USA > Missouri > Centennial history of Missouri (the center state) one hundred years in the Union, 1820-1921, Volume V > Part 75
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Mr. Powe has membership in the Sons of the Revolution, Colonial Wars also with the United Sons of Confederate Veterans and in the club circles of St. Louis is widely and favorably known in connection with the Missouri Athletic Association, the Normandie Golf Club, the Noonday Club, the Chamber of Commerce, the Bellerive Country Club and the Harvard Club. In politics he is an independent democrat and his religious faith is indicated in his connection with St. Peter's Episcopal church. During the World war period he took most active and helpful interest in everything that he believed would aid in the support of the government and the furtherance of war conditions. He was food supervisor for the North St. Louis district, was also Liberty loan and Red Cross worker and was general of his district in the United World War drive. He belongs to the Lumbermen's Club of St. Louis and is widely known through these different connections, while the sterling worth of his character has gained for him the high regard, confidence and goodwill of all with whom he is associated. He turns to golf and literature when occasion permits but has led a most busy and useful life and his energy and enterprise have been salient features in winning for him the success which now rewards his labors.
He was united in marriage to Miss Grace McCulloch, a daughter of Captain Robert McCulloch, and they have become the parents of two children: Josephine Paxton and Grace McCulloch.
DENNY SIMRALL.
Denny Simrall, who is making a notable record as a successful representative of the legal profession in Kansas City, was born in Liberty, Missouri, July 27, 1878, his parents being Horatio and Martha J. (Denny) Simrall, who were natives of Ken- tucky and Missouri, respectively. The father became a well known lawyer of Liberty, Missouri, removing to this state in 1869 as one of its pioneer settlers. He figured prominently in connection with law practice and also as a lawmaker, serving as a member of the state senate from 1888 until 1892. He long exercised wide influence over democratic politics and was a member of the democratic state central committee for eight years. Thus in various ways he left the impress of his individuality and ability upon the history of the state, exercising a wide influence over public matters. He was of Scotch descent, although the family was founded in America during the colonial epoch in its history. Among his ancestors were those who served in the Revolutionary war and in the War of 1812. The great-great-grandfather of Denny Simrall was Colonel James Simrall of the famous Kentucky Dragoons and Cavalry, who commanded the Kentucky troops in the battle of the Thames, Canada, during the Invasion of that country by the American forces in 1812, making the crossing from the United States into Canada near Niagara. The first of the name on coming from Scotland about 1700 had settled in Pennsylvania, while later representatives of
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the family removed to Virginia and ultimately into Kentucky. The mother of Denny Simrall was likewise of Scotch lineage. Her people on coming from Scotland settled in North Carolina when that state was still numbered among the colonial possessions of Great Britain. Her father was John A. Denny and her grandfather was Alfred Denny, who lived to the notable old age of ninety-nine years. Both Alfred and John A. Denny came to Missouri from North Carolina before this state was admitted to the Union and settled in the district now comprised within the borders of Clay and Clinton counties. They were always prominent in public matters and did not a little toward shaping the history of the commonwealth. Alfred Denny was a soldier of the Revolutionary war and also of the War of 1812.
Denny Simrall whose name introduces this review obtained a public school educa- tion in Liberty, Missouri, and afterward attended the William Jewell College of that place, being graduated therefrom in 1900 with the Bachelor of Arts degree. He took up the study of law in the State University at Columbia, Missouri, and completed his course in 1902, winning the LL. B. degree. The same year he was admitted to the bar and entered upon the active practice of law in his native city where he continued until 1906, when he removed to Kansas City and at once resumed general law practice. On his admission to the bar he had entered his father's law office and on coming to Kansas City was iu the law office of Senator Reed. He was also associated with Gen- eral L. C. Boyle and Charles M. Howell, of Kansas City, but is now alone in practice and has won for himself a most creditable position at the Kansas City bar. His asso- ciation with his father was of great benefit to him, the latter being widely known as an eminent lawyer throughout Missouri, and many of the strong points in his pro- fessional career seem to have been inherited by the son.
On the 7th of February, 1916, Mr. Simrall was married in Kansas City to Miss Helen Yundt and they have one son, Horatio. The religious faith of the family is that of the Presbyterian church, while in political belief Mr. Simrall is a democrat. Fra- ternally he is identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and also with the Knights of Pythias. He is a very progressive young man whose record is in harmony with that of an honorable and honored ancestry, his course adding new lustre to the untarnished family name.
JO ZACH MILLER (III)
Jo Zach Miller (III), treasurer and vice president of the Commerce Trust Com- pany of Kansas City, was born in Belton, Texas, October 2, 1883, and is a son of Jo Zach Miller (II), who is now governor of the Kansas City branch of the Federal Reserve Bank. The father was born in Texas, April 16, 1863, and is a son of William A. Miller, whose birth occurred in Kentucky. The grandfather devoted his life to mercantile pursuits and passed away at a comparatively early age. He had married Manda Elliott and they became the parents of seven children, five of whom survive.
Jo Z. Miller (II) was educated in the public schools of Texas and in the St. Louis University. He then entered a bank at Belton, Texas, where he remained until 1910, when he came to Kansas City and filled the position of vice president of the Commerce Trust Company until 1914. In that year he was appointed chairman and fed- eral reserve agent, is still governor of the Kansas City branch of the Federal Re- serve Bank and a well known figure in the financial circles of the state. In 1883 he wedded Mary Mellor, of Galveston, Texas, a daughter of George Mellor, a merchant. They became the parents of three children: Jo Zach (III); William A., who is now twenty-six years of age; and Mary, a little maiden of ten summers. The father of this family is a member of the Kansas City Club and also of the Mission Hills Coun- try Club. His religious faith is that of the Catholic church and he is identified with the Redemptorist parish.
Jo Zach Miller (III) was educated in the public and high schools of Belton, Texas, and in the Georgetown Preparatory School, of Georgetown, D. C., after which he at- tended the Georgetown University and won the Bachelor of Arts degree in 1904. He next entered Yale University and was graduated in 1905 with the Bachelor of Arts degree. Thus liberal educational opportunities well qualified him for life's practical and responsible duties. He next entered the Belton National Bank as assistant cashier and occupied that position for five years. He afterward came to Kansas City and was
Vol. V-44
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secretary of the Globe Surety Company for three years. He later was chosen treas- urer of the Commerce Trust Company, a position which he has occupied since 1914, and at the present writing is also serving as the vice president, having been elected to the latter office in 1920. This is the largest trust company of Kansas City and as one of its officials the duties and responsibilities which devolve upon Mr. Miller are of a most extensive and important character.
In 1910 Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Lena Ludlow, a daughter of B. A. Ludlow, a pioneer and prominent resident of Belton, Texas. They have two children: Helena, seven years of age; and Jo Zach (IV), a little lad of three years.
Mr. Miller is a member of the Catholic church and is a fourth degree member of the Knights of Columbus. He belongs to the Kansas City Club, also to the Kansas City Athletic Club and to the University Club and has membership connec- tions with the Delta Chi fraternity. In politics he is a democrat. He was in the artillery branch of the service during the World war, being on duty at Camp Zachary Taylor. He has made for himself a creditable place in business circles and his progress is the direct outcome of his native ability, his close application, his loyalty to the interests intrusted to his care and his sound business judgment.
JOHN A. HOPE.
Johu A. Hope, engaged in the practice of law in St. Louis, is one of Missouri's native sons, his birth having occurred in Cape Girardeau county, November 20, 1869, his birth- place being the farm of his father, James A. Hope, who was also born in that county and was a representative of one of the pioneer families of Missouri that was established in the state about 1815 by James and Polly (Young) Hope, the great-grandparents of John A. Hope of this review. The family came from Mecklenburg county, North Carolina, and in the Hope line is of Scotch extraction. The great-grandfather was a farmer and obtained land from the government. He became a charter member of the old Apple Creek Presbyterian church and was a very devout Christian. James A. Hope was born in 1840 and he, too, took up the occupation of farming as a life work, residing in Cape Girardeau county until his death in 1884 at the age of forty-four years. He was likewise a devoted member of the Presbyterian church, active in the cause of education and gave his political allegiance to the democratic party. He supported the Union cause as a member of the militia forces in Cape Girardeau county. He wedded Mary Thompson who was born on a farm in that county which her grand- father entered from the government on removing from Mecklenburg county, North Carolina, to Missouri, about the same time that the Hope family came. Mrs. Mary Hope died in her native county in 1897. The family numbered four children, three sons, John A., Oscar and Charles E., and a daughter, Emma, who married Dr. James H. Hatcher.
After attending the public schools of his native county John A. Hope entered the State Normal School. His early life to the age of fifteen years was spent upon the home farm and after completing his studies he taught school in Franklin county, Missouri, one year at New Haven and another year at Washington. Through the succeeding two years he was a student in William Jewell College at Liberty, Missouri, which he entered as a junior. In January, 1892, he was admitted to practice at the bar and entered upon the active work of his profession at Jackson, the county seat of Cape Girardeau county. There he continued in general practice until the spring of 1905 when he removed to Cape Girardeau where he continued in the active work of the courts until September 1, 1906, at which date he came to St. Louis. Through the intervening period of fourteen years he has successfully engaged in general practice here and is now accorded a large and distinctively representative clientage. He be- longs to the St. Louis, Missouri State and American Bar Associations.
In September, 1894, Mr. Hope was married in Carroll county, Missouri, to Miss Susan Brandom, a native of that county and a daughter of John F. and Eugenia (Kin- naird) Brandom. The Brandoms were from Culpeper county, Virginia. John F. Bran- dom served several terms in the legislature from Carroll county and was a stanch demo- crat. He was for many years moderator of the Missouri Valley Baptist Association and was a leading and influential citizen of that section. Mrs. Hope's grandmother in the paternal line was a Hannan, which family was among the first in Cabell county,
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JOHN A. HOPE
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Virginia, and afterward became early settlers of Carroll county, Missouri. Her grand. father, Rev. Geo. T. Kinnaird was a well known Baptist minister, whose death was occa- sioned by hardships and exposure endured during the Civil war period. He married Susan Love, a representative of one of the pioneer families, removing from Virginia to Carroll county. At an equally early period James and Abner Hope, brothers, founded the Hope family in Missouri and the latter's grandson was the first probate judge of Cape Girardeau county. Mr. and Mrs. John A. Hope are the parents of four chil- dren: 'Annabel, who died in September, 1918; Mary; Brandom; and Ethel. The son was a student in Westminster College during the war and joined the Students Army Training Corps. He was assigned to the officers' training school at Camp Pike, Little Rock, Arkansas, and was on his way to that camp when the armistice was signed.
During the war period Mr. Hope was a member of the nineteenth ward legal ad- visory board and otherwise assisted in advancing the interests of the country. His political support is given to the democratic party and he served as a member of the board of managers of the State Hospital at Farmington during Governor Folk's admin- istration, beginning in 1904. He belongs to Excelsior Lodge, No. 441, A. F. & A. M., at Jackson, Missouri, having been made a Mason in 1892. He is identified with the St. Louis Chamber of Commerce and cooperates heartily in all of its plans and projects for the city's upbuilding. He has attended the Delmar Baptist church since becoming a resident of St. Louis. Mrs. Hope is a church worker and is president of the Wom- en's Missionary Federation of St. Louis. She is also a member of the executive board of the Church Federation. In other words both Mr. and Mrs. Hope have done their full share in promoting the material, intellectual, social and moral progress of the com- munity. He is also interested in political issues, was the democratic nominee for prosecuting attorney of Cape Girardeau county in 1892 and from time to time has served on various committees of the party. Otherwise he has concentrated his efforts and attention upon his professional interests. When a student in William Jewell College in .1891 he won the college oratorical contest and represented the college at the Inter- Collegiate Oratorical Contest at Sedalia that year, and the ability which he thus early manifested has been of marked value to him in his professional career. He possesses, too, comprehensive knowledge of the law with ability to apply accurately its principles and has made for himself a creditable name and place as a representative of the legal profession of his adopted city.
THOMAS W. DROEGE.
Thomas W. Droege, manager of the lease department of the Mercantile Trust Com- pany of St. Louis, was born in this city July 28, 1876. His entire life has here been passed and the spirit of progress which has dominated St. Louis in its steady develop- ment for many years has found expression in his business career, which was initiated when he was but sixteen years of age. His father, the late Francis W. Droege, was also born in St. Louis, the family having been established here at a very early day. Francis W. Droege was a successful merchant of the city for many years and passed away August 10, 1907, at the age of fifty-seven years. He had married Elizabeth Barry, who was born in New York city of Irish ancestry and is now living in St. Louis. There were two children in the family, the daughter being Mary Droege.
In the public schools of St. Louis Thomas W. Droege pursued his preliminary education and afterward attended the St. Louis University but when a youth of six- teen years started out to earn his own living, entering upon a clerical position with the Joseph M. Hayes Woolen Company. He was later made a traveling representative and remained with that house for thirteen years, a fact indicative of his faithfulness, capability and trustworthiness. He then entered the clothing business on his own account, dealing in high grade ready-made clothing. In 1916 he entered into connec- tion with the Mercantile Trust Company as a salesman in the real estate department and advancing steadily is now occupying the responsible position of manager of the lease department, having thoroughly acquainted himself with real estate activity in every character. He now displays marked ability in handling the leasing of properties for the Mercantile Trust Company and has built up the department to one of great efficiency and thorough organization.
In St. Louis, on the 12th of August, 1916, Mr. Droege was married to Miss Rosalie
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B. Sweeny, a native of this city and a daughter of James and Ellen (Mullarky) Sweeny. They have become the parents of three sons. The family residence is at No. 1469 Union boulevard.
Politically Mr. Droege maintains an independent course. His religious faith is that of the Roman Catholic church and he is identified with the Knights of Columbus, also with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the United Commercial Trav- elers. During the war he had charge of District No. 8 under Ernest W. Stix and R. King Kauffman, vice president of the Mercantile Trust Company, in the sale of Lib- erty bonds and at all times he is loyal to those interests which advance the welfare of community, commonwealth and country.
CHARLES A. BAKER.
Charles A. Baker, of St. Louis, one of the prominent figures in the real estate world, was born in Dayton, Ohio, April 29, 1856, a son of John G. and Dorothea Sophia (Schriefer) Baker, the former a native of Hanover while the latter was born in Bremen, Germany, whence she came to the United States with her parents in early childhood. They were married in Cincinnati, Ohio, and subsequently moved to Dayton, where Mr. Baker became identified with mercantile interests, continuing active along that line until the time of his demise.
Charles A. Baker was educated in the public schools of Dayton, being graduated from the high school with the class of 1874. He then took up the study of architecture and for a year was apprenticed to an architect. His health, however, having been impaired from lack of outdoor exercise while at school and during his architectural apprenticeship he took a vacation for a while and when his health became more vigorous reached the conviction that the active life of a salesman would be more favorable for his health and with this in view came to St. Louis in September, 1878. A few days later he allied himself with the H. B. Graham & Brothers, wholesale paper dealers, which a year later was incorporated as the Graham Paper Company. He was sent to Texas, a new field at that time. During the following six years he represented the Graham Paper Company in the southern states, spending most of his time in Texas where he built up a substantial and profitable business for the company. He was then appointed to a position as superintendent of the St. Louis city trade, his em- ployers having decided he could serve their interests here to their advantage. For a period of twenty years he was a dominant factor in promoting the growth of their business, concentrating his efforts and attention upon the development of the trade, his service becoming more and more valuable to the company. During all these years Mr. Baker was making judicious investment of his savings in St. Louis and suburban real estate and when a slump came in the real estate market in 1898 he resigned his position with the Graham Paper Company to give his undivided attention to the property holdings of himself and his friends. The house which he had so long served was loath to lose him and several propositions were put up to him by the firm with which he had continued for so many years. It was suggested in a number of ways that he be given an interest in the business but while these offers were very enticing he felt his health had become impaired by close attention to indoor work and that he would be benefited by business interests that would call him out-of-doors to a greater or less extent. He became interested in the development of Webster Groves and was ambitious to make that place the ideal suburb of St. Louis. At this time L. R. Black- mer, Jas. B. Case, Jas. P. Dawson, C. M. Skinner and others were also impressed with the same idea. They encouraged each other and their combined efforts in this direc- tion were rewarded with results that were most gratifying. As like attracts like many of the best men in St. Louis business and professional circles made this suburb their home. Webster Groves is now recognized as the favorite one of the suburbs of St. Louis and justly called the "Queen of the Suburbs."
Mr. Baker was a director of the Webster Real Estate Company, and for the last four years of its existence was the secretary and treasurer. He was a director and sales agent for the Webster Park Realty Company. Both these companies have since closed their business. At present he is secretary and treasurer of the West Webster Realty Company and vice president of the Sherwood Forest Realty Company. He has
CHARLES A. BAKER
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for the past twenty-four years been a director of the Webster Groves Loan & Build- ing Association, and a member of the St. Louis Real Estate Exchange for sixteen years.
In 1884 Mr. Baker was married to Miss Mary Hime, of St. Louis, who at the time of her marriage, however, was a teacher in the schools of Fargo, North Dakota. To them have been born two sons: Herbert Oliver and Ralph Irving, the latter a travel- ing salesman for the Graham Paper Company of St. Louis; also a daughter, Edith May, the wife of Hugo Giduz, a linguist now in the employ of the government with a com- mission in Manila, Philippine Islands.
Mr. Baker was a member of the Mercantile Club of St. Louis for a period of twenty-five years and was a charter member of the Algonquin Golf Club. He has recently dropped active participation in club life but still takes a helpful interest in civic affairs and gives his aid and cooperation to many well devised plans for the general good. In politics he is a republican and his religious faith is that of the Congrega- tional church. His entire activity as regards the public is centered in those channels through which flow the greatest and most permanent good to the greatest number and upon questions of civic interest he manifests the same progressive spirit that has ever actuated him in his successful business career.
WILLIAM C. LITTLE.
William Cyrus Little was born near Harper's Ferry in Jefferson county, Vir- ginia (now West Virginia), on February 23, 1849, a son of George W. and Mary Jones (Alden) Little; he was educated in the common schools of Virginia and pub- lic schools of St. Louis; he was married in St. Louis, October 16, 1878, to May Rose Simon, and they became the parents of the following children: Alden Howe, Marie Louise (Mrs. Cary N. Weisiger, Jr.), and Margaret Alden (Mrs. Wm. B. Marsh). He entered the banking house of Clark Brothers & Company in St. Louis, April 20, 1864, became teller in the Traders Bank, March 1, 1870, was assistant cashier of the Continental Bank, 1871-1876; a member of the firm of P. F. Keleher & Company, 1876-1880; and organized the firm of Wm. C. Little & Company May 1, 1880. On August 1, 1883, he removed to New York city and on October 1, 1883, joined Albert Kelley, a New York banker, in establishing the firm of Kelley & Little; he returned to St. Louis in 1886 and reestablished the firm of Wm. C. Little & Company, changing the name to Wm. C. Little, Scott & Company in 1889, and in 1893 incorporated as Wm. C. Little & Brother Investment Company. In May, 1898, he changed to the present style of Little & Hays Investment Company, of which he was president until his death, which occurred on December 8, 1912, at his residence, 377 N. Taylor avenue. He was a member of the St. Louis Stock Exchange, of which he was president in 1905. Mr. Little was also a member of the St. Louis Club and the St. Louis Country Club.
Mr. Little was a deep student of the currency problem. During the sound money campaigns in 1896 and 1900 he wrote a number of articles on Sound Money, which were used quite extensively as campaign arguments. Up to that time Mr. Little had been a democrat, but thereafter voted the republican ticket.
ALDEN H. LITTLE.
Alden Howe Little, vice president of the Mortgage Trust Company of St. Louis, was born June 22, 1881, in the city where he still resides, his parents being William C. and May R. (Simon) Little. The father, a native of Virginia, was a representative of old families of New England and of Virginia and was of Scotch-English descent, his parents being George W. and Mary J. (Alden) Little, the latter being a direct descendant of John Alden of Duxbury, Massachusetts. The Little family was founded in America by three brothers who came to the new world ahout 1760 and made settlement in Virginia. Some of his ancestors participated in the Revolutionary war and one was a member of Washington's staff. William C. Little came to St. Louis about 1864 and resided in this city until his death, which occurred in 1912, when he was sixty-three years of age. He was engaged in the investment business
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