Medart, William, manufacturer, was born May 15, 1845, in Belleville, Illinois, son of Philip Medart, of German nativity. In the summer of 1854, when he was but nine years of age, and had barely obtained the rudiments of an education, he came to St. Louis, and began working for J. Syme, a lace merchant, whose establishment was a branch of a New Orleans house. While in the employ of this merchant he labored diligently to improve his education as much as possible through reading, study and attendance at night schools. When Mr. Syme finally concluded to close out his business in St. Louis, and send his unsold stock back to New Orleans, William Medart was thrown out of employment, and was out of work for a period of twelve days, the only time in his life which he now remembers, since he became old enough to work, that he had not some regular employment. At the end of these twelve days he found employment in the wholesale house of C. H. Olcott & Co., then doing a large dry goods business in St. Louis. After remaining a short time with this firm, he became connected with the wholesale dry goods house of Pomeroy & Benton, which was then the largest and most widely known establishment of its kind in the Western country. For several years his connection with this firm was in the capacity of employee, but in time he became a partner of the firm which succeeded Pomeroy & Benton, and continued to be thus interested in merchandising until 1882. In 1879 he had taken an interest with his brother, Philip Medart, in the manufacture of a patent pulley, of which the last named was inventor, and which is now famous throughout the United States. This business developed rapidly, and as a consequence William Medart severed his connection with the dry goods trade in 1882, and turned his attention to his manufacturing interests. The enterprise which he and his brother established—a small affair to begin with, has since become one of great consequence and magnitude, and Mr. Medart is thus identified with one of the important industries of the city. Since 1882 he has devoted himself exclusively to this business, having charge of its financial department and evidencing his broad capacity in the success with which he has conducted its affairs. Notwithstanding the fact that he had limited educational advantages in early life, he has studied to good purpose as boy and man, has traveled extensively and observed closely, and is known among his friends and associates as a man of cultivated tastes and broad general information. He has made several trips to Europe, and has made many friends abroad, as well as in the city and State which has so long been his home.
Information Sources
- Encyclopedia of the History of St. Louis, V3, 1899, pg. 1414