through Europe visiting his old home and friends and enjoying his trip to many points of historic and modern interest. Mr. Haeseler votes for the republican party and belongs to Irvin Lodge, No. 291, A. F. & A. M .; to the Royal Lodge chapter; to the Scottish Rite Consistory; and to Moolah Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is also connected with the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows. His has been an active and successful life, and as the builder and architect of his own fortunes he has builded wisely and well.
ROY CARL GANS.
Roy Carl Gans, civil engineer, connected with the Department of Streets and Sewers of St. Louis was born in Ashland, Boone county, Missouri, September 29, 1877. His father, George Ache Gans, was horn near Uniontown, Pennsylvania, March 8, 1845 and came with his parents to Missouri from Fayette county, Penn- sylvania in 1868 settling near Columbia, Boone county. In later years he resided in Columbia where his death occurred January 7, 1919. His wife, Laura Loraine (Russell) Gans, was born near Ashland, Boone county, May 19, 1856, her grand- parents being among the early settlers of that county. Mrs. Gans now makes her home in Parsons, Kansas. She was married in 1872 and became the mother of two sons and four daughters, Walter Russell, Roy C., Nora J., G. Loraine, Ruth E., and Alma M.
Roy Carl Gans, the second of the family, was educated in the public schools of Ashland and Nevada, Missouri, and in the State University at Columbia from which he was graduated in 1901 with the degree of Bachelor of Science in civil engineering. He has been engaged in the practice of his profession in various branches since his graduation and has heen in the employ of the city of St. Louls since 1910. He has steadily advanced through various positions in the engineering department until promoted in 1918 to the position of Senior Civil Engineer, Depart- ment of Streets and Sewers, which he now holds.
On the 22nd of August, 1902, at Coffeyville, Kansas, Mr. Gans was married to Cosette Aleen Davidson, daughter of Marshall and Mary Davidson of Nevada, Missouri, who came to Vernon county this state in 1880 from Woodford county, Illinois. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Gans are E. Maurine and George M.
Mr. Gans is a member of the Church of Christ, the outgrowth of the reforma- tion movement that was begun about 1809 hy Alexander Campbell and others at Washington, Pennsylvania, near the home of Mr. Gans' ancestors.
He gives his political support to the republican party and fraternally Is con- nected with the Tau Beta Pi. He is a Mason belonging to Itaska Lodge, No. 420, A. F. & A. M., and is a member of the American Association of Engineers. Dur- ing the World war Mr. Gans was active in the promotion of Liberty Loan and Red Cross drives.
JAMES A. HOOKE.
James A. Hooke is filling the responsible position of director of public utilities for the city of St. Louis. He is a high-minded man of broad vision who has closely studied many important public problems and is rendering valuable service in con- nection with municipal affairs through the exercise of his official duties. He was born in Bourbon county, Kentucky, January 18, 1878, and is a son of James H. Hooke, a native of Virginia, where his ancestors had lived through several genera- tions, the family being there founded in 1738 by Robert Hooke, who was one of the first justices of Augusta county, Virginia, and who had come to this country
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from Ireland. He was an Englishman by birth but was a student in Dublin University prior to his emigration to the new world. Robert Hooke was a planter and slaveholder. He served in the French and Indian war of 1755 and commanded a Virginia company as captain.
James H. Hooke, father of James A. Hooke of this review, was reared and educated In Virginia and removed to Kentucky about the outbreak of the Civil war. He devoted his life to agricultural pursuits and stock raising and passed away in 1914, at the age of seventy years, his birth having occurred December 31, 1844. In early manhood he wedded Josephine Allison, a daughter of John and Alta Zera (Ferguson) Allison and a granddaughter of Daniel Sinclair, who was a representative of one of the old pioneer families of Kentucky of Scotch descent. The mother of James A. Hooke passed away in August, 1919, at the age of sixty- six years, her birth having occurred January 9, 1853.
James A. Hooke, an only child, was educated in private schools and in the University of Missouri in which he won his Bachelor of Science degree in 1902. Following his graduation he was employed by the Chicago & Alton Railroad and during the Louisiana Purchase Exposition at St. Louis in 1904 he was an engineer on construction. He has since followed the engineering profession and in 1905 became connected with the sewer department of the city of St. Louis, thus serving until 1913, when he became sewer commissioner. Since 1914 he has been the director of public utilities and in this connection has rendered important service to the city, directing its interests and promoting its welfare through his various activities that have been a public safeguard.
On the 18th of April, 1906, in Randolph county, Missouri, Mr. Hooke was married to Miss Eleanor Lewis, a native of Missouri and a daughter of Richard E. and Elizabeth .(Hutchinson) Lewis, who were residents of Howard county, this state. Her father was a son of Benjamin and Eleanor (Turner) Lewis, who were pioneers of Howard county. Richard E. Lewis has passed away, but the mother of Mrs. Hooke is still living.
Mr. Hooke belongs to the University Club, also to the Ridgedale Golf Club, to the City Club, the Century Boat Club, the Riverview Club, the Engineers Club and the Chamber of Commerce. He is a man of scholarly attainments whose vlsion has never been bounded by a mile radius but who looks at all vital questions from every standpoint and who in his public service has never allowed partisanship or personal welfare in any way to warp his judgment concerning the public needs, conditions and opportunities.
WILLIAM ELI MINOR, M. D.
Dr. William Eli Minor is one of the ablest and most successful physicians and surgeons of Kansas City, but important as he regards his professional duties, there is still another line of activity which features still more largely in his life record. Those who know him well-and he has a wide acquaintance-say that without invidious distinction he may be termed one of the foremost philanthropists of Kansas City, for he is ever making all other interests subservient to his con- tinuous effort to do for his fellowmen and is particularly well known in connection with uplift work. He was born in Chillicothe, Missouri, June 8, 1865, a son of Preston H. and Lydia A. (Pace) Minor. The father was born In Bourbon county, Kentucky, and when about twenty-five years of age became a resident of Chilll- cothe, Missouri. The grandfather was a native of Virginia and in young manhood removed to Kentucky. The Minors all came originally from Virginia and many are still prominently known in that state. One of the number, John B. Minor, was for many years president of the University of Virginia and was the author of some noted law books.
Dr. Minor of this review attended the public schools and the seminary at Chillicothe and then, having determined upon the practice of medicine as a life work, he pursued his studies In St. Louis and in Kansas City, winning his degree from the Kansas City University Medical College as a member of the class of 1889. Later he took a regular post-graduate course in the New York, Philadelphia and Chicago colleges and he also studied in and visited the principal European surgical
DR. WILLIAM E. MINOR
Vol. V-7
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clinics. He has always specialized in rectal and abdominal surgery in Kansas City since 1889 and has operated almost exclusively at Research Hospital for thirty years. He has been physician in charge of the Thornton & Minor Sanitarium since the death of his father-in-law, Dr. Thornton, in 1895. There are few who have more fully met the obligations of man in relation to his fellowmen than has Dr. Minor. He is continually striving to assist the individual and promote the welfare of the community and there are many tangible evidences of his devotion to the public good. He gave liberally of time and money to the Christian Hospital and for the past twenty-five years has contributed most liberally to all needed buildings at the Research Hospital. He was one of the heavy subscribers to all the war drives put over in Kansas City and particularly to the Red Cross drives. In all of his activities the needs of the poor are first with him professionally and financially and he is continually extending his professional aid when he knows that there can be no chance of financial recompense.
Because he has used his talents wisely and well, because his judgment in business affairs is thoroughly sound and his methods progressive and reliable, he has become the holder of large real estate interests in Kansas City. It was through his activities that the new Federal Reserve Bank secured its location. He was also the owner of the Reliance building, which is occupied by the Thornton & Minor Institute. This was built by Dr. Minor and is the first solid concrete building erected in Kansas City. In fact he formed a most important link in a group of public-spirited citizens who have upbuilded and maintained the business district of the city, assisting materially and financially in locating many of its large buildings, such as the Young Men's Christian Association building, the Inter- urban Station and the Federal Reserve Bank. He was likewise instrumental in promoting the construction of the Automobile Club building on Oak street. This was a pioneer building in concrete construction and is the first building in the United States in which was used a fifty-foot concrete girder without steel supports or reenforcements, having been erected in 1913. Dr. Minor also has other im- portant real estate interests in Kansas City, from which he derives a very gratify- ing income that is most wisely and generously used for the benefit of his fellow- men.
In Kansas City, Missouri, in 1888, Dr. Minor was married to Miss Laura B. Thornton, daughter of Dr. Thomas W. Thornton, with whom Dr. Minor was in partnership until the death of Dr. Thornton about twenty years ago. Her parents were stanch and devoted members of the Christian church, as were her grand- parents. Her father came to Missouri from Kentucky when a young man and her mother's family removed to this state from North Carolina, all being worthy and substantial citizens. Dr. and Mrs. Minor have a daughter, Marie Alicia, who became the wife of Thomas W. Sanborn and resides in Kansas City, where Mr. Sanborn is engaged in the wholesale lumber business.
Dr. and Mrs. Minor are most loyal members of the Linwood Boulevard Christ- ian church and for many years he has served on its board. He is a Knight Templar and also a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason and member of the Mystic Shrine. He is likewise a charter member of Unlon Lodge, No. 168, I. O. O. F., and he belongs to the Kansas City, Mid-Day, Athletic, Mission Hills, Blue Hills Golf and other clubs. He is likewise a member of the Sons of Revolution and of various civic organizations. He is leading a most busy life without thought of himself, seeking constantly the benefit and good of others.
WILLIAM A. KLIEFOTH.
Commercial interests of St. Louis find a worthy representative in William A. Kliefoth who is now the vice president of the Amos-James Grocery company. He has been a lifelong resident of this city, his birth having here occurred December 7, 1878, his parents being William and Wilhelmina (Grimminger) Kliefoth. The father was born in Germany and came to St. Louis in 1856. Here he engaged in the newspaper business in connection with the Westliche Post, a German paper, and remained an active factor in newspaper circles to the time of his death, which occurred in 1881. His wife, who was also born in Germany, crossed the Atlantic
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to the new world in 1854 in company with her parents and died a half century later, departing this life in 1904.
William A. Kliefoth obtained a public school education but early put aside his text-books in order to earn his living. He has worked his way upward through various positions with a number of different firms and is now the vice president of the Amos-James Grocery company, so that he is well known in commercial circles. He has used his time and talents wisely and well and has neglected no opportunity that has presented itself for advancement. In addition to his interests in St. Louis he is the vice president of the Bement Rea company of Terre Haute, Indiana, and also a director of the Bement & Seitz company of Evansville, Indiana.
On the 17th of January, 1904, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Mr. Kliefoth was married to Miss Martha A. Kuhl, formerly of St. Louis, Missouri, and a daughter of Ernest Kuhl, who was in the government service. Mr. and Mrs. Kliefoth have one son, William E., who was born August 29, 1911.
Mr. Kliefoth belongs to the Chamber of Commerce of St. Louis and also to the United States Chamber of Commerce. During the World war he was con- nected with the inspection department of the food administration and was a most generous supporter of the Liberty loan and Red Cross campaigns. He belongs to the Sunset Hill Country Club, the Missouri Athletic Association and the Century Boat Club and in politics his position is that of an independent republican. There have been no unusual, no spectacular and no esoteric phases in his career. His record is that of a substantial business man who has pursued the even tenor of his way, who has by diligence and determination won success; and the same course, followed by others, would produce like results. It is such a course that makes substantial citizens who constitute the real foundation upon which is built the progress and future prosperity of city and state.
HOWARD J. RHODUS.
Howard J. Rhodus is president of the Continental Bank Supply company, manufacturers of bank supplies, having the only exclusive house of this char- acter in Missouri. They have their headquarters in St. Louis but maintain branch houses at other points with a business that extends to all parts of the United States, Canada, Mexico and Alaska. A spirit of undaunted enterprise and pro- gressiveness characterizes Mr. Rhodus in the conduct of this business and St. Louis is proud to number him among her native sons, for he was born in this city Jan- uary 22, 1893. His father, Birch F. Rhodus, was also a native of Missouri, as was the grandfather, Thomas Rhodus. He was a son of Thomas Rhodus, Sr., a native of Ohio, who became one of the pioneer settlers of Missouri where he took up his abode in 1807, establishing his home in what was then the little village of St. Louis, conducting a furniture store on Main and Pine streets about 1820. Thomas Rhodus, Jr., the grandfather, was engaged in the furniture and tobacco business on Main and Chestnut streets, and Birch F. Rhodus was also active in mercantile lines for a number of years but is now living retired. The grandfather also became president of the Merchants Exchange of St. Louis and was very active in civic and public affairs, as well as in the business life of the city. He was also a prominent worker in St. Johns Methodist Episcopal church in which he served as one of the deacons. In fact the family has borne a most important part in promoting the material, intellectual, social and moral development of St. Louis through four generations. Birch F. Rhodus was united in marriage to Miss Esther Ola Jones, a native of California and of Scotch descent, her people being among the pioneers of the Golden state coming originally from Tennessee. Mr. and Mrs. Birch Rhodus have become the parents of two daughters.
Their only son, Howard J. Rhodus, was educated in the public schools of Chicago, passing through consecutive grades to the high school and after complet- ing his education there started out to earn his own livelihood when a youth of sixteen years. He entered the employ of the United States Envelope company of Worchester, Massachusetts, in the branch of their business which had been established in St. Louis. He continued with this firm for a number of years and was afterward with the J. L. Hammett company. Later he organized the Con-
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tinental Bank Supply company and has been the president since its incorporation in 1919. The business was established in 1914 and Mr. Rhodus has continuously been a most important factor in the development and extension of the trade which now covers very wide territory embracing the entire North American continent. The business methods of the house have always been such as would bear the closest investigation and scrutiny, and undaunted enterprise and progressive methods have characterized the conduct of the undertaking, making it one of the foremost busi- ness concerns of St. Louis.
In his political view Mr. Rhodus maintains an independent course. He is much interested in civic affairs, has taken an active part in promoting woman's suffrage, and was chairman of the speaker's committee and a member of the ex- ecutive committee in connection with the bond drives during the war. He has been a most active and earnest worker in behalf of the Young Men's Christian Association and his cooperation and aid can always be counted upon to further any plan or measure for the general good. He belongs to Trinity Lodge, No. 241. A. F. & A. M., and also has membership with the St. Louis Club, the Advertising Club, the St. Louis Salesmanship Association of which he is a director, and the Chamber of Commerce. The guiding spirit of his life is found in the teachings of the church, his membership being in St. John's Methodist Episcopal church, South, and in various departments of its work he has taken a most helpful interest, being now assistant superintendent of the boy's work. His life record should serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement to others, showing that the building of a fortune and building of character are not at variance, but that success and an honored name may be won simultaneously. He started out in the business world with little capital and made steady progress, winning an enviable position in the attainment of prosperity and the regard of his fellowmen. He finds his chief diversion in hunting and has gone to the wilds of many parts of the United States and has also hunted large game in Alaska. He is a representative of one of the oldest and most honored St. Louis families and his entire course is in harmony with the ancestral record which has made the name of Rhodus a synonym for esteem and respect throughout St. Louis.
HERBERT S. GARDNER.
Herbert S. Gardner, president of the Gardner Advertising Company of St. Louis, was born December 22, 1872, in Warsaw, Missouri, his parents being Nicholas S. and Susan Frances Gardner. The father was a merchant of Warsaw, Missouri, at one time and afterward lived at Appleton City, Missouri, where he continued in business for a number of years. In 1887 he came to St. Louis and was associated with the Brown Dougherty Company, in the wholesale dry goods business. In later years he retired and passed away in 1891. For several years he was a member of the state guard of Missouri. His wife was the daughter of John M. Holmes of St. Louis, who died when Mrs. Gardner was but a small child, and she afterward made her home with her uncle, Charles Holmes, who was a well known citizen of St. Louis, where he engaged in business as a cracker manufacturer and dealer. Mrs. Gardner survives her husband and yet resides in St. Louis.
Herbert S. Gardner, of this review, was educated in the public schools of St. Louis and at the old Polytechnic school, then located at Seventh and Chestnut streets. He afterward worked in the public library under Frederick Crunden, who was librarian for a number of years. In November, 1888, he entered the employ of the Frisco Railway Company, in the accounting department, doing clerical work and thus continuing until January, 1894, when he accepted a position in the general passenger department of the Cotton Belt Railroad in St. Louis. There he continued until October, 1902, and during that time was chief rate clerk for the road. Sub- sequently he was appointed advertising agent of the company. On the 1st of October, 1902, he went to the H. E. Lesan Advertising Company of St. Louis, as office manager, and in 1903 was promoted to the position of secretary of the com- pany. In 1904 he was elected to the vice presidency. In 1907 the Lesan Company and the Gould Directory Company consolidated and Mr. Gardner became vice presi- dent of the new corporation, but in July, 1908, the Lesan-Gould Company dis-
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