Westminster College - Blue Jay Yearbook (Fulton, MO)

Page 11 text:

--l-

Page 10 text:

'Gini Erniaxmin Elfranklin Ehmarhn Mhnzr pnnitinng an Hrraihrnt nf the Euarh nf Uruztrw nf mvntminatrr Gnllegr, prraagw murh fur, Ihr fuiurr. the IBIII Mun 3Iag in rrzprrtfnllg hrhirairh.

Page 12 text:

F Mr. B. F. Edwards. Benjamin Franklin Edwards is fifty years old and has spent all his years in St. Louis. His father, General Albert Gallatin Edwars, entered the Federal army during the Civil War and became an officer of rank. After the war General Edwards was appointed internal revenue collector for St. Louis, which position he held until 1887. He became one of the most active, best beloved, and best known of the ruling elders of his city. In 1887 General Edwards retired from the internal revenue office, still a poor man, and with no business before him. His oldest son, Ben, had completed his school days in the high school of Kirkwood, and had secured a position at the bottom in the National Bank of Commerce, St. Louis. By his industry and trustworthiness he soon attracted the attention of Williain H. Thompson, the president of the bank. By 1887, at the age of 28, Ben Edwards held the position of assistant cashier. At this juncture he resigned his position for his father,s sake, and formed a partner- ship with his father. They established the firm of A. G. Edwards Sz Son, brokers, with a capital of 5E2,000. Later, two younger brothers and others were taken into the firm, which exists .still under the name of A. G. Edwards 81 Sons, one of the strongest brokerage Hrms west of the Mississippi. E ive years after establishing the firm of A. G. Edwards 81 Son, in 1892, Mr. Ben Edwards was called back to the Bank of Commerce to the position assistant cashier, at probably the largest salary ever paid to a cashier west of the Mississippi. His promotions came rapidly, first to a vice-presidency with very large responsibilities as to management of the bank's forces, then to the iirst vice-presideny, and a year and a half ago to the presidency of the Bank of Commerce, St. Louis, the. largest banking institution west of the Mississippi. V Mr. Edwards is an elder in the VVashington and Compton Avenue Pres- byterian church, St. Louis, and has done mission Sunday School work through all his active life. He plays golf, and is an enthusiast over base ball. Mr. Edwards has accepted the presidency of Westininsteris Board of Trustees because he believes in Vifestminster College. ' 6