USA > Missouri > Centennial history of Missouri, vol. 2 > Part 23
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Mr. Thomson had always given his political allegiance to the democracy, but when the party swerved from its old standard in 1900 in accepting the Bryan platform of that year he espoused the gold standard as embodied in the Indianapolis platform. Although reared in the faith of the Presbyterian church, he helped to organize the Trinity Episcopal church of St. Louis in 1859 and has sinee been connected with that parish, active in promoting its charities and prominently identified with other benevolent movements. Ile had been for many years and was up to the time of his demise a vestryman of Trinity church and for some years its senior warden. IIe had been for some time the only survivor of the group of men who in 1865 founded St. Luke's Hospital and was president of its board of trustees from 1889 until 1918, when he retired from active business because of failing eyesight. After that time he had been presi- dent emeritus and he was intensely interested in the welfare of the hospital. Ile was never impelled by a sense of stern duty in his benefactions, but gave generously of his means in response to the promptings of a kindly spirit which recognized fully the obligations and responsibilities of wealth. Ile figured in movements for the substantial development of St. Louis through his member- ship in the Merchants Exchange, the Business Men's League and the Credit- men's Association, while his social nature found expression in his membership in the Missouri Athletie, the Noonday and St. Louis Chibs. With advancing years his activities increased rather than diminished and his interests broad- ened until he became recognized as a most influential eitizen of St. Louis whose word and work have featured in the development of the city in material, moral
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William Dolmes Thomson
and benevolent lines. Two or three years ago he was obliged to retire from active business by a serious failure of eyesight but was not by any means an invalid. He frequently attended the directors' meetings of the bank and enjoyed excellent general health until within about a month of his death. With his devoted life companion he resided until the end in a real and cultured home at 3805 Lindell boulevard in St. Louis, where he was always at home to his many friends. His visitors carried away the impression of a man mentally vigorous and physically strong, one who could look back over the years and feel that he was in every respect a winner in the game of life.
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Herbert Douglas Condie
H ERBERT DOUGLAS CONDIE, controlling one of the impor- tant commercial interests of St. Louis as the president of the Condie-Bray Glass & Paint Company, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, June 17, 1873, and is a son of Thomas Douglas and Mary Clara (Husted) Condie, both of whom were natives of Philadelphia and representatives of old families of that city. There the father conducted business as a chemist and retained his residence until 1887, when business interests brought him and his family to St. Louis, where the mother passed away soon afterward.
It is always interesting to know something of the ancestry in analyzing the character of an individual, and in preparing the history of Herbert Douglas Condie it is found that he is of Scotch descent in the paternal line and of Eng- lish lineage on the distaff side. For generations the family lived at Kirkcaldy. Scotland, and the old churchyard there was the burying place of representatives of the name through a long period. Among the cherished possessions of Her- bert D. Condie is a genealogical booklet of the family, dating back to 1600 and brought from Scotland in the middle of the eighteenth century. The Condie family intermarried with the Douglas family. A granduncle of H. D. Condie was the first boy editor in the United States, publishing a paper at Philadelphia from 1808 until 1812. Dr. David Francis Condie, his grandfather, became an eminent representative of the medical profession in Philadelphia and made val- uable contribution to the medical literature of his day, including a number of works on diseases of children which were used as textbooks in the leading med- ical colleges of America and Europe for more than a half century. Through the maternal line II. D. Condie is connected with the Hallowell and other dis- tinguished colonial families of Philadelphia.
Before the removal to St. Louis, Herbert D. Condie had attended the Park grammar school of Philadelphia, after which he continued his studies in the Central high school of St. Louis and in the Missouri Medical College, now Washington University Medical School, completing a special private course in chemistry under Dr. Curtman and graduating with the class of 1891. He then entered the employ of the F. A. Drew Glass Company of St. Louis in October, 1891, and his efficient service and fidelity won him various promotions with that house until its business was sold to the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company, which Mr. Condie afterward represented as assistant manager at Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Later he went to the city of Pittsburgh when the company opened a branch house there and was manager of its glass department for two years or until February, 1903, when he became one of the organizers of the Condie- Neale Glass Company of St. Louis, which in 1915 was reorganized as the Con- die-Bray Glass & Paint Company. From the beginning Mr. Condie has been its
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Derbert Douglas Condie
president and his training in chemistry and his experience in connection with the concerns previously mentioned well qualified him for the conduct of the busi- ness interests which he assumed. His early training made for deliberation and reflection, while following his removal to the west he became imbued with the progressive spirit that has led to the rapid and substantial development of the Mississippi valley. These qualities have made for an even balance in his busi- ness career, enabling him to avoid unwarranted risks or failures into which unrestricted progressiveness is so frequently led. He has been eminently suc- cessful and is highly regarded by all who have had relations with him. His ability to analyze correctly a subject and separate its important from its inei- dental and accidental circumstances has been a strong feature in his advancement. Aside from his connection with the glass company he has become vice president of the Overland Automobile Company, and a director of the Mississippi Valley Trust Company.
On the 3rd of November, 1897, Herbert D. Condie married Miss Sallie Case King, of Chicago, a representative of the Jones family, which was one of the first to settle in that city. Three sons and two daughters have been born of this marriage: Douglas King, Bertha Botsford, Margaret Hallowell, Herbert Doug- las, Jr., and Churchill Clarke.
Mr. Condie is well known among amateur golf enthusiasts, is a devotee of bridge and is also considered an unusually good chess player. At his home he maintains a chemical laboratory, as completely equipped as is to be found in most universities, where he finds a pleasant avocation during his spare hours in continuing the study of analytical chemistry. He is fond of travel and the study of history, is one of the supporting members of the St. Louis Museum of Fine Arts and also belongs to the Chamber of Commerce. Hle belongs to Ferguson Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and in Missouri Consistory has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, and also belongs to Moolah Temple, Order of the Shrine. Ile is a member of the Noonday, St. Louis, Racquet, City, Sunset Hill and Bellerive Country Clubs. He is a director of the Barnard Skin and Cancer Hospital. While he has never sought to figure prominently in pol- ities, he was.city treasurer of Ferguson in 1900 and was a candidate on the citizens ticket for the office of mayor in 1905. He is an Episcopalian in religious belief, has been a member of the vestry of St. Stephen's church at Ferguson for the last twenty-three years and is now senior warden. He is often called upon to discuss publie questions and to act as toastmaster, having won a repu- tation as a ready and entertaining speaker. lle has taken an active part in raising money for various worthy causes and with America's entrance into the World war he was found strongly arrayed with those business men who were ready to sacrifice private interests to uphold the welfare of the country and promote that of the boys in camp and field. He had formerly been a member of Battery A of the Missouri National Guard and he became captain of Com- pany K of the First Regiment of Missouri Home Guards. He acted as chairman for St. Louis County in the Red Cross campaign and was prominent in pro- moting various other war activities; and thus along constantly broadening lines of usefulness he has reached out for the benefit of mankind.
Silas B. Jones
Silas Beverly Jones
S ILAS BEVERLY JONES was an attorney at law of St. Louis, who throughout the entire period of his connection with the bar maintained the highest sense of personal and professional honor. It is said that he would never aecept a case unless he was convinced of the righteousness of his client's cause, after which he put forth every possible effort to win a favorable verdict, conforming his praetice at all times to the highest professional ethics and standards.
Mr. Jones was born in Huntingdon. Tennessee, on the 26th of July, 1851, and was a son of Le Grand Michaux and Cassandra ( Woods ) Jones. The father was born in Halifax county, Virginia, September 26, 1817, and became a dis- tinguished member of the bar of western Tennessee. He also made a most creditable military record through his service as sergeant major under Colonel William T. Haskell in the Mexican war. The mother was a great-granddaugh- ter of James Dinwiddie, the latter a nephew of Governor Robert Dinwiddie of Virginia. In the paternal line the aneestry was Welsh and French, while the Le Grands and Michaux were of French Huguenot stock. driven to this coun- try at the time of the fierce persecution of the people of their faith during the reign of Louis XIV. The maternal ancestors were Scotch and Irish and among those families from whom Silas Beverly Jones was descended were several who served as American soldiers in the war for independence.
Liberal educational opportunities were accorded Silas B. Jones, who was graduated from the Andrew College of Tennessee and soon afterward took up the study of law, which was followed by his admission to the bar of Missouri. He continued in practice in St. Louis from that time until his life's labors were ended in death. His devotion to his clients' interests was proverbial, vet he never forgot that he owed a still higher allegiance to the majesty of the law. and he remained ever a most honorable and honored minister in the temple of justice. Of him it has been written: "Endowed by nature with high intel- lectual qualities, to which were added the discipline and embellishment of cul- ture, his was a most attractive personality. Well versed in the learning of his profession and with a deep knowledge of human nature and the springs of human conduct, with great sagacity and extraordinary tact, he was in the courts an advocate of power and influence. Both judges and jurists always heard him with attention and deep interest. He had many warm friends among the judges and lawyers of the St. Louis bar and was a valued member of the Bar Asso- ciation. His preference was for eommereial law and in his practice he special- ized in that direction. He also served as a member of the examining board of the law school of this city."
The home life of Mr. Jones was largely ideal and he counted no personal
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effort nor sacrifice on his part too great if it would promote the happiness and welfare of his wife and children. On the 8th of December, 1875, in St. Louis, he wedded Miss Harriet Senter, daughter of William M. Senter, who removed from Trenton, Tennessee, to St. Louis in 1864 and here engaged in the com- mission business. To Mr. and Mrs. Jones were born six sons and a daughter, the latter, Jennie June, being the eldest. She became the wife of Dr. J. L. Crook, of Jackson, Tennessee, and passed away in that city a few years ago, leaving two children, Senter C. and Jere Lawrence. The eldest son, Le Grand Jones, is now a prominent real estate dealer of St. Louis. Senter Marshall is the vice president of the Century Electric Company and treasurer of the Mis- souri Baptist Sanitarium and also of the Baptist church, in which he holds membership. Beverly is department manager for the International Shoe Com- pany, shoe manufacturers of St. Louis. Wilkins is a graduate of Harvard and of the Washington University Law School. He was in the training camp at Camp Funston and was commissioned captain during the period of the World war. He is now manager of the St. Louis office of the Nash Motor & Truck Com- pany. Asa Charles is department manager of the Thompson-Smith Shoe Com- pany, wholesale shoe merchants of St. Paul, Minnesota. Alanson B. served with the United States army on the Mexican border and in the late war served for seventeen months abroad. He participated in the battle of Argonne Forest and others. He volunteered as a private but was promoted to the rank of sergeant. He is now general agent of the St. Louis district for the Chevrolet Truck & Motor Company. The sons have in large measure inherited their father's keen- ness of intellect, his strict code of honor and his spirit of business enterprise, and are proving a credit to the family name.
Mr. Jones was a devoted member of the Third Baptist church, in which he served as deacon, while in the work of the church he was most active, doing everything in his power to promote the growth and extend the influence of the organization. He was recognized as a man of irreproachable character and of unassailable integrity. Ile enjoyed to the highest degree the respect and con- fidence of his colleagues and contemporaries at the bar and there are few men who have displayed such a high sense of professional honor as he did. This led him to refuse to accept any case in which he could not believe in the justice and right of his client's cause, nor would he take up at any time any ques- tionable claim. He was a broad-minded man of scholarly attainments, familiar with Greek and Latin, and his entire life was aetnated by the highest princi- ples, which found expression in his charitable and church work, making him at all times a consistent Christian.
John Ignatius Haynes
ANY of the structures which add to the substantial character M and beauty of St. Louis stand as monuments to the efforts, business ability and skill of John Ignatius Haynes, who oc- cupies a leading position among the architects of the city as a member of the firm of Barnett, Haynes & Barnett. He is a native son of St. Louis, his birth having here occurred March 1, 1861, his parents being Thomas and Ellen (Farrell) Haynes. After attending the public schools he followed his natural bent and became a draftsman with the firm of Barnett & Taylor, architects, with whom he was connected from 1878 until 1888. Ile thoroughly mastered every task assigned him in this connection and gained a most comprehensive knowledge of the practical phases of the business and the scientific principles underlying construction. He resigned his position to accept that of deputy commissioner in the building department of the city of St. Louis, with which he was con- nected until 1891, when he resigned to form a partnership with George D. Bar- nett, under the firm style of Barnett & Haynes. In 1895 they were joined by Thomas P. Barnett and the present firm of Barnett, Haynes & Barnett was thus organized. In 1912 George D. Barnett, Jr., succeeded Thomas P. Barnett.
The firm of Barnett, Haynes & Barnett has long since been accorded a position of leadership among the architects of St. Louis and the Mississippi valley. Their high standing is indicated in the fact that they were appointed members of the commission board for the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, con- sisting of nine architects, five of whom were selected from St. Louis, in which connection they made valuable contribution to the beauty of an exposition which has rivalled any in architectural arrangement and adornment that has been held not only in this country but in foreign lands as well. Many of the notable structures of St. Louis have been built after plans that have been initiated and perfected in the office of this firm, including the Marquette and Hamilton Hotels, the Hotel Jefferson, the Star Newspaper building, the Post Dispatch building. the St. Louis cathedral and many churches, institutions and fine residences. They were, moreover, architects of the Illinois Athletic Club building of Chi- cago, the Busch building and Adolphus Hotel of Dallas, Texas, the Brockman building of Los Angeles, California, the Mark Twain Hotel of Hannibal, the Connor Hotel of Joplin, Missouri, and various others in different parts of the state.
Mr. Haynes was married on the 17th of March, 1894, to Miss Harriett L. Helery, daughter of Ilenry and Zelline ( Hugunin) Helery. The religious faith of Mr. and Mrs. Haynes is that of the Roman Catholic church and his political endorsement is given to the democratic party. During the period of the World war he was a member of the Home Guard and was active in promot-
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John Ignatius Dapnes
ing the sale of Liberty Bonds in all the various drives. His patriotie spirit caused him to make other interests subservient to his country's demand at this critical period, for with him the call of duty was paramount to all else and he counted no personal sacrifice on his part too great if it would uphold and pro- mote American interests in the great World war.
Fudge Richard S. Matthews
BUDGE RICHARD S. MATTHEWS, who for twelve years served as judge of the probate court of Macon county and who from 1873 until his death in 1919 was an honored and prominent member of the Missouri bar, was born on a farm in Randolph county, this state, July 14, 1847, his parents be- ing Richard Newman and Minerva Grundy (Phelps) Mat- thews. The father was born and reared on a farm in Fau- quier county, Virginia, the battle of Bull Run being fought upon a part of this farm. The mother's birth occurred in Oldham county, Kentucky. They were married, however, in Randolph county, Missouri, where they continued to reside throughout their remaining days. Richard N. Matthews was born October 12, 1812, and passed away July 19, 1894, at the venerable age of eighty- two years. He had devoted his life to agricultural pursuits and to merchandis- ing and was a prominent and influential resident of his section of the state. His political allegiance was given to the whig party until its dissolution, after which he became a follower of democratic principles but never sought nor desired publie office. The Masonic fraternity found in him an exemplary member. His wife, who was born September 22, 1822, passed away on the 16th of August, 1887. They were parents of two sons, the elder, Robert H., becoming a resident of Cairo, Randolph county, Missouri, where he followed merchandising. J
Richard S. Matthews obtained his early education in the public schools of his native county and afterward attended McGee College at College Mound, Missouri, where he remained as a student for four years. Following his grad- uation he took up the profession of teaching in that college, continuing in the work for three years. In the meantime his summer vacation periods were de- voted to the study of law under the direction of Judge John W. Henry and Colonel John F. Williams, of Macon, Missouri, and in August, 1873, before Judge George H. Burkhart, of Randolph county, he successfully passed the required examination for admission to the Missouri bar. On the 1st of September he opened an office in Macon and through the intervening period to the time of his death was a representative of the legal profession of that city, covering a period of more than forty-five years. From the beginning his practice was unusually prosperous in every respect. Integrity, ability and industry were qualities which eounted for success and made him one of the distinguished members of the Missouri bar. He possessed an excellent command of language and persuasive eloquence, while his arguments were based upon the facts in the case and the law applicable to them and displayed a profound knowledge of the principles of jurisprudenee. He was the owner of a considerable amount of productive land in Macon and Randolph counties and gave general super- vision to his farming interests. Ile was largely interested in horticulture and
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gave it considerable attention. He was at one time president of the Citizens Bank of Macon and also the Macon County Abstract Company. Ilis material accumulations represented the tangible results of his own well directed en- deavors, and his success was achieved through worthy means, so that he was never denied the fullest measure of popular confidence and esteem in the com- munity which so long represented his home and to whose progress he had con- tributed his due quota.
On the 21st of August, 1872, Judge Matthews was married to Miss Martha Armada Gilstrap, who was born and reared in Macon county, a daughter of Colonel Abner Lee Gilstrap and Julia Ann (Cook) Gilstrap, who remained residents of Macon until called by death, her father being a prominent lawyer of the state and a public official on various occasions. Mrs. Matthews is also a graduate of McGee College at College Mound, Missouri. By her marriage she became the mother of four children. Orlow Bertrand, the eldest, a graduate of Cumberland University of Tennessee with the degree of A. B., was admitted to the bar of Missouri but died of typhoid fever on the 7th of October, 1897, when but twenty-four years of age. Otho F. is represented elsewhere in this work. Richard Lee is connected with the Security Title & Abstract Company of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He attended the Missouri Valley College and the State University at Columbia, Missouri. Corinne, who is at home with her mother, was graduated from the high school in Macon and completed her educa- tion in Monticello Seminary at Godfrey, Illinois. The family circle was again broken by the hand of death when on the 19th of June, 1919, Judge Matthews passed away, survived by his widow and three of their children. A life of great usefulness and activity was thus terminated. He had for many years been a recognized leader in democratic circles in his section of the state and in 1878 was elected judge of probate, which office he filled for three consecu- tive terms or for a period of twelve years. Ile handled the affairs of the office with great ability and discrimination and his record redounded to his credit and was highly satisfactory to the public. Ile also served for twelve years as school director of Macon and the cause of education ever found in him a stalwart champion. In fact he was keenly interested in everything that touched the welfare of the home, the city and the commonwealth. Judge Matthews never connected himself with any secret order or society. He belonged to the Cum- berland Presbyterian church, and was an elder for many years in this church with which his wife still has membership. He was very active in the different departments of church work and was, moreover, a man of generous and benevo- lent spirit who gave liberally to charity and various worthy objects. He never deviated from the high standards which he set up, was most careful to conform his practice to the highest professional ethics and throughout his life was guided by the most honorable and manly principles, so that he left to his family an untarnished name and a record well worthy of emulation.
Calvin M. Christy
Calbin Al. Christy
ALVIN M. CHRISTY belonged to that elass of representative C business men who recognize opportunities and whose initia- tive enables them to form new plans whereby the advantages of a situation may be utilized in the attainment of a legitimate profit in the great world of business. One of the important productive industries of St. Louis came into existence through the efforts, enterprise, keen judgment and wide vision of Calvin M. Christy, who thus in large measure left the impress of his individ- nality upon the commercial development of his adopted city. It would be to give but a one-sided view of his career, however, if one spoke of him merely as a business man. The underlying principles of his life had their root in a Christian faith which permeated his every aet. Throughout his entire career he was never content to choose the second best but standardized his record by exalted teachings and purposes.
Mr. Christy was a native of Tennessee, his birth having oceurred in Mur- freesboro in 1836. The years of his boyhood and youth were there passed and in young manhood he came to St. Louis with his father, William T. Christy. Ilis education was completed by a course in Princeton University of New Jersey and thus well equipped by liberal intellectual training and culture for the practical and responsible duties of life, he erossed the threshold of the business world and made for himself an enviable name in the commercial and industrial eireles of Missouri's metropolis. In ante-bellum days he was employed by the Woods-Christy Dry Goods Company, of which his father was a partner, and for a considerable period he was also connected with the James C. Moore Dry Goods Company. Thus as the years passed his experienee broadened and he eontin- uously added to his knowledge by availing himself of every opportunity to master the rules of business life and utilized every advantage that meant pro- gression. In 1881 he entered a new field by organizing the Christy Fire Clay Company and in that direction developed an extensive and profitable business of which he was the president when in May, 1907, it was merged with the Laclede Fire Briek Manufacturing Company under the style of the Laelede- Christy Clay Products Company. At that time Mr. Christy became the chair- man of the executive board and so continued until his demise and through the intervening years the business developed until it became one of the largest in the country in the manufacture of clay produets. Mr. Christy was one of the heavy stockholders and not only was he prominently identified with the eon- cern through finaneial investments but his sound judgment and keen diserim- ination constituted a strong element in the sueeessful management of the enter- prise. His integrity in business affairs was one of the salient forces in his char- aeter and gained for him the honor and respeet of his fellowmen.
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