Huston Wyeth (1863–1925) was an American industrialist and a prominent businessman and social figure in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Huston Wyeth | |
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| Born | July 8, 1863 St. Joseph, Missouri, United States |
| Died | January 25, 1925 (aged 61) Miami, Florida, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Businessman |
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Early life edit
Huston Wyeth was born in St. Joseph, Missouri on July 8, 1863, to William Maxwell Wyeth (1832–1901) and Eliza Renick Wyeth (1837–1920).[1][2][3] Huston had two siblings, including Sue Maud (1861–1897).[4] William's brothers, John and Frank, founded the Wyeth pharmaceutical company.[5]
Career edit
Huston Wyeth began investing in cattle at age 17. He attended the Racine Business College in Wisconsin. Upon returning to St. Joseph, Huston associated initially with the hardware firm of Lyon & Judson. He then began work at his father's firm, Wyeth Hardware and Manufacturing Company, a large wholesale hardware firm, with a large harness, saddle and collar making subsidiary. In 1888, Huston was elected to be vice-president and director and, when his father died in 1901, Huston became president of the company. Huston later founded the St. Joseph Artesian Ice and Cold Storage Company, the Standard Vitrified Brick Company,[6] and the Blue Valley Creamery Company. He also managed a real estate company and was director of St. Joseph and Grand Island Railway, the Leavenworth Terminal Railway and Bridge, and utility concerns.[7][8] Wyeth's ice company was targeted during "ice trust" monopoly investigations that swept the U.S. during the early 1900s.[9]
Personal life and death edit
Huston married Leila Ballinger (1865–1955) on April 4, 1883.[2] Huston and Leila had four children: William Maxwell, Maud, Alison, and John. Huston was a recognized breeder of cattle, trotting horses, German Shepherds and mastiffs. In 1918–1922, the Wyeths built Wyethwood Estate. Huston traveled to Africa, with his son-in-law, to hunt game. The Wyeths maintained winter quarters in Miami, Florida. Wyeth donated to the city of St. Joseph property that became Huston Wyeth Park, including Huston Wyeth Hill. This hill is on the Missouri River bluffs, overlooking the St. Joseph Branch of the Oregon Trail, and is a traditional site for couples to watch the sunset.[10] Huston Wyeth died January 25, 1925, in Miami and is buried at Mount Mora Cemetery in Saint Joseph.[11][12]
References edit
- ^ Van Nada, M. L., ed. (January 1906). The Book of Missourians. Chicago, IL: T. J. Steele & Co. pp. 418–419. LCCN 19014150. OCLC 4692102. OL 6618689M. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
Huston Wyeth, hardware merchant and manufacturer. Born July 8, 1863, St. Joseph, Mo. Son of William Maxwell Wyeth and Eliza (Renick) Wyeth; educated in the public schools of St. Joseph, Mo., and Racine Business College of Racine, Wis.; in his seventeenth year engaged in cattle business, afterwards becoming manager of a retail hardware house, then a member of Wyeth Hardware & Manufacturing Co., St. Joseph, Mo., in 1892 he organized the Artesian Ice & Cold Storage Co. and became its president and active head; in the Spanish–American War he organized a company for that service known as the Wyeth Guards, named for him and mustered into the service of the United States as Company C, Fourth Regiment of Missouri Volunteers; he is president of the Humane Society of St. Joseph, Mo.; in Masonry he is a noble of the Ancient Order of the Mystic Shrine, a member of Hugh de Payens Commandery, Knight Templar, and of Mitchell's Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; member of the K. of P., the Improved Order of Red Men and the Benevolent Order of Elks. Mr. Wyeth was married to Miss Leila Ballinger, April 4, 1883; he is the owner of a fine racing stable of horses of his own breeding. Residence, St. Joseph, Missouri.
- ^ a b Williams, Walter, ed. (1915). A History of Northwest Missouri. Vol. 3. Chicago, IL: Lewis Publishing Co. pp. 1607–1609. LCCN 15023305. OCLC 4030194. OL 6581381M. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
- ^ Moore, Daniel Decatur (1922). Men of the South: A Work for the Newspaper Reference Library. New Orleans, LA: Publisher Southern Biographical Association. p. 332. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
Huston Wyeth, merchant and manufacturer, was born July 8, 1863, at St. Joseph, Mo. He was educated in the schools of St. Joseph, Mo., and Racine, Wis. He is now president of the following corporations: Wyeth Hardware and Manufacturing Co., Blue Valley Creamery Co., Wyeth Realty and Investment Co.; director Leavenworth Terminal Railway and Bridge Co.; formerly vice-president National Bank of St. Joseph, Mo.; president Lyon & Judson Hardware Co.; president St. Joseph Artesian Ice and Cold Storage Co.; director St. Joseph Gas Co.; director St. Joseph & Grand Island R. R. Co.; director St. Joseph Water Co. He is a member of the St. Joseph Country Club, Highlands Golf Club, Benton Club, Waterways League of America, life member of the American Museum of Natural History, Rotary Club, life member Navy League, St. Joseph Duck Club, Larchmont Yacht Club, New York Yacht Club, Atlantic Club, life member National Rifle Association, life member American Defense Society, life member Audubon Society, Past Potentate of the Shrine, member of the Biscayne Yacht Club, member of the Sons of the Revolution and the Sons of 1812 War, the A.A.A., Elks, American Kennel Club, American Shepherd Club. He was married in 1883 to Leila Ballinger. Their children are William M. Wyeth, Mrs. Alison Wyeth Campbell, John Wyeth and Mrs. Maud Wyeth Painter, Cleveland, O. He has homes at Miami, Fla. and St. Joseph, Mo. His business address is St. Joseph, Mo.
- ^ Hall, Henry, ed. (1896). America's Successful Men of Affairs. Vol. 2. NY, NY: The New York Tribune. p. 898. LCCN 05034051. OL 23275985M. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
- ^ "Death of W. M. Wyeth". The Iron Age. Vol. 67. NY, NY: David Williams Company. March 14, 1901. p. 53. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
- ^ "Kansas News Briefs". The Kansas City Gazette. September 20, 1904. p. 1. Retrieved July 27, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
The Standard Vitrified Brick Company has just been organized in Coffeyville with the backing of some of the capitalists in Coffeyville and St. Joseph, Mo. *** It is composed of Huston Wyeth, the millionaire hardware man of St. Joseph;***
- ^ Tracy, W. P. (ed.). Men Who Make St. Joseph, The City, Worth While. St. Joseph, MO: W. P. Tracy.
- ^ "Year's Expense Too Heavy For Any Dividends". The Leavenworth Times. January 10, 1912. p. 6. Retrieved July 27, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
Mr. Wyeth is perhaps one of the wealthiest men in the middle west, being the owner of an immense hardware concern for which eight warehouses are necessary.
- ^ "Such a Haughty Millionaire". The Leather Workers' Journal. XV (1). Kansas City, MO: International Brotherhood of Leather Workers on Horse Goods (published September 1912): 24. August 15, 1912.
Angered because the Artesian Ice Company of which he is president and the principal stockholder has been indicted along with the other St. Joseph ice manufacturing concerns as an 'ice trust,' Huston Wyeth has suspended work on an Italian plan, and has announced that he will move to Chicago. He is present of the Wyeth Manufacturing Hardware Company.
- ^ "See & Do". St. Joseph, MO Tourism. St. Joseph Convention & Visitors Bureau. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
- ^ "Florida, Deaths, 1877–1939," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FP8X-65B : accessed 5 July 2014), Huston Wyeth, 25 Jan 1925; citing Miami, Dade, Florida, reference vol 240 cn 232; FHL microfilm 2116432.
- ^ "St. Joseph Man Dies Last Night in Miami". Daily Democrat-Forum and Maryville Tribune. Miami, Florida. January 26, 1925. p. 1. Retrieved July 27, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
Huston Wyeth of St. Joseph, Mo., died last night at his winter home here. He was 62 years old. Wyeth's wife and son were at his bedside when he died and will return with the body to St. Joseph.
