USA > Missouri > Cole County > Jefferson City > The Bench and bar of St. Louis, Kansas City, Jefferson City, and other Missouri cities : biographical sketches > Part 15
USA > Missouri > St Louis County > St Louis City > The Bench and bar of St. Louis, Kansas City, Jefferson City, and other Missouri cities : biographical sketches > Part 15
USA > Missouri > Jackson County > Kansas City > The Bench and bar of St. Louis, Kansas City, Jefferson City, and other Missouri cities : biographical sketches > Part 15
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53
Another of less magnitude, though equally complimentary to Mr. White, was the case of Wright as. Bircher's executor. There were also two trials of this case. Mr. White represented the plaintiff, and the defendant was represented by three of our ablest lawyers. The suit was for $4,000 unliquidated damages. At the first trial there was an offer of $200 compromise made by defendant, which was rejected, and upon trial the jury gave a verdict in favor of the plaintiff for over $9oo. This verdict was set aside and a new trial granted by the court, and upon retrial the defendant called in the services of the late Colonel Slayback, whose great reputation as a powerful advocate and great jury lawyer at the Saint Louis bar was preeminent beyond question, who made one of his ablest and most strenuous efforts. Mr. White this time had the closing argument, and succeeded in obtaining a verdict in favor of his client for $4,207.50, interest being added by the jury, or nearly five times the amount of the first verdict, which, under the Missouri law, it being the second verdict in favor of plaintiff, could not be dis- turbed, and the judgment was made final. " This case," Mr. White was heard to
1 24
THE BENCH AND BAR OF MISSOURI CITIES.
say, "was the last I ever tried against poor Slayback -grand advocate, noble man that he was; he was soon thereafter taken from us."
Mr White is now in the prime and bloom of young manhood, though having been in delicate health for several years until quite recently. His health is now restored, and his prospects for the future are indeed bright. His manner is mod- est and retiring, avoiding ostentation and display at all times. He has never per- mitted his name to be used in connection with office or politics, evidently pre- ferring to be respected and esteemed as a competent, conscientious lawyer and good citizen in preference to office seeking or holding.
October 19, 1881, Mr. White was married to Miss Cornelia Douglas Bissell, then twenty-two years old, and one of Missouri's fairest and most popular belles, noted alike for her strength of character and graceful beauty, a daughter of James R. Bissell, a wealthy land owner of Saint Louis county, and granddaughter of Gen- eral Daniel Bissell, who, in the early days of Missouri, commanded the military districts of Missouri, Arkansas and Louisiana, and owned several thousand acres of land in Saint Louis county. Of this marriage there was born, June 14, 1883, a little daughter, Annie Bissell White.
JOHN R. CHRISTIAN.
SAINT LOUIS.
T HE subject of this notice is a native of Missouri, and was born in Randolph county, June 23, 1844. He is a son of Napoleon B. Christian, a Kentuckian by birth, having immigrated to Missouri in 1830, and settled on a farm in Ran- dolph county, living there until he died, in 1868. His mother before marriage was Martha, daughter of George Swetman, an extensive farmer of Scott county, Kentucky. Our subject spent his early days on the farm. He entered Mount Pleasant College, and was graduated in 1862; commenced the study of law the same year, and was admitted to the bar in November, 1863. He commenced practice at Huntsville, where he resided until he removed to Saint Louis in 1881. He gained quite a wide reputation as a lawyer in Randolph and adjoining counties. The only office he ever held was county attorney from 1865 to 1867. He is a firm, consistent democrat in politics. He formed a partnership with J. S. Hunter in 1868, and founded and edited the Huntsville " Herald," continuing its editorial management two years, since which time he has devoted his time to the practice of his profession. He is a forcible talker, and has had great success in the management of his cases in court, seldom losing a case before a jury.
Since he has been a member of the Saint Louis bar he has been connected with a number of cases, the most important being the celebrated case of Givens vs. Van Studdifed. This case has been to the sub court twice (now pending). In the trial courts he got a judgment for $3,500, which was appealed to the court of appeals. It has been the custom for years for the judges of the circuit courts
*
125
THE BENCH AND BAR OF MISSOURI CITIES.
on the last day of the term to make a general order that all motions not disposed of be continued to the next term. The clerks never put this general order on the records; as the motion for new trial was not disposed of at the time at which the case was tried, and as the bill of exceptions did not show this order of con- tinuance, he took the position in his argument and brief before the court of appeals that the case was not properly before them. The court, through Judge Bakewell, sustained this view, and offered the judgment of the circuit court. This decision was an important one, and it affected many cases then pending in court.
Ile has for a number of years given real estate a special attention, and has bought and sold it in considerable quantities. While he lived in Randolph county he laid out an addition to the city of Moberly containing two hundred and ten lots, which is known as Christian's subdivision.
Since his residence in Saint Louis, only two years, he has made two additions to the city, having subdivided about twenty acres on Cote Brilliante, which is now known as Christian's subdivision and Christian's second subdivision. This property, through Mr. Christian and others, is now nearly all built up with cosy residences.
LOUIS H. BREKER.
SAINT CHARLES.
OUIS HENRY BREKER. mayor of the city of Saint Charles, was born in Kamen, Westphalia, Prussia, October 8, 1848, being a son of Philip and Wil- helmina (Butfurhing) Breker In his infancy ( 18;o) the family came to this state, and settled in Saint Charles, where the father was a clothing merchant for many years, and where he still resides. Both he and his wife are in prime health. Louis Breker attended the public schools and a Catholic Church school in this city until his thirteenth year, when he became a drummer boy in the Union army. At four- teen he took a musket and carried it, serving, as drummer and soldier, between three and four years, being in company II, ist Missouri state militia. On leaving the army, Mr. Breker worked for Nathaniel Reid, assistant assessor, until he had earned money enough to take him through a full course at Jones' Commercial College, Saint Louis, from which he was graduated in the summer of 1866. In the autumn of that year he entered the office of Joseph Maher, clerk of the circuit court, where he remained several years. He then transferred his connection to the office of Gustave Bruere, clerk of the county court and recorder. Subse- quently he was with Henry E. Machens, as deputy collector and deputy sheriff, for half a year or more. He was clerk for Colonel Emmons, United States assessor, when the car shops were started; and when Colonel Emmons became the secretary of that company, Mr. Breker became his assistant, remaining with the colonel until 1875.
For some time our subject had had the profession of law in view, and now turned his whole attention to its study in the office of Senator Edwards, and was
126
THE BENCH AND BAR OF MISSOURI CITIES.
admitted to the bar in the spring of 1876 He is doing a fair business in the civil and criminal courts, and is regarded as an upright and honorable lawyer, and a valuable citizen. His character in all respects stands well.
Mr. Breker is quite popular, and is kept almost constantly in some office. For three terms in succession he was elected a councilman from the fourth ward; and in April, 1882, he was elected mayor of the city, an office which he still holds. His politics are democratic. He has a good share of public spirit, and is progressive in his disposition. He originated the hook and ladder company, and was its first captain and president. The latter office he still holds. He is secretary of the Saint Charles Citizens' Association, recorder of the Saint Charles Lodge No. 105 of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and vice dictator of Ivanhoe Lodge 1812, of the Knights of Honor.
Mayor Breker was married April 16, 1868, to Miss Elvira M. Charlesworth, of Saint Charles county, and five children, four daughters and one son, have blest this union, all yet living. Mr. Breker is a Catholic.
He has taken care of himself since twelve years of age, and is largely self-edu- cated as well as self-made. He learned to write while in the army, still in his teens; all through his younger years, while his mates were at play, he was with his book; and so the drummer boy of 1861 is mayor of Saint Charles in 1883-84.
JOHN D. DAVIS. SAINT LOUIS.
S. SAINT LOUIS is well represented in the legal profession by men who were born and reared here, and who, while growing to manhood in the midst of the evil temptations and influences common to all large cities, have maintained the dignity and purity of their character, and attained to an excellent standing in their profession. Prominent among this class is John D. Davis. He is a son of Horatio N. and Margaret (johnston) Davis, and was born March 30, 1851. His father, who was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, came to Saint Louis in 1833, and until his death, in 1870, was prominently identified with the mercantile inter- ests of the city.
Mr. Davis prepared for college at the Washington University, Saint Louis; entered the sophomore class of Princeton College in 1869, and was graduated in the class of 1872. He read law in the office of Glover and Shepley, Saint Louis, and at the same time pursued his legal studies at the Saint Louis Law School, a department of Washington University, taking his degree of bachelor of laws in 1874. Thereupon, he opened an office in Saint Louis, where he has since contin- ued the active practice of his profession, without interruption, and with marked success. Real estate, corporation and commercial business have constituted the chief departments of his work, but from his admission to the bar he has been actively engaged in general practice, confining himself to no special branch of litigation.
.
127
THE BENCH AND BAR OF MISSOURI CITIES.
The political leanings of Mr. Davis are toward the democratic party, but we cannot learn that he is an active partisan, or permits anything to turn him aside from his professional labors. He evidently loves the law, and is a studious, grow- ing man.
Mr. Davis was united in marriage with Marion L., daughter of John R. Lion- berger, of Saint Louis, November 6, 1877.
WILLIAM D. CARLISLE. KANSAS CITY.
W TILLIAM D. CARLISLE is a native of Virginia. He was born in Phi- lippi, Barbour county, May 20, 1851, son of the late Hon. John S. Carlisle, representative and senator in congress from Virginia, in all more than thirty years. He was United States senator at the time West Virginia was made an independent state. He framed the bill for its organization; was instrumental in pushing that bill through congress, and was afterward called "the father of the state." His loyalty to the Union cause during the war, and his great ability, caused him to be a prominent candidate for vice president, with Abraham Lin- coln, in place of Andrew Johnson. His reputation was national. He was a very eloquent speaker. He attended the convention at Richmond, held to consider the question of secession, and made a powerful speech against seceding. The excitement was so great that his life was endangered by mob violence. Mr. Car- liste was surrounded by the loyal ladies of Richmond, and was protected by their presence. They presented him with a pure white stone, taken from his native mountains of West Virginia, with a charm attached, and an inscription was thereon written, expressing their admiration of him. He has been complimented as the strongest man in the senate at that time, and in appearance very much resembled the late Senator Stephen A. Douglas.
The grandfather of our subject was Jonathan Carlisle, a lawyer of great brill- iancy, learning and distinction, in Virginia. He was the master of eleven differ- ent languages, and a descendant of the Black Douglas family, illustrious in Scotch history. The mother of our subject, before marriage, was Miss Mary E. Gettings, a first cousin of General Thomas Jonathan Jackson, familiarly known as Stonewall Jackson.
William D. Carlisle attended the Quaker school at Nazareth, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, at eleven years of age, and afterward the military institute at Cottonsville, near Baltimore, Maryland. He entered the University of West Virginia, at Morgantown, but left that institution at the close of his junior year, at the age of seventeen years, on account of delicate health. He afterward attended Michigan University, at Ann Arbor; studied law in his father's office at Clarksburgh, West Virginia, and was admitted to the West Virginia bar on his twenty-first birthday. He commenced practice at that place, and was favored
125
THE BENCH AND BAR OF MISSOURI CITIES.
with a liberal share of patronage. At the age of twenty-two he was elected to the legislature, by the largest popular majority over cast for any candidate in Harrison county. He was an independent candidate, being the fifth in the field; was a member of the committees on finance, science and arts, and the judiciary, and was elected by view vore vole, as one of the managers to prosecute the auditor and treasurer of the state, on articles of impeachment. During this time he was engaged in a number of murder cases, and had a large practice in the United States courts.
1
In December, 1875, he was married to Miss Mary S. Foster, of Chicago, and consulting her preference as to residence, resigned his seat in the legislature and removed to Chicago, where he remained two years, establishing a large and lucrative practice, but his health failing, he was compelled to seek a milder climate. He spent six months in Colorado and California, recruiting his health, and came to Kansas City, in December, 1878, where he does principally a com- mercial business.
Mr. Carlisle is an erudite and profound lawyer, in all branches of the profes- sion. Ils mind is subtle, lucid and comprehensive. He possesses great fluency, and often illustrates his views with rhetorical figures. His delivery is energetic, without verging on extravagance. He is urbane in his manners, and is a gentle- man of culture and refinement.
THOMAS A. WITTEN. TRENTON.
T F
HE subject of this sketch is a young lawyer of fine abilities. By enter-
prise, industry and close attention to the business of his profession he has gained the universal respect and confidence of all who know him He was born July 4, 1858, at Beckley, Raleigh county, West Virginia, and is a son of R. W. Witten, a physician of considerable eminence. His mother before marriage was Miss Sarah F. Riggs. Our subject was educated at Grand River College, Edinburgh, Missouri. After graduating Mr. Witten was employed by H. H. Craig, acting manager for Bradstreet's commercial agency at Kansas City, and labored in the collection department and at office work, where he continued until September, 1879, when he was made first assistant of Marshall College State Normal School, at Huntington, West Virginia, which position he filled with much credit for one year.
Having been reading law with Judge E. Ward Guyandotte, of West Virginia, at intervals since 1870, he resigned his position, and was admitted to the West Virginia bar January 5, 1887. He removed to Kansas City, but on account of sickness soon removed to Trenton. He formed a partnership with II. L. Low, but Mr. Low soon removed from the city, and Mr. Witten has practiced law by himself since that time with excellent success. In April, 1883, he was appointed city attorney.
THE BEACH AND BAR OF MISSOURI CITIES. 120
Mr. Witten is well read in his profession, and he possesses a comprehensive mind, which is well stored with useful knowledge.
He is a fluent speaker, and although he naturally reasons from cause to effect, he often illustrates his thoughts with happy rhetorical figures; metaphor, antithe- sis, simile and vision follow each other in rich and varied profusion, and the grace of his delivery is equal to the felicity of his diction.
WILLIAM T. JOHNSON.
K.INSUS CEPY.
A' T Osceola, Missouri, August 4, 1848, the subject of this sketch was born. He is the son of Hon. Waldo P. Johnson, United States senator at the breaking out of the war, and afterward in the confederate senate. His mother was Miss Emily Moore. Mr. Johnson was educated at the University of Notre Dame, near South Bend, Indiana He was graduated in 1868, read law with his father; was admitted to the bar June 20, 1872, and commenced practice at Osceola, where he remained until January, 1879, when he removed to Kansas City, and formed a partnership with John H. Lucas, They receive a reasonable share of patronage, and are attorneys for the Kansas City Cable Railroad Company, and Kansas City and Southern Railway Company. Mr. Johnson is a good lawyer, and practices in all of the courts, both state and federal. He is a gentleman of fine presence, has a high, commanding forehead, black eyes, brown hair and heavy beard, and even, full and classic features He is courteous, refined and cultured, and is pleasant in his address, easy in his intercourse with mankind, and enjoys the society of his many friends
CHAMP CLARK. BOWLING GREEN.
THE subject of this sketch is a native of Anderson county, Kentucky, and son of John H. and Aletha Jane ( Beauchamp) Clark, his birth being dated March 7, 1850. His father was a native of New Jersey, his mother of Kentucky. Hle received his literary education at the University of Kentucky, Lexington, and Bethany College, West Virginia, being graduated at the latter institution in 1873, with the highest honors of his class. He was president one year of Mar- shall College, West Virginia, the first normal school in that state. His legal education he obtained at the Cincinnati law school, receiving the degree of bach- elor of laws April 22, 1875, and commencing practice at Louisiana, Pike county, this state. While a resident of Louisiana he held the office of city attorney a lit- tle over two years. In December, 1880, Mr. Clark moved to Bowling Green, ten miles west of Louisiana, and the county seat, where he is quite successful in his
17
1 30
THE BENCH AND BIR OF MISSOURI CITIES.
practice, as he was at Louisiana. He had a good foundation in the first place in his education, legal as well as literary, and is building a good reputation as a sound lawyer and successful advocate He was city attorney of Bowling Green six months, and has acted as prosecuting attorney fre Ae on two or three occa- sions. He alls any office in which he is placed with marked ability. He was a presidential elector in 1885 on the Hancock and English ticket, and stumped the State, as he did also in 1882, he being an able and popular speaker, clearly and forcibly presenting the principles of the democratic party. Persons who have often heard him on the rostrum give him credit for brilliancy as an orator. Mr. Clark is attorney for the Citizens' Bank of Bowling Green. He is a Chapter Mason, a Knight of Honor and a member of the Christian Church.
He was married, December 14, 1881, to Miss Genevieve D. Bennett, of Callaway county, and they have one son, Champ Clark. J.
BRADLEY D. LEE.
SUNE LOUIS.
B RADLEY D. LEE was born in Litchfield county, Connecticut, March 24, 1838. He was the son of Henry B. and Mary ( Austin) Lee. His father was a large farmer, builder and active business man His grandfather, David Lee. was a soldier in the revolutionary war. His father had five sons. Edwin R. was a captain in the 11th regiment Connecticut infantry, and was killed at the battle of New Berne, North Carolina, in 1862, and Henry B., Jr., was first lieutenant in the 7th regiment Connectiont infantry, commanded by Colonel Hawley, now United States senator from Connectiont, and was killed before Richmond in one of the last engagements in the war. Bradley went into the service as first lieu- tenant in the 19th regiment Connecticut infantry; was afterward appointed by President Lincoln on general staff service, with rank of captain, and afterward promoted to rank of major. He continued in the service natil the close of the War
He Just received a common school education, and afterward was some time in Williston Seminary at East Hampton, Massachusetts. He read law with Hon. Hiram Goodwin, of Riverton, Litchfield county, for two years before entering the army, and upon retiring from the service entered Yale Law School, being grad- uated therefrom in 1866, when he came immediately to Saint Louis and engaged in the practice of his profession. In 1872 he formed a law partnership with Hon. E. B. Adams, now one of the judges of the circuit court of Saint Louis, and remained with him until 1878, when he was elected to the bench. Mr. Lee then formed a partnership with Hon. Jeff Chandler, which continued for two years. Mr. Chandler removed to Washington in January, 1881, when Mr. Lee formed a partnership with Hon. D. P. Dyer and John P. Ellis, with whom he is at present associated.
131
THE BEACH AND BAR OF MISSOURI CITIES.
He is an excellent trial lawyer, a good advocate, lucid, luminous, cogent and logical. He is thoroughly versed in all of the technicalities of the law, and the rules of practice in both state and federal courts, in which courts the firm has an extensive practice. Mr. Lee is a gentleman of strict integrity, and conducts all of his business according to the highest standard of professional ethics.
He is a gentleman of fine presence, of medium height, of robust form, an in- tellectual countenance, auburn hair and blue eyes; easy, courteous, gentlemanly, and enjoys the society of his many friends
He was married to Miss Waterman, daughter of Hon. A. P. Waterman, of Beloit, Wisconsin, an estimable lady. They have two sons.
GEORGE M. STEWART. 1
G EORGE M. STEWART is a native of Hampden county, Massachusetts, and the son of Adams and Lucinda Hicks ( Leonard) Stewart. His paternal grandfather was a revolutionary soldier. George prepared for college at Monson, Massachusetts, Academy; entered Union College, Schenectady, and was gradu- ated in 1863. After a term of service in the army he read law in the office of Ashmun, Leonard and Wells, of Springfield, Massachusetts; came to Saint Louis in the spring of 1866; was admitted to the bar, and immediately opened an office. He has been in the general civil practice ever since. In 1872 he was appointed dean of the Saint Louis law school, which position he filled until 1878, when he resigned.
OLIVER C. CLAY.
O LIVER CARROLL CLAY, prosecuting attorney of Lewis county, is a son of Little B. and Barbara G. Clay, and dates his birth in the city of Saint Louis May 27, 1849. His father, who was a native of Kentucky, brought his fam- ily to Lewis county in the summer of 1861, and settled on a farm three miles northeast of Monticello, and the next day commenced teaching his son, then twelve years of age, how to do farm work. Three or four years later the father went on the river, and took his old position as captain of a steamboat, leaving Oliver to manage the farm, promising him an opportunity, by and by, to secure an education. Captain Clay invested his money in a steamboat, had bad luck, and when Oliver wanted to prepare for college, he learned that he must pay his own expenses. This he did, and was graduated at the Christian University, Canton, June 4, 1871, taking the full bachelor of arts course. At the start, on entering that institution, he took the post of janitor, which he held the full four years. During the last three years he also heard two lessons daily, keeping up with his
THE BEACH UND BY. OF MISSOURI CITIES.
own classes. During the latter half of that period he was also one of the editors of the " University Record," a monthly periodical. In addition to thus support- ing himself he had to help his father
On leaving the university Mr. Clay was owing a small sum of money, and to liquidate this debt he entered the ripened wheat fields in Illinois three days after receiving his diploma, and worked his way northward into central Minnesota, spending the time harvesting, carning money enough to square accounts with his creditors, and returned home September 4. In that autumn he taught school three months north of Canton, then took a subordinate position in the public schools of Canton, and the next year became principal of those schools, gaining great credit by his ability and his fidelity as a teacher In 187; he took Professor Gout's place in the mathematical chair of the university, and occupied it for three years, read- ing low at the same time under the preceptorshipet Blait and Marchand, of Mon- trello. He was admitted to the bar in September, 1876, while still teaching in the university, an example of industry and perseverance worthy of all commen- dation. 1
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.