Clay Co., KS AHGP-Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington, Clay and Riley Counties-Elias Temple


Portrait and Biographical Album
of Washington, Clay and Riley Counties
Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1890




ELIAS TEMPLE, junior member of the firm of Wheeler & Temple, associated himself with his present partner in 1887, and purchased the Morganville Roller Mills, the first enterprise fitted out with this improved machinery in the Republican Valley. The mills have a capacity of seventy-five barrels per day, and on account of their establishment here, Morganville has become a first-class grain market. This firm has also erected an elevator with a capacity of about 14.000 bushels. Both members are stirring business men, and have materially aided in the growth and prosperity of the town. Mr. Temple is chief manager of the mill, and is conducting it in a highly successful manner.

The subject of this sketch was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., Dec. 4, 1851, and in 1855 his parents, William G. and Mary (Cashdollar) Temple, removed to Randolph County, Ill., where Elias was reared on a farm, and educated in the district school, and the schools of Chester. The parents were natives of the Keystone State, where they arrived at mature years, and were married. They are still living and residents of Illinois. The paternal grandfather was Robert Temple, likewise a native of Pennsylvania, where he was married, and whence he removed with his family to Illinois about 1852, and there with his estimable wife spent his last days. He was a genuine type of the hardy pioneer and built up a comfortable home from the wilderness. He was an active politician, and a member of the old Whig party.

Elias Temple learned millwrighting in Illinois, where he lived until 1877. He then determined to seek the farther West, and going into Washington County, Iowa, rented a mill and lived there until 1884. In the meantime he was married Oct. 9, 1878, to Miss Mattie, daughter of J. S. Maple, a native of Pennsylvania. They made their home in Illinois until coming to Kansas, where Mr. Temple employed himself as a miller two years, then embarked in his present enterprise.

Two children were born to our subject and his estimable wife, Ray D., and Hazel B. Mrs. Mattie Temple died at her home in Morganville, July 4, 1886. In August, 1887, Mr. Temple contracted a second marriage with Miss Sadie, daughter of ft. O. Klipsch. This lady was born in Sullivan County, Mo., in 1861, acquired a good education, and came with her sister to Clay County, Kan., where she employed herself as a teacher in the city schools several years. Mr. and Mrs. Temple arc members in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Temple is a member of the City Council. He belongs to Morganville Lodge No. 322, I. O. O. F.. in which he is Past Grand, and he is also identified with Lodge No. 217, A. O. U. W. in Morganville.

In connection with the personal history of our subject, we present a fine view of the Morganville Mills, in which he has such a deep interest and for which he has accomplished so much.



(c) 2009 Sheryl McClure

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