Hugh McKittrick

As printed in 1899

McKittrick, Hugh, merchant, was born October 21, 1829, at Gilnakirk, Ireland. His parents were Hugh and Martha (Kennedy) McKittrick, and his great-grandfather, McKittrick, who was known through the country round about as “the old Laird,” came from Scotland to Ireland. Hugh McKittrick was the youngest of six children, and the sixth Hugh McKittrick in the line of descent. He

"was educated at private schools in his native ‘town, attending such schools until he was fourteen years of age, when, through the influence of his cousin, who was an officer in the English Navy. he received the appointment of midshipman. When he was seventeen years old Mr, McKittrick began his business career in the linen trade, in which he was engaged for a few months. When he was nineteen years old he came to the United States, and, after traveling about for three months, met, in New York, Mr. Wayman Crow, who was then head of the dry goods firm of Crow, McCreery & Barksdale, of St. Louis. He was offered a position in this house by Mr. Crow, and came to

McLARAN, gust of the year 1849 to ac-

St. Louis in Au cept it On the retirement of Mr. Barksdale, Mr. McKittrick became a member of the new firm of Crow, McCreery & Co. Thereafter he vas successively a member of the firm of Hargadine, McKittrick & Co., and the president of the corporation which succeeded this partnership, under the name of the Hargadine- McKittrick Dry Goods Company, in 1889. He continued to hold that position until his death, which occurred July 14, 1895. He was in all respects an accomplished merchant, and was known also as a sagacious and able financier. During his career he was prominently identified with many institutions of a commercial and financial character, and also with various charitable institutions. For many years prior to his death he was president of the board of trustees of the Church of the Messiah; for twenty years was a director in the St. Louis National Bank, and was one of the organizers of the Union Trust Company, on the executive committee of which institution he served until his death. In May of the year 1878 he was appointed a member of a government commission, created by Honorable John Sherman, then Secretary of the United States Treasury, to investigate and report on the undervaluation of goods passing through the customhouses and other frauds practiced in that connection. This commission consisted of five merchants, selected from Chicago, Baltimore, Cincinnati, New York and St. Louis respectively, and as a member of the commission Mr. McKittrick represented the merchants of St. Louis and the Southwest. He served on this commission during’ all its sittings, and at the close submitted a minority report, which received high commendation from various sources. In addition to his business enterprises in St. Louis, he was connected as a director and stockholder with several New York corporations, which he served faithfully and intelligently until failing health compelled him to relieve himself of a portion of his business cares and responsibilities. His career was an eminently honorable and successful one, and he is remembered as one of the great merchants of the West. He married, in 1859, Mary Webber Cutter, daughter of Norman Cutter, of St. Louis, and nine children were born tothe. Three of his sons are now interested in the business of which he was so long the leading spirit.

MecLaran, Charles, Was born Deg, ber 10, 1808, in Baltimore, Maryland adas December 12, 1891, in St. Louis. His P died were both natives of Baltimore, and his Tents life was passed in that city. His father ariy McLaran, served through the Revoluti War, was wounded at the battle of Branda wine, and was present at the surrender of L, A Cornwallis at Yorktown. After the ba closed he engaged in the shipbuildin. business, at Baltimore, and, after amassing. considerable fortune, he removed to i Mary’s, Georgia, where he engaged in sie planting. He continued to reside in this place until his death, after which his widow married again. After this marriage, Charles Me. Laran was adopted by Mr. Peter Godiey, of Tuscumbia, Alabama, a merchant Of large means, and a most estimable gentleman, He passed the years of his youth in Mr, Godley’s family, leaving his home at the age of twenty-one to go to Elyton—now Birmingham—Alabama, where he went into business for himself. After spending several years at Elyton, he was recalled to Tuscumbia, on account of the failing health of his benefactor, who died shortly afterward, leaving him a small fortune. He then married in Tuscumbia, and lived there about twelve years, when, upon the death of his wife, he removed to Columbus, Mississippi, where he engaged extensively in cotton planting for many years. In 1847 he was one of the founders of what afterward became the First National Bank of that city, and became its first president. He occupied a position of great prominence in the State, and was frequently urged by his friends to stand as a candidate for Governor, but, having no fondness for either emoluments or honors of public office, he declined to consider favorably these propositions to elevate him to high official station. About this time he became a member of the Masonic order in Columbus, Mississippi, and attained the Royal Arch degree white living in that city. In the year 1853 Ne married Miss Annie M. ‘Jennings, the youngest daughter of James Jennings, Esq., of Lonis, Missouri. Shortly before the Gar War he determined to make St. Louis s home, and, coming to this city, he iiei himself actively in all public affairs, an y operated earnestly with the leading Man bettering the municipal government. Aahe other things, he was made a member ard of police commissioners, which held ere, and helped to organize the mere-

Jitan police system of the city. About the Pout 1867 he embarked in the wholesale hardy po business, with his nephew, Charles Mcan Williams, under the firm name of Mc- Laran & Williams, and the house thus established became one of the largest of its kind in St. Louis, and, in fact, one of the largest in the West. After continuing at the head of this business about eight years, he retired from active mercantile pursuits, and busied himself with the care of his estate from that time until his death. While he was never a member of a church or other religious organizations, he lived the life of a true Christian gentleman, and was ever prompt to aid the poor and friendless, doing what he conceived to be his duty as a man favored by fortune. Upright and honorable in all his dealings, his sense of right governed him in all his transactions, and he ever waived any legal or other advantage which he might have held, if not in accord with his strict views of equity and justice. He was known everywhere as a broad-minded, public-spirited man, and with Mr. D. A. January and others, he was one of the originators of the enterprise which resulted in the building of the old Southern Hotel. He lived to the ripe age of eighty-four years, beloved by his family and friends, and respected by all who knew him. His wife, four daughters and five sons survive him.

first bo office h

As printed in Encyclopedia of the history of St. Louis, a compendium of history and biography for ready reference (v. 3) (1899). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.