Library Knows Business: 'Frontier swashbuckler' gives clue to CEO characteristics

So what are the characteristics of great chief executive officers? Must they be dignified, rich and powerful? Have a Harvard MBA? Look good in a well-cut Italian suit? You might be surprised at some of the qualities of good leadership that we can glean from historical figures, researched on the Web and in books found at the Springfield-Greene County Library.

Pioneer, gunfighter, entrepreneur, militia colonel, miner, judge and folk hero John Smith T comfortably managed to wear all these hats.

Yes, that's actually his name. Born into the fifth generation of Virginia gentry, young Smith first made his mark on the Tennessee frontier. There he added the "T" to his surname to distinguish his land titles from those of multitudinous John Smiths!

Known as the most dangerous man in Missouri, Smith T was said to have killed 14 men in duels. "Frontier Swashbuckler" by Dick Steward, 977.8603 S, is an insightful look at the economic and social dynamics of early Missouri.

Another astounding character from early Missouri economic history was Robert Campbell. After having amassed considerable wealth in the western fur trade by the age of 30, Campbell "retired" to St. Louis and built a business empire that included mercantile, steamboat, railroad and banking interests.

Many maintain that Campbell's greatest legacy is the Campbell House Museum, a St. Louis landmark since 1943. "From Mountain Man to Millionaire" by William R. Nester, 978.02 N, places Campbell in the context of his times, focusing on the opportunities and challenges that shaped his life.

Abe Trillin had the western Missouri accent of someone who had grown up in St. Joseph and the dreams of America of someone who had been born in Russia. Trillin owned five Kansas City grocery stores, almost any one of which would fit into the dairy department of a modern supermarket. He was noted for his colorful collection of curses, such as "May you have an injury that is not covered by workman's compensation." "Messages from My Father," 814.54 T, is written by Calvin Trillin, his son and noted contributor to The New Yorker, Time and The Nation.

Pertinent Web Sites

www.ltbn.com/fame.cfm

At the Let's Talk Business Entrepreneurs Hall of Fame, you'll find biographies of heavy hitters such as Andrew Carnegie and Edwin Land. Each biography has illustrations, pithy quotes, key thoughts for entrepreneurs and suggestions for further reading.

greatwomen.org/the_hall.php

The National Women's Hall of Fame also accepts nominations; "contributions of national or global importance and of enduring value" only, please. Dozens of biographies in all areas of endeavor, including such businesswomen as Madame C.J. Walker, widely considered to be the first African-American female millionaire. Also included is Muriel Siebert, the first woman to own a seat on the New York Stock Exchange.

www.thehistorynet.com/WomensHistory/articles/19962_text.htm

American women's involvement in commerce can be traced back to the colonial period's earliest days. Women's History magazine highlights 12 figures such as Elizabeth Hobbs Keckley, who was born into slavery, bought freedom for herself and her son through her dressmaking business in St. Louis, and became dressmaker to such celebrities as Mary Todd Lincoln.

(Mike DePue is the business librarian at the Library Center, 4653 S. Campbell. For almost 20 years he has answered thousands of questions on as many topics.)