USA > Missouri > Centennial history of Missouri (the center state) one hundred years in the Union, 1820-1921, Volume V > Part 40
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William Henry Grabe attained his early education in St. Louis, having been brought to this city by his parents when but two years of age. He also received instructions from his father who was a man of scholarly attainment, and he like- wise attended the Clinton and Peabody public schools. When a youth of fourteen he started out upon his business career and was first employed as a cash boy in the dry goods store of Jacob Lowenstein, at the old French market. Later he entered the employ of a clothing merchant in the same block and when he was a youth of sixteen he became general office and laboratory assistant to Dr. J. H. McLean, in the manufacture of proprietary medicines. He became familiar with all the details of this business both in the chemical combinations and in the finan- cial management, and afterward went upon the road as traveling salesmau covering the states of Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa and forty-eight of the eighty-eight counties in Ohio. On attaining his majority he left the service of Dr. McLean and turned his attention to the accounting business in St. Louis, and afterward was with the Home Brewing Company for five years as cashier and notary. He next became connected with the famous restaurant of Tony Faust, and until 1907 had general charge of the financial and office department of that business. In 1907 the Glancy & Watson Hotel Company engaged him to open its books and institute its accounting system. He performed the work so capably that he was offered a permanent position which he accepted. In 1910 he was elected secretary of the
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WILLIAM H. GRABE
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company and in 1911 was also elected to the treasurership and is now serving in the dual position. In the meantime, from 1914 until 1918, he attended the Benton College of Law from which he was graduated in the latter year with the degree of LL. B., and his knowledge of law has been of marked benefit to him in his busi- ness affairs. He passed the state bar examination in June, 1918, and was admitted to practice in July of that year but has not engaged actively in general practice. However, his opinions are much sought in consultations and his legal attainments are ot great value to the company which is now enjoying a high degree of pros- perity.
The Marquette Hotel, which was built and is owned by his company, was com- pleted in 1907 and contains four hundred rooms, elegant in their equipment. No hotel has been more successful in the United States for every effort has been put forth to please the patrons and supply them with all comforts. His associate, T. H. Glancy, has the management of the hotel and has spent his entire life in this line of business, working his way up from the position of bell boy until he is not only prominent as the owner of a fine hotel but has also been honored with the presidency of the Hotel Men's Association.
On the 14th of October, 1892, Mr. Grabe was married to Miss Anna Katherine Herzog, a daughter of Adam Herzog, who for many years was the owner of a country resort on Gravois Road, which was much patronized in those days by Ulysses S. Grant, afterwards president of the United States. Following her father's death her mother married John Stumborg, a well known political leader, whose warm friendship with General Grant continued throughout their lives.
Mr. Grabe in his younger years was a great boxer, a famous skater and an expert ball player and still keeps up his interest in these and other clean and manly out door interests and sports. He is a lover of music and of good books, and finds much recreation in gardening and cultivation of flowers. He is noted for the vege- tables and garden products which he raises and he is justly proud of his achieve- ments in this line. He is also a lover of thoroughbred dogs and is the owner of Ted, a snow white bull terrier of the finest breed. He belongs to the St. Louis Bar Association and also to the Chamber of Commerce and his political allegiance is given to the democratic party. For many years he was a member of the Presby- terian church, but he and his wife are now strongly inclined to the Christian Science church. Starting out to earn his own living when a lad of fourteen years he has steadily worked his way upward and by the wise utilization of his time and oppor- tunities he has become one of the leading hotel men of St. Louis, as his labors have been crowned with gratifying success. Mr. Grabe's motto through life has been, "The man who is loyal to his employer, works hard and saves a portion of his earnings, is seldom in want or out of a job."
FREDERICK MADISON SMITH.
Frederick Madison Smith, president of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Later-day Saints, of Independence, Missouri, was born in Plano, Kendall county, Illinois, January 21, 1874. He is a son of Joseph and Bertha (Madison) Smith and the grandson of Joseph Smith, the founder of the church. The father, Joseph Smith, was chosen president of the church in 1860 and presided until his death in 1914.
Frederick Madison Smith was educated in the public schools of Lamoni, Iowa, and studied at the University of Iowa during the years of 1894 and 1895. He received the degree of Bachelor of Science from Graceland College at Lamoni, Iowa, in 1898 and in the fall of that year became a student in the extension department of the University of Missouri, so continuing his studies through 1899. He received the degree of Master of Arts from the University of Kansas in 1911 and the degree of Doctor of Philosophy from Clark University in 1916.
Frederick M. Smith was professor of mathematics at Graceland College in 1899 and 1900 and in the latter year became editor of the Lamoni Chronicle, so continuing until 1902. He was assistant and associate editor of the Saints' Herald published at Lamoni, the official organ of the church from 1900 until 1904. In 1902 he was chosen the first counsellor to the president of the church and so continued until 1915 when he was elevated to the presidency, which position he fills at the present time. He
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was editor of the Journal of History from 1908 until 1912 and has been editor of the Saints' Herald since 1917. He has acted as secretary and director of the Lamoni school board, as a trustee of Graceland College and director of the United Order of Enoch.
President Smith was married August 3, 1897, to Miss Ruth L. Cobb, a daughter of Elijah and Alice E. Cobb of Lamoni, Iowa, and their children are Alice Myrmida and Lois Audentia.
President Smith holds membership in the American Geographical Society, the American Institute of Archaeology, the Missouri State Historical Society, the Ameri- can Institute of Criminal Law and Criminology, the American Economic Association, the American Peace Society, the American Sociological Society, the Academy of Political Science of New York, the Missouri Valley Historical Society, the Society of Colonial Wars and the Sons of the American Revolution. He is associated with the American Academy of Political and Social Science, the National Confederation of Charities and Corrections, and the Missouri Confederation of Social Welfare. He holds membership in the University Club at Washington, D. C., is president of the board of directors of Independence Sanitarium and of the Independence Institute of Arts and Sciences.
President Smith is a broad-gauged man of massive intellect and splendid education, democratic in his personal manners and an affable and pleasant gentleman. The re- sponsibility which he carries is great but he fully measures up to the requirements of his position.
HON. EDWIN McDONALD STEVENS.
Edwin McDonald Stevens, member of the present Missouri state legislature, one of the foremost attorneys of Clayton, Missouri, and a recognized leader in the ranks of the republican party in the state, was born October 20, 1893, in the city which is still his home, his parents being Richard H. and Lulu (Suter) Stevens. The father, who passed away August 30, 1916, was born in St. Louis county, his par- ents being Dr. Richard Henry and Missouri Ann (Cordell) Stevens. The family is of English origin but was established in America at an early period in the devel- opment of this country. Joseph Stevens, one of the first representatives of the name on this side of the Atlantic, was the owner of over five thousand acres in Kentucky granted to him by the British government for service in the Indian wars. This tract included practically all of the present site of Louisville, Ken- tucky, and was deeded to him in 1752. His son, General Richard Henry Stevens, won his title by service in the Revolutionary war. His son, Louis Stevens, one of a family of thirteen children, was the first of the name to locate in Missouri, where he took up his abode in the spring of 1836. His son, Dr. Richard H. Stevens, was born in Caroline county, Virginia, in 1822, was graduated from the Jefferson Med- ical College of Philadelphia in 1844 and afterwards entered upon the practice of medicine in Missouri. At the outbreak of the Mexican war he joined the army and following the close of hostilities resumed practice in St. Louis county. In 1846 he wedded Missouri Ann Cordell, who was born in 1830, a granddaughter of John Cordell, who came from England at an early day, and a daughter of Hiram Cordell, a soldier of the War of 1812. Both John and Hiram Cordell and their wives are buried on the old Cordell homestead. Arriving in St. Louis county in 1797 John Cordell was granted eight hundred arpents of land by the Spanish gov- ernment. He was an Episcopal minister and was a chaplain in Washington's army. The land which he secured in Missouri was largely cleared and developed by his son Hiram, who was a planter and farmer, and much of this property is still in possession of the family. Hiram Cordell was an abolitionist and protected John Lovejoy, who, however, was later killed because of his abolition teachings. His only child became the wife of Dr. Richard Henry Stevens and to them were born five daughters and three sons. The father passed away in 1890 while the mother's death occurred in 1894.
Richard H. Stevens, father of Edwin McDonald Stevens, was graduated from the Missouri State University, July 4, 1876. He then pursued law studies under pri- vate instruction, was admitted to the bar in 1878 and in January of that year began practice at Mt. Olive. For many years he occupied a prominent position as a rep- resentative of the legal profession in this state. He was married October 17,
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1882, to Miss Lulu B. Suter of Palmyra, Missouri, daughter of John J. and Lucy A. Suter, the former a son of Virdner Suter, who removed to Palmyra from Ken- tucky in 1832 and there followed farming. During the last thirty years of his life he engaged in banking, being president of the Marion County Savings Bank. Mr. and Mrs. Stevens became parents of three children: John V., a civil engineer; Richard Henry, who studied for two years at Washington University and in Jan- uary, 1909, was admitted to the bar; and Edwin McDonald of this review. While the father passed away August 30, 1916, the mother is still living.
Edwin McDonald Stevens attended the public schools of Clayton and afterward the St. Louis University, winning his Doctor of Philosophy degree in 1913. He attended night classes at the University, working days as assistant cashier of the Tri City State Bank at Madison City, Illinois. This necessitated his leaving home at five o'clock in the morning. He worked during the day and attended night classes at the University, arriving at his home about eleven p. m. The per- sistency of purpose which he displayed in obtaining his education promised well for a successful future. After winning his law degree he opened offices in Clayton and in the intervening seven years has built up a large clientage unequaled, perhaps, by any other attorney in the city, and on the 3d of August, 1920, at the republican primary held on that date, he was nominated for the state legislature, to which he was elected by a handsome majority in the November election following. In politics he has always been a republican, and has been very active in public affairs. He stands at all times for the most progressive measures and is constantly seeking opportunities to promote the public good.
On the 16th of September, 1916, Mr. Stevens was married to Miss Marjorie Lowenstein of New York City and to this marriage have been born twin daughters: Dorothy Elizabeth and Donna Lee. Mr. and Mrs. Stevens are well known socially and his position as a member of the bar is a most enviable .one, few men of his age gaining the distinction and prestige which he enjoys as a representative of the legal profession.
WILLIAM LEONARD WIMMER.
William Leonard Wimmer, general contractor, whose skill and efficiency are manifest in a number of the large and substantial structures of St. Louis, was born December 26, 1875, in Munich, Bavaria, Germany, a son of William and Theresa Wimmer. The former was a cabinet-maker and worked at his trade in Germany until 1881, when he came to America, settling first in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he continued in business until the time of his death in 1912.
William Leonard Wimmer was educated in the public and high schools of Mil- waukee and after his textbooks were put aside he took up the study of architecture and through practical experience became more and more qualified for business of this character and at length entered the fields of general contracting. In 1897 he came to St. Louis and for a time continued as an employe in an architect's office. Later, however, he entered into partnership with C. L. Gray for the conduct of a contracting and building business and the firm became well known as the Southern Illinois Contracting Company. This company erected the Pierce building at Fourth and Pine streets in St. Louis, also the Municipal Courts building, the Coliseum building and a number of other buildings of the State University at Columbia, Mis- souri. For about fifteen years Mr. Wimmer was associated with that firm but in 1914 organized the Wimmer Contracting Company, of which he has since been the president. This company erected the building of the Mercantile Trust Company in St. Louis, also the plant of the Western Cartridge Company at East Alton, Illi- nois, and a number of manufacturing plants in various cities of the country. In fact their work has been of a most important character and makes constant de- mands upon the time and energy of Mr. Wimmer. During 1917 and 1918 Mr. Wim- mer was president of St. Louis Master Builders Association.
On the 26th of June, 1901, Mr. Wimmer was married to Miss Mary O. Garwick, a daughter of John Garwick of East St. Louis. They have become parents of three children: Gladys, who is eighteen years of age and is attending the Washington University; Carl and William, aged respectively eleven and nine years, and both
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now in school. Mr. Wimmer and his family occupy a beautiful home at 5634 Bort- mer avenue where their friends are most delightfully entertained, and in social circles they occupy an enviable position. Mr. Wimmer is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, also of the City Club, the Automobile Club and the Benevolent Pro- tective Order of Elks.
CHARLES E. GOLTERMANN.
Charles E. Goltermann, proprietor of the business conducted under the name of the Goltermann Printing & Stationery Company of St. Louis, was born on the 4th of July, 1873, in the city which is still his home, his father being Charles T. Goltermann, a native of Hanover, Germany, who came to America about the time of the close of the Civil war, settling in St. Charles, Missouri, where he followed agricultural pur- suits. After a short time, however, he removed to St. Louis where has since resided. He married Emma Hock, who was born in Baltimore, Maryland, of German lineage, and they became the parents of four sons and three daughters.
Charles E. Goltermann, the eldest of the family was educated in the public schools of St. Louis and in the Perkins & Herpel Mercantile College. He also attended the St. Louis University for the study of law and at the age of sixteen years took up the study of pharmacy in connection with a wholesale manufacturing business and was active along pharmaceutical lines for ten years. At the age of twenty-six he entered the printing business and was employed by the August Gast Printing Company and also by the firm of Buxton & Skinner of St. Louis, being connected with both of these firms in an executive capacity. In 1911 he established his present business in a small way and has since developed a large and growing enterprise, conducting a general printing, engraving and stationery business, which does high grade com- mercial and book work.
On the 1st of October, 1901, Mr. Goltermann was married to Alma Mier, a native of St. Louis and a daughter of August and Elizabeth (Schaefer) Mier. They became parents of three children: Elizabeth, Born October 5, 1903, in St. Louis; Carl August, born January 2, 1908; and Katherine, born July 20, 1909.
During the World war Mr. Goltermann served on the legal advisory board of the twelfth district and was active in support of various war interests. Politically he is a republican and for the past twenty-six years has been a member of the Royal Arcanum, while of Good Hope Lodge, A. F. & A. M., he is likewise a representative. He also belongs to the City Club and is a very active Y. M. C. A. worker. He is also a member of the Chamber of Commerce, the Automobile Club and the Ben Franklin Club, the latter an organization of printers, of which he has served as vice presi- dent. His interests are by no means confined to the advancement of his own fortunes for he cooperates in many plans and measures that have to do with the progress and prosperity of the city and the advancement of civic standards. For five years he was president of the Carondelet Improvement Association and is still a member.
E. R. HENSEL.
E. R. Hensel is the president and treasurer of the E. R. Hensel Steel & Copper Company, one of the extensive commercial interests of St. Louis and an analyzation of his career indicates the fact that throughout his life laudable ambition has been supplemented by firm determination, unabating energy and industry that never flags. These qualities have brought him to a point of leadership in his chosen field of labor and the story of his progress is an interesting one. He was born at Lawn Ridge, Marshall county, Illinois, December 8, 1873, his parents being Charles A. and Mary E. (Fendrick) Hensel, both of whom are natives of Germany. The father came to America with his parents in 1856, when but nine years of age, the family home being established at Lawn Ridge, where Charles A. Hensel was reared and educated. He afterward took up the business of farming and stock raising, a pursuit that he has since successfully followed, being now one of the influential and prosperous residents of St. Louis county, Missouri, enjoying the high respect and esteem of all who know him. His wife came
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to America with an uncle in 1856, when but seven years of age, both of her parents having passed away a short time before. She acquired a public school education while spending her girlhood days in Illinois and eventually gave her hand in marriage to Charles A. Hensel. To them were born three children, of whom one daughter has departed this life.
E. R. Hensel, the only son, attended the country schools at Hoopeston, Illinois, and later became a student in Greer College, where he spent four years in preparatory work, after which he studied law at Newton, Kansas, under the direct supervision of Judge J. W. Ady who was then assistant district attorney for the seventh judicial district of Kansas. His financial resources did not justify a continuance of his studies and after devoting about two years to the mastery of the principles of jurisprudence he was obliged to resort to some activity that would yield him a livelihood.
On the 5th of July, 1895, Mr. Hensel came to St. Louis and secured a position with Thomas W. Freeman as bookkeeper and stenographer. Mr. Freeman was engaged in the steel brokerage business which at that time was a very indefinite line. Five months later Walter C. Freeman became a partner with Thomas W. Freeman, the firm being then known as Freeman Brothers. In 1898 Thomas W. Freeman passed away and Mr. Hensel was admitted to a partnership by Walter C. Freeman and the business was conducted under a partnership arrangement as Freeman & Company until 1908, when Mr. Hensel purchased his partner's interest and became sole owner, continuing the business under his own name. On March 3, 1911, he incorporated his interests under the style of the E. R. Hensel Steel & Copper Company and became president and treas- urer, since which time he has filled both offices. In the intervening period he has developed the largest and most successful business of the kind in the west. His care- fully formulated plans, his enterprise and determination have brought results most gratifying and his trade connections now cover a very extensive territory.
On the 15th of October, 1919, Mr. Hensel was married to Miss Byrd E. Cross, a native of Duquoin, Illinois, and a daughter of James E. and Mary E. Cross.
In his political views Mr. Hensel is a republican and fraternally is a Mason, be- longing to Cosmos Lodge, No. 282, A. F. & A. M. and to various Masonic bodies, includ- ing the Knights Templar Commandery, the Consistory and the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of the Sunset Hill Country Club, the Riverview Club, the Algonquin Country Club, the Missouri Athletic Association and the Chamber of Commerce. He belongs to the Presbyterian church, putting forth effective effort to maintain its work and extend its influence. He is one of the strong forces in St. Louis business circles- strong in his ability to plan and perform, strong in his honor and his good name. Dependent upon his own resources from early manhood he has steadily advanced along a road that he has carved out through industry and determination and today ranks with the prosperous citizens of St. Louis, wearing worthily the proud American title of "a self-made man."
MILTON G. CLYMER.
Forced to abandon a college course when eighteen years of age in order to provide for his own support and that of a widowed mother with her family of children Milton G. Clymer has since that time made steady progress in the business world and today his name is known throughout the country by reason of what he accomplished in connection with the business of canning and preserving fruit. It seems hardly credible that one man could have accomplished what he has-the upbuilding of a business amounting to seven and a half million dollars annually. Today this mammoth business is conducted under the name of the Temtor Corn & Fruit Products Company and the genius and directing head of the enterprise has always been Mr. Clymer of this review, who came to St. Louis from the neighbor- ing state of Illinois, his birth having occurred in Polo, October 5, 1866. His father, H. G. Clymer, who was born in Pennsylvania, arrived in Chicago in 1857 and twenty years later, or in 1877, removed to Missouri, where he engaged in the pre- serving business until his death in 1885. His wife, Mrs. Mary Clymer, was also a native of the Keystone state and long survived her husband, passing away in 1910.
Milton G. Clymer was educated in the public schools of St. Louis and in Illinois College at Jacksonville, Illinois, where he was pursuing his studies at the time of
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his father's death. The parents had endeavored to put aside a sufficient sum to give their children good educational opportunities but now the widowed mother faced a different problem as the income of her husband's labors was no longer to be had. Death had called him, and his son Milton, G. Clymer must now enter upon the battle of life. He returned home, took up the burdens laid down by his father and brought to his task the enthusiasm of youth combined with a firm determina- tion and indefatigable energy. The preserve company which his father had estab- lished was carried on by him for a time and later was sold to the American Pre- serve Company. In 1891 Mr. Clymer accepted a position as superintendent of a Cincinnati preserve concern, for it then seemed to him that a weekly wage was a more sure and stable thing than a possible income of a business which he owned. His salary at that time was one hundred dollars per month and for this salary he personally supervised the manufacture of the products of the company and in time actually made the product himself. A little later a similar position was offered him by a preserving company of Chicago, the new position carrying with it a salary of eighteen hundred dollars per year. In 1896 he became one of the organizers of the Columbia Preserve Company and he placed in the new venture an investment of three thousand dollars and was elected vice president of the firm. The company operated successfully for three years and the business was then reorganized under the name of the St. Louis Syrup & Preserve Company with M. G. Clymer as the vice president. In turn this company sold out to the Corn Products Company in 1906 and again Mr. Clymer occupied a position as superintendent of a preserving plant. He worked at this for six years, standing over steaming kettles of boiling strawberries and other fruits day after day, actually producing products for this concern just as he had been taught to do in his apprenticeship under his father. Though many changes have occurred in his business career each one has brought him valuable experience and many have brought him financial advancement as well. In 1913 he became one of the organizers of the original Best-Clymer Com- pany which established a plant in a little building housing approximately fifty em- ployes not far from the company's present extensive plant. The new firm met much competition and it was with difficulty that the business was placed upon a paying business hut the excellence of its output assured its success. Patrons were well pleased with the products and the trade kept growing until a point was reached that made the future assured. The business was originally capitalized for one hundred and fifty thousand dollars and the stock was all held by St. Louis men save that owned by Mr. Best, the president of the concern. In the beginning Mr. Clymer hent his energies to the upbuilding of the trade.
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