History of Saint Louis City and County, from the earliest periods to the present day: including biographical sketches of representative men, Part 133

Author: Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas), 1843-1898
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Philadelphia : L.H. Everts
Number of Pages: 1358

USA > Missouri > St Louis County > St Louis City > History of Saint Louis City and County, from the earliest periods to the present day: including biographical sketches of representative men > Part 133

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" Since his residence in St. Louis, Dr. Eliot has been prominently identified with movements looking toward the betterment of the community to which he belonged. It was in connection with him that Mr. Wayman Crow and his associates sought to realize in the Wash- ington University facilities for an education for our boys and girls higher than could be afforded by the public schools. As Dr. Eliot's name must occur in various parts of the history, it is unnecessary to repeat his personal biography, and we may more profitably characterize his services in the direction of literary effort. His peculiar contribution has been the excit- ing and directing of intellectual activity and an un- usual perception of the fitness of instrumentalities. Notwithstanding the fact that he has contributed several works to our literature, yet his sermons and addresses have absorbed more of his energy, while he has found his most constant field of effort in inaugu- rating beneficent enterprises and in stimulating

specialists to devote their energies to the maintenance of institutions thus begun.

" Professor Sylvester Waterhouse is confessedly one of our most arduous and successful brain-workers, and the services rendered by him to the city of his adoption are inadequately represented by a recital of his writings or an enumeration of the positions of honor and trust which he has been invited to fill. It may in all sincerity be said that his many acquaint- ances consider him equal to any responsibilities which he might choose to assume, and know by experience that when he has felt at liberty to serve in various commissions that he has brought to his task rare qualifications. Apart from an unusually clear and analytical mind and a command of diction which enables him to express concisely and lucidly any con- clusions at which he may have arrived, Professor Waterhouse has an unusual share of that intellectual integrity which constitutes the chief grace of ex- ceptional men. From 1857 to 1883, Professor Water- house has labored persistently, not even stopping to lay claim to projects originated by himself and accred- ited to others. While many a man possessing his opportunities would have confined his labors to de- partments which were directly remunerative, or would at least have used his legitimate opportunities to ex- tend his personal reputation, Professor Waterhouse has been too much possessed by the spirit of the investigator to delay for any personal considerations.

" Born in Barrington, N. H., in 1830, he was the vic- tim of an accident, and when but ten years of age lost his right leg. The effect of this upon the life of a man of active temperament can easily be imagined, but there was too much sturdy manhood in the suf- ferer to admit of his being discouraged, even though the conditions for fair competition had become so burdensome. Persisting, in spite of the adversity of fortune, in his determination to acquire an cducation, he graduated with high honors from Phillips' Exeter Academy in 1850, and matriculating at Dartmouth College, soon changed to Harvard, from which insti- tution he graduated in 1853. His collegiate course, as well as his academic, was marked by proficiency in scholarship. The ensuing two years were occupied in completing the course in the Harvard Law School.

" In 1856 he was appointed Professor of Latin Language and Literature in Antioch College, whence in 1857 he removed to St. Louis to begin his long career of educational usefulness as Professor of Greek in the Washington University. He is now the senior professor in actual service, though not in appointment, although younger in years than others of the faculty. Very frequently professors and teachers, like men in

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all other callings, find the routine of their lives suffi- cient for their energics. Far otherwise has it been with Professor Waterhouse, who has almost disre- garded the fatigue of his regular work, and pursued his special investigations as though there were no other strain upon his strength. It is to his quiet, unconscious influence that St. Louis owes much of the activity that seems most directly to proceed from other sources.

" In 1867, Professor Waterhouse was a member of the Mississippi River Improvement Convention, and rendercd invaluable service. In 1871 he was appointed by Governor Brown a member of 'The Bureau of Geology and Mines' for Missouri. In 1872 he was elected secretary of the St. Louis Board of Trade.

"In 1873 he made a trip around the world, and in- creased his profound acquaintance with the subjects which had occupied his interest. In 1875 he was a member of the National Railroad Convention. In 1877 he was again sent as a member of the Missis- sippi River Improvement Convention, became the secretary of its executive committee, and prepared the memorial to Congress. We in St. Louis believe that to this memorial, which was widely circulated, is due the change of sentiment, and the consequent ap- propriation of amounts more adequate for the per- formance of work much needed. In 1878 he was appointed United States commissioner to the Paris Exposition. During the civil war Professor. Water- house's pen was constantly in requisition, as he was an active participant in the labors of the Western Sanitary Commission.

" For many years the professor was called upon to co-operate with the Missouri State Board of Immi- gration. In 1863 he was requested to pronounce a eulogy upon Chancellor Hoyt, and acquitted himself with his customary ability.

" Professor Waterhouse's interest in our industrial affairs, while by no means absorbing all of his en- ergies or narrowing his sympathies, has in the main dominated his written work. His articles upon iron manufacture in Missouri were partly at least the cause precedent, if not the cause efficient, of the great in- dustries which have since been developed. His arti- cles upon the cultivation of jute in the United States have been honored by the highest recognition upon the part of the United States commissioners of agri- culture. A very wide circulation, their translation into French and German, and the utilization of his ideas by various individuals and corporations are public proofs of their value. All this manifold labor Professor Waterhouse has done without compensation, and frequently at his own personal expensc.

" Lieutenant-Governor Henry C. Brockmeyer is, as has been already stated in brief, one who has pow- erfully influenced the turn of thought upon the part of many who have been largely responsible for St. Louis' intellectual activity. Governor Brockmeyer would be noticeable anywhere for clearness, profun- dity, and sanity of thought, and for a remarkable power over words that burn. While his written work is so small in quantity, no one can come in contact with him without being sensibly stimulated. Born in Winden, Prussia, in 1828, he left home when sixteen years of age for New York. He first visited St. Louis in 1848, but did not at that time make the city his permanent residence. In 1857 he returned to St. Louis, and since 1858 has been identified with it. His energies have been mostly exercised in political life.

"Dr. W. T. Harris has been, as already said, the most prominent factor in our intellectual develop- ment. The incessant activity of his mind, his fertil- ity of resource, and his unquenchable enthusiasm entitle him to a lasting and prominent place in any local history. Apart from the activity which Dr. Harris' efforts excited, his work may be summarized as the giving to St. Louis a high reputation in all educational circles, and the earning of foreign recog- nition for the metaphysical work of American students. In the conduct of the Journal of Speculative Phi- losophy, Dr. Harris has opened generously its pages to views however different from his own, and has thus done much towards the creation of a sodality among the students of mental philosophy. Born in Con- necticut in 1835, he came to St. Louis in 1857, and while a resident was always connected with the public school system, as assistant teacher, principal of a dis- trict school, assistant superintendent, and finally as superintendent. Finally he changed his residence to Concord, Mass., and his departure was made the occa- sion of the handsomest honors, paid him by leading citizens, who appreciated his uninterrupted and inval- uable services to the city. Dr. Harris has achieved a national (if we may not say an international) repu- tation, and his friends expect much from the greater leisure which his present life affords. His annual lecturing tours arc looked forward to by many zealous students in Missouri, Indiana, Illinois, Tennessee, and Georgia, and identify him still with the intellectual life of the Southwest.

" Denton J. Snider has stood next to Dr. Harris, and has done much to further interests already suffi- ciently presented in our discussion of Dr. Harris' services. Since Dr. Harris' removal, Mr. Snider has specially represented the metaphysical intercst, al-

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CULTURE AND LITERARY GROWTH IN SAINT LOUIS.

though, in addition to this, he has found time to con tribute to various kinds of literature works whose value will be more and more appreciated. His 'Sys- tem of Shakespeare's Dramas' is a work similar in general aim to those of Gervinus, Ulriei, Guizot, and takes rank with these. His study of the American state goes in quite a different direction, but can de- traet nothing from his reputation as a successful student. His 'Delphic Days' presents in poetical form and with remarkable effect the attempt of the modern consciousness to recreate the old Greek idyllic life. His other works in prose and verse, for our present purpose, need no special description. Apart from his connection with the various associations, such as the Philosophieal Society, the High School Society, the Concord School of Philosophy, Mr. Snider has had all of his leisure occupied by elasses of ladies and gentlemen, who have desired to have his conduct in their study of Homer, Herodotus, Greek history, Roman history, Shakespeare, and Goethe. His impress upon St. Louis thought is in- ereasingly great.

" Born in Ohio in 1841 and graduated at Oberlin College, he came to St. Louis in 1864, and taught first in the College of the Christian Brothers, subse- quently in the High School. After passing two fruit- ful years in European travel, Mr. Snider returned to St. Louis and resumed his position in the High School, until the pressure of his literary work and the nu- merous demands upon his time for the conduet of special elasses caused him to devote himself entirely to the pursuits of the student.

" A. E. Kroeger was an indefatigable and success- ful student and littérateur, and was identified with the same set of gentlemen and ladies. His work on the ' Minnesingers' is recognized as a standard by Longfellow in his 'Poets and Poetry of Northern Europe,' and his other publications not only merited but received recognition as valid. Through the press, through the magazines, through separate pub- lieations, and above all, the irresistible force of exam- ple, Mr. Kroeger aided the intellectual development of St. Louis to an extent not to be measured by the shortness of his life.

" Born in Schwabstedt, duehy of Schleswig, in 1837, his father was a Lutheran minister, who, with his family, emigrated in 1848. Mr. Kroeger closed his sehool life when only eleven years of age; at fifteen was employed in a bank at Davenport, Iowa ; went thenee to New York, and began his residence in St. Louis in 1859, at which time he was the correspondent of the New York Times. In 1861 he was adjutant on the staff of Gen. Fremont ; in 1863 assistant treasurer

of the city of St. Louis; 1865-67, city treasurer ; after which he devoted himself to literature, so far as time was spared by the demands of the daily struggle for existence. Apart from the 'Minnesingers,' Mr. Kroeger's most noticeable literary work was his studies in German history (' Frederick Barbarossa, The Ho- henstauffen'), ' History of the War,' and 'Essay on Chatterton.' Mr. Kroeger's literary and personal friendship witlı Henry W. Longfellow, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and William Cullen Bryant may indicate the estcem in which his work was held, and the loss to St. Louis when, in 1882, he died at the early age of forty-five.

" Mrs. Ella S. Morgan, while finding in other diree- tions the field of her greatest intellectual activity, was nevertheless an important contributor to what may distinctively be called ' the St. Louis movement.' Through her translations for the Journal of Specu- lative Philosophy, through her interest and personal participation in all the associations for mental improve- ment, through the stimulus which she was able to afford, both by precept and by example, she merits the honor of mention as one of the first of the St. Louis ladies to appreciate and seek higher cultivation than was demanded by the local social life, and the ad- ditional honor which belongs to persistent pursuit of these interests. 'Her literary taste,' says one both able and discriminating in his judgment, ' was very su- perior. As a critie of books, her opinions had great value. Through her reviews of books in various journals and periodicals, and especially in The West- ern, she rendered most useful service. She possessed an intellectual insight quite unusual, and an excellent power of presentment. These qualities, combined with her thorough mastery of German, give to her translations from the great German metaphysicians a value quite extraordinary. She grasped their mean- ing with rare penetration, and often gave a clear in- terpretation to tlie most abstruse and involved diseus- sions.'

" Miss Anna C. Brackett, now a resident of New York, and well known as an educator and as a success- ful writer for our leading magazines, began her greatest activity in St. Louis, and belonged to the set which gathered around Dr. Harris. Directly through her work in the Normal School, and indirectly through her unremitting labors outside of her sehool, Miss Braekett left an indelible impress upon St. Louis, and is entitled to much of the credit of work since done by those whose enthusiasm she roused and whose energies she directed.

" Miss Mary E. Beedy, for many years connected with the High School, did much through her interest

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HISTORY OF SAINT LOUIS.

in mental improvement to awaken and strengthen our general activity. Her writings have mostly taken the form of lectures, and have been confined to few topics, but her influence in causing others to appreci- ate intellectual activity entitles her to a permanent place in our local records.

" Miss Sue V. Beeson, who began her career in our public schools as a pupil, and who, after the comple- tion of her school education, entered upon her career as a teacher in the schools in which she had received her instruction, has always been prominent among the ladies interested in the speculative movement. For several years, in addition to her responsibilities as a teacher in the High School, and to that quiet but marked influence which belongs to those whose spirit- ual nature is so strong as to at once impress even a casual acquaintance, Miss Beeson has devoted much of her time to work in the classes conducted by Dr. Harris, Mr. Snider, and Mr. Bryant, and to the mu- tual improvement associations inaugurated by Mrs. Dr. Fischel and others. Miss Beeson's period of direct literary contribution has but begun, but the be- ginning promises much for the future.

" Professor George H. Howison, during his con- nection with the Washington University, was also an associate of the gentlemen already named, and his clear intellect, scholarly attainments, and persistent earnestness, added to the tone of this literary circle and strengthened its influence.

" Thomas Davidson, while his floruit belonged to the intermediate period of Dr. Harris' labors, repre- sented the literary rather than the philosophical ele- ment. By his reputation as a classical scholar and a linguist, by the lucidity of his literary style, and by his incessant activity in the lecture field, Mr. David- son did much to excite and encourage intellectual activity.

though mainly taking the shape of monographs. When we consider that Mr. Soldan has the responsi- bilities of our Normal School and the cares of director- ship in many associations, we can appreciate the earnestness, persistency, and strength which alone can enable him to accomplish undertakings so numerous and so varied.

" Mr. B. V. B. Dixon's activity has been varied and constant. Apart from his daily work as instructor in the High School, he has manifested his intelligent interest in the claims of higher culture, first, by his lectures and addresses ; second, by his monographs, contributed to magazines and journals, literary and scientific ; third, by contributions of money and labor towards the support of enterprises which sought to promote our literary and art interests ; fourth, by personal participation in the various discussions, asso- ciations, and classes which have been the manifesta- tion of much of our intellectual effort; fifth, by his intelligent interest in our industrial life, and his work as an analytical chemist and metallurgist ; sixth, by the inspiration of his example and by a rare ability to win the interest of others, and to present the claims of our higher nature in a way to stimulate others.

" Miss Grace C. Bibb, while in St. Louis, wås con- nected as teacher with the Normal School, and through her efforts for the improvement of education gained a reputation such as to be invited to occupy the chair of pedagogics in the State University, a position which she still acceptably fills. Miss Bibb contributed to the furtherance of our mental activity by her example, by her essays and lectures, and by her personal en- thusiasm.

" William M. Bryant came to St. Louis mainly because of the facilities offered by the city for the further pursuit of studies already more than begun. Becoming identified in interest with the circle repre- sented by Dr. Harris, he became at once a marked factor in all of its intellectual progress. Through the formation of classes for the study of art and philoso- phy, through the efforts made for the higher educa- tion of those associated with him as assistant teachers, through his ready response to any calls upon his ser- vices as teacher, conductor, or lecturer, through his published works, and through his unremitting zeal and enthusiasm in the pursuits of the student, Mr. Bryant has been, and still continues to be, one of the most potent influences in St. Louis life. His distinc- tive claims are similar in kind to those of Mr. Denton J. Snider, although æsthetics has more peculiarly been adopted as his province.

" F. Louis Soldan came into the service of the pub- lic schools in 1868, and from that time to the present his activity has been as increased as varied and valuable. Associated with the intermediate period of the move- ment which we are describing, Mr. Soldan not only sympathized actively with any concrete forms of ac- tivity, but, in addition, pursued other investigations, and through his work in the Aristotle Club, his papers in the High School Society, his addresses, educational and other, vindicated his claim to an eminent place among our local brain-workers. Later, Mr. Soldan has acted as director in numerous classes for the study of philosophy and German and Italian literature, while always responding cheerfully and ably to the frequent appeals for special papers, lectures, and " Rev. R. A. Holland, for many years rector of addresses. His publications have been numerous, St. George's Episcopal Church, was not only an en-

CULTURE AND LITERARY GROWTH IN SAINT LOUIS.

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thusiastic student with Dr. Harris and D. J. Snider, but also an effective writer and speaker, whose labors were not only an addition to the reputation of our city, but a pcreeptible influenee in exeiting general enthusiasm in study.

" Franeis E. Cook, though belonging to the younger generation of students, has always displayed an in- telligent interest in the various intellectual activities of our eity, and has contributed to these not only a warm sympathy, but the aid of his own special labors, which he has rendered available to others through his contributions to our local magazines, and by his leetures and addresses.

"T. R. Viekroy, who has for many years been identified with our publie sehool system, was, like Mr. William M. Bryant and others, drawn to this city by the facilities which it afforded for the pursuit of eongenial studies. In addition to his efforts for a new phonetic system, his papers, lectures, and addresses, Mr. Viek- roy has been prominently identified with the Kant Club, the Society of Pedagogues, and with other enterprises which represented the mental activity of our eity, and in each of these he has borne his full share of the burden.

" James S. Garland was born in New Hampshire in 1842, removed to St. Louis in 1856, and has since been identified with all that is best in our eity. When Dr. Harris formed a Kant Club, Mr. Garland beeame one of its earliest, most active and valuable members, and when Dr. Harris was engaged upon his translation of Hegel's Logic, he could find no more aeeeptable or eapable eoadjutor than Mr. Garland, to whom, in ree- ognition of his services, the book was dedicated. Apart from the influence of his own career as a busy lawyer who still finds time to eultivate the amenities of life, and in addition to his personal identification with the various manifestations of the 'St. Louis movement,' Mr. Garland is entitled to be considered an important factor in our literary life through the unostentatious but always rationally generous aid which he gives to all literary and æsthetic interests, and to his personal efforts in behalf of the educational institutions of the city and State.

" William R. Walker has found time amid the eares of a constantly busy legal life to retain his in- terest in literature, and while his essays have been few, they have been of an exeellence that most de- eidedly added to the reputation of St. Louis.

" Horace Hills Morgan1 was born at Auburn, N. Y., on Jan. 22, 1839. Five years later his father re-

moved with his family to St. Louis. At the age of sixteen he was matriculated as a student in Hobart College, Geneva, N. Y., but one year later gave up his eonneetion with that institution and entered Wil- liams College, where he was graduated with classical honors in 1859. In the autumn following Mr. Morgan was appointed to the position of assistant teacher in the St. Louis High School. In 1862 he was promoted to the position of first assistant, and in 1866 was made principal of the school, which place he has filled ever sinee with great acceptance and ability.

"Such is the brief story of a life that has been thus far outwardly uneventful, but yet filled, in these latter years especially, with varied and unremitting activity.

" His best thought and energy have been given to his voeation, and the high eharaeter and standing of the school of which he has been for seventeen years the head show how efficient his labors therc have been. In his educational methods and the quality of the work produced he has always manifested an en- lightened and progressive spirit, and has thus kept the sehool abreast of the most advanced educational move- ment of the time. On many oeeasions, with tongue and pen, he has ably vindicated the claims of the High School in general to its erowning position in our system of public education, but the admirable management of his school in this city has furnished his best argument in that behalf.

" While performing the engrossing and laborious duties of his profession with rare fidelity and devotion, Mr. Morgan has not been content to play the rôle of the mere pedagogue, but has addressed himself with nearly equal zeal to those problems of culture and so- ciety which ever elaim the attention of the earnest student and public-spirited eitizen. As the New York Nation very justly observes, in a notice of one of his books, 'Mr. Morgan is one of that group of devoted students and men of culture who have done so much to elevate the character of society and tone of thought in St. Louis.'

" Hc has taken a leading part in the organization and management of elubs and societies in this eity, formed for the study of art and philosophy, during the past twenty years. A director of the Public School Library for many years, he has rendered most efficient serviee in building up an institution of ines- timable value to the community.

" Amid these manifold professional and publie en- gagements, however, his pen has not been idle. He has published several works upon literary topics.

" But the more permanent produetions of his pen

1 This sketch of Professor Morgan was prepared by James S. Garland.

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History of Saint Louis City and County, from the earliest periods to the present day: including biographical sketches of representative men, Part 133

Author: Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas), 1843-1898 Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Philadelphia : L.H. Everts Number of Pages: 1358

Author: Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas), 1843-1898
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Philadelphia : L.H. Everts
Number of Pages: 1358