In the books' own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. The later printings (1899 and 1901) are folded below the first. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1828
From Encyclopedia of the history of Missouri (v. 5) (1901), Encyclopedia of the history of St. Louis, a compendium of history and biography (v. 4) (1899), History of Saint Louis City and County, from the earliest periods to the present day (v. 1) (1883)
Henry Clay Sexton was born in Wheeling, Va., in March, 1828. His father (who was a Virginian) gave him the fullest advantages of a public school education, and he graduated at the public high school. The elder Sexton moved to St. Louis in 1844, and took a leading position as carpenter and builder, erecting some of the finest edifices in the city. Young Sexton followed his father’s trade until 1857, and was a fair mechanic. As we have seen, the question of organizing a thoroughly-equipped and well-paid fire department was under consideration in 1857, and H. Clay Sexton, who was a leader in the movement, exhibited in the discussions on the subject so thorough a knowledge of the requirements of the organization that his opinions were generally deferred to; and when in the fall of that year the department was established he was by universal con sent appointed “ fire chief” by Mayor Wimer. In a comparatively short time he organized the department, and had disciplined his men so thoroughly that the people reposed with a feeling of security from the ravages of fire. lie discharged the duties so well that he was retained in the position by Mayors Filley and Taylor; but in 1862, when the city was under military rule, he was deposed, as previously stated, on alleged political grounds, although he had always been, and was then, a friend of the Union. The removal was resented by the most influential property-owners as an unwarrantable display of military power, but their protest was with out effect.
Mr. Sexton then returned to his trade, in partnership with his brother, John Sexton,1 and the firm transacted a very lucrative business, erecting some of the largest and finest buildings in the city. This connection continued until 1869, when Mayor Cole appointed him chief of the fire department once more; but the salary being only two thousand dollars
1 John Sexton was bornin Wheeling, Va., in 1825, and removed in 1844 to St. Louis, where ho was extensively engaged as a contractor and builder. Many of the principal buildings of St. Louis were erected by the Sexton brothers, among them being the Republican office, Jaccard’s establishment, Singer sewing-machine building, City Hospital, House of Industry, and the fine buildings on Fourth Street adjoining the Chamber of Commerce building. Mr. Sexton was a member of the City Council for some ten or twelve years, being first elected a member of the board of delegates in 1852, having succeeded Hon. Daniel G. Taylor from the then Sixth AVard, as a AVhig. In 1857, Mr. Sexton was a member of the first board of fire engineers, and assisted largely in organizing the present fire department. In addition to his services in the City Council, he represented his district in the Legislature in 1860-61, and went out with the “Jackson” Legislature to Neosho, but voted against the ordinance taking the State out of the Union. He was re-elected to the Legislature in 1872 and 1874, and held during his terms there the chairmanship of the Committee on Accounts and Retrenchment, and in 1875 was the chairman of the St. Louis delegation, in which capacity he won the confidence of his colleagues by his sturdy honesty of purpose. In many respects he wielded a decided influence over the deliberations of the House, owing to his energy and positive character. Mr. Sexton died April 25, 1875.
a year, he declined. The insurance companies, how ever, having a very high estimate of his fitness for the position, offered to add three thousand dollars a year to the sum proposed by the Council, and Mr. Sexton then accepted the office, and has held it continuously ever since. It was his determination to make the department the best in the country, and it seems to be generally admitted that he has succeeded. The estimation in which he is held is shown by the fact that after the great fire in Chicago he was offered ten thousand dollars a year to take charge of the fire department of that city, but his salary having been increased he declined the proposition.
As “ fire chief” Mr. Sexton is distinguished for his zealand courage. He is usually first at the fire, and subordinates everything to duty, frequently risk ing his own life where he would not permit his men to venture. In “ fighting fire” his judgment has been often most conspicuously exhibited in directing the right thing to be done at the critical moment. He has successfully battle with some of the worst con flagrations in the country, and his skill was specially displayed when lack of engines and of water rendered the conditions of his task inconceivably more difficult than at present. He has repeatedly been personally complimented by distinguished visitors who have witnessed his efficiency and bravery on critical occasions, and has frequently been injured while in the discharge of his duties. On one occasion his collar-bone, and on another his arm was broken. Among the members of the department he is is not only esteemed for his devotion and efficiency, but also for his magnanimous disposition. Although a thorough discipline rian, he is generous and forbearing, and his treatment of the men is of a character that begets not only respect but affection.
Mr. Sexton has held many other offices of responsibility. In 1851-53 he served as constable; was collector of water rates under Mayor King; was director in the Benevolent Savings Association; is a prominent Mason, Knight Templar, etc.; belongs to the St. Louis Legion of Honor and nearly every other secret society, he says; and, besides this, has frequently been solicited to become a candidate for mayor, sheriff, etc., but has declined, much preferring the congenial duties of the St. Louis Fire Department.
In July, 1850, Mr. Sexton was married to Miss Sarah L. Lyon, of St. Louis, and from the union have sprung four children. He is eminently social in his tastes, warmly devoted to his family, and a man of healthy, religious convictions. For many years he has been a prominent attendant at St. John’s Methodist Episcopal Church, and for a long while was superintendent of the Mound City Sunday-school. In every relation of life ho is esteemed, and no man in St. Louis is more highly regarded or more deservedly popular:
As printed in History of Saint Louis City and County, from the earliest periods to the present day (v. 1) (1883). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Sexton, Henry Clay, was born March 29, 1828, in Wheeling, West Virginia, and died in St. Louis, December 31 1893. His parents were John and Phoebe Sexton, and the family to which he belonged settled in Winchester, Frederick County, Virginia, his immigrant ancestor having been among the earliest colonists of that region. After graduating from the Wheeling High School, in 1844, Mr. Sexton followed his father's occupation, which was that of contractor and builder, until 1857, the family having in the meantime removed to St. Louis. In 1857 he was made chief of the old volunteer fire department of this city, and in that capacity became widely known throughout the country. He was distinguished for his courage and bravery, good judgment and his kindness at heart. The men who served under him in the fire department were devotedly attached to him, for, although he was a strict disciplinarian, he was always generous and forbearing. After the great Chicago fire of 1871 he was offered a salary of $15,000 a year to take charge of the fire department of that city, but declined the offer, preferring to remain in St. Louis. From 1862 to 1875, in company with his brother, John Sexton, he carried on a large contracting and building business in St. Louis, erecting many of the principal buildings of that era, among which were the Republican Building, the City Hospital, the House of Industry and others. He was collector of water rates in St. Louis during the administration of Mayor King. In 1862 General Schofield removed him from the position of chief of the fire department and confined him in the Gratiot Street Prison as a Southern sympathizer. He was reappointed chief in 1869, and held the office until 1885, when he resigned to become collector of internal revenue, which office he filled during President Cleveland's first administration. In his early life he was a Whig in politics, but later became a Democrat, and continued to affiliate with that party as long as he lived. A member of the Southern Methodist Church, he was a devout Christian, and for many years was superintendent of the Mound Sunday-school. He was a member of the Masonic order, of the Legion of Honor, of the order of Elks, and a Knight of St. Patrick. July 4. 1850, he married Miss Sara Lavania Lyon, at Davenport, Iowa. The surviving children born of this union are Mrs. Jennie McCaw, Mrs. Addue Maxwell..Mrs. Lavania Salter and Henry Clay Sexton.
Shaffner, Louis II., was born in St. Louis, Missouri, April 10, 1842, son of Jacob and Eliza Shaffner. The elder Shaffner, a coppersmith by trade, and a native of Zanesville, Ohio, located in St. Louis at an earlydate. After acquiring a practical education in the public schoolsof St. Louis young Shaffmr served an apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade with Samuel C. McCormack, a contractor and builder. In 1874 he engaged in contracting and building on his own account, and is still engaged in that business, lie frequently employs 100 carpenters at a time, besides other labor in the prosecution of his building contracts. Among the noted buildings erected by him is the Bowman Dairy Company Block, Sixteenth and Franklin Avenue. He devotes most of his time to the construction of private dwellings, among which are many of the finest residences in St. Louis, lie is a good judge of real estate and other property, and has been frequently called upon by his neighbors to adjudicate values. lie resides in his original homestead, which he has occupied continuous!) for thirty-seven years. Mr. Shaffner. dining the war, was engaged in rebuilding bridges of the Xorih Missouri Railroad, destroyed by the armies. lie is a Democrat, and has been a member of the Democratic committee in his precinct, and a judge of election. I le is a Methodist in religious belief and prominent as a member of the Masonic order, the Knights of Honor and the Legion of Honor. Mr. Shaffner has been twice married; first, to Miss Cora Ulray, of St. Louis, in r876. Mrs. Cora Shaffner died in March, [887, leaving six children— Eva (deceased), Belle, Daisy, wife of Charles Spiers; Louis S.. Artliur and Alfred Shaffner. I lis second marriage was with Miss Rose Paine, of St. Louis.
in 1889. Two children have been born of this marriage — Rose Ann and Mary Shaffner.
[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]
Shamrock Society. — A benevolent society formed in St. Louis in 1854. after the memorable riot of that year, among the viol thus of which were many Irishmen. The organization took place at the house of Patrick Moran, at the corner of Eighth and Biddle Streets, and among the founders of the sol city wire M. J. Dolan, William Huse, Pat-k rick ( ('Neil, Edward Lester and others. Edward Lester was the first president of the organization. It provided for sick and death benefits. The society was partially disrupted
As printed in Encyclopedia of the history of St. Louis, a compendium of history and biography (v. 4) (1899). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Sexton, Henry Clay, was born March 29, 1828, in Wheeling, West Virginia, and died in St. Louis, December 31, 1893. He followed his father's occupation, which was that of contractor and builder, until 1857, the family having in the meantime removed to St. Louis. In 1857 he was made chief of the old volunteer fire department of St. Louis, and in that capacity became widely known throughout the country. In 1862 General Schofield removed him from the position of chief of the fire department and confined him in the Gratiot Street prison as a Southern sympathizer. He was reappointed in 1869, and held the office until 1885, when he resigned to become collector of internal revenue, during President Cleveland's first administration. In his early life he was a Whig in politics, but later became a Democrat. A member of the Southern Methodist Church, he was a devout Christian, and for many years was superintendent of the Mound Sunday school. July 4, 1850, he married Miss Sara Lavania Lyon, at Davenport, Iowa. The surviving children born of this union are Mrs. Jennie McCaw, Mrs. Addue Maxwell, Mrs. Lavania Salter and Henry Clay Sexton.
As printed in Encyclopedia of the history of Missouri (v. 5) (1901). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Named in this biography: August Waldauer (b. 1826) Britton A. Hill Charles Balmer (b. 1817)
The printed record stops around 1901. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.