USA > Missouri > Centennial history of Missouri, vol. 2 > Part 37
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James I). Lucas
he assumed the responsibility and paid the entire liabilities with ten per cent interest, at a clear loss to himself of a half million dollars. This was character- istic of the man. Ilis high moral sense was one of his chief characteristics, and though he inherited and controlled an immense fortune, he was never known to take advantage of the necessities of another, and, in fact, would rather have met financial loss than to in any way compromise his commercial honor. He built the Lucas Market and gave ten thousand dollars toward the erection of the Southern Hotel. He also gave ten thousand dollars to the Missouri Historical Society and was at all times interested in movements for intellectual and moral progress. He died November 11, 1873, and his wife passed away December 24, 1878. His property was largely invested in real estate, his holdings inelnding two hundred and twenty-five stores and dwellings in St. Louis, which were divided among his eight living children."
Among the children of dames II. Lucas was James D. Lucas, who passed away October 16, 1918, at the age of seventy-three years, and was laid to rest in Calvary cemetery, in the largest private lot in that beautiful city of the dead. Ile was one of the seven children of James HI. Lucas, each one of whom inherited a million dollars from their father. Ile lived at No. 1515 Lucas place, now in the Locust street district, and had his country home on the Natural Bridge road near Kinloch. He married Florence Deaderick, who is still living, and they became parents of two daughters, Mrs. Florence Clayes and Mrs. G. H. Goddard.
The only living son is John D. Lucas, who after attending the Smith Academy continued his education at the Washington University of St. Louis. He was admitted to practice in 1907 and has sinee been an active representative of the bar of St. Louis, giving his attention to general law practice. He belongs to the Missouri Bar Association and during the period of the World war he served as a member of the legal advisory board of the third ward.
On the 30th of September, 1903, John D. Lucas was married in St. Louis to Miss Corinne Libby Shewell, a native of St. Louis and a daughter of Charles T. and Cora (Libby) Shewell. Mr. Shewell is a representative of a Philadelphia family of English descent. He is also a member of the Roman Catholic church and something of the nature of his interest in sports is indieated in his member- ship in the Triple A Golf Club. Under different conditions, but with equal inter- est, he supports those activities which have to do with eivie welfare and public progress and his worth as a man and eitizen is widely acknowledged, his course upholding untarnished the proud family name.
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Theodore marks
Captain Theodore Marks
C 3APTAIN THEODORE MARKS of Kansas City, who is affec- tionately called Ted by his legion of friends and by the mem- bers of the company which he commanded in the World war, was born in Liverpool, England, November 7, 1884, his par- ents being William and Catherine (Rily) Marks. The father was born in Warsaw, Russia, while the mother was a native of England. The former went to England when but five years of age and there learned the tailoring business, which he followed in England until 1905. He then came to the United States and when crossing the Atlantic met a minister who recommended that he come to Kansas City. He followed his advice and is still here, engaged in the tailoring business. He possesses a retiring disposition but is a thoroughly well read man on all sub- jeets and a keen student of the questions and vital interests of the day.
His son, Captain Theodore Marks, pursued a public and high school educa- tion in England, and when seventeen years of age enlisted in the Grenadier Guards, one of the crack English regiments, of which he became a private but won promotion to the rank of sergeant in a remarkably short time. He was made a teacher of the guards depot at Caterham in Surrey, teaching the re- eruits both military matters and various branches of learning such as are taught in ordinary schools. He was also teacher in the school that was attended by the children of married soldiers. Following his discharge he went to Notting- ham, England, where he engaged in the tailoring business with his father until 1905, and later spent two years with T. B. Johnson on Lord street in Liverpool, this being one of the finest tailoring establishments in England. The year 1908 witnessed the arrival of Captain Marks in Kansas City and in 1913 he re- moved to Seattle where he remained for about two years, but in 1915 estab- lished business on his own account in Kansas City. Here he has since conducted his tailoring business save for the period of his service in the World war, and has built up a trade of extensive proportions, drawing his patronage from among the best people of the city.
Soon after locating here Captain Marks enlisted in the artillery branch of the Missouri National Guard, serving successively as a private, corporal, ser- geant, stable sergeant, mess sergeant and top sergeant, and in 1916 went to the Mexican border as top sergeant, serving from June until December as a mem- ber of Battery B. In the latter month he was elected by the members of his company to the position of second lieutenant, and in July, 1917, was commis- sioned first lieutenant, and when the Missouri National Guard federalized he went to Camp Doniphan, Oklahoma, where he attended school. He was recom- mended by Colonel Danforth, now the head of the United States Military Acad- emy of West Point, and was examined by the board of regular United States
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Captain Theodore Barks
officers, headed by General Berry, U. S. A. IIis examination won him pro- motion to the rank of captain in April, 1918, and in May of the same year he went overseas. For a time he was at the artillery school at Coetquitan, and then rejoined Battery C but was selected as commanding officer of an infantry bat- tery, serving with the Thirty-fifth or Missouri Division. Battalion Commander Major John L. Miles, of the One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Field Artillery, on the 28th of September, 1918, said of Captain Marks: "He displayed remark- able coolness under machine gun and artillery fire, together with notable energy, and was a most dependable officer." He was considered by Emery T. Smith, regular United States field army officer, "one of the very best battery com- manders he ever knew, being most energetic and reliable and could be depended upon at all times." He was recommended for further promotion but the sign- ing of the armistice brought an end to promotions in the volunteer army. He served as commanding officer of Battery C, One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Field Artillery, at the Gerardmer sector at St. Mihiel, in the Meuse-Argonne offensive, on the Somme-Dieue sector and Verdun in the Conflans offensive and at Metz. IIe had part of one of his shoulder straps shot off, and a piece of shrapnel from the same shell killed one of his own men. He was honorable dis- charged March 21, 1919, and became one of the charter member of Fitzsimmons Post of the American Legion and is also a member of Craig Post, No. 18, of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Captain Marks is an Episcopalian in religions faith and a republican in his political views. Fraternally he is a Mason, belonging to the lodge at Seattle, Washington, to the Consistory in Oklahoma and to the Mystic Shrine of Kansas City. IIe also has membership in the Kansas City Athletic Club. He is a most social, genial gentleman, as well as a capable business man and a splendid military officer, and the regard in which he is uniformly held is indicated by the fact that he is "Ted" to a countless number of friends.
S. N.L. Acetech
Derman Louis Rietert, A, D.
R. HERMAN LOUIS NIETERT, an able surgeon of St. Louis, D was born in Edwardsville, Illinois, February 22, 1866. His father, Frederick Nietert, was a native of Germany and came to America in 1845, when twenty years of age, originally set- tling in Cincinnati, while during the '50s he removed to Ed- wardsville, Illinois. He was a farmer and stoek raiser, eon- ducting his business very successfully. He passed away in September, 1919, at the notable age of ninety-four years, and his wife, who bore the maiden name of Minnie Slueter, passed away in 1910, at the age of eighty- six years. She too was a native of Germany and came to the United States prior to the Civil war. By her marriage she became the mother of twelve children, seven sons and five daughters.
Herman L. Nietert, who was the sixth in order of birth, was educated in the publie schools of Edwardsville and at Shurtleff College at Alton, Illinois. His early life to the age of sixteen years was spent upon the home farm, and after completing his studies in the local schools, he entered the St. Louis Medical College, from which he was graduated in 1889. After winning his degree he served for one year as interne in the St. Louis City Hospital and then spent two years abroad, studying in Heidelberg and in Vienna. Returning to St. Louis he entered upon the private practice of his profession, in which he has since continued but for some time has specialized in surgery. In 1902 he was superintendent and surgeon in charge of the St. Louis City Hospital, contin- uing in that position from 1899 until 1902, a period of four years. Ile was also post mortem physician for four years or until 1899. He belongs to the St. Louis, Missouri State and American Medical Associations. Ile is now surgeon for the Deaconess Hospital and the Lutheran Hospital, and he has an extensive private practice which is indicative of the confidence reposed in his professional skill and ability. During the war he served as a member of the Medical Reserve Corps and was commissioned eaptain.
On the 30th of November, 1902, Dr. Nietert was married in St. Louis to Miss Katherine Ziegenhein, a native of St. Louis and a daughter of llenry and Kath- erine (IIinkel) Ziegenhein. Fraternally Dr. Nietert is a Mason belonging to Meridian Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and to Ascalon Commandery, K. T., of St. Louis. HIe also has membership in the Sunset Inn Country Club. His political en- dorsement is given to the republican party, and he keeps thoroughly in touch with the questions and issues of the day but has never had ambition for office outside of the strict path of his profession. The thoroughness with which he has devoted his attention to his practice has led to the attainment of the en- viable position which he now occupies as one of the leading surgeons of St. Louis.
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George Stacker Caplor
HE life record of George Stacker Taylor is a most interesting T one because of his varied experiences. Ile was born in St. Louis, January 8. 1846, and is again a resident of the city but in the intervening period has followed civil engineering, mining and prospecting in various sections of this country and of Mexico. He is a brother of Isaac Taylor and spent his youthful days in St. Louis, where he attended the public schools and was later graduated on the completion of a commercial course in the St. Louis University about 1866. He then took up civil engineering. to which he devoted a number of years. In 1578 he went to Colorado where he followed civil engineering and prospecting for about a decade. The year 1891 found him in old Mexico and there he became connected with the American Smelting & Refining Company. an association that was maintained for twenty years. He is thoroughly familiar with the conditions of that country, has seen various Mexican revolutions and has experienced many hardships incident to the troublous conditions of the times and the character of the people. His life story through those twenty years, if written in detail. would present a most in- teresting picture of the life of the American mining man in old Mexico.
In the year 1917 Mr. Taylor returned to St. Louis, where he is now making his home, spending a part of the year in this city but passing the winter months in San Antonio, Texas.
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Peter Ibsen
P ETER IBSEN, active in the public life of Missouri as consul for Denmark, and connected with the commercial interests of St. Louis as a confectioner, was born in Denmark, November 4, 1862. Ilis father, Jens Ibsen, was engaged in a foundry business in Germany, although his ancestors, through several generations had been farmers. The death of Jens Ibsen oc- eurred in 1895. Ilis wife, Ane Kerstine Ibsen, who belonged to one of the old and well known Danish families, passed away in 1870.
Peter Ibsen obtained a public school education in his native country and it was his father's wish that he should become his successor in the foundry busi- ness but when Peter Ibsen was seventeen years of age he decided to forego a college education and sail for the United States. He landed at New York and made his way almost immediately to Muskegon, Michigan, where he obtained employment in a foundry, occupying that position for two years. He next went to Chicago, and for ten years was employed in a wholesale eandy house, thoroughly learning the business. All this time he was practicing economy, as well as industry, and thus laid the foundation for his later success. In 1884 he removed to St. Louis, and established a little eandy business on Olive street. This prospered and later be spent a year in travel in Europe after which he returned to St. Louis and opened a eandy store in the Century building. For the past seven years he has occupied his present quarters and his store has become one of the finest in the city and is recognized as one of the exclusive luncheon places in St. Louis. The highest standard is maintained in the meals served and the confections carried and the business is now one of substantial propor- tions. Mr. Ibsen has concentrated his efforts and attention in almost undivided manner upon his business and from a penniless and friendless boy-for such he was when he arrived in the new world-he has advanced steadily step by step until he now owns one of the most select and one of the largest establishments in his line in the city. Ile is perhaps the best known of any of his countrymen west of the Mississippi river and for eleven years has held the post of consul for Denmark.
Mr. Ibsen belongs to St. Louis Lodge, No. 9. B. P. O. E., and is also a mem- ber of the Chamber of Commerce. His religions faith is that of the Lutheran church and his political allegiance is given to the republican party. His pleas- ures are largely found in music and golf and through these avennes of interest he maintains an even balance which produces a well rounded character and de- velopment.
Ilis friends bespeak him as "a good business man absolutely clean and straight, who wants nothing but what is right, works bard and long and is very conscientious." He is also most charitable, quietly and unostentatiously doing much good, seeking out individual cases where assistance is needed.
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George Mlorton
HIE history of George Morton, who passed away on the 9th of T January, 1865, is a most interesting one by reason of his close connection with the npbuilding and development of St. Louis, where for forty-seven years he was widely known as a public-spirited and enterprising citizen. He was born in Seot- land, near Edinburgh, on the 25th of December, 1790, and was a son of Peter and Ellen ( Wilson ) Morton, whose fam- ily numbered the following: Mrs. Janet Stark, who became a resident of Butler county, Pennsylvania ; Alexander, who married and lived in Kentucky ; Thomas, who married and lived in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania ; Mary and Ellen, who re- mained residents of Scotland : William, who was a purser in the English navy on board the warship Beleraphon, which took Napoleon to his exile on the Isle of St. Helena; Elizabeth, who became the wife of William Murphy, of Xenia, Ohio; Peter, who married Jane Dousling, of York, England, and resided also at Kingston, Jamaica, and at Glasgow, Scotland ; and George, who was the youngest member of the family and is the immediate subject of this review.
Having come from Scotland to the new world, George Morton resided for a time in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and then removed to St. Louis in 1818. In 1823 he entered into partnership with Joseph C. Laveille, under the firm style of Laveille & Morton, and they became recognized as the leading builders in St. Louis, a position which they maintained for a number of years, and during that period erected many of the finest residenees and largest and most important buildings of the city, including a number of the early publie edifices. In 1825 and 1826 they were engaged on the construction of the first briek Episcopal church in St. Louis, this being situated at the northwest corner of Third and Chestnut streets, on the site now occupied by the Merchants Exchange. In 1826 the firm also built Jefferson Barracks and in 1827 and 1828 the first briek court- house on Fourth street, on the site now oceupied by the eastern portion of the present courthouse. In 1831 the old cathedral on Walnut street was built by the company. This was considered one of the great cathedrals of its day and still remains an object of admiration by reason of the purity of its architecture and the solidity of the structure. Laveille & Morton were also the builders of the St. Louis University on Christy avenue and Ninth street.
In 1812, when twenty-two years of age, George Morton was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Morrison, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a daughter of John and Christiana (Smith) Morrison, who came from the Isle of Lewis in North Scotland and settled in Bedford, Pennsylvania, while subsequently they lived at Pittsburgh, then known as Fort Dequesne. Mr. Morrison was twice married and the children of his first marriage were: Angus; Mordecai; Margaret, who be- came Mrs. Morton ; Mary, the wife of Jacob Gross; Katherine, the wife of William
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George Horton
Witte ; and Abbey, who died in childhood. The children of the second marriage were Mrs. Martha Marshall, John and William. To Mr. and Mrs. Morton were born five daughters and a son. The eldest, Ellen, became the wife of Alfred Tracy and following his demise married Dr. Meredith Martin. She had one child, Mary Ann. Mary, the second of the family, became the wife of Edwin C. Sloan and had six children; Morton, Maggie, Chrissie, Ellie, Mamie and Lulu. Margaret became the wife of Judge William P. Harrison and the mother of nine children ; George, Sam, Ellen, May, Nannie, Sallie, William and two who died in infancy. Christiana married Joseph S. Sloan and had six children; Sophie; two who died in infancy; George; Lizzie; and Alfred. Peter Morton, the only son of the family, died at the age of twenty-three years. Sophie became the wife of Charles Frederick Tracy, a son of Edward Tracy, of Norwich, Connecticut, who came to St. Louis in 1818 and was prominent in all the early business enterprises of the embryo city. He was one of the founders and the first president of the Chamber of Commerce of St. Louis. To Mr. and Mrs. Charles F. Tracy were born nine children : Edward, Morton, Charlie, Maggie, Nellie, Joe, Henry, Paul and Celeste. A granddaughter of Mr. Morton's, Chris- tiana Sloan, married William T. Tracy, and their children are Edwin S. Tracy, William T. Tracy, Jr., Edward MeGunigle Tracy and Mrs. Marie Tracy Wygant.
Mr. Morton was a man of broad vision and high ideals. He was prominently connected with public affairs and it was while serving as a member of the city council, under the mayoralty of John F. Darby, that an appropriation of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars was made for the improvement of the harbor of St. Louis, the city council winning this appropriation from congress. After a residence of almost a half century in St. Louis, George Morton passed away, honored and respected by all who knew him. In the later years of his life, owing to the condition of his health, he lived retired, putting aside all business activi- ties and cares and also withdrawing from the conspicuous part which he had previously taken in the public life of the community. A paper published at the time of his death said of him: "As a pioneer he was public spirited and enter- prising, and in his social relations a warm-hearted and generous man who gath- ered about him zealous and faithful friends."
John Och Delany
John O' Fallon Delany, Al. D.
R. JOHN O'FALLON DELANY, who since 1866, or for more than a half century, has been engaged in the practice of D medicine in St. Louis, was born December 16, 1841, in the home of his parents at the corner of Main and Vine streets. His father was Dr. Dennis Delany, of Baltimore, Maryland, and his mother was Octavia ( Mullanphy ) Delany, a daughter of John Mullanphy, the celebrated St. Louis philanthropist whose memory is revered and honored wherever he was known.
In young manhood Dr. Delany was a student in the St. Louis University and also in the Jesuit University in Paris. He afterward entered the Columbia College of Medicine & Surgery in New York and was there graduated with the class of 1866. At a later period he resnmed his studies abroad, specializing in the study of surgery at Vienna.
In the meantime, or in 1861, when a youth of twenty years. Dr. Delany accompanied Father de Smet. the great Indian missionary, to the head waters of the Missouri river, spending six months in the far west. then a largely nn- developed region. The party proceeded up the river by steamer but returned in an open boat, as the Indians were on the warpath, rendering the voyage at times most dangerous. In 1866 Dr. Delany opened an office in St. Louis and for a few years practiced surgery under Dr. Elisha Gregory at Mullanphy Hospital in the free wards.
On the 23d of June, 1891, Dr. Delany was united in marriage to Miss Eliza- beth Sloan, a daughter of Joseph and Christiana ( Morton) Sloan. Theirs has been largely an ideal married life. Mrs. Delany is devoted to her home and its interests and at the same time is most prominent and active in charitable affair -. In fact she is recognized as a leader among womankind in St. Louis, Both Dr. and Mrs. Delany are of the Catholic faith, communicants of the New Cathedral parish. Dr. Delany has been very prominent in public affairs and in club life and has been associated with many of the activities which have led to the upbuilding and development of this great city. He is now a member of the University Club, also of the St. Louis Country Club and of the Chamber of Commerce, and his wife is a member of the Woman's and Wednesday Clubs, with which she has been identified for twenty-five years. For six years she was the president of the St. Louis Woman's Club. Her benevolent spirit is manifest in her constant help to individuals and to organized charity and in this she has the full sympathy and assistance of Dr. Delany. Both are prominently and widely known in St. Louis, where their circle of friends is today almost co- extensive with the circle of their acquaintance.
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John Li Roemer
John I. Roemer
R. JOHN L. ROEMER, president of Lindenwood College, was M born in Wheeling, West Virginia, May 2, 1865. Tradition, much of which has been largely authenticated, says that the name came down from the days of Caesar when he crossed the Rhine. Certain of the Romans located in German territory and were referred to as the "Romans," which is the English translation of Roemer. There are also Danish and Belgian branches of the family. The information concerning the old Roemer castle at Frankfort-on-the-Main, according to the encyclopedias, is as follows: "Of all the secular buildings in Frankfort, the Roemer, for almost five hundred years the Rathaus (Town Hall) of the city, is of prime historical interest. It lies on the Roemerberg, a square flanked by eurious medieval houses. It is first men- tioned in 1322, was bought with the adjacent hostelry in 1405 by the city and rearranged as a town hall, and has since from time to time been enlarged by the purchase of adjoining patrician houses, forming a complex of buildings of various styles and dates surmounted by a clock tower. It was here in the Wall- zimmer (election chamber) that the electors or their plenipotentiaries chose the German kings, and here in the Kaisersaal (Emperor's Hall) that the coronation festival was held, at which the new king or emperor dined with the electors after having shown himself from the balcony to the people. The Kaisersaal retained its antique appearance until 1843, when, as again in 1904, it was restored and redecorated; it is now furnished with a series of wooden paintings representing the German kings and Roman emperors from Charlemagne to Francis II, in all fifty-two, and a statue of the first German emperor, William."
The great-grandfather of Dr. Roemer was Wilhelm Roemer, who was born in 1765, in Germany, and died April 20, 1820. ITis wife, Elizabeth Brandan, born November 14, 1772, died December 25, 1819. They were married in Weider- gude Kries Rothenburg in 1795 and had six children, the last two being twins, Johann Justus and Johann Herman, born July 11, 1803. The former died Angust 9, 1803, and the latter, who died about 1886, was the grandfather of Dr. Roemer of this review. His children were Jacob and John, born of his first marriage, and Mrs. Agner, William and Henry, born of his second marriage.
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