Surnames: Steele, Clingan, LaBarthe, Green, Philip, Dashiell, Noble

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI.) March 10, 1949

Steele, William LaBarthe (2 May 1875 - 4 March 1949)

William LaBarthe Steele, 73, father of Mrs. Thomas S. Noble, Jr. and widely known mid-west architect, was buried Monday morning following services in Sioux City, Ia. He died early Thursday, March 4, 1949, at the Noble home, where he had resided for the last two years.

Among his architectural works are St. Cecelia’s Cathedral in Omaha, Woodbury County courthouse in Sioux City, St. Vincent’s Hospital in Sioux City, and several large federal buildings, hospital buildings and office buildings in Sioux City and Omaha.

Mr. Steele came to Neillsville two years ago in retirement, but retained his connection with the firm of Steele, Sandham & Steele of Omaha, Nebr., in an advisory capacity. His eldest son, William, Jr., is a member of this firm.

Born May 2, 1875, in Springfield, Ill., he was the son of Robert Clingan and Mary LaBarthe Steele. He attended high school in Springfield, and was graduated from the University of Illinois in 1896. Following his graduation from the university, Mr. Steele took a position as a draftsman in the office of Louis H. Sullivan in Chicago. He remained there three years before moving to Pittsburgh. He worked as an architect in Pittsburgh, Sioux City and Omaha.

On April 30, 1901, he was married in St. Louis, Mo., to Mariana Green, who predeceased him about a year ago.

Seven children were born to this union: Mariana Steele, Chicago; Sister M. Philip (Melissa), Omaha, Nebr.; Harriet, deceased; Mrs. G. F. (Harriet) Dashiell, Kankakee; Mrs. Thomas S. (Sallie) Noble, Jr., Neillsville; and Philip J. Steele, New York City.

Mr. Steele was a member of the Knights of Columbus, fourth degree, and was a devout Catholic. His fraternal and professional associations were many. They included: Sigma Chi fraternity; Fellow Member Emeritus, American Institute of Architects; member, Nebraska State Board of Examiners of Professional Engineers and Architects; state architectural advisor, Home Owners Loan Corp.; and former member of the American Inter-Professional Institute.