USA > Missouri > Cole County > Jefferson City > The Bench and bar of St. Louis, Kansas City, Jefferson City, and other Missouri cities : biographical sketches > Part 47
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 47
USA > Missouri > Jackson County > Kansas City > The Bench and bar of St. Louis, Kansas City, Jefferson City, and other Missouri cities : biographical sketches > Part 47
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He was married in 187; to Miss Louise Southern, of Saint Louis, one of the
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most accomplished and beautiful ladies of that city She died in 1879, leaving one son, named Claude, who died December 17, 1883, to the inexpressible grief of his father.
Judge Martin was appointed to the office of commissioner by the supreme court of the state, in March, 1883, and spends the greater part of his time at Jefferson City. When not engaged in his duties there, he is at his residence in Saint Louis county, or with his friends in St Louis
HON. EDMUND O. BROWN.
CARTILAGE.
T "HE gentleman whose name heads this sketch has a fine legal mind, thor- oughly trained in every department of his profession. He sees a point distinctly, and can express himself clearly. He traces principles from their source, and possesses a keenness of analysis that renders him far superior to other bright and shining lights in the profession who do not possess his refinement of thought. Delicate and intricate subjects of the law that to many others are mys. teries unfathomable, are taken in by him at a glance, while his remarkable rea- soning powers and strict integrity enable him to discern what the law ought to be, without reference to precedent. Yet he is indefatigable in his research of authorities, and he possesses a rare faculty of discovering leading cases directly in point, and is always able to give good and sufficient reason for the position taken by him. He can readily refer to authority in support of his theories. He is an excellent trial lawyer, and is an able advocate before courts of law and final resort.
Edmund (. Brown was born November 3, 1817, at Hinsdale, Cattaraugus county, New York, and is the son of Mori, N. and Amanda (Slater) Brown. He was raised on a farm, afterward attended the academy at Cuba, Allegany county. New York
In 1864 he joined the ast New York independent battery of light artillery in the 6th army corps. He was commissioned second heutenant, and took part in the battles of the Wilderness, Spotsylvania and Cold Harbor. He then accom. panied General Sheridan to the Shenandoah Valley, was in the battles of Win- chester, Cedar Creek and the other battles in that campaign. He was also at the capture of Petersburgh, and was engaged in the last day's battle of the way, and was present at the surrender of General Lee at Appomattox Court House.
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He was mustered out at Syracuse, and then returned to his studies, completing his literary education at Norwich Academy. He read law at Cuba with Hon. M. B. Chaplain, who was twice attorney general of that state, and was admitted to the bar in Buffalo in 1870. In July of that year he removed to Missouri, and set- tled in the practice of the law at Lamar, where he remained about eighteen months. He then removed to Carthage, where he has resided ever since.
January 28, 1874, he was appointed by Governor Woodson judge of the court of common pleas of Jasper county vice O. H. Pitcher, resigned. In the fall of 1874 he was elected to the same office for a period of four years. He served with marked ability until 1879, when that court went out of existence by force of the new coll- stitution of the state. Fewer of his cases have been reversed on appeal than of any other judge of his age in the state. He then resumed practice of the law, in partnership with W. H. Phelps, under the firm name of Phelps and Brown, which partnership continues up to the present time.
Judge Brown was married, in 1876, to Miss Angeline Garner, of Saint Louis, Missouri. They have one child, Lulic.
GENERAL JOIIN W. NOBLE, SAINT LOUIS.
JOHN WILLOCK NOBLE, one of the ablest and most successful members of the Saint Louis bar, dates his birth in Lancaster, Ohio, October 20, 1831. His parents were Colonel John Noble, a native of Pennsylvania, and Catharine (M&Dill) Noble, of Hagerstown, Maryland. They had a family of nine children, our subject being the youngest child but one. Henry C. Noble, one of the lead- +
ing lawyers in Columbus, Ohio, is his brother. The younger years of John W. were spent in Columbus and Cincinnati, where he had good opportunities for mental drill and preparation for college He attended the Miami University at Oxford, Ohio, to the junior year, and completed his classical course at Yale Col- lege, New Haven, being graduated with honor in the class of 1861, just before he was twenty your's old. While in college he seems to have had quite a taste for writ. ing, and was at one period editor of the " Yale Literary Magazine." He was also prize essayist.
Mr. Noble studied law with Hon. Henry Stanbery, afterward attorney general in President Johnson's cabinet, also with luvelder brother at Columbus, and after visiting various parts of the West, located in Saint Louis, and was admitted to
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the bar in the spring of 1855. The next year, having remained in Saint Louis about eighteen months, he moved to Keokuk, Lee county, lowa, then a very flour- ishing young city, and there he soon built up a good practice, having among his associates at the bar Hon. Samuel F Miller, now on the beach of the United States supreme court, and Hon. George W Mo Cracy, now on the bench of the United States circuit court.
In August, 1861, Mr. Noble laid aside hus law books, and enlisted as a private in the 3d lowa cavalry, having previously joined the Citizens' Guards, and done some good skirmishing along the Missouri Ine. He was shortly afterward elected first lieutenant, company C. He was soon appointed adjutant of the regiment, and devoted his time to giving instruction in military tactics. In 1802, while the regiment was at Benton Barracks, General Sherman offered Adjutant Noble a place on his staff, but he preferred to remain with the gallant 3d cavalry, and was permitted to decline the offer.
The subject of this sketch was promoted, step by step, until in 1865 he was made colonel of the regiment, winning these several promotions by his dash and gal- lantry shown at Pea Ridge, Batesville, Helena, Vicksburg, Little Rock, the move- ments against Forrest, and the dashing cavalry raids in Alabama and Georgia, under Grierson, General Upton and General Wilson. In Scharf's " History of Saint Louis," and Ingersoll's " lowa and the Rebellion," ample justice is done to the 3d lowa cavalry and its brave commander, Colonel Noble.
At the close of the war he was promoted to the rank of brevet brigadier gen- eral, for his gallant services, and was mustered out in just four years from the time he had enlisted as a private at Keokuk. He settled in Saint Louis, soon built up a fair business, and in the spring of 1867, at the suggestion of Attorney General Stanbery, he was appointed United States district attorney for the Saint Louis district, which office he held until iSpo. He showed great ability in inter- preting and enforcing the then new enactments pertaining to internal revenue, and in conducting several important civil suits, notably that of the United States government against the Adams Express Company, which be gained, with a ver- diet for $15,000. After leaving the office of district attorney, General Noble seems to have been brought at once to the front among Saint Louis lawyers. He first formed a copartnership with John A Hunter, now chief justice of Utah, and afterward, in July, 1874, he formed a partnership with John C. Orrick, and the firm of Noble and Orrick has conducted, with marked skill and ability, scores of very important suits, involving great interests. In the case of Adolphus Meier
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and Company against the Saint Louis Insurance Company, they were retained for the plaintiffs, and obtained a verdict for $60,000. In the case of the National Bank of Commerce of New York against the National Bank of the State of Mis- souri, they obtained a verdict of $434,000. General Noble so closely identified himself with his client, the Saint Louis Gas Light Company, in its contest with the city of Saint Louis, for property worth over three millions of money, that, when at last the company triumphed, it was commonly called Noble's victory.
It would be tedious to enumerate the many important lawsuits in which our subject has been engaged, and in which he has won an enviable reputation for his brilliant success. General Noble has but very few peers at the Saint Louis har. He has been pitted repeatedly against the best of them, men who would be an honor to any bar, and has won the spurs in many a prolonged and very able contest.
He was married in February, 1864, at Northampton, Massachusetts, to Miss Libbie Halsted, daughter of Doctor II. Halsted, formerly of Rochester, New York, and they have had two children, neither now living.
JAMES R. WADDELL.
SPRINGFIELD.
LAMES RICHARD WADDELL is a son of John S. Waddell, and was born in Springfield, this state, November 22, 1842. He received a good English and classical education in the public schools. He was an apt student, and applied himself closely to his studies. He enlisted in C. B. Holland's home guards in isor, and the next year he enlisted in the 8th cavalry, company A, for three years, Colonel W. F. Geiger being in command. He soon became first lieutenant of the company, and was in several skirmishes, and the battles of Little Rock and Bayou Meter. He resigned his commission on account of ill health, and returned home and began the study of law in his father's office, and was admitted to the bar in 1865. He practiced his profession in his native place until 1866, when he formed a partnership with S. L. Kneeland, and bought the "Southwest Union Press," the first democratic paper started in southwestern Missouri after the close of the war. They edited this paper for one year, when the office was destroyed by fire, being a total loss to the company.
Mr. Waddell then resumed the practice of the law. In iszt he was appointed register in bankruptcy for the western district of Missouri, which position he
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resigned in 1874, when he was elected prosecuting attorney for Greene county. He held this office two years, during which time he prosecuted to conviction forty-seven persons for penitentiary offenses. In 1877 he was the leading attor- ney in what was known as the " Leg Murder Case " During that year he prose- cuted to conviction three men, who were sentenced to be hung. He has taken an active part in the enterprise which resulted in the building of the Springfield and Western Missouri railroad.
Mr. Waddell is a democrat, casting his first vote for George B. Mcclellan. He is prepossessing in appearance, and by mandy candor and integrity has won hosts of friends in every walk of life. He possesses a personal magnetism, which is nowhere more marked in its salutary effects than his pleadings before a jury, when great interests are at stake. It is this quality, supplemented by those other natural, and in his profession, necessary, gifts of a pleasing voice, ready flow of language, and an exceedingly sympathetic nature, that has gained for him a fast-spreading reputation as an able and successful lawyer.
COL. THOMAS T. GANTT. SAINT LOUIS.
A MONG our Saint Louis men who have achieved eminence solely by excel- lence of character, without any of the modern appliances by which unworthy persons seek an undeserved and transient popularity, the subject of this sketch occupies a conspicuous place. Modest and unassuming in disposition, courteous and suave in manners, self-poised and dignified in demeanor, thoughtful of the feelings, and respectful toward the opinions of others, honorable in the highest and best sense, possessing those delicate instincts which characterize the true gentleman, he affords a fine example of a successful career, as deserved as it is conspicuous.
We learn from "The United States Biographical Dictionary" that Colonel Gantt was born July 22, 1814, in Georgetown, District of Columbia. His father, Thomas Tasker Gantt, was from Prince George county, Maryland. His mother's maiden name was Ann Stoddert. He was educated partly at Georgetown, his native place, and partly at West Point Military Academy, at which latter institu- tion he was admitted as a cadet in 1831, remaining there two years, and was among the first five of his class at the examination in June, 1832, and also in June of the next year.
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He began reading law in 1837, under Thomas G Pratt, ex-governor of Mary- land, and United States senatet, at Ripper Marlborough, Maryland. He was admitted to the bar of Prince George county, Maryland, and to that of the high court of chancery, and the court of appeals of Maryland, in the spring of 1838. He came to Saint Louis in May, 1839, and was soon admitted to practice in all the courts of the state, where he has since continued to practice, except from August, 1801, to July, 1802, when he was judge advocate, with the rank of colo- nel, on General Mcclellan's statt, and a further interruption as judge of the court of appeals in 1870. He was United States attorney for the district of Mis- souri, from July, 1845, to May, 1849. Mr. Gantt was city counselor for the city of Saint Louis two years, from June. 1853, and for another year, beginning June. 1850. He was also a member of the state convention, called by the general assembly of Missouri in 1801. This convention was called to pass an ordinance of secession. It consisted, however, of a two-thirds majority of unconditional Union men. Its first session was held in March, 1861, and then resolved not to secede.
The next session was held in July and August, same year. During this sit- ting the convention deposed, unconditionally, and for open misconduct, the gov- error, lieutenant governor, and the legislative officers, also, conditionally, all state officers who neglected, within a given time, to give in their adhesion to the government set up by the convention, which was entirely in the interests of the Union cause. Another session was held in October, 1861, when measures Were taken for additional efforts for the Union. The convention met again in June, 1862, convened for the purpose of abolishing slavery in Missouri, but failed to pass any ordinance to that effect In June, 1863, it met again, and passed an ordinance for the abolition of slavery in seven years thereafter, and then adjourned sine die. Another convention, elected under the military government in November, tog, met, and January 1, 1865, passed the ordinance for immedi- ate and unconditional abolition of slavery in the state Judge Gantt was not a member of this last convention He was a member of the convention which trained the present constitution of the state, which body began its session May 5, and ended August 2, 1865. He was chairman of the committee on the bill of rights, and a member of the committee on the legislative department. He was also the author of Sections 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24 of Article IX, of that consti-
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tution which separated Saint Louis from the county, and made it a free city It
was the first attempt of that nature in American jurisprudence, and its success so far has proved the wisdom of the departure.
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In political sentiment Mr. Gantt is a democrat. He is a conscientious, inde- pendent and protound lawyer, and, under all circumstances, faithful alike to his profession and his clients As a citizen he is public-spirited, and lends a helping hand to whatever tends to promote the public welfare. As an orator and a law- ver he has few peers. He is clothed with becoming dignity, though courteous and kind, painstaking and laborious in the interests of those who intrust their business with him. Faithful, upright and honorable, he is a counselor whose services are sought by the better class of clients.
MAJOR WILLIAM WARNER.
KANSAS CITY.
W ILLIAM WARNER is a self-made man. By native force and energy of character he has won his way to the position of eminence he now occupies among the professional men of the country. He stands among the growing minds that have been instrumental in developing the great industries of the country that place America at the close of the century proudly eminent among the nations of the earth. There are few men in the state of Missouri who have greater reason to be proud of their success in lite than Major William Warner. He was born in La Fayette county, Wisconsin, June 11, 1842. When only about six years old he was thrown upon his own resources to shift for a livelihood. He worked at anything he could get to do until ten years of age. He then entered as a clerk in a country store, where he remained until fifteen years old. He saved enough money from his small salary to pay his expenses for two years at a college, where his indomitable energy and industry soon placed him first among his classmates. After leaving college he taught school two years, and read law at the same time. In the spring of 1862 he entered the army as first lieutenant, und was appointed adjutant of the 33d Wisconsin volunteers. He was made captain in 1863, and in 1864 promoted assistant adjutant general. In 1865 he was promoted to the rank of major. " He did active service in the western army during the entire war, and was on staff duty most of the time, prompt to obey all orders, and undaunted in action. He was no carpet knight, but a soldier in heart as well as uniform."
Major Warner settled in Kansas City in 1865, and immediately commenced the practice of his profession. He was elected city attorney in the spring of 1507, and a year later he was made circuit attorney. He held this position two years, and then resigned. Major Warner was elected mayor of Kansas City in
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1871, by a majority of about four hundred votes. This was a high compliment paid to his worth as a citizen, as he was the only successful candidate on the republican ticket. He has been offered the position again and again, but declined, his large professional practice preventing him from accepting any more civic honors Says one writer, " Major Warner to-day is one of the most popular men of this young metropolis, and the most influential member of the republican party."* As a stump speaker he has few superiors in the West, his piercing eye, powerful voice, and well toned sentences holding the masses in subdued control. His speeches are strong in argument, rich in humor, and withering in sarcasm. He is a politician of the progressive school, ever ready to sink the partisan in the citizen, whenever the prosperity of his adopted home demands it. In 1875-6 he supported a democrat for the office of mayor, and elected him in spite of strong and bitter opposition.
"To him, as one of the committee appointed to prepare a new charter, is due much of the present financial prosperity of Kansas City, his care and legal fore- sight helping to frame the law that now gives to this growing city the best government in the West."
In 1882 he was appointed United States district attorney for the western dis- triet of Missouri. As a lawyer he has ever been noted for his care and skill and faithfulness to his clients. Possessing fine abilities as a public speaker, his clear voice, distinct articulation, well chosen language and earnest sincerity, render him a popular and successful advocate. As a citizen he is loyal and true, and has been especially faithful to the interests of the community in which he lived.
As a man Major Warner possesses most admirable qualities. Warm and sympathetic in his friendships, courteous, attable, social and genial, he possesses that plain style, and matter-of-fact direction of purpose, and that modest and unobtrusive manner to be expected in one, who, like him, has an utter contempt for all shams and more pretense. His aim in life has been to unfold his noble man- hood, and to make the highest use of his powers for the benefit of his fellow men.
His personal appearance is striking, the quick eye and rapid movement at once showing that great energy and resolution for which he has become distin- guished. He is of medium height, dark complexion, and heavily built, his look and action denoting a man of superior mental and physical power. In 1866 he espoused a lady of many graces and accomplishments, Mrs. Sophia A. Bromley, by whom he has had six children.
* See " The United States Biographical Dictionary of Missouri, 18;S." We are indebted to the same source for other data in this sketch.
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It has been said that "the worth of a state in the long run, is the worth of the individuals composing it," and Mr Warner's many and sincere friends attest the sterling value of the man, and his professional success is a warranty of his value as a lawyer.
CHARLES A. CLARK.
"THE pioneer attorney of this famous little city is the gentleman whose name heads this biography. He was born November 15, 1844, in Summit county, Ohio, and was raised on a farm. His father, Carlos A. Clark, is a prominent physician, who removed to Davis county, Iowa, when Charles was but nine years of age. His mother's maiden name was Miss Matilda Dilly.
Charles received his education in the college at Oskaloosa, lowa. He read law with H. H. Trimble, of Bloomfield, Davis county, Iowa, and was admitted to the bar in December, 1869, and immediately commenced the practice of the law at Windsor, Henry county, Missouri, remaining there nearly three years. He then went to Cherokee county, Kansas, where he practiced law about three years. In the spring of 1880 he removed to Rich Hill, where he has been actively engaged in the practice of the law since that time, being the first attorney located there. He was also the first notary public, first city clerk, first city col- lector of that city, and was the first agent of the Rich Hill town company. He carried one end of the chain to lay off the first lot surveyed by that company.
Mr. Clark is a good lawyer, a courteous gentleman, and an esteemed citizen. He was married in May, 1877, to Miss Fanny E. Hedges, an estimable lady of Wilson county, Kansas, They have one child.
THEODORE IL. CULVER.
SAINT LOUIS.
T THEODORE H. CULVER was born at Constable, Franklin county, New York, April 11, 1844. His father, Justus P. Culver, was a man remarkable for enterprise, and what is so aptly termed business push. A farmer and manu- facturer at one and the same time, success crowned his efforts in each direction to such a degree that he was regarded by all as an unusual example of industry, keen business sense, and the resulting prosperity. His son, the subject of this sketch, inherits these characteristics in a large measure, and during his boyhood strengthened them by contact with him, while he acquired physical strength and
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habits of industry in daily toil upon his father's farm and in the factory. His curly school days were spent at Franklin Academy. From this institution of leuning, at the age of nineteen, Mr Culver enlisted in company F, 16th New Youth cavalry, june 9, 1863, and, with the hundreds of thousands of the flower of our youth, went to the front while the great civil war was shaking our institu- tions to their foundations. He saw much hard and laborious service, and soon became familiar with the music of bursting shells and the whistle of minie balls. The vicissitudes and dangers of the battle field were soon after, however, regarded by Mr. Culver as child's play in comparison with the horrors of life in Andersonville prison, for which they were one unfortunate day exchanged. For four long, weary months, whose memory even now seems like a nightmare to . him, he endured what the pen has probably never fully portrayed. His naturally strong constitution, however, carried him through, and at the close of the war he was mustered out of service, and returned to his studies. Having prepared him- self at Franklin Academy for college, he entered the university at Burlington, Vermont, where, with great vigor, be prosecuted the usual course of college studies.
In 1872 he graduated from the Albany Law School. July 20 of the same year he was united in marriage to Miss Abbie Adams, a lady of culture, refinement, and strong natural ability. In the autumn of the same year the newly married pair came to Saint Louis to build for themselves a home, a business, and a future. Mr. Culver found himself a stranger in a great city, with good theoretical know !- edge of law, but without any experience at the bar. With the pluck that has always characterized him, he at once opened an office and displayed his modest shingle. The struggle for a foothold developed his strength as a lawyer; his punctuality, industry and integrity brought him clients, and his success at the bar retained them, until to day, eleven years after coming to Saint Louis, he has a lucrative practice, and stands very high in the esteem of the courts and of his professional brethren. In a&S; he formed a partnership with Colonel W. C. Hobbs, which yet subsists, and is, of course, prosperous.
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