USA > Missouri > Cole County > Jefferson City > The Bench and bar of St. Louis, Kansas City, Jefferson City, and other Missouri cities : biographical sketches > Part 18
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 18
USA > Missouri > Jackson County > Kansas City > The Bench and bar of St. Louis, Kansas City, Jefferson City, and other Missouri cities : biographical sketches > Part 18
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For three years he was deputy circuit clerk of Marion county, and dipped into law books some during that period. He finished his legal studies in the office of Hon. Waller M. Boulware, of Palmyra; was admitted to the bar in 1870, and since that date has been in practice at Canton, Lewis county. Latterly he has made a specialty of real-estate law, collections and probate business, and is up- right, straightforward and prompt in all business transactions. A gentleman who knew him when he was a law student as well as since, thus speaks of him : " Mr. Poulton was a clear-headed young man, of a strong and vigorous mind, diligent in his application to books, of excellent habits in all respects, and he is eminently reliable and trustworthy."
He was city attorney two terms and mayor two terms, being elected to the latter office without opposition. During his administration the debt of the city was settled and adjusted, and the city placed on a sound financial basis. Ile made an efficient chief magistrate.
In 1878, Mr. Poulton was the opposition candidate for judge of the probate court, in a strong democratic county, and ran two or three hundred votes ahead of his ticket, but was defeated. He added in starting the "Canton News." a
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republican paper, and was its political editor in (88o. He is now chairman of the county central committee of his party, and is a man of a good deal of influ- once in political and social circles
In tyg to 1878 he was United States commissioner under appointment of Judge Dillon, of the United States circuit court, for the eastern district of Mis- souri; he resigned the office in 1878 on account of its interfering with other busi- ness. He is a Royal Arch Mason, and past master; and past grand in Odd Fellow- ship. Mr. Poulton is a polished gentleman, and his standing in the community is high.
PAUL BAKEWELL.
DAUL. BAKEWELL is a son of Hon. Robert A. Bakewell, judge of the court of appeals, Saint Louis, whose sketch may be found on preceding pages. The son was born in this city. August 21, 1858. The maiden name of his mother was Nancy Coudray de Laurea, she being an accomplished French lady.
Our subject was educated in the Saint Louis University and the Saint Louis Law School, being a graduate of the law school, class of 1879. He opened a law office immediately, and in a short time his business showed a fair clientage, which is on the steady increase. He gives especial attention to patent law; is doing considerable, also, in real estate, and other branches, his practice extending into the federal as well as into all the state courts. He is steady, industrious and painstaking, loving his profession and likely to rise in it.
Mr. Bakewell is a member of the Roman Catholic Church, and a young man of fine moral character.
WILLIAM J .. MORSEY.
BIRRENTON.
ILLIAM LOUIS MORSEY is a son of the late Colonel Frederick Morsey, native of Prussia, and for many years a practicing lawyer in Warren county. He married Minna Bock, also a native of Prussia, and William was the third child in a family of four children. He received a high-school education in his native county: read law with his father, and was admitted to the bar in 1870. He was of the firm of Morsey and Son until his father's death. Since 1877 he has been of the firm of Peers and Morsey, which is doing a general and good business in the several state courts Ms. Morsey is well read, and on questions of law his opinion has great weight with people who know him. He is also a good counselor and a true man. He makes no pretensions to eloquence, but reasons well, and is an excellent business man and a fine probate and commercial lawyer, having the confidence of all who know him
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Mr. Morsey has been prosecuting attorney for Warren county since 1874, and is performing the duties of the office with promptness and ability. His politics are republican. He is a past grand in Odd-Fellowship
Mr. Mersey was married in May, 1879, to Laura .1. Pullian, daughter of the late Judge John A. Pullian, of Warren county, and they have two sons.
ROBERT H. KERN.
SAINT LOUIS
R OBERT HORACE KERN, of the firm of Laughlin and Kern, hails from Bourbon county, Kentucky, where he was born November 18, 1850. His father, Strother Kern, was also born in Kentucky, descending from a Virginia family, and his mother, who was Charlotte Letton before her marriage, was born in Maryland. Robert was educated in the Kentucky University, Lexington, and the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, in which latter school he attended law lectures the last year After leaving Charlottesville he taught school nearly two years in his native state, continuing his legal studies at the same time.
In 1874 Mr. Kern came to Saint Louis, was admitted to practice, and has done well in his profession. For the last five of six years he has been local attorney for the Chicago, Alton and Saint Louis Railroad Company, and since January, 1883, he has been a partner of Hon. H D. Laughlin. His standing at the Saint Louis bar has been creditable from the start.
Mr. Kern is an active democratic politician, sometimes taking the stump for others, but we do not hear of his asking anything for himself. His religious affil- iations are with the Presbyterians. He was married, February 27, 1883, to Miss Leckie Marison, of Chicago
ROBERT G. MITCHELL.
R OBERT GWYN MITCHELL, of the firm of Dysut and Mitchell, is a son of James B and Martha C. (Dysat) Mitchell, and dates his birth in Mon- The county, Missouri, October 19, 1852. His father is a Cumberland Presbyterian minister, born in Virginia, and his mother is a native of this state, and a sister of Benjamin R. Dysart, one of the leading lawyers in Macon county, and mentioned in preceding pages of this work The family came to Macon county in 1853, before Robert was a year old, and his father was president of McGee College for many years, being now pastor at Kirksville.
The subject of this notice farmed until seventeen years old, attending school during the winter terms, and then took a classical course in McGee College, Macon county, and was graduated i 1871 Afterward be taught three years in Chariton and Macon counties, making quite a success as an educator. He read
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law with his uncle, Mr. Dysart, already mentioned; was admitted to the bar in 1878, and since August of that year has been of the firm of Dysart and Mitchell, his partner being his preceptor. He was county school commissioner for four years, his term expiring in April, 1883.
Mr. Mitchell is not only talented, but for a young man possesses a high degree of culture. He is thoroughly devoted to his profession, diligent in his studies, as well as in his practice, eminently reliable and trustworthy, and is a rising young man. He holds a membership in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and is living a life consistent with his Christian profession
THOMAS H. PEABODY. SAINT LOUIS.
T' HE subject of this sketch is a native of the Empire State, and was born in Oxford, Chenango county, October ;1, 1836. He is the son of William P. and Betsey ( Breed) Peabody. The progenitor of the family was William Pea- body, of Rhode Island, he being one of two brothers who came to America on the third vessel that brought the Pilgrims to these shores. The other brother was Lieutenant Charles Peabody, who settled in Boston, and who is the ancestor of George Peabody, the philanthropist. Rev. Charles Peabody, of Chicago, and formerly of Saint Louis, is also a descendant of Lieutenant Charles Peabody. William P. Peabody, the father of our subject, was born in Stonington, Connecti- cut, in 1800, and is still living in Otsego county, New York.
Thomas was educated in the common schools and the Gilbertsville Collegiate Institute, Otsego county, where he received a fine education. He studied law in Orleans county with Judge B. L. Bessac four years, and was admitted to the bar in Buffalo in 1862. He then went to Manchester, Washtenaw county, Michigan, and practiced law four months, when he enlisted in the 4th Michigan cavalry, and was promoted to second lieutenant.
He took part in the battles of Murfreesboro, Shelbyville, Chickamauga and Chattanooga, all of the battles on the way to Atlanta, the fight at Jonesboro, and the raid around Atlanta; was at the capture of Selma, Alabama, April 2, 1865; helped to capture Montgomery, Mabama, and Columbus, Georgia, defeating rebel General Cobb's army; was at the capture of Macon, Georgia, and General Cobb and his army. He then went down the Ocmulgee River, and was present and took part in the capture of Jefferson Davis. With his regiment he marched back over all of the battle fields in the line to Nashville, Tennessee, and was trans- ported by rail to Detroit, Michigan, and mustered out of service.
Mr. Peabody came to Saint Louis, and commenced again the practice of the law. He ran for city attorney in 1873, on the republican ticket. In 1866 he formed a partnership with J, C. Morris, under the firm name of Morris and Pea- body, which continued eight years. Hle afterward formed a partnership with M.
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W. Hogan, under the firm name of Hogan and Peabody. He is now of the firm of Bentley, Morris and Peabody, and they are doing a flourishing business.
Mr. Peabody is a thorough lawyer, well posted in every department of the profession; practices in all of the courts, both state and federal, and is a good advocate. Ile is a gentleman of refinement and culture, and has many admiring friends.
JOE H. RODES.
PIRES,
OE H. RODES, prosecuting attorney for the county of Monroe, was born in J Kalls county, this state, March 21, 1855, being a son of Tyree and Eliza (Tip- ton) Rodes. His father was a native of Albemarle county, Virginia, a graduate of the State University, Virginia, and a prominent member of the medical pro- fession, dying in Balls county, this state, in 1801. The family were among the pioneers of Kentucky, settling there long before it became a state, and are some- what conspicuous in the early annals of the dark and bloody ground. The Tip- tons were a Tennessee family, where the mother of Joe was born. He is a grad- uate of Central College, a Methodist institution at Fayette, Howard county, class of 1875 He commenced teaching at eighteen years of age, and after receiving his degree devoted three years to that profession.
Mr. Rodes read law with Hon. Theodore Brace, now judge of the sixteenth judicial circuit, finished his legal studies at the State University, Columbia, and commenced practice at Paris, in 1881. He was elected to his present county office in 1982; is very assiduous in attending to its duties, and is giving good sat- isfaction. He has a bright intellect, and by his studious and otherwise excellent habits he is taking the right course to keep it burnished.
The politics of Mr. Kodes are democratic, inbred and thorough, and he can do good work for his party when he undertakes it. He is a third-degree Odd- Fellow, and of high social standing.
HON. ELIAS SCOFIELD. MEMPHIS.
E LIAS SCOFIELD, judge of the probate court of Scotland county, is a na- tive of Franklin county, Ohio, born July 27, 1841. He is a son of Doctor Elias Scofield, a native of Maryland, and Rebecca ( Kaufman) Scofield, of the state of Pennsylvania. His mother was of German extraction. The Scofields are an old Maryland family. Our subject is a graduate of the Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, scientific department, class of 1800. He afterward taught four years, reading law at the same time at Columbus, during the summers; was admitted to the bar in 186; practiced at Columbus until the autumn of 1869, and then
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settled in Scotland county, his present home. As a lawyer he has always been painstaking and very careful, strictly regarding the interests of his clients. Ile is an excellent office lawyer, being prudent in counsel.
Mr. Scofield was mayor of the city for five consecutive terms; was justice of the peace for seven years-part of that time while municipal head of the corpora- tion; was appointed judge of probate in 1879, and elected in 1880, and reflected in 1882. He carries his diligent business habits into the duties of this office, and is giving excellent satisfaction as a county oficial. He is attorney for the Scot- land County National Bank. Ilis polities are democratic; he is a Knight Templar in Freemasonry, and has been master of Memphis Lodge, No. 16, five years in succession, and holds his religious connection with the Presbyterian Church.
His wife was Miss Mary F. Barr, of Columbus, Ohio, their marriage being dated in March, 1870. They have one adopted daughter. In moral character Mr. Scofield stands high, and he is one of the best citizens of the county.
AMOS R. TAYLOR. SUNT LOUIS.
MOS RILEY TAYLOR, one of the successful jury lawyers of Saint Louis, is
A a native of Daviess county, Kentucky, a son of Howard and Elton ( Riley) Taylor, and was born January 23, 1842. His father, who was a farmer, was born in Virginia. ITis paternal great-grandfather, William Graham, raised a company in the valley of the Rappahannock, known as the Silver Grays, which he com- manded under Washington, in the times which tried men's souls.
The subject of this sketch, after spending two or three years at Owensbor- ough College, Kentucky, entered the junior class of Yale College in 1860; and on the breaking out of the civil war, in 1861, closed his books, returned to Kentucky, and entered the confederate army in company A, ist Kentucky cavalry, under General Helm. He was taken prisoner at Tuscumbia, Alabama, and exchanged at Huntsville twenty days afterward; was paroled at Columbus, Mississippi, in May, 1865, being at that time captain of company 11, 8th Kentucky cavalry.
Mr. Taylor read law at Owensborough; was admitted to the bar in 1866, and practiced there for two years, serving most of the time as county attorney. This office he resigned in 1868, and moved to Saint Louis, where he has since been engaged in general practice in the civil courts only.
"Mr. Taylor," writes an eminent jurist of this city, one before whom he has frequently practiced, "is a profound thinker in the metaphysics of the law; is a man remarkably devoted to the interests of his clients; always commands the closest attention of the court, for his candor, and the clearness and strength of his logic, and he is one of the most successful jury lawyers at the Saint Louis bar "
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Mr. Taylor was a member of the late constitutional convention (1875), and was chairman of the committee on the revision of the constitution, and also on the committees on judiciary and suffrage and elections. His politics are demo- cratic.
The wife of Mr. Taylor was Anna Rudd, daughter of Captain James Rudd, of Louisville, Kentucky, a Bading citizen of that city, and a member of the last constitutional convention of that state, their marriage being dated November 26, They have four children.
HON. HENRY T. KENT.
H ENRY THOMPSON KENT is a native of Virginia, a state celebrated for having produced crudite scholars, brilliant orators and wise statesmen. He is one of her must worthy aus, and was born in Louisa county, February 26, rost, the son of Robert M. Kent, an active and prominent business man, and worthy citizen, and Sally G. (Hunter) Kent. His maternal grandfather, John Hunter, was a prominent business man, and a representative in the state legisla- ture, prior to the civil war.
Our subject was educated at the University of Virginia, taking the degree of bachelor of laws in 1872, and was awarded a medal as the best debater in. the Jeffersonian Society, of that institution. He came to Saint Louis in the autumn of 1872, and was admitted to the bar, where he has diligently applied himself to the duties of his profession, and by strict fidelity to his clients, and honorable, upright, manly dealing, he has gained the confidence of the courts, before whom he practices, the good will of his brethren at the bar, and the esteem of all who know him He was elected to the state legislature in November, 1882, and as evidence of the high regard in which he is held in the community in which he is best known, it may be remarked that he ran ahead of the remainder of his ticket several hundred votes, and in the convention which gave him the nomination, he received all of the votes cast, except the. Upon the reassembling of the legisla- ture, he was chosen chairman of the Saint Louis delegation. He was appointed on the judicial committee, and was one of its most active and influential mem- bers. Recognizing the fact of the supreme importance of effecting a change, whereby a more speedy hearing of causes in appellate courts might be had, he addressed himself to the question, and took a most active part in establishing the supreme court commission, making a very able argument in its favor, of which the press throughout the state spoke in the most complimentary terms, pro- nouneing his speech the ablest one delivered in that debate. He was also appointed on the committee on banks and corporations.
On his return from the legislature, Mr. Kent received, at the University Club, a banquet from the leading citizens of Saint Louis, without distinction of party,
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which was presided over by Hon. J. J. Lindley, on which occasion numerous speeches were made in approval of Mr. Kent's course. A leading newspaper editorially spoke of the banquet as follows: "It was a tribute worthy to be bestowed. Despite Mr. Kent's apparent youth, he acquired the distinction of being one of the readiest, ablest and most eloquent debaters in the house. He was earnest, honest and fearless in the discharge of his duties, and was a mem- ber of whom not only the city but the state should be proud."
Mr. Kent is a refined, courteous gentleman, with graceful, easy manners, pos- sessing that candor and sincerity that wins the confidence of all, and always retains it. He has never married, though well and extensively known in social circles, and is often seen at the leading gatherings in Saint Louis.
EDGAR L. MARSTON. SAINT LOUIS.
E' DGAR L. MARSTON is a native of Burlington, Iowa. He was born March 8, 1860, and is the son of Rev. Sylvester W. Marston, D. D., an eminent Baptist clergyman, and an author of considerable note. Edgar commenced his education in the public schools of Saint Louis, He entered La Grange College at thirteen, and was graduated at seventeen years of age, taking the honors of his class. In 1878 he went to the Indian Territory, and remained one year. In 1879 he entered Saint Louis Law School, took the honors of his class in 1886 and was graduated in 1881. He was admitted to the bar the same year, and commenced practice, mak- ing an excellent beginning. He is associated in partnership with E. T. Allen, a prominent and well known lawyer, under the firm name of Allen and Marston. He is a thorough student, careful, accurate and conscientious. No man at the Saint Louis bar stands higher in point of integrity and true manhood. He may look forward with confidence and hope to realize his fondest anticipations of suc- cess at the bar.
DANIEL DILLON.
T' THE subject of this sketch was born in the city of Saint Louis, September 26, 1841. Both his parents, were from Ireland. His father was a farmer, and the son was reared in the country until eighteen years of age, attending public schools and teaching two winter terms. He finished his education in the Academy of the Christian Brothers, and was nearly ready to graduate, when, being seized with the war fever, he enlisted as a private, August, 1862, and served till June, 1866, coming out as captain. His regiment was with Sherman for some time; was at the siege of Vicksburg and in the battles generally in the Mississippi Val- ley. On being mustered out he returned to Saint Louis, read law in private and
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with Coonley and Madill, and at the opening of the law school in this city (autumn of 1867) he became a member of the first class. He attended two ses- sions, and received his diploma in the spring of 1800, having been admitted to the bar the autumn before.
Mr. Dillon was formerly of the firm of Clarke and Dillon, but latterly he has been alone in practice. His business extends into the national as well as state courts, and is quite thriving. Mr. Dillon has a thorough legal education; is a diligent student and hard worker; has an acute, strong, logical mind, and makes a good argument, and, having a judicial cast of character, some of his friends regard him as predestined for the bench.
In pohties Mr. Dillon affiliates with the democratic party. His religious con- nection is with the Catholic Church. October 1. 1873, he was married to Miss Mary J Fox, then a teacher in the Saint Louis public schools, and they have four children
GEORGE ROBERTSON.
G FORGE ROBERTSON, one of the rising young attorneys of Mexico, dates his birth in Mahaska county, Iowa, June 2, 1852, his parents being James R. and Margaret Louisa (Barkley) Robertson, natives of Tennessee. James R. Robertson is a farmer, now living in Randolph county, this state. Ile is a son of George Robertson, who was a soldier in the second war with England, and grandson of Joseph Robertson, who was in the first war with England, and at the battles of Eutaw Springs, the Cowpens, etc. This branch of the Robert- son family are of Scotch extraction, and are largely a class of clergymen, law- yers and jurists, there being scarcely a family of it that has not its preacher or lawyer. The father of Margaret L. Barkley belonged to a prominent family in his part of the state.
When our subject was very young the family went to Tennessee, and at the close of the civil war returned to Randolph county. George received most of his education at the Moberly Academy and Kirksville Normal School, being raised, meanwhile, on the farm, until nineteen years old. He taught four years; read law with Judge Forrest, of Mexico; was admitted to the bar in October, 1876, and has since been in general practice at the seat of justice of Audrain county. He makes a specialty of no branch of the profession, but he is attorney for the Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance Company, which is loaning consider- able money in this vicinity on real estate, and much of his practice is in the real- estate law. He is a great reader, well informed in history and politics, as well as law, and is a growing man in his profession. He had a hard struggle at the start, but has always paddled his own canoe, and latterly has found no break- ets. He supported himself while securing his education, and is a good sample of a plucky self -made man of high tone. The world respects such men.
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terms in other places. He read law with Hon. Thomas I .. Anderson, of Palmyra; was admitted to the bar in the spring of 1877; practiced at Palmyra a short year, and in Much, 1828, settled at New London, the shire town of Kalls county. From 1850 to 188; he was in partnership with William Christian, who is else- where mentioned in this work.
Mr. Roy accepts no political office, but gives his entire time to his professional duties He has an excellent mind; is well read in the fundamental principles of law, and is very thorough in examining any legal questions or propositions com- ing before him. He has great tenacity of purpose, and is exceedingly difficult to choke off, being as true to his clients as the needle to the pole. He is scrupu- Tously exact and accurate in all his accounts, and as correct in life as in his busi- ness dealings.
Mr. Roy votes the democratic ticket, and is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. His wife was Maggie Hays, daughter of George C. Hays, merchant, New London. They Were married, December 19, 1582
THOMAS H. BACON.
HANNIBAL.
T HOMAS HENRY BACON is a son of George and Catherine (Lakenan) Bacon, and dates his birth at Palmyra, Marion county, July 10, 1839. He is descended from a very old family in this country, the progenitor being William Bacon, the great grandfather of Thomas' grandfather. He came from England, and settled on the Chesapeake Bay. George Bacon was born in Sussex county, Delaware, and Catherine Lakenan in Fairfax county, Virginia. The father of each of them was in the war of 1812-14, the paternal grandsire being among the Delaware troops at the bombardment of Lewes, and the maternal was in the federal army, and wounded at the battle of Baltimore.
The subject of this brief notice received an academic education, which he supplemented largely by private study, he having quite a desire for knowledge. He commenced reading law in February, 1800, in the office of Lamb and Lake- man, of Hunnibal; responded to the call of Governor, Claiborne F. Jackson, June 9, 1801; was severely wounded at the battle of Wilson's Creek, on Bloody Hill, August so of that year, and laid up for a long time, his wound supposed, at first, to be mortal; June 6, 1863, was elected lieutenant of the battalion of sharp shooters, 4th Missouri brigade confederate states army; was in the battle of Helena, July 4, and the battle of Little Rock, September to following; January 2, 1864, was appointed judge advocate division court martial; February 3 follow- ing, was appointed first lieutenant of artillery, for ordnance duty; and October 1, 1864, he was appointed captain of the same, serving until the close of the war.
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