USA > Missouri > Centennial history of Missouri, vol. 2 > Part 36
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Mr. Hellrung is a member of the Lady of Lourdes Catholic church and is a fourth degree Knight of Columbus. He also belongs to the Benevolent Pro- tective Order of Elks and as a past master of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. His interest in benevolent and charitable projects is manifest in his connection with the St. Vincent Orphan Asylum and the Protestant Or- phan Asylum. He is likewise well known in social circles and belongs to the Century Boat, Riverview, St. Louis Piscatorial, Hunting and Fishing and St. Louis Cruising Clubs. There have been no spectacular phases in his entire career. He has steadily advanced in an orderly progression that has brought him from an humble apprenticeship to a position among the most prominent and successful merchants of his adopted city, and his record should serve as a source of encouragement and inspiration to others showing that success and an honored name may be won by straightforward business methods.
Rules Cummings Collins
Charles Cummings Collins
ITH a highly developed sense of justice Charles Cummings Col- W lins has become a most worthy exponent of that profession to which right and property, life and liberty must look for pro- tection, being today recognized as one of the ablest and most ethical members of the St. Louis bar. He was born in Mem- phis, Tennessee, July 6, 1872, his parents being Charles Stan- dish and Katherine (Comfort) Collins. The father was engaged in the practice of law at Memphis, Tennessee, for a brief period and then removed to Little Rock, Arkansas, where he followed his profession, con- tinuing as a general practitioner thoroughly versed in all departments of law. He was also very active in public affairs and was keenly interested in educa- tional matters, doing everything in his power to advance the interests of public instruction. He never sought or desired office but kept thoroughly informed con- cerning the vital questions and issues of the day and was a strong advocate of free silver, while his son Charles Cummings was equally opposed to it.
Charles Cummings Collins was educated in the public schools of Little Roek and in the Washington University of St. Louis, in which latter institution he won his Bachelor of Arts degree as a member of the elass of 1892. He later took up the study of law in the Washington University. While there he also taught school in the Smith Academy, a preparatory department of the univer- sity. Ile won his LL. B. degree in 1894. In 1894 he entered upon the general practice of law. In 1904 he formed the law firm of Carter, Collins & Jones. Mr. Collins for many years has eoneentrated his attention upon corporation and taxation law and for some years has specialized in these branches of the profes- sion. He has been particularly efficient in the work of reorganizing and financing corporations. His efforts in this direction are manifest in the Certain-teed Produets Corporation, manufacturers of roofing, paints and varnishes, which is the largest enterprise of its kind in the world. It was through the efforts of Mr. Collins that this twenty-five million dollar corporation came into existenee, being based upon a sound financial basis and organized in such a manner that results were certain. It was fifteen years ago that he obtained the initial one hundred and fifty thousand dollars for the business which under his guidance has developed to its present magnitude, with plants in St. Louis and several other cities in the United States and also in various other countries-in fact the corporation is today doing business throughout the world. While roofing is the principal product, the company has also reached the point of leadership in the production of paints and varnishes. The Certain-teed Produets Corpora- tion has recently taken over several large paint companies, including the Mound City Paint Works. There are many other extensive and important corpora-
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tions for which Mr. Collins has acted as general counsel including the Seruggs- Vandervoort-Barney Dry Goods Company which he aided in reorganizing.
In St. Louis, in 1895, Mr. Collins was married to Miss July H. Thomson, a native of St. Louis. Their children are Anne, the wife of Knox Taussig; July, the wife of Humphrey A. Gifford; and Mary Virginia and Elizabeth Cum- mings, who are at home. The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, and Mr. Collins belongs to the St. Louis and Glen Echo Country Clubs, also to the Chamber of Commerce and to the Phi Delta Theta and Phi Delta Phi, two college fraternities. His political endorsement is given to the democratic party.
Charles Cummings Collins is descended from New England ancestors who lived in Maine, Connecticut and Massachusetts, and among the number were Miles Standish and John Alden. Something of the New England characteristics and training find expression in his life. He is a man of very keen sense of right and justice, always willing to give others the chance to be heard. He is likewise kind and approachable, quiet and unassuming. He possesses notable power of concentration and this quality has made him, as one who knows him expresses it, "One of the best lawyers of St. Louis." He is fond of music and has always enjoyed those things which have cultural and educational value in life. Another who knows him well speaks of him as "A man's man and a believer in men." In a word he has those qualities which make his fellows know that his word is to be relied upon and that his actions will ever measure up to those standards which in every land and clime awaken confidence and respect.
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Colonel Thomas ?right
ARRIVING in St. Louis with limited financial resources in 1866, A Colonel Thomas Wright rose to a place of prominence in the business cireles of the city as an importer and jobber of cigars and a banker. IIonored and respected by all, there was no man who ocenpied a more enviable position in commercial and financial cireles, not alone by reason of the success he achieved but also owing to the straightforward business policy which he ever followed; and thus it is that his life history deserves a place in the annals of his adopted state. The Wright family is of English lineage and was founded in America by Robert C. Wright, the father of Colonel Wright, who crossed the Atlantic in the early part of the nineteenth century and settled in New York. He lived at One Hundred and Second street and Tenth avenue in New York, where he conducted a truck farm. His son, Colonel Thomas Wright, was born in New York, January 27, 1841, and as his parents were in limited financial circumstances he was obliged to leave school at the age of twelve years and provide for his own support. Until nineteen years of age he was up at sunrise and worked until sunset tilling the soil, and in that period of seven years he managed to save a little money with the hope of using it in obtaining a college education. Just at that time, however, the Civil war broke out and his patriotism overcame all other desires and interests in his life and he joined the Forty- second New York Regiment as a private. His valor, loyalty and capability won him various promotions and at the close of the war he was honorably dis- charged with the brevet rank of lieutenant colonel. During the period of hostilities he was twelve times wounded and two of his wounds, one through the lungs and one through the kidneys, were supposed to be vital. Ile partici- pated in the most important battles of the Army of the Potomac and in 1861 was captured and spent a little more than four months in Libby prison, being exchanged on Washington's birthday, February 22, 1862.
When the war was over, Colonel Wright started out for himself with no definite destination in view. He was looking for a place in which he was not known, however, one in which he could start in any humble position that might offer. He reached St. Louis in the early part of 1866 and in a short time pur- chased a small cigar store at the southwest corner of Third and Olive streets. There he closely applied himself to the business and such was his diligence and enterprise that his trade grew rapidly, developing to such proportions that it was only a matter of a short time when he was compelled to send for his brother, John H. Wright, to assist him in managing the business, which necessitated frequent visits to New York, Tampa, Florida, and Havana, Cuba. It was in the cigar trade that he laid the foundation for his fortune and his business steadily increased in that connection until he retired in 1896, turning over the business
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to his brother, John H., and his two sons, Waldemar R. and Guy H. Wright. In the meantime he had made extensive investments in real estate and was the builder of the Wright building, the Third National Bank building and the annex to the Chemical building. He became the president of the Chemical Building Company, the first vice president of the Third National Bank, a director of the Industrial Loan Company and also of the American Central Insurance Company, and at the time of his death was also looking after the Title Guaranty and International Life buildings and was one of the trustees of the Missouri Lincoln Trust Company. Thus he acquired important holdings and business connections which were most earefully controlled, for though his early advan- tages were limited he developed a keen sense of business diseernment and splen- did executive and administrative powers. He justly won the proud American title of a self-made man and his record should serve as a stimulating influence and an inspiration to all who know aught of his career.
Colonel Wright was united in marriage to Miss Emelie Garrigue, a native of New York city and a representative of a family of Danish lineage that was founded in the new world by Rudolph H. Garrigue, who for years was president of the Germania Fire Insurance Company of New York city. It was in the eastern metropolis that Colonel Wright was married in 1869 and to him and his wife were born five children, of whom three sons survive, namely: Walde- mar R., a resident of St. Louis; Guy H .; and Ralph G., who resides in New Brunswiek, Canada, where he holds the chair of chemistry in Rutger College.
Colonel Wright was a member of the Mercantile Club, the St. Louis Club and of various Masonic bodies. He started out in life empty-handed, but he died possessed of all those things which men reckon as of value-wealth and high social position. The sterling worth of his character was widely recognized and he enjoyed the confidence, goodwill and high regard of all who knew him.
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Chris J. Muckermann
C IIRIS J. MUCKERMANN, who is at the head of the Chris J. Muckermam Insurance Ageney of St. Louis, established in 1913, was born October 27, 1891, in the city in which he still resides. His father, John C. Muckermann, is also a native of St. Louis, where for many years he has been prominent in business circles, his present connection being that of vice presi- dent of the Polar Wave Ice & Fuel Company. He married Pauline Leber, who was born in St. Louis and is also living. Their family numbered three sons and four daughters.
Chris J. Muckermann was accorded liberal educational opportunities. He attended St. Mary's College, Kansas, and the St. Louis University and from the latter was graduated in 1913 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Thus well qualified by educational training for life's practical and responsible duties, he established an insurance agency in St. Louis on the 9th of September, 1913, and has since carried on the business under the style of the Chris J. Mucker- mann Insurance Agency. Ile was first connected with the Travelers Insurance Company and now handles a general line of insurance, representig the Iowa Bonding & Casualty Company, the Missouri State Life Insurance Company of Topeka, Kansas, and various others. He now employs a number of agents, including E. J. Lynch, W. C. Woods, Charles F. Quinn, Joseph A. Lynch, E. G. Monnig, Orr C. Frazer, J. Adam, L. A. Loftus, J. G. Meyer, Jerome G. Meyer, Randolph S. Lyon and W. A. Patteson. The business is developing rapidly under his careful guidance and he is thoroughly conversant with every phase of insurance.
On the 21st of April, 1915, Mr. Muckermann was married to Miss Marie Stella Lynch, of St. Louis, and their children are three in number: Marie Stella, John C. and Naney Jeanne. Mr. Muekermann and his family are mem- bers of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic church and he is identified with the Knights of Columbus. IIe also belongs to the Chamber of Commerce and the organization finds in him a stalwart follower of its leadership in rela- tion to every projeet for the general good. He belongs to the Glen Echo Country Club and to the Liederkranz and is particularly interested in golf as a source of recreation. He is likewise identified with the Missouri Athletic Association. IIe is yet a young man-one who, actuated by a laudable ambition, has made steady progress until he has won a creditable place in insurance eireles, and the qualities that he has already displayed indicate that his will be a successful future.
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Kort Crees
Thomas Bouldin Crews
T HOMAS BOULDIN CREWS, a prominent member of the St. Louis bar, is a representative of one of the oldest and most honored Missouri families "representing its democratie aris- tocracy and its aristocratie democracy." He was born Sep- tember 19, 1860, in the home of his maternal grandfather in Franklin county, Missouri, although his parents at that time were residing in Saline county, this state. His father, Colonel Thomas W. B. Crews, was a native of Ilenry county, Virginia, born in 1832, and was a youth of fourteen years when in 1846 he came to Missouri, settling in lloward county. He was graduated from Union College at Schenectady, New York, and afterward took up the study of law under Judge John C. Wright of Schenectady and under Hon. W. B. Napton of Saline county, Mis- souri, who was later judge of the supreme court. In January, 1855, Colonel Crews entered upon the practice of law at Marshall, Missouri, and so continued until the outbreak of the Civil war, when he raised a company for the Con- federacy and entered the service. Ile participated in the battles of Boonville, Carthage, Wilson's Creek, Fort Scott, Dry Wood and Lexington, and was pro- moted to the rank of lieutenant colonel of the Second Cavalry "for bravery in action." In 1862 he was captured while on a sick bed at his home and sent to St. Louis as a prisoner of war. lle was soon afterward paroled, however, being the first paroled soldier of the state. Following the close of hostilities he took up his permanent abode in Franklin county, and there remained until his death in 1891. His long years of active practice brought him an enviable reputation as a lawyer, orator and citizen, and in 1875 he was called to represent his dis- triet in framing the constitutional convention of the state. His grandfather had served as a colonel in the Virginia militia when George III was king of Eng- land, and the family had long been connected with the history of the Old Dominion ere the removal was made from Virginia to Missouri. The mother of Thomas Bouldin Crews was in her maidenhood Virginia Jeffries, the daugh- ter of C. S. Jeffries, one of the prominent citizens and pioneers of Franklin county, to which place he had removed from Virginia.
The youthful days of Thomas B. Crews to the age of eighteen years were spent on the home farm with the usual training and experience of farm bred boys, who represent the higher class of Missouri's agriculturists. He attended the public schools until he had mastered the branches of learning therein taught and afterward continued his education in an eastern academy. He started out in the business world in a clerical position in the office of the circuit clerk of Franklin county, and improved his leisure time by studying law privately until he was able to enter the St. Louis Law School. Following his graduation he practiced for a time in his home county and then removed to St. Louis. He
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has remained in the general practice of law and has accurate and comprehen- sive knowledge of many branches of the profession. His mind is analytical, logical and inductive, and his clear reasoning is manifest in every ease which he presents to the court. The precision and care with which he prepares his cases is always manifest and his defense of his position is well-nigh unassailable. It was the members of the bar of his own political party who nominated him to the office of judge of probate court of St. Louis in 1902 and his election followed. Ile served with great credit and distinction but met defeat in the landslide that involved his party for the succeeding election. He then resumed the pri- vate practice of law and has won a most creditable success. The court records bear testimony to many notable court victories he has gained especially in litigation relating to real estate.
In 1889 Mr. Crews was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Moore of St. Louis, and they have one child, Thomas B., Jr., who was graduated from Cornell University in 1914. He volunteered for service in the World war in May, 1917, attended the officers' training camp at Fort Riley, Kansas, was commissioned first lieutenant of the Three Hundred and Forty-second Field Artillery, Eighty- ninth Division, in August, 1917, and went overseas as such in March, 1918. He participated in the battles of St. Mihiel and the Argonne as acting captain in command of his battery and after the signing of the armistice continued in command of his battery in the Army of Occupation on the Rhine, during which time he was promoted to the rank of captain of A Battery, Three Hundred and Forty-second Field Artillery, Eighty-ninth Division, U. S. A., in recognition of his service during the campaign. He returned to the United States in June, 1919, and was honorably discharged at Camp Funston. He is now engaged in business in New York city.
Judge Crews has held no public office save that of probate judge except by the appointment of the supreme court when he served as a member of the Board of Law Examiners of Missouri from 1907 until 1910. He has spent much time in travel, having recently returned from a trip of several months in South America. Of him, one who knew him well said, "the title of judge is. given him instinctively, as he looks, aets and talks the part." Judicial in the simplest matters, but withont pomposity or arrogance ; weighty without heaviness, serious without solemnity, dignified but genial; knowing him is to admire and trust him. Respected by his profession for his learning and power of analysis, he is one of its most popular members also, by reason of his courtesy, kindness and willingness to serve others.
James 14 Lucas.
James L. Lucas
A 3SIDE from those whose eminence and fame have been won in the field of statesmanship and distinguished political service there is perhaps no family which has attained the prominence accorded those of the name of Lucas in Missouri. They have been the builders of this great commonwealth and throughout the years which have run their course since the Revolutionary war representatives of the name in different generations have won honor and eminence by reason of the great work which they have aceom- plished as promoters of business activity that has led to the substantial develop- ment of the state.
"John B. C. Lucas is the seventh in the line of descent from a Revolutionary ancestry and a great-grandson of Andrew Vanoy, who was captain of a company of militia in North Carolina, attached to the regiment of Colonel Abraham Shepard. In 1777 he enlisted as a member of the Continental army and did valient duty on various memorable battlefields, serving until victory erowned the American arms. In the paternal line the ancestry is traced back to Nicholas Lucas, who was born in 1572 and died in 1650, at the age of seventy-eight years. The line of descent comes down through Robert, James, Robert, Robert Joseph Lneas and Robert Joseph Edward Lucas. The last named was born in 1725 and died in 1783. In 1760 he became a procureur du Roi, or king's proseenting attorney, of Port Audemur, in Normandy, France. He married Mademoiselle de l'Arche and to this union there were born seven children, of whom John B. C. Lucas was the third child and second son and the grandfather of his namesake. The grandfather was married in France to Mademoiselle Sebin. In the Univer- sity of Caen, which was founded by Henry VI, king of England, he studied law with a view to becoming procureur du Roi. On the 17th of April, 1784, accompa- nied by his wife, he left Ostend, Belgium, for America, coming to Philadelphia. Soon afterward he purchased a large traet of land called Montpelier, situated at Coal Hill, near the present site of Pittsburgh, where then stood Fort Pitt. There they lived until 1805. Mr. Lucas had brought with him to the United States a letter of introduction from Benjamin Franklin, then minister to France, recom- mending him to President Jefferson as an able jurist, whose counsels would be valuable in framing the laws of a new-born republic. He became prominently identified with the history of Pennsylvania. He served on the bench with Judge Addison and in 1795 was elected to the state legislature, while in 1803 he became a member of congress. Two years before he had been sent by President Jefferson to ascertain the temper of the French and Spanish residents of Louisiana respect- ing the Louisiana purchase. He traveled incognito to St. Louis, thenee to Ste. Genevieve and on to New Orleans, under the name of Des Peintreaux. The commission was ably and carefully executed and the president bestowed upon
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him further honors in 1803 by appointing him judge of the territorial court and commissioner of land claims of Upper Louisiana, following the purchase. For two years he filled that office in a most creditable and honorable manner and in 1805 came to St. Louis, after resigning his position. The city was but a little French settlement, but he recognized its advantageous position, believed in its future growth and made extensive investments in real estate, which afterward brought him and his family large wealth. He was always most devoted to his family, and the death of his five sons caused him to retire from public life, after which time he gave his supervision only to his estate. He enjoyed an extensive law practice and his professional duties and the management of his property fully claimed his time. He was one of the first to herald the abolition movement, which he did in a speech made in St. Louis, April 20, 1820, defining his views in consenting to allow his name to be used as a candidate for membership on the delegation to the constitutional convention of Missouri. At that time he strongly opposed the introduction of slavery into the state and the speech created a great sensation.
"James H. Lucas, father of John B. C. Lucas, was born November 12, 1800, and pursued his education in the College of St. Thomas, in Nelson county, Ken- tueky. In 1817 he went from that state to New Hampshire and later studied law in New York. In 1819 he returned to St. Louis and started by boat for South America, but changed his plans and tarried for a time at Arkansas Post and at Little Rock, reading law in both places and supporting himself by setting type for the Arkansas Gazette and in operating the ferry. He afterward rode the circuit in the practice of his profession, and his growing capacities and powers won to him public attention and led to his selection for honors both within and without the strict path of his profession. In 1820 he was appointed major of the militia by Governor James Miller and later was made judge of the probate court.
"On the 10th of May, 1832, James H. Lucas was married to Emilie Desrius- seaux and they became parents of thirteen children. At the request of his father, J. B. C. Lucas, then aged and feeble, James H. Lucas returned to St. Louis in October, 1837. The father died August 17, 1842, leaving his large estate to his two children, James H. Lucas and Mrs. Annie L. Hunt. The former assumed the management of the estate and as the years passed became recognized as one of the most prominent among the builders of the commonwealth through his organization of many progressive movements, his establishment of mauy large business enterprises and his capable political service. He acted as state senator from 1844 until 1847 but his ambition was never in the line of office holding. His public-spirited citizenship, however, prompted him to put forth effective aid in advancing the interests of St. Louis. His realization of the value of railroad building as the most potent force in the development of a state led him to sub- seribe one hundred thousand dollars for the construction of the Missouri Pacific Railroad and he was twice elected its president. He assisted in organizing and acted as president of the Gas Company and was a promoter of the Boatmen's Savings Institution. After 1851 he established a banking house in St. Louis with a branch in San Francisco. In 1853 the business was reorganized, others becoming interested, but on the 21st of October, 1853, owing to the widespread financial panie, both banks failed. Although Mr. Lucas was not legally bound,
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