558 HISTORY OF SOUTHEAST MISSOURI a clerk for the firm of John B. Valle & Com- pany of St. Louis. In 1867 he gave up his position and turned his attention to mining operations at Potosi. He was one of the first men to become interested in the mining pros- pects of St. Francois county. He purchased land adjacent to the plant of the St. Joseph Lead Company and built a smelting plant for the corporation known as the DesLoge Lead Company. Mr. DesLoge managed this company until it was sold in 18S7 to the St. Joseph Lead Company. During his connec- tion with this corporation he helped to build the first railroad, the Bonne Terre & Missis- sippi Valley Railroad, which penetrated the lead regions to St. Francois county. Later 3Ir. DesLoge bought property which had be- longed to the Bogj' Lead Mine Company and the St. Francois Mining Company and organ- ized a new eoiporation known as the DesLoge Consolidated Lead Comjiany. The Bonne Terre Railroad was extended to these mines which were operated on a large scale. Not only was he interested in the development of the mining industry in which he acquired con- siderable wealth, but ilr. DesLoge was inter- ested in public affairs ; he served as treasurer of Washington county and on various occa- sions was a director of public schools. The town of DesLoge, now one of the prosperous mining communities of St. Francois county, was named in his honor.
