John C. Orrick /James E. Yeatman house
Built: 1882
Demolished: circa 1930
Style: Second Empire
Architect: George I. Barnett
Neighborhood: Grand Center
City block: 2289
On 1875 Compton and Dry Map: no
On 1883 Hopkins Atlas: yes
Historical significance: This house was built in 1882 for John C. Orrick. Orrick was born in St. Charles, and went to Harvard Law School to practice law. Early in his career, the Civil War broke out and he fought for the Union. Orrick was a captain during the Civil War, and resumed his law practice after the war was finished. He served in the Missouri State House in 1867 and was the House Speaker. Afterwards he joined the firm of Noble and Orrick, and continued to practice with John W. Noble until 1889 when Noble was appointed to the presidential cabinet of Benjamin Harrison. It was then home to James E. Yeatman in the late 1880s and early 1890s, along with Mrs. Beverly Allen. Yeatman is best known for founding the Western Sanitary Commission during the Civil War, and helped found Washington University alongside William Greenleaf Eliot in 1853. He only lived here until about 1893, at which point the mansion was sold to William H. Lee, who had taken over as president of the Merchants Bank of St. Louis, which had been previously run by Yeatman. He lived here until at least 1913.
Architectural significance: This house was built in 1882 in the Second Empire style as one of the later works by George I. Barnett. It had elaborate brick and stonework throughout the house, and featured heavily detailed porches with extensive woodwork. The house also featured a large gabled roof in front, and decorative elements above its dormers.
James E. Yeatman