US Congressman. He moved to Missouri in 1857, studied law and was professor of natural science at Bellevue Institute, Caledonia, 1877 to 1880. From 1880 to 1889, he served as Bellevue Institute president, the chair of science in the State school at Cape Girardeau, in 1889 and as president, 1893 to 1897. He was a delegate to the Democratic State conventions in 1896, 1898, 1918, and 1920 and served as chairman in 1918. In 1897, he was elected as a Democrat to the Fifty-fifth and to the three succeeding Congresses, serving until 1905. Not a candidate for re-nomination, he served as State insurance commissioner of Missouri, 1905 to 1909. His last public office was as Assistant Treasurer of the United States, 1913 until retiring in 1921. He is also credited with the authorship of the phrase "I'm from Missouri, you've got to show me," leading to the state's slogan symbol, "The Show Me State".

US Congressman. He moved to Missouri in 1857, studied law and was professor of natural science at Bellevue Institute, Caledonia, 1877 to 1880. From 1880 to 1889, he served as Bellevue Institute president, the chair of science in the State school at Cape Girardeau, in 1889 and as president, 1893 to 1897. He was a delegate to the Democratic State conventions in 1896, 1898, 1918, and 1920 and served as chairman in 1918. In 1897, he was elected as a Democrat to the Fifty-fifth and to the three succeeding Congresses, serving until 1905. Not a candidate for re-nomination, he served as State insurance commissioner of Missouri, 1905 to 1909. His last public office was as Assistant Treasurer of the United States, 1913 until retiring in 1921. He is also credited with the authorship of the phrase "I'm from Missouri, you've got to show me," leading to the state's slogan symbol, "The Show Me State".

Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith