George Graham Vest (1830 – 1904) A Kentucky newspaper editor and U. S. Senator from Missouri, Vest was born in Frankfort and grew up at the Vest-Lindsey House at 401 Wapping Street. He is known for the essay “Tribute to a Dog,” which he made use of in testifying in a lawsuit seeking damages for the death of a favorite dog. The phrase “dog is man’s best friend” was developed from this essay. Vest was a member of the Confederate Congress in Richmond, Virginia during the Civil War. He is buried in Bellefontaine Cemetery in St. Louis.

George Graham Vest
(1830 – 1904)