JOSEPHINE BAKER OMAR N. BRADLEY (Born 1906; died 1975) (Born 1893; died 1981) Born in the Mill Creek Bottom area of St. Bradley, born near Clark, commanded the Louis, Baker’s childhood resembled that of largest American force ever united under one thousands of other black Americans who lived man’s leadership. Known as “the G.I.’s gen- in poverty and dealt with white America’s eral” during World War II, Bradley became racist attitudes. In France, however, where the first Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff racism was not as rampant, Baker became after the war. As a five-star general, Bradley an international presence well known for served 69 years on active duty—longer than her provocative productions. Her reputation, any other soldier in U.S. history. built on a 50-year career as a dancer, singer, and actress, allowed Baker to devote much of her life to fighting racial prejudice in the United States. She played an active role in Missouri State Archives the American civil rights movement of the 1950s and 60s.
THOMAS HART BENTON GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER (Born 1889; died 1975) (Born 1864; died 1943) Born in Neosho, Benton was destined to Born a slave near Diamond, Carver over- become a renowned artist. Two of his best- came tremendous obstacles to become one of known works appear in mural form at the America’s greatest scientists. He is best re- State Capitol in Jefferson City and the Tru- membered for his practical research, helping man Library in Independence. The Capitol farmers make a better living from marginal mural is a panorama of Missouri history; soil. A national monument in southwest Mis- the Truman Library mural depicts Indepen- souri preserves the area where Carver was dence’s role in the opening of the West. born and spent his childhood. State Historical Society of Missouri
THOMAS HART BENTON CHRISTOPHER (Kit) CARSON (Born 1782; died 1858) (Born 1809; died 1868) Benton has been called the “most distin- Born in Kentucky, Kit Carson moved to the guished statesman accredited to Missouri. Boons-lick district of Missouri in 1811, an ”He was a fighter for the common man, which area he called home for nearly half his life. earned him the nickname “Old Bullion.” A He led an adventurous life as a Santa Fe Trail strong advocate of statehood, he was elected teamster, trapper, scout, and Indian fighter. as one of the first United States senators from Carson served as a guide for Lt. John Charles Missouri in 1820. He served five successive Fremont’s western expeditions, and was ac- terms, playing a leading role in nearly every tive in the conquest of California in 1846 dur- major national political issue from statehood ing the Mexican War. In 1853, Carson was through the slavery crisis of the 1850s. Benton appointed as Indian agent in charge of the emerged as Missouri’s most prominent and Ute nation.
Missouri State Archives powerful political leader during those early State Historical Society of Missouri statehood years, becoming a nationally recog- nized advocate of Jacksonian Democracy.
GEORGE CALEB BINGHAM WILLIAM CLARK (Born 1811; died 1879) (Born 1770; died 1838) Considered by many to be the greatest Amer- Clark is best known for his part in the famous ican-born artist, Bingham is especially well- expedition he and Meriwether Lewis led west- known for his portraits and his paintings of ward to the Pacific, returning with valuable life on the Missouri frontier. He also had a information about the western region of the long career of public service, including elec- United States. In 1806, Clark began a long tion to the Missouri legislature and service as and successful Missouri career when he was state treasurer and adjutant general. appointed the principal U.S. Indian agent for tribes in the territory. From 1813 to 1820, he served as governor of Missouri. In 1822, he moved to St. Louis as U.S. Superintendent of Indian Affairs, a post he held until his death. Missouri State Archives State Historical Society of Missouri State Historical Society of Missouri State Historical Society of Missouri Missouri State Archives The Walt Disney Company Missouri State Archives Hearst. She is the mother of publisher William Randolph PTA. the as today known Mothers, of Congress National the of co-founder as and kindergartens of support financial early her for remembered best is she arts, the of patron a was Hearst Mrs. Although Nevada. of fields mining the in fortune George Hearst, also a husband Missourian, who amassed a her with Fransisco San to moved she Born in Franklin County and married in Steelville, 1919) died 1842; (Born PHOEBE APPERSONHEARST columnist. and writer newspaper a was also He honor. his in named country, the across schoolhouses of hundreds by memorialized is and Nod.” Known as “The Children’s Poet,” Field Blyken, Wynken, and Blue” Boy “Little included works His poetry. children’s best-loved world’s the of some created Louis, St. in born Field, 1895) died 1850; (Born FIELD EUGENE 1988. 3, July cannonized was Louisiana. She black and Indian children in Missouri, Kansas and white, for seminaries and schools established had she death, her of time the At Mississippi. the of west school free first the became which Charles St. at school a established she 1818, Indians. In the to missionary a as work to 48 age at France native her from Louis St. to came She 1852) died 1769; (Born DUCHESNE PHILLIPPINE ROSE STE. Twain is remembered today at his at today remembered is Mark Twain writers, greatest America’s of One worldwide. famous become would Twain—that name—Mark a took boats on the Mississippi. From riverboat jargon he Growing up in Hannibal, Clemens watched river 1910) died 1835; (Born CLEMENS SAMUEL the Seven Dwarfs.” Seven the and White “Snow was film feature animated first introduced the world to Mickey Mouse. Disney’s which Willie,” “Steamboat sound, with cartoon animated first the created Disney City. Kansas and Marceline in up grew films, animated of creator and cartoonist well-known the Disney, 1966) died 1901; (Born WALT DISNEY Missouri. Florida, in birthplace nearby his at and Hannibal in home boyhood -
State Historical Society of Missouri Kansas City Times State Historical Society of Missouri State Historical Society of Missouri Courtesy of California Institute of Technology tution of Arts and Letters in 1961. in Letters and Arts of tution Medal in 1960 and election to the National Insti Spingarn the relations, race on book best year’s the for 1953 in Award Anisfeld-Wolfe the them among honors, many received Hughes works. his throughout themes heritage African used He innovator. jazz and theaters of founder umnist, col songwriter, librettist, anthologist, author, an was Joplin in born Hughes, Langston James 1967) died 1902; (Born LANGSTON HUGHES JAMES honor. his in 1990, the Hubble Space Telescope was launched In expanding. constantly is universe the that ing prov distance, their to proportional are galaxies receding of velocities radial that states law This ered what would later be called “Hubble’s Law.” discov he 1929, By today. astronomers by used still is that system classification galaxies—a for presented the first significant classification system he 1925, In astronomers. leading world’s the of one became Hubble Edwin Marshfield, in Born 1953) died 1889; (Born EDWIN POWELLHUBBLE his 15-year career with the circus. the with career 15-year his over attraction star a becoming 1942, in Circus joined the Ringling Brothers—Barnum and Bailey Kelly 30s. and 1920s the during circuses several cartoonist. When a this proved unsuccessful, be Kelly toured with to 1917 in City Kansas to ing mov after business entertainment the into bled stum Kelly Cabool, in Born Depression. Great the of years the during invented he character hobo the Willie,” “Weary of portrayal his for “America’s most famous clown,” was best known 1979) died 1898; (Born EMMETT KELLY Entertainer.” “The and Rag” Leaf Maple Joplin composed such well-known works as “The slave, former a of son The “ragtime.” as known become would which music of style the develop helped who pianist a was He Missouri. in life his of most spent but Texas, in born was Joplin 1917) died 1868; (Born SCOTT JOPLIN Joseph. St. in Museum House Patee the of grounds the on today stands home frame small The killed. and shot was he where home Joseph St. the is citizen infamous most Missouri’s with associated site best-known The there. are gravesite and home His ney. Kear at born was outlaw, notorious the James, 1882) died 1847; (Born JESSE JAMES ------JAMES CASH (J.C.) PENNEY LAURA INGALLS WILDER (Born 1875; died 1971) (Born 1867; died 1957) Penney, founder and owner of the J.C. Penney Wilder won fame as the author of Little House Company, was born in Caldwell County. His suc- on the Prairie and seven other “Little House” cess as a dry goods clerk impressed his employer, books. Although born in Wisconsin, she was who sold him part interest in a store that Penney living at Mansfield when she began her writing named the Golden Rule Store. He began purchas- career in 1932. All her books were written at ing more stores in 1904 and soon had a chain Rocky Ridge Farm in Mansfield, where she lived of stores. In 1912, these stores became the J.C. until her death. Penney Stores. While Penney did not invent the American chain store, he was a leader in exploit- ing the concept successfully. Missouri State Archives Missouri State Archives
JOHN J. PERSHING (Born 1860; died 1948) Pershing, born near Laclede, is the only Ameri- can to be named General of the Armies (a rank which carries six-star status) during his lifetime. His distinguished career included service in the Spanish-American War and in the campaign against Mexican bandit Pancho Villa. In World War I, he commanded the American Expedition- ary Force in Europe. State Historical Society of Missouri
JOSEPH PULITZER (Born 1847; died 1911) Pulitzer made his way from his birthplace in Mako, Hungary to St. Louis in 1865, a city he called home for nearly two decades. In 1878, Pulitzer purchased the bankrupt St. Louis Dis- patch and merged it with the unprofitable St. Louis Post—a combination that produced the city’s leading newspaper. His sensationalistic approach to covering news, dubbed “yellow journalism,” was fully developed upon his move to New York, where he purchased the New York World and became known as a world-renowned publisher. The coveted Pulitzer Prize for journal- State Historical Society of Missouri ists is named for him. STUART SYMINGTON (Born 1901; died 1988) Though born in Massachusetts, Symington is best known for his years as Missouri’s influential U.S. Senator, a position he held from 1953 to 1977. During the Truman presidency, Symington was appointed to several important positions, including Assistant Secretary of War for Air; he became the nation’s first Secretary of the Air Force in 1947. As senator, he served on the Armed Services Com- mittee and the Committee on Foreign Relations simultaneously—the only senator to ever do so. Symington twice sought the Democratic Party presidential nomination. Missouri State Archives
HARRY S TRUMAN (Born 1884; died 1972) Truman, born in Lamar, served as 33rd presi- dent of the United States, from 1945 to 1952. His birthplace is now a state historic site. Tru- man is remembered as “the man from Indepen- dence.” His boyhood homes, the summer White House, his first courtroom, the Truman library and Museum, and his gravesite all are in this area. Missouri State Archives