USA > Missouri > Centennial history of Missouri (the center state) one hundred years in the Union, 1820-1921, Volume V > Part 37
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F. BENTON MILLER.
F. Benton Miller, a general agent at St. Louis for the Phoenix Mutual Life Insur- ance Company, was born in Brownstown, Jackson county, Indiana. His father, Eli Warren Miller who passed away in November, 1910, was also a native of the Hoosier state and was a representative of one of the old and pioneer families of Indiana. He came of American ancestry for the family has been represented on this side of the Atlantic since 1640. The father was a successful farmer who carefully and profitably tilled the soil but during the Civil war he put aside all business and personal consid- eration and served as a private in the Seventy-sixth Indiana Infantry. He married Ellen Cummings who was of Scotch-Irish lineage and her grandfather served in the Revolutionary war. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Miller was celebrated in Houston, Indiana, November 5, 1865, and they became the parents of nine children-six sons and three daughters, of whom F. Benton of this review was the second in order of birth. Three of the sons and one of the daughters have passed away. The living are: William, who married Olivia Hayes and is now living in Tulsa, Oklahoma; David J., who is married and resides at Seymour, Indiana; Martha, the wife of Henry Strohm- inger, a resident of St. Barnard, Ohio; and Delight, the wife of Charles Barkman, living in Brownstown, Indiana.
F. Benton Miller, whose name introduces this review, was educated in the district schools of Jackson county, Indiana, and in a commercial college at St. Louis, Missouri. When but sixteen years of age he taught school in Jackson county, Indiana, following the profession until he attained his majority when he came to St. Louis to enter the employ of the Missouri-Pacific Railroad Company as receiving clerk, a position which he occupied for two years. In 1891-2 he was a stenographer with the Remington Type- writer Company at St. Louis and from 1892 until 1904 he taught shorthand and type- writing in a commercial college in this city. During that period he purchased a half interest in the school and made it one of the successful commercial educational institu- tions of the Mississippi valley. During 1904 and 1905 Mr. Miller was connected with the department of admissions at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition and was assistant in charge of gate receipts during the fair here. In 1905 he disposed of his interests in the school and entered the employ of the American Tobacco Company in the city department. Since 1906 he has been connected with the Phoenix Mutual Life Insur- ance Company as a salesman and has been advanced to the position of general agent. He has now devoted more than fifteen years to insurance and is a well known figure in insurance circles by reason of the capability he has displayed leading to the develop- ment of a business of extensive proportions.
Mr. Miller was married in Webster Groves, August 2, 1893, to Miss Albertine Cornelia Hull, a daughter of William S. and Sarah (Fitch) Hull. To Mr. and Mrs. Miller have been born a son and a daughter: Warren S., who was in the navy during the World war, serving nine months abroad and at present is attending Washington University where he is pursuing an academic course; and Cornelia H., who has just completed a three years course in vocal music in Boston. The family resides at No. 659 Tuxedo boulevard in Webster Groves.
Throughout his entire life F. Benton Miller has measured up to the highest standards
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of American manhood and citizenship. His grandfather in the paternal line died at Valley Forge due to exposure while serving with the American forces in the Revolu- tionary war. The same quality of loyalty to country has been manifest by the family throughout all the intervening years which have run their course since that time. Mr. Miller has taken a most active and helpful part in community affairs and for twenty years has served on the school board of Webster Groves, acting as secretary of the board for eighteen years of that time. He is also vice president of the building and loan association of Webster Groves. During the war period he acted as captain of the teams securing Liberty loan subscriptions and was a large personal contributor to all war activities. His religious faith is that of the Congregational church and his entire life has been actuated by high and honorable principles and by worthy motives which have neither sought nor required disguise. Men speak of him in terms of the highest respect and confidence and the sterling worth of his character has gained for him a host of friends wherever he is known.
HOMER S. BASSFORD.
Homer S. Bassford, manager of the St. Louis Times, was born in Mexico, Audrain county, Missouri, July 20, 1870, his parents being James C. and Catherine (Osborne) Bassford. After acquiring a public school education he attended an academy and thus equipped for life's practical and responsible duties he entered upon newspaper work, his initial experience being received in connection with the Mexico (Mo.) Ledger. In 1889 he was made Sunday editor of the Kansas City Times and later was advanced to the position of city editor, while from 1893 until 1903 he was the dramatic and music critic of the St. Louis Republic. In the latter year he was made Sunday editor and served as such and as news editor until 1907. In 1906 he acted as European corre- spondent for the St. Louis Republic and in 1907 he became editor-in-chief of the St. Louis Times. He has since been connected with the latter paper and from 1914 until the present year, 1920, has been general manager. His long connection with the leading metropolitan dailies of St. Louis has made him a well known figure in newspaper circles in the Mississippi valley.
On the 25th of June, 1892, Mr. Bassford was married to Miss Etta Overman Chase, of Cedar Falls, Iowa. He is a member of the Methodist church and is well known in the club circles of the city, belonging to the St. Louis Club, the Missouri Athletic Association, the Mercantile, Century Boat and Sunset Hill Country Clubs. He is also a member of the Missouri Historical Society. His political allegiance has always been given to the democratic party but his political activity has been confined to his endorse- ment of measures as editor of the papers with which he has been connected.
THOMAS O'REILLY, M. D.
Dr. Thomas O'Reilly, who developed extreme efficiency in the practice of medicine and surgery and was long one of the most distinguished and honored physicians of St. Louis, was born in Virginia, County Cavan, Ireland, on the 11th of February, 1827, and belonged to one of the most prominent families of the Emerald isle, represented in connection with various incidents of the wars under Cromwell.
Dr. O'Reilly was accorded liberal educational advantages and his aptitude was shown in the reading and translation of Ovid, Virgil, Sallust, Horace, Livy and Cicero before he was twelve years of age. By that time he had also read the New Testa- ment, Lucian, Homer and Xenophon in Greek and had mastered the sciences of algebra and geometry. It was his desire then to enter upon the study of medicine and with credit he passed the examination before the court of examiners of Apothecary's Hall of Dublin, Ireland, when he was not yet thirteen years of age. He next accepted a posi- tion in a drug store and gained thorough knowledge of the composition and uses of all drugs as a preparatory step to the practice of medicine. Some time later he became assistant to Dr. John Francis Purcell, of Carrick-on-Suir, Ireland, and his association with that distinguished physician and surgeon was most helpful. Dr. Purcell accom- panied the Earl of Bissborough to Dublin when that nobleman was made lord-lieutenant
DR. THOMAS O'REILLY
Vol. V-22
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of Ireland and Dr. O'Reilly followed them. He continued his medical studies in Meath Hospital at Dublin and served as assistant clinical clerk and later as chief clinical clerk under Dr. Stokes, an eminent member of the profession. At the same time he was pursuing his studies in the Original School of Medicine. His hospital experience came during the time of the four years of famine in Ireland, from 1845 to 1849. Every hospital of the country was crowded to its utmost capacity and when the French gov- ernment sent a commission of medical men to Ireland to make researches concerning typhus and typhoid fevers and report to the French Academy of Medicine Dr. O'Reilly was appointed anatomist to this commission. But almost immediately after the visiting Frenchmen had entered upon their research work they were prostrated by typhoid fever and their task was thus brought to a quick termination.
In 1848 Dr. O'Reilly was one of the Dublin students who, enthused by the French revolution, sought to arouse the Irish patriots and induce them to seek the independ- ence of their land. He accordingly abandoned his studies to enter upon this task but after a time recognized the hopelessness of gaining sufficient strength to press the cause. Accordingly he resumed his studies and was graduated from the College of Surgeons of London in 1849.
Soon after the completion of his course Dr. O'Reilly sought the opportunities of the new world. When in midocean cholera developed on shipboard and six persons died within eight hours after the appearance of the disease and within ten days one hundred and twenty-five of the steerage passengers had been attacked. Dr. O'Reilly immediately put his professional knowledge to use in saving the lives of his fellow passengers and his work was of untold value. As the ship entered the gulf stream the sickness ceased as suddenly as it had broken out and there was not a case of cholera on board when the vessel reached New York harbor. In appreciation of the service which he had rendered Dr. O'Reilly's fellow passengers presented him with a well filled purse and a most earnest and sincere address of thanks, while the news- papers made prominent mention of what he had done. This would have served as a splendid introduction had he desired to engage in the practice of his profession in New York but he had already determined to come to the west where one of his rela- tives, Count Alexander O'Reilly, had previously been governor under Spanish rule when all this section of the country was known as Louisiana. Dr. O'Reilly continued his travels to St. Louis and here entered upon the practice of medicine, in which he con- tinued for many years. His practice was unsurpassed in volume and importance by that of any physician of the Mississippi valley and throughout the entire period of his residence in St. Louis he kept in close touch with the most advanced thought and progressive methods in connection with the practice of both medicine and surgery. He was well known through his contributions to medical literature, many of which at- tracted wide attention, including an article entitled "Beneficial Influence of Tobacco as an Antidote for Strychnine Poisoning" and another "The Influence of Rest and Recreation as a Cure for Nervous Prostration."
When the Civil war was in progress Dr. O'Reilly offered his services to the govern- ment and was employed on many important missions, being associated with such men as Generals Lyon, Fremont, Frank P. Blair and William McKee. He was active in organizing the Seventh Missouri Volunteers and was offered a commission as brigadier general by President Lincoln but could not accept. Through this troublous period he served as a member of the committee of public safety. He was keenly interested in local politics and several times was offered an appointive office but continuously refused to serve in political positions. He was also tendered positions in the various medical schools of the city but these, too, he declined, preferring to concentrate his efforts and attention upon his private practice which was most extensive and of a most im- portant character.
Dr. O'Reilly was married twice and at his death left three sons, two born of hls first marriage: Andrew J. and Thomas W .; while the son of his second marriage is James Archer O'Reilly.
Dr. O'Reilly was intensely American but never forgot the land of his birth and was a most active worker for home rule for Ireland and numbered among his personal friends such Irish leaders and patriots as Parnell, Dillon, Davitt, T. P. O'Connor and others keenly interested in the Irish cause or the cause of freedom in any land. While residing in St. Louis, Dr. O'Reilly did valuable service for the city in connection with the development of its park system. Almost immediately after the close of the Civil war he began agitating the establishment of a series of public parks in St. Louis and
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being an intimate friend of Henry Shaw he used his influence to have him donate to the city Tower Grove Park. He was one of the first commissioners appointed to lay out Forest Park and was on the first board of directors of the Free Library upon which he served for nearly six years. He did valuable work in these connections, his activities being at all times characterized by the same zeal and high sense of duty that marked his conduct in all the varied activities of his long, honorable and dis- tinguished career. One of his marked characteristics was his benevolence and help- fulness to those who needed assistance. His home was ever open to the poor and unhappy and they were sure of a hearty welcome, kindly advice and assistance of a most substantial character. A man of the highest scholarly attainments he never lost the common touch but was constantly seeking to do good to those less fortunate. His ability, however, brought him the friendship and close companionship of some of the brightest minds of this and foreign lands and association with him always meant expansion and elevation.
FRED E. MUELLER.
Fred E. Mueller, present prosecuting attorney of St. Louis county, who for thirteen years has enjoyed a large and distinctively representative clientele as a member of the St. Louis bar, practicing in Clayton, was born in Bonhomme, St. Louis county, May 13, 1883, a son of Ernest and Christina (Andrae) Mueller, both of whom are also natives of Bonhomme. His ancestors in the maternal line were among the earliest of the pioneer settlers of the county, the great-grandparents arriving in St. Louis about the year 1830. Ernest Mueller is today one of the well known farmers of St. Louis county and for several years served as justice of the peace and as central committeeman on the republican board. Both he and his wife still make their home in their native town.
Fred E. Mueller was educated in the public schools of Bonhomme and at the Central Wesleyan College at Warrenton, Missouri, while later he attended Wash- ington University for the study of law and received from that institution his law degree in 1907. Immediately afterward he took his examination before the state board and was admitted to practice. He then opened law offices in Clayton and in the intervening thirteen years has won a large clientele and is ranked among the foremost attorneys of the county. In the August primaries of 1920 he was chosen on the republican ticket as nominee for prosecuting attorney of the county to which office he was elected in the November election following.
On the 29th of December, 1909, Mr. Mueller was married to Miss Cora M. Wessel, of Warrenton, Missouri, and to them have been born three children, but only one survives, a son, Frederick W. Mr. Mueller belongs to Clayton Lodge, No. 601, A. F. & A. M., of which he has been worshipful master. He also belongs to Rabboni Chapter, R. A. M., and is recognized as a most loyal follower of the teachings and purposes of the craft. He and his wife are consistent members of the Clayton Methodist Episcopal church, South, and he belongs to the St. Louis Bar Association and to the St. Louis County Bar Association. He enjoys the highest respect and confidence of his professional colleagues and contemporaries, for he has always been careful at all times to conform his practice to the highest standards and ethics of the profession.
WALTER BARLOW STEVENS.
Walter Barlow Stevens, newspaper man and author, was born at Meriden, Con- necticut, July 25, 1848, son of Rev. Asahel Augustus and Mary Comstock ( Bristol) Stevens. The family moved to the middle west in 1855. Walter B. Stevens passed his youth in Peoria, Illinois, attending the grade and high schools. He graduated from the University of Michigan in the class of 1870, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He was given the Master of Arts degree in 1872. In 1908 he received the honorary degree of LL. D. from Washington University, St. Louis.
Beginning as a reporter in 1870, Mr. Stevens served as city editor and staff corre --
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spondent. He was Washington correspondent of the St. Louis Globe-Democrat from 1884 to 1901; president of the Gridiron Club, 1895; traveling correspondent of the Globe-Democrat, between sessions of Congress, in the United States, Mexico, Canada, Cuba. Letters over the signature "W. B. S." appeared in serial form under the titles: "The New States," "Convict Camps," "Missouri Mineral," "Silver in a Silver Country," "Black Labor in the South," "Washington Topics," "Signs of the Times," "Recollec- tions of Lincoln," etc.
Mr. Stevens was secretary of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition Company from its organization in 1901; was director of exploitation and member of the superior jury of awards in 1904. In 1908 he was secretary of the National Prosperity Association; in 1909 was secretary of the St. Louis Centennial Association. In 1912 he became secre- tary of the City Plan Commission and served until 1916. He was executive secretary of the Fourth American Peace Congress in 1913. The following decorations have been received: Knight of the Crown of Italy, 1904; Double Dragon of China, 1905; Chevalier of the Order of Leopold of Belgium, 1905; First Class Medal of Honor, Philippine Gov- ernment, 1905; Order of the Rising Sun of Japan, 1905; Officier de l'Instruction Publique of France.
In religious faith Mr. Stevens is a Congregationalist; in political opinion, a Repub- lican. He is a member of the Missouri Historical Society; secretary of the Louisiana Purchase Historical Association; was elected president of the State Historical Society of Missouri in 1917 and re-elected in 1920. He is a member of the National Geographic Society and of Phi Beta Kappa. Club memberships are the St. Louis, the City, the Round Table, the Burns, the Franklin of St. Louis, and the Gridiron, Washington.
Authorship includes Through Texas, published in 1892; The Ozark Uplift in 1900; The Forest City, 1904; A Trip to Panama, 1907; Introduction and Notes on Facsimiles of Poems and Letters of Robert Burns, 1907; The Building of St. Louis, 1908; St. Louis, the Fourth City, 1909; The Log of the Alton, 1909; One Hundred Years in a Week, 1910; The Brown-Reynolds Duel, 1911; Water Purification at St. Louis, 1911; History of St. Louis, two volumes, 1911; Samuel Morris Dodd, 1912; Book of the Fourth American Peace Congress, 1913; St. Louis Nights Wi' Burns, 1913; Eleven Roads to Success, 1913; Missouri, The Center State, two volumes, 1914; Grant in St. Louis, 1915; Halsey Cooley Ives, 1915; Lincoln and Missouri, 1916; Missouri's Centennial, 1917; A Reporter's Lincoln, 1917; Missouri, One Hundred Years Ago, 1919; Ambassador Francis, 1920; Missouri's Travail of Statehood, 1920; Centennial History of Missouri, two volumes, 1921.
Mr. Stevens was married in 1912 to Mrs. Sarah Rebecca Croft, Georgtown, South Carolina.
EMIL HARMS.
Emil Harms, vice president of the Peter Hauptmann Tobacco Company of St. Louis. was born in this city September 20, 1888. His father, the late Henry Harms, was also a native of Missouri, and was a representative of one of the old families of the state of German lineage, the family being founded in America by the great grandfather of Emil Harms. Henry Harms was reared and educated in Missouri and in early life came to St. Louis where he engaged in mercantile pursuits, passing away July 4, 1909, at the age of fifty-two years. For thirty-five years prior to his demise he had been connected with the Peter Hauptmann Tobacco Company, the oldest established firm of the kind in the city. He wedded Mary J. Grosse, a native of Missouri and a member of one of the old families of the state. To Mr. and Mrs. Harms there were born four sons and four daughters.
Emil Harms of this review was the fourth in order of birth and was educated in parochial schools of St. Louis and also in Walther high school. When seventeen years of age he made his initial step in the business world, his first position being that of wagon boy for the Peter Hauptmann Tobacco Company. From that humble place he has worked his way steadily upward through various departments to his present position as vice president, having been chosen for the office upon the death of his father who had been president and treasurer of the company for many years. Emil Harms is a man of sound business judgment and keen discrimination and is today active in the management of one of the oldest tobacco houses of the state.
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On the 20th of June, 1917, Mr. Harms was married in St. Louis to Miss Cornella Peters, a native of this city and a daughter of W. L. and Katherine (Oonk) Peters. They reside at 6935 Waterman avenue. Mr. and Mrs. Harms are members of the Lutheran church. He had been reared in that faith, his parents being devoted members thereof. His mother was a most consistent member of the Messiah Lutheran church and a woman of many estimable traits of character. For eleven years following the death of her husband she has been the president of the Peter Hauptmann Tobacco Company, continuing at the head of the business until her demise. Emil Harms is a republican giving unfaltering allegiance to the support of the party. He belongs to the Missouri Athletic Association and also to the Sunset Hill Country Club. His business activities and his long residence in St. Louis have made him widely known here and the many sterling qualities which he has displayed have gained for him the friendship and high regard of those with whom he has been associated.
ROBERT E. MOLONEY.
Robert E. Moloney, member of the St. Louis bar, was born October 28, 1882, in the city which is still his home. His father, T. F. Moloney, who for many years was a well known merchant was engaged in the retail dry goods business at Broad- way and Lucas avenue until 1889. He then retired from that business and passed away in 1892. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Josephine M. Dunn, is still living.
Spending his youthful days under the parental roof Robert E. Moloney attended the public school and afterwards prepared for the bar. Following his admission he entered upon practice and his life since that time has been devoted to professional interests of growing extent and importance. He prepares his cases thoroughly and his analytical mind enables him to present each point with due force, and to give special stress to the important point upon which the decision of every case finally turns.
On the 12th of November, 1919, in St. Louis, Mr. Moloney was married to Miss Louise J. Welek, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles F. Welek. They have one child, Robert Welek, born September 17, 1920. Mr. Moloney is a member of the American, the Missouri State and the St. Louis Bar Associations. He gives his political allegiance to the democratic party which he has supported since age con- ferred upon him the right of franchise, and he belongs to the Noonday Club also to the Sunset Hill Country Club, and finds his recreation in outdoor life and sport.
JAMES SIDNEY LEE.
Of the business enterprises which center in a large city perhaps there is none of more real value as a factor in the improvement and adornment of the city than the profession of architecture and it is in this connection that James Sidney Lee has become well-known as he is senior partner in the firm of Lee & Rush, archi- tects of St. Louis. Here he was born December 15, 1875, the only son of John R. and Josephine Harding (Walsh) Lee. The Lee family, of English origin, was founded in Virginia at an early period in the colonization of the new world and representatives of the name removed from the Old Dominion to Maryland. It was in the latter state that John R. Lee was born and reared and in completing his education he attended Harvard University, being graduated from the law school with the class of 1860. Four years later he settled in St. Louis where he practiced his profession. At the outbreak of the Civil war he returned to Virginia and there entered military service, enlisting near Dover in the Confederate army. Not long afterward he was wounded and was thus incapacitated for further participation in the war. He continued his residence in St. Louis from 1864 until 1877 and then removed westward to Denver, Colorado, and afterward lived in other western states. While in Denver he served as a judge of one of the city courts. His death occurred in 1905 when he had reached the age of sixty-five years. His wife was born in St. Louis and was a daughter of James B. and Helena (Harding) Walsh. Her
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