A Standard History of Kansas and Kansans

Volume III

by William E. Connelley Chicago : Lewis, 1918

A-M

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This file was contributed for use in the Kansas AHGP Jackson County by County Coordinator

ACKER, William

William Acker has for many years been prominently known in Marshall County, at first as a teacher and educator, afterwards as a farmer and stock raiser, and in connection with various public interests and affairs. Mr. Acker is vice president of the State Bank of Vermillion and is one of the leading blooded stock raisers in that community.

He is a native of Kansas and was born in Seneca March 19, 1862. He was left an orphan almost in infancy, and was adopted and reared by the late D. W. Acker, whose family name he took. His own family name was Spencer. His father, John Spencer, was born in Indiana and was a Kansas pioneer, locating in Seneca in 1856. For some years he ran a stage line between Leavenworth and Seneca. His death occurred as a result of an accident near Leavenworth in 1865. The Spencer family is of very early Colonial American stock and settled in Massachusetts along about the time of the Mayflower pilgrims. John Spencer married Julia Smith, who was born in New York State in 1840 and died in Seneca in 1862, soon after the birth of her only child, William. Julia Smith was a sister of Mrs. Mary V. Lyon and H. E. Smith, well known pioneers of Nemaha County, and who later removed to Santa Ans, California.

D. W. Acker, foster father of William Acker, was born in New York State in 1826. He was one of the prominent free state men in early Kansas Territory, locating in Sumner, near Atchison, in 1854. By trade he was a brick maker and he had the distinction of manufacturing the first brick in Sumner, probably the first in Kansas, and also made the first brick ever made at Atchison. From brick burned in his kiln he erected the first brick building in the City of Atchison. For a few years he was a resident of Atchison, and as an old timer became associated with such prominent citizens of Kansas as J. J. Ingalls, Jim Lane, Governor Harvey and others. In 1860 he removed to Nemaha County, Kansas, and engaged in brick making and farming. In 1866 he removed to a farm near Vermillion and subsequently was a brick manufacturer at Seneca. His death occurred on his farm near Vermillion in 1902. He was a republican and had played a very active part in the events by which Kansas was made a free state. He was at one time a conductor on the "underground" railway. He had a part in the border wars, and as a member of the Kansas militia helped repel Price's army from Kansas. He served as city clerk and justice of the peace at Seneca and filled other local offices, and in Masonry was grand lecturer of the State of Kansas at the time of his last illness. He was one of the best known Masons in the entire state. D. W. Acker married Nancy Jane Kinney, who was born in New York State in 1831 and died at Vermillion, Kansas, in 1908. They had no children except their foster child, William Acker.

William Acker was educated in the public schools of Marshall County and is also a graduate of the Kansas Normal College at Paola. Until twenty years of age he lived with his adopted parents, but at the age of sixteen had begun teaching in Marshall County. For ten years most of his time was spent in the school room. Since then he had been occupied with stock raising and farming and had been one of the leading buyers and shippers of cattle out of Marshall. He had a fine stock farm adjoining Vermillion on the east. Mr. Acker makes a specialty of Hereford cattle and Poland China hogs. Besides his substantial country home, where he resided, he owned a garage in Vermillion and also a store building in that city.

Mr. Acker was superintendent of schools of Marshall County during 1888-90. He had held various township offices in Noble Township and had been a director of the public schools. He is a republican and is identified with Vermillion Lodges of Masons and Odd Fellows. He is a Scottish Rite Mason. Mr. Acker married in 1887 at Wymore, Nebraska, Miss Ella. C. Sheridan, for many years a successful teacher in Marshall County, and a daughter of W. D. and Melinda Sheridan. Her parents are both now deceased. Her father was a farmer and an early settler in Kansas. Mr. and Mrs. Acker have no children.

ALDERFER, Allen A.

Allen A. Alderfer had been a merchant and connected with different enterprises in Topeka for many years, and is one of the well known citizens.

He came to Kansas when he was about twenty-one years of age. He was born at Sterling, Illinois, August 16, 1865, a son of Philip and Matilda (Siegfried) Alderfer. Both parents were natives of Pennsylvania, his father of Lancaster, and from that state he moved to Akron, Ohio, and later to Sterling, Illinois, where he is now living retired. He spent his active business career as a cigar maker and farmer. The mother died in Sterling, Illinois, December 24, 1911. The other son is L. S. Alderfer, a tobacconist at South Bend, Indiana.

Allen A. Alderfer acquired his early education in the grade schools of Sterling, Illinois. As a vigorous young man seeking the opportunities of the West he arrived at Atchison, Kansas, February 7, 1886, remained in that city about six weeks and then was successively at Junction City, Clay Center and Concordia, spending the summer at the last named place. The following winter and spring he was with the staff of Santa Fe Railway surveyors until they disbanded. Topeka had been his home ever since. For two years he was employed in the Santa Fe shops and then spent seven years with the Topeka Flour Mills Company and the Shawnee Milling Company. With this preparation for an independent career, he engaged in the grocery business at 400 East 8th Street, remained in that location seven years, and had since continued to supply goods of high and reliable quality to his large patronage at 1001 Morris Avenue.

Mr. Alderfer, who had never married, is a thirty-second degree Mason, a member of the Mystic Shrine and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Politically he is a republican.

BAILEY, Willis J.


Willis J. Bailey, who was governor of Kansas from 1903 to 1905, had been a resident of the state since 1879 and had long stood as a leader in agricultural affairs, as a banker, and as a member of the republican party. His home is now in the City of Atchison, where he is vice president and managing officer of the Exchange National Bank.

His administration as governor of Kansas is made the subject of some paragraphs in an appropriate place on other pages of this history. The following is intended merely as a biographical statement of his career and with some notice of his varied and effective interests as a Kansan.

Willis J. Bailey was born at Mount Carroll, Illinois, October 12, 1854, and is of New England ancestry and descended from a long line of whigs and republicans. The Baileys came out of England and were colonial settlers in Massachusetts prior to the year 1640. Governor Bailey's grandfather, Joshua Bailey, was born in 1780 and served in the War of 1812 as a member of Captain Tomlinson's company. For many years he lived on a farm in Warren County, New York, but in 1845 moved out to Mount Carroll, Illinois, and continued farming in that community until his death in 1870. He was a Whig during the existence of that party, and then became a republican. He was one of the very active members of the Baptist Church in his different communities. He married Lydia Kinyon, who was born in New York State and died in Warren County there.

Monroe Bailey, father of Governor Bailey, was born in Warren County, New York, in 1818. From his native county he removed in 1839 to Mount Carroll, Illinois, and was one of the very early settlers in that section. He developed a farm and became a prosperous and influential citizen. In October, 1879, he followed his son to Kansas, locating at Baileyville, a place named in honor of this family, and lived on a farm there until his death in 1902. He began voting as a whig and for many years was a loyal and stanch republican. He held some township offices and at one time was a county commissioner in Illinois. A cousin of the late Monroe Bailey is Joseph Cook, the noted lecturer. Monroe Bailey married Nancy J. Melendy, who was born at Cambridge, Vermont, in 1826 and died at Baileyville, Kansas, in 1901. Her father married a member of the Arbuckle family, related to the Arbuckle Brothers, famous coffee merchants. Monroe Bailey and wife had four children: Oscar, who died at Baileyville, Kansas, in 1915; Willis J.; Ernest N., who is in the grain and elevator business and a farmer at Baileyville; and Marion L., wife of C. N. Cafferty, a dentist practicing at Portland, Oregon.

Governor Bailey was educated in the public schools of Mount Carroll, Illinois, His early life was spent on a farm, and the training he there acquired remained a strong factor in his subsequent career. He had never been totally divorced from agricultural affairs. Mr. Bailey was graduated from the Mount Carroll High School in 1872 and subsequently entered the University of Illinois, where he finished the Literary and Scientific courses in 1879. In 1904 the University of Illinois awarded him the honorary degree LL. D.
 

BARDWELL, Sol. A., Hon.


Hon. Sol. A. Bardwell. Not so often, as in the election and re-election of Hon. Sol. A. Bardwell, has the public choice fallen upon so able and scholarly a man, one so admirably qualified for high public service. For many years Mr. Bardwell was widely known in the educational field, and still later in business circles, his entire training from boyhood leading along lines that develop mental strength and stable character. Accustomed to leadership and responsibility, he entered upon the duties of a legislator with intelligent vision as well as firmness of purpose. Being a careful student, a ready speaker and naturally aggressive, he became a strong number from the first and aided in bringing about much enlightened and constructive legislation.

He was born in Atchison County, Kansas, March 6, 1870, and is one of a family of six children born to Milner and Mary (Washer) Bardwell. Milner Bardwell was born in Massachusetts and came of an old and highly respected family of New England. His father was a Presbyterian minister who was a missionary among the Indians in Mississippi prior to the Civil war, a short time before which he had removed to Indiana. Milner Bardwell was then a young man and in Indiana he was married to Miss Mary Washer, a native of that state. In 1861 Milner Bardwell enlisted in an Indiana regiment for service in the Civil war, in which he was a faithful soldier for three years. Sickness then overcame him and he was sent home but never recovered sufficiently to rejoin his regiment, from which he received an honorable discharge. In 1868 he came to Kansas and resided in Atchison County for five years, in 1873 removing with his family to Riley County, where he pre-empted a homestead and there carried on agricultural pursuits until 1896 when he removed to Clay Center, Kansas, where he resided until his death some years later.

Sol. Bardwell was reared on his father's farm and can recall the many hardships and disappointments incident to the pioneer days of Riley County. As he grew to school age he attended the district school in the winter time, working during the summer on the farm, and later, continued his studies in the high school at Clifton, Kansas. He was nineteen years old when he first entered the educational field, as a district school teacher and for nearly twenty years followed the profession. In the meanwhile he alternated, for a time attending school and teaching, in this way completing the educational course he had laid out for himself. In 1895 he was graduated from the Kansas State Normal School at Emporia, Kansas. He took a post-graduate course in this institution a few years later. He taught in the district schools of Riley and Clay counties–was principal of the Leonardville schools, later principal of the Randolph schools both of Riley County and then went to Clay County as principal of the New Clay County High School just established. He remained in this position for seven years, which he resigned to enter business.

In 1908 Mr. Bardwell moved to Manhattan, Kansas, and went into the real estate and loan business in partnership with his brother Lou Bardwell, under the firm name of Bardwell & Bardwell. The business was profitable from the first. This association continues and is one of the most prosperous in this city, handling a large amount of outside capital at times that has resulted in fortunate investments and business development at Manhattan.

Mr. Bardwell has always been identified with the republican party. In 1914 he was chosen republican candidate for the legislature in Riley County, to which office he was subsequently easily elected. During his first term he served as chairman of the committee on education and with exceptional ability, and it has been said that at this session of the legislature more extensive and constructive school laws were enacted than ever before in the history of the state. In the second term he was favorably mentioned as an available candidate for speaker, but would not himself become an active candidate.

In 1898 Mr. Bardwell was married to Miss Edith Thomas, a daughter of Dr. F. M. Thomas, of Leonardville, Kansas. Mr. Bardwell is a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Manhattan and is president of its board of trustees. He also served four years as president of the board of education. Fraternally he is a Master Mason and belongs also to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is dignified in his manner but frank and affable and his circle of personal friends and well wishers is wide.
 

BATTEY, Richmond T.


Richmond T. Battey is a retired banker at Florence, Kansas, with which community he had been, identified as a businees man and leader in public affairs for forty years. Mr. Battey is one of the old timers of Kansas. His recollections of the state go back to the territorial period of the latter '50s. His experiences as a whole and particularly those of his earlier years are mainly a reflection of those events and times which form the substance of Kansas history. He knew the western plains and the old trails by actual experience, and is perhaps as well informed on that phase of the great western history as any man now living.

Mr. Battey was born at Providence, Rhode Island, September 16, 1849, and came to Kansas with his parents, Stephen and Rebecca (Cady) Battey. His father was an early day Kansan, concerning whom some record should be made in permanent form. He was a native of Rhode Island and died at Florence, Kansas. In early life he was a confectioner and baker, but subsequently entered the ministry of the Baptist Church and gave several years to that work. In 1858 he came to Kansas, and during the first year he leased land now occupied by the campus of Washburn. College at Topeka. After farming this land a year he went into the freighting and transportation business over the western plains. That was his main business for many years until the building of railroads caused the ox and mule trains to depart forever. He drove many wagon trains, drawn by mule teams, across the plains to Colorado and other points. For months at a time he lived on no meat except that of the buffalo and his life was a constant episode and experience of adventure and romance. During a trip across the plains in 1864 a party of hostile Indians stole his teams and it was with the greatest difficulty that he got back to civilization. Stephen and Bebeeca Battey were married in 1835. His wife was a daughter of Christopher Cady and was born in Rhode Island, and she also spent her last days in Florence, Kansas. Their children were: Elizabeth Cady, deceased; David Cady, now a retired merchant at Warren, Rhode Island; Andrew Jackson, who became a member of Company A of the Seventh Kansas Cavalry, and lost his life during the war, being killed by the accidental discharge of a gun; Alvin Dingley, now a retired merchant at Glencoe, Illinois; and Richmond T.

Richmond T. Battey had completed the primary course in the public schools of Providence, Rhode Island, when the family left that eastern home and journeyed to Kansas. He was nine years of age and had a complete recollection of the incidents of that long journey to the West, which brought him into a land of romance and adventure. They traveled by railway as far as St. Louis, thence by boat up the river to Leavenworth, and from there by wagon to Topeka. After coming to Kansas Mr. Battey attended school only three months, in Topeka. His real education was accomplished by experience and by large and diverse commingling with men and affairs. He early learned business by practical experience, and the first year he lived in Kansas he took a large quantity of popcorn raised by his father on the farm and sold it on the streets of Topeka. Topeka then had less than 1,500 people. His first day's sales amounted to $3.60, and some days he brought home $6 to represent his activity as a salesman. As a boy he also sold peanuts and fruit in the halls of the Kansas State Legislature and vended such wares in the dignified Senate chamber where he himself many years later was a member.

At the age of ten Mr. Battey qualified as an ox team driver for his father. Thenceforward for seven or eight years he was almost constantly on the plains, making freighting trips to Denver and elsewhere. He made four round trips from Leavenworth and Atchison westward, one trip each year. His last trip to Denver was made in 1866. Mr. Battey had numerous stories to tell about his experiences on the plains, and he frequently came in contact with parties of hostile Indians, and he is one of the few men now living who saw the buffalo when they comprised a mighty herd beyond estimation of human counting. While at Denver in 1866 Mr. Battey joined a gold prospecting party and went to Santa Fe, New Mexico, intending to proceed to Arizona. At Santa Fe, instead, he entered the employ of the Santa Fe Overland Stage Company as driver, and for a year had the responsibility of driving a four-horse overland stage coach. From there he returned to Topeka, and soon afterwards, with his brothers David and Alvin, filed a contract to furnish stone for the east wing of the State House. In 1869 he established in Topeka the first sheet iron cornice works in that city.

Mr. Battey came to Florence, Kansas, in 1871. His home had ever since been in Marion County and from 1872 to 1875 he was proprietor of a hardware store at Marion. In September, 1875, he took the post of cashier and responsible head of the Marion County Bank of Florence. He served that institution as cashier and later was president of the bank until January, 1911, since which date he had given up active business responsibilities and had spent his winters in Florida and his summers only in Kansas.

Mr. Battey had had a life and a service that have made him well known all over the state. For years he had been a recognized leader in republican politics both locally and over the state at large. He served three years as mayor of Florence, had been treasurer of the school board, and in 1896 was elected a member of the State Senate from the twenty-fifth district, comprising the counties of Marion, Morris and Chase. He served in that body four years and was a member of the committees on state affairs, railroads, express, banks and others. He retired definitely from politics in 1901, Mr. Battey still owned some farms and town property in Marion County and is one of the prosperous men of that vicinity. He had many friendships with leading politicians and statesmen, including the late Senator John J. Ingalls and Senator Preston B. Plumb. For twenty years he was a business associate of Senator Plumb. Mr. Battey is a member of the Masonie Order.

On May 9, 1879, at Florence, he married Miss-Mary E. Riggs, who was born in Appanoose County, Iowa, February 14; 1859. Mrs. Battey is an active member of the Eastern Star. They have only one child, Andrew Field Battey, who is now having at Topeka. He was born May 7, 1881, and on November 20, 1903, married Cora Nogle. Their son, grandson of Richmond T. Battey, is named Richmond T. for his grandfather and was born November 3, 1905.
 

BEAUCHAMP, A.
 

A. Beauchamp. More than thirty years ago A. Beauchamp entered the service of the Chicago, Burlington & Quiney Railway at Atchison as car clerk, and had been continuously with that road, being now one of the veteran employees, and by successive promotions now handles the responsibilities of local agent for the company at Atchison.

Mr. Beauchamp is a native of Kansas, and was born in Doniphan County September 15, 1856. That date indicates the pioneer residence of the family in this state. He was born four years before Kansas became a state. It was in the border epoch of Kansas history and his father, Edward A. Beauchamp, was one of the early settlers and homesteaders of Doniphan County. The Beauchamp family originated in France, and it was Mr. Beauchamp's great-grandfather who came to this country about the time of the Revolution. The family from France had gone to England and thence to the United States. They afterwards located in Kentucky. Edward A. Beauchamp was born in Kentucky in 1813. He grew up in his native state, as a young man went to Illinois, where he married, thence removed to Missouri, and in the spring of 1856 arrived in Kansas. He located a few miles west of the Missouri River in Doniphan County and preempted a claim of 160 acres, He battled sturdily with the virgin soil in an effort to make a living until 1866, and then removed to Mount Pleasant in Atchison County, where he bought another farm. In 1878 he went to Nemaha County, owned a farm in that locality, but finally retired from its management and lived at Seneca, the county seat. While there he was taken ill and went to Atchison, where three months later, in 1896, he died. Edward A. Beauchamp was a stanch republican and a free solder and a Union man. He was one of the first justices of the peace elected in Doniphan County, and also filled a similar office at Mount Pleasant. He was one of the pioneer supporters of the Baptist Church in Kansas.

Edward A. Beauchamp was married in Illinois to Jane Elizabeth Gibson, who was born in that state in 1825. She died at Mount Pleasant, Kansas, in 1868. Her children were as follows: Columbus, a retired resident at Concordia, Kansas; James, who died as a child in Missouri; Maria, who died at the age of twelve years; Milton, connected with the coal firm of C. A. Wright at Atchison; the fifth, a son, died in infancy; the sixth was Mr. A. Beauchamp; Austin became a farmer and died near Centralia at the age of fifty; and Samuel is a farmer ten miles south of Centralia.

Mr. A. Beauchamp was educated chiefly in the public schools at Mount Pleasant. He also attended the Normal School at Leavenworth, but at the age of eighteen left school and for one term taught in Platte County, Missouri. Mr. Beauchamp had been a resident of Atchison since 1876. Three years were spent with the A. B. Symms Grocery Company, and for one year he was with Julius Kuhn in the wholesale grocery' business, and for six months was shipping clerk for the wholesale furniture house of Kelsey & Simpson.

After this somewhat varied experience Mr. Beauchamp accepted the position of night baggage agent at the Union Depot in Atchison. In the spring of 1885 he was enrolled among the employees of the Chicago, Burlington & Quiney Railway as car clerk, and filled one post of responsibility after another until 1907, when he was appointed local agent. He is one of the most capable men in the service of the company. The local offices of the Burlington road are situated at the corner of Main and Second streets.

Mr. Beauchamp owned a comfortable home at 314 North Third Street in Atchison. He had always voted and affiliated with the republican party, and is a trustee of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He married in 1882, at Atchison, Miss Nellie Edgerton, a daughter of Emmett and Dianthony (Shaw) Edgerton. Her father, now deceased, was an early resident of Atchison, owned some real estate there, but at the beginning of the Civil war enlisted in the Union army and died soon afterward, Mrs. Beauchamp's mother is still living at Atchison. Four children have been born to their marriage: Edward Edgerton, a Methodist Episcopal minister, now living near Hiawatha, Kansas; Carrie Irene, wife of B. H. Hand, who had charge of a laundry at Ottumwa, Iowa; Lucy A., still at home with her parents; and Maxine, wife of J. R. Montgomery, who runs a lumber yard at Dubois, Nebraska.
 

BECHTEL, George Howe
 

George Howe Bechtel. Of the men who are maintaining Montgomery County's reputation and prestige in financial circles, few are more highly esteemed as banking officials and citizens than George Howe Bechtel, cashier of the Liberty State Bank, of Liberty. Like many other Kansas bankers, Mr. Bechtel is a product of the farm and of the schoolroom. It would seem that the practicality developed in agricultural life and the mental sharpening acquired in the educator's vocation form a combination happily adaptive to the great and important business of banking. At least, Mr. Bechtel's career and his success support such a view.

Mr. Bechtel was born September 13, 1867, in Atchison County, Kansas, and is a son of William and Emma F. (Thompson) Bechtel and a member of a family that originated in Holland and emigrated to America in Colonial times, settling in Pennsylvania. Joshua Bechtel, the grandfather of George H. Bechtel, was born in the Keystone State, and there passed his entire life, dying in Montgomery County. He followed farming as a vocation and was accounted a substantial man and a good citizen, respected and esteemed by those who knew him. William Bechtel, father of George H., was born in 1825, in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, and was there reared and educated. In young manhood he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he was married, and there followed carpentering and building until coming to Kansas in 1860. He first located at Leavenworth, where he worked at his trade, made sashes for Colonel Anthony to be used in the Times Building, and during the early days of that city assisted in its upbuilding and development. In 1865 he removed with his family to Atchison County, Kansas, and with his earnings purchased a farm of 160 acres, on the prairies. This he succeeded in putting under a good state of cultivation, and there he made his home during the remainder of his active life, although at the time of his retirement he went to Valley Falls, Kansas, where his death occurred in December, 1904. During the Civil war Mr. Bechtel served in the Kansas State Militia, with which organization he assisted in repelling Price in his raid through Kansas. He was a republican in his political views, and belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church, in the work of which he was always active, being a member of the official board for a long period of years. As a citizen he did his full duty by his community, and his sterling traits of character gave him a high standing in the confidence of his fellowmen, Mr. Bechtel married Emma F. Thompson, who was born in Rhode Island, in 1833, and died in Atchison County, Kansas, in 1907. She was a Christian woman of many charities and was beloved by a wide circle of friends. To Mr. and Mrs. Bechtel there were born the following children: Willis, a resident of San Francisco, California; Jennie, the wife of Luman Rutty, who is retired and lives on his orange grove at Pomona, California; Nellie, who is the wife of Lewis Chandlee, a carpenter and builder of California; Emma, who is the wife of William S. Irvin, of Muskogee, Oklahoma; J. R., a graduate of the Topeka Medical College and now a practicing physician and surgeon of Lawrence, Kansas; George Howe, of this notice; and Edward, who is a carpenter and builder of Kingfisher, Oklahoma.

George Howe Bechtel attended the public schools of Atchison County, the Salina Normal University and the State Normal School, at Emporia, and in the meantime resided on the home farm, where he devoted his summers to the cultivation of the soil. Thus, at the age of twenty-one years, he was equipped physically and mentally for the vocation of teaching, which he followed for four years in Dickinson County and for seven years in Atchison County, and in the latter was for two years principal of the schools of Huron. In 1902 Mr. Bechtel gave up teaching for the business of banking in that year becoming bookkeeper for the Huron State Bank, with which concern he was connected three years. He then became cashier of the Citizens State Bank, of Pern, Kansas, with which he was identified for two and one-half years, and in 1907 came to Liberty to become cashier of the Liberty State Bank, a position which he has since retained. The Liberty State Bank was established in 1904 as a state institution, by C. W. Wingate, Lewis Billings and others, and immediately began to fill a long felt need. In that year the brick banking house was built on Main Street, and the business of the institution has steadily grown under the management of the following officials: president, Lewis Billings, of Cherryvale; vice president, John H. Tole, Liberty; cashier, George H. Bechtel, Liberty.; and assistant cashier, G. W. Wingate, Liberty. The capital of the Liberty State Bank is $10,000 and the surplus and undivided profits, $3,600. It bears an excellent reputation in banking circles and is regarded as a safe and conservative institution which will protect its depositors' interests in every way, such an opinion being the result of its past operations and the well known integrity of its officials. Mr. Bechtel is a republican. While a resident of Huron he served as a member of the city counsel, has been a member of the school board at Liberty, and at present is city treasurer. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church and to its board of trustees. Mr. Bechtel is also a member of the Kansas State Bankers Association.

In 1896, at Nortonville, Kansas, Mr. Bechtel was married to Miss Mabel Mitchell, daughter of Charles and Isabelle (Helm) Mitchell, residents of Baldwin, Kansas, where Mr. Mitchell is a retired farmer. To Mr. and Mrs. Bechtel there have been born the following children: Isabelle, a graduate of Montgomery County High School, class of 1915, and now bookkeeper in the Bank of Liberty; Viola, a senior at the Montgomery County High School; Ruby, a freshman in that school; William and George, who are attending the graded schools of Liberty; and Dorothy, still at home.
 

BECKER, Peter

Peter Becker was born in Prussia, Germany, in 1841. His father, George Becker, was born in Prussia and came to the United States about 1846, locating at Mansfield, Ohio, where he was a merchant. He had served his term in the regular army of Germany. Peter Becker was five years of age when brought to the United States, and he grew up at Mansfield, Ohio. From that point he enlisted and served as a Union soldier, and after his period of gallant and faithful service he returned to Mansfield, was married there, and in 1868 brought his family to Atchison, Kansas. Here he became a pioneer merchant and for many years conducted a successful grocery business. He built his residence and store on Main Street just outside the limits of Atchison, and became a very extensive property holder. His death occurred in Atchison in November, 1914. Mr. Peter Becker was a democrat and at one time served as treasurer of Shannon Township of Atchison County. He was affiliated with Friendship Lodge No. 5, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, with Unity Camp No. 356, Modern Woodmen of America, and was associated with his old army comrades in A. S. Everest Post No. 493, Grand Army of the Republic.

In Mansfield Peter Becker married Louisa Gribling, who was born in Coblenz, Prussia, in 1842, and died at Atchison in August, 1901. They had a large family of children, eleven in number. William Becker, who was born September 16, 1869, was educated in the Atchison public schools and St. Benedict's College, had never married and is now a resident of Wallace, Idaho, where he had some valuable mining property. Amelia is the wife of Joseph Haeglin, proprietor of a brewery at Sabinas, Mexico. Elizabeth married E. E. Stauffer, a minister of the Lutheran Church now located at Lawrence, Kansas, and a former member of the State Legislature. Dora is unmarried and lives at Atchison. Emma is the wife of Carl Mangelsdorf, a retail seed merchant and florist at Atchison. Caroline is the wife of Carl Haeglin, who is associated with his brother in the brewing business at Sabinas, Mexico. Augusta married William Buhman, living at Atchison, and a traveling salesman for the Mangelsdorf wholesale seed house at Atchison. The eighth in order of birth is Ida, widow of George H. Storch and she resided in Atchison. Albert, who was in the transfer business at Atchison, died at the age of twenty-eight. Bertha is the wife of Floyd Spaun, a shoe salesman at Atchison. Etta, twin sister of Bertha, married Gordon Herald, a grain buyer at Morrell, Kansas.
 

BENNETT, Arthur H.

Arthur H. Bennett. Few men have contributed more practical encouragement to grain and stock raisers in Kansas than has Arthur H. Bennett, of Topeka, president of the Bennett Commission Company, whose business has been one of the chief commercial factors in its line in the city during the past decade. He was born May 9, 1869, on what was known as the "Old Thompson Farm," located near Marengo, McHenry County, Illinois, the only son of Fayette Henry and Mary Eliza (Merriman) Bennett.

The Bennett family is of Puritan stock, the progenitors of the family having come to America on the Mayflower. Fayette Henry Bennett was born July 4, 1838, in Chautauqua County, New York, the eldest son of Ashley C. and Charlotte S. (Wheeler) Bennett, grandson of Zebulon and Sarah (Cooper) Bennett and great-grandson of Zebulon Bennett. Fayette H. Bennett served for a time as a soldier in the Civil war, being a member of Company A, Ninety-fifth Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and at the close of the war returned to Illinois and resumed his agricultural operations. He remained in that state until 1878, when he removed with his family to Kansas, settling at Clifton, Clay County, but in his declining years took up his residence at Topeka, where his death occurred July 12, 1910. Mr. Bennett was a devout Methodist in religion, and a strong temperance man, being active in the movements which eventuated in making Kansas a prohibition state. His religion was a part of his nature, inherited, no doubt, from his Puritan forbears. Prior to his death he had, at his own expense, supported a native missionary in China. In business circles he was known as a man of the highest integrity, in private life his every action was characterized by the strictest probity, and as a citizen he was foremost in promoting good movements for the betterment of education, religion and civic affairs.

Arthur H. Bennett was nine years of age when he accompanied his parents to Clifton, Kansas, and there he attended the public schools until 1886. In the latter year, and the year 1887, he was a student at Lawrence College, and in 1888 he began his business career in the employ of Isaac H. French, a grain merchant of Clay Center, Kansas. Here he received his introduction to the business in which he has since spent his activities. After several years at Clay Center, Mr. Bennett went with Mr. French to Kansas City, Missouri, to work in the grain exchange located in that city. While living there Mr. Bennett was married, July 15, 1891, to Miss Allicia Sophia McIlravy, of Lawrence, Kansas, a daughter of John William and Sophia (Van Buskirk) McIlravy and their first home was at No. 27 East Thirty-second Street, Kansas City. In 1892 they moved to Clay Center, Kansas, and in the scene of his earliest activities Mr. Bennett embarked in business with a partner. This venture, although started modestly, was progressing well and promised to grow into a prosperous enterprise, but just at a time when its prospects seemed brightest the panic came on, and this was followed by the dishonesty of a trusted friend. The double blow swept away all of Mr. Bennett's savings, for he had invested his entire capital in the business, and he awoke not only to find himself bankrupt, but several thousand dollars in debt. Such a discouragement would have disheartened a less persevering man, but he possessed the qualities that do not admit of defeat, and he at once set about to recuperate his lost fortunes. For several years following he was again employed in the Grain Exchange of Kansas City, working energetically to clear off his indebtedness. His fidelity, energy and evident ability soon gained their reward, for he was placed in charge of the domestic business of the Greenleaf-Baker Grain Company, a large concern of Atchison, Kansas, in which city his first son was born: Arthur Harry, May 23, 1897. In 1898 Mr. Bennett came to Topeka, where his experience and abilities had gained him an important position with the Capital Elevator, of which, in 1900, he became the owner of a one-third interest. He subsequently disposed of his holding advantageously, and immediately thereafter founded the business of which he is now the head, the Bennett Commission Company, which deals almost exclusively in the now famous "Kansas Turkey" wheat, which has gained a reputation all over the country.

Mr. Bennett is a firm believer in organization, and for many years has been an active and official member of the Kansas Grain Dealers' Association and the National Grain Dealers' Associations. He stands high in the trade, and has been repeatedly honored by his associates, having served as a director in the national organization and as president and vice president of the state body. He is also keenly alive to the value of improvement along the line of live stock conditions in Kansas, and is himself a breeder of pure-bred horses, cattle, sheep and hogs. In this connection he is a leading and active member of the Duroc-Jersey Association, the American Shropshire Association, the Kansas Pure-Bred Horse Breeders' Association and the Kansas Improved Live Stock Breeders' Association.

For many years Mr. Bennett has been greatly interested in historical and genealogical research, and is a life member of the Kansas State Historical Society and a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, nine of his ancestors having served the American colonies in their struggle for independence from the rule of Great Britain. His ancestors came to America in the Mayflower and by virtue of this fact Mr. Bennett organized the Kansas Society Mayflower Descendants, of which society for several years he held the office of governor. In his religious belief he is a Methodist and has taken an active part in church movements. Their younger son, Fayette Ashley, was born at Topeka, March 14, 1900.
 

BERGER, Albert C.

Albert C. Berger is the founder and president of the Atchison Leather Products Company, one of the newer industries of the city, but one which adds to the distinction of Atchison as a manufacturing and disprosperity of the community, since its goods go over a large territory and the business furnishes employment to many hands.

Mr. Berger is one of the forceful and enterprising tributing point, and it is a factor in the commercial younger men of Kansas. He came here in his twenties and was born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, October 25, 1885. His father, Albert Berger, Sr., was born in the Kingdom of Wuertemberg, Germany, in 1844. He was reared and educated in Germany and as a regular soldier in the German Army served with a cavalry regiment in the Franco-Prussian war of 1871. It was soon after that war, in 1872 that he immigrated to America and settled at Williamsport. By trade a stone mason, which he had learned in Germany, he followed that work all his business career and died at Williamsport in 1899. After taking out citizenship papers he allied himself with the democratic party. He was a member of both the lodge and encampment of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and was devout in his attendance upon the services of the German Lutheran Church. After coming to Pennsylvania he married, and his wife, Louise Berger, was also a native of Wurtemburg, Germany, and had come to America about the same time as her husband. She was born in 1846 and died at Williamsport February 28, 1912. Their children were: Mary, wife of Christ Durrwachter, a baker living at Williamsport; Barbara, wife of Abraham Metzger, a wagon and carriage builder and blacksmith at Williamsport; Emma, wife of George Gehron, a carpenter of Williamsport; Albert C.; and Herman J., who is also a resident of Atchison and is shipping clerk for the Atchison Leather Products Company.

In the city of his birth, which is a considerable manufacturing town in Pennsylvania, Albert C. Berger grew up and attended the public schools until he had completed the graded course. In 1899 he was graduated from the Williamsport Commercial College, and soon afterward entered the office of the Williamsport Staple Company, where he remained until July, 1908. On September 3, 1908, Mr. Berger arrived in Atchison, locating here as a suitable place for the establishment of the business he had in mind. He began manufacturing leather specialties on a small scale and had carefully and effectively guided that business until it is now a corporation employing from sixty to seventy hands. The offices of the plant are located at 316 Commercial Street. Mr. Berger is president of the company.

In politics he is independent and takes a good citizen's interest in everything promoted for the welfare of the community. He is a member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church, and is affiliated with Washington Lodge No. 5, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Washington Chapter No. 1, Royal Arch Masons; Washington Commandery No. 2, Knights Templar; Abdallah Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Leavenworth; and also belongs to Friendship Lodge No. 5, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. Berger's home is at 107 North Terrace Street. He was married in 1907 at Williamsport, Pennsylvania, to Miss Minnie Kuntz. Mrs. Berger was born and reared in Williamsport. They have two children: Walter E., born June 21, 1908; and Marian E., born March 8, 1910.
 

BRONAUGH, Robert M.


Robert M. Bronaugh of Baileyville had been a factor in the life of Kansas for considerably more than half a century. His people were in fact territorial pioneers. He fought when the country needed his fighting ability as a young man during the Civil war, and after that took up farming and latterly business connections with Baileyville, where he is still a merchant and is vice president of the Baileyville State Bank.

He comes of old French stock and of aristocratic ancestry in America. Mr. Bronaugh was born in Schuyler County, Illinois, May 6, 1844. His paternal ancestors some generations back were Huguenots who emigrated from France to England and from there came to America and located near Fredericksburg, Virginia. In the old Dominion they became planters and slave holders. Mr. Bronaugh's grandfather bore the name Taliaferro Bronaugh, and he was born near Fredericksburg, Virginia, in 1776, the year the Declaration of Independence was signed. In 1801 he crossed the mountains and became a Kentucky pioneer. He was a farmer and planter, raised large quantities of tobaeco, and worked his plantation with the aid of slaves. He died near Hopkinsville, Kentucky, in 1863. He also kept a country hotel for a number of years. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church.

Thomas Bronaugh, father of Robert M., was born near Hopkinsville, Kentucky, in 1805. He grew up and married there and he left Kentucky and removed to Illinois in order to get away from the institution of slavery, which he thoroughly disliked. At the time of his marriage his father gave him a faithful darky slave, and a woman slave to his bride. Thomas Bronaugh married Mary Rollins, who was born in Kentucky in 1809, and died on the Kansas farm in 1875. She was of a family of noted Kentuckians and a cousin of Major Rollins and of Ben Ficklin, both prominent characters in Kentucky history. Her parents were Kentucky planters and slave owners but long before the war they freed their slaves and sent them to the Republic of Liberia in Africa.

Thomas Bronaugh went with his wife to Schuyler County, Illinois, in 1830, and as a pioneer settled in that locality. In 1859 he again became a pioneer, this time in the Territory of Kansas. He bought a pre-emption in Nemaha County and for many years was successfully engaged in farming. He died on his farm near Baileyville in Marion Township in 1884. Politically he was a democrat. He served eighteen years as a justice of the peace, and as township trustee eighteen years in Illinois. He was a very active supporter of the Baptist Church. Among other attainments he had a thorough knowledge of the law and practiced that profession in connection with farming. Thomas Bronaugh and wife had eight children: Eliza, who died at Seneca, Kansas, in 1871, married O. C. Bruner, who at one time was county treasurer of Nemaha County, served twenty years as county surveyor, and died at Atchison, Kansas. Taliaferro became a farmer and died near Mammoth Springs, Arkansas, in 1913. James T. was also a farmer and died near Seneca, Kansas, in 1898. Lucy A., who now lives at La Mesa, California, married A. L. Gilliland, who was a wagon maker by trade. Virginia, who died in Fresno, California, in 1914, married Thomas Magatagan, a farmer now deceased. The sixth in the family is Robert M. Elvira is the wife of B. F. McBratney, who assists Mr. Robert Bronaugh in the store at Baileyville. Mary died on the old home farm at Baileyville in 1867.

Robert M. Bronaugh was fifteen years of age when the family came to Kansas. He had attended the rural schools in Schuyler County, Illinois, and afterwards the high school at Centralia, Kansas. He lived on his father's farm until 1862 and then enlisted in Company E of the Thirteenth Kansas Infantry and saw active service for three years. One of the most important engagements in which he participated was the battle of Prairie Grove, Arkansas, December 7, 1862. He was also with the Union forces that repelled the raid of General Price through Southern Missouri and Kansas. With the close of the war he returned home, married soon afterward, and then actively entered upon his career as a farmer. From the farm Mr. Bronaugh came into Baileyville and in 1894 bought an interest in a lumber and hardware business. In 1904 be sold that business and had since continued as a furniture merchant. The store, the only one of its kind in a radius of six miles, is located on Main Street and carries a complete equipment of household goods. For a number of years Mr. Bronaugh had been interested as a stockholder in the Baileyville State Bank and is now serving as its vice president. He had sold his farms and had invested much of the surplos in the bank in his mercantile business and in various improved real estate in Baileyville. Included ip his property is his own home in the northwest part of the town.

Mr. Bronaugh is a Democrat in politics. He served as township trustee of Marion Township. He is a member and trustee of the Presbyterian Church, is past noble grand of Baileyville Lodge No. 406, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and had represented the lodge many times in the Grand Lodge at Topeka, Fort Scott and elsewhere. He also belongs to the Knights and Ladies of Security at Baileyville, to Seneca Post No. 92, Grand Army of the Republic, and is a member of the Kansas State Historical Society.

In 1866, near Baileyville, Mr. Bronaugh married Miss Mary Casady, daughter of John M. and Eliza Casady. Her father was for many years a farmer in Nemaha County, having come to this state from Ohio. He and his wife subsequently went to Oregon, where they died. Mr. and Mrs. Bronaugh have four children: John M. is a farmer two miles south of Baileyville; Olive married A. B. Griffiths, in the elevator and grain business at Baileyville; Laura, who died near Baileyville in 1904, was the wife of Harry Bigelow, a farmer, also deceased; Thomas C. is proprietor of a dry cleaning and pressing establishment at Kansas City, Missouri.

Many paragraphs might be filled with interesting reminiscences of Mr. Bronaugh's life in Nemaha County, and he recalls the fact that in the summer and fall of 1860 he with others killed buffalo within eighty miles of Baileyville.
 

BROWN, Channing John

Channing John Brown. One of the most beautiful spots in the State of Kansas is Blue Rapids in Marshall County. Besides its picturesque location near a waterfall that had furnished power for manufacturing purposes for many years the town itself was originated by a colony of very substantial people from Genesee County, New York. The secretary of this company was Mr. C. J. Brown, still living in Blue Rapids. Mr. Brown is a former state senator and for many years was clerk of the Supreme Court of Kansas.

Mr. Brown was born in Genesee County, New York, October 31, 1847. His father, John B. Brown, was born in the same county in 1816, grew up and married there and spent his active career as a farmer. He was one of the commissioners of the Genesee Colony who came out and founded the Town of Blue Rapids in 1869. His associates on this committee were Rev. C. F. Mussey and H. J. Bovee. Following them came about fifty families, comprising the Genesee Colony. A town site of nearly 300 acres was secured, including the water power privileges, for $15,000, and in addition 8,000 acres of farming land was made available for the colonists. A stone dam was built in 1870, and in a short time Blue Rapids had attained the dignity of a city. John B. Brown himself located on a farm near Blue Rapids and lived there until he retired into the town, where be died in 1886. He was a republican and a very active member of the Baptist Church. He also belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. John B. Brown married Prudence D. Davis, who was born in Western New York in 1821, and died at Topeka, Kansas, in 1891. However, her home was at Blue Rapids. They had six children. The oldest, Alice M., is now living at Topeka, the wife of Herbert Armstrong, retired. Their son, H. L. Armstrong, is deputy clerk of the Supreme Court of Kansas. The second in age is Mr. C. J. Brown. Stella, the third child, married Charles J. McHarg, who is now superintendent of some important irrigation projects owned by his uncle, Henry McHarg. Mr. and Mrs. McHarg live at Pueblo, Colorado. Walter P. Brown is the leading Blue Rapids hardware merchant, and further mention of him is made in later paragraphs. Frederick K. was formerly a merchant and afterward was stamp agent for the United States Government under Willard Hall. He died at Blue Rapids in 1910. E. J. Brown, the youngest of the family, lives at Blue Rapids and is traveling representative over Northern Kansas for the Simmons Hardware Company of St. Lonis.

Channing John Brown grew up in Genesee County, New York, attending the public schools of Caryville. He prepared for college at Lima, New York, and in 1865 entered Hamilton College, where he took the full four years course and was graduated A. B. in 1869.

About the conclusion of his college course he became an active factor in the organization of the Genesee Colony and was elected its secretary. He came out to Blue Rapids and had much to do with the laying out and the incorporation of the town during the following year. At the same time Mr. Brown engaged in the real estate business and actively promoted many of the earlier institutions. For a time he conducted a law office at Blue Rapids. He assisted in organizing the township, and was a member of the township board and helped to build some of the early bridges.

In 1874 he was elected a member of the Legislature and served during the session of 1875. In 1877 he became a member of the Senate, serving during the session of that year and of 1879. In 1879 Mr. Brown was appointed clerk of the Supreme Court of Kansas, and filled that office consecutively for eighteen years, until 1897. While clerk of the Supreme Court he had his residence in Topeka and continued to live there several years after the close of his term.

In 1900 he returned to Blue Rapids and engaged in the hardware business with his brother Walter P., but sold out his interest and retired in 1912. He had since developed the only important commercial orchard in Marshall County. His entire farm consists of 160 acres, adjacent to Blue Rapids on the southwest, and his orchard of many hundreds of bearing trees comprises thirty acres. Mr. Brown owned a large amount of town property, including a modern brick residence on Genesee Street. He is a republican and is now junior warden of the Episcopal Church.

In 1881, at Topeka, Mr. Brown married Mrs. Julia E. (Gilmore) Greer, daughter of William D. and Mary (Harvison) Gilmore. Her parents are both deceased. Her father was a merchant in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Mrs. Brown had two daughters by her first marriage. Grace Greer is now the wife of Mr. J. W. Gleed, a prominent Topeka lawyer, member of the firm of Gleed, Palmer & Gleed, general attorneys for the Southwestern Telephone Company. The second daughter, Florance Greer, died unmarried at Blue Rapids in 1915.

The Brown family is of old Colonial American stock. They were originally from Scotland and on coming to this country first settled in Rhode Island.

Walter P. Brown, younger brother of C. J. Brown, was born at Oak Field, Genesee County, New York, October 20, 1862. He was educated in the public schools of Blue Rapids, and at the age of eighteen left school to enter the hardware firm of Blish, Mize & Silliman at Atchison. He remained with that firm until 1888, and there laid the foundation of the experience which had made him successful in the hardware business. Returning to Blue Rapids, he established a small stock of general hardware and for a number of years was associated with his brother C. J. Brown under the name Brown Brothers. Since 1912 he had been sole proprietor of this business. The store, located on the public square in Blue rapids, is the largest of its kind in this part of Marshall County. It supplies a district in a radius of six miles around Blue Rapids with most of its hardware, plumbing and heating equipments. Mr. Walter P. Brown is a republican. He was elected a member of the State Senate in 1908, serving during the sessions of 1909-11. In both sessions he was chairman of the fees, salary and mileage committee, and a member of the ways and means committee, banks and banking committee, assessment and taxation committee and other committees. For three terms he was mayor of Blue Rapids. During his last term in 1900 he was instrumental in securing the electric light franchise for Blue Rapids. Mr. Brown, who is unmarried, is affiliated with Blue Rapids Lodge No. 169, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Topeka Consistory No. I of the Scottish Rite, and Abdallah Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Leavenworth. Besides his home on Genesee Street he owned the building in which his store is conducted and considerable other town property.
 

BROWN, Walter E.

Walter E. Brown is one of the younger members of the Atchison bar, but had been favored by his ability and training and early associations and had attained just recognition as one of the resourceful lawyers of the state. He is junior member of the well known firm of Waggener, Challiss, DeLacy & Brown, senior partner of which is one of Kansas' most distinguished and eminent lawyers and citizens, Hon. Bailie P. Waggener.

Mr. Brown represents a pioneer name in Kansas history. He was born in Whiting, Kansas, November 17, 1887. His grandfather, Michael Brown, came to Kansas in 1872 and homesteaded 800 acres in the Kickapoo Indian Rescrvation in Brown County. Michael Brown was born in the North of Ireland and was of Irish Presbyterian stock. He came to America at the age of eleven years with his father, grew up in Binghamton, New York, and became a lumberman, but followed farming chiefly after his removal to Kansas. The death of this honored old settler occurred at Whiting in 1910, when he was eighty-one years of age.

William E. Brown, father of the Atchison lawyer, was born in Binghamton, New York in 1856, spent his boyhood there, and came to manhood on his father's homestead in Brown County, Kansas. He followed farming only briefly and incidentally and most of his active life had been spent as a merchant. He became a hardware merchant at Whiting, and in 1890 removed to Holton, Kansas, and had since been a leading lumber merchant of that city. William E. Brown is a democrat, a member of the Presbyterian Church, and is affiliated with the Masons and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Upon reaching his majority he went East to Lewiston, Pennsylvania, where he married Miss Martha W. Gilmore. She was born in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, in 1861. To their union have been born three children, the oldest being Walter E. Bernice is a graduate of the Holton High School, and subsequently was a student in the University of Kansas and the State Agricultural College at Manhattan, and is now at home with her parents at Holton. Harold, the third child, is pursuing his studies in the University of Kansas.

Walter E. Brown lived in Holton from early childhood, attended the public schools there, and was graduated from high school in 1905. He then entered the. State University at Lawrence, where he finished the law course and was granted his LL. B. degree in 1909. In the same year he was admitted to the bar and at once removed to Atchison, where he began practice in September, 1909. Hard work and ability have brought him his present influential connection with some of the strongest law firms in the state.

On April 1, 1913, Mr. Brown became city attorney of Atchison and was re-elected in 1915, finally retiring from the office in 1917. He is a member of the Atchison County and Kansas State Bar associations.

Fraternally Mr. Brown had made rapid progress in the assimilation of the work of Masonry. He is a member of Active Lodge No. 158, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Washington Chapter No. 1, Royal Arch Masons, Washington Commandery No. 2, Knights Templar, and Abdallah Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Leavenworth. He also belongs to Atchison Lodge No. 647, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Mr. Brown is unmarried.

BUELL, Rollin

Rollin Buell. Since his education was finished Rollin Buell had applied himself chiefly to banking in Kansas, and is now cashier of the Farmers State Bank at Potter in Atchison County.

Almost since pioneer times the Buell family was identified with Macoupin County, Illinois, where Rollin Buell was born September 15, 1883, and his father, Charles Buell, in 1856. The grandfather. John Buell, was born in England, and after coming to America located on a farm in Macoupin County, Illinois, where he died in 1865. John Buell married Miss Mitchell. Her father was a remarkably successful Illinois farmer. He reared a family of twenty-one children, and out of the abundance of his means was able to give each one a quarter section of land.

Mr. Charles Buell, who is now living at Lenora, Western Kansas, was reared and married in Macoupin County, Illinois, and in 1884 started West, and after six months at Lincoln, Nebraska, moved during the same year into Scott County, Kansas. He was one of the pioneer farmers of that region for three years, and in 1887 he went still further West to Norton County. His home was on his original claim in that county until March 1, 1917, when he removed to the vicinity of Lenora in the same county. He is an active democrat and a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. Charles Buell married Dora Belle Hayden, also a native of Macoupin County, Illinois, where she was born in 1861. Her children are: Stella, wife of F. F. Payden, a farmer at Lenora; Rollin; Ola, wife of John J. Whipple, a farmer owning a half section of land in Eastern Colorado; Ethel, wife of Ray Swartz, a farmer at Lenora; Floyd E., also a Lenora farmer; Millard T., living at home; and Alma, who resided with her brother Rollin and is attending the high school.

Rollin Buell was educated in the country schools near Lenora in Western Kansas. He completed the work of the junior year in the Norton High School, and after that his education was continued in the State Agricultural College at Manhattan one year, one year in the College at Emporia, and one year in the Emporia Business College.

In August, 1910, Mr. Buell entered the Farmers State Bank at Lenora as bookkeeper and assistant cashier. Two years later, in July, 1912, he came to the Atchison Savings Bank as teller, and was with that institution in that capacity until February 1, 1917, when he resigned to become cashier of the Farmers State Bank at Potter.

Mr. Buell is a republican in politics, is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and is affiliated with Washington Lodge No. 5, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, at Atchison. He was married in September, 1913, at Weston, Pennsylvania, to Miss Floy M. Gifford. Her parents, T. I. and Hattie (Wells) Gifford, are now at Portis, Kansas, where her father is principal of the public schools, but they have a residence at Logan. Kansas. Mr. and Mrs. Buell have one daughter, Mildred L., born September 23, 1916.

BUTLER, Joseph A.

Joseph A. Butler, prominent and well known in local politics in Kansas City, Kansas, had been a factor in the business life of that city for many years and is proprietor of a complete service and equipment as an undertaker at 749-753 Central Avenue in Kansas City, Kansas.

Mr. Butler had lived in Kansas since he was nine months of age. He was born June 21, 1870, in the City of Cleveland, Ohio. He is the sixth in a family of eight children, all but one still living. Five are in the State of Kansas, one in Missouri and one in Wyoming. The parents were Jeremiah J. and Laura (Campbell) Butler, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of England. Jeremiah Butler was a cooper by trade. He married in England and at once brought his bride to America, landing in Philadelphia, where he lived for some years. In search of better opportunities for himself and for his family he came West and located in Kansas City, Kansas, where he secured work at his trade and in 1870 sent for his wife and children. The old home of the Butler family was on the site now occupied by the offices of Armour & Company. When Jeremiah Butler came to Kansas City, Kansas, the entire County of Wyandot had not more than 10,000 people. He always had the greatest satisfaction in reviewing the rapid growth and development of Kansas City from a small town or suburb until it was the recognized metropolis of Kansas. He followed his trade until he retired a few years before his death in 1903. Though he never got rich and at the best was in no more than moderate circumstances, he saw to it that his children were provided with every possible advantage and were well schooled. He was an active member of the Catholic Church.

Joseph A. Butler grew up in what is now Kansas City, Kansas, attended the common schools as they were then conducted, and he and three of his brothers learned the trade of cooper under the direction of their father. This trade Mr. Butler worked at and earned his living thereby until he was about twenty-five years of age.

Already he had become something of a leader in local democratic politics and at the urging of his friends he was elected marshal of South City Court for the years 1897-98. In 1899 he was chosen representative of the old Ninth District, now the Seventh, and served through the Legislature of 1900. He brought a number of measures before that body for consideration, and was very active in behalf of his constituency. From 1902 to 1904 Mr. Butler was county commissioner of Wyandot County. That service it will be recalled covered the period of the disastrous flood of 1903. In that critical time Mr. Butler rendered what was doubtless his greatest public service. He was chairman of the board of commissioners, and he proved his ability as an organizer and administrator of the chaotic conditions which followed the high waters of that year.

Since leaving the office of county commissioner Mr. Butler had steadfastly declined all offices or political honors, but still continues active in the party for the benefit of his friends and for the cause of good government. He left office to enter the undertaking business, and for twelve years had been one of the leading members of that profession in the city. He is a member of the Kansas Funeral Directors' Association. Mr. Butler owned considerable real estate and is a director of the Riverview State Bank.

On February 8, 1893, he married Mary E. Nichols, who was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, daughter of Patrick J. Nichols. Her father was for many years superintendent of the Kingan Packing Plant at Indianapolis and later of Kansas City, and he died in Kansas City in 1914. They are the parents of four children; Loretto, a graduate of Mount St. Scholastics Academy at Atchison; Marie, a graduate of the Catholic High School; Joseph A., Jr., a student in the Christian Brothers School at Kansas City, Missouri; and Dorothy, in the Catholic High School. Another member of the home of Mr. Butler is Mrs. Butler's nephew, Harry Butler Burns, the son of Mrs. Butler's sister. Her sister died when this child was six weeks of age and since then he had been in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Butler.

Mr. Butler had shown commendable public spirit and liberality in connection with every movement for the general good in Kansas City, Kansas. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Woodmen of the World, the Catholic Mutual Benefit Association, the Knights and Ladies of Security, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and is one of the prominent members of the local Catholic Church. He also belongs to the Kansas City, Kansas, Mercantile Club.
 

CAIN, John M.

Mr. John M. Cain, father of Mrs. Harwi, was born July 30, 1839, at Castletown, Isle of Man. He grew up on his native island, attended the select schools, and learned the trade of carpenter. At the age of seventeen, in 1856, he immigrated to America and identified himself with the territory of Kansas. Here he lived a very useful and prominent career. He was successively a farmer, soldier, merchant and banker. During the period of bitter border warfare he was a volunteer in the company organized by A. S. Peck and Asa Barnes.

In 1862 he entered Captain P. H. McNamara's company and was elected sergeant. With the organization of regiments of colored troops he was appointed first lieutenant of a company in the Eighty-Third Regiment Colored Infantry, and afterwards was commissioned captain. He served until the close' of the war and made a splendid record as a soldier and officer. When the war was over he began farming in Atchison County. From his farm be applied some of his capital to the establishment of a store, and later became connected with the old Atchison State Bank and owner of the Cain & Harthorn Mill Company, The death of this Kansas pioneer occurred in 1897,

He was married May 15, 1879, to Miss Lucy Neerman, daughter of Frank and Isabella (Bust) Neerman. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Cain were: Eva, wife of Foster Branson, of River Forest, Illinois; Ralph R., a banker at Ada, Oklahoma; Florence, Mrs. Frank E. Harwi; John Milton, connected with the A. J. Harwi Hardware Company; William Q., an attorney in Atchison; and Alfred Neerman, now deceased.
 

CASEY, William D.

William D. Casey was admitted to the bar at Atchison before he was twenty-one years of age, and the expectations based upon his early attainments have been fully justified in his career as a lawyer during the past twenty-five years. Mr. Casey had long been an active leader in Atchison County affairs as well as a forceful and successful member of the bar.

He was born in Carroll County, Missouri, November 19, 1871, a son of Warren Casey, who was born in New York State, where the family originally settled, in 1850. Warren Casey was reared in his native state, removed to Indiana, and in 1884 came to Atchison, Kansas. In Indiana he was connected with the hardware business but was a grocery merchant in Atchison, where he died in May, 1916. He was a republican, served several years in the Atchison City Council, and was a member of the Christian Church. His wife, whose maiden name was Harriet Ward, was born in Indiana in 1851 and is still living at Atchison. William D. Casey was the oldest of their children. Harry entered railroading, was a railroad brakeman, and was killed while in discharge of his duties at the age of twenty-six. Ira died at Atchison when nineteen years of age; Frank D. lives in Atchison and is traveling representative of the Niles-Moser Cigar Company.

William D. Casey grew up in Atchison from the age of thirteen, attended the high school through the junior year, and for two years was a student of law in DePauw University at Greencastle, Indiana. He returned to Atchison in 1889, continued his studies in private offices and at home, and in 1891 was admitted to the bar. Since then he had been looking after an increasing civil and criminal practice, varied with the performance of many official duties. For four years he served as justice of the peace, for six years was judge of the City Court, and was probate judge of Atchison County six years. Mr. Casey also filled the office of postmaster at Atchison a term of four years until February, 1913. Since retiring from the post office he had concentrated all his time and abilities upon his practice. His offices are in the Blair Building. Mr. Casey also owned a farm of 120 acres in Atchison County, his home at 404 North Ninth Street, and three other dwelling houses in the city. Mr. Casey is a republican in politics, member of the Christian Church, is active in the County and State Bar associations and is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Improved Order of Red Men, the Knights and Ladies of Security, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Fraternal Aid Union.

At Atchison in 1894 he married Miss Ella Scott of Topeka. They have three children: Venita, who was born January 29, 1896, is a graduate of the high school and of the music course at Midland College, and is still at home; Marion, born August 17, 1901, is a junior in the Atchison High School; and Marlin, born August 15, 1902, is a member of the freshman class in the high school.

(Submitter's Note:  Wm Casey's daughter Venita mentioned in the above biography was named Venita Florence CASEY and married Edgar Wilson GLENN of Soldier, Kansas 29 Nov 1917. see website here for more information on this line)

CHALLIS, Luther C.

Perhaps Luther C. Challis, nearly forty years a citizen of Atchison, is best known as a pioneer railroad man. He was born in New Jersey January 26, 1829, and for some years before moving West was engaged in business in Philadelphia and Boonville, Missouri. In 1855 he located in Atchison and joined his brother as one of the first merchants of that town. He afterward became a banker, and maintained a profitable ferry across the Missouri River until the building of the bridge in 1875. Mr. Challis was elected to a seat in the Territorial Council of 1857-58, made vacant by the resignation of Joseph P. Carr in January, 1858. He is generally conceded to be the father of the Central Branch of the Union Pacific Railroad, having framed the bill to authorize its construction, secured its passage, and negotiated the treaty with the Kickapoo Indians for securing its right-of-way through their territory. Mr. Challis was also one of the incorporators of the Atchison & St. Joseph Railway, the first railroad built in the state, and one of the founders of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe. He died in Atchison, July 26, 1894.
 

CHISHAM, James M.

James M. Chisham. Perhaps no one had been more closely identified with the public affairs and public ntilitias of Atchison than Mr. James M. Chisham, who is now superintendent of the Atchison Water Company. For a number of years he filled official positions in the city's government, and helped make Atchison a city of modern improvements, including paved streets, and possessed of those public utilities which are insoparable from health and convenience.

He is an old resident of Atchison, having come to the city when a child. He had fought his own way to success. He was born in Randolph County, Missouri, December 23, 1859. His ancestors, the Chishams, came from Scotland, were early settlers in Virginia, in colonial times, and from there the family moved to Kentucky and later to Missouri. Mr. Chisham's grandfather Chisham was a Randolph County, Missouri, pioneer, and spent his life there as a farmer. Mr. Chisham's maternal grandfather Palmer went out to California during the gold excitement of the early '50s, and while returning by way of the Isthmus of Panama was lost on the Gulf of Mexico.

George Chisham, father of James M. Chisham, was born in Missouri, in 1836, spent his active career as a farmer and died in Randolph County in 1862. He was a democrat in politics. His wife, Elizabeth Palmer, was born in Missouri in 1838 and died at Atchison, Kansas, in 1871. There were just three children, James M. being the second and the only one still living. This family suffered a tragedy in 1862, when they were stricken by dysentery and not only the father but the oldest son, William, and the youngest son, John, died of the disease. William was five years old at the time and John was an infant.

In 1865 the widowed mother brought her only son, James, to Atchison, and the latter had known no other home since he was six years of age. He attended as regularly as possible the public schools and for two years was a student in Montgomery College in Montgomery County, Missouri. He left that school in 1879 and returning to Atchison entered the office of the recorder of deeds as assistant deputy. Subsequently he was deputy county clerk and was in the court house three years altogether. In the spring of 1883 he began work for the Eastern Kansas Land and Loan Company as bookkeeper, but after three months took a position as cashier with the Atchison Gas and Water Company. That was his first connection with the public utilities. He was cashier of the Gas and Water Company three years and then became superintendent of the gas works. He managed that company until January 1, 1898, and at the same time was secretary of the company. While retaining that office he was appointed postmaster under McKinley and served until January 1, 1911. In 1905 Mr. Chisham became active superintendent of the Atchison Water Company, and had retained that office to the present time. The water company is owned by a private corporation, the general offices of which are in St. Louis, Missouri. The local offices are at 406 Commercial Street in Atchison.

Atchison had a fine water system. The pumping station is near the Union Station at the foot of Utah Avenue on the Missouri River. The capacity of the pump is 4,000,000 gallons a day, and the water is delivered partly by direct pressure and partly by gravity flow. At Spring Garden Street and Sixth Street are situated four reservoirs, one with a capacity of 4,000,000 gallons and each of the others with a capacity of 1,750,000 gallons, so that when full these reservoirs contain over 9,000,000 gallons of water.

From 1885 to 1891 Mr. Chisham was a member of the City Council of Atchison and was president of the council three years of that time. This was an era of great public improvements. During that time two-thirds of the paving was done, and Atchison is noted for its many miles of paved streets. From 1891 to 1893 he also served as city treasurer. Mr. Chisham is a director in the Atchison Water Company and is a stockholder in the First National Bank.

In politics he is a republican, is a member of Trinity Episcopal Church, is affiliated with Washington Lodge No. 5, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, is past high priest of Washington Chapter No. 2, Royal Arch Masons, is a member of Washington Commandery No. 1, Knights Templar, and belongs to Atchison Lodge No. 4, Ancient Order of United Workmen, and to the Royal Arcanum.

In 1905 Mr. Chisham built one of the finest homes in the city, at 705 North Fourth Street, where he and his family reside. He married June 20, 1883, near Hawthorne in Atchison County, Miss Florence Iddings. Her parents, James M. and Margaret (Peedler) Iddings, are both now deceased. Her father was a farmer and stock man and an early settler in Atchison County. Mr. and Mrs. Chisham have two children. Ruby, still at home, attended the Midland College at Atchison through the junior year and completed her education in the art department of the University of Kansas. Fay is the wife of Arthur C. Moses, a resident of Kansas City, Missouri, and in the mills of the Kansas Flour Mills Company. Mr. and Mrs. Moses have one child, William, born November 27, 1915.
 

CLARE, John

John Clare. The name of John Clare recalls one of the very early territorial pioneers of Kansas. This family, of Irish origin, settled in Eastern Kansas about the time the original Kansas-Nebraska bill was being considered by Congress, and from that time to the present members of the family have shared their fortunes with the fortunes of the Sunflower State, have been worthy members of various communities and have done their share in carrying forward the work of advancement and progress.

The late John Clare was born in Queens County, Ireland, in 1836. His father Michael Clare first brought his family to America about 1840. In the City of Boston he taught school for several years, but then returned to the old country. In 1851 he came a second time to America, and located in Washington, D. C. In 1854, before the first territorial government of Kansas was organized, he located in Leavenworth. He lived there for eleven years, and in 1865 moved to Atchison County, establishing his home on a claim seven miles south of the city of Atchison. Thenceforward he took a very prominent part in the community of Mount Pleasant, where he organized the first public school and became its teacher. Michael Clare was born in Ireland in 1800 and died in 1875 on the homestead that he had improved at Mount Pleasant.

John Clare was eighteen years of age when the family came to Kansas in 1854. Thenceforward he was actively identified with those movements which eventually made Kansas a free state. He and his brother subsequently were employed by the government in the freighting service. Both became wagon masters, and conducted a number of government trains between Fort Leavenworth and Fort Laramie, Wyoming. They were engaged in that hazardous occupation for four years, and their children recall many thrilling experiences they would relate of their life on the plains.

After the war John Clare settled down to farming at Mount Pleasant in Atchison County. In 1869 he married Miss Margaret D'Arcy, a native of County Wicklow, Ireland. She had also come to Kansas in the very early days. To their union were born nine children, five daughters and four sons: Michael, John, William, Charles, Ella, Maud L., Margaret, Frances and Agnes. Michael, John and William all own farms in Jefferson County, Kansas. The son Charles is a member of the Topeka fire department, at Station No. 4. Margaret is Mrs. Krall of Atchison. Maud L., Frances and Agnes still live at home in Topeka. The last years of his life John Clare spent in Jefferson County. He was quietly pursuing his vocation as a farmer when death came to him as the result of an accident. In 1910, following his death, Mrs. Clare moved to Topeka and bought the home at 700 Lane Street, where she died in 1914. That home is still occupied by their daughters.
 

CORTELYOU, Luther

Luther Cortelyou was for many years one of the prominent grain merchants of Kansas, and in later years had given his chief attention to the management of the Farmers State Bank of Muscotah, of which he is president. Mr. Cortelyou had resided in Muscotah for nearly thirty years. His family is a prominent one in Atchison County, and his son Peter J. is now postmaster of Muscotah.

Mr. Cortelyou was born in Somerset County, New Jersey, December 23, 1851, and is descended from some of the original stock of the Jersey Coast. His ancestors were both Dutch and French. In 1701 a Dutch company from Long Island bought a tract of 10,000 acres in Franklin Township, Somerset County. Among the men in the enterprise were Peter Cortelyou and Jacques Cortelyou. In those early days the name was sometimes spelled Cortilleau. Jacques Cortelyou had arrived in New Amsterdam about 1651 as private tutor to the children of a prominent Dutch family, Van Werkhoven. Jacques Cortelyou married Neltje Van Duyn, and both were of French extraction. Among their children was Jacques h. Hendrick, son of the second Jacques, was born April 11, 1711, and settled on lands owned by his father adjoining the tract of 10,000 acres bought by Peter Cortalyou and others. Hendrick married, August 3, 1731, Antie Coeste Van Voorhees. Their son Hendriek married Sarah Scothoff. Hendrick, third, born in 1761, married Ann Dehart, and for his second wife Elizabeth Voorhecs. Hendrick the fourth was born November 5, 1789, and died in 1856. It was through this line of the family that Luther Cortelyou is descended.

An old history of Somerset County, New Jersey, contains the following reference to some of the earlier generations: "In 1671 Captain Jacques Cortelyon acted as one of the commissioners to settle the disputed boundary line between Brunswick and Newton. He was also the surveyor on that occasion. His sons Jacques and Peter were also prominent land surveyors. Jacques second or third, surveyed the Harrison tract in 1703 and received from the company as compensation a tract of two hundred eighty acres extending from the Middlebush road to the Millstone River. Jacques first is represented as being somewhat singular and eccentric in his ways. The Cortelyou families have been uniformly distinguished for their industry, economy, peaceful demeanor as citizens, and their friendship to the prosperity of the church and her institutions."

James G. Cortelyou, father of Luther, was born in Middlesex County, New Jersey, November 11, 1816. He spent his life in his native state, chiefly at Harlingen in Somerset County, where he followed farming. He died at New Brunswick February 19, 1892. He was a democrat and was a very active member of the Reformed Church and served as an elder many years. He also belonged to the Masonic fraternity. James G. Cortelyou married Cornelia Polhemus. This also is one of the oldest Dutch families of New Jersey. Cornelia was born in Somerset County January 26, 1816, and died at New Brunswick May 20, 1893. Their children were: John Gardner, who was born in the Town of Harlingen, New Jersey, January 13, 1849, was a New Jersey farmer, afterwards moved to Polk County, Nebraska, where he was a banker until 1894, and then retired to Los Angeles, California, where he acquired extensive real estate holdings and died in that city in July, 1901; Luther, who was the second in age of the children; Peter J., born at Harlingen May 25, 1857, was a farmer, removed to Corning, Kansas, in 1898, was a grain merchant in that city and died there April 13, 1902.

Luther Cortelyou was educated in the rural schools of the Town of Harlingen, and also finished the junior year at Rutgers College at New Brunswick. He left college in 1873 and lived on his father's farm until his marriage on November 14, 1877.

After his marriage Mr. Cortelyou spent twelve years as a farmer in Talbott County, Maryland. In 1889 he came to Muscotah, Kansas, bought an elevator, and became extensively interested in the grain business, having relations that extended well over the state. He sold his elevator in 1907, and in 1911 organized the Farmers State Bank of Muscotah, of which he had since been president.

He was one of the organizers of the Kansas Grain Dealers Association, and served as president five years. In the National Grain Dealers Association he was second vice president and later first vice president. In 1904 Mr. Cortelyou built his modern home on Kansas Avenue in Muscotah. Among other interests he still owned 250 acres of farming land in Atchison County, five miles north of Muscotah.

Politically his actions have been in line with the democratic party. For eighteen years he served as a member of the school board of Muscotah, was township treasurer two terms, and several times was elected mayor and also councilman.

He married for his first wife Miss Gertrude F. Stelle, of Middlesex County, New Jersey. Mrs. Cortelyou died February 5, 1905. She was the mother of four children, Luther Jr., Stelle, Peter J. and Frank Morgan. Luther, Jr., was born May 23, 1881, is a graduate of the Atchison County High School at Effingham, and is now assistant cashier of the First National Bank of Parsons, Kansas. Stelle, born July 25, 1883, was for several years a stenographer in the Government employ and died at Ancon, Panama, July 28, 1905. Frank Morgan, the youngest son, was born October 29, 1886, graduated from the Atchison County High School at Effingham, and took the civil engineering course in the University of Kansas. He was honor man of his class when he graduated. He is now associated with the firm of Waddell & Harrington, civil engineers, of Kansas City, Missouri. He had been resident engineer in charge of the construction of three large bridges. One was in Portland, Oregon, another at Fort Smith, and he recently returned after superintending the construction of a bridge built at a cost of $1,750,000 between Portland and Vancouver on the Pacific Highway.
 

CORTELYOU, Peter J.

Peter J. Cortelyou, third son of Luther Cortelyou, was born on a farm in Talbott County, Maryland, June 25, 1885, and was four years of age when his parents removed to Muscotah, Kansas. He attended the public schools there, graduated from the Atchison County High School in 1904, and then for several years was associated with his father in the grain business. During 1910-12 he owned and edited the Muscotah Record. In November, 1913, he was appointed postmaster of Museotah, under President Wilson, and had filled that office to the present date. On July 1, 1916, Mr. P. J. Cortelyou again bought the Muscotah Record, and is editor and proprietor. This paper was established in 1884, and had an influential circulation throughout Atchison and adjoining counties. It is conducted independent in politics, and is a weekly paper. The plant and offices are situated on Kansas Avenue. P. J. Cortelyou, who is unmarried, is affiliated with Muscotah Lodge No. 116, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and in politics is a democrat.
 

CRAWFORD, Lester M.

Lester M. Crawford of Topeka is one of the men of remarkable enterprise in a state which for years had been in the habit of contributing enterprise, ideas, principles for the vitalizing and regeneration of the world. He is perhaps best known as the owner and lessee of a chain of theaters in a dozen or more cities of Kansas and other states. He had done more than any other man to bring artistic talent to Topeka and other cities of the state. A theatrical man is not often a pioneer in agriculture, but the readers of that old agricultural journal, The Country Gentleman, will recall several interesting articles describing Mr. Crawford's experiment in establishing a "fur farm" in Kansas, and his success in breeding and crossing Asiatic sheep with some of the native stock to produce the pelts which are so much esteemed when manufactured into the Persian lamb, Astrakhan and other grades of fur.

Mr. Crawford came to Kansas when a boy of thirteen. His parents Thomas and Charlotte (Hill) Crawford, were natives of Ohio, and his father was a carpenter and at times conducted a farm. Their home, where Mr. Crawford was born, was in the little town of Mount Pleasant in Southern Ohio, in what is called the Hanging Rock Iron Region. The family had also lived in other parts of the state. In coming to Kansas they spent sixteen days en route. A railroad took them to St. Louis, and from there they journeyed for twelve days on a boat up the Missouri River to Leavenworth, followed by a two days wagon journey to Topeka. At that time Topeka had less than a thousand inhabitants and was only a frontier village, without sidewalks, and with only two or three brick buildings. Here Thomas and Charlotte Crawford spent the rest of their lives. Of their eleven children three are now living.

Lester M. Crawford, seventh in age, had had his home in Kansas and is a typical Kansas man since he was thirteen years old. At the age of seventeen he started to learn the printer's trade and vividly recalls working the old Washington hand press on the Kansas Tribune, published by J. F. Cummings and S. R. Shepherd. An item of his still earlier experience was hauling freight between Leavenworth and Topeka and Atchison. As a printing apprentice he also worked on the old Kansas Free Press at Atchison, published by the honored F. G. Adams. In 1864 a spirit of adventure led him to cross the plains to Fort Laramie, in the employ of a freighter named Moore. On this trip they encountered difficulties on account of Indian depredations. Later he resumed his work as a printer on the Topeka Leader published by J. F. Cummings. When Prouty, Davis & Crane started the Daily Commonwealth, the first daily paper in Topeka, he became circulation manager and advertising solicitor.

In connection with his early newspaper experience about 1868 Mr. Crawford started a bill posting service. It was that which gave him his first insight into the amusement business as a vocation For a number of years he made general advertising and bill posting his regular occupation.

As the owner and promoter of theatrical houses his activities have become widely spread. In 1880 he bought the old Costa Opera House on the site of the present Commerce Building at Topeka. This was remodeled into a theater, but a few months later was burned. It was rebuilt in 1881, and in 1906 was again destroyed by fire. When it was rebuilt it became known as the Commerce Building, furnishing a home and headquarters for the Topeka Commercial Club. As a theatrical manager Mr. Crawford brought to Topeka such noted artists as Clara Louise Kellogg, Joseph Jefferson, Sol Smith Russell, Robison & Crane, Booth and Barrett, Emma Eames Abbott, and in fact all the greatest actors and singers of the day. His success at Topeka led him to expand the scope of his action. He built an opera house in Atchison, the Crawford Theater at Leavenworth, the Crawford Theater at Wichita, Crawford Theater at El Paso, Texas, Crawford Theater at St. Joseph, Missouri, the Oliver Theater at Lincoln, Nebraska. The Gaiety Theater of St. Louis is also owned by Mr. Crawford, and he is lessee of Brandies Theater. Omaha, Nebraska, the Texas Grand Theater, El Paso, Texas, and is also interested in a number of other places of amusement throughout the country.

For many years he had been making investments in farm and ranch lands, and now owned a 1,920 acre ranch in Chase County, Kansas, which is the scene of his extensive enterprise with cattle and Karakul sheep, and he also had another ranch of 2,381 acres near El Paso, Texas. While a great amount of publicity had been given in the magazines and the newspaper press to Mr. Crawford's experiment in fur farming, the story of his efforts is undoubtedly best told in a fascinating little booklet which he issued under the title "Fur Farming with Sheep," and detailing his experiences. As he says he is a pioneer in what he believes is a new industry for sheep growers of the United States, and in his booklet he tells what he knows about raising fur by crossing Karakul sheep from Asia on native American breeds. These experiments were conducted on his ranch near Cottonwood Falls, Kansas, where he made his first test in 1912. At the beginning it should be explained that the hides of the lambs of the Karakul sheep, on account of their special quality, have long held an exclusive place in the world's fur markets. The industry until comparatively recently was confined to Southern Russia and Asia, and on account of the world's demand for the Karakul fur its cost had been steadily rising during the past twenty years. There are three kinds of fur produced. If the curls are small and very tight, furriers call it Persian lamb fur. When the curls are larger and loose the pelt is known as Astrakhan, and if the pelt shows shades of gray it is called Krimmer. The most valuable pelts are taken from the newborn lambs, usually before they are two weeks old.

It is possible to quote only a few paragraphs from Mr. Crawford's booklet. "My decision to start a fur farm probably was born from a desire of long standing in me to grow fur. It appealed to me as fascinating work. More than that–for I couldn't afford to do it for pleasure–it appealed to me as profitable. The opportunity came when a sheep breeder in Texas, who had imported a herd of Karakul sheep direct from Asia, and with whom I had been negotiating offered to sell out to me. It was perhaps the first herd of Karakuls ever brought to this country. We closed the deal for thirty-four head–nineteen rams and fifteen ewes–and I removed them to my 1,900 acre sheep ranch near Cottonwood Falls, Kansas. My total investment was about $35,000.

"It may seem that I was taking a pretty big chance to invest so much money in an enterprise before the practicability of it had been proved. But it wasn't altogether a gamble. Scientists had proved that lambs resulting from Karakuls crossed on native American breeds would bear pelts valuable for fur. These tests of course were only scientific; no one had actually attempted the production of the pelts for profit. But the scientific fact seemed safe enough to me. I was willing to try it. There wasn't any doubt about the Karakul sheep thriving in this country. They are a very hardy breed, the extreme hot and cold temperatures of their native land having hardened them to the hardships of weather.

"I now gave close attention to stocking and equipping the fur farm. And it was fascinating work I assure you. We repaired the old buildings and fences on the ranch and built a new barn large enough to accommodate 1,200 sheep. I needed some good blooded ewes. The better the grade of native sheep used in breeding for fur the better the pelt will be. So I bought 1,100 selected Lincoln ewes from the Gooding ranch in Idaho. The possibilities of fur farming as a new industry had attracted the attention of experts at the Kansas Agricultural College, particularly Dr. R. K. Nabours, an experimental breeder. At my invitation Doctor Nabours became an adviser in the work, and as such had rendered valuable aid to me by his wide knowledge of cross breeding.

"It was well into November, 1912, before we began crossing the Karakul rams on the Lincoln ewes." Then Mr. Crawford explains that in carrying out his plan to keep a careful record of the breeding the matter was delayed with the greater number of ewes until the season was almost past. "Consequently our crop of half-bloods was small–only about three hundred came. A cold lambing season killed a number of the lambs, some were born dead, so that only two hundred survived. However, not one of the pelts from the one hundred dead lambs was damaged. Death or early birth does not affect their value in the least."

In the next season, 1913, the breeding was begun earlier and he profited by his previous experience, and the results were much more satisfactory. It should be noted that not only is the Karakul sheep valuable for its fur, but it also had exceptional qualities as a mutton stock, and it had proved that the quality of mutton produced from the crossing of the two stocks will be greatly improved.

In politics Mr. Crawford is a republican, and is a Knight Templar and Shriner Mason. On January 15, 1868, he married Miss Mary E. Wright of Topeka. To their union were born the following children: Orlin T.; Chester P.; Bertha, who died in her sixteenth year; Roy, who is associated with his father in business; and Edith, Mrs. Oscar Messing of St. Louis.
 

DARLING, Mary Morrall

Mrs. Mary Morrall Darling is the daughter of Wamego's pioneer physician, Dr. Albert Morrall, and she is now living in the same house where she was born May 14, 1872.

The Morralls were English people and were colonial settlers in the Carolinas. Her great-great-grandfather was Daniel Morrall who married Lydia Savanen. Her great-grandfather was John Morrall. Her grandfather, George Washington Morrall, was born at Georgetown, South Carolina, August 17, 1786, became an attorney by profession, and practiced at Grahamville and at Beaufort, South Carolina, dying in the latter city February 22, 1836. He married Phoebe Jenkins Tripp, who was born January 23, 1794, and died in Barnwell District, South Carolina, April 10, 1865.

Dr. Albert Morrall was born at Grahamville, South Carolina, November 17, 1829. The record of this old time physician had a distinctive place in the history of Kansas, particularly in the pioneer times of the country around the Big Blue River. He was of old Southern family and kept his sympathies with the South during the period of hostilities over slavery and the questions of state rights. He was educated in private schools at Grahamville, and first came to Kansas in the spring of 1856. He tells the story in his own words:

"I came to Kansas in the spring of 1856 in company with thirty other young men from the South. My object in coming to this state was to hunt buffaloes, but I was disappointed in not finding any very near to our camp at Atchison, where we first landed. We had to go into the country at least two hundred miles at that season of the year. Frank Palmer was one of the men with whom I came to Kansas and he was in charge of a company, the object of which in coming to Kansas was to make this a slave state. I was not a member of this company, but free to do as I pleased, although I always worked with them." After describing several of the skirmishes between his side and the free state men, including the march of the pro-slavery men upon Lawrence and their encounter with Jim Lane and his men, Dr. Morrall continued: "In November, Vander Horst, Stringfellow of Virginia, and also William Grearson of Charleston, South Carolina, and I started for Marysville, fixing up one of the wagons for a hunt."

The following clipping taken from the St. Louis Republican, describes their experiences on this hunt: "Terrible suffering on the plains.–We have information of the return of a hunting party from the Little Blue in a most deplorable condition. They were Mr. James Stringfellow, Mr. Van Dorser and Mr. Morrall, the first from Atchison, K. T., and the two latter from South Carolina. George Matthews saw them after their hairbreadth escapes and gives me the following thrilling narrative: When they reached the Big Blue they fixed their encampment, but finding only a few buffalo they left their camp in charge of a negro man belonging to Mr. Van Dorser and proceeded over to the Little Blue. On the first evening out they were overtaken by a storm of wind and snow, and lost their way. They wandered for eight days without fire and food. They blew the tubes out of their guns in their efforts to kindle a fire and then threw the guns away. The feet of Van Dorser and Morrall became so frosted and they were so exhausted from fatigue and starvation that Mr. Stringfellow, who had had some mountain experience, was scarcely able to get them to move slow. He encouraged them by every means until they finally reached a habitation and were saved. Mr. Morrall und Mr. Van Dorser, however, will lose their feet and Mr. Stringfellow some of his toes. Their sufferings were beyond description and they will be ill for some weeks to come. The negro who remained in the camp is uninjured, although he suffered a good deal from the severity of the cold and anxiety for his master and friends. They are all now safely lodged at Atchison."

The above narrative gives some idea of their sufferings, but is not correct, as it was Mr. Morrall who finally led them to a habitation. To quote Doctor Morrall further: "When mortification set in, I got a sharp rifle bullet mold and with a file sharpened it, cutting my tools off myself by squeezing the mold down and pulling the bones out like a tooth one by one. I had to go on crutches all that winter."

In the spring of 1857 Mr. Morrall went to Mormon Grove, staked a claim of 160 acres, and built a small house eight feet square. In the summer he returned to Marysville, stopping with an old Frenchman named McCloskey who had an Indian wife from the Sioux tribe. From them he learned many signs and words of the Indian language. He often met the Indians and hunted all day with them. Having a little money, in the fall he built a small house, secured a partner and started a trading post. A man named Ballard took charge of the store, but failed in the business and all the money invested by him in the enterprise was lost.

At that time he determined to read medicine. He attended lectures at Rush Medical College in Chicago that winter and with the conclusion of the lectures returned to Kansas. The war between the North and the South then broke out and he was notified to leave the state or fight with the Union army. He could not bring himself to fight against his home people and he crossed over the Missouri River to St. Joseph and from there started for Lexington, Missouri, to join General Price, who was marching onto the town. Lexington was then held by General Anderson's command of 4,000 men. He was part of General Price's army which laid siege to the town and forced Anderson to surrender. Doctor Morrall states that 4,000 stands of arms and cannon, mules, wagons and ammunition were captured there. Mr. Morrall then started for South Carolina, revisiting his native town of Grahamville and soon joined the southern forces. He was stationed in and around Grahamville until the end of the war. He served as lieutenant in Company H, Third Regiment, South Carolina Cavalry. When hostilities were ended he was left practically penniless. Going to Charleston, he secured employment and bought quite a stock of wheelwright goods, opening a shop at Monk's Corner, together with a man named Bonnett. He prospered in business and made enough while there to enable him to return to Kansas in 1866. He located at Wamego and soon afterwards re-entered Rush Medical College at Chicago, where he was graduated M. D. in 1867.

Doctor Morrall was the first permanent physician of Wamego and he continued practice there for nearly half a century. He was a man of ability in his profession and enjoyed the highest standing and esteem of a large community. He served as county health officer and for four years was postmaster of Wamego, being a democrat in politics. He was a member of the Baptist Church and in 1862 joined Friendship Traveling Lodge of Masons at Grahamville, South Carolina. He was a charter member and served as Master of Wamego Lodge No. 75, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and was High Priest of Wamego Chapter No. 52, Royal Arch Masons. Doctor Morral prospered in a business way, was a stockholder in the Wamego Building and Loan Association, and he owned a residence on Lincoln Avenue which was his wife's father's house before him. This house is the oldest structure in Wamego and is still in excellent repair. Doctor Morrall also owned two farms west of Wamego, one of 600 acres and another of 30, and had property in Kansas City, Missouri.

Doctor Morrall's death occurred in University Hospital at Kansas City, Missouri, March 4, 1917. He was then in his eighty-eighth year and was one of the last survivors of the active participants in the pioneer events of territorial Kansas.

Doctor Morrall married Sarah A. Wagner, who was born at Dowagiac, Michigan, October 30, 1840, and died at Wamego May 7, 1880. Their only child is Mary Wagner Morrall, now Mrs. Darling.

Mrs. Darling was educated in the public schools of Wamego, and from high school entered Miss Kelly's Seminary at Charleston, South Carolina, where she spent three years. She was also a student in Ottawa University at Ottawa, Kansas, a year, and subsequently returned to the same school and took a year's course in music. She is now clerk of the Baptist Church at Wamego and had interested herself in many social and benevolent movements. She is past matron of Wamego Chapter No. 76, Order of the Eastern Star, and served two years in that office.

She was married at Kansas City, Kansas, May 4, 1912, to Fred Enoch Darling. Mr. Darling was born at Hudson, Michigan, March 12, 1873, and died May 24, 1912, twenty days after his marriage. He spent his childhood in his native locality of Michigan and came with his parents to Kansas, locating near Grenols, where he attended the public schools. He also attended school at Omaha, Nebraska, and began his business career in a hardware store. In Kansas City, Kansas, he was associated with Mr. Moulton as distributing agent for the Twentieth Century Furnace Company of Akron, Ohio. Mr. Moulton died and Mr. Darling was just preparing to take over the business for the entire Middle West when his own death occurred. He was a republican and a member of the Baptist Church.
 

DAVIS, William Edward

William Edward Davis is the youngest state auditor Kansas had ever had and one of the youngest men who ever held such an official dignity in any of the states. It may also be added, to express a general opinion current at the capital and over the state, that Mr. Davis' administration as auditor had been a synonym of efficiency and economy. He represents that splendid type of young American manhood which had drawn attention by its capacity for accomplishment.

Though most of his life had been spent in the Middle West, he was born in West Virginia, and his ancestors had lived there for several generations. He was born on a farm in Hampshire County, July 14, 1875, a son of John William and Hannah Catherine (Timbrook) Davis. His paternal grandfather, Eli Davia, was born in what is now Hardy County, West Virginia, then Old Virginia. He married a Miss Evans. Gipson P. Timbrook, the maternal grandfather, married a Miss Hott. John W. Davis was born in Hardy County, West Virginia, May 26, 1851, while his wife was born in Hampshire County, July 12, 1854. Both parents are still living, residents of Shawnee County, Kansas, removing there from Carroll County, Missouri, in November, 1915, and they naturally take much pride in the accomplishments of their son.

When William E. Davis was nine years old, his parents moved to Carroll County, Missouri, and he grew up there on a farm. The limited advantages of the country schools he supplemented by attendance at Avalon College in Livingston County, Missouri. Leaving school at the age of twenty he became clerk in the village post office at Tina, Carroll County. In 1896 at the age of twenty-one he came to Kansas to make his fortune. He worked as a solicitor one year at Atchison and another year at Topeka, and then moved to Hutchinson, where he became a traveling salesman for a stationery house selling goods to counties and banks. In 1902 in addition to his work as salesman for the stationery company, he bought and still owned a controlling interest in the Globe-Republican, at Dodge City, now the daily and weekly Globe. This was the pioneer weekly paper of Dodge City, and the Globe is now and had been for several years the leading organ of the republican party in that section of the state. Mr. Davis never gave his personal attention to the paper, trusting its management to an experienced newspaper man.

He continued as a traveling salesman for the Hutchinson firm until January, 1907, when he was appointed to the office of assistant state auditor. He made a commendable record while in that position, and it was this record plus popularity gained by extensive traveling acquaintance over the state that elected him auditor of the State of Kansas on November 8, 1910, on the republican ticket. It was the first office for which he was ever a candidate, and he was only thirty-five years of age at the time of his election. Mr. Davis began his official duties as state auditor January 9, 1911, and is now filling his third successive term. He had realized the ideal which he set before himself of making the office of state auditor a medium of service to the entire people of Kansas. Whether as an official or a friend he had the courtesy, the personal magnetism and the impartiality which are valuable requisites for any official, and at the same time he possesses and exercises a promptness and sureness of decision and a thorough knowledge of details which largely account for the excellence of his administration. While in office he had exercised a careful scrutiny of public expenditures, and it is said that he had put in effect rules governing the expenditure of public moneys that have been helpful to the claimant and beneficial to the state. The difficulty pertaining to school lands that had been one of the chief sources of worry to the state auditor's office had practically disappeared. By co-operation with the county clerks he had straightened out the defects in the sale of lands and had cut through some of the technicalities which interfered with the prompt issue of patents. Another achievement had been his energetic requirement that all moneys collected on school land sales and payments should be brought into the state treasury within the time required under the law.

Mr. Davis still had his legal residence at Dodge City- He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the United Commercial Travelers. On September 23, 1899, he married Miss Ellen Mary Wiley, who at that time was a resident of Meade, Kansas, but was born in Osceola, Iowa, Their one son, William Edward, Jr., was born November 16, 1902.
 

DIEBOLT, Anton, Jr.

Anton Diebolt, Jr., cashier of the Piqua State Bank in Woodson County, is one of the younger bankers of Kansas and had studied and practiced banking with a varied experience in different institutions ever since reaching manhood. He is a native of Kansas and represents a family that have had an important share in business and financial circles.

He was born in Atchison County, Kansas, October 10, 1885, a son of Anton Diebolt, Sr., and a grandson of Joseph Diebolt. The Diebolt family in the earlier generations lived in the Province of Alsace, on the border between the French and German empires, and alternately a French and then a German possession.

Joseph Diebolt was born in Alsace when it was part of France, and in his earlier life he saw active service in the regular French army. In 1862 he came to America, locating in Brown County, Kansas, and lived the life of a pioneer farmer there until his death.

Anton Diebolt, Sr., was born in 1832, in Alsace, France, and was a boy of sixteen when he left his native land in 1848 and immigrated to the United States. He landed at New Orleans, and spent twelve years in that southern city, having a varied experience in different lines of business. For two years he lived at Cincinnati, Ohio, and then removed to Mendota, Illinois, and engaged in farming in the rich agricultural district surrounding that town. In 1881 he brought his family to Kansas, settling in Atchison County on a farm, and from there in 1891 removed to Olpe in Lyon County. He continued farming there, but is now retired from that business and is a general merchant and banker at Olpe. He had had a very successful business career. In matters of politics he is affiliated with the democratic party, and is a member of the Catholic Church. At Mendota, Illinois, Anton Diebolt, Sr., married Justina Walter. She was born at Bingen on the Rhine in Germany in 1842. Her parents came to this country in 1860, locating at Mendota, Illinois. Anton Diebolt, Sr., and wife became the parents of a very large family of children, and nearly all of them are independently settled in life, and it is a remarkable family in many ways. John, the oldest of the children, is a farmer at Olpe, Kansas. Lawrence is a farmer living at Piqua, Kansas. Mary married Max Goldberg, a jeweler at Seattle, Washington. Peter lives at Piqua, Kansas, and is also a farmer. Kate is the wife of Henry O'Howell, a policeman at Los Angeles, California. Justina married Dr. Gordon Gafford, a physician and surgeon at Kinsley, Kansas. Clara is the wife of Fred Boeckler, a resident of Ocean Park, California, and the proprietor of a chain of dairy cafes in that state. Lizzie married Carl Kuhlman, a farmer at Olpe, Kansas. Joseph is a hardware merchant at Westphalia, Kansas. George is one of the brothers who run the general store of their father at Olpe, Kansas. The eleventh in age of this large family is Anton Diebolt, Jr. Minnie married Avery Chamberlain, who is also connected with the Olpe store. James is in the store at Olpe.

Anton Diebolt, Jr., received his education at Olpe and also at Atchison in St. Benedict's College, and in 1904 graduated in the commercial course from St. Francis College at Quincy, Illinois. He had further business training of one year in his father's store. In 1905 his father took a prominent part in the organization of the Olpe State Bank, and Anton, Jr., served as assistant cashier until 1908. The family and other associates then organized the Ravenna State Bank at Ravenna, Nebraska, and Anton served as cashier there until 1910. In August, 1910, he was one of the men who brought about the establishment of the Piqua State Bank in Woodson County, and he had served as its cashier ever since. The other officers of the bank are: L. G. Niemann, of Piqua, a merchant, who is president; J. W. Groggman, a retired resident, vice president; and J. H. Wille, assistant cashier. The bank had a capital of $10,000, had surplus and undivided profits of $6,000, and had well earned the confidence and patronage of the entire community in and around Piqua.

Mr. Diebolt is a democrat in politics, a member of the Catholic Church, and is affiliated with Humboldt Council of the Knights of Columbus, and with St. Martin's Branch, No. 7, of the Catholic Mutual Benefit Association at Piqua. Among other interests he is the owner of a farm of 160 acres in Boxbutte County, Nebraska. Mr. Diebolt is unmarried.

 

DONNELLAN, Thomas E.

Thomas E. Donnellan of Parsons has the active supervision of all Southeastern Kansas, Eastern Oklahoma and Southwest Missouri for the International Harvester Company. He has been general agent for that great corporation for the past fifteen years. Mr. Donnellan is a Kansas man, is a birthright farmer and knows the practical side of farming, an experience which has proved valuable to him as representing a great agricultural house.

His family on both sides came to Kansas in territorial days. His father, John Donnellan, who was born in County Clare, Ireland, in 1824, came to this country at the age of twenty years, and for several years was employed in the lumber camps of New York State. It was in March, 1856, that he came to Kansas. Kansas was then a territory and the scene of the great struggle which earned for the territory the name "Bleeding Kansas." His first location was in Miami County, where he secured 160 acres of an old Indian reservation and for two years was engaged in cultivating it. The activities of the Bushwhackers drove him away from that land, and he then moved to Atchison County. Subsequently he sold the quarter section in Miami County and in Atchison County he bought a farm of 160 acres a half mile west of Lancaster. Thereafter he was one of the leading farmers and citizens of Atchison County until his death in 1894. John Donnellan was a republican, and was one of the first justices of the peace in Atchison County and for many years served on the school board. For twelve years he was township treasurer of Lancaster Township. John Donnellan and all his family were members of the Catholic Church. During the war he was a member of the Home Guards, in the Union army, and helped repel the invasion of General Price. The wife of John Donnellan was Mary Davidson, who was born in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, in 1828 and died in Atchison County, Kansas, in 1895. Her father Robert M. Davidson was born in Pennsylvania in 1807 and was of Scotch ancestry, the Davidsons having come to Pennsylvania in colonial times. Robert Davidson spent his early life in Pennsylvania, was a carpenter and builder by trade, and in 1857 migrated to Atchison County, Kansas. For a number of years he was a general merchant there and died at Lancaster in 1889. The children of John Donnellan and wife were Anna, wife of Albert Ostertag, a traveling salesman living at Atchison, Kansas; Thomas E.; William R., who has a hardware and implement store at Lancaster; Emma, who is cashier in a store at Atchison; Margaret, wife of August Mangelsdorf, who is in the wholesale seed business at Atchison; and Juniata, wife of John Cleary, a farmer in Atchison County.

Born in Atchison County, Kansas, April 16, 1864, Thomas E. Donnellan spent the first twenty-one years of his life on his father's farm. He attended the public schools, and himself became a school teacher, following that work in his native county for five years. He was one of the young and progressive farmers of Atchison County four years, and also filled the position of under-sheriff there four years.

After two years in the coal and lumber business at Atchison Mr. Donnellan in 1901 entered the service of the International Harvester Company, becoming general agent for Kansas. He has since represented this corporation and in December, 1914, moved to Parsons, from which city he supervises a force of fifty-four men in Kansas, Eastern Oklahoma and Southwestern Missouri. There are five other branch offices in the State of Kansas under his jurisdiction. Mr. Donnellan's offices are on Twentieth Street and Broadway.

His home is at 1631 Corning Street. Mr. Donnellan is a republican, and besides the official service already mentioned was township trustee and township treasurer of Lancaster Township in Atchison County. He is a member of the Catholic Church, and belongs to Council No. 723, Knights of Columbus at Atchison, to Lodge No. 647 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks at Atchison, to the Modern Woodmen of America and the Knights of the Maccabees at Atchison, and the Woodmen of the World at Topeka. He is also an active member of the Parsons Commercial Club and the Rotary Club.

In Atchison County on April 4, 1888, Mr. Donnellan married Miss Emma Schletzbaum, daughter of Francis and Elizabeth Schletzbaum. Mr. and Mrs. Donnellan are the parents of three children: John F., who is a graduate of St. Benedict's College at Atchison, is now advertising manager for the Coast Banker and lives at San Francisco; Rosalia is a student in the Parsons High School; Robert E., a graduate of St. Benedict's College at Atchison, is now a traveling representative of the International Harvester Company.
 

DUNCAN, John E.

John E. Duncan, a veteran in the service of the Missouri Pacific Railway Company, had been continuously identified with the Town of Shannon for thirty years. He had looked after all the business of the railroad there as station agent, telegraph operator and in other capacities, and furthermore had practically built up and maintained the various lines of business represented there. He is a general merchant, grain dealer and for a number of years had been postmaster.

Mr. Duncan was born in Madison County, Illinois. March 24, 1862. His father, John Duncan, was borr in County Tipperary, Ireland, in 1817, came to America in 1850, was married in New York State, and soon afterward settled on a farm in Macoupin County, Illinois. He spent the rest of his days as a farmer and died in Macoupin County in 1890. He was a democrat and a Catholic. His wife, Mary Hooley, was born in County Tipperary in 1818, came to the United States in 1851 and her death occurred in Macoupin County in 1907. Her children were: Patrick, a farmer in Macoupin County; John E.; Margaret, wife of John Moran, a Macoupin County farmer; Nellie, who lives at Girard, Illinois, widow of Owen O'Neil, who was a real estate man at Girard; William, foreman with the Brown-Hamilton Shoe Factory at St. Louis, Missouri.

John E. Duncan spent his early years as a farm boy in Illinois. He attended the rural schools and in 1884 finished his education in the Bunker Hill Academy at Bunker Hill, Illinois. He then learned the art of telegraphy, and from 1885 to 1887 was with the Chicago & Alton Railroad. He then transferred to the Missouri Pacific Railroad and arrived in Kansas April 11, 1887. He was first assigned as night operator at Everest, but in September, 1887, was sent to Shannon, and had never left that place as home and scene of his varied activities. He had been station agent and telegrapher for the road, and in 1909 he bought the only general store in the town and is still its owner and active manager. In 1900 he built the grain elevator and had done much to make Shannon a market for grain raisers in that section. On February 15, 1910, he was appointed postmaster of Shannon, during the Taft administration, and still holds the office under President Wilson.

Mr. Duncan is a democrat, a member of the Catholic Church, is affiliated with Atchison Council No. 723, Knights of Columbus, and the Order of Railway Telegraphers. Besides the home which he built south of the depot in Shannon he owned a farm of 200 acres in Macoupin County, Illinois, and a dwelling house near his store.

Mr. Duncan was married in Shannon in 1890 to Miss Margaret Clark, daughter of Matthew and Catherine (O'Grady), Clark. Both parents are now deceased. Her father was a farmer and located at Shannon in 1883. Mr. and Mrs. Duncan have five children: John Matthew, who graduated from St. Benedict's College in 1911 and is now manager of the store for his father; Catherine, a student in Mount Scholastics Academy at Atchison; Margaret, also in Mount Scholastics Academy; Bernadette, in the Shannon public schools; and Dorothy.
 

DURANT, William E.

William E. Durant. Few citizens of Clay County are better known than William E. Durant, who is clerk of the District Court, a veteran of the Civil war, and a representative and bearer of a name that had been honorably known in this state for over a half century. He was born in Will County, Illinois, April 25, 1843. His parents were Edward T. and Sally Ann (Whallon) Durant, and his paternal grandparents were Edward and Lucina (Willey) Durant, natives of New York. The Durant ancestors went from France to England and in colonial days came to the United States and located in Connecticut, a later generation moving to New York and those still later establishing homes in Kansas.

Edward T. Durant, father of William E., was born in Geneseo County, New York, in 1819. His father died when he was young and he remained in Geneseo County until 1837, when he became a pioneer in Will County, Illinois. He engaged in farming fox a time and then worked at the carpenter trade until 1861, when he enlisted for service in the Civil war, entering the Thirty-third Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He participated in many battles and was in the siege of Vicksburg and in much of the military activity along the border west of the Mississippi River. He was honorably discharged and was mustered out December 7, 1865. In the spring of 1866 he came to Monrovia, Kansas, and worked at his trade there until 1869, when he removed to Waterville in Marshall County, and there he died in 1915. He supported the principles of the republican party, belonged to the Masonic fraternity and was a faithful member of the Baptist Church.

Edward T. Durant married Sallie Ann Whallon, who was born in 1822 and died at Clay Center, Kansas, in 1896. They had the following children: William E.; Sophia Willey, who married first M. A. Sherburne, a painter, and after his death, Martin Norton, also deceased, who was a traveling salesman, and she resided at Topeka, Kansas; Clara Maria, who is the widow of John Davison, a farmer, resided at Waterville; Charles, who died when aged eighteen months; Percy, who died aged two years; Albert, who died at the age of one year; Frances C., who lived to be twenty years old, as also did Edward T.; and Tracy C., the ninth and youngest, who lived to be twenty-three years.

William E. Durant attended the country schools in Will and Du Page counties, Illinois, and followed farming until be was eighteen years old. He then proved as patriotic as his father and enlisted also in Company B, Thirty-third Illinois Volunteer Infantry, on the same day, August 19, 1861, and father and son marched and fought side by side through those long years of strife, taking part in the same battles and skirmishes and facing the same dangers. Both were spared to return to the dear ones at home. It was a tie of comradeship as well as kindred that bound this father and son together.

After the war was over William E. Durant attended school in Chicago for a short time and then joined his father, reaching Monrovia, Kansas, August 2, 1867. For two years he worked at  farms in Atchison County but in 1869 went to Waterville and entered the flouring mill, and worked in such mills for the next ten years and then was in a hardware store for one year at Downs, Kansas. In 1880 Mr. Durant came to Clay Center and resumed work in the flour mills and continued until 1913.

From early manhood Mr. Durant had been affiliated with the republican party, believing firmly in the basic principles of that organization and loyally supporting its candidates. After retiring from the industry to which he had devoted so many years of a busy life he served one year as city marshal of Clay Center, and 2 1/2 years as deputy for the county clerk. In 1916 he was elected clerk of the District Court for a term of two years, and his office is in the courthouse.

Mr. Durant married October 3, 1869, at Monrovia, Kansas, Miss Lucretia Rhodes, who is a daughter of John and Jemima (Allee) Rhodes, both of whom are deceased. The father of Mrs. Durant was a farmer before the Civil war, of which he was a veteran. His death occurred at Prairie Grove, Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Durant have two sons, Ira Edwin and Charles Willey. Ira Edwin Durant resided with his parents at the time this record is made. He is a physician and surgeon, a graduate of the Kansas City Medical College, from which he received his degree. He is a member of the Kansas National Guard, with the rank of captain, and is attached to the medical corps. In 1916 he was with the First Regiment, Kansas National Guard, on the Mexican border.

Charles Willey Durant, the second son, is a resident of Kansas City, Kansas, and is in the employ of the Morris Packing Company. He is a graduate of the Clay Center High School and taught school for nine years in Clay County and for one year in Riley County. Mr. Durant and family belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church.

For many years Mr. Durant had been identified with the Order of Odd Fellows and is a member of Olay Lodge No. 115, of which he is past noble grand, and also a member of Humane Encampment No. 34, and of Queen Esther Lodge No. 19, Rebekahs. He belongs additionally to Clay Center Lodge No. 134, Ancient Free & Accepted Masons. Mr. Durant owned his comfortable residence that stands on Twelfth Street between Dexter and Court streets. He had lived through a period of marvelous change since he came to Kansas and he feels proud of the advancement which had been made along so many lines. As a veteran of one great war, he is keenly alive to the issues which are now paramount in the country he offered his life to keep united.
 

DYSINGER, Holmes, Rev.

Rev. Holmes Dysinger has for the past twelve years been connected with the Western Theological Seminary of the Lutheran Church at Atchison, and since 1910 had been dean of the seminary. He had spent more than thirty years in the work of the church as a minister and as an educator, and had been connected with prominent schools and pastorates in nearly all parts of the country.

Mr. Dysinger is of an old Pennsylvania family and was born at Mifflin, that state, March 26, 1853. The Dysingers' original home was in Southern Germany. They came across the ocean and settled in Pennsylvania not long after William Penn planted his colony there. Joseph Dysinger, father of Rev. Dr. Dysinger, was born in Juniata County, Pennsylvania, in 1824, and for seventy years was a resident of Walker Township in that county. In early years he followed contracting but later was a farmer. He finally retired to Mifflin and died in that Pennsylvania city in November, 1904. Politically he was a democrat and a very active member of the Lutheran Church. Joseph Dysinger married Mary A. Patterson, who was born in Walker Township, Juniata County, near Mifflin, in 1831. She is now living at the venerable age of eighty-six, at Atchison. A brief record of the seven children is: Austin, who was a teacher and died at Ottawa, Illinois, in January, 1905; Holmes; George W., a practicing dentist at Minneapolis, Minnesota; James H., a teacher living at Los Angeles, California; William S., pastor of the First Lutheran Church at Los Angeles; Sarah Catherine, who died in infancy; and Samuel P., manager of a planning mill and resident of Los Angeles.

Rev. Dr. Dysinger was educated primarily in the rural schools of Juniata County, Pennsylvania. He also attended the Airy View Academy at Port Royal in his native state, and in 1878 was graduated A. B. from Pennsylvania College at Gettysburg. In preparation for the ministry of his church he continued his studies in the Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, graduating in 1881 and in the same year receiving the degree Master of Arts from the college. Doctor Dysinger was ordained a Lutheran minister in 1883. He had benefited by extensive opportunities at home and abroad, was a student at Leipsic, Germany, and did post-graduate work in connection with the University of Chicago in 1906 and in Leipsic, Germany, in 1910. In 1889 he received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from Wittenberg College at Springfield, Ohio, and that of LL. D. from Midland College, Atchison, Kansas, in 1917.

For five years he taught in the public schools of Pennsylvania, in the preparatory department of Gettysburg College four years, one year in North Carolina College, five years at Newberry College in South Carolina, and for four years was connected with the Lutheran Theological Seminary of the South at Newberry, South Carolina. Doctor Dysinger was president of Carthage College at Carthage, Illinois, from 1888 to 1895, and from that year to 1900 filled the pastorate of the Lutheran Church at Polo, Illinois. He was in active pastoral work for ten years. In 1900-02 he was pastor of the First Lutheran Church of Kansas City and until 1905 had charge of the church at Vandergrift, Pennsylvania. Doctor Dysinger entered the faculty of the Western Theological Seminary at Atchison in 1905. In 1910 he was made dean. Since coming to Atchison he had bought a home at 938 South Fourth Street. Doctor Dysinger in politics is independent.

On September 22, 1886, at Blairsville, Pennsylvania, he married Ada Frances Ray, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Ray, both now deceased. Her father, who died at the age of ninety years, was active in mercantile affairs at Blairsville for over seventy years and much of the time was head of a large firm doing business there. Mr. and Mrs. Dysinger have five children: Mary Ray, who graduated A. B. from Midland College at Atchison in 1909 and is now librarian of the college; Cornelia, who graduated A. B. from Midland in 1911, and is still at home with her parents; Margaret Louise, who graduated A. B. from Wilson College at Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, is now the wife of Dr. C. F. Malmberg, a member of the faculty and professor of philosophy in Thiel College at Greenville, Pennsylvania; Helen Frances, a student in Midland College; and Dorothy Holmes, who attends the Atchison public schools.
 

EYMAN, Joseph L., Dr.

Joseph L. Eyman, M. D. In the profession of medicine and surgery few Kansas physicians have dispensed their services more widely and more successfully than Dr. Joseph L. Eyman of El Dorado, He is a most loyal Kansan. Coming to the state when a child with his parents, he began the practice of his profession twenty-one years later and had witnessed the gradual change and transformation which have made Kansas a highly developed agricultural and industrial section from what was within his personal recollection an open prairie. Doctor Eyman had traveled over many of the states of the Union, and it is his ardent conviction that no state presents so many all around advantages as the Sunflower commonwealth. It is with more than ordinary satisfaction that he contemplates the prospect of spending the rest of his days in Kansas. Doctor Eyman had built a fine modern brick residence and office at the corner of Fourth and Gordy Streets in the heart of El Dorado. His home is attractive from every point of view and a triumph architecturally.

A native of Pennsylvania, Joseph L. Eyman was born at Kittanning in Armstrong County February 23, 1860, a son of J. W. and Rebeca (Richie) Eyman. His parents were natives of Pennsylvania, his father of Pittsburg and his mother of Templeton, Armstrong County. The Eyman family was founded in America prior to the Revolutionary war by three German brothers, Abram, Isaac and Jacob. Abram located at Wellsville, Ohio, Jacob at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, while Isaac was a typical frontiersman, never content to settle long in one community and always living well in advance of the main stream of civilization.

Doctor Eyman is a great-great-grandson of Jacob Eyman, one of these three brothers. The family had made a most creditable record in American wars. Jacob Eyman, the immigrant, fought for the American colonies in the struggle for independence. His son Jacob, Jr., Doctor Eyman's great-grandfather, was a soldier in the war of 1812. The father of Doctor Eyman was a member of the Sixty-third Regiment of Pennsylvania Infantry during the Civil war and saw active service in the Army of the Potomac.

J. W. Eyman came to Kansas with his family in 1867. One year he spent at Atchison, and then removed to Granada in Nemaha County, where he took up a homestead. That claim he developed as a good farm and ocoupied it until 1908, when he sold his property and removed to El Dorado in order that Doctor Eyman might give better attention to the mother, who was then in poor health J. W. Eyman died at El Dorado July 8, 1912, aged eighty-two years. The widowed mother is still living at El Dorado, now eighty-four. There were eight children: G. M., of Kansas City, Kansas; Joseph L.; J. H. and W. H., twins, both living at Moline, Kansas; Ella, wife of Genos Reeder, now a resident of Oklahoma; Neta, wife of M. B. Hitchcock, of Kansas City, Missouri; Ida, who died in 1894; and Molly, who died in 1895.

Doctor Eyman was six years of age when his parents came to Kansas. His early instruction was in the public schools of this state, but in 1874 he returned to Pennsylvania and attended Dayton Academy in Dayton, that state. He remained there a student four years, and on returning to Kansas taught school in Wabaunsee County for two years. He next entered Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia, and from there transferred his professional studies to Northwestern University Medical School in Chicago, where he was graduated M. D. February 25, 1887.

Doctor Eyman had had an active experience as a physician and surgeon for thirty years. His first practice was in Marshall County, Kansas, four years at Bigelow and three years at Frankfort. In 1895 he became a Government physician, and was located at Sun Dance, Wyoming, and Ekalaka, Montana. He continued his connection with the Government until 1895, when he returned to Frankfort, Kansas, practicing there until 1904. In that year he removed to El Dorado, and buying a ranch west of town became associated with his son in the cattle business for two years. He then resumed active practice at El Dorado, and had built up a fine reputation as a most capable physician and a very thorough and careful surgeon. Doctor Eyman is local surgeon for the Missouri Pacific Railway, and is a member of the United States board of pension examiners, being its secretary. For three years he was connected with the regular army as surgeon in Montana, Wyoming and Dakota.

Doctor Eyman is a member of the American Medical Association, and had fraternal affiliations with the Masonic order, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. He is a democrat in politics and a member of the Christian Church.

Doctor Eyman had been twice married. His first wife was Miss Harriet F. Smarr, of Grenada, Kansas. Of their two children the only one now living is Charles, a dentist at Bismarck, North Dakota. For his second wife Doctor Eyman married at Wichita in 1906, Miss Amanda F. Smarr, of Horton, Kansas. Doctor Eyman reared an adopted daughter, Sylvia Eyman. She possesses unusual musical talent and was given every advantage to perfect her native endowment. She finished a musical education, and before marrying taught in the high school at Springfield, Missouri. She is now the wife of John Howard, of Sylvia, Wisconsin.
 

FERGUSON, W. S.

W. S. Ferguson is secretary and treasurer of The Locomotive Finished Material Company of Atchison, one of the most important industries of the city. Mr. Ferguson had been identified with Kansas and Atchison for over thirty years, and throughout that time had been connected with the foundry and manufacturing business in different capacities. He is now the oldest executive official in point of continuous service of The Locomotive Finished Material Company.

He represents an old and honored family name in the City of Alton, Illinois, where he was born January 16, 1861. The Ferguson's for several generations were linen drapers in Belfast, Ireland, From that city Mr. Ferguson's grandfather crossed the ocean and settled in New York State. F. H. Ferguson, father of W. S., was born in New York in 1838, and when a boy removed to Alton, where the family were old settlers. He grew up and married in that historic city and for a number of years was a merchant. For several years he served as recorder, city clerk and comptroller, and later was connected with the Hapgood Plow Company, one of the largest plow manufactories in the Middle West. He is still living at Alton, being now retired. He is a democrat, a member of the Masonic fraternity, and a Knight Templar. In 1858 he married Julia E. Sneyd, who was born in Philadelphia in 1838 and died at Alton, Illinois, in 1892. Their children were: W. S. Ferguson; Bertha W., living with her father; Harry, who was a railroad employee and died in California in 1912; Frank, who is sales manager for the Illinois Glass Company at Alton, Illinois; and Julia, wife of Rev. Hubert L. Sparks, a Baptist minister now located at Douglas, Arizona.

W. S. Ferguson grew up in his native city, attended the public schools and graduated from the Alton High School in 1876. Almost immediately he found work in the Alton Agricultural Works, where he remained until 1879. After that he was connected with the Drury-Hewitt Hardware Company of Alton until December, 1882.

Mr. Ferguson Came to Atchison in March, 1883. Here he centered the employ of John Seaton, an old time foundry man and manufacturer. He was with the business continuously for twenty years and when in 1903 the firm was incorporated as The John Seaton Foundry and Manufacturing Company, Mr. Ferguson became its secretary and treasurer. In 1912 this business was consolidated with The Locomotive Finished Material Company under the latter name. Mr. Ferguson then became secretary and treasurer of the consolidated company, and had held this position since that time.

He is also a stockholder in the Kansas Life Insurance Company. Mr. Ferguson owned his home at 306 S Street. He began voting as a democrat, the politics of his father, but is now a republican. He is affiliated with Atchison Lodge No. 647, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and Atchison Council No. 99 of the United Commercial Travelers.

He married in 1899, at St. Joseph, Missouri, Miss Kate Smith, of an Atchison family.
 

FINNEY, Charles C., M. D.

Charles C. Finney, M. D. A native of Atchison and a representative of a pioneer family in that city, Dr. Charles Finney had his introduction to the profession of medicine during an experience of eight years while he was in the hospital department of the Missouri Pacific Railway under Dr. D. J. Holland. He realized the possibilities of a professional career, was encouraged by his friends to make use of his talents in that direction, and soon entered the Beaumont Medical College at St. Louis, Missouri, where he was graduated M. D. on March 14, 1894.

Since his graduation in medicine Doctor Finney had conducted a general medical and surgical practice at Atchison. From 1894 to 1908 he was local surgeon for the Missouri Pacific Railway. His skill and reputation have increased until he is now one of the leading members in the medical fraternity in Western Kansas.

Doctor Finney was born at Atchison February 1, 1865. His father, M. C. Finney, was born in Fermoy, near Cork, Ireland, in 1822. When a young man he came to America and lived for brief periods in New York City and St. Louis. He had the zest for adventure characteristic of his Irish nationality, and he was more than willing to take a part in the tempestuous affairs of Kansas during the early territorial epoch. In the fall of 1856 he came to Atchison, and lived in that city until his death in 1871. For many years he served as wharf master, and was also a merchant, dealing in grain produce and other supplies. He affiliated with the democratic party, served as a member of the City Council, and was active in the Catholic Church. M. C. Finney married Kate Kathrens, who was born at Middlebury, Vermont, in 1839, and now makes her home at 508 North Second Street in Atchison. Her father, Charles James Kathrens, was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1787, and after coming to America located in Middlebury, Vermont, moved from there to Huntsville, Alabama, and in 1870 came to Atchison, Kansas, where he died in 1874. He was a music teacher and followed that profession during most of his active years. M. C. Finney and wife had five children: James K., who was a hardware salesman for the Mumssy Manufacturing Company of St. Louis, lived in Atchison and died in 1900, at the hospital in Leavenworth; Mamie, who died at the age of fifteen months; Agnes M., wife of William A. True, living at 508 North Second Street in Atchison, Mr. True being locomotive engineer with the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy; Dr. Charles C.; and Edwin, who died at the age of 1 1/2 years.

Doctor Finney grew up in Atchison, attended the graded schools and for three years was a student in St. Benedict's College. Then followed his experience in hospital work and his active professional career which continues to the present time.

Doctor Finney is one of the leading democrats of the city. For six years he represented the Second Ward in the City Council. He was first elected when that ward was solidly republican by more than 100 majority, and yet he won the election by 243 votes. In April, 1913, he was further honored by election to the office of mayor, and gave the city a businesslike and capable administration until 1916. Doctor Finney owned his home at 510 North Second Street, and had extensive realty possessions, including about twenty dwelling houses in the city. He and his family are members of the Catholic Church and he is affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Anti-Horse Thief Association and the Fraternal Aid Union.

Doctor Finney married in 1904 Miss Louise Zibold, daughter of Herman and Rosa (Franz) Zibold. Her mother now resided on Price Boulevard in Atchison. Her father, now deceased, was proprietor of the Zibold and Haeglin Brewery. Doctor and Mrs. Finney have one son, Charles H., born February 17, 1907, and now attending the fifth grade of the public schools.
 

FRASER, Samuel V., Rev.

Rev. Samuel V. Fraser. One of the younger members of the Roman Catholic clergy in Kansas is Rev. Samuel V. Fraser, pastor of the Church of the Immaculate Conception at Minneapolis, who in this, his first charge, had shown that he possesses with the dignity of his high calling Christian zeal, tempered with the knowledge of and sympathy for human frailty, that had endeared him to his parishioners, had won him the respect of his fellow citizens in general and promises to so increase his influence that it is certain that a rich field of usefulness awaits his future.

Father Fraser belongs to Kansas. He was born at Concordia, this state, May 31, 1890, and is in the fourth generation descending from the founders of the family in Canada. His ancestors came from Corkell, Invernesshire, Scotland, with the Scotch Regiment of Highlanders, commanded by Simon Fraser, as a unit of the British army, in 1759, and remained permanent settlers of the Dominion of Canada.

Francis Xavier Fraser, father of Rev. Samuel V. Fraser, was born near Three Rivers, Canada, in 1843. In 1849 he was taken by his parents to the United States and they settled in the French Village of Bourbonnais, near Kankakee, Illinois. In 1886 he removed to Cloud County, Kansas, in 1908 retiring to Concordia, and there his death occurred in the following year. All his active life was devoted to agricultural pursuits. He was married in Illinois to Flora Berard, who was born near Three Rivers, Canada, in 1849 and was taken to Illinois by her parents in 1853. She resided at Concordia, Kansas. Of the family of fourteen children born to this marriage, Father Fraser was the thirteenth child in order of birth, the others being: Daniel, who is a farmer residing near Aurora, Kansas; Clara, who is the wife of John Perrier, a farmer near Olpe, Kansas; Edmond, who is a farmer near Eil Roy, Minnesota; Cecelia, who is the wife of John B. Gaudreau, who conducts a restaurant business at Concordia; Fred, who is a Christian Brother in Saint Joseph's College at Glenco, Missouri; Lucy, who is the wife of John Herbert, a farmer near Aurora, Kansas; Hattie, who is a nun, Sister Eveline, at Saint George's Station, Illinois; Aldia, who is Sister Chlotilda, in a convent in Chicago, Illinois; a daughter who died at the age of ten months; Jesse, who resided on the old homestead at Concordia; Gasper, who is a farmer near Concordia; Louis, who died at the age of sixteen years, at Concordia; and Josephine, who resided at Concordia with her mother and sister.

Samuel V. Fraser in boyhood attended the public schools in Cloud County and then entered Saint Benedict's College at Atchison, Kansas, and there received his preliminary training for the priesthood, remaining five years and being graduated in 1909. His proficiency in his studies led him then to the path that gave him the opportunity to complete the same in the American Catholic Seminary that was affiliated with the great University of Louvain, Belgium, where he finished his philosophical and theological course and was graduated in 1914, and he reached his home in Kansas about the time of the outbreak of the great European war.

Father Fraser was ordained in the same year, in Louvain, and his first mass was said in the Cathedral of Concordia. He was appointed in the same year pastor of the Church of the Immaculate Conception at Minneapolis, and had continued in charge ever since. This parish is thirty-two years old, the first priest to begin organizing being Father O'Leary, and in 1885 the erection of the church was commenced, its location being on Rock Street, as is also the parish house. Father Fraser had been able to affect the parish with some of his own enthusiasm and now had about 100 members, while many church organizations and helpful agencies have been started and are flourishing. Father Fraser had two missions also under his pastorate, Saint Patrick's on Vine Creek and Saint Francis Borgia at Ada, Kansas. The Knights of Columbus as a Catholic organization meets with his approval as to its aims and he is a member of Abilene Council.

It was a world calamity when the great University of Louvain was wantonly destroyed in 1915, and Father Fraser finds in his grief over the loss of that wonderful and priceless library, in which he had spent so many studious hours, a subject for lifelong regret. In this he had the sympathy of thousands with memories of their own who mourn artistic losses that seemingly no future civilization can ever replace.
 

GARDNER, Fred C.

Fred C. Gardner, a Kansas educator of wide experience and exceptional qualifications, is now superintendent of the city schools of Howard, Kansas. Though a native of Missouri he had spent most of his life in Kansas and is a product of Kansas institutions of higher learning.

He was born at DeKalb in Buchanan County, Missouri, August 25, 1888, and as he is still a young man much may be expected of him from the work that he had already accomplished. He represents a branch of the Gardner family that was established in Kentucky during the pioneer days and is of Scotch-Irish ancestry. His great-grandfather, John Gardner spent all his life as a farmer in Kentucky. Professor Gardner's grandfather, Isom Gardner was born in Kentucky in 1814, and died in Buchanan County, Missouri, in 1890. He was one of the very early settlers in Northwestern Missouri, locating on a farm not far from St. Joseph and paying $10 an acre for land that is now worth many times that price. He married Mary Therman, who was born in 1817 and died in Buchanan County, Missouri, 1903. A record of their children is briefly as follows: James, deceased, who spent most of his years as a farmer and merchant at Carthage, Missouri; Elizabeth, who died at Kansas City, Missouri, married James Hillix, deceased, who was a farmer and later a carpenter; George, who was a farmer and carpenter and died at Leavenworth, Kansas; Tabitha, who died at Leavenworth, married for her first husband William Norris, a farmer, and her second husband was Thomas Norris, a huckster and merchant, both of whom are now deceased; Harrison B., father of Professor Gardner, was the fifth in age; Warren, who still occupies the old farm at DeKalb, Missouri.

Harrison B. Gardner, who now lives in Atchison County, Kansas, was born at DeKalb, Missouri, October 16, 1854. He grew up and married in the same vicinity, took up farming as his vocation, and in 1900 moved to Kansas. He was a farmer in Leavenworth County, in the spring of 1907 removed to Gove County, and in the fall of 1913 went to his present home farm in Atchison County. He is a democrat, a member of the Wesleyan Methodist Church and was formerly affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He married Ella N. Gabbert, who was born near Easton, Kansas, July 18, 1862. Olive, the oldest of their children, after the death of her first husband, Ed Clinkinbeard, who was a farmer, became the wife of Al Wire, a gold miner, and they lived at Elkton, Colorado. Elmer is a farmer near DeKalb in Buchanan County, Missouri. William is a section boss for the Union Pacific Railway, living at Delia, Kansas. The fourth in age is Fred C. Raymond, who had spent several years on a farm with his brother Elmer is now prospecting for a farm of his own in the Dakotas. Eunice is the wife of Orlando McNutt, who is a machinist and connected with a foundry at Kansas City, Kansas. Ivan died at the age of fourteen years. Fay is now in the sophomore class of the high school at Kansas City, Kansas. Wyatt, the youngest of the family, is still at home with her parents in Atchison County.

Fred C. Gardner gained his first instruction in the rural schools of Buchanan County, Missouri. After coming to Kansas he entered the Emporia State Normal School and spent altogether 3¾ years in that institution. During that time he finished his high school course and in 1912 completed the two years college course and received his diploma. In the meantime he had been teaching school a part of each year, his work in the state normal being done in the spring and summer terms. After graduating at Emporia he was superintendent of schools at Grenola from 1912 to 1914, two school years, and in the fall of 1914 became superintendent of city schools at Howard. Mr. Gardner had under his supervision three modern school buildings, a staff of eleven teachers, and an enrollment of 300 students.

Mr. Gardner is an active member of the Kansas State Teachers Association and is a thorough believer in the values derived from association with other workers in the educational field. In politics he is a republican, is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is affiliated with Hope Lodge No. 155 Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and with Howard Chapter of the Eastern Star. On July 26, 1916, at Howard, he married Miss Nettie Dolen, daughter of William and Sarah (Collins) Dolen. Her father, now deceased, was one of the pioneer farmers in Elk County, having homesteaded the 160 acres where his family still reside.
 

GREEN, William D.

William D. Green has for thirty years been one of the substantial business men of Holton and he represents a family that were among the very earliest settlers of Jackson County. Mr. Green was for a long time a merchant but for years had been looked upon as a reliable real estate man in his city.

A native of Jackson County, Kansas, where he was born January 22, 1863, he is a son of Simpson and Matilda (Roach) Green, both of whom were natives of Kentucky. They came to Kansas in the spring of 1857, locating in Straight Creek Township of Jackson County, where Simpson Green acquired 160 acres of land. That was in the territorial days, when Kansas was a hotbed of civil strife, and the family were among the pioneers in the development of that section. With the exception of the ten year period from 1865 to 1875 when they lived in Buchanan County, Missouri, the parents spent the rest of their days in Jackson County, where the mother died in 1891 and the father in 1894. Simpson Green and wife had eight children: K. C., a farmer at Holton; Florence, wife of G. B. Berry, an Oklahoma farmer; Levi, now deceased; Anetta, wife of W. S. Estes, a farmer in Atchison County, Kansas; Sarah, deceased; J. M., in the real estate business at Topeka; and J. A., a farmer in Jackson County, Kansas.

William D. Green spent part of his boyhood in Northwest Missouri, but gained most of his education in the district schools of Jackson County and also had a two years business course in Campbell College, where he graduated in 1887. He at once engaged in business as a hardware and implement dealer, and for seventeen years was connected with that line, since which time he had applied his efforts to real estate. His offices are in his own office building at the corner of Fifth Street and Pennsylvania Avenue.

Mr. Green is an active member of the Holton Commercial Club, and resided at 524 Pennsylvania Avenue, where he had a handsome home. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the Knights and Ladies of Security and the Sons and Daughters of Justice. He is a Presbyterian. July 28, 1895, at Holton, Kansas, Mr. Green married Mary Etta Weaver, daughter of Reuben S. and Mary (Pollock) Weaver. Her father was born in Pennsylvania and her mother in Ohio, and her father served four years in the Union army during the Civil war, with the rank of lieutenant. Mrs. Green is president of Post No. 135, Ladies of the Grand Army, and is patriotic instructor for the state. She is also identified with the suffragist movement. Mrs. Green was born in Westville, Indiana, January 6, 1871. Her father was born in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, February 6, 1828, and died at Holton, Kansas, October 31, 1881. He was a cabinet maker by trade, afterwards became an architect and builder, and after establishing his home at Holton in 1871 did the carpenter and cabinet work on many of the finest residences in the city, including some of the buildings of Campbell College. His service during the war was in Company G of the Fifteenth Indiana Infantry. He was also a thirty-second degree Mason and an Odd Fellow and a member of the Presbyterian Church.

 

GUNDY, Charles T.

Charles T. Gundy, county attorney of Atchison County and a well known and prominent lawyer of the city, is of old Holland Dutch lineage. His great-grandfather, William Gundy, came from Holland and was a Colonial settler in Pennsylvania. He went with the Pennsylvania troops to help win independence during the Revolutionary war. Mr. Gundy's grandfather, Jacob Gundy, was born in Pennsylvania in 1800, and was a pioneer settler in Scotland County, Missouri, where he followed farming until his death in 1892. He was cnrolled for service during the Black Hawk Indian war.

Charles T. Gundy was born in Scotland County, Missouri, February 10, 1878, and his early life was spent in the county where his grandfather had been a pioneer. His father, George Gundy was born in Scotland County in 1845, grew up and married there, and had made farming his regular occupation. He is now living at Memphis, Missouri, at the age of seventy-two. In 1863 he enlisted in the Second Missouri Cavalry for service in the Union Army, and when General Price made his raid through Missouri toward the close of the war he assisted in repelling that invasion. In that campaign he was wounded in the arm. He is a republican, a member of the Baptist Church, and of the Masonic fraternity. George Gundy married Margaret Needham, who was born in Scotland County, Missouri, in 1858. Of their children Charles T. is the oldest. Lewis W. is a farmer in Scotland County. Jacob C. is also a Scotland County farmer. Corda is the wife of Grover Crawford, a farmer in Scotland County. Pearl and Merle, twins, are still at home.

Charles T. Gundy had a rural environment as a boy, attended the country schools of Scotland County, and remained at home on his father's place until he was nineteen years of age. For four years he was a teacher in the rural schools. While teaching he took up the study of law, and was first admitted to the bar at Memphis, Missouri. He practiced two years at Memphis, from 1905 to 1907, and while there served as city attorney. Mr. Gundy left Memphis to accept a government position at Washington, D. C., and while in that city he availed himself of the exceptional opportunities to further perfect himself in the law. He attended the night school of the National University of Law, and in 1908 received the degrees of LL. B. and LL. M. and was admitted to the District of Columbia bar. In 1908 Mr. Gundy went to Keokuk, Iowa, and for two years had charge of the farm Loan department of the State Central Savings Bank of that city.

He had been a resident of Atchison since 1910, and in the past seven years had built up a large general practice as a lawyer. His offices are in the Blair Building, and his home is at 937 Santa Fe Street. Mr. Gundy served as judge of the City Court of Atchison five years, and in the fall of 1916 was elected county attorney. He is a republican, a member of the Baptist Church and of the Kansas Bar Association, and is affiliated with the Masonic Order, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Domestic Workers. Mr. Gundy married in New York City in 1909 Miss Eleanor McCormick, whose home was in Washington, D. C. Her parents were John and Margaret (Broslon) McCormick, both now deceased, her father for many years conducting a mercantile establishment at Washington.

 

MAYHEW, Albert E.

Albert E. Mayhew, who has lived in Kansas since early boyhood, has built up the leading hardware business at Effingham in Atchison County, is also a banker there, and is now serving his second term as a representative in the State Legislature.

Mr. Mayhew was born at St. Mary's, Canada, March 17, 1866, and was brought to Kansas by his parents when he was four years of age. He grew up at Centralia, was educated there in the public schools, graduating from high school in 1883, and for one year was a student in the State Normal School at Emporia. Before engaging in business he taught three years in Nemaha County, Kansas. His business experience began as clerk in different stores. After two years he went into merchandising for himself at Vermillion, Kansas, and was profitably established there until 1899. In that year Mr. Mayhew came to Effingham and built and founded his present hardware store, which is the largest in this section of Atchison County. His two-story building is located on Main Street, and he has extended his trade relations over all that part of the county and draws some trade which normally would go to the City of Atchison.


Mr. Mayhew's father, William Mayhew, was a Kansas pioneer. He was born in Lancastershire, England, in 1832, and at the age of thirteen ran away from home, crossed the ocean, and located at St. Mary's, Canada, where he grew to manhood and married. He became a farmer and stock man, and in 1870 came to Kansas, locating at Centralia in June of that year. He resumed farming in that section, and was a farmer and stockman for many years, He finally retired and lived at San Diego, California, until his death in 1903. As an American citizen he voted the republican ticket and was very active in his support of the Congregational Church. William Mayhew married Mary Lancaster, who was born in England in 1832 and died at Centralia, Kansas, in 1878. They were the parents of six children: John H., a merchant and speculator living at Denver, Colorado; Robert E., a retired farmer at Topeka, Kansas; George W., who lives at Denver, was for a number of years a farmer but made a fortune in the gold mines of Cripple Creek, Colorado, and is now living retired; Eliza J., wife of Amos B. Clippinger, a manufacturer of tanks, wagon beds and other commodities of that kind, living in Kansas City, Missouri; Albert E; and Leonard, who is an employer of labor at Los Angeles, California.


Besides his business as a merchant Mr. Mayhew is Vice president of the Effingham State Bank. He owns his home on Howard Street and also a large farm of 640 acres in Marshall County, Kansas. For a number of years he has been one of the leading republicans of Atchison County. He served on the City Council and for a number of years was president of that body. In 1914 he was elected a member of the Legislature in the lower House, serving in the session of 1915, and was re-elected in 1916 to the session of the following year. He was a member of the Educational Committee, was chairman of the Fees and Salary Committee in 1915, and was also on the Public Utilities, Elections and Labor committees. Mr. Mayhew's name is most prominently associated with the insurance bill introduced and passed by the Legislature in 1916. This bill regulates the rates of insurances in the state and permits the Superintendent of Insurance to raise or lower rates according to his discretion. Mr. Mayhew was also instrumental in having passed a number of educational bills in the Legislature of 1915. Educational matters particularly appealed to him in his legislative experience. He also faithfully looked after the interests of his constituents.


Mr. Mayhew is an elder in the Presbyterian Church, is president of the Cemetery Association of Effingham, and is affiliated with Mackey Lodge No. 48, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Spartan Lodge No. 250, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Effingham Camp No. 706, Modern Woodmen of America. He married at Vermillion, Kansas, in 1891, Miss Annie J. Tinker, daughter of Mrs. J. S. (Tinker) Dodson, who now lives at Frankfort, Kansas. Mr. and Mrs. Mayhew have one son, Carl H. This son graduated from the. Atchison County High School and from the Baldwin Business College at Baldwin, and is now associated with his father in business.
 

MOORE, Col. Horack L.

Col. Horack L. Moore, of Lawrence, has seen valiant service as a soldier of the Civil war and in after campaigns against the hostile Indians of the West. He has also been a successful business man and banker, has served a term in Congress and is still a local leader in substantial and beneficial enterprises. He is a native of Ohio, born at Mantua, February 25, 1837, and received his higher education [p.1232] at the Western Reserve Electric Institute, at Hiram, Ohio. In 1858 he moved to Kansas with his brother Francis, who died a mouth after their arrival in Atchison County, and was studying law when the Civil war broke out. He enlisted on May 14, 1861, as a private in Company D, Second Kansas Infantry, a three months' regiment. In the organization of his company he was made a corporal and served until October 31st, participating in all the actions of the regiment. The day he was mustered out he re-enlisted and on December 11, 1861, was made second lieutenant on the reorganization of Company D. On May 1, 1862, he received his commission as first lieutenant and was promoted to the captaincy of his company in 1863, but never mustered, as he was commissioned lieutenant colonel of the Fourth Arkansas Cavalry by the secretary of war and mustered into that regiment on February 18, 1864. He held this command until mustered out of the service on June 30, 1865. In 1867, with the rank of major, he commanded a battalion of cavalry, called the Eighteenth Kansas, during its service on the plains against hostile Indians. On October 30, 1868, he was mustered in as lieutenant colonel of the Nineteenth Kansas Cavalry and on March 23, 1869, was promoted to the colonel. With this regiment he took part in the campaign conducted by Gen. P. H. Sheridan, which resulted in forcing the hostile Indians back upon their reservations.

At the close of the war Mr. Moore engaged in the grocery business at Lawrence, in Trinidad, Colorado, Las Vegas and Albuquerque, New Mexico, under the firm name of Moore, Bennett & Co., but in 1882 he sold his interest in the business and returned to Lawrence. Subsequently he was treasurer of Douglas County for two years. In 1892 he was nominated and elected to Congress by the demecrats and populists, but was not seated until August 2, 1894, as Edward H. Funston had been given the certificate of election and was not unseated until that time. Since retiring from Congress Mr. Moore has resided in Lawrence. He is president of the Lawrence National Bank; takes a deep interest in all historical matters; has long been a member of the Kansas State Historical Society; was its president in 1906; and is a member of the board of directors of the society for the term ending in December, 1912.