History of Saint Louis City and County, from the earliest periods to the present day: including biographical sketches of representative men, Part 93

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

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were one hundred and twenty-six thousand dollars. He had in all three hundred and odd tenants. Be- forc the division of two millions to his wife and eight children, the income was forty thousand dollars per month, amounting to nearly half a million annually. After giving away the two millions, the portion of the estate left was estimated by good judges at five millions. He was also largely interested in the Pilot Knob Iron Company, owning one-fifth of the stock, which he gave away to his children, being twenty-five thousand dollars to each, and not included in the two millions given them as before stated. At an early day his father, Judge Lucas, lived in a stone house on Seventh Street, between Market and Chestnut, and he also had a farm residence in the woods, on the site of the First Presbyterian Church, and one of the apple-trees of the old orchard is yet standing.

The residence of Mr. Lucas was for many years on the southwest corner of Ninth and Olive Streets, but of late years he resided in an elegant dwelling on Lueas Place, bought of John How in 1867.

Mr. Lueas gave as liberally as he subscribed. The city owes him for a quit-claim deed for the old jail lot; he built the Lucas Market, and gave the Histori- cal Society real estate valued at ten thousand dollars. He gave the ground upon which the Planters' Hotel was built, and which was originally called "Lucas Hotel."

He donated eleven thousand dollars towards build- ing the Southern Hotel. He encouraged the new Ex- change enterprise by selling a portion of the ground to the association at a low price and by taking twenty thousand dollars' stock, with assurances that the Fourth Strect front when built would be equal in clegance and architectural design to the building of the Cham- ber of Commerce Association. He gave to the city Missouri Park. Two or three times he and Mrs. Hunt gave lots for a cathedral, besides lots and dona- tions of money to numerous charitable institutions.

The following instance of his liberality may also be mentioned in this connection : At the close of the war in 1865, a man came up here from Little Rock, with three thousand dollars in " starvation bonds," which he endeavored to sell, in order to mect his pressing wants. The only offer he received was twenty cents on the dollar for the bonds. Mr. Lucas took them at their facc, making only one request, that the party selling them would on his return to Arkan- sas give " Old Larky," who was in indigent circum- stances from the war and whom he knew, some meat and flour. The bonds he subsequently gave away to old Dr. Price to pay his taxes with, as they were good in Arkansas for that purpose.

James H. Lucas died Nov. 11, 1873, at his resi- dence, 1515 Lucas Place. His eight children survived him, six sons and two daughters, all of whom are mar- ried. He was buried with quict but imposing cere- monies from St. John's Church, corner of Chestnut and Sixteenth Streets, Archbishop Kenrick officiating and Bishop Ryan preaching the funeral sermon in presence of nearly all the leading citizens of St. Louis, assembled to do honor to the deceased good man and honored fellow-citizen. The remains were interred in Calvary Cemetery.

Mr. Lucas' sister, Mrs. Anne L. Hunt, the other heir to the estate of J. B. C. Lucas, survived him for several years, dying April 13, 1879, at her residence, which, like her brother's, was also in Lucas Place. In youth she was a bright and lovely girl, precocious in intellect and a favorite in society. As has been stated above, she married early and had two husbands. Her large cstate was managed by her with excellent prudence and judgment, while of its income she seemed to look upon herself as chicfly an almoner, giving very largely to charities, some of which origi- nated with others, but some were planned and con- ceived by her alone. She gave in the most unosten- tatious way, so, indeed, as she used to say, that only she alone could see the fruits of her beneficence. It is said that in this way, in money and real estate, she gave away nearly a million dollars. Among the in- stitutions founded by Mrs. Hunt were the sisterhood and house of the Good Shepherd, and the church and school of St. Mary's. She also materially aided the Little Sisters of the Poor.

Mrs. Hunt was her own executrix in a great meas- ure, distributing her estate herself during the last four years of her life. She was as charitable in thought and speech as she was in dced, lived simply and . plainly, and had such an aversion to ostentation that she particularly directed all the arrangements for her own funeral, so as to prohibit everything like display. She left two children, nincteen grandchildren, and twenty-two grcat-grandchildren.

The St. Louis Clearing-House Association was organized in the latter part of 1868, and began active operations on December 24th of that year with the following members :

Accommodation Bank, Bartholow, Lewis & Co., Boatmen's Savings Institution, Butchers' and Drovers' Pank, Central Savings-Bank, Commercial Bank, Exchange Bank, First Na- tional Bank, Fourth National Bank, Fourth Street Bank, Franklin Avenue German Savings Institution, Franklin Savings Institution, German Bank, German Savings Institution, Has- kell & Co., International Bank, G. H. Loker & Brother, Me- chanics' Bank, Merchants' National Bank, National Bank State of Missouri, National Loan Bank, North St. Louis Savings

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HISTORY OF SAINT LOUIS.

Association, People's Savings Institution, Provident Savings Institution, St. Louis National Bank, St. Louis Building and Savings Association, Second National Bank, State Savings Association, Third National Bank, Traders' Bank, Union National Bank, Union Savings Association, United States Savings Institution, Clark Brothers & Co., Western Savings- Bank. The original management was composed of : President, W. E. Burr, president St. Louis National Bank; Vice-Presi- dent, Charles Hodgeman, cashier Boatmen's Savings Institu- tion; Committee of Management, J. H. Britton, president National Bank State of Missouri; Felix Coste, president St. Louis Building and Savings Association; J. C. HI. D. Block, president Fourth National Bank; W. H. Maurice, cashier National Loan Bank; John R. Lionberger, president Third National Bank ; Manager, James T. Howenstein.

In 1873, Charles Parsons succeeded Mr. Burr as president, J. R. Lionberger succeeded Mr. Hodge- man as vice-president, and Edward Chase succeedcd Mr. Howenstein as manager.

On the 12th of July, 1875, an amendment (sec- tion 18) to the constitution was adopted, providing that

" no member shall be added to this association unless such mem- ber shall have a paid up capital of $150,000, and no member hav- ing a less amount of paid up capital than $150,000 shall be al- lowed to make the exchanges through the Clearing-House for any non-member, except under such contracts as are now exist- ing."

The Clearing-House was originally located in the Exchange Bank building, but is now situated at No. 528, Chamber of Commerce building.

The present government is as follows :

President, Charles Parsons, president State Savings Associa- tion ; Vice-President, Thomas E. Tutt, president Third Na- tional Bank; Committee of Management, Joseph O'Ncil (pres- · ident Citizens' Savings-Bank), William H. Thomson (cashier Boatmen's Savings-Bank), E. C. Breck (cashier Exchange Bank), Richard Hospcs (cashier German Savings Institution), R. R. Hutchinson assistant cashier Mechanics' Bank) ; Committee of Arbitration, C. B. Burnham (president Bank of Commerce), S. E. Hoffman (president Valley National Bank), William Nichols (cashier Commercial Bank), James E. Yeatman (presi- dent Merchants' National Bank), George A. Baker (president Continental Bank) ; Committee on Membership, T. A. Stoddart (cashier Third National Bank), John Nickerson (cashier St. Louis National Bank), F. W. Biebinger (cashier Fourth Na- tional Bank); Manager, Edward Chase; Members, Laclede Bank, Boatmen's Savings-Bank, Commercial Bank, Fourth National Bank, Franklin Bank, German Savings Institution, International Bank, Mechanics' Bank, Merchants' National Bank, Continental Bank, Provident Savings Institution, St. Louis National Bank, Bank of Commerce, State Savings As- sociation, Third National Bank, Union Savings Association, Citizens' Savings-Bank, Valley National Bank.

CHAPTER XXXIII.

INSURANCE, TELEGRAPH, POSTAL SERVICE, GAS, AND HOTELS.

Fire, Marine, and Life Insurance .- During the earlier portion of the city's history insurance was effected through the agency of foreign companies which had established branch offices in St. Louis, and it was not until 1831 that an effort was made to organize a home insurance company. One of the earliest in- surance agents was Edward Tracy, of Tracy & Wahrendorff, who, on the 14th of June, 1824, an- nounced that he would insure St. Louis property as the representative of the Farmers' Fire Insurance and Loan Company of New York. In February, 1826, announcement was made of the appointment of H. C. Simmons as agent of the Protection Fire and Marine Insurance Company of Hartford, Conn., which authorized him " to insure against the hazards of fire and against the hazards of inland navigation on the lowest terms." On the 15th of February of the following year, John Shackford informed the public that he would insure against fire and river risks. On the same day it was announced that Edward Tracy, of Tracy & Wahrendorff, would continue to act as the St. Louis agent of the Farmers' Fire Insurance and Loan Company of New York, and that Wilson P. Hunt, agent, would effect insur- ances in St. Louis on behalf of the Traders' Insurance Company of New York. Mr. Hunt's advertisement as agent of the Fire and Inland Navigation Insurance Company was renewed in September, 1828, as were also those of Edward Tracy, agent for the Farmers' Insurance and Loan Company of New York, and H. C. Simmons, agent for the Protection Insurance Com- pany of Hartford, Conn. In March, 1829, Mr. Tracy and Charles Wahrendorff were still conducting a marine insurance business under the firmn-name of Tracy & Wahrendorff. On the 8th of February, 1831, notice was published to the effect that those who wished to take stock in the Missouri Insurance Company of St. Louis were informed that books had been opened for that purpose under the supervision of a committee appointed by the Legislature. This committee was composed of George Collier, John Mul- lanphy, Peter Lindell, James Clemens, Jr., Thomas Biddle, Henry Von Phul, Edward Tracy, and William K. Rule. About five weeks later (March 15, 1831) it was announced that the company had gone into operation with very favorable prospects. The follow- ing were the directors for the year : John Mullanphy, Thomas Biddle, George Collier, P. Lindell, James

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INSURANCE, TELEGRAPH, POSTAL SERVICE, GAS, AND HOTELS.

Clemens, Jr., Bernard Pratte, Henry Von Phul, and William Hill. George Collier was president of the company, and John Ford secretary.

In April following notice was issued that the capi- tal, one hundred thousand dollars, having been se- cured, the company was prepared to insure steamboats and every other description of vessels against the dangers of sea or inland navigation ; also stores, ware- houses, dwelling-houses, mills, factories, and buildings in general, merchandise, household furniture, vessels building or in port, and their cargoes, and every de- scription of personal property against damage by fire. The office of the company was situated on Main Street, near Vinc, "in the south end of the late dwelling of P. Chouteau." The business hours were stated to be " from 9 until 1 P.M., and from 3 o'clock until sundown." In February, 1837, a meeting of the Missouri Life Insurance and Trust Company was held, at which Edward Tracy was unanimously elected pres- ident, and Martin Thomas vice-president and cashier. On the 13th of February, 1837, notice was given that the books of subscription to the capital stock of the St. Louis Insurance Company would be opened on the 20th of March, at the office of the Missouri Insurance Company, under the supervision of Wil- liam G. Pettus.

The commissioners whose signatures were appended to this notice were Theodore Labeaume, Christopher Rhodes, John W. Johnson, Thomas S. Stewart, Har- dage Lane, William G. Pettus, Thomas Andrews, John Ford, William L. Sublette, John Shade. On the same day the commissioners of the proposed " Union Insurance Company" announced that sub- scription books would be opened "at 10 A.M. on Monday next at the counting-room of Von Phul & MeGill, "and would be kept open for ten days, or until the stock was subscribed for." The commissioners were Augustus Kerr, Theodore L. McGill, William Hempstead, J. G. Lindell, Daniel P. Page, and Ed- ward Walsh. Similar notices with regard to the proposed formation of the Citizens' and Marine Insur- ance Companies were issued on the 16th and 20th of February respectively. At an clection for trustees of the Missouri Life Insurance and Trust Company, held in December, 1837, the following were elected:

Edward Tracy, Pierre Chouteau, Martin Thomas, George Collier, Henry Von Phul, William Glasgow, Nathaniel Paschall, John Walsh, Joseph Charless, Daniel D. Page, Augustus Kerr, George K. McGunnegle, M. Lewis Clark, all of St. Louis; John M. White, of Selina, Mo .; John M. Derhy, of Boston, Mass .; David B. Ogden, C. T. Catlin, J. D. Beers, of New York ; George Hanly, of Philadelphia.

The subscribers to the stock of the St. Louis Float- ing. Dock and Insurance Company were notified on the

25th of August, 1838, that a meeting would be held at the counting-room of Messrs. Charless & Blow on the 6th of September for the purpose of electing thir- teen directors. The commissioners who gave this notice were Robert Walsh, John D. Daggett, Thorn- ton Grimsley, Hugh O'Neil, Joseph C. Laveille, Thomas Andrews, John Shannon, and James S. Thomas. In April, 1839, the Republican announced that the St. Louis Perpetual Insurance Company had purchased the lot then occupied by it for twenty thousand dollars. The company had a capital of three hundred thousand dollars, which, however, had not at that time been paid in full, although it was stated that the amount would be secured in a few months. The institution had already begun to receive money on deposit.

The Perpetual Insurance Company also transacted a savings-bank business, as appears from a brief news- paper mention of the fact in April, 1839. At the election of directors of this institution held Jan. 4, 1841, John B. Camden, William M. Tompkins, Ken- neth McKenzie, John J. Anderson, S. J. Bacon, Joseph Stettinius, and H. A. Garstens were chosen. March 30, 1843, the public was informed that the St. Louis Perpetual Insurance Company had " fully re- sumed its insurance business."

In the Republican of July 19, 1849, mention is made of the fact that the St. Louis Floating-Dock and Insurance Company, " which was revived a short time previous to the late disastrous fire," met with a heavy loss on that occasion. Notwithstanding the fact, however, that the losses amounted to one hundred and twenty thousand dollars, it was able within sixty days to adjust every loss, with the exception of one which involved a legal doubt. The stockholders about this time increased the capital stock one hundred thou- sand dollars, and the company was reported to be " doing a handsome business."

At the election of the St. Louis Insurance Com- pany held in September, 1852, J. E. Yeatman, Charles Miller, J. D. Osborne, E. Y. Ware, S. K. Wilson, J. C. Rust, J. B. S. Lemoine, J. D. Houseman, L. Lev- ering, George Knapp, George K. McGunnegle, Abner Hood, and T. Grimsley were chosen directors for the year.

On the 14th of July, 1853, the directors of the Pacific Insurance Company organized at the office of Leffingwell & Elliot by the election of A. B. Cham- bers, president, and Walter B. Foster, secretary. It was announced that the company would be prepared to commence business " at an early day next week."

CITIZENS' INSURANCE COMPANY .- On the 16th of February, 1837, a notice was published to the effect

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HISTORY OF SAINT LOUIS.

that the Citizens' Insurance Company was about to be organized, the 27th being named as the day for open- ing the subscription books at the counting-room of Alfred Skinner. The commissioners were George W. Call, James Clemens, Jr., Alfred Skinner, H. L. Hoff- man, John F. Darby, Henry Chouteau, David S. Hill, James S. Thomas, and John Shannon. The organi- zation was duly effected, and the company, whose offices are located at the corner of Third and Chestnut Streets, has had a flourishing career of more than forty-five years' duration. Its actual cash capital is $200,000 ; surplus, $143,553.85 ; and its business, which amounts to about $80,000 per annum, is con- ducted on sound and conservative principles.

The company transacts a general fire insurance business, which is principally local, being confined almost exclusively to St. Louis County. The officers of the company1 during 1882 were E. O. Stanard, president ; H. D. McLean, vice-president ; John P. Harrison, secretary ; Directors, E. O. Stanard, George H. Plant, Theo. Bartholow, H. C. Haarstick, Craig Alexander, J. G. Chouteau, A. Nedderhut, H. D. McLean, George Bain, J. B. M. Kchlor, W. S. Humphreys, A. T. Harlow, W. P. Howard, A. O. Grubb, and Theo. Booth.

THE MARINE INSURANCE COMPANY, located at 212 North Third Street, was incorporated by the Legislature on the 25th of January, 1837, and books were opened for subscriptions to the stock on the

1 One of the most prominent officers of the Citizens' Company was William Renshaw, Sr., who died at the residence of his son at Fulton, Mo., on the 14th of March, 1864, aged seventy-two years. Mr. Renshaw removed to St. Louis in 1818, when the future great city was an unpretentious town, and first estab- lished himself in business as a member of the firm of Renshaw & Hoffman, which continued in existence for a number of years. At a later period he was made secretary and then president of the Citizens' Insurance Company, which under his management enjoyed, as it still enjoys, a large share of public favor.

Another active officer of this venerable company was Gen. W. D. Wood, who died in St. Louis on the 2d of February, 1867. Gen. Wood was a native of Pennsylvania, but for twenty years had been a citizen and resident of St. Louis. He was educated for the medical profession, but having a preference for business pursuits, became a partner in a hardware house in St. Louis. Subsequently and for several years prior to the war he was secretary of the Citizens' Insurance Company. In 1861, on the breaking out of hostilities, he was appointed a member of Governor Gamble's staff with the rank of colonel. He commanded a regiment in Missouri during the early years of the war, and in 1863 proceeded with the Union forces to Arkansas. Ile was given command of a regiment, and some- times of a brigade, until the close of the war. After the sur- render of the Confederate armies he was promoted to the rank of brigadier-general. In 1866 he obtained a charter for the Occidental Insurance Company, and was elected president of that corporation.

20th of February following at the counting-room of Von Phul & McGill. The commissioners were John W. Reel, Theodore McGill, George Sproule, William Hempstead, James C. Way, William Finney, Edward Walsh, Samuel S. Reyburn, Augustus Kerr, and Edward Tracy. On the 15th of March, John W. Reel was elected president, and Samuel Hough secretary, and the company speedily entered upon a prosperous career. The present capital stock of the company paid up is $150,000. Among the assets are real estate valued at $20,000; Kansas Pacific Railroad bonds, $120,000 ; Missouri Zinc Company's stock, $28,200. The company has a surplus, over all liabilities, amounting to $46,799.68. The business transacted by this company is a general fire, marine, and inland insurance. The officers for 1882 were Samuel M. Edgell, president ; James A. Bartlett, vice-president ; and S. G. Kennedy, secretary. Di- rectors, S. M. Edgell, C. S. Greeley, R. P. Hanen- kamp, Eben Richards, John H. Beach, R. B. Brown, D. Treadway, W. H. Chick, H. W. Hough, John T. Davis, Samuel Cupples, Abram Nave, John A. Bart- lett, Hugh Rogers, C. Fatlı, A. O. Grubb.

THE HOME MUTUAL FIRE AND MARINE INSU- RANCE COMPANY was chartercd in 1846, and the first annual meeting was held in May, 1847. It then had about nine hundred members. The directors chosen were B. F. Edwards, J. M. Krum, D. D. Page, J. A. Eddy, I. L. Garrison, W. A. Nelson, J. Kern, J. Whiteliill, and Reuben Knox. The company con- tinued in existence, doing a general fire and marine insurance business, until the 9th of March, 1880, when it was declared insolvent by decree of court, and its affairs placed in the hands of the superintendent of the Insurance Department of the State for scttle- ment.

THE MISSOURI STATE MUTUAL FIRE AND MA- RINE INSURANCE COMPANY was incorporated in 1849. The first president was C. M. Valleau. The headquarters of the company are at 712 Chestnut Street. S. M. Edgell is president, and F. B. Holmes secretary. The present directors arc W. A. Harga- dine, S. M. Edgell, B. W. Alexander, J. B. C. Lucas, F. B. Holmes, C. S. Greeley, August Nedderhut, James E. Kaine, and Adolphus Meier. The original location of the company was on the southwest corner of Pine and Second Strects. Later they occupied an office in the old Exchange building, and in the Mer- chants' Exchange building. From the latter place they removed to their present quarters.

THE ST. LOUIS MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE COM- PANY was organized on the 22d of February, 1851, under the name of the St. Louis Mutual Fire and

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INSURANCE, TELEGRAPH, POSTAL SERVICE, GAS, AND HOTELS.

Marine Insurance Company of St. Louis. The in- corporators were John Kern, A. F. Hummitsch, E. F. Thuemmler, Jacob Rosenbaum, Peter Pelizarro, Adolph Kehr, Henry Kayser, Thomas Julius Meier, John C. Mueller, and Louis Bach. Originally its office was situated on the northeast corner of Second and Market Streets, but subsequently it was removed to the southeast corner of Seventh and Locust Streets. The building now occupied by the company was pur- chased in 1869. The company transacts a fire in- surance business. Its first president was John Kern, who held office until August, 1856.1 Its first secre- tary was George Weinhagen, and its first treasurer A. F. Hummitsch. The first board of directors was composed of John Kern, Adolph Kehr, A. F. Hum- mitsch, Henry Kayser, E. F. Thuemmler, Thomas J. Meier, Jacob Rosenbaum, and Louis Baclı. The charter expired April 16, 1880, and the company was reorganized under the general insurance statutes, and received its charter for ninety-nine ycars, July 1, 1881, as the St. Louis Mutual Fire Insurance Com- pany of St. Louis. The officers for 1882 were : Presi- dent, John C. Vogel ; Vice-President, John G. Haas ; Secretary, John J. Sutter ; Board of Directors, John C. Vogel, Michael Voeple, Caspar Stolle, Charles L. Stuever, John H. Mueller, John G. Haas, Charles Branahl, John P. W. Thul, and Henry G. Sach- leben.

THE AMERICAN CENTRAL INSURANCE COMPANY was incorporated by an act of the Legislature approved Feb. 23, 1853, under the name of the Atlantic Mutual Insurance Company, the commissioners named in the act being Derick A. January, Phocian R. McCreery, John Cavender, Phillips Crow, and William T. Essex. In the following November the commissioners reported that they had secured sixty-four subscriptions, amount- ing to $126,000. A permanent organization was effected Jan. 10, 1854, the following persons being elected trustees : Wayman Crow, Jolin Cavender, John F. Darby, Phillips Crow, D. A. January, P. R. Mc- Crecry, William H. Pitman, John S. Cavender, James Smith, Christopher Rhodes, George P. Doan, John B. Carson, Samuel Russell, Charles P. Chouteau, O. W. Child, Samuel G. Rccd, James A. Jamcson, George Partridge, George Robinson, D. J. Hancock, and John J. Mudd. John F. Darby was elected first president on the 13th of January ; Samucl Russell, vice-president, and I. J. Welbourn, secretary.

In 1869 the capital stock was increased and the assets invested in United States securities. On the 22d of September of that year the name was changed to the American Central, and the business was subse- quently extended to large proportions, agencies being established in other States. The losses of the company by the great Chicago fire destroyed its paid up capital, -$275,000,-but the corporation continucd in busi- ness and soon regained its former prosperity. At the present time the American Central is one of the most flourishing institutions of its kind in St. Louis, a sur- plus of $255,295.49 having been accumulated. For a number of years the company occupied a portion of the St. Louis Life Insurance building at Sixth and Locust Streets, but it subscquently removed to 419 Olive Street, where it is now located. The officers for 1882 were George T. Cram, president ; S. M. Dodd, vice-president ; W. H. Pulsifcr, treasurer ; and Jamcs Newman, secretary ; Directors, S. M. Dodd, John Wahl, George O. Carpenter, George A. Madill, James Newman, John L. Blair, W. M. Senter, W. H. Pulsifer, D. Rorick, George L. Joy, George T. Cram, and G. W. Chadbourne.

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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 93

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