Dickinson Co., KS AHGP-Portrait and
Biographical Album of Dickinson, Saline, McPherson and
Marion Counties-Henry Whitley
Portrait and Biographical
Album of Dickinson, Saline, McPherson and Marion
Counties
Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1893
HENRY WHITLEY, who is engaged in the
furniture business in Solomon City, is an
honored pioneer of this place, where he located
June 4, 1859. He was born in England,
September 14, 1830, and is a son of Edmund
and Elizabeth (Carnley) Whitley, who came with
their family to Canada in 1840. When a youth,
our subject learned the trade of a shoe-maker. On
attaining his majority he went to St. Paul, Minn.,
in 1857, and there remained for two years, during
which time he saw a regular Indian war-dance on
the streets of that city. He was a musician and
while there established an orchestra.
In November, 1858, Mr. Whitley married Miss
Catherine Hall, daughter of Jabez Hall, of Whitby,
Canada. After the birth of their first child they
came to Kansas, and in crossing a creek three or four
miles east of Topeka, the wagon was overturned and
the babe, only about four months old, was killed.
They buried the little one in Topeka, and then
came on across the country to Lecompton. Mr.
Whitley secured a pony and in this way traveled
over the country in search of a location. He was
much pleased with the country in this vicinity
and decided to locate on the Solomon River. His
nearest neighbor was at Mud Creek, now Abilene,
nine miles away. The nearest post-office was at
Junction City, thirty-five miles away, and the nearest
market at Leavenworth, one hundred and
seventy miles distant. The first winter about
three hundred Indians camped in the tend of the
river a-half mile from Mr. Whitley's cabin. He
and his wife lived for a while on the meat of buffaloes
and wild turkeys, but it afterward became
impossible to get buffaloes and they had to depend
upon small game, corn-meal, and coffee made of
parched corn. In 1860, Mr. Whitley broke land
and planted a crop of corn, but raised nothing on
account of the hot wind. The next year, however,
he secured a good crop. He took his first grist to
mill sixty miles away and in order to make the
trip had to leave his wife alone for ten days.
In 1858, the Government had bridged Solomon
River, but at the time of high water this was
washed away, so in 1861 Mr. Whitley secured a
ferry boat, which for many years was in use on the
river. For a number of years he drove a stage between
Leavenworth and Ft. Ellsworth for the
Kansas Stage Company, and was afterward connected
with the Butterfield Overland Stage Company.
His home was a station on the route, and
he did a good business, continuing until the railroad
was built. In 1859, many of the emigrants
en route for Pike's Peak passed through this locality-.
Mr. Whitley also built the first stock yards
and did an extensive commission business. In the
fall of 1863, he opened the first store in Solomon
City and since 1865 has been successfully engaged
in the furniture business. No other man
has done more for the upbuilding and improvement
of this locality than our subject.
In 1887, Mr. Whitley was called upon to mourn
the loss of his wife, who died on the 1st of October,
after having been an invalid for several years.
She was an estimable lady and is well remembered
by many throughout the community. The children
now living are: Charles, who is engaged in
business with his father; Nellie, wife of George
Orr, of Kansas City; and Lulu, who is keeping
house for her father.
Mr. Whitley is a charter member of the Odd Fellows'
Lodge of Solomon City, has passed all of its
chairs and been representative to the Grand Lodge.
He is a member of the Baptist Church, which was organized
in 1865, and has ever been identified with
those interests calculated to improve and upbuild
the community. In politics, he has been a stanch
Republican since the organization of the party,
has labored earnestly in its interests, and is now a
member of the Central Committee of the county.
In 1860, he was appointed Postmaster of Solomon
City by President Buchanan and served three
years. He was Police Judge in the old wild days,
and did much to quell the rebellious spirits who
wished to rule the town. In 1860, he was
elected Justice of the Peace and held that office
continuously for twenty-seven years. He was also
Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners
and carried the records of that body in a carpetsack
as he went to and from Salina. To no
man is the history of this county more interesting
than to Mr. Whitley, whose name is inseparably
connected with its best interests. He has
been one of the important factors in the upbuilding
of Solomon City, and no man has more friends
or is held in higher regard than this genial, jovial,
honored pioneer.
(c) 2009 Sheryl McClure for
Dickinson County KS AHGP