USA > Missouri > Cole County > Jefferson City > The Bench and bar of St. Louis, Kansas City, Jefferson City, and other Missouri cities : biographical sketches > Part 50
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 50
USA > Missouri > Jackson County > Kansas City > The Bench and bar of St. Louis, Kansas City, Jefferson City, and other Missouri cities : biographical sketches > Part 50
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
461
THE BENCH AND BAR OF MISSOURI CITIES.
representative imagery he is particularly happy. Personification, metaphor, simile and antithesis succeed each other in rich and varied profusion. Ilis man- ner and action are energetic without verging on extravagance.
He is an affable, obliging gentleman, and of fine presence, being of medium height, well built, with a square, high, broad forehead, indicating a preponder- ance of reasoning powers, with keen grey eyes and clearly cut features.
HON. HENRY C. BROCKMEYER. SAINT LOUIS.
T HIE subject of this sketch is one of the most prominent Germans in Missouri. He was born August 12, 1828, near Minden ( Prussia), Germany. His parents were Frederick William and Sophia Brockmeyer; his father was a business man, and his mother a lineal descendent of one of the most distinguished families in the kingdom. He received a thorough education in the public schools in Germany, and at the age of sixteen immigrated to America He landed in New York with only twenty-five cents in his pocket, and unable to speak a word of English. But he soon found employment, with an opportunity to learn the carrier's and tanner's trade, but at reduced wages. He soon learned to read, write and speak the Eng- lish language Soon as he saved money enough to take him west he went to Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he obtained employment at $1.50 per day. After saving $200 he went to Dayton, Ohio, but not finding employment he went to Cincinnati, with no better success; there be embarked on board of a steamer and landed in Saint Louis, in August, 1848. He worked for Mr. Howe two months, when, in company with an old classmate, he went to Memphis, Tennessee, thence to central Mississippi, obtaining work at his trade at Columbus. While at work at Columbus he invented several improvements in the business of tanning and currying, for which he received liberal compensation
He then went to Oktibbeha county, Mississippi, and went into business for himself, currying on a tanning and currying establishment, together with a man- ufactory of boots and shoes. Having a thirst for knowledge, Mr. Brockmeyer determined to fit himself for one of the learned professions. In the fall of 1850 he entered the preparatory department of Georgetown College, Kentucky, where he remained two years. He then went to Brown University at Providence, Rhode Island, and took an elective course, having for one of his classmates Hon Thomas Ewing, of Ohio. He remained there about two years. In 1854 be resolved to
462
THE BENCH AND BAR OF MISSOURI CITIES.
return to Germany, and went to New York for that purpose, but changed his mind and came to Saint Louis He took his books, a dog and a gun, and a few articles of furniture, and moved into a cabin in the woods in Warren county, Missouri, where he devoted himself to study three years, at the end of which time he returned again to Saint Louis, and obtained employment as a molder in the foundry of Giles F. Tully, and in the foundry of Bridge, Beach and Company, on piece work at $15 per week, still continuing his studies during his spare moments.
Several literary men of Saint Louis organized a class for the study of German philosophy, and Mr. Brockmeyer was made their teacher, and in recognition of his eminent ability his class presented him with a case of valuable books. He then returned to his seclusion again in Warren county, purchased a cabin, and again was alone with his books. In the fall of 1858 he was dangerously ill with bilious fever. Accidentally a neighbor discovered his condition, and communicated at once with William T. Haines, who immediately proceeded to the cabin and brought the patient to Saint Louis, where with proper care and treatment he recovered. His class resumed their studies in German philosophy, and Mr. Brockmeyer in the meantime made a literal translation of the " Logic " of Hegel, in three volumes, completing the vast work in one year. His publishers failed, and the manuscripts are still in the hands of the author. When the war of 1861 broke out Mr. Brockmeyer raised a company and was commissioned captain of militia, and was promoted to lieutenant colonel, and a petition was signed by every officer in the regiment to have him appointed colonel, but the mind of the governor had been biased by false reports, the muster roll was declined, the petition neglected, and in two days afterward he was arrested and locked up in Gratiot street military prison, but he was soon released on proper representation by his friends. The people of Warren county vindicated him in six weeks from that time, by an overwhelming majority electing him to the lower house of the Missout legislature. He was in the legislature in the sessions of 1861-2 and 1803-4. Hle removed to Saint Louis in 1864 He was admitted to the bar, and in 1866 was a member of the city council, but was legislated out in the spring of 1867. He was elected to the state senate from the thirty-fourth district, and took a prominent part in the important measures of the sessions of 1871-2 and 1873-4. During the latter session he defeated what was known as Hurd's revenue bill, and was tendered a banquet on his return, but declined on the ground that he had simply done his duty.
He was two years chairman of the committee on ways and means, and as such devised a measure for the better protection of the credit of the state. For two
463
THE BENCH AND BAR OF MISSOURI CITIES.
years he was chairman of the judiciary committee in the senate. At the close of the term he declined a reflection. He was elected to the constitutional conven- tion in 1874. In this body, which gave the state its present constitution, he was made chairman of the committee on legislative department, and the report of this committee was adopted by the convention without material amendment, which gives to their work its distinctive character among the constitutions of the differ- ent states. It was submitted to the people and ratified by a vote of seven to one.
In 1876 he was nominated by the democratic convention for the position of lieutenant governor, and was elected without a canvass. Ile has acted with the democratic party in politics, and was a union democrat during the war, sustaining Lincoln during his first administration, and advocated his reflection in 1864. In 1865 he opposed enfranchisement, but being defeated in this, he labored assidu- ously until every citizen of the state was restored to full citizenship. In this labor he stood by the side of his friend, General F. P. Blair.
He was married in 1861 to Miss Elizabeth Robinson, of Saint Louis. She died in 1864, leaving two children. In 1867 be married his second wife, Miss Julia Keinlan, of Saint Louis.
Mr. Brockmeyer is considered a philosopher and a literary genius. He is con- sidered profound on constitutional questions, and his ideas of government have been pronounced superb. He is socially a kind, congenial gentleman, and a worthy citizen highly prized by all who know him
SAMUEL B. LASHBROOKE.
BUTLER.
AMUEL. B. LASHBROOKE is descended from an old Virginia family, his S great grandfather, William Lashbrooke, coming from England in 1735, and settling in Fauquier county forty years before the revolutionary war began. There John Lashbrooke, grandfather of Samuel, was born, and became an officer of the continental army, moving to Mason county, Kentucky, a few years after the war had closed, and settling on a farm The wife of this revolutionary pat- riot was a Lee, of Virginia parentage, and a sister of General Henry Lee, of Kentucky.
The subject of this sketch was born in Mason county, Kentucky, April 21, 1848, being a son of Peter and Frances B (Morton) Lashbrooke. His father was in the second war with England, and was a farmer and speculator, dying in his
404
THE BENCH AND BAR OF BHSSOURI CITIES.
ninetieth year. He was a prominent man in his county, being a member of the constitutional convention in iSpo, and of the legislature three terms. His wife was of English lineage, and a relative of the Mortons, of Virginia.
Samuel received an academic education at Lewisburgh, in his native county, and in the summer of 1864 enlisted in the 11th Kentucky confederate cavalry, under Colonel Dick Morgan, and was subsequently detailed to General Brecken- ridge's escort, and participated in the battles of Bull's Gap, Morristown, Straw- berry Plains, etc., in the Knoxville campaign. At Kingsport, December 13, 1804, he was taken prisoner, and kept at Camp Chase, Columbus, Ohio, until June,
Mr. Lashbrooke, then seventeen years old, was not satisfied with his educa- tion, and soon went to Washington-Lee University, Lexington, Virginia, and there studied until the summer of 1803. In the autumn of that year he com- menced the study of his profession, with Judge Elijah C. Phister, of Maysville, and finished with Judge Emory Whittaker, of Maysville, being admitted to the bar in 1870. He immediately opened an office at Mount Olivet, Robertson county, and two years afterward left his native state, and after traveling over Kansas and Missouri, selected Butler, Bates county, as the center of his legal labors, which now extend over his judicial circuit, and into adjoining circuits. In 1877 he became a partner of Charles ( Bassett, and the firm of Bassett and Lashbrooke continued until 1881. The present firm of Lashbrooke and Smith was formed in January, 1882. Their business is good, ramifying into the federal as well as state courts Mr Lashbrooke is a well read, sound lawyer, a safe counselor, and, without being eloquent, can make a clear, logical argument. He excels as an office lawyer. His standing, moral as well as legal, is high.
Mr. Lashbrooke takes great interest in politics, often attending judicial con- gressional, state and other conventions of his, the democratic, party, and is an energetic and efficient worker in a campaign
Mr. Lashbrooke was married, October 1, 1879, to Miss Sallie Pennabaker, of Clinton, a native of Versailles. Morgan county, this state, and she died after a lingering illness, the disease being consumption, November 20, 1883. She had one child, a son, who preceded her to the grave, thus completely desolating the home of Mr. Lashbrooke. His wife was a member of the Episcopal Church, an active Christian and a lady of many accomplishments, mental and moral, and, while in health, the charm of the social circle. Before her death she spent one or two years in traveling in Texas and Louisiana, and was on her way home from the Sulphur Springs, Virgima, with her ever attentive husband, when they
405
THE BEACH AND BAR OF MISSOURI CITIES.
stopped at Clinton, that she might get a little rest, and there she died. Her remains were brought to Butter, and a large number of sorrowing friends fol- lowed the remains to the cemetery, where they were laid to rest by the side of two dear sisters and her babe.
"The memory of the juist Smells sweet and blossoms in the dust."
Mr. Lashbrooke was one of the company which founded Rich Hill, and out- side manager, secretary and director of the company till the greater part was sold out. He is also the father of Adrian, laying out both towns in 1880.
WALTER A. MARTIN.
W ZALTER AUSTIN MARTIN, senior member of the firm of Martin and IlJardin, is a native of Randolph county, in which he still lives, and was born March 20, 1837. His father, Noah Martin, a farmer, was from Christian county, Kentucky, and his mother, Judith Peoples (Oliver) Martin, was from Fayette county, same state. The maternal grandfather of Walter was Doctor Oliver, who was a nephew of Governor Boggs, and at one period a member of the Missouri legislature. Doctor Oliver had two brothers who were also physi- cians, one of them, Professor Harvey Oliver, who occupied the chair of anatomy in the first medical college started in Cincinnati.
The elementary education of our subject was obtained principally at the fire- side, he being quite studiously inclined; he is a bachelor of arts of Mount Pleas- ant College, Huntsville, six miles from Moberly. He farmed, and taught school winters, until he was crippled by an accident in 1855, his leg being taken off in 1858. He read law with Reed and Denny, of Randolph county; was licensed by How George W. Bushhautt, now judge of the second judicial circuit, and in 1803 commenced practice at Renick, this county. In 1870 he was county superin- tendent of schools. In 1882 he opened an office at Moberly, and the next year moved his family to this place, where he has made a success in his profession. It extends into the federal as well as the several state courts, and his reputation stands well in all respects.
He has a practical sound judgment; is well posted in his profession, standing in this respect among the very best attorneys in the county; is a safe counselor, and a very earnest, lucid and strong advocate, having great influence with a jury. No man can be truer to his clients than Mr. Martin.
54
THE BENCH AND BAR OF MISSOURI CITIES.
In 18So, at the solicitation of some of his democratic friends, Mr. Martin con- sented to run against Judge Burkhardt for judge of the second judicial circuit, and was beaten. The judge has been on the beach twenty-one years, is a brother democrat, and a very hard man to oust.
Mr. Martin is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and of the Missionary Baptist Church, and a man of irreproachable character. He is presi- dent of the board of trustees of the church
Llis wife was Sarah Elizabeth Thompson, a native of Kentucky, and they were married in April, 1801. They have buried three children, and have one son living. Mrs. Martin, when in health, is quite active in church and benevolent work.
WASHINGTON F. GEIGER.
SPRINGFIELD.
JUDGE GEIGER was born in June, 1830, in Columbiana county, Ohio. His grandfather served in the revolutionary war, and his father, Henry Geiger, was a soldier in the war of 1812. The subject of this sketch received an English and classical education in Urbana, Ohio. He began the study of law in 1853, teaching school at the same time. He was admitted to the bar in 1856 in Spring- field, Ohio; practiced in Urbana one year, and removed to Steelville, Crawford county, Missouri, in 1859, where he practiced his profession until 1861. He then organized a company of infantry, and was captain of company C, Phelps' regi- ment, United States volunteers. As soon as the organization was complete he was commissioned major, and at the hard fought battle of Pea Ridge he was in command of his regiment, showing great bravery and efficiency as an officer. In [802 he organized, without any expense to the government, the 8th Missouri regiment of cavalry, United States volunteers, and was made its colonel, and was with it in the battles of Praise Grove and Bayou Metre. He then com- manded the brigade at the taking of Little Rock, at Claredon, Brownsville and Prairie Long.
After this he had command of the ad brigade cavalry division, seventh army corps, until the war closed, and was looked upon as the best cavalry officer in the division. He entered the army without any military training or experience. He was young, and without influential personal or political friends to press his claims to preferment, and his success was due entirely to his own merits. Among those who knew him he was accorded the place of leadership without question.
THE BENCH AND BAR OF MISSOURI CITIES.
Throughout the war he exhibited in a marked degree the qualities of a skillful commander. He never blundered, and in the rough cavalry service, in which he principally participated, he performed many brilhant exploits, and was never defeated in any engagement. His men had mubounded confidence in his cour- age and ability, and his command was recognized as one of the most effective in the Southwest He retired from the army at the close of the war, having given four years of honorable service to his country, and leaving behind him a record without a stain, which he may justly feel proud of
Colonel Geiger located at Springfield, Missouri, immediately after the close of the war, and resumed the practice of his profession Hle at once took front rank among the lawyers of the Southwest, and attended the courts of several counties. In 1868 he was made prosecuting attorney for the fourteenth judicial circuit, and discharged the duties of that position with great credit and success. He was first elected judge of the twenty-first judicial circuit in 1800. He has been reflected twice since, and fills that office admirably well up to the present time (1884).
As a practitioner Judge Geiger was regarded as one of the safest and most skillful in the management of his causes, but his greatest success as a lawyer has been upon the beach Here his clear judgment, acute discrimination and legal knowledge have been especially marked, and have added greatly to his reputation. He separates the material from the immaterial with unusual readiness, and through the most intricate complications his mind goes straight to the vital points of a case, and detects, with a certainty that seldom errs, the right and the wrong involved. Added to his legal attainments he possesses broad common sense and integrity above suspicion. He is singularly impartial, and every law- ver who practices before him feels that whatever his relations may be to the man, he appears before Judge Geiger without prejudice Few judges have a greater hold upon the confidence of the bar of a more general and deserved popularity. Although a determined and even bitter effort was made by politicians to force a strict party vote in the judicial election of 1871. Judge Geiger received the sup- port of a large number of the ablest and best democratic lawyers in the circuit. Politically Judge Geiger is a consistent and earnest republican, and previous to his election as judge he was an active and zealous partisan. Since then he has not participated actively in campaign work, but his advice and counsel have been freely sought and given, and his sagacious and prudent counsels have been largely instrumental in shaping the action of the party and in contributing to its success in southwest Missouri.
Judge Geiger is light complexioned, possesses a vigorous physical constitution
468
THE BENCH UND BAR OF MISSOURI CITIES.
and an active, nervous temperament, and has qualities that bring to him many warm friends. He was brought up in the Lutheran faith, and has a deep rever- ence for the sacred teachings of the Bible, firmly believing in the truth and divine origin of the Christian religion. Most of this sketch was taken from the " United States Biographical Dictionary of Missouri."
HON. SEMPRONIUS H. BOYD. SPRINGFIELD.
O NE of the best known and most talented gentlemen in the legal profession in southwest Missouri is S. H. Boyd He was born in Williamson county, Tennessee, May 28, 1828, and is the son of Marcus and Eliza (Hamilton) Boyd. He removed to Missouri with his parents in i84o, his father taking high political rank in Greene county: was in the legislature several sessions; was appointed receiver of the land office at Springfield, and colonel of the militia during the civil war. He died in 1860. The son was educated in the sciences and classics at Springfield, after which he made a trip to Texas with a train loaded with bacon, which he sold, together with wagons and cattle, and returned with the proceeds. He was offered a good price for the negroes, which he refused. He then took a position as clerk in the store of D. Johnson and Company. Though but nineteen years of age, in 1847 he was placed in charge of a branch store of that firm, located at Forsyth, Missouri. He crossed the great plains in 1849, arriving in California in August of that year, mining in the placers of the Yuba, Feather and Moquelnes Rivers, and taught school at Volcano, Amador county, and returned to Springfield in 1855, by way of Nicaragua and New Orleans. He then studied law under Judge Price.
He was elected mayor of Springheld in 1850, and was the first clerk of the probate and common-pleas court of Greene county, and was twice city attorney. He was major of General Phelps' home guards in 1861, and then colonel of a regiment of United States infantry, and was in several engagements; was elected to congress over General Phelps, the opposing candidate, and took his seat in December, 1863; was active in reorganizing the postal service in southwest Mis- souri; was a member of the committee on postoffices and postroads, and chairman of the committee of revolutionary claims and pensions. In 1865 he was appoint- ed judge of the fourteenth judicial district, but resigned that office to enable him to aid in the completion of the Southwestern Pacific railroad. In 1808 he was
469
THE BENCH AND BAR OF MISSOURI CITIES.
again elected to congress as the regular republican nominee, running largely ahead of his ticket. He took an independent stand in congress, and for support- ing rebel enfranchisement, and supporting B Gratz Brown, he was ostracised by his party, arose above & mere partisan, and followed his conscience's dictates, as guided by wisdom and political sagacity. He was the Missouri member of the republican national executive committee from 1864 to 1868. He founded the Springfield wagon factory in 1872, and resumed the practice of the law in 1874.
We cannot do better than to copy a paragraph or two from a sketch of him which we find in the " United States Biographical Dictionary," published in 1878: " Since 1801 Colonel Boyd has been an active participant in state and national politics, and he has done much to shape the legislation of the past sixteen years, at home and in Washington. By birth, education and temperament he is an out- spoken southerner; by interest and association he is a progressive northerner. He says that the South and West have been howers of wood and drawers of water long enough, and would like to see the national legislature baulked until they are more favorably dealt with."
" Colonel Boyd is a warm-hearted, generous man; impulsive in his feelings, and naturally takes radical ground, no matter which side of a question he advo- cates. With the interest of the city and country in which he resides he is thor- oughly identified; a progressive, live man, whose record is his best eulogy, and whose successes are the best comments upon his ability."
HION. JOHN S. PHELPS.
SPRINGFIELD
A MONG the men in Missouri who have been called from private life to places. of trust on account of their peculiar fitness for office is John S. Phelps, ex- governor of the state. He was born in the town of Simsbury, Hartford county. Connecticut, December 22, 1814. His father, Elisha Phelps, was a lawyer, like our subject, high up in his profession John S was raised in Simsbury, and attended the public schools of his native town. He entered Trinity College, at Hartford, and was graduated in 1832 He selected for his profession the law. and studied under his father, and was admitted to the bar three years later, December 22, 1835. He practiced law nearly two years in Hartford, where he was admitted. He emigrated to Missouri in 1837, and located at Springfield, where he has resided since that time. He, from the start, had a paying practice, and though but twenty three yours of age, his store of legal knowledge enabled
THE BENCH AND BAR OF MISSOURI CITIES.
him to cope successfully with the older members of the bar. He was elected to represent Greene county in the Missoni legislature in i84o, and he has been almost continuously in public life ever since. In that he was elected to congress on the general ticket, and for eighteen consecutive years be represented his dis- triet in that body, his career as a congressman closing in 1863. The history of his congressional life shows the high esteem in which he was held. In the thir- tieth congress, from 1847 to isto, he was a member of the committee on post- offices and postroads, and when occupying that position was a strenuous advo- cate for the reduction of postage to three cents, and aided much in passing a bill to that effect. From i851 to (86; he was a member of the committee on ways and means, and a part of the time its chairman. This committee at that time performed the duties now devolving on the committee on ways and means, and the committee on appropriations. In all discussions on finance he advocated economy, without parsimony. Such was the estimate placed upon his ability and sound judgment that he was placed, at the close of each congressional session during his service, upon conference committees to settle the disagreement votes of the two houses on the appropriation bills, not unfrequently the disagreements involving millions of dollars, and it is a fact worthy of record that he never agreed to a report that was not adopted. ยท
During the excitement that the measures occasioned he was a member of the committee on the Pacific railroad, and contributed largely, by his voice, vote and influence, to the success of that enterprise. At the called session of congress in July, 1801, he was appointed by the speaker a member of the committee on ways and means, though he had not then arrived at the capitol, and did not reach it till near the close of the session. He was also chosen one of the committee of thirty-two, in 1866, to devise some plan to adjust the difficulties between the North and South, and did all in his power to bring about reconciliation. Before the close of his public career as a congressman, in Sor he raised a regiment of Union soldiers, known as the Phelps regiment, which served for six months with distinction. It was engaged in the memorable battle of Pea Ridge, being com- manded by Colonel Phelps in person, in which it acted gallantly, and suffered . severely. In July, 1802. Colonel Phelps was appointed, without solicitation on Is part, military governor of the state of Arkansas.
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.