USA > Missouri > Centennial history of Missouri, vol. 2 > Part 25
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Nathan Frank
Lon. Rathan Frank
JON. NATHAN FRANK, lawyer and law maker, was a member H of a committee which called the first mass meeting in St. Louis to obtain public approval of the declaration of war with Ger- many, a meeting that largely set the pace for the great activi- ties of St. Louis during the war period. In this he was associated with Mayor Kiel, Hon. Selden P. Speneer and Dwight Davis, and throughout the entire period of hostilities with Germany he was most earnest in promoting the interests of his native land, notwithstanding the fact that his parents, Abraham and Branette Frank, were natives of Ger- many. Reared and married in that country, they crossed the Atlantic to the United States in 1849 to become residents and citizens of America, their in- terest centering on this side of the Atlantic, where they reared their family, earned their living and made their home. After residing for two years in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, they removed to Peoria, Illinois, where Nathan Frank was born on the 23d of February, 1852.
After reaching school age, Nathan Frank became a pupil in the public sehools of Peoria, which he attended until 1867, and then accompanied his parents on their removal to St. Louis, where he became a high school student, being graduated with the class of 1869. He next entered Washington Univer- sity, in which he pursued a classical course, and subsequently became a law student at Harvard, winning his professional degree in 1871. Wishing, how- ever, to enter upon the practice of law thoroughly equipped in every respect for the work of the profession, he continued his studies at Harvard for still another year and upon his return to Missouri in 1872 was admitted to the bar of this state. In the early years of his practice he concentrated his attention upon commercial and bankruptey law, becoming a recognized authority upon those branches of jurisprudence. He compiled and edited Frank's Bankruptcy Law, which was published in 1874 and eame at once into wide use. Four editions were placed upon the market and were followed in 1898 by a compilation of the bankrupt act of that year. For three years Mr. Frank was associated with John M. Krum, at one time mayor of St. Louis and a judge of the court of common pleas. Ile afterward beeame junior partner in the firm of Patriek & Frank, following the retirement of Mr. Patrick from the office of United States district attorney, and later he became senior partner in the firm of Frank, Dawson & Garvin, which was succeeded by the firm of Frank & Thompson. A contemporary biographer has written of Mr. Frank: "That Mr. Frank attained distinetion and won success in his profession is indicated by the fact that politieal honors were conferred upon him. Had he remained in obseurity professionally, he would never have won professional distinction. Becoming a worker in the ranks of the republican party, he was honored by elcetion to the fiftieth eon-
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hon. nathan Frank
gress from the central district of St. Louis and received endorsement of his first term in reelection to the fifty-first congress. In both of those he served on several important committees and was active in securing the passage of some notable legislation. He gave careful consideration to each question which came up for settlement and stood fearlessly by the course which he believed to be right and for the best interests of the people at large. In this way he took his stand in opposition to his party in seeking to enact a national election law, and to pass what was known as the anti-gerrymander bill, restricting or limiting the state legislature in apportioning congressional districts in the several states. He could easily have won further congressional honors had he so desired, but since his retirement at the close of his second term he has refused a nomination and has also declined to become a candidate for any other public office, preferring to concentrate his time and energies upon his professional interests and the supervision of the affairs of the St. Louis Star, which he founded and of which he is the owner."
Mr. Frank has always maintained a deep interest in public affairs and in 1896 he was chairman of the republican state executive committee during the MeKinley campaign, and later was vice president and member of the executive committee of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in 1904. He had previously served as a member of the congressional committee of the World's Columbian Exposition, to which he gave much attention while cooperating with the lead- ing citizens of St. Louis in an attempt to locate the fair near the city. In recognition of the fact that he was one of the earliest movers in that project, Governor Francis appointed him a member of the exposition commission. He took a very active part in the preliminary work for the Lonisiana Purchase Exposition, serving on its board of directors from the beginning, and was one of the most regular attendants at committee meetings. He served as a member of its most important committee-the executive-and also of the press and pub- licity committee, doing most effective work in the latter connection in bringing to the country at large a knowledge of the attractions offered at the St. Louis Exposition. He acted as chairman of the entertainment committee of the Busi- ness Men's League, which entertained many distinguished visitors, and as such presided at many banquets which were held. His ready tact, his geniality and his adaptability well qualified him for social duties of this nature. He is a prominent and popular figure in the University, Columbian, Missouri Athletic, Westwood Country and Harvard Clubs. He is a broad-minded man who keeps in touch with the trend of modern thought and progress along all those lines which are of interest or of vital significance to mankind. One meeting Nathan Frank comes to know a man whose depth of character cannot be sounded in short acquaintance and whose many-sided abilities can be learned only through long association. His acquaintances are continually surprised by his intimate and acenrate knowledge of many questions which in no way affect his profes- sional activity but which show him to be a man of wide reading and earnest thought, with whom association means constant enlightenment.
LE Muehlebach,
George Coward Muehlebach
EORGE EDWARD MUEHLEBACHI, who in many ways has G demonstrated publie-spirited devotion to Kansas City and her welfare, was born in Kansas City, Missouri, August 10, 1881, and is a representative of one of the pioneer families of this section of the state. His father, George Muehlebach, now deceased, was one of a family of twelve sons and one daugh- ter, and four sons and the daughter came to America. The sons all established homes in Kansas City but the daughter remained at La- fayette, Indiana. All are now deceased. The family became associated with some of the pioneer business enterprises of Kansas City. George Muehlebach was born in Argan, Switzerland, April 24, 1833, representing an old family of the land of the Alps. He came to America in 1857, a young man of twenty- four years, and after two years spent in Lafayette, Indiana, removed to Kansas City, where he worked at the harness trade in what was then the town of West- port. He afterward engaged in the harness business on his own aceount at Quindaro and a little later he and his brother John, who had come with him to the new world, began freighting between Kansas City, Denver, Salt Lake City, Pueblo, Silver Bow, Helena and Butte with ox teams and continued in the business for several years prior to the building of the railroads. George Muehlebach afterward engaged in mining in Colorado until 1870, when he again came to Kansas City and with his brother John purchased the Helmreich brewery, with which he was connected until his death on the 22d of December, 1905. They erected a large modern plant and their business steadily increased as the years passed by. Mr. Muehlebach was a member of the Swiss American Society and was keenly interested in everything that pertained to the welfare of his native republic. He was equally loyal to his adopted country and in full sympathy with its free institutions. His religious faith was that of the Catholic church and in polities he maintained an independent course. In 1880 he married Margaret M. Bessenbacher, a daughter of John Bessenbacher, of Kansas City, who was of American birth but of Bavarian lineage. They be- eame parents of two sons and a daughter, of whom George Edward is the eldest. Sophronia C. is the wife of William Buchholz, attorney at law of Kansas City, and Carl A. is associated in business with his brother.
George Edward Muchlebach was educated in the public sehools and m a German Catholic school of Kansas City and also attended Spalding's Business College, in which he completed his course at the age of eighteen years. He then entered the employ of his father as solieitor and collector and after serving in that capacity for two years was made superintendent of the brewery and later became associated with the office work. In 1904 he was admitted to a partner- ship and was made secretary and treasurer of the company, while upon his
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George Coward QQueblebach
father's death he succeeded to the presidency, having taken over the manage- ment the year before. The plant is now devoted to the manufacture of near beer and all kinds of soft drinks and its output is very extensive, the business proving a profitable one. Mr. Muehlebach, however, has not confined his attention to one line but has extended his efforts in other directions which have proven beneficial to the city's development. In December, 1913, realizing the need for a fine hotel that Kansas City might keep abreast with its steady prog- ress and improvement along other lines, he began the erection of what is now the famous Muehlebach Hotel, which was completed on the 17th of May, 1915, and at that time represented an investment of over two million dollars, which today would mean more than double that amount.
In Kansas City, July 5, 1915, Mr. Muehlebach was married to Miss Bessie McDonald, who was born in Lexington, Kentucky, of which state her parents, both now deceased, were natives. Mr. and Mrs. Muehlebach have a son, George Vincent.
In politics Mr. Muehlebach maintains a somewhat independent course, al- though usually voting with the democratic party. He is a member of the Catholic church and belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, also to the Kansas City Club and the Kansas City Athletic Club. He has always been very fond of our national game of baseball and is president and treasurer of the Kansas City team known as the Blues in the American Association League. He turns to hunting and fishing for recreation and when leisure per- mits enjoys a trip for the purpose of indulging his taste in that direction. How- ever, his time and efforts have largely been devoted to the development of his business interests and to the support of many of those activities which have featured most largely in the upbuilding and progress of Kansas City.
J. Dugh Powers
NDIVIDUAL merit and business ability have brought J. Hugh I Powers to an enviable position in financial circles as the vice president of the Mereantile Trust Company of St. Louis. Hle was born September 15, 1880, in the city which is now his home, his parents being John E. and Theresa (Long) Powers, who were likewise natives of St. Louis. His grand- parents in the paternal line were John and Ann Powers, natives of Ireland, whenee they came to the new world, establishing their home in Missouri's metropolis. Their son, John E. Powers, became an aceonntant and died in 1904 at the age of forty-six years. His wife, also of Irish lineage, is a daughter of Edward and Amma (Sweeney) Long and now resides in St. Louis, where her entire life has been passed. By her marriage she became the mother of a son and a daughter, the latter being Georgia, the wife of F. Roessler, of St. Louis.
J. Hugh Powers was educated in the publie and Catholic schools of St. Louis and in the Bryant & Stratton Business College and from the early age of twelve years has been dependent upon his own resources. Ilis first employ- ment was that of messenger for the Wabash Railroad, with which corporation he continued for seven years, and from messenger worked his way steadily up- ward to the position of rate clerk. In 1900 he became connected with the Mercantile Trust Company in the capacity of bookkeeper and has steadily been promoted through various positions and departments of the bank to his present place as a leading official. Ile is now serving as vice president, occupying the position for the past four years, and during this time he has contributed much toward shaping the policy and directing the destiny of the bank. Ile is also a director of the Industrial Loan Company of St. Louis and of the Foreign Bond & Share Company of New York.
On the 2d of June. 1906, Mr. Powers was married in St. Louis to Miss Mary Blong, a native of this city and a daughter of Andrew and Bridget (Quinn) Blong. They have become the parents of four children: Mary, who was born in St. Louis; Frances; J. IIugh, Jr. ; and Virginia, all natives of this eity.
Politically Mr. Powers is a stalwart democrat. During the war he was a member of the Liberty Loan organization, in charge of the work in the schools of the eighth district, and he was also one of the Four Minute speakers. During 1915 and 1916 Mr. Powers leetured in the St. Louis University on bonds and investment securities. His religious faith is that of the Catholic church and he is a member of the Knights of Columbus. He also belongs to the Noonday, Nor- mandie, Golf and Bankers Clubs and his social nature and genial disposition have made for popularity in these organizations. He finds his reereation in music
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and golf and has attained considerable skill on the violin. His reading is largely confined to history and questions of finance and the thoroughness with which he has mastered the latter subject has brought him to a place of prominence in the financial circles of St. Louis.
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Charles Henry Brown
HARLES HENRY BROWN, who at the time of his death was C vice president of the Moon Brothers Carriage Company of St. Louis, was of English descent and was born January 29, 1855, in Grand Pre, Nova Scotia, made famous as the open- ing scene of Longfellow's beautiful poem, "Evangeline." He was a first eousin of and an intimate associate of Sir Frederick Borden of the English army, who was present by royal command at the coronation of King Edward and was the first officer to be knighted by the king following his aseension to the throne. He was also a first cousin of Sir Robert Borden, who was for many years premier of Canada and who occupied a place at the peace table after the armistice was signed in the World war. The parents of Mr. Brown were Charles H. and Lila (Piers) Brown, also of Grand Pre, the father being a prominent man of affairs there.
Charles Henry Brown was an infant of but three days when his parents passed away, both dying within an hour. Two days later his unele, Dr. Edward Brown, drove with him to his home-a distance of eleven miles-in the dead of winter. Later he was taken by this unele to Kentville, Canada, where he was reared and educated. Believing that he would have greater opportunities across the border, he left his unele's home when sixteen years of age and finally settled at Boston, Massachusetts, where he took up the earpenter's and joiner's trade. Ile displayed such marked skill and ability along mechanical lines and wielded such an influenee over the men with whom he worked that after an apprentice- ship of but six weeks he was made superintendent of construction by his em- ployers. For four years he remained in Boston, and in 1875 went to Wolfville, Canada, where he accepted a clerkship with his unele, Fred Brown, who was engaged in the hardware business. Through the following three years, by fru- gality and close application to business, he had acquired sufficient capital to enable him to engage in business on his own account, and 1878 he established a hardware store in Wolfville, which he condueted until 1881. At that time he sold his stoek and removed to the west, settling in St. Louis in 1882. In this city he secured a position as bookkeeper for the Moon Brothers Carriage Company, in which capacity he continued for about a year. He was then advaneed to the position of commercial salesman by the house and it was in this capacity that he demonstrated his business ability in winning new business and in opening up larger fields. In fact he became a dominant factor in the development and expansion of the trade, and in recognition of his knowledge of the business and the excellent results attending his efforts he was made a member of the firm and elected vice president of the company. In subsequent years he was an active factor in the control of the business and the leading element in the remarkable success built up by the firm.
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Charles Denty Brown
On the 29th of December, 1886, Mr. Brown was married at Perryville, Mis- souri, to Miss Mattie A. Burgee, daughter of James and Emily C. (Brown) Burgee. To Mr. and Mrs. Brown was born a daughter, Emily A., who is a grad- uate of Bishop Robertson's Hall and who married Major Bernard A. Purcell, a major of the Eighty-second Regiment, which acquitted itself so valiantly in the World war. They have two children, Bernice and Bernard A., Jr.
In politics Mr. Brown was always active in furthering the principles of good goverment, and after coming to the United States affiliated himself with the republican party. In religion he was an Episcopalian and when but twenty- one years of age was made a warden in the church, in the work of which he always took an active and helpful part. He was a member of the Legion of Honor but was never a club man and found his greatest pleasure and enjoyment in his home life. He was a big man mentally as well as physically. He loved mankind and just to be permitted to live in this big, active world was a delight to him. He looked on all mankind as brothers and no one in distress ever ap- pealed to him in vain for aid. He was equally mindful of the needs and pro- tection of animals. He died Angust 25, 1899, at the comparatively early age of forty-four years. His had been a nature that shed around him much of the sunshine of life. "Not the good that comes to ns, but the good that comes to the world through us, is the measure of our success," and judged by this standard Mr. Brown was a most successful man, his sterling worth of character and his many good deeds winning him the respect, confidence and goodwill of all who knew him.
France, The Wallen
Francis Al. Alc Callum, A. D., F. A. C.S.
ANSAS CITY certainly has reason to be proud of the representa- K tives of the medical profession who have located within her borders. On the whole, they are men of high professional standing and of splendid ability, a reputation which has been won by a class of whom Dr. Francis M. MeCallum is a worthy representative. He was born in Decatur, Illinois, June 10, 1867, his parents being George L. and Mary E. ( McMikel) McCallum, the former a native of lowa, while the latter was born in Indiana. The father was a farmer by occupation, and in 1868 removed to Missouri, set- tling near Trenton until 1872. Ile then removed to Junction City, and was actively interested in promoting the publie welfare and progress of that dis- triet, and for some time served as a member of the school board.
Dr. MeCallum began his education at the usual age as a publie school pupil and afterward attended the high school at Annetion City, Missouri. He came to Kansas City in 1887, and accepted a position as bookkeeper with the firm of Wheel Brothers, with whom he remained for about six months. He next became connected with the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad Company, and was made fire- man on an engine, devoting his attention to railroading for about two and a half years. TIe determined, however, to take up professional work, and with this end in view he entered the A. Ensworth Medical College at St. Joseph, Mis- souri, which he attended for three years, being graduated in 1892 with the M. D. degree. Ile then went to Chicago, and pursued a three months' post-graduate course in Rush Medical College of that city. ITis preliminary preparation for the profession was made while he was still in the railroad service, during which period he studied in St. Joseph. In 1893 he came to Kansas City and entered upon active practice. For four years he was connected with St. Margaret's Hospital as assistant surgeon and he has done much valuable hospital work. In 1898, however, he put aside all business and personal considerations and enlisted for service in the Spanish American war as a member of the Fifth Regiment of the Missouri Volunteers, going out as assistant surgeon. He was stationed at Chickamauga, until November, 1898, when, the country no longer needing his aid, he returned to Kansas City. On the 7th of December, 1898, he joined the regular army as assistant surgeon, with the rank of first lieutenant, and was in the service for twelve years, during which time he was stationed in the Philippines for four years, and for five years at various forts in the United States and in Honolulu for three years.
He then resigned in 1910 and returned to Kansas City, where he took up active practice, and has since specialized in genito-urinary surgery. He has continued to give his attention to this branch of the profession and has won d notable success in this practice. He was the promoter of genito-urinary service
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Francis 9. OrCallum, H. D., f. a. C. S.
in the City Hospital, of which he is now the chief. During the World war period Dr. McCallum became a member of the State Council of Defense and had charge of all examinations and was chairman of the medical advisory board of Kansas City. He now has a large private practice and in addition is genito- urinary surgeon for the Christian Church Hospital.
Dr. MeCallum was married in Kansas City, to Miss Juanita Johnson, on the 18th of April, 1891. Her people were natives of Pennsylvania, but came to Missouri many years ago. Dr. McCallum is a Scottish Rite Mason and member of the Mystic Shrine. His political faith is that of the republican party, and his religions belief is that of the Presbyterian church. He has varions member- ship relations along professional lines, belonging to the American, Missouri State, and Jackson County Medical Associations, the American College of Surgeons, The American Urological Society and the American Social Hygiene Association. He is a man of many sterling qualities, fearless and progressive, and to his marked scientific knowledge and skill he adds a most kindly and sympathetic nature, and above all has absolute control of himself, so that in his surgical work he has been particularly capable.
James Campbell
florence AL Campbell
James Campbell
N eminent educator, lecturer and sociologist has said: "Why A feel proud of the ancestry behind you; rather glory in the opportunities that are before you"-and such did James Campbell. He began earning his living when a boy of eleven years. Poverty and lack of educational training seemed no handicap to him. With industry he gained wealth, with ex- perience he gained knowledge, and in the course of years he became one of the most forceful factors in the business and financial cireles of St. Louis, while as an investor and as a promoter of important interests he was known in the business eireles of many states.
James Campbell was born on a little twelve-acre farm in Ireland in 1848 and it is said that "His inheritance was two fine blue eyes, a saving sense of humor and an extraordinary capacity for work." lle was but two years of age when his parents erossed the Atlantic, settling in Wheeling, Virginia. In 1850, and to support his family of wife and six children, the father began working as a drayman, but his spirit of enterprise soon made him the owner of a trucking outfit. The mother's interests and efforts largely centered in the education of her children and the parents gave to them all possible school advantages. Busi- ness ambition, however, was stirring within the boy and when but eleven years of age James Campbell secured a situation in a grocery store at a wage of eight dollars per month, his duties beginning at daybreak, when he swept out the store, and continuing as delivery boy through the day. While thus working he went to deliver groceries at a military camp at Wheeling, Virginia, of which General John C. Fremont was in charge. He noted the industry, alertness and adaptability of the young lad and offered him a position as messenger boy at double the pay he had been receiving in the store. Hle displayed such tact and judgment in admitting one caller and turning away another that General Fre- mont took him as a messenger to New York when duties called him to the latter field, and with the general he came to St. Louis to build railroads in Missouri.
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