John G. Cable

John G. Cable. In none of the professions is more exhaustive preparation called for than in the law, and even when he has received his degree the applicant for legal honors has only begun his labors, for constant study and research are necessary to the ambitious legis who would win success during this day of constant and energetic competition. For all of these labors, however, the profession holds compensation, and extended honors await those who have mastered their vocation, in which connection it will not be inappropriate to briefly sketch the career of John G. Cable, of Hannibal, late city attorney and a lawyer who has already gained a reputation through his thorough knowledge of law and jurisprudence. Mr. Cable was born at Perry, Ralls county, Missouri, January 27, 1879, and is a son of John "W. and Alberta B. Cable, both natives of Virginia. Five children were born to Mr. Cable's parents, all of whom reside in Hannibal, one of his brothers being employed in a large supply house.

John G. Cable was the second of his parents' children, and was a child of four years when brought to a farm near Hannibal. He secured his preliminary education in the country schools, following which he went to the Hannibal high school, and there graduated in 1899. Having determined upon entering the legal profession, he spent a short time in preparation and then entered the University of Missouri, at Columbia, attending the academic and law departments for three years, and graduating with the degree of LL. B. in 1902. In January of the following year he, came to Hannibal and engaged in the practice of his profession, a practice that has had a pleasing and steady increase to the present time. In 1906 he entered the public field as Democratic candidate for city attorney, an office which he held from that year until 1909, and during this time was influential in having changed the term of the city attorney's office from one to two years. He 7uade an admirable executive, being fearless in his prosecution of whatever he believed unjust or unlawful, and just as courageous in his defense of those principles which he considered right. His administration called forth the highest praise and caused him to become firmly established in the confidence and esteem of his fellow-townsmen. In his private practice Mr. Cable has demonstrated that he is a careful, capable and conscientious attorney well versed in the laws of his state and country and at all times faithful in caring for his clients' interests. He has been connected with much important litigation, and his success in a number of well-known cases has made him well known to his fellow practitioners all over the state. Mr. Cable has engaged actively in fraternal work and is a popular member of the local lodges of the Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America.

James Peyton Hinton is a native of Marion county, Missouri, and a Hannibalian in every sense. Every important event of Mr. Hinton 's life originated in Hannibal. He was born in Hannibal, Missouri, November 2, 1859, began his school career in Hannibal, commenced work as a bookkeeper in Hannibal, engaged in his first business enterprise in Hannibal, married in Hannibal and is recognized as one of Hannibal's progressive, public spirited citizens.

James P. Hinton is the son of William and Margaret Marsh Hinton, the former of whom was born on a farm in Scott county, Kentucky, and the latter in Miamisburg, Ohio. When the subject of this review was five years of age, his parents removed to Iowa where his father was engaged in coal mining. Two years later the family transferred their residence to Chicago and a couple of years later removed to Wyoming where his father had charge of the coal department of the Union Pacific Railroad, so that the boyhood and youth of James P. was not lacking in diversity of scene and incident. He whose name initiated this review attended the public schools in the various places in which the family resided. At the age of sixteen he returned to Hannibal where he continued his higher academic studies for three years in the Hannibal College, thence going to Poughkeepsie, N. Y., where he attended school for two years. After completing his course at Poughkeepsie, he returned to his native city and accepted the position of bookkeeper in the office of his uncle, James P. Hinton, Sr., in whose honor he was named and who at that time conducted the only coal and wood business in Hannibal. He remained in this position until 1884 when he was admitted into partnership and in 1888 disposed of his interest in the wood and coal business, formed a partnership with George W. Storrs and engaged in the wholesale coal and ice business under the firm name of Storrs & Hinton. The firm built three large ice houses in the northern part of the city and conducted a successful business from the beginning. Upon the death of Mr. Storrs in 1894 the business was incorporated as the Storrs-Hinton Ice & Coal Company, Mr. Hinton being its president and executive head from the date of incorporation until 1910 when he disposed of his stock and retired from the corporation. In 1898 Mr. Hinton was elected a director in the Bank of Hannibal and in 1900 was elected cashier of that institution and from the very beginning proved his efficiency as a financier in the administration of the affairs of the bank. In 1903 the Bank of Hannibal was changed to the Hannibal National Bank and at the present time this institution has the distinction of being the largest bank in Northeast IMissouri, having the largest capital and surplus and largest amount of deposits of any bank in this section of the state.

The Missouri bankers recognizing Mr. Hinton 's abilities as a. banker, unanimously elected him treasurer of the Missouri Bankers Association in 1908, in 1909 he was elected vice-president of the organization and in 1910 became its president. During his administration the Missouri Bankers Association had the distinction of becoming the only bank association in America with a solid membership, every bank and trust company in the state being a member of the Missouri Bankers Association.

Mr. Hinton is and has been for many years, president of the Hannibal Mutual Loan and Building Association, which is the most extensive concern of its kind in Northeast Missouri and which has the further distinction of being the oldest building association in the state. He is also vice-president of the International Life Insurance Company of Missouri, Missouri's largest life insurance company, with headquarters in St. Louis. He is also president of the board of public works, having been a member of the board since its organization and has the gratification of being one of the members of what is conceded to be the best managed municipal electric light plants in the United States, in fact, it is generally conceded by electric experts that there are but two really successfully managed municipal electric light plants in the country. Mr. Hinton is also president of Riverside Cemetery Association, and a director and treasurer of the board of control of Riverview park; treasurer of the Home for the Friendless and director and chairman of the finance committee of the Y. M. C. A. of Hannibal, and chairman of the executive committee of the Y. M. C. A. of Missouri.

In politics Mr. Hinton has always been Republican but has never had the desire for public office, although he has filled the office of city treasurer for two terms. He was chairman of the committee which brought about the re-organization of the Hannibal commercial club which since that time has steadily gone forward and today exerts a potent influence not alone in the upbuilding of the civic, industrial and commercial advancement of Hannibal, but its influence is felt throughout the entire state. During Mr. Hinton 's administration as president, $77,000 was raised by the commercial club for the erection of a local Y. M. C. A. building and many civic improvements inaugurated. Mr. Hinton was a director and treasurer of the Bluff City Telephone Company from the date of its organization until the plant was absorbed by the Bell Telephone Company in 1911. He assisted in organizing and incorporating the Hannibal Country Club and personally purchased the present attractive club house and grounds which he later turned over to the club. Mr. Hinton is a member of the Fifth Street Baptist church and is one of its trustees. For twenty-one years he acted as treasurer of the church, retiring from that office in January, 1912. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, a member of the Country Club, Labinnah Club, Sni E 'Carte Hunting and Fishing Club, and Broad Apron Hunting and Fishing Club. Mr. Hinton is an ardent sportsman, getting great enjoyment out of outdoor life. On several occasions he has hunted large game in the Rockies and has a number of wild animal heads as trophies.

The following editorial from the Hannibal Courier-Post of January 28, 1909, shows the position occupied by Mr. Hinton among the folks who know him best:

"In selecting James P. Hinton, cashier of the Hannibal National Bank of Hannibal, as president, the directors of the Hannibal Commercial Club displayed splendid judgment. There are times when conditions so shape themselves as to cluster around an individual making him pre-eminently the man for a certain position. This fact has been thoroughly demonstrated in the case of Mr. Hinton. While there were numbers of men in Hannibal eminently qualified for the position of president of the Commercial Club, it seemed as if the members of the club, of the board of directors and the citizens, as well, had but one choice and that was James P. Hinton.

' ' The eyes of the citizens were turned to him to carry out the work set going by him last fall, when the 'Booster Committee was appointed by President Robinson to devise ways and means for effecting a more active and beneficial commercial club. No doubt his successful business career, his many traits of character, and, especially, the successful management of the board of public works, of which he is president, had much to do with focusing public attention on him as the man for the position at this particular time.

"The directors can rest assured that no better selection could possibly have been made. Mr. Hinton possesses in every way qualifications that eminently fit him for the position he has been called upon by his associate directors, backed by the voice of the members of the commercial club and of the citizens generally, to fill. He is a man of experience in the business world, correct in his methods and liberal in his judgment. He possesses that strong personality and firmness in decision that are absolutely essential in the head of any commercial club. No man is more thoroughly allied with Hannibal and Hannibal's interests than is James P. Hinton. He has always been found in the forefront, battling for the gi-owth and development of the city. His services and his money have always been given to every worthy cause. His extensive acquaintance with business men throughout the Mississippi valley will serve as a strong factor in making him an ideal head for the Commercial Club. He is recognized as one of the ablest bankers in the state and is at present vice-president of the Missouri Bankers Association."

On August 7, 1883, Mr. Hinton was married to Miss Martha B. Hawkins, who was born and reared in Hannibal and who was a granddaughter of Moses D. Bates, the honored founder of this city. She was a daughter of Dr. Edwin J. and Martha Bates Hawkins, both of whom are now deceased, her father having been for many years one of the leading physicians and honored and influential citizens of Hamiibal. Mrs. Hinton died IMarch 14, 1912. Mr. and Mrs. Hinton had two children Martha Eleanor who on March 20, 1913, was married to Mr. John B. Powell, instructor in journalism in the state university at Columbia, and William Storrs Hinton, now a student in the University of IVIissouri.

As printed in A history of northeast Missouri (1913). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.