USA > Missouri > Centennial history of Missouri (the center state) one hundred years in the Union, 1820-1921, Volume V > Part 17
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The company was reorganized January 2, 1913, under the laws of the state of New York, as the Brown Shoe Company, Incorporated, with a capital stock of
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ten million dollars, represented by preferred stock of four million and common stock of six million. Mr. Brown was president of the first incorporated organization in 1880 and so continued until May 18, 1915, a period of thirty-five years. He then resigned the position and was elected chairman of the board of directors, in which position he continues to the present time and is also a member of the executive committee. The present officers and directors of the company are as follows: G. W. Brown, chairman of the board; John A. Bush, president; E. R. McCarthy, vice president; G. A. Bull, vice president; T. P. Moody, vice president; P. O'Brien, vice president; H. L. Tomes, vice president; William Krail, secretary; H. S. Hutchins, treasurer; Joseph H. Roblee; Walter E. Sachs; G. E. Southwick; E. F. Shaw; T. F. James; G. M. Shanklin; A. G. McGaghey; and W. E Tarlton.
The Brown Shoe Company, Incorporated, occupied in 1920 the entire block, the east third having been taken over in 1918, and the White House headquarters is one of the show places of St. Louis and a wholesome inspiration to every traveling salesman of the company, as well as to buyers, visitors and employes. This build- ing contains five and four-tenths acres of floor space, which provides room not only to handle the company's requirements for offices, salesrooms, shipping rooms and stock floors for ready-to-wear shoes but here also are now located all the buyers' offices, printing and advertising departments. The Central Shoe Company branch occupies the modern new fireproof building, opposite the White House, at Seventeenth and Washington avenue. Seven large plants of the company are located in St. Louis and six are located in the St. Louis shoe zone in Missouri and Illinois, the buildings affording approximately thirty acres of floor space, while the company's shipments for 1920 are expected to reach forty million dollars. About eight thousand employes are now on the pay roll. Two hundred and fifty salesmen sell the company's goods all over the United States and in many foreign countries, including China, India and other sections of the far east. The highest principles have ever been main- tained in the conduct of the business. and it has always been the policy of the house to manifest an interest in the individual employes and reward their fidelity, capability and loyalty by promotion as opportunity has offered. Thus almost all who are now directors of the company and heads of departments have worked up from humble positions in the company's employ.
SAMUEL M. KENNARD.
Samuel M. Kennard, deceased, was at the head of the J. Kennard & Sons Car- pet Company of St. Louis and otherwise prominently identified with important business corporations of the city. He was born in Lexington, Kentucky, in Jan- uary, 1842, a son of John and Catherine (Fishburn) Kennard. He acquired his education in the public schools of his native city and when fifteen years of age came to St. Louis in 1857 with his father who established a carpet business. The son became the assistant of his father in this enterprise and as he advanced in years continually became more and more efficient in the management and control of interests connected with the carpet trade. The business was developed to exten- sive proportions, becoming one of the foremost commercial interests of St. Louis. At the outbreak of the Civil war, however, Samuel M. Kennard put aside business considerations and joined the Confederate army as a member of Landis' Battery, attached to Cockrell's Brigade. He saw active service in Mississippi, especially around Vicksburg, in 1863, and the command was surrendered to Grant when Vicksburg fell. He remained a prisoner of war until exchanged and afterward was promoted lieutenant in Landis' and Guiboir's Batteries, which were consoli- dated. He commanded a section of the battery at the battle of Franklin, Ten- nessee, October 30, 1864, under Alexander P. Stewart, and during the last six months of the war was with 'General Hood's army in Georgia and Tennessee as aide-de-camp to General N. B. Forrest.
Upon his return to St. Louis in 1865 Mr. Kennard was admitted to a partner- ship in the carpet business which had been established by his father, the firm style of John Kennard & Sons being then assumed. He more and more largely took upon himself responsibilities connected with the management of this mammoth con- cern and upon the death of his father in November, 1872, when the business was in-
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corporated under the name of the J. Kennard & Sons Carpet Company, he became president and at the time of his death was serving as chairman of the board. He possessed in large measure that quality which for want of a better term has been called commercial sense. He was ever a close student of trade conditions and of the market as affecting the carpet business and his keen sagacity and ability to discriminate between the essential and the nonessential in business affairs brought to his house a most substanial measure of success. As the years passed he ex- tended his connections into other fields, becoming a director of the National Bank of Commerce, also of the Commonwealth Trust Company and a trustee of the Barnes estate. He likewise assisted in building the new Planters hotel in 1894.
In St. Louis, in 1867, Mr. Kennard was married to Miss Annie R. Maude and they became the parents of six children: John B .; Sa'Lees; Annie M., the wife of J. H. Brookmire; Mary R., the wife of H. B. Wallace; Samuel M .; and Richard S. Mrs. Kennard occupies one of the finest homes in St. Louis at No. 4 Portland place and also has an attractive summer residence at Magnolia, Massachusetts.
Mr. Kennard was keenly interested in the welfare of St. Louis and cooperated most earnestly and heartily in all projects for the upbuilding and benefit of the city. To this end he became one of the organizers of the St. Louis Exposition and for twelve years was president of the Exposition Company. He was also president at the first meeting of the Autumnal Festivities Association, introducing the Veiled Prophet's celebration in 1891. This has become one of the most important social features of St. Louis and is the means of bringing thousands of visitors to the - city every year, thus making known the city's resources and greatly promoting its commercial activities. Mr. Kennard became the vice president of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition Company and was the first president of the Business Men's League. He was thus most active and prominent in promoting the great projects which have had to do with the development and upbuilding of St. Louis and the effect of his labors is immeasurable. His political allegiance was given to the democratic party. He belonged to the Confederate Veterans and in 1897-8 was brigadier general of the Missouri Division. He became one of the organizers of the Mercantile Club of St. Louis and also held membership with the Commercial, St. Louis, and St. Louis Country Club. His religious faith was manifest in his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, South, and at his death his estate was generously shared with eight different charitable organizations and Institutions, to which he made liberal bequests. Quietly and without ostentation, he was con- tinually giving for the benefit of his fellowmen through organized benevolences or through individuals and his hand was ever reaching down to those less for- tunate than himself that he might aid them to rise to a higher level. He was a man whom the world respected and honored, while those who came within the circle of his close acquaintance greatly prized his friendship.
PETER IBSEN.
Peter Ibsen, active in the public life of Missouri as consul for Denmark, and connected with the commercial interests of St. Louis as a confectioner, was born in Denmark, November 4, 1862. His father, Jens Ibsen, was engaged in a foundry . business in Germany, although his ancestors, through several generations had been farmers. The death of Jens Ibsen occurred in 1895. His wife, Ane Kerstine Ibsen, who belonged to one of the old and well known Danish families, passed away in 1870.
Peter Ibsen obtained a public school education in his native country and it was his father's wish that he should become his successor in the foundry business but when Peter Ibsen was seventeen years of age he decided to forego a college education and sail for the United States. He landed at New York and made his way almost immediately to Muskegon, Michigan, where he obtained employment in a foundry occupying that position for two years. He next went to Chicago, and for ten years was employed in a wholesale candy house, thoroughly learning the business. All this time he was practicing economy, as well as industry, and thus laid the foundation for his later success. In 1884 he removed to St. Louis, and established a little candy business on Olive street. This prospered and later he
PETER IBSEN
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spent a year in travel in Europe after which he returned to St. Louis and opened a candy store in the Century building. For the past seven years he has occupied his present quarters and his store has become one of the finest in the city and is recognized as one of the exclusive luncheon places in St. Louis. The highest standard is maintained in the meals served and in the confections carried and the business is now one of substantial proportions. Mr. Ibsen has concentrated his efforts and attention in almost undivided manner upon his business and from a penniless and friendless boy-for such he was when he arrived in the new world --- he has advanced steadily step by step until he now owns one of the most select and one of the largest establishments in his line in the city. He is perhaps the best known of any of his countrymen west of the Mississippi river and for eleven years has held the post of consul for Denmark.
Mr. Ibsen belongs to St. Louis Lodge, No. 9, B. P. O. E., and is also a member of the Chamber of Commerce. His religious faith is that of the Lutheran church and his political allegiance is given to the republican party. His pleasures are largely found in music and golf and through these avenues of interest he maintains an even balance which produces a well rounded character and development.
His friends hespeak him as "a good business man absolutely clean and straight, who wants nothing but what is right, works hard and long and is very conscientious." He is also most charitable, quietly and unostentatiously doing much good, seeking out individual cases where assistance is needed.
HENRY G. TRIESELER.
Henry G. Trieseler, lawyer, actively practicing at the har of St. Louis, was born in said city October 17, 1878. He was the oldest son of the late Henry Trieseler and Charlotte Trieseler whose maiden name was Charlotte Luth. Henry Trieseler, the father, was for a long period of time successfully engaged in the wholesale pork packing and provision business and operated a slaughter house for the pur- pose of killing hogs in connection therewith. Charlotte Trieseler was a daughter of Louis Luth who settled in St. Louis in 1834 and who was a successful contractor, builder and investor in real estate. Louis Luth served as a soldier in the Mexican war and also as a soldier in the Union army of the Civil war. During his early residence in St. Louis he lived at times outside of the limits of the city and at one time kept the toll-house on the old Gravois road in connection with his other business and hecame intimately acquainted with many persons passing through the southwest gateway from St. Louis.
Henry G. Trieseler was educated in the public schools of St. Louis and was com- pelled to abandon his education while in the second year of the old St. Louis high school on account. of the death of his mother. He set out to seek his own liveli- hood and procured employment in the old Fourth National Bank and while working for this institution qualified himself for admission to the law department of Wash- ington University. He entered Washington University in 1901 and was graduated therefrom in June, 1903, receiving his LL.B. degree. Immediately following his graduation he entered into the active practice of his profession in St. Louis and has extended his practice to include all of the courts of Missouri and Illinois and the federal courts of the United States. During the time he has devoted to the practice of his profession he has been connected with many cases of a civil character of great importance and litigation affecting the rights and welfare of the people of his native city.
At the outbreak of the Spanish-American war Henry G. Trieseler answered the call for volunteers and enlisted for military service. He served honorably and with distinction throughout the war and for some time thereafter. At the general election in November, 1908, Mr. Trieseler was elected a member of the general assembly of the state of Missouri from the second representative district in the city of St. Louis and while serving in the session of the forty-fifth general assembly he was selected for membership on the following important committees, to-wit: Judiciary, elections, public health, railroads and revision of the laws of Missouri. He was also a member of various important special committees through-
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out the session of the legislature. He devoted a great deal of his time after the session adjourned to the work of revising the statutes of his state.
Mr. Trieseler has held no other public office and has been an independent republican in his politics at all times. He has served as attorney for the Board of Pharmacy and has served as a special attorney for the State Board of Health. During the World war he served the United States first as a member of the Board of Registration under the selective service law and he became chairman of the local board for division No. 8 of the city of St. Louis from the time it was organized until the board passed out of existence. During the twenty-two months of service he devoted his entire time to the duties in connection with the enforcement of the selective service law in his jurisdiction with practically no compensation for his services. He was also a member of the executive committee of the Associated Local Boards of St. Louis organized for the purpose of handling registrations under the selective service law in the city of St. Louis.
Mr. Trieseler was married December 24, 1908, to Miss Emma P. Putting, a native of St. Louis and a daughter of Francis Henry and Lena Caroline Putting (Paschedag), both of whom are residents of the city of St. Louis. Two children were born of the marriage, to-wit: Leona Charlotte, born in 1909 and Henrietta Elleanore, born in 1916.
Mr. Trieseler and all members of his family are active members of the Evan- gelical Lutheran church and have taken an active part in church work and an active interest in various orphan homes and the Old Folks' Home of their religious denomination. Mr. Trieseler has freely contributed his services, time and money to projects concerning the welfare of the city and its inhabitants although he does not aspire to public office. He stands high in his profession and enjoys the utmost confidence and respect of all persons with whom he comes into contact everywhere.
NORTON NEWCOMB.
Norton Newcomb, president of the Newcomb Brothers Wall Paper Company of St. Louis, was born February 13, 1871, in the city which has always been his place of residence. His father, George A. Newcomb, now deceased, was a native of Massa- chusetts, born February 14, 1841. For a long period he was the president of the Newcomb Brothers Wall Paper Company, so continuing until his death, and through his enterprise and progressive methods developing a business of large and substan- tial proportions. During the Civil war he acted as secretary to Admiral Lee in the North Atlantic fleet and afterward was a prominent member of the Grand Army of the Republic, serving as commander of Ransom Post of St. Louis. He married Julia A. Floyd, a daughter of James Floyd, and they became the parents of five sons and two daughters, of whom Norton is the eldest. The others are: Charles L., vice president of the Newcomb Brothers Wall Paper Company, who married Anna Heron and has three adopted chldren: George A., who is a traveling salesman for the New- comb Brothers Wall Paper Company and who married Beryl Roberts, by whom he has two children; Harold B., who is also representing the wall paper company as a traveling salesman and who married Josephine McCrea, by whom he has two chil- dren; Floyd T., who is a traveling salesman for the Atlas Powder Company and who married Alvina Conrad, by whom he has two children: Dorothy, who is the wife of Hiram B. Mason, secretary and treasurer of the St. Louis National League Base- ball Club; and Edna:
Norton Newcomb, whose name introduces this review, was educated in the pub- lic schools of St. Louis and in the Central high school. When seventeen years of age he started out in the business world as office boy with the W. P. Nelson Real Estate Company of St. Louis. When eighteen years of age he began clerking for the New- comb Brothers Wall Paper Company and during the succeeding fourteen years won advancement from time to time until he was made a traveling salesman. When thirty-two years of age he became connected with the National Wall Paper Company, with which he continued for a year as assistant manager. He then returned to the Newcomb Brothers Wall Paper Company as traveling salesman, which position he held until the death of his father in 1906, when he was elected to the presidency of the company and has so acted to the present time. The business has been estab-
NORTON NEWCOMB
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lished since 1852 and is one of the largest jobhing and wholesale paper houses in the west. They do a large retail contracting husiness and in the conduct of their interests the most progressive and enterprising methods are employed. Mr. New- comh is also the president of the St. Louis Retail Wall Paper Dealers Association and his prominence in trade circles is indicated in the fact that he has occupied this position for fifteen years. He has likewise been president for three years of the National Wall Paper Jobbers Association.
In Racine, Wisconsin, July 17, 1903, Mr. Newcomb was married to Miss Pearl M. Spalding, a daughter of Eugene Spalding, a farmer. They have become the par- ents of six children, four sons and two daughters: Julia Floyd, fourteen years of age; Norton, Jr., a lad of twelve; Robert S., ten; Louise Christy, eight; James F., five; and Donald, a little lad of two summers. The religious faith of Mr. and Mrs. Newcomb is that of the Presbyterian church.
Mr. Newcomb is identified with various organizations, belonging to the Sales- manship Club, to the Chamber of Commerce and also to the Missouri Athletic Asso- ciation, of which he was president for three years, while for nine years he was a member of its board of governors. His political allegiance has always been given to the republican party and he recognizes the duties and obligations of citizenship as well as its privileges and opportunities. He is widely known and has long been a man of influence not only in business but in club circles in St. Louis and has done not a little in shaping public thought and action along various lines.
F. ALEXANDER WITTE.
F. Alexander Witte is one of the native sons of St. Louis who has risen to prominence in connection with the commercial interests of the city. He was born here October 2, 1868, his parents being Frederick A. and Cornelia (Lieber) Witte. The father was well known in commercial circles in St. Louis for many years and passed away December 4, 1880. The son obtained his early education in the public schools and afterward attended Smith Academy of St. Louis until May, 1881. He was then sent to Germany where he attended the Real Gymnasium of Oldenburg and was there graduated in April, 1885.
Upon his return to his native land Mr. Witte initiated his business experience by entering the employ of his uncle who was head of the Witte Hardware Com- pany, a wholesale concern, founded by his father, the late Frederick A. Witte, and ranking the third largest in St. Louis. He accepted a clerkship in this estab- lishment on the 1st of Novemher, 1885, and closely applying himself to the work his diligence, industry and determination brought him various promotions until on the 1st of January, 1896, he was elected to official position, being made secretary of the company, while in January, 1910, he hecame the vice president and in 1919 was chosen president since which time he has been the chief executive officer directing the policies and shaping the further development of the business. There is no phase of the trade with which he is not thoroughly familiar. He has studied every feature of the business and is continually hroadening the trade relations by a most efficient method of thorough organization and systematization and by earnest effort to please his patrons for he has ever recognized that satisfied customers are the hest advertisements.
On the 10th of April, 1900, in St. Louis, Mr. Witte was united in marriage to Miss Lillian T. Gehner. They are well known socially and Mr. Witte holds mem- bership in the Sunset Hill Country and the Missouri Athletic Clubs, and of the latter he is a member of the hoard of governors. He is likewise a member of the Chamber of Commerce, the Missouri Historical Society and the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra for he is a great lover of music and is prominently known in musical circles. He is a director of the United States Bank of St. Louis, the Traffic Club of St. Louis, the St. Louis Art League and the St. Louis Zoological Society. He is a protestant in religious faith and all of these associations indicate the nature of his interests and the rules which govern his conduct. His political faith is that of the republican party but the duties of business have left him no time nor inclina- tion for public office. He turns to horseback riding and golf for recreation and diversion and his has been an active life in which his interests have been well
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balanced. While a most successful merchant he has also been active in the sup- port of music and the fine arts, in fact in all those interests which are of cultural value and he has done much to promote and support the highest musical tastes of the city. At the same time in all business affairs he is most practical, formulating his plans readily and carrying them forward to successful completion and thus he has become a power in the mercantile circles of the city.
EUGENE JOSEPH MUDD.
Eugene Joseph Mudd entered the National Bank of Commerce at St. Louis in January, 1902, as a collector and since that time the steps in his orderly progres- sion have been easily discernible. The usual qualities of diligence, determination and faithfulness have constituted the foundation upon which he has built his success and he today figures prominently among Missouri's financiers as the vice president of the institution which he entered eighteen years ago. He has been a lifelong resident of Missouri, his birth having occurred in St. Charles county, at Boschertown, near the city of St. Charles. His father, Dr. James R. Mudd, was a native of Kentucky and a representative of the branch of the family that was early established in that state. For forty years 'Dr. Mudd was a practicing physician of St. Charles and at one time was mayor of that place, where his death occurred in 1915. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary C. Boschert, was a daughter of John Boschert, in whose honor Boschertown was named.
In the acquirement of an education Eugene J. Mudd attended the St. Louis University, from which he was graduated with the Bachelor of Arts degree as a member of the class of 1901. It was in January of the following year that he secured the position of collector in the National Bank of Commerce and through- out the intervening period has made steady advancement, his capability and merit bringing him to the position of assistant cashier in 1916, while in 1919 he was elected vice president. Throughout all the intervening period he has been a close student of business conditions and particularly of the main features of the finan- cial world and his knowledge is comprehensive and accurate. He is the president of the James R. Mudd Estate, Inc., a company formed to keep intact the estate which was left by his father.
On the 4th of September, 1907, Mr. Mudd was married to Miss Helen Ann Rechtern, a daughter of the late Charles Rechtern, a retired merchant of St. Charles, Missouri. The Rechtern family and the Becker family, of which Mrs. Rechtern was a representative, have long been prominently identified with the history of St. Charles county. To Mr. and Mrs. Mudd have been born four children: Dorothy Margaret, who was born April 30, 1909; Helen Mary, born June 12, 1912; Marjorie Ann, September 12, 1913; and Blanche Loretto, April 20, 1916.
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