Charles Phelps Noyes (1842-1921) joined Daniel R. Noyes, Winthrop
G. Noyes, and Edward H. Cutler in establishing Noyes Bros. & Cutler
Every druggist in the great West and Northwest is as familiar as with household words with the name of the large wholesale drug
house of Noyes Bros. & Cutler, of St. Paul. Further than this, the firm is known to the entire drug trade of the United States. This
sketch is for the purpose of acquainting the drug fraternity with a few personal facts relating to the life of Mr. Daniel R. Noyes, the
head of this large and influential drug enterprise. Daniel Rogers Noyes, the eldest son of D. R. and Phoebe (Griffin) Noyes,, was
born November 10th, 1836, at Lyme, Conn. Both his parents were descended from and connected with well known and
distinguished New England families. The Noyes family is of Norwegian man origin, its progenitors having come into England with
William the Conqueror, and by him allotted lands in Cornwall. The American branch descends from Rev. James Noyes, a
distinguished non-conformist clergyman, who, coming to America in 1635, settled in Newbury, Mass. The next in line, his son, Rev.
James Noyes, of Stonington, Conn., was one of the founders of Yale College. The great grandmother of the subject of this sketch
was seventh in descent from Rev. John Rogers, the Smithfield martyr who was burned at the stake for his faith, and his
grandmother was a sister of Edward Dorr Griffin, D. D., president of William. College. .
Mr. Noyes' education was received in the best schools of New England, and while in early manhood he entered into active
business life in the wholesale drug house of Schieffelin Bros. & Co., of New York, where he resided from 1854 to 1861. ire was an
early volunteer in the Union army during the war of the Rebellion, but served but a limited time because of the very great
impairment of his health, for the recuperation of which he was obliged to spend some years in travel in his own and foreign lands.
Then returning to New York he became a partner in the banking house of Gilman, Son & Co. Mr. Noyes' business career in the
West dates from 1868, when, coming to St. Paul, a few months later he founded the house of Noyes, Pett & Co., which, later
becoming Noyes Bros. & Cutler, has now developed into one of the largest and most successful drug houses of the Northwest,
doing a business annually of about $2,000,000, its trade covering not only Minnesota, Dakota, Montana, Iowa, Wisconsin, but
extending to the Pacific Coast, draws upon the intervening territories and even so far south as New Mexico, and, in addition,
having a very considerable export trade in certain lines of goods for Europe and Asia. The house probably occupies what is the
finest building for such special purposes in the wholesale drug trade in the country. Mr. Noyes is the senior partner of this large
concern, and is also very prominently connected with business and financial affairs of his adopted city. He has charge of large and
valuable manufacturing interests, and is now vice-president of the St. Paul Trust Co., vice-president of the Real Estate Title
Insurance Co., director in the Merchants' National Bank, likewise in the Union Land Co. He was one of the founders and earliest
officers of the St. Paul Business and Jobbers' Union, and for many years has been a leading member and officer of the St. Paul
Chamber of Commerce. His efforts and influence are exerted in other directions of public and social import, as to him the city
largely owes its Government Buildings, Market Hall and the inauguration of the winter festival connected with the ice palace and
winter carnival. .
In the drug line he is prominently connected with several associations, and has been president of the National Wholesale
Druggists' Association. At present he is one of the directors of the New York Equitable Life Insurance Co., besides holding other
positions trust and responsibility in associations and corporations of more than local influence and importance. In matters of
national and state legislation Mr. Noyes has been very active, especially with legislation hating to tariff revenue, transportation and
bankruptcy. He was a leader in the successful effort to repeal the Stamp Tax and has been an earnest advocate of government
rights in railroad matters and in equitable national bankrupt law. To him Minnesota is indebted likewise for some of its excellent
laws for 1 prevention the of cruelty animals and others of like import; .
.
Mr. Noyes has done something for the drug business, something for his city, something for benevolence, something for the good
of those about him, and something for himself as well. has many honored friends in the drug trade who appreciate the value of his
earnest and faithful efforts put forth for year for elevating its standards and improvement of results. Though deep immersed in his
special vocation, he yet finds time for practical charity and for religious and educational works. No man the city of St. Paul has
done more in the line religious, charitable, reformatory and relief work than he. He was founder and has ever since been treasurer
of the Red Society of St. Paul, served as president of the Y. M. C. A., chairman of the state work of this association, is
vice-president of the American Sunday School Union, and for many years been officer in his own church and superintendent of the
Sunday School for many years. He is president of the Minnesota Society for the Prevention of Cruelty, trustee of the Carlton
College, vice-president of the St. Paul Medical College Association, and holds other similar positions kindred organizations at
home and abroad. .
.
Mr. Noyes is a gentleman of intelligence, culture and information. Of marked wit and correct literary tastes, he is a fine writer, a
forcible speaker, apt in rejoinders, quick in repartee and interesting throughout. He might have held and now holds high political
position had he been willing to accept the terms and to pay the price such preferment; but this he has always refused to do. While
never unwilling to take any place, however humble, in general public service, to work for the public wealth and the good of his
fellow-men, he has never been an office-seeker or place-hunter. He does his work quietly and unostentatiously, but none the less
thoroughly and efficiently, is affable and unaffected in manner and speech, an example of that highest type of true manhood, a
consistent Christian gentleman. .
.
Mr. Noyes was married December 4th, 1866, to Miss Helen Gilman, daughter of Winthrop Sargent Gilman, Esq., of New York. Of this
union, which seems to lave been one of unusual congeniality and felicity. there are surviving five children, ,his eldest son now a
student at Yale College, a daughter at Miss Porter's school at Farmington, Conn., and the others with Their parents at the family
home. The Family residence is a beautiful one on Summit avenue, overlooking the Mississippi. The head of the household, whose
career has been briefly and imperfectly sketched n this article, is a hale, hearty and well reserved gentleman of fifty-two years,
who looks forward hopefully to many more years of good work and usefulness, and especially the (to him) congenial labor of
aiding in the formation of the character, the future of, his adopted home, the great Northwest. .
.
For many of the facts here related we are indebted to Andrews' "History of St. Paul," but without this source of information it would
be easy to collect sufficient material of proper character from the drug trade alone, which is well conversant with his life and
labors, as, notwithstanding his modesty regarding his own personality and all therewith connected, it has been impossible to hide
his light under a bushel.
The Pharmaceutical Era July 1, 1891.
In presenting Vol. XV. of our Illustrated Catalogue, we ask for it your careful perusal, feeling sure of its meeting with general favor
and the same hearty commendation given to our previous issues. We trust that it will prove valuable, not alone for present use, but
also as a book of reference. Prices are constantly changing, and we are often selling at less than Catalogue quotations before our
book is out of press.
We have commodious stores on the corner of Sibley and Sixth streets. The building (125x150, five stores, brick) is a handsome
one, and gives us the best of facilities for the economical handling of our increasing business.
We offer for your examination and use, the largest, finest and most complete Drug Stock in the Northwest, carefully selected, and
either imported by ourselves or bought of the importers or producers, at the lowest prices consistent with satisfactory quality. We
shall aim to ship promptly, and to fill entirely, all orders committed to our care, if the goods ordered, whether in our line or not, are
to be had in the city. If any article which we may have in transit is omitted, you will invariable be notified that it is entered as "Back
Order," and shipment will be made (upon receipt) with the next order, unless otherwise directed. When goods outside of our line
are ordered, we will purchase exactly what the order calls for, with this understanding, that, if not satisfactory, they are not to be
returned without our consent. When an article not in general use is ordered, state whether you wish us to procure it for you, if not
to be had in the city. We have skillful and experienced men in charge of every department of our business. Our Purchasing,
Importing and Freight facilities are unsurpassed, East or West. Our prices change with the market. No druggist in the Northwest
can afford to lose the advantages we offer, especially on such goods as-buying in quantity-we get delivered here free of cost for
freight.
By importing French and English goods direct, we are enabled to compete successfully with Eastern importers. No such
assortment of Druggists' Sundries has ever before been carried in the Northwest, and new and desirable goods of home and
foreign manufacture can at all times be found in it.
Minnesota, St. Paul
Noyes Bros, & Cuttler St. Paul
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