USA > Missouri > Centennial history of Missouri (the center state) one hundred years in the Union, 1820-1921, Volume V > Part 20
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During the war period he went to the Second Officers' Training Camp where he remained from August, 1917, until sent overseas. He was with the army until April 1, 1919, and spent one year and two months in France. He served with the heavy artillery and fought in a number of engagements in France. He was commis-
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sioned a captain April 1, 1919,-a fact indicative of his excellent military record. He is now commander of Richard Anderson Post of the American Legion of St. Louis. Since his return he has concentrated his efforts and attention largely upon the practice of law but is also one of the directors and the treasurer of the Farrar Pump & Ma- chinery Company.
Mr. Farrar belongs to two Greek letter fraternities, the Phi Delta Theta and the Phi Delta Phl. He is a member of the Racquet Club and the City Club and also of St. John's Methodist church in which he is serving on the board of stewards. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he served as assistant circuit attorney in 1910 and 1911. He is now the secretary of the City Club and is active in all civic matters. He served as chairman of the speakers committee which was instrumental in promoting the completion of the free bridge. His aid and cooperation have been matters of moment in the adoption of many plans and projects for the general good and his relation to all interests of general welfare is that of a public-spirited citizen.
ANTHONY F. ITTNER.
Anthony F. Ittner, city court judge of St. Louis and an able member of the Mis- souri bar, was born at Berlin Heights, Erie county, Ohio, November 23, 1872, his parents being Conrad S. and Sarah C. (Hill) Ittner. The father, a native of Ohio came to St. Louis from Lebanon, that state, when his son Anthony was but four years of age, and afterward engaged in the contracting business in St. Louis. The mother was of English lineage, although the family was founded in America several generations ago. Her grandfather, Samuel Butler of Saybrook, Connecticut, was an orderly sergeant in a Connecticut regiment during the Revolutionary war and was a brother of Colonel Zebulon Butler, commander of Fort Wyoming, in Pennsylvania, where the terrible Indian massacre occurred, the history of which is given much prominence in the stories of early days in Pennsylvania. In the maternal line Anthony F. Ittner is also connected with the Buckingham family of Connecticut, which included the Rev. Thomas Buckingham, who was one of the eight founders of Yale College and the most active in the college work among the eight, having much to do. with the success of the university from its inception.
Anthony F. Ittner obtained a public school education in St. Louis and after- ward attended Washington University, from which he was graduated in 1895 with the Bachelor of Arts degree, while subsequently he attended the Washington Uni- versity Law School and won his LL. B. degree in 1897. In the same year he entered upon the general practice of law in St. Louis. In 1898, when the call came for military aid following the inauguration of the Spanish-American war, he enlisted in Company G of the First Missouri Volunteer Infantry and served as sergeant' until mustered out.
When peace was restored Mr. Ittner returned to St. Louis and resumed the general practice of law in the civil courts, never' taking up any criminal cases. He was very successful in all of his law work and as an attorney is quick in percep- tion and accurate in his judgment of the law concerning the specific case at issue. At present his time is taken up entirely with his duties as city court judge, for which he is admirably fitted. Those who know him speak of him as a man of scholarly attainments and as an attorney of marked ability.
In 1911 Mr. Ittner was elected to the house of delegates of St. Louis and served in that official position from April, 1911, until April, 1913. In 1918 he served on the board of equalization for the city of St. Louis and in December, 1918, was ap- pointed judge of city court one and entered upon his duties on the 1st of January, 1919. He has since occupied the bench and stands very high as a fearless judge who is at all times thoroughly just in his decisions. He has always regarded the law as made for all, rich and poor alike, and no political prejudice has ever marred the impartiality of his court. He is also a member of the public safety council and takes a very active part in its work.
On the 20th of March, 1911, in Cincinnati, Ohio, Judge Ittner was married to Miss Maud R. Flickner, a daughter of John S. Flickner, who served in the Civil war as a member of the Fifth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. At the time of their marriage
JUDGE ANTHONY F. ITTNER
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Mrs. Ittner was in reality a resident of St. Louis, being at the head of the department of domestic science in the Central high school. She is a valued member of the Wednesday Club of St. Louis and during the war period she was chairman of the Eighth Food District under Dr. Gephart, which position she filled until March, 1918, at which time she accepted a position with the home demonstration office, established and maintained jointly by the United States Agricultural Department and the State Agricultural Department for the purpose of aiding in food conserva- tion, and in this connection she labored until after the close of the war in May, 1919. She is now serving as state chairman of the Home Economics department of the Missouri Federation of Women's Clubs and is a member of the executive board of that organization. Judge Ittner was also very active in connection with war work and was in charge of the Red Cross Christmas drive in a part of the four- teenth district and was legal advisor of the fourteenth district and also a member of the board of instruction there. Both Mr. and Mrs. Ittner are of the Unitarian faith, having membership in the Church of the Messiah. Their home has been blessed with one daughter, Martha Antoinette.
Judge Ittner is a member of the Century Boat Club and is one of the well known Masons of the country. He belongs to the lodge, chapter, council, commandery, the Scottish Rite bodies and to Moolah Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He has been a most active worker in the order, is a past master of his lodge, past high priest of the chapter and was the founder of Alhambra Grotto No. 47 of the Mystic Order of the Veiled Prophets of the Enchanted Realm, of which he became the first monarch. He started in line in the supreme council of the Grotto in Buffalo, New York, in 1915 and has since advanced until he is now grand orator. The local Grotto has a mem- bership of over six thousand. As grand orator he is a member of the supreme council, the governing body of the order, and in a very few years he will be grand monarch of this organization, which has a membership of over one hundred thou- sand. He is regarded as one of the finest orators the order has ever produced, being a forcible and convincing speaker, with a ready command of language, always able to give expression to his thoughts in well chosen words. Judge Ittner is also an officer of the grand lodge of Masons of Missouri, being now senior grand marshal, and he is past district grand lecturer and past district deputy grand master of the thirty-third Masonic district. He has been very active in all Masonic work for more than seventeen years and has been in office throughout the entire period. He is also a subscriber and life member to the Masonic Temple fund for the erection of a million dollar temple. His membership relations extend to St. Louis Lodge No. 5, I. O. O. F., which is said to be the wealthiest Odd Fellows lodge in the world. He is also a member of Wildey Encampment. He is the founder and a charter member of the Missouri Beta chapter of the college fraternity, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, which was organized at Washington University and of which he was presiding officer. Judge Ittner is also the second national vice president of the National Exchange Club and organized the local branch in St. Louis last May and is the local president. The National Exchange Club is today the fastest growing Noonday Club in the country. Almost all of his time outside of his home and his official duties is given to Masonry, however, and he is now in line for the highest office in the grand lodge and in the Grotto. From various sections of the country where his Masonic connections have made him known there come words attesting his "high personal worth and unimpeachable character and unassailable integrity." One who has long known him well speaks of him as "a gentleman in every sense of the word and a leader of men."
ISAAC WYMAN MORTON.
Isaac Wyman Morton, of St. Louis, long prominent in the commercial circles of the city, was a man to whom life was earnest and purposeful. Opportunity ever meant a call to action and one to which he made ready response and throughout his entire career there was never an esoteric phase in his history and the most envious could not grudge him his success, so worthily was it won and so honorably used. His example remains as a source of inspiration and encouragement to those
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who knew him and his memory is cherished by all who came within the close circle of his friendship.
Isaac W. Morton was born May 4, 1847, in Quincy, Illinois, a son of Charles and Rebecca (Wyman) Morton, the former a native of Halifax, Massachusetts, while the latter was born in Charlestown, that state. The father died in the year 1851, when Isaac W. Morton was but four years of age. The latter was educated in the Wyman Institute and in Washington University and when seventeen years of age made his initial step in the business world by accepting a position as col- lector with the Second National Bank of St. Louis. There he remained until he resigned in order to enter the employ of the Simmons Hardware Company, which in January, 1872, became the firm of E. C. Simmons & Company, Mr. Morton at that time becoming junior partner. In 1874 the business was incorporated under the name of the Simmons Hardware Company, Mr. Morton being elected to the vice presidency. He held this position for twenty-four years, when he retired from active management, although retaining official connection with the business as director. Mr. Morton was a man of very sound and discriminating judgment and keen sagacity. He early recognized the fact that satisfied patrons are the best advertisement and inaugurated a policy whereby every effort was put forth to please customers. The most harmonious relations always existed between the two men who were at the head of the concern and the labors of the one amply supple- mented and rounded out the efforts of the other.
Mr. Morton was widely known by reason of his energy and determination that never allowed him to stop short of the successful accomplishment of his purposes, which were ever of a most honorable character. Honesty was not a matter of policy with him but a matter of principle, and he would countenance no method which at any time sought disguise.
On the 19th of January, 1877, Mr. Morton was married to Miss Jeannette Filley, a daughter of the Hon. Oliver Dwight Filley, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work. To Mr. and Mrs. Morton were born three daughters: Alice, now the wife of H. H. Langenberg, residing at No. 49 Westmoreland place; Janet, the wife of H. M. Kauffman, of 51 Portland place; and Helen, at home.
Mr. Morton was a democrat in his political interests and support, but while he usually voted with the regular organization of the party he did not hesitate to cast an independent ballot if his judgment so dictated. Mr. Morton was president of the Mercantile Library Association for two years, was also connected with the Ethical Society and was a trustee of the Self Culture Association. Educational interests found in him a stalwart champion and he was a member of the board of directors of Washington University for a number of years. He passed away Octo- ber 18, 1903, and a life of great usefulness was thus terminated. He was a broad- minded man whose vision was comprehensive in its scope and who while holding to high ideals utilized the most practical methods for their accomplishment. In all of his business career he followed constructive methods and his path was never strewn with the wreck of other men's failures. There is no name that deserves a more honorable place upon the pages of commercial history in St. Louis than does that of Isaac Wyman Morton. Mrs. Morton retains her residence in St. Louis, where her entire life has been passed and where she occupies a most enviable social position, accorded her by reason of her innate culture and refinement and true personal worth.
WILLIAMSON POPE HOWARD.
The interests and activities in the life of Williamson Pope Howard made his an evenly balanced character for he never sacrificed developments along one line to progress in another. His keen discrimination enables him to put a just value upon all of the interests of life, and so directed his efforts that when he passed away in 1900, St. Louis mourned the loss of one of her representative and honored citizens. He won success but he also won the respect of his fellowmen, for at all times his course was such as would bear the closest investigation and scrutiny. A native of Virginia, he was born at Charlotteville, September 3, 1822, and he was therefore in the seventy-eighth year of his age when he passed away. He came of a family of
WILLIAMSON P. HOWARD
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English lineage, and in fact his ancestors belonged to the nobility of England, being of the same family as the Duke of Norfolk, having the same coat of arms. Mr. Howard, however, was a modest man, who did not prate on his royal ancestry, but felt that to be a good American citizen should be sufficient for any one. It was at an early period in the settlement of the new world that representatives of the family came to the United States, establishing homes in Maryland and Virginia.
The education of Williamson Pope Howard was largely acquired under the personal instruction of an uncle, William Pettit, a brother of Mr. Howard's mother. The latter was, in her maidenhood, Miss Virginia Sidney Rout Pettit, representative of one of the prominent families of the Old Dominion. William Pettit, the uncle, became one of the pioneer educators of Saline county, Missouri, and W. P. Howard moved to this state in early youth with his father, John Howard, the family settling in Saline county, where the boy was reared in the usual manner of a farm bred lad, utilizing every available opportunity to acquire an education, for he was ambitious to improve his mind and thus qualify for life's practical and responsible duties. He benefited thoroughly by the instruction of his uncle, and also gained many valuable lessons in the school of experience, especially concerning the work of force, of energy and of perseverance. He was nineteen years of age when occurred the death of his elder brother, who had gone to Savannah, Missouri, where he was engaged in business. Following his demise the father sent W. P. Howard to Savannah to settle up his brother's affairs and he displayed marked capability in business management there. He afterward established a general merchandise store in Savannah, where he made his home until 1857 and then came to St. Louis. Here he organized the W. P. Howard Commission Company, and conducted a business that extended throughout the state. He handled pork, tobacco and hemp, and became one of the foremost commission merchants of Missouri, at a time when practically all shipments were made by boat. When the government removed the duties from him he fought hard to kill the hill in order to protect the industry in the South. As the years passed on his commission business constantly increased in volume and importance and he handled as many as a million pounds of meat at a time. Later he confined his attention to the conduct of a wholesale bag business, which business in time passed into possession of his family. He contributed much to the business progress and development of St. Louis and won for himself a most enviable reputation by the reliability and progressiveness of his business methods. He built up his fortunes along the lines of a legitimate trade, and was a great opponent of gambling in stock or in any other form. Because of his attitude on this question he was called to Washington to speak upon the subject before the board of agriculture, for that board was planning to take steps to legislate against gam- bling. Mr. Howard knew from experience that straightforward business methods could win success if the required industry and sound judgment were brought to bear upon business problems, and his clear exposition of his opinions did not fail to make a deep impress upon the agricultural board in the national capital.
Mr. Howard was married twice. His first wife hore the maiden name of Miss Catherine Clark, and in her maidenhood was a resident of Terre Haute, Indiana. She passed away in 1860, leaving three children: Thomas Weston, now deceased; Elizabeth, the wife of Dr. R. A. Quarrels of Fairhope, Alabama; and Kate, who married Dr. Thomas A. Smith of Saline county, Missouri, and both died in 1919, leaving three daughters. In 1866 Mr. Howard was again married, Miss Mary Fisher becoming his wife and the mother of eight children, only three of whom are living; Frank F .; Adele; and Lucile, all residents of St. Louis. The daughter Adele, is the wife of David Fentres, their son Frank wedded Miss Van Cleave, who passed away leaving a daughter, Wilhelmina Van Cleave Howard.
The death of W. P. Howard occurred on the 27th of January, 1900, when he was more than seventy-seven years of age. In the review of his life one should not overlook the fact that he served as a private under the command of Doniphan in the Mexican war; that he was one of the ablest and strongest business men of St. Louis; and that he was a man of most charitable purpose and kindly disposition. He became one of the early members of the St. Louis Club, and when he passed away was the oldest member of the Merchants Exchange, in the work of which he had taken an active and helpful part. Both he and his wife belonged to the Epis- copal church and Mr. Howard served as vestryman of St. John's church for many years. He contributed generously to various church organizations, however, for he
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was a broadminded man, who recognized the good in all. He was charitable in his opinions, kindly in his purposes and most honorable in every relation of life. He passed on to a ripe old age. His record was as the day with its morning of hope and promise, its noontide of activity, its evening of completed and successful efforts, ending in the quiet rest of the night and he passed on "as one who wraps the drapery of his couch about him and lies down to pleasant dreams."
JAMES ALVA CLARK.
A man prominent in the financial circles of Perry is James Alva Clark who has been connected with the Perry Bank since 1887, which institution he has served as president since 1919. He was born on the 16th of May, 1853, on a farm two miles southeast of Frankford, on what is now known as the Sanford Wright place, in Pike county. His parents were Martin J. and Mary E. (Ringo) Clark, the former born in Montgomery county, Kentucky, June 7, 1825. Martin J. Clark removed from his native state about 1850, spent a year in Illinois and then came to Missouri, settling in Pike county. After two years spent in Pike county he removed to Monroe county where he bought a farm near Florida and resided there for some time. He later made his home in Florida, Perry and Hannibal, at which latter place he died in 1904. He was a man of extraordinary energy and business ability and was authority on all classes of stock. It was his enthusiasm for mules that inspired the farmers of Monroe county to engaged extensively in that industry. He was connected with the sales stables of Edwards, Irvin & Clark of St. Louis for a long period of years and as auctioneer he was a leader in the conduct of the firm. Mr. Clark was not only well known in the community in which he resided but was known as far south as New Orleans as the "Mule King." In Illinois on the 23rd of March, 1851, Martin J. Clark was married to Miss Mary E. Ringo, a native of Mount Sterling, Kentucky, and a daughter of Alvin Ringo. Her family removed to Illinois at an early day. To this union the following children were born: J. Alva, the subject of this review; Alice R., who is the wife of Dr. Thomas Chowning, surgeon of the Levering Hospital of Hannibal; and Joseph L., who is residing in Perry, where he is conducting a milling industry. Mr. Clark died in November, 1904, and his wife's death occurred the following year. The grand- father of the subject of this review was James Clark who was born in Culpeper county, Virginia. He emigrated to Kentucky at an early day and there remained until far past middle life, when he removed westward and finally located in Monroe county, Missouri, and engaged in farming and stock raising until his death in 1863. His wife was Eliza A. Burroughs, also a native of Kentucky. James Clark participated in many of the Indian outbreaks and was a veteran of the war of 1812.
In the acquirement of an education James Alva Clark attended the common schools of Monroe county, Missouri, until he was about fourteen years of age, at which time be entered Westminister College at Fulton. In due time he entered the University of Missouri and there remained until 1874. Some time after putting his textbooks aside he went to St. Louis where for a period of two years he was engaged in the commis- sion and feed business and in a sales stable of horses and mules, thereby stepping into the business in which his father had been so successful. He returned to his father's farm in Monroe county where he worked a year and in 1875 came to Perry and became associated in the drug business. For two years he continued in this connection and then selling his drug interests established the first livery business in Perry. After he had engaged in this business for a year he added a star mail route and had the mail contract from Laddonia and Mexico to Perry. In 1887 he sold out these interests and entered the Perry Bank as assistant cashier. This bank was founded in September, 1885, and he was one of the original stockholders. Mr. Clark proved his ability in this capacity and at the end of a year he was made cashier, serving as such until 1909 when he was elected to the office of vice president. In 1919 he was made president of the bank and is still holding this position, and he has been a director since its organization. Although he is not actively connected with farming he has never been without a large responsibility in the profitable con- duct of his real estate, owning land in Monroe, Ralls and Audrain counties. In addition to his prominence in banking circles be is also one of the well-known feeders of cattle, mules and swine of this section.
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On the 17th of October, 1876, occurred the marriage of Mr. Clark to Miss Georgia C. Gill, a daughter of Thomas F. Gill. Mr. Gill was born in 1831 in Bath county, Kentucky. At the age of twenty-one he married Sarah A. Moore of near Olympian Springs, Kentucky. They came to Ralls county in 1852 and settled on a farm near Perry. Ambition led this early settler to expand his financial ability and so he moved to Perry and became a pioneer in the upbuilding of the town. He was organizer and president of the Perry Bank, acquired large land holdings and dealt extensively in live stock and city property. In 1892 he moved to Biloxi, Mississippi, and there con- tinued his investments until his death in 1897.
The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Clark: Gill L .; and Charles Martin, who was born September 9, 1883. Gifted with a strong personality, ambition and a keen sense of finance, Charles early in life became associated with the New England National Bank of Kansas City, Missouri, where he remained until his death in 1911; Gill L. was born on the 6th of February, 1881, and is now engaged in the banking, loan and investment business in Billings, Montana. He married a Miss Naomi Mitten of Moberly, Missouri, and they have become the parents of a daughter, Helen. Gill Clark laid the foundation of his present day success by obtaining a splendid education. He graduated from the Hannibal high school, took a two years course in a Chicago law college and graduated from New York University School of Finance, Commerce and Accounts.
Since age conferred upon Mr. Clark the right of franchise he has been a stanch supporter of the democratic party and of the principles for which it stands. He has never taken an especially active part in political affairs, however, and has evinced no desire to hold any public office. The family are consistent members of the Christian church of Perry and Mr. Clark is serving as elder. Fraternally he is a Mason, belong- ing to Lick Creek Lodge, A. F. & A. M., No. 32. He is likewise president of the Com- mercial Club of Perry. The home of the Clark family in Perry is one of the most beautiful residences in this section of the country and is widely known for its warmth of hospitality. Mr. Clark is noted for his progressiveness and capability and is a dominant figure in the financial circles of northeastern Missouri.
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