USA > Missouri > Cole County > Jefferson City > The Bench and bar of St. Louis, Kansas City, Jefferson City, and other Missouri cities : biographical sketches > Part 17
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 17
USA > Missouri > Jackson County > Kansas City > The Bench and bar of St. Louis, Kansas City, Jefferson City, and other Missouri cities : biographical sketches > Part 17
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The judge was originally a democrat, but not a slavery extensionist. He voted the Bell-Everett ticket in 1800, and, since the breaking out of the civil war, his association has been with the republican party. He has been a Blue Lodge Mason since 1850.
The judge was married in May, 1847, to Miss jane Delaplane, of Hamilton, Ohio, and they have buried two children, and have nine living.
HON. THOMAS A. BRYANT. KANSAS CITY.
T' THOMAS V. BRYANT was born in Stanford, Lincoln county, Kentucky, July 16, 1839; son of Doctor John Bryant, who removed to Independence, Missouri, in 1850. His mother, before marriage, was Martha A. Vaughn. Thomas was graduated at Bethany College, West Virginia, in 1866; commenced the study of the law that year in the office of Chrisman and Sawyer, of Independence, Mis- souri, where he continued until 1867, when he commenced the practice of the law as junior member of the firm of Woodson, Shely and Bryant, which partnership continued until 1876, when Judge Woodson went on the beach. He then formed a partnership with Meade Woodson, a son of the judge, under the firm name of Woodson and Bryant. This partnership continued until 1873, when it was dis- solved, and Mr. Bryant entered into partnership with D. B. Holmes, his present partner, under the firm name of Bryant and Holmes. In April, 1882, Hon. James R. Waddill was admitted to the firm, which has been continued up to the present time.
Mr. Bryant has received a liberal patronage from the beginning, and he has been very successful, He is a well read lawyer, possessing a sound, practical judgment; is industrious, and stands high in the profession and as a citizen.
He was elected to the state senate in 1880 for a term of four years. At the special session of 1882 he was chairman of the committee for redistricting the
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THE BENCH AND BAR OF MISSOURI CITIES.
congressional districts of the state, and at the session of 1883 was chairman of the committee on ways and means, a member of the judiciary committee, of the committee on constitutional amendments, state printing, and the committee on insurance. Mr. Bryant took an active part in the progressive legislation that characterized that assembly. He is a Knight of Pythias, and in politics a thor- ough going democrat
AUGUST REBENACK.
A UGUST REBENACK was born August 22, 1849, at Bavaria, Germany. He is the son of Christopher Rebenack, a teacher by occupation, and Susanna (Crom) Rebenack. He immigrated to America in 1858, and landed in New Orleans, where he remained a month, and then came to Saint Louis, where he arrived in July of that year. He attended his father's school, both in Germany and this country, and also Jones' Commercial College, in Saint Louis. He taught school until he was twenty-three years of age; studied law, and was ad- mitted to the bar in 1871, but he continued to teach school two years after that date. Hle then opened a law office in Saint Louis, and has been favored with a reasonable share of business, and has a respectable clientage. He has been a hard student all of his life; has a retentive memory, and has a rich store of legal knowledge.
Mr. Rebenack is a good advocate, speaking both English and German fluently; is a man of excellent habits, a courteous gentleman, and has many friends. He was the democratic candidate for the legislature in 1878, running far ahead of his ticket in a hopelessly republican district.
He was married, May 10, 1879, to Miss Anna Agnes Frehsman, an amiable lady. They have two children.
DAVID T. GENTRY.
AVID TANDY GENTRY, one of the youngest members of the Audrain county bar, is a son of Rev. Pleasant T. and Mary (Quisenberry) Gentry, and was born in Clark county, Kentucky, November 24, 1852. In 1855 the family came into this state and located in Randolph county. The parents are now living in the western part of Audrain county, where the father, though seventy years of age, has charge of a Baptist Church.
Our subject was educated at Mount Pleasant College, Randolph county. taking the scientific course, and teaching one term while pursuing his studies. He afterward occupied the chair of mathematics two years in that college, and then went to California, and there taught two years, studying law more or less at the same time.
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Returning to Missouri in 1878, he finished his law studies at Huntsville, and was admitted to the bar in the spring of 1886, since which time he has been in general practice in Mexico. He is a thoughtful young man, understanding the value of close application to the study as well as duties of his profession, and he does all his legal work to the very best of his abilities
Mr. Gentry was elected city attorney in April, 1883, and is now performing the duties of that office; is secretary of the democratic county central committee, and at times somewhat active in political matters; is a member of the Baptist Church, the leader of its choir, and a young man of good influence in the social and religious circles of the city.
Mr. Gentry was married in June, 1870, to Miss Mollie E. Eubank, of Boone county, and they have three children.
WASHINGTON ADAMS. KINSAS CITY.
T HE subject of this biographical notice was born April 16, 1849, in Boone- ville, Cooper county, Missouri. He prepared for college at the school of F. T. Kemper, a brother of ex-Governor Kemper, of Virginia; entered the Uni- versity of Virginia, at Charlottesville, and in 1807 commenced the study of law at that place, which he continued with his uncle, Hou. Washington Adams, formerly one of the judges of the supreme court of Missouri.
Washington Adams moved to Kansas City in the summer of 1870, where he has been actively engaged in practice since that time. He was elected city attor- ney in 1875, and again in 1876. In the spring of 1886 he was appointed city counselor, which office he held one term.
Mr. Adams has attained high rank at the bar for a man of his age. His judg- ment is of high order; he has the faculty of grasping the pivotal points of a case with great case; his mind is active and subtle, and he is "practical and dis- criminating in his legal practice. He is a diligent student and stands high with professional brethren. He is a strong, logical reasoner, and a good advocate. Among the important cases in which Mr. Adams has been engaged may be mentioned the celebrated case of John Broesnahan as. J. W. Rucker, constable of Kan township. It was on a petition for habeas corpus, brought to test the validity of the statute prohibiting the manufacture and sale of oleomargarine in Missouri; tried in the summer of 1883 at Kansas City before Justice Miller, of the United States supreme court; Me Crazy, United States circuit judge, and Krekle, United States district judge, of west Missouri. Hon. Roscoe Conkling, of New York, Charles K. Offield, of Chicago, and Tichenor Warner and Dean appeared in the interests of the manufacturers of New York and Kentucky, and Mr. Adams and E. P. Gates represented the state. The argument of Mr. Adams was very able, and he received high encomiums from the bench and bar in attendance. Justice
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Miller was heard to remark that Mr. Adams was a born lawyer; that he had sel- dom heard a young lawyer speak as well, and that he seemed to get into the vis- cera of the case, and lay it open with great clearness and power. The constitu- tionality of the law was sustained.
Mr. Adams was married, June 5, 1877, to Miss Ella B. Lincoln, a native of Kentucky. She is a daughter of John K. Lincoln, of Plattsburgh, Clinton county, Missouri, and was raised in this state.
WALTER F. MCENTIRE. 1
SAINT LOUIS.
T' HIS lawyer is a native of Saint Louis, and was born, June 4, 1860. He is the son of Joseph MeEntire, an old resident of Saint Louis. His mother, before marriage, was Morgianna R. Cumming Sheble. Young MeEntire was educated in the public schools of Saint Louis. He entered the law office of Nathaniel Myers as a student and clerk, where he applied himself to the study of the law with great assiduity for a period of four years, being admitted to the bar in October, 1881. He has been favored with a reasonable amount of patronage, being engaged principally in commercial law and probate-court practice. He has already secured for clients some of the best business men in Saint Louis.
Mr. McEntire is a diligent student, and has familiarized himself with the fundamental principles of the law in all of its branches. He is also familiar with the rules of court, and its published decisions. He is a fluent speaker, forcible and logical. Having a retentive memory, and a happy faculty of presenting his thoughts to both court and jury, and a useful store of knowledge, which he has accumulated by general reading, from which he draws at will, to which may be added excellent business habits, he may look forward to a realization of his fond- est anticipations at the bar
CHARLES M. WHITNEY. SAINT LOUIS.
C HARLES MAYO WHITNEY, Collector at the port of Saint Louis, is a son of Jacob and Sally (Pratt) Whitney, and was born in Wayland, Massachu- setts, October 23, 1833. Both parents were also born in that state, and of Puri- tan stock. The grandfather of Charles was at the battle of Bunker Hill, June 17. 1775. The grandson was educated in the common schools of his native state and in the Chester ( Vermont) Academy. He taught school three or four winters in Vermont and New Jersey; read law with Hon. William Rounds, of Chester; attended the Albany Law School, and was graduated in the spring of 1859. In Angust of the next year he was married to Miss Laura A. Maxfield, of Chester, and they have one son, Charles Francis, aged twelve years.
Genis truly C. M. Whitney
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Mr. Whitney practiced at Mechanicsville, Saratoga county, and at Troy, New York, until after the close of the war, and in the autumn of 1866 he settled in Saint Louis Here his practice has been ext hisvely civil and highly remunerative.
In August, 1882, Mr. Whitney was appointed by President Arthur the Collee- Lot of Customs at this port, and shortly afterward was made United States dis- bursing agent. He has the best-paying federal office in the state, the duties of which he is discharging with the utmost promptness and fidelity.
Mr. Whitney cast his first vote at a presidential election for Colonel John C. Fremont in 1856, and has never voted any other than the republican ticket. Ile is an indefatigable worker in the interests of his party, because he believes that the triumph of its principles is for the welfare of the country.
Mi. Whitney was one of the originators of the Legion of Honor in this city, and was supreme chancellor of the order for two terms, receiving at his second election every vote. He is a popular man, and has great influence in any cause in which his energies and talents are enlisted.
ALEXANDER DAVIS.
T' THE subject of this sketch descended from patriotic stock. He is the son of George N. and Harriet (Bragg) Davis. His grandfather and seven broth- er's, one of whom was a captain, were soldiers in the revolutionary war. George N. Davis was born during the period of that memorable struggle. Alexander lived in Kentucky, where he was born February 28, 1832, until eighteen years of age, when he went to Saint Joseph, Missouri, and studied law with Judge Henry M. Lohries, and was admitted to the bar in 1855. From 1850 to 1860 he repre- sented Buchanan county in the Missouri state legislature He was an able, influ. ential member, and his counsel was bought in all matters of importance by his associates. He was honest and fearless, and looked well to the interests of his constituents. He began practice at Saint Joseph, where he continued until 1861, doing a prosperous business. He then went into the confederate army and served two years. He was a dating soldier, always prompt to do duty whenever called. He was captured, and paroled by Governor Hall ou condition that he would go west on his parole of honor. He went to Montana before the territory was organ- ized. He was in the convention called for the organization of the territory, and assisted in its organization; was elected judge of the people's court in 1863, which position he ably filled several years A little episode in his experience will illus- trate some of the phases of frontier life in those days. The notorious outlaw Slade had been before Judge Davis several times and fined for minor offenses, and upon one of these occasions he drew a pistol on the judge and threatened his life. The popularity of Judge Davis was so great that the populace demanded speedy justice. Slade was seized, tried by a vigilance committee and hung. Just
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before he was executed, he sent for fudge Davis and asked his pardon for the act, which was granted, and one of the terrors of Montana was swung into eternity. [ full account of the foregoing incident may be found in Mark Twain's " Rough- ing I'd In zbog Judge Davis returned to Saint Louis, and he has been in the Successful practice of the law since that time
Judge Davis is of medium height, with keen perceptive faculties, a Roman nose, and he wears a look of determination on his countenance that seems to indicate great force of character. His eyes are mildly blue, and his manners
ALBERT C. DAVIS.
A' LBERT C. DAVIS is a native of the Empire State. He was born in Liv- ingston county, July 20, 1836, and is a son of George J. Davis, a prominent Saint Louis lawyer. He also descended from a race of lawyers on the side of his mother, whose maiden name was Miss Cornelia Smith, daughter of Judge Albert Smith, late of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and a granddaughter of Hon. James WI. Stevens, latte judge of the court of common pleas of Geneseo county, New York. Albert was educated in Saint Louis, graduated from the high school in 1876, and from the Saint Louis law school in 18;8; read law with his father; was admitted to the bar in 1878, and has been in active practice ever since. He is one of the brightest and most active young men at the Saint Louis bar, possessing a strong memory and an excellent mind He is a logical reasoner, and will some day be distinguished for his judicial acumen and knowledge of the law.
He has a fine presence, an intellectual countenance, and an easy social turn that wins many friends.
FRANK L. SCHOFIELD.
I FRANK LEE SCHOFIELD, of the form of Anderson and Schofield, a prom- inent law firm in the fourth policial circuit, is a son of William and Phebe (Jones) Schofield, and was born in Moundsville, Virginia, October 1, 18.19. In 1851 the family came to Missouri, and settled in Lewis county, where Frank with reared and educated, he being a graduate of the Christian College, Canton, class of 1871. Before he was graduated he taught school two or three terms; was accus- tomed to work in the harvest field, and also learned the printer's trade, entirely paying his own way while pursuing his studies
Mr. Schofield read law at Camion with Me Louthan, and was admitted to the bar in 1870. He commenced practice at Canton; was appointed prosecuting attorney of the county in 1873, to fill out an unexpired term; was elected to the same office in 4874, and served in all three years. In the spring of 1878 Mr.
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Schofield went to Quiney, Ilinois, where he remained until December, 1880, when he returned to Canton, and formed a partnership with Hon J. C. Anderson, late judge of the fourth judicial cremt Anderson and Schofield have business in the federal as well as state courts, and compose one of the leading law firms in this part of the state. The particular forte of Mr. Schofield is in an argument before the court, in which respect, says an associate of his at the Lewis county bar, "he has no superior in the fourth judicial eurenit." He has, seemingly, a career of much promise before him.
November 14, 1872, the subject of this sketch was united in marriage with Miss Anna E. High, of Lewis county, and they have three children.
HON. IRA K. ALDERMAN. ALIRYVILLE.
T HIE subject of this sketch is a native of Ohio. He was born in Morgan county, May 23, 1841, the son of Ashael A and Eliza A. (Biddison) Alder- man. His parents were natives of that state. Young Alderman spent his youth- ful days on a farm, and attending school. He taught over three years, and intended to take a college course, but the breaking out of the war in 1861 caused him to change his course He enlisted, August 12, 1801, in Company 1, 30th Olio infantry, under General George Crook He served over three years, taking part in several battles, the most prominent of which were the Second Bull Run, South Mountain and Antietam; he was wounded in the last named battle. His regiment afterward took part in the battles of Chattanooga, Missionary Ridge and Chickamauga. It was in Hunter's raid in West Virginia, and finished up the campaign in the Shenandoah Valley. Mr. Alderman was a brave soldier, always at his post, and cheerfully performed every duty assigned to him. He re- mained in service until the expiration of his term of enlistment, notwithstanding constant exposure proved disastrous to his health. He was mustered out, Sep- tomber af, 8og, at Columbus, Ohio.
After remaining at home nearly three years, and recruiting his health, he went to Savannah, Andrew county, Missouri, arriving there, April 22, 1800. He came to Maryville in the latter part of December, of that year, when he engaged in teaching, and was one of the first teachers in the first brick school building. His health having improved, he returned to Ohio. July 31, of that year, he married Miss Hallie S. Laflance, a lady of French-American origin, and a daughter of John Lallance, in life a resident of Ohio. She was born in Meigs county, Ohio, May 12, 1843.
In October, 1868, Mr. Alderman returned with his wife to Maryville, where he gave his attention to mercantile pursuits until the autumn of 1870, when he was elected judge of the probate court of Nodaway county. That position he held four years, with great credit to himself, and to the utmost satisfaction of all. Ile
THE BEACH AND BAR OF MISSOURI CITIES.
commenced the study of the law before leaving Ohio; completed his studies here, and was admitted to the bar in 1871. He actively engaged in the practice of the law alone in 1871, and continued until August, 1879, when he formed a partnership with 1. Isham White, which expired in 1882. He has a large and lucrative practice, taking a front rank among the members of the Nodaway county bar. Judge Alderman is a lawyer of good ability, and well read in his profession. He is careful and accurate, has a well balanced judgment and a retentive memory. He tries his cases well, and for uprightness, he has no supe- rior, having the entire confidence of the community where he moves.
Politically Judge Alderman is a republican, and an able advocate of the prin- ciples of that party. He has been an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for the last twenty four years; is superintendent of the Sunday school, and was a day delegate to the general conference held in May, 1880, at Cincinnati He was one of the first members of the Missouri Bar Association, and was a charter member, and is adjutant of Sedgwick Post, No. 21, department of Mis- souri, of the Grand Army of the Republic, and is aide de camp on the staff of General Warner, department commander
He has three children: Dale V., born July 14, 1869; Ada A., born May 8, 1871. and Ira Verne, born January 10, 1877. One son, Glen L., died in infancy.
WILLIAM R. WALKER.
W ILLIAM ROBERTSON WALKER of the firm of Walker and Walker, is a native of Scotland, born in Aberdeen, January 22, 1840, his parents being William and Mary (Robertson) Walker. He received most of his educa- tion in the arts in private, his course of studies including the higher mathe- maties and classics. He read law with Milne and Walker, advocates, Aberdeen; came to Saint Louis in 1868, and for a while was deputy clerk in the United States court. He was married in New York city in 1800, to Miss Marjory Galen, who died the following year.
Mr. Walker was admitted to the bar of Saint Louis in 1873, and in the same year made the tour of Europe. For a few years after entering upon his profes- sion, Mr. Walker's practice was largely bankruptcy, and quite extensive, he mak- ing a success, so to speak, from the very start. His practice is now general, and is quite remunerative The firm of Walker and Walker has been connected with many important cases, involving great interests, and exhibiting decided skill and extensive knowledge of law on their part. They have just won, with other coun- sel for defendants, an important suit in the circuit court of the United States, eastern district of Missouri, the suit of the Washburn and Moen Manufacturing Company, and Isaac . Ellwood, against several parties, for manufacturing and selling barbed wire, involving the validity of different patents.
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Persons most intimately acquainted with William R. Walker, socially as well as professionally, place him in the front row of the younger class of Saint Louis attorneys. Like the Scotch generally, he did not allow himself to enter upon his profession in a shabby outfit. He has great respect for the profession, and is honoring it
Mr. Walker is a republican in his political tenets, and very decided in his views, but manages to keep out of office, giving his whole time to his profession. His associate in business is his cousin, George Walker
WILLIAM H. CLOPTON.
SINT LOUIS.
W ILLIAM IL. CLOPTON is a native of Alabama, born near Huntsville, August 24, 1847. He is the son of Doctor James A. Clapton, an eminent physician, and one of the prominent surgeons in the South. His mother before marriage was Miss Mary Penny. His grandfather was an officer in the war of 1812. William Clapton began his education in La Grange Military Institute, La Grange, Alabama; from that institution he went into the Southern University, at Greensborough, Mabana. He then went into the confederate army and served until its close. He entered the University of Virginia, pursued the academic course one year, and was graduated from the law department in June, 1868. In October of the same year he came to Saint Louis, and was admitted to the bar. He taught school four months in Saint Louis county, and commenced the practice of the law in the summer of 1800, at Saint Louis, where he has been in practice ever since. Mr. Cloption is an able lawyer, an excellent advocate, and is discriminating in his practice. He gives special attention to land and insurance cases.
He is a social gentleman, and his personal appearance is very fine, he being tall, well proportioned, and weighing one hundred and sixty-five pounds; his eyes are blue, his hair is dark, and he shaves clean with the exception of the mous- tache.
HON. GEORGE HALL .. TRENTON.
T' T HE subject of this sketch is an able lawyer, who, by strict attention to busi- ness, and fidelity to his clients, has attained a high rank at the Grundy county bar. He was born March to, 184o, in Hamilton county, Indiana, and is the son of Franklin Hall and Eliza J. (Sharp) Hall. His father was a wealthy farmer, who held the office of county assessor one term, and other minor offices, and was highly respected; now retired, and living at Indianapolis, Indiana, for the last sixteen years. The grandfathers of our subject, both in paternal and maternal line, were soldiers in the second war with England. He was educated
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in the common schools and at Danville (Indiana) Academy; read law with Colo- nel J. W. Blake, of Indianapolis, judge of the circuit court, and was admitted to the bat April 17. 1867, at Indianapolis He then came to Trenton, where he still are .. . and began the other of the last. He catered at once upon a suc- cessful carter, and has dont an este drive business. He was elected judge of the probate court in 1871, which office he ably filled until 1879. He held the office of city attorney two terms
Judge Hall is a lawyer of excellent judgment, and is discriminating in his practice He has a good memory, and is a strong reasoner and an excellent advocate before both court and jury. He is learned in the law, and has the utmost confidence of the community. He is an affable gentleman, social in his intercourse with mankind, and has a large circle of warm friends, who prize him for his true manhood and intellectual attainments
He was married April 15, 1800, to Miss Rachel .A. Smith, an estimable lady of Trenton. They have four children.
ALFRED F. POULTON.
A' LERED FRANKLIN POULTON is a son of Alfred and Lydia (Lyder) Poulton, and was born near Columbiana, Columbiana county, Ohio, Novem- ber 4, 1849. His parents were natives of Loudoun county, Virginia. In the spring of 1857 the family immigrated to Marion county, Missouri, and settled in Pal- myra, where the son was educated in Saint Paul's College, an Episcopal school, of which the noted educator, Doctor Will.un B. Corbyn, was principal.
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